Chapter 2
There is only one person on the isle who terrifies people more than Mal.
"Hi, mom." Mal smirks.
Carlos nearly faints. Maleficent reveals herself by shoving aside two of her six-foot goons to the side. He'd never seen Maleficent in person. She's dressed in dark robes that contours her figure and in her right hand is the dragon's eye. But how? It disappeared after Mal touched. It was the entire damn reason they failed. Yet, there she stands with it. She was shorter than he envisioned, though it does nothing to affect how truly terrifying her presence is. They'd all felt it before at the Forbidden Fortress. Maleficent is not someone to be messed with. She is the incarnation of all evil. A magical dome could take away her magical essence, but it can't take away everything else that made the woman so powerful.
Carols is aware of how horribly he is shaking. It can't be helped. His legs likely would fail him if he tried them. He'd be embarrassed if he wasn't sure the other villain's children were scared as well. They all had tells. Other than the overall stiffness in posture, Jay twitches his fingers as if to reach for a weapon hidden somewhere on his clothes, ready for an attack. At first glance he appears impassive, but the shifting his weight from one foot to the other and downward twitch of his mouth give him away.
Evie is trembling where she stands beside him. Its not nearly has bad nor as noticeable as his own. She's stepped closer to him since the revel of the wicked fairy. Carlos kinda feels bad for her. If any of them need to be afraid of what may happen to them in the presence of Maleficent, its Evie. She's the who broke the banishment the fairy bestowed on her and her mother. Has Maleficent come to enact the thousand-year spell on the blue haired girl Mal could not? Carlos really doesn't want to stay to find out.
"Petty theft Mal? I'm so disappointed." Maleficent sniffs.
Mal crosses her arms and stands straighter. "I made a grown man pee his pants."
"That's my deliciously evil spawn, but a low mark. When I was your age, I was cursing entire kingdoms," The dark fairy stops when she notices her daughter mocking her word for word. Carlos shifts backwards hoping to be out the line of fire when Mal gets reprimanded. But instead, Maleficent simply smirks. "All of you walk with me." She addresses them all.
Carlos is very aware of Maleficent's goons that begin to loosely surround them. With the setting sun and shaded alleyways, it was becoming difficult to see. Carlos never had the best sight regardless of light, yet he always made do. There is something different about tonight. Maleficent's goons weave in and out of the forming cast shadows to disorientate them. He hates to admit that its working. He is sure to keep a watchful eye on them without looking away from the true danger. The shadow crossing over Maleficent's figure only adds the looming sense of danger surrounding the small gang. They were in the presence of the devil herself. Carlos wasn't willing to leave it chance. He recites the periodic table of elements in his head to calm himself down. He takes comfort in the familiar electrons and atomic numbers.
Carlos waits until his exit is clear and makes a mad dash for it. Evie follows. They don't make it very far before being lifted in the air by the goons and brought back to face Maleficent. None of them try to escape again. There's no point.
"Idiots." Maleficent tsks at them.
The dark fae continues her walk. They all silently follow. She does not speak for the first couple of blocks. By now Carlos recognized where they are going. Seeing how a fraction of tension leaves Mal and Jay's bodies lets him know they recognize it as well.
Maleficent speaks.
"It's the details that make the difference between mean and truly evil." She looks to Mal who is by her side. "See, I'm just trying to teach you the thing that really matters, how to be me."
Mal nods. "I know that. I'll do better." Her failure to retrieve the dragon's eye still very fresh.
"Of course, you will. All of you will." The evil fae addresses them all. "I'm adopting all of you as my progeny. Seeing how my idiot spawn needs assistance to carry out a simple mission. However, for the plans I have ensure all of you are required."
