Chapter 13: Mala's Story

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter, now for this chapter I always wondered how a jerk like Phobos came into power and became the way he did, so I took some time and created my own story. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

Needless to say the ride back from Mt. Heatherfield was awkward especially since Neo ended up sitting next to his long lost mother that he didn't even know he had.

Standing in front of the Silver Dragon, Neo was nervous to introduce his dad to her and the girls could see it.

"Is something wrong?" Mala asks.

"Look uh I don't know what's going to happen when we walk in but uh watch out for my dad." Neo warns.

"Thor can be very…emotional about certain issues." Heather warns.

"I'm sure it will be fine." Hay Lin said as they walked in.

A few seconds later….

"WHAAAATTT?!" Thor's voice roars from the Silver Dragon as a bright light engulfed the Silver Dragon.

Next thing we know, Amora had taken them to Asgard as Thor stormed out in anger with Mala right behind him.

"Please calm down I just want to see my son!" Mala said.

"You couldn't hold onto him when he was a baby, so what the hell makes you think I'm gonna let you take him back?!" Thor snaps.

"Just let me explain." Mala said.

"Oh don't worry you will." Thor said before turning to Sif, Astrid, Heather and Johan. "Take her to my father!"

As the four of them escorted Mala to Odin with Thor right behind them Will, Caleb, Cornelia, Irma, Hay Lin, and Taranee were looking up at Asgard in shock and awe.

"I don't believe it." Taranee gasps.

"Neo, this is where you grew up?" Will asks.

"Pretty much." Neo nods.

"Is that castle made of solid gold?" Hay Lin points.

"Yep that's my home." Neo said walking ahead of them with the others slowly following.

"This place is a way different than Earth or Meridian." Caleb said.

"Someone just got a million times cuter." Cornelia smiles as follows behind when a hand grabbed her from behind. Turning around she saw Rayla pointing her sword at her.

"I'd watch yourself. Sometimes in Asgard you could lose a finger if you're not careful. You wouldn't want to have to go through life with only 4 fingers, would you?" Rayla said holding up her hand to show she only had 4 fingers causing Cornelia to gulp nervously.


Meanwhile in Merdian, Cedric was leading Phobos to his throne room.

"What is so urgent that I am to be disturbed?" Phobos asks.

"He demanded an audience with you. I couldn't stop him." Cedric said.

"Demand? Who is he dare talk to me like that?" Phobos asks opening the door to see Loki sitting on his throne.

"About you time you showed up." Loki smirks as Phobos glares at him.

"What are you doing up there?" Phobos asks walking towards him.

"Enjoying the view. I quite like it up here looking down at you both." Loki said.

"Get off the throne right now." Cedric orders.

"No, I actually think I'll stay up here a little longer." Loki said putting his feet up on the armrests.

"Get off my throne this instant." Phobos orders.

"But that's the thing, it's not your throne…not according to King Zanden." Loki said stopping Phobos in his tracks as his eyes widen in shock. "Surprised to hear daddy's name?"

"What does the old king have to do with anything?" Cedric asks.

"Cedric, leave us." Phobos orders.

"But Phobos—"

"OUT!" Phobos orders.

"Yes my lord." Cedric said leaving the room leaving the two of them alone.

"How do you know about my father?" Phobos asks as Loki climbed off the throne and walked down towards him.

"A old face from your past. Mala." Loki states causing Phobos to tighten his fists.

"She's still alive." Phobos growls.

"Yes and imagine how your people will react when she comes back and tells everyone the truth. Not even your stupid snake will obey you." Loki laughs.

"Why are you telling me this?" Phobos asks.

"Because I want to hear for myself what exactly happened that set all this in motion. I want the story, the whole story." Loki said.


Leading them through the castle all of them watched as every royal guard Neo walked by saluted him before he opened the main door to the throne room.

Inside, Odin sat on his throne with Firgga and Thor at his side as everyone walked in to see Mala standing before them.

"That is one impressive throne." Irma said. "Who's the one-eyed old man?"

"Irma, that's King Odin." Taranee whispers.

"Or as I call him, grandpa." Neo said.

"Neo." Odin said getting his attention. "Come here." Odin gestures with his hand.

