Chapter Six
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else is owned by either Disney or the Greek Myths.
*glares once more at my keyboard* you know you're going to give me a rep with all this quick updating you're making me do you know? Seriously, couldn't we, you know, slow our roll a little?
That being said, thank you all so much for your continued support! We're twenty five reviews away from 100 and we're not even at ten chapters yet! Your support on this story means the world to me! Thank you all so, so much!
Tracie Adams: Yeah you can't help but be happy for Harry and CJ!
AliceCullen3: Oh I'm so glad! :D
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you! Yeah I liked writing the sibling moment for Harry and CJ, CJ deserves to know that Harry cares about her. Trust me, I can't wait to roast Freddy too!
danifan3000: The Angels of the Isle are only going to go after the Rats, and for Jay, Jade knows how to protect herself. Harry's main focus is getting his little sister out of harm's way.
Anonymous Reader: Yay! All three Hooks are going to be in Auradon! And let's just say being oblivious is a Hook family trait! :D
Guest: Oh thank you! Ryan will make his way across the bridge at some point. Just not quite yet.
Katie2001: Aww, so glad that you liked the chapter! :D
Guest: It really was!
shortanamx: Well no but Henry would fill Ryan in on what's going on.
Snowwhite45: Yep, they are terrible with feelings but that might just be from growing up on the Isle.
Guest: Yep, Harry would be the overprotective big brother but then again, growing up on the Isle, he'd have to be!
Lord of the A.U. FanFiction: I can see what I can do!
amy . ward . 906: Very true and I'm glad you liked the chapter! :D
ultimatebookworm08: Aww, glad you smell a ship coming!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Hook siblings are amazing aren't they? And don't worry Ry, you'll see the sun soon! Action will come soon enough! :D
twilightgirl587: Unfortunately right now Harry's main priority is getting CJ off the Isle. But Ryan will be reunited with CJ soon enough!
OceanBlueSeaEyes: I made Milah their mother and the blonde probably was just a recessive trait.
billyandkimfan1994: Well he is a pirate so it's entirely likely that was the case! :D
Hope you all like this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
While Harry and Jay were off getting CJ, Mal and Uma were making their way to the Underworld. At that moment, the ember was probably the only thing that could help them if Audrey tried to do another attack.
I wish I brought Estelle, Mal thought. But there's no side car on my bike and there's no way he could sit on that bike safely. Plus he'd be better off protecting the 'pups' so to speak. I can handle myself around the Angels here—I'm not letting those kids be put in danger and Freddy knows where Evie's castle is now.
Just because Hadie was up in the safety of Olympus didn't mean that she was going to let Dizzy, Celia, or the Smee twins be without protection. Thankfully, Celia also knew her way around a sword. How could she not with her sister being who she was? She wasn't Hook level good but she'd be able to last long enough for help to come.
Not to mention I taught Evie how to make and throw smoke bombs, Mal thought. Freddy proved that they're more than just a fun prank idea or a way to run away from a fight when he threw his at Cotillion. Thankfully Carlos left his slingshot when he went over to Rodger and Anita's so Evie and Doug could hold off an attack should they need to and give the kids time to run.
"I thought you still had your Fae magic from the Dragon," Uma said as they made their way through the Isle, pulling Mal out of her thoughts. "How was the scepter's magic able to work against you?"
"I'm not sure," Mal sighed. "Possibly it's because of the fact that mom adopted me, therefore more Godly powers are running through my veins than my Fae powers. But hush, dad doesn't really like talking about my Fae side. I mean he will because he doesn't believe in keeping my heritage from me but in every way that counts, I'm mom and dad's."
"So we're keeping it a secret from Uncle Hades that Audrey cursed you then?"
"If at all possible, that would be appreciated. You know dad would go ballistic if he knew and we really don't have time for that."
Uma nodded and the two cousins opened the gate to the Underworld, slipping inside, and making their way to the kitchen where they assumed Hades would be. It was a pretty safe bet after all—he was either there or in the den.
"Hey dad?" Mal called out as they walked into the kitchen.
"Mal?"
"And Uma."
