Hey Descendants!
We're kicking off another week. We're here, with a new update. Yay!
Ready for this? Remember that tense moment in the movie before the crowning where Mal went one way while the king and Queen went the other?
Yeah...
Here's our version.
And then some.
We hope you enjoy the chapter.
Please, please, please let us know you were here. We've been getting very stressed out lately with a lot of RL stuff, so hearing from you guys would make our days!
Please and thank you?
Lots of Love,
-Dark-
How the fuck did this happen?
She bites the inside of her cheek as she studies the ground under her feet.
She'd known it was inevitable. But why today? She was already so far out of her comfort zone.
She could feel all the eyes on her.
Could hear the whispers.
And now this?
She glances up at the King-
The one who had abandoned them.
Trapped them on an Isle of villains and wrote them off.
The king that had blatantly dismissed hundreds of tablets pleading for help.
The king who'd been okay providing feasts for everyone in his kingdom while those forgotten on the Isle had to forage through their leftover trash to eat.
The King that had sentenced her, her gang, and the others they'd left behind to be abused and r-
She bites her cheek harder.
Worse.
Abused and worse.
She exhales slowly as she continues to stare at the King's offered arm.
She didn't want this man touching her.
Didn't want to be touching him.
But- Ugh.
The things she was willing to do for Ben disgusted her sometimes.
"Why don't you escort both of us by leading us, Dear." She hears Belle whisper before the King's arm is removed from her line of sight and the Queen's pale yellow gloved arm replaces it, "You know how much I enjoy Mal's company. And you shouldn't deny me the opportunity to get a good look at Evie's work, right Mal?"
She nods mutely as she takes Belle's arm, her cheeks on fire as she lets out a relieved, "Thank you."
"Never let anyone force you to do something you don't want to do, Dear, not even us." Belle lightly squeezes her hand as they turn to follow the king. "I should have warned you that this would be a possibility and let you decide how you wanted to handle it."
Yeah, it really fucking would've been nice to have some warning.
But it wasn't like she could say that right now. So she curbs herself. "I'd appreciate that."
"I promise to devote more attention to things like this in the future."
She sighs.
Meaning things like this.
It sounded ominous.
It sounded overwhelming.
It sounded stupid.
"You don't have to do that," She frowns. "You've already got so much going on." That and it would be awkward as fuck.
Belle smiles at her as they slip into a side entrance to the cathedral. "It's important to me. I know I won't be able to catch everything, but I'll feel better if you know more about what's coming."
She can't help the way her teeth set on edge at the sight of a cross.
Stupid. Stupid.
Why didn't she think about it being a church?
Like she needed another layer of stress.
Stress just waiting to make her do something stupid.
Stupid like bitch slapping a king in front of all his subjects.
Ugh.
Why the fuck was this ceremony taking place in a church of all fucking places? Like today wasn't bad enough.
Now she was surrounded by- haunted by a constant reminder of the stupid fucking Isle.
How were the others going to deal with this?
How was Jay?
David.
He had David with him.
And Nani. And Hiro. And Lilo.
He'd be fine.
They had each other and probably the coolest fucking adults in Auradon with them.
They'd be fine.
"Not gonna lie, same. I've no idea what the fuck's expected from me, just that it's expected."
"I struggled to find my place in this world too," Belle sighs, "going from a strange girl in a poor village to Queen of these United Kingdoms was not something I ever imagined for myself." She pulls her shoulders back and stands a little taller, "It's not easy, and it's a different journey for everyone."
A small smile twitches on her lips.
She wasn't sure why, but the thought of Belle speaking to her like this made her chest warm. Like the Queen could legitimately see her and Ben sharing something together.
Together and for a long time.
It was… Different.
But a good type of different.
"It's a balance. You have to be true to yourself, but you also have to be and do what is best for the people." Belle pulls her to a stop before they collide with the King's back.
"You're a tough girl though," Belle says as she turns and fusses over the collar of her dress, "I know you'll figure it out."
She studies Belle for a moment. "Gonna have to." She sighs before offering her a small smile, annoyed when she could feel it shake.
"Ben's lucky to have you." Belle smiles as she offers her a small handkerchief.
"Funny." She snorts as she takes the fabric, confused about what to do with it, "I'm pretty sure it's the other way around."
