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Chapter Text

“Some people will always taste like fire and leave the ones that love them tasting like ash.”
― Nikita Gill, Your Soul is a River

Mal had been glaring at the god as he quickly took the ember away from her. Hades knew what type of person Mal was, and he saw it in many ladies in the past, down in the Underworld. Liars, and he had never liked the young woman since he saw what she had done to his child. His daughter, Evie, was back on the Isle, unaware of her true origin or who her actual father was. This man, this god, was the father of her friend.

"She does not know. Her mother never told her. Narcissistic woman!" Hades muttered as he paced the room a few weeks ago. Now he just gave her a cold stare that rivaled her mother's look. Yet he did not give her the ember no matter how much she persisted until finally, he did so, reluctantly. The only thing he asked in return was to tell Evie the truth about who he was since she didn't seem to be an excellent promise keeper, as Hades learned. Like mother, like daughter.

Still, much to his reluctance, Mal was probably the only one to get Evie to free him. It had to be done; he knew that time would not be on their side. If his damned dreams had anything to say, there was a little time left before things would begin to be undone. Unfortunately for Hades, Mal was the cause of that.

As Hades knew too well, Mal was too much like her mother, whether the girl knew it. At least his dreams were right about one thing - Mal won't be Queen of Auradon for long.

The wind blew harder around them, and the once clear night sky was darkened by storm clouds. Betrayal was around them as Evie looked at Mal, the ember in her hand as Mal pleaded with Evie to turn the stone on. Uma and her crew looked just as angry and confused as Mal's friends were.

"You have to turn on the ember! It's the only way! We can still save ourselves! I thought I was losing my best friend. I had to do something. I had to get the ember and you have to do this, E. I-I had to protect Auradon!"

Us, ourselves... me, me, me. That was all Evie heard when the truth of what Mal had done came out. Mal had grasped her lies like water, all falling out of her hands as she tried to justify herself. She always explained herself, Evie thought bitterly.

"Closing the barrier was your idea?" It hurt. All of this hurt Evie and those around her. It hurt for Uma, Harry, and little Celia Facilier.

"I did it for us!" Mal protested weakly. " I did it for our life that we have here now."

"For our life?" Her voice began to crack with the emotions now close to pouring out of her. "What about the kids that we left behind on that island? The kids we promised? We were their only hope. I thought you were going to stand up for the VKs. But instead, you lied to them."

"Evie-" Mal began to cry, but that did not stop her. She did not want to listen to her lies anymore.

"You lied to them, Mal. You lied to Jay! You lied to Carlos! You lied to me! We're your family."

"I had to," Mal protested as Evie walked past her and snatched the ember.

"You had to? No, you had a choice, but you always go for the self-centered one. When were you going to tell me that he was my father? After we defeated Audrey? Or never?" Evie's tone made Mal flinch. Never had the blue-haired girl spoken to her that way, and she wondered where it came from and if the ember had anything to do with it. But. Evie was of clear sound and mind, and her eyes finally opened for the first time. Maybe they had been open for a while, but under a dream, Mal was her dear friend. A friend that had hurt her, banished her and caused her great pain ever since then.

If it was hers or not, it certainly did not belong to Mal. She remembered her banishment all those years ago and the scars inflicted by Mal, especially the bear trap. She covered it well with make-up, but it was still there. Thunder and lightning broke through the sky, and it felt like the sound of Evie's rage. Rage that somehow, after many years, finally showed itself. Her hand made contact with Mal's cheek, and Evie had no regret for the hit.

She still clutched the blue ember as it erupted with power, but the sight of Evie made everyone stumble back. Her hair was aflame, blue, and magnificent in the darkness of the night in the woods. Lighting cracked across the sky as if it was heralding a song, perhaps something else. Either way, they all saw a figure, golden with blue eyes, touch Evie's shoulder before they disappeared in a blinding flash of light.

Things did not come true after that day. Many thought Mal had stopped it all. She lied, of course, with smiles and all. Jay and Carlos had quietly begun to search for Evie with Uma and her boys' help, trying their hardest to find the daughter of Hades. King Ben had conducted his search for his missing royal councilor, trying his hardest to give his relationship with Mal another shot once again. Audrey, the heir to her mother's kingdom, had not been spotted after that night.

No one knew except the kingdom that bowed to no man but those of the Gods of Olympus.

Yet Mal tried to be forgiven, but it was not done so, and the barrier remained closed for the safety of Auradon, as Mal had said to the kingdom. Many thought the Evil Queen's daughter was in league with Princess Audrey, but Mal instantly dismissed those rumors. 

She did not know; none of them knew what had happened to Evie.

The bright light blinded her. One minute she had slapped Mal out of anger, and the next, she was standing in a large hall with twelve towering figures looking down at her. Evie's eyes widened as she read the names under the feet of the figures. To many, it would be greek, but to Evie, it looked so easy. Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Hermes, Ares, Athena, Hephestus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Donysisu. The twelve Olympians of the Ancient Lands.

Your family, her mind whispered. They were her family; she looked down at the ember now alight in blue flame but then looked at the smiling figures. 

"Be at ease, niece," Zeus spoke kindly to her. "You are safe."

Safe? Evie wasn't so sure but noticed the other body lying a few feet from her. It was Audrey, still with pink and blue hair, dressed like the villain she supposedly was. She wasn't a villain to Evie; she was just a girl hurt by her past actions when the first VKs arrived in Auradon. Guilt ate at Evie over what had happened to Audrey and how nobody had checked on her, presuming the princess was doing fine. Jane had dismissively said that Audrey was "At a spa, she usually goes. She probably crying and healing over there while getting massages." but it seemed that did not heal the broken heart and hurt that nursed within the other girl.

"You look just like your father," another voice, a different man with a trident, said. Poseidon, the God of the Sea, could not help but say it, and it was true for the other gods as they looked at Evie.

"How? I mean, why didn't she tell me? Mal should have told me. Instead, she lied to me about everything!" Anger surged in her once again, and Evie wanted to cry or scream. "Why am I here?"

Zeus cleared his throat as he sat on his throne. He waved a hand over the hearth, and the rippling image of Auradon came through. He told her what had transpired after, that Mal became Queen of Auradon alongside Ben, closing the barrier indefinitely. "You and Princess Audrey will stay here for the time being. You must begin your birthright as it should have been, but the past cannot be changed for better or worse." He did not answer he question. Avoided the whole thing and perhaps it was for the best, Evie would find out. She found out about her long-lost dad, nothing could stop more secrets from spilling forward to her.

Zeus's words got Evie's attention. "What if it could?" Evie asked him.

Zeus shook his head. "Do not go down this line of thinking, child. It will only harm you and everyone else."

Too late... too fucking later Uncle, she thought to herself angrily and bitterly. I'll change it with or without Audrey's help, I'll change it for the better, for those kids.

It was a few days before Audrey woke up and when she did, the girl wept. She apologized for her actions but Evie just consoled her as it should have been years ago after Ben and Mal humiliated her during that Tourney Game. Evie gently told Audrey where they were and walked with her around Olympus. It was during their walk that she told Audrey the plan.

"You want to go back in time? For what?"

"For the kids. Mal broke her promise, she lied to all of us just to help herself." Evie told the other girl. "I can't do it without you, Audrey. She hurt you just as much as she hurt me."

"Did she hurt you?" Audrey asked. It had no malice just genuine curiosity from her.

Evie nodded. "My mother snubbed Mal an invitation from my birthday party back on the Isle. She had her mom banish me for ten years with only my mother as a companion. When the banishment was lifted, I was invited to a party in Hell Hall. It was fine, I thought it was fine. Until Mal pushed me into Cruella de Vil's coat closet. Next thing I knew, my leg was in a bear trap, if it wasn't for Carlos... I'd probably be dead." Evie could still hear Mal's voice rule laughter when she said, seven minutes in hell. It was her brilliant plan to get rid of the competition, a thorn in her side. "After getting Maleficent's staff on the Isle, Mal just... swept it under the rug as if it should be forgotten about and I tried. I tried so damn hard but this was the final straw." She indicated to the ember still in her hand. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Audrey. For playing that part in it."

Audrey felt sympathy for the blue-haired girl. It was almost like a mirror between both girls, both princesses hurt by a fae who regarded them as nothing.

"When do we start the plan? More importantly, is, when will we land in time?" Audrey asked Evie.

Evie looked at the ember and thought about it. So many parts in a wicked timeline to diverge it from the course it is headed. They will change it and nobody could stop them from achieving their goal. "That's a good question, Audrey."

Which time do we land? 

Before Evie answered Audrey's question, she knew the answer instantly. When? Evie knew what time to go back to, the day it changed for all of them. 

Tourney Day.

Chapter Text

Evie should have known that nothing goes over Zeus' head. It would have been too easy for them to travel back. Instead, in the temple of Apollo, the two young women were met by an upset god.

Evie was ready to defend her plan. Instead, she was met with just her godly Uncle shaking his head. “What will you do?”

”Stop Mal from becoming a Queen.” Evie said the truth aloud. “Get those kids off the Isle as well as my father. That's about it.”

”You cannot tell anyone of this. Do you understand me? If King Adam, past, present, or future, finds out about what you have done… the consequences will be great. Be careful."

They promised him. The princesses disappeared in a mist of gold. Zeus would never regret it, neither would Evie and Audrey.

Yet the truth was that time traveling sucked.

They didn't land on the Tourney Day or even the day before the game. They landed a year after Maleficent was defeated but before Mal closed down the Isle and betrayed Evie.

"Shit," Evie whispered to herself when she woke up and realized what time she was in as Ben and Mal were all loved up. It almost made her scream. Almost. Until she got a text from an unknown number - it was Audrey.

From Audrey: time traveling is shit! what do we do now?

From Evie: Idk... I think we might have to go to the Isle or... force Ben to abdicate.

From Audrey: abdicate!?

It was the only way to make sure Mal didn't do the things she would do later on. They had to somehow find Hades, get him off the Isle of The Lost, and not make Mal Queen of Auradon. Easy peasy.

Audrey texted her that she would be arriving soon. She would be coming back to Auradon Prep and coming with her, a storm.

Her arrival caused whispers to erupts around the school when she walked down the hall with her head held high, next to her was Chad Charming who was glaring at anyone who dared to say anything to his friend. There was also something that made Audrey suspicious even before the whole time traveling thing. Evie reminded her of a princess - and not just any princess.

The one that would go toe-to-toe with King Adam and Queen Belle. Who survived a murder attempt from her Stepmother.

Snow White.

Unlike Mal, Audrey told Evie this one night when Evie managed to successfully sneak out of her shared room to be in Audrey's room.

