Hi Guys Here's chapter 3. Once again a HUGE THANK YOU for all your reads, reviews, follows and favs. And as always a BIG thank you to my Beta xez2003. Well without further ado take it away chapter 3!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!
Still drying his hair, Ben left the boys locker room. Tourney practice was one of the school activities which he truly enjoyed. Apart from the physical element of it, it was such a new experience for him, being part of a team and all. And as time went by, he slowly discovered that this sport and the consequent teamwork element surprisingly stirred into him a very pleasant feeling…one he would have never thought possible. As he passed the corridors leading out to the school grounds, he thought about how coming to Auradon had really changed him for the better. His trail of thought was suddenly interrupted when he spotted a certain beautiful purple haired girl sitting under an oak tree and decided to approach her quietly from behind with an 'evil' smile….
Mal smiled to herself as she sat under the oak tree in front of the school sketching. She really couldn't believe graduation was just days away. She never thought she would be here, sister in all but blood to the Queen, having a hero status with a Dame title and about to graduate high school. Her mind went back to her conversations with Ben back on the Isle when he used to tell her to just have hope…oh how right he was! Her smile softened even more as she wistfully thought of him. From the moment they met at fourteen, he has always been by her side even when she had pushed him away telling him she couldn't love him because of the stigma her mother had drilled into her head. He gave her time and space but never left her side. He even went back to the Isle with her, right back to his personal hell, because she couldn't take the pressure of being in Auradon anymore. Through every beating she took from her mother, every self-doubt from adjusting to being here, he has been there and she loved him so much for that. She was so lost in thought that she let her guard down for just a minute and didn't notice the approaching figure until it was too late.
"Ahhh!" Mal shrieked as Ben appeared behind her wrapping his arm around her, as he chuckled in her ear.
"Got you!" he smirked.
"Ben!" she cried twisting around to look into his amused eyes.
"What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? You're lucky I didn't grab my dagger and stab you!"
"I would have dodged. Come on sweetheart, you could never hurt me." he chuckled.
Mal rolled her eyes fondly. "True!" she laughed as she kissed him lightly.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" he asked leaning his chin on her shoulder after they pulled back against the tree.
"Just thinking really." she murmured as she leaned back into his chest.
"Oh really? What about?" he asked.
"About how far we have all come. Can you believe we graduate in just over a week?"
"I know and I am so proud of you" he replied softly.
Mal smiled softly back at him. "Have I ever thanked you?"
"For what?" he asked her gently.
"Everything…loving me, never leaving me even though you probably should have at some point, showing me what love is, saving me from becoming a copy of my mother…I just...Benny there are no real words for me to tell you how much I love you…you saved my life!"
"You saved mine too!" he whispered back. "Mal you gave me something to fight for, someone to love and protect. You know how I lived after my mother died and what my father was like. You were the first person in a very long time to give me any positive attention…so if you are thanking me for loving you…I need to thank you as well."
Mal twisted back around and kissed him softly thinking I love him so much.
They were interrupted as Fairy Godmother's voice suddenly blared over the loud speaker. "All students please report to the auditorium for the Valedictorian announcement". They reluctantly pulled back from each other.
"Do we have to?" Ben pouted making Mal laugh.
"I guess we better the sooner we go, the sooner we can get back to this" she said playfully, giving him one last peck before standing and helping him up.
"Oh…here sweetheart" he said bending down and picking up her sketch book, which she had dropped in shock when he had hugged her so unexpectedly.
"Thanks" she smiled taking it from him, as she tucked the attached pencil back into the book, before slipping it back into her bag.
"So Jane's birthday party is today?" Mal asked as Ben took her hand and started to lead her forward.
"Yeah Carlos has already got the Lake set up. He's really looking forward to it." Ben chuckled.
"Can you blame him? This is his first girlfriend's birthday that's he is here for. Of course he wants to go all out."
Ben chuckled as he led Mal into the auditorium and found their seats near the gang.
"Good morning everyone and thank you for coming." Fairy Godmother said into the microphone once everyone was seated, while Hailey stood to the side of the stage smiling. "As you all know graduation is not far away and I'm sure you are all wondering who your Valedictorian is going to be." Fairy Godmother continued. "As you know, we base our selection on grades, contribution to the school-".
"Thank you so much Fairy Godmother. It is an honor to be-" Audrey butted in gushing as she came up on stage.
"Audrey. It's not you." Hailey cut her off.
"What?...B-u-t…everyone knows I have the highest grades…" Audrey stuttered in shock looking at Fairy Godmother.
"I'm sorry my dear. While that is true and you have the high grades, that is not the only thing we have considered in arriving at our decision. Hailey is right. It's not you!" she said gently before turning back to the microphone.
