Midnight
All rights go to Disney!
Acknowledgement: A special thanks to my cousin Kieran, who came up with the PhillipXMaleficent idea, which was totally out of the ordinary, but amazing. We both wrote the fanfiction together, and it came out surprisingly well! Please comment, give lots of feedback for this. Once again, I own nothing!
Four: Reunion
Navika
Maleficent.
How dare she?! She is Nela Mefict, and she dares to change her name because of some rebel curse? And she places a kill curse upon the newborn Royal! I couldn't believe myself, but it was a good thing I hadn't presented Aurora with a gift yet. I decided to do something completely scary and romantic, completely unlike me.
"When she pricks her finger on the spindle," I said slowly, still contemplating what to do. Queen Leah was sobbing with her maids surrounding her, and King Stefan was massaging his temples. I took a deep breath. "How about this. I'll take away the death part of the curse."
Queen Leah looked up, and grabbed my hands. "Bless you, Navika! Thank you so much!"
I shook my head. "Don't thank me yet. Anyway, when she does prick her spindle—which I can't change, your Majesty—she won't die, she'll just fall into a deep sleep."
"A deep sleep?" echoed King Stefan. "So….same as dying, except she's sleeping."
I controlled my intense rage. "No, sire," I said calmly. "She'll wake up; when true love's kiss breaks the spell."
"True love's kiss," King Hubert murmured, and then looked at Queen Mildred, his wife. Mildred gasped. "Phillip! Phillip will be her true love! He must journey back to the castle when she has fallen asleep, and kiss her awake! And the marriage can still go on!"
Phillip glared at me. "You hate me, don't you?"
I had to force a smile. "She'll be beautiful, Phillip," I reminded him. "She'll be the perfect girl. And in the course of time, I think you'll change your mind."
Phillip smirked. "I highly doubt that."
Phillip
Okay, she was pretty.
Alright! Fine!
She was REALLY pretty.
But she was seriously annoying.
I thought of her more like a sister than a wife. It was always, "Phillie! Come play with me!" or, "I like dolls!" or even, "PHILLIE! I'M HUNGRY!"
And yes, she called me Phillie.
She didn't seem to understand that I wanted to be left alone, or that I didn't want to be called Phillie, or that I have my own friends.
Or, she did understand, but she didn't care.
I told my mother that, but she goes, "She's only six, Phillip! Let her enjoy her childhood! Don't bother her at this age!"
Oh, yeah, easy for you to say. You don't have her pulling your hair and ruining every second of your life.
"Phillie!" called Aurora. "Phillie, look what Daddy brought me from Illianna!"
King Stefan had gone to Illianna to stop their trade of sharp objects, especially spindles, because of the curse that evil fairy Maleficent had placed upon Aurora. I turned.
"China dolls! Which one is your favorite?" Aurora plopped down in the grass next to me and spread out a bunch of china dolls.
"None." I spat at her.
Aurora's eyes filled with tears. "Look, I saved one for you. It's the china prince." She pitifully held out a china man with a smart blue suit and gold sash.
I sighed. It was so hard to be nice to her, and so horrible to be mean to such a pretty thing like her. The beauty Narcissa had given her was really kicking in. And Nayelli's sweetness. And Naveena's cleverness, Naomi's gracefulness, and every other quality presented to her at her dedication ceremony.
I leaned forward and took the china prince. "Thanks."
Aurora brightened. "You're welcome. You wanna play a game?"
I sighed. "No, not dolls, and no, not tea party. And no, I do not want to blow dandelion fuzz with you in the garden."
Aurora bit her lip. "But then what do we play? I don't know anything else."
I thought for a while, then I smiled. "How about we play in the forest? We can look for dragons!" I wasn't scared at all. In fact, I was excited.
Aurora shook her head. "Dragons scare me, Phillie!" she said loudly.
I sighed. "I'll protect you."
That was all the pesky princess needed to hear. "Let's hunt some dragons!" she cried.
