And the story ended happily...ever...after, right?

Wrong.

Oh sure, Mal had her fairy tale ending, the wicked mother defeated, the prince sweeping her into his arms and Evie was romanced by a nerd.

The two boys, however, we're not having as much luck.

The Auradon News conveniently left out the fact that Jay's stealing problem was habitual, not forced. Kleptomania doesn't just disappear. He didn't realize what he was doing, how he would accidentally bump into someone and steal their wallet, watch or family rings. How his hand would snatch something shiny without a second thought. Despite the small shred of guilt at his actions, his pride was stronger and he wouldn't admit it was a problem.

Fear is another funny thing. It can be bandaged, but not cured. The new scar across Carlos' wrist isn't going to let him forget. He had been casually walking through the marketplace in which the Wicked Four had been granted access to when he spotted a Dalmatian. Not just any Dalmatian, one of the original 101 puppies. Carlos had approached the owner and asked if he could pet the dog, curious to what it felt like. It wasn't as small or furry as Duke. The owner said yes and Carlos had reached forward to pet the dog gently. He missed the warning growl and had no time to jerk his hand away before it clamped down on his wrist.

Jay still was a thief and had a secret stash of valuables.

Carlos's opinion of dogs reverted back to they were evil, Duke was just the exception.

There was also the issue as to the Island's magic boundaries had been shattered. Although they were quickly restored, Jafar among a few others had escaped and were somewhere in Auradon

. ...

Over the next few weeks, the supposed new leaf turned brown.

Mal was not forgiven by everyone, not by a long shot. There were old tomes of the royal rules brought out and even simple common laws declaring she was unfit to be a princess, much less a queen.

Evie did enjoy being able to be intellectual, but she did not have as strong of feelings as she thought towards Doug. It wasn't his fault, she just grew bored very easily. Being tied down like she was in Auradon prevented her creative energy. The restrictions on what they could do and where they could go made her almost long for the island. She was going to visit the market for some cloths, but every stall-owner refused to sell her any.

Carlos had decided he hated dogs and Duke was now no longer on the nice list. He had been working on a project, deciding to try out the school's robotic club and had come back to his room to see Duke chewing through the wires and the stupid mutt had peed on his bed. The few other dogs he encountered would growl at him or go bark like mad. Dogs were disgusting, he had decided, as were the people at this school. He was only one year younger than Jay; Carlos hadn't been blessed in the height department however and he didn't need reminded.

Jay was on a roll. Two class rings, tickets to some opera, someone's apology necklace to their girlfriend and twenty bucks. He stuffed the luxurious items under the loose-floorboard under his bed, for extra protection. Yeah, sure, he loved the team sport and being able to revel in the crowds cheers and hollers, but it was all sweet, blessed attention he could get from crashing a game or stealing something important. Jay also didn't like being one of the guys. First, because they're all bags of dicks. Second, because they mock Carlos. Third, because they always found a way to bring up something uncomfortable about his past. The Island at least had people who respected him.

The Wicked Four knew they needed to have a talk about their current situation. They met in the boy's room and Mal cast a spell so no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Look," Carlos started, "I get that we don't have to follow in our parents' footsteps, but I'm starting to say being evil is a hell of a lot better than being good."

Mal shook her head, biting her bottom lip, "Carlos, don't say that, we're supposed to be better!"

Jay snorted and spun a golden bangle on his finger, "Yup, better."

Irritated, Mal shot forward and grabbed the bangle from him. "You too?!" She asked, her voice rising with anger. "I thought we wanted to be different, that we all wanted to-"

"They're sort of right," Evie said timidly, before continuing with more confidence, "I don't want to be my mom in anyway, chasing after prince's is boring, but I still think of the wrong things. I could totally use my brain for much more practical evil. Or everyone here is so naive that I could hand out poisoned apples and they'd all take one."

Quirking his lips, Jay snickered at that and Carlos mulled over the idea of being his own type of evil.

