Before we explore Mal's emotional state caused by the events of the previous chapter, it's time to turn the attention back to the villains of the story.
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I'd like to thank the following user who reviewed the previous chapter: DragonEmperor999, Bal-Breelice04081998, top story, Guest21
Harry, Gil, Ginny, and Zevon stood in the middle of the deck of The Lost Pearl, watching their captain pace back and forth with her arms crossed and an impatient look on her face. They have been waiting for an hour for Mad Maddy to return, obviously so CJ can yell at her for failing to steal Mal's spell book. CJ could see the spell book in Mal's hands before they had to retreat, meaning Maddy did not succeed in the task she was assigned to accomplish.
"Where is she?" CJ wondered.
"Probably enjoying herself," Gil guessed. "I'm sure she must love the feeling of flying."
"Or she's trying to stay away from CJ because she knows she's in big trouble," Ginny guessed.
"Let's think," said CJ. "Last we saw her, she was flying off with the spell book. She appeared to have flew directly over Dragon's Point, but since we were too busy fighting, none of us have any idea of what happened to her. One thing we know for sure, Mal retrieved her spell book."
"Only one way to find out," said Harry. "We go back. Those Bore-adonian goody-goodies have probably left by now."
"Good," said CJ. "Turn this ship around!"
"Aye, aye, cap'n!" Harry obeyed, running to the quarterdeck to steer the ship.
"Ginny, hoist the main sail!" CJ ordered.
"On it, captain," Ginny replied, doing as she is told.
"Gil, prepare the anchor!" CJ shouted.
"Anything for you, cutie," said Gil, wiggling his eyebrows at CJ.
CJ puts her hand on Gil's chest and puts on a fake smile, amusing him, before pushing him away and towards where the anchor is.
"Zevon, start examining the potions," CJ ordered.
"No problem," said Zevon, heading into the ship's dining room where the treasure chests are kept.
"No problem, captain," CJ corrected him. "Sheesh! I know this is no pirate crew, but would it kill him to show me the respect I deserve?"
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
CJ and her crew return to Dragon Point. They, minus Zevon who had to stay on the ship and check on the new potions, climb up the cliff and investigate. They were quick to notice the blood stains on the grass, as well as the burnt ones. CJ gets down and plucks one blade of grass, taking a closer look at the dried red liquid on it. Harry stands next to his sister to take a look as well.
"Someone's blood was spilled," said Harry, lightly poking the blade of grass with his hook.
"And since Malsy got her spell book back, it's safe to say it's Maddy's," CJ guessed.
"What about those?" Ginny pointed at the burnt grass. "My guess, Mal used fire magic to ground Maddy."
"Obviously, the blood and the burns aren't connected," said CJ, fiddling with the blade of grass she's holding. "Which means there's only one place Maddy could be."
CJ walks closer to the edge and looks down at the ocean. The rest can tell what she was thinking.
"You'd really think Mal would be angry enough to make her bleed and then drown her?" Ginny questioned.
"Doesn't Maddy have magic?" Gil asked. "Couldn't she just turn into a fish and swim?"
"Good thing I brought diving gear," said CJ.
"And by brought, you mean stole," Ginny guessed.
"I'm not wasting my treasure on diving masks," CJ said.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
CJ and Harry grab the oxygen tanks and diving masks from The Lost Pearl and dive into the ocean. They decided to dive from Dragon Point so if Maddy was, indeed, pushed off the cliff, they can narrow the search. They immediately see a trail of red liquid leading to the bottom. It was blood, that was sure. The two Hook siblings dive deeper. Since they were not too far from the shore, the bottom was too far deep.
What they found on the sandy bottom of the waters is Mad Maddy. She wasn't moving and the blood was leaking from a wound of hers.
Harry carries the body as he follows his sister back to the surface. They returned to the ship and Harry drops Maddy in the middle of the deck. The rest of the crew were a little uncomfortable to see her like this, especially the bleeding wound on her stomach. CJ draws her sword and holds the point close to the wound.
"Definitely a stab from a sword," said CJ.
"So, Mal stabbed Maddy and then pushed her off the cliff, leaving her to drown," said Harry.
"But what about the whole being-able-to-turn-into-a-fish thing?" Gil asked.
"Mal's smart. She wouldn't just let Maddy drown knowing she can use her magic to save herself," said CJ.
"She had her spell book. Must've taken away her magic or something," Zevon guessed.
"Wow, it seems you're more than just a bighead after all," Ginny replied, mocking Zevon again.
Zevon growled, but stopped when CJ raises her finger, forcing him to silence himself.
"Mal killed Maddy, that's pretty clear," said CJ.
"Now we've lost our only magical member of the crew," said Harry. "What now, captain?"
"We go back to the Isle and break the bad news to Madam Mim and her granddaughters," said CJ.
"And after that?" Ginny asked.
"We find out," CJ answered.
"Find out what?" Gil asked.
"If Mal killed Maddy in self-defense, or if she did because she wanted to," said CJ.
Using the remote that CJ stole from Ben's office, The Lost Pearl returns to the Isle of the Lost. The villain kid crew spread the news of Mad Maddy's death. The young witch's sisters were saddened by this news, while Madam Mim didn't seem shaken by the news. No one was surprised since the villains never really cared for their children.
CJ soon disappears so Harry went looking for her. He finds her at their father's inlet, having a drink. Harry orders a drink and sits next to his sister. She wasn't happy, that was clear.
