Chapter Fifty One


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

*lies on my floor panting* Sixty. Seven. Pages. That's how long this chapter is in my word processor. Special thanks to AmethystDragon14 for their help in coming up with comment ideas for this chapter. And to LotusQuil for writing Choosing Hadie which gave me an idea for a comment for this chapter. If you haven't read Choosing Hadie and its sequel Adventures in Auradon…go do it! Shoo, shoo!

Lol, but in all seriousness go check it out! It's really good! :D

Gods, just one more chapter until we finish the Choosing Family portion of the scrolls. Hard to believe we've gotten this far! Kinda makes me wonder what'll happen for the next group…wait, I'm the author! lol!

Urmimala Hazra: The fact that you calculated that out both impresses and startles me, not gonna lie! :D So glad you liked the chapter!

Katt Kiki: Oh yeah, there's definitely a lot of craziness to comment on here!

medical ranger: Milah really does need to have a talk with Harry doesn't she? As for Leah…how can she meet her fate if she's smote? *evil grin*.

Marcus Emrys: Yeah it's definitely a rough scroll for Aurora and that's a good point about the Black Spot. Do you think they might have been prevented from doing so by the barrier? Lol, if Audrey doesn't punch her I think Audie might!

DS Rider: Oh yeah it's definitely going to be hard to read for the Roses when they get to Audrey's fall.

JudiAndTheFandoms: Oh yeah it's crazy isn't it? That's my fault for not planning out the story better—I spent 25 chapters on the Isle after all before getting them over to Auradon.

JaclynnM: Oh I'm so glad! Hope you like this one!

AmethystDragon14: Yay! Well I mean Zeus and Hades aren't going to be buddy buddy and I guess taking a child from their parent is going to be a rough spot for Zeus. :D

Tracie Adams: Let's just say she's planning on a home birth now but that might change.

danifan3000: Happy belated birthday! :D I do have to admit, seeing a fully grown Hadie ruffle Mal's hair would be kinda funny!

LotusQuil: :D Oh trust me there's some forces at work that might change how Malinda decides to have the baby. Oh man I can imagine that too! But agreed, Natalie in general is not going to be fun to write.

BlackWidowAndCapRule: Ask and you'll receive!

SixUnderOneXSix: A lot of people annoyed at Leah for starters! :D

DeathCrawler: I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Descendants-fan08: Who's Vaiana? But I'm so glad you like the fic!

Hufflepuff24: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! I wasn't originally going to have Audie and then an amazing reviewer posted a one shot in the reviews where Audie arrived and I was like '…welp, I need to add her now' lol!

Roxas Itsuka: Thanks! :D Agreed on both counts, Demeter had a great idea re Freddy and Zeus had no right to judge Hades wanting to help Harry get away from his father. And honestly Adam, if it wasn't for magic, you likely would have never met Belle due to the difference in your social standing. I think after seeing what happened when Ursula and Morgana got the trident, Triton would never give up his trident.

LOST MUSES: Oh I'm so glad! I can definitely see about having more digs from Demeter! With how protective she is of Persephone, chances are she's going to be extremely protective of Mal once we get into Choosing Love.

Hope you all like the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D


Aurora sighed and unfurled the scroll, blinking as the bottom of the scroll dropped and then rolled away.

"Well that's ominous," Phillip Sr noted.

Mal sighed as she got dressed into her outfit for Family Day. She knew Ben was probably going to be wearing a suit and the last thing she'd want to do is embarrass him in front of his family.

Malinda winced slightly at the reminder of her younger self's negative thoughts and Benji frowned as he heard that.

"You could never embarrass me," he whispered to her.

She rubbed her shoulder, which still smarted after her confrontation with Freddy boy the day before.

"Understandable. It's only been a day after all," Uma said, shaking her head.

Mal knew it would probably be a while before it didn't smart anymore, she was incredibly lucky that it had been a shallow hit. The nurse was even amazed that Mal hadn't been more injured.

"You know it occurs to me that a school nurse might not not be the best option to go to involving a dagger wound," Eugene said, shaking his head.

"I agree," Aladdin nodded. "She should have gone to Fairy Godmother who could have called Lady Persephone to take her to the hospital."

"Why?" Mal asked. "The scroll says I was fine so why take up resources? Besides, it sounds like a flesh wound anyway. It'll heal on its own if I keep it clean. Godling remember?"

"Doesn't matter young lady," Persephone said. "You should still see a doctor."

"Mom—!"

"Ah ba ba ba, there is a medical system in Auradon and you will use it Malinda!"

Malinda chuckled. "Best not to argue with her," she told her younger self.

Personally, Mal was more amazed that the nurse didn't ask more questions, though with Ben standing by her side, that was probably the reason why Mal didn't get the third degree.

"In all honesty wouldn't that cause her to ask more questions?" Chip asked. "Like maybe where was Ben's security to take the hit for Mal?"

She had to thank her father's God side for the minimal injuries—but even though Persephone had adopted her, Mal was still biologically Maleficent's. Meaning she still had the weaknesses of the Fae.

"Okay?" Mal asked with a shrug. "Freddy threw a dagger at me, it's not like he chucked a suit of armor."

Mal hadn't noticed the bit of iron on the blade, and while she was lucky the iron had never entered her bloodstream, the iron part had still touched her shoulder.

Mal froze as she heard that. Iron would have been hard to find on the Isle, well like everything else. So the only reason Freddy would put it on his dagger….

"That dagger was meant for me," she whispered. "That specific dagger. Do any of the other Angels have iron on their daggers?"

Uma, Jay, and Harry looked at each other before shaking their heads.

"There you go," Mal sighed. "Freddy might be a fanatic but he does his research. Iron burns the Fae and with me still being genetically connected to the Dragon though he wouldn't know about the adoption so…"

"I'mma kill him," Harry and Jay growled.

"Not if I beat you boys to the punch," Uma snarled.

Hades shook his head, his hands curled into fists and his hair slightly turning orange again. "Sorry you three but I'll be taking care of that little pest personally."

"Need any help?" Poseidon and Demeter asked.

The burn hurt more than the stabbing if she was being honest.

"That's because a burn takes up more area and therefore takes more time to heal," Phoebus said.

Honestly, the hole it left in my jacket was worse than anything. The wound will heal but I'm horrid at sewing, Mal thought bitterly. She had had that jacket since she was eight and this was the first rip/tear/spill that had graced it.

Persephone sighed. "Mal, dear, things can always be replaced. You can't."

"Mal?" Evie said softly, walking up to the purple haired Godling. Evie was dressed in her Family Day outfit already, a blue and green dress that even Mal had to admit looked good on her.

"That sounds like the same dress she wore in my timeline," Audie said with a small smile.

"Yeah Evie?"

Evie gave her a small smile. "I know you spent last night in Jay's room but you'd dropped your jacket off…I hope you don't mind but I noticed you had gotten a hole in the shoulder doing whatever you were doing with Ben.

Malinda gave Evie a small smile as she heard that. "I would have spent the night in our dorm but Jay insisted."

"Well forgive me for wanting to make sure you don't need anything during the night when you have your first injury you've had in who knows how many years!" Jay spoke up.

"It was a flesh wound Jay," Malinda shook her head. "Besides, I should have been in my dorm with my roommate."

"Oh yeah, you definitely warmed up to her, that wouldn't have stopped you before," Jay said with a small smile.

Everyone on the Isle know how much you love this jacket considering that time you almost killed one of the Angels for almost getting paint on it when we all were eleven according to the Isle gossip grapevine…here."

"Which Angel was that?" Uma asked.

"Strat," Mal said. "Though in his defense, I was the one with the paint. I got some spray cans from the barge and he was trying to get food. We kinda collided in the mob and the spray cans dropped to the ground, leaking out the remaining drops."

The blue haired girl handed Mal her jacket and Mal was amazed to see that the hole had been sewn up. The thread was so fine that it was practically invisible at first glance; Mal had to run her hand over it to even know there had been a hole there.

"See? No matter what you need Evie to make or repair, you can trust you're in good hands with her!" Dizzy said with a proud smile.

"Evie…"

"I know we'll never be the closest," Evie said. "But we don't have a lot of possessions that are in as good of shape as your jacket is. Considering what you said when we first arrived, is…is it safe to assume Lady Persephone gave you that?"

"Well it certainly wasn't Maleficent who gave it to me," Mal said though her tone lacked any hostility or bitterness that might have been in it had Evie asked prior to the reading.

Mal nodded slightly, still amazed at the skill Evie had taken to make sure the jacket looked brand new. "Mom made me this jacket…she had made it a bit big so I'd grow into it and I'd be able to have it for years after she gave it to me."

Mal stared at Evie in shock, still processing the fact that Evie had fixed her jacket. "Evie…this is probably the first time I've ever said this to you but …thank you."

"Well she did a good job," Evie said. "That's some nice quality leather…at least judging by the feel. Oh! Your coronation dress is done too. After Family Day, we can pull up and I can do a final fitting."

"How…how did you complete a dress in a day?" Kitty asked, stunned. "Do you have a Fairy Godmother?"

"Evie, did you sleep at all last night?" Mal asked, surprising herself with the fact that she genuinely cared. But Evie had repaired her jacket and hadn't informed Fairy Godmother about her spending the night in Jay's room again. The least Mal could do is give a damn about Evie's health.

Mal shook her head. "Okay the next person I know needs to actually start caring about their health because I can only manage one at a time!"

"Um I care about my health Mali," Uma said, raising her hand.

Actually, if Mal was honest, Evie had seemed a bit off ever since Fairy Godmother surprised them in their last Remedial Goodness class with a video conference with their parents.

"Oh Gods, that doesn't sound like it would end well," Hera sighed.

Or, Mal should say, surprised the other three.

"What, did Ben tip you off or something?" Lonnie asked with a small chuckle.

Mal had ducked out, claiming a woman's time of the month. She didn't trust Fairy Godmother not to make the same mistake as whoever addressed their invites off the Isle.

"That's my girl," Hades said with a small grin.

"What do you take me for dad?" Malinda chuckled. "You think I'd willingly spend time around Maleficent when she's not around to enforce it?"

Persephone sighed. "While I'd feel better if you didn't skip, I can understand skipping this."

Apparently, she made the right choice as, according to Jay, Maleficent had been there but had left upon seeing there was no Mal.

Hades pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay so if Mal's saying she's Steph's daughter, wouldn't that then mean she is also my daughter? Why would you invited Maleficent instead of me?"

However, Jay had mentioned that Maleficent had looked extra long at Evie before leaving.

Evie shuddered slightly, wrapping her arms around herself as if giving herself a hug. She knew what that look probably meant. What it meant for her father should she fail at the task Maleficent had given her.

"Hey, it's okay," Emma said, noticing Evie's behavior. "Mom and dad won't let that nut job get you."

"Emma's right," Neal nodded. He may not have known why Evie was afraid but then again, it was Maleficent. Only an idiot wouldn't fear her. "You're safe in Auradon anyway. It's not like Maleficent can escape the Isle."

Why would Maleficent care about Evie? Mal thought, narrowing her eyes slightly at the scroll. The Dragon doesn't care about anyone but herself after all.

It was probably nothing, Mal thought as she put her jacket on the bed. Probably wondering where I was if Maleficent gave a damn about me at all. Doesn't matter anyway, I'm about to see mom for the first time in what feels like forever.

"Would you say there'll be music, there'll be light?" Akiho asked. "Oh follow up question, would you say you'll be dancing through the night?"

Evie shrugged as if to answer Mal's question. "I'll get a nap in later," she said, her voice still cheerful. "Come on, we don't want to be late for Family Day. Doug said the Glee club's putting on a performance for the parents."

"Hang on…you said that Mal's fitting for her coronation dress would be after Family Day," Hadie said. "How can you take a nap and give Mal her fitting?"

"If anyone can, it's Evie," Dizzy told him.

"Oh we wouldn't want to miss that," Mal said with a small eye roll as she grabbed the only piece of jewelry she owned. Well with the exception of a couple of earrings. The piece in question was a dark blue flame sapphire charm on a silver chain.

"I love that necklace," Mal said softly, a small smile pulling at her lips.

Benji looked over at Malinda. "You know I've only ever seen you in two necklaces. That one and the one I gave you that you wore to Cotillion."

"Yeah well you know me. All my jewels have sentimental value," Malinda told him. "I don't need to be covered in them. Those two necklaces, the pair of earrings mom gave me, and my engagement ring are my favorite pieces anyway."

"The female version of Ben," Abby said with a grin. "I didn't hear one mention of a crown there."

Malinda shrugged. "To quote Ben, a crown doesn't make you a Queen."

"Something that some people in this room should learn before it's too late," Audie muttered.

Her parents had given it to her on her thirteenth birthday and she had always worn it under her jacket—the collar of her jacket was high enoughto cover the gleam of the silver chain and keeping it zipped hid the charm.

Huh…guess that's a good thing about being in Boreadon. I won't have to keep that necklace hidden, Mal thought with a small smile.

Quickly putting the necklace on, Mal winced slightly as her blazer rubbed against the bandage on her shoulder.

"I don't know where you get this stubbornness from," Persephone sighed and shook her head. "If you're in pain, you should say so."

I have a good pain tolerance but being in pain while dealing with all of the Auradon royals is not something I thought I'd experience, she thought as Jay and Carlos met up with the two girls before making their way to the quad where Family Day was being held.

Persephone sighed. "You should have skipped if you were in pain Mal."

Malinda shook her head. "Not if it meant I didn't get to see you mom."

Mal couldn't help but smirk a little as she heard the music down on the quad. Ben's voice carried to the school and while Mal appreciated a classic, it felt rather…vanilla.

Hadie grinned. "Just wait till I get there Mali! We'll get the guitars and make a rock version!"

I mean, 'Be Our Guest' is good but it's kinda on the nose isn't it? The son of Belle and Beastie, singing one of their songs? Mal thought. She couldn't help but think back to when she was about thirteen or fourteen and Hadie was about seven, the two of them goofing off on the guitar.

"Why don't I remember this?" Harry asked, frowning slightly. "I was living with you guys at the time."

"You were training the crew on their sword skills," Mal said and Harry nodded.

"Hey storm cloud," Mal said with a small smirk as she walked into the den. "Whatcha working on?"

"Hey Mali," Hadie gave her a smile while he tuned his guitar. It had been a rare opportunity two years ago but one of the barges had had an acoustic guitar—one of the Boreadon elite must have thrown it out after it broke a string.

"Hadie was sure grateful that mom was able to bring his guitar when she came back to Auradon," Malinda said with a small smile.

"You mean I can't bring it—?"

"Why couldn't he bring it?" Ben asked with a small frown, accidentally cutting off Hadie. "The limos have huge trunks that would certainly fit a guitar case."

Malinda shrugged. "I dunno, Hadie only told me they were told to bring one bag. I remember Harry said his suitcase was close to exploding with everything Hadie brought. But it was a good thing mom brought his guitar—Hadie was able to play it at Cotillion once we got that missing string fixed."

"Bring your guitar," Ben said to Hadie. "If I need to, I'll put a special note in your invite saying you have permission."

"The only reason the VKs usually have only one bag is because they have fewer things to pack." Benji added.

