Welcome back, Descendants!

And please give Twisted a big Happy Birthday shout out! For her birthday, all she wanted was for us to start posting again, and we're both sick so we didn't think it was going to be possible.

But devinnnicole really pulled through and helped us get these chapters into posting shape. Thank you, Devin, for being an awesome Beta.

So Happy Birthday Twisted, this chapter's for you ;)

On the Isle...

Two days after the Core Four are taken to Auradon...

Hades glares up at the crumbling castle in front of him in annoyance. He usually enjoyed the dragon's banter, he really did. But after feeling his daughter's terror, which had been annoying at the time, though it had quickly dissipated, he was feeling pretty done with the old bag. Especially now that he knew what the cause of it was.

And if he was feeling any type of concern, it was because his daughter was his meal ticket off this shithole he'd been forced to live in. Nothing else.

Nothing.

Well, maybe a little of something else.

Maybe.

Not that he wanted to take the time to figure out what that something else was.

Not that it mattered anymore!

If he had his powers, he would've destroyed half the isle in his rage at finding out she'd been shipped off to Auradon without him knowing about it.

No one pulled the wool over his eyes, no one. Powerful fairy babe or not, Maleficent had gone too far this time.

He lifts his brow when he notices the number of goblins standing outside the doors scrambling away from him as he made a grand entrance; breaking her door off the hinges with a single kick.

What had he missed? Surely there'd be more guards to deal with him. Him, the God of the Underworld! How insulting.

He walks through the foyer. "Oh Honey Cakes," His voice booms around the rock and cement of the castle "I'm home."

"Really Hades?" Maleficent rolls her eyes as she walks down the stairs, "My door? This is what we're reduced to?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Hades grins, "Worried about something my dear, sweet babycakes?" He asks curiously as he circles her.

"I am the ruler of this Isle, Hades." Maleficent blinks coyly, "What would I possibly fear?"

Hades walks up to her and takes a whiff. "Smells like Cereberus' shit to me." He waves his hand in front of his face mockingly.

"Oh," Maleficent gags, "would it kill you to brush your teeth?" She coughs as she takes a step back, "You smell like brimstone."

"Why thank you." Hades rubs his knuckles on his toga. "It's my natural scent babe, with undertones of sulfur."

"Disgusting." Maleficent crinkles her nose, "Why are you here?" She snips, "What do you want?"

"Why am I here?" Hades rolls his eyes before he rubs his chin, "'Why am I here?' she asks like she doesn't know," He narrows his eyes, "Where is my brat?"

Maleficent glares as she bounces one foot, tapping her toes against the ground in agitation, "I've been trying to find her for two days. You tell me where she is."

Hades glares as he leans in dangerously close, "You mean you didn't ship her off with your brat?"

"The letter didn't summon her," Maleficent rolls her eyes, "it was for Mal and the other three."

"Huh. Rude much." Hades clicks his teeth. "Call it off."

"Call what off?"

Hades rolls his eyes, "You said you were looking for her."

"I have two more favors to demand of your brat," Maleficent stands up straighter, "I will not call off my summons."

"See, here's the thing about favors doll." Hades runs a hand over his head, "I do you one every day by not killing everyone for my entertainment. And the fact of the matter is you broke clause nineteen, chapter twelve on that contract. Always have me," He points to himself, "This handsome devil, present when making requests of my daughter."

"So what? I'll summon you the moment I have her." She waves him off dismissively.

"Nu-uh sweet cheeks, read the sub print." Hades crosses his arms.

"Really?" Maleficent demands in a nasal tone, "Read the sub print?"

"Would I be here in this hovel if you didn't ask for my attendance?"

"I don't know what entertainment takes your fancy anymore." Maleficent sneers as she walks around the god.

Hades exaggerates an eye roll as he slams his hand against a pillar.

"But wrecking my damn home should not be at the top of your damn list!" She shouts as she rounds on him.

"Call it off or honey," Hades lowers his voice, "you won't have a home to be wrecking."

"Tell me why I should call it off, besides the threats against this shitty place."

