Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shapeshifting wasn’t really magic. Not in any real sense. Magic was about bringing forth an energy to control. It was a bright, colorful, and beautiful sight to behold. It could be marvelous but in the same vein it could be just as vicious. Magic was its own being entirely; it could completely change a person if one wasn’t careful.

Shapeshifting was an innately physical thing. High level shapeshifting was like doing gymnastics. Some things about it were impressive. They required a certain amount of skill and talent but ultimately it was just a thing you could do. You couldn’t alter reality or raise the dead. All you could do is turn into a dog. Maybe a snake (Morgie’s personal favorite). A rat perhaps.

His mom could literally possess people. Take her soul and place it into someone else’s body. That’s insane. It was like shapeshifting in a way but instead of looking like someone new she got to be someone new.

A party trick that you’ve seen at least twenty times. That’s all shapeshifting was. If you asked Morgie, it was pretty lame. A lame ability for even lamer people. That wasn’t harsh, it was just a fact. He should know he’s apart of that lame club. A fact he’s come to accept. It was just a problem to be dealt with like any other. He just had to be smart about it.

Now the cleverest thing Morgie has ever done is surround himself with cool people. The coolest people in fact. People who had talent, and magic. He had made himself an integral part of their fold. He was important. He mattered.

Except he really didn’t they’d leave in a heartbeat. It wasn’t him who was important, it was his job. The doormat, the idiot, the goofy one to be laughed at. He did his job well but the position could be filled by anyone.

While he saw these alluring people as his friends. They didn’t see him that way. It’d be impossible to expect them to. Companionship wasn’t something to be craved. It was supposed to be a deal, a mutual exchange. You help me, I help you. Only he dreamed of someone picking him first. He desperately craved acknowledgment.

The candles in the bathroom highlight his slightly open maw, the furrowing of his brow, and big wide eyes. Those weren’t the only features they highlighted. Right on top of his head sat two incredibly fluffy cat ears. He reaches towards them slowly.

It wasn’t like he had never had cat ears before. They were sensitive but not foreign. It’s just usual the rest of his body would go along with his ears. A reflex of sorts. The only thing he had been able to change on its own (until now) were his eyes.

His ears press smack against his head, the fur on them pricking up. Why couldn’t he just have normal problems? Sure normal problems for a Fay often included accidentally making an entire city disappear from existence but at least his friends couldn’t tease him for that. They might even be impressed. No, he just had to have a lame shapeshifter problem.

Cat ears were probably a uniquely him problem though. They were slightly rounded and a deep black color. The color was odd, usually his animal forms ranged from blond, dirty blond, and green. Sometimes a light brown but never black.

A loud ringing sound pierces the air. He groans, the sound having a hissing quality to it. Part of him thought about skipping but the other knew it was a risky idea. Principal Merlin was nice but Morgie’s already pushed his luck this year.

The walk through the dorm hallways is uneventful but as soon as he steps out of the dorm building there’s a hand on his shoulder, he flinches. Hook’s eyebrows furrow for a moment but soon he’s grinning. He puts an arm around Morgie’s shoulders. Morgie tries not to flinch again. The contact sent a wave of tingles through him but it’s not the good kind of tingling (like usual). It’s more like little prickles. Not quite painful but certainly uncomfortable.

“You’re jumpy this morning,” Hook purrs, making Morgie weak in the knees. Almost all of Hook’s comments made him weak in the knees.

“Just tired.” Morgie wasn’t technically lying. The whole waking up with cat ears really took it out of him.

Morgie can’t help the way his shoulders sag when Hook lets go of him, stepping in front of him. Crossing his arms Hook looks him up and down.

“You look sick,” Hook finally remarks.

Chapter Text

“Thank you!” Morgie nods cheerfully. He didn’t normally get compliments, especially from his less-than-friendly friends. Usually he just got insulted sometimes rather creatively. Hook might seem like the complimentary type but he rarely meant the words he said. The point of them was to make someone squirm.