Slowly making his way towards them Neo looks to the woman who claimed to be his mother before standing next to his father and grandparents.

"Solid gold castle, royal guards bowing to him, and his grandpa is king of all it. That means Neo's a prince." Hay Lin squeals.

No way, that means Neo is in line to get all this stuff." Irma said.

"And yet he gave it all up to be a part-time waiter so he could help us." Will said touched by this.

"So, Mala, you are here because you claim that you are the birth mother to my grandson, Neo. Is this true?" Odin asks.

"It is, but uh…it's not Neo. I named him Dastan." Mala clarifies.

"I think Thor picked the better name." Frigga said as they all agreed.

"Name aside, he is my son. He looks just like father except for his eyes…those are my eyes." Mala points to Neo's green eyes which were an exact match of hers.

"Even so, I'm gonna need a little more than that if you expect me to let you be in his life again." Thor crosses his arms.

"It sounds like you know a little something we don't know. Care to explain?" Odin asks.

"On the night I found Neo, he was inside a cardboard box on a snowy day next to the garbage." Thor said surprising everyone as Mala hung her head in shame. "I want hear right now why I shouldn't destroy you for abandoning your own child."

"First off I didn't abandon him and second, to understand why I need to tell you all about what happened in Meridian before Phobos came to power." Mala said getting their attention.

"What happened?" Will asks.

"You might not believe this, but Meridian was once a beautiful world, filled with life and happiness. We had troubles from time to time but when we lived under the rule of King Zanden and Queen Weira everything worked out fine." Mala explains.

"Who were they?" Astrid asks.

"They were Phobos's parents." Caleb said.

"So how did two great leaders end up with such a tyrant for a son?" Heather asks.

"Queen Weira was my best friend growing up, she inspired me to be the first woman to join the Meridian Army and thanks to her help I rose to second in command and met your father, the head general." Mala said looking at Neo.

"If things were so great what happened that caused it to turn into such a nightmare…uh no offense Caleb." Neo said turning to him.

"None taken." Caleb agreed.

"Let me explain it started 13 years ago when Dast—I mean Neo was barely a year old." Mala said.

Flashback:

13 years ago, Meridian was a beautiful world filled with life and happiness. In the castle, a beautiful woman with long brown hair, a crown and a huge pregnant belly was sitting by the window, this was Queen Weira.

"I knew I'd find you here." Weira turns to see Mala in a black and green armor walking towards her. "You always seem to come here when you have something on your mind." Mala smiles.

"Old habits die hard Mala." Weira smiles as Mala helps her out of her chair.

"You shouldn't be moving around as much she could be born at any time now." Mala warns.

"I can't help it. I'm so excited I can't stay still." Weira smiles as they walked down the castle halls. "Speaking of children, where's yours?"

"Oh he went to work with daddy today." Mala smiles as they enter the throne room to see two men standing at a table. One had short blonde hair, a crown and royal robes. Next to him was a man with blonde hair, black and green armor like Mala and a face that strongly resembled Neo. These were King Zanden and Logan, Mala's husband.

"So we will meet for the alliance at this spot and when we do we'll discuss the treaty." Zanden points when a baby Neo crawls onto the map swatting the little figures away.

"Oh no. Zanden run, a giant baby has made his home right where our meeting is. We'll have to find a new place to meet." Logan said pretending to be scared as he and the Zanden laughed before he picked up his son. "I think little Dastan wants to help."

"I bet if I made him head of negotiations our allies would line up." Zanden laughs.

"Not a bad idea." Logan chuckles.

"Oh no. My Dastan is not setting foot anywhere on a battleground unless I say so." Mala said as she and Weira walk in.

"Zanden, we can't have a baby leading our army." Weira smirks.

"Why not? Our babies will end up ruling Meridian?" Zanden said as he hugged his wife and kissed her.

"Where's Phobos? I thought he was supposed to help with the meeting." Weira asks looking around.

"I tried bringing him here, but the Prince thinks it is beneath him to talk with people from our neighbors just because they're not royalty." Logan said.

"That boy." Zanden sighs. "Mala go get him."

