Chapter Text
Sitting on a barrel in the alleyway she watched smoke drift up into the air with a distant expression. Her face glowed an orange hue with the light that flickered from the flames on the cold lonely night. She heard the crackling of fire and wood. She relished in the smokey smell that consumed the air. Fire was always her favorite element.
She put her elbows on her knees as she looked through the hazy smoke into the mesmerizing fire. Leather curled and flexed. She watched the prominent dragon wings sink into the flames as it was slowly consumed. Evie made that jacket for her once a long time ago. She’d worn it every day since. That was until she found the tracking device planted in the inseam.
“Fucking bitch…” Mal muttered under her breath.
There was a chill that came through the air and she put a hand on her arm for warmth. She really didn’t have any other clothes. If anything ever happened to that jacket she’d just have Evie fix it. Once again that traitor is now the cause of her grief.
“Never cared about me…” Mal continued, “always getting in the way.”
She clenched her jaw as fury began to bubble up inside her once more.
“I…” her voice cracked, her throat tightened, “your promise was just a lie. And I was dumb enough to fall for it.”
Her instincts kicked in and her eyes darted down the alleyway. She could hear the faintest footsteps. She didn’t move, but she did wait to see who would be foolish enough to intrude on her.
Through the smoke she could see a small figure with a stride of assertion.
“What’s the occasion?” That voice rang up and down the alley and Mal’s eyes flashed with green.
Stepping into the orange light of the flame was the Pirate Queen herself, Uma.
Mal snarled, “you must have a death wish.”
Uma laughed as she looked down into the fire, seeing her famed leather jacket.
“What, you couldn’t return it?” She joked, Mal eyed her threateningly as she sauntered around her.
“I’m surprised someone like you could find me.”
“Oh haven’t you heard? I’m the leader of the taskforce, a very important member of the royal court,” Uma mocked a curtsy, “besides, I always know where to find you.”
“Well then, if you’re here to kill me good luck,” then Mal hopped off the barrel she sat on and licked her teeth, “you’re not exactly what I’d call a challenge.”
Uma gave her a threatening smile and tapped on the pommel of her cutlass, “oh I’m not here to kill you, Mal, I’m here to offer you something.”
“Whatever you have isn’t worth my time.” She took a step towards the pirate, giving her an intimidating sneer.
“Really,” Uma pivoted on her heel, turning away from her, “not even, this?”
A small silver chain dangled from her fingers. It glistened in the light and as Mal’s eyes followed down, they widened with surprise at the pendant attached to it.
“Where did you get that?” she growled, her hands balling into fists.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter where I got it,” Uma brought the pendant to her face to inspect it closer, and to tease the other girl, “what matters is I have it.”
Mal held out her hand, wordlessly commanding Uma to give it over. She looked down at her hand and scoffed.
“You gave this to our mighty Queen, am I right?” Uma smiled wickedly, “it was the one and only thing you could ever give her.”
“You’ll give it back, or this will be your last night alive.” Mal fumed with rage.
“Of course, now I have it,” Uma caressed the small purple gem as she turned to face her once again, “I suppose you could say this was your one token of love? And just like everything else that brat tossed it out.”
Mal couldn’t take it anymore, she went to snatch it right from her hands. As she took a step forward Uma held the pendant over the already burning fire.
“Ah, ah, ah, I wouldn’t do that,” she smirked deviantly, “well not unless you want this to burn up in flames too.”
Mal froze in place, her eyes glowed once more. Uma laughed devilishly.
“You are just like her,” Uma smiled in triumph, “just can’t let go of the past.”
Uma decided to play with her a bit more. She let go of the chain for a moment only to catch it once again. She could see Mal’s expression jump for a second and she chuckled in victory.
“What do you want, Uma?” Mal sneered.
“Oh, it’s simple, my dear, I know you’ve taken control of the lower banks gangs,” she said, “Evie wants me to bring their allegiance back to her.”
“So you’re what? Her errand girl now?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, darling,” she let go of the necklace for another moment, making Mal’s heart skip a beat once again, “I’ve got my own plans. Evie’s just a little bump in the road. All I need you to do is order those gangs to get along with my crew and we have no more problems.”
“If you think we have no more problems then you’re stupider than I thought.”
“Tell me, Mal, how long do you think it will take for this pendant to burn into nothing?”
She grit her teeth and watched the flames lick up towards the pendant. The gem glimmering against the light. She took a breath, then looked back to Uma’s eyes.
“You don’t have the guts,” she stated, “you wouldn’t throw away your only leverage you have on me.”
“You don’t know me as well as you think.”
“Come on, Uma,” her voice softened, that caught Uma off guard, “I know you better than you know yourself.”
She narrowed her eyes, but kept her hand above the flame as an underlying threat.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Is this what you really want, Uma?” Mal dared to take a step forward.
“Do you enjoy testing your luck?”
“I can give you what you desire,” Mal held out her hand, “your revenge.”
Uma hesitated for a moment. She let the necklace fall for another second and Mal couldn’t help but inhale sharply.
“You can get me my revenge by doing what I tell you,” she growled, “do we have a deal?”
“Uma, we have a common enemy now,” Mal took another step forward, still holding her hand out, “hand over the necklace and we can talk.”
She laughed, “talking? My, my, Mal you’ve certainly fallen far from the throne.”
A scowl painted itself on her face, her eyes piercing into her soul.
Uma felt her heart soar with power, “what would your mother say?”
“You don’t know anything about my mother.”
“I know your mother would disown you if she saw this kind of weakness in her own daughter.”
Mal took another step forward, “why don’t I show you how weak I really am.”
They were a little more than a foot apart, the necklace still dangling dangerously over the fire. Uma saw Mal’s hardened expression and the demons in her eyes. She was getting a little too close for comfort.
“You think I won’t do it?” Uma let out a low growl, “my dear, there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me if you think I’ll let you live to see the morning.”
“Still holding onto the past, still holding onto her.” Uma said with a twisted grin.
“She stole my throne, she means nothing to me.”
“Oh well then I guess you don’t mind if I do this.” Uma let go of the chain for another moment only to catch it again; she was now holding it on the very end of the silver with just one finger. One wrong move and the pendant will fall. Flames were already licking at the bottom of it.
Mal’s eyes shifted to Uma’s and a shutter went up her spine, having her mystic green eyes so close. The heart of the black fairy rested in those eyes. She held her ground.
“Uma,” Mal’s voice was laced with bitter sweetness, a threat underlying in the tone, “make the right choice. Give me the necklace.”
Uma gulped, but didn’t back down. She lowered her arm, along with the pendant, towards the fire.
“Uma.” Mal warned, leaning closer to her, holding out her hand once again.
She felt her heart beating from her chest to her ears. She didn’t know whether or not it was the flames that had her temperature rising.
“You think you can get under my skin? Your words are empty, Mal, you don’t have any power over me.” She said defiantly.
A darkness shifted in her eyes.
“Don’t I?” Mal took one last step forward. Putting her hand on Uma’s cheek, she brought her lips close enough to feel her hot breath. Her breath hitched and her teeth clenched together. The pirate felt her lips brush up against hers teasingly.
Mal let out a sultry laugh, her breath beating on Uma’s lips that were just begging for closure. She felt another hand run it’s way up her waist. Her next phrase came out in a sweet whisper, like the devil had snaked his way through her words, “be a good girl and give me the necklace.”
Uma couldn’t breath. Her emotions were getting in the way once again. No. Mal was getting in the way once again. Those magic green eyes, that seductive smirk; it made her go wild. It was no different from when they were younger. Uma would have an upper hand, she’d have the advantage, and Mal would manage to sweet talk her way to victory. Every single time. Mal was right; she knew who she was. She knew the effect she could have on the pirate. It kept her up at night. Uma had the advantage now. She was in control. For once, she could claim victory over the dragon.
“Get it yourself.” She said with confidence. Mal was taken aback, turning her head to see the necklace falling into the fire. With a short gasp, she reached out to catch it. She felt the hot metal grace her fingers, but she wasn’t fast enough.
“No!” Was all she was able to get out.
She heard the pendant clamber down to the bottom of the burning barrel. A pit in her stomach grew. She stood there stuck for a moment. It was gone, consumed by the fire.