Nela
I was watching them.
They were playing our game. Hunting dragons. In our forest. I shook my head. That should have been my life. Playing with Phillip every day in the forest and the courtyard, not hanging out with that little blonde haired blue eyed angel.
She was so perfect, and with every growing day each blessed quality the Seven had placed upon her grew stronger. She was getting more and more perfect each day.
I couldn't wait till she died.
I was contemplating ways to bring a spindle into the castle—slipping past the guards was always great fun for me. Swirling around them like a shadow, scaring them half to death, and it was always fun to hear that little womanly scream come out of the manliest guard there.
She was only six now. But in ten years time, I'd have my revenge.
I continued looking through the sphere on my staff at Phillip.
He was thirteen and tall. His brown hair was cut short. His brown eyes gleamed with enthuiasm. Any trace of cowardice in him was long gone. He was brave, not afraid to play in the forest. He still had that adventurous look in his eye, and his adorable raspy laugh. He was dressed in a black shirt and a gray vest and regal pants. With a red cap on his head. He was every bit as handsome as he used to be.
I missed him a lot.
And he didn't even remember who I was. I had sacrificed my life for him, and he didn't remember. It was all the Sevens' fault. They had erased his memory. I vowed to get revenge—on everyone who had taken away the life I had.
I smiled and whispered to myself:
"All good things to those who wait."
Phillip
"Get him, Phillie!" Aurora cried, bouncing up and down.
I smiled and pretended to jab a tree trunk. "Begone, foul beast!" I yelled. "Your time is up!"
Aurora giggled and clapped her hands. She jumped off her seat and ran around screaming. "He told you!" she laughed. "Get out of here, nasty dragon! Begone!"
I laughed. It was funny how she looked up to me so much, when I thought of her like a disease.
There was a rustle in the bushes and my heart picked up for a second, and my friend James came rustling through, carrying a wooden sword. "Hello, Phillip!" he said brightly with a wave.
"Hi, Jamie!" Aurora waved at him.
James smiled at her.
I sat down, exhausted. "You entertain her."
James laughed. "She's so cute. Why do you hate her?"
I rolled my eyes. "I don't hate her. I'm just saying, if she got hit by a carriage, I would be driving that carriage."
James smacked me on the arm with the sword. "Phillip, you're horrible. Don't say that."
"Well, I just did!"
He smacked me again.
Aurora rushed over. "Phillip, you wanna go unicorn hunting now?"
I smiled sarcastically. "Sure! And then I'll just poke my eyes out with a stick."
I heard a soft giggle in the bushes, and I turned. Who the heck was watching me?
Aurora gasped. "Oh, no! Won't that hurt?"
"No," I told her. "It'll tickle."
Another soft giggle.
Aurora smiled. "Oh, then it's okay. I'll get the stick."
I buried my face into my hands. "What's wrong with this child?"
James got up and picked Aurora up. "Let's go unicorn hunting."
"I hope you come back alive, James," I told him.
Another soft giggle.
I wanted to hear more. "It was nice knowing you," I said. This time I heard a full out laugh. It sounded like a pretty girl hidden in the trees was laughing at the jokes I cracked. I felt a bit encouraged. A pretty girl! Maybe she was older than six.
James and Aurora vanished into the trees.
Hmmm, I thought. James and Aurora. Maybe when she "dies" James can wake her with a kiss.
And not me.
Once they were gone, I picked up my sword, ready to head home and go for a long walk around the courtyard with my horse, Samson.
But I heard the laugh again. I got up and walked for the bushes.
I don't know what it was, but I just had to find out who was laughing. There was a voice pricking in my mind telling me not to, but as usual—
I just did.
I looked around. There was nobody in the clearing. Only a pond with ripples, and the wind dancing through the leaves. Grass was rustling, but there was no person of any kind here.
I decided to go after James and Aurora and see what would happen.
I spotted James sitting on a rock, and Aurora chasing something around our lake, Lake Stefania.
