Chap 9

Drac was phase two of their plan.

After Camilla had left to seek out the villains dorms he and Red headed for Merlin's office as quickly and quietly as they could. He snapped his fingers like he did the other day and the same green flame-like burn coated his body burning away the grey and indigo outfit he was wearing and returning him to his signature look. His jacket and pants turned plum, the lime green dragon that resembled half of Mal's logo appeared on his back. His gloves stayed indigo matching the two belts that criss-crossed on his waist and the indigo and lime shirt underneath. Not that it was that visible with the jacket zipped up.

He'd changed clothes originally out of fear that his younger mother would notice him in her colors and get too curious. Now it was that exact curiosity he depended on now. His blue eyes glowed green for a moment as he surged his magic within him, the warmth it brought under his skin was a comfort. Like resting your hand on a weapon, it made him feel ready for battle.

Red had thrown an all black hoodie over herself, with Camilla off impersonating her they couldn't risk someone seeing the real Red and figuring out what they were up to. Together they made it outside of the dorms, hugging the sidewalk that wrapped around the campus. The halls and courtyards were too risky with Camilla and Hook running around but even taking the long way he and Red were able to make it to the Headmaster's building. Aside from a lack of security at the academy there was also a very transparent system for finding where most teachers were and when. Their office hours were posted on their doors and there was even a schedule of their meetings when they were unavailable. Meaning it was easy for villains to find the perfect time to break in. Right now Principal Merlin was off at a board meeting and the schedule said he wasn't due back for an hour. Which hopefully would give them plenty of time.

Racing through the darkness they hurried to the front door. What they didn't know, was they were being watched.

"Coast looks clear." Hades said as they arrived at the Headmaster's building.

But Uliana saw the movement to her left and held up a single finger stopping her crew. "Not yet."

They all turned their attention to a black hooded figure running through the pattering rain that had just started. Whoever it was they were accompanied by the new boy who had been hanging around Bridget yesterday.

Maleficent's sharp eyes lingered on the boy. His lime green hair stood out even in the black of night but it was what he was wearing that drew her attention. He no longer wore the light gray jacket and black pants she'd seen him in earlier. Instead, he wore a jacket that matched the plum purple she was wearing. What was he playing at? Was he trying to mock her look? Or was he just a wannabe copycatting her? She remembered how his eyes glowed green in the courtyard the other day and she couldn't get it out of her head how much it looked like her magic.

She looked down at her hand and clenched her fist wiggling her fingers. Behind her Hades' arm across her shoulders comforted her. Like her he had been stripped of a great power he had been born with, his birthright, taken. He was probably the only person who could ever understand her.

And he knew her so well sometimes she wondered if he could read her mind.

"What is it?" he whispered in her ear.

Like right now.

She jutted her chin in the direction of the two shadows running through the trees and to the front door. "There's something about him, that gets. . . under my skin."

"Well. . . if the boy displeases you." He smirked and lifted her hand, kissing the back of her knuckles, "Allow me."

Red was able to pick the lock to the door before Drac even had a chance to say a single word of a spell out. It was impressive. Part of him wished he could have been there to watch her riot through the streets of Wonderland with his own eyes.

They only opened the door wide enough to slip themselves through then gently closed it behind them. They hurried to the second floor and turned left, going right led to the hall that connected the building to the rest of the school which Drac was already planning to use for a smooth getaway.

Red tossed off the black hoodie before she knelt down to the door to Merlin's office but this time when she tried to pick the lock there was a small zap and she pulled her hand away.

"Ah." She hissed shaking her fingers, "It's enchanted."

"Let me." Drac said stepping forward and Red stood and moved behind him. "Make it easy, make it quick, open up without a kick."

He flicked his finger the same way Mal did and a zap of green light shot from his fingertip to the keyhole. When it hit, almost like dropping a stone into water, green ripples covered the door and the handle moved as it opened itself and swung outward.

"Nice." A voice said from behind them and they turned to see Chloe sneaking her way over from the hall to the school.

"What are you doing here?" Red asked still sounding hurt from Chloe's earlier comments.

Chloe took a deep breath like she knew she had a broken relationship to smooth over. "Getting my hands dirty."

"You're going to break into the principal's office?" Red asked with a small smile but a skeptical tilt of her head.

"It's for a good cause."

Red's smile grew, "And you're already justifying your crimes. Love it."

The two shared a long hopeful look.

"Okay, we're short on time." Drac reminded them gently holding the door open like a gentleman and letting the ladies inside.

Merlin's office was almost identical to his classroom. Except, instead of rows of desks there was just one off to the left piled with books, scrolls and paperwork. A metal teaspoon shaped item sat over a lit candle with melted wax inside it, ready for the headmaster to use to seal his letters. Ahead of them sat the round table with seven swords imbedded into the ornate wood. Drac had never met King Arthur, he'd have to see if he could arrange a trip to Camelot when he returned to his realm.

