Chapter Text
Life- living- was pain. It was the price of being alive. Wouldn’t you rather be alive than dead? Life was pain, the air was your slow poison; this was the law of the Isle. All of the villainous spawn knew this truth.
You must live everyday, as best you can. Fuck regrets! You could be dead tomorrow. Nothing is sacred, nothing is precious. Fuck who you want, take what you want, rage and revenge as you please. This world owes you nothing, so you owe it nothing. Power and control; the rulers of the Isle.
Mal hadn’t truly risen to power until she was 16- the age most ‘kids’ of the isle were considered adults and highly recommended to find their own living area. As all of the adults remained in their displaced castles, the children were forced to the city. Thus, like every other VK, Mal had taken refuge in a building near the center of the city.
Mal had natural power over everyone, her magic. A common misconception is that the Isle is ‘magic-proof’ due to the barrier around the entire island. However, the barrier was not well maintained, and since its creation (some 20 years ago), it had grown weak, so that it acted more as a suppressant to magic. Yes there was magic, but not enough to have one- say transform into a dragon.
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Their collision was painful and violent. Two youths, who were forced to grow up too fast, who had terrible power- terrible responsibility. Fear, anxieties, hopes, dreams, beauty.
They had never even crossed paths until the Pirates and the Scoundrels had a turf war. The Pirate faction handled much of the island’s flow of food and shipments of provisions from Auradon, whilst the Scoundrels held the monopoly on the Isle’s entertainment… prostitution. But they also ran a burlesque bar, a slew of other alcohol storefronts, a sizable chunk of the clothing makers, and the only budding beauty saloon. The Pirates typically stuck to the coasts, as one would figure.
Unfortunately, one fateful day, the timid peace on the Isle would be threatened by a recent shipment from Auradon.
Mal’s crew had needed this shipment’s medical supplies. This was as good an excuse as any to claim new territory. The Auradon shipment ported at 11:45pm exactly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They attacked on Wednesday that summer.
It was a pitch black out, save for the few fires going on the dock. Carlos had scouted and counted a total of five pirates moving the supplies from the newest shipment, and 2 other pirates- seemingly the leader and an underlying- were checking out other supplies a ways off. If they were going to act, it had better be now, before more scallywags showed up. Mal sent Jay, Evie and 3 others to take out and take the supplies. They were to get in and get out. Mal, Carlos and their newest recruit, Reggie, were to take on the main shark in the water- Harry Hook.
At the time, not much was said about him beyond the fact that he was a skilled swordsman, and fond of his old father’s hook. Mal has always had a knack for trouble making. She couldn’t pass up this opportunity to stir up some chaos. Mal was buzzing with the anticipation of a clash.
Mal, Carlos and Reggie sneaked their way onto the peer. Boxes were stacked 10 feet high, effectively covering them from others. Harry Hook was somewhere in the maze of boxes, she needed to get to him before he could get to the new shipments for damage control. Mal took the lead and began leading Reggie and Carlos through the maze.
Unfortunately(or maybe in the end of all this, fortunately) for Mal, Harry found her first. He moved swiftly from the shadows into the moonlight. Harry’s fist connected with Carlos’ head, effectively imbolizing him. He next ran Reggie through with his sword. Mal didn’t even turn around. Another new recruit that couldn’t make the cut. Whose kid was he even? Oh well, it didn’t matter now.
“What do we have here?” A distinctly irish accent cut through the air. Mal’s skin prickled with goosebumps. She maintained herself. Mal turned ever so slowly, putting on a show for her new prey, and made eye contact with the attacker. She took in the muted red of his leather jacket, the silver of his hook, the blood on his sword, and the nameless pirate companion with him.
“Harry Hook,” She greeted him with deceptive charm, “You’ve spilled my blood,” The charm was hiding her threat. Injuries, big and small, were incredibly common on the Isle, so was death, to some extent. There were no trained doctors, many people died from disease, bleeding out, etc. Death was common for the adults of the Isle, what did they care if someone died? They had known, and apparently tormented, a world beyond the barrier surrounding the Isle. However, death was different for the younger generation. They were still green, and as such, took death very seriously, as well as in their stride.
Harry Hook had killed one of Mal’s crew (albeit a newly minted one, but still hers). If Harry did not want to start an all out war between his gang and Mal’s then he would need to fix things, and fast.
“Oh, it was your blood was it?” Harry took on a teasing tone as he approached Mal. Her eyes flashed bright green to warn him off. He paused, considered her, then raised his hand and hook in ‘surrender.’
“Ah, the famous Mal,” Harry’s smirk grew wide as he now stood a foot from her.