I walked up to James. "What's up?"
James pointed. "A unicorn just waltzed out of the trees. Isn't it gorgeous?"
I looked at it.
It was a huge snow white beast, much much bigger than Samson. Its ears were high and pointy, and glitter dripped off its white mane and tail. Its eyes were a light blue, and they sparkled and danced as the unicorn neighed like delicate bells. It stomped its hooves and trotted around the clearing, with Aurora in her small pink ball gown rushing after it, laughing with delight, almost completely out of breath, her blonde curls flying behind her.
"A unicorn?" I breathed. "They're real?"
"Apparently so," James told me. "I just said, 'Okay, you go ahead, go unicorn hunting.' She danced into the trees and came out with that."
"Phillie!" Aurora sang. She grabbed a fistful of the unicorn's hair. "Princess Buttercup, say hello to Prince Phillip!"
I stared at Princess Buttercup. She nuzzled underneath my jaw. Glitter surrounded my black shirt. I sighed. "Oh, come on. Stop that, stupid animal."
"It's princess Buttercup!" Aurora wailed. "Say hi to her, Phillie!"
I didn't say a word. Only backed up and tried to sweep the mounds of shedding glitter off my shirt.
"Say hello!" Aurora shrieked.
"Have a heart, Phil!" cried James. "Play along with her!"
I sighed and looked both ways as if I were about to cross a busy intersection. "Hello."
Aurora narrowed her blue eyes. "Hello, who?"
I closed my eyes. "Hello, Princess Buttercup."
Aurora laughed and clapped. "Let's have a wedding! Princess Buttercup and Prince Phillip!"
I had it.
I raced out of the clearing, leaving that stupid horse and Aurora and James behind.
I ran out of the clearing for my life, trying to brush the glitter off.
Finally, I stopped, panting, and looked up. And there she was. I didn't say a word. I just stared at her. Her platinum eyes flickered, and she gave a small smile.
"Hello, Phillip. Nice to see you again."
Nela
He stared at me.
I stared at him.
He was a sight for sore eyes.
He was so beautiful—
And covered in glitter. There was a china man hanging out of his pocket, his shirt was untucked, and he was breathing heavily. He stuck out his hand.
I looked at his hand.
"What?"
He shook his arm a little. "Well." he said, when I didn't do anything.
I was confused.
"What is it?"
"It's my hand."
I surpressed a smile. "Why are you shaking it at me?"
He glared at me. "You know what? Forget it. Forget the world. Forget my life. Forget my wife. Forget my mother. Forget my horse."
I blinked.
"You're a bit strange, but I like you."
He sighed loudly. He stuck out his arm again. "You're supposed to shake it."
I slowly took his hand. It was warm and strong, just as I remembered it.
I wanted to keep this moment forever in my memory. Forever and ever and ever.
He watched me expectantly. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Shake it."
I gave a firm handshake.
"So." he said awkwardly.
"So."
"You're the one who— ahem, cursed, um….my wife." Phillip stuttered. I scratched the back of my neck. "Sorry."
He shook his head. "Oh, no! Don't be sorry. I mean, well, you should be sorry, but, well, you know…."
I laughed softly. "You're funny."
He grinned sheepishly. "Okay."
We stared at each other again.
I shouldn't be harboring these feelings for a boy so much younger than me. It wasn't right.
In fact, it was so very, very, wrong.
He cleared his throat.
"So, well, I gotta get back."
"Oh."
"I'm gonna leave."
"Oh."
"Sorry for the curse, Nela."
"Oh—"
I stopped. "Nela?"
It had been so long since I heard his voice say my name.
"Yeah…that was your name right?"
"…..Was….yes. Was my name."
I was in a dream.
"Bye."
"Goodbye, Phillip."
He gave a shy wave then gave an awkward jog back to where he ran from.
"Goodbye, Phillip," I whispered again. "Goodbye, my love."
Phillip
Whoa.
I never realized how pretty the witch was.
