Chapter 36
-A Month Later -
Drac hustled to get dressed and nearly swallowed his breakfast whole as he got ready for the day. Today was without a doubt the most anticipated event in all of the Isle's history: VK Day. The first in a series of annual days where five villain kids would be chosen to attend Auradon Prep. Applications had been sent out across the Isle as soon as Mal and the others had finished finals week and there had been so many submissions that it took them a month to sort and choose who would be picked.
"Attention Isle of the Lost!" Drac heard echoing from every tv on the block, "VK Day is today! Mal and the other VK's will be announcing their choices of who gets to go to Auradon Prep!"
Drac zipped up his dark green leather jacket with a purple hood on the back, the shoulders and lower half of the arms had patches of indigo which matched his fingerless gloves. His dark green skinny jeans were splattered with black paint he noticed as he tugged on his black boots as he hopped to the door, pulled it open and stepped out onto Woeful Way - or rather, Drac's Circle now.
After Uma's defeat the Anti-Heroes club had surged in popularity, it had been Diego and Freddie who had initially started the petition to change the street names, which got so many signatures the change was done almost overnight. Drac's Circle housed not only Bargain Castle but also the Slop Shop and of course, Dragon Hall. Evie's Alley had the Curl Up and Dye while Jafar's pawn shop was on Jay's Way. Carlos' House sat between the two and was basically the exact opposite of everything Hell Hall was, providing shelter and board to the orphans of the Isle.
As he headed for Mal's Court to meet the others people waved and smiled at him. The Isle had changed – a lot - he noticed, people seemed. . . happy for a change, hopeful, and there was a certain joy in the air. All the big bad parents of the Isle had seemingly disappeared, many of them boarding up in their homes sulking about Auradon's rising popularity among their children, but they didn't stir up trouble or act out to stop any of it.
Drac heard a familiar laugh as he rounded the corner and saw his sister and their friends, he ran forward and leapt onto Carlos' back when he wasn't looking, making him scream and the others laugh. He jumped down and slapped hands with Jay and gave Evie a hug. Then his sister wrapped her arm over his shoulders and they headed further down her street.
"From the North to the South. From the East to the West. Lost boys, lost girls. You all know you're the best. Hit the streets, it's your day. Turn it up, now's your chance. It's time to get up on your feet and dance. Woo!"
The five of them broke apart and spread out across the Isle. Each had been assigned their own piece of the pie and Drac climbed up onto the roofs and hopped and vaulted his way around, waking up the VK's still snoozing. Being so high up made him feel like he was flying, and he loved every second of it. From up here he could even hear Mal and the others singing.
"Anybody wanna be like us? Everybody wanna be like us! Hey!" Mal's voice carried.
"All the boys from Auradon. And the girls 'cause they know what's up!"
"Your life could change today. Your life could change today."
"These streets named after us, because we paved the way. C'mon!"
"Everyone come and take your shot." Drac sang as he walked along the roof waving over other VK's sitting in windows or chilling on the fire escapes. "Now's the time, show 'em what you got. 'Cause everyone is gonna get their chance!" he leapt down from a roof onto a balcony and the boys there stomped their feet with him. "They said that being from the Isle was bad!"
"Well, it's good to be bad! And we're proof of that. Used to be lost, now we're on the map. Used to steal stacks, now we're giving back. Remember that? It's good to be BAD! If you got pride, raise your V's up high! Wave 'em wide, side to side. Feel the vibe! It's good to be bad!"
The kids dancing around him all grabbed their forms, proudly showcasing the blue and gold Auradon seal. Drac waved them to follow him as he grabbed a gutter pipe and slid down to the street. He ran past Evie's Alley with his group as she grabbed Dizzy and several others.
"I wanna see you all rep your block. I wanna see you all rep your block. Hey. Show your pride, let me hear ya shout. We're from the Isle of the Lost!"
"Yes!" he shouted as he passed her.
"We're here to celebrate. We're here to elevate. If you're down, then make your move. But you best not hesitate."
"Come on!" he called and their two groups joined as he and Evie led them to the main block.
"Today's the day that you won't forget." Mal sang as she strutted down her street and picked up one of her favorite VK's. "The best to come ain't happened yet. Take a bow, it won't be your last. You're from the Isle if anybody asks."
"It's good to be bad!" Drac joined Jay and Carlos as they headed to the exit that had been constructed to get off the Isle. The girls jumped in with them as they danced their way down.
"And we're proof of that. Used to be lost, now we're on the map. Used to steal stacks, now we're giving back." They kicked, "Remember that? It's good to be BAD!"
The five of them all ran to the balcony that looked down at the street.
"If you got pride, raise your V's up high. Wave 'em wide, side to side. Feel the vibe! It's good to be bad!"
