"Ben!"
Huffing in clear annoyance, Ben halted in his aggravated strides to glare at the man responsible for 'dishonoring' his mother's memory. "What the hell do you want?" he bitterly snapped.
"To apologize," Hades calmly admitted, trying to maintain a peaceful tone to keep the teenager's temper from rising. "I didn't realize your mother's name was so precious to you."
"Nobody knew my mother's name," Ben informed with a spiteful glare. "She stayed home for the four years she lived on the island. My bastard of a father wanted to keep her as his prisoner, as that was the deal they made when they weren't on the island. Death was the only she could escape him."
"I know," Hades claimed all to knowingly. "I am the God of the Underworld, Judger of Souls. With those chosen to go to Auradon, three were personally chosen by my wife, my daughter, and myself. I chose you, because I promised your mother I would take you away from your father so he couldn't hurt you."
Ben scoffed at the information. "You are a few years too late," he retorted, though he quickly changed the subject to avoid that discussion. "Why did you choose Chad Charming over Aziz? Aziz would have been a much better option."
"That's true," Hades agreed. "However, we were informed of Jane's anxiety and social issues in general. Since she lives in with him, we thought Chad would be a better option for this particular situation. In other words, we wanted to make Jane as comfortable as possible in Auradon. That isn't important now. You have only fifty minutes left to get your stuff and be at the Bridge Plaza." The king raised a curious eyebrow at the teenager. "Do I need to go with so you don't have a confrontation with your father?"
"I know his schedule," Ben barked aggressively. "He's at the marketplace now. I can get in, get my valuables, and get out before he knows I'm there."
"Then don't be late," Hades warned. "That is one of the first lesson you will learn when you are in Auradon. I'll tell you and the others a few warnings on our way to Auradon, specifically one that may get you banished back to the Isle."
Ben didn't take much time packing his stuff because he didn't have many possessions in bedroom. The only thing he really had was a few sets of clothes. Everything important was at the hideout, but there wasn't enough time for him to travel across the island, quickly pack his things, and return before the intended deadline.
Luckily, Ben has an amazing friend, whose parents were informed about the situation a day prior by the queen of the mainland.
When the Isle prince approached the limousine at the Bridge Plaza, Audrey appeared to be waiting for him. "You're almost late," she lightly scolded before offering him a heavy, dark-colored duffel bag. "I grabbed everything I thought was valuable from the hideout, meaning your mother's books and your grandfather's musical windmill thing. Did I forget anything important?"
"Just my pride," Ben joked as he graciously took the bag off her hands.
"You can live without it," Audrey teased good-naturedly. "Don't I get a 'thank you'?"
Ben slightly narrowed his eyes at the girl as he retorted, "When my father is no longer an asshole, or the day your encouragement helps me get a date with my princess."
"Looks like somebody is hoping to meet a certain someone in Auradon," Audrey acknowledged with an extremely large grin plastered on her lips. "Who knows? Maybe she'll be one of the first people we meet in Auradon."
"And maybe there won't be a fight within our first few days there," Ben sarcastically mentioned with an annoyed eye-roll. "But knowing Chad Charming's arrogance, the fight will be with me over you."
Sighing at her friend's pessimistic attitude, Audrey grumbled, "Bags go in the trunk."
As the prince hefted his personal belongings into the trunk, King Hades approached the royal vehicle that was surrounded by the six villain children. "Everyone here?" When he received a few nods, Hades continued, "Good. Climb in and please refrain from breaking anything. The food inside is for you to enjoy—including treats for Dude—but try not to make yourselves sick. We should arrive in Auradon mid-way through the school day, so you will officially start tomorrow. Any questions?"
"I do," Lonnie pipped up, annoying those who wanted to leave. Gesturing to the sword sheath on her hip, the swords-woman wondered, "Can I bring my mother's sword? She gifted it to me as a reward for being one of the chosen six."
Although some believed the answer was obvious, the king hesitated. It was a simple request, and most likely the only gift the girl ever received. "I will allow it," Hades reluctantly agreed. "There is a sword-fighting team at Auradon Prep that you can use your sword for if you wish to compete in it. However, during the off-season of that sport, the sword has to stay in your dorm room until the season starts again. I will make an exception for you to practice with it only in the amphitheater whenever you want. This is your first warning. You will get two more warnings, but after the final disobedience I will permanently lock it up in the museum. Understand?"
With an obedient nod, Lonnie entered the expensive vehicle as the others followed her lead. Chad brushed pass the others to climb in with Jane timidly going after him. Doug went in next with Audrey behind him. Just as Ben was about to enter . . .
"Where do you think you're going?"
Ben froze.
Panic swirled inside the teenager, refusing to let him move. He actually thought he could escape the island before he realized he was leaving. He thought he could be free of this man, just like his mother. But now . . . he was too scared to turn around to face the man that stood between him and his freedom.
"Ben," Hades firmly chided to get the boy's attention. "Get in the car. That is not a request, young man."
The man, who was practically preventing the group from leaving, scoffed. "That's what you call him? He's nothing more than a frightened boy."
"Ben," Hades reprimanded with a light scowl on his features. "This is the last time I'm warning you. Get in the car before I force you in myself."
Sensing that the situation was quickly escalating, Audrey—from inside the vehicle—grabbed Ben's wrist and roughly pulled him inside. As soon as the Isle prince tumbled in, the Auradon king closed the door behind him before leaning against it, preventing the boy from escaping.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Hades bluntly interrogated, "Why are you here, Beast?"
The man, commonly known as 'Beast', was a big, stocky fellow with burly, unkept hair. Since he was supposedly the 'King of the Isle', a crown made from scrap metal rested on his head. With the spell still somewhat in place, there were an unusual amount of hair on his arms and hands. Although his eyes were a nice blue color, black slits replaced the normal pupils, making him seem more of a monster.
"You put me on this island," Beast harshly reminded.
"Let me rephrase," Hades requested before reiterating, "Why are you trying to interfere with royal business?"
"Ben is my boy," Beast claimed with a careless shrug. "I'm concerned for his safety."
"Bull-shit," Hades disputed. "All you are concerned about is losing your punching bag. You're raising Ben to be aggressive, something a son doesn't need to be taught."
"How would you know how to raise a son?" Beast stubbornly challenged. "You don't have one!"
"You're right, I don't," Hades calmly agreed. "I would love to have one of my own, but who knows? Maybe my wife and I will be blessed with a son after my daughter becomes 'Queen'. Until then, I'm taking these children to Auradon so they can start a new life out of their parents' shadow."
"Ben will be back," Beast warned condescendingly. "The Auradon life will make him want to come home; to come back to me, just like his mother did."
Hades narrowed his eyes at the arrogant comment, clenching his jaw to prevent him from lashing out. "Ben will never return to you," Hades vowed, his eyes glowing in determination. "And you will not make me break my promise to Belle!"
With the heated exchange settled at the woman's name, the King of Auradon climbed into the driver's seat before he sped of without warning. The children didn't seem to care, as they were too busy munching on delectable sweets that they've never had a chance to try before. While they were temporarily distracted, Hades used the opportunity to bring a portion of the barrier down temporarily with a golden remote, which also created a magical bridge to connect the two pieces of land.
Luckily, the children raised their gazes to the scenery after they had finally crossed the bridge, which had prevented a giant screaming fest among them.
"First, I would like to apologize on behalf of my wife," Hades informed the six while keeping his focus on the road. "She has been feeling under the weather the past few days. A family friend is taking her to the doctor, so she won't be able greet you when we arrive in Auradon."
"Is she very sick?" Audrey curiously wondered, just a hint of worry in her tone.
"We are hoping it's a stomach bug," Hades reassured, though his tone made him think it was something else. "Either way, it's better to be safe than sorry considering she is the current queen."
"Who's going to greet us?" Chad greedily wondered. "Nobility? Royalty?"
"My daughter, her friends, and a few students," Hades answered, knowing that probably disappointed some of the children. "As I said, school will still be in session so not many can greet you. Those who have free period at the time will be there. My daughter and her friends had to get ahead in their afternoon classes for this to work. Since so many of you are coming to Auradon Prep, you will be split into four separate groups and be given separate tours of the campus."
"Jane," Hades chided to get the timid girl's attention. "One of the 'tour guides' is a dog trainer, so he will be giving you and Dude a tour. He is in the same grade as you and you share some classes. Carlos used to be as shy as you when he was younger, but came out of it when he started hanging with his friends. We are hoping he can do the same for you."
"You said you had a few warnings for us," Ben reminded. "What are they?"
"Well, it's more like rules," Hades corrected, slowly down just slightly when he noticed they were ahead of schedule. "In order for this proclamation to be allowed, all of you will be required to take 'Remedial Goodness'. You will be taught basic manners and etiquette, but mostly essentials on how to live in Auradon. We've made it required for three years, so for all or a majority of your time at Auradon Prep. If the headmaster and I see major improvement, we'll adjust personal requirements to what we feel is appropriate."
The children grumbled and groaned at the information, but the king wasn't finished yet.
"We've also created a three-strike rule," Hades resumed, perking the children's attention just a little bit. "For each major infraction, like getting into physical fight or whatnot, you'll get a strike. Three strikes will get you sent back to the Isle and another child will take your place. Lonnie, the individual warnings regarding your sword won't count toward your strikes. However, if you use all the warnings and the sword is taken away, you will get a strike. If we felt you have done a courageous, incredibly selfless, or overly generous endeavor, a strike will be removed. As of now, we haven't decided what will immediately send you back to the Isle, but we have decided what will make you receive two strikes and harsher judgement when you pass from this life."
Doug raised a curious eyebrow at the careful phrasing. "How do we avoid that?"
Hades raised his gaze to the rear-view mirror. His eyes glowed like fire as he warned, "Never hurt my daughter."