AN: This chapter is laced with major Angst so you've be warned. Its also a major turning point..

Trigger Warnings: Violence...

The Dark Palace, 2 days later:

Its been days since it happened. The memories of her brother, of his face have kept Morrigan awake for most of that time, My magics returned but its wrong, it makes me feel empty and angry all the time. Is this what Regina feels like?..

Morrigan sits curled in the corner of her cell, a tray of moldy looking food left untouched by the bars and her hands still bound with the black shackles, They seem to be blocking my magic, but every now and again I can reach it so perhaps when I'm strong enough, I can push and break out of this cell, then I can go home, back to Elinor..She closes her eyes and rests her head on her tattered prison dress, visualizing her daughters smiling face, She's the only reason I'm still fighting. I need to get back to her..There's the smell of lavender and she can already feel the Queens presence in her cell.

"How are we feeling today?"

I'm not fucking interested in talking!..Morrigans head continues to rest on her dirty knees.

"What no comeback? No vulgar comment? Are you finally broken my dear?"

Morrigan's head slowly lifts, narrow green eyes staring daggers into the regal woman.

"I thought not. My guards tell me your not eating."

"And why do you care?!"

"I cant let my best asset die of starvation. Especially after everything we've been through, it would be such a waste."

"Fuck you..Regina." Morrigan grins at the satisfied jab and places her head back on her knees.

The Queen grits her teeth at the insubordination.."You always have to do things the hard way!" Her hand darts up and Morrigans body rises from the floor, slamming into the back wall with a groan.

"Go ahead, do your worst."

The Queen slinks forward with a dangerous gleam in her eye.

"Oh I intend to, you see, I've been working on something for a while now, a new curse that connects both the caster and the recipients magic, but it'll allow me to access your magic and use it for my own purposes."

Green eyes widen.."You cant do that!"

The Queen chuckles darkly, smoothing imaginary creases from her dress..

"Oh my dear girl, I can do anything I want. And when its done, your magic and your mind, will be mine to do with as I please."

No! I cant let this happen! I have to get back to Elinor and I cant do that if I'm under the Queens thumb!..Morrigan reaches for her magic, desperately willing it to resurface. She thinks about Elinor, about the torture, about Brendon. Then suddenly the black shackles detach with a click and clatter to the floor, quickly followed by her feet. The shock on the Queens face is comical but without a second thought, Morrigan extends her arm, throwing the woman harshly against the bars of the cell with magic. Remembering the spell, Morrigan quickly raises her hands, clouding her vision with a familiar burgundy smoke.

When the smoke clears, Morrigan wobbles, quickly reaching out and leans heavily against a marble wall, Its been a very long time since I transported like that..Come on Morrigan keep moving!..Standing painfully, she quietly stumbles down the darkened hallway realizing that shes still in the Dark Palace, Damn! I was way off!..She rounds the corner only to find two black guards, one shouting for her to halt and her heart leaps into her mouth, Like hell I will!..

Morrigan whirls, running back the way she came and rounding another corner. Frantic green eyes lock onto a door left slightly ajar and she quickly darts in without a second thought.

Quietly the heavy door is closed with a light thud, Morrigan propping one ear to the solid oak and listening to the heavy footsteps running passed and off into the distance. She waits a few seconds before resting her weary forehead on the wood, green eyes sliding shut and heart mellowing its rapid beat, Looks like I can catch a break..Just a few minutes rest then I can transport out of here..Turning curiously, she notes the lush four poster queen sized bed in the corner, a large wardrobe against one of the walls and next to it is a black spiraled mirror, Another one of those freaky mirrors. Does the Queen have a fetish or something?..

Morrigan approaches the looking glass and gasps when green eyes are drawn to her dismal reflection. Her face is a gauntly white, her hair all over the place with blood and god knows what tangled in the mess, while particularly nasty bruises on her cheekbones and jawline as well as a split lip and eyebrow have her frowning, I'm a god damn mess..

A careful hand reaches up to touch her nasty looking split lip when the Queens reflection steps up behind her. Green eyes bulge when they meet the livid woman's and her fight response spikes. Quickly Morrigan spins, raising her arms to expel magic only for the Queen to launch her backwards. Her back smashes into the mirror shattering it, her arms pinned to the wall as the furious Queen charges, wrapping a firm hand around her throat and squeezing harshly.

