A powerful woman falls

The news spread like wildfire. Though it doesn't spread traditionally, whispers at market stalls, notes being passed across rooms, spray painted walls all shouted the same message.

The Evil Queen had died.

A solemn silence fell upon the entire Isle. For once, villains and broken souls all stood up to watch in awe at what happened. Every mundane task was filled with the thoughts for the fallen queen. The first major villain to die on the inside. People acquitted her name, praised her name, and damned her name. The only person who knew her well enough to call her mother, wasn't even there in her final moments.

When Evie found out about her mother passing, she was in a meeting with Uma and her pirate crew. Carlos came up behind her and gently whispered in her ear the news. She gripped his hand strongly and that's all she could remember from that day.

It was bound to happen at some point. Villains of the old days all had faces that were growing a bit too old. The power hungry heydays sucked the life from all of them, and being damned to this island for eternity simply proved too much for some.

What was most remarkable was the way the Isle felt those few days after the news spread. Everything was much quieter. Gangs didn't run wild out of respect. People stayed inside with those they called family. It was the first time in nearly twenty-five years the Isle had a sense of community.

The big and bad villains from the Queen's time felt a weight shift in them. Like a bad stomach ache, or a mortal passing her curses onto them. The ones closest to her, the ones she might have called friends, all gathered on that night for an empty drink and talk of the old days. Except Maleficent, she refused to abandon her plans. Saying, "I'm too close to let some old bat's death interrupt my research!"

Though the one people felt the most sympathy for, the most you can get on that island, was Evie herself. Evie saw her mother grow old over the years. She watched the once terrifying and defined woman of evil crumble and fall. Time catches up to all of us. Even the ones who run from it the most. Evie didn't have a lot of pleasant memories from her childhood, but she had her moments. She knew that the Evil Queen loved her enough to not be able to admit it. There were times when she wondered if her mother was even capable of love, but then she remembered all the time she spent telling her daughter of her glory days. She told Evie everything. Everything. While those gruesome details were probably not right for a child to hear, Evie knew what it meant.

The Evil Queen was not a caring mother even at her best, Evie knew that for sure. She remembered all those early mornings waking up to do her makeup, she remembered the starvation and the anger, and she remembered that horrible look her mother got in her eye whenever she mouthed off. Despite all that, Evie couldn't help but feel an enormous loss. A part of her was missing, and it will never return.

When the supply ships came that month, it rained for the first time in a very long time. It wasn't heavy, it was a slow pattering of droplets. The rhythm of sound beat against the old, shackled homes and cracking concrete. People lined the streets and watched from windows and rooftops as a coffin carried by the Queen's guard went from the castle to the shoreline. It was early in the morning, the sun was barely peeking past the horizon. The first real death memorial in the history of the Isle.

Evie watched from the balcony of the castle, a black dress draped over her, and Carlos at her side holding her hand. He couldn't tell if she was crying or if it was just the rain.

The guards marched down the main street straight to the shore where the magic barrier would open up to let the Auradon boats enter. Uma and her crew watched sitting on the docks with captivated interest. Their legs hung over the side and they listened to the crashing sounds of the waves against the dock. Harry handed Uma a bottle of liquor, which she took a swig from. She gave it back as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

The ships could be seen on the horizon and they approached fast. They were filled with food, furniture, and medical supplies the people of Auradon deemed unworthy of them but gifts for the leftovers. The ships ripped through the water and for once, people weren't watching for the supplies. They were waiting for what would happen.

The ships passed through the barrier and a wave of magical energy rang throughout the isle. They docked on the shoreline like always but upon reaching the site of six people holding a coffin, some of them had to exit the ship and investigate. The Auradon soldiers were something to behold to the people of the Isle. They wore helms made of metal with gold trim, their armor shined brilliantly even in the dull rain, and they could never see their faces. They were like living golden centuries that walked among them. Warriors of gods.

As per protocol for any regulated transportation of the Isle, the soldiers had to open up the coffin and examine the interior. Other soldiers pointed their weapons at the people of the Isle, always reminding them their fate rested in their hands.

On a rooftop above them, there the daughter of Maleficent perched up like a crow watching the scene with great interest. Her faded purple hair moved gently in the wind as she watched the Auradon soldiers seal up the coffin again and take it from the Isle's hands. She smiled regretfully at the thought that the Evil Queen really was going to make it to Auradon. God knows what they do to bodies over there. She then unconsciously glanced over to the Queen's Castle that stood tall against all the other buildings. Her thoughts travelled to Evie involuntarily. She cursed herself and jerked her head back to watch the soldiers board the ships again.

The slow march of death came as the ships dumped out the supplies they were originally intended to bring, and no one went running for them. The boats closed up once again, and left just as quickly as they arrived. That was the last they ever saw of the Evil Queen.

That night the shoreline was empty. The people ransacked the supplies just as viciously as they always did. All it took was for the ships to reach past the horizon for the first daring souls to dive into the heaping pile of goodies.

