Inspiration Music for Chapter 3: Maleficent "Bad Guy" (Billie Eilish Cover) – PattyCake Productions.

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Sorry for the delay. I was just posting the next chapters for my fanfics, as well as working on how to write a villains' chapter. Hopefully, it turned out well. Enjoy! :)

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Six Hours Later…

Diablo was very interested in his surroundings. As a raven, there were no limits to what he could do. He flew through the breeze, enjoying the warm air, moments before it turned chilly. He scanned the area, checking to make sure that all was well, before diving back down, flying towards his master, the Mistress of All Evil: Maleficent.

Maleficent's black and purple robes flowed from the neck down, while her sleeves were long and graceful, adding a mixture of beauty to her wicked delights. Her skin was shallow mint green and in her hand was a black staff with a glass orb attached to the clawed handle. The staff extended her powers, giving her full control over the elements, as well as the plants.

Maleficent smirked as she walked across the Land of Talking Animals' landscape. It hadn't been that long ago, since she visited the Kingdom of Aster, soon to be called the First Base. But when the kingdom, the city, would gain its new name remained to be seen. Most were waiting for this transition. Most wondered if the castle's name would remain Aster Castle, or be given another name.

Either way, Maleficent didn't mind this. She was grateful the Great Battle was coming.

Maleficent planned it out. She cursed the heroes and the villains, making sure that they would fight each other and themselves. This Great Battle would affect everyone and she knew it. She was the one who orchestrated this whole thing. There was no way anyone could break it, unless they had true love's kiss. Oh perfect. A failsafe to her plan. What could go wrong?

Maleficent sighed. Well, she couldn't imagine the heroes reacting as differently as they did to her. They didn't trust her. And no wonder when she cursed them and the villains. No one seemed to get along these days. So, she wanted to stir things up for a change. That was all right, wasn't it?

She stopped before a portal. It was gold-rimmed and blue-rimmed with a swirling mist flowing inside the glass, revealing a kingdom on a world that was lush and green, but quite filled with industry.

"Oh dear, Saruman. What are you doing to my woods?" Maleficent asked, walking through the portal, straight to the new Isengard.

The Villains' World was chalk full of villains. It was no wonder it got its name for the multitude of villains living at their homes. It was a world that was close to the Second Seven Realms' world, but not too far away from the Talking Animals' World and the Unicorn World. Those worlds Maleficent would keep watch of, as well as the two unnamed worlds that completed this group.

She chuckled as she walked through the portal world. There was the Sphere World. Evermore, as it was called. Oh, how she would love to invade that world. Sadly, that world had other witches and wizards already fighting each other for power. Such was the nature of the curse Maleficent planted on them all.

Not excluding her. When she would find her Dark Hero and Light Villain, she would be most pleased. This was her battle, and she needed to talk to Aurora about this curse, see things through to the bitter end.

There were too many disagreements. Why not make things worse?

She snickered to herself. She could call her animals to her no problem. But first, there was the Isengard 2.0 to consider. As she left the portal, she found herself surrounded by lush green trees. And there, at the iron tower, stood an elderly wizard. His robes were multi-colored, filtering like a rainbow. Such was the nature of Saruman's powers, powers that Maleficent felt sure she would need.

"Well, well. Don't we look troubled, Saruman?" Maleficent chuckled. She loved this game, but surely this game would run its course.

"Maleficent," Saruman said, his silvery hair and white beard flowing in the wind, "what a turn of surprise."

"Isn't there always a turn of surprise, especially when you're around," Maleficent said, liking this Istari even more now.

"What is it that you wish to discuss?" Saruman asked, curiously.

"I was just wondering if you could help me with an important task," Maleficent said.

"Does it have to do with this curse you spread on all the heroes and villains, including yourself, Maleficent?" Saruman said. "The villains heard your curse. The heroes heard your curse, too. In fact, in our universe, a curse is a curse meant to affect everyone. My, my, dear, you certainly have made yourself an audience."

"Indeed," Maleficent said, pleased. "Shall we walk? Discuss matters that are far beyond our powers?"

"Gladly. I've been meaning to speak with you," Saruman said, following her. Normally, Saruman didn't have guests, but this woman seemed full proof on her mission. "The villains and the heroes dueling each other and also reuniting for one particular cause. Tell me what you need."

"I need a dark hero, someone who has touched the darkness, but also the light. Is there anyone here, who could give me that?"

"The servants might be who you're looking for. Ever since Aslan opened this world up to the villains, some heroes have been working undercover as my servants, keeping an eye out on us. I'll see what you need, but you must give me time to hone this power," Saruman said, allowing Maleficent to follow him through the apple orchard.

"Hm. Come Diablo, we have work to do," Maleficent said, allowing Diablo to fly after her, in search of her first victim.

The apple orchard could be found in a far northern corner. Green and red apples hung from the trees' branches, while the greenery from the leaves gave a warm sense to the place. Servants here and there, both light and dark heroes, worked on picking the apples, before they fell. It was here that Maleficent found her first victim, or so she assumed, as she drew nearer to the woman picking the apples from a red apple tree.

"You, what is your name?" Maleficent asked, curtly.

The woman looked up at her, surprised to see Maleficent standing there. "Maleficent! What—?"

Maleficent chuckled. "No need to speak so rashly. You aren't in danger. I just need to look for heroes and villains to complete my deed. The curse. After all, I didn't expect fear in one so bold."

The woman smiled, climbing down the ladder. "Well, when you put it that way."

"Tell us your name. I promise you, we won't bite," Saruman said.

"Unintentionally," Maleficent added.

"Yes, there's that," Saruman said. He looked at the woman, asking, "Now, tell us your name, girl. Please."

"Sandria," Sandria introduced, her brown hair flopping in the wind.

"Sandria what?" Maleficent asked, curiously.

"Sandria Wolff. Bethany, Frodo Baggins' wife, is my twin. I'm her doppleganger," Sandria said, adding further. "But don't worry. If you're looking for a dark hero or a light villain, you found one with me. Although, I'm not much for the darkness. More towards the light."

"Well, we'll see about that, won't we?" Maleficent asked, curiously. She turned around, facing Saruman. She declared, promptly, "I will take this girl off your hands. She works for me now."

"As you wish. I have no more use for her," Saruman said, as Sandria smiled at them both in excitement.

Maleficent faced the girl, telling her, "Well, well, this is a surprise. Come with me. We will begin your training."

Sandria nearly leapt for joy, but she refused. If this was the route the heroes and villains were taking, then she might as well consider it. Besides, what could go wrong? What could go wrong? Sandria thought of this as Maleficent found a portal for them to travel through, one that led to the Forbidden Mountain 2.0. Like a lot of villains Sandria heard about, she knew they had to rebuild their lost kingdoms. So, what was the difference about this one? Well, she would wait and see what this darkness and this light had to offer.

For now, she followed Maleficent, hoping that nothing went wrong.

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The Forbidden Mountain 2.0's throne room was made out of grey stone. Grey stone walls, floors, and ceiling covered this room. It was so grand, complete with its own windows for Maleficent's raven to fly through. The stone throne sat atop the platform at the end of the room. It was here that Maleficent sat down, resting her rear on a red pillow, so she wouldn't have to worry about sitting for too long.

Diablo flew down, perching on the arm of her stone throne, as she petted him.

Sandria looked around the throne room. A loud drunken sound came from the goblins next door. They were having a party. Sandria shook her head. She should have known goblins would be here. They were Maleficent's minions.

"Well," Maleficent said, getting Sandria's attention, "do you like it?"

"Oh," Sandria said, gulping. "I mean, this is your tower."

"Right," Maleficent said. She raised her head, telling her, "But I had expected better."

"What do you mean?" Sandria asked, cautious.

"When Saruman gave you to me, handed you over, I had hoped I would turn you into a villain. Now, it seems I'm not. That is something you must decide for yourself," Maleficent said, perplexed.

Sandria gulped again. This couldn't be good.

Maleficent smiled. An idea formed in her mind. Maybe while she searched for the villains, picked the right ones for the heroes, this girl might prove useful. She looked at Sandria, telling her, "You may prove useful. As long as I search for the villains, find out which villain belongs with which hero, I have a small task for you."

Sandria nodded. "What is it?"

"I want you to seduce Ronnie Baggins. Get to know him. And then, you'll prove my point. Then, and only then, will you start down the Dark Path," Maleficent said, grinning. "Yes, I believe this is a good idea. Brilliant!"

"And if I refuse?" Sandria asked, cautious. She shook her head, realizing, "No. I can't!"

"You will!" Maleficent said, stopping Sandria before she could say another word. "Ronnie is a gentle soul, but he is sliding to the Dark Side. I want you to coax him to come here. We need to start formulating our plans, before Maranguan catches him. If Valkorion takes Ronnie, it will be disastrous to us."

Sandria gave it some thought. Ronnie Baggins was turning to the Dark Side? And Maleficent wanted him, to make sure he fell? This wasn't good. Why was she here?

"I need to leave," Sandria said, walking away.

"And go where? You work for me now," Maleficent said.

Sandria looked at her, telling her, "I work for no one. I'll see you later." She nearly walked away, until a lightning bolt struck her hand. She winced, spotting the green liquid emit from the lightning blast, seeping into her skin a moment later. What was this? "What is this?"

"It's my tracker. You are mine. You always have been," Maleficent said. "And now, I need you to work for me."

"I'm not joining you," Sandria hissed.

Maleficent shrugged. "You say this now, dear, but sooner or later, you will seek reason. The Dark Side is already seeping into your skin. When it is complete, you will know pain. You will know hatred. And you will come back to me."

"Goodbye," Sandria ran off, not knowing if Maleficent's words were true.

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References:

Evermore comes from the video game, "Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne".