"Listen up losers!" Mal shouted as she strutted into the room, Maya close behind her. "The new shipment of food is coming in one hour and if we want actual food then we need to get there before they hand out the portions."
Evie smiled largely and turned around from her vanity mirror, "It's coming in at the docks this time."
Jay crossed his arms and quirked an eyebrow, "And how do you know this Miss Vanity Mirror."
Evie stood up and narrowed her eyes challengingly, "because this vanity mirror has a magic mirror. And earlier it told me that if you didn't shut up, a knuckle would be connecting with your face."
Maya groaned loudly, "Guys come on! Shut up and listen."
Jay rolled his eyes, "Oh look at that… little Mal speaks up." Maya frowned slightly but it just turned to a smirk as Mal took a protective step in front of her.
"Hey!" She pointed a threatening finger before lowering it, "Do you want actual food or not?" Jay grumbled but just nodded and took a step back. "Okay good. Farkle you still got some smoke bombs?"
He produced a small bag of little purple marbles with a large grin on his face, "Yep. Should be about ten in here."
"Perfect. So you'll drop enough to cloud the area while Jay and Maya take out any of the guards aware with the plan and Carlos you'll—"
"Wait hold up." Farkle said, interrupting her. "These are just smoke bombs."
Mal frowned in confusion, "Then what are they?"
"Sleepy smokers." Mal just looked at him expectantly, "They knock out anyone exposed to them."
Carlos mouth fell open slightly, "When did you get those?"
"I stole a crate of smoke bombs from my dad's workshop and then took some sleeping potion and injected in them."
Evie smiled wickedly, "And we won't be harmed by them?"
"As long as we don't come in contact with them, then we'll be fine. Once the initial smoke settles the toxin isn't harmful anymore and it still leaves a covering for us." Farkle explained, adjusting the glasses on his face slightly
"That makes it significantly easier." Mal said with a slight flourish of her hand and a large smile. "So you and Carlos will drop them from above and Jay and Maya will take a few just in case some guards aren't knocked out. Evie, you and me will fill the tunnel and then we'll all take them back to the cave."
Evie laughed humorlessly and flipped her hair off of her shoulder, "oh I don't do lifting and carrying heavy things."
Mal just rolled her eyes but a small smile still adorned her face, "Okay then you'll drop the sleepy smokers while Carlos and me carry the haul."
"What about the pirates?" Carlos piped up.
Maya smirked slightly and rolled a strand of hair between her fingers, "I can take care of the pirates. One of them owes me a favor."
Evie cocked her head to the side and grinned deviously, "Oooh Maya. Care to share?"
"Sorry it's between me and the pirate. And being the pirates that they are… you might want to grab some extra bombs."
A loud horn suddenly filled the air and everyone rushed to the window to look towards the dock. Sure enough, a large freight boat with the Auradon emblem slowly made its way to the isle. Two police boats flocked its sides.
"We need to go. Farkle and Evie, take the roofs. Maya and Jay go through the back alleys. Carlos, you and me will stay in the buildings until they've secured the boats." Mal instructed. Farkle whistled slightly and tossed some bombs towards Maya who caught them easily and handed a few to Jay before shoving the rest in her pocket. They all dispersed making their way quickly towards the dock. Maya and Jay arrived first, the latter squatting behind some boxes while Maya did what she had to do. She stopped at the edge of the plank that connected the pirate ship to the dock. Maya brought two fingers to her lips and whistled loudly causing the men to stop and stare.
"You get lost little lady?" An old greasy man with a large gut sneered at her. Some chuckles followed but Maya just looked at her nails as if she was bored.
"I need your captain." She called
Another crewmate stepped forward, this one a tad bit younger but still just as disgusting to look at. "And what's it to you?"
"Boys, boys, boys!" A deep voice called at. The corner of Maya's lip tugged up the slightest bit at the sound. "This is a young lady, treat her with respect." There was a beat of silence before they all burst out laughing. The captain stepped out in front of his crew, exposing his rugged face to Maya.
"Harlow." Maya greeted curtly
"Maya, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I need to cash in that favor." Maya demanded.
Harlow looked around slightly before he shrugged, "Why not? A pirate's word is as valuable as his name."
