Mal and Evie's preperations for the school dance had to be delayed a bit as a very important day was coming soon. Mal was staying with the Mills family until further notice, not that she had any problems with that as she really liked the company there more than back home any day. Also, Roland, Robin, and Robyn Jr were going to stay with the family since Robyn Jr wanted to come to the school dance, but for a very personal reason. Robin just hoped it wouldn't be too crowded at the mansion, but Regina assured him that she could always make room and was glad to have him and his children. Evie's study group came over as Regina and Robin were upstairs, discussing what was going to happen very soon down at the courthouse.
"Oh, Robin, I'm concerned," Regina said to the man she was helping get settled. "That woman is a monster. She doesn't deserve to keep custody of Malissa."
"Regina, don't worry too much, you might make yourself sick," Robin warned and advised. "Besides, I have full faith in you. You have shown to be a great and wonderful mother for Evie and Henry and Mal even seems to prefer you in the place of her own mother, which shouldn't be saying much."
"You really think so?" Regina asked softly as she looked Robin in his dreamy blue eyes (at least that was how she viewed them).
"I know so," Robin smiled warmly as he took her hands. "And I'm glad to have known you. I know we don't know each other well yet, but I'm hoping my staying here helps me get to know you better... If you know what I mean." he then added before winking at her.
"O-Oh... Mr. Bedford..." Regina smiled back sheepishly before blushing. "There are children present. We shouldn't be talking like this."
"They're downstairs, my dear~" Robin smirked as he leaned in a bit. "We don't have to worry about them... Besides, they're teenagers. They hear worse in school."
Regina giggled bashfully as she began to step back away from him up against the wall. "Mr. Bedford... How forward you are," she then said slyly. "I've never seen this side of you."
"Well, that's because I've been busy, but I'm here now," Robin smirked. "Come now, Mayor Mills... Allow me to help you let your hair down~"
"Oh, my~..." Regina giggled and squealed.
MEANWHILE...
Mal, Evie, Lonnie, Jane, Tilly, Robyn Jr, and Wendy were sitting together as they finished up their homework and switched to gossip after Roland and Henry were playing video games in the living room together.
"So... Felix from The James Barrie School for Boys called me." Wendy said to the others as she played with her pencil a bit.
The other girls then suddenly looked at her.
"You want me to kick his ass for ya?" Tilly offered as she stood up and cracked her knuckles. "I'm a hell of a lot tougher than I look."
"I can believe that." Robyn Jr smirked a little.
"No, no, it's okay, it was nothing like that," Wendy cleared up. "He was actually asking me to the dance."
"The dance? As in... Our school dance dance?" Lonnie asked. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"...What do you mean?" Wendy asked.
"Well... You know how those Pirate boys are, especially Peter Banning," Lonnie reminded. "I mean... You remember what he did to you when you told him that you had a crush on him last semester."
"Not to mention my recent birthday slumber party when those boys along with Jay and Carlos were spying on us," Evie added. "That sounds a little dangerous, Wendy."
"Oh, but Felix seems a lot different than those other guys," Wendy reassured as calmly as possible before smiling a little. "He sounded so... Sweet."
The other girls looked at each other, still hesitant about letting Wendy go to the dance with Felix.
"Come on, give him a chance," Wendy told her friends. "He can't be worse than Peter, right?"
"Well... Peter's a total shitweasel," Mal remarked. "We just don't want you to get hurt again by one of those Barrie Pirates. I mean... It wouldn't surprise me if Uma was from that school before our school, even if it is a school for boys."
"Oh, guys..." Wendy sighed and pouted.
Jane looked soft as Wendy looked a bit unhappy that her friends weren't very accepting of Felix's invitation to the school dance. "Come on, guys," she then told the other girls. "Maybe we should give Felix a chance to have fun with Wendy at the dance."
"What?!" The other girls asked.
"He's a Pirate!" Evie exclaimed as a sharp reminder.
"Yeah! His school hates ours, especially since he's Peter Banning's best friend!" Mal added. "How do we know this isn't some kinda scheme to get Wendy hurt worse than before when that turd sent his swimming pool friends to practically drown her? Wendy, don't you remember how sad and painful that was?"
"Well... Yeah..." Wendy frowned. "But I know that Felix is different."
"Hmm..." Mal narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms sternly.
"I think we should give Felix a chance," Jane said to the others. "I know what Peter did and I know that Felix and Peter are best friends at their school, but... We're Wendy's friends, so we should try to support her."
The other girls continued to look at each other before shrugging and looking back at Jane and Wendy.
"It's okay, Wendy," Jane said with a small smile at her best friend. "Even if no one else will, I'll support you and your decision."
