I wanted this perfect. Is it? I dunno, y'all tell me.
Cruella movie watching? Yes. Finally watched. Omg I loved it so much. Probably will take a bit to start it, since I still need to finish(cough*start*cough) Maleficent 2, but I also might just start it while doing this so my brain won't get worn out with one story, and need long hiatus'. Will take place...uuuuhhhh, I'll figure it out, but probably on some showcase event after this Family Day event.
It took so long to finally figure out just HOW Maleficent needed to progress to get to this chapter. It may still feel like too soon, but, this is where I put this. Y'all really deserve a new chapter.
Finished this while listening to Nightcore-Nobody(Kingdom Hearts tribute)(Faith Marie./Lyrics) on Youtube from Nightcore Galaxy on loop, if anyone wants to know what the overall vibe of this was.
Not abandoning this, just. Super. Annoyingly. Busy.
Also, fun fact. I've had a watching-esc story about Audrey being sent to the Isle on the backburner for...months. Gosh I need to finish these writing projects, even if I don't post them. I hate leaving stories to collect dust. No reviews for this chapter? I'm posting this right after watching Cruella and really need to post this chapter. Goodness when I finally reply to reviews it's going to be so many. XD
"Have a nice ride~."
That sneaky, rotten blue-haired rocker.
Maleficent cursed him as she found herself toppling through the air at unimaginable speeds against even harsher air currents. At least it felt like that to her.
With no time to brace, her flight was broken by her descent into a mess of twigs and brambles. Ironic. At least that cursed god had the decency to aim for a bush, she thought sullenly, then realized that probably hadn't been his intention at all.
Disoriented and furious, she crawled her way through the brambles until she stumbled onto concrete again. She was thinking of all the ways to extract revenge when a pained sob hit her ears. Any lingering emotions were pushed back instinctively.
Now that she was in the epicenter, she could see Mal so much clearer. Equally so, everything outside their little sphere was completely hazy.
Based on her lack of a reaction, Mal hadn't noticed her entry. Unfortunately that did her no favors. Hades had done her a favor, she supposed, by getting her closer, but it was still no help if she couldn't speak to her, much less get close. It was more bearable now that she was closer to Mal, but for a lizard of her size, it was near impossible to reach her.
But seeing her reminded Maleficent so much of her own younger self. She had to get to her.
And so she pushed. Every inch of her scaly body could feel the backlash of the energy Mal released. She felt as if even halting for a second would send her flying back.
In her head she chanted the info Professor Yen Sid had told Mal and Ben all those months ago. She herself was a Fae, though what kind, at the moment she couldn't remember. But the most wicked of her magic came from her poisoned staff. Without that, she had to admit her head had cleared. She was able to think about other maters that didn't have to do with revenge and wickedness and the like, and for a longer period of time at that.
"She just has to remember what it is like to care for, and be cared for."
A time so long ago when Hades gave her a ring of sodded, reformed metal he'd made out of Isle scraps a few months into the Isle first being created...
Attempting to console of sobbing infant Mal while she went through her teething stage. Hades drowning out her cry's with rock music all the meanwhile from the couch...
"To find all the good things in one's life and be grateful for each and every one."
Diaval, Aurora, Mal. The ones they loved that made them happy when she couldn't...
"Remembering times she was happy without someone else's pain being the cause of it."
Every time she spent a moment with her loved ones and got to see them smiling...
She closed her eyes, reliving and relishing every memory as the came back to her with whirlwind speed. When was the last time she permitted herself a road down memory lane? The last time she acknowledged the good parts of her life, rather than her losses? Had the scepter's magic really blocked all that from view?
She didn't notice at first, but slowly, a cool feeling took over her claws, working up to her arms. For just a moment she felt breathless, then a weight settled onto her legs. Her arms felt so much lighter, as if no longer supporting that burden. It took her a moment, but it suddenly became apparent.
"It is only then, that she will revert to her human form."
She stretched, more out of the release of magic's instinct than her own bearing. She was still on the ground. But on her own human, or rather Fae, hands and knees. She cautiously eased into a stand, worried pushing herself would send her careening to the ground embarrassingly.
She did it.
Instead of relishing this newfound revelation, she focused on her next obstacle. Mal. She didn't notice her yet.
She inhaled a deep breath. Here went everything. "Mal."
The girl's head jerked at the sound. Slowly she looked up to Maleficent and glared. "You."
"Me," Maleficent echoed. Oh how tall her little girl had gotten...
"Why are you here?"
Maleficent wasn't sure whether she meant her purpose for being there or how she managed it so she kept her answer simple. "I needed to help you."
"I don't need your help," She spat.
"If you continue on like this surely you'll hurt someone you care about," Maleficent noted.
The child rolled her eyes, now bearing a ruthful smile. "I'm so sick of caring for everyone." To prove her point she sent a purposeful charge just to the left of her mother, destroying the cobblestone tile in the process. The Fae didn't even flinch.
"You'd even risk hurting the ones you love?"
"Love is weak!"
There was a shatter in the air that made Maleficent realize what this was all about. Oh what a startling similarity the two of them shared. She managed to mirror Maleficent's look and tone to the detail. "That's not true, Mal," The girl shook her head vehemently, refusing to believe. To listen. This was all wrong. But how to fix something that was so broken? "Mal...Mal please! Mal, I'm sorry!"
There was stutter in the air that resounded in tune with Mal's emotions. Tentatively, she lifted her head to the woman with squinted wet eyes. Her hands stayed against her head, but weren't as pressed as they were before. Without taking a breath, Maleficent repeated. "Mal, I'm sorry." Something she'd never said before. Not to her little girl, even though she had a million times she should have.