Morgie wasn’t bothered by the insults; it’s just the way his friends are. He’s incredibly lucky compared to kids like Bridget or Belle. The VKs™ mess with those guys on a daily basis. Though those guys are even lamer than he is so the mockery is well deserved.

Being insulted was a part of his job, his role. It made his friends laugh and that’s all that matters, right? What they say is true. He’s an idiot who can’t help but beam at the smallest bit of attention. Being included was a blessing enough he shouldn’t expect anything more.

Hook rolls his eyes, “It’s not a good thing.” He pokes Morgie’s shoulder, making a tsk noise at the well worn leather. Morgie’s wearing an older jacket with several cracks and pieces chipping off. It definitely wasn’t the most fashionable thing in the world.

Of course Hook has a problem with it. He’s always taken his own appearance very seriously. Taking hours to pick out the perfect outfit and makeup to match (all while making it all look effortless). Apparently the other VKs™’ appearances reflected his own. If they didn’t look good he didn’t look good and that might as well be the end of the world.

Morgie still doesn’t quite understand it but he usually tries to respect it. Uliana held a similar sentiment and she was a nightmare to deal with. Hook wasn’t nearly as bad but Morgie didn’t like upsetting his friends either way.

Today’s different though he can’t get warm. Ever constant chills running through him. Not to mention he now has cat ears to hide.
Dealing with an annoyed Hook?
No problem.
Dealing with his friends incessant teasing because he accidentally gave him cat ears?
Absolutely not. He’ll never hear the end of it. However crappy his jacket may be, it provided both warmth and a hood.

“Pph, I, I knew that.” Morgie lets out a chuckle, limping his wrist like he’d seen Hades do a million times. “I was just joking.”

He really needed to get better at lying.

“Whatever, angel.” Hook turns away, the end of his coat swinging in the wind. There’s a pain in Morgie’s chest. He hates when Hook calls him that. A deep rooted part of him swoons at the pet name. Except ‘angel’ wasn’t a compliment. It was like being called a child, it meant that Morgie wasn’t truly a villain. That he was innocent. The whole thing makes him want to rip his hair. Maybe pull out the cat ears too.

“Told you I could find him first.” Hook pushes Morgie into one of the classrooms but it wasn’t the ‘history of magic’ class that they were supposed to be in.

Several desks and chairs are stacked up against the edges of the room all surrounding two tables in the middle it. Uliana’s at one of the tables, her tentacles holding up various vials of liquid. Morgie crosses his fingers and prays that he doesn’t have to help her with potion making. Last time he spent the whole day with blue skin. He still shivers at the mere thought of it.

“Where have you been? The barracks?” Maleficent covers her nose. She’s sitting with Hades at the other table, her legs draped across his lap.

“He wouldn’t survive the barracks.” Hades pulls a small book out of Maleficent’s pocket. Jokes on them Morgie has no idea what the barracks even are.

“He smells like he’d fit right in,” Maleficent counters, plucking the book from Hades.

Morgie lifts his arm smelling his armpit; he really did smell awful. He didn’t even do anything today. How could he possibly be this sweaty? Not to mention the fact that he was freezing.

Maleficent gestures to the chair across from her. Morgie hesitates but takes the seat. Grinning in a way that manages to not look like a smile Maleficent zaps Morgie with a spell. He’s proud of the way he doesn’t flinch, that took practice. Back when he first met her he had only been exposed to his mother’s magic so it was a bit freaky to feel anything else.

“Roses?” Hades sniffs the air turning to his girlfriend.

“What? If it were up to me you’d all smell like roses.” She puts the book back in her pocket before flicking Hades’ forehead. Pouting, Hades swats at her.

Uliana carefully pours a steaming vial into a larger cup, “Come anywhere near me with that book and I’ll—“

“Yes, we know, you’ll strangle her. You say that everyday.” Hades rolls his eyes.