"They can try to deny our style but we were born this way." Jay sang looking down at the crowd as Diaval landed on Drac's shoulder.
"'Cause you can take the VK outta the Isle, but you can't take the Isle out the VK." Drac sang as he punched Jay's shoulder then slapped his own chest.
"If you wanna make it hype, not a moment to waste. Make it loud, make it live, make it jump to the bass. Make it what you want, but you'd better make your case. 'Cause the Isle makes us and we're runnin' this place!" Carlos finished.
"So when I say "V", you say "K"
"V!"
"-K!"
"-V!"
"-K!"
"When I say "all", you say "day"
"All –"
"Day!"
"All –"
"Day!"
Drac climbed under the rail with the boys as his raven flew off him and landed on the post.
"When I say "V", you say "K" and they let go. The crowd below caught them before they landed on the ground and their trio danced to the front.
"V!"
"-K!"
"-V!"
"-K!"
"When I say "all", you say "day"
"All day!"
They moved forward crossing their feet back and forth before stomping collectively, making the ground shake. Behind them someone was drumming on a piece of metal shutters keeping up with the beat.
"Come on."
"Hey."
"It's good to be"
They leapt up as Carlos landed in a split. Behind him and Jay Drac did a backwards cartwheel then somersaulted into the air, flipping backwards and landing on his feet where he had landed off the balcony. "BAD!"
The three of them raced back to the stairs and joined the girls on the platform.
"It's good to be bad! And we're proof of that. Used to be lost, now we're on the map. Used to steal stacks, now we're giving back. Remember that? It's good to be bad! If you got pride, raise your V's up high. Wave 'em wide, side to side. Feel the vibe. It's good to be – Bad!"
"Who wants to go?" Mal called down to the crowd. "You?"
"Yes! Pick me Mal! Pick me!"
"I can't believe this day has finally arrived!" Evie shouted and received hoots and hollers in response along with one very loud "Whoo!"
"I honestly wish we could take you all with us. And some day, very soon, maybe we can."
"Yeah, we're going to be back here so many times, you're going to be so sick of us." Mal joked.
"Can I get a drumroll please!" Evie shouted and in true VK fashion everyone stomped their feet in lieu of real drums. "First, I would like to begin, with the granddaughter of Lady Tremaine. Daughter of Drisella, My sweet, sweet friend. My Dizzy."
A very high pitched shriek of joy rang in all their ears as Dizzy ran forward and up the steps.
"Next." Carlos continued, "Is son of Smee, Come on Squeaky."
As the young boy shyly walked over Drac headed back down the steps and passed Jay.
"And no way we're splitting up the twins, so get over here Squirmy. Come on! Bring it in buddy." Jay shouted as Mr. Smee patted his boy's shoulder's encouragingly.
From where he stood under Mal and Evie Drac cleared his throat with his hands folded behind his back. "And there's one more in the trio that we can't forget about. The cunning, the plundering, the beautifully bad - CJ Hook!"
The crowd applauded as CJ walked through them and joined Drac, accepting his one armed hug as she held onto his side.
"And last." Mal called, "But certainly not least, we all picked this girl because we all agreed that she could use a little bit of Fairy Godmother's goodness class. Give it up for Dr. Facilier's daughter Celia!"
"I'm bad." she said proudly as she joined them at the top of the balcony. Jay, Squirmy, Carlos, Squeaky, Drac and CJ following behind.
"We'll be back for you guys next week okay." Carlos said.
"So pack your stuff - your own stuff." Jay said and CJ avoided the look Drac gave her.
"Where are we going?" Mal and Evie asked.
"We're going to AURADON!"
- - LONG LIVE EVIL - -
Drac returned to Bargain Castle after the festivities had died down and he'd said goodbye to his friends. CJ went with him, she had been bunking down at his place about every other night. She was still wanted on pirate land, since she had helped him escape Harry and Uma during their last encounter.
Now that they had picked their five VK's they just had to hammer out housing, ground rules, and the basics. The cafeteria and the school were still open for those taking summer classes but everyone was welcome to the grounds and to grab a bite. It would help them get the VK's adjusted. Drac sat on his new couch with his feet up as he looked over his blocked schedule and CJ teased him a bit every now and then.
The following week he got a much needed break. The chosen VK's became like celebrities on the Isle, herds of kids surrounding them wherever they went and asking all sorts of questions. Celia responded to it with her usual confident manner, waving off most of the questions and replying with how she was the obvious choice. Dizzy seemed to absorb the energy around her and it only made her squeal louder in excitement as she went on and on about all the things she was going to get to finally try. The twins were extremely shy but thankfully had CJ looking out for them.
