Chapter One Hundred and 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.
*small wave* so just in case you don't follow me on Tumblr, I had a poll up determining which of the four fics I have active that would be the sole fic I focus on until my hiatus in December (barring any muse demands) and this fic and Choosing Life were neck and neck, with this fic eeking out a win. So because of how close it was (like I'm saying a vote could have swayed the difference), both this fic and Choosing Life are going to be main focus :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Phoebus took one of the scrolls and resisted the urge to sigh. It was hard to believe how dark things had become and yet…all he found was that he was thankful Zephyr wasn't in the mix.
As Ben and Mal were enjoying each other's company, on the other side of the yacht a certain Angel leader was not having a very good night.
"Good," Harry, Henry, and Jay said, their voices low.
You see, Harry, Uma, and Jay had decided to pay him a little visit.
Along with Hadie. And Estelle.
"I'm sorry Hadie?" Persephone, Hades, and Mal demanded.
"Okay Estelle, no ripping Freddy boy limb from limb," Hadie stated.
"Hadie, don't give him ideas," Mal sighed and shook her head.
"Should you even be coming with us?" Uma asked. "Your mom and dad would kill me if they found out."
"She knows us so well," Hades shook his head.
"Which is why they won't find out," Hadie shrugged.
Mal shook her head. "One thing that should be apparent from these readings Hads…mom and dad always find out."
"Besides, Mal's my sister and my captain. Freddy tried to hurt Ben and Mal loves Ben. Ergo, Freddy tried to hurt Mal. Therefore I get to hurt him."
"I can't even argue with that logic," Hades nodded.
"Hades…" Persephone sighed.
"Spoken like a true Rat," Harry chuckled and twisted his hook as they walked into the room that was acting like a makeshift brig.
"Hope he's uncomfortable," Alexandria muttered.
"Did something happen?" William asked, looking up at Jay. "Is Ben alright?"
"Thanks Will," Ben murmured with a small smile.
"Ben's fine," Jay told him. "Mal's with him."
"So...why are you four here?"
"Oh I'm sure it will become clear very soon," Harry said, his voice low.
Jay chuckled and the team couldn't help but stare at how...dark the chuckle was. It was clear that something was in store. The question really was what?
"Freddy torment! I'd have thought that'd be obvious!" Celia shook her head.
"We're here to make sure Freddy understands the importance of leaving Mal alone," Harry told them.
"Though clearly he's not a fast learner if he hasn't gathered that by now," Harry grumbled.
"Well technically he is emotionally involved," Jay pointed out. "Loathing is an emotion."
"I thought we weren't supposed to kill him?" Li asked.
"You'd be surprised of what you can live through," Jay said, his voice low as he glared at Freddy's unconscious form. None of the kids noticed Emir and Akiho slip in to the room.
"...Sounds like Jay's channeling his dad…" Ashaki said softly.
"Are we just glaring at Freddy tonight?" Emir asked.
"They won't let us interrogate him," Uma grumbled. "They keep asking questions."
"But…isn't an interrogation just questions anyway?" Dizzy asked softly.
Akiho shook his head. "Something tells me that 'interrogation' is code for something else."
"You've spent too much time around us."
"No such thing," Emir and Akiho grinned.
"Mal wants us to make sure you don't kill him," Emir said. "Other than that...have fun."
"...You have no idea what you've unleashed by saying that," Claudine sighed softly.
Uma smirked as the other boys stared at Emir in shock.
"Really? Why would Jay, Hadie, and Harry find that shocking?" Henry asked.
Well the other Auradon boys that is. Okay just William, Brenden, Li, and Miguel since Akiho was nodding in agreement. Harry, Jay and Hadie just smirked in amusement.
"Ah…that makes more sense actually."
She knelt down by Freddy, her shell glowing in her fingers. "Wakey wakey Freddy," she said, her voice a low growl. "This is your personal wake up call from your personal demons."
"And we will haunt you until the beautiful day you leave the mortal plane!" the three mentioned VKs promised
"Wha...Uma," Freddy growled as he regained consciousness. "Well at least you sinners are admitting you belong in Hell."
"I think you're confusing them for you," Hades muttered.
"I didn't say we thought we were demons. We said we were your demons," Uma snarled, barring her teeth in a smile that was not friendly in the slightest.
"...I think Uma's about to give Freddy a show of why she's considered one of the most powerful VK's on the Isle," Celia said, her voice low.
"I'm not scared of you Uma."
"Big mistake because he should be," Elle said. "He should be afraid of any descendant of Grandpa Po-Po's for that matter."
"And that is exactly your problem. You should be," Uma said as she stood back up. "Boys, why don't you start us off?"
"Yes," Jay and Harry said together.
"Gladly cap'n," Harry nodded, a twisted smile on his face. "I've got just one question for you Freddy. How would you like to be tortured?"
"Don't need to ask. I have a list," Harry grinned wickedly.
"You wouldn't dare Hook! You don't have the guts!"
"Oh?" Harry asked and knelt down so that he was eye level to Freddy. "Maybe if it was me you went after Freddy, I might have left you alone. But you went after Mal. You went after Ben. You don't touch my captain or what's hers."
"You earn a pirate's loyalty, you have it for life," Audie said, her voice soft.
And you went after Uma. Don't think I didn't notice you talk about riding the world of witches Freddy, he thought as he stood back up and glared at the leader of the Angels. I know she can take care of herself but that doesn't mean I want you anywhere near her.
Uma glanced at Harry, biting her lip slightly as for the first time she couldn't help but think that Mal's insistence of Harry having 'feelings' for her might hold some truth.
"Right back at you Harry," is all she said out loud though.
"Harry, torture him quietly," Jay said as he examined his nails, looking almost bored with the conversation. "There are guards outside."
"There are?!" Ahkio demanded and perked up a bit at the thought.
"No there's not," Harry snorted. "Besides, after what he did, do you really think anyone would come to his aid?"
"Eh good point," Jay nodded as Estelle started growling at Freddy.
"...That makes more sense," Ahkio said, deflating a bit.
"Don't worry boy, you'll get your turn," Uma muttered, smirking as she heard the growls.
"Uma, don't give my boy a biting rep," Mal sighed.
"Even for Freddy?" Uma asked.
"Keep that hell beast away from me!" Freddy snapped.
"That 'hell beast' might just be your end if you keep talking like that," Uma shot back.
"Oh and here I thought you'd like 'Hell Beasts' Freddy since they come from your precious hell" Hadie mocked.
"Did I say anything that was inaccurate?" Freddy asked. "It's an unholy demon—then again, so is Mal so it makes sense it's here."
"The only 'unholy demon' is Freddy," Henry said, his voice low.
Uma glared at Freddy, her hands clenching into fists as she glanced over at Hadie.
"Keep my sister out of this Freddy!" Hadie shouted. "The only unholy demon that's here is you!"
"You tell 'em Hadie!" Herkie said with a grin.
"I'd listen to my cousin," Uma growled as Freddy scoffed. "He tends to be right about stuff like this."
"Why thank you Uma!"
"Of course, all the members of your little cult would stick together."
"Says the boy who's gang members are called 'Angels'," Jay scoffed. "Double standard much?"
"The word is 'hypocrite', Jay," Lonnie said.
"You all are so blindly devoted to Mal, you don't see how the dragon's daughter's luring you all to sin!" Freddy snapped.
"She is not my mother!" Mal and Malinda snapped in unison.
"And you're so devoted to your father that you don't realize you're going to end up just like him."
"Enough talking!" Harry growled. "I thought we were torturing him?!"
Milah sighed. "Harry, I feel like I should be worried about you being so eager to harm someone but…knowing who it is…"
"Hadie, turn around," Uma ordered.
"I'm a VK! I'm not a baby, I grew up on the Isle too!"
"You're also under fifteen," Mal said firmly.
"You're also under fifteen and I'm the captain. I'm not explaining to your mother why you saw this."
But I can read about it? Hadie thought but did not speak out loud. If no one had scrambled for the ear plugs, then at least he'd be able to hear what was happening in the chapter!
Hadie grumbled but turned around so that he was facing the Tourney team. Harry smirked as he looked over at Freddy.
"Oooh, he's in for it," Jay, Mal, and Uma said; their voices low.
"Like I said, you don't have the guts Hook!"
"Watch me," Harry snarled. He lashed out and hit Freddy's ribs with his foot. "A lesson I learned from my father," he growled.
"Yeah, I still wanna kill him for that," Milah muttered.
"Completely understandable love," James nodded.
Jay winced but smirked as he heard the slew of curses spew from Freddy's mouth. Curses Hadie hopefully didn't hear because Li had quickly put his hands over the Godling's ears.
"Thank you Li," Persephone couldn't help but mutter.
"You'll pay for that Hook!"
"You think so?" Harry asked. "Sounds like you need another reminder of my father's lesson."
"I'd like to give him a reminder of that lesson," Uma muttered.
"Leave that to me Uma/lass," Hades and James said together.
Harry brought his foot back and kicked Freddy in the ribs once more, earning another chorus of familiar curses.
"Oh Freddy, what would your father say?" Elle said mockingly.
"I probably should have had Hadie plug his ears," Uma noted. "I doubt Li's hands are doing much to block out Freddy's filth."
"I've heard worse on the Lost Revenge!"
"You mean he's heard worse from Dustin," Henry shook his head slightly.
"Why do you think you're not allowed on the ship until the crew cleans up their language?"
"Exactly!" Mal nodded.
"When I get out of here Hook, I'll make sure you pay for this! After I make Mal pay for that little stunt she pulled with the dragon!"
"What you don't seem to get through your head Freddy is that you'll die before you do!" Benji growled..
Jay growled and stormed over, grabbing Freddy by the shirt. "You. Don't. Touch. Mal."
Each word was punctuated by a punch to the face.
"Sic em Jay!" Harry and Emir grinned.
"Oh Jay, I was wondering when you'd join in," Freddy taunted as blood dripped down his face. "Mal's little lap dog."
"...Does he call anyone who'll do something for someone a lap dog?"
"Also little? Has he seen Jay?"
"I know the concept of friends is a foreign one to you because you don't have them," Jay growled. "But don't even think of touching Mal."
"He'd be turned to ash before he got even close enough to throw a dagger," Mal told Jay.
"Guys, we did say no killing," Emir said, trying to reign in the VKs as he could see that things were getting a little too heated.
"You think that's heated?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I know Emir," Jay growled as he continued to glare at Freddy. "But like we said, you'd be surprised of what you can live through. We'd know that better than most."
"And they're about to put that to use, it seems," Evan said.
"Guys, come on," Akiho said though everyone could tell that he didn't have his heart in it. Ben was one of his best friends after all. "He's already injured from Mal's dragon form. Don't...don't you think you've 'tortured' him enough? Do we have to go and get Mal?"
"At that point, I'd have probably just joined in, Akiho," Malinda shrugged.
"He's the reason I almost only had two cousins on the Isle instead of three!" Uma growled. "If the boys get to have their fun, so do I!"
"Let me at him!" Uma grinned.
"Uma, we get that—."
"It's not my fault the little witch couldn't swim!" Freddy taunted. "Come on Uma. You talk a big game but you just hide behind your lap dogs. At least your mother could back up her talk, even if she was a witch."
"Ooooh wrong thing to say!" Jay said. To compare Uma to her mother was never a good idea.
"Uma's a better person than Ursula or you will ever be Freddy!" Mal and Celia both snapped.
"I don't hide behind anyone Freddy," Uma snarled before lashing out and kicking Freddy right in the groin and causing all the boys to wince, Jay having scrambled to get out of the way before Uma kicked him by accident. Even if it was Freddy boy, they all knew the pain of getting hit in that particular area.
