Chapter Text
Being the son of Wonderland's most feared villain is the kind of burden no one else could ever understand. I've spent my entire life trapped in my father's shadow, compared to him at every turn and feared for crimes that were never mine. I hate it. I have always despised being known as the Hatter's son. Because of that name, I was banished to the Isle of the Lost alongside my father for most of my life. Until recently. When the villains were finally given a second chance, that included my father, which, in my opinion, is the single worst decision these "heroes" have ever made. I may be free, but so is my father. And now he finally has the chance to get his revenge and take over Wonderland. I just know he'll start a war for the throne, and honestly? As long as I don't get blamed for it, I couldn't care less who wins. All I want is to stop being seen as my father's copy. To do that, I have to outshine him in every way possible. Sometimes I wonder if everyone else is right. If you spend your entire life being told you're destined to become a monster... do you eventually stop fighting it? I am no hero, but I refuse to be known as a conniving abominable villain. I refuse to let my father be the one who decides how history remembers me. I will write my own destiny. One that's remembered for me, not for him.
It has been a few years since the villains were released from the Isle, but I know that my dad won't stay silent for much longer. I’m hanging out with my friends outside Auradon Prep on the first day of our senior year, and it's still weird seeing Hero Kids and Villain Kids sharing the same campus. Who would've thought the same people who spent years telling us we were monsters would suddenly decide we deserved a seat beside their precious little heroes? All the Hero Kids suck ass, and I stand by what I said. They only care about appearances and bully anyone who's different, especially the VKs. To them, we're always going to be the villains' kids before we're our own people. I have yet to meet a HK I actually like after seventeen years of living.
"Hey, Max, are you even listening to what I'm saying?" Felix asks, snapping his fingers in front of my face and pulling me out of my daydream.
I blink before looking over at him.
"Huh...? Oh—yeah. Just...a lot to take in. It's our final year at Auradon, after all."
Felix narrows his eyes at me.
Yeah, he doesn't buy it. He never does.
After years of being friends, the idiot can practically tell what I'm thinking before I say a word.
"Okay," Felix mutters with an annoyed huff, mercifully deciding not to call me out on my obvious lie. "Well, as I was saying, it's big news that the princesses of Wonderland are finally being let
out to attend Auradon. The whole school's been talking about it all morning. Apparently Red is drop-dead gorgeous and kind of a big deal since she'll be queen someday."
That statement earns a scoff from me.
Yeah about that.
There's no way she'll ever become queen if my father has anything to say about it.
Actually, neither of them will.
I haven't seen the Wonderland princesses since we were little kids, back before the villains were rounded up and banished to the Isle.
Red was always quiet. Reserved. The kind of kid who hid behind her sister whenever someone new came around.
Pink, on the other hand...
Pink never stopped talking. She followed me around the palace gardens every chance she got, asking endless questions and somehow finding a new flower to shove into my hands every single day. I spent years telling her to leave me alone. She never listened. Not once.
God I wonder what she grew up to look like.
Still wearing those ridiculous pink bows?
Still talking everyone's ear off?
There's no way Pink grew up to be any less annoying.
…Right?
"Seriously, those two are finally being let out of their gilded cage?" I ask, furrowing my brows. "I'm surprised the Queen of Hearts is allowing this."
"Yeah, and even Chloe, Cinderella's daughter, is coming too. Probably because she and Red are best friends." Hazel practically beams. "I hear Chloe's stunning."
"There it is," I mutter.
Hazel blinks.
"What?"
"The real reason you care."
She gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her chest.
"Excuse me?"
"Pretty princess."
"You're impossible."
"I've been told."
Felix snorts beside us while Hazel rolls her eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't get stuck.
"Man, get your head out of the gutter," I say, pointing at her. "She'll be nothing more than another spoiled, bratty princess like the rest of them."
"Yeah, well..." Squeaky suddenly calls, pointing toward the front gates. "Guess who finally decided to grace us with their presence," Squirmy says.
Almost instantly, conversations around campus begin to die down.
Heads turn. Students whisper.
I even find myself looking toward the entrance.
I spot Red first.
She's walking beside Chloe, the two of them whispering about something that's probably incredibly important to them and unbelievably boring to everyone else.
