Chapter 2 Schemes and Teams
Author's Note: Here is chapter 2! It was so much fine to write, and things are going to start heating up! I hope that nobody was out of character, or that nothing was too ridiculous. Now this will not be super bloody, but someone may not survive. This is my sequel idea for a darker and more mature Descendants but no language or smut, just tense situations and some violence. I just want things to be as real as possible.
The only illumination came from rusted lanterns with cracked glass panes that exposed the skeletal stubs which were once candles. The watery light flickered in an erratic pattern on varying panels of warped wood ripe with mildew, and would make even the Big Bad Wolf strain his keen eyes. Sadly, The Wolf hadn't quite reached the level of infamy to be allowed admittance into the exclusive meeting of only the most prestigious villains. Ursula's Chum Shop was in high spirits this evening as their leader had finally come back.
Besides Ursula, none of Maleficent compatriots of the Isle had even ventured to conceive a rescue plan. Once, they may have been capable adversaries in their own stories, but the embarrassment of incarceration, and being shoved onto an island in such proximity to the with Maleficent had hid them all pretty hard in the ego.
The only one who could give Maleficent a run for her money was Ursula, but she focused her attention on terrorizing the delinquent wannabe pirates down at the wharf if they broke into her newly acquired stores of suspect shrimp and chum, and plotting impossible schemes to ruin Ariel. With her tentacles, Ursula could reach miles away, with her as the fishy epicenter, and the limbs slithering out like the hands of a clock; which was the very method in which she extracted Maleficent from the clutches of her asinine daughter.
Then again, Uma had also failed in making any real progress for the villains as a whole, so she couldn't really judge too much, but at least Uma had the guts to return to those that she had failed. And her punishment, which fit the crime, was to gut the store's merchandise in full view of every one, with no gloves or apron. It appeared that Uma would diligently pay her due penance but it had only been 12 hours; and she was a volatile cephalopod.
A transparent cage was perched precariously on the edge of a cedar table, wrought with rot, and the lizard within scurried to the side placed most solidly on the stained table cloth to prevent the entire container from falling to the ground. This design was an intentional choice as Ursula relished in the idea of finally having the power over Maleficent; even if she was only a helpless reptile. Ursula simply sat and watched as her rival nervously scuttled in a futile attempt to push the cage to the heart of the table. Finally, Ursula grew tired of Malificent's little display, and stood up, her tendrils having molded into two very sturdy legs. Before she was to completely disengage the frenzied lizard, she shook the table a little bit and made sure to make eye contact with the now irate, but trapped evil fairy.
In a rich baritone voice that warned of backwards business practices and sideways deals spoke into the inconsistently dark room, the stench of rotten crustaceans never having fazed her, "Having fun there, Squirt? If we didn't need you, I would be content to watch you running around in terrified circles for the end of your days. But, you owe us, as it is your disappointing offspring is the reason that we do not yet have our freedom. You will return the favor that I so kindly provided by bringing you back from the wretched hive of hope and cheerfulness, and then you may remain in your true form. But first, you must prove yourself before your own freedom is guaranteed."
Jafar stepped forward, the pungent fumes gradually strangling his throat, and leeching away his ability to breath, "Enough Ursula, you have had your fun. Do not forget who we are dealing with. We need her."
Ursula whipped back and seized Jafar by the neck, "I know exactly what we need; do not forget who put this entire operation together in the first place. If it weren't for me, you would still be languishing in your pathetic self-pity, and reliving the glory days of you temporarily besting a street urchin who rocked unfortunate genie pants. Remember who you are dealing with!"
Ursula unclasped Jafar's neck, and made sure to put in a little extra force so he would stumble back slightly. He eventually righted himself, as he regained his composure but was unable to completely vanquish the coughs that came from deprivation of oxygen.
"But, alas, my half-rate magician, you are right. We have waited long enough. Everyone stand back, no one knows how angry the beast will be once she is unleashed."
