Chapter Fifty
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.
Woo! Guys, can you believe we're on chapter fifty? It's honestly hard to believe we've gotten this far and there's still so much to go!
Thank you all for your continued support! It means the world to me that you all are enjoying my story!
JaclynnM: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! :D
Marcus Emrys: Yeah, it definitely was a valid question and one I was happy to answer! :D Confident Carlos is a fun Carlos to write because it's a great way to get him from under his mother's thumb. Well in Audie's defense, the first time she thought Harry's bit from What's My Name. And it's hard to convey song in writing :D A break is definitely planned, just after the coronation chapter since it'd be the last one for the Choosing Family section.
Katt Kiki: Oh yeah, there's going to be a lot to be commented on, that's for sure!
danifan3000: I wouldn't put it past Leah to try to do that, especially for anyone with a criminal past since that's rather 'villainous'.
AmethystDragon14: Yay! It's definitely exciting that's for sure! And the time sure has flown hasn't it?
Hufflepuff24: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! Honestly, Meg's call back was one of the first comments I thought of, it almost jumped out at me. Plus I had Chillin' Like a Villain stuck in my head after writing Audie's bit.
Lunessa Mysteria: Oh happy belated birthday! I'm so glad I could make the chapter special for you!
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you like it and you're right, murder is definitely planned for Freddy and Hook Sr.
LotusQuill: You're so welcome! And thank you for the great start to Adventures in Auradon!
JudiAndTheFandoms: I agree with that sentiment. Beanie Ben is best Ben.
Monkeymama1516: That's going to be interesting to write, for sure (Hades and Steph's reaction to Natalie).
SixUndereOneXSix: Oh I'm so glad you like it! Oh man that's an interesting idea and one I'd have to plan out to see how much having Abby would change things.
twilightgirl587: Chip's just being protective but you're right, Ben would find a way to get to the Isle come hell or high water. Well, Leah's still alive because she needs to hear about chapter 15 of Choosing Love of course *evil smile*. I…good question re: Carlos being surprised about his scroll self barking.
Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Ashaki gleefully took one of the scrolls.
"You're taking too much pleasure in this," Melody told her as Ashaki unfurled it.
Mal sighed as they stopped the limo and smiled slightly as she stepped out of the car. She was finally back on the Isle. She should feel a sense of joy at being home after so long.
"You didn't?" Ruby asked, looking over at Malinda.
Malinda shook her head. "As much as I wanted to, I didn't."
So why did all she feel was a sense of dread? A sense that she was making a huge mistake being here with Ben?
"Because you know how many things can go wrong in this scenario," Aladdin said, keeping his voice soft as to prevent Beast and Belle from hearing. He was a parent too, he knew he'd be petrified just reading this.
"Jay, get the limo covered," she said quickly, shoving down her doubt. She was acting captain with Uma not being in the group, there was no time for her to have doubt.
Jay nodded and gave Mal a small salute. "Aye aye cap'n!"
The limo would be fairly obvious that they were from Auradon if anyone but her or Jay came across it.
"Well, and Ben," Melody pointed out.
"That kinda goes without saying," Elle told her sister.
"Mal?" Ben asked as Jay quickly scrambled to grab a nearby tarp to use to cover up the limo. "What can I do?"
"Stay right there," Mal said simply. "You're not leaving our sight."
"That's a good idea," Audie nodded, memories of another beanie clad Ben dancing across her mind. Only that Ben had made the mistake of wandering off by himself on the Isle and had been kidnapped for his trouble.
Ben nodded slightly, titling his head a little in confusion and Mal had to will herself not to melt at his puppy dog eyes.
"Those eyes are so unfair," Malinda muttered. "It's like disappointing Estelle when I look at them!"
"But…why won't you say my name?"
"Because saying your name is probably the stupidest things we could do right now," Jay muttered as he walked past them, pulling the tarp that he had found over the limo.
"No…the stupidest thing you could do was bring Ben to the Isle in the first place," Chip said, shaking his head.
"Think about it dude, your dad's not exactly popular on the Isle."
"Jay's right," Mal nodded, thankful that she brought her first mate. At least he would be sure to keep his head.
"Well it helps that Benny over there's not my type," Jay said. "Though apparently he's Mal's."
"I married the man Jay," Malinda said with a small smirk. "Of course he's my type."
"Gods we should have thought about this before we left Auradon."
"Yeah, that's a good point," Harriet nodded. "You should probably also be referring to it as 'Boreadon' since you're back on the Isle."
"Mitchell."
"I'm sorry?" Mal asked, looking over at Ben.
"If you need a fake name, call me 'Mitchell'," Ben elaborated.
"Not bad for a fake name," Shang said before looking over at Mulan and chuckling. "Better than 'Ping'."
"I panicked!" Mulan said, shaking her head as Shang chuckled. "I was surrounded by angry men and you weren't exactly Captain Comforting."
"Mom and dad had considered naming me that before settling on my name. You could pretend I'm a VK who was born outside the Isle."
"…we did?" Beast asked, looking at Belle.
"You thought it'd be a good way to honor my father and to sort of ask his forgiveness again. You know, the whole taking him prisoner," Belle told him.
"Why did I think that?"
"The fact that it was an 'M' name I believe."
Uma tilted her head as she looked at Ben. "No one would believe you're a VK even if Mal says you're born outside the Isle. You're too polite."
"If we stay out of Maleficent's territory, that could work," Mal nodded. "But Mitchell, you're going to have to do everything we say while we're here. Understand?"
Ben nodded. "Of course, that goes without saying. You guys know the Isle better than I do after all."
"Yeah absolutely thank yo—"
"No thank you's, keep your hands in your pockets unless you're stealing something, don't smile, slouch, and don't say sorry," Audie said.
"How do you—?"
"It was mentioned in one of the viewings in my timeline," she told Phil Jr. "Also Harriet told me on my first day working in the soup kitchen."
"Dah! That's the first thing that's got to go," Mal said, slipping back into her Isle persona. "There are no thank you's on the Isle. There are no 'please's'. There is no 'touchy feely' stuff where we go on about our emotions or ruffle people's hair unless you're in someone's crew.
"Especially the ruffling of the hair!" Hadie exclaimed. "But some people tend to forget that!"
"I'm your sister, it's my right as bestowed upon me by the Gods to irritate you Minty," Mal said with a smirk.
"We agreed that one was off the table!"
Uma snorted. "I don't know how Aunt Steph and Uncle Hades got to be the only people who don't get a glare or their hand batted away when they ruffle your hair."
And there are no apologies. You want something, you take it. If they won't let you take it, you break it because if you can't have it, no one can."
If you care about your health…you need to not be yourself, Audie thought and then sighed. How much longer was that song going to be stuck in her head?
"But nine times out of ten, they let Mal take it," Jay said with a smirk. "Meaning they let anyone in Mal's crew take it too."
Hades smirked slightly. "Ah I see they know what's good for them."
"Being known as the Dragon's spawn tends to work in my favor around here," Mal said, returning the smirk.
"An unfortunate truth," Malinda sighed and shook her head. "One that didn't last for long after that though."
"What? I…I actually get to say I'm dad's daughter on the Isle?" Mal asked.
"More or less," Malinda nodded.
"You said something about Maleficent's territory," Ben said, cutting into the conversation. "How would I know where that is?"
"That sounds like something that should have been addressed in the limo," Lucas sighed.
"The giant spray painted silhouette of Maleficent in green with the words 'long live evil' over it might help," Mal said dryly. "Or the spray painted dragon with the words 'the dragon will rise again'. Or the red Genie with 'long live evil' spray painted over it. Basically anything that has 'long live evil' over it. Besides, you won't be going anywhere without me or without Jay and we're not going anywhere near Maleficent's territory."
"Good to know you still have the sense the Gods gave you," Uma said as she nodded in approval.
"Oh yeah, that's another thing," Jay nodded. "We're avoiding my dad's shop."
"We avoided your dad's shop whenever we could when we lived here," Mal chuckled. "Besides we don't have anything to pawn."
"Good, that would just draw attention if you did." Aladdin said softly.
"Good point," Jay nodded. "But come on, we're burning cloud. They're going to realize we're gone over in Boreadon at some point."
Emma nodded. "I'd like my temporary reign to be short, thank you."
"…we never told Emma where we were going did we?" Malinda asked, looking at Benji.
"No we did not," Benji sighed. "Though mom and dad were still King and Queen at that point so there wouldn't have been a need to tell Emma."
"Oh yeah!" Emma said with a grin. "Forgot you're still Prince Ben at this point."
"I'm still just Ben, Emma," Ben said, shaking his head.
"I'll get the loot," Mal said, both of them easily slipping back into their Isle personas as Ben stared in slight shock and amazement. "We'll take Mitchie boy here to Lord Hades' restaurant since he wanted to see it. I'll meet you two there—I want to stop by Ursula's Chip Shoppe."
"I'm sorry, on your own?" Harry, Jay, and Hadie said at the same time.
"One, it's our territory," Mal said as she shook her head. "And two, Hadie, I worry about you. Not vice versa."
Sometimes though it's nice to have others worry about you…and our brother's perceptive Mal, Malinda thought, thinking about one of the few times Hadie had lost his temper with her. He was concerned and she was nearing the end of her rope with everything Natalie was piling on…they hadn't spent much time together and she still had the mental link muted…
Jay nodded and the three of them made their way to their respective restaurants. Mal couldn't help but smile slightly as she walked through the swinging doors of the Chip Shoppe once more. Sure it still smelled of fish and seaweed but she loved the smell. This had been her second favorite place growing up after all.
"Once a pirate, always a pirate huh Mali?" Harry asked, a small smile on his lips.
"Mali?" Harry asked, in shock as the son of Hook walked up to her. "Wha—?"
"You seem shocked to see me Harry," Mal chuckled.
"Considering you're supposed to be across the bridge, I don't blame my future self!" Harry said, shaking his head.
"I decided to come for a visit, Harry," Mal chuckled. "What are you doing here? Don't you have a shift over at Lord Hades' restaurant?"
"I know it makes sense since no one on the Isle knows you're Great-Uncle Hades' daughter other than Uma and Harry but it's still odd to hear," Melody said.
Hades pursed his lips. "We can leave the 'great' part off if you're going to call me by a title of 'uncle'."
"Hades, don't tell me that makes you feel old," Persephone chuckled.
"You didn't say anything when Macaria and Hyllus called you 'uncle'," Posidon told him.
"Because those two are Zeus' grandkids. I think I'm allowed to be a bit stunned upon hearing the title of uncle come from them," Hades said simply as if that explained everything. And in a way, it did.
"Stopped by to see Uma before going to my shift," Harry said, wrapping an arm over Mal's shoulders. "C'mon co-cap'n, let's go see our cap'n."
Uma shook her head. "Harry, don't be late for your job on my account."
Mal and Jay, though, gave each other knowing looks. They knew why Harry would want to see Uma. He just wouldn't admit it to himself.
Mal grinned. "Good, cause I've got some loot for the two of you and our allies at the Warf Rats," she said as they made their way into the kitchen.
"Harry, what are you doing here? Uncle Hades isn't going to be happy if you're late—"
"More like I'd be worried," Hades said with a small shrug. He didn't even care that he was admitting it in front of Beastie and Zeus and Queen Bat. Harry needed to know what he was saying. "I'd be worried you'd be injured because I know your work ethic. You wouldn't be late for no good reason."
Harry couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips as he heard that.
"Hey cuz," Mal said with a smirk at seeing Uma's shocked face as the granddaughter of Poseidon seemed to freeze upon seeing her. "I'm back!"
Audie couldn't help but smile a bit sadly at that; the image of her timeline's Mal standing in Ursula's Fish and Chip Shoppe and saying the exact same thing coming to the forefront of her mind. No happy reunion for her timeline's Mal though.
"You'd better be joking," Uma said, pulling Mal into a hug. Mal couldn't help but appreciate the irony considering what she had just told Ben but she didn't care. She had her best friend in front of her again! "Gods, I've missed you!"
Mal smiled as she looked over at Uma. "One of the few people who can hug me right there."
"Um…Mal? You also let the whole crew hug you most of the time," CJ spoke up. "That's nineteen people. You're probably one of the most hugged VKs on the Isle."
"Come on cuz, you'd knew I'd be back," Malinda said with a small chuckle as she looked at Uma. "I promised after all."
"Of course I'm joking," Mal chuckled but returned the hug. "I've got something for you guys," she said as she broke from the hug. "Boreadon's got so much good food they didn't notice Jay and me swipe some."
Uma and Harry leaned forward slightly in their seats. "Real food…?"
"Yeah," Benji nodded, a sad smile on his lips. "Real food you guys."
"Jay's here too?"
"No Harry, I would just jaunt back to the Isle without Jay," Mal said and shook her head.
"The scroll didn't say it was me who said that Mal!" Harry told her.
"You really think he'd let me come back to the Isle alone?" Mal chuckled. "He's over at dad's restaurant, Harry you'll see him since you're heading over there anyway."
Jay gave Harry a faux-offended look. "Exactly! What do you take me for? A second rate First Mate?"
"Well in defense of my future self, Jay, Mal is at the Chip Shoppe alone."
"Never mind that, you said something about good food?" Uma asked, looking at the bag in Mal's hand.
"Oh I see how it is!" Mal chuckled. "You want the food more than you want to talk to me!"
"Hey, how often do we get food that comes straight from Boreadon and is actually fresh?" Uma asked.
"Good point," Mal nodded.
"For you Uma," Mal said and Uma quickly opened it up and stared in shock. "I tried to grab as much stuff that didn't need to be refrigerated so you can keep it in the clubhouse or on the ship without worrying about your mom using it."
"We really need to get a fridge for the clubhouse," Jay said.
Mal sighed. "Not really much point though, since Uma and Harry will be in the next group along with Hadie. No one else knows about our clubhouse."
"So we tell those who are under our protection," Uma said. "It can be another shelter at night for those who can't safely go home. Plus they can hide their food."
"It is the best course of action," Harry nodded. "Could you imagine what would happen if the Angels took over our clubhouse?"
Mal shuddered. "Let's tell Henry where it is so he can tell the others….not Dustin though. We all know what he'd do if left alone in our clubhouse."
"And thank you for that mental image Mali!"
"You're welcome," Mal said with a smirk.
Eric sighed and shook his head slightly. Teenagers. These were teenagers needing to make plans like that, providing safe places for others to sleep and ways to store food. All because one person thought they didn't deserve fresh and edible food.
"Remind me why I can't smite Leah?" Hades muttered to Persephone.
"…ask me again in a minute dear. I'm still trying to refrain from turning her into a mint plant," Persephone muttered back, the memory of what they learned earlier during the break when Milah arrived coming back to the forefront of her mind.
"Mal, that…that can't possibly be food," Harry stated, looking over Uma's shoulder. "There's no brown bits or green fuzzy pieces to eat around."
"Please Harry, we all know you ate the green pieces," Uma scoffed.
"I ate the maggots Uma. Protein."
"…that's disgusting," Phil Jr. muttered, looking slightly green at the thought. His father shot a glare at Leah at the reminder of what all she'd done to the kids on the Isle.
Uma rolled her eyes but sighed, looking over at Mal. "He's right though. Not about the maggots but about the food."
"Uma, I promise you. This is what food looks like in Auradon," Mal said gently. "Also…I've got news."
"Ooh?!"
"I don't blame Uma for being excited," Malinda said with a small chuckle. "The last news we got from Auradon was Ben's proclamation bringing kids off the Isle after all."
"I got Ben to promise that you two and Hadie would be in the next group to be invited off the Isle after his coronation," Mal said after looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was in danger of walking in on them.
"Mal, who would walk in to the kitchen? I'm the only help my mother hires," Uma shook her head.
"Mal…are you serious?" Uma asked in shock.
"As a heart attack," Mal nodded. "I got him to promise me and Ben hardly ever breaks a promise according to Emir and Akiho."
"You really think I'd joke about that Uma?" Mal asked, looking at her cousin.
Ben shook his head. "I don't break my promises."
"Unless they're promises made when you were three," Audrey grumbled.
"And they are…?"
"Ben's best friends and Jay and Carlos' fellow Tourney team mates," Mal explained. "Sons of Aladdin and Anna."
"And some of the best people in the world," Benji said, giving his two best friends (or at least the younger versions of them) a smile.
"Oh I see how it is," Chip teased.
"You did hear me say some right?"
"Hans won't be happy to hear Anna had a kid," Uma smirked in amusement.
"Yes well his continued existence makes me unhappy," Anna muttered.
"Plus I'd rather have my kid, as strange as he is," Kristoff added as Akiho beamed.
"I'm surprised Jay's okay with the son of Aladdin," Harry muttered to himself, crossing his arms slightly.
"Oh now Harry, don't be jealous," Mal teased, looking over at the First Mate with a smirk.
"I remember a time when Harry didn't want Jay in the crew," Uma chuckled.
Mal chuckled. "Emir's alright," she said. "Honestly, he and Akiho are like the Auradon version of you and Jay, Harry, with all the mischief they get into."
Emir and Akiho grinned. "We take that as a compliment!"
"Oh Gods, just one normal brother is that too much to ask for?" Ashaki sighed.
"Um hi," Aziz said, waving his hand.
"Exactly, just one normal brother," Ashaki shook her head.
"Oh Gods, and Boreadon's still standing?" Uma chuckled.
"Just barely but I guarantee it'll fall once Harry joins the madness," Mal told her, chuckling herself.
"They're even talking about bringing about the fall of Auradon and yet these are the people you want in Auradon?!" Leah exclaimed.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll meet you out front co-cap'n," he said, and Mal noticed a slight limp when he walked out of the kitchen.
Milah frowned. "What happened? It wasn't…no it couldn't have been James, Lord Hades and Lady Persephone are looking out for Harry at that point," she muttered to herself.
"How's he been?" Mal asked softly with a small sigh once the door closed.
"He's…it's complicated Mali," Uma said, sighing herself. "Working with Uncle Hades has really helped him but every so often he'll spend the night at Hook's house.
Mal and Jay growled at the thought; Mal's hands curling into fists.
"Mal, we've still got smoke bombs stored around the Isle right?" Jay asked. "Especially around Hook's territory?"
"Oh we've got more than just smoke bombs stored Jay," Mal growled.
Harriet's demented attempt at family bonding no doubt and she's a captain too so he can't say no to her."
"And she's also my sister," Harry said softly, resting his elbows on his thighs as to rest both hands on the back of his neck.
Harriet stared at the scroll, her eyes wide. This was my fault again? Can I never protect my brother?
"Harry, if I try to get you to go to a 'family dinner', you can say no," she said, her voice soft.
Harry shrugged, not wanting to say anything since he wants this part to be over. Uma was right there, she'd seen him be weak enough time. She didn't need to hear it too.
"And staying at Hook's house means staying with Hook," Mal sighed.
"Hook's been okay. As long as he doesn't get any rum."
"There's hardly any rum on the Isle," Hades said. "Only alcohol is whatever Gaston manages to find in the barges since he's too 'manly' to drink water."
"How has he not killed his liver?" Hercules asked.
"Because someone somewhere hates me enough to deem Gaston someone who has earned the right to remain alive," Hades told his nephew.
"There's not usually rum in the delivery barges," Mal stated. "Jay or Henry would have grabbed it if Barbosa's daughter didn't beat them to the punch if a bottle wound up our way."
"And Mal and Uma usually tell us to hide the rum/other form of alcohol since we don't want the under fifteens getting into it," Jay said. "I have a test. If any of the under fifteens can find it after I've hidden it, it's not hidden well enough."
"Jay!" Harry exclaimed.
"Hey, you're our main hiding place checker," Jay said with a shrug. "But the under fifteens in our crew are smart. And I bet them a week's watch shift to see if they can find it."
"Well one did this time," Uma stated. "About two weeks ago and it was a fairly full bottle—maybe three quarters full. I'm guessing someone from Boreadon realized they had a problem and tried to quit cold turkey. Well let's just say Harry tried a few swigs and the crew got to see what a drunk Harry looks like…and so did Hook."
"Harry, don't!" Uma, Mal, Harriet, and Jay all exclaimed at the same time.
"Harrison James, if you ever do a thing like that, I will find a way to haunt you! And then haunt your father for clearly setting a poor example for you three!" Milah exclaimed.
"Harry are you crazy?" CJ exclaimed. "The Captain will kill you for that! And then Harriet will resurrect you and kill you again!"
Harry shrugged. "Life's too short on the. If I wanna drink, then I'll drink," he muttered gruffly as he looked at his sister.
"Don't make me shipwreck you Harrison," Harriet growled, beating Milah to the punch.
Harry looked at her shocked. "Over something that hasn't happened yet?!"
"When it's something that endangers your health or your life, then yes over something that hasn't happened yet!"
Harry shook his head. "It doesn't matter Harriet. It was just a few swigs from thee sound of it. Guess that means I need to up my tolerance levels."
Uma, Jay, and Mal exchanged looks with each other; the look clearly stating 'Hide the Rum'. Even Hades couldn't help but make a mental note to hide any rum he came across.
"…why didn't we catch the rum donation?" Emir asked, looking at Ben.
Benji sighed. "Yeah we didn't know that back then sometimes Auradon's trash got mixed in with the donations."
"…and I can't smite her again why?" Hades growled, glaring at Leah.
"Or introduce her to my dad's friends on the other side?" Celia spoke up.
Uma shook her head. "Okay, we're going to leave threatening the geriatric waste of oxygen to us okay?"
"No!"
"Yep."
"And Harry's still alive?"
"If Harry wasn't alive, then Hook wouldn't be alive as well," Uma growled.
"Hook forgot that Gaston was over with Gil," Uma stated. "Poor Gil tried to pull Hook off of Harry but only earned a hook to his shirt for his trouble. Though Gaston wasn't going to stand for that—Gil might not be his favorite son but he's still a son."
"…I owe my life to Fish for Brains?!" Harry exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "No, I'm sorry but that scroll has to be mistaken! There is no way on Lord Poseidon's blue sea that I would put myself in such a state that Fish for Brains would be the one to save my life!"
He was ignoring the fact that it'd been his father, once again, who put him in such a position. It hurt too much.
"How'd you know about this?"
"CJ told me," Uma said, gathering up the food so Mal could take the bag back. "For a price."
"Of course the Runt couldn't keep her trap shut," Harry muttered as he sat back down. Well more like Harriet pulled him back down.
"Uma should know about that," Harriet told him. "And don't call CJ that!"
"What the Captain decides to do to us is family business Harriet, and I'll call the Runt whatever I'd like!"
Milah frowned as she watched her son and daughter interact, especially as how her youngest seemed to sink deeper into the couch. She really needed to talk to Harry.
"Let me guess, you took her watch shift?"
"It's the only thing I could offer that would get her to spill. She's in Harriet's crew after all. I may be a captain but I'm not her captain."
Uma shrugged. "As mama has said, you can't get something for nothing."
"But didn't they join our crew with the Warf Rats?"
"The Isle's only so big and Harriet's crew is her, Sammy, Jade and CJ," Uma stated. "It made sense for us to join forces."
Harriet nodded. "Safety in numbers after all, plus we'd be a fool not to join considering it's the easiest way to get food on the Isle."
Mal sighed and took the now empty bag, folding it up and sticking it under her arm. "I wonder what Harry hated more—the fact that Hook was Hook again or the fact that Gil technically saved his life."
"I think we're seeing what Harry hates more right now," Mulan said as Harry banged his head on his knees.
"Gods I can't believe I owe Fish for Brains of all people," Harry muttered as he continued to bang his head against his knees.
"Technically you also owe Gaston," Dizzy spoke up. "Since Gaston pulled your dad off of Gil."
"That doesn't help Diz," Hadie said, shaking his head as Harry's head sprung up and he just looked at Dizzy.
"Gil saving his life for sure," Uma nodded. "I know because I was treated to a three hour rant once Harry recovered from his hangover."
"If you needed more proof that Harry hates the fact that Gil saved his life, look no further than exhibit A," Mal said, gesturing to Harry who was still ranting about Gili.
"But if he was unconscious which I'm assuming he was, how would he know?"
"Harriet told him."
Uma looked over at Harriet. "I could have told him…"
"I know you're his captain Uma, but he's my brother," Harriet said, her voice soft. "I think that this falls more under a family matter, making it my responsibility."
"That must have been a fun conversation," Mal sighed. "Well Uma, I should head over to dad's restaurant. If Harry's still limping it'll take us longer and that'll just make Jay worry."
Jay shook his head. "Should Harry even be walking if he's got a limp?"
"Well what do you expect me to do about it? Carry him?" Mal asked. "In case you haven't noticed Jay, he's quite taller than me."
"You admit that you're—!"
"I admit nothing!" Mal said, glaring at Uma who just smirked.
"I've got the Warf Rats patrolling the roofline," Uma told her. "We didn't know you were coming of course but with Harry injured, the last thing we need is for Zevon or Freddy to try to launch a surprise attack."
"Smart," Shang nodded.
"I agree," Phoebus said. "Never let your enemy catch you off guard."
Mal nodded. "You got a spare sword I could borrow? I'm not letting myself go without a weapon."
"Grab one from the sword check," Uma told her. "No one'll miss it and if they do, leave it at the clubhouse and I'll have one of the Rats drop it back off."
"Or that pirate will just steal another off of someone else or get a sword during a schirmish," Lonnie pointed out.
"Will do."
"Take care Mali," Uma said softly.
"Hey, I'll see you soon," Mal told her. "Ben gets coronated after Family Day which is coming up. Actually it's tomorrow."
"How time flies…" Belle whispered, looking over at Ben with a sad smile.
Uma nodded and Mal walked out of the kitchen, catching up to Harry who was waiting by the sword check.
"You ready?" Harry asked.
Mal nodded, grabbing one of the swords and stuck it in her belt. "Now I am. Uma said that Zevon and Freddy were on the prowl."
"Armed and ready," Mal said with a slight smile. She meant it though, she was ready. Let Zevon or Freddy attack, she'd have them tasting steel!
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you, co-cap'n," Harry said as they started making their way toward Hades' restaurant.
"I know," Mal said before pulling Harry into an alley.
"Wha—"
"Mal might not get into trouble but it looks like Harry might be," Chip said with a small smile.
"This is for getting yourself drunk," Mal said, whacking Harry over the head before quickly wrapping him up into a hug, "and this is for not being there for you."
Harry shook his head. "Mal you have your own life to worry about. I don't need coddling."
Harry sighed. "It's fine Mal. Honestly I've given up on the Captain. He likes the girls—Harriet and the runt I mean."
"If you gave up on the Captain, you wouldn't be going to the once a month dinners that were mentioned in the scroll," Harriet softly as she looked at her brother. "You want his approval, Harry. I know you do."
"I don't need it," Harry muttered, looking at his feet as if to avoid looking at Harriet's eyes; he knew his sister could read him better than he could. She'd know he was lying.
Mal sighed. "Harry….and maybe I'm completely off the mark here, but you don't think that your dad treats you the way he does because he's trying to get you to not be like him?"
Harry barked out a sarcastic laugh at that. "Oh yeah, that makes sense."
Milah's heart broke as she heard her son's laugh. James had been a good father…before I died, she thought. This was her fault.
It does make sense in a way, Harriet thought as she bit her lip. But it doesn't excuse what the Captain did.
Harry shook his head and gave a small chuckle. "I think your brain's been melted by the Boreadon sun Mali. The Captain, treating me like a punching bag for twelve years because he doesn't want me to end up like him?"
"What the scroll-me said Mal. That makes no sense," Harry muttered.
"It was just a thought," Mal said softly as they continued on to the restaurant. She couldn't help but think about a conversation she had overheard between her parents the day after they brought Harry to the Underworld when he was nine.
Milah shook her head at the reminder that her husband had injured their son so severely that he wasn't safe at home. "James was like a proud prancing seahorse when Harry was born," she whispered.
"Steph, I don't know what's gotten into Hook," Hades said, taking a sip of his tea. "You know the day I brought Mal home with me, I ran into him and Gaston? He was toasting because Milah had blessed him with a son. I know I'm not the most familiar with what a normal father does considering mine ate me when I was born, but potentially breaking a nine year old's ribs does not say 'blessing' to me."
