Chapter Nineteen
A/N: I do not own anything with the exception of my OCs. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Thank you all so much for the continued support! How in the world are we already at nineteen chapters? It feels like just yesterday I was writing the first chapter!
As always, special thanks to AmethystDragon14. Seriously, you keep providing plot cheese to the hamster in my brain who controls all things Choosing Family and we'll be in hog heaven! :D
Hope you all enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think! :D
Mal walked down the streets of the Isle a couple of months after the makeshift birthday party, Estelle's leash firmly in hand. It was a nice day, or at least as nice a day they got on the Isle. The cloud cover didn't seem as bad at the very least. Mal couldn't help but smile as people seemed to scurry out of her way. Sure she got a few odd looks but no one said anything. No one was insane enough to question the daughter of Maleficent walking down the street with a Cerberus.
"Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Okay scratch that. There was one person who was insane enough. Unfortunately, they were also the other pain in Mal's side.
Ugh, Blueberry can at least be intimidated into going away. Frollo's just a pest, Mal thought as Fred Frollo walked toward her. The nine year old strolled over to Mal, the purple haired girl glaring at him.
"Aww, does poor widdle Mally need a guard dog to protect her from the scary Isle?" Frollo taunted.
"Baby talk Freddy?" Mal shot back as Estelle looked at her in slight confusion before looking back at Frollo. "Seems beneath you."
Frollo scoffed. "What's with the dog anyway? Didn't strike you for the type to have a dog, witch. Thought your kind went more for crows and toads."
Mal glared at him. "He's my puppy. I got him because of a little princess' birthday just like every other kid on the Isle who got a pet. You got a problem with that Frollo?"
Frollo rolled his eyes. "Nobody likes a liar Mal. I have it on good authority that you weren't at Evie's party."
"Never said I got my dog at Blueberry's party," Mal told him, rolling her eyes a little. "I said I got him because of the party. You need to get your nose out of that bible and listen better."
Frollo glared. "You keep hanging around that heretic Hades and there'll be trouble Mal. He can't keep claiming to be a false God forever."
"Hey!" Harry and Jay exclaimed as they turned the corner to see the confrontation, Uma trailing behind them. To a casual observer, one would think Uma just didn't care but Mal knew better. Uma knew her cousin could handle herself against Frollo.
"Looks like your little crew is here," Frollo smirked as he slipped into the shadows, Estelle letting out a low growl as Harry and Jay reached Mal.
"You okay Mal?" Jay asked.
"Yeah," Mal nodded. "Freddy boy was just being a pest is all."
"Mal, I have to say I don't like the way he stares at you sometimes," Harry said, crossing his arms. "It's just creepy. Like he's planning something."
Mal rolled her eyes. "What do you expect? His father nearly burned down all of Paris because he got told no. Of course Freddy boy would have a creepy stare."
Harry and Jay still seemed unsure, staring in the direction that Frollo had gone as if the older boy was going to reappear. Uma, who had caught up to the group, shook her head.
"Boys, Freddy boy has hated me the minute he found out I existed," Mal said with a sigh. "He's just a pest. You two are acting like he's going to become like his father and hunt me down like Esmerelda. Chill, will you?"
"Mal, he may be a pest but he's a pest that stares at you," Harry told her. "It's just creepy."
"Yeah, we'll 'chill' when he does," Jay nodded.
Mal looked over at Uma and both girls shared an exasperated look as the boys continued to glare in Frollo's direction.
"Guys, unless he wants six sets of teeth in his hands, he won't do anything even when I'm alone. Now calm down," Mal told them.
"Mal, like you said, the guy's day once burned down all of Paris because Esmeralda wouldn't have a relationship with him. Do you really think Freddy boy would be discouraged by Estelle?" Harry asked.
"Who wouldn't be discouraged by Estelle?"
"The son of the guy who once sang, and I quote, 'choose me or the pyre'?"
"Look, Mal, all we're saying is don't lower your guard around him," Jay interjected.
"When have I ever lowered my guard around Freddy?" Mal asked. "Really guys, you're panicking over nothing."
"We're not 'panicking' Mal," Harry told her. "If we could predict what Freddy would do next, we'd brush him off like the pest he is but he's unpredictable. You never know when he'll pop up."
Mal sighed and shook her head once more.
"Guys, seriously, it's fine. If Freddy tries anything, he'd be met with three mouths filled with sharp fangs and a fireball sent his way. So relax, would you?" Mal told them. Ever since she turned six, her dad had been helping her tap into her God powers. He told her that, even with the barrier, it was a good idea to at least try to control her powers. That way, if she ever found her way past the barrier, her powers wouldn't go haywire.
There wasn't much she could do due to the barrier but she could manage a small fireball in the palm of her hand. Small enough that it wouldn't kill anyone but fire would still do some damage.
Harry and Jay looked at each other once more while Uma rolled her eyes.
"Back me up here Uma!"
"Sorry Mal, I'm on the boys' side here," Uma said. "Freddy boy's creepy. A'int no lie about it, and for some reason he seems to dislike you in particular."
"He doesn't like anyone other than his 'angels'," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes at the name for the rest of Frollo's gang.
"Even still, be careful Mal," Uma told her. "You won't have Estelle with you when you go to school and Jay can't be everywhere since Harry and I go to a different school than you guys."
"If I promise I'll be on my guard, will you three relax?" Mal asked with a sigh.
"A little."
"Okay, then I promise I'll be on guard around Freddy boy." Mal said with a small eye roll.
"Good."
"You three are insane," Mal said with a sigh as she shook her head.
"The word I believe you're looking for is 'protective', co-cap'n." Harry said. "I mean, the French fanatic made Estelle growl and we've never heard him growl before!"
"Yeah Mal, if Estelle doesn't like Freddy boy then he's definitely bad news," Jay nodded.
"What, just because Freddy boy stares at me? One good smoke bomb and *poof* I'm gone before he can say 'witchcraft'," Mal said as she shook her head. "Seriously guys, I'm alright. Besides, the training book Steph got me said dogs know when their owners don't like people. Estelle probably growled because he saw how I reacted to Freddy. "
"Okay. Just remember what we said."
"Yeah, yeah," Mal said with an eye roll.
"Okay, now that that's been addressed," Uma said. "Anyone want to go pelt smoke bombs at Blueberry? She just got all the residue off from the last barrage we sent her way."
Mal chuckled. "Sounds perfect," she said with a smirk. The two cousins grinned at each other and Jay shook his head.
"Do we even have smoke bombs remaining from the last time you two pelted Blueberry with them?"
"Jay, Jay, Jay, oh ye of little faith."
"We always have smoke bombs at the ready to pelt at Blueberry, hidden all over the Isle so we can be ready at a moment's notice."
"Watch and learn."
Mal turned and started to dig in one of the nearby crates.
"Ah ha!" Mal grinned as she pulled out three smoke bombs. "Colors are unknown but that makes it more fun!"
"Let's go," Uma said with a smirk as they got into position, laying in wait for Evie to appear. Harry sat off to the side in amusement since he didn't have a smoke bomb. Plus someone had to make sure Estelle didn't run off. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, his crew would never change—and that was just the way he liked it.
"Target sighted," Mal muttered after about half an hour of waiting, catching sight of Evie.
"Aim."
"Fire!"
The sounds of Evie's shrieks was music to Mal's ears as she and Uma cackled in glee. The princess' hair and skin was now covered in purple, red and yellow residue.
"Nice shot girls," Harry said as Evie ran off, presumably to try to get the residue off before she had to go see her mother. The best part about the smoke bomb colors? No one but the crew knew what they meant so there wasn't anyway to tie it back to Harry, Mal, Jay or Uma unless Evie saw them fire the smoke bomb at her.
"Thank you Harry," Mal said with a smirk.
"Blueberry's going to have a hard time getting that residue off," Uma said, a smirk gracing her face as well.
Mal got up from her spot and took Estelle's leash from Harry; Estelle giving her his usual doggy grin.
"Good boy," Mal said softly before looking at the crew. "So what now?"
Uma shrugged. "Not sure. Not really a lot to do on the Isle after all."
"We could go down to the docks, maybe swipe some stuff?" Jay offered. "Or we could go to Radcliff's place. He usually has some nicer stuff to swipe."
"Docks are good," Mal said. "Last thing we'd want is for Radcliff to catch us looting his place. He might tell Maleficent or Jafar."
"Let's go then," Uma said. "Is there anything we need?"
"Not that I can think of." Mal said. "Pillows for the bed in the clubhouse would be nice but I don't really trust any pillows that came from the docks. Let's just see what we can get."
"Sounds like a plan!" Uma said, smirking and the five of them strutted off to the docks to see what they could score. Meanwhile, back in the Underworld, Persephone curled up in bed. For the past couple of weeks, she had had these waves of never ending nausea that she just couldn't understand where it was coming from.
There wasn't a virus on the Isle, at least not that she'd heard.
"Steph?" Hades asked, his voice soft as he looked in from the doorway. "Are you feeling alright dear?"
Persephone sighed and sat up a bit. "A bit better than yesterday but still not one hundred percent. I wish I knew…"
"You have been active throughout the Isle," Hades said. "Maybe it's just a bug?"
"It's possible," Persephone said slowly as she tried to think of what else could be affecting her. "But what bug could affect a God Hades?"
Hades shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll let you get some rest though—Virgil said he found a drink from Boreadon that might sit well on your stomach. He was saving them for Mal but with you not feeling well…"
Persephone gave her husband a small smile. "Tell him that's very sweet but he doesn't have to give up his present for Mal. I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow."
"If you're not, I'll see if I can get one of those drinks from him," Hades said before he came over and kissed the top of her head.
"Hades, don't," Persephone said softly. "What if you catch whatever I have?"
"Then I'll finally be able to cuddle my wife," Hades said with a small chuckle. "I'll let you rest."
Hades left and Persephone sighed. Ever since she got back, Hades had been extremely attentive. Not that she was complaining mind you. She loved the attention she was getting from her husband. It was the same amount she got the first month or so she was back on the Isle.
Getting up to use the bathroom, Persephone paused as she knocked over some of her toiletries. She'd been a little clumsy lately, though it was probably due to the nausea. Though she'd also been feeling a bit bloated so that could be the culprit too….
Wait a minute, Persephone thought as she stood up. Nausea, clumsiness, bloating…oh I may be wrong but if I'm right, I need to talk to Eileithyia.
Reaching out with the mind link was no issue for Persephone. The only concern would be if her fellow Goddess would pick up. It had been so long since they communicated this way, despite the fact that every God or Goddess could do it.
Persephone?
Oh thank Zeus! Eileithyia, you picked up!
Of course I did, Persephone! It's rare that you reach out when you're on the Isle. Is something the matter? Is someone pregnant?
Persephone sighed and took a moment before answering. Saying it out loud, even in the mind link, would almost be like speaking it into existence. Was she ready for the possibility of a pregnancy? It was hard enough leaving Mal every six months, could she do that to another kid?
Persephone?
Oh, yes I apologize Eileithyia. I got lost in thought.
Quite alright but you never answered my question. Is someone with child on the Isle and in need of my services?
Eileithyia, can you keep a secret?
Of course!
I believe I'm with child.
Eileithyia's response was slow but that was to be expected. After all, to the Gods of Olympus, this would be Hades' first child. A child of the Big Three born on the Isle? Such a thing was unheard of!
Though Persephone knew the truth, that this would be the second child of Hades born on the Isle. When she had gone to Zeus for help getting Mal back from Maleficent all those years ago, though, she hadn't told him that. Persephone knew how Hades felt about Zeus and knew her husband would want his brother to have as little information about Mal as possible. So Persephone had played it as if Mal was Pain's daughter.
The purple tied in well and Hades still cared for his minions, even if he called them morons most of the time.
Persephone had been ready to reveal the truth right then and there when Zeus said simply that it was Hades' karma coming home to roost.
Persphone?
Eileithyia? You're still there?
Yes I am. I apologize, your news startled me. Do you have any way of confirming whether or not you're with child?
I'm on the Isle Eileithyia. They're lucky to have babes survive to reach one year. Most of the time, pregnancies are a surprise.
I see. Hold on one moment Persephone. I need to talk to Zeus for a second.
That wasn't good. The last thing Persephone wanted was for the other Gods to know before it was even confirmed.
Persephone, go to the portal.
Why?
I'm sending you a way to confirm that you're with child. Don't worry, only Zeus knows and for once he's agreed to keep it a secret until it's confirmed.
But—
We want to know if a child of Hades is to be expected Persephone. Zeus may still harbor negative emotions toward Hades for kidnapping Hercules and the attempted take over of Olympus but the child is innocent in all this.
Wait, the portal can be used after the six month mark?
I know you haven't confirmed it but you must have what the mortals call pregnancy brain. No, the portal remains closed when not on your arrival or departure date. Zeus, as a favor to his unborn niece or nephew, is allowing it to be opened for a brief time so that I can get this test to you.
Persephone sighed and quickly made her way to the portal room. Thankfully, there was no one in the hall—Virgil was in the den, Mal was out with her friends, Pain and Panic were hiding from Hades and Hades was in the kitchen preparing something for dinner. Slipping into the portal room, Persephone frowned when she saw a plain cardboard box like the ones the mortals used.
Did you receive it?
Yes but Eileithyia, there must be a mistake. This looks like a mortal test.
There's no mistake. We Gods have tried to modernize and keep with the times. Believe it or not the mortal's way of confirming they're with child is much more accurate than ours. I'll mute the link so you can take it and then I'll check back in.
Persephone nodded and made her way back to the bathroom. In her revelation, she had forgotten to do the thing that she wanted to do in the first place! Taking the test out of the box and reading the instructions, Persephone had to shake her head. How in Hera's name was this supposed to be easier than the old way?
The old way didn't run the risk of you peeing on your hand!
But being squeamish didn't get you anywhere on the Isle and it wouldn't get Persephone anywhere here either. There was no choice but to grit her teeth and do it.
One empty bladder later, Persephone set the test on the counter and sighed as she waited. Thankfully the Gods had made some improvements on the mortals' test and the result showed instantly.
Well? Eileithyia's voice sounded in her brain. What is it?
Persephone looked at the stick in slight trepidation. She wasn't sure what she wanted—a child of her own with Hades would be wonderful but she already had that with Mal. Still…another child running around the Underworld, watching Hades play with his younger son or daughter, Mal being able to be a big sister…
Persephone?
Sorry Eileithyia. That's the second time you caught me lost in thought!
I don't blame you, this is a momentous occasion but we still need to know the results.
Yes, yes of course.
Persephone shook her head and looked once more at the stick. Two bright blue lightning bolts stared back at her. Persephone couldn't believe it—she was pregnant!
Well?
We were right, Persephone responded with a small smile as she gently grabbed the test to show Hades. Well, at least Hades would be able to get his wish. Pregnancy wasn't contagious after all.