Truth Or Fiction

The Fates have had it. They're tired of cutting all the life threads of the denizens of the Isle while Auradon seems to be unaware of the issue. While they're not supposed to reveal the future, that's never stopped them before now has it?

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter Text

The three Fates watched the Isle, having just cut another life string of a resident there. The poor dear couldn't have been more than five or six.

"Honestly," Clotho shook her head. "What's the point in me going through all the work to spin their life threads if we're just going to cut them in a few years anyway?"

"Well it's our job," Lachesis told her. "Just as it's Lord Hades' job to judge the souls that come to him. At least Beastie allowed him the ability to still run the Underworld. Imagine the state of things if his incompetent hench-imps were running things."

"Oh now they're not that bad," Clotho said. "Besides, Lady Persephone would probably be the one running things. Not to mention there are other judges. As well, Beastie brought villains back from the dead because he felt death too good for them."

That had been a fun conversation, when he had asked her to spin new life threads for the villains who had died by the hands of their respective heroes. She would have refused if Atropos hadn't reminded her that they were bound to do it.

"Besides, Beastie's dealt with a loved one having their life thread cut," Lachesis said and Clotho sighed. It was always tough to cut the threads of those who hadn't even had a chance to live yet.

"You know…" she said. "We could probably save ourselves a ton of work if we were to let Beastie know exactly what's happening on the Isle."

"Why would we do that? Besides his son's to take the throne in a month anyway," Atropos scoffed. "And if you say it'll give Lord Hades less work, why should we even care about that? We make the threads, we cut the threads, Hades judges the souls. It's how things have always worked since the dawn of time."

"He's always been so complimentary to us though—."

"Clotho, we're not supposed to reveal the future! The last time we did that, Hades kidnapped Zeus' bouncy baby brat!"

"Technically, that was his hench-imps. And we're also not supposed to make new threads for those who've died either but we did that at Beastie's behest. What would be the harm in gathering a few people and letting them see what the Isle's truly like?"

On top of that, Lord Hades would be able to have people know the truth about his daughter. Oh just because it wasn't in the registry didn't mean the Fates didn't know who his elder child was. They had made her life thread after all, and they had seen the moment it had turned bright gold.

Just as his other child's had.

"Oh alright," Atropos sighed. "Gather them up, have them read a book for all I care! But if this ends poorly, I won't be to blame!"

Clotho nodded and pulled out their shared eyeball, holding it up so that it floated in midair. Spinning around, it glowed bright before the light enveloped the room. When it faded, the lair of the Fates was now a cozy living area with a couple of sofas, a few beanbag chairs and a dog bed.

It was also filled with a lot more people than had currently been there.

"Uma! Harry!" A purple haired girl exclaimed, rushing toward a teal haired and a black haired teen around her age. She was followed by a taller boy who was wearing a red beanie on his raven hair. A blue haired girl and a black and white haired boy lingered off to the side.

"Mal!" Uma grinned. "Gods cuz, you're acting like it's been a month since we saw you!"

"Shut it," Mal chuckled and hugged her cousin.

"I'm sorry, cousin?" Hercules asked and the two Godlings broke their hug in shock at hearing his voice. Sure enough they were not alone.

"That's right, Wonderbreath, cousin," Mal nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not like any of you Olympians cared to check on that did you?"

"But—."

"Hades!" Zeus exclaimed, his face darkening in rage as he cut off whatever Hercules was going to say. "What's the meaning of this?!"

Hades chuckled as he walked over to his daughter. "For once, Zeus, not my doing. Mal, did you—?"

"I have no idea what's going on dad," Mal promised.

"Mali!"

"Hey Storm Cloud," Mal grinned as a smaller boy came rushing up to her and enveloped her in a hug, not noticing Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Demeter's look of astonishment. The boy was quickly followed by a brunette woman who was gathered up in a hug by Hades. "Hey mom."

Everyone paused. "Um…did she just say mom?"

"Chip!" A brunett boy grinned and came bounding over to the dirty blond older man. "What're you doing here?"

"I think that's a question better suited for everyone Benji," Chip chuckled as he hugged his surrogate brother as Ben's parents came rushing over. "But my first question still stands. I thought you were inviting the daughter of Maleficent."

Mal rolled her eyes. "As I told Prince Beastie over there before we were enveloped in a bright light and brought here, Maleficent's daughter's been dead for years. But my parents didn't want his invitation to go to waste so I came instead."

"Oh honestly, you really expect us to believe that lie?"

"There's no reason for her to lie Audrey," Ben said, looking over at the brunette girl.

"But Bennyboo—!"

Whatever Audrey was about to say was cut off as she stared at the three headed dog that had come trotting up to Mal.

"Oh wow!" Ben grinned. "That's so cool!"

"And we've lost him," one of the other boys who were in attendance shook his head.

"Yeah, show Ben a mythological creature and he's useless for the rest of the day," the other boy chuckled. "Hey Akiho, think of it this way. At least it's not a dragon."

"That's a good point Emir."

The two boys' families shook their heads in amusement.

"He's mine," Mal told Ben, looking at him with a bit of uncertainty in her features. As if she wasn't sure what his motive was.

"Can I?"

"Go for it."

Ben grinned and bent down to pet the dog. "Oh, you're such a good boy! I bet you're a smart one too!"

"Ben, get away from it! It might attack you!"

"Honestly Audrey, you're freaking out over a three headed dog. Lord Hades is right there, I doubt Ben's in any danger," the boy next to her shook his head.

The Cerberus looked over at Audrey and snorted before licking Ben's hand gently with its right hand, as if proving a point that there was no threat to Ben.

"Good boy Estelle," Mal said softly, bending down to pet her dog.

"You know French?" Ben asked with a small grin.

"Yeah, I mean I speak a little but not enough to be fluent…you do too?"

"Dad's kingdom was in France. I'm bilingual," he explained.

Hades shook his head. "As fascinating as this all is, why exactly are we all here? I mean, being off the Isle is great and all but being this close to Zeus after so many years—."

"That would be our doing Lord Hades," Clotho spoke up and everyone jumped slightly at their voice.

"Ah, ladies," Hades said with a grin as Persephone rolled her eyes in amusement. "How can we help you today?"

"For twenty years precisely, Auradon has grown ever so nicely."

"Oy, verse," Hades muttered causing Mal, Hadie, and Uma to chuckle slightly while Jay and Harry smirked in amusement.

"But while the royals looked away, the Isle began to wither and decay."

"What?!" Belle gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Should you ignore the answers at your feet, the death count will only but increase."

"That last bit didn't exactly rhyme," Hades said as the three Fates vanished in their eyeball, leaving only a series of scrolls tied in purple, teal, blue, red, gold, and orange ribbons.

"What?!" The Auradon contingent exclaimed.

"Death count?!"

"What in the world did they mean by that?"

"Seriously Bennyboo, get away from that vicious creature!"

Everyone turned to look at Audrey in shock or embarrassment.

"Audrey, dear, Prince Ben is perfectly fine," Aurora told her, more than a little shocked at what her daughter was focusing on. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to focus on the bigger issue."

"That's right," Beast nodded before Audrey could make another comment. "A death count?"

"You all have death in Boreadon, I'm sure you know what the words mean," Hades scoffed. "And I don't know why you're acting like we have all the answers. The Fates just left us the information you all are asking for. We might as well read it."

"What about refreshments? They can't expect us to be here the whole time," an older woman next to Aurora sniffed. "Some of us have kingdoms to run."

"And Lord Hades has the Underworld to run, Queen Leah. He knows the importance of all of us returning to our jobs," Snow White stated with a kind smile. "But if all we need to do to go back home is read, I see no harm in that."

"I agree Queen Snow," Ben nodded. "Who would like to read first?"

"To prevent an argument between you and your mother, I'll read first," Chip chuckled and picked up the first scroll, one tied with a purple ribbon. "I'm assuming this one is first one. There're no labels so if it's not, there'll be spoilers."

"Well there's only one way to find out," Ben said, trying to hide the frown that had formed when he realized that the AKs and the VKs had split off into their own groups. Even the adults from both the Isle and Auradon had split off as well. Ben hoped that everyone could get along and merge together soon.

It was probably just the stress of being pulled into something by the Fates.

Right?

Chapter 2 Chapter Text

"Alright," Chip grinned as he untied the scroll and unfurled it. "Let's begin shall we?"

Hades looked over his shoulder at the bundle in Maleficent's arms, his soon to be ex-wife glaring at him as he prepared to walk out the door.

"Gods, calling Maleficent my ex anything sends shivers of disgust down my spine," Hades muttered. "We had to start with her?"

Leah sneered slightly at having the same thought as a villain of all people.

Mal, though, frowned as she realized just what was happening. Dad…dad was going to leave me with her? Just walk out on the both of us?

"So you are Maleficent's daughter after all! See Ben, I told you! Villains always lie!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Not even one line in and she's already at risk for getting hit with a fireball," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Are you really surprised dude?"

Persephone sighed and looked over at the princess. "Princess Audrey, it would be best if you refrain from acting like you know anything about our family. Mal is the furthest thing from Maleficent's daughter that you could get."

Audrey glowered slightly but backed down. Still she seemed to wear an air of 'I was right', causing the boy next to her to roll his eyes.

"Please continue," Persephone told Chip, who was fighting the urge to roll his eyes as well.

"Go on!" She growled, her eyes glowing green. Had she been able to access her full power, Hades might have felt nervous for Mal. "Leave! But know this, if you go, you'll never see hide nor hair of Mal again!"

"She's really telling Uncle Hades what to do?" Uma snorted. "The Dragon's gone round the bend if that's the case."

"She wasn't exactly the sanest to begin with Uma," Harry chuckled.

"How exactly did she get pregnant though?" Akiho asked. "Considering she was stabbed in the stomach by Prince Phillip Sr.?"

"The less we think about Maleficent, the happier we all are," Mal stated.

Hades stilled, before turning to square off against his wife, towering over her smaller form. "I'm taking her with me," he told her, his voice low. "She's my daughter Maleficent. If you think I won't get my hands on her one way or another, you've forgotten what got me tossed on this hellscape of an Isle in the first place."

"Go Lord Hades!" Jay cheered. Estelle yipped softly as if to agree with what Jay had said.

Mal grinned. "Had me going there for a bit there dad."

"You honestly think I'd leave you in the Dragon's talons Mali?" Hades said with a small smile.

Neither father nor daughter noticed the look on the other Gods' faces. They definitely hadn't been expecting that from Hades. Though Zeus glowered slightly at the reminder of Hades' crime against him.

"She'll have powers you'll never understand," Maleficent told him. "I"m the only one who can explain them to her, even if she can never use them."

"Oh, so you'll be able to explain her godlike powers too or were you going to brush those under the rug? Maybe pretend like they were your Fae powers?"

"Yeah that does seem like something she'd do," Persephone muttered while rolling her eyes.

Maleficent rolled her eyes. "She won't know you exist nor will she have access to them while she's under the barrier so what's the point in explaining those?"

"The Isle's not the biggest," Hades pointed out, his voice low with a slight growl. "We could run into each other."

The two stood off for what felt like an eternity but was more realistically around five minutes. Maleficent broke it first, shoving Mal into Hades' arms.

Mal held back a small sigh. Even though she knew her mom and dad loved her, there was still a small part of her that was hurt that Maleficent didn't try to fight for her. And when she said small, she meant like microscopic. Looking at Audrey, Mal said with a small smirk, "there you go. I'm not her daughter. She just handed me right over."

"Fine, take the little brat!" She growled. "With a weak father like you, there's no chance she would be anything to be proud of."

"You and I have very different definitions of what would make us proud of our daughter," Hades told her before walking out of Maleficent's lair, Mal being supported the best he could.

"See Bennyboo? How can she be Lady Persephone's daughter if Lord Hades just said Mal was his and Maleficent's daughter?"

"…Bennyboo?" Hades smirked as he looked over at the Crown Prince.

"Audrey, again, Mal has no reason to lie," Ben said, fighting the flush that was threatening to overpower his cheeks. "And can we please not use that nickname?"

"Okay Bennybear."

Ben sighed and then looked over at Chip. "Don't. Say. A. Word."

Chip chuckled but did just that, causing Beast to sigh and shake his head in slight amusement.

"You can still read Chip," the King told his surrogate son.

"Oh right."

He knew it was a risk, walking out into the Isle with an infant but he had no choice. His lair was on the exact opposite side of the Isle from Maleficent's and there were no underground tunnels connecting the two, the way there might be if he had an alliance with Maleficent.

"And the only day that would happen is if a kimono dragon sprouted wings and learned to fly," Lonnie scoffed.

"I like her," Hades smirked.

And there never will be any tunnels to the Dragon's lair, Hades thought, a glare keeping some of the underlings from approaching him. Some even dove out of his path to avoid his rage.

"So that's where Mal gets it from," Hadie grinned.

However, that didn't stop others from trying.

"Three guesses who," Harry muttered.

"Ah Hades!" Gaston greeted him with a wave, Captain Hook his only company, at the half way mark of Hades' trek to his lair. "Come, have a drink! I'm celebrating after all!"

"What on Earth is he celebrating?" Harry scoffed. "Did he finally realize he had a brain?"

Belle tried her hardest to keep the giggles at bay but she couldn't prevent one or two from slipping out.

Hades rolled his eyes but walked over to the hunter despite his better judgement. "What are you celebrating?"

"Before you ask, I've no idea why I even stopped to talk to them," Hades shook his head. "All talking to Gaston provides is a headache."

"The birth of my son of course! A boy, strong like his father! He'll be running around with Gaston Jr and Gaston the Third in no time."

"How creative," Beast said dryly.

"Well he's halfway to his dream," Belle shook her head. "Six sons and a little wife massaging his feet."

"I just realized Gil's younger than me," Mal said.

"Lucky you," Harry muttered.

"It's just by like three weeks Harry."

"Still, at least your age isn't used as one of the reasons why you're constantly lumped with Fish for Brains."

"Let me guess the name for this one. Gaston the fourth?" Hades ventured.

Gaston sighed. "Sadly no. I got the news too late so Claudette had already named him. Gil, on account he was born near the water and Claudette likes fish. Serves me right to leave that decision up to a woman."

"Whoa! What's that supposed to mean?!" Emma exclaimed.

"If Rachel Fitzherbert was here, she'd be asking if Gaston wanted to say that to her frying pan!" Lonnie nodded. "I didn't know one's gender made one good at picking out a name!"

"She's got a point," Shang shrugged as some of the other parents looked over at him, as if asking if he was going to reign in his daughter.

"Aye, I've been blessed with a son myself," Hook nodded while Hades rolled his eyes at the hunter's not so creative names for his sons.

Harry held back the wince at the words. There'd been a time when he'd been his father's whole world. He'd sit on his lap and they'd talk about where they'd sail when they'd finally get off the Isle.

And then the runt was born. And his mom died. And the Captain changed.

So to hear the Captain say he'd been blessed with a son…all it did was bring back memories of that time. That time that Harry could never get back, no matter how hard he tried.

"Harriet's not the happiest lass in the sea but she'll get over it."

"Wait, there was a time when Harriet wasn't happy you were around?" Mal teased Harry, trying to get him to smile.

"Speaking as an older sibling, it does happen," Aziz chuckled.

"Feeling the love there!" Emir and Ashaki exclaimed.

Ben smiled slightly, trying to hold back the pain at never knowing what that was like.

"Well congratulations," Hades said dryly. "If you'll excuse me, I need to return to—"

"What's that you got there Hades?" Gaston asked, finally noticing the bundle in Hades' arms. "Laundry? Give it to one of the scullery maids around here and grab a drink!"

"Laundry doesn't move, you idiot," Hook sighed.

"Now we know where Gil inherited his brains from," Harry snorted. Mal, Uma, and Jay smiled at that; happy Harry wasn't dwelling on the past.

"I knew that!"

"Sure he did," a blonde girl sitting next to Snow White said and rolled her eyes.

"Emma," Snow scolded lightly.

Hades rolled his eyes at their banter but before he could say anything, Mal cooed from her blankets. The noise caught the pirate and the hunter's attention.

Mal flushed slightly as Uma and Harry chuckled.

"Guess you developed the ability to read the room at a later age cuz."

"I was a baby!"

"Why Hades, is that a baby you've got there?" Hook asked, his hook peeling back the blankets.

"Very well spotted," Hades responded, his voice flat as he resisted the urge to rip that hook from Hook's body. "Your powers of observation are obsolete."

"Who does the brat belong to?" Hook asked.

"The same guy who's holding the baby," Mal smirked, ignoring the gasped from some of the Auradonians at Hook calling a baby a brat. Everyone on the Isle knew Hook didn't care for kids.

"Didn't Maleficent's egg just hatch?" Gaston asked before Hades could answer.

"How in the world did he know that?!" Melody exclaimed.

"She's got a point. Gaston's ego is so large, you'd think he'd only care about news pertaining to himself or Belle," Harry scoffed.

"Hades, bold of you to snatch the hatchling right after the birth. You know dragons are extremely protective of their young."

"Protective…possessive…tomato…psychotic dragon…" Mal said, moving her hands as if weighing her options.

Hades snorted. As much as Maleficent tried, she couldn't avoid people see her growing belly during the pregnancy. Evil Queen had delighted in Maleficent's changing figure, though she couldn't say much considering she had been pregnant with her own child at the time. The young girl had been born three months ago so it wasn't possible to confuse her with Mal, who was about three weeks at best.

Evie couldn't help but smile slightly at the mention of her mother. That time was the rare bit of happiness her family had—just her mother, her father, and her.

"Well Maleficent couldn't do much considering she was sleeping," Hades lied. It would be safer for Mal if no one on the Isle knew she was biologically his. Maleficent held all the power on the Isle.

"You're a God though," Hadie said, looking over at his dad.

"Didn't matter. Maleficent runs the Isle," Hades shrugged.

"Wouldn't it have just increased her standing on the Isle?" The boy next to Audrey asked. "Considering she had a child with a God?"

"The less we try to understand about Maleficent's mind, the better…and you are?"

"Phillip Jr."

"Copying Gaston there for names huh?"

Phillip Sr. flushed slightly.

"Ah excellent," Gaston nodded and then looked over at Mal. "Bah, a girl! I wouldn't have even put in the effort."

"Yeah the Isle's well aware about what you think of women," Carlos muttered.

"Considering he won't even acknowledge his daughters, I'm not surprised he said that," Mal rolled her eyes.

"He what?" Belle gasped.

"Oh yeah, to him, his only kids are his sons," Mal shrugged. "You're really surprised? I mean, it's Gaston we're talking about."

Belle didn't answer but gently rested a hand to her stomach. Even after all these years, she could sometimes feel a phantom flutter…as if her daughter was still there, yearning to be born…and to know there were girls on the Isle who weren't even being acknowledged by their father…?

"Didn't you get bested by a girl? A girl who's husband is the reason we're all on this prison?" Hook asked as Hades walked away, not in the mood to hear their drivel any longer.

"Always a mistake to overlook the ladies," Lonnie grinned.

The remaining walk back to his lair was without interruption and Hades sighed as he entered his home. That's when the realization hit: there was nothing suitable in his lair to raise a baby.

"Welcome to the first time parents' club Uncle," Hercules said softly, looking over at Hades. "I remember when Hyllus was born."

"Wonderboy, you panicked for about a month when you found out I was pregnant," Meg shook her head as Hades looked at the two of them in slight shock. After everything he'd done to them, he hadn't expected…then again Hercules was more forgiving than Zeus ever was.

Mortals usually preached the importance of not holding a grudge. Probably because they knew how fleeting life truly was, as opposed to the Gods who had forever and a day to hold on to their grudges.

"Oh gods I wish Persephone was here," Hades groaned and then paused. "On second thought it might be a good idea that she's not. I can handle a baby on my own for a few months. I can't handle becoming a mint plant. Of course, that wouldn't be seen as evil so Steph's powers would work if anything green could grow around here."

"I wouldn't have turned you into a plant," Persephone chuckled.

"Uh huh," Hades said dryly. "Your track record speaks differently dear."

Setting Mal down on a nearby chair and using what he could to keep her from rolling, Hades walked into another room.

"Dad, I was three weeks old," Mal shook her head. "I doubt I'd be rolling anywhere."

"When you're a first time parent, you'll be singing a different tune Mali," Hades stated before pausing. "Which won't be for many, many years to come."

"Please dad, you really think I want a kid? I'm sixteen," Mal chuckled.

"PAIN! PANIC!" Hades bellowed, realizing a minute too late that the summons might have awoken Mal. But there were no cries from the other room and soon his minions were in front of him.

"Please Uncle Hades, Mali sleeps like the dead," Uma shook her head. "I don't think a herd of elephants could have woken her up."

"Pain!"

"And Panic!"

"Reporting for duty!" They said, ending with a salute.

"They're like Emir and Akiho," Ben chuckled.

"Only in imp form," Mal smirked. She may have only met them just now but she was more than happy to compare people to Pain and Panic.

"We take that as a compliment you know!" The two boys grinned.

"I need you to set up a room for a baby," he growled, his tone of voice letting them know that there would be no questions. "You are not to be loud. You are not to ask questions. Let me know when it's done."

"So is it safe to assume questions were asked?"

"Actually no, they followed instructions for once," Hades chuckled at his son's question.

"Yes sir!" Both of them agreed and ran off, saluting as they went. Hades smirked and went back to hold Mal.

"Hi little Mally," he said softly. "I'm your dad. Your mom's a little scary so I thought it would be better if I spent all the time with you."

"Calling Maleficent a 'little scary' is an understatement Uncle Hades," Uma snorted in amusement.

"Don't even say a word Audrey," Emma sighed.

There was no response, no noise, which Hades had to link to Maleficent being the mother. The only baby he had ever been around was his little sunspot of a nephew but even he was squealing and babbling all the time.

Hera couldn't help but shoot Hades a glare. Thanks to him, she only got a few precious moments with her son at that age.

I could always inquire at Ursula's. Didn't my niece have her own little squidling? Hades thought as he sat with Mal. No, that would defeat the purpose of people not knowing Mal's mine.

"By people, did you mean the citizens of the Isle or us?" Zeus asked, his voice oddly soft for the King of the Gods.

"Both," Hades said as he glared at his younger brother.

"Mama wouldn't blab though," Uma pointed out. "I mean she kept it a secret that Ariel had signed a contract with her for the time period of said contract. Besides she hates most of the people on the Isle anyway. Who'd she tell?"

"Um Hades?" Panic's voice broke through Hades' thoughts after what might have been an eternity but was more realistically about thirty minutes and he turned to glare at his minion.

"What?"

"The r-room's r-ready," Panic said and Hades had to be impressed, despite his better judgement.

"Panic's the less moronic of the two," Hades shrugged. "Unfortunately he's easily led by Pain."

"That was fast," he said, getting up to see what his minions had done.

"I-I hope you don't mind b-but we used a lot of V-Virgil's old things," Panic said as Hades looked at the room. "The c-crib for instance—Vanessa spent the morning freaking out because Virgil had managed to climb—"

"Vanessa?" Eric asked, looking over at Hades as a flash of fear washed over his face.

"We don't know how but the two of them split," Hades told the raven haired King. "And somehow the human form decided to get together with Panic of all beings."

Mal though couldn't help but smile at the mention of Virgil. The always nervous boy was like an older brother to her.

Hades cut Panic off with a glare; he honestly did not care about the backstory for the room being completed so fast. The job was done and they weren't loud in doing it—proof they were capable of at least following instructions. The crib was a suitable one, a bit cracked in places near the top but the frame seemed sturdy. There were bite marks along the edge, presumably where Panic's brat had gnawed while teething.

"Disgusting," Leah muttered under her breath.

"It'll do," Hades nodded, looking nonplused but Pain and Panic were probably just relieved he wasn't shouting. "You're dismissed."

Pain and Panic ran out the door, the fear of fireballs still engrained in them. Hades sighed at the memory. He used to be a God and now he was stuck on this Isle. The only solace was the fact that he had access to the Underworld to continue to do his job; harboring the souls of the deceased.

"So…who would run the Underworld if you didn't have access?" Mal asked.

"Probably your mother," Hades told her.

"Why would Maleficent—?!"

"My mother is sitting right next to me Audrey," Mal stated, resisting the urge to call her the numerous nicknames that were floating around her head. "As I told you, Maleficent is only my birth giver!"

A small coo from Mal brought Hades' attention back to the present and he couldn't help but smile. Okay, this was a good reason to be stuck.

All the parents in the room couldn't help but smile as they thought back to when their children were that age. How they would do anything to protect them.

"Here's hoping your mom doesn't end up wanting you back," Hades muttered. It was a coin flip with Maleficent, and if Evil Queen ended up using her daughter to try to snatch power from Maleficent's hands the Mistress of Evil might want to use Mal for the same.

Hades' face darkened and Persephone's eyes grew sad at the reminder that Mal hadn't always been there with them.

The worst part was, on the registry, Mal was Maleficent's and only Maleficent's. If he refused her access to Mal, then she could reach out to someone. On the rare occasion an inspector came to the Isle, she could play whatever card she chose and Hades was sure the idiot would take Mal from him.

"Yeah I mean, because the idiot would risk angering a God," Macaria scoffed.

After all, with his record, who would believe Mal was actually his and not just some other child he had stolen?

It was Zeus' turn to have his face darken at the memory of having Hercules stolen from him as a baby. It was something he truly would never quite get over.

Hera noticed the look on her husband's face and sighed. While she would always regret not being able to have time with Hercules as he grew up, she also knew there was a large chance that had they had Hercules, their three adorable grandchildren wouldn't be there.

That didn't mean she would forgive Hades for stealing Hercules from them though.

Looking down at his daughter, who was staring back at him with her bright green eyes, all thoughts about the future vanished from Hades' mind. All that mattered was this moment right here.

Hades smiled slightly as Mal looked up at him, her bright green eyes shining with love and happiness. Just as they had those sixteen years ago.

Maleficent won't try to steal from a God, he thought as he set Mal down in the crib. Now, I need to figure out how to get word to Persephone. I doubt those two morons set up anything for Mal to eat.

Besides, it would probably be better if Persephone had time to stew over the news Hades had a biological daughter with another woman. She'd have time to calm down and Hades wouldn't have to spend some of his precious limited time with her mad at him.

"I'm calling it now….mom was mad," Mal stated.

"It's almost like you know mom or something Mali," Hadie grinned.

The question was: how?

"You won't call me dear. I'll call you," Persephone said with a small smile.

"That's the end of that scroll," Chip told them. "Who's next?"

"You go ahead Ben," Belle told her son. "I'll read the next one."

"You sure mom?"

"Of course."

Ben grinned and grabbed a scroll that was tied up in a blue ribbon.

Chapter 3 Chapter Text

Ben smiled as he pulled the ribbon and unfurled his scroll. While he wasn't thrilled to think about a death count on the Isle, it was fascinating to find out how things had been all those years ago.

Hades was on edge. It had been about a week since he had taken Mal and walked out of Maleficent's life. There had been no sign, no whisper, that Maleficent was planning revenge though Hades knew it was coming.

"Of course it's coming. It's Maleficent. Why did you let your guard down, past me?" Hades muttered.

His ex-wife—oh Gods how he hated referring to her by that title even in his head; no one had known they were married or even together—was not one who was known for acting rashly. After all, it took her sixteen years to enact her curse on Aurora.

Aurora sighed softly as Leah stiffened at the reminder of the sixteen lost years she could have had with her daughter.

Hades, on the other hand, was the guy who kidnapped a baby because the little sunspot might have interfered with his plans.

"You didn't just kidnap him. You made it so he could never return home," Zeus growled.

"And what did you do in revenge?" Persephone shot back. "We went to you for help. You denied it. You and Hades are now even."

"Father?" Hercules asked, looking over at the Olympus contingent. "What…what does Aunt Persephone mean by that?"

"I'm sure you'll all find out soon enough," Hades said, his voice stiff as Persephone glared slightly at Zeus. Though one might have thought there was a bit of a smile at being called 'Aunt' Persephone.

"Mal, I hope you inherit your mother's patience," Hades muttered while holding his daughter.

Uma, Harry, and Jay looked over at each other and burst out laughing.

"Mal? Patient?" Harry chuckled.

"That's like saying she's not obsessed with dragons or the color purple," Uma snorted.

"That being said, your mother never did have much in the way of patience, at least when it came to suffering fools. Just slightly more than I do."

"See Ben! How many different ways—?"

"Adoption is a thing," Mal said, her voice flat and her green eyes flashing slightly in rage as she glared at Audrey. "Now drop it."

Mal remained silent and Hades sighed. That was another thing keeping him on edge—Mal rarely cried.

"You didn't cry?" Ben asked, looking over at Mal.

"Why would I?" Mal shrugged. "While the motto of the Isle is 'you cry, you die', a baby doesn't know that. But I probably knew I was safe with my dad."

Hades couldn't help but give Mal a sad smile. I couldn't keep you safe though, he thought.

She'd coo, she'd glare, she'd try and grab his finger if she was particularly annoyed. Almost anything except cry.

"Oh so the opposite of Emir?" Aziz asked with a chuckle.

Emir rolled his eyes but smiled at his brother. "I wasn't that bad."

"You once cried because the sun went behind a cloud." Aziz shook his head.

"Uh, H-Hades?"

" What ?" Hades barked, turning toward his cowering minion with a glare.

"A c-call for you," Panic said, his knees knocking together out of either fear or habit, considering it was hard to be intimidating with a baby in one's arms, and the likelihood of getting hit with anything within arms' reach was low.

"You know that'd be interesting to see how far you could throw something while—."

"No," Mulan stated, looking at Shang.

"I was just saying it was interesting."

"I don't care. Su's the only one with young enough kids that you can reasonably hold and you know Yao would try to throw something while holding them."

"…that's a good point."

"From L-Lady P-Persephone."

"No, really? And I thought it was from Hera," Hades snorted in amusement.

Hades sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Watch Mal. If she cries, do what you need to so that she stops crying. I want no interruptions."

"I'm not even going to place a bet that there was an interruption," Macaria snorted.

Panic nodded frantically, taking Mal from Hades, and Hades made his way to another room before shutting the door. This room was completely empty but housed the most important thing to Hades.

"Feeling the love dad."

Well third most important.

"Oh that's nice!"

"You weren't even born yet Hadie!"

It housed the portal Persephone used to traverse between Auradon and the Isle.

"Oh…well then that is important," Hadie nodded.

"You know, I just had a thought," Persephone said, turning to her husband. "We should probably find someone who can maintain that. If anything happen to it…"

"And normally I'd agree with you Steph but for one thing."

"And what's that?"

"It was created by a God," Hades chuckled. "Say what you want about Olympus but they don't believe in shoddy workmanship."

The only good thing Zeus ever did, Hades thought as he smiled upon seeing his wife.

"Well and defeating Kronos," Poseidon pointed out.

"He only did that because our mother decided not to give him to our father to eat," Hades scoffed.

"Still if he hadn't been able to do that, we'd still be in our father's stomach and your children would not be here today."

Hades glowered but couldn't argue against that point.

Though the portal could be used to go back and forth, it was only ever fully open every six months. Outside of those months, it could only be used to open a looking glass; allowing them to see and hear each other but not fully embrace the other.

"Gods…I don't think I could handle not being able to embrace the person I loved for six months," Emma whispered. "That sounds like pure torture!"

Persephone, though, was the only one who could imitate a call as her powers were not forced into dormancy in Auradon nor were they forced into dormancy when she arrived on the Isle. It was lucky that the barrier was only designed to keep 'evil' magic from working.

"How exactly is magic defined as 'good' or 'evil'? Is it intent? Or was it just decided that everyone on the Isle is evil and therefore shouldn't get their magic?" Melody asked.

"Hades," Persephone smiled upon seeing her husband. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything but I wanted to see you. It's been so long since our last conversation."

"You are never an interruption," Hades told her.

"Aww!" Elle and Emma sighed, smiles gracing the faces of both princesses.

"How is life over in Boreadon? Still perfectly peaceful?"

Persephone shook her head in exasperated amusement at the nickname most of the Isle dwellers had given Auradon.

"Hey, we are not—!"

"Audrey, be honest. Does anything really happen in Auradon? Anything exciting I mean?" Ben asked, looking over at her.

"Ben!"

Mal though couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips. So, sounds like you're looking for an adventure Beastie Jr. Like mother, like son huh?

"Queen Belle has given birth to a healthy baby boy, as did Queen Ella, while Princess Aurora gave birth to a healthy baby girl and Queen Rapunzel has given birth to her fifth healthy baby girl. The royal announcements will be going out next week."

"Honestly, I don't know how Rapunzel did it," Ariel said, shaking her head. "Five kids at that point?"

"It is rather impressive," Mulan nodded.

Belle bit her lip, hiding a sad smile as she thought about the fact that Ben was the only child she had been able to give Adam. She loved her son, and she would always be grateful for him, but she always had a feeling Adam wanted a large family. Lots of kids running around after the ten years of isolation and only having Chip and his siblings to play with.

And he really couldn't do much with them considering they were teacups.

"If they're healthy, then why are they waiting to make the announcement?" Hades asked, not really caring about the royal gossip. With all the villains on the Isle, it would make sense that the birth rate in Auradon would spike. Not much else for the heroes to do.

"Dad, if you didn't care, why did you ask?" Mal asked.

"A man can't make conversation with his wife?"

Leah though bristled at what the text on the scroll seemed to be implying. The royals of Auradon were too refined to just spend their days doing…that.

"Anyone who would be interested in stealing them is on the Isle after all."

"And they should stay there," Leah muttered under her breath.

"Probably just a precaution," Persephone said. "After all, babies are quite susceptible to diseases; having no immune system of their own yet. Either that, or they just want a moment of peace with their children before getting hounded by the press for pictures."

"I can't speak for the other royals, but for me it was definitely the later," Belle said softly. "Of course, it helped that Ben inherited a tiny bit of the Beast enchantment so we could delay dealing with the press for a bit."

"Helped…scared us to death the first time we felt his temperature and found he was running warm so we frantically ran upstairs to put him in an ice bath," Beast said, moving his hands as if weighing the options.

Hades nodded; it would make sense that Persephone would know this as her sister Eileithyia was the goddess of childbirth and midwifery.

Wait, what was that she said about babies and disease? Hades thought, thinking of a specific baby in the other room, and tuning back into the conversation.

"So does that mean you don't listen to me dear?"

"Just agree with whatever she says, Lord Hades. That's what dad does if mom's mad," a young boy with brown hair spoke up.

"Neal!" Snow sighed.

Hades chuckled. "I've been around a time or two so I know what to do when Steph's mad but thanks for the advice."

"Really? Babies don't have their own immune systems?" Hades asked, making a mental note to maim Panic for not telling him this. The little imp had a three year old son, he would have known this. "So, let's say a baby was in an environment where disease was prevalent. How likely would it be that they would get sick?"

"Are they a Godling?"

"Considering I was asking about Mal, yes."

"Then not that likely," Persephone shook her head. "I probably scared you out of your wits with my answer back then, didn't you?"

"Let's just say I was a nervous wreck the day Mal's magic started to come in," Hades sighed.

"Probably very," Persephone said and gave her husband a kind smile. "Are you worried about the others on the Isle? I know many of them have given birth to their own kids this year."

Mal and Uma frowned slightly as they thought about the kids who had been able to leave the Isle. Just not in the way Mal had.

"You saw the updates to the registry?"

"Of course I did Hades!"

"Of course," Persephone nodded. "Eileithyia is the one who updates it after all, or Hera if Eileithyia is assisting with a birth. How does it feel?"

"Pardon?" Hades asked, his heart stopping for a moment. Did Maleficent actually…

"Mom?" Mal asked. "Would it have been better if Maleficent did put me under dad's name on the registry?"

Persephone sighed. "Looking back on it, I'd say no. Yes it was awkward between your father and I for a while but seeing it on the registry without any explanation would have been worse than the way I did find out."

"Being a great-uncle," Persephone elaborated, chuckling a little at the look on her husband's face. "I saw Ursula gave birth."

Ariel gave a sad smile as she watched Mal wrap her arm around Uma's shoulders. While she and her aunt would never truly have a familial relationship, the red haired Queen wished she had the ability to get to know her cousin.

Family was everything to Ariel after all—came with the territory of having six older sisters.

"Oh," Hades said, a little relieved that Persephone hadn't found out about Mal though the registry. Then again, he didn't know why he had thought any differently. Maleficent had named Mal after her, no sign of her God heritage to be seen in her name.

"That's not the case anymore," Mal grinned.

"That's right," Hades nodded. "Malinda Bertha…I still think you should have changed the middle name too."

Mal shook her head. "Half Auradon, half Isle. Just like Hadie and just like me."

Maleficent Bertha…Gods what a horrible name. How much of an ego trip did she have to be on to name Mal after herself?

"…the Bertha part's kinda pretty," Ashaki said, obviously trying to not offend anyone.

"We all know it's horrible," Mal told her. "No need to pretend."

"Hades?"

"Ah, sorry," Hades said upon hearing Persephone's prompting. "Must have gotten lost in thought."

"Over the idea of being a great-uncle?" Persephone chuckled. "Surely you're used to it by now? What with Triton having seven kids and all."

"The feeling of joy never goes away, no matter how many kids your child has," Poseidon said, smiling over at Ariel, Elle, and Melody.

"Well I'm sure I won't have much of a relationship with the little squidling so it doesn't matter," Hades chuckled. "What was Poseidon's reaction to learning he's a grandfather again?"

"Complete and utter joy," Zeus stated. "I don't think he stopped talking about it for a month."

Uma raised an eyebrow. "Even though I'm a VK?"

"Ursula's still my daughter, no matter her choices," Poseidon stated. "What's more, you are not your mother Uma. Even if I was disappointed in her choices, you're still my granddaughter."

"I wouldn't know, I haven't seen your brother in a while," Persephone said. "He's been visiting Atlantica as well as Ariel and Eric's kingdom. They just had a child after all."

Ariel and Eric gave sad smiles at the memory of Poseidon's visit. It had been a few weeks after Elle's birth and her diagnosis of Sirenomelia, not to mention all the surgeries Elle had gone under to get her legs unfused. Her legs had legitimately looked like a mermaid's tail upon her birth. Both Poseidon and Triton had come and, using the divine powers from Olympus, had granted the elder princess the ability to at least swim.

It was both a worry removed from Ariel's mind and something her doctors recommended to build what muscle she could in her legs.

Hades nodded, not really caring about the comings and goings of his brother. Though it would be funny to give him grief about being a great-grandfather if he ever got off this gods forsaken Isle.

"Whenever you want to 'give me grief' go right ahead brother," Poseidon said, giving his grandchildren a proud smile.

"Steph," Hades said, gathering his nerve. "About the registry…I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Persephone asked, looking at her husband in concern. Hades rarely used her nickname in conversation, preferring to use her full name. Hades took a breath and opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by a baby's wail.

"I thought you didn't cry?" Audrey sniffed.

"I was a baby," Mal rolled her eyes.

"A-Apologizes H-Hades," Panic said as he came in, holding Mal who had deemed that moment the perfect one to let out a rare cry. "I-I tried t-to get her to stop but—"

"Speaking of Panic, and I realize this is completely out of left field but…is he technically my son-in-law?"

"…I just accepted the fact that Vanessa is also my niece, making Virgil my nephew. Don't make me think any harder about that."

"Wait, I have a grandson?" The God of the Ocean asked. He knew that Panic had a son but there was a difference between knowing that fact and knowing that said son was another grandchild.

"We'll catch you up to speed."

"Hades?" Persephone asked as Hades snatched Mal from Panic's arms, causing the little imp to scurry out of the room. "Is that a baby?"

"No, it's a Cerberus," Hades said, rolling his eyes as he gently bounced Mal to try to get her to stop her caterwauling. "Of course it's a baby."

"Okay, thinking back I definitely deserved that snark," Persephone chuckled.

Estelle yipped softly.

"That's right boy, you're the best Cerberus there is," Mal grinned at her dog.

"You stole a baby?!"

"Not exactly new for him," Hera muttered.

"Is it really stealing if she's mine?" Hades asked before his brain could come up with a different response. He seemed to realize exactly what he said too late though as Persephone stiffened.

"That could have probably been said a bit more gently," Kristoff said softly.

"Sometimes you can't help what comes out of your mouth," Anna shook her head. "I once went on a three minute ramble about how Elsa looked 'beautifuler' than me and then tried to explain that she didn't look 'fuller' but that I meant she looked 'more beautiful'."

"Your sister is quite stunning but I don't think it's possible for her to be more beautiful than you."

Akiho grinned as he watched his parents interact, his dad pulling his mom close and gently kissing her forehead.

Even Mal seemed to realize the seriousness of the conversation as her wails quieted down to whimpers.

"Hey, something you're scared of!" Hadie chuckled.

"Storm cloud, you should know that when mom gets mad, you stop what you're doing," Mal shook her head.

"I'm not that bad Mal," Persephone said but she smiled in amusement.

"Agree to disagree mom," Mal said. "I've got two words for you. Mint. Plant."

"You have a child?" Persephone asked, her voice inquisitive yet hard. "One of the street rats from the Isle?

Aladdin sighed slightly as he heard that. No matter how old he got, the phrase 'street rat' would never sit right with him. He may have been born a street rat but it wasn't a title he had chosen for himself.

Did you finally take pity on one of them?"

"No," Hades said, not taking the obviously offered out. But he knew Persephone would find out sooner or later that Mal was biologically his. It would be better if it was sooner. "She's mine. By blood."

"I know I was upset," Persephone said softly. "But at least you had the courage to tell me to my face then rather than wait a month and have me find out upon arrival."

"I would never do that to you," Hades told her, gently kissing the top of her head.

"But it's not listed in the registry that you have a child," Persephone said, as if hopeful she had successfully proven him wrong. "Believe me, that would have been the talk of Olympus. One of the Big Three having a child? Zeus probably would still be talking about it."

"You got that right," Hera muttered. When it was announced that Persephone was pregnant, it was the only thing Olympus would talk about for what felt like eons.

Hades shook his head. "How far did you look on the registry?"

"Not very, Eileithyia only filled me in on what she thought was interesting considering I'll be back on the Isle next month anyway," Persephone told him. "Seeing your name would have been very interesting to her. She spent an hour talking about the fact that Jafar had a son."

"Bit behind the times there," Jay chuckled.

"Yeah mom, Jay's a year older than me," Mal nodded.

"She's listed under her mother's name," Hades said. "Maleficent."

"Say one word and you'll get a fireball," Mal threatened, pointing at Audrey.

Persephone froze, as if the word had struck her. "You had a child with Maleficent ? But she wasn't pregnant when I was on the Isle last."

"If I had a list of things I'd rather not think about, that would probably make the top," Harry muttered.

"Fae pregnancy is shorter than a mortal pregnancy. It only lasted about six months," Hades sighed.

"Really?" Ben asked, interested. "I wonder how that works?"

"You're going to try to read a book on it aren't you?" Emir asked.

"No! Well…I mean…are there books on Fae pregnancy?"

"Ask Jane."

"Believe me, there were no feelings involved."

"I don't think Lady Persephone would care either way," Harry stated.

"I have to go," Persephone said suddenly, her voice hard. "I'll see you in a month."

" Steph…"

"Someone's in the dog house," Phillip Sr. muttered.

Persephone ended the call, leaving Hades staring at the wall where the portal resided. Shaking his head, he looked down at his daughter, who was looking back up at him; mischief clear in her bright green eyes.

"But…she's a baby," Belle said. "Babies can't have mischief in their eyes."

"You did that on purpose didn't you?" Hades asked, with no response but an innocent coo from Mal.

"Right dad," Mal shook her head. "Because I as a baby would be aware enough to purposefully cry and make Panic so desperate that he interrupted your call with mom."

Sighing, Hades couldn't help but chuckle. "So that was your step-mother. Hopefully she'll come around. I know one thing, she'll take her frustration out on me and not you."

"Heh," Jay chuckled. "Mali's got a non-wicked step-mother."

Mal whacked Jay over the head. "I don't have a step mother Jay. I have a mother."

Persephone would never take her anger out on an innocent child. Then again, one would think the heroes of Auradon wouldn't subject children to the same fate as their parents. Children who had not committed their parents' crimes.

"And that's why I want to bring the VKs to Auradon," Ben stated. "We're denying them a chance that the rest of Auradon gets if we continue to isolate them and treat them like their parents."

The sounds of stomachs rumbling filled the room and Hades could have smacked himself. Of course Mal was hungry!

"In my defense I'd only been raising Mal on my own for a week at that point," Hades stated.

"Panic!" Hades bellowed and the little imp came running. While the always nervous minion wasn't the best source of information, he was unfortunately the only other parent Hades had access to and could trust not to betray him.

"Hook?"

"Mama?"

"Jafar?"

"Gaston?"

Hades sighed. "As knowledgable as the Captain is, I'm not fond of his ideas of child rearing. Ursula and I have no relationship as is, Jafar I trust as far as I can throw and never in a million years."

If he went to any one else on the Isle, the risk of them finding out that Mal was his was too great. "What do we have in terms of food for Mal?"

"N-Not m-much, Hades," Panic responded. "I-I think t-the barge came in a-a few days ago t-though. There might be s-some food t-there."

Persephone looked over at Hades. "Oh thank us I only had a month to go. Seriously? The food barge for a baby?"

"Mal had to eat something," Hades shrugged, not noticing the confused yet worried looks some of the royals were giving each other.

"Well then go out there and find some ," Hades growled and Panic ran off, hopefully to follow the command. Mal gigged and Hades had to chuckle.

"Glad I can amuse you dad," Mal shook her head.

"Oh you like that Mali?" He asked, looking down at his daughter, making his voice a little softer as to not scare her. "You like it when I yell at Panic? Come on, let's go see if I can't yell at him some more. Maybe I can yell at Pain as well, would you like that?"

"Dear you would have yelled at Pain and Panic regardless."

"True, but not if I had Mal in my arms," Hades said. The last thing he'd want to do would be to scare his child.

He's changed, Zeus thought but then pushed it aside. It was entirely possible that his older brother was merely acting.

The squeals coming from his daughter brought a smile to Hades' face and he walked out of the room to find his minions, temporarily forgetting about his wife's reaction to Mal.

Hopefully she would come around. Otherwise it would be a long six months when Persephone arrived.

"Mom came around though right?" Hadie asked.

"Would I be calling her mom if she didn't?" Mal asked him.

"Good point, good point."

"Mom, it's your turn," Ben said. Belle smiled and reached over to grab a scroll that was tied up with a red ribbon.

Chapter 4 Chapter Text

Belle smiled and unfurled her scroll, the red ribbon fluttering to the ground by her feet. A ribbon that was quickly snatched up by a Cerberus who wanted to play.

"Honestly," Mal chuckled.

"It's fine Mal," Belle said with a small smile as she began to read.

It had been a month since his call with Persephone and Hades had not heard a single thing from his wife. Granted, he was sure that she was busy with preparing to relocate to the Isle for six months. But it would have been nice to talk to her.

"I'm sorry dear," Persephone said with a small sigh. She'd been busy trying to purchase everything she thought Mal would need while she was on the Isle. Unfortunately, she'd gotten so wrapped up in her mission, she'd forgotten to check in with Hades.

However, his attention had been diverted about five days before Persephone was due to return. The threat of Maleficent and the worry about his relationship with Persephone were both driven from his mind by the worst possible fear.

"What happened?" Ariel asked, clutching Eric's hand as tightly as she could. No matter what Hades had done, he was still her uncle. Well great-uncle. He was family was the point she was trying to get across. Family was everything…unless that family tried to attack her daughter.

Morgana could continue to freeze for all she cared but Mal hadn't done anything to earn her ill will.

"What do you mean she's sick?" Hades asked, glaring at Panic as he emerged from the lower level of the Underworld.

"What?" Hercules asked, looking over at Mal in concern.

"Eh, I was fine," Mal shrugged. She would never admit it but she was slightly touched by the concern Hercules was showing. Guess family did matter to the big lug after all. "I'm still here aren't I?"

Sure the saying was don't shoot the messenger but Hades was sure that saying didn't apply to worried fathers.

"Or mothers," Mulan nodded. She knew she'd be worried if she woke up one day and found Lonnie or Lil Shang sick.

"S-She's w-warm to the t-touch—"

Hades got up and walked over to Mal, frowning as he touched her forehead. Mal didn't seem bothered by the touch or by the warmth but Hades was. This didn't seem right. Granted, Hades had rarely been among mortal babies. Gods didn't get sick after all.

"That would explain why you didn't panic when Hadie started feeling warm," Persephone said, giving her husband a small smile. She had been so worried that the Isle had done something to her beautiful baby boy…

"Not my first rodeo dear," Hades chuckled.

Oh gods, what was that saying Apollo used to say whenever he was blathering on about something medicinal? Hades thought as he paced back and forth around his lair. Sweat a fever?

"Panic!"

"Y-Yes?"

"You actually listened to Apollo?" Zeus asked.

"Yes, contrary to popular belief I don't tune you lot out when you start talking," Hades shook his head.

Hades glared at the stuttering demon. He hated to do this but he had no choice; if he couldn't remember Apollo's advice, Hades knew he might make whatever Mal had worse and not better.

"It's 'feed a cold, starve a fever'," Belle said with a small sigh. "Mrs. Potts used to say that all the time when Ben was growing up."

"I need you to go and get Yen Sid. Don't tell him why, only that I need him."

"Yes sir!" Panic said, not stuttering for the first time that conversation and ran off. Hades sighed and shook his head. What had his life become that he was reliant on Panic for help?

"Well Virgil was a toddler and I was only a baby, so were Uma, Jay, and Harry. Oh and Hadie hadn't even been born yet! Dad, I think you've been hanging around Gaston too much. It's melting your brain."

"You know you shouldn't insult people who are bigger than you," Jay told her.

"Then I'd never get to insult anyone," Mal shrugged. "Sides, Dad knows I'm joking…right dad?"

"Of course Mal," Hades chuckled.

At least the wizard would be intelligent enough not to blab the fact that Mal was Hades' all over the Isle. The lone non-villain understood secrecy better than most of them.

I'll have to keep in contact with him. He's been supposedly helping other kids born to magical parents deal with being unable to use their magic. If any one would need assistance with that, it'll be the daughter of a God and Maleficent, Hades thought as he began to walk around his lair, bouncing Mal in his arms as a way to keep himself calm. Mal, meanwhile, was as cool as a cucumber; babbling away. It was probably just a bug after all. There wasn't a month that went by on the Isle where some snot nose rat wasn't sick.

Leah sniffed in disgust. You would never catch her Audrey near any of them.

"Those poor kids," Aurora said, her voice a near whisper.

But Persephone's words kept echoing in his head, like an ominous warning. Babies don't have their own immune systems.

"Pain!" Hades bellowed, needing to keep his thoughts in order before he began thinking about other parts of that conversation .

"I'm so sorry," Persephone said as she rested her head on Hades' shoulder, her two kids smiling at the interaction between their parents.

"It's in the past," Hades told her, lightly kissing her head.

"Coming, your most lugubriousness!" His purple minion called as he ran in. Hades couldn't help but smirk at the title, it was nice to be respected by someone.

"Hey! I respected you dad!"

"You were a baby Mali. I was probably referring to the idiots we lived with."

"Virgil wasn't that idiotic…"

Hades just shook his head.

"What medical supplies came in the latest shipment from Auradon?" Hades asked, turning to Pain. He didn't want to risk confusing him by using the nickname, even if he hated giving that place any kind of respect by using its proper name.

"You could have said across the bridge," Harry pointed out.

"But…the Isle is a part of Auradon," Ben said looking around at everyone in confusion. "Everyone always says the Isle is one of the nineteen points of Auradon. Why are we acting like it's a separate entity?"

"Because it is Bennyboo," Audrey said. "If it wasn't, why would there be a barrier?"

"Bennyboo?" Mal snorted in amusement. "I think I like 'Benji' better."

"There weren't any," Pain said. "At least, not any that were useable and the ones that were were swiped up by anyone who was able."

"Wouldn't the hospital have it?" Emma asked.

Uma and Mal looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

"What's a hospital?" Evie asked her…I guess it would be step-niece who just looked on in shock.

"You…you don't know what a hospital is?" Elle asked, her voice soft.

"We don't have one on the Isle," Mal shrugged.

"Adam, didn't we start the paperwork to set up a hospital?" Belle whispered.

"The day we started that paperwork was the day you…the day we lost Abigail," Adam whispered back. "It may have slipped my mind."

"What?!"

"I might have been mistaken!" Pain rushed to amend his statement. "I'll go check right now!"

"You do that!" Hades growled and his remaining minion rushed out of the lair, leaving only Hades and Mal, the later of whom broke the silence by giggling.

"You just love watching Pain and Panic scurry off in fear don't you Mali?" Hadie teased.

"You did the same thing storm cloud," Mal smirked.

"You're going to get tired of me yelling at them at some point you know?" Hades asked but only got a bit of mindless babble in response. "How are you so happy? Being hot to the touch like that would cause any other baby to scream their head off, that I'm sure of."

Adam sighed. Ben had done that, when the remnants of the Beast enchantment he had inherited started to come in when he was two. Gods the fever…they had panicked for days until Fairy Godmother examined him. It was her who suggested it could have been part of the Beast enchantment. And thankfully she was right.

There was no response from Mal, not that Hades expected one. She was barely a month old. Even Wonderbreath wasn't talking at that age.

"Wonderbreath? Really?" Meg asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hades?" Panic called and Hades looked up from Mal to see the green annoyance and Yen Sid standing in the middle of his lair.

"Hey, Panic's not that bad Uncle Hades!" Uma said.

"That's because you don't have him constantly underfoot Uma," Hades said, shaking his head.

"You arrived faster than I thought," Hades said, inwardly impressed with Panic but making sure it did not show on his face.

"You have a good assistant," Yen Sid told him. "Would not take no for an answer even when he refused to say who was asking for me, though now I'm to assume it's you."

"No, really?" Ashaki chuckled. "I mean, it could be the other God holding the baby in the room."

"Which one of you taught her sarcasm?" Aladdin asked his two sons.

"Akiho," Emir smirked.

"I regret nothing!" The blond said with a grin.

"That's because you have no siblings to teach to be sarcastic."

"Well yeah! I'd have taught Ben but Chip beat me to it!"

"You'd be correct," Hades nodded and Panic ran out of the room. Presumably to help Pain but Hades found it was better if he didn't think about what they were doing. He'd be less likely to become enraged at them. Even if it did make Mal happy.

"Every father would do anything in their power to make their little girl happy," the man sitting next to Snow White nodded.

"Oh David," Snow smiled and kissed her husband's cheek.

"How can I help you today Lord Hades?" Yen Sid asked and Hades sighed before holding Mal up to him.

To everyone's surprise, Chip burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry!" The former teacup said, trying to control himself. "I'm just…picturing Yen Sid's face as Lord Hades holds up a baby with no explanation…."

"Should we worry about him?" Harry muttered to Jay.

"Eh. He's got a point."

"Her temperature just started going up earlier today," Hades explained as Yen Sid looked at him quizzically. "She wasn't fussing so I—"

"A parent's natural inclination is to be worried," Yen Sid told him, feeling Mal's forehead himself. "Hmm, I do agree. She is quite warm. I'm assuming she's yours?"

"But didn't he say that it was a parent's natural inclination to be worried?" Aladdin asked, Chip's laughter finally settling down. "Why would he ask if Mal was Lord Hades if he assumed that Lord Hades was a parent?"

"You. I like you," Hades nodded. Never mind the fact that he and Wonderbreath had worked together to defeat him and Jafar. The street rat was asking the right questions.

"And dad just went on an hour long rant and he doesn't know why," Jay shook his head.

"You steal one kid and all of a sudden people assume you're kidnapping babies left and right," Hades grumbled before clearing his throat. "Yes, she's mine."

"And proud of it!" Mal grinned.

"Same!" Hadie nodded his head.

"Are high temperatures normal for gods in infancy?"

Hades paused. That was a good question. "I don't rightly know. My father Kronos ate me when I was born along with most of my siblings, my brother Zeus being the only one of us to avoid that fate. Obviously I wasn't around when he was an infant."

"Gods and I thought the Dragon was bad," Mal muttered.

"But you did meet his son," Yen Sid pointed out and Hades had to bite back a growl at the reminder of his nephew. "Was he warmer than a mortal baby would have been?"

"You know, I didn't really notice," Hades said, his face darkening at the memory. "I was a bit more preoccupied with the finger the little brat had just crushed."

"So that's where Herkie gets it from!" Hyllus grinned.

Yen Sid nodded as he continued to feel Mal's forehead and neck. "Lord Hades, forgive the intrusion but is it safe to say Lady Persephone is not this babe's mother, considering she appears to be but a month old and Lady Persephone is still in her six months off Isle?"

"Way to open that can of worms Yen Sid," Neal muttered.

Hades glared at the wizard for a minute before stiffly nodding his head once, not wanting to think about the conversation he'd had with Persephone again.

"In order to be certain in my hypothesis, I'll need to know the identity of the mother," Yen Sid said. "You'll have my word that it'll stay between you and me."

Hades snorted, a person's word meant next to nothing on the Isle. However, Yen Sid was the only non-villain on the Isle; a 'gift' bestowed onto them by King Beastie.

"Can we exchange that gift for something that's actually useful?" Harry asked.

"Yen Sid's useful," Uma and Mal said.

"Yeah if you've got magic. For those of us without…"

"Oh yeah. Good point."

Yen Sid was good to his word, mainly because he rarely spoke to someone unless it was in the classroom or in a one on one setting.

"Maleficent," Hades said shortly and Yen Sid nodded.

"You know, I think he was the only one on the Isle who knew and he kept his trap shut," Mal noted.

"Why didn't we go to him when Mal got kidnapped?" Persephone whispered to Hades. "If he knew?"

"We were worried parents and didn't think about that," Hades whispered back.

"Then, and I can not be certain of this so I would recommend that you watch her for a few days, but it would appear that this is not due to a fever."

Hades stared at the wizard in slight confusion. "She's blazing hot. How could that be related to anything but an illness?"

Yen Sid straightened up and looked at him. "Think it over. The answer may appear obvious once you do."

"We can do without the vagueness," Phillip Sr. muttered and Aurora looked over at him. "What? I may not care much for Maleficent but it's clear that Mal is not Maleficent's. Even if she was, I wouldn't wish a child to be ill or in pain just because I wasn't fond of their mother."

"How did I marry such a prince?" Aurora asked, kissing his cheek.

"We were betrothed and just lucked out that we're also True Love," Phillip chuckled.

"You know I could do without the vagueness," Hades told him but paused for a second. "This temperature, it couldn't be related to her magic. She's a month old."

"She's part Fae," Yen Sid stated. "Unless you feel comfortable asking Maleficent about her infancy, we must go off of what we know. As well, it's safe to assume that Gods come into their powers early in life, going off of the comment you made about your finger. Until more symptoms arrive, it is safe to assume that your daughter is not suffering from any illness. At least if she is, it is not one I'm familiar with."

"You know, it'd be nice if Fairy Godmother was here. She'd be able to answer any questions we had about the Fae."

"You just want to ask her if there's any books you can read about the Fae don't you Benji?"

Ben flushed as Chip chuckled.

Hades wanted to explode with rage; this was the best the wizard could come up with? Yet it was no use. Yen Sid had a point; Mal had no other symptoms that could be attributed to any illness.

There would be nothing he could do but wait.

"Yen Sid," Hades said and the wizard turned to face him. "I'll contact you if anything changes."

Yen Sid nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything else."

With that, the wizard turned on his heel and left; leaving only Hades and Mal standing in the room.

"You're going to keep me on my toes, aren't you?" Hades asked, rocking Mal a little. Shaking his head, Hades began moving to the guest room. "Come on, let's make up the bed here. Something tells me your dad's still in the Cerberus house with your step mom."

"You still keep me on my toes Mali," Hades told her.

"Hey, at least I'm not boring," Mal grinned.

The five days seemed to go by faster than Hades expected and before he knew it, the day of Persephone's arrival had come. Not that Hades realized it of course. In fact, he missed his wife's arrival completely.

"Were…were you alright Uncle Hades?" Macaria asked, startling Hades. It was clear to her that her uncle cared for her aunt. Even loved her. A fight wouldn't have prevented him from greeting Persephone. But being depowered on an Isle full of villains…

"I was fine," Hades said after a minute and Macaria smiled. Mal and Uma looked at each other with raised eyebrows, more than a little taken aback by that.

"Hades?" Persephone called as she stepped through the portal; her arms ladened with bags despite the fact that she kept six months worth of stuff on the Isle at all times. While she was still upset with her husband, the brief glimpse she had of Mal had warmed her heart; and she wasn't as mad as she had been when she ended the call with Hades. It wasn't as if he was living with Maleficent.

"Never put that image in my head again!" Hades exclaimed. "Ugh!"

"At least you just have to picture it! Imagine actually doing it!" Mal shot back.

"You poor thing."

Ben frowned. Though to others it would seem like the father and daughter were just joking around, Lord Hades seemed completely serious to him.

But more importantly she was not going to let an innocent baby suffer for the actions of her father.

"Oh look, someone who knows children aren't their parents!" Hades exclaimed, giving a look to Belle and Beast.