Mal hadn't cared about that and swiped it to give to Hadie for his birthday. Sure it was missing a string but other than that, the guitar was in near perfect shape.

"Who…who just throws out a guitar when a string is so easy to replace?" Lil Shang asked.

"I'm just practicing."

Mal grinned; their father had been teaching Hadie how to play the guitar since her brother was about five. Just as Mal loved her power lessons, Hadie loved his practice sessions with their father.

Eugene smiled. "The one on one time is probably the most important part of parenthood with multiple kids. Otherwise one of the kids might wind up lost in the shuffle."

"I came up with a song," Hadie said. "You know how Wonderbreath has that song all about how great he is? I figured dad should have something like that but I can't come up with any lyrics."

Persephone sighed and shook her head. "Hades, what did I say about using those nicknames around the kids?"

"That it would be a bad idea to potentially poison them against their cousin as he might be a good ally should they leave the Isle?"

"Exactly."

"Well why don't you play a bit of what you have and I'll see if I can help," Mal said and Hadie started playing. Tilting her head in thought, Mal pulled out her sketchbook from her pocket and started to write.

Benji chuckled as he looked over at his wife. "You didn't tell me you were a songwriter."

"Only for family," Malinda told him, shaking her head fondly.

"Okay, what about this?" Mal said after a few minutes. "Steal my soul, Hades' on a roll. Greek God of the week on every Isle poll! What a pro, Hades owns your soul. Stick him with a contract and you're talking S.R.O! He was a baby (when he got eaten), now he's a hothead (Frollo calls him a heathen)! He's got the moxie, brains and spunk—Olympus to Isle, that really stunk. Olympus to Isle…who'd have thunk?"

"Let me guess, was Uncle Hades so hot steam looked cool?" Macaria asked with a chuckle.

Hadie grinned. "Oh I like that Mali! Are we going to stick with just that or should we carry on with the song?"

"Let's keep going," Mal said, scooting closer to her brother. This was how their father found them a few hours later.

"A few hours? Wow you guys were determined," Herkie said.

"We quickly found out that very few things rhymed with Cerberus," Mal sighed as Estelle let out a small yip.

"You two have been very quiet. Why?"

"Honestly dad, it's like you don't trust us," Mal said with a small smirk.

"You're my children, of course I trust you Mali. However you're also children on the Isle of the Lost so I know you're plotting something."

"Honestly that sounds like what dad asks whenever more than two of us are in a room together," Rachel chuckled. "Only minus the part about being children of the Isle of the Lost."

Hadie chuckled. "We're just writing a song dad."

"Oh really? Can I hear it?"

Mal and Hadie looked at each other and grinned, springing to their feet as Hadie started playing on the guitar.

"Who puts the glad in 'gladiator'? Hades! Who's Isle deeds make for great theater?! Hades! Is he hot? He's on fire! Is he—?"

It was a good thing Mal was used to hiding her emotions otherwise her face would have resembled her brother's with how red it was. The songwriting skills of their youth were not the best.

"Okay, okay," Hades said, cutting them off.

"But dad!"

"I was around when the muses performed the original, I know how long that goes," Hades said with a chuckle. "I'm going back to work, you all can keep writing that if you want. Don't destroy the Underworld."

"You wound us dad!" Hadie and Mal exclaimed.

"Yes dad!" Mal and Hadie said with innocent grins that Hades didn't believe for a second.

"You know I have to say we did a fairly good job at not destroying the Underworld," Hadie said with a proud grin, the flush fading.

"What are you thinking about?" Jay muttered, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Dad," Mal muttered back and Jay nodded. Mal sighed and shook her head. "I guess we should make our way down there huh?"

"Why? I mean it sounds like we'd have the run of the school during Family Day," Jay shrugged. "Maybe we could use Carlos' tech skills and get that video feed to contact Uma and Harry."

"Do we have to?" Carlos asked. "None of us actually have family down there. Well except for you Mal."

Mal sighed. "It's up to you Carlos. But if we don't at least make an appearance, Sleeping Brat and her lackeys will start stirring up rumors about us."

"What rumor would that be?" Harriet asked. "That they don't want to come to 'Family Day' when their family's not there except for Mal? That's just weak, it wouldn't gain anything."

"Well…Evie's got family there too," Carlos said.

"What else is new?" Jay scoffed. "Still, I'm with you til the end of the line cap'n."

"And that'll never change," Jay said firmly.

"No matter what timeline either," Audie added, giving Jay a small smile.

Mal nodded. "I know Jay."

"Well, it can't hurt to make an appearance," Evie said softly. "After all we're Auradon Prep students. We've just as much right to be there as Audrey and her friends."

"And don't let anyone tell you otherwise," Benji said, nodding his head.

Mal nodded and the four of them slowly made their way down to the quad, Mal quickly grabbing a nearby strawberry from a table as Evie and Carlos seemed to separate from her and Jay.

Benji chuckled. "You and your strawberries," he teased Malinda.

"Hey, they're good," Malinda said as she took a strawberry from the bowl and bit into it with a smile.

She couldn't help but frown, despite not being all that close to Evie and only just warming up to Carlos, they were VKs in a sea of Auradonians. Safety in numbers after all.

"I mean true but…we're not gazelles," Carlos spoke up. "It'd look weird if we traveled in a group right?"

"Mal!" Ben called and Mal grinned upon seeing him. That grin seemed to fade into a look of shock as she took in what Ben was wearing.

"Please don't be the eyesore, please don't be the eyesore," Chip muttered, holding up his crossed fingers as if to give his pleas to the universe an extra kick.

"What's with the look?" Ben asked and Mal had to shake her head a little.

"You—You look great!"

Ben gave her a small smile. "You really think so? Akiho and Emir dragged me off shopping after we got back from our trip yesterday and I figured it'd be a good idea to wear my new shirt. I won't have a lot of opportunities after tomorrow. I already got my photo with my parents wearing the suit blazer so everything else doesn't matter."

"Why didn't you two do that years ago?!" Chip exclaimed, looking over at Ben's shadows.

Mal grinned and took in the shirt. It was a blue and white shirt with sleeves that seemed to come down about three quarters of his arms.

Belle smiled and made a mental note to ask Benji if he happened to remember what store he got that shirt from. You know, just in case her Ben wanted to wear something other than suits again.

Oddly enough, it seemed to bring out the green in his eyes. It paired really nicely with his dress pants; if Mal hadn't known it wasn't a dress shirt, she would have been completely fooled.

Emir and Akiho high fived. "The suits will soon be a thing of the past!"

"Ben, if you're worried about people's reaction to you wearing something 'not formal', don't be," Mal said gently, seeing the slight worry in Ben's eyes. "Anyone who says you shouldn't be wearing that is stuck in the 14th century."

"And by 'anyone', Mal is of course referring to Leah," Emir said, nodding his head as if to punctuate his point.

"I honestly don't think there is anyone else who would freak out over his clothes…well there's Audrey," Ashaki added.

Ben gave her a weak smile. "I know and I like wearing this. It's just…it's the first time since I think I was six that I haven't been in a complete suit around this many royals. Family Day's nerve wracking enough, even for me…"

"What has been put in Ben's head that he nearly has a panic attack about the fact that he's actually broken the mould and is out of his suits for a day?" Chip muttered, narrowing his eyes at Leah.

Belle looked over at Ben with a sad look on her face. She couldn't help but remember the times when Ben was younger, when he'd bee so excited to pick out his clothes in the morning. Well, that was until the day came when he had said that he wanted to wear suits to 'be like his papa'.

"Okay, take a deep breath," Mal said gently. "It's just clothes. If anyone makes a comment, you send them to me or you send them to your shadows. Okay? Now, go on. I think I see your parents over there. I know you said you had a photo with them but that's not the same as an official visit. They're going to think something's wrong if we hang out here all day."

Belle frowned. "Ben honey, calm down. As long as it's smart, you can wear what you'd like."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with hanging out with you."

"I know Ben, but it is Family Day. At some point, you will have to hang out with your family."

"I think what Mal's trying to say is that she wants to see her mom so go hang out with your family so she can walk away," Uma chuckled.

"Okay," Ben said with a chuckle.

Mal gave him a small smile. "Go on. I'll be right here if the conversation gets too boring. And Ben…think of it this way. Rules were meant to be broken.

"Rules were made to be followed. Nothing was made to be broken though," Ben said, shaking his head.

"Glow sticks," Akiho said.

"Piñatas," Emir added.

"Karate boards," Chip said with a chuckle.

"Spaghetti when you have a small pot," Lucas chimed in.

"Rules!" Harry said, grinning.

If they weren't, I wouldn't be here. You're happy about that right?"

"Of course I am!" Ben said with a small smile of his own.

"There you go."

"I'll always be glad that you're here," Benji told Malinda.

Ben leaned over and kissed her cheek, unaware of what he'd done as he was lost in thought. "Okay, I'm going. Otherwise, mom and dad'll be coming over here. As much as I want to introduce you to my parents, that might be a bit awkward."

"You see? That. That is how a relationship is supposed to be!" Chip said. "Being comfortable enough to give and receive affection! None of this stiffness and clinging on to each other!"

"Go!" Mal said with a chuckle.

Ben nodded and took a soft breath before walking over to his parents. "Hey mom, hey dad."

Belle smiled and gave him a hug which Ben happily returned.

"One might say you're happy to see me, mom," he teased.

"I'm always happy to see my son," Belle said with a small smile.

"Hush you," Belle told him with a chuckle.

"Yes mom. It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too Ben," Belle said gently. "You look happy."

Ben nodded with a small smile.

"Always a good sight to see," Beast said. Especially since it's somewhat rare these days.

"You know son, I know I see you at the council meetings but that doesn't mean you don't have to greet me," Beast teased gently.

Ben grinned, chuckling as he hugged his father. "Hi dad," he said.

"Of course not dad," Ben chuckled. "I'll always greet you."

"Hello Ben," Beast said, returning the hug. "You're looking well. I meant to say that during the picture but we didn't really have the chance to talk."

"Thanks dad," Ben said with a smile. "How've you two been?"

"We've been good Ben," Belle said, a smile of her own on her lips. "Your father keeps insisting I've read every book in our library though."

"You mean you haven't already?" Abby asked as Ben and Chip chuckled.

"You probably have, mom."

"See Belle? I told you Ben would agree with me!" Beast said with a chuckle.

"Honestly! I haven't read every book in the library," Belle said, rolling her eyes. "Some of them are in Greek."

Beast shook his head. "It's an inside joke between your mother and me," he told Ben and Abby who were both tilting their heads in confusion.

"And I'm sure that knowing you, you'll learn Greek just to read them," Beast teased.

"Any of the Gods be happy to teach you Greek, your highness," Hera said. "You'd probably prefer to go to either Apollo as the God of Knowledge or Athena as the Goddess of Wisdom."

"Maybe after coronation dear. Greek is a hard language to learn. So Ben, what have you been up to?" Belle asked and Ben paused.

Would this be a good time to bring up the fact that I have a new girlfriend? Ben thought. I mean, they have kinda given me an opening.

Taking a small breath, Ben said, "I have a new girlfriend."

"You know if it was anyone else, getting a new girlfriend that fast might raise alarm bells," Lil Shang said.

"Oh," Belle said with a small smile.

"Yeah," Ben nodded, smiling as he thought of Mal.

"Do we know your new girlfriend?" Beast asked.

"Sort of."

"I think it would be more accurate to say you know of her rather than saying that you know her," Hyllus said.

"Well I'm sure we'll meet her later if she's here with her family," Belle said and Ben nodded.

Mal is here with Jay so that counts as her family if Lady Persephone isn't here, Ben thought with a slightly sad smile.

"From thinking they were dating to thinking of Jay as Mal's family," Akiho said. "Our boy's growing up so fast!"

"You're insane you know that?" Ben asked, trying to keep the flush down on his cheeks.

"Thank you!"

"I have to say Ben, I like your new shirt," Belle said, pulling Ben out of his thoughts. "It suits you."

"Thanks mom," Ben said, smiling a little. "Emir and Akiho got tired of the suits."

"Why am I not surprised those two were involved somehow?"

"Because they usually are," Ben said with a chuckle.

"Of course we are!" Akiho grinned. "How can we call ourselves Ben's shadows if we're not involved?"

"That'd just be false advertising," Emir nodded.

"Honestly, I'm surprised they're not glued to your side like they usually are," Belle shook her head in amusement.

"Don't speak too soon mom. Right now though, they should be on dates but I'm sure they'll find a way to glue themselves to my side sooner or later," Ben said. It had taken about three hours but Ben had finally convinced those two to ask out Emma White and Elle, Ariel's eldest daughter. Also known as the two girls Emir and Akiho had been pining over for three years. Each.

"What? Ben!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed.

"Is the scroll wrong?" Ben asked.

Akiho shook his head. "We have not been pining!"

"Akiho, my future self said that you and Elle are expecting a child. Pretty sure you can drop the act now! Plus Elle didn't seem all that fazed by the fact that she was having a child with you. Besides Akiho, the only ones who know more about the Atlanticans and sea creatures than you are the Atlanticans themselves."

"Oh yeah, Emir and Emma are having a kid as well. Can't forget that," Benji chimed in as Snow and David let out a small, happy gasp at the thought of a grandchild in the future. The far future.

"…did you three plan your pregnancies?" Chip asked.

"No Chip," Benji said with a chuckle.

"Alright! A niece or nephew to spoil rotten," Ashaki said with a grin. "Time to enjoy being the 'cool' aunt!"

Aziz shook his head. "You'd be their only aunt. Emma doesn't have a sister after all."

Ashaki shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I'm still the cool aunt!"

"Well I know this guy looks like Ben and sounds like Ben but it can't be Ben. My petit frère in something other than a completed suit?" Chip's voice sounded from behind Ben.

"Chip!" Ben spun around and practically tackled the older boy.

Chip grinned. "Sounds like someone's happy to see me!"

"Oof! Hey Ben," Chip said with a chuckle. "Gee, you'd think you were happy to see me or something."

"Cut me some slack, I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Well because I have this thing called a job Benji," Chip said with a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah," Chip chuckled. "Well I'm here now—and whoever picked out that shirt for you needs to be knighted. Looking good, Benji!"

"Thanks," Ben chuckled.

Emir and Akiho looked at each other with a grin before getting up to kneel before Ben. "We humbly accept!"

"Can Princes get a knighthood?" Kitty asked.

"You're welcome Ben," Chip said, wrapping his arm around Ben's shoulders. "Hey Belle, Adam. Sorry I'm late."

"Not a problem Chip."

"Traffic's usually a pain in the neck on Family Day," Belle said. "Plus Chip's not exactly the most punctual."

"You lose your sense of time after being a teacup for ten years!" Chip exclaimed.

"How long are you going to play that card?" Belle asked.

"Depends. Does it still work?"

"…maybe."

"Then I'll play it until it doesn't."

"Oh! So I told mom and dad but you should probably know too Chip," Ben said. "I have a new girlfriend."

"Considering I'm the one you called for help with your date, I would hope so," Chip chuckled. "Is she the one who got you your new shirt?"

"I should hope you didn't already forget that you went to me for help with your date Benji," Chip said with a small chuckle.

"No, Emir and Akiho are the ones who got my shirt," Ben said with a small smile.

