So I've returned. What? You think I'd leave you dangling off a cliff?


52: Back in Town.

The following morning Ben woke up as early as he could and got ready for the day. He was going back to Halloweentown today and confront Mal on why she wouldn't come back to Auradon. There was something she wasn't telling him and it wasn't just Penelope anymore, it was something else. But he had no idea what it was at all.

After last night when he told the others that he would be coming back into Halloweentown, they were all excited for him to go. There was a tourney game approaching next weekend and with coach out for the next couple of days for personal family reasons, Jay had to step up and run the practices. Carlos had homework, essays, interviews with a shelter he was possibly going to be working with soon on taking care of abused dogs so Carlos was out. Evie had mommy duties that involved taking the boys to the doctors then dropping them off at the Dwarf's cottage and heading straight to work to make up a few hours that she had missed last month. The three of them felt horrible for not being able to go, but if Mal was coming back tonight or within the next few days they would be the first ones to welcome Mal and Penelope. (Evie was very excited that Mal had a daughter and couldn't wait to spoil the little fairy princess).

Ben had found his father and asked him to take over his kingly duties for the day. Ben had never asked for a "day off" as any king shouldn't, but Ben had been so focused on his king duties since he was sixteen that, for this one time, his father agreed to take on the duties for the day. "You better get your own Cogsworth, Ben. Someone to actually watch over things if you happen to be out of town in the future." His father laughed.

Ben had found Jane and asked her to send him to Halloweentown, telling her the words that her mother said. Jane had realized a few months after Mal left that since she, Jane, is the daughter of fairy godmother, she must have magic powers. Jane had since then learned to use magic and only used it for big emergencies. Ben had told her that he had a meeting with someone (not a big lie, just a white lie) and it was last minute and he couldn't find her mother. Jane agreed to send Ben over there.


In Halloweentown Mal stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. While checking her phone Mal used magic to brush and dry her hair quickly. She had clicked on an icon that lead her to a ChitChatter and she typed in Ben's ChitChatter name (Ben_Auradon) ((He sucked at creativity)) to see if he had written anything.

Happier than I ever been before in my life. He had written last night, adding a heart at the end. "The paparazzi aren't going to let that go. Then again he hates them." Mal said as she clicked out of the page just as her dried hair finished. Mal left the bathroom and went to her room to change into a purple tank top with dark gray jeans and her black boots, throwing on her black cardigan on and then rapidly leaving the room.

Downstairs Penelope was putting cat food into the silver dish as Mal walked. "Nelly, do you want eggs and toast for breakfast?"

Penelope looked up. "Scamble eggs?"

"Sure thing," Mal said.

Minutes later she put the plate of scrambled eggs and toast with blueberry jelly on the table and lifted Penelope up to the table. "Thank you, mommy."

"You're welcome, Nelly." Mal kissed the top of her head. "After this let's wash you up and get dressed for the party later today."

"Okay." Penelope said with a mouthful of blueberry jam toast.


Ben had arrived through a portal back into Halloweentown hours later after Jane had (accidentally of course) sent Ben to the wrong Halloweentown, then a few other weird places that were Halloween related but not Halloweentown exactly) back into the center of town.

"Are you there now?" Jane asked on the other end of the cellphone.

"Yes, this is it. Thanks Jane."

"Sorry again."

"No problem. Talk later." Ben said and hung up his phone. He zipped up his blue jacket and walked over to what looked like a cab.

"Um, excuse me?" Ben looked inside the window. The driver, a skeleton, was reading the newspaper.

"Hey, what's shaking?" The skeleton driver asked.

"Do you happen to know where Mal Faery lives?"

"Mal Faery? Young girl with purple hair? Has a little one who looks a lot like her?"

"Yes, that's her."

"Sure I know where she lives!" The skeleton said. "Get on it, it's just over the river and through a cemetery."

"Thank you." Ben said and climbed into the back.

"No problem. What's your name anyways? Never seen you before." The driver said.

"I'm Ben. I'm from Auradon."

"Hey I'm a Ben. And a knee! I'm all bones!" Benny laughed loudly. Ben laughed along with him. "Auradon though, huh? Never been there before. Might have to head there some day, I've got an eternity!" He laughed again.


Mal curled the last piece of Penelope's hair, from mid-shaft and down it was loose and curly, then she put in the little gold tiara. "All set." Mal said, conjuring up a mirror in her hands. "Look here pretty girl."

Penelope turned and saw her reflection in the mirror. "I'm pretty mommy!" She giggled.

"Yes you are." Mal said. Her phone buzzed and she saw it was time to go downtown and get the cake. "Nelly, Mommy has to go into town for a little bit. Stay inside so you don't get dirty before the party."

"Get dirty at the party." Penelope giggled.

"You got it!" Mal laughed. "Don't answer the phone and don't let anyone into the house you don't know. Got it?"

"OK mommy." Penelope said.