Chapter Text
They say i’m trouble
They say i’m bad
They say I’m evil
And that makes me glad
Music had started playing from everywhere and Nico had no clue just exactly how that happened. That never happened in his original universe, and not since he’s been here either. It was confusing and terrifying especially considering that opening verse, which was possibly the cringiest thing he's ever heard was stuck in his head. And he had to watch the camp orientation video. Twice.
It was especially awful that he couldn’t get the song out of his head considering right now he was pretty sure he was being talked to. Or at.
He was standing in Maleficent's house, living room with the others parents as well. Maleficent was giving some sort of speech and now was in a staring contest? Nico was very confused. What did a staring contest have to do with everyone not wanting to go to Auridon?
20 minutes earlier
Nico stood on the rooftop, in the shadows. He gazed down in abject horror at his half-sister as she led her gang in a choreographed dance with half the neighborhood. How this was related to getting to Jay and Carlos’ parents he did not know. Maybe it was an intimidation tactic. But everyone knew the dance so really Nico was just confused. And very glad to not be participating.
The terror that was the dance finally ended and the music that was somehow playing down from the sky filtered away. Once the people who were not the Fantastic Four as he liked to call them started walking away, Mal turned around and stole a lollipop from one of the children rolling by. Nico wasn’t sure why she was proud of that but considering Nico once called the ghost of King Minos his best friend he really couldn’t judge.
Just as Nico was about to shadow travel down and possibly ask what exactly that was, Maleficent started walking towards Mal. Nico watched as Maleficent lectured her daughter. It was definitely not the most comfortable thing to eavesdrop on and just as Mal was saying she would do better he felt eyes on him.
Nico turned back around and met Maleficent's eyes. She was looking at him, and Nico had no idea what she was thinking but he knew it wasn’t positive. That glare was…cold. Why did he always get step-mothers who hate him? Can’t he just have one that immediately likes him? And unlike persephone Nico was pretty sure Maleficent wouldn’t come around on that front.
“Oh I have news! Boy it’s for you too.” Maleficent says while addressing the four but staring at him. Nico got the sinking feeling that he wasn’t slipping out of this.
Nico stepped out of a shadow on the ground and walked towards Mal, standing slightly behind her. Coincidentally blocking Maleficent's view of Carlos a little bit.
“What kind? And for Nico, nobody even knows him.” Mal responded, shoulders tensing in fear. The news couldn’t possibly be good. Nothing on the Isle, coming from Maleficent was. Except for Mal but Nico was pretty sure none of the Fantastic Four had good enough self-esteem to believe that.
“Oh! I buried the lead. You four have been chosen to go to a different school... In Auradon” Maleficent said as her henchmen walked around the group.
Carlos, Jay and Evie tried to bolt but the goons caught them, holding them in place.
“What? I'm not going to some boarding school filled to the brim with prissy pink princesses!” Mal responded in outrage.
“And perfect princes” Evie said now beside her, the goon letting her go once she calmed down. “I mean gross” Evie added, nobody really believed her though.
“Yeah, and I don't do uniforms. Unless it's leather. You feel me?” Jay added also standing on his own now. He reached up to high five Carlos but the younger boy just looked worried and distracted.
Carlos stepped up beside Maleficent and addressed her “Aren’t their dogs in Auradon? I heard there were dogs. Mom said they're rabid pack animals who eat boys who don't behave” his voice trembling in fear.
As Jay was trying to scare Carlos and Mal was saying they weren’t going Nico suddenly had an overwhelming feeling of hope. Will wasn’t on the Isle. Nico had looked, it had been eight months, if the love of his life was here he would have found him. Will would be looking too Nico had to believe that. Anyway if he wasn’t on the Isle then he must be in Auradon, or the continent in any case.
The world seemed to narrow down on that one thought, Nico followed the others wherever they were walking. He had to get to Auradon.
The Present Time
There was an angle of course. Maleficent wanted them to get the Fairy Godmother's wand, bring down the barrier etc. Nico didn’t really care. If helping Mal do so kept her and his new friends safe from their parents he would help. Maleficent seemed to notice Nico was finally paying attention and turned to him.
“Child your letter came to me for some reason, I suppose your father is just too good to reach.” Maleficent said to him, disdain dripping from her voice. She pulled out a letter and threw it towards him. It hit him in the face and Nico had to suppress the urge to pull out his sword. He reached down and picked up the letter as the attention shifted to Cruella.
“Well, they're not taking my Carlos, because I'd miss him too much.” she said, turning up her nose at Maleficent's plan.
“Really mom?” Carlos asked, hope and admiration shining in his eyes.
“Yes. Who would touch up my roots, fluff my fur and scrape the bunions off my feet?” She responded without even looking at him.
“Yeha, maybe a new school wouldn’t be so bad,” Carlos said, eyes downcast. Personally Nico thought a new school would be good for Carlos, he was smart and deserved to explore it. The Gods know that the Isle school was shit.