Maleficent guides the 4 of them into Bargain Castle. Carlos has never seen the inside of the home of the two most terrifying beings on the isle. He's grateful he chose to wear his jacket. The place is freezing. It's much larger on the inside than he imagined. Though, it may be a trick of the light. The exaggerated shadows make everything appear larger than they really are. Its not dissimilar to Hell Hall in the way that there's a lot of open space. Everything is placed in a way the gives off tidy and orderliness to hide that it is just has rundown as any other building on the isle. Maleficent takes them to a room on the upper floor where their parents are waiting. Carlos stops short in the doorway when he spots both his mother and Uncle Cecil propped up on a wall beside an open doorway on the other side of the room. Jafar sits by a window with his feet propped up against another chair. The evil queen sits at the head of a table built for 8. She barely offers them a glance as they enter. They all wear matching grins.
What in Hades name is going on?
A goon pushes him further into the room. He stands next Jay, Evie, and Mal near the dining table at the center of the room. They are in some form of dining, kitchen area. Like many of the other rooms it is not a large room compared to the what he's seen of dining halls on the Auradon News Network, but it comfortably fits them all. It's outer wall are lined with stain glass windows. The room is a major contrast to the rest of the castle. Where the hallways and foyer have minimal furniture, this room is filled with a manner of all sorts of furniture and trinkets.
Maleficent sweeps across the room and stands on a small platform located on the leftmost side. She too joins the rest of their parents in grinning. Carlos recites the periodic table of elements anew. This is something out of a nightmare.
Jay steps in the direction of the wicked fairy. It doesn't go unnoticed how he keeps Mal in between them. "Why are we here?" He asks.
"Patience young thief." Maleficent purrs.
Just then one of Maleficent's goons enters the room carrying a fighting Diego De Vil. His cousin is dropped roughly on the ground where the rest of the teens stand. "What the hell!" The lanky teen is on his feet in a flash. His eyes sweep across the room and gasps. "Maleficent."
Carlos isn't positive if he's said her name in recognition or if it was a curse.
"Nice of you to finally join us."
"Carlos, what's going on?" His cousin leans in to whisper to him.
Carlos shrugs. He doesn't trust his voice at the moment.
"I buried the lead." Maleficent rolls her eyes, wicked grin never leaving her face. "You five have been selected to attend a different school, in Auradon."
He doesn't think he's heard correctly. Carlos looks to his cousin and newly formed gang. They seem as confused as he is. Why Auradon? He likes his Dragon Hall. The mainland probably doesn't have schools in cemeteries.
"What?" Mal gasps and steps toward her mother. "I am not going to some boarding school filled to the brim with prissy pink princesses!"
"And perfect princes." Evie muses aloud, stepping between Jay and Mal. The latter scowls at the princess. "Eww Auradon." She corrects realizing she wasn't helping the situation.
"Yeah, and I don't do uniforms. Unless it's leather. You feel me?" Jay winks at Evie then turns to Carlos for a high-five.
The black and white haired boy ignores him. "I read somewhere that they allow d-dogs in Auradon."
"Yes, they do." Cruella speaks for the first time since their arrival. "And their rabid pack animals that eat boys that don't behave." The woman growls and bares her teeth at her son. Carlos hates the way he flinches.
"Wait. I can't go." Diego thinks aloud. "I can't leave my band. I'm the lead singer. They need me."
"Yeah mom, we're not going. What about my territories?" Mal complains. "I can't just leave them vulnerable. Uma won't hesitate to move in."
"Oh you're thinking small, pumpkin. Who cares about territories when you rule the entire island. Its all about world domination." Maleficent waves her off and licks her teeth as if she can taste the freedom. She sits dramatically on her makeshift throne. It's just a tall high back chair she covered with thorns from the bushes outside. She picks up a nail file and begins sharpening her nails. "You will go. You will find the Fairy Godmother and you will bring me her wand me her wand. Easy-peasy."
Yes, easy-peasy. Just like getting the dragon's eye. Oh yes, that will be super easy. Carlos thinks bitterly.
"What's in it for us?" Mal asks.
Maleficent looks up tiredly and tilts her head back and forth. "Matching thrones. Her's-and-her's crowns."
"I-I uh, I think she meant us." Diego points to himself and the rest of the gang.
The dark fairy points to Mal. "It's all about you and me baby. Do you enjoy watching innocent people suffer?"
No.