Maya's eyes narrowed, "Leave the dock. Sail around the isle for a little bit."
Harlow chuckled, "Aww but you forgot one tiny detail." He looked deep into her eyes, "I don't value my name. Now get off my dock or else I'll have your head." Maya noticed the men's grip tighten around the hilt of their swords.
"Okay, okay. I'm leaving." Maya left with her hands in the air until she came to a barrel with wooden staffs. Suddenly she grabbed two and charged back at Harlow. The two instantly broke out into a fight: swords vs staff. Jay came flying in a moment later, instantly knocking two men into the water.
Maya ducked as Harlow's sword swung where her head would be and slid to the right when he tried to stab her in the stomach. She quickly batted his sword out of his hand, and watched him as he watched it fall to the water. Harlow didn't seem that fazed as he took a step closer, the two now breathing the same air. "Maya."
"Harlow." She met his gaze, "I suggest you get out of my face."
"Or?" Maya didn't respond to him but instead drove a foot against his kneecap. He cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Maya raised a hand in the air.
"You're captain is down so leave the ship before we have to break any more skulls." The crewmen shared a glance before scurrying down the boardwalk, picking up their beaten captain along the way. Maya walked up to join Jay on the deck.
He laughed slightly, "Very dramatic. Props. Why did we need this pirate ship anyways? The freight comes in at the next dock over." He pointed to a second dock ten yards away.
Maya shrugged, "its fun to be dramatic. Besides now we don't have to deal with the pirates stealing our loot and we can easily get from here to there quickly. Plus, we aren't in danger when they drop the smoke bombs."
Jay just nodded, leaning against the railing as he watched the large freight ship dock. Instantly a herd of guards flooded it. Jay sighed, "What do you think it's like to have that much stuff?"
Maya's gaze softened, "Hey. None of that right now. We have a job to do." She nudged him and together they watched Farkle and Evie throw down the small pellets. Instantly clouds of purpled smoke erupted in the air and the guards started dropping like flies. The smoke still stood, leaving a purple fog around the boat… a perfect shield.
"It's safe!" They heard Farkle's yell carry to them. They exited the boat and sprinted down the small street to the loading dock. The others were already there.
"The fog isn't harmful anymore but there might still be guards inside the ship." Farkle warned them as he fished out some more bombs.
"Alright let's go. Farkle and Evie go to the tunnel, we'll meet you there." Mal instructed as the rest of them took off towards the boat. Jay peered inside the ship before nodding. They all filed in, keeping their backs against the wall.
"If there's anyone out of sight, make them leave without a fight." Mal whispered as she waved her finger in the air. A second later, a guard walked out of the cabin and left the ship.
"That was easy." Carlos said with a small shrug. They paused for a moment longer to see if any others followed but none did. They each went down a narrow hallway checking all the stock rooms. Different rooms were filled with different foods. Maya had all the grains. She quickly shouldered two potato sacks of grains and walked back to the dock, filling the wheelbarrow they brought down earlier. Jay came out next with a crate full of fruit. Maya smiled and licked her lips at the succulent sight.
Jay say it and smiled, "There's way more where that came from." Maya bounced happily and they went back into the ship. They passed Mal and Carlos who carried bags of cans. It took 4 different trips through the freight ship to gather all the food.
"Why don't me and Carlos take the stuff to the tunnel while you two do another sweep through?" Jay suggested. Mal nodded before turning back towards the boat. Maya followed her suit and the two sisters made their way through the corridors.
"Hey come look over here." Maya shouted as she poked her head into a large room. Mal suddenly emerged behind her and her eyes went wide.
"Wow. They've never brought these over before." Inside the room were bins and bins of clothes and shoes for both men and women.
"Why would they send clothes?" Maya questioned
"I don't know but we should grab it. Evie would be so happy." The two nodded and quickly carried out the bins to the docks. As Maya went back inside to grab the last box she found Mal standing in the doorway to the control room staring at a portrait of the royal family. In the back stood King Adam adorned in a sharp blue blazer with gold seams and a gold pocket square. A shimmering crown sat atop of his head. Next to him stood his wife, Queen Belle. She had on a gorgeous yellow dress with a gold tiara keeping her hair out of her place. But the person that really had Mal's attention was their son in front of them, Prince Ben. He had shaggy brown hair that fell just above his green eyes. He too wore a blue blazer but it was much less decorated and there was wearing no crown.