"Lady Persephone!" Pain exclaimed as he walked past the portal room.

"Hello Pain," Persephone said, giving the little imp a kind smile. "Have you seen Hades? He's normally here when I arrive."

I hope he isn't avoiding me, she thought with an inward frown. Isn't it supposed to be me giving him the cold shoulder? Though I guess I already did that with a month of not calling him.

"How often do you go between calls Aunt Steph?" Uma asked.

"I think the longest was a week," Persephone said with a small smile. "And that was because of a week long council of the Gods."

"If that'd gone any longer, I've no doubt Demeter would have killed one of us," Poseidon nodded. "Most likely Zeus."

"He's in the den," Pain said, pointing in that direction. Persephone nodded and thanked Pain, before going to greet Hades. The sight she saw had to be the most adorable one she thought possible.

Estelle yipped as he wagged his tail, as if wanting to know what the image was that Persephone had seen.

"Hold your Pegasuses boy," Mal chuckled.

Her husband, the big scary lord of the underworld, was lying on their battered sofa fast asleep; Mal sleeping on his chest.

"Oh how cute!" Snow White said, her voice almost a squeal as Mal's cheeks turned a pale red. She didn't do cute.

"I hope there's a photo," Ariel sighed. Moments like that were so fleeting, they should be preserved…there was at least two albums of pictures of Eric napping with one of the girls on his chest.

Setting her bags down as quietly as she could, Persephone fished a camera out of her pocket and snapped a quick picture. She knew, at one point, they were going to want to have that.

"I love looking at that photo," Hadie grinned.

The flash from the camera, though, seemed to wake Hades as he groaned a little and opened his eyes. "Steph?" He asked, blinking the sleep away.

"Hello dear," she said, leaning down to give him a kiss on the cheek. He looked so adorable, with his sleep tossed hair and his eyes still blinking away the sleep, that she couldn't resist.

"Uh huh," Hades smirked.

"Oh don't give me that look," Persephone chuckled. "You know I love you no matter what."

"I'm sorry, can we go back to the Lord of the Underworld being called adorable?" Emir asked. That wasn't normally a word one would use to describe Hades after all.

"My dad can be adorable!" Hadie exclaimed.

"Thank you Hadie," Hades muttered, glaring at his younger brothers who were chuckling.

"I'm home."

Hades grinned. No matter how long it had been since the deal was struck, he still loved hearing his wife say those words.

"Are you still—"

"Shh," Persephone said, resting a finger to Hades' lips. She was still upset, of course she was. But she didn't want to have that conversation around Mal while she was sleeping. As the saying went, you never wake a sleeping dragon. Or baby.

All the mothers in the room nodded at that. No matter how many little tidbits of parenting advice they got, there was one that remained consistent: never wake a sleeping baby.

Though in this case, I guess it would be a baby dragon, Persephone thought before she could stop it and mentally shook her head to clear her thoughts. The little baby on her husband's chest didn't deserve it.

Mal gave her mother a small smile, a smile that Persephone readily returned.

Brushing her hand over the light waifs of purple hair that were starting to grow in, Persephone frowned as she felt Mal's forehead.

"Hades, she's—"

"You're a bit late to the party," Hades said, covering a yawn with his mouth. "Yen Sid believes it's her magic, not an illness."

"You spoke to Yen Sid?" Persephone asked, slightly taken aback.

"She was hot to the touch, Steph. What was I going to do?" Hades told her. "I mean, I would have talked to you but there was that whole month without contact you were doing."

Persephone nodded, not wanting to comment lest she raise her voice and therefore wake Mal. "Should she be put down for a nap?"

"I'm pretty sure Lord Hades already did that!" Melody said with a small giggle.

"I thought I did," Hades chuckled and carefully got up off the sofa. Thankfully the shifting didn't wake Mal and Hades was able to carry her to her room without much trouble. Setting her down in her crib, Hades closed the door.

"You're to get me immediately if she wakes," he growled to Panic, who nodded. Persephone was impressed that Panic had seemed to know he was needed.

"Considering what they were like before, I don't blame you for being impressed," Meg told Persephone.

The two of them walked back to the den, where Persephone had left her bags.

"Steph, what is all this?" Hades asked as he unpacked them.

"Formula, diapers, toys, medicine if it's ever needed," Persephone told him. "A few onesies I thought were cute but had to get multiple sizes in case they were too big or too small for Mal."

Hades looked over at his wife in shock.

"That does explain the rumor I heard that Lady Persephone was with child," Aurora nodded.

"Oh you heard it too?" Jasmine asked.

"I heard the same thing!" Ariel exclaimed.

Mulan sighed. "And this is why I'm happy to hang out with Yao, Ling and Chen-Po," she muttered to Shang. "Honestly. Why can't the Goddess live her life?"

"Well probably because there're no enemies to fight and we're pretty much all past the age to produce children," her husband muttered back.

"What?" Persephone asked.

"Nothing," Hades told her, going back to unloading the bags.

"Smart move, very smart move," Kristoff muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Anna asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing!"

"You honestly thought I would take my anger toward you out on Mal?" Persephone asked, aghast. "Hades—"

"You turned Minthe into a mint plant because I liked her," Hades said. "Excuse me if I was unsure how you'd react toward the child I had with another woman."

"The child would have been fine, especially since Mali was and still is so amazing," Persephone stated. "Maleficent dies though."

"Can we watch?" Mal and Uma asked.

"Can we sell tickets?" Chip, Emir, and Akiho chimed in.

Persephone sighed. There wasn't much she could say to that. "Minthe thought herself to be superior to me," Persephone said. "An ego that large needed to be checked. Mal, though, did not ask to be born. She is innocent in all of this."

Adam frowned. It was strange but seeing a day of the life of someone on the Isle, a child no less…it brought back the arguments that Belle used to make when the Isle was first founded. How children shouldn't be punished for the crimes of their parents.

And yet…he had been but a child when the Enchantress cursed him.

"Does this mean—?"

"You're still in the Cerberus house," Persephone told him but gave him a small smile. "But I am looking forward to spending time with Mal."

"Somehow the Underworld survived," Uma chuckled.

"Hopefully the Underworld is still standing with the two of you in league with each other," Hades chuckled. Things were starting to look up a bit.

"Well that's good," Belle said with a small smile. She wasn't going to mention the fact that in literature, whenever someone said things were starting to look up…

"Can I read next?" Lonnie asked.

"I don't see why not," Ben grinned. Lonnie grinned back and reached over to grab another scroll, this one tied with a gold ribbon.

Chapter 5 Chapter Text

Lonnie grinned as she unfurled the scroll and leaned back in her chair. "Alright, let's get down to business."

The next couple of months flew by and before Hades knew it, he and Persephone had fallen into a routine of parenthood. While things were still a little chilly between the adults in that Hades was sleeping in the guest room, Persephone had taken a shine to Mal.

"Of course I did," Persephone smiled. "How could I not?"

Because she's a villain! Leah thought with an inward sniff.

It was rare that the Goddess of Vegetation was without Mal in her arms; the only time she forwent holding Mal was when Persephone would take a walk around the Isle. It wasn't because she wanted to leave the baby behind, but it was too big of a risk.

"Because of Maleficent," all the VKs nodded causing Leah and Audrey to scowl in displeasure.

Everyone knew she lived with Hades. By now, everyone on the Isle would have at least heard of Hades grabbing Maleficent's child.

While most of the citizens of the Isle were moronic, there were a select few who had more than two brain cells to rub together. There was nothing more dangerous than an aggravated Maleficent and if she saw Persephone walking around with Mal, it would not be a pleasant result.

"For her," Macaria said with a small smile. "Aunt Persephone would still have access to her her powers since the barrier only blocks evil magic!"

"You know I like her," Mal muttered to Uma with a small nod.

"Me too. She may be Wonderbreath's but she clearly has a brain. Must come from her mom," Uma muttered back.

That didn't mean anything inside Hades' lair. When they were inside, it was as if the Isle didn't exist.

"Hi Mali," Persephone cooed as she carried the young demi-Goddess around, the purple haired Fae squealing in delight.

"You squealed?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Babies squeal," Mal rolled her eyes. "Celia squealed when she was a baby after all, and so did Hadie."

"Aww! You're so happy! Yes you are! Who's the prettiest girl in the Underworld?"

"Hmm, think you're tied with her there Steph," Hades said, kissing his wife's cheek.

"And I think you might be biased dear," Persephone told him but smiled at her husband.

Hades walked up and couldn't help but smile at the sight. His wife had never looked better, with her long brown hair tied up in a messy bun, her body clad in a sweatshirt and sweatpants that Mal had spit up on about five times since Persephone got to the Isle, and just walking Mal around the den; his daughter's thick purple hair messy from sleep.

"I'm pretty sure a Goddess could make any look work," Ashaki stated.

Aladdin shook his head as he stared lovingly at his wife. "Not true Ash. When you're a parent, you'll understand that there is truly no better sight than seeing your spouse holding your child."

Hades leaned against the doorframe and took in the sight.

"After six months, I missed having her around the Underworld," Hades said, pulling Persephone close to him.

"Enjoying the view?" Persephone asked as she caught sight of him and giving him a small smile.

"I was," Hades nodded, returning the smile. "What are you two ladies up to?"

"They're just walking around," Audrey muttered.

"Sometimes that's all a baby wants," Phillip Sr. told her. "To be held and know they're loved by their parents. You used to love it when I'd walk with you around my office."

"Mali's up from her nap and wanted to see the den," Persephone told him. "I was going to grab one of the toys I brought for her from Auradon but my hands were full with Mal."

"I'll get it," Hades told her, still leaning on the doorframe and making no indication that he was actually going to grab the toy.

"Hades," Persephone chuckled and shook her head.

"Hey, I had the best view in the Underworld right in front of me. Why would I give that up?" Hades asked her.

"Which one were you thinking of grabbing?"

Persephone gave him a small smile. Ever since she'd returned from Auradon, Hades had been at her beck and call when he wasn't working down in the Underworld; as if trying to prove to her that she was the only woman who had his heart. Even if Persephone knew that wasn't true.

"Excuse me? It most certainly was!"

Every father's heart one hundred percent belonged to one woman: their daughter

"Oh…you may have a point there."

"Lady Persephone's right about that," David nodded, wrapping Emma up in his arms as Aladdin did the same with Ashaki, Phillip did with Audrey and Shang with Lonnie. No one noticed Beast's sad smile as he looked at the fathers embracing their daughters. Knowing he would never get the chance to do the same.

— and Persephone was completely fine with that as Mal had stolen her heart as well.

"I'm a VK. I steal everything," Mal smirked.

"Though you still needed me and later Estelle to steal a chicken," Jay chuckled as the Cerberus perked up at hearing his name.

"Those things are demonic! They don't stay still long enough for us to grab!"

"Steph?" Hades asked, his voice breaking into her thoughts. "Can't really get the toy if I don't know which one you're looking for."

"Oh sorry," Persephone said, shaking her head to clear it. "It's a small half dome type thing with items that dangle down so Mal can bat at them while lying on her back. I still need to set the thing up though."

"Oh! Audrey and Phillip loved playing with that when they were babies!" Aurora exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as she thought about her children.

"Emma and Neal did as well," Snow nodded with a small clap of her hands.

"So safe to say Mal'll probably not enjoy playing with it?" Melody asked and Hadie chuckled.

Hades nodded and chuckled. "Look behind the sofa, dear."

"How'd you know that was the one mom was going to ask for?" Mal asked.

"Lucky guess," Hades shrugged. "Your mother brought so many toys I figured it'd be one of them."

Persephone frowned and took a peek only to find the item she'd described already put together.

"I found the box in the guest room the other day, half kicked under the bed. Thought it had fallen out of one of the bags you brought," Hades said when Persephone looked over at him in shock. "You'd fallen asleep so I thought it'd be a good idea to put it together. Just in case."

"Trying to get back in her good books brother?" Poseidon asked with a small chuckle.

"One could say that, yes," Hades nodded and Persephone gave him a loving smile.

"That's so sweet," Persephone told him as Hades walked into the room. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone. I know you've got a reputation to protect."

"Who would believe you?" Hades chuckled, kissing the top of Persephone's head.

"We would!" Harry, Mal, Jay, Uma, and Hadie said in unison, Mal and Hadie grinning from ear to ear.

Hades shook his head and chuckled. "No one would believe you if you said anything anyway. But thank you."

"Here you go Mali," Persephone cooed as she shifted Mal so that she was holding her with one arm and grabbed the toy from behind the sofa. "Hades, could you—"

Her husband had already known what she was going to ask as he had laid out a blanket Persephone had purchased a couple of years ago. It was getting a little run down but it still would serve its purpose.

"I think Rapunzel had made that," Ariel said with a smile.

'Oh yes!" Persephone nodded. "I had talked to her about not finding a blanket I liked to brighten up the Underworld and not two months later she gave it to me."

"You said you purchased it from an unknown shop," Hades said, raising an eyebrow.

"Would you have even let it past the threshold if you knew it'd come from an Auradon royal dear?"

"Umm…"

"That's what I thought."

"You know, I could get used to this," Persephone told him, a small smirk forming on her face. "This mind reading thing you have going on."

"Don't you already have a mind reading thing?" Elle asked.

"Yeah, everyone of Olympian descent has access to the mind link," Macaria nodded.

"It's come in handy," Mal smirked.

"You've asked for this blanket at least three times today already," Hades said, a little smirk pulling at his lips as he watched from his spot behind the sofa. "I thought I'd save the trouble and assume this was what you were asking for."

"Whatever happened to that blanket?" Mal asked. She didn't remember seeing it around the Underworld recently.

"A certain pirate laid claim to it," Hadie spoke up, chuckling as Harry shrugged.

"It's still in the Underworld, just in my room."

Persephone chuckled and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she said as she laid Mal down under the top of the dome. Her step-daughter seemed to be confused as to the purpose of it as she just laid under it.

"Called it," Melody giggled.

"I think Mal doesn't want to play," Hades chuckled and walked over to them.

"Maybe if we move one of the dangly bits?" Persephone asked, moving the closest one to try to attract Mal's attention. "I don't understand, all the new parents in Auradon love this. Maybe it's not set up right?"

"Really?!" Hades exclaimed with a chuckle as he looked at his wife. "I made sure that thing was set up as the inane instructions said to. Do you know how hard it is to set up something with no words?"

"Sorry dear," Persephone said with a small smile pulling at her lips. "I just…everyone was gushing over how their kids loved it. I guess my Auradon side was at play there rather than my Isle side."

"Well, Mal's not an Auradon baby," Hades said, scooping up his daughter who began squealing with delight as Hades started to bounce her, the hood of her dragon onesie flopping off her head from where it had landed when she was on her back.

"Are there pictures?" Lonnie asked, looking up from the scroll with a grin.

"Yes and you'll never see them," Mal said, crossing her arms. People reading about moments when she was a baby were one thing, baby pictures were another thing all together. Boreadon didn't want to give them real food, they didn't get to see the photos.

Lonnie shrugged. "I just wanted to see the onesie. Mom gave me one when I was a baby only it was red. I wanted to see if it matched. "

"Mushu insisted on it," Mulan chuckled.

Hades honestly didn't know where Persephone managed to get a purple dragon onesie in Auradon, or how she managed to avoid anyone asking questions about it since she hadn't mentioned anyone being curious about the purchase, but he had to admit that Mal was extremely adorable wearing it.

"To answer your question Lonnie, I doubt Mal's would have matched your onesie because I made that for Mal," Persephone stated.

"Like you made my jacket?" Mal asked, clutching her jacket to her as if to indicate what she was talking about.

"Exactly," Persephone nodded. "Everyone on the Isle knew you as Maleficent's child so I figured it'd be safer to stick with her colors at that point."

"Right now, she gets her entertainment from me yelling at Pain or Panic."

"You can't do that all the time. You do have an Underworld to run."

"Unfortunately," Hades muttered, thinking of all the children who were residence there because of the food Auradon decided to graciously give them.

"Yeah, well, Pain and Panic aren't totally moronic," Hades said. "They may have failed with Wonderbreath but they have been actually very good with Mal."

"Wonderbreath?" Meg asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked over at Hades.

"Didn't you used to call him 'Wonderboy' nut-Meg?" Hades asked.

"Maybe because they're afraid of you?" Persephone ventured, not showing any reaction to Hades' nickname for Hercules. It was clear that there was no love lost between the uncle and nephew. "It would be a good idea not to call him that around Mal."

"Why?" Hades scoffed. "It's not as if she'd ever meet him."

"I obviously stand corrected."

"Still, she is his cousin," Persephone said. "If Mal ever gets off the Isle, Hercules would be a good ally for her to have, especially if it's during the six months I'm on Isle."

Hades shook his head; his wife was an amazing woman but she seemed to only see the positives in life. Maybe it came from only having to spend half a year on the Isle instead of the rest of her life.

"You really think King Beastie will allow the kids off the Isle? He probably thinks the kids deserve to be here," Hades said and Persephone shook her head.

"You know, I was right," Hades stated. "It wasn't King Beastie who invited Mal and the others off the Isle. It was his son."

Beast frowned. Knowing what I know now…children don't deserve to live in that kind of environment, he thought.

They'd had this conversation multiple times throughout the four years the Isle had been created.

"How was your walk today?" Hades asked, obviously changing the subject but Persephone didn't mind. Better than dredging up an old conversation that would only end up with them fighting.

"We only have so much time together. Why waste it fighting?" Hades said as everyone glanced at him.

"As pleasant as always," Persephone told him. "No one really bothers me on the walks. Probably helps that my powers aren't suppressed by the barrier so they know I'm not defenseless."

"Plus you've been here for the life of the Isle," Hades pointed out. "By this point, even the most moronic henchmen knows you're associated with me."

Persephone chuckled. "Oh, associated am I? Is that all I am to you?"

"I'm guessing that was the wrong word to use," Kristoff chuckled.

"Oh I'm sorry," Hades said with a small smirk. "I should have said beloved, shouldn't I?"

"Good change," Aladdin nodded.

Hades rolled his eyes. "Why thank you."

"Much better," Persephone said and got up to give Hades a kiss. At least she would have if Mal hadn't moved her head so that it was between Persephone's lips and Hades'.

"Oh we have got to work on your timing, young lady," Hades shook his head in amusement.

"She just wants to be the only girl in her dad's life," Persephone told him with a kind smile on her face as she ran her fingers through Mal's hair. "Either that, or she's annoyed that you stopped bouncing her. She seemed to really like that."

"My money's on the later," Jay nodded and Mal whacked him on the arm.

"Well Mali, it's time for lunch," Hades said as they walked into the kitchen. "Steph, that formula you brought has been a lifesaver."

"Literally," Uma muttered but not as quietly as she thought as Akiho glanced over at her.

"I brought some extra from Auradon as well," Persephone said, sitting down by the counter in the kitchen as Hades set Mal up with a bottle. "I know how scarce food is here and the last thing I want is for a baby to suffer because of it."

"Are you thinking of—"

"Yes Hades," Persephone nodded. "I won't give it to Maleficent or any of her allies, but I will make it available among the Isle. If need be, I'll give it to Jafar and he can sell it."

"Dad would make a killing on that," Jay nodded. "He could price gouge it, claim supply and demand."

"Especially since there weren't a lot of babies on the Isle at the time," Mal nodded.

"That's not a bad idea," Hades said. "Except people will wonder where Jafar got it. Last thing we would want is for it to be linked back to you. They'll wonder why you're buying formula."

Persephone sighed. "I know. If you want, I can just keep it here and you can decide what to do with it. I know the amount I brought for Mal should last around a year so you shouldn't run out when I have to go back to Auradon."

"How'd you get past the whole salt water thing?" Carlos asked, speaking up.

"What do you mean?" Emir asked, looking at him.

Jay, though, seemed to know what the younger boy was asking. "Lord Hades has a water flirtation system in his restaurant."

"But…his restaurant isn't a thing here. Otherwise they'd have mentioned it."

"The pup's got a point," Harry nodded and Carlos flinched at being compared to a dog of all things.

Ben, Akiho, and Emir glanced at each other. Why would there be a need for a water filtration system? Surely…surely there was fresh water on the Isle right?

"That should be more than enough," Hades said. "Didn't that baby book you read say Mal should be on more solid foods by then?"

"Every baby's different Hades," Persephone reminded him. "Remember that book was talking about mortal babies. I don't think there's a baby book that would tell you the milestones of a half Fae, half god baby."

"If there is one, I bet Ben could find it!" Emir stated, trying to lift the mood after the bombshell brought on earlier.

Ben chuckled but it was slightly forced.

Hades snorted in amusement as he fished out a napkin to wipe off Mal's mouth as she had spit up some of the formula. "If I was so inclined, I could talk to Maleficent about her life growing up to see when the Fae hit certain milestones. But I'm not inclined to do that. In fact I'm more inclined to stay on my end of the Isle than talk to Maleficent."

"I'm more inclined to eat sand than talk to the Dragon."

"I'm more inclined to kiss Freddy than talk to the Dragon."

"Ooh good one Mal."

"I thank you Jay!"

"You know he'll never get near you though right?"

"Considering he's on the Isle and we're in Boreadon? I should hope not."

"That does seem to be the safer option," Persephone nodded as Mal babbled happily in the background. "I'll include some solid baby food my next six months. Just to be on the safe side."

Persephone sighed. She wished the Fates could have brought them to read before Mal had gotten captured by Maleficent. Before she missed out on five years of her daughter's life.

"Oh and some more of those crackers that are shaped like animals? I know Mal can't eat them yet but Pain and Panic love them. They're good rewards for when they haven't completely messed something up."

"You reward Pain and Panic with animal crackers?" Hadie asked, looking at his father.

"Whatever works," Hades shrugged.

"I'll add them to the list," Persephone said with a chuckle. "Besides, the next time I'm here, Mal might actually be old enough to eat them."

The smile faltered from her face as she realized how much of Mal's life she would actually miss being off the Isle for six months. She knew it was the arrangement she and Hades had but now that there was a child involved, it didn't seem fair.

"Since when is anything about our lives fair?" Harry muttered.

"Steph?" Hades asked, noticing the frown and how quiet his wife had gotten. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Persephone nodded. "I was just thinking about how much of Mal's life I'll be missing when I'm off the Isle."

Hades nodded and picked Mal up from the counter. "Well I know it won't be the same but she'll be on every call you make unless she's napping. Plus it's the Isle, not much ever changes around here."

"The only time something changes is when something bad happens," Harry nodded. The last time something changed, the runt was born and my mom died after all.

"Not true," Uma shook her head.

"Yeah Harry, would you say Hadie wasn't a good thing?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course I wouldn't Mali," Harry said quickly.

"I know," Persephone sighed. "But she's going to be growing up and I'll miss a bunch of it being in Auradon. It's not fair to her."

Hades chuckled softly. "She's a child of the Isle of the Lost. When has life ever been fair to them?"

"See?! Even Lord Hades agrees with me!'

"No one disagreed on the life not being fair part," Uma said, chuckling a little at her First Mate.

Persephone frowned but she couldn't deny her husband had a point. However, before she could say anything, a smell hit her nose and she had to shake her head. "Dear? I think Mal needs to be changed."

Mal flushed as the VKs and AKs chuckled. Though Ben frowned slightly as he heard Audrey's laugh. It…it was a bit more cruel than he had expected.

After all, they'd all messed up their diaper when they were babies.

"I think you might be right," Hades nodded, wrinkling his nose as the smell wafted into his nostrils. "Let's go Mali. I think it's time for a fresh diaper."

Persephone smiled as Hades and Mal turned the corner, Mal's babbles fading off. Sighing, Persephone got up to join her husband. She loved every moment she could get with Mal and with Hades. She wouldn't trade them for anything.

"Hmm, maybe an added member," Persephone added, wrapping her arms around her son.

Little did they know the storm cloud that was about to cover their sunshine.

"Wait, what?" Macaria exclaimed.

"What happened?" Elle asked, biting her lip as she looked at Lonnie.

"That's the end of the scroll," Lonnie said. "Someone else will have to—."

"I'll read!" Macaria stated, grabbing a scroll that was tied in an orange ribbon.

"…alright then," Lonnie nodded.

"I like her," Uma said with a small smirk.

Chapter 6 Chapter Text

Before Macaria could unfurl the scroll in her hand, the eyeball that the Fates had used to leave came floating down into the middle of the room. It spun and spun, almost hypnotizing everyone before it burst into a blast of bright light.

When the light cleared, there were many more people standing in the room than there had been before.

"Hey Jane!" Ben grinned and waved at a smaller girl who looked to be about his age.

"Ben!" Jane smiled. "What are we all doing here?"

"Apparently we're reading about life on the Isle sixteen years ago," Emir told her. "And apparently you brought Chad with you?"

"The Fates pick who they pick," Mal said, having heard the boy's comment. Before Chad could respond, a loud squeal broke out.

"Evie!"

"Dizzy!" Evie squealed and brought the younger girl in for a hug.

"Wait, if the fireball's here does that mean…?"

"Uma!" Celia grinned and rushed over to her sister.

"This has got to be the strangest thing I've ever done," Eugene stated to Kit, the older royals just standing in the room.

"More strange than dueling a horse with a frying pan?"

"Touche."

"If I could read please?" Macaria muttered. "Some of us would like to know what happened to cause storm clouds to cover Lord Hades and Lady Persephone's happiness!"

"…alright."

"Thank you!"

Sometimes storm clouds roll in gradually over time, giving people time to prepare for the incoming storm. However, other times the storm clouds appear without warning; blotting out the sun and drenching the people below.

"That's just depressing," Akiho muttered.

"Yet it's quite nice imagery," Emir nodded. The two boys were tense as they waited to hear just what was going to happen to Mal and her parents.

For Hades and Persephone, their storm cloud was the later; appearing without warning one evening during Persephone's fourth month on the Isle. The two gods had just set Mal down for the night, Hades giving Pain and Panic the orders to alert him should she wake, and the two of them were relaxing in the den.

"Gods…I should have stayed in there," Hades muttered.

"You didn't know," Persephone said, her voice soft as she looked at her husband.

"It was Maleficent. I shouldn't have let my guard down."

"You know, I should bring a baby monitor the next time I'm on Isle," Persephone said, her head resting on Hades' shoulder. "That way, Pain and Panic won't have to constantly monitor Mal."

"They liked it," Mal chuckled.

"You were a baby," Elle pointed out. "How would you—?"

"Because dad probably wasn't yelling at them when they were watching me," Mal said. "Plus I'm sure someone would wonder why mom was buying a baby monitor."

"I think they like it," Hades said, running his fingers through her hair. "Well Pain more so than Panic. I think he'd rather be with his own son."

"Panic has a son?" Jane asked, looking at the other AKs in shock.

"Yep. With Vanessa apparently."

"How in the world—?"

"We don't know."

"Panic has a son?" Persephone asked, looking up at Hades.

"I think we should just hand out cards that say 'Yes Panic has a son' and 'No, we have no idea how he wound up with Vanessa'," Harry chuckled.

"Yeah, with Vanessa," Hades nodded. "Kid's about three years old than Mal. I should probably introduce the two of them at some point; kid might be a good minion for her."

"Family can't be minions," Uma shook her head.

"Ah my dear minion of a cousin, that's where you're wrong," Mal smirked.

"I'm older than you."

"By mere months!"

Persephone shook her head. "Dear, the child will be older than Mal. Do you really think he'll want to take orders from someone younger than him?"

"It's Virgil, he'd jump at the chance just to have someone who wouldn't yell at him," Harry scoffed.

"Be nice!" Dizzy said, crossing her arms.

"As the little Tremainelette commands," Harry said, giving a slight bow. Normally he wouldn't have given in so quickly but Dizzy was under the crew's protection after all being Celia's cousin and all.

"Considering Mal's half god and he's half whatever Panic is, he should," Hades said.

Persephone rolled her eyes. "If Mal has to have henchpeople, they should be closer to her age or younger. That way, if the time comes, she won't have to worry about them questioning why they're taking orders from someone younger than them and overthrowing her."

"Gee, why does that sound familiar? An older person overthrowing the younger one in charge?" Poseidon chuckled as he looked over at Zeus.

Hades nodded. "That's a good point, I hadn't considered that."

"That's why we're a team," Persephone told him. "You don't have to think of things by yourself anymore."

"A team's the best thing to have on the Isle," Uma nodded, wrapping her arms around Mal's shoulders.

I hadn't realized, that the kids I picked would have friends they were leaving behind, Ben thought as he saw that. I mean it should have been obvious. Hopefully Mal and Jay won't go too long without seeing Uma and Harry again.

Hades smiled and leaned down to kiss Persephone on the forehead. As he leaned back up, he paused as he thought he had heard a thunk in the distance.

"What was that?" Jane squeaked.

"Probably just a picture falling or something," Elle said though everyone could tell she didn't believe it for a second.

"Everything okay?" Persephone asked, noticing his pause.

"Thought I heard something," Hades said as he sat back up. "Probably just Pain and Panic. Pain was always hurting himself before we got locked on this Isle."

"I mean, his name is Pain after all," Mal said, trying to defuse the tension by making a joke. It didn't work.

"They wouldn't risk waking up Mal though," Persephone reminded him, sitting up herself. "Not unless something was wrong."

"We're close enough to Mal's room that we'd hear…" Hades started to say but trailed off as he heard the tell tale sound of a baby crying.

"Don't babies often cry?" Alexandria asked.

Emir shook his head. "It was established in earlier chapters that Mal never cried as a baby. For her to do so now…"

"She might just be hungry," Lucy said, trying to reassure her little sister.

"Or need a diaper change," Kitty added.

"Or she might be lonely," Chad said to everyone's surprise. "What? Did we all forget about how Alex would just burst out crying if she was left alone for too long?"

"Nice Chad," Alexandria muttered, her cheeks bright red.

Mal rarely if ever cried. Something was wrong. Looking at Persephone in panic, Hades vaulted over the sofa and raced to Mal's room.

Zeus looked over at Hades, the look on his older brother's face enough to let the King of the Gods know that he was not in the mood for an apology or to hear anything from him at that moment.

"Oh Gods," Hera murmured. "Persephone, I'm—."

"You're what Hera? Sorry? You've had sixteen years to be sorry, to realize I was honest when I petitioned for help," Persephone scoffed. "You can be sorry all you want. But it's too little too late."

I'm trying to picture dad vaulting over the sofa. So far, nothing, Mal thought. She didn't know why she wasn't worried like the rest of the reading contingent. Maybe it was because she'd already lived it?

Though it was only a few rooms down from the den, it felt like it took an eternity to reach Mal's room.

Wrenching open the door, Hades stood in the doorway in shock. Lying on the ground, knocked out, were his two moronic minions and an empty crib lying on its side.

"Did Pain and Panic try…try to fight Maleficent's minions?" Hadie asked, curling up next to Mal as if any amount of space would allow the Dragon to steal her away again.

"They're good to have if you need them on your side," Mal said, gently rubbing her brother's back. Estelle walked over and rested his heads on Hadie's leg, as if trying to comfort the younger boy.

"Good boy," Hadie whispered, scratching Estelle behind the ears.

Slowly walking into the room, Hades went for Mal's crib. There, lying on the pillow that had been tossed out of the crib and was lying next to it, was a solitary black feather.

"Oh no," Aurora gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Even Audrey was silent, looking over at Mal in slight shock.

"Why'd she do it?" Emma asked, her voice a near whisper.

"Because she's a psychotic egomaniac who doesn't like being made to look bad," Mal stated.

Evie nodded slightly at that. After all, had she just invited Mal to her sixth birthday, her father might not have been suffering in Maleficent's clutches all this time.

"She's gone?" Persephone gasped from the doorway, Hades' longer legs had made it so he had beaten his wife to Mal's room despite the both of them leaving the sofa at the same time. "But…who would steal a child? A God's child?"

"Say one word and I turn you back into a swan brother," Hades growled, looking at Zeus. "Even if I have to petition Yzma to give me a potion to do it, I'll find a way!"

Hades shook his head slowly; sometimes his wife's positive outlook on things was appreciated. This was not one of those times.

"Sometimes hope is the most dangerous thing to have," Carlos said softly, looking at Mal. After all, he still held hope that his mother might actually love him and he knew some of the LeGume girls still held hope that Gaston would acknowledge them.

Taking the feather from the pillow, he turned around to look at Persephone.

"I'll give you three guesses," he growled,

"And if you need the other two, you're Chad," Kitty muttered.

"Be nice," Cinderella scolded her daughter.

trying his best not to crush the feather in his fists as he held it up for Persephone to see. It was their only evidence that his ex-wife had stolen his child.

"Maleficent?!" Persephone exclaimed. "Does she have a death wish?"

"Again, can we sell tickets when this occurs?"

"Not the time," Aziz told his little brother.

"If she doesn't, she soon will," Hades growled, marching out of the room. Persephone, though, quickly stood in front of her irate husband.

"Probably not the best move," Rapunzel said softly.

"We needed to plan," Persephone stated. "If we went off too steamed, we might have gotten hurt. Or worse, Mal would have gotten hurt."

"Wait, wait," she said. "I'll get her. Maleficent won't just hand Mal over to you; not after just stealing her from us. Plus, I have more access to my powers than you do. As well, no one on the Isle knows you're Mal's father so it'll be safer."

"You could have reached out to the pirates," Harry stated. "Our crew would have helped, Lord Hades."

"Your crew didn't exist yet, and I wasn't about to put more kids in harm's way," Hades stated. That being said, he was touched at how much the pirate's loyalty to his daughter had extended to him.

"Steph, everyone knows you stay here in your six months on Isle," Hades told her, slamming his fist into the stone wall. "Besides, you don't think Maleficent hasn't implemented every security feature at her disposal? I don't believe this—she shoved Mal into my hands all those months ago and now she steals her from me?!"

"So what? We just leave her with that evil lunatic of a witch?!" Persephone exclaimed, silent tears running down her face. "You know what'll happen, we'll never see Mal again."

"I am so glad I was wrong about that," Persephone sighed, holding Mal close to her.

"Um mom? Gonna let go?"

"No."

"Okay then."

Hades sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Do you think if I could steal Mal back, I would? But even if I flamed up to the limited amount I can here, there's the risk of hurting Mal. You and I both know Maleficent would not consider that to be a bad thing."

"I think even Gaston knew that," Uma scoffed.

"What if I updated the registry when I go back to Auradon?" Persephone suggested as she started to pace, clearly grasping at straws as she tried to think of ideas to get Mal back. "That way, you'd have a legal right to petition Auradon to get Mal back safely. Olympus alone would stand with you."

"Did they?" Hyllus asked, looking at his father with hope filled eyes. Macaria and Herkie did the same.

"I…I don't know," Hercules said and turned to look at his father. "Father?"

"I..I um don't—."

"No," Poseidon said and glared at his brother. "If you're going to lie to save face, have the common decency not to do it to your son."

"And that is why you're not on dad's 'Dead to him' list, Uncle Poseidon" Hadie stated.

"Uh…thanks?"

Hercules shook his head. "How could you father? Mal was a baby and you thought she should just suffer?"

"In my defense, I didn't realize it was a child of Hades who needed help—."

"That's even worse! You were content to let a baby suffer!"

"Wonderboy, calm down," Meg said, her voice soft. "We can talk to your father later. Right now we're holding up the reading."

"Right," Hercules nodded. "But we will talk about it."

"Who would believe it?" Hades asked. "The main reason I am on the Isle is for kidnapping a child. All Maleficent would have to do is claim that I stole Mal from her and that she was just stealing Mal back. The matter would be closed. Add in the fact that the child I kidnapped was Zeus'. Do you honestly think my brother would stand with me on this matter? He'd probably think I deserve it."

"Don't even try to deny it," Mal scoffed as Zeus opened his mouth.

"Athena would at least! She's always been reasonable!"

"Athena won't do anything if Zeus isn't on board," Hades said, rubbing Persephone's arm and wiping away her tears. Sighing, he brought his wife into an embrace wishing he could say anything that sounded like a plan and less like a desperate parent. He wasn't used to this, this feeling of helplessness. So this is how Zeus felt all those years ago, he thought.

Zeus looked over at Hades in shock. He didn't think Hades would have even thought about that. Not that he would have blamed him if he hadn't.

Hades? Zeus thought, trying to reach out with the mental link.

The mind you are trying to reach has been disconnected. Please be less of a horrible God and brother and try again.

Hades, come on!

You have reached the mental mail box of Hades, Lord of the Underworld. Sadly it is full so you can not leave a message.

I'm trying to apologize!

…you're sixteen years too late. Being put on the Isle? I can live with that. But you threatened the safety of my child Zeusey. I'll never forgive you for that.

"What's Maleficent going to do to her?" Persephone asked after a few minutes, breaking from the hug. "What does she want with her now anyway? As you said, she shoved her into your arms! That's a pretty clear message of 'I don't want her'!"

Mal flinched slightly at the thought. Yes she knew who her mother was and it wasn't Maleficent. Still…the words stung slightly.

"Who knows how her foul mind works?" Hades growled as he started to pace; taking care not to step on the unconscious forms of Pain or Panic.

"She has the common sense the Gods gave a housefly, making an enemy of Lord Hades like that," Emir nodded.

"I like him too," Hades stated.

"We're just going to get out of here and you'll be friends with the entire royal family of Agrabah aren't you?" Persephone sighed.

"Hey, they're friends with a genie. Why not a God too?"

"Besides, if it got around the Isle that I had managed to steal Mal from her, she'd do anything to disprove it, even if just to protect her reputation. She probably only wants Mal to get back at me. For leaving her, for stealing Mal, because it's Tuesday…take your pick."

"Why would…why would Maleficent steal Mal because it's a Tuesday?" Celia asked, tilting her head.

"Basically Uncle Hades was saying it was because the Dragon wanted to," Uma explained and Celia nodded.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair once more to try to calm his racing nerves. "I don't think Maleficent will kill Mal though. Not after all the trouble she went through to steal her. After all, she'd want to prove the rumor mill wrong. Can't do that with a dead child. Nor can she raise Mal to be the next Mistress of All Evil if Mal's dead either."

She may not have killed me but you'd be surprised at what you can live through, Mal thought with an inward shudder at the memories of growing up around the Dragon.

"Not to mention you'd know if Mal was dead. She'd be in the Underworld," Persephone told him. "Maleficent would do everything in her power to keep you from seeing Mal again. Whether alive or dead."

"Wouldn't it be rather hard to kill a God's daughter though?" Evan spoke up.

"You lot are rather accepting of the fact that I'm Hades' daughter," Mal stated and Evan shrugged.

"My dad's a former thief, my mom used to have magic hair that glowed when she sang, one of my sisters is extremely in need of a hair cut, Ben's dad used to be a beast, Elle's mom used to be a mermaid and I'm pretty sure we've got a classmate who's grandmother got turned into a bear. Point is we're pretty accepting once we've gotten used to the idea."

"Anyway, to answer your question sunshine, yes it would be hard to kill a God's daughter," Hades nodded.

"Sunshine?"

"The sun on your shirt. Nicknames are kinda my thing."

Hades nodded, not trusting himself to speak but he knew his wife had a point.

"You know perfectly well that Zeus would consider this an act of war if he knew," Persephone told him, wiping the tears from her cheeks, as she searched for a reason to go after Mal.

"Grandfather does love a good fight," Herkie nodded.

"And if I hadn't stolen his child, he'd probably hear me out," Hades said. "His joy over being a grandfather from Wonderbreath probably would have removed some of the negative feelings toward me regarding the attempted takeover of Olympus. But I stole his kid. To him, this is karma rearing her ugly head."

"I feel like this is a repetitive argument," Macaria sighed.

"He's not unreasonable," Persephone said, resting a hand on Hades' cheek. "I could try to petition Hercules to speak to Zeus in my stead. Mal is his cousin after all."

"I would have been honored to ask him, Aunt Persephone," Hercules said.

"It is so strange hearing someone not Uma call you that," Mal told her mom.

"After what I did to his little nut-Meg, you honestly think he would actually petition his father in my defense?!"

"Of course I would!" Hercules exclaimed, looking at his uncle. "I may not exactly be thrilled with what you did to Meg, but Mal was a baby! You actually thought I'd let an innocent baby suffer?"

"You're Zeus' kid," Hades said with a small shrug.

"And you're a hypocrite," Hercules stated. "You state that we shouldn't judge the kids of the Isle by their parents' crimes. Fair enough. But what right do you then have to turn around and say what I would do based solely on who my parents are?"

On top of that, I'm also adopted. Maybe if I was raised with my parents, your argument might have more weight, he thought.

Persephone rolled her eyes. "Well what can we do then? I won't just stand here and do nothing while Mal suffers at the hands of that maniac!"

"Ooh, are we insulting people now?" Akiho grinned. He normally wouldn't be excited about that but Maleficent deserved it for stealing Mal away from people who made her so happy.

"No," Kristoff sighed.

"But dad! It's Maleficent!"

"I don't care Akiho! Imagine if the situation was reversed and she was insulting you, how would you feel?"

"…like everything was normal because it's Maleficent and it's safe to assume she insults all of us on an hourly basis?"

"You are your mother's son."

"Besides, 'maniac's kinda tame for the Dragon," Mal said, looking at Persephone.

"I know dear. I remember a talk we had when you were thirteen and you referred to her as the spawn of Satan herself."

"Steph, as much as I'd love to talk to my brother,

"I can't tell if that was sarcasm or not," Poseidon stated.

"It was for Mal," Hades said with a shrug. "I'd suck up the annoyance of talking to Zeus for her."

the fact remains that according to the registry, I have no claim to Mal. Even though she's mine by right, Auradon won't see it like that. Never mind the fact that it takes two to tango as it were.

"Yuck," Hadie muttered, making a face at the thought.

"I agree with that sentiment, storm cloud," Mal nodded.

If we're lucky, they'd hear me out and take Mal from Maleficent. But then there's the risk that Beastie and Belle might think Mal's safety is too much at risk on Isle and they decide she's better off growing up in Auradon."

"…dad you do know we would have been better off growing up off the Isle right?"

"I know Mal," Hades sighed. "But I didn't want to think about that. Not after Maleficent had just stolen you from me."

Ben looked over at his parents. What in the world was going on with the Isle?

"They wouldn't—"

"Look, Maleficent is supposed to be dead," Hades growled, cutting off whatever point his wife was going to make. "Gaston is supposed to be dead. Evil Queen, Scar, Clayton, Frollo…dead, dead, dead, dead. If the good people of Auradon think death is too good for villains, then I have no doubt they'd take a child from her parents."

"He…may have a point there," Phillip Sr. muttered.

"Of course he does. He's the God of the Dead and we basically asked him to reverse death for some of them," Aladdin sighed.

Beast sighed as well. While he wasn't thrilled about the idea of removing children from their parents, if it meant the children survived…

"There has to be a way that we can get her back," Persephone said as she returned to her pacing. "What is the point of being Gods if we can't get Mal back from a fairy, even one as powerful as Maleficent?"

"No offense meant to present company of course," Persephone stated, looking at Jane and Fairy Godmother.

"None taken your Ladyship," Fairy Godmother said with a small bow of her head.

Hades sighed and shook his head. "Steph, as much as it pains me to say it, but for Mal's safety we might be better off—"

"You're not just going to leave her there, are you?!" Hadie exclaimed.

"Don't you dare say we're better off not doing anything Hades!" Persephone growled, turning to glare at her husband.

"Get a good enough thief, they could get her," Eugene said, rubbing his chin. "I almost wish I had been put on the Isle if just for this."

"Cass!" Rapunzel gasped. "She's on the Isle and with her dad being captain of the guard, she'd know how to infiltrate anything!"

Hades and Persephone looked at each other, cursing the decision to keep Mal's relationship to them a secret. They could have had Mal that much sooner.

"I don't like it anymore than you do!" Hades told her. "But Maleficent, as I said before, will have implemented every security device at her disposal by now. Not to mention the risk to Mal if it gets out that she's my daughter. She already has to live with the reputation of being Maleficent's daughter, adding a god linage only widens the target on her back."

"I can think of one person who would increase his efforts of getting rid of me if he knew," Mal muttered thinking about one French fanatic.

Persephone sighed and Hades pulled her into a hug once more. It was the only thing he could think to do. Well the only thing that wouldn't result in Maleficent being a pile of ash and bones.

"She'd be much improved that way," Audrey sniffed.

"…I don't know how to respond to the fact that I agree with her," Akiho muttered to Emir.

"I hate not doing anything," Persephone whispered, her voice muffled by Hades' chest.

"I do too," he told her. "But even if we don't do anything now, Mal won't be a baby forever.

"Thank Gods. I like being a teen thank you," Mal nodded.

There will come a day when Maleficent won't care that Mal's walking around the Isle by herself. Maleficent won't be able to stop me from going up and talking to her."

"You'll need to be careful," Persephone told him as she looked up, her eyes shining with hope she dare not speak out loud. "Maleficent has eyes everywhere. Oh how I hate the fact that Fairy Godmother took pity on that raven of her's and released him from his stone state before the barrier was erected."

"Why would you do that?!" Leah exclaimed.

"I felt bad for the poor creature," Fairy Godmother explained, seemingly not reacting to the exclamation that left Estelle whimpering and putting a paw over one of his ears.

"That would explain the feather," Hades said with a nod. "From what I had heard, I thought that little pest was still doing its best Medusa impersonation."

Audrey didn't mean to, she tried to keep it in. But she couldn't resist a small snort of amusement at that.

Persephone couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. "Be serious Hades," she said though a smile still appeared. "The Underworld is the only place safe from Maleficent's spies."

"Uh…didn't the goblins or whoever she used as minions get in?" Neal asked.

"Clearly not since her little gremlins managed to sneak in here," Hades grumbled but shook his head. Now was not the time to argue. "I know you're worried Steph but don't forget. Maleficent may have her eyes everywhere but so do I."

"We're relying on Pain and Panic?"

"Hey! They can step up when the job requires it," Mal stated, crossing her arms over her chest. Almost in a 'only I can make fun of my minions' pose.

Persephone gave him a look before looking over at Pain and Panic, who were still knocked out on the stone floor, before looking back at Hades and raising an eyebrow.

"If you're referring to your new floor decorations, I seem to remember that you call them morons at least three times a day. And that's when you want to be polite to them."

"They are morons though," Meg nodded. "But like Mal said, they do step up when they need to."

"Didn't you say they turned themselves into a female Pegasus to lure Pegasus away?" Hercules asked.

"I didn't say they make sense when they step up," Meg sighed.

"They may be morons but they're my morons," Hades told her before shaking his head once more. "But I"m not talking about them. Mal's my daughter, her connection to me means she's connected to the ember. I can watch her from here and Maleficent would never need to know."

"I almost feel bad that I'm a toddler here," Jay said. "If I was older, I could have—."

"Not with your dad in Maleficent's gang," Harry pointed out. "Plus if you were older, Mal'd be older too."

Persephone nodded before sighing. "While that's a little better than your minions, I'm not sure how much good it'll do. All it'll do is drive you mad, watching through that ember and not doing anything."

"I'm pretty sure dad got driven mad by the Isle ages ago," Mal said.

"I know," Hades sighed as well. "But it's the best plan we've got that ensures Mal's safety."

"*Contact Olympus*," Rowyn coughed.

"Allergies?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, I don't know why but they just acted up for a second."

Looking around the room, Hades couldn't help but frown as he thought of what could have been. "Let's go back to the den," he said softly. He really didn't feel like continuing to stand in his daughter's empty room.

"I don't think anyone would want to do that,"

They would get her back. Someday soon. The storm clouds wouldn't last forever.

"And they didn't," Hadie grinned, "considering I have my sister."

"Anyone up for a small break?" Macaria asked. "After reading that, I'm a little nervous as to what the next scroll'll be."

"Fair enough," Hercules nodded. "I think your grandfather and I need to have a talk anyway."

Chapter 7 Chapter Text

Hercules and Zeus made their way over to a corner of the room. There were no separate areas where they could go but thankfully everyone seemed to give them a wide berth. Maybe it was because there was a frown on Hercules' face that seemed out of place for the hero.

"Father, how could you?" Hercules asked, breaking the silence that had occurred as either one waited for the other to say the first word. "Mal was a baby and she was the one who needed help."

Zeus sighed. "Hercules, you've got to understand. The coup against Olympus was still rather fresh—."

"Fresh? Father, I'm pretty sure the coup happened years before the Isle was even created. And again, that has nothing to do with Mal."

Hercules shook his head as he looked at his father, disappointment clear in his blue eyes. "What am I supposed to tell Hyllus, Macaria or Herkie? The one thing Meg and I have always told them was that if they got into trouble and for whatever reason their mother or I weren't there to help, Olympus would always be there to give them aid."

"And we always will be," Zeus stated.

"How can they be sure about that?" Hercules asked.

"They're my grandchildren Hercules! Of course I—."

"Mal's your niece and you weren't there for her when Uncle Hades asked for your help. Excuse me if I have a hard time believing now that you'd be there for your grandchildren."

"You're calling him Uncle after he kidnapped you and removed your godhood? Not to mention the fact that—."

"Father, I may not be particarlly close to him but there is no denying the fact that Hades is my uncle. I am only giving him the proper title. But while we're on that subject, it seriously took you years to talk to me? I guess abandoning family members when talking to them is inconvenient for you is a habit."

Was that hit a little below the belt? Probably. Did he regret saying it? Not in the slightest.

"Okay, okay Hercules. I think he gets the idea," Meg said, trying to keep her voice gentle as to not draw attention. Not because she didn't want Zeus to feel shame. Oh no, quite the opposite. But she didn't want Mal to feel embarrassed over this.

She could see Macaria was in the midst of a conversation with her purple haired cousin, Hyllus busy chatting away with Uma while Herkie was nodding along to whatever Hadie was talking about.

They weren't the only ones chatting with their family. Dizzy Tremaine had left Evie's side and struck up a conversation with one of the Charming girls. Leah of course was venting as loudly as she could to the only audience that would suffer her rants—her family.

Dear Gods she's got a set of lungs on her, Meg thought. I'm on the other side of the room and I can still hear her clearly. I have to wonder though. She's clearly miserable, why on Earth did the Fates bring her?

Shaking her head slightly, she turned back to the conversation between her father in law and her husband.

"Thank you Meg—."

"I didn't intervene for you Zeus," Meg stated. "I intervened because I knew we had the possibility of our volume getting louder than we'd want it too and I didn't want anyone being embarrassed."

"But I—."

"Zeus, you were the one content to let a baby suffer at the hands of Maleficent," Meg told him, crossing her arms over her chest. "A baby who shouldn't haven't been on the Isle since her only 'crime' was to be born. Something that she in no way could control."

"I'm not surprised you're on Hades' side, considering you used to work for him," Zeus muttered.

"Father, leave my wife out of this," Hercules growled. "You want to have an argument, you have it with me."

"Hercules, I'm a big girl. I tie my own sandals and everything, I can handle your father," Meg said but she gave Hercules a small smile. She knew how much the Wonderboy loved his father after all.

But…he gave up his chance to be on Olympus for you, she thought. No matter what, Hercules would put her first over Zeus every time.

She turned to Zeus and sighed. "Yes, I worked with Hades. It wasn't by choice, I sold my soul to him after all. But the one thing you can say about Hades is that he keeps his deals. When Hercules made a deal with him to give up his strength for twenty four hours in exchange for my freedom, Hades kept that deal. He likely would have done whatever you wanted Zeus in exchange for getting Mal back."

"Exactly," Hercules nodded. "In addition to that, when that pillar fell on Meg after she pushed me out of its path, I got my strength returned to me as per the agreement. You wouldn't have had to worry about him not keeping his side of the bargain father, as long as you kept yours."

Zeus sighed and Hera walked up, having watched the conversation go on for some time. "Hercules, is it really worth beating your father up over something that was in the past?"

"Mother, considering he was going to lie to my face?"

"Your father and uncle's relationship has always been…tumultuous at best," Hera said with a sigh. "Hades never really got over the fact that Zeus was the one sibling not eaten as a baby."

"Call me crazy but I think that's a fair thing to hold a grudge about," Meg chimed in.

"Right, so then Uncle Hades got his 'revenge' by kidnapping me," Hercules nodded. "That then evens everything out."

"But then Hades threw his coup."

"And he was thrown on the Isle," Hercules pointed out. "Ergo everything's evened out again and the wrongs kinda wash away. But right now, father, you're the only one who's wronged Uncle Hades here."

Zeus sighed. He knew his son had a point but he didn't know how he could possibly make it up to Hades and Persephone.

"Call me crazy but maybe removing that stupid six months on and off agreement might be a good way to start making it up," Meg offered, seeing the look on her father-in-law's face.

"That agreement has been in place since before the Isle was created!"

"And all it's doing is hurting everyone involved!" Meg shot back. "Persephone is without her son for six months or Mal is in Auradon for six months without a parent to be in her corner. Hades is without his wife for six months and as we all can see from the scrolls, he obviously gets lonely. How else would Mal have been born?"

"Could…could we not talk about that fact please?" Hercules murmured to her. Sure he was an adult but there were some things he'd rather not think about. Maleficent in any capacity was one such thing.

"Oh grow up Wonderboy," Meg chuckled. "But I see your point. The idea of Maleficent doing that…"

"I think even Eros would find it hard to wrap his head around," Hera nodded.

Hercules sighed. "There's a part of me that wants to continue to be mad at you for Mal's sake, even though I'm pretty sure she's not all that fond of us."

"Oh, whatever gave you that idea? The fact that Hades is her father?"

"Persephone is also her mother," Hera pointed out. "Speaking of which, we should be lucky that Demeter hasn't realized what we did--or didn't do. You all remember how she reacted when Persephone went into the Underworld the first time."

"That would not be pretty," Hercules nodded.

"That would be an understatement," Zeus sighed. "She's already been chewing my ear off because Hadie's on the Isle after all. I don't know what she thinks I'd be able to do about that though."

Three pairs of eyes looked at him, each one more incredulous than the last.

"What?"

"You're the King of the Gods. If you want someone off the Isle, tell King Beast!" Meg exclaimed.

"Well yes but—."

"Oh dear Gods, if this is because he's another child of Hades, I'm going to take one of your precious lightning bolts and stick it up your—!"

"Okay!" Hercules exclaimed and clapped his hands together. "Let's keep it appropriate for young ears. That being said she does have a point father. With King Beast stepping down and Prince Ben taking the helm, you should be able to talk to him about getting young Hadie in Auradon. After all, I'm sure Mal would appreciate it."

And would Hades appreciate both of his kids off the Isle? I have a feeling the rift between us would only grow if I took his son from him, Zeus thought with an inward sigh.

"You've got to make the first move dear," Hera stated. "I know I'm not the closest with Hades, considering he robbed us of years with Hercules but at least we know Hercules lived with a loving family all those years. He had people who appreciated the gift of him being in their lives. Do you really think Hades had such a luxury?"

"I think it's safe to say the answer to that is 'no'," Meg stated, her voice soft as she watched Macaria walk away from Mal and Mal lean into her father's embrace; Hades giving his daughter a side hug as his son chattered away with Herkie. She had to hold back a chuckle as Uma glared at Harry as he chatted up Elle.

Nice call your highness, she thought as Ben quickly jumped in and seemed to join in the conversation so it wouldn't be as if Harry was flirting with Elle. Otherwise she would have given it about five minutes before Uma would have stormed over there.

A small whine drew her attention downward and Meg stared in confusion as the Cerberus looked back at her.

"Uh…hi?"

"It's Estelle," Persephone said as she walked up. "I think he's saying hello to everyone who'll let him. He was just over by Akiho and Emir."

"Ah," Meg nodded.

"I'm surprised no one has been smote," Persephone said, looking at Hercules and Zeus.

"I don't have that ability," Hercules muttered.

"I wouldn't smite my own child," Zeus stated, as if Persephone had personally offended him.

"There's a lot of things you say you wouldn't do Zeusey," Persephone said, narrowing her eyes a little and closed the distance. "Just remember, my husband may be the God of the Dead but when all is said and done, I'm the one who's turned someone into a mint plant because I was angry with them. Do you really want to test me and see if I can do that to you?"

"Threatening me are you Persephone? You want to spend the whole year on the Isle?

Persephone smirked. "You wouldn't do that. The mortals would have your head in a heartbeat because of what my mother would do to them. My mother has you and you know it."

Zeus glowered but knew she had a point. Demeter would gladly give the mortals an eternal winter if Persephone was sent to the Isle permanently. Though Hades and Hadie might welcome her presence.

"So, we're going to go back. We're going to read some more," Persephone said. "You're not going to antagonize Hades. You're not going to comment if Hades or Mal disparages you. Because they have every right to, Zeus. I've tried to defend you. I've tried to say that we should get along, because we're family. But no more. If you want me to defend you to Hades, Mal, or Hadie, you'll have to earn it."

With that, Persephone turned on her heel and went back to her husband and kids; Estelle trotting dutifully after her.

"I guess we should go and sit down," Hera said, slightly taken aback at the verbal lashing Persephone had given.

"I guess so," Hercules nodded. Go Aunt Persephone!

You, young Hercules, can call me Steph, Persephone said thought the mental link. You have earned that right by confronting your father on Mal's behalf.

You're…you're not mad?

At you? Why should I be? You're not your father Hercules. You've done nothing for me to be mad about. Now, your father? I'm furious at. But I have both my children and my husband with me. For right now, I can ignore him.

…yes Aunt Steph.

I have to say, Mal's right. It sounds weird hearing someone other than Uma say that. But a good weird.

Hercules smiled as the group sat back down.

"Who's reading next?"

"Can I read?" Hadie asked.

"Go ahead storm cloud," Mal nodded. Hadie grinned and reached over to grab another scroll with a purple ribbon.

Chapter 8 Chapter Text

Hadie unfurled the scroll and sighed softly at the first paragraph. It didn't look like this was going to be a happy scroll.

Hades sighed as he walked past the empty nursery; the crib still lying on its side. It had been two weeks since Maleficent had stolen Mal back and Hades hadn't had the heart to clean the room.

Zeus frowned as his nephew read that. It was becoming more and more apparent that Hades had truly changed. But…could he really be trusted?

His son and daughter-in-law seemed to think so.

It was if it had been frozen in time, the only difference being the lack of feather on Mal's pillow. Hades had put that away for safe keeping in case he ever needed to bring up an accusation against Maleficent.

"But…you're a God," Aziz asked. "Wouldn't people believe you regardless?"

"One: it's the Isle," Jay told him. "Accusations without proof are really easy to blow off."

"Two: it's the Isle," Mal added. "A resident stealing from another resident? Jay calls that a Tuesday."

"Normally he's on the other end of it though," Harry said with a smirk.

"And finally, would you go up against Maleficent without proof?" Uma asked.

Aziz shook his head.

"Didn't think so."

Persephone had been avoiding Mal's former room as if it had been the plague but Hades couldn't fault his wife for that. Every time he came across one of the toys Persephone had brought for Mal from Auradon scattered on the floor of the den, his heart broke.

Belle gave Hades a what she hoped was a comforting smile. She knew how she felt whenever she had come across one of the baby clothes they had gotten for Abigail a few weeks after…

Was there something more I could be doing? He thought as he closed the door to the nursery. He didn't know how it had opened; he had given orders to Pain and Panic that the room was not to be disturbed.

Rapunzel sighed. She had talked to her mother about the night she'd been kidnapped a few weeks before Rachel was born. What her mother had said was almost similar to what Lord Hades had been like—or at least the Lord Hades in the scroll.

Mom used to say that the only thing that really helped was staying busy, she thought. Though…I kinda hope Lord Hades doesn't have to be busy in the Underworld.

His minions had been making themselves scarce ever since Mal had been taken; what normally took one angry bellow of their name now took at the very least three before they would rear their heads. Persephone had suggested that maybe they thought Hades blamed them for Mal getting kidnapped—after all, they were in the room.

"They're moronic but I wouldn't have blamed them for that," Hades shook his head.

Pain and Panic versus Maleficent's goblins, Hades thought as he made his way to the kitchen. Unless they had their shape shifting abilities, Pain and Panic would be toast. I heard the stories about how exuberant those goblins were in tying up Phillip. As much as I hate to compliment a hero, Phillip seems like he's fairly competent from the reports Persephone brings back from Auradon.

"…Thank you Lord Hades," Phillip Sr. said after a few minutes.

"Hey, you didn't get yourself hypnotized, transformed, and you were ready to give up your throne for who you thought was a peasant girl," Hades shrugged. "I can recognize competency when it rears its head."

He grabbed a chipped mug from the cupboard and sighed as he put the water on for tea. The tea helped; it gave him something to do that didn't involve hunting down his ex-wife and eviscerating her to the point that her soul wouldn't even wind up in the Underworld. Well, or at least that's what happens in Hades' dreams. But then he has to wake up and remember that anything he did would potentially put Mal at risk.

"We really should have consulted Athena," Persephone sighed.

"Or Apollo, isn't he also the God of Logic?" Poseidon said.

"The fact that one of Zeus' kids is the God of Logic scares me," Hades muttered.

For not the first time since Mal had been taken, Hades cursed the fact that he was on this gods forsaken Isle. If he had been in Boreadon, he could have petitioned Zeus.

Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Zeus, Hercules, Meg and Persephone all looked at Hades in amazement and astonishment.

"It was for Mal," the Lord of the Underworld said and Persephone smiled. Her husband would put up with a brother he despised to get his daughter back safely.

