Hi Guys! So here it is! The revamped I Will Love You! I hope my old readers will check this out and enjoy it and of course a MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU to my absolutely AMAZING beta xez2003 for your OUT OF THIS WORLD editing! Well I think that is all. Without further ado I give the new I Will Love You! Enjoy!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!
A tranquil morning settled upon the pristine lake and lush jade vegetation of the forest surrounding Auradon Prep. The sun shone brightly in the clear blue skies, its warm rays chasing away the last remnants of the morning chill. The calm and serene atmosphere of this hidden paradise was only broken by Mal's occasional bubbly giggles, which erupted and echoed against the stone walls encasing the limpid crystal waterfall, as Ben reached out to feed her some strawberries.
Spring green met warm hazel eyes as Mal cocked her head to the side, a small grin adorning her lips. "I can eat on my own you know."
Ben smiled in return as he reached out and with his fingers tucked a stray lock of hair away from her face. "Yeah I know that."
Mal shivered pleasantly at the feel of his warm touch against her skin, her heart pounding hard and fast as she stared into his loving eyes. "I love you so much." She whispered and brought her face closer to his. Ben wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him, capturing her lips in a loving kiss.
Ben and Mal broke apart and looked up startled as thunder suddenly rolled in menace and an approaching storm loomed over them, its clouds covering the once bright sun.
"What's going on?" Mal asked, surprised at the sudden change.
"I don't know. Come on. We better-" Ben started to reply when suddenly there was a flash of bright green lightning which caused them to cover their eyes. An evil cackle boomed across the clearing as the light subdued and they could only gasp in shock and horror as they came face to face with Maleficent in her human form.
"Did you really think that I would stay a lizard forever? Me? The most powerful evil villain in the land?" She laughed manically taking a step towards Ben, as she raised her sceptre and fired a magical blast at him. "Especially not when I have unfinished business. It's time to make you both pay for what you did to me."
A bolt of pure purple energy quickly shot out from Mal's hands intercepting and neutralizing Maleficent's beam. "Not this time mother! I won't let you touch him!" Mal retorted angrily before she turned to face Ben. "Ben take cover. I've got this." She quipped confidently. Her eyes flashed a deep green as she summoned her magic.
Maleficent let out a howl of laughter, her sceptre cracking with electric jolts as she raised it and pointed it in Mal's direction. "You really think you are strong enough to beat me. Ha! You only got lucky last time."
The air seemed to explode in crackling electricity as Mal's and Maleficent's magical beams clashed against each other. They were evenly matched, no one managing to get the upper hand on the other until Mal's magic suddenly faulted and Maleficent took the occasion to knock her off her feet, making her land in a heap a few metres away.
Mal breathed heavily, in pain and drained in her magic, as she struggled to rise back up on her feet. Maleficent slowly walking towards her, smirking gleefully before shooting another lightning beam. Mal braced herself for the inevitable pain but just as she was about to be hit, she felt herself be shoved hard to the side. She landed a few feet away and looked up dazed to see the lightning strike Ben instead. The next few instants trickled by as if in slow motion as Ben cried out in agony before crashing into her. For what seemed like an eternity, Mal just stared at Ben's prone figure in her arms as the memories from Hailey's coronation flooded back in her mind.
"No! Ben! Ben!" she finally screamed in anguish as she cradled him close to her.
"Mal…I…lo-ve…you." he whispered, giving her a weak smile, before passing out.
"NOOOO! Ben! Ben! Wake up!"
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"Ben!" Mal cried sitting straight up in bed, as her eyes snapped open in fear. She took a few long breaths and brought a hand to her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart, only relaxing slightly when she recognized her familiar dorm room.
It was just a dream. It was just a dream. She repeated to herself as she subconsciously twirled Ben's ring on her finger. Mal reached out to pick up her phone from her nightstand to call him but stopped when she spotted the rose in the vase beside her. ''Calm down Mal. Ben is fine". Mal whispered as she thought of how Ben had surprised her with the flower that same afternoon. She let out a last shaky breath as she rolled over and climbed down the bed. She softly walked up to her dresser so as not to wake up Evie and stopped to stare determinately at the aquarium shaped glass container which entrapped her mother still in her lizard form, who was curled up fast asleep on a rock. "I swear mother! I will not let you or anyone else hurt someone I love ever again! Even if it is the last thing I do!"
Mal sighed as she noticed the morning light starting to seep through her window curtain. She looked at her watch and noticed that it was 6.30am. Deciding that trying to return to sleep after such a vivid nightmare was useless, she quietly opened her wardrobe and put on a fresh pair of clothes. She left a note on Evie's dresser letting her know that she went out for some morning air and quietly closed the door behind her.
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Ben smiled as he knocked on Mal's dorm room door. Since it was Sunday morning they finally had some free time and he was looking forward to spend it with her, just the two of them away from the school. His smile faltered slightly when he was greeted by Evie instead.
"Hey Evie. Is Mal here?"
"No Ben. I woke up to find a message from her saying that she left for a morning walk. It must have been early because I didn't hear her leave." Evie replied softly.
Ben frowned. "It happened again, didn't it?" he asked.
Evie nodded, her face taking on a sad expression. "I think so. She has been having nightmares and tossing and turning around at night for a while now. When I asked her what was wrong, she brushed me off telling me that she was fine. But now, I am actually starting to get a little worried."
Ben let out a long sigh. "She was a little quiet lately but I just thought she was tired from all that has been going on lately. I didn't realise that something was bothering her to such an extent though." He paused. "Thanks E. I'll go find her."
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Ben walked the quiet dorm halls lost deep in thought, silently cursing himself for not noticing before that something was wrong with Mal. So much had happened to them in the last six months following Hailey's coronation. As a reward for saving the kingdom from Maleficent, Hailey had offered them a place as members in the Royal Council. They had been so honored and happy at the news, particularly Mal. For the first time someone would be able to speak up for the people who lived on the Isle and have the possibility to actually do something for the harsh conditions they were forced to live in. The role required lots of training and hard work but they were both confident that together they would have been able to meet the challenge ahead of them. But their excitement had quickly disappeared as soon as they attended their first meeting. Ben's frown deepened as he remembered how Mal had uncharacteristically cowered in her seat holding his hand tightly, when a portion of the Council, led by Queen Leah, had raised an uproar at Hailey's decision, deeming them not fit to cover such a role given their family legacy.
Life at school had not been easier either. The news had made them extremely popular with the other students, two in particular, Kevin and Tiffany, who didn't miss an occasion to stalk them to try and get them to break up, so that they would go out with them instead. And to make things worse the press practically followed them everywhere they went, relentlessly asking them how it felt being chosen to be part of the council. Selfishly, sometimes Ben wished that someone else had saved the kingdom from Maleficent and not them. As he fingered the scar on his stomach, he thought sadly how risking their lives and doing the right thing had not been enough to convince the people of Auradon that they were nothing like their parents.
Ben could not suppress the deep and intense anger he felt bubble inside him as he inevitably thought about Maleficent and all the pain and suffering she had caused to both Mal and himself. He suddenly stumbled, holding on to the wall for support, as his eyes flashed an intense yellow. He doubled forward, clutching his stomach with his other hand, breathing hard, as the intense anger nearly overwhelmed him. He continued to breathe heavily as he felt himself slowly lose control and his hands starting to turn into paws. This can't be happening now! I have to find Mal. She needs me! Ben tried to focus his thoughts on her as he reached out to grasp the necklace she had given him. Ben took one last shaky breath a few minutes later, as he finally managed to calm himself enough to revert back to his human form, his eyes returning back to their normal hazel-green colour. He looked around and sighed in relief as he realized that no one was in the corridor and had seen what had happened. As he straightened himself, he thought how he couldn't postpone the inevitable for much longer as one day his luck would run out and someone would finally see him. He had to prevent that from happening, the last thing Mal needed at the moment was even more attention or another reason for the council to object to their appointment.
Ben continued walking until he arrived to the parking bay outside the school. As he had guessed, Mal's purple scooter was missing. He knew where she would be. In moments like this, when she was upset, she would want to be alone and the best place to be for that was at their secret spot at the lake. He put on his helmet and climbed on his blue matching scooter, another gift from Hailey for their heroics. He started the engine and drove to the direction of the forest.
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Ben slowly walked down the little downhill leading to the Enchanted Lake, the sound of clashing waves making its way to his ears, even though they were almost too faint to hear. Curiosity got the best of him, making him stop and hide behind a tree, as he spotted Mal a few meters ahead of him, facing the lake. His heart constricted painfully in guilt as he gazed at Mal's blonde hair and mentally kicked himself for not noticing something was amiss when he had talked to her the day after their first council meeting.
Flashback
"Like a reflection in a pond, turn my hair to blonde." Mal whispered sadly and watched as her purple locks faded and dimmed to a light blonde colour, all except the tips which remained a deep purple. She sighed as she thought how she didn't want to do this but if that is what it took to stop the uneasy looks she got whenever she walked around or attended a council meeting, so be it.
"Hey Mal are you…What?" Ben asked dumbfounded as he stood frozen in the doorway.
"Hey Benny." she murmured, trying not to make her smile look too sad.
"What did you do to your hair?" he whimpered as he knelt down in front of her and touched a blonde strand.
"I just…. I'm tired of people looking at me like I'm going to curse them because my hair's a different colour." She muttered. "You saw what happened yesterday. This is what I have to do to fit in."
"Sweetheart if you were supposed to fit in, you would have never stood out in the first place. And why do you care what these heroes think of you anyway?"
"Because it looks bad on Hailey if people are spooked by one of her council members. They are never going to accept us unless we change to meet Auradon's standards."
Ben opened his mouth to protest but Mal stopped him, putting a finger on his lips before gently stroking his cheek. "Hey…I'm still me I promise. A different hair colour won't change that."
He sighed but nodded slowly with a sombre expression, pulling her and engulfing her in a tight hug. "And I love you no matter what colour your hair is." he whispered. Mal smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Flashback Ends
Ben eyes widened in surprise and awe as Mal lifted her hands and the water of the lake formed a fountain and its splashes rose a few meters in the air. Wow! When has she learnt to control her magic so well? He thought in admiration, his eyes widening in realization that she must have been practicing in secret. Suddenly something went wrong and she lost control of her powers, the water retreating back to their original form.
"Come on!" Mal cried angrily and frustrated before sitting heavily on a stone and burying her face in her hands.
"Mal" Ben called gently, making his presence known.
"Ben? What are you-" Mal asked as she looked up startled in Ben's direction. Ben caught sight of the pain and sadness in her eyes as her green eyes locked with his.
He smiled softly as he walked up to her and took a seat close to her. "I thought we could go out and have a few quiet hours to ourselves this morning so I went to look for you at your dorm. But Evie told me that you had left very early." He paused and sighed. "Something told me I'd find you here. Evie also told me you have been having restless nights lately."
He lifted his hand and tenderly cupped her cheek. "Mal, I've noticed that you have been a little quiet lately but I just thought that you were tired from all that has been going on. But now I am starting to get worried. Mal, I haven't seen you this angry since the Isle. Sweetheart, I can tell something is wrong. What is it? You know you can tell me anything!"
Mal closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into Ben's comforting warm touch. "It's nothing Ben, really. You don't need to be worried about me." She replied, a slight quiver in her voice. The touch of his hand left her cheek as he shifted position and embraced her tightly instead. She released a shuddering breath as he held her ever so gently and before she could stop herself, she started trembling as memories from Hailey's coronation flooded back into her head.
"Whoa easy sweetheart." Ben soothed as he gently ran his hand over her back. "What's the matter?" he asked in concern.
"I'm sorry." She whispered in a trembling voice.
"Sorry for what?" he questioned softly, as he pulled back slightly to look at her.
"If I had been strong enough at Hailey's coronation and had proper control over my magic, you wouldn't have had to risk your life to protect me from my mother. I'll never forgive myself for what happened to you. I came so close to losing you." She confessed as she lifted tormented eyes to meet his confused ones. "And I'm sorry for not telling you about the nightmares but I didn't want to worry you. This was something I had to deal with on my own so I decided to focus on improving my magic and I have been coming here to practice ever since. No one is going to hurt you or anyone I love ever again, I swear!"
"Sweetheart." Ben sighed, stroking her cheek. "It wasn't your fault. What happened at the coronation was all your mother's doing. And you were strong enough because you managed to beat her and save everyone. You are a hero, Mal. my hero!" he smiled, his voice laced with pride.
Mal shook her head and looked down at the ground.
"Mal, listen to me." He continued as he gently took both of her hands and laid them on his beating heart. "Can you feel that?" She nodded. "Nothing has happened to me. I'm alive and I'm right here by your side. I don't blame you for what happened so please do not feel guilty. Seeing you sad is more pain than a thousand dragon claws to the chest could ever do."
She looked up at him and he laid his hand on top of hers. "Feel any better?" he questioned softly.
Mal nodded, as a small smile spread across her face. A second later, she felt her mark suddenly come to life and a warm feeling cursed through her and enveloped her like a protective blanket. The shock forced her to gasp and inhale deeply. Once the shock worn off, she locked eyes with Ben who was smiling gently at her, his mark glowing softly as his eyes glistened a light yellow.
"I love you, Mal." he stated and he reached for the jar shaped necklace he always wore around his neck. "What has happened with Maleficent is in the past now. Remember what you told me when you gave me this. You told me that this represented the start of our new life together. I promise you that I am never going to leave your side and this is a promise I intend keeping no matter what. But I also want you to promise me one thing. That you will put all this behind you and that from now on, all you will do is focus on the bright and happy future ahead of us and that you will come to me straight away if you ever have another nightmare."
"I promise." Mal replied, as she fingered Ben's necklace. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, threatening to explode, as she lost herself in Ben's gaze so full of love towards her. "I love you so much."
They just stood there, their eyes fixed on each other, unwilling to let go of one another. Ben's smile only grew bigger as Mal's eyes twinkled a reflection of her feelings towards him. "Ben…" she breathed softly in a mixture of love and longing. Ben couldn't resist the gentle call in her voice. He held her even closer and tipped her face up to his as he captured her lips in a slow and tender kiss.
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"And you should have seen Carlos's face when he realized the box was empty and that I had pranked him." Mal laughed happily, her arm looped with Ben's as they made their way back to the school grounds after parking their scooters.
Suddenly out of nowhere, cameras started flashing in their faces as they turned a corner leading to the school entrance and came face to face with the press. "Mal! Ben! Over here!" they shouted in unison. Ben instinctively put his arm around Mal, pulling her closer as he shot them an intense glare.
"Mal! How do you feel about being made a councilor?" One reporter yelled.
"Are you and Ben getting engaged soon?" Another called. What? she thought in outrage. No we weren't and even if we were, it was none of their business!
"Is your mother still a lizard?"
Ben took a step back overwhelmed, as he felt Mal starting to tremble in his arms at the mention of her mother. He let out a sigh of relief as Hailey suddenly pushed herself through the press and stopped to stand in front of them.
"Alright! Alright! We will let you know if and when that particular situation changes. No more questions today. Thank you." she said firmly.
"You may be the press but you are still on school property so please leave." Fairy Godmother interjected as she also came over.
Hailey turned to smile at Ben and Mal as the press reluctantly scattered.
"Hey Emerald." MaI chuckled slightly as the Queen turned to address her. Over the last six months, they had become even closer and now Mal considered Hailey to be just like a sister.
"Hey Hail." She greeted in return.
"I'm sorry about that. I know they are not supposed to come here." Hailey apologized as she turned to look at Fairy Godmother, who shakes her head.
"They just keep on finding ways of trespassing the school property. But if they keep doing it, I will think up some punishment for them." She commented.
"Do you think putting them in detention could work?" Mal giggled as Hailey and Fairy Godmother let out a happy laugh.
"Anyways. Ben, Mal off you go." Hailey told them gently as they nodded.
"Bye Hail" Mal called back as they turned to walk away and return to their dorms.
"Bye guys. See you at the council meeting later." She reminded them.
Mal let out a frustrated groan and frowned, at the mention of the council meeting, her happy mood quickly forgotten. As much as she liked living in Auradon, mainly because she was free to love Ben without fear of any repercussion, being good wasn't turning out to be as easy as she originally thought and their appointment as council members was just the perfect example.
That's it! What did you guys think? A bit more of a look at how what happened at the coronation would have affected Mal. I hope you guys liked it it Please review with your thoughts? Pretty please?