"Well where is she?" Chip asked. "I for one would love to meet her!"

"Well future self, I can tell you for certain that she's a great person to know," Chip said with a grin.

"She's over…Mal!" Ben gave a small wave to get Mal's attention, not noticing how his parents seemed to freeze. He smiled as Mal walked over, meeting her halfway up the path. "Mal, I want you to meet my parents and Chip."

Ben frowned slightly. "What's…what's wrong?"

"I'm sure we're just…taken aback is all," Belle said softly.

"Ben, is this a good idea?" Mal asked softly, biting her lip. "You know, with me being from the Isle and all?"

"Mal, Chip already loves you."

"Ben, Chip hasn't even met me…and what about your parents?"

"And yet I love you anyway," Chip said with a grin.

"They want to meet you too."

Mal sighed. "Okay Ben…if you're sure."

"I would just like to point out that Audrey never hesitated in meeting Ben's parents," Leah stated.

"Audrey's known Belle and Beast since she was a baby, mother," Aurora sighed. "There's a difference here between meeting your friend's parents and meeting the King and Queen of Auradon."

Ben gave her a soft smile before turning back toward his parents and Chip, taking care to wrap his arm around Mal's waist and not her shoulder as to not cause her pain. "Mom, dad, Chip. This is Mal. From the Isle. My girlfriend."

"A man of many words," Rose chuckled.

Rowyn shook her head. "He's probably nervous."

"Hi," Mal said with a shy smile, bowing her head a little. She wasn't going to give them a full on curtsey considering what all Beastie and Belle had done to her family, to the people of the Isle, but she'd be polite.

"And that's what makes a true leader," Audie said. "To not try and make a scene regardless of how tempting it'd be."

"Hello Mal," Belle said but it was obvious to anyone with eyes that she was shocked. Beast just nodded, as shocked as his wife.

"In my timeline, Belle almost fainted after getting the news," Audie said, keeping her voice soft.

Chip, however, had no qualms about Ben dating Mal. "Enchante mademoiselle," he said with a smile. "Anyone who can get Ben to break off the betrothal contract is more than welcome here."

"Actually, anyone who's not Audrey is probably welcomed in Chip's eyes," Lucas sighed and shook his head.

"Believe me, it took some convincing," Mal said with a chuckle.

"I can believe it. Benji's stubborn when he wants to be."

Ben rolled his eyes. "I'm not that stubborn," he muttered.

Malinda snorted in amusement. "You honestly think you're not stubborn?"

"Hark who's talking," Benji teased. "You're the most stubborn person I know."

"Ben, take it from me. You're stubborn," Chip said with a chuckle and Mal couldn't help but giggle slightly.

Chip grinned. "See? Even your girlfriend thinks you're stubborn. How'd your date at the Enchanted Lake go by the way?"

"Should I be worried you're this invested in my relationship with Mal?" Ben asked. "Cause you weren't like this with Audrey."

"I'm 'invested' because you're finally happy and you weren't like this with Audrey, Ben," Chip told him.

"Benji, you weren't like this with Audrey," Chip stated. "But let's not talk about Princess Leech, especially since the Beauty Matriarch from Hell is probably on the warpath right now. Plus probably not the best idea to talk about your ex in front of your current girlfriend."

"Unless your fiancé convinces you to use said ex to plan your wedding," Lucas chuckled.

"I'm sorry, what?" Chip asked, looking at him.

"Oh right. We used one of your ex's to plan the wedding. I think it was Cynthia…yep definitely Cynthia."

"Why would we use an ex as a wedding planner?" Chip asked, shaking his head and trying not to react at hearing that particular ex's name.

"How would you know? You're always single," Ben teased. Mal remained silent though, smirking slightly at the new nickname for Sleeping Brat.

Oh just wait till Jay hears the new nickname, she thought.

"Oh I'm loving it!" Jay said with a smirk.

"Well anyway, how about lunch?" Ben offered.

"Sounds good to me," Mal nodded. Ben smiled and the three of them started to make their way to the food tent.

"She really is a good fit for you Benji," Chip whispered to Ben. "You seem like you actually like her. Whenever I saw you around Audrey and she clung to your arm, you looked like you couldn't get out of there fast enough."

"That does tend to help, the not being a clinger," Robin nodded.

"Yeah well…Mal's not a 'clinger' as you put it. The only reason she wrapped her arm around my waist was because she probably wanted to make a good impression on mom and dad."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Malinda whispered.

"Hey, you were nervous," Benji said. "It's natural."

"Considering your parents haven't said a word since she said hello, I think your folks are still stunned," Chip muttered.

Mal couldn't help but frown slightly as she heard that. She didn't know why she expected anything less from Belle and Beastie though.

Mal sighed softly and shook her head. Honestly what am I expecting? Them to hug me and say 'welcome to the family?'

Ben frowned and turned to his parents. "Mom, dad? Are you going to join us for lunch?"

"Oh, um, of course!"

Well at least this Belle didn't almost faint, Audie thought. That's a good sign right?

"Great!" Ben grinned, turning away and taking Mal's hand; lacing his fingers through hers.

Buck up Mal, you can vent to Jay later if you insist. At least let Ben think you're happy, she thought.

Benji looked over at Malinda with a sad smile. "So is that where it started? The whole 'needing to protect me' thing?"

"Not quite," Malinda told him. "My…my need to protect you started the minute you shook my hand and I saw how you were with Audrey."

Besides, at least Belle and Beast aren't being rude or snobby…and you know you're not the typical girl Ben might date. Of course they're in shock. Who wouldn't be…at least to them, Maleficent's daughter is dating their son. Honestly I'm surprised Beast hasn't ordered guards to separate me and Ben. Probably doesn't want to cause a panic with the other royals. Got to keep up the royal image after all…

"If he did that, then dad and I would have had words," Benji said, his voice low.

"What are you hungry for?" Ben asked gently, pulling Mal out of her thoughts.

"I'm not fussy," Mal told him with a small smile.

"Are you sure? Anything you want, name it and I bet they can make it."

"Bet they can't make dad's garlic crispy chicken!" Hadie said, shaking his head.

"Ben, seriously, whatever that they have to offer is fine."

Ben nodded, the memory of what they had eaten on the Isle coming to the forefront of his mind. "They usually have a buffet or you can order something from the menu."

Ben flinched slightly. "Way to sound stuck up, scroll-me," he muttered.

"I'll just get something from the buffet."

Ordering from the menu just seemed too…greedy for her…and that was the last thing she wanted to be.

"Gods…the number of kids that would have fed," Malinda said softly.

Not when she knew first hand how precious food was.

Of course Boreadon has enough food to offer both a menu and a buffet, Mal thought with an inward sigh. Meanwhile kids on the Isle are dying between food shipments…don't think about that. You're trying to make a good impression and play nice. Ending up in a yelling match with Beastie is not the way to go.

"No but it probably would make Family Day more entertaining," Macaria said with a small chuckle.

"What are you looking at me for? She's right," Meg shrugged as people started to look over at her, as if wondering if she was going to correct her daughter.

"Ben, how about a game of croquet after lunch?" Beast asked, speaking for the first time since Mal walked up.

"Sure," Ben grinned, looking over at Mal. "Have you played before?"

"No."

"You'll be fine," Ben reassured her.

"You know I understand not wanting to exclude Mal but Ben, I think your dad just wanted to have the game of croquet with you?" Emma suggested.

"Ben, I don't even know what croquet is," Mal said softly.

"You hit a ball with a mallet, that's basically all it is."

Mal nodded. Seems rather boring, she thought.

"I'll save everyone the time and effort of wondering," Malinda sighed. "It is."

"Come on," Ben said gently. "We can grab some food from the buffet and sit back down…or I can grab a plate for you if you want?"

"I'll come with you."

There was no way she could stand the awkwardness of being left alone with his parents, considering Chip had already descended upon the buffet.

"Memo to me, memo to me, stay and act as a buffer," Chip muttered to himself.

"Okay," Ben said with a smile. "There's chicken, soup, salad, burgers…"

"Um…I'll have some chicken," Mal said. It wouldn't be as good as her dad's but at least it might feel like a bit of home.

Belle sighed. "Honestly I've never quite cared for the chicken at Family Day. No matter who's cooking it, it always turns out a bit too rubbery. Not like the fresh chicken I used to have with my father."

"You used to have fresh chicken?" Mal asked.

"I grew up on a farm dear," Belle told her. "We didn't just raise the chickens for the eggs after all."

Ben smiled. "Help yourself."

Mal smiled back and the two of them walked up to the buffet to grab their food. Twenty minutes later, Mal tried to hide her bored expression as she stared at the ground.

"We kinda outlawed croquet after that," Malinda said with a small chuckle.

How in the world was this supposed to be fun?! I'm about to whack my head with this mallet—if Ben is actually enjoying this, I'm seriously worried about this boy!

Benji shook his head. "Years and years of schooling my features, sweetheart."

Oh Gods, this is killing my shoulder! Just fake it Mal. It'll be over soon and then I can relax with Ben. At least the other royals are basically ignoring me and I haven't seen any sign of Sleeping Brat. That's good, at least I don't have to play nice the way Evie is with Snow or the way Carlos is with Anita. All I have to be is pretend to be interested in croquet.

"Though I doubt mom's 'playing' nice," Neal said. "I mean, with how she's acting with Evie now, I have a feeling mom and Evie are getting along like two peas in a pod in the scroll."

"I find it boring too," Chip muttered to Mal as he walked up.

"How do you stand it?" Mal muttered back, slightly concerned that the former teacup had read her mind.

"Oh no, if I had the power to read minds, dealing with Ben's stubbornness would be a lot less frustrating," Chip said.

"Oh usually by cursing the inventor of the game in my head. Though I'm horrible at it so I usually bow out after a round."

"I still maintain you throw the round so you don't have to keep playing," Ben said, shaking his head.

Mal smiled. "I might just do that. I'm going to take the rest of my plate to Jay."

"Sounds good. I'll let Ben know if he asks."

Ben couldn't help but smile as he listened to the interaction between Chip and Mal. At least he likes one of my girlfriends, he thought.

Mal smiled and grabbed her plate, walking over to the boy who was practically her brother. "Jay!"

"Yeah Mal?"

"Here. I can't eat it all and it shouldn't go to waste. It's not as good as dad's but it's decent," Mal said softly, handing Jay the plate.

"Like I said last scroll, dad's is always the best!" Hadie said with a grin.

"Thanks Mal," Jay said, taking the plate. "How's the…whatever it was you were doing?"

"Mind numbingly boring, but I'm trying to play nice though I think they already don't like me," Mal sighed.

"It's King Beastie. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like any of us from the Isle," Jay sighed.

"He learns to like a few of us from the Isle," Malinda said.

"True, as Audrey said, in my story the evil fairy doesn't turn into the princess, she's just the evil fairy."

"Since when does what Audrey says matter? Besides the only way you're connected to Maleficent's story is because she gave you life. That's it."

"And as we've been saying, if we could keep that image out of our heads, that'd be great!" Hades and Chip said at the same time.

"Don't worry about me Jay," Mal said with a sad smile. "I'll just enjoy this while it lasts."

"You think something's going to happen?" Jay asked, tensing a little.

"Well Leah's still on the prowl so anything's possible," Kitty pointed out.

"Jay, we're VKs surrounded by royals. It's not out of the realm of possibilities. As I said, I'll enjoy it while it lasts."

"I'm with you no matter what happens Mal," Jay said, keeping his voice low.

"I know."

"You've been with me since I was five Jay. I think it goes without saying by this point," Mal said with a small smile.

Jay gave her a small smile and nibbled on some of the chicken. "You're right, it is good…not as good as Lord Hades' but still good."

"Share it with Carlos if you want. He needs some fattening up."

"I mean…it's true but I'm sure there's a nicer way to say that," Ruby said with a small frown.

"I'll share it with him if I see him."

"Good."

Jay nodded. "So…I know I'm jinxing us here but is it weird that the other royals are practically ignoring us?"

The other royals in attendance looked a bit sheepish and guilty at the thought of their future selves avoiding or ignoring the VKs.

Audie sighed. "Even if a different timeline, Ben's the only royal to believe in or trust the VKs."

"Shh!" Mal hissed playfully. "If they ignore us then we don't have to play nice."

"Sadly, that's a good point," Esmeralda sighed. "I'm not saying the children should be ignored but if there are people who can't control what they say around children…"

"Right," Jay nodded. "Let's give it another hour and then bounce. We did our part, made an appearance…"

Mal looked over at Ben, who was enjoying his round of croquet with Beast. "I don't know Jay…I mean don't I have to stay? As Ben's girlfriend? I mean I met his parents…they're going to wonder why we left early. You can go if you want though."

"I mean, if push came to shove, you could just say you were having some 'women issues' like you did to skip the conference call," Rose said.

Mal shook her head slightly. "As good of an idea as that is, I don't think they'd believe it twice."

"Whats more if I claimed that then Ben would have skipped out too because he'd be worried and it would defeat the purpose," Malinda added. "Plus I'd just worry mom for no good reason."

"You stay, I stay Mal." Jay said. "So, what do we do? Mingle?"

"It can't be any worse than croquet," Mal muttered.

"Yeah, that game seems really strange from what I saw," Jay shook his head and Mal snorted in amusement.

"You can say that again."

"You know…maybe we could try to find a way to blend the two cultures together rather than just expect the VKs to assimilate into the Auradon way of life?" Jane said softly.

"...Wanna go make some smoke bombs and throw them at trees or something?"

"That sounds fun. I think there's a grove off a ways that'll work."

"See like that? Smoke bombs don't really hurt anyone and if it's in a confined area, it doesn't force it on anyone who doesn't want to participate," Jane added, her confidence in the idea growing.

"I have to say, I kinda want to throw a smoke bomb," Kitty said with a small smile.

"Me too!" Alexandria grinned. "Sounds fun!"

Jay grinned and the two of them snuck off to make the smoke bombs. Luckily the Chemistry classroom was still unlocked.

"Now this is fun," Mal said as she measured out the ingredients for the smoke bombs, earning a chuckle from Jay. Thankfully Freddy had hit her non dominant shoulder so she'd still be able to throw the smoke bombs.

Fairy Godmother sighed. "I'll make sure the Chemistry classroom is locked during Family Day."

"…she does know we can pick locks right?" Mal asked, looking over at Jay.

"I think your dad's right about the sun melting their brains," Jay told her.

"And we haven't even thrown them yet," Jay pointed out.

"Ooh I can't wait to see how Auradon smoke bombs compare to Isle smoke bombs."

"We'll just have to be careful not to be caught. Or accidentally hit one of the royals. The screams that would follow…"

"Oh way to temp Mal there Jay," Uma said with a small chuckle.

Eugene shook his head. "Well I can only speak for myself but if it was me she happened to hit, I'd probably just join in and throw one back at her."

"You mean you wouldn't be freaking out about what the smoke did to your hair dear?" Rapunzel teased as their kids chuckled.

"Depends on if she hit my hair," Eugene teased back.

"Oh now, you're just making it more tempting Jay," Mal said with a fake pout and Jay chuckled again.

"You can imagine the trees as the royals, how about that?"

"…deal."

"Better than nothing really," Mal said with a small shrug.

