Hi guys. Here it is what you guys have been dying to know I'm sure. Ben's backstory! THANK YOU SO MUCH to you ALL for your reads, reviews, follows and fav's. It means more then I can tell you. And of course a MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU to my AMAZING Beta xez2003 for your INCREDIBLE AMAZING editing! I couldn't do this without you! Well I'll let you guys get to it. Withou further ado take it away chapter 4!

DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!

Saturday, 4 months later

Ben, Mal and Jay were busy in the middle of a morning training session when they suddenly heard the sound of loud screams and panicked voices coming from the marketplace below. They stopped and looked at each other in concern before running out of the hideout to see what the commotion was all about.

A man, with shoulder length brown hair the same colour as Ben's, with glowing yellow eyes and claws instead of hands was destroying the market place roaring. Mal's eyes widened as realization hit her and she turned to look at Ben who had skidded to a complete halt beside her. He appeared to be completely frozen in place, the only sign he was still breathing was the small whimper that escaped his throat. The noise alerted the Beast to their presence and he spun around to face them.

"There you are! You think you can just run away from me, boy?" he roared as he stormed up to Ben.

Mal and Jay instinctively ran for cover as he charged towards them. She turned, fully expecting to find Ben behind her but she discovered in horror that Ben had remained where he was, as if he was rooted to the spot. Ben move! she thought frantically.

Ben's breath caught in his throat and his heart felt as if it was about to explode out of his chest. Time seemed to stop as he watched with wide terrified eyes as his father got closer and closer to him. His instinct told him to run away and save himself but the intense sense of fear that had gripped his body the moment he had spotted his father, blocked his every movement. Images of their past encounters flashed before his eyes, and his body suddenly began to shake uncontrollably and his breathing quickened, as he braced himself for the inevitable pain he knew was coming.

"You can't hide from me, you weakling. I own you!" Beast roared as he reached Ben and slashed his claws across his chest, making him fall to the floor. Ben let out a loud howl of pain but otherwise remained unmoving wide-eyed on the ground as blood immediately began to pour out of the large deep wounds, soaking his shirt. Beast smirked at the look of complete terror in his son's eyes and he advanced on him again, slashing him a second time on his stomach.

"Jay!" Mal whispered as she looked around and spotted two broken metal pipes. I am not going to let anyone hurt a member of my gang. Not while I am around. She thought as she picked up one of the metal pipes and threw it to Jay. Jay nodded as he caught it and quietly turned and headed to Beast's right-hand side. Mal picked up the other metal pipe and whacked Beast's left arm with all the strength she had, in an effort to take his attention away from Ben.

"Get away from him if you know what is good for you!" Mal shouted as her eyes glowed dangerously green. "Do you know who I am?! Do you know who my mother is?! No one! I mean no one can touch a member of my gang unless I am the one allowing it!"

Beast snarled and he took a step towards her, making Ben whimper loudly. But before Beast could retort, Jay sneaked up behind him and hit him on the side of his head with the metal pipe. The impact made him stagger and he momentarily lost his balance, ending up on one knee. Mal and Jay took the opportunity and continued to hit him mercilessly until Beast eventually decided to retreat, stalking away with a last snarl.

"Ben!" Mal cried as she dropped the pipe to the ground and crouched next to him. Ben did not answer her and instead just stared into space with a hollow vacant look in his eyes. "Ben!" she called again as she looked down at his chest in concern and got a closer look at his still bleeding wounds. We need to stop the bleeding and fast, before it's too late! she thought as a sense of urgency gripped her.

"Jay! Help me." She ordered as she stood up and tried to haul Ben to his feet.

Jay bent down to take his other side but stopped. "Mal. People are going to wonder why we are helping him-"

"I don't care." She whispered.

"As I said no one touches or tries to kill a member of my gang unless I'm the one doing the killing. Now get out of the way." She snarled as she turned to address the crowd that had gathered around them. Everyone quickly scattered away in fear. As they lifted him up, Ben let out a loud whimper of pain before losing consciousness.

They staggered back to the hideout and laid Ben on one of the couches as Mal hurried to grab the first aid kit she kept for emergencies. Mal and Jay then removed his torn bloody shirt and applied pressure on the deep cuts until the bleeding finally stopped. They then proceeded to clean and wrap up his entire torso with a substantial number of bandages. Ben had not even stirred throughout the whole process but at least, Mal thought, he appeared to be calm and in a deep slumber.