"I don't think it's plausible, Audrey," She told her with a sympathetic smile as if Audrey was a child telling Evie some make-believe tale. "She's my stepsister not my mother."

But what if it could be true," Audrey protested. "Evil Queen already lied to you about your father... what else could she have lied about? Perhaps we need to go to your Dad's side to ask more questions to get more answers."

"No," Evie shook her head. "We have to do this. We got a mission to do, we can't be sidetracked about it."

But Audrey would not let this go for her friend? Acquaintance? Partner? Either way, she felt as though it was no coincidence that Evie could be Snow White's long lost child. It had been knowledge, a tragedy in the kingdom more so in the Summerlands that Snow White's child had disappeared and was never seen since.

She would look into this and if Evie hated her for it... she would live with the truth and the loss of a girl she admires. So be it.

It was too bad she was beaten to it.

The Olympians never really cared nor payed any attention to the mortals especially since said mortal heroes locked up one of their own (injustily, might the Gods add) they never had a cause to look their way.

Till now.

It was Zeus who had become slightly obsessive to seeing what was going on, more so with what he told them all. Hades' blood was in Auradon. The girl, the demigod since Hercules was alive and away from the Queen's clutches. This was the heir of the Ancient Lands and of another land whose ruler held one helluva grudge against the rulers of Auradon.

"We will need to contact her mother first," Hera pointed out to her husband. 

Zeus grunted in response. "Send Hercules, he is our ambassador, it should be him to tell Snow White the news." Evie has already experienced a shock once, this will surely upend all that she knew even more now. Being sent back in time was now easy feat but his niece's had done it.

Evie will take the throne and her place as it should have been long ago. And if Auradon or the Isle has any issues about it, then Zeus and his family will be more than happy to shed the blood in Evie and Hades's names.

Justice, after all, held no mercy for those who cheat her.

Chapter Text

Audrey had to hand it to herself - she was slightly enjoying the look on Mal’s face.

It was a cross between her sucking on a sour lemon while her face turned a bright shade of red - pure anger at why Audrey was here and taking some of her best friend’s time away. Evie's attention away from Mal's whining.

If Audrey had known how bad Mal had it, she would have done this sooner in the old timeline. Out of pure spite and a dash of pettiness.

This was just a dash of both, a girl had to give herself that while trying to fix things that would happen. Like making sure the current girlfriend of the King wouldn’t be made Queen and send Auradon in a handbasket to hell.

She wanted to tell Evie but the blue-haired girl was multitasking, breaking up with Doug and figuring out a way to contact her godly relatives without alerting Ben's parents. Audrey was also multitasking so to speak. She was balancing saving a whole kingdom, trying to contact Evie's maybe mom while maintaining her 4.0 gpa in school that she had previously before her life went to absolute shit. Audrey had to hand it to herself she was doing very well so far.

That being said, classes were tedious but trying to make it that everything was normal was backfiring at her. Chad Charming was suspicious about her and Audrey hated lying to one of her oldest friends. She did not expect that he was paying attention to Evie just as much.

If not, even more.

Audrey felt that even though she had no relationship with Chad this time around she wondered if Chad and Evie could make a good couple. Maybe even a power couple that could tip the scales away from Mal and Ben. Yes, she was protective of her friends - of Ben, Chad, Aziz, Jane, Lonnie.

And now that list included Evie.

She could see that those scales needed to be tipped and Evie and Chad were the ideal. Now to get her two friends on board... and then to get Chad on board to be the next King. She just had to convince him to help with the Ben abdicating plan. 

Not to mention if her hunch was correct about Evie being the long lost princess of the Summerlands was correct it would send the biggest shockwave across Auradon. Snow White would lead the march for their abdication plans.

"Audrey?"

She blinked at the blue haired girl who was poking her with a piece of fries on her shoulder. Audrey glanced one more time at Mal's face behind Evie’s shoulder.

”I think Chad is suspicious,” Audrey told Evie in a low voice. “That and he’s been staring at you a bit more than usual.”

”Yeah I’ve noticed,” Evie sighed. “It’s been an annoying topic between me and Doug. I broke up with him early this morning actually.”

”Good,” The other princess said as she popped a French fry into her mouth.

”Audrey!”

She raised a brow at her. “What? He was never good for you Evie. You deserve someone who isn’t that insecure in a relationship let alone paranoid.”

Audrey did have a point, Evie had to give her that. The second go around it had hit her that Doug… really wasn’t the perfect boyfriend she thought she had. Perhaps it was the romantic in her that blinded her from Doug’s red flags (major red flags) but not this time.

”Well if you want to go back into the love department I’d say go with Chad.”

Now it was Evie’s turn to raise an eyebrow. Audrey persisted. “I’m serious. I think he likes you. What do you got to lose by agreeing to a date?”

”Or he’s just looking at me because we’ve been hanging out more. The most unlikely people to hang out ever.”

”You are a very cynical romantic, E. And I didn’t even think that was a possibility.”

”I’m a girl full of surprises.”

They got up and left the cafeteria to talk more about the abdication plan. Once getting to Audrey’s dorm room they began to discuss it in detail.

”I can bring it up to my parents. Snow White will be a big help in that push, it’s been know that she’s never been a big fan of the Royal Family. Not to mention that when Auradon was being built some were leaning for Snow to rule.”

”Really?” Evie’s voice was full of surprise. “What happened?”

”After they began to bring the other kingdoms together, the politics began and kingdoms began to put forth their contenders to rule the whole kingdom. The most popular one that almost had the other kingdoms behind was Snow White. She was young, and led the biggest battle to free her kingdom from the Evil Queen's tyrannical rule. It ended in victory for Snow and that image of a fourteen year old coronated by the masses as their victor and true Queen it puts an image into the other kingdoms. Not to mention that King Adam and Snow White never got along even to this day. My parents and Chad's parents straddle the line but they're still known to not suck up to Ben's parents. They've been friends with Snow White for a long time. Too long that Snow was made my godmother and my mother was... Snow's daughter's godmother. My mom said that it was a miracle that Snow didn't close herself off after the tragedy - add to the fact that when her daughter's was kidnapped, Prince Florian disappeared. The only traces of him was his sword covered in blood and footprints that led to nowhere. Rumors swirled around that Florian went after those who took his daughter but was taken and killed or just made to disappear."

Audrey fidgeted with her hands on her lap. "The Olympians placed her in the highest honor naming her as one of the regents of their kingdom alongside Hercules. Some say its because Snow White is a demigod herself. Others say it's cause she was cuckholding her husband and slept with one of the Olympians."

"Seriously?" Evie laughed at the absurdity. Then a thought came to her and looked at Audrey. "Y-you keep insisting that I'm the lost princess, what if hypothetically I am. How will this play for us? For the plan?"

"It will play for us very well," Audrey said. "You, me, and Chad are basically the triumvirate like our mothers. Snow, Aurora, and Ella are known unofficially as the Auradon Triumvirate and if the lost princess is found well it will bring them back together - oh, Ben's parents will freak out when it does."

"Audrey! When? I'm not even sure if I am Snow White's kid!" She hissed. "I'm Hades daughter it wouldn't make sense for Snow White of all people to fall in love with the God of The Underworld! It's absurd to even think it!"

"But it makes sense, think about it. Prince Florian's body was never ever found. Like he disappeared out of thin air or melted into the shadows." To Evie in this moment Audrey looked like a crazed person, like Madame Medusa when she got on her rants or Yzma. Audrey ranting was something that Evie never thought about but then again neither was time-travel and backstabbing friends but here she was. "Prince Florian was a so-called prince of a small kingdom in the Ancient Lands, not well known and he mysteriously shows up to give Snow White true love's kiss to bring her back to life. Perfect ploy for the God of The Underworld to use to bring back the princess he had fallen in love with! Why didn't I see this before? Holy shit!"

"Audrey!" Evie yelled to get her friend's attention. "They won't accept me even if I am the Princess... you even said so yourself when we first met, remember? Auradon doesn't see a princess on The Isle of The Lost."

"Give it a chance? Hope is a powerful thing, Evie. You'll be seen a the most powerful royal across the lands - the Summerlands and The Ancient Lands. Snow White will practically be hauling Beast off his throne."

"What about the plan? Besides your parents, Snow White, and Chad's parents, what do we do to get the ball moving forward?"

Audrey sighed. "We need Chad. He's second-in-line to the throne after Ben. He's heir to Charmington. We'll need to bring him and agree to the plan."

”What if he doesn’t agree and think us crazy?”

”Then we tell him the truth. Your uncle said we can’t tell King Adam and that probably also meant the rest of the Royal Family like Belle and Ben. He didn’t say anything about friends.”

Evie pursed her lips. She could feel her headache coming back, a bothersome thing that hasn't gone away for almost the entire day. Audrey could see that Evie was still thinking about the whole Snow White-is-her-mom conspiracy that Audrey had been ranting about. She knew that having Ben abdicate made the most sense to block Mal's rise to power and placing Chad into the throne.

"Chad's going to think we're crazy," Evie pointed out to Audrey. "Also, what makes you think he even likes me? The last time I thought that, he just wanted to use me to get a better grade."

"I can tell. I know my friends and Chad very much likes you. Plus your guys' color scheme will be so adorable!" Evie rolled her eyes fondly. Leave it to Audrey to see the different shades of blue that Chad and Evie wear calling it "adorable". She gave Evie a reassuring smile. "He likes you. Don't be so cynical and hope."

"I'll try." Evie cleared her throat. "We have to break it to Chad gently before we go into the plan."

"Yeah don't want to freak him out over it." Audrey glanced at her phone. "I have to go to cheerleading practice. You wanna come and watch? Maybe stare at Chad." She teased. Yet there was concern in Audrey's eyes as she looked at Evie. She seemed paler than usual. When Audrey told her to get some rest in the morning Evie waved it off telling Audrey that she just hadn't gotten enough sleep. She told Audrey that she had been getting some weird dreams. Not nightmares just weird dreams. Still it seemed Evie was looking worse as the day continued.

Evie shrugged ignoring the teasing and the headache getting worse. Was she hearing voices or was she losing her mind? "I can get some sketching done. I'm working on a top secret outfit so I think some fresh air and cheers will help me out."

They got their stuff, Evie quickly went to her dorm to drop her bag and grab her sketchbook, stuffing it into her other bag with a book. She left to meet Audrey at the field. The voices continued to bother her they were little whispers that she couldn't make out. The sun made her wince when she got to the open Tourney field or was it her headache. She looked out to see some of the players already running laps and the cheer squad doing some stretches for warm ups. She sat on one of the empty benches and pulled out her sketch book. Evie wanted to continue to sketch out the dress for Audrey but instead began to sketch out two people. It was the same dream that began to haunt her and it was one of the reasons why she refused to believe Audrey's conspiracy theory because after seeing her weird dream, Evie might be believing her friend that it could be plausible.

"Hey Evie!"

She squinted at who was calling her. For a moment she thought it was Carlos or Jay or maybe Ben calling her attention, instead it was Chad Charming running up to her all flushed from the run and practice. He was grinning and he looked absolutely happy to see her here.

"Chad very much likes you," Audrey's voice came to mind. She banished the smug voice and tried to tamp down the feelings that was coming to the surface. She shouldn't be thinking about dating or something, she was on a mission to free the Isle kids. She couldn't allow distractions. That's what led to the events that had transpired last time.

"Hey," Evie said lamely to her ears when Chad came up to her.

She didn't know what to say except a greeting. Chad seemed be rather bashful giving a smile that had nerves screaming. Why would he be... oh... oh no. She suddenly felt faint and it didn't help with her heart hammering in her chest rapidly.

"I, uh, wanted to ask you out. For Friday if you aren't busy or doing some inventory because if you need help with that I can definitely help and change that to a date." He saw her wince slight and his face fell. "Unless I'm reading everything wrong then I-"

"No, no. I-I'd love to go out on Friday. I'm sorry it's my headache. It's practically been splitting my head open and I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before." She mustered up a smile to the blonde. "But Friday works for me. Just let me know where we're going so I can plan an outfit."

The voices grew louder all at once like an ear splitting sound that was just incoherent and knocked her to the ground. Chad caught her shouting her name in a panic. Evie could see spots begin to form  in her vision.

When Chad lowered her to the ground and her arm touched the blades of grass, the area where she laid as many would describe later and be passed around the rumor mill at the school (beyond the halls as well) was that the gras wilted, dying where Evie laid leaving behind a dead spot and a sign of things to come.

Chapter Text

There was a reason Snow White while being known as the fairest of them all was also unofficially known as the feared one of them all. Mostly a well placed title by King Adam and his followers. It was fanned more by the spouses of her dearest friends to rub a deeper salt into the King's wounds that Snow had inflicted decades ago. The nickname had only elicited a laughter from her husband and with a crown of dead flowers he had weaved carried her around the castle and then promptly been chased by the tiny Queen calling her, "The feared one of them all! The feared Queen!" That it was only a mere twenty something year old Snow White was the only ruler to not hand over a magical item to the Auradon Museum because in her words still quoted to this day, "It is a ridiculous way to make Auradon a sitting duck and to those who gave their magical items to be gawked at are fools to follow."

Needless to say, the fairest of them all won that battle.

So it was no surprise that Hercules stood gracing the halls of Snow White's castle to present her an urgent matter. It was a sight for sore eyes to those who worked in the castle for decades to see the Olympians and their most famous hero grace their halls and no stranger to hear the weeping of their beloved Queen.

Snow White did weep but it was tears of joy not sadness.

"She's alive? She's here, in Auradon?"

"Yes, dear," It was Hera's soothing voice that spoke up. Even though Hades had been locked away the elder five Gods still acknowledged Snow as their sister-in-law. "She's been alive. Hades hadn't been too sure of Evie's identity until a few years ago. He played along with your stepmother's lies to make sure no one tried anything to harm her."

"I-I have to meet her..."

"Not yet, we must give this to her at-"

"I have waited sixteen years! They tried to tell me that they were dead, that my daughter was dead. I will not wait a second longer! All this time she was across the sea on the Isle thinking Grimhilde was her mother and gods know what- gods what she's done to her." Snow's voice was raw, voice breaking in that moment. "I wish to meet her. She needs her mother and gods knows Grimhilde was not Mother of The Year. That woman took her from me and it could have been avoided if I had executed her like I wanted to instead of handing her over to Adam and Belle!"

"We are worried about Evie but also the impact it will have on her by the public. She already has some attention from her clothing line and being friends with Maleficent's daughter who is to the future Queen Consort." Snow curled her lip at the mention of that situation. Hera gave her a sympathetic look. "We do not want to waste another moment but it will be a shock to her. To find out all this time that she was never the Evil Queen's child but the daughter of The Fairest of Them All? Add to that she is Hades' daughter? It will be a lot to take in."

Snow had to agree with her sister-in-law. It would be quite a shock to anyone let alone a sixteen year old that everything eat thought she had known was completely thrown out the window. She made a mental note to contact Rapunzel to come and talk with Evie. If there was anyone close to knowing how it felt to be kindapped as a baby by a villainess it would be Rapunzel and Snow trusted her just as much as she trusted her other friends.

Her phone rang, a shrill ringtone breaking the otherwise depressive thoughts running through her mind. It was Christopher calling her. Before she could pick u however she saw something, a large shadow casted behind her in-laws.

The shadows began to move and out stepped Hecate, the goddess of magic. She had a panicked look on her face and Zeus felt a headache beginning to emerge. "Hecate, is something the matter? Is it the Underworld?"

"No, my lord." She glanced at Snow before looking back to address Zeus. "It is the Princess. Her powers... they've awoken and she has collapsed. It seemed my attempts at delaying it was futile but it does give me an indication on her powers."

Snow gripped her phone tighter as the call ended and then abruptly began. The ringtone felt far away instead being rather close.

"Has she summoned anything?" Snow asked concerned. "I have no doubts Adam and Belle have been notified."

Hecate nodded. "They have and thankfully she has not summoned anything."

The relief was evident in the room by everyone's expressions. Her phone went off again and finally she answered already dreading what could be said on the other line. "Snow!"

"Christoper, I apologize for not answering. It's - gods I don't even know how to begin but I am heading to Auradon Prep right now -"

"We had a feeling," shouting could be heard distantly. It sounded like Aurora and Ella shouting at whoever miserable soul was arguing with them. "We... it's about your daughter. We may have found her."

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Have Belle and Beast be notified that they are not in charge of making decisions for my kid. Block them if you have to."

She hung up and began to call for her chauffeur but Zeus allowed her to be taken alongside Hera and himself to Auradon quicker than a car. Snow relented mostly because she was worried about which powers began to present itself. Or worse and if Beast found out who Evie's father was she might be sent back to the Isle.

No matter what King Ben thought, Snow White had studied and bled in politics. She would fight for her family. But first it seemed a new coronation would take it's place and she was not thinking about her daughter's.

She was thinking of a different throne.

The thunder made everyone jump as they managed to get everyone to calm down. It had begun with Audrey not wanting to leave Evie's side and Mal wanting Audrey thrown out of the room. It escalated when the parents arrived leading to a shouting match between Aurora, Ella, and Belle.

The Royal family or the VKs did not expect the arrival of the Greek Gods nor Snow White to stroll into Mal and Evie's shared dorm.

"Snow! This is a surprise," The surprise was evident on Belle's voice even though underneath there was a tone of heavy niceties. As if Belle was trying her hardest to not outright show her disgust towards Snow. "We have everything handled. I can let Evie know once she awakes that you were kind to see her. Step-sisterly bond of course."

"Don't patronize me, Belle. It doesn't suite you." Snow's eyes were dark. She glanced at her daughter and could hear Hades' voice as he had teased her the day she gave birth. She will be just as beautiful as her mother, I will have to bring in Cerberus to scare any suitor that comes her way. "She is not my sister but my child. Mine and my husband's. The one who both Your Majesties thought died. Zeus and Hera have been kind enough to tell me."

"It was a long time ago Snow. But you have answers that I need. Fairy Godmother tested her blood to make sure she was alright -"

"You had no right to!" Snow snarled at them. Aurora and Ella flanked their friend side by side. 

Adam's face turned red with anger and disgust. "You had no right to fool us! You and Hades were in league together."

Snow laughed in his face. "You must really be a moron. Clearly the Enchantress had a point to turn you into a Beast because it seems that you really still act like one." It made the teenagers all openly stare at her. None of them had seen Snow White like this ever at all. The adults on the other hand had seen Snow like this, ripping apart people verbally. Christoper and Philip were entertained by this and were about to egg Snow even more but held back. The situation did not call for it and Snow had it handled.

"Hades was Prince Florian Hegesilaus of The Ancient Lands, I married him young because he saved me. Call it Fate or whatever but he was not the villain you made him out to be. Hercules even vouched for him, the so-called hero that defeated his Uncle, those were lies. You made it seem my daughter was dead from the get-go yet here she is alive. She was kidnapped by my stepmother, a final revenge for me. You blocked my attempts to search the Isle for her and now she is here. You will not block me again." Snow leveled a look at the two monarchs. "For now, I will be taking my daughter home. I will be taking over as Evie's true guardian. Once she awakes I will speak to you both. For now, leave me and my daughter alone."

She turned to look at Zeus and Hera. "If I can have Apollo come down to have a look at Evie. And Zeus if you would be so kind as to take Evie back to my castle, my staff will direct her where to have her." Snow glanced at her friends. "Aurora, Ella. Thank you." She brought them into a hug and whispered to them. "I will be coming with you, we need to discuss somethings."

"Aunt Snow," It was Aurora's daughter, Audrey who spoke up. "Chad and I can help out. Packing some of Evie's stuff."

"Oh that won't be a bother children," Hera pipped up with a smile. She looked at Hecate who grinned. The goddess of magic waved her hand and instantly items flew in two suitcases packing shirts, skirts, pants, dresses and make up as well as any other essential things that belonged to Evie. Audrey snatched her friend's bag that had the sketchbook and a large book. She made a mental note to stop by her dorm to grab her own notebook that had the details of the plans.

It seemed more shock was followed after Snow and the Greek Gods left them as Ella and Aurora instructed their own children to pack. They were to leave Auradon in solidarity with Snow White. That made Adam even more incensed. Snow knew how insecure Adam had been even before the unification of their country all because the people far and wide loved a fourteen year old princess who did what a twenty something man could not, defeat their villain twice as well as have a better love of the people. Some still feared Adam, whispering about the spoiled, quick to anger Prince before the deaths of his parents ascending him to the throne. Snow, on the other hand, far and wide was known as a just ruler and coming from a very ancient line. Longer than all the heroes almost rivaling that of Hercules bloodline. Add to the fact that they almost made Snow White, a mere sixteen year old at the time ruler of Auradon, King Adam and Queen Belle have been insecure ever since.