"Oh... Thank you, Jane..." Wendy said before a small smile cracked onto her face next. "I knew that I could count on you. You really are my best friend."
"Forever and ever, Wendy." Jane said before she decided to hug the honey brown-haired girl.
Wendy beamed and soon hugged Jane back.
"I suppose Jane is right," Lonnie nodded. "We should try to give Felix a chance."
"Yeah... He could be changed for all you guys know." Robyn Jr shrugged bashfully.
The other girls, except for Mal, began to agree and nod with each other. Mal just shook her head and rolled her eyes, feeling ignored in her opinion.
After a while, it was time for the girls to head back home, though Tilly was staying behind a little bit.
"How about we have some burgers for dinner tonight?" Robin offered to Evie, Mal, Henry, Robyn Jr, Roland, and Regina.
The kids seemed to cheer at that dinner option.
"Oh, sure, Robin," Regina replied. "Do you want to order in from Pendragon's Burger Castle?"
"Well, we could do that, or I could grill them for you all?" Robin suggested.
"Oh, Robin, you don't have to do that," Regina replied. "You're my guest."
"Really, I don't mind, Regina," Robin reassured. "Consider it my honor as we're all family right now."
"Yeah, Regina!" Roland smiled. "Dad makes the best burgers!"
"You won't be sorry." Robyn Jr added.
"It'll save you some money, Mom." Henry shrugged innocently.
"Why don't we try them out?" Evie added with a small smile.
"Well... Okay..." Regina smiled back softly. "I guess we're all in agreement for burgers for dinner?"
The kids nodded and beamed eagerly.
"Well, all right," Regina replied. "Are you going to pick them up at the store then, Robin?" she then asked the adult man.
"Yes, I believe that would be best," Robin reassured. "I'll be back momentarily and then we can all have some burgers: Sherwood style."
"All right then." Regina nodded as the kids all cheered again.
"Pretty easy to lighten up the mood around here," Robin chuckled as he soon went to go out the door before seeing Tilly there and looked over at her. "Oh... Tilly, I thought you went home with the other girls. What are you still doing here?" he then asked.
"My parents are going to be home late tonight," Tilly replied. "I was wondering if it wasn't too much trouble if you could actually give me a ride back home?"
"Oh... Sure, Tilly, I could do that for you," Robin nodded. "It's probably best that I learn the area around here while I can anyway."
"Thank you, Mr. Bedford," Tilly smiled. "I'd appreciate that."
"No problem," Robin smiled back as he led her over to his car. "Please. Come with me."
Tilly and Robin then walked on over to his car together. He came inside the driver's seat, unlocking the doors and opened his door before Tilly went after him in the passenger seat. They both then came in to sit down and soon buckled up and Tilly told Robin the address, and he began to pull out of the mansion's driveway to ride down that way and go to the grocery store to get dinner for himself, his kids, and of course, the Mills family as well as Mal.
"I actually was hoping I would be able to speak with you alone," Tilly said bashfully. "There's something I wanna ask you."
"Oh?" Robin replied curiously. "And why would that be?"
"I... Oh... I'm not sure if right now is the best time..." Tilly sharply sighed.
"You can tell me whatever's on your mind if you'd like." Robin reassured warmly.
Tilly nodded, swallowing thickly before she got it off her chest as soon as she possibly could, otherwise, she'd probably never get the chance again. "Can I... Have your blessing... To go with Robyn Jr to the dance as my date?" she soon finally asked while blushing a little as she finally asked that.
"Your date?" Robin repeated.
Tilly nodded as she blushed a little.
"Hm... No wonder she wanted to come down here in time for your school dance," Robin chuckled lightly to himself. "Of course. Of course you have my blessing." he then told her before he pulled the car over to stop it before he gave Tilly a hug.
"Oh, God... Thank you so much..." Tilly sighed in relief, beaming brightly. "You're not disgusted, are you?"
"No, I'm not... Only if you hurt my little sparrow though," Robin warned. "Then I won't be responsible for my actions."
"I can understand that," Tilly replied before they broke out of the hug before she smiled. "Thank you so much, Mr. Bedford. I promise, you and Robyn Jr won't be disappointed."
"I sure hope not," Robin smiled back warmly. "I wish all of the happiness in the world for the both of you~"
Tilly beamed and giggled a bit as they continued to ride off. Eventually, they made it back over to Tilly's house, she thanked the man for the ride and soon rushed out of the car with excitement and anticipation. Robin smiled fondly, and soon started his car again to take himself over to the grocery store as he promised the Mills family, Mal, and his own children.
