Chapter Twenty Two
A/N: I do not own anything other than the OCs that come out and play. Everything else belongs to Disney.
Everyone doing okay? Hard to believe we're in August now-2020 only has four more months remaining. No one touch anything strange or open any caskets. We do *not* need anything happening-they found a squirrel with the bubonic plague in Colorado so believe me when I saw Don't cause 2020 to be any weirder than it already is.
Continue to be safe though-the world's not out of the woods when it comes to COVID. I don't think we will be for a long time.
Okay, that got dark real fast. Happier topics now, like how this is my...second...to...last..chapter? How? I swear it feels like I just started this story last week!
SaurusRock625: I would love to have Timon and Pumbaa comment too but I needed to winnow down the viewers from last time. I couldn't have another Family Day sized crowd.
AmethystDragon14: Oh I'm so glad-and I'll always appreciate your help! :D Yeah, that part was fun to write and I'd ask if you were okay if that wasn't my same reaction when writing the Bal...well everything.I love writing Emir and Akiho, I wish they could have had speaking parts in the movie!
61394: Yep, Kristoff crying over an ice palace and Akiho potentially crying over the guards not being there. It's not the first Jack Sparrow reference I've used and it probably won't be the last :D lol I think Ben will enjoy the knight scene for the same reason Mal'll be hiding Hadie's eyes. You too!
estherramsayaa22: Oh thank you! :D
manticore-gurl071134: Thank you! The dragon was my favorite part to write tbh! Honestly, I'm not sure either. Maybe it's explained in the books but I've never read them so I couldn't tell you.
Guest: Oh thank you! Yes, I will be doing D3 but first I'm doing another 'break' story (like Bridging the Gap).
twilightgirl587: Thank you! Yeah not much left! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Tracie: Thank you! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Ayakitten83: It was fun writing it too! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter-I'm looking forward to writing the Watching D3 story as well :D
DS Rider: ...I can't believe I have to say this but can we keep my reviews PG? I mean, you're likely not wrong but still.
Kaybugg1: Thank you! Yeah I wanted to give a small shout out to them, they're characters that don't get mentioned much in Descendants fanfics. Besides if Maurice was still alive in Descendants Ben would definitely have a good relationship with his grandfather.
TR Lara Croft: Oh thank you! Yeah I loved writing Mal turning into a dragon. As I've stated, the movies did not have enough Dragon Mal for my liking. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Neverland: *blinks* *blinks* has stopped working. I'm sorry Vidia's dating a dragon? Please, guys, please stop breaking my brain. It can only take so much!
Marripossa: Oh thank you! Yes, I will be doing a D3 watching but I tend to steer away from the books as a whole. I'll bring in elements (Hadie for example is only mentioned in books) but like plot points from the books probably won't be mentioned.
LOST MUSES: I'm so glad you like my story! I'll try to answer your questions: 1. After chatting with another reviewer I believe Belle and Beast (or just Beast) would have seized Cruella's business when she was sent to the Isle. Now that Ben's ruling it's possible Ben put that into a trust for Carlos to have. 2: There's nothing official in canon about the other VKs parents but my headcanon is that Jay's mom is Jacquline from OUAT (Jack and the Beanstalk), Evie's dad is Daniel from OUAT (yes I ship Regina/Daniel), Uma's dad is Dr. Facilier. 3: To be honest..I don't know. 4: No magic use from Leah, just bitterness. 5: Hmm, good question and one I haven't thought of. 6: No apologies necessary! :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Yeah but I needed the break chapter. I am planning on a Watching D3, but I'm also going to write another 'break' story like Bridging the Gap was first. Thank you!
Hufflepuffgirl95: Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it!
lilyflower101: Heh, I forgot Ben did that! :D
CrystalKaouri: Cotillion's not so bad from True Love's Kiss onward. Everything else is pretty bad though, I'll agree. I don't think Evie knew everything about what happened but it would have had to be something big. I'm so glad you liked the chapter and stay safe yourself!
Grace: Oh thank you!
AliceCullen3: Thank you!
Technobabble1: Oh thank you! It was a lot of fun to write too. I'm glad you're enjoying Persephone-I really like mixing the canon Disney gave us while incorporating the Greek Myths. As for the Auradon kids, I just like writing them as mouth pieces for my thoughts as I watch the movies. My roommate can tell you I've gone on rants about some of the stuff in the Descendants movies. Mainly to her. A non Descendants fan. I'm so glad to hear you like my stories. I'm not very familiar with the books, only that they exist, so to hear my OCs fit well within the world of Descendants means a lot. Thank you! :D
Buzzemz: Thank you! Hope I made the time limit you gave me! :D
Calvin Sloan: Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words and the support.
Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think!
As the group dispersed for the break, four rooms seemed to appear out of nowhere. If anyone looked closely, they would have seen a small trickle of magic from the end of the Blue Fairy's wand. Alas, no one actually did look closely so the rooms seemed to appear.
"How does this place always seem to know when we need a private room?" Persephone muttered to Hades, who shrugged. The Olympian contingent, sans Uma and Mal, had taken one of the rooms, Hades glaring at his brother.
"Can I help you?"
"Hades, be nice," Persephone warned. "Your brothers want a word, not a war. Even if I'm not incredibly fond of one of your brothers, we should still hear them out."
"I'll be as nice as he lets me," Hades grumbled. "You try to take over Olympus once and you get stuck on an Isle, barely able to access your powers while kids die all around you and only able to see your wife half the year."
Persephone sighed. "Dear, you didn't just try to take over Olympus. You technically did. Besides, I doubt your brothers are here to pick apart the past."
"Your wife is right, Hades," Zeus stated as Poseidon nodded, standing at Zeus' right side. "We noticed Mal's extraordinary transformation earlier."
"Um, grandfather? Uncle?" Macaria spoke up, looking at the adult Gods in slight confusion. "No offense but Mal was a dragon. You'd have to be blind not to notice."
Meg chuckled at her daughter's words. "She's got a point, Zeus. Maybe a different choice of words would have been appropriate."
"What I meant was it was an impressive transformation, especially for one's first time," Zeus stated, shaking his head slightly before turning back to Hades. "However, she'll need to learn to control it. That could be extremely advantageous for her in the future."
"Why?" Hades asked.
Zeus stared at Hades for a second. "Why…?"
"Why would that be advantageous for her?" Hades asked, his arms still crossed. "It seems to me, brother, that you're only thinking about what could be advantageous for Auradon. Mal is your niece, my daughter yet you're treating her like a weapon!"
"Hades, I would love to treat Mal like my niece, the same way I treat Elle and Melody. If only I'd known Mal was alive for the past sixteen years!"
"How long are you going to play that card?" Hades asked, his hands curling into fists. "You would have known if you'd just asked Persephone. You know, my wife? The person who lives on the Isle six months out of the year? She could have told you or directed you to the registry!"
Poseidon rubbed his temples, having chosen to stay out of the argument. He figured it was best, considering the future actions of his granddaughter. "And this is why the last extended family gathering we had was Hercules' birthday party," he muttered.
"Are they always like this?" Persephone asked, looking over at her brother in law. Sure Hades never really liked to talk about Zeus during their time together on the Isle but Persephone couldn't remember the last time the divine brothers had had a conversation before the Isle was formed. Hades preferred to stay in the Underworld while Zeus ruled from on high from Olympus.
"Well there was that brief period of time when Hades and I were in our father's stomach but other than that, yes. That's pretty much the relationship between Hades and Zeus."
"Hades," Meg spoke up, ending the bickering between the two Gods. A brave move considering both of them had access to their powers. If one looked closely, one would be able to see a bit of smoke coming from Hades' fists. "Mal will need to learn to control her powers. Unless you want to read a report about a giant fireball incinerating Auradon Prep? Or a dragon attacking Leah's castle?"
Hades sighed but the tension in the room seemed to die down a little. "Well played my little nut-Meg. Well played."
"I don't work for you anymore Hades. You don't get to call me that." Meg told him, glaring slightly.
