Chapter Sixty
A/n: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
*ducks projectiles* Sorry, sorry! I know the hiatus was a bit longer than I thought it'd be! Unfortunately the transition from 'holidays' to 'real life' is one that's rather unpleasant in nature—plus I needed to finish The Value of a Crew.
In other fic news, Choosing Life should be up by the end of this week—yes, yes, I know. But I made the choice and I stand by the name! :D
SixUnderOneXSix: They're definitely going to need convincing not to smite soon. :D
61394: Huh, that is interesting, I didn't know that about Artemis! But it would explain the chickens wouldn't it? And Leah being one step closer to hyena food is always a good thing!
Marcus Emrys: I won't quote you but I still stole the idea lol. Leah might not be staying after that chapter, mainly because I can't stand writing her (why do you think she's still passed out?) And yeah, no one wants to face a hangry pregnant Mal :D
AmethystDragon14: Oh yay! And I'm always so appreciative of the help! Audrey truly is delusional but hopefully the scrolls will wake her out of said delusions! And Leah's days are numbered! Hope she didn't hope to get into anywhere but Tartarus! :D
danifan3000: To be fair, there were times I wanted to hurt Olaf in the first movie so I can see where Harry's coming from!
LotusQuil: I think the talk Harry's about to have with his mother is going to be the start of that! And I'm glad you like Ashaki! Snarky characters are my favorite to write honestly and you're right, never enough sarcasm!
Gracefully: Thank you!
Flaresouth: Ooh, that would be a wonderful AU! If you write that, let me know and I'll definitely check it out because I want to read it!
Katt Kiki: Oh I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you so much and I hope you had a great holiday as well! :D
CrystalKaouri: No worries! I know real life can be a pain around the holidays! Oh yes Leah and Audrey have no idea what they're in for! I think a talk with Aurora, Phillip Sr. and their children might be in store! Or at least Audie and Phil if Audrey's stunned silent! And ooh I love the idea of Abby slapping Audrey! :D
Hufflepuff24: Yeah, they're not going to be fun….
Guest: Because when a character's introduction is her verbally lambasting two teenagers for things that happened before either of them were born, lambasting her own granddaughter for failing to hold on to a boy, and may have possibly led to her granddaughter throwing a coup…well it's entirely possible that she was just issuing the 'apology' (where no one actually said the words 'I'm sorry' in that conversation) out of fear Hades would do something to her if she didn't.
JaclynnM: Yeah, I never liked writing this part when I was writing Choosing Love so it's not going to be fun this time around either.
twilightgirl587: Yeah Hades is really not going to like the scrolls :D And no Natalie's not there—Leah is but she's just passed out right now. Ooh that would be fun!
SnowWhite45: Progress is always a good thing! And agreed, Gil might be an idiot but he's a sweetheart! To be fair to Snow, she did live with the seven dwarves for a while plus she was treated as a servant rather than a Princess so who knows what she overheard. You are so welcome re: the sanity and I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year too! :D
Hufflepuffgirl95: I hope it's as hilarious as you were thinking it'd be!
Guest: No worries, I know exams take priority! Oh yeah, trust me, Leah will be awake for that—though it's a few chapters sooner than I'd like to have her awake, you're right in that she deserves to hear the council trial herself.
saphireangel928: Oh thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Into the Woods: Oh I loved this! It's a crossover I didn't know I wanted until now—Descendants and Into the Woods—but now that I know it exists, I love it! :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Let's just say, I'm reserving Zeus for a special chapter for him to read. :D And the berries are being pushed up from the bottom so they all get their moment to shine (and be eaten) :D
IWantColouredRain: Oh yeah, you can almost feel bad for Natalie…and then I remember what's in store re: her and I don't feel so bad anymore. Hope you enjoyed your holidays too! :D
cass585339: Oh I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Hope you enjoy this chapter! :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Kitty sighed and shook her head as she prepared to read her scroll. Here's hoping it's not as depressing as some of the others have been.
Mal plopped on her bed, completely spent.
"I think we've all been there," Ashaki said.
That fireball that she had let loose after Ben gave that revelation had been bigger than she had been able to produce on the Isle.
"Makes sense, since she wouldn't be blocked by the barrier," Macaria nodded.
Yeah, they claimed that the barrier suppressed evil magic but there was no way to tell if a fireball was being conjured through evil intent or if it was just to keep warm.
"That's true," Jane said softly. "The barrier's all about intent but it's not as if it could tell the intent of conjuring a fireball was for evil or for a basic human need for warmth."
Besides, she needed a way to keep Zevon and Freddy at bay didn't she?
"Yes. And that way is called 'Harry and Jay'," Harry said, pointing to himself and Jay.
"Ahem."
"Oh right sorry. I mean it's called 'Harry, Jay, and Henry'."
"Much better," Henry nodded.
Gods I hope Gil is okay, she thought as she rolled over onto her back; having plopped onto her stomach.
"I'm sure he's fine," Harry said, shaking his head. "The last scroll didn't say anything about Fish for Brains being injured."
I'll check on him once I'm not so tired. I'm sure Carlos has him covered right now though, him and Dude.
I still can't believe I'm comfortable with a dog in the future, Carlos thought. Though…mom might be wrong about dogs. I mean, didn't mom say once that a dog's bark could deafen a person? And I've been around Estelle all this time and I can still hear. Though maybe it's over time or exposure to dogs?
