Chapter 65: Coming of the King Part 1
They continued through the game and focused on the games with the crowd cheering for them, they only had the scores tied and both teams eager to win the games.
"Things look tense out there." Stella scooped up some popcorn during the match. "
"No kiddin, and Ben really is in the game, wonder what got him so cheered up." Musa pondered after seeing some of his stunts that earned some points as if he was excited.
"Logically it could be part of the team spirit." Tecna suggested. "`They both won two points and if this school's team earns the third, they win.
Taren sighs as he sits down after a recent touchdown and takes a drink. "Damn, that was rough."
"Yeah, and we really need to get that score." Jay couldn't agree more. "While it feels like a good game with action, I'm still trying to process my brian after… that. Did we actually see that!"
"See it? It's still lodged in my brain!" Knowing what he was talking about and still finding it hard to believe it, asking Ben about it, the prince was giddy and wore that goofy grin on his face but had no idea what got into Mal. "Mal kissing Ben? I didn't see that coming. And got herself enchanted?"
Carlos nodded when he saw the whole thing. "Right when she took a bite of that cookie and she couldn't stop thinking of him. It was like she was in… in… in love."
It was plain obvious that Mal would never have let herself be tricked and was very careful when her friends checked on her, even Palmon was by her side the whole time. But maybe it was and she has no idea. But just then he remembered the girls brought with them the Pixies, and one of them was the Pixie of love and if there was a connection to this, he can guess how it happened. "If she didn't get enchanted I would have gone for a theory she may have been replaced by a shapeshifter or a villain."
"Those theories I can believe." Jay would agree with him. "Still, east in his new found boost, we did manage to even the odds.
"This is a nail-biter, folks. There's 47 seconds left on the clock. We're all tied up. The Sherwood falcons, two. The fighting knights, two. What a game between Auradon's fiercest rivals." The announcer proclaimed through the speaker as it was really close.
"Get 'em, Chad." Jay gave some encouragement to the surprised Chad.
"Thanks, Jay." Chad appreciated it and ran into the field. Taren nodded in approval of Jay starting to work with others.
"The teams get into their huddles and take up positions along the kill zone. Akiho! The Dragoneers have been laying down a withering hail of fire."
Coach Jenkins decided to bring in Jay and Taren. "You two are up."
Jay was having a thought and pulled Carlos to his feet. "Coach, how about our buddy here?" Earning the surprise and nervousness of Carlos.
But Taren seems to think so. "Why not?"
But the coach didn't think he was ready and uncertain. "Not so sure about that."
This didn't stop Jay from trying to convince him. "Coach, he's been practising."
"Jay-" Carlos tried to persuade him but his words were ignored.
"And you said yourself a team is made up of a bunch of parts." Using the words he was told from their meeting and didn't take it seriously until fully understanding until now that working together is better than nothing.
"Jay, I'm not that good."
"You don't have to worry about using him for the main role, just an extra play to help out." Taren added to give Carlos another try.
Jay nodded. "Yeah, he's kinda like my brain!"
Decided to give this a shot with the amount of time they have, hoping to not regret it. "Come here!" Calls out to one of the plays to take the bench and then to Carlos to hand him the tourney stick. "You heard him. Get out there!"
Taren and Jay patted Carlos' shoulders that he was given a chance. "Don't worry, bro. I got your back." Jay told him.
"How about my front?" He was then made to go into the Tourney fields with the others.
"Way to go guys!" Layla cheers.
"You can do Taren!" Bloom and Flora cheered.
"Kick their butts!" Agumon and Gabumon waved their claws to their partners.
Evie and Mal were with the girls and jumped in cheer for their friends.
"He's bringing that hothead Jay, the keybearer Taren from Destiny Island, and that little guy Carlos can barely hold a shield."
"When they break from their huddles, this is gonna be a big moment here." Both players
"And the tipoff is ready. Here we go." The ball shoots up in the air and Taren sprints off to catch and throws it to Jay "Taren makes the first move and then a long pass goes to Jay."
Jay knocks the defender off his feet and catches the ball. "Jay dishes off to prince Ben." Whacks the ball to Ben.
The defending players charged in but Ben was too fast for them as he returned the ball to Taren who was open. "Ben then turns to Taren who swooped in for the catch but looks like he's the main target"
Realising he was not gonna get through but Carlos swooped in with his shield held up. "Thanks."
"Nice little block by Carlos. He does a little dancing jig in his opponent's face. And now Jay gets the ball back." Jay raced through the field with the ball in his possession, he passed the projectiles and performed a mid-air flip. "Here comes Jay! Jay, hurdling manoeuvre at mid-field."
"Jay, I'm open!" Ben yelled out and received the ball and was about to be tackled had it not been for Chad coming to his aide.
"Big block by Chad! Prince Ben moves over wide, gives it back to Jay." Jay receives the ball back with Taren by his side to make their way to the Kill Zone. Passes the ball to Taren who leaps over the defender and throws the ball to Ben in mid air.
"Take the shot!"
"He's in the clear!" Ben catches the ball and whacks the ball into the goal. "Shoot! He scores!" The crowd cheered for their team as the players yelled in victory. For Mal she couldn't be happier for Ben to have scored, but would have cheered had it not been for the combined ear pitching screams of the Bloom, Flora, and Evie on both sides.
