The moon was hidden behind a dark cloud bank, causing the shadows to span across the streets of Auradon. Their darkness allowed a small girl to slip in between them, down the crooked allies to the town center, where the cathedral stood dark and empty, it's once celebratory windows smashed to pieces.
In the center of the square, where there had been parades and cheers had rung just two weeks ago, were three cages. A huddled figure slept in each, emaciated, the smell of stale blood wafting through the air.
The girl crept up to the cage set further from the rest. Her fingers ran across the bars, her purple nail polish reflecting the few flaming streetlights.
"Make it easy, make it quick. Open up without a kick."
The door to the cage sprang open and the occupant opened his hazel eyes. His face flooded with surprise then fear…
"Wha-?"
"Say nothing. Follow me," Mal said, pulling Ben, once king of all of Auradon, out of his cage.
He stumbled, his legs weak from sitting for nearly two weeks, but he managed to follow the dark fairy's daughter down into the dark alleys. His eyes adjusted to the shadows as she pulled him into an empty doorway, hidden from nearly everyone.
"What's going on? What are you doing?" Ben hissed, his lips curled into a snarl exposing his pointed canines.
"You have twenty minutes before the goons come again on their rounds. They're extremely dumb and might not notice your absence but my…mom will come dawn. You need to be out of the main city by then." Mal whispered quickly, ignoring his questions. "Everyone from the coronation has been captured, don't bother looking for them."
"Wait, out of the city? You're setting me free?"
Mal glared at him. "I already did. Do you see a cage around you right now?"
Ben leaned away, stepping out of the alcove. "Why? Why are you doing this? You…you let your mother take over Auradon!"
"Ssh!" Mal yanked him back down, their knees knocking against each other's as they squatted. "I know…I know I let this happen. But my mother…you don't know what she's like, Ben. I didn't have a choice."
"You always have a choice," Ben snapped back. "How do I know I can trust you? You've been lying to me for weeks. You put me under a love spell, for fairy godmother's sake!"
"Maybe I've changed," Mal sighed, her gaze softening. "Maybe I…miss the old Auradon."
Ben felt his own gaze soften as well. There was a reason he'd brought the child of villains to Auradon. And they were smacking him in the face right now.
"What about my parents?"
"They'll distract my mother."
He swallowed hard. His mind flashed to torture, death, evil potions to get them to talk. He nearly ran back to them at that moment, except Mal was yanking his arm so he stayed in place.
"I know. But it will be dangerous enough for just you. Three people wandering this new evil kingdom…it will draw too much suspicion."
"What's your plan then? Just run?"
"Of course not." Her green eyes rolled, and she pulled a pulsing blue stone from her pocket. "Hades' ember. The only thing strong enough to break the curse of Maleficent's scepter."
She passed it to him, and its glow died. Ben shook his head.
"It only works for him, like all the gods' items of power."
Mal suddenly yanked his hand forward. A knife flashed in the meager light and cut into his palm. Ben hissed, trying to pull back, but she held firm. Then she cut her own palm, twin lines of crimson blooming on their hands.
She wrapped her fingers through his, holding his hand tight. Their cuts pressed painfully against each other, and Ben felt something like fire zip down his veins. The stone in his uninjured hand began to glow.
"There," Mal breathed "now you have his blood."
"His…Hades is your…"
"Father," Mal nodded.
"That wasn't on your official documents."
Mal didn't respond, unwinding her hand from his and wiping the blood off with a rag. She pulled off her backpack and began taking out folded clothes.
"Jacket, hat," she muttered, pulling them onto Ben. They were darker, full of rivets and zippers. "From Evie. And I borrowed this from Harry."
She pulled out an eyeliner pen and smeared black makeup all around his eyes. Finally, she pulled out a scarf and wound it around his neck, pulling it up to cover the bottom half of his face.
"There. Don't smile, walk a little hunched, and you'll be fine."
Mal slid out of the alcove, intent on getting back before her absence was discovered. But just then, Ben reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Why me?"
"What?"
"Why me? There were hundreds of people captured, so many royals are on display. Why me?"
"You're…you're the King of Auradon…," Mal stuttered.
"No." Ben followed her out of the alcove, standing just over her. "That's not why. If you want me to trust you, you need to tell me the real reason."
"I…I thought I wanted to take over the world with evil," Mal admitted. "I thought I wanted to be just like my mother. But then I came here and found this amazing kingdom and…you."
Ben felt his stomach swoop.
"I can't…I need you to be okay. To get away from this. And this, the ember and the clothes, it's the best I can do for you."
Ben nodded as she stepped back. "Thank you."
Then they both disappeared into the shadows, a rebellion born.
This may be a one-shot, may not be. Depends on how I feel, if I get inspired and how it's received. Let me know what you guys think, what suggestions you have. Seemed like a cool idea. And thanks for reading!
