Chapter Seven
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.
Guys, can you believe we're only 22 reviews away from 100?! I know I keep saying it but thank you all so much for your support with this story! :D
Tracie Adams: Freddy and Audrey will get their asses kicked, I promise! Sadly, plot needs to happen first.
shortanamx: I think 'poor' might be the wrong descriptor regarding Freddy and Audrey!
Katie2001: Hey just because Mal's saying the stuff doesn't mean it'll happen. I ship Bal 100% after all! :D
princesstwyla06: I'm so glad you liked the chapter!
AmethystDragon14: Oh yay! And I figured you weren't but I don't want to end up disappointing anyone if I take longer on a chapter or anything! I think we can definitely call this fluff! Tense fluff!
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Yeah, burnt meat isn't the best but I have a feeling Hades saved them in time!
danifan3000: I honestly think this Audrey would faint if she met the Audrey of the viewing timeline!
twilightgirl587: Rodger that! I'm glad you're enjoying my stories! And I want to taste his food too! :D
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you!
billyandkimfan1994: Oh yeah, Hades would blow his top if he found out!
Villangirl: Oh thank you! Yep, dude's in this story too but he's glued to Carlos' side. And nothing's going to happen to Estelle! I promise! :D
AliceCullen3: Oh I'm so glad!
Wrighting'GIRL3000: I'm so glad you're enjoying it! :D
Hope you all like the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Mal and Uma made their way to the bikes, making it back almost at the same time as Harry, Jay, and CJ. If the girls were surprised to see the blonde, neither one showed it.
"Hey CJ," Mal said as she tossed to the to-go bag to Jay.
"Hey Mal," CJ said with a small smile, fiddling with the sleeve of her jacket as she glanced over her shoulder back in the direction of the Lost Revenge.
Harry patted her shoulder, as if knowing what she was thinking. "You'll see the ship soon if you want," he muttered to her.
CJ nodded. That hadn't been all she was thinking about seeing though.
Gods, I hope Ry's going to be alright, she thought with a small sigh. Though I'm sure I'll see him soon enough. The announcement for VK Day said selection was going to be once a month—knowing Henry, he'll probably insist on Ryan going across the bridge in the next group with the Angels being on the warpath. I wouldn't be surprised if Henry slowly made it so that we all wound up in Auradon. Like he likes to say—territory can be reclaimed. Lives can't.
Jay caught the bag and grinned as he looked inside, catching CJ's attention. "Mal is this what I think it is?"
"Dad thought it had been too long since his taste testers were in action," Mal nodded with a grin on her face to match Jay's. "They might be a little burnt, sorry about that. I distracted dad while he was cooking them."
"Doesn't matter, they're still Lord Hades' cooking which is probably the best thing ever created," Harry nodded as he pulled out his bike and then looked over at CJ. "You get on first, CJ."
The last thing he wanted was CJ riding behind him and falling off due to an errant wave. Sure she could swim but that was besides the point.
"Okay," CJ shrugged and got on, holding her bag close to her as almost an air bag though a small smile graced her lips as Harry got on behind her; holding her as close as he could while still keeping a grip on the handle bars.
"Let's head out," Mal said. "Jay, you still got the remote?"
Jay nodded and pulled it out of his pocket, tossing it up and down in the palm of his hand.
"You got the ember?" Harry asked.
"Sure did," Mal nodded, patting one of the numerous pockets on her pants with her hand as she straddled her bike. "But let's go. The last thing I want to do is worry about one of the Castors escaping because we kept the barrier open too long dawdling. Or worse, an Angel slipping out the barrier and giving Audrey and Freddy aid."
Harry nodded and the five VKs quickly sped off on their bikes. Even the sudden brightness of the sun couldn't dampen CJ's smile at finally being free of the Isle, even if she had to clench her eyes shut from the pain of the sun.
A sudden shadow caused CJ to squint slightly and she couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips. Everything was so…green now.
