The sun was just setting in Auradon as the King and his Lady stood by the parked scooters.

"I still don't think this is a good idea." Ben said as Mal strapped on her helmet.

Mal huffed and looked back at him. "I know you don't. But I do."

"Mal, they'll kill you." Ben insisted, looking fearfully at her.

Mal put her hands on Ben's shoulders. "We have been over this Ben. They will not kill me. I'm feared over there. They won't even wreck my house. The only person who would have killed me was Uma, and she's currently in choir practice, so chances are I'll be fine."

Ben sighed and nodded. "Fine. Still don't like it."

"You don't have to. I'll be back by this evening." Mal said, letting go of Ben and sitting on the bike.

"If you're not here by midnight, I'm coming after you."

Mal nodded. "I know. And it won't come to that." She leaned over and pecked him on the lips. "All I'm doing is talking to the New Anti-Heroes briefly."

Ben nodded in understanding before he leaned down and kissed her again. "Be safe, okay?"

"I will, don't worry." and with that, she sped off, leaving a trail of dust and Ben behind.

"I really don't like this." He muttered to himself before heading off to his office.

Mal zoomed down the path to the edge of the water before reciting the spell Ben had allowed her to memorise for these kind of situations.

"Noble steed proud and fair, you will take me anywhere." She then went over the water and recited the next spell as she approached the barrier.

"Spark and fire, elf and gnome, open up this invisible dome." The barrier opened for a few brief seconds, giving Mal enough time to zoom in. Unfortunately that spell could only be done outside the barrier so she'd have to find another way out. Luckily for her, Yen Sid was able to retrieve the broken remote from Jafar's shop before they were able to fix it. He had one of his students fix it and he uses it to briefly open the barrier for people like Mal who have no way to get home because they didn't bring the limo (because there is only so many times you can hide (or crash) that massive car without being noticed).

Mal zipped to the tunnel that led to Uma's ship and hid it there. She then removed her helmet and went to the hideout, which was being used for the Anti-Heroes club.

Mal smiled at everyone as she walked in.

"Hey, guys." She said, "Good to see you all here."

The group of students began to whisper together, trying to see what was the right thing to say back. Mal turned to Yen Sid.

"So, what's the deal with these kids? Why did you want me to come speak to them?"

Yen Sid looked at all the kids, one of whom finally turned back to Mal and said. "Good to see you too?"

Mal gave him a thumbs up before looking at Yen Sid again. Yen Sid sighed. "They're not ready to leave. We would love it if you could tell everyone a bit about Auradon from the perspective of a former VK."

All the kids looked eagerly at her, wanting to absorb as much information as they could.

"Well, that's where you're wrong Yen Sid." She said, turning to the kids. "I'm not a former VK. I am still a VK. I always will be. But that's not something to be ashamed of. We VKs go through a lot more than any of those AKs could imagine. And that's why King Ben wants to bring us over there. To give us a chance that we deserve, because we don't deserve having to go through what we're going through."

The kids all looked at her sombrely. Mal continued. "So those of us who want that second chance need to take it as soon as we can. For now, you'll have to be strong. You'll need to push through and persevere. Eventually, we'll be taking VKs regularly. Unfortunately, at the moment, it's dangerous to do that. The more we do, the higher chance there is of some of our parents getting out. So stick to this club. If your parents hurt you, take refuge here. At the beginning of each school year we will be taking students back. There is a place you'll stay during the holiday and during the school year, you'll have a dorm to sleep in Auradon Prep. We'll try to take as many of you as we can, but do not get angry if we can't take you. It won't be for lack of trying, trust me."

One of the girls cocked her head at Mal. "But why can't you? Why can't you just take all of us."

Mal smiled sympathetically at her. "We will do our best but there is only so much we can do. There is a lot we have to organise, and the more VKs we bring over, the more panicky the people become."

"Why?" The girl asked.

"They don't know if they can trust us. Too many at once means less control over us, which is a higher risk of things going wrong. We had an uproar when we brought over the whole Anti-Hero club last time."

"Why?" The girl asked again.

"Fear." Mal replied. "Fear can lead to a lot of trouble. We managed to calm everyone after several speeches and public choosing good. Which, by the way, you don't have to do straight away. You make your own choices."

The girl looked at Mal thoughtfully. "What about my parents?" She asked. "I don't want to leave them. I love them."

There was a gasp throughout the group.

"Hey, it's okay to say you love someone." Mal said, looking at the rest of the group. "And as for leaving them, if you really don't want to, you don't have to. Not until you're ready."

The girl nodded, now smiling. "Thanks Mal."

"No problem. Any other questions?"

Mal was asked many questions and answered as many as she could.

