Chapter Thirty


A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else either belongs to Disney or the Greek Myths!

Oh Gods, I can't believe that we're at chapter 30! Where has the time gone? Honestly, thank you all so much for your support of this story-hard to believe we're almost at 400 reviews!

As always, thank you so much to AmethystDragon14. Our back and fourths in PMs have been amazing!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D


Mal and Jay made their way to the limo, which oddly enough was parked near Maleficent's castle. Mal wasn't going to lie, it was more than a little nerve wracking being this close to the Dragon without knowing exactly what her plan was. Because of course she'd have a plan or a scheme.

Jay put a hand on Mal's shoulder, causing the smaller purple haired girl to give him a small smile.

"Hey, it might be okay," Jay whispered and Mal rolled her eyes.

"Jay, I'm honestly giving us forty eight hours before Boreadon kicks us back to the Isle," she muttered. "And I swear, if they make me room with Blueberry…"

"You don't know that they will," Jay told her. "But if they do, you can always hang out in my room during the day."

"And maybe even at night," Mal muttered.

"Of course," Jay nodded. "I doubt DeVil would complain anyway, considering the protection he gets from us. It would be just like the clubhouse back when you were five, only minus Uma and Harry."

Mal nodded but she couldn't help but sigh as she looked once more around the Isle. She hated to sound mushy but she was really going to miss her home.

"I'm with you," Jay said softly as to not be overheard.

"Thanks Jay. And I'm with you," Mal told him, matching his tone as they fought through the crowd of lower classed villains gathered by the limo.

"Let's show Boreadon who's boss," Jay said with a smirk.

"Gladly," Mal said, a wicked grin growing on her face. The grin slipped when she happened to look up to see Maleficent looking back at her from the balcony. The Dragon didn't do anything, just looked at her as if sizing her up. Mal forced herself to look away and piled into the limo, keeping her distance from Evie.

Carlos gave a shy wave; while he was under the crew's protection and therefore couldn't be touched by the other gangs of VKs on the Isle, he wasn't officially part of the the crew. Of course Mal had a feeling he didn't mind; Gil was under that same umbrella and both boys were fairly close. They were both creative at least—Carlos with technology and Gil with crafts. It was the youngest Gaston boy who got Ursula's necklace put back together after all.

"Hey DeVil," Jay said with a nod.

"DeVil," Mal said softly, giving a small nod in his direction. She of course ignored Evie. As much as she hated the blue haired girl, the last thing she'd want was to cause a fight in such a contained environment.

She'd win of course but that was besides the point.

"Mal," Carlos said softly. "You hungry?"

Mal shrugged. "Depends. Did Boreadon provide food?"

"Yes?" Carlos said but it sounded like a question as he gestured to an array of brightly colored squares and items on small sticks. Mal and Jay looked at the items before looking at each other, as if questioning if they should take one.

"I had food at Lord Hades' restaurant before this," Mal said after a few minutes of silence while Jay reached for one of the items. "They can't honestly call that food?"

Carlos shrugged. "At least it's better than their garbage," he muttered.

"Good point," Mal muttered.

"It's…not that bad actually Mal," Jay said as he nibbled on one of the offered items. "Try something. It's sweet, that's all."

Mal rolled her eyes but took one of the offered items. Sweet things were rare on the Isle after all. Boreadon rarely threw out their candy. Hmm…it wasn't bad.

"Not bad," she muttered as she tilted her head, chewing away. "Not as good as Lord Hades' food but not bad."

"Agreed," Jay nodded and Mal sighed as she leaned back in her seat.

"Gods Jay, what are they playing at? Inviting us to Boreadon?" Mal muttered.

Jay shrugged. "Press gimmick?"

"Has to be. It's been twenty years and all of a sudden they care about the Isle?"

"Maybe it won't be so bad?" Evie spoke up with a smile. "I mean, with the perfect princes…"

Mal scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Blueberry, you and I seem to have different ways to pronounce 'prissy'. Just do us all a favor and stay out of our way when we get there."

Evie frowned but grew silent.

Good, Mal thought. It'll make the ride that much better without her yammering.

