Hi Guys. Here is chapter 3 of the revamp for you. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH to you all for all your reads, follows and fav's so far and of course a MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU to my AMAZING Beta xez2003 for your PHENOMENAL editing YOU ARE AMAZING! Well I think that's all on to the chapter!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!
The following morning Mal, Ben and the other VKs made their way through the school corridors, heading to their first class which was Goodness Remedial. Mal smirked as she noticed that everyone moved out of their way with a fearful expression as they passed through. Just like the Isle. she thought in satisfaction. But her eyes soon widened and she reached out to stop Ben who was walking beside her as she spotted a couple walking down the hall in front of them holding hands. The couple continued holding hands until they arrived to the front of a classroom where the guy kissed her before she left him and entered the room. Mal held her breath and waited for someone to shout out and tell them off but when nothing happened she turned to Ben and smiled brightly before grasping his hand tightly and together they continued to walk to class.
After remedial goodness class was over, Ben and Mal picked up their things and stood up to go to their next class, which according to the schedule that Doug had given them was History of Auradon. They had just made it out to the main corridor when Ben suddenly stopped and pushed Mal against a nearby wall, kissing her passionately. Mal responded to him immediately deepening the kiss, forgetting the world around her as a thrilled shiver raced along her spine at his boldness. She was brought back to reality a few moments later when Ben released her lips as Evie coughed loudly chuckling. "Come on you lovebirds…This is not the Isle. I don't think that the teacher will appreciate us arriving late to the lesson, especially on the first day." Mal and Ben just laughed in response before continuing to walk to class.
The class turned out to be anything but boring as Mal had anticipated, especially when the teacher touched the topic relating to her mother. Mal listened intently, her eyes widening in surprise, as the teacher went on to explain in detail about Mal's fairy heritage including the fact that iron is the only thing than can actually really hurt her but also the properties of her dragon blood which, she learned, has the ability of healing most common wounds even, if the injured person simply drinks just a few drops.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur and before they knew it, it was time for lunch. The gang looked for a spot outside where they could stop to eat when suddenly Mal started laughing as Ben stopped and picked her off the ground. He twirled her around in the air before bringing her down, kissing her again for the fifth time that morning. "B…e…n!" she exclaimed giggling as she caught her breath "You have to stop doing that."
"What can I do if I just can't help myself?" he smiled brightly. "I just want to enjoy the fact that I can finally tell everyone that you are mine and that I can finally kiss you in public."
"I know Benny. I feel the same way." She smiled in response, before turning serious and pausing "But we are also here in Auradon for a reason. In fact I will be right back." Mal exclaimed as she spotted Jane and followed her into the bathroom.
"Hey…you're Jane right? Fairy Godmothers daughter?" MaI asked walking up to her. If they couldn't get the wand by force, maybe they could get it by trust.
"Y…e…s… Tha…t's m…e." Jane stuttered in fear.
"That must be so cool. You must know so much magic." Mal said but Jane just frowned, shaking her head.
"Mom won't let me practice magic." Jane sighed. "She says it's better if I learn how to do things on my own rather than rely on magic."
Mal frowned in disappointment. "Wow bummer."
Jane nodded in response before muttering "I'm not the most outgoing person either. I just hate the way I look. I just wish she would make me beautiful!"
"Maybe I can help with that!" Mal exclaimed with a mischievous glint in her eyes as an idea struck her and she pulled out her spell book.
"Beware, foreswear and replace the old with cool hair!" Mal chanted as Jane's short brown hair instantly turned into long brown curls.
"Wow!" Jane exclaimed stroking her new hair. She then turned to Mal and pointed to her nose.
"Oh…I can't. I'm only still learning." Mal said regretfully. "But if your mom ever starts your lessons with the wand, I'd totally like to know more." Jane nodded smiling.
Mal checked her watch noticing that lunch break was soon over. "Well…I have to go. Tourney try-outs are about to start." The boys have been invited, or rather ordered, to try out during goodness remedial class that morning and Mal was curious to find out what this tourney was all about.
Ben was leaning against the wall waiting for her as she exited the girl's bathroom. "How did it go?" he asked softly.
