~None~
The van pulled up outside the dorm entrance. The guards got out first, opening the back door. Hades got out first, Halie following closely behind. All the men flanked the pair, making sure no odd movements were made as the group traveled up to Audrey's dorm room.
Up in the room, all the necessary party waited. Mal and Ben stood together, hoping Halie was able to convince Hades to come. Beast was pacing, when a knock resounded through the room. The old king opened it, stepping back at Hades there. Mal stepped up at the sight of her father, before opening her arms and enveloping Halie in the hug the girl ran forward and offered.
"Thanks for getting him to come."
"No problem, sis."
Mal smiled before moving to Hades.
"Thank you for coming."
"Nugget didn't give me much choice."
Mal nodded. Ben then stepped forward.
"Can you wake her?" He asked, referring to Audrey.
"Since when do heroes care about villains?" Halie shook her head, knowing this was gonna happen. Ben floundered for a moment, motioning to Audrey.
"She's-"
"One of your own? Right…"
Ben and Mal both gaped at Hades, not knowing what to say. Halie just sighed at her father's attitude.
"When you guys try to destroy the world, it's an error in judgment. But when it's one of us, lock 'em up and throw away the key."
The room grew tense, Beast even looking away at the truth of the statement. Hades took that as a means to continue.
"Right, Beast?"
"Stop. Let's just do what we came here to do." Halie snapped, not wanting this to end back. But luckily, Hades just sighed and moved his hands out. Almost everyone in the room jumped back, the guards grabbing Hades by the arms.
"Wait!" Halie stepped up past Mal.
"Yeah- I'm gonna need to use my hands."
"Ben, it's okay. He's gonna be on his best behavior- I can promise that."
"You can promise that?" Beast commented, raising his eyebrow at Halie.
"Yeah, I can. He's my dad- he'll listen to me."
Beast blanched at the knowledge there was another Hades, but nodded minutely. Halie placed a hand on Hades' arm, the pair silently communicating. Hades then held out his hand to Mal, and the girl gently placed the ember in his palm.
Halie watched as the stone glowed bright in response to her father's touch, and smiled wide as his hair ignited in flames.
"Haven't lost my touch." Hades chuckled, tossing the ember up. The god moved towards the bed, but Beast stepped in his way. Hades growled, his teeth bared; Beast did the same.
"Dad." Halie spoke, pulling her father from the dominance match. And proof as said, Hades listened to his daughter. He shrugged at his actions, striding around Beast to the foot of Audrey's bed. Halie followed, her own hair beginning to ignite at the release of her own magic. The adults of the room all backed away from the bed, aside from Fairy Godmother and Audrey's grandmother. Mal and Ben stood behind her father and half-sister, watching and waiting.
Hades took point, a blue glow emanating from the ember. His motions resembled stirring a cauldron, waving the ember over Audrey. Three times, he motioned over her. Abruptly the girl sat up, and opened her eyes.
~Halie~
The relief swept through the room at Audrey's awakening. Dad sighed, tossing the ember to me and extinguishing his hair. Mine followed suit, catching the stone and tucking it into its usual pocket.
"Tell me it was all a dream." Audrey's voice wavered, tears pricking at her eyes.
"No it wasn't. But- it's over now." Ben spoke, stepping up behind Mal.
Dad scoffed at the simplicity of the treatment. I sighed, nudging his back as the conversation turned personal between Audrey and Mal.
"Thank you dad. Really. I know this was the last thing you wanted to do."
"Relax nugget. At least you're coming home this time."
Our reminiscing was cut short as the guards swiftly approached and surrounded dad and I.
"Oh yeah. Time to put the danger back."
I just rolled my eyes and put my hand on dad's arm, silently reminding him that if he didn't want the cuffs, he'd have to follow her at least.
"Let's go, nugget." I nodded and trailed dad out, leading the guards down the hall. Clicking of heels alerted us-
"Dad! Halie!" Mal popped out of the room. We turned back, the guards reaching forward to stop us.
"I'm- I'm gonna have to miss you two all over again."
"Thanks for a glimpse of the sun, kiddo."
"Thanks for a taste of your world, Mal." I spoke, smiling lightly. Mal reflected the smile, running forward. I opened my arms and gripped her tight.
"I hope this isn't the last time I can give you a hug." I could feel Mal's breath catch in her chest before we parted and Mal moved to give dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"See you, Mal." With that, the guards led dad and I back to the van, and back to the Isle.
"Uma!"
The girl was waiting at the entrance the second she saw the golden bridge begin to form. I jumped out of the van, straight into her arms. We embraced as if the world was gonna end, until dad tapped me on the shoulder.
"I assume I should expect a second announcement like your sister?"
"DAD!"