"Are…are there really dogs in Auradon?" Carlos spoke up after a few minutes.

"From what I've heard, yeah," Mal nodded. No one under the crew's protection met Estelle, as Mal wanted to keep the people who knew to a minimum. Carlos, for his timidness, was no idiot. He'd be able to put together the clues of Mal walking around with a Cerberus. Even if no one else on the Isle had.

"Oh," Carlos said and grew silent. The whole limo grew silent for a few minutes before Jay noticed something through the windshield, quickly looking away.

"Don't look out the window," he muttered to Mal, who tensed at the command.

"What's wrong?" Mal muttered back.

"There's no more road."

What?! Mal thought and, against her better judgement, looked out the windshield herself. They're trying to kill us! So this is their plan—make us relaxed by making us think we're finally getting off the Isle and then kill us by dropping us in the water. Pretty dark actually, if you think about it. Sacrificing one of their own to kill off four villain kids!

She couldn't help but subtly grab Jay's arm, after the events at the docks she had never been near water unless she could help it. Her trips to Ursula's Chip Shoppe were the rare exceptions and her dad only allowed those trips if she was with Uma, Harry or Jay-and even then she made sure Harry or Uma were always on the side closest to the water. Jay subtly put his arm around Mal, as if covering her body with his.

"It's a trap!" Carlos exclaimed, finally noticing the lack of road himself but nothing happened as the four VKs began to panic. Instead the limo was awash in golden light.

"Wait, what just happened?" Mal asked, shocked they weren't plummeting to a watery grave.

"It must be magic!" Evie gushed and looked over her shoulder. Mal rolled her eyes but had to agree, even if she wouldn't voice out loud. She wouldn't give Blueberry that satisfaction.

"Hey, did that button just open the magic barrier?" Evie asked the driver, pointing to one of the buttons on the ceiling.

"No," the driver told her and held up a remote. "This one opens up the magic barrier, that one opens my garage and this one…"

He pressed another button and a divider went up, separating the four VKs from the driver.

"Okay, nasty. I like that guy," Mal chuckled. How could she not? It was so…not Boreadon-y that she had to smirk. Jay chuckled and even Carlos had to nod as Evie sat back down with a small pout.

"Serves Blueberry right," Mal muttered to Jay. "But…why's she asking about the barrier?"

"Curiosity?" Jay suggested but he had a frown on his face, as if something wasn't sitting right with him.

"Since when is Blueberry curious about anything but boys and makeup?"

Jay shrugged. "We'll keep an eye on her."

"I mean, not that she has the brain cells to do anything right?" Mal scoffed.

"Don't underestimate anyone Mal," Jay muttered. "It could end up with us getting a stab in the back. Don't forget, it's the exact same trick my dad played back in Agrabah."

"I know Jay," Mal nodded. "But still…it's Blueberry we're talking about. If it's not about a boy or makeup, she doesn't care."

"Maybe it was a one time fluke," Jay muttered, nodding his head. "Still, our parents underestimated people and got put on the Isle for it…"

"True." Mal sighed. "We'll keep an eye on her then."

The ride to Auradon Prep continued on in silence, Mal wincing slightly at how bright everything was.

"We will definitely need sunscreen," she muttered under her breath. Well maybe Jay wouldn't but DeVil definitely would. So would she. Blueberry probably already had some packed if any showed up in the last barge, wouldn't want her perfect skin ruined by the sun.

"I'll swipe some as soon as we get out of the limo," Jay promised, having heard the mutter. "Gods, how do they live with this?"

"How do you think?" Mal told him. "They're used to it. Probably just like they're used to sending us their garbage."

"Let's make the most of it huh? Hey, maybe we could sneak some fresh stuff over to Harry and Uma," Jay whispered to her.

"I like the sound of that Jay," she whispered back with a smirk.

Jay smirked back at her as he pocketed some more of the oddly colored food for later. "So…what do you think Beastie Jr's going to be like?"

"Stuck up," Mal muttered.

"Well that goes without saying," Jay scoffed. "After all, he is the crown prince of Boreadon."

