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With Evie and Regina

As Vanitas led his son to a private space to speak, Regina did the same with her daughter. When they were finally alone Regina turned to address Evie properly.

"Hmm, secluded area, no eyes or ears on us, I'm guessing what you're about to say won't sit well with the supposed Mistress of Evil," Evie assumed.

"Supposed?" Regina raised an eyebrow.

"Comparing how everybody, including you, describes her back then and then comparing her with the one living on the Isle makes it a little difficult to believe," Evie said.

Regina smirked. Considering Evie had been born on the Isle years after she, Maleficent, and several others had been stripped of their powers, it made sense that she would think that.

"Oh it's true alright," Regina confirmed. "However, we're getting off-topic here."

"Right, sorry," Evie apologised. "Please continue."

"About this… task, Maleficent wants you all to do. Don't go through with it," Regina spoke plainly surprising Evie. "While you are attending this school, try and set a good example. If you do that then perhaps it will convince the Auradonians to invite more children from the Isle, like your brother for instance."

"I'm not too sure. Barring Van, the others and I are teenagers, while he is three," Evie pointed out. "That aside, why don't you want me to go through with this? If we had the wand, I could free you all from this place. You would have your magic back and we could get away from all of this. We could all live a better life."

Regina smiled sadly at her daughter. She loved Evie and she loved how she cared for her family, but what she was proposing would only end badly. She knew better than anyone. Villains rarely ended up winning. They had their moments, like Thanos and Zemo, but they usually ended up defeated.

"That's very thoughtful of you sweetheart but you need to trust me on this one. If you try going through with this, you'll likely end up failing. It's what happens to all villains," Regina informed her. "I speak from personal experience."

Evie was about to argue back when Regina quieted her and continued talking.

"Right now, what you have in front of you is a unique opportunity," Regina explained. "One you won't get again I assure you. Instead of using it to steal and follow some ridiculous vengeance quest use it to convince others that having you all over there is a good thing."

Evie contemplated her mother's words. Logically speaking she was right, and it could result in other kids being brought off the Isle. She knew for a fact Dizzy wanted to go to Auradon as they had talked about it many times. On the other hand, Evie didn't exactly feel comfortable just leaving her family behind. That brought up another issue.

"Say I do go, what happens if I meet any of my relatives over there? Or better yet, what happens if I meet him?" she hissed.

"I've talked it over with your father, and we both agreed that it would be best if people didn't know who he was. I'm no fool. People over there are going to discriminate against you for being the child of a villain. I can how much worse it will be if they know both parents," Regina explained. "This way you'll avoid a confrontation with his side."

That did not sit well with Evie, though she had to acknowledge the truth in her statement.

"As for your brother, if you meet him over there, try and get along," Regina pleaded.

Evie didn't want to do anything of the sort.

"I will avoid him as much as possible," Evie retorted angrily. "Even after all this time, why do you still call him your son? He betrayed you for a woman who abandoned him at birth." Regina didn't answer, or rather she couldn't. "Look, I won't say anything bad when I'm around him but I will be avoiding him at all costs."

Regina didn't even try to argue back. She knew Evie had never had the highest opinion of Henry, and that probably wouldn't change when she travelled over there.

Why she still considered Henry her son? She raised him since he was an infant. Regardless of what he did or felt about her, that wouldn't change.

"What about Mal? I know she's going to go through with this plan since she wants her mom's respect more than anything," Evie said.

Regina thought about it for a moment. "It might not happen at first, but perhaps you can slowly convince her to change her mind. Along the way try and convince the others. Carlos shouldn't be too difficult since his mother won't be around. Jay will take a bit of time but once that boy finds something he likes he'll stick with it. Vanitas is telling Van the same thing, so you'll have some help."

Evie sighed as she knew what was coming.

"It will be difficult at first but you'll manage somehow," her mother assured her.

"I know. In that case, I'd better head home quickly to get my stuff. Dad will through a fit if I leave without saying goodbye," Evie admitted softly.

The two women laughed and then left.

An hour later

A black limousine had arrived on the Isle to pick up the five VK's who stood outside waiting. Van was conversing with his friends because he wanted to spend as much time with them before having to leave. He'd already said goodbye to his mother. It was quite tearful, at least for her, she was crying the entire time and promised that she would see him soon.

"So you're really going?" Dizzy asked sadly.

Van nodded. "Dad thinks I should set an example and get other kids to come over. So, as much as I don't to, I'm gonna try. However, if I'm convincing people I'm getting you three off first."

