Notes:
   Following Blue's death, suspicion spreads throughout Whispering Pines. As the villains deal with the implications of making another deal with Ursula, other conflicts arise within their group and the hunters.
Warnings: mention of death and murder, explanation of heart-crushing, fighting, brief description of torture, abuse towards a werewolf, murder, multiple secondary characters deaths, mention of mass genocide in the past, mention of harming children, arguing, espionage, betrayal, heart-crushing, and implication of forced slavery

   Merlin looked down at the dead body that laid at his feet as he listened to what his Uncle Agravaine told him. Blue, who was wearing her Mother Superior outfit, laid sprawled out across the main library. Her hair had come loose from her fancy updo and covered her face which was pale.
    "I found her this morning when I went to grab a few books for my meeting with Adrian later." At Merlin and Arthur's confused expressions, Agravaine continued, "I've been going to his house in an effort to keep peace between the packs and make things easier in case we must ask favors. We'll usually discuss books or play chess together. I think he appreciates that I'm an older Alpha and more level-headed than the rest."
   "Well, thank you, Uncle, for your help and the information."
   Agravaine nodded, taking his leave shortly after.
   Merlin looked to his brothers, Gaius, and his most trusted Alphas then. "This isn't the only instance, brother." Cenred said. "There have been reports coming in all morning."
   "Who is among the dead?"
   "Aside from Blue, mainly male Alphas including Bayard, Godwyn, Olaf, Edwin, Victor Frankenstein, David's father, George, and a few others that haven't been identified yet." Gwaine answered.
   Castiel added, "A few of my Alpha brothers are counted among the dead as well, Alpha."
   Merlin let out a long breath. "Any leads on how or why?"
   "I may not know why but I know the how." Replied a voice next to Merlin.
   The group turned to see Rumplestiltskin standing next to the Alpha. "You know the answer then, Dark One?"
   Rumplestiltskin giggled. "Indeed I do!"
   "And why would you help us?"
   "As I said before we arrived in this squalid prison, I'm trying to make amends...and win back the one person who understands me." Rumple sighed. "This is an ancient type of evil magic."
   "How does it work?" Percival spoke up.
   "Basically, all the villain has to do is reach inside the victim and pull out their heart. From there, the heart becomes enchanted and has a glow to it. Then, there's a choice. The villain can use the heart to control the victim by speaking commands into it. This would also allow the villain to speak for the victim in certain cases.
   "Otherwise, they can squeeze the heart, causing the victim pain. And, if they squeeze hard enough, they can crush it." Here he demonstrated the action as if he was doing so himself. "This kills the victim. I suspect whoever did this crushed the hearts of their victims. Tell me, were their hearts missing and a pile of ash found next to them?"
   "He's correct, sire." Gaius spoke up. "Every victim was found with their hearts missing." He nodded towards a small pile of ash next to Blue's corpse.
   "Who has this power?" Merlin asked.
   Rumple giggled again. "Well, it's not exactly a rare skill. Any villain who has been trained properly can use it. I can and so can all those I trained before, Regina, Zelena, their mother, Cora...not to mention many others I didn't train. Even a few heroes have used it in the past, Merlin, including your namesake and his first lover, the first Dark One, Nimue."
   A gasp from the crowd.
   "So we're literally looking for a needle in a haystack." Merlin muttered. "Almost anyone could've done this."
   "Well...personally I think it's one of Fenrir's loyalists." Rumple added. "Think about it, Alpha. You, a mighty Alpha, show strength in gaining many new allies, packs from everywhere. All of this to stop Fenrir. Somehow, word gets back to those in charge, along with the news of your dear sister's return. They'll want to cause distrust and fighting amongst your allies."
   "But there's a problem with that theory." Merlin said. "If you're our ally and it's one of Fenrir's loyalists, how would they have known?"
   There was silence for a moment then Leon spoke up, "There's only one conclusion we can draw then, sire...we have a traitor in our midst."
   "Get me a council meeting with all our allies, NOW!" Merlin commanded.