"Like I said Jay, this is probably just a press stunt," Mal sighed, rolling her eyes. "Besides, there's no way Beastie is actually stepping down for a sixteen year old to take his place."

She was referring, of course, to the announcement that had gone out the year before.

"Dad, dad, dad! Did you hear the news?" Mal asked as she ran into the Underworld, Estelle at her heels.

"Do tell. What gossip has Boreadon deemed worthy to feed us this time? Must be something juicy to get that reaction from you," Hades said, in the midst of trying out a new recipe for the restaurant.

"Beast is stepping down from the throne! Beastie Jr.'s going to be king!" Mal exclaimed, sliding into the kitchen as she was trying to stop.

Hades' head snapped up from the recipe. "He what?!"

"The coronation's next year," Mal said. "The Dragon may already know because of her spies but I grabbed the announcement before she could see it yesterday."

Despite the update to the registry, they had decided it was probably better for Mal's safety if she made occasional appearances at Maleficent's castle. Thankfully, it was only once or twice a month.

"Well….that is surprising. No doubt he's just a mini Beast though, I doubt much will change here. Good job hiding it from the Dragon though."

Mal sighed. "Dad…is it wrong to hope Beastie Jr. will be better than his dad?"

"No. You're young Mal, it's natural."

"But I've been on the Isle for fifteen years. I should be more vicious shouldn't I? Or at least more realistic? That's what the Dragon says when I grace her with my presence at least."

"Maleficent's brain is basically 'be evil, be evil, be evil' Mali. It's better to not follow her world view."

"But if I'm not going to leave the Isle, I…I'll need to toughen up even more right?" Mal asked, sitting down at the counter. "I mean, being nice only earns you a rep as an easy target around here."

"Mali, think of it this way. You're ruthless when you need to be but you treat your minions decently don't you?"

"Well yeah," Mal nodded. "I mean Uma's not a minion, she's family and we have to make sure Harry and Jay don't hurt themselves picking a fight with the wrong person. Besides someone has to look after DeVil and Gil so they don't get hurt—DeVil because he's too timid and Gil because…well because he's Gil."

"That's my point. It's a better way to survive by not being completely evil. Having people who are loyal to you is better than ruling by fear and getting stabbed in the back."

"Or the front in the Dragon's case," Mal pointed out with a smirk. As much as she hated Aurora and her family, she wasn't going to lie—Phillip stabbing her birth giver with his sword was her favorite part of that story. "But dad, you have a minion who's name is literally Panic and you were never betrayed by him."

"Panic's jumpy, yes, but he also knows I have his back. Of course I have to now, considering he's family being married to Vanessa and all."

"Oh." Mal said. "Wait, does this mean I have to be nice to Blueberry?"

"No, it means you keep eyes on her and only retaliate if she starts something."

Mal looked a little unsure about that. "Dad, this is the daughter of the Evil Queen remember? I don't trust her as far as I can throw her."

"And that's why I'm saying you don't have to be nice to her."

"Oh that's easy," Mal smirked and then looked around. "Where's Hadie? I thought that little storm cloud would have been by my side the second I slid in here?"

"Three, two, one," Hades counted, chuckling at Mal's nickname for her brother—what used to be a derogatory name had turned into a term of endearment. A blue blur slid into the kitchen and Mal smirked as her nine almost ten year old brother ran in.

"Mali!"

"Hello my little beastie," Mal chuckled.

"Did you hear the news Mal?" Hadie asked, bouncing a little. "There's going to be a new king! Oh, and Dizzy's going to start working at Lady Tremaine's shop!"

"Yeah I heard. Well the king news, not the Dizzy news," Mal nodded. "Let's hope Beastie Jr. eases up on us somewhat huh?"

"Think we'd get to go to Auradon?" Hadie asked, the grin still on his face and the bouncing getting more intense.

"Is it possible he's had some sugar?" Mal asked Hades.

"We don't get sugar here Mali. He's hyped because of the news," Hades remarked, his tone deadpanned.

"Mom brought some snacks from Boreadon," Hadie said. "They were good! Too sweet though."