That was the God she loved.

Actually, it wouldn't have even gotten to that point since Hades would have had full access to his chariot and his powers. Cerberus would have liked using Maleficent as a chew toy, Hades thought with a grim smile as the water boiled.

Estelle yipped softly and wagged his tail.

"Sounds like someone else wants to turn Maleficent into a chew toy," Neal chuckled.

"Good boy," Chip grinned.

"Your water's ready," Persephone's soft voice broke Hades from his thoughts. He turned around to see his wife standing in the doorway. It was a rare sight for Persephone to be out of their room; the inability to do anything seemed to be affecting her more than Hades thought possible.

Mal frowned. She didn't like the idea that she'd put her mom and dad through that much pain. Sure it wasn't her fault, she hadn't been asked to be kidnapped by Maleficent but still.

"Can I make you a cup?" Hades asked, reaching up on the shelf to get her one of the few non-chipped mugs that she had brought from Auradon a couple of years ago.

"You should have used the non-chipped mug," Meg told him. "It's not exactly safe to use a chipped mug to drink out of."

"I'm a God," Hades said simply.

"No thank you," Persephone said and sighed. "I'll be up at all hours otherwise. That's the last thing I need right now."

"They make non caffeinated tea Aunt Persephone," Macaria said.

"We have no clue what brand that tea is that Hades uses," Persephone told her gently.

Hades nodded as he poured the water over his tea. He would have preferred loose tea but the tea bags were easier to fish out of the barge deliveries.

"Why…why would you need to fish out the tea bags?" Emir asked.

Jay snorted. "Maybe because we practically eat your garbage," he told him.

"What?!" Ben exclaimed. "No, that…that can't be! Emir, Akiho, and I run the food drives every month. We've been in charge of them since I was thirteen! We've been participating in them since I was eight! That food's the freshest it could possibly be!"

"Well then there's a disconnect between when you all collect the food and when we get the food," Mal said, crossing her arms. The look of genuine shock and horror on Ben's face though did make her soften her glare.

"It's rare to find food not covered in flies or dirt," Dizzy added.

"I'm lucky," Carlos said softly. "I'm under Mal and Uma's crew's protection so I can get food from Ursula's. Plus my…plus Cruella's allied with Maleficent so I can get food when I want."

"I'm a little lucky too," Evie nodded. "My mother's with Maleficent's group after all."

"How could this be going on?!" Kitty asked, looking over at Ben.

"I don't know. But I'm going to find out," Ben said, nodding his head as if to punctuate his point.

Emir bit his lip. As much as he cared about the issues of food poverty, he knew Ben was already running himself ragged to get ready for the coronation.

"Ben…don't you have enough on your plate?" Akiho asked gently, as if picking up on Emir's thought. "Emir and I can handle the research—."

"Making sure Auradon's citizens have access to a basic human right is more important than the coronation Akiho!" Ben said firmly. "If I'm going to be King of Auradon, then I'm going to be King of all of Auradon."

"I wish I knew what brand that was," Persephone said as she leaned over on the counter. "I'd be able to get you a box of fresh bags in Auradon."

"They should be getting fresh bags regardless!" Emma stated.

"I'm used to these," Hades told her. Sure the tea was weaker than it should have been but it was still tea.

"Something tells me I'll be getting a bunch of boxes soon," Hades chuckled as he saw the look on his daughter's face.

Mal pursed her lips. If there was going to be anything good to come out of being forced to go to Boreadon, she could at least get her dad some good tea.

Persephone frowned. "I know, but it'd be nice to be useful for something. I haven't heard anything from the gossip chain regarding Maleficent when I go on my walks. Then again maybe no news is good news."

"That's always the case," Jane said, as Lonnie nodded in agreement.

"She's still holed up in her castle," Hades told her. "I've been keeping an eye on Mal through the ember."

"Wouldn't that just drive you mad though?" Jasmine asked, her voice soft.

"It was better than doing nothing," Hades sighed. He wasn't exactly sure why he was spilling his guts to the Boreadon royals but he was.

"Let me guess, you like her too?" Kristoff asked and Hades chuckled.

"Yes…and you too Reindeer King."

"…much appreciated Lord Hades."

"How does she look?" Persephone asked, leaning on the counter as if trying to hang on Hades' every word. Hades didn't blame her; his favorite time of day was quickly becoming the hours he spent staring through his ember keeping an eye on his daughter.

"Like any parent would," Eugene said, holding one of his daughters close to him, Rapunzel doing the same with their son.

"If Maleficent's hurt her, I can't see any proof of it," Hades told her, knowing who Persephone was referring to. "Overall Mal looks fine."

"Maleficent might have known you were watching," Poseidon said. "She wouldn't have left a mark anywhere visible."

"Knowing Maleficent? She would have left a visible mark just to drive me up the wall," Hades shook his head.

"Could Maleficent have turned over a new leaf?" Persephone asked, her voice so soft that Hades almost thought his wife was talking to herself. "I've heard stories in Auradon of new mothers not connecting with their children after birth. Maybe…"

"Honestly," Leah scoffed. "There's no reason to be delusional over the brat—"

"Don't you dare say another word Leah," Demeter said with a glare. "And I'd think twice before insulting my daughter or my granddaughter!"

"Mother?" Persephone asked, looking over at her.

"She called you 'mom'. You clearly have some kind of a relationship," Demeter told her.

"Yet you didn't react during the last scroll when Maleficent kidnapped her."

"Seething with rage dear. Seething with rage."

Persephone smiled. "Keep this up mother, and you might get to have a conversation with Mal."

"Steph," Hades said gently, taking his wife's hand and holding it gently in his. "I know where your thoughts are going but you're forgetting something. It's Maleficent we're talking about. She doesn't have a maternal bone in her body."

"Then why did she—?"

"Status," Mal shrugged as she looked over at Elle. "Evil Queen probably was using Blueberry there to try to elevate her own status on the Isle. Either that or Maleficent wanted to quash any rumors that dad stole me from her."

" I know," Persephone told him, looking into his eyes. The pain in her eyes broke Hades' heart; how he wished he could take this pain from her or to be the only one who felt it. If there had to be a silver lining in all this, it was that Persephone was here and Hades could comfort her as needed. If Maleficent had stolen Mal when Persephone was in Auradon, Hades didn't know what he would have done. "But I need to have hope."

"You'd get on well with Ben," Akiho said. "There's no one more hopeful than him."

Ben shrugged. "It was one of my christening gifts. But I hope I'd get along well with Lady Persephone."

Hades frowned and set his mug down. Walking around the counter, he enveloped his wife up into a hug. "Maleficent will let her guard down at some point," he told Persephone. "We'll get Mal back."

"Funnily enough, it wasn't Maleficent letting down her guard that let us get Mal back," Hades chuckled.

"How did you get her back?" Hercules asked.

"Sorry Wonderboy, that would be spoilers," Hades said, the chuckle still on his voice. He didn't notice that he had said 'Wonderboy' instead of the usual derogatory nickname of 'Wonderbreath'.

"But when?" Persephone asked as she looked up at him, tears beginning to well in the corner of her eyes. "And what will Mal be like when we do get her back? Maleficent will twist all the sweetness in Mal and turn it into a perchance for evil."

"She tried," Mal muttered.

"But you were stronger than her," Jay muttered back, resting a hand on Mal's shoulder. Mal couldn't help but give a small smile to the older boy.

Hades sighed. "Then we'll just have to get her back before that happens. It won't be in the next couple weeks though. Maleficent's evil but she's not stupid. She's not going to leave a baby alone with just her goblins to guard her. Those fools spent sixteen years looking for Aurora thinking she was still a baby after all."

"And they only found her because two idiots decided to have a magic fight before sunset," Uma muttered.

"Hey!" Audrey snapped. "Those are my Aunts you're talking about!"

"And they risked Aurora's safety by literally having a magical fight while the window of the curse was still active!" Uma snapped back. "The curse said 'before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday'. Not on her sixteenth birthday but before the sun sets. Meaning after sunset, Aurora would have been in the clear."

"How do you—?"

"My mother's Ursula and my uncle's Hades. You really think I don't know my way around contract wording by now?"

"You have a point," Persephone sighed. "Still, that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"If you did like it, I'd have to start worrying about you," Hades told her, brushing a bit of her brown hair behind her ear.

"Your hope is my sun," Hades muttered into Persephone's ear. "Or at least, it's part of my sun."

"I'm guessing our children are the other parts?" Persephone muttered back.

"You'd be correct."

"It'd be too much to hope that we get her back before I have to go to Auradon, right?"

"I'm pretty sure all hope died on the Isle by that point," Celia shrugged.

Hades sighed and nodded. "I can do my best but Mal's only four months old. Small enough to easily snatch as Maleficent's imbecilic minions proved two weeks ago."

"Have…have you given any thought to my suggestion?" Persephone asked, her voice soft. "Of petitioning Zeus for help?"

"I'm sure he has," Poseidon nodded. "Though how many of those thoughts are printable with young Hadie and the young girls here in the room, I'm not sure."

"I've heard worse on the Lost Revenge!" Hadie exclaimed.

"You've heard what?!" Uma and Mal exclaimed.

Harry shook his head. "I'll make sure the crew cleans up their language cap'ns," he said. Especially if they're using that sort of language around the runt. She doesn't need to hear their filth, he thought.

"The question is how much help would he be?" Hades asked her. "Yes, he's the king of the Gods. Yes, he's my brother. Yes, Zeus loves a good fight. But for me? Right now? There's a much higher possibility that Zeus would say no. Not to mention the target it would put on Mal's back if Zeus did step in. It would let the Isle know that I was her father."

"Freddy would be out with a vengeance if he knew I was your daughter," Mal nodded.

"Who's Freddy?" Ben asked, frowning slightly at the idea of someone wanting to hurt Mal.

"Freddy Frollo," Mal elaborated. "Scourge of the earth. No wait, that's an insult to the Earth and I'd rather not do that considering who my mother's the daughter of."

"Well it's not like we can insult the ocean," Uma pointed out.

"Plus calling him a sentient pile of dung just insults the dung," Celia chimed in.

"…I think I get the idea," Ben said faintly.

"His sister's okay though," Dizzy said with a small smile. "She'll stop by the shop sometimes."

"Oh yeah Curl Up and Dye is in the neutral zone," Mal nodded.

"But it would also tell the Isle that Mal isn't someone to be messed with," Persephone countered. "The Gods don't get involved with the affairs of mortals for just anyone after all."

"…I'm pretty sure the mortals have a saying that most of our history can be summed up with one sentence. 'And then Zeus did the thing'. We get involved in the affairs of mortals much too frequently," Demeter sighed. It wasn't truly the saying but she wanted to keep it clean around her grandson.

Hades sighed. "If it makes you feel better, go ahead and talk with Zeus when you get back to Auradon," he told her. "But I wouldn't expect any assistance from my brother."

"And what do you know? Dad was right," Mal scoffed as Hercules shot Zeus a disappointed look.

"Hades, I don't care about the sibling drama. I'm just trying to find a way I can help Mal," Persephone told him. "My powers aren't suppressed here the way the other residents are but the urban setting does me no good. You can flame up to a limited degree but that risks hurting Mal if you went for her."

"If Old man Slade had kidnapped me, you'd be better off," Mal said. "He's got a farm after all."

"If he'd have kidnapped you, you'd have access to those chickens," Jay grinned.

"I have access to chicken now anyway," Mal chuckled.

"Not to mention that would be what Maleficent would be expecting," Hades told her before walking back around the counter and taking a sip of his tea. He realized too late that he he had left it out for too long without drinking it—it had basically become cold leaf juice.

"Blech!" Neal exclaimed as he made a face.

"Neal, all tea is just leaf juice," Emma told him.

"I reiterate. Blech!"

"You could just heat it up again," Persephone pointed out as Hades went to go and pour the tea out.

"Have you ever had reheated tea after it's gone cold?" Hades asked her and Persephone shook her head in amusement before letting out a small yawn.

"Was I boring you?" Hades teased, trying to bring some levity to the reading.

"Sorry," she said as the yawn faded. "Guess I didn't sleep very well last night."

Hades frowned. Persephone hadn't been sleeping well for the past fourteen nights. "Go take a nap Steph."

Demeter looked over at Hades in slight shock. It had been no secret that she was not fond of Hades for stealing her daughter from her. But scenes like this and with how he acted with his daughter…it was a different Hades than the one who made Persephone Queen of the Underworld.

"But—"

"When we get Mal back, you won't be any use to her if you're dead on your feet," Hades pointed out, cutting off any argument that was forthcoming from his wife. "Go on. I can manage the Underworld by myself for a couple of hours."

"I mean I do it on my own for six months after all," Hades added.

Persephone sighed but walked around the counter to give Hades a kiss on the cheek. "Don't work too hard," she said softly. "You won't be any use to Mal either if you're dead on your feet as well."

"Better I'm the one dead on my feet than you," Hades murmured, kissing Persephone on the head as he pulled her close.

"Never say that again," Persephone told him. "The last thing I want to do is see you in pain."

She walked out of the kitchen and Hades watched her turn the corner. Once he heard the door to their bedroom close, he made his way to the portal room. Unbeknownst to Persephone, Hades had moved a small chair in there so that he'd be able to sit while watching Mal.

"You did what?" Persephone asked, looking at Hades. "Hades, you promised you'd only spend an hour in there at most!"

"And you really think I'd enjoy spending an hour on my feet?" Hades countered. He'd do it, of course. For Mal.

It made it a lot harder to run out of the room to kill his ex-wife if he constantly had to spring to his feet.

"Do it anyway," Jay said.

"And tell us so we can watch!" Uma nodded.

Sitting down, Hades pulled the ember out of his pocket and stared into it. The limited magic he had allowed him to be able to power the ember and look into it to see his daughter. The sight he saw though was not a pleasant one. The onesie Mal had been wearing looked torn and dirty, as if she hadn't been changed out of it for the past two weeks. Knowing Maleficent, that was probably the case.

Evie couldn't help but wrinkle her nose a bit at being in the same outfit for two weeks.

"What did you expect, Princess?" Mal scoffed, having noticed Evie's look of disgust. "It's not like the Dragon just had onesies lying around to change me."

"Knowing the Dragon, she probably thought she was making you stronger by denying you a change of clothes," Jay muttered.

She didn't look like she'd lost weight but Hades was sure Maleficent wouldn't be feeding her or hunting down the right food for Mal to eat. From the scene in front of Hades, it was clear that Maleficent barely deemed it necessary to hold Mal.

"How horrible," Emma whispered, tears prickling in the corners of her eyes. She treasured the memories of her childhood with her parents.

"Let me guess, you lot thought that 'even villains loved their kids'?" Harry scoffed.

She's a baby, not a bomb Maleficent, Hades thought as Maleficent held Mal at an arm's length away from her, the cries coming from his daughter breaking Hades' heart as Maleficent's nails seemed to pierce Mal's skin. That had to hurt as Maleficent curled her fists in anger, only increasing the pressure of the nails digging into his daughter's skin.

Huh, I was wondering where I got those scars from, Mal thought with a small shrug as many of the mothers and fathers in the room looked on in horror. Snow White had her hands to her mouth while Aurora's eyes went wide with shock. Rapunzel had buried her head into Eugene's shoulder, the brunet rubbing the former blonde's shoulder.

Belle bit her lip, the apology dying to slip from her lips. The apology that Mal deserved for having endured that. But she didn't think it was the right time.

Demeter glared at Zeus. Yes she had been silent for most if not all of the reading but that was only because she couldn't believe she had another grandchild! One who was of Maleficent's blood but still! The girl clearly thought of Persephone as her mother and therefore she was her granddaughter!

"Why didn't we do something?" Demeter hissed in Zeus' ear. She didn't expect a response. Not if Zeus thought he was in the right.

"Stop wailing!" Maleficent ordered but Mal continued to cry. Maleficent glared at Mal but the glare failed to quiet Mal's caterwauling. "Nothing but pathetic cries for the past two weeks! How did I wind up with such a weak daughter?"

"Give her hell Mal!" Emir cheered.

Aziz sighed. "You do realize Mal's crying because Maleficent is more than likely hurting her right?"

"And I can cheer on the fact that Mal's fighting against her," Emir stated. "Babies aren't stupid, they learn quickly to stop doing the thing that hurts them."

"In a strange way, Emir's right," Chip nodded. "By continuing to cry and refusing to be subdued by Maleficent, Mal's proving how strong she is."

Mal raised an eyebrow. "Okay, is this just the strangest day I've ever had or what?"

"Strangest day we've ever had cuz," Uma corrected.

That's my girl, Hades couldn't help but think; the thought entering his mind before he could stop it. While he was happy that Mal was annoying Maleficent by not doing what she wanted, Hades couldn't help but worry about what Maleficent would do in retaliation.

It was a weird reaction but Mal couldn't help but beam with pride, hearing her dad cheering her own even if it was just his thoughts.

The woman cursed an infant because the infant's parents failed to invite her to a party, after all.

"Hey look, someone who acknowledges the fact that it was Leah and Stefan's fault Princess Aurora got cursed in the first place!" Ashaki nodded.

"I like her too," Hades said.

"Seriously?" Persephone sighed.

As Mal's wails refused to diminish, Maleficent seemed to grow more and more agitated. Finally dropping Mal in what looked like a makeshift crib but was really just an extra wide crate that hadn't had the bottom rot through yet, the Mistress of All Evil stormed out; slamming the door behind her.

"That's not a crib!" Ariel exclaimed, her eyes wide in horror.

"Huh, better than what I got," Jay nodded, seemingly ignoring Ariel's comment.

"Yeah Mal lucked out. Thankfully mom saved Harriet's crib from when the Captain thought Harriet was going to be a boy or who knows what I'd have gotten?" Harry nodded as well.

Seeing Mal left alone in a dark room, crying at the top of her lungs and wearing a filthy onesie and possibly a diaper that was close to bursting, only fueled Hades' anger toward his ex-wife.

"Dad…ever thought about possibly using that sword of yours on a dragon one last time?" Phillip Jr. asked, glaring at the scroll.

"…I'm tempted."

"Phillip!" Aurora exclaimed.

"Yes?" Both of her Phillips said, looking at the blonde.

"I'm just as furious as the two of you are but we can not condone murder!"

Mal was his daughter! Was Maleficent just that cruel or was she mistreating Mal as yet another way to get back at Hades for leaving her?

"My money's on 'just that cruel'," Carlos said rather timidly. "I mean it is Maleficent after all."

Hang on Mali, Hades thought. I will get you back. Someday.

"And you did!" Hadie said with a small grin as he looked at his dad.

"That I did," Hades nodded with a small chuckle.

Outside the Underworld, the already overcast sky seemed to grow darker and darker until every bit of sky seemed to be covered. The few Isle dwellers who resided by Hades' lair gave the gate a wary glance. He was one of the most powerful people on the Isle even with his magic mostly dampened by the barrier; if he was angry it probably wouldn't be a good time to be on the lower end of the Isle hierarchy.

I had wondered why the cloud cover over the Isle had increased, Fairy Godmother thought with a small frown. I thought it was because the barrier was weakening.

They could only hope that his anger wouldn't last for too long.

"…wasn't it like seriously overcast for five years?" Harry asked. "At least, that's what Harriet said."

Zeus looked at Hades in shock. "You kept that cloud cover for five years?"

"If I remember correctly, Zeus, Demeter brought a year long winter when Persephone went to the Underworld and you spent a year giving the mortals nothing but thunderstorms when Pain and Panic nabbed Herc," Hades stated. "Never underestimate a parent's anger when their kid gets taken."

"And on that cheerful note, who wants to read next?" Hadie asked.

"I'll read," Uma said with a shrug.

Chapter 9 Notes:

Hey guys, just wanted to give a heads up that there's a part of the chapter that gets a little dark and contains mention of a miscarriage. I'll be sure to update my tags so that it's up there too but I wanted to add a note as well!

Chapter Text

Uma shrugged and grabbed a scroll. "Okay, let's see what's going to happen in this one."

Hades had to smirk as he strolled through the streets of the Isle, making his way over to Pirate's Cove. The sight of the underlings diving out of his path never failed to amuse him.

"It is rather amusing," Uma nodded.

"Yeah, especially when they literally dive," Mal chuckled and then paused. "Well, not when it's Smee."

"Smee's like the one underling who's harmless," Harry said. "Not to mention he treats all of us with respect."

"His daughter's your sister's first mate. Of course he treats us with respect," Mal shrugged.

It was, however, some of the only joy he could get.

"Well that and time with Persephone," Hades amended.

It had been five years

"Five years?!"

"Yeah," Mal shrugged as some of the AKs looked at her in shock. "What? Did you honestly expect Maleficent to just hand me back to dad? Dragons aren't really known for sharing."

She wasn't going to lie though, she was rather enjoying the death glare that Demeter was giving Zeus.

since Maleficent had stolen Mal from him and Hades had yet to see a possible way of taking his daughter back. That didn't mean he hadn't come up with plans; it just meant that all the plans he came up with were a guaranteed failure. Hey, there was a reason why Athena was the Goddess of Strategy and not Hades.

"So why didn't you write to her?" Demeter demanded. "My granddaughter—."

"Athena would only go along with it if Zeus was on board," Hades said in a matter of fact tone. "Even if I was just asking for help ironing out some holes in the plan, I knew my letter would likely go unread. If it even got past the post goblins for that matter."

"I think it might be time for the net again," Poseidon muttered.

"Do it and I'll turn you mortal again," Zeus said with a glare, having heard the mutter.

He'd even considered borrowing from the Trojans but there wasn't time to build a giant wooden dragon that would allow him to sneak into Maleficent's castle.

"Can we help with that?!" Akiho and Emir asked, looking more excited at the prospect than they had any right to be.

"Your friends are two halves of a whole idiot Benji," Chip whispered to Ben with a small chuckle in his voice.

"I know," Ben shook his head. "But you gotta love them."

"Oh there's no choice in the matter there."

Besides, Maleficent was a horrible waste of oxygen but she wasn't an idiot. She'd be able to see a trap coming.

"I thought most of the villains were idiots?" Audrey scoffed.

"You're thinking about the sidekicks like LeFou," Mal told her, rolling her eyes. "Believe it or not, there are a few villains on the Isle with a few brain cells to rub together. Unfortunately, the Dragon is one of them."

So Hades waited and waited, for five years; trying to come up with a plan that would work.

It never came.

Persephone, true to her word, had attempted to reach out to Zeus during one of her six month stays in Auradon but Zeus wouldn't hear it.

"Of course he wouldn't," Mal scoffed, rolling her eyes as Demeter's glare at Zeus grew darker. "I mean, Gods forbid he get off his fat ass and actually do something!"

"Malinda!" Persephone scolded. "Watch your language around your brother."

"Yes mom," Mal nodded. "I stand by the Zeus comment though!"

Hades couldn't blame his brother for that; there was no proof Mal was his other than Hades' word which probably meant close to nothing to Zeus right now.

Zeus sighed. Maybe at the time, Hades' word wouldn't have meant anything. But…knowing what he knew now?

So there was no help coming from Auradon, and no help coming from Olympus. If Hades was desperate enough, he could join one of the cliques that had developed among the residents of the Isle. But he was not desperate. Not in the slightest.

He was also lying to himself, Hades thought with a small sigh. Had it gone on much longer without any sight of Mal, he might have actually joined a clique to get Mal back. Thankfully that hadn't been necessary.

The day I join forces with the likes of Clayton, Frollo or Scar will be the day Beast starts letting people off this Isle, Hades thought with an inward grimace. Jafar would be tolerable, if only because we'd worked together in the past trying to best Hercules and Aladdin. But he's joined forces with Maleficent and it'll be a cold day in my underworld before I sign up to be one of her minions.

"So dad, does this mean you'll be joining forces with Clayton, Frollo, or Scar?" Mal teased.

"Yeah, since Mal and Jay got let off the Isle," Hadie added with a grin.

Hades rolled his eyes. "I said Beast, not his son," he told his kids. "Besides, the day I actually join with Frollo is the day the sky turns to fire and all our noses fall off."

"Good," Mal nodded.

Hades raised an eyebrow as if asking for an explanation.

"If you joined forces with Frollo, then Freddy would be around Hadie more than I feel comfortable with." Mal elaborated.

"You really think I'd let that brat anywhere near your brother?"

"No, of course not."

"Then there's nothing to worry about."

So Hades walked alone, being one of the few Isle residence to forgo a clique. Despite this, however, no one bothered the God. It was one of the few benefits of being the God of the Dead, even if the ingrates on the Isle always called him the God of Death.

"What's the difference?" Audrey scoffed.

"Thanatos is the God of Death, Macaria is the Goddess of Blessed Death, not to be confused with our classmate, while Keres is the Goddess of Violent Death," Ben said instantly, as if the answer was just rattling around in his brain. "Then of course there are the Gods of the seven rivers of the Underworld, Acheron, Alpheus, Cocytus, Eridanos, Lethe, Phlegethon, and Styx."

"Beat me to the punch why don't you?" Hyllus chuckled.

"You just have that information stored in your head, do you?" Mal asked.

Ben shrugged. "I like to read."

"Was I named after her?" Macaria whispered to her father. "The Goddess of Blessed Death I mean?"

"You were," Hercules whispered back. What? He had liked the name.

Hey, if it gets them to leave me alone they can call me whatever they want, Hades thought as he watched some of the younger kids of the Isle run around on the docks. They looked to be around five or six, though Hades knew looks could be misleading.

"Don't I know it," Carlos muttered to himself.

The quality of the food that was being sent to the Isle each month had quickly deteriorated to the point where most of it was inedible.

Leah rubbed her hand over her mouth, looking pensive as she cleverly hid a smirk. It wouldn't do to look too pleased, not with the Gods in the same room as her.

Ben shook his head. "I'm getting to the bottom of this. Food is a human right that they should have! I mean, I can't even start to think about the medical issues the people of the Isle have got to be having."

"So you want to tell him or shall I?" Uma muttered to Mal.

"Why are we telling him anything?" Mal muttered back.

"Because it'll likely get revealed in one of these scrolls and at least then we can avoid Boreadon knowing all our weaknesses."

Mal sighed. "Fine…but I'll tell him. I'm the highest ranked VK here."

Ben whipped his head toward them, having heard that last bit of conversation.

"Tell me what?"

Mal sighed and shook her head. "Normally I probably wouldn't tell you this but since we're apparently spilling secrets, most of the girls…well their cycles are…barley non-existent."

"We've done the math. If the Isle continues to be like it is without change…" Uma added.

"There'll be no one or at least close to no one on it in about three generations," Mal said softly.

"People do die on the Isle after all," Harry muttered.

Emir shook his head, just as angry as his sister was. "So who's ever doing this…"

"They're essentially committed to killing an Island of people, most of whom are completely innocent of their parents' crimes," Ben said, his eyes hardening slightly before taking a slight breath to stabilize his emotions as he looked at the VKs. "Guys, I promise. I'll find out who's behind this."

"I'll have the shipping records pulled as soon as we get back," Belle promised.

The rare edible items would quickly be snatched up by Maleficent as she ran the Isle. Everyone in her clique benefited from the arrangement while everyone else on the Isle suffered.

"At the time it was just Jafar and Cruella. Well and Maleficent's goblins," Carlos said softly.

"And trust me, only they benefited," Jay muttered under his breath. He had his father's quota to meet after all. If he didn't meet it…well he'd be lucky if he didn't get locked out of the house for the night.

If Hades was a more naive person (or a more naive God), he might think it was a good thing that Maleficent had Mal because at least then she'd be able to get some decent food.

Mal couldn't help but explode in laughter, her head thrown back and tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Oh…Gods! Maleficent…give me more food…than she deemed necessary? Dad, you must have been around…Pain or Panic too long to assume that!"

"I believe the scroll said if I was a more naive person or God," Hades reminded her, not liking the fact that his suspicions had basically been confirmed.

But Hades knew there was a slim chance his daughter was getting anything more than what she needed to survive.

"That's if I behaved," Mal muttered under her breath. She could still remember the pangs of hunger as Maleficent deprived her of dinner for not being evil enough. She'd normally skip breakfast willingly and run over to Uma's mom's restaurant to get something for lunch before she met her dad.

It was partially because of the deteriorating food supply that Persephone had gotten the idea to open a restaurant on the Isle. Hades was against it at first, due to how risky it would be, but ended up agreeing.

"Risky?" Hera asked, looking over at Hades. "You're both Gods."

"Anything done on the Isle had an element of risk to it," Persephone told her. "But it had only been nine years since the Isle was created. I still had the brush of Auradon over me, and to be frank, Auradon wasn't exactly winning popularity contests over on the Isle."

"But…the Isle is part of Auradon," Ben said softly.

"I'm sorry Prince Ben but the Isle doesn't see it that way," Persephone told him. "And from the food supply they've been given, many of the residents believe that Auradon doesn't see it that way either."

It was good for Steph to have something to keep her mind off Mal—plus with them putting Hades' name on the building, it essentially became his restaurant.

Thus ensuring no one would mess with it.

"I mean they tried, but it was mainly Maleficent and her ilk," Hades shook his head.

"The goblins didn't like the fact that they had competition?" Mal asked.

"Exactly."

Persephone had been key in getting ingredients from Auradon; things that normally would be impossible to find on the Isle though they had to be non perishable since even Persephone couldn't keep meat and dairy fresh for six months without it going bad.

"Didn't I give you a cooler that kept food fresh?" Demeter asked Persephone.

"Not for another year mother," Persephone shook her head. Gods that would have been so handy…how many lives could have been saved if I'd had that.

Leaning over the rail of the pier, Hades watched as the kids continued to run along the docks. Unless they're incredibly short for their age, they'd be around Mal's age, he thought. I wonder if Maleficent has finally allowed her to walk around the Isle unaccompanied now or if she's still trying to pass off the facade of a devoted mother.

"Who are the kids?" Harry asked, trying to think if he remembered any kids running around the dock at that time.

"Idiot, they're us," Uma scoffed. "We always ran around the docks when we were kids."

"Lord Hades didn't give any indication that they could be us!"

"What other kids would be running around the docks closest to your father's shop?"

Mal though snorted at the idea that Maleficent would ever be a devoted mother.

His mind wandered briefly from his daughter to Auradon and the population boom they'd had over the last five years. Persephone was quick to inform him whenever a royal gave birth.

"Honestly we had nothing better to do," Hades shrugged as Poseidon looked at him as if to ask why.

Rapunzel had given birth to another daughter and a son bringing her total to six kids,

"How do you do it?" Cinderella asked, looking at Rapunzel.

Rapunzel chuckled. "Sometimes I ask myself the same question Ella. It helps that they get along most of the time."

Ariel had given birth to another child,

"Another child, what was my gender to be kept a mystery?" Melody snorted in amusement.

Cinderella had birthed two daughters much to Lady Tremaine's annoyance,

"Three daughters you mean," Alexandria chimed in as Cinderella sighed softly at hearing how her step-mother had been annoyed at the birth of her daughters.

"What do you mean Alex?" Kitty asked.

"This was five years from when Mal was kidnapped right?" Alexandria asked. At her sister's nod, she continued, "so mom had three daughters in that time frame. You and Lu were two years after Chad and then I was two years after you. That's still within the five year time frame."

Jasmine had given birth to a daughter

Ashaki chuckled as Jasmine gently kissed the top of her head, holding her daughter close to her.

and Aurora had given birth to a son.

"Not that Grandmother even acknowledges that fact," Phillip Jr. muttered under his breath but smiled as his father wrapped his arms over his shoulder in a small side hug.

That last announcement had particularly ticked off Maleficent from what Hades could see in the ember, though she thankfully did not take her anger out on Mal but rather on her goblin minions.

Phillip Jr. sighed a little in relief. He knew he had no control over Maleficent's actions but he was still glad his birth hadn't caused more pain to Mal.

If she could have found a way to do so, though, Hades was sure that his ex-wife would have.

There hadn't been an inspector out here for years,

Uma paused and looked over at Belle, unsure if she should read aloud the next part. Oh sure, she didn't really care about the feelings of the royals who saw fit to imprison children on their prison island and not even bother to give them decent food but she also knew how emotional those prissy Auradonians could be.

"What's wrong?" Mal muttered, leaning close to her cousin and Uma pointed to the next bit. "Oh. Well…I'm sure everyone already knows about it. I mean if Dad—."

"Uncle Hades is the God of the Dead, Mal. He'd know about a miscarriage." Uma said, keeping her tone as low as possible.

"Will you hurry it up!" Leah snapped, cutting off whatever Mal was going to say. "Honestly if we're here for much longer, we might return to our kingdoms overrun!"

"And here I thought it impossible to hate someone more than I hate the Dragon," Mal muttered as Uma shook her head and resumed reading.

not since the announcement of Queen Belle's second pregnancy three years ago. It lasted six months and the kingdom had been preparing for the birth of their new princess before it was announced that the Queen had miscarried.

Tears prickled in the corner of Belle's eyes at the reminder of her daughter. Of the pregnancy she'd lost. She could still remember that day like it had been yesterday.

"Who does that woman think she is? Wanting to put Ben in a betrothal contract?!" Belle exclaimed as she paced the floor of her bedroom in her castle. Well paced as well as her six month pregnant body allowed her to. "He's three! I will not sell my son like he's some prized horse to be sired! He'll find love in his own time…"

She trailed off as her stomach clenched, pain racking through her body like she had never known before. Not even going into labor with Ben had been this bad. Her hands flew to her stomach as her face lost all color. "Adam!"

Beast came running into their room, rushing to Belle's side. "Lumiere, call a limo now! And have Mrs. Potts watch Ben!"

"Right away sire!" Lumiere called.

"Adam, what's happening?! It's…it's too early!" Belle cried, tears welling in her eyes from both fear and pain.

"It's okay Belle. We'll get you to the hospital, the doctors will try to figure out what's going on," Beast said softly, trying to sooth her.

Belle nodded as Beast picked her up, almost in a bridal pose so they could make it to the limo faster. No, no, no! Abigail! Abby, don't you leave me, she thought as tears streamed down her face.

She was smart enough and had read enough books during her pregnancy with Ben to know that there were only two reasons why she'd be having pain now. She was either in very early labor or she was…

No, I am not going to think like that, she thought as they climbed into the limo and Beast gave the order for the driver to go. We are going to get to the hospital, the doctors will fix what's going on and then I'll have Abby in my arms in a few months. I…I can't lose her! Please, whatever God is listening, please don't let me lose my daughter!

She whimpered as a spasm of pain rocked her body and her hand flew to her stomach once more, the other one held by Beast as the limo sped off to the hospital. "Adam…what if we lose her?"

"We won't Belle. Both her and you are going to be just fine," Beast said gently. "Just focus on relaxing right now. We're almost there."

Belle nodded once more and tried to relax but couldn't as another spasm of pain racked her body. The next few hours were a blur to her as she was rushed into the hospital, people talking over each other so quickly she could only make out a few words. The ones she could make out weren't words that lent themselves well to comfort. Beast tried to stay with her as much as possible, only leaving if he needed to according to the doctors.

Finally Dr. Sweet came into the room. "Your majesties," he said softly, standing at the end of Belle's hospital bed with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm so sorry…we did everything we could but I'm afraid…"

Belle sobbed into Beast's shoulder. He didn't need to say anymore. She knew it.

"I'll give you two time alone," Dr. Sweet said. "Please let me know if you need anything."

"Is…Is Belle alright? Physically at least?" Beast asked, his voice no higher than a whisper as it broke.

Dr. Sweet paused. "Her majesty will be in some pain for a few days while her body recovers. I…I don't want to say anything definitively but unfortunately your majesties…"

"What? You can say it," Belle said, sounding almost broken.

"Your majesties, I'm afraid from what I've seen…Prince Ben may be your only child after this," Dr. Sweet stated. "Her majesty sustained some…damage that…"

"I understand," Belle whispered. "Thank…thank you."

"You're welcome your highness…I just wish I had better news. I'll leave you two alone now. Let me know if you need anything."

At their nods, Dr. Sweet turned and left. As the door shut, Belle sobbed once more. Beast quickly wrapped his arms around her.

"It's not your fault," he said softly.

"I was stressing over that damn contract Leah wanted, how is it not my fault?" Belle whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so…so sorry Adam. Our daughter…and now I can't even give you more than one child!"

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Beast said, gently rubbing her back. "Belle, this wasn't your fault. Royal life alone is stressful but you were ruling the kingdom and raising Ben. Plus Leah was pressuring us with the contract. It was just…"

"It's all my fault," Belle said, choking out a sob. "Adam, I should have delegated more. You wanted me on bed rest after all! I could have sent someone else to talk with Leah. Gods I hate that woman!"

"You okay?" Beast whispered.

"Just…just remembering that day," Belle whispered back.

Beast nodded, gently rubbing Belle's back as he had all those years ago. And just as before, he was telling himself that he could break when he was alone. That Ben didn't need to see him like that. That he just had a month to go as King and then…and then he could fall apart. Never mind that every time he thought about his daughter, it was like losing his mother all over again. They were to share the same name after all…

Ben frowned slightly as he thought about the sister he never got to know. Akiho and Emir gently resting their hands on his shoulders.

While Beastie would never be Hades' favorite person, Belle at least tried to champion change for the Isle when it was first created. At least, that's what Persephone had heard. Now though, Belle seemed more preoccupied with protecting her sole child and heir to the throne rather than continue the changes she sought to make.

Mal bit her lip and sighed as she looked over at Belle and Beast. "I…I know it won't mean much coming from me but….my condolences," she said. Even if those two were the reason she and her brother were trapped on the Isle…no one should go through that pain.

Hadie nodded in agreement, neither Godling noticing the proud yet sad smiles on their parents faces.

"Thank…thank you Mal, Hadie," Belle said, her voice soft and Beast nodded.

Not that Hades could blame her for being distracted. He still found it hard to do his job and Mal was still alive. He couldn't imagine what losing a child would be like, and he ran the Underworld.

Hades shook his head. How in the world did he ever think he could compare the two? At least Mal was still alive…he could at least see her through the ember back then.

It had been tempting, for a minute, to have Steph send a condolence card when the news broke but Hades knew that would only put a potential target on Mal. The people of Auradon would wonder why Hades was sending a condolence card and the residents of the Isle would wonder if Hades had gone soft and try to find out why.

"I thought you'd think that," Persephone sighed. "Which was why I didn't sign your name on the card I sent them. I debated about it but I thought you wouldn't want me to."

"You know me so well," Hades told her.

Zeus was not the only one to look at Hades in shock. Beast also looked at Hades in surprised amazement at hearing that.

"Thank you, Lord Hades," Belle said, her voice soft but Hades could hear the gratitude.

"Steph told me that you were the one who spearheaded any positive changes we had on the Isle," Hades told her. "And even if you weren't, the one thing I hate is seeing the souls of babies and children come to me to be judged. They didn't get a chance to fully live to earn a judgement. If…if it's any comfort, you should know that Abigail is in Elysium."

"I'd…"

"Beastie, are you seriously going to say I'd subject a baby to Tartarus?"

"She was my daughter."

"She did not commit your crimes. She did not deserve to be sent to Tartarus."

It was a potential lose-lose either way.

"The thought is still appreciated though Lord Hades," Ben said.

"Ah Hades," Hook exclaimed as Hades walked into the pirate's shop. "What can I help you with?"

"Well he wants to know the price of tea in China. Why do you think he's there Hook?" Mal growled slightly. She would never forgive the Captain for how he treated Harry and she knew Uma felt the same.

"What do you think?" Hades asked with an eye roll. "It's Tuesday isn't it?"

Normally he'd have Pain or Panic pick up the supplies, or even Panic's son Virgil since the boy was now eight and able to be trusted with simple errands, but Hades wanted to use this rare opportunity to see if Maleficent had allowed Mal the ability to roam the Isle without her.

"Just because the Dragon didn't allow it didn't mean I didn't do it," Mal smirked. "How else would I meet up with Uma and Harry?"

So far, he hadn't seen any sign of his daughter but that didn't mean that wouldn't change.

"And change it did," Hades chuckled.

"Of course," Hook said running his lone hand through his short black hair. "We'd just grown so used to seeing your henchminions that we had not expected the honor of seeing you."

"Henchminions isn't a word…" Ben said, sounding almost as if the word pained him to say.

"I guess 'henchimps' would be better," Mal nodded.

"That's not a word either!"

Mal chuckled. She didn't know why but she enjoyed getting a rise out of the Crown Prince.

"No one likes a kiss up, Hook," Hades told him. "Except for Gaston. That man's ego understands nothing but flattery."

"Just one good knock to the ego, would that be too much to ask for Coach Gaston?" Jay muttered.

"He's a coach?"

"Someone allowed him to be around children?"

"To answer your questions: yes he is a coach and he has kids. Why wouldn't he be around them?" Mal said with a shrug as she looked at Belle and Beast.

Hook snorted in amusement before looking over his shoulder. "Harriet, lass, come here!"

A young girl about maybe eight or nine walked out from the back and came up to the counter. "Yes, Captain?"

"She calls her father 'Captain'?" Aurora asked.

"Typical Isle child, no respect for her—."

"She calls him 'Captain' because that's what we're told to call him once he deems us old enough to talk 'properly'," Harry snapped. Sure he was revealing a bit more than he wanted to but he wasn't going to have Leah or anyone else demean Harriet!

"Go and get the order for Lord Hades. It should be in its usual place. Your brother was supposed to ensure it was there before he ran out to the docks."

"And I did," Harry muttered.

Harriet nodded and left to go to the back room. Hades raised an eyebrow.

"You gave me grief last year for running a restaurant yet you run a fish market? What happened to the pirate way?"

"I'm sure the pirate way's hard to do when he's trapped on an Isle. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing," Melody muttered. She was fine with Harry but…she wasn't crazy about pirates. Not when they killed her grandmother.

"It's hard to ravage the seas and pillage villages when you're trapped under a barrier," Hook shot back but Hades found he didn't mind. Hook was tolerable as far as the Isle Villains went. "Plus fishing keeps the boy out of trouble."

"Even if it's the most boring thing known to man," Harry shook his head. "I'd rather be sparring."

"With Uma?" Mal asked.

"Of course," Harry grinned, not noticing the teasing tone in Mal's voice.

Hades opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Harriet's reappearance, holding the order of fish. "Captain, CJ threw up," the young girl said. "I don't think she liked her dinner last night."

"Oh no!" Snow White gasped. "The poor dear."

"Was she alright?" Aurora asked, looking at Harry.

Harry shrugged. "I was five at the time. I don't really remember."

"Well it's all the brat will get. It's all we were able to get from the delivery this month," Hook snapped, turning to his eldest child.

Harry frowned slightly. He called the runt a brat? I thought she was his favorite. Maybe it's just a show for Lord Hades. No weakness allowed on the Isle after all.

"He runs a fish shop and yet he's reliant on the delivery barge?" Uma scoffed.

"Hard to make money if you're eating your wares," Mal pointed out.

"She's three!" Harriet exclaimed, as if unable to prevent the outrage from spilling out. "She can't control it!"

"Go wait in the back," Hook said, his eyes darkening ominously. Harriet glared but obeyed her father.

Harry's hands curled into fists, one tightening his grip on his hook. It was one thing to be used as the Captain's personal punching bag but he'd better not have laid hand or hook on his sister!

"Everything okay?" Hades asked, not that he cared.

That'll change in a few years dad, Mal thought with a small smile as she thought back to when they were nine. To when her dad offered Harry a job at his restaurant just because he wanted to keep her safe…how he offered up the spare guest room to Harry so his ribs could heal…

The pirate was notorious for his hatred of children which made it surprising he had sired three of them.

"Nothing I can't handle," Hook told him, holding Hades' order; the handles of the bag dangling in his hook. "The same deal, I take it?"

"Hades and his deals," Zeus muttered.

"You and your allies eat free at the restaurant," Hades nodded. "I don't go back on my deals, Hook."

"And I'd like everyone here to remember that!" Hades stated, giving his nephew a hard look. Hercules, at the very least, had the decency to look sheepish: he was more than likely remembering the deal he had made with his uncle. A deal he'd failed to keep.

You like making deals…keep me in Meg's place…

"I'm sorry, restaurant?" Hyllus asked.

"Dad, you're not allowed to close that restaurant by the way," Mal said, ignoring Hyllus' question. "It's been a lifesaver."

"Well seeing as it was that restaurant that allowed me to have time with you before you came to live in the Underworld again Mali, I'm never closing it unless I have to," Hades nodded.

Hook nodded and Hades grabbed the bag of ingredients—mainly fish since that was the freshest thing they could find on the Isle. Beast can prevent edible food from arriving from Auradon but he can't control the sea, Hades thought as he left. That's Poseidon's territory and Ursula's his little girl. Poseidon would make sure his daughter and granddaughter at least got something to eat and if the rest of us benefit from that, well he doesn't need to know.

"Did you know? About the food?" Hades asked Poseidon.

"I had an idea but I didn't know it was as bad as what we've learned," Poseidon stated. "I got a message once from Uma through the mental link…though I don't think she meant to."

"I definitely did not mean to," Uma nodded.

"Anyway, she had asked for something fresh to eat since her birthday was coming up and I sent over a school of fish."

"Huh," Mal mused. "That does explain why there's a bunch more fish around your birthday cuz."

As he walked back onto the pier, Hades couldn't help but smile softly at the sight of the children still running around on the docks. Busy in their own little world, not worried about where their next meal would come from or if the shipments would be fresh enough to eat.

"Not true," Uma shook her head. "We may have been five but…we were old enough to know the food status at least."

"Innocence is the first thing to die on the Isle after all," Mal shrugged, unknowingly giving all the Auradonians (well all those who cared) a punch to the gut.

Looking closer, Hades could tell that the group consisted of a boy and two girls. It wasn't unusual for the younger kids to intermingle; the boys tended to protect the girls if needed.

"Hey, girls don't always need guys to protect them!" Lonnie stated.

"Yeah, sometimes the guys need the girls," Kitty nodded with a grin.

Though considering the boy of this group just dumped water on one of the girls, Hades would assume that the boy would be the one needing protection.

"Harry Hook, you'll pay for that!" Hades heard the girl exclaim and his heart clenched, having heard that voice on the ember many times throughout the years. That was Mal.

"You poured water on Mal?" Hadie asked Harry.

"Sure did," Harry nodded.

"And you're still alive?"

"What are you going to do about it, dragon girl?" Harry teased as Mal chased him up the dock to where Hades was standing. Before Hades had time to move, he felt a small thud on the back of his legs, almost around his knees.

"Not going to lie, that was probably the funniest thing I'd ever seen," Uma chuckled. "Mal was just running full speed after Harry and then *thud*. Right into Uncle Hades' legs!"

"Hey watch it!" Mal's voice came from behind him and Hades had to school his features as he turned around. His heart sank as he saw a bit of fear cross over his daughter's face before she was able to school her features.

Dad? Mal said through their mental link.

Yeah Mali?

If I knew then what I know now…I probably should have hugged your leg and begged you to take me home with you rather than just say 'watch it'.

Mal, you were five and we were in public. I don't fault you for reacting the way you did. Even if it took all my willpower not to scoop you up and take you home myself.

"Forgive me Lord Hades, I wasn't watching where I was going," Mal said, looking at Hades in a respectful but defiant manner.

"So typical Mal then," Jay chuckled.

"Be more careful next time," Hades said, trying hard to keep his tone neutral even though every fiber in his body was screaming to snatch Mal up and take her home with him.

"I should have," Hades sighed.

"And Mal probably would have screamed bloody murder," Persephone told him.

Mal shrugged. "Or just kicked him in the shins. Everyone knows you don't make a scene after all and Harry and Uma were there too."

Hard to believe she's gotten so big,

"Have we changed the definition of big?" Uma snorted.

"You're not that much taller!" Mal exclaimed.

"Key word is taller cuz."

Hades thought as Mal got back up and proceeded to chase Harry down the pier once more; all thoughts of Hades completely driven out of her mind. The remaining girl shook her head in amusement as she strolled up to the pier and stopped next to Hades.

"To this day, I don't know why," Uma chuckled slightly at the actions of her younger self.

She seems familiar but I can't put my finger on it, Hades thought, looking at the girl out of the corner of his eye. She was small, though maybe an inch taller than Mal, with her bright blue hair tied up in braids.

"Uma!" Celia grinned.

"Hey Uncle Hades," she said in a low tone, as if to not be overheard. Hades knew who this girl was now. He had seen glimpses of her in passing when Hades would walk along the streets of the Isle, plus the one time he saw her as a baby when Persephone insisted he visit Ursula back when they still had Mal. That was the only visit Hades had paid his niece in the nine years they'd been on the Isle and it would continue to be that way if Hades had any say in the matter.

"And it did, I think that was the only time I saw Ursula was when I went to see you when you were a guppy," Hades told Uma.

"…you wouldn't happen to have any photos?" Poseidon asked. He had so many baby photos of Attina, Andrina, Adella, Alana, Arista, Aquata, and Ariel from Triton and Elle and Melody from Ariel, Arabella from Alana, and Jaime from Andrina but he didn't have any of Uma.

"It's the Isle Poseidon," Hades said, looking almost regretful but it might have been a trick of the light. "The only photos I have are what Steph takes."

"Uma," Hades said, nodding his head at his great niece. Uma didn't stick around long, running after Mal and Harry. Hades couldn't help but smirk as Uma barked out an order that Mal seemed to ignore—the little squidling was going to be an interesting companion for Mal.

"Companion…co-captain," Uma grinned, moving her hands up and down as if they were scales.

"You also forgot cousin!" Mal said with a smile.

I wonder how they got to know each other, Hades thought as he turned to leave. After all, I don't see Ursula becoming friendly with Maleficent. The whole fire and water thing doesn't really work out all that well.

Still it was good to know that Mal would have allies if she needed them. It'd be a good way to keep her away from Maleficent as much as possible.

"How did you guys wind up allies?" Jay asked. "You were such a tight knit group when I joined that I never asked.

Mal chuckled. "Thank the Dragon actually."

"…Explain."

"Gladly," Mal smirked. Being a Godling and still keeping a bit of her Fae magic even after the adoption, she had a better memory than most. "I met Uma when I was three and the Dragon went over to Ursula's Chip Shoppe to try to recruit her as a minion."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Ursula turned that down," Jay snorted.

"You'd be correct," Mal nodded. "But I saw Uma then so a couple of days later, I grabbed a bit of food and made my way to the docks. Coincidently that was when I met Harry too."

"We had a parley right then and there," Uma nodded. "I mean, I had access to food through mama's restaurant but what VK turns down more food? Especially the quality of food Maleficent can get?"

"After a couple of years, it basically became an alliance of 'I provide protection, Mal provides food,' before morphing into what it is now," Harry shrugged.

"Boy!" Hook shouted from the doorway of his shop. He must have been watching from a back window. "Come here!"

"Doesn't he know your name?" Emir asked with a slight frown.

Harry shrugged. "It's the Captain, I've stopped trying to figure out his mind."

"Coming papa!" Harry called back and Hades watched with a heavy heart as the young male Hook came running from the end of the pier. Hades knew he would give anything to have Mal call him 'papa' or any other name she wanted.

"I started off calling you 'father'," Mal chuckled. "That lasted for a day I think before I switched to 'dad'."

Hook grabbed Harry's wrist with his hand. "What do you think you're doing, roughhousing with Maleficent's daughter?" Hook hissed.

Harry subtly rubbed his wrist. He could still remember that day, the Captain's grip was so tight Harry was afraid he'd break his wrist.

"We..we were just having a bit of fun, papa!"

Belle frowned slightly. It was hard to tell since it was being read but was there a bit of fear in the younger boy's tone?

"Do you want the dragon to come down on us?" Hook growled. "Besting Maleficent's daughter in a fight is like besting Maleficent. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded, a little frantically in Hades' opinion but he wasn't going to judge a five year old for being afraid of Maleficent.

I wasn't afraid of the Dragon…I was more afraid of the Captain, Harry thought with an inward sigh. He wasn't going to lie though, he was thankful for Lord Hades thinking it was because of Maleficent. Made him look less weak.

Now Hook, Hades was going to judge until the cows came home.

She's completely powerless, with the exception of making her eyes glow green. She can't do anything to you, you worthless codfish, Hades thought with an inward eye roll.

"Don't start singing. You know Harry hates that song," Mal warned, looking at Jay.

"Wasn't going to Mal," Jay promised. But I can think it! Hook is a codfish, a codfish, a codfish!

"Don't make me hit you," Harry muttered, seeing the look on Jay's face. He had a sinking feeling he knew what Jay was thinking about.

"Directed to the Captain Harry, directed to the Captain."

"Now go!" Hook barked, releasing the boy's wrist. "Make yourself useful and get some more fish."

"How much fish does one man need?" Audrey rolled her eyes.

"…he runs a fish shop," Phillip Jr. said, looking at his sister in concerned amazement.

Harry nodded and ran off, presumably to get the fish but Hades didn't know nor did he particularly care. The boy was friendly with Mal, that's all Hades needed to know. In the distance, Hades could see Mal and Uma run off and he couldn't help but wonder what those two were up to.

Two villains left to their own devices is terrifying on its own. Two villains who happen to be cousins…well we should just hope the Isle remains standing, Hades thought as he turned to leave. He needed to get this fish to the restaurant so he could get started.

"Hey we kept the Isle standing!" Mal exclaimed.

"If only because we were five and our powers were muted because of the barrier," Uma added.

The restaurant wasn't too far from Pirate's Cove; located near Lady Tremaine's hair shop

"I'm sorry, who's hair shop?" Cinderella asked.

"Granny's hair shop," Dizzy said with a grin that faded slightly as she continued. "All she lets me do is sweep though."

"You work there? But you're what? Eight? Nine?" Chad asked.

"Better than the alternative," Dizzy shrugged.

"Who told her about the alternative?" Mal muttered to Uma. Part of having someone under their protection was making sure to keep the innocence alive for the younger kids.

"Dunno but I'll find out Mal," Uma muttered back.

in the neutral ground. It was one of the few places villains from every clique could come and grab a bite of actually edible food. It was all Persephone's idea. Hades just cooked the food.

"You cook?" Zeus asked.

"Don't sound so surprised Zeus," Hades rolled his eyes.

He didn't use to know how to cook. Why would he need to? He was a God after all, there would be others who could do that for him. Even after getting tossed on the Isle, Hades hadn't bothered to learn; instead using his status as a God to get as close to first dibs on the monthly deliveries as he could get.

"And that was pretty darn close I'll have to say. Considering most of the underlings were terrified of me," Hades smirked, making sure he watched his language for the younger ears in the room.

It wasn't until he had Mal and she had been living with him that Hades finally bothered to learn, back when he thought that Mal would be living with him for all time. Mal, only being half god, would need more in the way of food than Hades or Persephone would.

A parent would do anything for their child, even learn a new skill, Kit nodded. It was why he tried to learn at least one 'non royal' skill each year. So that way he could teach his kids and they'd be able to have that knowledge should they need it.

Plus…his wife hadn't been royal and was trying so hard to learn the ins and outs of royal life even now. It was the least he could do to make sure she was comfortable.

It was odd but Hades found he did enjoy it. His main job would forever be running the Underworld but cooking was a nice little side project.

And the restaurant's less depressing, Hades thought to himself.

Heating up the fryer, Hades began working on the bakaliaros—one of the few dishes he could make with what was available on the Isle. Sure it would end up competing with Ursula's fried fish over at her chip shoppe since it was a fried fish dish but Hades didn't care.

"Dad, is there anything you do care about?" Mal chuckled.

"You, your brother, and your mother," Hades said instantly.

He didn't need money. The restaurant was Persephone's way of giving back to the Isle.

"I could be doing so much more," Persephone sighed.

"You've done more than anyone could ask of you," Hades said softly.

"Yeah mom," Mal nodded. "That formula was a lifesaver. Literally. And the food you've brought over, the pain meds, the first aid kits…"

"I…children were suffering. I couldn't just stand by," Persephone sighed. "Not when I had access to Auradon. I'm just sorry for the kids who suffered when I was off the Isle."

The only thing Hades cared about was being able to see his daughter—and if the restaurant gave him the chance to do so, he'd not say a negative thing about it.

"And he's kept that promise by the way," Persephone smiled.

"Spoilers, Steph," Hades teased.

Gods I'd love to find a way to get some chicken over here, Hades thought as he cleaned the fish.

"Well it'll be a while but we'll handle that for you Lord Hades," Jay said with a smirk.

"Yeah yeah," Harry shook his head. "He steals one chicken and he thinks he's the best."

"Seeing as you were eating pavement whenever you tried?"

"Who told you…Mal?!"

Some souvlaki would be great to make but chicken is rarer than gold in these parts. There's no way I'd trust any chicken Auradon sent over anyway. Not if it meant Mal could get sick.

Estelle perked up his head at the mention of chicken.

"Sorry boy, none here," Mal chuckled as Estelle whined slightly.

"Does he like to eat chicken?" Ben asked.

"He likes to help Jay catch chicken," Mal stated with a smirk as the AKs looked slightly shocked.

Quickly battering the fish, Hades went and flipped the sign from closed to open on the front door. Not that it mattered, people came in all the time. Hades could argue that he wasted his money on that closed sign, if he had actually paid for it.

"I don't even want to know why you lot threw out a closed sign," Hades shook his head.

Now all he had to do was wait for people to show up. Hades didn't care. He had seen his daughter in person for the first time in five years. He could wait as long as he needed.

"Well that…was a very packed chapter," Uma stated.

"I'd read but I think it might get caught on my hook," Harry stated.

Elle raised her hand. "Can I read next?"

"Sure. Don't see why not," Mal shrugged.

Chapter 10 Chapter Text

Elle smiled as her sister handed her a scroll. "Thanks Mel."

"No worries," Melody smiled back at her and went to go sit back down as Elle untied the scroll and got started reading.

It turned out Hades didn't have too much longer to wait, as the day wore on. The ebb and flow of customers was at a pretty steady stream until an hour before Hades 'closed' for the day. He never officially closed up shop and most knew that there were prepared dishes in the kitchen that people could take from if needed.

"Dad, that's a practice that needs to keep going," Mal nodded.

"Oh yeah, the crew's found that to be a lifesaver," Uma agreed.

"Or you know when one of us gets locked out for the night," Jay shrugged.

Aladdin looked at the older boy in shock. "I'm sorry what?"

Jay looked over at him. "Exactly what I said. If Harry, Uma, or I get locked out of our homes, we'll go over to Lord Hades' restaurant and grab one of those prepared meals."

"The clubhouse has nowhere to store food after all," Uma stated.

Hades sighed. Those prepared plates were meant to help the kids of the Isle but he didn't think they would have to help his kid. He was more than happy to of course. He just wish they weren't needed.

Where those dishes were kept, though, was a secret only a select few knew. Hades obviously was one of them, considering he ran the place. Panic was another, and Hook was the last person who knew.

Hades wasn't exactly thrilled to share that information with the pirate but in exchange for that and letting him and his allies eat for free, Hades got his orders from Hook's shop free of charge.

"Let me guess, you can't get something for nothing?" Elle asked.

"Exactly!" Uma nodded.

The front door clanged open and Hades didn't bother to look up. He knew, despite there only being one option, that most villains still took their sweet time ordering their food. Hades didn't mind—he just charged them extra for that. There was never a price on the board so no one ever tried to fight him on it.

Leah shook her head. Dastardly, trying to cheat his customers. The only positive about the whole thing is that he's trying to cheat villains!

They all knew the motto of the Isle: life ain't fair. Hades just happened to like teaching it to the adults who hadn't learned it yet.

"So what adults needed to learn that lesson?" Lonnie asked.

"My money's on low level villains who thought themselves more important than they truly were, right dad?" Mal asked.

Hades nodded. The 'high level' villains never came into his restaurant since they could easily get the food from the barge.

"What's bakaliaros?" Mal's voice called out, sounding out the word slowly as if it was foreign to her.

"Oh dad can make some great bakaliaros!" Hyllus grinned.

Hades looked over at Hercules. "You cook?"

Hercules shrugged. "I grew up mortal after all. It had been an interesting experience, what with my strength but I learned," he said. Even after all these years he wasn't sure if it was okay referring to his adoptive parents as 'mom and dad' around his parents. He didn't want to bring up bad memories.

Considering its Greek background, it probably was. Hades' heart clenched and he took a deep breath before looking out the window that allowed him to see out to the front of the house from the kitchen. Frowning when he didn't see anyone, Hades made his way from the kitchen to the front counter. Looking down, he had to hold back a chuckle as he saw Mal. No wonder he hadn't seen her, she was so short that the counter had completely hidden her from view.

"Dad!" Mal exclaimed, a pale flush to her cheeks, as Uma and Harry burst out laughing. Jay just shook his head in amusement.

"Oh yes, sorry Mal. Let me go and revise my observations from over ten years ago!" Hades shook his head.

"Thank you!"

"That was sarcasm."

"It's a fish dish," he said, leaning on his forearms as he rested on the counter, looking at her. "Basically just fried fish."

Mal rolled her eyes. "If I wanted fried fish, I'd have gone to Ursula's chip shoppe. That's all she ever has."

"And at the time fish was all Uncle Hades' restaurant had too!" Uma chuckled, still amused by the previous paragraph.

