Chapter Text
Auradon. The beautiful land of fairy tales and where magic takes form. Prince James Potter is currently being fitted for his formal robes while listening, with growing amusement, to his parents bickering and fussing over James's coronation ceremony.
"Sleeve. Head." The man with the tape measure orders under his breath, which James promptly obeys, not wanting to get stuck by a pin again.
"How is it possible that you're gonna be crowned king next month? You're just a baby!" Fleamont complains as he paces the room, hands clasped behind his back and stealing worried glances at his son.
"He's turning 16, dear." Euphemia says as she puts her hands on her hips, looking thoroughly unimpressed as she continues, "Monty, dear, I know you're worried, but you're going to wear a hole in the carpet."
Fleamont pauses. He sits down in a plush, maroon armchair, looking more like a child than the current king as he crosses his arms.
"I'm not worried." He mumbles petulantly, making James suppress a smirk at his expression.
Even the tailor tuts, shaking his head as he marks a space on James's suit to be hemmed. Seeing the moment of silence as an opportunity, James decides now would be a perfect time to tell his parents what his first decree will be.
For context, Euphemia and Fleamont have been trying to get James to come up with his first order as prince, let alone as King. James had had a hard time deciding, since he knew there was so much change needed in the world, but he wanted to find something that would benefit everyone. After his inital(and ambitious) requests for world peace, to end poverty, and stop global warming were denied, he decided to go for smaller, more achievable goals.
He's been planning this one for a few months now, so he's quite proud as he clears his throat, finally ready to pitch his idea.
"Hey Pops?"
Fleamont doesn't answer, still hung up on Euphemia's mention of James's age. "16? That's far too young to be crowned king. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least 42."
Euphemia rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her fond expression as she retorts, "Yet you decided to marry me at 28."
Fleamont waves a hand dismissively "And you said yes, so we're even."
James tries again, louder. "Hey Dad—"
Euphemia scoffs lightly, replying incredulously, "Even? I gave birth to your child, help you shave your hairy back—"
"Mum!" James recoils at the idea of his mother shaving his father's back, the recoil causes the tailor to huff in annoyance while readjusting James's suit, to which James gives a sheepish smile.
"Please, can I tell you what I decided? I finally know what I want to do first, as Prince." He says firmly, trying to sound regal.
Euphemia and Fleamont quickly turn their attention to him, their expressions ranging from curiosity to excitement as they lean forward with interest.
"Well, son? Don't leave us guessing!" Fleamont urges eagerly.
James takes a deep breath.
"I've chosen my first official proclamation. I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost be given a chance... to live here in Auradon."
Fleamont and Euphemia look shocked, but he continues nervously. "Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned. We need to give them a chance at redemption."
After a long moment, Fleamont finally speaks, his voice skeptical but slightly intrigued. "The children of our sworn enemies, living among us?"
James nods, his voice growing steadier as he becomes more sure of his suggestion. "We start out with a few at first, only the ones who need our help the most. I've already chosen them."
At this, Fleamont raises an eyebrow.
"Have you?"
Euphemia tuts. "I gave you a second chance, Monty. Who are their parents?"
James hesitates, knowing it's a stretch. "Cruella De Vil... Jafar... Evil Queen... and Maleficent."
The tailor yelps in shock.
"Maleficent! She is the worst villain in the land!" Fleamont exclaims, looking scandalized.
James groans, pleading desperately "Dad, just hear me out here!"
Fleamont shakes his head firmly. "I won't hear of it. They are guilty of unspeakable crimes."
James tries again, helplessly, "This isn't fair! They haven't even had a chance to prove themselves."
Fleamont starts pacing again, his shoulders tense.
"Dad, their children are innocent. Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?"
"Innocent?" Fleamont scoffs. "The only thing they're innocent of is existing in my kingdom. I won't allow it." He says firmly, with such finality that James almost gives up. But he doesn't, he's not easily discouraged, and thank Merlin for that.
"Dad," He says again, gently. "If Mom never gave you a chance, I wouldn't be here." He waits a moment, then prompts again quietly but firmly. "Please, Dad, they should at least be allowed to try.
There's a beat of silence, and Fleamont seems contemplative but still skeptical. "What if they don't want to try? You could be offering help to someone who doesn't want it." He continues, slightly for dramatic flare. "You can't set yourself on fire just to keep the others warm."
James rolls his eyes at this. "We're not lighting anyone on fire, we're just giving them a chance. It can't hurt to give them a clean slate."
Another beat of silence. "Dad?"
After long moment, finally, King Fleamont nods once.
"I suppose their children are innocent. We can't hold them accountable for their parents' wrongdoings."
Euphemia claps her hands together, looking both nervous and excited. "Well, well done, James. Shall we?"
She gestures to the double doors, presumably to sit down and figure out the official business and paperwork, and how to issue the decree.
Fleamont sighs softly. "I suppose we shall." And with that, the royal family moves their meeting to the King's study.
~
Meanwhile in the Isle of the Lost, Sirius, Regulus, Evan, Barty, and Dorcas are running the streets, vandalizing walls, and just up to no good.
Meet the VKs.
Evan, only son of Maleficent. Evil genius, cunning, he's everything you'd expect of a villain's son. Maybe he wants more, maybe he's just out for power, no one ever knows. He keeps his cards close to his chest, so close that sometimes he forgets what's at stake.
Dorcas , daughter of the Evil Queen and just as vain, she plays the "misunderstood" role perfectly and can manipulate anyone to her whim(until she can't, Marlene?)
Barty of Agrabah, a conman, flirt, and unfairly fit(according to Evan), he's the brawn of the VKs. His father, Jafar, raised him to be a clever thief and use his attractive appearance to his advantage. Never satisfied, always craving more chaos.
Sirius De Vil, eldest son of Cruella de Vil. Loud, full of life and rebellion, loves dogs. His brother means the world to him, but he'd rather die than admit it.
Regulus de Vil, youngest son of Cruella de Vil. He's terrified of dogs, used to being a slave to his mother, and has crippling anxiety. He's quiet but full of ideas, if only he had the voice to share them.
Sirius steals a baby's lollipop, while Cruella de Vil arrives with Maleficent behind the group. Evan rolls his eyes. "Hi, Mum."
"Stealing candy, Sirius? I'm so disappointed." Cruella tuts with mock disapproval.
"It was from a baby"
"That's my wicked boy!" Cruella cheers sardonically
Sirius gives Cruella the lollipop, and she spits on it and sticks it under her armpit with a crooked smirk.
"Give it back to the dreadful creature."
Sirius grimaces. "Mum..."
Cruella gives a casual shrug, adjusting her fur coat.
"It's the details, son, that make the difference between mean and truly evil. When I was your age, I was skinning puppies alive."
Just then, Maleficent seems to remember something, her expression shifting to one of malicious excitement.
"Oh! There's news!" Maleficent remarks with mock cheerfulness.
"You four have been chosen to go to a different school... In Auradon." She says, her voice dripping with thinly veiled distaste. Sirius, Regulus, & Barty try to run away, but Maleficent's minions stops them.
Barty immediately protests, looking appalled. "What!? I'm not going to some boarding school filled to the brim with prissy boarding school freaks!"
But Dorcas sighs dreamily. "And pretty princeses..."
Sirius gives her a look, and she quickly tries to amend her slip-up, mentally cursing herself for the obvious hint at her sexuality. "Uh, ew! I-I mean, they're gross, who's into girls? Not me. I bet the blokes there are even better." She says, just a touch too defensively. Lucky for her, no one comments on it.
Sirius snickers, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, and I don't do uniforms. Unless it's leather. You feel me?" He jokes, about to high five Regulus, but Regulus looks utterly terrified.
"I read somewhere that they allow dogs in Auradon. Mum said they're rabid pack animals who eat boys who don't behave." He rambles in a panic, not noticing Barty who sneaks up behind him.
"Woof!" Regulus hits Barty's shoulder for scaring him.
"Bitch." He mutters in retaliation, not even realizing it, but the irony is not lost on Dorcas, who lets out a low chuckle, exchanging an amused look with Sirius.
Evan rolls his eyes, focusing the group as he tells his mother bluntly, "Yeah, Mum, we're not going."
Maleficent pretends to pout. "Oh, you're thinking small, pumpkin. It's all about world domination. Knuckleheads!"
The knuckleheads follow her, taunting in singsong. "Evan..."
The other VKs follow Maleficent reluctantly, all of them exchanging skeptical looks as Maleficent leads them to Bargain Castle.
"You will go. You will find Fairy Godmother and you will bring back the magic wand. Easy peasy."
"What's in it for us?" Evan asks, straight to business.
Maleficent hums and says lightly. "Matching thrones? His-and-hers crowns?"
Regulus speaks up awkwardly, not wanting to upset Maleficent. "Um, I-I think he meant us..."
She waves a hand dismissively, focsing on her son, Evan.
"It's all about you and me, love. Do you enjoy watching innocent people suffer?"
Evan raises an eyebrow, confused by her question. "Well, yeah. I mean, who doesn't?"
Maleficent smirks cruelly. "Well then, get me the wand and you and I can see all that and so much more. And with that wand and my scepter, I will be able to bond both good and evil to my will!"
Evil Queen raises an eyebrow, correcting, but also checking "Our will."
Maleficent scowls at her, snapping mockingly. "Our will, our will!" The sudden outburst makes Evan look back to Maleficent. "And if you refuse, you're all grounded for the rest of your lives, mister."
Evan groans, a mix of disbelief and annoyance in his expression. "What?! Mum..."
Maleficent pinches the air with a challenging expresssion, miming squishing Evan's lips to make him stop complaining. They stare at each other down for a long moment, time slowing and Evan's blood runs cold when he sees it. It's subtle, but it's dangerous and makes him back off immediately.
Maleficent's eyes flashed with dark green light.
"Fine. Whatever." He mutters, taking a small step back while Maleficent smirks victoriously. "I win."
The Evil Queen then turns to Dorcas with a saccharine smile.
"Dorcas." She coos. "My little Evil-lette in training. You just find yourself a prince with a big castle and a mother-in-law wing."
Dorcas and the Evil Queen say in unison, hungrily. "And lots and lots of mirrors..."
Dorcas laughs, but Evil Queen quickly shoots her a disapproving look, reminding her sharply.
"No laughing. Wrinkles."
Cruella hums lightly, finally speaking up again with a slight smirk. "Well, they're not taking my Regulus, because I'd miss him too much."
Regulus's eyes widen with a mix of disbelief and surprise.
"Really, Mum?" He asks hopefully, leaning closer with a vulnerable expression.
Cruella makes a noncommittal noise. "Yes. Who else would touch up my roots, fluff my fur, and scrape the bunions off my feet?"
Regulus visibly deflates. "Oh." He then turns to Sirius, muttering bitterly. "Yeah, maybe a new school wouldn't be the worst thing."
"Regulus, they have dogs in Auradon." Cruella tells him helpfully, the concerned lilt to her voice not quite sincere.
Regulus immediately panics again, falling for the deception. "Oh, no! I'm not going!" Sirius rolls his eyes.
Maleficent sighs, not quite surprised, not quite disappointed. "Oh."
Jafar stretches, letting the others know as he digs through Barty's satchel for any stolen goods. "Well, Barty isn't going either. I need him to stock the shelves in my store— What did you score?" He asks, rummaging through the bag to pull out an Arabian, old silver lamp. "Oh. Ooh! A lamp."
Barty rolls his eyes, mildly disappointed but trying to act unbothered about it. "Dad. I already tried." Jafar frowns slightly, setting down the lamp he tried to rub anyway with a slight clatter.
"Ah! Blasted thing!" He complains, crossing his arms and plopping onto the couch now.
The Evil Queen leans closer to Dorcas, eyes narrowed and scrutinizing her face. "Dorcas isn't going anywhere until we get rid of this unibrow, hm?" She taps a bony finger to Dorcas's forehead, making her gasp softly, self consciously checking her appearance in her hand mirror. Maleficent looks around in frustration, her eye twitching slightly as no one seems to be considering the offer to attend Auradon Prep.
"What is wrong with you all?" She snaps finally, looking around with a wild glint in her eyes.
"People used to cower at the mention of our names! For 20 years, I have searched for a way off this island. For 20 years, they have robbed us from our revenge! Revenge on Snow White and her horrible little men!"
Maleficent turns sharply to Jafar, trying to appeal, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Revenge on Aladdin and his bloated Genie."
Jafar's expression darkens, his fist clenching over his chest. "I will..."
Barty looks exasperated. "Dad..."
Byt Maleficent continues, unrepentant. "Revenge on every sneaky dalmatian that escaped your clutches!"
Cruella laughs maniacally. "Oh, but they didn't get Baby. They didn't get the... They didn't get the Baby!"