"Your mother gave you sugar?" Hades exclaimed. "Persephone!"

"Yes dear?" Persephone walked into the kitchen. "You bellowed?"

"You hyped our nine year old up on sugar?"

"I gave him a few pieces," Persephone said rolling her eyes. "I did not 'hype him up' as you put it."

"I liked it!" Hadie grinned.

"Clearly," Mal smirked.

The limo came to a stop, bringing Mal out of her thoughts and she sighed. This was it. Two students and an older woman stood in front of the school to greet them as a marching band played.

At least we didn't come out of the limo fighting or anything. That would have been an excellent first impression, Mal thought. She couldn't stop the smirk that came to her lips as she saw the boy's bright yellow pants. She almost pitied him. Almost being the operative word.

"It's so nice to meet all of you," the boy spoke up, a kind smile on his face as he gestured to the woman standing next to him. "This is Fairy Godmother, headmistress of Auradon Prep, and I'm Ben."

"Prince Ben!" The girl standing next to him on his other side exclaimed. "Soon to be king!"

"Ah, I might have known," Mal muttered under her breath.

"You had me at prince," Evie smiled as she walked up to Ben and gave a small curtsey. "My mom's a queen which makes me a princess."

Yeah well my parents are Gods so that makes me a godling but you don't see me bragging about it, Mal thought as she rolled her eyes.

"The Evil Queen has no royal status here and neither do you," the girl said rather harshly in Mal's opinion. Oh Blueberry deserved it, don't get her wrong. Mal was just surprised a Boreadon royal wasn't sickly sweet.

"This is Audrey," Ben said quickly as if to diffuse any tension between the two groups.

"Princess Audrey, his girlfriend. Right Bennyboo?" Audrey said, grabbing Ben's hand.

Mal fought the urge to roll her eyes but frowned slightly as Ben seemed to almost stiffen at Audrey's touch.

Hmm…that's interesting, she thought. Still she had to still smirk at the nickname. I almost pity you Beastie. Almost.

Ben slipped out of Audrey's grasp and started shaking each of the VK's hands.

"It is so, so good to finally meet you all," Ben said, trying to recover from the nickname Audrey had revealed. "This is a momentous occasion, and one that I hope will go down in history as the day our two peoples begin to heal."

"Or the day you show four peoples where the bathroom is," Mal snarked.

Ben looked over at Mal. "A bit over the top?"

"More than a bit," Mal nodded.

"Well so much for my first impression," Ben said with a chuckle and Mal couldn't help but give him a small smile. So far, he was a lot different than what she'd expected.

"Hey, you're Maleficent's daughter right?" Audrey butt in, as if she was trying to break the moment.

"No, I'm not," Mal said, crossing her arms and she had to smirk as Ben, Audrey and Fairy Godmother froze. Sure she was about to reveal something to DeVil and Blueberry but she was going to set the record straight with these spoiled royals. "Next time you guys send invites, make sure you have the right information. If you must know, Maleficent's daughter is dead. She died at six years old but my parents didn't want your oh so generous offer to go to waste so I came."

Mal wasn't going to lie, she was savoring the stunned looks she was getting not only from Sleeping Brat but from Blueberry as well.

"Be nice Mal," Jay muttered but smirked all the same. Gods, we haven't even gotten inside…

"I am being nice. I'm just giving them the facts."

"So…so who's daughter are you?" Audrey asked.

Mal smirked. "Lady Persephone's," she said with a mocking bow and she wasn't going to lie, she loved being able to say that out loud. Plus, you know, the continued stunned looks that were on Fairy Godmother, Audrey's and Ben's faces. "But anyway, now that we have cleared up my parentage, are we going to just stand here all day?"

"Oh right!" Ben exclaimed and clapped his hands together. "How bout a tour?"

Mal shrugged. "Fine."

Ben smiled and led them toward the school, Audrey clinging to his arm.

"Auradon Prep, originally built over 300 years ago and converted into a high school by my father when he became king," Ben said as they stopped by the statue of King Beast.

Right, Mal thought with an inward eye roll. Who makes a 300 year old building a school anyway? And dear Gods Brat, you can lessen the grip on his arm. Insecure much?