Her exhaustion wasn't helped by Natalie's tirade at her being late to the meeting either. Apparently, having a meeting with Ben didn't matter.
"But Ben's the King," Lucy said. "What was Mal supposed to say? Excuse me your highness but I have a meeting with my handler who has a massive stick up her ass?"
"Lucy!" Cinderella scolded.
"My point still stands," Lucy said, crossing her arms.
A princess was never late to a meeting. Mal sighed as she thought back on some of what Natalie had said.
"But Mal's just in training to be a Lady of Ben's court," Ruby said slowly.
"True, but she's also a Princess," Rachel told her youngest sister. "Lord Hades is King of the Underworld after all."
"Call me Princess and you'll be eating fire," Mal said, looking straight at Harry and Jay.
"Of course my Lady," Jay smirked.
"You threw a dagger at her? A dagger?! What in the Gods name were you thinking? What if that had hit her?"
"…okay I can see where that might be a case for a lecture," Phil Jr. said. What? Audrey might have been the biggest pain in his ass since his grandmother but she was still his sister.
"Natalie, I…hang on, how did you even find that out?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow. "It literally just happened."
"That is an excellent question!" Emma spoke up. "Does this Natalie have little spies around Auradon Prep?"
"She texted me," Natalie said, waving her hand as if to wave off that fact.
"How'd Audrey even know who Mal's handler was?" Evan asked. "It's not like Mal's going to be spending so much time around Audrey that it would come up in conversation."
"But that's not important. Mal, do you know what that would do to King Ben if the tabloids found out his girlfriend nearly killed Princess Audrey with a dagger?"
"Who cares about the tabloids? They shouldn't even be reporting on Mal or Princess Audrey without parental consent!" Demeter exclaimed.
"Honestly Jay was in more danger of being hit than Audrey was, if he hadn't ducked in time—."
"Hey that's right! And this Natalie doesn't care that Mal's best friend was in danger of getting hit?" Lonnie exclaimed.
"That doesn't matter Mal!" Natalie snapped. "Honestly, I'm surprised King Ben isn't more embarrassed to be around you if you're pulling stunts like this!"
Benji stilled. How…I mean yes he knew how Natalie had talked to Mal, he'd heard it himself. But to hear something like that? To imply that Mal would ever do anything to embarrass him?
I should have been there, I should have caught it early! At least then Mal wouldn't have been basically tortured by Natalie for months while I wondered why my girlfriend was changing, he thought.
"I think the only embarrassment is you," Hades growled, glaring at the scroll. "You who thinks it's appropriate to talk to my daughter like that!"
"I think this woman should be reminded how the mint plant came to being," Persephone said, her voice cool yet hard. "At least then she'll think before opening her mouth!"
"Mom, don't," Malinda shook her head. "You can't punish her for something she hadn't done yet."
"Try me Mal. The Gods aren't exactly known for being reasonable when their family's impacted."
It was those words that stuck with Mal the most. Was Ben embarrassed to be around her and he was just too polite to say it? Did Natalie have a point?
Benji shook his head as he gently rubbed Malinda's back. "Nothing you do would make me embarrassed of you," he whispered in her ear.
Malinda sighed softly but gently kissed her husband on the cheek. It wasn't easy, hearing Natalie say all of those things again. At least her younger self had their parents present to remind her that Natalie was full of it.
Mal was trying, no one could say that she wasn't. She had put more focus on her studies, making sure to get to class on time. She made friends outside her VK group and other than throwing the dagger, she hadn't done anything 'wicked' in weeks.
"And that's a very good thing," Lucas said though he kept his voice soft. "But that doesn't mean you can't be seen with the friends you already have."
Oh sure, she still did her spray painting but she kept it to canvas rather than spraying it on the lockers or the walls of the school.
"Honestly, I think that's a good compromise," Rowyn said. "You're still being true to yourself with the spray paint but you're not spray painting the walls of the school. Even if we could use some new murals. Or any murals for that matter."
She kept her style, but Maleficent didn't have a monopoly on dragons.
…did she?
"No. Nah. Nada. Nien. Nyet."
"When did you learn Russian?" Neal asked Emma.
"I only know the one word," Emma shrugged.
It wasn't a lie to say that, with the exception of Lonnie and Ben, most people in Auradon immediately thought of Maleficent when they thought of dragons.
"And those people are fools," Lonnie said, her voice firm.
Lonnie's first thought was always Mushu while Ben had started telling people that Mal was the first thought that came to his mind when dragons were involved.
Malinda shook her head. "It's just as corny now as it was then," she said with a small chuckle.
"It might be corny but I mean it every time," Benji said as he held her close.
That always earned a good natured eye roll from his Tourney team mates, a chuckle from Jay or Carlos, or a smile from Mal depending on who was around to hear it.
"But Jay and Carlos were Ben's Tourney team mates too," Dizzy said. "Why are they separated?"
That hadn't stopped The Gazelle, nor did it seem to stop the comments from Audrey and her lackeys.
"Clearly we're going to have to have a talk with our daughter," Phillip sighed, leaning over to whisper to Aurora.
"I think you're right," Aurora nodded as she whispered back.
Not that Mal cared about what Sleeping Brat or her gormless sheep thought but if The Gazelle kept printing articles like that, someone at school might send it to their relatives. Adults with the power to actually do something.
"Other than Leah, no one else is psychotic enough to do anything about two teens in a relationship," David said, shaking his head.
"…I feel the need to apologize even though he is right," Snow said, looking at Aurora.
"Don't, it's alright," Aurora said, sighing slightly.
The last thing Mal wanted was for Ben to get hurt because of her. Because people thought he was dating a villain.
Belle grabbed Beast's hand, her heart racing slightly out of worry. Yes, Benji was siting here right in front of her so she knew her son would be alright but that didn't mean that couldn't change.
She could still hear Gaston's song as he led the town to go kill her now husband ringing in her ears. She never wanted to hear something like that in regards to hurting her son.
After all, someone in Auradon had made it so that kids were denied access to decent food just based on where they were born. Mal honestly wouldn't put it past them to try to rise up against their teenaged king just because of who he was dating.
Everyone with one notable exception turned to glare at Leah, who was still passed out from Maleficent transforming in the scroll about Ben's coronation.
"Should we…do something about her?" Henry asked.
"Nah, it's a lot better this way," Harry said, shaking his head.
Audie sighed. "Anyway Mal's got a point. Leah's already tried to discredit her from the way she behaved in the Family Day scroll."
Audrey didn't glare but that didn't mean she didn't feel slightly uncomfortable. Sure Grammy hated Maleficent and hated the VKs, but she wouldn't hurt Ben would she?
"Mal?" Evie's voice broke through her thoughts and Mal lifted her head to see the blue haired VK walking into the room.
"Thanks for breaking me out of that thought Evie," Malinda said with a small smile.
"You're welcome. I'm just glad my future self could help a little," Evie said.
"Hey Evie," Mal said softly as she set her head back down onto her pillow. Honestly, after the whole Coronation debacle, there wasn't any need to put up a front around her roommate. Besides, with their history, Evie wasn't really a pusher when it came to wanting to know information.
Wow, you've really grown to like her huh Mal? Jay thought. Those types of thoughts are usually reserved for me, Uma, Harry, or your parents. Even the crew isn't safe from you pretending everything's fine when it's not.
"Bad day?" Evie asked sympathetically.
Mal sighed. "You could say that. But you don't want to hear me rant. How was the hospital with your dad?"
"That's very sweet of you to ask Mal but you shouldn't bottle up your own feelings," Persephone said.
"They think they're going to wake him up soon," Evie said and the excitement in her voice was honestly so infectious that Mal couldn't help but smile.
Snow smiled as she held her step-sister close to her. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you Evie."
"I am too!" Dizzy grinned. Evie was amazing after all, so therefore she should get to have her father!
"That's great," she told Evie, happy the exhaustion she was feeling didn't come through in her voice. "I'm happy for you."
"I mean that Evie," Mal said with a small smile. "No one deserves to lose their parent."
"I'm so grateful to you and Ben," Evie said, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I honestly didn't think there was a chance I'd see my dad again. What with him being in Maleficent's clutches and the food issues on the Isle…"
Benji shook his head. "Evie, while I understand being grateful, you don't have to be. You're my friend and if I know my younger self well enough, he's already making plans to find a way to get your father out of Maleficent's castle."
Ben nodded. "Like Mal said, no one should lose their parent."
"It's appreciated Prince Ben, but why don't you leave that part up to the Summerlands?" Snow offered. "We'd be happy to work with you, King Beast, to rally troops and gain access to the Isle."
"Of course," Beast nodded.
"You don't need to be," Mal said, sitting up. "Grateful that is. I know we had our differences but I wouldn't have let anyone linger in Maleficent's dungeon if I could prevent it.
"Well…with notable exceptions," Mal said.
"Fred?" Claudine asked.
"You got it. Well him and Zevon."
Plus Ben…well he's Ben. If he can make life better for someone, he'd do his best to do it."
"Of course I would!" Ben and Benji said at the same time.
"Well regardless, I am," Evie said and pulled out her sketchbook. "I have a design for your dress for cotillion if you want to go over it. I really think you'll like it Mal."
"Trust me Evie, I loved your design for my dress for Cotillion," Malinda said with a small smile.
"Oh right," Mal sighed. While she was surprised by the subject change, she probably should have expected it. Evie would need time to sew the dress after all, so the sooner she had a design nailed down, the better off she'd be in terms of making the freaking thing.
Evie nodded. "Having extra time to study the design so I can have it perfected is appreciated."
The last thing Mal wanted to do was make it so Evie had to rush like she did for Mal's dress that she wore to Coronation.
"And yet you still looked incredible from the description in the scroll!" Dizzy said with a grin. "Evie's amazing after all!"
"What's wrong?" Evie asked, softly biting her lip as she looked over at the purple haired VK. "Did…did you change your mind about my designing your cotillion dress?"
"Of course not," Malinda said. "No one can do it better than you Evie."
"No, no!" Mal said as Estelle plodded over and hopped onto Mal's bed.
"Good boy," Uma said, nodding her head slightly.
Mal smiled and scratched Estelle behind the ears. He must have followed her from the gym to Ben's office before making his way to her room when she ran out. "Evie, I made a promise to you that you would design my dress. I would never take that away from you."
"Exactly what I said," Malinda nodded.
"Oh," Evie said and Mal could tell there was a faint smile to her lips. "Then…is something the matter Mal? I…I know we're not the closest so if you'd rather talk to Uma, I'd understand. I mean…"
"Wow…" Uma said softly. "She must really care for Mal to voluntarily go near me. I mean, the last time she did that was…well never now that I think about it."
Mal sighed again. While she would love to talk to her cousin, she knew that there were two things that would happen. One, Uma would throw a fit and march down to Natalie's room, maybe smack her before going on a Gods' knows how long rant about how it was none of her business what Mal wore. Two, her mom would get involved somehow.
"And why would that be such a bad thing young lady?" Persephone asked, looking over at Malinda. "I'm your mother, I want to know these things."
"I'm…I'm sure it'll explain mom," Malinda said softly, gently running her fingertips over her stomach.
As much as she loved her mother, the last thing Mal wanted was for her to know what was going on. She was on the Isle anyway, all knowing would do would hurt her.
"Oh," Persephone said with a small sigh. "I can see the logic there. But there's one thing you're forgetting Mali."
"What's that?" Both Mal and Malinda asked.
"It's the parents' job to protect the children, not vice versa."
"Evie, could…I was thinking of maybe moving more toward Auradon styles instead of regular Isle styles?" Mal said and Evie's eyes got wider before she nodded, flipping to a blank page in her sketchbook.
"No, no, no, no, no," Hades said, shaking his head. "Remember what I told you Mal? 'Isle style' is your style. Don't change yourself just because you think it's what Auradon wants."
"We could totally do that Mal," she said, her eyes growing bright at the chance to design some new options for Mal to wear. "What were you thinking? Less leather? I'm thinking we're still going to keep the purple right? And the dragons?"
Harry groaned. "And it doesn't occur to you to question why Mal wants the change? Probe, Princess!"
Mal bit her lip. "Um…yes to the purple. But maybe no dragons?"
"Wrong answer," Uma shook her head. "You mean, yes to the purple and the dragons."
"Are you sure?" Evie asked, looking at Mal in shock. Dragons were Mal's thing. Seeing Mal without dragons would be like seeing Carlos without Dude or seeing Jay without his beanie. But…Mal was the client here. Evie had to think in a more professional setting. She could worry as a friend later.
At least this Evie knows that, Audie thought as she nodded softly. And she probably won't tell Mal she can 'breathe' after Cotillion during her dress fitting if Mal says she can't breathe in her dress.
"Yeah," Mal sighed softly, nodding her head. She loved her dragons but…if it kept people from making the comparisons to Maleficent, losing them wouldn't be a bad thing would it?
"If it means you're not being true to yourself, then yes, it is a very bad thing!" Persephone stated. "Dragons are just like magic—it's all a matter of intent. Mushu's not evil after all as Lonnie has pointed out."
"Depends on who you ask," Shang muttered. Hey, he might have liked the red guardian but Mushu had tried to split Shang and Mulan up and almost succeeded!
After all, even her friends and she called Maleficent the 'Dragon' if they had to talk about her in public on the Isle. If that wasn't a sign that Maleficent basically had a hold on dragons, Mal didn't know what was.
"It does not mean Maleficent has a hold on dragons!" Lonnie said firmly.
Ben's safety right now was paramount and since Emir and Akiho usually joked that Ben didn't even employ guards since he was too trusting, it fell to Mal to make sure no one tried to harm Ben because of her.
"And you do that better than anyone," Benji said.
Ben nodded. "He's right, you clearly do that better than anyone Mal. But that doesn't mean I want you changing yourself for me."
Beast leaned over to Belle. "We're double checking that our son hasn't fired his security team right?"
"Of course," Belle nodded softly.
"Okay, well I can work with that," Evie said, nodding her head as she jotted down some notes in the corner of her sketchbook. "Give me a couple of days, I'll have a design for your cotillion dress. Maybe even a few designs so you have a few choices."
Mal nodded. "Thanks Evie," she said with a small sigh.
Mal nodded and Evie tore out a page from her sketchbook, placing it in the drawer of her bedside table. It had been a design that she had thought was quintessential Mal that would have been perfect for cotillion. It'd been a semi-formal looking dress with a pattern that looked like dragon scales up the skirt and sleeves that almost resembled dragon's wings.
Malinda smiled as she heard the design for her Cotillion dress be described. She knew she'd get to wear it, but she hadn't thought that it had been Evie's original design for her dress.
"Okay that sounds like something Mal would wear," Hadie chuckled. "That is, if Mal ever wore a dress."
"Hey Storm Cloud, I'll let you in on a secret," Malinda smirked. "You wear a suit to Cotillion."
"…what?!"
"Oh I can't wait to hear how your suit looks!" Dizzy squealed, bouncing slightly in her excitement.
Mal saved the day in her dragon form, plus Ben loves dragons, she thought as she shut the drawer. But, as they say, the customer's always right.
Tiana sighed. "I've worked in customer service so long that that phrase makes me twitch whenever I hear it. However, in this case, Evie's using it correctly."
"She is?" Rowyn asked.
"Yes," Tiana nodded. "Basically the phrase was meant to be a way for customers to ensure they got what they paid for but morphed into a way for customers to bully staff into getting what they want."
Besides, Mal and I haven't been friends that long. I wouldn't want to rock the boat here.
"Wrong answer," Uma said once more. "Rock that boat. Rock that boat as far as it'll go!"
