#Maleficent is here to visit with other fae

[mirrormazeworld]

TWST Analysis Diasomnia Chapter Part 4 : Crowley isn't Malleus's Dad, and Here is Why.

After part 4 has been released, everyone in both EN and JP sides of fandom suspected Crowley as Malleus's real father. As you know that everything about Crowley will catch my attention I look deeper to search for what or who this Levan actually is. However some JP players doubt that Levan and our Headmaster are the same person because they feel something is off. Many have made a theory that Crowley is Malleus's dad but here in this theory I'll show you why Levan and Crowley aren't the same person:

Crowley might have already become a Headmaster of NRC at the time when the war happened.

In the dream when the war happened, when Lilia is still 300 years old, he already received invitation to enroll at Night Raven College, which means that the school already existed a long time ago, even far before the war between Silver Owl (human) and fae happened.

I'm not sure how long exactly Crowley has become a Headmaster but I think it also has been a very long time ago even before the war itself since both in JP and EN ver never stated an exact number.

Malleus's dad, Duke Levan/Revan is an Eastern Dragon

Duke Levan's title is 竜眼公レヴァーン in Japanese, and 竜眼 literally means Dragon's Eye with 公 showing he is some kind of lord/noble. However, Lilia's dialogue uses Japanese Kanji for dragon, 竜 instead of ドラゴン (which is how Draconia family usually refered as)

This 竜 kanji is from Chinese 龍 (long) which implies that Malleus's dad, Levan, is an Eastern Dragon and not a Western Dragon like Maleficent/Draconia family.

Even here in Vil's dialogue from the Halloween event, you can see how they use 龍 and ドラゴン differently as they are different even though they are both dragon.

And why did Lilia say "Levan is the best envoy for the mission to carry Malenoa's letter to Silver Owl"? Not only because of Levan is a diplomat and aristocrat, if Levan truly is an Eastern Dragon, he is actually not categorized as a fae like what Malleus said about Long(Eastern Dragon) and Western Dragon, which is another reason why Levan is the best envoy since he is neutral between human and fae as he is not any of them.

And lastly, probably this is also the reason why Lilia wants to spend the rest of his life on Red Dragon Country in the east which is the home for Eastern Dragons rather than any other country even though he has visited many places around the world, because probably he wants to do the last and endless mission for himself, searching for his long lost best friend in Levan's hometown for one last time until he dies. If Malleus's UM is to create a dream world where in that dream their wish comes true, then this is probably Lilia's final wish, as maybe in the past he failed to protect and save both Malleus's parents, Malenoa and Levan outside of dream world created by Malleus.

[uwukillmenowowo]

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥 [Tokyo Debunker X F!Reader]

[ 0 | The Dark Mirror] 『🪞』

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 0] From the Dark Mirror to a Train station