Now she was openly defying them and the backing of the one country that continued to openly defy them - The Ancient Lands, home of Hercules and the Olympians. Not to mention that the new younger King hadn't checked that Evie was Hades daughter, it made Adam's rage uncontainable in this very moment as Zeus and Hera took Evie's unconscious body away back to the Summerlands and Audrey taking the suitcases away with Chad's help to get back to their rooms to pack.

Ben tried to plead with them to reason and Mal as well but it fell on deaf ears. Snow told them that Evie will return when she felt better but until then it will be Snow White who shut them out of her Kingdom.

Snow was led away from Evie's dorm room by her friends and the younger heirs to be separated - Ella went with Chad to help him pack and Aurora went with Audrey to help her pack. Philip and Christopher would escort Snow back home to be with Evie and to discuss somethings.

She was quiet as Philip drove and Christopher chatted about how "Florian" was an absolute menace at the late night poker or whatever card games he, Christopher, and Aurora played during those early years of the Unification. Snow let out a chuckle at the memories of Hades raving about how to finally unmask Aurora as a savvy cheater in whatever game the trio had been playing into the wee hours.

Florian or rather Hades had been a good friend with the two other Princes. They had friendly debates or ranted about their favorite hobbies (Philip liked a good hunt, Christoper liked a good ride around the country side and Hades liked a good drink with a game or a good debate. All in all, the three Princes were a trio that was all smiles but fiercely protective of their wives.)

Snow wonders if Hades could sense that Evie was close by. That their daughter had been on the Isle with him all this time. It pains her to think that just like her, Hades thought Evie was gone or worse... dead.

The drive to The Summerlands was quick. She knew that once word went around that Snow had been married to a villain and had a child it would cause a spectical. She already knew how utterly insufferable the dwarves were going to be once they found out that Florian turned out to be Hades. They had made their dislike of Prince Florian known for decades. They even had to gall to say, "I told you so" after Florian's disappearance. Snow had not forgotten it, that slight to her husband and herself. She loved the 

"Non omnis moriar," Snow muttered to herself. Hades had told her that it was in Latin and he thought of her. She understood it very well since Hades incarceration and Evie's disappearance. Not all of me will die. Once Hades does find out, she will not be able to control her husband's volatile mercurial temper.

When they got to the castle, she had the guards be on alert for the Royal Family or anyone else that wasn't welcomed. Those being some of the kingdoms that were loyal to Adam and Belle. Barely a handful if Snow was being honest. Ariel and Eric, Atlantis, The Darling Children (now grown-up although it seemed only the eldest seemed to lean more to Snow White's views), Phobeus of Norte Dame, Tarzan and Jane, Auroras parents and Fairy Godmothers, John Smith.

The ones who still backed Snow for being ruler of Auradon and still after the tragedy that had fallen on her were a bit larger size much to Adam and Belle's frustrations. The kingdoms of Cinderellasburg, Auroria, Arendalle, The Southern Isles, The Ancient Lands, the little hidden town of Encanto, Wonderland which to Snow White shocked her as it seemed that had brought an agreement from both Alice Kensington and The Red Queen with her sister the White Queen, Camelot (but Merlin seemed to side with Adam), Corona, Maldonia, Agrabah, Northern Wei and both Tiger Lily and Pocahontas tribes as well as Motinui. 

The seven dwarves had backed Snow once but now seemed a bit more loyal to Adam and Belle, much to her dismay.

Snow knew that times needed to change. She should have fought to be the People's Champion as they had once hailed her long ago. For the good of this country that she had loved dearly as much as her own kingdom it was time for a change of rulers. Snow asked for forgiveness towards the spare, thinking of a young boy with golden curls. The crown as many do will be heavy to wear.

Evie was placed on a bed in what should have been her room. Snow hadn't changed the nursery, outright locking it. It had been preserved in time. The room that Evie had been placed would be her room, in the east wing of the castle. Once she wakes up we will decorate it to whatever she likes, Snow thought to herself.

Her daughter was pale and made her blue hair stand out even more. The color had been drained from her body and Snow wondered if this was how she looked when she had fallen into that sleeping curse long ago.

Apollo is rambling when Aurora, Ella and the children arrive. Audrey placed the suitcase in the corner of the room near the balcony doors. Both Audrey and Chad looked frightened as they looked at Evie and the to Apollo. Their parents also were wary as the Olympians all arrived in the spacious room.

"I can't wake her up," Apollo said throwing his hands up dramatically.

"Can't?" Chad said alarmed. "Aren't you the god of hospitals or doctors?"

"Medicine," Audrey corrected. The god in question gave Chad a scathing look as if Chad told him that he had a terrible singing voice. "Evie told me that he's the God of medicine, archery and the sun."

"Look I'm trying but it's like she's blocking my attempts or someone else is blocking them. I can't get through."

"Hades," It was another god who to the teens and their parents looked like sandman but with wings. "He's talking with her. He's... Hecate, I think he's trying to reach to you."

Hecate used her magic on Evie, enveloping her body. The green spell seemed to break and Evie woke up. So they thought before her blue hair erupted in blue flames and her eyes, once a golden brown that matched Snow White's were a blue that Snow recognized.

The Olympians and the deities of the Underworld recognized one of their own through the body of the teen instantaneously. "My Lord." Hecate murmured with a smirk. "She is a clever one, you should be proud."

Hades chuckled. "I do not have much time. The little ones are on the look-out and I do not want to put them in the crossfire." The gods nodded. "I would like you to begin her training. You, Thanatos, and Hercules. I would like Ariadne to personally oversee her tutoring of our lands. I know Snow was fond of dear Ariadne. I would like you to have Nyx and Erebus have a good rule on the Underworld, mostly on Tartarus."

"What are you saying brother?" Poseidon asked him.

"Evie sensed it. There has been an attempt on my life." Audrey gasped. Snow felt faint, it it was not for Christopher holding her upright she probably would have collapsed onto the floor. "I am tied to the Underworld as are you Thanatos. We both know what would happen if one of us is indisposed or in my case, chained for too long the powers that have upheld my kingdom begins to fracture. Evie offered to go down to the Underworld in my steed but I refused it. I know you four can do it for a little longer while Hecate breaks me out."

Zeus lips curled into a triumphant smile as did Hercules who looked as though he had defeated the Titans all over again. "Once you arrive, we will keep you in Olympus." He glanced at Snow apologetically. "Hades will be weakened and we need to extract the poison from him before sending him to the Underworld. It is poison, is it not?"

Hades let out a sigh that made his nieces and nephews chuckle. "Yes. I little gift from Grimhilde and Maleficent." He frowned. He began to speak in Greek as not to be overheard by his wife and dear friends who were in the room. "Why did you send her back in time with Rose's child? Have you lost your mind, Zeus?"

"What your tongue, brother." Zeus warned but they both knew that Hades was the eldest as was Hestia. Their beloved elder sister made it clear that if anything or anyone harmed Hades they would be better of going into hiding. Mortal or God.

"I mean it. She has a plan to begin to overthrow the Royal Family. She sounded like her mother. I knew she would end up like her, I did not need the fates to tell me that. What she did tell me was this - she told me to find your granddaughter, Poseidon. She wants her on the Isle and I am fond of Uma. You have a worthy heir to Atlantis in her. As our home has a worthy heir in my own. The Royal Family, King Beast and Queen Belle will put up a monumental fight, to try and not be thrown out from the throne they have built. I warn you of this now as I have warned Evie."

"It is The Fairest of Them All that they truly fear, not us. Adam has feared her retribution for years and now he will have it," Zeus laughed. The skies rumbled. "And your daughter will be a greater threat to those who will try to knock you down. You must know that, Hades."

"I have known that since the day my wife told me she was expecting my child. You sent her and her friend back for whatever reason that must be of importance. I will not ask you to tell me. Evie has told me that when we finally meet that she will tell me why." In Evie's hand glowed something, blue and crystal-like. Audrey paled slightly as she looked at the ember. "Evie knows this and I gave it to her. My last trick if you say that she has helped me accomplish through this dream-like thing. I trust that she knows what she is doing. I worry for her safety."

"She will be watched over until you return brother. Shall I send them now?"

A single shake of Evie's head indicated the answer. "No. You will know when. More like, Snow will know when. After all, Beast locked up a royal of the Ancient Lands. I do not think the public will be pleased about it." He could feel the connection waining. It was time to go. "Heed what I told you. Protect my family. Hecate, I give you permission to do what you must do."

The goddess of magic looked utterly gleeful at being given the order she had been waiting for decades to do. With a sympathetic smile towards her dear friend, she waved her hand in a fluid motion. Evie's body jerked forward before gasping for air. Her hair was still aflame but her eyes, once blue was now back to their original color of brown. She was trembling and glanced at her godly relatives with a weak smile.

"Hello?" She remembered her Dad's words. Feign ignorance that you know them, this will be your first time meeting them. She turned to the other side where Audrey was openly crying and Chad was staring at her hair. Evie blushed realizing with embarrassment that her hair was still on fire. She hoped the first lesson was How to Control your flammable hair 101. Her eyes glanced over from Audrey's parents to Chad's parents and finally to Snow White.

Her mother.

Her true mother.

Gods... Audrey was right all along. She's going to be insufferable about this!

 Looking at Snow White she could see that some facial features she had gotten from her. Other features she had gotten from her father. It hit her that once upon a time she could have looked at Snow White as her true mother. Instead it had been Grimhilde. It truly hit her that Grimhilde had been the one that Evie kept trying to search for features similar to her own. She chalked it up to looking more like her father instead. Once again Evie felt like screaming.

Here looking at Snow White, Evie sees what could have been.

Snow White, The Fairest of Them All cried as she slowly held Evie's face in her hand. Grimhilde's eyes had been the color of coal, all black, lifeless. Snow White's eyes were the exact shade as Evie's - a brown shade that if put in the sunlight was almost a light brown with flecks of gold in them. "Evie... oh, my darling girl." Evie wrapped her arms around her neck as SNow's own arms embraced Evie's waist tightly. Evie buried her head in the crook of Snow's neck as sobs began to wrack her. 

They left their children in Evie's room to head to Snow's study. A large painting hung above the fireplace mantel, it was a the two Queens of Llyr - Queen Eilonwy and Queen Snow White. The grandmother of Snow was still alive and was visiting the kingdom of Arendelle at the moment. No doubt that Snow would send a message to Arendalle and her neighboring kingdoms of the news and to come quickly. On the desk Christopher could see that the bouquet of flowers that had been given sixteen years ago was still fresh as if it had been picked yesterday. The bouquet was mad up of Narcisuss flowers - Daffodils, Narcissus Jonquils, other flowers - Larkspurs, red Lilies, and snow drops. It had been a gift from Florian and years alter it was still there prominently on Snow's desk in a beaitufl glass vase.

