Chapter Sixty Four
A/:N I do not own anything with the exceptions of my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Well we've finally arrived! The chapter I think everyone was waiting on—the trial of one Beauty Matriarch from Hell! Or at least the trial in the scrolls—Leah's already had her trial (see chapter 23 if you want to re-read).
I'm not going to lie, it feels a little weird being in a world without the Watch and Learn series. Then again, it did span four years of my life so maybe that's why—but at least I've got this and the Choosing series and Small Twists of Fate and another story that I'm working on right now (title to be determined).
a-person-on-the-internet-75: Another amazing one-shot! I may not end up using this for this story (even if I'm sorely tempted, there's just too many people reading right now) but I loved reading it!
Katt Kiki: Yeah, there's definitely a lot more heartbreak and drama coming.
Rewind: That definitely makes sense! But with all the people already present to read, I just don't see how I could bring in a young Freddy without him getting lost in the shuffle.
61394: And I have a feeling we're all waiting for that to happen!
Urmimala Hazra: Might I suggest you read LotusQuil's Adventures in Auradon? They've got a great chapter that has Leah's punishment in there. Highly recommend it!
Guest: Okay, so not going to lie, the complaints on Ben's wardrobe kinda come from a personal nature. See in the first Descendants movie, there's only four times where you see Ben not wearing a suit. And it'd be fine if there'd been something that established that it was his choice however in the second movie, you see him wearing a more dressed down look for his date with Mal. Meaning there's something forcing that sixteen year old to wear suits constantly (and even when he's with other royals, they weren't wearing suits or dresses, just preppy everyday wear). Just…let the sixteen year old be a sixteen year old! But I'll try to tone them down!
PrinceDefense: Look Snow White is one of my least favorite Disney animated Princess movies anyway (her voice makes me want to cut off my own ears) but if they're going to have a good bye kiss, maybe they could have interacted more than once? *looks at OUAT's Snow and Charming* see, you guys did it right. Also, she's fourteen. I do agree with you on Kit and Ella though I think Kitty was just teasing her father there. Lol, yeah, Aladdin messed up with that—he could have come clean once Jasmine realized it was him, he could have freed the genie and then Jafar wouldn't have had power.
Marcus Emrys: Aww! Storytime with Belle would be cute! I know in Auradon she has a book club so maybe she could do that with the younger kids too.
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Oh yeah, she'll get her just desserts and we will all rejoice! Honestly I'm surprised Mal didn't burst into a dragon for all of Descendants 2 really (side note, what if the movie was instead Mal randomly transforming whenever her power surges came and then the climax was her truly controlling her powers). Lol tick tock Leah!
Unknown Person67: I mean I'll definitely keep it as a possibility for potential pairings but there are some things that are locked in stone :D Maybe if I want to branch out in other stories I'll try doing an Alex/Evan or Alex/Herkie story. And yeah, Rodger and Anita aren't there because they barely interact with the story—maybe if some people leave they might find a way to come in.
JaclynnM: Oh yeah, she's definitely going to be ripped to pieces! And yep, this is that story. Guess Chad's going to feel really ridiculous when they get to that part!
danifan3000: I…I never thought about it like that. But I think you're right!
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Chip and Hades have already read though :D The people who haven't read yet are Harry, Zeus, Demeter, Alexandria, Phil Jr., Audrey, Leah, Ariel, Eric, Jane, Hercules, Emma, David, Jasmine, Kristoff, Evie, CJ, Eugene, Rachel, Rose, Ruby, Evan, Mulan, Shang, Lil Shang, Smee, Sammy, Squeaky, Squirmy, Elsa, and Henry.
Lord of the A.U. FanFiction: Nope, didn't forget! :D
The Cristian Dino: You are very welcome! I'll definitely check out your story on Wattpad! If you've got the same user name there as you do here, I'll go ahead and follow you so I'll get notified when the store's posted :D
LotusQuil: Probably one of the best chapters there is! And who can resist some Elsa and Ben smack down? :D Oh trust me, I can relate to Akiho too (especially middle school homework, why did we have to have that much? Why?). And of course Hades is impatient to collect! :D
Filipinagirl04: I couldn't resist slipping in a reference to that phandom especially since they're both made by Kenny Ortega. Never apologize for corniness! And it's not solely a Julie and the Phantoms fic but I did write a one shot called The Kenny Ortega Leading Men's Game of Go Fish or something to that effect if you want to check it out!
Hufflepuff24: Yeah Leah's still unconscious…but not for long! :D
Guest: Oh I loved this little one-shot! Plus I love the idea that Triton tried dating again after Ariel married, I think he definitely deserves love after all!
twilightgirl587: Never forget the smeelings! And yeah that was my favorite part of Frozen 2, Olaf and Matthias' reactions! Honestly I think if Disney wanted to slip Matthias into the Olaf recaps of their other movies, it would make it perfect. I now have a need to write a one shot where Ben has guards and they just tackle Akiho or Emir for every time they just walk into his office. My brain is strange. Lol
smc-smfan1: Glad you liked the chapter! I think Leah will be bright eyed and bushy tailed for this chapter!
jedblack1997: If people believe in them, they exist!
IWantColouredRain: So glad you liked the chapter!
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
"Wait…before we read, should we maybe wake up Leah?" David asked as Milah grabbed one of the scrolls.
Audie smirked. "Leave that to me," she said. After all, she'd been getting the memories of what was happening in her timeline and she knew just what to say to wake up her drama queen of a grandmother.
"Mal and Ben have three children together in my timeline. Oh, and I marry the son of the Captain of Charmington's guards and have two amazing sons," she whispered in Leah's ear.
"What?"
"Oh shame, she's alive," Harriet said, her voice flat as Leah awoke.
"Be nice Harriet," Milah warned even as a chuckle escaped her lips.
"Yeah that's not happening. Not to her," Harriet shook her head.
Ben, Mal and Akiho made their way to the council room where Leah's fate would be decided.
"My fate? What could they possibly mean by that?"
"Oh right, you were passed out," Phil Jr. said. "They found out in the scrolls that you were the one making it so that the Isle had rotten food all the time. So your scroll-self is likely about to receive the same punishment you did, grandmother."
"At least she didn't pass out again," Phillip muttered as Leah stared in shock.
After all, once the council heard everything that Leah had done, they would have to vote to change it. To make everything better for people on the Isle. Right?
"And if they don't, they're as heartless as she is," Lil Shang muttered.
Akiho wasn't exactly thrilled at the fact that there was a lingering sensation of doubt in his mind about Leah's fate.
"Don't tell me you don't have faith in me," Benji said, turning to Akiho.
"Of course not! I always have faith in you Ben," Akiho told him. "But Leah's snaked her way out of trouble before. It's her I don't trust."
"Maybe it's less that Akiho doesn't have faith in Ben and more like he doesn't have faith in the council?" Emir asked.
Elsa sighed. "Sadly I can see why he doesn't…the council doesn't exactly have the best track record for doing their jobs in matters that concern the Isle. He probably thinks we'll just brush it off."