"No Harry and Jay?" Hades asked as he walked toward his daughter. "And no Hadie? I believe you said the last time I saw you that your brother would be joining on the next clandestine trip you took here. Unless you're actually fighting with your brother this time?"
Mal sighed. "Harry and Jay are over on the ship, warning the crew about something that happening over in Auradon. Hadie would have joined us dad, but he's up on Olympus. Didn't…didn't mom tell you that?"
"No surprisingly your mother failed to mention that your brother was up on Olympus but then again I haven't talked to your mother yet today," Hades shook his head. He would have to reach out to Persephone later and find out what was going on on that end. "And, just out of curiosity, why is your brother in my brother's domain? I'm surprised Zeus allowed a child of Hades to darken his doorstep after all."
"Sleeping Beauty's brat has Maleficent's scepter and has teamed up with Freddy Frollo," Uma stated and Mal shot her a look. "What? You were dancing around the subject and time's not really on our side here. The longer we take here, the more time Audrey has to go after Ben, Celia and the others. Remember Jane's still having her birthday party after all and you know Carlos is going to be going to that. Plus wherever Carlos goes, Gil goes."
If they could protect their crew, they would. A party would be the largest congregation of Auradon Prep kids and that would also be the most logical place for Audrey and Freddy to attack after Ben.
You know, I'm really going to give Beast what for the next time I see him. This would be so much easier if we had cellphone access, Uma thought with a small sigh.
Mal nodded and turned back to face her father. "Right. Dad, sorry to be blunt but that's what's going on. I need the ember."
Hades held up his hand, trying desperately to keep a hold on his temper at the thought of both his kids being in danger. "Hold on, rewind please. Mal I'm sorry but did you say Sleeping Beauty's daughter has Maleficent's scepter? How did she—?"
"Evil intent dad," Mal said, more than a little frustrated with the questioning. "Remember? Only people related to Maleficent by blood or those with evil in their hearts can lift the Dragon's scepter."
"And she's partnered with Freddy Frollo?"
"Yeah, we still haven't figured that one out."
"In all honesty I'm not that surprised," Hades muttered. "From what I've heard about that boy, and from what you've told me about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, they almost seem like a perfect match for each other. Despite you know how that boy feels about those he calls 'witches'."
"Yeah well with Audrey having the scepter, it's the closest thing to a 'witch' Freddy's going to get," Mal muttered.
"He could grow to like her," Uma mused.
"Oh Gods, now that's terrifying," Mal shuddered. "Audrey and Freddy?"
"Hey, mutual hate of you and who else would put up with him? Even Shayla and Locklyn would get bored of him at some point, Morgan at least has a brain because she never fought the other two for a chance to have another fling with Freddy and Brooke's too young to even think about stuff like that."
"While true and an excellent point, it does not take away from the terrifying aspect of the pairing. Never mention it again!" Mal exclaimed and then turned to her dad. "Dad? I hate to grab and run but kinda on a time crunch. Ember please?"
"Mal—."
"Dad, Audrey's after Ben right now. You know, my fiancé? The guy who risked his life to keep Freddy from taking over Auradon and throwing me in the water at Cotillion? I'd like to prevent Audrey from harming him so yeah. Kinda need that ember!"
Hades sighed but went over to the den where the ember was on its stand. Grabbing it, he walked back to Mal. "You know it won't work for you. Not completely. And if it gets wet, it's game over."
"I know dad," Mal sighed as Hades handed her the ember. "But it's better than nothing and with Audrey having the Dragon's scepter, it's the best thing we've got. We know we can't count on Olympus to do anything but keep Hadie safe."
"And honestly the jury's still out on that one," Uma muttered. She knew Demeter would protect Hadie without question, but Zeus? Hera? Those were still up in the air.
Hades sighed and pulled Mal into a hug. "Be safe okay?"
"I will dad," Mal promised, smiling slightly as he rubbed her back and held her close, like she would vanish if he let her go. But that was how his hugs always were, especially after she had been an idiot back when she was six after Hadie was born.
Gods I can't believe I ever thought dad had Hadie to replace me, she thought with an inward sigh as she returned the hug. Then again, six year old me did have years of living with the Dragon and only months of living with dad.
