Chapter Two

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

Woo, chapter two! Honestly I'm posting this a lot faster than I thought I would! Thank you all for your support on the last chapter! It really means the world to me!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Going to be frank with you all, I don't know when the next update will be but I'll try to make it soon!

Mal couldn't help but sigh softly as she and Evie made their way to Ben's office. There was no denying the change in the blue haired girl ever since she started attending the recommended therapy that Ben suggested.

Actually, he had suggested all the VKs attend their own private therapy session, and even made it a staple of bringing kids from the Isle. That and medical visits. If there were any issues, Ben wanted to know so they could work on getting them addressed.

Mal didn't have the heart to tell him that the only one who would probably willingly go along with that would be Gil. Well, and Hadie but that would just because Mal would have to order him to go along with it. One of the few perks of being the older sister.

She had attended one session but the therapist had seemed to be more focused with the fact that she was the 'biological daughter' of Maleficent and that 'it's perfectly natural to have fantasies of having a different parent'. Mal dropped him like a hot potato after the first session.

If she had issues, she could go to Jay, Carlos or Ben, maybe even Evie if it wasn't super personal as they just weren't there yet…or now Harry or Uma. Not some quack who thought he knew who her mom was better than she did.

"Mal?" Evie asked, bringing the purple haired girl out of her thoughts. "What do you think Ben wants to talk to me about?"

"I'm sure it's nothing bad, Evie," Mal said gently, working hard to not slip back into calling her 'princess' or 'blueberry' now that Uma was there in Auradon. Evie didn't deserve that after all. "Maybe he just wants to talk about your therapy schedule."

Even though Mal wanted to tell her, she also knew that the walls had ears. One wrong word caught by someone not on their side and The Gazelle had a story that would sell copy for a week. They'd already made Evie their front page for two weeks, branching from their usual strategy of reporting on royals, but then again it's not every day that a VK tries to steal Fairy Godmother's wand.

"Oh," Evie said softly. There was a pause before Evie spoke up again. "I'm sure you're happy to have Uma here in Auradon."

Mal smiled. "I am. Sure there'll be some adjustments but I'm just happy to have my brother and my cousin off that Isle."

"Oh that's right…I'd forgotten you and Uma were cousins. I guess that explains why you two were so close on the Isle."

"That's alright, the only ones who knew were Uma, Harry, and Jay," Mal said. "Well, and Hadie of course but he goes without saying. It's actually pretty weird now that I think about it. If I go back to the Isle, I won't have that protection…of people thinking I'm Maleficent's daughter."

"Why not?"

"Evie, Ben's coronation was televised," Mal said gently. "Meaning everyone on the Isle saw me tell Maleficent to her face that I wasn't her daughter."

"But…you're still her biological offspring."

"Doesn't matter. I basically disowned her. If not for the fact that the Isle now knows I'm Hades' daughter, I'd be fair game."

Evie gave her a comforting smile. "Well, I guess it's a good thing neither one of us will be going back to the Isle."

"Yeah," Mal said with a nod. "Come on, we shouldn't keep Ben waiting."

"Oh yes," Evie nodded. "But then again…we are VKs aren't we? Weren't we taught that it's more important to be late than on time?"

Mal smirked. "Well well well, look who's remembering her roots? But I don't think you'd want to be late to this meeting Evie."

Evie chuckled. "Oh, that reminds me Mal. Do you want to have a meeting sometime this week about your cotillion dress? Assuming you'd want me to make it of course."

"Evie, considering the amazing job you did on my dress for the coronation, of course I want you to make my dress for cotillion," Mal said. "I have another meeting with my new handler this week but I should be able to meet with you on the weekend to go over designs."

Evie nodded. "That's right, you'd mentioned something about Ben's council assigning you a handler. Natalia?"

"Natalie," Mal corrected. "She seemed a bit tense when I met with her today but that was probably first time jitters. Lately everyone seems to have those if they haven't met me before. It's not like I'll get mom to smite them if I don't like them right off the bat or anything."

Both girls burst out laughing as they walked into Ben's office, causing the teenaged king to smile.

"Evie, Mal," he said, nodding his head in greeting.

"Ben," both girls replied, bowing their heads in response. Normally, he would have been greeted to at least one 'your highness' however Ben had made a proclamation around the school after about one week into his rein. No one was to call him 'your highness' or 'King Ben' unless it was an official event. He was still the same guy they'd grown up with—he didn't see why they all of a sudden needed to use his title.

The only time he ever enjoyed being called 'your highness' was when Mal was teasing him because then he got to use her title of 'Lady'. His lady.

"Evie, I'm sure you're wondering what the meeting's about," Ben said gently as he stood up to walk over to her.

