Chapter Text
Dr Facilier's arcade usually closed early in the evenings, well it closes whenever he wants, but usually it closes before 7pm, and he doesn't need to give a reason. But tonight's reason; playing cards and drinking with James Hook and Mr Smee.
"Ha Ha! I win!" Dr Facilier exclaimed, putting his cards, face up in the middle of the table.
James slammed his hand and hook on the table, knocking over his glass of rum, the amber liquid soaking into the cards, "Motherfucker! You always win, cheater!"
"Maybe if you spent less time checking your teeth in your hook, you may have won for once," Dr Facilier smirked, twirling a card in his fingers.
"And I thought this was going to be a peaceful evening," Mr Smee mumbled into his glass.
"Evenings are never peaceful under the barrier. Especially not for three old, bitter men who've lost all their children to Auradon," Dr Facilier commented.
James stared at Dr Facilier's hands as he started picking up the cards scattered on the table before letting his eyes travel to his glass that he refilled, feeling like he needs the whole bottle instead of that puny glass.
"I wonder how they've gotten on over there,"
The other two looked at the hook-handed man and felt the same emotion twist in their own chests.
"They've only been gone a day, and I already want them back," James's hand tightened around his glass, "I want Hazel back already,"
"We'll see them again, one day. Hopefully soon," Dr Facilier said, fitting the cards into a deck and shuffling them once, "They're special kids. They'll help change things here, they're going to be the ones who help free us,"
James shook his head, looking utterly unconvinced, "I thought the same thing with Harry, but... he's been gone for, what has it been, 5 or 6 years, and we're still here despite his promises. He's been over there with Uma, Gil, Jay, Evie, Carlos, Freddie, Celia, Mal... and they promised on that first VK Day when they took Celia over, that they would work towards getting everyone free, but what happened? We're still stuck here, and now we've lost our children. As much as I want to believe that they will change things for the Isle, I don't want to get my hopes up again. And even if we're never free, I want to see my children again,"
James's words sat heavy over the room, heavy like the barrier over the the Isle. The three men sat around the table, their drinks sat forgotten as their thoughts travelled to their children, unable to think of anything else.
But they were all dragged from their thoughts when the door opened, banging against the wall so loud that only Maleficent's dragon screech could rival it.
"BY TRITON'S NAVEL!" James cursed as he, Facilier and Smee shot up from their seats, eyes snapping to the side entrance, who's wall would probably be cracked or dented by the door that was thrown open into it.
From the doorway, Maddox stumbled in. His head was without a hat, displaying his wild hair that he'd probably not brushed or styled recently. His eyes, as always, were wild and clouded over, darting around the room as his mouth moved, muttering words incoherently.
"Maddox!" Dr Facilier called, rushing over to grab Maddox by he shoulders, holding him still before he walked into something or hurt himself, or someone else.
Maddox's mouth moved but the other three men couldn't make out his words, only stand their as his eyes snapped around the room, full of panic, like he was trying to find something.
"Calm down, old friend," James tried to make his voice steady as he spoke, "What has gotten into you today?"
"M... Max..." Maddox managed to choke out, despite feeling like his tongue filled his whole mouth, "W...Where... My–m... s–son,"
James, Dr Facilier and Mr Smee looked at one another, the same feeling of dread settling into their stomachs. And Maddox, despite the fog in his mind, realised Max's was absence so much faster than anyone could've guessed.
"Max... isn't on the Isle," Dr Facilier said carefully, feeling Maddox's shoulders go still under his hands, "He's in Auradon, along with Felix, Hazel and the twins. They were chosen for VK day,"
Maddox stared at him like his brain didn't understand the words, and for a moment, the three other men weren't so sure it did either. Then Maddox's eyes darkened, anger replacing the fear.
"A–Aurad... No... No-they... no–"
"Maddox," Mr Smee held his hands up, like he was trying to calm Maddox down but knew he couldn't.
"They... they took... Max..."
Maddox's breathing became nore ragged as his hands tangled in Dr Facilier's jacket lapels.
They other three men knew the place Maddox's anger and fear came from, they knew that his worst fear was Max going to Auradon. The fear that Auradon would treat Max the way they treated him.
"Maddox... Max is with Hazel, and Felix, and the twins. They won't let anything happen to him, he is safe," That was all Facilier said.
It was all he needed to say. Little by little, Maddox's breathing slowed slightly, his hands loosening on Facilier's jacket as the adrenaline drained put of him.
His knees suddenly buckled and his eyes rolled back. Dr Facilier caught him and James and Mr Smee gathered closer, the three of them looking down at Maddox as his eyes fluttered.
"Maddox?" Mr Smee's face fell when he got bo response, "He's passed out,"
Dr Facilier and James carefully lowered him to the couch. James adjusted a pillow under Maddox's head, sighing as he looked at his friend's face. He looked exhausted, too exhausted.
"He's going to panic when he wakes up, you know that, right?" James said, looking up from Maddox and taking a step back, "I didn't think he'd realise they were gone this fast,"
Dr Facilier sighed, "I know we weren't going to do this so soon..."
"Facilier..." James warned.
"They have to know, James. Max would want to know," Dr Facilier argued, "Look, I know we wanted the kids to settle in first but we need to send a message to them,"
"The barrier opens tomorrow for the food donations. Can you send a message card to Felix?" Mr Smee asked hopefully.
Dr Facilier sighed, "Yes. But I haven't taught him how to recieve them properly. I can send one but there's a chance we may not get a reply,"
Regardless of the warning, James looked determined, "Let Maddox stay with you tonight. Smee and I will come over tomorrow morning and you can send the card. We only have a small time window where magic works in the Isle when the barrier opens, you can send a card to Felix then,"
Facilier and Smee nodded, both not wanting to argue, though they were obviously not fully convinced it would even make it out of the barrier.
–
The next morning came far more quickly then expected. True to their word, James and Mr Smee arrived at Dr Facilier's place, and Maddox hadn't move, sound asleep for the last time for a while, most likely.
James stood by the window, looking through his old telescope, checking outside. He turned around, retracting the telescope and putting it back into the pocket of his coat before turning around to face the two men.
"Coast is clear," He said.
Facilier nodded and started shuffling his card deck in different ways than normal, more advanced and intricate. He pulled the deck apart to reveal a card different to the others, blank like it was waiting to be filled.
He closes his eyes, touching the card to his forehead letting purple magic pour from his fingers, into the card.
Several seconds later, his eyes opened and he flicked the card towards the open window, watching it fly away.
James turned back the window and pulled out his telescope. He stared through it for a few seconds before turning back to Dr Facilier and Mr Smee before nodding.
The three men let out a collective breath. The card made it through, unnoticed. But the relief faded as realisation settled in, they knew they may not get a reply, let alone have Felix even recieve the card, but just letting their kids know they haven't forgotten them is enough for now.
–
Meanwhile, Auradon Prep buzzed sith the familiar morning bustle of the students grabbing their breakfast from the cafeteria before beginning their day of classes. And for the Hat Trix, their first day of classes was to begin, but first, their first Auradon breakfast.
Max's breakfast mainly consisted of sweet treats, Felix mainly had as mostly fruit, Hazel had a little bit of everything, and the twins had a little bit of everything twice over.
The five of them sat with Red, Pink, Chloe, Luis and Robbie again, at the same table as yesterday, the ten of them focusing more on eating than talking.
"So, are you guys excited for your first day of classes?" Chloe asked, breaking the silence.
Hazel shrugged, "How hard can it be? Besides, we've survived much worse," She commented, biting out of a piece of bread.
"There were no schools on the Isle so we have no prior education but we did learn some stuff, so we aren't totally stupid," Max added. His eyes travelled to the twins who were fighting over a piece of toast, "Except for those two,"
"Guys?"
The other nine turned to Robbie who was looking up at the school building, "What's that?" They all looked to where Robbie pointed.
Their eyes immediately found a trail of purple magic flying over the school. It moved to fast to be identified but Pink's eyes widened.
"It looks like a card. Like how mom used her cards in Wonderland," She said, looking at Red.
