Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Creating the United States of Auradon goes a lot better than Belle expected. Getting support for the creation of the Isle of the Lost is even easier. It’s the rounding up of the various villains scattered around their kingdoms that consumes most of their time and resources.

Many of them resist arrest, using every dirty trick or dark magic to ensure the Auradonian Guards are either viciously maimed or violently killed for daring to bring them down. In the end, their efforts- the villains that is- don’t pay off and every villain is sealed away behind the Isle’s anti-magic barrier.

Belle can sleep easily knowing the obvious threats to her and her husband’s safety is currently serving his life sentence on the Isle of the Lost. Leaving Gaston there is the least they could do for all the pain and heartache he’s brought her.

This way, Adam will be safe from the hunter’s aim. This way, Gaston can never cross her mind again or plague her nightmares. Fairy Godmother ensured all of them that the barrier will hold. It’s an assessment that other powerful magical beings, like Merlin, all confirm.

Now Belle can focus on expanding their family with Adam.

Now Belle can focus on shaping their kingdom into a better place. There’s still much healing to be done. Aurora’s castle is still wrapped in dark twisted thorns. Jasmine’s palace is in several pieces scattered around the endless desert surrounding Agrabah. They still need to investigate Alice’s claim that the entrance to Wonderland has disappeared.

*

There’s something nagging her in the back of Belle’s mind. Something she can’t quite remember but is nonetheless important. It begs to be heard as Belle helps Mrs. Potts reorganize Beast Castle. It whispers in her brain as she visits Ella and Snow White.

She tries going over her list of tasks. She tries to find whatever her mind believes has slipped between the cracks but each time Belle comes up empty handed. She asks Ariel for help, hoping another set of eyes will reveal what she’s missed. Rapunzel offers to triple-check all of Belle’s notes, both old and new.

Whatever Belle’s missing, neither princess finds it.

Belle hates this feeling, the thought of something important slipping through her fingers. It’s right there on the tip of her tongue. She can almost visualize it in her mind, but it vanishes before she can comprehend it.

Perhaps it’s just the switch of going from a normal commoner to the ruling queen? After all, if multiple people have looked and come up empty handed then maybe it’s really all just in her head. Maybe it is just leftover anxiety from before; breaking Adam’s curse and watching him almost die was rather intense.

Maybe her mind just isn’t ready to believe the danger has truly passed.

“There you are, I’ve searched the whole castle for you.” Adam calls, immediately moving closer to her.

Belle hasn’t wandered into Adam’s old room since she first found the Enchantress’s cursed rose. After their wedding, Adam planned to renovate the space into something else- preferably something that wouldn’t remind him of his life before the curse was broken. The project has been moving relatively slowly seeing as they tend to have more pressing matters to deal with. Right now, most of the furniture has been removed and the walls are stripped bare.

The view from the balcony is still just as beautiful as she remembered, even more so now that the gardens are being tended to, and the castle is full of human life again.

“I just needed a quiet place to think.” She presses a quick kiss onto his lips as her fingers gracefully trace his compass.

It still amazes her that he’s standing here before her; that Adam is alive, free of his curse, and they have their whole future together. She can’t imagine her life without him, her soulmate and dearest friend.

“Have you figured it out yet?” Adam asks as he pulls her closer.

Belle takes a moment to admire the view from the safety of her soulmate’s arms. She listens to the steady beat of his heart and lets the sound soothe her. No matter what happens, they will face it together; whether it’s rouge hunters or missing tasks.

“Not yet but I’m sure it’ll come to me eventually.”

*

Belle places the gift atop the table before searching for the happy couple. They’re easy to spot among the crowds of people. Anna looks stunning in her wedding gown and Kristoff resembles the regal kings of Arendelle’s past. They look just as happy as Belle felt during her own wedding day with Adam.

“Congratulates.” Belle squeals as she pulls her fellow queen into a hug.

“Thank you for coming!” Anna says as she pulls away from the hug but keeps her arms wrapped around Belle. “I know how hectic it is to take time off from running a kingdom.”

“Adam and I wouldn’t have miss this for anything. Honestly, I feel like attending everyone’s weddings are the only fun I’ve had all year.”

“I know! It’s all rebuilding efforts and boring council meeting.”

“Don’t forget about the trade commission hearings.” Adam teases. He hands Belle a champagne glass before taking a sip of his own.

“I just let Kristoff handle those. The merchants like him better.”

“Let me handle what?” Kristoff asks, finally done with his previous conversation.

“Trade commissions.” All three royals say in unison before laughing.

Realization dawns on Kristoff’s face as he joins in on their laughter. The four of them trade a few more rounds of conversation, jumping between different goals each ruler has for their kingdoms and random tidbits from their daily endeavors. Belle learns Anna’s sister, Elsa, is acclimating well in her new position as the Fifth Spirit and leader of Northuldra.  In turn, Belle speaks on the various reform projects she hopes to start now that Auradon has entered an era of peace.

All in all, Belle enjoys her time at Anna and Kristoff’s wedding. She and Adam dance the night away under Arendelle’s starry night, surrounded by beautiful pillars of ice that are wrapped in vibrant ribbons and flowers. In the moments they’re not dancing, Belle is able to catch up with all her new royal friends; many of which she hasn’t seen in person outside of weddings and important council meetings.

It’s not until she and Adam retire to their guestroom for the evening that the nagging feeling returns to Belle. She drifts to sleep with dreams full of dark waves and endless sea. Huge black storm clouds roar overhead as heavy winds drown buckets of water upon the ground. The faint golden glimmering of the anti-magical barrier that surrounds the Isle of the Lost.

Is that what she’s forgetting? Is there something about the Isle of the Lost that Belle is missing? Some type of flaw or loophole that the villains can exploit?

*

In the end it’s a rather mundane conversation that finally reveals to Belle what’s been plaguing her this whole time. She and the few of her friends that could be spared are having a small lunch to catch up at Aurora’s cottage. The conversations range from who’s wedding is coming up, who’s dating who, and the various random activities they have done recently. It’s just friends talking and gossiping like little girls without their crowns weighing them down.

Rapunzel gushes about her upcoming wedding and all the little details she and Eugene have chosen. Belle and Anna offer tips and tricks they used for their own weddings while Aurora offers the number for the wedding planner she and Shang used.

“I just want it to be perfect.” Rapunzel sighs, her fingers twirling the shortened strands of her brown hair. “Oh, and that all of you can attend!”  

“Eric and I wouldn’t miss it for the world, even if I have to swim there myself.” Ariel, who’s own wedding would be after Rapunzel’s, had spent many nights planning with her fellow princess in order to ensure neither wedding conflicted with one another.

Belle, for one, appreciated their efforts, considering her own wedding had to be planned around Aurora’s, Ella’s, and Snow White’s weddings too. It was really luck that Belle and Adam’s wedding was the first to take place. The months that followed were filled with traveling all across Auradon all while trying to keep everything running.

Describing the time as hectic would be an understatement.

“I’ll try my best to be there.” Mulan says.

“I thought with the war ending you and Shang would be able to travel more?” Ella asks as she pours more tea.

Mulan fiddles nervously with her teacup. The action is so unlike the stoic soldier Belle has come to know and adore. For the briefest moment Belle worries something dire is looming on the horizon; that all her fears around the Isle of the Lost are about to be confirmed true.

A small splash of color paints itself across Mulan’s cheeks. Every woman in the room awaits whatever news is about to be shared. Unlike the rest of them, Mulan and Shang gotten married just before the Isle’s creation. With a tiny smile, Mulan gently places a hand over her belly. Even without the words to confirm it, the room erupts into loud excited cheering. Hugs are giving. Congratulations are said.

And then it hits Belle.

The reason she’s been so worried about the Isle of the Lost. The thing that’s been plaguing her mind since Auradon’s formation- since the Isle’s creation. They created a place no one can escape from. An eternal prison for all of Auradon’s worst criminals. Criminals who are capable of reproducing just like all of them here in Auradon.

There might be innocent children trapped on the Isle. Innocent children with the most dangerous of villains for parents. Many of those villains were locked up for crimes committed against their own flesh and blood. Several of the women in this room are proof alone that some of the Isle’s citizens would not raise a child in a loving environment.

She needs to- stop. This moment is Mulan’s and Belle won’t taint this happy memory with such a dark realization. Later today, once she’s back home, Belle will jump to action. She’ll talk with Adam and their council. They’ll form some kind of plan. For now, Belle will enjoy this moment. She’s solved her mystery and one of her dearest friends has given them good news.

*

Belle and Adam stand before the Council. She glances around the room full of representatives from all across Auradon. From the royal lines, Neverland, and even Olympus itself, the Council is a sea of the unlikeliest of members.

“I called this meeting to discuss an important oversight we missed when creating the Isle of the Lost.” Belle begins her speech. Every council member turns to her, their attention unwavering.

“We ensured through multiple sources that the Barrier will not fall.” Merlin tacks on. Both he and Fairy Godmother have dealt with every doubt or accusation the Council and the public have about the magic surrounding the Isle.

“The barrier isn’t my concern. It’s the villains’ potential future children that concerns me.”

The whole room freezes at Belle’s words. She can see them processing the implications this has. Belle can see the exact moment the realization dawns on their faces. By creating the Isle of the Lost, they have potentially trapped a part of the next generation to suffer just as they had.

“I fear none of us considered this when we created the Isle of the Lost. We intended to create an eternal prison for Auradon’s worst citizens, but that punishment should not be extended to children born under the anti-magical barrier.” Belle says, each council member hanging onto her every word.

“Can we risk it?” Queen Leah asks. “If we constantly open the barrier whenever a child is born it’s only a matter of time before one of the villains uses it as a possible escape attempt.”

Well Belle hadn’t thought of that. She focused so intensely on the children, she never considered how their parents would react to their children being taken away. If one of them escaped to Auradon because of Belle, would the council blame her? Would the citizens of Auradon understand or would they blame the crown for all the death and destruction that would follow?

“Well, any opening up of the barrier could result in a villain escaping.” Merlin adds, fingers scratching his beard. “I suppose if we only freed the children once every year or two could limit that risk.”

“And how would we take them? You speak as if their parents would be willing hand them over without a fight. Since when do villains do anything without fighting us?” King Triton counters.

“Should we really separate them? Perhaps they can find redemption through their children. The love a parent feels for their child might fill their hearts and warm their souls.” Fairy Godmother suggests.

“What if we raise the children here in Auradon and they rebel against us to free their parents? Why are we even debating this?” Queen Leah tosses the paper copy of Belle’s proposal back onto the table.

“Is this hypothetical or are there confirmed cases of children on the Isle already?” Snow White asks.

All eyes turn to Belle expectantly. “Well, not yet, but…”

“Perhaps we should use our time with this council to focus on problems we already have instead of creating new ones.” At Queen Leah’s words, the rest of the council nods in agreement.

The meeting turns to other topics of reform and rebuilding from the rubble the villains left behind. While this meeting didn’t go the way Belle wanted, she is glad that the thought has at least been voiced aloud. Now she isn’t the only one who knows.

All Belle can hope is that by the time the first child is born on the Isle of the Lost, because she isn’t naive enough to believe there won’t be any births, the Council will have an actual solution.

Chapter Text

A lot can change in three years. Three years ago, Tiana was still saving up enough money to buy her restaurant and make her dreams a reality. Three years ago, the very thought of a relationship of any kind, let alone with her soulmate, seemed impossible with the amount of jobs Tiana worked.

Now, Tiana’s Place is thriving. People come from all across Auradon just for a chance to eat her meals. What started out as a dream shared among Tiana and her daddy has morphed into a reality better than anything Tiana could have ever envisioned.

Naveen, her sweet husband, her soulmate and the best business partner a girl could ask for is something the Tiana of three years ago would have never seen coming. After all, it was Lottie who always dreamed of marrying a prince and living that fairytale lifestyle.

And yet, here they are, three years after the Shadow Man turned Naveen and, by extension, her into frogs. Three years of Tiana’s Place booming in popularity and size. Three happy years of marriage to her beloved soulmate. Three years after the Isle of the Lost was created. And three years since Ray died helping them break the Shadow Man’s curse.

The truth of the matter is Tiana never really cared all that much about the creation of the Isle. She was glad the man responsible for killing Ray was locked away someplace where he could never use his voodoo to harm another again. Tiana also understood the need to lock up all the big threats of Auradon somewhere they could never harm someone again.

But once the barrier went up, Tiana never really thought about the Isle again unless one of her friends brought it up. She knew the Isle was something Belle and Aurora spent a lot of time contemplating. The two queens spent hours debating the ethics and implications of the Isle’s creation at least once a month during Council meetings. While Tiana wasn’t a member of those meetings, she often listened to her friends' rant about the outcomes of said meetings.

She understood the fears Belle and Aurora had, or at least Tiana thought she did.

It wasn’t until her son, Tobias, was born that Tiana truly understood why the two royals were so passionate about the children on the Isle of the Lost. Back when Belle first began her quest, the Isle of the Lost had no children. Three years later, the Auradonian guards reported more and more additions. The villains were having children, and no one had any idea just how many kids there actually were.

Now, every time Tobias cries Tiana can’t help but wonder who comforts the children on the Isle. Do their parents cradle them in their arms, humming lullabies until they’re comforted? Are their scrapes and bruises kissed better? Do villains tuck their children in at night, read bedtime stories about life before the Isle, and kiss them goodnight?

Do the villains stand around their kitchens with their kids strapped to their waists and teach them the proper way to cook gumbo- or any other meal? Are the children on the Isle well fed? Do they go to bed hungry wishing for more food than their parents can provide?

Does the Isle of the Lost even have enough supplies to feed every villain and child?

*

The sight in front of Tiana is a familiar one; Naveen standing in front of a simmering pot of stew, Tobais held firmly in his arms, as her husband attempts to teach their two-year-old how to properly cook. Tobias, despite not being old enough to properly retain most of this information, listens intensely as his dad excitedly babbles instructions.

“See” Naveen gestures to the heat indicator on the stove, “this is where we can see how hot the stovetop will be.” He carefully reaches out and adjusts the knobs to bring the stew to a low boil.

Tobias babbles happily as he tries to reach out to either the knob or his father, but his little hands can only reach so far. Naveen does bring his hand closer, allowing Tobias to grab it with both of his little hands. He laughs in tandem with their son as their hands connect.

“Your mother taught me a similar recipe back when we first met. I must admit your first attempt is going much better than mine.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, it wasn’t that bad.” Tiana teases, finally revealing her presence.

Naveen turns to face her, his smile mimicked on their son’s face too. “Without your steady hands guiding me, it would have been a lost cause.”

She laughs at that, the memory of Naveen as a frog attempting to dice mushrooms coming to mind. She holds out her hands and Naveen passes their boy over to her. She adjusts Tobias so his small head rests against the space between her shoulder and the crook of her neck.

Naveen gives the stew a quick stir before scooping out a small portion for her to taste. She takes a sip, leaving a small amount for Tobias to try. He gurgles happily, his little first closing around the spoon. Naveen preens at their son’s praise.

“Not bad. Not bad at all.” The broth is rich and tasty but not overly seasoned. It’s a great improvement from some of the things Naveen’s cooked in the past without Tiana’s supervision.

Naveen smiles mischievously before pulling her into a quick but passionate kiss. He places another kiss on the brown curls atop Tobais’s head. Now this is the life Tiana never realized she wanted, cooking meals with her soulmate and their child. Tiana has everything she could ever want; a loving husband, a beautiful son, a thriving business, and amazing friends whom she adores.

What more could she desire?

She tries not to think of small starving children, begging for scraps that don’t exist. An Isle deprived of resources as parents attempt to shield their children from the harsh reality of their lives. Have the villains banded together in a vain attempt to protect their children from suffering under the harsh conditions of the Isle of the Lost?

Worst, have there already been casualties on the Isle of the Lost? Are there children already buried beneath the tough terrain or lost to the rough waves?

If Tiana holds Tobias just a little bit closer, well that’s no one’s business but her own.

*

There’s a rowdy group of seven boys dressed as various forest animals occupying one of the larger tables in her restaurant. Tiana has only heard of Peter Pan and his band of Lost Boys through the descriptive words of others.

She knows from the complaints of the other royals that the group has been leaving Neverland in small bursts in search of their next great adventure. They mainly visit Auradon in small bursts, picking a new kingdom with every visit, acting like out-of-control tourists. It seems Tiana’s Place is their next stop on their tour of Auradon.

Tiana can see why the other royals tend to be annoyed by the presence of Pan and his Lost Boys. They can be intense and rowdy but as far as Tiana’s concerned, she’s seen worse. In all her years working day and night just to make enough to turn her dreams into reality really showed Tiana just how awful some customers can actually be.

Sure, the boys are loud, but they aren’t loud enough to disturb the peace of her other customers. Every plate they finish is neatly stacked for her servers to grab and their trash isn’t scattered across the ground. Honestly, Tiana expected them to be wilder from all the stories she’d heard.

So far, they seem like teenaged boys having fun on vacation which they technically are.

Tiana steadies the tray held within her grasp and makes her way over to their table. It’s only years of experience that allows her to hold the tray teeming with plates full of food with such confidence. With ease she’s earned through hard labor, Tiana unloads each plate in front of its rightful owner. Both Pan and the Lost Boys watch her in aww until the last meal is set.

“Well boys, follow my lead, thank you Ma’am.” Peter Pan says, with an extravagant tip of his hat.

“Thank you, Ma’am!” Six voices echo back, each with their own dramatic flair.

“Why thank you gentlemen.” Tiana responses with a little curtsy of her own.

They clap excitedly and Tiana gets the impression that most other adults refuse to engage in their antics. A few years ago, Tiana would have refused just from exhaustion alone. Back then, all she focused on was working hard and bouncing between each and every one of her jobs.

It took a prince being turned into a frog for her to truly learn a nice work/life balance. It’s a change both her mother and Lottie are truly grateful for. Maybe that’s why Tiana finds Peter Pan and his band of Lost Boys so endearing; after all, the way they dress up as animals is very reminiscent of her own time as a frog.

“I have a question for you, ma’am, if you have a spare moment.” Pan asks with a wave of his fork.

“Ask away.” It’s one of the rare times Tiana doesn’t actually need to be supervising in the kitchen or helping other customers.

“Mothe- Wendy told us a story about you, one where you were a frog? Is that true?”

“Yes, before we met my husband made a deal with a voodoo man and got turned into a frog. In an attempt to undo the spell, he accidently turned me into one too.”

“Wow!” One of the boys, dressed like a racoon, stares at her in wonder.

“Can you turn into a frog at will?” Another boy, a bear, asks excitedly.

“Well, I never really tried. I quite like being a person.”

The Lost Boys nod along in agreement as Pan seems to be internally debating her words. They turn to their leader eagerly awaiting his answer. Pan settles on nodding along before digging into his meal.

“We love stories!” The one resembling a skunk whispers. “Mama Wendy tells us the best stories.”

“That’s why we came to Auradon in the first place!” Peter Pan exclaims excitedly, “To see all the places from her tales. Neverland is so boring now that Hook’s gone.” The last part is barely audible to Tiana, and she wonders if he meant for her to hear it in the first place.

 “Well, I hope Auradon gives you the adventure you’re looking for and you’re always welcomed back here.” Tiana leaves the group of boys to finish their meals. They wave her off with joyful goodbyes.

Once safely hidden from the view of her customers, Tiana lets out a deep sigh and rubs her palms over her eyes. She tries not to dwell on the Isle of the Lost, but it seems like the universe keeps going out of its way to remind her of its existence. Well, it would be more accurate to say, she tries not to dwell on the fate of the children there.

Tiana has never been one to sit back and let others solve her problems. If something’s wrong, she’s the one who fixes it. But the concerns she has about the Isle are big and the power she has to fix it are small in comparison. She isn’t sure if the Council can be persuaded to evacuate the children born on the Isle at this point in time.

The wounds the villains caused are still too fresh in Auradon’s eyes. But perhaps they can be persuaded to start a little smaller.

*

Tiana gives both her boys a kiss goodbye before leaving to join Belle and Aurora in this month’s Council meeting. While her two friends are hoping this meeting will be the one to finally approve the remove of children from the Isle of the Lost, Tiana has a much more practical goal in mind.

The Council hasn’t approved that suggestion since Belle first proposed it three years ago and Tiana doubts it’ll happen anytime soon.

The hard part is Belle needs to gain the entire Council’s approval. Tiana isn’t sure how that clause got added but it’s there and without unanimous support the children on the Isle will remain there. This fact alone is why Tiana knows they need to start smaller than bringing all the children over.

This Council needs to be eased into the idea of villain children roaming Auradon and Tiana’s goal should help accomplish that.

“Well, are you ready Tiana?” Aurora asks, a small pile of papers held between her arms.

Tiana knows how hard she and Belle have worked to sway the Council to their cause. She also knows how frustrating it must be for Aurora to know her own mother is a part of the problem. Tiana was lucky to always have her mother supporting her dreams no matter how unrealistic or far away they seemed.

Aurora has to constantly argue hers to a mother who refuses to listen to logic.

“Hopefully, they’ll agree with my idea even if the shoot down yours.”

With that, the three rulers enter the Council chambers, each one ready to defend their ideas. At least with every meeting the support for Belle and Aurora’s plan grows. But Tiana won’t sit back and hope that growth will be fast enough to save the children- not when their lives are on the line.

“Good afternoon, everyone, we have several topics to discuss today.” Belle begins once every member takes their seats. Tiana is grateful her friends added a seat just for her too. One would be surprised at just how often that slips some people’s minds.

“Well, I for one, hope it’s not that preposterous idea you’re always proposing.” Queen Leah complains.

“Mother!” Aurora chastises. “While Belle and I understand your fears, our proposal is still something we hope to pass. We understand if that day is not today, but we’re determined to see this through. This is just too important to falter on.”

Around the room, several members nod along with Aurora’s words. It’s nice to see that while most of the room doesn’t seem to be on board with relocation talks, they at least are willing to hear out Belle and Aurora’s points before disagreeing.  

There was nothing Tiana hated more than being dismissed without getting to defend herself.

“On that note, Tiana had something she wished to discuss with us.” Belle leads the conversation back to the topic at hand.

The members of the Council all turn to Tiana expectantly. It’s not often that someone brings forth a topic for them to debate, especially Tiana. In fact, this is the first time Tiana has even set foot in this particular room. To anyone else, it may seem nerve racking, but Tiana is used to working under pressure; she’s had several years of practice, in fact.

“It’s my understanding that the Council approved sending a small part of the Auradonian Guard to deliver supplies to the Isle of the Lost.” Tiana pauses, waiting for the Council to confirm this fact.

At their agreement she continues. “I would like to offer my aid in providing meals to the Isle. The children there deserve to eat, and I can’t- no I won’t sit back and hope someone else is handling it. My restaurant makes enough money to cover the expenses and both Naveen, and I agree this is something we must do.”

“Well, that’s a splendid idea! Very good indeed. Yes, yes, you have my vote.” Merlin proclaims excitedly. Around the room, several more members give their approvals.

“I would like to add that my daughters and I would gladly aid in transportation.” King Triton adds.

“Well I supposes it’s quite the noble endeavor.” Queen Leah begins before making eye contact with Aurora. “But you have my support in this.”

“Thank you.” Tiana beams.

“Oh mother!” Aurora smiles brightly at her mother and Tiana is glad even Queen Leah agrees with them on this. Perhaps there’s hope for Queen Leah’s approval after all.

“I still think removing the children is a risk Auradon cannot afford to take.” The queen adds on.

“Well, it’s a start and with that we must discuss the situation at the entrance to Wonderland.” Belle shuffles over to the next topic in need of Council approval.

Tiana can’t help the relief that spreads through her body. The children may still be condemned to the Isle of the Lost, for now, but this way she can ensure they won’t starve to death. The key to ensuring their endeavors succeeds is reminding that Council that it’s the children they’re talking about and not their parents.

Chapter Text

The sight before Aladdin is one he could get used to.

Jasmine sitting beside Rajah as their newest addition, their son Aziz, carefully pets the tiger. On the opposite side of Rajah, floating a little above the ground on Carpet, is Jubilee, Genie’s daughter. Genie hovers nervously behind Carpet, Abu perched on his shoulders as Genie alternates between watching Carpet float with his daughter and Jordan, Genie’s son, crawling closer and closer to Rajah’s tail.   

And to think six years ago he was a street rat with nothing to his name and Abu as his only friend.

Life in the palace is everything Aladdin thought it would be and more. Waking up every morning next to Jasmine is an experience Aladdin will never take for granted. Watching Aziz grow up safely within the palace walls, knowing his son will never need to fight every day just to eat, means everything to him.

While he and Jasmine have done a lot to ensure even the poorest citizens of Agrabah won’t suffer the same ways in which Aladdin did, it never feels like it’s enough. At least, that’s how it feels to him.

“Higher! Higher!” Jubilee squeals excitedly.

“Lower, Carpet! Lower!” Genie begs.

Carpet glides up a little higher only to slowly lower down again. Jubilee screams in delight as Genie frantically mutters to himself. Abu rolls his eyes before hopping off Genie’s shoulder and jumps over to Jordan. It seems the one-year-old has gotten closer enough to touch the tiger’s tail and is currently running his tiny fingers through Rajah’s fur.

Aladdin takes a seat on the ground next to Jasmine, Aziz, and Rajah. Aziz turns away from Rajah, gurgling happily, one hand reaching out for Aladdin and the other is shoved into Aziz’s mouth. Aladdin carefully wraps his fingers around Aziz’s tiny little hand and gives it a small shake.

“I’m glad you could make it.” Jasmine whispers in Aladdin’s ear before pressing a light kiss into his cheek. “What did the Auradonian Guard need with Agrabah anyway?”

Aladdin can feel his smile slipping. He can feel the tightness around his chest and the dread bubbling up inside himself. The meeting with the Guard was quick and more of a formality than anything serious. Except, in Aladdin’s opinion, the whole matter was serious.

He knew that some of the villains on the Isle were having kids. It was a topic many of his friends were very passionate about. Belle made sure to reference it during every Council meeting she attended. Aurora and Tiana collaborated on different ways to send food and medicine across the barrier. And Aladdin knew Genie spent some of his free time helping Fairy Godmother and Merlin look for ways to open the barrier, to let the children out, without risking Auradon’s safety.

Which is to say, while Aladdin knew there were villains starting families on the Isle of the Lost, he just never thought that Jafar would be one of them.

“Al? What’s the matter?” Genie asks, transferring his concern for Jubilee’s safety to Aladdin.

And how can Aladdin tell them that; especially while they’re sitting around having fun as a family. How can Aladdin tell them that the man who hurt them, the man who nearly robbed them of this peace, made a child? A child, that as far as Aladdin knows, is trapped with Jafar because of them.

“Carpet, Abu, and Rajah, can you watch the kids for us? We’ll be right over there.”

Jasmine and Genie follow Aladdin to the corner of the balcony. They’re far enough from the children where their little ears won’t hear any details but close enough for the three parents to see them. Jasmine places her hand against his arm. From this angle Aladdin can see her compass and how it points right at him. It’s the kind of thing that fills Aladdin with the same giddy excitement he felt when they first met in the marketplace all those years ago.

“What’s wrong kid?” Genie asks.

“The Guard came to give an update about the Isle. Apparently, Jafar has a kid.”

“What?!” Both Jasmine and Genie exclaim.

“Since when? And with who?” Genie begins rapidly firring off questions.

“The Guard doesn’t know. They said the kid was two, maybe three, but there’s no sign of the mother.”

“Oh! That poor child.” Jasmine mumbles, her hand resting atop her heart.

The conversation dies down after that. The three of them turn over to where their children are. They watch as Aziz and Jordan have taken to playing with Abu and Jubilee chats happily to Rajah as Carpet hovers overhead. Their children are happy and healthy. Aziz will never starve, Jordan isn’t bound to a lamp, and Jubilee will never be a slave to random strangers.

But Jafar has a kid, and they all know what Jafar is capable of.

*

Aladdin can’t get the thought of Jafar having a child out of his head. To be fair, Aladdin still can’t wrap his mind around the Isle of the Lost having any children trapped there. Logically, he knows that revelation shouldn’t be as surprising as it is, but he never even considered the possibility until Belle said it.

But the truth can’t be ignored; Jafar, and the other Isle villains, are having kids.

Maybe the dread Aladdin feels is heightened by the fact his own son is so young? Aziz is so small and helpless. He’s barely even a year old and he already means so much to Aladdin. There are no lengths he wouldn’t go to keep his kid safe; but Aladdin can’t help but wonder if Jafar feels even a fraction of that protectiveness.

Aladdin remembers what it’s like to grow up in the worst of conditions. He remembers the gnawing hunger; how it left an empty pit in his stomach, one that would grow and grow but never felt filled by the little scraps he stole. He remembers how closely he and Abu slept; how tightly they wrapped around one another to preserve what small body heat they had.

Does Jafar’s kid feel that same ever-expanding hunger? Does Jafar hold them close, shielding them from the harsh elements? Is there a roof over top their head or a home that keeps them safe from harm?

Is Jafar even capable of loving someone outside of himself?

“What’s got your feathers all ruffled up?” Iago squawks just as he lands on the windowsill right beside Aladdin.

“I’m worried about the kid.” Aladdin mumbles, head buried in his arms.

He knows Iago heard by now, the topic of Jafar’s kid is one he and Jasmine have talked about over and over since they first heard of their existence. Genie’s been pestering the Council of Sidekicks and the Auradonian Guard for more details. So far, all anyone has confirmed is the kid is Jafar’s. Not much else is known; the kid’s name, actual age, and wellbeing included.

“Ah that,” Iago sighs, “Learn anything more about the brat.”

“Iago!”

“What?! I meant that affectionately.” The bird says, although not quite convincedly. After a beat of silence Iago continues, “Look there’s no lost love between me and the old bossman but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel for the kid.”    

“Do you think they’re okay? Maybe Jafar will treat them better than us. It’s possible right?” Aladdin hates how unsure he sounds. He hates how useless he feels and how protective he feels of his worst enemy’s child.

Iago knows Jafar better than anyone. He saw the true nature of Agrabah’s old advisor long before Jasmine or her dad ever did. If anyone in Auradon can accurately guess Jafar’s parenting style it would be Iago.

Iago turns away from Aladdin. He clicks his beak nervously, and his feathers ruffle unhappily. “I think you need to get that kid far away from Jafar. The sooner the better.” The bird shudders, a few small feathers fall to the ground. “There’s no worser fate that being trapped alone with him.”    

The last bit is whispered so softly Aladdin almost misses it.

Aladdin thinks of Genie happily watching Jubilee and Jordan grow up unburdened by the confines of magical lamps. He thinks of Jasmine and their precious son; Aziz will have a childhood full of love and safety.

He thinks of the child trapped in the world’s worst prison, growing up alongside the worst beings anyone has ever faced. Aladdin might not be able to protect all the children born on the Isle of the Lost, but he can protect one.

*

“Jay, the Guards said his name is Jay.” Aladdin mournfully says, his eyes drawn to the yellow barrier glowing in the distance.

The ship he’s aboard lurches; Aladdin can feel his stomach leaping towards his heart. Eric doesn’t bat an eye, as if this is normal sailing conditions. And maybe it is, how would Aladdin know? It’s not like Agrabah is known for its boating. Eric does pass him a glass filled with dark liquid; probably scotch or whiskey.

Eric eyes the Isle of the Lost, it looms in the distance, ever present. “Ursala has a daughter.”

Aladdin can feel the exact moment his mind processes the words. Ursala has a kid? Since when? With whom? And suddenly this random trip to visit Ariel and Eric makes so much more sense. Out of all their friends, he and Eric are the newest members of the ‘Our villains had kids club’.

It’s a crappy club, with no benefits, just guilt over every choice they made that led to all of this.

It’s a part of Aurora’s plan to gather sympathy from the Council. Whenever a new kid is spotted on the Isle and their origin is known, the heroes involved are informed. Props to her, Aladdin can confirm that knowing about Jay’s existence has definitely improved his need to help liberate the children of the Isle.

“They think she’s two or maybe three.” Eric continues. “They said she was spotted by the Isle’s docks. I didn’t even know the Isle had a dock. Apparently, Hook runs the place and she’s just there, running around in Hook’s turf.”

 “Are they sure she’s Ursula’s then?” It had taken the Guard a few weeks to trace Jay’s parentage back to Jafar. Especially since Jay is quite skilled at evading detection. Aladdin knows the Guard only speak to them after they’re sure, but even they are capable of making mistakes.

“They overheard rumors about the Sea Witch having a kid and the girl, Uma, bares a passing resemblance to Ursula.” Eric takes a long sip from his glass.

Aladdin can tell from the way his jaw flexes and how tightly his fists are clenched just how badly this whole situation bothers him. Aladdin understands it, of course he does. It’s not just the thought of their villains being alone with small helpless children, but rather, how close in age those children are to their own.

Eric said Uma is about two or three years old. That age estimate is the same as Jay’s, which means he’s about a year or two older than Aziz. It means that Uma is either a year older or the same age as Melody, Eric and Ariel’s daughter.

“Do they know who her father is? Or if Ursula is taking care of her?”

“No. But she spends her days running around the docks, Hook’s docks, and we both know Hook isn’t above harming kids.” He lets out a long-drawn-out sigh. “Did they figure out who Jay’s mother is?”

With that Aladdin downs the contents of his glass. The burn is a relief from all the thoughts swirling around in his head. “No, they haven’t. It looks like she, whoever she might have been, didn’t stick around.”

For a while neither of them says anything. Eric and Aladdin just stare out, at the Isle of the Lost, thinking of the two kids they personally unknowingly condemned to a life full of fear and misery. This wasn’t supposed to happen; when they built the Isle this wasn’t what any of them wanted.

“We have to get them out of there.”

“I know.”

They just wanted to build a better safer place for their own children but not at the expense of innocent lives.

*

There’s no place that makes Aladdin feel more like an imposter than the Council room. Dressed up like a sultan, conversing with the leaders of Auradon’s various nations, all of it reminds Aladdin of his time pretending to be Prince Ali. He hates how stuffy he feels in his robes and how that feeling hasn’t changed in the six years he’s been married to Jasmine.

“We can do this, Aladdin.” Jasmine says, her arms holding him close. “Even if they deny us, we’ll try again and again until they do.”

“She’s right, Al. We’ll get Jay away from… we’ll save him.” Genie places his hands on Aladdin and Jasmine’s shoulders.

This is it. The moment the three of them have been waiting for. All they need to do is convince the Council to remove Jay from Jafar’s custody and place him in theirs. Easy, simple really. It’s not like the Council has a history of denying anything Isle related.

Aladdin nods, Genie removes his hands from their shoulders, and Jasmine leads them into the Council chambers. He can do this, Aziz, Jordan, and Jubilee are still in Agrabah being watched over by Jasmine’s dad. The Sultan is always more than happy to spend time with his grandchild and was more than happy to include both of Genie’s kids.

