"I hope your fireball explodes." Zelena arched an eyebrow when she heard Cynara growl at her sister. Adrienne's laugh followed soon after. She peeked outside the tent and smirked to find her children sitting around the fire pit. Adrienne had a fireball in her hands and Cynara was struggling to pull one from the pit. Erec was next to her and kept reaching into the flames, trying to pull out a fireball too.

"Why are you mad at me because you can't do it?" Adrienne asked.

Cynara growled. "It's always more difficult for me." Zelena heard her whisper. "You got it so quickly."

"Maybe if you stop comparing yourself to me, you can work on you." Adrienne moved to her side and dispersed the fireball in her hands. "See, you don't have to grab it. Just...lift it." She reached into the fire and lifted out a fireball. "See?" Erec oohed before copying his big sister. He let out a happy squeal when he was able to do it correctly. Cynara needed some more prodding before she attempted it and she nearly dropped the fireball in her excitement.

"Mom! Mom, look!"

Zelena fully stepped outside and sat down next to Erec. "My goodness, you three are incredible. You're so advanced for your age."

"I seem to recall someone levitating trees as an infant." Zelena turned her head as Oziana approached with a broad smile and sat next to her.

"What are you doing here? Taking a break from courting my sister?"

"She went back to Storybrooke. Said she wanted to see her son and catch up on some work. She should be back tomorrow morning. I'm not courting her by the way."

"You took too long to deny that." Cynara commented, playing with her fireball.

Zelena gave her a nudge to go to the other side of the fire. Erec stayed sitting in front of her, repeatedly pulling fireballs out of the fire until the one in his hand was bigger than he was. Zelena put a stop to it lest he set fire to something. "What have you been up to, Ozi?"

"Finding ways to ignore my duties." Oziana said. "I like helping people and being a leader but a lot of it is just paper work and listening to them complain."

Zelena only smirked. She had a feeling that Oziana would hate her new station. Especially after spending half of her life locked up and caged. Even Regina, who was born and bred for that kind of life despised being queen, for multiple reasons of course, and at times even hated being mayor for the very reasons Oziana described.

"Glinda contacted me too." Oziana continued. "About going to the Emerald City and officially taking the throne."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. If I were to do something like that, I think I would want to move the capital to the Vinkus territory. But I know that would disrupt everything here."

"Looks like the lost princess doesn't want to be queen." Zelena said.

"Looks like it."

"You don't have to be queen, Ozi. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Especially if it's Glinda who wants you to do it."

"What are you going to do about her?"

"I haven't decided yet, but she'll have to be dealt with. I have some ideas. In the meantime, we just have to wait for Mal to get back."

They didn't have to wait for very long. A portal opened in the middle of their small settlement the following afternoon. Lily was the first to walk through, carrying a giant basket on her back and holding one in her arms. Ruby waited impatiently for her to put the baskets down before hugging her. Hialti, Mal and Ashara followed with more baskets and some kind of tank filled with blue fish.

"Mommy!" Cynara and Adrienne were on top of Mal in an instant. Erec slammed into Mal's leg and squeezed until she picked him up and carried him out of the crowd. Zelena couldn't help grinning like a fool when Mal's eyes fell on her. Her heart skipped a few beats with a single look from the fearsome woman she'd chosen to marry. Her wife put the children down to come towards her. Mal pulled her into her arms and kissed her as if she'd been gone for months instead of a week.

"I missed you." Mal whispered against her lips, purring so loudly that Zelena could barely hear her.

"I missed you too."

"I missed all of you. And as much as I would like to reaffirm our bond right now, we need to have a talk with the other dragon leaders."

"You found something in the city?" Zelena asked.

Mal nodded. "We found quite a bit." She pointed upwards at Helena hovering overhead. "Who is that?"

A scream from Ashara had Mal spinning to find the cause but Zelena only grinned. "Mother?! You're flying? You're flying!" Ashara yelled. She shifted into dragon form and took off, blasting everyone in attendance with a fierce gust of wind. She joined her mother in the sky and Zelena smiled at seeing mother and daughter flying together again.

"Is that Helena?" Zelena nodded. "You have been busy in my absence."

"Actually, I didn't do that. Regina did. Now tell me what you found. Where's Tirius?"

"Soon, my love."

Zelena was more than annoyed at her wife's secretiveness, but her attention was caught by the children opening the baskets. Dozens of strange fruits and vegetables were poured out and Hialti gave every water dragon one of the large blue fish and pulled out some of the small ones for the baby water dragons.

Ashara suddenly landed nearby and shifted into human form. She nearly tackled Regina in a bearhug and lifted her off her feet. When she put her back down, the golden haired dragon was visibly shaking. "You are too wonderful for words."

"I was just trying to help." Regina said.

"I can't repay you for this."

"And you don't need to. That's not why I helped your mother. I did it because she needed it. No dragon should lose their wings."

Ashara pressed her forehead against Regina's, holding her close. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"No, truly, thank you. There must be something I can do for you. Anything. Name it."

"How about I let you know when I think of something?"

"I will hold you to that." Ashara smiled before returning to her mother's side.

"Maleficent, tell me what you found. At least let me see the pictures." Zelena whined, following her mate. Mal handed her her bag but immediately went to lay down. Zelena gave her mate a concerned look. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"No, my love, only tired."

"Anything I can do? Do you want a massage? Something to eat?" She offered, going to her mate's side. She put the bag on a table nearby and raised her hands over Mal's torso as she rolled over.

"Zelena, don't. I'm fine."

"You're very weak." Zelena said, using her magic to feel why Mal was so weak. Her magical aura was not as strong as usual and she'd sustained some injuries in the past day or so that were still healing. Mal had healed herself in half the time after fighting Mombi's friends. "You were attacked."

"More like we attacked something else. Look in the bag and let me rest, dear. I'll be fine after a nap." Zelena couldn't hide the hurt and anger at being dismissed for worrying over her mate. Mal seemed to notice and sat up. She pulled Zelena in for a kiss that had Zelena fighting the urge to rip her mate's clothes off. Mal broke their kiss when she needed to breathe and ducked to plant a few kisses to Zelena's neck.

"Our children are outside."

"I know, but I want you to understand something," Mal leaned back to look Zelena in the eye. "It is not that I do not want your company or that I do not need you. I am just tired. I have been walking and hunting all day and I have been too excited to sleep."

"You said you attacked something." Zelena said. "You can't tell me what?"

Mal glanced around the empty tent before raising a shield spell just around the two of them. "Wind is alive."

"What?!"

"Tirius is guarding him as we speak. He didn't expect to be ambushed. We caught him and interrogated him but once Ashara told him that many of the other queens are alive, many of whom lost their mates to his little coup, he shut down and refused to talk. He knows he won't live long once they find out. That's why I'm calling a meeting tonight to plan our next move."

Zelena moved to sit on the bed next to her wife. "Well, it's a good thing you haven't told anyone yet. Helena would kill him immediately."

"Ashara nearly did."

"Like mother like daughter." Zelena smirked, slowly thinking over this predicament. She knew the other queens would kill Wind. That was a fact. Unfortunately, there were more pressing matters to attend to. "Regina and I were talking and we're concerned about the children."

"I already told Ashara that our first priority is rebuilding the nursery as fast as possible. Before the eggs in the tunnels hatch. Hopefully the queens will have suggestions dealing with that."

"The clearest option would have to be adoption, wouldn't it? If the eggs or dragonlings don't have any parents or family members willing to take them in then…"

"I guess so." Mal said. She seemed to pause and Zelena looked at her. "Would you...be willing to adopt?"

"Of course." Zelena smiled. "I did say that it was either adoption or getting you pregnant if we were going to have any more children soon. Just remember we can't adopt ten dragonlings and we have to talk to the kids first." Mal kissed her cheek. "Rest. I'll take care of everything until tonight." She conjured a curtain in front of the bed that would block out any sound that might disturb her sleeping wife and moved to the table nearby to begin going through all of the film and pictures Mal had collected. There was so much new information to consider. She looked through all the videos and pictures and was mesmerized by what she saw. It amazed her how much consideration was taken for the dragon forms. There were many entry ways so dragons could fly right in almost anywhere and their bedrooms were actually massive and had two sides. A human side which was a normal bedroom and a dragon side that was wide and spacious for dragon forms. Regina and Oziana joined her after a while and looked at the pictures with her.

"This place is a paradise for dragons." Oziana said. "Plenty of food to go around."

"Yes, but we're going to need to do some work on the nursery." Regina said. "More than fix it because it's in the heart of the mountain and they won't want to go back underground."

"That's true." Zelena pulled out a picture of the nursery's interior. "Knock out some walls? Add in some windows?"

"Have to be careful about messing up the structure. We don't want the entire thing collapsing." Regina cautioned her as she turned the picture around.

"What if we move the nursery to the upper levels?" Zelena asked. "Create a sort of rookery. Open to the sky with little alcoves for nests and rooms built in for shelter. We could create some water features too."

Regina's eyes lit up. "And hallways into the mountain just in case. We'd have to move a lot of rock though just to create the space for it."

"You're right." The sisters went back and forth, sketching out new plans for the city. Working together they created new designs for much of the destroyed areas and plans for new and better structures. "We're still going to need some help, but with these plans, it should be easier." Zelena gathered up the pictures and papers and neatly stacked them together. "I can call in some favors. The Wicked Witch still has some pull in this world."

"Did you and Mal talk about the eggs and the children?"

"We agreed adoption is the best thing right now." Zelena answered. "We should probably keep siblings or clutches together. If they have family members willing to take them in, then that would be best, but we know some of the orphans don't have that choice. Providing for them isn't a problem, it's taking care of them like they should be taken care of. One person can't do that for all of them."

"I agree." Regina said softly.

"Mal and I are thinking about adopting one or more of them ourselves."

"Really? How many more?"

Zelena smirked and leaned back in her chair. "I already warned Mal that we couldn't adopt ten more kids and we still have to talk to our kids about it but...I don't mind giving those a home who need it. What about you?"

Regina's eyebrows shot upwards. "Me? Are you serious?"

"Haven't you already adopted before?" Oziana asked.

"A human child! Not a baby dragon."

"As if you would be alone, Sis." Zelena smirked.

"I think I lack the necessary parts to raise an infant dragon."

Zelena grinned. "Then we'll turn you into a dragon!" Regina only glared at her. "I don't know how Mal plans to choose who to adopt though. I know she wants to adopt as many as possible."

"That's nothing new. When we were together she told me she wanted thirty kids."

"Thirty!"

"Wait a minute." Oziana cut in. "You and Maleficent used to be together?"

Regina nodded. "That's another long story."

"It's not that long. They dated, broke up, Mal started dating me, we got married and have three kids." Zelena shrugged. "C'est la vie." Regina rolled her eyes again.

"Anyways, when is this meeting? I'm getting tired of waiting around."

"I have to make a trip." Zelena said, standing up. "Watch the kids for me?"

"Of course, but where are you going?"

"You will see when I return. If I am not back in a few hours, wake Mal." Zelena stepped outside and quickly found Cynara and Adrienne playing with a small dragonling almost half their size. The three were chasing a red ball that Ruby kept stealing. Zelena turned and searched for Erec and found him and two more dragonlings using Lily as a jungle gym. Seeing that they were fine, she made her way over to a quiet spot beneath the shade of a large oak. A single person sat beneath it. "Teressa. A word." Teressa turned around and swiftly stood up. After returning to the dragons, it was revealed that Teressa had been using a disguise to seduce and assassinate Zelena. She was much younger than first presumed. "Mombi was your friend, yes?"

"Yes."

"I'm not sure if you were told but she is alive. She's in the prison in the Ruby Palace. Would you like to help me get her back?"

"What would I need to do?"

"Give me a ride."

It took no time at all to reach Glinda's home in Quadling Country. As soon as they passed over the city Zelena heard alarmed cries from the citizens below. She paid them no mind. She wasn't here for them. "Land on the castle gate." Teressa let out a growl in reply. She spiraled low over the castle then tucked her wings and dropped like a stone on the front gate, crushing it beneath her. Zelena dismounted. They didn't have to worry about guards. Glinda was considered too powerful to need them and even after Zelena had defeated her she still didn't have them. The witch made her way inside and to Glinda's office.

"Zelena, what the hell are you doing?!" Glinda hissed, storming towards her from the balcony. No doubt she'd seen Teressa's arrival.

"I'm here for a chat so shut up and have a seat."

"I'm not doing-"

"Shut up!" Zelena conjured some of the pictures she'd been taking since her arrival in Oz and placed them on Glinda's desk. They were pictures of the dragons, when they were weary and broken and dirty, when they first left the tunnels. Glinda instantly turned away. "Can't look at them? Why not? You did this."

"I did not. I protected Oz."

"You condemned all of them to death for the crimes of a few dragons that they helped to take down. They were attacked too. They lost loved ones too." She searched through the pictures until she found one of Helena and shoved it in Glinda's face. "This is Helena. She had her wings torn off, her scales ripped out, one of her eyes clawed in an attempt to stop Wind, the fool who started all of this mess, from reaching the Emerald City and murdering your people." She pulled out another picture of a handsome cream colored dragon. "I was able to go through their memories and this dragon is named Ashur. He's Helena's mate and he died in the attack." She pulled out a picture of a fierce looking red dragon. "This is Vidar. He died protecting his pregnant mate and unborn child." She pulled out a picture of Guinivere and Sanah. "This is that child. Her name is Guinivere and she was born underground, in darkness, whining and hungry because her mother couldn't feed her. A few weeks ago was the first time she'd seen sunlight. It was the first time she'd seen grass and the first time she'd eaten meat."

"Stop."

"No." Zelena scoffed. "There are more. Dozens more just like them, worse even because we have more dragonlings than adults because those adults gave everything they could just to keep the children alive. You did this to them and you didn't have to."