I'm guessing due to the snark in your thoughts that you've made it to Auradon? Steph's voice came through Mal's mental link, the same link all the Gods shared. Mal could only assume that since the other Gods of Olympus had no idea she existed, they had blocked her link along with Hades', Uma's and Hadie's. Otherwise, why weren't they championing for change for the Isle?

My thoughts are always snarky mom.

Not to this degree Mali. I'm so sorry I'm not there. Zeus has us stuck in a meeting of all things. If it lasts any longer, I'm going to find out if you can in fact kill a God.

I...I will see you at some point right mom?

Athena would have to turn me into a spider to keep me away from you Mal. You're my daughter. Whenever you need me, I'll be there.

Ben clapped his hands together, an impressive feat considering the vice like grip Audrey had on his arm, and caused the statue to change from a human to a beast. Carlos screamed, jumping back into Jay and pulled Mal out of her thoughts.

"Oh gods DeVil, get a grip!" Jay griped but grabbed the smaller boy as to prevent him from falling down. "It's a statue!"

"Jay, be nice. You know he's jumpy," Mal muttered.

Ben looked over at them, having heard Carlos' scream. "Carlos, it's okay. My father wanted the statue to be able to transform from beast to man to remind us that anything's possible."

"Does he shed much?" Mal snarked as she looked up at the statue.

"Oh yeah, mom won't let him on the couch," Ben nodded, a deadpanned tone to his voice. Mal couldn't help but give Ben another look. She definitely hadn't expected that response from him. This could be interesting.

"So do you guys have a lot of magic here in Auradon? You know like wands and things like that?" Evie spoke up, and Mal rolled her eyes. Figures Blueberry would focus on the sparkly things.

"Yeah," Ben said with a nod. "I mean, it exists of course but it's pretty much retired. Most of us are just ordinary mortals now."

"Who just happen to be kings and queens," Mal quipped.

"That's true!" Audrey beamed. "Our royal blood goes back thousands of years," she said, smiling as she made Ben's arm drape over her shoulder.

Mal had to keep herself from rolling her eyes at the simpering fool as they made their way into the school. Okay Beastie, you need a smarter girlfriend if the one you're currently dating doesn't know she's outranked by two people in our group here. Pretty sure crown prince outranks princess and I definitely outrank her-unless she's already forgotten the little bombshell I dropped five minutes ago.

Plus maybe it was her imagination but Mal didn't think Ben really appreciated that 'royal blood' line.

"So who's idea was this press gimmick?" Mal asked as they headed inside.

"Press gimmick?" Ben asked, looking confused as he turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Bringing us over?" Mal prompted, gesturing to herself and the other VKs. "No one's cared about the Isle for twenty years and now suddenly we matter? How much attention is this whole thing going to get?"

"Mal I can assure you, this isn't a press gimmick," Ben said. "Bringing the children of the Isle of the Lost to Auradon was my idea. You guys are part of Auradon, you deserve the same chance we get. After all it's all just circumstance. You could have very well been born here but for Fate's choice."

Mal shared a look with Jay, as if they didn't believe what Ben was saying. Before either of them could say anything though, Ben waved to another boy who was walking down the stairs toward them.

"Doug! Doug, come down!" Ben said. "Guys, Doug has your schedules and know the way to your dorms. Any questions?"

"Who are we rooming with?" Mal asked. "Or do we have separate rooms?"

"Ah no," Ben said. "Carlos, you'll be rooming with Jay and Evie, you'll be rooming with Mal."

"Nope! No! Sorry but absolutely not!"

Jay quickly wrapped a hand around Mal's mouth. "That's Isle for 'thank you'," he said before whispering to Mal. "Calm down. Remember the plan—just come and see me."

"Easy to you to say, you're not rooming with Princess Blueberry!" Mal hissed, Jay's hand still covering her mouth.

"Remember why we're here Mal. It's just for a while and then you'll have Uma to room with," Jay muttered. Mal shot him a glare but nodded slightly.

"Fine."