"As his mother, I am predisposed to agree, but I am delighted with his choice. I know it hasn't been easy for you two, but I am happy you're both sticking this out."
"Huh." Her eyes quickly flit to Adam, doubting he felt the same before she shrugs it off.
Fuck him.
"VKs don't back down easy." She shrugs. "It's different. Like a completely different world different. But-" Her eyes search for Ben, a small frown tugging at her lips when she can't find him. "It's worth it if-" She swallows hard. Was she really about to say this? "It makes him happy." She finishes quietly, feeling her cheeks ignite with heat.
Lame.
That was so fucking lame. Ugh.
Lame and corny.
Fuck her.
What the shit was Ben and hell, even her gang, doing to her?
She wanted to barf.
Or get eaten by the floor.
The latter would obviously be more acceptable.
Evie would probably jump over the banister separating them to murder her if she so much as gagged.
So instead, she shifts and stares at the floor.
Yep.
This was her fucking life now.
Damn it.
"Well, I can say I've never seen Ben as happy as he is now." Adam says over his shoulder, "If that helps." He takes a deep breath as he turns back around, "Ready?"
She blinks at him.
That was twice now he'd acknowledged her.
Ugh.
Also weird.
"Uh-" She looks up at Belle.
No. She certainly wasn't ready for multiple kingdoms' worth of eyes to be judging her. No.
"Whenever you are." Belle assures her gently, "Take a breath. All you have to do is stand on the first step."
She nods as she takes the advice before she lets it out slowly. "Let's do it then." It had to be better than the waiting.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
Adam nods before he steps into the well-lit chamber.
She could literally hear feet scrambling as he stepped into view.
Hundreds of feet.
Maybe thousands.
Ugh. Mother.
Was Ben really wort-
Damn it.
She couldn't even finish the stupid fucking thought.
She swallows her groan before she follows Belle, nearly toppling when she sees the number of people staring up at her.
So many faces, many of them blurred by the sheer size of the building they were in.
The only prominent feature she could focus on was the long blue and gold rug running down the center of the room, the only thing dividing the people milling about.
Fucking wonderful.
She takes a deep breath as she stands up straighter and tightens her shoulders, keeping her head held high.
She could kick herself for all the times she made Jay go to all of those meetings instead of her.
Kick herself for avoiding every situation she could when it came to being the center of attention. Sure, she'd done it a dozen times or two… but this?
Damn it.
She knew, just knew she was scowling right now.
She swallows before she forces a smile on her lips.
"Your pack is standing near the journalists, Snow White suggested it." Belle directs her gaze with a turn of her head.
"Thanks." She breathes out as she turns to her friends, nearly snorting when she finds Evie glaring and pointing at her lips curved in an exaggerated smile.
"It would seem Evie is very opinionated on the subject of smiles." Belle chuckles softly.
"I assure you, Evie's just very opinionated." She smiles as some of the weight lifts off her shoulders.
It helped. Helped so fucking much, just knowing where her pack was. Knowing she wasn't alone.
Belle snorts, "Well, Dear, I think it's safe to say the worst part is almost over, being forced to walk with us to your place for the ceremony. But I appreciated getting to talk with you. And obvious or not, so did Adam."
She couldn't help the way her eyes darted to Adam, but she was surprised to see him nod once.
"I didn't feel forced." She responds carefully. "I appreciated the advice."
"I'm glad. Seems someone isn't the only one with advice worthy of passing on."
"I have never said or believed your advice was less than mine, Dear." Adam chuckles.
What the fuck made that chuckle-worthy?
"In fact, your wisdom and compassion once saved an entire kingdom and then assisted in uniting the rest." Adam continues before he stops beside a glass dome-covered table, "My advice is just usually presented in dad jokes. Ben loves it."
What the fuck was a dad joke?
"Someone has to, Dear."
"Ouch." Adam smiles.
She liked Belle. It was hard not to. She was a very kind and intelligent woman.
Adam though?
He was a complete twat. Obviously.
But watching the two interact?
She didn't really know what to think besides the fact it was fucking weird that Belle tolerated him.
"Everything is running smoothly, your majesties." Fairy Godmother smiles as she and Jane join them beside the-
Wand?
Her head tilts slightly as she studies the intricately carved magical artifact of legend.
AKA-
The stupid fucking stick her mother was obsessed with.