After all, while she only had the two official cronies, Leah was still good at twisting words and crafting a decent argument. She wasn't considered the Queen of Stonewalling by his Aunt Elsa for nothing.
"How dare you!"
"It's the truth Leah," Elsa told her. "Only you could turn a thirty minute meeting into a four hour grind."
But Ben's no slouch when it comes to crafting a decent argument either, he thought as the trio reached the council room. I mean, with all the time he spends with his nose in a book, he'd better be.
"I will take that as a compliment," Benji said with a small chuckle.
"I'm sure I meant it as one," Akiho nodded.
"Akiho?"
His aunt's voice brought the blond out of his thoughts and Akiho smiled at seeing her. Granted, it hadn't been that long since he'd last seen his aunt but that didn't change the fact that he was always happy to see her.
"And I am always happy to see you as well," Elsa told him. "Though I'm sure my scroll-self is worried considering you've never sat in on a council session before."
"That…is a good point. I probably should have warned Queen Elsa about guests," Benji said.
"Hey Aunt Elsa," Akiho said, walking up and giving her a hug, earning a smile and a hug back from her.
Anna couldn't help but smile as she heard that, both pride and sadness visible in the smile. She remembered how Elsa used to be so scared to have any contact, because of how little she had control over her powers and didn't want to hurt anyone, that she never hugged anyone.
But now…now she did it without a thought.
He also earned an eye roll and a sigh of annoyance from Leah as she passed them but Akiho paid her no mind. Hopefully, it was the last time Leah would step foot in this room. At least, as a member of Ben's council.
Anna shook her head. "Oh yes because an aunt and nephew hugging is so annoying."
"It's because Leah doesn't understand the concept of love and affection," Chip said. "She's got a black hole where her heart should be."
Belle sighed. "Don't make me ground you."
"I'm twenty five!"
"What are you doing here?" Elsa asked as she broke from the hug and looked down at her nephew.
"Don't they go to school there?" Chip asked.
"His majesty invited me," Akiho stated. He knew Ben would hate it but that was the rule of the council, formality at all times. Even if you weren't on the council.
Benji shook his head. "I hate that," he muttered.
"Don't worry Aunt Elsa…err sorry Queen Elsa. You're still the representative for Arendelle."
"I don't care about that, Akiho," Elsa said. "Though you would be rather young to be a representative."
"I was more worried that you were in some sort of trouble," Elsa told him. "King Ben wasn't really all that detailed when he stated that there was an emergency council meeting to attend."
"Aunt Elsa!" Akiho exclaimed. "What sort of trouble do you think I could get in that would require Ben to call a council meeting? For little old me? I'm both proud and offended you would think that of me!"
"I can understand offended…but proud?" Abby asked.
"Probably because Emir's not there," Ashaki said. "It makes sense that he'd be proud Queen Elsa would think Akiho capable of getting into council worthy trouble by himself."
"Trust me, the meeting is in no way regarding me," Akiho said. "But we should probably be seated. I think his majesty is ready to get started."
"The sooner you get started, the sooner it's all out in the open and changes can be made," Henry said. He'd been trying his best to stay calm even as his thoughts raged.
He'd lost friends, lost his mother because of the food quality of the Isle! And unlike Harry, Henry hadn't had a family to fall back on since his 'father' denied he had helped create Henry.
It wasn't until he joined the Rats that Henry had been able to get any sense of family.
"Yes, thank you Prince Akiho," Ben stated from his spot at the center of the table. Mal had taken the spot next to him, as both her status as his girlfriend and as his invited guest allowed.
"It won't be long before she's sitting right next to me in the Queen's council spot," Benji said.
Akiho quickly took the spot next to his aunt, as normally every council member was allowed one guest if one was needed.
"You know, the council should really bring guests more often," Belle said. "It'll make the transition easier for the heirs if they already know what's going on."
I probably should attend some more of Ben's council meetings, Akiho thought. At some point, it'll be me on the throne of Arendelle but before then, I should at least know what goes on here beyond what Aunt Elsa rants about at the castle.
"You know that's not a bad idea," Anna said. "For all the heirs in fact. It certainly can't hurt to have them attend a council meeting to understand everything that goes on in the kingdom."
"Excuse me King Ben but the council room is normally for council members only," Leah spoke up. Akiho could only assume that she had also noticed Mal's presence in the room. "I'm not sure if the presence of others is all that appropriate."
"And why is it any of your concern?" Chip asked. "They're clearly wanted there and are there by invitation."
"Normally you'd be correct Queen Leah," Ben said and Akiho had to wonder how much it hurt his best friend to have to say those words, "but Lady Mal is here not only as my invited guest but as a representative of the Isle. The issue I've convened you all here today pertains to the Isle and I believe that it's time they have a voice that has long been denied them."
"Maybe Aunt Ana could be brought over to represent the Isle?" Dizzy suggested. "That way Mal doesn't always have to do it?"
Jay nodded. "Anastasia may not have as high a rank as Mal does but Mal's got enough on her plate without worrying that she needs to represent the Isle as well."
"Regardless, I'd like to get Anastasia off the Isles anyway. She deserves her happiness after all," Cinderella said.
Leah pursed her lips. "I see. Well then, there's really no business for the young Arendelle Prince to be here then is there?"
Audie shook her head. "He's the heir to his parents' throne. Shouldn't he have knowledge of 'matters of state' like council meetings?"
"Prince Akiho is here as my invited guest, Queen Leah," Elsa stated, her voice cool yet firm as she stared at the aged monarch. "As council members, we're permitted to bring whomever we want as our guests. You said it yourself, Prince Akiho is Arendelle's prince. It's important he knows exactly what goes on at these meetings for when the time comes when he needs to take up the mantle of King of Arendelle. As I'm sure you'll be doing with Princess Audrey and Prince Phillip Jr when the time comes?"
"Exactly my point," Audie nodded.
"Why would I? After all, Audrey won't need to trouble herself with this when she's Queen and Phillip won't need to deal with this at all," Leah said, sounding as if Phillip Jr. was a mere afterthought.
Knowing her I probably am, Phil Jr thought.
Though, knowing Leah, Phillip Jr. probably is an afterthought, Akiho thought.
"How she can call herself a grandmother with that kind of mentality is beyond me," Hera shook her head.
Demeter nodded. "A good grandmother doesn't play favorites."
"Then again, a good grandmother doesn't try to kill an Isle of children just for being born to people she doesn't like," Poseidon added.
Everyone knows that Audrey is Leah's favorite. Even Audrey has no qualms in admitting that though I assume she at least loves her brother.
Sometimes I have to question if she does, Phil Jr. thought, lightly biting his lip.
"I really don't see how Audrey is any of your concern," Leah continued, still looking at Elsa. "After all, as a former Queen, I don't see how any of the ruling families are any of your concern."
"Frankly with how you act, I'd say Audrey is the concern of anyone but you," Chip shook his head.
Audrey blinked. "Did you—?"
"I know, it startled me too. I won't make a habit of it."
That's what you think, Audie and Lucas both thought.
