Back at the Forbidden Mountain, Hades was lounging on the throne and laughing his heart out at what he just did at Aurora and Phillip's coronation. He crashed a big party, scared an entire kingdom, and used a bit of dark magic all on his own; he had never felt so proud of himself, not since he almost succeeded in overthrowing Zeus and taking over the Cosmos.

"Oye vey, that was PRICELESS! Did you see the looks on their faces?!" Hades exclaimed, trying to catch his breath. "And the way I started that fire?! I don't even know how I did that! Phew! I had no idea dark fairy magic was so unpredictable. Did you?" He sat up straight and turned to Diablo, who was perching one of the arms of the throne of stone. The raven nodded his head. "Figured, since you've pretty much been the pet of a dark fairy your whole life, huh?" The bird nodded again. "Yeah." Hades then turned his attention to the scepter. "But that fire nearly singed my clothes. I gotta be more careful."

Then, Diablo got an idea. He flapped his wings and cawed at Hades.

"Ugh, what is it now?" He asked, wincing at the sound.

He saw that Diablo was pointing his beak to a hallway to the left; it led to the library. He stood up and raised an eyebrow.

"You… want me to follow you? Is that it?" He asked; Diablo nodded and cawed again. "Alright, alright. I'm coming, I'm coming. Sheesh!"

Hades followed the black bird down the hall until they reached the doors of the library. He rolled his eyes before he saw Diablo flying up to a much taller shelf and taking out a book from the very top with his talons. With the book in his grasp, he flew down and set the book on the desk. Hades made his way to the desk and looked at the book Diablo grabbed; it was jet black, trimmed with gold, and there was a large bright green octagonal shaped gem right in the center. Hades gave the raven an unimpressed look.

"It's a book." He said.

Diablo rolled his eyes and used his beak to open the cover, gesturing Hades to read.

"What's this? 'Discoveries of Dark Magic'." Hades read aloud; he turned to Diablo. "Are you saying you want me to read this?" Then he put two and two together. "Oh, NOW I get it! You want me to read this so I can have better control of my new magic!" Diablo nodded his head and gave a little hop. "Cool beans, way to go! You are a lot smarter than I gave you credit for, especially for a bird." Hades chuckled before he caught sight of another caption on the inside of the front cover. "Huh? 'Read at Your Own Risk', eh?" He scoffed. "Well… if the Mistress of Evil can figure it out, I can too."

He sat down at the desk and turned the page to what looked like a table of contents. "Okay, where to start? Transformations, hypnosis, brews and potions, charms of enchantment, hexes and curses, disguises… this all seems pretty basic." Then something caught his eye. "Well now, what have we here? Animation spells? Ha-cha-cha, now that's more like it! Page 159. Let's see what we've got." He turned to that very page and it read: "How to Create Your Own Monster". Hades smiled. "Now this looks promising."

Diablo's eyes widened and he started shaking his head and cawing hysterically as well as hopping up and down in protest; it was obvious that he didn't want him to read that chapter. Hades snarled at the bird and grabbed him by the throat, instantly silencing him; his eyes glowed again, just like they did back at the coronation. "I have had just about enough of you and your insistent squawking, you insolent little pest! Now, make yourself useful and GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

He then brutally tossed the poor bird to the side, causing him to crash into a pile of stray papers. Hades turned back to the book and began to read before he was interrupted by a slow dripping sound. He looked around and saw a tiny bit of tar dripping from the wall. He smiled wickedly, picked up the scepter, and pointed it at the part of the floor the tar was dripping on to. The gem started to glow.

"Tar that will walk, destroy whom I seek!

Carnage and havoc will be yours to REEK!" He screamed as a beam of magic shot out at the puddle of tar.

After the spell was cast, Hades shook his head and blinked a few times, the light in his eyes dissipating just like before. When his vision cleared, he saw an unusual metamorphosis take place; he almost couldn't believe what he was viewing before his eyes. The puddle of tar bubbled and shifted in that one spot until it started to gradually increase in size and shape; it started to look… alive. But then, just as it reached the same height as Hades, a large red eyeball popped out of the tar and it squirmed closer to him, staring daggers at him. Hades took a step back as old memories bubbled up to the surface; he had seen an eye similar to that before, many eons ago when he was just a child. The sharp teeth, the razor claws, and that one bulging red eye; he soon realized that the tar was transforming into that very same creature he saw all those years ago. He held the scepter tight as it strode closer to him, it steadily grew bigger and bigger.

"I'm dead." He muttered.

0-0-0-0-0-0

Meanwhile, as Maleficent rode down the River Styx in the Underworld Ferry with Charon, she had a very proud smile on her face; she had just told off the snarky Goddess of Witchcraft… in song form.