Hades spins on his feet before he clasps his hand around her throat and slams her into a wall. "You are standing between me and my chance at freedom." Spit flies from his mouth as he seethes at her, "How's that for a damn reason?"

"Or I'm trying to help you be the hero to that girl you've clearly always wanted to be."

"About that," Hades shrugs, though he doesn't so much as loosen his grip, "change in plans sweet cheeks." He taps her high boned cheek roughly with his free hand, "See, I've been coming at this from the wrong angle. Thank your shadow for that. I've found that what is considered weakness from you, is actually a strength for her." He leans in closer as he flexes his fingers ever so slightly, "So. Call. It. Off." He demands between his teeth.

Maleficent rolls her eyes, "I knew you were far too entertained by that little fly for my own good." She calmly breathes out around his hand pressing against her windpipe.

Hades narrows his eyes before a smile widens on his lips. "You're afraid of that kid." He starts snickering before it turns into full-blown laughter as he doubles over in amusement, dropping his hand from her throat in his unbridled glee.

Maleficent straightens up, holding one hand to her throat as she pulls in a deep breath.

"So he didn't go either, huh?" He couldn't stop giggling as he tries to stand up straight. "Oh. You know what, go ahead. Summon her." He wipes a tear from his eye. "That's just beautiful. I feel like you just escalated your problem. Kid bluffed his ass off. He doesn't loathe my daughter. He cares about her. This is too perfect!"

Maleficent blinks. "What is with this new generation? Cares about her? And Mal cares about both of them." Her face screws up in disgust, "This is just revolting."

"Yeah. It is sweet cheeks," Hades chuckles he pats her cheek again before he turns, "Good luck with the door," He pauses and puts his fist through a window, shattering the shotty glasswork into millions of pieces, "And the window. Once you finally find my daughter be sure to give me a call. I don't want to miss a single second of that swift retribution." He takes another step before he looks back over his shoulder, "And honey, if you ain't pissin' your skirts, you're a fucking idiot."

Uma hadn't shown up at all. Or maybe she hadn't left yet.

Deez blinks as she looks down at her chewed fingernails. When the hell had she done that? Huh… She hadn't even known she could make herself bleed.

She sighs before she looks back at the Chip Shop.

Where was Uma? Harry? She knew they weren't letting Gil help out in the shop, not now that the renovations were done or on pause.

She digs her knuckles into her tired eyes. She had been watching the shop for… Hours? She blinks as she looks up. A day? She was pretty sure at least one night had passed.

Honestly, she couldn't remember how long she'd been waiting. She just knew she'd been afraid to take her eyes off it for even a second.

That and the thought of falling asleep this close to the docks made her mouth hot and her throat burn.

With a shaky sigh, she pulls her chin off her knees, unwrapping her arms from around her legs. She wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting wedged between barrels like that, but her body complained at the movement.

She frowns as she turns her hand to stare at her palm. Huh. Her hand was perfectly formed around the warm shell.

At some point she must have pulled the cord too tight. She frowns at the frayed ends before she picks it up and ties it back in place. Like hell was she going to lose this.

She stands up, keeping her back pressed to the crumbling wall behind her as she eyed the wooden dock. Her stomach hurt, but she couldn't tell if it was from hunger or fear.

With a last look at the Chip Shop, she turns and creeps along the street. She had no idea where she was going. She just knew she couldn't stay out in the open like this. She was going to need sleep eventually.

Had Uma gotten time off? Would she have been better off going to the beach near the start of the dock to try and catch them?

But the ship was so far from there. And if she couldn't make it three steps on the solid dock supporting the shops, how did she expect herself to get further once it became a small path?

Were they even looking for her? Did they know about Mal's gang yet? Did they believe the rumors that she had also been taken?

Maybe they weren't looking for her.

She shakes her head as she stubbornly pushes her hair back under the hoodie. They'd never give up on her… Right?

No!

If they'd heard about the limo, and she knew her cousin well enough to know she kept abreast of the rumors, then they were looking for her.

