Chapter Text
Ben felt terrified as Maleficent dragged him through what he assumed was her house. Charming had gone crazy and had stolen Fairy Godmother's Wand, sending Ben to the Isle right in the clutches of Maleficent, and Ben could see no escape.
“What are you gonna do with me?” Ben asked the mistress of evil, fearing her response.
“You're important, little prince,” Maleficent told him with a wicked grin. “With you here, I can ransom you until your father either gives me that wand or takes down the barrier.”
“Did you make Charming do this?” Ben questioned, hoping that was true. Yeah, Charming had been a little sore about Ben's father being elected, but Ben had thought he had grown past that. He even considered the man something of an uncle.
“No, he has his own purposes,” Maleficent waved her hand dismissively. “He believes that if I get what I want, I'll let him rule over Auradon, the gullible fool. And if your father doesn't meet my demands, his son is next in line, but that's not a likely scenario, is it?” She grabbed Ben’s chin and made him look into her eyes, her hands cold. “You're far too important to your father.”
“I don't get it, if Charming has the wand, why does he need this whole scheme?” Ben continued, trying not to be too afraid of the woman who he'd grown up hearing of her cruelty.
“He needs a scapegoat,” Maleficent shrugged. “This is the only way where he thinks he'll get away with it.”
Ben nodded, feeling the sting of betrayal deeper. Maybe goodness wasn't as common as he'd like to believe…
“Don't dwell too much on it, little prince,” Maleficent rolled her eyes. “It's not personal.” Ben didn't reply, which just made Maleficent laugh. “Have it your way, prince,” She said, opening a door and pushing him in.
There was already a boy about Ben’s age in the room. He was bruised, dried blood all over his skin, even one of his eyes was bruised and swollen. His hands were tied together and tethered to the wall, with a gag around his mouth. His eyes were filled with fury, and being already a piercing blue, they made Ben even more scared.
Maleficent seemed to sense Ben's spike of fear. “Don't mind him,” She said wickedly, grabbing Ben's shoulder to keep him in place. “He's harmless, really, just a little puppy.” The boy shook, launching at Maleficent, but the ropes around his wrists pulled him back before he could reach her, making Maleficent cackle. “He's not a very well trained puppy, so I have to keep him on a leash. He does have claws, so I'd stay out of his reach if I were you, prince, he has been known to bite.”
The boy again tried to charge at Maleficent, fighting against the rope with a wince until Maleficent slammed the door behind her, leaving Ben alone with the boy, who continued to struggle, letting out a frustrated yell as his efforts were all in vain, until he finally let the rope pull him back, landing on the floor with a small whimper.
“...Hey, are you okay?” Ben couldn't help but ask, though still feeling afraid of the boy.
The boy glared up at Ben, his blue eyes again piercing into Ben's. ...Oh, the gag.
Ben stepped toward the boy cautiously. When he made no movement, Ben knelt next to him and reached up for his gag, but the boy’s eyes widened and he started thrashing around, growling like he really was an animal.
“Hey, hey, I won't hurt you,” Ben tried, pulling back. “I just wanna take your gag off, is that okay?”
The boy stilled, glaring at Ben with distrust before looking him over and giving him a single nod.
Ben took a deep breath, reaching up and starting to work on the knot at the back, but it was tied excessively tight. Ben couldn't imagine how uncomfortable- even painful the gag must’ve been for the boy. After a moment, the boy started to growl again, thrashing around a little.
“It'll only be another second,” Ben tried to calm the boy. “Please, just hold still.”
Finally, he got the gag off, the boy groaning a little as he pulled a ball of fabric out of his mouth, opening and closing it a couple times. “Mmgh,” He mumbled, pursing his lips. “Ugh… Who- who are you?” He asked, voice raspy and words not quite formed right.
“My name’s Ben,” He told the boy.
“Maleficent called you prince,” The boy observed, and Ben noted a Scottish accent.
“Yeah,” Ben admitted. “Who are you?”
“Not a prince,” The boy snapped.
“What's your name?” Ben asked, feeling sympathetic to the poor kid.
“Harry,” The boy said quietly.
“Why-why did Maleficent tie you up and keep you in here?” Ben questioned.
“She hated my father,” Harry said bitterly. “And her daughter hates me.”
“But- why?” Ben frowned, shaking his head.
“I don't know!” Harry growled in frustration, pulling at the rope, wincing again and falling back to the ground.
“Hold on,” Ben sighed, reaching for Harry’s wrists, but the boy pulled away with a distrustful look. “I just want to help,” He tried.
Harry stopped fighting, pouting now. “Fine,” He gave in.
Ben watched him for a second, waiting for the boy to lash out again, but he didn't, so Ben again reached for the rope binding his wrists, feeling a surge of frustration when he thought the boy started fighting again, but the frustration turned to sympathy when he realized the poor kid had flinched, since his wrists had been rubbed red - even breaking skin - due to his fighting the ropes. “I'll be careful,” Ben promised, trying to untie the tight knots as gently as he could.
Harry kept making these little noises, sharp breaths, quiet whimpers, things like that as he kicked his legs out in front of him. “Hurry it up, wouldja, princey?!” He hissed.
“I'm sorry, I'm trying to be gentle,” Ben winced.
“Forget that, just get it over with!” Harry growled, kicking his legs again.
“Right,” Ben nodded, feeling guilty as he started working faster, though rougher. Harry growled, tensing up until Ben finally freed him.
Harry pulled free as soon as Ben got the rope loose enough, jumping up. “Ugh, that stupid fairy!” He snarled, pacing the floor.
“Why does she hate you?” Ben asked again, looking over the boy now that he was standing to his full height. He was rather tall, wearing pants that were too small for him, and his shirt had holes scattered all through the fabric. He didn't even have shoes…
“I told you, highness, Maleficent hated my father,” Harry told him bitterly.
“Who's your father?” Ben couldn't help but ask.
Harry scoffed, shaking his head. “My father was Captain James Hook.”
“Was?” Ben asked, standing now himself.
“Why are you here?!” Harry hissed, turning to Ben angrily.
Ben glanced down, not feeling the fear he figured he should. “I'm-I'm a ransom hostage,” He admitted.
Harry blinked, softening a little. “Oh,” He said. “Well, welcome to the Isle, princey.”
“Thanks,” Ben responded.
“I was being sarcastic, you idiot,” Harry crossed his arms.
“Ben will do,” He muttered. “What does Maleficent's daughter have against you?” Ben asked.
“I don’t know!” Harry hissed. “I already told you, I don't know! She's always hated me, never giving me a moments peace, but now she's won for good! Ugh, I gotta get out of here!” He shouted, punching the wall.
Ben flinched, sighing a little. This whole situation was distressing, to say the least. He couldn't stop thinking about the cold look in Charming’s eyes as he sent Ben to the Isle, and he was terrified. No matter what his father did, it would be a lose lose. Either he left Ben on the Isle, meaning Chad would be the one who would be made King soon, or he'd give Maleficent the magic wand and she'd destroy Auradon. And not only that, the boy who he'd apparently be trapped with was crazy and vicious.
Ben sat back down, bringing his knees up to his chest as he tried to settle in, watching Harry pace around. It would be a long night…