Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters appearing in this tale. They belong to Disney and ABC for the most part. I'm just playing and crafting in their world.

Author's Note: I've been asked about the original chapters for this story and whether I might post them somewhere for prosperities' sake. I'm still debating with myself if I want to do so or just delete them. That said, this chapter still keeps a decent chunk of the old one, however the next chapter will be all original content. Enjoy!

Chapter II: Tricks of the Shadows

New York City, 1922

"How do you manage to exist within this… hovel?" the Horned King asked, looking around at the rather shabby living room of Nick's house. The furniture was patched in places, the china was chipped, and the floors were worn from heavy use. A small corner of the wallpaper was peeling away from the wall. Nothing in the house spoke of wealth, unlike the surrounding houses in this area. It was certainly nothing compared to the opulent mansion next door that belonged to Gatsby and that the Horned King had been residing in for the last three weeks. Three weeks he had spent scouring the library of Jay Gatsby, devouring every scrap of information he could obtain from it. The more he learned, the more he was intrigued and yet frustrated with this world.

"I sell bonds, Lucian," Nick replied casually. "It makes decent money. Well decent enough to let me stay in the West Egg."

"Bonds?" the Horned King asked. As Nick explained what a bond was and how it functioned, and how they differed from stocks, the Horned King soaked in the information. His time in Gatsby's library had mainly been spent reading the history of the world, but it had little information on how this world handled wealth. There was a path to power here, he sensed, but it sounded tedious and slow. He was far more curious on how Gatsby acquired his wealth, and the speed and which he did so. Did he own these… stocks and bonds? Or was it something else?

"How has living with Gatsby been, Lucian? I can't imagine the parties make for quiet evenings," Nick chuckled.

"The sound hardly ever reaches the library or my quarters," the Horned King replied. "I haven't felt the inclination to attend one of these parties."

"Oh they can be great fun," Nick assured the Horned King. "You won't believe some of the people that Gatsby is able to invite. Some of the most powerful men in New York attend regularly, even…," Nick dropped his voice to a whisper, "some of the gangsters that run the speakeasies and bootlegging operations."

"Gangsters? Bootlegging?" the Horned King asked.

"Criminals that run gangs," Nick explained with a sigh. Sometimes he wondered if the Brit would ever regain his memories or if they really would need to teach him everything again. Lucian had come a long way in a rapid pace though. "Some of the wealthiest and most brutal men you could ever meet. They've been making their fortunes by smuggling in alcohol to the clubs, in direct defiance of Prohibition."

It never ceased to amaze the Horned King that this world's government created laws through majority. It was chaotic, too many voices. Everything was much easier when it was one man, with all the power, that ruled and issued edicts that must be followed. These… gangsters sounded like men he might want as allies in the future.

"Do any of them live here?" the Horned King asked.

"Trust me, Lucian, you don't want to meet them," Nick said. "You're better off never letting them know your name. Bad enough they know Jay."

No, the Horned King thought, that was unacceptable. They wielded the power in this city, and he wanted that power aligned with him. Especially when his search for true power was still just as fruitless as it had been when he arrived. Gatsby still had not shown him where magic was in this world, and he was growing impatient. All his reading had revealed nothing either, almost as though this world had never had magic in the first place. But that couldn't be true, considering his ring had survived the trip through the cauldron. He was missing something.

"Anyway once you're on your feet, I was telling Jay I could probably get you a job selling bonds too," Nick said, wanting to change the subject away from these men that struck him with such fear.

"While I… appreciate the gesture, it does not sound like something I would find… fulfilling," the Horned King replied. It was too mundane, he felt, for one such as he. Obtaining these bonds, hoarding them for wealth, he would not mind. But a common merchant… unacceptable indeed.

"Ah good, I was hoping to find you both here," Gatsby's voice called. There had been no announcement or knock at the door, the man just strolled into the living room as though he owned the place.

"Jay, I hadn't expected you," Nick said.

"Trying to get Lucian into the bonds business?" Gatsby quipped.

"Not very successfully," Nick laughed. "What brings you here?"

"I want you both at my party tonight," Gatsby declared. "Lucian, it's time we started to get you socializing and knowing the who's who of New York. Nick… I want you to invite her."

"Jay, I don't know if Daisy will come if Tom says no," Nick said. "He's got a tight control on her."

"Just figure it out, please," Gatsby implored. "Lucian, are you alright with this? I promise the night will be magical."

Lucian doubted it would be magical as Gatsby had yet to show even a trace of magical power, but perhaps going to this party would be more beneficial than burying himself in the library for another evening.

"You honor me with the invitation," Lucian said, inclining his head.

"Wear your best, both of you," the gentleman said. "It's going to be a night to remember."

Storybrooke, Present Day

Ursula quietly followed along behind the Dark One and the Horned King. It wasn't that she was mourning Cruella's sudden death, but she was failing to grasp why she had been killed. The Horned King had said she was a messenger, but to who? Who could the evil wizard want to speak with that was dead? She felt like she should know, but the answer was escaping her at the moment.

The streets of Storybrooke were deserted, the night life apparently not very active. It was a bit disconcerting when she compared it to the never ending rush of New York. The street lights were casting sinister shadows across the pavement, but none more unsettling than the hideously twisted shape that spread out from the Horned King. The shadow was gaunt looking, with twisted horned rising from the head. His true form, she was certain, but did that make his human form a glamour of some sort?

"So how exactly am I supposed to travel to this Land of Untold Stories?" she finally asked. Gold and the Horned King stopped, turning back to regard her. She kept her eyes anywhere but the Horned King's gaze. "None of us have a portal or bean, and I lost the ability to travel between the seas the day I left my father."

"Leave that to me," Gold answered. "I have some business to attend to first, however."

"Indeed, the Dagger of Kris must be recovered," the Horned King agreed. "If our opponents retain an avenue of control over you, Rumplestiltskin, you are next to useless to our plans. For the intervening time, we will proceed cautiously. Ursula, until we acquire the means to transport you to another land, we need to distract the heroes."

"What do you suggest?" she asked.

"Make nice with the townsfolk," the Horned King responded. "Continue the charade of wanting redemption from your wicked ways. Build a rapport with them."

"And how exactly is that going to work when they discover Cruella is dead?" Ursula scoffed. "Once they find the body, they'll know something is wrong. Snow, Charming, and Regina all know I can't rip hearts out."

"We only need them distracted for a few hours," the Horned King replied. The discovery of Cruella's body would not drastically affect their plans. In fact, he doubted the heroes would mourn the death of a villain, weak as she was. "Perhaps that is an avenue you can use to our advantage. I have my own task to pursue in the meantime."

"Care to share?" Ursula asked.

"As incompetent and pathetic as she was, Cruella's death does leave us short on allies," the Horned King explained. "I intend to rectify that shortage. While we waited for your arrival, Rumplestiltskin saw fit to inform me of a former comrade of yours contained under the clock tower here."

"Maleficent?" Ursula exclaimed. "But she's dead."

"If there is anyone who knows a thing or two about raising the dead, that would the Horned King," Gold said. "As luck would have it, Maleficent is not entirely deceased. Her staff is located in my shop."

"That will certainly aid in her resurrection," the Horned King stated. "I'll require the blood of those who have wronged her."

"I think we can skin two eels at the same time," Ursula said, a slow grin forming on her face. She had just the pair in mind that had horrifically wronged Maleficent in the past. Luckily enough for her, they were among the people she was supposed to make nice with.

The next morning, business was steady as always at Granny's. The excitement of yesterday was fresh on people's minds, many of the early patrons wondering what the next monster or trouble would be. It did seem that ever since the town was gifted with magic again, the place attracted trouble and villains of all sorts. Still, with how little the demon from the day before had done to the town, people had faith in the Charmings and the other heroes to deal with any situation. The bell clanged again as Regina and Henry walked into the diner, looking for Mother Superior. The books detailing everyone's stories was tucked under Henry's arm while Regina had the picture of her and Robin clutched in her hand.

"Regina, Henry, the usual?" Granny asked, laying a plate of pancakes in front of Leroy.

"Yeah," Henry replied.

"I'll pass," Regina answered, finding Mother Superior sitting with Emma in a booth at the back. She fidgeted as she internally debated if this was even a good idea. The Blue Fairy still showed some disdain when it came to Regina, clearly still thinking there was some villain left in her. She wasn't wrong, as the Evil Queen would forever be a part of her, but she was trying to do good.

"Go on, Mom," Henry said, giving Regina some encouragement. "Just ask her."

Nodding to her son stiffly, she and Henry wove through the tables over to where the nun and Emma were sipping on their coffees. Emma gave Regina and Henry a smile, moving over so her son could sit next to her. Henry set the story book he carried with him on the table in front of him.

"Excuse me, but may I ask you something?" Regina hesitantly asked.

"I suppose you can," Blue said, gesturing for Regina to take a seat. "What can I do for you, Your Majesty?"

"Do you know what this is?" Regina asked, sliding the picture over to the Blue Fairy. Blue snatched it up immediately, staring at it in surprise. It was supposed to be impossible for the Author to make something like this, but here was the evidence in her hands.

"Where did you get this?" Blue asked.

"Regina found it in the Sorcerer's mansion," Emma said, answering for Regina. "Henry found dozens of blank story books there."

"The Sorcerer is here?!" Blue exclaimed.

"Well, his house is, but we haven't found him," Henry responded.

"I thought so," Blue sighed. "He disappeared centuries ago. Many have tried to find the Sorcerer, but all have failed. Even his Apprentice couldn't find him."

"So I guess that dashes any hope," Regina sighed, disgruntled. "If he hasn't been seen in centuries, then I doubt he can write me a happy ending."

"It's not crazy to desire happiness, Regina," Blue said, handing the picture back to her. "That story book has great power, but it's not the Sorcerer you should be looking for. While he is a very powerful user of magic, even more powerful than the Dark One, it's the Author that controls the book and our happy endings."

Before anyone could ask anything else, Granny brought over a coffee for Regina and some hot chocolate for Henry. Nodding their thanks, Granny went to help Archie as he walked into the diner.

"Aren't they the same person?" Emma asked once Granny left. "He has all those story books in his study."

"That is curious. Perhaps the Author works or worked for the Sorcerer," Blue pondered aloud. "I never met either of them, but I do know for a fact they are separate people. But, just like with the Sorcerer, he hasn't been seen in a long time."

"So this is where hope has gotten me?" Regina grumbled.

"Well, it is said that the Author left clues to where he went in his most famous work," Blue said, pointing at the book in front of Henry. "I would guess that if anyone can find him, the person with the heart of the truest believer can. Pinocchio might be able to help too."

"Pinocchio? Why would he be able to help?" Regina asked.

"Because he was able to take the book apart, add his own story, and then put everything back together," Emma concluded. "He might know something that could help us find the Author, or at least something in his things might help. We should go see Marco."

"Thank you," Regina said, getting up.

"While we have never seen eye to eye, Regina," Blue said, "Tinker Bell has convinced me that everyone deserves a second chance at happiness. If this search will help you find that, who would I be to deprive you?"

