A/N: Another song by yours truly. The last one was called "Countdown". This one is "Wicked Fairy Tale" :)
"Tell me..."
Morgana's voice was colder than death itself. Queenie shuddered as she pulled her cloak tighter around her body, feeling the chilling draft entering the room behind her. And it wasn't from the temperature either.
"How they managed to escape." The sorceress ran a hand across a row of dusty, untouched books, daintily plucking one from the shelves and flipping through its contents. Queenie found this particularly aggravating. The VKs and their king got away! This is no time to be...reading! Still, she cringed as Morgana turned her petrifying glare upon her. "How did they break my spell? And that girl...you killed her! But yet, she survived!"
"It wasn't my fault," Queenie protested as the woman glided to the window and gazed out at the darkened city, a fiery vengeance in her eyes. "It was that boy! The dwarf! He undid your spell and saved Evie. He's more powerful than we could ever have imagined!"
"The NeoMerlin," Morgana hissed, not looking up from the book. "And, tell me, what is the delay in finding him and his pathetic friends?"
"Evil Queen is out with my army searching for them as we speak," Queenie answered coldly as she took a seat on the King's throne and struck a thoughtful pose. "You seem focused on finding this boy. Why? He's barely an adult, surely he can't be that much of a threat to you." She noticed a flicker of something...else...in Morgana's eyes. Pain...hatred...despair? What was she thinking? What did she know about the dwarf that no one else did? Queenie was beyond curious now.
"That...boy..." Morgana hissed. "Is the most powerful human being to ever walk the face of this planet! And, if he learns of his true power, he could destroy us all." She closed the book with a snap and, with a wave of her hand, it vanished into thin air. "So, until he's found, none of our plans are safe and we are at risk. The threat is inevitable. He must be eliminated, or Auradon will survive even a full-scale attack."
"So how do you plan to find him?" Queenie questioned, fiddling with something or another in her pocket. "He's got Maleficent's daughter and Evil Queen's daughter there with him. They're powerful as well. If we want the NeoMerlin, we're going to have to get through them first. And, I'll tell you, I know Evie and Mal, they won't give him up without a fight."
Morgana growled. "The fools think they have a chance now that he's with them. But I still hold all the cards in this war." She conjured up a cloud of smoke, sparking with electricity, and showed it to Queenie. It acted like a crystal ball, honing in on a large mansion deep within the forest just outside the city. And there, Queenie could clearly see the dwarf standing with Mal near a lake, talking. And the glowing ring of fire...The Merlin Circle. Mal's already begun to train him. She certainly doesn't waste any time.
"So what's your plan?" the Princess of Hearts questioned.
Morgana scoffed. "There's only one way to defeat an enemy more powerful than yourself. And that is to strike them where it hurts the most. Their heart. The dwarf thinks he knows everything, does he? Well," she chuckled. "I think it's time they got a taste of reality. he thinks he has a perfect little life? Ha! Well, what happens when I take away the one thing keeping him from going over the deep end? What if I turn his group, his protection, against each other? Who will he trust then? No one. And then, he'll come to me and this war will be over before it even begins."
"You talk like you know him personally," Queenie pointed out. "Like you've met before all of this."
"I have felt the presence of the NeoMerlin for many years now," Morgana answered. "For nine years, I have lived on the run from Beast and his decree for all villains to be captured on that dreaded Isle. For nine years, I have searched for the chosen one that I might kill him before he could ever grow strong enough to defeat me. And he was right under my nose this entire time..." The last part was said in a whisper. Morgana's gaze drifted for a moment before she seemed to realize that she'd quit speaking. "But, no matter, he's still a pathetic weakling. Not at all like Merlin. Disposing of him should be light work. And then our plan can commence. In fact, everything is going right to plan. He is right where we want him. My spy will take care of the rest. A traitor within their group. She will bring the boy to me. And then I will finish him myself and right a wrong from long ago. And then, there will be no one left to stop us and villains will once again rule Auradon." With that, she turned away and dissolved into a cloud of black smoke, exiting out the open window with an atrocious cackle.
Okay...that's just...creepy...Queenie sighed and turned to leave the room. A traitor in their midst? How ironic, she thought. For, what you don't realize yet, Morgana, is that there's a traitor in your midst. And that traitor is about to cash in her chips.
After assisting in clean-up throughout the kitchen, Evie decided to wander out to the back lawn and watch Doug train with Mal. She settled in the shadow of the house, leaned against the cold bricks, and exhaled deeply, noticing Ben as the king made his way back inside. She noticed the worry etched on his face. She wondered what was concerning him. I'll ask later. Her eyes reverted to the training session as Mal summoned up the ring of fire and showed Doug where to stand. The circle was something far from ordinary. Instead of normal red and orange flames, these flames were emerald green, a bit like Maleficent's. Evie guessed this was either due to something about Mal's magic or the type of spell she'd cast. She scooted forward to listen in.
"The first thing a sorcerer learns is how to move things with his mind," Mal was saying.
"Telekinesis?" Doug questioned, looking a bit confused.
"For a lack of a better term," Mal said. "Yes. But, since this is an unusual situation, and Morgana has already proved herself able of killing without remorse, I think it'd be beneficial to start with a shield spell."
"A...shield spell?"
"Exactly what it sounds like," Mal answered. Then, she looked up, spotted the bluenette sitting on the hill, and grinned, getting an idea. A truly wicked one, if Evie knew her. "E!" she called, waving her down. "Come over here for a minute!"
Evie obeyed, not having the slightest idea what her friend was thinking. She hurried down to join them, and, as she stepped lightly over the retreating flames, a glittering silver sword appeared in her hand. She paused, startled by this. She turned, realizing that Mal had summoned one as well. Evie suddenly had a pretty fair idea about what they were about to do.
"The quickest way for anyone to learn something is in the midst of battle," Mal explained. " So, simple enough. We're going to try and hit you with these swords. Your job is to not get hit." She noticed the look Evie was giving her. "And, just because we need you in one piece, I've put a spell around these swords. If they hit you, you'll only feel a small zap. All right?"
Doug nodded, fixing his eyes on Evie who gripped her sword tightly with both hands.
"In that case," Mal's eyes flashed. " Begin!"
Evie:
First thing's first, you gotta learn to take a beat.
Evie took his hands and gently placed them in the correct locations on the sword. Doug, in turn, looked confused and a bit dazed. Evie then backs off with a small smile, twirling her own blade with skill and precision.
Take a breath, ready yourself, plant your feet.
Without warning, Mal lunged for him once more. Doug clumsily brought his blade up to match hers, but she swooped and dipped, dislodging his weapon from his grip and knocking it clean away. Evie directed his attention away from Mal and back to her as she took Mal's sword. She gave a small sigh, realizing she was going to have to demonstrate.
You gotta keep your ey-eyes on me.
Watch now, I'll show you ho-ow,
Oh, ho-ow to turn up, up the heat...
As she sang, the swords reappeared in their hands and the girls began to move into a strategic pattern around Doug who braced himself warily.
Mal and Evie:
You gotta...lean back, stand tall,
Yeah, you gotta give it your all.
'Cause if you don't well,
Well, then you're gonna fall!
Evie suddenly lashed out, shoving him back hard. He stumbled and fell onto his back. He stared up at her, wide-eyed. She held out her hand. He took it and she yanked him back to his feet before spinning away as she and Mal began to tighten the circle.
Evie:
So raise your sword, raise it high,
Raise it, up toward the sky!
'Cause this isn't a picnic, it's a fight!
And there's no stopping to tell wrong from right!
She jabbed her blade at him. He blocked it and managed to force her backward. She smiled sweetly and he beamed, blushing slightly. However, he didn't see Mal behind him and she took him down with a strong kick to the back. Doug coughed out dirt, twisting around to stare at the purplette questioningly. Mal shrugged.
Mal:
You gotta be ready for everything, tonight...
Mal and Evie:
'Cause this ain't no, no fairy tale,
Over wrong, must right prevail.
So, get ready, brace, prepare,
And don't you dare be scared!
Evie took Doug's arm as he staggered back up and spun him to face her.
Evie:
Listen now, while I show you how.
She struck out again. He instantly reacted, meeting her blow, simultaneously watching Mal who was sizing him up for another attack. But he seemed just as surprised as the girls.
Doug:
I wanna help, I want to learn, somehow...
I wanna be enough...but I don't know how.
Mal rounds on him and points her sword at his chest.
Mal:
Power, skill, magic are within,
A secret to dwell when the line's goin' thin.
And when the time's run out...
Only one can win.
Evie rolled her eyes, giving Mal the look of 'You're not helping!'. Mal shrugged in reply.
Mal and Evie:
It's a secret to a hidden art,
A defense against a wicked heart.
Everyone's gotta play their part.
Against a broken, shattered heart.
Evie:
'Cause this ain't no, no fairy tale.
Over wrong, must right prevail.
So, get ready, brace, prepare,
And don't you dare be scared!
She spun around gracefully and caught the edge of his shoulder with her blade, sending a small spark of electricity coursing through his body. He staggered slightly and raised an arm to defend himself. A flicker of green light appeared around his arm before fading back to nothingness. But Evie and Mal had seen it. They shared a look of surprise.
Mal:
The power is there, inside of you.
But your heart must be sure and true.
She gestured for him to attack her. He threw his body into the jab. Mal darted to the side. Doug staggered, and, as he tried to recover, Evie caught him from behind, gifting him with another shock. The weird green light crackled around him again for a split second and then faded.
All the magic is there, it's just waiting for you.
Evie:
It's a secret to a hidden art,
And you've only reached the start.
Show the world what's in your heart.
And all wicked plans must apart.
Mal and Evie:
'Cause this ain't no, no fairy tale,
Over wrong, right must prevail.
Both brought their swords swinging down on him at once. He blocked them both and threw them back. He was panting, exhausted, but the glow began to linger now.
That's it, ready, brace, and prepare,
Now, don't you dare be scared!
Evie:
This ain't no, no fairy tale.
Over wrong, we will prevail.
Ready, brace now, and prepare.
Now, move fast, don't be scared.
Oh, oh, oh...
'Cause this is our fairy tale.
And this time, we will not fail.
Evie twirled around and attacked from the front. Doug ducked and lashed out with his blade. Evie ducked, but not before a slice of her thick hair was cut away. Evie reacted instantly, raising her sword to his throat. In a flash, he'd done the same. Both froze, gazing into one another's eyes, neither moving a muscle.
Evie and Doug:
'Cause this is our fairy tale.
They continued to stare, both breathing heavily. Sweet poured down Doug's face and Evie was sure she didn't look much better. Her eyes drifted to the faint trace of magic encompassing him. "Is that...is that it?"
"That's it," Mal confirmed. "A shield spell. At least, the beginnings of one. Here. Let me demonstrate." She twirled her sword around, gesturing for Evie to step back. " Doug, don't move." He stared at her, a bit nervous, as she lifted the sword into the air and prepared to hit him with it.
"MAL!"
A scream interrupted her. Everyone turned, shocked to find Carlos and Jay hurrying toward them, dragging a third, limp figure between them. Evie gasped and her hands shot over her mouth and she felt Doug tense beside her. For, even through her battered and bruised form, there was no mistaking the curly-haired red-head standing weakly before them, head lowered in submission, ready to accept her fate.
It was Queenie.