Two old friends meet again

Mal walked the dark streets of the Isle with faded breath and her arms close to her chest. Her hood clung tightly to her face and the brisk winds rustled her hair. She hated being out, especially since the whole Isle was after her head now, but she still needed to eat. Leeching off of her mother was no longer an option.

A small fruit stand came into view. It had rotting apples and black oranges, but it'll have to do. A frail, old lady stood behind the stand with her eyes glazed over and strands of hair fell in her face. She was closing up for the night. Mal scanned the area for any onlookers before strutting over to the stand.

As she walked by she kicked the front most leg of the rickety stand, causing it to wobble and break under the pressure.

"Oh my!" The old woman said, rushing after the fruits that spilled onto the ground.

It spilled out towards Mal and she took the opportunity to scoop them up into her arms and sprinted down the street. Like she'd done it a thousand times before.

"Hey! You get back here!" She heard the woman cry out before she ducked into an alleyway and vanished from sight.

Mal huffed a bit with exertion before slowing down in another empty alley. She squatted and leaned up against the wall as she examined her score. Most of the fruits were inedible, but amidst the rot she did find one apple with only a few bruises and mold coming from one side. She abandoned the rest of the fruit and bit into her newfound dinner using a knife to cut off the mold. Mal was making her way back to the old hideout where she'd been hulled up for the past couple of weeks.

"Heh, just like the old days." She quietly mumbled to herself, taking another bite.

Walking down the streets at night was such a nostalgic high for her. It was almost like Jay, Carlos, and Evie were walking next to her as well. The phantom of friendship hung over her as well as dragged her down. With every bite of the apple, with every street passed, a new memory would pop into her mind. Reality came down twice as hard though.

"They were never my friends." She mumbled to herself again.

Look at yourself, Mal, look at how far you've fallen. You were never meant to be queen.

"Bitch." she hissed, taking another bite from her apple.

Mal turned another corner, as she sauntered through she suddenly saw a black shadow on the ground growing bigger. She didn't grow concerned until the shadow spoke.

"I thought stealing was against the law." That voice reverberated through the alleyway and rang in her ears.

She coyly smiled and turned around to come face to face with Jay, Evie's Top Lieutenant.

"Well you never seemed to have a problem with it." She said, she was unthreatened by his shadowed silhouette. She could barely see his face but she definitely knew who he was.

"Her majesty's taught me better." He replied, his arms remained folded across his chest.

"Has she now?" Mal laughed lightly, "I didn't think you'd become such an obedient lapdog. Carlos, sure, but you? You don't strike me as someone who follows the rules, Jay."

He stepped forward, more of his face came into the light. It was hard and cold, he seemed determined on his path.

"I wish it didn't have to come to this." He said hardly.

Mal was a bit confused by his statement, but it quickly became clear when he ran up, using the wall to propel himself in the air to come down on her. She quickly dodged out of the way but that didn't stop him from grabbing her shoulder and slamming her against the cold brick wall. Mal let out a small cry of pain before reaching her hand up to stick the apple in her mouth then grabbing onto Jay's shoulders and flipping over him.

He spun around to punch her but he was only met with the air as Mal had ducked underneath him and jabbed him in the stomach before pivoting to the other side of him. With a grunt of pain, Jay reached back and interlocked his arms with hers, then flipped her over himself onto the ground. Mal winced in pain and spit the apple out of her mouth before catching it with her hand. She then threw it at Jay's face. While he was temporarily distracted, Mal ran up to him and kicked him square in the chest causing him to fall back into the wall.

Jay let out a frustrated growl and lunged toward her with fury. He grappled her by the shoulders and quickly kneed her in the stomach. A quick huff of air was released from her as pain consumed her body. Jay then spun her around and wrapped his arm around her neck, effectively restraining her. Mal grit her teeth in anger, she attempted to elbow Jay from behind but he was much too strong for her.

"Let me go!" She growled as she attempted to pry his arm away from her neck.

Jay was busy struggling to pull something out of his pocket with his other hand. He shook it free to reveal a small bottle of liquid and a torn piece of cloth. He brought the cloth up to his other hand and opened the bottle, a wave of foul stench came over the both of them.

"What are you doing?" Mal struggled even more to break free as she watched him place a drop of the overcoming liquid on the cloth.

"I'm sorry." Was all she heard before the cloth was held against her mouth and nose. She shook her head in order to resist it but Jay was much too strong. She was quickly overwhelmed by the drug and then soon lost consciousness.

"I'm sorry." Jay said again as Mal fell limp in his arms. He picked her up over his shoulder while putting a small cloth bag over her head, which he had folded in the other pocket. He then delicately closed up the bottle again and tossed away the rag, just as Carlos ordered him to.

Luckily there were no bystanders, it was late enough that even the drunkards and punks weren't skulking around. Jay looked around the area and then made his way out of the alley, carrying Mal over his shoulder. The only remnant of the events that transpired was a single half eaten apple that was left at the scene of the crime.

The Queen's royal quarters was one of the many perks acquired. There was a private bathroom, three wardrobes, and a big soft bed to sleep in at night. Evie gently brushed her hair while sitting in front of her mirror. An array of makeup and perfume was laid out in front of her neatly. Despite leaving her princess fantasies behind her, she still felt such joy at the prospect of a castle.

The Queen had just finished a very long meeting with her advisors. She was deathly tired and asked to retire to her room alone, so she might get ready for bed faster. The meeting was dreadfully exhausting. The topic of her predecessor was something that got everybody in a fit. They were trying to figure out what to do about her yet again. Any progress she wants to make is stunted by the villain's need for revenge. It is so frustrating that they believe life can't go on while a score needs to be settled. Carlos was the prime example. Only the mention of the Dragon Queen will set his rage off. Evie hardly had to say a word at the meeting, it practically ran itself, but she always seemed to have to calm Carlos down whenever Mal was brought up. It was even more haunting that his wounds from their fight at the ball still haven't healed completely. His arm was still broken; the doctors believe it'll be another 6 weeks before the bandages come off. There were also deep scars already formed on his face. Mal certainly gave him a beating. Curious as to how her wounds seemed to heal after a few weeks and Carlos is still struggling to walk.

She stroked the locks of her royal blue hair while running her brush through them over and over. She hummed quietly to herself. There often weren't moments of peace like this. The only time she was truly alone was when she was about to go to bed. No meetings, no advisors, nothing but herself in the mirror. Mirrors were very fascinating, she always thought. She loved the stories of the magic mirror her mother would tell her. There was something so enchanting about a mirror that showed you anything you wanted to see.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"I won't be needing assistance tonight," Evie replied, believing that it was her servant wanting to help her, "thank you, you are dismissed."

She stood up from her stool and removed her robe, revealing only her nightgown. She went to go into bed until she saw a figure in her door.

She let out a short gasp, "you startled me."

"Terribly sorry, yer majesty." The figure removed the tricorn hat he was wearing. He stepped into the light to show his face.

"Harry," she let out a sigh of relief, "I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

"Aye, I didn't mean ta scare ya like that." he said with a soft smile, "I brought ya somthin'."

He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small silver chain.

"Oh, where did you get that?" Evie said with surprise, she gently took it from his hand.

"Snatched it from Jafar's Shop, 'e's a mad old geezer ain't he?" Harry chuckled a bit, "thought you could use it in yer dresses or wear it or somethin'. Or ya could sell it fer money I don't mind either way."

"No, no, I love it." She said with glee. She rushed over to her dresser where she pulled out a small pendant with a purple gem set into it. With a bit of effort she gets the pendent on the chain.

"That's a pretty trinket ya got there." Harry said with a big smile.

"It is," Evie said with a remorseful smile, then looked up at Harry holding it up, "would you?"

"Um?" Harry said, taking the necklace out of her hand.

"Put it on me, I mean." she explains.

"Oh yes! Right, sorry. A bit thick, I am, at least that's what me captain always says." He told her.

Evie pulled back her hair, revealing the bare back of her neck. Harry puts his hook down for once and gently pulls the chain around her neck, bringing both ends together as his hands lightly caress her back.

"There." He says and Evie quickly turns around to look at it in the mirror.

"It's beautiful," she says with joy, "thank you, Harry."

"No problem." He shrugs.

Evie just stands there for a moment, staring at herself in the mirror. Harry looks around the room, the feeling of awkwardness grows for him. He notices how Evie's eyes grow red and they begin to shine a bit.

"Is this all you came here for?" She squeaks out.

"Uh… yeah." Harry scratches the back of his neck with his hook.

"You may leave now," her voice was barely above a whisper, "I don't wish to take up more of your time."

"It's no trouble, yer majesty." Harry said. He stepped closer to the Queen, suspecting there was something wrong, but he ultimately decided to put his hat back on and leave out the door.

Harry was met with a dark, empty hallway and a large breath escaped him as if he was holding it in the entire time he was in there. He quickly wiped his brow, adjusted his coat, and made his way out of the castle as quickly as possible.

He didn't know what he saw there but he didn't want to see it again. Uma would definitely hear about this.