"Well that's the option for the week. Take it or leave it," Hades told her, holding back an offer to invite her to eat back at his home.

"So why didn't you?" Phillip Sr. asked. Had that been Audrey or Phil, he'd have scooped them up in his arms and hightailed it out of there…but then again, he hadn't spent time on the Isle.

"I'm sure it'll explain soon enough," Hades sighed.

Maleficent never told her about you, that's clear as day. Take it slow otherwise you're going to risk chasing her off, Hades thought as Mal bit her lip softly, clearly thinking about it.

"Fine," Mal scoffed. "I'll take some. To go."

"Fair enough," Hades nodded and walked back into the kitchen. Most villains took their order to go since the front of house was too small to feasibly fit more than fifteen tables. That didn't mean Hades didn't feel his heart sink when he heard Mal say that though.

"Most villains also took it to go because they preferred eating in their territory," Mal added. "Dad's restaurant might be in neutral territory but that didn't mean you wanted to linger."

He didn't know what was crueler: the years of only seeing Mal through the ember or getting these brief glimpse of her before she ran off again.

"Why not both?" Eugene asked.

"We know. You like him too," Persephone sighed as Hades opened his mouth.

Eugene grinned. "You hear that Blondie, Lord Hades likes me!"

"Yeah I don't think I like him anymore," Hades shook his head.

"Oh come on!" Eugene exclaimed and Hades chuckled.

Quickly getting to work, Hades mentally did an inventory of what was remaining in his pantry. He had enough fish to make it through a busy week, or at least he had enough that an extra piece of fish wouldn't go amiss.

"Couldn't you get some more from Captain Hook if you ran out?" Alexandria asked.

"Probably. I never found out though," Hades told her.

Making up his mind, he battered and fried three pieces of fish; letting the batter get a nice golden brown before pulling them out of the fryer.

Blotting the fish so that they weren't too oily and potentially led to the bag breaking, Hades wrapped them up and stuck them into a paper bag. For the first time since he opened the doors to the restaurant, Hades wished the dish took longer to make just so he could spend more time with Mal.

"Overcook a piece of fish so she stays longer?" Emma threw out there.

"But then Lord Hades has less fish for the week," Lonnie pointed out.

"That was quick," Mal said as Hades walked back to the counter.

"Yeah well it doesn't take that long to fry three pieces of fish," Hades told her.

Mal looked over at the sign that listed the dish of the week. "Sign says two pieces," she said with a suspicious edge to her voice that seemed out of place on a five year old.

"Why did I write the amount of fish on the sign?" Hades muttered.

Belle, though, couldn't help the small smile that came to her as she thought about a younger Ben pointing out a spelling error a shop had on a promotional sign. It was strange but in a strange way she almost hoped the purple haired girl and her son would become friends.

"Sign's wrong," Hades told her.

"Then change it."

"Honestly, no respect for adults—."

"Mother, stop it," Aurora said gently but firmly. "Just stop it."

Hades couldn't help but chuckle at the demand. He knew that if that was anyone else, they'd have found themselves tossed out on the street and their meal shoved where the sun didn't shine. But to have it come from a five year old, Hades' five year old, there was something endearing about it.

"Five year olds can make anything endearing," Kit said with a chuckle.

"That's certainly the truth," Eugene nodded.

"I'll get right on that," Hades told her with a smirk and Mal seemed to stand up a bit straighter, as if proud that she had successfully given a command.

"Oh! How adorable!" Snow White beamed.

"I don't do 'cute' and I don't do 'adorable'," Mal muttered, the flush returning to her cheeks.

Agree to disagree there, Ben thought and then shook his head. Whoa, where'd that thought come from? You're with Audrey! Remember the contract? A King keeps his promises! Even…even if a girl appears who looks exactly like the girl who shows up in your dreams for the past year.

"How much?"

"Pardon?" Hades asked, pausing as he had turned to go back into the kitchen to clean up.

"How much for the food?" Mal elaborated, rolling her eyes and clearly annoyed she had to repeat herself.

Evan nodded. It was certainly annoying as the 'baby' of the family having to constantly repeat yourself because people were talking over you. Sure it wasn't exactly the same thing but he knew where Mal was coming from.

Hades turned and faced her again. "Can't you read?" He asked, pointing to the fine print at the bottom of the Order of the Week sign, quite aware of the fact he had asked that question of a five year old.

"Some five year olds are quite avid readers. Ben was," Belle said.

"Belle, you read to him before he could even talk. Of course he'd be an avid reader," Chip chuckled.

"And he's still smarter than Fish for Brains," Harry shook his head.

"We get it Harry, you hate Gil," Uma sighed.

"Uma, he probably couldn't pour water out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel."

Persephone had insisted that the children of the Isle be able to get food whenever they needed it and money was one resource they never had a lot of.

"Why have money when you can just take what you want?" Jay shrugged.

Mal chuckled. "If you want it, take it and if you can't take it, break it!"

"That's kinda mean don't you think?" Jane said, her voice soft.

Uma shrugged. "It's the Isle. If you're nice, you're perceived as weak."

Mal nodded slightly, remembering the time she helped a goblin pick up a basket of apples he had dropped when she was five. Unfortunately she had made that decision in the presence of Maleficent who knocked the basket over once more and berated her in public about being a disappointment. Thankfully she had somehow escaped without a 'lesson' from the Dragon.

The adults paid, or they worked out a deal with Hades if they didn't have the money on them. The kids, though, never asked for this life. They never did anything to earn being locked on an Isle.

"Oh look it's almost like how Leah and Stefan didn't invite Maleficent to Aurora's christening and yet Aurora was the one to suffer!" Rowyn spoke up.

"Or how Lord Zeus was the one who angered Lord Hades yet it was Hercules who ended up paying for it," Rose nodded.

Rapunzel sighed and looked at Eugene. "You had to pass along your sarcastic trait didn't you?"

Regardless of policy, I wasn't going to charge Mal anyway, Hades thought as Mal looked at the sign. It's not like I'd lose any money, giving away a free meal. Besides, no one's here so it's not like anyone would be able to accuse me of being weak or accuse Mal of taking charity.

"If anything you'd probably look like you were trying to curry favor with Maleficent," Uma pointed out.

"Ugh, you're right," Mal made a face.

"Good thing that'll never happen," Hades stated.

Mal looked back at Hades and eyed the bag of food as if it housed a bomb and not three pieces of fried fish. "What's the catch?"

"Cod, if Hook is to be trusted."

"Oh Gods!" Emir chuckled.

"What?" Hades asked. "I thought it was good!"

"That was such a dad joke," Akiho nodded with a smile.

Hades looked at the Arendelle heir in confusion. He does know I'm a dad right?

Just smile and nod Hades, Poseidon thought to him through the mental link. The mortals are strange sometimes. Even I have to admit that and I have one as a grandson-in-law.

Mal rolled her eyes at what Hades thought to be a pretty good joke. "Everything's got a catch," she said and Hades sighed as he heard the distrust in her voice. Mal was only five, she shouldn't have been so suspicious of the world. What had Maleficent done?

"You know the offer of my sword is still available…"

"We're not going to the Isle to stab Maleficent," Aurora said firmly, looking over at her husband.

"Well, now you can say that's not true," Hades said, leaning on the counter once more and holding the bag at a height that was low enough for Mal to reach but high enough as to avoid her getting insulted. "Ask around, that's been the policy since this place was started."

"I did," Mal said as most of the AKs looked over at her, inquiring expressions on their faces like they wanted to ask but were too polite to ask. "They all said the same thing—that if Lord Hades said that was the policy, then that was the policy."

"Ah the fact that they scare so easily amuses me," Hades grinned.

"But what if that wasn't the policy?" Audrey asked. "I mean, the customer's always right after all."

"Oh thank Gods Tiana's not here," Eugene muttered under his breath. His fellow 'Learning to be Royal' club member would have greeted them to an hour long lecture about how much that phrase needed to be banned.

Mal though just raised an eyebrow. "It's dad's restaurant. He sets the policy."

"Audrey, who taught you that?" Aurora asked.

"It's what Grammy always says," Audrey shrugged and Aurora sighed. Of course.

Mal still seemed a little hesitant but grabbed the bag from Hades and walked out, not saying another word. Hades shook his head and went back to the kitchen to clean up. He couldn't help but feel like he was floating on cloud nine—he had actually had a conversation with Mal.

Zeus held back a sigh as he glanced at his older brother. He had never told anyone this but after his first conversation with Hercules, when he removed his presence from the status and was firmly aware of his surrounding again, he'd had that same feeling for about an hour.

Maybe…maybe he was wrong not to help? But there wasn't anything he could do now though.

Granted he didn't know if he could classify it as much of a conversation but after five years of only seeing her through the ember, Hades would take what he could get.

You should have just taken her to the Underworld, he thought as he began to clean up from the day's service.

Oh yes, the same Underworld where Maleficent's minions had snatched her before?

It would have been a private area where you could have told her who you are. She deserves to know.

"And she found out somehow!" Hadie added.

"Yeah, considering she calls Lord Hades 'dad'," Dizzy nodded and then paused, looking at Mal.

Mal chuckled. "Yes Dizzy. Hades is my dad."

"Uh Mal? Should you be—?"

"Uma, any target on my back that comes from this is removed by one fact."

"Which is?"

"I'll be in Boreadon and Freddy and Zevon are still on the Isle."

"Neat!" Dizzy exclaimed, cutting off what Uma was going to say. "Can you cast fireballs like he can? Oh, can your hair turn to fire?"

"Yes on the fireballs, not sure on the hair thing."

Hades shook his head as he continued to clean up the kitchen. While Mal definitely deserved to know, it was too soon. Besides, Hades didn't want to risk Maleficent hurting Mal because of it or preventing Mal from seeing him again.

"Maleficent also forbid me from going to the docks and I still went," Mal shrugged but couldn't help but smile at her father's concern.

"That just proves you're insane," Uma told her.

"You're my cousin, You share my insanity."

Wiping down the counter and tossing the rag in the sink, Hades couldn't help but smile. He had thought that the restaurant was a waste of time, something that Persephone was doing to take her mind off of Mal. He was only helping to ensure it stayed up and that no one messed with it when Persephone was off the Isle.

Now, though? He wouldn't hear a negative thing about this place.

"That explains the spoiler comment from earlier," Kristoff chuckled.

"Still like you Reindeer King," Hades smiled. "You've got a brain in that head."

"You're going to 'adopt' all the Auradon Royals aren't you?" Persephone sighed.

"No," Hades shook his head. "Not Beastie."

Closing the front door and flipping the sign from 'open' to 'closed' even though he knew full well anyone who wanted to go in would just ignore the sign, Hades couldn't help but give a little whistle as he strolled back to the Underworld. His obvious good mood seemed to scare the underlings more than his negative moods as the streets were completely barren.

"Okay I can have good moods people!" Hades exclaimed as most of the people in the room stared in shock.

"We know dear," Persephone said soothingly.

"Steph?" Hades called out as he stepped into his lair. He was thankful that this wasn't one of Persephone's six months off the Isle. This was news that he had to share in person.

Persephone smiled and kissed Hades on the cheek. "If you had waited to tell me until I got back, I wouldn't have been happy."

"I know," Hades nodded. "But…I wanted to hug you when I gave you the news."

"In the kitchen!" Persephone called back to him. Hades grinned and rushed to the kitchen, where his wife was elbow deep in suds and dishes.

"You know if Lady Persephone can do all those dishes, you can put your cereal bowl in the dishwasher," Lucy muttered to Kitty.

"Decided to do a deep clean?" Hades asked, chuckling at the sight.

"If your minions knew how to clean a gods forsaken dish, we wouldn't have run out of spoons this morning," Persephone grumbled, brushing a bit of hair out of her eyes and leaving a small trail of suds on her cheek.

Hades smiled at the memory. If he was being honest, Steph had never looked better than she had at that moment.

Hades, though, continued to grin; his wife's bad mood failing to dampen his good one.

"Which is really strange to think about considering normally Hades is the gloomy one and Persephone's a ball of sunshine," Poseidon chuckled.

"Honestly it's like a cat and a dog live together," Meg shook her head.

"I can hear you nut-Meg!"

"What's going on?" Persephone asked, noticing the grin on her husband's face. Hades didn't answer but instead closed the distance and enveloped Persephone in a hug. Spinning her around, Hades had to laugh as Persephone let out a surprised squeak.

"…did someone get that on video?"

"No," Hades said, looking at his little brother.

"Hades, do you know how rare it is that something like that occurs?" Poseidon asked.

"Hmm, maybe don't imprison me on an Island of villains and you would have actually seen it Poseidon," Hades shook his head. Despite the slight irritation he couldn't be mad at his brother. Not when he provided so much food to the Isle.

Mal though couldn't help but smile at her father's reaction to just seeing and talking to her.

"Hades!" Persephone exclaimed. "What's happened? Wait, did Maleficent die? Is that what's got you in such a good mood?"

"If only," Leah muttered under her breath.

"Wait, that was your first thought?" Demeter asked her daughter.

"Hades comes to you in a good mood, what do you think?" Persephone said with a slight shrug.

"That something happened to embarrass Zeus."

"Oh that is a good one."

Hades shook his head and spun Persephone around so that she faced him. "No, the dragon's still alive. But my good mood is in relation to her, as odd as that is to say. In fact, you could say my good mood is a relation of Maleficent's."

"Nope! Sorry dad you're wrong!" Mal shook her head. "The only thing the Dragon did was provide the egg!"

"And again, we're going to file that away in the 'never thinking about it again' drawer in our brains," Ashaki muttered.

"Mal?" Persephone gasped, catching on. "You saw her? Outside of the ember, I mean?"

"I didn't just see her Steph. I talked to her!" Hades said, leaning against the island. "Granted it was like a minute long conversation before she ran off but it still happened—and she came by the restaurant!"

"She also ran into your legs," Uma added, chuckling a little at the memory. What? Mal was her cousin but she still found it amusing!

"What?!" Persephone exclaimed, her eyes lighting up in delight. "Oh Hades, why didn't you say something sooner? Did you bring her back with you?"

"I think if he'd done that, it would have been the first thing out of Lord Hades' mouth," Anna said, a sad smile gracing her lips.

Hades shook his head, his good mood slightly diminishing as he thought of Mal having to continue to live with Maleficent. "It was too soon Steph. It was one thing to pretend I stole Maleficent's baby after she was born but Mal's old enough now to fight back. If she didn't want to go and I grabbed her, I might have ended up hurting her."

Again, knowing what I know now, I'd have willingly gone with dad, Mal thought with an inward sigh. But I can understand dad's hesitation too.

Persephone sighed. "When you say it like that, it makes sense. As well, Maleficent's already stolen Mal from us here. It would be all too easy for her to do it again—or worse. Mal's registered as her daughter, she could file a report to Auradon against you if you stole Mal again."

"That registry is completely ridiculous," Hades grumbled. "There haven't been any inspectors here for the past two years and clearly no one cares about the status of the Isle if the food deliveries are any indication."

Belle sighed. The inspectors were her idea but they always came back injured. She hated seeing them suffer and they never had anything to report anyway. At the time, Auradon was in an economic lull and their council couldn't justify the expense that could be going to help the citizens.

"I know," Persephone said, resting a hand on Hades' cheek. Sighing, she decided to change the subject. "How did Mal look?"

Hades smiled. "She looked good. Small for her age compared to the other brats that run amok throughout the Isle but that could be her Fae heritage coming out."

"See?! I told you there was a reason I was smaller than you!" Mal told Uma.

"Or you're just tiny," Uma chuckled.

"We're the same height!"

"Didn't you say I was taller than you?"

"Lack of food too," Persephone added. "Maleficent might be able to get first choice on the deliveries but that doesn't mean she'll give more to Mal than what's needed."

Ben frowned as he heard that, making a mental note of things to include for the next group of VKs. Therapy sessions and medical visits to check for any underlying problems would be two such items.

Hades nodded. "I gave her an extra piece of fish when she came by the restaurant. She noticed the sign said that there were supposed to be two pieces and I told her I fried up three."

"What did you say?" Persephone asked, turning back to finish the dishes.

"Told her the sign was wrong."

"And her response?"

"Told me to change the sign," Hades said as he hopped up to sit on the counter of the island. "I told her I'd get right on that."

Persephone couldn't help but shake her head in amusement. "Oh Gods. Hades, I wish I could have been there."

"Maleficent's letting Mal walk around the Isle by herself now," Hades said. "It's a start at least. I can do more for her—make sure she's getting food, for starters."

Mal bit her lip, causing Hades to sigh.

"Mal?"

"So fun fact, that fish? The three pieces of fish? I may have split that three ways with Uma and Harry," Mal told him.

"I should be surprised and yet I'm not," Hades shook his head.

"And you thought the restaurant was a bad idea," Persephone teased, going back to the dishes.

"What I'm hearing is 'Always listen to your spouse?'" Aziz asked.

"Unless said spouse wants to pretend to be a prince because of a stupid law," Jasmine stated, looking at Aladdin.

"Or if said spouse wanders the marketplace and almost gets her hand chopped off?" Aladdin chuckled.

"Hey, you were right," Hades said, grinning. "I won't complain about that place again. Even if I do have to interact more with Hook because of it."

"I thought Hook was one of the few villains you could tolerate?"

He was until he started using his son as a punching bag, Hades thought, glancing over at Harry.

"He is," Hades nodded. "But some in his crew spend their time around Frollo and it's starting to show. If that sorry excuse for a mortal tries to tell me I'm living in delusion and that there's only one God one more time, he's going to find that hat of his in a very interesting place."

"He's what?" Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, and Zeus exclaimed.

"Ooh is Frollo going to get smote?" Harry grinned. "Can we add Freddy to that?"

"And Zevon!" Jay added.

Mal sighed. "I think the barrier prevents smiting considering Zeus is the one who reinforced it."

"Drat!"

"I get the sense that Freddy is their Audrey," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"I pray for their ears," Akiho muttered back.

Persephone sighed and grabbed a towel, tossing it to Hades. "As long as you don't do it in front of Mal, I won't say anything."

"No! Do it in front of Mal so that way we can read about it!"

"Emma!" Snow exclaimed in shock.

"What? Frollo deserves it mom! Neal told me the stories that Zephyr told him about what Frollo wanted to do to Zephyr's mom," Emma stated.

Hades caught the towel and smirked. "Is this your way of saying 'I washed, you dry'?"

Evie couldn't help the small smile on her lips as Elle read that. It was almost like the faint memories she had of her parents…though her mother would never do something as common as the dishes.

"No, of course not!"

"Steph."

Persephone sighed. "I figured you wouldn't want to make dinner on top of doing the cooking at the restaurant. If you can dry, I'll handle dinner."

"Almost reminds me of when your father and I were first married," Rapunzel told her kids with a small chuckle. "Of course, he refused to let me do anything that even remotely resembled household work."

"Yes and yet you still woke up at seven am and swept the floor," Eugene shook his head.

Hades nodded and hopped off the counter to get started on drying the dishes. As Persephone walked away, Hades grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into an embrace. Kissing her gently on the lips, Hades whispered, "she's okay. No matter what happens next, we know Mal's okay."

Every parent's hope, that their children will be alright, Rapunzel thought, a small smile on her lips. I only wish my parents could have had reassurance like that when I was taken.

"The next step is to bring her home," Persephone reminded him, resting her head on his chest.

"Actually next step would be to build trust," Chip pointed out. "What? It's the same thing Belle and Adam had to do almost! Only no adorable five year old teacups have to depend on people falling in love so that they can go back to be human!"

"He never fails to remind me of that at least once a day," Beast sighed.

"It'll be slow going," Hades told her. "She's already so distrustful of others. She looked like I was lying right to her face when I told her there was no charge for the food."

Eugene sighed. He could sympathize a little with that—being a thief, you couldn't really trust anyone. Lance was probably the only one he truly trusted during his tenure as a wanted man.

"Well then, you've got to make her trust you," Persephone said with a smirk that made Hades' heart race. "That shouldn't be a problem for you. After all, there's no way you'd be able to make deals with people if they didn't trust you."

"Not necessarily. I mean I made deals with the Stabbingtons and they didn't trust me nor I them."

"That's not exactly helpful dad," Rachel sighed.

"Those people weren't raised by Maleficent, if you can even call what she's doing to Mal 'raising'," Hades said.

"Let me just tell you now, past-me, you can't," Hades muttered, his face growing dark.

"Didn't you used to tell me that the challenge was the fun part?"

"That's with mortals. Not my daughter."

"I don't make deals with my kids," Hades stated.

Persephone rested a gentle hand on Hades' cheek, looking up at her husband. "Hades, if there's anyone who can do it, it's you."

There's nothing a dad won't do for their little girl, Phillip Sr. thought as he looked over at Audrey with a fond smile.

Breaking from the embrace, Persephone said, "for right now though, focus on drying those dishes. I'll see if I can scare up something for dinner."

"Yes dear," Hades chuckled and grabbed the towel off the counter. "You know though, scaring things is more my area."

"Mom turned someone into a mint plant though, I think that's more scary," Hadie said.

"Yeah dad, and aren't you the one who named their Cerberus 'Spot'?" Mal asked.

"Well then scare those dishes dry," Persephone said as she walked out of the kitchen. Hades chuckled and shook his head; nothing could ruin his good mood right now.

"Not even Pain and Panic being idiots?" Mal asked.

"Not even that," Hades nodded.

"Who's reading next?" Jay called out .

Neal shrugged. "I'll give it a go."

Chapter 11 Chapter Text

"Alright, let's see what this scroll has to offer," Neal said with a small smile.

The next time Hades was able to have a one on one conversation with his daughter wasn't until a month after the first one. Yes, he still saw her about once a week whenever she came into the restaurant but it was never longer than ten minutes or so. She came in, placed her order which nine times out of ten was a fish dish of some kind, and leave.

"Nine times out of ten," Uma snorted in amusement. "Like Uncle Hades didn't only have fish back then."

Hades had been trying to come up with a fish dish that took longer to make but with no luck. A ten minute prep and cook time seemed to be the perfect amount. The fish either came out too dry or too oily otherwise. Persephone, though, had promised to get a cook book the next time she was off the Isle—or at the very least print off some recipes.

"I mean I'd try to go to the library at Dragon Hall and see if there'd be a cookbook for you dad but it's locked and only Facilier has the key," Mal said.

Ben and Belle looked at her, horror on their faces. "They lock the library?!"

"Probably the worst thing you could have said to two bookworms," Chip told Mal.

Never before had Hades longed for something as simple as an internet connection but now he did. It was bad enough Beast had to put a magical barrier around the Isle but he could have at least given them dial up at the very least. It's not like they could use the Internet to escape.

"Why did we not include internet?" Belle asked, looking over at Beast. "Lord Hades raises a good point, it's not as if it could be used to escape."

"Dear, when we set up the Isle, internet wasn't exactly a thing," Beast reminded her.

"So why didn't we set it up when it became a thing?" Belle said as she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh honestly," Leah scoffed before Beast could answer. "It is a prison after all. They shouldn't have the creature comforts we have."

"I don't like her," Hades muttered to Persephone. "Belle though…she could grow on me."

Persephone snorted in amusement.

Plus, the image of Maleficent trying to use a computer was one Hades would pay to make real instead of living solely in his head.

"Can…can we make that a reality?" Chip asked with a grin, turning to look over at Ben.

Ben shook his head. "How is it you're the older one?"

"That's not a 'no' Benji!"

Hades had been closing up the restaurant when he saw Mal running past him out of the corner of his eye. Now, a child of the Isle running someplace normally wouldn't garner attention. Nine times out of ten, the kid was running from whatever shop keep they stole from and normally was able to get away from in a matter of minutes. The wonders of youth.

Demeter stiffened and shot Hades a look. Why was her granddaughter running around unattended? She was only five years old! For a Godling, that was practically still an infant!

"You know, if you know what you're doing, you don't need to run," Jay said with a smirk.

"Yes, yes, we know you're skilled Jay," Uma shook her head as Harry rolled his eyes.

However, this was Mal. There would have been no reason for her to steal from or run from any of the shop keeps in the area. Being the daughter of Maleficent gave her leeway in that regard. Most shop keeps would have given her the item she asked for as tribute just to keep Maleficent happy.

"Frollo wouldn't," Mal chuckled. "That's fine too because I enjoy the thrill of stealing from him."

"That's if you happen to find yourself in Angel territory?" Jay asked.

"Of course! What, do you think I set out to go steal Frollo's stale bread?"

It does help to have the ability to turn into a dragon even if the magical barrier prevents Maleficent from actually doing it, Hades thought as he saw Fred Frollo chase after his daughter.

"He was what?" Jay asked, turning to Mal with a growl in his voice.

"Please, you honestly think Freddy could do anything to me?" Mal scoffed.

"Yes!"

"Glad to see you think so highly of me Jay," Mal muttered. This stupid reading was going to completely ruin her rep.

To almost everyone's shock, however, Estelle picked up his heads and growled as Neal mentioned Freddy's name.

"Good boy," Jay and Harry said in unison.

"Don't encourage him," Mal sighed. She didn't want Estelle thinking it was okay to threaten people. That was her job.

Guess Mal didn't steal from a shop keep after all. Time to see what the little French fanatic wants with my daughter.

"Nothing good, that's what he wants," Harry muttered and winced as Mal whacked him over the head.

"Dad, don't pay any attention to Harry. Freddy's just a pest, nothing I can't handle," she told Hades.

"Nothing we can't handle you mean?" Uma corrected.

Hades shook his head. "Sorry girls but that's not going to happen."

Be careful Mal, Aurora thought as she gently bit her lip.

Following at a distance, Hades watched as Frollo's son chased Mal into a nearby alley. Mal looked around, seemingly frantic, as she reached the dead end and whirled around to face the other boy.

Ben frowned and glanced at Emir and Akiho, both boys having the same small frowns on their faces as well. They'd grown to like Mal and the other VKs even if they hadn't been in the room for that long…they didn't want to hear about one of them getting hurt.

Hades longed to step in, to protect his daughter from whatever was about to happen.

"So why didn't you?!" Demeter snapped.

"Demeter, out of the two of us, who knows more about the Isle's culture?" Hades asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Answer the question."

"Well…you."

Hades nodded. "I made a judgement call and I was prepared to step in if it went south."

But he knew that on the Isle, an adult stepping in was the ultimate sign of weakness.

Carlos nodded slightly to himself. It was bad enough when the Rats stepped in because at least everyone knew they had him under their protection. If an adult stepped in…he might as well just hide in his closet because he'd be labeled the Isle Joke.

The only acceptable time was when there was a known alliance or the odds were stacked horribly against the kid the adult was coming to the rescue for. At this point, with a one on one match up, there was no way Mal would forgive him if Hades stepped in now.

"He knows me so well," Mal smirked.

"He should, considering he's half you," Akiho pointed out and chuckled as Mal's smirk vanished slightly, as if not happy that someone had poked a hole in her logic.

After all, reputation was everything on the Isle.

"So not that different from Auradon then," Aziz mused. "I mean, to some people around here, reputation is everything."

"Caught you now, you little witch," Fred growled and Hades could see bright purple paint splattered all over the boy's clothing. Hades could only imagine which Isle resident was responsible for that.

"Thank you, thank you," Mal said, pretending to take a bow as Uma, Jay, Hadie, Celia, Dizzy, and Harry applauded. "I can't take all the credit of course. Freddy stood there and took it."

Why is she alone? Hades thought. From what I've seen, Uma and Hook's kid have been at her side like glue.

"Where were we?" Uma asked Harry.

"Probably at the fish shop or the chip shoppe," Harry said but with a frown at the fact that Freddy had been able to be able to get to Mal.

Hades could only hope that Mal had acted alone and that she didn't have a falling out with her minions. The Isle was dangerous enough with help. Trying to navigate it alone was near suicide. Even Maleficent had her minions, and was even trying to recruit some non goblin ones if the rumor mill was to be believed.

"Considering what Uma and Mal told us about Maleficent trying to recruit Ursula, that rumor should be believed," Rowyn nodded.

She had already snatched up Cruella, though honestly Hades thought the two of them were made for each other. Both of them were completely insane and cared only for themselves.

You're not wrong there Lord Hades, Carlos thought with a small shudder as he thought about the bear traps that surrounded his bed.

That, in addition to Jafar, brought Maleficent's non goblin minions to a grand total of two. While there were safety in numbers, it didn't matter when one terrified the rest of the Isle based on reputation alone.

"…yeah that would tend to help," Akiho nodded.

"You were in our territory, Frollo," Mal said, bringing Hades' attention back to the matter at hand and standing as tall as she could which wasn't that tall.

"Dad!"

"Dear I think our daughter's upset with you," Persephone chuckled.

"You don't say," Hades shook his head.

Despite Frollo's son being just three years older than Mal, the boy still towered over her due to his lean build. "You honestly think you could go after Harry's sister and get away with it? You got off lucky that Harriet only splashed you in the face with sea water. You should have left her alone when she told you the first time."

"Was she alright?" Elle asked, looking over at Harry. "Your sister I mean."

Harry nodded. "It'll take more than Freddy Frollo to take down Harriet that's for sure."

"Honestly guys should respect when a girl says no," Lonnie stated. "If not, well I could always introduce them to a sword!"

"Okay but then girls should do the same if a guy says no!" Chad spoke up.

"When do you ever say no?"

Kit and Cinderella turned to look at their son, both of them raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"A wonderful story. I don't suppose you have any proof to back it up?" Frollo sneered. "You think just because Maleficent is your mother, you can just walk around the Isle and do what you please? The wicked shall have their just reward."

"I'm conflicted," Phillip Jr. muttered to his father.

"About what?"

"I don't like this guy because of how he's treating Mal but he also doesn't like Maleficent and we all don't like her."

"What does your gut tell you?" Phillip Sr. asked his son.

Phil bit his lip. "That…that this guy's bad news," he said softly.

"Trust your gut," his father said. "It won't steer you wrong."

Mal rolled her eyes, the frantic look having faded away to be replaced with bored indifference.

"Oh so the way she always looks at Freddy?" Uma chuckled.

"Newsflash weirdo, we're all wicked here. Why else would we be in a place called the Isle of the Lost?"

"That—."

"My logic was that of a five year old's. Don't poke holes in it," Mal stated, glaring slightly at Ben.

"My father was unjustly persecuted—"

"Yeah, yeah. Tell that to somebody who cares," Mal said and Hades could tell she was reaching behind her for something. She was leaning up against a barrel so Hades could only assume she was reaching for something to fight back with so he was a little surprised to see Mal holding what looked like a water balloon.

"Ooh are we going to soak him?" Ashaki grinned.

Frollo opened his mouth to respond but Mal let the balloon go and a cloud of dark red smoke filled the alley. Quickly making his way down the street a bit, Hades ducked into another alleyway and pulled Mal into it as she ran past.

"And you didn't scream?" Harry asked Mal.

"What do you take me for, a prissy princess?" Mal scoffed. "Besides, you and Uma pulled me into an alleyway at least once a week by that point."

"What are you—?!"

Hades shushed her just as Frollo ran past, his clothes now stained with the dark red smoke that clashed with the purple paint already on it.

"Oh I wish you took a picture," Macaria grinned. She did not like the sound of this Freddy guy, judging by Mal and the other's reactions to him.

Looking around, he snarled as he couldn't find Mal and ran off.

"I had him right where I wanted him!" Mal exclaimed as soon as the coast was clear. "You didn't need to butt in!"

Oh dear Gods, I think I see some Zeus there, Poseidon thought with an amused chuckle. After all, their little brother was quite stubborn when he wanted to be.

"Oh I'm sorry that I thought it might be a good idea to see what's going on when you ran past me, Frollo hot on your heels," Hades said, scoffing a bit.

"Lord Hades should have smote that thorn," Harry grumbled.

"Why do you even care?" Mal shot back.

"How about the fact that you're my daughter?" Hades stated. "That's the only reason I need."

Hades had to school his features to make sure Mal couldn't see the hurt on his face. She didn't know, she still didn't know. He honestly hadn't expected Maleficent would have told Mal straight away but even she couldn't be that cruel to keep his identity from Mal?

"We're still talking about Maleficent right? Tall, kinda frightening, really good at cursing people?"

"Actually I'm taller than her if you don't count the horns," Mal told Hyllus.

Oh who was he kidding, of course Maleficent was that cruel. And of course, there was never a right moment for Hades to tell Mal himself.

What, was he supposed to just say 'oh by the way Mal, I'm your dad' when he handed her her meal? She'd probably think he was insane and never stop by the restaurant again.

"Don't even pretend that Uncle Hades doesn't have a point there," Uma told Mal, who'd opened her mouth to object.

"I care because you have certain skills I need," Hades said carefully, thinking on his feet. "How'd you like to earn all the free food you can eat?"

"Not going to lie, that caught my attention," Mal nodded.

Mal stared at him for a second before her eyes narrowed a little in suspicion. "What's the catch?"

"Didn't you hear Lord Hades last time? It's cod!"

"I need a squirt bottle to spray you with," Aziz sighed as Emir grinned at his own joke.

"Once a week, you'll need to run down to Hook's fish shop and pick up the order," Hades told her. He'd add more responsibilities once their relationship developed but for right now, he knew that she trusted Hook's son and Hook's son presumably trusted her, therefore Hook should hopefully do the same. It was a good place to start.

"Well that and Hook seemed terrified of Maleficent," Kit pointed out. "Therefore, the girl he thinks is the daughter of Maleficent should have no quarrel with him in addition to her being friends with his son."

"I like him," Hades nodded and Kit couldn't help but grin slightly.

"That's it?" Mal asked, crossing her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "I stop by Hook's shop once a week and I get free food from your place whenever I want?"

"Why are you questioning it?!"

"Because a deal that good had to be questioned," Mal stated. "And why do you care Beastie Jr.?"

"It's Ben," Akiho said. "He cares about everyone."

Hades nodded, while mentally adding in that he'd be keeping an eye on her in case Frollo or his gang tried anything. Though he already did that anyway—he trusted Maleficent as far as he could throw her. "You got it."

"So…have you thrown Maleficent before?" Hadie asked, looking at his dad.

"It's an expression," Hades sighed.

"Oh. So follow up—."

"No, I'm not throwing Maleficent."

"And the gang," Mal said quickly.

"Mal, you didn't just potentially ruin your chance at getting free food just so we'd be included in the deal did you?" Uma groaned.

"It worked didn't it?" Mal shrugged.

"I'm sorry?"

"My gang gets the same thing," Mal elaborated, and Hades couldn't help the feeling of relief that washed over him upon hearing that. So Mal had been acting alone when she went up against Frollo.

"Of course I was! What you thought Uma and I were in a fight or something?" Mal scoffed. "The last time I had a fight with an ally was when I was three, before I met Uma. And in all honesty, I'm glad to be rid of the Castor."

"Castor?" Ben asked.

"One of the other VK gangs on the Isle," Mal said. "I was allies with Mim's granddaughter until she decided she didn't want to be under my shadow anymore."

"Jokes on her now, she has to deal with Zevon," Uma smirked.

Hook Jr was probably at his father's shop and Uma was more likely with Ursula. "They get the free food too or the deal's off."

Hades glowered slightly but couldn't say no. As much as he distrusted Hook and had no relationship with his niece, he couldn't refuse Mal.

"Aww," Aurora couldn't help but sigh at that.

Hades shook his head and turned to Mal. "I think these scrolls are going to ruin our reps in Boreadon."

"You think?!" Mal exclaimed.

"Fine," Hades said, trying to keep his tone neutral. "As long as they say they're with you when they come to get their food. I'm not in the charity business."

"What's the point of making a deal for free food if the policy is kids don't pay?" Audrey asked, rolling her eyes.

Mal paused and looked over at him in suspicion. "I thought it was restaurant policy that the kids of the Isle ate for free?"

Mal and Audrey looked disgusted at having had the same thought while Uma and Harry chuckled.

"Policies change," Hades said simply. He wouldn't actually charge any of the other kids of the Isle. Well, maybe with the exception of Frollo's brat.

"Oh I would have loved to see his face the first time he realized he had to pay," Mal cackled.

"He's actually banned from the restaurant," Hades stated. "All of those Angels are."

Yes the restaurant was on neutral grounds and yes it had been established as a place for all kids to get food if they needed it. But Hades had overheard a certain conversation Mal and her friends had had when she was nine…let's just say it was safer for the Frollo brat to be banned from the restaurant.

But Mal didn't need to know that. "Do we have a deal?"

"I thought you didn't make deals with your kids?" Zeus asked, looking over at Hades.

"It's not a deal, it's an alliance," Hades stated. "I try to make my deals where I come out on top after all."

Mal nodded and held out her hand to shake. Hades took it and couldn't help but give a small smile at how small her hand was compared to his as they shook on it.

"I get it! I was small when I was five!" Mal grumbled.

"Just five cuz?" Uma chuckled.

It was a weird thing to notice but he did.

"Okay, go and run off now," Hades told her. "First order pick up is this Tuesday by eleven. Don't be late."

Mal nodded and ran off, presumably to let Uma and Harry know about her alliance with Hades.

"Why not keep that a secret?" Lucy asked.

"They benefited from the alliance. It would make sense to tell them," Mal told her.

Hades chuckled and made his way back to the Underworld. He'd have to talk to Virgil and let him know that Mal would be taking over his duties at Hook's. Hopefully the little jar of sunshine wouldn't take it the wrong way and think Hades was replacing him entirely.

"It's Virgil dear," Persephone shook her head.

"Right, I don't know what I was thinking," Hades sighed.

The kid was a bundle of nerves but he was quick and a hard worker, more nervous about making a mistake than anything else. Rare qualities for the Isle.

"Almost sounds like DeVil," Jay muttered to Mal.

"DeVil's not as nervous as Virgil though," Mal muttered back.

"Panic!" Hades shouted as he walked into the Underworld.

"You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar you know," Lucy said.

"…you Auradonians like to catch flies?" Hadie asked in shock.

"No, no, it's just a saying," Kitty said, shaking her head as she looked at her sister.

"Y-yes Hades?" Panic asked as he came running toward the God.

"Is your son here? I need to speak to him," Hades said and Panic's eyes grew wide.

"O-oh, w-whatever he's done, I-I'm sorry Hades! H-He'll do better! I-I promise!"

"But…he hasn't done anything," Phillip Jr. said, tilting his head in confusion.

Hades rolled his eyes. Panic always seemed to go for the worst case scenario, possibly due to it being his name. "He hasn't done anything Panic. I just need to speak to him about his duties as my errand rat."

"Won't that just make him more nervous?" Jane asked, her voice still soft.

"Oh." Panic said and seemed to deflate in relief. "I-I'll go and grab him."

Hades nodded as the little imp scurried out of the room. Hades plopped onto the sofa, thinking it wouldn't be a good idea to totally intimidate the kid. If he was anything like his father, Hades was in for at least a good five minute ramble about how he'd see improvement.

"Before anyone accuses me of being hyperbolic, I'll have you know I've timed the kid," Hades stated. "Five minutes is short for his rambles."

"H-Hades?" Panic's voice called out no more than five minutes later. That was the good thing about Panic, he never left you waiting longer than you had to. "Virgil's here."

"Send him over," Hades said, looking over his shoulder. The kid was thin, with dark brown hair with bangs that almost seemed to cover his eyes at times. He favored his mother clearly, with mainly human features with the exception of slightly pointed ears and a slight yellow tint to his eyes. Oddly enough he had a purple sweatshirt on which only served to make him look thinner than he already was.

Poseidon leaned forward slightly. This was his grandson, the grandson he never knew about because no one seemed to consider Vanessa a part of Ursula. He wished to meet the boy but if he took after his father, judging from the readings, it would only terrify the boy.

One would think that as Panic's son, Virgil would have on a green sweatshirt but maybe it was left over from when Vanessa and Ursula split. After all, his niece did favor purple which made Uma's preference of blue more than a little amusing.

"Considering dad's got purple too, it really is funny," Celia nodded.

Uma shrugged. "I like teal. Besides, we're not our parents. Why should I choose mama's color?"

"You still call your mom mama?" Audrey scoffed.

"You still call your grandmother 'grammy'," Uma shot back.

"Audrey! Apologize!" Aurora exclaimed. "That was very rude."

Audrey stared at her mother in shock. "Mother!"

"I mean it Audrey," Aurora said firmly. At her daughter's silence, Aurora sighed. "Alright then, you're grounded for the weekend."

"What?!"

No one noticed Ben's slight relaxation at hearing that. After all, a grounded Audrey meant no weekly Sunday shopping date.

Wait, did that make Vanessa his niece as well? Since that was the human form Ursula shifted into when she went after Eric? Hades thought as Virgil walked over to him. Shaking his head slightly, Hades decided it wasn't the right time to dive into those thoughts.

"It seems like there's never a good time to dive into those thoughts," Eric muttered to Ariel.

"Dear be nice," Ariel muttered back to him.

Besides, if Vanessa was his niece, that would make Panic related to him in a way as he was her husband. Hades liked the moron but not enough to call him family.

"You say that now dad," Mal smirked.

"Y-You asked to s-see me, L-Lord Hades?" Virgil asked and Hades had to remind himself that the kid was eight. He was only three years older than Mal, though with the stuttering it was hard to see it.

I know he's three years older than the kids I brought over in the first group but maybe Virgil would do better in Auradon? Ben thought. A lot less to be nervous about that's for sure.

"I wanted to talk to you about your duties as my errand rat," Hades said and Virgil's eyes grew wide. It was as if he was imagining every worse case scenario he could.

"And knowing Virg, he probably was," Uma nodded.

"I-I'm s-sorry! I'll d-do better! A-Am I n-not fast enough? I—"

"Oh the poor dear," Snow White said softly.

"Virgil!" Hades cut the boy off before he had the chance to build up steam. If the boy was anything like his father, Hades would have been siting there for a week before he would have gotten a word in otherwise. "You're not in trouble. I just picked up another errand rat so I wanted to let you know you didn't need to go to Hook's anymore."

"Or you could just alternate weeks," Chip pointed out. "Puts less pressure on one of the kids and prevents a full blown panic from Virgil."

"Oh," Virgil said, flushing a little but calming down. "But what would I do as your errand rat if I'm not going to Hook's? That's pretty much the only place I go on errands for you, Lord Hades."

"What's the point of an errand rat if you only have one errand?" Emma asked, tilting her head.

"When you've got two jobs, being able to delegate even one thing is a godsend," Hades told the girl and she nodded in understanding.

"Oh look Ben, someone who understands the meaning of the word delegate," Emir said, looking at his best friend pointedly.

That was the good thing about Virgil, Hades thought. When he wasn't panicking, he was clear and concise; almost logical in how he thought things through. If he didn't have his father's gift for thinking of the worst possible outcome, the kid would go far.

"Virgil may be nervous but if you're someone he cares about, he'll stand by you," Jay said with a nod.

"Yeah Virgil's nice!" Dizzy grinned at the thought of the older boy. "If he ever comes to the hair shop, he always is nice to me!"

"I'm thinking of adding a delivery aspect to the restaurant," Hades said, the idea coming to him out of the blue. It would work as a reason to keep Virgil on as an errand rat, plus there were some villains who didn't like to venture out of their homes. If they had kids, those kids would still need food.

"And even if they didn't have kids, they would still need to eat," Persephone said firmly.

"You want me to be a delivery boy?" Virgil asked, more than a little apprehensive about the idea but Hades was happy to see the stammer hadn't returned. Good, the boy would need to grow a spine if he was going to make it on the Isle.

Carlos flinched slightly at that, knowing the comment could apply to him as well.

"You've proven yourself reliable enough picking up the packages from Hook," Hades said. "I see no reason why you wouldn't be the same with customers' money."

"Dad, I just thought of something," Mal said. "You should have given Virgil a guard. Someone as timid as him carrying food out in the open?"

"Huh, that does explain the first few trips when he'd come back with a bruised eye or bloodied nose in his shirt," Hades mused. "He never told me who did it though."

"Three guesses," Harry growled. "And if you need the other two you belong across the bridge."

"That's assuming they'd pay," Virgil muttered and Hades had to hold back a snort of amusement. The kid did have a point.

"If you get anyone who refuses to pay, let me know," Hades told him. "Anyone with a pre-existing deal with me should let you know at the start. If not, I'll make a list."

"Hmm, if they had the Internet then there could be a way for Lord Hades to keep an electronic copy of the deals," Ben muttered to himself.

Virgil nodded, and Hades couldn't help but be impressed. Any other kid would complain about the work it would take, schlepping deliveries around the Isle.

"Uh Uncle Hades? It's the Isle," Uma said.

"Yeah, we don't really complain about work if we're likely to get food out of it," Jay nodded.

Ben sighed; every one of those comments was like a punch to the gut, hearing how the VKs lived.

Though, Virgil was the son of one of his minions. It was logical to assume that the kid just didn't want to make life harder for his dad.

"Like we said, Virgil's nervous but loyal," Mal nodded.

"Any questions?" Hades asked.

"What do I do if a customer starts causing problems?" Virgil asked, and immediately looked down. "Sorry, guess that's a stupid question."

"The only stupid question is the one that's never asked," Rachel said. "That's what mom says anyway."

"What if you ask someone wearing a store's uniform if they work there?" Rowyn asked.

"…okay so there is such a thing as a stupid question."

"No such thing," Hades told him; it was actually a fair question considering the types of villains that lived on the Isle. Most, if not all of them, had reputations of not treating their minions with respect and Hades was no exception. But Virgil was a kid, he didn't ask for this life. "Any customer that's abusive, I want you to leave their house and come straight to me. I'll deal with it."

"Or just tell us," Mal said with a smirk as she gestured to herself, Uma, Harry, and Jay. "We'll take care of them."

"You were five and six respectively," Hades deadpanned. "I wasn't getting kids involved."

Hades normally didn't care what the other villains got up to. But Virgil was Panic's son and therefore an extension of Hades' minion. His minion, his rules. No one else got to abuse them.

"Lord Hades, when have you ever actually abused your minions?" Harry asked. "I mean you yell at them sure but…"

Hades sighed. He thought he knew what the boy was going to say. That there were plenty of Isle kids who knew what it looked like when someone was being abusive after all.

"I was referring to how I used to treat them," he said. "Pain and Panic, I mean. I'm pretty sure I turned Panic into a crisp after he drank some of Wonderboy's lemonade in front of me the day before the cosmos aligned after all."

Besides, there is a strong possibility this little twerp is my nephew if Vanessa is actually my niece considering the fact that Vanessa was just the form Ursula used to trap Eric, Hades thought. Unlike Ursula and Uma, he had actually been around Virgil since the little sun spot was born—or at least heard about him from Panic.

"How long did it take to figure out?" Poseidon asked.

"Years," Hades told him.

Mal's old nursery furniture had been Virgil's, and there was still the possibility of Virgil being one of Mal's minions once Hades got her back. His fight or flight reflex would be a good thing for her to have at her disposal, plus his constant overthinking would mean he'd be the rare exception to the idea that an older kid would have issues taking orders from someone younger.

"I don't give him orders," Mal shook her head. "Only suggestions."

After all, Virgil was like Jay in a way—an older brother but one that Mal looked out for instead of the other way around.

"L-Lord Hades?" Virgil spoke up in a soft voice and Hades blinked in slight surprise to see the kid still standing in front of him.

"He didn't leave?" Herkie asked.

"Minions stay until they're ordered to get out of the head honcho's sight," Uma explained.

"You're dismissed. Report to the restaurant on Tuesday for your first round of deliveries," Hades told him and Virgil nodded before racing out of there as if Cerberus was on his tail.

"Oh he'll get used to that in a few years. Estelle chases him around all the time when he wants to play," Mal said with a smile.

Estelle yipped softly and wagged his tail as he heard his name mentioned.

"Hades, don't torture the poor boy," Persephone told him as she walked into the room.

"I didn't," Hades told her and Persephone raised an eyebrow. "Honest Steph. This time I was on my best behavior with the boy."

"You truly were," Persephone smiled and kissed Hades' cheek.

"You doubt me or something?" Hades chuckled.

Persephone nodded and leaned over the sofa so that she was looking over his shoulder. "So, what did you need to talk to him about?"

"I'm changing up his responsibilities as errand rat," Hades told her.

"Oh Hades, you just said you didn't torture the poor boy," Persephone sighed. "You know how well Virgil responds to change."

Hades shook his head. "Life on the Isle is all about change. If he's going to make it here, he's going to have to get used to that idea."

"Virgil's gotten better now that he's older," Uma said with a small shrug. "More of his mother's coming out of him."

"Besides, what else changes on the Isle other than the food quality deteriorating?" Harry muttered.

"Well at least it's a good change," Persephone said as she sat down next to Hades. "But why change up his responsibilities?"

"I acquired a new errand rat and decided it was time for the boy to take on new responsibilities," Hades told her. "After all, he'd be the more experienced one."

"Okay I'm not even as nervous as Virgil but even I can say the very idea of that is terrifying," Alexandria stated.

"I think you might have made Virgil's day and caused his nightmare to come to life at the same time," Persephone said, running a hand through Hades' hair. She loved how, despite his denials, Hades truly cared for the kids of the Isle. Or at least the ones connected to him.

"I'd rather not see more kids in the Underworld on a permanent basis," Hades muttered to Persephone.

"Who's your new errand rat?"

Hades took a breath and couldn't help the small smile that graced his lips.

"Mal."

Almost everyone in the room had to smile at that.

"Who's reading next?" Neal asked.

"Mal, you read!" Uma told her cousin. "I read one!"

Mal rolled her eyes. "Fine but just one."

"Okay but no skipping any embarrassing parts!"

Chapter 12 Chapter Text

Mal shook her head as she unfurled the scroll. "Let's get this over with," she muttered.

Mal had to admit,

"Nope, can't do it," Mal shook her head.

"Come on! I did it!" Uma exclaimed.

"Uma, do you know how weird it is to read about yourself in the third person?!"

Ben couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped through his lips. A chuckle that Mal heard as her eyes locked on him.

"Just wait till you read next!" Mal told him. "If you ever show up in one of these, you'll see it's weird!"

she was nervous even if she would never say it out loud. This was her first time being an errand rat and if Maleficent were to find out she would probably blow her stack.

"Oh please, a bit of hard work never hurt anyone," Leah scoffed.

"When has your mother ever worked hard?" Phillip Sr. muttered to Aurora.

The very thought of her, Mal, being an errand rat would be bad enough but for Lord Hades? Mal didn't know why her birth giver seemed to utterly despise the God of the Dead but the mere mention of him or Persephone got Maleficent worked up to go on hour long rants. Nine times out of ten, Mal was able to get out of dodge before she was noticed.

"Oh that's good though," Alexandria said with a smile that Mal was able to get out of the way and not get noticed.

"Nine times out of ten though," Lucy muttered to Kitty who nodded.

The tenth time though….

Chip frowned and glanced over at Mal, who was looking at the scroll with a stony expression. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what the tenth time entailed.

Mal shook her head to clear her thoughts. It wouldn't do to go into Hook's territory distracted.

"With how terrified the Captain was of the Dragon, you would have been fine," Harry told her.

Even if Harry was part of her crew, that didn't mean everyone else was. After all, some of Hook's crew seemed to hang on Frollo's dad's every word, which could prove dangerous if they ever lost their fear of Maleficent.

And once Hadie, Celia, Uma, and Harry are off the Isle, they are free to do just that. Maleficent may not have her magic but she has enough in terms of minions to quash any rebellion that tries to over throw her, Mal thought.

Frollo didn't hold back on how he felt about those who practiced what he called 'witchcraft' after all, and with no magic to protect her, Mal knew she could be a target if Frollo and his ilk gained enough power.

"Well good thing you're in Auradon then," Akiho said with a smile that fooled no one. Ben rested a hand gently on Akiho's shoulder. He knew how much someone being accused of witchcraft bothered him, based on what happened with his aunt.

"Hey Mal," Harriet said with a smile as the younger girl walked into the shop, bringing Mal's thoughts back to the present. "How can I help you? If you're looking for Harry, he's off getting more fish for the Captain. If you're looking for the Captain, he's in a meeting with Smee. I doubt you'd be looking for CJ and I'm obviously right here."

"I see we're stating the obvious today Harriet," Harry chuckled.

"I'm surprised she's working the counter," Uma said. "Didn't you say your father called that 'man's work'?"

"How in the world could working the counter be too strenuous for a woman?!" Lonnie exclaimed.

Mal shook her head, wincing a bit at the movement as she'd been taught a lesson in respect from Maleficent the night before.

Hades' hands curled into fists and Persephone narrowed her eyes at the thought of Maleficent laying a finger on their daughter.

"I'm sorry, a lesson?" Demeter asked. "What sort of a lesson involves pain?"

"A lesson from Maleficent," Mal muttered and Demeter glared at the scroll.

"You know, I think Maleficent's in danger of being smote," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Does it make me a bad person if I say 'good'?" Akiho muttered back to him.

"No, I'm here to pick up Lord Hades' weekly order actually."

"Oh," Harriet said, not commenting on the wince. To her credit, if she was surprised that Mal was picking up the order, it didn't show on her face. "It's in the back. Give me one minute and I'll grab it for you."

"That's the best part about Harriet," Harry said with a small smile. "She doesn't ask questions if she doesn't need to."

Mal nodded and the older girl ducked into the back, leaving Mal by herself. Not that she minded, the fish shop was small enough that no one could really sneak up on her.

Snow frowned at the thought of a five year old needing to be so aware of their surroundings that they'd note if a place was big enough for someone to sneak up on them. All a five year old should worry about were scraped knees and if their parents would let them have some candy before dinner.

Besides, if being the offspring of Maleficent held any benefits, it was that it was rare that anyone tried to mess with her.

Fred Frollo and his gang notwithstanding.

"His gang of what? Four?" Uma scoffed.

"Two actually," Mal said. "Strat didn't leave the crew until you took leadership and announced Harry was your First Mate. That was when we were seven and then Shayla left a year later. Remember? She left the same year—."

"The same year Sammy's mom died," Harry said softly.

"Right," Jay nodded. "And then Morgan followed a few years later."

I should meet up with Harry soon, Mal thought. If Frollo's getting as brazen as he was last week to chase me through the Isle, I should make sure my sword fighting's up to par. Especially since my eyes keep flashing like crazy. Maybe it's the Fae magic Maleficent keeps talking about.

"Anytime you need your butt kicked in sword fighting cap'n, just let me know and I'll be there," Harry promised.

"Harry, you haven't 'kicked my butt' as you put it since I was seven," Mal chuckled.

It would have to wait until her latest 'lesson' from Maleficent healed. It was Mal's fault though, she had called her Maleficent to her face instead of the preferred title of 'mother'.

"Rookie mistake," Uma shook her head.

"Hey, she's not my mother so why should I have called her by the title?" Mal shrugged.

No one should lay a hand on a child, Eric thought with a small frown. I…I know it doesn't do much good now but I wish I knew about Mal. I'd have petitioned for guardianship—she's Ariel's cousin after all.

It wasn't as bad as it could have been, only a bruised rib and arm this time and a night without dinner.

Ben wasn't sure he wanted to know how bad it could have been, if a bruised rib, arm and going without dinner was considered light.

Mal had skipped breakfast by her own choice; not wanting to be alone with Maleficent for longer than necessary in case Maleficent decided Mal needed to learn her lesson again.

Demeter glowered and turned to Hades.

"I couldn't do anything," he said as his mother-in-law opened her mouth. "What was I supposed to do, put Mal in even more risk with Maleficent? If you really want to be angry at someone, be angry at the God who put me on the Isle in the first place!"

"Well played," Persephone muttered as Demeter turned her glare onto Zeus.

"Thank you. Your mother's right though—I should have done something. Anything."

"You got Mal out of there before it could potentially get worse."

Truthfully, going without dinner was more of a kindness than anything else Maleficent could have given her—the selections they had gotten from this month's delivery were bad even for first pick standards.

"Oh my," David White sighed and shook his head. "We really need to look into what's going on there."

"Why? So your wife can scoop her competition?" Uma scoffed.

"How do you—?"

"We get two channels—one of which is news. We know Snow White's a reporter."

"A gossip reporter," Evie added softly. "Mother…mother likes to add that part if the subject comes up."

Besides, if Lord Hades was good to his word, Mal wouldn't have to worry about starvation as a punishment anymore.

"Never again," Hades promised. "You shouldn't have had to go through that."

"It's not your fault dad," Mal promised.

"I know," Hades told her, glaring at Beast.

"Here you go," Harriet said, breaking into Mal's thoughts as she came back around holding the order. "One weekly order of fish for the God of the Dead."

"I like her."

"She's not even here Hades!"

"Doesn't matter. She got my title right. Grown adults can't even do that and Harriet did it at eight," Hades said, nodding his head.

Mal took the order, holding back a wince as the act of lifting her arm caused pain to shoot through her rib.

Hades frowned and sighed softly to himself. He'd have wrapped Mal up in his arms if it wasn't for the fact that she was reading.

Well and the fact that they were surrounded by Auradonians—and Zeus.

She'd have to find a way to wrap it or something—maybe Harry would have some tips. He was always getting into 'trouble' with his dad.

Mal's eyes narrowed and Uma growled slightly as Jay's hands curled into fists at the thought. Something most of the AKs weren't slow to notice.

I need to get him out of there, Ben thought. If his dad's abusive, Harry might not have a month to last. I'll talk to Mal, see about getting him over here.

Or I could talk to Jay, Mal thought. He's always getting into scrapes, people catching him steal their stuff. Plus, since his dad's on Maleficent's team, it might get her off my back for a bit. Show her that I'm becoming like her, making my own team of minions from her team.

"I'm not your minion!" Jay chuckled. "I'm your First Mate!"

"The Dragon wouldn't be able to tell the difference," Mal shook her head.

The son of Jafar was also a year older than Mal, making him at least somewhat more knowledgeable on the issue.

"Ah, someone finally admits that I am older and therefore wiser," Jay smirked.

"No, I said you were somewhat more knowledgable on the issue of injuries," Mal snarked.

Could Mal trust him?

"With my life," Mal said and Jay gave her a big smile.

Are…are they dating? Or whatever they call dating on the Isle? Ben thought to himself and then shook his head slightly. It shouldn't matter to him if Mal was dating anyone. He had that damned contract.

That was up in the air. Like she had said, Jafar was in league with Maleficent which would always pose a huge risk.

"Mal, you okay?" Harriet asked and Mal realized she hadn't done as good of a job holding back the wince as she thought.

"I thought you said Harriet didn't ask questions?" Elle asked Harry.

"I said if she didn't need to," Harry stated. "Someone wincing on the Isle is notable. Mal wincing is something that would stand out."

"Yeah," Mal nodded. "Just slept wrong, that's all."

Harriet frowned but didn't push the issue. Mal did technically outrank her in the Isle Hierarchy after all, even though the purple haired girl was younger.

Mal shook her head. "At the time, Harriet outranked me. She was a Captain after all. Besides, now? We're equally ranked."

"That's within the crew," Jay said. "To Harriet, then, you were Maleficent's daughter. You vastly outranked her."

Mal shook her head. "It's fine Harriet, really. Besides, you know there's no rest for the wicked here."

"True," Harriet nodded, the frown still on her face. While she hadn't personally gotten any 'lessons' from her father, she had cleaned up Harry enough times to know how serious they can be.

Oh yeah, I'm definitely getting him out of there, Ben thought as he locked eyes with Emir and Akiho. One look on his friends' faces told Ben they were having the same thoughts he was.

"You should get going. Won't be good if you're late with Lord Hades' order. Plus you don't want that fish to go bad."

Mal nodded and left the shop, holding the order on her left side as to avoid jostling her rib. It also had the added bonus of avoiding any contact with the bruise on her arm.

A child shouldn't have to form strategies to avoid being in pain, Aurora thought with a frown as she noticed Mal seemed to be avoiding everyone's eyes as she read that.

What's it like to have a normal parent? Mal thought as she made her way back to Hades' restaurant, the thought coming unprompted to the front of her mind.

"Well past-me, you'll get to find out," Mal said, a small smile tugging at her lips. Such thoughts weren't as bad to think about now that she was with her mom and dad. "Mom's certainly normal enough for both her and dad."

"Hey!" Hades chuckled.

It was dangerous to have such thoughts as there was always the risk that the thoughts might accidentally get spoken out loud; there was no use complaining about their lot in life.

"Complaining doesn't get us anywhere after all," Hadie nodded.

Some kids managed to luck out though—like Uma. Even if she didn't have the best relationship with her mom, she could always go over to Dr. Faciller's for an escape into normalcy. Mal wouldn't begrudge her best friend her relationship with her father, but that didn't stop her from being the tiniest bit jealous. Mal would give anything to know who her father was, even if such thoughts made her weak.

"Wanting to know who your father is doesn't make you weak," Ariel said, her voice soft. She would have given anything for clearer memories of her mother after all.

"If it wasn't the Dragon's preferred level of evil, it was weakness," Mal shrugged.

"I mean, my sword's not currently in use, I could—."

"Phillip, we're not running Maleficent through with a sword!"

Celia looked at her sister. "You thought dad's was an escape to normalcy?"

"Compared to my mother?" Uma asked her.

"You may have a point there."

All Maleficent would ever say about her father, if she talked about him at all, was that he was weak and that he had given Mal up at the first chance he had. He walked away from both of them.

"Well she's half right there," Ashaki said. "Lord Hades walked away from her, not Mal."

