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Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Visit
"Nothing! But to be honest, I can't even say that I'm surprised." Ben muttered as he and Mal walked up to the main yard of Auradon prep, past the transforming statue of Ben's father.
"He must have suspected something, and he actually had good reason to." Mal replied as she followed him.
"That's too bad. I put so much pressure on the newspapers to keep CJ's trial secret. No one was supposed to know that she had come here." Ben continued.
"Still, Solomon knew that she was gone. I mean, there really aren't that many places for her to be." Mal shrugged.
"I know…" Ben sighed. "I just, ehm, hoped that we would have gotten lucky just once. CJ's intel was a huge opportunity, but again we let him slip through our fingers."
Ben and Mal had been joined by CJ, Archer and several Auradonian soldiers and had searched the villain hideout that CJ had pointed out for them. It had however been weeks since the fight in the woods and a few days since CJ had been allowed into Auradon. While Ben kept his head up, hoping to find the villains, Mal knew in the back of her head that there was no chance that they would still be there.
Neither Solomon nor Uma was one to take risks, and Mal expected that they would have vacated their hideout immediately after realizing that CJ had disappeared. Mal's suspicions were proven correct when she and her followers had arrived at the supposed hideout, only to find it abandoned.
There was no one present, though they did find signs of people having been in the tower a short while ago, meaning that CJ didn't lie. There wasn't anything useful in the tower itself, where only some trash and scorched pieces of paper remained.
Outside of the tower, all they managed to find were some footprints that appeared to be several days old, meaning that wherever the villains went, they were long gone by now.
Ben had no other option then to task a group of soldiers with tracking the prints and hopefully discovering the current location of the villains. After all, the public was still clambering for any type of result in locating and apprehending the attackers. Right now however, what mattered most was that CJ's intel had been correct, even though it was outdated.
This fact would not only calm the public, but also Mal herself. She'd had all those nice talks with Ben, Archer and CJ herself, but it still calmed her to know that CJ was genuine about joining their side and providing some helpful information.
Besides her being helpful, Mal had heard from several sources that CJ and Archer were apparently trying to actually make something of their relationship, only fueling Mal's suspicion that CJ was indeed not planning on going anywhere besides Auradon.
"I get it…" Mal softly said, rubbing Ben's upper arm as he opened the door for her and let her in. "You're done with him… I am as well… Done with him, the war, everything…"
"The end is in sight, one way or another." Archer spoke up from behind them.
"That doesn't sound very hopeful." CJ said a little accusingly.
"Just gotta stay realistic." Archer shrugged. "There's a big fight coming… Whether we win or we lose, we'll reach the end…"
"Archer, please quit bringing everyone down with your whining." Mal pleaded.
"We'll win! We have to…" Ben muttered.
"I'm not saying that I don't have complete faith in our ability to succeed." Archer added.
"Well, stick to that then… Instead of our impending doom…" Mal mumbled.
"You got it. Ben, the other rulers will most likely want to set up another meeting to discuss our findings and the proceedings from now on." Archer said.
"I know, but there isn't much to tell, is there?" Ben replied as they walked through the hallways of Auradon prep. "We found nothing of note besides some footprints and we have no clue where the villains could be hiding out now."
"Still, better not leave them in the dark." Archer suggested. "They're pissed off enough as it is."
"Pissed off? Why?" CJ asked.
"Because they're spineless and ignorant." Mal sneered.
"What Mal is trying to say is that they are scared." Ben sighed, though he looked at Mal affectionately. "People in Auradon are not used to fear, so they look at me to keep them safe."
"And whenever something isn't up to their impossibly high standards, it's apparently not only always Ben's fault, but also his job to fix things." Mal added.
"I am king." Ben shrugged.
"But you're no miracle worker. Ben, you're only human, the public needs to know that." Mal sighed.
"We'll tell them after we win the war." Ben grinned as he put an arm around Mal's shoulders.
"Wow, it's almost as if you're saying that Auradon isn't the absolute perfect place to live." CJ smirked.
"Perfect is a big word, you may still just need some adjustment time." Archer told her.
"This isn't about adjustment anymore. I've been here for years now and some things still haven't gotten any better." Mal complained.
