I felt like I rushed the plot a little bit in the first chapter, but fortunately I was already planning on giving the other new descendants some background. But since I can't start over now that I have already started, the best I can do is use flashbacks. Enjoy.

Leave a review after reading, please. Feedback is always appreciated.

I'd like to thank the following users for reviewing the previous chapter: Descendants4, Robyn, Guest, DragonEmperor999, Palpal23, Mrhappy7, CarVie17

To Guest: I understand the feeling.

To Palpal23: I will try my best to give the other descendants more development and background. Also, I decided to remove the "y" from "Jacob" because I wanted to separate him from his father a little bit.

To Mrhappy7: I probably shouldn't say, I'm sorry, but hey, I couldn't help myself. I've shipped Carvie since the first book and I wanted to craft a love story for them in this series, but I wanted to take my time to build up to it.

Ten years ago...

Evie rushes home to her castle after getting a call from her husband Carlos. She had to abandon a very important meeting at her fashion company, Evie's 4 Hearts (which is the same name as her clothing brand from high school). It's been ten years since she graduated college and Evie has grown into a woman who defies her age like no other. Put her among a group of college freshmen and she will blend right in. Her skin remains as white as snow. She always takes very good care of her body. And the makeup on her face, just as masterful and beautiful as always. She's even shared personal beauty tips through magazines and online articles, and all girls (young and old) all over the kingdom love her for it.

Evie walks quickly to the living room, where Carlos is, along with their 6-year-old daughter Carlotta (and their pet dog, Dude). She has a bandage wrapped around her right forearm and she looks very sad. Evie quickly sits down on the couch with her family and takes a closer look

"What happened?" Evie asked, concerned.

"Carly, tell your mom what happened," Carlos said gently.

Carly was hesitant to tell her, but her mom's worried look compelled her to tell the truth. She puts a hand over the bandage as she confesses.

"I was in the woods with my friends," said Carly. "We were just playing. We played tag. We threw water balloons at each other. We played hide-and-seek. And then I... I... I saw a spider. I screamed. I tripped. My arm hit a sharp rock. I was scared and..."

Carly starts to shed a few tears, ashamed of expressing fear to her parents. Evie hugs her daughter to comfort her. Carlos pats his daughter's back.

"Shh, it's okay to be afraid," Evie said comfortingly.

"But none of my friends are afraid of spiders," Carly said sadly. "Florina and Javon made fun of me for being afraid. Why do I have to be afraid?"

Evie rubs her daughter's back quickly but gently and kisses her on the head, trying so hard to stop her from crying. She hates seeing her daughter so scared. Everyone believes that her vulnerability to fear was inherited from her father. She takes it after her father, Evie thought carefully. Evie looks at Carlos, who quickly nods as he knows what they can say to make their daughter feel better.

"Carly, sweetie, it's okay, really," said Evie. "Look, your father, he knows what it's like to be afraid to everything."

After a sniffle, Carly asks, "Really?"

"It's true, Carly," said Carlos. "When I was your age, up until I was in high school, I was always afraid. I was afraid of my mom. I was afraid of everyone. I was most afraid of your Aunt Mal..."

"She is kinda scary sometimes," Carly admitted.

"And, believe it or not, I was afraid of dogs as well," said Carlos.

"Ironic," Dude commented.

"But I learned to overcome those fears," Carlos said to his daughter. "You wanna know how? Because there are always the people I love around me to tell me that I don't have to be afraid. And your mom and I, we are here..."

"And me," Dude reminded.

"And Dude... to tell you that you have nothing to be afraid of," said Carlos. "It's normal to be afraid, but you can't punish yourself up for being afraid. You have to admit that you're afraid. That way, you can become braver. It's not gonna be easy, but it's not supposed to. It's all part of growing up."

"So, I can be afraid?" asked Carly.

"Just be careful. Don't let your fear make you careless," said Carlos.

Carly leaves her mother's arms and wraps hers around her father. Carlos embraces his daughter with so much love that makes Evie smile. She thinks it's wonderful that Carly can be able to look to her father when she's afraid, just like she can look to her mother when it comes to fashion. It's concerning that Carly is so much like the both of them, but she is only 6 years old. Maybe she'll grow into her own woman one day, Evie thought.

Carly is in her dorm room, writing a letter. The letter is for her parents. Considering the perilous journey she is about to embark on, she wants to leave something behind. She almost dropped everything once she thought about her parents, as she did not think about them when she impulsively decided to follow Malevolyn. But she didn't drop everything. She's still going on this dangerous quest. In case something might happen, she writes...

Dear Mom and Dad,

If you get this, then I'll be long gone. I can't tell you where, because I can't let you come after me. You told me about the wars you fought against Auntie CJ and against Auntie Uma. You and your friends have fought through so much, endured so much, went through so much struggle, but now I have to carry the load for you. It's my turn. Well, there may or may not be a war, but who knows what lies ahead? None of us do, not even Malevolyn. She's angry and she's desperate. I know you two are my family, but Malvs is my family, too. I can't just leave her alone. You two have tried to teach me how to be brave all my life. Now is the time I make you both proud. I don't know if I'll be back, but I will try to come back to you.

I love you both.

Love,
Your daughter

Carly folds the letter and seals it in an envelope, but rather slowly. Being separated from her parents because of boarding school was one thing, but leaving Auradon is gonna feel even worse. She would've just sent a message through the internet, but she didn't want to tell them the news so quickly. She sends the letter to a carriage and tells the driver to send it to the De Vil Castle in Charmington.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Jacob, too, wanted to send a message to his parents. But then he decided he wanted to see their faces. So, he settles for a video call. It was taking a while, though. After a minute and three seconds, his father finally answered his phone. He can't help but see a part of himself in his father. Short hair or long hair, they share almost the same face.

"Hey, Dad," Jacob greeted.

"Hey, kid," Jay greeted. "Is, uh, something wrong? You look... are you in trouble?"

"No, I just... can you get Mom?" Jacob asked.

"Sure," said Jay. "Lonnie! Baby, it's Jacob. He wants to speak to both of us."

"Coming!" Lonnie said, off-screen.

Lonnie shows up soon. Jacob sometimes can't believe how young his mother looks at her age. I guess Auntie Evie was a great influence, Jacob thought. He just smiled so they don't suspect anything.

"Jacob, hey. Mommy misses you," said Lonnie.

"You say that every time," Jacob laughed.

"Only because it's true," said Lonnie.

"We both miss you, kid," said Jay. "So, why'd you call?"

"I just... I just really wanted to see you both," said Jacob. "Honestly, boarding school makes me feel like I'm a billion miles away from you."

"Well, do you want to schedule a weekend visit?" asked Jay. "We can play Tourney together and..."

"No, just... I just want to ask something," said Jacob. "Are you guys proud of me?"

"Jacob, of course we are. You're smarter and more talented than your father," said Lonnie.

"Hey!" Jay reacted, offended.

"It's true and you know it," Lonnie teased. "We love you, sweetie."

"I love you, too," said Jacob. He ends the call there, dropping the half-fake smile upon remembering why he made this emotional call.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Just like Carly and Jacob, Hartley plans to leave behind a message for his parents. Despite his hubris, his mother once told him that life is not always like a fairy tale and that he must always prepare for the worst. So, he is. Unfortunately, he is struggling to find a method in delivering a message. He didn't want to send a text, make a call, or write a letter. So, he decides to go for a voice message.

He's spent his time thinking about what to say. The state of his family is a lot more complicated that his friends. In the end, he decided to just speak what's on his mind instead of planning his words ahead of time.

He starts recording the message. After a few seconds of hesitating, he says...

"Mother, when you receive this message, you will know that I have disobeyed your orders. I will be sailing beyond the seas of this kingdom. I cannot explain my reasons, but I promise you that it is for a good cause. I understand you do not wish to speak of father. How Aunt CJ's disappearance led to his depression and anger, which led to the divorce... I know it is uncalled of me to speak of this. But I wish for you to share this message with him. I love you as much as I love my father. I do not care if you and him are no longer united. Whether I return or not, I wish for us to remain a family."

Carly, Jacob, and Hartley sneak out of Auradon Prep at the dead of night while everyone is asleep. They plan to steal the royal limo, just like their parents have so many times before in the past. They found it amusing that it's a running gag in their parents' lives. What's even more amusing is that no one has bothered to increase security on the limo. It's like Ben wants his wife and her friends to constantly take advantage of it for the sake of a laugh.

Gabrielle and Rafael meet with them to give them some things that will help them on their upcoming journey. Rafael has a satchel filled with potions, while Gabrielle has a book called "Magical Flora: The Rare and Mythical."

"I only have one vanishing potion for each of you. There's also a smoke bomb and knockout gas," said Rafael.

"Thanks, Raf," Carly thanked. "We're really gonna need all the magic we need."

"And I want to give you guys this. A book on rare and exotic magical flora," said Gabrielle.

"Mythical?" Jacob read.

"Hey, you never know what you might find on an unknown island," said Gabrielle.

"I would assume you've read the entire book," Carly assumed.

"You know me," Gabrielle replied.

"Yeah, we know. The opposite of your dad. You're as smart as he is stupid," Jacob said. "No offense."

"None taken," said Gabrielle.

"Okay, you two get back inside," said Carly. "We'll see when we get back, if we get back."

"Have confidence, Carly. We will not fail," Hartley said confidently.

Gabrielle gives Carly a goodbye hug before running back inside the school with Rafael. Sneak-running, that is. Is there such a word? Besides that, the three adventure-ready VKs have everything they need. All they need to do now is get to the harbor, steal themselves a boat, and chase after Malevolyn. The three hop into the limo. Hartley and Jacob fight over who gets to sit in the front, much to Carly's dismay.

"Just ride in the back, both of you. You won't have to worry about reaching for the candy," said Carly.

The boys decided to do just that. They ride in the back while Carly sits alone in the front. She buckles up and inserts the key into the ignition, preparing to start the limo.

"Are you sure you can drive?" asked Jacob.

"My dad has been teaching me to drive since I was seven," said Carly. "License or no license, I can do this."

Carly starts the limo and turns on the headlights...

And the three scream.

That was because Malevolyn's father, Ben, was right there in front of the vehicle. It would seem that he has been standing there the whole time, just waiting for the headlights to reveal that he's onto them.

"So much for lack of security," Jacob commented.

Carly, Jacob, and Hartley exit the limo and look at the King of Auradon, who they refer to as Uncle Ben. They pretty much refer to all of the closest friends of their respective parents as either aunt or uncle. That's just how close Mal and her circle are as a family. The circle's children feel just as close to one another as the circle. But now is not the time to think about family.

Ben is not happy about the stunt they tried to pull.

"You're going after my daughter," Ben guessed.

"To help her or talk her out of it, yes," Jacob said.

"We're sorry, Uncle Ben," said Carly. "I know stealing the limo is a crime, but we just wanted to help our friend. You'd understand, right? I mean, in the stories you've told all of us, you went to the Isle to bring Aunt Mal home after she ran away. We're doing the same for Malvs." Putting on a fake brave face, she says, "So, uh... we-we're gonna go even if we have to go through you."

"Bravado does not fit you, Carly," Hartley judged.

"But mocking people fits you," Carly retorted.

"Do you guys really care about Malevolyn?" Ben asked seriously.

"She's like a sister to us," Carly said sincerely.

"We don't want her to be alone," said Jacob.

"We would lay down our lives for her," said Hartley.

"And that's why I want you to go," said Ben.

"Huh?" The three VKs reacted, surprised.

"I can stop you, but I can't stop my daughter. Your parents will kill me if they find out about this. But clearly, it's your choice. You'll do this whether I get in the way or not," said Ben.

"You're right. Our parents are gonna kill us and you. Mostly you," said Jacob.

"Let them," said Ben. "Bring Malevolyn back, please. "And, if possible, bring her mother home."

"We won't let you down, Uncle Ben," Carly promised.