“She will,” Morgie mutters, laying his head on the table.

He never could tell if this was arguing or just banter. His friends threatened each other on the daily. They threatened him too but it wasn’t the same. There was underlying fondness when it came to each other; it felt like they actually meant the threats when it came to Morgie. He’s probably just overreacting.

“Morgie, theoretically—“ Maleficent taps him on the shoulder. At the mention of his name Morgie quickly lifts his head.

“Who says theoretically anymore?” Hades comments, resulting in Maleficent hitting him in the chest.

“Theoretically I can do anything well, not anything but I can do a lot of things. Useful things!” Morgie’s foot swings back and forth involuntarily.

“Yeah, could you possibly…lead an army of rats into one of the girl’s dormitories?” Maleficent smiles baring all her teeth.

He shrugs, “I mean I could turn into a rat.”

“I’ll provide the other rats, just make sure to come here tomorrow.” Pulling out a pen she writes down the address, sliding the piece of paper over to Morgie.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure?” Hook says holding up one of Uliana’s vials as she gives him hushed orders. It’s the quietest you could ever get out of Uliana. With a tight frone Hook stares at Morgie.

Morgie didn’t know what to say. How could Hook doubt him on this? Anything else is understandable but shapeshifting is the only thing he’s good at. He didn’t inherit his mother’s magic or her ambition. He didn’t have the capacity to come up with amazing schemes. What he could do is follow someone else’s. Shapeshifting is his only skill, why couldn’t he be trusted to at least do it well.

“Why wouldn’t he? He does this sort of thing all the time. Remember last month?” Maleficent bites her lip, heading over to Uliana’s table, a tentacle swats her hand away as she tries to pick up one of the vials.

“But—“ Hook crosses his arms.

“Who knew both Jasmine and Aladdin were terrified of parrots?”

“Don't be rude, it's Jaladdin.” Hades doesn’t follow Maleficent like he usually would, instead he stays seated keeping his eyes on Morgie.

“Did you guys hear the story about how those two got together? It’s crazy.” Shifting in his seat Morgie looks at his hands. Why is Hades staring at him? Is he now doubting Morgie? Sweat pools at the back of Morgie’s neck. Oh sweet Merlin, does he always sweat this much?

“What’s crazy is Aladdin deciding not to live in the cave full of treasure,” Hook remarks.

“Ooo treasure!” Morgie loves it when Hook gets all piratey. Also who doesn’t like treasure? Okay Morgie could care less about valuable items but he likes shiny things and treasure is often very shiny.

“It’s a cave.” Rolling her eyes Maleficent stalks back over to Hades, running a hand across his shoulder.

“A cave full of treasure.” Hook hits his palms flat against the table causing one of Uliana’s vials to spill out onto the floor. Both Hook and Uliana turn down to it slowly. Hook smirks, putting both his hands up into the air.

“Look what you did!” Uliana snaps, leaning closer to Hook.

“It’s just one vial.” Narrowing his eyes Hook leans in towards Uliana’s face. Morgie admires Hooks’ bravery, it took a lot to stand up to Uliana when she’s like this.

Uliana snarls, “I needed exactly five milliliters of saline to complete this recipe now I have to start all over!”

He couldn’t imagine what Uliana could have possibly been making but her potions were always exciting; a beautiful life ruining concoction. Morgie tried potion making once but he ended up settling his dorm on fire. You had to have a special eye for it.

Maleficent whispers something in Hades’ ear. He gives her a small smile whispering something back. They go back and forth, hitting each other at various points.

Everything starts to blend together and Morgie can feel his back tense. The way every noise echoes in his brain or the floaty feeling that’s beginning to overtake him. Where was he again? Did it matter?

He jumps as Maleficent snaps her fingers in his face. Frowning, her eyebrows raise as she looks right into his eyes. Morgie blinks slowly but doesn’t look away.