"Prince Ben has won it! What an unselfish play by Jay! What a team! Incredible! And it's the new guys, who set up the prince for the win here. What a victory! An absolutely wonderful end to one of the best games ever. What a day for the Auradon knights, finally winning back the trophy after so many years."
Ben smiled and waved to the crowd, he looked to see Mal smiling at him and couldn't help but feel his heart racing. Suddenly feels a hand on his shoulder to see Taren. "Hey, bud! You did great out there."
"Yeah, and it looks like Mal really seems happy." Taren almost felt bad as he can see how happy Ben is. "She… sure made you very happy."
"I know, I mean. I don't know if something is up with her but I always wanted to tell her how much I feel about her." Earning a surprised look on the redhead's face to hear this.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, yeah I kept it hidden but after that kiss it felt like magic."
"Uh, about that… something I think you might wanna hear." Taren didn't want to hurt his best friend but had to tell him about Mal. They look over to see Jay being picked up by his team and holding the trophy in his arms. Things seem to be going well for some of them and Jay now officially a member of the team.
"Mal under a love spell?" Bloom thought she misheard them and couldn't believe that Mal would be under some love spell that made her actually fall for Ben after eating a cookie she made. It would have sounded like an odd plan had it been Ben who ate it instead.
"It's true! She made some cookies and suddenly started going all lovey dovey!" Taren couldn't believe it himself.
"Come on, Mal is one thing but enchanting herself with a love spell? I don't buy it." Stella hardly seems to believe it.
Taren knew it was to believe and couldn't blame them for being sceptical. "We saw it as living witnesses and almost choked on my drink seeing her and Ben… kissed!"
"They kissed?!" The Winx looked at the bashful Ben and smiled nervously at the attention he was receiving and started to understand Mal's sudden behaviour.
"Yeah, she did. I didn't expect that but it started to make sense." While he thought she may have actually cared for him but somehow felt true by listening to his heart. "But if she never meant to do it then who?"
"I think I know." Stella had a pretty good idea and crossed her arms. "Amore?"
"Eep!"
"See I told you they would find out, Amore!"
Coming out of Layla's bag were Digit and Amore.
"Amore, did you have something to do with this?" Layla asked the Pixie.
Amore sighs and then confesses to them. "Yes, it was me. When I saw how Mal couldn't find the heart to express her love for Ben, I couldn't let such potential love be denied and enchanted the cookies she was making for him."
"Wait a minute, you're saying that Mal really does have feelings for me?" Ben couldn't believe it and for the times she could have said anything. It made him happy to find out about her.
"It's true." Mirta tells them. "She told me about it back in Alfea when I was still a pumpkin, I didn't want to say anything that would be awkward and only for her to confess by her choice."
"I knew it! I thought Mal would have the hots for Ben, it was written all over her face.." Stellar gushes and smiles. "Guess she's not the mean girl we thought she was."
"Um, much as this sounds nice, but one important thing to ask?" Taren called for their attention. "Like, how are we to get Mal back to her normal self? We can't have her under the spell forever."
"He's right. Mal isn't herself and could least try to bring her back to the usual Mal we know." Flora agreed with him and felt it was the right thing.
Ben thought of an idea and could work. "I know, the enchanted lake washes off spells and curses, it's what keeps the villains from escaping the Isle."
"That could work, now we just have to find a way to get that stuff to her." Tecna could come up with an idea but Ben stopped her.
"No need, I think I'll handle it." Ben told them. "If anyone she's willing to trust, it should be me. I'll ask her to go on a date by the lakes and maybe get some water splashed on her to do the trick."
"Certain about this?" Musa asked him, and nodded his head to confirm it.
Taren then pats him on the shoulder. "Ben, you are the bravest, or possibly foolish bud I ever known in my life. Wish you all the best."
"Thanks, Taren. I'm gonna need it."
As the students prepared themselves for Mr. Deley's tests, one such student, Chard Charming, was wearing a smudged-look on his face. Some would think he was going to ace this test, but that wasn't what he was smiling about. In his hand was Evie's magic mirror he took from her and was going to give it to the teacher as proof of her cheating using magic. 'Such a gullible airhead, she was nice to help with the homework, but still a potential villain.' If it goes as planned, maybe he can have one of them expelled and gain good grace from the students and teachers.
Make his way to class, when out of nowhere the mirror was snatched out of his hand. "Hey!" The mirror he took was gone, looked around to see where it went, hoping it didn't break or he won't have anything to use against her. Spins his head to see where it was or who took it, instead his eyes locked on to some lizard clinging to the lockers. "A lizard?"
The lizard tilted its head to his direction and to Chad's surprise was the magic mirror in its mouth. "Hey! Give that back!" The prince tried to grab the reptile, but it was too swift and fast, instead he ran into the lockers. Stumbled from the lockers and shook it off to find it already gained a head start and slipped through the crowd of students were startled by the sight of it crawling to the walls. Chad ran after it, it was too high for him and with students in the way, he simply shoved them aside to get through to chase after the thieving lizard.
The lizard was cunning and quick, easily toying the blonde when decided to jump. It landed on someone's shoulder, who turned around and was Mr. Deley. "Wha-? What are you-" Reached out his hand and grabbed it in his hands when takes the mirror out of its mouth. "And what's this in your mouth?"
Chad sighed and thought he couldn't get it when relieved to see the man he wanted to find. "Mr. Deley. just the one I wanted to see."
"Mr. Charming, shouldn't you be in class right about now?"
"Yes, I was when I wanted to give you that mirror which was Evie's magic mirror." Chad gives his explanation. "But then suddenly that leather skinned beast snatched it out of my hand and tried to get it."
The lizard responded with a hissing snarl but the teacher held it in his hand. "Must be from one of the classrooms and escaped. Evie's magic mirror you say?"
"Oh yeah, she used to look for whatever she asked in this mirror. I think that's what she was gonna use to cheat." Giving his arrogant smug look on his face, shaking his head. "Seems they're a lot like their parents. As I always say: 'Once a villain, always a villain."
"Well, it's gratifying to see that someone still respects the honour code. Now get to class, I'll be there shortly." Chad then goes to the science lab to prepare himself, little did he know that the moment no one was around, Mr. Deley changed into Mirta. Smiling with the plan worked so easy and gullible the prince was to fall.
"Worked like a charm, great work Garean." Petting her Titan's head for doing a good job and luckily her illusion magic was getting better of playing other people. Now hoping Evie can do the test on her own without it. After listening to that prince's talk of not trusting villains made her think it's the other way round.
Meanwhile, Evie sat next to Musa, Tecna, and Doug, they noticed Evie searching through her purse frantically.
"What's wrong?" Musa wondered what she was looking for.
"My mirror. It's gone." She couldn't find it anyway, without it, she can't know the answers.
Musa noticed the smug look on Chad's face he was giving them across the classroom. "I have a guess where it might be."
Evie couldn't believe it and thought he was being nice to her, now realising they were right about him all along and felt so stupid. "I can't believe I fell for it, now I'll fail for sure."
"No, you're not." Doug disagreed to her surprise. "You just have to prove to the others you're not a villain."
"All you gotta do is use that brain to answer the questions." Tecna shared some advice with her to use it without cheating. "Some of us have limits but we don't give up for sure."
Decided to take their words for it as they had been kind and supportive to her, especially for her best friend Mal. Maybe using her smarts to prove to everyone else, and teach that jerk Chad a lesson.
Mr. Deley then walks in and hands the papers to the students. "Alright, class, test will begin shortly, be sure to give it your best. And Evie, I found this." Evie looked at him to find her mirror in his hand. "Seems you dropped this when a student found it, you'll have it back after the test."
Chad looked shocked and was certain he was gonna expel her. Evie sighed in relief he didn't know about it being magic.
"Uh, yes, sorry I'll try to be careful next time."
After the test which wasn't so hard for Tecna who scored a perfect A+ to the teacher's astonishment, Musa gave it her all and scored well, the three waited for Evie outside to find out what her score was.
"Well?" Musa asked and saw her smiling, holding out the test sheet with a B+ before them.
"For the first time, It's like I'm more than just a pretty face."
"Shocker, huh?" Doug was pleased to see she wasn't in trouble.
Feeling bad for treating badly from earlier, they went so far to help her. "Hey, um, listen, thanks for being there for me. I guess I was a little mean and should have listened to you about Chad."
"Nobody's perfect, but what made you so obsessed about having a prince? Didn't you know Chad was dating Evie?" Musa pondered to ask her.
"With little contact with my mother, she always told me to find a prince with a castle, be pretty and do whatever it takes to make him happy." Remembering the words her mother told her since she was young.
"Talk about having a few screws loose." Musa mumbles but doesn't want to upset Evie. "Listen, your friend Mal went through a lot of changes since she became a Keyblader, meaning she didn't follow her mother's footsteps and neither should you, do whatever you do by your choice."
Smiling to appreciate their support.
"Hey guys, how did it go?" Mirta came by to see them and noticed Evie's score. "Hey, nor bad, guess you didn't need that mirror then."
"Wait, how did you-" Then she realised Mirta was the one who took the mirror from Chad. "You took it from Chad?"
"Illusions, he thought I was the teacher and had my Titan to snatch it from him." Mirta was suddenly pounced on by the smiling Evie, hugging her so tight and almost made her eardrums shatter by the sound of her squealing..
"Eeeeh! Thank you! Thank you! You're now my official friend!"
"Yeah, that's great to hear." Musa almost lost her hearing by the squealing. "Next time, tone down the volume. Meanwhile we better go see how the others are doing." The girls leave Evie and Doug to find the others.
Smiling at Doug for his support for her. "You were pretty great in there."
"So were you." Doug replied bashfully.
"I bet I can get an 'A' on the next test without the mirror." Evie said.
Doug thought it was a good idea for her to do it without cheating. "Yeah. Well, maybe we can get together and we'll hang out with-"
"Yeah!" Evie interjected. "I mean, let's get together."
"There you are!" Evie turned her head to find Mal coming over to her and seemed very nervous about something. "I have been looking for you literally everywhere!"
"What's wrong?" She asked her.
Mal rests her hands on the table and sighs. "Ben just asked me out on… " Paused for a moment and finished her sentence. "A date"
Found it a surprise the prince of Auradon had asked Mal on a date, she was holding back the excitement for her best friend when she saw Mal so nervous as this was possibly her first time and willing to lend a hand for her. "We can handle this." Leaves Doug but not before saying. "Bye." To him as he responded and understood. "You're looking a little pale."
"Yeah, of course!" Even in her enchanted state, Mal still has her personality and is currently nervous when she was asked to go out with Ben and said 'yes' to him.
'Okay, Ben, you can do this. Nothing that's too hard for you. You fought the Grimm, monsters, witches, a mad god and even a beast version of yourself.' Ben was doing his best to not get so nervous when he had built up the nerve to ask Mal out on a date, she accepted but was almost surprised by his approach. Not knowing it was part of the plan to remove the spell to get Mal back to her normal self. It wasn't the first time when he asked her for a dance at the Gala almost a year ago but this was different.
Sure he went on a date with Audrey before, but this was different when he had actually developed romantic feelings for Mal and when he got that kiss from her… it felt like magic and unlike anything he ever felt. Still feels those soft lips of hers…
Shaking his head to not be distracted and focus on the plan. She was under a love spell and a simple splash of water ought to do it. Coming up to her dorm, Ben takes a breather and knocks on the door.
The door opened and peaking through was Evie. "Uh, hey, Evie. Um, is Mal ready?"
"Why don't you ask her." She smiled and opened it further for him to see Mal standing in the middle of the room, wearing a black leather jacket, but beneath it was a purple dress, and a pair of combat boots. Ben admits this was a new step for her, but when he laid eyes on her face, he was loss for words.
Mal didn't know what to say and flushed for how she looks with the help of Evie and admitted she did an amazing job but wanted to hear it from Ben. "Wel, what do you think?"
"For the first time, I understand the difference between pretty and beautiful." I hope you like bikes.
Ben used his scooter as their main use of transport with Mal sat behind him, taking her someplace without saying what it is now matter how many times she asked him. Ben wanted to make it a surprise for her by having her eyes shut as he held her hands to guide her.
"Now, step up. There you go. You ready?" Mal nodded, no idea what exactly he had planned but was unable to stop her heart from beating so fast her nervous state but excited.
"Open."
Opening her eyes and almost lost the ability to breath at the sight of a beautiful lake with a stone floor along with the pillars still standing. She saw a blanket with a basket of food prepared, almost couldn't believe this was actually for her. Gave Ben a surprising smile as he was pleased how she liked it.
"Go on." Ben nudged her gently to see for herself.
It was going smoothly and so far Mal had to admit, Ben did a good job to impress her and enjoying the food very much.
Ben was watching her licking her fingers of the pastry and almost found it adorable even if she was under the spell, but rarely a sight to see. "I'm guessing this is your first time?"
As far as Mal can remember before she got dragged into the keyblade business, she never practically dated anyone until now, as a matter of fact this was the only time she ever dated when the only thing she ever done was hang out with her friends. The fairies did gave her some advice and being strict on the subject when she became a teenager. "Mm... I… well never actually dated much. Most guys weren't my type, or never thought of it really."
Ben let out a chuckle. "Um, I meant, is this your first time eating a jelly donut?"
Having to notice that something was on her face after she ate the jelly donut and felt embarrassed. "Is it bad?"
"Here." Ben offered to help wipe it off for her, brushing his thumb around her lips,
She felt embarrassed for her crush and thought of an idea of him kissing her would be better.. "Can't take me anyway, I guess. Even as a keyblade apprentice I get a jelly donut on my face."
There has been something Ben wanted to say to her the moment about that kiss, wanting to know for sure if she really did have feelings for him. "So, I uh… found out you had a crush on me for ages. I mean, flattered and the uh… that kiss." Unable to shake that image out of his head. "You really meant it?"
Mal giggles and flushes, giving him a warm caring smile with her cheeks flushed pink. "I do. I was so nervous to say anything and thought you wouldn't think of me that way cause you are a prince and… well as you know about me being the daughter of an evil dark fairy. I don't know what it is that made me want to say it but it feels so good to finally let it out."
"You know that's the funny thing, I wanted to say something to you about it but didn't had the courage to say it." Ben admitted his feelings for her.
"Really?" Mal smiled brightly. "Aww, Ben!"
"I know, kinda ironic being a brave prince and somehow couldn't say anything about it until now."
Mal softly giggles. "Guess we have something in common… well, except you're gonna be king."
Unable to feel nervous and how it will affect him of being a keybearer, but hoping to do something about it and not make her feel bad. "A crown doesn't make you a king."
"Well, it kinda does, doesn't it?" At least that's what she thought when someone wears it to be announced ruler of a kingdom.
"No, it... Your mother was mistress of evil and I've got the poster parents for goodness." Ben explains about their families and not wanting to be seen as just a king with a face, he wanted to do something more than just wear a crown and do something to make his own choices. When he was chosen as the bearer of the keyblade it felt like his answers were made. "But we're not automatically like them. We get to choose who we're gonna be. And after we got the keyblades, I guess we can forge our own."
Gazes softly into her eyes and finds himself lost in her soft emerald eye. "Even if we weren't, I can see it in both your heart and eyes that you're not totally evil."
