Persephone Kore von Gikkengen, otherwise known as Kore to her friends, was livid. She was beyond angry. And that was saying something being the cousin of one Maleficent who she formally called Bella. Baddie of the Isle of the Lost. Evil Fairy.
Grand party crasher. You know the story.
What wasn't part of the whole "everyone got sent to the Isle" gist was the fact that not all of them did. Kore should know. She was one of the many that didn't make it over. See King Adam and Queen Belle wanted to send every villain over. But not all of their families were able to do so due to health reasons. So due to that, some people got exempt in a sense; the official story was they all were there. Or so they thought. Even Fairy Godmother aka Bree was told so, not being there during the last half of the "send-over" as she was called to kingdom duties.
Kore just happened to be in her latest job as a janitor for the Archives, though she was more qualified for head librarian (she helped out the students whenever she worked but was complete rubbish with names) when she stumbled on this paper as she was cleaning and was bothered by a pesky will-of-the wisp on her way off-duty and discovered it: a full document found in the recesses of the Auradon archives saying otherwise as she left work for the night.
See, she never agreed when her and the other families that weren't sent over kept getting crap jobs that certain individuals told her that was right for them *cough* Cogsworth's nephew Tsuge. Nor did it seem fair it that those that did have houses and titles got their wealth snatched from under them supposedly for legitimate reasons. Kore learned that the hard way when her mother's castle got sold off 'cause of what she thought was her mother's health issues with the RA or rheumatoid arthritis and you guessed it got turned into Auradon Prep.
Kore had always wondered. Now she knew why. It seems that Fop Tsuge, Hiromi's boyfriend (who incidentally was rumored to be going to propose), was screwing over said group of forced lower class. Forcing them to take low class jobs, inflating pay to line their pockets and kick people out of their homes if they couldn't pay, couldn't find work, or had to retire due to health or whatever, and for what. Because, though they said otherwise, they loathed anyone that in any remote way was related to anyone on the Isle.
And it seemed as if they were still doing it and according to this document which looked like someone tried to burn it away they were fixing to lay off again. More people. To the forefront was her it looked like but the list also was including her friends Hiromi and Haru and their families.
Good thing she had shrunk it so she could do some repairs easier with it being fairy sized. She had just finished them them and was gonna unshrink it. It was just paid off and it was fine if they'd try to screw her they could keep their stupid land. At least she could move her house elsewhere.
"I can't just stand by. Not again, not after what happened with Bella and that guy she went on that date drunk with… Rumple wouldn't have died without a fight. I don't mind finding some other job; this isn't what I want to do forever, but by the Styx will I let innocent people get trampled by this."
Kore felt the invitation, the one she almost forgot to the engagement dinner of King Ben tonight in her backpack.
Maybe just maybe I can do something good. Without my cousin's reputation getting in the way. Especially with the dinner being a masked ball. She thought.
She grabbed a spare mask Haru had given her and recited a spell as she put it on remembering the old magic borrowing spell that Bree had cast.
"Bibbity-bobbity-boo."
Her work uniform transformed into a lovely fairy outfit with the backpack with all her worldly possessions disguised as a small belt-pouch. She summoned her wings to give it a grander effect.
She hoped she wouldn't be too late. Like Bree, Fairy Godmother the spell she used would only last until midnight and she didn't have long now. She may have maybe half an hour, she thought, but dag-blam-it she was going to use them. She hoped they'd be running the party late or something.
Luckily she knew exactly where the party was going to be in the gardens and she wasn't far away that a quick sprint wouldn't
get her there with said papers in hand.
Unfortunate for her, as her luck was, she was never one for singing and per Bree's party, they always ended with the usual surprise duets. And she entered the side of the party as the party was winding down and one of the helpers passed her a mike.
Great she muttered as they motioned for her to put it on as she got pushed towards the stage.
"And last but not least, the final song of the night goes to the future queens father and the late arrival. Now give it on up to, err, what's your name?" said some bubbly girl who reminded her of fairy godmother. If she remembered, her name was Jane and she went to school there. Nice kid. Reminded her of someone.
"The Marquise de Carabas." If she was going to get fired anyways she was doing it in style.
"The Marquise de Carabas and Hades, god of the underworld everyone."
To be fair, she had never met the god of the underworld, mask or no mask. Everyone was masked at this party so all she could tell he looked like was that he had blue eyes and possibly blue hair. As she was prodded on stage with said God who clearly didn't want to sing said duet and remarked so, she got to thinking. Why doesn't he want to sing?
And then she realized what day it was. The first day of autumn. The only day that the poor god had to try and find his bride as the story was told. And according to his mutterings, he had one song this year and it wasn't his heart-song.
Poor man, she thought. How cruel can someone be?
But as she recognized the start of the tune that so embodied what she was feeling at the moment, she couldn't help but start the duet, much to the surprise of the audience.
Here comes a wave meant to wash me away
A tide that is taking me under
Swallowing sand, left with nothing to say My voice drowned out in the thunder.
But I won't cry
And I won't start to crumble
Whenever they try
To shut me or cut me down
I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know if I won't go speechless
'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
Written in stone
Every rule, every word
Centuries old and unbending
"Stay in your place"
"Better seen and not heard"
But now that story's ending
'Cause I
I cannot start to crumble
So come on and try
Try to shut me and cut me down
I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know if I won't go speechless, speechless
Let the storm in
I cannot be broken
No I won't live unspoken
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
Try to lock me in this cage
I won't just lay me down and die
I will take these broken wings
And watch me burn across the sky
Hear the echo saying: I
Won't be silenced
Though you want to see me tremble when you try it
'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
All I know if I won't go speechless,
speechless!
Well bollocks, Kore thought, as she magically sent the paper to the one that reminded so much of her sister before the curse. Some preppy princess with blondish hair with pink and blue tint. She was seated not far from the current King's fiancee, someone who looked strikingly familiar. Almost remind her of…
That was impossible,right? But she didn't read nor watch the news so who knew. She could be looking at a cousin maybe...
As the crowd stood up in a thundering applause, one voice gave her pause.
"Well, well, well… If it isn't my soon to be ex and my cousin the flea-bitten street rat Persephone. How charming. Thought I'd deliver the divorce papers in person. Seems like I wasn't invited to the party... Again." said Maleficent as she stepped from the shadows. "And my darling Mal, soon to be queen, fiancee to that, ugh, Prince or should I say King Ben, so ingenious darling.
That's one way to take over Auradon. Now out of my way everyone, time for us to finish what we started."
"That's not what I'm doing Mom. I love Ben." said the girl with purple hair as part of Rose's heart shattered. "And I'm not just going to stand by while you take over the kingdom mother! Ben, me and the council are doing just fine."
"And you and what army is going to stop me? Huh!" Bella sneered and cackled angrily brandishing her scepter. "My ex and you may have half a shot, but with this baby you guys are toast."
"I'm not a street rat and I don't have fleas, Bella."
Kore was sick and tired of Bella trying to ruin everything. And why? She knew why. Bella was still heartbroken after what happened with Rumple, her brother Humbert, Bella's sister Rose, and their friends had disappeared (so she went and got bad upset after listening to their evil fairy godmother Mags who they dubbed Mama and not getting invite to Aurora's christening after Father died).
As she barely heard Bella's whine about her name, Persephone's heart cracked. All she ever wanted to do was meet the supposed God of the underworld after hearing about his story. Nothing major, just wanted to say hi; she was curious if she might have been his Persephone. Like always, Bella never gave her the chance. She took him away and even had a kid with him.
Even when had stuck by her even through everything, Not anymore. Her last fuck for Maleficent had flown.
"And just whose gonna stop me? You dear cousin?" taunted Bella as Persephone made her way off the stage. She almost turned to leave but her will-of-the-wisp friend motioned for her to help. Whatever. Last time she ever did something nice for Auradon. Guess the saying was true that nice people finish last.
Riff-raff, street rat. I don't, buy that. If you just look closer. Kore sung as she made her way towards Bella much to everyone's
surprise. Would you see a poor girl, no siree.
She latched onto the scepter, digging deep into the powers she denied for so long as she noticed something in the scepter. Of course whatever it was probably what was influencing her once dear cousin.
The backlash from the scepter blew Maleficent in the air a few feet away. Persephone held the scepter as it tried to do like it had done to people in the past.
Not now, not ever, Kore thought as she broke the scepter in half. She chucked it at her once confidant and step-cousin. She'd acknowledge her mother, her missing brother (she still had faith he wasn't dead), and this new cousin, but not Bella, not after this.
They'd find out… There's so much more… To Me….
She didn't stay to see the reactions though there wasn't a dry eye in the place if she had bothered to look back.
She barely could recall what she said but she was livid so it wasn't pretty.
She could hear people running after her but she wasn't going to stay here with all these preppy people and pretty princesses. Persephone ran off as made her way into the garden, tossing the mask in a nearby trashcan as she went. She smiled briefly as the stray she-goose that seemed to have adopted her since Humbert's disappearance followed close behind after she finally slowed down.
This time, she was carrying the strangest hitchhiker. And a real odd one at that. One crazy looking cricket with, a top hat, suit and everything, toting an umbrella.
"One day Goose, things are gonna change. We'll have our happy ever afters, be wanted, and never have any problems at all." She honked, almost like she was asking her where she was going.
"Well, Goose. I don't know. I know sure as anything I'm not staying in Auradon. Maybe I could find a portal to the cat kingdom or something. Feel free to bring your new friend though; the more the merrier I say."
Goose honked in an affronted manner as Kore shot a quick text to her mother apprising her of the situation and that she was laying low for everyone's sake cause of Bella's temper and to warn everyone. She noted in her phone to find a part time gig to just pay necessities. "You're right; they'd probably cook you for dinner. But where else can a person with little money and homeless go..."
Just then she notice her friends Hitomi and Haru run up.
"Kore, what the eff?" said Hitomi as she rushed up and punched her in the arm. Haru just stood rolling her eyes. "There you go!
Flying off the handle."
"I had reasons."
"Yea, like what…." said Hitomi.
"Ask you rat bastard of a fiancee."
"What are you talking about Persephone?" questioned Haru.
"We've all been lied to ever since the Send-over. Those… job opportunities were nothing but ways to make sure we got the short end of the stick and not enough for anything of importance. He's planning on evicting all of us and our kin by dawn those that still have any debts, feeding us to the wolves as it were, and why, because they think that people that didn't make it on the isle didn't deserve anything better..."
"That's not true. It can't be… Not my Tsuge..." Hitomi shook her head in distress. Haru sighed as if the news didn't fully surprise her as she hugged her distraught friend. Kore just stood standoffish awkwardly like normal; since her brother disappeared she didn't feel like a hugger.
"So what are we going to do?"
"I've done what I can. I've texted mother and gave the proof to somebody I hope will help."
Haru nodded, knowing the militarist attitude of Kore's mother, the Baroness Mary von Gikkengen formerly known as Mary Poppins when she set her mind to it. She already got involved when her dad went missing then some of her friends and son as well. Knowing her mom, not only would the news get out before the solicitors come but people would have time to prepare. Most likely there'd be a protest at least... And that pink haired girl looked important maybe she'd help. But that was wishful thinking.
"But what about us?" said Hitomi.
"Go to your turrets you're renting, use those bags I got you last Christmas and load up what you've outright paid for in them and I guess meet with mom and the others… I guess I'm off to seek my fortune..."
"Where are you planning to seek employment? The Isle of the Lost?" Haru joked.
"Actually," Kore smiled as she glanced ahead as she spotted it in the far distance. "Doesn't seem like a bad idea. Tried everywhere else in Auradon. Time to broaden my horizons..."
"That's crazy!" Hitomi yelped. "You could be fed to the crocs."
"Welp, don't have much else to lose so yea, wish me luck."
"Break a leg." Haru replied. "And if this goes like I think it's going to go down, some of us may be joining you. I'm gonna talk with some old friends to see how we can help once we talk with your mom..."