Which would be why Uma and Harry hadn't shown up, right? Because why would they look for her here? She taps her fist to her forehead. This had been a waste of time.

Maybe she should go stay at the cove. She sighs. Like she should have done from the start.

Her eyes narrow at a small shape running in her direction. She quickly ducks down a side street and slides behind a busted crate.

"Master T?" A gruff voice calls out.

Hyades tilts her head to the side. She recognized that voice. "Irk?"

"Daughter of Hades-" The small goblin runs around the crate until he stops in front of her, "You must hide."

"I thought I had been." Hyades purses her lips to the side. Her brow furrows as she takes in the stout tusked goblin. He looked like he'd been running all morning. He was bent over, breathing heavily as he clutched his side. "Are you okay?" She asks as she rolls to her knees. Black was smeared over his entire left side, and she was pretty sure that was the color of his blood, though it looked dry. "What happened?" She rips the bottom of her hoodie along the hem until she had a sizable bandage.

"Very kind of you Daughter of Hades. Can't stay out here. Mistress looking for you. Will throw in dungeon so our Queen and Master T will listen."

"T's still here?"

Irk nods, "Master T not taken to Auradon with the others. Mistress trap him in dungeon."

Hyades takes a deep breath as she wraps her makeshift bandage around Irk's wound, doing her best to hide the shaking in her hands. They'd never talked about confined spaces, though T certainly didn't seem to have a problem crawling through caves or her catacomb- But she definitely felt like locking him up was a mistake.

"But he got out." The goblin gestures to his wound.

"T did this?" Hyades' eyes widen.

"Master T did not like chains," Irk explains. "Goblins don't think he saw friends because we chained him. He cut Bak too."

Hyades winces, "Is Bak okay?" She asks as she tightens the bandage and ties it over the wound

"No Goblins killed." Irk states. "And none dying."

"Good. Though, I'm sorry you guys got hurt." She sits back to examine her work before she nods, "But you're right, Master T is… Master T's not okay right now."

Irk nods. "He yelled at himself long time. Goblins thought at us. But Goblins listen. He yelling at self."

"What was he saying?" Hyades whispers fearfully.

"He defend himself for getting chained."

T must've been talking to the other in his mind. His other personality. He'd never done that in front of her, or anyone that she knew of. Did that mean he was getting worse? "Did you run all the way out here to warn me?"

"Goblins looking to warn you. Goblins looking to hurt you. Depends on goblin." Irk looks around with shifty eyes. "But Irk thought you were Master T."

"Thank you Irk. I know you're risking a lot for me."

"Irk like Daughter of Hades."

"Thank you," Hyades nods, "I'm guessing they expect me to run to Uma."

"Goblins don't think you make it to docks so Goblins look through places like this for you and Master T."

"Got it." Hyades nods before she looks down at her clothes, "So she's looking for T too?"

Irk grins, "Mistress doubled guard."

Hyades widens her eyes, "She's scared of T?"

"Goblins think so. Mistress not expecting escape. Goblins who like Queen more also like Master T. We distract guards."

"Thank you. I can't thank you enough for that."

Irk smiles, "Pretty glass for Irk."

Hyades smiles. "You know where Mal's hideout is?"

Irk nods.

"In the area with my stuff, if you open the chest under the bed I have a lot of pretty colored glass. All yours."

Irk eyes widen. "Irk be envy of everyone." He rubs his hands together.

"Thank you." Hyades bend forward to gently hug the goblin, minding his injury.

"Most welcome Daughter of Hades."

"Want me to wait a bit after you leave before I take off?"

"You leave first. No one thinks Daughter of Hades travels in day. And with hood, bad goblins act like they no see. Look much like Master T." He gestures to her clothing. "They no like."

Hyades nods before she stands, "I won't come back this way if you want to sound the alarm that you saw me."

"Thank you, Daughter of Hades."

She turns and slinks further down the side street, doing her best to stick to the shadows.

"Yensid." Irk says casually as he sits on the edge of the broken crate.

Hyades sighs as she throws her hand in the air in acknowledgment, unknowingly mimicking T. "Yeah, I know. I just have to figure out what to say." She whispers to herself before she starts running again.

