Chapter Nine
A/n: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything and everyone else belongs to Disney.
Gods, I know I say this all the time but thank you all so much for your continued support for this! 260 reviews in just 8 chapters! It really is hard to believe!
I promise, Do What You Gotta Do is coming up-but first another break chapter! I am not cruel though, I promise it'll be within the next three chapters!
Oh before I forget, LeanneJordan has a Descendants story out called 'Echoes in the Darkness'. I highly recommend you check it out! :D
Tracie: You're very welcome-and thank you for the compliment! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Bananaboat2009: I'd have to agree, after all Jay even says in D3 that Carlos is good with animals plus they said at the end that he wants to be a vet. I have to say though that what you wrote was adorable! And now I'm tempted to write it!
Roxas Itsuka: Thank you! I have to agree, I loved writing that line, of both Audrey and Mal telling Natalie to shut up. Honestly because Aurora spent so much of her life not as a princess, I think she wouldn't hold herself to the same standards and be able to say what she's thinking. As for Leah...I wouldn't put it past her to prevent Audrey from getting an invite to Jane's party. Yeah, Hans as Dizzy's father is my headcanon just because of the red hair (with it being a recessive trait and all).
TheRanger'sDaughter: Oh thank you! I think if Audrey had been in D2, it might have been easier to make her sympathetic in the third movie but with her not there, it was hard to jump from 'everything's fine' at the end of the first move to 'Audrey's the villain' in the third one. Nothing against the actress and I know she had other commitments for the second movie, that's why she wasn't in it. Agreed, Disney was hampered by the fact that it was a DCOM.
ashley1985: I do have to agree D3 had a lot of humorous moments!
AmeythstDragon14: Oh yay! *chuckles* you're going to have to be patient a little bit longer...not too much longer though! I promise! Ben definitely is a sweetie isn't he?
danifan3000: I think Carlos will definitely keep a closer eye on the cake this go around. Yeah I always had questions about that too when I saw it on Disney Channel, it was almost like the editing made it apparent that there was a scene missing. Good for Celia for pickpocketing a guard though-otherwise they'd be trapped on the Isle, Ben would be a beast and Audrey'd be ruling Auradon.
marissamtz000: Ask and you'll receive :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: I definitely love Dude! How can you not? He's adorable!
Marcus Emrys: You know I like that theory! And I'd have to agree, considering Hades never got a musical number in Hercules, I'd say it would definitely shock his brothers to learn Hades can sing!
NightShock99: Well right now they're in a theater with a magic dampening barrier put up by the Blue Fairy to prevent the scepter from doing any major damage. Though once they see themselves in danger on screen...it might be different.
storm: Why thank you! :D
Guest: I think you're right about that!
Turnabout of the Shadows: Thank you! That's a good question honestly. I'd have to think Maleficent would not be all that thrilled to have Leah's granddaughter wielding her scepter. As well, like you said, I also think Maleficent would not have mercy for Audrey. That being said...Maleficent (or at least Descendants Maleficent) certainly is cocky...
Techobabble1: Unfortunately I couldn't think of any jokes at Hag Mal's expense. But thank you! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story!
lilyflower101: It's entirely possible!
twilightgirl587: Oh thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
TomiOcampo: That's certainly an option! :D
Wolf: Oh thank you! I am going to be doing another 'break' chapter in the same vein as 'Bridging the Gap' and 'Into the Depths'. You're very welcome, I'm glad I could provide some enjoyment during the pandemic.
Guest: I can certainly alter that scene but I might not go with Lonnie-just because 'Hannah' looks nothing like Lonnie. But I do agree they could have made that statue look like Lonnie, especially since we have no idea who Hannah is or why we should care about her.
LeanneJordan: Oh I'm so glad-and I saw your story was uploaded! I gave it a read and a review :D Honestly I thought that when I first saw D3-you have the 'magic user, snarky, no nonsense leader' in Celia and Mal, the 'fashionista with a huge heart' in Dizzy and Evie, the 'timid one' in Squeaky and Carlos and the '(potential) athlete' in Squirmy and Jay-I say potential because of Jay's sports line. Hey, I'm definitely not averse to having my stuff be analyzed.
Sorceress of Magic: I'm glad you liked it! :D
smc-smfan1: Oh thank you! 1: oh I'm glad, I tried to write something with moldy bread but it honestly kept triggering my gag reflex and I didn't want that for anyone else. 2: I would have to agree with you on that! 3: Honestly, and this is just me, I didn't find Mal's hag form that revolting. She was just...old. Oh no, how evil.