"Tell you later. We're going to be late." She said as they made their way to the Tourney field. Mal kissed Ben's cheek for good luck as he left to join Carlos and Jay on the field while she took a place on the stands with Evie.
Mal unexpectedly found the spectacle quite fun to watch. The most exciting moment was when everyone cowered away screaming as Jay powered through the field scoring a goal. Mal laughed loudly as Ben had to tackle a screaming Carlos away to keep them both from being knocked over. In the end all three boys made the team while Ben promised the coach he would help Carlos as both Ben and Jay turned out to be naturals at the game. Mal also surprisingly noticed that there was a great amount of cheering from all the cheerleaders…well nearly all, except Audrey of course.
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"So how did it go with Jane?" Ben asked Mal as the boys returned to their dorm after the end of Tourney practice. "Are you going over to see the wand?"
Mal sighed as her morning's good mood was quickly forgotten. "No! Which is why I have to go through every spell in this book!" she replied as she furiously flicked through every page in frustration.
However she stopped and looked up in interest as Evie exclaimed. "Chad told me that Fairy Godmother will bless Hailey with her wand at the coronation and we get to go…I have nothing to wear of course." Mal was about to answer her when suddenly there was a knock on their door.
"Hold that thought!" she replied to Evie. Mal stood from the bed and went to the open the door, only to find Hailey herself behind it.
"Hey Mal!" she greeted "I just came to see if you guys had any questions or if there was anything you needed."
Mal shook her head, glancing over at the others who mimicked her.
"Ok." she said as she started to turn away.
"Wait" Mal exclaimed as a thought came to her head and Hailey turned back smiling.
"Is it true we get to come to your coronation?"
"Yeah everyone's invited and that includes you guys." Hailey smiled nodding.
"Any chance we could sit up front? You know to soak up all that goodness."
Hailey's smile turned into a frown. "I wish you could but only my family and boyfriend are allowed up front with me."
Mal stared into Hailey's regretful eyes and suddenly felt as if she was almost reading her mind, the same way Mal used to feel during her staring contests with Maleficent…Wait…her mind! Mal suddenly thought as an idea came to her. "Well that's ok. Bye!"
"But there will be-" Mal heard her say as she shut the door in her face.
"I think all Hailey needs is just a little convincing…one little idea put into her head." Mal grinned turning to the others. "And I need a mind control spell." She concluded as Carlos tossed her the spell book.
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"It says here that all we still need is an expression of human emotion." Mal said reading the spell from her book later that evening, as the VKs were in the kitchen preparing the enchanted cookie for Hailey.
"How do we put a smile in a potion?" Jay asked.
"We don't. A tear would be easier." Mal replied.
"So let's get chopping some onions." Carlos suggested as he looked around for a knife.
"Hey guys! There you are." Jane's friend Lonnie interrupted them just as Mal was going to reply to Carlos. Mal frantically hid her spell book under a nearby cloth.
"I wanted to ask…" Lonnie started to say until her face lit up and her eyes widened. "Oh! You're making cookies?" she asked, dipping her finger in the batter. "What? I'm not going to double dip!" she hurriedly replied as the rest flinched. "Good but you are missing the chocolate chips."
"What are those?" Carlos asked confused.
"Only the greatest baking ingredient ever!" Lonnie told them enthusiastically, getting a bowl.
"Didn't your mom ever make you cookies? Like when you are feeling really sad and they're fresh from the oven with a big glass of milk. And she just makes you laugh and helps you put everything into perspective." she asked as all the VK's stiffened. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"It's a bit different from where we come from." Jay finally muttered, after a long silence fell in the kitchen.
"Yeah I know...but I just thought that you know...even villains love their kids." She exclaimed.
Silence once again fell in the room as everybody stood frozen saying nothing. Mal could feel her hand starting to go numb as a result of the tight hold Ben had on it.
Lonnie backed away a step as tears slipped from her eyes. "Oh guys!...I didn't mean…I'm sorry!" she said as she turned to leave.
"Yeah…well big bummer!" Mal exclaimed as she quickly reached out to capture one of Lonnie's tears and threw it in the bowl. "We really need to get these cookies in the oven. Thank you so much for coming. See you tomorrow. Evil dreams!" Mal said as she pushed Lonnie out of the kitchen.