At the end of the week Drac was up bright and early, Evie had practically ordered him to return to Auradon at sunrise and once he was escorted across the bridge he was thrown into the bluenette's clutches as she tossed fresh clothes at him and told him to brush his hair until it was tame. There was going to be a grand welcoming celebration for the new arrivals but first Ben and Mal had to do some press outside the school for publicity of course.
When she deemed him looking fabulous he stepped out of Evie's 4 Hearts and adjusted his plum letterman jacket, Evie had given it dark green sleeves and a lime letter D. The back had an embroidered lime dragon that matched the emblem that was on the cover of Mal's old spell book. He'd paired it with some black skinny jeans, his boots and slapped his backward purple ballcap on his head. The jacket was snug on his thinner frame which he liked, he wasn't a fan of baggy clothing. The purple ballcap had detailing on the brim that looked like another dragon scale pattern and as he adjusted it Drac remembered his beanie from Aziz. CJ had given it to him as a sixteenth birthday present, after she admitted to chucking it into the sea, she had retrieved it cleaned it and given it back to him with a sheepish shrug. Drac smiled at the memory as he walked, and was excited for CJ to come and see Auradon for the first time today.
When he arrived at the event there was already a crowd of people out front, some held signs others had balloons, all of them were cheering. Drac found the band, all decked out in their uniforms. Aziz had his trumpet and was talking to Doug, Opal had her clarinet while Pin adjusted the strap of his saxophone. Bobby made a joke while he leaned on his drum and Arabella laughed so hard music came out her flute.
Drac just reached them when from next to Doug Evie clapped her hands together with an ear to ear grin and whispered, "Here they come."
Doug started up the band. Their music had gotten much better then when Drac first arrived in Auradon and he watched as Mal and Ben walked through the crowd to a small stage that had been prepared for them.
Mal looked comfortable, her smile was genuine, her eyes glowed - normally this time, with joy, not with green magic - and she looked so in love. Drac was happy for her though he couldn't help but glance over to Aziz. Almost instantly the boy felt the stare and turned to him smiling. Drac blushed and looked back to his sister. One of the best things about being an ambassador to Auradon but living on the Isle was Drac hadn't had to worry about those two sides of himself that still, after all this time, felt at war within his own body. He had been swamped with so much work that he had - blissfully - been able to push everything else to the back of his mind. But looking around and seeing Mal and Ben, Evie and Doug, Carlos and Jane Drac couldn't help but feel. . . left out. It would be nice to have someone too, even Jay had Lonnie though she was off with the Pro ROAR team she had been recruited for.
Drac knew he could have love, it was just with who that was the problem. He felt things for both Aziz and CJ. CJ who he had known since they were kids, who stuck by him over her own family most of the time. And Aziz, the one who, back when people had looked at them like scheming villains, knew that a villain, a street rat, could still have a heart of gold, and saw the good in him. Even back then. Why did everyone else get to have it so easy? Just run into their true love, click and have flawless relationships that could withstand angry dragon mothers, swarms of vengeful pirates and the stress of finals? Why was it so easy for everyone else but so hard for him? Why had he been dealt the difficult hand? He sighed and shook his head focusing back on Mal and Ben who had made it to a stage in the middle of the crowd.
"Bippity Boppity one two one two. Can everyone hear me?" Fairy Godmother asked into her golden microphone.
"Yes." Jane laughed.
"Ben."
"Thank you Fairy Godmother. What's up Auradon?" They all cheered Drac clapped, "Thank you. Thank you so much for coming out to welcome our new arrivals. They'll be here soon. It worked out pretty well for the first five."
"Yeah, especially for you!" Chad shouted but Audrey snapped in his face to shush him. Nevertheless Drac muttered, "Belt of leather, tied around, make his pants fall to the ground." his eyes flashed green and instantly Chad's slacks fell around his ankles. He squeaked in horror and quickly fumbled to pull them up as people around him laughed at the little crowns on his shorts.
"Mal, this is the exact spot we first met not so long ago. I feel like I've known you my whole life. . . But did I mention, I'm in love with you?" the crowd awwwed knowing Ben's reference. Music filled the air as Doug began to play a guitar and Carlos wrapped an arm across Drac's shoulders as they moved to stand beside Evie as Jay joined them.
"I met this girl who rocked my world like it's never been rocked." Ben sang softly, "And now I'm living just for her and I won't ever stop. Never thought that it could happen to a guy like me, but look at what you've done you've got me. . . down on my knee."
Drac's heart stopped and his jaw dropped as Ben knelt before Mal and pulled out a small box from his pocket. Drac looked to Evie in shock as she smiled and nodded at him. Ben passed the mic to Carlos and opened the box.
"Mal, it's you and me. It's you and me forever." he said and Mal lifted her hands to her mouth in surprise, "Will you marry me? Will you be my queen?"
