It had been a very long day for Lucille Perniciosa Noceda. First she had been shoved down a short flight of stairs for defending her only friend, Masha, from some bigots who tried to give them a hard time for being non-binary. Luckily nothing was broken, but it hurt. Masha tried their best to help, but when they weren't strong enough, they managed to bring Lucille to the nurse, who only scoffed and bandaged a small cut after making sure the Latina didn't have a concussion.

At lunch, Lucille had her first lunch stolen, and when she tried to buy one in the cafeteria, she was tripped and made to wear it. Once more, Masha came to Lucille's aid and helped Lucille clean herself up. In the privacy of the girls restroom, Masha pleaded, "Mistress, please let me get revenge for you. They abuse you, taunt you… and I hate it. Why won't you let me help?"

Lucille smiled sweetly, and pet her shorter friend's head, "No, little Raven. We will not lower ourselves to their level. The gift I gave you is weak, like me, and if you draw too deeply on it… you could hurt yourself. That I can't allow. You are my friend. Worth more to me than almost anything, and I will not take chances with your life. Not to mention, if anyone sees you… I don't know what they'll do. Please, Masha. Don't do anything reckless."

Masha lowered their head and nodded somberly before looking into the sickly emerald colored eyes of their mistress, the one they had sworn to serve in whatever way they could, and sighed, "As you wish, mi luz."

Unfortunately the universe had other plans. Luz, with her teachers permission, had been allowed to bring a few harmless snakes in as a visual aid for her report on the biological differences of warm vs cold blooded biological systems, but a group of bullies snuck in and freed them all, along with a number of less harmless snakes they had managed to acquire. Luz managed to recapture most of the snakes, both hers and the others, with little difficulty, but Masha tried to compel a few to attack the bullies. Between the early attempts at aid, and the compulsion… it was too much, and Masha fell into a coma.

As Lucille sat in the principal's office, all she could think about was Masha, and her feelings of guilt for ever agreeing to give them that gift. Lucille didn't listen to her mother, Camila, and the principal as they argued back and forth. She didn't care about anything the little man had to say. Lucille had other things on her mind.

The ride home was quiet, until her Mother tried to comfort and ask what happened, but Lucille only hugged her. Lucille loved her mother. Camila was the only parent she had left, but she wasn't like her. Camila was human. While Lucille was not. Saying she needed to do her homework Lucille went to her room and locked the door. Reaching under her bed, into a place only she could access, Lucille pulled out an ancient looking black tome, a grimoire. Running a hand over the aged leather, Lucille found the sharp corner near the lock, and allowed a drop of blood to land on the lock… making it pop and release.

As she felt the power contained wash over her, Lucille took a calming breath. Lucille loved and despised her bisabuela's grimoire. It was a part of her… of her legacy, but it was also partially to blame for her papi getting sick. He hadn't been the one the ancient tome was waiting for, but he had devoted himself to studying it anyway. In the end, the strain of taking power that was not offered proved too much for his body, and he withered away.

Lucille was the one though, and with the help of her Papi's notes, Lucille had learned the truth, and gained almost all the tools she would need in order to do what she needed to do, but Masha's condition had changed things. Lucille had managed to check before the paramedics carted them away. Masha was stable, but she would remain in a coma unless Lucille made her move. They had intended to do this together, but now… Lucille would have to do it on her own.

Quietly she packed her bag with everything she would need, and left her mother a note. She wasn't sure if simply returning would be enough, but if it wasn't… Lucille had no intention of returning until she could save her friend. With that done, she made her escape, and ran toward the old cabin in the woods to wait.

Early the next morning, Lucille was exhausted and on the edge of falling asleep when she saw the doorway begin to glow gold, and Lucille prepared to make her move. As she watched, a girl stepped out with a tiny brown owl perched on her shoulder. The girl looked like she was a year or two younger than her, about 5'5" by Lucille's estimate, with alabaster skin, yellow-green hair with blue highlights, and gold pupils with black irises. The door closed behind her, but before she could take three steps, Lucille had her pinned to a tree as she released a threatening whisper, "Open the door. Let me pass, and I won't have to hurt you."

