Players, at Your Mark
Sup?
This is the sequel to Unexpected Lineage. As you may have noticed, I left a bunch of 'plotholes' in the first fic. While I admit one genuinely was a plothole, most of the questions left unanswered were deliberate. I just so happened to fix that one within the confines of the story. Aren't I clever?
...
Anyway, between ffnet, AO3 and private messages here are the major issues U was asked about:
What happened to Chad? Carlos did something to him so...
And how was Carlos actually born?
If Mirage was on the isle but escaped after Jay was born, why isn't he way older? How did she even escape for that matter?
AJ explained why his homeland isn't part of it (his shady family tree was a sticky situation) but why did only some of the other kingdoms unite into Auradon? FG's chapter makes it clear that other kingdoms do exist within the other three lands: Arendelle, Agrabah and Les Eaux d'Or are implied by context as the head honchos of The Winterland, The Seven Deserts and Bayou Country similar to how Ben's Kingdom now rule Auradon. So what happened?
Evie...shouldn't exist. So...what does Olympus have to say about the fact that she does?
There's more but these are the ones I promise will be answered. Though a few of you have guessed at #3. And you're not wrong. Just not right either n_n
Alright, this chapter shows what the Isle's population went thru at the end of Unexpected Lineage. Which sets a particular pirate reflecting on the past. What he lost and how his hate and anger at his fellow inmates is just as great as that at his supposed foes.
And before I forget, a dialogue key was suggested so...
"..." normal speech
/.../ Carlos' words
[...] speech from someone on a different plane of existence
Onwards!
*NS*
Panic erupted the instant the powerful burst of red and black energy slammed into the barrier. The resulting shockwave decimated many structures at the port, which faced Auradon. At least a dozen or so were surely dead and scores more injured. Perhaps some had noticed the Jolly Roger's change on position to the opposite side of the Isle mere hours before hand but let's be real; the significance of it probably got lost in the pandemonium.
Aboard the surprisingly not too rundown vessel, her crew observed the chaos from spyglasses and binoculars with somewhat detatched interest. Though her captain wasn't among them. No, James "Hook" Jones sat in his cabin alone. Thinking at first if he had made the right decision as he gazed at his one true treasure.
Hook hated the isle as everyone did. No longer able to sail the seas of any world and cut off from the magics of Neverland, his once regal ship had begun to wear away. Though not as badly as she should have. It puzzled him why he and his crew had yet to wither to dust themselves; after all they were all at least a century older than they appeared. Imagine his surprise when he learned why...
*10 years ago*
[Hey you old Codfish.]
"Who the bloodly hell-?!" Hook whirled around sword drawn only to lower it. "P-Peter? How can you be here?"
[Well as you can see I'm not.] The dark figure chuckled. An opaque outline floating off the port bow. [My shadow is all that can pass between worlds now.]
"Right...so what do you want?" Sheathing his blade he plopped down on a barrel and took a swig of rum.
[Don't be like that Jim. You know our little games were all in good fun. We both got fucked over.] The cold tone shocked the good captain. The language even more so. [She misses you too. As she does all of her children and does what she can for them.]
She.
Neverland. The source of his longevity and good health. The island was indeed alive and had granted the same protections to the pirates as the children who dwelled upon her. The Jolly Roger's fairly good condition despite circumstances made some sense now.
"What happened to you? This...persona isn't that of the boy who never grew up. The Prince of Childhood Dreams and Adventure has never been hateful."
[Princes must someday become Kings Jim. And...put aside childish things.] The shadow glided on deck. [A lot has changed since you left. Since Jane-]
"-died." He croaked. "My daughter died and I was banished here. An unfortunate casualty of a war I wanted no part of."
[But a villain would surely seek revenge and must be punished for the greater good! Everything is black and white to them. They tried to take her from the only home she'd ever known not understanding that she was too young to survive outside Neverland just yet. Being caught in the cross fire was far more merciful than slowly dying. Still it wouldn't have happened if they kept their dumb ass morals to themselves. If I were stronger, I could have saved her.] Peter's echoing voice dulled to a whisper.
