Chapter Ninety Nine
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!
smh, guys can you believe we're one chapter away from one hundred? The next chapter'll be our hundredth and I can't thank you all enough for the constant support!
Oh, just a head's up, I'm going to finish up the Choosing Love chapters before we have another 'break chapter'. Just like what I did with the Choosing Family chapters when we got close to the end.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think!
Poseidon leaned over and grabbed one of the scrolls from the ever growing pile. Please stay safe Mal, he thought.
Someone was screaming.
"I mean, that's understandable," Ashaki said softly as Jasmine held her close.
Well actually there were dozens of people screaming.
"Again…understandable," Evan nodded, having gone over to sit next to his mom and curl up by her. He felt no shame in wanting his mother's comfort here.
The unconscious body of their King seemed to get the Auradonians into an understandable panic.
"Glad we're all in agreement that it's understandable," Herkie said as Hercules held him close.
"Mal! Mal, calm down!"
"How can she…? Belle whispered, her heartbreak audible in her voice as Beast wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Logically, they knew their son would be all right but logic had no place in a parent's worry.
Someone was saying her name. They shouldn't be telling me to calm down, they should be telling whoever's letting loose that soul shattering scream to calm down. Gods I know people love Ben but...I mean...no, he...he's not gone! He can't be gone! I...he doesn't know how much I love him!
"I knew Dragon," Benji whispered as he held Malinda close to him. "You never had to tell me."
But it took Mal a minute to realize that one of the people screaming, the person who was screaming Ben's name, who was almost sinking to her knees in fear and panic...it was her.
Well Fred…you got Mal screaming…. Claudine thought, biting her lip.
"No...Gods, no," Mal muttered, shaking her head. Her eyes remained locked on Ben, as if staring at him would somehow cause him to get up and resume the fight.
"I wanted to…trust me, even though I was unconscious, I wanted to," Benji said softly.
"Well, well, well," Freddy smirked and Mal's eyes latched onto him, narrowing in anger and disgust.
"I wouldn't be talking right now!" Chip snarled.
"He put up a good fight, I must admit. But only one of us had the grace of God on his side and it certainly wasn't Beastie Jr. here."
"You son of a—!"
"Emir!"
"Akiho!" Their parents exclaimed at the same time.
"But—!"
Aziz shook his head. "Guys, I understand what you're feeling but don't forget, there're kids here who don't need to learn new words."
It was then that Mal realized something else, as Freddy moved to close the distance between himself and Ben as if he was going to finish him off.
"I. Will. Vaporize. You!" Mal snarled, leaning towards the scrolls like it was Freddy himself.
Hades sighed. "Mal, I understand your anger but please don't threaten the brother I like."
"If he's reading the scroll, it's an understood risk dad!"
When she had sank to her knees, she had gotten out of Akiho's grip. Her arms were free.
"Get him Mal!" Hadie exclaimed.
And she had a dagger.
"Ooh Freddy's about to regret escaping the Isle now!" Harry said with a grin.
Springing to her feet, she pulled the dagger out of the hidden pocket and made it fly true. It hit her mark though she was a little disappointed to have caused a hole in Ben's suit.
"Suits can be replaced though, you only get one chance to hit Freddy with a dagger," Benji said.
That was the suit Ben had been wearing when he offered to sign Mal up for art class.
"Oh yeah the day we learned Ben needs 'how to flirt lessons'" Jay said with a weak smile.
Though after tonight, the only thing that suit would be good for would be kindling.
"Burn it in Freddy's Hellfire, Mal!" Chip shouted.
"Karma's a tricky mistress, don't you know?" Mal growled as Freddy grunted in pain, the dagger sticking out of his shoulder. The same shoulder that very dagger had hit when Freddy had fired it at Mal all those months ago.
"Hmm, and here I thought karma was a relaxing thought?" Emma asked with a slight smirk. "Though I guess for Freddy it's not!"
"He's certainly a spider boy, ensnaring innocent people in his web," Ashaki said. "But he's no King of Thieves, that was granddad Cassim!"
Mal didn't care that Freddy was in pain, she didn't care that she'd given him another weapon. All she cared about was Ben.
"Always will," Malinda nodded, kissing Benji's cheek.
Rushing to his side, Mal knelt down to check to make sure there was no lasting damage. That Ben would be able to walk away from this. That Belle and Beast wouldn't lose another child before their time.
"Ben, if you end up with me now, I swear…" Abby said, her voice trailing off and the implications of what she'd do hanging in the air..
"Please...don't leave me..." Mal whispered as she bent her head down to hear if Ben was breathing.
"Never," Benji whispered as he gently kissed the top of Malinda's head.
Oh thank dad! Mal thought as she could feel the faint rising and fall of Ben's chest. Ben was alive. By the grace of Apollo, of Hera, of all the Gods on Olympus, Ben was alive.
"Thank you!" Belle and Beast said, fervently looking at the Gods in the room.
Hera surprisingly shook her head. "I don't think we're the ones you'd need to thank," she said as she glanced over at her brother-in-law.
Now then…
"Ooh, something tells me Freddy's in for a world of hurt!" Uma grinned.
"I'mma kill him! Give me that sword and let me run him through!" Mal heard Harry exclaim and turned to see the pirate struggling against Jay's grasp.
"I should have killed him when we were nine, let scroll me finish the job!" Harry growled.
Jay was really lucky he was wearing a jacket or else his arm would probably be severely scarred by Harry's hook as he fought to escape like a ravenous badger.
"Don't worry about it Harry, I get it," Jay said quickly as Harry turned to him; his mouth half open as if to apologize.
The last time Harry had fought to escape someone's grasp like that, Freddy had made a rather lewd comment about CJ, Harry's little sister. Let's just say Freddy was lucky that the Rats had been able to restrain Harry then.
CJ shot Harry a small smile and maybe it was the trick of the light but she could have sworn Harry returned it.
It had still taken three Rats to do so—and this time there was only Jay.
"I thought you said it was half the crew?" Neal asked.
"I'm sure scroll me is focused on other things," Mal told him.
"Harry—."
"No Jay! Bad enough Freddy crashed Mal's event. Bad enough he escaped the Isle. But he had the nerve to use one of our smoke bombs to attack Ben?!"
"That's what concerns you the most?" Emma said, looking at Harry.
"Really? After everything he's done, that's where you draw the line? Especially after what happened with Ryan?"
"Exactly!" Emma nodded.
Mal couldn't help but agree with Jay but at the same time, seeing Ben still lying there unconscious as if he was dead...rage filled Mal's body.
"Sic em, sic em, sic em, sic em Mal!" Hadie, Celia, and surprisingly, Dizzy started to chant.
Ben had been innocent in all of this, had only been trying to protect his citizens.
And Freddy might have removed that innocence, that want to see the good in everyone. Who knew what Ben would be like when he recovered?
"Were you alright?" Belle demanded, looking at Benji.
"Other than an increased hatred of one Freddy Frollo, I was no different mom," Benji assured her.
"Akiho, you might want to move!"
"Am I letting Mal go so she can kill him?" Ahkio asked, tilting his head.
"You've already let go of Mal though," Kitty pointed out. "She wouldn't have been able to hit Freddy with the dagger if you were holding her."
Uma's voice sounded almost muffled, like she was underwater. But Mal wasn't underwater though. She was however surrounded by a cloud of purple smoke that had begun to obscure her vision.
"Did Freddy let loose another smoke bomb?" Celia asked with a small frown.
Why does Akiho need to move? Mal thought. It's just smoke. We all survived the red smoke bomb that Freddy deployed.
"Because he wouldn't want to get hit by a dragon wing," Ceila said with a grin.
At first she thought Freddy had let loose another smoke bomb, to try to flee or worse, make it so Ben wouldn't walk away from this fight.
"If Ben is dead, then Freddy is dead!" Mal snarled, seemingly forgetting Benji was in the room or that her older self was currently carrying his baby; something ghosts could not do.
She wouldn't have put it past him to be completely honest.
"With everything he's done, it's understandable," Claudine nodded with a small sigh.
But then she realized that the smoke was only surrounding her. A smoke bomb would have surrounded the entire area.
"Time to dragon up!" Hadie said with a grin.
Besides, the purple that would have been from a smoke bomb would have been darker. This purple was lighter, was almost more of a lilac. This was her purple.
Mal knew at that point what was going on. Just as she'd done at Ben's coronation all those months ago, she was now turning into a dragon once more.
"Yes!" Lonnie cheered. "Show this prick who's boss, Mal!"
As the smoke cleared, she raised her head up to look at the night sky, the moon glowing brighter than it had previously.
Hyllus smiled softly at that. "That'd be Aunt Artemis, showing her support," he said.
There you go Freddy, she thought with an inward smirk before pausing. Was this a good idea? Wouldn't it just invite more comparisons to Maleficent with yet another dragon transformation?
"Eh, who cares?" Phil Jr. asked. "I mean now you've beaten Maleficent in your number of dragon transformations anyway so that should help people think of you when they think of dragons rather than that evil loon."
It was then, as she looked down at the ship, that Mal caught sight of Ben. He was still lying face down on the deck of the yacht, and her rage returned.
"Mal, what you're doing in that form is protecting Ben! Protecting the kingdom! Something Maleficent never did!" Chip cried.
Screw anyone who compares me to Maleficent! Freddy needs to learn that you do not mess with my crew and you do not touch Ben! Mess with me, that's fine. I can fight back and hit you just as hard. A smoke bomb's cute Freddy...but it's nothing compared to a dragon!
"Tell me you killed him!" Mal and a few other AKs and VKs demanded, looking at Malinda
I wish, Malinda thought.
"Just listen," she said instead.
Raising her head up once more, she fired a plume of fire into the night sky as the sea became a bit choppy.
"And Grandpa Po-po has entered the chat," Elle said with a smile.
Unfurling her wings, she lifted herself up before diving down; picking Freddy up in her talons.
"Toss him in the ocean Mal!" Uma cried.
Unless she'd been mistaken, it almost looked like there was a bit of fear in Freddy's eyes as she lifted him up and dropped him back to Earth.
"Hope it hurt him!" Abby muttered.
Good.
"I agree with Mal!" CJ nodded.
After everything he did, he deserved to be afraid.
I've…I've never seen Fred be afraid, I don't think I've even heard of him being afraid before, Claudine thought.
"...yeah I'd say Mal has this," Emir said as he let go of Uma now that there was no danger that the squidling would run into the fray.
"Hmmm… as much fun as tearing Freddy apart would be…. it's Mal's* boy that's been hurt. I'll let her have the fun this time," Uma mused
Yeah you would have jumped in if it happened to be Harry he injured cuz, Malinda thought with a small smile.
"Anyone filming this? Ben would be upset to find out he missed a dragon transformation," Akiho said as Mal dropped Freddy onto the deck before grabbing him with her jaws, tossing him the way a small child might toss a rag doll.
"Yes!"
"GET HIM MAL!"
Almost all of the room exploded in cheers. Only Henry held back slightly, noting Claudine's automatic wince.
"Mal's having way too much fun with this," Uma smirked.
"No such thing cuz," Malinda said with a smirk.
She had debated about jumping into the water and turning into a giant octopus like her mother had. But then she figured it'd be better if she remained as a human. She didn't exactly know how to change back from that form and it was probably better if only one of the Captains of the Lost Revenge was a mythological creature.
"Well in terms of how disastrous Cotillion could get, I'd rather watch a dragon take out Freddy than a dragon and a giant octopus woman go at it," Audie said.
"I'm sorry what?" Uma and Mal said at the same time.
Audie froze. "I said that out loud?"
"Very loud," Uma said. "Now spill."
"I'm with Uma," Mal nodded as her eyes narrowed slightly. "What was that thing you said?"
Audie sighed. "Very well. As I've said, in my timeline the Blue Fairy brought us to these viewings where we could see the future of things to come. Well, in the time around my timeline's Cotillion, Mal was also under a lot of stress, only she didn't have anyone looking after her the way this Mal and the scroll Mal did, and so her change was a lot more drastic."
"Oh that's right, you said I went blonde," Mal said. "I still don't believe no one questioned that."
"Well it's the truth," Audie said. "After a fight with Ben–."
"A fight with who?"
Aziz shook his head. "Let her finish," he said, scolding his brother and his brother's best friend.
"Thank you," Audie told him. "Anyway, after a fight with Ben, my timeline's Mal went back to the Isle because she was going to stay there. Ben went to the Isle to get her back, with Carlos, Evie, and Jay with him. However…Ben got kidnapped."
"Freddy?" Harry growled.
"Actually…you."
Uma and Harry froze. "I'm sorry what?!"
"Harry kidnapped Ben, presumably on Uma's orders after Gil recognized Ben during a conversation ," Audie said. "In my timeline…well to put it as precisely as I can, you and Mal were enemies. Not best friends. I don't know what happened to make it that way but Uma held Ben hostage for Fairy Godmother's wand in order to bring down the barrier. Carlos created a fake wand with his 3-D printer and, after a fight with the pirates after Uma discovered it was a fake, both Mal and Ben got back to Auradon."
"And Evie and Jay and Carlos?" Dizzy asked.
"Oh yes," Audie nodded.
"Good!"
"I'm sorry, can we go back to the whole Fish for Brains doing something smart?"
"There was only one snag though," Audie said, ignoring Harry. "Mal left her spell book behind and Uma was able to grab it and swim through the barrier before it closed. Somehow she was able to crash Cotillion and spelled Ben into making her his date to Cotillion but Mal was able to see through it and save him."
What, I'm not going to reveal it was True Love's Kiss. That might spoil a scroll if it's in there. Something tells me True Love transcends timelines, Audie thought.
"And that's when me and Mal went at it?" Uma asked softly.
Mal shook her head. "No way, I refused to believe there's a timeline where Uma and I aren't friends! I mean we're cousins!"
"I don't think she knew that when you two were going at it," Audie said.
Chip sighed. "As much as I'd love more information, maybe we could table this for now? Belle's so pale, she looks like she's about to faint and I think it'd be better if she was able to find out if the Ben in the scrolls becomes conscious soon."
"Oh right!" Audie nodded.
"Just a thought," Harry said. "But should we maybe move Ben out of the way so that Mal doesn't accidentally hurt him in her dragon form?"
"She wouldn't have done it," Ben shook his head.
"Ben, I love you or at least the older version of you that I'm married to, but it's probably not the best thing to test me when I've got Freddy in my mouth and all I'm focused on is hurting him. I could have stepped on you." Malinda said, shaking her head.
"That's...a really good idea Harry," Uma nodded and Harry gave her a small smile at the praise.
"And they say they're not in denial," Jay muttered, shaking his head.
Emir and Akiho scurried over to their unconscious friend and gently picked him up, moving him off to the side while Mal continued to treat Freddy to a free education showing him exactly why it was a bad idea to anger a dragon while off in the distance, thunder rumbled ominously.
"And the tally of Gods joining this fight is at three," Herkie said.
"We should have a medical professional on board," Emir said softly as he gently place Ben down on the ground, shrugging off his jacket and folding it up to place under Ben's head. "Does anyone know where they are?"
"I'm sure scroll Belle or Beast will get them" Anna said.
"Search me," Akiho shrugged. "I'm sure we have someone on board though. With how crazy Cotillion's gotten in the past…"
"Then why aren't they there now? Squeaky asked, his voice soft.
"Yeah," Emir sighed as Estelle walked up to them, his leash trailing behind him. Akiho could only assume that the Cerberus had tugged his leash free from his attendant's hands since normally either his attendant or Mal would be holding that leash.
"He won't go anywhere…" Mal said, shaking her head softly.
"...It's so bad but I almost wish he'd tugged himself out earlier and tackled Freddy ...you don't mess with a Rotti and it would have given Ben an edge…" Ahkio said softly.
The Cerberus laid down next to Ben, the right head giving a gentle lick to Ben's cheek.
"Good boy," Abby said softly.
Estelle whimpered softly and looked over to Akiho.
"He'll be okay boy," Akiho promised.
"Yes he will," Malinda nodded.
"We'll make sure of it," Emir nodded as Estelle curled up next to Ben, his left head resting on Ben's chest. It was clear to both boys that if anyone wanted to mess with Ben, they'd have to go through Estelle.
Estelle yipped softly in agreement, trotting over to stand next to Ben and Mal to 'guard' them in case the mean hooman popped up here.
Only a fool would risk angering a Cerberus. Especially with the dog's owner currently in dragon mode.
"And the only fool there is clearly Freddy," Rose said.
"I'mma kill him," Harry stated again as the VKs walked over to them. "Freddy, I mean. How many times does Mal have a night all about her? And Freddy had to come and ruin it?"
"Freddy is a life ruiner Harry, what do you expect?" Uma asked.
"I think Mal's having the time of her life right now actually," Uma said, looking up at Mal who was dropping and picking Freddy back up as if he was a rubber ball. In all honesty, Uma had to assume that Freddy was unconscious himself considering the lack of noise coming from the French fanatic.
"Aw come on, he can't feel his pain if he's unconscious!" Hades shook his head.
It was safe to say that Uma felt no sympathy for Freddy at all.
"Do I ever feel sympathy for that devil?" Uma asked.
"What're we going to do with him?" Jay asked. "Freddy I mean?"
