"That's going to take us Auradon?"

"You got a problem with it, scales?"

"It's a dingy," Mal gestured at the boat.

"This is a right proper boat. You just don't know a rudder from your behind," Hook said from the bow where he was untying the mooring line.

The 'dingy' as Mal referred to it was actually several meters long. Roughly five meters from bow to stern with a single-engine at the rear.

"You're welcomed to walk if you want too," Uma said as she pulled up the anchor.

Mal glanced at Evie, then to Jay and Carlos. They'd already exchanged brief words with the boys. Everything had seemed above code, no fishy business happening. That didn't mean they still weren't expecting the worst. Just that they had no frame of reference for what that worst could be.

"Are you lot coming?" Harry asked.

"We're going with or without you,"

"You don't have a way to cross the barrier,"

"That you know of,"

Mal narrowed her eyes, "You're bluffing,"

"Am I?" Uma leant back in the boat, casually folding her arms, "Have you ever known me to bluff Mal?"

"Mal," Evie said at her shoulder.

Celia was already accepting Gil's help to get into the boat. When the others looked at her she shrugged, "I don't want to walk back,"

Gil was holding his hand out for the rest of them. Jay was the closest so he had his hand extended towards him. Jay huffed and got it, but he didn't take Gil's hand. Mal got in next, followed by Evie and Carlos. The latter two did take Gil's offered hand, which he seemed very pleased about.

"Riggs, hold down the fort while we're gone," Uma called to one of her crew. They saluted her as Harry reversed into the open water.

A wave banked on the side of the boat, sending a splash of ocean spray into the boat. Mal withered.

"I swear if this tips over with us in it…"

"What's wrong? Dragon afraid of a little water?" Harry snickered from the back of the boat.

"Keep smirking like that and I'll use your own your own hook to rearrange your intestines,"

He laughed, "Talk dirty to me, Mal,"

Mal shot a look over her shoulder at him. He winked. There was tense silence that overtook the boat until Gil spoke up.

"Soo, how's Auradon?"

"Being assaulted by a manic with Maleficent's staff," Jay answered in a deadpan.

"Sounds fun,"

"I… I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or not," Carlos said.

Uma chuckled under her breath, "He's not,"

"I've never seen Auradon before. I'm excited,"

"Don't hold your breath," Jay said.

The boat slowed as the barrier drew closer, the dome crawling above their heads.

"Alright dears, open the barrier if you would," Harry said.

Mal leaned back, arching a brow, "Oh so you do need us to open the barrier,"

"Stop being precocious and open it," Uma said.

There was a triumphant grin on her lips, but she opened the barrier.

"You said you don't bluff,"

Uma snorted, "Of course I bluff. Mom taught me how to bluff when she was teaching me the alphabet,"

Carlos gave her a very confused looked to which she rolled her eyes.

"A is for arsenic, B is bluff, C for corpse,"

"Arsenic was my A-word too," Evie said delighted, "The other A-word was banned in my house. But mom used beauty for my B-word,"

"Other A word?" Uma asked.

"Apples," Mal said.

"Oh… makes sense,"

"We need to establish some rules if we're doing this," Mal said to Uma.

"Do we? You already benched the rest of the crew. What more could you want?"

"You need to listen to us while we're in Auradon,"

With a snort, Uma said, "Sure, that's going to happen,"

"I'm not saying this because of the bad blood between us. I'm serious. You need to listen to us. Auradon is different from the Isle,"

"You don't say. I would have never guessed,"

Mal gritted her teeth, pushing down a growling as she looked at Evie. She placed a hand on Mal's knee as she looked to Uma.

"We're at a tense point for VKs right now," Evie started.

"E," Mal's voice carried a warning in it. Evie looked to her. Mal tilted her head down slightly, meeting Evie's gaze with a deep intensity. In response, Evie quirked her head to the side.

"What do you mean tense point?" Uma pressed.

"Because of the fight Hades and Mal had on the bridge, there was some conservations about shutting down the VK program,"

Uma's posture straightened and she sat forward, her hands landing on her knees hard. "What?"

"We negotiated against that, of course, and kept the project open," Evie said.

In another other situation, Mal would have been sure Evie's half-lie would have been undetectable. But not here. Not with Uma. She scrutinized Uma's expression, trying to gain insight into what she was thinking. It was hard to read her, as always, but she didn't see any signs of doubt.

It helped that Evie believed in what she was saying. They'd been in the middle of their discussions when the council meeting had ended abruptly, but for Evie, it wasn't a question for her whether or not they'd be able to keep the VK program going.

"We're not letting the program end, for anything. But our situation will be made easier if we keep up proper appearances,"

"Umm," Gil piped up, "Is this okay? I don't have another shirt. I didn't think I'd need one," He looked down at his outfit, fixing and fiddling with it now.

"She means we should play the heroes," Harry said, "Be the goody-goody friends, happy thoughts, hold hands or whatever passes for Auradon's idea of heroism these days."

"We won't want you to play anything. I just want you to know, the more… chaotic nature of your usual behaviour wouldn't be appreciated in Auradon,"

"Are you calling us wild, Princess?" Harry snorted.

"In simple terms, yes,"

"And why should we care if Auradon appreciates us or not?" Uma asked.

"Because it helps your bottom line too. You want the VKs off the Isle. The best way to do that is to show Auradon that VKs can be heroes, without our usual tricks,"

"That just sounds boring," Harry said.

"And what have your poster mugs been doing the past years? Are you so busy making yourself pretty for the cameras that you forgot to be on your best behaviour?"

Mal's fingers twitched against her thighs. Uma caught the motion and smirked at her.

"Something wrong Mally,"

"Don't call me that,"

"Why? Reserved for your girlfriend?"

"No. But I do have a few choice words reserved for you,"

"M," Evie cut in. Mal bit her tongue, "Uma, please," She continued, "We're not enemies. Your help is invaluable to us, and not just against these terrorists. You can help us change Auradon,"

Uma's eyes narrowed for a beat, "I don't like you, Princess," She said bluntly to Evie. She pointed to Mal, "With that one, I know her stance in all of this. She doesn't trust me, clear as day on her face. But I'm an ally worth having, even if she doesn't trust me. I know how to respond to that. But you," Her finger shifted to Evie, "I don't know what's your game in all this,"

"I don't have a game,"

"Everyone has a game,"

Mal gave a low laugh, "She really doesn't. Not in any way you'd care about,"

"We both want the same things Uma. Kids to be allowed off the Isle. For them to be safe and have a real chance at life,"

"If you really wanted that you would have made it happen already,"

"You don't know politics in Auradon," Mal said.

"Your right. I don't. You were in the perfect position to get what you wanted. Right at the king's ear. And you gave up that power, for what? And please don't say for love."

Mal's smile didn't waver, "As I said, you know nothing about politics. For right now, our goals converge. That's all we need to trust you,"

Uma snorted, "Trust, right,"

"You are right about one thing. I don't trust you. But I do know you. And I trust her," She quirked her head towards Evie, "And she believes the position you'll gain from helping us is better than any situation you'd be in from betraying us. I understand you well enough to know you're not one for unnecessary risks,"

"You're saying your trust your analysis more than you distrust me,"

"No. That I trust her analysis more than I distrust you,"

"You put too much stock into your friends,"

"And how much stock do you have in Gil and Harry?"

Uma didn't answer, turning her gaze out over the water.

"Wow, this place is a dive," Freddie said with bright, wide eyes. They were darting around quickly, bouncing around the room, "Look at the stain over on that table. Does that look like blood?"

"I certainly hope not," Jade pulled her bag around to her front, eyeing the meagre spread of patrons in the bar. Unlike Freddie, her eyes scanned with the room with a much more wary gaze.

"Guys, on task," Dizzy said, her eyes already fixed across the bar. She'd already seen the reason they were here. She filled her lungs, once, twice. On the third breath the bartender looked up, his eyes finding hers.

Well, they knew they were there now.

Dizzy crossed the room, keeping an eye out for any other familiar faces. She didn't pick out any just then, but she was sure they'd be lurking somewhere.

"No," Anthony said before she'd even taken a seat at the bar.

"Don't be a prick,"

"If I wanted to be a prick I'd have Two Tonne throw you out of here,"

"We want to talk to the others too,"

"No,"

"This is for your own good,"

"We don't need your help,"

"What if we wanted a drink?" Freddie asked, sliding into the space next to Dizzy.

"Oh, so you're hanging out with card sharks now? The poster children weren't bad enough,"

"Good to see you haven't changed Anthony," Freddie said.

"Shame to see you haven't gained a sense of style Freddie,"

Their smiles were like daggers.

"We have money to pay for drinks," Jane said, trying to ease the tension.

"You also have legs to take you somewhere else. If you want boozes I'd recommend the corner shop. Their cheap wine would be right up your alley,"

Dizzy leaned over the bar, looking Anthony in the eyes, "Listen, you conceited dipshit, we could be halfway through our conversation if you stopped being difficult for two seconds,"

Dizzy sensed a presence at her back. Just as she started to feel a tug at the back of her shirt, she ducked her hand going into her boot and pulling out her dagger. The Gaston twin who'd been about to grab her blinked at the empty space she'd just been in. In the next moment, he saw black and white spots when Dizzy's head collided with his jaw. He stumped a couple steps back and Dizzy did a quick pat lifting the pocket knife from his back pocket. His twin was suddenly in her space, grabbing her wrist. She pressed the edge of her dagger against the crook of his arm.

"Let go," She said with a smooth tone.

"Tonne, Gaze, what are you doing?" A new voice joined them and Dizzy saw Ginny step from a bad room. She also noticed her cousin had a knife in his hands and Freddie had two fingers around a card hidden by her sleeve.

"Gin, she…" The first twin started to say, but Ginny snapped her fingers. He stopped talking and his brother let Dizzy go. She straightened herself, tucking her dagger back into her boot, but making sure the hilt was still visible for everyone this time.

"That was pretty quick to go for your blade, don't you think?" Ginny asked, placing her hand on Anthony's wrist and taking the knife from him.

Dizzy shrugged, "Two against one, I'm not going to take my chances with those odds,"

"Is it fair to sucker the other guy in the first two seconds with a dirty uppercut?"

"Is it fair to try to grab someone from behind when she's having a conversation with her dear cousin?"

Anthony and Tonne huffed, but Ginny laughed.

"That was a good lift by the way. Mal teach you that?"

Dizzy really tried not to show her irritation that her lift hadn't been flawless. She threw the twin's pocket knife at him. He stumbled to catch it, looking stunned to see it at all. He patted his pockets twice just to check he was missing it.

"Among other things,"

"But the dagger in the boot. That's more the Princess's style. Mal likes to hide her weapons under her jacket,"

"I'm not risking the lining getting sliced by a blade,"

Ginny laughed, "Yeah, the Princess is definitely your teacher. So I heard something about drinks and the cash to pay?" She started to set up glasses.

"Ginny," Anthony started to argue.

"We'll talk about it later," She said to him.

"Can you make a dark and stormy?" Freddie said, returning to her seat like nothing happened.

"Can I make a dark and stormy?" Ginny snorted, grabbing a rum bottle from the shelves behind her, "Don't insult me with such questions. And what can I get you two?"

Jane still looked a little stunned by how quickly everything had escalated and deescalated. She just shook her head.

"You little Tremaine?"

"I just need a few minutes and you to listen,"

Ginny considered the request, "We can do that,"

"You've heard about Maleficent's staff?"

"Who hasn't? They gave an interesting speech. Made quite the impression. We have our own bets on who's behind the mask. You must have your own theories,"

"Only theories,"

"Am I one of those theories?"

"Maybe you were, a couple of days ago. And then things changed,"

"Oh?" She presented a dark drink to Freddie, but her eyes were on Dizzy.

"After their news highlight they paid the manor a visit,"

"What?" Anthony spoke up, his crossed armed loosening.

"Some of the staff were turned to stone. Including Flori. Most of the kids managed to hide. It was honestly mostly luck we were able to stall long enough for help to get there. They wanted blood. Our blood. All our blood. There's no doubt that any VK"

"Wait, are they the ones who gave you those bruises?" Anthony asked.

"Oh, so you did notice," Dizzy glanced to him with a haughty snort. She sighed, "Sorry. I didn't mean to be harsh. We just wanted you to be on guard,"

"You came all the way out here to pass on a warning?"

"Not like we have your phone number,"

"If you come back with us, we can give you protection," Jane said.

The twins snorted in union, "We're all the protection we need," One said.

"Just be safe. I don't want to hear about you in the obituaries," Dizzy said, mostly looking to Anthony as she spoke. He fidgeted, seemingly put off by the show of genuine concern.

"We can take of ourselves Dizzy," Ginny said.

"Just… be careful. If we found you, someone else might have. If you don't come back with us, maybe you could go somewhere else for a while,"

"We don't run from things,"

"Don't think of it as running. Think of it as a vacation,"

Gaston Jr.'s eyes brighten, "We haven't gone on a vacation before,"

"Gaze, hush," Ginny said.

"Is that all you have to say," Anthony said.

Dizzy took a breath, "Yes. We won't linger. We can tell when we're not wanted somewhere,"

"Really think about coming with us or going somewhere else. We really just want to know you're safe," Jane said, "We came in on the last train so we're staying the night at an inn and heading back to Auradon on the first train. If you want to come with us you can meet us there,"

"Thanks but like we said, we can handle ourselves," Anthony said.

"Alright, let's go guys," Dizzy said, "We did what came here for,"

"Hold on," Ginny said, "Where are you staying?"

"We got rooms at the Mason's,"

Ginny made a face and slapped Anthony's shoulder, her hand jerking over the shoulder, "Grab them some food," He vanished into the backroom without question, "Their food should be criminal. You shouldn't eat anything there,"

"Good to know,"

Jane started to pull out money but Ginny stopped her.

"On the house. The drink too. Consider your tip about the target on as our payment,"

"Thank you," Jane said with a smile.

