Alright this took a lot longer to get out than I would have hoped, and it's also shorter than I was going for. I'm not exactly happy with the transition from where I ended part one with my editing and what I had to go on from the old work on the start of part two, but I've tried.
I've been typing up all of my note books, and scanning in the drawings of things in this story and several others.
I've even been rewriting later portions that don't mesh with what I have currently and what I am going to keep the story towards.
Originally the point of view changed by scene, but I think I'll leave the story in Mal's perspective, our brunette Villain Tier girl. I will likely post short stories of certain scenes in others perspectives at a later time. Let me know if you find any errors, or if anyone is interested in being a beta.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS! THIS STORY IS FOR MATURE READERS ONLY! IT IS NOT FOR CHILDREN OR YOUNG TEENS. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
WARNING: This is not a story for the faint of heart!
This is not rated for Disney.
This will be a very dark take on the Isle of the lost, and what really happens when villains who are known to make people's lives living hells, or in Maleficent's case, cursing a baby to die, or what happens when not rated for children.
This includes dark themes, nudity, slaves, mentions of abuse, neglect, rape, violence, murder, theft, burglary, magic, blood, gore, nudity, and other shady behaviors and substances. These may be subject to change!
***** On Ao3 explicit scenes, these will only be mentioned in passing on , note both stories have the same plot and direction but may read differently due to this. *****
Disclaimer this is a FanFiction! I have no rights to the original works, or the characters from them.
Chapter Summary:
With a Bargain struck with her nemesis Mal tries to gain traction in her quest to survive. Though after only a week she finds it hard to tap into her self preservation when confronted with the Devils.
And when disaster strikes she must make the choice if she's going to risk even more to get what she wants from her life.
Home on the Isle of the Lost
The First Days
Part 2:
As the sun continued to ascend into the sky, I took my time going back to the castle.
I'd spent to long awake working on the assignments Carlos brought to even have the energy to deal with my mother now that I was the last child still in her care.
In all honesty I still wasn't ready to give up the new taste of freedom I'd found. No matter how tempting it is to try and get more.
It was an idea for how I could pay back Carlos and maybe get something else out of the bargain, even if he'd given me enough to pass at the very least the written portion.
Getting more from our deal was ideal considering he was still in a position to screw me over. It would just take changing his written voice or style even a hair to make all the go down the drain.
Without finding a way to secure my grade, or a partnership of equal benefit, there wasn't anything stopping him from destroying my life. Even if he wasn't aware of what was on the line.
Pushing open the front passage to the castle I almost freeze at the sight of my mother, only just barely hiding the reaction as I kick the door shut behind me. "Your late."
Being the smart ass that I am, I pull out the new pass, waving it her direction. "You gave me the right to work on my assignment mother." I roll my eyes, "It's not like I was having a good time. I hate tier two and I hate my partner. Do you have any idea how much iron I was around last night while working on this?" Normally my mother would have backhanded me at the very least, but the fact I really did reek of iron she kept far away from me. Thankfully Cruella's house was known to smell of iron being filled with bear traps and other useless things. How any of the older de Vil's were alive was beyond me. For now I just had to hope she didn't ask for where I was or I was or my insinuation would only get me punished.
The disgust on her face was worth the stench from not cleaning my clothes at the harbor. "I can smell it from here. Go clean up and never come home smelling like this again." Her sneer made me want to grin.
So soon I got to push back on our pact! Banning me from working with Carlos, even if that wasn't what I had been doing was a direct violation. "And what are you going to do for me in return, or are you trying to ban me from the Devil." My words halt her as she reaches the doorway towards the throne room.
I know I'm pushing my luck and her anger isn't surprising as she spins on me. "What do you propose." her voice promises pain. One we all knew if we stepped wrong we'd be whipped and left bleeding in the flooded dungeon cells.
Fuck, why do I do this. I don't bend on her gaze as I try to find something to work with, whether it benefits me directly, or indirectly from Carlos, I'd take it. "If I can't work around Hell Hall and the iron there to keep from bring the scent back here, then you need to find away for me to work with my Carlos elsewhere. A way Cruella can't stop."
It's like a switch is flipped and her anger is suddenly amusement, a grin on her face, a plot on her mind. Some of the fae trapped here that I'd spoken to, claimed she never was quick to emotions. But after six years of watching them flicker in her snapping from one to the next, I question the intelligence more and more of The Fairy Godmother and Wizard Merlin. Especially since fae can't lie.
And Maleficent's emotional range was nowhere near stable. "Oh, that I can do. It's a bonus if it angers the old coat chasing, puppy skipping idiot, makes me like it even more."
I can almost feel safe that I was getting something I could use, but I can't bring myself to relax until I've heard the words from her own lips. "Really and what's the solution? I doubt she's going to enter a pact. Her distaste for Fae is as known as the Iron she keeps around."
The old dragon's grin by the door was all the warning I need to know it wasn't going to be free. "Oh, she won't; but you and I can. The only thing you have to do is fetch me some things from the woods, and in turn I'll give you a pass for the idiot boy. One that will give him a whole year of free passage."
I can't help but want to accept with no questions, while keeping Carlos where I could find him was nice, it benefited me more to have him free, since if others can't locate him easily, no one can report if I am or am not working with him. "What do you need?"
"Simple things my dear, simple things. Hemlock, henbane, opium poppy, lathyrus linifolius, ergot fungus, and juniper berry seeds to stock the apothecary." Some I already knew I had, some were certainly harder to get. At the very least they all grew on the main island and I wouldn't have to venture further.
I nod my acceptance of the proposal, reaching into my bag to snag a knife, one which I'd gotten from Carlos after he left it behind after a more violent altercation between the two of us at school. Not wanting to waste my time, or sit through a full ceremony I gently place the blade in my off hand, "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather get this done before I'm stuck smelling like this a second time." I watch as she waves her hand for me to proceed. It takes only a second for me to slice into my palm encasing the blade before I quickly pass it on to mother.
I snort as she takes the blade from me, due to the care she uses not to touch me, and the iron stench I carry. Clearing my throat, I start, "I, Maleficent Emory le Fey, will retrieve hemlock, henbane, opium poppy, lathyrus linifolius, ergot fungus, and juniper berry seeds, one vial of each. In return for a one-year pass of free passage for Carlos de Vil that will be given to me to redeem with Madame Medusa and pass on the proper party to file accordingly."
I felt her gaze as I left my hand extended, blood dripping. I watch as she weighs the words before slicing her own palm and encasing mine so the blood lines cross. "Upon delivery of hemlock, henbane, opium poppy, lathyrus linifolius, ergot fungus, and juniper berry seeds, one vial of each. I Maleficent Alice le Fey will write a one year pass of free passage for Carlos de Vil which will be redeemable by Maleficent Emory le Fey from Madame Medusa, after which she will pass it on the the proper party to file."
"May the deal be binding by blood," The acceptance of the bond brings the faint traces of magic I'd felt hours earlier in the clearing back to my mind. " and may the blood run until the trade is complete." Which is unfortunate as I didn't like leaving my wounds exposed when gathering herbs, especially when several of them are poisons.
Relinquishing her grip on my hand, she passes my blade back once more before returning to the path I'd stopped her from earlier. "Don't take to long, you only have two hours before class." Was her sole advice as she continued away letting the doors swing shut between the two of us.
I don't bother saying anything as I head for my tower, and my stash of herbs. It takes a moment for me to start scaling the walls, my bleeding palm slowing me down.
I want to continue up to my locked workroom, but the stench of iron holds me back, instead opting to duck into my bedroom to change.
I tug on the black leather pants that Malefactress gave me for one of her recital earlier in the year and a red tank top from one of the barges that managed to stay in tact. I wouldn't have my coat until I washed the smell off, but small prices to pay. I only had trade school lectures something I doubt the Devil would show up for, not when I knew it was Diego's day off.
Picking up my bag once more I continue up the tower to drop my loot with the stored blueprints. Once I'm sure it's all secure, I swing my bag throw the small passage until I hear it drop before I too pass into the room I made into a small farm. One that I grew my food in and my potion ingredients I could get away with. I still had ergot fungus left over from the surplus I gathered previously on the shelves as well as opium poppy that was surprisingly one of the easier plants to keep alive in the small room.
Hemlock, and lathyrus linifolius were covered as well, both grew nearly everywhere on the isle. It was unfortunate for those who picked them without looking into what they were ingesting. It caused lots of miscarriages, premature labor, and death.
Remembering the last two items I need I can't help feeling defeated. Juniper berry seeds and henbane. Both of which grew on the far side of the isle near Hell Hall. So, unless I was planning a trek out to a farther isle on the other side of mount Vera, I'd have no choice but to go into Devil infested woods.
Well there went my plan to not bring my jacket.
Stashing what I'd come for in my bag, I head back out locking everything behind me, before grabbing my jacket again. Pulling it on to cover my arms, I shoulder my bag once more heading back down to the main portion of bargain castle.
As I descend the wall, taking care again to keep from dragging the bleeding cut on my hand, I spot Bootsy.
Bootsy is one of the few goblins whom I had helped out a number of times in the past. The fact he was waiting with what appeared to be several loose vials in hand as he shifted back and forth meant mother started talking to herself again reminding herself of the pact, or he was looking to pay me back for patching up Guppie.
Reaching the edge closest to the hall I shove from the crumbling tower to land next to the smaller goblin making him jump. The large smile his face caught seeing me made me feel better about not being able to do more for them. They were treated nearly as bad as I was, or less so now that we had more slaves in the castle.
"Lady Mal!" The broken tongue of fae almost made me cringe, I knew Goblin, but they still insisted speaking the native tongue of their masters was the right thing for them to do. "Gift, gift!" He nodded popping forward, the vials outstretched.
Taking them gingerly, I nod, "I'll receive it freely." I pat his hand looking at whatever he's brought, of the seven vials four were hemlock and one henbane, with the final two being nightshade. I should be concerned a goblin just handed me seven vials of deadly poisons, but at the same time I am not surprised. He did this last year after I got partnered with the Devil the second time.
I guess I'd simply have to hope for juniper berry seeds to be easily accessible so I wouldn't have to fight my way out. "You've done well, Bootsy." placing the vials away, I remove the small jar of honey I snatched yesterday that I was going to snack on while I tried to stay awake in Edgar's lessons, extending it to him. "Payment?"
Bootsy just smiles and shakes his head before turning and heading back to the kitchen. All of the goblins rarely took my payments, not when I kept helping him when them when they needed their own medications. Sighing I put the honey back in my bag.
Checking the time, I stretch. 4:59 AM only an hour until I'd have to be at class.
Moving through the halls I swing myself from an open window dropping in front of the front door. Glancing for foot traffic, I make a quick run for the closest awning and hauling myself up to the rooftops running along to where I knew I'd find juniper berry seeds and hopefully no Devils.
It wasn't until I capped the last vial that I felt it, the innate sense of self-preservation alerted me to the onlookers, I cursed myself to this. I'd much prefer to keep my distance from them when I could, especially the one who unknowingly held my life in his hands. "You trying to die?"
I glance up despite myself, I'd gotten careless and now I was being stocked lock prey, "I see your not getting ready for class, Devil." Both boys looked very unimpressed, "Hey I went through the effort to make it so that you can skip, I'm not surprised, just stating a fact. But I should say, that Edgar does attendance at the very start, you miss it, you'll be reported to the security, you at least make roll call, no one will give a shit." I shrug my shoulders hoping he takes the offer, I was going to let him figure it out on his own.
I watch as Diego shifts looking to his cousin, tilting his head. I was beginning to like seeing the older de Vil. He, I had yet to figure out, like I have his cousin. Though I've only really been around him a handful of times prior to yesterday. "Whatever you say Fairy, stop bleeding in the woods." he finally turns, heading off the way they came. Diego at least nods to me before following.
I can't help but laugh once I'm sure they are gone. Of course, it's the goddamn blood from the pact that led them to me.
Rising I push the three vials filled with the seeds I'd collected into my bag. Today was going swimmingly, I was almost killed like some animal of prey after leading the hunters to me like an idiot, and had less than half an hour until I had to be at my very first trade lecture.