Felix's eyes widened as he stared at rhe object, a familiar feeling settling in his chest as the realisation settled in.
"Dad..." He breathed out.
As if it heard him, the cards direction suddenly changed, turning midair before shooting towards the table. The other nine all ducked, gasping and cursing, but Felix stood, catching the card with ease.
He turned it over in his hands as he sat down, letting out a breathy laugh as he shook his head.
"Sneaky old bastard,"
"What is it?" Luis asked.
"A message card," Felix explained, "Before Auradon became what it is, the Facilier family lived all over, and these cards were the way they communicated. My father taught my sisters and I, but could never show us and we could neve practice because the dumb barrier blocked out magic on the Isle,"
"But why send a message so soon?" Squeaky asked, "Do you think something happened?"
Hazel felt Max tense beside her and she slipped he hand into his, squeezing it slightly before she turned back to Felix, "Can you recieve it?"
"I can try," Felix replied. He paced the card gently on the table before reaching into his pockets and pulling out his own deck on cards as well as a few charms and talisman he keeps in his pockets, "I can't have any other object that holds magic on me when I do this,"
He picked ut he card and took a deep breath before closing his eyes and touching it to his forehead. Nothing happened, but it didn't take long before it did.
Felix's eyebrows drew together and he inhaled sharply, his face contorting like he was in pain.
"I can't get it," Felix said, "Something's blocking it,"
Felix's breathing became uneven and Max stared at him, then his eyes dropped to Felix's necklace; the talisman he wore around his neck.
He reached over and yanked it off Felix's neck, the string snapped but it could be replaced. As soon as the necklace was placed on the table, the reaction was immediate.
Felix's face relaxed and his body went slack. The others leaned closer, equally intrigued and concerned.
"What's happening to him?" Pink asked.
"He's receiving the message," Hazel replied, "But I remember his dad saying that for those who recieve a message for the first time enter some kind of trance,"
The words settled over the others as they looked back to Felix who remained completely still, and they watched him closely.
Suddenly, his body sagged like someone took his bones, like he became a rag doll. Squeaky and Squirmy grabbed his shoulders before his head could hit the table and they held him up.
Hazel reached over and squeezed his shoulder while Max grabbed his hand, holding it tighly.
"Concentrate, Felix,"
Another minute passed. Then what felt like ten. And then finally, Felix's eyes opened and he sucked in a breath. The twins helped him sit up and he looked at the other, as if remembering what just happened.
He turned to Max, and his face was serious. That alone made Max's stomach clench.
"Maddox realised you weren't there," Felix stated. Max's hand tightened around Felix's, "He found out you're in Auradon and he freaked out pretty bad. But he's staying with my dad for the time being. My dad, James and Mr Smee don't think he should be left on his own right now,"
Max's shoulders dropped and he exhaled shakily, the earlier tension in his face easing slightly but traces still remained.
"Ok,"
"That's... a calmer reaction than I was expecting," Felix said.
"Would you rather I scream, because that's what I wanna do," Max fired back.
Felix almost laughed, then he turned to Haxel and the twins and his face softened, "And your dads said hi and they miss you,"
The HKs looked at how Hazel and the twins relaxed hearing those words and it was like in that moment they remembered that the VKs were separated from their parents by a magic barrier they couldn't leave and something pulled in their chests.
Squirmy cleared his throat, looking hopeful, "Can we... send one back?" Squeaky nodded beside his brother, his face mirroring Squirmy's exact expression.
"I can try," Felix replied, "How long do we have before the barrier window closes after the donations?"
Max pulled out his pocket watcha nd clicked it open, staring at it for a few seconds before lifting his head, "Ten minutes,"
Felix let out a breath, his face determined as he picked up his deck of cards which he began to shuffle differently than he was used to.
The HKs watched Felix's hands closely, watching how the cards moved between his fingers smoothly like water.
Eventually, Felix separated his deck and pulled out a new card. He placed his deck on the table and turned the new card over in his finger, looking at it like he couldn't believe he created it.
He turned to the other VKs, the card between his middle and index finger, "What do you want to tell them?"