"Eat him!" Abby cried.
"Subject him to the heat of dragon fire!" Lonnie nodded.
"Turn him into a limbless flea and smash him with a spiked hammer!" The Charmed ones added their two cents.
"Well he'll need to see a doctor—."
"Who said that? I'm surprised they're so generous…" Claudine said softly.
"It was probably Emir or Akiho," Ben said. "I think it's a safe bet it wasn't Harry, Jay, or Uma."
"And proud of it!" the aforementioned VKs said.
"No he won't," Harry scoffed. "If he survives this encounter with Mal, he can deal with his wounds on his own."
Henry softly rubbed Claudine's back. While he agreed with Harry, Freddy was still Claudine's brother; this couldn't be easy for her.
"I agree with Harry," Jay nodded. "Besides I have a feeling that after this, Ben won't be the most charitable to Freddy."
Malinda sighed. On the one hand, she didn't want Ben to change because of this…but…Freddy really didn't deserve it.
Akiho sighed. He had to agree with Jay on that. There wasn't a lot that could anger Ben but messing with Mal was definitely something that would earn Ben's ire toward you. And the fact that Freddy had full stop threatened to kill Mal…
"Oh yeah Freddy's a goner," Chip nodded. Oddly enough he didn't seem sad about that in the slightest.
"We'll need to question him," Emir spoke up, his voice soft. "To figure out how he got off the Isle and make sure that we can prevent anyone else from escaping in the future. Especially when we go to get the VKs."
"...He has a point," Uma said with a sigh.
"We're...we're still doing that?" Harry asked and Emir felt his heart break slightly at the astonishment in the pirate's voice.
"Of course!" Ben and Benji said in unison
"I think Ben would probably haul off and punch someone if they suggested we not bring over the VKs who deserved it because one VK escaped the Isle and tried to kill Mal," Akiho stated. "Well he would if he wasn't doing his Snow White impression right now."
Akiho flushed and looked over at Snow White. "Err…sorry about that?"
"Akiho, of the history of Auradon there've only been two members of a royal house who've been forced into unconsciousness," Snow said with a kind smile. "And knowing how your scroll self feels about young Audrey, I think it's safe to say you wouldn't have said 'Sleeping Beauty impression'."
"You know him so well," Emir shook his head.
"Like you're any better," Aziz chuckled.
"He's going to have a major headache when he wakes up," Jay sighed as he sat down and looked up at the sky. Mal was still going at it but at some point she was going to drop Freddy and sit at Ben's side.
"Pretty sure I didn't leave it for the rest of the night," Malinda said with a small smile. And Jay wasn't wrong about Ben's headache either.
And when that moment came, Jay would be ready to take over teaching Freddy why you don't mess with the Rats.
"Right behind you!" Harry and Uma nodded.
"Why it looks like Mal's going to give us a little present," Uma smirked as Freddy was dropped down in front of them. To compare him to roadkill would be an insult to roadkill in all honesty. He looked like his body was going to be one giant bruise if or when he recovered.
"Honestly I prefer 'if'," Hadie said.
"Yeah, if? If is good," Mal nodded.
Mal landed in the center of the deck, a swirl of smoke surrounding her once more. When it cleared, Mal was met with applause as both a brunette and a blue haired God came rushing toward her. Well the blue haired God was more of a Godling but it was the same thing really.
"We know who you mean Mal," Demeter said, more than a little relieved to know that her grandson was also safe.
"Mal, that was amazing!" Hadie exclaimed.
"You weren't hurt were you?" Mal asked as she brought him into a hug and Hadie shook his head.
"It would take more than Freddy to hurt me!" Hadie said.
"Gil took me below deck once he saw that Freddy was here," he said. "I wish I could have helped but I think you had everything taken care of."
"Thank you Gil!" Hades said.
Persephone nodded as she wrapped her daughter up into her arms. "Gods help us, the next big event Auradon has, you are not to turn into a dragon and fight a big bad entity, understand? I don't think my heart could take it."
"Mom, Freddy's child's play for my dragon form," Mal said, trying to sooth her mother.
"It's not like I plan these things mom," Mal said, melting into her embrace. "Gods...is it weird that a small part of me hopes Freddy survived?"
"Yes," all the VKs in attendance nodded. Yes, even Dizzy and the Smee twins though the latter were pretty much just following their sister's lead.
"Yes," Hadie nodded and Mal chuckled.
"Is there an echo here?" Ben asked with a slight smile.
"It's just...we need to know how he escaped for one. And for another, what if he's holding Chad somewhere? I know he said he didn't know who Chad was but that's just it. Freddy always lies. Plus...Ryan deserves to be the one to give the finishing blow to Freddy."
"Um…not that I don't understand the logic but…you want to make a fourteen year old a killer?" Rachel asked.
"...well when you put it like that," Hadie sighed.
"Rachel has a point though," Mal said softly.
Which is why I didn't let Ryan kill Freddy during his 'one on one' with him, Malinda thought.
"I'm sure he survived," Persephone said and then paused for a moment. "...your father can confirm that he survived his encounter with your dragon form Mal. But just barely. He'll probably be spending time in a holding cell until Auradon can escort him back to the Isle."
"...Mal, how much self control do you have?!"
"Good," Mal growled. "Make it the smallest cell we can."
"It's more than he deserves," Chad said, his voice a near growl.
"...so are you officially a Lady of the Court now?" Hadie asked. "Do I have to call you my Lady?"
"No," Mal said, shaking her head as she looked at her brother.
"Do it, and I toss you overboard."
"In your dragon form?"
"Maybe," Mal chuckled as Hadie grinned.
"No throwing your brother in your dragon form" Persephone said with a small, fond smile.
"Aww mom!"
Persephone shook her head. "What am I going to do with you two?"
"Love us?" Hadie said.
"Always," Persephone told him.
"Dunno but you've got eternity to figure it out," Mal grinned. That grin faded as she saw Ben still lying still off to the side.
Mal bit her lip.
"Uma, Jay, Harry!"
"Yes Mal?"
"Let's wake up our uninvited guest and then we'll...we'll see about Ben," Mal said with a small sigh. "Harry, Jay, hold him still. We don't want him escaping."
"With pleasure!" Jay and Harry nodded.
"Cap'n, with the damage you caused, I doubt he'd be escaping anytime soon," Harry told her but grinned as he held down Freddy's arm; Jay following his example.
"...sorry Evie, looks like some of your suits will have blood on them."
"I understand in this case," Evie shook her head softly.
"Mal, you just did a boatload of magic," Uma told her cousin as she held her shell necklace in her hands. "Let me."
Fairy Godmother nodded. "You might not feel it right then dear, due to your understandably high emotions, but don't exhaust yourself."
Mal nodded and Uma smirked as her shell glowed once more. Persephone sighed but stood off to the side. While she couldn't condone this, she knew an Isle style interrogation was better than the alternative.
"Leave that to the adults, kids," Aladdin said.
"Should we make sure they don't kill him?" Emir whispered to Akiho.
"On the one hand, yes because I don't think Ben would want them to be killers on his account," Akiho whispered back. "On the other...would you really be all that choked up if he were to die?"
"No." Most of the room said.
Emir sighed and looked over at Ben's still unconscious form. He already knew the answer without needing to say anything.
The Emir in the room nodded in agreement.
"Wakey, wakey," Uma sang, an almost feral grin on her face.
Freddy blinked slowly as he regained consciousness. "Uh...wha...Uma! What did you do to me, you little witch?"
"Wrong descendant of the Gods, Freddy," Uma said with a smirk.
"Bit slow on the uptake aren't you Freddy?" Uma smirked. "I didn't do anything to you. However, you got on the wrong side of a dragon."
"And it was glorious! Harry exclaimed with a grin.
"Harry…" Milah said softly, glancing at Claudine.
"And you'll be seeing that side again unless you hush up and only speak when spoken to," Mal growled.
"Mal, that requires him to have a brain," Hadie said.
"Unless you'd rather be put back to sleep permanently," Harry snarled.
"Harry, you are too young to be a murderer as much as I agree with the idea of Young Frollo being put to sleep permanently," James sighed.
Freddy looked over at Harry and smirked slightly. "Ah Hook. Why am I not surprised Uma's lap dog is here too?"
"It's called loyalty Freddy! Something you will never understand!"
"A bit rattled aren't you?" Jay scoffed. "He's been here the whole time."
"Never leaves our sides," Uma nodded, giving Harry a smile. A smile he readily returned.
Harry growled and jabbed Freddy's chest, causing the older boy to wince slightly.
"Good," Harry muttered.
"Can't you listen? Mal said no talking unless spoken to. Now...how did you get off the Isle?"
"Listening still requires a brain, Harry," Hadie shook his head.
"And I thought it would be obvious Hook," Freddy said, his smirk growing. "By the grace of God, I was able to use the food barge during the stampede."
"...We need to have the food barge locked with a code or something so that only the crew can get in," Robin said, her voice low.
Mal growled. "You mean the stampede where the sister of one of our own died?"
"That b-!"
"Chip!" Lucus warned, his voice soft as he looked at the younger kids even though he couldn't fault the former teacup.
"The very same." Freddy chuckled slightly. "You know, it couldn't have worked out better if I had planned it."
"You did plan it Fred!" Clauine said, shaking her head in disgust.
"Listen Freddy, you're on very thin ice and should consider yourself lucky that Mal had enough self control that you didn't see your precious Hellfire tonight. Now, where did you get the suit? There aren't any tailors on the Isle and I doubt you'd be allowed in my father's shop!" Uma snarled.
"Hmm…how much would your father take to turn Freddy here into a frog?" Tiana asked Uma. "There's no Princess alive who'd kiss him to revert him back."
"I can tell you where he got it," Mal said, her voice hard and her fists clenched, shaking slightly in rage. "He was in Ben's room."
"Ben, I recommend getting your room deep cleaned. And no, I don't care that this hasn't happened yet!" Mal said.
"I have to say the security around here is so lax. I can't believe I was able to just slip into the King's room," Freddy said with a slight snicker.
"I hate the fact that he's got a point, I hate the fact that he's got a point…"
"Lord Posideon, please keep reading before Akiho goes insane," Emir sighed.
"Goes?" Melody asked.
"And how did you get in here?" Jay growled. "I know you stole Chad's invite but you still had to get through the doors."
"You know I have to agree with Ahkio here. If there had been guards..." Evan mused.
Freddy smirked. "I slipped past Gil when he walked past with his little fling. God, some VK he is. He didn't even notice. I do have to say that his fling is not all that bad looking for a Boreadon Brat."
"How dare-"
"Guys, they're just words," Macraia said but even her eyes narrowed as her brothers, father and grandfather snarled. Meg and Hera also glared at the scroll.
"Listen Frollo," Harry snarled. "Gil may not be the brightest but he's a better VK and a better man than you'll ever be!"
"...huh I guess that other scroll was wrong. That wasn't the only compliment I'll give Fish for Brains…but…I can't deny it," Harry said with a slow nod of his head as he looked at the scroll in shock.
"And do you really want to risk the wrath of Olympus?" Mal growled. "I may not care much for many of them but I know the Gods won't stand idly by while you insult the granddaughter of Zeus!"
"Nor will they sit idly by while he insults the granddaughter of Poseidon or the daughter of Hades!" Elle said as she looked at Mal and Uma "We've got your back you guys."
Freddy snickered once more. "Oh Mal. There is but one God. And when my time comes I'll be before St. Peter at the pearly gates."
That's what you think Freddy, Malinda thought with a small smirk.
He paused though as a bolt of lighting crashed down, close enough to potentially have hit Freddy yet far enough away to not hit Mal or the others.
"Good!" Zeus growled, glaring at the scroll.
Hades shook his head. "Losing your touch brother? I would have thought you would have hit him right in the chest for that insult to Macaria?"
"...I'm assuming my scroll self didn't want to risk hitting Mal or Uma," Zeus said.
"Keep telling yourself that," Mal spat before looking at the others. "Any chance we can knock him out again before I kill him myself?"
"Ooooh pick me!" Harry said with a grin.
"It'd be my pleasure cap'n," Harry grinned, reaching into his suit jacket. Jay quickly reached out and grabbed his hand.
"…Jay?" Harry said in confusion, looking at the older boy.
"We said we didn't want to kill him."
"I can't knock him out with only my hand Jay!"
Jay shook his head. "Use your hook."
"How poetic in a way…how long has Harry wanted to do that?" Melody asked with a small smile.
"See I was considering that but I thought it didn't have enough punch," Harry said before whacking Freddy over the head with the accessory. Sure enough, the son of Frollo was quickly out like a light.
"And stay out!" The room cried. Yes, even Audrey.
"Do we need to tell Ryan the bad news that you beat him to the punch?"
"No, he's breathing. Unfortunately."
"Very unfortunate," Abby sighed.
"Go ahead and rant, I understand. It's not like he doesn't deserve it," Claudine said to the room.
