A/N: I'm back! (sighs) well, I didn't die. Almost. I hope you all can forgive me for the delay.
Now, about this fic... (sighs heavily) You people have NO idea how much time I spent writing this. It is, of course, wonderfully long and filled with MANY details. I do hope it is good enough—you people are amazing. Thanks for the kudos!
This is the first chapter of a set of six very long parts and will start with a very unexpected event. Dunno it is something likely to happen on the show, but I missed the old days when a character's worries were their work and life, not monsters and magic stuff. Anyway, I hope you REALLY enjoy! Have a nice reading!
PART I: Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon
Aurora was having a bad day.
A very bad day.
She could blame her problems on one single word: insomnia—which could be the least of her headaches if Philip didn't insist on leaving a freaking wet towel over their bed. Which of course caused them to fight, and her to arrive late at work, only to learn that her payment would not come as soon she had hoped.
Well, people always said things could get worse.
Aurora wanted to curse those people.
Ironic of her, of course. The whole situation itself was.
Born into a life of privileges, Aurora never thought she would have to fight to survive. Working was never an option, as she was raised to one day marry a prince and her kingdom would be in his hands. She, by the way, cared little, though she had been educated to rule a kingdom.
Now a resident of Storybrooke, Aurora knew her life was turned upside down, but not in such a bad way. She was free to do whatever she wanted—which meant no more etiquette classes nor dinners with snobbish nobles. In her house, only whomever she wanted was to come in, and for that, she was glad.
However, working on a clothing store, Aurora had to expect that, one time or another, she would meet up old acquaintances, if not enemies.
She couldn't be more certain.
Her boss, Mr Wood, after warning her for the delay, had her cleaning the shelves and mannequins. The store settled in a very busy part of town, inside a building by the sea. It was all very expensive and good, put in order in an extremely methodical way Aurora found quite odd; yet it was necessary, as it did make a lot easier for customers to find what they wanted—because yes, the place was that huge.
Her favourite session was the children's, Mr Wood's newest investment. He had the idea after hearing the tragic story of a farmer who had lost his wife and child—and sure, it was cruel to want to invest on children's clothing after listening to such story, but it was not as Mr Wood cared for morals and sympathy if there was money involved. He put good faith in his business, being somewhat unite on its own, and despise the high prices, things were sold quickly. Having only women as his sellers also helped, attracting the eyes of the youngest and the eldest—men and women alike. Sometimes, there were those who couldn't difference a polite smile from a flirting plea, and that is why Mr Wood had bought a gun— for precaution.
Aurora felt sorry for her co-workers, although she knew it was foolish to do so, as they themselves did not seem to mind the attention they got.
Either way, she was glad said attention didn't know of her existence. It is why she chose to work cleaning rather than selling, much against her husband's protests, and very much unlike her co-workers. Dealing with people was and always would be a problem for her.
Therefore, Aurora did her work quietly while several customers—mostly women—wanted in and out, looking for a gift for themselves and their family while they talked about their lives. Aurora, of so bored, paid little heed to these little conversations, such unlike her co-workers who would often laugh and whisper all kinds of gossip.
It was an unnecessary murmuring, but Aurora had no choice—she needed that job. Still, she found it rather odd when a sudden silence came by, after she internally wished for it.
She looked around, and noticed many customers heading to the store's door in desperation while her co-workers began to wander about in distress. Confused, Aurora walked to one of them, Marie Lewis, and asked:
"What happened?"
Marie's green eyes widened and her dark skin turned pale, if possible, "You don't know?" Aurora didn't have time to respond, as her co-worker pulled her by the arm to hide inside an exchanger and whisper, "All customers are gone!"
Aurora gave her co-worker a worried look, "Wait, what? Why? What happened?"
Marie looked frustrated, "For God's sake, the story is yours."
Aurora frowned, "What do you—?"
"Mrs Berry!"
The exchanger's curtains were open and the young princess closed her eyes. She narrowed her body and turned quickly at the older woman staring at them.
"Ma'am Collins!"
Samantha Collins was about fifteen years older than Aurora herself, but the amount of make-up she wore would make anyone think that a few more years could be added to her ID. Her skin was covered in dots, her hair was blonde and curly and revolt, and despise her short height; she was always on high-heels, trying to impose her intimidating authority. She was fond of Aurora though, having worked as servant on King Stefan's palace back in the Enchanted Forest, and was the one who convinced Mr Wood to give the young princess a chance.
So when she found her hidden inside an exchanger, she immediately glared at Marie, "Would you be so kind to explain what the two of you are doing?"
Marie gulped, "Ma'am, please, I can explain!"
"Is that so?" The older woman folded her arms, wearing an irritated look. "Well, I'm waiting."
Aurora sighed, "Ma'am—"
"She's here and Aurora too!" Marie blurted out, drawing curious eyes to herself.
The manager glanced at Aurora, as if asking for directions, but the young princess looked more confused than ever, "The interested person doesn't seem worried to me, so why would you be?"
"That's because she doesn't know!"
The older woman blinked and looked at Aurora, "You don't?"
"Know what?" Aurora asked at last. She worried, then, when her manager's stern look fell apart.
"You two better move along. Customers might start talking—"
"Customers!" Marie was exasperated. "They're all gone because of that...of that...God, what is she?!"
"I wouldn't dare guessing, Miss Lewis, especially in front of her." The manager suggested, pushing the girls to a more secluded part of the store. "Now, Mrs Berry, I'll need you and Miss Lewis to move along and do your job while I handle this."
Marie panicked, "But, ma'am!"
"Nothing is going to happen, Miss Lewis. I will not let that woman do anything to Aurora, nor to anyone here. I promise."
"But how can you be so sure? You don't know what she wants here!"
"As much as doesn't anyone."
Ms Collins winced as Marie jumped and Aurora, recognising that voice, felt her blood run cold and her world stopped in agonising moments. Her heart was pounding, and she could feel her veins pulsing. Her lips parted, and her breathing became irregular as her hands trembled, and her voice was gone.
It was like when she had to save Philip. Despair, drama, affliction, the unknown. All this, hitting her mind and soul like a thunder.
"...Maleficent."
She hadn't changed at all—and she looked as powerful as ever. She wore no robes nor a black horned headdress, but a dark grey suit and skirt, white shirt, no tie, and high heeled boots. Her hair fell in golden waves around her shoulders, giving her a young and oddly friendly look. However, her red lips of a smirk did not deny her intelligence, nor did her blue eyes of evil amusement deny the darkness of her heart.
Beautiful and dangerous like a rose.
The difference from the dragon sorceress that cast a curse to this rather elegant and classy woman was in the young woman right beside her. If it was not for her olive skin and dark eyes and hair, Aurora could bet she had just met the younger version of her nemesis.
A relative, perhaps? An apprentice? Aurora never thought of Maleficent as the teaching type, though she knew of her former friendship with the Evil Queen, due the latter saving the dragon from Aurora's father. When he told such story to his wife and child, Aurora was terrified while her mother, Briar Rose, was not surprised in the slightly, and simply warned her husband not to cross paths with their enemy again.
Back then, Aurora questioned the almost too calm way her mother faced such a dangerous situation, and asked her exactly what Maleficent had against the royal family. Briar Rose said nothing, and Stefan had wanted to tell the truth—if Aurora heard them correctly later on that same night.
Today, the young princess knew what happened between them—and the truth behind the Sleeping Curse was a stab to her heart. To make things worse, Briar Rose and Stefan were in town, living a life that was forced upon them as it had to everyone else, and as much Aurora loved them, she couldn't bring herself to forgive her parents just yet.
Because they had acted as victims for sixteen years, while in fact Maleficent had every freaking reason to hate them, and considering what she had lost, one cannot expect her to just ignore such pain.
The fairies—Flora, Fauna and Merryweather—were the ones to tell Aurora of the truth, having visited her after learning she was in town. They also told her of Maleficent's past: her childhood, the years under the Dragon's teachings, and her death by the Saviour's hands. And the young princess felt sick, guilty and angry, at herself and everyone, for condemning a woman whose dreams and hopes were cruelly severed.
Looking at her right now, after so many rumours of her ultimate comeback, Aurora felt somewhat relieved. Maleficent redeeming herself by taking an apprentice was a welcome change, however odd this seemed as a way to restart. Did she plan to follow her steps? She was older than she looked, Aurora was sure. Probably on her late twenties, earlier thirties? She was also obviously annoyed, and a little curious, looking back and forth from Aurora to Maleficent with quick eyes.
Oh well.
Although it was good to see Maleficent alive and well (Aurora never thought she was ever going to feel this way), she was unsure if she should just walk away or run or whatever. She couldn't just ignore her, she knew, as she did not back off the last time they met, and neither would she do it now.
"Hello, beastie."
And here it goes...
Aurora was dazed, perplexed. Why was she smiling? Whose is this woman with her? Where is the Saviour? All those questions and more stormed into her mind, and the princess was frozen in place, almost trembling in anticipation.
"My lady, please! Forgive my foolish of an employee! It is an honour to have you here."
Mr Wood rarely showed his face, and when he did so, it was usually to announce the payment of his employees, if not to warn them about changes in the store's administration. When not, it took something really terrible to make him leave his office.
Or, if you prefer, a very special customer to buy from his store.
He must have missed the silence of his usually so busy store, and then left his office, facing Storybrooke's illustrious new citizen—Maleficent to her enemies. Mal to her allies. Mother on the day her child felt save enough to call her that way. Monster to the rest, and that is why all his costumers were gone—they all feared what the dragon could do. She was well known for her harsh past, though she had never even been unfair in her judgement.
But she knew she was intimidating.
The treasures she had kept in her forbidden fortress, however, were also well known, and Mr Wood would not let a silly fear prevent him from making a lot of money.
"George Stanford Wood, at your disposal." The man went to the dragon sorceress, and kissed her hand in courtesy, to then notice the figure of a young woman looking annoyed and tensed. "And you must be...?"
"Lilith." She often added her nickname, for it wasn't uncommon for people not to use her full name, taking it did came from a lust demon, the wife of King of Hell, but she was so angry right now, trying to desperately think of something that wasn't killing Aurora and her stupid friend, that she wouldn't spare a single moment in stupid pleasantries. Maleficent may not be offended by their prejudice, but Lily was. And no one would disrespect her mother while she was there. "Her daughter."
Her voice held pride at its best and Maleficent was just as surprised as everyone in there, and her eyes were filled with inevitable happiness.
Lily could literally heard the darkness accusing her of breaking her mother in front of her nemesis, and as her anger waved off, she felt suddenly uncomfortable.
"Her what?" Marie broke the silence to later quickly cover her mouth with her cheeks, her cheeks blushing like mad. Lily practically killed the girl with a cold glare, but Maleficent smirked, amused—their faces were priceless.
"Indeed." She said then, not holding back the grin on her lips. "Despite what others may think, I do like children."
"Of course, my lady. None of us would think otherwise." Mr Wood was the first to recover from the shock, "Children are a blessing!" He then smiled at Lily, "It's a pleasure, Miss Lilith. Allow me to say: you do take after your mother's beauty." Lily raised an eyebrow at him, and said nothing. Years of experience taught Mr Wood that sometimes no words were better than harsh responses, so he forced another smile, "I beg your forgiveness for these girls—" He glared at his employees. "—they don't know how to distinguish such a remarkable customer when they see one."
Incredibly, Maleficent smirked, "I require assistance, nothing more. Winter is at door, which requires a new wardrobe."
Mr Wood's eyes flashed. A would be customer to spend a lot. He liked that. "Of course! Miss Collins, Miss Lewis, Mrs Berry!" He shouted and the three women lined up in front of him militantly. "I demand that you treat these ladies with the respect every customer of this establishment deserves, and present them the best, as to make them feel as comfortable as possible!"
"At once, Mr Wood!" The three women said.
"Good." Mr Wood turned to Maleficent and Lily. He was in love. "If I may, my ladies, help you with anything—"
"I believe your staff will be of sufficient help." Maleficent cut him off quickly. She could already read his ulterior intentions. She also didn't have time for it. Her heart belonged to another, whose location she was yet to find.
Mr Wood, on the other hand, should consider himself lucky. At her rejection, he was clearly bothered, but he did not let that affect his demeanour. He cleaned his throat, "Well, of course, please allow me to accommodate you. The two of you!" He pointed to Aurora and Marie, "I better not hear any complains. Do I made myself clear?"
The two girls nodded quickly, and so Ms Collins walked to Maleficent and Lily, "I'm Samantha Collins and I'll be assisting you today, Lady Maleficent."
"There is no need to address me as such, Miss—" Maleficent read the identification badge attached to the woman's uniform, "—Collins."
The manager nodded, "As you wish, ma'am. Now, allow me to show you our best while the girls prepare you something to drink. Please, follow me."
Maleficent and Lily explored the store in silence. Ms Collins followed them everywhere, as all the pampering possible—a comfortable place to sit, coffee, water, and even sugar cookies to enjoy while waiting.
To Lily, it was all nonsense.
"Do you see any items of your preference, Miss Lilith?" Miss Collins finally asked Lily directly, after failing to interest the young dragon so many times.
Lily's eyes travelled across the store as many colours caught her attention, "...coats?" She inquired, not looking back at the woman.
Ms Collins nodded almost too carefully, "Please, it's right on the next room."
In the end, Maleficent got more interest in buying anything than Lily herself. She had collected several pieces of clothing, quite different in patterns and colours. Standing by a mirror, she lift two coats at Lily's eye level, who watched her mother curiously. She was amusingly excited, "Black or white?" Lily tried on the white coat and turned to look at herself in the mirror, before making a face, "Uh, no." She did the same with the black one then, and as she stared at her reflection, a voice behind her said, "Looks good on you."
Lily caught up at her mother's eyes through the mirror, "It's just a coat." She dismissed.
"Which looks beautiful on you." Maleficent turned to Ms Collins. "Find more like this one. I suppose my daughter has my taste in colour."
Ms Collins smiled, "A minute, if you please." And she was gone, leaving mother and child alone.
Lily took off the coat and handed it back to her mother. She was already getting tired of all this, and let out an audible sigh, crossing her arms over her chest.
Maleficent took notice on her discomfort, "Is there something wrong?" She asked.
Lily's eyebrows shot up, "You are asking me?"
Maleficent glanced at her child with confusion taking over her eyes, "You mean I should be bothered by something?"
Lily frowned. She didn't know how her mother could be so...innocent at times. Well, maybe innocent was not the right word. Perhaps she expected too much from people? Or maybe nothing. The fact is: either she didn't seem to notice what was happening around her or she pretended not to notice.
Still, Lily couldn't blame her. Things hadn't been good on the last few days. She hadn't been feeling well enough, something to do with her magic, and although Lily worried, Maleficent assured her that everything was fine and that her sudden discomfort would be gone with the week.
Lily wasn't so sure. She knew what her mother had been through, though Maleficent herself hadn't mentioned anything. Maybe it was something to do with her father?
It has been three weeks since Emma's disappearance, and despise all their efforts in spells, books and incantations, neither Maleficent nor Lily found a thing regarding his location. Truth to herself, Lily was starting to panic, but she denied giving up, spending most of her time searching for whatever information she could get. But as seven days turned into three weeks, the prospect of finding her father became distant and almost impossible, and Lily was totally unready to face what might be the most painful of all truths. For it wasn't fair, was it? To have such a significant part of her life denied, to never known what he was like, or if they looked alike—dragon form or not (although Lily could bet they did), if they had things in common when it comes to their personality, their temper, their magic, even their darkness could share a powerful link, and yet Lily could never know.
So, when her mother proposed they go out and relax, Lily agreed. Not that shopping was the first option she would have in mind if asked, but it was a way to get to know her mother better—to watch how she behaved in front of other people, if something changed, if Lily was indeed the only one who would ever see her good side, to witness how people threatened her, and to test her temper at those who weren't kind to her.
Again, Lily was surprised at how her mother's patience could be so extensive.
"My child, what's wrong?" Maleficent was asking—soft and loving and all too much kind. Lily hadn't get used to it. She probably never would.
"There are...plenty stores in town." She replied with a low voice, feeling awkward. "We don't need to be here if—"
"—if Aurora is here?" Lily's eyes widened a little, as she didn't expect her mother to acknowledge the princess' presence and not at all discreet eyes, as she still hated her so much for what her mother did, "Her name is not a curse, Lily. I won't die to see her well and safe. In fact, I don't give a damn." Lily let out a snort, as she had never heard her mother going down to swearing. Maleficent merely shrugged, clearly keen to forget about her past and be happy in the present and in the future.
Why can't I be more like her? Lily asked herself. Why do I have to look so much like...like you, Dad?
She glanced at her image in the mirror and her heart sheathed in many pieces.
Where are you?
"I'm back!"
Ms Collins arrived with a big smile, carrying as many pieces of clothing she could, "Here are some options." She placed at least five to six different coats on a long low sofa without arms, placed against the wall. "I'll get the others, we have several options here. Please, excuse me." And the woman disappeared as fast.
Maleficent was quick to lose herself in the options at her disposal. Lily found this smooth side of her mother something rather unexpected, "Never pictured you as the shopping type." She thought aloud and right then blushed, taking a laugh from her mother. "I–I mean—"
"Aren't all women?" Maleficent mused. "It can be the best of medicine."
Lily was surprised, "So you...you did that kind of stuff back on...there?"
Maleficent shook her head, "My aunts wouldn't let me wander around the village next to the forest we lived, on the exception of fall festivals in which themselves would escort me everywhere. And when I became older, I'd rather visit underground markets or find random caravans selling all types of things." She chose a red coat and her eyebrows rose as she read the price tag. She handed it to Lily, who simply followed her instructions and tried the coat on. "Walking into a store and...shopping as you named it—" She said as she adjusted the lapels of Lily's coat. "—was very exclusive to nobility, in their rare moments, as they preferred to order their clothing, so the gentry would make their own. Me included."
"So you...sew?" Lily wondered if there was something her mother didn't do.
"My aunts made sure to educate me to be a proper lady." Maleficent made a face at the term. "I was fixing dresses at six years old. I hate it. I'd rather stay in the kitchen. Could at least eat something."
Lily couldn't help a smile, very much enjoying her mother's tales of childhood.
"May I make you a dress?"
Lily blinked, "What?"
"A scarf, then? A dress would be useless as to protect you from the cold anyway. A scarf is simpler, and easier. Would you mind if I knit you one?"
Lily didn't know whatever to say or not. Wasn't her mother already doing too much? She didn't have to do any of this. Fill her with gifts, that is. And Lily didn't see a point for that. She didn't see why—how could any of this even change anything that ever happened to them? Their past was gone and there was no turning back.
But that didn't mean they couldn't try to fix their present in order to live an amazing future—which was exactly what her mother was trying to do all this time, in the many curious ways she found to emend things—and in between studying magic, flying over trees, cooking, and so many other things, Maleficent was willing to share every single trace of knowledge, virtue, flaw, and memory she had gathered for a lifetime, hoping to build an unbreakable bond of blood and love.
Not being open to her efforts, not being apt to try, made Lily feel like a spoiled brat who knew nothing better than bitching about the wonderful chance she was given by fate—a well known not deserved chance.
She swallowed, cursing herself. The darkness was speaking to her head, doubts and fears anew. Her eyes fell to all things her mother had brought her.
She sighed, "You don't need to—"
"Don't speak as it was an obligation." Maleficent, the insightful woman she was, obviously knew what this all about. "Because it is not. To do this, to do anything for you, I don't need another reason rather than you being my child. I just—" She paused. She didn't look quite sure if she knew how to describe her feelings in the way Lily wanted, for they weren't that complex, were they? "I want to spend time with you, to do things for you, with you." She confessed in a whisper, a plea that sounded so soft. "Besides—" She tapped her child's nose playfully, taking her out of guard. "—you do need winter clothes, no?"
"I never—" Lily felt as she was about to lie, but her mother's presence made her feel safe while her loving eyes made her unsure. "No one ever—" And the meaning behind her words was stupidly clear.
I don't know how I should react to your love for me because no one dared to try doing what you do for me.
Maleficent's eyes softened even more, if that was possible. She took her child's hands in hers, nodding, understanding and accepting. Lily didn't know what to make of such openness.
"I...I'm sorry." She whispered, eyes low in shame and so much pain—the lack of the ability to act around people blatantly exposed.
"Don't be."
But Lily was, more than she wished to, allowing this painful longing to devour her heart. And that made her frustrated at herself.
"I'm messed up." She murmured.
Maleficent cupped her face, and pressed a kiss against her forehead, "Expressing your feelings doesn't mess things up, Lily. And I welcome whatever you have to say." Lily felt two hands touching her arms, sliding up and down in a soothing manner. She let out a sigh but her gaze was still down in utter defeat. "I suppose I got too carried away?" Maleficent guessed, tilting her head to the side. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just...wanted to spoil my little girl."
Lily finally raised her eyes, shy but somewhat curious.
Doubtful.
"Just like that?"
Maleficent grinned, "Always."
And that was her excuse for everything she did. And Lily just felt she would never understand.
Then again, she didn't have to.
As mother and daughter quietly settled for trying new outfits, Aurora took the opportunity to watch them from afar, hiding herself behind a column.
The young woman—Lilith—sounded almost afraid of saying something wrong. It was not as if she was afraid of pissing her mother off, just...afraid of pushing her away? Which was odd, because it was just logical to conclude that Maleficent was a very good mother, mind you. There was so much love in her eyes, they sparkled how much she loved her child that it made Aurora smile. To say she was relieved was an understatement. She was so freaking happy that couldn't contain the small tears from her eyes.
But am I not supposed to, after what my mother did to her?
Everyone deserved a second chance—even Regina Mills was forgiven—then why would Maleficent be any different, even being the Mistress of All Evil and the creator of one of the evillest curses of time?
She has what she always wanted, said a rational part of Aurora's brain. And after so much pain, it was the least she deserved.
The young princess felt a pain of longing welter in her chest, for she could not help but think of her son. Was that a dream? Another curse? It seemed so unlikely that one of the most evil of villains had turned into a good person. It was rather odd that the sorceress who cursed her family had become a zealous and loving mother, above all suspicion.
But also, one could hardly believe that the Evil Queen and Snow White were indeed good friends.
Why would Maleficent surprise her so much?
Ah, that's right.
Because no one besides Aurora had seen the darkest side of her heart. So, who could blame her?
Still, despise all proof, it didn't seem right.
"Are you going to stare at me all day?"
Or maybe it did.
"I'm not going to hurt you. If I wanted you dead, beastie, you would be dead."
Maleficent's voice sounded sharp and dry, and maybe a little too much amused.
Aurora froze in her spot, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn't move for a moment, as if to remember her thoughts and line of reasoning, and then, she sighed, feeling stupid. She gathered all the courage she had left and walked from behind the column she was hidden, revealing herself to a dragon that was now watching her every move like a predator having fun on its prey.
Glad to be alive, she asked, "Why are you calling me like that?"
Maleficent frowned at the girl's audacity, wondering where it came from. After all, Sleeping Beauty had never been known for being brave. Was that really what she wanted to ask first? A plausible thought would be aren't you here to kill me?
Well, she clearly wasn't.
"Am I not, according to this world, your fairy godmother?" Then, she huffed at the absurdity of the tale, "Curious, no? The ways people find to justify the mistakes of those they admire. And although her wings justify what she did, there is considerable difference between our motivations."
Aurora lowered her head and voice, "Yes, I know."
Maleficent's surprise at Aurora's words made her comment, "I suspect Briar Rose wasn't the one to break the news."
The princess crossed her arms over her chest, as in an act of self preservation, "I found out by myself. And I know..." Her voice disappeared in a defeated sigh, "I know there is nothing I can do or say to amend for what she did—"
"Then don't." Maleficent advised, almost ordered. "I don't intent on prolonging this quarrel any longer."
Aurora was taken aback as anyone would, "Y–you won't?"
Maleficent raised an eyebrow, "Do you object?"
"No! I mean...I didn't mean I—" Aurora bit her tongue, interrupting her poor choice of words, and gave up, already tired, sat down on a chair. Her face showed irritation, as she was lost and did not know how to handle it. Maleficent supposed she was just like her mother—a woman to plan things ahead and who hated surprises.
The older dragon felt like scolding herself. She couldn't believe she was feeling sympathetic over Briar Rose's child.
"I'm not here for you. You understand that, yes?"
Aurora lift her gaze to face the dragon, "I'm not a princess, neither you are a villain any longer. I can definitely work with that. And I'm glad..." She shared glances with Lily, whose eyes widened a bit at the young princess' sincerity, "I'm glad things ended well. For both of you. Mother to mother...had what was done to you been done to me, I wouldn't have survived."
If Maleficent wanted to say something, Miss Collins's arrival didn't let her, "I'm back again!" Ms Collins was carrying clothes and more clothes with her. Aurora feared the woman was going to overthrow everything and helped her by all over a table beside where Maleficent and Lily were. That was when Aurora could have a closer look at the villain's daughter and was surprised at how different they looked. Maleficent, noticing the girl's interest, said, "Dragon caught your tongue, Mrs Berry?"
As Lily rolled her eyes at her mother's words, Aurora did something she hadn't done today—she giggled.
In the end, Maleficent spent a little fortune on clothing and shoes—taking she also bought a few things for herself. Neither Ms Collins nor Mr Wood dared questioning her. She was paying well, that's all that mattered.
Mr Wood, to return Maleficent's...generosity, so to speak, offered to help her on putting her shopping (which where many) on Lily's new car. Maleficent was grateful for his kindness, though she tried at her best not to feed up on his stupid hopes of getting her attention. For the first time in her life, Maleficent started considering wearing a bonding ring.
She internally cursed. She needed to find her husband first.
"Is everything alright, my lady?"
Maleficent left her thoughts and looked at the man, nodding, "Yes." Before the man could say anything, she headed to a blue a car parked a few meters from the store.
Lily had told her about the 1970 Chevy Chevelle of which she named as Big Blue, and as they couldn't leave town, she had no ways of getting her car back. Maleficent, since arriving to Storybrooke, didn't trust those metal machines Cruella also seemed to be so fond of. They were very noisy and useless when you have magic. She knew, however, that Lily held some odd fascination for cars and motorcycles, and that she knew enough about them, their story and how they were supposed to work, maybe a little more than she should—as she had once been what this strange world would address as a car mechanic, someone who repaired those bloody machines when they decided not to work anymore. Maleficent had a hard time understanding her child's passion for metal machines, and she would not deny she was sometimes curious about them. So, she suggested they would buy a new one, and Lily agreed before she could even finish her offer.
Maleficent smiled at the thought of how happy her daughter was when they brought the car, but it also pained her that Lily had so little good moments in her life. It made the sorceress feel the strong need to find perfect opportunities to make good memories every day.
"I thank you." She told Miss Collins with a polite smile.
And before the woman could voice a thing, she was interrupted, "We're grateful for your visit and trust, Lady Maleficent." by Mr Wood. Again. He didn't seem to give up. Aurora, watching their interaction for afar, smiled a little, waiting for Maleficent's reaction—the dragon was so openly annoyed by the man's not-so-subtle words. Whom might had she chosen as her mate? Where was he, by the way?
No one wonder she has a child. True Love can cure any illness. But who is he, I wonder?
"Come back whenever you wish." She heard Mr Wood said. "A lovely client like you will always be welcome."
The dragon nodded, "I appreciate it." Then, she turned to a golden haired young woman there, and her memory brought her to the time where the young princess's mother, bold and unscrupulous Briar Rose, and herself were good friends. Aurora looked so much like her mother, yet she was so small and fragile and genuinely kind that it costed Maleficent to believe that she was indeed Briar Rose's child. Her mind practically screamed at her to attack.
But the girl herself was lost in thought while now watching as Lily put her things into the car and she could not help but think she looked so...normal. She wasn't evil. Which would mean Maleficent had been a good mother. And Aurora was glad, of course, that her nemesis had indeed changed for the best. If for her daughter, she was willing to be kind with her enemies, to treat others fairly, to be fair and spend her own money instead of using her magic to steal from others, then she was undoubtedly better than before. Of course, it was not as if her actions on that day had not been more than convincing about her love for her daughter, but when it comes to a villain, doubt is always understandable.
"Aurora."
And then, the princess' attention was on the dragon sorceress who once tried to destroy her family.
"Maleficent." She considered using her real name, but just knew she certainly wouldn't want such unknown information to colour the wind for anyone near enough to hear it.
"You've grown..." Maleficent took her time to find any word that wouldn't result on an insult, and the ease on such task made her annoyed. She couldn't truly believing in what she was about to say, "...stronger."
So very much unlike your mother.
Aurora, in turn, exposed a small, sad smile, "You've grown kinder."
And no, she didn't mean saying it so openly, but her mind and lips weren't in the same pattern right now, and as her eyes widened at the good will on her own words, the dragon watched her in understandable interest, "Have I?" She indulged and Aurora glanced at Lily for a moment, before nodding. Maleficent's face relaxed then, as she silently acknowledge what the girl meant.
Villains weren't supposed to be good parents. Yet there she was—the Mistress of All Evil, a loving mother.
"One thing, I may ask? For myself?"
The dragon remained silent, and waited for the girl to continue after nodding her head, giving her permission to do so. Aurora's mind flashed back to so many sleepless nights after the end of the curse and they way Philip worried for herself and their son—who needed her so much.
She took a deep breathe, "Is there a way to stop the...this..."
"Insomnia." A mischievous smile played on the sorceress' lips, and Aurora couldn't tell whether it was due the pride of knowing her curse had left permanent side-effects, or out of sheer sadism to have her enemy's daughter still suffering after so long. Probably both.
Aurora didn't dare asking.
"For how long have you been awake?"
"A year or so." Aurora swallowed, nervous. "Was that...was that too out of line?"
She received no response, as Maleficent pursed her lips into a pout, taking a glance on Lily for a moment, knowing the young woman was waiting for her. Maleficent wanted to do good, for her child's sake, she wanted to be the best mother one could be. She wanted, more than anything, for Lily to be proud of her. She didn't want Lily to follow the path of darkness blindly and so giving a good example was the best of options left. Not killing could be seen as enough, but denying help inoffensively sought? Well, she wasn't a Charming.
She sighed. What motherhood had brought out of her was a soft side she wasn't ready to accept. But she had no other choice but to give into it.
"Acorus, hawthorn fruit and red dates. Two hours before you rest." She listened to herself, recalling her old times as a healer, and her voice was even, eyes in anything but the princess, brows frowning in concentration. Recipes were never a strong peak to her.
Aurora hesitated, "You mean...as in a potion?"
"Tea." Maleficent corrected her. "My Sleeping Curse does remains in your blood, which has enough magic as it is. You need to erase any traces of it."
"And tea...helps sleeping." Aurora showed reluctance to believe.
"It does to my Lily."
The endearing way in which Maleficent talked about her child made Aurora's eyes shine with shapes of sympathy and gratitude Maleficent herself never, in her wildest memories, would ever expect to get from Briar Rose's child.
And I may add Aurora was indeed very grateful, yes, for if said tea did good to Lily, whom Maleficent would never lie about, whom she would never use for sordid purposes, then Aurora, having heard enough from Lady Fauna to know that dragons were creatures of honour and duty and passion, could trust that Maleficent was being completely honest right now.
"Thank you. And I'm sorry."
Maleficent almost snorted, "...sorry?" She tried the word on her tongue, very much strange.
"For my prejudice. For other people's prejudice. It was uncalled for."
"I don't care what people might think of me." The sorceress said. "My child doesn't fear me and that's enough."
Aurora smiled softly, "She really admires you."
Maleficent was pleasantly surprised at this, and Aurora wondered if her relationship with her daughter was somehow broken.
"I hope you—"
"Stay away from my wife!"
Lily was in the car waiting for her mother to finish whatever she even had to finish. They had bought much more than Lily had expected—not that she had—and she would have been against spending so much money if her mother had not been so stubborn. But Maleficent wanted to make up for lost time, she wanted to spoil her child, and Lily would let her do so, if that would made her feel more at ease with herself.
And she wondered, as she watched her mother talk so formally and civilly with her enemy, how they did not seem to want to kill each other.
The problem was when a man shouted in the distance, his anger exposed on his young face, and Sleeping Beauty suddenly turned frightened and distressed. He pulled her arm hard and stood between her and Maleficent, who did not seem affected by the situation.
Lily got off the car.
"Philip!" Aurora called, surprised to see her husband. "What are you doing here?"
"I was planning to make you a surprise!" He responded and turned to Maleficent. "But I arrive here to find you with this...this—"
"Monster?" Maleficent decided to help him. "Would you believe to learn I'm not here for her?"
In the background, Lily watched the scene, unsure if she should intervene or not, but automatically preparing herself to act.
"What are you doing here?" Philip barked. "Emma assured me you were dead!"
The dragon did not even blink, "I want nothing from you, much less from your wife."
Philip's eyes flash with anger, "Don't fool me! You will not hurt us! I will not allow it!"
Maleficent rolled her eyes. She wanted to laugh. Ignoring the prince completely, she looked at Aurora and said, "Take care, beastie. And thank you."
And then she walked away, leaving a very stunned princess behind, not caring enough to spare the prince a mere glance.
But Philip wouldn't let her. He stood on her way, and they faced each other closely. Maleficent could call herself hardly impressed at his displays of bravery. She remembered of how much he had fought before she turned him into a Yaoguai. She would praise his efforts if they weren't indeed stupid and not followed by any kind of strategic planning. But he was young and inexperienced. She wouldn't blame him for fighting. He wasn't being unjust. He had every right to hate her.
"I advise you to move along." She said quietly, mentally wishing to put an end to such an unnecessary spat.
Yet Philip stepped closer, "Why are you here?" He asked in low tones.
"I don't own you an explanation." Maleficent's soft voice annoyed Philip even more. But if he was trying to make her lose her patience and attack him, thus giving him the opening to attack her, then he would have to try harder than this.
"This is my wife's safety we are talking about!" He shouted.
"I don't see any wounds on her skin." And yes, she used sarcasm.
Philip's skin was red in anger, "Which doesn't mean you didn't intent to change that!"
"She's didn't."
The prince paused and turned to his wife. He looked desperate.
"What?"
"We're just talking. Philip, she didn't try to hurt me at any moment."
"And you believed her? She cursed you! Us! For fifty years! How can you ignore that?"
"I'm not ignoring it." Aurora argued. "I'm just letting it go. She didn't even know I worked here. Did she, Mr Wood? Miss Collins? Marie?" She was practically begging for help and looked at her boss and co-workers with pleading eyes.
"O–of course not!" Mr Wood shuttered. "Lady Maleficent is the newest customer of my store. As well her daughter."
"Daughter?" Philip's voice held a mocking tone that Maleficent quickly learned to distaste. "And where is she?"
"Here."
They all turned and stared at Lily in surprise, mostly Maleficent, who did not expect such a direct reaction from her daughter. But the prince, believing that his wife's boss was forging stories, was sceptical, for there was a woman who was clearly very angry with him.
"You—!"
"The name's Lilith." She took two steps closer, glaring at him. "Now Back. Off."
Philip's eyes widened, unable to understand why anyone would want to defend one of the most evil villains that ever lived, even if she was her mother, "Do you even know what she is?" He asked, and the volume of his voice increased. "Or what did she do?"
"She's my mother," Lily spat. "That's all I need to know."
Maleficent, as Lily knew she would, stared at her with wide eyes.