"You've defied me for the last time, and now.."

The Queen squeezes a little harder and Morrigan feels the woman's palm abnormally heating her skin.

"..Its time you learned your place, my pet!"

Pet! Fuck You lady!..But then her necks burning, smoke and the smell of smoldering flesh drawn to her nostrils. Morrigan screams as the pain spreads to her wrists, bloodshot green eyes stealing a glance and watching a purple band shimmering into existence. There's another excruciating shock and another howl of pain tares from her throat, its like being struck by lightening!..Her whole body spasms as tears spill from tightly clenched green eyes. She feels dark and powerful magic burning itself into her own, her body forced to accept something much darker than shes ever felt, such anger and rage that surpasses her own.

Another deafening scream echo's around the chamber before shes released, the Queen stumbling backward and after a brief moment, the royal straightens herself regally, watching as Morrigan pushes herself onto shaky hands and knees.

Erratic green eyes stare a set of purple bands seared into her wrists. Morrigan's breath hitches, trembling fingers hesitantly stroking over the leather to confirm that the bands are seared into her flesh. She notices her neck in the reflection of a mirror shard, a Black and purple choker with a diamond center and the insignia of the Evil Queen is wrapped around her neck. It only panics her further before frantic fingers are clawing at the leather melted into her skin, It fucking burns! What the hell?!..

"Wh..What have you done?!"

The Queen looks on stoically, flexing her wrists and taking an almost satisfied breath.."You've been collard."

Morrigan staggers to her feet as she scrapes at the collar desperately.."Well fucking take it off!"

"No."

Morrigans face twists in fury as she throws her arm out intending to use magic. Nothing happens so she tries again but still nothing, Its like it refuses to come!..She looks at her shaking hands in desperation before frowning at the placid Queen.

"What have you done?!"

Morrigans angry voice booms around the chamber as she launches herself at the Queen intending to rip the woman in two. Two of the royals fingers quickly rise and Morrigan shrieks in pain, stumbling to one knee as hands wrap around the purple sparking collar. After a few seconds, the pain stops and shes left panting.

"What Ive done is made you more cooperative. With this collar you will learn your place and submit to me, then our real work can begin."

"There's no way in hell I'm..."

There's another shock and Morrigan squeezes her eyes shut, gritting her teeth.

"I think we're going to have to make some ground rules."

"Fuck Y.." Shes cut off by yet another shock and falls onto her hands and knees.

The Queen slowly walks circles around her new toy.."One, you will only speak when spoken to directly.."

Morrigan huffs.."Never gonna.." Shock...

"Two, you address me as Your Majesty or my Queen unless I specify otherwise.."

"Piss off.." Shock...

"Three, You take the proper etiquette and bow in my presence until I relieve you.."

Shock...

"And finally, You do everything I ask, obeying my every command without question."

There's a final brutal shock and Morrigan screams before collapsing to the floor in a heap.

"Now what was the first rule?"

Morrigan remains silent, steeling her jaw but the collar shocks her again and she lets out a strangled moan.

"We'll do this all night if we have to. Now what was the first rule?"

The Queen huffs her impatience and Morrigans shocked again for her silence as she curls in on herself and lets the tears fall.

"First rule!"

"Speak when spoken to.."

The reply's quiet but the Queen smiles and nods.."Good girl. Now the second?"

Silence and Morrigans knowingly shocked, her whimpered cries filling the room.

"Looks like its going to be a long night my dear."

...

2 months later:

It's been months since her capture, months of endless pain and torture. The Queens adamant in breaking her resolve, pushing her to the brink of death only to violently pull her from its clutches and start all over again. Its the same every day, She'd be led to the courtyard to spar with the black guard. Depending on whether she's good or not, she'd either be led straight to the Queens chambers for "Obedience" lessons and magical training, or take a detour to Teach for a little light torture, To make things worse I've been having visions recently, Brendon comes every night demanding why I killed him, asking how I could kill my own flesh and blood. My minds fractured, I'm not sure if the apparition is real or something my mind conjures, perhaps it could be another one of the Queens cruel methods of breaking me. I'm so tired. But I refuse to submit, I wont! I have a family to get back to and not even the gods can stop me from returning!..

