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The Isle was an awful, horrible, no good kind of place. It was dull and dark and dreary, filled with anger and danger all around. Where you can hear hollering and shouts and mocking laughter through the night, it was no place for anyone to live. It was certainly no place for him to live, but even more so his child…
Maddox glared out through the barred window, out towards the sky where no sun could be seen. Sunlight wasnt something they were given, it wasn't a right here. Nor were good clothes or fresh food or decent manners. No… only cold and cruelness…
He hated this place, he hated everything about it. He hated the people, he hated the food, he hated how awful everyone was, he hated it all. He hated most of all having to sit here when he could be out there finding exactly what he needed to prove his innocence.
“There’s no time!” He growled out a shout, gripping the bars tighter in frustration. As he did he could hear that ticking. That blasted horrendous ticking echo in his mind again.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Maddox growled and moved his hands to grip his head. That horrid ticking… it was back again. Back mockingly in his head…
He’s heard it since he was but a lad and it never left his head. Never left his dreams, never left his thoughts. Always ticking away, reminding him of what he had been cursed to see and what he could not prove no matter how hard he tried. The thing that made him an outcast...
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Deeper growls began to emanate his chest as the ticking got louder along with his anger-
“… Daddy…?”
He froze as the ticking halted. He looked back to see the very thing that caused it… He most cherished thing that he had…
“Max…”
Max looked tired, his clothes all dull colors that had a few holes Maddox would need to sew when he was more awake. His son was holding a small torn cloth, the best they could do for a blanket in such a place. Maddox had hated having to resort to stealing it off a clothes line, but he had come to learn in this place it was every person for themselves. More importantly… The basement of this building was cold and he couldn't stand the idea of Max being freezing in such a place.
“What’s wrong son… did you… did you have another nightmare?” Maddox asked suddenly felt exhausted.. His poor son had plenty about all the villains surrounding them. Even without their powers and magic for a small child like his son they could be terrifying. Their children even more so…
“Nu-uh…” Max rubbed his eyes and looked up at him with concern. “You were all growly again…”
Maddox winced. He… had admittedly become very ill tempered since that wretched Queen had sent them here. He always tried to hide it from his son. He was so sensitive and the last thing he ever needed was to be scared of his own father.
If Max ever was Maddox would hate himself more than he did now.
No, no not towards himself… towards that Queen…
Bridget…
Queen Bridget had once been one of his dearest companions. Yet as time went on they had grown apart. While other people’s disbelief had hurt, hers had been the one that struck the chord the most. It was why he had been so desperate to prove himself, why he had created so many wondrous inventions to help show such a thing could exist.
He had never meant for them to go after people or wreck a quarter of the castle of Auradon. He hadn’t even realized such a thing had happened until Bridgette’s guards had stormed into his lab and dragged him out.
The disappointment on his old friends face had hurt, but none more than her royal decree.
“Maddox…More than once have I turned a blind eye for your eccentrics, your lunacy.” She began, voice shaking with emotion and sadness. “But now I can no longer abide by doing such a thing…you have caused chaos and fear towards the people or Auradon…Because you are a part of Wonderland… it is my duty to decide what to do with you.”
Maddox stared up at her with surprise. Do with him? What did she mean by that? Surely she knew whatever had been said had to be lies. Maddox would never terrorize people… not on purpose.
Bridget bowed his head, face scrunching as if she was in pain. Tears leaked her eyes. “I… I sentence you… to the Isle of the Lost…”
Maddox’s eyes widened in horror. The Isle… surely she had to be joking. The Isle was for villains, terrible people who loved to cause hurt and make others suffer. Maddox wasn’t… he wasn't like that!
“Bridget!”
“Do not call me that…” The Queen rasped. “I am your Majesty to you…”
Maddox’s jaw dropped. Was she… disowning him all together…? But… but why…?
“Brid-I…” He shook his head. “This is all some mistake I assure you I… My machines are harmless they would never… not on purpose they were just simply-“
Bridget suddenly jerked her head up, eyes blazing with pain and rage.
“My daughters were nearly hurt by one of your inventions Maddox!” Bridgette thundered, fury and agony in her voice. “Did you know that? At the courtyard of the castle one of them had chased after my oldest! It was attacking her, trying to drag her away! If Madrigal’s boy had not destroyed the machine to protect her-!“ She moved a hand to her chest and shuddered.
Maddox’s eyes widened. His machines… they weren’t supposed to attack. They never meant to attack they were just supposed to find things connected to the watch. To bring them back…So why did they go after Red…?
“I didn't know…” He whispered. “But they weren’t supposed to do that I swear I-!”
He froze as the doors opened and guards walked in with a small boy between them. Maddox’s eyes widened as he recognized his son in an instant.
“Max…? Wait did they nearly hurt you too…!” He choked, rushing over and scooping his son into his arms. Max looked startled by his hurried searching, even more so as Maddox sighed in relief and hugged him tight.
No injury… not a scratch…
So why was he-?
‘Wait…’ Horror drenched his soul as he remembered the Queen’s words.