"Marco and Pinocchio are probably at his workshop now," Emma said to Regina. "You coming, Henry?"

"Nah, I'm going to stay here with Mother Superior," he said, flipping the book open. "I think between the two of us, we might be able to comb through the stories in here to find some mention or clue about the Author."

"Of course," Mother Superior said. "Two heads are better than one."

Leaving Henry and Blue to start looking through the book, Emma and Regina paid for their coffees to go and left Granny's. They didn't talk much on the short walk to Marco's workshop, both wrapped up in their own thoughts. Emma was wondering what exactly her parents were hiding, and she had been meeting with Blue to see if she had any insights. Unfortunately, the Blue Fairy hadn't known what could possibly be making Emma's senses go crazy around her parents, but she was sure it had something to do with Ursula and Cruella when they had all been in the Enchanted Forest. Something had happened between them, but she wasn't sure what it could possibly be. Her parents were heroes, Cruella and Ursula were villains. That should make any dealings between them easy to understand and not require being secretive.

Regina was quietly wringing her hands as they walked, her thoughts far away. Even if they found this Author, would he even want to help her? She hadn't given that much thought, but now that they were finally starting to make some headway in their search, she couldn't push it aside any longer. She had done truly horrible things, to a great many people, and he or she would know every single one of those acts. Would they view her trying to be good now as enough to give her the happy ending she craved with Robin and Roland, or would he condemn her to live in misery for the rest of her life? There was a silent desperation in her body language as they neared the workshop, a nervousness that created a lump in her throat and tightness in her chest.

"Emma, Regina, how can I help you?" Marco asked when he saw them approaching. He and Pinocchio were sanding down a large wooden table, piles of wood stacked around the workshop with a variety of different tools scattered about. At seeing them approach, Pinocchio somewhat shrunk into the background, busying himself with cleaning up the wood shavings on the concrete floor of the workshop.

"We were actually hoping Pinocchio could help us," Emma said, looking at the small boy with kindness. Even now, she could see a few hints of August in how he carried himself, but he still had years and years to go before he was her old friend again. "We were wondering if he remembered anything from when he was August."

"Ah, my boy hasn't been able to recall any of his pervious life," Marco said in response. "You are welcome to try, of course. Pinocchio, come here, my boy." Pinocchio hesitatingly walked over to them, a cloth in between his hands twisting and turning in uneasiness. Emma bent down to be at eye level with him, a soft smile on her lips.

"Hi Pinocchio, you remember who I am?" she asked.

"You're Emma, the sheriff," Pinocchio answered quietly, glancing at Regina. "And she's the mayor right?"

"That's right," Emma said kindly. "But you know that back when you were… older… we were friends. You were a really smart grown-up. So smart, you knew how to take apart a very special book and add a story to it. You were clever enough to even know how to put all back together how you found it. Do you remember any of that? Or maybe anything about the book?"

"I know… everyone wants me to remember, but… I just don't," Pinocchio apologized, looking upset that he couldn't help them. Shy though he was, his father had instilled in him the desire to help people where he could.

"You went to Phuket," Regina exclaimed, her nervousness bleeding through and coming out as frustration. She was close to a breakthrough in her search, and he couldn't remember anything? "You rode a motorcycle. You carried around a typewriter. You wore leather and didn't shave!"

"Regina," Emma said, trying to calm her down, but Regina was having none of it. This little boy had the answers she needed.

"No, he's not trying hard enough!" Regina said, her voice catching at the lump in her throat. Her eyes had grown watery, the tears born out of frustration and fear that her quest had hit another dead end. Pinocchio, watching Regina grow angry, hid behind his father's leg. Marco looked about ready to tell Regina off. "All you need to do is concentrate and think! Or is that head of yours still made of wood?"

"I will not have you speaking to my boy in that way," he said, glaring at Regina. "Has it ever occurred to you that maybe this, uh, quest of yours is going nowhere? You've ruined everyone elses's happy endings. What makes you think you deserve one of your won?"

"I could ask you the same question, toy maker," Regina said, throwing the accusation out there to hide her shock at hearing her own internal doubts voiced aloud by Marco. "Considering you lied about the wardrobe so you could send Pinocchio here."

"If it weren't for you and your curse, I wouldn't have had to send him anywhere!" Marco yelled. "I had to save him from you!"

"Whoa, okay, calm down both of you," Emma said, stepping between Regina and Marco before someone did or said something they would all regret. "This isn't helping anyone, and you both are scaring Pinocchio."

Marco blanched, but then he looked down at his little boy cowering behind him, small hands gripping his leg. Regina immediately looked guilty, her expression apologetic now. She had let her anxiety and fear take control of her words and actions, and she had no right to do that.

"I'm… sorry, Marco," Regina said quietly. "I've just been… through a lot lately. If someone talked to Henry the way I just did to Pinocchio… I would have done a lot worse than yell at them. I was out of line."

"We both were," Marco admitted. "Pinocchio, run inside. I'll be along in a moment. Okay, my boy?"

"Alright Papa," Pinnochio said, running to the door that led from the workshop into Marco's house. Before he disappeared inside, he gave an extremely apologetic look to Regina and said, "Sorry that I can't help you, Regina. I really want to, but I just can't remember."

Once he disappeared into the house, Marco gave a sigh and started looking through some boxes in the workshop. Emma and Regina curiously followed behind him, looking at the things he was pulling out of their cardboard home.

"After the Blue Fairy turned August back into my boy, I kept everything he brought to town," Marco explained, finally finding the box he was looking for. With a heavy grunt, he placed it on sanded table he had been working on with his boy. "I thought… maybe it might be useful, if Pinnochio ever remembered the man he used to be. Perhaps, uh, perhaps something in here will help you both with what you are looking for."

"Thank you, Marco," Regina said, going over and picking up the box. It was a lot heavier than it looked, and Emma quickly ran over to grab the old typewriter and pull it out. The load lessened immediately. Marco gave a short, somewhat awkward nod, before he followed his boy into the house.

"Well, it's a start," Emma said.

"Yeah, hopefully with some sort of light at the end of the tunnel," Regina sighed. Suddenly, there was a shout of surprise from the other side of the wall. Setting the box and typerwriter down, respectively, Regina and Emma ran out of the workshop and turned the corner. Mary Margaret and David were there, Ursula nursing a bloody lip from where David had just punched her.

"What is going on? Mom? Dad?" Emma asked, looking thoroughly confused.

"She was eavesdropping," David explained. "She was lurking outside of Granny's when you both left, so we followed her. Good thing too, looks like she hasn't given up her villainous ways."

"I was going to tell you why I followed them, before you punched me," Ursula groaned, getting to her feet. These heroes were so quick to judge. "I followed Emma and Regina because I need their help."

"What could you possibly want?" Regina asked, skeptically.

"Cruella disappeared on me," Ursula said. She had no chance to say anything more before she was suddenly flung against the workshop wall, a purple haze issuing from Regina's hand and holding Ursula by the throat. Ursula was clawing at the energy keeping her suspended, desperately trying to find whatever was choking her and get it away from her throat.

"What do you mean Cruella disappeared?" Regina asked Ursula, keeping her pinned against the wall with her magic. "Is that some sort of plot? You know, I thought I might give you a chance, but it looks like the Charmings were right. You two haven't changed."

"Wait! Regina… please," Ursula gasped, struggling to speak. "I didn't know what she was planning to do!"

"What is she planning to do?" Mary Margaret asked. "Tell us now, and maybe we won't toss you into a jail cell."

"She wants revenge," Ursula croaked. "Revenge on you… on your prince… on everyone for what happened. She knows she can't do it alone, so she wants to bring back someone that has just as much a desire to hurt you."

"Maleficent," Mary Margaret whispered.

"The dragon I killed under the clock tower?" Emma asked, looking skeptical. "I thought it was impossible to bring someone back from the dead."

"It is," Regina said, letting Ursula down. The Sea Witch sank to the ground, coughing and massaging her throat as she caught her breath. "But Maleficent isn't truly dead. As long as the town exists, she's stuck down in the caverns to guard the failsafe. She can't take physical form because of your pirate, but her ashes are still there."

"What would Cruella need to revive her?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Blood, Maleficent's remains… and the Dark One's dagger," Regina answered. "We need to warn Belle."

"I'll call Killian, have him go over to Gold's shop," Emma said. "She was taking inventory today. Between the two of them, they should be able to keep the dagger safe."

"David and I will go into the mines to get the ashes," Mary Margaret said, immediately volunteering. If she and David could get those ashes, then there was no way their secret could be exposed to Emma.

"We'll look for that gin-soaked fashion disaster," Regina said to Emma. "It shouldn't be hard to find her."

"I want to help," Ursula said, getting to her feet. "I want to prove I want to make that fresh start here, even if Cruella had other ideas."

"Fine, you can come with David and I," Mary Margaret said. She shared a look with Emma and Regina, both of whom understood what she was trying to convey. If Ursula tried anything, Mary Margaret and David could handle her. What she wasn't saying was she wanted Ursula close so she couldn't reveal anything to her daughter.

"Just another day in Storybrooke," Emma exclaimed.

Belle sighed as she marked off another item on Rumple's ledger. It had been a couple of weeks since she had banished her husband from Storybrooke, and each day she had to struggle with the decision. She loved him… but she couldn't condone everything he had done. Will certainly helped take her mind off of Rumple, but she felt she owed it to what they had to keep up with his shop, along with her duties at the library.

There were so many objects that Rumple had collected or bartered or demanded as his price from his various deals in the shop, many of them holding some magical property. The carefully maintained ledger detailed exactly what each item was capable of doing or where it had been taken from. She knew Rumple didn't truly need it, he never forgot a deal, but it was for ease of reference for others. Marking down another item, the scratch of the quill somewhat soothing, she was distracted from moving onto the next item when the bell above the door clanged.

Looking up, she frowned slightly as she looked at someone she hadn't seen in town before. He was older, maybe around the same age as her father. His skin was slightly wrinkled, his face on the thinner side. Dark and intelligent eyes glittered from slightly sunken eye sockets. His hair was styled back against his head, while the gray and white haired goatee he sported was neatly groomed around his narrow lips. The man himself was thin as well, dressed in a fine dark suit. A red, fur-lined cloak was draped around his shoulders. He carried an ornate cane with him, the head of some demon made of silver resting on top. On his hand, the only piece of jewelry he wore was a ring with a green gem.

"Can I help you?" Belle asked, coming around from the counter. 'I'm afraid I haven't seen you around town before."

"Perhaps you can help," the man said, looking over at the collection of staves that Rumple had 'collected' over the years. "I was trapped by the Snow Queen and was just recently released when she was defeated. I'm… unfamiliar with the town and surrounding area so I was hoping to purchase a stout walking stick. My cane isn't really for the woods."

"Um, sure," Belle said, trying to place the man. Something about him was making her cautious, suspicious even. He just didn't feel right to her, and she felt she could judge a person rather well after being around Rumple for so long.

"Ah, this one seems quite fine," the man said, grabbing one of the staves. Belle frowned as she quickly went over the registry in her head before realizing that was Maleficent's old staff. "How much for it?"

Before she could respond, the door opened again and Hook rushed inside.

"Belle! We've got a problem," he said, before he saw the strange man. "Who are you?"

"No one of importance, just a customer," the man replied.

"What's wrong, Killian?" Belle asked, still eyeing the new customer warily. "Uh, can you give us a moment?" She didn't want to reveal anything to this man, but apparently he understood as he gave a small nod. Belle grabbed Hook by the arm and led him into the back room of the pawn shop so they could discuss whatever had him in such a tizzy.

"That villain, Cruella, disappeared and we think she's trying to revive Maleficent," Hook muttered once Belle drew the curtain closed. "I got a call from Emma and apparently Cruella needs the Crocodile's dagger to accomplish whatever she has planned."

"She won't be able to find it," Belle reassured Hook.

"We need to be sure she can't," Hook responded.

"Trust me, Killian, no one would be able to find where Rumple's dagger is," Belle said. "I hid in the spot where I finally remembered who Rumple was." That comment made Hook give her a questioning look. It was plain to her that he was asking if she still loved Rumple… and she couldn't say yes or no. "Now I have a question," she said, trying not to think about it anymore right now, "Have you seen that man outside before?"

"No, have you?" Hook said.

"No, he claimed he was trapped by Ingrid when she first came to town, but I don't buy it," Belle stated. "If Ingrid started trapping people, Regina would have noticed."

"Let's go ask why he might lie," Hook said, raising his namesake. Pushing the curtain aside, they were confronted by an empty shop. The mysterious man had disappeared… but they hadn't heard the bell go off from the door opening and closing.

"Oh no," Belle whispered. Running over, she gave a quick glance over the staves. She didn't see Maleficent's staff anywhere among them now. "He took her staff. That man stole Maleficent's staff."

"He stole Maleficent's staff? What does that accomplish?" Hook asked.

"I'm not sure, but he must be in league with Cruella," Belle said, rushing back over to the counter to grab her phone. She needed to report the theft and the fact that this man had to have used magic to disappear like he did. If they were dealing with a new sorcerer, and clearly one aligned with Cruella, they needed to warn everyone. A sudden horrible thought raced through her mind. If someone had come through with Cruella and Ursula, had her husband done so as well? She needed to retrieve his dagger, right after she called Emma.

"Do I want to know how you had something of Cruella's to use a locator spell on?" Emma asked Regina, walking along the road to the edge of the town limits behind a piece of egg shell of all things. It didn't look like it came from anything natural.

"It's a piece of dragon shell, and Ursula gave it to me," Regina replied. "Apparently, she and Cruella used the pieces of shell they had to keep themselves youthful these past twenty-eight years. So I did a simple enchantment for the shell to seek out its other piece."

"So a dragon shell can keep someone young? That's interesting," Emma said. Suddenly, the shell whizzed into the nearby treeline and there was a flash of light to alert them. "Guess it found the other part of shell… but on the side of the road."

Pushing into the underbrush, they quickly discovered why the shell had stopped at this point. A pair of stylishly clad feet were sticking out from under a black and white fur coat. Cruella's face was frozen in pain and surprise. The piece of shell laid next to her, it's counterpart next to it.

"Well… I guess we found out why Cruella disappeared on Ursula," Emma said, looking down at the coat covered corpse. "How did she die?"

"Give me a second," Regina said, bending down to examine the body. A purple glow surrounded her hand as she used her magic to look for any causes of death, Regina passing her hand this way and that over the body. To her eye, a sickly green glow suffused Cruella's body, especially around the region of her heart. The green glow seemed to pulse with malevolence, but it felt diseased… ancient… like the wielder should have been dead and buried centuries ago. Getting back to her feet, she had a look of concern on her face.

"What is it?" Emma asked, noting the look on Regina's face. "How did she die? Regina?"

"Her heart was ripped out and crushed," Regina muttered, thinking quickly. "Ursula can't do a heart rip; her magic isn't suited for it."

"You don't think Gold is behind this, do you?" Emma asked. "How could he have gotten back into town?"

"It doesn't feel like Gold's magic," Regina said. "It feels… more corrupted… decayed almost. No… ancient would be a better word."

"Who could possibly be more corrupted than the Dark One?" Emma questioned, trying to wrap her mind around the possibility that someone was darker than, well the Dark One.

"I… don't know," Regina said, scanning the area with her magic now. Magic like what had been used on Cruella left traces, it always did. She gave a gasp as her probing spell revealed two familiar presences to her. "Gold was here, and so was Ursula."

"But how?!" Emma exclaimed, but then after a moment of thought, the answer was obvious. "Cruella and Ursula must have been working with him."

"The deal was altered in some way, judging by this one being left in the middle of the road," Regina said, a cowl forming on her face now. "We were tricked. Ursula sent us looking for Cruella intentionally, revealed their plan to revive Maleficent so we would split up to stop it."

"And in turn letting Gold and whoever this was time to prepare," Emma said, pulling her cell phone out. "We need to warn my parents." She hit the speed dial button for her father, but she got nothing. She tried again, but the same result.

"They must already be down in the mines," Regina surmised.

"Yeah, but who else is down there?" Emma asked.

Deep in the caverns and tunnels that ran underneath Storybrooke, Mary Margaret and David were almost to their destination. They hadn't encountered Cruella yet, but she had to be lurking down here somewhere. The shadows of the place were even deeper up ahead for some unexplainable reason, almost absorbing the light coming from their flashlights.

"Did you forget to put new batteries in?" Mary Margaret asked David, tapping her flashlight against her hand.

"No, I put new ones in before we came down here," David replied. "Must be some sort of leftover magic from Maleficent before she died."

"Hook never did say how he defeated Maleficent's shade," Mary Margaret pondered aloud. Perhaps the increased shadows were a byproduct of her destruction or whatever method Hook had used against her? It could even be a leftover from Cora for all the Charmings knew.

"There they are, David," Mary Margaret said, running over to the pile of ashes on the cavern floor. "Maleficent's ashes."

"I guess Cruella didn't get to them yet," David said, following along behind his wife. "We stopped whatever plan she had for them. It's weird though. Why wouldn't she include Ursula in whatever plan to revive Maleficent she had?"

"I don't know," Mary Margaret replied. "Something doesn't add up."

"Figured that all out by yourself?" Ursula said from behind them. Both Charmings turned to face her, but she was too fast for them. Two tentacles smashed into their heads, knocking them unconscious. A chuckle issued back from the tunnel they had come from, the Horned King striding into the cave, cloak billowing behind him.

"Well done, Ursula," he congratulated, twirling his hand to conjure ropes around David's and Mary Margaret's wrists and ankles. Ursula wrapped them in her tentacles, moving them to rest against the far cavern wall. "That was a nice touch, using Cruella's death to separate the heroes from each other. Now, onto business."

With another flick of his hand, a small vial appeared.

"I need blood from our heroes here," he said, summoning his cane. "Enough to fill the vial."

"Alright," Ursula replied, taking the offered vial and a small knife the Horned King produced for her. Walking over to the bound heroes, she had to wonder what exactly she was getting into here. The Dark One seemed to be fine with working with this ancient sorcerer, but she was far more hesitant. Her father had always spoken about the evil that lay over the land and waters of Prydain, and here she was working with it. Her heart twinged in response to the thought, but she buried any doubts she had. The Horned King or the Dark One would probably kill her if she didn't follow through on her end of the plan.

Nicking Snow White and Prince Charming's right hands, she collected the dribbles of blood that flowed freely. Moving carefully back over to her ally, she looked at what he was doing curiously.

"I've never seen this sort of resurrection spell," Ursula said, watching the Horned King work. He was etching runes into the ground with the end of his cane, symbols she had never seen before. Each little symbol blazed with a harsh lime green light, a sinister air about them. A two concentric circles were drawn around the pile of ashes, their unnatural light throwing the Horned King's lined face into sharp contrast. For just a moment, Ursula thought she could see the true twisted form of the malevolent sorcerer, the light of the runes giving his shadow a grotesque appearance.

Against the cavern wall, the two heroes were starting to stir. Paying them no mind, and not answering the Sea Witch immediately, the Horned King grabbed the staff of Maleficent. With a crack of splintering wood, he broke it in two and laid the pieces on either side of the ash pile. The crack of wood brought Mary Margaret completely to her senses, grabbing her attention. Ursula wasn't alone anymore, and for a moment she thought the man with her was Gold… but no. The shape of the body wasn't right, and she had never known Rumplestiltskin to wear a red cloak with fur.

"David," she whispered, trying to waken her husband. "David, wake up." Groggily, David shook off the blow to the head he had received, surprised to find his hands tied.

"Mary Margaret, what's going on?" he asked, blinking rapidly.

"No, I would expect not," he replied quietly, taking the vial that contained the blood of Snow White and Prince Charming out of Ursula's hands. Noticing the two awake heroes, he gave them a malicious smile and said, "A rebirth of one of your enemies, Snow White and Prince Charming. One you had thought completely destroyed."

Pouring the vial of blood over the ashes, he started to mumble a fell language under his breath. As the blood flowed over and into the pile, black trails almost like rain or tear drops were left behind. Producing a knife from his cloak, the Horned King slid it across his own hand. Dribbles of the evil king's blood flowed along his clenched fist, flowing off his wrist and hissing against the remains of Maleficent. Ursula was shocked to see his blood was a disgusting brownish color, not the red she had expected. Just what was this creature she and the Dark One had allied with?

"Think of your memories of Maleficent," the Horned King instructed. "Draw them from the depths of your memory, let them fill your mind. Speak her name as only one who knew her can."

"Maleficent," Ursula whispered, recalling the first time they had met and the other villainous things the three witches had done. The rumors she had heard of what her old comrade had done to Briar Rose and her daughter. The destruction she had wrought in her dragon form, the rage and hatred she had felt for what Snow White and Prince Charming had done.

Turning to face the Charmings, the Horned King gave another cruel smile before saying, "Do you feel the memories knocking at your conscious thoughts? Her name, a breath away from being uttered by your lips? Do not fight it. Memory is one of the strongest magics in the lands. It can build and heal, but also break and sunder."

Mary Margaret and David struggled against their bonds, trying to stop the memories of Maleficent from filling their minds. Whoever this sorcerer was, his magic was powerful and try as they might, the memories of their experiences with the witch started to rise in their heads. The Horned King resumed chanting in his foul language, syllables not uttered for centuries filling the cavern. The light from the runes turned harsher, burning with an evil light. Sparks of the same color appeared in the cavern, twisting and turning in the still air.

With a cry, the Horned King shouted out one last syllable. Behind him, the runes flashed and a great inferno of lime green fire erupted into life. The shadows within the cavern were drawn into the fire, shrieks and screams and groans and moans issued from the ritual. Ursula took several steps back, a look of complete unease and fear on her face as the ritual brought Maleficent back to the land of the living. From within the flames, a dark shape formed.

"No, we have to stop him!" Mary Margaret yelled.

"It's too late for that," Ursula said, backing up further so her back was against the wall the Charmings were lying beside.