The last remnant gifts from her husband.

"Why did you not confide in us?" Ella asked her friend once they all sat down, Ella and Aurora sitting side by side of Snow each grasping her hands that were on her lap. She was the youngest of them all, of almost the entire kingdom to be Queen. "We wouldn't have cared that Florian was Hades. If anything I think it would have made Aurora's silly case of him cheating at cards much more substantial."

Aurora harrumphed in response. "I still say he is a cheat at cards." She then looked at Snow. " Prince Florian Katathonios of Athens-Sparta. Katathonios... what does it mean? Or did he just pluck a name randomly?"

"Of the Underworld." Snow laughed. The men snorted with laughter. "Oh, he was making it obvious but in his language. I used to tease him about it." Ella squeezed her hand tightly as Snow tried to blink away the tears.

"Why didn't you confide in us? We could have tried to do something." Ella asked her dear friend.

"There was no time. It was an ambush on him." Snow spoke the anger and grief evident in the way she spoke. "Zeus threatened to flood the capitol from the north and Poseidon would have flooded it from the south starting with Castle Beast. I told them to halt. That it would not bring back their brother nor would it do them any good for that matter. It would have made Adam more angry and would have made the rest of Auradon fearful of the Olympians for all the wrong reasons. They only thought that Prince Florian had 'disappeared' or 'died' that night. How did Adam and Belle come to find out?"

Christopher spoke. "We came just as Fairy Godmother managed to see if anything was amiss by being given permission to use her magic. They saw who Evie's true parents were - Belle was in slight denial until Adam spoke and it all went down hill once you arrived. Adam... he never liked Florian. Your husband would always needle him, provoke him to easily make him look like a complete fool."

"He made it into a personal hobby," Ella laughed. "Remember that one time Belle offered to have Ben marry Evie when they came of age. Florian or well, Hades said that he already spoke of a marriage between Chad and Evie. Oh Adam was insulted without even being directed at him! Hades looked like a cat eating the canary with the way Adam had gone off the rails. Both him and Prince Hans always managed to needle him that I am certain they made it into a little game."

"They did," Snow dryly told them. "Drove me and Queen Elsa mad. Their responses? 'The Beast makes it too easy!' I was upset but when he disappeared and had to deal with Adam without him, I remembered this and started laughing."

"Is that why you would bring Hans to the meetings?"

Snow laughed. "He told me that Florian would have done the same if he had disappeared and Elsa had to endure years in meetings with Beast. I would have made him Evie's godfather... but now I think I will."

"The baptism?"

"She never got one," Snow said. "Once she's better I'll tell her and we'll decide on what to do. I'll need to get in contact with her Fairy Godmother."

"The Blue Fairy?" Ella asked. "She hasn't been seen since she got into that fight with my godmother and Aurora's godmothers."

Everyone had heard the tale of the fight between the fairies. Aurora and Ella had not been privy to what had occurred. Snow, on the other hand, had been lucky to be told the details of the fight by the Blue Fairy. She told her friends what had happened. That Blue had gone to her fellow fairies to plead with them that they could not allow a monarch let alone one like Adam to declare that magic be banned for good by both evil and good. Blue called them cowards and disgraces to the fairies who had come before them.Out of all four of the fairies, the Blue Fairy was the only one to not give up her wand to Adam. Blue had gone into hiding after that only telling Snow that she will return when she is called upon.

Now it seemed that would be Snow that would call upon the most powerful fairy across the lands.

"There is another matter to discuss but I think we should head back upstairs to talk with the children about it."

Philip was the first one to get it. "The abdication. You want Ben to abdicate and hand it over to Chad."

Snow nodded. "I would not hold the sins of the parent onto one so young but Ben still listens to his parents. Perhaps Mal can balance him but I have little hope now seeing the way she conducted herself in that room. The way she looked at Evie... she already called her sentence with that look directed at my daughter. We must discuss this with Chad as he is the heir."

Together the group went back upstairs, not before Christopher and Philip swiped some of the bourbon from the little cart smiling at their respective wives. "I have a feeling we will need the heavy stuff for this."

"You gave us a scare, Evie."

Audrey still looked rather shaken even after Evie woke up. She was sitting up-right, a mug of tea in hand that Snow (her mother) had thrust into her hands and had even brought a plate of warm toast for her to eat. Evie still looked pale but she was awake and that's all that mattered. That and she finally got to talk with her father briefly. She had told him, given him instructions to contact Uma, to let her know that she was going to try and bring her, her crew, and many other children off the Isle. Hades had promised his daughter that he would get the message to her.

Chad looked at Evie, he was quiet since she woke up. He's taking all this in, she thought. Barely a few hours ago he thought he was asking out the Evil Queen's daughter but now he had asked out the daughter of Snow White and Hades. 

Audrey squeezed her hand and squared her shoulders. "Chad... we need to tell you something." He raised an eyebrow and asked her if something was wrong. His eyes darted between both girls sitting across from him on the large bed. "We are planning on making Ben abdicate the throne."

"W-what?" He began to laugh only to stop, choking on his laughter as he saw how serious Evie and Audrey looked. "Why would you want him to abdicate? He's been good so far, hasn't he? Is this some break-up revenge ploy? Because if it is let me tell you Audrey Rose, you are going at it the wrong way."

"No, no. It's not that but Ben is too lenient. It's Mal that would be a bigger threat to Auradon and the Isle."

"I don't understand. How can Mal be a threat?"

Both girls exchanged a look, a conversation silently between them before Evie gave Audrey a single nod. "We know how she will rule. It won't end well. We... Evie asked Zeus to send up back in time. Not to this specific date but we really didn't give a specific date to begin with. Mal turned out to be horrendous. She closed the Isle and basically killed Ben's plan to bring groups of children off the Isle by doing some idiotc lottery." None of the teens saw that the door had been opened and that their parents had overheard everything. "I... wasn't coping well. Then Mal found out about Hades being Evie's father and needed the Ember to stop me from using Malefcient's scepter. When Evie did find out, she was upset. Mal lied to them."

Evie was the first to spot them, a look of horror crossed her pretty face and it was that expression that made Chad and Audrey turn to the door to see their audicen. "How much did you hear?" Audrey asked them in a whisper.

"The abdication plot? or the time traveling scheme?"Aurora responded.

"Shit," Evie and Audrey said together. "We can explain." Audrey said quickly.

The adult entered the room looking at the two girls. "Start from the beginning." Philip told them.

So they did, from telling them what led to Audrey's tumbling into a heartbroken anger, to Mal finding Hades and finding out before Evie that he was Evie's father, to before everyone turned to stone Mal had blurted out the truth and trying to backpedal everything that she had done. To Zeus saving Audrey and Evie, to the girls asking Zeus to send them back in time and to the girls plotting to force Ben to abdicate.

"You only knew that Hades was your father?" Snow asked her.

Evie nodded. "I didn't know. I still thought that the Evil Queen was my mother until now. Uncle Zeus warned us not to say anything over fears of Kind Adam doing something."

"He won't try anything. Not if Snow as anything to say about it," Christopher grinned. "Still, you both beat us to our plan... which was the same thing."

"Abdication?" Chad guessed. "What if I mess up? Let Audrey be Queen or Evie!"

"Chad it has to be you. You are the second-in-line to the throne it makes sense. You won't mess up not with me and Evie helping you out, right E?" Audrey nudged the blue haired girl's shoulder.

Evie echoed Audrey's reassurance towards the blonde. "Right. You will be fine."

Aurora looked at them, a fleeting expression on her face before anyone could figure it out. "Leave the abdication to us or at least the underhandedness. When it comes to the young king, wait until we have everything in order then go to him. Gently."

Aurora was still staring at Evie as if the woman wanted to ask her something could not bring herself to say it, either aloud or in front of everyone. It made Evie feel a bit uneasy because she had a feeling what the topic Audrey's mom wanted to ask her about.

For the first time since they arrived back here, Audrey and Evie felt a twinge of hope. They knew that their parents had to grapple with the facts of what their daughters did as well as Chad and his parents but they had people to help them. But they both knew that it could turn to ashes just as quickly. They would have to tread quickly now that Mal has lost Evie so quickly. It hit Evie the date realizing that this would have been around the time that Mal had gone to the Isle to 'escape' the life of being the future Queen-to-be. She wondered what would happen now.

She remembered the scar that Mal had given her a years ago burned slightly, something that she hadn't told anyone not even Audrey. Even Mal hadn't know about it, she thought that Evie had gotten out of the closet unscathed. The only soul who knew was Carlos and he was sworn to secrecy from Evie since that day.

The fear she felt from being pushed into the closet rose again.

It would never leave her, she knew. The fear and the scar would never leave her.

So when she saw the unasked, silent questions that Aurora had - Evie knew what it was about.

Chapter Text

Carlos de Vil thought he knew everything about Evie.

That the blue-haired girl was smart, that she was the only daughter of the Evil Queen, and that she was part of their Rotten Core. Now it seemed that it had almost all been fabricated, elaborate at least that's what Mal and Jay felt. Mal, especially, seemed to think so, and when someone asked about Evie she flat-out ignored them.

Habits from the Isle die hard, Carlos thought. All of Mal's habits seemed to die hard even if she was "reformed" Good, it was just hidden behind all the glamour of being Ben's girlfriend and future Queen Consort. He could see it firsthand now and it only brought him pity for Ben. Either he didn't know Mal well or he was blinding himself. Carlos thought it would be the first thing.

He tried texting Evie but his messages went unanswered. He chalked it up to Evie trying to rest after collapsing. Carlos hoped she was doing okay.

Still, he went about his days until finally towards the end of the week he began to make up a plan. He really began when he saw how dazed Ben looked and accidentally spied on Mal's date, seeing her spell Ben. He got a sinking feeling after that which was why he created the plan.

The plan sounded stupid and if Evie was here, she would have scolded him.

It was basically heading to Evie and telling her what Mal had been up to. Carlos had packed a bag of clothes, his laptop, Lizard Maleficent in a jar (he swore she was glaring at him through her beady eyes) and the spell book secured in his bag he headed out the door straight into Jay. He was glad that the spell book and the jar was hidden deep in his bag or it would have given him away.

"Where are you going?" Jay asked leaning on the doorway's side. "Lemme guess. Off to visit Evie?"

"Why wouldn't I? She's our friend and I've been worried." Carlos snapped. Jay looked guilty which to Carlos made him satisfied. He should feel some guilt for jumping to the conclusion Mal's been spouting off. He never believed it. He still remembered the blood and the ugly wound in the closet. "Funny how even off the Isle you still follow Mal around."