"That's enough. I appreciate your concern Queen Leah but now is not the time to get into that," Ben said firmly, suppressing the urge to snap as he looked over at his best friend. Akiho was glaring at Leah so hard, Ben honestly thought that the aged Queen would burst into flames.
"That would be ironic," Abby chuckled. "The nephew of the Queen with ice powers getting fire powers."
"He's already destructive enough, don't give him any ideas," Ben shook his head.
"Agreed King Ben," Elsa nodded, subtly resting a hand on Akiho's shoulder as if to remind him not to act.
Akiho shot a glare at Leah before sighing softly and shaking his head. "I know, Aunt Elsa. I won't act."
The council quickly got seated in their respective seats.
"Thank you all for coming. I apologize for calling you all here so abruptly however there is something rather important that needs to be discussed," Ben stated. "The issue pertains to the food deliveries that are making their way to the Isle of the Lost every month."
"Here we go," Milah said softly.
"What is the issue King Ben?" Aladdin asked as he leaned forward slightly.
"You're not going to like it," Aladdin muttered.
"The issue, Sultan Aladdin, is that most of the food the Isle receives is rotten and furthermore, the issue seems to have been going on for the past nineteen years," Ben told him and most of the council gasped in shock and horror.
"Nineteen years, that's despicable!" Jasmine muttered.
"Oh my!" Snow White exclaimed, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Even Beast seemed to lean forward with concern on his face.
Eugene shook his head. "We have no right to be that shocked when we could have checked."
Even though he was no longer king, Ben had invited him to attend as this debacle had occurred during his father's reign. If anyone had any questions about how this had been permitted to occur, Beast would be able to answer them with more clarity than Ben would have.
"Smart," Uma nodded. "The last thing you need is to be tripped up and stall because you don't know an answer."
"Now this issue came to my attention prior to my coronation and I meant for it to be an issue I addressed on day one. Regretfully, with everything that occurred at Family Day and at my coronation, the matter of the food slipped my mind," Ben said, looking over at Mal with an apologetic expression on his face.
Mal sighed. "Ben, don't apologize. As has been pointed out, I could have reminded you."
"Your highness, excuse me," Beast spoke up. "But if you don't mind my asking, how did the issue come to your attention?"
Abby winced slightly. "That answer might not go down well."
"That would be my doing, King Beast," Mal spoke up. "His majesty wanted to see the Isle and try some of the food at my father's restaurant."
"How weird was it to have to call your boyfriend 'his majesty'?" Rowyn asked, looking at Malinda.
"Very," Malinda chuckled.
"Hades has a restaurant?" Zeus spoke up, sounding intrigued or at least curious as to the fact that his older brother had set up a restaurant on the Isle of the Lost.
"I'm sorry, but that's what you decide to focus on?" Poseidon asked, looking over at Zeus.
Maybe it was a trick of the light but Akiho could have sworn Mal's back stiffened as the King of the Gods spoke.
"It probably did," Hadie muttered.
"Yes. He does," Mal responded, her voice as cool as Elsa's had been when speaking to Leah before taking a breath and forcing her voice back to its normal tone as she continued to explain. "His majesty was disguised, the only one who recognized him was my father and he only said anything to me when we were in private."
"Not to be that person but…how much of that was down to luck?" Rachel asked. "There're pictures of King Beast all over the Isle, Ben's on TV every other day. Realistically someone should have recognized him."
"And how do we know that Lord Hades didn't purposefully feed his majesty rotten food, as a way to get revenge on King Beast?" Leah asked.
"Because I was also feeding it to my daughter," Hades growled out.
Gods damn her, I hate the fact that she has a point, Akiho thought.
"No, scroll-self, she does not," Akiho shook his head. "Because as Lord Hades just pointed out, Mal was also eating the food. And so was Jay for that matter!"
"Thank you for remembering me!" Jay chuckled.
"Queen Leah, I do hope you're not implying that my father would kill King Ben or make him seriously ill just as a way to potentially get revenge on Former King Beast?" Mal asked, her voice just as cool as it had been when she was addressing Zeus.
Hades shook his head. "As surprising as it might be to some nowadays I don't take revenge out on the kids."
"Considering the fact that he kidnapped and tried to kill his own nephew—!"
"And he's paid for that fact ten times by now!" Mal said with a small growl.
"And we are not here to discuss Lord Hades' crimes," Ben spoke up as he saw Zeus' eyes darken at the reminder of Hades' past actions. "We are here to discuss the fact that Auradon citizens have not been getting a basic human right to edible food."
Persephone sighed. "Thank you Prince Ben. At least there's someone there who'll keep the conversation on track."
"Auradon citizens? They're prisoners," Leah scoffed. "Have you all forgotten the crimes they committed against us? Against our children?"
"For the last time, the Isle is considered part of the nineteen sections of Auradon," Benji said, his voice firm. "Therefore, the people of the Isle are citizens of Auradon and should be granted the same rights as those on the mainland."
"Queen Leah, are you implying that people of a certain status in life should not be able to get edible food?" Aladdin asked, his voice hard as he glared slightly at the Queen of Auroria. "Or are you saying that they should be grateful they were getting any food at all?"
"That's probably exactly what she's implying," Emir muttered.
"How can we be certain that the status of the food is really that of which King Ben is describing?" Leah asked.
"Have you ever known Ben to lie about something?" Lonnie asked.
"Queen Leah, are you really implying that King Ben is lying about this?" Mal exclaimed, looking at the geriatric old bat in shock. "I saw him eat the food. I saw him spend about five minutes try to search for a word that would compliment my father's cooking without sounding like he was insulting it."
"Riiight. When does Ben ever lie?" Abby said, shaking her head before glaring at Leah.
"I have to say, judging by Queen Leah's reaction to this, one almost has to wonder if she knew this was happening," Eugene said.
"And there it is, the heart of the matter," Rapunzel said, her voice soft.
"How dare you! Accusing me of that without any proof!"
"You really think Ben would come after you with an accusation this serious if he had no proof?" Malinda asked. "So you think he's stupid as well as a liar then."
Harry nodded as he glared over at Leah. "You know they'll present the tapes just like they did here. Meaning we all know there's proof even if our scroll-selves don't just yet."
"It just so happens, Queen Leah, that we do have proof that has been graciously provided by the Arendelle security team and the prince of Arendelle," Ben stated and began to pull up the clips that Akiho had sent him using the computer and the new projector that had been installed in the council room.
"Thank you Akiho! Thank you mom for that matter!" Benji said with a small smile.
It had been on the behest of Belle and Ben hadn't been more thankful.
Belle shook her head. "I merely thought Ben would want to run a council with upgraded equipment. I didn't think it would be necessary so soon though."
Otherwise, the only other option they would have had would have been a film reel and there'd have been no way to show the clips on that. Not unless Carlos had been able to update it somehow.
Carlos perked up. "Can I still find a way to update it? I know we've already sentenced Leah and all but can I?"
"Sure," Ben nodded. "Knock yourself out."
"It's like looking at a kid in a candy store," Emma muttered to Neal as Carlos' grin grew.
Having already seen the clips, Ben elected to watch the faces of those on the council. There were the expected expressions of shock, some horror and three expressions of complete fury from Aladdin, Eugene and Captain Phoebus much to Ben's surprise.
"Why should my fury be surprising?" Phoebus asked.
Then again, considering who his wife was, maybe it shouldn't have been that surprising. After all, no one would understand the horror of persecuting children just for the fact that they were born on the Isle like someone who's wife had been persecuted for who she was.
"Exactly," Phoebus nodded. "Of course I'm furious! No one, no matter what status, deserves this!"
"Queen Leah, as you can be clearly seen in the clips, there is a clear implication that you are involved in this matter," Ben stated. "Do you have anything to say for yourself or any defense for your actions?"
"How can she? What defense is there for something like this?" Eric asked.
Though I'm not entirely sure how you could have a defense for this, Ben thought as he looked at the woman who would have been his grandmother-in-law had it not been for Mal and his friends getting him out of that contract.
"There wasn't one," Benji said, his voice low.
Ben would forever be thankful for Mal's love potion cookie. Oh and the fact that he wasn't able to be love spelled.
Malinda sighed. "As I've said before, I didn't want to do it…but I'll never be sorry that I did."
"Your majesty, I would like to make it known that I believe these clips to be altered," Leah stated.
"How? Michael has nothing to gain from that," Akiho said.
"There's no proof that it is actually me that you see on those tapes. What's more is are we all forgetting that we have children of villains here that are adapt at shape shifting?"
Mal rolled her eyes. "You win no prizes for guessing who she's trying to accuse with that line."
"Yeah, she's not the most subtle there," Malinda shook her head.
"That has got to be the least subtle reference to me you could have possibly made, Queen Leah," Mal stated dryly. "Why yes, I am adapt at shape shifting. I get the ability from my father, and can only transform into a dragon. You might as well accuse Lord Zeus of framing you because he once transformed into a swan."
"Shapeshifting into a human is one of the hardest forms of shapeshifting there is," Zeus said. "I don't think young Mal has had enough experience with her magic to frame you then even if she wasn't on the Isle while all of this was going on."
"Furthermore,Queen Leah, do you have any proof that the tapes are altered?" Ben asked, looking over at Leah. "As well, while that may be a possible defense for the clip from today, there are clips dated from before the 'children of villains' as you called them arrived in Auradon."
Jay nodded. "Exactly! She's trying to claim that she's a scapegoat but all she's doing is trying to turn us into the scapegoats!"
"I just find it interesting that Ben isn't—."
"That's Prince Ben to you Leah," Belle said firmly. "And if you hadn't been passed out the entire time, you'd know Ben had done an investigation!"
"Sire, do we have any proof that the tapes haven't been altered?" Leah asked.
"Why isn't DeVil there?" Uma asked. "He could talk about the VHS lines like he did when Former Queen Shrieky here tried to argue that the tapes were faked. Remember? When we had the trial before Harry's mom came?"
"After all, anyone of those VKs could be trying to frame me. They've already managed to ruin Audrey's life by messing with her engagement to you."
"I'm sorry but I seem to have missed the moment when Ben formally proposed to Audrey!" Chip exclaimed. "They were never engaged!"
"Queen Leah, in order to get access to these tapes, you have to have access to the camera room which is monitored by the kingdom of Arendelle. None of the VKs in question have that. As well you've yet to provide any explanation as to why you're appearing in these clips, giving what appears to be a sizable amount of money to the head guard of the ship to the Isle." Ben said firmly. "Furthermore, I'd like to you refrain from mentioning my betrothal contract with Princess Audrey as this is neither the time nor the place to discuss such matters."
"And again, Arendelle has nothing to gain from deposing Leah," Anna stated.
Besides a lack of headaches every council meeting, Elsa thought.
Akiho once again bit his lip to prevent a smirk from appearing on his face as every council member turned to look at Leah.
"Have to say dude, I'm impressed with your control," Emir said.
Emir is going to be so upset that he missed this, he thought as Aladdin and Eugene gave the geriatric old bat a glare.
"Hey that's right! Where am I? I can't be at R.O.A.R. practice because Akiho's on the team with me!" Emir exclaimed.
Subtly slipping out his phone, the Arendelle prince began to record what was left of the session. He'd delete the footage later, once he showed Emir.
"You've just guaranteed that the entire school'll know by the end of the day," Ben sighed and shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Emir asked.
"You told Ashaki," Benji told him.
"Oh."
"Forgive me Queen Leah but it almost sounds like you're accusing the Arendelle security team of corruption," Elsa spoke up, her tone cool.
"You know the temperature in that room just got a lot colder," Kristoff muttered.
"Not at all Former Queen Elsa," Leah said in a faux sweet tone that didn't fool anyone who actually listened to it.
"She's more of a Queen than you, former or not," Akiho muttered.
Elsa shook her head. "Don't rise to the bait. If making sure Arendelle is in good hands with a Queen who'll care for the people is an insult to her, then that's her problem."
"All the same Elsa, let me be clear that there is nothing former about your title. Arendelle will always recognize you as Queen, even if you gave it to me. I see nothing wrong with having two Queens anyway."
"Don't say a word mother," Aurora said, glaring slightly at Leah who'd opened her mouth.
"I just want to make sure all avenues have been covered in the investigation. If there was one in the first place. After all, from my understanding it was King Ben's best friend who had provided him the footage. A friend who has been known to be very vocal against his relationship with Audrey and therefore against my family."
Kristoff shook his head. "Whether Akiho is Ben's best friend or not, it has no bearing on this case. Any decent person would have gotten him that footage."
Elsa rested a hand on Akiho's shoulder and the blond knew exactly what his aunt was silently saying: in this instance, the old motto of conceal don't feel rang true.
"Why does he have to hold back? Leah's certainly not!" Celia muttered.
If he shouted at Leah or even tried to speak up against her lies and slander, she may appear as the injured party and he would come across as an impulsive child.
Gods, he hated the machinations of royal life!
Benji gave the younger version of his best friend a small smile. "I was so proud of you in that moment. I know how hard that had to be."
"You can have the footage checked by whoever you'd like Queen Leah. I can assure you though it is genuine," Ben said, his tone hardening slightly. "As well, Prince Akiho would not tamper with an investigation just to make it appear as if you are the guilty party."
"As has been repeated multiple times, what would Akiho or Arendelle gain from faking the footage?"
"My removal from my rightful title and the humiliation of my family!"
Elsa stared at Leah. "I'm sorry, have you confused my family with that of Weaselton's?"
"Queen Leah, I agree with King Ben," Elsa stated, though the tone of her voice made it clear that she wasn't thrilled with having to addressed Leah by her title, especially seeing as the later had reminded everyone in the room that Elsa was no longer a queen.
"Well with the way things are going, Elsa, it'll be the last time you'll have to."
"Can you provide an explanation? Preferably one without defaming and slandering my nephew?"
"You know, that could be yet another charge brought against her," Zeus pointed out.
Jasmine nodded. "Slandering a royal heir is an offense. A civil one but an offense nonetheless."
