Chapter Thirty Three


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

I'm so thankful for all the support you all have been giving this story! It really feels like it's taken off a life of its own and I couldn't have done that without you guys!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter! :D


The weekend came before Mal knew it, and she found that she was actually excited to watch Jay and Carlos try out for Tourney. It would at least be more entertaining than watching Blueberry do Chad Charming's homework for him.

Honestly, what is she thinking? That Charming would just go out with her if she does his work? Mal thought with an eye roll. Still, a small part of her couldn't help but be a little amused by the whole thing. Blueberry was getting played by the same stuff she would pull on the Isle. Mal would always have a front row seat to that sort of thing since she and Blueberry were often in the same class at Dragon Hall.

Karma was sweet. Or at least it would if Mal didn't feel a small tug on her conscious every time she saw Evie at work. That tug was the reason why Mal spent more and more of her time throughout the week hanging out in Jay's room. She couldn't feel the tug if she didn't see Blueberry.

"Are you sure we have to do this?" Carlos asked that Saturday as Mal once again sat in the boy's room, smirking in amusement.

"It's either we do this or we have detention DeVil," Jay told him.

"I believe I stated earlier that as VKs we don't shy away from detention!"

Mal looked over at Jay and the two of them shared a smirk. DeVil truly was coming into his own—or at least felt more comfortable around Mal and Jay. To be fair to the younger boy, he mainly saw them when one of them checked in on him and Gil—and if it was Harry, well let's just say there was a reason why Mal or Jay handed the check ins.

Now all DeVil needed to do was lose a lot more of the timidness around people who weren't Mal or Jay and he'd be just fine.

Meanwhile, over at the girls' side of the building, a certain prince was making his way down the hall. He hadn't had a chance to talk to any of the VKs that day and he wanted to make sure they were doing alright. Ben figured that they were probably all in one location. He didn't know why but he wanted to start with Mal's room.

He had a good feeling about it.

Knocking on the door, Ben felt his good feeling disappear as Evie answered the door. That wasn't to say that he wasn't happy to see Evie but…he had kinda wanted to see Mal. "Evie! Hi!"

"Hello Prince Ben," Evie said with a small smile, clearly remembering the incident from their first day since her voice lacked the flirtatious nature it'd had at their first encounter.

"You don't have to use the title Evie. Just Ben is fine," Ben said gently, smiling as he saw the books spread out on the table behind her; a small handheld mirror holding down some of the papers. "I just wanted to stop by, see if you and Mal needed anything. Where, uh, where is Mal by the way?"

"You might want to try Jay's room," Evie told him, the smile still on her face but Ben could hear a slightly resigned tone to her voice. Were...were they not friends on the Isle? Ben thought. Mal wouldn't purposely exclude Evie would she?

"It's where she always is," Evie added as Ben didn't comment, lost in his thoughts. Ben nodded though he felt his heart sink to his stomach. Oh. Mal was with Jay. Any thought or belief that Ben had that Mal and Jay were just good friends was slowly deteriorating.

"Thanks Evie," Ben told the blue haired girl, hoping his disappointment didn't show in his voice. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm good," Evie told him with a small shake of her head. Ben nodded and gave her a small smile before turning to go make his way to Jay and Carlos' room. Even though the door was shut, Ben could still hear their voices from his spot in the hall.

"Name one stupid thing I've ever done!" Ben heard Jay exclaim and he couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about. Certainly seemed interesting.

"I have a list. It's alphabetized," Mal's dry tone responded and Ben had to bite back a chuckle as he knocked on the door.

You don't have a shot. After all, your dad's the one who created the Isle. Even if you did break it off with Audrey, why would Mal even want to go out with you? You've known her for like a week!

"Hey Bennyboo," Mal's voice broke through his thoughts as she opened the door and Ben couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname, even if he hated when Audrey used it. There was just something…different when Mal used it. Ben couldn't put his finger on it.

