Chapter 8: Change The Fates Design
The month that followed the showdown between The Ghouls and The Upsiders was strangely peaceful. There were no more issues caused by The Ghouls, Hayden kept his word and ended his terror spree on the uplands. Even the other factions left the VK territory alone, out of respect for the leader who had managed to secure the deal and unite The Isle against their common enemy. The Ghouls and their chaos were contained, revenge had been found, and things on the Isle returned to the way they once were.
It was a fragile peace and sadly, it was not to last.
Not many on The Isle cared about the upcoming coronation of Prince Ben in Auradon, none there considered him or his family their monarchy. And yet, in the background of every home, tavern and shop on The Isle, the television screens lit up with news reports of the big day - there was little choice, every TV station was broadcasting the event - and to most, it was nothing more than background noise, with only a scant few paying any real attention. If they had known how drastically the coronation would change their rigorously routine days, altering the political landscape and mood of their isle, perhaps they would have taken more heed.
But how could anyone - out with a small few - have none what changes this day would have brought? How could anyone have known the way that fate had been tinkered with, its original design changed?
Deep inside Bargain Caste, one group did pay close attention to the coronation, those who were well aware of the significance of this event. Maleficent, Jafar, Cruella De Vil, The Evil Queen and Evie surrounded the television screen, watching the live coverage of the event. Evie stood behind her mother's seat, her arms draped over the older woman's shoulders. Her mother had revealed to her the night before that today was the day, that her friend's plan was finally being enacted.
A grin burst onto Evie's face when Mal appeared on the screen, sitting in a glistening carriage beside the handsome Prince - soon to be King - Ben. Mal looked beautiful, and Evie sighed at the sight of her friend looking so radiant in her elaborate, silk, purple gown and hair curled and pinned up.
"Oh, she looks beautiful!" Evie sighed dreamily.
"Of course, she does," Maleficent scoffed. "She takes after her mother."
The Evil Queen rolled her eyes. Jafar snorted. And Cruella nodded in agreement.
Envy swelled within Evie to see Mal fleetingly living the life of a fairytale princess; beautiful gown, golden carriage, shimmering castle, a charming prince, fawning crowds and all. It was everything Evie had yearned for. Soon enough, once Mal and the other's carried out their plans, she would not only get a taste of that dream, it would be hers. It was close now, so very close. She could already feel the silks of the dresses she would get to wear, the weight of a diamond tiara on her head, and the smell of the exotic, fresh foods that would be served to her each day. Evie had never felt more excited. Soon enough the barrier would be brought down and she would be reunited with Mal and the others and then finally - finally - she and her mother could get everything they had ever dreamed. The life of hardship they had lived would be over. Everything would perfect!
Just as soon as you grab that wand, Evie thought, biting her lip. Come on Mal, it's right there!
No one had expected the daughter of Fairy Godmother - Jane - to grab the wand. In her inexperience and jitters, she accidentally unleashed the magic inside the wand, causing a glitch in the barrier for only a moment. Maleficent, having been watching with a sharp eye, saw and felt her chance and took it, vanishing in a puff of green smoke. The other adults looked stunned, but they knew where the dark fairy had gone and turned their gazes back to the television where the wand had finally found its way into Mal's hand.
Evie practically jumped from her skin, grinning and clapping excitedly. It felt like the clouds had finally been lifted from above The Isle, letting pure sunshine flood in. Everything they wanted was in reach, all Mal had to do now was activate the magic and the barrier would finally come crashing down, releasing them all! With Maleficent already out, Mal and the others would have all the aid they needed should anything go wrong.
"Come on, Mal!" Evie said, watching her friend intently.
But instead of doing what she should have done instantly... Mal hesitated. Evie frowned, watching the look of utter torment on her friend's face, like she was conflicted and being torn apart from the inside. It was a look Evie had never seen on Mal's face before, one she didn't ever think possible. Mal had always been confident and sure in everything she did. What could have happened to make her doubt herself?