Leah remained silent, though Ben couldn't help but wonder how. Leah was one of the council members who had made stonewalling an art form. Though Ben had to admit, even he would be drawn to silence with Elsa staring him down the way she was staring down Leah.
"It's not often that Elsa makes someone sweat but when she does, you know you're in trouble," Kristoff shook his head.
That was on top of the glares coming from Eugene and Aladdin.
"We will take that as a compliment," Eugene said as Aladdin nodded.
"Queen Leah, by not issuing an explanation, it's clear to me that you are the one behind the delays," Ben stated, drawing attention back to him. "Do you have anything to say to defend yourself?"
Benji sighed and shook his head. "It was times like this one where I hated protocol."
"Oh honestly," Leah scoffed. "You're acting—."
"You're. On. The. Tapes," Benji growled out. "If you can't see that it's obvious you're guilty, then I have to worry about you."
"I fail to see what the problem is," Leah stated, somehow keeping her holier than thou attitude despite clearly being in the wrong.
Aurora stared at her mother in shock. "You…you don't see the problem? Problem? People, kids, some who had barely begun to live, died because of your actions and you fail to see the problem?"
"They got food, what does it matter what the condition of it was? As well they weren't forced into eating the food."
"If it's the only option for food, then yes, we were forced into eating it," Harriet said, glaring at Leah.
"Queen Leah, yes we got food but eating it was not exactly a choice," Mal stated.
"Lady Mal—"
"King Ben, you brought me here to be a representative for the Isle," Mal said, turning to face Ben and her expression turned into a more gentle one as her tone changed as well. "Let me do that."
Malinda nodded. "Ben…I know it's got to be hard but I need to do this."
Ben sighed but nodded his head as Mal turned back to face Leah. Akiho couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he saw Mal's shine bright green once more.
"Mal…believe me I know how tempting it would be but don't eat her," Akiho said.
If Mal turned into a dragon, Leah might be able to argue against her. After all, King Beast was in attendance and he was notorious for his stance on magic.
"However, Adam wasn't on the council and therefore wouldn't have a vote," Malinda said. "Though I will admit, it took all my willpower not to dragon up right then and there."
"Queen Leah, as I was saying, eating the food we received from Auradon was not a choice when there weren't many options at our disposal," Mal stated, her voice staying oddly calm and collected considering the last time Akiho heard her talk about the Isle, Mal shot off a fireball.
"Sheer force of will Akiho," Malinda sighed. "It was sheer force of will."
"The lack of sun prevented us from growing our own crops. Lord Poseidon made it so that we had some seafood available to us but we couldn't eat that all the time. We were lucky when a few chickens wandered onto the barge and came to the Isle, my friends and I were able to start catching them and getting them to my father to serve at his restaurant."
Poseidon shook his head. "I should have done more than just send fish."
Mal paused and took a breath, steeling herself for the onslaught of emotions that she was more than likely going to feel. Thinking about the past, about the children who had died on the Isle, was depressing enough by themselves. But thinking about them while staring at the woman who was essentially the reason why they died?
"I'm actually a little surprised I haven't burst in there yet," Uma said. "Mal's link is probably going crazy, not to mention the spike she'd have had in Benny's office."
"You're probably sparring with me cap'n," Harry said. "Or maybe we're hunting down your other family members to talk about Mal having you on mute?"
Yeah, they were pretty much lucky that she hadn't dragoned up yet.
"I just want to say that I don't think even we would hold it against Mal if she did it in this case," Beast spoke up.
"You'd better not," Hades muttered.
"Thanks in part to the stellar planning of the Isle which included a lack of a medical system that we could use, children died daily. People died daily," Mal stated.
Belle winced as she heard that. That had to be the cruelest thing we could have done, leave the Isle without a medical system. I…I know we were setting one up the day we lost Abby, Adam had the paperwork but…there's no excuse.
"Not just from starvation. They died of dehydration because the rotten food didn't agree with them and they couldn't replenish the water fast enough. Water that my father was able to provide due to a filtration system my mother helped to set up since the only other water would have been either salt water or urine. They died from being trampled to death from the mad rush to get something edible. Then there were the women who died in childbirth because their bodies had grown too weak to handle that strain. Because of this, and because of the quality of the food sent to the Isle, it is the prevalent belief that Auradon knew about this and just didn't care."
Ben shook his head. "I…I know it won't change much but we know now and we do care."
"Well…most of us," Akiho muttered, looking over at Leah.
She wouldn't get into the fact that most if not all of the teenage girls were severely irregular in their cycles due to the lack of nutrition. She and Uma were lucky that, due to their divine lineage, they escaped most of the damage but there were still months where their cycles were off.
Mal nodded. "That's personal information that they don't need to know."
At least it's better than Harriet, Sammy, Jade or even Freddie, Mal thought as she thought about some of the female members of their crew and Uma's older sister.
"Well…since I don't plan on having my own kids anyway…the difficulties just make that choice easier," Harriet whispered.
Malinda looked over at her and gave Harriet a small smile. "Hey…remember, I used to say the same thing. You don't know what the future holds. We will get you off the Isle and get you proper diets to start combating that. You never know…one day someone might be calling you 'maman'."
Sammy glanced over at Harriet before looking away. It wouldn't be with the person I want to have a child with though, if I had one, she thought.
"What does it matter what villains think?" Leah scoffed, unknowingly pulling Mal out of her thoughts. "They're villains."
"It matters because of this. They. Are. My. Subjects!" Benji growled. "They have the right to be treated as such!"
"They are also people," Phoebus stated. "They have the right to expect that they'll be treated as such. Humans have the right to voice their opinions on how they've been treated! I've seen first hand what happens when people are targeted for things beyond their control.
Phoebus nodded. "No one should be denied basic human rights!"
I'll never forgive Frollo for his persecution of my wife and those like her but I would never want to see him or his children should he have them starve."
"Which is very much appreciated, Captain," Claudine said softly.
Phoebus sighed. "I was never comfortable with what Frollo asked us to do, bringing me from the wars to act as a glorified security guard. But the last thing I would do is take it out on his children."
Oh he has them, Mal thought with an inward growl as she thought about Freddy Frollo. She had no gripe against his sister Claudine, despite the fact that she was the second in command of the Angels. It was clear that Claudine was only there because Freddy bullied her into it.
Claudine sighed and shook her head. "Believe me Mal, if I could leave I'd be out of there but…I can't," she whispered.
Brooke and Morgan would lose any safety they had if she left the Angels.
"Speaking as someone who has grown up in a similar environment, I find it reprehensible that Auradon allowed this," Aladdin spoke up, his voice oddly gentle and yet laced with rage.
"And I stand by that!" Aladdin said firmly.
"You're not the only one dad!" Aziz, Emir, and Ashaki nodded.
"I think we all agree with you there," Jasmine said softly, gently resting a hand on Aladdin's shoulder.
"Lady Mal, I know it's too little too late but on behalf of Agrabah at least, please let me extend my deepest and most sincere apology."
"The apology was appreciated, Sultan Aladdin," Malinda said, her voice soft.