Ursula beckoned for the ornately clad Evil Queen to come forward, "Regina, get over here. She won't bite, at least not at first." Ursula offered an iniquitous smile.
The Evil Queen steeled herself, and mumbled that she was doing this to get her daughter back, and her old friend would do her no harm.
She joined hands with the scaly surface of Ursula's skin and they shared a look of joint understanding.
"This is for Evie. Maleficent please forgive us for our failure, let us be successful in this enterprise to take over Auradon, and see our children again."
Ursula and The Evil Queen began to chant at the same time,"quæ quondam erat, reverteretur. Ipsi gloria et imperium restituere ulciscere et reduc nobis quid iuste."
The words which might be bewildering to those untrained in the mystic arts, rolled effortlessly off of their tongues. The volume slowly elevating as they each felt their reserves of mana stretch out and uncoil from their long dormant positions. Thanks to King Ben's decree to allow children of the villains to travel to Auradon, and the recent return of powerful sorcerers and sorceresses like Jay, Evie and Mal, the magic dampening effect of the barrier had lessened.
Once the foreign words had reached their highest peak of power, and volume all of the lanterns went out in a flash. A potent gust of wind ripped through the shop and doused out the tempermental flames. The temperature dropped several degrees, and silence reigned supreme.
Each spectator waited with bated breath, the night thick with anxiety. Ursula and The Evil Queen unjoined their hands and stepped backwards to see what they had brought forth.
The frigid clime receded abruptly to be replaced by the overwhelming heat of lime green blaze that forced every one in the crowd back involuntarily. A bone-chilling laugh emanated from the brilliant flames, and out stepped the mighty Maleficent, horns and all.
Evie had rushed Mal to Ben's study with a speed that would make Hercules' Pegasus envious. Evie had deftly contacted a sleepy and incoherent Ben on her cell phone, and managed to maneuver Mal to the office with minimal damage to her catatonic best friend. However, there were a few brushes with some suits of armor, and a porcelain vase did not survive the night, as it ended up in jagged shards, but property damage wasn't exactly Evie's top priority at the moment.
Ben was already in the office by the time they got there, and he wasn't alone. The entire gang, Carlos, Jane, Lonnie, Doug and Jay were all present and accounted for. Ben had obiously called them as well. The office was blindingly bright to both girls who were still in a somewhat sleepy stupor, but Ben caught on quickly and slid the switch down a tad to dim the lights.
Jay and Carlos had already gone to work pushing the furniture out of the way in order to make room for the large group, and they were now all standing in the middle flanking eachother in protective stances, as if anticipating an attack at any moment. Ben migrated towards Mal's side and gripped her from behind to try and coax her out of her catatonia. Mal's breathing became noticeable deeper and constant, due to the contact with Ben.
Doug and Evie exchanged a wistful look that communicated an unspoken understanding. Doug and Evie had gotten much better at verbal ques in the last six months, and in times like this it was a very useful skill. Doug questioned Evie to ascertain that she was alright, and her affirmative nod quelched his worries. They held eachother's hands.
Jay grew impatient with the lack of conversation and began, "If we just stand here all night, we won't get to the bottom of this. Mal can you try to tell us what happened."
Mal had completely relaxed in the presence of those closest to her, and she nodded.
"I am sorry for waking you guys up in the middle of the night, especially our first night off in awhile, but I had a vision: my mom is gone. We checked. Somehow someone must have gotten into our dorm and taken her. I don't think any heroes would want to deal with my mom, and Uma surrendered, so in whose best interests does it lie to obtain my mom?"
Carlos spoke up first, "It has got to be Ursula. There must be a power vaccuum on the Isle with your mom out of the way, and she is the most obvious choice to fill it. We all saw what Uma can do, she certainly gave you a run for your money, Mal. We are too young to see the extent of Ursula's powers, but it isn't too much a stretch of the imagination to conclude how strong she is. Now with Uma's defeat, she is going to want to take matters into her own hands."