Uma watched those green eyes somehow glow more as they slowly turned back to meet her. Mal’s teeth bared, her nostrils flared, and her patience was gone. She kicked the top of the burning barrel with such force that it tipped over. Burning debris and ash spilled out onto the ground below them. The flames shifted violently with force as they spread through the alley, the heat enveloped both of them. Uma had her back to a wall. She knew she couldn’t escape without a fight, especially with this new obstacle.
Hands latched onto her shoulders and she was pressed onto the brick wall. She let out a grunt and felt angry, hot breath on her skin.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” A menacing whisper left the former queen’s lips.
“I guess you don’t know me as well as you think.” She teased back, getting a hand on her cutlass.
A forearm made its way to her neck, she couldn’t help but gasp for air.
“This will be your last regret.” Mal threatened.
Uma grabbed onto her arm and attempted to pry it away. Mal, unfortunately, was much stronger than she remembered. As she felt the sickening pressure being applied to her throat, she heard villainous laughter. She was sounding too much like her mother.
She swiftly kicked her in the leg. Mal was crippled for a moment, which gave the pirate an opportunity to snake out from under her, and draw her blade. Once the former queen regained her balance her eyes adjusted to the cutlass that now pointed to her.
Her chest was heaving, sweat was forming on her forehead, she met eyes with the pirate. Strands of faded purple hair fell in front of her face, her figure was silhouetted by the flames that began to rise from behind her.
“You know what, Mal? I think Evie really did love you,” Uma said to her, “and you were stupid enough to drive her away.”
Mal knew she couldn’t face Uma in a duel. She drew her knife anyway. Those words burned in her heart. She resented them.
“Maybe you are destined to be the Mistress of all Evil,” Uma continued with her confident attitude, “alone in a tower. Nothing but goblins to keep you company.”
Mal sneered in response, “don’t talk about me like you know me.”
“I know everything about you, my dear.” The sea witch cackled.
“Your plan failed, Uma, you better start running.”
“Oh my plan didn’t fail,” her lips curled into a wicked grin, “like I said, you and that prissy brat are the same.”
“I said leave.”
“Fine I’ll leave you to wallow in your regret,” Uma shifted in her stance, “but know this: I’m coming out of this war on top. I’m not letting you or that princess wear my crown anymore.”
Mal pointed the knife towards her with a snarl.
“That throne is mine to take, shrimpy.” She said with a hiss.
“You had your turn, and you failed,” Uma raised her blade back at her, “it's time for a real queen to take over, don’t you think?”
Mal took a step forward but Uma made her stay in place by slashing the concrete ground with her sword. A chilling ring of metal ran up the walls of the alley.
“I don’t need you getting any closer,” the pirate cackled with amusement, “unless you want to lose a limb.”
She frowned at the statement, just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Uma took a step back, “I’ll be seeing you around.”
“It’s a small island.” Mal glared back, lowering her knife and accepting her challenger in defeat.
The pirate tipped her hat to her, then backed up into the shadows and disappeared into the night. She felt the heat from the flames on her back, turning around Mal saw the fire dying down. The ground was fairly wet. She scanned through the ash and debris looking for any sign of her lost pendant. She saw fragments of her charred jacket and several small pieces of wood but nothing that resembled the gift Evie once charised.
She ran her boot through the ash, sifting it around and trying to feel for anything. She kicked over a few pieces of wood that still burned. She waved smoke away from her eyes as she searched further into the now small fire. Ash covered the ground and stuck to her shoes. She knocked over a few pieces of cardboard and in the moonlight she saw a flash. Not even thinking about the scolding hot ash, she dove her hand down to inspect the shiny object. She pulled up what seemed to be the purple gem, popped out of it’s gold confines. She dusted it off and examined the charred beauty. Evie used to say she loved the gem because it reminded her of Mal. That explains why she wanted to throw it out. She held it tight in her hand, as if she were trying to strangle it, and then shoved it in her pocket before anyone could see.
Alone in her room once again, Evie let out a frustrated huff and made her way over to her desk. She searched for a certain letter that she forgot to send out. It was a letter to Jay. She picked up the curled, yellowing paper and examined the delicately inscribed letters. Folding it in on itself and trying it together with some leftover ribbon, she hesitated to leave her room.
She had a sinking feeling that Jay didn’t want to hear from her. She didn’t want to face the reality that maybe it was her fault he hadn’t returned.