"Hey! I was just…uh I was just wondering if you all needed anything? I hadn't seen you all day so I just wanted to check in," Ben said.

"You're going to be seeing us in about thirty minutes," Mal said. "Jay and Carlos are trying out for Tourney."

"And you?"

"Moral support and/or mocking," Mal said with a smirk. "Probably about thirty percent support, seventy percent mocking."

Ben chuckled. "Hey, do you…do you all want to walk down together? I've got to head down to practice early anyway to help set up, part of the perks of being captain."

Mal looked over at the boys and then back to Ben with a shrug.

"Sure," Mal said and the three VKs followed Ben down to the Tourney field. Mal wasn't going to lie, it was a little weird seeing Ben away from the two parasites known as Chad and Audrey. Sleeping Brat especially seemed to be more determined to remind Mal that Ben was her's, constantly clinging to Ben's arm and loudly showing affection whenever Mal passed them the hall.

Mal honestly didn't care. Ben was an ally, nothing more. The only reason she wanted to see if there was a way to get Beastie Jr. out of the betrothal contract was to wipe the smug grin off of Audrey's face.

No one should be stuck with the brat as a future bride. Not even someone who's father was the reason she had been stuck on an Isle with nothing to eat but rotten food for sixteen years. Thank the Gods for her mother and her access to Auradon otherwise Mal and her crew probably would have been in worse shape.

But anyway, seeing Ben away from those two…it was like seeing a completely different person. He was more relaxed, more carefree. If it wasn't for the suit, Mal would have assumed Ben was a regular teen.

Speaking of which, is that all he owns? Mal thought. I mean, I can understand wanting to make an impression on our first day but I don't think I've seen him in anything else—and considering he tries to stop by either my locker or my room once a day to make sure I or the other VKs don't need anything, that's a little…concerning.

She shook her head slightly—why did she care exactly what Beastie Jr. wore? If he wanted to look like a miniature of a businessman, more power to him.

They made their way down to the Tourney field and the boys broke off, heading over to the locker rooms to get changed into their pads while Mal climbed up to grab a spot in the bleachers.

Gods I wish I had my sketchbook, she thought as she looked out at the empty field. The canon especially seemed like it would be an interesting thing to draw—and it would stave off some boredom as she waited for the boys to come back out.

Mal didn't have to wait long as the team quickly ran out from the locker room, Jay and Carlos at the rear.

Gods Jay, I hate to even think it but look out for DeVil, Mal thought. The younger boy's height difference was more pronounced than ever when he was surrounded by the other players, his arms and torso covered by the pads. It didn't help matters when, maybe half an hour into practice, Mal heard the coach yell at Carlos to get out of the 'kill zone'.

Okay, DeVil, we need to get you into something more…tech based, Mal thought, remembering the device the younger boy had made that had gotten them some more channels on their televisions. Granted it also blasted a small hole in the barrier which allowed Mal more access to her magic.

She couldn't help but smile as she saw Jay move through the team, running like he was sprinting across the rooftops of the Isle looking to get his next score. The smile faded as she watched Carlos throw his stick at Jay and then ducked down as to avoid the impact.

I get it's a sport but DeVil's under our protection Jay! Ruthless yet Loyal! What in the world are you thinking?!

"What do you call that?!" Mal heard the coach yell and she realized that he had called Jay over. "Raw talent, that's what I call it. Come see me later, I'll show you something you probably haven't seen before. It's called a rule book."

Mal scowled as she made her way down in case they needed her should a fight break out. Jay knew what a rule book was, the Isle had its own rules. Unwritten, sure but they existed.

How else could Maleficent rule the Isle with an iron fist?

"You ever think about band?" The coach asked Carlos and Mal had to bite back a snort as she reached the bottom of the bleachers. There was no question that someone as timid as Carlos would be devoured by this sport.

Harry'd do well here, but he'd probably prefer something with more swords, Mal thought. That's that's if he can keep his attention away from the cheerleaders. And of course Sleeping Brat's a cheerleader—because why not?

