Chapter Ninety Seven


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.

Whoo! We are finally at Cotillion! Hard to believe we're finally here!

Real quick, I did see some requests to bring the review responses back and I will definitely look into bringing them back!

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


Chip grinned as he took one of the scrolls and unfurled it with a flourish.

"Someone's excited," Lucas chuckled.

The party seemed to almost be in full swing as the gang arrived, Uma and Mal chuckling with each other as they walked up the ramp to the yacht.

Malinda smiled; despite knowing what was coming, Cotillion had still been a good night.

No one seemed to notice how Uma's grip on Mal's arm got a little tighter; as if reassuring her cousin that she was right there.

"Of course…I got you Mali," Uma said softly, looking over at the younger Mal.

That no one was going to let her fall in.

"You got that right," Melody nodded.

If she needed to, she'd turn into a giant octopus like her mother had before her and ensure Mal was safe on dry land before Uma let anything happened to her cousin, co-Captain, and best friend.

That still feels a bit weird to think about but it's still nice Audie thought; trying hard not to think about the second viewing's Cotillion.

Mal gave Uma a small smile and a small sigh of relief slipped out of her mouth as soon as she was firmly on the deck of the yacht.

"You really thought I'd let anything happen to you?" Uma asked, a slight teasing note to her voice.

Well, more like the waiting area of the yacht. Now another danger awaited them—the press.

"Hey! Not all the press are horrible creatures," Emma said, shaking her head.

"Why do we have to get our pictures taken by these bottom feeders?" Uma muttered as they got in line for the blue carpet.

"Because we love people who are high profile," Malinda said softly.

Mal shrugged but smiled as she saw Carlos with Jane a bit ahead of them. The younger boy had truly come out of his shell and looked amazing in the black and white jacket that Evie had designed for him.

"Thanks Mal," Carlos said with a small flush.

I wish we could see that Jane thought with a small flush of her own.

Evie, to no one's surprise, was having the time of her life getting her picture taken and the press calling out her name.

"Good!" Dizzy said with a grin. "Evie should get the chance to show off her hard work!"

Mal couldn't help but smile though. After everything the blue haired girl had gone through, she deserved to have some fun tonight as well.

"Agreed!" Snow, David, Emma, and Neal all said firmly as Evie smiled at Mal.

"You ready Mal?" Uma asked.

"Not in the slightest but let's do this," Mal sighed and the two Godlings made their way onto the blue carpet, pasting smiles on their faces as the reporters called out their names and the photographers got their photos.

"One of the few uses of hiding your true emotions I guess," Uma said, her voice low.

"Lady Mal! Are you looking forward to being a member of Benji's court?" Mal heard one of the reporters call out and she had to chuckle.

"Only one person who that could be," Benji said, giving a smile over to Chip.

She recognized that voice, having heard it multiple times since becoming Ben's girlfriend.

"Drum roll please…it's….Chip" Lucas said with a grin.

"I didn't realize you were a reporter, Sir Chip," she shot back with a small smirk.

Chip chuckled. "Freelance videographer. I swim in the same pool with them," he said.

"But to answer your question, I am. I think King Ben has been doing a wonderful job ruling the kingdom and I look forward to working with him on making improvements to the Isle."

"And I meant that," Malinda said with a small smile as she rested her head on Benji's shoulder.

Chip grinned as he walked up and held out his hand. "May I escort you to the waiting area, my Lady?"

"Well you're not Ben buuuut….I supposed you'll do," Mal teased.

"And what about me? I guess I'm just chum?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course not Uma," Harry and Mal said in unison.

Chip chuckled. "I'm just here to act as King Ben's stand in until he arrives, Lady Uma. I thought you'd want the attentions of the pirate over yonder, in the red suit jacket and the jaw that's making its way to the sea floor."

"We all know who that is," Jay said with a grin as the Rats all looked at Harry knowingly.

Mal and Uma looked over in the direction that Chip was indicating. Sure enough, Harry was staring at the two of them in shock. Or rather, he was staring at Uma. Honestly Mal wasn't even sure Harry was aware that she was standing right next to the teal haired squidling.

"He wasn't," Malinda chuckled. "Harry told me himself, after the denial finally ended, his eyes were solely on Uma."

Oh yeah, I'm definitely sending Harry that photo of Uma. Maybe as a birthday present or even just an every day sort of thing, Mal thought with an internal nod as the three of them made their way over to the others.

Thank you Mal! Harry thought though he worked to keep any of what he was thinking off his face.

"Harry? Mate? You present?" Jay asked, waving his hand in front of Harry's face as if to see if anyone was home.

"Not really…he's probably planning a wedding and naming their future kids in his head," Malinda teased under her breath with a grin.

"Hey Harry, Gil just walked past with Macaria," Carlos pointed out as if trying to get him to react. Sure enough the blond did walk past, his arm wrapped around Hercules' daughter's shoulders.

Meg shook her head as both her older and younger son tensed up. "Boys, behave," she told them.

"Good for him. Hope he has a good time, she's a good lass," Harry said faintly, his eyes only on Uma.

"Why thank you Harry," Macaria said with a small smile.

Carlos smirked and looked at Jay. "Oh he's got it bad if he's not even bothering to insult Gil. I didn't even know it was possible to be twiterpated this bad and I've been around Mal and Ben!"

"Wha-I-I'm not twiterpated!" Harry exclaimed.

"Whatever you say Harry," Carlos said, surprising even himself.

"Welcome to the club," Jay chuckled. "He's had it bad since we were old enough to know what feelings were. He just won't say anything much to our frustration. Whoa!"

"What happened?" Harriet, Milah, and James asked at the same time.

Harry had gone to walk forward but apparently had lost all feeling in his legs as he almost fell forward instead. Had Jay not caught him, the reporters would have been able to snap a photo of the First Mate with his face planted on the deck of the yacht.

"Not. A. Word." Harry said, his voice low as he glared at the room,flushing slightly as he caught Uma's eye and quickly looked away.

"Harry, what all have you had to drink?" Uma teased as she walked up.

"There's no alcohol at Cotillion or at least there's not supposed to be any," Hercules said.

"Dear, do you really trust teenagers not to sneak some spirits to a party?" Meg asked, shaking her head.

"Water and a bit of punch, cap'n. No rum to be found around these parts after all," Harry told her, smiling at her as the group of them made their way onto the deck and Mal walked off, waiting to be announced herself. Uma shot her a small smile before grinning at the sight before her.

"Now the question is…is that just an 'in general grin' or is she grinning because of the way Harry's looking at her?" Mal grinned.

"You know, the Isle might be our home but you can't deny that Auradon knows how to party," she told Harry.

"Why thank you! We do try!" Emir and Ahkio grinned.

"Aye, this is certainly a fancy swing ding," Harry nodded as Jay and Carlos broke off to talk to some of the Tourney boys, Lonnie and Jane on their heels. "I see our friends have started to ditch us."

"So what type of 'swing dings' did the Isle have?" Chip chuckled.

"I'm more surprised that DeVil took his date over there," Uma shook her head. "If he's going to spend time with a girl, he should probably learn that sports talk is about as dull as you can get. Unless that talk involves swords."

Jane shrugged. "I don't mind." Really I'm happy to talk about anything with him, she thought.

"Or Jay bursting out in song and dance," Harry smirked, remembering the time Mal had told them all about Benny's 'declaration of love' and how Jay had joined in.

"Okay why do I keep getting teased for that? Carlos was part of the team too, according to the scrolls!" Jay exclaimed.

Jay had tried to defend his action, claiming that he thought the then Princeling was under a love spell but really there was no excuse.

"But it's the truth!"

Plus the video on Auratube was still up—Harry was pretty sure he had given it half of the now one billion views laughing at Jay's antics.

"Remind me to 'thank' Harry for that," Benji sighed and shook his head.

"Anyone seen Audrey?" Lonnie asked as she walked up, having snuck off from the Tourney group to get some refreshments.

"Why would you want to?" Lonnie muttered to herself.

"Do we really want to see the Brat?" Uma asked, taking one of the offered refreshments from the other girl.

"No, no we don't," Uma said, answering her own question.

"Well no but that's why I'm asking. If she tries to somehow ruin Mal's night by making a big declaration of feelings for Ben…"

"Sadly Audrey's proved dramatic enough to try that," Emir sighed.

"She does that, she'll get a tidal wave to the face," Uma promised. "I'm not one for the big parties but this is Mal's night. She doesn't deserve to have it ruined by Sleeping Brat."

"I will gladly do it! So don't even think about it!" Uma nodded, glaring at Audrey.

"And speaking of Mal..." Jay grinned as he turned his attention to the top of the stairs. Mal walked toward the center of them, a purple leash wrapped loosely around one of her hands as Estelle walked by her side. He must have been in the waiting area as he hadn't arrived with Mal.

Estelle wagged his tail slightly; he liked the sound of the nice hooman that must have brought him…but the best place was with Mali!

"The future Lady Mal!" Lumiere exclaimed and Mal smiled as she walked down the stairs, Estelle giving everyone a doggy grin and wagging his tail; his purple bow ties contrasting brilliantly with his dark fur.

"Future Lady? She's already a Lady!" Meg shook her head.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Mal smiled as she handed the leash to James before giving a small curtsy to Belle and Beast.

"...Why? I mean no offense but they're not King and Queen here. You don't need to curtsy to them anymore…" Emma said slowly.

Malinda shrugged. "It was more out of respect for them being Ben's parents there. Without Ben, I wouldn't have been there after all."

"You look beautiful Mal," Belle said with a small smile. Beast nodded, a smile gracing his lips as well.

"She always does," Benji grinned, kissing Malinda's head.

"Ben is going to faint when he sees you," he told the girl who, with any luck tonight, would become his future daughter in law.

Is it bad that I wish that had been the case? Malinda thought, trying to not think of the real reason Ben had gone unconscious at Cotillion.

Oh sure they thought Ben crazy when he first told them. After all, who gets engaged as a teenager?

Abby shook her head. "Oh sure, enter Ben into a betrothal contract when he's three, no one bats an eye. Man proposes under the age of eighteen and everyone's got an issue."

But as they thought about it, they realized that Ben would only just be motivated to propose in secret if they objected. As well, as Belle pointed out, she was seventeen when she traded her life for her father's freedom. At least Ben was only getting engaged.

"Ben has shown that Mal is the one thing he's willing to go against his parents for," Jane said softly.

"Thank you," Mal said softly.

"I know we were rather...taken aback at first," Belle said gently. "But there is no denying you are everything Ben needs. There's a spark in him again that had left him and, as a mother, I couldn't be more grateful."

Mal stared at Belle for a minute "...thank you" she finally said in surprise.

"Plus, she doesn't go off of first impressions," Beast added in a mock whisper.

"We consider that a good thing!" Ben and Abby said at the same time.

"A good thing for you," Mal couldn't help but tease and Beast grinned as Belle shook her head in fond exasperation.

"Well she's not wrong," Abby said with a small smile.

Mal walked off to the center of the deck to await Ben's arrival. It was strange but, surrounded by her friends, she could ignore the fact that they were on a ship surrounded by nothing but water.

"Good," most of the AK's smiled as they heard that.

She knew nothing was going to happen to her with her friends around. With Chip around. With Ben around.

"You got that right," Chip nodded with a grin.

"You nervous?" Uma asked.

"A little," Mal nodded. It seemed like a weird thing to admit but she wasn't on the Isle anymore. She didn't have to have the image of pure strength. She could admit to what she saw as weakness.

"Good, keep thinking like that," Hades and Persephone said.

Lonnie gave her a small smile. "Don't be Mal. If you could train me to be good enough with a sword to get on the R.O.A.R team, you can do this."

"Training someone with a sword was a breeze…being on camera at an event that was going to change my life, knowing that any mistake would be broadcasted across the kingdom?...not so much." Malinda said softly.

"Lonnie, training you was easy. And fun. And didn't involve cameras broadcasting every move you make to all of Auradon, including the Isle."

"Is there an echo in here?" Jay said with a sad smile.

"Well then just know that the Rats are rooting you on if they're watching over at Ursula's Chip Shoppe or even your dad's place," Jay pointed out. "You've got friends here too Mal. Plus Ben'll be speechless just looking at you."

"Jay doesn't know that though," Celia said.

"It's Ben though, would you be that surprised if he was speechless?" Neal asked her.

"How do you know?"

"Well it's kinda a safe assumption knowing Ben," Akiho chuckled.

"Cause he's at the top of the stairs and I honestly think he'd be running to you if it wasn't for the royal protocols," Jay smirked and Mal turned her attention to the top of the stairs. Sure enough, in the same spot she had just vacated, Ben was standing staring at her in loving adoration.

"And that too," Emir said as he also chuckled.

Mal shot him a small smile and that seemed to be the cue Ben needed to move, as Lumiere announced him to the Cotillion population.

"Does…does Ben need an announcement?" Kitty asked. "He's always the last one to Cotillion anyway, as both Crown Prince and now as King."

"Now Jay, to be fair to Benny, Mal does look like she's about to become a dragon," Harry chuckled, rising from the bow he'd gone in just as everyone else had. Well, everyone except for Mal. "Benny's obsessed with dragons after all."

"Harry's bowing to someone other than Uma?" CJ teased.

Harry shook his head. "Shut it you," he muttered.

"Truer words have never been spoken," Akiho said with a smirk as he, Emir, Emma, and Elle walked over. "But there's no denying that Lady Mal here looks gorgeous."

Malinda smiled. "Thank you Akiho."

"Flattery will get you everywhere you know," Mal chuckled as everyone else applauded for Ben's arrival. He made his way down the stairs and stopped before Mal; bowing slightly to which Mal responded with a curtsy of her own.

Benji frowned slightly and Malinda kissed his cheek as she knew his thoughts. "Hey it had to be done and at least it was equal. You were bowing to me too. Really I was just following you if you think about it," she told him.

"You look amazing," Ben told her.

"Thank you. You don't look half bad yourself," Mal told him but then leaned forward and gently tilted his crown to the right. "There. Much better."

Ben had to smile as he heard that. He had to say, having Mal being so playful with him after Audrey barely wanted contact…well he had to say it was nice.

"What is with you and adjusting my hats?" Ben chuckled.

"Stop needing your hats adjusted and I won't need to adjust them," Mal teased.

"Is…is a crown a hat?" Squirmy asked softly.

Ben shook his head in amusement as he gently led Mal out onto the dance floor, those around them quickly making room for the happy couple. This was it. Their first dance of the night and then a couple of speeches and then Mal would officially be a member of Ben's court.

Sadly, it won't be as easy as that, Malinda thought.

Thankfully, she could see the top of her mom's head in the background; she would have to go and talk to her after all the pomp and circumstance was over with.

"You know you can always come and talk to me Mali," Persephone said with a smile.

Instead of the band that she thought was going to play, Mal couldn't help but chuckle as she saw Lonnie slip into the DJ booth.

"Woo! Let's liven up Cotillion!" Lonnie said with a grin.

But the sound of the acoustic guitar drew her attention toward center stage and Mal almost melted at the sight of her little brother in the suit Evie made, strumming a guitar that could have only come from the school. He looked so grown up.

Malinda shook her head. "Actually, it was his own guitar. Mom brought it back from the Isle and paid to have it repaired."

"Thanks mom!" Hadie said with a grin.

The small smile that had graced her lips only grew as she saw Uma walk up to the microphone. Her dress shone in the glow of the lights of Cotillion though the tricornered hat from the dorms was her little rebellion.

"Uma wouldn't be Uma without a bit of Isle in her wardrobe! The hat and her necklace are almost as much a staple of her wardrobe as Mal's jacket is for hers!" Dizzy said with a grin.

"How did you know…?"

"Hadie told me," Dizzy said, looking over at Uma who seemed slightly confused. "Plus…I do your hair sometimes, remember?"

"We might come from different worlds, might not be your kinda girl but I just wanna let go and lose it."

"You know, while Ben and Mal might actually come from different worlds, I think it's safe to say that Mal is Ben's kind of girl," Lonnie chuckled.

Mal shook her head as Ben gently took her hand and led her onto the floor, the sounds of Uma's singing as background music. How had Jane managed to change the music at the last minute?

"Just throwing out a suggestion but maybe…magic?" Melody said with a small giggle.

Actually, it was probably Ben's doing, Mal thought.

Got that right cuz, Uma thought back to her and Mal could hear the smirk. Benny asked us a couple of days ago. Thought it'd be better than the band. Your brother and cousin vs. a bunch of strangers staring at you? Besides, you know Hadie can never turn down a chance to play his guitar and I wasn't going to let my cousin be here by himself. Lonnie learned about it and added her two cents too.

Abby grinned. "You know, this is almost like what Ben had in mind with his proclamation. I know he framed it around helping the kids of the Isle but he also wanted to bring you guys because you lived different lives than those in Auradon and had different points of view."

"...She's right," Benji nodded. "How often do you watch me?"

"That's for me to know and you to guess!"

Mal gave Uma a small smile as she danced past her brother and cousin.

"Because the night is young. And it's just begun. Let's get it started, get it started. And go till the sun comes up," Hadie joined in for what seemed to be the chorus as Lonnie added some additional layers on the turn table. Mal had to wonder how they got all this together.