Before she could think anymore about it she heard some grunting from outside her balcony. Opening the doors, and carefully looking around she heard the crumbling of stone as it fell down the side of the castle walls.
“Bloody hell!” She heard a voice from underneath the balcony.
She cautiously made her way over to the edge and peered down to see who was there. To her surprise she saw the infamous pirate himself, Harry Hook, making his way up the wall.
“Harry?” She asked, slightly amused.
“Awe, shite, yer not meant ta see me yet.” He said back, annoyed.
He struggled to grab onto another brick up the wall, still climbing up it very slowly.
“What are you doing?”
“What d’ya mean? I’m being all…” he stretched out to reach another hold on the wall, “romantic and such.”
Evie couldn’t help but smile, “romantic?”
“Yes!” He stopped for a second to catch his breath, then continued climbing, “bloody hell, this is hard!”
She laughed lightly, “I don’t think the walls were made for that.”
“Wha-- you think this is funny!?” He was offended, “how about instead of flashing yer pearls at me, ya help fer once!”
“Well, Harry, that’s not very romantic.” She teased.
“Oh very funny,” he breathed out, pulling himself up, “I’m doing this for you, ya know.”
“While I am perfectly used to guys doing things for me, I can’t help but wonder why you would.” She casually put her elbows on the balcony railing and her cheek in her hand.
“Well, that’s kinda what I was comin’ up there to tell ya.” He was gaining ground faster now, and getting fairly close, “but it was meant to be a surprise.”
“Well, I’m sorry I ruined it.” She still spoke in a casual tone, simply watching him make his way up.
He made his way up to the balcony and swung his legs over the railing. With a grunt and a flash of his smile, Harry was standing before her. Sweaty and out of breath.
“Ta da!” He said victoriously.
“Impressive,” she replied, less enthusiastically, “does Uma know you’re here?”
“I enjoy me Captain’s company but I enjoy yours better, my dear.” He grabbed her hand.
Evie looked at him with confusion, the shift in attitude was strange.
“Right,” she said, “are you going to tell me why you’re here?”
He cleared his throat, “yer excellency--”
“Majesty.” she corrected.
“Yeah, whatever, I came here to confess something.”
She suddenly became very concerned, “to me?”
He nodded, “I came here to tell you that…” he paused for a moment, “I don’t talk about my feelings a lot. The crew is really rough and things…” he took another pause and looked up for a moment, “but with you I feel like I can have feelings.”
Her face twitched with anticipation. His words were very mechanical, as if he were trying to remember something.
He continued on, “yer great and stuff and I just want to tell you that I love being with ya.”
She smiled, and traced her fingers around his hook with her other hand. She looked at him through her fluttering eyelashes.
“You really mean that?” Her tone turned from being playful and casual to sincere and suggestive.
“Aye, with me whole heart.”
A wide grin appeared on her face. She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into a sweet kiss. Harry, however, felt indifferent towards the kiss. The queen certainly wasn’t bad with her mouth but it was all an act for him. He only came here because Uma insisted on it. Though he sucked it up, in both ways, and pressed on. Anything to please his captain.
Evie was the one to break away and left her imprint on him. He resisted the urge to wipe his mouth.
Her loving smile dropped in a moment, “I can’t keep doing this.”
She tore away from him and went back into her room.
“Wait, what? What are you talking about?” He followed after her.
“Harry, I know you don’t really love me,” she admitted, not looking at him as she made her way back over to her desk, “I’m not stupid.”
“Wait… you knew I was kidding around and you went and kissed me?”
She sighed with shame, covering her eyes, “I don’t know… why I just…”
“I climbed a balcony for you!” His outrage only grew.
“I’m sorry,” her voice was filled with guilt, “at first I thought you were just doing it to be polite so I went along, and then you threw my necklace into the fireplace--”
“You told me to do that!”
She picked up her letter to Jay and more guilt washed over her, “I can’t… explain it.”
“This is just great,” Harry threw his hat on the floor and ran his hands through his hair, “Uma’s gonna wring me neck too, thanks fer that!”
“I won’t tell her,” she assured him, “I know you two are… close.”
He covered his eyes with his hand, “anyone ever tell ya you got a sick way about feelings?”