Maya's eyes glanced to her sister who still stood staring at the portrait. "Mal." She suddenly said, breaking her concentration. Mal shook her head slightly and met her sister's gaze, "Let's go."
Mal stole one more glance at the portrait before following her sister, "Yeah ok let's go." They left the ship to see Carlos and Jay moving the boxes. "We found these also but that's it."
Farkle ran up to them out of breath, "We need to hurry up because the sleeping potion is going to wear off soon." The gang nodded and ran to the tunnel where all of their supplies were stacked up. They all filed into the large abandoned sewage pipe and Evie pulled down the tin door, locking it at the bottom. Jay flipped the lanterns on and they all sat down.
"Okay we need to take inventory and then we can split it up evenly." Farkle said pulling a notebook from his back pocket and slipping the pencil from behind his ear.
Mal stood up and looked around, "Okay there are 5 sacks of grains, 3 crates of fruits, 4 of vegetables, 7 packs of meat, and about 20 boxes of pasta."
Evie scoffed, "Wow… they didn't spare any expenses feeding the villains." Sarcasm dripped from her lips making her tone harsh.
"But this time there were bins of clothes and shoes, that's new."
"Wait, what?!" Evie screamed quickly standing up and rummaging through the bins, "Oh my god." She held up rolls of fabric all in different shades of blue and gold, "This is amazing."
"That's disgusting." Mal bit back, "what even are those colors."
Maya leaned forward to look in the bins, "At least there are some dark blues." Evie squealed and clapped happily.
"Why do these containers have our names on them?" Carlos asked as he stared at the lid of a bin. The rest of the group gathered around him and noticed that each container had one of their names on it.
"There's a note in Mal's." Jay noted as he opened it. He picked up the basket and squinted at the fancy cursive.
Maya groaned and took the note, "It says: Congratulations! The six of children of Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella DeVil, and Facilier—"
"It's Dr. Facilier." Farkle muttered. Maya rolled her eyes and continued.
"Have been selected to attend Auradon Preparatory School this upcoming school year. Prince Benjamin of Auradon has granted them the chance to prove they are innocent. Royal guards will arrive at The Isle of the Lost tomorrow evening at three o'clock to escort the children to Auradon. They are allowed two suitcases and a backpack each, and are subjected to inspection upon arrival."
Everyone was silent until Carlos swallowed loudly, "We're going to Auradon?"
Mal let out a humorless laugh, "No. It's probably just a joke." She fiddled with her clothing nervously, "Let's just take our haul back to our houses and we'll talk to our parents."
"Did it say anything about the bins?" Farkle asked suddenly, "This doesn't seem to explain why our names or on the bins."
Maya flipped the paper over and nodded, "Yeah it says that the bins contain our Auradon Prep uniform for Mondays and our transcript to the school."
"We have to wear uniforms?" Jay asked in absolute disgust.
"It says only on Mondays. Oh wait… These bins are also to be used to transport any personal belongings beside clothes which will be held by your suitcases."
Mal bit her lip nervously, "We need to take these to our parents immediately."
"What about the food."
"If we're leaving in a day then we don't need it. Just grab enough for tonight and tomorrow and then we'll leave the rest outside." Mal instructed, slowly gaining back her composure.
"We aren't going to take it to mom?" Maya asked Mal quietly.
Mal turned to her, "She wouldn't do it for us. It's the evil thing to do… so let's do it." Maya nodded along and quickly got to work of separating their desired food and stacking all of the bins in the wheelbarrows. Farkle and Carlos placed the rest of the food outside of the tunnel and whistled a few times before closing the door and helping the gang move the food down the tunnel to their houses. Jay and Carlos pushed the wheelbarrows in complete silence until they came to the opening which spilled into the basement of Mal and Maya's apartment.
"You think our parents are up there too?" Evie asked, the nervousness clear.
"No doubt." Mal responded quickly, "Let's take these to the lift." They moved all of their new belongings onto a wooden platform suspended by thick cords and quickly pressed a button on the wall. The machine came to life with a low hum and soon the platform was ascending into the sky. They watched it for a moment before climbing the set of rickety rotten stairs to meet the lift at the top. Jafar stepped out a moment later startling the group of teenagers.