The Council is fully seated, awaiting their arrival. It takes every bit of Aladdin’s strength not to run from the room; he’s not an imposter, he’s supposed to be here.

“Welcome, what can we do for Agrabah?” Belle gestures to the three empty chairs. There’s a glint in her eyes that Aladdin recognizes from whenever Jasmine figures out one of his schemes.

Belle knows exactly why they’re here; Aladdin can tell. She’s rooting for them and her support, even unvoiced, is more than enough to boost Aladdin’s confidence. Jasmine gracefully lowers herself into one of the empty seats and Aladdin hopes he mimics her as he sits.

Genie wastes no time, moving closer to the table, refusing to sit. “Let’s cut to the chase, there’s only one thing we want from this Council.”

“We were recently informed of Jay’s existence, and we strongly believe he must be removed from Jafar’s custody immediately.” Jasmine begins, siting straight up every bit the regal princess she is.

Around the room, various Councilmembers begin talking among themselves. Aurora preens; a viscous smile spread across her face. It’s moments like this that remind Aladdin that Maleficent did play a key role in raising her.

“And who’s custody shall we place him in then?” Sir Lancelot, the Council’s newest member, asks.

Knights are supposed to be chivalrous. They’re protectors of the weak and innocent, so he should, in theory, be on their side. He knows for sure that Aurora and Belle are guaranteed to support them. Freeing kids from the Isle is their current passion project.

Maybe they should have brought Eric and Ariel with them. They could ask for custody of Uma; really guilt the Council to their cause.

“Ours.” And who knew that one itty bitty word could cause such an outroar?

“The nerve!” Queen Leah exclaims; one hand dramatically held atop her heart.

Sir Lancelot tips his head in what Aladdin can only hope is approval. Aurora attempts to bring the room back into order as Belle tries in vain to shout overtop everyone else. Genie gives him and Jasmine a wink and two thumbs up.

Aladdin has to admit; this is going way better than he expected. Truthfully, not being shut down immediately and set back home is better than they could hope for.

“Unfortunately, we still have no way to guarantee no villains will escape upon opening the barrier.” Fairy Godmother begins, her voice finally cutting through the noise.

“Please!” Aladdin shouts, rising from his seat. He slams both of his hands onto the hard surface of the table. “You approved sending armed guards into the Isle of the Lost but refuse to even consider freeing children!”

“That’s completely different!” Queen Leah yells back.

“How mother? How is that any better than what Belle and I are trying to achieve!” Aurora screams; there’s a hint of hysteria lacing her every word.

“The Guards are there to protect and hand out the supplies you insist on giving away.” The former queen gestures angrily, swatting several papers across the table.

“Hey! Can we focus on the child we’re trying to save instead of your mommy issues.” Genie yells.  

The yelling starts up again. Chairs scrape against the floor as the Councilmembers all across the room get more and more passionate. It’s crazy how just a mere moment ago they were all acting like rational adults and now they’re bickering like literal children. It’s no wonder there’s been little to no progress in freeing the children of the Isle.

Aladdin doesn’t care how long it takes or how much yelling he needs to do to achieve his goal. He won’t stop, neither will Jasmine or Genie, until Jay is safely by their side.

Chapter Text

Ten years is a long time to go without seeing your soulmate; in the eyes of mortals, that is. Persephone is a goddess, for her, ten years is barely a blip of her eternal lifespan. But that doesn’t really help ease her heart as year after year flies by.

It’s not as though she truly knew Hades before his banishment to the Isle of the Lost. In all honesty, their first and only meeting was completely one-sided.

Persephone had attended the celebration of Hercules’s birth with her mother, Demeter. She remembers the day well since it was the first time she’d ever left the Mortal Realm; the first time she went to Mount Olympus. She had met many of her fellow gods and goddesses for the first time that day, but Hades is the one she remembers most.

He arrived in a flash of darkness and fire. Hair aflame in brilliant blue flames that occasionally burst into deep orange, a scowl permanently plastered upon his face, yes Persephone remembers Hades very vividly. He didn’t stay long, just long enough to congratulate Hera and Zeus before storming out to the echoes of laughter emanating from their fellow Olympians.

She knew, even before she looked down upon her compass, that Hades was destined for her.

There was a moment, one single moment, before Hades left the party where Persephone considered running after him. She didn’t, and it’ll be her greatest regret. Maybe if she had, Hades wouldn’t have tried to conquer Olympus or kill Hercules. Maybe she could have convinced him to let it all go.  

Ten years is a long time to dwell on what could have been and that’s not even considering the time that passed in between Hercules’s kidnapping and return to Mount Olympus. Dwelling on their one and only meeting doesn’t help anyone. It doesn’t help Persephone, and it certainly won’t help Hades. Persephone may have failed her soulmate, but she won’t repeat that mistake with his son.

She stumbled upon his existence by accident, the nymphs in her mother’s garden are terrible gossips who were more than eager to share just how shaken up Olympus was by the demi-god’s existence. It’s not every day that the leader of Olympus finds out his estranged older brother has a six-year-old son.

She thinks of him often, Hades’s little demi-god, sealed away far from Olympus. It’s a childhood she’s familiar with; she too grew up barred from Olympus. Although hers was a result of her mother’s overprotective nature and not due to several crimes committed against the gods and mortals alike.

Still, her heart breaks for that little boy just as badly as it yearns for his father. Achite did not choose his parentage, he didn’t ask to exist. It’s not his fault Hades nearly succeeded in his quest for power, nor should he be punished for something that happened before his birth.

Persephone doesn’t understand how no one else sees that by leaving Achite sealed away, they’re repeating the same mistakes they made with Hades. The same can be said for all the children born on the Isle of the Lost. Their fates will forever be aligned with evil if evil is all they truly know.

She wants to do something, for Achite, for all the children sealed away due to their parents’ misgivings, but Achite may be the only one she can truly advocate for. It would be easier for a Goddess to claim responsibility over a demigod than a mortal. Both Auradon and Olympus prefer if Olympus handles all things Godly.

In that regard, Persephone has the advantage in helping Achite but ultimately all she can do is ask. It is Zeus who has the final say and without it Achite is doomed to live on the Isle for all eternity. Seeing as Achite’s existence has been known for a short while now and Zeus hasn’t demanded his return, Persephone knows she has her work cut out for her.

She just wished she knew if revealing that Hades is her soulmate would help or hinder her efforts.

For now, she’ll keep that little tidbit of information to herself. After all, one should never tip their full hand in the very first round. First, she’ll find some allies for her cause; others who truly wish to help free Achite. Once they’ve gained enough traction, Persephone will bring her cause to Zeus.

While her mother’s distain of Hades is quite famously known, Persephone knows- hopes- her mother can separate Achite from her hatred of Hades. She doesn’t blame her mother for hating the God, his actions did severely damage both Olympus and the Mortal Realm. But those actions weren’t Achite’s, and it’s not like a six-year-old demigod can finish what Hades started.

It doesn’t take Persephone long to find her mother; Demeter can stand out of any crowd, Goddess or not. Mother turns to face her, a bright smile lighting up her face, before she continues cataloguing their current supplies for their upcoming harvest.

“Good morning, Mother.” Persephone greets.

“Hello, love.” Mother sets down her clipboard, giving Persephone her full attention as she gestures to a picnic table nearby. Persephone follows mother, taking a seat across from her.

“Mother, I want to do something. Something that might seem rash or wrong, but I truly think it’s the right thing to do.” All mother does is raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. “I want to convince Zeus to have Achite released from the Isle of the Lost.”

Persephone braces for her mother’s reaction. Several emotions flicker across mother’s face, all too fast for Persephone to read them. Something glistens in mother’s eyes before she settles on an impassive look Persephone recognizes from her childhood; one she usually saw right before mother began lecturing her.

“Why would you do such a thing?” Mother’s tone isn’t harsh or angry but rather neutral or inquisitive.

“Ever since we learned of his existence everyone has acted like he’s a threat to Olympus. As if a six-year-old wants to finish what his dad started. But I see myself. A child growing up far away from Olympus due to choices out of their control.”

“Persephone, I raised you away from Olympus so their drama wouldn’t affect you. I just wanted to keep you safe.” There’s an edge to mother’s voice, one that feels like it’s breaking her heart in two.

“No mother! I meant that I understood his loneliness, not that I hated my childhood. I’m happy with how you raised me. Were there times when I felt you were too protective? Yes, but that that doesn’t make you a bad parent.”

“But you worry for the son of Hades. You think Olympus has placed the boy in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Zeus fears the boy will turn out like Hades, so Olympus has scorned Achite in the same way Hades felt we did, thus ensuring Achite will be his father’s avenger.”

“He’s only six.” Her voice cracks at Achite’s age. A few tears slip down her face. She has to save him.   

“He is only six.” Mother opens her mouth as if to continue talking, but she closes it instead. “Very well, I will aid you in this endeavor. But we’re only saving Achite, right?”

“Yes mother, Hades will remain on the Isle.”

*

Despite spending the majority of her time in the Mortal Realm, this is Persephone’s first time on a beach. She grew up in her mother’s beautiful farmhouse, growing crops and raising animals alongside the nymphs and her mother. While she wandered into the small towns and bright cities, visiting rivers and lakes as she strolled through forests, beaches never really interested her.

But Poseidon is here, at this very beach, and Persephone hopes to add him to her list of allies for Achite. Mother had told her that Poseidon had been close to Hades before Hercules’s kidnapping. If any of the Gods or Goddesses of Olympus cared about helping Achite, apart from her, it would be him.

That alone makes all the sand slipping between her sandals worth it.

“Greeting Persephone! Welcome to our beach.” Poseidon boasts loudly, an arm wrapped around his wife Amphitrite’s shoulders.

The two ocean rulers stand with their feet in the turf, small waves and wet sand washing over their ankles. It takes all of Persephone’s self-control not to let the disgust she feels show on her face. Dry sand is already bad enough, but she has zero desire to feel wet sand between her toes. But she isn’t here for herself, if Achite has to bear the Isle, then Persephone can brave the sands.

“What brings you here?” Amphitrite asks once Persephone approaches.

Persephone lets out a tiny eek as a small wave washes over her toes. Poseidon laughs aloud while Amphitrite gently pats her shoulder as she giggles faintly. Still laughing, Poseidon guides both her and his wife away from the waves and onto drier land.

“It must be rather important considering your love of the water.” Amphitrite says, one hand trying and failing to stifle her laughter.

She might as well just rip the bandage off and hope for the best. There’s not really an easy way to sugarcoat wanting to free the son of one’s estranged brother. Can one even sugarcoat that? Maybe she really should have tried to delve deeper into Olympian society before trying this?

“I want to ask Zeus to free Achite from the Isle of the lost and I would like your support.”

“Done!” Poseidon says excitedly and Amphitrite nods in agreement.

“You can count on both of us.”

“Really?” Persephone can’t help but feel like this is too good to be true. Both God and Goddess give her matching looks. “I just didn’t think it would be that easy.”

“I, for one, would gladly welcome my nephew here. Zeus, on the other hand, may not be quite as happy.” Poseidon chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his head as his eyes drift over to the ocean horizon.

While you can’t actually see the Isle of the Lost or the golden hue of its barrier, Persephone knows Poseidon is looking in its direction. She does it too, sometimes, staring off into the distance thinking of the Isle; or more accurately the God and demigod the residing there.

“Were the two of you close?” None of them need clarification on who Persephone is referring to. “My mother said you were but that was a long time ago, right?”

Poseidon finally pulls his eyes away from the sea. “Hades and I were close but not in recent centuries. I didn’t realize how much he was pulling away. I just thought he hated third wheeling his brothers.” He chuckles darkly and shakes his head. “I won’t abandon Achite, not like …”

His voice trails off. Amphitrite moves closer, drawing her soulmate into an affectionate hug. For a brief moment, jealousy constricts her heart, but Persephone lets it simmer out. She might not be with her soulmate, and she might never be able to truly know him, but she can’t afford to let hatred shroud her heart.

“I thought Poseidon and I were the only ones who cared.”

Persephone tilts her head at that. The nymphs mentioned Olympus had quite the reaction but not how the other Gods and Goddesses felt personally. The nymphs talked about Achite as if the boy would be their doom, the final nail in Olympus’s coffin.

“Is Achite’s existence so bad? Does Olympus really hate a child that much because of who his father is?” Suddenly Persephone is very thankful she never ever told anyone about Hades being her soulmate.

Poseidon lets out a long-winded sigh. “Zeus has concerns, especially since Achite could potentially control the Underworld. If he were to follow in Hades’s footsteps…. Well, we have no idea who his mother is or what she passed onto Achite. He could be just a normal demigod or something entirely unknown.”

And isn’t that something Persephone never stopped to consider. Achite has to have a mother somewhere on the Isle. She has no idea what the nature of that pairing is. Is she involved in Achite’s life? Are she and Hades happy and in love, neither caring about how they’re defying the Fates. Unless they are soulmates, and Persephone is the one being in the whole world whose soulmate isn’t fated to with her.

Well, isn’t that a depressing thought…

“Zeus and Hera were caught off guard. Give them time and they’ll warm up to the boy’s existence.” Amphitrite says with a warm smile. “I’m sure Achite will be welcomed into Olympus in no time.”

Persephone hopes with every fiber of her divine being that Amphitrite is right; that Zeus can separate his hatred of Hades in order to save his nephew. Achite might just be the only good part of Hades left in the world and Persephone will do whatever it takes to preserve that goodness within him.

*

Eventually Persephone reaches a point where she risks exposing her goals prematurely to Zeus if she continues asking for support. While Poseidon, Amphitrite, and her mother have pledged support, the other Gods of Olympus are a different story.

Many of her fellow Olympians are either children of Zeus or his biggest supporters. Asking for their aid may backfire on her. Besides, there is a part of her that feels wrong asking the very people hurt most by Hades’s actions to defend Achite to Zeus.

Would Athena risk defying Zeus in any capacity on Persephone or Achite’s behalf? Would Ares even care enough to try? Hermes? Apollo or Artemis? No, it’s probably best for her to leave them alone. The support she has already acquired must be enough; anymore and she risks looking like some kind of traitor conspiring behind Zeus’s back.

Which is how Persephone finds herself back on Olympus, awaiting an audience with Zeus himself.

Of course, being a bundle of nervous anticipation, Persephone finds herself arriving at Olympus several hours too early. She finds herself walking around in long loops all leading back to the same room; and it’s not the one she’s meeting Zeus in.

Aphrodite’s lavish tearoom is often used for the Olympians to regal the Goddess of their tales of love, Olympian gossip, or their quests in finding their eternal other half. Persephone has never gone, mainly because she knows exactly where Hades is and because she has no desire to be pitied. No one likes to know their epic love story is a tragedy doomed from the start.

For what else could her tale with Hades be, if not a warning of letting your soulmate slip away from you?

And yet, she finds herself walking back towards the room’s entrance. The flowery perfume beckons her inside. The lights glow invitingly and despite every reason playing in her mind on why this is a bad idea, Persephone pushes the door open.

Carefully she shuts the door behind her, the click of handle slipping back into place echoes faintly across the room. Persephone takes a few tentative steps deeper inside. She takes in the room before her, its beautiful pink couches lined in iridescent pearls, the several towering myrtle trees everblooming in pink, purple, and white flowers whose petals line the floor tastefully. There’s even a small fountain nearby that smells faintly of salt water.

All in all, the room is more beautiful than Persephone ever imagined but that shouldn’t surprise her too much considering the space is Aphrodite’s.

The Goddess in question is also present, watching Persephone enter from where she’s draped herself over one of the pink couches. Aphrodite twirls on of the myrtle flowers, a purple one, between her fingers as she beckons Persephone closer. Aphrodite’s legs slide off the couch, creating the perfect spot for Persephone to sit.

For a while neither Goddess says anything. Aphrodite sits up a little straighter, studying Persephone intensely while Persephone finds herself feeling increasingly unnerved. She still isn’t sure why she’s entered this place. Persephone isn’t usually one for idled gossip or someone who seeks out romantic advice.  

Aphrodite holds out the flower to Persephone. She takes it, admiring both the color and smell the myrtle provides. “I was wondering if you would ever find your way here.” Aphrodite teases.

Persephone twists the myrtle between her fingers, “I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure why I’m here.” She sets the flower down upon her lap. “Recently, I’ve been trying to find a way to help the children on the Isle or more accurately, I’ve been trying to gather support to have Achite freed.”

“Because his father is your soulmate?”

“No!” Persephone states more firmly than intended. “Because he’s a child who shouldn’t be punished for his parents’ crimes and I -wait. You know?!” She clutches the golden band placed atop her wrist that hides her compass from view.

Aphrodite smirks, “I am the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Persephone. I know everyone’s soulmates.”

A million thoughts run amuck inside Persephone’s mind. There are a thousand questions begging to be asked. But Persephone can’t latch onto a single one. All she can do is stare in shock at the Goddess across from her.

Persephone has never discussed her soulmate with anyone. Most of the people she interacts with are respectful about her desire to keep her soulmate to herself. Hades is a topic she hasn’t even told her mother about. If she’s being entirely honest, Persephone tries not to dwell on it even within the privacy of her own mind.

“Why would you do this to me?” Persephone feels her throat tightening as tears threaten to spill from her eyes.

Knowing exactly where her soulmate is, knowing how much everyone around her despises him is a cruelty Persephone wouldn’t wish upon anyone. A part of the reason she’s kept her nonexistent relationship a secret is because she doesn’t want that hatred and blame placed upon her.

Aphrodite’s teasing smile drops, her laidback demeaner slips away. “I don’t pick people’s soulmates, at least not in the way you’re thinking. My gift to humanity, and to my fellow divine beings, is the chance to meet your greatest love. A soulmate is your most perfect match but it’s not a guarantee of love everlasting.”

“So, we may have missed our chance, is what you’re saying? That we could have been happy and in love but not anymore?”

“Or maybe your destiny is still unfolding, the Fates may still be meddling with your futures. We are immortal, maybe you’ll get another chance several centuries from now or maybe you’ll never see Hades ever again. I am not a Goddess of Fate and nor do I possess the ability to see the future.”

She takes Persephone’s hands within her own and wipes away the fallen tears from Persephone’s face. Persephone lets Aphrodite’s words comfort her bruised heart. The future is an enigma Persephone can’t crack. All she can focus on is making choices she won’t regret in the future and saving Achite is a decision she’ll never regret.

*

Persephone stays in Aphrodite’s tearoom for far longer than she ever intended. It turns out being able to speak aloud about having Hades as a soulmate with someone is really satisfying. She should have tried this years ago.

The only downside is Persephone spends a little too much time there, meaning she needed to rush out of the room and down the halls of Mount Olympus in order to make it to her meeting on time. Fortunately, she isn’t late when she arrives but the loud voices and the thunder booming in the distance tells her the meeting may have started without her.

Persephone makes her way over to Amphitrite who’s still standing outside in the hall, as Poseidon and Zeus continue arguing inside the meeting room. Her fellow Goddess gives her a small smile and, even without all the thunder booming and the lighting flashing, Persephone knows it isn’t going well.

“What happened?” Persephone whispers, hyperaware of the two angry Gods nearby.

Amphitrite sighs, “Poseidon, in his eagerness to bring Achite home, began the discussion without. Zeus, as you can clearly see, did not appreciate this endeavor.”

“Well, I hoped this meeting would be resolved quickly but never did I imagine this.” Mother says once she arrives, eyeing the two Gods in disappointment.

“Should we do something?” Persephone asks just Zeus gestures angrily at his brother. Poseidon scoffs before continuing as if Zeus had never spoken.

“Do something about what?” Hera asks. Her gaze shifts into the meeting room where she no doubt sees the argument unfolding. “Ah, never mind. Come let us have a more civilized talk elsewhere.”

Hera leads the three of them across the halls to a different meeting room, one that’s far enough away for the four of them to talk without Zeus or Poseidon echoing in the background. Hera takes her place at the head of the table while Amphitrite sits across from Persephone and Demeter.

“Now, what has our husbands bickering like small children?” Hera asks of Amphitrite, eyeing her sister-in-law with amusement.

“Our nephew, or rather whether or not Achite remains on the Isle.” Amphitrite answers without an ounce of fear.

Persephone feels a bit envious with how calm both Amphitrite and her mother appear. She feels like a tree that’s been struck by lightning; one wrong move here today and she might actually be struck.

The amusement falls from Hera’s face and suddenly Persephone wants to be in the same room as the angry Gods. There’s something about the unreadable expression on Hera’s face that’s more terrifying than Zeus hurling lightning bolts at Poseidon.

Hera eyes each of the three Goddesses before her. “I take it that means all three of you feel the same as Poseidon.”

“Personally, I feel that Achite should not be punished alongside his father. Achite is innocent in those crimes and is only a child.” Persephone speaks up before either her mother or Amphitrite can.

“I agree but my husband needs more time to see it. Hopefully by the time Zeus sees reason, Achite is still capable of being saved.” Hera says, looking mournfully at the dark clouds and flashes of lightning.

All Persephone can do is watch helplessly at the flashing of lightning and hope Zeus changes his mind soon.

Chapter Text

It’s crazy to think this all started because Alice fell down a hole into Wonderland as a child. Sometimes Alice wonders what her life would have been like if she hadn’t chased that white rabbit into Wonderland. Would Wonderland still be under the Queen of Heart’s control? Would she have ever met her soulmate?

The former Queen of Wonderland had been sealed away on the Isle of the Lost for the last fifteen years, which is the same amount of time Wonderland has been sealed away too. Alice is sure those two points are connected. What Alice doesn’t know is if that’s the Queen of Heart’s doing or just Wonderland being Wonderland.

The entrance to the whimsical world is still there but no one seems able to pass through into Wonderland. The best Fairy Godmother and Merlin could conclude was that the Queen of Hearts either magically sealed the entrance or Wonderland itself is keeping the people of Auradon out. Either way, Alice, despite her best efforts, can’t return back to the magical land of her childhood adventures.

Returning to Wonderland, seeing all the friends she left behind again, has been her one true goal since the Isle’s creation.

That goal is what led her to the Darlings of Neverland. Like her, the three Darling children had, under slightly different circumstances, wandered into a magical realm so unlike their own, only to be returned home with a thrill for adventure their old reality could never satisfy. Of course, the Darlings could, and have, return to Neverland whenever they please.

One would think Alice would have been seething with jealousy as her soulmate, John Darling, sailed her to Neverland, but Alice could hardly think over the frantic beating of her heart and the bright blushing of her cheeks. Truthfully all Alice wants is to be able to share the wonderful wackiness of Wonderland with her soulmate and their children just as John has shared Neverland with them.

Still, fifteen years is a long time to search for a solution that just doesn’t seem to exist. And a lot has changed since Auradon’s founding; Alice found her soulmate in John Darling, and they have two beautiful children in Avery and Jacob. She just wishes Avery could explore a Wonderland free of the Queen of Hearts; at least they have Neverland for that.

Watching Avery chase her cousin, Jane Darling-Stuart, as they reenact the pirate battles Peter Pan and his Lost Boys had with the fearsome Captain Hook never fails to bring a smile her face. Avery, at eleven, reminds Alice so much of herself at that age; although she was having unbirthday parties with the Mad Hatter and the Hare while Avery gets to fly with fairies and swim with mermaids.

Maybe Alice can be satisfied with this life, replacing Wonderland with Neverland, and having her husband and their children accompany her on their own wacky adventures. Well, maybe once Jacob’s a little older; he’s still only one after all. Perhaps Wonderland will have to live on through the stories Alice tells her children?