"Uma's right," Snow said. "If you're worried about someone, you should always listen to your gut. It might not be something to be concerned about but what if you're right and it is something where Fairy Godmother would need to be brought in?"
"Oh," Evie said, turning back to Mal. "A um…a copy of The Gazelle came for you. I didn't know if you wanted to read it or just throw it out. That's what I've been doing with mine ever since…well ever since Coronation."
"The only thing that rag is good for is a fire starter," Akiho muttered.
Mal sighed. "Thanks Evie. Just leave it on my dresser. I'll read it later or just use it for Estelle to use to do his business on."
"Estelle's too good a boy to be subjected to that!" Alexandria shook her head.
"Okay," Evie said softly, putting the copy of the tabloid on Mal's dresser. "Um…I'm going to go catch up with Doug. He's been helping me catch up on what I've missed since Fairy Godmother gave me the three weeks off from classes. Are you…are you going to be okay?"
"Hmm…on the one hand, you should have someone with you when you meet with Stalky," Uma said. "But on the other hand…I have to give Stalky props for helping a VK out."
"You know his name is Doug right?" Emir asked.
"And until we know for certain that he hasn't admitted to stalking Evie in our timeline like he did Audie's timeline, I will be calling him 'Stalky'."
"…fair enough."
Mal gave her a small smile. "I'll be fine Evie. Just a long day, we had those on the Isle and I'm sure we'll have more of them in Auradon."
Evie shook her head. "Mal, you might be a better liar than I am but that is clearly a lie," she said softly.
Evie nodded and gave Mal a kind smile before walking out of the room, leaving Mal once again on her own.
"Um, no you're not," Evan shook his head. "You're with Estelle!"
Something that the purple haired Godling was thankful for. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy being around Evie, actually the blue haired VK had been slowly growing on her ever since Coronation.
"Well…at least she and Evie are getting along. That's a positive right?" Emma asked.
Due to the fact that she had grown up being trained to be royal, she was a good resource in case Mal had any questions—not that Mal had asked of course.
"Why not?" Aziz asked. "If it helps remove stress, why not use every tool at your disposal? I know dad still asks his 'Learning to be Royal' club questions."
"Your what?" Mal asked, looking at Aladdin.
Aladdin shook his head. "Not all of us were born royal after all. So we formed a club to talk to each other about different situations or even just as a sounding board to grip about royal life."
"I think most of us here are part of the club," Cinderella chuckled. "I know I am."
"I am as well," Aurora nodded.
"But…mother, you were born royal!" Audrey exclaimed.
"But that doesn't mean anything when for sixteen years I was raised as a peasant girl in the woods," Aurora said, gently explaining it to her daughter.
Snow White nodded. "Or raised as a servant in your own castle."
"Or born royal but held hostage in a tower," Rapunzel added.
Or born royal but raised as a street rat orphan your whole life, Eugene thought with a small sigh.
"The point is, we talk to each other and listen to what the other has to say," Kristoff said. "I'm pretty sure Belle's crafted a few books to help out newcomers. There's always a new royal coming out of the woodwork."
"Mom? You're part of the group too?" Ben asked.
Belle nodded. "Sultan Aladdin, Queen Cinderella, and myself were some of the founding members," she told her son. "Did I not tell you that?"
"That was me you told, Belle," Chip said, shaking his head slightly.
"And we've told you a million times Belle, no need to refer to us by our titles," Cinderella chuckled.
Not while Evie was dealing with the fallout of attempting to steal the wand and then everything with her dad.
"Just because someone is going through something worse than you are, doesn't mean that you don't have a right to complain about your pain," Akiho said.
Sighing, Mal got up and walked over to her dresser. She knew she shouldn't read the trash that The Gazelle wrote but…it was better to know what your enemies were saying than to be caught unawares.
"No! Mal, the only thing The Gazelle is good for is to start fires!" Benji said, shaking his head.
"Can't change the past Benny," Malinda said with a soft chuckle.
Picking up the paper, Mal plopped back onto her bed and unfolded the gossip rag; once again rolling her eyes at seeing her own face staring back at her on the cover.
"Again, Malinda is a minor and unless laws have changed and I wasn't made aware of it, minors still need to consent to being written about," Zeus said, his voice low as he glared at the scroll.
It's only because I'm dating Ben, she tried to tell herself. At some point, there'll be a new shiny object that'll catch their attention. Right?
"Hey, aren't thunderbolts shiny?" Macaria asked.
"No smiting the tabloids," Meg said, shaking her head.
"But mom!"
"No. We do it legally so that way there's precedent. If we just have the Gods smite organizations we don't like, then we're bullies. And like a hydra, another organization can grow in The Gazelle's place."
Macaria sighed. Sometimes having your grandfather as the God of Law really stunk. You always had to do things by the book.
Her eyes poured over the 'article', taking in every word that was used. Every jab thrown her way. This time, whoever wrote the article seemed intent on predicting the ways Mal would fail on Ben's kingdom tour that was coming up. Something that Mal would have to accompany him on as she was his girlfriend.
"No she won't and if you're going to think that, then you'll be banned from covering the tour! Or better yet, we won't have it at all if you're going to be rude like that," Ben growled.
"How. Dare. They?!" Hades snarled.
Persephone glared at the scroll. "
Not just his girlfriend, she thought with an inward sigh. A few days ago, Ben had told her that he wanted to bring her in as a Lady of the Court. Mal didn't know why she had agreed to such a plan but she had.
"But…isn't that rather redundant?" Mal asked. "I mean…you all think I get a Lady title by default right? Why have it twice?"
Benji sighed. "It was to counteract some fools who were saying that since you were born on the Isle….the title wasn't yours by default."
"I'll take one guess that one of those 'fools' is currently passed out in front of us," Hades growled.
Why did she need to be a 'Lady' anyway? She technically already was one anyway, what with being the daughter of Lord Hades and Lady Persephone. Hell, even if most people still believed that she was the daughter of Maleficent, there was no arguing with the daughter of Hades part.
Mal nodded. "Exactly my point from earlier."
Mal paused as she continued to read the article, her hands slowly balling into fists as she took in each word.
"Why bother reading it? All it'll do is just raise your blood pressure," Kitty sighed.
Is Mal truly ready for the kingdom wide tour that King Ben had announced this past Saturday? Considering how sources claim she acts around Auradon Prep, it's hard to say for sure. This reporter has to wonder how someone so opposite Princess Audrey came to be on the arm of the King.
"Oh I can answer that," Harry said. "It's because Benny boy there actually cares about Mal rather than being with her because he felt he had to like with the pink demon."
"Ooh, can we steal that?" Akiho asked.
"Be my guest," Harry grinned.
One can only hope that it truly is love and not something manufactured in a lab…a potions lab perhaps? After all, as was revealed at King Ben's coronation, Mal's full name is Maleficent. A love spell to take over the kingdom would be right up her alley.
Mal and Malinda both rolled their eyes at that.
"Okay, so tell me," Malinda said. "If I had faked my feelings for Ben, why did I put myself on the line protecting him from Maleficent when I could have just handed him over or outright killed him if it was all fake and all I wanted was the kingdom?"
"For the love of all that is bad and evil, my name is Malinda!" Mal growled. "You're going to believe Maleficent's word over mine? Over mom's?!
Persephone and Mal nodded at the same time.
"Exactly, Maleficent is a world class liar so why would we lie?" Persephone asked.
And no wonder Sleeping Brat was going on about Ben being spelled earlier if this is the kind of dribble that's getting written! Ben can't even be spelled! You'd think that'd be something of public record!"
"You know we really should double check to make sure that's in the public record," Chip said, looking over at Belle and Beast.
"I'll do that as soon as we get back," Beast promised.
Okay, calm down, she told herself, taking a few deep breaths. You keep going on like this, you're going to end up letting loose another fireball. What if you hit Estelle?
Mal froze and seemed to get paler than she already was. "Get a hold of yourself, scroll me!"
Estelle walked over and rested his heads on her lap, as if to let Mal know that he was okay.
Mal sighed and tried her best to force her anger down. Like Akiho's aunt's old motto, what was it again? Conceal, don't feel?
Elsa shook her head. "Suppressing everything you're feeling doesn't help in controlling your powers. I learned that the hard way," she said softly.
I mean, sure she almost completely froze all of Arendelle but until Mal had a handle on her powers, it would have to do for now.
"No," Elsa said. "You need to talk to someone and get more training. Hiding yourself and your powers is only going to be a disaster."
Thankfully, she still had her hours blocked out for her magic practice. She'd hate to see what would happen if she had to figure out what to do without them.
"I actually removed the 'permission' part of the magic ban when I became King," Benji said. "It was ridiculous for Genie to get his freedom but still have to ask to use his magic. Like he was still bound to the lamp."
"And the fact that you were dating a Godling had nothing to do with that?" Chip teased.
Benji chuckled. "Okay, maybe it had something to do with it. But magic still wasn't allowed in school without permission. I wanted to make sure the playing field was fair for all students while still keeping everyone safe."
Getting up, Mal lifted up her mattress and put the copy of The Gazelle underneath it. Uma would ask about any ash piles or torn up copies of it in the trash bin.
"I'll find it Mal," Uma said as she slowly shook her head. "Give me more credit than that."
At least this way, there was no way for her cousin to find out—Uma had been pitching the copies as soon as they came in, not even bothering to read them.
"So why would Uma ask if she saw torn up copies of The Gazelle in the trash can if she's been tossing them as soon as they came in?" Celia asked.
Jay and Harry did the same, as did Carlos. Actually, the younger boy was disgusted at the fact that The Gazelle didn't even have a website and just stuck to a paper product.
"If they have the technology available, then they should use it! It'd be one thing if they were based on the Isle and it was the only way they could spread what they call 'news' but they're not! They're in Auradon so embrace the technology!"
"Okay, okay, Carlos? Calm down," Jay said. "Breathe."
"It's just so frustrating!" Carlos exclaimed.
"I know. But you're scaring the Smee twins."
Carlos paused and winced as he realized Jay was right. The Smee twins were curled up next to their father, trying not to show it but clearly terrified. "Oh…sorry."
"Don't apologize for coming out of your shell mate but maybe tone down the tech rants," Harry suggested.
Meanwhile, Gil only kept his copies for when he was working on some sort of craft.
"Huh. So there're two uses for The Gazelle. Who knew?" Akiho said with a small shrug.
It honestly amazed Mal at how crafty the son of Gaston was but the proof was available whenever she went into Carlos' and Gil's room. One half of the room was always covered in wires as Carlos was taking something apart or building something else. While Gil's side usually had paints or wood carvings available.