Soon, the big morning finally came. Mal looked around to make sure no one was watching her and took out a suitcase that she had packed overnight and opened Robin's trunk with his car keys and then put the suitcase inside and quickly shut the trunk and quickly ran away from it before anyone could see it. Everybody in the Mills mansion was getting dressed up and ready to go, wearing their best clothes. Mal, Evie, Henry, Roland, and Robyn Jr were soon having breakfast together.
"Well, this is it," Regina said as she held her stomach. "My stomach feels like it's doing back-flips."
"Just remember what I told you, Regina," Robin comforted before kissing her cheek. "You've got this. We all got this."
Regina smiled softly and warmly. "Thank you, Robin," she then said softly. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"Go insane?" Evie smirked playfully.
Mal chuckled as that got a little laugh out of her.
"Very funny," Regina smirked at them as she put her hands on her hips. "Now, did you all brush your hair, brush your teeth, wash your faces, and everything?"
"Yes, Mom/ma'am." The young group nodded.
"Malissa, this is a big day for you," Regina then said to her daughter's best friend. "Are you nervous?"
"Eh... I'll be okay," Mal shrugged as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. "I kinda just wanna get this over with."
"I can understand that," Regina nodded. "Just don't feel too nervous."
"Which is more than what we can say for you right now, Mom." Evie remarked.
"Evie... Mind your mother..." Robin gently chided.
"Yes, sir..." Evie nodded with a bashful smile.
Regina shook her head before looking at the clock. "Oh, look at the time," she then said. "We'll be leaving in about 15 minutes, so if there's anything else you kids need to do, do it now so that we can get going."
The others nodded as they got up and got ready to go.
"Oh... Dad?" Robyn Jr called as she came beside her father.
"What is it, my little sparrow?" Robin smiled warmly. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Robyn Jr smiled back softly. "I just wanted to thank you for letting Tilly escort me to the school dance. We were worried about how you would react to that."
"Oh... It's all right, my dear," Robin beamed. "You know I want your happiness more than anything in this world. Even more than a #1 trophy at an archery tournament."
"Oh, Dad~... I love you~" Robyn Jr smiled before she hugged her father instantly.
"I love you too, Sparrow," Robin smiled back, hugging her right back. "You're such a good girl."
Mal glowered from at the top of the staircase as she felt her heart feeling sharp and painful deep down inside.
"Kids! Time to go!" Regina soon called out once they were all set.
Soon, everyone came down to the courthouse. Everyone in the courthouse murmured among themselves until the bailiff walked into the room to quiet everyone down.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Claude Frollo." The bailiff announced.
Everyone then stood up in the courtroom as a white-haired man came into the room, looking very grim and a bit dark in temperament. Mal glanced at him, feeling suddenly uncomfortable, but she didn't say anything.
"Order in the court! Court is now in session." Judge Frollo announced as he banged his gavel, speaking in a very deep, dark voice.
"Well... He makes you feel safe." Mal rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"Shush, Malissa." Regina shushed.
Mal then checked her phone to see a text from Maddy which read "We're leaving this dump very soon. Be ready in about two hours." The dark-haired girl nodded and sent a quick thumb's up in response, hiding her phone before anyone else could see it.
"Now... It appears the defendant Ciara Ignus is on trial for child abuse and neglect," Judge Frollo reported as she looked through his papers. "What does the defendant plea?"
"Not guilty," Ciara replied. "I plea for temporary insanity for when my daughter Lily died."
"YOU KILLED HER! I HEARD YOU!" Mal cried out as she stood up before Regina grabbed her arm to settle her down and sit her back down.
"Order! Order! Overruled!" Judge Frollo scolded as he pounded his gavel.
"Malissa, please calm yourself," Gold spoke up, going to be Mal's lawyer for this case. "You're lucky I'm helping you at all after you humiliated my nephew and I found your mother to be very unreasonable when we spoke with Mr. Albert Spencer from Twinkle, Twinkle, Feinberg, & Star."
"Sorry..." Mal grumbled a bit.
"Now, Ms. Ignus, according to a claim from when you were with Mr. Gold, you were responsible for the death of your elder daughter, Lilith Ignus," Judge Frollo then noted. "Is that correct?" he then asked.
Ciara seemed hesitant in answering the question, especially since Mal was in the room, unaware that her younger daughter overheard that claim at the sheriff department.
"...Ms. Ignus?" Judge Frollo prompted firmly. "You're sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God."
"Yes, I know." Ciara replied.
"So is it true that you are responsible for the death of Lilith?" Judge Frollo soon asked.
Many others in the courtroom leaned in a bit, heavily anticipating the woman's answer to that question.
"...Yes, it's true." Ciara then finally admitted.
The others in the courtroom then murmured together in slight horror from that confession.
"What possible excuse could you have?" Judge Frollo asked.