"Come on. Let's get this over and done with!" Mal muttered as Lonnie left.
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Mal noticed that Ben hadn't uttered a single word since Lonnie had left them in the kitchen. As soon as they all returned to the boy's dorm, Ben went straight to his bed without saying a word, lied down and curled up in a tight ball, staring at the framed picture of his mother of his bedside. Mal shared a look with the other VKs who nodded at her before quietly leaving the room.
"Benny. What's wrong?" Mal asked softly putting her arms around him as she climbed on his bed and curled up next to him.
Ben didn't say anything but simply turned and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Mal just held him, gently stroking his hair.
"I just miss her so much. Why did my father have to kill her? Why did she have to leave me alone?" he asked Mal, his voice breaking slightly as he looked up at her a few minutes later. Mal felt as if someone had just squeezed her heart as she locked eyes with Ben. The look of devastation on his face was simply heartbreaking.
"I don't know Benny. But what I do know is that she would be so proud of you if she could see you today. So proud of the young man you have become. I know I am!" Mal told him with a small smile. "And you are not alone. I am here with you. I love you and I promise you that I will never leave your side. Ever!"
Ben rested his head on her shoulder closing his eyes as Mal just held him tightly rubbing his back until his breathing eventually evened out signalling that he had fallen asleep. And that was how the other VKs found them when they returned an hour later. Mal slowly untangled herself from him and covered him with a blanket, gently kissing his forehead. "I love you." She whispered tenderly. Ben mumbled something incoherent until he fell quiet again, a small smile adorning his lips.
"Come wake me up if he has any nightmares." Mal told Jay and Carlos as she turned to leave the room with Evie. Mal's eyes hardened in hatred as they quietly walked back to their dorm. I don't know how or when but one day Ben's father is going to pay for what he did. I promise! She told herself determinedly as she clenched her fists tightly.
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Ben took a deep breath and his eyes slowly flattered open as the early morning sun-rays seeped through the nearby window and covered his face. He turned around to look at his mother's photo as the events of the previous evening came back to him. He slowly sat upright in bed and reached out to pick up the picture frame in his hand. He smiled despite himself as he remembered Mal's comforting words. 'She would be so proud of the man you have become.'
"I really hope you are proud of me Mom, wherever you are. I miss you so much and I will do my best to honor your memory. I promise you that I'll take care of the people I love the same way you have looked out for me and protected me as a child. I love you." He whispered as he placed her frame back on his bedside.
He quietly hopped out of bed not to wake the others who were still fast asleep and changed his clothes. It was Saturday and he finally had the morning to himself, free to explore the surroundings. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled as he thought about Mal. He still didn't know what good he had done in his life to deserve her. Gods knew what would have happened to him if they hadn't met in that forest two years ago. But that was the past…all that mattered now was that she had become the sunlight that brightened his dark days and her love for him had filled that gaping hole left by his mother's death. Since the day he realized he had fallen in love with her, all Ben had ever wanted to do was to show her just how important she was to him. And now they were in Auradon, free to be together without the fear of being hunted down. For the first time they could act like a real couple and so he decided he wanted to take her out on a proper date to celebrate. He just had to find the right spot. So with that thought in mind, he left his dorm room and set out in the direction of the woods just outside the school.
Ben had been exploring the woods for over two hours now and he sighed dejectedly as all he had come across were plants and trees. While the colorful flowers surrounding the area and the different shades of green of the trees were pretty, he still had not come across anything that had really impressed him. He was about to turn back as he had a tourney game that afternoon which he needed to prepare for when he suddenly heard what sounded like a waterfall in the distance. Intrigued, he followed the sound until he came across a rope bridge crossing a small gorge. He looked down and noticed a small river running under him and he realized that he must be getting closer to the source. As he reached the other side the path suddenly took a steep downward direction and after walking a few hundred meters, Ben stopped, his heart beating wildly in his chest and his eyes widening in awe as they fell upon a beautiful lake with crystal clear waters. On the right hand side of the lake was the waterfall that had caught his attention in the first place while on the left hand side there was a stone patio. Ben could not stop the grin that took over his face. It was perfect!
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Mal frowned slightly as she walked down the school hallways looking for Ben. It was unlike him to just disappear without telling anyone where he was going or at least leaving her a note. She had actually started to grow a little worried especially after what happened the previous evening. Maybe he just needs some space. she mused deep in thought as she stopped in front of an empty wall outside the school. Without thinking, she instinctively took out the spray cans she kept in her bag and sprayed her 'Long Live Evil' tag on it.
"You know that now I have caught you in the act, you are gonna have to paint the wall white again?" someone behind Mal said giggling. Mal turned around startled, not expecting to see anyone on school grounds early on a Saturday morning.
"Hey Mal!" Hailey greeted smiling.
"Hey." Mal said blinking twice. She had almost not recognized Hailey who was wearing a pair of jeans and a loose sweater, very different from the formal clothes she had seen her wearing during school that week. Her blonde curly hair was also pulled back in a neat ponytail and she was wearing a baseball cap.
"You know this is really good. You should really think about taking your talent into art class. I could sign you up! What do you think?" Hailey asked hopefully.
"Well…that would take away all the fun of it." Mal replied as she hastily picked up her stuff, ready to leave.
"Mal wait!" Hailey called out. "I was just going to visit the kids at a local orphanage this morning. I could really use your artistic abilities to keep them entertained. Do you want to come?"
Mal frowned thinking she was not good with kids but as she was about to decline the offer she realized how this could be a great chance to get close enough to Hailey to gain her trust and so be in a better position to spell her. "Ok." she replied.
"Hello everyone!" Hailey grinned and the minute she stepped in the room, the kids start acting as if a celebrity had just walked in. Mal took a step back and rested against the wall as she silently looked as Hailey opened the large bag she was carrying and started giving out the presents she had brought with her. The kids started shouting excitedly as Hailey each gave them a little packed object.
"The colour of your hair is my favorite." a shy voice suddenly called out after a few minutes. Mal looked down surprised to see a little black haired girl with blue eyes of about six looking at her.
"It's mine too!" Mal replied trying to give her the best smile she could muster as she crouched down to her level "What's your name?"
"Lilly." she said shyly.
"Hi Lilly. I'm Mal." she replied.
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Mal just couldn't wipe the happy smile off her face as Lily and the other kids came running to hug her as they turned to leave the orphanage. Who would have thought she would have enjoyed herself so much playing and drawing with little kids. However, Hailey soon noticed how that smile turned into a sad frown as they slowly started walking back to the dorms.
"What's wrong Mal?" Hailey asked gently.
"Nothing!" Mal hastily replied.
"You know you can tell me anything. I would really like to get to know you and become your friend." Hailey repeated sincerely as she stopped Mal and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Thinking back to that moment, Mal later realized that it must have been the look which Hailey had given her, so similar to Ben's kind and gentle gaze, that had surprisingly pushed her to open up to her that day. "I guess that staying with these orphaned kids brought back memories of my own childhood. You would think that I am better off than them since I have a mother but in reality I am not so different from Lily and the other kids."
Hailey listened silently as Mal spoke about her difficult childhood with Maleficent and her dream of one day making her proud enough that she would tell her she loved her. "I'm really sorry you had to go through that. It must have been awful…I really wish there was something I could have done to prevent it. Unfortunately I can't change the past but I can help you in the present. You're here in Auradon now. You have a real chance to change and start a new life here. Who knows you may even become a hero!"
"I don't think so." Mal scoffed as she started laughing sarcastically.
"I am serious Mal. I strongly believe that a hero should be measured by their heart and not by their status. And I have watched you these last few days. Even if for some reason you go to great lengths to hide it, it is very evident that deep down you have a big heart. Just one look at the way you took care of the kids this morning, or at the way you look at and act around Ben, proves it.
Mal froze in place as she locked eyes with Hailey. She felt a strange feeling bubble inside her and she abruptly broke the eye contact shaking her head in confusion. "I have to go. The others will be wondering where I ran off too." She stammered as she ran off in the direction of the dorms.
That's it! You guys will really start to see the changes from now. A look at how Mal and Hailey started to become close enough to be sisters and a more detailed explanation of how the cookie spell would have worked with it not being a love spell, I know there were a few of you who didn't quite understand that. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Please review? Pretty please?