Chapter Six

A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.

Okay in all honesty, Emir and Akiho were not going to be in this chapter, it was just supposed to be Mal getting used to her wheelchair. BriarEvans and LotusQuil mentioning them in their review was what got my gears going and I couldn't help but include them :D

Oh, I also don't own the little Easter egg at the end of the chapter—if Romeo and Juliet exists in Descendants, other forms of literature would as well imo!

scarygirl360: I'm so glad you liked him! He was sos much fun to write :D

Katt Kiki: It'll be a bit longer but yeah, the truth's going to come out.

danifan3000: Goblins maybe? I mean they're dumb enough that they were looking for a baby for sixteen years, I'm sure they'd let it slip.

BriarEvans: I'm so glad you liked young Ben! And ask and you shall receive re: young Emir and Akiho!

AmethystDragon14: Yay! I know it was so much fun to write with the cuteness, and honestly tell me this wasn't how Ben acted as a kid? Ben may be my favorite though I don't think I hide that all that well lol!

Anonymous Reader: I'm so glad you liked him!

Hufflepuff24: Yeah he definitely called his own reputation there but it's one of the things we love about Benny!

twilightgirl587: Yeah Ben doesn't think dragons are evil and I think Auradon might just help Mal get a bit of her innocence back.

IWantColouredRain: Oh I'm sure things will improve over time.

LotusQuil: Lol yeah sorry Ben, but once Mal meets Emir and Akiho, you'd better pray your kingdom remains standing :D It's entirely possible that Mal'll get that extra inch!

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D

Wheelchairs are stupid, Mal thought as she struggled to turn the wheels on her chair. She'd finally been given leave to explore the castle she and Lady Steph were staying in—thankfully they were staying in a room on the ground floor.

Mal did not want to see what would happen if she tried to wheel herself down a flight of stairs. Oh sure the attendants were always super helpful but honestly Mal wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

You can't get something for nothing after all and the attendants never asked for anything in return for helping. Meaning they had to want something in return but they were just being shy about asking.

Or they'd be taking it no matter what.

I wish I had my sword, that way if any of those attendants tried anything I could defend myself, Mal thought with a small sigh as she finally got the wheels moving. The blasted thing was not made for someone with short arms—and it was a good thing Uma wasn't there otherwise Mal knew that she would never hear the end of it. How do they handle it being so bright around here? It's honestly insane.

She was just counting her blessings that she managed to make it outside but found that there really wasn't much she could do while in her chair.

"Hiya!"

"Oh…hi Benny," Mal said as Ben walked up to her, his usual face splitting smile on his lips. "What are you doing?"

"Maman and papa are in a meeting with Emir and Akiho's mamas and papas so I thought I'd come introduce you," Ben said.

"Who?"

"Emir and Akiho! They're two of my best friends!" Ben said as he went behind the chair and then paused. "Do you…do you want me to push you? I know Elle doesn't like it when people do unless they ask but Chip says you shouldn't ask because it's rude and that it should be the person in the chair who gets to ask to be pushed."

Mal shrugged. "Whatever you want to do Benny."

Honestly him pushing me would be a lot more comfortable than trying to turn the wheels myself, she thought but wouldn't say it out loud. No sense in revealing more of a weakness than what was obvious.

"But…it's your chair. You should be the one to make the choice," Ben said and then seemed to brighten up as an idea came to him. "Wait a minute! Instead of taking you to Emir and Akiho since I don't know how your chair would do on the grass…I'll bring Emir and Akiho to you!"

"Wha—?"

Before Mal could finish her question, Ben had run off leaving one very confused Fae alone by herself. However it wasn't long before Ben returned; two other boys joining him. Well it was more like Ben had dragged the other two boys by the arms but they didn't seem like they were about to complain.

"Mal, this is Emir and Akiho. Emir, Akiho, this is Mal," Ben said with a grin. "She likes dragons too!"

"No fair!" One of the boys said, his blond hair flopping in his face. "What if she likes reindeer too? Have you asked her that Ben?"

"…what are reindeer?" Mal asked.

The boy gasped, causing the other boy to shake his head; his raven hair flopping into his eyes. "Akiho, relax. I'm sure you'll be able to talk Mal's ear off about reindeers at Ben's party."