"Jay. I think you can leave now. I can handle it from here. He will probably sleep it off for a couple of hours anyway." Mal ordered. Jay knew better than to question any order from Mal so he nodded and left them. Mal picked up a nearby blanket and gently covered him, before she settled down on the opposite couch, waiting for him to wake up.

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5 year old Ben ran through the forest as fast as his young legs could carry him, trying to keep up with his mother as she frantically pulled him by his right hand. His other hand clutched the books he was holding even tighter as they heard the loud roaring sounds getting closer and closer to them. His mother suddenly stopped and quickly bent down to face him.

"Ben! Now listen to me very carefully. We are going to play a game. I need you to go find a real good hiding spot and stay there until I come find you. Do you understand me?" she asked him as her panicked eyes met his terrified ones. He nodded in silence.

She hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead tenderly as a lonely tear found its way down her cheek.

"No matter what happens, Ben, always remember just how much I love you. Now go! And remember what I told you. Do not leave your hiding place until I come find you."

"Okay mommy. I love you too." Ben called out before he hurried off to hide just like his mother had told him too. He ran a short distance until he came across a clearing surrounded by large thick bushes and he quickly settled inside, completely hidden by the deep foliage.

He suddenly heard the sounds of screaming as his mother burst running through the clearing. He was about to jump out of the bushes to join her but stopped dead in his tracks as his father came into view. Ben watched wide eyed in fear as his mother begged his father for forgiveness telling him that it was a mistake, that she was sorry and that she didn't know that the books where his. She told him that it was all her fault and not to hurt him as he was only an innocent child. His father then just roared in anger before he advanced on her and slashed his claws at her throat. Ben watched wide-eyed as his mother fell limp to the ground.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ben screamed in pure terror as he abruptly sat up on the couch. He looked wide eyed around the room not recognizing his surroundings as a tear slid down his now flushed cheeks.

"Ben! Ben! Hey! Hey! Shh! Shh! He's gone. You're safe now. It was just a nightmare." Mal said softly as she sat on the edge of the sofa and stroked his hair in an effort to calm him down.

After a minute, his horrified eyes finally noticed her beside him and he instantly flinched.

"Hey. It's okay. It is just me, Mal and this is the hideout. You are safe." She soothed. He suddenly blinked in recognition at the sound of her voice and turned confused eyes to meet hers. Mal shifted position and carefully sat down across from him and silently wiped away the stray tears on his cheek. She patiently waited for Ben to compose himself as he closed his eyes and took a couple of long breaths to calm himself.

"You okay?" She asked as he finally looked up into her eyes.

He nodded but then winced in pain as he tried to shift position on the couch. His eyes widened as he looked down at his bandaged torso and all the events of that morning came rushing back to him.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Jay?" he asked frantically in concern.

"We are fine Ben. Don't worry. We managed to drive him away before he had a chance to hurt anyone else. But you will need to take it easy for a couple of days. For a minute there you gave me a real scare. I mean every VK on the Isle is scared of their parents to some degree but you were just petrified and you just stood there frozen in place as you let him hit you." She paused as she noticed a grim expression take over his face.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be prying." she apologized softly.

"No. Don't apologize. I think it is about time that I told my story to someone." He paused and took a deep breath. "My father has beaten me nearly to death for over nine years now." Ben spoke in a soft voice as he began to narrate his tale.

"You may know this but my father was human once. His name was Adam and he was a prince. He had all he ever wanted but he got cursed by an Enchantress as punishment for his selfish and cruel nature. The only way to break it and free himself from the curse was to find love by his 21st birthday."

Mal nodded slowly, urging him to continue.

"But what most people don't know is that he actually had a chance to break the curse. The woman's name was Belle and, from what I remember my mother telling me, she was only a few days away from breaking the curse. At first, my father kept her as a prisoner but as time went by, she actually started to fall in love with him and she ended up staying with him willingly. But one day, Belle discovered that her own father was near death after falling ill looking for her in the forest in the winter cold. My father let her go to tend to him but for some reason she never returned. And so my father's curse was never broken and he then turned into a compete beast. One day, he broke out of his castle and he ended up dying in a fight against Gaston. I guess that when twenty years ago the villains where brought back to life and imprisoned on the Isle, the spell also managed to somehow turn him back to some sort of human form. But it just couldn't take away the beast inside and he was still cursed to keep his retractable claws as a reminder." Ben lowered his head as Mal's eyes widened.

"And your mother?" Mal asked quietly.