"I'll work with him coach," Ben promised and was it Mal's imagination or did Emir and Akiho just look at each other in concern? Seriously? They were concerned about Ben being alone with Carlos of all VKs? Blueberry would be more concerning if Mal was being honest.

"Take a break you lot!" Ben called as he walked off with the coach.

"Mal!" Akiho waved as Mal walked over, the blond handing Mal a rather nice looking phone. "I got what you were asking for."

"It's my phone you idiot!" Emir shouted but shook his head in amusement. "Passcode's 1-1-2-5."

Mal nodded and, after typing in the passcode, looked at the photo Emir had of the contract. Honestly, there had to be a way out of this thing—no royal worth their salt would have signed it without a way for them to get out of it if the need arose.

And the fact that Ben stiffened every time Audrey touched him was enough of a reason in Mal's book. If she didn't think the brat wasn't capable of it, Mal might have thought that something a bit darker was going down between Ben and Audrey.

Seriously, the Princeling stiffens the way Carlos does every time Jay slaps him on the back or pats his shoulder, Mal thought as she scanned the contract, not realizing that she had referenced Carlos using his first name rather than his last.

"Well?" Akiho asked after a minutes.

"Whoever made this contract is good," Mal sighed, handing Emir his phone back. "But like I said earlier, deals are kinda my dad's thing. How old did you say Ben was when this was made?"

"Three," Emir said as he pocketed his phone and Mal stiffened. Three? What, were Beast and Belle content to trade away their only son like he was some sort of prized stallion to be sired? The irony that Sleeping Beauty's daughter and Beast's son being bound by a betrothal contract while their parents got to marry for love was not lost on Mal.

"There you go then," Mal said, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. Ben's an ally, nothing more, she thought. "There was no way Ben could consent to this at the age of three. Even if Belle and Beast consented for him, if he removed his consent now the contract's null and void. My dad always says that when it comes to a deal, consent matters. Otherwise, you have a hostage situation."

"Huh, that's an oddly apt description for what Ben's in," Akiho snorted.

"And he won't break it why?" Mal asked.

"He considers it a promise made on his behalf and Ben keeps his promises," Emir shook his head. "Never mind the fact that he's clearly miserable. And exhausted."

"So, you two going to just gab all day or are you coming back to practice?" Ben's voice cut in causing Emir and Akiho to jump.

"Sorry captain!"

Ben shook his head in amusement. "Sorry about them Mal. They mean well."

"It's my fault," Mal said with a chuckle. "Akiho was just getting me some information I asked for."

"Oh?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at his best friend.

"The subject of your betrothal contract came up when Mal and I were leaving class earlier in the week," Akiho said and Ben honestly couldn't find it in him to be angry. Mal…Mal was asking about his betrothal contract?

Seriously, you've known her for a week! Pump your brakes Princey, as Emir would say, Ben thought.

"Ben, you realize you can get out of it. Right?" Mal asked.

"Yeah dude, didn't you tell us that your mom had mentioned that if you wanted out, you could just tell her?" Emir asked. "I think she told you that back when we were twelve?"

"Well yeah but—"

"So why are you staying in a relationship where you're clearly miserable?" Akiho asked and it was clear to Mal that they'd had this conversation many a time before.

"Look guys, Audrey's…she's not as bad as you make her out to be—"

"Dragging you on shopping dates every Sunday when it's your only day to relax says otherwise. Dragging you on a shopping date two days after you got knocked out in the Imperial Academy game three weeks ago definitely says otherwise!"

"I'd rescheduled with her two times already! I didn't have a —"

"I swear, Ben, if you say you didn't have a choice, I will whack you over the head with my Tourney stick! The fact that you already had a concussion this year be damned!"

"Bennyboo, is there a problem?" Audrey's voice broke through the commotion and Mal had to roll her eyes. Of course, someone like Audrey would notice when Ben was talking to another girl.

"No problem Audrey," Ben said, the stiff, unnatural smile back on his lips. "I was just talking with Akiho, Emir, and Mal."

