Chapter Thirty Two


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

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Hope you all are staying safe and that you enjoy this chapter! :D


Mal scowled as she made her way through her first day of classes. Fairy Godmother, in her infinite wisdom, had decided to make it so none of the VKs were in a class together other than Remedial Goodness 101. Even if she didn't want to be in a class with Blueberry, Mal wasn't thrilled to be alone either.

You know, some of us aren't evil. We're just wicked. There's a difference, Mal thought as she looked at her locker as she closed the door, having put her books inside. It was just the same as the other lockers, though that could pretty much describe all of Auradon. Being different was bad, judging by all the looks she and the others got for their clothing.

What was worse was there was a rumor that someone tried to break into the museum where Fairy Godmother's wand was held the night they had arrived.

Probably someone who wants to frame us VKs for something, Mal thought with an inward snort, making sure her mental link was temporarily blocked as to not worry her mom or dad—or Uma. I certainly don't need that wand—I've got dad's powers coursing through my veins. Plus mom's as well. Not to mention I've still got a bit of my Fae magic—not as much as I did before mom adopted me but it's still there.

Sighing, she set her bag down and pulled out a couple of cans of spray paint—one never knew when one needed to mark their territory. Holding her breath, she began to get to work. Ignoring the stares and mutters of the passing students, Mal smirked as she got into the zone; making sure each pass of the spray paint was even and perfect.

No one was going to think of her as a second rate tagger. Not in Auradon.

"Nice one," Jay said as he walked up. "Might be your best tag to date."

"Thanks Jay," Mal smirked as she finished up. In front of them was a pomegranate fruit with a golden skin, blue flames in the background, and the words 'Family is Forever' underneath.

Let's see Sleeping Brat try to claim I'm lying now, Mal thought. Oh she'd heard the scuttlebutt about Audrey claiming Mal was lying to make herself seem more important and that she truly was Maleficent's daughter. Mal didn't care. She could crush Audrey like a bug but she knew doing that would make it next to impossible for Uma and Harry to come over.

"You having a good first day?" Jay asked as he shot a grin to some of the female students who were passing by. Mal rolled her eyes.

"Gods Jay, get some dignity."

"What use do I have for dignity? It just gets in the way of the really fun stuff," Jay smirked, not noticing Chad, Audrey and Ben in the background.

"I dunno Ben, they seem like trouble," Chad said.

"Come on man, give 'em a chance," Ben told him. "Emir and Akiho said they had a great time with them."

"No offense Bennybear but you're just too trusting," Audrey said, grabbing Ben's hands, not noticing Ben stiffen once more or. Chad's frown. "I know your mom fell in love with the big scary beast that turned out to be a handsome prince but in my story, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy. That girl's mother."

"She told us yesterday, the records are wrong. In fact, I'm going to see if I can update them myself today," Ben said, slipping his hands out of Audrey's grasp. "And you're wrong about them."

Ben turned away and started making his way toward Mal and Jay, wanting to see how their first day was and if they needed anything.

"Gods Jay, you're so clingy," he heard Mal tease.

"Hey, you came into my bed last night," Jay teased back and Ben froze, his stomach clenching as he heard Mal chuckle.

They're friends. Close friends but friends—Mal probably was just feeling homesick or something. I mean the only other possibility would be that…no, Mal and Jay aren't dating. I mean they do seem awfully close and Jay was the one to put his hand over Mal's mouth the other day…he certainly feels comfortable with her...

Ben shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was looking too deep into it—a boy and a girl could be friends. After all, he was friends with Lonnie and no one thought they were dating. Though granted, due to that betrothal contract and the fact that he was dating Audrey, no one really could think that.

"Hey Mal," he said as he leaned against one of the other lockers.

"Hey," Mal said with a smirk, Jay standing a bit off to the side and shaking his head. I'm still here, you know, he thought in amusement. Gods Mali, when you do something you don't go half assed do you? Getting the Crown Prince to like you?

"How was your first day?"

"Hmm…super."

Ben couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped from his lips at her dry tone. There was just something about her sarcastic nature that drew him in. Plus it didn't hurt that she looked exactly like the girl from his dreams.

"You know you should really think about taking this talent off the locker and into art class. I could, uh, sign you up," he said, gesturing to the tag. "What do you think?"

Jay snorted from his spot behind Mal and Mal rolled her eyes as she elbowed him in the side.

"Way to take all the fun out of it," Mal said with a smirk as she and Jay walked off.

"Huh," Ben uttered as he leaned back against the other lockers.

I've known Mal for like a day. Why am I feeling like this? Ben thought. I don't know what it is but every time I talk to her, I feel happier than I have in months. Being with Audrey's great but it's…it's almost like a chore at times now.

Ben shook his head again. What was he doing? He had made a promise to the Roses, and to his parents when the contract had been finalized. He would stick it out. For the kingdom. For his parents. For Audrey.

Even if all Ben wanted was to see that smirk again.

As Ben began to make his way back to his office to start once more on paperwork, his classes being done for the day, Jay was in the process of teasing Mal as they made their way to their next classes: Jay heading to Basic Chivalry while Mal made her way to Chemistry.

"I swear, we're not here one week and the boys are already chasing you."

"Shut up Jay," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "Ben's just being friendly."

"Oh so he's Ben now? Not Beastie Jr.?"

Mal rolled her eyes again and shook her head at Jay's smirk. "If we want him as our ally then yes Jay, he's going to have to be Ben."

Jay shook his head in amusement. "If you says so Mali. I'll see you after class."

"See you," Mal said softly and quickly made her way to her Chemistry class. Fortunately, she shared the class with Akiho. She liked spending time with the Arendelle prince, he was funny and snarky—even if they'd only interacted the one time.

Unfortunately however, she also shared the class with Audrey.

Fairy Godmother must have inhaled a bit too much pixie dust when creating the class schedules, Mal thought as she took her seat. Sleeping Brat and me, in the same class? Even if Fairy Godmother thought I was the Dragon's spawn, she would have had to have known this wouldn't end well? Especially when it was the class that ran the risk of things exploding!

"There aren't enough curse words in the world to satisfy me right now," Mal muttered as Mr. Delay started the lesson. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Audrey twitter with her cohorts like mindless zombies, going on about her wedding of all things.

The girl was sixteen, why did she even care about a wedding?

"Gods Audrey, the entire school knows you're betrothed to Ben. Maybe you could actually focus on the lesson instead what color you'd want your bridesmaids' dresses to be?" Akiho muttered from his seat next to Mal.

"What, she's what?" Mal hissed, turning to look at him. She didn't know why she cared about what was essentially idle gossip but there was something about the idea of Ben marrying the brainless twit that got Mal's hackles up. Even if she only knew him for a day.

"Yeah, Ben told Emir and me about it when we were twelve and then Audrey spread it around when they officially started dating last year," Akiho nodded. "Betrothal contract. Supposedly iron clad. Finalized when Audrey and Ben were three, I believe."

Mal made to open her mouth but Akiho shook his head, gesturing to the teacher who looked like he was about to call on someone. When Mr. Delay brought some poor unsuspecting kid to the board, Akiho started back up.

"Sorry, but that's Mr. Delay's thing. He picks one kid he thinks isn't paying attention and brings them up to the board. Emir and I think he likes humiliating people."

"Huh, well thanks for having my back I guess," Mal shrugged but she couldn't deny, she was oddly touched that someone from Auradon would look out for her like that.

Akiho shrugged. "Ben asked us to look out for you guys, at least for the first few days. Oh I think you'll get a kick out this by the way, there's a rumor going around the school that you're Lady Persephone's daughter."

"Well I don't know why that's a rumor," Mal shrugged, pretending to take notes. "I am. Maleficent's nothing more than my birth giver."

Akiho seemed a little shocked but continued on like the news hadn't phased him. "Well in that case you might want to be prepared for your Auradon cousins to come out of the woodwork. There's Ariel's daughters, Elle and Melody, and then there's Hercules' kids: Hyllus, Macaria and Herkie. Oh and Jamie Hawkins, she's Elle's cousin-her mom's Andrina and her dad's obviously Jim Hawkins."

"I only have one cousin," Mal said firmly, " and she's currently trapped on the Isle with no way off."

"Hey I'm just telling you what might happen."

"The other Gods don't care about the VKs," Mal snorted. "If they did, a lot would be different."

Akiho opened his mouth but Mal kicked his shin just as Mr. Delay seemed to want to pick another unsuspecting victim. Quickly looking down and pretending like he was taking notes, Akiho narrowly avoided getting selected himself.

"Thanks for that," he told Mal as they walked out of class.

Mal shrugged. "You did the same for me. We pay our debts on the Isle."

"Well thanks all the same. Even if the idea of the daughter of Lady Persephone being indebted to me sounds amazing," he said, teasing her on the last part.

"Gods Akiho, you don't honestly believe that lie do you?" Audrey's dulcet tones came from behind them. "She's obviously ashamed of having Maleficent for a mother so she's trying to make herself seem more important. Though, with your father being an ice man and who your mother almost ended up marrying, I guess seeing past the lies would be hard for a half royal like yourself?"

Without thinking, Mal grabbed onto Akiho's arm as if pulling him back. Years of holding back Jay and Harry from getting fights at the wrong time had made it second nature by this point. "Somewhere out there is a tree, tirelessly producing oxygen so that you can breathe," she told Audrey. "I think you owe it an apology. Come on Akiho."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away from Audrey and her cronies; Akiho chuckling as he followed.

"Thanks for that but I'm used to Audrey's barbs by now," he told Mal. "It's one of her favorite hits honestly, trying to get Ben not to hang out with us because Emir and I are only 'half royals'. Never mind the fact that Ben is too."

"Why does he keep in the contract then?" Mal asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Blueberry make her way toward the bleachers with a boy with blond, slightly curly hair that was pressed down with way too much gel.

"Figured Chad wouldn't waste time getting to know one of the two new girls," Akiho snorted, following Mal's gaze. "He wasn't really a fan of Ben's proclamation but he kept silent when he was around Ben. However, Chad will never stop being a flirt especially since Audrey's with Ben. Anyway, to answer your question, Ben considers the contract to be a promise. Ben's big on keeping his promises. He always says a king should be as good as his word."

"You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the contract, would you?" Mal asked, an idea slowly starting to form in her brain. "Contracts and deals are kinda my dad's thing. I want to see if it's as iron clad as you claim it is."

"Emir's got a copy or at least a photo of it," Akiho told her. "We can get it to you on the weekend—it's on his phone. Actually, come to Tourney practice. We'll get it to you then."

Mal nodded. "Good. Like I said, we pay our debts on the Isle."

"Ben wouldn't consider you indebted to him for getting you off the Isle," Akiho said as Jay walked up.

"And, as per usual, I haven't a clue what's going on," Jay snorted.

"Hey Jay," Akiho nodded with a smile. "I'll see you this weekend Mal?"

"Sounds like a plan," Mal nodded and Akiho walked off. Mal rolled her eyes at Jay's questioning stare.

"What?"

"What's happening this weekend?" Jay asked as they made their way back to Jay's dorm.

"Tourney practice. Akiho's getting me a copy of Ben's betrothal contract with Sleeping Brat," Mal told him. "I want to see if there's a way he can get out of it."

"Why?" Jay asked.

"Because…as much as I hate to say it, especially about any member of the royal family of Auradon, he seems like an okay guy," Mal sighed. "Besides, he got us off the Isle and asked his friends to watch our backs when he couldn't. I know we don't need it but if he's looking out for us, shouldn't we do the same for him?"

Jay was quiet for a few minutes before he spoke up again. "I got into a fight in Basic Chivalry. The teacher wants me to take my energy where it'll be more productive. Meaning he wants me to try out for the Tourney team. DeVil too—oddly enough he tried to break up the fight."

"Really?" Mal asked, sounding slightly impressed. "Guess DeVil has a little more bite to him now that we got him away from his mother. What was the fight about?"

"Oh one of the brainless wonders in the class was spouting some nonsense that you were a liar by saying Steph was your mom."

Mal snorted. "Sleeping Brat did the same thing. It doesn't matter what they think—mom is my mom. Don't they know calling me a liar is a compliment anyway? If they wanted to offend me, they'd just believe me."

"Yeah well, brains don't seem to be all that common around here," Jay shook his head.

"Some of the kids here have 'em," Mal shrugged. "Akiho and Emir for one. Lonnie's another one but I haven't seen her since dinner our first night."

"And Ben?" Jay teased.

"Gods, you're like a big brother no one asked for," Mal grumbled but there was no bite to it. She wouldn't know where she'd be if she was in Auradon without Jay. Actually, she did know—she'd be back on the Isle already, having earned her spot there because she'd have killed Blueberry.

"So how was Basic Chivalry?" Mal asked as she plopped on Jay's bed. "Other than the fight I mean?"

"They put a plate with a knife, two spoons and two forks in front of us," Jay said as Carlos walked in. "Believe it or not, DeVil and I sat there like imbeciles."

"I'm more impressed they trusted two VKs with a knife," Mal snorted. "Hey DeVil. Heard you broke up a fight between Jay and a gormless idiot. Nice work."

Carlos shrugged but Mal noticed he couldn't help but smile a bit at the praise. "We don't need the extra attention," he said softly. "Besides, Jay looked ready to rip the guy's head off."

"Probably would have too if Emir wasn't holding me back," Jay grumbled.

"Still. Nice work DeVil," Mal reiterated.

"You guys provided me protection on the Isle," Carlos said, his voice sounding a little stronger now that it was clear Mal wasn't going to snap at him. "I know you don't need protection, being Lady Persephone's daughter, but if I can…repay the favor, I will. We pay our debts on the Isle."

Mal nodded, oddly touched for the second time that day. DeVil believes me? He lived on the Isle all his life, he'd only know me as the Dragon's spawn…then again, with how Cruella treats him, maybe it's not so odd that he believes me. After all, if anyone can recognize the actions of someone who's a parent in name only, it'd be DeVil.

"DeVil, you want to go get food?" Mal offered after a few minutes. "I think dinner's starting soon. We get there now, I bet we can beat the crowds."

Carlos smiled. "Sure. Jay, you in?"

"I'm never one to turn down food," Jay smirked. "Come on DeVil, we need to put some meat on those bones of yours if you're going to survive Tourney tryouts. From what Emir said, the sport can get brutal."

"Um yeah, is there anyway I can pass on going to those tryouts?"

"The teacher said it was either tryouts or detention."

"We're VKs! Since when do we avoid detention?"

Mal couldn't help but smirk at DeVil's snark as the three of them made their way to dinner. Seems the little puppy has some bite to him, she thought. Good.