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

{Your POV}

~~~~~

"I was able to find a way... to bring you back home."

As soon as those words left Crowley's mouth, both me and Grim went wide eyed. "A... A way home?" I asked in shock. Crowley nodded and then Crewel pat my head. "We have already tested it, the portal won't disappear after one leaves. So basically we can visit you whenever we want, or vise versa." I blinked twice in shock and Grim jumped out of my arms and was yelling at Crewel, "MYAA! But what will happen with me?! Me and [Y/n] count as one student still! What will happen when she leaves?!"

Crowley chuckled. "Of course, you will count as a single student Grim." Grim went wide eyed and I bit my lip. 'I don't even remember much of what I did back home... and... all my friends here...' "Of course, you do not have to leave right now. " I gave a confused "Huh?" To Crowley who then approached me. "To be quite honest... I don't want you to go either... WHO WILL HELP ME TAKE CARE OF THESE RECKLESS KIDS?!?" Crowley complained and I sweat dropped while Crewel punched Crowley in the head.

"What he means- is that you don't have to choose instantly. This is a choice and if you wish to go back then you can." I just chuckled. "I'd.... I'd like to go back... but after I say goodbye to everyone." Crewel understood and dismissed me and Grim.

"Are you... really going back..?" Grim asked as he climbed onto my shoulder. I sighed and scratched the back of his ear. "I don't want to leave either Grim... But at the same time I'm worried about what happened in my world. My parents, my home, all of that. Besides, Crewel-Sama said that we could visit each other whenever we want. So if you get bored or too tired, or if you just miss me, then you can ask the Dark Mirror to visit me again." I giggled

Grim gave me an unsure hum. "Well, it's Saturday so we can spend the whole day together." Grim smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes please..." I giggled and then jogged to the mirror chamber. "Let's go to Heartslabyul first!" I exclaimed happily and ran.

Heartslabyul was shocked. Ace and Deuce were even in denial for a while

Savanaclaw was pouty and pissed. Well- Only Leona was pissed... I guess it's because I used to cook for him every now and then.

Octavinelle was annoyed and was complaining the whole time. Okay that was just Floyd but that's because he says that, "Waahhh! Shimpy! You can't leave because who else will be my comfort pillow!".... yeah...

Scarabia was whiny... I mean- I expected it from Kalim but from Jamil too? That was shocking. 

Pomefiore tried to act calm but I saw that they were disappointed especially Rook. Vil even posted it to Magicam and everyone of Vil's followers who knew me were all bidding me goodbye and good luck.

Ignihyde was depressed. They all were upset that the only social interaction that they get was leaving. But after seeing Ortho's disappointed face I almost was about to say that I was never gonna leave.

Finally Diasomnia was gloomy... Esspecially Tsunotaro. He was so upset that he almost tried using [Fae of Maleficence] again. Thankfully I was able to stop him when I mentioned that he could visit whenever he liked.

But what shocked me was that even RSA came by my dorm when I started to pack. They actually held a thirty minute party and gave me a ton of stuff to remember them by.

Allison gave me one of his coats. I would normally wear his whenever I would visit so it was nice to have one for my own... It's so comfortable and stylish after all.

Che'nya gave me a big plush cat that looked like the pink and purple cat from my dreams. Thankfully he used magic on it so I can turn it into a keychain or the big plush whenever I wanted.

Neige gave me one of his limited time albums that had the other dwarves in the song. Complete with a USB to watch the live version.

Prince Rielle gave me a seashell hairclip that had the RSA insignia on the inside. The seashell was the same as the seashell he gave me when we first met.

Elliot also gave me a plush, but this one was a plushie of one of his mouse friends. It was cute with it's big ears.

Finally, Jasper gave me a photo album of all the photos that I've taken at RSA. It photos of all my friends at RSA, the teachers, events held at RSA, heh- even pictures of my favorite foods

The party was fun, and after they all left, my friends here at NRC threw a two hour party... Just like RSA, they gave me tons of gifts as well. Clothes, plushies, jewelry, magic items..... But the four that stood out the most was that Leona gave me a necklace with his family's crest on it, Vil placed a curse on all my stuff so that only me and the people I fully trust can touch my stuff, Idia gave me an entire new phone with the best of literally everything! The storage was over 900! But the one I loved the most was the one that Tsunotaro gave me.

He gave me my very own wand.

I was so excited. Malleus said that he and everyone else created the wand just for me and that they added all their magic together. I bursted into tears because of that. I thanked them profusely and they urged me to try and cast magic.

When I tried a simple spell I was shocked and absolutely ecstatic that I could cast spells like the others now. But what shocked me the most was that I could use all their unique magic. However, they weren't as shocked, they said it's because they already know because it's their magic. Grim was jealous that I was so powerful now but at the same time he looked so proud of me.

Another hour passed of me playing with my new wand and magic until finally all my stuff was packed. My friends all joined me to bid me goodbye. When we made it to the room with the Dark mirror, I also saw Headmage Crowley, Professor Crewel, Professor Trein, and Coach Vargas.

They all explain how proud of me they were, not only for surviving as the only female, but for helping them deal with the overblots as well. Then the four staff members gave me gifts as well.

Headmage Crowley gave me a Hat and cape similar to his own... But less feathery. He used magic so that it will grow too as I grow older.

Professor Crewel gave me a baton similar to his own and told me, "If any bad pups approach you then use this" Honestly, he said it with such annoyance that I almost said, "Thanks Dad!" right on the spot. 

Now, Professor Trein's gift shocked me but awed me the most because he gave me a life sized plush of Lucius.  AND IT WAS SO FLUFFY~~! I LOVED IT!

On the other hand... Coach Vargas gave me a whistle... kind of disappointed not going to lie... But I could use it if I'm in need of help so I', glad.

Crowley prepared the Dark Mirror and I bit my lip. "Will this really work..?" I asked him as I started at the Dark Mirror. "I'm absolutely sure." He smiled and pat my head. My friends started hugging me and bidding goodbye one by one for the fifth time. "You better call us for at least 10 minutes per day!" Grim yelled with teary eyes. "Aww~ Are you gonna miss you're favorite henchmen~?" I teased and giggled, patting his head softly as I crouched to his height.

"*Sniff*...... Yes..."

I blinked twice and then slowly pulled Grim into a tight hug. "Don't worry. The Dark Mirror should work so we can visit each other during summer or winter break" I smiled and pat his head as he cried. "P-Promise..?" Grim sniffled and rubbed his head into my stomach.

"I promise."

Grim panted and wiped his tears with his paws. "Okay... I... I'll miss you." I smiled and then looked up at Crowley. "Can we take a photo before I go?" I asked and waved the new phone Idia gave me. Everyone agreed and a ghost that was passing by took a photo for me while I posed with everyone, my friends, my teachers, my little brother figures, my father figures. "Okay! Done!" The ghost handed me my phone and my friends crowded me, asking me to send the photo to them all. 

After I did so, we made a group chat of all of us before I bid everyone one last goodbye.

And I entered the the Portal of the Dark Mirror.

As I felt my body getting warm due to heat, I opened my eyes, excited to see where I am.

Only to find myself in front of a bathroom mirror...

"I- Huh..?" I questioned myself, confused.

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: [ 1 | Red Train] 『🩸』

[sandbees]

Okay I was thinking about how the other charathers that Arent the great Seven would react to the NRC students in the house of mouse AU. Like i can Imagine Azul asking Ariel if She wants ti make a deal with him and Ariel Is like "lol no", or the First year see Cruella de vil at One of the tables and they are like "She look so much like Crewel that She's giving us PTSD" or kalim and Aladdin becoming buddies :D.

Well, let me put in some headcannons then:

Word goes around that some of the Great Disney villains come to visit Yuu and everyone gets jealous.

So now whenever Yuu goes to work they always get asked to have them visit their world.

So, Yuu just says, “Meh ok, you guys can visit me whenever just ask one of the Great Seven or go through the mirror in my dressing room-“

And suddenly Yuu gets someone they met from the House of Mouse ever other day. It’s literal chaos and Yuu doesn’t know if they should feel exasperated or flattered.

Anyways, here’s some interactions between the dorms and some Disney Characters:

Heartslybul: Obviously when Alice comes to visit, she comments on how Heartslybul reminds her of the Queen of Hearts’ garden. When Yuu mentions that they paint the roses red, Alice sarcastically asks, “Does the dorm leader behead people who don’t paint the roses?” “...Well, he’s more lenient now but...” “...You’re serious?”

Ace and Alice get along swimmingly, basically quick quips and a lot of teasing. Yuu regrets introducing them to each other because they know the two are going to get into some sort of trouble. Deuce also gets along with Alice, though he can get lost in Alice’s rambles in imagination.

I think Alice would get along with Trey and Cater. I mean, they both give big brother vibes (Trey more than Cater). Trey would give Alice some tarts and Alice is like, “....He’s cool.”

Cater is going to take a bunch of pictures, and Alice is very curious about the device he’s holding (I don’t think phones or the internet existed during Alice’s time so...). Cater ends up teaching Alice about the internet and phones.

Riddle...ohhh noo. Once Alice broke one of the 810 rules and Riddle lightly scolded her for it. Alice thinks most of the rules are ridiculous and while Riddle has toned down on being strict, he’ll quickly get annoyed with Alice questioning the rules. There’s rules for a reason! The dorm was founded on these rules!!

Savannaclaw: It’s Simba, obviously. He’s curious to see the dorm after his...nefarious uncle. It’s much more nicer than he expected, though he’s a little off put by the dorm’s...rowdiness.

But he’s impressed with the Magishift practices they have when Yuu showed them.

He likes Jack, right off the bat. Jack has this sense of justice that he can relate to. I think they would get along pretty well. Oh, and probably how strong and buff Jack is.

Simba is wary of Ruggie, due to him being a hyena beastmen. He has...bad memories of hyenas. His wariness is correct, since Ruggie has tried to swindle Simba and Yuu to do some of his work. Does the relationship get better? Only if Yuu makes them hang out with each other haha.

Leona reminds Simba of Scar...to a certain degree. Lazy, cunning, and has this look where it seems like he could be planning something nefarious...

Ok, maybe not that bad, but Simba is weary of Leona. He kind of expected a character similar to Scar since this is the dorm based on him but...still. It’s really odd. It’s kind of rocky, but if Cheka comes over to visit, well...it could get better.

I mean, Leona does find Cheka annoying and calls him a brat but...Simba can tell there’s no malicious desire towards Cheka, which raises Leona’s “evil people don’t interact” list. That doesn’t mean Leona’s in the clear, but he’s ok.

Octavinelle: Surprise, surprise, it’s Ariel! She comes over, human legs and all. (Don’t worry! She got them from the nicer sorcerers). She wanted to visit Yuu and see how great NRC was! They had fun, and then they went to Mostro Lounge.

Ariel is terrified of the Tweels. They give her this...off putting feeling and they’re very intimidating. She does not trust them at all. She does like how they get up close and how they speak as if she’s some poor soul waiting to be taken advantage over.

That’s also why she does not trust Azul at all. He reminds Ariel of Ursula - especially when he tries making a contract with her. Uh-uh, no way. Never again.

This leads to Ariel dubbing NRC a dangerous place for Yuu to stay at. Why doesn’t Yuu come live with her and her family back at her world? Surely it’s much more safer than here! Why, Melody already sees Yuu as a big sibling so why not just stay at the castle permanently?

Ursula fumes at the thought of her enemy trying to take Yuu away and become their parent. That’s her role, dammit!

Scarabia: Kalim invites Aladdin, actually. It’s the most funniest scenario. Yuu mentioned to Kalim about the street rat that wooed the princess and Kalim says, “:00 WE SHOULD INVITE HIM!!” Jamil sighs and facepalms.

It’s actually going great! Aladdin is kind of shocked at the big party that Kalim threw, but it was a great welcome. He’s shook that Kalim apparently trusted Aladdin enough to show him the treasury room. “It’s open for all of the dorm to use! I don’t need much of it!”

Wasn’t NRC rumored to be a villain’s school??? What is this ball of sunshine doing here???

Actually, the Scarabia duo are good in his eyes. Sure, a little rough around the edges with Kalim being a bit too naive and Jamil being more of a watching snake, but they’re better than what he expected. Aladdin gets along with them pretty well!

And then they go on a carpet ride when Kalim introduces Aladdin to his magic flying carpet.

Yuu and Jamil scream at the two of them to get down as they fly across the night sky.

Pomfiore: oh no. Oh no no no. Snow White visiting Pomfiore is like...Neige visiting.

Vil is cold to Snow White, and she knows why. She’s seen the images that Yuu had of this “Neige Leblanc”. He certainly reminds her of her younger days. Which is why she completely understands why Vil is so standoffish of her.

What she doesn’t expect is Rook singing her praises and also kind of...watching her. It’s low key creepy but Yuu says it’s normal and since he doesn’t mean any harm Snow White lets it slide. They do have a good conversation though. Snow White learns to understand Rook’s...eccentric hobbies.

Epel and Snow White go together like apples and oranges. They go pretty well together, but they have contrasting differences. They could be passed of as siblings with their cute looks, as much as Epel hates to admit it. Though I’d like to think they have this “Soft big sister with a gremlin of a little brother” dynamic. Or “Big sister that is harmless but has a badass little bother” dynamic. Just...a cool sibling dynamic, basically.

Ignihyde: Hercules comes by when he hears that a dorm was based off of Hades. He had to see what it was like. He expected the doom and gloom, but he didn’t expect all the technology.

He and Ortho go along swimmingly. I mean, he’s pretty chill around the more upbeat and cheery dorm member, at least. (Seriously, the others were such buzzkills). He also gets a good impression on Idia when Ortho affectionately talks about his big brother! Wow, so the kids here do have a heart! Unlike Hades-

Ok, so as much as Ortho talks so highly of Idia, Hercules does not see how Ortho does. I mean, Idia is a complete shut in and gloomy recluse! Why do you stick around him?! It isn’t until he speaks his mind about that comment does Ortho turn into a crazy murder machine. (“How DARE you speak of that about my brother!!”) Yuu has to save Hercules and the entire dorm before Ortho blows up the school.

So now Hercules sees how inseparable the two are and how much they care for each other, which yeah, that’s pretty cool. (Is also low key jealous, how come his half brothers weren’t like that?)

Diasomnia: Aurora visits with Maleficent. Both do not share ill will after their stories are completed. They actually do make amends. So Maleficent invited Aurora to see her grandson, and Aurora politely accepts.

They have tea with Malleus, and it is a very pleasant conversation. Aurora gets along well with Malleus, even suggesting maybe she should invite him and Maleficent to her kingdom one day. (Maybe when she gives birth to a beautiful baby. Maleficent liked that)

Lilia is also a fun one to be around! Aurora was so surprised by his scare that she had laughed. Ah, what a funny fae! Why, she hadn’t laughed this hard since...well, never. She likes Lilia and will come by if she needs a good laugh.

Poor Sebek though....he acts all uptight around Aurora because she’s a Queen and also aquatinted with Maleficent...he must be respectful to her at all costs! It takes a long time for Sebek to at least act a little casual around her. Maleficent says it’ll take some time, though Aurora isn’t sure if that time will come on her lifetime...but for the meantime, she is still happy to be around Sebek’s presence and have pleasant conversations with him.

Aurora and Silver...ok, let me say this: they got along during a sleepover. The Diasomnia gang + Maleficent and Aurora had a sleepover in the dorms to “better know each other”. I also think Aurora would feel sympathy for Silver if the conversation of him tending to fall asleep came up. Heavens knows she still has her sleepy spells even after her curse was broken.

Also- wofhenod I just imagine Aurora and Silver walking in the forest together and a bunch of animals surround them. (Yuu finds them and cries when they actually attracted a bunch of adorable puppies (or whatever animal you find cute). Cute, adorable animals that are so gentle with them that they start to cry due to stress from being at NRC (Silver and Aurora look at Yuu with concern and gently start comforting them)

Winfendien Suddenly I want a twin dynamic with Silver and Aurora. Even a sibling dynamic would be cool. Just two sleepy siblings that won’t hesitate to kick your ass.

[hannahhook7744]

Operation Baby part 7;

Trigger warning; abuse, neglect, and the isle of the lost being terrible as always.

Tags; @fandom-writing-promptorrequest @ginnyrules27 @syke-clops (if you want to be added, let me know).

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ The answer to that question varied depending on the pairing, but everyone, absolutely everyone's heart was currently breaking because of the state they were finding their children in...🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

