Chapter Thirty Eight

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

*ducks in preparation* I don't plan this you guys! The only thing I plan is that there's going to be 45 chapters. That's it. Anything else is purely circumstance.

On the note of this story, I can't believe we're only 14 reviews away from 600! Thank you guys, you're all amazing! :D

AmethystDragon14: Oh yay! Yeah I gotcha! It was just a little confusing since I was a little tired yesterday. The dragon will come, trust me. *grins evilly*

Tracie Adams: I do this because I care! Well actually I do this because I'm evil but in a caring way! Hope you like the chapter!

Urmimala Hazra: Ask and you shall receive! :D

Guest: Freddy is indeed going down!

M.v.j.M: It definitely is!

61394: He'll certainly get a taste of some kind of fire, that's for certain!

Sorceress of Magic: Yep, Gil did good! And unfortunately Uma and Harry will remain in denial for a while.

AliceCullen3: Oh I'm so glad!

twilightgirl587: *pokes in concern* you okay? Um…you're not going to like this chapter then…

ultimatebookworm08: lol I had to have some cute to balance out the pain of a cliff hanger!

Marcus Emrys: *in my Captain America voice* I understand that reference!

CrystalKaouri: Well now that you mentioned it, I did hear the melody playing as I wrote that bit. I'm convinced Freddy also doesn't have a heart and you're right, his father certainly didn't. But while he might not care about collateral damage, Mal and the others do.

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

Mal glared as Freddy strolled over to her, a twisted smile on his face. What in the world was he doing here?! He was supposed to be on the Isle, hiding from the Rats who were determined to personally escort him to Tartarus for what he did to Ryan!

"What, no warm welcome your majesty?" Freddy asked with a slight smirk and Mal pulled herself out of her thoughts. It wouldn't do to be caught unawares. Especially since no one knew what trick Freddy had up his sleeve. "Or is it my Lady? I know you witches appreciate a good title even if it's completely undeserved."

"The only warm welcome you'll receive is the warm embrace of your precious Hellfire, Freddy!" Mal spat, resting a hand on Harry's shoulder as if to keep him from hauling off and decking Freddy right there despite every fiber in her body wanting to obliterate the leader of the Angels. They needed Freddy to make the first attack.

Sure the Cotillion guests were gasping in shock, most likely at how rude they were being, but they didn't know who Freddy was. All they probably were gasping at was Mal's statement. After all, no one there knew what Freddy was truly like. If she or Harry attacked first, it might look like they were just attacking a poor, innocent guest.

Not that Freddy had ever been innocent but the Auradonians weren't likely to know that. Oh sure there might have been a moment when he was innocent as a baby but Frollo more than likely eliminated that. Twisting the babe into someone who shared his fanaticism, his lack of regard of others' lives.

A hand on her own shoulder brought Mal out of her thoughts and she looked over to see Ben glaring at Freddy. Ben never glared. If he was ever upset with someone, he opted to employ a set of disappointed puppy dog eyes that were guaranteed to make you melt into a pool of scummy goo.

Leah was probably the only person Ben had actually glared at...well and Natalie had he actually been face to face with her. Sadly only the phone fully felt the brunt of Ben's anger in that instance.

Ben truly was just too...good to glare at people. Even if they deserved it.

Then again...Ben knows what Freddy did to Ryan's sister. He was there when Freddy stabbed my shoulder with his dagger, and I'm sure Harry and Uma have told him stories from our time on the Isle. After all, Harry had called Freddy the spawn of Satan at the planning session, when we were trying to figure out which VKs would make up the next group. If there's anyone in Auradon who knows what Freddy Frollo is truly like, it's Ben, Mal thought.

"What are you doing here?" Ben asked, his voice cool but Mal could tell that even he was struggling to maintain control. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Emir and Akiho staring at Ben in shock, clearly not expecting that question from him.

"Yeah Freddy, this party is invite only and I'm pretty sure you're not on the guest list!" Uma exclaimed as she came marching up, Jay quickly on her heels. Even in their fancy attire, they moved like they were ready for a fight instead of a dance. The former option much more likely when it came to Freddy, especially when it came to one of the leaders of the Rats.

Mal though scanned the surrounding guests to try to see if she could locate the other VKs. The last thing she wanted was for Freddy to try to ensnare one of them, or worse, use them to get back at Mal, Uma, Jay, or Harry.