"Great. Now come on. The sooner we get these made, the sooner we're out there pelting trees."

They got back to work and soon Mal and Jay rushed over to the grove with their bag filled of smoke bombs. Handing Jay a smoke bomb, Mal smirked. "Ready on three?"

"One…"

"…two…"

"…THREE!"

They threw their smoke bombs and the trees are soon covered in purple and yellow smoke. Mal couldn't help but cheer to herself.

"That definitely seems like it would be fun!" Neal grinned.

This was fun, not whacking a ball with a mallet, she thought. I wonder if I can't get Ben to sneak away for a bit. Throwing smoke bombs isn't evil, it's more wicked if anything…and everyone has a wicked side after all.

Yep, it's official. I'm never going to get that song out of my head! Audie thought with a small sigh.

"Oh! Like Aunt Ana's song!" Dizzy grinned. "The song she uses to help some of the kids on the Isle get more wicked!"

"Clearly she has not used that song on you Diz," Celia said, shaking her head.

"Song?" Ben asked. "How does it go?"

"Let me tell you something you can really trust…everybody's got a wicked side," Audie sang softly as everyone turned to look at her. "It was in one of the viewings the Blue Fairy gave my timeline."

"Do you guys know it too?" Emir asked, looking at the VKs.

"Sure do," Jay nodded. "If you want, we can teach you during a break."

"Oh Gods," Aziz sighed as Akiho, Ashaki, and Emir grinned.

Aladdin chuckled. "You know what, it could be a good thing. Kids these days don't burst out into song as often as they did when I was younger."

"Hey Jay? Do you think we'd be able to get Ben to do this?" Mal asked as she tossed another smoke bomb.

"I'd say maybe not today but tomorrow's his coronation…if you can get him to slip away, I'd say go for it."

"Wait, are you planning on having Benny here sneak away at his coronation?" Uma asked.

"Jay, you want me to get him to slip away at a televised event? I'm good but not that good."

"I meant today Mal," Jay chuckled. "I figured we'd have no shot at getting him to slip away tomorrow."

"I'd follow you anywhere," Benji whispered into Malinda's ear.

Malinda smiled and turned to him. "Don't you mean you'll be by my side? Because like you said when you proposed, it's you and me. Not me with you behind me."

"True, very true," Benji said with a small chuckle as Chip pulled out a notebook and seemed to make a note of the proposal details.

Ben stared at Chip for a minute. "Do I want to know where you got that notebook from?"

"I have my tricks," Chip told him.

"Wait, so Chip can have a notebook and I can't?"

"Because if you had one, you'd never look up from it," Emir said, shaking his head.

"That I can do."

"Then go for it cap'n."

Mal grinned. "Stay here, I'll be back with Ben," she said and scurried off. Quickly locating the brunet, Mal slid up next to him. "You want to sneak away?" Mal muttered to him.

"Come get us too!" Emir, Akiho, and Chip said in unison.

"Me too!" Lonnie grinned. "Sounds like fun!"

"What did you have in mind?" Ben muttered back.

"Come on," Mal grinned. Ben shook his head and followed Mal back to the grove.

"This might get a bit crazy, just a fair warning," Mal said with a chuckle.

"Mal, you act as though I'm going to run screaming at the idea of something crazy."

"You live in Auradon though," Harriet pointed out. "Isn't it…all peaceful?"

Ben snorted before pointing to Emir and Akiho. "These two have basically made me immune to any form of craziness so I can just roll with whatever life gives me."

"Well considering who you're around normally…"

"Oh you mean Akiho and Emir? AKA the kings of getting into mischief and dragging me along for the ride?" Ben chuckled and picked up a smoke bomb.

"We'll wear the title with pride!" Emir and Akiho grinned.

"Just aim for the tree Ben," Jay said, sitting on a nearby stump.

"I know how to throw a smoke bomb Jay," Ben told him.

"When have you thrown a smoke bomb?" Kitty asked, looking over at Ben.

Ben shrugged. "I have my ways."

"Really? Have you ever thrown one before?"

Ben smirked slightly and threw the smoke bomb right at Jay's chest. "That answer your question?"

Mal burst out laughing at Jay's stunned expression.

Uma and Harry also burst out laughing, as the Jay in the room had a similar expression that was likely on his scroll self's face.

"Ooh, looks like Mal's rubbing off on him," Uma said with a smirk.

"You sir have just declared war!" Jay said after getting over the shock.

"Oh really? Bring it Jay!" Ben teased, grabbing another smoke bomb.

"You're going to be sorry you said that!"

"Have fun Ben," Chip chuckled.

"Give 'em hell!" Emir cheered.

Akiho smiled, wishing he could have been there to see it himself.

Soon a barrage of smoke bombs start to fly amid Mal's laughter. The boys paused and smirked at each other. "You know Jay, I think Mal's missing out on the fun here," Ben teased.

"Yep, Mal's definitely rubbing off on him," Harry nodded.

"Think very carefully about what you're about to do next Ben," Mal said with a smirk.

"Oh? And what are you going to do if I say do this?" Ben asked as he threw the smoke bomb at her and that was all it took to get Mal involved. Soon the grove was filled with smoke and the sounds of laughter.

Belle couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at her lips as they read that. It was nice that Ben got a rare moment of teen fun rather than royal fun.

"I can clean it for you," Mal panted and giggled about fifteen minutes later as she flopped onto Ben, who was lying on his back grinning, Mal's hands running over his paint splattered shirt.

Ben flushed slightly; he wasn't going to lie, the thought of Mal so close to him like that…it was rather enjoyable.

"It's fine, I'm sure it'll wash out," Ben grinned as he held her close to him. "And if not…it's just a shirt."

"I told you it would get crazy."

"I'm fine with crazy. Remember who my best friends are."

"Thank you!"

"You both know that's not a compliment!" Ben sighed, shaking his head.

Mal chuckled. "We should get you cleaned up before someone comes looking for you. Even though frankly all you look like is a teen."

"I know, I know," Ben said softly. "But someone's going to ask what happened if we show back up covered in paint."

"And by 'someone', he means either Audrey or Leah," Emir muttered to Akiho who nodded.

Mal sighed. "Beware forswear, make the paint stains disappear."

In the blink of an eye, all signs of the smoke bombs had vanished from all three of them.

"There," Mal said softly. "Like it never happened."

"At least you'll have the memories," Dizzy said softly.

Now I just have to go back to pretending croquet is fun and being ignored by the royals…don't say anything. This is Ben's last day as a regular teen before his coronation. Let's go.

Lonnie frowned. "Come find me. I'm sure you and mom would get along no problem. And if not, I'm sure Uncle Yao's there."

"Oh yeah, his daughter's on the cheer squad with me!" Rose nodded. "Yi-min's an amazing cheerleader."

"Yao's…his…what?"

"We're not our parents mom," Lonnie shrugged "Besides, Aunt Mei is more into the feminine side of things."

Ben gently took her hand once more and laced his fingers through hers as they made their way back to Family Day. Mal gave him a small smile. Ben returned the smile and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"If you don't want Leah screaming your ear off, I'd tone down the PDA," Chip muttered as he walked up to them.

"Honestly," Anna shook her head. "Ben should be able to kiss his girlfriend on the cheek without worrying about the grandmother of his ex freaking out."

"It was a kiss on the cheek Chip, come on!"

"You really think Queen Bat would care about that? She's already come by and badgered your parents. I think she came around about five minutes after you and Mal slipped away."

"Oh wow, Ben lucked out!" Emma said. "I'm not sure what might have happened if Leah saw Ben and Mal together."

"What did she want?"

"Oh the usual. How could they allow the betrothal contract to be dissolved, think of how heartbroken Audrey was. She even asked if you were in the right mindset to ask for the end of the contract considering your performance on the Tourney field."

Chip and Audie rolled their eyes in unison.

"And she starts," Audie muttered.

"Great," Ben groaned.

"Yeah. Your mom was awesome though. Basically told Leah as diplomatically as possible that she could take her opinion and stick it where the sun don't shine."

"As I know my younger self won't say this I will happily do so. Go mom!" Benji cheered.

Mal smiled. Even if Belle was shocked by Ben dating me, at least she wasn't siding with Leah.

"I don't side with Leah, Mal," Belle said, her voice low.

"Chip? How did dad respond to Leah's...barrage of questioning I guess would be the most polite term?" Ben asked.

"Basically said it was your choice, just like he told her after the Tourney game."

"Oh thank Gods!"

Beast frowned slightly. "Ben, did you really think I would…?"

"You look like you've had a weight taken off of you," Mal said softly, giving his hand a small squeeze.

"Just…the fact that dad said it was my choice," Ben told her. "I know dad loves me but I also know Leah's on his council so he might have needed to appease her."

"Okay, let's get one thing very clear Ben," Beast said. "Nothing comes before your happiness."

"Yeah well, she might not be on the council much longer," Mal muttered.

"That would be the day," Ben sighed.

"Well, who is going to be king tomorrow?"

"Er…I am."

"Exactly," Mal said with a small smirk.

Benji pointed to Malinda with a grin on his face. "I'm married to a genius right here!"

"Oh…Oh!" Ben said and then smirked. "You, Mal, are a genius! Chip, I'm dating a genius."

"Of course you are," Chip chuckled. "Not like you wouldn't have come up with that on your own Benji."

"Um Chip? This is the same guy who was content to suffer through his betrothal contract because it was a 'promise'," Akiho said. "You and I both know Ben would have never come up with the idea of removing someone from his council."

"Anyway, Leah's days on the council are numbered after tomorrow," Mal said with a slight smile. Ben returned the smile and wrapped his arm around her waist, trying to avoid touching her shoulder.

"The last thing I wanted to do was potentially hurt you," Benji told Malinda. "I didn't know how much the stab wound was still hurting or if it was still hurting."

"You're playing with fire right now Ben," Mal chuckled.

"Am I?" Ben teased. "I'm not doing anything, just showing affection to my girlfriend. Besides we'll hear Leah coming before we see her."

He smiled and lightly kissed Mal's cheek again.

"That's certainly the truth," Phillip Sr. muttered.

"There you are!"

"And Ben's luck has officially run out!" Akiho sighed, shaking his head.

Mal felt Ben stiffen slightly but he kept a smile on his face. "Queen Leah, how can we help you?"

Is she an idiot? Shrieking like that at Ben? Mal thought. Then again, Leah never struck me as the most intelligent. The whole mess with Aurora could have been avoided by inviting Maleficent.

"I mean…she's not wrong," Jane said, her voice soft. "I'm not saying that Maleficent would have accepted the invitation but by inviting her, there wouldn't have been the possibility of insult."

"I gather you've already spoken to my parents," Ben said diplomatically.

"I have, yes. I was hoping to clear up the mixup between our families regarding the betrothal contract and the embarrassment of poor Audrey!" Leah shrieked.

"What mixup?" Snow asked. "Prince Ben said he no longer wanted the contract and Queen Belle was able to remove him from it. How is there a mix up?"

"Queen Leah, please lower your voice and we will discuss this calmly. However I fail to see how there could've been a mix up. After all, it was discussed with both my mother and Princess Aurora and they agreed to dissolve the contract," Ben stated. "Since they were the ones who made the contract in the first place, it appears it has been amicably dissolved. Unless Princess Aurora changed her mind?"

"If I changed my mind, I would have gone to Belle and you, Ben. My mother would not have been sent in my stead," Aurora said firmly.

"The contract was legally binding! They had no right to dissolve it without consulting me!" Leah exclaimed.

"I believe we proved that it wasn't legally binding," Hades spoke up.

"Also why should Queen Belle and Princess Aurora need to consult you about their own children?" Anna asked, looking over at Leah.

"My wife's right," Kristoff nodded. "You may be Princess Audrey's grandmother but you don't have any parental rights over her or Prince Ben even if you insist on acting like it."

Belle nodded. "I'm sorry Leah but I wasn't aware I needed to consult you over something that concerned my child."

"The contract also relies on consent. I simply withdrew mine," Ben said, his voice growing a bit firmer. "Queen Leah, it's the twenty first century. Are you saying that I don't have the right to consent to marry who I choose? Audrey and I are just not compatible. Are you saying you want your granddaughter to be miserable?"

"Hmm, wouldn't put it past her to be honest," Audie said, shaking her head.

"Audrey!" Leah gasped.

"Oh don't act all scandalized!" Audie scoffed. "If you do half the things to your Audrey that my version of you did to me, then you won't care if she's miserable at all!"

Turning to Audrey, Audie said, "hey other me? Be prepared for Leah to say this to you now that you and Ben are no longer a thing. 'A lifetime of plans, gone. Our family status gone. Audrey, you were supposed to be his Queen and you let him slip through your fingers. Your mother could hold on to a Prince in her sleep.'"

Aurora looked up from the scroll in horror. "What?!"

Meanwhile, both Phillips were looking at Audie with dropped jaws, as if trying to comprehend what the young woman had said.

Audie sighed. "Yeah it…in my timeline, it was at Ben's proposal to Mal. Everyone was ecstatic and then Leah just goes in about a lifetime of plans and our family's status…according to her, if I wasn't Ben's Queen…then I wasn't worth anything."

Aurora shook her head and glared at Leah. "Mother, don't even think about being alone with either Audrey or Phillip!"

"Aurora, you can't—!"

"Oh I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you had parental rights to my children," Aurora shot back. "Who is their mother here? That's right, it's me."

Phillip Sr. got up and walked over to Audie, wrapping his arms around her. She might not have been his daughter but she was still a version of her and he wasn't about to sit there and leave her without some form of parental comfort after hearing that.

Audie smiled as she leaned into his arms, her version of her father hadn't been able to give her a hug since she was the Queen of Mean, while Phil Jr. still looked on in stunned silence.

"I'm alright papa," Audie whispered after a moment. "Yes it hurt at the time but it taught me an important lesson. A crown can't give you happiness. I've been happier since I've abdicated than I've ever been. You…you should focus more on Phil. Let's just say…while I was the golden child growing up in Leah's eyes, Phil was her scapegoat. What she said to me was just a drop in the bucket to how she treated him or at least my Phil. Don't let my brother become 'the spare' in this timeline too."

"Of course not! But Ben, Audrey was so happy when you two were together-every couple have these ups and downs, and can you really say that it's you making this call?"

"Is there something else at play here?" Hera asked, looking at Leah. "You're certainly acting like you're the only one who has rights to Princess Audrey and that her mother was only a carrier."

Phillip Sr. sighed. "There were…complications when Audrey was born. We had…had to bring in Leah to help raise Audrey while Aurora recovered."

"And while that is a valuable thing to have, it still only makes Leah the grandmother," Meg said. "It does not give her the right to orchestrate Audrey's love life and then harass the person she set her granddaughter up with when they say they no longer want the relationship."

"I second the fact that Leah doesn't have the right to harass Ben for wanting to change who he's dating at sixteen," Chip spoke up.

"Queen Leah, just what are you implying?" Ben asked, his voice growing firmer.

"Simply that many of your friends don't like poor Audrey and that you've been getting closer than advised to a certain someone who as you know has it in for my family," Leah said, eyeing Mal with distain.

Mal rolled her eyes. "I don't have it in for your family, you have it in for mine! Whether you believe my parentage or not, you still have it in for them!"

"Oh are you referring to my girlfriend?" Ben asked, his polite smile becoming fixed. "And, while true my friends may not have been the fondest of Audrey, they didn't influence my decision to withdraw my consent. You say that you don't want your granddaughter to be miserable, am I not allowed the same consideration? Let us not forget that Audrey and I were three when we were put in the contract. You can't hold three year olds accountable for things done on their behalf nor did you give thought to the fact that Audrey and I may not want to be in a relationship as we got older. I'm sorry but the way Audrey handled the break up only serves as a sign to me that I made the right decision. Now, we can continue to discuss this but I'm going to have to ask that you leave my friends and my girlfriend out of this."

"Hey, crazy bat? You are trying to hold minors, toddlers, to a contract that they didn't even sign! No matter what you try…it. won't. hold. up!" Hades exclaimed.

Ben gave Jay a pointed look as if to tell him to take Mal away from the conversation. "Go on. I'll be fine," he said to Mal, his tone turning gentle as Jay came up and led her off.

"Ben, what are you doing?" Mal asked. "I'm not a shrinking wall flower, I'm not scared of Leah. For that matter Jay, what are you doing? We don't run from a fight!"

"It's more of a tactical move rather than a retreat," Malinda told her. "If we got involved, it might look like the VKs were attacking Leah and make it harder for Ben to bring others from the Isle."

"That's ridiculous!" Eugene exclaimed. "Leah is the one harassing and tearing into them but it's the kids who need to back down in fear that they'll be blamed? What is wrong with the people there? Do we not have eyes? We all would have seen Leah start it!"

Audie sighed. "You might have seen it but it's easier to blame the 'villains' than to blame your own people. That's what happened in my timeline at least… or at least the viewing the Blue Fairy gave us. Only it wasn't Ben Leah went after but Mal instead."

Mal frowned but let Jay lead her away a bit, staying in earshot. "Jay, what are you doing? Since when do we run from a fight?" she whispered.

"See you don't change much Mali," Harry said, shaking his head.

"We're not running. We're making a tactical retreat."

"From that old bat? We're just going to abandon Ben? I thought our motto was ruthless yet loyal not flee and abandon?"

"Exactly my point! We don't flee from a fight!" Mal said, nodding her head.

"Mal, it was at Ben's request."

"Jay, this is the same guy who used to think skipping meals was perfectly normal."

"Oh thank you for that reminder Mal," Belle said. "Adam, we've got to remember to schedule a doctor's appointment for Ben."

"Mom, I can schedule my own appointments," Ben said quickly.

"Mal, think about what'll happen if we got involved. I don't like backing down anymore than you do but if we get involved, even if she starts something, we'll be the ones blamed. If we're the ones blamed then Ben'll have a harder time bringing over more kids from the Isle."

"You know I hate it when you're right," Mal muttered as she looked over at Jay.

"Really? I kinda like it," Jay chuckled.

"…Fine Jay. But we stay here and we stay within earshot. If Ben needs help, I'm not abandoning him."

And that's how a girlfriend is supposed to act, Emir thought, shaking his head.

Jay nodded as Mal sighed and looked out toward the Isle. "Do you miss them?" she asked softly.

"Every day. But that's why we can't get involved."

"You guys really would do anything for each other wouldn't you?" Elle asked. "You would have the right to defend yourselves in that situation but you let her tear into you or just back off to keep the others safe…"

"Of course we would," Jay said. "We're in a land without our friends and getting to live a life we should have have lived. We're not going to ruin it for the other VKs."

Mal nodded. "For Uma, Harry and Hadie. But Jay, you know Ben is a people pleaser. Leah might try to play on that."

"Wha—I'm not a people pleaser!" Ben exclaimed. "I just…like seeing people happy that's all."

"Well it's nothing less than what's deserved after the way he treated Audrey," Leah sniffed as people turned to glare at her.

"Benny. Said. No." Celia snapped. "That contract isn't valid anyway and I trust Lord Hades' judgement on contracts more than I trust yours!"

"Ben made a promise!" Audrey exclaimed.

"So did you!" Malinda snapped back at her. "Belle and Adam agreed to that contract thinking you'd be a good partner and Queen for Ben! You broke that promise to him by your actions!"

"I don't think he'll let her Mal," Emir said, walking over.

"Yeah Mal, now that he's free of the contract I doubt Ben would let someone talk him back into it," Akiho agreed. "Look at him: his back's totally straight, his head's up, his eyes are almost narrowed. He's not going to back down."

"Honestly, you could say it sounds like he looks like a King," Eric said with a slightly sad smile. No teenager should have to look older than their years.

"I know you guys know Ben best, being friends for twelve years, but this isn't Audrey. It's Leah. Audrey had to get her sliminess from somewhere."

"Excuse me?! Just what is that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know perfectly well what it means Audrey," Phil Jr. sighed and shook his head.

Mal bit her lip, she didn't want Ben back in the stupid contract and not just because Audrey would be happy with that result. She found she actually cared for Ben...and enjoyed being in the relationship with him.

Benji smiled and kissed the top of Malinda's head. "I have to say I enjoy being in the relationship with you too," he whispered.

"Ben, you and Audrey were so good together. I'm sure if you just talk it out—" Leah said in a faux sweet tone of voice.

"That would only be possible if Audrey allowed Ben to get a word in edgewise," Phil Jr. scoffed.

"Queen Leah, while we may be a viable match on paper we are certainly not a match in person. No amount of talking will change that."

"Now Ben, there are plenty of royals who've thrived in a contract. Why, my own daughter—"

"Ben withdrew his consent," Chip said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That is a complete sentence and should be the end of the matter!"

"Forgive me for interrupting but if I remember correctly, Aurora chose Phillip. True, he was her betrothed but when they first met in the forest, he didn't know that. If your own daughter is allowed to pick her happiness, why can't I? If your true interests are for the kingdom as you constantly tell me and my father, wouldn't it better for my rule if I'm in a match that makes me happy?"

"And we can clearly see that you are happy," Abby said as she looked over at Benji and Malinda with a small smile.

"Of course I and everyone else on the council wish to see you happy Ben. But could you truly be happy with a girl you barely know? You've known Audrey since you were a toddler after all."

"Yeah and that can be flipped around to say that Audrey's known Ben since she was a toddler too," Aziz said. "Yet from what we've read, it's clear that knowing Ben since toddlerhood doesn't mean she'd be a good match for him."

"And that may be a thing to consider if it hadn't become incredibly clear to me that Audrey doesn't place much value on my welfare."

"I know the fact that no adults are getting involved is wrong but I can't help but be so proud at the way Ben's handling this," Chip said and then looked at Ben. "It is okay to say no Benji. Don't you give an inch to that Bat."

"I had no intention of giving an inch that day Chip," Benji said. "I was happy with Mal and actually felt human for the first time in a year."

"Why whatever do you mean Ben? I know that Audrey cares about you very much and was devastated to learn about the end of the contract."

Yeah I'll bet she was devastated, Mal thought, rolling her eyes. Devastated that she wouldn't get to be Queen. Gods I can't take this anymore. I'm going over there.

"That's clear as glass," Phil Jr. muttered.

Persephone and Hades tensed slightly as Mal shook her head.

"I'll be fine mom, dad. What can Queen Bat even do to me?"

"Madam, I'd like to point out that Princess Audrey didn't even know where Prince Ben's office was before Prince Ben gave the directions to myself and the other new students. It was Prince Ahkio and Emir, not Princess Audrey, who were bringing him food and making sure he didn't injure himself by sleeping at his desk. Not only that but Princess Audrey placed her fondness of shopping over Prince Ben's health, making him go with her to shops when he was so tired he was in danger of becoming ill. Does that sound like someone who had her partner's welfare in mind to you?" Mal said bluntly, walking over to them.

"Well I know the question wasn't for me but I'll answer it with a 'no, no it does not,'" Hadie said with a nod of his head.

Leah and Ben looked over at Mal, Ben giving her a small smile while Leah's eyes narrowed at the sight of Mal.

"You sure you want to glare at the daughter of two Gods, one of whom is at Family Day, Grandmother?" Phil Jr. asked, shaking his head.

"Audrey has many duties among the school, she can't be expected to remember the location of an office," Leah sniffed. "If Ben's friends wish to do such things, that's their business. As well, that hardly sounds like Audrey. However, it would benefit you to spread lies about Audrey so your own match with Ben looks more stable now doesn't it?"

"Again, as Ben's girlfriend, caring about his wellbeing was one of her responsibilities," Aziz said.

"Oh like you know how hard it is to be in and balance a relationship with other duties!" Audrey snapped back. "I've got cheerleading, studies, Queen lessons and that's just to name a few!"

"So you're saying you place those commitments over your relationship?" Aziz asked. "Thank you for proving my point."

"While there is no love between me and Princess Audrey, I would like to point out that she and I have only spoken on the day we met and leaving Chemistry. As for my match with Prince Ben, I don't need to lie to make it more stable." Mal said.

"That's for certain, especially because Mal treats Ben like a person and not a stepping stone to a new title," Melody pointed out.

"However I have spoken multiple times with Prince Ben's friends regarding Princess Audrey's treatment toward him, and they're not the type to lie. Not about matters like this. As Prince Ben has already pointed out, they aren't a viable match and if my knowledge is correct, Princess Audrey is still first in line for her kingdom's throne. If she really had Prince Ben's best interests at heart, she should be pleased that he is now free to find a more suitable match and be content with her own inheritance as there are many people in the world who would gladly have half the life she has."

"There are kids on the Isle who don't even have parents or a proper bed, let alone the luxury the other me here has. Even without the title of 'High Queen', it's still a life many would kill for," Audie said, shaking her head.

"Is that a threat?" Leah asked. "Your mother wasn't content with robbing me of my ability to raise my daughter so now you have to come around and threaten Audrey. Ben had no interest in ending the contract until he met you-you mustn't trust her Ben."

"Oh so they should trust you, a person who has no problem with murder and treating people like pawns on a chess board for your own gain, but they shouldn't trust Mal who hasn't done anything worthy of distrust?" Hades growled, glaring at Leah.

"Mal hasn't done anything to earn Prince Ben's distrust," Persephone added. "Just because you seem to be unnaturally invested in the love lives of teenagers doesn't mean my daughter should be treated like a villain for dating a boy she likes!"

"It's not a threat Madam. It is a fact."

"Facts are only threats to people who deal in lies," Phoebus said, his voice soft as he shook his head.

"Queen Leah, Mal has done nothing to make me question my trust in her. In fact the VK's are more decent than some people that I could name here and it's only narrow mindedness that's preventing them from having the life that they should've had at birth."

"Ooh she's not going to like that," Lonnie shook her head. "I mean Ben's not wrong of course but Leah's not going to like it."

"Decent? Don't you remember the poisoned apples? The spells! Ben, I'm sure you think you're doing them a favor but the fact remains—they're villains. What's to stop them from destroying Auradon and bringing their parents over here?"

"They're not their parents though!" Snow exclaimed. "There's one thing you should know Leah and that evil isn't born, it's made! By treating the children of the Isle like villains, all you're doing is potentially making them into villains!"

"For that matter, what do the 'spells and poisoned apples' have to do with you?" Anna asked. "You're grasping at straws because you can't come up with a valid offense that these kids have committed."

"My point exactly! With an attitude like that you're just giving more reason to want to! They're children! They're teenagers, the same age as me! But for a twist of fate it could have been me born on that Isle.

"You know, where's Belle, Beast, or you know any adult for that matter?" Jasmine asked. "Why is Leah allowed to harass and slander teenagers but no adults is stepping in? I know Auradon Prep has a headmistress."

They're not their parents and should be given the chance to rise or fall on their own merits! Anything less is discrimination! There're more children on that Isle who deserve a chance and yes, I said chance because honestly it's ridiculous that we say we're giving them a second chance when they were never given a first one.

"I do have to agree that it's ridiculous to say the children are getting a second chance when all they did was be born," Phoebus said with a small sigh. "The circumstances of one's birth should not prevent them from having the same opportunities as others."

And after tomorrow, I will give them that chance-whether you approve of it or not! Now I believe we've said everything that needs to be said. I apologize if Audrey is upset right now but the contract's been dissolved and won't be reinstated. Now if you'll kindly excuse me I'm going to go back to enjoying time with my girlfriend as we were doing before we were interrupted. If you'll excuse us Queen Leah. I hope you enjoy the rest of Family Day," Ben said as he and Mal began to walk toward the others.

"Go Ben!" Emir, Chip, Abby, Akiho, and Lonnie cheered; jumping to their feet.

"Ben! We aren't done here! You humiliated my granddaughter! And for that matter what are you wearing?"

"Anyone else notice that both Leah and Audrey have commented on Ben's clothing? No one else really cares," Rose spoke up.

"I believe it's called a shirt," Ben calls over his shoulder. "Funny enough they've been worn by people for hundreds of years."

Chad shook his head. "Talking back to Leah? Who are you and what have you done to Ben?"

"That's not what I meant! Everyone else is wearing formal attire and yet you look like you're about to go to a Tourney game!"

"It's smart and comfortable and you never know, there may be a Tourney game later. For that matter why is it your concern? My parents approve."

"And really that should be the only thing that matters," Anna said. "Why dress for other people when you're the one having to wear the thing?"

"Ben I have to say, that was amazing!" Emir said as Ben and Mal rejoined the group. "I'd have applauded if the situation wasn't so serious."

"Well we can applaud now to make up for it!" Emir and Akiho said, standing up and applauding.

"It really was Ben," Akiho nodded.

"Guys I didn't do anything-"

"You didn't do anything except stand up to Leah," Emma corrected. "Which is probably the biggest something since say bringing VKs over from the Isle."

"Ben, you stood up to Leah. Not only that but you shut down every single one of her arguments."

"We are so proud of you! We can't even-"

"Guys!" Ben chuckled. "I didn't do anything. Leah made her arguments and I responded with logic. That's it. You know I'm surprised Audrey didn't try to interject herself into the conversation."

"Five bucks says she's somewhere with Chad," Kitty said.

"I wouldn't take that bet," Lucy snorted in amusement. "Chad's the only one who would give Audrey the time of day…no wait, that's a lie. Chad and Arianna are the only two."

"She probably thought Leah was enough."

"At least we don't have to worry about her or Leah bothering us again today."

"Don't jinx it!"

"Please, you think she'd give up that easily?" Rose shook her head.

"Yeah Ben, you remember how long Audrey bugged you after the break up. If she saw Leah talking to you, she might get ideas. So hush."

"Okay, okay," Ben chuckled. "I'll just enjoy the day with my girlfriend."

"I for one think that's a great idea," Persephone said with a smile.

"You do that."

Mal smirked. "I like the sound of that by the way."

"As do I!" Malinda said as Benji kissed the top of her head.

Chip chuckled, noticing Belle and Beast walking up. "Hey Benji, I think your folks are about to join the party here."

"Great!" Ben grinned. "The more the merrier!"

"I'll um...leave you to it" Mal says softly, the smirk fading.

"You sure?" Ben asked with a small frown.

"Yeah...they're your parents. I'll be fine Ben," Mal said, gently giving him a kiss on the cheek.

She headed off with Jay, Emir and Akiho to find the others. Even if they weren't extremely close, it'd be a good idea to at least check on them.