The Isle… she was banishing him to the Isle… then…
“NO!” Maddox screamed out in horror, whipping around and clutching his son desperately to his chest. “You cannot send me to the Isle you can’t! My…! My son will be all alone!”
The very thought of being torn away from his boy, from his Max ripped his heart apart worse than any judgement from others. It felt worse than any sort of curse a villain could place on him.
Where would he go? Who would take care of his baby? Who… how could Maddox live without out him?!
“He will not be…” The Queen whispered. “I would not dare separate you from your child…” She lifted her head and stared at him with hard, sad eyes. “You both will be going to the Isle.”
Maddox choked in horror, clutching Max to him even tighter in fear.
The Isle… they were both going to the Isle… how could they ever survive such an awful place…?
“You are free to take one thing from your lab to go with you to the Isle. To make it easier for you to live there.” The Queen went on. “That is it however, when you are done my guards will escort you and your son towards the rabbit hole so you can take your leave.”
He couldn’t speak, couldn’t even react as the guards pulled his son out of his arms. He couldn't even walk as they had to drag him back from where he came. As they closed the door he stared at the lab, he beloved workspace.
This… this had to be a dream…. no a nightmare.
“Hey Maddox…”
A purr echoed in the air and he grimaced.
“Chessy…” He muttered. “I’m not in the mood.”
Over on the table appeared a brightly colored calico loafing kitten, a smirk on her face as her tail swished back and forth.
“What? I can’t see my favorite person~?”
“You won’t be seeing much of me for long…” He muttered crossly, stomping towards the table. Once there he slammed his hands onto it, making the machinery and tools rattle and clank together in a cacophony of noise.
“… The Queen is… she’s banished me…”
“I heard.” Chessy said, standing up and narrowing her eyes. “And it’s wrong.”
“I know it is.” Maddox muttered. “But one of machines went after Red I…” He shook his head. “She’s… just upset. She’ll realize I meant no harm. She could have separated Max from me but she didn’t after all. Max and I will only be there for a few hours… a day at most! She knows how awful that place is and how he and I don’t belong there!”
Chessy scrunched her nose. “You truly believe that huh?” She mewed.
Maddox paused. “… She’s an old friend.”
“Yeah and some friend she’s been.” Chessy sneered. “First she abandoned you the moment she met that Ella girl, then when you saw something amazing and you tried to tell everyone at Merlin prep you were labeled a weirdo! And what did she do…? Did she defend you…?”
Maddox winced.
No… no she hadn’t… She had given him a grimace and pitying smile and nod. A simple “Sure Hatter…” With an affectionate pat on his cheek, as if he were some sort of pet…
“…And yet you still made her Max’s godmother…” Chessy hissed in disgust. “You remember that right? The day he was born?”
Maddox couldn't hold back a warm smile. How could he ever forget…? When Max had been born those days where his mind had been stuck in a cloud, constantly spinning and spiraling lost in a ticking all blew away like a gentle breeze the very moment he held that baby in his arms.
His heart had been so full of love. It had been one of the few moments in his life that had truly made him… happy.
It had been one of the few moments where he and Brigette had truly gotten along because she had recently had a child herself.
Oh all the dreams he had for his little boy. All the wonderful futures he could have that Maddox couldn't wait to try and give him and-
…. and Max wasn't going to have any of it… Because they were going to the Isle.
Maddox gripped his head and shuddered in sorrow. Tears welled in his eyes, tears of fear and agony for not just himself, but for his little boy.
“… why…?” Maddox choked out a sob. “Why did everything happen like this…?”
Chessy’s paws padded along the table until he heard a soft knocking of something metal. He looked up to see her nudging the Orichalcum.
“Get away from there!” He hissed, storming over and waving his hand at her in shooing motion.
“Hey I’m only trying to help.” Chessy mewed, leaping away before he could even touch her and landing back onto the table he had been at moments ago. “I thought you wanted answers.”
Maddox paused. “… Answers?”
Chessy bent her head and began licking her paw casually. “You did ask how did everything happen like this didn’t you? You made a machine that could help you see things that you need. What you want…” She lifted her head. “Why not use it now…? Get all of the answers.”
Maddox stiffened and looked back to his work. It had been the one thing he had kept hidden from everyone. It was the very thing that had helped him see the watch again, helped him create his Dodo’s and wire them to look for things that could be connected to it so he could create his own.
It had brought him to this disaster… and yet… he couldn't deny his curiosity.
“You never did look further back from the watch.” Chessy pointed out. “Nor who had it…” Her voice lowered. “Who really caused your life to turn out so awful…To make you the laughing stock in all of Auradon, and now force you from your home with your little boy...”
Maddox felt his hands shifting towards the device on their own, turning it on without provocation. As it hummed to life, Maddox stared at the shimmering void. He felt oddly terrified, like if he truly did this there was no going back.
… But if Maddox was truly being sent away, if his and Max’s lives were to be ruined then didn’t he have a right to know why?
“…Show me…” Maddox rasped.
The Orichalcum whirred and all at once quick flashes of images, voices… and ticking… His eyes widened-
“Daddy?”