Though, apparently Carlos is interested in completing our pact, or is at least looking for a way to exploit me for graduation. Which is a thing I guess.
My mind is so cluttered with thoughts after seeing them that I don't actually pay attention the entire way home, nor as my mother takes the stock she requested from me. I wasn't even process most of what was happening or the perplexed look on her face as I handed all that was promised with very little fuss.
Unce I felt the papers settling in my hand I snapped fully back to the present finally realizing where I was, "I'll have Malefic give you the vials when she stocks the bins at the apothecary. You can go." Nodding I quickly leave, trying to ignore the flush on my own cheeks for having been caught zoning out by my own mother. I'm sure I looked even more like the idiot than she already sees me as.
When I reach my destination to get what I'd earned, I steel myself before entering into Medusa's office for the second time in the span of two days.
Medusa looks pissed, but I don't bother waiting for her tirade before shoving the papers her way. But by the joyous cackle that she lets out while she fills out the paperwork with no haggering from me, makes me roll my eyes.
She was a special one, who mother once told me had a grudge against Cruella for something or other in their shared childhood. Honestly, I highly doubt Cruella remembered it, let alone Medusa herself.
I continued watching as she dotted every i and crossed every t before shoving me on my way. She even did it in half the time it took her the last time. Which really should annoy me, but the lack of sleep was starting to get to me.
Making it to trade school, I nod to Edgar as he steps up to begin role call for the day. It takes me a second to spot the white hair I was hoping for after running into him this morning. Predictably, he's near the back exit.
Crossing the way to his spot I drop down muttering a quiet greeting before raising my hand when Edgar makes it to my names. "Well, I still have to do the fashion assignments; I don't suppose you'll cough up your measurements."
The boy doesn't respond, instead opting to continue drawing on the paper he'd had out when I arrived. Though as soon as Edgar completed roll and turned his back Carlos was up and vanishing from the room, the paper and my bag with him, forcing me to follow. Luckily, he didn't choose to go far ducking into an Alley a short ways away, nor does he seem interested in rummaging through the bag, he instead traps it behind him from my reach. "Why?"
I almost feel the need to make him clarify, but that was more likely going to ruin whatever civil situation we had going on. I was also half tempted to look around the alleyway we were in for Diego, knowing he was here somewhere. Taking a guess at what evers bothering him, I choose to clarify this morning. "Juniper berry seeds, and as for the bleeding, it was an open fae contract." I show my bandaged hand, "Clearly done."
He studies me for a moment, and it makes me want to squirm in the silence, though I'd gotten much more use to letting it be from years prior in the locked study room. Finally, he nods moving to grab my bag from where he was holding it, both it and a scrap piece of paper are held for me to take. I want to ask, but I don't. "Stay out of our woods."
I can't stop the words before they come, "You offering to do the work for me?" nor the smirk that grows on my lips, it's a second of thumbing for the papers in my pocket for me to choose to toss them his way, fuck waiting for another bargain this was going to be more fun. "See you around Devils." I slide past Diego as he comes down the alley heading to the dry well in the shadow of Mount Vera.
When I arrive I can't stop the feeling of winning when I see the measurements I wanted are written on the paper, despite everything.
The caricature of Edgar and his crooked nose was like finding a jar of strawberry jam, something I don't need but enjoy none the less. Who knew Devil could draw more than schematics and fashion assignments.
It takes several days, and more attempts than I'd like to admit to, to build styles of all the era's in color patterns that match the samples Carlos handed over. And even worse none of them fully mesh with his, there is something in the designs I simply can't get. Most obvious is the Charmington style.
It wasn't until our next supervised study session that I saw him again. Though the fact he was waiting outside the room instead of in it was different, but I choose to ignore it for the moment as Madam Mim ushers us in before slamming the door and locking it.
It's a four seconds breath later that I'm pinned to a wall, a familiar blade at my throat. I thankfully had enough time to get my staff in between the two of us, it was the only thing forcing him back from killing me at this point, I was glad that I felt the hard metal wedge between us, my safety net. "See, I go through the trouble to get you off the hook, and you decide to kill me. What a nice thank you." I snark shifting forward slightly pressing the blade just that much closer, but it was worth it as I finally find the leverage to get one of my feet on the wall, using what I have I force the other knee up, shoving him back and away into the table.
The fact he flips to being on the table, and still at an advantage irritates the hell out of me.
The rasp in his voice never fails to draw my attention, never. "And why would you do that?" The blade from his hand is whipped snagging the left side of my unzipped coat, pinning it to the wall and forcing me to either rip it, or stay put. Both I'd rather not do but would depending on what he did next. I can't put my guard down even if his main blade is with me because two others have already replaced it in his hand by the time I've made the choice to stay put.
I almost want to smack him instead of maim, "Gee, why two C120's? Honestly, you were a convenient excuse to why I came home smelling of iron. Mother didn't like it, and she doesn't like Cruella, so if you have a problem it was her idea to give you the year pass. You got a problem take it up with her."
Moving my left hand I yank the dagger from the wall, "Now unless you've decided our bargain is at a close, put away the goddamn weapons and take a nap or something." I snap throwing it back to him not watching to see if he catches the stupid thing, opting instead to pick up my things where I dropped them when Mim locked the door.
I always remind myself that ignoring Carlos was bad, but it was getting harder and harder for me to care because despite only a week of my twelve month plan for survival, I wouldn't mind if he killed me, I'd go out at least I know my mother won't be winning. Sitting down in a chair I start yanking out my braid, which got snagged on the wall when I he attached. I card my fingers through the brown locks before braiding it back from my face once again.
It took at him thirteen minutes to get off the table and pretend he didn't just try to kill me. What a guy.
I don't try and hide what I'm working on, or the sketches he'd given me to work with as I felt him studying the Charmington style gentleman suit I still couldn't just be done with..
His voice makes me jump, "Wrong style, I crossed a couple century artisan styles for the neckline. Third and fifth periods to be exact." I wanted to smack myself for missing it now that he pointed it out. It was very obvious once I knew what to look for.
"Fucking figures the fashion mongrels son has better taste." I gumble pulling the paper out as a guide and reworking the style of the suit. "Any other tips Devil?" I comment as I fix the error and complete the draft.
"Depends. How many other outfits have you butchered?"
Surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind pointing out where my styles failed to mesh fully, despite the fact they at least looked better than the suit of Tremaines old residence prior to his help.
After several points and a few quick notes for me to sketch out later, I felt better about my grade in fashion than I could have previously any of the years.
"Well fuck me, I think I learned more about fashion in the last forty-eight minutes than Malefactress impacted on me in the last six miserable years of my existence. And I finally know that while my style is garbage, I might as well start her fucking closet on fire." Leaning back I shove the art book away from the edge of the table where I'd been sketching. "Still never going to be my area of work, fairly certain Ravenna's brat would laugh at this shit. And she's seen Malevolent's travesties."
I wasn't really talking for answers, more so because I can, and we still have seventy odd minutes to go. "You aren't awful at it, I just like making the teachers skirm." Carlos' voice still sounded like shit, but it was a record for how much I could get him to talk in the span of a week. Generally, it took an actual altercation much larger than what I came into to today to make him talk. Which might be why I felt myself beginning tense as we sat together.
Something wasn't right.
Ignoring the feeling the best I can, I don't try to stop the snort from his comment, nor do I hide the smile hoping to cover the unease. "Good to know. Can't say I haven't done that on more than a few of the dance and music pieces. But I've always been in the opinion that tier two was a joke for partnering assignments there are much better things they could have tried to partner people up for. This shit is basically their way of seeing if the can break villain potential before graduation."
The boy nods, but something in his look has me shifting uncomfortably, the unease begins to spread into my bones, "Anyways, depending on testing I can probably match you work as long as you aren't planning anything more to throw me off or changing the writing assignments. And if as we can pull a 50% they can't keep us."
"True." Not confirming that he was going to help my graduate or damning that he wasn't. At least it was something, even if it wasn't much. "Why juniper berry seeds?"
I almost want to shut down the conversation, but the Devils have never used the apothecary. And if medicine was what he was after, it would explain why he tried to help me this much, despite how the morning started. "They are for the apothecary. Even if Malefic has taken over the place, she still needs to stalk the potions my mother needs as a midwife, and juniper berry seeds are used in several potions including one that can induce labor." I move grabbing the drawings setting the in my bag pulling out my notebook filled with isle research. "Anything else?"
"Hemlock." I had meant to be sarcastic, even still hemlock was one I grabbed regularly, and I know I grabbed a few of them by Hell Hall this morning, though I hadn't been aware he'd seen the vial.
Setting my pen down on the notebook I looked towards my nemesis, I give up on trying to hiding my rigid spine, I simply wasn't a good enough actor yet to manage it, not with how this has turned.
Carlos isn't looking at me, opting to face towards the window. Picking my words carefully I try my best to gage his reaction, "Hemlock is a poison that has a few different uses. One it can be used alone, or in a mix with a several other ingredients to make a powerful painkiller. If someone was to eat straight hemlock in a large enough quantity they'd die."
I can't stop myself from studying him closer. The wary expression I find, and clear lack of sleep hit me in the face. How I missed them before now, especially after I felt something was off, I had no had a clue.
"How sick is he?" my voice surprises me, it's the softest I've ever heard myself. The rigidness of my spine is now for an entirely different reasoning. One I try very hard to ignore.
This was not something I knew how to handle, Carlos though has forced himself to be helpful today just for it, and the fact he is looking for medicine when the two already made their own meant this wasn't a common illness. And that was a terrifying concept, because every time before that an unknown illness pops up, our population takes a hit.
Carlos for the most part doesn't look to upset that I've figured him out when he finally faces me, the lack of sleep and greeting likely had a lot to do with it. "That obvious." I nod even though I know I don't need to, he shrugs, "It's not good. Right now, I'm completely in the dark on how to fix this one." Today I think, marks the record for how much he's ever spoken in a day to someone who's not related to him. And I wish it was for a different reason, even if it was the two of us fighting.
Glancing out the window for the time I yank open my notebook to the next blank page. "What are his symptoms, and don't even give me that look. I don't have a problem with him, that's Malevolent." I snap before he can retort, he can act his age another time, I needed my nemesis now.
It was true that while I didn't have a problem with Diego, but him dying would be better for my mother and siblings control over the isle with him gone. After all, the two were undisputed the best hunters and fighters the Isle has raised, and they gave the teachers a run for their money nearly from the get go thanks to Clayton.
Sometimes my lack of self-preservation astounds me as I gently nudge the agitated boy. Finally I was given something, "It didn't settle in until the day after we last spoke. The fever came first." Carlos spoke softly, his eyes weren't really in the room with me as he continued giving the account of Diego's health and illness.
As Carlos talks I've already decided I'd do everything I can to save Diego, because if he died, likely I would as well.
And dammit all to hell, he spared me once. Maybe this is my payment back for the debt I felt I owed. And that thought hurts, not only do I have to do this cause I'm selfish, but because I actually owe the guy. Fuck.
Carlos is silent after a while watching me as I process all of it.
Tapping my pen, I still. Knowing I had everything to lose, and nothing to gain from his death. "I have read on this, mothers even treated it a number of times, even a few cases on the Isle from her notes. In most cases those affected came into contact with a cursed relic of old or someone who has, if you haven't caught it from near constant exposure it's likely only affecting those in direct contact. If he's had it for six days now he's got another six to eight more from what I've read."
His eyes are hard as the meet mine, "The counter." I almost regretted my decision, Carlos had a habit of being rash, though it had yet to work against him. Usually they both had very good luck, this is the first time I've seen them without it on their side.
With a sigh, I scribble out all the ingredients names as well as a painkiller potion receipt on the empty page across from my current quote. Ripping it out I hold it away from him. "I am only explaining this once, so pay attention or you could kill him."
Typically, I wouldn't have written down any of this, one it being family secrets, and two, idiots could kill themselves with this list. If it was anyone else I wouldn't even bother, but I have faith, and figured he wouldn't actually listen if I didn't, and he wasn't a moron and passed chemistry just fine.
The biggest reason though was the fact this curative potion wasn't in our reach and there was another relic found meant very bad things in the future for me, especially if he died.
Though the whole incident solidified what I'd come to believe about the eldest de Vil not being human. Though to be fair I had a hunch neither of them were actually human.
It was true that while the populace on the Isle was mostly non-magically inclined individuals, followed up by the ceceilia, witches, and godlings and ending with the descendants of fae being few and far between, most would be surprised they aren't human.
What guaranteed he wasn't human was what was killing him.
Curses like Diego's would only affect Fae and Fae kind, and the cases I'd mentioned that my mother had to treat were that of my siblings prior to my birth, after nearly losing them to it she decided to have me, her back up plan.
It was why we had such a big age gap when the three of them were all within a year or two of each other.
Placing the paper between the two of us, I start by going over the main herbs for the painkiller, not that I wouldn't bring what I had already stored up until I found a cure that would hopefully work, "Hemlock, henbane, and opium poppy in any measurement stronger than this will kill a person, but if you follow the instructions and measurements of all the ingredients in this one even the non lethal, it should knock down the fever and relieve some of the pain and stress on his body." I stress the importance that everything matches despite the fact I no longer actually measure the ingredients now that I can see if the potions are correct or not by how they turn out.
Knowing the next part was going to be hard for both of us to swallow, me having to admit this was yet another impossible task I'd set myself up for, I begin again, "As for the cure my mother used in the past it isn't obtainable in the barrier. The main ingredients don't grow anywhere inside, and we don't have any left in fae possession. The substitutes we use in the potions that call from them wont be strong enough without being lethal for it to work in this case." I move to point to the three that simply weren't found anywhere on all the Isle and its surrounding isles, choosing to ignore the others on the list for now.
Carlos looked like he'd lost faith in that moment, and while I'd like to believe I was doing this for me, and my right to live, I couldn't convince myself it wasn't for the two people I envied the most, that I didn't wish my siblings and I could have a bond like theirs. Malevolent was as close as I got, but he saw raising me as a duty to my mother, not for me.
My sin to bare I suppose. I take a moment to scribble the usual locations of most of the items beside their names I'd written down earlier along with making quick sketches of them as well before continuing with what he needed to understand. "Since I'll need to look for alternatives, we haven't explored yet, or find a way to blasted a hole in the barrier to get off the Isle and back, I won't have time to find the others. Most are common by Hell Hall and the woods back your way. Sage though you need to get from the base of Mount Vera, the roots are important due to the volcanic soil it grows in in that area. You will gather them, and you will distribute the pain medication as I listed while I work on these three."
He ignores the direct order, "You wont know if the alternatives work, will you?" The dead rasp of his voice was very different from how he sounded earlier.
And despite wanting to do a good thing and give him some security, I couldn't lie, so I don't. "No."
"And the odds of finding them off the isle."
"Much higher, you already know I use Hook's spyglass near the west edge to study the lands below. There's an isle not to far to the northwest that should have what I need. Finding something to poke even a minute hole in the barrier is where my first problem is." I rub my face, "The second would be the time to get the ingredients, while they should grow close to the shore, swimming to them, and then back while also figuring out if my magic will be stable enough to get me back up here should only take a day. But that is a very big issue."
"How is a day an issue." The growl is expected, though I'd hoped he'd already have figured out what I'd discovered years ago. "Unless you've miss written your little piece of paper, brewing takes three hours tops, or your estimate on how much time he has is a lie."
"Fae." I point out, ignoring the fact I still twisted the truth to what I needed most days, I could not outright lie. "Carlos, you have noticed the clocks and tv's are showing the exact same inspirational quote of the day as the last six."
The look on his face makes me want to hit my head on the table as he doesn't seem to get it. At least he looks less like he's about to attack me, so I figure it might as well throw him a bone on this one. And for once my obsession with collecting newspapers from Auradon to pull current events to keep mother busy is going to come in handy.
Yanking out a paper that was by all means several years old I toss it to him. "That is the paper following Prince Ben's twelfth birthday, it aired on TV when we were three."
"So, fucking what." The small progress on not becoming a pincushion in the future was disappearing.
Rolling my eyes despite it all, I lean towards him slightly. "You've been stuck in classes with me for two years, and locked in this tiny four by four room with me for a good portion of them. And you're telling me you haven't noticed what I always do with newspapers?"
I watch him as he furrows his brow before grabbing the paper to look at it. "Okay, you've proven your point three years old."
"Three Isle years." I correct placing my notebook over the newspaper, "But according to every TV on the isle and every newspaper and decree sent since, that was 141 days ago. The quote and dates from the TV changed every eight days. The barges that the King always said would come every week came every fifty-sixth days, always the day after the papers are printed. If I leave the Isle even for a day, eight days will go by here."
The wide eyes from Carlos as he flips through pages and pages of the data I'd collected since I noticed the occurrence during my first year in school when I'd first seen the inspiration TV segments in person for longer than a second. "The chance of making the cure in time will be very close, and that's only if Diego can hang on long enough, and to hang on you'd have to cut back on the pain meds so he can fight to stay. It would be insanely painful for him. It's up to you now, you can either make sure he's comfortable until the end with keeping him on constant pain killers or you can try to keep him alive until I find a cure." I vote firmly on the latter, but I don't voice it as I wait.
Carlos drops the notebook before running a hand through his hair, "You're sure on this. They can't just be fucking with us."
If only, "Look Devil, if I'm wrong and they are just fucking with us. It would mean that getting the cure for Diego isn't close to impossible outside the Isle. I just find it very hard to believe that they are fucking with us with all the fucking instances adding up. Think of it this way goblins wouldn't be affected by the transition in the barrier for time being immune to most magics, but the fact our food is already rotting by at least a day or stale for two after coming through, food from people who are known for being "good" isn't looking to great on me being wrong on this one."
I grab my notebook back placing it and my pen back in my bag where they belong. "Like I said, I can try exploring alternatives to try, but they do take time to brew as I can't make plants from thin air, even regular fae can't do that with magic. But they will be something, and while they won't be an instant cure, or guaranteed, I can at least give it my best to work at trying to save him." I leave the paper with the ingredients and pain potion between us.
I can feel the silence weighing, Carlos could either snap and kill me, or he could take the chance I could try and save Diego or at least make his last few days less painful than what he's described the last ones being.
"The barrier." he nods to the outside, specifically to the west. Of course the little beast would prefer that method, less chance, but only if we can open it.
"If I can get a hole in it, I should be able to use the stabilizer gun to hold it open and slip out." Seeing the confusion I don't mind sharing further. "It's something I based off of the generators you built in the basement of hell hall for the scheming final last year." It was very loosely built on the generator, and did not do all that I'd hoped it could. But hey hook it up to a Radio or TV from Auradon and you could sometimes get the dial to let you turn the idiot thing off. It was a blessed day when I got all of them to turn off in Town Square, I don't think anyone complained that day for fear they'd come back, which by midnight they did.
Carlos folds the paper I've left for him before standing to face the door allowing me to see him head on. "I want a deal Fairy. I get you out of the barrier and you bring back and brew the cure for Diego." Some days I wished we were on the same side, and others I simply wished to know what the hell went through his head. Chances are I'd never know, but damn do I wish I could.
I sigh, knowing my next words were going to make me hate myself, "If I save him Devil, you'll owe me a favor of my choice that I can use when I want." No matter how much I didn't want to make the deal, I also know that when dealing with Devils, and fae like my mother, I should always have an escape route. And I was going to be using a lot of my luck, and likely throwing away another favor I had planned to use later for this.
"Fine. Is it a deal?" his hand was extended to me, a verbal deal with fae wasn't as strong, but I've known him well enough to know he keeps his word when it comes to any deals he makes. With little fanfare, and none of the after affects of my normal deals I shake his hand.
I don't let him withdraw his hand, choosing to hold it showing the soft side of my wrist when I twist it to keep him from pulling away, "Before we leave, I need you to think hard, do you have any ideas what could have infected him. If he still has it, the cure could be for nothing if he just gets sick again."
He doesn't yank back his hand and thankfully doesn't go to cutting mine off either, I watch as he tries to recall, his silver eyes finally look less haunted, "We were scrap hunting the morning before we found you in the woods. He found something that he wanted to throw in Mount Vera, something we typically do with items that feel wrong. He went up while I waited for roll, never let me touch it. When you left he was coming back from destroying it. But we come across relics like it all the time, ones we just destroy."
I almost want to scream, they're both sensitive to magic, and have been destroying things that I'd love to get my hands on, though, thankfully not this one. "I'm going to ignore the fact you just admitted to destroying any objects you've found with runic magic, since you've gone through the trouble of destroying something that could kill those whom touch it. But for the record if it feels wrong you shouldn't touch it in the future." I release his hand. "It's rule one of handling any magical artifact. Though I have to ask, what did you feel when you took my bag the other day."
Carlos drops his hand with a shrug, "What ever residual magic that was still with you from your pact, Diego's felt it many times when he was partnered with Malevolent."
I nod, "Yeah no, not what you felt, that would only occur when a fae ritual ceremony is used, my bag contains runic magic." I tell him before moving and placing my entire four foot staf inside making it vanish, "When you destroy the things that feel wrong, you destroy tools of magic, while some are bad, others are very helpful." I tell him removing the staff again.
It's the clicking of Mim's heels makes me turn towards the door, despite the fact I just revealed that my bag was much more useful than carrying small objects, and the fact it means showing him my back. I have to trust that he won't attack when I can help him.
It's several heart beats before he talks bringing me back to my plan for finding alternatives, "When I was making the generator, I was trying to build a device to get rid of the barrier. It's only worked once before blowing a main circuit, but it opened a hole for half a second. I've got what I need to repair it, if you can get me the stabilizer I'll see what I can do, while you get whatever tools I need to brew this shit." I'm so tempted to look at him to see his face, that was exactly what I'd been aiming for myself back when I made the stabilizer gun. Even if all's it turned out to be good for was disrupting the magical essence and electricity to the electronic devices here.
"Of fucking course, if we actually got along we'd have broken out of this shit when we were four." I grumble, fuck the Devil who can't seem to stop surprising me lately. When Mim flings open the door, I shrug my bag higher on my shoulder leading with my staff.
"Glad to see you both taking this seriously." Madam Mim cackled swirling away. Something told me if she knew the that so far, the most work we've done together was in bargains and deals, not the teachers getting through to us, she'd be less than pleased.
Carlos hums when we're out of reach, "Odd isn't it that two enemies could have made a formidable team." The sentiment isn't lost on me, after all I'd thought of it enough.
"Yeah, odd. I'll bring the tools and stabilizer to you little tree house since I'm assuming that is why you've got the device and your cousin hidden right now. I do have something I need to take care of first." I don't wait heading away.
I don't hear him as he leaves, but I don't particularly care that he's gone as I continue to my brothers office.
Flinging the door open, I notice my brother's panicked eyes, "Little sister, what can I help you with. Cause if this is about the pacts and the-" Malevolent's words are rushed, like he needs to say it before I smite him. Which would be nice some days, but right now I needed him alive.
As the door swings closed I cut him off. "Sure, something like that. I need to call in that favor you owe me for potioneering." Honestly I've been known to hold on to my favors until I find something of importance, really he's likely to think this is desperation from the surprised look on his face. "Carlos and I need unsupervised time from school to work on the project. Get us excused for a fortnight."
"Mal, you can't just-" Malevolent tries before I cut him off.
"Don't say can't brother. You owe me."
There is resignation in his eyes as he fills out the documents, "This is for the rest of today as well isn't it. What did you two get up to in supervised study that you need fourteen days in unsupervised?"
I don't answer the question as I take the papers that would get us free pass outside of school, Malevolent would have to file the ones for today and the future days if the teachers got to picky on it. "I'll see you in a fortnight." before leaving, I had an appointment with a Devil to make.
It is nearly an hour from leaving school, that I make it to the woods just behind Hell Hall. I've come armed with the papers from my brother, a small chemistry set, three vials of completed pain killer, my staff, and the stabilizer all stashed into my bag.
Looking to the treetops, I begin to ascend to the one place on the Isle I've never been inside.
"It's open." Carlos's voice from the otherside almost makes me drop from my spot as my hand sat just from reach of the trap door, I thankfully don't as I continue placing it on the surface before pushing it up and open so that I can crawl the rest of the way inside.
It's at least fourteen degrees warmer in the small box house. I can spot them both, one Devil laying prone, shivering in bed while the other watched over him. He was fiddling away with what was likely the device he'd mentioned. There was a large amount of burned wires and chips were discarded by his feet as he pulled more parts from the tray on his lap and soldered them to their proper places. One eye on his work, the other his cousin.
Setting the door closed I move in a foot, whispering despite the fact he hadn't, "Where do you want me to set up the chemistry set?"
Diego's eyes snap open at my voice, something that shouldn't be possible with how ill he was, but the instinct to protect himself out weight the self preservation his body was attempting to fight the curse. His eyes though weren't on me they weren't seeing more of trying to see. Hallucinations were common in these curses, but so was blindness from the grimoire notes.
Since opening his eyes, Carlos's hand was the only thing keeping me from becoming a head shorter, the other boys short blade easily removed from this hand. He'd likely still had more on him, the two were armed to the teeth, "The desk in the backs fine."
Nodding I pull everything from my bag, setting the vials out as well before grabbing the small metal tin containing my funnel and measuring spoons that I'd boiled and cleaned prior to leaving bargain castle.
Leaving most of it on the desk, I keep the funnel and tablespoon alongside one of the pain medications I'd mixed up with a standard magical counter to help combat the illness before approaching to the left of my nemesis, "Take this, I want you to give this ever three hours for a full tablespoon I've got a chart for how much you should give him until I get back"
I hand him the funnel first, "Really?" his disgust at the piece of plastic would have made me leave without giving him any of the medications if it wasn't for the deal we struck.
"Just shut up. Trust me, while most of the ingredients in the base potion are pleasant tasting, the the additives to combat the curse while I'm gone, are not even close. I brought the raw stock you'll need to add after you brew the painkiller to help him." I pass him the measuring spoon and vial. "There are labels on the sides of the vials, try to not get them confused."
I can tell he still would rather not use the funnel, but he offers me a nod anyway before moving closer to the older boy, I force myself not to listen to whatever his whispering to him, but the whine I pick up from the eldest makes me freeze, Diego de Vil has never talked, let alone made a sound, but that apparently didn't mean he couldn't.
The curiosity I felt, and the burning need to know if I'm right on what he was almost has me turning around to find out the truth. Even still I force myself away, shutting down my thoughts on the manner..
Preoccupying myself, I start setting up the small burners, ring stands, and beakers of the chemistry set I swiped from Yen Sid. It doesn't take me long to start the basic portion of the potion adding in what I could. And while I had lots of hemlock, and opium poppy on hand, they couldn't be added without the henbane, unless I was to alter the receipt, about the only one I'd need Carlos to retrieve.
"Have you ever picked henbane?" I glance over seeing him nod once more in the chair beside the makeshift bed, medicine sitting within reach, as was the funnel and spoon, the confirmation made me feel a bit better, "That's the only one I didn't have on hand to bring. You can buy some from the apothecary if necessary. But I'm going to advise against it. For now try and stay out of sight, My brothers given us a fortnight of unsurprives study for tier two, it will give us enough time to hopeful have Diego back on his feet, before returning to the dumbest classes to date."
Without much acknowledgement from him, I choose to take my leave. "I've got to step out and speak with Boy, you will stay here and figure out how to make something to break through the barrier" I almost expect him to fight back against the clear order I gave him, but the numb nod is all I get. A week ago I'd have been happy to see it, now with my life in the balance, and the small progress the two of us having made made it sour.
Slinging my bag on my shoulder, I heave up the door, letting it fall shut as I drop the ten feet rolling to my feet.
By the time I reached the market Butcherboy wasn't surprised to see me, and for once didn't seem to hate my presence as he waves me in towards his office. "Malevolent sent note, you and de Vil's do not get along. Why does brother thinks you suddenly do after week." He grumbles in his broken english. "Where are my workers, Maleficent?"
Closing the windows and door I flick the lock in place, before sitting across from him. "I'll tell you for a deal, Butcherboy."
The giant's brow rises at my proper use of his name. "What have you gotten fingers into now?"
"A deal."
The giant sighs aggressively scrubbing his face. "Name your price."
"In exchange for the return of both Carlos and Diego de Vil in a fortnight, I require your assistance in keeping certain information silent." I fold my hands over my left knee as he studies me.
The giant looks less than pleased, "And why do you need, let alone want two people you'd rather see dead, helping you."
"The deal." As much as I hate them, boy, and as much as I hate you. I can not tell you until you make the deal. I think softly.
"Fine in exchange for the return of my workers, Carlos and Diego de Vil, I will keep quiet about what you say here and now." His voice booms in the room around us, as he gets annoyed at my insistence and the situation.
I can't help that I still want to tease the giant over it, despite the serious nature of my business. "Told you, you'd get attached to them both." The giant looks less than pleased as I raise my hands. "May the deal be sealed." I extend one for him to shake, my palm is already red from where I'd sliced it on my way here, something people often attribute to my family and our pacts. The giant grumbling cutting his own and clasping it with my much smaller hand.
Giant's were one of the few from the fae kind I wouldn't hold at their word without a blood exchange.
Once the bloods mixed I lean back and away from the giant pulling out cleaning alcohol and bandages from my bag to treat the wound, I thankfully did not go for a more formal arrangement where I'd have to leave the cut open like my mother prefered to use on smaller pacts.
Once it's wrapped I stash my supplies giving the giant my full attention, "My brother has assumed when I said project that I meant those for school. The truth is Diego's sick, deathly so. And while I know what the cure is, I have to leave to get the ingredients, from another isle and won't be back until eight days from now. Which is roughly how long he has to live, I have faith you will cover for him. No one can know of his illness, or that I am gone for a cure instead of my graduation assignments."