LOST MUSES; Eh, it's okay, I normally skip Cotillion until the TLK part because of the second hand embarrassment I feel for Mal. We all have parts we skip. 2. Oh I definitely agree with you on that! 3: Thank you! Chip and Akiho just happen to say what I think sometimes :D 4: Do What You Gotta Do is definitely one of my favorite songs in D3. Stay safe as well!
Guest (fanart): No worries, I don't know if I have any descriptions in other areas but I can do it now! Harriet's not an OC actually, she's in the books (only in the books though so she's got black hair-I believe I wrote she had brown hair but it could be dark brown, almost black, with brown eyes ) but for Lucas, he's got dark brown hair, blue eyes, and is about medium height with a fairly trim build and tanned skin. Chip's taller than Lucas but not by much, with dirty blonde hair, blue eyes and a chipped tooth. Sammy's got fair skin with light blonde hair and brown eyes, always wearing a blue and white stripped shirt. Emir's got black hair and brown eyes, while Akiho's got blond hair and blue eyes. Please let me know if you've got any more questions-I'd be happy to answer them!
61394: I really don't know but you're right, they do have the best LA Maleficent (though I may be biased since I love Wicked :D) Good point about Dude and with Dizzy, it'd be the same as Evie. Dizzy'd be royal by birth but have no titles since Hans would have been stripped of them a la the Evil Queen. Stay safe too!
Guest: Good point, I just hope that didn't mean the truth gummy would have been permanent for Carlos. That would stink always having to tell the truth all the time!
Hope you all enjoy! :D
[Carlos didn't hear Dude as he was too focused on staying on the bike that was making its way toward the Isle, along with the others. The scene cut to Jane's birthday, in the woods, where what looked to be most of the student population of Auradon Prep was in attendance. Jane and Chad were on the platform where Ben and Mal had their first date. Jane looked around anxiously while Chad played around with what was later revealed to be a squirt gun shaped like a sword.]
"How old are you again?" Lucy gently teased her older brother.
"Older than you little sister," Chad teased back. "So that would be….two years and two minutes I believe?"
"…I hate you."
"No you don't."
"Oh," Chad said with a small laugh. "Looks like Carlos forgot about your birthday, huh?"
"I didn't forget," Carlos rolled his eyes.
"I know," Jane assured him. "Chad's just being himself."
"…who else would I be?" Chad asked, looking over at Jane.
"Well, maybe not, maybe he just took the wrong trail or something," Jane said as she turned to look at Chad.
"I know my way through the woods!"
"Or you know what? They probably don't celebrate birthdays on the Isle, maybe it's like a cultural thing," she added, as if trying to convince herself.
"Is that a thing?" Emir asked. "Because Mal once told Akiho and me that her birthday was quote 'classified information' that we would never find out."
"How did you find that out?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow. "I never did learn how you two got that bit of information."
"You forgot about Dude," Akiho smirked. "One bribe of chicken later and he sang like a canary."
Mal shook her head as Dizzy, Alexandria, Celia and Hadie laughed.
"When is her birthday?" Ava asked.
"June 11th."
To everyone's surprise, it was Harry and Uma who answered; beating even Hadie who'd had his mouth open.
"Maleficent made a big to-do about it when she was born," Harry scoffed to cover up the fact that they still remembered, ignoring Harriet's knowing smile.
Of course we remember, and I know Mal still remembers our birthdays too. It's the only days she and I will allow a cease fire between my crew and her's, Uma thought. Four days out of the year—March 25th, April 21st, June 11th and Jan 21st. The only four days their warring crews had peace.
"Oh, yeah," Chad nodded. "Or maybe he just forgot. You never know," he finished with a chuckle before running off to the lake.
"Honestly it's like a sibling relationship," Neal chuckled.
"Well Jane, Chad, Audrey and I have been around each other since practically infancy," Ben said.
"I think mom has a photo of you and Chad in diapers together Ben," Kitty chuckled.
"I will accept a copy of that as a wedding present," Mal teased.
"Katherine," Cinderella said, gently warning her daughter. "That being said, I would be happy to find a copy of that picture for you Mal."
"Mal, my mom probably has that same photo," Ben said, shaking his head even as his cheeks flushed bright red. Though to be fair, Chad's did the same.
"Hey, Chad, look!" Jane called, catching his attention. "There's people taking selfies."
"Selfies!" Chad exclaimed, putting the squirt gun sword into Jane's hands as he ran off. "Guys, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait for me! Wait for me!"
Alexandria, Lucy and Kitty all chuckled softly, Kitty shaking her head at her older brother. Chad would never change.
…not that they would want him to. Despite their frustrations with some of his antics, he was their brother. That was the most important thing.
Jane chuckled as Chad ran after their selfie taking classmates as Audrey walked up to the party.