Morrigan lies curled up on the damp straw of her cell, hugging her sides and trying to keep warm as her thin prison dress fails to provide sufficient heat. The remnants of her months of abuse peak out from the tatty fabric, her body littered with cuts, burns and bruises, the Queen would heal me after our sessions but she would always leave some small mark as a reminder of who was in charge..Bitch..

She can sense the Queens arrival as a draft of lavender smoke perpetrates the smell of blood and grime.

"Get up dear, there's no lesson today."

Then why the hell do you want me to get up!..Morrigan slowly pushes herself from the floor and gets to her feet. The grim face of the Evil Queen stares back and she frowns questionably, something's wrong..Her mouth opens to ask but then she remembers the rules seared into memory, Only speak when spoken to directly..Her mouth shuts, waiting for the Queen to continue.

"I have something to show you."

The royal flicks her wrist and they're both surrounded by purple smoke. When it fades, Morrigan finds herself stood in the midst of destroyed huts and burning carts. She scrutinizes the remnants of a totaled village, a familiarity gnawing away at the back of her mind. The Queen watches intently as green eyes dart from burning trees to smoldering rubble as various Black knights carry dead bodies from debris, covering them with dirty sheets as others throw buckets of water on the faint embers of burned down huts. A well further up the road catches Morrigan's eye and a memory of her playing with Elinor flashes in her mind. Her jaw drops, eyes bulging and heart dropping into the pit of her stomach, How could the Queen possibly know?!..

"No..."

Quickly Morrigan whirls, sprinting up the bloody road as the Knight Captain pulls his sword, attempting to pursue but the Queens firm arm stops him dead. The royal stands a moment, watching the former bandit sprint ahead before silently following.

I have to reach Elinor now!..Morrigan dodges black guards, jumps over broken carts and pushes away anyone who blocks her path. Finally she slides to a stop, her whole body shaking, tears threatening to fall.

"No..no no NO!"

In front of her a house lays in smoky ruins, the building burnt to ashes, strong wooden beams blackened and no longer supporting the foundations. All that's left is a singed broken doorway and a stone fireplace stained by ash. The Queen and several of her guard slowly approach behind the oblivious woman as Morrigan darts into the crumbling home, searching frantically, digging through ash, moving heavy debris, throwing anything and everything out of her path until her fingers bleed. She looks for any sign of life, anything at all, Maybe they got out! Maybe..And then she sees it, a scorched skull peaks from black ash and she screams, propelling herself backwards and falling on her backside. She claws frantically, pulling herself away, tears streaming down her cheeks, This cant be happening..They cant be dead..

The Queen carefully approaches the erratic woman.

"I'm sorry."

Morrigan stumbles to her feet, her breaths heavy, painful hands clawing at her hair as she lets out a painful scream that agitates the the men around her. The loss of her child breaks her in two, all the month of fighting were worthless in the end, shes lost the only thing that matters, the only person that matters. Green eyes snap open, blind fury replacing grief in an instant as she looks directly at the Queen.

"YOU!"

"No.."

Morrigan snarls, ignoring the protest and advances on the woman,. The collar shocks her but she pushes the pain aside. The Queen stands her ground and the shocks through Morrigan's collar increase with each step. Green eyes clamp shut, her legs struggling to keep her upright but she continues out of heartbreak, A couple more steps!..Her knees buckle and Morrigan slams to the floor, one hand curling around her neck and the other in the muddy earth, Ive lost everything..Just kill me..Another painful scream tares from her throat, the despair and sorrow cracking the Evil Queen's impenetrable walls.

"Regardless of what you think, I didn't do this Morrigan."

"Liar.."

The cracked word was whispered through battered lips and brown eyes soften as the Queen reaches down, placing a gentle hand on Morrigans shoulder. She flinches expecting pain but finds herself refocusing on the Queens gentle features and questioning everything, Is she..telling the truth?..

"Then who?"

The Queen straightens, her walls slamming back into place as she turns to her Captain.."Bring him!"

The Captain bows and signals one of his guards. There's scuffling before a bound man in white and red Armour is being hauled towards them. The soldier looks like he's had a beating, blood and ash smear alarmed features with a dirty rag covering his mouth. He's pushed to his knees in front of Morrigan as the Queen stands above, her anger evident as green eyes stare at the trepidatious man.

"Him!"

Morrigan frowns questionably.

"He and his men were sent by king George to apprehend the traitor Prince Charming. When his men arrived, they slaughtered the entire village as punishment for not aiding them in Charming's capture."