"I'm honestly surprised sewing's not mentioned," Sammy said. "Gil sews after all."
"In…in a new location like Auradon, he's probably trying to make his dad proud," Carlos said softly, not wanting to startle the Smee twins again. "The Gastons don't exactly beam with pride at the idea of a guy sewing after all."
Evie shook her head. "Why? Do they want to walk around with holes in their clothes? If they didn't kick out the girls in their family and actually acknowledge them, then they wouldn't have to look down on Gil since there'd be someone who could still mend the clothing if they wanted!"
No one noticed how Harry paused slightly as he heard Carlos say that Gil just wanted to make his father proud. After all…that was all the inner two year old in him wanted to. As much as he tried to suppress it.
He had even joined the art club…but dropped it when he realized that it was mainly painting.
"Actually…we could stand to branch out a bit more. There's more than just painting in terms of the art world and I'm sure it'd help Gil feel more welcomed," Rowyn said.
You know…maybe I should do that, Mal thought. It'd be a way to keep up with my art stuff and be able to show people I'm more than the biological offspring of Maleficent. I…I doubt they'll do much with spray paints but again, worth the sacrifice if it keeps Ben safe.
"Or we could start using spray paints since art is subjective and there's more than one type of medium an artist can use," Rowyn added.
Out of the corner of her eye, Mal caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She sighed as she saw her leather jacket, her prized possession.
Mal's eyes grew wide as she looked over at Malinda. The older version of herself nodded slowly as Mal seemed to realize what they were about to decide.
The jacket that had never left her body with the exception of sleeping since she was eight. Actually, she even slept in it if it was a rare night where she slept in the clubhouse but those were few and far between after she got her room in the Underworld. They were even rarer after Jay, Harry and Uma all got rooms in the Underworld too.
"And there's no reason for it to leave your body now!" Hadie exclaimed.
"Mini-cuz is right," Uma nodded. "Don't change yourself just because you think something bad will happen. Because you know what you're forgetting Mal?"
"What?"
"You've got me and Harry by your side now," Uma said firmly. "And Harry would die before he let someone best him in a sword fight."
Harry nodded. "Benny couldn't be in better hands, Mali."
Honestly, the Underworld had a lot of guest rooms considering her dad really wasn't big on entertaining.
Hades shrugged. "The people who use those aren't really guests," he said though anyone could tell from his voice that he was more worried about Mal than he was clarifying the guest room situation.
But on the nights she had slept in the clubhouse and the one night a week she had to spend at Maleficent's, Mal kept her jacket on. She was no fool—after all she was friends with Jay of all people. She knew what would happen to her jacket if she took it off.
"Mal I would never steal your jacket," Jay said firmly. "And for that matter, if anyone did steal your jacket, I'd steal it right back before they had it for more than five minutes. That is if you didn't beat me to it! So maybe I'll just be there to murder them for you for touching your jacket in the first place!"
"I know Jay," Mal said softly. "I know you'd never steal my jacket. I trust you."
Like I said…this is for Ben, Mal thought as she continued to stare at herself in the mirror; her hands clutching the sides of her jacket as if unsure about the decision she was about to make.
Benji kissed the top of Malinda's head. "You should have never had to make that choice," he whispered.
"I thought I was protecting you," Malinda whispered back. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to."
After all, eliminating dragons on her future clothes that was fine. She wasn't happy about it but she could live with it. But going without her jacket?
"Eliminating dragons is not fine if it's not what you want!" Hades exclaimed.
Mal bit her lip and glanced at Ben, tugging a little on her jacket.
"Mal, you don't have to go without your jacket," Ben said as he noticed the tug. "That jacket is a part of you. I'd never ask you to give up part of you for me."
"Good." Henry said, his voice flat. "I know Mal's a Godling, and that I'm on the Isle while she's in Auradon, but she's also one of my Captains. You hurt her, you'll have a crew of pirates looking for a way off the Isle."
Benji smiled slightly. "No need for the 'brother' talk Henry. I would never hurt Mal."
It's not permanent…besides, what would be harder to live without? Your jacket for a few weeks or Ben forever because someone thought he was being spelled? Or worse, because they thought he was too hormonal to handle being king?
Malinda sighed as she pulled her jacket closer to her. Yes, she wore it even over her dress—her mom had made a new version of it for her and Ben's one year anniversary. Instead of just dragons on the back, it was a combination of the Beast insignia, dragons, and a Cerberus. All surrounded by vines.
A perfect combination of the family she had and the family she'd married into.
Still…if I had to chose again…I'd choose Ben over a jacket any day, Malinda thought. I've seen what the alternative might have been at Cotillion…I never want to see that again.
Ben shook his head. "I don't want anyone to change who they are for me," he said. "If it's a matter of my safety vs your happiness, I'll get more guards, employ new safety measures. You have the right to feel comfortable in your own skin."
"Seriously we need to make sure Ben keeps Mal around," Emir whispered to Akiho. "How many times have we said he needs to actually use his guards?"
"Three thousand, five hundred, and eighty seven."
"…I should be more surprised that you know the number but then I remembered you're you."
Before she had a chance to second guess herself for a third time, Mal quickly shed her jacket and hung it up, putting it in her wardrobe and shutting the door.
