Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen

A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek myths!

*shaking my head in dismay* how in the world are we already at Thanksgiving? Happy Turkey day to those who celebrate and just one more month before we can put 2024 into the record books!

Friendly reminder that I will be off on hiatus for the month of December. Will updates still happen? Possibly, though likely only for Choosing Life if they do happen at all. But they're not going to be my main focus with the stress of everything holiday wise surrounds the month of December.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D

Belle held back a sigh as she unfurled the scroll. She had to be honest, she wasn't sure she wanted to know what would happen in the future now.

The four of them arrived at the front door of Ben's castle, the purple smoke fading from view.

"Everyone okay?" Mal asked and then paused as she did a headcount. "Hold on, I'll be right back."

"Ah ba ba young lady, where are you going alone?" Hades asked.

"Where are you going?" Uma exclaimed but Mal didn't answer as she enveloped herself in another cloud of purple smoke. Thankfully she seemed to be gone only five minutes as the cloud returned. When it faded from view, Uma shook her head in amusement.

"Of course you brought Estelle," she chuckled.

"I honestly can't believe we left without him," Malinda shook her head.

"Hey, if we need to track down Freddy, he's got the nose for the job," Mal shrugged. "Now let's go. We're burning cloud."

"I'm never going to get used to hearing that instead of 'burning daylight'," Akiho shook his head.

Uma nodded and the five of them made their way into Ben's castle, Mal rushing down the hall ahead of the others. Only Estelle was able to keep pace with her.

"...Mal is the epitome of small but mighty," Jay said.

"Ben? Ben?!"

"Mal! We're in here," Beast said as he opened the door to Ben's office, poking his head out.

Mal sighed in relief as they made their way into Ben's office, Jay closing the door behind them.

"Smart idea Jay," Emir said, his voice low.

"Ben!" Mal exclaimed, rushing toward him.

"Mal!" Ben sighed in relief and made his way toward her. The two met each other in the middle, almost slamming their lips into each other as they met. They completely forgot that they had an audience of their parents and friends as Uma, Jay, Harry, and Estelle had followed Mal into the office.

"Well…this got awkward," Abby said, making a slight face. Was she happy her brother had someone he was so comfortable displaying affection to so publicly? Of course she was. That didn't mean she wanted to read about it!

Is it me or is there a slight possessive edge to Ben's kiss? Mal thought. It was almost as if it was screaming 'mine'. Then again, there was a relieved edge to Mal's kiss, as if she was telling him thank the Gods you're alright. Not that Ben wasn't sending her those vibes as well.

Oh yeah there was an edge alright not that he didn't have a reason, Malinda thought.

"Ahem," Jay coughed after about five minutes of the rest of them awkwardly standing there as Mal and Ben kissed.

"I'm not hearing this," Hades shook his head.

"Cap'n, as glad as we all are that Benny's alright, we really don't have time for this," Harry chimed in before adding with a slight mutter, "also we really don't want to see that."

"Since when do you call me 'cap'n' Harry?" Mal asked. "I'm co-captain. You only call Uma 'cap'n'."

Mal was like a third sister to him and if someone had told Mal years ago that she would run straight for the King of Auradon's arms and kiss him, she would have told Harry to pitch them from the docks.

"And I would have gladly done it too!" Harry nodded.

"Mal! Geez, come up for air! Do we need to pull you two apart?" Uma exclaimed as the two continued. Gods, if you had told me that my cousin would be openly kissing her fiancé in front of both of their parents…I probably would have thought you'd gone mad.

"Uma, would I even have a fiancé if not for Ben?" Malinda asked.

Estelle gave a small yip and began to gently pull on Mal's sleeve.

"Good boy," Hades muttered.

"Okay, okay, sheesh. Just wait until you four get significant others," Mal sighed as she pulled back, Estelle nudging his way in-between them and sitting down in front of Mal.

"Four? But there's three…and you were talking about Estelle, weren't you?" Uma asked, shaking her head.

"Easy boy, you know Ben," Mal said with a chuckle.

"I don't think that's the problem!"

"I think Estelle's just trying to warn you that time's not on our side here," Persephone pointed out with an amused smile. "Also, hi Mal."

"Oh yes, I mean the world might be ending but gotta say hi," Celia chuckled.

"Hey mom," Mal smiled as she went to go hug her mom. "Hadie doing okay?"

"Your grandmother said he's pouting since he's not allowed to help us with whatever's happening down here," Persephone shook her head. "Your brother is the third most stubborn person I know."

"...In this case I'll take that as a compliment," Hadie shook his head.

"Who are the other two?"

Persephone gave her daughter a look. "You and your father."

"Hey!"

"Ah…that…wait a minute I'm not stubborn!" Mal exclaimed.

"Wait, are you saying I am?" Hades exclaimed.

"Topic for another time dear," Persephone told her. "Topic for another time."

Mal nodded. "Right."

"Glad to see you've got your priorities straight," Demeter nodded.

"Cap'n, I hate to ruin this happy moment, but do we have time for this?" Harry asked. "You know, crazy witch boy is out there with Benny's ex girlfriend who is now…oh what's the phrase I'm looking for?"

"Utterly insane?"

"Gone off the deep end?"

"Is delusionally entitled?"

"Scary beyond all reason?" Jay offered.

"That's the one!" Harry nodded.

"Hmm there are other ways to say it too" Harry mused.

"Right, right. Plan?" Mal nodded, looking at the adults.

"I've got guards passing out as many gas masks as they can to prevent a mass sleeping curse," Ben said, slipping into his role as 'King'.

"Finally! He uses his guards!" Ahkio exclaimed.

"Audrey knows Maleficent's story cover to cover and if she's got her scepter, she might go for something big. I was trying to get my father to go to the safe castle when you arrived Mal."

"Ben-" Beast started to speak.

"Dad, we needed you safeguarded," Benji said firmly.

Beast rolled his eyes. "Ben, we've got bigger issues than—."

"Dad, just go," Abby shook her head. "You think it's a good idea for Ben to be distracted worrying about you when he has to rule?"

"Actually, Beast, he's right," Persephone spoke up. "Yes, Princess Emma is the unofficial heir and Mal is King Ben's fiancee, but there's no official heir who can take over in the event something happens to Ben. As former King, you'd be the person the kingdom looks to if Gods forbid something happen to King Ben and Princess Emma."

"...Mal would not legally be able to rule without being Prince/King Ben's wife, so she's right," Zeus said, softly nodding his head.

"See?" Ben said, looking at his father. "Now, dad, will you please go be with mom?!"

"You're not getting out of this," Benji shook his head.

"Ben, if I hadn't been here when Audrey and Freddy attacked, would you have been able to duck in time?"

"Probably," Ben shrugged. "I do have some of your Beast reflexes after all."

"...It didn't matter in my timeline," Audie muttered.

"But with how quick Audrey was with the scepter, you might have gotten cursed," Beast stated.

"Adam, could you not?' Malinda asked.

Ben paled slightly—Audrey knew his worst nightmare was somehow turning into a Beast like his father. Knowing her, that would be exactly what she'd go for.

Mal hissed, glaring at Audrey like she wanted to set her on fire. Meanwhile, Ben was trying to avoid his father's eyes, hoping he'd missed the part about how his worst fear was becoming a Beast like his father had been. Judging by the look on his father's face when Ben accidentally looked at him, it was clear that hadn't been the case.

"Hey, hey," Mal said, noticing the change in Ben. "It's okay. You're still you and clearly Audrey didn't get a chance to curse you again. And she's not going to get that chance. Not if I can help it. Dad gave me his ember, it's the only thing stronger than Maleficent's scepter or Freddy's craziness. You'll be fine, I promise."

"And she kept that promise," Benji nodded.

"Thank you Mal," Ben said softly, nodding his head before switching gears and turning to look at his dad. "Dad, please. If you won't go for your own safety, would you at least go to make sure mom'll be alright?"

"...How do you choose between your wife and your child?" Beast asked softly.

Beast sighed and Ben bit his lip.

"Dad…please don't make me pull rank," Ben told him. "We both know I can do it but it feels weird to give my dad orders."

"Yeah I'd rather not," Ben nodded.

"…Alright Ben but I don't like it," Beast said with another sigh.

"Neither do I dad, but at least I know you and mom are safe," Ben said with a sigh of his own. "If I thought I could, I'd send Chip with you too. I'll be fine but please just go!"

"Knowing Teacup the way I do, he'll likely go anyway to make sure they're okay," Lucas said with a fond smile.

Beast nodded and rested a hand on Ben's shoulder. "The minute this is over, you call me, Ben."

"I will," Ben promised.

"Do you?" Beast asked, looking at Benji.

Benji nodded. "I do."

"Did you really think I wouldn't?" Ben asked, a little taken aback.

Beast raised an eyebrow and looked over his glasses at Ben. "Nine words Ben. Kept. A. Concussion. Secret. From. Me. And. Your. Mother."

Beast nodded and gave a small bow of his head to Persephone and Mal before following one of the guards out.

"Right…Mom I think we need to employ some defensive measures," Mal said as soon as Beast was out of earshot.

"Now we're talking!" Harry grinned.

"I agree completely Mal," Persephone nodded.

"I'll leave it up to you but whatever's the closest plant growing around the castle, get it so that it's surrounding the castle," Mal stated. "If we have to take a page from Maleficent's book and have a giant grove of thorns, all the better! Because if we're taking from Maleficent, you know Audrey will too—I want this castle tight enough so no mist can get through!"

"...It's almost scary how good these kids are at doing defence" Eugene sighs.

"Actually Mal, I think she's already started," Ben said softly. "Audrey said, she'd reverse the curse she started to put on the kingdom before hinting she was going to go see an old friend…"

"She has friends? I thought she just had lackeys?" Kitty scoffed.

"…Jane!" Mal and Ben exclaimed at the same time, locking eyes with each other.

"Lonnie!" Jay pointed out. "Audrey used to be friends with Lonnie too."

"I can handle Audrey-" Lonnie started to speak.

"Not like this, you're not!" her parents and brother exclaimed.

Mal shook her head. "As much as I want to agree with you Jay, Jane's the one throwing the birthday party. It's the largest collection of AKs in one area—perfect for Audrey to launch a full scale attack."

Shang nodded, his face grim. He knew it was wrong but all he was thinking was how much he hoped Lonnie wasn't at the party.

"But Carlos is there," Harry pointed out. "So's Gil. You all told Jane what was happening right?"

"Wow…never thought I'd see the day where Harry'd be concerned about Gil of all people," Henry said.

"I cancelled with her as soon as Audrey left," Ben nodded. "That doesn't mean people are going to listen though."

"Sadly, that is true."

"Right, I forgot that you Auradonians don't have survival instincts," Harry muttered. If either one of his sisters found their way under a sleeping curse, Audrey was going to taste his hook. It didn't matter that she was a girl!

"I will do it too," Harry said, his voice low as he glared at Audrey.

"...Should we do something?" Sammy whispered to Harriet.

Harriet shook her head. "Just don't traumatize CJ, Harry," she called to her brother.

"Roger that Harriet!"

"...Not exactly what I meant but okay," Sammy shrugged.

Mal frowned. "Ben, you don't think Audrey's parents are under the sleeping curse do you? I mean you just said that she's already started…"

"What…I wouldn't do that.." Audrey said softly.

"In that mindset you would," Audie told her.

Ben shook his head. "Likely she went after her former cheerleading squad, minus Evie since you didn't say she was under a sleeping curse. Mal…Audrey did make a demand."

"Of course she did," Rowyn rolled her eyes.

"What was it?"

"That she'd release the curse if I made her my queen."

