Chapter 2: It's Happening
"Then what do you need from me?" A sly grin slowly made its way across Tara's face and her eyes had a mischievous twinkle.
"I don't need you." She slowly turned to look at Evie. "I need her."
"Me?" Evie asked, confused on how she could stop a potential war.
"Yes you," Tara answered, amused by the younger girl's confusion. "I need you..."
"Evie," Angel interjected.
"Evie, to help me get back what's rightfully mine."
"Is there no other way?" Ben asked. "I'd prefer not to involve my friends in a potential international incident."
"No, you simply rather take them from their home land, strip them of their culture, and try to make them like everyone else."
"That's not true!" Ben yelled as he pounded his fist on the table. Tara sat back in her chair and clasped her hands together in her lap, all the while looking more amused by the king's outburst. "I gave them a second chance, which they had every right to! They made the choice to come here and choose good! I never-"
"Where's Mal's spell book?" Ben's mouth closed as he stared at her. "Right. Because it's easy not to choose god or give up a family heirloom when you look at her with those big ole' puppy eyes." Ben looked away, his eyes full of guilt as the weight of Tara's words weighed down on him.
"That's not true!" Evie snapped, having heard enough. The girl's sudden outburst back took Tara by surprise, something few could do. "Ben brought us here to do for us what no one else ever had: give us a chance to make our own choices. Our parents made every decision for us and tried to shape us into less important versions of themselves. Ben, as well as the rest of the Auradon, have showed us that we can do whatever we want. He also never pressured me into giving up my mirror. I did that on my own."
"Right," Tara said as she sat back up in her seat. "Yes, the witch gave up her mirror because she was already the 'fairest of them all.' She felt so fair, that she decided she would make everyone else look as beautiful as herself. Designing them clothes to make them feel as special as her."
"That's not true!"
"Sweetheart, you're a designer just like me. You may not come out and say it, but we both know everything you do is for yourself. You like designing clothes and making everyone look the way that you want them to. Your eye for fashion is the most powerful form of magic you possess. And let's face it, you'd never give it up." Evie stared at her, resisting the urge to listen and believe her lies.
"That's enough!" Ben shouted. He promised to defend Evie and was failing. He needed to end this conversation now. "What is it that you need Evie for?"
"Angel," Tara started, never breaking eye contact with Evie, who was struggling to hold the older woman's gaze. "Will you escort Benny Boy to bed?" Angel nodded as she stood.
"Absolutely not! I'm not leaving Ev-" Tara simply waved her hand and Ben shot out of his seat, following Angel out the door. Evie watched in shock as the two left and the door closed behind them.
"Now," Tara started, causing Evie to turn back and look at her cautiously. "As I was saying, I need you. I need you to convince Benny Boy to bring Harry over from the Isle and give him the same opportunity that he gave you."
"Why?" Evie asked, resisting the urge to shrink back in her seat as a sly grin worked its way upon Tara's face.
"Because I want you to… befriend him. Get him ready for the school year and make him feel comfortable. And eventually, have everyone believe that the two of you could potentially rekindle an old romance." Evie's eyes widened in shock before her expression turned to one of defensive anger. She opened her mouth to protest, but Tara cut her off. "I know you're with the dwarf's son, Dylan-"
"Doug." Tara simply waved off Evie's glare.
"Yes, Doug. Anyways, I need you to rekindle a fake romance and get him to trust you. Distract him with you love and affection, and before you know it, you'll know all his secrets. Including where my lost artifact is."
"And why would I help you."
"Because my Dear Evelyn, you're a hero. And that's what heroes do."
Mal was pacing in her room. Jay and Carlos had wanted to stay with her, but one glowing glare from her had the two all but running back to their room. It was a little after 11:00 and Mal's anger and worry grew with each passing minute. She shouldn't have left Evie alone with that…woman. She trusted Ben to take care of her, but Tara didn't seem like the kind of person to let even the king stand in her way.
"That's it," Mal said to herself as she headed towards the door. She threw the door open but stopped, seeing a started Evie, who's hand was outstretched as if she was about to grab the door handle. "Evie!" Mal quickly grabbed Evie's hand and pulled inside the room, closing and locking the door behind her. "What happened? What'd she want with you?" Evie sat on her bed and took a deep breath before meeting her friend's gaze.
"She just wanted my opinion on the next set of kids from the Isle," Evie finally replied. Mal eyed the other girl, clearly not believing a word. Evie looked as if she was fighting to hold Mal's gaze and she kept fidgeting with her dress.