She was overwhelmed by his touching words and felt her heart beating so fast by his kind and touching words.
"Let's go for a swim."
Snapped out of her daze when he suggested they swim in the lake, she stutters as the prince stands up to unbutton his shirt. "Hm? What? Uh... Right now?"
"Yeah, right now." Ben replied and offered his hand to her.
She didn't seem so eager of the idea and tried to think of a way to politely decline even if it was tempting. "I think I'm gonna stay behind and try a strawberry. I've literally never tried a strawberry before." Taking out a strawberry from the basket to take a bite as it was truthful she never had a chance to try one even when she was raised by the fairies. "Mm!" At first she was trying to make it like she was enjoying it, but her taste buds really loved the flaovur and found it really good. "Mmmm.."
'Oh wow that tastes so good!'
He chuckles and smiles, it was pretty obvious she never had strawberries before and surprised to find out. She must have been a picky eater or not trying new things. Decided to try a new plan but let her have some fun. "Don't eat all of them."
"Okay." She bites down the rest of the strawberry in her hand until the green leaves were left. But she couldn't help wanting more and took two more. 'Damn these are so good! Why didn't I have them before? I gotta give some to Palmon, she would love them!'
"Ooh! Mm." Mal found herself adding them to her favourite foods.
"I think so, but what made you go through with it? Was it for me?" She gave a soft smile at him and thought it was nice for him to do such a thing. Found Ben by the cliff edge in his blue shorts, wipes her hands together to stand up to get a look at him. Last time she saw him in a swimsuit was back on Destiny Island to have a party after their victory against the Trix and Tezzeret, she had to admit to herself how Ben really keeps himself in good shape and works out a lot from the training. It was in fact the first time she ever took notice at charming smile he gives her that could make her knees wobble, checking his arms and torso with signs of firm muscles from the training as a keybearer and Red Fountain and could stare at them forever..
'Who knew the prince has such great shape, all those battles and training OBVISOUSLY has been good to him that Audrey girl had her chance. And look at those… crowns?' She thought it was her imagination but upon closer inspection, she could see gold crowns on his shorts. Shouts out with her hands up to her mouth. "Are those little crowns on your shorts?"
Ben thought she would have noticed them and didn't seem to bother him. "Maybe" With a moment of having some fun before diving in, he lets out a loud roar as if he was doing a beast impression which earned a laugh from Mal before he jumps in to make a cannonball. "WHOOOO!"
While he was having his moment of fun, she was about to sit down to relax when in the corner of her eye something big in the water.
It was moving fast and straight towards Ben and yelled out to warn him. "Ben! Get out of there! Something in the water!"
Ben was able to hear her and confused until he saw it, it looked like some sort of sea serpent moving fast. Summoning the Beast Within to his hand and moving fast to use Wind to force it back with the combination of the water.
Emerged from the water and let out a loud mix of hissing and roar, allowing them to get a look of it. It was a large eel-like serpent with snake-like jaws and fangs, a pair of fins sprouting from the sides of its jaws with a pair of whip-like antennas on its head. The creature's scales were blue with a purple underbelly.
Both the teens then noticed something about its features, it had two tentacles with suckers for arms.
"Uh, I don't think this was part of the date." Mal asked but had a feeling she knew the answer. She yelped and jumped back to avoid a lashing tentacle, she knew this thing was familiar but couldn't know the name or where. She took cover from one of the pillars for cover from its electrical beam.
Ben couldn't let her be in danger and swims back. "Hey! Fishguts!" The sea beast snarls and turns to the prince calling out to it and whipped out its tentacles to snare him up, but he noticed the electrical sparks dancing all over the fins and needed to be careful. "Mal! Watch out for its tentacles!" He swung the keyblade to create a wave of wind, only for the sea serpent to dodge it by literally taking the air without needing any wings.
Neither Ben nor Mal saw that coming. "Oh that is just not fair!" Mal hated when some monster had the advantage, but most of all she was annoyed when this thing decided to crash in on her date. Getting into action and using her own magic by casting green fireballs, hitting it but two were deflected by its tail and swooped down upon her with the jaws wide open.
"Frost Fang!" Leaping out of the cliff was Garurumon pouncing on the creature, it tried to throw it off but his jaws were strong and brought it down to the shallow end of the lake. The creature glares down at its new foe and wraps itself around Garurumon with its tail and tentacles, surging electricity into the Digimon.
Gaururomon felt his body being hit by a strong bolt of lightning, groaning in pain and resisting the urge to cry out.
"Stop!" Ben called out his attack and struck the creature, causing it to slow its movement by the affects of the spell to allow. Garururmon the chance to attack.
"Fox Fire!" Spewing frosted flames out of his jaws onto the head, it reacted and hissed before separating itself from the Digimon
Mal was momentarily surprised by how Ben's partner was already here when she thought to have left their Digimon back at school, but she was grateful he came along. "Take this! Dark Firaga!" Unleashing a powerful blast to send the sea beast crashing into the trees as the branches fall onto it.
Ben rushes over to her to check if she is alright and if taken any injuries. "You alright?"
She nodded and was fine, yet also concerned about his Digimon. "I'd be more worried for him after taking the blow."
Garurumon shook off the pain and groaned softly. "I've been better."
"I was tempted to leave our Digimon behind for a time to ourselves, good thing I didn't." Considering it was pure luck for them. But his concern was on the creature. "Not sure where that thing came from but it doesn't seem to be an ordinary fish to do that."
"I think I know. There was mana coming from it, I think it's a Rapids Lurker from when I was researching Kaiju creatures." Mal remembered the name of it after studying its abilities and appearance. "But how did it get here?"
"Any idea on how to stop it?" Ben asked.
"Just don't let it wrap around you and end its meal." Mal shared her advice.
Branches and rockets were everywhere as the Rapids Lurker recovered and glares down at them for another fight. Shoots straight towards them, but this time Ben and Mal were ready and knew lighting attacks would not work, they would have to go for another alternative.
Calls out her keyblade and attacks at once.
"Seeker Mine!" Mal's attack struck the Water Creature multiple times in a direct hit.
"Ice Cannon!" Garurmon created a ball of ice, hurtling into the Rapid Lurker directly into the head. It lost control and crashed into the lake and stutter, using its remaining strength to swat him away but inadvertently sent Mal flying across the stone floor and into the lake, Ben was now mad and made the finishing blow using Strike Raid to slash it multiple times, it defeating it and sending the Kaiju back to its own realm. It would have been a good victory but he saw Mal struggling to stay afloat.
"Ben! H-help!" She splashed her hands frantically and desperate to keep her head up. He realised she couldn't swim and dived into the lake, swimming over to her and helping her up.
"I got you!" Bringing her into his arms and pulling her to the stone floor.
She coughed up a little and sat on the edge, completely soaked and wet. Sat beside her for comfort as Garurumon recovered from the battle until he returned to Ben's Digivice. "You can't swim?"
"Well, I've been living on the mainland my whole life." Now knowing her secret was out. "That's why I never wanted to come to the beach last time cause I never knew how to swim."
"But you went in to help me out." Ben told her and would have realised if he lured her in the lake to get herself back to normal, it would have been partly his fault. "I mean, it's no big deal at least you're okay, right?"
It was clear she did jump in without thinking and only thought of his well being when the Kaiju attacked them. "Well, next time you take me on a date, warn me of any monster attacks! Luckily I had to let it out on the overgrown sushi."
It was uncertain if she was herself or not, but couldn't tell. "So you… feeling yourself? I mean… you still… have feelings for me?"
She gave him a confused look as if he grew a second head. "What? Of course I do! I just told you after finally confessing! You…. you… ugh! Too annoyed right now for insults!"
Doing all he can to snicker and sound like herself. "Well, I was afraid you be still under that love spell had it not been for the Enchanted Lake."
"Okay, what are you talking about?" Mal was more confused than ever. "Love spell? Me? No, no, no. I didn't put myself under a love spell, I didn't know why but suddenly wanted to say it."
"Well, you could have kept it longer had it not been for a Pixie named Amore." Ben then explained to her what was going on. "You made cookies for me right?" She nods her head. "But when you took a bite as Carlos said, did you feel something different or knew what you were doing?"
She started to remember about baking and met Carlos.
Then when he was cautious of her baking or tasting it she took a bite.
And then her feels for Ben overwhelmed her, she started flirting with him and..
And..
She just…
Her eyes went wide as dinner plates to recall after asking him out and KISSED him.
Ben can easily read the look of her face that she remembered. "Now you know.
"You mean… that I… we…" Ben nodded, gesturing his finger between her and him of what she did, her face went bright as red and remembered what she did, gasps and covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. "OH CRAP! Ben, I am SO, so sorry! I was not myself for the moment!"
"It's fine! No worries." Ben chuckles and was not mad. "You had a crush on me, it's normal. The others were surprise by this as I was."
But this only made Mal more embarrassed to find out and continued to rant on about it. "Everyone?! Oh, great! Now how am I to show my face in public! Stella would rub it in to prove she was right! Evie would never shut up about it! What would the school thi-ummp?" She was suddenly silenced by Ben's sudden action of pressing his lips with her's. Froze for a moment in shock, but then this tingling feeling was soft and gentle, he didn't force himself on her but gave her a moment to kiss back, she closed her eyes and cups his cheek to softly kiss more.
But only lasted a moment until he pulled away and she was still in a daze, yet could not stop her heart racing. "Sorry about that. I... had to do something and it just clicked."
Lost for words, she didn't deny that it was a nice kiss and felt her body was turning to jelly. "Well, I guess it did a good job." An awkward moment between the two, she reached up and twirling her hair until she broke the silence. "So... what does that make us now?"
"Well, depends. Um, if you still want to give it another chance after that moment with the sea monster spoiled our date." He said with a chuckle.
"You mean you still want to ask me out again?" She asked if she heard him correctly.
Confirming his statement and nods his head. "I would... if, uh, you like to be my girlfriend?"
Never had she thought to hear those words from her crush and almost believed this was a dream-which she better hope not. But replied and almost excited. "Yes! I mean, sure!" Clearing her throat to remain calm. "Wow! that was surprising."
"Well there was something that can make you feel better. Taren almost freaked out when we had our first kiss, almost as if he was still dreaming." Let out a laugh with the memory still fresh in his mind, she blinked and joined in.
"Taren freaked out?! Oh, guess there is a silver lining of being spelled!" If onyl she could have caught a glimpse of his face, would have been priceless.
"By the way, just before we got attacked. I found this." Ben shows her a rock that shined so bright, it was so beautiful she couldn't believe her eyes. "It's yours. Make a wish and throw it back in the lake."
She takes it in her hand and makes a silent wish before throwing it back into the lake. "So what did yu wish for?" Ben asked her.
"Would it come true if I said it?" Mal wanted to make it a secret to not spoil the surprise.
"Guess we should go back, least the place wasn't damaged in the battle but guess our date is over." Ben sighs, feeling they should head back and packing up when Mal stopped him by grabbing his hand.
"Or maybe we could stay a little longer?" Mal suggested as she thought for all the trouble he went through for this. "I mean, can't let the food go to waste, right?"
He was surprised she was willing to stay a little longer, but gave a soft smile and sat back down. "Okay, sure. So long as you don't eat the whole strawberries."
"You should have warned me before I have this craving for them now." She smiled mischievously and happy to enjoy the date with her new boyfriend, this could be something to get use to.
Meanwhile in the Auradon library, the Winx were looking through the books on ancient histories relating to other worlds and possible myths . The information they learnt about Kefka being a so-called God of Magic came at an utter shock about this, they needed to find basic knowledge or anything related to him.
"It has to be in one of these books." Bloom skimmed through the pages of one of the books in her hands.
"Not to sound sceptical, but was Mal certain that clown was some god?" Stella didn't want to not believe her, but from their previous encounters with him didn't seem to add up. "I mean, he could have finished us right away."
"I'm not sure, Stella. We have no idea about Darkar, so if there's any information about Kefka we need some advantage." Tecna said.
"You girls looking for something?" The Winx took notice of a girl by their age, she had a a slender figure with light blue eyes and long black hair with pink highlights tied in a high ponytail. Under her right eyebrow, she has three-star markings and faint blue eye-shadow. She wore a pair of harem pants, a top decorated in jewellery, and wearing a golden jacket on top. Around her waist was a violet waistband and wearing black suede high heel ankle boots with golden heels. Her jewellery included four golden bracelets worn on her left wrist, a golden necklace and a golden head chain that is centred with a sapphire on her forehead. "My bad for butting in, but heard you girls were visiting and looking for something on some odd character?"
"Uh, that's right." Flora nodded to the girl, yet had no idea who she was. "Sorry we were just looking around for information on someone."
"Let me guess, you girls are the Winx Club I've been hearing about? Turn into fairies and from another dimension?" Receiving a couple of surprised faces of how she knew all this, smirking at them as if they haven't figured it out and crossed her arms. "Sorry, guess I should have introduced myself. Names Jordan, you probably met my dad."
Bloom was trying to think of who she was talking about, she couldn't be related to either of the keybearers, but upon noticing her outfit reminded her of someone… then it clicked in her head and figured it out. "Wait, are you talking about Genie?"
Jordan smiles and nods her head and raises her hands up high. "The one and only. Only I take more from my mom than his wacky personality." Recalling how her father was bizarre and hilarious, they didn't think he had a daughter in Auradon. "Well, Taren came to me and asked to help you with this research you were doing."
"That would be nice of you to help." Flora accepted her help. "We were having trouble looking for anything about a villain named Kefka.
"Let me see if I can find it. I know I'm not supposed to use magic in school, but sometimes old habits die hard." waving her hands to cast her magic to summon a book, the one they were looking for appeared on the table and circled around when Jordan looked through the pages of certain legends. "Let's see, Occuria, Enuo, no that's not it. Folka…" Her finger traced to a certain name that surprised her. "I believe I found it."
"You have?" Bloom was surprised that there was a portrait of Kefka himself and looked remarkably alike, it certainly fit his description without a doubt and never forget such a face. "Yeah, that's him alright."
"I can see why you often called him a circus clown." Musa along with Tecna had never actually seen him in person, but according to their friends he was not to be underestimated and could be more powerful than the Trix.
"Does it say anything about him?" Layla pondered for anything that might be helpful for them.
"Hmm, from what it says he was the court mage of the Gestahlian Empire from what was once called the World of Balance." Reading out what it said on the page.
"So he was a court mage?" Bloom was inquired to asked her.
"That's what it said, they were a powerful empire a long time ago using Magitek which he used and powerful in magic, he turned on his emperor for their magicite and opened a gate formed by Espers."
"So he turned on his leaders for this... magicite?" Tecna conducted some research in her computer of the name for further information.
"Not to mention, cruel, cunning, and had a bizarre personality. But when he became a God of Magic after draining the magic of his enemies, but the Returners as they were called defeated him before he could accomplish his goal and lost his god-like powers." Jordan was disturbed by the atrocities this villain did and wondered why he never appeared until now, had he been in the previous Keybalde War it could have been devastating for the heroes and certainyl be too powerful and dangerous to be sent to the island. She read through it and stopped with her finger down on something. "Uh, are you sure the one you fought was the same guy? But if I'm reading this right... this event happened almost a thousand years ago."
Confused and uncertain how, if this was possible, he could be much older than he was or perhaps if what they know is certain, Kefka may still have retained some of his powers to survive.