Mal bit her lip, trying not to show how much the very thought hurt. However, she couldn't help but let out a whispered "no…"
Benji hugged Malinda close to him, wishing she hadn't had to make that choice.
She rubbed her hands over her shoulders, her bare arms feeling a bit cold without the comforting feel of the leather but it would be something she'd grow used to.
"This is not fair," Herkie said softly. "You should put your jacket back on."
Quickly flopping back onto her bed, Mal pulled her sketchbook to her just as Uma walked in.
"What the hell?" Uma asked, staring at her. "Where's your jacket?"
"Why am I not surprised you noticed right away?" Mal chuckled softly.
"Because I know you," Uma said. "And I've been around you since we were three. Your jacket is like my hat, we're never without the other. Or Harry and his hook."
"Took it off," Mal muttered, starting a sketch of Estelle.
"Why in the world would you do that? You love that jacket."
"Got too hot."
"It's like in the mid sixties Mal!"
"Exactly," Uma said, nodding her head. "Listen to my scroll self Mal! Get that jacket back on!"
"Yeah well with the heating in these buildings Uma, it's going to be different than a mid sixty day on the Isle," Mal shrugged.
Uma shook her head and sat down on her bed. "Mal, don't tell me this is because of what that brat said earlier is it?"
"Well yes," Malinda said softly as Benji rubbed her back. "But also no…"
"Uma, like I said, the day I let Audrey occupy any part of my brain is the day that pigs fly," Mal scoffed. "She is no one to me. She's like an annoyance that we have to live with—you know what? She's like Quinn okay? The annoyance from the Caster gang because she didn't have any magic."
"Um the thing is….there actually is a pig that flew," Hyllus said softly.
Evie shook her head. "Quinn's not that bad," she whispered.
"Plus it'd be an accurate comparison since Quinn's the Queen of Heart's daughter," Uma mused for a second before pointing her finger at Mal, standing up as she did it. "Don't try to change the subject Mali! You've changed since you got here."
"Mali…I know I'm not the best with the touchy feely stuff," Uma said softly. "But I'm worried about you. Or at least your scroll self. Just listening to this and from your older self's reaction, this isn't even the worst…"
"Yeah. Your point?" Mal asked. "Believe it or not, not having to worry about what Maleficent's doing every minute of every day makes one a bit more relaxed. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go hunt down my brother and make sure he's doing alright."
Hadie shook his head. "I'm sure I'm fine Mali," he said, slightly exasperated.
Mal got up and walked out of the room, leaving Uma standing there with Estelle once again. Uma shook her head.
Estelle whined softly and looked over at Mal, his eyes showing a bit of sadness at hearing that she'd left him. Mali never left him behind before. Other than when she left the pack father's den with the beta.
"Sorry boy," Malinda said softly.
"What's going on with your human, huh?" Uma asked Estelle, the Cerberus tilting his left head in confusion as if wondering if Uma was wanting a response.
"She's letting people who don't matter get into her head," Benji whispered.
Uma sighed, normally she'd reach out to her aunt but Persephone was on the Isle right now. There wasn't much she could do especially if Mal had the link muted.
Persephone shook her head. "It doesn't matter Uma. Tell me anyway. I'll break that damn barrier down if I have to!"
"…what?" Beast asked as everyone looked at him.
"Pretty sure they all think you should have reacted to the threat of breaking the barrier, dad," Abby chuckled.
Beast shook his head. "Lady Persephone was just acting the way any worried parent would act. I would have done the same had you or Ben been in trouble, Abby."
Mal sighed. "Mom, it's appreciated but breaking the barrier would let Freddy out—."
"Only if he gets past us," Henry said firmly. "Which, barrier or no barrier, would never happen Mal."
Looks like it's up to me, Uma thought with an inward sigh. Thankfully I've got Harry and Jay for help. Hadie too. Plus, if things get really desperate, I can always ask Benny to bring Aunt Steph back a little early. He seems like he'll do anything for Mal.
Malinda smiled slightly as she rested her head on Benji's shoulder. Uma had no idea how right she was.
"Hey cap'n?" Harry asked, poking his head in. "Have you done that Remedial Goodness essay yet?"
"She probably hasn't even started it yet," Hadie teased his older cousin, happy for the mood shift that Harry had inadvertently provided.
Uma chuckled. "No, not yet Harry. Honestly that class is such a waste of time."
"Agreed. But did you want to work on it together? Maybe in the library?"
Jay and Mal perked up slightly. Was this the start of the end of Harry and Uma's denial?
"I sense you have something other than homework in mind."
Harry smirked. "Oh nothing. Other than the fact that I heard from Emir's sister that your young cousin could be seen with a blonde lass. Alone."
Mal, Uma, and Harry perked up in interest.
"Who's the lass?" Harriet asked.
Malinda chuckled. "It's Alexandria Charming but before you all get excited, they're just doing homework."
"Good," Hades muttered. "Because he's too young to be dating!"
Uma rolled her eyes. "He's like eleven Harry. That being said…I am intrigued. Let's go."
After grabbing her notebook, the two of proceeded to make their way to the library. After all, safety in numbers right?
"All good points, but I'm going to see for myself either way," Uma said.
Kitty smiled slightly. "That's the end of the scroll."
"I think it might be time for a break," Posideon said and everyone nodded.
Milah turned to her son. "I think it's time we have that talk Harry."