"Just... tell them that we're ok and we miss them," Hazel said. The twins nodded in agreement like that was all that needed to be said.
Felix turned to Max who looked hesitant but looked at him, "Tell dad that I'm ok and that I'll come home soon,"
The others' faces softened. They knew that Max's message was more so to put his father at ease and calm him down, rather than a genuine promise. Because how could you promise something you weren't even sure would ever happen?
Felix nodded. He looked at the card and bit his lip. He carefully touched the card to his forehead and the twins grabbed his shoulders in case his body decided to deflate again.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. The others watched with anticipation. Then, sparkling green magic began to flow around Felix's fingers and the card began to shimmer.
Felix's face softened and a smile slowly appeared on his lips. Hazel and Max smiled too, and the twins exchanged excited looks. The HKs couldn't help but smile too as the watched the VKs excitement, especially after the events of the previous day.
Felix opened his eyes and stood. He flicked the card upwards and the ten of them watched as it flew through the air followed by a trail of sparkling green magic. They watched until it disappeared over the school.
"That was so cool," Red said, breaking the silence. Felix smiled and silently thanked her.
Felix sat back down, his eyes still lingering on where the card had just disappeared, hope clawing at his chest, hope that the card would reach his father in time. Or, that it would reach his father at all.
–
Back at Dr Facilier's Voodoo Arcade, Facilier himself at around the small table with James, Mr Smee and Maddox, who had woken up about an hour prior and now just sat, staring blankly at the plate of food in front of him like he was trying to remember what food was.
Dr Facilier occasionally nudged the playe closer, urging Maddox to take another bite, but Maddox remained unmoving.
"Maddox," His voice was a tad sterner but it got Maddox to look at him, sort of, "Eat,"
Maddox picked up a piece of food in his shaky hand and clumsily put it in his mouth, smearing a bit of it on his face but the other three just released a breath, thankful that Maddox put something in his body.
Mr Smee leaned closer to Janes, his eyes never leaving Maddox, "He's thinner than I remember,"
James nodded solemnly, taking in the cheekbones that were now more defined on Maddox's face, how his clothes hung differently on him, and everything else he didn't want to see, all reminders of Maddox's deteriorating health.
Before anything else could be said, a green streak shot through the window, towards Dr Facilier who caught it in his fingers before it got too close.
For a moment, he simply stared at it, then his entire face lit up and softened all at once as he really took in what he was holding.
"Felix, I'm so proud of you," He said with a low chuckle.
He touched the card to his forehead and let himself recieve the message, smiling as he heard his son's voice in his head.
After he pulled the card away and watched it disintegrated in his hand, he turned to James and Mr Smee who looked at him eagerly.
"Well?" Smee urged.
"The kids want us to know that they're ok and they miss us," Dr Facilier reported. James and Mr Smee relaxed hearing that, their worry melting away with the card.
Dr Facilier then turned to Maddox and placed a hand on the Hatter's shoulder making Maddox go still but not look at him.
"Max sent a message,"
That made Maddox turned his head slightly, and that was enough to let Facilier know he should continue.
"Max says he loves you and he's ok in Auradon," He swallowed before saying the next part, "He wants you to know that he's coming home soon,"
Maddox stared in his direction without moving. Then he nodded once, and then again before he began mumbling again. Not frantic or panicked like the previous day, just quiet, unintelligible words. And the other three men knew that that was the only response they'd get.
"You do realise this means that we can communicate with our children while they're in Auradon?" James said, "As long as we aren't caught,"
"It’s risky. And we don't know what they'll do if anyone finds out," Mr Smee weakly protested, but he knew he wanted this just as much as James And Dr Facilier, and even Maddox though he didn't say it.
"We don't think about that. They can do whatever they want," Dr Facilier leaned ba know in his chair, his hand reaching out to wrap around his cane, "But they can't stop us from contacting out children,"
James and Smee didn't argue, because for the first time since Max, Hazel, Felix and the twins went to Auradon, they were not completely cut off from their parents despite the barrier and the distance, and not knowing when or if they would return home.
Because now they had a little bit of magic to keep them connected, they just didn't know how long they would be a able to keep it up.