While they have one question answered, it only leaves more to ask what his motives where and why come back.
Audrey was fuming with jealousy of how so many girls were receiving new looks to be as gorgeous as she is, finding herself no longer the most beautiful princess of Auradon Prep, but still popular no less. This was all that Mal girl was to blame for using her magic and warned Ben about this, but he disregarded her warnings about the Villains kids were slowly being accepted, but she still believed they are evil just like their parents despite not being raised by them.
She probably did not trust those transfer students as to her logic they probably fell for that girl's trick and saw her kissing Ben! Audrey couldn't believe the nerve of her. She was supposed to be his girlfriend and soon to be his queen as she had been prepared for this almost her whole life when they met as kids, she had b
Yet before Ben's sudden disappearance over a year ago, he broke up with her and decided after his return to was to make Chad her new boyfriend to make him jealous, but that hardly worked at all. And baffled the princess how he could not see they were meant to be. It's a pity she can't force them out or convince Taren they were trouble as he seems to agree with Ben's plan to give them a chance in life in Auradon. She always thought of him being a rebel type and easily frustrated of how the girls gush over him being a new Keybalder and hero like his parents.
"It's all that witch's fault, coming in to take him when she's not even a princess. Who does that witch think she is? She's not even a princess and made him fall for her?"
"Having some girl trouble?"
The princess was caught up in her moment, she jumped and saw some sort of gesture with bizarre colourful clothing she had ever seen. Could he be some circus performer? A clown? Audrey was not in the mood for any jokes.
"That's none of your business, and I don't recall any circus in the city." At least as far as the princess was aware.
The clown-themed stranger merely smiled and let out a soft laugh. "Oh, I'm not part of the circus, dear girl. I am just passing by, making life more entertaining as I go. Especially on the day of the coronation tomorrow which should be a joyous day for all."
"Well it would have, if it was not for a little witch." Audrey mutters, thinking about Mal with Ben.
"Witch? Purple clothes? Hair? Green eyes?"
"Yeah! That's her. So I guess you know her." Audrey would not have been surprised. "Everyone says she's a hero with a keyblade but I can see she's trouble."
"Well, I guess she must take after her mother. Whoops!" Acting as if he let it slip out and brought his hand to his mouth.
"Her mother? So she's really the daughter of a villain? I knew it!" Audrey was right about her.
"Oh, she ain't nothing like the others, but I can't say it. As it I could get into trouble." Glances to Audrey with an idea. "Your mother was one of the Seven Princesses of the Hearts, yes? Which makes you as pure as she is. I may let you know."
"Well, of course as I should be." Audrey easily believed with a grin about her heritage. Heathen leaned towards her ear, whispering the words that made her eyes widen and mouth agape in utter shock as if he was joking but he shook his head with a grin. "You're not serious? But that-"
"That's why it was top secret. I better be off now. But remember, princess, don't tell no one where you got this information. I just don't want to be in trouble."
"Oh, of course not. Thank you for the information and maybe a chance to save Ben." She wasted no time and left the clown.
"Have a nice day. Sucker." He let out a chuckle and was unable to believe how gullible that princess was. The moment he saw some darkness in her heart, he knew that the princess would be perfect to cause some disruption and distrust against one of the keybladers. "What an idiot! If I heard about the legends of the Seven maidens, she'd obviously lack one thing!"
"Nice work, Kefka." Stepping out of the shadows was none other than Icy. "No doubt it will show Mal who she's messing with."
"I heard about her but never knew it was true until Cronus confirmed being related." Kefka had been surprised to find out that she was the daughter of one of the Olympion Gods and a Dark Fey who could easily rival the Ancestral Witches.
"Now all we do is let it build up and make our plans for the coronation. By the way, how did your plan go?" Kefka asked Icy, who responded with a frown.
"Ugh, they took out the Rapids Lurker and decided to leave before they could go all lovey-dovey."
The Trix had followed Ben and Mal leaving the school, they thought it was a perfect moment to strike but realise they were actually on a date which was unexpected and sickening to the Trix's point of view. Using the summoning magic Kefka showed them and how to control the Kaiju, Icy thought the lake be a perfect place to catch them with their guard down. Unfortunately for the Trix, the two keyblade bearers were able to defeat the Water creature and decided to retreat before they get caught.
"They should be preparing for the ceremony very soon, so better be ready. We just need a way to get close to that wand and the Shield." Icy knew they had to get it but with security tight, it would be a problem.
"Not to worry, I think I have an idea." Kefka smiled with confidence that their plan would work, they failed to get the first two, but won't lose the third artefact.
I was originally going to make this the final chapter to end Auradon but thought perhaps to cut it in half with how much I've written and make it easier, its been a long arc to do which took longer than I thought after taking a break during christmas. I am almost done and some ideas in mind of how the end will turn out. Made some changes like Chad was unable to rat out on evie for using her mirror thanks to Mirta. Ben and Mal's date turned out differently when they had a uninvited guest I picked from Kaijudo as well as buidling up Tatsurion's character to blend in with the story.
Things may not go so well for whatever Kefka is planning and think everyone who reads it will get an idea
The second part is almost done so shouldn't be long! Any questions are welcome, guest reviews will be ignored