"That wouldn't work in a million years," Audie shook her head. "Tried it myself, or at least the me in the viewing did. Never even swayed my Ben so I doubt it'd sway this one."

Mal couldn't help but hiss slightly at that, causing Estelle to nudge her hand.

"I'm okay boy," Mal told him, but added with a slight growl, "but Audrey won't be."

"Kick. Her.-."

"I know how that sentence ends and I'd rather you not teach the young Smee boys new vocabulary," Jasmine sighed as she saw the young boys were seated next to their father. She could only assume they'd grown bored of the arcade.

"...Yes mom," Emir said, looking a little sheepish.

"Easy my dragon," Ben said, trying to sooth her.

"Ben, she went after you and she teamed up with Freddy. I'm not going to go easy on her!"

Kick. Her. Ass! Kick her ass! Kick it all the way to France! Emir thought. Hey, unless the Smee boys were mindreaders, he was doing what his mother asked regarding teaching them new vocabulary.

"Okay…so what's our next move?" Jay asked, causing both of them to look over at the others.

"Kill Freddy for going after my sister when she was thirteen?" Harry suggested.

"I'm all for that move!" James nodded.

"No, that's move ten," Mal stated.

"Do any of our next moves involve me getting to harm Freddy in any way, shape or form?"

"Technically, yes they do," Malinda nodded as she thought about Harry's actions when they captured Freddy the first time.

"If we can find them," Mal promised and then glanced over at Ben. "Guys, keep planning."

"What's wrong?" Ben asked.

"Can we talk?" Mal asked, keeping her voice soft as so the others couldn't overhear.

"...That can't be a good sign," Aziz said softly.

Ben nodded and the two of them slipped out into the hall.

"What's up?" Ben asked, gently brushing a bit of Mal's hair back around her ear. He chuckled slightly as he saw two attendants walk up and then turn back around as they saw him with Mal. Almost as if they were intruding on some private moment.

"Remind me to give them a raise if we find out who they are," Belle muttered to Beast. She knew being royal prevented Ben from having a lot of privacy so she was always glad to hear about instances where the staff enabled her son to have the privacy he deserved.

Mal sighed and gently rubbed her thumb over Ben's bruised knuckles. "Ben…why'd you punch Freddy? You're… you're not a puncher. You're an ask questions first, try to resolve peacefully second and then punch never kind of guy."

"That is an accurate description!" Emir and Akiho nodded.

It was Ben's turn to sigh. "He made…he made some comments about how 'false Gods' can be very 'lustful'…and that I won't be around forever, and how you might want a 'real' man…instead of a beast…"

"Excuse me?!" Is he implying-" Jay, Uma, and Harry cried and Hades glared at the scroll.

"Yes" Malinda growled, also glaring at the scroll.

Emir looked almost impressed. "Huh, didn't think it was possible to see someone's future actions guarantee him a chance to be smote before."

"Kinda helps that his past and current actions have also guaranteed him the smoting," Akiho added.

"Hey, hey, first of all ignore Freddy's dribble," Mal told him. "It holds no weight and if I need a real man, all I need to do is look at the man I'm marrying. But…while we're on the subject, have you really thought about what marrying someone who's likely immortal will mean for you?"

"Of course I did," Benji nodded.

"Of course I thought about it Mal," Ben told her. "And it doesn't matter to me. I'm marrying the woman I love. What else matters?"

Nothing else matters if you're marrying the person you love, Milah thought, more than a little sad at how the person she had loved had changed after her death.

"The fact that you'll likely age and I probably won't by a certain age? The fact that we'll probably get ninety years together at most?" Mal said, her voice quiet.

"Okay I probably should have said 100-110 years but still I had a point," Malinda nodded.

Ben sighed softly and kissed the top of her head. "Mal, I've got some of the leftover Beast enchantment running through my veins. I'll likely live longer than normal and even if I didn't have that, it was one of the questions your mom asked me when I asked permission to marry you. If I minded the fact that you were immortal."

"Ben thinks of everything," Abby said with a small smile.