"Great!" Ben said as Jay released his hold on Mal's mouth. "Well I'll see you guys later and if there's anything you guys need, feel free to—"

"Ask Doug," Audrey finished.

"Or me. As I said, this was my idea. Any concerns or questions, my door is always open," Ben said.

"And your door would be where?" Mal asked. "Should we have these supposed questions?"

Ben chuckled. "Just down the left hallway, then turn right. My office'll be three doors down on the left."

Mal nodded. She doubted she'd need it but it was good to have just in case.

"As I said, Doug knows everything anyway. Ask him. Bennyboo's very busy," Audrey said harshly as she dragged Ben off.

"Ha," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes. "Possessive much?"

"If she clung to him any tighter, she'd be a snake," Jay snickered. "But, um, don't look now but it seems dwarf boy is smitten by Blueberry."

"Of course he is. Wasn't every boy on the Dragon's side of the Isle? Probably some of the boys on our side too," Mal muttered.

"Yeah but I thought the people in Boreadon had brains," Jay muttered back. Mal snorted but her thoughts seemed to flick back to Ben without permission. He definitely was different than what Mal had thought a prince of Boreadon would be like. He wasn't stuck up and his welcoming attitude seemed genuine. Not to mention it had been his idea to bring kids from the Isle. Not for some press thing to make himself look good. In fact, unless they were really good at hiding, Mal didn't think there had been any press there when they arrived.

Plus, maybe Mal was imagining it, but there was almost a silent 'help me' cry radiating from Ben when he was around his 'girlfriend' that made Mal's more protective instincts flare up. She didn't like owing debts, and getting her off the Isle was probably the biggest debt she could think of.

But anyway, Ben had seemed to stiffen every time Audrey latched on to him, like someone staking her territory for the whole world to see. And yeah, okay, Blueberry had flirted with Ben but he didn't even seem to notice or care. In fact, he'd been looking at Mal. From the second they shook hands, he hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

He's just being friendly, Mal told herself. After all, whether they think I'm the Dragon's spawn or knowing I'm mom's kid, I'm still the highest ranked VK here.

She sighed softly as they made their way to their dorms. She honestly didn't know how she was going to survive a month with Perky Princess Blueberry as a roommate. Mal scowled as she entered her room, seeing how bright and airy it was. She. Hated. It. She missed her room in the Underworld, with the dark tones and the lack of light. She didn't need to look over at Blueberry to know that she probably loved it.

However, a package on her bed distracted her from her hatred of her room and Mal had to smirk a little.

Dear Mal,

I wasn't sure if you would have brought your own but here's a small welcoming gift to welcome you to Auradon. Just a few things to help you settle in: shampoo, conditioner, a face cloth and towel, and some soap. It's not much I know but I hope it helps a bit.

Welcome to Auradon.

-Ben

"Well that's…friendly," Mal muttered as she looked through the items. Sure the room was as princessey as one could get but the toiletries almost seemed neutral in some way. As if Ben was trying to not assume they'd be the same as the girls in Auradon. The label on the shampoo said it was 'strawberry' scented…whatever those were.

"Look at this room!" Evie squealed. "It's so amazing! And we get presents! How great is this?"

Mal couldn't help but nod a little. "Interesting way to store soap," she muttered as she picked up the bottle of soap/body wash. If there was soap on the Isle, it normally was the dregs of bars of soap; washed as thin as possible. "Hmm, black orchid and jasmine scented. Nice."

She put it down and turned to look at Evie. "Listen up Blueberry. We may be forced to be roommates but we are not friends. You keep to your side and I'll keep to mine. Just like the Isle," she growled as she picked a bed and drew the curtains.

"It…maybe it won't be so bad Mal," Evie offered. "Maybe we could grow to be friends?"

Mal stuck her head out from the curtains. "If you value never seeing a smoke bomb again, you'll rethink that statement. Don't think that just because Uma's on the Isle, we'll suddenly become friends."

She ripped open the curtains and began to stalk to the door. If Blueberry was going to insist on talking, she could talk to herself. "I'm going to Jay's room. Do not touch my stuff," she growled and stormed out.