Mal nodded and turned to Beast and Belle, who had come rushing over to them. Apparently Chip had gone to retrieve the former royals from wherever he had safely stashed them. "Your highnesses, what should we do with him?"
"Toss him overboard and let the sharks in Auradon have a meal! Uma said, her voice firm.
"He should be returned to the Isle," Beast stated.
"Ooh, can you drop him in the hyena den? No need to heal him!" Harry perked up.
"Wait, where's Emma?" Emir asked as he walked over. "No offense your highness but Emma is the unofficial heir to the throne right now. With Ben out of commission…"
Emma sighed, giving Benji a sad smile. "What did I say about giving me your job?"
"That you don't want it?" Benji said with a small chuckle.
"Exactly."
Beast gave his son's friend a small smile, nor did he blame him for being concerned about his girlfriend. "No offense taken Emir. But with all due respect, I'd like to get this done quickly so that I can see to my son."
"Of course," Emir nodded.
"...fair enough."
"We also spoke to young Emma," Belle said softly. "Evie was in the process of whisking her off the yacht when this..."
"Miscreant?" Mal offered.
"...Much more polite than he deserves Mal."
"That's as polite a word as I can think of," Belle nodded. "When this miscreant arrived."
Uma smiled slightly. "Points for Evie then."
"Probably never thought you'd say that, huh cuz?" Mal teased slightly.
"She was raised as a Princess. If there's anyone who'd know the importance of the Royal Line of Succession, it'd be her," Mal nodded.
Evie nods slowly "If-if Freddy had done…irreparable damage to Ben, the last thing we'd want is him also injuring Emma..."
Belle smiled but then sighed. "We can't send him to the Isle without having his wounds treated though."
"Why? It'd be a death sentence for him so it'd be like getting two seagulls with one rock," Uma said.
"Oh he'll be fine," Uma rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, no sense in wasting resources on him," Harry nodded. Mal shook her head.
"He got himself into this, he can get himself out," Audie nodded.
"Ben would want us to treat his wounds," she said softly and the others sighed.
"...she's got a point."
"Hmmm, I don't know how much I wanted it right then." Benji said, his voice low.
"Does this yacht have a brig?" Uma asked. "We could keep him there while we try to enjoy the rest of the night."
"Do we have chains in there as well?" Emir asked, Jay nodding in agreement.
"The room by the engine room would work as one," Akiho stated. "Emir and I could escort our uninvited guest there, your highnesses."
"As Emir said, chain him down!" Abby said with a nod.
Beast nodded. "Please. And be careful you two."
"They will be," a male voice rang out and Mal smiled as some of the Tourney team stepped forward.
"Always looking out for us," Akiho said with a small smile.
"Will, Brenden, Miguel, Li—."
"We don't have time for a roll call, Emir," William said, shaking his head. "Let's go."
"...Thanks guys," Ben said softly.
"No need to thank us Ben," Emir told him.
"No need to be gentle!" Uma called as they gathered Freddy up and escorted him to his makeshift cell.
"Yes Lady Uma!" Brenden called back and Uma made a face.
"Yeah no, none of that!" Uma said, shaking her head.
Mal chuckled. "You're my cousin and the granddaughter of a God Uma. Get used to it."
"Never! It's Captain or nothing!"
She then sighed as she walked over and knelt down next to Ben. Gently scratching Estelle behind the ears with one hand, she softly brushed some of the hair out of Ben's eyes.
"The best sight to wake up to," Benji said with a soft smile.
"Don't you leave me," she whispered once more and gently kissed his forehead.
Audie smiled slightly as she heard that. There we go Mal that should do it, she thought.
A few minutes went by before Ben seemed to almost groan as he woke up.
"Wha...Mal?"
"He's awake," Lucas said with a small sigh of relief.
"Oh thank Gods!" Mal exclaimed and, not caring about how it looked or her rep or anything, gathered Ben into her arms for the strongest yet most gentle hug she could muster.
"I second that!" Chip, Beast, Abby, Emir, Ahkio, and Belle all cried.
Appearances didn't matter. Reputations didn't matter. All that mattered was that Ben was alive and in her arms.
"And I meant that," Malinda said with a nod of her head.
"I know you did Dragon," Benji smiled.
Poseidon shook his head. "That's the end of the scroll."
"I'd like to read again, if no one minds?" Belle spoke up.
"Belle, I think we'd be surprised if you didn't want to read," Chip said with a small chuckle.