He gently cupped her cheek with his hand. "I knew exactly what I was getting into when I proposed that night and I will be happy with however long we get. Whatever comes from it, we'll work it out."

"And I stand by that," Ben nodded.

"Are…are you sure though Ben? I love you so much. I would hate for this to be an unfair relationship for you," Mal said softly. "At some point…you're not going to be here…and I still will be."

Hades bit his lip, trying not to react.

"I've never been more sure of anything other than the fact that I love you," Ben said. "And Mal, you're forgetting one thing. Who's the one person in your family who owes you a favor more than anyone? Not to be vindictive or anything but he kinda owes you one after putting you with Natalie."

Everyone looked at Zeus knowingly.

"Zeus probably owes me five years worth of favors at this point," Mal muttered. After all, if Zeus had helped dad and mom, I wouldn't have been stuck with the Dragon. The idea's not bad actually and Ben's not the only one I could ask for…Jay, Harry, Carlos, Gil…Uma would already have it from Poseidon so there's nothing to worry about there. Plus it'd be a way to tick off the Fates after all the life lines they cut…

"Probably not a good idea to tick off the Fates but I like the direction you're taking there," Hades said.

"You're just happy because it'll lessen your workload," Persephone snorted.

"Is that a bad thing?"

Jay and Harry both gave Mal a small smile as they heard their names included in her list of people to ask for, while Carlos seemed surprised he had been included too.

She shook her head. "But I'm Hades' daughter Ben. Zeus and dad…they're not exactly on speaking terms. I doubt he'd do anything for me."

Zeus winced slightly; given everything he couldn't exactly blame Mal for thinking that…

"Mal, who's daughter you are doesn't matter. This is about an uncle making sure his niece doesn't go through years of heartbreak," Ben said, gently rubbing Mal's cheek with his thumb. "If it comes down to it, I can speak to Hercules. I'm sure Zeus would gladly make Meg immortal if Hercules asked. Why should it be any different for you?"

"I mean, there is a slight difference between 'niece he never speaks to' and 'mother of his grandchildren'," Mal shook her head.

"Ben, you know as well as I that the people of Auradon place importance on who's child you are. After all, Leah certainly placed importance on my being 'Maleficent's' daughter even though I wasn't. Besides, Zeus didn't even help when mom was asking him for assistance years ago. Why would he help me now? I'll keep it in mind but…I won't get my hopes up," Mal said with a sigh.

"Sadly that is more true than I'd like," Aurora sighed.

"Well whatever you decide, I'll be there with you," Ben promised, gently kissing the top of her head once more. "Also does your head smell like strawberries?"

"What is it with you and smelling my hair/head?" Malinda chuckled.

"Lonnie got it for me, it's strawberry scented shampoo," Mal said, looking up at him and raising an eyebrow. "And why are you smelling my head?"

"Was he? Or did he just have his cheek on your hair?"

"I told you, leftover Beast enchantment," Ben chuckled. "Enhanced senses are one of the traits."

"...Do they come in handy?" Dizzy asked curiously.

Mal chuckled and shook her head. "You know I still can't believe you asked my parent's permission to propose."

"I wanted to be around to propose to you," Benji chuckled.

"It's…it's what we were taught here in Auradon," Ben said. "I'm sure Chad'll ask permission whenever he find the right girl and Emir and Akiho definitely will. Besides Mal, your parents are Gods. I'd rather stay on their good side. You really think I'd be able to propose to you this young if they didn't know about it?"

"By the way…they all do ask permission," Benji said, looking at the parents of his friends. "Though from what I heard, Emir almost became a statue in the throne room because he was so nervous."

"Dude!" Emir exclaimed as Akiho burst out laughing.

"Well, when you put it that way, I'm sure dad appreciated the heads up so that way he wasn't hollering for Pain and Panic to bring him his punishment tablet."

"And he would have done it" Mal, Persephone, Hadie and even Meg nodded fondly.

"My thoughts exactly."