"So you approve on what she did?!" Philip asked incredulously.
"Nothing unwarranted, by what I learned." Lily glanced at Aurora for two seconds, then turning to face the prince once again, "Or you don't know what your beloved mother-in-law did?"
"Aurora had nothing to do with her mother's actions!"
"Good for her. Now leave us alone. This or—"
"Lily..." The young woman stopped talking when she felt a soft hand touch her arm, but her eyes kept staring at the prince. "He's not worth it."
Blue eyes met hazel eyes then, and Lily gave in. Turning to Philip, she took him by the collar of his shirt and growled, slowly and firmly, "If my mother wanted you dead, you'd already be. So leave us alone. I'm done with your hypocrisy." She released him abruptly, pushing him back.
But Philip was filled with irrational rage:
"You're a monster just like her!"
That did it.
And Philip didn't even have time to defend himself, and a fist found his nose in a fast, strong movement, knocking him to the ground. The pain was immediate, and the blood was already flowing down his face as he found himself defeated.
Aurora and Marie screamed.
Miss Collins sighed in irritation.
Mr Wood glanced sideways, fearful of the people watching the scene.
Lily smiled mischievously, ignoring the pain on her hand.
Maleficent was somehow touched.
"Can we go now?" Her daughter acted as if nothing had happened, and Maleficent wanted to laugh, for she loved her little girl more every day.
That was when the real problem set in.
"Philip, no!"
The dragon heard a very low crack, the burning of the gunpowder, metal cutting the air, and her magic found no way to disregard what would happened.
A loud shout.
Screams.
Then crying...
...running...
...and lots of cursing.
"No!"
Maleficent was a lover of fire. She had never been afraid of it, not even as a child and that was of the many reasons she loved about being a dragon. They were naturally immune to it, of course, and some tales even said that they were made of it. But they could be killed, as any other living creature, and she almost was, with a sword through her heart.
To be wounded by a small fire wouldn't be a problem if the melted metal wasn't made of iron—as a Sword of Truth could be—resulting on a painful burn on her chest.
She lost her balance and her blood pressure was high, though her heart no longer seemed to beat. A pair of hands kept her from falling, but she was on the floor in low seconds. The world around her was blurry and confusing. Her chest burned.
"Someone help me!"
A loud noise was heard from afar, and two lights, blue and red. A man left his dark machine, running and screaming.
"Why the hell did you do?!"
Her vision was starting to blur and there were voices everywhere. The prince was afar, held by two men. By his feel, a small weapon of which had provoked her mortal wound. Maleficent didn't take a second to understand what he had done. She had seen this weapon before—Cruella had one for personal defence (or rather, self-pleasure—though she couldn't use it due unknown reasons she had linked to the Author.
But wouldn't Philip known any better? If a sword through her heart hadn't been her end, why would a...bullet make any difference?
Oh, right.
That stupid movie hadn't been wrong about a magical creature one's lethal weakness—iron—though it was for dragons only, not horned fairies.
"Lily..." She managed to speak out, breathing harshly. She could feel her tears falling onto her face.
"You promised...you promised!"
To always be with her? Yes, and she didn't intent to break such promise. Villains never did. Dragons even less. In addition, if iron didn't make dragon's magic weaker, her advanced instincts would've told her to defend herself.
Her magic would've been prepared.
"Come on! Come on!"
Men and women were touching her and suddenly a white light was on her face, her clothes were tore open with no care, and her skin was hit by strange hands that held no magic.
"Hurry!"
The iron little thing was burning and her magic faltered.
"Take off the bullet!" A man. He was screaming. He sounded desperate. "It's made of iron! She can't heal herself!"
Another man was arguing, and her child fought him.
"She's a dragon, you fucking idiot!"
She indeed was, and once the iron was gone, her magic was back to work on her flesh again, healing her wounds.
Till then, her mind drove off into a land of eternal memories of darkness.
A/N: Soooo...yeah, it was unexpected, but I PROMISE to explain things the next chapters, okay?
You all may be thinking 'What in hell did this girl who thinks she's a writer had in mind to do something like this? Maleficent would never be wounded by a gun! Philip wouldn't do that!'
Wouldn't he? Anger is always a motivation to hurt people. I won't lie and say it's not...unlikely, but it is possible. I had this idea after watching S6 Lady Tremaine pointing a hunting gun to Ashley (the only Cinderella I can respect). I mean, really, why hasn't anyone yet tried to kill anyone with anything that wasn't magic or a sword? My doubts were on Maleficent actually been taken by surprise, but although she is powerful, she's clearly not trained to fight. She doesn't hurt people out of fun. I love this character to the bone and I miss her as hell. Damn it, ABC.
And yes, I have written my own version on why Maleficent hates Briar Rose—but I don't know when or if I will ever address their backstory directly. Just know you guys will find out what really happened through a very special dialogue. There are many hidden hints here and then too, so it won't be hard to figure it out what Briar Rose stole from Maleficent.
Anyway, I really hope you didn't find this storyline too out of line. There are also many references to what will happen on the next five parts of this particular fic, and I really hope you notice them as you read it. For better clarification, next chapter happens three days after the events of this one.
See ya soon!
This is only the beginning.