"It's Hades,"

Evie's voice was distant to Mal like she was hearing it through a layer of water.

"Stop the car!" Ben yelled, "We need to push him behind the barrier again,"

The pair of guards jumped out of the vehicle, rushing towards Hades, but a blast of magic at each of them made them crumple before either could get within ten feet. Hades grimaced as he pushed against the barrier, his magic, a grey aura around his hands, sending off sparks that danced and sizzled when they hit the barrier or the bridge.

"Shit," Jay swore as they watched guards hit the bridge, "Carlos, Ben get them out of there. I'll take care of Hades," He tore out of the limo, Carlos and Ben following closely behind.

Watching her friends leave the safety of the limo made Mal's pulse skyrocket.

"Guys! Wait!" And she was after them.

"Celia, boys, stay inside," Evie said as she went after Mal.

Hades had pushed the hole in the barrier open wide enough to allow him to lean his torso out, his hair igniting. Jay rushed at him in a line drive, shoulders down and forward closing the distance between with the speed that had earned him a place on a professional team. Hades, however, was just that much faster, an arc of energy, a brighter and lighter hue now, jumped from a blue gem in his hands to Jay, knocking him backwards.

All the wind was knocked from Jay on impact. He wheezed, struggling to roll over. Carlos had been trying to, unsuccessfully to wake one guard up, while Ben was dragging another back.

"Jay!" Ben and Carlos both rushed to his side. Ben looked to Hades.

"Hades!" He shouted, "What's your plan here?"

"You can't keep me here,"

"You'll be hunted endlessly if you don't step back,"

"Hunted? I'm a god. You're father got involved with conflicts he doesn't even understand when he imprisoned us here. And you're leaving a dark legacy by keeping this prison,"

"You don't know what you're talking about,"

"A child is trying to dictate to me on ignorance?" Anger sparked in his eyes but in that anger, his concentration broke. One hand lost hold on the barrier and it closed down against his shoulder. He growled trying to push it wider.

"Hades-" The rest of Ben's words were lost as Hades lifted his hand again, a bolt arcing to Ben, exploding at his feet. The explosion sent Ben stumbling back, falling to one knee.

Carlos had pulled Jay back on his feet at this point, an arm under Jay' shoulders to help him stay upright. Mal held him from the other side as Evie stood in front of him, making sure he wasn't showing any signs of injury. With the blast towards Ben, Mal's attention snapped to Hades.

Ben struggled to his feet, wincing. His gaze locked on Hades. He took a breath, filling his lungs before charging forward. Hades readied another attack, but this arc of magic never got to Ben. A purple wing covered him before it could land.

Mal's dragon form extended over across the bridge, her wings making a wall between Hades and her friends. Through the gritted exertion on his face, Hades managed a smile.

"I shouldn't be here," He said to her.

Mal roared and the threat of flames flickered past her jaws. Hades raised his emerald, the gem crackling with energy in his hands.

"Let me out and I won't have to do this,"

Flames scorched the bridge in front of Hades. He didn't wince back from the flames, his glare only on Mal.

"Have it your way,"

The energy sparking off the gem shifted subtly from a whitish-grey to blue before, it arced outwards, glancing off the bridge as it clawed its way towards Mal. The form of the bridge rippled and sundered under the bolt of energy, leaving a gapping path. It collided with her torso, the blue magic latching out over her form like lightning bonding to a faraday cage.

"Mal!" Ben cried, "Get out of his range!"

Mal didn't move, keeping herself as a barrier to her friends.

"Get the guards in the limo while she has him distracted," Evie said, "Jay can you drive?"

He was still blinking stars out of his eyes but he nodded, "At least long enough to get off the bridge,"

She and Carlos grabbed one of the unconscious guards under the arms and pulled him into the limo, setting him on one of the long seats. Celia and the twins were frozen on the back seat, looking at the clash between the dragon and Hades.

"Why isn't she attacking?" Carlos asked.

Evie bit the inside of her cheek, "She's buying us time," She said firmly.

Jay pulled the second guard inside the limo and Carlos moved to help him. Evie went to Ben, taking his arm and pulling.

"What? Evie, what you doing?"

"We need to get out of here,"

"But Mal,"

"Hades is dangerous and you're the king. You need to be safe,"

"But Mal!" He said again, all but shouting it.

"Is a dragon and can fly once we're safely out of the way,"

"You're just leaving her!"

"You think I want to!" Evie turned on her him, her voice finally cracking, "Of course I don't! But I'm not equipped to fight someone like Hades right now. Are you?" Tears build, but there's a determination set in her eyes.

"If something happens to her," Ben weakly protested.