"Oh good," Akiho grinned. "And I know you're going to lie about tigers being better Emir so I need to beat you to the punch."

Ben chuckled and then paused. "Oh right! I knew I forgot something! Be right back!"

"Where is he going…?" Mal asked and trailed off as Ben seemed to run to the castle.

Akiho shrugged. "Who knows? But anyway, nice to meet you Mal! Can I sign your cast?"

"What's with everyone wanting to do that?"

"It's what you do. Can I?"

Mal shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

Akiho grinned and took the marker that Mal had on the side of her chair for such a purpose, taking care to make his lettering nice and neat.

Not that it worked but the attempt was appreciated.

"…You're not related to Elsa are you?" Mal asked.

"She's my Auntie!" Akiho said with a grin. "How'd you know?"

"The snowflake over the 'i' in your name gave it away." Mal said with a slight shrug. She had no issue with Anna or her family, Hans was a mid level villain anyway despite being a Prince. He'd tried to join the Dragon's gang but didn't get lucky there.

According to Maleficent, no one in power wanted someone who'd attempted a coup to be around them. It was one of the few lessons that she had taught Mal that were actually lessons and not an excuse to inflict pain.

"So…are you Mowgli's kid?" Mal asked, looking at the other boy. Hey with the black hair and the tanned skin, it was a logical guess.

'Emir' snorted in amusement. "If I was Mowgli's kid, do you think I would like tigers?"

"Then who's kid are you?"

Before he could answer, Ben came running back with something in his hand. "Oh good you guys are still here!"

"Where would we go without you?" Akiho asked, tilting his head.

Ben shook his head in amusement before turning to Mal. "Here! I wanted to give you this last week when I gave you my favorite books from the library but I left it in maman's room cause my hands were too full."

"I think Lady Steph had to help you find your way to my room," Mal said, smirking slightly at the memory. Ben truly had stacked a pile of books so high that he couldn't even see over it.

How he made it as far as he did without hurting himself until Lady Steph stepped in was a miracle.

Emir snorted in amusement. "So typical Ben then? He does the same thing when he visits Agrabah."

"Once! I did it once!"

"Yeah, the first time you visited!"

Mal, though, frowned slightly as she heard 'Agrabah'. She'd lived with the Dragon long enough to know that was where Jafar was from—meaning there was only one hero who could be Emir's parents.

Well…it's a good thing I'm not too close to Jay, Mal said as Emir, Akiho, and Ben joked around. Honestly the three of them kinda remind me of Uma, Harry, and me. Maybe…maybe Boreadon's not so bad…

As if knowing what she was thinking of, her ankle began to throb causing her to gasp softly in pain. She hadn't meant to, in all honesty it was almost against her will.

"You okay?" Ben asked, hearing the gasp.

"How did you—?"

Emir shook his head. "Ben can hear anything! No matter how soft you say it, he can hear it. But he's right, are you okay?"

"Yeah…just my ankle," Mal said, her voice soft. It was one thing telling Lady Steph that she needed pain medicine but it was another thing entirely to tell three Boreadon boys…err Auradon boys.

For some reason, she found herself mentally correcting herself whenever she thought the word 'Boreadon' after seeing Ben.

"Oh…" Ben said and frowned slightly. He didn't like the idea of Mal being in pain and not saying anything.

"We didn't hurt it when we signed your cast?" Akiho asked.

"…I though you were the only one who signed it today, snowflake?" Mal said, tilting her head.

Emir chuckled, tossing the marker up and down in his hand. "Akiho makes it way too easy to swipe from him," he teased.

"Your mama said you're only supposed to use what your papa taught you in emergencies though," Ben said, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, and Akiho not giving up the marker was an emergency Ben!"

Mal snorted slightly in amusement. I think Harry might like these guys, she thought. Though I don't know how they'd do on the Isle and I know there's no way Harry would leave his family. Especially to come here.

"But anyway, we got off topic," Ben said and turned to Mal, smiling at her. "We're having a party for my birthday and I want you to come."

"…really?" Mal asked. "You want me there?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Ben asked. "I get to have my friends at my party and you're my friend."

Mal shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to appear around Boreadon royals with her ankle still in her cast. She didn't want to look weak. "I…I don't think other royals would want a kid from the Isle at your party."

"Wait you're from the Isle? What's it like?"

"Ignore the walking sugar rush," Emir said, shaking his head as he covered Akiho's mouth as the blond continued to rattle off questions.

"He's…he's not running away," Mal said.

"Why would he do that?" Emir asked. "You're nice. Like Ben. And we like Ben so why wouldn't we like you?"

Ben nodded. "And it doesn't matter what other royals want Mal. I want you there. Like I said, you're my friend. Not to mention it wouldn't be fair to have a party here and not invite you!"

"People might not show up if they know I'm there though."

"So? Then that just means we get our own supercool party with just us, Emir, Akiho, Abby, and Chip! More cake for us too! Well not for Abby cause she'd just get it all over her face and that's a waste of cake."

"…I'm sure your parents don't want me there," Mal said softly.

Ben shrugged. "Maman and papa say I can have whoever I want at my birthday and I want you."

"Feeling the love Ben!"

"Emir, you already got an invite!" Ben shook his head before looking back at Mal. "If the others who are coming have an issue with you being there, they can talk to me about it. It's my birthday….but if you don't want to come you don't have to."

Mal sighed. Someday he's going to reveal how he can do those eyes, she thought. It's like looking at a kicked puppy!

"…I'll ask Lady Steph," she said after a minute and pocketed the invite.

Ben grinned. "Great! Now I think Chip said that there were some strawberries and chocolate dip in the kitchen for a snack while we wait for our mamas and papas to get out of their meeting."

"What're strawberries?" Mal asked and that seemed to be the key to unlock the pure insanity that was the trio of boys before her as they quickly scurried her to the kitchen; Emir and Akiho lifting the wheels of her chair and Ben holding the back so she wouldn't fall out as they went up the stairs.

After that it was like a race to see who would reach the kitchens first. It turned out that it was a three way tie; Ben had pushed Mal in her chair who honestly hadn't minded.

Better than losing a race because her arms couldn't reach the wheels.

"Hello dearies," Mrs. Potts said with a smile as she saw the four of them. "I take it Chip already told you about your snack?"

"Yes ma'am Mrs. Potts," Ben nodded.

Mrs. Potts chuckled. "Well it's right there on your table Ben," she said, pointing to a small plastic table with a white top and green benches that were attached. "There's enough for everyone too so no need to fight over them."

"Why would we do that?" Akiho asked as they went over to the snack.

Why wouldn't you? Getting more food than the others means you'll survive longer, Mal thought as she made her way over to the table. Ben had placed a paper plate in front of her.

"Maman and papa alway say that guests get their food first," Ben said as he saw a quizzical look on Mal's face.

"But they're your guests too," Mal said, pointing at Emir and Akiho.

"It's Ladies first though," Emir said. "Aziz says that's why Ash gets food first but I say it's because she's a baby."

"Your sister's two isn't she?"

"Still a baby!"

Mal snorted. "I'm not a lady," she said. Though she wasn't going to argue with getting her food before everyone else.

She took one of the red berries that were before her and popped it in her mouth. Her eyes grew wide as the juice from the strawberry ran over her tongue. It was honestly nothing she'd ever had before.

"Hmmm!"

"You like it?" Ben asked with a grin; Emir and Akiho having gotten their food and Ben finally dishing his own from the big bowl of strawberries.

Mal nodded before pausing as she noticed that Emir and Akiho hadn't started. "Do you guys not like them?"

"…Ben doesn't have his food," Akiho said.

"So?" Mal asked. "No offense to Benny but if you're hungry, why not eat?"

"Aziz and Chip say that's rude," Emir said with a shrug. "But he's got his food now so no worries there."

The boys began to eat and Mal shrugged before digging back into her strawberries. Honestly they were so sweet that the dip almost seemed pointless.

Though judging by the ring around Akiho's mouth, he was quite fond of the dip.

"…you don't have to eat so fast," Akiho said after a minute.

Mal frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're eating like we're racing. We can race if you want! Papa and Uncle Sven do it all the time with their carrots but mama says that it's not good for you. It can make you sick."

Mal shrugged. "That's how it's done where I'm from," she said and resumed eating her strawberries. And if Ben happened to slip an extra one or two into her bowl because she finished before the rest of them, well, she pretended not to notice.

She wouldn't take pity but she would take strawberries.

