Chapter Twenty Two
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.
Guys. Guys! We're four reviews away from 500! That's honestly so amazing when you consider the fact that we're probably not even a third of the way done with this story! Thank you all so much for your support! :D
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Oh yeah that just made me chuckle a bit myself when I wrote it—and of course Estelle gets to go! Why wouldn't Ben bring him?!
Urmimala Hazra: Oh thank you! I'm glad you liked the chapter!
PJOHPoutsiderlover: You're so welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Tracie Adams: Thank you so much!
Katt Kiki: I'm so glad you liked that! I'm an only child so I'm never sure what's a good sibling interaction and what's not.
midnight rose112358: Random facts are the best facts! Oh the moment when Ben breaks the contract is going to be the biggest meltdown ever!
Guest: I think you're right about that!
shortanamx: Glad you liked it! :D
Marcus Emrys: Ooh that's a good point…as for Iago, canonically they don't follow any sequels or tv shows so for Descendants it's just the events of the first movie. And to that I say that's stupid because I grew up on the sequels and the tv shows…
quil . theimperial: Of course I will! Carlos built something to try to get better TV channels and ended up blasting a hole in the barrier! Thank you, I'm not looking forward to that part at all!
jetblack1997: Oh I'm so glad! Heh it's certainly a possibility! Cassim's still on the run mainly because you can't throw on the Isle what you can't catch!
CrystalKaouri: Yeah I'm betting Mal's wishing she'd let her dad skip that part! Though now Hades has the ability to turn around and do the same to her if Mal want to try and skip a part if she reads again. Oh that's going to be a great reaction of Leah's! Well that and a certain chapter involving hyenas! I hope he doesn't take too hard either!
Dance love 2007: Thank you so much!
darkpegasuzz: I'm so glad you liked the chapter!
danifan3000: Yeah the wiki doesn't give a name either so it's likely that Mal just forgot about it.
twilightgirl587: Yeah I do too, though lately I sleep with my kitty! Oh trust me, Ben'll be sleeping! My cousin's the same way—redhead but no redhead parents. Oh trust me I can't wait either! Senior Ditch Day was the only time I skipped school! So Estelle's just a little bit bigger than a Rottweiler! And yeah poor Carlos! I'm so glad you liked the chapter!
billyandkimfan1994: Oh it'll come soon!
AthenaArtemis25: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it!
Guest Numbah One: I…I didn't realize I needed future Mal and future Ben interacting with their past selves before now. But now I do!
Guest: Very true!
Ghrumfwggrvjdafbhs: You're welcome! Glad you liked it!
Anonymous Reader: Yay indeed!
Wrighting'GIRL3000: Oh thank you I'm so glad! :D
LOST MUSES: Yeah I don't know why but it's just like I can't sit still if I'm not writing something now. I'm so glad you liked the chapters! I'd love a puppy too but I'm good with my kitty—and now I'm totally naming her litter box 'Leah'! So Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos just arrived in Auradon when the Fates brought them in—and thanks for letting me know! I thought I corrected that!
Guest: Oh I'm so glad you liked it!
Guest: No worries! Glad you're liking the story!
61394: I think everyone likes everyone but Audrey and Leah!
Roxas Itsuka: Yeah Audrey was jealous but not at Estelle—he was just the safer option to glare at! That's definitely going to be an option!
Guest: Ooh! I like that! :D
Hope you all like the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Persephone wasn't going to lie. There was a part of her that was rather enjoying these scrolls, especially the fact that it allowed her to see the part of Mal's life she missed while in Auradon.
Mal walked down the streets of the Isle a couple of months after the makeshift birthday party, Estelle's leash firmly in hand. It was a nice day, or at least as nice a day they got on the Isle. The cloud cover didn't seem as bad at the very least.
"That's good then. At least a bit of sun can get through," Rapunzel said with a smile.
Mal couldn't help but smile as people seemed to scurry out of her way. Sure she got a few odd looks but no one said anything. No one was insane enough to question the daughter of Maleficent walking down the street with a Cerberus.
"That's what I thought at least," Mal muttered with a sigh and Ben looked over at her. What…what did she mean by that?"
"Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Harry shuddered. "Ugh I can hear the slime in his voice even though it's Lady Steph reading."
Okay scratch that. There was one person who was insane enough. Unfortunately, they were also the other pain in Mal's side.
"Zevon?" Hadie asked.
"No, the other other pain in my side," Mal told him.
Ugh, Blueberry can at least be intimidated into going away. Frollo's just a pest, Mal thought as Fred Frollo walked toward her. The nine year old strolled over to Mal, the purple haired girl glaring at him.
"You know, I think this is the first time I've seen a non-Angel refer to him as 'Fred'," Harry stated.
"Considering they're now calling him 'his Holiness', it'll be the last time too," Mal nodded.
"Aww, does poor widdle Mally need a guard dog to protect her from the scary Isle?" Frollo taunted.
"That…that didn't seem like what I thought the first words I heard Frollo's child say would be," Phoebus said, sounding almost confused.
"Wait for it," Mal said as she shook her head.
"Baby talk Freddy?" Mal shot back as Estelle looked at her in slight confusion before looking back at Frollo. "Seems beneath you."
"It really is. I mean, he's taunting you for what? Having a Cerberus? Cerberi are awesome!" Ben muttered.
Frollo scoffed. "What's with the dog anyway? Didn't strike you for the type to have a dog, witch. Thought your kind went more for crows and toads."
"There it is. That sounds much more like what I thought Frollo's son would say," Phoebus nodded.
Mal glared at him. "He's my puppy. I got him because of a little princess' birthday just like every other kid on the Isle who got a pet. You got a problem with that Frollo?"
"Freddy's got a problem with anyone who's not an Angel," Mal scoffed.
"Well he sounds pleasant," Audrey sniffed. Gods I hope he doesn't end up as part of Ben's stupid VK Initiative, she thought.
Frollo rolled his eyes. "Nobody likes a liar Mal. I have it on good authority that you weren't at Evie's party."
"Considering I or mother didn't invite him, I wonder how he had that information," Evie said.
"Never said I got my dog at Blueberry's party," Mal told him, rolling her eyes a little. "I said I got him because of the party. You need to get your nose out of that bible and listen better."
"If it doesn't feed his ego, he doesn't care," Jay scoffed.
Frollo glared. "You keep hanging around that heretic Hades and there'll be trouble Mal. He can't keep claiming to be a false God forever."
"He threatened you?" Hades snapped, his hair changing from blue to a pale orange.
"It was a typical Freddy encounter dad. Nothing happened," Mal said, not noticing how Ben's hands curled into fists at the thought of Freddy near her.
"Hey!" Harry and Jay exclaimed as they turned the corner to see the confrontation, Uma trailing behind them. To a casual observer, one would think Uma just didn't care but Mal knew better. Uma knew her cousin could handle herself against Frollo.
"Good timing boys," Hades nodded, simmering down slightly.
"Just the boys?" Meg asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah! Uma was there too," Macaria nodded.
"Right, right. Good timing Uma."
"Looks like your little crew is here," Frollo smirked as he slipped into the shadows, Estelle letting out a low growl as Harry and Jay reached Mal.
"Shame, I would have loved to stick my sword through his gut," Harry growled.
"You okay Mal?" Jay asked.
"Yeah," Mal nodded. "Freddy boy was just being a pest is all."
"Mal, I have to say I don't like the way he stares at you sometimes," Harry said, crossing his arms. "It's just creepy. Like he's planning something."
"When isn't Freddy planning something?" Uma asked, rolling her eyes.
Mal rolled her eyes. "What do you expect? His father nearly burned down all of Paris because he got told no. Of course Freddy boy would have a creepy stare."
Esmeralda rubbed her arms gently as a shudder went down her spine. Even after years of being rid of him…the thought of Frollo staring at her while she was tied to the stake…it wasn't something she enjoyed thinking about.
Harry and Jay still seemed unsure, staring in the direction that Frollo had gone as if the older boy was going to reappear. Uma, who had caught up to the group, shook her head.
Good. Mal and Uma are lucky to have friends like those boys, especially since Frollo's son seems just like his father, Phoebus stated.
"Boys, Freddy boy has hated me the minute he found out I existed," Mal said with a sigh. "He's just a pest. You two are acting like he's going to become like his father and hunt me down like Esmerelda. Chill, will you?"
Mal sighed and looked over at the older woman. "I…I probably could have phrased that differently."
"In your defense, you didn't expect that something you said at six would be written down and read out loud," Esmeralda pointed out.
"Mal, he may be a pest but he's a pest that stares at you," Harry told her. "It's just creepy."
"Creepy is just one of many words we can use to describe Freddy," Uma stated. "It's also the only word for us to use that's safe for any under fifteen year old's ears."
"Yeah, we'll 'chill' when he does," Jay nodded.
"Which'll be never," Jay stated.
"Jay, you're forgetting one thing. We're in Boreadon and he's still on the Isle," Mal pointed out. "He can't get me."
"But he can get Uma."
"Do you really think Harry would let Freddy within one league of Uma?"
Mal looked over at Uma and both girls shared an exasperated look as the boys continued to glare in Frollo's direction.
"Guys, unless he wants six sets of teeth in his hands, he won't do anything even when I'm alone. Now calm down," Mal told them.
"Mal, like you said, the guy's day once burned down all of Paris because Esmeralda wouldn't have a relationship with him. Do you really think Freddy boy would be discouraged by Estelle?" Harry asked.
"Who wouldn't be discouraged by Estelle?" Carlos said softly.
"But Estelle's a big sweetheart!" Alexandria exclaimed, making it so no one heard Carlos' question.
"Who wouldn't be discouraged by Estelle?"
"The son of the guy who once sang, and I quote, 'choose me or the pyre'?"
"Look, Mal, all we're saying is don't lower your guard around him," Jay interjected.
Phoebus nodded. One never knew when Frollo would strike, after all he somehow managed to sneak into the court of miracles without Phoebus or Quasi noticing.
"When have I ever lowered my guard around Freddy?" Mal asked. "Really guys, you're panicking over nothing."
"We're not 'panicking' Mal," Harry told her. "If we could predict what Freddy would do next, we'd brush him off like the pest he is but he's unpredictable. You never know when he'll pop up."
"You know, when I want to know where my cat is or hear her coming, I put a bell on her neck," Kitty said. "Maybe you could do that?"
Harry and Jay looked at each other and then burst out laughing at the idea of Freddy with a bell around his neck.
Mal sighed and shook her head once more.
"Guys, seriously, it's fine. If Freddy tries anything, he'd be met with three mouths filled with sharp fangs and a fireball sent his way. So relax, would you?" Mal told them. Ever since she turned six, her dad had been helping her tap into her God powers. He told her that, even with the barrier, it was a good idea to at least try to control her powers. That way, if she ever found her way past the barrier, her powers wouldn't go haywire.
"I thought Yen Sid was supposed to be there to teach the kids from magical parents how to live without their powers?" Beast asked.
"Yeah I thought about that and then I realized how incredibly stupid it was," Hades stated. "So I decided to teach Mal to control her powers."
Mal smirked and brought up another fireball. "I've gotten pretty good if I say so myself."
There wasn't much she could do due to the barrier but she could manage a small fireball in the palm of her hand. Small enough that it wouldn't kill anyone but fire would still do some damage.
Fire…or smoke…Esmeralda thought, Phoebus gently rubbing her back.
Harry and Jay looked at each other once more while Uma rolled her eyes.
"Back me up here Uma!"
"Sorry Mal, I'm on the boys' side here," Uma said. "Freddy boy's creepy. A'int no lie about it, and for some reason he seems to dislike you in particular."
"Oh joy, he's like his father. Obsession and all," Phoebus muttered, wrapping an arm around Esmeralda.
"He doesn't like anyone other than his 'angels'," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes at the name for the rest of Frollo's gang.
"Seriously? He calls his gang members 'Angels'?" Emma asked.
"Yep," Mal nodded.
"Freddy's demented," Uma stated.
"Even still, be careful Mal," Uma told her. "You won't have Estelle with you when you go to school and Jay can't be everywhere since Harry and I go to a different school than you guys."
"Does…does Freddy even go to Dragon Hall?" Jay asked.
"Claudine's the bell ringer there so I'm guessing they'd both go?" Mal ventured. "I don't see Frollo sending Freddy to Serpent Academy."
"If I promise I'll be on my guard, will you three relax?" Mal asked with a sigh.
"A little."
"Okay, then I promise I'll be on guard around Freddy boy." Mal said with a small eye roll.
"Good."
"We second that," Hades and Persephone said in unison.
"You three are insane," Mal said with a sigh as she shook her head.
"The word I believe you're looking for is 'protective', co-cap'n." Harry said. "I mean, the French fanatic made Estelle growl and we've never heard him growl before!"
Ben frowned as he heard that. Part of him wanted to believe that Freddy was just having a bad day. That there was good in him.
But he had read that you should always trust a dog's judgement…
"Yeah Mal, if Estelle doesn't like Freddy boy then he's definitely bad news," Jay nodded.
"Estelle likes everyone," Mal stated and then rolled her eyes as she noticed Carlos stiffen up as Estelle sniffed at him again. "Oh for the love of…he's not going to hurt you DeVil. Relax!"
Ben shook his head and held out his hand to try to tempt the Cerberus over to him. "Come here boy, I don't think Carlos wants to play."
Estelle snorted before trotting over to Ben who promptly rewarded him with a scratch behind the ears.
"What, just because Freddy boy stares at me? One good smoke bomb and *poof* I'm gone before he can say 'witchcraft'," Mal said as she shook her head.
"Almost reminds me of your performance at the F.o.F," Phoebus whispered to Esmeralda.
"Seriously guys, I'm alright. Besides, the training book Steph got me said dogs know when their owners don't like people. Estelle probably growled because he saw how I reacted to Freddy. "
"Or because he's a genius dog who knows that Freddy needs to take a long walk off a short pier," Harry growled.
"Okay. Just remember what we said."
"Yeah, yeah," Mal said with an eye roll.
"Okay, now that that's been addressed," Uma said. "Anyone want to go pelt smoke bombs at Blueberry? She just got all the residue off from the last barrage we sent her way."
"Do you guys always target Evie?" Lucy asked with a small frown.
"Nah," Uma shook her head. "We'll switch it up a bit."
"Yeah. Our eardrums can only take so much of her shrieks," Mal chuckled.
Mal chuckled. "Sounds perfect," she said with a smirk. The two cousins grinned at each other and Jay shook his head.
"Do we even have smoke bombs remaining from the last time you two pelted Blueberry with them?"
"Jay, we always have smoke bombs," Harry stated. "If we run low, the captains go and make some more."
"Jay, Jay, Jay, oh ye of little faith."
"We always have smoke bombs at the ready to pelt at Blueberry, hidden all over the Isle so we can be ready at a moment's notice."
"Well not just for Blueberry," Mal amended. "They're great for getting out of a fight too in the event you're outnumbered."
"Watch and learn."
Mal turned and started to dig in one of the nearby crates.
"Ah ha!" Mal grinned as she pulled out three smoke bombs. "Colors are unknown but that makes it more fun!"
"Fun for you maybe," Evie muttered softly to herself.
"Let's go," Uma said with a smirk as they got into position, laying in wait for Evie to appear. Harry sat off to the side in amusement since he didn't have a smoke bomb. Plus someone had to make sure Estelle didn't run off. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, his crew would never change—and that was just the way he liked it.
"And we like you just the way you are too Harry!" Mal decreed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"Target sighted," Mal muttered after about half an hour of waiting, catching sight of Evie.
"You waited for half an hour?" Evan asked. "I mean, don't you guys have lives?"
"Aim."
"Fire!"
The sounds of Evie's shrieks was music to Mal's ears as she and Uma cackled in glee. The princess' hair and skin was now covered in purple, red and yellow residue.
Rachel frowned. "Aren't…aren't you guys acting like Freddy did though? Evie was just going throughout her day, not bothering anyone—."
"We are nothing like Freddy," Mal snarled as Uma glared.
"Just nod," Jay mouthed, having the slightly cooler head. Oh he hated Freddy too but he wasn't about to attack a royal in a room full of her allies!
Kitty frowned slightly. She couldn't help but make the comparison between the smoke bombs and Audrey putting cat litter in her locker. But she didn't want to say anything. Not when they were already upset.
"Nice shot girls," Harry said as Evie ran off, presumably to try to get the residue off before she had to go see her mother. The best part about the smoke bomb colors? No one but the crew knew what they meant so there wasn't anyway to tie it back to Harry, Mal, Jay or Uma unless Evie saw them fire the smoke bomb at her.
"I didn't," Evie said, shaking her head as Mal and Uma looked over at her. "And even if I did, I wouldn't have…Mal, Maleficent's allied with my mother. Why would I rock the boat there?"
"She's got a point," Uma shrugged.
"Thank you Harry," Mal said with a smirk.
"Blueberry's going to have a hard time getting that residue off," Uma said, a smirk gracing her face as well.
"Did you?" Rachel asked, looking over at Evie. Hey, the poor girl was here by herself with no friends it seemed other than Dizzy. She was going to change that!
"A little," Evie said, her voice soft.