"If something happens to her, then I'll tear Hades apart no matter which side of the barrier he's on. But if we move, Mal's free to use her magic without worrying about us,"

Ben looked like he could tear something part, but he took Evie's hand running with her to the limo. Only before they get here, there was an anguished cry. One that made them both stop, because even in her dragon form, they'd know Mal's voice anywhere. And that that moment, she was in pain.

They froze, watching as Mal's form crumples to her knees, wings flinching in as the energy of Hades' attacks caged around more of her body. Over her wings and across her back.

"Mal!" Evie almost ran forward, but Mal's tail swept across the bridge behind her, a physical warning to stay back. With a guttural roar, she took to the air, getting ten feet above Hades.

"Give up!" He cries, "And this will be over!"

Mal's head curved back and Ben and Evie could see the building flames glowing in her mouth.

"Mal," Her name fell like a whisper from Evie's lips this time as she racked her brain for some way…any way to help Mal.

With a defiant roar, Mal let go a singular fireball that exploded on the bridge in front of Hades, the force pushing him away from the barrier. He rolled head over heels, landing in a crouch. The hole in the barrier closed before his eyes. With a defiant and pained scream he punched it, locking his eyes with Mal then Ben and Evie from the other side.

Familiar fog surrounded Mal's body as she landed. When it cleared, she stood before the barrier, in front of Hades on shaky feet. Evie saw the wobble in her stance and knew instantly Mal's in a bad way. She'd stand on a broken a leg without flinching if it meant not showing weakness to an enemy.

Evie ran to her, getting there just before she collapsed, her arms bracing her from behind.

"M?"

Her face was pale, eyes almost glassy and her arms and legs trembled like she was exhausted. One hand went to her chest, flinching slightly.

"He was draining my magic," Mal said to her.

They both stared at Hades, who paced on the other side of the barrier like a caged tiger, not breaking eye contact with either of them.

"E…he-,"

"Shhh," Evie soothed into her ear, "It's okay. You're okay,"

Ben came up to them from Mal's other side, "Mal, are you okay?" He asked, searching her face and then over her whole body for injury. She swallowed and nodded.

"I just need rest,"

"Let's get out of here," Ben threw one last look at Hades before placing Mal's arm over his shoulder.

Evie did the same on her other side. Mal didn't move, looking at Hades.

"Do you want a moment alone to talk with him?" Evie whispered for Mal alone to hear.

Mal's jaw clenched and unclenched before she shook her head. "No, let's get out of here. I want to go home,"

They helped Mal back into the limo. Jay moved up front with Carlos. He started the car, wasting no time to move forward once they're all inside.

Closing her eyes, Mal leaned her head back, one arm over her face. Concerned, Evie took her other hand, pressing two fingers against her wrist. Mal's pulse was hammering. The intensity of the rhythm made Evie's own heart quicken. It scared her seeing Mal this shaken. Terrified her.

"The guards? Are they okay?" Carlos asked, leaning through the divider between the front and back of the limo.

"Unconscious," Ben said, "I can't see any other signs of injury. But who knows what Hades did to them," He looked at Mal and Evie, "You two are the magic users, do you know?"

Evie shook her head. Mal didn't respond, her arm still over her eyes.

"Mal, do you have any idea?"

"Why would I know anything about his magic?" She snapped.

"You're the magic expert?" Ben said, perplexed by Mal's outburst.

"Can we just get out of here? Jay!"

"I'm driving okay! My head is still a little fuzzy after that hit,"

"We should get medics ready for when we arrive," Carlos said, "For everyone who got hit,"

"I'll call Fairy Godmother," Evie said, getting her phone out.

One of the guards grunted and started to shift, "Sire?"

"It's okay," Ben said, laying a hand on his arm. It was a little cramped in the back of the limo with the two guards laid out on each of the side seats, but Ben maneuverer to kneel next to the one who was coming to consciousness, "We're safe and heading home. Can you remember the day?"

"Tuesday," He tried to sit up, but Ben stopped him.

"Please don't move too much, until we can determine the extent of your injuries," Ben continued asking simple questions to test the mental faculties of the guard.

On the phone, Evie was explaining what happened to Fairy Godmother. She almost panicked, asking if they needed to evacuate.

"No. Mal kept Hades from crossing. He's still on the isle and the barrier is shut. But he managed to hit most of us with his magic. One guard is still unconscious. Ben, Jay and Mal aren't looking great either,"

"I'm fine," Mal said.

Evie glared at her, not in the mood for her defiant strong act at the moment.

"If you're okay then go check on the kids and make sure they're okay,"

Mal sighed, but she moved so she was sitting next to Celia and the twins. Squeaky was shaking, his hands clasped tightly together.

"Are they going to send us back?" He asked.

"What?" Mal frowned, "What? No. Of course not,"

"It's our fault Hades almost escaped,"

"It's not your fault. Hades," Mal took a deep breath, "His actions had nothing to do with you. Okay. He could have tried to escape any of the times other kids were brought over,"

"Auradon is still going to want us?"

"Of course they are," Mal blinked and added, "Of course we do. No one is ever going to make you go back to the isle,"

"We can't go back? But," His brother piped up, "But if we can't back, what about our dad?"

Mal froze, her mouth going dry, "Smee?"

"We- we won't see him again?"

"Oh?" She looked at the boys, who were both looking back at with wide scared eyes. Even Celia she noticed was listening with a bit apprehension in her expression. Mal forced herself to take a breath, to focus, "Of course. On your own time, on your terms, you'll see your dad again. I just mean no one is going to force you back to isle if you don't want to go. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you. Not Hades or anyone else."

Squeaky and Squirmy still looked scared, but their tension seemed to ease. Mal kept a reassuring smile on her face for the rest of the drive, but once they stopped she was the first one out of the limo. Things were immediately hectic. Medics were moving in on the limo. The second guard still hadn't regained consciousness and the one who had was too dazed to walk without assistance.

Press had already gotten word something had gone wrong. They were descending like vultures while Fairy Godmother and Dowager King Adam were trying to keep them back with the assistance of some guards. Ben, Jay and Mal were all pulled aside by medics on the scene, while Evie was helping Florianna get the kids out of sight from any of the reporters.

"I'm sorry guys, we'll have to give you your introductory tour another time," Evie said, giving a sympathetic smile.

"I'll take Celia to her dorm and then I'll get the boys to the manor," Florianna said.

"Thanks, Flori,"

"Good luck with the mob,"

Evie rolled her eyes with a snort. She risked a glance outside. The guards weren't making any headway with getting the reporters to disperse. Sighing she went to find her friends. The medics had taken them inside, using the administrative office to put everyone. Jay was sitting in a chair near the doorway, a medic holding a finger in front of his eyes. Ben was sitting a few feet away, three medics buzzing around him, his mother standing just behind him, one hand on his shoulder. She was on the phone and from the look on her face, she wasn't having a good conversation. Mal was past them, talking with another medic. Evie started towards her, but Ben called out to her.

"I'm sorry to say this right now, but there's an emergency council meeting tomorrow,"

"How did they find out already?" Evie asked.

Ben didn't need clarifying on 'they' referred too, "When two guards are being taken to the hospital and the king called for medics after a trip to the isle, it's going to be hard to keep the news from travelling fast,"

"The guards were injured enough for the hospital,"

"I wanted them fully checked out. I'm not taking any chances. I'd insist Mal and Jay go as well if I didn't know they were both too stubborn to listen to me,"

"You should be going as well," Belle said.

"I have too much to do," Ben replied, "This is going to be a nightmare. Speaking of," He stood, leading Evie to the side so they could have some privacy, "You know this is going to reignite the usual protests,"

"I'd be surprised if it didn't,"

"We need to be prepared for anything they may throw us and our priority right now needs to be keeping the next trip of kids from the isle on schedule,"

"If we let them delay us that's one step closer to them stopping us,"

Ben managed a weak smile, "What would I do without you?"

"Can this be over now!" A sudden outburst from Mal made Ben and Evie jump. Mal grabbed the small flashlight out of the medic's hands, "You've checked my eyes with this three times in the past five minutes. I'm fine. I'm obviously fine. Stop double-checking everything and let me go home," She pushed past him, heading for the door.

"Mal, dear," Belle stepped in front of her, "Please, just let them make sure you're okay,"

"I am," She huffed, put her arm up to stop Belle from saying anything else.

Evie sighed, going to Mal, "M, this isn't the time for bravado,"

"E, you know why I need space right now,"

"I do. But I've never seen you in pain in your dragon form. If you're hurt in some way we can't see… Mal, we don't know what he did. Please, for me, let them clear you,"

"It's magic Evie. How's a normal doctor going to know what kind of damage magic did,"

"Then let Fairy Godmother look at you,"

"E-"

"Please, Mal. For me," Evie cupped Mal's face in her hands, "Let her say you're okay, and then I'll take you home,"

Mal sighed, leaning into Evie's hand. One hand came up to hold Evie's wrist. "Okay," Her voice shook with an unsteady breath, "Okay. But only Fairy Godmother,"

It took Fairy Godmother almost half an hour to finish dealing with the press. On Ben's orders the details of what happened weren't being released yet. He was planning to make an official statement the next day. Jay was cleared by the medics, he and Carlos both offering to stay with Mal. She instead asked them to check in with the twins.

