^^
Hello my beloved Oncers!
Here is the start to the Queens of Darkness Arc. Emma won't be the target for Athena but Zila. Because soon a new female Dark One shall rise!
WHOOT!

Athena's POV

I finished making myself a sandwich before heading back to the laptop that was on the small kitchen table in Ursula's apartment. I wanted to have the last ramen noodles but I decided against it. The door to the apartment opened and a tired Ursula came in.

"I got some news you might be interested in" I informed the sea witch as she threw her keys onto the table.

"Oh really?" she inquired heading into her room.

"Yes I'm just waiting for a response from Belle" I answered her. "I would contact Rumple but I can't risk it"

"Your brother was never one for the internet much" Ursula called out.

"Very true" I agreed. "I just hope Belle responds to my email shortly so the next phase of my plan can continue"

"I sure hope so because I've waited a long time for my happy ending" Ursula growled.

"You will get your happy ending I am a woman of my word" I reassured the sea witch just as a notification of a new email popped up on my screen.

"You got something?" Ursula asked noticing the smirk on my face.

"Indeed" I replied. "Now it's time to visit an old friend"

"Who?" Ursula asked.

"Cruella" I answered.

Ursula didn't say anything and her stomach growled.

"I saved the last ramen noodles for you I know you wouldn't be pleased if I ate it"

"That's appreciated your brother on the other hand was never considerate"

I smirked at her comment because it was true. But after he met Zila he changed, well at little bit. He was still sneaky like I was something we both inherited from our father. After lunch Ursula and I got dressed in warmer clothing since it was freezing in New York. I used the money I had to get us from her apartment to our destination Great Neck, Long Island. When we arrived on the property there was a crowd outside and I could see FBI vehicles. So Cruella lived a life of luxury until now huh?

"So this is where she lives?" Ursula asked eying the mansion. "Guess some of us are doing better than others"

"We're doing better" I told the sea witch before she and I walked past the nosy crowd of onlookers. Cruella came into sight and she was putting on a fur coat that a FBI agent tried to snag.

"Cruella De Vil" I greeted.

Cruella froze when she heard her real name being called out.

"No one calls me that here" she said before turning to me and Ursula.

"I'm sorry but Cruella Feinberg doesn't have quite the same ring"

Cruella's eyes widened when she it was me standing in front of her the same reaction Ursula gave me six weeks prior.

"Well I'll be damned" Cruella began. "It's not every day you meet another Dark One what the hell are you two doing here?"

"Looking to regain our greater glory" I answered her. "A glory I can soon return to the both of you if you wish to join me"

"I'll think I'll pass" Cruella stated.

"I think it be in your benefit to join me" I explained to Cruella. "Things have changed allow me to explain because of my own self desires I got banished out of the town where I resided, if you come with me and Ursula I promise I will get the happy ending you desire after all didn't Rumplestiltskin promise the same thing to you two before?"

"How do you know that?" Cruella demanded.

"The male Dark One is my brother and I know every sly detail about him, after all he was the one who trapped you with that demon in the first place am I right?"

Both Ursula and Cruella tensed when I mentioned that. Cruella glared at me before she opened the door to the garage to reveal the car she owned. I had to admit it was damn nice.

"Get in" she said to us.

"Nice one" Ursula praised me and I flashed her a smirk. As we approached the car Cruella asked me.

"Now then darling where are we going?"

"A quaint little town called Storybrooke" I answered. "And there's magic there so the two of you will regain your powers"

That got both of them to smirk with pleasure.

Storybrooke

Zila's POV

Six weeks had passed since Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff departed for Arendelle. Things in town returned to normal but Rumple was still having trouble dealing with the fact he banished his own sister. I gave my husband some space when he needed it and focused on everyday life. I now stood beside Emma, Hook, Belle, and Snow because Belle had found a way to get the fairies out of the hat. She had emailed a linguistics professor who was able to translate the spell.

I handed over Athena's dagger to Regina and after she took it we all backed up. Regina then began to wave the dagger above the box and I sensed the intense magic that was about to happen. After she finished using the dagger we all watched to see what would happen next. The box suddenly lit up with golden light and we all turned away due to its intense power. The glowing continued for a few more seconds before it disappeared and when it vanished the fairies that got banished were on the forest floor looking rather alarmed.

"Good work Regina" I praised the mayor as I walked over to her. Regina blushed before she handed the dagger back over to me while the others helped the fairies to their feet.

"Remember who was the one who got the spell in the first place" Belle growled in annoyance.

"Oh hush Belle's I was about to tell you the same thing" I teased my sister placing my index finger against her forehead. I used to do this when we were younger.

Athena's POV

"So why should I think this new plan will work?" Cruella asked from the driver's seat. "Especially when all of the others have failed?"

"Our failures in the past have been for one reason the odds were stacked against us now we we're going to change the odds" I answered her.

"With this author you keep babbling on about" Ursula added.

"His book harnesses a great power one that exceeds anything you've ever experienced giving villains and heroes what he deems just desserts our collective frustrations they're because of his will not our missteps"

"I suppose that's better than blaming bad judgment and gin" Cruella joked as she pulled up to the drive-thru menu.

"Welcome to Mr. Clucks what can I get you?"

"One double cluck combo" Cruella answered.

"Make that two" Ursula added. "Athena?"

"No thanks" I replied. "I'd like to survive for my happy ending thanks"

"That will be $14.15 please pull up the window and have a clucky cluck cluck day"

"Gods I hate fast food" I muttered underneath my breath.

After retrieving their food Cruella parked the car so she and Cruella could eat their food. I waited with patience while the two of them ate and after they tossed their trash away Cruella started the car and we resumed our journey back to Storybroooke. The ride took about two and half hours and when I finally saw the town line I told Cruella to stop the car. Cruella pulled the car into a stop and placed it in park before we got out of the car. I walked ahead to where I had placed a scarf on a tree branch.

"We're here" I told my companions as I retrieved the scarf from the branch and I turned to them. "There might not need be anything here now but Storybrooke is 100 yards up that road and it's cloaked by a protection spell that's why it can't be seen making it impossible to leave or enter, but there is a scroll that an associate had when she arrived here, now this is where you two come in"

Zila's POV

"So did the fairies ever make it out?" Rumple inquired.

"Yes they did" I replied as I continued sweeping the store up.

Rumple was quiet and I looked to him. Through the mating bond I could sense he was still upset about Athena. I placed the broom against the wall and I went over to him. I gave my mate a comforting kiss against his cheek and my husband took my left hand into his.

"I don't know what I would do without you dearie" Rumple said bringing me into him. "You are the only one I have left besides our daughter"

I only flashed my mate a smile before I gave him a much needed hug. Rumple wrapped one arm around my waist while he held my hand. The store suddenly shook and something outside roared.

"What the f**k was that?" I asked because I never heard a noise like that before.

"I better hope it's not what I think it is" Rumple said as he let my hand go and he hurried to the shop door. I followed and the two of us hurried outside to see what was going on. Rumple and I joined the others to see a black demon like monster perched on top of the clock tower. My mouth dropped because I knew what this thing was.

"How the hell did that thing get out?" Rumple demanded at Regina. "You do realize that's the Chernabog an ancient demon that feeds on evil!"

"How the hell am I supposed to know that?!" Regina snapped as the Chernabog roared out again. It flapped its giant wings and took flight. It then dove down towards us with its talons opened to snatch one of us up. We all ducked and managed to avoid getting snatched. We all then got out of the street and went to hide on the side of a building.

"Did that thing come out of the hat?!" Regina demanded at Belle. "I thought the spell was only supposed to release the fairies!"

"Maybe it's some kind of fairy" Snow suggested.

"It's not dearie it's a demon and one nasty one" Rumple explained to Snow.

"Why don't we put it back in the hat and figure out the rest of this later?" Emma suggested.

"Because we can't once something's freed it can never be re trapped" Belle answered.

"Great so our best defense against magical beasts follows the same rules as chicken pox?"

"Surely the Savior, the wife of the male Dark One, and the Evil Queen can defeat a simple hell beast" Hook suggested.

"Shut up pirate" I told Hook.

"Can we drop the "E" world already?" Regina agreed before she turned to me and Emma. We nodded before the three of us went into the street amongst the chaos. The Chernabog noticed we were visible and it dove down to us ready to claim its prey. Regina, Emma, and I held our hands out and our magic came out turning into magical fire that stopped the Chernabog's assault. The demon roared in annoyance since it couldn't reach us. It roared again before turning around and it flew off.

"Well that was easy" Emma said as our magic vanished.

"Well don't excited Ms. Swan" Rumple stated as he came over to us with Snow, Belle, and Hook. "You only stunned it and a blast like that should have destroyed it"

"Damn this sucks!" I snapped. "I was just getting used to things being quiet around here"

"I'll go and see if there's anything in the library on how to banish this thing" Belle said before she hurried off.

"I'll get people to safety" Snow added.

"I'll help you besides this isn't our first monster bash" Hook joked before he walked away with Snow.

"Now that's settled let's see if we can figure a way to clip this bat's wings before it comes back?" Regina asked turning to Rumple, Emma, and I.

"Regina the best place for us is your office" I suggested.

"I agree" Rumple added.

"As long as it keeps the people of this town safe" Regina finished before she used her magic to transport us out of the street.

Athena's POV

I finished putting Regina's number into my phone before giving it over to Ursula.

"You two now have my phone, my entire plan, and tonight if you decide not to come back for me and stay in Storybrooke and abandon me I wouldn't blame you"

"Are you sure you're a Dark One Athena because you don't act like one" Cruella inquired.

"Yes I'm a Dark One I just don't have my damn powers" I replied to her.

"Well I can now tell how you're related to Rumplestiltskin" Ursula joked before pressing the call button.

Zila's POV

"Damn that thing is huge" I muttered to Rumple as I pulled the curtains shut.

"Not as big as Smaug is" Rumple corrected.

I snorted because my beloved was right. Regina's cell phone suddenly rang and Regina picked it up. Regina's eyes went wide a moment later.

"Regina who is it?" Emma asked.

"The sea bitch" Regina answered.

Immediately that got me and Rumple to turn our heads in Regina's direction. The only person I could think Regina would say that to would be Ursula. My ears perked when I heard Ursula's voice on the other end but I didn't hear what she was saying.

"Mostly wondering how a plate of undercooked calamari ended up with the female Dark One's cell phone" Regina answered Ursula.

"Regina put it on speaker" Rumple told his student. The queen shot us a look and Emma nodded in agreement. She pressed the speaker button and placed it on the table.

"And where is Athena now?" Regina asked Ursula.

"If we're lucky probably passed out at the dive bar where Cruella and I left him"

"Son of a" I muttered when I heard Cruella's name.

"Cruella?" Regina said in surprise.

I didn't want to hear the rest of the conversation so I opened the curtains once more to see the Chernabog flying circles around city hall. Oh how I wished Smaug was here!

The fire drake would easily dispose of the damned winged demon. I really missed him and I wondered how he and his daughters were doing. Regina sighed before she hung up the phone.

"So what does that winged thing out there want?" I asked Rumple and Regina.

"It wants to kill the person in town filled with the most darkness" Rumple answered. We all turned to my mate.

"Uh wouldn't that be you?" Regina demanded.

"It would be dearie but since I've been married to Zila for such a long time my heart is balanced with light and darkness so the answer is no"

"Then it would be me" Regina stated her eyes widening.

The Chernabog shrieked again and Emma looked out the window.

"Regina we don't know it's after you" the Savior said putting the curtains back into place.

"Of course it's after me Ursula and Rumple have stated it devours the heart with the darkest potential and now that Athena's gone well who else would it be? I mean is there a dwarf named Evily? It's me"

"Well we're not going to just sacrifice you" Emma said.

"I'm not sure if we have much of a choice" Regina replied. Emma perked her head to the side before she looked to Rumple.

"That thing is magical right?"

"Yes dearie it is" Rumple answered. "What do you have in mind?"

"I would say magical is a pretty good guess" Regina added in sarcasm.

"So if it's magic what happens if it leaves town for a world without magic?"

I smirked at Emma's suggestion.

"No magic, no beast" Regina answered the blonde.

"So all we have to do is lead it over to the town line"

"That is a good idea Ms. Swan" Rumple praised Emma.

"The Chernabog withstood our powers combined even if I poofed myself to the town line the second I'm out in the open it'll crush me like a bug" Regina said to us.

"Not if you got us to help you" I added.

"I might as well join you ladies after all creatures of darkness are sort of my area of expertise"

Rumple then used his magic to transport us into Emma's yellow bug.

"Rumple the next time you're going to do that let us know" I scolded my mate as Emma turned the car on and pulled away from city hall. The Chernabog noticed the bug driving away and it started to give chase.

"Damn!" I protested as Emma drove over the speed limit hurrying to get to the town line. The Chernabog roared in annoyance as it continued to give chase. Soon we were out of town and getting close to the border.

"What made you choose yellow?" Regina asked Emma suddenly.

"What?" Emma replied back looking through her review mirror.

"Your bug why yellow? Bold choice"

"I like yellow I stole it is this really the time to question my taste?" Emma said back to Regina.

"Sorry I'm just trying not to think about being some demon's lunch" Regina apologized looking through her mirror to see the winged demon still giving chase.

"You're not going to be" I told her.

"Glad your confident" Regina answered back. The Chernabog roared again and it landed on top of Emma's bug.

"HOLY S**T!" I shouted.

"What is this thing made of tin?!" Regina yelled.

"Hang on we're almost there" Emma told us as the town line came into view. Emma swerved the car trying to get the Chernabog off of it. The demon poked its head in the windshield and I actually screamed. Emma swerved the car to the left and the Chernabog roared in anger and smashed its fist into the windshield making it break.

"It's too late I'm not gonna let both of us die in this metal coffin on wheels" Regina shouted. Emma swerved the car once more but the Chernabog still hung on to the roof.

"Thanks for trying Ms. Swan" Regina said turning to Emma.

"What?!" Emma and I protested.

Regina then disappeared out of the car in a cloud of purple smoke.

"Damn it Regina!" I shouted.

The Chernabog however didn't go flying after Regina and it remained on the bug. It dove its claw like hand through the windshield and it moved past Emma and tried to grab me. Rumple used his magic to hurt the demon and the Chernabog roared in pain. Up ahead was Regina at the town line and she shouted at the Chernabog to get its attention.

"Hold on you two!" Emma shouted before she slammed her foot on the pedal before she did the same thing with the brake. The Chernabog finally lost its balance and it went flying forward. Regina ducked as it went over the town line and it disappeared.

"Holy S**t" I said again as the bug came to a stop.

"You okay love?" Rumple asked making sure I wasn't hurt.

"Yes I'm fine mate of mine" I reassured Rumple as we got out of the bug. Outside of the town line was Ursula and Cruella. Seeing them again made me snarl. The last time I crossed paths with them they almost got killed by Smaug. Emma exited the bug last with the scroll Ingrid used to get into Storybrooke. A minute later David and Snow drove up in one of the town's cop cars.

"Emma!" Snow shouted.

Snow hugged Emma relieved she was alright.

"Are you alright?" David asked us.

"Yeah" Emma answered.

Snow pulled away and saw the two women outside of town waiting for us.

"So Ursula and Cruella were telling the truth" Snow said eying them.

"It would appear so" Regina agreed.

Emma was about to hand over the scroll to Regina but Snow stopped them.

"I don't think it's a good idea letting them into town"

The four of shot her a questioning look.

"Look they may have told the truth this time that doesn't mean they can be trusted"

"Mom this doesn't sound like you" Emma said to her mother.

"She's right though I don't trust them" I growled. "They almost got me killed"

"Easy dearie" Rumple said taking my hand into his.

"Snow and Zila are right things were just starting to get back to normal in Storybrooke"

"Dad you too?" Emma asked her father shocked he was even saying this.

"Look we don't know anything about these two they could be looking for redemption but they're also as evil as Athena or Zelena, hell even worse" Snow pointed out.

"That could be but they just helped us" Emma countered. "And we made a deal"

"It doesn't matter it's a bad idea they're villains"

"You're right they are horrible" Regina agreed. "But not as horrible as Rumple and I once were, and if we deserve a second chance so do they"

"Thank you dearie" Rumple told his student. I rolled my eyes at my beloved and my mate chuckled.

"How can I sit here looking for my happiness and deny two others a chance at theirs?"

"I hate to agree with Regina but she's got a point but Rumple and I will be keeping an eye on them"

"That we will" Rumple agreed.

"Okay let's do this" Emma said handing over the scroll to Regina. Regina took the scroll before sighing and she tossed it over the town line. Immediately Ursula and Cruella turned around. Cruella walked over and grabbed the scroll before she and Ursula went back to the car. I watched as Cruella opened the scroll and after reading its contents she and Ursula saw us. A growl escaped my lips as the car drove forward and it entered Storybrooke.

"Welcome to Storybrooke" Regina greeted Cruella.

"Thank you Regina" Cruella said to the mayor. "You won't regret it"

"Bullshit" I said under my breath.

"I better not" Regina agreed as Cruella drove past us and she gave a wave.

Athena's POV

It was now night time and I was getting cold. But I had good faith in Cruella and Ursula. I know they were still cautious about me but I had kept true to my every word. While in my thoughts I heard something come out of the town line and I turned to see the scroll that Ingrid had used to enter Storybrooke. Smirking I walked over to it and picked it up. I undid the ribbon and read the contents before I saw Ursula and Cruella standing ahead of me.

"We're back darling" Cruella greeted me.

"You didn't think we abandoned you did you Dark One?" Ursula asked.

"Of course not" I replied my smirk widening. "We're a team"

I then walked forward and I slid through the town line. Immediately I felt my magic come back to me and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now what do we do?" Cruella asked.

"Now we began our task ladies" I told the two of them as we started to walk into town. It didn't take long for us to enter Main Street and the town was lifeless.

"For now all you two need to do is continue to repent your wicked ways, make friends, build relationships and I will stay hidden out of sight trying to locate the author, and if you two need my assistance you have it"

"What about Rumple? Won't he sense you're here?" Ursula asked.

"I cast a spell as I entered town so he wouldn't detect me so no" I answered the sea witch. "And our team is one member short it's time we reunite the band"

"You don't mean?" Cruella began.

"Maleficent" Ursula finished.

"But she's dead"

"Not entirely" I said to the two women. "I know where she is and how she can get resurrected"

"I still don't like this" Ursula said. "Dead or alive we got bigger problems, Rumple and Regina"

"And what makes you say that?" I asked the sea witch.

"That beast was unable to defeat her as bad as Maleficent is Rumple and Regina's dark hearts are far worse"

"You two are so far filled with assumptions" I said as I came to a stop. "First my brother now has his heart balanced with light alongside his darkness thanks to him being married to Zila Night I'm pretty sure you two remember her"

"He married his maid?" Cruella demanded in shock.

"That he did and I must also warn you Zila has magic too, Rumple and Regina are not the ones who we have to worry about"

"What?" Ursula asked.

"That beast did seek out the heart with the greatest potential for darkness, yes, but it wasn't after Regina, it was after Zila"

Later.
Rumple's POV

"They better hurry up because I'm tired" I growled to Rumple as we waited for Ursula and Cruella to show up. It was raining and I was tired of being under the umbrella that Rumple and I stood under. Cruella's car pulled up ahead of us and it came to a stop. Cruella left the headlights on as she and Ursula got out.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here" Cruella greeted as she and the sea witch came to a stop in front of us.

I snarled at Cruella not in the mood for her sarcasm.

"We meet again Rumple, I knew you had a thing for your maid" Ursula greeted Rumple.

"Her name is ZIla and I suggest you don't insult her" Rumple stated to the two of them.

"We don't know why you're here in Storybrooke to begin with but Rumple and I will be watching you" I added. "Before the curse you tried to kill me and now that I have magic one wrong move and I won't hesitate to return the favor"

"This is our town" Rumple said. "If you're really turned over a new leaf your welcome to stay"

"My aren't we generous?" Ursula teased. "Your temper hasn't changed once Zila"

I held back a growl at the sea witch.

"We'll be watching you two make no mistake on that and if you try harming my wife again I'll kill both of you" Rumple threatened.

Rumple took my hand and the two of us headed back to his car. Without looking my mate turned the car on and we drove away from the two supposed Queens of Darkness.

XD
Zila still has that sass in her. XD