Hi guys. Here is the next chapter of the revamped NMWWA. As always a MASSIVE THANK YOU to my OUT OF THIS WORLD AMAZING beta xez2003 for your INCREDIBLE editing! And of course a HUGE THANK YOU to you guys for all your reads, reviews, follows and fav's! Well I think that is all. Without further ado take it away chapter 6!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!
It was now Monday morning and the busy school corridors rapidly cleared out as the students hurried down to their next classes as the sound of the bell resonated throughout the halls. But the resultant peace and quiet only lasted for a few short moments as a loud shrieking noise could be clearly heard coming from Hailey's office.
"This is unacceptable, Hailey! You need to do something about it. Mal can't go unpunished after what she did to me." Audrey angrily exclaimed, as she held up her bandaged wrist.
"Audrey calm down." Hailey replied calmly, trying hard to keep a cool and neutral expression.
"How can I calm down? First you take Mal with you to the kid's orphanage when you knew I wanted to come with you and now you are defending her, when she clearly attacked me. She could have broken my arm! This is Auradon not the Isle, Hailey. Those kids are trouble. If they can't stick to our rules, then they should return from where they came." Audrey rebutted, red in the face.
"That is enough, Audrey!" Hailey exclaimed authoritatively, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I am not taking any sides here. All I'm saying is that you just need to be patient and give Mal and the other villain kids a chance, that's all. Don't you think that I have taken precautions and had some research done on their back histories before inviting them to Auradon? I would not have brought them here if I thought they were a danger to the kingdom. I am going to be Queen in a few days Audrey, so please just trust my judgement. And if you stopped for one second to talk to them and actually get to know them, instead of blindly judging them on just one incident, you would have realized on your own just what a rough childhood they had and how they might just need some time to adjust to living in Auradon."
"No offense Hailey but you are too trusting. I know that your mother was helped by fairy godmother and married a prince, but with my mom, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy, that girl's mother. And Mal is just like her. She attacked me for no reason. I was just talking to Ben and asking him if he wanted to join me to celebrate his tourney win. I was just being friendly as you asked me to be." Audrey lamented.
"I think you are wrong about them, Audrey." Hailey replied with conviction. Then her eyes widened slightly in realization as a thought crossed her mind. "I have a curiosity though. Why did you just ask Ben out to celebrate and not the all the villain kids then? Jay and Carlos are also part of the Tourney team. Tell me…This has nothing to do with the fact that you were jealous because I asked Mal to come with me to the orphanage and so you wanted to pay her back right? And what would my brother have said when he found out you asked another boy to meet you alone when you are in a steady relationship with him?"
"Hai-ley!" Audrey flinched, trying to hide her surprised expression at being caught red handed. "Wh-at a-re yo-u try-ing to say?"
"Nothing…nothing." Hailey stated calmly, as Audrey's reaction confirmed her suspicions. However, she did not have any proof and despite everything, Audrey was still right. Mal had still hurt her, in public nonetheless, and she just couldn't let the incident go by unpunished. She was about to become Queen and could not appear to be biased towards anyone in any way. "Okay. I think we have talked enough about this. Besides I have already decided. If it can put your mind at ease, don't worry, Mal will not go unpunished but I am only going to give her a warning this time. But I am sure that this will not happen again so now if you will excuse me, my coronation is in a few days' time and I still have loads of things to get done. Good day Audrey."
Audrey stood from her seat, with a slight satisfied smirk before turning to leave. Hailey let out a long deep sigh as soon as she left the room, before pressing the button of her office phone. "Deborah."
Her secretary's voice boomed in the now quiet room. "Yes Princess Hailey?"
"Could you kindly tell Mal and Ben that I need to speak to them and to come to my office when their next class is over. Thank you."
̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴-
Ben held Mal's hand tightly as they slowly made their way to Hailey's office. Mal had not uttered a single word as they walked, and her worried expression did nothing to hide her evident nervousness. He gave her hand a squeeze and she suddenly blinked and looked up to him.
"It will be okay, sweetheart." He told her confidently with a gentle smile.
"How can you be so sure? And why did Hailey suddenly call us to her office? Could she have found out what we intended to do?" she asked worriedly.
"There is no way she could have found out on her own. Besides we are going to have to tell her eventually so best we get it over with. Trust me…everything will be fine. Now come, let's not leave her waiting and let's find out why she wants to talk to us." Ben smiled as he hurried his pace, leading the way.
̴- ̴- ̴
"Come in." Hailey called, as she heard a distinct knock on her door. She looked up and smiled at Mal and Ben as they cautiously entered the room. "Come. Have a seat. There is something I need to talk to you both about."
"Is something wrong?" Mal asked anxiously.
"Well not exactly. But I just had a discussion with Audrey, who angrily barged in my office this morning, parading her bandaged wrist and claiming that you injured her for just talking to Ben." Hailey explained with a slight frown.