Carlos was busy trying to get Jane and some of the other girls back into the waiting area. Even if he hadn't interacted with Freddy much, Mal knew that Carlos was aware of what Freddy was capable of, considering the younger boy had been under the Rats' protection when they were on the Isle.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Evie trying to do the same with some of the cheerleaders. The girls were at least listening to her but the four boys on the squad were trying to join the Tourney boys in providing backup if they needed it. What exactly they'd do against Freddy, Mal had no idea, but there was safety in numbers.

Gil was nowhere to be seen but Mal wasn't all that worried. The last time she had caught a glimpse of the blond, he'd been talking to Harry. The First Mate, Mal assumed, must have given him orders to start getting some of the guests to safety in case this turned into a fight. Besides, with what all Freddy had done to Gil's family, she knew the dim witted younger boy would have probably pummeled Freddy into a pulp.

Not that it would have been a bad thing, Freddy no longer on the planet. But that was something he would have done. Something the Angels would have done.

They were not Angels. They were Rats—they were pirates. They were better than that.

With so much death and despair already heavily present on the Isle, what was the use in adding to it?

…but they weren't on the Isle right now. And with Freddy standing before her, it would really be a matter of self defense. Which was why Mal knew it was taking all of Uma's willpower not to send Freddy flying, all of Jay's strength not to knock the older boy flat on his back. Mal quickly scanned the audience once more to make sure she didn't miss any of the crew.

She didn't see Hadie but she was trying not to panic about that. Their mom was there, she might have taken him to safety and then come back to make sure Mal was alright. Mal wasn't even mad about her leaving, she knew her brother's safety was the highest priority—she may have trained him on swords but Freddy was still years older than the both of them.

Sometimes...size did end up beating skill.

"Why I thought this party was for all of Auradon not just witches who don't know their place," Freddy said, pulling out the invitation he had swiped from his stolen suit jacket with a smirk and Mal's eyes darted to it. "And I have an invitation."

Jay marched over and snatched the invitation out of Freddy's hand, quickly giving the invitation a once over. "Unless you've recently changed your name to Chad Charming, this isn't yours," he growled.

"I didn't say I had been invited Jay. Only that I had an invitation," Freddy shot back. "Now scurry along with your tail between your legs, the adults are talking."

Mal could hear the gasps coming from the Charming contingent, could see the worry on every one of the royals faces, and couldn't help but wonder where Chad was. She hadn't seen him at all and it wasn't like Chad to miss out on something that could make him the center of attention.

"Where's Chad?" Akiho demanded, apparently having the same line of thought as Mal. Chad may not have been his favorite person but he didn't deserve to be injured. Or worse. Chad's sisters might have complained about him but Akiho knew they'd be devastated if anything happened to their older brother. "What have you done with him?"

"Why so quick to jump to conclusions?" Freddy smirked as the Arendelle Prince's glare only grew. "Charming's fine. In fact, I have no idea who he is—he certainly doesn't matter to me. There's only one person who'll suffer my revenge tonight."

"In your dreams Freddy!" Mal exclaimed, knowing full well who he was talking about.

"Like you'd ever grace my dreams, witch!" Freddy spat back. "The only ones you'd be in would be my nightmares!"

Mal glared at him, her green eyes flashing in her anger and irritation. Even the feeling of Ben's hand on her shoulder wasn't enough to pull her back to feeling anything remotely resembling calm.

Though was it her imagination or was Ben's grip tightening a bit? Thankfully it wasn't the shoulder that Freddy had stabbed all those months ago—even though it had healed by this point, Mal knew it would probably still hurt if Ben gripped it.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Ben said, his voice hard and those around him looked at the teenaged King in surprise. Ben had always been one to advocate giving the VKs a second chance...or really even a chance. For Ben to ask one of them to leave...it was something in all fairness they'd expect from Beast, or Fairy Godmother, or maybe even one of the Tourney team. Not him.

"But I just got here," Freddy smirked. "And I'm not really in the mood to leave. Not with all the excitement."

"The excitement you're causing!" Uma growled.

Chip leaned forward so his mouth was by Ben's ear. "Ben, he's got a sword. I can see the hilt on his belt. Say the word and I can rush him before he gets the chance to hurt Mal."

The former teacup was sure Ben's friends would probably make the same offer but he was older than them. Never mind the fact that they were also heirs to their respective thrones, Chip wasn't going to let anything happen to his brother or his friends.

"No," Ben muttered back, shaking his head slightly. "Get my parents out of here Chip. If anything happens to me, they can help advise Emma. If possible, I'd get Lady Persephone to safety too. We're in the middle of the water, there's not much her powers would be able to assist with and Mal would be devastated if Freddy there did anything to her mom."

"Ben, Lady Persephone is a Goddess and more importantly you're the King. We've got to—."

"No Chip. Get my parents out of here," Ben said and then turned back to Freddy. "I think you've misunderstood. That wasn't a request."

Freddy shook his head and drew his sword, earning more gasps from the panicked Cotillion goers. Some of them began to rush to the stairs, something that Mal didn't blame them for one bit. "The only place I'll be going is to Notre Dame after this to celebrate one less witch on the planet. You, Beastie, will be just a momentary distraction before the main event."

"Freddy, don't even think about it!" Mal exclaimed, stepping forward. Freddy may have been able to hurt her crew, may have been able to push her into the Cove when she was nine. But she'd be damned if he hurt Ben! "Your fight's with me!"

"No Mal!" Ben shouted, shrugging off his suit jacket and handing it to a nearby attendant. He looked over at his best friends, who were looking at Ben with worry dancing in their eyes. "Guys, make sure Mal doesn't get hurt."

"Ben, you've got to be out of your mind."

"Akiho, this is my kingdom," Ben said, his voice soft as he searched for anyone who might have a sword on their person. He wasn't about to fight Freddy unarmed after all. "If I don't fight to protect my citizens, who will?"

"I will," Mal stated, turning to look at her boyfriend and crossing her arms over her chest. "Ben, this is madness—."

"To quote or at least paraphrase Ally, life's boring if you don't do at least ten mad things before breakfast," Ben said gently, softly cupping her cheek with his hand. "You can't save the day every time Mal. Besides, I owe you one from my coronation."

"She'll be fine Ben," Akiho sighed, resting a hand on Mal's shoulder as if to restrain her. He could see how much Ben cared for Mal, and Mal Ben. If he could, the Arendelle Prince would do whatever possible to prevent anything from happening to either of them—and he knew Emir felt the same way."But what are you going to do about a sword? It's not like we expected a VK to escape the Isle and gate crash."

Note to self, rant to Ben about lack of guard situation later, Akiho thought to himself as he looked around. Seriously? I know Fairy Godmother set up the ward around the yacht and tied the invitations to the wards but clearly that wasn't good enough! Also, Chad, did you have to lose your invitation?

Ben sighed, knowing his best friend had a point. But he wasn't about to just sit by and let Freddy harm Mal. Not after all the harm he'd already done.

"Did you all really think I'd attend an event and not have a sword?" Harry asked, unsheathing said sword from his belt as everyone turned and looked at him. "A pirate party isn't a good one unless there's one sword fight anyway."

"Where were you even keeping that?" Mal asked, tilting her head. "Seriously Harry, that's the first time I've noticed you even having a sword."

"That's because your attention has been rightly on Benny here, cap'n," Harry smiled slightly before that smile fell as he turned toward Ben.

He handed the sword to the teenaged King, an unusually stonily look on his face. "Kick. His. Arse. Ben."

If he couldn't be the one to show Freddy to Davy Jones' locker, Ben was a good second choice.

"With pleasure. I don't want you guys joining in. This is my fight," Ben nodded and turned back to Freddy.

"White moves first," Freddy smirked as the two boys started to circle each other as if vultures circling their prey. Mal tensed as Ben lunged and the sound of clashing steel sounded in the air. Mal bit her lip as Akiho wrapped his arms around her torso, preventing her from joining the fray.

They don't understand. Only a VK can handle sparing with another VK. An AK would fight fairly, would fight with honor. A VK fights only to live to see another day, she thought as her eyes stayed locked on the ensuing battle. There was no denying the fact that Freddy was good—but he was also inexperienced with a sword.

Angels opted for daggers after all, a much better weapon to use in the event of a sneak attack. So Mal could tell that Freddy was tiring quickly against the weight of the sword, his arm not used to such a weapon especially one that wasn't defective like the ones that somehow found themselves in the delivery barges.

And Ben hadn't been made captain of the R.O.A.R and the school's fencing team simply because he was the Crown Prince or because of his good looks. He was able to match every lunge, every parry with ease.

Plus, because he'd often spar with Mal when he had the chance, he was at least comfortable enough with the VK style of sparring that Ben was able to avoid cheap shots. Like a kick to the groin.

"And here I thought you'd be above such a move," he snapped, moving his sword to deflect a low hit. They were both men after all, though knowing what he knew Ben would be loathed to call Freddy a gentleman.

"All's fair in sparring, or at least that's what your little witch of a girlfriend likes to say according to the Isle grapevine," Freddy snarled, his voice barely audible over the clashing steel.

Mal bit her lip once more in worry as people continued to gasp with every blow brought down by both boys. Sure there were no guards at Cotillion because of the ward Fairy Godmother had set up but surely that didn't mean guards weren't coming did it?

Thank Gods Belle and Beast aren't here. Belle'd be a nervous wreck watching Ben spar Freddy and I don't even want to think about what Beast would be like, Mal thought. Chip thankfully had been able to drag the former King and Queen to safety, employing the help of a couple of Ben's team mates.

Tearing her gaze away from the fight, Mal could see that Emir had Uma restrained; his arms around her torso the same way Akiho's arms were restraining Mal. And the same way Jay's arms were restraining Harry. Mal had to wonder though who would be available to restrain Jay if it came down to it.

Did Freddy bring any of the other Angels? Mal thought before she could stop it from entering her head. If the Isle had taught them anything, it was the importance of backup. They could save your life, and provide assistance in case you found yourself in a fight you couldn't win.

Just as Freddy found himself in at that moment. Turning back into the fight, Mal smirked slightly as she saw the older boy and leader of the Angels backing away from Ben. Ben was still holding his own and, Mal had to admit, looking very attractive fighting Freddy.

Mal just wished she didn't know that if Ben lost this fight, there was an extremely high possibility that she'd lose Ben.

"What is he doing?" Mal heard Uma mutter and saw Freddy reach into his jacket pocket as Estelle began barking in the distance, as if trying to warn the humans as to what was going to happen. Mal realized that the pocket Freddy was reaching into was the same pocket that he had reached into to get the invitation. But instead of the invite, Mal stared as Freddy held what, to anyone not familiar with the Isle, looked like a water balloon.

But Mal was incredibly familiar with the Isle. And with what Freddy held in his hand. She knew just what it was, having made more than she could count.

The smirk the French fanatic had on his face as he noticed Mal's attention, grey eyes meeting green, only served to eliminate all doubt from her mind.

"Ben, watch out!" Mal exclaimed and Ben turned to look at her. The distraction proved to be all Freddy needed as he slammed the balloon onto the deck of the yacht. In an instant, a cloud of dark red smoke surrounded all of them. Mal coughed as she accidentally breathed some of it in.

"Freddy better not have used one of our smoke bombs to escape!" Uma growled, the glow of her shell necklace and sound of her voice being the only indication of her presence near Mal. "If he does, he'll find out exactly what his hellfire looks like!"

Mal nodded and her eyes glowed momentarily as she tried to scan the area, looking for the thorn in her side. The thick smoke, though, made doing so rather difficult. However, her attention was directed elsewhere as a faint thunk was heard echoing through the smoke.

"Uma?!"

"I heard it too Mal."

"Jay, you there?"

"I'm here."

"Harry...?"

"If Freddy thinks he can touch me, he's got another thing coming," Harry said, a slight snarl to his voice. Mal's blood ran cold as she realized there was only one other person Freddy might attack at that moment.

Well, other than her that was.

"Beware, foreswear, make this smoke disappear!" Mal exclaimed, forgetting in her fear and anger that Akiho still had his arms wrapped around her torso. All she was focused on was making sure that Ben was alright. That Freddy hadn't done anything to him while under cover of smoke.

But the hand gesture she'd grown used to proved not to be needed as the thick red smoke began to slowly vanish from view. Mal glared as she saw Freddy was still there.

Why didn't he take this chance to escape? None of us would have been able to stop him, Mal thought, her eyes narrowing as she realized that someone was lying on the deck of the yacht. That Freddy was standing over the person's body, his sword hilt raised as if he had used it to knock against the person's skull.

Way to take a cheap shot, she thought with a growing glare.

"No," Mal heard Akiho gasp in realization. She looked at the blond and saw an almost pained look on his face. It almost looked as if he'd been punched in the stomach or witnessed the death of a beloved family member. Mal noticed that the same look present on Emir's as well. There was only one person who could earn that look from both boys and yet...she prayed to every God she knew as she turned back to the person on the ground, that the unconscious figure wasn't who she thought it was.

It was then, as she studied the near lifeless figure, that she realized something. Something important.

As the smoke faded completely from view, she hadn't heard anything from Ben. Hadn't seen him. That...that could only mean one thing. That the person who was lying on the deck of the yacht, the one with the light brown hair, the hazel green eyes that were currently shut to the world, the one who was at the mercy of Freddy Frollo, was...

"Ben!"