She looked at her watch and noticed it was half-past eleven. "Oh, shoot. I have to go. If I'm not home by midnight, Ben's going to get worried and come here."

Yen Sid nodded. "Okay. Guys, say thank you to Mal and then go home."

The kids thanked Mal and filed out of the hideout, heading to their various homes.

Yen Sid and Mal headed out to her bike. When they were almost there, Yen Sid reached into his pocket.

"Oh, flibbertigibbet." he exclaimed. "I must have left the remote. I'm going to go find it, stay here, stay hidden."

Mal nodded. "Yes sir."

Yen Sid headed back to the hideout while Mal searched for a place to hide. Suddenly, she felt a hand over her mouth and something hit her head before the world went black.

Ben sat in his office, tapping his fingers and watching the clock. He had the keys to his scooter and a remote from the limo sitting at the ready. It was nearly midnight and Mal still wasn't back. She promised she'd text the moment she was back in Auradon but she hadn't. He knew that she could easily be caught up talking to all the Anti-Heroes as they probably had loads of questions and wanted to know a lot about it. And knowing Mal, she was probably telling them what she could in as much detail as possible. But still, it was almost midnight. Mal was quite good with being conscious of time. She would have realised. Deciding it was near enough midnight to be worried, Ben got up and grabbed his keys and the remote. He had to go after her.

Mal woke up with a throbbing head and tied wrists and ankles. She was sat on the cold, dirty floor and was surrounded by the smell of burning. Mal groaned as she opened her eyes and looked around.

"Well, well, well. The dragon awakes." A voice said. "Not that you're like a dragon at the moment but- you know what I mean."

"Zevon." Mal growled. "What do you want from me?"

"Freedom." Zevon said, getting close to her. "And you." He traced his finger over her chin, while she tried to pull her head back. "We would be perfect together Mal. But you threw it all for the chance to be good."

"That was the best decision I made. And as for you and me? Give up, Zevon. It never would have happened." Mal spat in his eye, causing him to recoil.

"Oh you will pay for that." He said, backing away towards a table.

"What are you doing?" Mal inquired, a little worried. Zevon stepped away to show a table full of broken test tubes and bottles and some tubes etc.

"Making potions with any chemical I can find."

Mal felt panicky but didn't show it. "Like you could find many on the Isle."

"No, I couldn't. Your right. I mean, you'd think people would be more considerate and throw some away, but they just aren't." His face hardened again. "Anyway, I can still make some potions with what I've got. Enough to cause pain, anyway."

Mal silently gulped but her face remained set in stone.
"Oh, don't worry, Mal. I won't use them on you. Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty little face of yours."

Mal stayed silent and just glared at Zevon. Zevon laughed evilly and went back to work.

Ben pressed the remote and zoomed over the bridge as fast as he could. The moment he was over, he clicked it again, meaning the barrier closed again. He zipped through the Isle, looking for Mal, while trying to stay vaguely hidden. He had managed to put on his Isle coat and beanie so he looked vaguely like he belonged, making him less suspicious. He stopped when he saw Mal's scooter. Leaving his there, panic rising, Ben ran from there and began heading to the hideout. On the way, he was stopped in his tracks.

"King Ben." Yen Sid said. "Your Majesty, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for Lady Mal." Ben replied.

"I am too. I left for just a minute because I forgot to remote but when I got back here, she was gone."

"Gone?!" Ben exclaimed.

"Shh. Keep your voice down. We'll have to find her."

Ben shook his head. "I'll do this by myself. I don't want you to risk it."

Yen Sid nodded in understanding. Ben bid him goodbye and ran off, trying to find any clue as to where she may have gone. He saw something glinting in the corner of his eye and turned to see his ring lying on the floor. Ben knelt down and picked it up, rolling it between his fingers. He put the ring in his pocket and searched for other clues.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't King Ben, on the Isle of all places."

Ben whipped around to see Zevon standing there.

"Where's Mal?" He growled.

Zevon laughed and didn't answer. Instead he picked something up and yelled. "Ke-plow!" throwing the object. Ben ducked but when he stood up again, Zevon had run away. Ben yelled in frustration and kicked the barrel next to him.

Mal looked up when Zevon walked back in. He said nothing and went back to work, smirking evilly while Mal sat there, unsure of what to do.

"I wonder..." Zevon suddenly spoke up. "If Beasty Boy will give me my freedom for your life?" He turned to Mal.

Mal stifled a gasp. Ben was here. Of course he was. It must be past midnight. Mal almost laughed at the thought. But that meant he was searching for her and will get into a lot of trouble if he's not careful.