The Horned King gave a triumphant laugh, one full of malice and cruelty. The dark shape within the flames started to coalesce, the lime green inferno dying down. Purple and gray smoke billowed up to the ceiling of the cavern, hanging like an obscene fog. A new laugh started from the dark shape behind the malevolent sorcerer, starting low and building with evil. Ursula did not remember such malice existing in that laugh before, something had either gone wrong or the Horned King's ritual was not what she expected.

The Horned King moved aside as the inferno died down to become just the harsh light from the runes on the floor, the pile of ashes and the broken staff gone. In their place stood Maleficent, but not the one the Charmings or Ursula remembered. The sorceress was holding a new black staff, a sphere the same color as the flames that revived her rested on top, but that wasn't the biggest change. The first indication something was off was the skin of the hand was grayish-green, pointed red nails on her fingers. Maleficent slowly raised her head, drawing a gasp from the Charmings and Ursula. Her face was gaunt now, yellow eyes gleaming from her face. Her skin was the same color as her hand, her lips red as blood. The horned headdress she had worn had returned, black as darkness. A long black and purple robe adorned her figure, the edges jagged like a bat or dragon wings.

"Welcome back to the Land of the Living, Maleficent," the Horned King said, bowing politely before the newly revived sorceress.

"Ah, it is so… refreshing to be back," she said, her voice soft spoken now. Maleficent took in those in front of her, smiling coldly. "Well, what a glittering assembly to welcome me. Royalty, nobility, and," she gave a small chuckle as she looked at the Charmings, "how quaint, even the rabble. You seem distressed, Snow White. Now, why ever would that be? Oh yes, you banished my daughter to another land and put your daughter's darkness in mine."

"Whatever you heard, it's not the full story," Mary Margaret said.

"You can save you little secret, Snow White," Maleficent said, waving her hand in a dismissive fashion. "Why, I should be thanking you and your prince. Your actions gave me clarity. A daughter is a weakness. But, all debts must be repaid, my dear."

"If you're going to hurt someone, let it be me," David yelled.

"Hurt you?" Maleficent exclaimed, looking offended. "No, that would be far too easy, Prince Charming."

"Indeed," the Horned King said. "We have a plan, Maleficent. One which shall guarantee your revenge. Shall we?" With his offer, he extended his hand to take Maleficent's. Elegantly, she took it and Ursula rushed over to her two allies.

"The next move is yours, Snow White, Prince Charming," the Horned King said. With a rush of green smoke, all three villains were transported away. The ropes binding Mary Margaret and David vanished, allowing them to get to their feet. Sharing horrified looks, the Charmings made their way over to the tunnel that led to the elevator to the surface.

"This is all our fault," she whispered. "If we hadn't been so determined to keep our secret…"

"We need to warn everyone," David said, "and we need to find out who that man was. How could another villain have slipped into town?"

"I don't know," Mary Margaret muttered into David's chest. "But we need to tell Emma everything."

Not knowing of the failure in the mines, Belle was hiking her way to the wishing well. She had thought it would be as safe a place as any to hide the dagger, as giving it to anyone she trusted to safeguard would mean Rumple would go after them instead. Just the thought of her husband gave birth to a whole host of mixed emotions. Anger, sadness, disappointment, a small dash of hope that his banishment would make him think about what was most important to him. It was a dizzying combination, but there was also a little fear mixed in there too. She had seen what Rumple would do to those who crossed him back in the Enchanted Forest.

Reaching the wishing well, she took a moment to catch her breath. Hands placed on the cool stone of the well, she looked down into its depths to the magical water below. For just the length of an eye blink, she thought there was a faint teal glimmer within their depths. In the next, there was nothing so perhaps it was nothing more than a faint trickle of moonlight.

Disregarding the glimmer, she raised herself up onto her tip toes and started feeling around the inside edge of the roof. Her searching hand found what she was looking for, pulling the Dark One's dagger down from its hiding place. This wasn't going to be leaving her person now.

"Hello Belle," came the voice she had known would be here. She should have known that Rumple would know she would come here.

"Rumple," Belle whispered, turning to face her estranged husband. He had a somber expression on his face, perhaps thinking about everything that had happened. "Don't take another step."

"I'm not here to hurt you Belle," Rumple said, respecting her wishes and not moving. Slowly, she walked around the wishing well, grasping the Dark One's dagger in her hand. "I would never hurt you."

"Too late for that, Rumple," she said. "You broke my heart."

"I was doing everything for you," Rumple replied. "You might not believe me, Belle, but I was doing all of that for you."

"How can I possibly believe that, Rumple?" Belle asked rhetorically. "You took Killian's heart, trapped the fairies in the Sorcerer's hat, tried to trap Emma in the hat, manipulated the Snow Queen to suit your own needs. Not counting everything else you've done to hurt the people in this town, including our family!"

"I needed the magic to free myself from the dagger," Rumple said, explaining himself again. Why did Belle need to be difficult about this? "Once that was done, we could have gone anywhere you wanted, do anything you wanted. We could have seen the world, Belle."

"But at what cost, Rumple?" she asked.

"Whatever cost was necessary," Rumple replied.

"And that's why you'll always be a villain… and I'll always be a hero," Belle stated, leveling the dagger at him. "There are some prices that are too high to pay, Rumple. We could've been happy here. No, we were happy here. I wanted to be with you. I loved you, but you just couldn't give up the chance to gain more power for yourself."

"I still love you, Belle, and everything I'm doing now is for you," Rumple said, taking a single step forward, hands out in a beseeching manner. "So we can finally have our happy ending."

