Hey Descendants!

Happy Monday. Let me start by saying I'm sorry this chapter isn't very long.

Please enjoy, and don't kill us...

-Dark-

Jay shuffles awkwardly as he watches Fairy Godmother fret at her computer. Was this it? Were they getting sent back?

Was it too late to take the fall for everything to keep the others safe?

"I'm so sorry about what happened earlier." Fairy Godmother presses a hand to her heart, "Queen Leah does not speak for everyone here in Auradon, and she certainly does not speak for me." Her warm eyes travel over each of their faces, "I truly hope you four know that."

Jay slowly nods once he sees no one else was even paying attention, "Thank you. We all really appreciate it." He gives her a small smile. It didn't sound like the start of a conversation that would end with them back on the isle.

Was David right? Did they really have so many people on their side? People willing to fight alongside them to keep them in Auradon? The thought still staggered him.

It didn't help that he was still overwhelmed by Hiro and David's news.

Adoption? A new family?

He was happy for Carlos. He'd never seen someone capture the pup's respect and admiration so quickly. And it would probably be good for him to have someone like Hiro and his wife looking out for him.

But he wasn't going to let himself look forward to being a part of David and Nani's ohana yet. Not until he knew for sure that Mal and Evie were also safe.

"Though with that being said," Fairy Godmother's smile tightens, "I- I am obligated to offer you this special um-" She presses her lips together before she continues, "treat. For Family Week. To wrap up the weekend."

Carlos's head snaps up, "Family weekend treat?" He asks skeptically.

"Um, well yes. Since there's so much uh- Distance between you and your-" She sighs, "parents."

Carlos's eyes widen and he whimpers as he grabs Jay's arm, "We're not going to visit are we?"

"Oh no!" Fairy Godmother quickly holds up her hands, "No no dear one. Nothing like that. It's just a video chat."

"Video?" Evie asks, her voice thin as she pulls her compact out and frantically checks her makeup, "Oh no, I need to completely start over. Should I change? What am I saying? Of course I need to change! This isn't presentable at all."

"If you want to take a few moments before the call that's fine dear." Fairy Godmother frowns as she watches Evie fret over her face.

Mal reaches over and takes her hand, "You look stunning as usual."

"But I've also gained weight M-" Evie closes her eyes as she grabs Mal's arm, "She'll notice that."

"Evie-" Fairy Godmother blinks, her face pinching as if she were in pain, "You look gorgeous. Much healthier than when you came over." Her face briefly reflects her regret. "We all assumed you four might get homesick. Before you got here. It's in the invitations that every family week we celebrate they'll be able to contact you."

"Great." Mal crosses her arms defiantly as she turns to look at Jay, "Right?"

Jay nods once before he looks back to Fairy Godmother, "So, when do we have to talk to them?"

"It's being set up now, in one of the AV rooms." Fairy Godmother forces a smile. "I didn't want to ramp up your anxieties by making you wait, though if you need to take some time beforehand that is, understandable."

Jay nods as he pulls Carlos to his side to hide the fact he was shaking, "Thank you."

"Please, don't thank me for this." Fairy Godmother frowns.

"For not making us wait." Jay smiles, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

"Oh." Fairy Godmother's face brightens and she manages to smile warmly as she rounds her desk, "I'm so glad I made the right call on that." She opens the door leading out of her office, "Well then, let's get to the AV room." She nods to each of them encouragingly as they file past, "And after-" She takes a deep breath, "Afterwards we can get you guys settled with some hot chocolate and cookies."

"That sounds great Fairy Godmother." Jay smiles as he continues to pull Carlos alongside him, "I think that's something we can look forward to." He gently shakes Carlos's shoulder, "Right pup?"

Carlos only nods.

Jay falls back a little once Fairy Godmother starts leading the way, "Just breathe for me," He whispers encouragingly, "it's gonna be okay. I'm not going to let anything happen." He pulls out his phone, smiling when he sees Mal up ahead with Evie doing the same thing.

Great minds do think alike.

Today was either a PR nightmare or hail mary depending on how the press involved decided to spin their stories. It wasn't the best feeling, but he had faith that his kingdom would see reason. If only because of the articles Deez had so painstakingly written.

He chews his lip. Four.

They could only bring over four more this summer. It wasn't nearly enough. Mal wasn't wrong. It would take years to get all the kids off the isle. There had to be a way to get more of them over quicker. Somehow. He just needed to find it.

But for now, he still wasn't sure what to do about which four to bring over next. Mal and Jay wanted to bring T over, but if what they said was true that would prove difficult. He didn't want to send Jay back to the isle but… If both of them were so convinced he wouldn't come without Jay going to collect him… He groans. He never wanted them to have to step foot in that place again. But with the circumstances being what they were.

He shakes his head before his thoughts could get too dark.

He wanted Deez here. But he knew there was no way she would come without the rest of her family. And he wouldn't want to do that to her again anyways. He lets out a low growl. Why was the council pushing this so hard? Were his people really this scared of children? It made something in his chest constrict. He knew that her writing would help their cause if he could just talk to her.

How were they supposed to pick just four?

Not that it mattered right now because they would have, unfortunately, a couple of months to think about it.

He blinks when he hears trumpets going off. A frown pulls at his lips in trepidation and he sighs before he picks it up. He smiles when he sees it's Mal.

We have to talk to our parents?

What the shit is this?

Oh no. His smile falls. How did- He blinks.

He vaguely remembered something about that when he'd first worked to draw up the agreement and acceptance letters to the families once he'd finalized which children would be in the first group to be brought over.

But now he was regretting it. They shouldn't have to talk to their parents if they didn't want to, and by her text, Mal didn't want to.

Damn it.

I'm on my way.

U don't have to do this.

None of you do.

Heading 2 video chat with OVs.

Might b sos?

David narrows his eyes as he reads over the text before he turns on Jay's tracker. What did he mean by video chat with those people? Why would anyone okay that? He shakes his head as he closes his laptop.

He was working on emails, unusual as it was for him to be the one writing them. But, these emails were important. He and Nani were reaching out to people Ben believed would be good families for the girls.

He'd continue his half of the list later. It was important, but so was getting to these kids and stopping this sure to be a catastrophe.

He bolts from his office and skids down the hall, grateful he'd stayed after Jay's declaration of needing to be the last to be adopted.

Keep Carlos breathing for me.

Already on it.

M is keeping E from getting sick.

And makeup-ing.

Of course u are.

B there asap brah.

Appreciate both of u.

Ty 4 understanding

NP. I got u.

Jay lets out a sigh of relief before he pulls Carlos tighter to his side, "David is coming."

"So is Ben," Mal frowns. "E, C, if you don't want to be here, you don't have to be."

Evie draws in a deep breath, "But you're both staying?"

Jay and Mal look at each other before they turn to her and nod.

"Yep." Mal sighs.

"Then I'm staying." Evie holds her chin up.

"Me too." Carlos nods, his voice softer than it had been in a long time, "But, can I stay in the back?" He bends to grab Dude and holds him to his chest.

Jay smiles as Dude whines before he licks Carlos's face in concern.

Mal reaches over and ruffles his hair, "Of course ya can. You and the little pup."

"Thanks."

"Me too?" Evie sighs as she bites her bottom lip

"Of course princess." Jay grins at her encouragingly.

Fairy Godmother takes a deep breath, pressing her hand to her chest before she opens the door to a small classroom, "Here you go. We wanted to make sure you had plenty of privacy."

The four nod as they file past her.

"Just hit the big button on the remote that's sitting on the desk there. Everything else should be set up. If not, I'm sure Carlos will know what to do." She smiles warmly, "It hasn't escaped my notice that you're quite the techie."

"Kay…" Mal takes a deep breath before leading the other three into the room. When she gets to the remote she picks it up hesitantly.

"Take your time, no need to start until you're all ready." Fairy Godmother blinks a few times, as if dust had flown into her eye, "And I'll just leave the door ajar then?"

"Yes." Mal nods absently before she looks up over Carlos's and Evie's heads to meet his gaze.

He nods as he maneuvers Evie and Carlos behind the two of them. They both cross their arms defiantly as they stared at the monitor in apprehension, Mal's shoulder bumping against him in their closeness.

He bites his lip, taking a deep breath before he tilts his chin up.

Her gulp for air was audible as she hits the button with a sigh.

The screen suddenly lights up grey.

"Seriously, I have no, and I mean no fucking idea what's wrong with it." A familiar voice grumbles.

Senior? His stomach drops. What the fuck was Senior doing with their parents? This wasn't good. What if they had summoned Deez as a favor and were going to threaten and torture her in front of them.

He swallows hard as his eyes meet Mal's equally confused gaze.

What the fuck was going on?

The grey on the screen shifts.

"Maybe it can only receive calls or something?" Another voice faintly chimes in.

Mal narrows her eyes, "What the actual fuck?"

Jay lets out a low growl. He better have misheard that voice.

"What's that? Hello?"

The screen shifts, the grey blurring for a moment before they find themselves staring at Hades.

"Really? This is what Auradon considered a special treat?" He purses his lips to the side and pffts.

Mal and Jay exchanged confused glances.

"Like you actually want to talk to those assholes? Am I right or am I right?" Hades laughs as he holds a hand up, "Just kidding, of course I'm right." He presses a hand to his chest, "God."

Jay turns as the door opens, sighing in relief as David and Ben join them.

"But wow," Hades rolls his eyes as he props his cheek into his palm, "what ah rip…"

What a fucking rip, AmIright?

We know you guys were hoping/expecting this scene.

*smirks*

Did we deliver?

What do you guys think is happening?

Who do you think was with senior?

And so concludes 'A Crack in the Mask'. We'll post an update once we release 'Cracks in the Mask'.

Till then, ja ne!

With much love and appreciation

-Twisted

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