"I plead the fifth." Ciara then said.
Gold groaned and face-palmed a bit.
"Ms. Ignus, you have to tell us," Judge Frollo demanded. "Your claiming temporary insanity though?"
"Well... Yes, I am..." Ciara replied as she answered the question. "My older daughter Lily was a perfect angel until she started to get a bit older. She taught my other daughter Mal to lie, cheat, and steal and rebel against me. Mal's a bit of a rebel and even does grafiti at times and acts out when I've done nothing wrong."
"I see..." Judge Frollo replied.
"I wanted to teach my daughters a lesson in turning against me, so before Lily went out with her friends that fateful night, I came to check out the car and decided to remove the brakes," Ciara replied. "I thought they would notice before they went out so that I could tell them that they had to earn rights, such as privacy and so they wouldn't sneak out... But Lily went out anyway and ended up in a crash that killed her."
The crowd in the courtroom began to look devastated and disgusted. Mal even looked like she was going to be sick, her face turning green as she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Regina noticed this and got Mal a quick glass of water and held out the glass to her. Mal silently thanked Regina and sipped it as her mother explained her claims about Lily.
"Is it true that you never found a new job in this town and you only moved away to cover your tracks and disappearance of your ex-husband?" Judge Frollo then asked.
"...Yes," Ciara nodded. "No one here had even heard of us, I wanted to get as far away from our home as possible, so I thought I'd wipe our slate clean and no one would catch on."
"And this has led you to start drinking and leaving Malissa alone for various hours at night, leaving her to take care of herself." Judge Frollo then noted.
"Where are you getting this information?" Ciara complained. "Some of this is totally uncalled for!"
"That is none of your concern, Ms. Ignus," Judge Frollo replied. "Now I advise you settle down or I will hold you in contempt."
"What does that mean?" Mal whispered to the Mills family.
"Basically getting in trouble for breaking the law or disrespecting the judge." Evie whispered back.
"All right... So I leave Mal alone all the time... Not that she wants to spend time with me anyway," Ciara replied. "I always wanted her to be more like me instead of her father since Lily took after their father. I wanted her to be perfect like me."
"By leaving her alone all the time?" Judge Frollo asked.
"You don't understand... Teenagers are very unpredictable," Ciara said, shaking her head. "Do you have any children, Judge Frollo?"
"Actually, yes. I have a daughter who goes to school with your daughter." Judge Frollo clarified.
"Oh..." Ciara blinked. "...So you know."
"Yes, children can be unpredictable, but sometimes it's best to talk to them if you're concerned about them or go speak with someone who can help you talk to them," Judge Frollo then said. "Your daughter even wrote a poem for school about being in your shadow and wanting to come out and even asking for sweet release to be where her sister is right now to get you to pay attention to her."
"This shit again?" Mal grumbled quietly to herself.
"You didn't seem very concerned about it," Judge Frollo said to Ciara. "Even when Mr. Edward Hyde came to talk to you about it, you just brushed it off like it was nothing."
"Oh... Mr. Edward Hyde... Such a handsome man... I hope I can get married to him someday." Ciara smiled.
Mal groaned and face-palmed, though Ciara seemed to be just proving how unfit she was to be a traditional mother figure to the girl.
"We will now hear from witnesses," Judge Frollo decided as he banged his gavel. "Evelyn Mills?"
"Don't be nervous, just act natural," Robin told Evie, giving her surrogate paternal comfort. "You can't possibly do worse than Mal's mother up there."
Evie smiled bashfully before she went to go take her seat.
"He's just telling her what to say!" Ciara complained. "I object! She's also the mayor's brat!"
"Brat?!" Regina narrowed her eyes. "Why, I oughta-"
"Overruled!" Judge Frollo retorted as Evie took her seat as Ciara was moved by the bailiff, Mr. LeFou. "Now... Evelyn... Can you tell us about your relationship with Malissa Ignus?"
"She and I are best friends," Evie smiled. "Like sisters."
"Aww~..." The people in the courtroom awed at the sweet sentiment.
"You have GOT to be kidding me." Ciara rolled her eyes a little.
"Have you ever seen Ms. Ignus do anything bad to her daughter?" Judge Frollo then asked.
"Well... No..." Evie started to say. "But I knew quite a bit about what was going on since I told Mal one of my biggest secrets and trusted her with it and so she told me what was bothering her too."
"Did you ever tell anyone?" Judge Frollo prompted.
"I wanted to help, but I promised Mal I wouldn't tell anyone," Evie replied. "I wanted to keep her trust, so I tried my very best to keep her secret safe. I wanted her to talk about it though, even the school when they read her poem to go and see Dr. Hopper about it since he used to do sessions with my little brother Henry."