"Uma already said it though! It was Ben's doing!" Ashaki said, shaking her head.

"Hadie's good on guitar," Ben said softly.

"Thanks Ben," Hadie said with a grin.

Mal smiled as her head turned to look at her little brother. "Dad taught him when he was maybe six or seven. Every day they'd spend maybe two hours in the den, just going to town. Not great in terms of finding a quiet place for sketching though."

Hadie chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry Mal."

"I'll bet," Ben chuckled and gently kissed the top of her head as they continued to dance.

"Awww!" Some of the more romantic AKs sighed.

You know, I can understand now why Lonnie said the royal Cotillion is like being engaged to be engaged to be engaged, Mal thought with a small smile. Gods, I can't imagine what a royal wedding would be like...and yet there's a small part of me that can't help but wonder...if that day comes...is there a tradition I'll miss out on? Would dad be able to...walk me down the aisle?

"Does he?" Mal asked before she could stop herself, looking over at her older self.

Malinda nodded. "He sure does."

"I thought you said you didn't dance," Ben leaned forward and teased in her ear, pulling Mal out of her thoughts and back to the present.

"...Only for certain people it seems," Mal said with a slight smile.

"For you, your highness, I'll make an exception," Mal teased him back.

Ben chuckled. "Well then my Lady. I'll have to dance with you more often."

"I walked right into that one didn't I?"

"I did," Malinda says with a small chuckle.

"You sure did."

"I regret nothing."

"You've spent too much time with Emir and Akiho you know?"

"No such thing!"

Mal smirked. "There's no such thing Benny. Your friends are strange but I'll let you in on a secret. So are mine."

"Hey!

"At least we're in good company boys," Uma chuckled.

Ben chuckled as they continued to spin around, dancing and just generally getting lost in each other's eyes. They were so content that Mal hadn't even noticed when the song ended and the dancing stopped.

Snow smiled as she rested her head on David's shoulder. "That happens…when you're focused on someone. Time doesn't matter."

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Ben asked with a chuckle.

"Ask me that again at the end of the night," Mal told him, shaking her head. "At least we've got a bit of time before the speeches."

"We never did give those speeches, did we?" Malinda asked, looking at Benji.

"Very true," Ben nodded as he walked over to his parents, his arm around Mal's shoulders. Mal smiled as she leaned slightly into him. If you had asked her, six months ago, if she would be happily conversing with Belle and Beast while enjoying her boyfriend's company and hearing her brother laugh as he ran around with her dog and Alexandria Charming, she'd have had you thrown off the docks in fear you'd gone mad.

"As Grace or Pagie Hatter would say, love is mad," Malinda said with a smile.

Speaking of madness, Mal thought as she saw Gil walk up to Harry, who had a grin on his face listening to something Uma was saying. What in the world is he doing? He does know that Harry hates spending more time with him than he feels is necessary right?

"Out of curiosity, how much time is the necessary amount of time you'll spend with Gil?" Harriet asked.

"How ever long it takes before he annoys me," Harry told her.

"Harry?" Gil whispered.

"Fish for Brains, are you seriously talking to me while I'm with Uma?" Harry muttered back to Gil, never taking his eyes off of said girl.

"But…you're always with Uma," Squeaky said. "How would Gil be able to talk to you if he can't talk to you if you're with Uma?"

"Harry, I need to talk to you," Gil whispered again, tugging gently on the other boy's arm as if to get his attention. Harry gave him a cursory glance before looking back at Uma.

"Gil's being brave," CJ said, her voice low.

"Yes, your shoes are on the right feet."

"Harry, I'm serious!"

"I can't believe I'm saying this, scroll me, but if he's going to say what I think he's about to say...listen to him!" Harry exclaimed.

Harry sighed but turned to Gil and crossed his arms over his chest, Uma giving him a look but going off to speak with Elle and Macaria. "You have two seconds. Any longer and I toss you overboard. Speak."

"Gil, use it wisely. I don't think he's joking," Kitty said.

"I think Freddy's here."

"...you have my attention and your time limit has been expanded. More importantly I won't toss you overboard. Explain."

"Well, that got his attention," Harriet said with more than a little relief in her voice.

"When Macaria and I were walking in, I saw a boy with black hair wearing a grey suit that looked too small for him," Gil explained, pulling Harry over to the side as if not to be overheard.