Dizzy thought it was sweet Van was thinking of their wellbeing. Hadie was a little more reluctant.

"I'm too sure about this Van," the bluenette admitted. "I'm busy looking after Hayden when dad isn't around, especially since I don't trust Pain or Panic to be alone with them."

His father's minions tended to get into arguments about the pettiest of things and then get distracted instead of looking after his baby brother. Hayden was only a month old, and while he was not actively moving around, he still needed to be looked after properly. Hence why the idea of leaving the Isle made him uncomfortable.

"Maybe you can move back and forth between the Isle," Dizzy suggested. "Can you Van?"

"I have no idea!" he answered bluntly. "I don't know anything about how this works. I can ask though."

His three friends stared at him surprised.

"Gees, they should have added details to that invitation," Celia complained. "And they should have sent earlier. Not the day you're leaving."

"Actually, they sent it a week ago. Maleficent, that draconic bitch, kept it for a week and didn't bother to tell anyone, not even our parents, because apparently, she was plotting which quote, "takes a lot of time and effort"," Van said with venom. "Like hell it does! I bet she was just waiting for the right moment when we couldn't refuse."

"Would you really put it past her?" Celia said sarcastically.

Van's answer was silence.

Hadie internally groaned. He knew his mother was capable of such tactics, even if they didn't interact that much. His dad told him about what she was capable of and how she made others fear her, yet strangely enough, he had never experienced any of these things. He knew she was plotting something, and he knew his sister was going to be in charge of it. Mal wanted nothing more than to make mom proud, to prove she was worthy of her birth name.

He really did sympathise with her though. Despite their parents split, the two of them had always remained close. Each having each other's backs when they needed it. It was Mal who advised him to form a gang of his own, made up of people he trusted, to better survive on the Isle. And after today he was going to miss her along with Van.

"Want me to do you a reading?" Celia asked her friend.

"Sure, why not?" Van said. "Hold on I think I got some"

"It's alright Van," Celia assured him. "Given that this is important I'll do you a free one."

The moment she said that Van turned pale. Hadie and Dizzy stared at her wide-eyed. In the entire course of the time they had known her, Celia never gave readings for free.

"Stop giving me those looks. It's annoying," Celia snapped. "I don't normally do this, or ever, but like I said. Important event. And you are a friend Van."

Van thought about it for over a minute. He didn't really believe the whole reading the future business, on the other hand, he didn't want to offend Celia. He didn't know what made him more nervous, leaving the Isle, or Celia doing this for free.

"Fine, let's do it," Van said begrudgingly.

"Perfect!" Celia exclaimed as she lead him over to the limo. Since she didn't have a table she had to use this instead. Noticing the driver watching them Celia held up her cards and pointed to the limo trunk. "Excuse me. May I?"

The driver blinked, surprised at her politeness. "Um, sure."

When Van walked up the driver's eyes widened. He looked just like.

"Alright, pick three," Celia ordered as she laid the cards out.

Van did just that and chose three random ones.

"These three, in the order you chose them represent your past, present, and future," Celia explained. "The first one 'The Tower' means you came from a difficult past. You were trapped and in danger."

"It's probably referring to the Isle of the Lost. I was born here and have always been trapped, though I never really felt that way. I've always been in danger. People attack me for different reasons, and I fight them off. I train with others like Sephiroth and Terra, and my dad's training was pretty tough also," Van explained.

While he hadn't always liked it, he was grateful for the skills he'd learned.

"Dangerous indeed. The second card, the present, is 'The Moon'," Celia continued. "This means you are afraid. You are scared of facing the unknown and you fear what lies at the end."

Van didn't answer this time. He just stared at the ground. That was a surprisingly accurate reading. Truth be told he was scared of leaving the Isle and travelling to Auradon. While most wouldn't think the Isle was anything special, to Van it was his home. He lived here his entire life, never knowing anything else. Sure he had, like most kids, looked out at Auradon once or twice and wondered what life was like over there but was otherwise content. He knew the Isle, he didn't know Auradon. And now that he was heading there, to unknown territory, it frightened him because he didn't know what to expect.

"Van," Dizzy murmured concerned.

Sensing his discomfort, Celia immediately moved onto the last card.

"The third and final card, the future is 'Judgement'," Celia said. "This represents the change you will undergo. This journey you embark on will, for better or worse, change you and the way you see the world, forever."

