[A/N: This is one of my favorites of the classic Disney films. You can probably guess what is too pretty quickly. I really hope I did the villain justice too since she is one of my very favorites as well (next to Frollo that is) and I was a bit worried about keeping her in character. We're just shy of 100,000 words without author's notes and will get that point in the next chapter. Speaking of the next chapter don't expect it in a day like this one and the one before since I have to watch the movie again to get the dialog correct. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy the chapter! Oh, before I forget we're in the single digits for remaining chapters.]

In a dank dark castle a woman's voice could be heard. "Ah Erik my old friend. I haven't seen you since you were a boy." The speaker was a tall woman with a thin sallow slightly greenish face wearing a dark cape with horns coming out of her head. "How long has it been? Ten years?"

"More like fifteen." Erik had mixed feelings about Maleficent. In his youth he'd idolized her, but now that he was an adult he only felt scorn for her. "Have you thought at all about my old proposal to you?"

Maleficent stroked the feathers of the raven on her shoulder. "I suppose I have had plenty of time to think about it haven't I?" The wicked fairy sat down on her stone throne. "Perhaps I should give Xehanort some assistance." She rose again and strode over to Erik revealing that she was a bit taller than him. "By the way Erik what's this I hear about you sending some little thing with a Keyblade out to search for the seven pure lights?"

Erik bristled he really wished Maleficent hadn't brought it up. "That's my business and not yours."

"Going under Xehanort's nose are you?" There was a ghost of a smirk on Maleficent's narrow face. "I'd hate to see that old goat's face when he realizes that you've betrayed him."

Again Erik felt himself bristle. "I haven't betrayed him. Xehanort said he wanted to find the Princesses of Heart and I'm helping him do it."

"By using a Keyblade wielder? I don't think he'd take too kindly at the thought of that." Maleficent returned to her throne. "Now away with you. I've grown weary of your company as well as your nattering."

Erik clenched his hands into fists at his side. "You never answered my question your grace."

"I never heard the question." Maleficent's tone was mocking.

"Would you join us to bring out Kingdom Hearts?"

One of Maleficent's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Perhaps I might….send Xehanort to talk to me directly and we shall see." Her ringed hand began to pet the raven again.

Erik wasn't going to back down without a fight. "Maleficent, I don't think you understand we have other allies that could give you all the assistance you desire. For insentience: the sea witch from Atlantica, the God of the underworld from Olympus Coliseum, that insistent gambling bag of bugs from Halloween Town, the pirate captain from Neverland, and the sorcerer from Agrabah. I'm sure all of them would be more than willing to get behind you and-"

"Enough!" Maleficent rose from her throne and stalked over to Erik. "I've grown tired of your prattling, boy." The word boy came out full of scathing. "Send me Xehanort and then perhaps I join your cause."

It didn't look like Erik could say anything else that would convince her otherwise. "Fine, I will get Master Xehanort to come here himself to talk to you." He turned and stalked out of the castle when he heard familiar voices. No, no not now…..wait maybe I could use this to my benefit. Erik had been walking further into the castle when he turned around and started walking towards the front doors. He saw Juliet, Akio, and Clementine walking into Maleficent's castle and walked past knowing Juliet would spot him.

"Erik? What are you doing here?" Juliet walked over to him with a pleasantly surprised smile on her face.

Erik was actually quite pleased to see her. "Actually Juliet I'm glad that I ran into you. You see I have a slight problem at the moment."

"Before you go any further this is world is called Enchanted Dominion right?" She saw him nod before she looked triumphantly back at Akio and Clementine. "I told you guys I was right. Anyway what's the matter?"

"There's this….fairy here that I think would make a good ally. The problem is that she wants nothing to do with me at the moment, but I was thinking maybe you could convince her to come to my side."

"You want some fairy on your side?"

"Yes."

"Why? If you don't mind me asking. Oh, and what's her name?"

Erik felt his irritation growing again. "Because she would make a splendid ally. Her name is Maleficent now go find her." He walked through the front gates of the castle.

Juliet watched him go with a look of puzzlement on her face. "Well, let's go find Maleficent." She continued through the castle while Akio looked back over his shoulder at Erik.

"I still don't think we can trust him. I don't like the look of this castle and if this Maleficent person rules here then I don't think we can trust her either."

She chose to ignore Akio's comments as they walked further into the castle.

As they got further into the castle there was a bawdy chorus of singing and the distinct caw of a raven that was flying over head.