"I was doing my duty as the protector of Oz." Glinda replied stubbornly.

"Is that what you have to keep telling yourself?" Zelena asked. "Clearly you haven't felt any remorse after all these years. You seem to be sleeping fine."

"Enough!" The fireplace nearly exploded from the sudden surge of magic and the flames turned bright blue. She'd never seen Glinda angry before and she found it rather amusing. "What do you want from me, Zelena? I cannot change what I've done. What would you have done if you saw over a dozen dragons burning Oz to the ground and murdering people and Animals?"

"I would've attacked the dragons burning and murdering everyone. Not all of the dragons!" Zelena snapped. "Even after Wind was defeated and the threat was erased, you went to their city and saw it in pieces. You saw them broken and beaten and bleeding and you pounced on the opportunity to rid yourself of the dragons because they didn't bow to you. It doesn't matter how you try to rationalize it. You did what you did because you are selfish, Glinda. You've always been."

"As if you know a thing about me." Glinda hissed.

"I know enough to understand that you just want to be the glorious leader of Oz, the Good Witch. You won't even give the witches council any power when all Evanora wanted to do was make the lives of your citizens a little bit better. What would your people say if they found out who you really were?" Glinda turned away again. Zelena flicked an eyebrow, noting the stiff way she walked and her clenched fists. Perhaps she didn't like to be called out for her past actions or perhaps she truly did feel guilty about them. Either way, Zelena didn't care. "Please sit, Glinda. I have a proposition for you on behalf of the dragons of Oz." That seemed to draw the good witch's attention. She sat down behind the large white desk and Zelena sat in the chair in front of it to begin collecting her pictures. "You can relax. No one cares about you."

"What?"

Zelena nodded. "They don't want revenge. They don't care about Oz or your people. Even though I feel like they should burn your fucking palace to the ground, they only want one thing: peace. They want to go home and now they have to rebuild and focus on their own kind. But they don't want you to ever enter their lands again for any reason." She looked up at Glinda. "You are never to try and exert some sort of authority over them. You are not their leader or ruler and if you ever try something like what you did again, they will retaliate in full force." Glinda met her glare head on but said nothing. "They don't want an apology or assistance from you in any way. However, one thing you will do, in front of everyone, is fill up the tunnels. For that, there is no negotiation."

"I-"

"I am not finished." Zelena said sharply. "Mombi, the one you imprisoned is to be released immediately. Her and the others."

Glinda instantly scowled. "They tried to assassinate you and you would let them go? They plotted to overthrow Oz and they should be freed?"

"Mombi only did those things because she wanted the dragons freed. She was willing to go as far as she needed to see her people released. How can you fault her for that? I'd want to overthrow you too."

"Oh please, we both know that you would've murdered everyone in your way."

"You are correct." Zelena smirked. "Your life for my rightful freedom? There is no choice there. But, I wasn't asking for Mombi to be released. There is also no negotiation for that." Zelena stood up and teleported the pictures away. "Come to the tunnels in three days to remove them. Make sure you're there, Glinda, or I will come find you." She turned to leave but Glinda cleared her throat and she paused.

"What about the princess?"

"Oziana can do whatever she wants. If she doesn't want to be queen, then you cannot force her. If you try, then you will deal with me." She made for the door and stopped when she heard Glinda's chair move.

"You will tell no one of this."

"I will tell who I want to tell." Zelena replied, turning around. "I don't care about your secrets. Keep them. Why would it matter if your people found out? Why would they believe the Wicked Witch over you? See, you'll be fine." She scoffed, leaving the room. She found the prison on her own and went to Mombi's cell. Glinda's cells were rather comfortable and clean, but Mombi had destroyed it in a fit of rage and despair. "Hello, dearie. Made a bit of a mess, have we?"

Mombi slowly looked up at her. "Come to execute me?" She growled.

"Not at all. I'm here to take you home. Teressa misses you." Mombi was on her feet instantly at the mention of her friend. "The dragons are out of the tunnels and they're preparing to go back to the mountains. We have to rebuild and we need all the help we can get. Besides, I couldn't leave you here with the singing morons." She summoned her magic to blast open the doors. "Let's get your friends and get out of here."

"This isn't a trick?" Mombi asked.

"No. Actually, if it wasn't for you and your plots, the dragons might not have been freed at all. So, come on."

"And you won't kill me?"

Zelena rolled her eyes. "Stay here then." She went to open the other cells and informed the other imprisoned dragons of their new status. Mombi slowly stepped out of her cage to follow her out of the palace but she broke into a run when she spotted Teressa waiting at the gates. Teressa shifted back into human form and was tackled by Mombi in a bearhug. After a minute of watching the sickeningly cute display, Zelena cleared her throat, attracting their attention. "This is all well and good but we really do have to go. There's a meeting tonight I need to be present for and I'm sure none of us want to be here any longer than we need to. So, shall we go?"

/

Attacking Wind had taken a good amount of power and Mal slept deeply because of it. She was first awoken by the smell of cooking food and slowly opened her eyes. The tent was still dark, only lit by the firepit outside.

"Mommy? Are you awake?" Mal rolled over and smiled when Adrienne came to the bedside.

"I am now. Has the meeting started?"

"No, Mom said to wait until after dinner. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Mal stretched and got out of bed. Adrienne left her to bathe and get changed into a black dress embroidered with gold and complemented with a golden belt. She stepped out of the tent and found her family assembled around the firepit with some new friendly faces. The children were in dragon form, sitting to a small table while Regina, Zelena, Lily, Eric, Ruby and Oziana sat around a human sized table with pizza boxes stacked atop it. Zelena stood up when she approached to accept a kiss on the cheek.

"Have a nice nap?"

"I did. Who are our guests?" She looked at the new dragonlings among her children.

Cynara pointed at a pair of sibling water dragons with blue scales. "This is Tsunami and that's Typhoon."

"This is Scarlet." Adrienne added, motioning to the tiny dragonling next to her. She had white scales and black spots covering her back with some speckling of red.

"And this is Mercia and Bright." Erec said. Beside him was a female dragonling with dark brown scales. The other dragonling was a male and his scales were a lighter shade of brown with very dark brown stripes. His eyes were a bright blue that made him stand out and she assumed that's where his name came from. He turned to the last dragonling, who's scales were a dark, sapphire blue. "That's Kye."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you." She dipped her head to them and to Elizabeth, who was sitting next to Guinivere, before joining her wife at the table. "When is the meeting?"

"In a couple of hours." Zelena answered, sliding a pizza box in front of her. She opened it and pulled out a slice of meat lovers pizza to eat while Zelena and Regina told her of the plans they'd come up with while she slept. "I have some help arriving tomorrow so we might be able to begin reconstruction in a few days. A week at the most."

"And your trip to see Glinda was successful?"

"Yes. She was more worried about keeping her secret and finding out what Ozi would do in regards to the throne. I'm not surprised. Glinda plays the part of the good witch well and I'm sure she means a lot of the good things she does, but if anything threatens her she's quick to snuff it out."