"I told you before I don't blame you boy. I didn't put up a fight then because I knew that without immortality, I'd some day see her and Waterlily again at least. You wouldn't understand."
[I know you've been waiting to die.] Peter sighed. [It's why I stayed away, to give you some small comfort in not being reminded. But something has happened that I think will change your mind about your deathwatch.]
Without warning, Hook found himself ripped from his body and standing in a nursery. Powder blue walls adorned with friendly animals frolicking in the grass, fluffy white clouds painted upon the domed ceiling. Cute but so what?
The pirate looked around until spoting a mop of brown hair plainly cut and heldback by a simple blue bow. The girl not more than four or five sat amongst a pile of dolls wearing a sky blue and white jumper whose pattern looked more appropriate for a picnic table than clothing. Her window was open, showing the pale moon rising.
[Hello little one.]
No...
When the girl looked up, Hook nearly had a heart attack. It was her! His little Janey had survived! But how? And...why was she still so small? Did time seem to pass faster on that god forsaken island?
[This is only a look at what's already happened.] Peter's shadow sighed. It was then the pirate realized it wasn't the same shadow as beside the window.
"You came back!" she squealed. Tossing the blonde doll aside she ran towards the shadow perched on her balcony.
[Of course. I promised I would.] The sound of Peter's voice distorted as it was should have terrified her. But those big brown eyes were wide with joy.
"Mommy says you're not real, just a dream. But I knew you were!"
[Adults are sometimes silly Jane. And you're a very special little girl.]
"You said my other dreams were real too. About my papa. Mommy says-"
[Your mommy isn't right about everything little one. Your dreams are memories and that scares her.]
"Why?"
[Because no one likes to be reminded of doing something bad.] The shadow chuckled.
"Mommy's not bad! She's the Fairy Godmother that makes good wishes come true!" Jane huffed.
[We all do things we're not proud of. Like now. I'm sorry Janey.] The shadow whispered as it touched her forehead. The child collapsed into it's other arm. [You cannot keep your memories child. It's too soon. But I promise you'll see me in the flesh one day. Your papa too.]
The shadow gently lay her in bed, tucking her in before leaving the way it came. And the room faded back to the dreary deck.
[It's really her Jim. I found out when I decided to see if the fairy god bitch had a child. Originally planing to steal her daughter away to become a siren, just to make her suffer. But once I saw her...I couldn't. So my plans changed a little.] Peter snarled. [Why take her now when I can't give her back you yet?]
"Give her back? What are you on about?"
[Understand that with or without your agreement, I'm going to play my flute and laugh as I watch Auradon burn. They deserve it for all hurt their hypocrisy has caused. The only diffrence between hero and villain is perspective. This is a gift to you, my dear friend. All you must do is accept it.]
*present*
So, when the clear crystal orb the shadow had given him turned blood red and displayed a storm, Hook ordered his crew to sail away from the only port on the Isle of the Lost and to it's craigy north side.
And four hours later, the orb's contents changed to his surprise. Not long after that all hell broke loose.
He knew what remained of the big four would be scrambling to either leave or secure their former powers. Not a care for those who no doubt lay crippled and dying in the streets. As if he were any better- 20 years here could harden the softest of hearts. But he could never forgive them for their callous disregard for such a precious gift a children. Using them like pawns to be thrown away. For years he watched them squander the blessings they didn't even deserve. His soft spot for rugrats did nothing to tarnish his rep as a pirate though, as it was very well understood their own code set them apart. And trying to use that to one's advantage was...unwise.
Besides, the remaing children of the Isle were safe at school near the land's center. He could careless about their parents.
*NS*
Meanwhile, all across the land of fairytales the darkness was lifting. The evil clones vanquished, freeing their counterparts from the mirror realm. Everyone rejoicing in the end to a nightmare. Save one.
But it's hard to be released from somewhere if you were never there to begin with, isn't it?
*NS*
Yes, there's more to the story of the heroes' victory than most know. And it's gonna be a wild ride for everyone.
So? What do you guys think? Reviews are like hugs! Sirensoundwave out!