"Just so we're clear, I don't want you to risk your lives," Ben said seriously. "Evie, Carlos, Jay, Lonnie, Uma, Harry, they will all be furious at you and me. They'll be very disappointed in the three of you. They'll chastise me to no end for allowing you to go on this dangerous journey. Believe me, I'd rather keep you two under 24/7 surveillance, but..."

"We know," Carly understood.

"Any advice before we go?" asked Jacob. "You've been to Blackfire Island before."

"Just stay away from any purple flowers," said Ben. "Take care of Malevolyn. Keep her safe. I'm counting on you. I know you like to believe you can handle yourselves since your parents and I fought our wars at your age, but that doesn't mean it will be the same. Look after each other. The wars that I went through with your parents, they were not one by one of us taking charge. The only way to survive is to stay together."

At Belle's Harbor, Malevolyn has boarded the Royal Speedboat. She used a magic spell that will allow it to run for as long as she needs it to run. Obviously, this speedboat doesn't have enough juice to reach the island (the engine'll die a quarter way there). But with her magic, she can keep it going no matter how long the ride is. Packed in her bag is her spell book, strawberries, a couple juice boxes, a sketch book, and other necessities. Just because she's desperate to find her mom, it doesn't mean she's gonna be (too) careless.

Just as she was about to start the speedboat, something hits her in the head. Figuratively, speaking. She takes out her phone and checks the picture on the screen. It's a picture of her and her boyfriend, Jason.

Jason. Good-looking guy with black hair styled rather normally. Just like his hair, he's pretty much a normal guy. He's not the descendant of a famous hero or villain. He's not a wizard or an apprentice of one. He gets good grades, gets along with a lot of people, and he plays the guitar (which makes him good friends with Jacob, who also likes music). Before they dated, if she had a nickel for every time he treated her like royalty, she could buy a castle. They finally talked like normal people while they were alone in the theater room. He played her a song and a bunch of sparks between them sparkled since then. That was six months ago. Who would've thought, right? The Princess of Auradon dating a normal guy who plays the guitar. Even Hartley can't believe it.

Malevolyn smiled, only to drop that smile immediately. She's not only leaving her friends and family but also a really nice guy. She wasn't going to just give up her mission, but she didn't want him to think that she just threw away their relationship.

She decides to leave him a voice mail.

"Hey, Jason," she started with a faint smile. "If you get this message, then I'm probably far, far, far away from you right now. I finally found a clue to where my mom could be. I know it's stupid and reckless of me to just go after her by myself, but no one is going to do the searching but me. I just don't want you to think that I didn't think about you before I left. These past six months have been, well, some of the best of my life. Funny, right? During Freshman and Sophomore year, all you did was call me, Your Highness, bow to me, and apologize every time you so much as bump into me. But now we're, well, just like an everyday normal couple and... I love that. I wish I can say I love you, but I'd just be forcing it. Whether or not I'm ready to say, I just want you to know that you mean a lot to me. If I ever make it back, I'm gonna kiss you and you can break up with me, only if you want. I'm really sorry, Jason. I just want to see my mom again. But I'm gonna try my best to come back to my family, to my friends, and to you. I pro..."

Malevolyn stops herself. She couldn't make that promise, not without knowing what she'll face. As cocky and overconfident as she can be, she can't deny the fear she feels deep inside concerning the dangers that lie ahead in the seas.

"I'll see you soon," she finished.

Pay attention to that flashback of Carly, because that's crucial to her story. Future flashbacks will feature the other VKs of the new generation. And now, I finally gave you all a description of Malevolyn's boyfriend. Underwhelming, isn't it? Jason is just a normal guy. But just read that voice mail again. Tell me it's not, at the very least, kinda beautiful.

Yes, I know that Ben allowing the kids to go after Malevolyn is probably the stupidest idea in this entire series, but this is his daughter we're talking about. I'm just worried that I might get criticized for making Ben allow this. But just so we're clear, he has expressed how much he wanted to stop the kids from going. He would just send them back to school if he wanted to, but he wants his daughter back. I hope you can see just how much I emphasized how conflicted Ben is with this dangerous decision. His friends are gonna kill him, for sure.

So, what do you think of this chapter?