Mal took in the smug pirate. He was quite odd. “You have spilled my blood, Harry Hook,” Mal repeated. A devilish smile playing on her lips. She had him.
“Oh him?” Harry raised his eyebrows in mock surprise as he gestured to Reggie’s corpse, “Well love, it was self defense.” The pirates grin grew flirtatious.
“Was it? I think my friend would disagree,” Mal said, flicking her eyes to Carlos’ prone form. Huh, must have been one hell of a punch to knock him out cold.
“Oh really? I think your friend is a bit, ah, indisposed at the moment,” Harry was like a cat playing with his food.
“It seems he is.” Mal was highly amused with his attitude. Such an outrageous sense of humor!
Harry sighed in fake sympathy and brought his hookless hand to caress her cheek. “Tell me, Mal,” He whispered to her, “What is stopping me from killing you and your friend and dumping your bodies for the sharks?” His hot breath so close to her, caused an involuntary shiver to run through her body.
Mal’s eyes settled on Harry’s pirate companion, who had approached Carlos and was now drawing his own sword. Her eyes flashed their vibrant green and the poor pirate was yanked forward to her and Harry. Harry’s smile grew wide at the display of her power.
“I am owed blood Harry,” Mal stated simply.
Harry was over the moon. She was incredible! Mal’s attitude, her power, her beauty. He was more than pleased with how she had lived up to her reputation. Sweet Mal had come on the scene 2 years ago. The delightful 18 year old had effectively secured her territory as the most profitable on the Isle. Harry knew of her rank and control over the various businesses on the Isle. The Scoundrels and the Pirates had a tentative peace- well until now, when Harry ran through one of her members.
“Of course love,” He practically sang as he went behind his own crewmate’s back. Mal’s power still held the poor kid in place. Her eyes stayed trained on Harry as he didn’t reach for his sword, but instead brought his hook up to the guy’s throat. Harry flashed Mal another charming smile before slowly cutting open the jugular of his own crewmember. His eyes never once leaving Mal’s.
Mal did not flinch, nor did she break eye contact with Harry. She was no innocent- no one was on the Isle. She watched as he paid her blood debt and effectively diverted a gang war. Mal felt that Harry had no remorse for his actions- in Reggie and in his nameless mate’s death. Mal felt a reluctant respect for Harry. He obeyed the rules of the Isle, and did not question or attempt to persuade her. In fact, he seemed to enjoy her exercising of power.
The nameless mate fell to the ground with a gurgle and then went silent as his bright red blood pooled around him. Harry was approaching Mal once again, she did not back down. Harry studied Mal’s face for a moment. Both of them let the silence hang in the air. Then, Harry did perhaps the most astonishing thing of the night- he gently lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. His eyes in that moment would be seared into Mal’s mind forever.
“Get home safe Mal,” Harry’s words were light and elegant, “I would hate for anything to happen to you… or your friend.” With his final words, he returned her hand and continued on his way.
Mal waited for many minutes after he left. She stilled her wildly beating heart and regained her composure. Mal experienced something she never had before, weak knees.
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Mal awoke in her bed at Auradon College disoriented. Her dream had really just been a remembrance of her time on the Isle- of her time with him. Mal’s heart clenched at the thought of him. Harry Hook. Where was he now? She… She mi-- Mal had last seen Harry onboard the Lost Revenge as she ran off with Ben and everyone else. It had been 3 days since the whole Isle disaster, and only 8 hours since the Cotillion… How had Mal’s life come to this? She awoke in fancy, feather filled beds, she had a closet full of proper clothes, she had etiquette lessons and remedial goodness to attend… these were her responsibilities now.
Mal had a new lover now too- Ben. And Ben would follow her to the ends of the earth- hell, he followed her to the Isle. Was Mal a fool to have returned? She was weak now… too weak for the Isle, too weak to face him. Mal’s feet needed to waltz, not run. Mal’s hands needed to wave and greet others, not injure and cast spells. Mal’s mind needed to focus on her and Ben’s future, and in turn, the future of all of Auradon.
Was this what she wanted?
Mal’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. “Hey, you need to get ready for the ceremony today,” Evie said softly through a crack in the door.
“I know,” Mal dug herself deeper into her bed, she needed to savour the last few moments of comfort she had. Evie took this as a sign to enter the room. She climbed in bed with Mal.
“Mal,” Evie’s eyes searched Mal’s face, “Is it getting better?”
Mal let the question hang in the air for a bit. Was it getting better? Mal had been experiencing volatile headaches for sometime now. They came almost out of no where- in the middle of class, when she was with Ben, whenever she awoke from dreaming. Her journey to the Isle saw a sudden spike in the pain she felt during them, and then… Then she felt better. The headaches had drastically lessened since she had been back from the Isle. The past few nights she had been dreaming, but now she no longer felt pained after them. This was the first dream in a long time that Mal had even been able to recall her dream with such accuracy. Lately, she would be lucky to even remember a snippet or an image of what was going on.
Mal opened her eyes slowly to Evie peering at her with concern. For the first time in months, her head felt clear. “Yeah, I think it is.”
Evie grabbed Mal’s hand and gave it a squeeze, “C’mon, let's get ready.”
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The reporters and various news stations had sent all their man power in the coverage of this event. The flashes of camera lights were beginning to mess with Mal’s vision. It was nearing 6pm and the sun had yet to set.
Mal diligently stood next to Ben as they all waited for the new VKs to arrive at Auradon College. Ben hadn’t divulged to her who the new arrivals would be. Maybe he was losing trust in her? Who could blame him after the stunt she pulled going to the Isle… Mal would need to work hard to get back into his good graces. Still, it felt like a betrayal to not tell her who was coming, especially since she was the reason they were coming at all.
The stiff smile on Mal’s face never faltered, neither did Ben’s. Mal gazed at Ben with what she hoped looked like loving eyes. What was he thinking? Did he think she still loved him?
Ben caught Mal’s gaze and gave her a genuine smile before leaning down to give her a proper kiss. It was all very sweet. Maybe he was telling her that he did love her, despite all of the mess that had happened. They could move past this, as long as she could continue to be the perfect princess…
The cameras flashed and people cheered. The King and the Queen gave a brief speech over how overjoyed they had been with the success of the (pseudo) exchange program from the Isle. They listed a number of accomplishments Mal and the rest of the original VKs had achieved while being at Auradon College. Jay being captain of the football team and active member in fencing and various other sports, Carlos’ academic success and choice to pursue medicine, Evie and her blooming business, and lastly Mal, who they were overjoyed to have a part of their family, hopefully, soon.
As the speech was wrapping up, the limousine cruised in through the crowd. Dizzy popped out first- much to the delight of the core four. She was all starry eyed and gushing with excitement. Dizzy’s enthusiasm obviously pleased the King and Queen, and the Prince. Who wouldn’t love being fawned over. Evie courteously took Dizzy right under her wing.
Then came Gil Gaston, he was chipper, as always. Another pleasing sign for the higher ups of Auradon. Mal couldn’t help but hold her breath after she shook hands with Gil. If Gil was here… then that meant Uma would follow… and then…
Mal had deduced correctly, Uma exited the vehicle and declined to shake hands with anyone, except for Mal, much to her own bemusement. With Uma around, things would certainly get interesting. But Mal was shocked that Harry would invite Uma to begin with. What had caused Ben to make that choice?
Uma’s characteristic grin was plastered on her face and showed no signs of falling, as she shook hands with Mal she said “I hope you’re ready for the storm,” and then all but strutted off to where Gil stood. Leave it to Uma to already start some cryptic bullshit on her first day here. Uma’s manners pleased Mal greatly. It brought Mal back to when she was first brought to Auradon.
Mal had such strong conviction to sneakily infiltrate Auradon and amass power here until here and her fellow VKs could take control of the land and free the people of the Isle. Oh how the mighty had fallen. What had become of all her rage? She was all petticoats and blonde now.
Mal’s musings were abruptly put to an end when she saw the distinct red of the next VKs jacket.
Harry Hook smoothly exited the car, and with the grace of a king, shook the hands of the royal family. He had forgone his hook for the event it seemed. By the time he reached Mal, she had schooled her features into a bright smile. The shame and embarrassment she felt was acute in that moment. Harry Hook, in all his glory, was about to shake hands with Princess Mal- once Queen of the Isle, now, future Queen of Auradon. Mal felt pathetic as she smiled up at him with her trained ‘sweet, sophisticated smile.’ Harry’s grin only grew darker, he was loving this. He loved seeing her powerless, submissive- a mere lapdog.
The cameras flashed wildly about. Mal felt dizzy. She could feel Ben’s eyes giving her a questioning look. She had a duty to do.
“We are happy to have you Harry Hook,” Mal said in a clear, dignified manner.
Harry smirked, gently grabbed Mal’s hand and raised it to his lips, “Happy to be here, Princess,” and with that he kissed the back of her knuckles, never once losing eye contact with Mal.
The irony of his kiss was not lost on Mal. It seemed only fitting that their meeting on Auradon be almost identical to their one on the Isle- well minus the cameras, royal family, tons of people, daylight, her hair... and there were no dead bodies. Well, not yet at least...
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