Suddenly her throat became dry and she looked down, “yeah, something like that.”
He took a deep sigh and fell back into a chair.
“Why did you want to be in love with me?” Evie asked, suspicion creeping back up in her voice.
Harry took a cold, calculated pause. She didn’t know the full story. He could still come out of this unscathed. He just had to play his cards right.
“I uh…” he looked down, thinking hard, “I wanted to make Uma jealous.”
Even he didn’t believe what he blurted out. He slowly looked back up to see her expression.
To his surprise a small smile painted on her face.
“You wanted to make Uma jealous? So you decided to pretend to be in love with me?”
Harry Hook was a lot of things. Thief, pirate, scoundrel, but he was nothing if not brave in the face of danger.
“Yes.” he lied through his teeth.
She thought for a moment, looking at him up and down.
“Well you’re doing a terrible job at it.” She told him.
“What d’ya mean? Weren’t you the one who kissed me just now?”
She gave him a warm smile, “yes, but we’re alone! If you want to make someone jealous you’ve got to do it when they can see.”
He looked at her for a moment. Then pretended to understand and nodded accordingly, “ah yes, of course! Stupid me! Ya know, I think the rum at the fish shop is startin’ to get to me.”
“Clearly,” she made her way over to him and examined his slouched over figure in the chair, “why do you want to make Uma jealous?”
He certainly wasn’t a stranger to lying, but questions always made it more complicated. He heaved a heavy sigh and leaned forward, folding his hands together and bringing them up to his chin. He decided to sprinkle in some truth to his words.
“My captain’s been… preoccupied lately.” He said, staring off.
“Because of her operations here?” Evie gently sat on the arm of the chair.
“Aye,” he said, “I just… thought maybe she’d look at me again fer once.”
She put a hand on the pirate's shoulder. She looked down and licked her lips.
“I get it,” she spoke softly, “really, I do, but trust me, Harry, when I say this isn’t the way to go about it.”
“What d’ya mean?”
She took in a shaky breath, “Jealousy is an ugly emotion. It can turn on you in an instant.”
E, what are you doing? With-- with him!?
She squeezed her eyes shut, repressing the memory.
“Well then how do I get her to see me again?” He sounded frustrated, “I can’t even walk into that shop without getting into a fight with her.”
Evie took a moment to think.
“Tell her how you feel.” she spoke mechanically, as if she were still thinking.
He scoffed, “yeah feelings don’t go down well in our crew.”
“Harry, if she doesn’t feel the same way then she’s not worth it.”
A serious silence fell upon them. Harry carefully looked at each one of his rings and Evie watched him. Then his eyes were drawn to his hook. He watched the light dance in the reflection.
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
He rose to his feet with determination. Evie couldn’t help the proud smile that made its way on her face. He picked up his hat off the floor and looked at it longingly before turning his head to her.
“Thanks.” He said genuinely.
“That’s what a queen’s for,” she told him, “helping her subjects.”
He nodded and pressed his hat back on his head. Then looked back out onto the balcony with dread.
“Can I?”
“Oh yes, please, use the door.” She told him.
He nodded with gratitude and went over to the door, giving her one last look before he made his swift exit.
The mighty queen sat there for a moment in thought. She brought her hand up to her neck only to remember the pendant was no longer there. She stood to her feet and went over to her desk where the letter to Jay still sat. She took a long breath. Picking up the paper, she felt an incredible weight shift in her. A force stopped her from moving as she held it. She clenched her jaw, and quickly shoved the letter into a drawer, hiding it from sight.
A long sigh escaped her as she fell into the desk chair. She put a hand on her head, grief written all over her face. Her face scrunched up with pain. A prickling sensation went all through her body.
How could you, Eves? I… I thought you loved me!
Her eyes wandered to the mirror across the room. She rose from her chair and went over to it. The figure of a queen stood in the frame. She only stared into her own eyes, blank and expressionless. A powerful presence hung over her as she stared into the mirror. Something compelled her to reach out and touch the cold glass. She lightly dragged her finger down, watching her reflection do the same. She didn’t feel alone.
In the mirror she saw the ring on her finger with the poison heart symbol. She peered into the reflection with conviction in her eyes.
“You know the penalty if you fail.” she muttered to herself.