A/N: I'm sorry for taking forever to update this fic, but I've kinda found it difficult to continue mainly because of all of the subplots going on and because this thing has been moving too slow for my taste, so, as of now, I'm kicking it into overdrive and getting this thing done (not in this chapter of course, but I am moving things forward a lot quicker).

The armies of darkness all began to pour into the Forbidden Mountains. First came Zurg Hafednir and his Dark Elves. Then came Echidna and her monstrous children followed closely by the Banshees and the Kelpies. Queen Grimhilde looked over the arriving forces with intrigue. Tomorrow would be all Saints Day and the war council would be held. Grimhilde knew that tomorrow would determine the future of the world, and she couldn't be happier for it.

"Let's see," Grimhilde said to herself as she examined the army that was amassing below her, "We've got elves, ghosts, fish-men, knights, and monsters of every sort. Add those to skeletal warriors, Maleficent's goons, and the army retrieved from Pleasure Island and we've got a very nice assemblage on our hands."

"How may I be of assistance, my queen?" the Huntsman asked as he approached Grimhilde.

"Ah, Humbert, there you are," Queen Grimhilde responded, "Inform Maleficent that the last soldiers left have arrived."

"Yes, your majesty," the Huntsman said with a bow as he re-entered the castle.

Hades paced outside of Maleficent's throne room, garnering up the ability to say what he felt. Seeing Maleficent again after being off recruiting for the army had brought a new wave of feelings to him. Just seeing her face had brought a joy to him that was enough to warm whatever type of soul that he had. Everything that had transpired convinced Hades that he had indeed fallen in love. Hades had only once before ever felt this way, and it had ended in heartbreak. He had promised himself that he would never allow himself to be tangled up with love again. But then, she had entered his life and changed everything. He found that he was able to feel again. She was the one person that he trusted , and he couldn't bear to be separated from her.

Maleficent sat upon her immense throne, pondering the recent events. The war was approaching swiftly, and the stress of it was already starting to get to her. For the past few nights, she had barely slept, often tossing and turning all night. She constantly felt as if a great weight was resting on her shoulders. But then Hades returned and everything changed. The weight like feeling was gone, and she had finally managed to sleep well. It all changed after she had seen his face. Their time spent separated showed her just how much she needed his presence and companionship. Was this what love felt like? Was this what had been strong enough to break her sleeping curse? She pushed these thoughts aside and stood up when Hades entered the room.

"Hey, babe, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," Hades said as he approached Maleficent's throne.

"Yes, what is it?" Maleficent asked.

Hades opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the arrival of the Huntsman.

"Your excellencies," the Huntsman began, "Queen Grimhilde has asked me to inform you that the last of the army has arrived."

"Thank you, sir," Maleficent replied, "You are dismissed."

The Huntsman nodded and left the room.

"I'm sorry," Maleficent said, "What were you asking again, Hades?"

"It's just that...," Hades began, "You see, it's All Hallow's Eve tonight. It's a special night for the undead spirits. And I was thinking, well, y'know, it's a fitting time to say that I... uh... you remember that kiss? The one in the Underworld after you killed Hecate?"

Maleficent nodded.

"Well, um, I know it was a sort of heat of the moment thing," Hades went on, "But I just... I don't know... it just meant something to me. I... I... I love you. I know, it's totally mashuga, but I-"

"Shh," Maleficent hushed Hades with a finger to his lips, "I've felt the same feelings in my heart. I've spent a long time denying it, saying that I would not be defeated by something as insignificant as love. But, you... you have shown me that this feeling isn't insignificant. I love you too, Hades."

A warm, tranquil feeling descended over the two villains. Never before had either of them felt so content. Hades leaned forward and pressed his lips against Maleficent's. Maleficent wrapped her arms around Hades as they kissed. For a moment, everything in the world felt right to the couple.

Hidden behind a ruined mass of stone in the throne room, the Horned King observed Hades and Maleficent's kiss.

So, she has chosen the oaf over me? He thought to himself, Well if she wishes to throw away her dignity by coupling with that fool then who am I to interfere?

The Horned King slid out of the room quietly and returned to his cauldron. As he stood over the iron crucible, two guards approached him, holding a young, brunette woman.

"Sir," the guard spoke, "We captured this woman in the gorge. Since our orders were to apprehend anyone who stepped foot in the Forbidden Mountains, we figured it would be best if we brought her to you."

"Very good," the Horned King growled, "You may leave her in my custody."

The guards nodded and left the young woman with the skeletal warlord. The king ran a boney finger through the long, ebony hair of the woman.

"I'm sure that I can find some use for you," he hissed, his eyes falling from the girl's eyes to breasts, passing over her unique sea shell necklace.

"My lord, please," she spoke, "I am just peasant girl. I was lost and stumbled across this land by accident. Please release me."

"Appealing to my better nature will do you no favor," the king laughed, "I have no better nature. Now then, you can either submit to my will, or be thrown in the dungeon. Your choice."

"You don't have to submit to their tyranny," the woman interjected.

"What do you mean?" the Horned King questioned.

"You can lead this faction," the woman continue, "You have the power to usurp Hades and Maleficent."

"Who are you?" he growled in response.

"An old enemy of your treacherous leaders," she answered, "Where I come from, I am called Ursula. However, here, in this form, you may simply call me Vanessa. There is much that we can do for each other."

"How can you, a mere maiden, possibly stand up to a god and the princess of Hell?" the Horned King asked, "Even with all of my dark powers, I cannot defeat them."

"But I can remove their powers," Vanessa replied with a smirk, "Together we can lead the army ourselves and leave Hades and Maleficent powerless and dethroned."

The Horned King's hideous mouth curled into a smirk.

"We have a deal."