The stupid fucking stick that had put a wall between Auradon and the Isle.
Dumb. If there was no one else here, she would've spit on it.
"Jane, my love, make sure you watch carefully, but why don't you and Mal go ahead and take your places," Fairy Godmother smiles at Jane, "Ben should be coming in soon."
Places?
Shit, she had a place?
"You did great, Mal." Belle gives her a quick hug before she releases her hold on her arm, "The rest is just standing there for Ben."
Did she, though? Do great?
"Wicked." She nods.
That she could fucking do in spades.
She looks up to find Jane staring at the wand with a strange look on her face.
"Dear One, let's get a move on."
"Jane?" She takes the other girl's hand and squeezes in a silent 'yo'.
That wasn't like Jane. She usually ran when her mother came calling.
What the hell could she have possibly been thinking to have her space so badly in the middle of this shit show?
Jane hated attention more than she did.
Her eyes narrow slightly. Right?
She needed that to be a right.
There was no way she was more uncomfortable than the mouse-like girl.
Jane blinks before she looks at her and then up at the adults, "Oh, right. Yes, sorry. Places, watching. Learning. Got it." She slowly steps away from the stand with the wand on it.
She drops her hand as she follows her down the steps before they settle at the bottom of them. "Dude." She glances the other girl over, "You okay?"
"I'm um, I'm fine. It's not like the reporters were asking me what was up with my hair or anything." Jane takes a deep breath, "I'm fine."
She frowns as her eyes move to Jane's limp hair.
Mother fucking damn it. She frowns.
She hadn't even thought to check on Jane in the cluster fuck that was this morning. She should've put Evie on her. At least Jane would've appreciated it.
Maybe?
Or run. Most intelligent people ran.
Jane was mousey, but she was still intelligent.
She probably would've run.
"At least it has a really cool strip of pink." Jane smiles as she twirls the chunk of hair around her finger, "I like it," her smile slowly fades, "even if others don't."
Her nose scrunches. Who the fuck told her they didn't like it?
Assholes.
Assholes for sure. She didn't get it, but Jane was like fucking obsessed with assholes. "Fuck-"
A blast of trumpets and singing voices interrupts her before she can assure Jane or figure out who was messing with her.
He wasn't sure he'd ever seen Mal so… Tense.
Not that he wouldn't be if he were in her place, having to walk in front of everyone assembled for the ceremony with the King and Queen of Auradon.
In fact, the only one of them that would be comfortable with it was currently making a spectacle of herself trying to get Mal to remember to smile.
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't care if she's smiling, E." He offers softly.
"Honestly, I'm surprised she's still walking, though the Queen has that kind of effect on people." Jay chuckles as he folds his arms over his chest.
"Don't you dare keep your arms folded like that and ruin the crease I ironed into them." Evie glares up at Jay.
He looks between them quickly before he readjusts Dude so that he was holding him with one arm.
"And this is why she's the scary one." Hiro snorts as he leans against the pillar. "Never seen any of you jump that fast for your alpha."
"You've never seen Mal really angry." He rolls his eyes.
"Fair." Hiro chuckles. "I'm sure she's a terrifying little ankle biter."
Jay snorts before he covers his mouth with one hand.
"I'm sure you'll find out if you ever say that to her." Lonnie winks.
"Good to know." Hiro smiles lazily.
"Can you not?" Lilo rolls her eyes.
"How can you ask that with a straight face after all these years?" Nani snorts.
"Sometimes he listens." Lilo shrugs.
"Ah, fair. Sometimes David listens too." Nani chuckles as she wraps one arm around David's waist.
"Ey," David grins, "Why am I being put with him?"
"Obviously, because men are bad listeners." Evie supplies absently as she smacks Jay's arm after he crosses them again.
"Sexist." Hiro snorts.
"Princess." Doug corrects.
"Oh, except Doug. He listens every time." Evie corrects herself, making Doug beam widely.
"Ass kisser." Roy snorts.
"Right?" Hiro responds as the two bump fists.
"Name-calling isn't nice, and you're standing here with two counselors." Doug rolls his eyes.
"Eh." Roy shrugs. "They're not on the clock."
"But we will be later." David chuckles.
"No worries, callin' people names doesn't make me feel bad." Roy grins unrepentantly.