There were also suits of armor posted around which gave him flashbacks and above them sculptures of owls. On the right side of the room were floor to ceiling bookshelves that only parted for a fireplace and Red and Chloe headed there first. Just as Drac was about to head in his eyes glowed again and he felt that chill in his bones.

"Get the book." He said so suddenly both girls turned to him, their muscles tensing ready for trouble. He turned on his heel to the door just as Hades made it up the last of the steps with a smile on his face. This had been the plan, he reminded himself, though that didn't do much to make him feel more prepared for this.

Drac swallowed nervously but his palms warmed as he readied himself. Hades was not someone to tangle with, and for good reason. But Drac knew him, the future him anyway, not that it helped in a fight. And relying on his familiarity with his dad's bag of tricks was still a very high risk. He had a lot pinned on a very small sliver of a chance.

Hades took in Drac's appearance, tense and ready for a fight. He chuckled, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Drac swallowed again, this throat suddenly dry. "Not at all."

Hades quirked a brow, probably expecting Drac to have more confidence, or lie and pretend to be chill and superior. Not honest and uncertain. You're scared? That's good. He could practically hear his dad's voice in his head, It means you're not stupid. Which meant his mind would be sharp enough to hold his own. Maybe even win.

Hades smirked and lifted one hand as his palm ignited with blue flames. Behind him Drac could hear Red and Chloe wheeling over a ladder trying to get the book as fast as they could while Hades was distracted with his challenger. Their hushed urgent whispering back and forth only added more pressure on his shoulders. Chloe might be a good fighter and Red could parkour as well as Jay but neither was a match for Hades. If Drac lost. . .

"Maleficent's going to love when I drag you out of here burnt and broken." Hades said threateningly, trying to make Drac nervous. Some villains liked a challenge, they liked to prove their mettle rather than have an easy fight. Others, liked to play cat and mouse, scare their opponent into fleeing so they could give chase. Hades seemed to be the former.

"Do you often have to prove yourself to her?" Drac asked wishing he knew more about his parents relationship he could use against Hades now. All he knew was his dad had said she wasn't the easiest person to get along with – something Drac knew from experience.

"Careful boy." Hades warned, "That's my woman you're talking about."

Wow, talk about a one eighty. His dad usually loved bonding with Drac over small jabs at Maleficent.

Drac ignited one hand letting the green flames dance from his palm down to the tips of his fingers. Hades' eyes widened as he lowered his hand closing it into a fist, but Drac could still see the electric blue glowing between his fingers.

"Now where did you learn that?" he asked intrigued.

It was Drac's turn to smirk, "You'd never believe me if I told you."

And he struck.

It might have been wiser to keep Hades talking for as long as possible. But Drac knew even the teenage version of his father wasn't stupid enough to not see what Red and Chloe were up to behind Drac. So he instead chose to deal the first strike and hopefully do so with an element of surprise.

He pitched his ball of flames like a baseball, which Hades was quick to dodge with a fast duck. When he stood up again he ran a hand over his hair making sure Drac hadn't singed it – he wasn't that bold. But he couldn't get distracted, he had to make each move carefully. Hades opened his hand again and his hair ignited in blue fire as the light in his hand doubled in size. Drac could dodge it but then it risked hitting Red or Chloe. He could circle Hades, but then he'd be that much closer to the girls and might just aim for them instead.

Hades launched the fireball at Drac – and he jumped into its path. Raising his hand flat and palm up he waited for that split second when the fire touched it, then he flicked his hand aside redirecting the strike into the nearest thick stone pillar. He did the same thing as Hades launched his second attack, and his third, and his fourth and so on. Drac casting fireballs left and right, leaving scorch marks along the walls. Some of the blank pieces of parchment paper on Merlin's desk had caught flame and were now burning blue.

"Ahh!" Red screamed as she slid down the ladder and Drac glanced over very quickly seeing her barely missing getting struck by a flying sword. It seemed the enchantments Bridget had mentioned were stronger then just a locked door. Chloe drew her blade and began to cover Red.

Hades went for Red too, his mission to impress Maleficent put on hold as he realized the girls were after the same book Uliana wanted. He lit his hand again, his hair still a mess of dancing flames. Drac didn't have time to redirect it this time, only enough to run in front of Red and throw out his hand. He caught the blue fire in his palm and standing straight looked right at Hades as he wiggled his fingers and the fire changed to lime green.

Hades took a half step back. In his eyes Drac could see him trying to figure out just who Drac was. How was he able to take Hades' own fire and bend it to his will? How were his powers so similar to the Lord of the Underworld?

Drac smirked, enjoying throwing someone so powerful off their game. His eyes glowed green as the fire in his hand flickered just a little bit higher and Drac's hair – for the first time ever - lit up like his father's did.

POLL: If you were in Descendants, who would your mom be? What would you want to inherit from her?

-Maleficent -Belle

-Evil Queen -Ariel

-Queen of Hearts

-Cruella -Mulan -Aurora

-Ursula -Fairy Godmother

-Other