I swear I'm a masochist. I know I'm not supposed to be writing because I have tendinitis, but I just had to write this! The idea was just too juicy. Also I'm not expecting these chapters to be too long or anything.

I swear I'll get back to my Frozen fic once I watch the movie again. Until then, here's some more Disney.

Heart of the Dragon

Chapter 1

If you had told Mal a few years ago that she'd be graduating high school with the likes of Mulan's and Aurora's daughters, she'd have probably taken what little you possessed, spat on your face, and laughed all the way home to her evil mother.

Yet here she was, sitting between Jane and Carlos de Vil, nervous, excited, and completely engrossed in Ben's speech about ethics, about how everyone had at least a hint of deviousness and purity, and all that mattered was what you did with it, et cetera, et cetera.

And oh, yeah, if you had also told past Mal she'd be in a serious romantic relationship with Belle's son, she'd probably mimic one of her mother's signature cackles that could bring down an entire castle.

Sometimes Mal would pinch herself, like maybe someone just cast an elaborate spell on this burgeoning fairy, but then she'd remember Ben's clean, musky scent and how soft her tulle skirts were at prom. She realized that no, she made her choice. Being good, despite having its hardships (old habits die hard, after all—nothing more than a few pranks toward a few unsuspecting students), actually made her… happy. Happier than being stuck in the shadow of the self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil, that was for sure. Made her feel… clean, maybe? No, that wasn't it. Actually, no—like she wasn't Maleficent's daughter. In Auradon, she was Just Mal. And Just Mal—not Maleficent's daughter—had made the honor roll, found love in the new King of Auradon, and had honest-to-the-gods friends, not Acquaintances in Evil or the Lost cowering at her feet.

"You are who you choose to be," Ben declared at the podium, singling out Mal with just one dashing smile. Carlos gave her an affectionate nudge, and Mal pushed back a bit harder than intended, knocking him into Jay's side. The two started to silently bicker until Mal hushed them with a threatening glare.

The Auradon Prep graduates burst into applause as Ben took his seat in the front row next to Evie, their Valedictorian. How far she'd come from pretending to play dumb!

Before she knew it, Fairy Godmother was calling out names so the students could receive their diplomas—Chad Charming (surprisingly), Audrey Rose, Jay, Doug, Lonnie Li. Mal was announced toward the end (thankfully Fairy Godmother didn't say her full name), and again had to pinch herself as her teacher hugged her a bit too tight and handed her that piece of paper that made her education official.

Ouch, this time it would leave a mark on her palm. It seemed like no matter how often Mal filed down her nails—even when she used magic—they grew back the next morning. Strange, it wasn't like she'd been consuming more calcium than usual or anything. And now they were getting sharper.

"Mother, this is all normal, right?" Mal had asked Maleficent that morning. Maleficent, whom Mal took care of in a little habitat in her dorm room. Maleficent, who had been reduced down to the size of a lizard.

Maleficent, her mother, who could no longer talk.

So why did Mal ask? It was like ever since she'd reached eighteen, celebration made complete with a party her friends threw in the Prep courtyard, Mal didn't know if she was supposed to feel mature or lost. Both? Eighteen signified adulthood. Wasn't she supposed to suddenly feel like one?

Maleficent just flicked her forked tongue out, and Evie helped her paint her nails to match her new purple dress—another Evie original with a funky collar and asymmetrical cut—hidden under her blue robe. A year later, and Maleficent hadn't grown at all. Apparently the only love her mother held was for herself.

Mal played with the rolled up paper in her hands as she made her way back to her folding chair, trying to hide her blush as Ben winked toward her.

As soon as the last name was called, Fairy Godmother announced, "And now I present your new graduating class of Auradon Prep!"

Mal nudged Carlos, then Jane, and crossed the tassel over her forehead with the rest of her class. When they threw their caps in the air, Mal followed suit, unable to hear her own yelps of joy over the crowd.

The grin on her face had never been wider.

Once Mal, Carlos, and Jay met up with Evie, the four pressed their heads together, relishing this sweet victory, which felt significantly more rewarding than when they'd broke into the Museum of Cultural History their first night in Auradon.

Ben kissed Mal's temple and used Evie's phone to take a picture of the four newly graduated former villains.

Even if Maleficent wouldn't appreciate this conquest, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella would at least be proud of their kids. And for Mal, that was enough for now.

I am complete and utter trash. Disney trash.

Reviews always appreciated!

Next chapter: Belle inquires as to what Ben's plans are for the summer. Ben's answer takes his parents aback quite a bit.

Till then!

~Eliza