Chapter Seventy 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!
*ducks incoming projectiles* Sorry! I'm sorry! I know this chapter took a while! Would you believe me when I say that this chapter was about 36 pages long? Yeah, this is a fairly long chapter hence why it took so long. Still, sorry about the delay! I know people were really looking forward to this chapter!
I've been looking forward to writing it!
cass585339: Hope you enjoy the chapter!
JaclynnM: Yep, Mal finally getting the help she needs always makes me smile a little! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Hey, she hadn't read yet and I thought that this would be a good scroll for her to read lol :D And yes, doggy cuddles need to happen!
Monkeymama1516: Not at all! Sorry I couldn't deliver on a double update but I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Katt Kiki: Hope you enjoy! :D
Marcus Emrys: Oh I loved this one shot! And that's definitely a great way to deal with The Gazelle! I may borrow this if that's alright!
danifan3000: Might be a bit difficult with Hades being in the lair of the Fates but once he's out, anything's possible! And ooh that's not a bad idea for her torment!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! This might be my favorite chapter of CL, just for the fact that Ben tears her a new one! As for Elle, yeah I hadn't realized it myself until rewatching Descendants but Elle has glasses :D Hope you enjoy!
Lauriverfanboy1: That's not a bad idea especially since the Gazelle does seem to be fairly idiotic in terms of who they report on. Angering the Gods seems like something they'd do—I mean angering them further what with reporting on Mal and all. And oh man their reactions to Freddy's punishment are going to be hilarious.
smc: Glad you enjoyed it!
twilightgirl587: Ariana and Aaron are Audrey and Phil Jr.'s cousins—Ariana is actually in the books while Aaron is LotusQuil's OC. I just borrow him to connect our worlds. And yeah I research some things just so I make surer I'm not just talking out of my butt and making things up. Plus it's fun! :D
BAL4ever: You're welcome! It's definitely a possibility I won't lie!
Unknown Person67: Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Butterfly: Oh I'm so glad you liked it! Yeah I have to say Ii enjoy writing Audie as well! :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Here's hoping this Natalie gets her due, Demeter thought as she unfurled the scroll. She was getting tired of this…this mortal thinking that she could make her granddaughter's life miserable.
Ben sighed softly as he led the way to his dorm room, accompanied by Mal, Uma and Lady Persephone.
"I don't blame you," Chip said. "This won't be an easy conversation to have."
In all honesty, Ben had no idea what was going to happen but he knew he needed to have a talk with his girlfriend.
"Well yeah…isn't that why you're going to your dorm? To talk with Mal?" Akiho asked.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Uma break off and head in the direction of the room she shared with Evie and Mal.
"Odd," Harry said with a small frown. While he knew Uma could handle herself, he didn't really like the idea of her going off on her own without backup.
She's either going to get Harry and Jay or she's going to get the newspapers she talked about, he thought with an inward nod of his head.
"Why would she get Harry and Jay when Harry was tasked with making sure that Jay wouldn't interrupt the meeting?" Dizzy asked.
Hopefully it's the latter.
And it was, Benji thought. Uma really was the hero in all of this.
As much as I know Mal loves her friends, she won't want too big of an audience for the talk we're going to have. Something tells me it'll be an emotional one and Mal's not big on showing her feelings.
"Harry and Jay are the exception to that rule," Malinda said. "They're family."
Thankfully his room was just as spotless as it had been when he left this morning.
"Why…why wouldn't it be?" Dizzy asked, tilting her head.
"Good question Diz," Hadie nodded.
He didn't know why he expected anything different but then again, considering who he had as friends, anything was possible.
Emir rolled his eyes. "Please…we'll steal your suits, not trash your room. We do have limits."
"Lady Persephone, would you like the chair?" Ben offered as he held open the door for his girlfriend and his girlfriend's mother to walk through. His desk chair was probably the most uncomfortable chair ever made but it was the best thing in his dorm room he could offer that wasn't the bed.
"I think Lady Steph would want to stick around Mal's side, Benny," Harry said.
Milah nodded. "I'd say that's a fair guess."
Ironic considering he was the King but he spent more time in his office than he did his dorm anyway.
"We can get you a new chair for your dorm, Ben," Fairy Godmother said. "Actually, I'll look into getting new chairs for all the dorms."
"That's a good idea Fairy Godmother," Ben nodded with a grateful smile. The last thing he wanted was for it to look like he was being favored.
"No, thank you King Ben," Persephone shook her head. "I'd like to stay with my daughter if possible."
"She's not going to let Mal out of her sight," Hadie said.
"Of course. I just...I thought you might prefer...the chair might have been more comfortable—."
"You know mom's not going to smite you, right Benny?" Mal asked, a small note of amusement in her voice.
"Ben, mom's not going to smite you for offering the bed as a place to sit," Mal said softly and Ben couldn't help but smile slightly.
"I wouldn't smite you anyway, Prince Ben," Persephone said, shaking her head. "Not when you've done so much to help Mal."
At least she was talking, that was a good start.
Esmeralda nodding. "I agree, that's the first barrier down at least."
"But...mom, as much as I love the fact that you're here, aren't you going to get in trouble with Old Lightning Butt?"
"Why do I have a feeling that was cleaned up a tad to be safe for parental ears?" Meg asked with a small chuckle.
"Zeus can worry about the agreement when he wants to actually provide a good agreement for a mother of two who has a daughter who needs her," Persephone stated as she sat down on the edge of the bed, holding Mal close to her.
Hades couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at his lips as Demeter read that. Hearing Persephone hold Mal close to her, it just reminded him of how they would do that when Mal was younger.
She grew up too fast.
"King Ben was kind enough to provide a car and Zeus can't really get upset if I came at behest of the King now can he?"
"That's my wife," Hades said with a grin. "I've taught you well in the ways of finding a loop hole!"
"You've been around dad too much if you can list a loophole that quickly," Mal told her but didn't put up any resistance to her mom's embrace.
Hades shook his head. "You say that like it's a bad thing, Mal."
"When you become a parent, Mali, you'll learn that you'll do whatever it takes to make sure your kids know you're there for them," Persephone said gently, softly brushing a bit of hair out of Mal's face.
Malinda smiled softly. "I'm beginning to understand that a little," she said, her fingers lightly brushing her stomach.
Ben tilted his head slightly as he took in Mal's eyes...did they seem a bit brighter than usual?
"Oh no Mal…don't cry," Dizzy whispered.
He didn't mean brighter because of the tears in her eyes, but the shade of green in her eyes. He didn't know how he hadn't noticed before but it was like they were back to the shade of green he loved so much.
"It's because she's not wearing the stupid contacts!" Uma said with a grin.
It was almost as if a tiny bit of his Mal was breaking through.
Malinda shook her head. "You know…with the amount of time you spent staring into my eyes…you only just noticed the shade difference?"
"Mal...what's going on?" Ben asked, his voice soft.
"She's being mentally tortured!" Celia and Dizzy exclaimed at the same time.
"It's nothing Ben," Mal shook her head as Uma slipped into the room, unnoticed by all but Ben.
"It's not nothing!" Uma, Jay, Harry, and Hadie said in unison.
His second assumption had turned out to be the correct one as she had her arms loaded with newspapers. Or at least what passed for newspapers considering they were all The Gazelle.
"Just burn them," Emma muttered, shaking her head. "They're not even fit to line a hamster's cage!"
Everyone at Auradon Prep knew that the only thing The Gazelle was good for was a fire starter or as something for a dog to use the bathroom on if they went inside.