"I think that meeting went rather well." She said to herself before she felt something tug on her skirt.

Maleficent looked and saw a few stray souls from the River grabbing onto her chiton, as if they were trying to get out. She yelped at the sight.

"Ugh, back off!" She demanded before throwing a fireball at them, which made them let go. She sighed in relief before gently blowing the smoke from her hand; she gently shook it.

Then she came across Cerberus again; the beast snarled at her before Charon handed her a raw steak and she tossed it to the three-headed dog. He caught the piece of meat and immediately ate it; he was so happy that all three heads started licking Maleficent, covering her from head to toe in dog saliva. She grimaced in disgust and anger; her proud mood quickly turned sour. She shook some saliva off of her body and covered her eyes with her dry hand.

"And this is why I am not a dog person." She muttered before she heard someone snicker. She turned to Charon. "Was that you?"

"No, Mistress." Charon answered before another giggle was heard.

Maleficent looked around cautiously, trying to find the source of the sound.

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

"Geez, look at her hair! Or should I say lack of hair." A second voice giggled.

"Who's there? Step forward, show yourselves at once!" Maleficent demanded before raising a hand to her head; she realized that her flames for hair were gone. She was bald.

Feeling embarrassed and infuriated, her hair suddenly sparked back to life and the green flames had returned; she also unknowingly dried herself off in the process. She looked around for the two voices again, but still saw no one. When the ferry stopped at the entrance to the lair, she stepped off and looked at Charon with a puzzled look. He shrugged at her.

"Looking for us?" The voices said in unison.

Maleficent nearly jumped out of her skin; she turned around to see two young ladies standing before her. One of them had white skin, yellowish green eyes, long lime green hair pulled up into a ponytail, and wearing a light green dress with darker green accents. The other had grayish pink skin, magenta eyes, long black hair tied into pigtails, and a dress that looked so dark it was almost black with magenta accents. Maleficent raised an eyebrow at them as both girls gave her mischievous smiles.

"Living souls are not allowed in the Underworld." She said sternly.

"We know that." The girl in green and white said.

"Hades made the rules eons ago." The girl in black and pink added.

"I understand that. And pray tell, who are you two supposed to be?" Maleficent asked.

"Oh, right. I'm Macaria, and this is my sister, Melinoe." The white and green girl, Macaria, said.

"And what about you? What's your story?" The pink and black girl, Melinoe, said.

"I am Maleficent and I am in charge of the Underworld for the time being."

"You? In charge of this place? Ha! That's a good one. Isn't it, Macaria?"

"Totally, Melinoe. I'm sure daddy will have her head for this."

Maleficent's eyes widened. "…Daddy?"

"Yeah, Hades. He would NOT be too happy with this, believe me." Melinoe giggled.

"…Hades has no children." Maleficent said.

"Don't be stupid, of course he does." Macaria quickly said. "And that's usand Zagreus."

"Who?"

"Another being that works down here, duh!"

Maleficent stared daggers at the two girls, putting her hands on her hips. "You girls work for the Underworld, yes?" They nodded. "And don't you have jobs to do right now?" They nodded again. "Then go do those jobs!" She yelled as her hair flared up, turning bright orange and red in anger. "I don't care who or what you are. You work for the Underworld, and I am in charge of the Underworld today. Therefore, YOU work for ME and you have to do what I say. I have had something of a long day, I wish to relax, and the last thing I need is two multi-colored wenches invading my personal space. Now do as I say and get to work! And I don't want to hear another word out of you, either of you." She narrowed her eyes at them.

Macaria and Melinoe looked at each other before disappearing, muttering in anger to themselves all the while. Maleficent folded her arms, feeling proud of herself once again.

"Well done." Charon said. "Those two have always gotten on my nerves; Zagreus has, too."

"But are they telling the truth?" She asked.

"Who knows with them? I advise you not to listen to them at all. It's better for all of us."

"If you say so." She took a deep breath and paused. "Ah, a surprisingly peaceful domestic moment… When will it be ruined?"

"Mistress!" Pain shouted.

"Your Grace!" Panic cried.

"Your Excellency!" The two imps screamed.

"And there it is." Maleficent said to herself.

"Good luck." Charon said before rowing away.

And with that, Pain and Panic came running down the stairs, falling over and tripping over themselves in the process. Maleficent rolled her eyes in annoyance as they fell right at her feet. They quickly got up.

"Pain!" Pain said.

"And Panic!" Panic said.

"Reporting for duty!" The imps said, giving a salute.

"Mmhmm." She said, sounding unimpressed. "Where were you two? When I left Olympus, you were gone. I told you to wait for me outside the gates."

"Oh yeah! Uh, sorry." Pain said nervously.

"SO sorry." Panic added, sounding even more terrified.