"Ooooh" all the boys said with a slight wince. True it was Freddy so it was more by instinct rather than any sympathy for the French Fanatic but still.
"That was for knocking Ben out tonight and ruining Mal's night and this is for what you did to Mal when we were nine!" Uma growled, lashing out again and kicking the same spot.
"Have I told you how amazing you are lately cap'n?" Harry said, beaming at Uma.
"Gods, this girl is harsh," William muttered.
"Do you care though?" Li asked. "I mean, sure those kicks hurt but let's be fair. After what this guy did to Ben…"
"I like this guy!" Harry declared.
"Oh I'm not going to go and sob into my pillow or anything for this guy. I'm just saying that Uma's harsh."
"I think only the other Angels would actually sob over Freddy," Uma said, shaking her head.
"Uma, I think that's enough," Emir said as Uma picked up her foot to kick again. "I think Freddy's got the picture."
"Can I turn back around now?" Hadie asked as Uma scoffed.
"I'd advise you not...they probably aren't done," Malinda said.
"I suppose," Uma sighed and Hadie turned back to face his cousin and Freddy.
"Wow, you guys didn't go half as hard as I thought you would!"
"Would you like us to rectify that?
"And face the Tourney team again? No thank you! I want to help!"
"...you get one hit, young man, then it's backing up for you," Hades said.
"Guys!" Akiho exclaimed.
"Yes?" The four VKs asked, looking at the Arendelle prince.
"...not often that Ahkio is the voice of reason," Phil said softly.
"Seriously that's enough! Look at him, he doesn't even look human anymore."
"To be honest, he was never truly human," Harry muttered.
"So true," Benji said, his voice a near growl.
"Yeah Akiho, this is an improvement," Jay nodded. "Honestly I'm a little surprised. Ben's your best friend. I'd have thought you'd be jumping at the chance to punish Freddy for what he did."
"Trust me Jay, scroll me is probably hating those words," Ahkio sighed.
"Jay, as a best friend, I want to pummel this cretin into the ground," Akiho stated. "But Mal gave the order that we're to make sure you guys don't kill him. You did some damage and got it out of your system but enough."
"...Hate to say but he's right…you go too far and end up actually killing him…it won't be a good look for you four…" Emir muttered.
"But at the same time…he did almost kill Ben," Akiho pointed out.
"Um, Estelle and I didn't get to do anything," Hadie spoke up.
"Mal doesn't want Estelle biting anyone, it might confuse him," Uma said.
"But…didn't you say Estelle would get his turn?" Lucy asked. "Wouldn't that confuse him more?"
"But come on and get your licks in Hadie. He's wounded enough, he can't do anything."
"Never underestimate your opponent," Shang said, shaking his head.
And if he tries, it'll be the last thing he ever does, she thought.
Hadie let go of Estelle and walked over to Freddy, smirking slightly at the amused look on the leader of the Angel's face. "Oh cute, you think it's not going to hurt because I'm younger huh? Too bad I'm a quick study, even if I was forced to turn around, and I'm going to take a page out of Harry's book."
"Attaboy!" Harry grinned.
"Harry…" Persephone shook her head.
He lashed out and kicked at Freddy's already slightly damaged ribs, causing Freddy to groan slightly.
"Good," Chip said with a glare.
"Okay, now have you gotten all of this out of your system?" Emir asked.
"No, but it'll have to do," Uma sighed.
"Dang it!" Harry, Jay, Emir, and Ahkio muttered
"Good, so let's go before anyone realizes that we're missing," Akiho stated. No one noticed Estelle go up to Freddy, never noticed Freddy swipe at Estelle.
"He did what?!" Mal exclaimed.
"Oh God! Let go of me you devil!"
"Stop. Don't. Bad dog," Hadie said as he turned around to see Estelle's jaws biting down on Freddy's arm.
"Good boy!" Celia and CJ said with matching grins.
Uma chuckled at her cousin's deadpanned tone as Akiho sighed.
"Come here Estelle," he said. "You want to go see Mal?"
"Oh you're good, the one thing that could get him to let go," Lonnie said.
Estelle paused and looked at Akiho, keeping his death grip on Freddy's arm.
"That's right," Akiho nodded. "Let go of that nasty arm and you'll get to go see Mal. I'm sure she'd love to see you after the night she's had."
"True, very true," Malinda and Alexandria nodded.
The Cerberus snorted and looked over at Hadie, as if looking for permission.
"Release," Hadie sighed, clearly not wanting to give the command but knew it was the only way Estelle would let go of Freddy's arm. Estelle snorted and let go of the arm, trotting off to go and find Mal.
"... I feel it should be commented on how well trained Estelle is…" Phoebus says.
Malinda shook her head. "A Cerberus is one of the smartest dogs there is. Estelle took to training like a duck takes to water."
"Mal's going to wonder what happened if there's any blood on Estelle's muzzle," Uma noted.
"Hey Freddy tried to hit him first! Estelle was just defending himself!" Kitty said firmly.
"It's not like we're going to keep this from her," Harry pointed out. "If anything she'll be disappointed she wasn't here."
"Ben comes first," Malinda said softly.
Benji gently kissed the top of her head.
"True but she did get to turn into a dragon and teach Freddy the importance of leaving Ben alone," Jay added. "Now come on. I'm honestly surprised we haven't gotten caught."
"If anyone did catch you, I somehow doubt you'd get into trouble," Henry shrugged.
"You want me to knock him out again?" Harry smirked.
"Nah," Uma shook her head. "If he's knocked out, he's not in pain. That's too kind for him."
"What she said!"
Everyone couldn't help but chuckle as they made their way out of Freddy's room and back to the deck.
"Like we never left," Jay smirked.
"Tell me you didn't teach Freddy a lesson without me," Lonnie raised an eyebrow as she looked at Jay.
"What I said," Lonnie nodded but Jay frowned slightly at the thought of Lonnie near Freddy.
"What lesson? We didn't teach Freddy a lesson."
"Oh Gods, that might actually be worse than the 'we don't need swords at the Waffle Hut' line," Audie sighed.
"There's blood on your knuckles Jay," Carlos said, shaking his head as he walked up. "You all alright?"
"Fine, you should see the other guy," Jay teased, shooting the younger boy a grin.
"Just fine. What about you Carlos?" Jay asked.
"Other than a few bruises where Jane had to hold me back after Ben got knocked out, I'm fine," Carlos told the older boy.
Jane flushed slightly at the thought of being so close to Carlos.
Jane rolled her eyes. "Freddy was taller than you and he had a sword. Just what were you going to do?"
"I'm a VK! I'd improvise!"
"Mal protects us, so we protect her and I think by now we extend that to Ben," Carlos nodded.
"Good!" Akiho, Emir, and Chip grinned.
"Your lass has got a point, DeVil," Harry stated and then looked over as Gil walked up. Everyone stilled as they stared at the two boys. Harry had not exactly been a wallflower in terms of his dislike of the LeGume boy so it was a shock to everyone when the First Mate patted Gil on the shoulder.
"...Is it the end of the world?" Hadie asked.
"Would you like me to make it the end of Freddy's world?" Harry asked him.
"You did good Gil," Harry stated.
"Thanks Harry," Gil smiled. "But what do we do now?"
"Good question!"
"Yeah, it doesn't exactly feel right to keep celebrating when Mal and Ben are off somewhere recovering," Jane nodded.
"Sad but true," Lonnie sighed.
Akiho sighed. "Well...what if we had our own party? Our 'we didn't die at the hands of a French Fanatic' party...and my phone is ringing."
"Oooh the Rats there can show you how! We have it practically every day," Harriet grinned.
"Mine too," Emir frowned as all the AK's phones started ringing. The VKs couldn't help but give sad smiles as they realized what had caused the influx of calls—Cotillion had been televised after all.
All the parents in the room nodded.
"Hadie!" Alexandria exclaimed as she came running up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. What about you? Did Freddy—?"
Not yet Malinda thought with a mental growl.
"He never got the chance," Alexandria shook her head. "Gods though, I hope he doesn't have Chad. The fact that he had his invitation…"
Chad hugged her to him reassuringly, as if trying to convey to the scroll-Alexandria that he was okay.
"Call him," Hadie offered. "He might be somewhere sleeping or something. Didn't you say he didn't have a date?"
"Yes please do Alex," Cinderella and Kit nodded.
Alexandria nodded and pulled out her own phone, just as it started ringing.
"And it starts," Rachel said.
"...Chad?" The youngest Charming said in shock. "Yeah, I'm fine, I was just about to call you...you're with Audrey? She had a flat tire? In Sherwood Forest? Well why didn't you call Bobby or Roland? Yes Kitty and Lucy's boyfriends. Yes they have boyfriends. Yes you've been living under a rock Chad. Yes, Ben really got engaged. How is it you know all of this? Sherwood Forest doesn't exactly have TVs hanging from the trees. The radio? Huh."
"See? I'm fine Alex," Chad said.
"Of course he's with Audrey," Brenden shook his head as Alexandria continued chatting with her brother. "Even in their 'off' phases in their on again, off again relationship, he'd still be at her beck and call."
Chad sighed.
"It's okay Chad," Alexandria whispered. "At least you're safe."
"Hey, all it means is that Audrey's not here," Li pointed out. "Could you imagine her screeching as Mal turned into a dragon?"
"Someone knock her out," Chip muttered.
"Easy teacup," Lucas told him.
"It'd be a repeat of Ben's coronation, only worse because Ben wasn't unconscious then," Miguel nodded.
"Not the picture I needed," Beast sighed.
"Yeah, let's not talk about that," Will sighed. "The important thing is that Ben's alive and engaged. And on that note, I think I'm going to go find my girlfriend. Li, Conner, you coming?"
"They have girlfriends?"
"One of these days I'm going to figure out how you three ended up dating the sisters of your respective girlfriends," Emir shook his head.
"Luck and attraction, I guess" Chad chuckled,
"Isn't Aziz dating Rachel Fitzherbert?" Miguel pointed out with a chuckle. "If you're not careful Emir, you'll wind up with like half the Tourney team as brothers since those three are dating Rachel's sisters."
"I knew it!" Emir grinned, giving his older brother a grin as Aziz flushed slightly.
Evan looked over at Aziz before looking over at Rowyn. "Which one of us is supposed to give the 'hurt her and they won't find your body' speech?"
"Leave that to us little bro," Rowyn chuckled.
"I don't think that's how it works...but there's nothing wrong with that," Emir stated.
"Um ... it kinda does I think?" Macaria said, looking over at Hera.
"Technically, no it doesn't," Hera told her. "If Will, Prince Li, Lord Conner, and Prince Aziz got married to their respective partners, then they would be each other's in-laws since the title of in-law are those in the family who are immediately related to one's spouse, for example parents and siblings along with extended family like Uncles along with any spouses your siblings has."
"Oh…like how Uncle Hades would be mom's uncle-in-law?" Macaria asked.
"That's right," Meg nodded.
Jay shook his head. "So we were saying something about our own party?"
"Right! Pizza, pjs, and chocolate!" Akiho grinned. "Plus, maybe we can rid a certain pirate of his denial!"
"Not without me, you won't!" Mal and Malinda cried at the same time.
"You do that and Mal's not there, she'd kill you."
"Eh, she'd get over it."
"Judging by her reaction upon hearing that…no, no she wouldn't," Ashaki shook her head.
"She's dealt with those two and their denial for about ten years Akiho. Trust me. She'd kill you."
"Ah that's a good point and I don't want to miss Ben's wedding."
"Nah, I'd just have dad kick you back to the land of the living," Malinda told Akiho. "No way would I let one of Ben's friends die."
"Plus Akiho might just annoy dad so much, dad boots him back to life anyway," Hadie chuckled.
"You lot know we can hear you right?" Harry asked as he looked at them.
"Good, so you'll get over your denial that much quicker," Hadie grinned as Alexandria snorted in amusement, having ended her call.
Oh just you wait Hads, it'll be your turn soon, Malinda thought in amusement.
Uma rolled her eyes. "Ignore them Harry. They're just insane from the excitement tonight."
"Yes Captain," Harry nodded.
"They're always insane then cap'n," Harry added. "Anyone see Blueberry?"
"Right here," Evie said softly as she walked up, her hair spilling out of her braid.
"You alright?" Uma asked, taking her turn to shock everyone.
"Why? Surely Uma's been seen at least tolerating Evie by now?" Emma tilted her head.
Evie gave the other blue haired girl a small smile. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? It must have taken a lot of magic to wake up Freddy from what I heard. Everyone's still talking about it."
"Eh, it's worth it," Uma shrugged.
"Eh, not that much and I'm used to Freddy," Uma shrugged. "You on the other hand aren't used to our particular brand of crazy."
Evie shook her head. "I lived on the Isle as well."
"I've heard rumors about Freddy though," Evie said softly. "Even being isolated for, well you know, Mal not getting an invite to my sixth birthday."
"Wow, harsh," Emir muttered.
"It was Maleficent's doing," Jay muttered to him.
"That makes sense."
"What gave them the thought that she wasn't harsh?" Evie sighed.
Evie sighed and looked at Uma. "From everything I heard from the rumors, Freddy doesn't stop with just one defeat."
"You got that right," Malinda shook her head.
"No he does not," Uma grumbled. "He's like a very annoying house fly that just won't die."
"He does die at some point right?" Uma asked Malinda.
Malinda nodded. "Oh yes, he does."
"Good."
"If you guys ever need a safe place, Emma offered her castle," Evie stated, looking at all the VKs. "Just in case."
"Macaria offered her place too," Gil added.
"Her place here with her parents or Olympus?" Uma asked.
"Uh..."
To everyone's surprise, including his own, Harry's chuckle has a fond note to it.
Harry chuckled. "Okay, all's right with the world again," he said as he patted Gil on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go enjoy the night and try to forget about Freddy boy for a while. No sense in him living rent free in our heads."
"Agreed," most of the room said.
"I think my mom's coming to get me," Hadie said as Persephone walked up. "Hey mom."
"Hadie!" Persephone smiled. "You'd gone off and I didn't know—."
"I'd keep him safe Aunt Steph," Uma promised
"I was with Uma," Hadie said with an innocent smile that Persephone didn't buy in an instant. "Mom, can I join the others in a slumber party?"
"Hmm...I don't know," Persephone said.
"Please mom?!"
"Hads maybe you should indulge mom just this once. I'm not there after all," Mal said.
"We'll be with him the whole time Aunt Steph," Uma stated. "After tonight, I promise, it'll be just a relaxing evening with friends."
"Well with friends, yes, but an evening with Akiho and Emir is hardly ever relaxing," Benji snorted in amusement.
"...there's blood on Hadie's shoes."
"That was there this whole time?"
"Why is there blood on my son's shoes Uma?"
"Dang so close," Hadie muttered.
"He was practicing his kicking and Freddy got in the way?"
"And he did a marvelous job!" Alexandria added.
Persephone looked at the two of them and shook her head. "Come with me Hadie. Uma, I can't ground you but I'm certainly very disappointed in you young lady."
"Does it lessen your disappointment if I said it was Freddy's blood?"
"...Oooh tough question," Hades said with a small smile.
"...you've been around your Uncle too much," Persephone told her but a small smile pulled at her lips. Uma smiled slightly. While it stung to know she'd disappointed her aunt, she knew Aunt Steph couldn't be mad for long. After all, this was the woman who turned a nymph into a mint plant because she got jealous that Uncle Hades might have liked her more.
"You do that one time…" Persephone shook her head.
Ooh, now that's an idea!
No turning Freddy Frollo into a plant!
"Aww man!" CJ, Celia, Hadie, and surprisingly Dizzy groaned in disappointment.
Oh come on Aunt Steph! Actually, how did you even know that's what I was thinking?
I've known you since you were six Uma, I know what goes through your head by now.
"Okay good point," Uma said with a slight chuckle.
Uma shook her head in slight amusement as she watched her Aunt and cousin walk off, Hadie trying to argue that Freddy deserved the kick to the rib cage. Her cousin was perfect for Auradon, he still had his innocence that Mal had worked hard to protect.
"Good!" Everyone who cared for Hadie nodded.
"So...pizza?" Lonnie asked.
"Sounds good to me," Akiho grinned. "Come on you guys, slumber party in my dorm. We can check on Ben in the morning."
"Just not at eight am," Chip snorted.
"I thought you'd be camped out at his door," Jay chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure Mal would kill me if that was the case."
"He knows me so well," Malinda chuckled.
"This is true, this is very true," Jay nodded as the group of them made their way off the yacht, Harry bending down to scoop up the sword and dagger from the deck beforehand. No sense those things falling into the wrong hands after all.
"Sensible," Claudine nodded slowly.
Besides, he thought as he made his way down the ramp, you don't know when you'll need a weapon. Tonight certainly proved that.
"So...are you not going to rant to Ben about the lack of guards?" Emir asked Akiho.
"Oh most certainly! Just maybe not then," Akiho said.
"Not while he's recovering from being knocked unconscious," Akiho stated. "Besides, gives me a chance to actually prepare my rant instead of just flying off the handle."
Benji snorted fondly. "We can practically recite your rant on the guards by now dude."
"Never hurts to be prepared," Uma nodded and the group climbed into a limo, content to make their way back to Auradon Prep.
Many parents sighed in relief. It was over.
Of course no one commented on how Lonnie was holding onto Jay's hand. Or how Carlos had his arm wrapped around Jane's shoulders. Or how Uma had rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
"Aww, what not?" Mal whined playfully.
"Also Uma's got to be in some sort of heel there. How else could she reach Harry's shoulder?" Emma asked.
Malinda snorted slightly. "Jay told me Harry slouched so it'd be more comfortable for Uma."
"How are we the single ones here?" Emir muttered to Akiho. Okay, no one commented within earshot of the three couples.
"That's more like it."
"Because our girlfriends got whisked off to safety after a French fanatic threatened Cotillion with a sword, as mine is the heir to her throne and yours is both heir to her throne and the unofficial heir to Ben," Akiho muttered back.
Evie nodded. The next in line had to be protected.
"Ah. Right."
"You know they're going to ask us why we haven't proposed."
"Emma doesn't care about that. Plus I'd rather not be staring down a bow and arrow when I do ask."
Snow gave Emir a kind smile "I wouldn't actually do it Emir not for that…if you hurt Emma on the other hand…"
"You think you've got it bad? My girlfriend's the great-granddaughter of the God of the Ocean!"
Poseidon chuckled slightly. "I wasn't aware I was the one you needed to ask dear boy, though I will certainly give my opinion."
"You know what Ben would say to that? That he managed just fine and his girlfriend's the daughter of the God of the Dead."
"Exactly," Ben and Benji nodded.
"…you realize we'll have to ask permission first. And both our girls have parents who are scary in their own way."
"Thank you?" David said with a small smile.
"You love Elle?"
"Of course."
"And I love Emma."
"So it's worth it," both boys nodded as the limo made its way back to Auradon Prep.
Akiho and Emir both flushed but didn't deny it.
"That's the end of the scroll," Phoebus said.
"I'll read next!" Alexandria said with a grin. "If no one else wants to?"
"Go ahead Alex," Cinderella said with a smile.