"I'm going to guess mom teared up a little when you asked?" Mal asked.

"You'd be right," Ben nodded.

"How could I not?" Perspehone asked with a sad smile.

"You know she's going to bawl like a baby when we get married," Mal said with a sad smile. "She always tells me that time goes too fast."

It really does Belle thought.

Ben smiled softly. "That it does…but all we can do is make the most of the time that's given to us."

"Okay Gandalf," Hadie chuckled.

Mal leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I hate to be a buzzkill but we'd better get back in there. The longer we put off planning, the more time Audrey and Freddy have to cause havoc."

"And it wouldn't be the good kind of havoc either, like Emir and Akiho cause," Lucy shook her head.

"You're right, you're right," Ben sighed before giving Mal a small smile. "Besides, the more time they have to plan and run wild, the less time we have to plan other things. Like our wedding."

"Something that is years away, mind you!" Hades stated.

"So true," Mal said with a playful smirk. They made their way back in there.

"So guys, got a plan?"

"We're still on killing Freddy," Uma told her.

"That's less of a plan and more of a goal, though," Emma said. "Also, just saying I'm pretty good with a bow and arrow."

Snow sighed and looked over at Phillip. "I think my daughter might be starting her version of you offering your sword."

"Which by the way, completely on the table for Freddy," Phil Jr. spoke up.

"Come on guys, you know murder's frowned upon here," Mal sighed.

"Exceptions can be made," Mulan said.

"But Mal, it's Freddy! Who would miss him?!" Harry exclaimed. "How much more damage does he have to do in order to warrant it? He's openly said how much he wants to kill you and Uma…and probably not just stop there if I'm honest. Not to mention the comment he made about CJ when she was thirteen! He broke out of the Isle, he gave your fiancé, the King of Auradon, a concussion and would have had no qualms in killing him! He's aiding the Sleeping Brat in throwing a coup! Do I need to go on?!"

"Man has a point!"

"No" most of the room said at the same time.

At that moment, Ben's phone rang and he quickly answered; preventing Mal from responding to Harry's points.

Please be Jane please be Jane, FG thought, crossing her fingers.

"Hey Jane, what's up? Hang on…hold on…are you okay? You're talking too fast Jane…wait, Audrey was where? At your party? She did what? Freddy has who?

"Who does he have?" Ginny asked, biting her lip.

Who's still conscious? Okay, send them over to Evie's okay and then get yourself to safety…try spraying who you can with the Enchanted Lake water now that I think about it. Okay…okay…talk to you soon Jane."

"Well…at least there's an antidote right there…" Neal said softly.

He ended the call and put his phone in his pocket, his hand shaking slightly though whether from shock or rage, Mal wasn't sure.

"Both," Benji muttered.

"What happened?" Mal asked.

"Audrey and Freddy just attacked Jane's party," Ben sighed. "Audrey cast another sleeping curse, probably to strengthen the one she cast before she came here."

"Copycat!"

"Well I mean, we knew that was going to happen," Uma said. "Maleficent's scepter, might as well follow Maleficent's schtick."

"Something tells me it's more than that," Chip said softly.

Mal shook her head, seeing the pained look on Ben's face. "Ben…what else did she do?"

"Mal…they took Chad," Ben said, his voice no higher than a whisper and Mal felt her heart shatter for him. No matter what Charming had done…he didn't deserve to be held captive at the hands of Freddy Frollo.

"They WHAT?!" the Chamings cried.

"We'll get him back Ben," Mal promised. "Just..just have hope."

"Yeah…we need that Benny," Mal whispered softly.

Please keep your hope, Mal thought as Ben nodded. Damnit Freddy…haven't you done enough damage for one lifetime? Do you have to destroy Ben's hope as well?

"According to him, yes," Harry muttered.

"That's the end," Belle said softly. "Who…who wants to read next?"

"I'll read," Kit said.

"Kit…are you sure?" Cinderella asked.

"Ella…something's happened to Chad in the future. I have to know," Kit said softly and Cinderella nodded.