Disclaimer: I don't own anything, All of it is Disney's bar Hadrian, he's mine. I was asked if I will be following the TV Series. I will be including the TV Characters, but not following the show.
Chapter 14 – The Separation
A few days passed after the coronation, and not a word was heard on the condition of the barrier to the Isle. No one thought that it fell, but many thought it malfunctioned. In an attempt to prevent mass hysteria, Beast and the Royal Council of Auradon kept the barrier's fall a top-secret secret. They kept this secret from everyone, including the five students that would be endangered if their parents ever came for them.
Meanwhile, Hadrian was relaxing out in the courtyard of the school reading a book on his family. He had just finished reading about Orpheus entering the Underworld, when Ryan approached him.
"Hey Hadrian." He said with a smile that never left his face, as he sat next to the demi-god.
"Oh, hey Ryan." Hadrian greeted, returning the smile. "I'm actually glad you found me. I've been meaning to talk to you." He started off nervously.
"Yeah I actually wanted to talk to you about something, too" the young prince said, avoiding Hadrian's eyes. "My parents are stepping down from their spot on the Royal Council, and since I'm graduating this year, they have asked me to take their place."
"That's great news." Hadrian said happily.
"Yeah but that means I have to return to the Palace as soon as the semester's over." He continued, still avoiding to look at Hadrian.
"I understand. Actually, I have some good news too. I have received an invitation to Olympus for the summer. My Uncle has agreed to meet me." He said joyfully with a look on his face, showing Ryan the regal paper with the seal of Zeus. "I get to meet my family." He whispered softly with a teary smile.
"That's great too." Said Ryan, still not meeting Hadrian's eyes.
"Ryan… I've been thinking…about us." Started Hadrian with a serious tone.
"So have I…" replied Ryan.
"I think we should just be friends." Hadrian told him bluntly.
"I… Actually was going to say that." Ryan said as he started to laugh with Hadrian joining in shortly after.
"You'll always be my best friend, Ryan" Hadrian told him before turning to hug him. He leaned his head on Ryan's chest, as he wrapped his arms around him and rested his chin on Hadrian's head.
"And you'll be mine." Ryan replied.
The semester flew by before anyone in Auradon knew it. It was the last day of school and all the heroes had left that morning to return home. There were only students remaining. Ben and Mal agreed to spend the summer together at Ben's palace, getting to know each other. Evie agreed to visit Doug's house and finally meet her Step-Sister, Snow White. Jay was going to travel across the Kingdom to see the sights. Carlos wasn't sure what he was going to do yet. While Hadrian was going to Olympus with his cousin Hector.
In just a few hours, Hadrian and Hector were going to be picked up by Hadrian's mother, Persephone. The trio were going to Olympus and after a month, Hadrian and his mother were going to the Underworld so that he can see the realm he will rule one day.
It was around 1 in the afternoon when the remaining 8 students stood outside waiting for their rides. The first two to leave were Ben and Mal. As Ben's limo drove into the courtyard. The others began to say their good-byes. As everyone hugged Mal goodbye, Hadrian led Ben a bit away from the others.
"Ben I was wondering if after the summer you could help me out with some lessons. I know you grew up learning what you needed to rule Auradon, and I know my mother would want me to know how to rule the Underworld with her, but I have no idea how to." Hadrian rambled on.
Ben just laughed and said "Sure Hadrian, though I'm sure your mother will teach you what to know, but I'll be glad to help too." He gave Hadrian a big smile and walked him back to the limo and their waiting friends.
"Hadrian" Mal started to speak when the duo came back, "I just wanted to thank you again for all that you've done. For believing that we were good."
"Mal you don't need to thank me." Hadrian said with a light smile, "You knew all along what to do. All you needed was a little push in the right direction." He walked up to her and gave her a one-armed hug, and looked around at everyone gathered there. "You all are great friends, and I hope we all can become even stronger friends. With a strong enough friendship, we can overcome any obstacles in our way. First things first though, we got to learn about our gifts and talents. If Maleficent could escape the island, there's no telling who else did too." He finished with a serious look on his face. "And I'll be damned if that washed up has been of a father tries anything against my family."
With the agreeing statements from his friends they all watched Mal and Ben climb into the limo and drive away, Evie and Carlos waving till the limo was out of site.
The next duo to leave were Evie and Doug. Doug's Uncle Happy came to pick them up in his bright orange pick-up truck.
"Alright Guy's this is my ride." Said Doug as he fixed his glasses with one hand, holding Evie's with his other. "Don't be strangers and write us!" he said before climbing into the truck.
Evie turned to the 4 of us left, and looked around smiling. "You guys are the best friends I could ever ask for. Hadrian, I know Mal keeps thanking you, but I want to thank you just one more time. Thank You. You showed me not to hide behind my looks, and embrace my intelligence. You showed me to be true to myself. I am glad to be me. If I didn't listen, I'd have never been able to follow my heart and go out with Doug." She hugged Hadrian before giving Carlos and Jay a quick hug, waved at Hector, then jumped up into the truck with Doug and his Uncle. Once the door was closed, the truck took off down the road and into the forest to Doug's house.
"So Carlos any idea on what your gonna do this summer?" Jay asked Carlos from his spot on the steps of Auradon Prep.
"Actually I was hoping you wouldn't mind the company while you traveled Auradon, Jay" Carlos replied a little shyly.
"Not one bit!" Jay said excitedly as he jumped up and threw an arm around Carlos' shoulder. "The More the Merrier!" Jay said before everyone started to chuckle.
Just a short while later a cab pulled up to take Jay and Carlos out to their first stop in Auradon, the Bayou's of New Orleans. After receiving a one-armed hug each from Hadrian the duo headed off, leaving the two Cousins the only two students left at Auradon Prep
"So…" Hadrian started awkwardly. "What's Olympus like?" he asked
Hector just stared at him a few seconds before replying. "It's nice, really bright and fluffy, but you get used to it. Apollo likes to keep it warm all the time there. There's always a party going on so it's never dull. I think Aunt Persephone was planning to have a welcoming party for you at some point this summer."
"Oh… that's… Nice I think." Hadrian said not quite sure how he would take a party just for him. On the Isle, Hades never celebrated anything, be it Hadrian's birthday, holidays or even the equinox or solstices. Being the Son of the god of death didn't get him invited to any parties either.
Before the duo could settle into an uncomfortable atmosphere, Persephone arrived in a sleek purple Chevy Impala. Stepping out of the car, Hadrian saw that she was wearing a flowing sundress with light purple flora patters scattered on it.
"Baby!" she said happily as she approached Hadrian. "I'm so glad you decided to come and stay with me this summer! We're going to have so much fun!" She grabbed Hadrian in a tight hug and swayed with him in her arms as she went on about the activities she had planned for the summer; swimming with the hippocampi, touring the Greek temples, hiking, shopping, kayaking on the rivers.
"I look forward to all of that, Mom, but I think we'd best head to Olympus now before it gets too late." Hadrian said from his place squished to his mother's bosom. Hector was behind the duo laughing at the misfortune of his cousin, but agreed with Hadrian, so he packed their luggage into the trunk of the car and climbed into the back seats.
"Oh right, yes best be off! Oh I'm so excited!" she squealed again before letting go and getting back into the car.
Hadrian followed at a more sedated pace, but he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get interesting… and not in the good way either.