I must have temporarily smoked out my sanity, but I headed back to where James, Aurora and the weird unicorn were.
James looked up at me. "Phillip, where have you been?"
I sighed. "You wouldn't believe me, man."
James raised his eyebrows. "Try me."
I sighed again. "Fine. I talked to a beautiful witch, one who I'd seen before. We had an awkward conversation, and I think she liked me."
James stared for a few seconds, then he nodded. "Yeah, Phillip. I believe you. Go home, take some medicine, call me in the morning."
I gasped. "I'm not crazy!"
James smiled weakly. "You swallowed glitter, didn't you?"
I glared.
"Go home, Phil."
Ticked at everybody, I just turned around and went home. I hadn't swallowed glitter!
Well. Maybe I had, but—that wasn't any of his business.
Nela
I had been watching him go home.
My heart ached to speak to him again.
That little beast, Aurora, had been holding his hand the entire time.
I looked at my claw.
I had touched him for a mere three seconds.
I sighed.
I would never wash my hands again.
I was falling in love with a child.
I was falling in love.
My heart twisted in rage.
I was not in love. I couldn't feel, I couldn't love, I couldn't be happy.
I was a monster.
A tear slipped out.
"This is what I have become." I whispered.
"A monster."
Five: The Defenition of Romance
Phillip
Aurora was absolutely gorgeous.
She was fourteen, and she was looking mature and beautiful, like an older girl. Her hair was long and blonde and curly, and her eyes were crisp and blue. She was graceful and her voice could sing birds to her hands. My mother was absolutely in love with her, and totally complimented her any chance she got. Aurora was always sweet to her, and went around hugging and blowing kisses to everybody. She was easily the prettiest person I had ever seen.
Yet, she was a brainless fool—no matter how much smartness Naveena gave her.
I really felt no love connection to her at all. I just kept staring at her, but I had to pinch myself and remind my stupid frozen brain: I do not like Aurora. She's a pampered princess, nothing more than that. Come on, this is the same person who played with a unicorn when she was six and named her Princess Buttercup. And then made me marry her.
Well, not her. But still.
I just watched her swoosh in wearing a blue above-the-knee dress and smile. "Hello, Phillie!" she said sweetly.
"Hi."
"How goes your day?"
"Perfect."
"Anything on your mind?"
"Not you."
Aurora frowned for a second, then put her beautiful face back on. "Oh, Phillie," she continued. "You're twenty one. Can't you stop being immature for even a second?"
I sighed. "And you're fourteen. You're a little girl."
Aurora shrugged. "When it's true love, age is just a number."
I did all but throw up. I forced a smile. "Aurora?"
"Yes, Phillie?"
"Why are you in my room?"
Aurora blinked. "Oh didn't your mother tell you? We're having a date! They're sending us to Swiss Street Boulevard Theater today to watch Romeo and Juliet!"
I laughed. "You're funny."
Aurora laughed, too. "No, I think Romeo and Juliet is a romance, not a comedy."
I stopped laughing. "Get out of my room."
"But, honey pie—"
"Get out of my room."
I called my mother. "What the heck am I supposed to do with her?"
"Oh, Phillip, nothing yet. It's just a first date, honey!"
I tried to control my rage. "Oh, Mom, that's exactly what I meant. I mean, should I kill her or throw her into a pit of snakes?"
"Phillip!" my mom cried. "I thought I raised you better, honey!"
I was silent.
"Please, Phillip?" my mom asked. "Can you just go with her to the theater? You'll enjoy it, I promise. This is our dream, remember?"
I shook my head sadly. "No, Mom. This is your dream."
My mom just stared at me. "Phillie—"
"Oh, not you too!" I exclaimed. "Come on, Mom. I hate that nickname."
My mom shook her head. "I had no idea…."
I just pointed at the door. "Out."
"But the date?" My mom's eyes were so hopeful.
I closed my eyes. "One date, Mom. Just to keep you happy."