"If you truly loved me, you would give up this crazy plan of yours," Belle stated, taking a step back so her back was pressed against the wishing well. "But that's your problem, Rumple. You're too afraid of living without your powers to ever sacrifice anything that might threaten that power."

"You're right, I am afraid of living without my powers," Rumple stated sadly. Belle for a moment thought that maybe she was getting through to him, but his next words dashed that. "If my banishment taught me anything, I need my powers now more than ever. So no, Belle, I can't give up on my plan. One day soon, you'll see things my way though."

"No, I'm sorry Rumple, but no," Belle said, hefting the dagger again. "Dark One, I command you to take us to the town line." If she banished him again, then whatever he was planning with Ursula and this mysterious sorcerer would be hindered significantly.

She was utterly shocked when they didn't disappear in a whirl of purple smoke though. Rumple, for his part, just continued to look at her solemnly, a pained expression to his eyes. From within his jacket, he pulled out the real dagger.

"I'm sorry, Belle," Rumple said. "But I can't have you stopping me, not this time."

With that said, he disappeared into purple smoke. Belle felt her legs give out under her, and she sagged to the ground, the wishing well keeping her sitting upright.

Unknown Location, Present Day

With a pained gasp, Cruella lurched up, clutching at her chest in a blind panic. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was… she shivered at the memory of watching the Horned King crush her heart, the Dark One and Ursula doing nothing to stop him. But… if that was true… how was she awake? In fact, where were those imbeciles?

Shakily, she got to her feet and observed her surroundings. She was standing in the middle of an enormous graveyard, the grass at her feet and coarse and yellowing. The sky was a bloody color, with no clouds to obscure that unsettling sun. The air was stale and thick, smelling of decay. The trees were leafless, their trunks grayed and dead.

"Where the bloody hell am I?" she wondered aloud.

"Technically not Hell, but He and I have an understanding," a male voice called out from behind her. Whirling around, her coat swishing ridiculously around her thin frame, there was a man leaning against a large headstone. He was dressed in a classy black suit, a silk red tie with a skull pin complimenting his attire. He was roughly her age, she gauged, but his most striking feature was what replaced his hair. Blue flames rose from his scalp, flickering unnaturally in the red light. He was tapping his fingers on the headstone, drawing her attention to the name. She stumbled back as she stared at the words 'Cruella De Vil,' carved there.

"It's a bit of a shock, at first, but you'll learn to get used to it," the man continued. "Heart rip. Haven't had one of those in a little while. Let me guess… Regina? No, she went the way of the heroes. Cora is here… Ah! Rumplestiltskin! Big fan of his, best Dark One for business I've ever seen. Thousands of clients over the centuries, although he has stopped in recent times. Always meant to ask about that."

"I… I… I can't be dead! I'm standing right here!" Cruella yelled, stalking over to the man. "Who do you think you are?!"

"Ah… right introductions," the man chuckled, unconcerned with her rage. "Name is Hades, Lord of the Dead. Hi, how are you doing?"

She gasped, immediately shrinking back.

"I know, I know, not every day you meet a deity," Hades continued. "So rules. You had some unfinished business in those big wide worlds up there, and then you died. Which means you're mine now." Hades tilted his head up, like he was enjoying a sudden breeze. "Oh yes, your unfinished business is immense."

"So that's why that bastard was asking," Cruella whispered. She was finding it hard to breathe now, panic spreading through her body. She was dead… dead… but wait, the Horned King had said he was her messenger. Hades had to be the man the Horned King wanted to meet! Maybe the Lord of the Dead would be able to send her back once he knew why she was here.

"I have a message for you," Cruella said, earning a dry chuckle from the God of Death.

"From who?" he asked.

"The Horned King," Cruella said.

"I haven't heard that name in a long time, but good to hear that ol' king is still kicking," Hades exclaimed. "We had an arrangement long ago, but I always wondered how he never ended up here when those children beat him. Business will be booming soon."

"He wants to make a deal with you," Cruella continued.

"Oh I'm sure he does," Hades said, nodding. "Well, you were a good messenger. I shall have to go topside to hear what he has to offer." Hades started to walk away, a small jaunt in his step, and Cruella followed behind him.

"Wait, you have to send me back!" she implored. "Lord Hades, please!"

Hades turned back to face her, an expression of fake sympathy on his face. "That's not how I work, my dear. I'm a very… possessive man. I don't like letting things… go. Look on the bright side, no more having to worry about petty little revenge plots here. Pain! Panic!"

At his summons, two little horned imps appeared in flashes of blue flame. One was pink and incredibly portly with smaller horns and a long tail, while the other was blue and very thin with longer horns. They seemed very nervous to be in the presence of their master.

"Pain and Panic reporting for duty!" they exclaimed at the same time.

"Yes, yes, yes," Hades said, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "See to it our newest addition to our little home away from home is set up in proper accommodations."

"I don't want proper accommodations!" Cruella yelled. "I want to go back!"

"Oooo first maybe a little lesson about those who rock the boat," Hades instructed to his minions. To Cruella he added, "Don't worry your fur obsessed head, Cruella, only three ways to leave here. Going down, moving on… or my personal favorite…" he gestured out towards where she could see a body of water. "Eternal doom and gloom. I'll be sure to pass on word you arrived safely and delivered your message."

With that said, Hades vanished in a whirl of blue flames.

"Right this way, Miss De Vil," Panic said, taking one of her hands. He was surprisingly strong for his size.

"We got just the spot for you," Pain said, taking her other hand, and with snickers shared between the two imps, they started to pull her along to wherever she was to go. She didn't struggle much as the shock was settled in.