"What are you doing?"

Celia glanced over her shoulder at Dizzy, a lazy smile on her lips, "Oh, hello Dizzy. Following me?"

Dizzy stood in the threshold to Evie's studio, her eyes standing the room. Behind her, through the hallway into the kitchen, she could hear Jay and Carlos quietly discussing the scepter.

"I didn't take anything,"

Dizzy flinched at Celia's voice.

"I didn't say you did,"

"Yeah, but you're eyes suggested it,"

Dizzy felt her cheeks her heat, "Why do you think the worst of me?"

"I don't. I just say it like it is,"

"It's not like that,"

"Not like what Dizzy,"

"You don't know me now just because you knew me when we were kids,"

"I don't think I ever knew you when we kids. I thought I did," Celia said idly, "But you showed me I didn't,"

Dizzy looked away, not meeting Celia's intense gaze. "What are you even doing in here?"

Celia nodded towards the glass wall or rather the garden on the other side, "I wanted to check those out,"

"I wouldn't peg you as the type to admire flowers," Dizzy said.

"Yeah, well I wouldn't peg you as the type to be buddy-buddy with Auradon's premier lesbian couple. So I guess we're all full of surprises,"

"Mal's bi," Dizzy said drily.

"Oh, my bad I wouldn't want to insult anyone,"

Dizzy flinched again at Celia's words. She stiffly walked past her to the doorway that led outside, unlocking it. She gestured weakly to the doorway.

"What are you doing?"

"You wanted to see the flowers, didn't you?"

Celia gave a contemplative look towards the door, then her eyes darted to Dizzy, the flowers and back again. She stepped outside, unable to disguise her excited gait, following a rough stone path into the garden. Dizzy stepped out with her.

"So you can stand to be around me now?" Celia said.

"For fuck's sake Celia, we were eight,"

Celia turned to face Dizzy. Dizzy who hadn't expected her to stop so suddenly almost walked into her. She yelped quietly when they ended up face to face.

"You didn't just pull my hair or push me in mud,"

"I'm aware. But I was also a kid. You can't really still hold it against me. What I said,"

"I didn't. Until I got here and you were avoiding me,"

Dizzy turned her head away, rubbing the back of her neck.

"You're not going to deny it this time?"

"I was ashamed, alright,"

"Because of me? Because we were friends,"

"No. No. Of course not. I'm ashamed of what I said. I… didn't mean it,"

"It still hurt,"

Dizzy closed her eyes, "I know. It hurt me too… to say it,"

Celia snorted, "Right, you were hurt,"

"I don't expect you to… I don't have excuses. I'm sorry,"

"Is sorry going to make it all better?"

Dizzy shrugged, "No, probably not. But I am sorry. I thought emulating my grandmother would make her proud of me. It didn't. I thought making fun of you would make me more secure in myself. It didn't. In the end, all that happened was I lost a friend. And I regret that. I truly do. But I'm not the person who said those things anymore. I wasn't really that person then. I don't blame you if you held it against me. I'd probably do the same,"

"Wow," Celia said softly.

"What?"

"Honestly wasn't expecting that,"

"What were you expecting?"

"That you were keeping your real feeling hidden so you could keep a comfy job with Evie,"

"I owe Evie a lot. Evie and Mal. They were there for me when I needed them most. I'll never be able to repay everything they've done for me. My friendship with them is one of the best things in my life. I could never deceive them,"

Taking a step back, Celia analysed Dizzy with a long, intense gaze. Dizzy stared squirm under her gaze. Then without any warning, Celia plopped back onto the grass, spreading her hands out.

"Are you still a good liar?" Celia asked.

"… Yes,"

"Was that a lie?"

"No,"

"Was everything you said before a lie?"

"If I'm a good liar you'll never know. If I'm a bad lair you already know,"

"You were always the better lair,"

Dizzy sat next to Celia. "Yeah. I was. I even lied to myself for years,"

"Oh yeah? About what?"

"About what I did to you being the right thing,"

"Was it really all to be like your grandmother?"

"No." Dizzy said simply but didn't elaborate.

A bee flew in-between them. Celia rolled over onto her stomach to follow it.

"Careful, those sting,"

"Cool," Celia grinned reaching out for it. Dizzy stopped her.

"And it will die if it does,"

"That's lame," Celia huffed. It landed on a flower. Celia reached out again, slower this time, careful coxing it onto her finger, "Buddy, don't hurt others if you're going to hurt yourself in the process,"

Dizzy started laughing. Loud carefree laughter. Celia was utterly perplexed.

"It wasn't that funny Dizzy,"

"It wasn't really funny at all," She said, wiping the corner of her eye.

"Okay, give me some credit though," Celia pushed her hip. "Why are you laughing then?"

"Because it's ironic,"

"How?"

Dizzy shook her head, lowering it between her knees, "Why are you talking to me like you aren't upset?"

"I was never upset with you,"

"You could have fooled me,"

"Dad says holding grudges is worth a lot of salt. Salt will only drain the life from you, like it drains water from fruit. He said to not hold grudges. But don't let other's go without their due either,"

"Your dad told you that?"

"Yeah. And he would know. He held grudges against the whole world. Anyone who was rich. Anyone born with a better lot in life. All it got him was a one-way ticket to the underworld and banned from the best place to get gumbo in all the kingdoms. He always said the isle as a second chance. He didn't do right the first time around, so he tried to better with me and my sister,"

"Grandmother was only ever bitter about the Isle. Mom, I think was a little relieved,"

"Why?"

"The Isle took away the pressure to marry rich. It took away the pressure to marry at all,"

"Do you think marriage is a pressure?"

"Me? No. I can't wait to find someone I want to spend forever with. But I think for mom, love was never an option for her. Not with my grandmother's expectations,"

"Weird. How it's different things for different people,"

"Life's funny like that,"

Dizzy's cellphone ran just then. Pulling it out of her pocket a small smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the screen.

"Hey," She said in a gentle yet upbeat voice.

Celia arched a brow. Dizzy didn't see her expression, focused on the call.

"Oh, you heard about that… It's on the news already?" Dizzy sat forward, body more alert, "Yeah, I'm okay. It was close to us. Actually, you remember where Mal works… yeah, that's where they showed up…. A few people I know, yeah… No, I don't really know anything… Yeah, I'll keep safe. Don't worry. Thanks for checking in… Yeah… You too, Jemma. Bye," Dizzy hung with a heavy sigh. She was smiling but her eyes were swimming in sadness.

"What was that about?" Celia asked.

"Oh, umm, my ex. The attack was on the news. They didn't say where exactly got hit, just that it was midtown Auradon and she knows I'm at Evie's studio all the time. She wanted to make I was okay,"

"You're ex?"

"Yeah…"

"Ex-girlfriend,"

"That would be correct,"

For the first time since Dizzy had seen Celia again, she saw an expression of genuine surprise take over her face, "You're gay?"

"Very," She couldn't help but smirk a little.

"Hey, Dizzy, don't you want to see Mal?" Jay called out, appearing the entranceway.

Dizzy pushed to her feet with an eager grin.

"Is she okay?"

"Of course. It's Mal,"

"You didn't see the footage where she got thrown into a wall,"

Their conversation followed them inside, leaving Celia behind, slightly bemused.

In the kitchen, Mal was sitting at the counter getting yelled at by Bria.

"… brash and impulsive! You should have come with us!"

"In retrospect, it probably would have been the better option," Mal admitted.

Evie handed her a bottle with a bright flashy blue and yellow label and even brighter blue liquid inside. Mal drank some before placing it on the back of her neck.

"If you ever do anything like that again I'll fire you,"

"That's fair," Mal grunted as she was suddenly hugged.

"Thank you, for keeping us safe,"

Mal stiffened for a moment, hesitating. Slowly she patted Bria's back.

"Oh, I uh… you're welcome?"

When Bria stepped back, Meghan took her place kissing Mal's cheek and whispering to her, "Thank you for sending my wife to me,"

Mal blushed, "I mean, she signs my paychecks. I kind of had to,"

"Don't try to deflect," Meghan said, wrapping an arm around Bria, "Things could have gone a lot worse than a few people being under a sleeping curse,"

"Any word on the others?"

"They took Kat and Carver to a medical center until they can locate their family," Bria said, "Zack went with them. He's going to stay there as long as he can. But when I talked to him he said the beds were quickly filling,"

"We need to call Ben," Mal said, looking to Evie.

"We'll leave you to that. We have a daughter we need to see," Bria said. She reached out, resting an arm on Mal's shoulder, "I know you have a history for being the middle of things like this. Promise you'll be careful, whatever happens,"

"I'll try,"

With a soft squeeze to her shoulder and a quick nod, Bria and Meghan said their goodbyes. Carlos offered to see them out, following them to the door.

"You," Jay said pointing at Mal, "We're doing a concussion check,"

Mal rolled her eyes, "I'm fine,"

"I heard you got thrown into a wall,"

She exhaled, "Fine,"

He asked her a few yes or no question about dizziness or nausea which she answered no too.

"Are you feeling sleepy?"

Mal glared.

"I just woke from a sleeping curse,"

"Okay, maybe not the best question," Jay admitted. He turned to Dizzy and Evie.

"She wasn't lying," Evie said.

"Seemed like the truth to me," Dizzy added.

"You didn't believe me?" Mal asked, affronted.

"Of course I did. And that's why I had to double-check with them,"

Mal shoved him. He smiled and wrapped her in a hug.

"Do you have to be so dramatic when you do things? You're going to give us a heart attack one of these days,

"Trust me, I don't want to be the one who's doing the dramatics,"

Jay chuckled as he let her go. Dizzy slipped into the space next to her, bumping their shoulders together.

"Were you worried about me?"

Dizzy snorted, "No, you're too stubborn to die,"

"You got that right,"

Dizzy bumped their shoulders again and Mal bumped back. Evie's expression warmed as she looked at them.

She placed her phone on the counter as it rang. It took a few rings but Ben finally answered.

"Evie, is Mal up?"

"I am," Mal answered. Celia and Carlos joined them at this point, everyone standing around the counter.

"Mal," He breathed out a huge sigh of relief, "Thank god, are you okay?"

"A little bruised but I'll live,"

"Listen, I need anything you can give me on the person who had the staff,"

Mal recounted everything she could, from the way they were dressed to what they said.

"Okay," Ben said after she'd finished, "Okay. This is good. We have some things to work with. Accomplices. One person would be harder to find, but a group, they can't hide as easily. And the gas masks, we know how to protect ourselves if they show up anywhere else," There was a beat where he was quiet, "Is that the best description on the mask you can give?"

"The fog from the staff made it hard to see,"

"It's okay. You've already done more than enough. Jay and Carlos are with you now, yes?"

"Yeah, we're right here," Carlos said.

"Can the four of you stay where you are?"

"What?"

"If they're after Mal, there's a high chance all of you are targets. I'm arranging a security detail for you. It would easier if you're all in the same place,"

"How long do you want to stay here?" Jay asked.

"I don't know. Today at least,"

"Dizzy and Celia are still with us," Evie said, "I have to take them home,"

"I'll arrange for that… I just need… to move some of men off search detail. Or I should see if the men on collection duty have returned. Evie, give me some time but I promise you I'll arrange it,"

"Oh I don't mind," Celia said, "I'd be happy to hang out with everyone,"

Dizzy stared at her and she only shrugged in response.

"It's okay Ben," Evie said, "There's no rush, they safe with us,"

They barely got to say to goodbye before he was hanging up, halfway getting out an apology about another call.

"I'm surprised you didn't argue about the guards thing," Jay said to Mal.

"You heard how stressed he sounded. I'm not that much of an asshole"

"I guess we have nothing to do now but wait," Carlos said.

"I should start on lunch then," Evie said.

Mal stood, "I'm going to the basement. There's something I want to check,"

"Oh I'll help," Dizzy hopped to her feet as well.

"Be careful when you're moving the draughts," Evie warned.

"Draughts? Like potions?" Celia's head poked up with interest, "Oh I have to see this,"

"Sure, come on," Mal lead the way down the hall to a door. It opened to a stairway leading down and she flipped on a light. "Watch your head," She said, "There's a low beam halfway down the steps,"

The basement seemed pretty nondescript. A few boxes packed into a corner. A wine rack with some dusty bottles. Dizzy coughed as she walked through the room, "We really need to fix up this room,"

"Jay wants us to turn it into a den,"

"For him?"

Mal snorted at the question, that alone an answer enough.

"Isn't the game room basically his?"

"Yeah. It is," Mal pulled some boxes aside.

"This is where you keep your magic stuff?" Celia asked, clearly not impressed.

Dizzy and Mal shared a smile, "Do you really think with the way most people here feel about magic we'd just have thet stuff out in the open?" Dizzy said.

"Kid, you still have some things to learn about Auradon," Mal said, turning to the wall and lifting her hands. A faint spark of green flared in her eyes as she ran two fingers down the wall. A seam appeared where her hand travelled and when she stepped back a large, heavy-looking door was now in the wall.

"Okay, that's cool,"

"It's a simple glamour," Mal said with a chuckle, "I can show you sometime,"

"Yes, please,"

Mal nodded to the door. Celia's grin grew wider as she pushed the door open. Mal stepped in behind her, snapping her fingers. Instantly lanterns and candles in the room flickered to life. This room was larger than the first, shelves with books and odd knickknacks along one of the walls. From wooden beams on the ceiling hung an assortment of dried plants or bundles of strange things. Also hanging, along with a few lanterns was an old ornate looking chandler. But instead of candles or light bulbs, the metal was set with small crystals that gave a bright glow.

A table against the far wall had more books piled neatly on it. There was also a globe on the desk and a map set into the surface. The wall behind the table was adorned with a large tapestry depicting an ancient forest. The space on the third wall was mostly taken up by a cupboard and three large chests, each with a padlock securing them. On also this wall there was a mirror about two feet high and twice as wide, decorated with delicate gold trim.

"This is the kind of magic stuff I've been looking for," Celia said excitedly, bouncing to the shelves, picking up a jaw with beetles inside. Mal went over to a cupboard, unlocking it with a key. Inside there were several small glass vials, of varying sizes and filled with all number of coloured liquids. Celia's eyes went wide and she drifted over, picking up a vial with a cloudy grey potion inside. Turning it over showed the liquid inside ran like molasses along the side of the side of the bottle.

"That's a truth serum," Dizzy said.

"I never expected a potion to be so… thick?"

"When has the truth ever gone down easily?" Dizzy said.

Celia laughed at that.

"Careful with some of those. Shaking too much might set them off," Mal said as she pulled out a book from the lower shelf. A heavy-looking tomb that made a 'thud' as she dropped it on the table. She hooked her foot around one of the two chairs in the room, pulling it closer to her.

"Ooh, which ones?" Celia asked, peering closer at the vials. Dizzy picked up one of the larger vials, filled with a bright red liquid, flecked with deep gold swirls.

"So, you know how a Molotov works?"

"Duh,"

"This is like that, only the fireball is about twenty times bigger,"

"Cool," Celia breathed, holding it up to the light, "Mal, did you make all these?"

"Actually, most are Evie's handy work," Mal said, not looking up from the book.

"Mal's shit at making potions," Dizzy said. Mal turned this time, to glare at her. But only for a few seconds. She didn't try to argue Dizzy's statement either.

"The princess made these?" Celia asked, her eyebrows arching high.

"With the occasional help from me,"

"Really?" Celia sounded equally surprised and impressed.

"Yeah. I don't have any talent for spells. But potions, that's basically cooking, with a bit more danger involved,"

"Huh, in that case remind me to never eat anything Mal cooks," Celia said.

"Don't make me kick you both out," Mal threatened.

While Mal flipped through the book Dizzy showed Celia some more stuff, explaining what things in the room did. The rarer items in Mal and Evie's collection all had a well-worn aura to them and Celia was eager to devour any new magically information.

"So, is that the mirror?" Celia finally asked, pointing to the mirror on the wall.

Dizzy laughed, "No. The real mirror Evie's mom used was destroyed and the remaining part of it is in the museum. Evie donated it after the big Maleficent fight. That is more like a magical facetime,"

"There are two mirrors. The other one, our friend Jane has it," Evie's voice joined the conversation, "We don't really use it because actual facetime is more convenient," She walked over to Mal, rubbing at the back of her neck as she stepped up next to her, "Hey, you've been down here almost an hour,"

"Only?" Mal joked.

"Lunch's ready,"

Mal nodded, "I'll be up in a moment,"

"How's the search going?" Evie asked, leaning over Mal to read along.

"I was so close to getting the sceptre. I know. There's got to be some trick I'm missing,"

"You'll figure it out," Evie said, kissing her forehead, "And lunch isn't the only news I came down here with," She held out her phone for Mal to see.

Mal scanned the screen, almost shouting, "Carver's awake!"

"Ben just messaged. His sister woke him. They're woken five of the people already thanks to their family and loved ones. They're waiting on the family for most of the remaining people. There are only a few they haven't been able to contact anyone for as yet,"

"That was fast,"

"Ben doesn't want to risk this getting out of his hands more than it already has. He's going to make a statement on ANN at one,"

Mal pulled Evie's wrist to her to check the time, "That's in a few minutes,"

Evie hummed in agreement.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming up. Let me grab a couple books,"

"Girls you haven't had lunch either," In response Celia's stomach growled, making Evie laugh, "Come on, we'll get some food in you," She said, throwing an arm around Celia's shoulders.

Dizzy hung back, waiting until she was sure Evie and Celia were upstairs.

"So, is there a good reason Evie isn't a wearing her engagement ring?"

Mal stopped, arm suspended in the air, holding a book she'd just pulled off the shelf. She looked at Dizzy, blinking.

"You obviously asked her,"

Mal blinked again.

Dizzy groaned, "You've been looking for the perfect moment to ask and that wasn't after she woke you from a sleeping curse?"

The book fell and Mal slapped her forehead, "That was the perfect moment!"

Dizzy dropped her head into her hands, "What's wrong with you?"

"Augh, what's wrong with me? You're right! It was perfect! I have the ring on me too!"

"Then why didn't you ask?"

"I forgot!"

"You forgot?"

"I'm sorry Dizzy. Last couple of days have been a little busy for me if you hadn't noticed,"

"Is you not asking Evie really about waiting for the perfect moment?"

"Yes," Mal said defensively.

Dizzy frowned.

Mal dropped into the chair, running a hand through her hair, "Maybe not entirely,"

"Oh gee, you don't say," Dizzy drawled.

"The sarcasm doesn't need to be that thick,"

"I think it does," Dizzy hopped onto the table next to Mal, "Don't tell me you're scared she's going to say no,"

Mal shook her head, "I know it would be a yes and that's the scary part,"

"You're making no sense,"

"I don't know if I'm good enough for Evie's happily ever after,"

Dizzy rolled her eyes, "If we're being honest Evie could do much better than you,"

"Hey!"

"Evie could have had the storybook ending. Gotten a prince, one with an actual brain and without inferiority complex. But that's not the story she wants. She wants you in her story,"

"I guess you're right,"

"You guess?" Dizzy sounded insulted, "I'm a right and you know I'm right.

Mal chuckled, "You're an asshole, that's what you are,"

"I learnt from the best,"

Mal shoved her playfully as she stood. Picking the books up she placed them in Dizzy's hands, "For being the ass, you can also be the pack mule."

Dizzy rolled her eyes, hefting the books under her arm. They headed upstairs together. The others were already in front of the tv. The news' logo flashed across the screen along with the Auradonian crest. The image faded into the news anchor.

"Good afternoon and thank you for joining for an update on this developing situation. In a few moments we'll be going live to a national address from his majesty. While we wait, we have additional information on this morning's attack. As we reported at the noon broadcast, the culprit of the sceptre theft appeared in midtown Auradon City, placing 32 people under the effects of a sleeping curse. At this time we can inform you…" The anchor hesitated, his eyes clearly darting off to the side for a moment.

"We can inform you 5…"

The image shuttered suddenly, the focusing being thrown off for a few seconds. Through the blurry image they could see the anchor stand and heard him call out, "Is she alright? Check her head. Greta?" The image focused again, just in time to see the news anchor take one step, then another before kneeling over, slumping to the floor. It was almost the exact same sight Mal had seen that morning.

Several seconds went by where nothing happened. Then the first whisps of the fogs were picked up by the camera. More pouring in from behind the frame. A figure walked into frame. A same long dark cloak, hood obscuring the head, white mask covering the face. Now that she wasn't reeling from the exhaustion of a teleport and fighting off the drowsiness of a sleeping curse Mal could make out the features.

It was animal-like, with fangs coming out a muzzle-like feature and the edges curved and shaped to resemble wild fur. But it was also familiar. It was a face, she realized now, she used to see almost every day when they were at Auradon Prep. The mask was modelled to look after the Beast. Maleficent's sceptre glowed pleasantly in their hands. They tapped it twice against the floor and the fog flowing from the crystal stopped.

"Salutations Auradon," The person spoke, "Apologies for the interruption, but we couldn't allow the good king to speak of us. Not before we had the chance to introduce ourselves properly,"

As the person spoke two other people had rushed into frame, pulling the anchor out of view and two more had stepped up to flank the speaker. They all bowed together.

"We are humbly, the villains of a new age," There was a presenter-like way to their voice. Charismatic almost, "You see, the heroes haven't been playing fair. You sent all the villains away. And now, there can be no more heroes. With all the villains gone, no new stories get be penned. That's not entertaining, is it? No. Society lives for the trill of a villain overthrown. Doesn't it? You praise those ilks who defeated the shadows. You follow them. Worship them." Their voice became more excited. Ravenous as they continued to talk.

"We simply want to bring our history back. Bring the villains back. Give you the chance to produce more golden gods to immortalize in the stories. All the kings and queens… the happy princesses blessed with true love's kiss, you… you locked the villains away. That's the thanks they get for making you heroes and celebrities? You treat villains like they're bad guys. You should be thanking them for the positions you have,"

"Now," There was such a conversational tone to their voice it was unnerving, like everyone listening was right there in the room with them, "I have a few more things I wanted to talk about, but I realize we've come across a bit of a problem," They snapped their fingers and pointed at something. One of the people flanking them stepped out of frame but returned almost immediately wheeling something. They turned it to the screen. It was the teleprompter with the words the new anchor had been reading still on it.

"See, this right here," The pointed to part of the screen, underling the words '…inform you 5 people have been awoken at this time by their loved ones…'. "Do you see the issue? You're already waking people. That's awful. I mean, it's great for them. They have true love. They get their story. But that's the issue. The story. This story. We are only at the beginning. You don't have true love's kiss before the climax," Their words became more stressed, the sounds emphasized. They didn't sound angry. More like they were annoyed, "That's not how the story goes. That's not how it goes. But that's not your fault," They took a breath, their pitch lowering, growing softer, "We are your villains. We need to do better. So we can have the best story. And I've been working on just the thing," They clapped their hands and two of the other masked individuals pulled someone into frame.

This new person was struggling, clearly restrained. Very clearly terrified.

"This is Rodger… It is Rodger, yes?" They asked the person, who quaveringly nodded.

"This is Rodger," They continued, "And good Rodger here gets to be a very crucial part of our story. Rodger, I'm sorry if this doesn't go too smoothly. I haven't tried this on people yet. Only plants and a couple of birds," They raised the staff, the gem flaring to life. Rodger shook his head desperately. Light overpowered the imaged, forcing everyone watching to close their eyes or look away.

When the light faded, where Rodger stood was now a Rodger shaped statue.

"Hey, it worked!" They sounded excited and surprised, "I was a little worried it wouldn't go that well," They turned back to the camera, a gleeful chill slipping into their voice "Now, Auradon, we have graciously begun penning the beginning of this new story. You get to decide how the next chapters play out. You can let the villains go and allow them to continue telling the stories that have made our lives so full. Or we, their glorious VKs, the reckoning they brought into the world, can let them out after we've finished razing your kingdoms into the sod,"

This has been my favourite chapter to work on thus far. Dizzy and Celia's subplot is quickly developing into one of my favourite elements of this story. I'd say at this point most of the pieces are there to figure out what their past is. Now we've also got our first real look at the villains of this story. I can't wait for you to see more of them. And we'll be returning to the Isle very soon and with that, we'll be meeting some characters I personally haven't had the opportunity to really write for in the past.

Thank you for reading.

Nardragon- Until the next page.