"You don't always have to be the one to make sure Hadie's safe," Hades whispered and Mal looked up at him. "That job belongs to me and your mom."
"What kind of a sister or Captain would I be if I just let Hadie wander about while Freddy's on the prowl? Besides dad, Hadie's an Auradon citizen. He always was being from the Isle but now it's official. As future Queen, he's my responsibility," Mal said softly. "Plus, like I said, with Freddy and Audrey out there, armed with the Dragon's scepter…I don't want anything happening to him."
Hadie may have been full God but Mal didn't know what the scepter would do to him. She also wasn't in any particular hurry to find out either. It was one thing to curse her but Audrey would not curse her brother—and if Zeus was good for anything it was protecting Hadie.
If he doesn't, his lightning bolt is going to have a very interesting new home and I don't think Zeus will like it, Mal thought.
Hades gave her a small smile as they broke from the hug. "Take care of my daughter okay? I've only got the one and she's pretty amazing."
Mal couldn't help but chuckle at that and Hades' smile grew as he heard it. No matter what, he loved hearing his daughter's laugh.
"We've got that taken care of Uncle Hades," Uma told him, a small smile pulling at her lips. "Wherever Mal goes, the crew goes. No questions asked."
Hades nodded. "If I remember correctly, Jay and Harry are particularly fond of my chicken meatballs. I've got a few made up but I haven't had a chance to fry them. Give me a second, I'll cook them up for you to take to them."
"I'm pretty sure Jay and Harry would flip at the chance to eat your cooking dad. As long as you make enough for the boys to share with us," Mal grinned. They had a little time, after all Jay and Harry were probably still with the crew. Hey, as she had repeatedly said, Auradon food was great but there was nothing, I repeat nothing, that beat her father's cooking.
Hades nodded and pulled out the meatballs from the fridge. "I have to say, it's been hard to get my hands on those chickens since you kids and Estelle went across the bridge but thankfully your crew's been handy in getting enough for the restaurant."
"Really?" Mal asked.
"Yep," Hades chuckled. "Ryan and CJ especially. They seem to have a competition to see who can bring more. Seems the Angels have been particularly quiet too so your Rats have been able to move peacefully around your territory."
Mal and Uma couldn't help but smile as they heard that. They weren't particularly sure when he'd had a chance to meet CJ but figured she had gone into the restaurant for a food run. It was one of the few responsibilities the under fifteens could do so they eagerly grabbed them.
"They're partnered up though right? The Rats?" Uma asked.
"Of course," Hades nodded. "I've seen them on patrols when I leave the restaurant. Always three to a group, though I've never seen your acting Captain or the Smeelette in the patrols."
"Makes sense," Uma nodded. "Like you said, Henry's acting Captain just as Sammy's acting Captain for Harriet's crew. If the Angels do make their move, they'll either go after one of our younger members or they'll go after Henry or Sammy since they're Captains. After all Mal took out Freddy, eye for an eye."
Mal sighed, she didn't really want to think about that. The fact that, in protecting Ben, she had endangered members of her crew and people she thought of as friends.
"How's Ryan doing dad?" Mal asked. "After…well I know it's been a couple of months after his sister died but I haven't heard any news from Henry."
Hades sighed. "I've kept an eye on him or at least as well as I can. He seems fine Mali. Clings to CJ like glue but from what you've told me about your crew, they're best friends. It would almost be expected."
"Good," Mal couldn't help but relax a little at that. She knew Ryan would likely always miss his sister but at least he was bouncing back.
"Oh, also, next time you're here, talk to your crew about watching where they talk about their flings," Hades said. "I don't mind being someone your crew can come to but I draw the line at hearing about their trysts."
Mal and Uma chuckled. "I guess we'll amend the rule to be no talking about flings around the under fifteens, the girls unless they ask, and Lord Hades."
"That's all I ask really. I know the Gods practically invented the art of trysts but that doesn't mean I want to hear about babies having them."
Mal paused, tilting her head in confusion. "Uh dad? I'm pretty sure most of the crew is in their teens or older?"
"That's what I said. Babies," Hades nodded.
"Oh Gods," Mal sighed and shook her head. "Dad, you're not still on about the fact that I had my first boyfriend at sixteen are you?"
"Sixteen is much too young for a boyfriend!" Hades shook his head. "I still can't believe you have the no flings until fifteen rule for your crew!"
"Dad, my crew is not made up of Godlings," Mal said patiently as if she'd had this conversation a time or twenty with her father. "They are mortals. You can not expect mortals to go hundreds of years without companionship do you? And even though Hadie's a Godling, I'm still holding him to the same rule—it won't be fair to him if he's the only one in the crew not allowed to experience the same thing his peers get to."
Speaking of hundreds of years, you still need to talk to Ben about the whole immortal/mortal problem, she thought. I mean, I love Ben and I don't want to live without him but I don't see him choosing to live without his friends and family. That wouldn't be fair to him—living without Emir and Akiho, or even Chip! At least it's assumed he'll outlive his parents as depressing as that is to think about.
"Mal?"
"Hmmm?"
"You okay?" Hades asked. "You kinda got lost in thought there, missed my whole rant about the act of flings in fact."
"Dad, you give that rant so often I could recite it in my sleep," Mal told him. "I'm okay, I just…wedding stuff, that's all."
"Ah, need your something borrowed?" Hades asked. "What is that inane tradition the mortals have for weddings?"
Mal chuckled. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe," she recited.
"I feel as a father I should ask how you know that."
"Macaria told me," Mal said. "Her grandmother is the Goddess of Marriage after all. It's a rhyme that details what a bride should wear at her wedding for good luck. The old item supposedly provides protection for any potential kids, the new item offers optimism for the future. The item borrowed, preferably from another happily married couple, provides the good luck and the color blue is a sign of purity and fidelity. Oh and the sixpence acts as both a symbol of prosperity and acts as a ward against evil done by frustrated suitors."
Uma and Hades stared at her in shock.
"Dad, your meatballs are burning," Mal said and Hades quickly turned them to avoid getting them too burnt.
"Do I need to ban you from talking to Macaria?" Hades asked after dealing with the meatballs.
"It's harmless dad," Mal chuckled. "Ben and I haven't even started planning the wedding yet, we've been so busy getting the new group of VKs off of the Isle and then all this with Audrey and Freddy…"
"I have to say though, that sixpence thing would be a good idea if Zevon got word you were gettin married," Uma nodded.
"Honestly, you, Harry, and Jay insist he's got a crush on me!" Mal rolled her eyes. "Even if that was true, it's not like I'm getting married on the Isle. Zevon won't be able to get to me—and where would I even get a sixpence to begin with?"
"You could used drachmas," Uma suggested. "I'm sure Uncle Hades has a bunch of them or we could always go hit up Grandfather or Zeus."
Mal snorted in amusement. "Gods could you imagine the look on Zeus' face if I asked him for a drachma for my wedding?"
"It would be pretty amusing," Uma nodded as Hades shook his head, working on getting the meatballs all cooked up. Quickly plating them once they were cooked all the way through, he blotted them to avoid them getting too oily and placed them in a Tupperware container lined with paper towels that Persephone had brought the last time she was on the Isle.
"One order of meatballs as requested," he said, putting the container in a small bag and handing it to Mal.
"Thanks dad," Mal smiled. "I'll be back soon to give you back the ember."
"Just be safe Mali," Hades said, coming around and kissing the top of her head. "I don't want you to end up here with me permanently."
Mal gave Hades a wry grin. "It'll take more than a prissy princess and Freddy to take me down dad. But I promise, I'll be careful."
"That's all I want," Hades nodded. "I want to see your wedding after all."
"And I want to see it too," Mal told him, her heart soaring slightly at the thought of being married to Ben.
Uma sighed. "Uh Mal? Audrey? Armed with the scepter? Partnered with Freddy?"
"Right," Mal nodded. "See you dad."
"See you Mal," Hades nodded and the two girls quickly made their way out of the Underworld. Hopefully the boys would be waiting for them by the bikes and they could hit the road.