"Of course your majesty." Mala bows before picking up her son. "Want to make sure mommy brings the prince here?" Dastan coos happily as Mala carried him out of the room.

Walking down the hall to library, Mala saw a teenage Phobos reading a book in a comfy chair. Narrowing her eyes she walks behind the sun blocking his light.

"Do you mind? I'm tyring to read." Phobos said not even looking up.

"Your father missed you at the plans to negotiate the treaty." Mala said getting his attention.

"Oh was that today? Hmm must've slipped my mind." Phobos said not caring.

"Yes well as next in line for the throne you need to take this seriously." Mala said.

"I don't need to do anything. A kingdom run by lowly commoners, they're lucky if we should even look their way let alone trade our goods." Phobos scoffs.

"They're not lowly commoners. That kingdom is filled with people who have worked hard their entire lives to make a good living for themselves." Mala glares as Dastan cried out as if to agree with her.

"Mala if you're gonna lecture me get rid of that disgusting creature." Phobos said.

"Oh that's it." Mala snaps grabbing Phobos's arm and yanking him out of the library. "You can talk however you want about me but you will not insult my son."

"Unhand me! I am the Prince of Meridian and you will show me some respect!" Phobos snaps.

"Respect this." Mala said pushing him into the throne room where his parents and Logan were waiting for him.

"Father, mother. I strongly suggest that you find a new second general, this one is testing my patience." Phobos said.

"Oh like how you seem to test my patience?" Zanden narrows his eyes.

"I was reading a new spellbook, one that can make me stronger than ever before." Phobos said.

"Phobos, having power is fine but you need to know when the right time to use it is." Weira said.

"You need to get out of the library and get out in the real world. Which is why tomorrow you will come with me and Mala when we go to sign the treaty." Zanden said.

"What?" Phobos said shocked.

"No arguments. Meet me at the stables tomorrow." Zanden said as Phobos growls storming out.

"I still can't believe he's next to take your throne." Logan said.

"He just needs time. Maybe when his sister is born he might change." Weira said hopeful rubbing her belly.

Flashback End:


In Meridian, Loki was listening as Phobos told him the same story.

"Wow I thought I was a lousy son. You were the worst." Loki smirks.

"Say that again I dare you." Phobos growls.

"So daddy made you go with him to make a treaty with a village of commoners." Loki said.

"It was humiliating. I was the first born of the King, next in line forced to bargain with peasants like they were somehow my equals." Phobos growls.

"So I take it the treaty didn't go well?" Loki assumes.

"My father asked me to represent our kingdom to the ambassadors and that's what I did." Phobos said.

Flashback:

At the meeting spot, Phobos was sitting at Zanden's side as Mala stood behind them as their guard as she watched the other kingdom hand them the treaty.

"This is what running a kingdom is all about Phobos, not power and magic, but this." Zanden said handing him the treaty to read.

"Rolling his eyes Phobos reads the treaty and saw there was a high amount of supplies being sent over to the other kingdom while Meridian barely got anything. "Wait a minute. You people are asking for almost half of everything we make." Phobos said.

"Yes, a storm ravaged our home and we lost quite a bit." The ambassador said.

"So you people lost your hovels and you expect us to clean up your mess?" Phobos asks.

"Phobos." Zanden said ordering him to stop.

"The way I see it, you people should be begging for anything we give you." Phobos said as Mala and Zanden glared.

"B-But sir, if we don't get this treaty all our people will starve." The ambassador said.

"Then get on your knees and beg me." Phobos orders as the ambsassdor looks in horror at thinking he had no choice.

As he got down and bowed to Phobos an evil grin appeared on his face as Mala and Zanden were beyond furious.

Flashback End:


In Asgard, everyone was shocked by what Mala was telling them.

"The villagers came to us filled with hope in their eyes, but once Phobos was allowed to speak their hope died." Mala said.

"And I thought he was a monster now." Taranee said.

"So how did the King respond to this?" Odin asks.

"Let me ask you something. If your son behaved that way what you do?" Mala asks.

Odin and Thor looked to each other and both recalled what Odin did when Thor ruined things with Johtunheim.