If Alice has looked for a way back into Wonderland and come up empty-handed and so has everyone else who has done the same, then maybe there is no way back. Maybe the Queen of Hearts really did seal away her kingdom so no one else could ever return.

Alice thinks the Queen of Hearts has bigger things to worry about than Wonderland. After all, it must be hard running Wonderland from the Isle, if that’s even a thing one can do. Alice has no idea what the Queen gets up to on the Isle, apart from raising her own kid. Red would be about eight now, making her the same age as Wendy’s daughter Jane.

Poor girl, the Isle of the Lost doesn’t seem like the kind of place filled with grand adventures or whimsical fun.

*

Alice has just placed Jacob in his bassinet when she spots Avery lurking in the hall from the corner of her eye. She takes one more moment to ensure Jacob is perfectly fine and still asleep before making her way over to Avery.

Carefully, Alice shuts the door but leaves it slightly ajar in case he wakes up again. She offers out her hand for Avery to take. Her daughter takes it, and the pair makes their way back to Avery’s room. Neither of them says a word, not until after Alice has tucked Avery back into her own bed.

Avery fiddles nervously with her covers before looking up at Alice. She frowns, opening her mouth to speak but closes it before any words come out. The cycle repeats a few times before Alice decides to interrupt the process. It’s one thing to give your child time to form their thoughts but it’s another thing entirely to watch the struggle without helping.

“Do you know why a raven is like a writing desk?”

Avery pauses; an inquisitive look overtakes her previous frustrated look. Alice watches as her daughter ponders the same question that has haunted her own curiosity since Hatter asked Alice all those years ago.

“No mommy, I don’t. Why is a raven like a writing desk?”

“Well, I don’t know either. Hatter and I never really got that far.”

“Then why would you ask me!” Avery giggles in faux anger.

“I believe life is better with a few mysteries, don’t you?” Alice leans in closely, tickles Avery, and presses a quick kiss onto her forehead. “Life would be rather dull without them.”

Avery’s darts nervously between her hands and Alice. “Is that why Wonderland is gone?”

Alice lets out a quiet noise, not quite agreement but not disagreement either. The crux of the matter is Alice doesn’t know why Wonderland is gone. She has no idea if or when the whimsical world will return. While her attempts to find an answer led her to happiness she never thought possible, it did come with any answers.

“Perhaps that will be your mystery to solve. Maybe, one day, it’ll be your turn to wander into Wonderland.” Is the answer she settles on. “Or maybe Wonderland was just a fantasy I dreamed up long ago.”

Avery nods, her head falling softly onto her pillow. Alice takes a moment to brush a few of Avery’s stray blonde hairs from her face. Another kiss is placed atop her forehead and blankets are carefully tucked around her daughter’s sleeping frame.

Carefully Alice tiptoes out of Avery’s room and takes one more glance back at her daughter before closing the door as gently as she can. She takes a moment to stop by Jacob’s nursery, watching the rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps soundly, before making her way back to her own bedroom.

“Hello darling.” Alice teases as she closes the door to their bedroom.

John turns around from his side of the bed, tie half undone and pajamas laid out on the bed waiting to be worn. He smiles at her and even after all their years together, John’s smile never fails to bring butterflies to her stomach.

“Hello dearest.” He holds out a hand for her, one she gladly takes. He caresses it softly before placing a delicate kiss onto her skin. “How are our little explores faring?”

Alice takes a seat on their bed before answering. “Jacob’s resting but he’ll probably wake up in a few hours for a bottle and Avery has questions about Wonderland.”

“Oh? What kind of questions?”

“Mostly about its disappearance and whether or not someone can wander back in.”

“Ah, I see.” John takes off his tie and sets it down on his nightstand before taking a seat beside her. “I just wish we had more answers for her; for them both.”

*

It happens unexpectedly; the answer to returning Wonderland.

One moment Alice is sorting through letters when she finds it. A red envelope with black trimmings addressed Auradon on behalf of Wonderland. The other letters slip from her fingers, scattering onto the floor, but Alice can’t be bothered to care.

Alice has no doubts that the handwriting is Hatter’s.

Relief flows through her. If Hatter wrote this letter, even on Wonderland’s behalf, then that means he’s still alive. It means all the friends she left behind might be alive. There’s still a chance she can see them again; there’s still a chance she can introduce her children to them and all of the whimsy their land provides.

Without wasting anymore time, Alice flips the letter over. She gently rubs her finger over the red wax seal preventing her from ripping the letter wide open. It’s shaped like a heart with a trimming of roses all around the heart’s border. Even after all these years, Alice can recognize the Queen of Heart’s royal sigil.

Alice darts across her kitchen, desperately looking for a letter opener or anything sharp enough to render the wax from the envelope. She needs to know what answers are contained within the contents of the letter. She needs to know the last fifteen years weren’t wasting on a fool’s errand.

With the letter opener in hand, Alice slices through the hard wax and paper with ease. She pulls the letter from the envelope, setting the ripped envelope and the letter opener onto the table with clattering force.

Gently, she unfolds the letter, her eyes quickly scanning its short contents as she tries to process the words she’s reading.

Twinkle twinkle little bat

How we wonder where you’re at

Sealed away we hope to find

Our hidden Diamond left behind.

Without her Heir our borders stay sealed

Until Auradon acts, Wonderland can’t be healed

She reads through the letter two more times before the words click in her mind. Wonderland is, and will remain, sealed away from the rest Auradon until the Queen of Heart’s heir is removed from the Isle. At least, that’s what Alice assumes Hatter is saying. Which sucks for Alice, and the citizens of Wonderland, since Auradon refuses to remove any of the VKs from the Isle.

Luckily, Alice already knows exactly who the Heir to Wonderland is. Alice isn’t entirely sure how Wonderland found out about Princess Red’s existence, being as cut off as it is. All Alice can do is hope the Council can be swayed to her plight and that Princess Red hasn’t inherited her mother’s cruel heart or head removing tendencies.

Still, for the first time in fifteen years, Alice has answers to the question she’s been failing to solve. A solution that even the strongest of royals haven’t cracked. If Queen Belle couldn’t persuade the Council fifteen years ago, if Queen Aurora couldn’t convince the Council after all her efforts, then what hope does Alice have?

Alice isn’t a royal heir or an important hero of Auradon’s past. She’s just woman who wants to bring whimsy into her family’s lives.

But if Belle and Aurora haven’t given up after all this time, if Eric and Aladdin haven’t stopped trying to free the children of their villains, then Alice refuses to give up too. Alice spent the majority childhood looking for a way back into Wonderland, spent the entirety of her adult life searching for Wonderland’s entrance; so, she’s more than ready to dedicate the rest of her life to liberating the children of the Isle.

After all, in Alice’s opinion, no child is born evil. Wickedness is something you’re taught, something that warps your heart and taints your actions.

*

There’s something intimidating about facing the full Council. It almost reminds Alice of her trial with the Queen of Heart’s court. A room full of eyes staring her down, the full weight of her decisions replaying in her mind accompanied by the knowledge that everyone there had already decided her fate; that the trial was more for show than justice.

Yes, Auradon’s Council members would blend in perfectly among the Court of Hearts. Well, only if you dipped them all in red first.

She can imagine it clearly; Belle in a crimson dress covered in red roses, Aurora in black and red with satin hearts sew in, King Triton draped in red shells arranged to form a heart, Sir Lancelot in shiny black armor with a red cape shaped like a heart. Fairy Godmother and Merlin clad in matching outfits like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. And Alice doesn’t dare share the image of the Goddess of Wisdom dressed up like a Heart’s court jester aloud.   

Complete with Queen Leah adorned in jewels, a fancy crown of gold and red atop her head just like Wonderland’s former queen.

Alice shakes the image of the Councilmembers covered in red and hearts from her mind. She can’t afford to go into this distracted, not with Wonderland or Princess Red on the line.  There’s a child depending on her, one who may be just like her own daughter, full of innocence and a trill for adventure.

“Alice Darling, how many this Council serve you today?” Aurora greets warmly.

“Earlier this week, I received a letter from Wonderland.” Around the room, many councilors’ eyes snap towards her. “It appears that Wonderland cannot open its borders without its ruler present.”

“Don’t tell me Wonderland is begging for the Queen of Hearts back after all these years!” Queen Leah scoffs in a way that reminds Alice so much of the Queen of Hearts.

Alice has to bite her cheek to prevent herself from saying that aloud. She doesn’t think Queen Leah would appreciate the comparison. Aurora might. Perhaps Alice should share that revelation with the Briar-Rose Heir at a later date?

“No, the letter states they wish for their heir, Princess Red, to be returned to Wonderland.” Alice watches each councilor as she speaks, cataloging their reactions as she does so. She places the letter down on the table, watching as each person reads it for themselves.

Aurora and Belle seemed to have expected this outcome. Sir Lancelot’s expression is unreadable. Fairy Godmother, Merlin, and King Triton all appear to be pondering the magical ramifications of Wonderland’s demand. Even Athena taps her fingers against the wooden table as the Goddess thinks.

It’s only Queen Leah who appears annoyed by the whole ordeal.

If memory serves Alice, Wendy once mentioned the whole Council must vote in unison for anything Isle related. It’s her understanding that its purely Queen Leah’s vote holding the Council back from making any true changes to the Isle of the Lost.

No wonder Aurora is so irked by her mother’s antics. It’s one thing to be undermined but it’s another thing entirely for your own mother to be one doing the undermining. Alice can’t imagine doing anything like that to Avery or Jacob, especially if she lost them for sixteen years due to some dark fey’s murderous plot. 

“I refuse to keep entertaining this dangerous ideology. Those children were damned from the moment of their birth. Let’s not delude ourselves into thinking we could have saved them.”

The room falls into an eerie silence once Queen Leah finishes her little rant. The tension congeals as everyone slowly looks towards the queen, the intensity of their emotions smothering the oxygen out of the room. If Alice had any ability to sense magic, she knows the Council room would resemble a powder keg on the verge of exploding.

It’s Merlin who finally breaks the silence, in a stuttering mess of words, “Your majesty, we’re discussing the children not their parents!”

Leah scoffs, eyes rolling as she rudely dismisses Camelot’s court sorcerer. “If you think for a second any one of those villains raised their children with our wellbeing in mind than you have clearly forgotten what they’re capable of!”

“Mother! Please think of the children!” Aurora pleads but even Alice can see there’s no convincing Leah; not with the hatred burning in her eyes.

Anger explodes across Leah’s face and Alice can’t help but recoil from the speed at which the queen rises from her seat. Hands slamming onto the table, Leah all but screechers, “I am the only one thinking of the children! Our children! Your children! Or do you think Audrey will be spared? Or Ben?”

Belle’s face pale as Alice assumes she imagines her eleven-year-old son facing Gaston or his sons. Whatever spark of fight left in her eyes seems to diminish. Aurora on the other hand seems enraged her mother would even suggest Audrey being harmed by Maleficent or the dark fey’s young daughter.

But Leah isn’t finished with her ranting and raving. “Do you think your precious granddaughter will be spared? That Ursula or her wretched daughter will grant Melody any mercy? Or that Morgana and her sons will leave Camelot alone without any bloodshed?”

“That’s enough, Queen Leah.” Sir Lancelot says, his tone just as sharp as the sword he wields.

In Leah’s defense, she does pause at the knight’s words, her mouth ajar and one hand still gesturing between Merlin and King Triton. In fact, all of the Councilmembers freeze in place. The tension reaches max solidity and Alice gets the impression no one really remembers she’s there.

Alice sighs aloud, drawing everyone’s attention to herself. “I see this Council can no longer help me with my endeavors. You know how to reach me if you change your mind.”

Alice takes back her letter from Wonderland before leaving the Council room. The large doors slam shut behind her. She isn’t sure what exactly will happen between the Councilmembers now that’s she has left. Frankly, she doesn’t really care. If Auradon won’t help her then Alice will find someone else who will.

John knows many people, some of which are magical in nature too. Alice has no doubts he’ll help her free Princess Red and the rest of the Isle’s children, even if it means tearing down the barrier themselves.

With a new mission in mind, Alice heads to her husband. Together they’ll set sail for Neverland. After all Alice knows for a fact Peter Pan wants to bring Captain Hook’s children to Neverland. Maybe the immortal child will have an idea of how to break the barrier?

Alice just hopes this plan won’t take another fifteen years to complete.  

Chapter Text

Ben’s whole body shakes in anticipation as he stands before the double doors of the Council Room. This is it. His whole life has led him to this moment. Ben can hear the idle chatter of the councilors beyond the door. The exact words they share are muffled by the intense beating of his own heart.

Gently, his fingers caress the golden band atop his soul mark. ‘Soon, my love’ Ben can’t help but think. ‘Soon we’ll be united and not even death will pull us apart again.’

The beast within him purrs in agreement. For the first time since becoming aware of his cursed abilities, Ben feels as if his whole being is in perfect sync. The beast and the optimist both are in full agreement; no matter what happens within that room Ben won’t leave until his proclamation has been passed.

Even if he has to tear through the entire Council to make it so.

Not that Ben thinks he’ll have much resistance. Merlin and Fairy Godmother are confidante in their magical abilities to keep the barrier from coming down around them or let any of the actual villains escape. Mom and Queen Aurora have spent the majority of Aurora’s existence striving for this purpose. Sir Lancelot of Camelot, Athena, and King Triton are truly the only unknows Ben has to convince since Queen Leah retired last month.

All Ben needs to do is sway them to his plight; to ensure they agree with his cause. If Leah were still sitting on the Council, Ben might actually be concerned. Athena should be swayed by the logic of Ben’s argument. King Triton has no doubt spent his time listening to Queen Ariel and King Eric talk of their plans for freeing Uma from the Isle. It’s part of why Ben included the young sea witch on his list in the first place.

Of course, it was Audrey who gave Ben the idea although, he doubts, she knows it. ‘If you want someone to help you, then ensure they’ll reap some kind of benefit too.’ It was the advice Audrey first offered Ben when he first began preparing for his duties as Auradon’s future king. Back then, Ben felt the whole concept was a bit too manipulative for his liking.

Now, Ben thinks Audrey always knew he would struggle with dealing with the more difficult members of court and gave him solid advice. When school starts again in two months, he’ll be sure to thank her properly; especially if he’s found his soulmate by then.

Ben closes his eyes, letting the sound of his beating heart wash over him. He lets out a deep breath, squares his shoulders back, and pushes the Council doors open. With all the grace of a king, Ben takes his rightful seat among the Council.

Around the table, the other Councilors follow Ben’s lead, taking their respective seats beside him. His mom adjusts a stray hair as Queen Aurora shuffles some papers neatly into place. Merlin and Fairy Godmother finish up their conversation. Sir Lancelot turns his full attention to Ben as King Triton finishes a glass of water.

“Good morning, everyone, I for one am glad to welcome Prince Ben to our ranks.” Aurora says, starting their meeting.

Across the room, everyone states some type of acknowledgement to Ben’s presence. It’s welcoming in a way Ben wasn’t expecting from the very people who’ve spent twenty years unable to reach a common conclusion regarding the children of the Isle.

The beast wants to grow and bare his teeth in anger at their indecisiveness. It’s their fault his other half has been condemned to the Isle of the Lost all this time. It’s their fault innocent children have suffered for crimes committed before their births.

“Thank you for the warm welcome, your majesty.” Ben replies.

Aurora has tried her hardest to ensure the children of the Isle haven’t been forgotten. His ire shouldn’t be directed at her nor does he want it to be. Besides, Audrey might actually kill him if Ben dared to try.

His own mom offers him a warm smile before speaking. “I believe you have a proclamation already in mind?”

“I want to bring over eight teenagers from the Isle of the Lost to Auradon to teach them goodness.”

Each Councilor sits up straighter, their eyes now firmly pinned on Ben. Their expressions are unreadable to him and Ben can only hope that, with time and practice, he’ll be able to decipher them.

“Do you have eight children in mind already?” Sir Lancelot says, breaking the silence that threatened to overtake the room.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Ben sits up a little straighter, his eyes threatening all who dare to challenge him on this. It seems the beast is holding court as the optimist sits back. “I want to take the sons of Gaston, Cruella, James Hook, Jafar, and Hades and the daughters of Ursula, the Evil Queen, and Maleficent.”

For a while no one says anything. For a while, Ben resists the urge to scrape his nonexistent claws across the council table. He bites his tongue to stop himself from growling and tastes the metallic blood it draws.

His mother looks proud of him. Queen Aurora smiles so intensely that Ben can’t help but think it’s painful. Merlin and Fairy Godmother nod their heads in agreement. King Triton’s eyes have remained closed since Ursula’s name was said and Ben still can’t tell what emotion he’s feeling. Athena has been tense since Hades was mentioned and Sir Lancelot is studying the expressions of everyone else.

“You’ve put much thought into this.” Athena says her voice betraying no emotion.

“I have.” Is Ben’s only reply.

“Can you elaborate on how you reached this proclamation idea in the first place?” Athena asks.

Ben flexes his jaw, willing the beast to calm down. Even if he knows Athena asking for clarification isn’t a dismissal of his proclamation, the beast can’t help but feel slighted. The Goddess of Wisdom most likely wants to know all the factors before making a decision in either direction.

“The children trapped on the Isle of the Lost had no role in their parents’ crimes. They haven’t done anything to oppose or harm Auradon. They are innocent and leaving them to suffer alongside their parents is wrong. I can think of no better way to start my reign as King than to right that wrong.”

King Triton finally opens his eyes, looking at Ben the moment he finishes speaking. “You think we made a mistake in leaving the children there for so long?”

Ben can’t help but scoff at the merman’s words, regardless of his status in Atlantica. “Yes! You’ve all had twenty years to fix this and haven’t.”

“The Council requires the full support of its members to authorize something like that.” Merlin states nervously.

 “And what reason could this Council possibly have had that prevented them from freeing innocent children from the Isle?” Ben can feel his anger rising. The beast teeters at the edge of his control, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

It’s Audrey’s mother that finally answers the question. “It’s been decided that children raised by villains are only capable of evil no matter the age you remove them at.”

There’s an intensity to her voice that tells Ben this answer angers every fiber of her soul just as much as it angers his own. To think that the best heroes Auradon has to offer, it’s most brilliant minds ruled that literal children are beyond saving sickens him.

Red floods Ben’s vision and if the beast decides that everyone apart from his own mother and Audrey’s shouldn’t be spared from his wrath, well Ben couldn’t fault it.

“So, we should ship Rapunzel to the Isle then?” At the Councilors confused looks Ben continues, “Seeing as Gothel raised her.  Or how about Aurora? There was a time when you considered Maleficent your mother. That means you’re evil too, right?”

Ben rises from his seat and starts pacing around the Council Chambers like some kind of caged animal. He can’t even begin to think how caged the children on the Isle must feel.

“What about Anastasia Tremaine and Cinderella? Lady Tremaine raised both of them too! I’ll give my condolences to the Charmings and the Bakers! Oh! And we can’t forget about Snow White! Shall I break the news to King Florian or should all of you?!” Ben all but roars, panting hard as his rant finishes.

 “I believe you’ve made your point quite clear.” Ben can barely hear Athena over the blood pulsing past his ears.

He tries to reign the beast back in, scrunching his eyes shut as he takes several deep breaths. Ben knows he is lucky that the beast only used his words to slice deeply and not his fingernails or teeth. Slowly he walks back to his original seat. The red that clouded his vision fades away and the beast is chained back inside where it belongs.

“I apologize for my outburst.” Ben says solemnly. A good king shouldn’t be so quick to anger, and all Ben wants to be is good.

“That’s not necessary.” Sir Lancelot says, placing a reassuring hand atop Ben’s shoulder. “You called out the hypocrisy of this Council to defend innocents that are unable to defend themselves. Never apologize for doing what is right.”

“Sir Lancelot is right.” Fairy Godmother adds on. “We’ve let our emotions regarding those villains cloud our judgment of their children. The true crime is how long it’s taken to right this wrong.”

Athena nods sagely, “The truth of the matter is the only vote preventing us from removing any of the children on the Isle was Queen Leah’s.”

“What?” Ben gasps, his throat a little sore from his previous yelling.

“It’s true.” Aurora states sadly. “My mother couldn’t let go of her biases. She let it taint her perception of the children trapped there. No matter how much I tried to make her see reason, I just couldn’t sway her mind.”

King Triton chuckles darkly, “The only vote we were worried for was your own.”

“We all expected to spend this meeting convincing you to release the younger citizens of the Isle.” Merlin points out merrily.

“Well, now that we’re all finally on the same page, let’s save some children.” Sir Lancelot rises from his seat, “I’ll fetch the head of the Auradonian guard. Those children have waited long enough.”

All Ben can do is nod along. It feels surreal; even now Ben can’t help but feel like this is a dream he’ll awaken from at any moment. Around him, the other Councilors celebrate the success of Ben’s proclamation passing. Ben looks up just in time to make eye contact with Queen Aurora. Ben knows the huge smile on her face is mirrored on his own.  

*

If you had told Chip twenty years ago that he would be an adult man serving his king as an Auradonian Guard, he would have had two questions. The first would be something along the lines of ‘Who broke the curse?!’ and the second would be ‘What the heck is Auradon?!’.

And yet, here Chip is, still human, still serving King Adam just like his mother before him, albeit in a completely different way. Although by this time next year, it’ll be Adam’s son.

All Queen Belle has wanted to do since the creation of the Isle of the Lost is free the kids trapped there. For twenty years that sole goal has been sidelined by others, until now. Ben, who’s every bit as good as his mother, declared his first ever royal decree. One whose sole objective was freeing eight teenagers from the Isle of the Lost. Chip hopes both Belle and Adam are as proud as Ben as Chip is.

Which leads Chip to his current objective; finding said eight VKs and bringing them safely to Auradon Prep.

It’s a mission Chip is happy to carry out and carry it out he shall. He, alongside his fellow Guard members, need to push deeper into the Isle than any of their predecessors have before. Luckily for them, most of the kids on their list tend to group up.

Their first set of targets are the Sea Three, named for their proximity to the water and their occupations as pirates. Uma, daughter of Ursula, Harry, son of Captain Hook, and Gil, one of Gaston’s many sons, tend to stick closely to the docks.

Their group slowly makes their way to the docks, passing rundown house after house. There’s trash and grime littering the streets. Everywhere Chip looks he spots child after child, all of which are filthy, sickly pale, and skin wrapped tightly around bones. Ben’s proclamation couldn’t have come at a better time. Chip doubts these kids could survive much longer without Auradon’s intervention.

Captain Stuart motions for their group to stop. He gestures ahead of them to a small group of teens exiting the pier. There are approximately seven teenagers, six of which are dressed up like pirates. Their leader, Uma, stands out among them, blue braids and darkly colored clothes.

On either side of her stands the sons of Hook and Gaston. Harry bites the edge of a hook attached to his left hand, eyes wide with way too much mascara, and Chip really hopes it’s a fake and not the real deal like his father’s iconic prosthetic. The red of his outfit clashes sharply beside the orangey yellow of Gil’s attire.  

The seventh teenager is dressed nothing like the adults all around them or the young band of pirates in front of them. A dark guitar case strapped to his back, outfitted in dark leather everything and light bluish hair that defies gravity is none other than the son of Hades himself.

None of the teens have noticed their arrival or if they have, they’ve given no visible reaction. Captain Stuart gives the go ahead for them to begin surrounding the group. They need to be efficient but not too offensive. These kids are liable to strike back if threatened.

Harry removes the hooked prosthetic from his mouth. He looms forward, saying something Chip is too far away to hear. Achite throws his head back and laughs loudly as Uma shakes her head in amusement and Gil frowns.

It’s at that moment Achite’s head turns to Chip’s group. He can’t see the demigod’s eyes, they’re covered by a dark pair of shades, but Chip feels like they’ve locked eyes. The smile slips from Achite’s face, and he straightens up at alarming speed.

“Scatter!” The demigod shouts as he points directly at the group of guards.

Several pairs of eyes lock onto their group. For what feels like an eternity but is more accurately a few seconds, nothing happens. All at once every person, child and adult alike, runs like their lives depend on it. It’s a swarm of color and chaos and Chip feels like they severely underestimated how hard it’ll be to grab eight teens.

“Don’t let the four of them get away!” Captain Stuart shouts.

Chip rushes forward, locking onto the only teenager he can see. The son of Hades is fast for a kid lunging around a guitar case. Achite darts past stalls, people, and buildings with such agility that Chip can’t help but feel envious of. Still, despite his lungs begging him to stop, Chip is still able to keep up.

“Halt!” One of Chip’s fellow guards, Andrew, yells but his voice is drowned out by the sound of people fleeing and the air rushing past their faces. If Achite hears him, the teen doesn’t acknowledge it.

Before anyone can react, Captain Stuart darts out of an alleyway right in front of Achite. The captain grabs the demigod before the kid can sprint off again. Achite lets out a stream of words in what Chip can only assume is Greek and most definitely curse words.

“Stop resisting kid!” Captain Stuart pleads.

“Fuck you!” Replies the demigod.

Chip and Andrew aid the captain in dragging the volatile demigod back to their transport out of here. None of the other Isle residents try to come to Achite’s aid. A part of Chip feels saddened by this. Obviously, Chip is glad his team isn’t being attacked but, on the other hand, it seems like none of these kids have any true support.

Sure, Achite warned his fellow VKs about a possible Auradonian Guard attack but none of the kids grouped together and none of their parents tried to intervene. Although Chip doesn’t know what he’d do if Hades rounded the corner ready to defend his son.

By the time they get Achite back to the limos, Uma, Harry, and Gil are already there surrounded by several other guards. The three teens look over at them, half dragging, half carrying Achite to their general area. Uma shakes her head in disappointment, Harry lets out a dramatic sigh before collapsing onto the ground, and Gil just kicks a rock sadly.

With a huff, Achite is released by the captain and makes his way over to Uma and her crew. The demigod looks down at Harry lying on the ground and scoffs aloud. Harry lunges up, his left hooked hand aimed right at Achite’s neck.

“And I though demigods were superior to us mere mortals.” The only Hook son sneers.

Achite chuckles darkly, taking a step forward so the tip of the hook touches his neck. “I lasted longer than you.”

“Knock it off, both of you.” The captain scolds.

The two teens stare each other down before looking over at the captain in sync. Achite snarls, lips curling angrily while Harry looks amused as a deranged smile takes shape. Uma rests a hand atop her sword’s hilt, her eyes never leaving the captain’s face. Gil is the only one not paying attention.

“Alright, you caught us. What do you want?” Uma asks, her annoyance crystal clear.

“As per royal decree, eight children have been chosen to attend Auradon Prep with the intension of learning goodness and becoming law abiding citizens of Auradon.” Captain Stuart says loud enough for anyone listening in to hear.

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Achite shouts as Harry lets out a hysterical laugh. Gil finally looks up from his rock kicking.

“I take it us for are on your list.” Uma gestures between the four of her fellow VKs.

*

The captain motions for Chip and Andrew to move away from the four teens and closer to him. Andrew trails after Chip, his face flushed red, and his brown hair stuck to the sweat on his face. It’s in moments like this that clearly reminds Chip that Andrew is only nineteen and still a fairly new member of their ranks.

Captain Stuart eyes the four teenagers who’ve taken to pestering the remaining guards watching them. “According to the scouts I sent ahead, Maleficent has rounded up the Core Four and are waiting for us outside her castle.”

Chip can’t help but shudder involuntary at the mention of the dark fey. He swallows loudly and Andrew’s face loses color. Maleficent may not have magic here but only a fool would think that it doesn’t make her deadly.

The captain continues, “Our scouts also said the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella are waiting there too.” He looks directly at Andrew. “Will that be a problem, kid?”

Andrew’s eyes widen, “No sir.”

 The captain nods and motions for some of their guards to split into two groups. One to stay with the Sea Three and Achite and the rest to retrieve the Core Four. Before they follow Captain Stuart, Chip pulls Andrew aside.

“You alright?” Chip asks, feeling as though there’s something obvious he’s missing.

“Oh, right you probably don’t know.” Andrew sighs, “I’m a Radcliffe, as in my parents are Roger and Antia Radcliffe.”

“As in Cruella De Vil stole all those dalmatians from your family!” Chip can’t help but exclaim quietly.

Andrew nods, “But I joined the guard to protect people and if half the stories I’ve heard about Cruella from before the Isle are true then Carlos definitely needs protecting.”

Chip can agree with Andrew’s assessment, the thought of Gaston being anywhere near children leaves him filled with dread. Before Chip or Andrew can continue speaking, Captain Stuart whistles, motioning for both Chip and Andrew to hurry up. Both guards dart forward, chasing after their Captain as the laughter of the Sea Three and a demigod echo behind them.  

It’s eerie, walking down the unpaved streets of the Isle. Chip constantly feels watched, sees shadows moving out the corner of his eyes, but whenever he turns his head no one is there. Occasionally, a child will be brave enough to step into the light, their eyes squinted in distrust as they watch the band of guards move.

Chip tries to commit their faces to memory, if only to ensure their names will be added to the next group of children freed. A small girl with huge, cracked glasses and multiple colorful stripes of hair. A preteen boy with the most vibrant blue eyes, who resembles a sickly version of Ben so much it breaks Chip’s heart in two, is pulled away by another preteen boy with similar looks except for his dark brown eyes.

Chip can only hope the next patch of kids is freed soon.

“Well, well well, if it isn’t the beast patrol!” A shrill voice cackles, jarring Chip back into reality.

Besides him Andrew stiffens. Cruella De Vil nothing like what Chip expected the former dog killer to be. Her hair is slightly tangled, and her outfit a stunning patchwork of black and white fur with blood red accents. She would be beautiful if it wasn’t for the manic smile and deranged look in her eyes.

“Ms. De Vil, we’re here for your son, Carlos.” One of Captain Stuart’s hands hovers over the hilt of his sword. No one is quite sure how De Vil will react.

From behind Cruella De Vil a smaller shape cowers. It’s not until Andrew gasps quietly that Chip realizes the shape is Carlos De Vil hiding behind his mother. The small teen looks up expectantly at his mother, but all Cruella does is usher him towards the guards. Chip feels his heart break again as the boy reluctantly leaves his mother’s side. 

“Ugh smells like common folk.” The Evil Queen scoffs waving her hand in front of her nose. Her daughter, Evie, quickly darts over to the captain and the rest of the guards.

Jafar walks up with Jay pulled close. The two appear to be in deep conversation, with Jay nodding along with whatever Jafar is saying. “Now recite our mantra,” Jafar demands.

“There’s team in I.” Jay recites confidently.

“Oh. Run along. You’re making me tear up.” Jafar clasps Jay’s shoulders proudly and Chip has no idea if the former advisor is proud or faking. Jay strides over, giving Evie a nod and Carlos a shoulder bump.

Captain Stuart clears his throat expectantly. The three villains look over to him, eyebrows raised. “Where are Maleficent and her daughter?” 

“Mal!” A voice shouts from inside the building.

The three former villains tense up, eyes darting between the open balcony and one another. Around them the several brave souls who dared to linger all dart away. It doesn’t take a genius to realize the voice belongs to Maleficent.

A figure exits the same building, a teenage girl with purple hair and clothes mashed in purple, pink, black, and green. The girl, who’s so very clearly Maleficent’s daughter, hoists a bag over her shoulder as she calmly walks over to the guards.

“Well, let’s go.” Mal says as if she’s been waiting for them instead.

The captain gives her a nod of approval before walking back to where the other four teens are waiting. Mal takes charge, following directly behind the captain. Evie links her arms around Carlos, the pair following after Mal, leaving Jay to take the rear.

“Bring home the gold!”

“Bring home a puppy!”

“Bring home a prince!”

Chip turns around as Jafar, Cruella, and the Evil Queen call out their final expectations for their children. Maleficent doesn’t say anything, but Chip can see her watching the group leave from her balcony. She looks down at Chip, snarling as she waves him away. Chip only whimpers a little as he turns away.  

“Are we really going to live in Auradon?” Evie asks, her excitement bursting with every word.

“Yes, the four of you, alongside the Sea Three and the son of Hades, have been chosen by royal decree.” The captain answers without turning back.

Evie lets out a squeal of excitement, bouncing in place for a little bit before skipping over to Mal. Carlos blanches and turns back to Jay. The elder teen rests one arm across Carlos’s shoulder as they walk together.

“M! We’re going to Auradon!”

“Wicked.” Mal answers rather sarcastically. 

*

Ben watches as the temporary golden bridge connects Auradon to the Isle of the Lost. He’s glad he decided to watch from the cliffside near Beast Castle and that he chose to sit down instead of pacing through the grass.

From this distance, Ben can just barely make out the two black outlines of the limos carrying his chosen eight teenagers. He doesn’t know which car holds his soulmate or if she’s actually still trapped on the Isle. Still, Ben can’t help but track both cars, his eyes darting between them both.

He waits until both of the cars touchdown on Auradonian soil before looking away. His whole body shivers in anticipation. Ben’s fingers shake helplessly as he tries to remove the golden band from his soul mark.

The limos are far away enough from the Isle for Ben’s compass to have moved; if his soulmate is one of the eight teens he’s chosen, that is. The band falls down onto the grass and Ben screws his eyes shut. A small whine escapes the back of his throat. The tears pooling in the corner of his eyes threaten to spill.

He knows he needs to look, but for a single moment the unknown grips his heart. Doubt creeps into his mind, fear floods through his veins. If Ben is wrong, if he went through all this trouble just to come up short… Well at least he was able to save those eight. Ben can regret potentially missing his soulmate, but he won’t ever regret freeing his chosen eight.

He can only delay the inevitable for so much later.

Ben holds out his arm to the Isle of the Lost. He looks at the crackling golden energy of the anti-magic barrier that surrounds the gloomy island. Ben holds his arm up higher until his compass blocks out the Isle of the Lost entirely.

His needle, the one that’s always pointed in the same direction has moved.

Instead of pointing directly ahead, the needle has turned away from the Isle. Ben sobs aloud, his other hand clutching his soul mark as the tears fall. He did it. He actually did it. His soulmate is no longer trapped on the Isle.

For the first time ever, Ben actually has a shot at his happily ever after.

For the first time in Ben’s entire life, his soulmate is within reach. For the first time ever, Ben knows exactly where she is. His soulmate is in Auradon; Auradon Prep to be exact. Right now, she and her fellow VKs are learning how to live a life of goodness with Fairy Godmother and Jane.

He runs his fingers through the dirt and grass, laughing freely. Ben shouts for joy, his smile growing bigger and bigger until it feels like his whole face has been consumed. He raises his compass towards the sky, watching the needle adjust as the limos no doubtfully move closer to Auradon Prep. The beast rumbles in excitement.

Together they will build a better Auradon. One where all their citizens can be free. No more innocents shall be sealed away, no one else will have to struggle with the burden of having a villain’s kid for a soulmate.

He did it, Ben freed his queen.