"Hmm, well, maybe it's not a good idea to have Mal distract you. She might put a curse on you Bennyboo and we'd lose the Championship," Audrey simpered as she started to put her arm around his.

"You know I have to say, you certainly beat my first impression of you Audrey," Mal said, matching the princess' insincere tone and Audrey paused.

"What do you mean?"

"I never struck you for the type of princess who wouldn't mind the sweat and grime of Tourney practice rubbing against their perfect skin," Mal said innocently, giving a small shrug. "Guess I was wrong."

Audrey jumped back and glared at Mal, who simply smirked while Akiho and Emir were biting back their snickers.

"You just can't stand to see someone happy can you?" Audrey snapped. "Just like your mother."

"Oh, you mean Lady Persephone?" Mal said. "Why, I consider that a compliment Audrey."

Audrey scoffed. "Sooner or later that lie will catch up to you Mal. Bennybear, I'll see you after practice."

She leaned up to kiss his cheek but Mal saw that the princess' lips never touched Ben's skin. For the second time that day, anger ran through her body yet Mal wasn't entirely sure why. All she knew was that she needed a way to get Ben out of that contract and wipe the smug grin off of Audrey's face.

That's when it hit her. Maleficent's spell book—it was still in the bottom of her bag. She hated to do it, her dad wanted her to behave and keep her nose down.

But…watching Ben stiffen with every touch, watching him change before Mal's eyes whenever Audrey was near him. Mal had to do something.

What are you doing for Beastie Jr.?

Uma?

The one and only! Thought you forgot about me cuz!

I wasn't sure if our mind thread would work, considering we're descendants of the Gods.

Aunt Steph's and mine work, why shouldn't ours? Anyway, you're changing the subject.

I need a way to convince Ben to break his betrothal contract to Sleeping Brat.

…why?

Because he's miserable.

I thought we relished the misery of any member of the royal family?

We did. And then I met this one. Watching him be miserable is like watching Estelle beg for scraps at the table. You know, the big puppy dog eyes that just melt your heart? Plus we need him as an ally if you and Harry have any shot of coming over.

Didn't Jay give you Maleficent's spell book? Use something in that.

I was toying with that. But dad wants me to behave.

You're a VK. Since when do you behave? Besides, think of this as service to Auradon. I'm sure the only people who want Beastie Jr. in a relationship with Sleeping Brat is Sleeping Brat and possibly her parents.

She…she keeps saying Maleficent's my mom and that I'm just like her. I don't want to prove her right.

Mali, Maleficent would use that spell book to try to take over Auradon. You're using it to save a prince from what sounds like a really bad relationship.

…I haven't even told you any details.

Don't need them. I hear the name Sleeping Brat, that's all I need. They want to cast judgements on us, turn about's fair play.

Mal smirked as Jay walked up, Carlos on his heels.

"Coach wants to meet up with me later," Jay said, slightly shocked. "I…I think I might be on the team."

"I'm a reserve apparently," Carlos said softly. "Until Ben can work with me."

Mal nodded and the three of them went back to their dorms, Mal heading to hers for the first time since they arrived in Auradon.

"Ben was looking for you," Evie said when Mal walked in.

"He found me," Mal told her, grabbing Maleficent's spell book out of her bag and Evie gasped.

"How'd…how'd you get that? If you're Lady Persephone's daughter…?"

"It's none of your business, princess but you ever hear of adoption?" Mal snarked, still flipping through the pages until she found one that she thought might work. "Maleficent is still my birth giver making this mine by right. However, that is all you need to know. I'll be over at Jay's."

"What else is new?" Mal heard Evie mutter as the purple haired Godling shut the book and walked out the door to the boys' dorm.

"Jay!" Mal called as she strolled in.

"Yes Mali?" Jay chuckled from his spot on his bed, Carlos in the shower. Mal held up the spell book and wiggled it a little.

"You want to make some cookies?"