Mal sat on the wet rocky surface of the shores, watching the murky waters calmly make their way up and down the shore. She had a look of disdain on her face as she looked off to the magical barrier and the ever so shiny cities of Auradon. They were always there. Always taunting and always faceless.

She played with a small broken object in her hand, glancing down to it to see a cracked reflection of herself. She felt uneasy about keeping the magic mirror now. It held too much history for her to keep. She just didn't quite have the courage to let go yet.

That woman was there her entire life. Every waking minute she could find out what she was doing at any time any where. Now she was gone. Probably dropped in some trench in Auradon for all the heroes to spit on. Mal remembered when Evie would rant about her mom all the time. She would pull her hair out over the stupid things she would make her do. Mal smiled for a moment. Back in those days they still hung around their parents enough to go on long rambles about them. Now Mal doesn't even know where Maleficent spends her days, let alone what she does during them. Even when they were both living in Bargain Castle again Mal hardly ever saw her mother.

She looked down at the coarse, tiny rocks that made the shore she sat on and began picking at them. Her mother used to rule over her in an attempt to feel even the slightest bit of power that she used to. Now she can't even get her own daughter to stay in the house when she wants. It's poetic, really. Mal learned a while ago that a real villain only needs themselves to succeed. Of course until your backstabbing friends take advantage of you.

She punched the ground hard at the thought. The stinging cold ocean water prickled at her fist as rocks splashed everywhere. Her anger accompanied her throughout everything. She can't escape it. Her rage grants her power, her ruthlessness, and her revenge.

Mal stood up and dusted herself off then looked down at the magic mirror still in her hand.

"See you in hell." She mumbled and then threw it straight into the ocean.

She watched as it splashed into the water and the ripples spread far and wide. She stood there for a moment in solidarity, and in remorse.

"I was wondering where that went." A low cocky voice echoed off the rocks of the island.

Mal turned to see the infamous thief dawned in leather with his arms crossed over his chest.

Her eyes glowed with fury as she turned her whole body to face him.

"How'd you find me, traitor?" she snarled.

"You're not as slick as you think, Mal," Jay told her, "you forget that I know all your tricks."

"You have no right to say my name like we're still allies." she said with a threatening undertone.

"You and I both know how this ends." he told her, his demeanor was different from last time. He was much more conflicted.

"So be it." She got in a stance, this time she'll be ready.

"Turn yourself in, Mal, there is no reason for this rivalry to continue. You've proven your point, you're dangerous, now let's just talk." He put his hands up in surrender.

"Talking is for the weak." she sneered, she swore she heard her mother say the exact same thing at some point.

"It doesn't have to be that way. We can go back before this whole shit show even happened."

"We can never go back." she spoke darkly.

She took a step forward and Jay followed her action, his calm expression turning to a battle hardened scowl.

"I don't want to hurt you, Mal." He said as a warning.

"Too late, street rat." She used words she knew would hurt him. They always got him riled up.

He clenched his fists and raised them up as he took another step towards her, she did the same.

"You know you can't beat me in a fight," he told her, "not even when we were kids."

"Well I didn't want to tell you before but I always pulled my punches."

Each took another step forward at the same time. They watched each other's every move. Every shift, they would follow up with their own actions. Every twitch, every emotion, every motion could come with deadly consequences.

The calming sound of the waves crashing against the shore gently was all that could be heard. They smelled the salty fresh stench of the wind coming off the sea. It was almost like every soul in the world went silent to watch this scene unravel. Jay dug his shoes into the sand, narrowing his eyes.

As expected, Mal took the first move. Her fist collided with his face fast and hard. It was like a blur and pain surged through his body. He didn't have time to react, he simply gave her one in return.

And so it went, each of them taking every punch and impact, then responding with something harder. This was a common tactic they would use on each other growing up. They wanted to see how much pain they could take; it was a sick game they played in their pastime. Only now it wasn't a game, it was do or die. It was every frustration and outrage pulled out of their souls. Each punch hurt harder than the last one and each fighter felt the need to hit harder. The victor would be the one to stand over the other.

Impact after impact they both just absorbed them and grit their teeth. Each refused to give the other the satisfaction of seeing the result of their handiwork. Mal was full of white rage, her eyes glowed brightly in the midst of the misty nighttime. Her bloodlust controlled her punches and her revenge kept her standing. Jay was having a harder time keeping his anger to aid him in the fight. Every punch made him more frustrated, he didn't even want to think about not winning. His breaths started getting heavier and sweat dripped down his face and off his chin.

The fight became faster and faster, they began to anticipate every move. Two of the best brawlers on the Isle going head to head under the moonlight. Her vision blurred and she began to lose all sense of where she was. He became unfocused and let his conflicted mind wander to different things. To Evie; to the crown; to Carlos.

At once, they both punched each other in the jaw hard enough to dislocate it, which sent them both recoiling back. Mal spit out a bit of blood onto the cold beach. The crashing waves almost seemed deafening to her. Jay wiped a bit of blood from his mouth as he put his hands on his knees for a moment to catch his breath. They both looked at their bloodied fists.

"Don't do this, Mal." Jay tried to coax her out of her enraged state and she only responded with another punch to his face.

She roared with anger, yet another punch to inflict the pain upon him that she felt. She didn't have any idea of what to do other than continue to beat at him. He tried to fight back, but she could tell his punches were becoming weaker. She could tell he was growing tired by his short, heavy breaths and shaking arms. He let out grunts and whimpers as she continued her assault.

One last punch to his gut is what made him fall down to his knees. The shifting of the rocks accompanied his fall of defeat. He put his hands on his thighs as blood began to drip on the ground.

Mal stood over him in stone-faced victory. Her fists still refusing to relax, she just stood there above him as he attempted to catch his breath. Then she pulled the dagger from her belt and the metal rang all up and down the shoreline. She looked down at her victim straight faced and heartless.

"I should have done this a long time ago." She said coldly.

He spit out some blood and let out a grunt of pain, "Evie was wrong, you know…" he managed to get out.

She faltered in her actions, hesitating and loosening her grip on the blade.

She saw the blood running down his face as he looked up at her, his eyes bloodshot and desperate, "she said you were too far gone. A monster without a soul."

The words cut her deep in her soul. A reminder to her that trusting Evie was the biggest mistake of her life.

"I believed her and I shouldn't have," Jay looked back down out of shame, "she was just scared and it's my fault."

Mal didn't know what to say, but she also couldn't bring herself to strike him down either.

"I was told my whole life that saying these words were bad. They would get me killed," he buried his head deeper in himself in an attempt to hide his shame, "but I'm sorry, Mal, I am so sorry."

That's what made her hesitate even more. That's what made her take a step back from shock. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened agap as she processed what she just heard.

"If you must kill me now, I won't blame you," he huffed out, loosening his tight grip on himself, "if this is what it takes to save you then I will gladly sacrifice my life."

Apology? Sacrifice? She didn't recognize the words in her ears. Getting such ideas was scandalous at best on this island. The villains would have cast him to the sea if they heard his words. She considered doing the same. She was a villain. She was the daughter of Maleficent and she was the rightful ruler of this Isle. So why couldn't she do what she trained her whole life to do?

She continued to look down at the defenseless boy crouched under her. She became conflicted; she became angry. She saw his shaking pain and the bloodied wounds that she caused. She saw his scared expression and for a moment she saw that boy she grew up with. She saw the boy that taught her how to pickpocket. She saw the boy that fought for her no matter what opponent waited for him. She saw the boy that always seemed to walk beside her in her anger and ambition. They were just kids back then.

The knife dropped into the pebbles.

She couldn't bring herself to pick it back up. Jay slowly looked up in confusion and saw the dismal look in her eyes.

"It's all because of you…" she growled lowly, her teeth barring, "if you would have just kept your fucking tongue out of her throat then none of this would have happened!"

Jay sat up straight and looked at her with remorse.

"I know." he just couldn't meet her eyes.

She let out a cry of anger as she kicked him over. He didn't even try to resist falling back onto the ground. Mal stood over him and then placed her boot on his chest, threatening to crush his ribcage.

"Did you love her?" she whispered, he almost couldn't hear her.

"I…" he didn't know what to say, "I was a different guy back then."

"Answer me." She pressed harder onto his chest and he clenched his jaw in pain.

"I… no… I didn't love her," he grunted in pain, "she was just… alone, that's all."

Mal put a hand on her head and tried to think, still holding Jay captive. Her mind refused to calm and her thoughts couldn't be connected.

"Mal, it doesn't have to be like this." Jay said once again.

"That little brat will pay for what she did," she scowled, "I will have my revenge."

"If you sit on that throne again how will you know things won't end up like they did before?" He questioned.

That's what made her think. That's what made her look back up at the Queen's Castle with an idea.

"I'll sit on that throne again, but I will do it my way." She told him.

"What?"

"That bitch has this Isle wrapped around her finger, someone ought to make the people realize their mistake." She pulled together her scheme.

"Mal, please-"

"Jay," She held her hand out for him to take, "will you help me?"

"Me?"

"It's either that or I gut you like a fish and cast you out into the ocean." She threatened.

Jay thought for a moment. He wished he felt more confident in the moment. He wished he had his nerves of steel back. The truth was he never felt more conflicted in his life. What concerned him most was the hand outstretched for him and the almost desperate undertone in Mal's face. It was his fault Mal turned into what she is. It was his fault that his friends have become strangers. It was his responsibility to protect them, help them when they were in need. If this is what it took.

"Okay." He nodded firmly, grabbing her arm.

He just hoped he made the right decision this time.