Figures.
Not even five seconds later, Luis Madrigal and Robbie Hood jog over, calling out their names like a pair of overexcited puppies.
I roll my eyes.
Then...
Something bright catches my attention.
A flash of pink.
My eyes drift past Red and Chloe.
No way...
A girl steps out from behind them, finally coming fully into view.
My entire train of thought halts.
That's…Pink?
She still has bright pink hair, only now it's longer, softer, half pinned back beneath the same pale pink bow she always insisted on wearing when we were kids.
She still smiles with her whole face.
She still walks with that tiny little bounce like she's physically incapable of taking a normal step.
She still looks at everything like the world is wonderful.
Only now…she's beautiful.
Like...
Unfairly beautiful.
She's dressed in a pale pink babydoll dress with lacy white tights and pink Mary Janes.
God...was she always this tiny?
No.
I just got taller...I think.
She can't be much taller than five feet.
When did she change?
When did she stop being the little girl who used to shove flower crowns onto my head when she thought I wasn't paying attention?
When did she become...her?
"Yo, Max!"
Felix's voice snaps me out of whatever trance I've apparently fallen into. He waves a hand directly in front of my face for the second time today.
"What?" I ask, a little too quickly.
He raises an eyebrow.
"I asked who you were staring at."
"I wasn't staring."
Felix and Hazel both look at me.
"..."
"..."
Okay. Maybe I was staring.
"I was observing," I correct.
Hazel lets out the most obnoxious laugh I've ever heard.
"Ohhh, that's even worse."
"It's called having functioning eyesight."
"Mhm."
"I wasn't staring."
"You absolutely were."
"I wasn't."
"You didn't blink for like two minutes."
That's probably an exaggeration. Hopefully.
"So," Felix says with a grin he doesn't even bother hiding, "who caught your attention?"
I casually motion toward the pink-haired girl, doing my absolute best to pretend I haven't just forgotten how to function.
"Who's the girl in pink?"
Felix stares at me.
"...Pink."
"...Yeah?"
Hazel bursts into laughter.
"Oh my gosh," she says between giggles. "Looks like somebody has a crush."
"Pfft. No."
Absolutely not.
"I know who the other two princesses are," I continue, ignoring Hazel entirely. "So who is she?"
Felix gives me the weirdest look.
"Max...that's Princess Pink.I thought you'd know that considering you two knew each other."
So that is Pink. I was right.
"No."
I shake my head.
"There's no way."
Hazel crosses her arms.
"Trust me, Max. It's Pink." She gestures toward the girl's outfit. "I mean...the color palette kind of gives it away."
"Well, trust me," I mutter, unable to tear my eyes away. "If you knew her when I did, you wouldn't believe it either."
Would she recognize me?
Would she even remember me?
Does she still like flowers?
Does she still smile at strangers?
Does she still think everyone deserves a second chance?
Would she think that about me?
"Get yourself together, lover boy," Hazel teases, following my line of sight. "She doesn't even know you exist."
That one actually stings a little.
"And even if she did," Hazel continues, "I don't exactly think you two are a match."
I tear my eyes away from Pink long enough to glare at her.
I want to argue. I really do.
But then the thought hits me.
She's right.
Pink's mother is the Queen of Hearts.
My father is actively trying to overthrow her.
Our families are already halfway to a war.
What reason would Pink ever have to look twice at the son of the man trying to destroy her home?
...
Why does that bother me so much? Since when did I care what Pink thought of me?
“Anyway,” Felix says, drawing our attention back to him, “here’s the money from that HK bully we stole it from.”
He tosses the small pouch toward me.
I catch it easily, the familiar weight settling into my palm before I slip most of the coins into my pocket.
One coin stays behind.
I roll it across my knuckles, letting my fingers work on instinct while my brain remains hopelessly distracted.
Okay… how exactly do you start a conversation with someone you haven't seen in years?
'Hi, Pink. Remember me?'
No.
Terrible.
Too desperate.
Maybe...
'Hey Hearts.'
...Wow. Somehow that's even worse.
I sigh.
Get it together, Max. She's just a girl.
...A really pretty girl.
A really, really pretty—
“Hey, Robbie Hood!”
My mouth says before I can ponder any further.