"Perhaps I'll go ask him." Zevon continued. "I didn't want him following me here but perhaps if I bargain with him, he'll give me my freedom."

And with that he left, leaving Mal terrified and alone. A tear slipped out, unsure of what Zevon will do to her true love.

Ben looked around as he heard Zevon addressed him again. "I have a propesteration for you."

"A what?"

"You know, a propesteration. You give me something in exchange for Mal's life."

Ben growled. "Where is Mal?"

"I'll tell you. In exchange, you'll give me the remote to open the barrier."

Ben glowered at him.

"I'll give you an hour to decide. Be here with the remote, or Mal becomes mine. Forever."

And with that Zevon ran off. Now, Zevon is not the brightest guy and didn't realise that Ben would follow him. Once Zevon went in the warehouse that was his home, Ben followed, going around the outside. He peaked into the window and saw Zevon playing with chemicals while Mal sat with her hands and feet tied together. Her head hung low and she looked like she had a massive bump on the side of her head. This made Ben mad so all thoughts of a plan and any other rational thought disappeared from his mind and he broke down the door next to the window, charging in and smashing Zevon to the ground. Mal shrieked his name while he held Zevon by his collar and growled in his face.

"Ben! Stop, let him go." Mal's voice broke through all the anger that was in him and let go of Zevon, rushing over to her. "Watch out!"
"Ka-blam!" Zevon yelled as he threw a bottle of chemicals at Ben. Ben got out of the way just in time and kept heading towards Mal.

"Ka-boosh!"

Ben grabbed a piece of wood and smacked it back. However, it made a hissing sound when it hit the wood and it began to dissolve in Ben's hand.

Zevon kept throwing them. At one point it just caught Ben and his arm got burned making him cry out in pain.

Mal was sobbing as she saw Ben try to fight Zevon with no way to win. That was until Ben suddenly let out another beastly roar and charged at Zevon, slamming into him and causing him to fly into the wall, knocking him out cold. Ben then whipped around and ran to Mal, untying her as best he could. After what felt like ages, Ben managed to get her hands untied and with her help, get her ankles untied as well. He helped her up and hugged her tight.

"Let's get out of here." He mumbled.

Mal nodded. "What about Zevon?"

"Yen Sid can attend to him, I'm sure. Let's just get you home."

He and Mal ran out of the warehouse and spotted Yen Sid waiting by the bikes when they finally managed to reach them. Ben went over to him and asked him to go make sure Zevon was okay, as he didn't want to have harmed him. Yen Sid agreed and Ben and Mal got on their bikes. Once the helmets were strapped on, Ben and Mal zoomed out of the Isle, closing the barrier quickly after they left.

Once they were back at Auradon Prep, Ben took Mal to his office so they wouldn't disturb Evie. They sat on the sofa and Mal burst into tears, clinging to Ben as she sobbed. Ben didn't say anything, just held her there and rubbed her back while she let everything out.

Taking a few gulping breaths, Mal sat back. "I was so scared." She whispered.

Ben nodded solemnly. "I know. I shouldn't have let you go there alone."

"It's not your fault, Ben. There was no way you could have known this would happen."

"I should have." Ben replied. "I should have-"

"Ben. Stop." Mal interrupted, putting her hand on his chest. She gasped. "Oh no! Your ring!"

Ben smiled and reached into his pocket. "This one?"

Mal let out a sigh of relief and took it from him, slipping it on her finger. "I guess you finally saved me, eh?" She said, looking up from his ring to his face.

Ben smiled. "I suppose I did. And I'd do it again."

"Let's hope there is no need." Mal replied. "I love you, you know?"

"I love you too."

He leaned down and kissed her gently. She broke away and lay her head on his chest, falling asleep straight away. Ben didn't want to disturb her so left her be and fell asleep himself. And that's how they were found the next morning, at peace and together.

Here you go xez2003. I hope this lived up to your expectations.

Response to Reviews:

Grace: Thanks. Glad you liked it.

Owllover34: Awwww thanks. That is so sweet of you to say. And I'm sorry. Now it is one more and then yours. This one was requested in a PM so I understand your mix-up.

Maniey: First off, sorry I didn't add your name in the previous chapter. I must have missed it when I was checking out who sent the request. I'm so sorry. Second off, Thank you! You're a sweetheart.

Eli201: Aww thanks. And yes, that is very like Mal.

DragonEmperor999: Nope, you're not. And I guess she does.

EvelynGrimhilde6: Awww thank you!

Nala Bae: I'd love to but you'll have to ask when the requests are open again. All requests requested while requests are closed will be ignored I'm afraid.

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SusieBeast: Thanks. You rock too.

LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

SparkyGurl