Jafar found himself infront of a Shop that looked like it had been pulled straight out of Agrabah and dropped here, before getting ransacked. The sign of the shop was tilted dangerously and read 'Jafar's Junk shop', leaving Jafar with the correct impression that he'd find his stolen son inside. And find him, he did; curled up and sleeping under a tv stand with a battered face and bruised, welt covered hands. It just broke his heart and he knew that if Amara was here and not in Wonderland visiting her sons, she'd be heart broken too.

The fact that a girl with his long dead twin sister's eyes was there and in the same horrible, malnourished state as his son didn't help his heart break in the slightest. How his alternate self could do this and live with himself, he'd never know or understand-- he didn't want to. Jafar didn't want to know or understand how this level of evil could exist. He just wanted to get both the kids and get the hell out of there-- out of this accursed shop and away from this terrible place. So that's just what he did-- by simply picking up the kids and poofing away. He knew there would probably be consequences for this-- most likely in the form of scared, reluctant, confused children-- but couldn't find it within himself to care. He needed to get them out of there and he needed to do it now, consequences be damned.

Maleficent and Hades ended up splitting since they figured they'd find their stolen daughter faster that way. Hades went to where he felt the most godly energy and Maleficent went to where the other Maleficent obviously lived. Maleficent thought that nobody was home when she entered the decrepit home since no one yelled or swore at her when she picked the lock. She nearly left -- she would have if the sound of soft sniffles hadn't reached her ears. The dragon sorceress ended letting her ears guide her towards the source of the sound and when she found it, her heart broke. That soft sniffling sound? It had come from her very small, pale, and heartbroken daughter who was curled up on a ratty mattress on the floor, hugging a ratty pillow, and sobbing. And to make matters worse, she had a large bruise on her face that was only a few hours old that was shaped like a hand.

Luckily, it was simple enough for Maleficent to convince her long lost daughter to come with her, even if the 10 year old had been a bit scared of her at first. All she had, had to say was that she was there to take her away from the isle and the purple headed fae eagerly packed the few measly things she had grown attached to during her time on the isle. Most of it was ratty and clearly came from the trash, but Maleficent wasn't about to take it from her. Not when the poor thing didn't know she had a series of better things at home. She could ease the young girl off of the measly things when they got home and away from here.

Meanwhile, Hades was in his alternate self's lair, silently fuming at what he was seeing. A few feet away from him, his alternate self was sleeping on a ratty couch -- wearing sunglasses! -- while the looped sound of barking played on a record player, drowning out the cries of a small blue haired infant. An infant that's crib was on fire with blue flames. His alternate self was ignoring a defenseless little godling's cries and the smoke that was filling the room out of pure laziness. And that infuriated him. This, this bastrad had likely stolen his daughter-- depriving him and his wife of a relationship with her-- only to ignore his own child and likely her as well?! What kind of sorry excuse for a man-- let alone a God-- ignored and neglected their children? One of which they had stolen? Hades didn't even have to think about his next course of action-- there was nothing to question or think about. He was taking this baby with him, whether anyone else liked it or not, because it was his son and his daughter's brother in a way and he refused to let him suffer like this.

So he walked over to the flaming crib and plucked up the child-- not caring about how heinous and hypocritical the action was-- and simply and swiftly exited the lair. The fact that his other self didn't even stirr only reinforced the idea that he was doing the right thing. He silently promised the small, pitiful infant that he'd be a better parent than his poor excuse for a counterpart ever could be. While also silently promising that he'd make his counterpart pay for every transgressions he had made against his family. He knew he'd have to wait until everything was settled to get his revenge, but he swore that he and his wife would get it soon.

Gaston and Laurette's discovery and reclaiming of their boys went alot quicker and smoother than anyone would expect. They didn't even get passed the 'Hey do you want to leave the isle--' part , before the twins were grabbing their and Gil's stuff and following them out. It honestly should have been concerning how quickly they agreed to leaving with them, but it wasn't. Not after the LeGumes had already seen and heard how bad the isle was. Not after hearing all the screaming and pleading , fearful children. They understood that the isle was awful and that no one would want to be stuck there, so the fact that the children agreed so quickly didn't concern or surprise them. Not yet, anyway-- there would be plenty of time for them to be concerned later.

Tisbe and Clorinda's run in with and retrieval of Anthony and Dizzy went a whole lot less smoothly. Mainly because Anthony didn't trust them at all and tried to shut the door on them multiple times. In fact, if Dizzy hadn't been there, they probably wouldn't have gotten through the front door at all. Dizzy had been the one to let them in and to plead with Anthony hear them out. 3 hours of arguing with the stubborn 13 year old later, he finally relented and agreed to go with them -- solely because they agreed to take his siblings and cousins with them as well if he agreed to go with them. Sure, it was probably a dirty tactic to use but at this point the two sisters were desperate to get their kids back and if they had to bring extra kids back, then it had to be done. Besides, they weren't exactly willing to leave the alternate Tremaine kids behind in this world anyway... who cared if the others would probably bitch at them for taking extra kids back home?

[crownshattered-moved]

|| Good morning!! Here are a few miscellaneous TWST Kira thoughts I’ve had~ Idk if I’ll keep them and I may change them, but they’re just little details I’m happy with~ A lot of them are references to the original source material XDD

I don’t know where Kira’s early childhood was. I doubt her “adoptive parents” lived in Briar Valley, since humans are so rare and rich humans like that just don’t exist here. So, I think she was originally born in the valley but was taken to an outside land, spent the first part of her life there, and when she escaped, followed her instincts back to Briar Valley. I’ve been toying with the idea that wisps of sorts are what led her to Primrose.

I’m thinking Primrose is a fairy. I’m thinking a flower fae (like the three good fairies in the Maleficent movie) but she decided to live as a human, and that’s one reason she’s so excluded from others. Bc most fae REALLY don’t like humans, so they wouldn’t like her for picking that lifestyle. I think roses are her specialty. Maybe she was cursed or something and that’s why she’s blind and her appearance so warped..?? Idk, haven’t gotten that far XDD

I’m thinking Kira has this brown long haired cat back at home named Adam, but she calls him her little beast. Part of me wants to take it a step further and have it be something that Primrose cursed to be in this form, and if so, it would be mostly a cat but maybe with horns or something idk XDD Maybe a monster that tried to get into her garden, and since it wants to be turned back, it sticks around. Regardless of if it’s a normal cat or once a monster, he’s a grumpy little guy that likes his isolation and will growl at anyone he meets. HOWEVER, he miraculously has a HUGE soft spot for Kira. Any time she comes home, he’s quick to greet her. If she’s in the garden, he’s with her. If she’s reading, he’s napping with his head on her lap. Maybe he’s protective of her? Maybe he sees her as his human companion? Idk, but it’s cute~

There’s an old castle that’s close to Primrose’s cottage. A little far, but close enough to visit by broom for a day trip. There are many ruins in Briar Valley, but this one is Kira’s favorite. She loves exploring the dark and empty space. When Kira was little, Primrose told her a story about a beautiful enchantress who cursed an evil prince and turned him into a beast, only so that he would find true love and become human once more. Kira often wonders if this castle was where it happened. 

The cloak Kira wears was given to her by Primrose, and it was enchanted by her too. Its enchantment allows for great protection against magic (curses in particular). She didn’t give it to Kira because she expected she would be in danger at school, but rather for exploring Briar Valley. One can never be too careful. 

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

Maleficent watches as the girl cries, her nose wrinkled in disgust. This child is supposed to be the blood of dragon, the descendant of the fair folk? Maybe her child is not fae after all.

She crouches down to her level anyway.

„Listen, you ungrateful child,“ she says, „This is a chance to prove yourself! If you can escape from this prison, I’ll know that I was right to claim you as mine! If you can break free, I’ll know that you deserve the mark on your arm. You’ll make me proud. Do you understand?“

The child wipes it’s tears and nods. Maleficent puts her hand on it’s – her – shoulder.

„Prove that you are the blood of the Dragon, my child. Have fun, be bad, and make your Maman proud.“

She strokes her daughter's hair in a carefree motion. She is not crying anymore. Good.

But before Maleficent leaves, she gives her daughter two more gifts:

She reveals her her full fae name, with a warning: No one else may know your true name, child! Remember that!

And she leaves her her old spellbook. She has it memorized, anyway.

The Evil Queen leaves her daughter without much fussing: It’s unladylike, anyway. And besides, no one is stealing the title of the fairest of them all, not even her daughter! She takes her mirror with her, it’s her most prized possession, and it doesn’t work under the Barrier anyway.

But she doesn’t leave the young princess empty-handed: She leaves her her very own make-up kit and a collection of old, dusty tomes full of knowledge long forbidden outside the barrier.

„Because,“ she says, „Good looks are not a lady's only weapon. Few clever words or a well-chosen spell may do the work as easily as your sweetest smile. Remember that, my child,“ she adds, as she packs the last of her robes, „And make something of yourself. You are royal, meine kleine Prinzessin, you are better than those common brats running around the streets. Oh, and a sharp dagger won’t go amiss either!“

Evie nods, engraving each world to memory: She will be beautiful and she will be smart. When she hits, she won’t miss.

When the Evil Queen leaves, Evie sits back with perfect posture, a sweet smile on her lips and not a single tear. She taught her well.

Before Gaston departs to the port, he visits Ursula with his youngest son in tow. He is the payment the sea witch has requested for her service. Gaston doesn’t care what happens next. He doesn’t say goodbye to either of his children, and the boys don’t wish him farewell either. They are busy crying in the arms of their Mother and their uncle LeFou.

Gaston doesn’t care for their tears, nor for the pleas of his wife and oldest friend. The adults are leaving and the children are not; the children should stay here, where they know it best. Is it too hard to understand?

Before Ursula leaves, she gifts her daughter her first follower and worshiper.

She considered taking her daughter with her for a while, she really did, but the girl has no gils nor tentacles. Only two useless, human legs. She would die in the depths of the ocean, surely.

It is only for her own good, really, to stay here, on the Isle, under the Barrier. Better half a life than death. Ursula can’t be bothered to care for offspring too weak to withstand the ocean anyway.

So she leaves her daughter with the Gaston’s boy on the Isle.

„Use him well,“ she says to her daughter, „And remember your name. Don’t let the others forget who you are, for you are descendant of the Gods and the sea. Don’t make me regret giving life to you.“

She slides into the water without a glance backwards, feeling the cold water all over her body. Soon, she will be free. Soon.

[skyemak]

A Reflection of the Past: Chapter 1

Summary: This work explores Malleus's past until he came to Night Raven College, when he was still but a child. The child spends his days learning new things with his guardian, Lilia, and occasionally spending time with his loving grandmother, Maleficent. He understands he is the next in line for the Valley of Thorns, but all he can feel is love for those around him. One day, his dear grandmother calls for Malleus. It seems she has a gift she wishes to give to him on short notice.

The first chapter is a little over 8k words. Also available on my ao3 account.

Thank you Leon (@scarabbai) for proofreading ❣

The wind had a crisp, cold bite to it as it blew through the night air. Leaves scattered and crunched under two sets of footsteps as they walked a dry dirt road. The child of the two tightly gripped the hand of the cloaked man beside him. As he walked, the young one would glance toward his feet, purposefully stomping on the leaves along their path.

“Malleus,” the man spoke. His voice was deep and commanding, but when the child looked toward him, a gentle smile appeared on his face. Two fangs were easily visible under his smiling lips. “I understand you enjoy stomping on the leaves, but please refrain for now. It’s hard to walk like this.”

Malleus stared up toward the man, peering at his long jet-black hair as it moved with the wind. The man raised an eyebrow toward the child before he nodded, “Okay.”

The cloaked man gripped Malleus’s hand just a bit tighter, “We’re almost there.”

Malleus looked up toward the dark sky. The sun had already set long ago, but small sparse clouds could be seen shifting with the wind among the stars. A stronger wind came through, howling quietly as it ruffled up their cloaks. The child gripped his tighter to his body, tugging at the man’s hand. “Lilia,” he quietly pressed, “how much longer?”

Lilia chuckled, extending his arm forward. “Do you see that light ahead? That’s our destination.”

Malleus looked where he pointed, and indeed saw a humble looking cottage at the end of their path. The child puffed his cheeks to pout. “Why does grandmother need to see me anyway? She never asks to see me.”

“Well, Maleficent has her reasons, Malleus. Besides, does she need a reason to meet with her grandson?” Lilia replied. Malleus did not answer, and they continued to their destination without speaking another word. A few worn stone steps led up to the door of the small cottage. Behind Lilia’s legs, Malleus stood gripping at his cloak. Lilia’s hand slipped out of his coat to knock at the door. A moment later came the sound of approaching footsteps. With a faint creak, the door opened.

“Ah, Lilia, good to see you.” A woman stood inside the cottage, and she spoke with a dignified tone. She stood firm with her shoulders back. There was an elegant air around her, one that demanded authority.

“You’re looking as elegant as ever, Maleficent,” Lilia replied with a smile. He placed his hand over his chest before bowing to her respectfully. Maleficent nodded toward the man before craning her neck to see behind him. “Malleus,” she spoke sternly, but affectionately, “you’re growing up quite nicely. Your horns look almost fully grown. Come in, both of you. I’ll arrange for us to have a cup of tea.”

Malleus stood by the mantle in the main living area. A few logs and some kindling burned in the firepit, bringing a welcome warmth to the young child. He stood on his tiptoes to run his hand along the intricate carvings and design of the fireplace.

“Malleus,” Maleficent spoke from behind him, “I’ve brought you some hot chocolate.” Malleus turned around, seeing his grandmother place a small mug on her short coffee table. Lilia sat comfortably in a lounge chair near the table. He crossed his legs and took a sip of tea from his own mug. With faint steps, the child walked to the mug. He looked toward the brown liquid, happy to see a few marshmallows floating. With both hands at once, he picked up the mug. As he tipped it toward his mouth—

“Be careful, it’s hot,” the woman cautioned.

Malleus looked toward her and nodded. Nonetheless, he put his lips on the cup to drink. After gulping down a few sips, he set it back on the table. “Thank you,” Malleus turned toward his grandmother, a small brown moustache on his upper lip.

“Malleus, you have chocolate on your mouth,” Lilia pointed out. Without any hesitation, the child raised a part of his cloak and used it as a wipe. “Malleus!”

Lilia set down his cup to stand before Maleficent spoke up. “It’s alright, Lilia. It’s a black cloak anyway, and an easily replaceable one at that. Come here, my dear grandson.”

Maleficent sat on her own lounge chair and lightly pat her lap. For a few moments, he stared at her before walking over to climb up and sit on her lap. When he found a comfy position, his grandmother began to affectionately brush her fingers through his bangs. “Soon, you’ll be too big for me to hold you like this,” she commented.

“Indulge in it while you can,” Lilia stated from across the two, smiling toward them.

“While I still can…” Her voice faded. Even as she sat in the well-cushioned chair, Maleficent still sat upright, her movements refined and polished. Malleus leaned against her chest, his eyelids growing heavy as she continued to brush his bangs. Her eyes were filled with that of love for her grandson as she stared at his face.

“Was there something you wanted to give your grandson today, Maleficent?” Lilia asked, quietly setting down his empty cup of tea.

“Oh, yes. Dear me, I almost forgot.” She looked to her side and wrapped her fingers around a small box. “I know you’re tired, my dear.” Maleficent extended the index finger of the hand she used to hold the box to brush his bangs from his eyes.

He sleepily opened his eyes, snuggling closer to his grandmother.

“Hmm?”

“This is for you.” The woman placed the box before his eyes, sliding the top of it open. Malleus peered into the box. With his small hand, he put it in the box and pulled out what appeared to be a small, round mirror. With a bit of struggle, he opened it and saw his own reflection.