"On the night, Phobos's sister was born the fate of Meridian changed for everyone. And it all started when Zanden and I confronted Phobos." Mala said.

Flashback:

It was a rainy day as Mala and King Zanden looked at Phobos.

"Of all the disrespectful, selfish things to do! You humiliated the ambassador!" Zanden snaps.

"I reminded him of his place." Phobos snaps.

"Stop acting like you're above everyone! You ruined the treaty! Don't you care?!" Zanden asks looking his son in the eyes.

"They need those supplies so they can survive the winter." Mala said.

"Then maybe they should work harder since you claim they're so good at it." Phobos mocks.

"Phobos you have no regard for anyone except yourself. You are not fit to rule Meridian." Zanden said causing Phobos's eyes to widen. "For the next 3 years you will live the villagers you insulted today and help them rebuild their home. That should give you enough time to get your priorities straight." Zanden said when Logan ran in.

"Your majesty, Queen Weira is going into labor!" Logan said.

"I'll be right there. Mala, be a witness to this. The second my daughter takes her first breath she will be the new heir to Meridian until I deem Phobos worthy again." Zanden declares causing Phobos to drop to his knees in shock.

"Understood King Zanden." Mala said as the three of them walk out leaving Phobos all alone.

"Me? A commoner? I'd rather die." Phobos growls as rage filled his eyes.


In Queen Weira's chambers, screams echoed throughout the castle as she gave birth to a baby girl.

"It's a girl." The doctor said holding up a little baby.

"It's a girl." Mala, Logan and Zanden smile as Zanden kissed his wife and Mala brought her daughter over.

"Oh hello sweetie." Weira smiles hugging her baby.

"Hey Dastan, meet your new princess." Logan said lifting Dastan so he could see the baby girl. "If she's like her parents she's gonna need your help a lot of times in the future."

"Mage, what do you think?" Weira asks as the Mage walks over and examines the baby closely.

"She will be a great Queen someday." The Mage said as they all smiled.

"I look forward to seeing that come to pass." King Zanden said walking to the door but right when he opened it a glowing red halberd was impaled right through his chest shocking everyone as Zanden fell to the floor dead.

"Zanden!" Logan and Mala gasp as the door opens to reveal Phobos walking in with the glowing red halberd in his hands.

"Phobos, what is the meaning of this?!" Weria asks in horror.

"Hello mother, little bit of an argument happened between me and father." Phobos said as Mala and Logan drew their swords as the Mage helped Weira up as she held the princess and the Mage held Dastan.

"You murdered the king! How could you do that to your own father?!" Logan snaps.

"He thought I was unworthy of the throne, so to prove him wrong I'm going to take the throne myself. You serve me now Logan, so bow to me." Phobos orders.

"I will never bow to a false king." Logan glares.

"Then bow to a dead one!" Phobos declared as he charged towards them and Logan blocks the attack.

"Mala, Mage get the Queen and children out of here!" Logan said as the Mage created a magic circle that glowed around them.

"Logan hurry!" Mala said as Logan pushed Phobos back as he tried to run but Phobos threw the halberd towards Weira. Acting quickly Logan threw himself in between the Queen as the halberd impaled him through the chest and stabbing the Queen. "NOOO!" Mala screams as they transported out of the castle.

Phobos looks down to King Zanden and pulled the crown of his head and put it on his head and like magic the beautiful Meridian turned to the horrible nightmare it is now.


Hiding in the Infinite City, Mala was sobbing as she held the bleeding body of her husband. "Logan, please don't die." Mala sobs as Logan groans.

"M-Mala." Logan said getting her attention. "Y-You and Dastan have given me a wonderful life…I love you both." Logan smiles before falling down dead.

Sniffling Mala looks across the room to see the Mage talking with Queen as she laid down in pain.

"I'm afraid the spell Phobos used on that halberd was a deadly poison. It's beyond even my magic." The Mage said.

"We need to get my daughter and Mala's family to safety." Weira winces in pain.

"Weira no. I can't leave you." Mala said.

"You're not leaving me. You're leaving so you can save our home." Weira said grabbing her hand. "Mala, I consider you my sister. Which is why you need to run I don't want Phobos to kill you too."