Ginny looked at Dizzy again. A moment of conflict passed over her face before she sighed and pushed her hair back, "How's Mal?"

Dizzy arched a brow.

"And don't tell her I asked,"

"I won't. The answer she'll want me to give is she's fine,"

"And the answer that's the truth?"

"She doesn't know if she can do this,"

"Stop her mother's staff,"

"Yes. Right now she's on the island, looking for something to boost her magic,"

"She thinks she can find something like that on the Isle?"

"She has a strong lead," Dizzy didn't want to say anything more, "And not that you care, but it will mean something to Mal that you asked,"

"No, it won't because she won't ever find out,"

"Right," Dizzy surprised a smile.

Anthony returned, a bag in his hands. He handed it to Dizzy.

"Kid, don't follow that dragon into the fire, okay,"

"You don't get to worry about me, Anthony,"

"… That's fair,"

She took the bag and turned to take her leave. Jane followed but did Freddie held back so she could empty her glass. "You can make a dark and stormy," She said with a wink as she hopped to her feet and jogged after Dizzy.

Jane gave a huge sigh once they were outside, placing her hand on Dizzy's shoulder, "I didn't know who was going to gut who for a moment there,"

"Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have pulled the dagger,"

"They listened to us, so that's as good as we can hope for,"

"I would have done the same thing," Freddie said, falling into line with them.

"What did you almost pull from your sleeve there?" Dizzy asked.

Freddie tsked, "A magician never tells,"

"Do you have shadow magic like Celia?"

"Celia showed you her shadow?"

"She kind of had to,"

Freddie hummed, "Maybe. But what did Ginny give us?" She took the bag and peeked inside, "Score, looks like BLTs,"

"Do you think Mal and the others will be back when we get back?" Jane asked Dizzy.

"I hope so. I hate thinking of them on the Isle,"

"But they can handle themselves, right?"

"Of course," Dizzy maybe made herself sound too upbeat, "It's them. No one knows the isle half as well," She said, hoping she was right. Really they couldn't head back fast enough.

On Ginny's advice they didn't have dinner at their inn and the next morning they were up too early for breakfast anyway. Freddie was fighting down yawns as they waited at the station for the train to pull in. Dizzy checked her phone again, but there wasn't anything new from the last time she checked.

"Reception is spotty out here," Jane reasoned.

"Yeah,"

The train appeared just then, pulling into the station.

"Finally," Freddie said around another yawn, slinging her bag over her shoulder, "Let's go find out if Celia got into trouble while she was there," They got onto the train and claimed some seats to themselves. Not that they had to fight for space, the train seemed pretty empty considering the time of the morning. Dizzy leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes, hoping to catch maybe another of hour sleep. It took a few minutes but there was a high groan from the wheels and a bit of a jostle as the train started to move again.

"Hold on!"

Their trio turned at the sound of shouting. Ginny, Anthony, the twins and Rick were running towards them. They didn't really look as they crossed a set of train tracks to get to them. Jane flinched as they leapt the tracks. So did one of the attendants on duty.

"You kids can't be doing that," She called, moving towards them.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Dizzy shouted out to them, leaning out the window.

"What does it look like?" Ginny called back.

"For the love of," Dizzy glanced around quickly, spotting the carriage entrance they were closest too. She ran down the hallway to it, hooking one hand around the railing as she leaned out towards them. Anthony got to her first, clasping their arms together. Dizzy pulled him on with a fluid motion and leaned back out right away, grabbing Ginny next. Next to her, Anthony grabbed Rick and pulled him on.

As Dizzy pulled Ginny she tumbled to the floor, pulling down Dizzy with her.

"Were these dramatics needed?" Dizzy asked in a huff.

"Where's the fun without the dramatics," Ginny laughed. She looked back, making sure the twins got on. Rick and Anthony were just pulling them on. Jane and Freddie appeared above them.

"What a showboat," Freddie chuckled, crossing her arms.

"Says the con artist,"

"The words you're looking for are fortune teller and illusionist,"

"Tomato, tomato," Ginny snorted.

"What made you all change your minds?"

"We wanted in on the fun," Ginny said.

"He was worried about Dizzy," Rick panted, pointing at Anthony. Anthony's face went red and he got up, vanishing to a compartment.

"Is that true?" Dizzy asked, even though she already had answer from his reaction.

Ginny shrugged, "You looked genuinely worried about Mal. And, well, if these people are coming after us, we might as well bring the fight to them. Things are just more efficient that way,"

"Right," Dizzy laughed a little as she got to her feet, holding her hand for Ginny. She took it, getting up, "Thank you,"

"Don't mention it. Like ever," She said, but she clasped Dizzy's shoulder once before she went to find Anthony.

Nardragon- Until the next page.