"What's that's supposed to mean, Carlos?" Jay crossed his arms. He looked upset at the dig and Carlos was glad it upset Jay. He would apologize later but not right now. "I'm worried about Evie just as much as you are."

"You have a funny way of showing it then," Carlos raised a brow. "Fine. If you wanna go and tell Mal, go. I'll be off by then. But if you wanna come along, fine by me. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

Jay scoffed but Carlos gave him a look. "I'm serious, Jay. To be pretty blunt neither of us have known Evie as long as we think we do. She was under castle-arrest because of Mal. Or did you magically forget once Evie seemingly 'forgot' all the shit you and Mal did to her."

"Didn't she? She and Mal became the best of friends."

"She forgave but she never forgot. The closet incident that you both seemingly have amnesia about - it left Evie with a scar."

"What?" Jay looked at Carlos in horror and disbelief. He should not have said it but it could not have been helped, everything he had seen that Mal had done had made him feel sick and horrified just like Jay looked now. "She - it never injured her. We would have seen it. She would have told us."

Carlos let out a laugh void of humor. It sounded cruel to his ears. His mother would have been absolutely proud - at both the laugh and the shrewdly, killer way he was talking right now. "I only knew about it because I was there. I stopped her from bleeding out on the floor while you and Mal gleefully pranced around Hell Hall. She was close to dying that day, Jay and no matter how many times you brush it aside or pretend it was a funny accident like Mal it was traumatic for Evie and myself. Especially for Evie because at the end of the day she has a reminder to it. A little parting gift from Mal to remind her of that night."

Jay looked like he might cry and throw up. His fists were balled up to his side and Carlos thought for a split second that Jay was going to punch him in the face.

Instead he moved to the side and let Carlos out the door. He entered the room and shut the door behind his back. Carlos let out a breath he didn't know he was holding before pushing the strap of his bag up his shoulder and walked down the hall. Just as he reached the door it was pushed open for him, he glanced up to see Jay staring down at him with a tear streaked face. Neither of them mentioned it not until they see Evie.

Then Jay would break down and beg for Evie's forgiveness.

Hades was known as the mediator of his family. The one that his brothers or sisters (mostly Hera) who went to help with problems. He should have known that without him there they would have dragged his daughter into their problems. He didn't realize it would be his daughter to be the one to drag them so recklessly into a plot as dangerous as the one she had come up with.

All that came out of her mouth he should have made her shove a bar of soap into her mouth.

Abdication! Letting the Isle Kids free! Getting him out of this dump and reuniting with his family!

Hades knew he felt a headache coming and knew it was not going to let up.

That and he had been poisoned. He had a feeling the other villains under Maleficent’s thumb had planned this out as he didn’t have his immortality he was weak to attack. He was sure it was Nightshade. He had all the damn symptoms and knew that whoever did this he would kill them personally and then torture them for eternity in the Underworld. He'll even have Cerberus use them as a chew toy.

Hades walked down  the paths to the docks where the Revenge stood proud and tall. His movements were precise but he was good at hiding his pain. Snow would have scolded him for doing that even though she was worse at it that it made Hades even more worried during those last years of the war of the Summerlands. There was always that selfish part of him (still part of him that would never leave) that had almost made him go up to Olympus and beg his brother to have Snow become immortal. He knew it would not have been fair to her then. She also would have killed him or tried to kill him.

Hades would call it bliss.

”Captain! I-it’s -“

”Stand down!”

”You aren’t the. Captain, Harry!”

”Fuck off!”

”QUIET!”

Hades could honestly have said that Uma had taken after her grandmother Amphitrite more than Poseidon. More than Triton, Ursula and Ulianna.

Hades scanned the rows of teens until his eyes landed on the friend that Evie described. The one that she had been adamant that he tell this secret and to trust and to bring to Auradon under a lie.

”Hades,” Uma’s voice floated in the murky air of the docks. His fingers twitched with the ghost of wanting to turn Uma into a fish or something for his amusement at the lack of respect she was showing him. None on the Isle showed him respect. More like they veered away out of fear but at times they never called him the proper title. Once he was free, he was going to drag them all back down to resume the punishments he had been happily doling out before his arrest. “What brings you over here? Thought you’d be dead or trying to kill Jafar or Cruella or one of Maleficent’s cronies for nicking you.”

“I’m still breathing if that’s what you are worried about.” His eyes locked with Harry Hook’s and he could see the look of anxious all over him. “They can’t kill a god. Especially not an old one like me.”

Harry shifted, his face giving nothing away but his eyes told everything else. His daughter was right to want to bring this young man to Auradon.

”So why are you here?”

Hades tore his eyes away to look at Uma. “A little birdie tells me that I’m going to be leaving in a bit - and no, not in a coffin. My brothers will be getting me and I’ll be taking you three with me.”

”Why? Last time I checked the prince of Auradon had to sign a paper to get us out and we haven’t received our letters yet.”

”That’s because one of your own requested it. Hook’s little… ally.” The boy in question stiffened as Uma and Gil frowned. “They requested you specifically.”

Harry knew and merely nodded. He didn’t say anything to Uma or Gil as they looked at Harry.

"Now I am running on a deadline as I am poisoned. Do we have a deal?”

"Yes," Harry spoke up. "We have a deal." He ignored the glare being sent his way by Uma.

Hades nodded. "Excellent. I will be taking Hadrian back as I need a second pair of hands to help around. Be by my place tomorrow night, bring whatever you can carry. We'll be sprung tomorrow." He walked off the boat and waited by the docks until he saw Harry's form walking down the planks. Once he stood next to him they made their way towards Hades home.

Once they got to the mines Harry finally spoke.

"It was Evie who asked for me."

"Yes."

Silence resumed until Harry spoke again. "Why? Why did she ask for me?”

Hades shrugged. Evie never game him a specific answer. She just told him that Harry was “the only true friend that could be there for her now more than ever” and it broke Hades heart. So he went to get his daughter’s friend and make sure the other two followed suit.

”She felt she needed someone from the Isle that she could trust. Evie will tell you more but she just needed a friend.”

Harry nodded. “Before they get here to pick us up, can I go and do something. I promise to be quick.”

”Alright,” Hades simply said. “You know how to get back here?”

Harry said yes and Hades let him go to tie some loose ends up. He wondered just what the teenager had to do.

Three and a half hours later Harry arrived back, breathless with wind-swept hair. He had a satisfied victorious smile on his face. Whatever he had done for the past three and a half hours must have been something spectacular.

Another hour later, Uma and Gil arrived. Only pleasantries were said and silence enveloped them. They waited and waited and waited.

Until a woman stepped out of the shadows making the teens jump and Hades grin.

Hecate mirrored Hades’ grin with her own. “Let us go before daylight breaks.”

Hades could only feel the rush of victory and adrenaline course through his body as he gathered the kids on Hecate’s chariot. They took off through the shadows leaving the Isle of the Lost behind them.

They were free. 

Chapter Text

Snow and everyone could see that Evie was distant. Perhaps, as Hans pointed out, it had to do with the horrific scars on her leg. The scar that the princess was very tight lipped about and rather depressed and agitated, especially when her two Isle friends appeared out of the blue. Snow thought her daughter would have been elated but when Evie had returned with them from a quick private chat it seemed to have sent her only child down an heavier depression while Cruella’s son and Jafar’s son looked on with worry.

That should have been something to worry about until news began to reach her just as her friends had begun to arrive. 

Hans was the one to break the news to Snow. Hades had escaped along with some children, all of whom were being given sanctuary on Mount Olympus. Snow let out a chuckle as she realized that Adam certainly didn’t have the balls to demand anything from Zeus let along levee an attack on the most powerful area not including Bald Mountain which lay dormant north of the kingdoms of Llyr, Arendelle, and east of Olympus. Yes, she was certain that Adam would try to use this as a smear against her. Too bad Snow was a few steps ahead.

She knew that Hades would be brought back to his immortal self and once that was done would come down from the mountain to be back by her side. Her focus at the moment was figuring out what was wrong with her only daughter.

So the next day as Evie continued to avoid everyone after saying just a simple hello in the morning and disappearing, Snow gathered everyone and Evie's friends to the library.

Carlos de Vill and Jay looked rather worried but tried to also mask their wariness at being surrounded by a lot of adults looking at them in waiting. The two teenagers had managed to finagle a bike before being found by Audrey who had been returning from getting a few things from her dorm and saw them on the road. She offered them a ride and off they went. 

Snow allowed them to stay but even with that small victory it did not lift the cloud over Evie's head.

"Did she act like this on the Isle?' Snow had asked the two boys quietly in the study surrounded by the adults and their fellow classmates, Audrey and Chad.

Carlos fidgited. "We didn't see much of Evie after her sixth birthday, ma'am."

Instantly, alarm bells began to ring in Snow's head. She knew what whatever had gone on during Evie's childhood on that Little Rock must have been worse than her own childhood under the thumb of Grimhilde.

Jay told them the tale. "It really began on her sixth birthday party. It was a really cool party, everyone was there... except Mal. That ticked both her and her mom off that she ended the party. She banished Evil Queen and Evie telling them to never show their faces... for ten years. Last year actually. That's when the Queen and Maleficent called a sort of truce to get FG's wand. Mal hated Evie. When she began to join us for class it ticked Mal off and she wanted revenge and to show her Mom that she was just as evil as her namesake." Jay swallowed hard, guilt was on his face. Carlos looked pale beyond anything possible. Audrey knew the short version of the tale, Evie having told her on Olympus before their trip through time. The details were so much worse. "So she planned a party, I helped her. But she kept the plans for her revenge for herself. We bullied Carlos into using his home to host it and once that was set she hosted the party. When Evie got there she thought that a truce was called, that Mal wasn't that upset about a stupid six year old birthday party that happened ten years ago. Instead after happy exchanges were set... Mal tricked her to play a game and pushed Evie into Cruella de Vil's coat closet. I didn't know until later but Carlos does..."

Everyone looked at the youngest of the teens. He was still pale as he told the end of that tale. Snow began to silently weep for her daughter. "She - her leg landed in my mother's trap. A bear trap. I helped her pry it off... we somehow managed to stop the bleeding... Mal never knew until a few days ago. But I don't think she'll ever take accountability for it, for that night, for Evie's scar."

Nobody noticed Aurora's grim expression. As Carlos had continued the tale the fellow royal slipped unnoticed out of the study.

She had a feeling that Evie and her had something in common.

Evie had a distant look in her eyes as she recalled word for word what Maleficent had announced that wretched day. 