The girl was terrified as she looked into those fiery emerald eyes, and smelled… magic. It was older, stronger, and even more chaotic than hers, but it was undoubtedly the same. She managed to whimper, "I can't, but it will reopen in an hour. If you wait, I won't try to stop you. I promise. Just please don't hurt me."

Lucille let her go and growled, "Shit. Calme-toi. C'est bien. J'ai attendu si longtemps. Je peux attendre encore une heure." (Calm down. This is fine. I waited this long. I can wait one hour more.)

The girl's eyes widened, "Vous parlez la langue de la sombre maîtresse?" (You speak the language of the dark mistress?)

Lucille chuckled, "And others. I am Luz Perniciosa Noceda, and I will reclaim the power that is my birthright."

Suddenly the other girl bowed, "You're her, aren't you? The one Ms. Eda said would come someday. Our dark Mistress reborn." Lucille heard the girl release a different kind of whimper, this one filled with tears of joy, "My name is Victoria. Vee, if you would do me the honor. I am a basilisk. One of many created by the betrayer Belos. It would be my honor to help you return… to serve you in whatever way you require."

Lucille walked toward Vee, and the girl cringed as if she expected to be struck, but Lucilla just tenderly petted her head, "Vee, I accept your offer, but I don't need a servant." From up close, Lucille could see the exhaustion and pallor of Vee's skin, and without another word she sighed, "You're hungry aren't you? I've read about basilisk's, and I know your curse. I can't offer much at the moment, but take what you need. Consider it an order if it helps."

Vee's eyes widened, and she trembled before opening her maw and taking a deep breath in. As she did so, wisps of magic that looked like emerald flame flowed from Lucille's outstretched hand and into Vee. It only lasted a moment, but it left Lucille pale and weakened. She smiled as she used Vee to stabilize herself, so she wouldn't fall over. Vee had tears in her eyes, "Thank you Mistress."

Lucille just continued to smile, "Anytime, Vee. I make it a point to take care of my friends." With that Lucille passed out from exhaustion, and Vee placed her against a tree to rest as she used the magic that was given to her to hide them both. Vee would protect her Mistress with her life.

When the door opened, Vee gently guided Lucille through the door. At first Vee felt an odd amount of resistance, not a wall per say, but instead of walking through unrestrictive air it felt closer to walking through water or syrup, but with every step Vee felt Lucille get warmer and her power start to grow. The usually instantaneous movement from one realm to another felt longer this time. Instead of a single step, it was a hallway that needed to be traversed, but Vee just kept walking with Lucille's arm around her neck as they walked.

As soon as Lucille took that first breath of demon realm air she felt more complete than ever before, and the embers of magic within her caught aflame one more. Then she heard an irate older feminine voice, "Fucking Tartarus Vee! What the fuck. I sent you to get stuff to sell, and not only do you come back empty handed, but with some random human! What were you thinking?"

Vee flinched for a moment under the accusations, but Lucille scowled, "You will not talk to her like that. She has helped correct a great injustice, and I will not allow anyone to say otherwise."

The older woman scoffed, "Is that right? Who do you think you are? I am Eda the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles, and there is only one being in existence that I will ever listen to, so go back to your realm, human. Let my apprentice return to her duties."

Eda flinched when she saw Lucille's emerald eyes rise and take her in. Eda was a tall older woman with a mane of bushy gray and white streaked hair that almost reached the floor, like Vee's disguise Eda had alabaster skin, and Lucille could see a single gold fang poking from under her lip. Eda's clothes were tastefully and intentionally torn with her red dress looking both chaotic and functional. Even from halfway across the room, Lucille could smell her bisabula's gift… and a curse.

Lucille on the other hand was approaching six feet. While shorter than Eda, she was still tall for her age. Her long brown hair showed streaks of black through it, but currently was braided and tied back out of her face. Shifting to stand unaided, Lucille had the pose of a queen, even if she was currently in black skinny jeans, and a comfortable slightly oversized black hoodie. Lucille raised a hand, allowing the tiny brown owl to perch on it with a smile, "Little one, why don't you tell your partner who I am. That way she will have fewer doubts."

Eda was shocked when she saw her partner bow his head to the random human, and begin to hoot something only Eda could understand as the witch in question's eyes widened. Eda looked between them and whispered with a hint of hope, "Maleficent one? Is that really you?"