"But what about your daughter?" Mala said.

"I will arrange for someone to take her and get as far away from Phobos as possible. You must leave as well." Mage points.

"Me? No I need to stay and save my home." Mala said as the Mage handed Mala her son.

"So long as you are alive, Phobos is not the true heir. We must protect you." The Mage said handing her a map. "Go to this spot and a portal will open taking you to safety."

Mala looks to her Queen and best firend sadly. "Mala, if you ever meet my daughter when she grows up tell her how much I love her."

"I will." Mala said as she took the map and ran leaving her home behind.


In the dark forest, Mala was carrying her baby in her hands as she reached an opening where a blue portal was waiting.

"There it is." Mala said when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around she saw 4 of Phobos's monster soldiers approaching her. "Soldiers stand down."

"We don't listen to you anymore. We server Prince Phobos." One said.

Mala looks to see she was outnumbered and she couldn't fight them off with her son in her hands. Not liking her situation she did the only thing she could do and ran through the portal with the soldiers right behind her.

In the city, as the snow came down Mala ran out of the portal and looked for a place to hide.

Looking around frantically she looked for a place to put her child down and noticed a cardboard box by the garbage. Running over she put him inside. "Be quiet sweetie, mommy will be right back." Mala said kissing him before running in the opposite direction as the soliders came out.

"There you are." They said as Mala drew her sword.

"I've had a really bad day so don't mess with me." Mala said as she charged slaying all four of them with ease.

As she made her way back to the alley to get her son, she heard a voice.

"What are you doing here little one?" Mala peeks down the alley to see Thor holding up her baby.

She was about to step out when something inside her stopped her. If Phobos found out his men never came back he would just send more after her and they would be much stronger. Looking to her son, she saw that if Thor took him away Phobos would never find him and he would be safe.

Sniffling a tear runs down Mala's eyes as Thor and her son disappeared in the Bifrost causing her to break into tears.

Flashback End:

"I lost my husband, my home and my best friend all in one night, but having to let you go was more painful than all of them." Mala confesses as tears built up in Neo's eyes. "I can't force you to take me back, but I would like to be a part of your life again." Mala confesses.

"Mommy!" Neo sobs as he ran down and hugged her tight.

Shocked at first Mala slowly wraps her arms around Neo hugging him back before Thor slowly walked down to Mala as she looked him the eye.

"Maybe Neo having two parents could be helpful." Thor said as he joined in the family hug along with Odin and Frigga.

"Welcome to our family, Mala." Frigga smiles.

As the girls and Caleb looked at Neo's family moment they decided to let them have this.


In Meridian, Loki was looking at Phobos as he finished telling his story.

"And just like that you went from royalty to nothing." Loki said.

"My father was a fool. He thought power was something to not use, but I've used my power to make every single citizen bow to me." Phobos said.

"So long as Mala never comes back." Loki points out.

"She tries to come back I will finish what I started that night." Phobos said walking to his throne.

"So, whatever happened to that little village that caused all your troubles?" Loki asks as Phobos sat down.

"I destroyed every last piece of it." Phobos declares.

"Of course you would." Loki said before disappearing revealing him to be an illusion.


In Asgard, Neo was sitting in his old room watching the sunset when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." Neo said as the door opened to reveal Hay Lin.

"Hey, just wanted to check on you. Today was a pretty crazy day." Hay Lin said sitting down next to him.

"No kidding." Neo sighs.

"I can't believe Phobos did all those horrible things just because he didn't want to lose the throne." Hay Lin said.

"I know, we can't let him find his sister." Neo said.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Hay Lin asks.

"I don't know. I'm not gonna lie I'm scared, but what terrifies me is if we let Phobos continue ruling." Neo said.

"Your mom joining our side is gonna be a big help." Hay Lin said.

"Yeah she has more experience." Neo agrees.

"Yeah…but you seem happier now that you have her." Hay Lin said surprising him. "Hey you think you could show me around Asgard? This place is incredible."

Smiling softly Neo stood up. "Come on. I'll show you my favorite spots." Reaching out and taking her hand Hay Lin looks up to see the sunlight reflecting off his smiling face as a soft blush appears before he escorts her out.