"The thought may have crossed my mind," Evie said softly as the girl standing next to Lonnie and Jane snorted in amusement.

"Yes, thank you Jordan," Mal shook her head. Jordan grinned, causing Mal and Ben to chuckle before Ben turned back to Evie.

"Evie…we got him."

Evie froze and looked at Ben. "My dad? You have my dad?"

"That's right," Ben nodded, having barely heard the blue haired girl's whisper. "I had guards go into Maleficent's castle when I went to pick up the new VKs. They were the epitome of discrete in getting him out. Not even Uma, Harry, Gil or Hadie know why they were there."

"The guards took another limo off the Isle and took your dad straight to Asclepius General," Mal told her. "Evie, we can arrange for a driver to take you there right away to see him but…he may not be the same as when you were six."

"That's why we're here," Lonnie chimed in. "Mal thought we might be better at the whole 'comfort' thing. We've got hot coco, warm cookies and fuzzy blankets at the ready."

Evie gave a weak chuckle and smiled slightly. "Can I go see him now?"

"I wouldn't have told you we could make it happen if you couldn't," Mal said gently.

Ben nodded. "Fairy Godmother's already been informed and she's giving you three weeks off for your classes," he told Evie. "I haven't told Doug though, I thought that would be something you'd want to share with him."

A small yip prevented anyone else from responding and Estelle's right head gave Evie's hand a gentle lick.

"How in the world did I not notice a Cerberus?" Lonnie asked, being the first to come out of her shock.

"Estelle's a good boy, he knows how to not make a nuisance of himself," Mal grinned, scratching Estelle behind the ear.

Jane gave Mal a small smile. "Estelle…that's French for 'star'."

"I didn't want to give him too obvious a name," Mal said. "Most of the Isle's residents are dumber than rocks but there are a few with a few brain cells to rub together."

Jane nodded. "I'm guessing villains like Yzma and Frollo—"

"You had to mention Frollo," Evie sighed as Mal's back got stiff and her hand twitched like she was going for a sword. What surprised everyone was that Estelle let out a low growl at the mention of Frollo's name.

"Mal…?" Ben asked softly.

"Later Ben," Mal told him, shaking her head and trying to rid herself of the tension. Freddy boy was trapped on the Isle with no way out. She, on the other hand, had her friends and family with her…she'd won.

So why was she still tense whenever anyone mentioned Frollo or Freddy? Well, habits die hard and it had only been a month since Ben's coronation after all.

"Shh, shh, it's okay boy," Mal said, petting Estelle behind the ears again. "Freddy's trapped on the Isle and you'll have all sorts of room to run around and play. Oh and you'll have a new friend with Dude. Just don't try to eat him."

Estelle snorted and everyone else chuckled.

"Aren't Cerberuses supposed to be bigger?" Lonnie asked.

"They are," Mal nodded. "Dad thinks that because of the magical barrier around the Isle, that stopped Estelle from growing to his proper size. I'll have to see if there's a vet around here who won't faint at looking at a Cerberus to know for sure though."

"She's not a vet but Jane Porter has done some studies on animals. She might be able to lend some insight," Jordan suggested.

Mal nodded. "I might take you up on that and reach out to her. If anything, I want to make sure being forced to be small hasn't hurt Estelle in anyway."

"I can reach out to her," Ben said.

"No, Ben, I couldn't ask you to—"

"You're not asking Mal. I'm offering," Ben said gently. "Besides, it's one phone call. How much time could that take, thirty minutes?"

Mal rolled her eyes. "Fine Ben. But—"

"I know, I know. Not before lunch or dinner," Ben chuckled.

"Gods, you two sound like an old married couple at this point," Lonnie shook her head.

"You say that every time you see me and Mal interact. We've been dating a month Lon."

Lonnie chuckled and lowered her voice so Mal wouldn't hear. "I'm probably the closest thing you've got to a sister Ben. Well, not counting Jane. The way you look at Mal…it's not the typical honeymoon phase of a teenage romance. You love her."

Ben sighed softly. "I know it's only been a month so I haven't told her yet but…I do love her," he whispered.

"What are you two plotting?" Mal asked, preventing Lonnie from responding to Ben.

"Lonnie's probably trying to figure out how to get you to train with her for R.O.A.R," Jordan chuckled.

"Jordan!"

"Sure, I'll train with you," Mal shrugged, causing Lonnie to pause.

"You will?"

Mal chuckled. "I ran with a pirate crew back on the Isle Lonnie. You didn't exactly survive if you didn't know how to defend yourself. I won't promise I'll know the rules of R.O.A.R but I can help you with the basics. So can Uma and Harry for that matter…actually, why not just ask Jay?"