"I wasn't there for you when I needed to be. You needed a parent and I wasn't that for you. I'm sorry, Mal. I know you're hurting, but darling, I want to fix that," The pet name slipped out before she could smother it down.
"I told you that love was weak because I believed it! I wanted so hard to believe it were true."
A cutting gust of energy and rumble under their feet almost set her off balance. Her body was still acclimating to being her full height again, and it wasn't coming as easily as she needed it to. She didn't event trust her legs to close the gap between the two of them.
"You loved Aurora."
It wasn't a question. Those three words had more edge to them than steel. The raw pain was evident.
Resigned, she nodded. "I did. I lost my own parents when I was young. I was betrayed by my love years later. I was convinced that love was cheap, fake. It wasn't until Aurora that I learned just how wrong I was," Maleficent closed her eyes remembering the sweet smiling child growing up before her eyes, always so hopeful. Her goddaughter.
When she opened them she saw her broken, scarred little girl, who grew up bitter and alone. Her daughter.
"I wanted to protect her from the dangers of the human world. I knew how much humans could hurt. Emotionally and physically. I cared for Aurora, but when I was sent to the Isle, I felt as though she valued her human life more than the Moors. When I found and lost love with your father, it was just another blow. I couldn't take anymore."
The magic continued swirling around them, dizzying to focus on, but Maleficent could tell it was lessening, quietening even. She had Mal's full attention. And probably anyone else who was within earshot, since she'd been yelling over the cacophony. At a more suiting volume she continued.
"I loved Aurora, I did. But after Hades...I had to protect you. I should have known it wouldn't have worked any better than it did her. I wanted to raise you so you couldn't be hurt." Mal's shoulders lost their tension and fell during the apology. Her eyes were desolate. Almost drained. Maleficent took this moment to get her bearings and take a breath. Mal was calmer, but still not composed. She tried not to sound patronizing or as if talking to a frightened animal as she continued. The crux of this whole issue was still ever present and needed to be handled before everything went wrong.
"Darling," She coaxed. "I know I have a lot to answer for, but I can only do that once you've brought in that magic." She gestured to the damage done just in their little vicinity. Her daughter shook her head. "Mal..."
"I can't," Mal choked peering out from purple locks. "I can't control it!" She sobbed.
Well that was a problem. She was still so new to her powers that she wasn't even aware of what she was doing with them. A problem, but easy to fix, if Mal put her trust in her. Just in case though...Maleficent glanced off to the side and met gazes with Ben. She tilted her head back in the direction the theatre had been. Taking the clue, he rushed off, hopefully in search of Fairy Godmother. Oh how Maleficent loathed the idea of enlisting her goody-help.
Vexed at the very notion and her own inability to move without her scepter she came to another realization. Her wings were gone...again. Fury swirled inside her that she had to let simmer and release for the moment. It wasn't important right now. She didn't have her wings on the Isle and the hope that they'd come back when she became whole again was ridiculous.
But speaking of releasing-
"Mal, you have to let go!
The child's eyes widened in disbelief. It was almost humorous.
"I know it seems daunting, but it's the only way."
"It'll destroy everything!"
"No, it won't. You have to trust me." Most of the anger that was powering it had dispelled by now, so Maleficent was at least 70% sure it would be fine.
"Mom..." Maleficent smiled a tad.
"Yes, darling?"
"How did you get back to normal size?" Her voice cracked with such vulnerability, Maleficent wanted to turn whoever hurt her into a lizard. Unfortunately though, she'd had quite enough of being a reptile.
"I love you, Mal."
Four words were all it took. Mal knees buckled out from under her. No longer distrusting her own legs, Maleficent made sure she was at her daughters side and had her arms wrapped around her before she even hit the ground. The chaos induced magic shot out as she fell, like a powerful wave, passing through objects and people alike thankfully.
No longer blindsided by the assault of power, Maleficent could take an account of the damage wrought. All in all, the affected area didn't go much past the garden, thank goodness. Knowing the abilities her daughter had, she wouldn't have been surprised if she'd taken out half the castle. Aurora would have to hire a lot of help to replant the trees and shrubbery, though knowing her she would enjoy doing the majority herself.
The concerned party was still by the door, not having been able to move closer before. The lower half of Belle's distraught face was partially covered by her hands as Adam held her close. His expression was unreadable. Evie watched, closer than most, heart going out for her best friend that she hadn't been able to comfort. Once again, she hadn't even noticed her almost sister was hurting and couldn't reach her before the fallout.
Audrey and Diaval were obscured behind the former king and queen by some, but she knew Diaval had been protecting the child.
When she met Aurora's gaze, the tearful queen nodded with a small smile. Her destroyed garden was the last thing on her mind.
And finally, Hades. Off to the side, wide eyed and resolute. He wore the same expression he did when she'd taken a smaller Mal permanently and kicked him from the castle. Defeated. When he caught her gaze his mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but it was choked back.
She didn't know how much they had heard, and she didn't care. The only thing that mattered right now was her daughter. She was helping the dazed and tired girl to her feet when Fairy Godmother found their little entourage. Ben did his job, albeit a bit slowly.
Maleficent wiped away her tears and coaxed the now weak but semi composed girl into Evie's waiting embrace.
"Oh, Mal!" Fairy Godmother fretted when she saw her. Ben hung back with his parents, and Philip finally made an appearance. Hopefully having stopped his mother-in-law from making a mistake she'd regret.