"You're right, I don't really feel like making fur coats out of dogs, but constructing some devices or maybe learning about explosives could work," Carlos announced, smiling deviously as he leaned forward in his chair.

"Hell yeah!" Jay said, and the two high-fived.

"Guys!" Mal pleaded, "None of you want to be good?"

They exchanged glances and shook their heads to the idea of being good.

"Do you still want to be?" Jay asked.

"O-of course," Mal stuttered as her indecision hit her.

"Weren't they saying you can't be with Ben, because you're not a princess, you're not of royal blood, you have a criminal record and you're a sorceress?" Evie commented in a faux casual tone.

"Things can change," Mal said weakly, tears forming in her eyes.

Evie gently grabbed Mal's hand and stared her straight in the eyes, "It's okay to be evil, it's okay to be good. Maybe you can still be good. You could use your powers and your influence the Island, to create a system there, a better one."

"Wow, that's actually a really good idea," Carlos said, nodding in agreement. "That could fix a lot of the problems on the Island. Maybe we don't need good, maybe we just need some order."

"And maybe a little more power," Jay murmured, "It's not really fair Auradon decides everything regardless of our opinions."

Tugging her hand away, Mal glared at them all, earning surprised looks.

"You want to do what? Force people to follow us on the Island, break the barriers and just run rampant on these nice people?"

"Yes," The other three said in unison.

"No," Mal shook her head diligently and sighed. "My spell's wearing off, we'll have to stop here. Promise me, you guys will give this place another chance. Just see if things brighten up. Three weeks and we'll see?"

"Two weeks," Carlos said.

"Fine, just try to stay out of trouble."

...

It was only 3 days later that trouble unfolded. The students at Auradon Prep may or may not have a nasty habit of celebrating the defeats of villains. Uneasily, the four watched as banners and flyers were passed around about the event.

"Hey!" Rapunzel's daughter, Rachelle, greeted them. She was head of the planning committee. "I know this event may bring up bad memories or make you feel unwelcomed, but it's something we do every year. Every one participates!" She scanned them dubiously. "You are going to help out? I mean, I would understand that the children of villains wouldn't want to celebrate their fall, but it is school tradition."

Forcing a smile, Mal said, "Of course we're going to help out! What do you need us to do?"

Rolling his eyes, Carlos leaned over and muttered to Jay about "Mal was already becoming a prissy princess." Within seconds, Mal "accidentally" stomped on his foot, digging her heel into his poor toes.

Rachelle watched them with a frown, she had been counting on them to say no. "Well," she scanned her clipboard, "We need a volunteer in costumes for the reenactments, a hair stylist, a helper in the Dalmatian parade and someone to help carry props to their locations."

A dog parade? Carlos scowled and raised his hand, but Jay beat him to it. "I volunteer for lifting props," He grinned down at Carlos, "Have fun with the dogs."

With his most treacherous, hate-filled glare he could muster, Carlos mimed strangling Jay. The taller boy chuckled and gave Carlos a noogie. Luckily, Rachelle missed this as she marked off Jay's name.

"Alright, so does that mean you'll help in the parade, I know you love dogs now, right?" She asked, smiling innocently at Carlos who rubbed his wrist where the stitches still were.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," He muttered darkly.

"I'll help with costumes," Evie said with a genuine smile.

"I figured you might," Rachelle said, beaming. She flipped her blonde hair back.

"And I can be a hair-" Mal started.

"Actually," Rachelle tsked, "You can't. Ben is the announcer the event and since you're his girlfriend you have to be near him. You won't have to do much, just smile and look pretty." Rachelle eyed Mal with a smirk, "Though that might be hard for you."

"Excuse me?" Mal growled.

"Oh, you heard me," Rachelle teased, "Preparations start at 6 AM, the opening Dalmatian Parade starts at 10 AM, see you all there!"