She looked down at them. "Is there something you wish to tell me, or is stumbling over yourselves just a clumsy way to greet me?"

"Oh! Uh, actually, we do have something to say." Panic answered.

"Yeah. It's REALLY important." Pain added.

"Well, what is it?" She put her hands on her hips.

"During the meeting, we received a message from the Fates. And that's why we left." Pain said.

"Yeah. They said in their letter that they wanted to talk to you." Panic replied.

Maleficent's eyes widened slightly. "The Fates? Want to talk to ME?"

The imps nodded before Maleficent took a few deep breaths, trying to keep her cool. "Alright, very well. A meeting with the Fates, another thing to add to my agenda." She let out an anxious chuckle.

"You're not nervous, are you?" Panic asked.

"What? No! No, of course not! I am the Mistress of Evil, I don't get nervous. I'm not afraid of anything. I can handle this. I'm just going to meet the three Goddesses of Prophecy who can also happen to see the past, the present, and the future, no big deal. I survived the day as a goddess so far, I can certainly do this. I mean, how bad can the Fates be?"

Pain and Panic looked at each other before she glared at them with narrow eyes.

"…What exactly do they wish to talk to me about?" She asked.

"Uh, they didn't say." Pain answered.

"They just said it was an issue of utmost importance." Panic added.

She heaved another breath before heading towards the stairs. "Okay, fine. This is fine. Just let me know the instant they arrive, alright?"

"Oh! Uh… they're already here." Panic replied.

"WHAT?!" Maleficent screamed in anger and shock, her fiery hair flaring up again as she turned to face them. Her patience had finally run out and she was now on her last nerve. "The Fates are already here and you haven't told me that SOONER?!"

Pain and Panic were so scared that they cried, "We're so sorry, Mistress! We are worms, worthless worms!" They started bowing to her, literally turning into giant worms in the process.

Maleficent sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You two are just as bad as my goblin guards." She mildly calmed down. "Very well. Like I said before, this is fine. I can do this…" She turned back to the stairs, but paused. "…but you two need to come with me. I don't think I can face the Fates on my own."

"As you wish, Your Excellency!" The imps said, turning back to normal and trailing after her up the stairs.

The moment she entered the Lair, Maleficent saw three decrepit old crones in another corner of the room. The colors of their skin were muted, they all wore dark cloaks, and they all shared one single eyeball between the three of them. To Maleficent, they looked like older, darker, crankier, almost demonic versions of the three Good Fairies. The three of them were whispering and cackling amongst themselves before Maleficent cleared her throat to get their attention. They turned in her direction and they finally noticed her standing in the doorway with Pain and Panic standing behind her. She gave them the most polite smile she could muster.

"Um… good day, ladies." Maleficent greeted, walking towards the trio of crones. "You must be the Fates. It is an honor to meet you. Please, allow me to introduce myself." She gave a curtsy. "I am—"

"No need." One of the Fates interrupted. "We already know who you are."

Maleficent stood straight. "You do?"

"Of course, dear. You are Maleficent, the Mistress of All Evil." Another Fate replied.

"We know everything… including the deal you made with Hades after you set him free." The third Fate added.

"Oh…" Maleficent went quiet; she couldn't have felt more awkward. She figured someone would want to confront her about it. "Um… I suppose I should've seen that coming. And I assume you already know about…"

"You don't have to explain yourself to us. We know." The first Fate said, plucking the eyeball from her sisters and holding it up to her. "But the reason we came is here to show you this." The eyeball in her hand started glowing and it floated up into the air.

In the eye, Maleficent saw an image of Hades running through the halls of her castle and screaming; he looked terrified. She raised an eyebrow.

"What… am I looking at?" She asked.

"Shush! Just keep watching." The second Fate said.

They continued to watch as the image of Hades continued to run; it looked as if he was being chased by something. Then they saw it; the creature Hades had created. It was twice his size and it was roaring and snarling at him, threatening to grab him. The image disappeared and the eyeball fell into the hand of another Fate. Maleficent gave them three crones a confused look.

"What was that?" She asked.

"That was Hades. He's in danger." The third Fate said.

"And…" Maleficent started.

"And since he's technically mortal now, if something goes wrong, he could die." The second Fate said.

"And if he dies… then you will be in charge of the Underworld forever." All three Fates said in unison.

Maleficent's eyes grew wide with terror and she inhaled sharply through her nose. "…I cannot let that happen."

"Then I suggest you go help him." The first Fate said.

"But you don't help anyone, since it's not in your best interest." The second one added.

"Fine, fine, fine! I… I will go help him. But you all must come with me!"

"Whatever you say, Your Grace!" Pain and Panic gave a salute.

"Then let's go!" The Fates said as the group exited the Lair.