                               * * * * *
   Merlin looked over at the number of Alphas sitting around the round table in the library. Several pairs of eyes watched him as he came to his final conclusion.
   The council meeting had started as soon as the Pack Leaders from each pack had gathered and carried on throughout the day. Aside from the biggest concern, there were many other things that they'd needed to discuss, including what to do about Striker.
   Unfortunately, fighting had started during the proceedings. No one could seem to agree on who was to blame for the deaths. Some of the Blue supporters claimed it must have been Maleficent as she was the only one with a grudge against her and she had had an argument with her mere hours before she was found dead. Others thought it had to be one of the former villains as no one could prove they had been redeemed.
   This continued for awhile and Merlin was starting to get worried that the shaky alliance they'd just made would crumble. That's when he silenced the room with his verdict.
   "I can see only one way to keep the peace and prevent conflict." Merlin said. Taking a deep breath, he spoke, "Everyone in this room must remain in Whispering Pines until this mystery is solved."
   The Pack Leaders slowly but surely agreed, seconding the motion. Merlin adjourned the council, and everyone headed out to relay the information to those who would need to take over back at their homes for the time being.
    Merlin sighed. "We need a miracle."
                              * * * * *
   The sound of screams filled the compound where most hunters were living for awhile, ever since learning of the Winchesters' betrayal. Frollo smirked evilly as he entered Aredian's personal torture chambers, long robe flowing behind him. From inside, he could hear the sound of a whip cracking, knife slicing skin, and pained cries and that pleased him more. As he entered, he heard Aredian finally speak.
   "This is the only punishment worthy of your kind! You sick, twisted freak! What have you got to say?"
   The were he was currently torturing was thin and very unremarkable looking, the only thing to note of him was a very bad burn on one side of his face. "My kind have done nothing to you! We are a peaceful people!" He sobbed.
   "You're not people! Your kind kill and maim my men!"
   "Your men are hunters!" He snarled. "You attack our kind and hunt our children!"
   Aredian held up a knife, bloodied by his victim. "Edwin, is it? Do you know you're a gift? One of your own handed you over to me. Where's that precious pack mentality I've heard so much about?"
   "YOU'RE LYING! ALL YOU HUNTERS DO IS LIE AND KILL!!"
   He was violently slapped to the floor.
   Frollo finally spoke, "Though I applaud your technique, if you wish to get information from him, there are better ways."
   Aredian turned to Frollo with a stern look. "I've been getting information for years. I need no help from you." With that, he turned again, and, in one swift motion, he sliced Edwin through the neck, killing him instantly.
   He then moved away from the corpse, wiping off the blood from his knife. "What are you doing here, Claude? You almost never come to these meetings."
   "I'm a very busy man. Yet, I heard through the grapevine that you're having a problem. Seems the Winchesters are traitors."
   Aredian raised his head.
   The Secret Society of Hunters was one that dated back many years. Its sole purpose? To rid the world of the evil of the abnormal: lycans, weres of all types, witches, gypsies, druids, and much, much more. Anything inhuman must be eradicated for the protection of all.
   It was founded by the Van Helsings, famous hunters of the strange and unusual. Over the years, other hunters would join in their "noble" crusade. As weres began to dwindle in their numbers, the hunters finally believed they were successful.
   But then Merlin took control of his pack and, over time, he began to rebuild the were population. Even worse, it was revealed that many more packs that were believed to be decimated had also regained their numbers and packs the hunters had never known existed entered the game.
   More people were needed to cut down the numbers but, with that, came the need for keeping a closer eye on them. In this business, one could never be too careful. Especially when the only Van Helsings left had turned their backs on the organization, the younger becoming a were herself and joining a pack while the older (her great grandfather or thereabouts) assisted the weres in keeping the packs safe.
   That was 30 years ago. Aredian rose through the ranks and became the new leader, intent on keeping true to his mission. He upped security measures, kept a watch on all his hunters to make sure they did their job, and implemented new programs to get more information so he could be rid of all the threats, all the way down to the children.
   Some hunters he trusted more than others, but none did he trust completely. The closest he'd ever gotten to trusting was the Winchesters. They were unstoppable forces and did their jobs without prejudice. Then the rumors came flooding in.
   A little over a year ago--perhaps a year and a half--rumors had been circulating that they'd had eyes on Merlin's pack but let them go. While their story of being attacked and the pack escaping seemed suspicious, most hunters agreed it had happened before. A vote later and nothing came of it.
   Then, a wild hunter named Percival McLeach from the Australian branch had brought Aredian disturbing news: the Winchesters had, indeed, betrayed them. The amount of stories he'd brought Aredian were worse still.
   Since the rumors of the first incident, nothing had happened after for several months. Then, one day, the Winchesters went on another hunt and had seemingly let another pack go. Everything went downhill from there. They helped the first pack they let go, disappeared for several months, then randomly appeared again when McLeach had gone after two weres he'd caught in a trap. They bribed him and he finally received the evidence he needed. Photos were thrown on the conference table and Aredian had no choice but to send Myror after them.
   "What a shame this happened!" Frollo spoke up once more. "No word from your bounty hunter either?"
   "Myror will complete the job. He is not easily paid off."
   "But paid off he can be." Frollo said. "I have reason to believe he, too, is a traitor."
   Aredian lost his cool and the pair began to argue. During their argument, another figure appeared in the room, this one a female in a fancy fur coat.
  "My, my! You men certainly have a way of getting things done!" Cruella said in a condescending tone.
  "Miss de Vil, what do you want?"
  "I came to fetch the good judge. Master Frollo, you are needed elsewhere...for the other matter?"
   "Then I mustn't delay." Frollo said. "And, personally, I believe you need to launch an attack.  Though you need not agree with me."
   That said, he turned and followed Cruella out the door.
                             * * * * *
   As some of the villains mingled and got to know each other, Grimhilde angrily watched Ursula in her magic mirror, laughing at their misfortune. She cut off all conversation as she angrily spoke, "I grow tired of these games! The sea witch must be dealt with for the last time! Threaten me? I am a queen! I bow to no one."
   "Besides, we have worked too hard for our happy endings, to get our revenge, all for it to fall flat!" The Horned King stated as he wrapped an arm around his mate in an effort to comfort her.
   "Ursula mentioned a deal." One of the Jafars said. "Perhaps we should discuss the terms."
   "I have no intention of making another deal with her." Grimhilde growled.
   The Mother Gothel that was Malvina's daughter spoke up. "What other option do we have? Without Ursula, Ulrica will never agree to right the wrongs we've endured."
   "Hmm..." One of the Tremaine sisters made a noise.
   "Something you'd like to share?" Malvina asked.
  "Well," Lady Tremaine said, "I've been wondering...what is the reason for bringing Ursula back? Surely there are many others, most of them in this room, with far more power than she."
  "There must be a reason. Perhaps she knows something we don't or..." Frieda continued.
  "Or she has something Ulrica needs." Adelaide Tremaine concluded.
  "Clever girl." Cora said, a laugh escaping her lips. The other villains, her children included, turned their attention to her. "That's why she wanted you to find me, Regina." She told her favorite daughter. "The locket I was wearing contains a powerful villain, one that existed long before our time, even before Rumplestiltskin, and every villain that followed afterwards contained a small part of her power."
   "And who is this villain?" One of the evil queens asked.
   "Her name is Vor. She was part of the original Coven of Eight. Years ago, she was defeated twice, once by the protectors, and the other by a young princess. At the second defeat, it was widely believed that the Wicked Nine--objects used to bring her back and free her from her prison--were destroyed and the locket that contained her disappeared."
   "You had it the entire time, Mother?" Regina accused.
   "That's why you were told to send me away...so I could come back at this moment with what she needs most."
   "But that makes no sense!" Zelena added. "If this Vor is the answer to bringing the Father Wolf back, then why bother to bring in others to take the place of the Coven of Eight?"
   "And what could this Ursula," Anastasia added, "possibly have that would require us to make a deal with her anyway?"
   "Isn't it obvious?!" Mariana answered. "ULRICA LIED TO US!"