"What did the poor dog do to deserve that?" Alexandria asked.
Well, anyone with any sense that is—and Ben would never give Estelle a copy of that trash to do his business on.
"Estelle deserves better than to do his business on The Gazelle," Ben said.
"Yeah okay," Uma scoffed, setting the newspapers down on Ben's desk. "That's why you haven't done any spray painting or worn anything with dragons on it for months now. Because what, you just felt like it?"
"No, because she was pushed into it!" CJ muttered, shaking her head.
"Uma, what does it matter? Besides, it's not like I have time for drawing anyway let alone spray painting," Mal sighed before looking at her watch. She was definitely late for her Natalie meeting.
"Did we change the definition of 'meeting' to 'torture session' and I missed it?" Sammy asked.
"Speaking of not having time for things...unfortunately I have to run. Nice talking to you and it was great to see you again mom."
"Mom's not going to let you just run out of there," Hadie said, shaking his head.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it young lady," Persephone said as Ben gently grabbed her arm as Mal went to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Called it!"
"No one disagreed with you there Hads," Mal told her brother.
"Ben...what are you doing?" Mal asked, looking at him with slight confusion before looking over at her mom as if her words had only just begun to sink in. "Mom?"
"It's finally time for you to have a talk, Mal," Robin said softly.
Evan shook his head. "Then what have they been doing?"
"We need to have a talk," Persephone stated. "You say you're fine Mal but people who are fine don't run into their mother's arms sobbing upon seeing them."
"…I think the closest anyone's come to doing that is me…after everything that happened with Morgana…" Melody whispered.
Elle shook her head. "You didn't sob…or run into mom's arms from what she told me," she said. "You did run to Grandfather though."
"I just...I just missed you that's all," Mal said with a sigh.
"Uh huh," Persephone nodded, though Ben could tell from the look on her face that she was clearly not buying what Mal was trying to sell.
"I don't think even Audrey would buy that," Phil Jr. said, shaking his head.
"Mom, I really have to get going—."
"Not today you don't," Ben said gently but if one was listening closely they might have heard a hint of firmness in the King's voice.
Malinda sighed. "I know I looked at you shocked at the time…but I was glad. I needed you to not back down even if I wouldn't admit it," she whispered.
Mal raised an eyebrow and pulled her arm out of his grip. "Seriously?"
Mal, what's going on with you? Uma thought as she could see a small flash of hurt go through Ben's eyes at her actions.
Malinda sighed softly and shook her head. I never wanted to hurt you Ben, she thought.
"Don't look at me like that Uma!"
"Look at you like what?"
"Like I'm snapping."
"You're kinda snapping," Evan said with a small shrug.
"How should I be looking at you then? At the very least, you're being grouchy Mal. We're just trying to help."
"And it's clear that you need help Mal," Rachel said, her voice soft. "There's no harm in taking it."
"I'm fine Uma," Mal said as she rolled her eyes. "I'm not grouchy."
"You are not fine."
"Okay, so I've been a little busy. Sue me."
"No…but we can sue Natalie," Macaria said with a smirk.
"That's not an option," Ben said, quickly interjecting as Uma opened her mouth.
"Oh but it is!" Herkie said.
Mal shook her head. "So...we talked. Can I go now?"
"No!" Uma exclaimed.
"And why not?!"
"Because this isn't healthy Mal!"
"Uma's right," Elle nodded. "Though it's not Mal's fault either. Natalie's probably the embodiment of pure evil at this point and the worst part is she knows how to abuse children in a way that would make it almost impossible to go after her."
"What do you mean?" Melody asked.
"If Natalie was hitting Mal, which I want it known that I'm glad she's not, but if she was, there'd be evidence," Elle said. "Right now, all the scroll versions of Mal has are Natalie's words. Which yes Aunt Persephone would believe Mal, of course, but all Natalie has to do is claim that Mal just can't handle tough love or something like that and boom, weak minded people are on her side."
Mal shrugged. "I managed. It's just a few extra meetings on top of school stuff—."
"Didn't scroll you say she had like twenty other things to do after Cotillion was wrapped up? That's not just a few extra meetings," Harriet said.
"You're glued to your phone!"
"I'm not glued to my phone! I have to answer calls Uma! It's normal!"
Rachel shook her head. "Mal, someone calling you twice every minute is not normal!"
"Mal, if you're not on your phone, then you're rushing to a meeting or scurrying over to Blueberry for a fitting. It's not normal!"
"What scroll me said," Uma said with a nod.
Mal sighed, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Mal...please. Talk to me," Ben said gently, going back to his chair as to not make Mal feel like she was being trapped.
Harry sighed. "…I know it's hard Benny but good. If Mal feels cornered, she's just going to lash out.."
"What's going on in your head, dragon?"
"Something tells me scroll Mal's not going to like that," Ashaki shook her head.
"Ben! I asked you not to use that!" Mal exclaimed, her eyes going wide in shock. If Ben was going to just...disregard her request like that, then she'd never be free of people comparing her to the Dragon!
"But Ben's not using it to 'compare you to Maleficent' though Mal," Rowyn said. "He's using it as a nickname he came up with when you saved his life."
Even if there was a small part of her that liked the fact that Ben had disregarded her request. She loved hearing him call her 'dragon'. It meant something different coming from him.
"It was so strange when you asked me not to call you it that I just kinda automatically disregarded it," Benji said.
"I'm glad you did," Malinda told him.
"You said it was fine in private." Ben said with a small shrug.
"I don't think Mal considered being in a room with Uma and Aunt Steph to be 'private'," Macaria said.
"Does being in a room with my mother and cousin count as being in private to you?"
"Yes," Benji nodded. "They're two allies who view liking dragons as something that's favorable and therefore wouldn't be averse to my calling you by your nickname."
Ben sighed. "See, that's what I mean. You asked me not to use it but I don't know why. You've never had an issue with it before. You love dragons!"
"And I still do," Malinda said as Benji held her close.
"I changed," Mal said, her voice flat.
"Why?"
"Because she's being mentally tortured, have we all forgotten that part?!" Celia exclaimed.
Mal sighed. "Ben...it's not important okay? Just...no more dragon nickname. Please?"
Jasmine shook her head. "If you're denying yourself something you've enjoyed, then it is important Mal. And it's clear that those around you care enough to want to know why you're changing."
Ben couldn't help but bite his lip. He'd be happy to give her the world but this was one thing that he didn't want to give up. Not because of the nickname, but because of what it represented. Mal was as wild, as free, as protective as any of the dragons in the books he'd read.
"Of course she is! She's a fire breathing, scaly, treasure hoarding, person barbecuing, cow dishonoring dragon!"
Everyone turned to look at Akiho with various levels of concern, amusement, or just plain confusion.
"Honestly…I'd say that's accurate," Mal nodded. "But since Khan was a horse, shouldn't that be 'horse dishonoring'?"
"That's what you're questioning?" Uma asked.
"Hey, it's no stranger than some of the things Harry and Jay have come up with."
"…You have a point there."
She was a dragon in human form...and that was just one of the many things he loved about her.
Malinda smiled softly and leaned over to kiss Benji on the cheek. "I love you too," she whispered to him.
"Mal, the fact that you're insistent on this makes me think that it is important," Persephone said gently. "Remember when you were eight? What did I tell you about dragons then?"
"Listen to her Mal!" Multiple VKs exclaimed.
"That just because I liked dragons, it didn't make me connected to Maleficent," Mal said, her voice soft. "That dragons were often considered a Godly symbol."
"Not just the Gods," Lonnie said. "Emperors are believed to be descended from dragons."
"So…does that mean Yi-Min is descended from a dragon?" Rose asked. "Since her mom's dad's an emperor?"
"Exactly," Uma nodded, giving her aunt a small smile. Thank Gods we brought her in otherwise we'd be beating our heads against a wall. Mal is nothing but stubborn. But luckily so am I.
"Hey! I'm not stubborn!" Mal exclaimed.
"I'm going to ignore that so we can get through this scroll and then hopefully never have to hear about Nat Bat every again," Uma said, shaking her head.
"Dragons are kinda your thing Mal. Or at least they were until something changed but you won't tell me what it was. It can't just be the stupid idiots at The Gazelle."
"You know it's weird but 'stupid idiots' both feels too tame and just right in terms of describing the people at The Gazelle," David said.
"David…" Snow sighed.
"Am I wrong?" David asked his wife.
"Uma, just drop it okay?! It's nothing, alright? If I don't go now, we're going to be treated to Natalie blowing up my phone—!"
"Let her," Hades said with a wicked grin. "Then Natalie will be introduced to an angry Goddess."
"Why would this Natalie blow up your phone?" Persephone asked. "On that note, who is Natalie? I thought I knew all your friends Mal unless this is one from Auradon?"
"If Natalie's a friend, then a rattle snake is appropriate to give a baby," Audie said, shaking her head.
"She's...she's not a friend," Mal sighed, looking at her mom. "She's my 'handler'."
"If I ever call Natalie a 'friend', assume I've been possessed," Malinda muttered.
"...why on Gaia's green earth would anyone think you'd need to be handled?" Persephone asked, her eyes flashing.
"Uh oh…mom's mad," Hadie said, though he looked more amused than nervous. "Just point her at Natalie and all Mal's problems will be solved!"
"There, um, there were some on my council who thought it might help Mal in navigating the royal life," Ben said, his voice small as Persephone glared over at him. "I was not one of them!"
"If I ever find out who it was who did approve Mal having a handler…" Hades growled.
"Considering the status your mother had all her life before marrying your father, I should hope so!
Aladdin and Eugene looked over at each other.
"I hope we weren't one of the ones to approve Natalie as Mal's handler either," Aladdin said.
"I hope so too," Eugene nodded.
For that matter, I've been working with Mal on navigating life in Auradon. Just in a manner that would also help her survive the Isle!"
Mal nodded slowly. "Like scroll me said when I first met Natalie…I've already had Lady training," she said softly.
"It's true," Uma nodded. "Aunt Steph was a big help in learning diplomacy and all that stuff that a captain of the seas needs to know. Probably comes from having to deal with Zeus for six months."
Persephone chuckled softly. "I'm glad I could help Uma."
Ben though frowned as the rest of Mal's statement rang through his head. "You're allowed free time Mal, I don't understand why Natalie would be blowing up your phone. Unless...hang on...Mal, Natalie's not the reason you don't want to be called 'dragon' anymore is it?"
"Well, she's partially the reason and for that I can not wait until she meets me in the Underworld," Hades said, his eyes narrowing at the scroll in Demeter's hands.
"Ben, just...I...she's...I have to go," Mal told him and Ben's heart broke at hearing the plea in her voice.
Hades grit his teeth but got up and went over to one of the private rooms off to the side.
"I don't think anyone wants to go in there for a while," Persephone said as Hades shut the door. However they could still see the occasional flashes of orange through the crack of the door as Hades began ranting; his hair flashing bright orange in his rage toward Natalie. After what felt like an hour but was more like thirty minutes, Hades came back out.
"You good dad?" Mal asked.
"Not in the slightest but I want to see this cretin get her due," Hades said.
"Mal...please," he said softly, getting up from his chair and walking over to her; gently cupping her cheek with his palm. "You're with me, what's Natalie going to do? Talk to me."
Harriet sighed. "I think it's been proven that Nat Bat won't care that Mal's with you Benny…she'll tear into her anyway…"
"Ben..." Mal said softly, looking up at him and Ben could see the pain and the pure exhaustion she had somehow managed to hide shining through. "What do you want me to say?"
Benji shook his head. "I'm not a violent person but I swear, I could have killed Natalie that day," he muttered.
"I want you to tell me why you want nothing to do with something you love anymore," Ben told her, his hand still cupping her cheek.
"Well…that's one of the first times I've heard of someone having an answer right off the bat for that question. Normally it's 'I don't know…say whatever you want'," Aziz said.
"I...I can't," Mal said softly, her voice a near whisper.
Benji held Malinda close. "Yes you can. You can tell me anything," he whispered to her.
"Why not?" Ben asked, keeping his voice gentle even though every cell in his body was vibrating with rage. Not toward Mal though. Never toward Mal.
"I could never be angry at you," Benji said, kissing the top of Malinda's head. Of course he was omitting their…spat for lack of a better term after Freddy got sent back to the Isle. But other than that, he could never be angry at Mal.
How had he missed this? How had he missed Natalie turning Mal from the most confident and self assured girl he knew to someone he barely recognized? To someone who looked like she expected a punishment from him for doing something wrong?
Both Ben and Benji's eyes flashed in anger.
"I would never hit Mal!" They said in unison.
The looks he was getting from Mal's mom and cousin both said the same thing: fix this or I will.
"Ooh I want to see how Lady Steph and Uma fix this," Harry said with a grin.
"I'm right there with you Harry," Hades nodded, both of them leaning forward slightly in their seats.
Ben wasn't sure he wanted to know how they would fix this. Something told him though that it would involve Natalie turning into a plant of some kind. Maybe an underwater one if the aunt and niece teamed up.
"Ooh thanks for the idea Benny!" Uma grinned. "What do you think Aunt Steph?"
"Hmm…it's good but I think we can do better," Persephone said.
"Steph!"
"What Hades? Did you think I was going to stand by while you got to torment this Natalie when she died?" Persephone asked.
"No, I'm more shocked that you're not letting me have any immediate fun," Hades told her.
"We'll torment her for you Lord Hades," Harry said.
"Atta boy," Hades nodded, missing the slightly proud smile on Harry's face.
"I just can't!" Mal snapped, bringing Ben's focus back to the matter at hand, and he watched as her eyes flashed bright green before fading back to their normal shade. "Because maybe, Ben, I don't want you to realize you're potentially dating the next version of Maleficent' like the entire kingdom already knows—!"
"Mal, half the kingdom doesn't know and you're not Maleficent," Emma said.
She slapped a hand over her mouth, clearly having said more than she had wanted to.
Snow sighed. "Frantic or angry thoughts are often the truth…"
"What do you mean the next Maleficent?" Ben asked, his voice soft as he gently moved Mal's hand from her mouth. He never wanted her to silence herself. Not around him. Not ever. "You're nothing like Maleficent."
"And I stand by that," Benji said. "Both of those statements actually. I never want Mal to silence herself around me and I know she's nothing like Maleficent."
"Maleficent could turn into a dragon Ben," Mal said softly.
"So could Mad Madam Mim!" Uma exclaimed, shaking her head. "You're nothing like Maddy just like you're nothing like Maleficent!"
"She's what people think of when they think of dragons...if I have to give up dragons to distance myself from her, I'm fine doing that. They're only clothes and pictures...they're...they're not important."
I wonder if Mal cut herself off there, Audie thought. After all…Mal in the viewing was so worried about Ben's safety, she wouldn't even think about going back to Auradon. 'It's only a matter of time before I do something so messed up that not only does the kingdom turn on me, but they turn on you, Ben'.
Ben couldn't help but look at Mal in shock and he knew Uma was doing the same thing. Even though he figured the cousins had had a talk before Uma brought Mal to his office, he didn't know what it had consisted of. What all Mal had told Uma, if anything.
"That broke my heart," Benji said softly.
"What?" Mal asked softly, noticing the shocked looks. "Ben, your safety's more important. If the kingdom thought you were spelled or something because you were dating the next Maleficent—."
"You are not the next Maleficent!" Harry, Uma, Jay, and Hadie all exclaimed.
"Malinda!"
"Yes mom?" Mal asked, looking over at Persephone.
"Good, Steph's there to talk some sense into Mal and remind her that she's not the next Maleficent," Hades nodded even as his hair slowly became orange once more along the edges. All those who worked at The Gazelle would find themselves in a world of unpleasantness once they died, that was a guarantee.
"You are not the next Maleficent!" Persephone said firmly. "I seem to remember you standing up against Maleficent at the battle at King Ben's coronation."
"Exactly!" Uma nodded. "If you were going to be the next Maleficent, you would have sided with her then rather than fight against her!"
Mal sighed. "Mom, it doesn't matter. I'm still genetically connected to the Dragon even if I know you're my mom. All anyone will see is a copy of Maleficent because you can change everything about yourself but you can't change genetics…"
Rose shook her head. "Genetics doesn't mean anything! Tarzan and Clayton are cousins and they're total opposites!"
Ben honestly lost count at how many times his heart broke during this talk but it broke again as he saw tears begin to form in the corners of Mal's eyes.
Benji shook his head as he looked at his younger self. "Ben, if you only take one thing away from this, let it be this. Keep. That. Woman. Away. From. Mal!"
"That won't be a problem," Akiho said as Emir nodded before Ben could answer.
"You are not a copy," he whispered, scooping Mal into his arms and holding her close. "If you were, you wouldn't have stopped Evie from stealing Fairy Godmother's wand, you wouldn't care so much about your friends. Hell, you wouldn't have cared about why Evie did what she did and you certainly wouldn't care about my safety in all of this."
"Good…" Neal said softly. "I hate this but…good. Mal can break because we all know Ben'll catch her."
Mal sniffed softly as she buried her head into Ben's shoulder.
Belle couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at her lips as she heard Lady Demeter read that. At least I know that my son's considered a safe person for scroll Mal to be around…and Malinda as well judging by how she's curling into him.
She had already known that of course but it felt nice to have it confirmed in some way.
"Hey, hey," Ben said gently, putting his hand on Mal's chin and gently raising it up so he was looking her in the eye. "You are Mal. You are one of a kind. You're a dragon themed, spray painting, pirate co-captaining girl who has no qualms about walking into my office to tell me I'm working too long. You are not Maleficent, you are Malinda. And anyone who says otherwise is an idiot. Maleficent doesn't hold a monopoly on dragons, just ask Lonnie about Mushu. Hell, I like dragons. Does that make me like Maleficent?"
"Yeah Mal! Hell you're one of the best people I know!" Harry said. "You care more than half of the Isle!"
"No! Ben, you're nothing like Maleficent!" Mal told him.
"Actually, he's pretty much the opposite of Maleficent," Emir said.
"Then why are you?" Ben asked gently. "You're doing the same as me, admiring dragons for the animal they are and not for the person most of us think of."
"Again Mushu would be glad to have a word with those people!" Lil Shang said, shaking his head.
"Ben, I'm genetically connected to her! Like it or not there's no changing that!"
"…I'm genetically related to my grandmother…does that make me a bad person?" Dizzy asked, her voice soft.
"Mal, blood does not dictate family or personality," Ben said softly. "Chip is my brother even if we're not connected by one drop of blood. Hell, Emir and Akiho are practically my brothers—the whole Tourney team is actually. My father, before he was turned into a beast, was rude, shallow and arrogant, I'll freely admit that.
"Again, a DNA test would not go amiss as I do have a hard time you're Beastie's kid," Hades muttered.
Am I any of those things?"
Malinda shook her head. "No…no you're not," she said softly.
"No!"
"Then why should your genetics have anything to do with Maleficent?" Ben asked.
"Mal, as we've said before, what it boils down to is who you consider your parents. Not your genetics or even who raised you. It's your choice," Rapunzel said.
Persephone shook her head slightly as they waited for Mal to answer. Oh sure, it's just the same thing I've been saying ever since we got Mal back from that witch but what do I know? I'm just your mother. Gods help me when Hadie's a teenager.
"What? No, he's not becoming a teenager," Hades said, shaking his head.
"Dad!"
"No! You and Malinda, you're staying as young as I can keep you!"
"Why am I being brought into this?" Mal asked. "And why did I get full named?"
"Hades, there's no stopping him growing up. Hadie or Mal for that matter," Demeter said, much to everyone's surprise. "Children tend to do it whether you like it or not."
"I'll pick 'not' thank you," Hades muttered but he couldn't help but give his mother-in-law a small smile.
Uma walked over and gently rubbed her cousin's back, trying to convey to Mal that she wasn't alone. That there were people she could talk to, who could help her.
"You'll always have people you can count on," Macaria said. "Even if the VK group is busy or unreachable for some reason, you've got me."
"And me," Elle nodded.
"I'm always down for a vent session while sparring!" Lonnie said with a grin.
"I got you Mali," she said softly. "We're just trying to help, that's all. We can see you're not happy. Ruthless yet loyal after all. I'm not letting my co-captain suffer needlessly."
"And you know we've got you too, even if we're not in the room," Harry said and Jay nodded as well.
"…I've…I've got your back Mal," Carlos said, his voice soft yet firm at the same time. "You've provided me protection on the Isle, why shouldn't I pay that back?"
"…Not necessary but appreciated Carlos," Mal said, giving the black and white haired boy a small smile.
"But...but..."
"But nothing," Harry said. "If I know Uma, she's not going to let you talk your way out of getting the help you need."
"But nothing Mali! What did you say to Harry when he was injured back when we were nine? And he was idiotically fighting our help?"
Oh joy, wish there'd been some indication that was coming, Harry thought as he subtly brought his hands to his ribs at the memory.
"That was different Uma. Harry was fighting getting medicine that would stop him from being in pain," Mal said softly.
"Just because you're hurt emotionally doesn't mean you're not also in pain, Mali," Persephone said, her voice gentle.
"And we can clearly see that you're hurting too and you're fighting our help," Uma said gently. "Remember what Uncle Hades said? We don't leave family behind."
"Unless that family is on an Isle and gets kidnapped by a demented dragon witch because of an eons old feud," Hades said, giving Zeus a small glare.
Mal couldn't help but give her cousin a weak smile, which Uma and Ben eagerly returned. Unfortunately, Mal's phone rang at that moment breaking the silence and the peace.
"If it's who I think it is, I'm going to introduce her to a tiger," Jasmine muttered. "I don't care if she hasn't done anything yet, she still deserves it."
"Gods a minute's peace, is that too much to ask?" Mal muttered as she broke away from Ben and answered her phone.
"For that she-devil? Seems like it," Neal shook his head.
"Hi Natalie. Yes, yes, I know I'm late...I'm sorry, I was just—."
"Don't apologize to her!" Harriet said, shaking her head. "In fact, just hang up! You've got more important things to do than deal with her!"
"I don't care Mal!" Natalie's voice rang through clear as day as Mal had accidentally pressed the speaker button in her haste to answer her phone.
…It might not have been an accident, Malinda thought as she curled up closer to Benji. There was a part of me…a part of me that wanted Ben to know everything Natalie said…to make it so that there wasn't a 'her vs. me' moment where it was just my word against her's.
"When will you get it into your ditzy brain that you can't goof off and keep missing meetings? My Gods, the way you're going, I'm surprised King Ben isn't more embarrassed by you!"
"Ditzy?!" Elle and Macaria snapped.
"How dare—well Mal's certainly smarter than you Nat Bat if you think you can just talk to her like that!" CJ growled. "Even if you don't know who's in the room yet, think before you open your mouth!"
"And again I could never be embarrassed by Mal!" Benji said, his voice low as the memory of that day came flooding back to him.
Ben's eyes widened while Persephone's narrowed in anger.
"Oh Nat Bat's just officially signed her death certificate," Harry said.
Uma's hands curled into fists with every word that came out of Natalie's mouth.
"Why I'm going to—I'm going to tie her legs to an anchor, make her walk the plank and send her to the dark depths of Davey Jones' locker! Or I will scoop her up into a whirlpool filled with urchins so they can prick her to death while she drowns or—!"
"Uma, not that I don't agree but…you're starting to scare the Smee twins," Harriet said.
"I know, I know...I'm really sorry Natalie. I'll be right over," Mal said, and Uma looked over in shock. How long had this been going on for Mal to just sit back and take that kind of talking to?
Malinda sighed. "Sometimes it was easier to just apologize than try to say something she didn't want to hear," she whispered.
"You know we'll have to go over your allotted time, and all your meetings now are going to run into each other. If you didn't have those hours blocked off for magic of all things, maybe I could be a bit more flexible with your schedule but clearly you don't care about getting this right.
"Maybe you shouldn't over schedule Mal then Natalie, if you can't be 'flexible' with her schedule," Lonnie snapped.
Gods, what King Ben sees in a slacker like you I'll never know.
"No you won't Natalie because you're clearly too heartless to understand love," Chip said, his voice low as he glared at the scroll.
I'm just glad you finally wised up and got rid of those stupid dragon clothes and leather! You should look like a Lady, not a ruffian.
"She does 'look like a Lady'! She's a Lady who's comfortable being herself! My Lady!" Benji snapped.
Am I just wasting my time being your handler? Because I'd have thought you would finally get some decent time management? Gods, a Lady doesn't run late to meetings Mal!"
"I know he's not a Lady but has she met Hyllus? My brother's almost always running late," Macaria said, shaking her head. "Guess what, Natalie? People run late!"
"Yes Natalie, I know...and I appreciate what you're doing..." Mal whispered.
"I wonder how much Natalie will appreciate my fist flying into her face for turning Mal into this," Harriet growled.
"Okay that's it," Ben growled. "I've heard enough!"
"Ben, if you don't kill her, I will," Uma snarled, rubbing Mal's back as Mal stared at her boyfriend in shock, Ben having grabbed the phone from her hands.
"Sic her Ben! Tear her apart!" The room erupted into a chorus of growls and mutters.
"Ben, don't—!"
"Malinda, it's either Ben has a talk with her or I have a talk with her," Persephone said. "Granted, I'll be having a talk with her either way but it might be better if Ben goes first."
Mal sighed but nodded.
"Um…just a question but if Mal's phone is on speaker then doesn't that mean that Natalie's heard all of this?" Evan asked.
"So? That just means she gets to experience the feeling of impending doom that much faster," Neal shrugged.
"Excuse me Natalie, but I don't believe abusing my girlfriend was part of your job description!" Ben growled.
"Well maybe not in the job description you gave her Ben," Kitty growled as her eyes flickered to Leah's 'cell'.
"King Ben! Oh hello sire, how can I help you?" Natalie asked, her voice clearly showing her shock at Ben's appearance on the call.
"Or she just wasn't paying attention when Ben growled and took Mal's phone," Aziz said. "Six to one, half dozen of the other."
"You can help me by telling me what in the world you think you're doing! As I said, I don't believe abusing my girlfriend was part of your job! Calling her 'ditzy'? Making her feel ashamed of something she loves?! Telling her that she's an 'embarrassment' to me?! Natalie, right now, the only one who I'm embarrassed by is the person who was appointed by my council who thinks it's okay to abuse a teenager!"
"Go Ben!" Most of the AKs and VKs cheered, even if the AKs were more than a little shocked to hear of Ben raising his voice.
Then again, Natalie deserved every second of it.
"Sire! If Miss Mal can't handle a little tough love, then she can tell me.
"That's an odd way to say Lady," Macaria said, shaking her head. "Oh and I don't know what tough love looks like in Natalie's world but what she's doing is not it."
But a Lady, especially your Lady, should look the part and not...well not like a street rat from the Isle!"
"That's the point Natalie! Mal is my Lady meaning she can look and dress in whatever style makes her comfortable," Benji growled.
"And how exactly is she supposed to do that when you don't give her a chance to speak when berating her?!
"Exactly! That's not 'tough love'! That's beating her down!"
If you'd let her speak for a minute, then you would have known that she was with me, that's why she was late!
Eric shook his head. "You know…it's amazing that Natalie somehow hasn't called to berate Mal when she's around a teacher. What if Mal had to stay after class for something and that's why she was late for a meeting?"
For that matter, how many meetings are you giving her that they run over and she has to give up her magic practice?
"Too many, that's how many meetings she's giving Mal!" Emma said, shaking her head.
Finally, Mal is from the Isle Natalie! If she wants to wear whatever makes her comfortable, she can!"
"Exactly," Ben and Benji said at the same time, nodding their heads.
"With you? But sire, we...we didn't have a meeting with you scheduled in her planner.
"My friends don't need meetings to be with me!" Ben exclaimed.
"Or my girlfriend for that matter," Benji added.
Had I known...well no matter. Mal should have been on time. We've gone over the importance of punctuality many times, I'm honestly surprised she hasn't retained anything I've told her.
"Good!" Alexandria said. "Because what you tell her is absolute dribble!"
And honestly sire you don't need to trouble yourself with her schedule. That's why your council appointed me to Miss Mal's service after all.
"Expressing concern over my girlfriend's schedule when it's clear she's being overworked is not 'troubling' myself," Benji said, his voice low as he glared at the scroll in Demeter's hands.
And she may be from the Isle sire but she lives in Auradon. She should look the part."
"The Isle is part of Auradon!" Ben exclaimed, shaking his head. "What has to happen to get people to realize that?"
"My girlfriend doesn't need a meeting to be with me!" Ben exclaimed.
"What I said!" Ben and Benji said at the same time, nodding their heads.
"And 'trouble myself'? Natalie, you know that those hours are blocked off so that Mal can practice her magic and ensure her health and safety! Those blocks of time are to be left alone!
"What? Does she think Ben blocked off those hours for Mal for fun? So they could sneak off or something?" Ashaki scoffed, shaking her head.
And frankly Natalie, I don't care if Mal 'looks the part' or not. If she wants to wear leather with dragons on it, she can!"
"You tell her Ben!" Lonnie cheered.
"Sire, I'm sorry but if Mal keeps being late to meetings, there's only so much time in the day!
"Well maybe if you gave her a reasonable amount of meetings, there would be time!" Phil Jr. snapped.
The meetings we have scheduled are important as a Lady of the Court and as your Lady sire!
"If they're so important then mom can help Mal through them," Ben said, shaking his head.
Mal's perfectly able to speak up if she feels overworked but I don't see why she should!
"Gee, you don't think fourteen meetings in two days is overworking her?!" Phil Jr. asked, rolling his eyes before turning to his parents. "So…why do we still employ her? She's Audrey's handler after all and if this is how she treats Mal…"
"He's got a point Briar," Phillip nodded. "We can at least have an in-depth discussion about how how Natalie acts behind closed doors."
No one from Auradon wears leather your highness, all it would do is remind everyone that she's from the Isle!"
"Why would that be a bad thing?" Emir asked. "Everyone in Auradon gets to wear clothing reflective of their culture, even those of a royal or noble background. Why is Mal the only one who doesn't get to do that?"
"So we can't kill her right?" Uma asked, turning to look at Persephone as Ben continued to go back and forth.
"Kill her and send her to me," Hades said, his voice a low growl.
"I'm still toying with the possibility," Persephone stated. "Hades has been providing suggestions as to her punishments through the mental link."
"Good! You should listen to scroll me and send her soul my way so that I can torment her for all the pain she's put my daughter through!"
"Mom...don't," Mal said softly. "All it would do is make people think being from the Isle's too dangerous and advocate for permanently separating the two worlds. I...I couldn't live completely separated from you and think about Hadie. He still needs his mom."
Hades shook his head. "Mal, if I remember correctly, this isn't the first time in the scrolls that you've placed Hadie over yourself."
"Your father's right," Persephone nodded. "While I love Hadie to the moon and back, he doesn't dim your importance as my child. You matter too, you do know that right?"
Mal nodded. "Of course I do. Scroll me's probably thinking about the fact that it's not fair to Hadie to have to say goodbye to you every six months. Imagine if he never got to see you or dad?"
"And we'd deal with that if we needed to but it's also our job as parents to eliminate threats toward our children," Persephone said.
Persephone sighed. "Alright Mal. I won't smite her. Though I make no promises that your uncle won't at some point if he ever finds out what Natalie did."
"What's this 'if' business?" Posideon asked. "Mal's friends with Elle and I do talk with my great-granddaughters after all."
"Zeus didn't care about me when I was a baby and Maleficent grabbed me, he doesn't care now," Mal scoffed and Uma couldn't help but smile a bit at seeing remnants of the old Mal come out.
Uma shook her head. "You do have another uncle you know? One Uncle Hades actually does talk to, and our other cousin as he just pointed out. Something tells me Nat Bat's about to become landlocked for the rest of her days."
She was still in there, just buried deep down.
"Because some Leah wannabe made her suppress it," Phillip muttered.
"Well at the very least, your father will have fun judging her soul when the time comes," Persephone stated. "He had a ball with Leah."
"Ooh, I wonder what I did to her?" Hades asked with an almost feral grin. "Then again…maybe I don't want to know. Keep it a surprise so it doesn't feel like I'm copying myself for when the time comes this go around."
"I'm not surprised," Mal said, shaking her head in slight amusement.
"Neither are we!" Harry, Jay, Hadie, and Uma said in unison.
"Speaking of your father, he wants you to talk to him," Persephone stated. "And you're never muting your mental link again young lady.
"Unless you're enjoying time alone with your husband!" Hades said quickly before pausing. "I..yeah no we're keeping that. Because even though I think you're way too young to be married, I'd rather not hear anything over the mental link thank you!"
If something's going on with you, I want to know."
"That goes for all of you," Persephone said, looking at Jay, Uma, Harry, and Hadie.
"Yes Aunt Steph," Uma nodded, figuring it'd be better to just agree than argue.
Mal nodded. "Yes mom. I'm sorry... at first I thought I could handle it or that Natalie just didn't like Uma for some reason.
"Yeah well I don't like her so the feeling's mutual!" Uma said, crossing her arms over her chest.
She kept encouraging me to spend time with Elle or Macaria.
"I'm happy to spend time with you Mal," Macaria said. "But I'd rather it be because you want to rather than because you were forced to."
But then it was jabs about my clothing on top of all The Gazelle articles and then Leah made a comment at her hearing and it just piled on top of each other... plus you were still on the Isle.
Lonnie shook her head. "But you've got a guardian this side of the bridge. My mom. And she'd make Natalie stop the first chance she got once she heard what was going on!"
I didn't want to make you worried since there was still time in your deal."
"A parent always worries about their child, Mal," Hades said and Persephone nodded.
"Which is why I'll talk to Zeus about reworking that deal," Persephone stated. "I won't leave your father to his lonesome as that's not fair to him but I won't leave you without someone to turn to."
"Really. That should have happened the minute Persephone had kids," Posideon said as he looked at Zeus.
Mal smiled and went over to her mom, giving her a hug in thanks.
"You don't have to thank me," Persephone said even as Mal got over to give her a hug of her own. A hug that Persephone readily returned.
"It's the parent's job to protect the kids Mali. Not the other way around," Persephone said softly, returning the hug.
Malinda sighed softly. "Sadly mom, when you grow up on the Isle, it gets kinda reversed."
"That's Lady Mal to you Natalie!" Ben's voice broke through and all three Olympians looked over in slight shock.
"Oh boy, Ben's mad," Abby said as her eyes grew wide.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you're only addressing her politely when speaking to me! As the daughter of two Gods, Mal is afforded the title by default which is exactly why she has the blocks of time for her magic!
Audie shook her head. "That just shows you how fake she is!"
And for the record Natalie, the only expectations I have for my Lady is that she's happy and healthy!
"That's all anyone, royal or otherwise, should expect of their partner," Cinderella said.
The Isle is a part of her, it's where she's from. It's what made her the woman I love and she shouldn't be made ashamed of that!"
Lucy smiled. "I was wondering when the first 'I love you' would come out."
Mal gasped as she heard Ben's words, Persephone resting a hand on her shoulder.
Malinda shook her head. "I wasn't used to hearing 'I love you' referencing me…unless it was my parents or occasionally Hadie."
"Ben...Ben loves me?" Mal asked.
"I don't think he'd be going through all of this if he didn't," Persephone told her. "But I don't think he remembered you were in the room."
Benji shook his head. "Truthfully I was just so focused on saying everything to Natalie before the words escaped me or she interrupted me that I forgot anyone else was in the room," he said.
"Do I have to say it back?"
Benji shook his head. "No, I don't want you saying something like that out of obligation. I'd rather you say them because you meant them. Trust me, I can wait."
"Not if you're not ready. Though I do just want to say your cousin Aphrodite is going to be very smug about all of this. She had a bet with your cousin Hermes that Ben would be the first to say it."
Poseidon chuckled. "Hermes actually bet with Aphrodite on the subject of love? Did he want to lose his drachmas?"
"...they bet on me and Ben?"
"What don't we bet on?" Poseidon asked with a small chuckle.
"Immortal beings, Mal. We get bored very easily." Persephone said, shaking her head. "Now, I think it's time I have some words with this Natalie."
"Finally," Demeter muttered even as her fists tightened up against the scroll. "Time to show this mortal why you don't anger Olympus."
She caught Ben's eye and held out her hand for the phone. Ben nodded.
"This'll be good," Hades said with a grin, leaning forward in his seat once more.
"Natalie, I will be continuing this conversation but for right now, Mal's mother would like a word with you," Ben said, his voice still a near growl.
"You know, I know we all know that Lady Persephone is Mal's mom but considering that Natalie believes Maleficent is Mal's mother, how much do you think that scared the crap out of her?" Chip asked.
"I hope for your sake you don't insult Mal the way you've done with me. Because you will be extremely lucky if you still hold a job at the end of this phone call."
"Oh just fire her anyway," Uma said, shaking her head. "That bat doesn't deserve leniency!"
Ben handed over the phone and Mal shook her head, going over to him as to provide her mom some privacy for her call.
Uma shook her head. "I have a feeling you'll be able to hear Aunt Steph regardless," she said.
"You didn't have to do that," she said softly.
"Yes I did," Ben and Benji said at the same time.
"She was berating you and making you feel ashamed about things that you love," Ben said. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"That's one of the best things about Ben as a friend, you know that no matter what he's got your back," Lonnie said.
"Though it can sometimes be frustrating when he doesn't understand that means you have his as well," Emir shook his head.
Mal gave him a small smile. "Um...speaking of things that were said…"
Benji flushed slightly. "Um…trust me, that wasn't exactly how I thought those words would come out…I'd have planned it a bit differently…"
"Oh! Yeah that...that wasn't the way I wanted to tell you," Ben said softly. "But it doesn't change the fact that I do love you with all my heart Mal. I'm not looking for you to say it back. I know life is different on the Isle, Harry and Uma have told me multiple times. But I just wanted you to know and for you to know that I would do anything for you."
Malinda smiled softly as she looked at Benji. "I hope you know the feeling's mutual."
Mal gave him another smile and rested her head on his shoulder. "Ben...as long as we're truth telling, I should tell you. I've been ducking out of lunch and dinner early to get more magic practice in."
"And that stops now," Harriet said.
"Well that's not going to be a problem anymore because you'll have your time," Ben promised. "As for food, well, after this phone call I know there's a picnic being set up by our friends that'll have everything you want."
"Yes! Mal you need to eat," Sammy nodded.
"...strawberries?"
"I think those would be included no matter what, considering how much scroll you likes them," Elle said.
"I guarantee it," Ben nodded as he slipped out his phone and sent a quick text to Emir to guarantee the appearance of the fruit.
"Now Ben, did you have any doubt that I wouldn't include scroll you's girlfriend's favorite fruit?" Emir asked, shaking his head.
"Ooh Benny, can I run down to the kitchen and make some hush puppies for this picnic?"
"Yeah Ben can she?" Mal nodded.
"You know she's going to even if Ben says no," Malinda couldn't help but chuckle slightly. The rollercoaster of emotions this scroll had brought back for her…let's just say she was happy to have a more lighthearted moment.
Ben couldn't help but chuckle. "Of course. Tell the kitchen staff you have my permission if they ask."
"I mean, they probably won't," Aziz said. "They're pretty chill about students being in there after all."
Uma nodded and smirked slightly as she left. Oh, she'd make the hush puppies but she needed to pick something else up too.
"What is it?" Squeaky asked.
Oh I think I have a feeling I know what Uma's going to pick up, Celia thought. The one thing that makes Mal 'Mal' so to speak.
"Oh no Natalie," Persephone stated, pulling Ben and Mal's attention back to the phone call and Mal realized that her mother hadn't actually taken a break at any point since taking the call.
"Oooooh I wanna know what she said all that time!" Hades, Hadie, Harry, and Jay said.
"You don't seem to understand. You don't look at Mal. You don't talk to Mal. You don't breathe around Mal. If you do, King Ben will be the least of your worries.
"Is it bad that I kinda want Nat Bat to do all of that around Mal just to see what Lady Steph would do?" Harry asked.
Harriet shook her head. "Not in the slightest."
Do you not think Mal has an entire mountain of Gods waiting to act on her behalf?
"Well some are clearly debatable," Meg muttered, glancing over at Zeus.
The only reason you're not being smited or turned into a mint plant or a spider or a bull or a tree or a bear or anything else is because Mal asked me not to.
"Oh do it anyway mom!" Hadie said. "Mal's been too good, she doesn't know what she's saying!"
However...that doesn't mean I won't have a bit of revenge even if it's less than what you deserve."
"And I want some too! You don't mess with my sister!" Hadie exclaimed.
Mal watched as her mother's hands glowed bright before fading again.
"Ooh this'll be good," Hades said with a wicked grin on his face. "Make her suffer Steph!"
"I'm sure you're wondering what I just did," Persephone stated. "Enjoy trying to grow a garden again Natalie. I'm sure it won't take you long to wonder why everything you touch dies."
"So does that apply to humans as well?" Meg asked. "If so, she'll never know love either."
"I doubt she can love," Demeter said, her voice low as she worked to avoid tearing the scroll. Her willpower had somehow lasted this long but it was dangerously thin.
That...is an oddly appropriate punishment, Ben thought. After all, Lord Hades is the God of the Dead and Lady Persephone is the Goddess of Vegetation with her mother being the Goddess of Agriculture. Still...now it's my turn.
"I kinda wish that 'fire' meant 'literally set her on fire' in this case," CJ said, shaking her head.
Harriet sighed. "We don't wish murder on people, CJ."
"Why not? Not like she doesn't deserve it."
"Hello again Natalie," Ben said as Persephone handed the phone back. "You're fired.
"FINALLY!"
That's right, fired. You have an hour to clear out your quarters and if you're still here after that, you'll be arrested for trespassing."
"And why isn't she being arrested for child abuse?" Rapunzel asked.
"...yes sire."
"…Am I the only one thinking she took that a little too quietly? At least knowing her character?" Rowyn asked.
"Oh and Natalie? Don't expect any recommendations from the castle for your next employer. Well, don't expect any good recommendations. We'll be happy to provide truthful ones though."
"Ooh I hope she does try to use you for a reference Benny," Uma said with a wicked grin.
Ben hung up the call and handed Mal back her phone. "Now then, how bout that picnic?"
"Just a thought…but I'd block that number," Carlos said. "Or change Mal's number so Natalie can't call it."
"That's a good thought DeVil," Harry nodded.
"I'll leave you to that," Persephone stated. "I'm sure your driver is anxious to get me back to the Isle."
"Wait, don't I get to see you too?" Hadie asked.
Ben shook his head. "Lady Persephone, your invitation here is for as long as Mal wants you. I would never presume otherwise."
"I'm not stupid enough to try and separate a mother from her child, especially when I asked for her to come!" Ben said.
"That's very kind King Ben but my husband shouldn't be left to his own devices for too long."
After all, the last time Hades was left to his own devices, he got Mal, Demeter thought but took pains to keep it out of the mental link.
"You'll see Hadie though right?" Mal spoke up. "He'd be devastated if he knew you'd been here and didn't get a chance to see you mom. He misses you."
"Mal's right!" Hadie said, pouting slightly in agreement.
Mal chuckled. "I'm sure mom'll visit you…minty."
"We said no to that one!"
Persephone smiled. "If you want me to stay Mal, of course I will. Hopefully your father won't go completely insane."
"You mean dad's sane now?" Hadie asked.
"Dad lasted completely on his own before I was born," Mal pointed out. "Not to mention the five years when Maleficent had me full time."
Hades chuckled. "Only just Mal. I only just lasted on my own."
She sighed softly. "It'd be nice if dad could be here too but something tells me that's almost impossible."
Nothing's impossible, Malinda thought with a small smile.
"Nothing's impossible," Ben promised. "Once the kids are off the Isle, I can look into getting some of the adults who don't belong there off as well."
"Wait…does that mean papa might get off the Isle some day?" Squirmy asked. "Sammy, you always said papa doesn't deserve the Isle."
"It's possible," Sammy nodded. "But I know papa wouldn't leave us on the Isle so if he went, we'd all go."
And you'd deserve it, Harriet thought even if she felt a small pang in her heart at the thought of never seeing her best friend again.
Mal stared at him in shock. "Ben...are you serious?"
"As a heart attack."
Ben nodded. "Mal shouldn't have to choose between her parents."
"That is a very generous offer King Ben," Persephone said with a small smile. "And one I'll be happy to talk to my husband about. But for right now, if you don't mind, I need to go yell at a few Gods."
"Are you selling tickets?" Uma and Harry asked in unison.
"Ooh, try to film it so Uma and I can see!" Mal said with a grin.
"Filming's good too, then we can make copies and distribute it!" Jay said with a grin.
"Of course Mal," Persephone chuckled before leaving in a swirl of leaves. Ben stared in shock.
"Ben, you knew she was a Goddess. Why are you shocked?" Akiho asked.
"...can you do that?"
"Yep," Malinda said with a small smile. "Just…not right now. Not with pup."
"Dunno. Never tried," Mal told him. "Dad can do it too but the Isle makes it impossible. But you said something about a picnic?"
"Why?" Melody asked. "The barrier blocks evil magic right? But teleporting doesn't exactly seem evil to me…"
"It's part of the reason why the barrier was strengthened by Lord Zeus," Ariel explained to her daughter. "While teleporting's not evil, it would also be a way for Lord Hades to escape the Isle if he so chose."
"Oh…"
Ben grinned and held out his arm. "Right this way my Lady."
"Oh now, I thought we agreed no titles your highness?" Mal teased and Ben's smile got even bigger at that.
A few of the adults couldn't help but smile as they heard that. It was as if it was a sign that things would slowly but surely go back to normal.
They made their way to the tree grove near the Tourney field where the Tourney team had set up an elaborate spread of different sandwiches, bags of chips, strawberries, blueberries, two different types of cole slaw and a strawberry rhubarb pie.
"…How? Just how?" Eugene asked in shock. "The meeting couldn't have been more than what? Two hours tops?"
Ben couldn't be sure but he thought he also saw a box of Queen Tiana's beignets near the back along with some cookies that could have only been made by Queen Rapunzel.
Tiana and Rapunzel both smiled at their mention.
"I hope you enjoy them Mal," Tiana said.
Malinda nodded. "I can assure you I did."
"...I have questions," Ben said, staring at the spread in shock. "The first one being…how'd you all pull this off so fast?"
"You gave Emir and Akiho a task," Ashaki said, shaking her head. "You seriously doubted them?"
"You left us up to our own devices Ben," Jay stated. "Uma let us know that she was making hush puppies so she'll be here later...where're the newspapers?"
Jay shook his head. "Why do I even care where those 'papers' are?"
"Back in my dorm," Ben said, tilting his head in confusion.
"Carlos, go fetch."
"Why me?" Carlos asked.
"Probably because you're ridiculously fast," Jay told him.
"Hah," Carlos shook his head before running off to get them. Akiho chuckled before handing a plate with a ham and cheese sandwich, strawberries and a bag of chips to Mal.
"Always the 'mom' friend," Emir chuckled, shaking his head.
Akiho shrugged. "Hey, someone has to do it!"
"I know it's not complete with the lack of hush puppies but you're staring at the picnic like it was blessed from the Gods."
"Knowing that Uma's helping with the picnic, it most likely was," Akiho said.
"Thanks," Mal said, taking the plate and digging into the sandwich. Everyone else looked over at Ben who just shook his head. He'd explain later but he didn't want Mal to feel bad again. Not after Natalie's phone call.
Everyone in the room sighed softly, having some idea what Mal was going through.
"Don't tell me you all got started without me," Uma's voice said as she walked up, one hand holding a tray of hush puppies and another one clutching a very familiar article of clothing.
All of the VKs and some of the AKs cheered, having an idea of what the 'article of clothing' was.
"Woo! Just made it!" Carlos exclaimed as he slid in. "Newspapers present and accounted for!"
"Nice control," Emir said with a small chuckle.
Mal furrowed her brow in confusion. "Do you guys want to read those or something?"
"I think I'd rather stick pins in my eyes," Audrey said, rolling said eyes.
Emir blinked. "I…I agree with her. And wouldn't that be rather uncomfortable?"
"So is reading The Gazelle."
"Touché."
"Oh hell no Mal," Uma said, shaking her head. "Will, did you bring the trash can?"
"Right here," William said with a small smirk, holding it up.
"Why…why would he need to bring a trash can?" Sammy asked, looking as confused as she felt.
"Great," Uma nodded and then looked over at Mal. "You're going to put all those 'newspapers' into that trash can and then you're going to bring up a fireball to incinerate them. No more hiding them under your mattress. Once they're ash, you're going to put this on."
"Yes! Jacket on, Mal! Jacket on now!" Hadie cheered.
Uma held up the article of clothing that was under her arm and Mal stared in shock to see that it was her jacket.
"I knew it!" Celia cheered.
"Uma..."
"I got you Mali," Uma stated. "And I know Natalie's been on you for who knows how long so I know you won't be back to normal tomorrow. But you got to start somewhere."
"She's right Mal," Emma said. "And you'll have people there to help."
Mal sighed and nodded softly, Ben gently rubbing her back.
"I'll be there the whole way," Benji said. "Promise."
"Carlos...give her the papers," Jay said and Carlos handed Mal the newspapers. Everyone couldn't help but smirk as Mal dropped them unceremoniously and summoned a lilac-colored fireball in the palm of her hand.
"Wait!" Ben said. "That trashcan's fireproof right?"
"…How do you make a trashcan fireproof?" Smee asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Of course," Will nodded. "Uncle Hiro designed it to prevent lab accidents. Of course this is a prototype so it might get a little damaged."
Carlos spat out a bit of his drink as he stared in shock, never noticing Estelle trotting over to lick the bits of drink from his hands. "Hiro Hamada? He knows Hiro Hamada? The co-inventor of the Baymax robots? "
"Yeah," Ben nodded. "Will's dad's Wasabi. Hence the 'Uncle' Hiro part. Why?"
"Carlos is a tech nut," Jay said. "I mean, that should have been obvious by how much he freaks out over you guys avoiding your tech options."
"Oh," Ben said and nodded before catching Akiho, Emir, and Chad's eyes. Somehow, someway, they were going to introduce Carlos to Will so he could meet Hiro.
"That's why we brought some water," Harry said, "and we have someone skilled in water magic."
"Harry, I'm not skilled."
"Cap'n, you're more skilled than the rest of us."
Jay shook his head. "If it was anyone else that would just be pure flirting but because Harry and Uma are in the deepest form of denial, I don't know what to call it."
Ben looked over at Mal who just looked amused at the banter. "Set it off Mal," he said gently.
Start a chain reaction, never let it stop, Audie thought with a small smile.
Mal grinned and lobbed the fireball into the trash can, embracing the warmth that washed over her body. Uma handed over her jacked which Mal slipped on. There was something...right about wearing the jacket again.
"Finally!" Hadie cheered. "That took way too long!"
"Welcome back Mal," Jay said.
"...it's good to be back," Mal said softly as she began to dig back into her sandwich.
"And you're never leaving again!" Hadie, Uma, Harry, Jay, and Hades all said in unison.
Persephone smiled before looking over at Hades. "I think it might be a good idea to take a break. What do you think?"
"I have to agree there," Hades nodded.
"I do as well, Lord Hades," Aurora said.
"Then I think a break would be a good idea," Belle said. "I think we could all use one."