Maleficent concludes finally, practically salivating at the mere prospect of power. "And I, Maleficent...The evilest of them all. I will finally have my revenge on Sleeping Beauty and her relentless little prince."
She turns around theatrically to the others, raising her arms for dramatic effect. "Villains!"
Cruella looks up boredly from sharpening her pointed nails. "Yes?"
Jafar grins cruelly. "Yes."
Maleficent giggles wickedly. "Our day has come. Queenie, give her the Magic Mirror."
Evil Queen sighs dramatically but pulls out a hand mirror with a silhouetted face in it. Dorcas arches a single eyebrow judgmentally.
"This is your Magic Mirror?"
Evil Queen narrows her eyes warningly. "Yeah, well, it ain't what it used to be, but then again, neither are we! It'll help you find things. Take it or leave it."
Dorcas nods quickly, pocketing the hand mirror. "Right, thanks, Mum." She then realizes, perking up with interest. "Wait, it'll help me find things? Like a prince!"
Evil Queen raises an eyebrow, unimpressed as she retorts dryly. "Like my waistline."
Maleficent growls in frustration, exclaiming "Like the magic wand! Hello!" She throws her hands up in exasperation.
The Evil Queen smirks, replying calmly. "Hello."
Maleficent starts pacing, unable to contain herself as her mind races with the possibilities. "My spell book. My book. I need my... that book. Oh, ah! The safe. The safe. Queen, help me. I never can figure this thing out." She says, holding out the mini safe where she managed to keep her spellbook safe.
Evil Queen opens it with exaggerated flourish. "Voila."
Maleficent eyes the safe hungrily, fingers twitching in anticipation. "My spell... come, darling. Come. Oh... ooh!" She grins wickedly, glancing up at Evil Queen.
"Ooh. There she is. It doesn't work here, but it will in Auradon. Remember? When we were spreading evil and ruining lives."
Evil Queen nods with a smirk of her own. "Like it was yesterday."
Maleficent giggles evilly, delighted as she shoves the spellbook at Evan. "And now you will be making your own memories. By doing exactly as I tell you. Door." She herds them out, eyes gleaming with malice and excitement.
Barty grins widely, entirely too excited. "Fuck yeah! Let's get this party started!"
Cruella calls out, as if summoning a pet. "Regulus! Sirius! Come."
The Evil Queen pauses Dorcas, an arrogant smile on her lips. "Who is the fairest of them all?"
Dorcas answers hopefully. "Me!"
Evil Queen raises an eyebrow, and Dorcas quickly backtracks. "You. Definitely you.
"Yes! Let's go."
Jafar is holding Barty by the shoulders, his intense gaze fixed on his son.
"Now, recite our mantra."
Barty raises an eyebrow. "There's no team in "I"."
Jafar sighs dreamily, patting Barty's shoulder before turning away. "Oh, run along. You're making me tear up."
Barty remembers with a groan. "My bag?"
Jafar nods absently, not listening but still holding Barty's satchel. "Yeah."
With an irritated glance at his father, he tries again, looking at the satchel pointedly. "Dad!"
Jafar yelps, startled by the shout and tossing the satchel at Barty. "Here! Damn!"
Barty catches it with practiced ease, rolling his eyes but quickly checking for any stolen items as he heads to the door. He's quite familiar with his father's kleptomaniac tendencies, as Barty often finds himself with similar behavior.
"See you." He bids over his shoulder, also grabbing the arm of Evan, who was stuck in a long lecture his mother is giving him on evilness and magic.
Maleficent, calling from her throne of garbage and metal scraps, just has to get the last word in.
"The future of the free world rests on your shoulders. Don't blow it, Evan!"
The Evil Queen's lips curl in disgust. "Ugh. Smells like common folk."
Cruella, sounding slightly manic, shouts angrily, "Come back here, now! Regulus!" She faceplants into an invisible wall, sliding down the barrier with a groan, but still just as furious.
"Sirius! INGRATES!"
Sirius and Regulus exchange amused looks, hurrying out of Jafar's Junk Shop.
"Bye-bye." Jafar waves cheerfully to his son.
A posh looking man shakes his head, glancing at the dock.
"The jackals have landed."
Each villain calls out to their kid with their own selfish demands.
"Bring home the gold."
"Bring home a puppy."
"Bring home a prince."
"Don't come home without the wand."