"Why am I not surprised you four are here?" Persephone's voice called from the doorway though she looked amused than anything else. "Hello Prince Emir, Prince Akiho. Your parents are looking for you."

"How'd you know where we were Lady Steph?" Mal asked.

"I ran into young Chip in the hallway," Persephone said as Emir and Akiho scurried out of the kitchen. "Thank you so much for looking after Mal for me, Prince Ben."

"I like having Mal around," Ben said with a smile. "I was happy to do it Lady Steph."

Persephone smiled before looking at Mal. "I think it's time the two of us had a little nap don't you think?"

"…do Goddesses nap?"

"After they've had a meeting with Zeus? Of course we do."

Granted, that wasn't the only reason why Persephone wanted Mal to come to their room. She knew it'd been a while since the last dose of pain medication and she wanted to make sure that Mal wasn't hurting.

"After your nap, could I come by with another book?" Ben asked.

"Benny, you've filled my bedside table with books," Mal said with a small chuckle. "Anymore and you'll bury me in them."

"You say that like it's a bad thing!"

"Well when I've finished the dozens of books you've brought over you can bring over another book deal?"

Ben sighed. "Okay…"

"Are you pouting?" Mal chuckled.

"No!"

Mal shook her head. "Well…see you later Benny," she said as she started to wheel herself out of the kitchen; Persephone following her.

"Did you have fun today?" Persephone asked.

"It was…interesting," Mal said. "Ben….he invited me to his birthday."

Persephone smiled slightly. "Oh he did? Queen Belle had mentioned that he'd be having a party for his birthday and that it'd be coming up."

In fact I think his birthday is close to yours Mal, she thought. I'm just sorry I couldn't throw a big party for your birthday.

Mal's birthday, June 11th, had been the day unfortunately that Persephone had the meeting with Belle. Thankfully though it looked like it'd also been the birthday where Mal had made an excellent friend in Prince Ben.

And it's not as if it went ignored, Persephone thought. We had a smallish party, just the two of us. Though I had to pretend I only found out about your birthday through Auradon records rather than the fact that your father told me. Once I'm able to get custody of Mal and she knows who Hades is to her, every birthday she'll be spoiled rotten.

"Lady Steph?"

"Hmm?" Persephone asked, looking down at Mal as they made their way to their room.

"What…what do you get a Prince for his birthday?"

Persephone gave her a warm smile. "I'm sure we can find something."

"I mean…I know it won't be fancy," Mal said. "But he invited me to his party. It'd be cruel not to get him something and I'm wicked. Not cruel. There's a difference."

"Oh really?"

"At least…according to Uma there is. She likes to say that as the oldest in our group, she's the most wise of us. Oh! And we need to get him something nice! I'm not doing a Maleficent with the whole cursing thing."

"I know Prince Ben will like whatever you get him Mal," Persephone said, smiling slightly at the young girl.

"But what do I get him?" Mal asked, tilting her head.

Persephone chuckled slightly as they entered their room, looking at the stuffed dragon sitting on Mal's bed. "Well perhaps we could get Prince Ben something with dragons on it?"

Mal perked up at the thought. Maybe I could get him an ally for his dragon? Since I've been hogging the toy, she thought. It'd have to be different colors though, who's ever heard of a blue and gold dragon?

"We…we could get him an ally for his dragon toy?" Mal suggested. "Maybe Chip would know where they got Flamey in the first place?"

"I think that's a great idea," Persephone said as she gently lifted Mal up and put her on the bed. "But now I think it's time that someone had a dose of pain medicine."

"…blech!"

Persephone chuckled. "I know, I know. It tastes horrible but at least you won't be in pain while your ankle heals. Tell you what, you take this dose and we can read one of the books that Prince Ben brought."

"Could we read about the boy wizard?" Mal asked, perking up slightly. "We were on the chapter about the dragon!"

Persephone nodded. "Of course. But first thing's first."

Mal pouted slightly but took the medicine. A deal was a deal after all. Even if the pain medicine was still rather gross!

"Now then, let's get this chapter going," Persephone said as she sat on the bed, opening the book to the requested chapter. And if she happened to notice Mal curling up a little closer than she had previously, clutching the blue and gold dragon to her, well Persephone never said a word.

Even as her heart soared through the entire chapter.

Don't worry Mali, Persephone thought. I'll make sure this becomes your life. You have my word.