Benji sighed and shook his head slightly. Mal would never back down from anything but she's backing down from my parents, he thought.

"Chip, what's mom and dad's problem with Mal?" Ben asked softly, watching Mal walk off. He wasn't blind after all.

"I think we can all guess, Ben," Mal muttered.

"They're just surprised Benji..."

"Why? Because Mal's from the Isle? Can you honestly say they'd be reacting like this if I said oh I don't know Rowyn Fitzherbert was my girlfriend?"

"You know I do have to ask why I was the one used as the example," Rowyn said with a small chuckle. "I mean I'm sure you'd be an excellent boyfriend Ben but I'm afraid I'm taken."

"…Probably not. But then again, it could just be because Mal is Audrey's opposite in every way, shape and form."

"Hang on, are you saying I'm not Audrey's opposite?" Rowyn asked.

"You are nothing like Audrey," Robin told her.

"Thank you!"

"But mom doesn't even like Audrey. She said so before the call to finalize the contract getting dissolved."

Ben couldn't help but look over at Belle with a disappointed look on his face. I mean…she gave Audrey a chance but she's not giving Mal one? Ben thought.

"Yeah, you probably thought she was a little self-absorbed, with a fake smile and kind of a kiss-up," Audie said as the memory of Family Day from the first viewing camel flooding back to her.

"Excuse me?!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Oh have any of your actions in the scrolls or here indicated that you are not self-absorbed?" Audie shot back.

"Audie's got a point Audrey," Phil Jr. said. "Honestly, I kinda miss the days when you used to lug Rose your stuffed rabbit all over the place because you were bad then but not this bad."

Audrey opened her mouth to shoot back a retort but then the eye began to spin. It was only one rotation but it was enough to drop a familiar plush creature into Audrey's lap.

"Oh honestly," Leah scoffed, going to grab it. "You're much to old for—."

"Don't even think about it, mother," Aurora said. "Audrey's entitled to her own property and the Fates thought it important that she have it. Now, this scroll is long enough without the interruptions."

Leah scoffed once more but Phillip Sr. couldn't help the small smile that formed as Audrey sat the stuffed creature next to her; far enough away that it wouldn't look like she was clinging to a plush animal but close enough so that Leah couldn't snatch it.

"Well then the only thing you can do is ask them Benji. For what it's worth though, as long as you're happy, that's all I care about. I like her."

Malinda gave Chip a small smile. "You may be a bit insane but I have to say I like you too. You were one of the few people who wholehearted had no problem with me and Ben from the start."

"He'd like anyone who wasn't me," Audrey muttered. "He hates me."

"Well yes. Yes I do," Chip said, turning to Audrey. "I have no shame being a twenty five year old man hating a sixteen year old because staying with you probably would have killed my brother."

"How dare you!"

"Chip," Belle sighed. She agreed slightly but it was still rather harsh to say.

"What? Am I wrong Belle?" Chip asked, ignoring Leah's screams in the background.

Ben smiled slightly. "I'm glad Chip. Mal's...she's amazing. I just wish I could get mom and dad to see that too."

"They will. Just give them time."

"How much time though?"

"As much time as they need," Chip said. "You don't want to rush them when it comes to something like this."

"But Mal's harmless!" Ben said, shaking his head.

Chip sighed. "Talk to them Benji."

Belle and Beast walked up to them just as Ben nodded. "Ah there he is! Seems like you're always disappearing on us Ben," Beast joked.

"And now for my next trick!" Ben quipped with a smile.

"Sorry mom, dad. I was just spending time with Mal," Ben said.

"We saw."

"And did nothing while your son and his girlfriend were being harassed by your son's ex-girlfriend's grandmother," Anna addd.

Ben frowned. "Look guys, let's not dance around it okay? What's your problem with Mal?"

"Ben, we don't have a...problem with her per say but she's...she's not who we'd expect you to be dating."

"Why shouldn't it be Mal?" Benji asked, looking at Beast.

"Ben—."

"No, Mal, I want to know. I know it's been years but I'd like a reason other than the fact that back then they thought you were Maleficent's daughter," Benji said as Malinda tried to get him to drop it. "There was no reason for us not to be dating, dad. Mal wasn't involved with anyone, she was willing to be involved with me and we got along well. And I just want to say this now so there's no confusion later on. Who. I. Date. And. Marry. Is. My. Choice!"

"Well said!" Akiho called and Emir cheered.

"And why should there be expectations?"

"Ben, it's just a shock...after all she's Maleficent's daughter, we just-"

"No she's not!" Uma said, shaking her head. "Honestly, what's the point of having that registry if you guys aren't going to look at it when it's updated?"

"Who's daughter she is should have nothing to do with it. It was never brought up that Audrey was Princess Aurora's daughter. Why should Mal have a stigma attached to her?"

"My daughter and granddaughter aren't villains! Why should either Audrey or Aurora have a stigma attached to them?!" Leah exclaimed.

"That's exactly my point! You could say the same thing about Mal, she's not a villain either!" Benji shot back.

"Ben, Maleficent is the worst villain in the land. I know you want to see the good but we don't know what these kids have been taught. We just want you to be careful."

"She's worse than the Enchantress?" Hadie asked, tilting his head. "I mean, yeah Maleficent's cuckoo and all that but I wouldn't think King Beastie would put her above the person who cursed him and his entire castle when he was eleven."

Persephone sighed and looked at Hades. "What have you been teaching our son?"

"That might have actually been me and Uma, mom," Mal said with a chuckle.

Ben fought to not roll his eyes "She knows how to care about people better than some. Besides dad, I'd have thought you of all people would know the importance of not going by first impressions.

"Okay, who shapeshifted into Ben because I never thought he'd say something like that to his dad!" Lonnie exclaimed.

Benji shook his head with a small, sad smile on his lips. "That wasn't my proudest moment but that's what comes with being in love. You'd do anything to defend the person you love, doesn't matter who you're defending them from."

"Hey it needed to be said," Abby nodded. "Dad was being a major hypocrite right there. Anyone could see it!"

You had to get mom to love you while covered in fur but a girl who's shown she cares more about me in a month than Audrey did in the entire time we were dating has to prove herself? Mal makes me happy, shouldn't that be the most important thing?"

"Well that and she gets you to care about your well being," Chip added.

"Okay, okay," Chip said, getting in the middle. "Why don't we all take this talk someplace where we aren't in the middle of a big open field? This obviously needs some discussing."

"Since when are you the voice of reason?" Lucas asked, looking over at Chip.

Chip sighed. "Growing up in a castle, even without being royal, I know how tempting a story about a royal family is to the paparazzi. And for a rag like The Gazelle, who has photos sent in by readers, the likelihood…"

"Oh that's a good point," Rachel said, shaking her head. "Especially since press isn't allowed on Auradon Prep grounds without permission from Fairy Godmother or King Beast."

"That's not a bad idea," Beast nodded.

"...my office?" Ben offered, glowering slightly.

"That's as good a place as any."

Emir and Akiho let out a small sight. "Even on Family Day, he finds a way to get into the office?" Akiho muttered.

"Let's go then," Ben sighed. "Hopefully Emir hasn't locked me out of it," he muttered as they made their way there. Reaching his office, Ben sighed in relief to find it was unlocked.

"Note to self, lock Ben's office," Emir muttered to himself.

The four of them filed in, Ben closing the door behind him.

"Right, okay, so back to what we were talking about," Chip sighed. "Belle, Adam...I personally don't see the issue with Mal. Sure, she may be a bit blunt sometimes but she's a nice girl."

Mal shook her head. "Well there went my rep. Completely blown to smithereens."

"I mean…isn't that a good thing though?" Jane asked. "You're not going back to the Isle and if you're going to be with Ben, it's probably not a good thing to be seen as terrifying…"

"The only thing I want Mal to be 'seen' as is herself," Benji said firmly.

"Apparently mom and dad only see who Mal's born to. Never mind the fact that Audrey shares blood with Leah yet they had no issue putting me in a betrothal contract with Audrey!" Ben scoffed.

"The heart doesn't care about parentage or race," Esmeralda said, shaking her head. "If it did, Zephyr wouldn't have been born because Phoebus wouldn't have given me a second look."

"Ben, we're sure Mal's a nice girl but when you're a parent you want to make sure your kid is safe," Belle said gently. "If you got hurt…"

"But…if you think about it, Ben's never been safer than he has been with Mal," Tiana pointed out.

"Mom! If Mal wanted to hurt me, she would have done it by now! Not to mention that she wouldn't care that I wasn't happy in the first place. I can't even be love spelled so what's the danger?"

"Case in point, if Mal wanted to hurt Ben, she would have tried to spell him for totally different reason or used a different spell, one that would have hurt him more," Esmeralda said.

"Villains are good actors Ben, and there're other dangers than just love spells," Beast said, crossing his arms.

"Memo to me, memo to me, put a note on Beastie's sentence that he must sit staring at a copy of the registry where my and Steph's daughter is not under Maleficent's names for all eternity if he doesn't wise up!" Hades growled.

Malinda shook her head. "Dad, he does 'wise up' as you said. Let's just say something happens where it becomes pretty apparent who's daughter I truly am."

"Ooh, tell tell," Hadie said with a grin.

"Sorry Hads," Malinda said with a chuckle. "That would be spoilers I'd think."

"Besides, this is the first time you've ever mentioned being unhappy in the betrothal contract since the VKs got off the Isle."

"Dad, it shouldn't matter if it's the first time I've said it," Benji said as he shook his head. "The fact that I'm saying it at all should get your attention."

Ben crossed his arms as well and tilted his head as he looked at Belle. "Mom? You never told him?"

Belle sighed. "Adam, I...I told Ben when he was twelve, if he ever wanted out to just tell me and I'd handle it."

"How is this the first time you've mentioned the fact that Ben had a way out of the contract to Beast?" Jasmine asked, looking at Belle.

"He and Audrey didn't start dating til fifteen-"

"I know Adam. But Leah insisted on finalizing that contract back when the kids were three, remember? We have that photo of Ben and Audrey where Ben's holding a crown...anyway I made sure that Ben had a way out of the contract if he wanted it. We managed just fine without one Adam, why shouldn't our son have the same chance?"

"Exactly!" Jasmine said, shaking her head.

"Belle, of course Ben should've been able to get out of the contract," Beast nodded. "But there's a safety concern with him dating the child of Maleficent. What if this is a ploy by her to get off the Isle?"

"If Maleficent didn't believe love is a weakness, I honestly could see her doing a ploy like that," Jay said, tapping his chin in thought. "But again, she doesn't believe in love so not a plan she'd come up with."

Ben though let out a small sigh of relief at hearing his dad say that he should have been able to get out of the contract. Yes, he knew that his dad wanted him out now but he might have changed his mind if his scroll self thought it a bad idea.

Ben sighed. "Dad, Mal is not Maleficent's daughter."

"Ben, the registry clearly states that Mal is Maleficent's daughter," Beast stated.

"Mal. Was. Never. Maleficent's. Daughter!" Hades growled, glaring at Beast.

"Now it's possible Maleficent lied but we have no way of verifying that."

"Oh! It's possible that Maleficent lied?" Hades said, shaking his head. "Maleficent not being the pinnacle of honesty? Who would have thought?"

"Dear, ease up on the sarcasm," Persephone told him.

"I make no promises Steph!"

"Maybe ask the girl you keep vilifying?! Or check the written registry?"

"Dad, don't you trust Ben's judgement?" Abby asked. "Your life depended on mom loving you, you didn't have a choice. It was her or no one yet you're trying to say that Ben can't have a choice either? It's Audrey or no one? Don't you think you're being hypocritical?"

"Of course I trust Ben's judgement Abby," Beast said. "But I also need to look out for his safety. I know that Mal won't hurt Ben but the me in the scroll doesn't. He doesn't have the information I have."

"So why don't you try listening when he tries to give you the information?" Belle said, her voice soft but gentle.

"Because if it's not his idea, it's not worth listening to," Hadie muttered. "After all, I find it hard to believe no one spoke up when the Isle was built."

"Ben, when you're a parent-which will be far, far off in the future-you'll understand our concern. There were plenty of other girls you could have dated if you didn't want to be with Audrey."

"I am going to be a parent dad," Benji said, looking at Beast once more. "But I already know I wouldn't try and take away my child's choice of partner if the person they're with makes them happy. The only reason I would was if they were an immediate threat to my child. Mal was not a threat!"

"Dad! Mal. Has. Not. Done. Anything! For that matter when was the last time you checked the registry? The written registry?"

"Ben, we just want you to be safe. As for the registry...I'm not entirely sure. Probably about ten years ago. Belle?"

"Ten years?" Persephone exclaimed. "You haven't checked the registry in ten years? What is the point of being a leader if you're not going to check on half your population?"

"Not for while I'll admit…"

"Then maybe you guys should check again since our digital registry doesn't seem to be as accurate," Ben said, crossing his arms.

"That should have been done years ago," Kristoff sighed.

"Her full name is Malinda. She's Lady Persephone's daughter. She was born on the Isle yes but she is not Maleficent's. I would know, I checked. So dad it seems your biggest argument is invalid. And what's more it shouldn't matter. Mal is a girl who cares about me and makes me happy."

"He shouldn't have needed to have that argument in the first place," Anna muttered. "Fear is our enemy above all else. It was fear that cost me thirteen years with my sister and it's fear and prejudice that has ruined countless lives on the Isle."

Belle sighed. "Ben...your happiness is the only thing that matters to me. That and your safety. If you're sure there's nothing to worry about...then I'm happy for you Ben."

Benji smiled. "Thank you mom."

"Thank you mom," Ben said softly, giving her a small smile

"You're welcome Ben," Belle said, returning the smile before looking at her husband. "Adam, don't you have something to say to your son?"

"Mom it's fine. I get that he's concerned."

Harriet shook her head. "Honestly, he really is too good."

"I know Ben, but the last thing I want is any tension between my two favorite people."

"Oh that's nice," Chip chuckled.

"Fine, my three favorite people. Are you happy Chip?" Belle asked with a chuckle.

"Extremely," Chip grinned.

"Adam," Belle said again. "Gods, why are you being so stubborn about this?"

"Have you met your husband?" Ariel asked with a small laugh. "Stubbornness is kind of his thing."

"…I am happy that you're happy Ben." Beast said after a minute.

"Thanks dad," Ben said with a small smile. "But can you guys stop treating Mal like she's about to attack me? If I can tell, she can too."

"I'll try."

Malinda sighed. "I could tell, I just tried not to for Ben's sake."

"Thank you," Ben said before letting out a soft sigh. "And...I'm sorry about the comment earlier, about not going by first impressions. That...that was below the belt."

"It may have been below the belt but it…it needed to be said," Beast said, giving Ben a small smile.

Beast sighed. "It may have been harsh but it needed to be said Ben. A king stands up for what he believes in even if it isn't easy. Clearly you believe in your relationship with Mal and for that I'm proud of you son."

"I've always believed in it and I always will," Benji said with a smile.

"Thanks dad," Ben said softly with a small smile. "It...it means a lot, especially since coronation's tomorrow."

"You keep following your heart Ben," Belle said gently. "You're going to be a great king."