"I'll look forward to seeing you guys soon. Take care." Kore stated as she quickly waved at her friends and set on her way… "And don't jinx me. It's miles before my destination."
"You too, stay safe." They both replied. Goose nipped at her heel as if to say they needed to get going.
"Alright Goose I'm going." she chuckled. She glanced as her friends set off for home and started to make her way towards the Isle of the Lost.
She glanced, noticed her goose friend still sticking with her short of breath; man this walk was a pain. How far away was it... Kore was used to walking some distance but not the whole blasted kingdom! She could already feel herself getting winded. She wasn't no spring chicken, if she had to compare herself to a fowl she was an ugly plump duck.
"Hey Goose. What say a shortcut then? Changed my mind. Don't think I'll make it there before my legs give out..."
Goose honked and jumped into her arms. Using her powers, one minute they was miles from the bridge. The next her and Goose and company was at the entrance of the Isle on the edge of the bridge as the clocks struck midnight her outfit fizzing out to her normal uniformed attire into her worn out uniform. She made her wings disappear; may draw more attention then she needed at the moment. Rather be safe than sorry.
"Goose, I don't think we're in Auradon anymore." Kore whispered as she noticed the dilapidated conditions. "How can they live like this? Well at least I can use my magic to help."
"Beware, foreswear, give the Isle my sort of flair." she stated as she used a beautification spell to fix up what she could, stomping the ground. Goose honked in panic as she stumbled faintly.
She couldn't see much in the dark of night but she thought it looked better. Like normal, she might have overdid it a little. Goose honked in a panic.
"Sorry Goose; didn't mean to make you fret. Just used a lot more magic than I normally use is all. A little sleep will set me right as rain in the morning. Now where to go though..."
Just then she noticed the will-of-the-wisp being a nuisance to poor Goose. Goose, she wasn't having it though. She sped off in hot pursuit.
"Goose, wait up." Kore yelped in pursuit of her animal friend as she rushed though the streets, weaving through the alleyways, and almost falling before a strange blonde kid in pirate garb caught her before she quickly apologized and kept on going.
Goose finally stopped at the most awesome gate she had ever seen, the wisp vanishing elsewhere.
"Get out... Looks both creepy and cool. Whoever did this level of work has to be the best welder I ever hope to meet." she whistled before startling as Goose picked the lock again. She never figured out how Goose learned that talent over the many years she knew her. "Goose, shame on you. Someone might live here."
Goose just waddled on in; she could hear the cricket... muttering? Kore followed them closely behind, closing the gate. She kept following them through the surprisingly lit tunnel until they came across some lair…
"Yea, Goose. It's official. You are such a bad influence on me." She took a look around "But you have good taste. Like the do it yourself look of the digs though it needs a woman's touch; and that swivel chair, poor thing needs an upgrade..."
And if she didn't know better Goose looked like she smiled. And those eyes on her and the cricket looked way too human. Funny she hadn't noticed that on Goose before. Goose waddled up to a pillow by said chair, yawned, and promptly fell asleep.
Kore rolled her eyes, fixed some food for whoever lived here (she didn't want to be rude after all), cleaned up a little (with the cricket's help surprisingly) and sat in the chair.
"Don't get too comfortable, Goose. Mr Cricket. I'm just resting my eyes for a few minutes and then we're out of here… Who knows who lives here. Could be the boogeyman..." she said, resting her head on the furry blanket over one of the arms of the chair as she fell asleep. She could have swore the cricket mutter his name but she was so tired she didn't catch it.
Kore must have slept longer than she thought for one minute she was asleep, the next there was a growling cranky voice waking her up from her slumber.
"Lady you better give me one hell of a good reason why you're chillaxing in MY chair OR ELSE." said a voice as she awoke to find one, pardon her language, hell of a guy with a blue mohawk and what resembled a rocker outfit with flames blazing from his hair and hands in anger. If the situation wasn't so dire, she would have called him the most handsome man she had ever met.
/End Chapter/
(Note: For any one that is wondering which duet inspired by, go to Youtube martins cover)