Mal visibly exhaled in relief before suddenly stiffening as an angry expression marred her face. "She had the nerve to do what? Did she actually tell you what she did?"
"Mal, calm down!" Hailey reasoned. She watched as Mal relaxed as Ben reached across her chair to grasp her hand. "Yes I know and I also suspect she did it on purpose to provoke you."
"Why?" Mal asked, somewhat calmer.
"You see, she found out I took you with me to the kids' orphanage. I think she got jealous because she wanted to come with me instead so she wanted to get back at you. She was counting on you to have the reaction you did, once you found out she asked Ben to meet her." Hailey explained. "I have known Audrey nearly all of my life and I do know that unfortunately her jealousy tends to cloud her better judgement sometimes."
"So if you know, she is going to get punished for it, right?" Mal asked hopefully.
"Mal, I have no proof and you did actually hurt her in public. My hands are tied on the matter and so I have no choice but to tell Fairy Godmother to give you a warning. We are in Auradon and there are rules here that need to be followed. I can't be shown as having any preferences, especially now that I am about to become Queen. I'm really sorry!" Hailey told her sadly.
Mal recoiled in her seat as the blood drained from her face.
"This is all my fault." All eyes turned to Ben as he spoke for the first time. "If only I had found a way to avoid her or get rid of her straightaway, none of this would have happened. But Audrey was waiting for me right outside my door, catching me off-guard, and Mal just turned up before I could do anything. The worst part is that I didn't stop her when she approached us, her eyes blazing. I knew what was going to happen as I saw it countless times on the Isle but for a second I just missed seeing my girl being so protective of me so I did nothing. I'm sorry."
"Ben." Mal spoke softly as she reached out to touch his cheek.
"What's done is done." Hailey sighed, before smiling at the couple. "Just be more careful next time but I am sure that it will not happen again. And if something does happen, just come to me and we will find a way to solve it. Okay?" Mal and Ben nodded. "Now return to class. I think I have disrupted you enough for today."
Hailey watched perplexed as Ben and Mal remained in their seats. Mal threw a worried glance in Ben's direction, who just smiled to her in encouragement.
"Act—ua-lly, there is something Ben and I need to tell you." Mal stated.
"Sure. What is it?" Hailey replied.
"Um…Maybe it would be better if Fairy Godmother hears this as well. It's pretty important".
Although initially surprised, Hailey nodded in agreement and asked Deborah to call Fairy Godmother to her office.
̴- ̴- ̴
"So what is it?" Hailey asked, after Fairy Godmother had arrived and was now seated at Hailey's side.
Mal closed her eyes as Ben squeezed the hand he was holding tightly in his own. "It will be ok sweetheart."
"My mother sent us here to steal your wand." Mal finally blurted out as she looked up to face Fairy Godmother. Hailey gasped in surprise before the room fell silent.
Mal looked at Hailey and thought for a moment, deciding that it was time to confess everything. "And Hailey, I was going to spell you to be up front at the coronation to get it."
Hailey watched as Mal closed her eyes in shame before looking down to face the ground. "Did…..did you do it?" she asked.
Mal shook her head in negative.
"We don't want to anymore. Not after all you have done to welcome us. We realized we have a life here and we don't want to ruin that." Ben suddenly spoke up as he noticed that Mal had frozen in fear, waiting for their judgement.
Fairy Godmother and Hailey exchanged a silent look, before Hailey nodded. Fairy Godmother smiled before speaking up in a gentle tone. "There's no need to look so worried Mal."
"I won't send you back to the Isle." Hailey said.
"Wh-at?" Mal stuttered, looking up in shock.
"You all haven't done anything wrong yet. And by finding the courage to do the right thing and coming to tell us, proves just how much you have changed and deserve the opportunity you have been given." Hailey replied, her voice clearly traced with pride. Fairy godmother nodded her head, smiling in clear approval.
"I'm so sorry Hailey." Mal sighed in relief.
"As I said, you haven't done anything wrong so there's nothing to apologize for. You were just doing what your parents told you to. The important thing is that you realized it was the wrong thing to do."
"So…what happens now?" Ben asked.
"Now we come up with a way to keep you safe from your parents and for them to never discover the truth about you deciding not to follow through with their plan."
̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴-
"Kids, can you stay for a minute?" Fairy Godmother asked the villain kids next day, just as Remedial Goodness Class had ended. Ben and Mal exchanged a quick nervous glance in anticipation for what was about to happen. Even though Hailey has assured them that it was going to be fine and this was a necessary part of her plan to throw off their parents, Mal was still worried that something would go wrong and that she would be unable to pull it off.
The kids nodded and Fairy Godmother smiled in response. "As you know Sunday is our annual family day but since your parents are unable to be here, we arranged a special treat." She said as she turned to the large screen at the front of the room. She pressed a button and the screen came to life. However, all that could be seen was a blank black picture.
"How the hell does this thing work?!" Maleficent's voice suddenly screamed, making Ben and Mal jump and tense up in slight fear. Ben squeezed Mal's hand tightly before letting go. He took a large step away from her across the room, leaving a safe distance between them.
"Try the other button." Jafar told her.
"I hate technology!" Maleficent cried. Finally she managed to get it to work and Maleficent, Jafar, the Evil Queen and Cruella appeared on the screen. Ben let out a sigh of relief as he realized that his father was not there.
"Oh Evie! It's mommy! Look at you." The Evil Queen cried. Evie gave her a small nervous and embarrassed smile in return. Out of the villain kids, she was the one who had a slightly better relationship with her parent then the rest of them, mostly because of their forced banishment together.
"Who's the bat?" Cruella asked.
"Fairy Godmother." Mal answered, trying not to show her nervousness. The villains then went on a taunting rant about Cinderella, before Fairy Godmother excused herself and walked away, giving them some privacy. She gave a small sidelong smile of encouragement to Mal, before leaving the room.
"Mal!" Maleficent snapped, making everyone look at her.
"Hi Mom"
"When are you coming home?" she asked. To any other child, this question would seem as if her mother missed her but Mal understood the real meaning straightaway.
"I'm not sure mother." Mal replied, playing along. "There's this coronation thing they want us to stick around for so..."
"When?" she snapped.
"Friday next week. The whole school is invited and Hailey is going to be blessed with Fairy Godmother's magic wand." Mal explained.
"Are you sure I can't see you before that? I can't wait to get my hands on the…I mean you! I miss you so much." she ranted, trying to cover her slip up.
"Sorry. Royal orders!" Ben suddenly replied, trying to take her attention away from Mal.
Maleficent scoffed but then smirked as she turned to address Ben. "By the way Benjamin. Your father sends his regards." Maleficent's eyes glinted with satisfaction as Ben's entire body visibly stiffened at the comment.
Mal's hands curled angrily into fists, ready to snap back at her, not caring of the consequences, when all eyed turned to Cruella who unexpectedly cried out.
"Carlos! Is that a dog?!" Everyone turned to look over at Dude comfortably resting in Carlos's arms. "Yes…yes…baby. I do understand it would make the perfect size for earmuffs." Cruella cackled to her toy.
"Mom! He's the perfect size for a pet!" Carlos snapped back and Cruella flinched back in shock. "This dog loves me and I love him. And for your information, your dog is stuffed and not real, so get over it!"
"Ooooh burn!" Jafar laughed.
"Go sell a toaster, you two bit salesman." Cruella snapped back as a fight broke out between the villains.
Fairy Godmother returned back to the room having heard the sudden commotion, worry written all over her face. Jay turned the screen off, unable to hear anymore.
"I'm so sorry, kids." Fairy Godmother said sadly in a soft tone.
"Thank you for the special treat, anyway." Jay told her dejectedly. It would having been better if they hadn't seen their parents. Fairy godmother gave them one last gentle smile before finally leaving the room.
"M...what are our parents going to do to us if we don't pull this off?" Evie asked softly, her voice trembling slightly in fear. Mal looked at Ben, who returned to her side, pulling her close to him in comfort. He nodded to her. It was time to let the other know of the new plan.
"Guys...Mal and I have something to tell you." Ben explained gently as Evie, Jay and Carlos all turned to face them.
"I never gave Hailey the cookie." Mal stated.
"What?!" they all cried.
"Guys...can you three look me in the eye and honestly say that you still want to help our parents take over Auradon?" Mal asked them.
After a moment of silence, Evie and Jay slowly shook their heads while Carlos muttered a quiet "No".
"We don't either..." Ben paused, hugging Mal even closer to him. "Which is why we went and told Hailey and Fairy Godmother about the original plan."
Silence fell in the room as Jay, Carlos and Evie could only stare dumbfounded at Ben and Mal in shock.
"Don't worry guys. Hailey is not going to send us back to the Isle. On the contrary, she is going to help us. We actually came up with a new plan together, one that keeps everyone safe from our parents. That is why we just had this conversation with them. We had to make them think that we are still going through with what they ordered us to do…Now on coronation day, the camera feed that goes to the Isle will be cut off as soon as Fairy Godmother is about to bless Hailey with her wand. And when they will restore it, it will look like we have been discovered and our original plan has failed. That way, they will never know that we never intended to follow their orders in the first place. Hailey will then send them an official document stating that we are going to be imprisoned for our crime here in Auradon and so we will be able to start a new life here, where they will be never be able to hurt us any longer."
The three villain kids slowly nod, still looking slightly nervous. "Mal...If anything goes wrong-" Jay started to say.
"It won't." Ben cuts in, confidently. "Just trust us ok?"
They all nod.
That's it! Well this chapter is a bit longer then the last one isn't it? :) Well things are heating up. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Please review? Pretty please?