Lucille smiled and extended her other hand. In it formed a flickering baleful green flame, "Yes and no. Yes, I am my great grandmother reborn. Her spirit is also mine, but I am also someone new. In this life you may call me Lucille, or Luz. It doesn't matter whether you use the language of my predecessor or my mothers people. I am light, and I will shine. Sadly it appears just returning to my old kingdom isn't enough to regain my former glory, but I will find a way. My power, my throne… my love… I will find them even if I must do so in increments. The question is… will you stand in my way?"

The owl flew to Eda's outstretched hand, and became a staff. Vee looked on in fear for a moment, before she saw Eda present it to Lucille with a bowed head. "I will not, but neither will I follow… yet. I might not have gotten the chance to meet the Dark Mistress before she was sent away, but I studied her teachings all my life. Like her I bow to no one, and until you prove you are who you say you are you'll get no help from me."

Lucille smothered the flame in her palm, and moved to shake Eda's hand, "I would expect nothing less." They shook and Eda felt her power resonate with the girl before her, "A test is in order. What do you have in mind?"

Eda scowled, "My charge was kidnapped while Vee was away-"

Vee gasped, "Somebody took King?! Who?!"

Eda grumbled in annoyance, "Wrath. He refuses to take a hint. I said I wasn't interested when he was a rookie scout, and he doesn't seem to get that him becoming Warden of the Conformatorium doesn't change anything. Help me rescue King, and I will help you where I can."

Lucille pauses to consider, before sighing, "It's a fair deal, and I'm not a fan of people who victimize children without a damn good reason. Ok, Eda. Let's go save your son. Now Vee lets-" Lucille turned and saw Vee curled up in her serpentine true form, with his swampy green scales and cat-like W shaped mouth… and she was trembling. Rushing to her side, Lucille tried to soothe her, "Victoria, what's wrong? If you're afraid for King, I promise I'll save him. You have nothing to worry about."

Eda sighed, "No, kid is terrified of Wrath, and his prison. It's where she was born, and tortured for years." Eda's voice softened, and she came over to kneel on the other side of Vee, "Vee, sweetie, I want you to stay here and protect the house. This is a two person heist anyway. The junior Dark Lady and I've got this. Just try to relax. If it turns out she is who she says she is then you've more than earned it."

Vee nodded sadly, and Lucille smiled, "When this is over, I have a friend I'd like you to meet, but for now, rest. I might have an important mission for you when I return."

Vee gave Lucille a half smile, "Thank you, Mistress. Whatever it is, I promise to try my best."

Lucille booped Vee's nose, and made a small sparkle erupt from the contact that made the basilisk look in awe, "I know you will, because I believe in you."

After that Eda and Lucille got on Eda's staff, and they flew away. As they flew, Eda saw the look on Lucille's face, so filled with contentment and pain, and she whispered, "Do you remember everything… from before?"

Lucille shook her head, "No. Those memories died with her, but the feelings… the sensations… those I remember." Lucille closed her eyes and grinned, "The wind in my hair, dirt and leaves crunching beneath my feet, my loves hand on mine…" Lucille's face darkened into a scowl, "The taste of iron in my mouth, the weight off my back when I awoke, and the soul crushing despair that overwhelmed even the raw bloody burning that was left. These I remember, because they stain my spirit."

Eda let Owlbert take over flying as she spun and wrapped her teen accomplice in a reassuring embrace, "I'm sorry. What he did to you was unforgivable."

Lucille sniffled, but shrugged, "He didn't just mutilate me. He tore away a piece of my very being. A defining part of my identity, and someday… I will get my revenge. The worst part… I know they still exist out there… somewhere, and until those are destroyed, I'll never be able to get them back. I can heal from almost any injury given enough time, but because of what they are and how they were removed… I can't regenerate them while they still exist." They flew in silence the rest of the way as they both mulled over things that have and will happen.

Eda landed far enough away so they could overlook the situation before them and make a plan. The Conformatorium was a large central tower contained in a bowl-like structure with a single path in and out over a larger pit of spikes on each side. As they watched, they saw a pair scouts get kicked awake only to be replaced by a new pair that drifted off to sleep themselves only a few moments later. Eda rolled her eyes and chuckled, until she heard Lucille growl in annoyance at how utterly incompetent these guards were.

In the end, they settled on Lucille riding Owlbert up to an open window near the top. Once Lucille was inside Owlbert would fly down and aid Eda in her assault on the front gates. This proved easy enough, once more annoying Lucille, but once she was inside, Lucille started to look around with her hood up, and the only visible part of her face became her burning eyes.

After a couple minutes, Lucille heard a whisper, "Hey, how did you escape?"

Lucille scoffed, "I didn't. These guards are so pathetic I broke in. I'm looking for the contraband storeroom. Do you know where that is?"

Stepping out of the shadows of her cell was a dark skin witch with a black ponytail and fangs that poked out of her lip like a stereotypical vampire, and she nodded, "Ya, it's about three floors up. There are signs once you reach the end of this block. You can't miss them."

Lucille tilted her head a bit to the side, "Not even going to demand I free you for the information? What happened? The guards are pathetic, the warden kidnapped a child… What's next, are you going to tell me half of this place is filled with falsely accused citizens?"

The woman actually laughed at that, "Nope. Actually it's the whole place, excluding the ground floor. All the actual criminals get transferred to the castle dungeons, so only those awaiting transfer are down there. Name's Katya, by the way. I got sent here because the warden has no taste in literature." When Lucille just seemed confused, Katya laughed quietly again, "I write fanfics about food falling in love. I like food, and I like love. What's wrong with combining the two?"

After a moment of stunned silence Lucille chuckled, "You're not joking? Oh, that's ridiculous." Lucille suddenly stopped and gave Katya a playful look, "I'll make a deal with you Katya." When Lucille said her name Katya shivered and felt compelled to hear the teen out. "I'll free you, but you have to find the master release for each floor that isn't the bottom one. Swear to free the falsely accused for me, and I will give you two boons. First your freedom, and when I regain what is mine you will receive the second boon… a place of status when the Isles are free once more."

Katya blinked. She suddenly felt a powerful presence coming from the hooded girl so she asked, "Before I answer, I only have one more question. Who and what are you?"

Lucille smiled, "Names have power, young Katya, but you may call me Luz. I am… complicated, and depending on whom you ask, I'm either a Queen of Salvation or the Mistress of all Evil. Now, are you ready to find out which I am for you?"

Katya swallowed hard, "Y-yes. I will do as you asked."

Lucille's hand burst into emerald flame, and she blasted the release with a small fireball allowing them to pull the bars up. As Katya exited, she felt Lucille suddenly poke her forehead, "I'm trusting you Katya. Feel free to tell anyone you trust that their true queen has returned, and I'm coming for what is mine." Lucille started to walk away, but Katya heard a whisper as if the teen was speaking directly in her ear, "I'll be watching…" Katya shuddered, and started to run for the guard station even as she heard the sounds of fighting down below.

Much to Lucille's growing frustration, Katya was right, and once she reached the end of the block it was woefully easy to figure out where to go. The doors to the contraband room weren't even locked. As soon as she entered though, Lucille felt a sharp pain in her chest, and a pull toward a covered birdcage. Creeping forward, Lucille pulled back first her hood and then the scarlet sheet to reveal an iron cage with an incredibly old, dirty, and malnourished raven. When their eyes met the bird started to tear up, "Maîtresse? J'avais peur que tu ne reviennes jamais. Je suis tellement désolé." (Mistress? I was afraid you would never return. I am so sorry.)

Lucille reached out on instinct to comfort him, but as soon as her fingers touched the bars they began to smoke, burn, and blister. Lucille drew back and hissed, "Diablo, mon cher ami. Cela fait trop longtemps. C'est moi qui devrais être désolé. Je t'ai abandonné…" (Diablo, my dear friend. It has been too long. I'm the one who should be sorry. I abandoned you…)

The raven shook his head and let out a laughing caw, "You are her, but not. Tell me true, young one. Is my mistress gone?"

Lucille sighed, "Yes. I'm sorry. She tried so hard to return for you and the others, but she was rendered nearly powerless. She couldn't return on her own. Without her magic to maintain her youth… she grew old, but she never forgot you. You have an entire chapter in her grimoire." The tears started to fall, "I will free you. Together we will retake what is ours. I promise."

Diablo shook his head, "No. I must return to my mistress, but before I make that journey… I will return the power she gave to me to where it belongs." Despite her tears Lucille nodded and looked around until she found an old rusted mace. It took only a few swings to rend the bars enough to free Diablo.

Flying shakily, Diablo landed on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek using his dull muted feathers to dry her eyes, "Please, my lady. Do not mourn me, for I am simply returning to the place I always belonged." Diablo flew into Lucille's arms and she embraced him to her chest… as he burst into emerald flames and inky smoke. As the smoke coalesced and sank into her shadow Lucille heard him speak one last time, "Je suis à la maison… I am home."

Lucille felt her magic swell. Turning to the center of the room where a cascading field of magic stood in her way, she lashed out at it with all of her rage… her regret… her sadness, and under the onslaught of her darkness and flame it evaporated away into nothingness. Inside was a massive pile of junk, trash, and trinkets, but Lucille ignored it all for the small silver cage near its peak. Inside sat a tired, confused, and sad little being with gray-black fur, yellow eyes with rosé pupils, and a horned skull mask over the top of his head. As she approached, the little creature released a weh, and shouted, "You're not Eda! Who are you?! And how dare you approach the King of Demons!"

Lucille giggled at how adorable he was, and whispered, "Ay que lindo. It's nice to meet you, little prince."

King grumbled, "I AM A KING, THE KING. NOT A PRINCE. WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION MY AUTHORITY?!"

Lucille reached out and rent the bars around him like twigs as she continued to smile, "I meant no disrespect, but I'm afraid you can't be king… because that is my love's title. The true King of Demons, Chernabog. As for me… I have many names, but you little prince may know me as Maleficent, Queen of Evil and all magic kind. Please, call me Luz or Lucille though. That name belonged to my previous incarceration, and I prefer this one for the time being."

King's eyes widened, and he took a step back, "No. You aren't real! Mom made you up. There's no way that all those stories of an all powerful Archfey Queen are true. You're lying."

For a moment rage burns in Lucille's eyes before she blinks and it's disappeared. Instead Lucille reaches out a hand, "Believe whatever you like, young one, but if you know of me… you know I never lie, and how grave a mistake it is to imply I do." King shuddered in fear, but Lucille just pet his head, "I will forgive it this time though. You are still young, and your mother loves you very much. In fact, Eda sent me to come save you. Please take my hand, so that I can bring you back to her."

With a small nod, King took her hand, but a moment later he felt himself being lifted onto her shoulder as a loud impact was heard behind them. Standing up from a crouch was a large bulky figure in scout attire, but with large button eyes on his mask and exposed arms instead of the usual cloak. The figure looked around and growled, "You're not Eda. How dare you break into my prison, and release my trophies. I am the most feared warden on the entire Boiling Isles, Wrath. Now I'm going to have to throw that little beast in a sack until I can find a new cage, and hunt down that blasted bird again. I knew I should have just broken its wings again, but-"

Lucille's body was suddenly wrapped in an aura of green fire that felt warm, but didn't hurt King. The flames made the shadows grow and begin to dance, but unlike King, Wrath seemed to feel the full heat of the flames. The seething bottomless rage that rippled off of Lucille made Wrath flinch, but only for a moment, because the next a wave of flames and darkness slammed into Wrath and threw him through a wall.

Down below the fighting stops as everyone spots a figure come flying out of a destroyed wall, and the scouts gasp as they see their leader, Warden Wrath, slam into the dirt and stone of the courtyard creating a crater. The crowd of freed prisoners and scouts watch as a figure descends from the broken wall on steps seemingly made from hardened shadows.

As they walk, everyone feels the heat of the flames that cloak her and the magical pressure of her approach until she throws her arms wide and loudly decrees, "Hear me children of the Titan. You have been lied to, abused, and mistreated for too long. I have returned to regain what is mine. I will cast down the deceiver… the betrayer… and take back my throne. HEAR ME, MY PEOPLE, FOR YOUR QUEEN HAS RETURNED. SPREAD THE WORD AND KNOW THAT SOON I WILL DELIVER YOU FROM THIS MOCKERY OF SOVEREIGNTY. THUS DECREES THE WITCH QUEEN, THE EMPRESS OF EVIL, DARKSPAWN, MALEFICENT ONE, AND WIFE OF THE MIGHTY CHERABOG. THUS DECREES, LUCILLE. NOW GOOO, AND MAY THE ISLES ONCE MORE KNOW HOPE!" To punctuate her speech Lucille drew in as much fire and darkness as she could, and released it into the sky as a coiling roaring dragon.