Oh.
Right.
Reality.
“For Sherwood’s collection box!” I call, flicking the coin toward him.
Robbie catches it without much effort, but before he can even open his mouth—
“Drop the act, Max.”
Luis.
Of course.
“No one's buying it.” He folds his arms across his chest. “No matter how hard you pretend you're not your father.”
My jaw clenches.
“Oh?” I reply with an exaggerated shrug. “Didn't realize I needed your approval.”
Honestly… this guy has the personality of stale bread.
And where did Pink go?
My eyes instinctively begin searching the crowd.
She couldn't have gotten far...
“What’s wrong with his father?” Red asks, glancing between Luis and me.
I blink.
...Seriously? Shouldn't she know?
My father has spent years trying to destroy her family.
“You mean the number one villain in all of Auradon?” Luis says, sounding almost offended that he has to explain it.
“At least I’m not Luisa Junior,” I shoot back before he can keep talking. “Tell me, Madrigal...do they feed you anything besides hay up on that mountain?”
Felix snorts.
Hazel tries, and fails, to hide a laugh.
Luis doesn't look nearly as amused.
“How about you keep it moving, Hatter?” he says with a mocking smile. “I’m sure the Hat Trix need help lurking somewhere.”
He gestures lazily toward the school. “Get out of here.”
“I know you’re not talking about my crew,” Hazel snaps, stepping in front of me and jabbing the end of her hook into Luis's chest.
He immediately takes half a step back.
Good.
“We may be back at school,” Hazel continues, glaring between Luis, Chloe, and Red, “but you're not gonna like the lesson the Smees and I teach you.”
“Yeah!” the Smees cheer in unison.
Felix casually drapes an arm across Robbie's shoulders.
“Allow me, Hazel. May I suggest a Facilier family specialty?”
Robbie immediately tenses. “Oh, absolutely not—”
Chloe sighs dramatically before he can finish.
“How original,” she says, smacking Hazel's hook away from Luis's chest. “A pirate looking for a fight.”
Hazel opens her mouth to fire back—
CRASH!
The sound of shattering glass echoes across the courtyard.
Every head turns.
A bright pink playing card comes flying through the air.
We all duck instinctively.
Everyone except Red.
She catches it cleanly between two fingers before flipping it over. Her face immediately drains of color.
“What is it?” Chloe asks, hurrying over.
The message said by the card is impossible to miss.
“Maddox Hatter has captured the Queen. Come quickly.”
Red's eyes widened.
“No...” Her voice barely comes out above a whisper. “Maddox?”
Before anyone can react, Felix suddenly appears beside her.
“Thank you!” He snatches the card from her fingers with a grin.
“Ooooh!” Hazel and the Smees laugh as Felix effortlessly flips the card across his knuckles before making it disappear between his fingers.
“It’s not funny!” Red snaps.
Felix finally reveals the card again before handing it off to me.
I glance down at it.
Dad actually did it...
He really kidnapped the Queen.
This is going to become everyone's problem.
“You can give it back now,” Red says, holding out her hand expectantly.
I hesitate for the briefest moment before placing the card back into her palm.
Her fingers are shaking.
Pink suddenly appears from behind Chloe.
There she is. I was wondering where she'd gone.
“Oh, my hearts!” she gasps, her voice trembling as she presses both hands against her cheeks. “Oh, my hearts...”
She starts pacing in tiny circles, frantically wringing her hands together.
She looks seconds away from passing out.
My feet move before my brain can catch up.
I take a small step toward her.
Red startles from her appearance.
“You've gotta stop doing that,” she groans with an exhausted sigh.
“Oh, my hearts!” Pink repeats, breathing even faster.
“Hey, hey.” Red gently grabs her shoulders. “Calm down. Don't freak out.”
That has to be the worst calming technique I've ever heard.
“Mom's been captured!” Pink cries, grabbing onto Red's arms.
Then—
Her eyes flutter shut.
“Oh—”
She faints.
Luis catches her before she can hit the ground.
“Great.” Red grumbles out.
...
Lucky bastard.
That should've been me.
The thought slips into my head before I can stop it.
...Why did I just think that?
Luis carefully helps Pink back onto her feet just as Fairy Godmother rushes over.