Evie had to restrain Mal so the girl wouldn't curse the living daylights out of Rachelle.

As Evie and Mal departed for girl talk Jay and Carlos decided to spend the afternoon playing soccer.

"I hate you," Carlos muttered, kicking the ball at Jay's head.

Jay flipped and hit it with his foot, "You love me, everyone does."

Reflexively, Carlos managed to hit it with his knee then kick it over Jay's head again, "You know dogs and I aren't on the best of terms, why did you force me choose that option."

Jumping up, Jay hit with his head and head, before letting it got mid way down in there and delivering a swift kick, aiming it at Carlos' head. Smirking, he put his hands behind his head, "Maybe I thought you'd make a killer hair-stylist."

Carlos jump-kicked the ball, barely hitting it. "Oh har har, very funny, now give me the truth."

Jay kicked the ball hard, and sent it flying into the goal for across the field. "Since when do evil people give you the truth?"

He retorted. Crossing his arms, Carlos raised an eyebrow, "Maybe when they're supposed to be your friend."

Wrapping an arm around Carlos' shoulders, Jay looked around suspiciously.

"Come, take a walk with my fellow student," Jay said dramatically, steering Carlos in the direction of the woods.

Carlos eyed him with mistrust, but followed along till they reached a quiet area in the woods. Jay scanned the area and then grinned.

"For revenge, of course. You are the one that ratted out my stash, aren't you?"

"Me, you think I care about your stealing?!" Carlos spluttered, "I didn't even bother to see where you hid all that stuff."

Narrowing his eyes, Jay cracked his knuckles. "You're the only one that's in our room besides me. Who else could have found it?"

"Maybe one of the girls, I don't know, why do you accuse me, right away. I haven't snitched before," Carlos pleaded, "I don't even care, you know what, fine, be this way. I'm leaving." The boy stormed off and Jay stared after him.

"The school's back that way," Jay shouted.

"I know, that's exactly while I'm going this way," Carlos snarled.

Sighing, Jay strode after him and easily picked up the boy and slung him over his shoulder.

"What the heck, Jay?" Carlos screeched, pounding his fists against Jay's back.

"We promised Mal two weeks and 'sides, you're helping me find out who really found my stash and snitched," Jay said, laughing.

"Hell no, I'm not helping you after you accused me," Carlos growled, "And I'm not helping in that stupid mutt parade."

"Come now, no need to be snippy," Jay mocked the voice of a prince, "If the nasty beasts shall attack you, I will defend you with my manly muscles."

"I hate you," Carlos muttered again, giving up his struggle.

"You love me, that's why your hands are touching my booty."

"What?!" "It was a joke, dimwit, about you going near my stash," Jay said with a sad groan, his joke having been wasted. "Unless...your hands are on my booty right now."

"In your dreams," Carlos huffed.

The two walked-or rather Jay walked while Carlos stayed slumped over his shoulder-in silence while Jay considered that prompt.

"You'd be on bottom with your hands above your head," He decided.

"That's perverse, that's sick, I think I'm going to throw up," Carlos made retching noises and Jay laughed.

"You'd like it," He added, grinning at his own jokes.

"Put me down so I can beat you to a bloody pulp," Carlos snapped, struggling wildly.

"...Which kind of beat are we talking about here?"

"...ONE MORE INNUENDO AND YOU'RE DEAD," Carlos screeched as they entered the school grounds.

"Scream louder, I want everyone to hear you," Jay said, cackling.

Carlos kicked him in the gut and twisted out of his grip before planting another kick in his groin, in which Jay was too busy laughing to properly defend.

Even though he was in pain, it was worth it, it was definitely worth it. He watched Carlos storm off and started laughing again.

...

END OF CHAPTER!

Author's Note: Such a short chapter, but I wanted to make my presence known in this archive before I started writing more. I'm just hopping on the Gay-Train, don't mind me. I also typed this on my phone so the italics screwed up.