"As I was saying. Please welcome to the stage your Valedictorian…..Mal."
Mal froze in shock. What? she thought stunned as Ben and the gang started cheering.
"Sweetheart get up there!" Ben called shoving her gently. She started walking up, still stunned by the news, as the other students joined in the clapping and cheering.
"Mal. You have had a rough start here. But you have pulled through and the school board and I have been amazed at everything you have done. And it is for this reason that we have decided to make you Valedictorian. Congratulations" Fairy Godmother announced proudly.
"Um…thank you" Mal replied, still a bit stunned she never expected this.
"I would also like to add a personal thank you, Mal" Hailey said coming over. "You have saved this kingdom even when you were never really acknowledged for it, even when there was no obligation for you to, so I would like to say a heartfelt thank you and that we are proud to call you a hero." Hailey smiled proudly.
"What?!" Audrey shrieked, breaking out of her shock. Mal rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to tell her that she didn't expect it either when one of Hailey's guards rushes in, all in panic.
"Your Majesty. My apologies for the interruption but we are under attack. Uma has been spotted" he gasped out of breath.
"What? Where? How did she escape the Isle?" Hailey asked quickly.
"In the waters of Auradon beach. From the looks of it her crew is there as well." he answered.
"I'm on it!" Mal replied, quickly leaping off the stage.
"Emerald. You don't have to-" Hailey tried to say as she followed her down the stage.
"Hailey. This is part of my job as a Dame to protect the kingdom. Besides, I'm the one Uma most likely wants!" she exclaimed turning back to her.
"Don't go alone. I'll go with you" Hailey pleaded with her worriedly.
"Hail. You need to stay here where it is safe. It wouldn't be good if Uma got a hold of you again." Mal replied gently.
"Anyway. Who says she's going alone?" Ben claimed coming up to her side with Evie, Jay and Carlos. Mal smiled softly at them despite the situation, thinking how they always had her back no matter what.
"Thanks guys. Come on, there is no time to waste!" she cried, running off to get her sword, with them following close behind.
"Be safe you guys!" Hailey called after them.
"We'll be back before you know it!" Mal smiled back before they ran out to face Uma.
Audrey watched furiously as Mal and her friends ran off to 'save the day' before storming out in the opposite direction.
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At the news of Uma's attack, the whole school went into a frenzy and all the students starting running along the corridors to try and find a safe place to hide.
Through all the confusion, Celia walked along the corridor leading out of Mal and Evie's dorm with a satisfied glint in her eyes as she eyed the now glowing green amulet in her hands. No one took notice of her leaving Mal's room as everyone was distracted by Uma's attack. Perfect! The first part of the plan has gone off without a flinch she thought gleefully. Her thoughts went to her father and how proud he will be once she was able to share the good news with him in person.
But she was not ready yet. Before that, she needed to find the perfect victim to "persuade" to wear the amulet and unleash the surprise held within. In the meantime, all the corridors quieted down and she noticed she was now alone until she heard the sound of two people talking close by and from the sound of it one person was not really in the best of moods. She couldn't believe her luck as she turned the corner and spotted a familiar student who was having a heated conversation with her boyfriend. So Celia hid behind the corner, waiting for the opportune moment, listened with avid interest…..
"I just don't believe this, Chad! I was supposed to be Valedictorian. I was supposed to be the one Hailey was close to! Mal has ruined my life. I never wanted those Isle brats here in the first place and now one of them has taken everything from me. I hate her! Why does she get everything meant for me? Her mother nearly ruined my mother's life and now she's ruining mine!"
"Hey. You're Audrey right?" Celia suddenly interrupted Audrey's rant. Audrey turned around to see who had interrupted her. "Yes what do you want?" she snapped back annoyed.
"My name's Celia and I need your help."
"Why would I help a VK brat?" She snapped thinking that the last person she wanted to see in front of her was an Isle kid. Who does she think she is? Asking me, a princess, to help her?
"Because helping me gets you what you want - the ability to destroy Mal." Upon hearing those words, Audrey perked up suddenly interested in what Celia had to say.
"Ah! I see I have your attention." she commented with a small smile.
"Why would you want Mal destroyed?" Audrey asked not really caring but curious. "Isn't she a 'hero' to you guys?"
"Let's just say that Mal isn't as popular on the Isle as you might think. So will you help?" Celia asked.
"What do I have to do?" Audrey asked eagerly.
"All you have to do is wear this." Celia said pulling out the amulet out of her pocket. "This Amulet will give you the power."
Audrey could not believe it. The day did not turn out so bad after all. As she eyed the glowing amulet in front of her, all she could think was that finally she had found a way to make Mal pay. "Give it to me!" she cried grabbing it out of Celia's hand and putting it on. She immediately started to giggle wickedly as she felt the power running through her. Suddenly she was engulfed in a puff of green smoke and, as it cleared, she looked down at herself and noticed that her hair was now a bright pink and she was wearing dark leather clothing. As a voice started whispering in her head, she turned to smirk at Chad and Celia. "I am still missing a certain important item but luckily for us I know exactly where to find it, and also the right person to help us get it, before any of those pesky heroes knows what hit them. Come on. Follow me. We have a birthday party to crash!"
Celia's wicked smile matched Audrey's as the three of them were engulfed in a green puff of smoke before disappearing.
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The ring of swords and yells echoed around the beach at Belle's Harbour as the VKs led by Ben were busy fighting off Uma's crew of pirates. "I'm missing my girlfriend's birthday party because of this!" Carlos yelled angrily as his sword clashed against Harry's.
A large shadow suddenly covered the bright sunlight as Mal, in her dragon form, roared and breathed fire on Uma's crew as she descended towards the ongoing battle. At the sight of this, Uma's crew decide to run for their lives and start retreating to their ship. Uma started following them but suddenly stopped and turned around towards the VKs just before climbing aboard as if she was waiting for something or someone.
Mal touched down on land and transformed back into her human form, charging straight towards her. Their swords clashed loudly as Mal confidently taunted "Can't you see that you are outmatched. You never should have come back Shrimpy. You know I will show you no mercy after what you did to Ben last time. Retreat while you still can!"
Suddenly something in Uma's pocket beeped and she smirked. "You're quite gullible, you know. Is that a 'hero' thing, Mal?"
"What do you mean?" Mal growled back.
"Why do you think you defeated us so easily this time? Don't you get it? We are only here to act as a distraction". She suddenly turned around, running up the steps to her ship as the crew were getting ready to get the Lost Revenge back to the high sea. Just as she was about to leave, she turned and taunted "How's your mother been lately?"
Mal gasped in realization at the implication of Uma's statement. She suddenly remembered that she had noticed that her mother had been unusually quiet that morning. "Leave them! Guys leave them! We have to get back!" Mal screamed turning around and running toward Ben and the others.
"What is it?" Ben asked sensing Mal's panic.
"Big trouble" she gasped as she teleported everyone away. They reappeared in the hallway next to the throne room which was hardly ever used but something told Mal that there was where Hailey was.
"Hailey-" Mal screamed bursting through the door, with the others right behind her. But they realized in horror that they were too late as they took in the scene in front of them. Hailey. Daniel, Ella, Kit and Jane were all being held captive by huge black shadows.
"Why hello Mal. How nice of you to join us. We were just waiting for you. I do have a little surprise to share with you which I am sure you will love." Audrey smirked. But she didn't look like Audrey at all. Her hair and clothes were different but Mal gasped in horror as she realised that somehow Audrey was holding her mother's sceptre.
"How is that possible? Only my mother or myself can hold that sceptre. Audrey what did you do?" Mal asked.
"What I've been wanting to do ever since you got here!" she growled.
"Audrey put the sceptre down. You don't really know what you're doing." Mal tried to reason with her.
"You mean this?" as she raised the sceptre as if to show it off. "I did say I have a surprise to show you. No?"
"Audrey was quite a willing participant in my plan." Celia suddenly revealed. Mal could only stare at her in disbelief. Why would she do this? She had the chance of a life here.
"Oh but I assure you that I do know." Audrey continued. "Didn't you ever wonder who it was that gave Granny and Tiffany the idea and the means to poison you? You took everything from me!"
"That was you?" Mal gasped as Ben snarled loudly.
"Yes my very first evil act." Audrey said in a 'aren't you proud?' voice.
"Mal nearly died because of you!" Ben roared as he took a menacing step towards her.
"Ben!" Mal pulled him back eyeing the sceptre. "How did you get that?"
"Oh! Jane was quite helpful after a little persuasion." Audrey smirked as Jane sobbed. "I am so sorry guys! I didn't know what I was doing!"
"It's alright Jane. It wasn't your fault." Carlos said gently before glaring at Celia and Audrey.
"So what are you going to do? Kill us all and take over the kingdom? Mal guessed still not understanding how Audrey was able to hold the sceptre without falling victim to its sleeping curse.
"Oh we are not really going to do anything." Celia smirked. "She is!"
Green smoke suddenly engulfed Audrey and a familiar evil cackle rings out as Maleficent appeared in front of Audrey "I'm baaaaacccccck!"
"Mother" Mal says flatly.
Cliffhanger! Sorry I had to. The drama is starting what's going to happen now? You'll find out next chapter I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Review? Pretty please?