"Huh…I normally don't say this regarding Fish for Brains but…smart," Harry said. "If we're not overheard, we can avoid a panic."

"Gil, you are aware how many boys with black hair and grey suits there are here right? And how many of them might have had growth spurts or something making their suits shorter than they need to be?" Harry shook his head, aware that he had used the LeGume boy's first name instead of the nickname Harry had been using since they were kids. "Besides, Freddy's over on the Isle. The Rats still control the docks and those are the only way truly off the Isle. The only way we're going to let him off the Isle is in a body bag. Something they are more than happy to provide him."

"So…..are you being that dismissive because it's Gil telling you or because you actually believe that?" CJ asked, looking at Harry.

"Harry, please," Gil said, and Harry paused as he could see the slight begging in the blond's eyes. As if he was hoping the First Mate would take him seriously.

"Listen to him, Harry!" Most of the Rats and AK's in the room cried out.

"I know I'm not the smartest, hell being around Ben makes me wonder if I shouldn't just go back to the Isle sometimes, but I know what Freddy looks like. He ensnared my sister and my cousin, we see him every time we run into a face off, you think I won't have his image seared into my brain?"

"He shouldn't say that but more importantly he's right and deep down I think Harry will know it. No one would forget the face of the person that took family away from them…" Ben said, his voice soft.

Harry sighed. He hated to admit it but Gil had a point. Even if he wasn't the closest to Locklyn, actually it was safe to say the sibling relationship with those two was non-existent, Gil truly cared for his younger cousin Brooke.

"And yet he apparently let her leave to be around someone he knows is unsafe," Audrey muttered.

Not to mention the fact that there was no denying the fact that Gil was a good crew member. Sure he was dumb as a bag of rocks but he followed orders and he wouldn't just stir up a panic. Not tonight. Not knowing what this night meant for Mal.

"Oh thank Gods, you're going to believe him," Harriet sighed in relief.

Plus…he couldn't be sure but he thought he had heard Estelle growling as he paused his frivolity with Hadie; his right head down on the deck sniffing intently. His attendant had stepped up and grabbed Estelle's leash upon noticing that, probably to make sure Estelle didn't run off.

"...I think you're going to need more than one James there…" Jay said, his voice low.

But what do I do? Harry thought, looking around as if Freddy was going to pop out of thin air. I can't just make an announcement that a French fanatic has escaped the Isle. All that would do would be cause a panic. And then Mal would kill me, followed by Uma for ruining Mal's night before both of them killed Freddy for both escaping the Isle and ruining Mal's night.

"We wouldn't kill you." Mal, Malinda, and Uma said at the same time.

"Gil, if you truly think you're right, I need you to get Hadie out of here," Harry said, making sure to keep his voice low as he turned back to the blond Frenchman. "If Freddy really is here, he'll go for the little Lord first in order to get at Mal. Get him out of here, but be discreet about it. The last thing we need is a panic on our hands."

"Thank you Harry!" Mal, Malinda, Hades and Persephone all said in unison.

People stampeded for food all the time on the Isle. Harry didn't want to know what the damage would be when a bunch of panicked royals stampeded because of a legitimate threat.

"Sadly his caution is wise," Aladdin said softly.

"On it Harry," Gil nodded and scurried off but not before sliding up to Macaria to mutter something in her ear. Maybe just making his excuses before leaving Cotillion with Hadie. After all, no one knew how long it would take to look for the leader of the Angels. If he was even still here that is.

"As Harry said, Gil is not the brightest but when it comes to it, you can rely on him to do what he's told," Uma said with a nod.

Now Harry had the harder job though. He had to let Mal know. There was no way Mal would want Cotillion to continue on if Freddy was indeed here. Not if it put Ben at risk. Or Hadie. Or anyone else really.

"...What would you have done? If we had to cancel cotillion I mean? Would you still have surprised me?" Malinda asked, looking at Benji while not wanting to give too much away.

"Oh yeah, I would have found a way" Benji nodded.

Plus we could go after him then, and Freddy can finally meet the business end of my hook just like he's deserved since Mal and I were nine, Harry thought as he made his way over to Mal.

"Gladly! Let me at him!" Harry nodded.

"Mal?"

"Harry, what's wrong?" Mal asked, turning away from Beast, Ben, Belle, and Chip who'd joined the conversation.

"Not to be that person but why did you automatically assume something was wrong? He could have been coming to tell you….oh I don't know he and Uma were out of denial?" Lucy said.

"Because if that had happened, he would have been grinning so wide it would have been obvious," Malinda said with a small sigh.

"I was talking to Gil—."

"Harry, having a conversation with Gil is not something that's a bad thing. No matter how much you hate the guy."

"She's right, you know. Imagine what would have happened if Gil hadn't given us warning?" Malinda said, looking at Harry.

"I mean, she is you but point taken," Harry muttered.

"Amusing as always cap'n but not what I was going to say," Harry told her and pulled her off to the side.

Mal frowned. "Harry, what is it? You're acting like it's something serious."

"Harry had a conversation with Gil alone and didn't kill him! That's how serious it is!" Sammy exclaimed.

"It is serious."

"Is it news from the Isle? Is Ryan okay? CJ? Harriet?"

"The concern is appreciated but we shouldn't be your focus, Mal," Harriet said softly.

"The crew's all fine but it does involve the Isle," Harry told her and then sighed. "I think I know why our crew hasn't seen much of Freddy boy lately. It's because he's here. In Auradon. And specifically here at Cotillion."

"And now the mood's been ruined," Claudine sighed. "Way to go, Fred."

Mal stilled and looked over at the pirate. "What do you mean?"

"Gil saw him."

"And he didn't say anything?"

"But…he said something to Harry," Squirmy pointed out. "Doesn't that count?"

"I'm willing to bet Gil didn't realize who he was at first. The French fanatic was wearing a grey suit apparently though Gil said it looked a bit too small for him—."

"I'mma kill him." Mal growled.

"Right behind you," Jay muttered darkly.

"While I'm always in favor of killing Freddy boy, why are we killing him?" Harry asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Do we really need a reason, Harry?" Uma asked.

"He was in Ben's room," Mal explained. "There was a moment, when Estelle was in Ben's room and he growled at Ben's wardrobe. That's the only place Ben keeps his suits. If Freddy's wearing a grey suit, I'm willing to bet he didn't buy one from a tailor here."

"I mean…tailors do make grey suits in Auradon," Emma said. "The fact that Ben owns one should be proof of that."

"He swiped it from Ben," Harry finished and his eyes hardened.

"Let Uma and Jay know," Mal said. "Have Carlos get Jane out of here, involve Emir and Akiho if you have to and get those who can't fight to safety. Knowing Freddy, he won't care who he hurts."

"...Why me? Why do I need to be removed specifically? I mean thank you Mal for being concerned but shouldn't Ben and Emma be the priority?" Jane asked.

Carlos paused as a realization came to him. "You wanted Jane out in case Freddy targeted her as well because of her magic," he said as he looked at Malinda.

Malinda nodded. "Ben and Emma should have been priority, I'll agree but…I knew how Freddy's mind went and he'd go for the magic users…the 'witches' before he went for them," she said softly.

"Mal, how are we going to get swords?" Harry asked. He had one of course, Blueberry's monkey suit had a sheath for a sword upon his insistence. But no one else did.

"Oh gee, this wouldn't be an issue if there were guards!" Akiho exclaimed.

"I won't need a sword Harry," Mal said, growling slightly as her eyes flashed bright green.

"Ooh is Freddy gonna meet a dragon?" Celia asked with a grin.

The sound of Estelle's barking prevented Harry's response as he looked over at the Cerberus. Despite his stunted size, Estelle looked as terrifying as Lord Hades' pet as he tugged at his leash; poor James Porter holding on with all his might. It took him a minute before he realized that Estelle was barking. Estelle didn't bark, he yipped.

"Oh he barks…at one person," Mal growled.

The last time he barked was…was when Mal fell off the docks when they were nine.

"No, no future scroll-me, Mal did not fall. She was pushed," Harry growled.

Gasps rang out as Mal turned toward the stairs, her green eyes narrowing as a tall, lean boy with jet black hair and wearing a grey suit made his way to her.

"He's not a boy, he's a demon!" Uma snarled.

Freddy Frollo was at Cotillion. Joy.

"Not joy! There was no joy in that fact!" Chip exclaimed before pausing. "Wait, that's how it ends?! Who would be that cruel?!"

"The Fates it seems," Hera said and rolled her eyes as people jumped at the sound of her voice. "Honestly just because I'd rather listen in silence does not mean you need to jump when I do speak. Anyway, 'll read next."

"Are you sure mother?" Hercules asked.

"I am," Hera nodded.