“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Maleficent finally asks. Taking a step back Morgie tilts his head to the side.

“You look like you have a disease, is that on purpose?” Hades adds.

Oh no.

“Oh uh.” Letting out a laugh Morgie rubs his hands together. “I was, uh, just…trying to scare the birds!”

Maleficent blinks, “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Guess I need practice! Those birds are aah…annoying. Super annoying. I gotta go.” Morgie books it out of the classroom. He could hide cat ears, he couldn't hide his eyes. Someone calls after him but he’s already too far down the hallway to tell who it is.

Stopping he slides down next one of the stairwells panting. Class wasn’t over yet so he was alone. There’s an aching at the base of his temple and he tries to rub his eyes but they won’t stop itching. What’s worse is the way his eyes begin to water.

He wasn’t crying.

That’s not what this was, his eyes were just welling over because of the itching. He didn’t even have anything to cry over. Hugging his chest, he practically claws at his legs. He buries his head into his knees. The bell was going to ring soon, what was he going to do?

Chapter Text

“Are you alright?” Bridget of all people taps him on the shoulder. Her bubblegum pink hair is perfectly curled and the matching pink dress is covered in little splotches of flour. She’s pink everywhere from her earrings to her shoes. If it were up to her she’d probably have pink eyes. It’s a little bit much.

At least he’s better than her.

While Bridget is the VK’s™ favorite target Morgie has only interacted with Bridget one-on-one once. It was last year back when he was a freshman before even knew VKs™ existed. The school was doing an elementary esk thing where a Sophomore was assigned a Freshman to show around. He got Bridget and she was a pretty good tour guide even brought cake.

They may have even been friends if they hadn’t run into the VKs™ that day.

“You guys are so cool! Morgie Le Fay, it’s totally a pleasure,” he had introduced himself oblivious to the fact that he and Bridget were being made fun of.

“Like Morgana Le Fay?” It was Maleficent who had known about his mother. And just like that bye-bye Bridget and hello having actually cool friends.

That may as well have been ages ago. Lifting his head too fast his hood falls revealing the stupid cat ears that still haven’t gone away. He definitely looks manic doesn’t he? He has no idea what his eyes look like but they can’t look good. Not brushing his hair this morning certainly didn’t help.

Bridget gives him one glance and then starts squealing like a little girl, “Are practicing shapeshifting? I’ve always wondered how that kind of thing worked. My friend Cheshire’s a shape—“

“No I’m not,” the response is curt and to the point; his mother would be proud. Pulling the hood back up he realizes where he is. The East Wing Stairwell. Cliché as it was, this is the hook up spot. Mostly because it’s the only place on campus that isn’t bugged by Merlin’s magic. There’s a rumor that Ursla cast an invisibility spell on the area.

Ursla was blamed for every quirk about the building from the hole in one of the girls' bathrooms to the statue missing a head in the south hall. You couldn’t go a day without hearing something about her. She was the hero of the villian world.

Uliana is ten times better than she ever was and Morgie would forever stand by that. Sure he’s never met Ursla but Uliana is totally wicked and could never be topped when it came to villainous schemes.

Standing up makes him oddly dizzy to the point where Bridget feels the need to grab his arm. He shakes her off immediately after he regains his balance. The whole gesture was…actually really kind and her grip was very gentle but he couldn’t possibly think that way. Being kind was wrong and appreciating someone else being kind was even more wrong.

“Are you okay?” Bridget doesn’t seem at all bothered by his rudeness. It makes his blood boil, he clenches his fists. Why was she even still here? Why is she here in the first place actually?

Uliana had wanted a class with Bridget this year so over the summer the VK’s™ snuck into Merlin’s office to change the class schedules. Morgie had taken the time to make sure he got put in the ‘Better Behaviors’ class with his friends. It also led to him knowing that Bridget didn’t have any classes in the East Wing.

There wouldn’t be any reason for her to be here unless, “are you waiting for someone?!” Morgie squealed in a similar manner as Bridget earlier; there's a bit more of a hiss to it though.

