I own nothing.

Inspired by LadyArtemis13's AO3 series Hayden, Son of Hades.

Chapter 1 – Prince of the Underworld

Despite being a kid like all the others on the Island of the Lost, all the other kids run away in fear from Hayden and are even jealous of how close he is to his dad. Being the son of Hades, many would laugh if being told Hades actually cares about someone other than himself but it's just the opposite with Hayden, a sixteen-year-old with a dark sense of humour and is very much a mini-Hades who roams around the island, sneaking out of the shadows so silently it's as if the ground itself is too afraid to make a sound. The few who are brave enough to approach him consists of a small group who he joined with at a young age, especially with Mal, daughter of Maleficent. The two are so close that they're practically brother and sister, seemingly knowing what the other is thinking and feeling despite not being raised together. However, if they would understand why if they knew the reality, that they really are brother and sister who were separated when their parents divorced and found each other later despite being raised apart, Hayden by Hades and Mal by Maleficent. Their parents know they hang out every day with each other, of course, but don't bring it up so long as they never have to see each other or take responsibility of the child they never raised. Only one other person on the isle knows the truth. Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen who is good friends with them both. She often scolds Hayden on his dark, and leather fashion choices despite giving up on trying to design him some more 'attractive' clothing years ago after getting turned down too many times. The only change he's made is by adding blood red at times and sometimes saying it's from his victims much to people's horror and Hades' amusement.

The rest of the isle suspect nothing and even believe that Hayden's mother is Persephone, Hades' wife from the Greek stories. He never denied this as no one outright asked him about it, too nervous to try. Hayden, as it happens, has a natural gift of making people uncomfortable with a single stare. He can't help it and has wished he could once in a while as it does get pretty lonely in the caves where he and his dad live. Sure, they're a like in many ways but different in so many more. Hayden loves art just like his dad and can be seen as rather dark. Despite this and being the son of two very powerful and dark villains, one who literally steals souls for fun and the other who cursed a baby to an eternal sleep, Hayden is rather kind and gentle once someone gets past the rough exterior he uses as a shield, knowing that weakness is something he cannot afford to reveal in this world as others would instantly take advantage of it. He rarely trusts people so easily, as if believing the world is out to get him. The only ones he'd make an exception for this is his father and his sister Mal. If anyone dared whisper about how close he seems to Mal though, he'd jokingly call her his 'minion' (in training). In return, she'd point out she's nobody's minion and could whoop his butt easily if he wants to prove it. They laugh it off when their backs are turned and rarely argue for real, their connection too strong to allow it.

Hayden looks just like his father, right down to his rugged good looks and his hair despite being only half-Hades. It's up in a mohawk and carries a dark blue mixed with strands of black. His eyes are bright blue, almost hypnotic and, before their friendship became too strong and platonic, Evie found herself almost falling for him from a single stare. It helped that he's Prince of the Underworld, but her mother seemed less than pleased from who his father is (mostly because she wanted Lord and King Hades for herself for some time). She approved more once Evie became more of a (second) sister to him but was frustrated when Hades once again ignored her attempts at attracting him, something which Hayden teased him about for some time after.

Today though, Hayden can almost sense something different lingering in the air like a thick, unescapable fog but can't place it and doesn't take long to realise why when he's woken by his father tipping the sofa he's sleeping on just enough to make him tumble to the floor. "Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty, time to go. You, that is, not me. I'm staying put in this cave like some common mortal even though I AM A GOD!" He yells the last bit with anger and Hayden raises an eyebrow at him as he gets up off the floor, now fully awake by his actions.

"And where am I going that I would have been against so much that you waited until now to tell me, on the day I'm supposed to be leaving?" Hayden asks, arms crossed over his chest.

"Auradon, you know, place with all the goody-goods doing their goodness and good deeds." Hades claims, smiling at the boy, knowing what his reaction would be.

"No." Hayden denies.

"Yes." Hades insists.

"Not happening. I'd rather sell you my soul than go to the land of pink and…" Hayden shivers. "Sunlight."

Hades pretends to think this over. "Nah, pass. You're going and you know why?"

Hayden sighs, not speaking for a minute until he realises dad is actually waiting for him to ask, "Why?"

"Because I'm a God, your father, and I said so, that's why." Hades smirks.

"Right." Hayden raises an eyebrow. "And how long until my kidnappers come to steal me away from my home?" He realises something and dread fills him as his eyes widen. "Wait, Herc-u-fleas isn't going to be there, is he? If so, I will set him on fire during my protest and…"

"No, he's not there." Hades smirks at his son's name for Hercules, Zeus' son who he cannot stand after hearing how kind but stupid he is. Stupid and powerful is a mix Hayden would wish to avoid at all costs. Being stupid is bad enough as it is. Finding the right minion is even more difficult that way. Pairing it with that…Hayden shivers at the thought. "I wrote to the fairy that runs the school to make sure. She confirmed that Hercules was not a student and is not a current visitor to the school." He then smirks darkly. "She also asked that I not write to her with blood stains on the paper in future. I never corrected her that it's actually ketchup." Hayden laughs at this. "But, either way, you will be in Auradon in about thirty minutes or so when they pick you up."

"Great. I'll need an hour." Hayden declares, giving up on fighting this as he moves away to get packed and Hades lets his smirk fall with a frown. Despite teasing the boy, he only woke him last minute so he wouldn't spend so long waiting to say goodbye. He really will miss the boy, though he won't show it. Instead, he slumps down on the sofa as he waits for his son to be ready. Despite his claims, it isn't long until his son returns and Hades smirks at what he's wearing, a top he had made specially on his sixteenth birthday not too long ago. It's just a black top under an open leather jacket but the words printed on it in dripping, blood red letters are what amuses him the most.

I'M THE SON OF HADES

I DO WHAT I WANT

"Like it?" Hayden asks, keeping the jacket open to clearly remind everyone he'll see on Auradon who he's the son off in case they dare doubt it for a second. If that's not clear enough, on the back of his black leather jacket is the image of a red skull with the words 'SOUL STEALER' at the top and 'IN TRAINING' just below the skull. Hades had gotten it for him also on his sixteenth, Hayden loving it and wearing it most of the time now.

"Perfect." Hades approves with his smile not fading and he then hands Hayden a large, black drawstring bag, the boy accepting them without asking. "It's for when you get to your new room, not to hide bodies in." He smirks then becomes serious. "That'd be too obvious if it was."

"Of course." Hayden agrees, smirking at his father's wicked sense of humour. He follows the man, carrying his own bag, a backpack on his back and the drawstring bag as his dad carries another for him. It'd be too much for the boy to carry by himself and he slings it over his shoulder as they leave the caves to meet up with the other four kids heading to Auradon just as the limo pulls up. The driver hesitates in fear when seeing Hades, everyone giving a wide amount of space to the devil and his spawn. Hades wordlessly chucks the bag at the driver who stumbles back but doesn't fall (pity). Hayden just places the bags at the driver's feet with a smile which mirror's his father's own. The driver just shakes it off and puts Hayden's bags in the boot (or trunk for all the American readers out there). Hades puts a hand on Hayden's shoulder and looks him in the eyes, silently saying goodbye. He then does something which shocks Hayden. He gives him the ember. His ember. The one which holds his power. "Dad." He gasps softly, not letting anyone hear the sentiment behind it.

"Thank me by getting me off this dump son. I know you can do it. You're the Prince of the Underworld. When I'm free of this place then we can rule the underworld together." Hades requests, completely honest with him. His son is still a God and deserves better than being trapped on this place for all his life. He would have gained his own immortality and powers if not for the barrier. His, unlike Hades' wouldn't have been locked in the ember when being imprisoned here by Zeus and the other Gods.

"I'll do my best, dad." Hayden vows.

"No, son," Hades smirks darkly at him. "Do your worst." He winks and Hayden smirks back at him. He gets in the limo and doesn't look back. Hades doesn't stick around, heading straight back for his caves as people jump out his way. No one messes with Hades, no one gets in his way. The same applies to his son. Everyone learned that on the isle through the fear Hades put in them. If only the people, certain people, of Auradon knew this then life there might have been more peaceful. Then again, where's the fun in that?