"I see..." Judge Frollo nodded.
"All I could really do was offer to have Mal stay with me, my mom, and brother for however long she would want to," Evie then added. "I could tell she felt more at home and comfortable with us. It was like a home away from home for her and we even watch and riff on Mickey's Creek together."
Some of the people in the courtroom chuckled at that last note.
"Thank you, Miss Mills," Judge Frollo nodded. "You are dismissed."
"Thank you, Your Honor." Evie nodded as she came to sit down.
"Very good." Robin whispered warmly.
"Thank you." Evie whispered back thankfully.
Witnesses of the Mills family came and went. Mal just watched them go up as she tried to be patient, though she was a bit anxious to get out of the courtroom as quickly as possible. She felt her stomach churning while tossing and turning. All of this talk about her mother made her feel uncomfortable, especially since she was sure her mother would be taken away from her.
"I may not have known Malissa Ignus long, but I know that she's a very good girl who deserves a more loving and comfortable home," Regina said as she was the next witness. "I try my very best to make her feel more at home whenever I can. I honestly love her like another daughter and I would do whatever it would take to get her proper care and attention."
Mal glanced over. To her, that seemed like she was going to be sent away no matter what happened. The Mills family apparently wanted her to go stay with someone else instead of her own mother. She wanted that too and she knew exactly who she would go to once this was all done and over with.
"Mal's an amazing girl," Henry spoke up when it was his turn. "She's like another big sister and even helps me out sometimes whenever I really need it. I really like hanging out with her and Evie and Jay and Carlos. We're all like our own team and family and I wish that Mal had a better family to live with."
"Thank you, Mr. Mills," Judge Frollo nodded. "You did very well for a boy your age."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Henry replied. "May I go sit down now?"
"You may." Judge Frollo allowed.
"Sweet," Henry nodded as he left the seat and went to go back to where he was before, tugging at his collar a little. "Man... This suit is sweatier than my uniform at school."
"Now... For the next witness," Gold decided. "Defense calls... Malissa Bertha Ignus to the stand!" he then announced.
"Bertha?" Mal complained. "You know my middle name, Mr. Gold?"
"Benjamin told me." Gold replied like it was obvious.
"Of course he did." Mal grumbled in response.
Soon, Mal took her turn in the seat and crossed her arms, looking more sour than usual.
"Tell us about your relationship with your mother, Malissa," Gold requested. "Be honest."
"And truthful," Judge Frollo added. "Hold nothing back."
Mal looked between the two men and heaved a sharp sigh before she nodded and began to spill her guts. She pretty much said the same things that everyone said about her mother, being emotionally abusive, neglectful. Mal mentioned how more comfortable she felt with Evie, Regina, and Henry, and so far, even Robin, Robyn Jr, and Roland, even if she didn't know them as well as the Mills family did, beginning to say things like her mother belonged in jail and that she wished her father and sister were still there to get her as far away from her mother as possible. The jury began to murmur in concern as Mal found the bravery and courage. Ciara narrowed her eyes, feeling annoyed and betrayed by her daughter.
"Thank you, Miss Ignus," Judge Frollo nodded. "Now, there will be a 20 minute recess and we will return momentarily." he then said before banging his gavel.
"Recess?" Mal blinked.
"Not like at school," Henry said to Mal. "The jury's gonna take a break and they're gonna decide on whether your mom is guilty or not guilty."
"How do you know so much about courtrooms and the law anyway, kid?" Mal asked.
"I'm just smart like that, Mal." Henry smiled innocently.
Mal smiled back softly before sighing a little bit as she couldn't imagine this ending well so far.
MEANWHILE...
At a clothing store, Carlos and Felix were walking together.
"All right, Felix," Carlos said to the boy with him. "We'll get you something nice to wear for the big dance. I'll assume that you don't have a monkey suit back at your school's living quarters?"
"Why would I wanna wear a monkey suit to a school dance?" Felix asked out of confusion. "Won't I look silly with a tail on my-"
"No! That's not what I mean," Carlos told him before face-palming with a small smile, then put his hand back down to put on Felix's shoulder. "A monkey suit is just another way of saying a tux or a suit. You should dress nicely, especially since this is a very special occasion."
"Ohh..." Felix said before nodding.
"Now, if we had met sooner, we could've gone to Edna's to get a suit from my friend Evie," Carlos then said gently. "But I'm afraid we don't have time for that."
"Will we be able to afford a suit around here?" Felix then asked.
"We can put our money together if you want," Carlos smiled. "What's your favorite color?"
Felix stopped to think about that. "...Forest green." he then decided.