"Welcome to Auradon Ceej," Harry whispered.
"Ceej?" CJ asked, looking up at him. It was a little easier to look up at him than to look forward because his torso provided some shade from the brightness.
Harry shrugged. "I need a new nickname for you don't I? Can't just call you runt anymore."
CJ nodded, with all the negative connotations the word brought, she was happy to retire the nickname. Still…Ceej didn't work.
"Not a fan?" Harry asked.
"Not really," CJ nodded.
"Rodger that. I'll think of something else or Harriet will help me think of something else," Harry told her as they made their way to Evie's castle. Parking the bikes, CJ couldn't help but smile as Estelle came running up to them.
"Hi Estelle! Hi boy!"
"He's missed you it seems," Harry chuckled as all three heads seemed content to sniff every inch of CJ. Harriet must have her hands full with the Smee twins, he thought. Otherwise she'd have run out here the minute she heard CJ's voice.
"Let's get inside," Uma muttered. "I'm not a big fan of standing out in the open like this."
Mal nodded. "Let me check with Evie and Doug, see if anyone's gotten ahold of Ben. I'll reach out to him if they have so he can stop pacing a rut in his office floor."
"And if they haven't?" Jay asked.
"Then I'm taking his Tourney jersey and Estelle can use it to track Ben down so I can ask him why he hasn't responded to anyone's communications," Mal said firmly, ignoring the fact that Ben's Tourney jersey was probably eighty to ninety percent her scent by that point.
She also ignored the nagging feeling that the reason why no one could get in contact with Ben was the fact that Ben was probably injured or worse, captured.
Nope, we're not going to think like that. It's one thing to be the cynic to Ben's hopefulness but going down that rabbit hole is only going to cause you stress you don't need, she thought. A stressed out magic user is not the best thing to have. A stressed out Godling is definitely not the best thing to have when we're dealing with Freddy.
Estelle perked his head up upon hearing his name and looked over at Mal, who gave him a small smile.
"Hey boy. The pups safe?"
Estelle yipped softly and wagged his tail as the group made their way inside the castle. Harry and CJ went to join the other kids while Mal looked over at Evie.
"Well?"
"He must be in a meeting," Evie told her. "We've tried to get ahold of Ben with no luck."
Mal sighed. "Okay. I'm going to give it a try and if that doesn't work…well I hope Ben left something of his here because we'll need his scent."
Pulling out her phone, Mal pressed the number 1 on her keypad—normally she'd just dial Ben's number but time was of the essence here. Plus of course he was number one on her speed dial! Uma could be reached by the mental link and Jay had already told her he didn't mind.
Mal tapped her foot as she listened to the ringing on the other end of her phone. Please be alright, she thought. With Audrey and Freddy out there somewhere, and with them wanting to go after you too…
"Mal?"
"Oh thank Gods! Ben!"
"Mal! What happened? Are you all right?" Ben asked, worry audible in his voice.
Mal shook her head. "I'm fine. The more important question is are you all right?"
"I'm…I'm fine," Ben said but Mal could hear a bit of hesitation in his voice. Almost as if he wasn't sure if he was okay. "Audrey was here…with Freddy. Mal…she tried to curse me with the scepter. Thank Gods Dad was here and could get me to duck in time. Who in the world does Freddy think he is anyway?"
"What happened?" Mal asked. She could ignore Ben's uncharacteristically angry tone considering the last time he saw Freddy, Ben was fighting him off with a sword before getting knocked unconscious. "Where's Audrey now, do you know?"
"If I knew, I'd tell you Mal," Ben sighed. "After she wasn't able to curse me, she took off with Freddy in tow."
Mal sighed and shook her head. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine Mal, just some bruised knuckles and maybe a bit of bruised pride at being told to duck by my father."
"If I hadn't, who knows what Audrey would have done to you?!" Mal could hear Beast's voice in the background. "You had already ordered your mother out of the room."