   "Perhaps not." Evanora included herself. "Perhaps she needs more help this time around. Think about it: the Coven of Eight failed last time. Maybe she needs to replace someone or multiple someones in her coven."
   "That annoying insect for one." Rumplestiltskin said. "The ice queen for another. Who knows who else."
   "And I think it's her necklace that they want." Theodora said with a mischievous smirk.
   "Whatever the situation," Grimhilde and Malvina added, "we cannot afford to fall prey to her schemes!" Malvina twisted the ring around her finger, anxiously.
   The villains erupted into arguments shortly afterwards.
                           * * * * *
   Ulrica smiled as she appeared. "Good. Everyone's here." She said, quieting the villains. "So, it's come to my attention that there's traitors in our midst."
   At this, those that were spying on the villains--Regina, Zelena, Primrose, Rumplestiltskin, Estella, and others--shared nervous glances.
   Ulrica continued, "Hunters have been sent to spy on us and infiltrate us. So, when I call for you, you will come to me and I will deal with you. Resist and the penalty will be severe." With that, she began naming every hunter that had infiltrated their safe house. "Judge Claude Frollo, Baroness Cruella de Vil, Prince Hans Westegard of the Southern Isles and all his brothers, the Stabbington brothers, Gaston Legume--both of you--Clayton, Percival McLeach, and Shan Yu."
   The group moved over to Ulrica who looked each of them over. After a moment, she stepped forward and ripped out Hans' heart. "I'm very disappointed. After all, every one of you has had tragedy happen to you. We're supposed to be helping each other. Yet, you betray me. That hurts."
   She gave them a sympathetic look, lowering their guard, before she crushed Hans' heart in her hand. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" One of Hans' brothers shouted.
   "Me?" Ulrica said, innocently. "I've been betrayed, and someone must be punished." Striking forward, she caused each of Hans' brothers as well as their cousins, the Stabbington brothers, to explode.
   "Now, here's what's gonna happen. The lot of you left alive will pledge your loyalty to me and my mate. Then you will receive Fenrir's gift."
   "And if we refuse?" McLeach asked.
   "You die."
   Clayton added, "Do not think you can threaten us."
   Ulrica laughed. "Very well." Seconds later, she ripped out both their hearts, crushing them in her hands. At that point, the two Gastons, terrified, ran. Ulrica snapped her fingers and they exploded.
   "Anyone else?"
   Frollo, who had had a shocked and fearful look on his face, steeled himself. "Miss, if I may ask a question of you."
   Ulrica turned her gaze to him. "Yes, judge?"
   "If we agree to joining you, what is the gift exactly we will be receiving?"
   "Firstly, you will be turned and enjoy all that being a part of a were society has to offer. Second, and most importantly, you will get what you truly desire more than anything. Tell me, what is it that you desire?"
   "I want to be rid of those that practice evil: the gypsies and, even more, Merlin."
   Ulrica smirked. "That can be arranged."
   "Then I humbly accept."
   "I'll gladly take it as well, darling. I think it's time for a change from all this drivel." Cruella agreed.
   "Are you both mad?!" Shan Yu shouted. "This goes against everything we've agreed upon!"
   Ulrica didn't seem bothered by his outburst. "On the contrary, dear, I think you'll find we are much more understanding than anyone in your organization. But...if you require some...proof...well...that can easily be arranged." That said, she reached into his chest and pulled out his heart. "I think I'll keep you as a pet...on a very short leash so you don't stray." She turned her attention to the others. "Now...come receive your just reward."
   They dared not disobey her.
                               * * * * *
   As day turned to night, again Sam headed towards Sasha's house. At the door, he paused. Suddenly, the door pulled open, and Sasha grabbed him, kissing him as she pulled him inside her house...
                              * * * * *
   A figure stepped out from the shadows. "You came!" The figure said as they approached Nimueh and Morgause.
   "Consider it a thank you for convincing the queen to bring us back." Nimueh said, a smirk on her blood red lips.
   "My question is why?"
   "Because..." The figure answered. "I have a very important job for both of you..."