"They seemed pretty shaken. Let Florianna know to look out for PTS,"

Jay nodded, "Got it. And hey, I haven't thanked you for the save today,"

"Yeah, well, I couldn't let a wannabe god toss my friends around. That would reflect badly on me," Mal gave a little shrug.

"You're sure you don't want us to hang out until FG sees you?" Carlos asked.

The quartet was in Fairy Godmother's office, Mal and Evie sitting on a small couch tucked into a corner. Carlos was perched on the arm next to Mal, while Jay was crouched in front of them.

"I'm okay guys," She reassured, "And if I weren't you'd be the first to know. I'm good. Evie's with me,"

"Okay. Call us with any news," Carlos gave Mal a side hug, pressing a quick kiss to her hair. Jay hugged both the girls.

"Good or bad news," He emphasized.

"We will, I promise," Evie said, sighing into Jay's hug. He always had a way of enveloping someone, making them feel sheltered.

With a bit of a drag in their steps, the boys took their leave. In the quiet, Mal reached out for Evie's hand. Evie felt Mal's hand quiver as it slipped into hers. She was trembling.

"M?"

"He attacked us,"

"Oh Mal," Evie drew Mal to her, wrapping her arms around her.

"The first fucking interaction I have with him and he attacked me. He could have killed those guards or Jay, Carlos and Ben. He could have killed you. Fuck, Evie if he'd hurt you,"

"Shh," Evie pressed kisses to her brow, "That didn't happen. I'm here. The boys just left. We're all fine,"

"They leapt out to protect everyone and I just froze when I saw Hades. I almost let him…"

"Hey, no mention of almosts," She took Mal's hand, placing it against her chest, "We're all okay. I'm here. My heart is beating. You hugged Jay and Carlos. Jay's was wearing his new letterman jacket. He hasn't taken it off since he got it with word he was picked the play for the Knights,"

"And he was wearing too much of that cologne we got him for his birthday,"

Evie chuckled, nodded, "Yeah. What else,"

"Ben pushed his crown into his jacket when we got back into the limo. Carlos took off his jacket when we got back. He still had hanging on his arm when he left just now,"

"Right," Evie kissed her brow again, "Good. Hold on to the tangible. Don't let yourself fall into maybes."

Fairy Godmother stepped into the office, pausing when she saw them, "Do you need a moment?"

Evie didn't answer, leaving it up to Mal. She shook her head, pushing herself upright.

"I heard you got the worst hit from Hades," Fairy Godmother moved her chair so she could sit facing Mal. "May I?" She asked, gesturing to Mal's hands. Mal held out her hands, letting her hold them. Fairy Godmother pressed her thumbs to the centre of Mal's palms.

"He was using something to attack us with. I didn't get a good look, but it could have been a small orb," Evie said.

"A gem," Mal said, "It was a gem. A blue emerald. Hades's emerald,"

"You know of it?" Fairy Godmother raised a curious brow.

"I- I learnt some things about the Olympians when I was travelling,"

She nodded, "They're all supposed to have one or more objects of immense magical power,"

"They're not really gods, are they?" Mal asked.

Fairy Godmother didn't answer right away.

"Shit. They are?"

"God is funny word. Are they divine entities that caused the sparks of the universe and willed everything we know into being? Well, even they don't claim to have done that. Are they beings of immense power? I can say from first-hand experience they are,"

"First-hand experience?"

"I've met Artemis and Hecate a few times throughout my life and though I haven't ever encountered him personally, I know of Zeus of course. And I've met his son,"

"Hercules,"

"Right. Merlin has met Zeus a hand full of times and he once met Poseidon,"

"Of all the research I've done on magic, I've come across very little about the Olympians,"

"That's because we know very little about them or their magic. We can only say for certain that it is magic and not any other kind power as some would believe,"

"How do you know?"

"Because of Hades. If their power wasn't magic he wouldn't be a prisoner to the barrier,"

"That's true…" Mal said in a whisper.

Fairy Godmother pulled down one of Mal's eyelids as she spoke, "They're powerful, but not unconquerable. Hecate actually offered Merlin and I advice when we designed the barrier spell,"

"Why are they know as gods then, if their power isn't absolute?"

Fairy Godmother sighed, "That's a difficult thing to say… How shall I put this… they're each known as a god of something yes? Their magic seems all-encompassing over those aspects attributed to them. Take Hecate. She's said to be the goddess of magic and she is certainly the most powerful magical user I've ever met. Just standing in close proximity to her, you can feel it. Or look at Poseidon, he's said to be god of the sea and storm. All storms don't exist because of him, but he can create one on a whim,"

"He can create a storm… just like that?" Mal's jaw dropped.