"There you rats are! What'd you get this time?" He eagerly looked through the pile and backed up with a frown, "This is barely anything."
"Jafar!" A shrill voice from inside yelled, "Is that them?!"
Jafar groaned and looked to the still silent kids, "Maleficent would like to speak to you." The kids shared worried glances before shuffling into the den. Maleficent sat on a large chair at the front of the room, the other parents spread out on the other couches in front of her.
"Oh there are my little darlings." She rushed to Mal and Maya and quickly grabbed their hands, tugging them forward. "We have exciting news!" The other children filed in and found spots near their parents. "You six have been selected to attend Auradon Prep this year. A telegram came this morning!"
Evie frowned, "So we actually are going to Auradon Prep?"
"You don't seem surprised my little evil bean." The evil queen said to Evie in a disgustingly sweet voice while pinching her cheeks.
"We found some bins with our names on them and a note that said we were chosen to go to Auradon." Maya quickly explained.
Maleficent growled slightly, "And where are these bins?" Jay hesitantly motioned to the basement door, "Then get them!" Maleficent's harsh bark sent all the kids rushing back to the basement door and quickly grabbing their assigned bins. They all shuffled back into the room and dropped their belongings in front of Maleficent. She eyed the containers. "What's in them?"
"A uniform." Maya answered
"And some extra clothing of their colors. I guess they want us looking like them." Evie added.
Maleficent nodded, "Well what are you doing here? Go! Pack! You leave tomorrow!"
All of the kids shared confused glances, "We're actually going?"
"Of course you're going!" She danced around the room happily, "This is our chance to infiltrate Auradon! You kids go and find fairy godmother's wand and then let down the shield. We'll come across and take over!" She clapped her hands and squealed evilly.
"You want us to steal the magic wand?" Mal asked in disbelief. Her mother was standing in front of her at once, her eyes a glowing green.
"You will do what I say and you will steal the wand." Maya watched the ground as Mal's eyes widened slightly. She struggled against the dark magic of her mother but only for a minute before her body gave in. She let out a huff and curt acceptance nod.
"Yeah fine okay whatever." Mal responded trying to act as nonchalant as possible. But as Maya looked up and briefly met her eyes they shared a small look of sadness, they'd forever be under the control of their mother.
"Okay it's settled then! Go pack and we'll come back here tonight to make the official plans!" Everyone nodded and slowly dispersed. Evie and the Evil Queen went through the rusty old front door and strutted down the gross street to their rickety mansion they claimed. Jay and Jafar went down the basement steps and turned the corner, heading to the even worse part of the Isle. Dr. Facilier and Farkle weren't far behind but quickly made a left and ducked into Dr. Facilier's voodoo shop. Carlos and Cruella were the last to leave and walked just across the street to their apartment.
Mal and Maya turned to leave but Maya felt her mother's cold grasp on her arm. Mal looked at her worriedly but eventually left as the silent reassurance of Maya. Maya turned to her mother, "Yes mother?"
"You're sister is weak." She said quickly and evenly.
Maya frowned, "She's not weak mother. In fact she's-" She couldn't get the rest of her sentence out before a sharp slap ran across her face sending her to the floor. Her skin stung and Maya could already feel the bruise forming around her eye. Her tongue quickly darted over her lips and she tasted blood on her upper lip. As she moved to stand up Maleficent grabbed her ponytail and pulled her to her knees. Maleficent bent down to be at eye level and spit as she talked.
"You do not talk back to me. Understand?" All she could manage was a small nod. Her mother straightened up slightly before jamming a knee into Maya's stomach. She groaned and clutched her stomach, keeling over. Maleficent smiled wickedly and stood up, proudly walking around her daughter as she sat helpless on the floor. "Now back to what I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Your sister is weak and the minute she gets a chance to disobey me, she will. I need you to be ready to finish this mission if your sister chickens out." She pinched Maya's chin and lifted her face. "This is your chance to be more than Mal's sister? Can I trust you?"
The words rang in Maya's ears and bounced around in her head. She loved her sister, she truly did but she really did want to make her mother proud. She didn't open her mouth, she just nodded her head. Maleficent roughly let go of her face.
"Go clean up and pack, you look awful." Maleficent didn't even look at her daughter as she strutted out of the door and down the hallway to her room. Maya just groaned as she stood and quickly climbed the steep wooden steps to her and Mal's shared bedroom in the attic. She saw Mal sitting on the floor silently packing her things.
Mal let out a small laugh, "I don't think they realize we don't own more than a bag of things." Maya chuckled at the small joke.
"At least it'll make packing easier and quicker." Maya added before pulling out a small duffle from under her bed. She walked over to the wooden dresser and yanked one of the drawers. It creaked slightly and cracked open. Maya groaned and tried again but nothing changed. Mal glanced over and waved her finger slightly while mumbling and the drawer slid out with ease. "Thanks."
Mal just nodded and turned back to folding a ripped shirt. Maya started shoving all of her clothes into the duffel, noticing the small glances Mal kept stealing. "I'm sorry."
Mal's voice was quiet but Maya heard it, "For what?"
"It's hard not to hear the yelling. I know you tried to defend me." Mal frowned and just shoved the shirt into her bag, not bothering about making it neat.
"Of course I did. I may be evil but you are still my sister. We're gonna get through this together."
"Together." Mal repeated with a smile
"Mal!" Maleficent's shrill voice rang through the house.
Mal groaned and pushed herself off the floor, "Guess it's my turn. Don't wait up." Maya nodded and continued packing her bag. She ended up fitting her entire wardrobe, not that it was that big, into the duffel. She zipped it up and threw it to the side before sliding her assigned bin towards her. She popped off the top and pulled out the uniform, examining it. The blouse was baby blue with a white collar and puffy sleeves. It was paired along with a yellow pencil skirt and she was instructed to wear white flats with it. Maya wanted to barf just looking at it. Maya looked around her small room, not noticing anything worthwhile to take with her.
She winced when she heard the screams from downstairs and the loud thud. Trying to put the thought out of her mind, she continued to pack the box. She threw in some books of hers along with a few sketchbooks. She opened a small drawer and gasped lightly. Inside the drawer sat a small cloth doll made out of scrap pieces of fabrics. Evie made it for her when they were only young kids, she's treasured it ever since. She smiled at the little doll and gently placed it in the plastic bin. She looked down at her sad pathetic plastic bin. Six books, sketchbooks, and a ratty doll… that's all she had to her name. The door slowly opened and Maya looked towards it, Mal quickly ducked into the room and rushed back to her bag, keeping her face down. Maya knew what that meant.
"Rough night?" Maya asked lightly
"Yeah." They left it at that. Maya did get a quick glimpse when Mal washed her face. There was a long cut across the top of her forehead that moved down to her temple.
"At least put something on it." Maya suggested as they got ready for bed.
"Like what?" Mal asked, "It's not like we have band aids."
"Since when have we needed band aids?" Maya looked around her dusty floor and grabbed a nearby rag, "just put some water on this. So that way you don't have blood dripping down your head. I know we're gonna scare the kids there but might as well do it in a more clever way." Mal smiled slightly and turned to her sister. She grabbed the rag and quickly ran it under the sink before dabbing it over her cut. She came back a minute later, the long cut now very visible.
"Do you think it's happening to the others?" Mal asked in an uncharacteristically quiet voice. It kind of scared Maya to hear her sister like that.
Maya nodded slightly, "Probably. But probably in a less visible way, they love making mom look like the worst parent."
"Evie is probably being slapped in the face." Mal interjected.
"Farkle is probably being forced fed poison." Maya added.
"Carlos is probably being kicked in the gut." Mal shuddered.
"And Jay…" Maya whispered, "I don't want to think about Jay."
Mal shook her head in sadness, "He's probably being whipped this moment."
"Let's just go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow." Maya said quickly hoping to change the subject. She crawled onto the ratty mattress on the floor and watched as Mal pulled herself into her hammock that was above Maya. She would end up on the mattress eventually, she always did. Her butt was falling through the hole right now and soon her legs would follow. Maya doesn't know why she didn't just start on the mattress, it was big enough for the both of them.
Because it's not big enough for the both of us… and it's yours. Mal thought as she fell asleep.