"Because I wanted her and you to go to the safe castle!"
"Ben, we are the parents. The parents protect the kids, not vice versa!"
"Hold on, let's rewind the conversation a bit," Mal said. "Ben, did you punch someone?"
"Depends, does Freddy count as 'someone'?" Ben muttered.
"Ben, you punched Freddy!" Mal exclaimed. Not that she particularly cared but Ben wasn't exactly one for punch first, ask questions later. Actually he was more ask questions first, try to find another peaceful way to resolve the conflict second, and punch never.
"Mal, if you'd heard the types of comments her was making, you would have punched him too!"
"Ben, Freddy's not worth the energy," Mal told him. "'Sides, I grew up around him. I'm used to his comments. More than likely it's the same old, same old. You're better off ignoring him. He just wants to get a rise out of you."
"Yeah, well…Freddy's had that punch coming with with what he pulled at Cotillion," Ben muttered.
Mal couldn't help but give a sad smile at that before shaking her head in order to stay focused on the task at hand.
"Listen Ben, we have my dad's ember—it's the only thing more powerful than Maleficent's scepter after all. And…I hate to say it but you should probably cancel with Jane."
"Mal…I already called Jane to cancel the minute Audrey left. I hate to ruin her birthday like this but I told her exactly what was going on. She said she'd get her guests to safety," Ben told her and Mal could feel a sense of peace wash over her. Gil would be alright. Carlos would be alright.
"Mal?"
"Yeah?"
"You okay, you kinda got quiet there," Ben said, his voice shifting from slight anger toward Freddy to its usual gentle tone.
"I'm fine, just got lost in thought there for a second," Mal told him. "So, we can come over to plan?"
"Yeah sure. I always love seeing you—besides this'll be your castle soon in a few years."
Mal smiled at the reminder and glanced down at her ring, the ring that Ben had so lovingly given her. "Great, we'll be there soon. Hey, I just thought of something. Can you call mom in for the meeting? I know I could reach out with the mental link but I think this is more 'official channels' worthy and I think we'll need her."
"I'll call her as soon as we finish up here," Ben promised. "But why not reach out for help from the other Gods?"
"Because the only thing I trust them with is keeping Hadie safe."
"Still mad at Zeus for the whole Natalie thing?"
"Of course."
"I don't blame you. You know after I found out what she was doing to you, I almost removed him from my council."
Mal smiled slightly as she heard that. "Oh really? Why didn't you?"
"One, I thought it a good idea if I asked you first and you were understandably upset at the time and two, I didn't want to risk the kingdom's relationship with Olympus."
"We can talk more about that after we solve the whole Audrey and Freddy issue," Mal told him.
"Right, right," Ben sighed. "One thing at a time. I'll see you soon?"
"Probably in a minute or two," Mal promised. "Love you."
"Love you too."
Mal disconnected the call and then looked over at Evie. "You mind keeping an eye on the kids while we run up to Ben's?"
"Of course not," Evie shook her head.
"Evie? You're sure? The last thing I want you to think you're being sidelined right now"
"Mal, you and Uma are the fighters. With Freddy out there, we need the fighters on the front lines. You've taught me enough that I can keep the kids safe. Besides Harriet will be with me."
"Ahem," Doug chuckled.
"Oh right! And Doug will be with me too," Evie nodded, kissing Doug on the cheek. Mal shook her head in amusement. She wasn't exactly sure when Evie and Doug had truly become a thing but she found it didn't matter.
Evie was happy—they were all happy in Auradon. And Audrey and Freddy were threatening the ability for other kids to be just as happy.
Well they won't be successful, Mal thought as she made her way back to the group. Not if Uma and I have anything to say about it. Oh and the boys of course.
"Come on," she said as she caught Uma's eye.
"Where're we going?"
"Ben's."
"You were able to contact him?" Uma asked. "How is he?"