“Um,” Bridget laughs, her face slightly flushed. She hands him a piece of paper, her name written in big cursive letters at the top.

It was a love letter.

The thing must be a prank but the VK’s™ definitely didn’t send it. Hook was the one who handled fake letters and his writing had a certain flourish to it. Whoever wrote this needed a bit of help especially on lines like:

‘You have such good eyes.
Princess eyes.’

“Morgie!” Uliana calls, he can’t see her but he knows she must be close.

Well no time to tell Bridget that her secret admirer’s not real. He probably wouldn’t have been able to tell her anyway. He flips his hood back up preparing to book it up the stairs.

“Where are you going? Aren’t those your friends?” Bridget questions, her eyes widened.

“They…they can’t see this.” He briefly pulls his hood down, pointing at the ears. “These.”

Bridget stops for a moment before nodding and grabbing his arm. What did she think she was doing?

“Hey!” He yelps as she pulls him behind the stairs.

Chapter Text

He can’t say he’s surprised as Bridget pushes in a brick causing the wall to split apart revealing a hidden hallway. In all honesty Merlin Academy having a secret door in the wall is not at all surprising.

Morgie’s been around enough sorcerers to know that they love secrets. No matter how silly or inconsequential they always have something to hide. He used to hate how much his mother would hide from him. Even when hiding it seemed entirely pointless.

Now he understood that just because he didn’t see the point of keeping a certain secret didn’t mean that the point didn’t exist. Sorcerers are clever by nature; it's ridiculous to think they wouldn’t have a plan. They probably had a plan within a plan within a plan.

Even Hades tended to have these secret plans. Sure most of them revolved around finding new and creative ways to insult his brothers but still. That was one of the only things Hades ever got passionate about or cared about at all really.

The hallway Bridget leads Morgie through was lined with several paintings along with a few torches. The paintings all seemed to be in pristine condition, all held in silver frames with not even a speck of dust. Someone had to be coming down here regularly. That someone had to be Merlin but what could Merlin want with a bunch of paintings?

“This place is creepy.” Morgie has to take long strides to keep up with Bridget who had long since let go of him.

Normally he would find hallways hidden in the walls wickedly cool but these hallways are reeking in enchantment. This magic isn’t a force of its own. It’s scattered as if there were multiple casters all making up one type of magic.

That’s impossible though, while certain people’s magic were similar to each other they couldn’t possibly blend. That’s just not how it works. The strangest thing about it all is the feeling of déjà vu it gives him.

Trying to shake the chills that begin to climb up his spine he focuses on Bridget. To him this is a labyrinth of endless looking hallways. A maze.

Bridget however navigates them like she’s been through here a million times. Which is an absolutely baffling thought. Except the whole concept of Bridget knowing about secret tunnels is baffling.

She stops turning to him, “sorry if this comes off as rude but you seem unwell. Is there something wrong?”

Oh no, now even Bridget thinks he looks awful today.

“No, I’m perfectly fine. Could a not fine person do this.” He points to his eyes attempting to turn his irises and sclera completely yellow reminiscent of a predatory bird. Except that doesn’t happen. Instead his eyes burn.

Morgie hastily brings his hands to his eyes, rubbing at them furiously. It doesn’t help much but the burning sensation is gone within about thirty seconds. What is happening to him?

The look on Bridget’s face makes him tremble, wanting nothing more than to fold into himself and disappear. Her mouth downturned, her head to the side, and body tilted slightly forward.

His mother used to look at him the same way. Morgana couldn’t sympathize; it just wasn’t in her nature. All there ever could be is pity.

“How’d you even know about this place?” Morgie asks suddenly. “You don’t seem like the type to use secret doors.”

“Well I am a princess of Wonderland,” she chuckles.

That statement didn’t really mean much to him but not wanting to make even more of a fool of himself he nods anyway.