Hades rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, I know. And how convenient for you that you're just so happened to be married to the son of a council member. Considering they threw every villain and sidekick on that Gods forsaken Isle. Guess you managed to throw the right curves at the council after all."
"Hades!" Persephone warned.
"I love Hercules!" Meg snapped. "You're not honestly suggesting I used my relationship with him and his father to keep off the Isle, are you?"
"If the sandal fits…"
"Alright, enough," Hercules spoke up, giving a small glare to his uncle and placing a hand on Meg's shoulder. "We're not here to talk about our past. Even though I would like to point out, uncle, that had it not been for your machinations I would have spent my whole life on Olympus."
"And you also wouldn't have met Meg or had your kids," Hades pointed out. "You're welcome."
Persephone sighed. "I hate it when he has a point," she muttered.
"Mom?" Hadie whispered, tugging gently on Persephone's sleeve causing her to look down at her son. "Is dad going to become a fireball again?"
Persephone bit her lip as she looked at the three Gods. Hades certainly seemed angry enough for a fireball to form. "It's not out of the realm of possibility, Hadie."
"Oh," Hadie said softly and was silent for a few minutes before speaking back up. "Can I go find Mal?"
Persephone frowned. Uma was out there, and while she hadn't committed the same acts as her on-screen counterpart, Persephone couldn't help but be a bit worried about Hadie interacting with her.
After all, as was pointed out, they had access to their powers. Despite Uma's lack of access to water, Hadie was still incredibly unfamiliar with his powers. He would need the same training Mal would get.
Still, her son was right. Mal should be there.
"Herkie?" Persephone said softly, catching the youngest son of Hercules' attention. If Hadie was going to go look for Mal, it wouldn't hurt to have another person along. Safety in numbers was something they learned quickly on the Isle.
"Yeah Aunt Persephone?" Herkie asked, walking over. Persephone couldn't help but feel a slight joy at the ease the kids seemed to have at accepting one another and her as family.
If only the adults could be as mature as the kids, she thought, glancing back at her husband and his brother briefly before focusing back to Herkie.
Persephone gave the young boy a small smile. "Would you go with Hadie to find Mal? We probably shouldn't be making a decision like this without her input," she said.
Herkie nodded. "Sure thing," he said before looking at Hadie. "Come on, Hadie. It might be a good idea if we left before lightning ends up striking. Mom and dad would probably send us out of the room if that happened anyway."
Hadie chuckled and the two boys quickly made their way out of the room. Once in the main room, Herkie looked at the three remaining doors after not seeing any sign of the familiar purple hair.
There were still plenty of people in the main room. Eugene and Rapunzel were surrounded by their brood while Aziz and Ashaki chuckled at something Aladdin had said.
"Which door do you think Mal's behind?" Hadie asked softly.
"I don't know," Herkie said and bit his lip. "Why not try…this one?"
He pointed to a door to his left and the two boys slipped inside. To their surprise, Mal was not in the room. However Chad and Emir were.
"Hey guys," Emir said, looking over Chad's shoulder. It was clear that they had just entered the room, or at least hadn't started their conversation; as neither boy seemed startled by the younger boys' appearing in their chosen room.
"We were looking for Mal," Hadie said, feeling a bit braver now that he was out of range of either his father or his uncle's powers. Again, he wasn't afraid of either of them but only a complete fool wouldn't fear the powers of the Gods. Hadie was many things but he was not a complete fool. "She wasn't in the main room."
"I think she's with Ben," Emir said. "Or at least that would be my best bet. If she's not with Evie, Jay and Carlos plotting Uma's demise, that is. We'd have heard if she transformed back into a dragon."
Herkie and Hadie nodded, turning out the door and leaving to look for Ben. Emir chuckled and turned back to Chad.
"So, what can I help you with Chad?" Emir asked. To his surprise, Chad didn't answer so much with words but with his fist. Granted, there were many things Chad Charming knew how to do that were expected of him as a prince. Throwing a punch was not one of them, seeing as Cinderella's son he'd been raised to have courage and be kind. At least, that's what Ben always said but no one really saw any proof of that. So even though he tried his hardest, Chad only grazed Emir's jaw.
"Feel better?" Emir asked, a little concerned. Chad wasn't the type to throw punches, preferring to act like a male version of Audrey and do his machinations from behind the scenes. His mother's teachings clearly did not stick upon Chad's arrival into teendom.
"Once you realize what you're putting Kitty through, I will be," Chad told him, waiving his fist to remove the sting from his knuckles.
"Putting Kitty through? Wait, what does Kitty have to do with this?" Emir asked. Though the punch made sense now. If there was one thing that would cause Chad to drop the poised prince persona, it would be to protect his sisters from any threat. Real or imagined.
Chad sighed. "You really don't see it? How she looks at you?"
"Dude, I don't mean to sound clueless but I really have no idea what you're talking about."
"Kitty has a crush on you," Chad said, his voice flat, and Emir froze.
"She what?"
"Yeah," Chad nodded. "She thought you were going to ask her to Cotillion. You know, when you got up and asked Emma instead break before last."
"Look Chad, Kitty's nice. A great friend but she's two years younger than us," Emir told him. "Not to mention, she's your little sister. She's Ashaki's age for Gods' sake! I truly had no idea and if I…I led her on or anything I am so sorry!"
"I'm not the one you should be telling that to," Chad said simply and Emir sighed.
"I know," he nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "But I am all the same."
Chad nodded and turned to leave. "Oh. Kitty never knew we had this conversation. She actually asked me not to talk to you. If you ever do clear things up with my sister, keep my name out of it."
"Of course," Emir told him but pulled Chad back into the room for a moment.
"Wha—"
Before Chad knew what was happening, Emir let his right fist fly across Chad's jaw. "You really thought I'd let you just punch me and not return the favor?"
"It may have crossed my mind," Chad said, rubbing his jaw. Unlike Kit, Aladdin had actually taught his son how to throw a punch so there would be a bruise on Chad's jaw.
"Yeah well…I also have been wanting to do that since your on-screen self's comment about getting the throne should something happen to Ben," Emir said, shaking his hand slightly. He may have known how to throw a punch but that didn't mean his hand didn't still sting.
"You know I haven't actually said that right?"
Emir shrugged. "Doesn't change the fact that I've wanted to. You're loyal to Ben, when it suits you. But you and I both know your heart belongs to Audrey. If she told you to jump, the only question you'd have is 'how high?'"
"Look Emir, I know you're Ben's best friend. But so am I," Chad told him. "Not to mention I've been his friend since we were infants. The day I betray Ben is the day I quit the team to join the cheerleaders. Not gonna happen."
"I don't know, Audrey might like the sight of you rocking some pompoms," Emir chuckled and the two of them walked out of the room to join their families in the main viewing area. "Besides, you did side with Leah at the Family Day fiasco. One might say—"
"I'm allowed to disagree with Ben, even though we're friends," Chad told him. "That's not what I meant by 'betraying Ben'."
Emir nodded, he knew what Chad had meant. Meanwhile, the subject of their conversation was in his own room; having what was probably the third most awkward conversation one could have with their parents.
"Ben, what were you thinking? Jumping into the water to stop a fight between Mal and Uma? One of whom had transformed into a giant octopus and the other into a dragon? You didn't know they'd be able to hear you or see you! Akiho and Emir raised an excellent point; what if Uma had held you hostage again? I know you wanted to make sure there was peace between Auradon and the Isle but you could have made that speech from the yacht!"
"So, I just want to get this straight," Ben said, resisting the urge to pinch his nose from frustration as his mother finished up her lecture. "I'm being lectured on my future actions that were done after coming out of the hypnosis of a girl who will never escape the Isle anyway now because of us watching this?"
"Well when you put it like that, we sound totally insane," Adam/Beast chuckled.
Belle sighed. "Ben, I know it won't happen. But you saw Mal's face during that scene. My heart broke for her, both the on screen her and the Mal that was in the room with us. And that comment…Benjamin Florian La Bête, I know I raised you better than that. Spelled or not, it shouldn't have even been something in your head!"
Ben nodded, not wanting to say a word. It was rare for his mom to trot out the full name but when she did, it was better to just sit and take the lecture than try to argue.
The last time she went 'full name', he was five. Granted it was an accident and Chip shouldn't have had an open can of soda so close to his laptop the day before his paper was due but Ben shouldn't have been in Chip's room either. It was lucky that the then fourteen year old had everything saved on a flash drive and was able to finish the paper on Beast's computer.
The laptop, though, was completely ruined. Let's just say Ben spent the next few months earning the pocket money to pay his parents back after they bought Chip a new one. Did that stink? Yeah. But it was fair.
"Not only that, but Ben, you're clearly overworked. I know you're king but you're also sixteen. Your main worry should be homework and sports and having fun with your friends," Belle said, pulling Ben out of his thoughts and back to the conversation at hand. Clearly his mom had gone on a tangent, part of which Ben had missed in his woolgathering.
"And your girlfriend," Adam/Beast added. "Audrey may have been a political match, but we do like Mal. She's good for you; and apparently falling in love with non royals is a family tradition."
"It's not like you had much choice dear," Belle teased. "I believe you once said it was between me and a teapot?"
"Uh, yes but we're getting off topic."
Ben chuckled at his dad's attempt to steer the conversation away from his joke from six months ago.
Belle smiled softly as she heard Ben's chuckles before shaking her head gently. "Ben, I really think you should consider Fairy Godmother's offer to graduate early."
"Mom, I said I would," Ben said and then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, I'll miss being a student but I have the credits and the grades to do so. It just makes sense. Besides, as Mal said, it'll take some of the stress off the teachers; not having to worry about possibly failing the king."
Belle sighed and nodded. "I know Ben. Trust me, I wish you could still be a student and be king. But, as this viewing showed us, that's a lot of stress to put on someone."
"At least you're not telling me to break up with Mal," Ben joked but it was weak.
"Why would we do that?" Beast asked, tilting his head. "As I said son, we like Mal. She's good for you and you her. Not to mention, it'd be hard to advocate you breaking up with your True Love."
Ben couldn't help but smile at the thought of being Mal's True Love. He had known though, or at least suspected, Mal had a love for him since the first viewing. Even if she hadn't said it out loud. The scene where Mal had made the anti-love spell brownie to remove the love spell she'd placed on him, where she had been moved to tears…Ben couldn't help but suspect that to be an act of True Love.
After all, the love spell had required a tear of human sadness—Mal, as half Fairy and half God, would probably not count. But she could have kept the spell on him. Mal didn't know about the Enchanted Lake, she could have gone on without the knowledge that Ben knew he'd been spelled. But she didn't.
That one act, sacrificing her happiness so that Ben wouldn't be spelled anymore…what could have been more of an act of True Love than that? As Queen Anna had proven, an act of True Love didn't have to be a kiss.
You know, I wonder what Mal did with that brownie after the last viewing? Ben thought. Since she already probably had it made, she might have thrown it out. Be a waste but what else could you use an anti love spell brownie for?
"Son?" Adam/Beast asked and Ben flushed a little at being caught in thought.
"Sorry, lost in thought I guess," Ben said.
Adam/Beast chuckled. He had a suspicion as to what Ben was thinking about but he would keep quiet for now. "We should probably go back to the main room before our lack of presence is noted."
"Good idea," Belle nodded. "Ben, I want to meet with you though after all this. I want to help figure out what exactly has been going on with the food that we've been sending to the Isle."
"Mom, you're supposed to be enjoying your retirement," Ben said. "I can't ask you to—"
"Ben, I want to," Belle said gently. "Besides, there are only so many books I can read before I'm in danger of reading every book in the library."
"I think you've done that already dear," Adam/Beast spoke up. "At least, according to Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth. The last time we got a new shipment of books for the library was when you were pregnant with Ben."
"That doesn't seem right," Belle frowned. "I could have sworn…"
"Trust me Belle," Adam/Beast chuckled. "I think you read the copy of Romeo and Juliet you ordered so many times, the spine broke. To say nothing of the damage you did on your copy of Pride and Prejudice. I think we actually had to order two copies due to how often you read it."
Belle shook her head before turning back to her son. "Well anyway, Ben, I'm happy to help. But regardless I want you to promise me you'll take a break soon. Your father and I were rulers for twenty years, we know how stressful the job can get. You'll burn out if you don't take breaks."
"I know mom," Ben said gently. "I was actually going to go and visit with Granddad after Cotillion. Maybe introduce him to Mal?"
"I think he'd like that," Belle said with a smile. "I don't recall, did my father ever meet Audrey?"
"No," Ben said and shook his head. "I had wanted to before the VK initiative took place but our schedules didn't allow for it."
"Well, now they will," Belle said with a small smile. "I'd call first; knowing my father, he's hard at work on another invention. You know he tried to motorize your crib? Well granted he also tried making your crib."
"Really?"
"We decided to go store bought after the test sent the melon he was using as the baby flying out the window," Adam/Beast stated. "Geppetto did a great job on it and there wasn't a risk of you getting tossed out the window."
Ben chuckled. "I'm sure Granddad would have fixed the bugs before I would have used it."
Belle and Adam/Beast looked at each other fondly. "Possibly," Belle said. "But we didn't want there to be a risk.
"Now, I believe we were going to rejoin the others before we went on a trip down memory lane?" Adam/Beast prompted and Ben nodded.
"We can discuss a good time for me to come over to help with the investigation later," Belle promised.
"Yes mom," Ben nodded and the three royals made their way back to the main room; two side rooms still remaining. Ben couldn't help but smile as Hadie walked up to him. Mal's brother usually meant Mal was close behind.
"Hey Ben!" The little God said with a small smile. "Is Mal with you?"
Ben shook his head, the smile fading a little. "No. I would have thought she'd be with you," he said, keeping his voice down a little as Uma was within possible earshot.
"Nope," Hadie said. "The Olympus group is in one of the rooms discussing Mal turning into a dragon. Mom figured it might be a good idea if Mal was involved in the conversation."
Ben nodded; that would make sense. He knew that if he was in Mal's shoes, he'd want to be involved in that conversation too.
"Well, there's only one room she could be in if she's not in the main room or with your mom," he told Hadie and gestured to the one remaining room available.
"Oh." Hadie frowned as he and Ben walked toward the room. "We didn't think to check there."
Ben gave the smaller boy a smile as the two of them walked into the remaining room; Herkie opting to wait outside now that Ben was there. Ben couldn't help but smile upon seeing Mal in the room—even if he did have to wonder why she was there by herself.
"Mali!" Hadie exclaimed and ran to his sister.
"Hadie, you just saw me," Mal chuckled but had to let out a grunt as the younger boy wrapped his arms around Mal's waist. "Hadie. Choking. Not breathing."
"Okay Hadie, let her breathe," Ben advised, though he couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face as he saw the siblings interact.
"Oh, sorry," Hadie said as he broke the hug. "I just…after what happened on screen, I…"
"I get it," Mal said softly before ruffling Hadie's hair, earning a small squawk of annoyance from the younger boy. "So, what's up? Or did you come just to cut off my air supply?"
"Mom wants you," Hadie said with a smile. "Uncle Zeus, Uncle Poseidon and dad are all having a conversation and mom thinks you might want to be a part of it."
"I'm guessing the conversation involves me in someway?"
"You'd be right."
Mal chuckled. "Why am I not surprised? Well, come on Hadie. Let's see what Olympus wants with me."
Pausing as she reached Ben, Mal bit her lip. After what was just revealed, they should probably talk. But only an insane person would keep a God waiting, never mind multiple Gods.
"Go on," Ben said gently. "We can talk later."
Mal nodded and gave him a small smile before walking out with Hadie. Gathering Herkie, the three of them made their way back to the first room.
"Hey Steph," Mal said softly, as the three male Gods continued their argument. Well more like Hades and Zeus continued to argue while Poseidon stood to the side.
"Hello Mal," Persephone smiled at seeing her daughter. The title might have been 'step-daughter' to everyone else but Mal was her's in every way that counted.
"So, what are they arguing about this time?" Mal asked, smirking a little.
Persephone sighed. "Zeus feels you should be trained on your dragon transformation and God like powers. Your father agrees with the sentiment but feels that, because your uncle is on the council, that he sees you as a weapon for Auradon."
Mal rolled her eyes. Macaria, Hyllus and Herkie were the only family members she had from the Olympus branch in her mind. And honestly that was less because Mal felt like being nice and more because they went to school with her. Zeus and the rest of the Olympians were a little too little too late for wanting to include Mal on the family tree.
"How long have they been at this?"
"Oh about fifteen minutes or so," Persephone sighed. "I tell myself that at some point they'll run out of steam but they just never do."
Mal sighed. "I'll handle it," she said.
"Mal—"
Whatever the words Persephone was going to say died on her lips as Mal walked toward the arguing Gods. The young woman stood there for a second, her arms crossed, before clearing her throat.
"If we're done making decisions about my life?" Mal said, causing Zeus and Hades to look at her.
"Mal? When did you—"
"Hadie and Herkie got me," Mal said. "Figures the youngest people in the room would be the smartest. Did you honestly think it would be a good idea to make a decision about where I'd train without me in the room?"
Mal sighed. "For the record, I was going to accept the offer. It makes sense; you guys are Gods after all. Plus I think Olympus could withstand the damage better than Auradon Prep could if something went wrong. But not if you all are going to make decisions that affect me and not loop me in. I'd rather have Fairy Godmother train me in that case even if Auradon Prep got a lot of property damage."
"Compromise?" Hercules spoke up. "Phil's island is rather remote in the grand scheme of things and no one lives there. Other than some goats and Phil so you wouldn't have to worry about damaging anything."
Mal stared for a second. This couldn't be Hercules. The brainless boy wonder from her father's history. He of all people detested Hades; it was why Mal had kept him away from Hadie when Hadie arrived during the last viewing.
"I'll think about it," Mal said after a minute. "I can't promise anything else."
"We should head back out," Persephone said, walking up and taking Hades' hand and preventing any response from Hercules. "We wouldn't want to hold up the viewing. It looks like there's only a bit more."
"You say that now," Mal said. "Knowing our luck, there'll be something that happens somewhere down the line that causes another viewing."
"Mal, leave the future seeing to the Fates," Macaria chuckled and Mal rolled her eyes but chuckled. The Olympians all made their way back to the main room and Mal found her way back to her seat with her friends. Though Mal quickly found that there were more people than had been there before the break.
"Okay, did I miss a memo? Are we the popular section again?"
Emir chuckled. "I realized that, even though they've been commenting up a storm, you guys haven't officially met my siblings."
"Mine either," Lonnie chuckled.
"Well you told us about your brother," Mal pointed out. "Emir, though, was keeping his a secret."
Emir rolled his eyes. "Jay knew about my sister at least, from when he visited Agrabah over the holidays. Aziz was off doing…what were you doing?"
"Diplomatic meeting between Charmington and Agrabah," Aziz said. "Re-negotiating the trade agreement since it was coming up."
"Well I'm falling asleep just hearing that," Carlos chuckled.
"Try listening about it in detail," Ashaki said, shaking her head.
Emir chuckled before turning to Ben. "Congratulations by the way. Not that anyone's really surprised."
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Mama Odie could see you guys were meant to be," Akiho chuckled.
Ben shook his head but smiled all the same. "Thanks guys."
Before anyone could say anything else, the Blue Fairy spoke up. "I realize that you are all eager to discuss new developments or revelations that were brought up from the last scenes but the viewing is not quite over. Do not fret, you'll be able to discuss what you need to at a later date."
"I'm guessing that means we'll remember this once it's over," Jane said softly.
"Well I mean, we still remember the other viewing so why wouldn't we remember this one?" Mal asked and Jane shrugged.
"Are we ready to continue?" The Blue Fairy asked as everyone retook their seats.
"We are, Blue Fairy," Ben nodded, grabbing Mal's hand and lacing his fingers through hers.