Mal nodded slightly and grew silent as Ben spoke again. Well, at least he would have if one of Leah's cronies didn't decide that it would be the time to speak up.
"OF course those two would defend her! They were probably in on it!" Chip shook his head.
"How do you know so much about the council?" Leah sniffed.
Chip stared at her in shock. "You think I'm not paying attention when Adam comes back from a council meeting ranting? I made it my job to understand so I could help Ben out if and when he needed it."
Lucas smiled as he heard that. He knew that this Chip wasn't his Chip but he had a feeling his Chip did the same thing—which was just another reason to love the man.
"Sire? I must ask, isn't the Isle a prison? I'm sure that the food situation isn't as bad as it's being made out to be," Duke Westleton stated.
Elsa shook her head. "Why is he on the council anyway? Technically he should be on the Isle himself, more so than any of the kids! He orchestrated a plot to have me killed!"
"Oh yeah!" Anna nodded. "Those were his men Hans 'saved' you from!"
Ben worked hard not to roll his eyes at that. He should have seen it coming, someone claiming that they were over-exaggerating.
"Oh I wish you had, just to see his face," Malinda muttered.
"If you don't believe me your grace, I could always reach out to my mother Lady Persephone," Mal spoke up. "After all, she spends more time on the Isle than any one else born of Auradon descent."
"I'd be glad to attend this council meeting," Persephone nodded.
"Now see, this is why we have a hard time believing you, Mal," the Duke stated after sharing a look with Chi-Fu and Leah. "After all, the registry clearly states that you are the daughter of Maleficent. There's no arguing with—."
"Why has that blasted entry not been removed by now?!" Hades exclaimed.
"Lady Mal."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You forgot her title, your grace," Zeus stated. "As the daughter of Hades, Lady Mal is afforded the title given to her as a Godling."
Mal looked over at Zeus and raised an eyebrow. "Okay…definitely didn't expect that from you."
Hercules gave his father a small smile. At least he was speaking up for Mal now.
"Furthermore, we are not here to debate Lady Mal's parentage even though there should be no need for it," Ben said before the conversation could devolve any further.
Ben nodded. "For the last time, Mal does not owe anyone an explanation as to who she considers to be her parents. That is between her, Lord Hades, and Lady Persephone."
"Lady Mal and Lady Persephone have stated multiple times that Lady Persephone is Lady Mal's mother. Blood does not make a family. But back to the matter at hand. Queen Leah, I ask one last time. Do you have anything to say to your defense before we vote?"
"Just call the vote Ben!" Lonnie called.
"Your highness, as I've stated numerous times I've done nothing wrong. I see no reason to defend myself when it's clear I'm to be a scapegoat."
"Oh like how you've tried to turn the VKs into the 'scapegoat'?" Celia scoffed.
"How is it clear you're a scapegoat Queen Leah? You can clearly be seen on the tapes, your seat on the council gives you the opportunity and you have the wealth to make it happen. I fail to see how you can come to the conclusion you have."
"Exactly!" Kitty nodded. "The evidence doesn't point to anyone else!"
"Because there was no investigation! Clearly Ben saw that I was on the tape and—."
"Leah, you've been reminded multiple times that you have lost the right to be so familiar with Ben," Chip stated. "Further more, if you weren't passed out this whole time, you'd have seen that Ben was conflicted about even finding out it was you! Because of how long you've been in his life! So if you think for one second that Benji would frame you, it's clear you don't know him!"
"Auroria also uses those docks your highness. As well, as I've stated before, there's no proof that there's been any real investigation. Clearly you're blinded by your new girlfriend, someone who has a known grudge against my family. It was clear that I was to be the scapegoat here."
"Wait…what does Auroria use the docks for?" Evan asked.
"I'm not sure in all honesty," Aurora said, shaking her head.
"Betcha the Bat made it up as part of a 'defense'," Uma muttered.
"Queen Leah, while I have no love for Princess Audrey, I have no grudge against your family," Mal spoke up.
"That's true," Malinda nodded. Ari and Paige are probably the best parts of the Rose family, though Aurora and the Phillip's aren't half bad either. And of course there's Claudine and Henry.
"However, Princess Audrey's relation to you is not the reason why I'm not the fondest of her. Rather it was her treatment of King Ben while they were dating along with her treatment of our fellow students that earned my ire toward her."
"Unlike some, I don't judge people based solely on their parents and grandparents," Mal said, her voice low.
"As well Queen Leah, Lady Mal is not the one on trial here," Ben stated, his voice hard. "She has only given testimony to the conditions of the Isle and she is not the one accused of potentially committing murder against an unsuspecting populace. You, however, have not offered one shred of a defense that could be considered reasonable. I move we move on to sentencing, I open the floor to any suggestions."
Benji nodded. "And Mal will never be on trial."
"Sire, due to the nature of the crimes Queen Leah is accused of, I move that she be stripped of her title and duties as Queen," Eric spoke up. "It is clear that her actions are not those of a Queen."
"That is the least that's deserved," Eric nodded.
"Honestly, it seems a bit redundant to strip what would be stripped anyway," Shang stated. "I move that Leah be sent to the Isle herself."
"Yes! Send her to me!" Hades said with a grin. "You know I like him!"
"Oh dear," Persephone sighed. "Here we go again."
"What?!"
"Now really, such a punishment does not seem fair for a royal of her caliber," Chi-Fu stated. "If we must exile Queen Leah, why not the Isle of Misery?"
"Oh and maybe we should send you with her!" Lonnie said.
"Any Isle Queen Leah gets put on will be the Isle of Misery," Eugene stated. "I second Captain Shang's movement to sentence Queen Leah to the Isle of the Lost. Maybe then, seeing what she willingly subjected people to, she'll realize the errors of her ways."
"You know I like him," Mal said, shaking her head slightly in amusement at the idea that Leah would ever learn from her behavior.
I doubt it, Mal thought with an inward sigh. She didn't really know how she felt about her home being used as a punishment. While she knew Leah needed to be punished and that there would be no better punishment than subjecting her to the same thing she subjected the people of the Isle to…there was just something about using her home as a punishment that didn't sit well with Mal.
"You know…that's a good point," Tiana said. "While the Isle's used as a prison, it's also the kids' home. How would we feel if someone was sentenced to our kingdoms as a punishment?"
Malinda sighed. "Thank you for that consideration but as much as I don't like it, the fact remains that the Isle's purpose is to be a prison. It just unfortunately also became a home as well to the kids born there. What's more…where else was she going to be sentenced to?"
After all, Ben always said that the children of the Isle didn't deserve to be there. That they were innocent. And yet…they were still kept on the Isle. They grew up on the Isle. No one came and got them off when they were born.
"You know what is the point of the registry if we're not going to get kids off the Isle?" Ashaki asked.
"To…to know how many people there are, so they know when to increase food?" Ruby suggested.
"Or just to rub it in the kids' faces that they're stuck there," CJ muttered.
Ben sighed. "Well at least we can change that now."
Children were subjected to that life all because of who they were born to.
Ben nodded. "No one should be limited because of who their parents are."