"You could learn a thing or two from the isle." CJ suggested. "I mean, yes there was crime and poverty and all that, but at least we were free…"
"Exactly." Mal nodded. "Auradon is so proud of its rules and laws, but really, this place sometimes feels more like a prison than the isle."
Mal saw Archer and Ben exchange a look before shrugging.
"Well, since you feel like that, we'll make sure to send the two of you back as soon as possible." Ben joked.
"Great idea, maybe then they'll show some appreciation for all that we've been trying to do for them." Archer added before CJ elbowed him in the side.
"You guys really crack me up." Mal replied with a fake laugh.
"Thanks. For real though, we first need to win the war before going about making Auradon a better place." Ben said.
"When's the next meeting gonna be? Surely the other rulers will want to have their say in how to go about things now, right?" Archer asked.
"Definitely." Ben acknowledged. "I'll have Deborah contact them right away. A report of the mission should already have been sent, but if we're to set up another meeting we'll most likely need to adjust some schedules."
"You won't be needing my help with that, right?" Archer added.
"Don't think so, no." Ben answered.
"Great." Archer exclaimed before turning to CJ. "Sparring session?"
"Yes!" CJ replied excitedly, her eyes already gleaming.
"We'll see you at dinner then." Archer hastily told Ben and Mal before grabbing CJ's hand and running off with her.
"I can still barely wrap my head around that." Mal said, watching on until Archer and CJ went around a corner.
"I actually think it's hilarious." Ben grinned. "I've never seen Archer with a girlfriend, and now he's suddenly letting out all this romantic energy."
"Gross." Mal sneered.
"I see what this is." Ben said in a playful way, again reaching around Mal with his arm. "You think that I'm not romantic enough."
"What? No! Anything but that!" Mal hastily replied.
"Come on, you loved it when I serenaded you in front of the school." Ben smirked.
"That must still be the most humiliating moment of my life." Mal groaned. "Not to mention that I had spelled you and you simultaneously broke up with Audrey."
"But you did love it…" Ben teased. "Just like you love my dance moves."
"Oh, it's all coming back…" Mal sighed. "Why did I decide to want to marry you again?"
"It has to be the dance moves. I mean, come on, what else could it be?" Ben joked.
"Maybe your face?" Mal smiled, gently clutching Ben's cheeks as she pulled him in for a kiss.
"My mother did always tell me what a handsome boy I was." Ben grinned.
"Ugh, you're such a mood killer." Mal snorted as she began leaning her head on Ben's shoulder on the way to his office.
"I'm really glad I haven't screwed up so bad that we had to call off the engagement." Ben spoke.
"Apart from that one time." Mal mumbled.
"Let's not speak of that one time." Ben hushed her.
Mal just laughed as they neared the door to Ben's office, which was slightly open.
"Were you expecting someone?" Mal asked, slightly suspicious.
"No." Ben mumbled in response. "It, ehm, it could be Lumière… Or my parents… Or the cleaning lady…"
"Let's just see." Mal concluded as she shrugged off Ben's arm and resolutely pushed the door completely open.
"Good afternoon." A voice greeted as soon as Mal stepped through the door.
Mal froze, her eyes widening and her hand clutching the doorknob as she simply stared inside. Solomon was sitting on Ben's desk, his legs lazily crossed and a framed picture of Ben's family in his hand. He looked calm and a vague smile appeared on his face the moment he saw her.
"You took one hell of a long time to get here, I was starting to get bored." Solomon added, swinging his feet onto the floor and standing up. "Cute family…" He continued, looking at the picture. "I can't wait to meet them…"
"You…" Ben gasped, stepping past Mal into his office and also extending an arm as if he wanted to protect her.
"We were never formally introduced, were we?" Solomon asked, placing the picture back on the desk. "I am Solomon, though I'm sure you know…"
Mal quickly saw how Ben grew red with anger, but his voice appeared as calm as ever when he answered. "How did you get in?"
"Oh, no one saw me if that's what you're worried about." Solomon grinned. "I am… Resourceful…"
"You won't get away with this!" Mal hissed as she followed Ben further into the room while also starting to think of any spells she could use in this situation.