"All things considered, you children got lucky with Hades. I can only imagine his full power hadn't returned because he wasn't fully outside the barrier."

Mal's stomach twisted. "What chance would we have had if he got out?"

"He didn't. Thanks to you," Fairy Godmother patted Mal's cheek, "Everything looks fine dear, physically and magically. I think he was trying to draw away your magical energy so you wouldn't have enough to fight. It left you exhausted, but nothing a good night's rest can't fix," She looked at Evie, "Make sure she gets to bed early. And I mean a reasonably early time. Not 2 am instead of 3 am,"

"I'll look out for her,"

"I know you will. I know I say don't be a stranger around here, but let's limit these kinds of meetings."

In the courtyard they found a car waiting for them. Jay and Carlos had left already, so had Ben. There were still a few reporters hanging around, but they'd been ushered off the campus grounds.

"Let me guess, Ben arranged this?" Mal asked the chauffeur, gesturing to the car and him.

"Actually, this is at the request of her majesty, Queen Belle." He opened the back for them, "I'm to take you to wherever you request. However, her majesty has strongly advised going to your home,"

"Home is the only place I want to be right now," Mal got into the back, her eyes drifting shut as soon as she hit the seat.

"Thank you," Evie said with a kind smile.

The drive home was quiet. The chauffeur, blessedly, didn't try to make conversation and Mal spent most of the drive looking outside. It wasn't uncommon for Mal to be quiet during a drive, but this was completely closed off. Shoulders hunched near her ears, one hand picking at a tread on her knee, her eyes not seeing anything in front of them. It was the kind of reclusion or self-preservation Evie hadn't seen from her in years.

Back on the Isle Mal would throw up walls around her emotions because then emotions were dangerous. Once upon a time, Evie knew how to navigate that. Usually, that meant leaving Mal to her own devices until she felt ready to talk, if she ever felt ready. Perhaps not the healthiest approach, but healthy wasn't a common concept on the isle. Since coming to Auradon, they'd gotten better at opening up when they needed. But Mal now was as though she's regressed back to the girl trapped in her mother's shadow. Evie felt adrift and unsteady, no clue how to approach Mal.

Once they pulled to a stop in front of their home Mal stepped out with a curt, "Thank you,"

Evie exhaled as she followed her inside.

"I'll be in the tower," Mal said.

When they'd moved into their little hillside castle, Evie had turned the old attached greenhouse into her studio. Mal had claimed the top of the castle as her workspace. The only true third storey of their castle was the very top of the singular tower on the eastern corner of the structure. Although the battlement that ran around the top of the castle had been enclosed on one side by one of the previous owners, with wood and glass walls rising up from the parapets, extending the top floor into a long room, connected to the tower. For both of them, their studios were their place of retreat. Their place to go to when they needed a respite from the world, or sometimes from each other.

Evie didn't fight Mal's decision. Mal was stubborn to a fault and vulnerability was still something she struggled with, even around Evie. It made Evie ache to think of Mal suffering in silence but trying to drag her emotions out of her now would only make her retreat more. But she didn't want her to retreat with her emotions completely cut off.

"Mal?"

Mal stopped just shy of the top landing on the stairs. "E, can it…"

Evie, standing on the step just below Mal's, cupped her face and drew her down to her. Soft and sure she kissed her, pulling a gasp of surprise from Mal. And then a whimper, Mal's bottom lip quivering with it.

"I love you," Evie whispered, curling one lock of Mal's hair around her finger.

Mal soften. Her shoulders rose and fell with a breath and she just relaxed. In her posture, her expression, her eyes. "I love you too,"

"Let me know if you want some tea later,"

"Thank you,"

Evie smiled and lifted Mal's hands to kiss her knuckles, "Go on, I'm here if you need me,"

Mal pressed her forehead against Evie's for a moment before gently stepping away, vanishing from sight up the staircase to the tower. Evie sighed into empty air. It was hard, watching Mal navigate this. Not knowing how to approach her. Or help her. It hurt, but she kept her distance. Mal would come to her if she needed her.

I'm thrilled to see you're all as excited to be returning this world as I am. When first writing Uncertainty of Darkness there were several ideas and story threads that never made into the story because it just didn't fit in with the narrative there. Some of those will get to see the light of day in this story. There a lot to live up to following Uncertainty of Darkness and I hope I can make this sequel as good as the first one.

Nardragon- until the next page.