"Alright, all in favor of stripping Queen Leah of her royal title and sending her to the Isle of the Lost?" Ben asked, pulling Mal out of her thoughts.
Everyone leaned forward slightly, eager to hear the outcome. Well almost everyone.
Benji and Malinda already knew the outcome after all and Leah was still calling the trial a miscarriage of justice.
With the exception of four hands, everyone else's hands went up. The obvious dissenters were obvious and as Beast was not a member of the council he could not vote.
Beast couldn't help but smile slightly as he heard that. "That's still a bit weird to think about," he said softly.
"Noted, though I must stated Prince Akiho, your enthusiasm is appreciated but your vote will not be counted," Ben said. Mal could hear the amusement in his voice though he fought hard to hide it.
Emir, Chip, and Abby all burst out laughing and went over to give Akiho a high five. Ben shook his head fondly at their antics.
"My apologies King Ben," Akiho nodded.
"Are you really sorry?" Emir asked, chuckling slightly as he looked at his best friend.
"You know I'm not," Akiho shook his head.
"And all those in favor of stripping Queen Leah of her royal title and sending her to the Isle of Misery?" Ben asked. The lone two hands were rather pathetic, as no one else voted in favor.
"Well I think the vote's pretty clear," Hera said. "Leah's going to the Isle."
"Excellent," CJ smirked.
Milah sighed. "Do not kill her young lady."
"Do you really have such little faith in me?" CJ asked. "You'd be surprised at what you can live through after all!"
Ben sighed. "Queen Leah, please know that I take no joy in doing this. But the votes are clear. You are to be stripped of your title of Queen of Auroria and all the duties and pleasures that come with it. You are to be sent to the Isle of the Lost. Now, please show yourself out of the council room. My guards will escort you out of the castle."
"This might not be the best thing to say but I will say that I took joy in it for both of us," Malinda said, gently squeezing Benji's hand.
"I'm sorry…Ben has guards?"
"That's what you focus on?" Emir asked, looking at Akiho.
"When my granddaughter is Queen, things will run a lot differently," Leah sniffed.
The entire room seemed to stiffen as they heard that. Even the younger Smee twins weren't entirely sure why but they knew it didn't sound good.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Because it sounds like a threat on Ben's life to me!" Mal snarled. "What else have you got planned you old bat?!"
Benji gently rubbed Malinda's back, in an attempt to keep her calmer than her younger self. His family had already lost one pregnancy to Leah, he didn't want to lose another.
"I'm fine Benny," Malinda muttered. "The baby matters more than Leah ever did."
However, the glare she was leveling at Leah made some in the room wonder if Malinda was actively trying to set Leah on fire.
"And how will that be possible?" Mal asked before Ben could comment. "Last I checked, Princess Audrey was not betrothed to King Ben. I do hope you're only stating that when Princess Audrey is Queen of Auroria otherwise one might take that as a threat to King Ben, Leah."
"Especially since that's what it sounds like to me," Harry said, glaring over at Leah.
"Mal, she's just blowing smoke," Ben said softly.
"A person who has lost everything never just blows smoke," Phoebus said, shaking his head.
"That being so, your majesty, I'd rather the guards be here now," Beast spoke up.
"Why weren't they in the room the whole time? You were sentencing someone to the Isle after all!"
"You know, I was waiting for that," Benji chuckled as Akiho continued to rant about the location of the guards.
"Agreed," Mal nodded, looking at Leah who refused to leave. "Or if it pleases the council, I could always fly Leah out of here."
"Let her, let her, let her!" Abby chanted under her breath.
Leah started and finally got up, much to the amusement of everyone else. Mal smirked slightly as the geriatric bat made her way out of the room.
"Enjoy your victory," she whispered to Mal as she passed. "Just know that your mother got what she wanted through threats as well. You're not as different as you like to think."
"Why thank you Leah," Persephone said, her voice deadly quiet. "Yes, it is well known that I'm better at making threats than Maleficent and I have no problem carrying them out."
Before Mal could respond, Leah was whisked out the door. Mal stared at the closed door in slight shock.
"Well then I'll respond since my older self couldn't," Mal said. "What mom said. She makes and carries out better threats than Maleficent ever could. "
Was she right? Am I no different than Maleficent? I've changed up my style but if…if Leah can see it, that means others can too right? How soon is it going to be before someone tries to rise up against Ben because they think he's being controlled by me?
Benji shook his head. "Okay, Mal, let me make this very clear. No one in the years I've been ruling has risen up against me because they're not stupid enough to believe you're Maleficent's daughter. And if they do, you have my full permission to introduce them to a dragon."
"King Ben, I would like to propose Chi-Fu and Duke Westleton also be removed from the council," Aladdin spoke up. "Due to the fact that they were more than likely accomplices to Leah's crimes."
"Is it bad that I almost wish there was a new candidate for Chi-Fu's spot in that room?" Mulan asked.
"You just want him to have to hear the words 'she can have your job' again, don't you?" Shang said, teasing his wife.
"Well can you blame me?"
"I second that," Tiana nodded.
"Thank you for the support," Aladdin said, giving Tiana a smile.
"Very well," Ben said with a nod. "All in favor?"
All the hands in the room went up, with the notable exceptions.
"Is there really much point in asking if anyone's opposed?" Chad asked. "You know the 'ayes' have it."
"It almost seems pointless to ask but it's procedure," Ben said. "All opposed?"
The lone two hands once again seemed rather pathetic considering they were voting for each other.
Malinda shook her head. "I don't need to tell you that things were so much easier without those three."
"It seems that the ayes have it," Be said. "Chi-Fu, your grace, please remove yourself from the room. You are no longer members of this council."
"And we're going to make that happen now as well, right?" Shang asked.
"I second that," Elsa said.
"Agreed," Aladdin and Eugene nodded.
"I guess the real question is who would replace them," Ben said. "We know that Queen Aurora is going to—."
"Princess Aurora," Leah corrected.
"Yes well seeing as you were removed from your station, I'm sure Ben was only getting used to referring to Aurora by her new title," Lonnie shot back.
"She's got a point," Mulan said. "Sadly I won't be able to take Chi-Fu's spot since otherwise it would allow one family too much power."
"I'll think about their replacements," Beast said.
"But—."
"Ben, I'm still King. I'm capable of doing my job."
Thankfully, Leah's underlings seemed to take their removal from the council with more aplomb than Leah had.
"You mean Chi-Fu didn't faint from losing his spot on the council?" Lonnie asked. "Shame."
"I'll need to come up with people to fill the seats but that can keep until our next meeting," Ben said. "If no one else has any business they need to discuss, I think we can consider this meeting adjourned. Thank you all so much for coming on such short notice."
"As a council member, when the King calls you, it's no trouble," Elsa said as Aladdin and Eugene nodded.
"It was our pleasure King Ben," Snow White said softly. "I just hope we can begin to undo the damage done by Leah to the Isle."
"We could never and we can never undo it completely…but we can give the ones who still live on the Isle better lives," Malinda whispered.
Ben nodded and watched as some of the council got up to leave. Others, like Elsa, stayed to chat with Akiho and Mal.