As the dragon roared and breathed emerald flames, the crowd scattered to spread the word, and Lucille began to fall from overuse of her magic. Eda managed to fly up and catch her, resulting in King practically clinging to the side of Eda's face as he cried at being reunited, but any doubts that lingered in Eda's mind were now gone… she now held the rightful queen of the Demon Realm, and she had a ancient oath to fulfill. Eda was gentle as she flew them all back to the Owl House, and felt her heart sing. If anyone could break her curse, it was her Queen.

Breakdown: Well this chapter was a surprise. My partner and I were talking a while back about a disney villains universe with different owl house characters taking up the identities of different villains, and Maleficent Luz came from that. As is common for me I just kind of rolled out of bed a few days ago, and made this. Don't get it twisted though, I've planned this out since, but ya. This wasn't the original intended chapter for this week, but I'm so giddy to get this out it jumped the line. Now time for a little behind the scenes action.

So immediately this Luz is different. She does a lot of the things every Luz does, but she's got a very different energy about her, and that's because she's got all the maturity of season three Luz from the start… to an extent. More on that in future chapters, but another thing is that this Luz initially comes off as very forgiving when we later see, that's not true. She just doesn't have the time or attention span to put up with people that don't matter to her like school bullies or her principal. She has plans, and wasting time and effort on people she never intends to see again is just not worth it. Also Lucille is light in French the same way Luz is in Spanish, and since 'Sleeping Beauty' is originally a French fable, it's only right French be the language of anything having to do with Maleficent. Yes, Lucille knows at least five languages, and each for a different purpose. Also her middle name Perniciosa, is Maleficent in spanish.

Next up is Masha, the warlock. As an archfey, Lucille can make pacts to lend a percentage of her power to someone else. In itself it sounds cool, except Lucille is barley magical at the start, so Masha doesn't get much at all in terms of magic, but Lucille is their best friend, and if they can later get a whole lot more by helping her return to the Demon Realm that's just icing on the cake. They insist on calling Lucille 'Mistress' when they're alone as a sign of respect. Does it stroke Lucille's fey pride a bit, sure, but it's not something she demands. Lucille doesn't make demands of her friends, she makes offers. Is Masha aware that Lucille could make them do anything she likes, absolutely, but they also know she won't without a good reason. Normally a terrible idea to trust a fey, but Lucille is unique. How did Lucille get permission to bring in snakes? She's nearly powerless, not completely. Why did Masha slip into a coma? They tried to force something they weren't strong enough to do, and it backfired. Don't worry though, they'll be fine soon.

Why didn't Lucille tell Camila anything about what happened? Lucille says it bluntly later, but fey don't lie, ever. They twist the truth, or say enough to allow you to lie to yourself, but they can't lie, and since Camila is human and refuses to believe it just hurts Lucille to try. So Maleficent was an archfey, but also a warlock who became a witch. The difference, a warlock is channeling another being's power to do magic, while a witch uses their own power. How did she make the jump, and why did she agree to serve another when she's already naturally gifted (pre-the tragedy that took most of it away) as an archfey? That will come later, along with whom she made a pact with. Another addition is that the top of the top class witch's make a grimoire at some point, and the reasons vary. Sometimes it's so they don't forget something over millennia, or some just find having a written tome only they can use useful. Only truly ancient beings make them though, or they get passed down families and become a family Book of Shadows. I'll get into the difference in a later chapter.

So, chapter one and Vee is already a big part of the story. A few things changed in this story for both realms, but you'll have to wait for the full details on that till next chapter. So, fun fact… nobody realizes Belos is evil. He is the betrayer because he overthrew the rightful rulers of the realm, not because he's also a genocidal maniac, or is he? Guess you'll see. On that matter, does anyone read these breakdowns? Maybe I'll cut them if not. Leave a comment if you do, and I'll think it over. Maybe I'll test it and cut this one here. Shine on beautiful readers, shine on.