That sounded… ominous.

"Change how?" he asked.

Celia just shrugged. "I don't know. The cards are for predicting what will happen. They don't explain how you will reach it, just that you will."

Van scowled. This was why he didn't usually ask to have his future told. One, it told you what your future was but not how it happened. Two, that future usually ended up coming true, even if you didn't want it to. And three, it costs money (this time excluded).

"Whatever, it is thanks Celia," Van said. "Now I know to be on my guard."

"Sure thing," Celia smiled. "Next one is gonna cost money though."

"Of course," Van deadpanned.

Van wasn't normally one for hugs, but he didn't object when Dizzy pulled him into one.

"Good luck!" she whispered. "I'll miss you. We'll all miss you."

Hadie nodded and Celia smirked.

"Thanks," Van replied.

He really was going to miss them. He was going to miss hanging out, causing chaos, and protecting them from guys like the Gaston twins. He was going to miss everything.

Nothing more needed to be said between them as Van's father came into view and the others stepped back.

"You have everything you need?" Vanitas asked.

Van nodded silently.

"Just to be clear, I still don't want to do this," he said.

"I know," Vanitas replied softly. "I don't want to you go either. But you have to Van. It's for the greater good."

Van didn't answer. He just stared at the ground solemnly.

"Do you trust them?" Vanitas frowned. "Auradon I mean. Do you trust them?"

"Some of them," Vanitas admitted. "Albeit not many."

Van continued to stare at the ground.

"I don't. Not after...the Incident," Van finally said.

There was a tense silence that followed. Vanitas' expression was emotionless but it was clear what he was thinking. Van's friends all looked towards the ground with pained expressions. Dizzy barely managed to hold back her tears. The other Isle residents present looked away with solemn expressions.

It was an unspoken rule on the Isle to never speak of the Incident. That memory brought so much pain, they avoided the subject until the anniversary.

"I understand," Vanitas replied softly, his voice filled with a hint of sadness. "I don't blame you for thinking that way, and I won't try and change it. When you're over there, you may come to trust some of them and you may not." Van seriously doubted it. "When you're there, I'm sure she will be watching over you."

Van stood there motionless. He wished his father hadn't brought her up. It was bad enough his own existence was a reminder every day, he didn't need to be reminded from his dad.

"By the way, you forgot something," Vanitas said taking something out of his pocket.

It was a star-shaped ornament made with black stained glass with silver frames and had brown stitches and a brown chord to a topmost piece, with the Mark of Mastery symbol as the token. Van's eyes widened in shock. He had been too quick to notice it wasn't with him.

"My Wayfinder," he murmured. "Thanks. I didn't even think."

And just like that, the tension from before vanished.

Vanitas smirked. "No problem. I have a feeling you'll need it. With every new connection, your heart forms this will tie it all together, whether it's on the Isle or in Auradon."

As soon as he took his good luck charm, Van hugged his father tightly who reciprocated.

"Bye dad," he said.

"Bye son," Vanitas replied as Van separated and moved towards the limo.

"Oh hey if I meet my relatives over there?" Van asked quickly.

Vanitas burst out laughing. "I wouldn't worry too much about it. your uncle is a surprisingly nice guy. I don't think he'll give you any trouble."

Van didn't argue as he continued only to stop as he noticed Carlos running trying to get away from his mother. Vanitas, wanting to help the poor boy, stuck his foot out and tripped Cruella who landed flat on her face. Van started laughing as Carlos dived into the limo, with him following, and then Evie and Jay.

"Sorry, my foot slipped," Vanitas said without a hint of regret.

Mal was the last to enter the limo. She glanced up at her mother who made eye contact with her and made a gesture to remind her what her mission was, or rather what would happen if she failed. She turned away and briefly made eye contact with her brother who appeared saddened at her leaving.

She gave him a small smile before disappearing into the limo.

"Bring home the gold," Jafar called out.

"Bring home a puppy," Cruella added.

The limo started moving and they were off.

Meanwhile, a figure watched the five leave from the streets with a hood up.

"So, it begins," was he said before leaving.

Hi there. Well, what did you think of that? The VK's are off to Auradon and now things can really swing into motion.

As you saw in this chapter, Maleficent is Hadie's mother. I thought it would be simpler than Hades being with another woman.

Van had an emotional goodbye with his father and his friends. Now he's venturing into unknown territory where many things, both good and bad, await him.

Next chapter features the VK's arriving in Auradon. Please review.