He snorts before he turns his attention away from his strangely rambunctious group to watch Mal.
She looked worried about something, but when she starts talking to Jane the choir starts up, spilling their artfully arranged voices from the third-floor balcony as the doors behind them are thrown open, leaving Ben backlit by the afternoon sun.
Regal.
That was the only word to describe the sight.
Trumpets trill when Ben starts walking.
He tilts his head slightly as he watches Ben make his way down the long aisle.
Was Ben scared?
He'd be scared if he had to do that. Walk all by himself in front of hundreds of people and cameras.
Just the thought of it was making his stomach hurt.
But Ben looked, a little stiff maybe, but-
Seriously, regal was the only word he could think of.
Ben was just regal.
He smiles as Ben walks past, their gaze meeting for a brief moment before he remembered he was supposed to do something.
A hand on his back was a great reminder, and thankfully Jay had him covered.
Even if it was a little rough.
At least he bowed.
Oh, he bowed to the future king of Auradon.
It was weird. Surreal even.
Ben. King Ben?
A small smile curves his lips.
If it were anyone else walking down the aisle, he'd be nervous or scared.
But it was Ben.
Their fellow teen, one who took his power and decided to help the kids on the Isle.
Like seriously, who did that.
Ben.
Ben did that.
Ben was going to be a great king one day.
A kind king.
A caring king.
A king that would make changes for the better. Who wouldn't just do the easy thing because his kingdom was scared. He would be the type of king who would put time, energy, effort, and research into it.
And he was excited to be a part of it.
He was excited that they all got to be a part of it.
Ben wasn't shy when it came to sharing his dreams.
And after today, the entirety of the United Kingdoms of Auradon would acknowledge Ben as the future king.
Which would hopefully mean acknowledging Ben's beliefs.
Which would hopefully lead them to support Ben.
Which would hopefully lead to other VKs coming over quicker.
Which would hopefully mean they would get to see their friends sooner.
Hopefully.
Hopefully wasn't something he would have really believed in before.
But with Ben? Hope was something he could actually get behind.
He smiles when Ben pauses beside Mal for a moment, lingering a half step to smile at her before he continues up the stairs to the King, Queen, and Fairy Godmother.
"Huh, this really isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be." He hears Jay whisper beside him.
"Right?" Hiro chuckles quietly.
"I suppose it was worth having to wear dress shoes." David grins. "As much as politics suck, Ben's going to be a great King one day."
"You mean interesting." Hiro corrects with a shit-eating grin.
"That too." Nani glares at Hiro, "Now shush you lolos."
Oh, fucking Adam.
We're, well for sure mostly Dark, is doing her best to redeem him, but why must it be so hard?
Beauty and the Beast is her fave Disney movie, she's loved it since it hit VHS. Why they chose to make those two the bigots we'll never understand. If anyone should understand looks can be deceiving it should legit be the couple where one of them was a literal fucking beast. *shakes head* The fuck Disney, just, the fuck?
So, we'd really appreciate you guys giving us feedback about how we're doing as the story progresses…
Speaking of though… How are you guys liking our Belle?
Poor Mal.
She ain't wrong. E would fucking skin her alive if she knew was even thinking of throwing up in that gown. And I mean, seriously, who wouldn't want to be eating by the floor when put in that situation? Any of you?
*Grimaces* Those crosses really did a number on Mal. Again, we're not knocking anyone's religion here, we promise. But do you guys get why she's so upset by them? Did we do a good job of representing her disgust?
Oh E. Anyone have an issue with us making her make an ass outta herself in an attempt to get Mal to smile? Cause, we talked about it a lot and the consensus we came to boiled down to this, E not only wants her dress to be all it can be, but also she's Mal's BFF and doesn't want her to cringe when she sees photos of herself on the news.
Oh Roy and Hiro antics. I really love writing those two. And when they interact!
What 'bout you guys?
That whole group makes me smile, though. We hope you can see the camaraderie between them.
Fave line (well lines in this case):
"Name-calling isn't nice and you're standing here with two counselors." Doug rolls his eyes.
"Eh." Roy shrugs. "They're not on the clock."
"But we will be later." David chuckles.
"No worries, callin' people names doesn't make me feel bad." Roy grins unrepentantly.
What was yours?
Looking forward to hearing from you guys!
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted