Chapter Seventy Eight
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!
*ducks incoming projectiles* I know, I know! It's been a while! Apologies for the delay, unfortunately for this fic at least, it was a combination of writer's block the first couple of days and then the Fourth of July weekend keeping me from writing. But the good news is that the writer's block is all done (hopefully)—I mean this chapter is 7062 words without the a/n so hopefully that's a good sign lol!
The newest reading guest was inspired by a review from danifan3000 over on Small Twists of Fate. I honestly couldn't resist after I read that review :D
Lauriverfanboy1: I mean anything's possible re: Zeus getting a fireball but Hades might not want to scar the Smee twins :D
LotusQuil: He really is, and I'm pretty sure that if I was a parent I'd follow my own parents examples of going to bat for the kid (but not before going into a room to scream and blow some fireballs if I could lol). It would have been nice if the movies explored Carlos' tech side more so I couldn't resist having him fanboy over Hiro!
The Christian Dino: In the original Tarzan books, Tarzan and Clayton are cousins however it's never been confirmed that they are in the movie. So glad you liked the chapter!
twilightgirl587: Oh I'm so glad you liked the chapter! And yeah there is, it's chapter 13 of Choosing Love. And a one shot of Mulan finding out of what Natalie was doing to Mal is entirely possible! In the original Tarzan books, Tarzan and Clayton are cousins though it was never 100% confirmed in the movie.
JaclynnM: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! For the time period of the people reading, it's after Ben's proclamation, when the VKs arrived in Auradon.
Marcus Emrys: Oh yay! And I can completely understand! I…I think you meant 'Freddy' right? Cause otherwise we're dealing with Uma's sister and I don't think Uma or Celia would be quite happy about that!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Oh trust me, nothing made me happier than writing that chapter! Plus now Nat Bat might just be losing her job as Audrey's handler now that Aurora and Phillip know her true colors! Akiho's always great!
BAL4ever: So glad you liked the chapter!
jessaminego5134: So glad you liked the chapter! LotusQuil has a chapter on what Hades did to Leah in their fic Adventures in Auradon. I highly recommend checking it out!
DS Rider: In the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan and Clayton are cousins however it was never confirmed in the movies.
Katt Kiki: It'll definitely be interesting that's for sure!
danifan3000: The fact that Clayton had a sister is less disturbing to me than it should be…so then I guess the question is is she on the Isle too? Or since Descendants said no to the sequels being canon, did that mean that the TV shows were also hit with the non-canon stick?
Bluebird: Natalie's still alive in the Choosing series…and it's entirely possible she could come back.
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Oh happy belated birthday! I hope it was a good one! :D
smc: So glad you enjoyed the chapter!
descendantsluver: …So just to make sure I'm clear—Mal being the product between Hades and Maleficent even though Hades was the one of the Big Three to never cheat on his wife Persephone is a-okay but Tarzan and Clayton being cousins, even though they are in the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, is absurd?
ReaderFreak5000: So if you're looking to see how Hades dealt with Leah, I'd recommend going over to LotusQuil's fic Adventures in Auradon. They've got a chapter on just that and it's quite good if I say so myself!
Flaresouth: It might have just evolved naturally over the fic :D
CrystalKaouri: Yeah with the Smee twins being in the room, reactions needed to be tapered! Oh yeah, Freddy's coming up…but at least that also means they get to see his beat down at the hands of Mal! :D
IWantColouredRain: So glad you liked the chapter!
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Mal looked around the private room she, Persephone, and Hades had sequestered themselves into; Malinda and Benji slipping in after them. In their hurry, they hadn't realized that the room they'd chosen was the same room where Hades had let loose his rage and worry.
"Gee dad, think you might have worried a bit too much?" Mal asked, smirking slightly as she saw the scorch marks. "I mean…I know the Fates have the rooms protected and all but still…"
Her parents didn't say a word but instead both of them rushed toward Mal and scooped her up into their arms.
"You know, I'm a little surprised younger you didn't make a comment about that," Benji muttered to Malinda.
"She was probably too stunned," Malinda muttered back.
"She's known your parents for how long and didn't expect them to hug her after reading all of what Natalie put you through?"
"Good point….where's Hadie? Speaking of family members, I would have thought he'd be here too."
"Did you all forget someone?!" Hadie's voice called from the other side of the door, causing Hades' and Persephone's heads to pop up like meerkats poking their heads out of their tunnels to check to see if the coast was clear. "I mean…super secret family meetings are cool and all but they're not family meetings if the whole family isn't there!"
Malinda shook her head and opened the door for Hadie and Estelle to trot in. "See you've included another member of the family?"
"Of course," Hadie nodded. "You honestly thought Estelle would be happy being left out of the family meeting?"
Estelle snorted, as if agreeing with Hadie's question.
"I'm sorry boy, I don't know what I was thinking," Malinda said with a small chuckle. "Clearly, having you here makes the most sense."
Especially since it's likely going to get emotional, she thought as she held back a small sigh at the memories that were threatening to come flooding back. All the meetings with Natalie, all the times where she felt like there was no one she could turn to because her mother was back on the Isle with her father…
"Mal…honey," Persephone said, her voice soft as she broke from the hug and looked at her daughter. "You know you can always turn to your father or me if you need help, right?"
"Yeah," Mal nodded. "You've made that clear mom."
"Clearly not enough though," Hades said as he too broke from the hug though it was more reluctantly than his wife. That wasn't to say that Persephone didn't want to hug Mal, but more that as long as Hades was hugging his daughter, he was less likely to flame up.
The last thing he wanted to do was potentially hurt his daughter.
"Mom…I don't think I'm the one who needs the talk," Mal said as she glanced over to her older self before looking back at Persephone. "I mean, I know who I am. I'm your daughter and I always will be. And yeah, I won't lie, hearing what those idiots came up with hurt somewhat but I didn't believe them for a second. And I wasn't tempted to change anything…but…you guys saw what reading the scroll where Harry broke his ribs put Harry through. You don't think older me needs some comfort right now?"
"Nice deflection," Hadie said as Estelle trotted over to Malinda and gently licked her hand.
"Good boy," Malinda said softly as she scratched Estelle behind the ears. "You're always my good boy aren't you? No matter what time we're in…"
Persephone couldn't help the sad smile that tugged at her lips as she saw the sight before her before turning back to her daughter. Err…the younger version of her daughter.
"I know you were born on the Isle," she said, keeping her voice gentle, "and I know that it's commonplace to just pretend that you don't need help but if an adult is making you feel bad about yourself, Mal, it's not weakness to go to someone and say you need help. As a matter of fact, it's strength."
"How?" Mal asked, tilting her head. "You're just admitting at that point that you can't solve an issue by yourself and you need help. Also known as admitting weakness."
"Was Harry admitting weakness when you, Uma, and Jay helped him out with his broken ribs?" Hadie asked, speaking up before either Persephone or Hades could say anything.
"No of course not," Mal said, shaking her head.
"Then what's the difference?" Hadie asked. "I mean yeah I know Harry was physically injured but I mean, you were so stressed in the scrolls that you were flaring up and you almost hit Gil with a fireball. Not that Harry would have cared all that much but still."
Mal snorted softly as she knew that her brother had a point vis-à-vis Harry's reaction to Gil getting a fireball to his person.
Malinda sighed. "When it's Harry's case, the physical injury was something we could help with," she said, her voice soft. "But with Natalie…she started off small. Just a few passive aggressive comments here and there and…"
"And you didn't think it was necessary to 'rally' the troops because you didn't want anyone to think you couldn't handle some mean words," Hades said and Malinda nodded.
"But then it became coupled with The Gazelle but I still didn't think it necessary because almost everyone had been written about, or at least almost every royal," she continued. "If they hadn't complained, what right did I?"
"Oh trust me, I have a feeling that the other parents out there are planning a class action suit against that 'newspaper' as we speak," Hades said. "I wouldn't even be surprised if Zeus got pulled into it. I mean, I know none of his grandchildren had mentioned being written about but he's still the God of Law after all. Who better to have on your side in a lawsuit?"
"Dad…are you…?"
"I'm aware of what I said. It'll be the only time a compliment graces my lips concerning my little brother."
"Just as long as you're aware that you're giving Zeus a compliment."
Hades shook his head. "You're not going to get me off track here, Mal. Remember what I told you when you left the Isle for Auradon. No matter what happens over there, Never apologize for who you are or try to change yourself to make the simpering royals happy."
"But…Natalie didn't seem to be…"
"Doesn't matter what her rank is. She was simpering enough to fall under the 'simpering royal' category," Hades said firmly.
Malinda couldn't help but smile softly as she rested her head onto Benji's shoulder. "To be fair to my younger self, sixteen plus years of a belief is sometimes hard to shake."
"We can see if we can't get Fairy Godmother to add something like that to the Remedial Goodness 101 curriculum," Benji said as he gently kissed her head. "To let the incoming VKs know that there are people they can turn to if something like this happens to them."
Malinda sighed. "I…I know it probably was irrational but at the beginning of the whole Natalie thing…I really did feel alone…"
"But you weren't—."
"And I know that," Malinda said, looking at her brother as Benji continued to hold her close. "But I didn't have Uma or Harry or even you Hadie to lean on. I know I had my first meeting with Natalie the day you arrived but she hadn't held back from her comments then either. Plus Evie and I were still on 'neutral' terms so we weren't really close enough for me to have that kind of talk with her. And…and my relationship with Ben was still in its early stages…I didn't want to seem like Audrey, demanding his attention for what I thought was a small thing. By the time it got to where it was, and I did have people who I felt like I could lean on…my mindset was pretty much 'my problem, I'll deal with it…' and well, you saw how that went."
Not to mention there was probably a part of me that was worried about my rep, she thought. If it got back to the Isle that one of the most feared VKs known to them, a co-leader of one of the strongest crews/gangs on the Isle, couldn't handle simple words…everyone under my protection would have been made a target…
"…What about Jay?" Hades asked, pulling Malinda out of her thoughts.
"Jay would have been back on the Isle for killing Natalie had I gone to him about all of this, dad," Malinda shook her head.
"I don't see that as a bad thing, and your sunspot there probably would have pardoned Jay."
"Hmm…yeah, I probably would have," Benji nodded. After all, he would have pardoned Harry had he killed Freddy during the coup attempt. Anything to protect Mal after all.
Mal chuckled. "Well I'm not going to have to deal with Nat Bat so we don't need to worry about Jay potentially becoming a murderer."
"True," Hades said before gently resting a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "But know that, no matter what happens, you always have people you can lean on. You have family on the other side of the bridge, and your mom even if it's six months out of the year. Not to mention you apparently have Mulan."
"Which I wish I'd known back when I was dealing with Nat Bat," Malinda said. "I missed a good opportunity to watch Mulan go ham on Natalie."
"Well there's still the chance she'll do it now," Hadie pointed out.
"Very true, Storm Cloud," Malinda nodded. Before anyone had the chance to say anything more, a commotion could be heard in the main room. Everyone rushed out of their side room to see what had happened, only to pause in shock.
"Ben…you're seeing what I'm seeing right?" Malinda asked.
"If by that, you mean to ask if you're seeing Captain Hook standing in front of us?" Benji asked.
"In fact, yes, that's exactly what I'm asking."
"Then yep, I am."
"Oh good….and why is Captain Hook here?"
"I don't know but I vote you stay far away from him," Benji said. "For firefly's sake?"
Malinda sighed. "I'm not leaving Harry by his lonesome, Ben—."
"I know. And if anything happens, I'll handle Hook," Benji promised. "You're not the only one who cares about Harry. He's done so well rising above the trauma Hook caused him, you're not the only one who doesn't want him to have that taken away and have him slip back."
Malinda smiled softly. "I know, and that's one of the things I love about you. How much you care about my friends and how you made them your friends too."
Benji smiled softly. "I know…but something tells me we don't have to worry. It sounds like Harry's mom has a mama bear mode that could rival yours, and she's just unleashed it."
Sure enough, Milah was up in Hook's face, glaring at him as Harriet pulled Harry behind her.
"What's going on?" Hook asked, looking around. "Hades? Milah? Smee? Where's Mollie?"
"I'd say Mollie's whereabouts are the least of your worries, James Killian Hook!" Milah growled. "Wold you care to explain to me what you were thinking when you started abusing our son? You're lucky I'm not disemboweling you this very minute!"
"What? Milah, what are you talking about?" Hook asked. "I never touched our son! We don't even have a son yet, but if we did, I'd never—."
No one noticed the flash of hurt that crossed Harry's face as he heard those words. Even if he tried pretending that he didn't need the Captain, hearing him say he didn't have a son…
"We do have a son James Killian!" Milah exclaimed. "We have three amazing children—."
"Three? Milah, we have two kids," Hook said. "Jess and Harriet. Last I checked, you were pregnant with our third. And I would never lay hand nor hook on any of the kids! You, Hades, and Persephone worked to find ways I could hold our kids without hurting them with the hook!"
Looking over Milah's shoulder, Hook gestured to Claudine. "Look, Jessica's right there…though I must say she's a lot older than when I last saw her…and I'll question why she's sitting with a boy who has his arm around her later but—."
"Who's Jessica? I mean I wouldn't mind changing my name but why would you be talking to me about Henry?" Claudine asked.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Claudine wouldn't object a name change," Henry nodded.
"What do you mean 'Claudine'? Her name's Jessica," Hook said before turning back to Milah. "Milah, you named her after her mother. Don't you remember?"
Audie gasped softly. I…I don't think this is Harry's Captain Hook, she thought.
"Um…Captain Hook sir? I don't think that's the Jessica you left," she said softly. Hey, even if it was Harry's Hook, then it couldn't hurt to be polite then could it? "They may look alike but here, that's Claudine Frollo."
Hook's face darkened as he heard that. However, because he was focused on Audie, he never noticed Harry flinch or Harriet put her hand on her sword or even the brief flash of fear that shone in CJ's eyes. "Frollo? Are you telling me Frollo got his hands on my daughter? How did that happen? The Fanatic wouldn't dare step food in the Underworld! Hades would flambé him after either Milah's or my sword made a skewer out of him. Explain!"
Audie paled slightly, not used to being on the angry side of Captain Hook as, well, she had never met him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Phillip go for where his sword would be on his belt before he realized that he didn't have one on him.
Taking a steadying breath, Audie continued. "I don't know what happened in this timeline, but in mine, Claudine was never your daughter. She was raised by Frollo with her brother Freddy. Also…from what we've read…I don't think Lord Hades would help you."
Looking at the group, Audie said, "Look why don't we all calm down for a moment? I think…I think we might have to explore the possibility that the Fates brought in a Hook from a different timeline."
"Oh like they did with me and you?" Lucas asked.
"Exactly," Audie nodded. "Especially since Captain Hook here doesn't seem to know what Miss. Milah is talking about. Captain…why don't you tell us what you know? Mr. Smee's already told bus that there was speculation over who Claudine's biological father was…you're saying she was raised with you? How'd that happen?"
Hook nodded slowly. "Gods…different timeliness. Well…first of all, if it makes it easier for everyone just go ahead and call me James. Except for my kids of course, nothing but papa from them."
"…Gods that's weird," Harriet muttered.
"…Alright then," Hook…err James said. "From the day she was born, Jess was raised by me and Milah. Her mother…she died in childbirth and Mollie, her first mate, brought Jess to me because there were two possibilities for her father and Mollie didn't want Jessica's child to be raised by that Fanatic. She'd never know her heritage or at the very least be told lies about it. However, Milah was pregnant with Harriet so we approached Hades to let us ally ourselves with him and live in the Underworld at least until Milah gave birth and Frollo stopped looking for Jess—there was thought he'd go to The Rose and he found out Mollie had lied to him…well the protection was extended to Smee, Mollie, and young Sammy as well."
Shaking his head softly, James continued, "And that's where we're at right now, we've lived under Hades' protection for about three years now. Because their birthdays were so close together, we've passed Jess and Harriet off as twins and that's all they've known. As far as they and as far as we are concerned, whether she is Frollo's or not, Jessica is a Hook. And as I've said, that's where we are. The girls are about three right now with Milah pregnant with our third child but I see the gender question just got answered for me."
He gave Milah and Harry each a small smile though it turned into a small frown as he saw Harry's wary eyes and noticed how the other VKs Harry's age had moved closer to Harry as if to block any access James might have had to him even though Harriet pretty much had him covered with her body.
"What's going on?" James asked Milah. "You're all acting like I've attacked someone, or at least your version of me did. Did I finally pummel Frollo into the dirt and the kids saw?"
Everyone in the room looked at each other, unsure of who wanted to be the one to break the news to him before Milah sighed. "Not exactly…I'm not sure how much of what I yelled at you sunk in or if the Isle has a medical system in your timeline but…we don't here. This is going to sound crazy but…you're in the lair of the Fates right now because it's the only way for me to be here right now…having been dead for fourteen years."
"What?" James gasped.
Milah nodded. "I…I die in childbirth with our youngest child, the young blonde girl you see next to Harriet? That's our youngest daughter, CJ…well after my death…you… like I said before…you started abusing our son. In this timeline, you broke his ribs when he was nine because he stopped working the counter at the fish shop to go and save one of his crew…they're looking at you like you'll attack someone because to them, you but not you has attacked Harry before…"
James continued to stare at her in shock. "Wha…I…Milah I can promise you I'd never do that. You'd skewer me in a heartbeat if I touched any one of the kids like that! But…Gods a world without you in it? Do High King Eric and High Queen Ariel know about the lack of medical system? I mean we don't have one either but there's not hat much death. Mainly the monthly barges but that's because Maleficent steals about 90 percent of the food and leaves the other ten for the crowds to fight over…and…and I abuse our son in your timeline? Or at least this version of me?"
Well, if we wanted proof he's a different Hook, I think we just got it, Audie thought.
"Yeah, losing your wife clearly screws with your marbles, Hook, and your kids pay the price," Hades growled.
"Wait, I'm sorry, but what do you mean we're High King and Queen?" Eric asked as Ariel, Belle, and Beast looked just as shocked as Eric sounded.
James nodded. "Exactly that. Why wouldn't you be? You're the Granddaughter and Grandson in Law to Lord Posideon after all. Wait…if you're not High King and Queen in this timeline…who is?"
"Is it wrong that I think that slightly makes sense?" Hera whispered to Demeter.
"I was more impressed that he was showing respect to Posideon and then I remembered that pirates still need to sail on the ocean," Demeter whispered back.
Just got to say he's taking the whole 'different timeline' thing well, Mal thought to Uma.
Doesn't matter. He tries anything, I'm kicking him back to his timeline. You know the Fates at least warned us that Audie was of a different timeline. Why not do the same thing here?
And risk Harry freaking out?
…Good point.
"We are," Belle said, her voice soft as she gestured to herself and Beast and pulling the two Godlings out of their private conversation.
James shook his head. "Well, no wonder the Isle has no medical system! Beastie finally got his dream to torture the villains because 'Death was too good for them' right?"
"We can question how he knows that later," Harriet muttered.
Ben sighed. "That might have been the original sentiment, though I can't speak for decisions made in the past, but the Isle is a part off Auradon and therefore the Isle's citizens are Auradon's citizens. We're only just now finding out how horrid life is on the Isle but you can rest assured…we will work to fix it."
James shook his head. "Not in time that your version of me has a chance to fix the relationship with our son if the way he and Harriet are glaring at me is anything to go on…but who are you? I mean, I'm guessing you're Beastie and Belle's son since you answered for them but…"
Ben nodded. "You'd be correct, I'm my parents' son. I'm Ben…and I'm not exactly sure how to begin introductions. It was a lot different when Audie and Lucas arrived."
The last thing I want is to make this uncomfortable for Harry but there's no reason to not be polite, he thought.
"Well why don't you let me start?" CJ said. She had the easiest relationship with their version of Hook after all. "Hi papa! Calstia Jane Hook but call me CJ if you don't want a death glare…as…as mom said, I'm your youngest."
James smiled slightly as he looked at CJ. "Well now I know Milah and I have a fourth gem in our future."
"Yeah, and maybe now you won't spend mom's entire pregnancy promising a brother that'll never come," Harry muttered darkly as he continued to glare at James.
James sighed as he heard that. "If I remember this when I get back, I'll remember not to do that lad."
"Barbs get us nowhere Harry," Harriet said as Harry opened his mouth. "This may be pointless since you know me but hi Captain. I'm..well I guess I'm Harriet. Just an older version than the one you know."
James' smile returned as he saw his second eldest child. "You've certainly grown up lass. I can still remember you crying about your sword breaking because you tripped over your foam sword Persephone got you when you were a baby."
Harriet couldn't help but flush because even though she knew that wasn't her childhood, that was still not something she wanted to have brought up around Sammy.
Sammy gave her a small smile because she could very easily picture Harriet doing that, though she didn't say anything. She didn't want to embarrass her Captain. Turning to James, she said, "Same boat, Captain. I'm the older version of the Sammy you know and First Mate to Harriet's Captain."
"I knew it!" James said with a grin. "I told Milah from the minute you two met! Smees always follow Hooks no matter where they are!"
"Papa? Do we follow CJ now?" Squeaky asked, looking at Smee.
CJ shook her head. "Sorry boys, if I'm ever a Captain, Ryan's my First Mate."
"Oh…"
Smee chuckled softly. "How about you two introduce yourselves?"
"Yes papa," Squeaky said as he gave James a shy wave. "Hi…I'm Skipper but…most…of the time I'm called Squeaky…I'm Sammy's brother."
Squirmy nodded. "Yeah…I'm Sterling but…I'm called Squirmy. We're twins."
"So you and Mollie have a pair of lads in the future, Smee? Congratulations, it's nice to meet you little laddies," James said with a grin.
Smee couldn't help but smile softly as his mind flashed to his Mollie before he returned his attention to the conversation at hand. "Thank you Cap'n…I wish Mollie could be here to see them though."
James sighed as he heard that. It was easy to put the pieces together—after all, if Milah had died in childbirth…
"Hi! I'm Dizzy Tremaine!" Dizzy said with her typical face splitting grin, having sensed the slight dip in the mood of the room.
James couldn't help but chuckle. "Well you're certainly a bright little seashell aren't you lassie? Good. It's good to know that the Isle hasn't take that from all the kids."
Evie gave Dizzy a fond smile before giving James a nod. "Evie, I'm the Evil Queen's daughter."
"Pleasure to meet you lass, to my knowledge Evil Queen hasn't had a daughter yet but I'm sure you'll be arriving soon in my timeline."
Celia glanced over at Uma. After all, she knew what Hook had done to Harry and she knew how her sister felt about her First Mate so she wasn't sure if she should answer. However, after a nod from Uma, she said, "Celia Facilier. Dr. Facilier's youngest daughter."
"And the thoughts are back…why do they plague me so?"
"Okay…" James said, giving Naveen a small look as he heard the royal's mutters before turning back to Celia. "Nice to meet you lass. You're not around yet ether but I've heard a few rumors about a girl who might be your older sister from Hades so no doubt you'll be along."
"Are you talking about Freddie or Uma? Cause I have two sisters."
"The thoughts will never leave me!"
"Well I'm fairly certain I've heard the name 'Freddie' here and there so it'll be her…and why does that man keep talking about thoughts?"
Tiana shook her head. "It's better if you don't ask."
"Captan? Is the name you've heard spelled with an 'ie' or an 'y'?" Claudine asked. "Because if it's with a 'y'…that would be my brother. Fred Frollo."
James' eyes narrowed slightly. "So. Frollo still entraps some poor woman to have his son here too? Yes I know of him, he still exists. No doubt Frollo's twisted him up even here but no, the name I've heard ends in an 'ie'. As I've said, Hades has thrown the name around and he's quick to ensure we know he's not talking about Frollo's lad just to ensure no yelling and scaring the girls."
"Right. Freddie Facilier. Facilier's eldest," Hades said, his voice short.
Henry glanced at Claudine before speaking up. He figured it would be a better idea to keep the mood even at the very least. "I don't know if you've met your timeline's me, Captain, but I'm Henry. Henry Kersey."
"Actually I do know of you. You're the same age as Jess," James said. "Your father's in my crew but please tell me he bucks up here. I don't know how I've resisted tossing him to that infernal crocodile for what he did to your mother."
Henry paused for a moment. He didn't want to badmouth his father in front of his father's Captain of all people but there was still no love lost between the two. "I wouldn't know sir," he said as Claudine rubbed his back. "I haven't spoken to my donor since my mother's passing."
James sighed. "I'll take that as 'he's still the same'," he muttered and shook his head.
"Um..I know I've kinda already been introduced but I'm Claudine," Claudine said. "If…if it'll make it easier for you though Captain…if you need to ask me something I'll respond to Jessica if you'd like."
"Thank you lass but I wouldn't want to confuse you," James said with a smile. "If everyone else is calling you Claudine, it'll be strange but I'll get used to it."
"If you like," Claudine said with a shrug. "I don't mind really. I've never been really keen on the name Claudine anyway."
The Auradon kids glanced at each other, unsure of whether or not they should say anything before the remaining VKs spoke up. They knew Ben had already gone but he was the future King after all. He couldn't not introduce himself.
Mal caught the glances the AKs were giving each other and grit her teeth slightly. "Mal. Hades and Persephone's daughter," she said, a cold note in her voice.
James smiled. "Nice to meet you lass. I'm sure my timeline's you will be coming soon."
Looking over at Hades, James added, "Congrats Hades. I figured with the girls calling you 'uncle', it'd be a matter of time before you had a lad or lass of your own."
"Okay…" Hades said, raising an eyebrow. "That thought will take some getting used to. The only person I'm really used to calling me 'uncle' is Uma."
"He's got one of each you know," Hadie muttered, glaring at James.
"Hadie…" Persephone sighed.
James nodded. "Nice to meet you lad. I haven't met you yet in my time but I'm sure you're coming," he said, noticing the glare.
"Jay. Son of Jafar." Jay said, his voice flat as he took his turn, knowing Uma likely wouldn't want to be the one to speak next.
"Ah yes, I think I've heard of you," James nodded. "You're only a toddler but from what I've heard, your father's already got you in training how to steal."
"My mother's the one who taught me how to steal," Jay said with a slight frown, "and I'm damn good at it if I say so myself. One of the best on the Isle in fact."
Mal, Harry, Hadie, and Uma all snorted in amusement.
"And so modest Jay," Mal chuckled before Uma looked over at James with a glare so cold it could freeze Tartarus.
"Uma. Ursula's daughter. And that's all the words I'm wasting on you," she spat out.
"She forgot to add 'future daughter in law'," Malinda muttered to Benji, amusement audible in her voice.