"You can do it, Mal," Evie whispered, wishing with all her might that Mal would believe in herself as she always had. "Come on. I know you can. What are you waiting for?"
Evie watched as Ben beseeched Mal, pleading with her not to carry out her plan. Evie shook her head, unable to understand why Mal would even bother listening to the Prince. There was no purpose for it. She had the wand all she had to do was activate it!
Mal, you need to do this fast. Don't give them a chance to beat you, Evie thought desperately, her excitement shifting to anxiousness. Mal had to do something soon, before the heroes got the wand from her. If they did it was all over, they would never be free! Evie could feel their chance slipping away like sand through the hourglass.
Around her, the remaining adults began to get restless, spitting words of betray and traitors. Evie scowled at them, anger bubbling inside her at their doubts in her friend. Mal was just nervous. She had so much weighed on her shoulders - her mother's legacy and expectations, the freedom of the villains as well as her own, and the consquences should she fail - of course, she would be hesitant.
And then Mal began to speak and her words started to shake Evie's world at its very foundations.
"I wanna listen to my heart too," Mal said passionately, clutching onto the wand for dear life. "And my heart is telling me we are not our parents."
Evie shook her head, disbelief churning her stomach and ripping the air from her lungs. Stunned, she listened as Mal, through tear-filled eyes, told the crowds that being evil didn't make her happy, that it didn't make Jay or Carlos happy either. She listened as Mal declared that she wanted to go to school and that she wanted to be with Ben, that he made her happy. Evie watched, her heart aching as Mal and Jay renounced evil and placed their hands over each others, united as one, no longer a force of evil but one for good.
"So just to be clear we don't have to worry about how mad our parents are going to be? Because they're going to be really, really mad," Carlos said nervously, hesitating in joining his friend's declaration.
"Your parents can't reach you here," Prince Ben promised.
"You really wanna bet, Carlos!" Cruella shrieked, her popcorn smashing and scattering against the screen.
"Okay then," Carlos said, and he too placed his hand on the other VKs.
With a nod of her head, Mal brought Ben forward and the moment his hand fell upon the villain children's hands, the crowds erupted into applaus, smiles beaming all around.
No longer was Evie smiling, no longer did she feel... anything. She felt numb, her eyes unable to do anything but watch the scene unfolding before her. It was like she was an outsider. A stranger intruding on an intimate moment between three loyal friends. They stood side by side, smiling and laughing and it was their laughter, light and free and more joyful than Evie had ever heard them, that broke her from her trance.
This was really happening. This wasn't a dream or a delusion.
They had betrayed her.
They had abandoned her.
They had forgotten all about her.
Evie felt her legs go weak and she dropped down into the lumpy couch's armrest. She didn't blink as she watched her former friends take on Maleficent. She didn't move as her mother, Jafar and Cruella De Vil leapt to their feet in outrage, curses and snarls on their lip as the children challenged and fought their most powerful comrade. She didn't utter a noise as Mal's words, loud and strong, cut through the air, finishing her mother off with a flash of green eyes and destroying any hope for Evie that she - or any of her fellow VKs - would ever get off this despicable isle. Her words were as damning as the click of a lock, the splash of the key as it fell into the dark ocean, and the bolt of a door being slammed shut.
"The strength of evil is as good as none when stands before three hearts as one!"
One spell, sixteen words, one missing friend and everything that should have been was changed. In another timeline, four hearts would have stood as one, friends forever, no matter the hardship... but not here, not in this twisted, meddled with fate.
And all it took was one little change.
While three hearts soared with freedom, the heart of the one left behind... shattered.
"Those back-stabbing, little brats!" Jafar snarled.
"He left me for a dog! A dog! That runt left me for a dog!" Cruella shrieked, grabbing hold of the TV and shaking it violently. "You spoiled, mutt loving traitor! I raised you!"
"This is not good," The Evil Queen muttered quietly to her daughter.
Evie couldn't bring herself to look away from the now static screen, still breathless by everything that had happened.
Evie shut her eyes, trying to hold back her tears but it did not stop them from slithering down her rosy cheeks. She wanted to cry and to scream and shout and curse! She wanted the pain in her chest to cease. She wanted Mal, Jay and Carlos to come back to The Isle, to laugh and tell her that it was all a ploy, all part of the master plan to free them all.
But she knew it wasn't. They really had betrayed her.
Evie felt rage swell in her chest and her body trembled with its might.
They were supposed to be friends, friends till the bitter end, no matter what their parents said. They had fought side by side, laughed, confided and looked out for each other. While they were gone she had fought tooth and nail to protect the VK turf, to make sure they had something to come back to should they fail and to protect their fellow teammates who were left behind. Faction politics on The Isle was something Evie had wanted no part in yet for them she had thrown herself in to it, despite the dangers.
And yet all this time, while she had risked her life and safety and did her best to show that Mal's trust in making her the leader had been well placed, they had been slowly turning against her and everything they stood for. They had let Auradon get to them. They had turned... good.
It made Evie's heart wrench and brought a fresh wave of burning tears to her eyes.
Oh, how bitter it was to have her faith so mercilessly crushed. Now she knew better than to believe in fairytales. Everyone had warned her that this would happen and she had been too blind to see it. Stars above, she hated herself at that moment. She felt so foolish, so naive. How could she have been so stupid? Her mother had always told her that everyone only cared about themselves, that friends had no place in smart peoples lives. She should have listened to her mother from the start and saved herself this wretched pain.
"Now what are we going to do?" Cruella cried, flopping down onto a worn-out sofa. "We'll never get off this blasted Isle! And I'll never get my hands on those puppies!"
"Who cares about your puppies?" Jafar scoffed. "I'm never going to get revenge on Aladdin and Jasmine now!"
"Revenge is the least of your worries!" The Evil Queen snapped coldly, her cape flaring around her as she turned to face her fellow adults. "Do you realise how much danger you're all in? Your children have put targets on your backs! Everyone will turn on you! Parents of traitors, that's what you are!"
Jafar and Cruella looked to The Evil Queen, both startled. Neither had thought of the implications for them now that their children had turned good, so caught up in their rage at being betrayed. Now they both looked alarmed, their breaths becoming less ragged as they tried to control their anger to let them think straight. The Isle would not be forgiving to anyone associated with traitors.
"We never should have sent them there," Cruella huffed, crossing her arms.
"We need to come up with a plan. We need to-"
The Evil Queen cut Jafar off with a bitter laugh. "We? Whose we? Your children may have left you for the wolves to devour but mine has been a faithful student of evil. No one will turn on me, not if they like living."
"We're a team!" Jafar said hotly, narrowing his eyes.
"There's no team in I," The Evil Queen quipped with a smirk. "Look what your terrible parenting skills have resulted in. I want nothing to do with your failings. You two are on your own. Come along, Evie."
Evie let her mother take her by the arm and together they left Bargain Castle without a glance back.
Evie returned to The Castle Beyond The Way with her mother but did not stay there for long. Mal, Jay and Carlos may have turned their backs on the VKs, but she hadn't. Her mother was right when she said that Mal and the others had painted a target on their parents back, but it wasn't only their parents who were on the firing range now. Anyone who was a member of the VKs was in danger. They would all be seen as traitors or back-stabbers in the making. She had to get to them quickly and think up a plan to keep them all safe.
Faciller's Shop was their second base and it was where everyone was to go in the event that they were unable to go to Bargain Castle. Considering what had just happened on live TV, none of the VKs would go their main base. It was now marked as the home of a traitor. As quickly as she could, trying her hardest not to draw unwanted attention to herself, Evie made her way to Freddie's father's shop, near the edge of town. As she approached it, she noticed Freddie watching her through a crack in the curtains.
'Hurry up!' Freddie mouthed, gesturing for her to get into the shop. As soon as Evie was in Freddie slammed the door shut and latched it. "What in the spirits names are you doing outside? Do you realise how lucky you are to have made it here alive?"
"The streets are pretty empty at the moment," Evie said breathlessly.
"At the moment," Freddie snapped. "Just wait until they snap out their stupor! There will be hell to pay!"
"I can't believe this is happening," Evie whispered, flopping down to the floor, her back against the counter. She placed her head in her hands, her fingers burying into her hair. "How could they do this to us?"
"Beleive it," Freddie muttered darkly. "I knew they'd turncoat!"
Evie glanced over to Freddie, her eyes searing with pain. Although she had never outright said it, Evie knew Freddie had her doubts in regards to whether or not their leader and fellow VKs would follow through with releasing them. And now her suspicions had been proven right. Evie could see how furious Freddie was, the emotion as plain as day on her face and in her voice.
"I don't know what we're going to do now, Freddie," Evie mumbled. "Everyones gonna turn on us. They're going to think-"
Rapid banging on the door caused both girls to jump. Freddie cautiously approached the door and peeked through the window.
"Who is it?" Evie asked warily.
Freddie unlocked the door and threw it open. Zevon tumbled in and fell face first onto the floor, the rest of the VKs pouring in after him, practically stomping over his fallen form. Freddie winced before helping the trampled boy to his feet and locking the door.
Evie glanced around at her team, her heart sinking as she saw their state. Some of them were dishevelled, covered in fresh bruises, cuts and splattered food. They all looked out of breath and they were clearly as anxious as she felt.
"I take it the news has spread," Freddie said dryly, crossing her arms. "Great."
"News? What news?" Zevon asked as he dusted off his jacket, sounding irritable. "Can anyone explain to me what going on? Me and the other VKs were minding our own business at Frollo's place and the next thing an angry mob descended on us! Calling us traitors! Throwing food, drinks and anything else they could get their grubby little hands on. What is going on?"
"You haven't heard yet?" Freddie asked.
"Heard what?" Zevon asked exasperated, tossing his arms into the air.
"Mal... Jay... and Carlos... have turned their backs on evil," Evie whispered, each word like a dagger to her heart. Everyone turned to their leader, unsettled to see her slumped on the floor, looking miserable and defeated. "They betrayed us, on live TV, the whole Isle has seen it. That's why... they went for you. And that's why... we're all in very... big... trouble."
Everyone fell into silence, grimly taking in the news. They all knew what this meant for them, the consequences that they would face. They would be hated and ridiculed by everyone. Other factions - even allies - would turn against them. They may even team up to eliminate them for good, and after seeing it happen to The Ghouls, they knew it was something terrifyingly within the realms of possibility. Their turf would be taken, along with their livelihoods and safety.
"What are we going to do?" Zevon muttered.
"What can we do?" Freddie scoffed. "We've been branded as goody toe shoes in the making! VK is now synonymous with good."
"Well, we have to do something!" Zevon snapped.
"Oh, do you have a plan, llama boy?" Freddie retorted snidely. "Care to share it with the class?"
Zevon growled and Freddie was all too happy to snap back. Other VKs began bickering, everyone shouting louder and louder, determined to be heard. Eventually, nothing could be heard over the arguing. Nerves and tempers were running far too high.
Evie winced, closed her eyes and coved her ears, trying desperately to drown out all the noise. She needed to think! To think of a plan to get them out of this mess. To think over what Mal, Jay and Carlos had done. To think about what she was going to do now. But she couldn't... not with all this damn noise!
"ENOUGH!" Evie screamed, jumping to her feet.
Everyone fell silent, their eyes landing on their leader. It unnerved them to see her looking so unsettled, when Evie always looked perfect and prim, not a hair out of place. The others betrayal had hit her hard, and they could see it in her tear ridden eyes, her rumpled clothes, tousled hair and heaving chest. She was hurting, badly.
"I need... to think," Evie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "And I can't do that with everyone fighting. I know you are all worried and you have every right to be but we can't appear weak. Not right now. Not with everyone watching us. One wrong move and we're done for."
Evie paced around the room, her heels clicking loudly off the laminate flooring.
"I want everyone to return home and stay indoors. Being with our parents is our best protection against other children and teenagers," Evie said, coming to a stop at the window. "I'm going to try and come up with a plan. We'll meet here in three days. Can everyone hold out until then?"
There was a pause before everyone nodded and confirmed that they would be fine for the three days.
"Avoid going out at all costs and if you must do not go out alone," Evie continued. "And no matter what anyone says to you remember that we're rotten-"
"- to the core!" the others chimed in as one.
Evie knew that she should have gone straight back to her mother's castle after she sent the other VKs home, but she couldn't. She needed air and space to breath and going back to the castle would only have suffocated her. Her mother was no doubt ranting up a storm in there, and she didn't want to endure her mother's told you so lecture when she returned.
And so that was how Evie found herself sitting on the beach, eyes focused on the gleaming brightness of Auradon across the waters.
Mal, Jay and Carlos were over there, frolicking around in paradise while she was left in to wither away in the hunger game hells. What could have made them turn against her and everything they believed in? How could they let Auradon and those good for nothing heroes pollute their minds? What had happened to them during their time in Auradon? Apart of Evie wished she knew what they had left her for while another part spitefully and viciously rejected it, not caring what their excuse was.
Evie bit her lip so hard it drew blood.
She hated them. She hated them so much. They knew how much she despised living here and yet they had left her here to fend for herself, knowing full well what their actions would mean for her and her fellow VKs. It grated on her nerves to the point of sickness, knowing that everything she had fought for the past few months - protecting the VK territory, it's reputation and keeping its members safe - now meant nothing. It was going to all be taken away. Everyone was going to go against them, she knew it, and they would not be able to keep their turf. The VKs were about to be eradicated from The Isle factions. Permanently.
Mal how could you do this to us? Evie wondered.
Out of all the VKs, Mal's betrayal was the one that hurt most. She may have been friends with Carlos the longest, but it was Mal who had given her a family and protection in the form of the VKs and introduced her to some of her dearest friends - Jay, Freddie, Dizzy and even Zevon. Before the VKs Evie had always been alone, but not when she was brought into the fold.
Yet now, Mal was taking it all away from her. Mal was the first of the VKs to turn to good. It was her who ultimately convinced Jay and Carlos to switch sides. It was Mal who led to the VKs being hated which in turn would lead to their destruction. It was Mal who had stolen her dream of having the fairytale life with a handsome prince, beautiful castle and gorgeous gowns. To think of all those years that Mal had looked down on the idea of being a prissy, pink princess and yet here she was, the exact thing she had sworn to loathe?
"I hate you all," Evie muttered darkly, wiping away the tears streaking down her cheeks.
"Is it really a good idea you being outside right now, Evie?"
Evie went rigid at the sound of his voice. She should have seen it coming, it had been so long since he had last sprung up on her.
Hayden. He was standing a few feet away, hands in his pocket, hair once again its normal, neon blue colour.
Like Freddie and Zevon, he had been sure that her friends would leave her here, so sure that they would stay in Auradon. How could he have seen it, when she had not? How did a stranger know so much more about her friends that she did?
Evie clenched her hands into fists, her chest aching with the burn of betrayal. She was angry, so very angry and it was an emotion she was never sure how to deal with as she seldom allowed her temper to get the better of her. But now, now it was overwhelming her and making her blood boil. All the affection she had held for her friends had gone up in smoke, leaving only smouldering embers that served as nothing but spite provoking reminders of what had once been.
"What do you want, Hayden?" Evie snapped harshly. "If you're here to gloat get it over with."
Go on, she thought, rub it in how you were right and I was wrong.
She knew Hayden had to be loving this right now. After all the trouble she had given him and now here she was, her pedestal crumbling and world crashing around her. What perfect revenge for him and he hadn't even had to lift a finger. This was all her doing, for trusting the wrong people. Foolish, foolish, little girl!
"I'm not here to gloat," Hayden said softly, no trace of mockery in his voice or on his face. He looked sombre, not even a flicker of his grin or smirk anywhere to be found. "I'm here as a friend."
"Friend?" Evie laughed harshly. "We are not friends!"
And she certainly didn't want to ever have another so-called friend. Not after this.
"Don't let them ruin friendship for you, Evie," Hayden said, as though hearing her thoughts. "It's a pretty dull life without it, trust me."
"I'm a villain. I don't need friendship!"
"I bet that's your mother speaking and not you. You don't believe friendship is a waste, you never have. You're just hurt and angry right now." Hayden spoke calmly, carefully approaching her. "Mal, Jay and Carlos weren't good friends, but you Evie, your living proof that having friends are worth it. You're loyal to those you care for, you protect them, your help them-"
"You don't know anything about me! Stop lying!" Evie shouted as she rose to her feet, hating his pretty little lies and games.
"I'm not lying," Hayden said firmly. "You want to know what I've seen over our encounters? I saw a girl brave the Gates of Tartarus and a labyrinth filled with monsters - twice - so that she could find a way to protect her friend's turf, so those under her charge wouldn't suffer. I've seen a girl willing to get thrown into a cave lake filled with serpents to keep two of her friends safe - even if one wasn't worthy of it. I saw a girl cunning enough to trick a demigod. A girl smart and humble enough to bring together hated enemies to protect her team."
Evie fell quiet at his passionate speech, suddenly finding it hard to swallow. He spoke with conviction, leaving no room for doubt that he didn't believe what he was saying.
"They didn't deserve you, Evie. They were fools for leaving you behind."
Hayden gently took hold of her upper arms and pulled her into a hug. Evie was so bewildered by the gesture that she stood there speechless. She wasn't proud of herself for feeling so weak but she moved her hands to his chest and curled her fingers into his jacket tightly. Hayden placed a hand at the back of her head and pulled her closer, resting his head atop of hers. He kept her hidden as she cried.
Instinctively, Evie wanted to rebel against his comfort. They were enemies, she didn't need his pity. She felt weak, weak, weak. Yet still, it felt almost natural to be held by him and something told her that he wouldn't use this against her, that this was between them and no one else. She didn't know where this instinctive trust for him came from, but she was too drained from everything to question it.
"I trusted them," Evie murmured.
"I know."
Hayden tightened his grip on her, one hand soothing her back.
"It's okay, Evie. I'm here for you."
The others had said that to her once... and now look where they were. Evie sobered up at the thought and she pulled away, narrowing her eyes. Hayden felt her withdrawing - physically and emotionally - and he shook his head, reaching out for her.
"Evie, wait-"
She pulled herself free from his grasp and bolted down the beach, back towards town, taking refuge in the alleys, away from the crowds. She kept moving, darting from alley to alley, street to street. She needed to get away, get away from Hayden and the confusion he always brought with him. They were enemies, damn it! He shouldn't be comforting her! It could only be tricks and lies no matter what her instincts told her.
In her rush to get away, she took an accidental turn down the wrong street. It was a dead end. Her heart jolted when she turned around and saw someone blocking the only exit. It was not a friendly face.
It was Sylvester, Captain Long John Silver's son.
The boy was seventeen years old, with jet black hair and one silver streak coursing through it. He was dressed in typical pirate fashion, a white poet's shirt with a dark brown vest buttoned up, black, ripped trousers and leather, knee-high boots pulled over them.
"Hi, Silver, long time no see," Evie said warily. The last time she had seen Sylvester had been when Mal and Jay left him tied upside down to the mast of his ship. "Mind if I pass? You're sorta in the way."
Two more pirates entered the alley, leaving no space to slip out.
"I'll take that as a no," Evie mumbled, letting out a sigh.
"You're bold as brass, ain't ye, little traitor?" Sylvester said, his voice coarse and gritty. "Wandering around the streets without a care in the world? Did you think there wouldn't be retribution for what you and your friends have done?"
"I had nothing to do with that," Evie gritted out, knowing full well he was referring to the coronation. "None of the VKs did! What Mal, Jay and Carlos did they did by themselves!"
"I don't believe that for a second," Sylvester tutted. "Besides, I have plenty of other reasons to seek vengeance against the likes of you. Now, you're going to come with us back to Goblin Wharf. Quite a few people there are eager to see you - and the rest of your pitiful squad."
"I don't think so," Evie replied quietly, taking a step back for every step they took closer.
There was nowhere for her to go, a high wall stopping her from escaping. One of Silver's buddies made a grab for her but she ducked under his arms and ran, only for the other one to grab her arm and yank her back, hard. Evie screamed and kicked out, thrashing wildly in his grip as the other pirate took hold of her other arm.
"Let me go!" Evie shouted, snarling and hissing, not caring how un-lady like she appeared.
"Not a chance in-"
"Let. Her. Go!" Another voice, one very familiar to Evie, cut Silver off. The three pirates glanced back to the alleyway entrance, noticing the dark silhouette of a young man standing there, arms crossed and hood pulled over his head. "And no one gets hurt - too badly."
"And who are you?" Silver asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Hayden, son of Hades and Prince of The Underworld," the demigod replied as he stepped into the light. He smirked at the pirates and titled his head, sizing them up. "Now let her go."
"Nu-uh," Silver said triumphantly, shaking his head. "You can't. You promised not to interfere with Upsider's business. That was the deal if you and your spooks failed to beat the Upsiders in a fight."
"Wrong," Hayden drawled. "The deal was I wouldn't intervene in Upsider's business so long as Evie didn't want me to. Princess, how do you feel about me meddling in Upsider's affairs now?"
Had Hayden asked her that this morning, she would have scoffed and rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it. But that was then and this was now. Within the space of a few minutes, one spell uttered by Mal had changed everything. Evie was no longer considered apart of The Isle - none of her team was - they were outcasts, unwanted and enemies. What did it matter to her if Hayden wanted the uplands for himself? There was little chance of her saving what land the VKs held, now that their reputation was in ruins. Why not give her fellow Upsider's a little trouble for all the trouble they were - and were going - to give her and her team? And what better trouble could there be than Hayden?
"By all means, Hayden. Feel free too," Evie said, her eyes never leaving his.
Hayden's smile was dark sinister. He clicked his fingers and from the shadows behind the pirates, his Ghouls appeared. Evie was as startled as the pirates at the ghostly appearance of Hayden's minions, unnerved to know that the Ghouls had had to have been there to pull off that trick, meaning they had been there, watching unnoticed the whole time. They were all wearing devious smirks, their dark eyes glinting with the prospect of a fight.
"You want a fight then a fight you'll get, you blueberry reject!" Silver yelled, pulling out a dagger from his boot.
The pirates shoved Evie away so they could defend themselves. Evie fell to the ground, whacking her head off the concrete. She heard Hayden shout her name, sounding alarmed and furious. Through her blurring vision, she saw three Ghouls battling it out with the pirates before a pair of black, spikey boots blocked the fight from view.
"It's alright, Evie," Hayden hushed her, gently taking her into his arms like a bride. "You're safe with me."
The last thing she saw before her world went blank, was Hayden's amber eyes, glowing brightly in the dark alley. The pained cries of the pirate faded away into nothing.
When Evie came to see was lying on a large bean bag with elongated skulls painted onto it, a thick, neon blue quilt draped over her. She was feeling too fragile and light-headed to sit up, but a quick glance told her she was in some kind of warehouse, the only lights coming from fairy lights which were strung across massive, steel pallet racks lined throughout the large storage space.
"And the princess awakes from her slumber," Hayden said gently, sitting down beside her on the bean bag. "How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," Evie groaned, wincing as she touched an aching spot on her head. "What happened?"
"You banged your head when the pirates pushed you away," Hayden said, his eyes narrowing darkly. "And don't worry about them, they won't be crossing you ever again."
"Why? Why did you help me Hayden? Why do you keep helping me?" Evie asked quietly. "I don't get it. You don't help enemies. I've caused nothing but bother for you. I tried to sneak into your base. I wrecked your plans for taking over The Isle. I dyed your hair pink!"
"I thought it was magenta?" Hayden replied dryly, quirking an eyebrow.
Evie couldn't help the smile that slipped onto her face. Hayden's eyes softened, a smile of his own teasing his lips. He reached out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. something that was becoming a bit of a habit of his.
"You know why, surely?" Hayden said softly. "I've told you before. I like you. A lot."
Evie wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that she truly had someone she could rely on to be there for her. But Mal and the other's betrayal was still too raw, leaving her suspicious and anxious. Hayden seemed to understand this, nothing but sympathy in his eyes.
"I meant what I said Evie," Hayden whispered. "I won't leave you, ever. If you just give me a chance to prove it."
"And how can you do that?" Evie asked. "It doesn't matter how many times you save me, comfort me or help me. It could all be a trick."
"I can prove it with this," Hayden said, pulling out a pomegranate from his jacket. "You never eat the last one I gave you. All it'll take is one bite, Evie. One bite and I give you my word that you will understand everything. You'll know what your dreams are trying to tell you. You'll know why it is that I'm not lying when I say I'm here for you, that I like you. One bite... and you'll remember what it is that you've forgotten."
Evie reached out and took the fruit.
"If this is poison, Hayden... and I die... I swear I will haunt you for all eternity," Evie said with a glare.
Hayden smiled and took the fruit back from her, splitting it in half with his fingers. He took one piece and gave Evie back the other. He bit into his slice, taking a few moments to prove that it indeed wasn't poisoned. Once convinced, Evie brought the fruit up to her lips. She bit into it, swallowing and savouring its sweetness.
And then she remembered... everything.
(A/N) Why Ben never invited Evie will be explained in a future chapter. In the next chapter, we get to find out about the connection between Evie and Hayden, and what it is that Evie has forgotten. It's a wee bit dark at the start but there is loooots of fluff. Plus we're finally going to get to see Evie and Hayden becoming closer.
Easter Eggs:
The title's chapter 'Change the fates design' is a reference to The Healing Song in Tangled.
"There is no team in I," is a reference to Descendants 1, said by Jay to his father.
The warehouse with the skull bean bag is the one in Chris Villain's music video 'Descendants 3 unofficial First Look - Make it Hot (Chris Villain).'
References:
Thunderfiredragon: Thank you so much for your amazing review! We're going to learn a lot more about the dreams in the next chapter, maybe not why they're happening (though there will be a major clue!) but what they mean and why both Hayden and Evie have them. It could be Persephone, (Spoiler) admittedly she does meddle a little in the next chapter XD Oh, we learn about the pomegranates next chapter too! (though not all of its secrets). Neither could I, truth be told. I was really struggling coming up with a punishment that Evie could give Hayden, one that wasn't too harsh. He was gonna get off the hook completely but I felt that it was too easy for Hayden, considering all the trouble he's caused - and will cause later. I've written how Uma and Hayden are related in the previous chapter at the end in detail - forgot to add it originally XD - but long story short, Ursula and Triton are siblings. Not in the movie (it was a deleted concept) but in the musical and books, they bring it back to make them related. And Triton is the son of Poseidon, who is the brother of Hades, making Uma and Hayden related.
Guest: It truly is lol. Thank you for the reviews!
kirito500: Hope you enjoyed Evie's reaction! And saaaaame. I really want to write them together already, slow burns pain me to write. We're almost there though!
T. F. Crosby: Thank you for giving the story a chance! :D I completely understand your reservations. I'm usually a strictly one ship kinda lass, if I ship two characters I cannot ship them with anyone else. It's very rare when I do. But I just loved Hayden in Chris's video and Evie is my fav Descendant so I had to try something with them, even though my heart is still firmly hevie being my otp.