"My mom's name was Laurette and she was one of Gaston's 'bimbettes', as they were nicknamed at the time." Ben continued softly.

"When I was old enough to understand, she told me all about her life and how she had one day gotten lost in the dark forest. My father had found her and never let her leave again, especially after what happened with Belle. There is a cabin deeper in the woods where he kept her locked up. And after a few years, I was born." A soft smile appeared on Ben's face as he continued.

"Mom would always tell me how all she ever wanted was love and that when she had me, she had finally gotten her wish as she had found that someone who loved her unconditionally. I don't remember much of my childhood as I was too little at the time but father left us alone most of the time, I guess he just couldn't be bothered with a young child. And when he did try to hit one of us, Mom would protect me and make sure that he hit her instead of me." Ben paused, taking a shaky breath.

"Then one morning when I was five, she came near my bed and happily showed me some books she had found hidden in the cabin. I remember how we had laughed all day that day, as she read the stories to me, acting out all the various characters using all these different voices. But our happy moment didn't last long because what we didn't know at the time was that those books were the only thing that my father had kept of Belle's. When he realized we had taken them he became so furious. I had never seen him like that. Mom got so scared that she decided to grab me and escape into the forest while he was distracted. I managed to grab a few of those books before we ran for safety. But our efforts were useless and not before long he had managed to find us. As he was about to reach us, mom stopped, gave me one last hug and told me to hide and not look back. You know the clearing where my shelter was? It was there where I had found my hiding spot in the thick bushes. And that is where I watched her screaming at my father that it was all her fault and to leave me alone. And then he… he… he just slashed her throat out." Ben ended in a whimper.

After a moment of silence he went on. "After that, my father just left me alone to wander into the Dark Forest, probably because he thought I would die out there since I was just a little boy. But when a little time later, he discovered that I had somehow managed to survive, he decided to start having some 'fun' with me by playing this sort of sick game of hide and seek. Every once in a while he would track me down and beat me mercilessly, telling me that no one would ever care about me. And that is how you found me. Just after one of his 'games'. He paused.

"But you know what the funny thing is Mal? All these stories in my books talk about people who love each other and have these happy lives. And the more I read about these happy families, the more I dreamed of having that. Despite all the pain he caused me, my father is the only family I have left. And all I want is to be the son he would want and love, even though I know that is never going to be possible." Ben finished sadly looking up to meet Mal's gaze.

Mal blinked back tears as her mind processed what Ben had just told her. Just like her own childhood with her mother, Ben had suffered so much at the hands of his father. Even worst, he had witnessed his own mother die right before his very eyes and he had been unable to do anything to stop it. Before she could stop to think what she was doing, she instinctively closed the space between them and embraced him in a tight hug, burying her head in the crook of his neck.

Ben's eyes widened in shock as Mal's arms circled around him. He froze in place completely stunned, barely able to breathe, as his heart started beating widely in his chest. Goose bumps ran along his back and he felt a strange new feeling take over his body as the feel of Mal's warm and comforting embrace invaded his senses. Being so close to her just felt so right, he just could not explain it. After a moment of hesitation, a small smile won the battle on his face and he lifted his arms and closed them around her, returning her hug.

Sometime over these past months, Ben realized that he had developed a great sense of gratitude towards Mal. She had saved him from the forest and gave him this new life but most importantly she had shown him that not everyone was like his father. But now, as he held her so close to him that he could feel her beating heart against his chest, he suddenly came to the realization that his feelings towards her had become stronger. They had grown into something more. Can it be? he wondered, slightly scared as his heart continued beating widely in his chest.

Ben's thoughts were interrupted when Mal broke off the hug. He involuntarily winced as she released him, as their contact had put pressure on his still fresh injuries.

"I am sorry." She apologized. She just stared at him as an awkward silence fell between them as she thought about what to tell him after his confession.

"I should probably leave you to rest now. I need to return to Bargain Castle anyway. Do you want me to help you to your bedroom?" she asked as she stood up from the couch.

He nodded and gently leaned on her as she slowly helped him up. They slowly walked to his bedroom and within a few minutes, he was lying down on his bed ready to fall asleep.

"Now rest. I will come back to check up on you later on." Mal said with a small smile as she closed the door to his bedroom behind her and turned to leave the hideout.

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Mal climbed up the steps of Bargain Castle with a huge smile on her face. She was sure that her mother would be proud of her at last. After all she had managed to exert her power today in the marketplace and had taken care of the beast's threat like a true Queen of the Isle would have done.

