Chapter 40
Diego De Vil was walking through the corridors of Dragon Hall, the school on his side of the Isle, running intentionally late for class – as every great villain did. His own reputation had been both helped and hindered by his cousin's recent change of lifestyles. There were those who mocked him about his cousin Carlos who now lived in the pristine land of Auradon though Diego couldn't fault him for that. Given the cruelty and abuse he'd suffered at the hands of his own mother, being subjected to act more as her servant than her son Diego could clearly see why he'd jump at the chance to stay in Auradon. He'd also seen his cousin on the few working televisions on the Isle competing in something called Tourney, and he'd been doing very well at it.
His cousin Camilla however had gone a completely different route, having turned her back on goodness in front of the world at the televised coronation, she'd returned to the Isle and become the unlikely dark hero to many of its inhabitants. Villains appreciated loyalty, especially when someone could have betrayed them for something better, so Camilla became somewhat of a celebrity, also helping Diego's reputation, if he ever did get caught in a bit of trouble all he had to do was remind those around him of his relation to Camilla and they'd let him slide. He'd heard of his cousin's new alliance with Uma and her pirate crew and he'd even heard a few whispered rumors of her new relationship with the pirate prince himself Harry Hook. Word of the brawl that ensued between Uma and Mal had spread across this desolate rock like wildfire and when he'd seen Camilla strutting around the following week he was happy to say that she looked unscathed.
He was broken out of his daydreaming when he noticed Jace and Harold by the lockers whispering urgently and casting worried looks over their shoulders at him. True he might not be the most frightening villain on the Isle, which is what made their behavior seem so odd since he and his aunt's minions always had gotten along pretty well. He continued past them and on his way, once he was out of their sight he quickly ducked around the next three halls circling back around and keeping himself hidden behind the corner closest to the lockers where Jace and Harold were.
"Diego won't hurt you Jace, he's a troublemaker but it's not like he's as wicked as Mal." Harold was saying.
"But we've never seen Diego when he's truly pissed off. And how do you think he'll react when he finds out about his cousin? Or when he finds out about the role I played in it! What happened to Camilla –"
"Shhh, keep your voice down! And come on Jace, you had no choice! The De Vil woman would have snapped your neck herself if she found out you'd hidden information from her. Who's really worse to deal with? Cruella or Diego?"
Jace shuddered, "I don't like being on the wrong side of any of the De Vil's. Carlos was the only nice one and he left for Auradon. He won't help me either."
"Or maybe Diego will help you if you just tell him the damn truth." He said turning the corner and leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He'd heard plenty and if something had happened to Camilla he wouldn't stop until he'd tracked down the villain responsible, however judging by their conversation it seemed Camilla's problems might be coming from her own mother. Wouldn't the Isle just eat up that gossip? It might even make its way all the way to Auradon.
Both Jace and Harold jumped back when he revealed himself and they each began to stutter and stammer their way through possible excuses and explanations.
"Save it." Diego spat and like good henchmen they did as they were told. Then he walked over to Jace and grabbed him by his jacket and slammed him against the lockers. "What happened to Camilla?"
Jace was white as a sheet as he quickly explained everything he'd seen, everything he'd told Diego's Aunt Cruella and everything that had happened afterward. Diego's eyes grew wider and wider as the boy went on but before Diego could throw a punch to Jace's jaw like he really wanted to he heard laughter coming from behind him.
"Trouble with the De Vil hierarchy?" came a mocking laugh and he looked over his shoulder just in time to see Harriet Hook strut by. She went on her way until he called after her still not releasing Jace who looked even more worried if that was possible.
"Harriet!" she paused and turned not afraid of the De Vil in the slightest and figuring they could at least have a war of words before she went to class. Diego let Jace fall to the ground as he and Harold scurried off as he walked toward the pirate princess with her hand on her hip ready to draw her sword through she didn't look worried at all.
"I've just heard some information I know you'll be interested in." Diego said as she raised an eyebrow in question.
- -ROTTEN TO THE CORE - -
"Leave it to Harry to fall for the only girl who could get him into this kind of trouble." Harriet said fixing her red jacket as she and Diego entered Ursula's chip shop. The coat had been a gift from her father just like Harry's had been. Captain Hook gave them to his children to show his pride, though like every other villain he never actually said the words. CJ was the only one of his children who didn't have one, their father had died before CJ had a chance to prove her worth which had led to her trying to pull one over on Diego's aunt which kick-started this whole chain of events.The De Vil boy looked worried ever since they'd crossed into pirate territory but did his best to hide it. Camilla had been accepted on this part of the Isle, he told himself, so he would be too . . .he hoped. But that didn't change the fact that the place was still new to him and he hated new, unfamiliar things.
"Oh don't tell me another Hook and De Vil love story just walked through my front door." Uma's voice carried from where she stood by the kitchen window as she saw the pair enter. She looked different from the last time Harriet had seen her, she ditched her old tattered jacket and shredded skirt for a lighter teal dress covered in netting. She'd kept her boots and hat and her hair was the same but Harriet – though she'd never say it out loud – thought the little sea urchin looked good.
"Speaking of my family I doubt you've seen my brother recently?" Harriet asked ignoring the question and looking for confirmation that Diego hadn't lied to her.
"Harry comes and he goes." Uma said leaning forward on the counter and giving a casual wave of her hand but they could both see a flash of worry enter her eyes for just a moment. "Why? Did you catch him on your side of the Isle?"
"No but someone else might have." Diego said and Uma looked up at him now taking them more seriously then she had a moment ago.
"Who?" she asked the wheels in her head already spinning planning a way to torture whoever had dared cross her first mate.
"Oh, you're not going to like the answer." Harriet said bringing a hand to her hip.
- -ROTTEN TO THE CORE - -
Uma had rushed back to her ship with Harriet and Diego in tow knowing they needed somewhere private to talk and scheme. She had thrown revenge out the window when Diego had filled her in on the information he'd gotten out of Jasper's son Jace. Nevermind getting payback, they'd be lucky to get out of this alive. Cruella De Vil teamed up with both the Evil Queen and Gaston? And they had to rescue not one, but two of their crew from their clutches.
Uma was sitting at a desk in the Captain's Quarters while Diego was standing opposite her leaning on the wood. Harriet was pacing about the cabin. So far none of them had thought up a plan that would work. Uma could call Gil in, he might be able to sniff around the Duels Without Rules but then she risked him getting caught spying for her and surely his father would expect such a move. No, she'd have to keep an eye on Gil, she couldn't risk losing another of her crew.
Then the door to her room opened and a pirate stood there, but not one of her crew, this guy was part of Harriet's. He opened his mouth to explain his entrance but it soon explained itself when he was shoved aside and CJ Hook pushed her way into the room slamming the door behind her and in the other pirate's face.
"Next time you need me come get me yourself!" she shouted at her sister who stood there letting her have her temper tantrum, "Don't send one of your lackeys after me like I'm a lost puppy."
When no one responded she looked around taking in each of their expressions also noticing the odd group who was there. Her sister with Uma was strange enough as each one avoided the other knowing there would no doubt be a fight over who was the better captain. Add in Diego De Vil and she was now thoroughly confused.
"What's happened?" she asked knowing enough from their expressions that something was wrong. It could be Harry she thought knowing that was the only connection between Harriet and Uma and her heart picked up pace, but that still didn't explain what Diego was doing there. Unless it had something to do with her stunt at his aunt's house.
"Something's happened to Harry." Her sister began calmly which only worried her more, Harriet was only sweet when she was delivering bad news, like when she'd come to tell her about their father's death.
"Is he okay?"
"Depends on your definition of okay." Uma said from her chair.
"No one asked you sea witch!" CJ snapped at her.
"Harry is as much a part of my crew as he is a part of your family –"
"We don't have time for this!" Diego shouted being the voice of reason. Then he turned to CJ, "My aunt has your brother." He told her and immediately her heart shattered. It was her fault, Harry must have taken the fall for the trouble she'd caused the other week. He'd taken the blame and now the crazy De Vil woman had him.
"So why are you here?" she asked as Harriet walked across the room and put her arm over her baby sister's shoulders. Diego's eyes flashed to Harriet before she moved to stand in front of CJ and explain about Harry and Camilla and how they were both captives right now. Meanwhile Diego turned back and looked down to Uma who was still sitting at her desk with a map of the Isle spread out in front of her.
"Would your mother be willing to help us?" he asked and she scoffed looking up at him.
"My mother doesn't care about me. Well. . . unless she needs someone to cover the night shift."
"What about her own intentions?" he pressed on, "Has she ever had any bad blood between Cruella or Gaston or the Evil Queen that might get her to act?"
Uma paused for a moment tapping her fingers along the desk, "No, the only villain she ever had a grudge with was my aunt Morgana."
"There might be a VK who could help." CJ spoke up and they turned to look at her. Her arms were crossed in front of her and she was much more soft spoken now. "I was just with her actually."
"Who is it?" Harriet asked rubbing her sister's back.
"Celia Facilier."