Clementine was trailing behind looking for the source of the singing when she saw a herd of pig like green skinned armor wearing creatures that she'd never seen before. She tugged on Akio's sleeve and pointed at them. "What do you think they are? Do you think they live here?"

"Probably. Maybe Maleficent made them." He grimaced when one of them let out a particularly loud belch. "Come on we're going to lose Juliet."

They continued into the depths of the castle until they came to a giant throne room. Sitting in the throne was Maleficent; a raven circling around her before perching on her shoulder. She glanced up at them a small smirk coming to her thin lips. "Well, what are three little children doing in my castle?"

Juliet was wringing her hands and felt a little nervous being in the presence of someone so imposing. "Actually Maleficent we're here to ask you a question."

Maleficent raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected that they'd know her name. "First you answer mine. I know everyone in this kingdom, but you three look new to me. Tell me your names."

Juliet still looked a touch nervous, but she thought it best that she didn't anger Maleficent. "I'm Juliet and these are my friends Akio and Clementine."

This seemed to appease Maleficent who was stroking the raven with a long elegant finger. "Now, what exactly do you wish to speak with me about?"

"Do you know Erik?" Juliet winced when she saw Maleficent twitch at the mention of his name.

"Yes, I know Erik. What about him?"

"Well, he thinks you would make a great ally for whatever it is that he's planning."

Maleficent rose from her throne with an angry look on her face. "So, that damned brat thinks he can send children to try and change my mind does he? Well he'll have to try harder than that if he wants my attention." She looked over at them her expression softening a bit. "But how could you have known what that vile wicked man is planning? I think I have a way we could compromise."

Juliet was still wondering why Maleficent had called Erik vile and wicked, but brushed it off when she saw that the fairy was smiling at them. "How could we compromise?"

The evil fairy leaned in closer to Juliet; the raven peering down at her with black eyes. "There is a princess in this world that I would like to have more information on. I've traveled far and wide searching for this elusive maiden and for all my attempts she has alluded me."

"What's her name? What does she look like?"

A smile came to Maleficent's lips. "Fair skinned, ruby red lips, and hair as golden as sunshine. Eyes so violet you can get lost in them. The ideal princess of every man's dreams." Her gaze turned to Akio as she said this. "Find me Princess Aurora and I will give Erik whatever help he desires."

Akio didn't like the look Maleficent was giving him and looked away.

"Ok, we'll find this Princess Aurora for you then you have to help Erik. "Deal?" Juliet held her hand out.

Maleficent gingerly shook Juliet's hand before turning and walking back to her throne. "Deal….Keyblade wielder."

Clementine was still hanging back when she heard this and tapped Juliet on the shoulder. "How did she know you have the Keyblade?"

"Maybe words getting around I don't know. It doesn't really bother me that she knows. At least she said she'd help."

By the time they left the castle there was still a long harrowing winding twisting stone pathway that led down to a forest. Clementine could still hear the laughter of Maleficent's pig like minions and quickened her pace to catch up. "Juliet, are we really going to help Maleficent find out about this Princess Aurora?"

"Of course we are." She stopped and turned around. "Why wouldn't we?"

"Because she doesn't seem right to me."

"You're starting to sound like Akio. Just because Maleficent seems a little dark doesn't necessarily mean that's she's evil."

Clementine stopped walking as she watched Juliet continue down the pathway. "She's so bad at reading people I could feel sorry for her. This isn't going to end well I know it." When she realized she was getting left behind Clementine started walking again.

By the time they got into the forest there was the sweet sound of a woman's operatic voice coming through the trees. Juliet gave them a shushing gesture before peering through the trees.

Frolicking in the woods was a young girl about sixteen years old with long golden hair and violet eyes wearing a peasant's dress. Her feet were bare as she danced through the grass and trees singing to herself.

As they drew closer Juliet felt warmth in her heart and she turned back to Akio and Clementine. "That must be Aurora and she's also one of the seven pure lights." She continued to watch Aurora for a few more seconds listening to her sing when she looked downcast. "I can't tell Maleficent that we found her. She seems so sweet and innocent and I get the feeling Maleficent is going to do something horrible to her."

Aurora spun on her toes sending her dress billowing out around her when she saw them staring her and the singing stopped abruptly. She looked fearful and started to back away.

Clementine started to walk through the forest towards Aurora who only started to back up further. "Don't worry we're not going to hurt you." She smiled at the princess who looked like she was starting to calm down. "I'm Clementine and you must be Aurora."

Aurora frowned in confusion. "I'm not Aurora. My name is Briar Rose."

Clementine looked confused at this. That's weird. She looks just like how Maleficent described her. "Do you have a twin sister by chance?"

"No. I'm an only child. I don't even know who my parents are. I live with my Aunts Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather."

"Hold that thought I'll be right back." Clementine walked back into the trees. "Do you still want to take her to Maleficent? That girl is Princess Aurora any way you look at it and if you take her back to that…..woman you'll be the biggest ass I know." Clementine was glaring at Juliet who recoiled under her gaze.

"Then we're not taking her back to Maleficent."

Clementine looked surprised that she'd been taken seriously. "Really? You're actually going to listen to me?"

"Of course. I hardly know Maleficent and you're my friend. I trust your judgment." Juliet turned and started walking back towards the castle. "I think we should leave her be."

"Wait, I want to say good bye first." Clementine dashed back through the trees to see that Aurora had gone back to singing and dancing. An owl wearing a red hunting cape and hat with a pair squirrels in boots had joined her this time. "Flighty kid isn't she?"

The trip back up to Maleficent's castle seemed to take longer than getting down had.

When they got back to the throne room Maleficent was still seated there talking to herself. She heard them come in and got up showing off just how tall she was. "That certainly didn't take very long. You found the princess yes?"

Now that Juliet was getting a good look at Maleficent she realized how imposing she was. "Actually your grace about that…..we found Aurora, but I'm not going to tell you where she is?"

Maleficent's eye twitched and the grip on her staff tightened a bit. "Why not?" Her voice was sickly sweet as she looked down at them.

"Because I think you're evil and I don't want to help someone who's evil." Juliet quickly darted out of the way when Maleficent shot a bolt of magic at her.

"Fools! Imbeciles! I thought we had a deal? Whereabouts of the princess in exchange for my help."

"I don't think Erik would want help from someone like you. He's good and you're evil."

Maleficent suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. "You think Erik is good? What a simpleton you are girl. He is like me. He is a man of darkness like myself."

"You're lying."

"Trust me fool child. When he reviles his true colors you'll be left cowering." Maleficent turned and started walking back to her throne. "Now get out of my sight."

Juliet could feel herself getting angrier and angrier and threw the Keyblade at Maleficent hitting her in one of her horns. "You take that back….you…you witch!"

Maleficent turned back around her face full of rage. "You think I'm a witch do you? I'll show you witch."

As Maleficent's form started twist and change Juliet felt her heart rate pick up and backed away slowly. What Maleficent had turned into was a giant black dragon with a purple belly, glowing yellow eyes, and vast bat like wings.

Juliet swallowed hard and continued to back away. "Oh….wasn't expecting that…."

Maleficent had become so huge that she broke through the roof of the castle and was snarling down at them.

Clementine looked absolutely horrified as she continued to back up. "You see this is why you shouldn't call people names. And as much as I hate to say this I don't think I can help."

"Why not?"

"She created that form with magic. I'm a magic user. All my attacks would be nullified."

"Fine, Clementine you go and hide. Akio and I can take her on."

Akio heard his name and swallowed hard as he started up at Maleficent.

Not giving them any more chances to talk any further Maleficent opened her mouth and roared before breathing out a trail of green fire.

Both Juliet and Akio had to duck out of the way. "She breathes green fire?" That was something else that was quiet unexpected. Juliet turned to Akio who looked like he was trying to figure out where to attack. "I don't think this is a fight we can win. We're down one body and she's awfully big. I think the best idea would be to run." She looked out again to see that Clementine had come out of her hiding place.

As if Clementine had been reading Juliet's thoughts she sent a ball of blizzard magic at Maleficent's face. "Come on you over sized lizard. I'm not scared of you." She turned back to Juliet and Akio. "Run while she's distracted with me."

Not needing to be told twice Juliet and Akio ducked out of their hiding places and bolted out the door with Clementine in close pursuit.

Maleficent roared again in rage and smashed through the stone castle walls in pursuit. As she continued to chase them several of her goons were crushed beneath her feet.

Clementine tripped over a brick and fell twisting her ankle. She looked back to see Maleficent snarling down at her and closed her eyes hoping the end would come quickly. What she didn't expect was to feel Juliet and Akio pulling her by the arms to get her upright again.

With Clementine between them they continued to run as fast as they could out of the castle with Maleficent breathing fire at their backs.

When they got back to the stone pathway Maleficent stopped and let out one final bellowing roar before she started to shrink.

Juliet pushed hair from her sweaty face and summoned her glider. "Let's get the hell out of here."