"Sound advice," Malinda said, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Thanks Mom. So any other worries that Mal probably shouldn't hear?"

Belle looked over at Beast who shook his head.

"I mean, she heard these worries so I think that point's pretty moot," Neal said, shaking his head.

"That was our main concern Ben," Belle said gently. "But is there anything you'd like to talk to us about?"

Ben bit his lip. "Dad...are you sure you're not making a mistake stepping down? You can still-."

Malinda looked over at Ben and gave him a small smile. "Ben, you're going to be a good King. In fact you're going to be one of the best Kings Auradon's ever had. I should know, I'm right by your side seeing it all."

"Ben, if I thought I was making a mistake I wouldn't be stepping down," Beast said gently. "You'll be fine."

"He was right by the way," Benji nodded. "We were fine….after a few bumps that is."

"Dad, I'm...I'm sixteen. You even said you didn't make a good decision until you were forty two! And don't say you married mom at 28, you know what I mean! Dad, what if I can't do this? There are already people not happy with the idea of taking orders from a teenager!"

"Oh don't mince words, we all know it's Leah," Lonnie said, shaking her head. "Well her and her two stooges Chi Fu and Weastleon."

"The sooner he's removed from the council the better," Anna said. "Arendelle stopped trade with him for a reason."

"Yeah and what's more why should Ben be working with his father's council anyway?" Chip asked. "It's a new rule so shouldn't it call for a new council? Ben's rule, Ben's council."

Beast nodded. "That can be something Ben and I can discuss. It's not a bad idea and that way Ben doesn't have to worry about the council comparing us."

"Take it from someone who's seen the approach of both, the council needs revamping," Malinda said with a nod.

"Ben, you can do this," Beast said gently. "You care about this kingdom, no one can deny that. And if anyone has an issue with you being sixteen, well then too bad for them."

"Hear, hear!" Abby, Chip, Lonnie, Akiho, and Emir cheered.

"But-"

"Ben, relax. And, if you're truly worried about the people being upset, just remember this: we're French. Dealing with upset peoples is what we do," Beast said gently.

Belle shook her head fondly. "So that's where Ben gets it from," she said as she looked over at Beast.

Ben couldn't help but give a weak chuckle at that.

"There we go," Beast smiled. " Relax okay? Like I said, I wouldn't be stepping down if I didn't think you were ready."

"I still don't think you should be stepping down while he's sixteen," Aladdin said. "At the very least, what's the harm in waiting until he's eighteen? The coronation doesn't have to be cancelled completely, just delayed. It's only another two years."

Ben looked over at his dad. "Dad, if we delay the coronation, what happens to all those kids on the Isle? Not to mention you should get a break too."

Aladdin sighed. "Ben, a reign is not something rulers just decide they 'need a break from'. They know what they're signing up for and if your father didn't think he could handle it, he shouldn't have taken the position of High King."

"I could and can handle it Aladdin," Beast told him. "My family is just under the impression that I work a bit harder than what's needed and should take some time for myself."

"Sultan Aladdin, while I appreciate your concern very much, we have our reasons for the coronation being when it is. Dad…you know why we're doing this and clearly I'm handling it fine," Ben said as he glanced at his future self.

"Ben, just because your older self is handling it fine doesn't mean you can't come to us," Belle said. "Besides, don't forget the coronation might get delayed anyway until you have a doctor clear you Mr. Skip Meals and Sleep in His Office. And don't argue with me young man. If thee report comes back that you're healthy then the coronation can go as planned but if not…then I think we should give some thought to you being crowned at eighteen instead."

Ben sighed and closed his mouth, having opened it to counter her argument. "Yes mom."

"Ben? Has this been bothering you for a while?" Belle asked softly.

Ben shrugged and Belle gave a sad smile. "Ben sweetheart...you know you can come to us with any doubts you might have right? You'll be alright. You've got a good head on your shoulders and you know how to use it."

Chip shook his head. "Ben, if you didn't have worries then you'd be a tyrant okay? We'll be right here by your side."

Chip chuckled softly, wrapping an arm over Ben's shoulders. "I told you you'd be fine Benji. You should listen to me more."

"Chip, when don't I listen to you?"

"A year ago."

"Oh Gods, why do I have a feeling I know where this conversation is going?" Ben sighed.

"When...when didn't I listen to you a year ago? Don't tell me…you're not taking about Audrey?"

"No I'm talking about Rowyn Fitzherbert…of course I'm talking about Audrey!"

Chip snorted. "I told you the minute I met her that you needed to dump her like a hot potato. But did you listen to Chip? No, you suffered in silence for a year!"

"What my scroll self said! This should have happened months ago!" Chip exclaimed.

"Chip it wasn't-"

"Ben, trust me. If I had to listen to one more call from Emir or Akiho about Audrey dragging you on shopping dates, I was going to come down and ended it for you."

"Huh. Guess we should have called him last Sunday," Emir said. "We thought we were being bothersome so we gave you a Sunday off, Chip."

"And how exactly would you-"

"I'd've found a way! Trust me Ben, I spent ten years surviving as a teacup! I'd find a way to end that relationship for you!"

"Is it wrong that I kinda want to see how he'd do that?" Lucy asked.

"Ooh ooh! Here's an idea!" Lonnie grinned. "He'd break into Beauty Castle and rip up the contract!"

Chip chuckled. "Shame the contract's dissolved or will be dissolved now otherwise I'd definitely do that!"

"Never mind that he'd also get arrested for breaking and entering," Benji said with a small chuckle of his own.

"Oh I'm sure I'd get off easy," Chip said. "Between you and your dad, I have friends in high places Benji."

Benji shook his head in amusement before gently resting a hand on Malinda's stomach. "And we're going to keep you away from your Uncle Chip until we know for sure his insanity isn't contagious."

"Ben! You wouldn't do that! I have important life lessons to teach my niece or nephew!" Chip exclaimed, pretending to be offended.

Benji looked over at Chip and raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Like what?"

"Like the importance of expressing yourself and not bottling things up for starters."

"And you don't think that's something I can teach my child?"

"With your track record of hiding things, it's debatable."

"Yeah well I've got Mal to help with that."

"I know Chip," Ben nodded with a small smile. "But you don't have to worry about that okay? I'm with Mal. Relax."

"I will once I know you'll listen to me from now on!"

"Chip, I do listen to you," Ben promised. "I just couldn't get out of the relation-"

"Yes you could have, you just chose not to," Phil Jr. sighed and shook his head.

"Weekly. Calls. From. Your. Friends. Benji!"

"Okay okay!"

"Ben, my darling little brother, I don't think you get it. Weekly calls at eight in the morning! On Sundays! Why are your friends up at that hour anyway?"

"Again, why were you calling him at eight in the morning on Sundays?" Kristoff asked, looking over at his son and his son's best friend.

Emir and Akiho looked at each other before looking down. "We…we don't sleep that well when we know something's going on with Ben dad," Akiho said softly. "So…we're up that early…and often need to vent."

Kristoff sighed. "I get it. But that's when you call us and we can see how we can help. Or even just be an ear for you to vent to."

"Dad, whatever else Audrey is, she's the heir to a kingdom. We didn't want to put you in a position that could damage relations. Chip's not a royal and hates Audrey as much as we do. He has no worries about calling it as he sees it."

"We may be royals but we're also parents, Akiho," Kristoff said. "This shouldn't be something you should have to worry about."

Malinda couldn't help the slightly sad smile on her lips and muttered "Gods help us with this little one." She knew how much she and Ben had kept from both their parents.

"It's Emir and Akiho," Ben said as if that explained everything.

"And in a way, it kinda does," Ashaki chuckled.

"Still, don't they know that 8 am on a Sunday is for sleeping?"

"Well you don't have to worry about that anymore Chip," Ben said. "I doubt Mal would get me up at 8am on a Sunday unless it was an emergency. That being said...something tells me you'll miss the weekly phone calls."

"Oh I can assure you," Malinda nodded. "8 am on a Sunday? I may be up doing Queenly things but I won't be calling anyone."

Chip snorted."Like the plague Benji. I'll miss them like the plague."

"Ben?" Belle asked softly, breaking into the conversation.

"Aww!" Ashaki pouted.

Belle chuckled. "I learned a long time ago that if I ever want to get a word in between Ben and Chip that I just need to insert myself into their conversation."

"Yeah mom?" Ben asked, looking at her.

"If Mal is Lady Persephone's daughter... does that mean that her father is—?"

"Belle's finally using the brain she's known for," Hades said, shaking his head. "Took her long enough since Maleficent was invited to the Family Day conference call and not say me!"

"As blunt as Lord Hades is being, he had a point," Ariel said. "I know the video call was supposed to be a surprise but should the kids have been asked if they had a preference of parent they'd like to speak to? We're pretty much assuming that each of the kids would want to speak to thee parent that we contacted there."

"Ariel's right," Snow nodded. "After all the scroll mentioned that Evie was out of sorts after the video call and we don't even know what was said. I get that it was probably a way to make the VKs not feel excluded but maybe it might be a good idea to find out who they want to talk to instead."

"Mal hasn't said anything but according to the registry, her father is Lord Hades."

"I never said anything because it should be obvious," Malinda sighed. "If I'm the daughter of Lady Persephone, then it should stand to reason that as one of the most loyal Gods known to man, my father would be Lord Hades."

"So wait...why is Mal here as Maleficent's daughter when she's not?" Chip asked.

"Because mom didn't get the chance to fix that entry," Mal shook her head. "No one saw fit to inform her that there was a digital and a written registry."

Ben sighed. "As I said, our digital registry isn't as current as our written one. Our digital registry has her as Maleficent's daughter, our written one states Lady Persephone adopted Mal. Mal doesn't really like to talk about Maleficent or the Isle much. All she said when she arrived was that Maleficent's daughter died and that she didn't want our resources of bringing the kids over to go to waste. I remember she wasn't the most...thrilled to be here when we first met. Actually all the VKs seemed a bit subdued, almost squinting at times…but anyway, yeah Mal's Lord Hades' daughter."

"We in no way blame you for not wanting to talk about the Isle," CJ said as she looked at Mal.

"You know, it kinda makes me wonder why Mal didn't say anything when Leah was confronting you two?" Chip asked.

"Because despite the fact that she'd be well within her right to so, she didn't because she wanted to make it easier for other VKs to come to Auradon," Lonnie said softly.

"Leah didn't really give her the chance," Ben muttered. "Besides, would Leah have believed her? Her name is Mal, that's all the 'proof' Leah would've needed. Not to mention Mal still has the dragon motif on her clothes-but that's her choice. She told me on our way back from our date it's because dragons are immortal and mythical like the Gods. Plus they're awesome. But Leah wouldn't see it like that. All she would see is a tie to Maleficent."

Malinda sighed and shook her head slightly. She could still remember the reports trying to connect her to Maleficent in any way, shape or form. Thankfully they'd stopped about two months after she married Ben.

"And for that matter, why do people have such a stigma regarding dragons?" Mulan asked.

"Because of Maleficent," Malinda sighed. "She turns into a dragon once and dragons are effectively evil."

"Tell that to Mushu," Lonnie said.

"Didn't he try to break mom and dad up?" Lil Shang asked.

Malinda shrugged. "Hey I like dragons and I know they're not evil," she said, ignoring Lil Shang's question.

"I know," Lonnie said, quickly nodding her head.

"I like dragons too!" Ben spoke up. "They're definitely not evil!"

Belle and Beast looked at each other, guilt evident in their eyes. They had made the same judgement call that Ben had described.

"I mean…yes but at least in your defense you were trying to protect your son," Aurora said softly. "I can't excuse my mother's behavior."

"...so should I bother pointing out that we've technically just left Mal out there with Leah still on the warpath?" Chip spoke up.

Hades turned to Chip. "Yeah. I like you."

"Don't worry Hades, I'm sure I've had quite enough of watching Leah tear into our daughter." Persephone said with a slightly sad smile.

"Plus I'll always have Mal's back, Lord Hades," Jay added. "No matter what."

"Oh!" Ben exclaimed, hurrying out of the office.

Chip chuckled, hurrying after Ben in case backup was needed.

"Though you gotta give Benny credit Uncle Hades. He was out of there like a cannonball being fired once the tea cup brought it up," Uma said.

For that matter where is Lady Persephone? Ben thought as he rushed back out to the quad. It is Family Day after all-and Lady Persephone is Mal's mother.

"Oh I have a feeling I'm close enough to step in should I be needed," Persephone said.

"Queen Leah, may I have a word with you? You seem to have a problem with my daughter."

Hades grinned and leaned forward a tad. "That's my wife. Smite her so that they'd need a microscope to see her!"

There she is.

"Why Lady Persephone! Of course, and I beg your pardon but I wasn't aware you had a daughter attending Auradon Prep. After all, we all know about your…husband."

Hadie looked over at Leah. "And what's that supposed to mean?!"

"Hads, she's not worth it," Malinda shook her head. "Don't get riled up because of her. Don't worry, she'll get her comeuppance."

"Ooh ooh, tell tell," Chip said with a grin.

Malinda chuckled. "You may be my brother-in-law but I still won't give you spoilers."

"Memo to me, memo to me. Add non-titled peasant as a punishment to this soul for when the old bat dies," Hades muttered.

Malinda chuckled. "Oh come on dad. You can do better than that."

"Why thank you Mali but I didn't say that was the only thing her soul would face now did I?" Hades asked with a smirk.

Malinda smirked back. "I believe you've got a point there. You didn't say it was the only thing you'd do."

Ben walked up and slipped an arm around Mal's waist.

"Mom...really you don't... just leave it..." Mal whispered, not noticing Ben's arrival.

"Yeah, that's not happening," Hades shook his head. "Steph here is too much like her mother and in this case, that's a good thing. Just as Demeter was protective over Steph, your mother's going to be protective over you and Hadie."

"Mal, I will not. Not when Queen Leah seems to have no qualms in attacking my daughter," Persephone said, glaring at Leah. "Now as I was saying, exactly what is your problem with Malinda?"

"You know that raises a question," Poseidon said and looked at Zeus. "Why did Persephone not step in back when Leah was going after Mal and Prince Ben? We all know she would have…Zeus, please tell me you don't have us in another meeting?"

"Mom was there the whole time," Malinda said, shaking her head. "She asked me what Leah was carrying on about when Ben was off with his parents. She told me that she wanted to give men a chance to handle it myself, since it seemed like a personal matter at the start, but when Leah wouldn't drop it she stepped in."

"Of course I would," Persephone nodded. "I would always step in to defend my children if they needed it."

"Lady Persephone, I do beg your pardon but I don't know who you're referring to."

"Oh I bet she knows exactly who Lady Persephone is talking about, she's just playing on her limited intelligence," Chip muttered. "Good thing Lady Persephone will see right through that act."

"Let me make it clear for you then. The girl you just went after and verbally attacked? She's my daughter. Not Maleficent's."

"It was at this moment that, if Leah was anyone else of sane mind, she would have known…she made a huge error in judgement," Emir said.

Jasmine sighed. "Emir, enough."

"Lady Persephone, it's impossible for that girl to be your daughter. She looks exactly like her mother-the witch who made it so I couldn't raise my own daughter! I know you feel sympathy for the children of the Isle but to claim one as your child—"

"Because she is my child! I adopted her meaning she is mine," Persephone said firmly. "If you'd like, Leah, I could always find you a dictionary so you can learn the meaning of the word?"