"With what? A simple visit?" Solomon feigned innocence. "I just want to talk…"
"We want nothing to do with you!" Ben spat. "Besides having you rot in chains!"
"Ouch, there go my feelings." Solomon pouted. "Will you guys please relax and listen to what I have to say for a minute?"
"Your words are poison!" Mal sneered. "We want you gone!"
"Oh, me too, believe me…" Solomon mumbled, looking disapprovingly through the office. "This place, it's, ehm, too peppy…"
"There are guards everywhere…" Ben threatened. "I could call them here within a minute. You can't escape…"
"Oh, I can…" Solomon retorted, his dark eyes gleaming. "But not before I've had my talk…"
"You won't get away with this…" Mal grunted, slowly circling to one side of the room while Ben headed to the other.
"Again, I will…" Solomon nudged his head. "But not before you've heard what I've got to say…"
"What is it? Idle threats? Meaningless insults?" Ben inquired.
"Well, mainly a proposition… But you are really testing my patience." Solomon lamented.
"You broke into this school! You invaded my kingdom! You nearly had Mal killed! You deserve nothing from me!" Ben grunted, balling his fists.
"Oof, you really are beastly." Solomon smirked with a mock shudder. "But truly, I did not come here with bad intent. Now, do you want to hear my proposition, or not?"
"Don't listen to him, Ben!" Mal warned, not taking her eyes off of Solomon. "All he does is lie!"
"Dear Mal, can you not even try to see the decency in me?" Solomon asked.
"It's nonexistent!" Mal retorted.
Solomon sighed. "Well, you try to be civil…"
"You are evil!" Ben spat. "We want nothing to do with you!"
"You flatter me, but really, do you think I 'want' to be here? Of course not! This place rubs me the wrong way entirely… Again, I have a proposition!" Solomon repeated.
"You surrender! That's the only proposition we're interested in!" Mal scoffed.
"High demands… Very high demands…" Solomon murmured as he rubbed his chin. "But actually, not that far off the mark…"
This remark somewhat surprised Ben and Mal, who both gave each other a somewhat astonished look.
"Y-you want to surrender?" Ben asked, almost unwilling to sound hopeful.
"Haha, not a chance!" Solomon bellowed, obviously elated that he'd managed to have Ben ask that question. "This war is happening, and I have every bit of faith in my own abilities…"
"Then why come here!?" Mal snapped, feeling the anger in herself quickly rise. "Do you just get off on wasting everyone's time?"
"God, Auradon has done nothing for your manners, has it?" Solomon sneered, his eyes darkening a little as he looked at Mal.
"Don't you talk to her!" Ben warned, taking another step in Solomon's direction.
"Fine, fine…" Solomon lamented, raising his hands defensively. "I shall simply talk about my proposal then…"
"We could just arrest him, you know?" Mal suggested, looking briefly in Ben's direction.
"I'd be gone before you could blink." Solomon warned. "And you would not have heard anything of what I've got to say…"
"We don't want to hear it anyway!" Mal snapped.
"Not even if it could end the war with not as many casualties?" Solomon inquired.
Both Ben and Mal were silenced and again briefly looked at each other. Mal really knew better than to trust anything that Solomon said, but if he was even remotely genuine, then this was an opportunity that they could not let slip.
"What are you talking about?" Mal asked.
"Well, don't you both also have the feeling that this little fender we got ourselves into has been going on for far too long?" Solomon began, crossing his legs as he sat back down on Ben's desk. "Well, I for one am quite sick of having to spend my nights in drifty caves and the run-down tower you already picked apart…"
Both Ben and Mal started blushing as Solomon so casually revealed that he knew what they were up to, but neither got a word in as Solomon simply continued.
"Now, I love a good massacre as much as the next one, but I do have to say that I find it tempting to just skip forward to the end." Solomon went on. "So… That is why I want to see if we could come to some sort of arrangement…"
"You what?" Ben exclaimed. "Y-you come in here to propose to end the war?"
"Ehm, somewhat…" Solomon contemplated. "Not completely though… Not here…"
"What's wrong?" Mal inquired. "There's plenty of paper for you to write your official surrender."
Solomon glared at Mal for a second. "Well, for one, Uma will most likely want to have a say, and I'm sure she'd also love to see you again… Second, if you do agree, we'll both need some time… You know, to think things over…"
"So, you don't want to talk here? Then what?" Ben asked, seemingly almost running out of patience.
"Let's meet up again, why not?" Solomon grinned. "I have the perfect location in mind for us to have a perfectly civilized discussion…"
"Or to lay the perfect trap!" Mal snapped. "Why should we trust anything you say?"
"Because I'm damn tired, is that what you want to hear?" Solomon groaned. "You know Mal, I also still have feelings!"
"Barely!" Mal spat.
"Just listen!" Solomon suddenly roared, jumping up from the desk and for a moment looking truly enraged.
Ben reacted, quickly jumping to the other side of the room to stand in front of Mal in a protective gesture.
Solomon simply looked on for a second, panting a little, before leaning back and again letting a playful smile appear on his face. "I see you are indeed fond of each other… If you'd like to keep it that way, then you should listen… I propose another talk, one where we'll both have our say and try to end this conflict swiftly. I will be waiting for you on History Island in a week… Just… Just do whatever suits you… I'm giving you this chance…"
"Why should we believe you?" Ben asked again, though his voice sounded much calmer.
"What do either of us have to lose?" Solomon inquired. "I don't care about bloodshed, but I do care about time… With you it's the opposite… We might just be able to help each other out…"
"Bullshit!" Mal hissed from behind Ben. "This is just a trap or a ruse! If we actually were to go to History Island, we would either walk into an ambush or nothing at all!"
"Would I truly have come here and waited to talk to you just for a ruse?" Solomon asked in a skeptical tone.
"Yes!" Mal quickly answered.
"You go on believing that then! But I will be waiting for you on History Island in a week, and I expect you to be there as well." Solomon said with a somewhat pressuring tone.
Neither Ben nor Mal answered, with them simply continuing to stare at Solomon.
"I shall simply leave you to discuss my proposal then." Solomon shrugged as he reached in his back pocket and took out a small vile with a clear liquid.
"You expect us to simply let you teleport out of here?" Mal inquired, recognizing the vanishing potion.
"Yes." Solomon replied, raising an eyebrow. "You're gonna do, what exactly? Stop me? Join me in my teleportation?"
Ben and Mal didn't reply, both of them being rendered speechless.
"That's what I thought." Solomon smirked as she stood up from the desk again. "Oh, one more question… You do remember our dear CJ Hook, don't you?"
Mal froze and beside her Ben similarly went stiff.
"What about her?" Mal grunted, trying to sound indifferent.
"She disappeared after out little scuffle in the woods…" Solomon began. "We haven't heard from her since… We are all so 'terribly' worried…"
"You don't sound worried." Ben acknowledged.
"That's because I do have my own theory of her whereabouts…" Solomon hissed. "It does seem like a mighty coincidence that you lot discover our hideout just days after she disappeared when you had been unable to do so for months previous to that."
Mal blushed, and so did Ben.
"A strange coincidence indeed…" Ben mumbled.
Solomon squinted. "She's still a villain, you know that right? If you would happen to come across her, please tell her that Harry is dreadfully worried and that we look forward to seeing her again…"
"Noted." Ben said stiffly.
Solomon grinned one more time, gave Mal a little wave and then threw down his potion and immediately disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.
Ben and Mal stayed silent for a few seconds, both of them audibly breathing out as they simply stared at the place where Solomon has just disappeared.
"He knows… He knows about CJ…" Mal said once she regained control of her voice.
"We could have expected that…" Ben mumbled, taking a few shaky steps forward. "B-but the other things he said…"
"No! Ben! No!" Mal immediately intervened. "He's just trying to provoke us! He doesn't care about ending the war, he cares about starting one! This is just a trap, mark my words!"
"I know it's a trap, I don't trust that snake for one bit!" Ben retorted. "But still, if he will actually be on History Island in a week, we could maybe use that to our advantage…"
Mal raised her eyebrows. "You want to turn his trap into a trap?"
"If it's possible, then yes." Ben replied. "But we need to discuss this with the others. I need their input."
"Let's go find them. I'd say that every second counts." Mal stated before turning to the door.
Ben stopped her however, grabbing her by the arm. "Are you sure that you're up for this? You know, after the previous fight and all…"
Mal sighed. Ben sounded worried. "I can handle it, trust me…" She calmly replied. "But I really want to see that asshole behind bars!"
"He knew!? He knew about CJ and that we went to the tower!?" Archer questioned, sounding shocked.
Ben had called an emergency meeting to discuss Solomon's sudden appearance and subsequent proposal. His office was currently packed with people. Belle, Adam, Lumière, Archer, CJ, Evie, Carlos, Jay and Fairy Godmother were all present.
"He definitely knew about the tower, but he was technically still guessing about CJ." Ben answered, looking over at the young pirate who cowered a little under his gaze.
"How did he even get in?" Adam asked, momentarily halting his relentless pacing around the room.
"Vanishing potions." Mal answered. "They've been using them to get around Auradon faster."
"And he can use those to just appear wherever he wants!?" Adam went on, clearly terrified of the idea.
"No." Mal resolutely tried to calm him. "To use those, he'd already need to have knowledge of the location. If you use a vanishing potion without picturing the precise place you'd want to transport to, it will simply cast you out."
"Then how did he get here?" Adam added. "To your office of all places!?"
"He has been to the school before." Carlos stated, making everyone look at him. "I mean, he was the one who blew out all the glass, right?"
"That's right." CJ confirmed. "He used vanishing potions that day as well, to travel there and back again."
"I'm guessing Zevon keeps your supply well stocked?" Mal asked CJ.
"The only thing he was ever good for." CJ sneered. "The only reason any of us still tolerated that slimy worm was because he could make us potions."
"Still, he managed to slip through our defenses… This is not good…" Adam pondered, stroking his chin as he started pacing again.
"Is there some sort of way we could shield ourselves from those potions?" Belle opted. "A magical barrier perhaps?"
Mal did not have a concrete answer, so she looked over at Fairy Godmother, who sat up uncomfortably in her chair.
"Ehm, magic is a delicate matter…" Fairy Godmother began. "In a case like this a barrier would do no good I'm afraid."
"Why not?" Archer asked. "If the villains truly have such a capability, then they will be able to do much more than just intimidate us once the fighting starts."
"I believe Fairy Godmother is just saying that a barrier won't help." Mal spoke up. "I think I actually read up on this… A magical barrier, like the one on the isle, only works because you and the wand are outside of it, right?"
"Correct." Fairy Godmother nodded.
"Which means that placing a barrier here would not even be possible." Mal concluded.
"Can't you make it so that the barrier would only block those potions or something?" Adam offered.
"The, ehm, the rules of magic are delicate." Fairy Godmother explained. "Magical barriers are a highly advanced form of magic and the rules surrounding them are not easily twisted or broken."
"Then how about we do it the other way?" Archer proposed.
"What do you mean?" Ben asked.
"Place a barrier around the villains? We could just lock them up again, right?" Archer went on.
"C-could that work?" Adam questioned.
"Well…" Fairy Godmother mumbled. "In theory, maybe… But we have no idea where the villains are currently hiding out, do we? If I were to actually place a barrier around them, I'd need to know where they are."
"We know of their general vicinity." Archer offered. "We tracked their footprints to somewhere around the coast. They should be held up around there."
"That's still an extremely large area to cover with a protective spell." Fairy Godmother shook her head. "I'm afraid that that won't work."
"Wait!" Jay suddenly said. "You're saying that we don't know where the villains are right now, right?"
"Right." Ben nodded.
"But we do know where they're gonna be in a week…" Jay added.
The entire room was silenced as they processed Jay's words.
"You suggest that we use the meeting Solomon set up himself to capture him?" Evie asked.
"I mean, why not?" Jay replied. "If we go there, and he's actually there, we can't really afford to let such an opportunity slip, right?"
"He's got a point." Archer nodded. "I mean, there are three options. One, he won't be there at all. Two, he's gonna be there and he actually wants to talk. Three, he's there and has set up a trap for us."
"Even if he genuinely wants to talk, there's still no reason we should expect the outcome to be peaceful." Ben contemplated.
"Meaning that it would be wise in any case to set up a sort of trap of our own." Adam concluded.
"A trap? Dear, that doesn't sound very civilized…" Belle mumbled.
"Sometimes the end justifies the means." Adam sighed. "These villains have been playing dirty since the start and causing pain to the Auradon public. Perhaps we should think ahead…"
"CJ." Archer suddenly spoke up, making everyone look at him. "CJ, you've been quiet. Don't you have anything to add?"
CJ looked around with wide eyes, obviously not comfortable with everyone looking at her. "I-I, ehm… I'm not sure…" She stammered. "I mean, I think that listening to anything that Solomon says is absolutely mental in any case…"
"Precisely." Mal nodded.
"And, ehm, I really think we should let this slide. Solomon is just trying to bring us off our game." CJ continued.
"Yes, but what if we use his plans against him?" Archer offered. "I mean, he thinks that he's setting a trap for us, when we'll be setting a trap for him at the same time."
"Don't forget, we're in Auradon. We have the home advantage." Adam added.
"Exactly. We have the numerical advantage, we have magic on our side… We can win this." Ben said in a hopeful tone.
"Ben…" Mal began. "I'm not sure I it would be wise to confront Solomon like this… I mean, yes, we might have these advantages, but it might not matter… You say you have the home advantage, but it was Solomon who chose the location. He must have done so for a reason, right?"
"The lady has a point, your majesty." Lumière suddenly interjected. "History Island is completely separated from the main land. The bridge is the only way in or out."
"That could still play to our advantage, right?" Jay opted. "If they're on the island, then they'd have no way out…"
"Except with the vanishing potions." Carlos shrugged.
"Not if we do actually set up that barrier once they're already there." Ben explained. "We'd literally trap them there, no magic to aid them, and we'd be able to pick them off easily."
"How can we be sure that would work?" CJ asked, making everyone look at her again. "I mean, Solomon was able to escape the barrier around the isle. Who's to say he won't just do it again?"
"Can we make sure he can't?" Ben inquired, looking over at Fairy Godmother.
"Again, I cannot be certain." She sighed. "There are many rules within magic that are yet unwritten. The Horned King was an expert in the dark arts, of which most forms have died out a long time ago. I apologize, Ben, but my contemporary magic has not adapted to it and could even risk getting contaminated if it comes into contact with whatever that Solomon musters up."
"You're certain that the villains make use of dark magic?" Adam questioned.
"I see no other option." Fairy Godmother nodded. "The barrier around the isle of the lost was meant to cancel out any and all magical activity within its borders and also keep everyone inside. Only through dark magic could this Solomon have been able to bypass those rules."
"What would happen if we were to trap them and he'd be able to break free?" Ben asked.
"Oh, of that I am also uncertain." Fairy Godmother replied, though her voice trembled slightly. "Though in theory it could result in permanent magical damage."
"Permanent magical damage?" Mal exclaimed in a horrified tone.
"Only in theory." Fairy Godmother tried to reassure Mal. "The effects could just as well be harmless."
"I feel like we need to try." Archer stated. "We will never know for sure. If there's even a slight chance of us ending this war before it even begins, I feel like we have to take it."
"Even if the possible repercussions could be permanent magical damage?" Belle contemplated, scrunching up her eyebrows. "I don't know… Dear?" She then directed herself to Adam.
Adam stroked his chin for a short while, seemingly in deep thought. "Well, it's not our decision anymore in any case… Personally I would say that I'm for going on the offensive, but again, I am also not the one risking injury…"
"I am a servant of the kingdom." Fairy Godmother said, her head held high. "I want to see these malicious individuals removed just as much as any of you. If I can help, then I will."
"Even if it meant that you could get injured?" Ben hesitantly asked.
"There are always risks involved with magic. One time I accidentally turned my dishrag into a raccoon." Fairy Godmother talked on.
"This is a little more serious though, and more dangerous…" Adam sighed.