My mom's eyes lit up. "Yes, of course! Just one date!"
As she stepped out of my room to let me change, I heard her murmur: "But after just one date with Aurora, he won't be able to stay away."
Alright, Mom. We'll see about that.
Aurora
Phillip was a very quiet person.
I had to admit, he was quite handsome. But his face was as hard as a rock. All of a sudden, true love made no sense to me. What was the defenition of romance?
I smiled to myself. I realized what I had to do. I had to create the mood. I had to take matters into my own hands, make Phillip fall in love with me. After all, how could he resist? I was the most beautiful girl in the kingdom.
"Phillie, I'm hungry," I told him.
"Please don't call me that," he said through gritted teeth. "Please just call me Phillip."
I bit my lip. "Okay, Phillip, can you buy us something to eat?"
Phillip stepped into a coffee shop next to the street. No! Coffee shops are not romantic! Where was this guy raised, in a barn?
I spotted a French café a few feet away. I grabbed Phillip's arm. "Over there!" I insisted. "The food looks delicious—and gourmet."
"Yeah, well, the coffee shop is cheap," Phillip murmured.
"Cheap is cheap. Expensive is good," I told him my life philosophy, and dragged him to the French café.
Phillip
"Oh, Phillip," Aurora gushed. "This cream of potato soup is so good! And the greens! Have you even tried anything on the menu?"
I put my head in my hands. "I'm not hungry."
Aurora made a pouty face. "Come on, Phillip! They have roast chicken. Your favorite."
I sighed.
Aurora blinked, and tears settled on her eyelashes. "Can you please at least make an effort to try and enjoy our date?" she asked, her voice trembling.
How did she do that?
I smiled at her. "Okay. Fine. Bring the roast whatever. I'll try it."
Aurora smiled. "Wonderful! I'll go order it, Phillip! And it's low fat, too. It'll make you a lot lighter, if you know what I mean."
Lighter? I frowned as she got up and went to speak with the waiter. The only thing getting lighter was my wallet. I looked down at my stomach. Was I fat?
No, it can't be. Every morning I exercised for an hour at the crack of dawn. I had muscles and a six pack, and I could lift weights. I could even lift up my dad, who was heavier than a walrus! I was defenitely not fat. I was completely in shape!
Aurora danced back, and winked at the waiter. Well—hold on a minute.
Aurora had brought back a strawberry drink. "Sip?" Aurora asked me.
I shrugged. "Why not?"
She pulled out a straw and put it in. Then she put in another one.
"Two straws?" I asked uneasily. "Where's my drink."
Aurora batted her eyelashes sexily. "Right here."
I closed my eyes. "I'm not thirsty."
"It's delicious, Phillie."
"I'm allergic to delicious."
"Then you must be allergic to me." Aurora giggled falsely.
Oh heaven help me. I nodded. "I've been trying to make that clear for seven years."
"Seven years? I feel like I've known you forever."
"You have. Sadly."
"Sadly? Phillip, we're in love."
"Right."
Suddenly, the waiter rushed over. He whispered in Aurora's ear. She nodded.
I narrowed my eyes. "What're you doing?"
Aurora shrugged innocently. "What do you mean? Nothing! I'm just trying to get the waiter to bring your roast chicken."
I shook my head. "Did you poison it?"
Aurora giggled. "Oh, Phillip, you must be joking."
I shook my head slowly. "I'll pay, let's go back to the palace."
Aurora stuck out her lower lip. "Our date just started two hours ago."
I scowled. "I feel like its been forever."
Aurora sighed. "Don't you? Me, too. Forever is a long time. But I wouldn't mind spending it with you."
"Well, I would mind. A lot. Like every day would be a painful reminder of my mistake."
Suddenly, romantic music came on. The lights dimmed, and torches flickered on the walls. I stretched my arms.
"I'm leaving, princess." I said hurriedly.
Aurora grabbed my arm. "Let's dance."
"Let's not."
Aurora dragged me to center stage. "Slow dance!" she called.
I stepped on her foot.
"Ow," she whispered.
"Sorry," I said, not at all sorry.
"You're light on your feet, Prince Phillip," she commented.
"I don't dance."
"Did the fairies give you gracefulness?"
"The fairies gave me common sense—which is why I'm trying to leave."
Aurora clung to me. A waiter was walking by with a stack of desserts. Well, I swear at that moment a lightbulb came on in my head. I pretended to dip her, then grabbed a vanilla pie and smashed it into her face.
Aurora just sat on the ground, shocked.
I stared at her.
"See? This is when I leave. There's my cue! Adios, amigo." I rushed past the waiter, shoved the rest of the desserts on top of my fiancee, and ran out the door, panting for breath.
Then I let out a maniacal laugh.
I gave myself a high-five.
"Go Phillip, uh-huh," I did a victory dance.
I was walking through the streets, on cloud nine, trying to figure out a way to apologize to my mother. If Aurora didn't already kill me, my mother would, for dumping pie on her Majesty.
I kept walking along the streets, panicking in my head.
Finally, I decided to walk back to the palace slowly.
Mother, I am so sorry. I accidentally dropped a pie on Aurora. I didn't mean to, and I would really like to make it up to her.
No, no. Mother would never accept that.
Maybe I should go straight to Aurora.
Princess Aurora, my behavior today was immature, innappropriate, and unacceptable. I could see how I wronged and humiliated you, and I am dreadfully sorry. Will you please give me a chance to make myself up to you? I lo—I lov—I—
I started choking. I decided to let that last part go. Yes, I'd go straight to Aurora. She was probably less dangerous than Mom.
I walked into the garden, and heard sobbing.
I turned, and saw Aurora sitting on a bench, crying her eyes out. Her beautiful dress was covered with cream and flecks of pie crust. I felt horrible in that moment.
Even crying, with her mascara running, Aurora looked beautiful.
I walked up to her and cleared my throat. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes. I was mesmerized, couldn't say a word. I had totally forgotten my amazing speech.
I just stared at her and said the first word that came into my mind: "Sorry."
Aurora sniffled.
I shook my head. "I'm sorry. Forgive me, Princess Aurora."
She just stared. Then she wiped her eyes. "I should apologize," she said sweetly. "I was the one who wanted you to like me."
I sighed. "I do like you. But the thing is, I think of you more as a sister than a wife, do you know what I mean?"
Aurora looked up at me and gave me a tiny smile. "I think so. Is your heart elsewhere?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. But we are defenitely closer than friends. I'm like your brother, right?"
Aurora smiled. "I suppose that would be alright."
I nodded and helped her up. "Let's call off the arranged marriage, alright?"
Aurora laughed. "Of course, Phillie."
I smiled at her. "There are plenty of handsome gentlemen who would love to marry you. You're beautiful, smart, sweet, graceful, and you sing amazing. You're perfect, Aurora. But not for me. I'm not that guy."
Aurora nodded, staring at the ground. "I understand."
I took her hand. "Would you like to go back inside now?"
Aurora nodded. "I think I'd like that very much. And I'd be more than happy to explain my dress and all to your mother."
I let out a relieved breath. "Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver, Aurora."
I grinned. This date hadn't gone that bad after all.
Nela
I blinked.
They had called off the arranged marriage.
I raked my hands through my tangled hair.
But…..the child would die. The child would still die.
I screamed in anguish.
There was no way to bring off the curse. It would be on my head, and I would get nothing from it. I would never become a child again, and Aurora would die.
Why hadn't they fallen in love?
There was only one thing to do.
I needed to ask for help from the Seven.
I pulled on my cloak, grabbed my staff and looked in the general direction of where the Sevens' hideout was.
I stepped out the door and sucked in air. Black feathery wings sprouted out of my back and lifted me into the air, riding on the wind. I soared forward, heading for the hideout.
Just as I left my home, the clock struck midnight.
The witching hour had begun.