“What's going on here?”
Hazel sighs dramatically. “Come on, guys. Let's get out of here.”
She begins herding the Smees toward the school.
Felix follows after them before glancing back at me. “You coming?”
“Yeah.”
...In a minute.
He studies me for half a second. Then his gaze flicks toward Pink. A knowing grin spreads across his face. “Ohhh...”
He doesn't say another word. He doesn't have to. He simply laughs under his breath before walking away.
...Great.
The courtyard slowly begins to empty. Students return to class. Teachers usher everyone inside. Red and Chloe hurry off together, whispering frantically about getting back to Wonderland. Luis and Robbie follow close behind.
And somehow...
Pink is left standing there alone.
She stares down at the ground, twisting her fingers together.
She looks so...small. Like the entire world just landed on her shoulders.
Before I can talk myself out of it I walk over.
“Hey.”
She looks up.
God...she's even prettier up close.
Those huge brown eyes are still glossy with tears. Her cheeks are flushed. A few loose strands of pink hair have escaped her bow.
She still wears the same bow...I remembered right.
“I...” I scratch the back of my neck.
Smooth, Max. Real smooth.
“I'm probably not the person you want comforting you right now.”
She blinks.
“But...” I shrug awkwardly. “Everything's gonna be okay.”
The words sound painfully inadequate the second they leave my mouth.
Seriously?
That's the best you've got?
'Everything's gonna be okay?'
Brilliant.
To my surprise...
Pink smiles.
It's tiny.
Sad.
But genuine.
“Thank you.”
Before I can even process what she's doing she steps forward and wraps both arms around my waist.
...
...
...What?
My brain completely shuts down.
Pink is hugging me.
Pink.
Is.
Hugging.
Me.
I don't move.
I don't breathe.
I don't think.
Does she realize she's hugging me?
Should I hug her back?
Can I hug her back?
What if she lets go while I'm still standing here like an idiot?
After what feels like an eternity, I very carefully lift my arms. One settles awkwardly across her shoulders. The other wraps around her waist.
She's so warm...and she fits perfectly against me.
She sniffles into my jacket, tightening her grip ever so slightly.
“Thanks,” she whispers. “At least someone stayed.”
My heart actually hurts.
“Uh...yeah.” My voice comes out embarrassingly quiet. “Anytime.”
Without thinking, my fingers gently smooth down the back of her hair.
It's as soft as it looks.
Stop noticing that.
She lets out a shaky breath. “You know...” She pulls back just enough to look up at me. “I always thought you were really kind.”
Kind? Me?
I blink.
“I don't think anyone's ever called me that before.” I laugh softly.
“Especially not after...” I glance toward the card still clutched in Red's hands across the courtyard. “My father.”
Pink's expression immediately softens. She reaches out without hesitation. Her hand gently rests on my forearm. “No.” She shakes her head. “You're not him.”
The world suddenly goes very, very quiet.
“I hope you know...” she continues softly, “Red and I have never blamed you for anything he's done.”
I don't think she understands what those words mean to me.
No. She couldn't possibly understand.
Because if she did she'd know she just gave me something I've wanted my entire life.
Someone...
Anyone...
To look at me...
And see Max.
Not Maddox Hatter's son.
Just...me.
I look down at her hand resting on my arm. For a second a very dangerous thought crosses my mind. I want to hold her hand. Just for a moment.
Slowly...
Carefully...
I turn my arm over.
My fingers brush against hers.
I wait.
She doesn't pull away.
So I gently take her hand in mine.
It's tiny. Her entire hand disappears inside mine.
...Cute.
She doesn't seem bothered. If anything, she smiles.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
“You have no idea how much that means to me.”
She blushes. Just a little.
“You're welcome.”
Our eyes meet.
Neither of us says anything.
For one impossibly long moment the rest of Auradon disappears.
Then, Pink seems to realize she's still holding my hand.
“Oh!” She quickly pulls away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I—um...” She laughs nervously. “I should probably go help Red.”
“Right.”
“Yeah.”
She offers me one last smile. “I'll see you around, Max.”
...
She remembered my name.
I watch her hurry after the others, disappearing through the school gates.
Long after she's gone I remain standing exactly where she left me.
She hugged me.