Mal got up from her spot and took Estelle's leash from Harry; Estelle giving her his usual doggy grin.
"Good boy," Mal said softly before looking at the crew. "So what now?"
Uma shrugged. "Not sure. Not really a lot to do on the Isle after all."
"What about sports?" Akiho asked. "We've got Tourney and R.O.A.R."
"We have 'run from people you just stole from' and sparring," Jay told him.
"We could go down to the docks, maybe swipe some stuff?" Jay offered. "Or we could go to Ratcliffe's place. He usually has some nicer stuff to swipe."
Aladdin and Eugene perked up a little. They were always interested in seeing someone else's technique even if they didn't partake anymore.
"Docks are good," Mal said. "Last thing we'd want is for Ratcliffe to catch us looting his place. He might tell Maleficent or Jafar."
"Knowing what he's like, he'd go to dad," Jay said. "But that's pretty much the same thing as going to Maleficent."
"Let's go then," Uma said. "Is there anything we need?"
"Not that I can think of." Mal said. "Pillows for the bed in the clubhouse would be nice but I don't really trust any pillows that came from the docks. Let's just see what we can get."
"Any pillows that we found at the docks would be all moldy and mildewy anyway," Uma said, making a face.
"Sounds like a plan!" Uma said, smirking and the five of them strutted off to the docks to see what they could score. Meanwhile, back in the Underworld, Persephone curled up in bed.
"Mom? Are you okay?" Hadie asked, frowning slightly at the idea of his mom not feeling well.
For the past couple of weeks, she had had these waves of never ending nausea that she just couldn't understand where it was coming from.
There wasn't a virus on the Isle, at least not that she'd heard.
"Actually that was I think one of the few years we didn't have some sort of bug running around the Isle," Jay said, tapping his chin.
"We did have a lot fewer colds," Harry nodded.
"Steph?" Hades asked, his voice soft as he looked in from the doorway. "Are you feeling alright dear?"
Persephone sighed and sat up a bit. "A bit better than yesterday but still not one hundred percent. I wish I knew…"
"Hmm, if only we had a system filled with medical experts who you could have gone to!" Mal stated, glaring slightly at Beast.
"You have been active throughout the Isle," Hades said. "Maybe it's just a bug?"
"You didn't think it was—?"
"Unlike you Zeus, I think with the brain in my head," Hades stated.
"It's possible," Persephone said slowly as she tried to think of what else could be affecting her. "But what bug could affect a God Hades?"
"There isn't one," Hera said, shaking her head.
Hades shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll let you get some rest though—Virgil said he found a drink from Boreadon that might sit well on your stomach. He was saving them for Mal but with you not feeling well…"
"Aww! That's so sweet!" Snow White exclaimed.
Persephone gave her husband a small smile. "Tell him that's very sweet but he doesn't have to give up his present for Mal. I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow."
"With all due respect you don't know that Lady Persephone. And even flattened soda can be a comfort on your stomach," Chip stated.
"If you're not, I'll see if I can get one of those drinks from him," Hades said before he came over and kissed the top of her head.
"And if you couldn't dad, I could have gotten them for you," Mal said. "Virg keeps them in a box under his bed."
"And you know this how?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We like drinking them and Virgil's predictability makes him a good practice mark for swiping stuff," Jay shrugged.
"Hades, don't," Persephone said softly. "What if you catch whatever I have?"
"Then I'll finally be able to cuddle my wife," Hades said with a small chuckle. "I'll let you rest."
Demeter couldn't help but smile as she watched the interaction between her daughter and her husband. It was clear that Hades truly did love her.
Hades left and Persephone sighed. Ever since she got back, Hades had been extremely attentive. Not that she was complaining mind you. She loved the attention she was getting from her husband. It was the same amount she got the first month or so she was back on the Isle.
"Reminds me of you when I get back from some royal conference," Eric chuckled as he looked at Ariel.
"Well I mean, he is my great-uncle. I'm bound to have some familial habits. How else do you think we ended up with two kids?" Ariel told him.
Getting up to use the bathroom, Persephone paused as she knocked over some of her toiletries. She'd been a little clumsy lately, though it was probably due to the nausea. Though she'd also been feeling a bit bloated so that could be the culprit too….
Wait a minute, Persephone thought as she stood up. Nausea, clumsiness, bloating…oh I may be wrong but if I'm right, I need to talk to Eileithyia.
"But why would you need to talk to the Goddess of pregnac…oh!"
Reaching out with the mind link was no issue for Persephone. The only concern would be if her fellow Goddess would pick up. It had been so long since they communicated this way, despite the fact that every God or Goddess could do it.
Persephone?
Oh thank Zeus! Eileithyia, you picked up!
"Why wouldn't she?" Elle asked. "She's Lady Persephone's sister after all."
Persephone sighed. "When I'm on the Isle, there's a…shall we say mandate that everyone blocks me from their mental link."
"That's stupid," Mal stated.
Of course I did, Persephone! It's rare that you reach out when you're on the Isle. Is something the matter? Is someone pregnant?
Persephone sighed and took a moment before answering. Saying it out loud, even in the mind link, would almost be like speaking it into existence.
Hades couldn't help but glance over at Persephone in concern. Was…was she embarrassed to have his child? Ashamed?
Was she ready for the possibility of a pregnancy? It was hard enough leaving Mal every six months, could she do that to another kid?
"As hard as it is to say good bye every six months, I wouldn't trade my two kids for anything," Persephone stated, giving a fond smile to Mal and Hadie.
Persephone?
Oh, yes I apologize Eileithyia. I got lost in thought.
Quite alright but you never answered my question. Is someone with child on the Isle and in need of my services?
Eileithyia, can you keep a secret?
"Of course she can," Hera nodded. "After all, we never knew about this conversation."
"I knew," Zeus spoke up.
"And you didn't tell me?"
"We hadn't confirmed that Persephone was pregnant yet. I'd have told you after we got that."
Of course!
I believe I'm with child.
"Hang on…that's me!" Hadie said with a grin.
"Sure is storm cloud," Mal nodded though she couldn't help but hope that her feelings toward Hadie wouldn't be in the scrolls.
Eileithyia's response was slow but that was to be expected. After all, to the Gods of Olympus, this would be Hades' first child. A child of the Big Three born on the Isle? Such a thing was unheard of!
"I can feel the sarcasm from here," Kitty said, shaking her head.
Though Persephone knew the truth, that this would be the second child of Hades born on the Isle. When she had gone to Zeus for help getting Mal back from Maleficent all those years ago, though, she hadn't told him that. Persephone knew how Hades felt about Zeus and knew her husband would want his brother to have as little information about Mal as possible. So Persephone had played it as if Mal was Pain's daughter.
"Hmm, I mean it's believable but I'm just surprised mom didn't get a thousand questions about how it was possible for Pain to have a kid. That's what happens whenever anyone asks about Virgil," Mal said.
The purple tied in well and Hades still cared for his minions, even if he called them morons most of the time.
Hades smiled slightly. "Hey, as I once said. They may be morons but they're my morons."
Persephone had been ready to reveal the truth right then and there when Zeus said simply that it was Hades' karma coming home to roost.
"You should've," the older VKs grumbled and Persephone sighed. There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think the same thing.
Persphone?
Eileithyia? You're still there?
Yes I am. I apologize, your news startled me. Do you have any way of confirming whether or not you're with child?
"If we had a way to do that, most pregnancies wouldn't be a surprise," Mal snorted.
I'm on the Isle Eileithyia. They're lucky to have babes survive to reach one year. Most of the time, pregnancies are a surprise.
Belle's hands flew to her mouth as tears began to prickle in the corners of Ariel's eyes. Those poor babies…those poor kids…
I see. Hold on one moment Persephone. I need to talk to Zeus for a second.
"That's never good," Hades muttered.
That wasn't good. The last thing Persephone wanted was for the other Gods to know before it was even confirmed.
"I can keep a secret!" Zeus exclaimed.
"Uh huh," Hades said, the dry tone of his voice conveying exactly what he thought about his brother's statement.
Persephone, go to the portal.
Why?
I'm sending you a way to confirm that you're with child. Don't worry, only Zeus knows and for once he's agreed to keep it a secret until it's confirmed.
"And he actually managed to do so," Poseidon said, teasing his little brother.
But—
We want to know if a child of Hades is to be expected Persephone. Zeus may still harbor negative emotions toward Hades for kidnapping Hercules and the attempted take over of Olympus but the child is innocent in all this.
"Was that Zeus saying that or Eileithyia?" Hades asked.
"Eileithyia," Persephone stated. "She's the Goddess of Pregnancy Hades. She of all of us knows how innocent a child is."
Wait, the portal can be used after the six month mark?
"I was nauseous and possibly hormonal. Do not judge my questions," Persephone said.
"What's the point of being a Goddess if you still have to deal with morning sickness?" Melody asked.
"Melody!"
"No, no, she's got a point," Persephone nodded. "I asked myself the same question."
I know you haven't confirmed it but you must have what the mortals call pregnancy brain. No, the portal remains closed when not on your arrival or departure date. Zeus, as a favor to his unborn niece or nephew, is allowing it to be opened for a brief time so that I can get this test to you.
"Okay I have to say that hearing Aunt Eileithyia say the words 'pregnancy brain' is just strange," Mal said.
Persephone sighed and quickly made her way to the portal room. Thankfully, there was no one in the hall—Virgil was in the den, Mal was out with her friends, Pain and Panic were hiding from Hades and Hades was in the kitchen preparing something for dinner. Slipping into the portal room, Persephone frowned when she saw a plain cardboard box like the ones the mortals used.
"Wait, seriously?" Emir asked. "That's what the Gods use? It sounds like the same kind of thing mom used."
Did you receive it?
Yes but Eileithyia, there must be a mistake. This looks like a mortal test.
There's no mistake. We Gods have tried to modernize and keep with the times. Believe it or not the mortal's way of confirming they're with child is much more accurate than ours. I'll mute the link so you can take it and then I'll check back in.
"And yet you didn't see fit to provide some of those to the Isle," Uma grumbled.
"Yeah, it would have made Anastasia Tremaine's life easier if people knew off the bat when they were pregnant instead of her having to do math and make guesses as to how many months they were," Mal muttered.
Persephone nodded and made her way back to the bathroom. In her revelation, she had forgotten to do the thing that she wanted to do in the first place! Taking the test out of the box and reading the instructions, Persephone had to shake her head. How in Hera's name was this supposed to be easier than the old way?
The old way didn't run the risk of you peeing on your hand!
Audrey wrinkled her nose in disgust at the very idea. Thank Gods she'd be able to get a pregnancy test done in the hospital when that time came—the perk of being the Queen of Auradon. Well, she wasn't yet but when she was married to Ben, she would be!
But being squeamish didn't get you anywhere on the Isle and it wouldn't get Persephone anywhere here either. There was no choice but to grit her teeth and do it.
"She's a better person than I am," Lonnie said. "I'm not squeamish but I'd still rather get the blood test than pee on a stick and risk peeing on my hand."
One empty bladder later, Persephone set the test on the counter and sighed as she waited. Thankfully the Gods had made some improvements on the mortals' test and the result showed instantly.
"That's certainly an improvement," Cinderella nodded. The ten minute wait on the regular tests was usually the most nerve wracking experience of her life.
Well? Eileithyia's voice sounded in her brain. What is it?
Persephone looked at the stick in slight trepidation. She wasn't sure what she wanted—a child of her own with Hades would be wonderful but she already had that with Mal. Still…another child running around the Underworld, watching Hades play with his younger son or daughter, Mal being able to be a big sister…
Belle couldn't help the sad smile that grew on her lips. Ben had been so excited when he learned he was going to be a big brother, she thought. I'm happy Mal at least will get that experience…
Persephone?
Sorry Eileithyia. That's the second time you caught me lost in thought!
I don't blame you, this is a momentous occasion but we still need to know the results.
"Does she really? Before her husband even got the chance to know?" Snow White asked.
Hades blinked in surprise before shrugged. "Yeah okay I like you too. I really need to make that list."
Yes, yes of course.
Persephone shook her head and looked once more at the stick. Two bright blue lightning bolts stared back at her. Persephone couldn't believe it—she was pregnant!
"Oh how wonderful!" Aurora said with a big smile on her face.
"Thank you your highness," Persephone said, not wanting to ruin the moment and remind Aurora that it should have been obvious judging by Hadie and Mal's presence in the room.
Well?
We were right, Persephone responded with a small smile as she gently grabbed the test to show Hades. Well, at least Hades would be able to get his wish. Pregnancy wasn't contagious after all.
"No, it's certainly not," Jasmine said with a fond smile.
"Though sometimes it feels like it is," Rapunzel chuckled.
Persephone smiled as she put down the scroll. "That was the end of the scroll. Perhaps it might be time for us to take another small break?"
"Works for me," Hades nodded.
"I've no issue with it," Beast said.
"Great," Persephone said.