"Hush you, just be thankful Hook…I mean James hasn't noticed us," Benji muttered back though he had to hold back a chuckle. It wasn't as if he was afraid of James but explaining the whole 'future' versions thing would take too long.
James, though, nodded at Uma. He could understand the lass' anger, since it likely was directed more toward the other him than him himself.
Harry shook his head and stood up. "You all have got to be out of your minds. If the switch flipped once, it'll flip again," he muttered before stalking off to one of the side rooms and slamming the door shut.
Harriet, Uma, Mal, Jay, and Milah all looked at one another; more than slightly unsure of what to do. They didn't blame Harry, not in the slightest. But they weren't sure if they should go after him or give him a moment to gather his thoughts.
It was Hades who finally stood up and pointed a finger at James. "Stay. Harry doesn't want to see you right now which is understandable. So if you follow me in there…well if it wasn't for the fact that you've got kids back in your timeline, you'd be seeing Davy Jones' locker because I would personally be leading you to it. Finish up the introductions, do the tango, I don't care. Just stay."
James nodded. "Staying right here Hades but…can you at least tell him I understand? I would be confused around me too."
Hades nodded slightly. "I'll try but he might not want to hear that," he said before walking off to the side room. Knocking softly on the door, he waited before he heard Harry's voice and slipped into the room, making sure to close the door behind him.
Oh kid, Hades thought as Harry stood to his back to Hades but it was clear that Harry was trying to keep himself from crying by the way his shoulders were shaking. Also, you came into the room I flamed up in? Guess this is going to be the room for our family talks then.
Hades walked over to Harry, keeping silent as to not force Harry to suppress the emotions he was battling, and put a hand on Harry's shoulder; gently turning his son in all but blood into his chest. He frowned as Harry stiffened at the touch but it faded as Harry seemed to melt into the hug, as if the teen realized it was Hades and not James in the room with him.
Though he did hear me at the door, Hades thought but pushed those thoughts aside. Now was not the time.
"…I know it's probably bad form to say this, especially to you Lord Hades, but why do the Fates keep playing with me?" Harry muttered into Hades' chest. "First they won't let us skip the scroll where he made me a 'disgrace to piracy' and now they bring a version of him that, by the sounds of it, is the him I've always wanted but haven't had in twelve years? Do they get a kick out of tearing me apart?"
Hades softly wrapped Harry up in his arms. "Listen here kid, I don't think the Fates are playing with you. I don't know why they brought the alternative version of your father, but know this, you are not a 'disgrace to piracy'. I know if I had my choice, I'd rather have a pirate around who'd do anything to keep my daughter and great-niece safe than one who wouldn't help out out of fear of their Captain. You saved Mal's life that day and that is not a disgrace, that is showing the highest level of loyalty and care to your crew and Captains that anyone could ask of you. And know this Harry, I will never be able to thank you enough for what you did that day. If your father hadn't been so screwed in the head, he would have and should have been praising you up and down the Isle because you upheld what he taught you. In fact, you went beyond the Pirate Code."
"If…If we didn't lose mom…if the Runt hadn't killed her, he wouldn't be screwed up and I'd have my father back," Harry said, choking back tears as he tried to not cry in front of Hades. While he knew he could be weak in front of the God since Hades had seen him with busted ribs, Harry knew crying could lead to being thought of as weak and an easy target.
Hades sighed, gently rubbing Harry's back. Rome wasn't built in a day, of course Harry would still have his issues with his sister and having James arrive probably brought those back to the forefront since Harry's seeing the father he should have had, he thought.
"And maybe that's why the Fates brought him to the reading. To help you heal…if what he says is true and your family is living in the Underworld under my protection in his timeline then there's every chance your mother will survive CJ being born…maybe he's here to show you that not every you loses him Harry…or it could even be a warning to him, to show him what he becomes when she dies so he can still be a father tot you even without his wife…"
Harry shook his head. "And that's great…for the other me. What am I supposed to do Lord Hades? Just live with the fact that, in another timeline, I get the father I'm supposed to have? My family doesn't turn into the mess it is, with Harriet basically being my mother? It…it doesn't give Harriet back her childhood and it doesn't give me back any of the time I've spent healing from the Captain's 'punishments'….besides…we've read most of the interaction between me and the Captain before he showed up. I'm in Auradon now in the scrolls now, what's the point of him being here?"
Hades bit his lip slightly before speaking. "You deal with it however you feel comfortable Harry…though…if it helps, he did say to tell you that he understands that you're confused about him and I don't think he'll push anything. And you know that if he even starts to look at you wrong, he'll have me, Steph, Harriet, Uma, Jay, Mal, and probably half the room on him before he can blink. You can be assured of that. I don't completely trust him myself and I will not let him hurt you. No matter what timeline he's from."
"He…he understands?" Harry asked, looking up at Hades in shock. "Well that's jolly good isn't it? My whole world keeps getting torn apart but good that an alternate version of my father 'understands'! I…I mean no disrespect to the Fates, Lord Hades, but I almost wish that they didn't bring me into this. All it's done is hurts me—I found out my mother didn't have to die had it not been for some bat crone waste of oxygen, I get to hear about one of the worst days of my life again, and now I get an alternate version of my father reading about all possible examples about how I'm a disgrace to piracy. Gods, what's he doing to do when he finds out I'm a First Mate and not a Captain like Harriet?"
"He's going to ask if you're happy in the position and then if you are, he's going to be happy for you."
Harry and Hades whirled around to look at the door, Hades standing in front of Harry as to allow the teen time to wipe any tears. "I thought I told you to stay with the others?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I did Hades, but the door isn't exactly soundproof," James said before looking at Harry, walking in to the room and closing the door but taking care to leave it open slightly. "I mean it lad, if you're happy in the position then being a First Mate is nothing to be ashamed of. Am I a little surprised? Yes, I will say that, butt I've got at least one other Captain Hook coming up as demonstrated by your sister. More to the point, it doesn't matter. Captain or not, you're still my lasses and lad. Jess might decide she doesn't want to be Captain and that's fine. So why would I be any different with you? Being a First Mate is still a high ranked position and one you should manage with the utmost pride. If that's where you're happy than I'm more than happy for you."
Okay…good answer… Hades thought.
"Do you mind my asking who your Captain is?" James asked.
Harry sighed and looked out from behind Hades. "Uma…we had a wager after you put one of your ships up as a prize in a race. Whichever one of us lost would be the other's First Mate. I'm happy being Uma's First Mate…and Mal's too since she's co-Captain. I'm proud to be their First Mate. No one will be able to harm them because they'd have to get past me to do so. And I'd be Harriet's First Mate too if Sammy wasn't there already—our crews combined, it's our family."
"Then I'm happy for you lad," James said with a small smile. "You get that loyalty from your mother you know?"
"…Really?"
"Of course," James nodded. "Besides, that's the way a pirate of the Hook family should be, loyalty to the family and to the crew and yes I'm aware of the irony of me being the one to say that."
A bit of shine caught James' attention and it dawned on him that his son was holding a hook. "I…this might be a sensitive topic lad but did…did I or the other me do that to you?"
Harry looked down and his eyes widened as he realized what James was talking about. "Wha-Oh! Well…yes and no. I don't actually need it, I just like having it…it's yours…his…whatever. He gave it to me when I was little and he wears his gold one…we all got something actually. Harriet got your hat, I got your hook and…CJ got your pocket watch."
James couldn't help but smile in relief at the fact that he hadn't gone so far as to cut off his own son's hand. "Oh…well good. I'll admit it's weird hearing about the kids without hearing Jess' name in the mix but I'll get used to it I assume."
Harry nodded slightly though he couldn't help but smile slightly as he noticed Jay and Sammy holding Uma and Harriet back from barging in there.
I'm alright guys, he thought. You seem to have forgotten that Lord Hades is in the room too and, as strange as it is to think, we're…just talking.
"Harriet, cap'n, you can hear them. They're just talking. Plus Lord Hades is there too."
"Sammy, the entire Olympic pantheon could be standing between my brother and my father and I'd still be trying to get in there! I left Harry alone with the Captain once, I'm not doing it again!"
James couldn't help the slightly sad smile on his lips as he heard what Harriet was saying. "It seems the level of loyalty you give to your crew is returned. Good…I'm glad. Even if I wish it didn't have to be concerning me."
Harry shrugged. "Harriet's been taking care of us since she was five. Not exactly something she can shut off now," he muttered and shook his head. "Let's just get this blasted reading over with before the Fates decide to bring in Fish for Brains just to torment me more."
James looked over at Hades and Hades just shook his head. "Don't ask."
"Okay then," James nodded and they went back to the main room. Hades couldn't help but smile slightly as Harriet tugged Harry back between her and Milah.
"Think he'll be alright?" Persephone asked.
"…I don't know," Hades sighed as James took a spot by Smee.
Kitty looked around before sighing. "So…who's reading?"
"I will," Rose said after a minute. The scrolls were certainly getting interesting, she'd give them that. She only hoped that things would be pleasant from here on out in the scrolls.
And in the lair as well for that matter.