"Well yeah, I mean, who doesn't-"
"Well, then get me the wand"! Maleficent slams her staff on the ground, causing the group of them to step back. "And you and I can see all that and so much more. And with that wand I will be able to bend good and evil to my will!"
"Our will." Grimhilde drawls.
Maleficent rolls her eyes, but amends her declaration. "Our will, our will." She snaps to get Mal's attention. "If you refuse you will be grounded for the rest of your life, missy. Just ask the Princess Evie how well that turned out for her." Evie and Grimhilde frown. "Only you'll serve your punishment truly underground." Maleficent laughs darkly.
Whether or not she meant in the castle dungeons or dead, Carlos didn't intend to find out.
"Fine. Whatever." Mal reluctantly agrees.
"Evelyn, my little evil-ette in training." The evil queen sing-songs. Evie smiles as she crosses the room to sit beside her mother with barely contained excitement. She's the only one of the teens interested in the world across the sea. It's understandable, she is a princess. "You find yourself a prince with a big castle with a mother-in-law wing,"
"And lots and lots of mirrors." The mother daughter pair exclaim in unison.
"No laughing. Wrinkles." Grimhilde reminds. Evie drops her smile immediately, but the sparkle in her eyes remains. In a few hours she'll be in a land surrounded by like-minded people who care about makeup, and dresses, and whatever the hell else they did in Auradon.
Carlos wishes he was as excited to go as Evie, but he just can't see what purpose he could possibly have over there. Couldn't Maleficent choose someone else to carryout her master plan? It's not as if they were any good at the first one. And the only reason they needed him was because of his homing box he invented. There's magic in the mainland, they won't need him for that.
"Carlos. Here boy." Cruella points to her side. She runs her gloved hand through his hair and pulled him close so that she can smell it once he's close enough for her to do so. He has since learned that this is not an affectionate gesture. His mother simply thought it reminded her of the dogs she once lost. Yet sometimes he imagines it's something else entirely. "Well, they can't have my Carlos. I'd miss him too much."
Stunned Carlos looks to his mom searching for her deception. He can find none. Maybe she will be able to get him out of going to Auradon altogether. Had she forgiven him for not protecting her fur coats the night of Mal's party? "Really mom?"
"Yes." She says without hesitation. Her sincerity leaves an unfamiliar feeling in his chest. It doesn't last long once Cruella continues. "Who would touch up my roots? Fluff my furs and scrape the bunions off my feet?" She lifts her healed boot in Carlos' arms. "And my closet, Carlos!"
Carlos sighs. The familiar emptiness returning to his chest. "Maybe a new school wouldn't be the worst thing." He drops her leg.
"Carlos, they have dogs in Auradon."
"Ohhh no. I'm not going!"
Maleficent scoffs.
"Well, Jay isn't either. I need him to stock the shelves in my shop." Jafar declares to the room before pulling his son to the side. "What did you score?" Jay hand his father a few random trinkets, then with a smile reveals a lamp similar to the one her sent Aladdin after. "A lamp!" The ex-sultan drops everything else and rubs the lamp.
"Dad, I tried that." Jay says solemnly. He's never seen his father so genuinely excited.
"Diego won't be attending either." Uncle Cecil speaks to the group for the first time since they arrived. "I won't send my breadwinner to the mainland on a suicide mission with some girls who are already failed their first mission you sent them on. I won't have it." The tall man grabs on to his son and starts for the exit.
"Fools! All of you." Maleficent growls. In a fluid motion she leaves her platform, grabs ahold of her daughter's arm, and tosses her toward the table at the center of the room where everyone else has congregated. "People used to cower at the mention of our names. For 20 years, I have searched for a way off this island. For 20 years they have robbed us from our revenge. Revenge on Snow White and horrible little men." She points to Grimhilde knowing no one bringing them up is a trigger. On cue the witch scowls at the fairy. Maleficent continues. "Revenge on Aladdin and his bloated genie."
Jafar raises the lamp in his hand and threatens the dark fae with it. "I will-"
"Pop." Jay attempts to calm his father down. It doesn't work. Jafar throws the lamp. He misses his target. It flies right over Maleficent's head. She simply smiles.
Carlos knows first hand how violent a parent can get when reminded of their past failures and those who wrong them. For everyone's sake he hopes she stops there. He doesn't think he can handle both his mother and Uncle. They tend to rile one another up when thinking of their capture.
"Revenge on every sneaky Dalmatian that escaped your clutches." Maleficent walks to the siblings and points at the two.
Carlos and Diego step away in preparation for their outburst.
"Oh, but they didn't get the baby. They didn't get the baby." Cruella falls into one of her laughing fits. She wiggles the head of the stuffed Dalmatian puppy slug around her neck as a scarf. There's nothing he can do when she gets like this. She'll have to bring herself out of her hysterics. The woman is deranged. That is no secret. The only people who don't react to Cruella's outburst are Carlos, Uncle Cecil, and Diego. They were all too to accustomed to it by now.
"I'm only on this godforsaken piece of rock because I'm related to her." Cecile points to his sister.
"And don't you want to get off of it?" Maleficent is in his face and talks slowly. "I will get my revenge on Rose and her relentless little Prince. Those 3 plucky fairies will rue the day they crossed me." She stalks toward the evil Queen and sits on her lap. Mal and Evie tilt their head at the action. She plucks the broken hand mirror from Evie's hand and examines her features. There's an unreadable expression on her face. "Villains," She calls out, breaking the spell she has on everyone.
"Yes?" Grimhilde purs.
"Yes," Cruella says pulling herself from her hysteria.
"Our day has come." The dark fairy smirks. She reaches a hand over her shoulder to hold onto Grimhilde's hand. She looks to Evie with an unfamiliar pride. "EQ, give her the magic mirror."
"Magic mirror?" Diego perks up, curiosity written all over his face. "As in the Magic Mirror?"
The queen hands her daughter a Mirror small enough to fit in her hand. It resembles the one that the legends are told of. Its small size does nothing to take away from the ornate crowning and frame of the object. "It's a magic mirror. My father made this for me long ago. So, take good care of it. It ain't what it used to be," Grimhilde shrugs as Maleficent stands from her lap. "But then again neither are we!" The two share a look and chuckle. It's an odd sight for sure.
"The magic mirror you're thinking about is in the Forbidden Fortress." Evie explains. She, Carlos, Mal, and Jay share a knowing look. Diego shrugs and not understanding the importance.
"It will help you find things."
"Like a Prince?"
"Like the magic wand!" Maleficent snaps. "Hello."
"Hello." The ex-evil Queen mimics.
"My spell book. My book… I need- that book." The dark fae mumbles.
Carlos locks eyes with Evie and they share a frown. That felt odd right? He spares a glance at Mal who sits up straighter, narrowing her eyes at her mother. Yes, it is most definitely odd. The most fearsome maleficent almost seems confused?
Grimhilde snaps to get Maleficent's attention then points to the fridge behind her.
"Oh, the safe. Safe. It's in… how do I…" Maleficent feels around the refrigerator for the way to open it, but comes up short. Something is definitely a miss.
Mal stands to assist, but her mother's voice stops her.
"Queen, helped me. I can never figure this thing out."
"Voila." Grimhilde opens the appliance with the dramatics fit for royalty.
"My spells." Maleficent smiles finding herself again. She snaps at Mal. "Come child. Come. It doesn't work here, but it will in Auradon." They all gather around Maleficent and her daughter to see the spell book. Its no secret to anyone that Maleficent prefers the cold. It doesn't surprise Carlos the her spell book prefers the same. "Remember when we were spreading evil and ruining lives?"
"Like it was yesterday."
The two women clearly have a history none of the rest of them are included in the knowledge of.
"And now," Maleficent continues. "You will be making your own memories, by doing exactly as I say." She shoves the book into Mal's chest. "You all have 3 hours to pack and prepare yourselves for your journey. A car comes for you in the morning."
The group of them mumble their grievances.
"Now get the hell out of my castle!" Maleficent slams the refrigerator shut and they all scatter.