Mal growled softly to herself. She wasn't surprised either. It reminded her of Snow and Charming's perfect hero image that they were so desperate to keep despite cursing Lily and getting her banished. They were still beloved by their people and she doubted things would change if others found out about Glinda's actions. Besides, if any Ozians did remember the dragons, all they would know is that the dragons had tried to attack Oz and Glinda had saved them, so she might be considered even more of a hero.

"She's going to be here in three days to remove the tunnels." Zelena continued. "She can at least do that."

"I'll believe that when I see it."

"People are asking about Tirius." Lily said, drawing her attention.

"They will know about him soon enough." Mal replied. "Anyways, what have you all been up to while we've been gone?" Zelena informed her of everything they'd been working on and the children were quick to leap in and tell her how they'd been helping. They were all enjoying the pizza and treats that Zelena and Regina had bought. Bright nearly ate an entire pizza by himself. Mal enjoyed seeing her little ones among the other dragonlings, building friendships and having fun, enjoying themselves in a way she was never able to. Listening to them tell the other children about their lives in Storybrooke had her smiling.

"Hey! All of you shut up so Scarlet can ask a question!" Cynara yelled, slamming a paw on the table. She looked at the smaller dragonling and nodded.

Scarlet lowered her head when all eyes turned to her. "You said that it was raining when you broke one of your claws."

"Yeah, it made the ground all muddy and I slipped."

Erec snickered. "She ran into the side of the house." Cynara glared at him.

"What's raining?" Scarlet asked.

That one question wiped Mal's smile right away. It only served to enrage her once again at Glinda. These dragonlings were undoubtedly older than her own and barely knew anything because the dragons spent everything they had just to keep them alive. They knew nothing about themselves or their world and it was just sad.

"Rain is when water falls from the sky." Cynara answered.

"What?!" Tsunami exclaimed. "You can make water fall from the sky?! Do it! Please." She pleaded, shaking Cynara's wing.

"You should see snow." Beth smirked. "That's when ice falls from the sky. That's frozen water."

"You're joking." Guin whispered in awe.

"Wouldn't you die if you were hit with frozen water?" Bright asked.

"Grandma said that there used to be dragons here that could breathe ice." Typhoon added.

Zelena chuckled softly. "Mal, show them."

Mal stood up and took a few steps back. She thought of the perfect spell to cast and whispered the words to herself. Mist began to spill from her hands until she shaped it into a ball, creating a large gray cloud. She took another step back and pushed the cloud away, letting it float away as it grew in size. She snapped her fingers and the water began to pour from her homemade cloud. "Picture this covering the sky." She said. Tsunami was the first to hop up and inspect the cloud. As soon as she stepped under the shower she let out a happy screech and called the others to do the same. Her brother was the first to follow her example and before Mal knew it, all of the children were enjoying the small rain cloud.

"Rain is amazing!" Typhoon yelled.

Tsunami suddenly froze and took off running across the field calling for her grandmother. Mal watched for her until she came sprinting back. "Miss Maleficent, our grandma is adopting another water dragon egg and I just told her that she should name it Rain. She said that it was a good idea! Isn't that great?"

"That is wonderful, dear. A perfect name for a little water dragon."

"I wish I could make rain." Typhoon said.

"You won't have to." Mal replied. "Rain is a natural occurrence."

"You mean it's not magical?"

"Not at all. It sounds like it, now that I think about it, but it's not. You will experience plenty of rain and storms in your time, I can assure you of that." She waved her hands, halting the rain. The children pouted until a few white crystals fell from the cloud.

Bright gasped and backed away before the snowflakes could touch him, throwing out his wings to shield the others as well. "What is that?"

"Snow." Adrienne laughed, sticking out her tongue.

Mal returned to her seat and purred at seeing the proud look in her mate's eye. "This adoption thing may be more than I expected." She admitted. "Adopting even a hatched dragonling would be no different than adopting an egg."

"I agree." Regina said. "Not to mention having to choose one and not the others."

"How will you decide?" Lily asked.

"I don't know." She looked over at the playing children. It would be a difficult decision, but one they could take their time making.

By the time the sun had set the children had tired themselves out. Out of the gathering gloom, a large blue-green water dragon came forward, calling for Tsunami and Typhoon. "See you tomorrow, guys!" They yelled, rushing over to their grandmother and excitedly telling her about rain and snow. Another voice called out for Mercia and she said good night as well.

Mal glanced at Scarlet, Bright and Key and Zelena touched her arm, raising a shield around them. "They're orphans, aren't they?"

"Yes. Adrienne told me that they didn't even have names. Lily helped the girls by coming up with a bunch of names for the dragonlings and most of them picked what they liked. Adrienne and Cynara actually named Scarlet. As for Bright, he was named by a female dragon named Laia. She helps take care of the orphans and they began asking for a name but I think she started naming them based on whatever physical characteristic she liked. Most of them changed or chose their own name once the girls started giving them ideas."

"So, Bright…"

"Laia named him Brighteyes. As you can imagine he wants something more fearsome."

Mal smirked. She removed the shield around them and looked at the children. "Would you like to stay with us for the night, children? We have plenty of room."

Bright's wings fluttered and he looked at Erec, who nodded. "Yes...is it ma'am?"

"Yes."

"Ma'am!" He nodded vigorously to Mal. "Yes, ma'am!"

"Yes, ma'am." Scarlet said softly, barely awake after a full belly of pizza and a fun evening. Key only nodded furiously.

"Well, let's get you all ready for bed." Lily said. She and Ruby took charge of the children and helped them clean up before leading them into the tent. Regina rose to help them and before long, Sanah came towards them and purred when Guin came to greet her.

"We are gathered for you." She said.

"We're ready. Lily and Ruby will watch Gunivere for you."

Sanah gave her daughter another nuzzle before turning to lead the others to where the dragons were gathered, situated around a stone platform that Regina had placed here. Mal shifted into dragon form and took a seat behind it while Oziana, Zelena and Regina sat on top of it. Her first act was to lay out their plans for the coming week. Tomorrow she wanted to deal with the children. The day after was the funeral for the lost dragons and then Glinda would seal up the tunnels for good and the dragons would begin going home to begin reconstruction.

"Our first discussion should be about the children." Mal said. "We believe that adopting them is the best plan. Relatives or distant family members will be the first candidates to adopt the orphans or the eggs that have yet to hatch. As you know, nearly every egg was marked by the parents so everyone would know who the egg belonged to. Most of the children have been returned to one or more of their parents, but for some, they don't have that luxury. If there are any dragonlings and eggs without relatives, any willing dragons with the desire may take them in. Remember, we want to keep siblings together."

Helena was first to speak. "My mate, Ashur, had a younger brother. He and his mate were young but in love and they had two eggs. I will raise them since neither of them are here to do so."

Zelena made a note in her book and continued doing so as many relatives offered to raise the children of their lost family members. Many of the children seemed to have at least one family member to take them in. However, there were a few clutches of eggs that had no blood ties. "There are three more clutches of eggs." Zelena said. "One has three eggs, one is a single egg and the last has...seven."