"Well done," Beast said as he walked over to Ben.
"Thanks dad," Ben said, looking over at his father with a smile.
"Thanks," Ben told him. "You have no idea how weird it is hearing you call me 'your majesty'."
"Yeah well, it probably was expected for a few more years," Rowyn said.
Plus Ben probably never expected to hear his father call him 'your majesty', Mal thought. After all, most transfers of power from father to son happen because…well…because the father died.
Beast chuckled softly. "Yeah well get used to it Ben. I've only been here every council meeting but maybe it's time we changed that. After all, you've definitely proved you can handle yourself."
Beast couldn't help the slight smile that pulled at his lips. Looks like Ben's coming into his own there, he thought.
Ben smiled slightly before sighing. "Dad…I need you to tell me honestly. Did you know?"
Benji shook his head. "He didn't. But that only helped marginally."
Beast sighed. "I'm not proud of the fact that the Isle fell to the wayside after your mother miscarried when you were three Ben. Between running the kingdom, taking care of your mother and looking after you, something slipped through the cracks. But to answer your question, no I didn't know. It seems Lord Poseidon did know, from what Mal told us."
"That's no excuse…" Belle whispered. "Not knowing what we do now, it really is no excuse for letting the Isle slip through the cracks."
"Uma is his granddaughter," Ben said. "Not to mention, Mal and Hadie are his niece and nephew. It'd make sense that he would know a little about what the condition of the Isle was. Can we really fault him if he didn't tell Lord Zeus? After all Lord Poseidon's not a member of the council."
"You know…my sisters are on the Council of Sidekicks, speaking of councils and my grandfather," Ariel said. "If we brought one of them over to the King's council, that might be able to allow for more issues to be heard that might not be able to be addressed."
Beast looked at Ben for a moment before smiling. "How did you get so wise?"
"Mrs. Potts had something to do with that," Benji said, chuckling slightly.
"I think it has something to do with having mom for a mother," Ben chuckled.
"That would help, yes," Beast nodded.
Belle looked over at Benji and gave him a sad smile. "Thank you Ben, but I only gave you so much in terms of your smarts."
"I know mom," Benji nodded. "Dad gave me the other part."
"No, Lord Zeus, you can't have a word."
"Ooh, that sounds like trouble," Hadie said.
Ben paused and looked over his shoulder to see Mal glaring daggers at Zeus. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on but knew it couldn't be good. Thankfully most if not all of the council had left; the only few stragglers were Elsa, Aladdin and of course Akiho.
"Uh oh," Harry muttered.
"Dad, if you'll excuse me?"
"Of course, your majesty," Beast nodded and Ben sighed. He couldn't say anything though, this could turn into a situation where Ben needed to be king rather than a boyfriend. He started making his way over to the two Gods.
"Dad, enough," Benji shook his head. "The formal part was over."
"Lady Mal—"
"No." Mal said firmly. "Lord Zeus, if I have anything to say to you, it is this. Thank you for robbing me of five years with my family. My mother told me about how she came to you when Maleficent stole me from my father's home and you refused to help. Because why? Did you think that it was some karmic justice?"
"That's probably exactly what he thought," Demeter muttered.
Yeah the sarcasm is palpable, Ben thought.
"So how Mal normally talks then?" Uma asked.
"You could have stepped in. Dad was asking for help from you, who cares if you didn't know the whole story?" Mal continued. Ben couldn't help but wonder why Zeus hadn't said anything.
I'm probably not saying anything because I most likely know Mal has a point, Zeus thought.
Well he wondered until he saw the faint wisps of purple smoke starting to curl around Mal's feet along with how her eyes were shining. In fact they looked almost bright…
"Ben, if you don't step in now, there will be a dragon in that room!" Harry said.
"Okay, okay," Ben said gently as he interjected himself. After all, Zeus had attended his coronation and knew what was coming just as much as Ben did. "Lord Zeus, if you'll excuse me, I need to borrow Lady Mal…"
"I think that's better for everyone," Hadie said.
He slowly led Mal off to the side of the room. Mal raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"I wasn't going to shoot a fireball at him you know."
"Even if I did, it wouldn't hurt him anyway," Mal shook her head.
"Yes well let's not have there be another family feud which you know would happen if you hit Zeus with a fireball," Persephone said with a small sigh.
"I know," Ben said gently. "But you were…well you were beginning to smoke up. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, dragon."
"Leave it to Ben to be not at all concerned that there could have been a dragon in the room," Akiho said, shaking his head.
Mal couldn't help but smile at the pet name. Ever since his coronation, Ben had used it as a nickname for her.
Malinda couldn't help the slightly sad smile that tugged at her lips, she knew that her happiness over the pet name wouldn't last.
However, the smile slipped as she remembered what Leah had said to her. About being just like Maleficent.
"And we'll just put Leah in the 'never listen to' box," Jay said.
"She can keep Maleficent company!" Emir grinned.
"What?"
"You heard the man," Chip said looking over at Leah.
A pet name like that is harmless though, she thought. Still…Leah's more dangerous than Audrey or the Gazelle. Or at least she would be if she wasn't going straight to the Isle. I should write my crew…they should be on the look out for her.
Henry nodded. "And we can handle her Mal. That shouldn't be a problem."
"You okay?" Ben asked softly.
"Yeah," Mal nodded. "There's a reason why Zeus isn't my favorite uncle though. He didn't even ask about Hadie! Or Uma! Rather he said something about how mom wanted him to have a word with me."
"Actually…that part about Aunt Steph might not have been a lie," Uma said. "I don't want to give Bolts for Brains credit but if Mal's got us all muted…"
Malinda flinched slightly at the memory. Zeus had been truthful there, she had found out from Hadie after they made up from their fight.
"You don't believe him?"
"Mom would have reached out to me, Uma or Hadie if she needed a word with me. Not Zeus," Mal scoffed.
"Like Uma said though, Mali, if you've got everyone muted then Lady Steph would have to reach out to whoever she could," Harry said.
Ben smiled softly. "Well it's over now."
"Don't say that Ben. Now I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop," Mal sighed.
Benji shook his head. "Why must you be the pessimistic one?"
"It's called growing up on the Isle for sixteen years," Malinda chuckled.
"It won't," Ben promised. "Now…how about we go get something to eat?"
Mal smiled. "Sounds good to me."
Persephone nodded. "Yes! Please make sure she eats!"
"Always," Benji nodded as he leaned toward Malinda.
"Don't even think about taking away this bowl, Ben!"
"You need to eat something other than strawberries, Mal!"
Ben smiled back and, after gathering Akiho, quickly made their way to the cafeteria; however the words Leah had said earlier still rang in Mal's head.
And what was worse...she didn't know how to make them stop.
"You need to tell Ben," Dizzy said.
CJ nodded. "The fireball's right. Harriet always says that telling people you trust when something's bothering you is the best way to get it to stop."
Milah sighed. "Well that's the end of the scroll."
"Can…can I read the next one?" Claudine asked.
"Go ahead," Milah said, giving her a small smile.