"I don't want him to know I want to try out," Lonnie said. "I want him to make the decision based on my talent, not because he knows me."

Mal chuckled. "Trust me Lonnie, give me or Uma or Harry a month and we'll have you whipped into shape."

"I feel I should be scared but honestly I'm just excited."

Evie sighed. "Why am I not surprised you'd find some of the lone sword loving girls not on the Isle?"

"It's a gift," Mal grinned. "Now go on Evie, the limo's waiting for you."

"But—"

"You really think I didn't teach Ben how to text without anyone noticing? Granted he had to teach me how to text but that's beside the point. The car's waiting for you. Go!"

Evie chuckled and gave Mal a quick hug before freezing. "Oh, I forgot—"

"Evie, you're excited. I'm not going to bite your head off for that. Just remember for the future…I don't hug."

"Duly noted."

"Now go!" Mal chuckled as she gently forced Evie out of the door. Shaking her head, she turned back to Ben.

"If my services are no longer needed, Jay should be getting out of practice. I don't want to miss him realizing Harry's here," she said. "So…may I be excused your highness?"

"Of course my lady," Ben teased in response.

"I'm not a lady Ben."

"You know the rules Mal. You use my title, I get to use yours in response."

"Whoever came up with that rule was an idiot."

"That was you."

Mal paused. "It was?"

"Yep," Ben nodded and chuckled. "Still want to call whoever came up with that rule an idiot?"

"No, if only because I really don't want to miss Jay's reaction," Mal chuckled. Ben walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll see you at dinner?"

"Of course Ben," Mal chuckled. "If you don't show up, I'll send Estelle to drag you out. He'll do it too!"

Estelle gave a small yip as if to agree with what was being said. Everyone in the room chuckled as Mal left to go back to her dorm.

"Hey," she said, sticking her head into her room. "Jay should be getting out of practice. You want to go surprise him?"

Uma grinned. "You bet!"

"Then come on!"

The two cousins raced over to Jay's room, hoping to arrive before the older boy.

"Wha—Harry?! What are you doing here?"

"'ello Jay! Hope it's alright that I picked this bed. The little lord wanted the top bunk and who am I to refuse him?"

"…where is Hadie?"

"That's a good question Harry," Mal said, stepping into the room as Jay whirled around. Uma chuckled as Estelle ran in and jumped onto Harry's bed.

"You knew they were coming today?" Jay asked Mal.

"Yep."

"And you didn't tell me?!"

"You were busy."

"I could have skipped practice!"

"You're the captain," Mal said with a small chuckle. "Now, don't change the subject. I believe your favorite pirate was telling me where my brother disappeared to."

"He's in the library Mali," Harry told her. "He's the eleven year son of Lord Hades and Lady Persephone, plus his sister turned Maleficent into a lizard not one month ago. Do you really think anything's going to happen to him in Boreadon?"

Mal sighed and pulled out her phone, punching in a number before holding it up to her ear.

"Yellow?"

"Emir? It's me Mal. Listen, I need a favor—big sibling to big sibling."

"Shoot Mal. What is it?"

Mal sighed. "My brother just came in from the Isle and is now probably wandering the halls, looking for the library. If you see him—?"

"Mal?"

"Yes?"

"Does your brother have dark blue hair and a fondness for talking about Cerberuses?"

Mal sighed in relief. "You found him?"

"Well more like he found us," Emir chuckled. "He's been chatting Akiho's ear off for about five minutes before you called. You want me to send him your way or actually direct him to the library?"

"Where are you?" Mal asked. "I can—"

"Mal. Can I give you some advice, big sibling to big sibling? You're gonna have to cut the training wheels at some point."

"…Emir. Do you remember a certain pink loving, formerly betrothed to Ben Princess who likes to roam around the school?"

"Good point. So, your dorm or library?"

"I'm with Jay right now in his dorm—"

"Akiho will have him there in five minutes. Mainly because I don't think I could separate him from Akiho before your brother told him everything about Cerberuses."

Mal chuckled. "Thanks Emir."

"Any time, Mal. Any time."

Shaking her head, Mal hung up her phone and pocketed it before turning back to look at her friends.

"Emir's on it?" Jay asked.

"Yep," Mal nodded. "Akiho'll be bringing Hadie by any minute now, and knowing more about Cerberi than he ever wanted to know."

"Though if Hadie lets Akiho get a word in, your brother will know more than he ever wanted to know about reindeer," Jay pointed out.

"This is true," Mal chuckled as she plopped on Jay's bed.

"You know I just thought of something," Jay said.

"We've left Gil and Carlos to their own devices?"

"We've left Gil and Carlos to their own devices."

Uma shook her head. "That's it, I'm never leaving you two alone for more than a day again."

"Agreed," Harry nodded. "Who are Emir and Akiho? Why does this Akiho bloke so know much about reindeer? And when did you two learn to read each other's minds?"

Mal chuckled. "Emir and Akiho are Ben's best friends, I told you about them during our illicit trip to the Isle before Ben's coronation. Akiho is the heir to the Arendelle kingdom, hence the reindeer obsession. Emir is the second prince of Agrabah and Jay's size surprisingly so, Harry, if you see anything with a magic lamp on it, that's where it came from."

"As for the mind reading, well, we've known each other since ages five and six respectively," Jay chuckled. "After all, Mal can literally read Uma's mind yet you don't see me making comments on it."

"Oh yeah that reminds me," Uma said, putting her hands on her hips. "What's the deal with the mind link being muted?"

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me, Mali! It's been muted for about three weeks now and I know it's not on my end because I'm still getting your dad's rants about how Pain and Panic messed up this morning."

Mal shrugged. "Uma, you know I still don't know how it works. I probably muted it on accident."

"Uh huh. So unmute it."

Before Mal could respond, an interruption by the name of Hadie and Akiho appeared in the doorway.

"One Godling," Akiho said. "Also, he knows more about Cerberi than Ben knows about dragons. Just one friend who knows things about non mythological creatures would be nice."

"Akiho, you know about spirits and rock trolls," Jay chuckled.

"Those are not mythological creatures now, are they Jay?" Akiho asked, rolling his eyes.

Mal shook her head. "Akiho, meet Harry and Uma. Harry, Uma, this insane boy is Akiho. One of Ben's two best friends, and the former keeper of Ben's eating schedule."

"Former?"

"Mal now holds that title," Akiho said with a small smile. "Took it right from my hands too."

Mal rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you Auradonians are too timid sometimes. Just march up to his office and drag Ben to dinner. Not that hard."

"Yeah well speaking of dinner, it's in fifteen minutes," Akiho said. "I was going to grab Carlos if you wanted to go as a group?"

"Oh Carlos should be meeting Gil if he got out of practice at the same time as you guys," Mal grinned. "Let me go with you—Hadie, stay."

"Woof," Hadie shook his head.

"Good boy," Mal told him, ruffling his hair. "I'll be right back guys."

Mal quickly made her way to Carlos and Gil's room, only to see the blond boy lying on his bed and no sign of the black and white haired VK.

"Hey Gil," Mal smiled. "You settling in okay?"

"Oh yeah," Gil nodded. "Though I think there's something wrong with the mattresses here Mal. They don't have springs sticking up out of them."

"Why would we have—?"

"Gil, meet Akiho. Akiho, meet Gil LeGume," Mal said quickly. Hey, destroying an Auradon kid's bright and shiny world view was not on her to-do list today.

"Nice to meet you," Akiho said with a chuckle.

"Same," Gil said with a grin.

Before anyone could say anything else, Carlos walked in. Well, maybe walked was the wrong word. Stormed was probably more appropriate, with Dude trotting after him dutifully.

"Mal, I'm going to kill Jay! I don't care that he's freakishly tall and could probably crush me like a bug, he shouldn't expect me to just clean up the amphitheater just because I was the last one to practice! He was the one who made me late anyway! Do you know how slovenly the R.O.A.R team is?!"

Mal chuckled. "I don't but did you even notice Akiho's here?"

"Hey Akiho," Carlos nodded. "Look, I'm sorry but all I want to do is lie in my bed…which is now occupied by Gil. Mal?"

"Yes Carlos?"

"Why is Gil in my bed?"

"Because Gil's your roommate."

"…that doesn't answer the question as to why he's in my bed."

Gil chuckled. "Sorry Carlos. I didn't realize this one was yours," he said as he got up.

"No worries," Carlos said and went to hug Gil before he stopped. "Oh, sorry. I'm still sweaty and stuff from practice."

Gil shook his head before pulling Carlos into a hug. "You really think I care about that buddy?"

"No I guess you wouldn't," Carlos chuckled. "Now…let me go! I still need to breathe Gil!"

"Oh, whoops," Gil said sheepishly before letting Carlos go.

"It's okay," Carlos grinned. "I'm heading down to dinner, you guys coming?"

"We just need to get Jay, Harry, Hadie and Uma," Mal told him.

Carlos frowned. "Are we not getting Evie?"

"Evie's…Evie's going to be having dinner off campus," Mal said and leaned over to Carlos. "We got Daniel back," she whispered and Carlos' eyes widened slightly before nodding.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Akiho asked. "Let's go before Emir and Ben drag us to the cafeteria!"

Mal couldn't help but chuckle as the four of them made their way first to Jay's room and then to the cafeteria.