"No it does not," Eugene said, his voice soft.
"Mortals grieve in different ways Hades," Persephone sighed. "I'm not defending Hook at all but you know he never was the same after Milah died."
James…I know losing me couldn't have been easy but you still have me, Milah thought. You have me with Harriet and her determination to keep her siblings safe. You have me with CJ, she looks so much like me it's scary. And of course you have me with Harry. Every time you look into his eyes, you'll be able to see mine looking back at you.
"There's grieving and then there's whatever this is," Hades told her, shaking his head. "If we still had the inspectors coming, I'd be tempted to slip an anonymous note so someone would get Harry away from Hook."
"So I see you're still taking children from their parents," Zeus muttered.
Hades turned to Zeus and glared. "There is a difference, Zeus, between taking Hercules when he was a baby and getting Harry out of an abusive situation! And by the way, you lost the right to comment about that when you ignored Steph's pleas for help after Mal got kidnapped by Maleficent!"
"You'd separate a chid from his only living parent?"
"If staying there meant the child might wind up a permanent resident of the Underworld? In a heartbeat. Hook's got his beef with Pan and we all know he's not the biggest fan of children but there's a difference between firing a cannon at the Lost Boys and hitting your own son."
"See? You even—."
"I am not judging another child's soul who had done nothing to deserve the Isle in the first place Zeus!" Hades exclaimed and stood up, his blue hair turning orange. "You do not get to judge me for wanting the best for Harry! Especially when his own father doesn't! I didn't spend years picking up the pieces and building Harry back up after Hook did what he did to have you look down your nose at me wanting Harry to be safe! He saved my daughter's life, he's the most loyal kid you'll ever know and he's got the work ethic of a man twice his age! He may not be a God, Zeus, but Harry is family and I'll do my damnedest to make sure that the day I judge Harry's soul is the day his great grandchildren have children!"
"Hades, Hades, it's okay," Persephone said, her voice gentle as she got Hades to calm down.
Harry couldn't help but give Hades a small smile as he heard the God's words. If they were true…they meant more than Hades knew.
"Well he'll be staying here until his ribs recover," Persephone said, trying to look on the positive.
Milah looked over at Persephone and gave her a small smile. "I know I've said this but thank you."
"I personally think he should stay here afterwards too. But Harry would probably argue against it. As long as he's not staying with Hook, I'll be fine."
"Where did you stay before moving in with us?" Hadie asked. "After you left your dad's?"
"Hadie, that's a personal question…" Persephone said but Harry just chuckled.
"Clubhouse and ship mainly," he told the younger boy. "But um…you tell any one of the crew I said this little Lord and I'll deny it but…I kinda missed having my little brother around. The weeks you spent hanging out with me while my ribs healed made the time go by faster."
Hadie grinned. "You may be a pest Harry and you call me by that ridiculous title but you're one of the best brothers I could ask for. You and Jay!"
"Ditto my brother's sentiment," Mal spoke up as she and Uma smiled.
See Harry? You finally got your wish. A brother…and an older brother on top of that. They just didn't come from mom, Harriet thought with a sad smile.
Mal sighed and shook her head slightly. Her dad may have been wicked but he was more of an anti-hero compared to the others on the Isle. If a kid was loyal to Mal, Hades was loyal to the kid—even if they didn't know it.
"Way to hit my rep Mali," Hades said with a small chuckle. "Still…I can appreciate loyalty. It's rare in the world."
Harry opened the door to the restaurant and held it for Mal. "Co-cap'n."
"First mate," Mal chuckled as she walked through. She couldn't help but sigh in relief as she saw Ben and Jay seated at their usual spot.
"You didn't doubt me did you Mal? Your boy's in safe hands," Jay said, shaking his head.
"Mal, who's that with Jay?" Harry muttered. "He looks…familiar."
Hades shook his head. "Like I said, just because he put on a beanie doesn't mean people won't be able to see he's the Crown Prince."
"Not here," Mal hissed and dragged Harry into the pantry for the kitchen once they got into the back.
"Whoa! Mal, all I did was ask a question."
"A potentially dangerous one in the middle of the restaurant which is in neutral territory so anyone could have heard you," Harriet pointed out.
"Harry, I need you to swear that what I'm going to tell you, you won't tell anyone. Even Uma."
"Yeah you know I'm telling Uma. But Uma can keep a secret Mali."
"At least he's honest," Rowyn said with a small chuckle.
Mal sighed. Stupid twiterpated boys, she thought. Uma could bat her eyes and get Harry to do or tell her anything.
"What?! I'm not—the captain—twiterpated?!"
"You know, Malinda there already said you marry Uma," Jay said with a smirk. "Maybe it'd be better to get out of your denial there Harry."
"We're not in denial!" Harry and Uma snapped.
"…the boy with Jay is from Auradon," Mal said finally, figuring telling Harry that much wouldn't put Ben at risk.
"You brought a Boreadon kid here?"
"I know, I'm stunned as well future me," Harry said with a sigh as he shook his head.
"He wanted to see the Isle," Mal said with a shrug and Harry stared at her in shock. "Why does everyone look at me like that when I tell them that? First Jay and now you?"
"Probably because the words 'he wanted to see the Isle' aren't usually used in relation to a Boreadon boy," CJ said, shaking her head.
"Why on Poseidon's blue sea would he want to see the Isle?" Harry asked.
"You'd have to ask him that," Mal said.
"That would be an interesting conversation," Emma chuckled.
"Ask who what? And why are you standing in the pantry, Harry, with my…Mal?"
"You know, if that wasn't Harry, you'd think Lord Hades would have a bit more of an…explosive reaction finding his daughter in a pantry with a boy," Lucas pointed out.
Mal chuckled as her father stared at them in shock. "Hey dad," she said and held up the basket of food. "I brought something for you from Auradon."
"Nice subject change," Alexandria chuckled.
"You didn't steal this food, did you Mal?"
"Don't you know it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, dad?" Mal smirked. "Besides, they've got so much good stuff around there they won't notice some fresh stuff missing."
"The sad thing is it's probably true," Neal said. "I know when I get a study group together with Evan and Phil, we grab a ton of stuff but no one ever makes an announcement about it the next day."
"Are you the reason why there are never any apples at breakfast?" Emma asked.
Neal shrugged. "You're allergic to apples Em. Just doing my brotherly duty by eating all of them as I possibly can."
"You're allergic to…?"
"Yes the irony is so thick it can practically hit you in the face," Emma chuckled, looking over at Evie.
"Uh huh. And is that why Prince Beastie Jr. is in my restaurant?"
"Can't get anything past Uncle Hades it seems," Melody said with a small smile as Ben stared in shock.
Mal stared in shock, thankful for the now empty kitchen. Her dad must have ordered everyone to go on break or something. "How…?"
"Hadie came back here asking why Jay was in the restaurant and why the boy he was with ruffled his hair."
Hadie looked over at Ben, his eyes narrowing slightly. "In the words of Kuzco…no touchy!"
"Dad said you spent about five minutes kvetching about your hair when you saw him," Malinda chuckled. "We missed each other, I brought Harry into the back just as you left with the food dad gave you and Celia."