"Interesting choice," Carlos nodded. "I quite like black, white, and red myself."
"Really?" Felix asked.
"Yeah... Seems to be a family thing," Carlos shrugged before he showed his headphones that had crossbones on them. "Even my headphones have some of those colors."
Felix smiled a little bit, forming a decent bond with Carlos. He then sighed before frowning suddenly.
"What's wrong now, Felix?" Carlos asked in concern. "Are you nervous again?"
"Not so much as nervous, as more as terrified," Felix explained before his eyes widened. "I mean... I like Wendy, but... I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Why don't you just pay attention to the nice and good side of Wendy?" Carlos suggested. "Turn on some... Felix charm. Wendy is very sweet, friendly, and adventurous based on what I've seen about her. She doesn't know you that well yet."
"You don't know me that well yet either..." Felix mumbled a little bit.
"You should really try to charm her." Carlos suggested.
"What good's that gonna do?" Felix asked.
"Well... Be yourself," Carlos shrugged. "And if Jay tells you something, don't listen to him. Jay's not the most helpful guy around."
"Isn't he a ladies' man in your school?" Felix asked.
"That might be true, Felix, but he's not that amazing," Carlos rolled his eyes. "I don't get what girls see in him. I mean, if I was dating a boy-"
Felix glanced at Carlos strangely then.
"...I'm not gonna finish that thought," Carlos said nervously. "The point is, usually the message in these types of stories is to just be yourself. Always tell the truth. Just don't be scared."
"...I guess that's a good point," Felix said before sighing. "You must think I'm silly for letting my fears get to me about going out with Wendy to the dance."
"It's natural to be nervous," Carlos replied, acting almost like a big brother, though a bit ironically considering he was smaller and younger than the other boy. "A little kindness never hurt anyone," he then looked over before taking out a green-colored suit that looked a bit bright and came with a matching tie and a black undershirt. "What do you think of this?" he then asked since it was green-colored.
"Well... I guess it's better than nothing..." Felix shrugged.
"Well, I know how much you like green, so I think it might be good for you too," Carlos nodded. "Just don't lose your mind too much over one girl."
"I don't think I wanna do that." Felix bit his lip nervously.
"Why no, Audrey! I haven't chosen my queen yet." A familiar voice called.
"What's that?" Felix wondered.
"Ugh... I don't think you wanna know." Carlos groaned and face-palmed.
Felix and Carlos peeked out from over the shelf in front of them. They soon saw a certain boy from school, wearing a feathered cape and had a golden crown on his head as he was posing in front of the mirror.
"Chad Princely..." Carlos rolled his eyes.
"Why no, Audrey. I haven't chosen my queen yet." Chad grinned as he posed in the mirror, trying to look heroic, bold, and daring.
Carlos and Felix then came over to test the suit out on the taller boy.
"Chad... Can you get out of the way, please?" Carlos called, rolling his eyes as he hated wasting oxygen on the shallow blonde boy.
"Common folk..." Chad rolled his eyes a bit. "Sure. I'll be done in a minute, de Vil. You and that scarecrow can take your turn once I'm done."
"Scarecrow?" Felix glared in offense.
"And he thinks his two-year-old sister is the baby brain." Carlos scoffed.
"Why no, Audrey-" Chad continued before heard his phone ringing and then turned around to answer it, stepping away from the mirror. "Oh... Who could be calling me?" he then wondered before yelping and freaking out once he saw who it was, then doubled over and fell, dropping his phone on the floor with him. "OHH! AUDREY! Audrey!"
Felix and Carlos blinked, stepping back a bit.
"What? Audrey? Yeah. Yeah?" Chad spoke on the phone, taking the call.
"Chad...?" Carlos called.
"Well, yeah. Oh, well, that's wonderful news," Chad said, speaking on the phone as he put his finger up to mean "one minute" to Carlos before he put the phone down and looked over at the two boys. "She got a flat tire in Sherwood after going to the spa with her aunts, and she wants me to go fix it."
"That's hours and hours away." Carlos reminded him.
"Really? That long?" Chad asked casually. "I'm gonna be there faster than I thought..." he then said before kissing the screen really lovingly. "MWAH!"
Carlos and Felix shared very unimpressed looks with each other. Chad then took out a golden credit card from Midas Bank to pay for the crown and cape, wearing a sky blue suit. The vendor rang him up, of course with the price being very expensive, though Chad could afford it.
Chad grinned before taking his Midas credit card back and put it in his pocket before dashing away suddenly. "I'M COMING, AUDREY!" he then proclaimed.
"...Wow." Felix blinked.
"Try not to think about that," Carlos told Felix. "Whatever you just say, don't do what Chad just did."