"I will take the seven." Pharaoh said with no hesitation.

"Um, are you sure?" Mal asked. Pharaoh nodded. "Well, alright then."

Another pair accepted the clutch of three. One of the teenage dragons even offered to raise the last one as a little brother or sister but Mal suggested that he focus on himself as he was one of those who didn't know how to hunt. Zelena glanced at Mal, asking a silent question. Mal nodded and Zelena announced they would accept the last egg if no one came to claim it. She fluttered her wings excitedly at the prospect of more children. Whether or not the child was her blood or not. They would be adored and given the world. Regina gave her a knowing smile. After that they moved on to the orphan dragonlings.

"I think we should wait on that." Ashara said. "If someone wants to adopt, then have them talk to the child first. Introduce themselves and see if the child is comfortable with them."

Mal nodded again. "Good idea. Now, for your leadership. This is merely a suggestion. You are free to make your decisions about it, but I believe you should elect new leaders."

"What?!" Sona roared.

Mal rolled her eyes at the irritating dragon. "Excuse me, I meant elect more leaders. At the moment you have what, four or five true leaders? You need more."

"Then you will be one." Helena said, with no hesitation as well. Sona was quick to protest but a glare from the golden dragon silenced her. "You do not have to agree, Little One." She growled. "You've been a queen longer, but I am still your senior and I am quite tired of you refusing everything without offering any alternatives." She looked around at those gathered. "Pharaoh, you're a queen now. Furia, you're a queen now. Hialti, you're a king. Is that enough, Maleficent?"

Mal was still stunned. "Um, it is a start, but-"

"You are already leading us. It would be foolish not to give you a title, daughter of Cynder." At the mention of her mother's name several of the dragons gasped and started whispering. "Are you serious?" Helena said. "She looks just like Cynder, you idiots." Ashara nudged her mother with the tip of her wing.

Regina stepped forward. "May I offer a suggestion?"

"Of course." Helena purred. "You gave me back my wings. You can say anything you like."

Mal rolled her eyes as Regina continued. "I don't know how you educated your children before all of this, but I would suggest you setting up a school when reconstruction is done or as soon as possible. I think the children really need it."

"Would you be willing to allow humans in the city?" Zelena asked.

"No!" Sona growled.

"Why would we want humans in our city?" One of the water dragons asked.

"You could hire teachers, hunters, servants, workers. There are plenty who would accept the opportunity to change their lives or simply see more of the world."

"Or to steal from us." Sona snarled.

"We will have to discuss it." Helena said.

"Then on to the funeral." Zelena looked down at her notebook again.

"Tirius will take care of that." Ashara offered. "He volunteered."

"As for reconstruction-"

"Where is Tirius?" Interrupted a large black female wyvern.

"It will be explained soon, I assure you." Mal replied. She gestured to Zelena to tell them their plans about reconstruction. Hialti wanted to take a group of water dragons to begin cleaning up the lake and the other waterways and Ashara wanted to begin reconstructing the gardens to produce food. Regina and Zelena showed them their plans for a new nursery and the other dragons agreed with them, as well as adding in their own ideas and suggestions. Mal tried to pay attention to their discussion but something was bothering her about the female wyvern that had spoken. Something about her was a bit off.

"Mal." Zelena called. "We're finished."

Mal raised her head to address all of the dragons. "I know that we are making a lot of decisions for you. I know you may be uncomfortable with that. At any point in time, you can let us know that and we will back off. We only want to see you returned to your rightful place."

"Why?" The wyvern asked. "You could've freed us and left us on our own. Why do all of this?"

"Because I've never seen a dragon city before. I've never met other dragons besides my own family. I've lived the majority of my life alone. Where I'm from dragons are hated and hunted. They kill us for our scales, our horns, to use as trophies and examples of their valor. Their kings send knights to hunt us down. They steal from our hoards. One pair of humans even stole my child. We live in isolation from one another, barricading ourselves in castles and caves, never meeting. A city of dragons is one of the most incredible things I've ever heard of. Meeting all of you, despite the circumstances, has been a dream come true. Why would I not want to help other dragons?" The wyvern said nothing more.

"It's been great meeting you too, Maleficent." Ashara said. Mal let out a purr. "And you all of course." She added to the humans in front of her, although Mal noticed her eyes only fell on Regina.

"Thank you, but there is another problem on the docket. Wind is alive."

"What does that mean?"

"The guy who started this, who organized the coupe? His name is Wind something but we don't know what so we just call him Wind." Her words sparked an explosion of outrage. While the dragons imagined ways of murdering Wind, Mal noticed that the wyvern didn't move.

"Where is that son of a bitch?!" Helena roared.

"Is that why Tirius hasn't come back?" The wyvern asked.

"Yes. He's guarding him. What happens to Wind is your decision."

"If he's alive, is anyone else alive?" Pharaoh asked.

"We searched that entire mountain and found no one. You can talk to him, if you wish."

"I'll do it." The wyvern said. "Tomorrow, we will make a decision. If that is all, Maleficent…"

"It is."

With that the dragons began to disperse, whispering amongst themselves, some growling and cursing Wind's name, whatever it truly was. Mal watched the wyvern move away and approached Helena. "Who is that?" She asked.

"Furia."

"She seems prominent but we haven't met her."

"She wasn't a leader." Helena said. "As of right now, she is the oldest Fire Drake among us and she's agreed to step up and help lead." Helena looked away and started to pace. "I can't believe that son of a bitch lived when my Ashur is dead!" She suddenly shot into the air and Ashara raised her wing in front of the humans to protect them from the powerful gust of wind that the golden dragon left in her wake.

"She'll calm down after a while." Ashara said, shifting into human form. Mal followed suit. "Just give her some time."

"I would be angry too." Regina rubbed her arms. Ashara waved a hand, causing a cloak to spring into existence in her palm. She offered it to the former queen, who smiled as she accepted it. It matched Ashara's scales and the copper cloth shimmered in the moonlight whenever Regina moved. "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome, Regina."

Ashara glanced at Oziana, who looked like she might snap her neck.

Zelena and Mal exchanged smirks. "Well, we're going to bed." Mal announced. "Good night, you three." She teleported her and Zelena back to the tent.

"Way to go, Mal. Teleport us when something interesting might happen."

Mal only chuckled. "It's too early for something interesting to happen." She magically changed her clothes into a nightgown and peeked in on the kids. All of them were sleeping in dragon form, except Elizabeth, who was sharing a bed with Guin. Bright, Kye and Erec were curled up on one end in another bed and Adrienne and Cynara were asleep on the other end. Scarlet was a little ball on Adrienne's back. They were all so adorable and it gave her an idea. She stepped back out into the main part of the tent where Zelena was writing in her book. "You said Bright, Kye and Scarlet were orphans?"

"Yes. Adrienne told me so."

"Where do they sleep at night then?"

"Pharaoh lets a lot of the children sleep under her wings." Zelena looked up at her. "Why?"

"Tomorrow, why don't we see if they have any relatives? If not...we could adopt them."