"You a'right?" Harry asked.
"I'll answer that question once we find out what Mal really did to Maddy," said CJ.
"You really think we made her mad enough for her to take a life on purpose?" asked Harry.
"Mal carved her initial on poor little Carlos' shoulder just for messing up her graffiti," CJ reminded him. "If Mal did kill Maddy on purpose, it's gotta be because Maddy provoked her or something."
"You really know her well," said Harry.
"Everyone on this island know what Mal is like," said CJ.
"Yes, but this is different. It's like you two share a history," said Harry.
"Malsy and I like to keep our history a secret," said CJ.
"From what I've seen so far, it seems you two really hate each other," said Harry.
"I don't hate Mal, Harry. I've always respected her," said CJ. "It's just that we have a habit of getting in each other's way, that's all. It doesn't sit well for both of us."
"Guess we both have something in common," said Harry. "Mal."
"I'm kinda surprised you still check her out after all this time," said CJ. "I thought you were obsessed with Uma."
"Uma," Harry repeated, thinking about the daughter of Ursula.
"Even so much as saying her name triggers you," said CJ. "Don't worry, Harry. Knowing Uma, she's probably only helping Malsy because she found some kind of opportunity in it."
"I assume you would not want Uma to take over Auradon first, am I right?" Harry guessed.
"Honestly, Harry. I'm beginning to question your loyalty," said CJ. "Now that Uma is part of our little war, I'm concerned you'll come crawling back to her."
"My dedication to our cause has never been stronger," Harry promised.
CJ looks at Harry with a bleak expression on her face. "I'm gonna need more convincing that that, bro..."
The blonde pirate was interrupted by the sound of the wooden doors opening. Entering the inlet of Captain Hook is someone the two siblings didn't want to see. It was the eldest of Hook's children. Harriet Hook. Her shoulder-length brown hair styled to be as wavy as the ocean itself and the look on her face is nearly as intimidating as Mal's, scaring most of the youth on the Isle.
"Look who's back. My dear brother and sister," Harriet spoke.
"Not today, Harriet," said Harry.
"Why the attitude, Harry? Aren't you glad to see your own sister?" Harriet replied.
"I think our history answers that question," said Harry.
Harriet sits down next to her younger sister, CJ. CJ was just drinking her cider, avoiding eye contact with Harriet. Harriet puts her hand on the bottom of the mug and spills the cider all over CJ's face. Everyone gasped just as Harry held his hook under Harriet's chin.
"Getting defensive, aren't we?" Harriet reacted, surprised. "And I thought you only had a soft spot for Uma."
"If I were you, sis, I'd keep my mouth shut," said CJ.
"Harry, you wouldn't hurt your own sister, wouldn't you?" Harriet asked, pretending to sound like a sweet girl.
"Uh, he threatened to hook me for abandoning the Isle a few days ago," CJ said. "It's clear he's not above hooking his own sisters."
"We both know why you're in a bad mood, Harriet," said Harry. "You're upset that we didn't invite you to our crew."
"I expected you wouldn't, but that doesn't make it hurt any less," said Harriet. "We're family, yet you two left me behind. Is this about me being Daddy's favorite?"
"You always acted like the boss of us just because you're the eldest among us, and we're sick of it," said Harry, still keeping his hook close to Harriet's throat. "Dad was always proud of you. He always put you ahead of us. Always Harriet, that's how this family goes."
"Only because I've done more than you two combined," said Harriet. "I've beaten every one of dad's crew in sword-fighting. I've done my fair share of scares. I even assembled my own crew. And what have you two done? CJ's always off on adventures and comes home empty-handed. You, Harry, are too busy following Uma like a lost boy."
Provoked, Harry was about to make a move, until CJ grabbed his hook and pulled him away.
"She's not worth it, Harry," said CJ.
"So, what happens after you two take over Auradon? You're just gonna leave your own sister to rot here?" Harriet asked.
"We expect that the three of us will become a family. A real family, Harriet," said CJ. "Harry and I may not be close, but at least we value each other like a pirate's treasure, only we prefer to keep each other."
"That sounds almost like Auradonian talk, CJ," said Harriet. "Seems like waltzing around Heroes Kingdom has changed you."
CJ lets out a brief chuckle, one that unsettles even Harry a little bit.
"You won't be laughing once we raise the family flag on top of King Benny's castle," said CJ. "You'll see. We're just as fierce and dangerous as you, if not fiercer and more dangerous."
"We'll see," said Harriet.
"Don't you have a certain pompous wannabe prince you should be stalking right now?" Harry teased, aware of Harriet's attraction to a certain Anthony Tremaine.
Ignoring her brother, Harriet leaves the inlet, but not before stealing a mug of cider from a pirate, drinking half of it, and then dumping the rest on the pirate she stole the mug from.
"That was sweet of you, Harry," said CJ, almost sounding like she was mocking him. "Stepping in to protect me, very heroic of you."
"As much as I hate to admit it, it was the right thing to do," Harry said reluctantly. "No one threatens my baby sister, not even my big sister."
Harry playfully pokes CJ on the cheek with his hook.
"I guess I shouldn't doubt your loyalty," said CJ. "Yet."
I thought I'd give everyone an in-depth look on why Harry and CJ dislike their older sister, Harriet. I hope you like it. Even the villains of the story deserve the spotlight once in a while. Not all villains are meant to be hated. They deserve some attention.