"He seems fine," Mal said with a sigh. "But let's not waste any time. Come on."
They had a King to go see and a plan to get underway.
"Right," Uma nodded and then turned to Jay and Harry. "Come on you two. Back to the bikes."
Mal shook her head. "No bikes. Not this time. We're teleporting."
"…we're what now?" Harry asked.
"We're teleporting," Mal reiterated as CJ chuckled from the sidelines. Harry shook his head and looked at his sister.
"You're staying here."
"What?! Harry!"
"Last I checked, you're still an under fifteen," Harry stated. "You're staying here."
CJ rolled her eyes. "We're on the ship Harry, you can't—."
"Actually he can," Harriet said as she walked up. "Thankfully Celia's watching the others so I can say this. You know Freddy is out there somewhere CJ. Right now, I'd rather you be where I know you're safe even if that means you don't get to take part in the fight. There'll be other fights."
"This is ridiculous!" CJ exclaimed and glared at her siblings. "Pirate Code, paragraph six, subsection eight, third bullet point states that no abled bodied sword will be put aside in defense of life, ship, or territory. I think Freddy threatening Auradon counts as our territory now!"
Harry sighed and pulled CJ to the side, squatting down so that he was looking at her in the eyes. "Okay squirt, I know I've got years to build up an actual relationship but believe me when I tell you this. I don't want you near Freddy."
"I know, I know," CJ muttered.
"No, you don't," Harry said and CJ paused, looking at her brother. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he debated about breaking one of the biggest rules the crew had.
"CJ…do you remember when you were thirteen and Freddy made that comment about you?"
"Yeah, he said he wanted to play with my pirate booty," CJ scoffed. "I mean, I know we're pirates but I think Jafar has the most booty of all of us. You know with his gift shop."
Harry sighed once more. How could he do it? Break his sister's innocence?
"Nope, can't do it," he shook his head and walked off.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Harriet asked and walked over to her brother. CJ watched as her two older siblings had a furious yet silent discussion, every so often glancing in her direction.
"You should have told her at the time!"
"She was thirteen Harry!"
"Well she's going to probably follow us if we don't give her something to indicate how dangerous Freddy truly is."
"…she wouldn't go against orders."
"Will one of you tell me what's going on?!" CJ exclaimed and her siblings looked over at her. "Honestly, you're acting like Freddy wants to force me into a fling or something."
"Who told you about flings?" Harriet said instantly.
"We practically live on a ship with Dustin, Jake, and Nick. Actually, Robert and Caspian too. Not to mention Jade taught me a thing or two about the basics."
Harriet sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Remind me to kill Jade when all of this is over."
"Aye cap'n," Harry nodded.
CJ rolled her eyes. "I won't break if you tell me you know."
"CJ," Mal said and all three Hooks looked over at her. "Trust us. You're going to be thankful in a couple of years that we waited to tell you."
Innocence was rare on the Isle after all—but it was abundant in Auradon.
"Besides, I know you don't want to stay here but Harriet'll need a stand in first mate with Sammy on the Isle," Mal added with a slight smirk as CJ's eyes lit up, all thought of what Freddy's comment had been forgotten.
"That's right," Harriet nodded, playing along as she walked over to CJ, resting a hand on the small of her back. "If you're going to be a Captain one day, you're going to have to start learning now right?"
"Of course," CJ nodded with a small grin. Captain! Her! And of course Ryan would be her First Mate! There were no if's, ands, or buts about it!
Harry sighed in relief as his sisters turned the corner. "Sorry about that cap'ns."
"I'm an older sister Harry," Mal said. "I get it."
"Me too," Uma nodded.
Jay shrugged. "I'm neither a captain, an older sibling, or a girl, but if it helps I get it too mate."
"It does actually," Harry chuckled as he went to go stand by the other three.
"Hold on," Mal said as a cloud of purple smoke surrounded them all. When it finally faded from view, the four of them had vanished.