"Why is she here?" One of the female party attendants asked.
"Well that was kinda rude," Elle frowned. "And also, that's your biggest concern and not 'why does Audrey have Maleficent's scepter and looking like she wants to take over the world'?"
"Yeah, I invited her," Jane said softly. "At least…at least I'm pretty sure I did."
Audrey scoffed. "I never got an invitation. I had to find out about your party from Chad! Jane, you, Lonnie and I were friends before the VKs arrived and now because you have a boyfriend I get dropped like last season's fashions?"
"Audrey," Jane said gently. "I sent you an invitation. And, even if I somehow forgot—and I deeply apologize if that's the case but I know it's not—you'd still be welcomed."
Audrey couldn't help but give Jane a small smile upon hearing that, a little more of the pain in her heart vanished.
Aurora glared over at Natalie and Leah, having heard the conversation between the two girls. "Interesting how Audrey's invitation just happened to go missing, isn't it Leah?"
"You can't honestly think I hid the invitation?! It might have just gotten lost in the mail."
Jane reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. "I requested Audrey's invitation be signed for upon receipt. That's how I know I didn't forget to send her invitation," she said, holding the slip that notified her that the invitation had been signed and received. "It wasn't lost."
Carlos couldn't help but smile proudly at his girlfriend. Take that Leah, he thought.
"Did anybody save me any guacamole?" Audrey asked as she stopped one of the male party attendants who was on his way to put a present on the present table.
Everyone paused and looked over at Audrey.
Run Kitty. Get Lucy and Alex and get out of there, Chad thought, looking at his little sister dressed in a peach shirt and a tan and red jacket with yellow and blue cuffs; having dyed her hair from its normal strawberry blonde to a more yellow blonde for some reason. While he somehow knew Audrey wouldn't do anything to him, his sisters and Audrey had been at almost war with each other since the birth of each sister.
It was weird but now it dawned on him just how dangerous it was, Audrey having the scepter. Seeing Mal get cursed was one thing, she was the daughter of Maleficent. Chad doubted the scepter could do anymore damage than just the spell to turn her into a gross old woman.
But his sisters…
But you love Audrey though, a small feminine voice in his head said. Chad couldn't place it but it sounded familiar… Audrey would never do anything to hurt you…and that would include hurting your sisters.
"No? It's like someone forgot to invite me," Audrey said as she started to walk around. "Well, don't be expecting Mal, she's... not feeling herself," she said as she took a blue cupcake from a male attendant and then tossed it over her shoulder; the attendant staring in confusion.
Emma couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her lips despite the seriousness of the situation; the confusion on her brother's face was just so humorous.
"I guess we're running late again," Ashaki sighed as she didn't see herself or her brother anywhere on screen.
"One, magic carpets are harder to fly than they look, and don't give me that look Ben you know Akiho and I do wacky stuff for our friends' parties," Emir stated, "and two, let's be thankful we're running late this time."
I'd rather have you as far away from Maleficent's scepter as possible than arrive on time to Jane's party, he thought and glanced over at Aziz. His big brother nodded slightly as if reading his brother's thoughts.
Audrey walked over to another guest as the other party goers stared in horror and confusion.
"Does that make you sad?" She asked in a small baby voice. "Does it just ruin everything? Mindless little drones!"
"We're idiots," Ruby sighed. "Why the hell aren't we running?"
"How could you forget what she did to us?"
"…what did she do though?" Rowyn asked. "I mean, yes she gave Ben a love spell cookie but that was something that affected Ben and you, not all of us."
"You did what now?" Persephone asked, looking at Mal.
"Later Steph," Mal said softly. She didn't really want to get into that at that moment.
"How could you forget that I was supposed to be your Queen?!"
"Time out, okay, okay. Time out," Chad exclaimed, rushing toward Audrey.
"Chad's gonna save the day!" Alexandria grinned. Despite being annoyed and embarrassed by her brother's antics throughout the viewings, she still saw her older brother as a hero. Probably the benefit of being thirteen to her sisters' fifteen years and her brother's seventeen years on the planet.
"Nice jump," Lucy said, looking impressed and her voice lacking all snark, only sincerity coming through.
"First off, great new look. I absolutely love the feathers.
"Did…did she just look to verify that she was wearing feathers?" Harriet asked.
"Eh, sometimes people will compliment my shirt and I'll have to look down to remind myself what they're talking about," Mal shrugged, noticing the small smile on the on-screen Audrey's face. "Not really the thing to focus on Harriet."
But, hey, before you do whatever you're gonna do,
He's not looking at her…he's looking almost past her, Kitty thought and then she froze as realization struck her. Lucy and I are there…Alex is probably there as well unless she had marching band practice. Chad's not trying to stop Audrey or even impress her. He's trying to give us time to run.
After all…Chad had two years experience on her. That's two years of hearing stories about the damage Maleficent's scepter could do.
Chad looked over at Kitty, knowing what his future self was doing. He may be an idiot who said the wrong thing sometimes…but he loved his sisters.
He could still vaguely remember the day the twins were brought home…Alex's arrival was a bit more clearer since he was four instead of two. It didn't matter though, with each arrival, his dad sat him down on the couch and told him that he would need to protect his sisters from harm.
Yes he dropped the ball in terms of Audrey's bullying before the first viewing…but there was a difference between cat litter in a locker and getting blasted with Maleficent's scepter.
You could walk away from one.
I was wondering if maybe you wanted a… loyal boyfriend by your side? Partner in crime?Sidekick? Or maybe just a lackey to do your bidding, um, change tires. Or smoothie runs Please?
"What are you doing?!" Lucy exclaimed, glaring at her brother. "Ben is your friend and you're siding with Audrey?! Gods can't you think with anything other than your—"
"Lucille!" Kitty snapped before her parents could, cutting her twin off as the dark haired Charming stared in shock. The twins rarely if ever used each others' full first names. "You keep saying Chad doesn't use his brain. Why don't you use yours? Chad's desperate right there. Why would he be desperate?"
"I don't know. Audrey sneezed?"
"Try harder."
Lucy sighed and looked at the students still milling in the background. She paused as the realization came to her.
"We haven't left," she said softly.
"Exactly," Kitty nodded.
"You can be useful," Audrey said softly.
"Yeah?"
"Fine. Stand behind me," Audrey told him, raising her voice a little.
And I still haven't left, Kitty thought with a sigh, seeing herself framed in the background between Audrey and Chad. Chad's making himself out to be a traitor to Ben…and I can't get it through my thick skull to run. Gods what's the matter with me? I know the story of Maleficent's scepter…Leah won't let anyone forget it!
"Okay," Chad said as he ran behind Audrey.
"Auradon likes to forget so much. They'll love this," Audrey said as she began to sing, Chad's grin slowly fading as if realizing what was going on.
Gods, why didn't you two run? Do you two hate me that much that you didn't recognize a diversion when you see one? Chad thought, looking at his younger sisters. He didn't see Alexandria amongst the crowd so he was hoping that his baby sister had the common sense that her older sisters apparently lacked.
Audrey:
Happy birthday to you [she slammed the scepter on the ground, releasing a pink cloud throughout the party causing the party goers to fall into a deep and instantaneous sleep.]
"So here's a question I have…and I realize that it may not be the most relevant but here goes. Chad's no longer standing behind Audrey there. How'd he avoid getting hit with the sleeping curse?" Lucas asked.
It must be the connection we share, Chad thought before shaking his head slightly. Connection? Sure they were friends and were dating but…connection was almost pushing it wasn't it?
Happy birthday to you [Audrey walked over and hit two of the party goers with another pink cloud of magic, instantly putting them to sleep.]
Happy birthday to Jane [Audrey and Chad walked to a ledge overlooking the Enchanted Lake where Jane was still on the platform. Jane watched as more and more of her guests began to fall asleep and hid behind one of the pillars.]
Carlos watched the screen with bated breath. Jane was more than his girlfriend…she was also his friend. The last thing he wanted to do was watch her get hit with a sleeping curse especially when he wasn't there to help.
Happy birthday
To you
Aurora looked over at her son and sighed. While she was disappointed in his actions, she would never be mad at him for long. Besides…he was about the age she was when she had gone under the sleeping curse. She knew what it was like.
"Phil," she said gently. "If you'd like to talk…"
"I'm fine mom," Phillip Jr. said softly but gave his mom a small smile. I deserve it anyway.
Jane looked at the lake and then back at Audrey. "The Enchanted Lake," she said softly to herself.
I have to say, that's a dumb move, Uma thought. She's not part of the merfolk, if that spell hit her when she was in the lake, she'd probably drown.
"Brilliant," she heard Mal gasp and Uma frowned. Okay…what am I missing?
"Audrey," Chad whispered, tapping Audrey on the shoulder but she paid him no mind as Jane waded into the lake.
Fairy Godmother froze as she saw Jane in the lake. What if the sleeping curse got her while she was above water? Or worse, if she submerged and the sleeping curse still got her?
Lumiere gently rubbed her back, knowing what was going through her head. "Jane'll be fine ma chérie," he whispered. "She's got a good head on her shoulders. She gets that from her mother after all."
"Sweet dreams," Audrey said as the cloud of magic began to surround the lake. Jane took a breath before submerging herself into the lake as the sleeping curse surrounded her. Audrey burst out laughing before she and Chad disappeared into another cloud of pink smoke. Jane waited a minute before rising out of the lake, the sleeping curse magic seemingly dissipated.
"I completely forgot that the Enchanted Lake wipes alway all enchantments or curses!" Ashaki exclaimed.
"Me too," Kitty shook her head. "Future me should have done what Jane did and hightailed it to the lake."
"Kitty, you were by the present table," Ava said gently. "By the time you got to the lake, you'd have gotten hit with the curse. Meaning you'd have gotten a face full of dirt at best and at worse…"
"Okay, let's not finish that sentence," Kit said with a frown, not wanting to think about his daughter potentially drowning.
The scene cut to the exterior shot of a castle where a cellphone could be heard ringing.
"Hey, Jane. I'm on my way to the party," Ben said, a present under his arm as he walked out of his room. "My meetings ran long."
"Okay first off, that polo does not need to be buttoned all the way," Emir said, shaking his head, "and second of all meetings? With an 's'?"
"Yes," Ben nodded. "I do have meetings you know."
"We know. We've seen your schedule."
"Also, is this really the time to make comments about my polo being buttoned?"
"I focus on weird things when I'm nervous dude! We've been friends how long? You should know this by now!"
"No, no. Stay where you are, Ben," Jane told him as she walked out of the lake, a towel wrapped around her shoulders and holding the squirt gun sword.
"You know…if Chad hadn't put that in Jane's hands when he ran off to take selfies, she might not have been able to grab that," Neal pointed out.
Audrey's got the scepter and everyone's asleep. I'm gonna call Mom and tell her to get her wand."
"Are you going to squirt all the guests with Enchanted Lake water to wake us up?" Lucy asked. "Cause otherwise we're relying on True Love's Kiss."
"Think Bobby would wake you up?" Alexandria teased.
"When…when did you get back together with Bobby?" Kitty asked Lucy, who's cheeks were as red as Snow White's lips.
"Maybe a few weeks ago," Lucy said. "You were out on a date with Roland and I was with you as 'Gazelle' protection."
"Oh that's right! Bobby walked up and joined us then!"
Kit sighed and shook his head.
"Guess we're going to have to talk about that later," he said. "Right now, let's just focus on the viewing."
And not the fact that my thirteen year old was just teasing her older sisters about potentially having a True Love.
Jane quickly hung up her phone and the scene cut back to Ben.
"That was kinda rude," Gil said softly. "You didn't even give him a chance to speak."
"Time is of the essence," Harry said as he rolled his eyes. "Besides, you don't put your captain at risk. Rule 2 of the Pirate Handbook."
"But…she's not a pirate and Ben's not a captain. He's a king."
"Even more of a reason to make sure he stays put," Uma said.
"Yes well you wouldn't know much about staying put, would you Uma?" Harriet scoffed.
Uma looked over at her. "You got something to say to me Harriet?"
"Oh I've got several things I'd like to say!"
"Captains, as much as I'd love to see this, is it really the best time?" Harry asked, looking between Harriet and Uma with concern hidden behind his eyes.
"Harry's right Harriet," Sammy said softly. "Wait till a break."
Harriet growled slightly but sighed. "Fine Sammy."
"Is Mal with you?" Ben asked. "Jane? Jane?"
"Oh I see who matters most to you!" Akiho teased. "You didn't even ask about me!"
"Hmm, my fiancee or my best friend?" Ben tapped his chin as he pretended to ponder. He knew Akiho and Emir were nervous, everyone was. But if there was one thing he could always count on it was Akiho's ability to make a nerve wracking situation somewhat amusing. Or at least less nerve wracking.
After all…this hadn't happened yet. And, unless he was mistaken, Ben could have sworn he saw a flash of guilt in Audrey's eyes.
His friend was still in there. He knew it.
The teenaged king looked at his phone before his head popped back up, a worried look in his eyes.
Silence filled the theater, as if no one knew exactly what they wanted to say.
"Mal…can Carlos and I talk to you and Jay?" Evie asked after a minute.
"Sure E," Mal nodded, glancing at Jay. The four of them got up and went into one of the randomly appearing and disappearing rooms.
"What's up?" Jay asked.
"Mal…how'd Hook know your birthday?" Carlos asked. "And why'd he lie about knowing it. Maleficent never made a fuss for your birthday. Actually the party we had in Auradon was the first time I remember celebrating your birthday."
"Carlos is right," Evie nodded. "And Uma knew too. So...how'd they know?"