No one knew much about Wonderland except for the inhabitants (and by extension Alice but she’s basically a citizen of Wonderland) who have only now started coming forward. Morgie never cared much for learning about the realm. Who has time for history when you’ve got villainous friends to impress?

“Though I only know about the halls between the walls because Adam and Gaston use them to sneak into the Stardust Room,” Bridget continues.

“And you didn’t send Merlin on them?”

“Oh gosh no, I wouldn’t do that. Besides, if I did that then I wouldn’t have my shortcut to class and my hiding spot from…” She looks away fiddling with her hands. “We should get moving.”

She means the VKs™.

Him.

Throat tight, he stutters out, “yeah-yes we should.”

He walks faster than before wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. Bridget seems to hold the same sentiment.

Chapter Text

Morgie hauls himself up through a trap door into a room covered in different floral patterns as Bridget pushes on his feet. They passed several on their way here but this one had been marked with shiny rainbow heart stickers.

For some reason while Bridget had been fiddling with a latch on the door; he painstakingly peeled off one of the stickers with his nails longer than usual and put it on the back of his hand.

As he lies on the wooden flooring he stares at the heart sticker. It’s coloring a rainbow ombré going from purple to red instead of the other way around. He knew (now that he’s out of that labyrinth) why he had grabbed that sticker in the first place. The hair on the back of his neck stand up, along with the fluffy ear atop his head.

That awful scatter magic.

Unlike the paintings (which were simply touched by the magic) this sticker is embedded with it. No, there's no real material in this sticker at all. Accompanying his eyes widening his stomach gives a flutter as he realizes that this sticker had been created by magic.

“Wow,” he mutters to himself, stuffing the sticker and one of his many pockets.

As much as the VKs™ will probably make fun of him for grabbing something with so much color (which deserved) but no one would be able to deny the rarity of something like this.

“Are you planning on getting off the floor or would you like a pillow?” Bridget seems to suddenly appear in front. He can’t tell if she’s being sarcastic or not as she seems rather genuine. Then again Bridget always seems genuine so maybe that’s just the way she talks. The idea of her being sarcastic still seems wrong though.

“I’m good.” He slowly stands up using part of a bed frame which now that he thought about this had to be Bridget’s dorm room. All the flowers and bright colors made a bit more sense. The tips of his ears turn red at the realization.

Oh Merlin he’s in a girl’s dorm. Is this how Hook feels? He scratches the back of his hand. The closest he’s ever come to a girl’s room is Uliana’s liar but that place is actually cool. This room made him want to jump out a window.

It kinda fit Bridget though; cluttered but still seemingly organized. Morgie’s dorm is filled with mostly old history books his mother gave him and cool rocks he’s found lying around campus. His personal favorite being a jagged gray one with black speckles that Hades had given to him last year.

Bridget sighs, snapping him out of his thoughts, the soft smile he had going with them. He now notices how much he misses the chill of the floor pressing against him. It also didn’t help that being upright made him more nauseous.

“You can hide here for the day or really any day. I don’t mind,” Bridget lets out a nervous chuckle. “But I have to go soon so if you need anything please say so now.”

“Huh?” He rubs his (human) ears trying to ease their aching. Everything had been so much louder than usual today.

Bridget waves her hands up frantically, “not that I mind being around it’s just I…gotta go to class and Ella would be worried if I missed another hour.”

He nods, not quite processing what she said but also not caring. All his resolve has dwindled as what had been adrenaline left. No way friends would find him here. He’s safe from humiliation. Though that didn’t help his need to lie down and sleep for a week or maybe a century.

Chapter Text

Sickness’ quite rare among the students at Merlin Academy. The whole building is designed to protect against magical and physical attacks of all sizes so germs weren’t really a problem. Not like they were back in Wonderland. Where a new sickness spouted everyday. When Bridget was a little girl her parents tried their hardest to stop the onset of plagues that ran rampant but it was useless.