Carlos turned towards Ben, "And Ben, your royal decree must have already weakened the barrier. All of the witches and wizards are getting there first taste of freedom in two decades. Imagine the power rush."
Ben turned a sickly pallor, he gulped and swiveled his head to assess the reactions of everyone else in the room. He noticed that all seemed to be in agreement with Carlos. He closed his eyes for a moment, to ground himself and refocus on the issue at hand. Mal squeezed his hand in support.
"So this is my fault? How could I have not seen this coming?"
He stalked over to the nearest arm chair, and converted his mask into that of a stricken man, much older than his age of 18.
Carlos responded, "Of course this is not your fault; don't be absurd. You did the right thing. There is no way any of us could have foreseen our parents taking advantage of an act rooted in rehabilitation and kindness. Do not doubt your self for a second, if things get bad, we are going to need a king with his head in the game."
Ben supplied a grateful smile.
Jane smiled in adoration at her boyfriend, she was always so proud of his capacity for not only logic, but also empathy.
"Carlos is right. And if push comes to shove, my mom is here. She is the most skilled fairy in all of Auradon, she would back us up to the end of the earth. She loves our home as much as we all do, if not even more. I wager she would even be willing to work with us magic users, we could all use some refinement."
Jane retreated behind the shield of Cruella de Ville's son, and hung her head slightly in a shy manner. She feared that she had been too bold and stepped out of her place.
Carlos took her chin in his fingers, and lifted it up gently.
"That is a great idea Jane. Don't be scared to speak up, we all have valuable ideas and insights."
Everyone else smiled warmly.
Jay took advantage of the lapse in talking, "The magic users cannot have all of the fun, our dueling team is at your service Ben, and we are always actively recruiting. We shouldn't forget about your Guard either Ben, and each kingdom has an elite force to smother out conflict."
Ben walked forward and clasped his hand on Jay's shoulder with a resounding reverberation. Ben had been watching the development of Jay's marital skill and combat strategy, and he was very impressed. He had not broached the idea with Jay yet, but Ben hoped to have Jay take over as Captain of his Royal Guard once he had graduated, the current commanding officer was to retire very soon, and finding a replacement was becoming a very pressing preoccupation for the king. Ben wanted that Jay accept, as he couldn't think of anyone better for the position.
"Jay and Jane, thank you for your input, both of you, truly. Being prepared is our best bet and line of defense. We will have both our magic users and our warriors ready for whatever comes next. I also think it wouldn't be a bad idea to approach the concept of including the archery team in our ranks. After all, they did just come back from Nationals with a first place trophy. But, battle will be the absolute last resort, we all need to hope that this will not come to blows. Mal tell us more about what you saw."
"Well it wasn't crystal clear, but the underlying meaning was decipherable. Every villain is uniting under a single banner, I don't know exactly if it led by my mother, Ursula, or both, but either way they pose a serious threat. If my mother were to be the General, she would obviously have to be reverted to her fairy form, and that also means that she can transform into a dragon again. If that's the case, we all need to do a lot more wishing in the coming weeks. Their exact scheme isn't apparent, but I know that their first stage is subversion and attrition, and then when they think us at our most vulnerable, they are going to come here. War is their endgame."
Everyone was stunned and rendered dumbstruck. The potential for impending doom was not a great discussion topic, instead of loosening the lips, it had a tendency to like them up and throw away the key.
Lonnie was the one to take the initiative and brave their now uncertain future, "Now we know. We can either stay here and wallow, or we can be the heroes that we all know ourselves to be and fight back. This could be a matter of life and death, and I have a lot to fight for, most of which is in this very room. So we are going to put on our big kid crowns and face our adversary with a solid front. Who is with me?"
The question implied so much potential loss and pain, but there was no alternative. They hadn't achieved a life so full of love and happiness that they wouldn't protect it to the end.
Jay once again started the verbal wave of confirmation, "I am!"
Soon enough everyone had screamed their throats hoarse and overextended in support, courage was now the name of the game. It was a miracle that they didn't get a noise complaint.
Evie spoke up as well, "Now we have some semblance of a plan, but just like fashion execution is the key to victory. We all need to start training as soon as possible, especially you Ben. Being King has taken you out of the action."
Carlos book the armory and training room, and begin to invent anything that will help us. Jay decide on any weapons we will need based on each person's talents and preferences, you will also instruct us all, Jane and Mal prepare spells specific to combat, Lonnie talk to your mom about strategy and see if she will come help us, Ben tell your parents about our plans and mobilize the Guard, and I will design our new outfits. I am thinking armor chic; some of the ensembles that Mal and I passed on our way here were quite inspiring. Battle is the perfect idea to make some new clothes. Doug you will be with me managing material inventory and funds, and also you are responsible for providing a killer playlist. OK, we all have a lot of work to do, Carlos as soon as you hear back from Captain Hercules get a hold of us ASAP. Now, we all need some quality sleep, and Mal if you wake me up again, your mom will be the least of your problems."
Evie's playful threat came out much more intimidating than she intended, and after such a commanding and intense speech, she was radiating an aura of authority.
Mal was taken aback for a minute at her best friend's threatening demeanor, but once Evie melted into a pile of laughs she joined in.
"Ay, ay ma'am. With all of us working together, and you keeping us in check, we very well might win this thing."
Mal and Evie shared a tender embrace and held on tight for a few minutes as they each traded and provided strength and resolve for what was to come next.
Suddenly, the Fairy God Mother popped into the study and impatiently demanded, "What on earth is going on in here? We have received numerous noise complaints. And Ben, I don't care if you are the king; you know better, now start acting like it and get to bed. That applies to all of you, and Jane you're coming with me. Curfew is in place for a reason."
Jane and Carlos traded one last loving expression and she left to follow her mother.
The group soon dispersed with a new found sense of purpose, duty and faith. And it seems that they got that noise complaint after all.
Thanks to the expediency that Evie stressed, and the cancelled classes, the training room was open for their usage for as long as they would need. As soon as the Fairy God Mother had received her daily dosage of caffeine, she had been briefed and gave her okay to all resources, funds and man power that the group would need. She was quite hesitant about allowing Jane to get into the thick of things, but she couldn't deny Auradon any valuable asset, and if they fought together, she could keep a better eye on her daughter.
The following morning at 7:30 sharp the group congregated in the armory to select and make any necessary modifications to their weapons of choice, time was of the essence. Drowsiness was still very much lurking behind their eyes.
Chad had also been told of the new plan, and he was chomping at the bit to show up Ben as a swordsman.
Jay maintained a cool persona, and his conduct was precise, relevant and worthy of respect.
"The remaining forces will be informed soon, but as of right now, we need to organize ourselves: the core team. We have the most information, and we know the enemies the best, as some of us are their own flesh and blood. Now, discipline is the most important aspect od our preparation, and I don't want to hear any complaining or dawdling. We all know what is at stake. Lonnie will be my second in command, and she will work personally with our dueling team. Mal, Evie, Doug and Jane you all need to get comfortable with wielding a sword. Now, don't be frightened, they come in all sizes, and swords aren't the only option, feel free to try out dual daggers, a quarter staff or a bow and arrow. Evie and Mal have some experience with combat, but I cast an adrenaline boosting and skill enhancing spell on the Isle so I am sorry to tell you that you aren't as fierce as you may choose to believe."
Evie flicked her hair back in dismissal, and she seemed unfazed by Jay's revelation. Mal usually was able to keep her horns contained as she used to hide her true self, but her annoyance was readily obvious as she sprouted a pair of sharp appendages from the front of her head.
Jane and Doug just looked like they were going to throw up.
Evie confidently strutted forward, "Jay, by now you have definitely seen that I am capable of anything I set my mind too. My entire life I was groomed to be a demure, submissive and diligent princess, but warrior queen has a much better ring to it, give me a sword. Soon, I will be better than any spell you can cast on me."
Jay cocked his head, and grinned with enthusiasm.
"Now this is the kind of dedication I want to hear and see from all of you. And Mal, your horns are showing."
Mal blushed deeply and pouted, and soon enough her horns disappeared.
"I know that genius. Are you going to continue or just state the obvious all day? I could be writing spells, and practicing my transition into my dragon."
"Calm down Mal, I promise we will get to you soon. First things first, with Doug's competency with instruments and penchant for geometry and logic, he would make an excellent archer. Lonnie outfits him with a medium sized one." Doug put on a brave face, and turned to pick out his implement with Lonnie. "Jane, I know you aren't one for confrontation or violence, but I see you swinging a massive mace."
Jane's eyes grew exponentially bigger, and she simply shook her head furiously. Everyone else laughed, as they had caught on to Jay's jest."
"I am kidding Jane. Settle down, you would not only be a danger to the enemy, but also to your comrades around you, I think you will best be served by combining your powers with your acrobatics, let's make you a wand like your mom's that can adjust its length. On either ends will be a razor sharp crystal, so be careful."
Jane liked that idea much better, and was excited to have the chance to carry on her mother's tradition of using a wand, and displaying her heritage. It would be light enough that she wouldn't be weighed down, or that it would get in the way, but it would be just like the batons that she had been training with. Her cheer leading was going to have a practical application; she couldn't wait to tell her mom! And her mother said that cheer leading was pointless, this will show her! But most of all, she wanted to make her mother proud, and this was a fantastic opportunity.
"I never thought I would be agreeing to this, but I think it's a great idea. Thanks Jay. Let's put this cheer leading thing to good use!"
The group truly appreciated her optimism and they shared a hearty chuckle.
Finally, Jay turned to Mal.
"Best for last, Mal you're ambidextrous, which you have displayed a lot when you are making your artwork. You are able to use both hands in tandem, with perfect synchronicity. Daggers are the most versatile, and unique weapons as they come in many forms. You will use dual daggers, and you can stylize it any way you want."
Mal grinned at the prospect, and she was grateful for the compliment. She had never really been a team player, and she would always feel that soft, yet persistent knack that this was her fault as she was the daughter of the Baddest of Them All, the mighty and ruthless Maleficent. Knowing that she could help to subdue her name sake gave her great confidence. The opportunity to make her own art with the combat and her weapons was also something she was looking forward to immensely.
"I don't appreciate the sarcasm Jay, but I understand what you are saying, and the compliment is much appreciated. I would be more than happy to use the daggers. It also seems fitting as I have two sharp things protruding from my head, talons from all four claws when I am a dragon, and now I will have my hands equipped with some more pointy things. I am a walking one-woman army. Jay, this may be your best idea yet."
Jay smiled, "I hope so too Mal, not let's fight. We have lots of work to do, and little time to accomplish it."
Author's Note: Sorry that it is so long! I also hope that this chapter wasn't too boring, and was fun to read. In my version of the universe, Mal does have horns they just aren't as pronounced as her mom because she isn't evil, but she can retract them. Mal is not evil or a demon, its just a trait of her species of fairy. Also, Jay can do magic as his father is a sorcerer but he doesn't like it much, because he prefers using his own talents and skill. Hopefully, it wasn't too hard to believe that Jay cast a spell on Evie and Mal to make them better fighters in Descendants 2, but to me, having almost every major character great with swords was absurd, and made no sense to me. They are going to have to earn their triumphs the old-fashioned way.
Do not be alarmed though, the magic users will still rely heavily on their magical proclivities, but like how the Night King is coming to attack and wipe out all of Winterfell in GOT, every citizen old enough and able of body will need to know how to fight. I hope Evie's banter with Ben and Jay wasn't too flirty, but that is just her nature, and the fact that she took charge too jarring or unbelievable, last movie she really came into her own person, and established herself as a worthy leader. Finally, I made an Instagram for Descendants and I will be posting the characters in their new uniforms and armor once it comes time. Enjoy, and review if you would like to! :)