Maddox choked a loud gasp as he was pulled from his thoughts, the ticking halting once more.
He was staring off towards the sky again, at one point he must have turned away… He looked to his side where he had heard his son, and winced as the boy stared at him sadly. His eyes were slightly scrunched and it was another painful reminder that Max’s vision was poor… if only those rotten brats hadn’t stolen his little boy’s glasses…
“You got lost in your head again…” Max whispered sadly.
Maddox felt his throat close up. That’s been happening so much more often lately… he hated it.
“I’m sorry…” He rasped. “I…” He shook his head and pulled his son into his arms. Max froze before melting into his embrace, making Maddox hold him just a tad tighter.
“… I’m so sorry Max… I’m so, so sorry…” He whispered brokenly. He was so sorry he couldn’t give his son a decent meal that wasn’t covered in dirt and bugs. Sorry he couldn't give him clothes that didn’t have rips or tears that he had to constantly fix. Sorry he couldn’t give his son a life where he didn’t have to live in fear of literal monsters hiding around any corner of this awful place.
Sorry that his son was being punished over something that was never his fault… but someone else’s…
At the thought of that his sorrow turned to a vengeful rage, but he held it in for the precious life in his arms. Instead he focused on what he could give him once they left this awful place.
Maddox would find that watch… he would find it and prove to the world he wasn't some loon. Not some madman. That he had been right all along…
That he’d send each and every one of the people who laughed at him, mocked him, who whispered behind his back to this place to see how they liked it. To see how it felt to be framed for something they didn’t mean to do even now.
…. To make that wretched Queen suffer for ever sending him to this horrible place. For her to protect that horrible brat of a girl who had a hand in ruining everything…
He’d make them pay…. he’d make them all pay…
“… I promise… I promise…” He muttered, running a hand through Max’s head to calm himself and his anger. He didn’t want to scare him, he wanted to assure him.
“Daddy?”
“Shh sh sh…” Maddox scooped him up and carried him back to the beds. There were two just for them. Maddox made sure to have his blocking the path towards Max’s in case any sort of person decided to break in. It’s happened more than once already, and Maddox had sent them away screaming with fear from his latest invention of spitting teapots that shot out simmering hot tea towards them. Nothing too painful, but enough to cause quite a burn that would make them think twice for ever trying such a thing again.
He was really going to need to invent more things here to make sure no one tried to mess with him or his son. Not even Maleficent and her little group would dare try.
He also was really going to need to make Max a new pair of glasses… he’s sure he can find something…
For now though… what Max needed most was rest.
“There we are…” Maddox whispered as he laid down on the bed next to his son. He slowly stroked a finger across his head, a method that always worked to calm him down when he was stressed since he was but a baby.
“Just rest your eyes son… Nothing will get you as long as I’m here…” He added, his voice lowering to a deep growl.
Max’s eyes, which had started to close, opened wide. “Daddy you’re all growly again…”
Maddox grunted and swallowed down the anger. “It’s okay… I’m okay…” He used his other hand to rub his son’s arm. “Just go to sleep son… Go to sleep…”
Max stared at him with concern for a moment longer before his face relaxed and his eyes slowly closed shut. Maddox watched, relieved and torn.
The moment Max went to sleep he knew he’d be alone again. Lost in his thoughts and that ticking ringing in his mind over and over again, following him in his dreams and nightmares. He wished it could stop, he wanted it to stop…
But he also didn’t… It reminded him of why he was here. Why they were both here… and why Maddox would take the first chance he could to get his revenge…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
The visions of the Orichalcum dance in his mind again…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
A smiling queen a dark reflection with nothing but rage and hatred in her heart…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
The watch sitting on the table, only to be swiped away by sneaky hands…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Two young girls fighting each other and the watch reacting…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
them going back and then forward…
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Maddox sitting in the castle with his son, watching him with all the love and pride he had in his heart…. only to fall into a dark world filled with no color and void of hope....
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Suddenly he’s back being dragged out of the castle, howling and screaming in rage at the woman, the Queen who had once been his dearest friend. He could see her shocked face as he did and he not caring. It was her fault… it was all her fault…!
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Maddox opened his eyes gritting his teeth with a sneer. He glanced to his son, relieved to see he was still asleep.
With as much care as his could Maddox slipped out of the bed and made sure to tuck his boy in. Once done he strode back to the small table to the furthest side of the room.
On it was filled with drawing and sketches of his many works, and on the table carved was the pocket watch… many times over.
And he’d keep carving it until he get it back in his hands, get back what was rightfully his, and make everything right again.
As Maddox sat on his chair and began working on a new invention to protect their home, he realized something. Something rather… curious…
He hadn’t arrived here a villain… but the Queen had made the horrible, awful mistake to creating one. One that would ruin that perfect little life she and her family and friends were so selfishly hoarding. The idea of taking that away…?
A mad giggle of glee escaped him. Oh... Oh ho he’d have his revenge, he knows he will. And when he did it he was sure that everything would come up... like clockwork...
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock