¹ Claws of Legacy: Legacy's Descent ✓

CHAPTER 2

Maleficent's tenement apartment sat directly above Bargain Castle, embodying her dark and unkempt taste. The room was dim, dusty, and dirty, perfectly suited to Maleficent's preferences. Mismatched colored windowpanes blocked the sunlight while green crystal lights dangled from the high ceiling. The air reeked of sulfur. Seated in her tall green throne chair, Maleficent nonchalantly filed her nails, propping her feet up.

You found yourself in a chair, surrounded by the others and their parents. To be honest, the villains had seen better days. With her messy black-and-white hair, Cruella wore a worn-out, nearly bald coat made of black-and-white dog fur. A bejeweled stuffed toy Dalmatian head adorned the collar, and she lovingly stroked it as if it were alive. Jafar, donning his signature mustache and goatee, sported a potbelly, a comb-over, and puffy Sansabelt pants. Once a great beauty, the Evil Queen tugged at her cosmetically altered face and gazed into a mirror. Although Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos feared their parents, you, on the other hand, did not fear your father. While you had never met him, whispers of fear and awe surrounding him on the Isle painted a vivid picture in your mind.

Suddenly, Maleficent's voice rang out, causing the small quills on your head to shiver. "You will go," she commanded everyone. "You will find the Fairy Godmother and bring me back her magic wand." She blew on her nails nonchalantly. "Easy peasy."

"What's in it for us?" Mal asked, questioning the motive.

"Matching thrones," Maleficent replied. "And crowns for both of you."

You stood up and walked over, sneering, "She meant all of us." Maleficent waved you away. Clenching your teeth, you felt Jay's hand on your shoulder, prompting you to look at him. He tilted his head, and although you scrunched your nose in response, you remained silent, the quills on your head still bristling.

Meanwhile, Maleficent rose from her throne, her intense gaze fixed on Mal. "It's all about you and me, baby," she said, leaning in close. "Do you enjoy watching innocent people suffer?"

"Well, yeah! I mean, who doesn't?" Mal replied.

"Then get me that wand! And with it, you and I can witness all that and much more!" Maleficent declared. "With the wand and my scepter," she held up her arms, "I will have the power to bend both good and evil to my will!"

Evil Queen lowered her mirror and chimed in, "Our will."

Cruella pointed at Evil Queen, nodding in agreement.

"Our will, our will," Maleficent quickly added, attempting to save face. She then turned her attention back to Mal. "And if you refuse, you'll be grounded for the rest of your life, missy," she firmly stated.

"What?" Mal cried out, distressed. "Mom!"

Maleficent locked eyes with her daughter, their gaze a test of power and focus. Mal stared back, but the intensity escalated. It was a contest they engaged in periodically, and Maleficent always emerged as the victor. Mal eventually averted her gaze. "Fine, whatever," she reluctantly conceded.

"I won," Maleficent declared.

You snorted, settling back into your seat as the others scattered to their parents. Left alone to contemplate the life awaited, you smoothed down your quills. Was it worth going behind this ramshackle existence? What lay ahead for you? The uncertainty weighed on your mind.

With a sigh, you prepared yourself, tucking your small bag of belongings close. When the sound of a car horn filled the air, everyone bustled about, and you handed your bag to a suited Mal before ducking your head and climbing into the car, taking your seat. Carlos, Jay, and Evie followed suit, and Mal joined last.

And then, you were on your way to a new future.

-ˏˋ♥̩͙♥̩̩̥͙♥̩̥̩ ⑅

Throughout the winding streets of the Isle, you remained silent, lost in your thoughts. However, as the barrier came into view, you snapped your head up, your golden amber eyes blazing, pupils slitting.

Mal noticed your sudden change in demeanor and turned to face the approaching shimmering barrier and the destroyed bridge. Horror filled the expressions of your friends as they clung to each other while you clenched your eyes shut tightly.

After a few moments of silence and nothing happening, you cautiously opened your eyes and saw a magnificent bridge materialize beneath the steady wheels of the limo. Your gaze shifted to Carlos and your friends as the white-haired boy uttered, "What just happened?" Evie's voice, tinged with excitement, chimed in, "It must be magic!"

You turned to Mal and nodded, tapping the wall behind the driver's seat. "Hey!" You held up the small remote in your hands and locked eyes with the driver. "Did this little button just open up the magic barrier?"

The driver shook his head coldly. "Nope," he stated, pointing to the remote on his visor. "This one opens the magic barrier." He motioned toward the remote you held. "That one opens my garage. And this one..." He pushed a button, causing the screen to slide up and cut off communication.

Your eyes sparked with realization, and you turned to Mal, who smirked in response. "Nasty. I like that guy," she said, smiling.

The limo continued its journey across the bridge, which extended further over the vast expanse of water, leading them toward Auradon. The bridge behind them vanished, erasing any possibility of returning or allowing anyone to follow. The driver guided the limo into the sunlit kingdom of Auradon and gradually slowed down in front of a sign that made you and your friends recoil in disgust:

WELCOME TO AURADON PREP.

GOODNESS DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER.