Author's Note: The premise of this chapter has been somewhat role played on twitter. But, as it is a key event in the character's development, it will be turned into a chapter of this story. Again, twitter account this chapter fic is "documenting" is amazonianwitch (timeline in the future of this premise. Will catch up in no time).

The loud-mouth, red-headed amazon was getting on Samsara's nerves. For a woman of few words, it was quite an accomplishment to get more than a sentence out of her at a time. They had recently learned that Amarice was kicked out of her old tribe. While the reasons for that were unknown, Samsara wasn't surprised. The young amazon was reckless, stubborn, hard-headed, in over her head and shows no respect for authority. There was that tiny bit of respect that she tossed around when she first joined them, but that seemed to have gone out of the window once she got her feet sunk comfortably in their grounds.

Samsara missed Karina. Gabrielle and Ephiny helped fill the gap left inside her after she was unwillingly torn from her tribe; Xena was a good friend; and a goofy, self-proclaimed warrior named Joxer who drops by sometimes brighten up her day now and then. But it wasn't the same without Karina around. The older Amazons in her tribe knew not what to say to her and the newer ones avoided her with fear of speaking the wrong terms. Karina was the only one who knew her story and reached out, reading her closed book as though it was sprawled open shamelessly. The queen of her tribe maneuvered her like a kite; letting go and holding on with perfect timing.

"What happened here?" soon became a common question fired whenever Xena returned from her side missions. A thug here, a group of bandits there, and everything suddenly became out of control with a big dash of insanity. Samsara's visits to Storybrooke soon became the perfect escape from the Amazon Nations that she once held dear.

Storybrooke made her feel different-excitement, curiosity, fear. Each visit sealed her suspicion of the town's magic deeper in stone. The air smelled of a delicious purple and those with magic stood out like single, bright roses in a thorn bush. There was a different air around them. Perhaps it was the way they held themselves. Then there was one Maleficent. Samsara could barely remember how their first encounter went, but when she caught sight of Maleficent, the witch's hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft, golden waves; the tailored dress hugged her figure; her smile invoked a strange mix of fear and lust. And as much as it sounds like the diary of the new kid in school, Maleficent was the first resident of Storybrooke who struck up a conversation with her, and Samsara was...hooked.

She stroke fingers over the once dusty covers of the thick book and smiled at the not so distant memories that led to its retrieval.

"You can't just learn magic, Samsara." the dragon witch said.

"I will, if you teach me." the amazon insisted, jaws squared with determination.

The witch's lips pursed, eyes fixated at a distant object in thought, then tilted her head at the amazon, a smile tugging at her lips. "What do you have to offer me?"

Samsara's mind raced to come up with something appealing enough for the experienced witch.

"An unwilling slave," she spat out without re-considering the possible consequences. "An amazon-strong, but feisty. You will like her-her unwillingness will prove to be wonderful entertainment." she promised, already having a subject in mind-Amarice. Loyalty was a strong value taught amongst the Amazons, but so was respect. Amarice was a lone wolf at best and their tribe wasn't really a tribe; while others might, Samsara didn't really regard Amarice as an amazon.

"How are you going to make her agree to that?"

"Let me worry about that," Samsara smiled.

A witch; an amazon lusting after the prospect of magic; a deal was struck.

It is to be warned that curiosity always kills the cat, no matter how cliche it is. Aligning her plans to Amarice's body clock, Samsara brushed the last arrow tip with the potion and gathered her gear, setting out just as Amarice trotted by.

"Where are you going?" she nosed.

"Hunting." Samsara said flatly, then loaded her bow with an arrow, aiming at air. "Someone..." she mumbled under her breath.

A loud gasp escaped Amarice's lips-an indication that the latter word was heard.

"Who are you hunting?"

Samsara turned, letting the arrow fly as soon as the aim was marked on Amarice.

"Oops?"

The red headed Amazon's hand flew up to the embedded arrow in her shoulder and pulled it out.

"Wait till I tell Xena, Gabrielle and Ephiny about this." she promised through gritted teeth.

Samsara shrugged and mentally counted down the seconds before Amarice collapsed.

But all that was taught to Amarice was not lost, whether the feisty child was born of Amazon or not. Her tolerance to the potion was underestimated, making the journey to Maleficent's a struggle and the deal making an interesting chapter.

"She has to stay willingly," Maleficent chimed, even after deciding that she liked Amarice enough to keep her as slave.

"I promised you an unwilling slave," Samsara countered, but the witch simply shook her head.

"Those are the terms-a willing slave, and I will teach you magic."

The deal failed to go through, but Samsara only had herself to blame for not picking a less hard-headed amazon. Unfortunately, Amarice was the only Amazon in their wanna-be tribe that ticked her off enough. It was even more unfortunate that Amarice had convinced the rest that Samsara was possessed by Alti-a powerful shaman who time and time again, had seek to destroy Xena.

"I need your help!" Samsara plead to the glow of blue light as she fled the amazon forests.

"What can I do?" the Blue Fairy asked, her calmness grinding on Samsara's frayed nerves as she steal backward glances repeatedly to see if her pursuers had caught up.

"I need..." she paused but just for a moment. "Magic. I am under attack."

"I can't grant you permanent magical powers-no magic is strong enough to do that," she explained. "But I can give them to you temporarily."

Samsara nodded frantically. She was hardly a match for Xena and with Gabrielle, Ephiny and a rabid Amarice on the warrior princess' side, Samsara's fate was sealed if she were to cross swords with them.

"Here are three wishes, use them wisely," the Blue Fairy said, handing Samsara a navy blue pouch. "When you need them, just open it and make a wish. But remember, you only have three."

STORYBROOKE...

"Yes?" the perfect brow arched as she opened the door.

Samsara composed herself, catching her breath as the dragon witch rolled her eyes before letting her in. The past playful flirting and fiery attitude seemed to have played in the favour of the amazon. A glass of wine, words exchanged, and it was clear that Maleficent had taken on a liking for the other woman. But the witch was convinced that there was little that could be done in granting Samsara magic, even with the help of the Blue Fairy's wishes. But determined, Samsara insisted she try, promising the incentive of a wish for Maleficent should things succeed.

There was no yeses or nos before Maleficent left Samsara alone, tending to other businesses. The amazon wandered around boldly, turning wine bottles and opening doors. An idea came to her suddenly, but Maleficent was still in the house.

Days went by until the opportunity came-Maleficent was out of town. With the house unguarded by magic, Samsara sneaked in for a browse. Then, she found it-the thick book of everything you can know about magic sitting in the bottom most drawer of Maleficent's dresser. She ran a finger down the cover; a layer of dust has already gathered.

"Well then she won't miss it," Samsara reasoned, tucking it under her arm. In its place, she left a note "Thank you. I will take the best care of it and return it once I've proven you wrong."

Samsara peeled open the book gingerly; anticipation shone in her eyes, a grin spread across her lips. One wish down, two wishes to go-it was time to make some magic.