"Got it," Felix nodded. "I think I'm starting to feel good about myself now."
"Well, that's at least good to know." Carlos smiled.
Felix smiled back a little bit before he went to try on his new suit to take Wendy to the dance with.
BACK IN THE COURTHOUSE...
Mal rubbed her hands together as Robyn Jr gently stroked her back while Roland flashed a small, comforting smile. Mal nodded her head at them as even they comforted her in ways that Regina, Henry, and Evie would too. The others began to talk among each other to pass the time before they heard a door open and in came the jury as well as Judge Frollo which made them quiet down instantly. Mal looked over as she took a deep breath in and then back out once she saw that this was it. The very big moment.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Frollo asked after Mr. LeFou let the 12 people back in to their bench.
"We have, Your Honor." One man responded.
"What say you?" Judge Frollo then asked.
"We the jury find the defendant, Ciara Ignus, guilty on all accounts of child abuse, neglect, alcohol abuse, and child endangerment as well as murder." The man soon said as Mal bit her lip as she looked at her mother.
"Then I hereby sentence the guilty party to be put under arrest for 40 years with possible parole with Malissa Ignus to be sent to a better and more proper home effective immediately," Judge Frollo announced as Mal leaned back into her chair before she quickly got up and began to run out of the courtroom. "Case dismissed." he then added as he banged his gavel one more time.
Everyone then got ready to go and packed up their things.
"I knew I could do this... What do you think, Malissa?" Regina smiled as she knew what this meant for her and Mal's future, especially Evie and Henry's. "Malissa? Malissa!" she then called out, looking around.
"She just got up and left, Mom." Henry replied.
"Where is she going?" Regina asked.
"...I might have an idea." Evie frowned and bit her lip.
Everyone else looked at her and went to go with Evie as she felt an instinct of where her best friend was. They came over to the car and the trunk seemed to be popped open for some reason, though it confused Regina and Robin of why that could be.
Outside, Mal was shown to be on a bench, waiting for a ride out of town. A bus would be there soon to take her out of Auradon Heights because she felt she had no other place to go now.
"Malissa... Malissa! There you are!" Regina called as she made it over. "What are you doing?"
"Leave me alone," Mal moaned lowly. "Maddy will be here any minute."
"Maddy?" Regina asked before remembering. "Yes... Evie said that you had a friend that was trying to help you out... But Malissa-"
"No!" Mal glared with tears in her eyes. "Don't try to change my mind, Regina!"
"Malissa..." Regina frowned.
"You and everyone else want me to go to someone else," Mal glared tearfully. "You thought I'd be better off in a different home with a different family. No one is taking me away!"
"Oh... Malissa... I know what you heard, but I can explain..." Regina said as she tried to put her hand on Mal's shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Mal hissed as she slapped Regina's hand away suddenly before looking over as she heard a horn honking.
The bus was pulling up and the doors opened up. Maddy came out from the bus and waved at Mal, waving at her. Mal then picked up her suitcase and lugged it to take to the bus with her.
"Malissa... Malissa, stop!" Regina called out in concern.
"WHY?!" Mal complained as she glared at Regina, looking right back at her. "Why should I stop?! Why?! Nobody wants me! NOBODY!" she then breathed heavily before she began to break down in tears, feeling very hurt and unloved."
"Oh... Oh, Malissa..." Regina said softly before coming closer to the girl to comfort her. "I want you."
Mal broke down crying before she slowly walked back over to Regina, dropping her suitcase and hugging her.
"I want you... I want you." Regina said, hugging Mal right back to comfort her.
"Why would you want me?" Mal pouted. "I'm rotten to the core."
"Malissa... You're so damaged and you need help," Regina coaxed as she patted Mal on the back. "Yes, Malissa... It's true. We all wanted you to go home with a different family. One who would love and care a lot about you."
"But that's just because Regina wanted to adopt you." Robin's voice added.
"Mr. Bedford?" Mal asked before looking over.
"Yes... It's true," Robin nodded as he came over to help out. "We didn't want you to have to go away since this is your home now, so Regina wanted to take your mother to court so that she could adopt you."
"...R-Really?" Mal asked with a sniffle.
"Yes, really," Regina replied. "Malissa, we don't want you to go away. You're best friends with Evie and Henry."
"I am...?" Mal asked.
"Of course you are, Malissa," Regina smiled. "Sure, you're a little bit of a bad girl, but we can work on that. I'll be a little mad at some things you do, but I'll never be fully mad at you. I see you as another daughter of mine and I want you to know that I've wanted to take you home with me the moment I first laid eyes on you. And you know what I said to myself?"
"What?" Mal wondered.
"I said that 'That looks like a lovely young lady who could use my help and being a good friend to my little Evie'," Regina replied with a small smile. "You can go away with your old best friend if you want, but I think your new best friend needs you right now more than ever."
"...Evie still wants to be friends with me?" Mal asked softly.
"She certainly does and if you left, she'd be wandering around our mansion, feeling lost and alone without your guidance," Regina smiled. "I'll let you decide what you think is the right thing to do."
Mal paused thoughtfully, looking between Maddy and Regina before looking over.
"Make the right choice," Regina said as she let go of Mal. "Whatever you think that it might be."
Mal then stepped away from the hug, looking back over at Maddy and soon walked away. Regina frowned, fearing that maybe Mal was going to go away with Maddy after all, but decided not to interject or stop Mal as she stayed put. She then noticed that the suitcase was left behind before gasping as she had a feeling of what Mal's final choice was going to be.
"Come on, Mal, it's time to go," Maddy said impatiently. "Ditch that old lady and let's blow this joint." she then turned around to get back on the bus.
"No, Maddy." Mal soon said.
Maddy then suddenly skid into a halt and spun on her heels to face her childhood best friend. "What did you just say to me?!" she then demanded firmly.
"What? Are you deaf and stupid? I said no!" Mal glared.
"You've changed, Malissa Ignus," Maddy glared back. "What does this shitty old town got that I don't got?"
"Well, for one thing, it has a family who is going to love and support me, even better than what my old family could do," Mal glared strongly. "If you were my real friend, you'd support my choice and not make me just go with you."
"Where did this attitude come from?" Maddy snorted. "Don't you remember how much fun we had when we were kids and we'd get in a lot of trouble with your parents and my grandma?"
"You mean all of the trouble you got us into?" Mal retorted. "And with me taking the fall most of the time?"
"Would I do that?" Maddy asked innocently.
"Yes, you have! Evie would never do that to me!" Mal glared before it suddenly hit her as she spoke softly then. "...She would never do that to me. I got her into a lot of trouble... She was really mad at me, then I admitted that it was my fault... You'd never stick up for me like that." she then glared at Maddy.
Maddy then suddenly grew silent.
"So, no, Maddy... I'm not going home with you," Mal then continued sharply. "I've been home all along and I didn't even realize it until now. Feel free to visit sometime, but don't expect me to accept your invitation to visit you sometime soon in the future."
Maddy gasped. She was speechless and a little bit hurt. Mal then stormed right back over, ignoring Maddy's pleas and defenses, though some of them switched to "I never liked you anyway!" which may or may not had been true.
"Malissa, are you okay?" Regina asked softly as the girl came back.
"I feel a lot better," Mal replied softly. "Let's go home... Mom." she then said with a small smile.
"Oh..." Regina smiled fondly, putting her hand to her heart, feeling touched by that.
Mal smiled back and soon grabbed her suitcase, going back into town with Regina. Maddy watched the two go before she narrowed her eyes firmly.
"So... You're having issues with Mal too?" A familiar voice asked as Maddy was on her way back onto the bus.
"What's it to you?" Maddy glared at the voice.
"Oh, I wouldn't think too much of it," Uma smirked as she stepped over, crossing her arms. "I'm having my own personal issues with her. I could help ya out with my crew if you want."
"...Who are you?" Maddy asked.
"Uma is my name and revenge is my game," Uma smirked proudly. "You could come and join my crew if you wanna get back at Mal. We have big plans during the dance because I want the ultimate revenge against her because of her ex-boyfriend King of the School for humiliating him in front of the whole school last semester."
That seemed to puzzle and intrigue Maddy a bit. "...I'm listening?" she then said.
"Just come with me and join my crew," Uma smirked. "I'll definitely make it worth your while. I just gotta know... If you're in or out?" she then said, holding out her hand to the girl.
Maddy looked between Uma and the bus heading out of town. It took her a minute to try to figure out what to decide before she took a deep breath and took Uma's hand. "I'm in," she then decided. "Mal might have had to move away, but she didn't have to desert me as a friend."
"No, she certainly didn't," Uma smirked, squeezing Maddy's hand a bit as they shook on it. "Welcome to the team."
"Okay, so what do we do?" Maddy asked.
"Just come with me and all will become clear later," Uma replied. "Malissa Ignus will pay."
"Yes!" Maddy grinned darkly and soon, the bus rode away without her.
Uma stepped out of the way before laughing as the bus hit a mud puddle on the way and it splashed right onto Maddy.
"Not funny." Maddy glared at Uma for laughing at her.
"I'm in charge," Uma smirked. "I decide what's funny and what's not funny."
A/N: Happy Birthday to the late, great Cameron Boyce who to me will always be the best Carlos de Vil.