“A mirror?” he held it with his hands and looked up toward the woman.

“Yes,” she purred, holding his face and stroking his cheek with her thumb. “It’s not just any mirror. There’s a certain…enchantment on it.”

Malleus turned the mirror in his hands but saw nothing special about it. At a loss, he glanced up toward his grandmother. She merely chuckled and stroked his back. “Do not push yourself too hard, my dear. It’s not an easily visible enchantment.”

“Maleficent, are you sure about giving him something that fragile at his age?” Lilia spoke up. She did not immediately answer his question. Instead, she gently pressed Malleus against her, stroking his back. The child’s eyelids again grew heavy. Malleus leaned his body against her, his hands lowering and loosening their grip around the mirror. In one fluid movement, she grabbed it from his hands and placed it back into the box. The young child’s consciousness gradually faded as he fell asleep.

“Lilia,” Maleficent began. “I’m afraid my time here…”

Lilia jolted, gripping the arms of his chair. “Then, I—” He moved to stand before Maleficent shushed him.

“Please,” she murmured. “He’s sleeping now. Let me enjoy my time I have now with my grandson.”

Lilia sighed and collapsed back into the chair, coming down hard enough for it to slide backward a bit on the wooden floor. He planted his forehead into his palm, staring at the ground in dismay. The only sound in the room was the jarringly pleasant crackling of the fire.

Months had passed since visiting Maleficent. It grew colder through the winter with long nights. In those months, Malleus left his mirror from his grandmother mostly untouched. He found a spot for it on his desk within his bedroom and left it there. As the seasons shifted again and the hours of sunlight extended, the mirror sat at his desk, collecting dust. At this time, the mirror held little significance to him. Malleus still visited his grandmother from time to time, and she pampered him as usual during every meeting. He loved her. At first glance, Maleficent may come off as cold and strict, but he knew how truly affectionate she could be. He always looked forward to seeing her again and struggled to hold back tears whenever parting ways.

Lilia continued watching over Malleus as time passed. Although he was a bit overconfident in his cooking skills, Lilia was a promising teacher to the child. He learned many things from his guardian and felt a sort of affection for him as well. When he was sick, Lilia would be at his side to keep an eye on his condition. When he fell and skinned his knee while playing outside, Lilia would be there to help him calm down and bandage his wound.

One topic always caught the boy’s attention. Throughout Malleus’s life he’d only seen and met other fae. However, Lilia told him of another creature, a kind that Malleus had never heard of before—humans. A different sort of species that varied from his own. Each region mankind resided in would include their own cultures, their own language, their own way of living. The thought of meeting a human some day excited Malleus. He became even more intrigued when he learned of a human kingdom not too far away.

Years ago, a nearby kingdom of humans celebrated the birth a new princess. They invited many citizens of power to the event, but failed to invite Maleficent. Presuming something went wrong with the invitation, she still made an appearance, and even bestowed a gift unto the princess. The people of the kingdom were displeased with her gift and resented her. Malleus could not himself understand the full circumstances, but presuming they were as intelligent as Lilia had suggested, he felt the two groups could eventually come to terms.

One day, Lilia told Malleus that he had urgent business with Maleficent he had to attend to. At the time, Malleus thought nothing of it—it was routine. Expecting Lilia to be gone for a few days at most, Malleus accepted the declaration and told Lilia he hoped to see him and his grandmother again soon. The child was too naïve to realize the how pained Lilia’s smile was when he departed.

A week had passed since Lilia’s departure.

Malleus did not expect for him to be this long. He had never been gone for this long before. The child sat at his desk, kicking his feet that dangled above the floor. Malleus rested his arm on his wooden desk, laying his cheek on top of it. His other arm was outstretched on the desk, spinning the mirror that Maleficent gifted him not too long ago. Truly there was nothing to note of this mirror. When holding it to look at his reflection, he never looked distorted or disfigured. It was just his own face. Nothing would appear behind him in the reflection, nor did it share any new information. The backplate was based off iron, with a decorative design that reminded him of vines. The only factor of this mirror that felt disjointed to him was the fact it had no handle. It was just a normal, round mirror.

Outside the window of his room at the villa, the sky was a deep orange, with few clouds drifting overhead. A few yards away, a few small fairies gathered around a ring of mushrooms. Some used the caps of the fungi as seats and clapped as others danced and sang within the circle. Here and there were still a few patches of snow yet to melt, but one could expect them to be gone by tomorrow’s afternoon sun. “The Fairy Gala’s probably coming up soon…” Malleus mumbled to himself.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a door opening in the direction of the villa’s entrance. At once, Malleus laid down the mirror and hopped out of his seat. The child ran for the door but froze. He turned around to push the chair in under his desk, as Lilia told him to make a habit of pushing the chair back. Returning to his main objective, Malleus ran out his room and into the hallway. He had a sense of who had returned and couldn’t wait to see him. The enthusiasm of the child’s steps could be heard throughout the villa. He turned the corner and saw Lilia’s figure standing in the foyer, shrugging off his cloak. “Lilia!” Malleus exclaimed with a bright smile on his face.

The man jolted. “Mal—” He quickly looked away. His face looked torn as he gritted his teeth, gripping his cloak hard his knuckles turned white. Of course, the child was oblivious to all of this, opting to run to his side and wrap his arms around the man’s leg.

“I missed you,” he mumbled to his pants. After a few moments of silence, Lilia reached down and patted the child’s head.

“I…missed you too, Malleus.”

The boy looked up, resting his chin on Lilia’s knee. “How’s grandmother?” he asked with an innocent, fanged smile. Lilia stiffened. “What’d you have to do with her? Is it adult stuff again?” Lilia didn’t answer, biting his lip. “Lilia?”

Abruptly, Lilia dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around Malleus, tightly hugging him. “Malleus…” His voice cracked. The man pressed his fingers against the back of the child’s head, holding him close to his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Absently, Malleus raised his arms, wrapping them around him. “Lilia…?”

The next several days, Lilia seemed to be only a husk of his former self. He’d spend hours on end sitting in the villa’s foyer, staring at the portrait of his beloved master that hung above the mantle. The vampire would slink in his chair, only getting up to use the gentlemen’s room. Maids attending to the villa would deliver him tea and food. He would consume what was placed before him, but it brought him no pleasure. Fine, delicious herbal teas to him were just like drinking hot water. His taste buds could not decipher the difference between a full course meal or a simple piece of buttered bread. When not in his chair, Lilia would be in bed. For a few days he would not leave his room until well into the noon. Malleus, who could not grasp why Lilia acted this way, felt unsure of what to do. Normally Lilia would offer the child a warm smile in the morning with a warm cup of tea. Sometimes he’d come with a prepared breakfast (though the child would always cross his fingers in hopes that it was not made by Lilia). In the afternoon, his guardian would teach him about something new, whether magic, history, or literature. Occasionally he’d tell stories about myths and legends, or perhaps he’d share tales of his youth.

Uncertain of what to do, Malleus would approach Lilia in his chair and ask him about lessons for the day. “Not today, Malleus,” he’d murmur in reply. On another occasion, the child would bring a book to Lilia, asking him to read it with him. It was a fascinating tale about a girl being taken advantage of by her stepmother and stepsisters. The girl dreamed of a better life, but what the book had in store, Malleus did not yet know. After only reading a few pages, he wanted to share this tale with Lilia. He approached Lilia in his chair and lightly tugged at his clothes. Under his arm, the child held the book in question. Lazily, Lilia glanced toward the child. He did not inquire out loud as to what the young boy wanted, instead he stared. Malleus held up his book toward Lilia, smiling brightly.

When his eye caught sight of the book in question, the normally deadpan expression he held twisted into a scowl. The man knew of this book and what the story had in store. “Get rid of it,” Lilia growled. Malleus pulled the book back, holding it tightly against his chest. He looked down, biting his lip to hold a sob before scampering away. The young boy ran to his room, tears falling from his cheeks when he shut the door. He sat down on the cool floor and set down his book, staring at its cover. Why did Lilia not like this book? Did it have a bad ending? Malleus had no way of knowing.

Malleus made the decision to leave his guardian be for the time being. He took the initiative to try and read books on his own and even read some historical texts all by himself. He felt proud of himself, but it left a hollow feeling in his chest. Malleus wanted so much to boast to Lilia about the difficult words he was reading, hoping for him to smile at him and award him words of praise. But he couldn’t. Lilia did not want to be bothered…or at least, that’s all the child could understand from his behavior. However, Malleus still wanted to be present for Lilia’s sake. He knew not what he could do to fix whatever was happening, but he felt a need to do something. One day, he approached one of the maids and asked to help them prepare Lilia’s tea. The task was simple enough for him to handle, and he could be the one to bring him the cup. The maid was hesitant to let someone of nobility perform such a mundane task, but Malleus was insistent. She showed him how to steep leaves for an herbal tea. She was also kind enough to get him a stepstool in the kitchen so he could reach for the tea pot to pour said tea. The maid’s heart fluttered when he smiled and bounced on the stepstool, waiting for the tea to be ready for his beloved guardian. Finally, after the maid helped the young one set up a tray for the teapot, a cup, and a small container for sugar cubes, Malleus’s elbows pointed all the way out as he held up the tray.

“You sure you have a good grip on it, young master?” the maid asked.

“Yes!” he quickly chimed.

She gave him a warm smile as she opened the door leading out of the kitchen. “Good luck then.”

Malleus nodded, staring intently between the tray in front of him and the path ahead. His steps were sluggish but diligent. He had to get the tea to his guardian without spilling a single drop.

He approached Lilia in the same chair he always stayed in nowadays. Lilia’s elbow rested on the arm of his seat, and he held his head up by his fist. Just as before, he stared off into space, in the direction of the Maleficent portrait above the mantle. “Lilia,” Malleus timidly spoke up. Head unmoved, the man glanced at Malleus, awkwardly holding the tray with his elbows up. With a quick “heave-ho”, the child placed the tea tray on the table beside the chair. “Do you want any sugar or honey?” the boy asked.

Lilia’s answer was curt, and to the point. “It’s fine.” Passively, he extended his arm toward the teacup, quickly gulping down his tea, and setting it back on the tray.

Malleus stared at the cup; a bit surprised to see it empty already. “Did you want more?”

“No.”

“…Okay.”

The child couldn’t help but feel a slight knot form in his throat, but he said nothing. Malleus wrapped his fingers around the handles of the tray, holding it up as he did before. He turned on his heel and began his way back to the kitchen. His heart felt heavy, and his feet dragged across the floor as he walked. As the boy approached the kitchen door, he heard murmurs on the other side.

“He made tea for Lilia?”

“Yeah, he looked so cute I couldn’t say no. Plus, I was hoping it’d help cheer him up.”

There was a sigh, “The poor child has no idea… It makes sense Lilia’s upset after what happened to her excellency, but I can’t blame him—”

Malleus slammed his shoulder against the wood to open the door, “What happened to Grandmother?!” he cried.

Two maids stood in shock in the kitchen. The boy set the tea tray on a nearby counter then ran toward them. “Tell me!” he demanded.

“Oh!” one of the maids yelped. “Malleus… Did Lilia like the tea?”

“What happened to Grandmother?” he asked again.

The girls paused, looking at each other hesitantly. One of the two put her hands on her thighs and crouched lower. “We can’t…tell you that, Malleus.”

“Why?! Tell me!” He balled his hands into fists and trembled. Frustrated tears began to well up in his eyes.

In the end, the maids kept their lips sealed. No matter how much he pressed, not a single word would slip their lips. Malleus, frustrated to tears, ran to his room and slammed his door shut. He jumped to his bed and hid under his covers, tightly gripping the blanket in his hands. “Lilia…” he whimpered.

He wanted his normal guardian back. The one who’d sit next to him as he recited old literature and explained it simply enough for the child to understand. The one who’d take him to the forest and show him the different fairies and tell him about their unique traits. The one who’d scold him for trying to ram his horns in a tree and get stuck doing so. The one who’d tightly hold his hand while they walked to his grandmother’s.

Eventually the child cried himself to the point of pure exhaustion and fell asleep for the night. Again, Lilia did not even visit his room once that night to wish his young master sweet dreams. He didn’t smile down at Malleus as he pulled the blankets up to his shoulders to settle for the night. Malleus just felt…alone.

The next morning, Malleus found Lilia had not left his chair that night. Either he had fallen asleep there during the night, or he chose to not leave his seat. Malleus saw a small teacup sitting at the table next to him; a few sips of cold tea remained in the small ceramic cup. Standing at the other side of his chair, Malleus rested his small hands on the chair’s armrest and stared at Lilia’s sleeping face. The vampire’s elbow again rested on the arm rest while his cheek balanced on his hand. A few strands of his dark hair swept over his face unnoticed. Malleus noticed how long his eyelashes were and how pale he looked. Well, it was probably natural for Lilia to have a fair complexion. When awake, there always seemed to be something weighing on his mind, keeping him from his normal habits.

The young boy scampered back to his room, his quick footsteps echoing the hallway. He approached his desk and slipped his fingers under his book, holding it against his chest. Malleus took a step back and leaned toward the door, but a light appeared in the corner of his eye. Sitting there was the small mirror, reflecting light from the morning sun. He reached out and grabbed it. A layer of dust had collected on it as it sat untouched on his desk, so he rubbed the mirror over his clothes.

“Good morning, young master,” one of the maids greeted Malleus as he walked through the hallway.

He glanced up toward her and saw her smile at him gently. “Good morning.”

His footsteps slowed as he returned to the foyer. A nearby window shone a bright ray of sunshine by Lilia’s feet. In a few hours, the ray may migrate closer to Lilia’s face. The mostly empty teacup no longer sat on the table. Malleus approached the ray at his feet, and sat down, crossing his legs. The book laid on his lap with the mirror on top as he scooted back to lean against his guardian’s legs. Lilia stirred a bit, but when Malleus looked behind, he saw his eyes were still closed. Setting the mirror down on his knee, Malleus opened his book and resumed where he had left off.

The royal family of the kingdom invited every available lady to a ball in hopes of finding a potential partner for the young, single prince. Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters were overjoyed to hear of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a member of the royal family. Great riches would surely be in their future if one of the sisters could marry the prince. However, when Cinderella voiced interest in going to this ball, her family forbid it. They told her she was pathetic and could never be seen as a beautiful woman in the prince’s eyes, let alone a potential future princess. Over and over they’d berate her hair, her face, her lack of etiquette. Truly, Cinderella was not looking to become a princess. Just for one night out of her life, she wished would go to a ball, to wear a beautiful dress, to not break her back doing laundry, cleaning the stairsteps, or clearing out ashes from the fireplace. She wanted a night where she could just be herself.

On the night of the ball, her stepsisters donned beautiful dresses. Their dresses were made of quality silk and dyed in rare, expensive colors. Their mother smiled sweetly at the two, complimenting their appearance. She felt confident one of them would become the next member of the royal family. As they boarded their carriage, Cinderella’s stepmother gave her a list of chores she expected to be done before they returned for the night. Wipe the windows in their bedrooms, dust the vases in the hallway, clean the bathtubs in the bathrooms, and much more. Cinderella, as she stood in her worn tattered clothes, just nodded and said, “Yes, mother.”

Later that night, Cinderella had just cleaned one of the bathtubs and stood outside to dump dirty water to the ground. She sighed to herself, setting the bucket upside down to use as a temporary seat. Her elbows rested on her knees, and she held her head while staring up at the clear night sky. The stars sparkled and twinkled about. “I wish I could’ve gone to the ball,” she murmured.

“But you can, my dear!”

Cinderella immediately rose to her feet and looked behind to see what appeared to be a small fairy.

Malleus smiled to himself at the mention of a fairy. He wondered what the fairy was there for and flipped to the next page.

“Who are you?” Cinderella questioned.

“I’m your fairy godmother!” the fairy exclaimed. “I’m here to help you get to that ball!”

“But I’ve no dress to wear, no way to get there.”

With a wave of her wand, a mist floated from the fairy and surrounded Cinderella. Her tattered clothes transformed into a beautiful crystal blue ballgown. By some strange force, loose curls appeared in her hair. Cinderella was amazed as she looked at the dress and touched her hair.

“But how would I get there?”

“Hmm…” The fairy looked around and pointed toward a pumpkin. “This will be your carriage!”

“But fairy godmother, that’s a pumpkin!”

The fairy again waved her wand toward the gourd, and it grew larger, larger, and larger. It shifted its shape and turned into a pure white horse-driven carriage. “Oh, horses! How could I forget!” the fairy said.  With another wave, a thick mist drifted toward the grass and two horses appeared. “Mice can come in handy sometimes.” She winked. “Get into the carriage my dear! The ball has already started!”

Her godmother led the horses to the front of the carriage as Cinderella swung the door open, a smile on her face. But as she stepped inside, her godmother realized something she forgot. “Oh no, you need shoes my dear!”

“Oh,” said Cinderella, “I almost forgot!”

“Allow me!” the fairy waved her hands once more, and clear glass slippers appeared on Cinderella’s feet.

“Oh, how lovely,” Cinderella said.

“Now, you must hurry!” her godmother pressed, holding the door of the carriage. “My spells only work until midnight. When the clock strikes twelve, you’ll return to your normal clothes, and your carriage and horse will revert to normal. Be sure to leave by then!”

“Oh, thank you!” Cinderella uttered; tears welled in her eyes. “How could I repay you?”

“All I ask is you have a wonderful night my dear!”

Her godmother closed the door of the carriage and the horses began to tow the carriage away. Even without someone to guide them, the horses knew the way to the palace and to the ball.

It felt like she was in a dream when Cinderella arrived at the castle. As she stepped out the carriage and ascended the white stone stairs leading inside, she could see the various lights, decorations and beautifully dressed attendants. She couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place as she entered, but others greeted her with warm smiles, easing tension she felt in her shoulders.

Cinderella did not know where to begin. She’d never attended a ball before. Her glass slippers clopped lightly over the marble floor as she admired the grand room. Above were large, intricate chandeliers. Colorful flowers Cinderella had never seen before hung on the pillars that surrounded the ballroom. Her cheeks seemed to feel sore as she realized she was smiling this whole time.

“Is that…?”

A familiar voice caught her attention. Cinderella dared not to look behind her, as she could feel one of her stepsister’s eyes staring at the back of her head. No matter how much her godmother changed her appearance, Cinderella would be unmistakably recognized by her family. Thinking on her feet, she quickly made her way to one of the many balconies.

The air felt a bit brisk, but soothing. A full moon filled the clear night sky, complementing the lights at the ball. Cinderella gazed toward it blissfully as she approached the balcony railing. She took in a large breath, then sighed. Only after arriving moments ago, her heart already felt full. As if to verify she wasn’t dreaming, Cinderella grazed her fingertips over the railing. The stone felt cold to the touch, with a few uneven spots throughout. She looked down to admire the elegant gown wrapped so comfortably around her body. Cinderella had always heard dresses could feel like a chore to wear on their own, but it was nothing like that.  

Although she had never danced before, Cinderella felt she should return to the ballroom and try her chances in finding a partner. As she turned around—

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, there stood a dark-haired man, bowing toward her. He held his hand over his chest as he looked at her with a warm smile. He was a well-dressed man, or at least she presumed so. Her eyes could not move away from his. There was something gentle, enchanting about him, and he seemed to look at her the same way. The young man extended his hand, “May I ask for a dance?”

Without a second thought, she took his hand. His other hand found her waist, and her hand found his shoulder. He led her through a slow waltz, the smile never fading his lips as they danced. The commotion of the ball faded. Time seemed to have stopped. They were enclosed in their own world.

How much time had passed was unclear to the two. Eventually, Cinderella had her head resting on his chest, and they reduced to just a slow sway. She felt such euphoria and wished the night would never end.

Suddenly, Cinderella heard the clock tower chime. She looked around and asked, “What time is it?”

“Midnight,” the man answered, “is something wrong?”

“I…” She walked back from the man, holding up her ball gown. “I have to go!”

“Wait!”

However, Cinderella was already darting toward the castle entrance as more chimes of the clock struck. She quickly ran down the stairs, eyeing the carriage waiting for her. In her hurry, one of her glass slippers fell from her foot. Cinderella continued to run to the carriage without looking back. As she stepped inside, she quickly shut the door and the horses began to run.

The man stood at the top of the stairs, staring out in disbelief.

“I don’t even know your name.”

Then, something caught his eye. There he saw a single glass slipper.

That night, Cinderella returned to her home. At the twelfth strike of the clock, her carriage returned to a simple gourd, the horses turned back to mice and ran off, and her beautiful gown returned to her tattered clothes. Although she felt disheartened that night ended so quickly, Cinderella was grateful to have experienced such a dream-like night. One thing did remain from the night that she planned to have as a keepsake – her glass slipper.  The slipper was put in her room, hidden in her closet.

Once her stepmother and stepsisters returned, one of her stepsisters spoke aloud about seeing Cinderella there. Of course, the woman in question denied it. Her stepmother and other stepsister said the idea was ridiculous. Luckily, she quickly dismissed her suspicions.

The next day, Cinderella’s routine returned to normal. She’d clean the ashes at the fireplace, dust the books in the study, and clean the laundry. It was hard work, but her blissful feelings from the previous night lingered. She even hummed as she worked.

That afternoon, Cinderella heard a knock at the door and answered it. They received a letter out of the blue. The letter explained that the prince at the ball danced with a woman wearing a pair of glass slippers.

Malleus snickered to himself when the story mentioned the prince, an innocent smile on his face.

She left before they could properly introduce themselves but left one of her glass slippers. It declared whoever may fit this glass slipper shall be the prince’s bride-to-be. Cinderella was shocked. She’d known she’d dance with a handsome young man, but she never imagined he was the prince!

Inevitably, the rest of the family learned about this letter. They had felt discontent over not attracting the prince’s attention to either of the stepsisters. Though, there were many ladies at the ball and the prince had disappeared for a portion of the night. This was now another opportunity for them! If either stepsister could squeeze their foot into the slipper, they would become members of the royal family! Of course, Cinderella would be another servant attending to the royal family.

The letter explained every woman would be fitted with the slipper, but Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters had no intention of letting her try. When the visitor arrived with the glass slipper, Cinderella was sent to her room. Unbeknownst to her, her stepmother locked her inside. As the vile woman stepped down the stairs to the main room, she could hear Cinderella cry and bang on her door.

Malleus’s brow furrowed, and his grip around the book tightened. It was then the child heard a short metallic clank hit the floor. He was brought back to reality and saw his grandmother’s mirror had fallen from his knee. Malleus reached for the small object but stiffened as he felt fabric brush over his shoulder. A larger hand reached out in front of him, taking hold of the fallen item. As the hand pulled away, Malleus looked over his shoulder. He stared curiously but cautiously toward Lilia.

Until this point, Lilia felt as if he was aimlessly walking beside an ocean coastline. The sand underneath his feet would sink as he stepped forward, andthere was no end or goal in sight. Overhung were dark, grey clouds that seemed to always be on the brink of a downpour, but no rain ever came. The man felt like he was suffocating under the deep, unforgiving sea, but the sea merely brushed against his ankles at most. On and on he’d walk as the saltiness of the sea breeze touched his nose. What laid behind him was sand and water. What laid in front of him was more sand and water. The thing worth mentioning thing that may vary would be the occasional broken seashell. As he continued strolling over the endless coastline, something reflective caught his eye ahead. Tucked into the sand was a small mirror. Lilia stopped beside it; the cold water brushed against his bare feet. He could feel the sand sink further down where he stood. Curiously, he bent down, delicately wrapping his fingers around the object. What it showed was a reflection himself. It was merely a random mirror in the sand, but it felt…familiar all the same. Lilia looked up toward the sky, internally apologizing to his master for not fulfilling his duty.

Suddenly, Lilia felt a slight tug at his legs. Looking down, he saw Malleus’s small hands had taken grip of his clothing. The child’s eyes stared up at him questionably, but he was too scared to speak. Out of nowhere on this deserted beach was a small child, standing at his side. In that moment, Lilia felt a large wave of water hit against his back, soaking him from head to toe. When he blinked, he found himself in the villa, sitting in his chair. In his hand was still the small mirror, and still staring up at him was his master’s beloved grandchild.

Again, Lilia looked at his reflection in the mirror. “…What am I doing…?” he mumbled, setting the mirror down.

He looked back toward the child and put on a gentle smile.

“Lilia…?” Malleus could barely make out his words.

“Come here, Malleus,” Lilia said, patting his lap.

Without waiting another second, Malleus abandoned his book and crawled onto Lilia’s lap. He pressed himself against Lilia’s chest. Lilia responded by warmly wrapping his arms around him, holding him tight. Lilia could feel Malleus begin to tremble in his arms as he began to stroke his back.

“I’m sorry for ignoring you.”

“Meanie stupid head…” Malleus mumbled.

For a few minutes, Lilia continued to hold the child in his warm embrace. Lilia stroked his back as Malleus buried his face in his shoulder. The vampire looked up toward the hung portrait of Maleficent, thinking to himself, “Even without you, I still have a duty to attend to.”

Lilia looked toward the floor and saw the book Malleus had previously been reading. It laid open, with the cover facing up. While pressing Malleus toward his body, he bent down to wrap his finger around the book’s spine and picked it up.

“Hey, Malleus.” Lilia gently tapped the child’s head.

Malleus, still gripping the fabric of Lilia’s clothes, looked up toward the book.

“You were still reading this, weren’t you?” Lilia smiled at him.

Malleus nodded.

“Why don’t you read me the rest of it?”

“But I’m almost done. You’d miss the important parts!”

“Hmm… Then, why don’t you summarize the story so far?”

Lilia placed his hands under Malleus’s arms and turned him around on his lap. He then grabbed the book and placed it in front of the child.

“Okay so… There’s this girl named Cinderella who lives with her stepmother and stepsisters and they’re really really really really mean to her and make her do all the chores around the house, but they never do anything to help out. She’s also like, really pretty and her family is really jealous, so they make her wear tattered clothes but she’s still pretty. One day there’s a letter about a ball that’s gonna be held for single ladies in the kingdom for the prince to marry. The stepmom and sisters are like really excited to go and Cinderella wants to go to but they said no, probably because she’s just too pretty and the other sisters want a chance or something. But I think they’re too mean for the prince to like anyway so they can stay home and not waste people’s time. Anyway, they go to the ball and leave Cinderella with a bunch of chores, but then! Lilia, a fairy godmother shows up! A fairy! Like what we are! It’s so cool! This fairy comes and helps her get ready to go to the ball and gets her this pretty dress and a carriage to get there. She’s so powerful but so nice! The fairy tells Cinderella the magic only lasts until midnight for some reason, and she goes to the ball. She almost gets caught by her meanie mom and sisters but manages to get away. Then a man asks to dance with her, and it’s revealed the man is the prince! I’m a prince too, right Lilia?”

Lilia had been smiling and nodding along as Malleus quickly spoke. “Yes, you are a prince, Malleus.”

“Right?” Malleus exclaimed, excitedly bouncing in Lilia’s lap.

“But while dancing the magic ran out and she had to leave but she left one of her glass slippers! Oh yeah, she has glass slippers which seem like they’d beak easily, but I guess the fairy’s magic is just that cool. Anyway, she gets back and is just happy to have a good night to be someone else. Then the kingdom sends a letter about the glass slipper and it says whoever fits it can be the next prince’s wife! So, Cinderella can be a princess! But her meanie stepmom and sisters have her locked up and that’s where I stopped…”

“Oh, that’s quite the cliffhanger!” Lilia said.

“Yeah! She’s locked up and I don’t know how she’ll get out or what’ll happen next.”

“Well, how about you read me the rest then?”

Lilia gestured to the book on Malleus’s lap.

“Okay!” the child chirped, opening the book.

He flipped through the pages for a few moments until he found the spot where he left off.

As the vile woman stepped down the stairs to the main room, she could hear Cinderella cry and bang on her door. However, her stepmother did not look back.

Cinderella screamed and yelled, but her voice fell on deaf ears. She fell to her knees by the door, her face in her hands as she wept. The woman the prince was searching was her. The one he wanted to marry was her. Cinderella finally had a chance at a different life but…fate was too cruel to her.

Cinderella’s stepmother returned to the main area of the estate, greeting the visitor with the promised glass slipper. The two stepsisters dressed in their most extravagant dresses to impress the visitor and, with hope their future fiancé. The older of the stepsisters was the first to try on the glass slipper. However, her foot was too wide to slip inside. Try as she might to force her foot in, it would not budge. Dejected, the older stepsister surrendered the slipper to her younger sister. Fortunately, her foot could fit into the slipper, but alas the heel of her foot did not touch the back of the slipper. Her feet were too small. The stepmother volunteered to try on the glass slipper next, but their visitor refused and began to get ready to leave.

As Cinderella sat on her knees crying, she heard the sound of a lock and the creak of a door. Bewildered, she looked up and saw the door to her room was no longer locked. Why, it was slightly ajar! She saw a small cloth sitting beside the door, as if someone had placed it there. She was uncertain how it found its way there, but she knew time was of the essence. Cinderella grabbed the cloth and ran out her room.

Malleus gasped. “Do you think it was the fairy?”

“It could be,” Lilia commented, stroking the child’s hair. “Let’s keep going.”

When she reached the main area, she saw the visitor standing in the doorway, about to leave.

“Wait!” she exclaimed, grabbing his attention.

The visitor saw Cinderella run toward him and glanced to the stepmother and stepdaughters.

“You told me you were the only women in this estate.”

Nonetheless, he withdrew the slipper from his bag and began to walk to the frantic Cinderella. However, as he stepped forward, the stepmother had been staring nearby and extended her foot out to trip him. The visitor was able to catch his balance, but it was at the expense of the slipper. The glass item flew from his hands and fell to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.

Malleus gasped. “No! What will she do now?”

“Oh dear,” the older sister said, using her hand to cover a smile.

“It seems we can’t have you try it on now,” commented the younger sister.

The visitor stared toward the floor in disbelief. Even if it was an accident, truly the king would have his head.

“Excuse me,” Cinderella spoke up, grabbing the visitor’s attention. “If I may, I have the other glass slipper.”

“No way!” Malleus jumped a bit on Lilia’s lap. “Lilia, she has the other slipper!”

Lilia chuckled, “So she does.”

She gestured to the cloth in her hands, and true to her word, it contained the other glass slipper! The three women and visitor were each stunned.

“How could you have the other glass slipper?” the stepmother snarled.

“Because I wore them at the ball last night when I danced with the prince,” Cinderella replied.

Cinderella removed a worn shoe from her foot and slid on the glass slipper. Of course, it was a perfect fit.

On that day, Cinderella was taken away from her miserable life as a live-in servant and was guided to the castle. When she arrived, the prince was waiting at the castle to meet her. From the horse-drawn carriage she exited, still wearing her tattered clothes. However, when the prince caught glimpse of her, a genuine smile grew on his face. He did not care if she dressed in the finest silk or if she was adorned with jewels. The prince was just happy to meet his first love again, and so offered her a warm welcome into the castle.

Shortly after, the two were wed, and Cinderella stood by her prince’s side until he was the next ruler of the kingdom. She did not know how her door opened that day, or how the slipper made its way outside her door, but in the end, she was able to live a happy life.

“Cinderella and her new king lived happily ever after…” Malleus sighed, shutting the book.

Lilia smiled, ruffling the child’s hair. “You read it so well.”

“Hey, Lilia,” Malleus began, glancing toward his guardian.

“Hmm?”

“I’m a prince too, aren’t I?”

“You are, I told you earlier. You’ll be the next king of the Valley of Thorns.”

Malleus held the book against his chest, wrapping his arms around it. “Do you think…I’ll find someone special like Cinderella?”

“Heh,” Lilia affectionately pinched Malleus’s cheek. “Do you plan on hosting a ball when you’re older to find yourself someone?”

Malleus put his hand on Lilia’s forearm, pushing it away. He looked down the toward the book in his hands, drumming his fingers as he thought. “Hmm… But the prince wasn’t expecting to meet Cinderella like that though. It wouldn’t be as special if I tried the same thing.”  

“You think so?” his guardian replied, playfully poking at the tip of the child’s horns.

“Stop it!” Malleus waved his arms. “My horns are pretty sharp you know!”

“Oh, I know. Took a good 10 minutes to get your horns out of that dead tree a while back ago.”

Malleus puffed his cheeks into a pout. “You’re just jealous I have horns.”

“Heheh, sure.”

Malleus sighed. “I think the prince was cool though. Cinderella worked to hard and had such a tough life, and the prince was able to take her away from it to live a better life.”

“I’m glad I taught you humility,” Lilia smiled. The vampire rested his cheek on his fist as it leaned against the arm of the chair. A blissful look of affection was in his eyes as he gazed toward Malleus.

“Isn’t that moisture in the air or something?”

“Hu-mil-i-ty. Not humidity.”

“…Like what humans are?”

Lilia grabbed the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb, shutting his eyes. “I think we should return to your studies soon, Malleus.”

Malleus gasped and smiled. “Yay! Lilia’s teaching me more new stuff!”

 To be continued…

[extrovertedlyintrovertwriter]

Heyy guys!! So am back with some of my other shits. This is the part 2. Hope y'all like it. Here goes nothing.

Link for part 1.

Warnings:- mentions of death and fictional characters. It's a long ass ride, so fasten ur seatbelts. lol anyways.

Genre:- angst and dark fae.

PART-2

I JUST USED YOU

It had almost been 6 months or so, but you never fully understood why seonghwa never wore tank tops while he was out, specially with you. He told you that he kinda felt cold and that was the reason why he didn't wear tank tops.

You were not convinced by his answer but let it slip, again not thinking much of it.

It was semester break and you decided to surprise him by showing up at his place. He opened the door and smiled widely at your visit.

To your surprise he was wearing a tank top and on his left shoulder you could see something that seemed more like a tattoo.

Yet you couldn't figure out what it was because it was hidden under the top. "You like tattoos?" Was your question eyes not leaving the tattoo on his shoulder.

A posed laughter left his before answering your question. "No, not that much though. But it has an important meaning for me."

"Can I have a look at it?" You asked, now curious.

"sure, but let's see if you can recognise it." He said shrugging his shoulders.

Before you could respond he had already turned around and with the speed of lighting he pulled sleeve to the side and then back up.

You partially saw the tattoo. To you it seemed a triangle with something drawn inside it. Seonghwa had always been a tease, so it was probably one of moments of him being a tease.

"Hey!! Dudeeeee!!! Come OnnnNNNNnn" you whined but it wasn't going to work. Atleast not with Park Seonghwa.

He just laughed and went to the couch. "Wanna have a movie marathon? Or wanna watch any drama?" To these questions, you nodded like a small kid. It was going well, until a kiss scene appeared and you both looked at each other, deep in the eyes.

The next thing you realised was, his lips were on yours, and both lips moving in a perfect sync. That was when you couldn't hold it in any longer and pulled away.

"I-I I'm gonna go and shower." He said before going to his room. After he showered he came out only with a towel around his waist.

You were waiting for him on the couch outside. He went to the kitchen, with a towel still wraped around his waist and shirtless.

That was when you realised who he was. The tattoo on his left shoulder made it all clear. This meant that, all your suspicions were true.

But you still stayed, your love for him took over all your senses. You went completely silent.

Seonghwa noticed the silence but before he could say anything, "Are you the vampire I was warned about?" This question left your lips and reached his ears.

His eyes went wide. He then thought that now the fish is already in the net and all he has to do is just pull the net up. And he did exactly that.

"yeah. I'm the vampire you were warned about, but hear me out." You just nodded and gave him a look which meant 'continue speaking'.

"I LOVE YOU Y/N." These words left his mouth. "I LOVE YOU TOO PARK SEONGHWA". You both finally confessed.

He leaned in to kiss you. At first it had only love and adoration in it, but soon it turned into a burning Passion. His lips went down from your jaw to your neck, the point where you were most sensitive.

He turned you around and his pointed teeth came out. They just slightly touched your neck. You just couldn't believe it. The person who just said he loved you, was now killing you.

Your heart ached with every passing millisecond. "Lemme go." You hissed, wanting to come out of his grasp, but he only inched closer to your neck.

"what are you doing seonghwa, lemme go." You hissed again. "I'm killing you, nothing else. It won't even hurt, you won't even realise when your life will leave your body."

With that he dug his sharp pair of blood suckers on your neck and your life was slowly taken away by the love of your life, by The Vampire Park Seonghwa.

I'm so so so sorry it took me soooo long to post this. But I hope you liked it. My updates will be kinda slow since I'm quite busy for the time being. So for now..

See you guys in the next blog. Thanks @theatralist for requesting. Also thanks@simplyfunstar for helping me with this blog. You can check out her content, it's really good.

[royaldescendants]

the darkest little paradise

moodboard made by me

masterlist

Chapter 2

Mal couldn’t recall ever having had such an interesting class before. She’d been utterly enraptured with the teacher's words, unable to take her eyes away from Kore for more than a few seconds throughout the whole lesson.

“You know, that was surprisingly enjoyable for a summer class,” Evie said, once they were out of earshot, and turned to grin mischievously at Mal. “But you should be careful, I think Ben was starting to get a little jealous with the heart eyes you were making.”

“Oh ha ha,” Mal rolled her eyes with a smile. “It’s just…..I’ve never had a teacher that could keep me focused while teaching me something new, you know? Plus, she’s the only one I’ve met besides my mother that is willing to tell me- well, anything about fairies. I want to know more about it all, considering I’m half fairy, or Fae I guess.”

Evie tilted her head. “Huh. Guess I’m kind of surprised your mother never told you about it all, considering she was one. Wouldn’t she have been proud of it?”

“I think she’s still hurting from not having her wings anymore,” Mal whispered. “She would wince every time she was reminded she can’t fly anymore, I can’t imagine what losing them must have felt like. All that freedom just…..gone. Because of some stupid man.”

“I suppose. And there wasn’t anything in her spellbook about it? About the fairies, or Fae, or nature magic…?”

“Nothing. I told you, she doesn’t like talking about that part of her life.” Mal stopped. “Maleficent was traumatized. As cruel and evil as she is, I believe that it’s some sort of coping mechanism for all that she went through. And as we just learned, fairies and Fae don’t take kindly to not being included, or bad manners. King Stefan and Queen Leah can complain all they want, but they brought my mother’s curse down on themselves.” 

-------

Alarms. 

Kore woke up, hearing an alarm going off. It wasn’t her alarm, and she soon realized that because the greenhouses (where she fell asleep by accident) was close to the museum, something must have happened.

Grabbing her coat and bag, she crept out of the greenhouse, quickly locking it.

Greenhouse 1 was not to be entered by any other being, except with her escort. She was the only one that was able to keep the complicated plants alive, somehow.

She sprinted to the museum steps, finding the entry door ajar, the security guard asleep at his desk.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?”

Kore looked towards the voice that came out of nowhere. She recognized the student, eyes merely glancing over the face, and her brow furrowed as she looked around for whoever had set off the piercing sirens. “Audrey? Are you okay, sweetie? Did you hear the alarms too? You should go back to bed, hon, whoever set them off might hurt you.”

“Why would I hurt myself?”

A blast of pain from her side erupted, then faded immediately, absorbed. Kore didn’t know what the feeling was, but a warm and tingly feeling filled her hands.

“Huh, that’s not supposed to happen. But oh well, you’re just a gardener anyway.” 

A resounding thunk! on the top of Kore’s head was the last thing she heard, before everything faded to black.

-----

“I think we all know why we’re here today. Hades almost escaped yesterday, the people are in a panic. Even Kore hasn’t been spotted since the alarms went off last night, so who knows what’s going to happen with the greenhouses.”

Mal gulped. “It’s my fault. I’m supposed to protect Auradon-.”

“You did, Mal. You kept Hades from escaping while we all just stood there, helpless. None of us even tried to do something after you stepped in.”

Adam scowled at his son’s interruption. “Every time we open that barrier, we take another risk of another villain escaping, another risk of danger. We saw it with Maleficent, it happened with Uma, and now Hades, the literal god of death, need I remind you, almost escaped the only thing that’s ever kept him contained.”

Ben’s pager went off, and he stepped back to look at it, face paling. “Maleficent’s scepter and the Queen’s crown have been stolen from the museum. The security guard is currently in a comatose state.”

Belle sat down, head in her hands.

Adam stepped behind her. “When the people hear this, they won’t want to leave their houses, what are we supposed to tell them? Mal, you’ve been quiet, you must have any sort of an idea. How do we keep evil out of Auradon?”

She bit her lip. “I think that there’s only….really one way that we can guarantee their safety. We have to close the barrier forever.”

Ben shook his head, walking away, betrayed.

“Son-.”

“Don’t.”

“Ben?

“No.”

“Ben, I don’t want to take away your dream, because it was so beautiful, and it’s part of why I fell in love with you. But we have a duty as king and queen, don’t we?”

“I know, we have to protect Auradon. But do you know what this means? All those kids….are you prepared for this?”

Mal’s breath was shaky. “I know what it means. And no, I’m not prepared for it, but I don’t know that we have any other choices here.”

“Ben....” Adam stepped forward. “Mal’s right. And if we took the risk, what if something terrible happened, and we’re here knowing we could have prevented it?”

------

Mal grabbed a glass of water from Evie’s kitchen, a lump in her throat from nerves, before moving to the sewing room with her friend. 

“Who else knows about the crown and the scepter?” That was Evie for you, always jumping straight to the topic. She didn’t have to worry about repercussions when she talked with Mal, what with the friendship they had.

“No one else. I mean, think about it. They’re all scared enough as it is, we had to add all these new security measures just to keep summer classes going,” Mal sighed, wishing she could take a nap. Maybe she could steal Evie’s pillow? The bench outside wasn’t half bad for a snooze in the sun….

“Will this delay our bringing over more VKs?”

“We’re in talks about closing the barrier for good”

Evie paused in the middle of her stitch. “.....But you said no, right? The four of us original VKs are living the dream here, and we want to share that. They can’t just shut that down. What could be more important than that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Security and peace of mind for the people of Auradon?”

Evie eyed Mal suspiciously. “Is that what they’re actually saying? M, were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in or out of the Isle ever again? Next you’re gonna tell me we’re never going to see our parents again.” She set down the project. “And what about these kids?! We promised them that they could go back and visit their parents if they wanted!”

Mal put her hands up. “I know, I know. It sucks, but that’s what’s being talked about.” 

Evie chuckled, calming herself. “This is why I’m so glad you’re going to be queen, M. You can be a part of these conversations, you’ll stand up for the VKs.” She kissed her cheek. “Thank you for trusting me. You’re gonna be a great queen, you know that?”

Just then, Carlos walked into Evie’s kitchen with Jay in tow, distracting the girls to see what they were doing. “Whoo! I got the matching beach towels, I got the gift wrapped by myself- okay, who ate Jane’s cake.”

Evie scratched her elbow, not making eye contact. “Well, Celia and Dizzy mentioned earlier that they were looking for something to snack on, I guess I lost track of time?”

Mal laughed at the expression on Carlos' face, and decided it was time to head to Jane’s party herself as she grabbed the purple-bagged present

She trailed her fingers over the bushes out front. Nature had always made her feel better, though of course she only discovered it when she came to Auradon. They didn’t have plants on the Isle anywhere, considering there wasn’t any sun to help them grow. 

Of course, the peace didn’t last long, what with Audrey somehow appearing in a poof of pink smoke.

“I was hoping you were home.” The smile that Audrey bore had no warmth. Mal took in the new look. Dark pink and purple hair, with a dove pink bodysuit and a matching cape, with black lace, and - oh no...

“Is this a joke? What are you doing with the crown and the scepter?”

Audrey pretended to think. “Well, I wanted them. So I took them.” She frowned. “You of all people should understand that, Mal,” she said, stepping back and having the scepter glow.

Mal stepped back too, setting down Jane’s present. “Wait! Audrey, stop! Don’t….don’t use that.”

“Oh? I thought you liked spells.”

“Okay, Audrey-”

“QUIET!” Audrey moved a few paces, not wanting to act too quickly. Savor this.

“It’s not a toy, it’s dangerous!” 

“I want to be dangerous!” Audrey stepped closer, almost in Mal’s face. “My life was perfect until you stole it, and Auradon turned its back on me. Even Kore didn’t care anymore, no one ever did.”

She strode away. “It’s time for a little payback.”

“Audrey, no-”

Audrey fired the scepter at Mal, and the only way she could react was to put her arms in front of her face. An instinct she had from years on the Isle - you could never tell what would happen next at anyone’s house, to anyone’s kid.

Audrey cackled as the spell hit Mal square in the chest.

“You think Ben will love you now, you old hag? You’ll pay the price of what you did, and so will all of Auradon.”

Mal heard the door open, but couldn’t stand up straight from her stooped position. Jay and Carlos entered her sight first, stepping in front of her.

Audrey grinned. “So long, suckers. I’ll even do you a favor now, and say hello to Kore for you.” And then she was gone, in another poof of pink smoke and a cackle. 

Jay reached for Mal’s hands, as though to steady her. “Whoa, okay! Uh, you might want to think of a spell for that?”

“There’s no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter,” Mal rasped.

Carlos cleared his throat. “Well that’s a shame.” Celia nodded in agreement, eyes widened in slight fright that the soon to be queen she’d seen a few minutes ago looked as old as time.

“Audrey’s out for revenge, and all of Auradon is in danger.” All Mal wanted at this moment was a glass of water, they could figure out the rest later. 

“What should we do?” Evie questioned, ready to take things into her own hands for her best friend.

Mal shrugged. “The only thing more powerful than the scepter is Hades’ ember.”

“Oh, like he’s just gonna hand it over if we go back on the Isle. Also, how do we know that? Kore probably knows of some random double curse fairy loophole, right?”

“Audrey has her too, Jay.”

“Okay, so we don’t have Kore and we only have the ember to work with. I’m seeing a problem in that no one knows where his lair even is?”

“I do, Evie,” Celia interjected. They all looked at her, confused. “What? He needed an errand rat, and I’m high profile enough to be respected but subtle enough not to put a target on my back and have people follow me everywhere. Anyway, the key is at my dad’s arcade.”

“You’re coming.”

“But I just got here!”

A shriek of horror from the doorway, making Evie jump. “Dizzy, stay here and take care of the twins, we’ll be back before you know it. Everything will turn out fine, okay? Just go inside, and lock the doors. Eat cake if you must, but remember the apples and oranges are in the basket, okay?” They hadn’t heard a word after ‘cake’.

Jay turned to Carlos. “Let’s get our stuff, probably the bikes.”

“How bad is it?” Mal asked mumbled to Evie, after the boys had left.

Evie hated lying to her friends. “You age beautifully. Now, let’s just get you into something fabulous.” Evie was at the door before Mal took a step, and came back with her heels clacking against the stone to help the now elderly teen move ever so slightly faster.

[deliciouslysporadicmiracle--blog]

Oh my goodness, these are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!! What about one where maleficent first found out she was going to have little mal and what was it like when she finally came? (Cute cherub dark fae baby!!!)

Maleficent was lying in her tree grove, sheltered by her wings. She allowed Diaval to be near her in his raven form, and he periodically stroked her forearm. She had been feeling tired lately, and the Moor folk were, albeit still terrified, worried for her health. Aurora used to visit her Godmother everyday, and was instructed to keep this information from Phillip. The peace between the Fae folk and the humans was crucial, and news of Maleficent's illness would crush it.

Diaval had the idea to consult the Dark Fae on this matter. Maleficent, reluctant to take any help from anyone, had rebuffed him, which led to the raven flying to the Dark Fae Grove himself. They were dark days, when Maleficent worried for her own and for Diaval's safety, for she did not know where he was. Diaval returned after a week, his sleek black feathers torn and near his strength's end. Maleficent held the shivering raven in her hands, unable to hide her relief.

When she turned him back into a man, he whispered back saying, "Udo is bringing the Dark Fae medic."

Maleficent instantly drew back the hand she had placed on his cheek out of concern. Her eyes hardened, but before she could turn him back, he stopped her.

"Please, Mistress. I cannot--Aurora--the Moors need you," he choked, "Please meet with him. Nobody will know."

And so the two waited together for an answer. Diaval knew his Mistress did not understand his feelings completely, but he felt her love and forgiveness when she stroked him.

The Dark Fae arrived as told by Diaval, on a patch hidden from the fairy folk of the Moors. Maleficent stood tall even in her weakness to greet them. Udo and Borra had arrived with an ebony-skinned Dark Faery, who gestured politely to Maleficent to lie down. Diaval sensed her embarrassment, and squawked at Udo and Borra to turn away. She turned him into a man again, grateful, and he led them a few paces away. Udo seemed perturbed under his calm exterior, and Borra was restless, suspecting a plot by the humans.

"My name is Chantal. It is an honor to meet you, Maleficent", says the ebony-skinned Dark Faery. She touches Maleficent lightly on her stomach and uses her magic. Maleficent lies back, more uncomfortable than ever. Suddenly, Chantal looks up to her and smiles.

"It is no worry. You have been blessed with a child. It is early, and you will feel uncomfortable for a few more months. Soon, you will have a little Fae."

To Maleficent, Chantal seemed to be talking from quite far away. She looked at her non-plussed, "What?!"

But Chantal had left to break the morose group of Diaval and the two Dark Fae.

"It is a joyous occasion! The Phoenix lives again. She is with child!"

The Dark Fae looked shocked. They recovered soon to congratulate Maleficent, whose eyes remained widened. Of course, there was a little bit of confusion as to the father, but Borra ignored it to lift a very pale Diaval with his arms and thump his back. The jovial Dark Fae soon bid them goodbye and left the two parents alone.

Diaval, still pale, gulped and looked Maleficent in the eye.

"Mistress, I-"

"Don't."

Her face, which was stormy and dark just a moment ago, broke into a little smile.

"There will be a little beast with us again," she whispered as she looked up to him with a sparkle in her eyes.

"It will be a little beast alright, if there's enough of you in it," Diaval jested as he sat down beside her to hold her hand, "Mistress, there's-"

"Will you raise this child with me?", she cut across him.

"Y-yes, absolutely. I will be here. I will be here for all of it. I will get the berries and the-", spluttered Diaval, til he met a smirking Maleficent's eyes, "Oh. Yes, I will"

An excruciating number of months later, during which Maleficent almost torched half the fae folk and converted a few neighbouring humans into dung bees, it was time for Little Mal to come. A crowd of Moor folk gathered near Maleficent's tree grove, having brought gifts meekly. The Dark Fae had frequented the Moors for the past few months and now, Chantal and the other medics helped coach Maleficent through her labor. Diaval hopped from one foot to the other worriedly as Aurora followed him around unconsciously. It was a new experience for her, an uncomfortable but welcome one. She would have a little sister, the fairies told her. She had been with her Godmother when the baby first kicked and had seen Maleficent and Diaval embrace and rejoice. Her family was growing, and she was happy for her parents.

Chantal arose from within the tree grove and smiled at Diaval, who burst into nervous laughter in his relief and stepped in to see his daughter. Maleficent was lying on the grassy floor, against the stalk of the tree, and in her arms he could discern a little white thing. She had tiny black horns and tiny raven wings. Diaval's breath was knocked out of him and he approached Maleficent slowly. He could hear Chantal announcing the arrival of his daughter to the world outside. Swelling with pride, Maleficent smiled at Diaval, who kissed the little baby's forehead. The baby Dark Fae looked up to him with eyes flecked with green and gold. Eyes he was very familiar with.

"Welcome, little one," he crowed to her.

"Mal," said Maleficent, "We will name her Little Mal." Her face was flushed, but he could see the familiar love for her daughter in her eyes.

Aurora entered the grove hesitantly, and Diaval beckoned her over, "Meet your little sis, Aurora. This is Little Mal," he said with a proud cock of his head. Aurora touched the little horns on her head and laughed lightly. She had never seen a baby before, and a Dark Fae baby wasn't something many humans had seen. Maleficent looked at them fondly and restrained her tears. She was not one to cry freely.

The family exited the grove together, Maleficent and Diaval hand in hand, to introduce Little Mal to the whole wide world.

(Great prompt! Maybe I'm PMSing or maybe I'm just crying because this fic got me T_T)

[iinkheartss]

I watched Maleficent: Mistress of Evil yesterday and it was soo good, here are my thoughts I guess

The actors were so good, I loved how they portrayed the characters, every single one of them was interesting to me

The film was so beautiful to look at, it gave me the classic fairytale feels

The Fae are probably my favourites, I wish we saw a bit more of them

Speaking of them, Udo saving some human children in the middle of a battle

Michelle Pfeiffer. enough said

Phillip and Aurora are honestly so cute, and I loved how they waited 5 years before getting married

Maleficent and Diaval were basically proud parents

King John was actually so nice

I love how this film was a modern twist on the og fairytale and how it was Queen Ingrith who told everybody the story of an evil fae who cursed a young innocent princess

The scene were Maleficent, Diaval and Aurora crossed the bridge in order to visit Phillip's family and Maleficent spread out her wings to protect Diaval and Aurora, that was so cute

Maleficent staying with Conall and protecting him instead of going to war with Borra and the others

Gerda. I hated her so much but I also find her so interesting and quite badass

Flittle sacrificing herself in order to save her friends 🥺

[cryptid-killjoy]

The Other Side - A Review

The Other Side. Hell. The Upside Down. Pandemonium. Limbo. The Veil. Purgatory. The Void. The Abyss. The Dead Zone. Dante’s Inferno. Heaven.

Death. 

Delta had decided all the signs, names, and labels were all bullshit.  In the end no matter which locale whether in terrain or state of mind death was all the same place to her. It was the place the dead were alive. It was her new life. But, she didn’t see it as her after life. She saw it as her life, period. This was simply her life now. The earth was like some foreign land she didn’t care to visit like Idaho or Iowa. She didn’t see the attraction. 

Her life with Frank. 

Sure, sometimes the earth would find ways of seeping in and reminding them it’s a small world after all even when they weren’t in that one. She did enjoy the strange and unusual and one of her favorite moments was seeing Zero appear like an actual dog. He finally approached her unlike the first time. He brought her some dead flowers. She’d know it was him by the tag again. But, the fact he was in that shape had to do with where they were on the other side. It was a place where the dead could be their soul’s truth, their inner most desire. It wasn’t heaven. It was more like the Mirror of Erised. It was a place a soul could get stagnant and stuck in their dreams. She’d tell Frank a little more about Zero and how Heresy was a foster parent. She still didn’t know him well enough to know she was a foster parent after his Jack Skellington adoption didn’t work out. But, she’d let Frank know he was an okay kid in her book. She assumed he was dead. But, as a dog she couldn’t ask him what  happened. She didn’t know him well enough to know his abilities or situation. 

Delta’s appearance would not change in that space. Just as Dumbledore said about the Mirror of Erised a truly happy man would only see himself. She didn’t know what that space on the other side had done to Zero, but she was exactly the same. It was a testament to how content she really was with Frank in that new life of theirs. She wouldn’t change one thing. 

--

There were others she didn’t know personally, but saw watching them in the distance. If it wasn’t for music covers and fame she wouldn’t have had a clue. But, she knew it was Lock Skellington. He wouldn’t approach, but he’d be a figure that sometimes was in a crowd or off in the distance if she and Frank ventured out of their own little splice of the underworld. Delta never found reason to approach either, but she wouldn’t try to stop Frank if he found the need. Lock had always been a suicide risk and not because of depression or unhappiness. He had been so obsessed with the other side that when he chased the crows by the graveyard next to the tree house, there were so many times he was tempted to cross. All the secrets were no longer a mystery to him. He was there in the mystery with them and all the other dead. 

--

Diablo would show more than once. That was his magic. He was the space between life and death. Delta welcomed him in. He was one familiar being from her old life she didn’t mind at all showing up. She remembered a time she had considered shutting him out of her life, but she was glad she didn’t. He was the only connection to her mother she was ever going to have while Maleficent was trapped in that time loop. What she did not know was the more often he came by this world was him feeling her transition was coming. He was a harbinger of death and also a psychopomp as well as a familiar. If only she understood her own existence. She’d learn here forevermore. 

--

Arthur would show face more than once, but three was a crowd. Delta never truly let him in. He would see them and it was always like looking through a glass wall with no door with the emotional barriers Delta put up. She only talked to him one other time than the day she and Frank tried to shove him back to earth. She again told him to go home. But, she’d add that the merry men didn’t have her anymore. She told him it was his job now to watch over them. Then she’d refuse more contact if he’d slip into their world due to sickness, coma, or surgery. She wouldn’t give him any reason to want to stay. She’d roll her eyes about the merry men to Frank that day. They were hers. But, they were Robin Hood’s first. They’d be just fine without her. But, if she gave Arthur a purpose in life maybe he’d stay the fuck away. She’d toast to his good riddance. 

--

Then there was Dr. Jenner Chernabog. He’d become the one “friend” they’d see. It’s not like they went over for afternoon tea, but Jenner was a hellion after all. He had access. The first time she saw him she’d stand offish at first because it brought back the moment he couldn’t fix Frank from damage of Oogie’s mind invasion. This one human plague era doctor was no witch healer with magic hands. She just wished he had been. She’d embrace him just like she had the day in the castle she met him finally meeting her shadow stalker that had always been there. He might have been no angel, but he was a guardian that watched over her, much like Diablo in his own way. He would have heard how the pair dealt with the demons of Hell and dug their own pit staking a claim on their own little piece of this other side they all walked on. Jenner would be proud of that. He of all people knew what it was like for Hell to seep in. The madness had taken him long ago, but he owned it. He refused to let it be torture. He became the torture instead. Delta felt connected to that. So, sometimes if they bumped into one another in the darkness of the other side they’d take a moment to catch up, say hey, and move along with their endless eternal night. Whatever Frank thought, he remained “Uncle Jenner” to her. 

--

Time was a concept that wasn’t linear. Pierre would probably know this best. There were wrinkles in the fabric of time. Delta and Frank would feel like it had been years upon years of their time together on the other side. But, earth time did not run parallel with them. What felt so long to them had only been a couple months to all the people they used to know. It had been long enough to plan funerals, and have them accosted as their bodies were stolen. Dr. Frankenstein and Zero worked diligently on Frank’s rebirth putting his pieces back together again. It was a gruesome assembly that required Zero to dig graves to fill in some missing places. He’d reconstruct the boy to best of his mad scientist ability. Victor was having fun with this particular challenge. He put in extra care because he knew it was important for Zero. This was who he was truly devoted to pleasing with this one. 

--

Then there was River ever vigilant on taking care of Delta’s body. He only needed a little more time. He had everything set and perfect for the ritual. The ice cream trolley freezer had been holding out, but it was starting to kick the bucket. It started to make motor noises. He kept his fingers crossed it would hold. He’d take ice out there daily just in case when he got there it had broken down in his absence. River would notice the crow that kept flying around. What he wouldn’t know was it was Diablo or that he was sensing the change coming in Delta and was trying to be there to help her from one side to the other. Her body being so cold was actually slowing down her process, not that anyone would know that, not even Triton. He was hardly a fae world after life expert. Maleficent kept him on a need to know basis. But, it was coming. It was coming soon. 

[takerfoxx]

Right, okay, let’s talk about Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Oh boy, do I have a lot to unpack here. And, uh, content warning for discussion of rape and genocide.

Right, let’s start with my thoughts on the first one. Overall, I liked it a whole lot, but mostly I’m astounded that it got the go-ahead in the first place. I mean, a bizarre subversive take on Sleeping Beauty of all things that recasts Disney’s most iconic villain as a sort of anti-hero with a heavy feminist slant that had a blatantly unsubtle rape metaphor as its centerpiece? It should have been a trainwreck! Hell, it almost was a trainwreck, one that threatened to jump the tracks the entire runtime! It shouldn’t have worked, it almost didn’t work...but it still did.

Part of that was just how committed everyone involved was to its own mad premise. Say what you want about the idea, but it was ballsy as hell, and it totally went all in with...everything. I mean, you kind of have to just to make something like this work, as any kind of drawback or halfass would’ve caused the whole thing to come crashing down, so the only chance you’ve got is to point the whole endeavor straight at that brick wall and slam your foot down on the ignition. And it went in deep, recontextualizing King Steffen as a paranoid, manipulative, power-hungry madman; the three fairies as total dolts; Prince Philip, someone who might seem dull in comparison to later princes like Aladdin, Eric, or the Beast, but was still the most proactive prince Disney had at that point, as kind of a duffer whom Maleficent had to literally drag along on his own quest and who was understandably squeamish about kissing an unconscious girl against her will; Daival as a dashing sidekick; and completely flips the Maleficent/Aurora relationship on its head. That’s the sort of thing you see in those What If? fanfics that you tend to obsess over in highschool, and it comes packing all of the raw emotion of one of those fics, and because of that it pulls its own crazy premise off. Yes, it was flawed. Yes, there were things that didn’t work. But they almost don’t matter in light of just how impressive it was that they managed to pull something this audacious off.

And as for the rape metaphor...actually, scratch that. Let’s call a spade a spade, okay? It wasn’t a metaphor, that was straight up a rape. Maybe it wasn’t sexual, but what a lot of people forget is that rape isn’t about sex, it’s about power. It’s about dominating another person to take their power away so that the aggressor can feel powerful, and that’s how it was played, and they committed to showing it in all of its ugliness. I mean, holy shit that takes balls.

But the bulk of the reason why it worked was because of Angelina Jolie.

I mean, what an absolutely mesmerizing performance! The OG Maleficent was so memorable in part because everyone else in that movie kind of...wasn’t, but also because she was super cool and super badass and totally in love with being THAT BITCH! And Angelina Jolie absolutely owns that role.

I mean, she is Maleficent. She just took a DNA test, and I don’t need to tell you what the results are. She embodied all of that iconic character’s regal majesty, menace, cruelty, confidence, and knowing that she was the badass bitch to ever vamp about in a long black gown with a bitching pimp staff just ready to show up uninvited and wreak some unholy vengeance, and then some. There is no longer any need to wonder where your god is, because she is right there, and she is all out of mercy.

But then she goes and gives actual depth to a really awesome but still kind of one note character, from the young innocence before she was betrayed to genuinely bonding with young Aurora to her desperate heartbreak over being unable to break her own curse to actual fear when it seems that the mad king has finally got her to...well, the agony of betrayal when she wakes up and fully realizes what Steffen has done to her. That’s a wide range of emotions to have to portray in a character only known for being smirkingly evil or ragingly evil, but she goes in hard, and basically holds the whole haphazard production together through the sheer gravitational pull of her performance.

So when they announced a sequel, I was intrigued. In fact, I was hoping for another totally insane, probably a bad idea production that just goes HAM on whatever crazy topical stuff it wants to talk about with Angelina Jolie just owning everything she touches.

But what it turned out to be...

Sigh.

Okay.

Let’s do this.