"That's all?" Mal asked as she crossed her arms. Evie nodded, adding a fake smile.
"Mal, I promise nothing bad happened? She even suggested some villains who might have kids that were eligible. Although, it was mostly to see if they lived up to their parents, but it was still helpful. She even convinced Ben and I to add one more to our list." Mal's eyebrow's shot up as her eyes widened in shock.
"What?" Evie nodded nervously, her eyes moving to stare at the wall as she thought it over.
"Yeah. It's going to be a little difficult figuring out their schedule last minute, but I know we can get it done. And it'll be good to give Harry a sec-"
"Harry?" Mal's face went from confused and to angry as Evie's face fell and her eyes snapped to look at Mal, realizing what she had just said. "As in Harry Hook? As in one of the people responsible for kidnapping Ben?" Evie flinched as Mal's voice rose with each word.
"Mal-"
"No! He can't come here! He'll only cause problems and-!"
"And that didn't stop you from offering Uma a second chance at the cotillion!" Evie yelled back as she stood and glared at Mal, who was taken back at Evie defensiveness. "Ben offered you a second chance with Fairy Godmother's wand in your hand! You pointed it at him and he still had faith in you!" Evie closed her eyed and took a deep breath to calm herself. When she reopened them, she was met by Mal's glare. Mal knew she was right, but that didn't mean she liked it. "Mal, it's time we offer others the same chance we were given." With that, Evie went over to her dresser, grabbed her stuff for the bathroom, and left.
Harry whistled as he polished his hook. He had spent the whole day handling business on the Lost Revenge, and now it was time for him to relax. He missed Uma, seeing as she was one of his best friends, but he couldn't deny that it felt good to finally be captain of his own ship. He was taking another step towards being like his father, who was pleased that his son was finally no longer a first mate. Harry, who was one of the most loyal people on the entire Isle, would step down and resume his former role if Uma were ever to return. Until then, he was going to enjoy his little power trip.
"Must your room always be a mess?" a voice suddenly asked. irritation dripping from each word. Harry stopped whistling and a smile slowly spread across his face as he set down his hook and rag.
"If ye don't like it," Harry started as he slowly turned towards the intruder, "you are free to leave. Or better yet, ye could not intrude in the captain's quarters."
"Then I'd never get anything done. Not with your irritating crew member lollygagging about.
"I'm surprised you even now what that word means." A near growl came from intruder, as they glared at Harry, who's smirk grew.
"I'd watch myself if I were you, pirate. Unless you'd like to find yourself in Davy Jones' locker." Harry held up his hands in mock surrender.
"I meant no harm. I'm just surprised, that's all." He brought his hands down and leaned back against the wall. "Now, what can I do for you, Your Highness?" Tara rolled her eyes in annoyance as she sat on a stool across the room from Harry. She still was wearing her clothes from dinner with the addition of a black cloak.
"It's happening. You're going to get an invitation from the king to go to Auradon." Harry scowled as he crossed his arms in frustration.
"Why do I have to go to that prissy school with all those-?"
"Because I told you to!" Harry glared, but nodded. "Good. From there, you can we can enact the next part of the plan."
"What exactly is the point of this?" Tara smirked and her eyes seemed to glow.
"You'll see, but until then you'll behave, and do as I tell you too. Or else you'll never get off this island." Harry nodded and Tara stood. "Don't look so sour. Soon you'll be out of here and in a land where you can get whatever you want."
"As long as I play nice." Tara chuckled.
"Oh Dear Harry, have you ever heard of faking it till you make it. Yes you play nice and wrap them around your finger, before using that hook of yours to reel them in. Instill the right amount of fear, and even King Benny Boo will do whatever you say." A mischievous glint twinkled in Harry's eyes as his smirk slowly grew into place.
"I must say," he said as he stood. "I like the way you think. Especially when it's been a while since I've really hooked somebody."
"Good boy. I'll see you soon." With a snap of her fingers, Tara disappeared just as quickly as she had entered. Harry sat back down, picking up his hook and twirling it around.
"Looks like I've got myself a princess to catch."
A/N: Sorry I've left you hanging and that this chapter is a little shorter. I've been busy and when I could write, I've had writers block. But here it is! What do you all think of Tara so far? What's she up to? How's she able to get on the Isle and still use her magic? I also want to here who you think she's related too. Anyways, please R&R.