"I understand, and yet I choose to volunteer." Fairy Godmother resolutely stated.
"Then it is up to you, Ben…" Adam told his son with a seemingly heavy heart.
Ben crossed his arms and looked down in deep thought. Mal wanted to talk to him, to share her own opinion, but thought it better to let Ben try to reach a conclusion on his own.
"We just can't be certain about what we'll be walking into…" Ben eventually mumbled. "The risks… There are so many risks… But… I agree that this is an extremely rare opportunity… They'll be out in the open for the very first time… We can prepare, lay our own trap… I say we go on the offensive, let them know that we're not interested in any compromises aside from their surrender."
"Well said." Archer solemnly nodded, though Mal noticed that CJ appeared less than happy with this news.
"If we truly expect a fight in less than a week, then we'll need to prepare. I'll send word out to the other rulers and set up a meeting for war council as soon as possible. We'll also need to know what to do with the villains once we have them in captivity." Adam began.
"Should we really think that far ahead?" Belle questioned.
"Better safe than sorry." Adam replied.
"All in due time." Ben stated. "There are still some things to discuss… Could you all, ehm, give us a second?"
All eyes went to Mal, who felt a slight blush creep up on her cheeks.
"Sure, we'll leave you to it." Belle answered for everyone present.
Adam, Belle, Lumière and Fairy Godmother all respectively bowed their heads before moving towards the door. Evie, Carlos, Jay and Archer just nodded and kindly smiled to Mal before leaving as well. CJ only looked between Ben and Mal before hastily following Archer.
Ben sighed before moving behind his desk and sitting down in his comfortable chair. "Well?"
"Well what?" Mal inquired as she sat down on Ben's desk, incidentally the same place where Solomon sat only a few hours ago.
"Don't play dumb with me, Mal. I know you disagree with my plan." Ben told her.
"What gave it away?" Mal replied, not denying the accusation.
"You always bite your cheek a little when you want to say something but choose not to." Ben said with a small smile.
Mal grinned. Ben did sometimes know her better than she knew herself. "You got me there."
"Come on, please tell me…" Ben sighed, gently putting his hand on hers.
"I don't think we should do it." Mal blurted out, causing Ben to frown. "I'm not sure how, but Solomon has to have all of this planned out. I say we just let this slide…"
"But Mal, we have absolutely no idea where he and his accomplices are. If they do actually show up on History Island, then why should we not take advantage of it?" Ben offered.
"Well, what if he wants us to go there?" Mal countered.
"To do what? History Island is Auradon property and completely in our hands. I can send word tonight to up the guards and make sure he won't be able to set a trap." Ben tried to calm her.
Mal bit her lip. She heard the reason in Ben's voice. It was true that, if Solomon were to show up, this was an unrivaled opportunity to catch him. No one seemed that apprehensive or afraid, even though Solomon himself had suggested the location. It was true that the location in question was a large, open space completely in control of the Auradon officials. So, if Solomon were to show up, he would be in dire trouble. On the opposite end, if he would not show up, then no one had anything to fear…
"I still have this feeling…" Mal mumbled.
"A hunch?" Ben questioned.
"You can call it that…" Mal nodded. "It could also just be fear…"
"Fear of what?" Ben asked in a compassionate tone.
"You getting hurt mostly, and me not being able to do anything about it." Mal moped.
"Why wouldn't you be able to do anything about it? You'll be right beside me." Ben grinned.
"You want me to come!?" Mal asked, genuinely surprised.
"Of course." Ben smirked. "You saw what happened the last few times we went out on our own… We belong together, so let's keep it that way."
"For once you're making sense." Mal smiled, letting herself slide off the desk to sit on Ben's lap.
"I want you by my side, now and forever." Ben whispered, putting his arms around her and placing his head on her shoulder.
"You're not scared for my safety anymore?" Mal asked.
"I fear more for the poor people who stand in your way." Ben grinned.
"I would feel bad, but I also really feel like they have this coming." Mal replied a little more sinisterly as she placed her head on Ben's.
"I won't stop you." Ben encouraged her. "I'll be at your side."
"Just as it should be." Mal sighed, looking down at the diamond ring still present on her finger.