"Mom. I am ho-" She called as she entered the front door, only to be startled to find Maleficent waiting for her.

"I didn't think you would have the courage to show your face in here after the stunt you pulled." Maleficent scoffed.

Mal was confused. "What do you mean? I did great today. That Beast finally knows who rules this Isle. He will think it twice before setting foot here back again."

"You are such a foolish girl!" she shouted angrily. "When will you finally prove to me that you are worthy of being called my daughter?"

"What? But-"

"You were a fool to bring that boy to the mainland. Once again you showed weakness by having pity on him. You should have just left him there where you found him and let them sort out their own business, like a true villain would have done! But no! You had to be soft, just like your powerless and pathetic father!" Maleficent sneered.

"Yes mother." Mal looked away, trying to hide her tears.

"Now get away from my face and don't come back until you have finally accomplished something really worth being called evil!" She shouted as Mal turned and ran out.

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Ben stirred and slowly opened his eyes as he woke up from his peaceful slumber. He tried to sit up in bed and was pleasantly surprised to discover that only slight pain came to him. Ben smiled, despite himself, as he touched his bandaged torso. He thought of how lucky he had been to have come across Mal in his life. But the silence of the hideout was suddenly broken by what appeared to be the muffled sounds of someone crying. A concerned frown appeared on Ben's face as he pulled back his bed covers and gingerly stood up, slowly making his way to his bedroom door.

He followed the crying sounds and found Mal in a fetal position on one of the living room couches, crying her eyes out.

"Mal! What happened?" Ben asked in concern as he gently approached her and sat next to her.

Mal looked up at the sound of his voice and turned red puffy eyes to face him. "My mom…she said that I should have left you in the forest. That I was a disappointment to her and a fool for bringing you here." She sniffed.

A snarl escaped Ben's throat, his eyes blazing but he took a long breath to calm himself. He adjusted his position on the couch to be closer to Mal and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, getting her full attention. "Now you listen to me Mal. She's wrong! You are the smartest person I know! She is the fool not you! She should be proud of you instead. I wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for you. Not only have you saved my life twice already but you gave me an opportunity for a new life!" he replied with a fervid look on his face.

Mal just stared into Ben's eyes unable to speak, completely mesmerized by the look he gave her. Before she knew what was happening, Ben suddenly brought his face closer to hers and boldly kissed her. Mal stood there completely stunned as Ben's lips captured hers for a few moments before he pulled away. She just stared at him speechless, trying to recover from the shock, as her lips tingled pleasantly and she felt sparks run through her entire body.

She was quickly brought out of her reverie when Ben spoke up next. "I think I have fallen in love with you Mal." he confessed.

"What?" she asked stunned.

"I never thought I'd love anyone one else after my mom died. And at first I thought it might just be gratitude that I felt towards you but then I realized it was something much stronger. It was love. I love you Mal!" he repeated strongly.

Mal suddenly jerked away from him and stood up, taking a few steps back. "Ben...I can't love you back. I am Maleficent's daughter. All I have ever known and all that has ever mattered to me is to be the most evil villain on the Isle, just like my mother! I have no space for love in my life. This is not how things work around here. Love is for the 'heroes' or the weak. This is the Isle! We are not part of one of the stories in your stupid books!" A hurt expression crossed Ben's face at the mention of his mother's books but he put it aside as he called out to her before she left. "Mal wait!"

Mal stopped and turned to face him.

"Mal. Listen to me! There is something between us. I know you can feel it too. And you can say whatever you want but your actions prove otherwise. You are nothing like your mother! If you really were like her, I assure you I wouldn't still be alive today. You just need some time to realize and accept it! But it's ok. I will give you all the time and space you need. I will be here waiting for you." He promised with a determined look.

Mal didn't answer but abruptly turned around and walked out of the hideout.

That's it! Well that confession didn't go as well as Ben planned did it? If any of you have seen the 2017 Beauty and the Beast live action movie you will know that the 'bimbettes' are dark haired which is what I'm using for this story. I know some readers may question having a 'bimbette' as Ben's mother but to me the three girls always seemed more shallow then really evil. And as any mother/auntie knows having a child changes you.

Trilogy readers: You readers may notice some inconsistencies with the trilogy in this chapter but please remember that Part 1 and 2 will be going through a revamp after this story is finished. So any inconsistencies will be fixed.

I hope you guys liked this chapter. Please review? Pretty please?