"Why don't you like it when people ruffle your hair?" Alexandria asked.
"I don't know when or if it's going to flame up," Hadie told her. "Mom and dad are probably the two people I know I'm not going to hurt but saying that on the Isle's kinda a bad idea so I pretend I just don't like it."
Ben, we said no touchy feely stuff! You're lucky it was Hadie and not someone like Zevon or Freddy boy!
"Honestly I'm surprised Jay didn't stop Ben before he did it," Uma said.
"That might look more suspicious than Ben just ruffling Hadie's hair," Jay pointed out. "Like Mal said, it's a good thing it was Hadie and not someone who might actually take offense to that."
"Wait, that's not the Ben who asked you to be his date to coronation, is he?" Harry asked.
"Uma told you, I take it?"
"The captain doesn't keep secrets from her crew."
"No, more like she doesn't keep secrets from you, First Mate 'Yeah you know I'm telling Uma'," Jay teased.
"I'm sorry he what?" Hades asked.
Mal smiled sheepishly. "I take it mom didn't tell you?"
"No, your mother certainly did not!"
"Oh that'll be a fun mirror call," Persephone sighed and shook her head. "I can hear the speech now."
"Dad, it's a long story. The only reason Ben's here anyway is because I told him about your food on our date and he—"
"Your what?!" Harry and Hades exclaimed.
Malinda shook her head. "Honestly, it's really not the end of the world you two."
Mal kicked herself for letting that slip out. "Dad, mom knows all about it. Besides Ben wanted to see the Isle and it's the only time before his coronation we could sneak away."
"Some would say it was also the most dangerous time for you to go to the Isle."
"He's not your boyfriend now is he?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes as he walked out of the pantry.
Benji smiled slightly. "At that exact moment? We didn't have a label on it, I didn't start calling Mal my girlfriend until Family Day, but we were steadily on the way."
"He's the reason you're getting your ass off the Isle, Harry," Mal told him, following him out of the pantry. "Besides, the Isle doesn't do stuff like 'boyfriend girlfriend'."
"Exactly my point!" Mal exclaimed. "Why are you worrying about what he is to me at that moment when you should be thinking about what Benny is to you Harry!"
"Also, language!" Persephone and Jasmine spoke up.
"But I take it Boreadon does?"
Mal shrugged. "He had one when we got there. Sleeping Brat was horrid, the only reason Ben was still with her was because of a betrothal contract he was in. But that is a thing of the past now…and mom's already told me I'm grounded for a week dad."
"Ridiculous," Hades muttered and shook his head.
"I'm adding a week because of this stunt," Hades told her.
Mal sighed. "I'll accept that. It's worth it."
"But go on and join your friends. Jay ordered you your garlic crispy chicken."
Mal nodded and ran out to the front to join Ben and Jay.
"Nice use of the word 'friends' and not 'friend and boyfriend' there Hades," Poseidon said with a chuckle.
"I saw you with Harry," Jay grinned as Mal sat down. "How's our favorite pirate?"
"Your favorite pirate. My favorite's Uma."
"Ah right. So, how's my favorite pirate?"
Harry grinned, all memory of the previous conversation wiped away. "You're my favorite too, Jay!"
"Don't lie," Jay chuckled. "Everyone knows that Uma's your favorite."
"Apparently, he recently discovered the joys of rum and the joys of a hangover." Mal rolled her eyes. "The sooner Harry's off the Isle and away from Hook, the happier I'll be."
Jay shook his head and leaned over to whack Harry over the head. "If you weren't working, I'd be doing that in the scroll I tell you!"
"I'll send the invitations as soon as I can Mal," Ben promised as Jay stared at Mal in shock, clearly not expecting that answer.
"And he did," Malinda said with a smile. "He put his foot down with his council and they were out of there a month after the coronation."
Benji though frowned at the memory of what Mal had to agree to for him to get the council to agree.
Mal nodded. "I know you will," she said softly. "But let's talk about something else."
"It's appreciated Ben, but it's also a hint to who you are. Not the safest thing on the Isle," Mal said.
Thankfully, the food arrived before either one of the boys could say anything and Mal quickly dug into her garlic crispy chicken. Even as she'd grown used to the decedent food Auradon had to offer, there was nothing better than her dad's cooking.
"Dad's still the best!" Hadie said with a grin.
"And don't you forget it," Hades smirked.
"How you like your food Mitchell?" Mal asked after a bit, noticing that Ben seemed to be eating his food rather slowly.
Uma shook her head. "That's going to make him stand out. Even if you go by the story that he's a VK born in Boreadon, eating slowly like that will draw attention."
"It's…interesting," Ben said, searching for a neutral enough word as to not potentially offend Hades if he was listening in.
"Very diplomatic Benji," Chip said with a sad smile.
Mal and Jay exchanged an amused glance. "Mitchell, it's okay," Mal told him gently. "Most of the food's rotten anyway. You won't offend Lord Hades by saying it's off putting."
"Yeah, I don't get offended by facts unlike some of us here," Hades said and glared at Leah.
"Rotten?" Ben asked shocked and Mal shrugged.
"Missing something Mitchell?" Jay asked quickly, changing the subject by waiving Ben's wallet in front of him.
"Your license wasn't in there right?" Malinda asked Benji.
Benji gave her a sheepish smile. "I…I didn't feel right driving without it."
Malinda sighed. "You go to the Isle of the Lost, set up a fake identity and yet you bring the one thing that could confirm you were the Crown Prince and not just some guy who looked like him?"
"You'd better hope your kid gets your common sense Mali," Harry chuckled.
"How'd you get that?! When did you get that?!"
"You're seriously asking Jay that question?" Mal chuckled.
"Jay could steal cheese from a mouse," Carlos said, shaking his head and his voice losing a touch of the normal timidness.
Ben shook his head. "Unless you're offering to pay for lunch, I'd like my wallet back Jay."
"Nah, no one in Mal's crew pays here," Jay chuckled.
"Then why'd you steal my wallet?"
"Because I can," Jay said with a smirk.
"It's an important lesson to know on the Isle. Never lose track of your valuables," Jay said and Ben nodded. Quickly, Ben leaned forward as if to snatch his wallet back but Jay leaned back to get out of reach. However, the older boy was confused by the smirk on Ben's face.
Emir and Akiho leaned forward, curious as to this new development. They never remembered seeing or hearing about Ben smirking.
"Missing something Jay?" Ben asked, holding up Jay's phone. It'd been a gift from their team mates when Jay made the team—Carlos had gotten one too.
"How'd you—?"
Harry burst out laughing. "Oh Gods…Jay, you got pit-pocketed?! And from Benny? The most rule followey guy in Boreadon, it seems?"
"I don't think 'followey' is a word," Ben said, tilting his head.
"Figures that would be what he focuses on," Chip chuckled, shaking his head.
"Emir's been my best friend since I was four, you honestly think he didn't teach me how to swipe things?"
"He finally uses it! Twelve years of teaching and refreshers and he finally uses what I taught him!" Emir said with a grin.
Mal chuckled. "Well now Jay, losing your touch?"
"Beginners' luck," Jay said, shaking his head. "Alright Mitchell, exchange on three?"