Boy watches me a long while before nodded. He really has become attached to them, I muse. All the same it meant my faith wouldn't be misplaced, "Your going to need food for them." He utters before tilting his head and speaking again, "And for you." Never let it be said, Butcherboy wasn't reasonable, even if he likely still wants to cook me for dinner. "Wait here, I've got left over cuts from yesterday."
The giant stands lumbering away. Protein would do good to give Diego strength if he could manage to eat it, or at the least it's stock. Hopefully Carlos had what I need to make at least something for him. Though I really wasn't going to need food, I'd feel like a day has passed when I return, not eight.
I would have preferred not to see the giant, or put my faith in him, but the deal had to be made, or else all of the hard work I went through to get trade school assignments at the butcher shop were for naught.
And I hated my work going to waste.
When Butcherboy returned with more than enough meat for several months, I almost commented. My upbringing and Malevolent's insistence echoing in my head over denying a gift exchange, had me taking the more than generous offering with my mouth closed.
Boy looks sheepish tossing words in his head from the looks before speaking, "You weren't wrong, I like the boys around. Don't tell others, but I usually just let them do what they like in the shop, they trade meat for sanctuary. If it got out it be bad for business" I nod as the giant scratches his head, "Faith and health for you all."
The return of faith was surprising, the grimoire had written on the faith of fae kind, and a giants was never to be taken lightly, never. I never would have guessed that Butcherboy would ever stop threatening, let alone, stop planning on ways to cook me.
Shaking my head I shove the thoughts off to the side for later.
Sensing the end of our civil meeting I begin placing all the packaged food into my bag so that I can leave. I can't stop from grinning at his perplexed expression, never having seen me stick so much into the small bag, the second person today, to find out about the magical object, "I'm not going to ask where you got that, and just pretend I don't see." he settles on, heading back to open the windows and resume work as I leave.
When I make it back, Carlos doesn't greet me or talk, though the stabilizer is very modified and to his left, the spare parts shoved away from him as he focuses only on his companion. "Do you have an icebox in here?"
Thankfully the pain killer keeps Diego from reacting this time as he continues to rest. He looks less fevered, and the pain that had been etched in his face earlier has subsided.
Carlos doesn't answer verbally, instead standing and heading for the standing wardrobe in the back that is heavily protected with several locks. It takes a moment, as the door is opened, but the small freezer that is humming inside is answer enough.
Pulling out one of the packages I pass it to him, to put away. "You do know I can get food for us, I don't need your charity."
I can't stop from rolling my eyes, "Thats nice, but I didn't pay for it. Butcherboy would rather see you both back alive in a fortnight than dead because you didn't eat right while I was off hunting for a cure." Seeing he wasn't going to be putting it away I change tactics. I put the next package on top ot the one he's still holding. "And I highly doubt the meat will stay good if I pass through the barrier. So take it."
"Why did you even go there." His temper was showing through the tiredness, and it was a blessing. I've met to many sides of Carlos as of late, this old familiar one is welcome.
"Did you really ask that? Of course you did. In case you forgot I went through a lot of trouble to get our trade school assignments there. In addition to that, Boy is thee only person who's given Diego a chance for work, and contrary to popular belief around the Isle, he didn't do it for his skill. He did it because he wanted to keep me very far away." I remark. Stacking two more, finally giving him enough to safely reach past him and put the others into the ice box. "So yes, I had to go see him to make sure Diego still has a job once he's back on his feet. Is that fine with you?"
Carlos doesn't respond, he kind of looks at me like he's never seen me before. So much for a familiar Carlos. It takes several minutes, and a bit of rearranging in the icebox, before I begin taking the meat I handed to him and placing them in the box with the rest, I stop keeping the first package out. "Do you have potatoes, rice or flour in here?" I ask carrying the last package to check on the chemistry set and setting the meat in the small steel cooking pot I brought with me earlier. "I need to eat before I leave or we'll end up wasting time with me out of the barrier. And so does Diego if you want him to survive eight days."
I can hear him as he moves making his way back to where I found him both times, "The crate on the right."
I hum softly moving towards the right one. It took a moment to find what I need to make a fast soup but it was thankfully easy enough.
I situate myself so that I can sit and still see the food cooking, chemistry set and timer, as well as my companions. No one speaks for a long while, It's not until I pass food on to Carlos for both himself and Diego, whom would only really be having the stock, that anything changes.
I eat fast, trying to not focus on the fact that I feel not for the first time like I'm intruding as he wakes his cousin through the induced sedation we'd given him for the pain. Even more so as he helps him stay upright feeding him broth slowly.
Finishing quickly, I look for a reason to leave as my chest tightens, I glance tout the lone window at the barrier relieved to know it was time for me to go, "It's time."
Carlos doesn't acknowledge the comment as he helps Diego back to where he'd been laying previously too tired to keep eating. Softly he sighs before talking to me, "I wired the device charge into the limiter of the stabilizer. It poked a hole without breaking, you'll need to be closer to see if you can make the hole bigger from the design of the stabilizer. To use it flip the stabilizer on and pull the trigger switch." The don't fuck up goes unsaid as I lift the door, leaving them behind.
The sun is just at the horizon making me invisible to the occupants of the isle. It's a short dive underwater where I plan on drilling. I hope to whatever gods can hear me the drill wouldn't harm my bag from where it sat protecting the device from harm of the water and whatever I come into contact with outside the barrier.
Reaching in, I feel the familiar handle of the stabilizer, it takes a second to click the switch on, Crossing my fingers of my hand not on the handle, I pull the trigger.
Well Part 2 is out, what do you think?
Also if anyone has any ideas on why the Isle has 8 days in one of Auradon, I'd love to hear your guesses on what's going on there.
So for ever eight years on the Isle one year passes outside. Thinking about that, if Ben was born when the Isle was created based on the ages given in parts one and two, how many years have passed for the Villains?
Thank you for give the story and future series a shot, I appreciate each and every one of you who come and read this, it makes me even more excited to share them.
I am totally a Marlos fan, blame it on Cruella and Maleficent being two villains who have never not taken my attention in their respective films.
Thank you!