Zelena's eyebrows rose at her request. "You sure we're not taking on too much at once?"

"Not at all. We can talk to the children of course and propose the idea before we make any decisions, but I don't see a problem with it, if you don't." Mal pulled up a chair to sit next to her. "Soon, the dragons will be self-sufficient once again. Lily has already begun flying lessons and they won't need hunting lessons for another couple of weeks at least. Tirius agreed to lead the rebuilding effort. We won't be needed as much. In fact, within the next week, Regina is going back to Storybrooke to take a bit of a break. I think we should too. Especially since we might have a newborn dragon by then." She waited while Zelena seemed to think over her request.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Are you sure?" Mal asked. "You need not agree because-"

"Of course I would agree." Zelena scoffed. "We agreed to have as many children as possible, didn't we?"

"We did."

"Then we will. Nothing would make me happier. It's just…" Mal raised an eyebrow at her hesitation. "You were right when you said the dragonlings are practically newborns. They know nothing. Sanah kept them alive but she couldn't teach them anything. They can't read or write, hunt or fly. I know we can do anything, but it'll be difficult. I know you want to expand our family as soon as possible and this is a great opportunity, but we need to know everything that we'll have to do."

Mal nodded slowly. "So be it. We can decide tomorrow, after we talk to the children and see if the orphans have relatives. If not, we can discuss adopting them. They seem to get along with the kids well enough. We don't even have to make a final decision soon. Let's just play this by ear."

"What about the egg?" Zelena asked.

"Same thing. We take it slow. How does that sound?"

Zelena moved into her lap and pecked her lips. "I would like that. I just don't want you to get overwhelmed, trying to do so much."

"I have you. I know I won't be alone."

Zelena smiled. "Good. Now, let's get to bed."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the next afternoon Regina had a feeling that her sister was adopting again and who she was adopting. She was sitting beneath a tree, resting her magic, when she spotted Zelena and Mal in their dragon forms, playing with their children. Scarlet and Bright were among them and Kye was sitting on Mal's head. She was happy for them truly and wished them the best. She looked up when she felt Elizabeth sit next to her. "I love the dragons, Mommy. They're so much fun."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Beth asked.

"I am."

"We have to bring them books." Regina arched an eyebrow and looked at her daughter. "For the dragonlings. Books with pictures. You have to make a lasagna too. They don't know what it is but they want one." Regina chuckled softly. "And we have-"

"We will have time to do everything and get everything you need. Make a list and when we come back, you'll have it all."

"When are we going to the city?"

"Well, I will be going to the city in the next couple of days while you go home."

"But-"

Regina raised her hand and Beth huffed. "It won't even take a day to finish the rookery and then I'll come home too. I know you want to see the city but I can't let you go there until some repairs have been made. It's too dangerous right now."

"I guess that makes sense." Beth pouted.

"It'll only be a week and you can get back to Guin and…" Regina looked up as Ruby walked past in wolf form, waddling like a duck. Behind her came a train of baby dragons all copying the motion. "Um, what?" Beth burst out laughing at her expression.

"Think goose, Mom."

"Miss Regina?" Regina and Beth both turned to the side as a small silver dragonling approached.

"Yes, Argent?"

"Can you get me a mango from the tree?"

Regina looked up and fired a burst of magic at the branch overhead, knocking off a mango. The little dragon bounced up and down as she caught it and peeled it He instantly bit it in half and she conjured a plate to put the mango on so he could finish eating it. He was a sweet little dragon and he often came to find her so she could get some mangoes for him.

"Thank you!" He purred, finishing the mango in one more bite.

"Anytime, dear."

"Are you going to tell us a story later?"

"If you would like me to." She smiled. The dragonling nodded vigorously and dipped his head to Beth before taking off with another mango.

A flash of copper caught Regina's eye. Ashara landed not far away, skidding across the ground and almost spinning in a full circle.

"She and Helena are master flyers but they suck at landing." Beth commented.

"I think they're aware." Regina smirked.

Ashara gave herself a shake, hissed at a dragon who was coming to greet her and caught sight of Regina. She instantly made her way over to sit in front of the mango tree. She lowered her head to them and Elizabeth raised her hand to touch her nose.

"Hello, Ashara."

Ashara purred and shifted into human form, taking a seat next to Beth. "Hello, Elizabeth." Beth immediately stood up when Guin and Cynara raced over.

"Come on, Beth! We're going to play a game!"

"I'll be back later, Mommy."

"Beth, wait!" Regina took her daughter's hand and drew a magic symbol with her finger. "Touch it." Beth looked confused but tapped the symbol and she gasped as Regina's transformation spell was enacted. Before her eyes her little girl changed into a little black dragonling. Beth looked up at her in surprise. "Honestly, it's just for my peace of mind. I'd rather have you playing with the dragons with scales on your back rather than fur."

"You look like me now." Cynara purred. "Come on, let's show Mommy!"

"Ok." Beth took two steps and slipped on one of her wings and slammed into Guin. "This is harder than expected."

"Why'd you pick black?" Ashara asked, cocking her head.

"Black is my color."

"I thought red was your color." Ashara waved her hand at Beth and changed her scales into a very bright, rich red. "Now, that's gorgeous." Regina snapped her fingers and changed Beth's color back to black. Ashara snapped her fingers as well and Beth turned bright yellow.

"Ew. That's disgusting."

"What about this?" Ashara snapped her fingers again and Beth's scales turned an iridescent copper, just like hers.

"Absolutely not." Regina scoffed, changing Beth's color for the final time. She turned Beth's scales black and left some red accents throughout.

"Thank you, Mommy." Beth said, turning to run off with Guin and Cynara.

"Be careful. All of you." Regina yelled after them.

"Bye, Elizabeth." Ashara called. "Guess that leaves you and me." She smirked at Regina and slid next to her. "How are you, Regina?"

"Fine. Ready to get a move on honestly." Regina replied.

"You want to see the city?" Ashara asked.

"I do. A city of dragons seems so strange when compared to everything I know about your kind. Although, you might not even be the same kind of dragon as Mal and she is really all I know about dragons."

"You will love it. I know it." Ashara smiled. "We have natural hot springs and marble pools with these beautiful mosaics on the wall. It is splendid."

"You must really love taking baths."

"It's been a while since I've had a proper one. I can use magic to keep clean, but there is nothing better than a hot bath."

Regina frowned slightly. "There are baths in the dragon tower in Kiamo Ko."

"Not big enough." Ashara replied.

Regina smirked. "Dragons." She scoffed, sliding a little closer to Ashara. "Answer a question for me."

"Anything for you." Ashara said, her voice dropping to a soft purr, but Regina chose to ignore it, as well as the shiver that ran down her spine from hearing it.

"These dragons that always try to greet you, why do you react so harshly?"

"Because they don't want anything." Regina arched an eyebrow and Ashara smiled, as if she found it amusing. "Okay, I suppose since it's you that asked, I must explain. I am not sure how it is in Maleficent's world when it concerns mates and mating behavior, but it is a big part of life here. I used to have many suitors before we went into the tunnels and out of everyone, the worst of those suitors managed to survive."

"Worst?" Regina frowned.

"Aggressive. They believe they are the strongest, most eligible of the young dragons and they deserve to be my mate. Idiots, all of them." Ashara gestured at a pretty green dragon sunning herself across the field. "Beautiful, isn't she?"

"She is." Regina said.

"She agrees and will gladly spend the next two hours telling you why." Ashara smirked. "She's not mean, just conceited. Look over my shoulder. Tell me, is there a golden dragon watching us? A male with white spots on his flanks." Regina glanced over Ashara's shoulder and indeed they were being watched. "That is Rhagos. He believes himself to be a future king and he would not be wrong. He is handsome, powerful, a great fighter, and rich if his hoard is still there. All excellent attributes, but I do not want him. I find women and men attractive, but I prefer women and he doesn't care. If anything, he increased his efforts to pursue me." Regina scowled, suddenly feeling the urge to rip out some hearts. Ashara only continued to smirk. "Raise a sound shield around us please." Regina obeyed, creating a small circle of magic around them that prevented any from listening to their conversation. "Look to your left, there should be a female dragon coming towards us. A big one with blue scales so dark that they look black when she is in the shade."

Regina glanced to the left, attempting to be inconspicuous, and the exact dragon that Ashara described was walking towards them. She looked right at Regina and Regina turned back around and nearly burst out laughing. "She looks very upset." She chuckled.

"That is Munna. She is similar to Rhagos. If not for the fact that Munna prefers women, I would try and push her towards Rhagos. Alas, she has her sights set on me and will not go away. She's going to come and lay down nearby and just glare at you. I don't spend a lot of time with others, so the fact that I have chosen to sit next to you..."

"She sees me as a challenger, a rival."

"Indeed."

Munna did exactly as predicted and chose to lay down beneath the tree directly in front of them. Ashara turned herself completely to face Regina and ignored her entirely.

"At this point, I am only a trophy to them, a conquest."

"So you have no friends at all?" Regina asked, choosing to do the same.

"I consider Sanah one, though she is more my mother's friend than mine. She's a bit older. Yesu is a friend." She pointed at a skinny dark green water dragon, watching the baby water dragons play in the lake. "He was a suitor too. Brought me flowers every day. I explained to him that I was not interested and he was very understanding. He has been a good friend ever since. Any others were lost in the battle."

"Would you like me to kill the others?" Regina asked.

Ashara grinned at the thought, but ultimately shook her head. "No thank you. If anyone is going to kill them, it should be me." She suddenly perked up. "Fly with me."

"Absolutely not."

"What? Why not?"

"Because even if I survive the flight, I might die during the landing." Ashara only raised an eyebrow. "You're terrible at landing, Ashara."

"I know that, but I will be extra careful with you." Ashara stood up and offered her hand. "Unless your lover would be upset by that."

"Excuse me?" Regina accepted her hand and stood up to dust off her pants.

"The one who calls herself a princess or something. Oziana. Is she not your lover?"

"No, she's-"

"Oh that's all the confirmation I need." Ashara smirked. "Another time then? What about when you come to the city?"

"Alright, as long as you practice a bit more."

Ashara beamed at her. "I will hold you to that."

"You do that." They heard a roar nearby and Regina recognized it as Mal's. "Sounds like we're being summoned. Escort me?"

"With pleasure." Ashara looped an arm around hers and they began to walk over to Mal. Regina met Munna's eyes as they passed. The blue-black dragon glared at her before turning away and once they were passed, she whipped her tail. It would've hit Regina if she hadn't raised an electric shield around herself, already expecting some juvenile act from the foolish dragon. Munna leaped away with a roar of pain and spun around with rage in her eyes. Ashara pushed Regina behind her.

"Stand aside, Ashara. Please."

"No, go away, Munna."

"I will not." Munna growled. She looked down at Regina. "Let us speak, witch."

"I am not a witch. Ashara, relax, dear." Regina rubbed her arm and moved in front of her. "Give us a moment." Ashara threw a glare at Munna, but backed away a few feet.

"You should do whatever you did so that she won't hear us." Regina snapped her fingers and made it so. Munna growled, raising her head to tower over Regina. "I have waited years to have Ashara as my mate and I will not let a little speck like you steal her away from me. Stay away from her and I won't end you. Understand?"

"No." Regina sighed. "You know, this is the second time I've been warned away from someone's love interest because that love interest came and talked to me. I've done nothing. Besides, if Ashara wanted you, she would've chosen you by now. She's not yours and at this rate, never will be. As for ending me, don't flatter yourself. I may be just a human, but you have no idea what I'm capable of."

Munna let out an amused chuckle. "Then I suppose I must end you. I will enjoy it."

"Have at it then."

"Oh no." Munna chuckled darkly as she let out a deep throated purr. "There are too many witnesses right now."

"Oh, are you the type to stab someone in the back?" Regina smirked. "A dagger in the dark?" She laughed and crossed her arms, amused by the angry flutter of Munna's wings. "You seemed so bold just now, but I know what you really are."

"And what is that, Human?"

"Weak." Regina replied. "I don't know Ashara as well as you do, but I know you are unworthy of her. Honestly, if you stand her next to you, she will outshine you in every regard."

Munna's growl was nearly overwhelming. The dragon began to circle, lashing her tail. "And you think you can compare?!"

"Ashara is merely a friend. You are the one threatened." Regina shot back. "Laying a claim to a woman who doesn't want you and warning away anyone she might have an interest in. How many have you threatened exactly?" She inquired. Munna glared at her, raising her long neck in an intimidating manner, but to be fair, she was speaking to the Evil Queen. Mal was much more intimidating.

"Stay away from Regina!" Regina looked down at the cry and couldn't help but smile at the colorful little dragonling at her feet. He was a gorgeous dragon. The scales around his head were a mixture of purples and greens, but as they traveled down his neck and along his back, his scales exploded into reds, blues, oranges and golds, then back to purples and blues at his tail.

"Ahren, I had this handled."

"Just making sure in case you needed backup." He growled at Munna, who only seemed amused at the feisty dragon threatening to bite her head off. "Don't mess with her or I'll rip your horns off. I don't care why you're mad at her."

Regina reached down and picked him up by the tail. "Calm down, Crazy." Ahren broke into a laugh that him shaking in her grasp.

She looked back at Munna. "Unlike you, I have work to do so good day. Let's not have this conversation again." She lowered the shielding spell and rejoined Ashara.

"Do you want me to talk to her?" Ashara asked.

"No. It's not the first time I've been threatened, dear. Won't be the last either, I'm sure."

"If she threatens you again, alert me please."

"Worried?" Regina asked.

"Not at all." Ashara replied.

"And you," She looked at Ahren, stretched out in her arms and purring soundly. "I do not require assistance putting someone in their place."

Ahren only laughed again so she turned him over and tickled him along his neck, making him snort and curl up, trying to get away from her. "Please stop!" He broke into a fit of giggles. "I'm telling Beth!"

"Excuse me?" Regina asked. "And what is Beth going to do?" She put him on the ground and jumped at her feet. She made a move to kick him and he ran off, laughing at the top of his lungs.

"How many do you have?" Ashara asked. "Children."

"Two. Beth and my son, Henry."

"Why isn't Henry with you, if I may ask."

Regina shrugged. "He didn't want to come. He's almost sixteen now and he's not as interested in magic as he once was. He's far too much like his blonde mother."

"He has another mother?"

"Oh, well, Emma is his birth mother. I adopted him. That whole situation is a tale for another time."

Ashara chuckled softly. "I would like to hear this tale. Sounds interesting."

"Interesting is not quite the word I'd have chosen."

They made it over to the family tent just as Oziana and Dorothy appeared nearby. Oziana smiled as soon as she saw Regina and then glared at Ashara, who ignored her completely. Helena flew by, calling for her daughter.

"We will speak later?" Ashara said. Regina gave her a nod and the dragon bowed to her before suddenly shifting into dragon form. She threw out her wings, towering over the three of them, but only looking at Regina, only holding her gaze. Regina smirked and jerked her head towards Helena and she heard a purr from the iridescent dragon. With a single thrust of her wings, Ashara was airborne. She hadn't gone ten feet before Lily slammed into her. Regina could hear them laughing as they twisted and turned dangerously close to the ground. Lily attempted to fly away and Ashara quickly caught up to her. They disappeared over the trees and the earth shook from where they most liekly hit the ground.

Regina turned and stepped inside the tent, followed by Oziana and her bodyguard. She found Zelena sitting at a table, furiously writing and talking to a tall black haired woman, who was leaning over her shoulder.

"You called?" Regina said.

Zelena looked up. "Yes. There's new news. We ripped out Wind's heart when he refused to talk and as far as he knows, he is the only dragon that escaped Glinda's spell. We were concerned that some of the dragons may've escaped through a portal. It's a long shot, but it's worth checking. This is Furia and she'll be taking a few dragons to see if she can find out after the funeral. Tirius is coming back today as well."

"You've decided Wind's fate?" Regina asked.

Furia nodded. "Yes. We will deal him the same punishment he dealt to Helena, except worse. When the witch comes to seal up the tunnels, we will leave one room open and there is where we will imprison him for the rest of his life. However long that may be."

"Suitable." Regina shrugged.

"I would wish for more torture of some sort, but I suppose it would be pointless." Furia said as she passed. "Killing him won't bring our loved ones back." She left the tent and Regina turned back to Zelena.

"You called?"

"Yes. I wanted to tell you that after the funeral, we're going to the city to immediately rebuild the nursery according to our designs. After that is when we can take a break because the children will be safe and the dragons will be busy with reconstruction. In another hour or so, we'll need your help to get the eggs situated and given to their new families."

"Have you gotten your egg yet?"

"We actually might not adopt it."

Regina arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"We're just...slowly figuring things out. I was worried that we'd be taking on too much at once, too many children at once. I want to make sure the children are in the best places possible."

"And you don't think your home is the best place?" Regina asked.

"It's not that." Zelena said with a shrug. "I just don't want Mal to get overwhelmed wanting to do so much. We've agreed to just see how things go for now."

Regina nodded. "Sound judgment."

"And you?"

Regina shrugged. "Anyways, about the eggs?" Zelena only smirked and put an arm around Oziana as she led the way outside. They joined the rest of the family in the games for the next hour or so. They were mostly games for the children and Regina helped in officiating. They began with a few races. Most dragons weren't the best at running. Nonetheless, it was probably the most adorable thing she'd ever seen. Cynara almost came in first during the first race, but she was beaten at the last second by a red dragonling with feathery wings. They held two more races and watching the little ones running across the field was almost comical. After that was a race between the adult dragons in human form. It didn't come as much of a surprise that Ashara was incredibly fast, but she had new competition in Ruby. The two were neck and neck with Lily just behind them and Ashara managed to pick enough speed to veer in front of the werewolf at the last second. Her reward was a shoulder tackle to the ground. That only made her laugh because she was up seconds later and asking for another race...with Regina.

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

Both women looked down when they heard snickering. Beth and Adrienne tried to hide their laughter but failed miserably.

"And what's so funny?" Regina asked, arching an eyebrow.

"You." Beth giggled. "Running."

"Maybe if you were being chased, Aunt Regina, but I don't think I've ever seen you run before." Adrienne added.

"Is that right?"

"It is."

Regina sighed and removed her heels. Beth took off before Adrienne realized what was about to happen. She let out a squeal when Regina chased her around a laughing Ashara, who joined her in catching them.

"Do not ever underestimate me!" Regina said, tickling Adrienne until she submitted. "You either!" She took Beth from Ashara's arms and gave her the same treatment. Only when her daughter was red in the face and complaining about her stomach hurting did Regina relent. "And you!" She said, pointing at Ashara. "Let's race."

Ashara let out a happy yell and they moved to take position at the starting line. "Would you like a headstart, Regina?"

"You just want to watch me run."

"That wasn't my intention, but we both have to admit, it would be an excellent view."

Regina almost snorted. "Your attempts at flirting are a bit dull."

"Oh? I've never done it before." She said thoughtfully. "Well, alright then. I will not flirt anymore." Regina flicked an eyebrow. "I suppose I will tell you flat out that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met and I have every intention of capturing your heart." Her words nearly made Regina trip. She wasn't oblivious to her flirting. Hers or Oziana's. She hadn't believed that it was more than what it was or that they might actually want a relationship with her. She hadn't given much thought to having another relationship as her children consumed most of her attention.

"Are you serious?"

Ashara looked confused. "Absolutely."

"Mind if I cut in?" Oziana squeezed between the pair as they got into a racing position.

"Shouldn't you have raced with the other children?" Ashara asked, looking ahead.

Oziana rolled her eyes and turned to Regina. "So if I win, do I get a kiss, your majesty?"

"If you would like one." Regina replied. "And if you win."

"You won't." Ashara added.

"She's right." Regina summoned her magic just beneath her fingertips. She could feel it pooling on the bottom of her feet. Electricity cackled around her legs and the others realized what she had planned as soon as Zelena yelled "Go!" If you blinked, you missed it. With a surge of magic shooting through her legs, she crossed the finish line in two steps.

"Cheater!" Oziana yelled.

"There were no rules against it." Regina replied, accepting congratulations from the children.

"Me next!" Zelena called.

A few minutes later the sisters were racing around the forest as nothing more than red and green blurs.

/

Maleficent watched the pair race around, their magic sparking wildly in their excitement. It was one of the few times she'd seen them actually have fun together. Their relationship was much better than it was and they were always friendly and cordial to each other now, especially because the children got along so well, but this… She'd never seen it before. Not quite like this.

"Mom, you have to teach us that." Cynara begged. "Before anything else you have to teach us how to be the Flash."

Mal patted the little blonde on the head. "We'll see once we get home. We still have a lot to do first."

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