"And exactly how long has it been since you've seen Maleficent? I assure you Mal looks like me. Her father's features do show through but my daughter looks nothing like Maleficent. And frankly Queen Leah? You not raising Princess Aurora was your own fault! You could have easily raised your daughter until her sixteenth birthday and then sent her to Fairy Cottage for the day. Regardless, you have no right attacking my daughter. She is an innocent girl who's only 'crime' was to be born on the Isle which she had no control over!"

A few of the AKs looked back and forth between Mal and Persephone.

"She's right," Ashaki nodded.

"Furthermore all that matters is how someone is raised," Aurora added.

"Lady Persephone, your 'daughter' if you can even call her that stole Ben from Audrey and ruined their relationship. I know she has you blind to her true nature but if you think-"

"Mal didn't ruin Ben and Audrey's relationship!" Abby exclaimed. "Audrey did that herself! All Mal did was show Ben what it's like when someone actually cares about his well being who aren't his friends or his parents!"

"Does anyone else find it a little strange that Audrey's not right next to Leah adding her high-pitched two cents about this?" Lucy asked.

Leah rolled her eyes. "I really don't see why you all are so upset! I am simply defending Audrey's happiness! Furthermore, how do we know this….girl would rule better than Audrey, who's been raised since birth to rule? Ben cannot let emotions rule him when selecting a Queen!"

"Just because someone's been raised to rule since birth doesn't mean they're the best choice for someone else to marry," Kristoff said.

Benji nodded. Would you like to see the records showing how well Mal's ruled as Queen for the last three years?"

"And frankly Leah, that's Prince Ben to you! You've lost the right to be so familiar with him after all we've learned!" Belle snapped.

"Mal did nothing of the sort! The choice to break the betrothal contract was Prince Ben's. You can't steal a person! If Prince Ben wanted to stay with Princess Audrey, he would have."

"I repeat, Audrey ruined her relationship by herself!" Abby spoke up.

Ben nodded. "I agree with Lady Persephone. I'm sorry to interrupt but once again Queen Leah, I won't stand here and watch you verbally abuse my girlfriend. I'm sorry it didn't work out between myself and Audrey but that's between me and her. You have no say in whether I stayed with or broke up with Audrey. I made the choice to end that relationship. Tread very carefully Queen Leah because if you continue like this I will ask that Fairy Godmother have you removed. Forcibly if necessary."

"You know, where is Fairy Godmother?" Rose asked. "I mean I get that it's Family Day but someone is harassing students. You'd think the headmistress would want to be involved?"

Fairy Godmother nodded. "Family Day is for everyone. I'm sorry Leah but if this happens for our Family Day, I will be sure to have you removed as Ben said."

"She'd be well within her right to do so mother," Aurora said as Leah opened her mouth to protest.

"If Family Day is for everyone then I can not be kicked out for being with my granddaughter!"

"But you're not 'being with your granddaughter'," Hera shot back. "You're harassing minors! In fact, not only are you harassing minors but you're also getting into arguments with other parents!"

"Even though we all know Persephone had won the argument the minute she opened her mouth," Demeter muttered.

"Well that goes without saying," Mal nodded. "Mom's the best after all."

"Bennyboo!" Audrey cried shocked.

"Audrey, we are not together anymore! I put up with the pet names because we were in the contract but I must ask, if there is any semblance of our friendship remaining, that you stop calling me that!" Ben exclaimed.

"Oh there's Audrey!" Kitty shook her head.

"Does…does Audrey actually know Ben's name or has she been saying that nickname so much that it's just force of habit now?" Alexandria asked.

"As shocking as it is, if memory serves, she actually did say Ben's name when she was telling him that my mom's and Lonnie's mom's story stores 'didn't matter'. So I'd have to say force of habit."

"Well it's an annoying force of habit. If Ben doesn't like having that nickname, she shouldn't use it," Mal muttered.

"And I'm sorry but I'm firm on this-if your grandmother continues to verbally abuse Mal and her family, I will have her removed from the premises. Now both of you will kindly quietly leave and enjoy the day and there will be no more abuse thrown towards Mal or Lady Persephone! If you have an issue with this, I would be more than happy to find a guard to escort both of you out."

Emir and Akiho both stared at Ben in shock for a minute.

"I'm sorry but who are you and what have you done with Ben?" Emir asked. "Because we like this Ben! Can we keep you?"

Benji chuckled. "Guys, you'll keep that Ben. The Ben in the scrolls is the same Ben in front of you—I'm just him grown up."

Looking over at Malinda, Benji added in a teasing tone, "Just keep him around his future wife."

Malinda shook her head. "I think his future wife won't leave his side unless she has to."

"Well someone has to keep him healthy," Mal said, a faint flush coming to her cheeks.

"Um…that's our job thank you!" Emir and Akiho said in unison.

Mal smiled softly as Leah and Audrey stormed off. "You didn't need to do that Ben. Mom's pretty tough—she could handle Leah on her own."

"I know...but I'm not just to stand here and let her abuse you or your mother," Ben said gently. "Plus I didn't really want your mom to turn Leah into a mint plant. Even if it would have been cool to see."

"If she keeps making comments like that, it can be arranged Prince Ben," Persephone told him.

"Do it, do it, do it, do it!" Chip, Emir, Akiho, Abby, and Mal began to chant under their breath.

"It's a good thing you're getting coronated tomorrow. I don't think Leah's going to be the most cooperative with you after that."

"Yeah well...I'll deal with it," Ben said with a small smile.

"You shouldn't have to," Mal said softly. "Leah was going after me."

"And she shouldn't have been."

"No she shouldn't have been," Benji said, nodding his head slightly.

"Prince Ben's right, Mal," Persephone said gently. "Leah shouldn't've gone after you. If she has concerns, she can come to him or me if she insists."

Persephone glared at Leah. "What my scroll self said. If you have a problem with Mal, you speak to me or Prince Ben if you insist. But don't you dare treat Mal like that unless you want to spend your life as a sour lemon tree!"

"Mom, that's not fair to Ben!" Mal exclaimed. "Leah's insanity isn't his responsibility!"

"Even though, knowing Ben, he'll try to make it his responsibility," Lonnie shook her head.

"Well technically…" Ben said slowly.

"No. No technically. The only one responsible for Leah is Leah," Mal told him.

"How can anyone be responsible for someone else's insanity?" Dizzy asked.

"Oh believe me, Leah will try to push her actions or insanity on anyone but herself," Chip muttered.

"You got that right," Phil Jr. muttered.

"But this was my idea. Anyone with concerns should come to me."

"Well, technically you're not in charge for another day," Mal said with a small smirk. "Send them to your dad."

"Oh man, I'd love to see Leah's face if Ben actually sent her to his dad," Chip chuckled.

"It was nice to see you again, Lady Persephone," Ben said, chuckling slightly from Mal's comment. "I only wish it could have been under better circumstances."

"No apology necessary Prince Ben."

"One might not be necessary but knowing Ben, he's going to give it anyway," Macaria said, shaking her head.

Ben smiled softly before turning to Mal. "Where's Jay? I'm surprised he's not here."

"He's-"

"Right here," Jay said, walking up. "I knew Mal could handle herself though. I come in when she needs back up. That's what first mates do after all."

"What was that about always having Mal's back, Jay?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked over at Jay.

Ben smiled. "Well I'm sorry I wasn't here when she got started."

"Mom seemed to have it under control..."

"Yeah she did but still, Mal what kind of a boyfriend would I be if I'm not there when people start attacking my girlfriend?"

Well you're certainly a different Ben than the Ben in my timeline, Audie thought with a sad smile as she remembered the viewing where Ben never came to Mal's defense. Oh he tried to defuse the situation but that wasn't what she meant.

Mal had been to the brink of tears and Ben just kissed her cheek and walked away. The only good thing was the fact that it was in the future that never happened.

"Ben, I knew you were off with your parents," Mal said softly. "It wasn't like you were ignoring the situation, you didn't know. It's fine, as I said mom had it under control."

"She sure did," Jay nodded. "Never get Steph angry-especially if you're going after Mal or Hadie. I think that might just sign your death certificate. Leah's just made herself a very powerful enemy."

"Actually she made a mountain of powerful enemies," Demeter stated.

CJ looked over at Leah and smirked. "Oh yeah, be scared."

"Two of them," Ben muttered. "After all, I'll be king tomorrow and as Mal reminded me, Leah's days on the council are numbered."

"Oh I think that sounds almost as good as the words 'Ben's no longer dating Audrey,'" Chip said with a grin.

"What about the words 'Ben doesn't marry Audrey'?" Akiho asked.

"Knew I liked you!" Chip nodded.

"Your boyfriend's got claws Mal," Jay smirked.

Ben chuckled. "Well, I am part Beast," he joked causing Mal to giggle. Ben smiled and kissed Mal's cheek.

Jay shook his head. "Your poor kid is going to be a new species. Part God, part Beast, part human," he told Malinda and Benji.

"I see you're covered here cap'n. I'll be over there then," Jay said, pointing to where Emir was hanging out with his family. Mal nodded and Jay headed off, as Ben pulled Mal closer to him.

Emir grinned and jokingly held out his arms. "Come join us Jay."

"Get your own sparring partner!" Harry told him.

"Hey mom? Has dad-?"

"Your father did let me know about your little stunt, dear," Persephone said, nodding her head.

Hades nodded. "Of course. I don't keep secrets from my wife."

"As well the school nurse called me as Prince Ben updated your records to have me as your guardian instead of King Beast and Queen Belle. How's your shoulder?"

Mal and Hades nodded at that.

"That's how it should be," Hades added.

"Wait…didn't Ben said my guardian was Mulan?" Mal asked. "Why would…?"

Ben sighed. "You have an immediate guardian but my parents are also your guardians as the King and Queen."

"That makes no sense," Mal shook her head. "What, does that mean you'd be Hadie's guardian since you'd be King when he came over?"

"I…I don't know."

"Not bad. How bad was the rant on the fact that I now have a boyfriend?" Mal asked, a little surprised Persephone wasn't fussing over her. Though maybe she didn't want to embarrass her in front of Ben.

"Oh something tells me it'll be hours," Mal sighed and shook her head once more.

"Do you want the short version or the long?" Persephone asked, shaking her head.

All the VKs who knew Hades snorted fondly, knowing how long his rants could go.

"We've got time," Mal told her and Persephone chuckled before starting her impression of her husband.

"'No no no no! She's sixteen! Who does that boy think he is?! My daughter?!Absolutely not! I hope he's ready for the River Styx! Seriously, she's sixteen! I don't care who this boy is, he hurts one hair on her head and I will find a way off this Gods forsaken Isle! My baby girl—!' Never mind the fact you're also my daughter."

"How long was that rant?" Mal asked, shaking her head fondly. "Because I have a feeling that mom cut herself off before dad really got into his stride."

Malinda chuckled and shook her head. "Oh trust me, mom definitely cut herself off before getting into the meat of dad's rant."

Mal looked over at Hades. "Dad, I thought you said you wanted grandkids? Are you expecting me to give birth a la Zeus and have the kid come out of my head? Because otherwise if you want grandkids, I'm going to ned a partner. So which is it? Grandkids? Or me becoming a spinster if you insist sixteen is too young to date?"

"And just to let you know dad, I'm twenty three right now and married," Malinda chimed in. "So that spinster wish is probably not going to happen."

"Never mind the fact that I'm sixteen and Ben's the epitome of the perfect gentleman too," Mal chuckled as Ben flushed slightly. "Honestly dad's not going to get better than Ben."

Ben flushed slightly at that. "Thank you, I…I shall do my best to strive to keep that assessment."

"Yes well sweetheart he's still your father. He has to get used to the idea of you growing up," Persephone smiled slightly. "Remember sixteen to the Gods is rather young."

Hades smiled sadly and looked at Malinda's pregnancy bump. "For the sake of my grandkid and any future ones…I will try but under protest."

"I know mom but still! It's not like I'm on the Isle anymore."

"Mal you could be up on Olympus and I have a feeling your father would have the same reaction," Persephone pointed out.

"It's the way of a father," Shang said.

"A good father," Eugene muttered, thinking about Hook's behavior the previous scroll.

"True," Mal chuckled. "But I mean it's not like I'm dating Harry or anyone dad needs to worry about. It's Ben!"

"Should I be insulted?" Harry asked.

"No you should be glad because I'm sure Uma is," Mal muttered.

Harriet nodded. "Mal's practically a third sister to you Harry. Why would you be insulted?"

"He's still your father sweetheart. I think he'd worry about you no matter what."

"At least dad knows so it's not a shock to him when I ride up with Ben tomorrow," Mal sighed. "That is still what happens right?" she asked, looking at Ben.

"Yep, as far as I know nothing's changed on that front."

"For now," Ben sighed and shook his head. Honestly, mom and dad are taking this a bit too far. I can kinda see limiting my paperwork but requiring a doctor's okay to move forward with the coronation?

Mal smiled slightly. She wasn't exactly looking forward to being on a televised event. But...she was looking forward to seeing Ben get coronated. It was a nice image, Ben getting crowned…

"Seeing it in person is even better," Malinda said with a small smile.

"Well Mali, I'll let you go ahead and spend time with Prince Ben," Persephone said gently, bringing Mal back to the present.

"Mom..."

"Wait, Mal, it's Family Day. I'll let you spend time with your mom," Ben said with a smile.

"Thank you Prince Ben," Persephone said.

Mal smiled slightly. "Thanks Ben. I'll see you around?"

"Count on it."

Ben gave her a light kiss on the cheek before bowing his head slightly to Persephone.

"My ladies," he said with a smile.

"Prince Ben," Persephone bowed her head in response.

"Your highness," Mal teased.

Mal and Ben looked at each other for a minute.

"Stop that," they said in unison before chuckling.

"What have I told you about that Mal?" Ben teased back as he walked away.

"Hey you called me 'my lady'. Turn about's fair play!"

"See what I mean about being a female copy of Ben? He hates his title too," Abby chuckled.

The Godling and Goddess headed off chuckling. Mal couldn't help but grin as she got to spend the rest of Family Day with her mom. Maybe Auradon truly wasn't so bad.

...Now if her mom would stop fussing over her shoulder, that would be great!

"I believe I mentioned before Malinda that I have every right to fuss," Persephone said, shaking her head. "In fact please tell me I took you to the hospital after that?"

"In all honesty mom, so much has happened since then that I don't really remember," Malinda told her. "I'm sure you did though."

Hades nodded. "If any of us know your mother, she would have or at least healed you herself."

"For a flesh wound though?" Mal asked.

Persephone looked over at Mal and raised an eyebrow. "When that 'flesh wound' is on my daughter? You can bet your last drachma."

Mal shrugged. "I just mean that something like that doesn't seem like something to fuss over."

"That's the end of the scroll," Aurora said with a small sigh. "I think…I think we should just keep reading. It looks as though there's only one more scroll in this grouping."

Sure enough, the Fates had gone ahead and organized the scrolls so that they were in groups; the scrolls that had already been read were off in a separate pile.

"I'll read the next one," Phillip Sr. said.