She called me kind.
She said I wasn't my father.
I slowly look down at my hand. The one she'd been holding.
...
Why does it still feel warm?
I find Hazel leaning against the hallway outside Fairy Godmother's office, arms crossed as she shamelessly presses one ear against the door.
"...Seriously?" I mutter.
She glances over. "What?"
"You're terrible at eavesdropping."
"I'm excellent at eavesdropping."
I step beside her anyway.
"...Scoot over."
She grins.
"I knew you'd cave."
Together, we listen from outside as voices drift through the office.
Honestly...
It doesn't sound like it's going very well.
“Absolutely not. Without Auradon guards?” Cinderella says incredulously. “Without the other kingdoms' help? There are rules, Chloe. Protocols to follow.”
...Fantastic. There goes our trustworthy adult.
“But when it's important, rules don't matter,” Chloe argues. “Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty. Right, Mom?”
I find myself nodding. For once… the princess has a point.
“Girls, you can't simply bibbidi-bop yourselves into a dangerous villain's hands,” Fairy Godmother says.
“No, ma'ams. Maddox Hatter is not someone to be trifled with. He's terrorized the kingdoms for years, especially Wonderland, with his deranged inventions. Your mother had him banished to the Isle for a reason.”
I stare at the floor.
Yeah. That sounds about right.
“Uma has already called the Auradon Council. They're putting together a carefully thought-out rescue plan that leaves nothing to chance.”
"A plan?” Red blurts.
“That's it?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then—
“What happens to my mom in the meantime?” Red asks in anger.
“Do we just...leave her there?”
That one hurts.
Because she isn't wrong.
“Mom,” Chloe pleads.
“Come on.”
“We don't break rules, Chloe,” Cinderella replies firmly.
“Even for a good cause.”
Beside me, Hazel scoffs.
I don't blame her.
Sometimes doing the right thing means breaking the rules.
Funny.
That's probably the first heroic thought I've ever had.
“But you don't really believe that,” Chloe insists.
“She's your best friend.”
“You'll stay here and let us handle this,” Cinderella replies.
“Promise me.”
“People look to us to do what's right, Chloe. You're a Charming.”
“You need to act accordingly.”
The conversation ends.
Just like that.
No compromise.
No discussion.
No rescue.
Hazel nudges my shoulder.
“Come on.”
We quietly slip away before anyone notices we were listening.
Once we're safely around the corner, I let out a long breath.
“What the hell was he thinking?”
Hazel raises an eyebrow.
“My dad.”
I run a hand through my hair.
“Kidnapping the Queen?”
Starting a war was one thing.
This?
This is insanity.
“Well,” Hazel says with a shrug, “at least you're here while he's off in Wonderland.”
She lightly punches my shoulder.
“No one's gonna blame you.”
I laugh.
It's humorless.
“They already do.”
She frowns.
“I'm tied to him.”
I glance toward Fairy Godmother's office.
“It doesn't matter what I do.”
“It doesn't matter where I am.”
“To everyone else...”
“I'm still Maddox Hatter's son.”
The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
“I wish...”
I shake my head.
“I wish there was some way to change that.”
Hazel is quiet for exactly two seconds.
Then—
“Okay.”
She shrugs.
“So stop complaining.”
I blink.
“What?”
“If you hate it so much...”
She gestures dramatically.
“Do something about it.”
I freeze.
Do something.
Not complain.
Not hide.
Not wait for people to change their minds.
Actually do something.
My thoughts immediately drift somewhere completely unexpected.
Pink.
Her smile.
Her hug.
The way she'd looked me straight in the eye and said
You're not your father.
What if I proved her right?
A grin slowly spreads across my face.
“You're right.”
Hazel smirks.
“I know.”
“No.”
I point at her.
“You're really right.”
“Oh?”
“I can stop him.”
She blinks.
“What?”
“I can help rescue the Queen.”
I can stop my father.
I can protect Pink.
Wait. Where did that thought come from?
Hazel folds her arms.
“You're actually serious.”
“Dead serious.”
“Okay then.”
She grins.
“I like this plan.”
“Get Felix.”
I immediately start backing away.
“And grab the Smees.”
She nods.
“Meet me at the Rabbit Hole.”
She opens her mouth.
“...Right now?”
“Yeah.”
She stares.
“We haven't even had lunch.”
I shrug.
“We can eat later.”
She groans dramatically.
“I can't believe I'm risking my life before noon.”
Still muttering complaints under her breath, Hazel heads off to gather everyone.
I can't help smiling.
For the first time in years I'm actually doing something.
By the time we reach the Rabbit Hole, Red and Chloe are already standing there.
I glance around.
Where's Pink? Wouldn't she be here too? It's her mother.
“I hope your plan includes us.”
I step forward.
“Because we're coming.”
Both girls spin around.
Chloe immediately narrows her eyes.
“Yeah...I don't think so.”
“Our interests don't exactly align.”
She turns to leave.
Red grabs her arm.
“Wait.” I take one more step forward.
“You need someone who knows how to beat my father at his own game.”
I meet Red's eyes.
“And I can help.”
She studies me carefully.
“You'd sell out your own dad?”
She sounds genuinely surprised.
“It's not that easy.”
I let out a quiet laugh.
"No. Nothing in my life has ever been easy.”
I look down for a second before meeting her gaze again.
“And I have my father to thank for that.”
I take a slow breath.
“But I'm not him.”
I refuse to become him.
“And I never will.”
For the first time Red doesn't look at me like I'm a villain. She just looks...guilty?
“WAIT FOR PINK!”
A familiar voice echoes across the courtyard.
There she is.
I don't even try to hide my smile.
Pink comes running toward us, one hand holding onto her bow so it doesn't fall out while the other clutches her heartshape purse.
She's changed clothes...she looks nice in everything.
Stop. Stop doing that.
Behind her trail Luis and Robbie.
Luis waves dramatically.
“Not to fear! Help is here!”
He's exhausting.
“Two Merry Men reporting for duty!” Robbie announces.
“I brought snacks!”
Pink beams as she proudly pats her bag.
...She brought snacks. Of course she brought snacks.
Everyone else came prepared for a rescue mission. Pink came prepared to make sure nobody got hungry.
That's actually really adorable.
No. Focus.
“Apparently not enough,” Luis mutters, glaring in my direction.
“What are they doing here?”
Seriously? Does this guy ever stop talking?
Red sighs.
“What are they doing here?”
Pink immediately steps between us before anyone can answer.
“Oh!” She smiles. “Maybe we could all work together?”
...
She actually said we.
Don't read into it. Do not read into it.
Hazel suddenly grins.
“This is going well.”
She leans toward Pink.
“So...what kind of snacks did you bring, Pinkie?”
I immediately elbow Hazel.
She yelps.
“What? I have to feed the Smees every two hours.”
The twins nod enthusiastically.
“It's true!”
Pink giggles.
...She has a cute laugh too.
Will you STOP noticing things?!
Red pinches the bridge of her nose.
“Fine. Come on.”
She gestures toward the Rabbit Hole.
“We're wasting time.”
We all step toward the edge.
Without thinking I naturally drift until I'm walking beside Pink.
She looks up and smiles.
Then gives me a tiny little wave.
I wave back.
Why am I smiling?
We all peer down into the seemingly endless darkness.
Felix whistles.
“So...we just jump?”
“Yep.”
Red nods.
“Down the hatch.”
Hazel looks over the edge.
“Into the endless void where we can't even see the bottom?” She grins. “Cool.”
She side-eyes Robbie and Luis.
“Scared?”
“No,” Robbie answers immediately.
Liar. He looks like he's about to throw up.
Pink gently pats his shoulder.
“You'll be okay.”
...
She comforts everyone. Not just me.
That shouldn't disappoint me as much as it does.
“Let's do it,” Chloe declares.
Red jumps first.
Chloe follows.
Luis and Robbie leap in after them.
Pink skips to the edge. Instead of jumping she does a tiny little twirl and happily disappears into the Rabbit Hole.
She twirled.
Felix watches her go then shrugs.
“Well. Guess I have to top that.”
He spins dramatically before diving after her.
Show-off.
Hazel snickers.
“You boys are so weird.”
I glance down one last time. Then toward the spot where Pink vanished.
Guess I'm following the princess.
Before my brain can question why I thought that I jump.