Maybe she should try roof hopping. T said she wasn't that bad last time they tried it.

With Maleficent hunting for her, anyone she went to for help could potentially turn her over to the isle ruler.

Or worse, Maleficent could find out they'd helped her and punish them. She shivers.

She wanted to get to Uma. Wanted to be with her family and feel safe. But she couldn't run to them just yet. She had to think. Had to make sure no one suspected the wharf rats of helping her.

The only safe place for her was with Master Yensid for now. If he'd have her and he was willing to risk Maleficent's wrath.

"Deez an' T seriously be ah comin' out this far?" Harry breathes heavily as he looks around the unfamiliar terrain with a frown.

"Yeah." Gil sighs, wiping away sweat with the back of his hand. "Deez told me how disappointed she was that he found her at the top after only one day."

"This be crazy." Harry groans as he stares up at the rest of the mountain they still had to climb.

Gil nods in agreement. He never realized how big the isle was until T and Deez started playing their game. But now, though he knew he wasn't, he felt very small.

"Uma's right. We need a meeting spot."

Harry chuckles, "Aye, no fuckin' kiddin' mate." He looks up at the mountain again and closes his eyes. "Ya know. I always be feelin' left out when the two o' them be fuckin' off ta be playin' this game… But now I know what I be missin'. Seekin' treasure be one thing mate, but they be ah tryin' ta kill themselves with this whaleshit." He groans.

Gil adjusts his vest before he absently pats at his arms, "I agree." He sighs. He hated that they went off like this, but honestly, he got it. Deez and T loved adventure, loved to try new things and weren't afraid to drop everything and go.

He admired it, he really did. He just wished that it wasn't the two independents out here alone. He hated it when those two separated out here, by themselves in the woods. Where they slept away from any kind of shelter. He hadn't found one decent hiding spot, or even covering to disappear behind since they started climbing.

Powers or not, he hated the thought of Deez being out here unprotected, this far away from Mal and Uma's territories. And T didn't have powers. Period. It was stupid.

Except when it wasn't. He sighs. Because for a while it was the only way his family could see Deez, and he would always appreciate that.

Because T knew they needed her. What he didn't seem to understand was they needed both of them.

They needed each other. When they were together they made life better, easier. They just worked well together.

So for T to use their game as an excuse, marking Hyades as a treasure on the map, sending them off to hunt while offering to close with Ursula alone, without complaint. It meant everything. Being able to see Deez, even though it was taboo for them to do so, really made it all bearable.

Harry frowns as he huddles close to Gil and rubs his arms, "Aye. An' when we be finishin' up here we be ah needin' ta get ya inta some layers sweet boy. Can'nah be havin' ya catch sick."

"Yeah, that's the last thing we need." Gil sighs. He didn't need something so avoidable slowing them down. None of them did. Not with Deez and T both missing. Because they couldn't be in Auradon. They had to still be here. Somehow or another.

It seemed their latest hope was they'd been playing this stupid game when the four had left. It was slim, but right now it was all they had. Because if Deez had been with Mal then she was-

Gil shakes his head. No. She wasn't gone. She wouldn't do that to them. "Come on, we need to keep going," He punches Harry's shoulder encouragingly. "It's not so bad when I'm moving. I was even sweating before."

"Aye." Harry lets out a sigh, "Be leadin' the way then."

So welcome back to the end of chapter reviews :)

Since this was a surprise for Twisted, I'll handle this one.

What did you think of that scene between Hades and Maleficent? Hades seems to be a little all over the place since his 'caring parent moment' with Deez. What do you think his new angle is?

And now that Deez knows she's being hunted she's well and truly on her own for the first time in a very very very long time. What did you think of her talk with Irk? About her thoughts on staying away from her family for now?

And finally, Poor Gil and Harry right? Storming all over the isle trying to track their wayward friends down.

So guys, what do you think of our first chapter? Please follow and favorite, and don't forget to leave us some love. We've missed you guys!

And again,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWISTED!

-Dark-