“This celebration is over!” Mal’s mother declared. “Now, shoo, flee, and scatter, like the little fleas you are! And you! Evil Queen and your daughter! From now on, you are dead to the entire island! You do not exist! You are nothing! Never show your faces anywhere ever again! Or else!”

She still remembered word for word what Maleficent had said. Years later she could still feel the fear running in her even at just six years old she remembered it too well.

"Evie?" The voice startled her from where she was, on the steps by a wishing well. The gardens were quiet and it helped her deal with the thoughts running in her mind. She had begun to hurt herself again, something she hadn't done in a long time. Harry would be disappointed in her for going back to that unhealthy habit. She wondered if her Dad conveyed her message to him. She needed a friend from the Isle and Harry was her oldest friend. Audrey's mom sat down next to her.

Her brown eyes looked at Evie with sympathy but not pity. Just sympathy.

"She cursed you in a different way than my fairy did."

Ah, so the boys did tell everyone about that night. She wanted to be angry at them but couldn't. Instead, she just felt tired. Her anger had washed away after Zeus took her to Mount Olympus. Her anger had ebbed away only leaving sadness in its wake.

"She did. All because of a stupid birthday invitation." Evie laughed humorlessly. "She's still the same. Never apologized at all... Mal thought I got out of it unscathed and the only reason she thought that is because I was useful to her. I was a minion to her. I don't even think I was even a friend at all." 

Her hands shook as she trailed off. She never told anyone about her true feelings that she had to swallow. Sometimes she had wanted to let Mal have it but didn’t. She took high road while Mal barely learned her lessons. Now this time, this time Evie was going to make sure Mal did find consequences to her actions. The scar didn’t burn but it was there for all to see un-hidden from the skirt she was wearing for all to see.

"Some of us have our... doubts about Mal as Consort." Aurora admitted. Evie's eyes widened. She never knew. Why would she? She had been Mal's cheerleader for those years even after graduating from Auradon Prep right up until that betrayal from Mal in the Enchanted Forest. "The question is what will you do when the spotlight is on you?"

Evie didn't know how to answer that question. 

They sat in silence for a good few minutes before Aurora got up to head back inside. She asked Evie if she would be returning inside but Evie declined. She would say outside a bit longer. It was better than going back in and seeing faces full of pity.

Her phone had gone off.

The message was simple: are you still up for a date?

She had agreed and confirmed it. Now though, she had sent Chad an apology to cancel it at the last minute. That had sent Audrey to almost break down her door with Jay the next day. Instantly, she wished that her dad would hurry up with his plan and have Harry sent over here.

It seemed her wish was granted.

The next day Evie had willed herself to go and be present. No matter how much she hated the pitying looks she decided to ignore it for now. 

Her wish would come true just with horrible timing.

There was a hushed buzz of excitement in the air when Evie had come down the stairs after finishing her breakfast in her room. She wore black gloves, inconspicuous, because at a simple glance it matched her outfit. In reality it hid her habit that she thought she had quit a year ago. It seemed she was horribly wrong and the stinging in her palms served as a simple reminder. Her skirt like her blouse was all black with a hint of blue on the pleats. Her heeled boots clicked on the tiles as she was greeted by her mother's dear friends as well as her own friends.

Carlos and Jay looked relieved to see her as were Chad and Audrey. But there was a tension in Jay's jaw that gave it away. What caught her eye was blue hair. The same color as her own.

Someone cleared their throat and Snow White came to Evie with someone by her side. Her dad.

If he was here... Evie's hope soared even more. Yet her attention was on her father. He looked a bit tired but otherwise healthy to the eye. Instead of leather like Mal had described him wearing like some old rock star, Hades wore a leather coat, black slacks and a black button up shirt with a tie. His shoes were equally rich and the same color as everything else he was wearing.

Evie curtsied to the god of the Underworld before looking up at him. She hadn't realized how tall he was until now standing in direct contact in the same room.

Hades reached out and pulled his daughter into a hug that she welcomed. She wound her arms tightly around his middle burying her face in his chest. Once again, the bitterness towards the Evil Queen reared its ugly head in Evie. Once she finds Harry, they would give that wretched woman a final goodbye. Something they had planned since they were little. Evie never thought Gods had a smell, now she knew - her father smelled like mint and mahogany and a little hint of fresh air. She did not know how but he did.

"I believe you know my companions?" Hades said bringing Evie out from hugging him to see three teens that she hadn't seen in the room. Her eyes zeroed in on a dark haired blue eyed pirate who was staring around the room with quiet curiosity.

As if sensing her eyes on him, he looked at her. The grin on his face was full of joy and relief and recognition. Evie moved past her parents and went straight to Harry who caught her by the waist and twirled her around. Their hug was brief but hard. She was shaking as she realized the last time she had seen Harry... he was turned to stone by Audrey's curse before being swept away by her Uncle. The ember that her father had entrusted into her care was in her room hidden in a drawer with some of her jewelry.

"Good to see you, Evie," Harry murmured so only she could hear. "And glad to see I'm not the only one who remembers."

If they weren't surrounded by people in the room Evie would have dragged Harry to her room and have him repeat what he had just said to her. Instead she quietly shot back. "You remember."

"Yes. Who else remembers besides us?"

"Audrey."

"... the lass who tried to kill us?"

"It's a long story, Hadrian."

"Then give me the pleasure of hearing it, Evanora." She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the giggle that turned into a sob of relief. Relief to feel a sense of normalcy in the craziness of the past few days had given to Evie. "I missed my ol' partner."

"No you didn't." She simply said before leaning back and grasped his hand in her own and squeezed it tightly. He could feel her trembling and it concerned him even more.

Evie introduced to the trio to her mother. Snow smiled and welcomed Uma, Gil, and Harry to her home. Uma and Gil thanked the queen but kept looking at Harry who seemed to be excited to be here.

She was pulled aside by her mother as the trio went to go 'chat' with Jay and Carlos. Evie shot them a look that said, "play nice". Evie hoped Carlos did most of the talking because she knew how much Harry and Jay hated one another.

"Evie," Snow glanced at the dark haired boy and then back at her daughter who had a look of curiosity. "What is Harry to you? You both seem very close."

"He's like a brother to me. A twin," Evie simply said as if it was obvious. The rumors on the Isle on the other hand that were started by Harry and Evie when they were growing up, they spread that she had a fling with Harry. That wasn't true. They only said that to make sure Gil's brothers or any other creep didn't try anything with Evie. But their relationship was that of only platonic love, of friendship and kindred spirits. She made a mental note to tell that tidbit to Chad and Audrey. Especially Chad if they were ever going on that date. 

Her mom had a pensive look on her face as if she was deciding something in that moment. Evie wondered what it could be. 

In another part of the castle Chad talked with Audrey away from the tense reunion between the Isle rivals much as they could was Evie's growing exasperation and Harry Hook's amusement.

Chad could honestly say he felt jealous at seeing Evie hold onto Harry. He could also see the narrow eyes of protectiveness and suspicion from both Carlos and Jay who did not like Harry being close to Evie. Even Uma, the newbie VK looked at Harry and Evie's interaction with a simple eyeball and a bit of suspicion on her face. It seemed even off the Isle the rivals were still wary of one another, all except Harry and Evie who seemed to ignore the rivalry for little inside jokes and tales that only they knew and were privy too.

"Is she okay?"

Audrey sighed. "I think it's a lot for her. One minute she thinks she's only the daughter of the Evil Queen and Hades. Next thing she knows, she's Snow White and Hades's daughter! I think she's also glad to have someone from the Isle to watch her back. She's been avoiding Jay because she doesn't know what to say and she's scared of what he has to say."

"Are her and Harry...?"

Audrey rolled her eyes at her oldest friend. "If you're asking if you still have a shot, the answer is yes. As far as I know, Harry is more like a brother to Evie. I heard my mom talk to Snow about it. Evie told her that Harry and her are like twins."

Chad nodded but she could feel something was bothering him. She asked him point-blank. "What do you think is going to happen when I become King?"

"I don't know. I don't think anybody knows but," Audrey said. "I do know that you will be a great King. A just ruler with a good head on your shoulders. You know that you have me and Evie in your corner, we won't let you fall. And I know you will continue what Ben started with the Isle of The Lost initiative."

"But what if that isn't enough?! What if I mess up and then they have me abdicate?"

She didn't mean to laugh but she did. "Trust me. I've fucked up worse than what you think you might do as King."

"What do you mean? You haven't done anything?"

She stayed silent. Chad prodded her more. "Audrey... did you do something your future?"

"Yeah," Chad almost missed her speaking, it was quiet and sad. "I did something... horrible. All because I was still hurting. No one was there for me except you and Aziz. Lonnie... Jane... Ruby... they all left me for Mal. I kept thinking to myself in those days after that spectacular horrific break-up, all I kept asking myself was it my fault? Did I do something to deserve this? Was I a really bad friend for them to leave me so quickly? And as more time passed the more the hurt festered until it just consumed me. I took Maleficent's spear and the crown for myself. I casted this curse to ruin Mal's life once and for all."

"What happened after?"

"After? You're looking at it. I owe my second chance and my life to Evie." Her voice cracked with emotion. "So you couldn't fuck up more than I had done."

"Well," Chad said to her. "I think before my world is turned upside-down we should hang out. All of us, Aziz, Evie, Jay Carlos, and the newbies."

She agreed to that because truth be told, she missed Aziz's company and knew that he would like to hear about this outlandish tale and try to pick apart if she remembered answers to future tests. She wasn't ready to be around Lonnie or Jane or Ben. One day she will. Just not today.

"Audrey?" Chad looked close to tears. He looked as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Audrey was already crying. "Thank you."

"Just thank me with an invitation to yours and Evie's wedding," Audrey winked as Chad let out a laugh. 

Chapter Text

"I want to adopt Harry," the slow blink of Hades eyes as he looked at his wife, trying to make sure he heard her correctly. "Evie has been happier with him around. Not so say she hasn't been happy with the others but she even said it herself. She sees him as her twin."

"So you want to adopt him. Make him the Prince of Summerland. You know that he will hold no lands. Only Evie will hold the lands she was born with," Hades agitation was very much seen by his spouse. "I do not want to risk them into fighting for a throne or lands. I do not wish them to become another Atreus and Thyestes or Romulus and Remus fighting for a land that does not need to see any more blood shed between siblings."

"They won't. Harry loves Evie and will be her right hand, I can see it." Snow said firmly. "He needs a home. They all do."

Hades didn't disagree. He always knows that Snow had a big heart even though behind that there was a fierceness, a kindness that always made Hades look at her with awe. So, he agreed to the adoption of Harry.

If he hadn't gotten himself accidentally arrested he would have given his wife more children. That he laments and would for the rest of his immortal life. His wife does not see it that way, if anything she sees this as a blessing to give children the lives they should have been given in the first place.

Once again, the lord of the underworld fell even more in love with his queen of the above.

In another part of the castle in the mid-afternoon there was a stare-down between a princess and a pirate.

Harry did not trust Audrey Rose, and Audrey Rose did not like Harry Hook for various reasons.

Evie wanted them to work together. She saw them as the future Triumvirate of Auradon or in this case, the time mission. Audrey and Harry didn't seem to agree with the blue-haired girl. Evie wasn't phased by it and seemingly was more determined to see this through.

So here they were... a stare-down.

Harry would be the first to admit that Ben was crazy to throw Audrey aside for Mal. Harry also lamented the loss of the pinkish-blue hair that had graced Audrey's head when they had been on opposite sides, thinking of it brought a roughish smile to his face that made Audrey narrow her eyes in suspicion.

"What are you even thinking about?"

He thought better than to say you and your pretty little pink hair that you had when you were trying to kill us all and lied. "Just thinking about Evie in the old days."

"What was she like?" Audrey asked curious about her friend's life on the Isle. Harry glanced at the people who were standing in the doorway. His friends and rivals with some AKs. Harry was introduced to Prince Aziz by Evie before Audrey swooped in and took him to this room. Audrey turned and with a sigh she beckoned the others into the room.

No sign of Evie. She had been summoned by her parents probably for a lecture or something parental-like, Harry thought.

Audrey asked the question again. Harry realized that none of them knew Evie as well as he did. A sense of warmth rushed through him mixed with pride and protectivness. He had been Evie's first friend, her confidant, a sibling all rolled into one and Evie had been his. Vice versa. 

"When we first met," Harry had a distant look in his eyes. "She hid me in her closet."

They look at him with a mixture of curiosity and slight horror. Harry continued the tale.

"She hid me for two reasons: my demented twin sisters who were trying to skin me alive for the delight of our father and because if I had been caught in the ol' castle the Evil Queen would have ordered someone to slit my throat. So, Evie hid me in her closet. I stayed there for a few days, almost a week. We were eight. It was how our friendship began with me hiding out in her room, sleeping in the closet or sometimes if she was being stubborn about the colder days, she and I would share her bed. Evie would sow up some of my clothes and I would bring her some cloths or jewelry that I thought she'd like. Sometimes I'd bring her some books or new diaries for her. We were and will always be each others siblings."

"Then what's with the rumors of you guys dating?" Gil asked.

Harry looked like he'd rather swallow his own tongue than answer that question but knew that others would persist. He prayed that Evie wouldn't kill him.

"We only said that to keep... certain people away from sniffing around Evie." The memories came back and he began to say why they had to pretend their relationship. "Gil's older brothers, Gaston Jr. and Gaston the Third, Claude-Henri, James Ratcliffe... and even Gaston and Claude Frollo too."

Audrey looked horrified. The rest of the boys looked ready to march or swim to the Isle of the Lost and beat the shit out of all the people Harry had named. Harry already had that delt having made a list and would give to Evie's dad to let the god deal with those monsters.

"So I made sure they knew that she was "mine" so to speak. It kept them at bay while giving Evie a lesser target behind her back... but it was only a shield for so long. We even made a bigger plan..." Harry swallowed thickly as he remembered the plan vividly. He had protested at first but even he knew that from Evie it was pragmatic at best, for both of them for the same and different reasons. "The plan was that if they tried - if those monsters tried to do something to her before or after she was eighteen, I'd marry her and we'd run off before our parents knew. Probably hide ourselves with Dr. Facillier. He was always fond of Evie and myself."

Chad looked worried, sick and above all angry. Perhaps, Harry thought, the son of Cinderella was thinking of one of his step cousins who would no doubt be in a similar situation that Evie had been years ago.

"She's tougher than she looks our Evie," Harry said to them. "She'll need our help." His eyes looked at Jay and Carlos when he said that. Jay looked as though he was about to punch Harry and he greatly wanted to needle him but the warning look directed at him by Audrey made him pause. It would do him no good to piss of two princesses in one day. Uma nodded at his words but was still weary. Yet he knew his dear captain that she would regard Evie away from Mal's influence as she was, as how Harry saw her.

The butler appeared out of nowhere startling half the teenagers. "Mr. Hook, your presence is requested by the Queen and King in her Majesty's study with great urgency."

Harry's stomach dropped. He wondered why Evie's parents wanted him but he shrugged his shoulders ignoring the anxiety that grew as he left the group to think about what he said. He wondered if he'd get to talk with Audrey again alone. He would look forward to their chats. Perhaps he could even try to make her blush...

He knocked at the door and heard a muffled voice call out, "Enter!" 

Entering the room he was met by Snow White, Hades, and Evie. His dear friend looks ecstatic while her parents had amused smiles on their faces. Harry bowed to the adults and winked at Evie who gestured to him to sit next to her. Once doing so Evie grasped his hand tightly in hers.

Snow cleared her throat. "Harry before we ask we want you to know that this is your choice. Well, Evie mentioned to us that she sees you as her twin. Her father and I would like to make that happen and officially adopt you, making you part of the family."

Harry's eyes widened at what Snow said and gripped Evie's hand tighter. He felt as though he was dreaming, that this was one of those dreams that would burst and when he woke up he would be back on the Isle. It was real, very real with the way Evie gave him a reassuring smile as if telling him, this is real Harry. 

"I-" His voice broke with emotions and a tear began to slip down his cheek. Evie let go of his hand to envelop him into a tight hug. It made him loose his composure on his emotions, the dam broke and he burst into tears. "You want me?"

Snow knelt down to his eye level and cupped his cheek. For a split second, Harry flinched before feeling the soothing touch of Snow, a motherly touch. He never had a mother before. "We do. I think you will be our son and we will love you till the end of the days like we did with Evie. Which we still do and we have room for more to love."

Harry continued to cry as Snow wiped his tears away. Harry nodded his head, it was good enough answer and it delighted the family nonetheless.

Snow and Hades told him that they would begin the paperwork quickly to get the process through. Harry still felt as though it was nothing but a dream. That he was wanted by a family, that they wanted him to be a part of this family. What the teens did not know was this - it would be war from here on out for both the Isle kids and the Crown of Auradon.

Audrey and Evie finally, finally had gotten time to talk amongst themselves. They were in her room, laying on Evie's bed as they. said nothing to one another. The two princesses basked in the silence of the room.

They would go back to school in a few weeks. They were still a few months away from Mal running away to the Isle but they knew that probably would never happen. But Evie wasn't even sure what would happen with how much they had managed to change in a few weeks. Still, the girls knew that the real fight would be against King Adam and Queen Belle over giving up the throne to Heir Apparent, Prince Chad Charming after their son abdicated. Evie was also worried how Mal would react when hit with the news that Ben would be a mere King of a mere land and not all of Auradon anymore. On top of that, that Evie would be in the place that Mal had been if she continues down the road of being courted by Chad Charming.

The irony was not lost on Evie, not one bit.

They were lost in their own thoughts when Evie sat up. "What are we going to do once Chad is King? What's the plan after that?"

"Have you lock down Chad."

"Audrey! I'm serious!"

"So am I! We don't know what Mal will do, if she'll fight this lack of power or slink back to your side. You have to prepare for that fake niceties she'll pull or worse. You know her better than I do."

Evie sighed because Audrey had a point. They did not know what Mal will do when the abdication process begins and Chad get's crowned as King of Auradon. Knowing Mal, she will see this as the biggest betrayal from Evie. The friendship will be dead in the waters after this but Evie knew that what was done is done. She would rather have Mal not be her friend than see Mal as Queen and screw over the VKs again.

"I'm worried  what retributions Ben's dad will send after our parents," Audrey said in a voice so small, Evie instinctively hugged the other princess. "Ben used to tell me that his Dad went on a warpath over Magic. It was one of the reasons why many liked Snow White because she voiced the opposition to the Ban. It was one of the reasons why Merida, Tiana, and Elsa besides being close in borders with Snow they backed her position because it affected them and the injustice deliberately positioned against many others who cannot fight back. It was one of the reasons why the Blue Fairy hadn't been seen in over a decade because of the Ban. There was also rumors that the Blue Fairy might be the one who cursed Adam."

Evie's eyes widened. "I thought the Enchantress was just a fairy who was snubbed by the King when he was a prince?"

Audrey shook her head. "No! The Enchantress was the Blue Fairy! She is the only fairy to bring a wooden puppet boy to life and curse a human prince to a beastly form!"

"How do you know this?" Evie asked.

"I overheard Maryweather, Fauna, and Flora gossiping to Granny. They talked about how Blue hadn't followed orders to give up her wand like they and Fairy Godmother had. That she left because Adam had a very big vendetta against her and he kept badgering Snow over the whereabouts of the Blue Fairy. They all got into this heated fight that made Blue publicly denounce Adam and she disappeared. Adam was always certain that Snow was hiding her but she denied it. Always."

"What if we tried finding her? Maybe she was close by all this time but didn't want to cause my mom any trouble?"

"Where would we even find her? She's a fairy! She could be anywhere? And what if she doesn't want to be found?"

Audrey shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt to find out. Beats going back to school."

Evie burst out laughing and shook her head. "You have a point but I want to graduate again even though I remember the answers to the tests now too easily. Chad will need us and Harry will throw a fit if I'm not there to help him out on his first day of school."

Audrey snorted. "Fine," She pouted. "It'll be fun to see Mal pissed when she sees Uma and her boys here."

"I'm dreading it but I have a plan. Trust me, I'll make sure Uma will be fine and dandy at Auradon Prep."

"What about Mal? Are you going to be okay seeing her again?"

Evie shrugged. "Somedays I think I am and others I feel like that terrified girl who was locked in the closet, close to bleeding out. I have to face this head on. Mal will hat eye but I can live with that. I won't be able to live with myself if I see Mal in power again and screw over those kids. Never again and if I have to stonewall her path to being Queen Consort... so be it. She'll see my rise as the biggest betrayal and I'm afraid what she will do. She's not one to go quietly into the night and that's what terrifies me, Audrey. We don't know what the consequences will be once we throw Ben off the throne."

"Well, like you said. We face this head-on together." Audrey said to her, determination shining her brown eyes.

Their future was changing for the better, they could feel it even with the uncertainty of what would happen down the road looming over them. The Princesses would march down the road of an unknown future.