She shakes her head, willing herself to walk away from her dorm. Hopefully Morgie would manage for a couple of hours. There was a bottle of fever reducers on the nightstand but she was pretty sure the guy wouldn’t notice.

A sick sort of nostalgia settled over her at seeing the odd sickness Morgie had contracted.

The people of these kingdoms didn’t understand the meaning of complete chaos (even the VKs). The way nothing was certain, even the certainty of everything being uncertain. Some days things worked how they were supposed to. Other days your house would fly away because you weren’t cleaning it right.

Survival became a delicate dance of keeping your brain intact. You needed to find something to cling to lest you go mad. Bridget’s father taught her that back before he turned cold, never mean but certainly not the same warm-hearted man she once knew.

The first thing she ever clinged to was getting into Merlin Academy. She loved her home but once it took her mother she couldn’t stand it anymore. It’s not like she’d be missed anyway. So she made it her life goal to get out of Wonderland. Which wasn’t as amazing as she originally thought.

Bridget knew she was a character everyone back home was a character. Even that smart kid her sister Mirana likes, Maddox. He seemed well rounded but he was mad just like the rest of them. Merlin Academy was different from home; the easy camaraderie and sympathy of Wonderland school life didn’t translate around here. While she didn’t fit in much back home, she might as well be a priya here.

“You're the god of the Underworld and you can’t find one dude?!”

Bridget quickly turns the corner and practically throws herself against the wall. Why couldn’t she’ve taken her hidden tunnel? In a perfect world the only VKs she’d have to see is Morgie and maybe Prince Han’s son (he always wants to buy her baked goods). Unfortunately it seems her perfect world was a long way away.

Taking up most of the hallway, the VKs look disheveled. All of Uliana's tentacles are out, one of which is hitting Hades on the head. Another is wrapped around Hook’s arm. It’s the first time Bridget’s ever seen the guy with messy hair, random pieces sticking out every which way.

The only one missing was Maleficent which Bridget is ever grateful for. That girl was real scary, not that Bridget would ever say that out loud; everyone is great in their own ways even if she couldn’t see what those ways were. Another one of her dad’s common phrases.

“Aren’t you the sea witch?” Hades says lazily, flicking Uliana’s tentacle. Even if Uliana tried a tracking spell to find Morgie it wouldn’t work. Bridget made sure her room was warded before leaving and not to brag but she pretty powerful.

“Her magical capabilities don’t make you any less incompetent, treasurer.” Hook glares at both Uliana and Hades, looking oddly cute.

“Shut up before I burn your tongue.” Geez that’s a bit much.

“Why couldn’t I have gone with Mali?” Hook completely ignores the graphic threat.

Bridget decides to make her get away, catching the beginning of Uliana’s rant about Hook pushing someone out a window. She doesn’t have time to think much of it as she hurries to Ella’s dorm. Morgie didn’t have time.

When he collapsed on her floor she figured out his ailment, she should have figured it out sooner. The fever, uncontrollable shape shifting, dizzy spells, irritation in the eyes. There’s no name for it, at least not any that Bridget knows. The one thing she does know is that the sickness is native to Wonderland which meant that it was her fault.

Perhaps she carried it with her when coming back to school from winter break or maybe it was the gift baskets her sister sent her. Whatever the case she knew she had to fix this. Morgie (no matter how frustrating he could be) didn’t deserve to suffer because of her carelessness.

Now all she needs is to convince Ella Morgie didn’t deserve to suffer. A difficult task indeed.

Chapter Text

“Are you insane?” Ella almost tripped on her own feet hearing Bridget's idea. Bridget was quick to catch her. The other girl gave her a small smile before going back to a wide eyed frown. An expression reserved specially for Bridget.

“Yes and you know I wouldn’t talk to them unless I found it necessary. But Uliana’s one of the most competent potion makers here and he’s one of them. It can't be that hard to convince her…I hope.” Bridget knew it was probably a long shot but she wouldn’t be able to do it herself and it’s not like she could contact anyone from Wonderland. The cell service was spotty at best, Morgie didn’t have time.

“Are you sure about helping him?” Ella put a hand on her shoulder, making Bridget look at her.

She nodded immediately, despite everything Bridget would do this for anyone, even Uliana. Besides, Morgie wasn’t half bad when he wasn’t surrounded by the VKs. Not that she’d ever really held that against him; she’d pick them too.

“I need you to find fire lilies without them, the remedy will be all but useless.” Luckily the flower was native to here. One of Alice’s many gifts. Despite it being so rare, apparently Alice’s mother was a collector of sorts so she was able to bring them to Wonderland quite easily.

Ella was good with plants and had a pretty good knowledge of the land. She’d be much better at finding it than Bridget would ever be.

“If you’re sure…” Ella sighed, moving to grab a pale blue bomber jacket.

“Thank you, you’re remarkable,” Bridget said.

Ella let out a soft chuckle, before leaving with a, “and you’re crazy.”

Finding the VKs wasn’t all that hard. It never really was unless you were Merlin. They took up noticeable space wherever they went. At the moment they were in one of the north hall stairwells, seemingly arguing again.

“He couldn’t have just…vanished.” Hook made a swirling gesture with his hand.

“I didn’t say that!” Uliana kicked him in the head. Hook threw a water bottle up at her.

“So your magic’s jacked up,” Hades commented.

“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t have magic. I use a magic recipe book to make potions. While I am technically using magic, it is not mine. Anyone could technically do it; I’m just great,” Uliana explained, in an overly childish tone.

“Aren’t you a humble pearl?" Hook rolled his eyes.

“Hey! I am-“

“Have we ever thought that someone could be blocking the spell?” Malfecent interrupted from her spot across from Hades. They were sitting on each side of one step, their legs tangling together.

Bridget shuddered despite herself from one of the nearby hallways.

“Who? Morgie?” Hades gave a small humorless laugh.

“He’s knowledgeable of both magic and Merlin. I wouldn't be surprised if he could find a warded room with his eyes closed,” Malfecent shrugged.

“How are we supposed to find him then?”

“I don’t know, look!”

“We’ve been doing that all damned day!”

She took a deep breath, now was as a good time as any, right? This might be the day Uliana finally decided to murder her. Bridget had to do this. She made her way over, standing directly in front of the stairwell.

They didn’t seem to notice continuing to bicker. She cleared her throat. All of them immediately stopped and glared at her. This was going to be a wonderful conversation.

“Okay so I know you guys hate me and probably don’t wanna talk to me at all, but this is really important and I uh I…know where Morgie is.” The effect was instantaneous as soon as she said Morgie’s name, a tentacle wrapped around her waist, pulling her up to Uliana’s level.

“Where,” she demanded.

“He doesn’t want you to see him.” Bridget squirmed but met Uliana‘s eyes. She would not be intimidated.

“Princesss probably just kidnapped him.” Hook was checking his nails but kept glancing up at Bridget.

“Morgie isn’t that weak.” Malfecent chuckled. Bridget felt something snap in her. Maybe it was years of comments directed towards her or maybe it was seeing Morgie’s pure panic at the idea of his so-called friend seeing him vulnerable. Whatever it was it didn’t matter.

“He thinks you guys are going to make fun of him. Which honestly, based on your guys’ record, I wouldn’t be surprised. Do you guys do anything between acts of terrorism besides sit and make fun of people. I would think you’d guys at least be nice to each other but no you’re so pathetic you can’t even fathom the idea of being nice for even one moment. Morgie could be dying and you’re sitting here calling him weak. Can you guys listen for one moment or are you just gonna throw insults?” Bridget was panting by the end of the rant.

Then silence. Guess she managed to stun the VKs.

“Damn, princess.”

Uliana set her down, rather gently.