All right, I won’t go into specific plot details until I reach the spoiler cut, because they’re not really important. What I want to get across is the first third of this movie, it really had me. It was good! It had everything I liked about the first one. Different situation, sure, but we had Maleficent being Maleficent and bouncing off other characters, both old and new, and it was good.

Then the second third rolled around, and things started to come apart. I mean, it didn’t totally lose me or anything, there was a lot of good stuff, we learn a lot of cool lore, there’s a kickass Zootopia-type place we visit with a whole bunch of biomes, and I was generally okay with how things were, assuming that they could stick the landing. But the big problem here was that there was a whole lot less of Maleficent. Oh, she was there, sure, but she wasn’t really...doing much, mostly just walking around while some other character explained exposition to her, to which she barely even reacts, so we’re left with Aurora and Philip and Michelle Pfieffer as the new evil queen to do all the heavy lifting. And they do an admirable job of it I suppose (though the lack of romantic chemistry between Aurora and Philip was really noticeable here), but this part was seriously missing Angelina Jolie’s overwhelming presence that the first movie had, so the seams started to show.

And then we get to the third act, and that’s where it all fell apart for me. So, I guess it’s spoiler time.

Long story short, the main plot is that Prince Philip’s mom is evil and is trying to arrange for the total genocide of all of Maleficent’s fairy subjects in the Moors so that the humans can take over. And she does this by first poisoning the king with the same curse Aurora was originally under and blaming it on Maleficent (okay, that works), have Maleficent sniped when she tries to flee with an iron bullet (makes sense), come up with a special iron/magic flower compound that is fatal to fairies (good so far), and luring the Moors inhabitants in with the promise of being wedding guests, locking them in the cathedral, and dousing them with this fairy killing dust. And just in case, she also has the entire castle barricaded and guarded with a whole bunch of fairy killing dust weapons and traps.

You know what? For an evil plot, she really worked out most of the contingencies, and it nearly succeeds, though the question must be asked of why the Moors inhabitants just stroll right in after their guardian just straight up disappears after doing the same thing. But anyway, she gets as far as actually locking up all the fairies and pelting them with the killer dust.

But then the castle is attacked. See, all through the second act, Maleficent is rescued by the rest of her people, the Dark Fae, and it turns out that they’ve slowly been forced by humans to retreat to a single sanctuary, but they’re ready to reclaim their homelands by force, and after seeing her people’s sacred burial grounds defiled and the Dark Fae that saved her assassinated by humans, Maleficent is feeling pretty okay with that. In fact, the warmonger Dark Fae that’s all for violence and who leads the attacks makes a point that Maleficent has powers that not even they possess and could be their secret weapon. I mean, just have her show up and be all Mistress of Evil. Makes sense, right?

Buuuuuuut, then they attack the humans and...just sort of leave her behind? Like, she just stays with the dying dude who sacrificed himself to save her and was the one espousing a peaceful solution, and no one bothers to try to get her to come along despite her having every reason to kick all sorts of ass? Like, they have the forest magic going for them, sure, but she’s packing that green fire of I WIN, YOU LOSE, and they just...don’t take her with them?

Huh?

And as predicted, the humans unleash all their killer dust bombs and killer dust missiles and just massacre the Dark Fae. We see several of them just get slaughtered on screen, and meanwhile we also watch the Moor fairies also getting massacred in what amounts to a fucking GAS CHAMBER, complete with several of them straight up dying on screen, including one of the three fairies! No, I’m being serious, they straight up kill the Blue Fairy!

But then Maleficent shows up fashionably late, green fires all the humans into submission, has her big faceoff with the queen, there’s a bunch of stuff with Aurora and Philip trying to get everyone to stop fighting, there’s a big fakeout GOTCHA with Maleficent dying to save Aurora but coming back because I guess she’s the Phoenix or something, then the queen gets captured and turned into a goat and everyone’s friends now so they all get together and let Aurora and Philip have their wedding because the power of love wins in the end!

...

wat.

Okay, so there is something to be said for the letting peace and understanding win out and refusing to continue the cycle of violence, but, um, wasn’t there, you know, A FUCKING GENOCIDE HAPPENING NOT TOO LONG AGO? And by not too long ago, I mean literally five minutes? We see Dark Fae and Moor fairies dying en mass! And they don’t come back! I mean, there’s a sly hint that the Blue Fairy lives on as a flower or something, but that’s not really elaborated on, and we literally see a whole bunch of people get massacred! But now we’re just going to have a wedding right over everyone’s conveniently bloodless corpses and everyone’s just fine with it? And the evil queen that arranged this whole slaughter gets humorously turned into a goat and everyone laughs at in, including the recovered king (because apparently to break the curse for good all you needed was to destroy the original spindle, so I guess so much for that touching retelling of True Love’s Kiss from the first movie! Totally unnecessary now!) who just says something like, “I’m sure Maleficent will turn her back...assuming we want her to.” And then he just makes a face as if the queen was just a nagging harpy that was hard to put up with and not a literally murderous despot who tried to assassinate you and bring your kingdom to total war by eradicating the neighbors you were trying so hard to work out a peace with!

No. Fuck that, no! That is bullshit! Choose a path and fucking commit! That’s what the first movie did! It decided it was going to sneak a fucking rape scene into a Disney movie that was to be seen by a lot of little girls, and it went all in, up to and including never blaming Maleficent for wanting to take vengeance and putting all of the blame on Steffen, so it worked! If you’re going to stick in a fucking genocide, then you better show the horrific aftereffects of that genocide, not a weaksauce power of love, everyone’s friends now ending! And make the despising of the queen actually mean something, not just a humorous slapstick humiliation!

Fucking hell, what were they thinking?

[auradonkingsandqueens-a]

Maleficent/Descendants - Timeline Headcanon

Does anyone else ever think about how Queen Leah automatically assumed Mal was Maleficent and had stayed young?

Like by this theory, then everything in start of Sleeping Beauty happened when Maleficent was only a young girl? Which makes any tie in with the Maleficent movies so much worse because sixteen (Mal’s canon age in D1) was when Stefan first told Maleficent they were true loves?

So let’s look at the wikia canon ages for Maleficent and Stefan.  Stefan was 50 at the time of his death M1, So Maleficent would have been 45-50ish too - though Maleficent does have the fae as immortal if they’re not killed so retaining their youth would make sense.

But for the purposes of Descendants, clearly Stefan and Leah aren’t going to be in their 70′s - because Descendants canon put’s Aurora at least 36 years of age (16 at the time of Sleeping Beauty and Isle’s been in place for 20 years.). But if you add the 5 years between M1&M2 that puts Aurora at least 41 years old in Descendants and that’s without adding a couple of years for other stories to catch up to them.

But I digress - the fact that Leah thinks Mal is Maleficent would suggest that in at least the Descendants franchise, Maleficent hadn’t reached maturity when all this went down. 

So...

So here is MY timeline for MY Maleficent for it all, the ages will decrease some from Maleficent to make sense for Descendants but still incorporate the central themes and events from the Maleficent franchise. Aged 14: Maleficent meets Stefan, she was 14, him 16. Aged 16: Stefan kisses Maleficent and announces that it was true loves kiss Aged 17: Stefan starts working in the Castle Aged 19: The King attacks the Moors and Maleficent fatally injures him. The King offers the reward that any man to kill Maleficent would marry his daughter and be king. That night Stefan visits Maleficent in the Moors, drugs her and hacks off her wings. He married Leah who is 2 years older than him Aged 20: Maleficent goes to the Christening of Aurora and curses the girl Aged 30: Maleficent stops aging Aged 31: Queen Leah dies aged 35 (Leah’s not seen Maleficent or Aurora since the christening) Aged 36: Aurora goes under the curse. Maleficent wakes her up with a maternal true loves kiss. Stefan dies aged 38. Aged 41: Events of Maleficent 2 happen. Aurora has her first son 9 months after her wedding to Philip (my Rose Prince - Preston @islecaptain​ )  Aged 43: Maleficent falls pregnant with her first child. King Adam and Queen Belle get married; talks of an Isle begin.  Aged 43/44: Raven is born ( @wearethedescendants​ ) and a prophecy given about his power. Isle is created and Maleficent goes willingly. Queen Leah and King Stefan are resurrected along with the villains as a gift to Aurora for supporting the Isle. Aged 45: Maeve is born Aged 46/48: Mal is born - this is dependant on the player I’m writing with and whether they play Mal as 16 or 18 at D1 Aged 64: Descendants 1/2 happens Aged 66: Descendants 3 happens

Given that in my timeline Leah was 35 and Stefan 38 when they died, at the time of D1, they’re both  55 and 58 respectively (physically) due to being resurrected at the age they died at. Aurora herself based on this timeline is 43/44 at the time of D1.

**DO NOT REBLOG**

[commonly-quirky]

So I have theories about ‘Mistress of Evil’

I have some theories on the plot...

Here is basically what I feel like is happening in the plot from what we get to see in the teaser trailer. In the original movie Prince Phillip says she was to visit King Stefan on behalf of his father, King John. In the trailer we get to see Phillip propose so who are they paying a royal visit to?? The future in-laws. King John and Queen Ingrith. I basically imagine that they are visiting to discuss uniting the kingdoms and due to her guardianship of Aurora and the Moors she needs to be there to mediate.  Maleficent in the teaser literally asks if Queen Ingrith knows better about people wishing ill will. She’s not threatening her. She’s saying listen I do not wish you harm and want peace for all of us.  Now as far as enemies go to me the creatures flying and exploding into red smoke are actually flying fae, the same species as Maleficent. That’s what I think we are getting here. Maleficent eventually meet some of her own kind, after believing she was the only one left in the Moors. This group is possibly leading a rebellion or were the cause for Phillips venture in the first movie. After hearing how Stefan disposed of one they were probably looking how to get help with others. Now either sure they are not keen on the unison and are attempting to rebel against it. Or my other theory of her searching for a connection is she attempts to bring about peace for both peoples and goes and meets these fae. As for Aurora asking her what she had done... I’m vaguely certain I know what’s going to happen there too. We’ve heard in the past of a possible future romance for Maleficent with someone new and I’m imagining it’s going to be Ed Skrein’s character. He will probably play the leader of said rebellion. Maleficent will have basically brought him with her showing they mean peace and everything will go south. Eventually Maleficent will have to choose between the fae who she wants to be connected to, to have a sense of family, or if she will choose the family she’s come to love in terms of Aurora and Diaval.  I also am hoping for a scene in which Diaval’s life is threatened and Maleficent will finally come to terms with her feelings for him.... but you know that’s just my little ship trying to set sail.

[starlitfaery]

Ficlet/Headcanon :: Maleficent and Riku

note: occassionally fae [x] pronouns are used for Mal

[ao3 link]

She followed the siren call. Looking at a world map as she searched world by world for a child that would fit “Ansem’s” requirements. A would-be keyblade wielder that could be manipulated.

Every world she bypassed, she could feel the hurt of hundreds of children, each one calling for one of her kind to come take them away, begging. Maleficent just couldn’t understand what these Lightners were doing. How could they hear those cries and do nothing? These Lightners didn’t deserve to have such gifts, and she knew just who would properly appreciate those dear children.

Each world she bypassed, she sent to darkness. She urged the Heartless to take the crying children to the fae that live in the realm of darkness. So that they would finally be cared for as they begged to be. She couldn’t watch over the children herself, though he wanted to.

So she kept following the siren call, searching all worlds she could find. Some of them had prospective keyblade wielders, but not the type Ansem had asked him to find. So she sent them along with the other children. And then...

Destiny Islands was found.

A world so bright, it hurt to look at.

Yet on that world was a great cry for faekind to come and steal a child away.

A child in pain, wanting to escape a world too small for him, with a keyblade already in his heart.

Precisely what Ansem requested.

And yet...

It goes against faer very nature.

To willingly allow such a needy child to be used by someone.

She decided to move on, quietly, never tell Ansem that she had found a perfect candidate for his plans, so long as he never asked.

But of course he asked.

And she was forced to tell the truth. There was no way to avoid the truth in how he asked. Because he knew what she was, and knew how to extract the truth from her.

So Destiny Islands fell. Ansem chose to handle that world himself, to tempt the would-be keyblade wielder into darkness. But not the darkness Maleficent commanded. No, Ansem claimed the child for himself, as a potential vessel.

She understood, but she hated it.

The darkness brought the child to her doorstep. Brought the child to faer instead of to the one that claimed him. It brought a smile to faer face, seeing how even nature would demand fae take care of such a gift.

She accepted her nature-given charge graciously, ignoring Ansem’s plans for Riku. She gave him choices, options, gifts, the world at his feet if only he would take it.

Young Riku was glad to take all that was offered, he was suspicious, that was fair. It was understandable. He had never met one of faer kind. He had no idea that he could trust faer.

Of course, Maleficent couldn’t ignore Ansem forever. She had already checked the timelines, she knew what would happen and when. She would fail to protect her new son from Ansem, but he would be able to protect himself.

With everything she would make sure to teach him.

She supposed then that she had protected him, in spirit. Or would protect him.

So she allowed herself to be used as Ansem wished. Turned into her other form, and then temporarily banished from the realm of light. She could use the vacation if she was honest. Her cousins must have questions needing answers. She had sent so many wanting children to new homes that hadn't been expecting any.

She just wished she had had more time with dear Riku. He was the perfect son, and she hadn't even been able to suggest he come away with her to her home. He had worried too much about his friends.

When fae finally came back to the realm of light, a year and a day as is traditional unless called back via memory, so much had changed.

She hadn't been certain which timeline she was in, and required Pete to detail it. She didnt like this timeline. It was one where she was homeless and apparently had naught to her name but her raven and Pete. At least it would seem Riku was still around.

His scent was in the castle, recent enough that he must have been here a week ago. She visited his old bedroom and found the bed wasn’t made. Empty bottles that smelt of ether and elixirs. Blood soaked rags. Clothing on the floor and thrown over a chair.

It was almost like he had never left despite her absence.

That warmed her heart. Enough that when Pete stumbled across her and found the messy bedroom, he must have thought she was upset about squatters, he promised he’d get the heartless to clean up the mess. She sent him away and told him not to touch this section of the castle.

If Riku intended to come back, she didn’t want to scare him away. She wanted him to come home to her.

She wouldn't apologize for what happened, of course not. And he wouldn't apologize for being possessed and stabbing her, she wouldn't accept it, and he would know. Because that's not how they worked.

When he showed skill, no matter how it was shown, it was celebrated.

He set Oogie on fire? Brilliant! Throw a party!

He learned how to cast Silence but it was on himself? Amazing! A spell cast on the self tended to be more difficult.

All achievements are celebrated.

He threw off Ansem's possession. Summoned a keyblade. Protected his friends.

He achieved great things.

Why hadn't she seen him in the realm of darkness?

All her research had claimed he went there, stayed there for a time. So why hadn't she seen him? Was he avoiding the fae that once housed him? Was he guilty? Did he resent her?

She couldn't see him. She was in a timeline where she couldn't see his familiar face until she found a white castle to live in, nestled halfway in the darkness.

So she was surprised when she realized a meeting she had bypassed looking too closely at, one with Ansem, had in truth been her son. Come to warn her of the current enemy.

And see if his senses had told him the truth.

She was back.

And he had known without being told.

Because now he was like her. Not fully, no, he would have had to spend much longer in darkness to become fae. But he was so obviously on his way to changing from human to other. She hadn’t even had to ask him, he willingly walked into it without a care.

Did he realize what he had set in motion?

She was charmed by the thought that he had knowingly become other than human, after just a short time with her. But she didn’t for a minute think he knew what he had done.

Now wasn’t the time to discuss that however. Her son had an enemy, and she would defend him with her last breath and the next.

Then she would sit him down and let him know what was happening.