I'm onto chapter 19 of the sequel and I'm on a roll at the moment as we're approaching the end of the first story. I hope everyone likes this Chapter because it's got one of my favorite moments.

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Villiangirl: As usual your reviews make me smile so much, I feel like in this he's much more guarded, like Mal was originally, though he's more willing to acknowledge how he feels he's still not ready to just admit it so easily, whereas this Mal's a lot more open because or her parents influence.

Together Mal and Ben made it up to where Belle and Adam were waiting, and Ben released Mal's hand once they did, Ben
bowing to the two royals as Mal smiled brightly at her parents, neither of whom were wearing their crowns.

"You look beautiful, Mal." Adam's voice was thick with emotions, "My baby girl all grown up." he reached out, grabbing Mal's hands gently, "My beautiful little girl. You've done so well." he nodded at Ben, "You'll be a wonderful Queen."

"Your father is right, you already have the makings of a good Queen today just makes it official." Belle's voice was soft and filled with pride. "Never stop doing what you believe is right. You were right about your friends from the Isle, you'll be right about whatever else might come. Just follow your heart."

"I will." Mal nodded, "I promise I'll make you both proud."

"You already have." Adam pulled Mal in and kissed the top of her head, "Never forget who you are."

"I won't." Mal nodded, and she watched her parents grab each others hands and walk away, to head inside undoubtedly.

"Good luck." Ben's voice was soft as the purple haired girl turned her head to look at him, "Not that you need it." and then he was being led away by one of the footmen and she took a slow deep breath before turning to face the arched entrance of the Cathedral, the footmen clad in gold waiting at the top for her.

She let out a shaky breath, grabbing the skirt of her dress and lifting it slightly as she made her way to the top of the steps, taking her time with each step.

Once she reached the top she let go of the steps and headed through the arched doorway that led into the entrance hall, making her way across the blue carpet towards the wide double door, and a two footmen, one either side pushed the doors open as she approached, walking through them slowly, her eyes focusing on her mother and father, who stood from where they were seated by the Wand. Mal could feel everyone's eyes on her, as she clasped her hands together in front of her, head held high, the guests either side of the walkway bowing slow as she passed them almost like a wave and the choir sung.
She let out a shaky breath as she advanced towards them and Jennifer approached from the other direction, moving to the plinth next to the one holding the wand to carefully lift the beautiful crown that would soon be hers, the sapphires glinting as she did.

She glanced to the side, smiling at Ben, who was stood at the front of the crowds watching her, and she took a deep breath as she reached the steps that led up to the dais, carefully gripping the skirt of her dress as she slowly got down onto her knees, the choir fading into silence as Mal held her head high and Jennifer moved forward, standing in front of Mal and carefully lowering the crown onto her purple curls.

It was a slightly heavy weight-her mother had always said that, the crowns were heavy to remind them of their responsibilities to Auradon. They shouldn't feel light because the responsibilities of the rulers weren't light.

She let out a breath, her eyes following the Fairy Godmother as she moved around to the wand, Adam removing the glass case and Belle carefully picking up the wand and handing it to Jennifer-and Mal had to resist the urge to turn her head and see what Ben and the others were doing. She had to have faith in them.

And then Jennifer was in front of her, the wand laying flat in her hands. "Do you solemnly swear to govern the peoples of Auradon with justice and mercy as long as you shall reign?"

Mal took a deep breath, "I do solemnly swear." Mal's voice was loud in the hushed quiet of the Cathedral, and Jennifer gave a proud little smile.

"Then it is my honor and my joy to bless our new Queen-" As she spoke Jennifer used the wand to tap Mal's shoulders gently, and then Mal heard a familiar shriek and her head turned in time for her to see Audrey lunging and trying to grab Leah's arm, and the woman rushing at Jennifer.

Mal didn't have time to react as Leah shoved her hard, sending her toppling sideways, Mal only just managing to reach up and press a hand to the crown on her head to stop it from flying off as she snatched the wand from Jennifer's hand.

"Grammy what are you doing?" Audrey's voice was frantic.

"I'm showing everyone what that monster is!" and the wand was sparking as Leah span and pointed it at Mal, "I won't let that monsters daughter become our Queen!" but Leah couldn't hold the wand still as it sparked, and a beam of light burst from it.
It would have hit Mal, but Ben was sprinting towards her, grabbing her and dropping and rolling them both out of the way, Mal crying out in shock as Ben rolled off her. "Are you okay?"

"I-yeah I am." Mal lifted her head, people were screaming as Leah struggled with the wand, which was sparking dangerously, and Mal scrambled to her feet. "Leah give me the wand!"

"No!" Leah snarled, "You're not one of us you don't belong here! You're bringing more freaks like yourself here and I won't allow it." she swung the wand towards Mal, who let out a gasp as sparks shot out, burning her arm when she covered her face with it.

"Leah please!" That was Jennifer, her voice frantic, "You must stop this! You can't control the wand!"

"I won't stop! Not until that monsters daughter's gone!"

And Leah was still swinging the wand around, and no one could get close enough to get it without getting hurt, as Mal had learned.

Then Mal felt Ben's hand on her shoulder and she heard him whispering into her ear.

"Distract her."

And Mal felt her heart pounding in her chest as she turned her head and met Ben's eyes, then he was moving, rushing around to the side and Mal swallowed hard before bursting into action, rushing towards Leah, wincing when more sparks burst from the wand.

"Leah stop! Please Leah please!" she lunged forward, which made Leah jerk backwards, arm flailing backwards wildly-right towards Ben, who lunged for it and snatched it from Leah's grasp, leaping to the side as guards rushed forward to grab the screaming woman and drag her backwards away from Mal.

But Mal only had eyes for Ben, who was gripping the wand tightly. She swallowed hard. He hadn't gone for it before, hadn't even tried to. But would he stay strong now that he had it his grip? She could hear murmurs and whispers breaking out around them but she didn't look away from Ben, stepping forward slowly as he stared at the wand in his hand.

"Ben." she didn't care that everyone could hear, she ignored her mother and father's confused gasps and whispers as she stepped closer again, eyes flicking up to the balcony, where the other Isle kids looked frozen. And she knew they'd go with Ben's choice. Evie had told her as much. "Ben I- It's time to choose."

And then Ben was moving, surging forward, and the wand was being pressed into Mal's hand, Ben's hand gripping hers with the wand in both of their hands, but she didn't have much time to consider that because his free hand was cupping Mal's cheek and his lips were on hers.

And for just a moment time stood still, the world almost seemed to stop turning as Ben kissed her. His lips were soft and warm, and he tasted faintly of chocolate-he had a sweet tooth she knew, he'd probably had some before coming to meet her.
Then the moment ended and Ben pulled back slightly, and Mal could hear Evie, Jay and Carlos cheering loudly, though she didn't look, she couldn't look away from Ben's gaze.

"I choose Auradon." his voice was soft, "I choose you Mal."

And Mal was smiling brightly at Ben, her attention drawn away from him by Jennifer's voice.

"Oh my goodness... I hate to break up such a lovely moment but.. the wand please?"

"Oh, right." Mal laughed softly. "Sorry Fairy Godmother." she smiled as Ben pulled back, releasing his grip on the wand without any hesitation, leaving it in Mal's hand.

"Oh don't apologize dear." the woman smiled reassuringly.

"Are you okay." Belle's voice was shaky, "Mal, sweetie are you okay.. what just happened I don't think.. why did you call Braeden Ben?"

"That's a long story." Mal let out a soft laugh.

"It's his preferred name." and the Isle kids must have rushed down from the balcony because Evie, Jay and Carlos were rushing up the aisle to join them, Jay was the one who'd spoke, "Always has been."

"Are you guys okay?" Evie's voice was slightly panicked, "It looked like you guys were going to get hurt!"

And then Audrey was moving too, sobbing as she almost flew at Mal, Ben stepping back to avoid the flying hug, "Oh my god Mal I'm so sorry I couldn't stop her!"

"It's okay!" Mal hugged Audrey back tightly, "It's okay I know.. it's not your fault."

"If everyone could calm down please." Jennifer held up her hands, "Mallory as I said if you could give me the wand we should perhaps put it away safely. Today's been far more eventful than I was expecting."

"You could say that again." Mal let out a soft laugh, squirming out of Audrey's grip, glancing to the Isle kids, and she could see the relief on Jay, Carlos and Evie's faces as they crowded around Ben.

Perhaps her Coronation had been a bit of a disaster, but it had shown one thing.

The Isle kids had good in their hearts.

Ben had chosen her, chosen Auradon over his mother. He'd chosen to do the right thing. Mal found herself smiling brightly, unable to force away the grin, even when Carlos spoke up.

"So, y'know, I'm totally fine with us choosing good and all, but what about our parents 'cause they are gonna be angry and they're probably watching this like, right now."

"They can't get to you." Mal pointed out with a smile, "You guys are safe in Auradon."