"No!" Audrey shouted.
"Yes." Mal nodded.
"Yes. Yeah!" Carlos shouted as bubbles filled the air and they all grabbed each other and jumped around excited. Ben slid the ring on Mal's finger and the pair kissed. In all the excitement Carlos chest bumped the former king, immediately he had a look of horror and began profusely apologizing. "I am so sorry. I am so sorry."
"It's okay." King Beast chuckled, just as caught up in the moment.
"Dude." Drac chuckled as Carlos turned to him slapped his hand and they pulled each other in for a hug. Jay rushed over, rumpled their hair and hugged them too.
While they were celebrating Audrey was stewing in a mix of all sorts of negative emotions, failure, anger, regret, broken hearted, bitterness.
"A lifetime of planning - gone." Queen Leah sighed just as bitter, "Our family status - gone. Audrey, you were supposed to be his queen. And you let him slip through your fingers. Your mother could hold onto a prince in. Her. Sleep."
"Don't you think I feel bad enough already Grammy?" Then she heard a couple of girls behind her gushing about how great Mal was and she turned on them, "You'd really rather have a VK on the throne then me? What is wrong with you people?" she looked around, "What is wrong with everybody?"
Ben came down from the stage and joined the guys, "I'm engaged man."
Mal hurried over to Evie, "Did you know?"
"Everything! You are going to rock that crown." She said as they hugged, "Okay, so I've only done about a thousand sketches of your wedding dress and Belle's already planned an engagement party next weeek." she sang.
"Well its a really good thing I said yes." Mal replied as she headed over to her future in laws.
"Hugs." the king smiled as he embraced her then she moved to Belle.
"I finally get a daughter."
"I love you Belle."
"Oh sweetie I love you too."
"Oh come on." Drac said walking up to Mal's right and resting his elbow on her shoulder, "We all know the best thing about this is the amazing son in law you're about to get."
"Ah yes." Mal nodded, "Lord Humble from the Kingdom of Not So Great Humility."
"Hey." Drac chuckled as Mal moved on thanking everyone for coming. Belle stretched out her arms and Drac gave her a hug too, then he moved to the King who gave him a fist bump.
"And great job Mr. Ambassador."
"Thank you your majesty." he felt two hands slap down on his shoulders and turned to see Ben there grinning.
"You're going to be my best man aren't you?"
"Naturally." he replied before Ben embraced his parents.
Drac stepped aside before he was pulled so he turned around, Aziz was there still smiling at him, "It's going to be a madhouse to get to Mal." he said nodding over to her where she was already swarmed by her admirers. "You'll pass on my congratulations to her right?"
"Sure thing." Drac nodded with a grin. Then Aziz began to look nervous and he cleared his throat.
"Listen. . . the engagement party next week. I didn't know if, maybe, you'd want to go as -" Aziz was cut off by a shrill shriek and they turned to see Evie jumping up and down repeating, "Yes, yes, yes! A million times yes!"
Mal laughed as Evie parted from her and raced over to Drac, "Mal just asked me to be her maid of honor ahhh!"
"Oof." Drac choked as she hugged him so hard she knocked the air out of his lungs.
"Evie, Evie, let the man breathe." Opal said coming to the rescue. Drac looked to Aziz who was smiling at his shoes knowing their brief private moment, and his opportunity, were gone. Drac felt relived, because in all honesty he had no idea how he would react to getting asked out by the prince. He'd probably faint. And he didn't want to ruin Mal's engagement like that.
He chuckled at Opal's teasing as Evie let him go, he looked around for a distraction but found a potential problem instead. Mal was talking to Audrey now and Ben's former girlfriend did not look happy.
"Excuse me." he said as Evie turned to Aziz and Opal asking them about music for the engagement party and eventually the wedding of the century.
"Congratulations." Audrey was saying when he got within earshot, "You won him fair and square. Oh wait, no you didn't. You spelled Ben to destroy all of Auradon. Touching story for the grandkids."
"Inspiring you mean." Drac intervened drawing both their eyes to him, "True love triumphing over evil. What was it you had said at family day? Mal's just the bad girl infatuation." he scoffed, "Looks like the infatuation was you."
Mal placed her hand on his shoulder, "And speaking of kids, we have some kids waiting. So if you'll excuse us."
She turned Drac away and they headed for the limo - a new one, a purple one that Ben had given Mal for her seventeenth birthday. Drac got a motorbike for his sixteenth along with a new DJ table he'd brought to Bargain Castle and threw a block party for the whole neighborhood instead of a sweet sixteen just for himself. He opened the door for Mal who got in first and he and the others followed behind, except Jay who was driving. They pulled away as the crowd cheered louder and they once again headed back to the Isle.