Morrigan shifts at her simmering rage slowly resurfacing as their captive cries through the cloth, ineffectually shaking his head at the Queen's words. The royal nods to her guard and the cloth is ripped from the mans mouth.

"No no, that's not what happened I swear!"

"Then what would you call this?" The Queen raises her arms, emphasizing the destroyed village around her.."I know you didn't just drop by for afternoon tea! Your trespassing in my kingdom and you killed my citizens!"

"We..We were just following orders. This was an accident, I swear we didn't mean to.."

The Queen raises her hand cutting him off.

"I don't care about your pathetic excuses! You had orders that sent you on a suicide mission. George will deny all that has happened here. Even if he did issue the command he will repudiate that your orders ever existed, so that makes you expendable and a murderer."

Slowly Morrigan gets to her feet, her fists balled and fingernails biting into her palms. She grinds her teeth, pinning the man below with a murderous glare as the Queen's lips curl into a small grin.

"You see, one of those families you murdered was my friends here. I would normally arrange a public execution for such actions, but I think I'll leave you in her capable hands."

Blood red lips curl into a vicious smile as the Queen slowly positions herself behind Morrigan's shoulder. The man struggles, focus solely on dark red eyes glaring down at him. The Queen leans forward, whispering in Morrigans ear with wicked delight.

"He's all yours dear.."

Static in the air around them thrums, the wind quickly picking up and battering the tops of the trees. Morrigans hand snaps open, red electricity dancing around her palm and fizzing over dirty scarred skin, Nothing matters anymore! Everyone has to pay, they have to be taught a lesson..

The soldier looks alarmed at murderous red eyes.."No wait! I was only following orders.."

Morrigan's hand launches forward, grabbing his neck and lifting him from the ground with ease.

The Queen takes a few hasty steps back, grinning wickedly, her eyes flickering a vibrant purple as she signals for her alerted guard to stand back.

The soldier attempts to pry himself from Morrigans grasp unsuccessfully before electricity in her palm suddenly shoots into his body. There's a blood curdling scream, his body convulsing in pain and armour scorched with unrelenting attacks by magical lightening. Morrigan whirls, throwing the man into a stone with a shuddering crack before his body thumps to the dirt and he attempts to crawl away. The fuming witch grabs his ankle and drags him backwards with a scream but everyone's deathly still not daring to help the pleading man. Strong hands grip the mans chest plate, he's lifted and thrown back into Morrigan's destroyed home with a painful crunch.

Her anger still burns, her darkness not yet sated as she casts her arm out, lifting the man from the debris and slamming his body several times into the standing fireplace. His chest plate and Armour cracks on impact as the man continues to cry out for help but no one dares. He's pulled closer, his body suspended above the burning remains of Morrigan's once happy home before she slowly closes her clawed hand and he screams in agony as his torso begins to crack and snap, his bones crushing inward.

"Now..you die!"

Morrigan quickly raises both hands and in one quick motion, whips her arms to the side. There's a sickening rip of flesh, a torturing scream before it abruptly stops and the soldiers body is torn in half, pieces darting off into the bushes and burned down huts.

The wind slowly calms and the sound of static fades. Sweat, tears and blood stain Morrigan's dark features as she pants heavily, her mind racing and stomach doing back flips. Red eyes return to their normal shade of green but angers still evident in her squared tense shoulders, Georges men are dead but there's still people out there responsible! Charming! He did this! If he never came to the village, if he had left well enough alone!..A hand grabs her shoulder, pulling her from her dark thoughts as shes slowly turned and greeted by the empathetic Queen.

"I'm sorry for your loss.."

Morrigan looks away feeling tears resurfacing, but a finger curls under her chin and her eyes are pulled back.

"I'll help you get your revenge on Charming, but first there's much work to be done."

Morrigan stares at dark brown eyes, her own heart growing darker and darker, the only thing I want to do is cause pain! The pain I feel, I want, No, NEED to inflict on Charming! He took my family from me and now I'll destroy everything and everyone he cares about..She grins, green eyes darker and more excited at the prospect of revenge.

The Queens cruel smirk grows, her plan with Morrigan finally fulfilled.

"Shall we get started?"

"Yes..My Queen."

The Queen chuckles darkly before they both disappear in a plume of purple smoke...