"Fair enough," Ben nodded. "One, two, three…"
"Beginner's luck? Are you saying you doubt my teaching skills Jay?" Emir asked in a faux-offended manner.
Both boys handed the swiped item to the other and made sure they were secured in their pockets. Mal quickly got to-go boxes for their lunches.
Harry and Uma nodded. "Good. That food would be gone in a flash if it was left there," Uma said.
"I think we should go," she said softly. "Uma said Zevon and Freddy boy have been patrolling the Isle, and the last thing we'd want is for either of them to realize we were here."
"An excellent idea," Uma, Harry, and Jay said in unison.
"Considering Freddy's obsessed with you and Zevon's got a crush on you, that's a good idea Mal."
"Honestly Jay, Freddy boy is like three years older than me. He's not obsessed with me…and I really can't say what Zevon's deal is but he doesn't have a crush. We don't do that on the Isle remember?"
Jay shook his head. "You may not believe it Mal, but that's what you've got me and Harry around for."
"Mal, if they're that insistent about it…don't you think there could be a grain of truth to it?" Elle asked.
"Well then he's obsessed as well and considering he's the right hand man of the Caster gang, that may be worse," Jay said. "He wouldn't be averse to using a potion on you."
Malinda shook her head as Jay and Harry started to growl. So did Estelle for that matter. "Guys, calm down. He never did, he doesn't have the brains to think of that."
"Half Fae, Jay," Mal said as they left the table. "There's not a lot that can spell us."
"But…if you were adopted by Lady Persephone, wouldn't you be full God?" Jane asked.
Malinda shook her head. "Adopted every way but biologically. Genetically I'm still half Fae even if in all other ways I'm not."
"I was told math wasn't going to be on the test!" Phil Jr. spoke up, causing everyone to chuckle. Well almost everyone.
Mal gave a quick wave to Harry, who had replaced Smee behind the counter, before the three of them walked out.
Harry couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at his lips. "See you guys soon."
"Hang on! Mal, you left without saying bye to me?" Hadie asked. "You could have stopped by the ship!"
Malinda smiled a little. "I may not have been able to see you but you saw me, Jay, and Ben, Hads."
"Mitchell, hold the food," Mal muttered, scanning the area around them. She was the only one with a sword—if she needed to fight, she couldn't be holding the leftovers.
"You give the sword to me and you get out of there," Jay told her.
"I'm not running away from the possibility of a fight," Mal stated. "and I'm co-captain. I don't let others fight my battles for me."
Ben nodded, choosing not to comment about how tense Mal had gotten. The Isle was definitely different than what Ben had thought.
"What were you thinking it was?" Rowyn asked. "After all, you were the one to tell your parents that you thought the kids of the Isle were being left behind."
Rotten food! They'd been eating rotten food! But why? We've been having food donation drives every month since I can remember. Hell, Akiho, Emir and I have been running the drives since we were thirteen! We've been donating food since we were eight! What in the world is going on here?
Jay shook his head. "Keep out of your thoughts especially on the Isle. An ambush could happen at any moment and the last thing you want is to be caught unawares."
"Well, well, well, look who we have here," a new voice broke into Ben's thoughts and he blinked as he saw a rather lean older boy with jet black hair walk up to them. "And I thought the Isle had gone down a witch."
"Oh I know who that is. I don't even need a name," Harry growled. "It'd be too much to hope he would have gotten a sword to the gut after what the Angels pulled in the last face offs, getting our guys with daggers to the gut and chest."
"Don't Harry, not with under fifteens present," Mal said. "CJ and Hadie might know a bit of the comings and goings of the crew, same with Celia, but we're not talking about Rick and Peter."
"…you guys had a pirate who shared the same name as Peter Pan?" Ashaki asked, somehow lifting the somber mood that had fallen upon the VKs.
"Yeah, yeah we did," Hadie chuckled. "How many times did we tease Peter about that?"
"Too many to count," Mal shook her head. "We used to ask him if he was going to go fly if he went up into the crow's nest, remember?"
"So…what happened? Did he join the Angels?" Ben asked.
Mal sighed and looked at him. "Not everyone walks away from a confrontation with the Angels."
That was all she said and yet Ben understood it perfectly.
"Don't get disappointed Freddy, Jay and I aren't here to stay," Mal said, her hand going to her sword. "In fact, we were just leaving."
"Good, get out of there," Demeter said, her hands curling into fists at the idea of Freddy being so close to her granddaughter again. Especially after what he pulled the last time.
"Nice joke Mal but everyone knows there's no way off the Isle," Freddy scoffed and then paused as he realized there was a third person with Mal and Jay.
"You get off the Isle by invitation Freddy so there's no way off for you," Mal taunted.
"Oh ho! Well you're not the pirate…and you're certainly not the other witch. You're too tall to be Hades' spawn, so who are you?"
"None of your business," Mal snapped. "Jay, get him out of here. I'll deal with Freddy."
"Mal, are you crazy?!" Uma exclaimed. "Jay, I swear, if you leave to go anywhere other than the ship to get backup, I'm going to be pissed! And yeah, yeah, I know 'language' Aunt Steph."
"Mal—"
"That's an order Jay," Mal growled. "Go!"
"Do as I say Jay," Mal said, a low growl to her voice. "Ben matters more than I do. I can handle Freddy but if he finds out who Ben is, there won't be a future King for the coronation."
The last thing Mal wanted was for Freddy to realize exactly who Ben was, especially this close to his coronation.
"Or you know, at all," Chip corrected as Belle grabbed Beast's hand and held it tightly in her's.
"Oh, has the Dragon's Spawn finally cast a spell on someone?" Freddy taunted. "I think our new friend should stay. Maybe I could release him from whatever spell you have on him, save him from being damned for all eternity…?"
"No thanks," Benji growled. "Even if I could be spelled, I happen to like being spelled by Mal."
Malinda chuckled and kissed Benji on the cheek. "You know you just gave credence to Queen Bat's argument that you're spelled."
"And you've hung out too much with Chip."
"Hey, he's my brother-in-law."
"Touch him and you'll be eating steel," Mal growled, taking the sword from her belt. "Jay, if you're not gone in five seconds, you're swimming back to Auradon!"
"Stick him in the gut Mal!" Harry snarled, his hands curling into fists.
"You mean Freddy right?" Harriet asked.
"Of course I mean Freddy!"
The footsteps behind her told Mal that Jay had finally followed the order and was finding a new route to the limo. Freddy wasn't armed so all Mal'd have to do is knock him out and she could rejoin the boys.
Jay sighed and shook his head. He knew he had to get Ben out of there but the idea of Mal facing Freddy alone made him sick.
A dagger to her shoulder proved her wrong.
"He's dead!" Harry and Jay exclaimed.
"Oh I hope he enjoys life as a tree!" Demeter growled. "I think Estelle needs a new spot to do his business on!"
"When we get out of here, I'm going to make him wish he never even heard the word 'dagger'," Hades said as he started to pace, his hair once more turning orange.
Mal shook her head, feeling furious at her future self. "He actually hit me?"
"You honestly thought I wasn't armed?" Freddy scoffed. "God, this'll be easier than the time I pushed you into the cove when you were nine. Oh Maleficent made my father's life hell for that but it was worth it…until you showed your face around the Isle the next day."
"Oh what a pleasure to hear that! The only good thing the Dragon did was ruin Frollo's life and make Freddy miserable!" Harry growled.
"Sorry to ruin your murder plot," Mal growled, wincing slightly as the dagger continued to penetrate her skin.
"Wait…that was deliberate?" Ben exclaimed.
Mal shook her head. "He pushed me into the Cove. That seems pretty deliberate to me."
"And you're not going to kill me today either Freddy."
"And why not? You sent your allies off and you've clearly lost your touch if you thought I wasn't armed."
"You're not going to kill me," Malinda said, her hands curling into fists. "I've always bested you Freddy. You may have your Hell fire but it's nothing compared to dragon fire."
"Because Uma's no idiot," another male voice sounded from the roofline. Mal had never been more relieved to see some of the Warf Rats—specifically three.
"If they're the three I'm thinking of, I have to wonder how Derek and Henry let Ryan come with them considering he's under fifteen," Jay said, shaking his head.
"Ryan's been sneaking off the ship and going to scouting runs and face offs more and more," Mal sighed. "He was there when Freddy made that comment about CJ."
"What comment?" Milah asked but no one answered her.
Henry, Derek and Ryan were three close friends and to be honest, Mal saw bits of Ben's friendship with Emir and Akiho in them.
Small smiles graced the lips of the aforementioned three but no one wanted to break the mood by commenting.
They may have started off adversaries to Mal's crew, as the Warf Rats were plotting to steal Triton's trident if they ever got off the Isle.
"Oh yeah, forgot they had wanted to do that," Uma said with a small chuckle.
"Wouldn't do much good, the one in the museum's a fake," Ariel said.
"What?"
"Why would my father willingly give up the source of his control over the oceans?" Ariel asked an outraged Beast. "Honestly, it's not as if anyone could steal it. When it's not in my father's hands, it's in its stand and no one can remove the trident from said stand. No one but my father or one of his descendants."
"…that actually answers a question I had," Melody said softly. She'd wondered why the trident had felt so light when she went to get it during the whole Morgana debacle.
"Tricky, underhanded…I approve," Hades said with a grin. "Poseidon, at least you did okay with one of your kids."
"Thanks…I think," Poseidon said with a slight frown as Persephone shook her head.
Uma may have hated the Atlantician side of her family but they were her family. Only she could mess with them once they got off the Isle. But the promise of free food from Hades' restaurant brought the Rats over to Mal and Uma's side.
Mal grinned. "I have the best dad ever! We got some of the best allies we could ever ask for because of dad's restaurant!"
Once they were on their side, though, the Rats were extremely loyal. More importantly than that, they hated Freddy as much as Mal and Uma did.
"And that is why they are excellent company," Harry said, slightly nodding his head.
"Henry," Freddy growled. "Thought you were more than Uma's lap dog."
"The captain orders you to do something, you do it," Henry snapped, making his way down to Mal and Freddy.
Malinda shook her head. "Being loyal to someone doesn't make them a lap dog. Not that you'd know that Freddy."
"Mal, get out of here. We'll deal with the tool with the Bible shoved up his ass."
"Listen to Henry, Mal, and get your ass out of there!" Jay urged.
Persephone nodded; her hand tightly clutching Hades' forearm in sheer terror. In her worry for Mal, she didn't even notice Jay's language.
"How do you—"
"Some of the pirates are Frollo's disciples," Ryan said as he and Derek also made their way down to the ground. "All our parents were members of Hook's crew after all."
"Oh yeah," Harry nodded. "The Captain did have a period where he'd do nothing but rant about Frollo since Frollo poached some disciples from the crew of the Jolly Rodger."
"Like father, like son I guess," Harriet shook her head. "After all, it's not like Freddy could get anyone to follow him who wasn't a Rat prior to being an Angel."
"Well other than his sister," Jay pointed out.
"Go, Mal!" Derek urged.
Mal nodded, dropping her sword as she sprinted away from the brewing fight. While she'd kick herself from running away from Frollo of all people, it was better to live to fight another day. She would not die on the Isle.
"You will not die ever," Hades and Persephone corrected.
"What happened to you?" Jay asked as Mal met them at the limo.
"Never mind that, go go go!" Mal urged. "Drive now, ask questions later! Details to follow!"
"Some things never change," Audie whispered, thinking about the third viewing and how Jay had responded to Ben's questions the same way.
"Mal, Ben's the one driving," Jay stated as he climbed into the back with her. "Let me take a look at that shoulder."
Mal winced. "It's shallow. Freddy must have not wanted to hit me—either that or his aim was off."
"The day Freddy doesn't want to hit Mal with a dagger is the day he dresses in drag and does the hula," Uma growled, her hands curling into fists.
"Knowing Freddy, his aim was probably off," Jay said. "I'm going to yank this out now so we don't cause a panic at school with you having a dagger sticking out of your shoulder."
"That's probably a smart idea," Eric said with a small sigh.
Mal nodded and didn't even wince as Jay removed the dagger. "I'll kill him."
"Because he put a hole in your jacket?"
"Seriously Jay? You know we've got a list a mile long of reasons why Freddy deserves to be an ex-person," Mal shook her head.
"He bested me in a fight Jay," Mal growled. "I can handle losing to you or Harry, hell most of the time I lose to Uma. But I do not lose to Freddy boy. When we get back to Auradon, we're sparring because clearly I've lost my touch!"
"You are doing no such thing young lady!" Persephone exclaimed. "When you get back, you are going to the nurse!"
"And what's she going to do about a dagger wound, mom?" Mal asked.
"Doesn't matter. You have access to a medical system, you're going to use it."
"When we get back to Auradon, you're going to see the nurse," Ben corrected, looking at Mal through the rearview mirror amidst the glow of the bridge. Mal could see the worry shining through Ben's eyes.
Malinda smiled softly and took Benji's hand. "I was fine."
"You didn't know that back then," Benji said as he looked at her. "Mal…what if his aim had been better? Or lower?"
Benji rested a hand on Malinda's slightly protruding stomach, smiling slightly at the kick he felt. It was if his little firefly was telling him he was worrying too much.
"Ben, the dagger did more to damage my jacket than my shoulder."
"Don't care. You're seeing the nurse. I don't want you dealing with an injury that might get worse without medical help."
"I'm a Godling though." Mal said with a small shrug.
Mal shrugged. "Ben you just saw the Isle. Did you see anything that looked like it might be a hospital? Most of us kids are pretty used to being our own doctors…but if it'll make you feel better, I'll go."
"Maybe so but you don't have to be your own doctors now," Benji said, looking over at Malinda. "And again, this is why I want our firefly delivered in a hospital."
"Mom delivered Hadie at home, if it was good enough for her on the Isle then delivering in the castle is good enough for me," Malinda said simply, as if they'd had that discussion a time or twenty.
"Thank you," Ben sighed. As did Mal. She definitely wasn't looking forward to the first doctor visit of her life. And right before Family Day too—Steph would spend the day mother henning her, Mal could guarantee it.
"I have every right to fuss, Malinda!" Persephone said.
Ashaki spoke up. "That's the end of the scroll. Who wants to read next?"
"I'll read," Aurora offered and took one of the scrolls.