Hades looked over at Persephone. "Have I said if I like her yet?"

"I don't know dear."

"Well just in case I haven't, I like her."

If he just walked away from both of us, chances are he's not still alive if he was as weak as Maleficent says he was, Mal thought. Maleficent would have made it next to impossible for him to get any food from the deliveries.

"Oh she tried," Hades smirked. "The first month or so after she stole you, she tried."

"How'd you get around it?" Mal asked.

"Didn't," Hades shrugged. "I started the restaurant and went to Hook for fish deliveries."

At least she had a parent who stayed, who had made the choice to stay even if calling Maleficent a parent was a stretch of the word's definition. Not like Harry, who's mom had died after CJ was born.

"Oh no!" Fairy Godmother gasped softly as her hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so—."

"I don't want it," Harry muttered. "Not from you or anyone else from Boreadon."

"Harry…" Mal said softly.

"I mean it Mal. They want to be sorry, that's fine, but sorry won't bring my mom back," Harry told her.

Mal sighed and locked eyes with Jay, tilting her head toward Harry. Jay nodded and wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders. It was as much of a hug as they could afford being surrounded by 'enemies' as they were.

Though Milah wasn't the best mom, she still provided some stability for Harry and Harriet. She even managed to put a smile on the Captain's face a few times.

After Milah's death, though, Hook had basically foisted all parenting responsibilities on to Harriet. Well, with the exception of punishment.

Tears prickled in the corner of Snow's eyes and Cinderella quickly wiped away the ones that had started to run down her cheeks. If Harry hadn't wanted their apologies, chances were he didn't want to see their tears either.

Lonnie also had tears running down her cheeks and Mulan gently pulled her into her arms, the same way Shang had their son. They couldn't imagine…

Sometimes Mal couldn't believe Harry still idolized the man to the point that his goal in life was to get his hand chopped off so he'd need a hook. Not that it stopped him from carrying around a hook, mind you. He just didn't need it.

Okay, therapy is definitely going to be something for the next group. He wants to chop off his hand? Ben thought as Estelle walked over to Harry and rested his heads on the boy's leg.

"Hey boy," Ben heard the pirate whisper. "I'm…I'm okay. It's just hard hearing about that."

Before Mal knew it, she was at Hades' restaurant and she shook her head to clear it of any thoughts of her father or birth giver. Wouldn't do to have something show on her face and potentially give Lord Hades something over her.

"But…he's your father," Melody said, her voice soft as everyone's emotions were still raw from the previous paragraph.

Mal shrugged. "I didn't know that at the time."

She may have been five but Mal knew how the game was played. The second you let someone have something over you, you were finished—and there were plenty of people who would love to have something over Maleficent's daughter.

Mal sighed. She had to admit, the only good thing about Blueberry being in Boreadon with her was that she wouldn't be able to go around and spread this information throughout the Isle. To her crew, her reputation was intact.

"You're late," Hades said as Mal walked into to the kitchen, not looking up from the pantry.

"By two minutes!" Mal exclaimed as she looked at the clock. She hadn't been walking as fast as she normally did—that stupid rib of hers. If Maleficent ruined this deal for Mal, it would just be yet another way her birth giver had ruined her life.

Leah scoffed. Typical Isle brat, thinking only of herself. Never mind all the other lives Maleficent ruined!

Being an evil loon who decided the best course of action was to curse a baby when not invited to a party was the first way Maleficent had ruined her life but that went without saying.

"Can we start referring to Maleficent as an evil loon?" Akiho asked.

"Go right ahead," Mal shrugged and chuckled as Emir and Akiho grinned.

"Late is late," Hades told her, turning around to look at her. "Did Hook give you trouble? I know he's used to dealing with my other errand rat."

"From the sound of things, he sounds more likely to be used to Pain and Panic than he is Virgil," Evan pointed out.

"No," Mal told him. "Harriet was manning the counter. Hook was in a meeting with Smee so he doesn't even know I'm handling the delivery pickup now."

"I mean that'll likely change since Harriet might tell him," Rachel said, trying to sound positive.

"Harriet and the Captain don't really talk," Harry shrugged. Unless it's Harriet's inane once a month family dinners that she tries to force on us, he thought.

Hades frowned but didn't say anything as Mal put the order on the counter.

"I guess the deal's off," Mal muttered as she stepped back.

"Why would you say that?" Jay asked, turning to look at Mal. "Did your dad ever say you'd have to be on time for the deal to be in effect?"

"It's the Isle Jay. Anything good never lasts," Mal shrugged, not noticing the Auradonians frown at that.

"Why would that be the case?" Hades asked, taking the order and putting it in the fridge.

Mal raised an eyebrow. "I was late. You said it yourself, late is late."

"Don't question it Mal," Uma shook her head.

"Did I specify you had to be on time for the deal to still be in effect?" Hades asked, turning to look at Mal.

"Well no but—"

"Why are you pushing your luck?!" Harry groaned.

"You really think dad would just let me go hungry?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly," Hades told her. "I keep my deals Mal. You made the delivery, you and your gang get free meals here. Unless you want to change the terms of the deal?"

"If you said yes, I'll kill you right here and now," Uma promised.

"Well then it's a good thing I didn't," Mal chuckled.

Mal quickly shook her head, despite every bone in her body telling her to play it cool. She wasn't an idiot; this was free food they were talking about. Even if there was always the looming threat of an unseen catch.

"Actually Hades' deals are pretty clear cut," Meg said. "Hercules gives up his strength for a day, I go free. I get hurt, deal's off and Herc gets his strength back."

"It's Ursula's deals that have the unseen catch," Ariel sighed. After all, I'm sure there was probably a clause indicating she could interfere in that contract. If I didn't close my eyes and actually read the darn thing…

Hades smirked. "Go on and grab a seat, the place is pretty much dead right now. I'll whip you up something."

Hera couldn't help but smile slightly at that. It was strange, seeing Hades be so parental. But at the same time…it was nice.

Mal didn't need to be told twice, even if she was a little surprised at the offer. All she'd done was deliver one order to him. It wasn't as if they had a working relationship.

I wonder if he's trying to overthrow Maleficent as ruler of the Isle? Mal thought as she waited for the food. That might explain why he's being so nice, he wants to know Maleficent's weaknesses.

"Mal, if I wanted to overthrow Maleficent, I'd have done so years before you were born," Hades said with amusement in his voice.

"You don't want the power?" Zeus asked.

"Not if it means idiots are going to constantly coming up to me asking me to solve their problems," Hades stated.

Mal didn't want to be the one to tell Hades that Maleficent had practically no weaknesses or if she did, they weren't known to Mal. Maleficent didn't become ruler of the Isle by broadcasting things that could be used to take her down.

Tell me something I don't know, Evie thought with a small frown that quickly faded as she reminded herself about the potential for wrinkles.

That being said, Mal wasn't going to overlook free food—especially since she skipped breakfast and had dinner withheld from her.

Hades growled slightly at the thought of Mal going without food. If he happened to hear a small growl coming from Poseidon and Hercules as well, he didn't comment on it.

"Here you go," Hades said, bringing a plate of what she usually ordered. "Enjoy."

Mal nodded and dug in, eating ravenously as the meal continued to be the same quality as all of Lord Hades' dishes. Mal honestly didn't know how the God did it but she didn't particularly care. At this point, she'd eat some of the food from Boreadon if it meant getting something in her stomach.

"Were you talking from the delivery barges or from Boreadon proper?" Harry asked.

"Probably the barges but Boreadon proper probably wouldn't have been too bad either," Mal nodded.

Hades frowned from his spot in the kitchen as he cleaned up his work area. While he hadn't expected a fight over the food, he had at least expected a little resistance. Mal was the daughter of two very stubborn individuals after all.

"Yeah, stubborn is a good word to describe you and Aunt Steph," Uma nodded, giving Hades a cheeky grin.

Still, the pace Mal was eating…it was troubling to say the least. Maleficent got first pick of the food that was delivered to the Isle so it wasn't as if Mal was lacking in terms of access to food.

"Just because I had access to it doesn't mean I was given it," Mal stated.

"I still can't believe she'd do that," Jane shook her head. "I mean—."

"She's a villain," Mal said flatly. "What, did you think she'd turn over a new leaf just because she had a kid?"

"Slow down," Hades called as he walked over to her. "You eat any faster, you could bite your tongue off."

"Already turning on that parental side," Persephone smiled and kissed Hades' cheek.

Mal nodded and slowed down a bit. "Can't help it," she said. "Someone could come by and take it."

"In an empty restaurant?" Jane asked.

"You'd be surprised," Carlos told her, his voice soft. "You get food, you guard it with your life."

Hades looked around at the empty restaurant. "And who would that be? It wouldn't be me, I ate already."

Mal shrugged and Hades frowned as he noticed a purple mark on Mal's right arm as her sleeve seemed to rise up her arm.

"What was I wearing with sleeves that day?" Mal muttered to herself.

"Why does that even matter Mal?" Uma asked.

"Because I didn't have my jacket yet and most if not all of my shirts were short sleeved," Mal said with a shrug.

"Oh yeah!" Uma nodded.

"You guys aren't upset about Mal having a bruise?" Ben asked. Most of the Auradon Royals seemed furious at the idea that someone would hurt a child. That Maleficent would hurt her child…err would hurt Lady Persephone's child?

Speaking of the Goddess, she and Lord Hades were glaring daggers at the scroll. It was honestly impressive that it hadn't caught fire by that point.

The girls shrugged. "Why be upset about something that already happened?"

"Where'd you get that?" Hades asked, and Mal followed his gaze to her right arm.

"Bumped my arm on a doorknob," Mal muttered, pulling her sleeve back down.

Fairy Godmother shook her head. While physical abuse wasn't common in Auradon, in fact it was pretty much non existent, she still had to read a book on warning signs to look out for before she became headmistress. An excuse like that set off warning bells in her head.

It wasn't her best lie but she didn't particularly care. It's not like Lord Hades would notice. "Why do you care?"

Hades shook his head. It would be a cold day in his Underworld when he fell for a poor lie like that, especially from his daughter. "You want to try that one again?"

"Ooh Mal! Your dad's not going to fall for a bad lie like that!" Uma smirked.

"I don't have to answer to you," Mal said, standing up and giving Hades a glare.

"Technically you do," Kitty said. "While you didn't know he was your dad then, he does have you in a deal where you report to him."

"That was a fine loophole you just found," Hades nodded and then turned to Persephone. "I like her."

"We're going to end up with every royal kid of Auradon under our protection aren't we?" Persephone asked.

"Just the ones I like."

"I bumped my arm. End of story."

"Mal Bertha, you're going to tell me the truth!"

"Ooh the double name, right out the gate!" Kitty said, sounding impressed.

"Lord Hades might have just given himself away though," Lucy pointed out.

Hades didn't mean to use Mal's middle name, it honestly just slipped out. But his five year old daughter was not that great of a liar, even if she thought she was.

"Maybe not at five," Mal smirked.

"And if you're not talking to your dad," Uma teased, causing Mal to form a pale flush to her cheeks.

There was only one person, one entity, with the clout and the protection to dare to injure Maleficent's daughter. Unfortunately, that person was the Dragon herself and the thought of Maleficent laying a talon on Mal was enough to get Hades' blood boiling.

You're not the only one brother, Poseidon thought as his hands curled into fists. He didn't know his niece well but the thought of someone laying a hand on her!

"How'd you know that?" Mal asked, her eyes wide in shock, as she looked up at Hades. She hadn't told anyone her middle name, mainly because it was just too horrible.

"Really?" Emir asked. "My last name is 'Bobolonius'. You still think Bertha's that bad?"

"Yes," Mal said, her voice flat.

She hadn't expected anything prissy like 'Aurora' but couldn't Maleficent had given her something better than Bertha?

Aurora couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at her lips as she heard that. No child should hate their name that much.

"Honestly, Aurora is a fine name!" Leah scoffed. "It means 'the dawn'. Her father and I chose it because she filled our lives with sunshine."

All the VKs looked at each other and then back at Leah. "What's sun?"

"I feel like they're messing with Leah," Chip muttered to Ben. "And if that's the case, I approve wholeheartedly."

"Your mother told me," Hades said, thinking on his feet. It wasn't a lie—Maleficent had told him Mal's name when she was born. "I was there when you were born."

"Really?" Poseidon asked, looking at Hades. "And you thought the doorknob excuse was a bad lie?"

"You try thinking on the fly!" Hades rolled his eyes.

Mal shook her head. "You're lying," she said as she got up. Maleficent would never have allowed anyone other than Lady Tremaine as acting midwife into the room when she was vulnerable—and she especially would never allow Lord Hades anywhere near her or Mal after the birth.

Cinderella tilted her head as she heard her stepmother's name be used as the acting midwife but didn't interrupt. She could tell that this was a rather…emotional moment for Mal and it would be cruel if it were to get drawn out.

"Mal—"

"I gotta go," Mal said as she rushed out of the restaurant.

Mal stared directly at the scroll, avoiding eye contact with anyone. If one were to look closely at her face, they'd see a faint flush to her cheeks at the thought of running away from a problem. She didn't run. She fought.

If Lord Hades was going to lie right to her face, then Mal wasn't going to spend any more time than necessary there. She'd still be his errand rat but that was it.

She wasn't an idiot after all. Free food was free food, even if it was prepared by a liar.

"Plus you know the whole not knowing where the next meal's going to come from thing," Celia chimed in.

Hades watched as Mal left the restaurant, the front door slamming breaking the quiet of the empty front room.

Mal paused and looked over at her mom.

"Yes?" Persephone asked, noticing the look.

"I need a 'language pass' for this," Mal told her.

"Granted, only because I'm curious."

"Shit."

"Hades!" Persephone exclaimed.

"I thought I blew my chance at getting Mal back," Hades said.

Mal sighed. "There. I read. Never again."

"I'll read!" Hadie grinned.

"Didn't you already read?" Mal asked. "Let someone else go, storm cloud."

Jay chuckled. "I'll read then."

Chapter 13 Chapter Text

Jay chuckled as he grabbed the scroll. "Alright, let's see what madness this one has to offer."

Four weeks had gone by since Lord Hades had used Mal's middle name and the incident had been living in Mal's head ever since.

"You thought about it for a month?" Hades asked.

Mal nodded. "I mean…it's not like I could talk to Maleficent about it," she said with a shrug.

She replayed it over and over again, even when she didn't want to; as if looking at all possible angles for something she was missing.

Audrey didn't want to think about the fact that she had something in common with a VK, let alone the daughter of Maleficent. But she would do the same thing if the cheer squad was having trouble with a routine. She'd look at it from every possible angle to see what the issue was.

Why had Lord Hades even cared? He wasn't the type of villain to worry about what others did, or about the welfare of a child. After all, if the stories Gaston Jr had spread around the kids of the Isle were true, Lord Hades was one of the few villains to target a baby. Probably the first one really, considering he was a God.

"You actually listened to his dribble?" Harry scoffed. "He's got less brains than Gil."

"Hey sometimes he can be right about something," Mal said. "Besides he wasn't talking to me. He was chatting up some of the older VK girls and trying to impress them with what he knew about the adult villains."

"That makes more sense."

Hmm, maybe that's why Maleficent doesn't like him, Mal thought as she dropped off the order at the restaurant. After all, she prides herself on being an original. Another villain going after a baby, especially a God, would make it seem like she couldn't come up with her own ideas.

"Trust me kiddo, there are numerous reasons why that loon doesn't like me," Hades chuckled.

"What kind of loon is she Lord Hades?" Emir asked with a grin.

"Why an evil loon I believe," Hades said with another chuckle.

Ben sighed and shook his head in amusement.

Mal quickly made her way out of the restaurant without saying a word despite being a little hungry, not wanting Lord Hades the chance to lie to her again. Even if his food was good and the bruise on her arm had healed to the point that it was unnoticeable if her sleeve slid up again, Mal didn't want to take that chance.

"Hey! Uma! Stop that!" Mal said as Uma whacked her on the shoulder.

"Nope! You walked away from food! Gods, why are you so freaking stubborn?"

"I'm not stubborn!"

"Agree to disagree Mali!"

Instead Mal started making her way back to Maleficent's.

"That's an interesting way to say the clubhouse," Harry stated with a frown.

It was horrible but Maleficent was always horrible. She was always cruel. She was always consistent.

Consistency wasn't something often found on the Isle so when you found it, you tried to make the best of it.

"Hey that's not true! The food is consistently awful!" Jay spoke up.

"Freddy is consistently a nuisance," Uma nodded.

"The sky is consistently covered with clouds," Harry added.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Mal chuckled.

Lord Hades had been consistent. He was honest…until he wasn't with the deal involving Mal's middle name.

"Technically, I didn't lie," Hades smirked.

"Yeah, I know that now," Mal chuckled.

Something though caught Mal's eye as she walked past the window of the restaurant and she paused, though she couldn't tell you why. Lord Hades was getting the front of house ready for the lunch rush, though Mal didn't understand why. Hardly anyone ate in the restaurant, preferring to eat on their own turf.

"Some of the younger VKs like to eat in the restaurant though," Uma pointed out. "It's a safer place to do so, considering it's neutral grounds."

"Yeah, but those are the ones not in a gang," Mal added. "The ones too young for a certain practice that I won't say because of the younger ears."

"I'm not a baby Mal!" Hadie exclaimed.

Mal looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "I was talking about Celia and Dizzy but thank you for reminding me that you applied to that too."

Why hasn't he tried to escape yet? Mal thought as she watched through the front window. After all, he's a God. Wouldn't that be enough to counter the barrier that's mainly Fairy magic? I mean, the only other fairy powerful enough to trap a God would be the Blue Fairy but Maleficent always said she was more of a neutral party; preferring to not get involved on either side.

"See I would have but someone reinforced the barrier," Hades said, giving Zeus a look.

That was probably the nicest thing Maleficent had ever said about another fairy and she hadn't actually said it to Mal. Mal just happened to be in the room while Maleficent had been plotting. One of the goblins had made the foolish suggestion of Maleficent reaching out to the other fairy folk in Auradon or the Moors for help.

"He actually suggested Maleficent reach out for help?" Jay asked.

"That goblin's no longer with us I take it," Harry nodded.

That goblin hadn't been seen from since.

"I feel that I should feel sympathy for the goblin," Phillip Sr. stated. "However, as probably the only one here who had been tied up by said creatures, I can't really find it in me to do so."

"Fair enough," Mal and Hades said with a nod.

"Yeah we don't really care for them much ourselves," Harry nodded.

Jay snorted. "I steal their helmets from them and they buy them back from dad, not realizing that they're the same helmets."

'How thick can you get?" Evan asked.

"You're talking about the same creatures that searched baby cradles for sixteen years?" Rachel asked him.

Mal tilted her head as she studied the God of the Dead, who was still seemingly unaware that she was watching him. She wasn't going to lie, there was something familiar about him. Obviously, she knew him since they had a partnership but that wasn't what she meant.

Hades couldn't help but smile as he heard that, glad to know that his daughter had remembered him if only slightly.

She couldn't help but feel safe when she was around Lord Hades, like no matter what happened he'd be there. It was stupid since she'd only really known him for a few weeks but the feeling was there.

"Well, the few weeks of the partnership but the few months you stayed in the Underworld as a baby," Ariel added.

And maybe it was just a trick of the light but did Lord Hades' chin look like Mal's?

Emir and Akiho tilted their heads, looking from Hades to Mal as if they were spectators at a tennis match.

"Do I…do I want to know?" Hades asked as he noticed this.

"They're probably trying to see if your chins truly are similar," Ashaki said with a sigh at her older brother's antics.

Shaking her head, Mal started making her way back to Maleficent's; the incident from a couple of weeks ago playing in the back of her mind. Why had Lord Hades known her middle name? It wasn't like it was a guess either—'Bertha' wasn't that common of a middle name. Mal knew Lord Hades had said Maleficent had told him but that just didn't make sense.

"Because Maleficent would never reveal something like that," Persephone nodded.

Maleficent hated Lord Hades with all her power; honestly Mal thought that Maleficent might have hated Hades more than she hated Leah, Stefan and Phillip.

"Hmm, nope. No 'might' about it, I'm positive she hates me more than she hates Queen Bat over there," Hades nodded. "Good thing I happen to hate her more than I hate Zeusey so it evens out."

"More than Zeus? Really?" Persephone asked.

"It's a close one but she just eeks out a win," Hades nodded.

Oh sure, she acted like she hated Aurora but Mal knew Maleficent still had a soft spot in her heart for her 'Beastie'.

Aurora couldn't help but give a small, sad sigh as she heard that. A sigh that was covered up by Leah's scoff of disgust.

Or at least, that's what Mal assumed based off of Maleficent's rants and plots. Mal barely heard Aurora's name mentioned.

"That hardly means anything!" Leah exclaimed.

"Did your mother have to be here?" Phillip Sr. muttered to Aurora.

Mal sighed; she wished she could make sense of it.

"Well dear you were five," Fairy Godmother said in her typical gentle tone.

Lord Hades didn't act like adults on the Isle normally acted. He made it so kids had some way of getting food and made it so it was good food. He had come to her aid when Frollo had her cornered in that alleyway.

"Well I mean dad's more of an anti-hero anyway," Mal shrugged. "Hey! Kinda like Beastie!"

"Excuse me?!" Beast exclaimed.

"Kidnapping and holding a woman prisoner are considered heroic traits now?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow. "And let's not forget about the fact that you set up the Isle where you brought people back from the dead because…what was the reason again dad?"

"Death was too good for villains," Hades stated with a glare.

"Ah right," Mal nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Chip chuckled. "It's going to be interesting, having her in Auradon," he muttered to Ben.

So why would he treat her like an idiot and lie about how he knew her middle name? There were only three people on the Isle who would know that anyway. Mal obviously, Maleficent and…her father.

"By Jove, I think she's got it!" Chip said with a grin.

"You're the reason why Emir and Akiho are they way that they are, aren't you?" Ben asked.

"Considering you've only known your friends since you were four and you've known me much longer than that, what do you think Benji?"

There's no way Lord Hades is my father.

"Never say never Mali," Hades chuckled.

He would have mentioned that when he set up the alliance or Maleficent would have boasted it to the heavens. She may hate him but the dragon is so power-hungry that having a daughter who's half god would guarantee her control of the Isle. Not to mention her little rivalry with the Evil Queen would be over; there's no way Queenie or her daughter could top that.

Evie sighed softly. Mal had a point there, her mother would likely be furious if she ever found out that Maleficent had a child with Hades.

"Maleficent and the Evil Queen are rivals?" Ben asked.

"Oh yeah," Mal nodded. "About every two years or so, Queenie tries to do a power grab from the Dragon. It doesn't end well for her."

"Okay," Ben nodded. "Well it's nice you and Evie can be friends despite the—."

Mal burst out into laughter, cutting Ben off mid sentence.

"I have a feeling they're not friends Benji," Chip said, shaking his head at Mal's laughter.

"You got that right," Uma nodded.

Ben nodded slowly. Mal's not going to like it when she finds out who her roommate is then, he thought.

Still, why else would Lord Hades know her middle name? Why would he care about a bruise on her arm? Why would he make sure she slowed down and didn't hurt herself when she was rushing through her food?

"The last two could be excused by the alliance but the middle name one is hard to explain away," Jay nodded.

I need to talk to Uma, Mal thought and turned on her heel to Ursula's Fish and Chips. She knew Uma would be working but hopefully she'd just be on dish duty right now. Entering the restaurant that always stunk of fish and seaweed, Mal looked for her friend and ally; scanning the restaurant for a glimpse of that familiar bright blue hair.

"Her father's Poseidon, God of the Sea, and she runs a restaurant that serves…fish?" Neal asked.

"Food is food," Uma shrugged, not noticing the frown on Ariel, Elle, and Melody's face as well as the one on Poseidon's.

"Hey dragon breath," Uma's voice sounded from behind her and Mal had to work to not jump.

"I knew I startled you!" Uma said with a smirk.

"What are you doing here? Thought you spent most of your time at Lord Hades' place now?"

"I need to talk to you," Mal said, turning around to look at the other girl who had her arms filled with dirty dishes. "That is unless you're busy, octo-girl?"

She's five…there's no childhood in working in a restaurant, Snow thought with a frown. She should be out running around with her friends.

Uma chuckled. "Come on, I need to put these dishes in the back. We can talk there. Mama's in the back office but the door's shut. As long as a customer doesn't start a fight, she never comes out."

"That's no way to run a business," Audrey sniffed.

"I'm ignoring her," Uma muttered to Mal. "Otherwise we'll never leave and something tells me if we're here for much longer, Freddy'll make a move on our territory."

"Henry and the others won't let him," Mal shook her head.

Mal nodded and the two girls made their way back into the kitchen, where Uma put the handful of dirty plates she had been holding into the sink. Said sink was already overflowing with dishes but no one seemed to mind considering Mal and Uma were the only two people back there.

"You know it just occurred to me," Mal said, turning to Uma. "There's no running water on the Isle. How'd you clean those dishes?"

"Went out back and washed them in the Cove of course," Uma grinned.

"Okay," Uma said and turned to Mal. "What did you want to talk about?"

Mal took a breath to steady her nerves. "How did you know Facilier was your father?"

"Not even going to ease into it, are you Mali?" Harry chuckled.

Uma blinked, as if not expecting that question. "I asked mama," she said after a moment's pause.

"Just like that?" Mal asked. "You just asked your mom who your dad was?"

Ariel sighed. It honestly didn't seem like Ursula had changed all that much—she hoped it hadn't turned out poorly for Uma.

"Well no," Uma chuckled. "After I met dad, he acted weird. Always telling me to make sure I got my cut and to try to get friends on the other side. Plus Freddie always seemed to be looking out for me whenever I found myself on dad's turf. After about a few of weeks of that, I asked mama."

"And you're still alive?" Jay asked.

"I thought we didn't like Freddy?" Akiho asked before Uma could answer Jay's question.

"Freddie with an 'ie' is the one we like, she's Uma's sister," Harry stated. "Freddy with a 'y' is the spawn of Satan himself."

"And she told you?"

"Not in so many words," Uma said. "So I asked dad. You know the motto of the Isle: Villains always lie. But mama and dad don't really talk to each other much so it's not like they could match up their stories."

"Remember that saying Rick used to have?" Mal said with a sad smile as she thought about her former crew member.

"Oh yeah. 'If your best mate says they tolerate you, ask your other best mate to verify,'" Uma nodded.

Mal nodded. "So Facilier told you?" She asked to confirm what Uma had said.

"That's what she said!" Audrey said, rolling her eyes. "Keep up why don't you?"

"Audrey!" Aurora exclaimed. "That's two weekends now, you want to make it three?"

"Yep," Uma nodded and frowned. "Mal, why are you asking about fathers? You never ask about them."

Mal shrugged. "Just curious. You're one of the few kids on the Isle who knows who both your parents are," she said. It wasn't worth the risk of it getting back to Maleficent before Mal was ready to broach the subject.

"You know I wouldn't have said anything Mal," Uma told her.

"I know," Mal nodded. "But the wrong person listening by the door? It may have only been pirates but you know Maleficent tried to have spies wherever she could."

"Well do you want to be curious while you help me with the dishes?" Uma asked with a smirk.

Mal chuckled. "Sorry Um, but I got to get going. Maleficent won't be happy if I show up late."

"Honestly I think Maleficent wasn't happy to see me at all," Mal shrugged.

"Was the Dragon ever happy?" Jay countered.

"Good point Jay, good point."

Uma nodded and Mal left the kitchen, heading out of the restaurant. There wasn't anyone else she could talk to about their parents—Harry had known his mother but talking about Milah right now just made Harry mad. Mal was in a bind but she wasn't that desperate that she'd make her crew mate upset.

Harry shot Mal a small smile, a smile that Mal readily returned. She was just sorry that these scrolls seemed to constantly bring up Milah.

She wasn't that close to Jay that she could ask the older boy about his mom. Jacqueline, of Jack and the Beanstalk infamy,

"I thought Jack was a guy?"

"Don't always assume a guy's a guy," Lonnie said with a smile as she looked at her mom. "Sometimes they're a girl kicking all the guys' butts!"

"Are you actually praising a villain?!" Audrey exclaimed.

"It's not like Jacqueline did anything to any of us," Lonnie said with a slight shrug. "Unless you're secretly a giant, Audrey?"

had been one of the few good parents the Isle had. So of course, the Isle had to take her when Jay was four.

Snow gasped and her hands flew to her mouth, while tears prickled in the corners or Rapunzel's eyes.

And that's another reason why I didn't say anything negative, Lonnie thought, glancing over at Jay. She could see he had tensed up a little when they started talking about his mom and…villain or not you don't speak ill of the dead.

Unless it's the Matchmaker. Damn that woman.

Maleficent had already partnered with Jafar at that point so Mal had hazy memories of Jay walking around Maleficent's 'castle', holding back tears.

Gee, thanks Mal. I didn't know you noticed that, Jay thought, holding back a sigh as Harry rested a hand on his shoulder. If you noticed then it's probably likely dad noticed too.

Besides, Jay's a bit too dangerous of an option. He may be a thief but his dad's still in league with Maleficent, Mal thought. The odds of it getting back to Maleficent were too high if Mal talked to Jay.

"I think Mal's got issues trusting us," Jay tried to joke as he tried to shove down the feeling of 'hurt' that came upon hearing that Mal didn't trust him not to go to the Dragon.

"Nah, just you and Uma," Harry grinned.

There were only two options remaining to her, and the one Mal was considering was probably the most dangerous option she had. She'd have to talk to Maleficent about her father face to face. It was a lot safer than Maleficent finding out Mal was asking about her father around the Isle.

"Didn't you just say it was the more dangerous option?" Rose asked.

"And yet it was still safer than Maleficent finding out through gossip," Mal told her.

Oh Gods, please let her be in a good mood, Mal thought as she entered her home. Either that, or please make it so I can easily access the exits if needed. I don't think I could take another 'punishment' right now.

Hades glared at the scroll in Jay's hands. She lays a talon on my daughter, I'll make sure she doesn't live to see another day!

Mal knew where Maleficent was, it was the same place she always was. Her little throne room was where most of her plotting was done and where she met with her allies, like Jafar and Cruella. Mal didn't fully understand why her birth giver had paired up with Cruella over other magic users like Madam Mim. The hunters had their gang, why not make it so Maleficent's gang was only magic users?

"Please, I'd rather Cruella than Mim," Mal scoffed.

"Yeah, at least DeVil won't be another Maddy," Uma nodded.

Ben tilted his head. "Maddy?"

"Mad Maddy, Mim's granddaughter," Jay explained. "From what I've gathered from rants on the subject, she and Mal used to be friends."

"Until the little Caster thought it better to strike out on her own because she was tired of being in my 'shadow'," Mal growled.

"Ah," Ben nodded. Note to self, if I bring over Maddy, she and Mal should not room together, he thought.

Besides, Cruella's son was a wimp. Only three years old but cowered like a baby. It was almost pitiful. The Isle was going to swallow him whole if DeVil didn't toughen up.

"Gee thanks Mal," Carlos muttered under his breath. He knew he wasn't the toughest but did she have to phrase it like that?! He didn't need the Auradon kids' pity!

Thankfully, Maleficent was alone when Mal entered the room.

"Is that really something to be thankful for?" Elle asked.

"Mother?" Mal said, thankful she hadn't called Maleficent by her name again. Her arm may have healed but her ribs still smarted.

No one commented on the slight growls heard from the Olympus contingent though Estelle did pick up one of his heads and look over in confusion.

"What?" Maleficent snapped, turning toward Mal who had grown silent upon hearing Maleficent. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. "Spit it out."

"She's not the most patient is she?" Neal muttered to Emma.

"Why does Lord Hades know my middle name?" Mal asked, the question coming out of her mouth a bit faster than normal as to prevent losing her nerve.

"How should I know what that has-been God knows or doesn't know?" Maleficent scoffed.

"Huh, she must have been in a good mood," Hades noted. "That's tame for her."

Mal took a breath and looked at Maleficent. "It's just, mother, there's only three people on the Isle who would or should know my middle name. You, me…and my father."

Maleficent's eyes flashed and Mal backed up a tad, making sure the doorway was still right behind her in case she needed to make a quick getaway.

"Smart, know your exits," Jay nodded but he was tense. He didn't like the idea of Mal being alone in a room with Maleficent.

"I told you never to mention that weakling in my presence!" Maleficent growled, leaning forward in her chair.

Mal nodded. "Yes mother, you did. But when I have the Lord of the Underworld knowing information that only my father would know, I thought I would ask. Uma knows who her father is, don't I have the right to know who mine is too?"

"And now you run," Harry said. He knew perfectly well what words could trigger a 'punishment' and he didn't want to read about Mal getting one too.

Ben frowned as he heard that and reaffirmed his vow that he'd get more kids off the Isle. No matter what it took. Kids shouldn't have to fear getting information from their parents.

"You brought my name into that!" Uma exclaimed.

"I thought it might appeal to her sense of wanting to be better than everyone else," Mal shrugged.

Maleficent seemed to still and Mal wondered if she had stepped too far over the line. It was risky enough to talk about her father but to tell Maleficent that Mal had the right to know her father's identity?

Maybe Uma will say some nice words when the dragon kills me, Mal thought, nervously eyeing Maleficent.

"I would but I'd rather not considering you're not dying!" Uma exclaimed.

"The only thing you have the right to know is that your father was a weakling who walked out on the both of us," Maleficent told her, the tone of her voice dangerously low. "He didn't want you. If you want to be a weakling like him and believe whatever stupid fantasy you concocted in your head, have at it!"

"Amazing, everything she said couldn't have been more wrong," Phillip Sr. said, shaking his head.

"Fine, mother, I will!" Mal shouted, her own nerve startling her, and turned on her heel;

"You actually said that to Maleficent's face and lived?" Jay asked in amazement.

"Honestly I think she was too stunned to actually do anything," Mal shrugged.

surprised Maleficent hadn't decided Mal needed to learn another lesson in respect. Then again, there was always the chance Maleficent would teach her that lesson later.

"She even tries, she'll have to go through me," Hades vowed.

"Uh dad? Already happened," Mal pointed out. "And she didn't. I spent the night in the clubhouse, figured it'd be safer."

"Sword offer is still available—."

"Phillip, enough!"

Heading back out to the Isle, Mal sighed. Maleficent had been a bust but what had Mal really expected? For the older fairy to sit Mal on her lap and tell her that, yes, the Lord of the Underworld had been her father?

Mal sighed. There was a tiny part of her back then that had longed for such an interaction. But that was Boreadon thinking. Such a thing would never happen on the Isle.

Honestly I think I might have run out of the room screaming if that had happened, Mal thought with a frown. Maleficent on a rampage, ranting in anger? That Mal could handle. But the thought of Maleficent being nice, even in her own head, was truly terrifying.

"Screaming? Seriously?" Audrey shook her head.

"No, no, Mal has a point," Phillip Jr. nodded.

There was only option left now if Mal wanted to know the truth. The problem was, she'd have to go to the man she had accused of lying to her.

Gods don't take insults well, Mal thought as she made her way along the path back to Lord Hades' restaurant. I mean, Athena turned Arachne into a spider because she claimed she was better at spinning and weaving than her. What would Hades do to me for calling him a liar?

"…consider it a compliment considering we're all trapped on an Isle filled with liars?" Hades proposed. "I mean, yeah sure, it's not the nicest thing but I'm sure I've been called far worse by people in this room."

As he finished his sentence, Hades shot a look to Zeus.

The only silver lining Mal could think of was the fact that there was no one in the restaurant at the time Mal had said that. No witnesses meant Lord Hades wouldn't be too rough with his revenge. Right?

"It's Hades," Poseidon pointed out. "He'd get his revenge upon death rather than take it out on the living."

Hades smirked. "This is very true brother."

Plus, the barrier meant there wasn't a chance of fireballs. Mal could easily escape if Hades tried to lay a hand on her but fireballs would allow Lord Hades the luxury of distance.

"I didn't realize he could still flame up," Mal stated as people started to look at her. "I was five."

Opening the door, Mal wasn't surprised to see the restaurant was dead inside. It had only been three hours since she dropped off the delivery. Despite the fact that it was called the lunch rush, there was never really much of a rush. Dinner was the more popular time, considering most villains hadn't eaten all day and were usually desperate.

Ben held back a wince at that, feeling once again as if he'd been punched in the gut. His parents were the ones who set up the Isle. Why hadn't they checked on things? Made sure the quality of the food going to the Isle was the same quality as the food they got?

"What can I get you?" Hades asked from the counter, his back to Mal.

"I'd settle for answers," Mal said softly and Hades turned around to face her.

"Mal?" Hades asked as if shocked to see her in the restaurant. "You already dropped the delivery off. You don't have to stop by here twice in one day."

"She might have been there for food," Emma pointed out.

Mal couldn't help but smirk a little at that before sobering back up. This was her one chance to find out the truth. She didn't want to blow it.

"Can I ask you a question?" Mal asked, walking closer to Lord Hades.

"You just did," Chip chuckled.

"Well you technically already did but you can ask another one," Hades told her, leaning on the counter. He smiled at her; he had been worried that he had blown his chance at building a relationship with her after the whole 'middle name' debacle four weeks ago.

"Hey, I think like Lord Hades!" Chip grinned.

"Oh Gods help us all," Poseidon chuckled and Hades shook his head at his little brother.

Mal bit her lip in thought, trying to figure out how to word her question in a way that wouldn't wind up with her being smote.

"I wouldn't smite you for asking a question," Hades shook his head, all the while vowing to find a way to smite Maleficent for putting the doubt in Mal's head.

"Mal, you can ask your question," Hades said with a small smile and Mal sighed. She gathered up her courage and asked the question that had been growing in her mind all day. She didn't even care if it gave Lord Hades something over her; at this point she just wanted an answer.

"Why would that give Lord Hades something over you?" Phillip Jr. asked.

"Exposes a weakness," Mal stated, her voice flat.

"Are you my father?"

"That's it," Jay said.

"Wait, that's where it ends?" Lucy exclaimed.

"Yep," Jay nodded. "You know, I think it's been a while since our last break. Does anyone—?"

"No! Almost all of the Auradon Kids exclaimed.

"Please Jay? Just one more scroll?" Dizzy asked.

Jay chuckled. "Well if someone else wants to read, I won't fight them."

"I'll read!" Lucy said instantly.

"They do know what happened already right? I mean I'm sitting right next to you and calling you 'dad'," Mal muttered to Hades.

"I think it's all the sun. Makes their brains soft," Hades muttered back to her.

Chapter 14 Chapter Text

Lucy quickly grabbed a scroll and tore off the ribbon.

"Hurry up!" Alexandria exclaimed.

"I'm moving as fast as I can!" Lucy told her and unfurled the scroll.

Hades could honestly say that he had not expected that question to come from Mal. At the very least he had expected it when she was a lot older, like maybe thirteen or so.

Mal raised an eyebrow. "Really? You use my middle name and you think I wouldn't ask questions until I was a teenager?"

"In my defense, it just slipped out," Hades shrugged.

But he saw no reason to lie to the girl, especially since she was coming to him for the answers.

"After all, she might not take it all that well if she realized you lied to her later on," Phillip Jr. spoke up.

"…he may have a point," Mal muttered.

If anything, she'd probably be a lot more likely to believe him since she was coming to him instead of vice versa.

"This is true," Jay nodded. After all, that was pretty much the case for every one of the kids on the Isle.

"Yes Mal, I am," he said after a few minutes of silence, giving a nod as if accentuating his point. Mal tilted her head as if in thought and Hades couldn't help but be amused. So she did get something from me, at least behavior wise, he thought considering his daughter was pretty much a Maleficent clone though the purple hair was entirely her own.

Mal bristled at the thought of being called a Maleficent clone though smiled at the fact that she'd gotten something from her dad.

"Of course Mal's hair's her own," Uma grinned. "No one could try to be Mal!"

"Why would they want to?" Audrey muttered under her breath.

Her green eyes though were one hundred percent Maleficent however Mal's eyes shown with a fire that was different than that of his ex-wife's. While Maleficent's seemed to shine with rage, Mal's shone with a curiosity and a passion that had yet to be extinguished by life on the Isle or with Maleficent.

Belle couldn't help but smile at that, happy that the young girl was able to keep those desires alive. If one looked closely, they could still see that curiosity and passion shining in Mal's eyes even though it was clear she tried to keep it hidden.

One could argue, however, that Mal's lean frame could come from Hades.

"It is true that the Goddesses tend to be more lean than the Gods," Hera nodded.

"Not necessarily. You've seen Narcissus and Hermes," Demeter told her.

Compared to my brothers, I'm not the most muscular of the Gods, Hades thought. But the Fae were always seen as lean creatures themselves. Maleficent was no body builder after all.

"So I just got the image in my head of Maleficent curling like fifty pound dumbbells," Chip chuckled.

Persephone leaned over and kissed Hades' cheek. "I happen to think you look the best of all of them," she whispered. "Who needs big and bulky?"

Hades smiled at her and kissed her cheek in return.

Plus Mal's been on an Isle where rotten food is the main course. As much as I can try at the restaurant, I'm still working with the food Auradon sends us. Gods, if only I could get my hands on something fresh!

"You mean in addition to the fish, right dad?" Mal asked.

"And the chicken," Uma added.

"Of course," Hades nodded.

"Why did you leave?" Mal asked, her voice soft and breaking Hades out of his thoughts. "Mal—Mother always said that my father walked out on her and me."

"Yeah well she's an evil loon so let's not take what she says to heart," Melody nodded.

"Seriously? Are you all going to start calling the Dragon an evil loon?" Mal asked.

"I don't see why not," Akiho grinned.

Hades sighed and walked around the counter. This was a conversation that he would need to be sitting down to have. Quickly walking to the door and locking it as to not be disturbed, he sat down at one of the tables. Mal quickly followed suit, scrambling into one of the chairs as fast as she could as to not delay getting the information.

Many of the parents in attendance smiled at the image that paragraph had produced. There was a child's innocence there, eager at the prospect of getting information, and they were happy to see that the Isle hadn't completely eliminated that.

"I'm not going to lie and say I tried to stay," Hades said once Mal got settled. Hades had never noticed before how Mal seemed to be too small to sit comfortably in the chairs.

"Seriously?!" Mal grumbled. Ben bit his lip to keep a chuckle from escaping at her reaction. He couldn't help it—it was cute.

She must have been sitting on her knees, he thought and made the resolve to get something to act as a booster. Maybe a phone book—Auradon threw enough of those away that he could pretend it was extra padding for the seat. "In fact, I left your mother when you were about three weeks old."

"Why?" Mal asked.

"Did you miss the part where we said she was an evil loon?" Neal asked and chuckled as Melody gave him a high five.

Mal sighed. "Who started this 'evil loon' thing?"

"Pretty sure it was you," Hadie chuckled.

"When?!"

"When you gave Ben's shadows carte blanche to call Maleficent an evil loon," Chip shook his head in amusement as Emir and Akiho high fived.

"Your mother. She's…she's not the easiest to get along with. I didn't want to have you live in a home where your parents were always fighting," Hades told her, even if that wasn't truthfully the reason why he left. He just couldn't stand being around Maleficent a moment longer.

"And no one blames you for that," Demeter nodded.

"I…I think your mother just complimented me," Hades muttered to Persephone. "Has the world ended and I missed it?"

"You know, I think saying that Maleficent isn't the easiest to get along with is an understatement," Phillip Jr. stated.

However, while he may have hated the fairy, he wasn't going to trash Maleficent in front of Mal. Though, judging by Mal's comment about him, it was clear that Maleficent did not return the favor.

"No! Whatever gave you that idea?!"

"Neal!" Snow and David exclaimed, clearly worried that Hades would take offense. But all Hades did was chuckle.

"You think I'd be offended by a sarcastic teen? I live on the Isle. That's all the teenagers are," he said, shaking his head. "You Auradonians need to loosen up."

"But Mal, I want you to know I never left you. In fact, you lived with me until you were four months old."

Hey dad?

Yeah Mali?

Is…is it weird that I'm a little thankful for these scrolls? I can at least remember those months with you now.

…it's not weird at all Mali. I'm thankful for them too

Mal bit her lip, unsure as to whether she should believe him. After all, she was living with Maleficent without him. That was a pretty clear sign that he had left her behind.

Or that you were stolen, Hercules thought with an inward sigh. You should have grown up with Uncle Hades, Mal. If only my father had actually provide assistance when asked. Had I known…I would have helped. I would hope at least.

But Maleficent always lies, she thought. Why should we believe her now? After all, she said my father was weak and mortal. It certainly takes strength to tell Maleficent no and clearly he's not mortal if he's a God.

"Mal's right you know," Persephone whispered to Hades, wrapping her arms around him in a small hug. It certainly had taken strength to tell Maleficent no but that wasn't the only way in which her husband was strong. Judging the souls, seeing the kids come into his Underworld and not breaking entirely…

"You're my strength for that," Hades whispered to her, somehow knowing what she was thinking. "You and Mal and Hadie. Every time I get a bunch of kids to judge, at the end of the day I know I'll either be coming back to seeing you three in the den or getting a call from you on the portal. Plus now Mal's in Auradon. She gets to actually have a life now."

Why are we believing him though? He could be lying to try to gain power on the Isle?

"Don't want power," Hades shook his head. "Maybe I did years ago but after being trapped on the Isle I can tell you that powers just attracts the imbecilic. A quiet life with your mom, your brother and you is all I need. Oh and access to my powers. And maybe Cerberus."

Estelle lifted his head and gave Hades a doggy grin along with a soft yip.

"Okay, if I can't have Cerberus, at least I have Estelle," Hades chuckled.

"Sorry dad, he's mine," Mal shook her head.

If he was looking for a power grab, he would have claimed he was my father the moment Maleficent allowed me to walk freely around the Isle. He would have told Uma and he would have probably grabbed me back when I ran into his legs all those months ago.

But Maleficent-

Screw Maleficent! If you want to believe the dragon, go ahead but I say it's a safer bet with Hades!

"Go Mal!" Emir cheered.

"Keep at it with that line of thinking," Akiho nodded.

Hades turned to Mal. "Make allies with them. They seem like they'd be good minions."

"They seem to be spoken for," Mal said as Ben shook his head at his friends' antics.

"Steal them from Beastie Jr."

"Why did that change? I mean I'm living with mother right now. Did you change your mind?" Mal asked, breaking herself out of her thoughts, and Hades sighed. That had to be the question that was most like a slap in the face. He would never change his mind about wanting Mal.

Aurora held back a sigh as she glanced over at Leah. She wasn't going to lie, Aurora'd had similar thoughts to Mal's after the events of her sixteenth birthday. When she had wondered if the reason why her parents had sent her to live in a cottage wasn't because they were trying to protect her but because they hadn't wanted her anymore.

"Your mother had…let's call it a change of heart and wanted you back," Hades said, fudging the truth a little. He didn't want to, but how could he explain to his five year old that she had basically been a hostage for five years? That the only reason why he didn't steal her back was because of the threat to her safety?

"I mean five year olds aren't dumb per se. I think she'd handle that," Chip said with a shrug. After all, Ben had to handle the fact he wasn't becoming a big brother at three…

Demeter though glared at the scroll. When would it stop referring to Maleficent as Mal's mother? It was clear as glass that Maleficent did not act the way a mother should toward the young Godling.

"Due to the registry from Auradon and the fact that your mother had only herself listed as your parent, I had no choice but to let her have you. Otherwise she might have issued a complaint to Auradon."

"You know that's completely ridiculous," Emma said. "Lord Hades is Mal's father. He should be able to file for custody if he wanted to. We're really relying on a piece of paper that the villains fill out? Like Mal pointed out in the scroll, Maleficent always lies."

"You do have a point," Ben nodded.

"Gee, if only they had something where the villains could go and a medical professional could fill out a certificate noting both parents at the time of birth," Chip said, stroking his chin.

"Oh you mean like a birth certificate?" Akiho asked.

"That's exactly what I mean!" Chip nodded.

"And what if the villain in question doesn't state who the father is?" Macaria asked. "What, does the doctor just put 'father unknown'? Then we're back where we started."

"The registry?" Mal asked, tilting her head again. She had heard Maleficent talk about it before but she didn't really understand what it was. Hades chuckled a little at her reaction.

"Really dad?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't expect it. It was…it was so innocent that it took me off guard," Hades told her.

"It's how Auradon keeps track of the growing population of the Isle," he said and Mal nodded.

"How do they keep track of the population going in the other direction?" Mal asked and it was Hades' turn to tilt his head in slight confusion.

Cinderella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she realized just what Mal was asking about.

Five years old…she was noticing that at five years old and no one tried to make it so she didn't see it, she thought. I guess I can see now why Uma and Mal seem determined to keep Dizzy and Celia's innocence alive.

"You know, all the kids who are dying because of the lack of food?" Mal clarified and Hades stilled. It wasn't a question one expected from a five year old.

Everyone else stilled as well, the mood growing serious as they looked over at Mal.

"How many were we at that point?" Uma asked.

"You want kids or total?" Mal sighed. "Cause dad could probably give you more exact details but I think we were at thirty kids by that point."

"Dead?" Emma asked, her voice faint.

"No, on vacation," Mal snapped. "What do you think?!"

Jay rested a hand on Mal's shoulder. "She was just taken aback Mal. Be nice, we're going to have to deal with them when we get out of here remember?"

"If she doesn't ask stupid questions like that, I'll be nice," Mal scoffed. "Honestly…"

"And she noticed all of that," Aurora whispered to Phillip Sr. "Honestly Phillip…I think I'm going to help with the next food drive. Figure out what's going on."

"I'll be happy to help," Phillip Sr. nodded.

Then again, I guess when your father's the God of the Dead you're going to notice the death around you a lot more, he thought with an inward frown.

Hadie nodded softly. Mal had tried to keep that knowledge from him but he still knew what was going on. Prince of the Underworld, how could he not?

"I'm not sure Mal," he said softly and then, desperate to change the subject, said, "I'm sure you've got a lot more questions."

Mal shrugged and leaned back in her chair. "So what am I?"

"You're Mal, Mal!"

Mal and Ben stared at Akiho in confusion and concern.

"Your friend's strange," Mal told Ben.

"I'm well aware," Ben nodded.

"Thank you!" Akiho said with a grin on his face.

"He considers that a compliment by the way," Ben chuckled as Mal raised an eyebrow.

"Ben's called us 'strange' or 'insane' once a day every day since we were twelve," Emir grinned.

"What do you mean?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know, am I a demi-goddess? A Fae? I'm clearly not mortal," Mal elaborated and Hades nodded, realizing what Mal was asking.

"Technically you'd be a demi-goddess but since you're also half Fae it's hard to say for sure. Though that brings up an important point. Mal, you can tell people that you're my daughter if you want but I would advise caution."

"Why? If I found out Lord Hades was my father, I'd scream it to the heavens," Carlos said, his voice a bit louder than it had been but still quiet.

"Why?" Mal asked. "I'd be one of the few kids who knows who both my parents are on the Isle. That's rare."

Mal chuckled. "Oh five year old me, you were so innocent."

Hades chuckled. "True. But the last thing I want is for a target to be put on you because of me. The barrier severely limits your magic. Oh sure they claim that all magic is suppressed but there's no way to truly suppress a god's magic. Fairy magic is only so powerful. Even with Zeus aiding in the creation of the barrier."

"Freddy would certainly increase his efforts if he found out I was a 'false Goddess'," Mal mused.

"Huh that's a good point," Uma nodded.

"Then again Freddy's not allowed anywhere near you girls so he wouldn't even get a chance to try," Harry stated and Jay nodded.

A few of the adults couldn't help but smile at the loyalty between the four of them.

"Unless they had that potion you fed to Jerkules," Mal pointed out and Hades frowned. That wasn't really something he wanted to be reminded of by his five year old.

Hercules held back a wince at the nickname, his mind inadvertently going back to his teenage years. That'd been the same nickname they had given him even though he never understood why.

Plus Steph would probably tell him that Mal shouldn't refer to her cousin that way, that Hercules would be a good ally to have if Mal ever got off the Isle, yada yada yada.

Meg snorted. "Ease up on the sarcasm there Tex."

"Well sorry nut-Meg but I didn't expect my thoughts to be written down on a scroll to be read to most of Boreadon," Hades shook his head.

"Ah well now you're forgiven," Meg smirked.

"You know, it's times like these I remember they used to work together," Persephone said, her turn to shake her head.

Speaking of Persephone, I should bring Mal to the Underworld. Steph's been dying to talk to Mal. The only reason she hasn't is because of Maleficent's spies being all over the place. If one of them caught her talking to Mal, it might not have been good for Mal.

"They'd have to get through me before they would have the chance to touch Mal," Persephone vowed, a slight growl to her voice.

"Yeah well they only made one of those potions and I don't remember where I had gotten it in the first place," Hades said, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

"That's good," Hyllus said.

"Yeah, imagine if the wrong person got their hands on that," Macaria nodded.

Good thing, otherwise Zeus probably would have insisted I take it before they put me on the Isle, he thought before mentally shaking his head.

Zeus looked over at Hades in shock. Did…did he honestly think I'd do that? I mean, yes I reinforced the barrier and yes I put Hades on the Isle but he's still my brother. Plus Persephone would have found a way to kill me if I actually did that—and we don't exactly have an extra God of the Dead lying around.

The last thing he wanted to do was think about his brother while talking with his daughter. "So while I can't turn into a giant fireball, I can still use a bit of my flame."

He conjured up a small blue fireball to prove his point before extinguishing it, not wanting to risk Mal getting burnt.

"I can do that!" Hadie grinned and conjured his own blue fireball.

Mal smiled. "Nice work storm cloud! It's bigger than the last time you tried."

"Thanks Mal," Hadie smiled and extinguished it.

Though there is that old saying about fire not being able to burn a dragon…

You sure you want to risk Mal getting hurt over that? You don't even know if that saying is true!

"And even if that saying's true, she wasn't a dragon right then," Evie said softly.

"Hmm, Blueberry has a point," Mal nodded.

"Will I be able to do that too?" Mal asked, her eyes widening in wonder, and pulling Hades out of his thoughts.

"Why yes," Mal said with a smirk as she held out her hand to summon a small ball of lilac flames. "Yes I will."

"Whoa," Ben said softly, looking at the fireball. He didn't know why but he couldn't help but pay a bit more attention than when Hadie did it.

"Honestly Bennyboo, are you just going to let her do magic without your permission?!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Audrey, it's not like she's hurting anyone," Ben shrugged.

"I see no reason why not," Hades told her. "You're my daughter after all."

Gods it feels good to say that to her and know she'll actually remember it, Hades thought with a smile. His daughter. No matter how she tried, Maleficent would never be able to take this moment away from him.

Zeus couldn't help but give his brother a small smile. He remembered that feeling, the same feeling he'd had after his first conversation with Hercules. No matter Zeus' feelings toward Hades, he couldn't help but feel happy for his brother.

Mal paused for a moment, as if in thought. "Is that why my eyes have been glowing?" Mal asked softly.

It wasn't because of the Fae powers at all. It was my God powers! Why didn't Maleficent tell me my father was a God? Doesn't that seem like something I have the right to know?

"At least you didn't say that in front of her this time," Jay said. "I don't think we'd be able to mop you up from that."

"I know Jay," Mal sighed. Maleficent was the one who decided what you had the right to know after all…

"It's possible," Hades said. "Though it's also possible that it's your Fae powers coming in. I doubt your mother has explained anything to you though."

"You'd be correct sir!" Hyllus nodded.

Hades held back a wince. His great-nephew had sounded too much like he had when he freed the Titans and tried to take over Olympus. Oh he didn't regret the coup, he just didn't want the kid to potentially wind up like him.

Mal shook her head and Hades sighed. Of course Maleficent hadn't explained anything to Mal. That would be too much to ask of the older fairy.

"Well…if you want to, I'm sure there are some books in the library about the Fae," Jane said, her voice sounding rather meek as if she was worried Mal might shoot down the suggestion.

Mal shrugged. "I mean, I'm a Godling but I still have a bit of Fae. Can't hurt to learn about them."

"So it could be either my God powers or my Fae powers causing my eyes to glow," Mal sighed. "Great. Glad that we cleared that up."

"Easy on the sarcasm, cuz," Elle chuckled. Mal paused and looked over at her, having not expected the girl to say that. She wasn't going to lie, there was a small part of her that kinda liked it.

Hades chuckled. "Well we've got time to figure out what's causing your eyes to glow. You're half God after all."

"Did you ever find out?" Kitty asked.

"Kitty, that's a rather personal question. I don't think—."

Mal shook her head, cutting Cinderella off mid-statement. "No, we never did though it likely was my magic coming up."

Mal nodded and grew silent for a moment. "So what do I call you? You know, when we're alone like this?"

"Whatever you want," Hades told her.

Mal nodded and bit her lip in thought. She wasn't sure what she was going to call Hades.

"Mal, I'm pretty sure you could call your dad a 'limp noodle' and he'd be cool with it," Jay said.

"Where'd you come up with that?" Mal asked.

"Some of the crew were talking one day," Jay shrugged. "The topic of favorite insults came up and Ryan said he liked 'limp noodle'."

"Of course the kid would like something tame like that," Harry chuckled.

"…and we're the strange ones?" Emir and Akiho asked Ben after staring at Jay in shock.

"Yes," Ben nodded.

"For the record, if you do call me that Mal, I'm taking you to your mother to see if you're okay," Hades stated. "And if anyone else calls me that the way you all have been calling Maleficent an evil loon, they're looking at a fireball."

"Understood Lord Hades!" The kids in the room called out.

"Yeah, got it dad," Hadie nodded.

"Don't threaten the kids Hades," Persephone sighed.

"What threat? It's a promise."

What about father? After all, we call Maleficent mother.

"But dad's like the exact opposite of Maleficent," Hadie pointed out.

But that's only in public and it's because Maleficent would beat us bloody if we didn't.

The usual collection of growls that had started whenever the scroll mentioned Maleficent possibly injuring Mal started back up, and unless Mal was mistaken, they were somewhat louder than they had been before.

Remember when we were four and we called her by her name in front of the Evil Queen?

And we're positive the beating wasn't because we disrespected her in front of EQ rather than forgetting to call her mother?

I'm pretty sure the broken ankle you got didn't care about the details as to why it was received!

Phillip Sr. looked at Aurora. "She broke Mal's ankle. When Mal was four. Briar, I'm telling you, I don't care if anyone asks for it, I'm this close to—."

"Phillip, it's taking the last bit of my will power to say no, that you can't take your sword and run Maleficent through with it," Aurora saiid softly, trying not to picture a young Mal in pain because of a mistake. Tears prickled in the corners of her eyes—no mother should lay a hand on their child.

But Maleficent's not her mom. Lady Persephone is, Aurora thought.

Hades looked over at Persephone, his voice hard. "I get to kill her right?"

"Only if you beat me to her." Persephone said and her eyes flashed in irritation. Demeter could be heard audibly making plans to find her way onto the Isle to have a 'talk' with Maleficent.

She should be checked over, Ben thought. I doubt that ankle healed properly with everything we've heard about the Isle. Plus as Maleficent as a…care giver I guess?

Okay, okay. We're getting off topic anyway.

True. What about dad? You know, since it's pretty much the opposite situation that we have with Maleficent? He acts like our father in private but has to pretend otherwise in public?

"Not exactly what I was saying but same vein," Hadie nodded causing Alexandria to giggle slightly.

So why not call him father? After all, he's only really been our father for the past few weeks.

"Pretty sure he's been your father your whole life," Neal said.

"I like him too!" Hades said. "What is in the water over in Boreadon that I'm liking these kids?"

Hades watched as Mal seemed to think over what she was going to call him. He honestly didn't care as long as Mal was in his life.

"But don't actually call me 'limp noodle'," Hades added with a chuckle.

"Father?" Mal said softly and Hades almost missed it.

"I'm sorry?"

Mal rolled her eyes. "Father. That's what I want to call you."

Hades nodded. "Okay. Father it is then."

After all, Wonderbreath called Zeus father; as did Triton to Poseidon. It was only fitting that Mal called Hades father as well.

"But…you call Uncle Hades 'dad'," Herkie said, looking over at Mal.

"It may have been 'fitting' but that's not how we do things on the Isle," Mal said with a smirk.

Hercules didn't know why but the old derivative nickname only amused him now. At least, when it was from Hades.

"Hang on," Mal said slowly as if coming to a realization, "does this mean Uma's my cousin? Since her grandfather's Poseidon?"

Poseidon smiled as Uma wrapped her arm over Mal's shoulders. He was happy that at least the new generation of the family would be able to get along.

"Yes, the little squidling's your cousin," Hades nodded with a small smile. While he didn't have the closest relationship with Ursula or Uma, he was happy his daughter had a friendship within the family.

Jay and Carlos smiled as they heard that, each of them thinking about their respective cousins.

"What about Panic's kid, Virgil?" Mal asked. "Everyone knows that he's the son of Vanessa and since Vanessa was just Ursula's human form that somehow got split from her when the barrier went up…"

"Someone still needs to explain to me how that's possible!" Lucy exclaimed.

"We don't know either," Jay shook his head.

"I'm still trying to figure that one out," Hades told her. "For now, I'm leaning toward 'yes' but still want to do some research into it."

Gods if that's true, then I'd have to call Panic my nephew-in-law. Is that even a thing?

Knowing my luck, it would be.

Eh, Panic's a good minion. A bit well panicky but he's less likely to keep things from you than Pain is. Thank gods Pain never reproduced.

"You know that's a good point," Meg nodded. "Panic always used to say you'd be furious whenever you found out about something. It was Pain who'd put the 'if you found out' in his head."

"I'm going to guess they did that a lot, mom?" Hyllus asked.

"You'd be correct," Meg nodded.

"But I still shouldn't tell them?" Mal asked, once again pulling Hades out of his thoughts. "That we're cousins I mean?"

"It's up to you Mali," Hades said, his old nickname for her slipping out as if it'd been weeks instead of years since he used it. "Like I said, there's a risk of a target getting put on you if word got out you were the daughter of Hades."

"But she found out," Ben pointed out. "Uma didn't react during the first chapter when the scroll mentioned that Lord Hades was Mal's father."

Mal chuckled as Estelle trotted over to her. "I had some help with that. Besides, you don't keep secrets from your crew."

Mal nodded. "Oh. Well I guess it can't hurt to keep it to myself for a while. Besides if we still don't know if Virgil is my cousin, then we shouldn't get his hopes up."

Dizzy nodded. "That wouldn't be fair to him!"

"Exactly," Hades chuckled at the innocence used in that logic. Maleficent hadn't completely twisted his daughter.

Speaking of mothers and daughters….

"Hey Mal?" Hades asked as he got up. "You want to go meet your step mother?"

Persephone chuckled. "I was wondering when I was going to get a chance to see Mal."

"You know you already lived this right dear?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mal smiled and took his offered hand. "Yes father!"

"How precious!"

"I think she does it on purpose now," Mal muttered, glaring slightly at Snow White as the faint flush returned once more to her cheeks. "First cute, then adorable and now precious? I am none of these things!"

Hades couldn't help but grin at the ease the word had come out of his daughter's mouth. "Then let's go."

They would probably hear Persephone's squeal of joy from Auradon when she saw Mal.

"Oh so that's what that noise was," Chip chuckled.

"So should we have our break now?" Jay asked and Mal shook her head in amusement.

"I think Jay's getting antsy guys!"

"Says the girl who's been fidgeting for the past five minutes!"

"I have not!"

Chapter 15 Chapter Text

Mal smiled as she looked around the room. While she wasn't exactly thrilled with the scrolls revealing her secrets to the Auradonians—and making her look cute and adorable—she was happy that most of the AKs seemed to like them.

Okay maybe happy was the wrong word to use. Maybe surprised worked better? Especially since they all seemed to get angry on their behalf, or upset. She had seen the tears when the scrolls talked about Milah or Jacquline.

Oh Gods, if those scrolls talk about what happened to Harry when we were nine…he's probably never going to forgive the Fates for allowing that to be recorded! Mal thought as she gently chewed on her lip in thought.

"Everything okay?"

Mal looked up to see Ben looking at her in slight concern.

"Just thinking. Why?"

"Everyone else is up and about and you were just sitting here. I wanted to make sure you were okay," Ben said with a slight shrug. "Can…can I sit down?"

"You're the future King. You can do whatever you want," Mal shrugged but scooted slightly to allow for some room for Ben to sit next to her.

"Thanks," Ben said as he sat. "Listen Mal, I…I want to know more. About the Isle I mean. I feel terrible that you all have to deal with that—."

Mal scoffed. "You'd be the only one Beastie Jr. Otherwise, why has no one checked in on the Isle before now. You know, I honestly think this whole 'invite VKs to Boreadon' was some press thing you all did for the twentieth anniversary of your kingdom or something."

"Why?" Ben asked with a small frown.

"You've been reading the same scrolls I have," Mal told him. "Twenty years and no one from Auradon even bothered to check in on the Isle. You all are stunned when we mention things like the death count but really? You have an Isle filled with villains and give them low resources of things like food and you all are shocked when some of them die?"

Ben sighed. "You…You have a point Mal. And for what it's worth, I am sorry that no one's checked in on the Isle before now."

"Sorries won't bring back all we've lost," Mal told him. "They're just pretty words."

"I know…but for right now it's all I can do until we get back to Auradon and I can pull the shipment records."

Mal raised an eyebrow. "Didn't your mom say she was going to do that?"

"Mom and dad are working on this coronation, I'd hate to put more on their plates," Ben said with a shrug. "Besides, if I'm going to be King, I should know how to pull things like the shipment records myself or I could…"

"You could what? Beastie Jr.?" Mal asked as Ben trailed off. She followed his gaze toward Akiho and his family. Before Mal could blink or even ask what in the world was going on, Ben sprung up and raced over to his best friend.

"You okay Ben?" Akiho asked.

"Arendelle still provides the security for the docks, right?" Ben asked, bouncing a little from his idea. If he was right, they wouldn't have to wait to leave to get some answers into what was going on with the food.

"Yeah unless something's changed and my parents haven't told me," Akiho told him, looking over at his parents. "Mom? Dad?"

"Nothing's changed Akiho," Anna promised.

Ben grinned. "Great! Can you contact the head of dock security and ask him for any footage relating to the ship that sends the food donations to the Isle? The shipment records are great but we will have to wait to get out of here to actually get them. Meanwhile—."

"Meanwhile I can contact Michael right now and get the ball rolling on this!" Akiho finished, grinning from ear to ear. "Ben, you're a genius!"

"I mean, anyone else would have had the same thought…"

"Nope. You're a genius. Let me call Michael now and maybe by the next one of these breaks he'll have something for us."

Anna looked over at her husband. "I feel like, as King and Queen of Arendelle, we should step in?"

"I mean on the one hand this is good practice for Akiho for when he takes over the throne. On the other hand, they're kids. The only thing they should be worrying about is school, sports, and relationships," Kristoff said, a small frown tugging at his lips.

"Oh dear…they're royal kids. Even I know they've got more to worry about than just that and I spent thirteen years locked in a castle with only paintings to talk to," Anna said, gently resting a hand on Kristoff's cheek.

Kristoff sighed but nodded before looking over at his son. "Akiho, perhaps I should go ahead and call Michael?"

"If you want dad but I can do it," Akiho said with a slight shrug.

"So can I," Kristoff said and pulled out his phone, quickly dialing the number for the head of Arendelle's security team that they loaned to Auradon to monitor the docks. Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Mal and Uma were getting an impromptu family reunion.

"Why do we have to do this?" Uma muttered to Mal.

"Because mom asked us to," Mal muttered back.

"This is a load of barnacles you realize that?"

"That's a new saying."

"Trying to keep it clean in case the fireball or Celia are listening in. Not to mention Hadie."

Mal gave her cousin a small smile before shaking her head. "Come on. Time to meet our grandparents I guess."

"I'm surprised Demeter hasn't asked to meet Hadie yet," Uma noted. "You know, considering he's her grandkid too."

Mal shrugged. "In all honesty, she probably did but I don't think anyone could tear him away from Estelle right now."

That was very true, as Hadie, Celia, Alexandria, and Dizzy were in the midst of giving Estelle the biggest belly rub they could.

"Kinda feel bad for DeVil though, which is odd for me," Uma said. "But he's looking at Estelle like he's going to eat him."

"You know DeVil's got a fear of dogs," Mal said. "And a Cerberus, if nothing else, is a dog with three heads. You know the crap Cruella put in DeVil's head after all."

Uma snorted. "I think the whole Isle knows about that. About how dogs are 'vicious rabid pack animals who eat little boys who don't behave'."

"Your impression of her's getting good."

"Oh thank you Mali!"

Poseidon bit back a snort of amusement, the two Gods having approached the two Godlings maybe not fifteen minutes ago. "You think they'll realize we're here at some point?"

"I'd give it another minute before Persephone points that out," Demeter muttered to him, biting back a chuckle as Poseidon brushed a lock of his flowing blue hair out of his eyes. "I see where your granddaughter gets it from."

"Gets what from?"

"The blue hair," Demeter elaborated. "I can only assume that it's natural though I seem to remember Ursula had white hair."

"She does," Poseidon nodded. "But she dyes it, or at least she did before she got sent to the Isle. Triton got his hair from his mother."

Demeter nodded and grew silent as she realized that the two Godlings were looking at them. The stare down seemed to last for ages when in reality it was more than likely only a few minutes.

"So…you're my grandfather," Uma said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I am," Poseidon nodded.

"And you're my grandmother," Mal said, looking at Demeter.

Demeter nodded. "It is quite lovely to meet you Mal. I only wish I we could have done it sooner."

"Well you know if you had checked into the Isle once in a while, we could have," Mal told her. "I mean, for Gods' sake, Poseidon, didn't you ever wonder why Uma was wishing for something fresh to eat for her birthday? Or could you just not be bothered to check?"

Uma smirked. "Oh and let's not forget cuz, your grandmother apparently didn't even wonder why your mom was petitioning Zeus to help get back a child that Maleficent had kidnapped."

"That's right! I guess now that she knows she's got two grandchildren, it's okay to care. Never mind the fact that I spent five years in Maleficent's talons," Mal nodded.

Persephone sighed and walked over to them. "Girls, behave."

"We are behaving mom," Mal stated. "But honestly after all of this, do you really think we'd just go running into the arms of our grandparents here? They could have gone against Zeus and Beastie and actually done something for the Isle but they didn't."

Uma nodded. "Yeah Aunt Steph, you're the only person from Olympus to actually care about the Isle. I mean, and Uncle Hades of course but he's trapped on the Isle with us. Not to mention the fact that Uncle Hades has to deal with weighing the souls every day."

Persephone sighed—she couldn't argue that the girls had a valid point.

"I can reach out to Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus," Persephone said. "They can help Hades judge the souls—."

"No!" Mal and Uma exclaimed, causing all three Gods to blink in surprise.

"Dad's the only one who knows the kids," Mal elaborated. "Or at least knows of the kids. Minos, Rhadamanthus and Aeacus are all from Auradon so all they'd see are VKs. Those kids would be sent to Tartarus without a doubt!"

"Not to mention the fact that they're all Zeus' kids!" Uma added. "I don't think Uncle Hades would really appreciate them butting in."

I hate the fact that they have a point, Poseidon thought to Demeter.

I agree, but what else can we do? It's clear from the scrolls that Hades at least hates judging the souls of the kids who come to him, Demeter thought back to him.

Poseidon sighed but nodded, resolving to think of a way to help his older brother in anyway he could. One by one, everyone came back together to start back up with the reading. However, before anyone could inquire as to who would be the next person to read, the eyeball returned.

"I'm going to continue to state that this is the strangest experience I've ever had," Eugene stated as the eyeball began to spin.

"More so than sword fighting with a horse while using a frying pan to defend yourself?"

"You've got to use another example!"

"I could but I don't want to," Kit said with a chuckle.

As the eyeball finished spinning, four people dropped from it—two men and two women. Mal couldn't help but smirk as the blond man groaned; his armor clanging on the stone floor.

"Phoebus, are you alright?" One of the women asked, brushing her thick black hair out of her emerald eyes.

"Just fine Esmeralda," Phoebus said, groaning as they stood up. "But um…where are we?"

"Achidanza!"

"I'm not quite sure this is 'cool' Naveen," the other woman shook her head.

"But Tiana! We are in a room with all the Gods from Olympus! Who could not say this is cool?" Naveen grinned before it faded. "But um…why are we in a room with all the Gods from Olympus along with many of the royals from Auradon?"

Eugene grinned. "Welcome to the Newbie club! We're apparently reading these scrolls."

"Eugene," Rapunzel sighed as she shook her head. "The scrolls show us what has been happening with the Isle of the Lost."

Tiana's eyes widened as she went to go sit next to her fellow Learning to be Royal member. "Is anyone going to read next?"

"We were just going to decide that when you arrived," Rapunzel told her. "Would you care to read?"

"If anyone doesn't have an issue?"

"No issues here!"

Tiana smiled slightly as she reached to grab a scroll.

"You're taking this 'dropped into the lair of the Fates' thing rather well," Uma noted.

"After you get turned into a frog, it takes a lot to faze you," Tiana chuckled.

Chapter 16 Chapter Text

Tiana sighed and unfurled a scroll that had been handed to her by one of the kids. She didn't know what was going on but she hoped to get to the bottom of it.

The father and daughter quickly made their way through the streets of the Isle toward the Underworld. Hades tried to make sure he kept his pace to one that Mal could match without seeming like he was slowing down for her.

Esmeralda couldn't help but smile at that, picturing Phoebus doing the same with Zephyr.

"Good, nobody's cooing," she heard Hades mutter.

"Give it time dad, give it time," the girl next to him told him. Esmeralda had to assume she was Mal.

Thankfully, the streets were empty wherever they went. Whether that was because someone had spread the word that Hades was coming or if it was because they were worried about upsetting Maleficent, Hades didn't know. Nor did he particularly care. As long as they didn't impede him from getting Mal to the Underworld, they could go dress in drag and do the hula for all Hades cared.

Almost all the kids stopped and turned to look at Hades.

"Yes?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Dad, did you have to put that image in our heads?" Mal asked, shuddering in disgust!

"Yeah Uncle Hades! I never want to imagine Gaston doing that!" Uma nodded.

Harry shook his head. "At least Gaston would be pleasant to look at in a strange way. Imagine Yzma doing it."

"I'm…I'm pretty sure that's not drag then—."

"Hush Benji, just be horrified like the rest of us," Chip told Ben who was looking a little confused.

"…is brain bleach a thing?" Emir asked, his voice soft from horror.

"And if it's not can we make it a thing?" Ashaki asked, her voice just as soft as her brother's.

Though now the image of Hook and Gaston potentially doing that was seared into Hades' brain…it was a good thing Gaston thought himself too manly to actually do that or Hades would have to kill him. The God would have no choice in the matter.

"We'll help!"

"Oh Gods, why did you have to mention the Captain in the drag too?!" Harry exclaimed as he pressed one of his hands into his eyes as if to block out the image.

Should I be worried that Mal's so quiet? Hades thought about halfway through their trek. Mal had been keeping pace with him quite nicely but she had been quiet. Maybe she's worried about slipping up? Saying something that someone else might hear? I mean, I want her to be proud to be my daughter. I just don't want the potential target on her back. She's already got one simply by being Maleficent's daughter, she doesn't need another one.

Though I'd love it if Maleficent came after me for this. Give me the chance to give her a piece of my mind about how she's been treating my daughter.

"I'd be happy to help Lord Hades. I've even got a sword you can use if you feel that your powers are too dampened by the barrier!"

"You. I like you. I may have already said it but it bares repeating," Hades nodded. "Come talk to me in the next break, we'll figure out a way to use that sword."

Phillip Sr. grinned and Aurora sighed, an amused smile pulling at her lips.

Hades let out a soft sigh. There was no way Maleficent would actually confront Hades about this. She would never actually do her own dirty work. That was left for her goblin minions after all.

"They can deal with my sword too! I still owe them one for tying me up!"

Though, the poor souls who crossed her last just opened up a coffee shop. Cause that's what people want—coffee made out of the junk Auradon sends us. Who in their right mind wants curds in their coffee? Because that's what people would get if they put in the month old milk we're lucky to get.

"I'm sorry? Month old milk?" Tiana asked, looking from the scroll in shock.

"Yeah apparently the Isle's getting our garbage instead of actual food," Eugene told her, barely hidden rage flashing in his eyes.

"But we're going to figure it out," Ben said, speaking up. "We're looking to see if we can get the footage from the docks to figure out exactly what's going on with the deliveries."

"Good," Tiana nodded.

Esmeralda sat in silence, stunned to her very core. Paris had been one thing, she had assumed that was just because of Frollo and even then people had still fought to keep her safe and defeat Frollo. But to hear that all of Auradon had apparently been content to sit by, not bothering to check on the Isle?

It's only because of Phoebus that we have the registry, so that the kids wouldn't be labeled and judged for who their parents are, so we could get them help if they needed it, she thought. But I guess that was just a dream.

That formula Steph had brought over back when they had Mal had been a lifesaver for a lot of the kids Mal's age and younger. Since Steph had brought over a six month supply under the guise of helping the infants of the Isle, it wasn't doing much good just sitting in Hades' kitchen after Maleficent stole Mal from them.

"Those poor kids," Tiana softly, making a mental note to talk to Beast to set something up so that the Isle could have some better food. She'd make it herself if she had to!

Slowly yet surely, Persephone had made it available to the other new parents of the Isle. Some, like the Evil Queen, turned it down; claiming all the formula would do was make her daughter fat.

"Fat?! She's a baby!" Snow White exclaimed. "I can't believe this!"

Evie couldn't help but give her step sister a small smile as she heard her defense.

Others, like Gaston, turned it down as they considered it an insult that Persephone was implying they couldn't produce food for their kid.

"Well considering he only acknowledges three of the twelve, I'm pretty sure mom had the right idea," Mal muttered.

"Twelve kids?" Naveen asked and then turned to Tiana. "And you called me the playboy?"

Thank the Gods for Claudette and Milah, Hades thought as they continued to make their way to the Underworld. They at least accepted some of the formula for when Gaston foisted Gil off onto her so he could get drunk with LeFou and Hook. That way, Harry had something to eat too. I almost wish we had still had some of the formula when CJ was born but with Milah's death, there was no way Hook would have accepted it.

"Lady Steph must have had a stock pile of it though because the runt survived," Harry said softly. He'd never admit it out loud but he was thankful for that—he already lost his mother, he didn't want to lose another family member too.

There were a few parents, mainly the lower ranked villains, who were more willing to accept the formula. Though, since it obviously came from Auradon, they took some convincing that it was actually good to consume.

"I'm not surprised," Emma said, her voice soft.

"Villains aren't going to trust easily normally and then after years of dealing with the food we sent them…" Elle sighed.

Normally they'd be accused of being overly paranoid but one look at what the adults had to eat said otherwise.

Belle winced and sighed as there was no denying the fact that Lord Hades had a point there.

Sighing, Hades shook his head a little to clear it of such thoughts. He was about to re-introduce Mal to her step mother, last thing he needed was memories of Steph crying on the couch in the den because another infant died running through his head.

Tiana gasped softly and Naveen gently wrapped his arm over her shoulders, holding her close to him.

"Steph?" Hades called out as he entered the Underworld, Mal in tow.

"Steph?" Mal repeated softly, looking at Hades in confusion, but Hades didn't hear her.

"In the kitchen! Your dishes are going to take over the sink if they're not done soon!"

"How do you go through so many dishes when it was just you and Uncle Hades?" Uma asked.

"Pain and Panic," Persephone told her.

"That makes so much sense," Uma nodded.

Persephone shouted back but walked out to him. "Hades, I swear. What is the point of having minions if you don't…"

She trailed off upon seeing Mal standing next to him. Hades could see her eyes light up as she took in the sight of their daughter standing in front of her.

"You have no idea how much it took not to run up and scoop you in my arms," Persephone said softly.

"Mal, this is your step mother Persephone," Hades said gently, going to stand next to Persephone.

Mal gave a small smile. "It's nice to meet you Lady Stepho—I mean Perstephone. Er—"

"Aw!"

"'Persephone' is hard to say when you're five!" Mal exclaimed, glaring slightly at the cooing royals. I swear to all the Gods, I'm going to have a permanent blush by the time this is over, she thought as she felt the heat on her cheeks once more.

"Mal, sweetheart, you can just call me 'Steph'," Persephone said, giving Mal a kind smile.

And that's great, but when does she call you 'mom'? Demeter thought.

"Have you had lunch yet? I was just heating up some leftovers from your father's restaurant."

"That's a weird way to say doing dishes," Herkie said.

"If Mal wanted food, I'd get her some food," Persephone told him. "The dishes could wait."

Mal shrugged, hoping she didn't seem too eager for the food. "I can eat. If it's not too much trouble, I mean."

"If it was any trouble, I wouldn't have offered," Persephone said, gently taking her hand and leading her to the kitchen. Hades sighed with a small smile before ducking away; walking down the hall and opening the door to Mal's nursery for the first time since that faithful day.

Hades sighed. To this day, he hated thinking about that. About Mal crying in the clutches of the goblins and not being able to do anything about it.

Estelle walked over and put his heads on Hades' thigh, as if sensing he needed to be cheered up .

"Good boy," Hades whispered, scratching Estelle behind the ears.

It was exactly as he had left it all those years ago. Granted a little dustier than normal but Pain and Panic had kept to the orders not to touch anything. The crib was still on its side, the pillow strewn on the ground as if the goblins had tossed the room only an hour ago rather than five years ago.

This would be a good room for her, he thought as he ran a finger over the chest of drawers, looking disgusted at the dust buildup. I'd have to move the crib into storage for her to use if she has kids in the far, far, far off future.

"And what if she chooses not to have kids?" Mulan asked.

"Then I'll save it for Hadie's kids," Hades shrugged.

"And if he doesn't have them?"

"Donate them. I don't care as long as my kids are happy."

He shook his head and stopped. Wait, what am I thinking? Maleficent still has Mal regardless of her knowing about Steph and me. If I took Mal from her now, all Maleficent would have to do is file a complaint to Auradon. There may not have been any inspectors since Belle's failed pregnancy but knowing Maleficent, she'd find a way to get a report to Beastie.

"Not necessarily," Shang spoke up. "Someone like Maleficent wouldn't want anyone thinking her weak, even King Beast. So in all actually, all that would happen would be Mal would be in a state of tug of war between Lord Hades and Maleficent."

If Belle and Beast thought Mal might be in the crosshairs of a custody battle between the Isle's two biggest bads…no wait, there's no way Maleficent would actually admit to the royals of Auradon that Hades was Mal's father.

"Yeah that doesn't seem like something Maleficent would do, telling anyone she needed someone's help to create a child," Meg said dryly.

"…you make your point quite vividly," Phoebus stated, not wanting to think of Maleficent like that.

"So who wants to tell him Frollo's got two kids?" Uma muttered to Mal.

"Eh, one kid and one spawn of Satan," Mal corrected. "Claudine's decent for an Angel."

They'd probably just send in guards, take Mal, and give her back to Maleficent. And then find a way to punish me for wanting to live with my daughter. Maybe prevent me from seeing Steph, he thought bitterly.

"…How?" Persephone asked. "We have an actual agreement between my mother, Zeus, and King Beast. Unless King Beast wants a year long winter, no one's messing with that agreement."

"When's the last time you were in here?" Persephone's voice asked, bringing Hades out of his thoughts.

"Probably the last time we had the door open," Hades admitted, turning toward his wife. "It's hard to believe how big she's gotten."

"Again, just checking to see if we've changed the definition of 'big'?"

"Shut it Uma!"

"Never cuz!"

"Kids grow," Persephone said gently, walking toward him. "She's so small though. You weren't kidding when you told me that."

"Why would he joke about that?" Mal and Hadie asked, looking over at their mom.

Persephone shook her head. "So much like your father," she murmured.

Hades raised an eyebrow. "Why would I joke about that?"

"You know what I mean," Persephone sighed and Hades brought her into his arms, giving a light kiss to the top of her head. "I've got her set up with some of the fish from the restaurant and some milk I managed to bring from Auradon that I put in the fridge."

"That stuff's still good?"

"Do you really think I would have given Mal something that went bad?" Persephone asked as they left the room, closing the door behind them. "Mother gave me a cooler blessed to keep things fresh the last time I was on Olympus. She may not be pleased we're still together but she has been hinting at grandchildren so she's at least accepted the fact I'm not going to up and leave you."

Persephone sighed. That cooler would have been a life saver so many years ago. Thankfully she had it when she did and could transport perishables—like milk. She couldn't have too much but at least she could help the Isle a bit more.

"Could Lady Persephone leave Lord Hades?" Aziz asked. "I mean with their agreement, they'd be living together for six months anyway."

Hades coughed, slightly taken aback. "Did you tell her—?"

"No she did not! Had I known I would have helped!"

"Really?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hades, I might not have cared for you back then but I wouldn't have left my granddaughter in Maleficent's clutches," Demeter told him.

Alright Demeter, you get some points back, Mal thought.

"No Hades. I didn't. Mal may be our daughter but I won't tell people if you don't want me too," Persephone said as they entered the kitchen, Mal eagerly eating the food in front of her. Persephone stared sadly at Mal wolfing down the fish like someone would steal it from her if she ate at a normal pace.

"Mal, slow down," Hades said gently yet with a firm edge to his voice. "No one is going to take that from you. Not here."

"Habit's hard to break," Mal said with a shrug, unknowingly giving a punch to the gut to Belle, Beast, and Ben.

Already getting back into the swing of things, parental wise, Persephone thought with a small smile. She had wondered how Hades was going to handle the fact that he would have to be firm at times. Mal wasn't a baby anymore as much as Persephone wished that was possible. But the last thing Mal would want would be the two of them babying her. No kid on the Isle wanted that.

"You got that right!" Hadie spoke up.

"Still mad about being included in the 'under fifteen' rule?" Mal chuckled. "Sorry storm cloud, you're what? Eleven? Ryan and CJ at least have a reason since they're fourteen."

"Yes father," Mal said softly, pulling Persephone out of her thoughts, and slowed her pace a little. It was odd, hearing Hades referred to as 'father'. That was something normally used to refer to Zeus or sometimes Poseidon, though the two of them had grown used to their new title of 'grandfather'.

Zeus and Poseidon couldn't help but smile at the reminder of their titles, even if it was rather melancholy as it came with a reminder that Mal missed out of five years with her father.

Persephone couldn't help but wonder what Mal would have used if she had grown up with Hades as her parent.

Not daddy, no matter what I don't see Mal as a 'daddy' type of girl, Persephone thought. Maybe pateras? After all, Hades is the Greek God of the Dead. It would make sense for her to use the Greek word for father.

"Mom, I was lucky Maleficent taught me English. You really think she'd teach me Greek?" Mal asked.

"A Goddess can dream," Persephone said with a small sigh.

Honestly, with the French background of Maleficent and Aurora's story, Persephone was a little surprised that Mal hadn't chosen père to use to refer to Hades. Then again, Maleficent didn't strike Persephone as the type to teach much French other than possibly swear words or maybe even some spells. If she bothered to teach Mal anything at all.

"Do you want to learn French?" Ben asked, looking over at Mal. "I can teach you."

"You know French?" Mal asked, tilting her head.

Ben chuckled. "Mom and dad's old kingdom's in France. I am French. Why wouldn't I know it?"

"I dunno." Mal shrugged. "But I know a bit. Estelle's name for instance, it's French for 'star'."

"And it's still a million times better than 'Phoebus'," Phoebus spoke up with a chuckle.

"I'm done," Mal said softly.

"Did you get enough?" Persephone asked, going to clear the empty plate and glass. Mal looked a bit perplexed.

"I can do that," she said.

Chip sighed. No child should have to be perplexed at someone clearing their spot for them or offering to do the dishes. Not at five.

Persephone shook her head. "I was already up dear. Besides, I'm still waging war on those dishes in the sink. Pain and Panic really need to learn how to do them."

"I think we'd end up with more broken dishes that way than we'd know what to do with," Hades told her.

"Or I could get Virgil on it," Hades pointed out as he leaned on the doorframe. He would have offered to do it but the sight of Persephone and Mal together was one he didn't want to let go of. "He's eight after all, perfectly old enough to do a chore or two."

"Can…can you give someone else's kid chores?" Hercules asked.

Hades shrugged. "You can if that kid is the son of my minion."

Mal tilted her head. "I could do it," she said softly. Maleficent always stressed the importance of earning one's keep, or at least not being a pest so that the trash underneath didn't grow to resent you and try to overthrow you.

"…should I be more stunned that she told you that or that it's actually pretty good advice for the Isle?" Uma muttered to Mal.

"Why not both?" Mal muttered back.

If Steph and Hades…father were going to willingly give her some of their food, Mal was going to make sure she earned it.

Persephone sighed. We'd never do that to you Mal, she thought. None of you kids…you don't need to earn food!

"Oh Mal," Persephone gave a small, sad smile as she heard that. "You don't have to do that sweetheart. But if you wanted to help, or even stay here while I do it, I'd appreciate the company."

Mal nodded as she sat back a little in her chair. Hades frowned as he realized that, other than being friendly with Hook Jr and Uma, he didn't know much about what his daughter liked to do.

"Sparring!"

"Making smoke bombs!"

"Chasing people out of our territory!"

"Tagging!"

Hades chuckled. "You four know I know what Mal likes to do now right?"

"We just wanted to make sure Lord Hades," Harry grinned.

Then again, Maleficent doesn't seem like the type to encourage extracurriculars. At least not the type like art or anything that didn't seem 'evil', Hades thought as he watched Mal doodle a little with the condensation left on the table from the milk glass. He couldn't tell what it was supposed to be but it was very good for being a doodle in water.

"You're good," he said softly and Mal jumped a little, wiping the doodle away.

"You like art?" Ben asked.

"Maybe…why?" Mal said, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Ben shrugged. "Just making conversation," he said as he made a mental note to enroll Mal in the art class at Auradon Prep.

"It's nothing," she said quickly. Hades frowned but didn't comment; she had just found out that he was her father. The last thing Hades wanted to do was make Mal feel that they were moving too fast. Mal quickly scurried off her stool and went to go help Persephone, probably hoping that it would get Hades to forget about the doodle.

"We should get her to talk to Athena," Poseidon muttered to Demeter. "As the Goddess of Arts and Crafts, I'm sure Athena would love to talk to her. In fact why isn't she here?"

"Who knows how the Fates work?" Demeter told him. "You, me, Zeus, Hera, Hades, and Persephone are probably the only Gods here because of our connection to Mal in the scrolls."

Hades watched with a small smile as his two girls made short work of the dishes; Persephone earning some squeals from Mal as the goddess splashed her a little with the water. This was how their life should have been. Not for the first time since he left Maleficent did Hades curse the existence of that woman.

"Trust me Lord Hades, we've all cursed the existence of Maleficent at one point in our lives," Aladdin nodded.

"But…she's not your villain," Jay said.

"She's the Mistress of All Evil," Aladdin told him.

"Fair enough."

Gods, the only reason you took Mal back was for your own ego. You just couldn't handle the rumors spreading that I had stolen your child, Hades thought with an inward glare. You don't love Mal, Maleficent. To you, she's nothing more than a minion with your bloodline.

"How horrible," Jane said softly. Yes she knew she had big shoes to fill with being Fairy Godmother's daughter and sometimes she felt that pressure but…she knew her mother loved her.

Before Hades knew it, though, Mal was saying she had to leave.

"Are you sure?" Persephone asked. "You can always stay here."

"Yeah Maleficent probably wouldn't have been thrilled if she found out," Mal muttered.

Esmeralda heard that and her heart broke before glaring at Beast. "How is this justice? Letting children suffer for the crimes of their parents? That's not just—that's vengeance!"

Mal shook her head. "Mother will be looking for me," she said softly. Hades didn't even need to look at Persephone to know that was a lie. "Besides, I should leave before it gets too dark."

"Oh that's right! Had we made our alliance with the hyenas yet?" Uma asked.

"I think that happened maybe a week later?" Mal told her. "It's a little hazy though."

Hades sighed but nodded. She had a point there; the older gangs liked to roam the streets at night and most of them wouldn't think twice at the chance to get one over on Maleficent. Even if that meant hurting Mal.

"They'd have to go through me to do so!" Uma and Jay said at the same time, Harry nodding in agreement.

"You know you're welcome here anytime," Persephone said as they walked Mal to the door. "Day, night, rain or shine."

"Oh Gods, my Auradon side was showing right then," Persephone sighed. After all, there was no shine on the Isle.

Hades knelt down to Mal's level as Mal opened her mouth. "You're my daughter. I know your…mother may have told you things about me but I'm sure you've learned that she's not the most honest of creatures. You need anything, I'll be there."

"That I believe is an understatement Lord Hades," Rose spoke up.

"I need to make a list of who I've said I like and who I haven't yet," Hades shook his head. "But just to cover my bases, I like you."

"So my kid gets liked but I don't?" Eugene asked.

"Got that right."

"Oh come on!"

"What's the catch?" Mal asked.

"No catch," Hades told her. "I don't make deals with my daughter."

"We have an alliance though—"

"An alliance is more of an all the time thing, a deal is really a one and done," Elle said. "Our kingdom has an alliance with Corona, my mother made a deal with Ursula."

"Huh," Mal said. "Five year old me would have appreciated that."

"An alliance is not a deal," Hades told her. "Well I mean, it kind of is in that we shook on it but at the same time it's not since you're getting the better end of the deal there."

"Rambling dear," Persephone told him. "Besides, you're getting into semantics at this point."

"Semantics that I'm sure the five year old did not care about," Evan pointed out.

Mal tilted her head. "Would I still be your errand rat?"

"Do you want to be?" Hades asked.

Mal shrugged. "It's kinda cool, being Lord Hades' errand rat," she said. "Even if only Harriet knows it."

Hades couldn't help but smile a little at that, knowing that his daughter thought it was cool being connected to him.

"Appreciate that feeling Hades. It won't last," Meg chuckled.

"Well then, you can still be my errand rat. And your gang still gets free food at the restaurant, that part of the alliance is still going."

"Good!"

"I mean I don't charge the kids of the Isle anyway," Hades pointed out.

"Doesn't matter," Mal chuckled. "To those three, all that matters is the fact that they have access to your food dad."

"Good," Mal grinned as she turned to leave. Hades sighed as the door to the Underworld clang shut and Persephone turned toward him.

"I'm taking her with me," she said and Hades stared. He hadn't expected that.

"…what?!"

"Oh there's your mother's outrage. I thought it had been too quiet around here," Phillip Sr. muttered to Aurora.

Persephone raised an eyebrow. "I want to take a child off the Isle. I don't think it's that hard of a concept Queen Leah."

"She's a villain! She deserves the Isle just as much as—."

"What crime?"

Leah paused and looked at Persephone. "I beg your pardon?"

"What crime did Mal commit? You call her a villain, state her crime," Persephone said firmly. After a few minutes with no response from Leah, Persephone shook her head. "You can't, can you? Because to people like you, Mal and the other kids of the Isle only have one crime. Being born."

"What?"

"The next time I go to Auradon. She's coming with me Hades," Persephone elaborated, walking back to the kitchen. "Look at her! She deserves so much more than how Maleficent treats her!"

"All the kids deserved—."

"Uh mom? All the kids?" Mal asked.

Persephone shook her head. "Right, right. I've heard you and Uma rant about Freddy Frollo enough times that I should have realized."

"I'm sorry, Freddy who?" Phoebus asked.

"Frollo," Mal told him. "Chip off the old block too."

"What poor woman—?"

Harry sighed. "One working theory is that Frollo tried to convert the pirates in Pirate Cove because Smee told me once that after Red Jessica ended things with the Captain, she ended up in a fling with Frollo."

"How did Smee know that?" Jay asked.

"His wife was Jessica's first mate," Harry shrugged. "But Jessica wasn't Freddy's mom. I think Jessica was still with the Captain by that point."

"Steph, I want Mal off this Isle as badly as you do but think about it for a minute—"

"What's to think about? The Gods have had numerous children; hell Aphrodite and Athena were born as fully formed adults! I could claim the same. Say Mal was mine and that she was just born as a five year old."

"That…might have actually worked," Beast spoke up.

"I'm sorry, what?" Persephone exclaimed, looking at Beast in shock.

"I don't claim to be an expert on how the Gods give birth," Beast told her.

"And who would you say is the father?" Hades asked. "Me, you'd have to say she's my daughter. Then you've got a problem because in Beastie and Belle's eyes, you haven't taken your child off the Isle. You've taken a prisoner off the Isle."

"He's got a point," Aladdin muttered to Eugene.

"So does she though," Eugene muttered back. "None of the kids deserve the Isle."

"Hades, Mal doesn't deserve it here! You saw the way she scarfed down the fish! That was probably the first bit of food she had gotten all day if Maleficent had anything to say about it."

"Mom, you weren't spying on me through any device from Olympus were you?"

"No dear. I just know how Maleficent works," Persephone sighed.

"Steph, think about this rationally. If you got caught sneaking Mal off the Isle, then you'd get put here permanently. You're our one link to Auradon now that the inspectors have stopped coming. The limited medical supplies we do have, the few books, the food…we owe that all to you," Hades said, resting a hand on Persephone's shoulder. "I love you. You would be miserable seeing the kids suffer and not be able to do anything to help. I couldn't bare to see you like that."

Persephone sighed and Hades held her close to him. "I hate that you were right. I wouldn't have been able to handle the thought of the kids suffering and not being able to do something," she whispered.

"You've got the biggest heart of anyone, mortal or God. Isle or Auradon," Hades whispered to her and kissed her forehead. "The fact that you're trapped there for six months is bad enough but you can see what we need and get it in Auradon. If you were on the Isle full time?"

He didn't need to finish—they both knew she would turn into a shell of herself, not being able to help.

Persephone sighed. "But…if Mal was there, in Auradon, she could plead before Belle," she said, trying to find someway to counter Hades' argument. "Belle would be devastated to learn about the state of the Isle."

Belle nodded, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. She hated hearing about what the kids of the Isle had to deal with. Yes, she helped create the Isle but she never wanted anyone to suffer! She would have heard Mal's statement.

"We've been like this for nine years Steph," Hades said gently. "Sure it's gotten worse since Belle's miscarriage but we've been dealing with the lack of resources since the Isle was founded. When Mal's asking me questions about how Auradon keeps track of all the people on the Isle who have died, it's safe to assume Belle and Beast just don't care anymore."

"Wha—?"

"He's not wrong," Dizzy spoke up, her words an unknowing dagger to Belle's heart. Beast wrapped an arm around Belle's shoulders but she brushed it off.

"Adam, we did this," she whispered. "I…I don't think we really deserve to be comforted."

Beast sighed. "Belle, I was the one who handled the Isle after Abby remember? This is solely on me."

"No, it's not," Belle shook her head. "Yes I was a mother but I was also Queen. I should have done more."

Persephone sighed and buried her head in Hades' chest. "I hate the fact that you're right," she muttered.

I don't think he is, Ben thought as he looked over at his parents. If they didn't care, they wouldn't be reacting like this.

"Think of the life that would be for Mal if you didn't tell people about her," Hades said softly, running his hand down Persephone's back. "Always hiding, fearful of being discovered. The Isle may be a prison but she can run freely here."

Demeter sighed. As much as she would want Mal to be free in the sun, she knew Hades had a point. There would be even less of a childhood if Mal had to hide out of fear that she'd be put back on the Isle if she was found.

Persephone nodded. "I know. I just…"

"I know," Hades said gently. "I do too. But she knows now. She can start to come home."

Despite the serious subject, Hades couldn't help but smile at that. At the idea that Mal could come home.

The words he thought he would never get the chance to say; the words that made five years of waiting worth it.

Mal could come home.

Tiana couldn't help but smile at that last part. "I have to say that scroll was rather emotional. Who wants to read next?"

"I'll read, Queen Tiana," Hyllus said.

Chapter 17 Chapter Text

"You know I just want to point out that there are a lot of scrolls," Hyllus said as he picked up the next one.

Mal made her way through the streets of the Isle, happy as can be though she was careful not to let it show on her face. She may have only been five but she knew Maleficent had spies everywhere. If one of them reported that she was grinning like an Auradon Princess, it would only mean bad things for Mal.

"Scroll's starting off depressing right off the bat, I see," Eric sighed.

Still, just because she couldn't show it didn't mean she didn't feel it. She knew who her father was!

Hades couldn't help but smile as he heard that and held Mal close to him. He loved the fact that Mal had been happy to know he was her father.

That was something only a handful of children on the Isle could say—that they knew who both their parents were.

And most of the ones that do know don't get to keep them, Mal thought as she jumped through a mud puddle, relishing the feeling of the water soaking through her socks.

Audrey wrinkled her nose at the thought of wet socks—and she wasn't the only one.

"You liked that sensation?" Rowyn asked.

"You mean you don't?" Melody chimed in, grinning at Mal.

Akiho chuckled. "Must be an Olympian thing then cause I may like snow but I hate it when it gets in my socks."

Aurora, however, frowned as she focused less on the puddles and more on the parents. The idea that only a handful of kids knew who their parents were…and that most of those kids didn't get to keep them…that was horrible!

The only other person who liked the feeling was Uma; even Harry thought they were a little weird for it.

"Yep, Olympian thing," Akiho nodded.

"I don't like it," Hadie chimed.

"An Olympian girl thing," Akiho corrected himself.

It's bad enough Boreadon hates us enough not to send decent food half the time but you'd think all the Prissy Princesses would care about people dying in the streets or at the very least care about kids dying if not the adults.

Belle sighed softly, knowing that they should have checked more on the Isle. After all, they were the reigning monarchs—the buck stopped with them.

Then again, these were the children of villains after all. Auradon probably just assumed they deserved it.

Phillip Sr. glared at his mother-in-law who'd opened her mouth to make a comment. "They. Don't. Deserve. That. Leah."

Mal scowled, though, as she caught sight of the only prissy princess on the Isle.

Kitty frowned. "I didn't think there were any Princesses on the Isle."

Evelyn, or Evie as she insisted to be called, was Evil Queen's daughter and the complete opposite of Mal in every way; tall and lean, with long luscious tendrils of blue hair growing out of her head and a crown that always sat perfectly perched centered in her widow's peak. She always seemed to be wearing a dress, even if it was in the same type of material as the other Isle clothes.

"…so Audrey if she had an affinity for blue and a personality transplant?" Neal asked.

"Neal!" David exclaimed.

"What? Evie's been rather pleasant, actually almost silent while Audrey keeps making catty comments!" Neal shrugged.

"My brother's got a point," Emma nodded.

Meanwhile Mal was short with dark purple hair self cut into a messy bob. Long hair was a danger on the Isle; someone could easily grab it if you tried to run away or it could get stuck on something. Uma was one of the few girls on the Isle to have long hair and it not look prissy; with her teal blue hair in tight braids.

"Aww, thanks cuz," Uma grinned.

"I'm sorry, self-cut?" Rapunzel asked, looking over at Mal.

Mal shrugged. "I wasn't permitted to go to Curl Up and Dye at that point and Maleficent or her goblins sure as hell weren't cutting my hair."

Then again, Uma was skilled with a sword or at least as skilled as a five year old could be. If someone tried to grab her, it'd be their funeral. Especially if they tried to do it around Mal or Harry.

"Or Freddie. Or your dad. Or any of our crew," Mal added.

"Who's your father?" Tiana asked.

Uma raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to know?"

"Well, yes. That's why I asked."

"Alright. It's Facilier."

"…with Ursula?! He…how?! Do I want to know…no on second thought I don't think I do!"

"Is he okay?" Uma asked Tiana as Naveen kept rambling.

"Jury's out on him." Tiana told her.

"You're calmer than I thought you'd be about this."

Tiana chuckled. "You're listed on both pages in the registry. I double checked when Prince Ben announced he was inviting kids from the Isle."

Uma honestly didn't know how she felt about Tiana checking the registry for her but there was a small pleased feeling that came from knowing that she was claimed by both her parents in the eyes of the Boreadon elite.

Mal's clothes were leather, just like Evie's, but instead of a dress Mal opted for pants and a short sleeved shirt. Sure she got cold easier but short sleeves meant less material was wasted on the clothes. It also made it so again she could get away easier.

"Well I mean, I also get cold easier because I have a dragon for a birth giver and a dad with fire for hair. I like the heat," Mal stated.

"We know," Uma, Harry, and Jay said in unison.

Akiho stared at Mal in shock. "But…but the cold brings snow!"

"What's snow?" Dizzy and Hadie asked.

Ooh that's going to hurt him, Ben said as Akiho almost looked like he'd been slapped. Then again, that's how Ben felt too. Childhood winters should be spent with snowball fights and curling up with hot chocolate, not wondering where your next meal was going to come from.

"Oh I know what snow is!" Evie spoke up. "Prince Hans told me about it once."

"Oh…did he?" Anna asked, her voice hard at the mention of Hans. To be fair to her though, Hans did try to kill both her and her sister.

Evie nodded. "Yes he did. Mother was trying to arrange a match for me and she thought Prince Hans was suitable, you know being a Prince and—."

"I'm sorry, a match?" Snow White and Anna said at the same time.

"You're a child!"

"He's old enough to be your father!"

"If anything happened, I'm going to do more than just punch him!"

Evie looked at the other VKs, more than slightly shocked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Probably but then again, we're VKs. Everything we say is wrong," Mal shrugged.

Leah rolled her eyes. Honestly they were making too big of a fuss about the whole thing. She had been in a betrothal match with Stefan and of course Aurora had been put in one with Phillip. Not to mention the one Audrey was in with Ben. That was just the way things were done!

I don't know how she can call herself an Isle kid and survive, Mal thought with an eye roll. The 'princess' was about three months older than Mal but it was the only achievement the little brat had over her. At least the only one that counted—if Mal had to hear about how good the little 'evilette-in-training' was at sewing and cooking the next time Evil Queen and Maleficent had their little get togethers—get togethers that only served to raise Maleficent's ire and nothing more—Mal was probably going to scream.

"Then why does she have the get together if all it does is raise her ire?" Lucy asked.

"Again, the less we ponder about the inner workings of Maleficent's mind, the happier we all are," Mal told the dark haired Charming.

Mal stopped for a second as a thought came to her, as thoughts often do. I outrank the princess now, she thought with a smirk. Well technically, Mal already outranked Evie in terms of the Isle's hierarchy. One of the few good things about being seen as Maleficent's daughter, you found yourself elevated to the top of the food chain without needing to do anything.

Exactly as I thought. She didn't have to work for her station, she was just handed it, Leah thought with a scowl.

But God outranked fairy in terms of life's hierarchy…and it definitely outranked mortal.

Father wouldn't be happy if I just started bragging about being his daughter though. Especially since he said that doing that might put a target on my back, Mal thought with a small frown.

"More importantly, you were going to let Blueberry know before you let me know?!" Uma exclaimed.

Besides, why should Blueberry know before Uma? I actually like Uma for one and for another thing we're cousins! Just ignore the 'princess' and head over to the clubhouse. Harry and Uma should be there by now.

Harry chuckled. "I shouldn't be surprised you cousins had the same thought."

Fate, however, would not allow her to ignore the Bluette as Evie saw and gave a small wave in Mal's direction.

"Why didn't you just ignore her anyway?" Uma asked.

"You'll see," Mal sighed.

Ugh, fine. Now I have to talk to her since we're on the same side of the road. I can't just turn and cross—well I mean I can but is it worth it? If Maleficent found out I was rude to Princess Blueberry…honestly I don't think she'd care but it's not worth the risk.

"Oh," Uma sighed.

How much power does Maleficent have over the Isle if Mal can't avoid people she doesn't like? Emir thought. Then again…I have to play nice with Audrey and I can't stand her.

"Princess," Mal said shortly, nodding her head.

"Hello Mal," Evie smiled. "I hope you're well?"

"I really did mean that," Evie said, her voice soft as she looked over at Mal. "I know you and Uma hated me but there was no reason for me to wish you ill."

"Yeah Evie wouldn't wish that on anyone!" Dizzy spoke up, shaking her head.

Mal snorted. Trust Blueberry to use a phrase like 'I hope you're well' and probably mean it, she thought. She really thinks of herself as a princess.

Snow White tapped her chin in thought. "Well…technically you could be gifted your mother's title through my line. After all, we are step-sisters since your mother never divorced my father."

"Really?" Evie gasped. Audrey, after all, had been quick to remind her that she had no royal standing in Auradon.

Ben nodded. "If Queen Snow would like, I can look into it—."

"After the coronation!" Emir, Akiho, Emma, and Lonnie said in unison.

Audrey stared in shock. "You're honestly going to give her a royal title?!"

"I don't see why I shouldn't," Snow White said, her voice never losing its kind and gentle tone. "She's family after all."

Evie gently bit her lip; careful not to leave any teeth impressions or mess up her lipstick. Maybe…maybe I don't need to steal the wand. Maybe I could ask Snow for help getting my dad back?

"Got enough stuff there?" Mal scoffed, noting all the bags Evie was ladened down with. Where she had gotten half the stuff in her arms, Mal didn't know nor did she particularly care.

Evie looked down. "Oh, well mother's preparing for my birthday. It's coming up in a couple of weeks you know."

Mal scowled and Evie sighed at the mention of that fateful birthday. The birthday that would change both of their lives.

"And she sent you?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow. The Evil Queen didn't strike Mal as someone who would send her daughter out to run errands. She would have thought they would have had minions for that. Then again, it was shopping. If there was anything Mal knew about Evie, it was how much she just loved shopping.

"Oh! You'll enjoy going to the shops in Auradon then!" Lonnie grinned.

Lil' Shang shook his head. "How can you be so athletic and so girly at the same time?"

"It's a gift," Lonnie said with a shrug.

"Of course," Evie said, standing straighter than Mal thought possible.

"Whatever princess," Mal scoffed. "Tell you what, as a birthday present Uma and I won't pelt you with smoke bombs."

"…that's a gift?" Rachel asked.

"It is for the Isle," Mal said with a smirk. "And when we don't particularly like someone."

"But…isn't that bullying?" Rowyn asked, looking a little shocked. "I mean it's one thing if it's in fun but the fact that you're offering a respite as a gift…"

"Bullying implies our families didn't have a rivalry," Mal stated even if she was avoiding Ben's disappointed stare.

What? The guy's puppy dog eyes were murder on her soul and she barely knew the guy!

Ever since they had perfected their formula, the two girls had used smoke bombs whenever possible. Though their favorite target was Evie whenever possible.

That's probably why Blueberry's talking to me now, Mal thought. We're out in the open and I don't have a bag with me so there's no chance I could hit her with a smoke bomb. Huh, that's not a bad idea now that I think about it. But why would someone just carry a bag with them if they don't need it? Seems like a waste of time.

"It is, but we have to carry them because people believe women don't deserve pockets in their clothing!" Lonnie exclaimed.

"Ooh, that would be handy," Evie nodded. "I almost wish I had a notebook or something, I'd love to design a dress with pockets in it!"

Rapunzel smiled. "Talk to me during the next break Evie. I might be able to help."

"Oh Gods, I'm going to discover fifty thousand dress designs the next time I come home aren't I?" Eugene shook his head.

Evie rolled her eyes. "You know Mal, if you're going to act like that, maybe I won't invite you to my party."

"…I know this already happened," Jay sighed. "But dear Gods Blueberry! Why in the world would you say that?"

"Because she doesn't have a brain," Uma taunted.

Evie, though, stayed silent. She knew it wasn't worth saying anything…besides, had she actually invited Mal, maybe her dad wouldn't have had to spend years in Maleficent's clutches.

He suffered for so long. All because of a stupid mistake I made as a child, she thought.

"If that's your idea of a threat, princess, it needs some work," Mal chuckled as she walked off. She knew she had an invite guaranteed.

"Because she saw you as Maleficent's daughter?" Akiho asked.

"No because we were the best of friends…of course it was because she saw me as Maleficent's daughter," Mal said, shaking her head.

Though, one good thing did come of not going to Blueberry's party, she thought as Estelle plodded over to her. I would have never gotten Estelle otherwise.

Not that she wanted to go but everyone on the Isle knew Maleficent's story and what she did because she hadn't been invited to Aurora's christening. No one wanted to potentially earn Maleficent's wrath by purposefully snubbing her daughter.

Evie held back a wince at the reminder of Maleficent's story.

"…Maleficent's story? Maleficent's?! She cursed my child and it's her story?!"

"Again, your mother had to be here why?" Phillip Sr. asked Aurora.

I mean it's not like Maleficent would care that I wasn't invited. Oh no, it'd be the insult to her she'd care about, Mal thought as she made her way to her clubhouse.

"It's all she'd care about," Mal muttered under her breath.

Uma had been the one to find it back when they were four. It wasn't much, mainly empty rooms but it was a place that was theirs. None of the adults knew it existed meaning if any of their parents ever went looking for them, they'd never find them.

"But…what if you'd been injured? No one would know where you were," Kristoff pointed out.

Harry shrugged. "Then we stay there until we become un-injured enough to handle the Isle."

"It's where I stayed most of the time when Maleficent broke my ankle," Mal added and the blasé tone of her voice caused many to glare at the scroll at the reminder of what Maleficent had done.

Lobbing a rock at the 'Flying Rocks' sign to open the gate, Mal made her way up to the clubhouse.

"Isn't that rather dangerous? What if you hit someone missing the sign?" Alexandria asked.

Mal shrugged. "Then they know not to walk past there anymore."

"Hey guys?" Mal called as she finished climbing up the stairs. "You here?"

"Hey Mal," Uma grinned, hopping up from the milk crate that she was using for a seat.

Ariel sighed. Milk crates…they were using milk crates for chairs. That's not to mention the food situation. Dear Neptune did we fail the Isle. And I don't think reversing our mistake will be as easy as we think.

"You look like you have news."

Uma smirked. "Me and Harry saw one of Old man Slade's chickens in town today."

"That's news? How boring is the Isle?"

"Well considering we have two channels on our television and one is always an infomercial on dungeon shackles and the other is the Auradon News, we've got to get our entertainment somewhere," Uma told Audrey, rolling her eyes.

"This is news? Everyone knows Old man Slade was the one to take in the chickens that somehow made their way onto the barge," Mal said, rolling her eyes. No one knew how those stupid birds wound up on the barge but Old man Slade as he was called was the only one willing to take them in. No one wanted to even eat them due to how little meat there was. Plus Slade was one of the rare exceptions to the urban environment, having a farm on the edge of the Isle.

"…did we ever figure out how those chickens wound out on the barge?"

"They're dumber than Gil Mal! I'm pretty sure they just walked on," Harry told her, shaking his head.

A few kids tried to steal a chicken once a year early on but that stopped once they came face to face with Slade's shot gun or his dog Chief.

"I know they're stealing and he has the right to defend his property but…they're just trying to get food," Chad spoke up.

"…that might be the first time when you made sense," Kitty told her brother.

"No Mal. We saw them in town," Uma told her. "Meaning they escaped Slade's farm."

"Oh. Ooh!"

"I don't get it," Melody said with a frown.

"I think she's got it," Harry smirked. "We were thinking we could catch one of those feathery rats. The one we saw looked fairly plump for the birds that came from the barge; Slade's been feeding them well."

"Oh…Oh!"

"Did you get them?" Emma asked.

Mal chuckled. "Well, we had some help."

Mal chuckled. "You mean you'd be fine with eating something other than fish, Harry? I know how loyal you are to your dad's fish shop."

"Food is food," Mal told her past self. "Besides, without those chickens, dad can't make his crispy garlic chicken!"

"Hey it's meat." Harry shrugged. "Plus it's food that's ours. Boreadon had no say in it."

"…we are definitely getting to the bottom of the food issue," Ben promised.

"Michael's on the ball, looking for the tapes," Akiho promised.

Mal nodded. "Then what are we waiting for?"

"You."

Mal chuckled and the three of them left the clubhouse to go further into town where Uma and Harry had seen the chickens. It took maybe thirty minutes before they caught sight of one.

Estelle wagged his tail as he heard the world 'chickens'.

"Sorry boy, none here," Mal told him. Estelle whined and laid down, disappointed.

"Allow me girls," Harry smirked as he walked up to grab it. Sauntering up to the chicken, Harry reached out to snatch it. Sadly, for Harry that is, the chicken was smart enough to avoid being captured and all Harry got was an introduction to the pavement.

"Smooth," Emma shook her head.

"Spotless execution," Lonnie chuckled.

"Oh well done," Mal said dryly as Uma rolled her eyes.

"In all honesty I'd give it a three in execution," Uma chuckled.

"Well I don't see either of you doing it!" Harry exclaimed, rubbing his chin where he'd hit it on the ground. Uma and Mal smirked and they dove for the chicken. One skinned knee and bruised elbow later, the three kids were back in their clubhouse; nursing their wounds.

Mulan couldn't help but smile at the image that produced. If one ignored the fact that they were trying to catch chickens to have a decent thing to eat, it almost sounded like something from a happy childhood.

"It's impossible! We'll never catch one of those feathered demons."

"Maybe we won't," Mal said slowly, as an idea came to her. "But I know someone who might be able to. But we'll have to make a deal with him. He won't just do it for free."

"Ah I was wondering when my name would be brought up," Jay said with a chuckle.

"Any self respecting villain kid wouldn't do a job for free," Uma scoffed. "Who is he?"

"Jay."

Uma nodded. "He'd be good at it. But what can we offer him? He's a year older than us, there's no way he'd be willing to make a deal with younger kids."

"Is a year really that big a difference?" Chad asked.

"Yes!" Dizzy, Hadie, Celia, Alex, Kitty, and Lucy exclaimed.

Mal chuckled. "If CJ and Ryan were here, they'd have added to that chorus."

Mal thought for a minute. Uma had a point; even though Jafar was in league with Maleficent, that didn't automatically mean Jay would agree to a deal with Mal's crew. Especially since they were a year younger.

Younger meant weaker. No one wanted to associate themselves with someone they thought to be weak.

Carlos held back a sigh. He knew that all too well—the sense of knowing that others thought you weak. Thankfully he was in Auradon now and could check out what they had in terms of technology and that sort of thing.

"We could bring him into the crew," Mal said slowly. "Offer him a place to sleep in the clubhouse, you know if we ever get furniture in here. Protection, stuff like that."

"Isn't his dad in Maleficent's gang?" Herkie asked. "Doesn't that mean Jay already has some protection since messing with him would be like messing with one of Maleficent's people?"

"That's not a bad idea," Uma said. "Plus, he's older than us. We'd elevate our status among the kids of the Isle if we were seen giving an older kid orders and him going along with it."

"Well I mean we kinda still do that anyway," Jay chuckled. "Henry's older than I am after all and I'm a year older than you three."

"Henry?" Emma asked.

"Henry Kersey, fourth in line if anything happens to the Captains, Harry, or me," Jay explained. "He's a good man, though he trains a little too much."

"Eighteen hour days apparently," Harry shook his head.

"Whoa, girls! Think about it," Harry exclaimed. "Do we really want to bring that sneaky scarf stealer into the crew? Besides, Mal, his dad's already in league with the dragon. I think he's good to go in terms of protection."

"Heh, I see my brother and you had the same thought Harry," Macaria said with a smile.

"Don't be jealous Harry," Mal chuckled.

"I wasn't jealous," Harry muttered. I just don't like change. The last big change was…the runt being born and mom dying.

"I'm not. I just don't see why we need to bring in new blood," Harry stated, crossing his arms. "We work just fine the way we are Mal. Besides, what can Jay offer that I don't?"

"A male sparring partner for you," Rose pointed out.

"Two completely useable hands for one?" Mal stated, shooting a look at the hook that occupied Harry's right hand.

"That too," Rose nodded.

Jay chuckled. "She's got you there mate."

He didn't need the hook but due to the young boy's desire to be exactly like his father, Harry had started carrying it around. The only time he didn't was when he was sparing Mal and Uma—and that was only because he liked to switch hands mid fight.

Mal held back a sigh as she thought about all the times she or Uma or Jay had to drag Harry back from Tick Tock or his kids because Harry had gotten the mad idea to get the crocs to bite off his hand.

"Harry's right," Uma interjected, preventing Harry from shooting a response back at Mal. "I still think it's a good idea but we really need something Jay can't say no to."

"Mal's seen as Maleficent's daughter though and Jafar was in Maleficent's clique," Emma pointed out. "I don't think Jay would risk it getting back to Maleficent that he told Mal no."

Mal smirked. "I think I know of something. You guys know how I'm Lord Hades' errand rat right?"

"Yeah," Harry and Uma nodded. Being an errand rat wasn't usually something to be proud of but Lord Hades never had errand rats. Just that fact alone was worth telling Uma and Harry but they had to know about the deal. Otherwise, they wouldn't have known they would be able to get free food too.

"Again, do they really need to know about the agreement when Lord Hades didn't charge the kids of the Isle anyway?" Ashaki asked.

"Well part of the deal is that me and my gang get free food at his restaurant whenever we go in," Mal said. "Think about it. If you were Jay, would you turn down that kind of food security?"

Esmeralda shook her head. It may not have been the same but she could remember her childhood, traveling from city to city and sometimes not knowing if they'd be able to get something to eat. She'd have killed for a shop where she knew she could get food.

Plus there was no way her father would say no to that sort of thing. He'd probably put a limit on how many kids could be in Mal's gang but one more kid getting free food wouldn't put his restaurant under.

Hades chuckled. "Mal, your crew currently has nineteen members and the restaurant still hasn't gone under. Not to mention, most of the kids get free food anyway."

"Think Lord Hades would go for it?" Harry asked. "Or do you think he'd cancel the deal?"

"Never!" Hades exclaimed, looking at Uma and Mal. "The only time I'd cancel the deal would be if you girls had a falling out, thus causing your crew to split."

"So basically never going to happen?" Mal asked.

"Exactly," Hades nodded.

"Only way to know is to ask," Mal said. "I'll ask in the morning. I just saw him when I dropped off the order from your dad's shop. Wouldn't do to be seen as a pest."

"You are never a pest Mali," Hades told her.

Mal smiled at him. "Thanks dad. But you know I didn't want to establish a pattern for the Dragon either. Plus, Harry and Uma didn't know about you being my dad at that point."

Phoebus leaned over to Esmeralda. "Why am I not more shocked that Lord Hades has a daughter?"

"Because we're sitting in the realm of the Fates reading about the Isle of the Lost with others who include some of the Gods?"

Harry nodded and then stood up. "Well, no use just sitting around. You guys want to spar?"

"There's only three of us," Mal pointed out. "One of us would have to sit out the first round."

"That's how it always been," Uma argued. "One of us has always sat out."

"Wouldn't that be another argument for bringing in another member?" Emir asked. "So that way there's not one person sitting around bored out of their skull?"

"Captains first," Harry said, smirking a little as the two girls grabbed their swords. Sneaking the swords away from Hooks' crew had been easy; all they had to do was wait for Smee to be on watch. The timid first mate could never say no, especially when Harry asked.

"Is it really sneaking the swords then?" Elle asked. "Since it basically just sounds like Smee gave them to you."

Harry opened and then closed his mouth, looking over at Uma and Mal. "The lass has a point."

Harry and Uma had been the most skilled with the sword, having trained together since they were old enough to hold one. Mal liked to joke that Harry was born with a sword in his hand.

"He's the son of Captain Hook! What did you expect?" Melody shook her head.

Which, considering who his father was, probably wasn't that far off from the truth.

"Well…she is Mal's cousin. That might explain it," Harry muttered to himself.

Picking up her sword, Mal smirked as she turned to face Uma. "Ready to have your butt kicked, octo-girl?"

"Since when have you 'kicked my butt' in sparring Mal?" Uma chuckled.

"Last week!" Mal smirked.

"Keep dreaming, dragon breath," Uma teased right back. "How many times have you won a sparring match against me?"

Mulan looked intrigued. It was clear that the Isle didn't seem to have any set gender roles—probably because their main priority was survival. If it wasn't for the fact that it was an Island of villains and Shan Yu would probably find her in a second, she'd go for a visit. See just how good those pirates were.

"First time for everything Uma!"

Harry chuckled as the match began, each girl quickly matching and dodging the other's movements. It was clear that they had grown used to both the swords and each other as partners as it almost seemed like a dance. Not that either girl would admit to something as prissy as that.

"Dancing's actually really athletic," Macaria said.

"Uh huh," Mal rolled her eyes.

"Believe it when I see it," Uma agreed.

"Nice move Mal!" Harry called as Mal grabbed Uma's other hand to knock her off balance. He was sure that some of the stuffed shirts over in Boredon would call that cheating. But Harry didn't care and he knew Mal and Uma didn't either. They were villain kids.

"Do what you gotta do to survive. You can worry about the niceties later," Jay nodded.

Aladdin wasn't going to lie, seeing someone live the life he used to live was almost like a punch to the gut. The lack of food, the stealing, the coming up with their own rules to survive…it was like looking in a mirror.

The sound of the sword hitting the concrete flooring brought Harry out of his thoughts and he saw Uma pointing a sword at a disarmed Mal.

"You beat Mal?!" Hadie asked.

"I love how your brother is so shocked," Uma shook her head as she looked at Mal.

"Another win for me," Uma smirked as she sheathed her sword.

"You cheated." Mal chuckled, not mad in the slightest.

"Pirate." Uma said with a smirk and a small bow.

"So was I!" Mal exclaimed.

"I was just a better one," Uma smirked.

Mal chuckled. "Harry, you're up. Who do you want to spar with?"

"Whoever's the least winded. I don't want an easy match today. Papa's going out with Gaston so I want to get all my energy out when he saddles Harriet with me and fish for brains."

"Who has fish for brains?" Naveen asked.

"Gil. Son of Gaston," Harry told him.

"And why is he not here as well if he's mentioned in the scrolls?"

"Because the Fates are kind to me for once."

"Gil's not too bad," Uma chuckled. "Sure he's a moron but he's working on repairing mama's necklace for me. He told me he found the pieces one day in the 'food' barge and salvaged them."

"Gil's always liked crafts," Carlos spoke up. "His brothers give him a hard time about it so he mainly hangs out with his sisters when he can."

"Yeah right," Harry scoffed. "He's just trying to get into the crew. Why would Boreadon ever throw out something like that? Especially pieces of Ursula's necklace?"

Poseidon sighed. He had given Ursula that necklace for her birthday what seemed like several lifetimes ago.

"Maleficent has her scepter," Mal said softly. "I don't know how she got it but she has it."

"…that should be something we should look into," Phoebus said, his voice soft.

In the privacy of the clubhouse, among her friends, was the only time Mal truly felt safe enough to call Maleficent by her name. Mal knew that neither Uma nor Harry would go running back to the dragon and report what Mal had said.

"Of course we wouldn't Mal!" Harry shook his head.

"Guess security is really lax in Boreadon or something," Harry shrugged.

"Well when they have all the villains on an Isle, do they really need it?" Mal asked. "I mean, seems like a waste of time if you ask me."

"Don't we have a security guard at the Museum of Cultural History?" Chad asked.

"We do," Ella nodded.

"But if all the villains are on the Isle, why do we have him?"

Harry and Uma nodded before Harry stood up. "Well girls, you've had enough of a break. Who wants to spar me?"

"Why are you even asking? We both know it'll be Uma," Jay shook his head.

"Who do you want to spar?" Mal asked.

Harry thought for a moment, looking between the two girls. "Uma," he said after a minute and Uma smirked.

"What else did I expect?" Mal chuckled. "It was always Uma until Jay joined us."

"Okay Harry, but don't go crying to Mal when you lose," she teased.

"Oh please," Harry scoffed. "I taught you, remember?"

"And you did a fantastic job!" Uma grinned and Mal nodded.

"Yep! We haven't lost a fight with Freddy and his Angels since you taught us," she added.

"Sometimes the student surpasses the teacher," Uma chuckled as she raised her sword once more. Mal chuckled as the two began to spar. Uma and Harry might have been the rulers of trash talk but they could back up what they were saying.

"Why else would you talk smack unless you couldn't back it up?" Kitty asked.

Now, that wasn't to say that they could beat an adult but if they went up against someone like Fred Frollo for example, they could easily trounce him.

"Considering Freddy uses his daggers, I should hope we could trounce him in a sword fight," Harry said, spitting out the word 'daggers'.

"I'm sorry, I still can't get over the fact that Frollo sired a child," Phoebus sighed.

"Two children. He's got a daughter—."

"What?!" Esmeralda snapped and then looked over at Beast and Belle. "And you never once thought to get that poor girl out of his clutches? You all remember what he wanted to do to me, imagine what he'd be like to her!"

"Claudine's okay," Mal said. "She mainly spends time in the bell tower of Dragon Hall, my old school."

Esmeralda shook her head. "Why am I not surprised he made one of his children a bell ringer? It's what he did to Quasi after all."

Then again, Freddy Boy doesn't have any skills in the art of sword fighting, Mal thought with a chuckle as she sat on the milk crate Uma had vacated. Mal looked around the club house and smiled a little. Sure one might think it was depressing; with its lack of furniture and blankets strewn about for when it got cold.

"Might think it's depressing?" Emir muttered to Akiho. "How can we get some furniture over there?"

"We talk to Ben of course," Akiho muttered back.

But it was home. It was certainly more of a home than Maleficent's castle was.

Hades couldn't help but give Mal a sad smile as he heard that. While he was of course glad Mal had a place to get away from the vindictive harpy that was her egg donor, he wished it wasn't needed.

The Underworld might compete with that, a tiny voice rang out in Mal's brain. After all, that's where your father is.

Father. The title didn't quite fit. Even though that's what she had chosen back at the restaurant, Mal wasn't quite happy with it. It felt too stuffy. Like she was trying to fit in around the Boreadon elite.

"It's like you read my mind," Hades chuckled.

"Well I am a Godling. We can do that," Mal smirked.

Well Hades is a God. Don't they do that stuffy stuff on Olympus?

"Unfortunately," Persephone sighed.

Yeah but I'm not on Olympus. I'm on the Isle.

Are you going to be running around telling people about Hades?

"Not unless I want the Dragon on my case," Mal muttered.

Probably not?

Then what does it matter?

Mal shook her head a little to clear it of her internal debate. She wasn't going to run around, calling Hades by the title in public after all. It shouldn't matter that she felt uncomfortable.

Oh Mal honey, you should feel comfortable calling your dad whatever title you want, Persephone thought with a sad smile.

What else could I call him? Mal thought. Harry calls his father 'papa' and Uma calls her mother 'mama' but that seems like more of a pirate thing. I call Maleficent 'mother' but that's only because I know what'll happen if I don't. Hades is the exact opposite of Maleficent so why am I calling him 'father'?

"Because that's what you decided to call him," Rose said with a shrug.

Maleficent always referred to Hades by that title as well whenever she spoke about him. 'Your father', she'd say. 'Your weak, useless father'.

"Dad's not weak or useless!" Hadie exclaimed.

The dragon's wrong, Mal thought with a rush of anger.

"Well she's wrong about a great many things but what specifically is she wrong about this time?" Hades asked.

Hades isn't weak, even trapped under a magic barrier he still has some access to his powers. That's more than Maleficent can claim, with her glowey eyes and a scepter that's basically a fancy walking stick.

"I wonder what Maleficent would look like if someone said that to her face?" Eugene asked.

"Does this person you're imagining have a death wish?" Aladdin asked him.

And he's certainly not useless, not to me. Even if that use is just better food, it's more than Maleficent has ever done.

"Trust me, he does that and so much more," Mal muttered to herself, thinking about that fateful day at the Cove.

Mal's eyes glowed bright green for a moment before Mal clenched them shut, stamping down the anger she felt. Maleficent may have been a horrible monster, but she had been Mal's only parent for five years. That had to count for something right?

"Just because she gave you the bare minimum of care does not mean she was your parent," Cinderella stated, thinking about her own step mother.

Oh yes, all the beatings disguised as lessons. All the pinches and prods by the goblins. I think I still have a few bruises shaped like their fingerprints.

Demeter growled and her hands curled into fists. Poseidon's eyes flashed in anger.

"I think some goblins are going to be smote," Harry muttered to Jay.

"I have no sympathy for them," Jay muttered back.

Maleficent rules the Isle, she can't afford to be seen as weak. Hades has had five years to try to get you out of there if he really cared.

Hades winced but couldn't deny the fact that he could have tried harder to get Mal out of Maleficent's clutches.

Dad vs Maleficent, now that's a fight I pay to see.

"I'd sell tickets!" Chip said with a grin.

Mal's head shot up. 'Dad'. She had referred to Hades as 'dad'. Even in her head, it seemed right.

"And that is how I came to refer to dad as 'dad'," Mal told Herkie.

As she had said, Hades was Maleficent's polar opposite at least when it came to parenting. Instead of keeping her from food, Hades ensured Mal got some. She had only been in the Underworld for a few hours but Hades and Steph did their best to make her feel welcomed and safe.

Hades and Persephone couldn't help but smile as they heard that though Hades renewed his vow to smite himself a dragon. Actually so did Persephone. And Demeter.

Dad was a good title for him. A lot less stuffy than 'father' was. What had she been thinking?

She couldn't wait til tomorrow, when she could try out the new title and maybe get a new member of the gang as well.

"You honestly thought I'd say no?" Jay asked.

"You know what happens when you assume, Jay," Mal shook her head.

"Very true."

Hyllus chuckled. "Who wants to read next?"

"I'll read," Beast said, taking a scroll.

Chapter 18 Chapter Text

Beast sighed and looked at the scroll in his hand. "Out of curiosity, how many scrolls are there?"

"Well, counting the one in your hand dad, I got one hundred and three," Ben said. "We've read fourteen scrolls, so we've got eighty nine more to go."

Before Beast could answer, the floating eyeball appeared once more and began to spin. Once the spinning subsided, all that was left was another scroll that landed on Beast's head.

"One hundred and four," Ben corrected himself.

"We're going to be here a while then," Beast sighed and unfurled his scroll.

Mal woke up the next day feeling slightly nervous, though she quickly tamped down that feeling. It wasn't like she could guarantee success; if Hades…if her dad said no to Jay getting a free meal, they wouldn't have any way to tempt Jay into joining the crew.

"I'd have gotten him to say yes Mal," Persephone told her, giving her daughter a small smile.

Scurrying out of her room and quickly leaving Maleficent's castle, Mal made her way to the Underworld. It was early enough to assume that Hades was still there rather than at the restaurant.

"Safe bet. After all, Uncle Hades lives there and doesn't seem too fond of the other villains," Hyllus nodded.

Hades shook his head. Uma calling him 'uncle' he could handle because it'd been years and he'd grown fond of the little squidling. Hercules' kids calling him 'uncle' though? That was just weird.

I'll try there if dad's not in the Underworld. Gods, it's strange…referring to someone as 'dad' even if it's in my head. I mean strange in a good way though. Like days when the cloud cover isn't as dark.

Beast wasn't going to lie, reading Mal's thought was almost like a punch to the stomach. He'd never have that experience, of hearing his little girl call him 'dad' for the first time…he hated to admit it but in that moment he was jealous of Lord Hades.

The only reason she had spent the night in her 'room' at Maleficent's castle was because she didn't want to raise the dragon's suspicions in case she had heard about her confrontation with Evie. The last thing Maleficent would want would be to be made to look bad and her daughter having a confrontation with the child of someone under her control?

"I…I didn't say anything," Evie said, her voice soft as everyone turned to look at her. "Mother handled the invitations to my party anyway."

"Uh huh," Mal scoffed.

Mal held back a shudder at the thought of what kind of 'lesson' Maleficent would teach her for that.

"She even tries and she'll deal with me," Hades promised, growling slightly.

"You'd have to beat me to it dear," Persephone told him.

Aurora looked over at Phillip Sr. "No sword offer?"

"I'm reigning in my urge to kill," Phillip Sr. said. "No child should have to fear their parents' reactions to them getting into an argument of all things."

I should have just stayed the night in the clubhouse, Mal thought as she walked the streets of the Isle. Sure we don't have a bed or heat there but it's better than getting almost no sleep because you don't know when the dragon'll strike.

Ariel felt her heart break as she heard that. While she was happy that her little cousin had a safe place where Maleficent couldn't get to her, the idea that Mal would rather sleep on the floor than on a bed…

Thankfully, a somewhat tired Mal meant a scowl was presented to the other members of the Isle. Meaning she wasn't stopped by anyone on her way to the Underworld.

"Not even Freddy?" Harry asked.

"I don't think he was out that day," Mal told him.

"What about Zevon?" Jay added.

"…I think I shoved him out of my way about halfway to the Underworld."

"Good," Uma said with a smirk.

Shaking her head as she opened the door, Mal couldn't help the small feeling of relief she felt as she stepped inside.

"Hello?" Mal called softly, walking further in.

"Mal?" Persephone called, walking out to greet her. "Hello sweetie."

"Hi Lady Steph," Mal said, using Persephone's proper title. Maleficent still insisted that her lackeys call her 'her excellency' sometimes, Mal didn't know if she'd be required to do the same with Persephone. Better safe than sorry.

Persephone sighed. She knew there had to be a reason why Mal had referred to her by 'Lady' Steph the first few months they knew each other but she didn't think it had to do with Maleficent.

"Just 'Steph' is fine, Mal," Persephone said, giving the young girl a sad smile. "Your father's in the den. Just go on in, he'll be happy to see you."

"I'm always happy to see my kids," Hades said with a nod of his head.

Mal nodded and made her way to the den. Hades, it seemed, was deep in thought as he hadn't even heard Mal come up.

"What were you thinking about?" Poseidon asked.

"It's been over ten years, you think I still remember?" Hades told him. That was a lie; of course he remembered. He'd just gotten finished weighing another group of kids' souls and was thinking how lucky he was that Mal probably would never be in that group. Or at least it would be a long time before she was.

"Fath…dad?" Mal asked softly, correcting herself mid-word as she was prepared to call Hades by the old title. Saying it out loud for the first time, dad was definitely the better choice.

"Definitely agree there," Neal nodded, grinning at Mal.

No reaction seemed to come from Hades, and Mal assumed that the God hadn't heard her. Summoning all the confidence she could that came from strutting around the Isle like she owned it (one of the few perks of being Maleficent's daughter), Mal walked into the den and plopped on the sofa next to her dad.

"So a regular Tuesday then?" Hadie chuckled.

"You know, you really need to serve something different at your restaurant," Mal said, her topic choice surprising her but she decided to roll with it.

"That's how you broached the subject?" Uma asked.

"Hey I was five," Mal shrugged. "I wasn't as well versed in the art of subtlety."

"Oh really?" Hades asked, looking over at her. If he was surprised to see her, it didn't show on his face. "Well what did you have in mind? There's not much available to us other than fish and I'd rather not feed the people of the Isle stuff sent from the boat. I'm cruel but not that cruel."

Belle sighed and Beast closed his eyes briefly at the reminder of what the people on the Isle were forced to eat. All because they hadn't checked in.

Ben looked at Akiho and nodded. They were going to get that footage and see what was happening. No matter what.

"What about chicken?" Mal asked, a seemingly innocent tone to her voice. "Then people wouldn't constantly be comparing yours and Ursula's food. For the record, Uma would like that—apparently, your food's better."

"What?! Come on cuz, we both know that's a lie! I mean Uncle Hades' food is good but his fish is not better!"

There was no love lost between Uma and her mother but she would be damned if the restaurant got slammed because of this.

That was a total lie, no one on the Isle would risk irritating the daughter of the God of the Sea but Hades would never know. Besides, there was no harm in stroking the ego of a God; even if that God was one's dad.

"So, I'd never know huh Mali?" Hades chuckled.

"Good idea in theory Mal," Hades said with a smirk. "Just one tiny little problem. How exactly do you propose I get my hands on one of those feathered pests?"

"Why am I now picturing Pain and Panic walking along the streets of the Isle with a net?" Ashaki chuckled.

"Probably because that's what they did when they had to capture Abu," Emir pointed out, having grown up on that story.

"Oh my crew's on it," Mal said with a smirk of her own. "Or at least we're close to. Harry and Uma found some of Old man Slade's chickens in town yesterday and we tried to catch one. They're too fast though so we're going to bring in Jay."

"I thought you don't admit weaknesses?" Phillip Jr. asked.

Normally, Mal would have snapped back but she could tell that there was no malice in the boy's question. Just curiosity.

"He's my dad," she shrugged. "He and mom are probably the only adults it's safe to admit a weakness to."

Hades couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. Granted Jay wasn't an unknown entity but his father was connected to Maleficent.

"Really brother? Judging a boy based on who his father is?" Zeus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Maybe I shouldn't worry so much. I'm doing what the Boreadon elite did when they set up this Isle, condemning Jay simply because of who his father is.

"Going to accuse me of being a hypocrite again Zeusey?" Hades shot back.

I'm not condemning the boy. I just want Mal to be careful. Hook and Ursula may be slightly lower on the Isle totem pole but at least they're not in league with the dragon.

Poseidon sighed. He could definitely relate to Hades' want of keeping his daughter safe. It was one of the reasons why Poseidon didn't speak to Zeus for a month after Athena died. It may have been irrational, since there wasn't much that could protect against a ship smashing against rocks, but if it could have saved Triton from that heartbreak, the gift of immortality would have been welcomed.

"So if we bring you a chicken, can we get another option for the menu?" Mal asked, unaware of the internal dilemma being raged in Hades' brain.

Tiana couldn't help but smile a little, both at the childish innocence only a five year old could have and at the prospect of another restauranteur adding something to his menu.

"If you like Lord Hades, I have some recipes for chicken I'd be happy to give you," she said.

"The offer's…the offer's appreciated Queen Tiana," Hades said after recovering from his shock.

Naveen shook his head. "You two can talk shop later. For now, let's just listen to this scroll and hope the image of Facilier and Ursula doesn't enter back into my head."

"Just to make sure I understand, you're actually going to bring another member into your gang just so I make something different at the restaurant?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well when you put it that way Uncle Hades, it sounds insane," Uma chuckled.

Mal sighed. "Dad, if I keep eating fish, I will turn into a fish."

Poseidon shook his head. "Nothing wrong with that, though if you're interested I'd be happy to help."

"Or so would my father," Ariel spoke up. He could easily turn them into mermaids for a day and turn them back into humans. What? You actually thought that trident in the museum was real? Why would he allow the item that allowed power over all the oceans to be easily stolen? When it was in Atlantica, it couldn't be removed from its pedestal unless it was by him or one of his descendants.

This time, Hades did notice the change in title but chose not to comment on it; the only sign he noticed was a small smile on his face. "Mal, I don't think that it's possible for you to become a fish. Not unless you ask your Uncle Poseidon to do it. As for Jay, I know he's a good thief and could more than likely catch one of those rats with wings. But his dad is in league with your mother. You really want to make one of her minion's son your minion just for the sake of some chicken?"

"Just because Jafar's in league with Maleficent doesn't mean Jay would be," Aladdin spoke up. "A child is not their parent…"

He trailed off as he caught sight of Hades' knowing look and a flush came to his face as the former street rat realized he'd made the same argument Lord Hades had been making while reading these scrolls.

"I mean Princess Aurora is pretty much proof of that!" Ashaki spoke up.

Jasmine sighed. "I feel I should scold her but…is she wrong though?"

"Dear, aren't you the one always saying that it doesn't make sense for the Auradon elite to keep the kids locked on the Isle just because of who their parents are?" Persephone asked, walking into the den.

Meg chuckled. "She's not wrong. After all, you've been saying that since we came in here for this reading."

"Yeah dad," Mal nodded. "If it's wrong for Boreadon to do it to the kids, then why should I do it to Jay? Besides, from what little I know about Jay, he may need the gang as much as he'd be useful for us."

"A true alliance then," David said with a small, sad, smile.

Hades looked over at Persephone and sighed. "Alright. But be careful. There may not be many people on the Isle that I trust completely, but at least Hook and Ursula aren't in league with Maleficent. In fact, I may trust Ursula a bit more than I'd trust others on the Isle just because she's a relation. That being said, I still trust her as far as I can throw her."

"How far can you throw her?" Melody asked.

"Not far enough to trust her," Hades replied.

"Rambling dear," Persephone said, sneakily taking a photo of the two of them sitting on the sofa; Hades having turned his head back toward Mal so he was looking at his daughter instead of at Persephone. Otherwise he'd have seen Persephone take the photo.

"I thought I saw a flash of light!" Hades exclaimed.

"Right," Hades nodded. "The point I was trying to make was that I don't want you getting hurt just because you brought a new player into your gang."

"I wouldn't hurt Mal!" Jay exclaimed, a hurt look flashing across his face before he could stop it.

"I know that now," Hades told him. "I didn't know that then."

"Don't worry about me dad," Mal said, still surprised at the ease in which she called Hades by the title.

Maybe it helps that he actually acts like a parent—like Milah did with Harry and how Facilier acts with Uma.

Harry sighed softly at the mention of his mother. It may have been about fourteen years since her death but it still hurt to think about her. Thankfully, Naveen's confused and slightly disgusted mutters about Facilier and Ursula distracted him.

Which was exactly what Naveen had planned on. He had seen the hurt look on the young boy's face and so played up his reaction. Oh sure, he was still disgusted and confused but he could talk about that with Tiana.

"I'm your father, I'm always going to worry about you."

Mal smiled slightly as she got up. Jay wasn't going to come find her after all and she still needed to get Uma and Harry. "By the way, the next time Jay comes by the restaurant, he's going to get the same deal as Uma and Harry since he'll be in the crew."

"You were confident about that," Lucy chuckled.

"Of course I was," Mal smirked.

"Don't count your chickens Mal. Jay could say no."

"Hades, was that a pun?" Hera sighed.

"Why would it be…oh, because they're going to catch chickens," Hades said. "Hmm, I dunno. Might have been."

"We'll see," Mal smirked. "I'm going to go get Harry and Uma, we're going to go make the offer to Jay today. I just wanted to make sure it was confirmed that Jay would have the same offer Harry and Uma got before we asked Jay to join us."

"Smart, cover your bases," Eugene nodded.

"Of course he does Mal," Hades chuckled. "I still don't want you getting ahead of yourself there. Like I said, Jay could always say no."

Mal just shook her head and smirked a little. "Only an insane person would turn down an offer like this. Jay's a thief, he's not crazy."

"Jury's still out on that!" Harry called.

"No, I'm pretty sure you're the crazy one of us," Jay chuckled.

With that, Mal made her way out of the Underworld back onto the streets of the Isle. Wasting no time, she scurried to her clubhouse where Harry and Uma were waiting.

"Look, girls, are we sure about this?" Harry asked as Mal walked up, he and Uma sitting on the milk cartons that passed as furniture. "I mean, really, is there anything Jay would bring to the crew that I don't?"

"Devilishly good looks?" Jay asked with a smirk.

"So my question still stands," Harry said, chuckling at Jay's astonished look.

"Jay's a master thief," Mal said as she made her way over to them. "He could get us stuff we need, maybe even get us some good stuff from the barge if we don't feel like eating from Ursula's or Lord Hades' places."

Jay puffed up his chest at hearing Mal call him a master thief at the age of six.

Emir shook his head and poked Jay in the head. "I thought your head was getting a little too big. Wanted to deflate it before it took you off the ground," he said upon receiving a glare from the other thief.

"Master thief? He's six!" Harry growled. "That's like saying I'm a master pirate. Besides, all Jay steals is valuables. Nothing we could actually use for day to day life."

"Um…isn't food something you need from day to day?" Dizzy asked.

Mal and Uma stared at him for a second.

"Harry, we're going to ask him to steal a chicken," Uma stated. "A chicken is food. How do we not use that in everyday life?"

"Exactly!" Celia nodded.

"Not what I meant," Harry shook his head. "You get a chicken, you kill it, you eat it, it's gone. One use item."

"Not really," Celia spoke up. "Feathers could be used to plump up the pillows or add warmth to a blanket, the guts are good for talking to your friends on the other side or so dad tells me."

No one wanted to comment on the fact that she knew that off the top of her head.

Uma sighed. "True. Besides Mal, I was thinking. Jay could turn down the offer. After all, we're still younger than him. That might matter more than what we're offering."

"Younger but offering access to food," Emma said with a sigh. "I think that might outweigh the age concern."

"Uma, we're offering him food security and a stable place to sleep," Mal stated. "I've been in his dad's shop a few times with Maleficent. Jay's 'bed' is a blanket under the TV shelf in his dad's shop. I think he'd be mad to turn us down just because we're younger than him."

"Thanks Mal," Jay muttered as he looked away from Aladdin's shocked look. The last thing Jay wanted was his pity.

"Hey, do you think I knew my words were going to be recorded and then discussed with a bunch of Boreadon elites?" Mal asked him.

"You know, with his muscle, I bet in a couple of years we could get a bed in here," Uma said with a small grin, slowly getting back on board. "It'd be better than sleeping on the ground here—even if the blankets do help a little."

Esmeralda sighed softly, Phoebus wrapping an arm around her shoulders in comfort. To hear children living like that…

"At least they're going to start to come off," Phoebus whispered. "Remember, today was the start of Prince Ben's initiative."

"Yes but Phoebus, it's just four kids. All the rest of them are suffering," Esmeralda whispered back.

"Let's at least make him the offer," Mal suggested and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Fine," he muttered. "I still don't see why we'd need him though."

"Ah past-Harry, do you eat your words?" Uma smirked.

Harry chuckled. "Yes cap'n."

Mal shook her head but gave Harry a small smile. "You might like having another boy around more than you think, Harry."

"If you say so cap'n but I doubt it," Harry said as he got up. The bruise on his chin from his attempt to catch the chicken the other day seemed to be darker and Mal couldn't help but wonder if Harry had tried to catch one of the feathered beasts on his own just to prove that they didn't need Jay.

Mal and Uma shook their heads while Jay rolled his eyes. Honestly, there was no one more stubborn than Harry.

Stubborn idiot, she thought as she rolled her eyes.

"I stand by that thought by the way!" Mal stated.

"Come on, we have a thief to find," Uma said, getting up herself.

"Shouldn't be too hard. I mean, doesn't he almost never leave his daddy's store?" Harry asked with a slight mocking tone to his voice.

"You got a problem with that Harry?" Jay asked, glaring slightly to hide the hurt. He knew they weren't friends back then but he didn't think Harry would have mocked him for working in his dad's shop.

"Says the boy who also hardly leaves his papa's store," Mal shot back, rolling her eyes at him. "Now come on."

"Thank you Mal!" Jay said.

"I was five and we barely knew each other!" Harry exclaimed.

"Fine," Harry grumbled as the three of them left the clubhouse and made their way toward Jafar's shop. Mal led the way, being the member of the gang who'd actually been to Jafar's shop before. Plus, as Maleficent's daughter, it would make negotiations go smoother should they need to be done.

"Power is power, to steal a quote from the Dragon," Mal shrugged. "There's no denying that fact and if Jafar was there, he'd be less likely to throw us out if he saw me."

"Morning Jay," Mal said, throwing open the door to the shop. "I have a proposition for you."

"Well that's certainly one way to start a conversation," Evan chuckled.

Did she know exactly what the word meant? Nope. But she had seen it in one of the few books the Isle had and it was the same situation as she was in right now. It seemed like the right time to use it.

"You used it correctly," Belle nodded. "But…if they lock the library how did you…?"

"Someone throws out books," Mal said with a shrug. "At first it was just picture books but then chapter books started showing up."

Emir and Akiho looked over at Ben who was quite adamantly avoiding their eyes. He wasn't throwing them out, but putting them in the donate bin in their castle. He had five copies of one book, he didn't need all that!

"Fish for Brains wants another copy of the mad book with the freakish cat who wears a hat," Harry chimed in. "His brothers destroyed it."

"Go on," Jay said, leaning on the counter as Mal, Harry and Uma made their way into the shop. "When the daughter of Maleficent says that, it's bound to be good."

"And I was right," Jay nodded.

"I believe you may have some skills that would be handy for our crew," Mal said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So what you're saying is you need a thief?" Jay asked, smirking at Harry who was standing behind Mal. "But you already have a pirate."

"Not really a good idea if you want them on your side," Elle pointed out.

"Shut it, you run down trinket snatcher!" Harry growled.

"Also not a good idea," Melody said, echoing her sister.

"Harry!" Mal snapped in warning. The last thing anyone needed was for this meeting to get back to Maleficent and a fight between the son of one of her minions and the son of Hook would definitely get back to her in someway. Harry glowered but backed down a little.

"Good, the last thing you kids need to do is deal with a fight," Eric sighed in relief. He didn't know how stocked the shelves were but if one of the kids got hurt because some merchandise fell on them…

"What we need, Jay, are your swift hands," Uma chimed in. "We think they might be good at catching one of the chickens that have made their way into town."

"What's in it for me?" Jay asked. "You're telling me there's not one member of your little trio who can catch one of those feathered fiends?"

"No and trying to do it just results in pain to this day!" Uma exclaimed. "I swear Jay, you just wanted to hear us admit we couldn't do it."

Jay shrugged. "Hearing the daughter of Maleficent say she needed my services was a bit of an ego boost, I'm not going to lie."

"So you're saying you wouldn't be interested at free meals at Lord Hades' restaurant?" Mal asked with a smirk. "Not to mention a guaranteed place to sleep that isn't under a shelf?"

"At first you had his curiosity but I think now you have his attention," Emir chuckled, trying to ignore the rage he felt at someone being forced to sleep under a shelf.

Jay paused for a slight second before looking back at Mal. "Go on," he said. "I just need to help you catch a chicken and I get all that?"

"It does sound too good to be true," Kitty nodded.

"You'll have to help us move a bed into the clubhouse at some point," Mal said. "And you'll have to actually get a chicken for Lord Hades to use at his restaurant. Plus anything we think we might need that you can snatch, it's ours."

"That's not a bad deal," Hades said. "Though I would point out that Jay benefits more than you do."

"That was the idea," Mal said with a shrug. "Anything too evenly balanced or favoring us, Jay might have said no."

"Shouldn't be an issue," Jay said with a small nod. "I can catch one of those feathered feasts with my eyes closed."

He hopped over the counter so he was standing in front of them. It helped that the part of the counter Jay had been standing in front of was significantly lower than the rest of the counter.

"Oh come on Mal! Just ruin my coolness factor!" Jay grumbled.

"Just know that your list can't interfere with my dad's quota," Jay told Mal, who nodded. Jafar wasn't the most subtle and would often tell Jay his quota to fill for the day when they were at Maleficent's so Mal was quite familiar with it.

"Quota?" Aziz asked, looking at Jay.

Jay shrugged. "Dad's got a daily quota of stuff I need to steal for the shop," he said.

"What happens if you don't make that quota?" Emir asked, though he wasn't sure if he truly wanted to know.

"I'm sure you'll find out," Mal said, answering for Jay.

"Do we have a deal?" Mal asked softly.

"We've got a deal," Jay said with a nod before smirking. "Oh cheer up Hook. One might think you weren't happy to have another guy around."

Harry rolled his eyes, glowering a little but not reacting under the watchful eye of Uma.

Oh Gods, even at five, Uma was the only one he'd truly listen to, Mal thought. Maybe these scrolls will get him out of his denial. That'd be something positive at least.

"Oh, and to be in the crew, you'd better be prepared to learn how to sword fight if you don't already," Mal added.

"I know a bit," Jay said with a nod. "But I'm not pirate level."

"Oh we are so sparring when we get out of here," Emir said with a smirk.

Harry shook his head. "Get your own sparring partner!"

"I have one! His name's Akiho, oddly obsessed with reindeer."

"Then keep him! Jay's my sparring partner!"

Jay snorted. "I feel like I'm in the middle of a custody battle," he muttered to Mal.

"Well, well, well. Something we can teach you," Harry said with a small smirk.

"Bring it Hook," Jay told him, a smirk on his face.

Harry smirked. "And how long did it take you before you could beat me again? That's right, I think you were twelve."

"Oh, see? You two are already getting along," Mal said with a smirk of her own. "Now, think you can actually get one of those feathered pests?"

"With my eyes closed," Jay told her. "Dad's trained me to sneak since I could walk after all."

"Honestly why put in that work?" Audrey sniffed. "All they are are filthy rats with wings."

"They're also food," Phillip Jr. told her.

"I'll believe it when I can see it," Harry grumbled.

Jay smirked. "Come on then. You'll get your own show," he said as he walked out of the shop toward the town square. Harry rolled his eyes but followed Jay, the girls trailing them.

"This should be good," Ashaki grinned.

"Now, first thing I need to know is where the thing I'm supposed to be grabbing usually is," Jay said.

"They're normally by Old man Slade's place but obviously they've escaped from there," Mal told him. "Also, they're stupid chickens so who knows where they'd get to."

"That'll make it harder," Aladdin sighed. "Not to mention, you might not be the only ones who realized the chickens had escaped."

"True but we're the only ones who had a Jay," Mal said with a smirk.

"So it's a waiting game to see if we can find one?" Jay asked. As Mal nodded, Jay gave a small sigh, almost inaudible to anyone not listening closely. That made it a lot harder. His mom had taught him that having a mark made stealing anything a lot easier than leaving it to chance.

"Your mom was a decent thief. That's some good advice," Eugene said, giving Jay a small smile.

"How can you—?"

"Leah, I was a thief before I met Rapunzel," Eugene said, glaring at the older Queen. "I can recognize when another thief is good even if I might not condone it anymore."

Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long as they came across three chickens in an alley close to Hades' restaurant.

"Watch and learn," Jay said with a small smirk. This was perfect, since there was nowhere for the chicken to run, all Jay would have to do is back them up against a wall and grab one. There was more than one of them too, which only tripled his chances of grabbing one. As he crept into the alley, Jay shook his head slightly. He couldn't have planned this better if he'd tried.

Glancing at the chickens, who still hadn't noticed they weren't alone, Jay sized them up; trying to see which one of them was the biggest. If the chicken was going to go to Lord Hades, it had better be plenty plump.

"Or as plump as they can be being from the Isle," Jay amended his past thoughts.

That one, in the middle, Jay thought. The one that's…is he trying to eat a rock ?

"…doesn't that sound like that chicken Miguel's mom always talks about?" Emir asked.

"Hei-hei!" Ben nodded.

"How did he get on the Isle?"

"Maybe he had kids who ended up on the Isle?" Akiho ventured.

"Come here you," Jay said as his hand shot out, grabbing the now squawking chicken by the neck and picking it up. "No one wants rocks with their meat!"

"See? What'd I'd tell you?" Jay asked, still holding onto the chicken by the neck as he turned to face the others. "Now does Lord Hades want this thing alive or does anyone have a dagger?"

Alexandria gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "You're going to stab it! Isn't there a nicer way to kill it?"

"…no, no I can't. It's like killing Hadie's innocence, I can't," Mal muttered, shaking her head.

"I'll deliver it," Mal said, walking up to Jay. "Besides, Lord Hades has knives in the kitchen of his restaurant he can used to turn the bird into food. It's not too far from here actually. By Lady Tremaine's hair salon."

Cinderella shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's still hard to believe my step-mother has a hair salon."

"She's also a midwife!" Dizzy spoke up. "Aunt Ana is too! Mom's not but Granny needs someone to help watch the store if she has to run out to deliver a baby."

Taking the chicken from Jay, Mal added, "stop by whenever you want Jay. Just tell him you're with me and you should get your meal without any problems."

Jay nodded and turned to look at Harry. "Believe me now Hook?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking a little.

"I told you I'd believe it when I saw it," Harry sighed. "Well I saw it so I have to believe it."

"And I'm glad I did!" Harry grinned, wrapping an arm around Jay's shoulders.

Jay nodded, the smirk still on his face as Mal walked off. A question had been in the back of Jay's mind but he hadn't wanted to ask it while Mal was still there. After all, she was Maleficent's daughter. The last thing Jay wanted to do was make things tense with her mom and his dad.

After all, if I got dad kicked out of Maleficent's crew, he'd probably lock me out of the house for a month, Jay thought with a small sigh.

"Hey, what's Mal's deal with Lord Hades?" Jay asked, finally satisfied that Mal was out of earshot. "I'd wager he doesn't just give out free food to anyone yet Mal thinks we can just walk in no problem?"

Ashaki chuckled. "The funny thing about that is the fact that Lord Hades gives out free food regardless yet he has a reputation for not giving out free food."

Uma and Harry looked at each other and shrugged. "Dunno," Uma said. "But it's the truth. We just tell him that we're with Mal and he gives us our food, no problem."

"All she tells us if we do question it since she's Lord Hades' errand rat is it's part of her agreement with him," Harry added with a shrug. "We don't question it often since who questions easy food?"

"I'll tell you who would question it! The Gaston twins! They've got less brains than Gil and that's saying something!" Harry stated.

"Gil's not too bad," Carlos said and grew quiet as Harry glared at him.

"Harry, stand down," Uma shook her head. "The pup's right, Gil's harmless."

"But most people aren't in the business of giving free food to their errand rats, let alone their errand rat's crew," Uma pointed out.

"Most people aren't the God of the Dead," Hyllus pointed out. "So it doesn't make much sense to compare them."

Jay shrugged. It was kinda weird but like Harry said, if it got him free meals by being in Mal's gang, he wasn't going to complain.

"That's because you've got a brain in your head unlike some people I could mention!"

"Oh, keep the fact that you know Mal's Uncle Hades errand rat to yourself," Uma said. "If Mal…if her mother found out, she might not be too happy."

"And who would I tell?" Jay asked. "Freddy hates me just as much as he hates you two because of dad's wish to become a genie, Zevon creeps me the hell out, the Gaston twins are dumber than a bag of rocks, and Gil's in our crew!"

"Maleficent not being too happy at me being an errand rat would be an understatement Uma," Mal sighed, ignoring the growls that resumed upon hearing that.

"I mean, the daughter of Maleficent as a lowly errand rat?" Harry added, shaking his head.

"Hey, there are a lot worse things if it gets you food around here," Jay pointed out.

"Yeah like a certain practice we won't mention because of the younger kids," Uma muttered.

He hadn't missed Uma nearly calling Maleficent by her name but he wasn't going to comment. No use in rocking the boat this early.

"That's…that's always a good idea," Jane nodded.

"We know that," Uma said. "But what Harry's saying is that there's no way her excellency would let Mal be an errand rat."

"Why do you call her that?" Audrey sniffed.

"Well one, because that's what your grandmother called her the day of your mom's christening. You know, the one your grandparents failed to invite the Dragon to," Mal pointed out.

"And two, it's a good way to avoid slipping up and calling her 'Maleficent' to her face," Uma stated.

"She might not know," Jay pointed out.

"Jay, it's the Dragon," Harry shook his head. "She knows everything."

"And she's not going to, right?" Harry asked, a slight growl to his voice. He knew what the dragon was capable of, having mopped up Mal a couple of times after a 'lesson' from Maleficent. The last thing he wanted was for Mal to get hurt because they had trusted the wrong person.

Mal couldn't help but shoot Harry a small smile upon hearing that. She knew how much Harry hated change but she never thought one of the reasons he'd been so resistant to bringing in Jay was because he didn't want her getting hurt.

"You're like my sister Mal," Harry said, seeing the smile.

"She'd be your younger sister too," Uma chuckled. "Since you were born in April and Mal's in June."

Ben perked up. "Really? What day? We might share a birthday!"

"That's classified and the month would have been too if someone wasn't a blabber mouth," Mal stated, glaring at Uma.

Phillip Sr. turned to Aurora. "Please Briar, my sword's literally not doing anything—."

"Phillip, you're a grown man. If you want to go risk your life by stabbing Maleficent, I can't stop you," Aurora shook her head in amusement.

"What would her excellency know? Nothing that I know, that's for sure," Jay said with a small smirk.

"Good answer."

"I'm not dumb," Jay stated. "First off, me blabbing to the Dragon would just get me known as a blabbermouth. Not the best rep on the Isle. Second off, you all just let me in your crew."

Jay looked around, more than a little willingly to change the subject. "So, are we just going to hang around this alley until Mal gets back?"

"That's a good way to get jumped," Uma snorted.

"We could start heading over to the restaurant?" Uma suggested. "That way we can get the best table and the best portions when the chicken's done."

"Uma, no one ever eats at Lord Hades' restaurant. We'd have our pick of tables," Harry reminded her.

"Which means that you can still pick the best one," Tiana said.

"So? We'll still be able to pick the best table."

Harry shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Harriet's on fish duty anyway so Papa won't notice if I'm gone."

Harry bit back a sigh as he heard that. You've got Lord Hades, he told himself. You don't need the Captain.

"I never turn down food," Jay said with a nod, joining them as they start to move out toward the restaurant.

"You'd be an idiot to turn down food," Jay amended his previous statement.

That's certainly the truth, Aladdin and Eugene thought.

He couldn't help but smile a little. He had been pretty much a loner since no one wanted to hang out with him. The perils of being a thief and having a dad who ran a pawn shop. No one wanted to risk their stuff, what little they had, winding up on Jafar's shelves.

Lonnie frowned—it wasn't Jay's fault his dad made him steal! He shouldn't have been ostracized for that!

It was nice, being in a group that wanted his thieving ability.

The three of them made their way to the restaurant, where Mal already had a table claimed.

"He said it should be about fifteen minutes," Mal told them as they sat down. "He does need to kill and cut up the thing, but that was about maybe ten minutes ago."

"That poor chicken!" Alexandria gasped.

"Do you want to be the one to tell her that happens to all chickens or should I?" Kitty muttered to Lucy.

"Let Chad be the one to do that," Lucy shook her head.

"We can wait," Jay said with a nod.

Mal grinned and looked over at the former lone boy of her crew. "So Harry, finally on board with Jay in the crew?"

"You know it just occurred to me," Mal said. "Weren't Henry and the others part of our crew by that point?"

Uma shook her head. "I didn't start leading that bigger crew until we were seven, Mali."

"Ah, right."

"I still don't see why we need him but if he's useful in getting food, I won't protest," Harry said with a slight glower.

Mal rolled her eyes. "There's safety in numbers Harry. Every kid knows that. Besides, he got us that chicken. Would you rather have Freddy boy's gang have that? Thanks to Jay, we eat. They don't."

"Oh what a beautiful thought that is!" Harry said with a smirk.

"But…doesn't everyone deserve food?" Macaria asked, looking around with a confused look on her face.

"Oh I'm sure Freddy finds a way to get it but at least this way we get better food," Mal explained.

Harry nodded with a small smirk. "That is certainly something I can get behind."

"Hey, as long as you're fine with me in the crew, I don't care what your reasoning is," Jay smirked.

"Welcome to the Rotten Four, Jay," Mal said with a smirk as their food came out. It was faster than they had expected but then again, Hades was a God. Who were they to question him?

"Hey, you kids can question me all you want," Hades chuckled.

"And we do," Mal smirked.

Jay didn't respond but dug in to the dish in front of him. The others didn't care, as they did the same thing.

"Gods, if Jay keeps catching chickens like this, we'll have to rename ourselves the fat four," Uma said as she finished her meal. "How is it Uncle Hades was only doing fish before yet his chicken tastes so good?"

"My thing is…how do the chickens keep multiplying if we keep catching them?" Harry asked. "We catch them probably once a day yet they just roam without a care in the world."

"We live on an Island filled with people who're supposed to be dead and that's what you question?" Jay asked him.

Mal nodded, her dad was a surprisingly good cook. You wouldn't think a God would be but Hades proved that wasn't the case.

"Why thank you Mal," Hades chuckled.

"So other than catching chickens, what do you guys do for fun?" Jay asked, not used to being part of a gang.

"Sword fight and play pranks on anyone who's not one of the four of us," Uma told him.

"Yeah, come by the clubhouse tomorrow," Mal said. "Harry'll get you started on sword fighting. We'll all be able to practice at the same time now since we've got an even number."

"So we'll get to see more sword fighting?" Robin asked with a grin on her face.

"I might like her," Mal muttered to Uma.

"Me too, any Princess who likes sword fighting is worth knowing," Uma nodded.

"Mal, don't think I'll go easy on you," Uma said with a small smirk as Harry shot a smirk of his own toward Jay.

"Bring it on, octo-girl!"

"Oh, you're going to regret that, dragon breath," Uma taunted with a small chuckle.

"So what time tomorrow?" Jay asked, cutting into the banter. "I don't think dad's got me watching the store so I should be free."

Jasmine shook her head. A six year old shouldn't be expected to watch a store, especially not unsupervised!

Mal, Harry and Uma looked at each other. "Noon?" Mal suggested.

"That works," Jay nodded.

"How about one of us swing by one of our food stops and pick up lunch, we can eat in the clubhouse after sword practice?" Mal said.

"I can stop by mama's restaurant if no one has an issue with fish," Uma said.

"I'll eat anything," Jay shrugged with a small smile.

"You can't exactly survive the Isle being a picky eater," Jay added.

"But…what about allergies?" Ben asked as the adults looked on in shock.

Mal tapped her chin. "Allergies, allergies…oh that would explain why some of the kids get all puffy before they—."

"Not in front of Celia, Mal," Uma stated.

"I wasn't going to get graphic Celia! Hadie's here too, remember."

Oh dear Gods, Beast thought in horror. That's…that's a horrible way to go. And these are children! With no hospital, there'd be no epipen to relieve the reactions…!

"Oh, we're going to get along just fine," Uma told him, smirking a little.

"Fish is fine, Uma," Mal said while Harry nodded.

Uma nodded. "I'll bring the food to the clubhouse then. We can do the sword fighting after we eat since mama's stuff is better warm anyway."

"You know, if you ignore the sword fighting, it's almost like when we'd go to your tree house when mom and dad would visit Arendelle," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"That's right, we'd always pack a picnic basket! Though Ben would try to fill it with books instead of sandwiches," Akiho chuckled as he muttered back.

"I can hear you two!" Ben said, shaking his head.

Harry grinned. "You know, I bet in a couple of years when we're a bit older, we could manage getting a sofa or a bed in there.

"We did manage it," Harry smirked.

"How?" Emma asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see, lass," Harry told her and then winced as Uma elbowed him in the arm.

"You plan on keeping me around that long, Hook?" Jay teased.

"You plan on staying around that long?" Harry shot back as Mal and Uma rolled their eyes. Harry would clearly need some time to adjust to the new dynamic of the gang.

"I don't like change," Harry stated, crossing his arms.

"We know," Uma, Mal, and Jay said; their voices flat.

"A sofa or bed would be nice," Uma agreed. "But right now, it'd just take up room. Room we'd need for sword fighting. We want to be the best after all."

Mulan nodded. "If you want to do something, be the best at it."

"Okay, okay, 'savior of China' we get it," Shang chuckled.

"We will be the best," Mal corrected with a slight smirk. "We'll be so powerful that no one will mess with us. We'll be rotten. To the core."

"See? They even say they're rotten!" Leah exclaimed.

"They're also five and six respectively," Phoebus pointed out. "When Zephyr was five, he wanted to be a triceratops."

Uma and Harry nodded with a smirk on their faces.

"Shouldn't be a problem," Jay said with a shrug.

"So…anyone want to go make smoke bombs and throw 'em at Evil Queen's daughter?" Mal asked, keeping her voice low in case one of the Evil Queen's allies came in. Hey, Queenie may have been allies with Maleficent but that didn't mean she didn't want to make her own play for ruler of the Isle.

"Like I said, every two years or so," Mal said, shaking her head.

Maleficent was awful but the last thing Mal wanted was for Evie to have her spot. Blueberry would be insufferable if that happened!

"Leave Evie alone Mal," Carlos spoke up, to everyone's surprise. Sure his voice was still soft and laced with timidness but that probably was more to do with Estelle sniffing around his feet than anything else.

"Huh, pup's got some bite to his bark," Harry chuckled.

"I'm in," Uma told her, a wicked grin on her face. "Boys?"

"I'm in," Harry told her.

"Me too!" Jay said with a smirk and Mal grinned.

"Let's go," she said. "We'll have to stop by Lady Tremaine's and grab the stuff to make 'em. It shouldn't take too long though. Uma and I have the recipe down pat now."

Of course you do, Evie thought with an internal sigh. And I'm your test dummy.

They ran off, the four of them ready to make their own mischief.

"And the Isle was still standing?" Aziz asked with a chuckle. The four of them reminded him of Emir and Akiho, two people who should never be left unsupervised.

"Sure was!" Harry nodded.

"Who wants to read next?" Beast asked, setting down the scroll.

Snow White smiled. "I'll read, if no one else minds."

"I don't think you'll have any complaints, Queen Snow," Ben said with a smile of his own.

Chapter 19 Chapter Text

Snow White took a scroll and sighed softly. While it was interesting to learn more about the Isle, she found herself hoping this would be a more positive scroll than the ones that came before it.

Mal had to give Evie credit. When she made a threat, she stuck with it.

"Well that's not looming or vaguely threatening at all," Rose tried to joke. Tried being the operative word."

With all the excitement of bringing Jay into the fold and teaching him how to sword fight, something Harry was all too eager to do though that may have been due to the fact that Jay was a beginner and not because Harry just wanted to teach, Mal had forgotten about her little head to head with Blueberry. The days passed by and all too soon, the princess's birthday had arrived.

Harry couldn't help but smirk at the reminder of the first few training sessions with Jay. "Those were fun."

"You say that because you kicked my…butt," Jay muttered, changing his word of choice after remembering there were under fifteens present.

It seemed like everyone on the Isle had been invited to the six year old's party. Everyone but Mal, that is.

"If I remember my history and all the stories correctly, maybe it wasn't a good idea to not invite the person you saw as the daughter of Maleficent to a party?" Phillip Jr. spoke up.

Trust me, I learned that rather quickly, Evie thought with a small frown.

That's okay. I didn't want to go to Blueberry's dumb party anyway, Mal thought as she stared out from the balcony of Maleficent's castle, one of the few mornings she opted to stay around the dragon.

"Uh huh. Me thinks the Godling protests too much," Hyllus shook his head.

Using a discarded telescope that had made its way from Boreadon, Mal could see that the guests were getting animals as party favors.

"Who…who uses animals as party favors?" Alexandria exclaimed.

"Evil Queen," Uma shrugged.

"I mean, it's not like we had much else in terms of stuff to use as favors," Jay added.

"I think she used them to curry favor," Carlos spoke up. "I got a cat but I…I also got a hyena pup. I think Evil Queen was trying to lure my mom over to her side with the promise of more fur."

Mal shook her head. "Thank Gods we got that pup out of there."

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to the pup, Mal," Carlos said.

"Who else got a pup?" Cinderella asked.

Jay tapped his chin in thought. "There were four pups, two girls and two guys. Evie kept one of course on top of having Iago's son. Carols, you just heard, had one. Gaston Jr. got one and the last one went to—."

"Maddy," Mal said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm sensing history?" Akiho asked.

Uma nodded. "Mad Madam Mim's granddaughter. She and Mal used to be friends until they had a falling out when they were three. That's when Mal met me."

Cats and eels and all sorts of creatures would find their way to new homes.

"Eels?" Ariel asked.

"Flotsam and Jetsam's kids," Uma said. "I think Jay got them."

Jay nodded and then smirked as he looked over at Uma. "Does that make you the mother of my eels?"

"Make that joke again and Harry might smack you," Mal chuckled.

Mal rolled her eyes and put the telescope down. Jay, Uma and Harry had all gotten invitations too. Harry had to go because his dad was attending but Jay and Uma had offered to skip it once they realized that Mal hadn't gotten an invite.

Jane couldn't help but smile at that. Those were some true friends, to offer to not go to a party just because their friend wasn't invited.

She wished she had friends like that—she had Lonnie of course but she wouldn't say no to more friends.

She had told them not to, that there was no reason for them to be miserable just because she hadn't gotten an invite.

"That was very mature of you Mal honey," Persephone said with a smile. She knew this chapter wasn't going to be easy for her to hear.

That being said, that same day Mal and Uma had unleashed hell on Blueberry with their stash of smoke bombs.

That being said…she was five, Persephone told herself as Hadie chuckled.

Her skin matched her hair, that's how many blue smoke bombs they ended up pelting her with. Then again, her hair had several spots of purple hue based solely on the fact that they had to dip into their stash of purple smoke bombs. The princess had run off before they were able to use any of the red ones but the Isle was only so big.

Mal and Uma smirked and exchanged a fist bump at the memory, the purple haired girl avoiding the disappointed puppy dog eyes that were once more coming from Ben's direction.

I get she was disappointed and I know that was a mean thing of Evie to do, not invite Mal when she was inviting the whole Isle. That's why our class has the rule that we can't invite people to a party at school if we're not inviting everyone, he thought. But Mal didn't have to pelt her with smoke bombs!

There was definitely a chance they'd run into her again. Oh, Mal almost counted on it.

You're not going to get away with insulting me like that. It was bad enough when I thought I was the only one out of my crew not to get an invite but to be the only one out of the Isle? Oh Blueberry, you should watch your back, Mal thought with a small nod of her head.

"I mean, I know you were disappointed but there had to be other ways to—."

"Inviting everyone but me to that party was a deliberate insult and I'd have been remiss to not enact my revenge," Mal told Akiho. "Turning the other cheek is Boreadon levels of thought."

Still, she wasn't going to lie. It stung watching everyone else have fun at the party.

Hercules gave Mal a small smile. He could remember what it was like growing up and being left out of events because of his strength. He remembered how much that stung, especially since the other teens would always talk about said event in front of him if they saw him.

Even if she was just there with Uma, Harry and Jay, it'd be better than being at Maleficent's by herself.

"I think being covered in honey, tied to two logs, and then descended upon by fire ants would be better than being at Maleficent's by oneself," Alexandria said.

"I like her," Mal said with a smirk.

Hearing movement in the other room, Mal quickly left the balcony. She knew what Maleficent would say if she saw her moping over not getting an invitation to Evie's party. Parties are for the rabble.

She says that but yet she cursed my daughter because she wasn't invited to the christening, Leah thought with a roll of her eyes.

Yeah you say that now, Maleficent but who was it who cursed a baby because they didn't get invited to a party? Mal scoffed as she made her way to the front door of Maleficent's castle.

Of course Leah then made a slight face at the thought of sharing anything with a VK, especially one who was the daughter of Maleficent.

Thankfully, the dragon had been tormenting the goblins all morning so she hadn't paid any attention to Mal. The last thing Mal wanted was to try to come up with a passable lie as to why she wasn't at Evie's party.

"You…you mean you didn't tell her you weren't invited?" Evie asked, her voice soft with shock as she looked over at Mal.

Mal scoffed. "Of course not. Uma was down there after all and who knows what the Dragon might have done to her if she'd known."

She wasn't feeling well? Maleficent would call her weak and order her to go.

"Then again, calling me weak was pretty much her MO," Mal shrugged as Hades growled softly under his breath.

Does…does he sound like a platypus? Emir thought as he heard the growl.

Tell the truth and say Evie didn't invite her? If Evie was lucky, Maleficent would just accuse Mal of lying and tell her to go anyway. If Blueberry wasn't lucky….well it was hard to say what the dragon would do.

I know what she'd do, Evie thought as she softly wrapped her arms around her as if to give herself a hug.

"David, is Evie alright?" Snow asked, whispering to her husband.

"I'm not sure," David whispered back. "Why don't you check on her in the next break? She might not want to be called out in front of everyone if something's bothering her."

Snow nodded and turned back to the scroll that was in her hands.

Say she got an invite but didn't feel like going? Mal would definitely end up getting one of Maleficent's 'lessons' on not making a fool out of her in front of the others of the Isle.

"Would…would it really make Maleficent look like a fool?" Robin Fitzherbert asked. "I mean, she runs the Isle. Meaning if Mal got an invite and didn't feel like going, it'd be an insult to Evie since it would tell the rest of the Isle that Maleficent's daughter didn't deem the event worthy enough for her to make an appearance."

"Yes but that would require the Dragon to not be an egomaniac," Jay told her.

There wasn't anything good that would come out of Maleficent finding out. Thankfully, Mal knew she had another place she could go where she wouldn't have to stare at Blueberry's party.

Hades couldn't help but smile at the thought that Mal felt safe enough in the Underworld to go there instead of wallowing and watching a party she wasn't invited to.

In another life, one where she was raised in Boreadon, Mal probably would have run down the street toward her dad's place. But this was still the Isle. Running was only acceptable if you were being chased or if someone had just been stabbed. An occurrence that was more common than one might think.

"I'm sorry, stabbings were common?" Aurora asked.

Uma nodded. "Mama has a sword check at the restaurant to make sure there's no stabbings there. She doesn't want to deal with the blood stains on the floorboards."

Obviously Mal wasn't being chased and, unless someone had been stabbed and she just didn't know, she couldn't use that excuse.

"I mean, who was going to know?" Emir asked.

So Mal walked; the empty streets being a godsend in that she wasn't delayed in getting where she wanted to go.

"Exactly my point! If the streets were empty, there wouldn't be anyone to know you were running without knowing if anyone got stabbed!"

"Hello?" Mal called softly. There was no response but that didn't mean anything. Mal had been over enough by now to know that her dad was probably just deeper in the Underworld and Lady Steph was probably waging war with the dishes that had piled up again.

"If you had a dishwasher, that would make life so much easier," Persephone muttered to Hades.

"Dear, the only way I'd get a dishwasher is if one got recalled over in Auradon," Hades muttered back. "You know appliances with defects were the only ones that get sent over to the Isle."

Chuckling a little at the mental image of a Goddess waging war against a sink full of dishes, Mal walked deeper into the Underworld.

"It is rather funny…no offense Lady Persephone," Ashaki said quickly.

Persephone smiled at the youngest Agrabah heir. "No offense taken, Princess Ashaki. I do agree, it is a rather humorous mental image."

The silence was a bit unnerving; usually either her dad or Steph would have come out to say hello by now.

"Hello?" Mal called again as she walked into the den. The only thing she managed to do was startle Virgil, who'd been sitting on the sofa. Mal rolled her eyes.

"Oh the poor dear," Aurora said softly.

"Virgil's always that jumpy," Mal said, a fond smile pulling at her lips.

"You didn't hear the door?" She asked him.

"H-headphones," Virgil said softly. "E-even without music, it dampens m-most noise."

"Where'd he get those anyway?" Jay asked.

Mal shrugged. "Dunno. He's always had 'em since I've known Virg."

Persephone, though, gave a knowing and loving look to her husband. He had never said how he found the headphones but he had given them to the young boy as a thank you for a job well done when Virgil was six.

Mal shook her head but couldn't help a small smile. The jury was still out whether or not Virgil was her cousin, so he wasn't in the loop in terms of Mal's relation to Hades, but Mal didn't really care all that much. The timid eight year old never treated her like she was an outsider barging into his turf.

"You're the daughter of his dad's boss," Rowyn pointed out.

"He doesn't know that though," Rachel told her.

"W-what brings you here, M-Mal?" Virgil asked, taking his headphones off while they talked. Mal shrugged.

"That was nice of him, to give his full attention to Mal like that," Eric said with a small smile.

"Blueberry's having a birthday party," she said before looking at Virgil. "Why aren't you there?"

"Why did I even ask that?" Mal muttered to herself, shaking her head.

Virgil chuckled. "N-no invite," he told her and Mal felt a small rush of anger toward the wannabe princess. It was one thing to insult her but Virgil was another thing. Even if he didn't know or care about Evie, it would still bother the older boy.

"But…mother handled the invitations," Evie said as some of those in attendance turned to look over at her.

Uma scoffed in disbelief and Mal rolled her eyes.

Then again, Virgil's not a prince or even the son of a high end villain. He's the son of a minion—and everyone knows those kids are on the lower end of the Isle's totem pole.

"W-why aren't you there?" Virgil asked softly but seemed to grow silent when Mal looked over at him. "N-never mind."

"It was a fair question," Mal shrugged.

Mal shrugged again before sighing. She could tell Virgil—he was the one kid on the Isle who wouldn't blab to anyone. Mainly because he'd spend a week overthinking whether or not it was a good idea before he did so but regardless.

"That's certainly the truth," Harry chuckled.

"Be nice!" Dizzy said with a frown. "At least while Virgil's not here to defend himself!"

Harry shook his head. "I'm a VK and a pirate. We're never nice."

"You and I could form a club," Mal told him, sitting down on the sofa. "The only two kids not to be invited to Blueberry's birthday."

"If anything, the Evil Queen was playing a dangerous game," Lucy spoke up. "To not only risk insulting Maleficent by not inviting the girl the Isle saw as her daughter but insulting Lord Hades by not inviting the son of one of his minions? If it wasn't for the fact that Lord Hades seems to hate the ground Maleficent walks on, I wouldn't have been surprised if they teamed up to make the Evil Queen's life hell."

Virgil gave her a small smile. "Maybe your invite just g-got lost in the mail, Mal. I-I'm sure—"

"We have a postal service?" Jay asked, looking at the other VKs.

"Not that I'm aware of," Mal shrugged.

"Then how—?"

"Virgil was probably just looking for a way to make it not seem as bad that I wasn't invited."

"Virg, Maleficent and the Evil Queen have had a rivalry since the Isle was founded," Mal scoffed. "I'm sure the princess thinks I'm in her rightful spot or something, the daughter of the ruler of the Isle."

"So why did Maleficent bring the Evil Queen into her gang if they were rivals?" Melody asked.

"Keep your allies close and your enemies closer so you know their every move," Mal stated.

Not to mention if mother didn't join, who knows what would have happened to dad? Evie thought.

Sighing, Mal looked at the other boy. "Not to sound like Maleficent or anything but the little Bluette invited everyone else. Everyone, Virgil! Jay, Harry and Uma all got invites too. I mean, not that I wanted to go but still…"

"You say you didn't want to go but you're awfully upset about not getting an invitation," Evan pointed out.

Virgil frowned a little but didn't comment, choosing to let Mal rant. It was rare that Mal actually let loose like this and it was probably only because there was no one else in the room.

Hades held back a sigh. He had figured that had been the case when he and Steph had heard Mal start to rant from their spot in the kitchen.

"And they're getting pets! Can you believe it?" Mal asked, breaking Virgil out of his thoughts.

"W-What?"

"Honestly, who gives pets as a party favor?" Aladdin shook his head. He may have been royal now but that was just a level of extravagance that irritated the former street rat.

"Evil Queen just wanted to prove she could," Uma said as she rolled her eyes.

Mal nodded. "Yeah. Pets. Now every kid's going to know I wasn't there since I won't have one either. All that'll do is increase the chance of Maleficent finding out there had been a party I wasn't invited to."

Maleficent, you'd better not have touched a single hair on Mal's head because of this! Demeter thought with a growing glare.

Blueberry had better hope I can hide the 'lesson' Maleficent will teach me for letting the Evil Queen embarrass her like this, Mal thought with a small frown.

Hades and Persephone glared at the scroll as they heard that, and Mal had to give credit to Snow White for not running out of fear for her life.

One God glaring in your direction was terrifying. Two or more?

"I just…who does Blueberry think she is?" Mal sighed.

"I'm guessing someone who's going to quickly learn not to mess with you?" Virgil asked softly.

"You got that right!" Harry smirked as Mal and Uma fist bumped again.

Mal nodded. "Oh, the next time I see that little blueberry, she'll be so covered in smoke bomb smoke she'll be blind," she growled, not noticing in her anger that Virgil hadn't stuttered. "I'll get Uma involved too! Blueberry won't know what hit her!"

"You could have just ignored it," Ben pointed out.

"Why?" Mal scoffed. "Unless you're saying the better revenge would have been to do nothing and let Blueberry stew in her own nerves, jumping at every cracking twig until she became a jittery mess?"

"…you really don't like Evie do you?"

"What gave it away?"

The pelting Evie would get would make the one she got when Jay, Uma and Harry all got their invites look tame.

Persephone sighed. She had hoped Mal would try to use a bit of diplomacy to reach out to Evie but then again, she was five at the time. Plus grudges were something Hades was notoriously known for—I mean he still resented Zeus for not getting eaten as a baby.

Hope Blueberry enjoys red hair for a while because she'll be hit with so many of Harry's smoke bombs that she'll have to!

"But…if what Evie says is true and it was her mother who handled the invites, should she really have gotten the smoke bomb pelting?" Kitty asked.

Mal shook her head slightly, not wanting to get too angry. She might take it out on Virgil which she didn't want. Virgil was letting her rant to him, he didn't ask to have her bite his head off.

Aurora smiled as she heard that; despite the hurt and the anger that Mal was feeling at the time she was still kind enough to try to not take it out on Virgil.

"And yet another hit to my rep," she heard Mal mutter.

Besides, she didn't want to risk admitting how much being left out had actually hurt.

Estelle got up and walked over to Mal, resting his heads on her leg. He wasn't sure why his Mali was so tense but he was happy to be by her.

"Good boy," she whispered, scratching him behind the ears.

Virgil got up from the sofa, catching Mal's attention. "W-Wait right there Mal," he told her, the stutter returning but not as bad as it had usually been, before he quickly raced over to his room.

"You gave him a room?" Zeus asked Hades.

"Of course!" Hades said, rolling his eyes at his brother's surprise. "The kid's a timid mess most of the time. You really think he'd be able to handle the Isle at night?"

Hades wasn't horrible after all, his minions deserved a place to crash if they got overworked and errand rats fell under the 'minions' category. Not to mention Virgil was eight. There were some days where it was just too dark at the end of a day for him to head back to Vanessa if Panic worked past sunset.

"That was really smart Uncle Hades," Uma said. "After all, the hyenas and the big cats patrol the Isle at night. Virgil might have gotten a pass from the hyenas since we had our alliance with them but Zira or Shere Khan wouldn't have cared."

Walking back into the den, Virgil held up a can of what looked like liquid but the solid nature of the can made it hard to tell. "Let's have our own party," he said.

"Aw!" Ariel couldn't help but let out a soft sigh at the image that produced. Her two cousins having a celebration of their own.

"What's that?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I f-found it when I was scoping out the barge," Virgil said, setting the can down on the table in front of them. "The c-can caught my eye—the bright red seemed out of place. I think it m-might be a Boreadon drink."

"Oh that's right," Chip nodded. "I think we started sending soda to the Isle around that time."

Mal paused and looked over at the older boy. "You'd trust something from Boreadon?"

It was Ben's turn to feel as if he'd been punched in the gut. At five, Mal had trouble trusting the food and other deliveries they sent. He was the future King, hearing that people in his kingdom were living like this…

"If you don't trust it, I'll take the first sip," Virgil told her, shrugging a little.

Mal shook her head. "No, no. I just mean…what's the catch?"

Belle sighed. A five year old shouldn't have to think there was a catch to someone being nice to them.

"No catch Mal," Virgil told her. "Just something that I thought might brighten the day. You deserve to have a party too," he said, holding the can out for her to take. "It's something Blueberry doesn't get to have. Besides, you might like it and if you don't, just spit it out."

"He knew exactly what to say to get you to take it," Uma said with a slight chuckle.

"Hey, did anyone notice Virgil's stutter's almost nonexistent?" Jay asked.

Poseidon couldn't help but smile a little at that. He assumed it meant that his grandson felt at ease around Mal.

Mal nodded and took the can, still a little unsure but trusting her gut. Virgil wouldn't give her something dangerous on purpose.

"He'd be too nervous to do so," Harry nodded.

"Yeah, he's the one person we can trust outside of the crew to not betray us," Jay added.

"Mainly because as Mal said, he'd spend a week overthinking it," Uma chuckled.

Opening the can, Mal took a small sip of the liquid inside. Her eyes widened as the liquid touched her tongue. "It's sweet," she said after she swallowed. "It's like a sweet version of the bottled water Lord Hades has at his restaurant."

Chip sighed. "It'd gone flat," he said. "Mal would have mentioned if there were any bubbles from the carbonation."

"Is sweet good?" Virgil asked.

"It's very good," Mal said with a grin, taking another small sip.

Ben made a mental note about the color of the can. Granted a red can wasn't exactly the most descriptive but hopefully he could find the soda and make it available for Mal and the others to have at the school.

Virgil returned the grin and his shoulders sank in relief. "Oh good," he said.

"What, was he worried you wouldn't like it or something?" Elle asked.

"Knowing Virgil? More than likely," Mal nodded.

"Hang on, I'll get you a cup," Mal said, setting the can down. "If this is supposed to be our party, I shouldn't be hogging the drink."

"How sweet!"

"You're only doing that because your mother's reading the scroll, aren't you?" Mal asked, glaring slightly at Emma. The intensity of the glare, though, was diminished by the faint flush on Mal's cheeks.

"Okay," Virgil said softly as Mal walked into the kitchen. To her surprise, Hades and Persephone were in there and they seemed to be deep in conversation though it stopped once Mal walked in.

"Was everything okay?" Demeter asked, looking over at her daughter.

"The six month mark was about to come up," Persephone told her and Demeter nodded, understanding what Persephone was saying.

"Mal, honey," Persephone said, her tone hesitant as if she didn't want to have the conversation. "Can I have a word with you?"

"Worst thing a parent could ever say. Gets you to think about everything you've ever done," Emir nodded.

"Um…sure Lady Steph," Mal said, walking up to her. She wasn't really in the mood to talk but this was Steph. "What's up?"

Persephone let out a small sigh before looking at the young purple haired girl. "Sweetie, there's no easy way to say this but..I have to leave—"

Eugene hid a wince. During his time in the orphanage as a kid, he had heard that phrase more times than he could count and no matter how many times he heard it, it still stung.

Mal froze, unsure of what Persephone meant by that. "Like to go to the docks?" She asked, hoping that's what Steph meant.

Cinderella hid a sad smile at the childish innocence in Mal's question even though there was a desperation to keep Persephone there.

"No honey," Persephone said with a small sad smile. "I have to go back to Auradon."

"What?!" Mal exclaimed. Way to make a horrid day worse, she thought with a small frown.

"Mal—"

"I can't do this," Mal muttered, shaking her head. First Blueberry's party and now this! I have to get out of here!

It was Jay's turn to look over at Uma and tilt his head softly to the side. Uma picked up the hint and wrapped her arm around Mal's shoulders, squeezing it slightly.

"No matter what, we're here for you Mali," she whispered. "Ruthless yet Loyal right?"

"Right," Mal whispered back.

Rushing out of the kitchen and past Virgil who was still in the den, Mal set her sights for the clubhouse.

"But…there wouldn't be anyone there," Melody said, her voice soft as if she wasn't sure if she should comment.

"Exactly," Mal stated, her voice flat—clearly not in the mood to talk about that.

The one place that wouldn't ruin her day. Granted that'd be because no one would be in there but that didn't matter!

It shouldn't matter whether or not people are there. Mal should feel safe enough to be able to show all her emotions, Akiho thought.

Shaking her head, Mal shoved down the frustration she was feeling. She would never admit it out loud but amidst the frustration, she felt a tiny bit of sadness too. Of course Steph was leaving! Why wouldn't she? She had the chance to go to Boreadon after all! What was Mal compared to that?

"Oh honey," Persephone said softly. "Trust me, I would much rather be with you than be alone in Auradon."

Mal nodded slightly, not trusting herself to speak at that. While she knew her mom loved her, she was still waiting for the other shoe to drop with the AKs. They had been rather quiet.

Reaching the clubhouse, Mal threw a rock to open the gate. No one need ever know it took more than one try due to the tears welling in Mal's eyes.

Mal's back stiffened and she braced for the onslaught of comments to finally come, effectively destroying her reputation among the AKs as someone dangerous and not to mess with.

But they never came. Oh sure, they might have thought that Mal was just a kid, like them, but none of the AKs said it out loud.

Though in Audrey's case, it was because her mother was watching her like a hawk.

Racing up the stairs, Mal burst into the clubhouse shaking. Wrapping her arms around herself to try to stop the tears that were threatening to fall, Mal sat down on one of the milk crates.

Audrey rolled her eyes. Honestly, how dramatic did Mal have to be?

She should have known it was too good to last. But did it have to happen the same day as Blueberry's party? Couldn't the Fates have given her only one blow today?

Persephone sighed. That was a fair point, and she could have waited a day or even a week to tell Mal. After all, she was in the kitchen listening to Mal's rant; it wasn't as if she didn't know.

But…there was a part of her that had seen Mal in the kitchen and didn't want to lose her nerve. The longer they waited to tell her, the worse it could have been.

"Mal….oh honey. Sweetheart, let me explain."

"You followed her?" Hera asked.

"Of course I did," Persephone said. "Wouldn't you?"

"Steph?!" Mal exclaimed, looking up upon hearing her step mother's voice. "How'd you get up here?"

"I'm going to guess it's not that hard to figure out how to get into the clubhouse," Phillip Jr. said, his voice trailing off as Melody and Evan both gave him a look

Persephone didn't answer but gave Mal a sad smile as she knelt down, wrapping her arms around the young girl. She had followed Mal as soon as the young girl rushed out of the kitchen and had seen Mal throw the rock to open the gate. But even if she hadn't seen her, Persephone did have eyes. She would have seen the small pile of rocks by the 'falling rocks' sign and may have put two and two together.

"Huh," Uma said. "I didn't think about that. We should figure out a way to change that."

"I…I have a couple of ideas," Carlos said. "A…a pulley system? Where there's a rope attached to the sign?"

Jay shook his head. "That'd make it more obvious than the rocks. At least the rocks could be explained away as being part of nature."

They should have furniture in here, if this is going to be Mal's hide out, Persephone thought as she glanced around the room. At the very least chairs instead of milk crates.

"Really Steph?" Hades murmured, shaking his head.

"Am I wrong?" Persephone murmured back to him.

"Mal honey, it's not forever," Persephone told her, breaking herself out of her thoughts. "It's just for six months and then I'll be back."

"Why?" Mal whispered. "W-what did I do?"

Belle's heart broke for the young girl while Mulan found herself longing to stick her sword through Maleficent for putting so much doubt into the confident teen that sat before her.

Lord Hades and Lady Persephone are to thank for that, not Maleficent, she thought.

She didn't mean to voice her insecurities but there was only so much a girl could take in a day before it became too much.

You know, bad enough that my insecurities are being read aloud to the Boreadon elite who are the reason I was trapped on the Isle but did they have to be read in front of Blueberry too? Mal thought, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Oh Mal," Persephone said with a small, sad smile as she brushed a bit of hair out of Mal's eyes. "You didn't do anything. This has been the arrangement since the Isle was created. It's the deal Zeus made with King Beast and my mother."

"Because someone didn't like the fact that I fell in love with my husband," Persephone said, raising an eyebrow at Demeter.

"Stupid deal," Mal muttered. "Why can't you just stay here all the time? What can King Beastie even do if you refuse to leave? You're a Goddess after all."

"Well nothing but Steph wouldn't be able to help the Isle if she was on the Isle year round," Hades said, his voice soft.

Persephone sighed. "It's the way the deal is set up Mal. Besides, we got lucky in its set up. The deal could be worse. I could not be allowed to see you two at all."

"No!" Mal exclaimed before she could stop herself, her eyes widening and shaking her head a little.

"I'm with Mal on that! That doesn't happen right?!" Hadie exclaimed.

"Oh honey," Persephone said with a small smile. "If I wasn't able to see your father and sister, you wouldn't have been born."

"I know sweetie," Persephone said softly. "Six months isn't much but it's better than nothing right?"

"But…" Mal said softly. She hated feeling like this but she couldn't help it.

Feelings are normal Mal. The fact that Maleficent hasn't removed them and made you just like her only proves that you're stronger than her, Ben thought with a small smile. The VKs were good. They just needed a chance.

"I know sweetheart but I'll be back. I always am. Plus I'll call on the portal every day I'm gone."

Mal gave Steph a weak smile. It was a little reassuring to know that Steph would be in contact even if she wasn't there in person.

Persephone gave her daughter a small smile as Uma continued to wrap an arm around Mal's shoulders, giving her as much of a hug as she could surrounded by the Auradon royals.

"Mal I promise, six months will be over before you know it."

"And…you will come back right? Promise?" Mal asked softly, looking up at her.

"I will always come back for you and your brother," Persephone promised.

"I promise sweetheart," Persephone said with a small nod. "I'm just sorry I'll be missing your birthday."

Mal shrugged. "My birthday doesn't really matter."

Emir and Akiho glanced at each other. They normally handled Ben's birthday parties but they'd be more than happy to throw one for Mal.

In fact, someone would have to stop them!

"Think Hadie would know Mal's birthday?" Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Worth a shot," Akiho muttered back.

"It does to us Mal," Persephone said with a slight frown. She hadn't expected Maleficent to make a huge deal about Mal's birthday but from the sounds of things, the Fae seemed to just ignore it entirely.

"Yeah well is anyone really surprised?" Phillip Jr. asked. "Maleficent's not a mom. She shouldn't even be called a parent with how she treats Mal."

Mal just shrugged again and Persephone vowed that if she ever came face to face with Maleficent, the Fae wouldn't know what hit her.

"Again, can I sell tickets if and when this occurs?" Chip asked.

"We'll do something special for your birthday when I get back. Okay Mal?"

"Oh boy did we," Mal let loose a soft chuckle as Estelle gave her a gentle lick on the hand.

"If you insist," Mal muttered but couldn't help but smile a little at the idea of someone other than Uma and Harry celebrating her birthday.

"And Jay!" Jay exclaimed, looking over at Mal. "What, did you think I'd ignore it?"

Persephone nodded. "Now, how about we head back? I'm sure your father is wondering whee we ran off to."

"Actually I was busy stemming Virgil's rambling as he was worried he'd done something to upset Mal," Hades said.

"Oh the poor thing," Snow White said softly. "He sounds like a sweetheart."

"Okay," Mal said softly.

The two of them got up and started making their way back to the Underworld. Persephone couldn't help but give Mal a small smile.

I may be leaving the Isle Mal but I'm not leaving you, she thought. I would never leave you and I never will.

Persephone nodded. No matter what, if Mal needed her she would find a way to get to her.

Persephone wanted to grab Mal's hand, to let her know that she would always be there. Normally though they wouldn't risk it, as Maleficent's spies would be everywhere.

Hercules glared slightly at the scroll. Mal should have been able to hold her mother's hand in public without fear of Maleficent.

However, today the streets were empty. Everyone was likely either at Evil Queen's party for her daughter or at Maleficent's likely getting yelled at for their latest incompetence. Gently taking Mal's hand, Persephone couldn't help but smile a little when Mal didn't pull her hand away.

"Aww!"

"Uma, the AKs are corrupting your sister!" Mal exclaimed as Celia smirked.

"Urusla?" Naveen asked.

Celia shook her head. "I don't know who my mom is but it doesn't matter because I've got Uma and Freddie."

"I thought—."

"There's a girl on the Isle also named Freddie," Mal explained as Phoebus looked at them with a frown. "We like her. We hate the boy Freddy."

The two quickly made their way back to the Underworld where Hades had taken Virgil's place in the den.

Looking up as his two girls walked in, Hades glanced at Persephone as if silently asking a question.

"Don't you just love the hidden parental language all parents seem to have?" Ashaki asked, shaking her head.

"I told her," Persephone said softly as Mal gave Hades a small, sad smile that Hades returned.

"Hey dad, at least now you had someone to miss mom with!" Hadie pointed out.

"Hey Mali? You want to have a spray paint lesson?" Hades asked, thinking that might cheer the younger girl up. He didn't even notice he had referred to her by the nickname he'd given her as a baby.

Hades smiled as he thought back to that day. He hadn't thought about it, the nickname had just slipped out. But it felt right. Plus Mal hadn't said anything so he had figured it was okay to call her that.

"Really?" Mal asked as she perked up a little at the offer. She had found near empty cans of the stuff on the boats that came from Auradon but there wasn't anything that really made an impact. Besides, the little squirts she did get out of them were just ignored by Fred Frollo's gang as they marched into her territory.

"You mean our territory right cuz?"

"Right," Mal nodded, a smile growing on her lips as she realized what Uma was trying to do—distract attention from the emotional stuff by focusing on the territory drama.

There was no way to secure full cans of spray paint but it might be something they were able to make.

"I mean you can make anything if you set your mind to it," Rowyn grinned. "But if you manage to, I'd love to know how you do it. It'd save me a fortune in paints!"

"Yeah," Hades said, nodding his head a little as he smiled.

"Okay!"

"Remind you of anything?" Belle whispered to Beast.

"You mean like how Ben could be easily distracted from a bad mood with a book at that age?" Beast whispered back with a small chuckle.

Hades and Persephone couldn't help but chuckle a little at Mal's reaction.

"Come on," Hades told her, walking out of the den as Mal trotted after him; a small smile on her face. Persephone shook her head in amusement. While she wasn't entirely thrilled about the idea of Mal being so close to those chemicals, it would be okay as long as Hades was there with her.

"I wouldn't let anything happen to her," Hades promised.

"I know," Persephone nodded.

"Mom!" Mal exclaimed, the faint flush coming back as Uma, Jay, and Harry chuckled.

Well, time to prepare for another six months in Auradon, Persephone sighed. There really wasn't much to do to prepare as her 'Auradon' clothes were in her closet in her apartment off the Isle. All the preparation was really mental in getting used to not having Hades and now Mal around.

"It's the first two months that are the worst," Persephone said, shaking her head. "Though, it's the same the other way too; getting used to someone being there and wanting to do things for you."

Though now I can look into getting a certain four legged present for Mal, Persephone thought as she left the den. She and Hades had heard bits and pieces of Mal's rant to Virgil while they were in the kitchen; after the life Mal had so far it was safe to say she deserved to be spoiled as much as they could do so on the Isle.

Mal couldn't help but grin as Estelle wagged his tail.

"Is it safe to assume who the four legged present is?" Elle asked with a smile on her lips.

Mal was her daughter. Persephone may have to miss Mal's birthday because of the agreement but that didn't mean she wouldn't make it up to Mal when they saw each other again.

"It wasn't your fault though mom," Mal pointed out. "You didn't need to—."

"I wanted to," Persephone stated.

Snow White smiled at the interaction between mother and daughter. "That's the end of the scroll. Does anyone want to read next?"

"I'll read," Kit said.

Chapter 20 Chapter Text

"You know, I have to ask. How are we getting lucky to avoid spoiling the other scrolls?" Kit asked as he took a scroll. "It's not like they're labeled."

"You really think the Fates wouldn't have thought of that dear?" Cinderella asked him, giving her husband a small smile.

"Right…"

The months flew by and before Mal knew it, it was June and the day of her sixth birthday arrived.

Ben couldn't help but grin at the idea that he shared a birth month with Mal.

She didn't really expect much; Maleficent never really acknowledged it.

"Yeah well Maleficent doesn't matter much!" Phillip Jr. stated. "Who cares what she does?"

The only reason Mal knew it was her birthday was because she had asked Maleficent when she was three.

"…how did you survive before I joined your crew?"

"Sheer force of will Jay, sheer force of will."

Uma had asked about her birthday and Mal, being a reasonably innocent three year old,

Leah rolled her eyes at the idea that anyone on the Isle had ever been innocent. They were villains after all.

"Why am I not surprised you were involved somehow?" Jay sighed.

"Because we're inseparable!" Uma said with a grin, wrapping her arm over Mal's shoulders and pulling her close.

thought there had been no harm in asking the dragon the same question. Thankfully Maleficent had been in a reasonably good mood, having gotten the chance to torment the goblins, and so all Mal got was a terse response giving her the date.

"…I guess miracles do happen." Harry said, though he was in a bit of shock at the idea that Maleficent had answered the question.

After Mal found out, though, Uma and Harry had made it their mission to make sure they at least celebrated Mal's birthday the best they could.

Poseidon gave his granddaughter and her friend a kind smile, making a mental note to make sure they always had favorable seas if they ever got off the Isle and went sailing.

With the young Hook being a pirate, there was no doubt they'd be doing that.

Whether it was by trying to grab the freshest thing from the delivery barge they could or by snatching something from another Isle resident, they always made sure Mal had something on her birthday.

"You…you celebrated by stealing?" Jane asked. She decided not to comment on the delivery barge part, knowing it would likely just bring down the mood.

"Hey, it's their own fault for not keeping a closer eye on their stuff!" Uma declared and Harry nodded.

"That's how the Isle works," Jay stated. "If you want it you take it and if you can't take it you break it so no one else can have it."

Today, however, Mal woke up feeling a little excited for once. It was her first birthday where she had a parent who might do more than simply tell her the day she was born.

"Oh I can promise you Hades has something up his toga," Hera nodded.

Hades stared at her for a second. "…was that a compliment or an insult?"

"Yes."

"That in no way answers my question."

I mean, dad won't be able to do much since we're trapped on an Isle and Steph's stuck in Boredon but at least it'll be better than what the dragon provides, Mal thought as she got dressed and quickly scurried out of her 'room' at Maleficent's.

I really should have just stayed at the clubhouse. Gods, why did I risk a lesson on my birthday? Mal thought with a small sigh.

"I'm pretty sure a jab in the eye with a rusty spork would be better than anything Maleficent could provide," Chip muttered.

The last thing she wanted was for Maleficent to try to teach Mal a 'lesson' on her birthday.

"She better not have…"

"Dad! She didn't," Mal said, shaking her head. "I got out of there before she realized I had even spent the night."

"Good," Hades said though he was still mentally making a list of everything he could do to get back at Maleficent—even if he couldn't enact them until Hadie was off the Isle.

Thank the Gods the dragon still hasn't realized I was the only kid on the Isle not invited to Blueberry's birthday, Mal thought as she made her way to the clubhouse as per tradition.

She did though, Evie thought, softly biting down on her lip. It was around this time that dad went missing after all.

Opening the gate, Mal couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before her.

"Was it a bunch of mini snowmen doing a conga line?"

Mal wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that and so could only stare at Akiho for a minute.

"Dude, even I know it wasn't that," Ben shook his head.

"Ben, you say that as if you're not the smartest person on the Tourney team," Emir stated.

Clearly her cousin and friend had stayed up way too late preparing a makeshift party for her as they were slumped over on the milk crates.

Welp I was wondering when my rep would start taking the hit, Uma thought as the older royals let out a round of soft 'aww's'.

Finally! And I thought you wouldn't be joining me in my rep decimation cuz! Mal thought to her.

At least Harry's with us too, Uma thought.

A spray painted banner hung above them, reading 'Happy Birthday Mal" in dark purple.

"I thought you said you couldn't get full cans of spray paint?" Rowyn asked.

"Exactly," Mal nodded.

"But Mal had made a batch with Uncle Hades and had brought it to the clubhouse to test it out," Uma added.

"Where we just so happened to find it," Harry finished as Mal rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that look Mali! If you didn't want us to use it, you should have hidden it better!"

Shaking her head, Mal quietly walked over to Uma and shook her shoulder. "Uma?"

"Not now Mal," Uma muttered, sleep clearly still occupying her brain. "I need to get the clubhouse ready for Mal's party."

Mal chuckled. "If there's one thing I've learned about you cuz is that when you first wake up, you're not all there."

"Name one time that's happened!"

"You mean besides this scroll?"

"Yes!"

"Okay," Mal said with a smirk. "We were eight and you tried pulling the anchor up in the Lost Revenge by sticking your hand into Pirate's Cove after a nap."

"Oh?" Mal asked, amusement evident in her voice. "Well what's left to do?"

"We need… Mal ?!"

"Yes, I think Mal is necessary in order to properly celebrate Mal's birthday," Emir said as Aziz shook his head at his brother's tomfoolery.

"Good morning sleepyhead," Mal chuckled as Uma stared at her in shock, waking up from her slumber. "How late were you two here last night?"

"Didn't your parents wonder where you were?" Elle asked, looking over at the two VKs in question.

Uma, Mal, Jay, and Harry all stared at her for what felt like an hour but in reality was probably just a couple of minutes.

"Have…have you not been paying attention to any of the scrolls we've read?" Harry asked, being the first one to regain their ability to speak.

Elle flushed. "It was just a question," she muttered.

"I don't know," Uma said with a yawn and a stretch as she sat up. "Harry, Jay and I spent hours arguing over what color the banner should be.

"Jay wanted it yellow, Uma wanted it teal, and I wanted it red," Harry said. "And I still say it should have been red!"

"Even though my color of choice is purple?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't say our choices were smart, now did I Mal?"

Then Jay had to go and finish his quota for his dad and Harry and I finished the decorations."

Aladdin shook his head at the idea of a child having to fill a quota in order to be able to please their parent.

Though it makes me wonder…if dad hadn't left or if he had come back, would I need to fill a quota? I probably would have had to if he'd raised me among the Forty Thieves, he thought.

Mal gave her friend a small smile. "It's nice to know that Harry's accepted Jay in the group."

"It only took him what? Two months?"

"Yeah," Mal nodded as Harry rolled his eyes at Jay's smirk. "No one can say Harry's not stubborn."

"I think it's because Jay's taller than us," Uma chuckled. "He had an easier time hanging the banner. We almost used Harry's hook to secure to the wall before Jay swiped some sticky stuff from one of the shops. I didn't ask what it was and I don't want to know what it is."

"I'm not sure I want to know either," Emma stated, wrinkling her nose at the thought.

"Hey Mal," Harry said with a groan as he woke up, not even questioning the other girl's arrival. "Happy birthday."

"Gotta love how he doesn't even react to Mal showing up," Hyllus said, shaking his head.

"Thanks Harry," Mal said with a small smile. "Won't your dad be missing you at the counter though?"

Harry shook his head. "Captain papa won't notice I'm gone. Well he might but he won't do anything. Not if I tell him I'm making sure you have a great birthday. He's terrified of what the dragon might do, especially since I told him you never got an invite to Blueberry's party."

"Wouldn't that increase the likelihood of Maleficent finding out though?" Alexandria asked.

Harry froze and looked over at Mal. He honestly hadn't even considered that.

"Maleficent might murder him if she ever found out Hook was there when her own daughter wasn't," Uma said with a small smirk. She wasn't a fan of how Hook treated her first mate though she knew Harry still had a soft spot in his heart for the man. He was, after all, his only remaining parent.

Dad?

Yes Mali?

You're…you're going to keep an eye on Harry right? I know I didn't ask before I left but…

Mal, you didn't need to ask. Of course I'm looking out for him.

Mal sighed. Ever since Harry had turned six back in late April, about a couple of weeks after Blueberry's birthday, he had taken to calling his dad 'Captain Papa'. I mean, it made sense in a way considering Harriet called Hook 'Captain' while CJ still called Hook 'papa'. It just felt odd hearing it come from Harry.

Harry winced slightly at the memory. The first time the Captain had heard him say 'Captain papa' had also been the last time he had called his father by that title.

"Jay should be here soon," Harry said, breaking Mal out of her thoughts. "He's picking up the presents we got for you."

"You guys didn't have to—"

Okay so we're definitely throwing a party for her, Akiho nodded. In fact, we'll throw her so many birthday parties it'll get to the point she'll question it if there's not one!

"Yes we did Mal," Uma said firmly. "It's your birthday. We had to get you something since we all know the dragon won't acknowledge it."

"And at the time we didn't know about your relation to Uncle Hades because someone didn't think it important to tell us!" Uma added.

"Ease up Uma, you know why I didn't," Mal told her.

"Just because I know doesn't mean I have to like it!"

Mal sighed but didn't fight back. Even Jay had grown to see how much Maleficent's show of 'motherly affection' toward Mal was an act now that he was in the crew.

"Honestly I think Mama Odie could tell that it was an act," Jay muttered though he hated the fact that he hadn't been able to tell until he became part of Mal's crew.

That being said, Mal still wanted to be careful about how much Jay knew. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but it was just that with Jafar in Maleficent's gang, the risk was higher.

Jay held back a sigh, knowing Mal had a point and that she trusted him now. But he wasn't going to lie, the thought that there had been a point where Mal hadn't trusted him…Mal was the closest thing he had to a little sister and while trust may have been rare on the Isle, he still thought he had Mal's.

The sound of the gate opening prevented any further conversation and the three of them rushed downstairs only to see Jay pushing what looked like a…bed?

"How…how in the name of ever loving gurgesmurf did you get a bed over there?!" Kitty exclaimed.

"Are we just making up words now?" Lucy asked, looking at her twin.

"Jay, I know you like stealing but did you steal someone's bed from them?" Uma asked in shock.

"I don't like stealing," Jay muttered.

"Yeah you do," Uma said. "Didn't you once say it's like buying whatever you want except it's free?"

"No," Jay chuckled. "This was by the barge. I checked it out—it's in decent shape. No mold on the mattress or anything. I know we like to sleep in the clubhouse on the odd days our parents lock us out but wouldn't it make more sense for there to be an actual bed for us to use?"

Gods, to be six or seven and to think of checking the mattress to make sure there wasn't any mold, Chip thought with a frown as some of the parents who were present muttered about the fact that the kids would get locked out of their homes.

"Honestly," Mal scoffed. "Did you think our parents would tuck us in and read us a bed time story? You all fought against these people! You know them!"

"I dunno Jay," Mal frowned and glanced up the stairwell, with all its twists and turns. "How are we going to get it up there?"

"We're VKs! We'd figure it out!" Jay declared.

"We were also six and seven respectively," Mal pointed out, effectively poking a hole in his logic.

Harry perked up. "Give me five minutes," he said and rushed off.

"Now who does that remind you of?" Cinderella asked as she turned to her husband, a smile pulling at her lips.

"What in the world got into him?" Mal asked and Uma shrugged before turning to Jay.

"Did you get the stuff we actually sent you for?" She asked and Jay smirked.

"Oh Uma, do you actually doubt me?"

"Yes," Uma said flatly.

"You wound me!" Jay exclaimed, causing Dizzy to giggle.

"Considering we sent you out for one thing and you came back with a bed ?"

"That is a fair point," Emma nodded.

"I just want to know how no one stopped him," Ashaki pointed out. "I mean, it's not like it's food that could be hidden in a pocket or something."

"Good point," Jay chuckled and patted a satchel that was hanging off the headboard of the bed. "But I got the stuff. Don't worry."

"Jay always comes through when you need him!" Hadie said with a grin.

Mal chuckled and shook her head in amusement. "Any chance I'll find out what the stuff is?"

I'd wager that it's something for your birthday Mali, Persephone thought as she bit her lip to keep a sigh from escaping. How she wished she could have been there.

"When Harry gets back," Uma told her. "Though depending on where he's gone, that could be hours from now."

"Oh ye of little faith cap'n," Harry shook his head.

To their surprise, the son of Hook only took a little over ten minutes before he arrived again; this time accompanied by his older sister and a petite blonde girl with a blue and white stripped shirt.

"Sammy's almost always with Harriet," Harry said. "She's almost like her shadow."

"Harry said you guys needed some help?" Harriet asked, brushing a bit of her brown hair out of her face.

"I thought your sister had black hair?" Mal asked.

"She does. She just went through a period where she wanted to try out brown hair," Harry shrugged. "I'll never understand girls."

"Jay found a bed and we want to put it in our clubhouse," Mal said. "But there's no way we'd be able to get it up those stairs on our own."

Harriet smirked before turning to her little brother. "So you came to me, your smarter and stronger older sister?"

"Gee, why does that sound familiar?" Rowyn shook her head, glancing over at Rachel.

"No, I came to you because you're bigger," Harry said. "Plus Captain papa won't notice you're gone for at least an hour since he's with Gaston."

"No one…—."

"Don't," Beast said, looking over at Chip. "That will be in my head all day if you finish that song."

"Oh come on!" Chip exclaimed.

Harriet chuckled. "Good point. Okay, so Jay and Harry, grab the end of the bed there. Mal, you and Uma take each side while Sammy and I take the head. Someone needs to be able to tell the boys when a corner's coming."

"Why didn't she do it?" Phillip Jr. asked. "Since she and Sammy were at the head and Harry and Jay were at the end, she'd be able to see when you all were approaching a corner."

"How does the question seem so logical coming from him and yet if it came from the Brat over there, Harry would take it as an attack on Harriet?" Uma muttered to Mal.

"I'll do it," Mal said, taking the left side.

"No need," Harry scoffed. "I know the stairwell by heart."

"Stubborn idiot," Mal muttered under her breath.

"So do I, Harry. But you've never walked it backwards before," Mal shot back as they picked up the bed.

"You know that actually sounds like fun!" Neal said.

They quickly got started as, even though they had two eight year olds with them, it was still a pretty heavy bed and they didn't want to carry it longer than they had to.

"I think even if we were grown adults, we still wouldn't want to carry that bed any longer than we had to," Uma stated.

"Does anyone need a break?" Harriet called as they stopped on the first landing.

"Bah," Harry scoffed. "Breaks are for wimps and the insipid mermaids of Neverland."

"Hey!" Elle and Melody exclaimed, the raven haired sister glaring slightly at Harry.

"You do know the Captain's not here right? He's not going to know if you don't spew his catchphrases," Harriet told him. "Sammy won't say anything anyway, right Sammy?"

Why am I not surprised Harry was using Hook's catchphrases even then? Mal thought with a small frown.

Sammy nodded and Harriet turned back to her brother. "So as I was saying, anyone need a break?"

"Wouldn't it be better to just do it all in one go?" Naveen asked. "That way, you don't have to think about picking the bed back up."

"Actually, taking breaks would be better," Phoebus stated. "Gives you a chance to reposition your hands and secure your grip."

"We took one while you and Harry were arguing," Uma said, shaking the slight pain out of her arms. She didn't know where Jay had found the bed but it seemed lighter than a bed should be.

"Hmm, that's odd," Macaria said. "You think it was enchanted?"

"But wouldn't the barrier stop that?" Lonnie asked.

Jane shook her head. "The barrier only stops evil magic. Enchanting a bed to be lighter to carry isn't exactly evil," she said though her voice got meeker as everyone turned to look at her.

Mal had the same thought too. Could this be Steph's doing? Mal thought. After all, Steph saw the clubhouse before she left for Boreadon and how it was lacking in furniture. How easy could it have been for her to make it so that there was a bed light enough for us to move? She is a Goddess after all, with access to options we could only dream of.

"Why Mal, I've no idea what you mean," Persephone said with an innocent look on her face that fooled none of the VKs, even the ones who weren't around the Goddess as much like Evie and Carlos.

Reaching the top of the stairwell, the six of them quickly positioned the bed against one of the walls in the clubhouse.

"Teamwork makes the dream work as coach always says!" Emir said with a nod of his head.

"Wow," Uma said softly. "We have a bed ."

Ariel wasn't sure how many times her heart could break as they read these scrolls but she was positive she felt it break once more upon hearing that line. No child should sound so amazed at having a bed.

"We do," Mal grinned. "Jay, I know you didn't mean to find the bed, but well done!"

Jay smirked. "My pleasure!"

Harriet and Sammy chuckled. "Well, we'll get out of your hair," Harriet said. "You four need us for anything else, just let me know."

"Of course we would! Harriet's the best!" Uma stated, her tone of voice almost challenging anyone to contradict her.

Harry gave Uma a grin upon hearing that, not noticing Jay and Mal's knowing look.

The two older girls turned to walk out before Harriet paused. "Oh Mal? Happy Birthday."

Mal smiled. Harriet was always a good ally, and a good crew member after they combined their crews.

"That was nice of her," Emma said with a smile.

"Thanks Harriet," Mal said with a small smile and the older girl left the clubhouse. There was a brief bit of silence before Harry turned to Jay.

"You got them?"

"Yes! The mystery's finally going to be over!" Chip exclaimed with a grin!.

"Oh! Right," Jay nodded. "They're in my bag. On the headboard right there."

Mal frowned. "Got what?"

"Your presents silly," Uma said with a smile. "Can't have a birthday without presents!"

"What kind of pirate would I be if I didn't get one of my captains some loot?" Harry asked.

Mal shook her head. "Guys, really. You didn't have to—"

"Did you hear something Jay?" Harry asked as he got Jay's bag off the headboard.

"Nope," Jay shook his head. "Only Mal saying 'thank you for my presents guys'."

"Hey, they're like your shadows Benji," Chip said with a small grin as Ben shook his head.

"Chip, you know Emir and Akiho go overboard—."

"When's the last time we did that?!"

Ben looked over at his best friends. "My birthday party last year. One of the ballrooms is still an ice rink."

"Oh yeah," Akiho chuckled. "That was fun."

"How did…?"

"Aunt Elsa came and helped us," Akiho said, looking at his mom who seemed almost confused by the thought.

Mal chuckled. "Well if you're going to insist…where's my loot?"

"There we go!" Evan said with a grin. "Best thing about birthdays is no one judges you when you ask that!"

"I judge you every day," Ruby told him.

"I know. But you don't count."

"And why not?"

"You're my sister."

"That's more like it," Harry smirked as he tossed Jay's bag to him. Jay caught it and took out two oddly wrapped parcels. It was clear that her friends had used whatever paper they could get their hands on to wrap them. Mal didn't care though.

"Who cares about stuff like that? It's just going to be used for fire fuel later anyway," Uma said with a shrug.

"Here Mal," Jay said, handing her one of the parcels. Mal raised an eyebrow as she felt it.

"A book?"

"Ben's favorite present!" Lonnie said.

"I like more than just books, Lon!" Ben shook his head.

"Just open it," Jay chuckled and Mal carefully unwrapped the parcel—the paper might prove necessary later and it was still in reasonably good shape. To Mal's surprise, a hard purple book awaited her.

"Hey! I think that's my old composition notebook!" Rowyn said, her eyes growing wide with excitement. "Were there brown stains on some of the pages and were they slightly crinkly?"

"I think so," Mal nodded.

"Then yep, that's mine! Rose knocked a soda on it when I was working one day."

"I said I was sorry!" Rose exclaimed. "Are you still judging me for that!"

"No because at least you didn't destroy my tablet like another sibling of ours," Rowyn said, looking over at Evan.

"Stop having open drink containers around things you don't want destroy, Ro," was all the younger boy had to say.

"I found it in the delivery barge," Uma said. "Whatever prince or princess in Boreadon who had it clearly didn't believe in waste not want not—there's about half the pages still remaining. You've been planning out our tags but there's only so much you can do with the water rings left from Uncle Hades' restaurant."

"Not to mention it'll be easier to edit your sketches," Rapunzel nodded. "Though I usually prefer blank paper to lined for drawing."

Mal nodded, grinning a little as she opened it. It was a lined notebook and it was clear that whoever threw it out hadn't cared much for keeping the pages intact; bits of the remaining paper still clung to the spine.

"What? It had my school notes in it and we had a test coming up," Rowyn said as some of the kids turned to look at her.

At least it's not pink , Mal thought as she set the book to the side. And I can easily find some charcoal or something at dad's place to use to sketch out the tags. Plus, since it's purple, people will know by sight that it's mine.

"So…you don't like pink?" Ben asked.

"I would think that would be obvious," Mal told him. Ben gave her a slightly nervous smile, trying not to think about the girl's dorm room and the pink walls they had set up.

"Well, it doesn't make any sense to say it since there's only two presents but open this one next Mal," Harry said, handing her the other parcel. Mal chuckled and quickly unwrapped it. To her surprise, a tri-cornered hat like the one Uma had started to wear stared back at her.

"You know, you should wear that hat more," Uma stated.

"If I did, the Dragon would learn that I had said hat and more than likely destroy it," Mal told her.

"We know normally a crew has one captain," Harry said.

"But we figured in this case we'd make an exception," Jay added with a small smirk.

"How sweet!"

"Take a shot!" Harry joked as Jay shook his head. Mal could only smirk though, it was about time her friends got some more hits to their reps.

"We wouldn't be a crew if it wasn't for you Mal," Uma stated. "You're my best friend, if I'm sharing power with anyone, it's you."

And I mean that one hundred percent, Uma thought with a small smile. A smile that Mal readily returned.

Mal stared at her friends in shock. She definitely hadn't been expecting that.

"Guys…"

"Besides, you can't expect Maleficent's daughter to be subservient in her own crew?" Jay joked and Mal rolled her eyes. It was corny but it helped ease the feelings that were choking up in the back of her throat.

Ben frowned slightly as he couldn't help but wonder once more if Mal and Jay were…well why wouldn't she be?

After all, Jay's already proven he can cheer her up while you're just the son of the people who're the reason she's on the Isle in the first place, he thought before shoving that thought out of his head. The contract. You've got the contract.

"How did you get it purple?" Mal asked, holding it up to look at it closer.

"Lady Tremaine's shop," Uma said. "The boys were a bunch of guppies walking in there but Anastasia said if we didn't make a mess, she wouldn't say anything about us being there."

"Wait, don't you guys make your smoke bombs using Granny's shop?" Dizzy asked.

"Sure do," Uma nodded.

"Making smoke bombs are different than going in there when Yzma's getting her hair done," Harry stated.

Mal nodded. The elder Tremaine sister never really kicked up a fuss about the kids coming into Curl Up and Dye the way her mother or younger sister would. "She hasn't been in for a while. Is she feeling okay?"

Cinderella frowned as she heard that. She might not have been the closest with her step sister but that didn't mean she wanted something to be wrong. "Was everything okay?"

"Oh yeah," Uma nodded, giving Celia a small smile.

"Probably just tired from taking care of her brat," Harry stated. "Anthony would lower anyone's energy level."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Uma shook her head. "He's not even here and he's already elevating my blood pressure."

"Don't you mean 'Lord Tremaine'?" Jay scoffed as they all chuckled.

"I swear, that boy's worse than Blueberry sometimes," Mal said, rolling her eyes as she put the hat on.

"You mean you actually hated Anthony more than Blueberry?" Celia asked.

"I wouldn't go that far," Mal told her. "Though if I had to rank the people I hated of the VKs, it'd be Freddy, Zevon, Blueberry and Anthony though the last two could change positions."

"Alright Mal, that's enough," Persephone said, lightly scolding her daughter.

"It suits you cap'n," Harry said with a small smirk.

"That's co -cap'n, Harry," Mal stated, giving Uma a small smile. "Uma was captain first, she's our main captain."

"Embodying the motto before we even thought of it, huh cuz?" Uma asked.

"You know it!" Mal told her.

"The motto?" Ben asked.

"Our crew's motto," Mal told him. "Ruthless yet Loyal. We stick with our allies and we destroy anyone who tries to harm them."

"Sounds like two other people I could mention," Ben said as he glanced over at his friends.

Uma smiled and stood a little straighter. "Well, as your captain, I order you to go and have a good birthday!"

"And those are orders that anyone should be happy to follow!" Kitty said with a grin.

"Aye aye Cap'n!" Mal said, giving her cousin a small salute. Her friends chuckled and before long the crew had to split up; each one of her friends expected back by their parents. Mal didn't mind though. That just meant that she could spend more time at her dad's.

"I'm happy for you Hades," Poseidon whispered to him.

Hades smiled slightly as he heard that. "…Thank you Poseidon. And, for what it's worth, give Uma some time. She'll come around."

"I'm surprised to hear that from you."

"Hey, you helped provide fish for the Isle and more than likely made my job easier as a result even if that wasn't your aim. We might not always be on the same side of the barrier but you will always be my brother."

"Dad?!" Mal called as she walked through to the Underworld.

"Oh Lady Mal!" Pain exclaimed as he walked past and Mal rolled her eyes.

"How many times have I had to tell them not to call me that?"

"8,921," Hades said, absently picking at his nails as Mal looked at him in shock.

"You counted?"

"Honestly I just wanted to see how many times it would take before it'd sink in for them."

Ever since her dad had told her the truth, his minions had been calling her 'Lady' Mal non stop. She wasn't a Lady—she was just Mal!

"Okay Just Mal!" Emir grinned.

"…they're going to be calling me that for the rest of the time here aren't they?" Mal asked, turning to Ben.

"More than likely," Ben nodded.

"Pain," Mal said with a small nod. "Is my dad in the kitchen?"

"Yes my lady."

"I am not a lady," Mal growled.

Well that much is obvious, Leah thought with an almost silent sniff.

"Don't call me that!" Mal exclaimed as Pain scampered away, obviously expecting a fireball that never came.

"Yet," Mal said with a small smirk. "Dad had to teach me how to conjure up one first."

Mal couldn't help but roll her eyes once more.

How did dad survive the six months without Steph with just those two before I came along? Mal thought as she made her way into the kitchen.

"As you said earlier Mali, sheer force of will," Hades sighed as he shook his head.

To her surprise, a similar scene to the one that had been at the clubhouse awaited her. Well, except for the fact that no one was slumped over asleep.

"Oh I'm sure Panic was off dozing somewhere," Hades said, shaking his head.

"Dad?" Mal asked, a little shocked at the fact that her dad had remembered or even known when her birthday was.

Just another reason to want to kill Maleficent for putting that doubt in Mal's head, Mulan thought. It was clear to anyone with eyes that Hades cared for his daughter and would do what he could to make her birthday a good one.

"You thought I wouldn't do anything?" Hades asked, giving his daughter a small smile. "Mali, I've waited six years to celebrate this day with you. Now, it's not much but I was thinking maybe some dinner and then maybe get a portal call from Steph? And then I've got something to show you."

"Why not just show her then?" Rose asked, tilting her head and then flushed as she realized what she asked and more importantly who she had asked the question to. "I'm so sorry—."

"It's a valid question," Hades stated. "And to answer, I wanted Steph to be part of it."

"Okay," Mal said with a small nod as she tilted her head slightly. "What's for dinner?"

"Chicken of course," Hades chuckled. "The way you scarf it down at the restaurant, I assumed it was your favorite. Unless you'd rather have something else?"

"No way!" Mal exclaimed.

"Lord Hades, have you tried making the chicken into a sandwich?" Akiho asked. "Or even a wrap? Which I think could be classified as a type of sandwich—."

"And we are cutting off the start of the hour long sandwich ramble," Emir stated.

Hades shook his head. "I have to admit, I'm intrigued."

"I can get you the necessary ingredients for a wrap," Persephone told him.

"I volunteer as taster!" Hadie declared.

"What?! No way, that's my job!" Mal cried.

"You're in Boreadon, you can't really be a taster!"

"Dad!" Mal said, giving her brother a teasing grin as she turned to look at her dad.

"He's got a point Mali," Hades said. "But Hadie, you won't be the only tester."

Mal shook her head. "Nope! Chicken's fine!"

Hades grinned. "Okay, well you can come over here and help if you want. Or you can stay over there and offer commentary?"

Mal tapped her chin in mock thought. "Snide commentary is what I'm good at though!"

"Well it's more like sarcastic commentary," Mal amended.

"You got to love sarcasm," Uma said. "It's like punching someone in the face, but with words."

"Ooh I like that!" Lonnie told her.

"Well every chef needs a critic," Hades teased and Mal stuck her tongue out at him, causing Hades to chuckle once more.

Audrey rolled her eyes. Honestly, she couldn't believe Ben thought someone like that would be a good fit in Auradon!

Mal watched as her dad quickly got to work on dinner; the sounds of sizzling chicken quickly filling the kitchen.

Mal, Hadie, Harry, Jay, and Uma grinned; they could almost smell the chicken right there.

"Hey dad?" Mal asked after a few minutes of silence. "Do you have any charcoal or something I could use?"

Hades chuckled a little. "Well that's an odd question. Why do you need charcoal?"

"To start a fire of course!"

"Ease up on the sarcasm Mal," Jay chuckled.

"Uma, Harry and Jay got me this for my birthday," Mal said, holding up the notebook. "I want to break it in but I don't have anything to draw with."

"If we didn't have it, one portal call could solve that," Hades said.

"Yeah, mom can get anything," Hadie nodded.

Hades couldn't help but smile at that; he loved seeing Mal doodling with the condensation from the water glass or drawing in the sand by the docks whenever he made his way to Hook's.

"So what's your preference? Sand? Water?" Rowyn asked, looking over at Mal.

"Spray paint," Mal stated.

"Neat! I'm more preferential to oil based paint but I'd like to give spray paint a try."

Eugene shook his head. "Kit, you'd better go ahead and read before we're here for five hours."

"Dad! I'm not that bad!"

"I've timed you Ro," Eugene said, giving his daughter a small smile.

With the popularity of the restaurant picking up, it had gotten to the point where he needed to have two delivery pickups and he wasn't going to have Mal or Virgil be overworked.

Let no one say he didn't care about the kids, Persephone thought with a small smile. Hades can try and say he doesn't care about anyone on the Isle but he's one of the few adults on the Isle who do care about the kids. Daniel was another one but…we haven't seen him for years.

"We should have some around here somewhere," Hades said. "Or I can ask Steph to pick some up for when she comes back from Boreadon."

Persephone raised an eyebrow. "Really dear?"

"This was supposed to be one of those 'what Steph doesn't know won't hurt her' sort of a thing," Hades told her.

Mal nodded slowly, clearly not happy with that answer but not wanting to make a fuss. It didn't matter anyway as dinner was quickly ready soon after that. Hades plated the chicken and presented it to Mal.

"Did you speed up the cooking so Mal didn't have to think about the lack of charcoal?" Poseidon asked, looking over at Hades.

"I can neither confirm nor deny," Hades stated.

"Dig in Mali," Hades said with a small smile. "I'll plate my own but you don't have to wait for me."

And that's how a parent should act. Making sure the kids get their food first before getting their own, David thought.

That was all the invitation Mal needed to start tearing into the chicken. It tasted better than it normally did, which was a high bar to clear as her dad's cooking was always pretty good. It was hard to say what it was; maybe there was some new seasoning?

"You all honestly think I remember how I prepared chicken over ten years ago?" Hades exclaimed as everyone turned to look at him.

Hades couldn't help but smile as he ate his dinner. He hated the fact that he couldn't spoil Mal more than what the Isle would allow but at least he could do this much. Besides, at least she was with him and not with the dragon.

"I think we spoiled her plenty though dear," Persephone said as Estelle wagged his tail, licking Mal's hand and nudging it with his nose as a hint that he wanted pets.

"Lord Hades?" Pain's voice broke through the silence as the two of them finished up their dinner.

"Yes?"

"There's a call on the portal from Lady Persephone," Pain said and Hades' heart swelled as he saw the grin that appeared on Mal's face at the little imp's words.

"Portal calls from mom are the best!" Hadie declared with a grin of his own.

Great timing Steph, Hades thought as he helped Mal down before she raced to the portal room.

"It's a gift," Persephone said even as she smiled hearing about young Mal racing to talk to her.

"Mal!" Persephone exclaimed in delight as Mal burst into the room. "Oh sweetie, happy birthday!"

"Thanks Steph," Mal said with a small smile.

"I wish I could be there to celebrate with you in person," Persephone sighed, the smile still on her lips. "But I'm sure your friends and your father have made it a good one?"

"They made it one of the best birthdays I've ever had," Mal said and her three friends and her dad gave her a grin upon hearing that.

Mal nodded. "They have! Oh Steph, that reminds me. Did you send a bed to the Isle from Boreadon?"

"Why would you think Lady Persephone would send a bed?" Audrey scoffed.

"What do you mean Mal?" Persephone asked, though the small smirk on her face betrayed the innocent look she was going for. Mal could only smirk in response as Hades walked into the room.

"You sent it, Lady Steph?" Harry asked.

"Of course I did," Persephone said. "And for the millionth time Harry, you don't have to call me by my title."

"Hey Steph," Hades said with a small smile. "How was your day?"

Persephone sighed. "Oh you know the usual. I won't bore you with the details—not on Mal's birthday of all days."

"Aww!" Hadie couldn't help but pout a little. He liked the details!

Mal chuckled a little at that. She loved hearing about Steph's day, if only because it normally came with a running commentary from her dad. She never knew how many different ways there were to call someone a moron before until she met her dad.

"Seems Mal had the same thought as you," Dizzy told Hadie with a grin.

"Have you shown her yet?" Persephone asked, looking at Hades.

"Showed me what?" Mal asked but Hades shook his head.

"I wanted to wait until after you called," he told Persephone. "I figured we'd make the offer together."

"What offer?" Chad asked.

"If you let dad read, we'll find out," Lucy said, rolling her eyes.

Mal tilted her head in slight confusion. What offer? What were they talking about?

"Mali," Hades said gently, kneeling down to get to her level. "I know you live at Maleficent's right now but what would you say if I offered you a place to sleep here?"

"I'm pretty sure if I said anything other than 'yes', you can assume I'm spelled or something," Mal said with a small shrug.

Mal paused. "You mean like I would live with you?"

"If that's what you would want," Hades said. "It's completely up to you though. I know you've spent five years living with your mother so if you'd rather—"

"Honestly I don't know why we tried to delude ourselves by calling Maleficent my mother," Mal shook her head. "Mom's my mom."

"No!" Mal said, cutting Hades off; the excitement of what that meant rushing through her body. "No, I…I want a room here."

I would have given anything for an offer like that when I was around Mal's age, Cinderella thought.

Hades grinned and Persephone smiled from her spot in the portal. They had waited years to hear those words and they sounded just as sweet as they imagined them.

Every parent wants to know their child is somewhere they feel safe, Fairy Godmother thought with a small smile.

"But wait, Steph asked if you had showed me something?" Mal asked, looking at her father in confusion and slightly tilting her head.

Hades chuckled. "Well you're going to need a place to hang your hat after all," he told her, patting the hat that was still on Mal's head. "Virgil and I have been working on getting a room set up for you."

Mal smiled as she thought about her room. It was honestly the best gift she could have gotten—as well it allowed her to keep the items she cared about safe. The items the Dragon would have destroyed upon sight. Like her sketchbook or her hat.

"Really?" Mal asked. "But what if I'd said no, that I didn't want it?"

"It would have still been here for you Mali," Hades said gently. "For whenever you did want it."

"No matter how old you got, the room would always be there for you," Hades told her.

Mal couldn't help but smile at that.

"Go and show her dear," Persephone said. "I'll stay on the line for when you get back."

Hades nodded and held out a hand for Mal to take. Gently taking the offered hand, Mal followed Hades out of the portal room to one of the spare rooms. It was actually the only room she hadn't been in since she had been over in the Underworld. The door was always shut but sometimes she would catch Hades or Steph staring at it fondly.

Persephone couldn't help the slightly sad smile that formed as she heard Kit read that. She was glad that Mal had said yes to the room but she wished she could have been there in person.

At least now you'll get to see her reaction, she thought and some of the sadness faded from her smile.

Now, though, Mal had to chuckle as she came to the door; painted a dark shade of purple. It was so dark it almost looked like black but Mal could tell the difference.

"Of course you could," Uma shook her head. "Honestly if it was possible to hoard sketchbooks, you would Mali. Little miss artist."

"Hey the more sketchbooks I have, the better designs we can have for our tags," Mal smirked.

"Ready?" Hades asked as he put his hand on the doorknob. Mal nodded, a little excited. Hades gave a small smile as he opened the door and Mal couldn't help but grin. It truly wasn't much, but what it was was better than she could ever imagine.

"You gave her a room?" Zeus asked but unlike the last time he had asked, his voice was lacking any surprise. Instead, there was a small note of something that was hard to place if one wasn't listening closely.

For Zeus couldn't help but be jealous in that instant of his older brother. For he had wished that Hercules had chosen to live on Olympus with him and Hera instead of them being forced to say goodbye to their son just five minutes after getting to see him in person rather than through a statue.

"Of course I did," Hades stated. "She's my daughter."

Sure she had a room at Maleficent's but that was just for show than anything else. After all, the dragon couldn't have it get out that her daughter slept in a closet or anything.

"It wasn't actually a closet was it?" Cinderella asked, her voice soft as she thought back to her attic bedroom which had been provided by the 'goodness' of her stepmother.

Mal shrugged. "Doesn't matter, I was barely there as I got older."

Here, she had a bed and a dresser and a bookshelf with more books than she thought were on the Isle. Sure the furniture was clearly used but Mal didn't mind. She wasn't a prissy princess, she was a dragon.

No, Mal thought as she glanced at her dad. I'm a Cerberus.

"And Cerberuses are so much better than dragons!" Hadie said with a grin as Estelle yipped in agreement.

"First of all, it's 'Cerberi' storm cloud. And second of all, dragons are still pretty cool," Mal said.

Ben nodded. "Did you know that supposedly if you bathe in the blood of a dragon, it allows you to see into the future?"

Everyone paused and turned to look at the future King. Some had a look of shock on their faces while others, like Chip, Akiho, and Emir, just looked bemused.

"How…how do you even know that?" Lonnie asked.

"Why do you know that?" Mal added.

Ben shrugged. "There's not a lot of books on dragons in the library at home so I tried to read as much as I could."

"How….?"

"I'm your dad Mal," Hades said. "When it comes to making sure your kid's happy, not even a magical barrier'll stop a parent. I know it's not much but it's got the bones to be a—"

"It was perfect, dad," Mal said, her voice soft but still loud enough so that Hades could hear her.

Whatever Hades was going to say was cut off by the hug Mal gave him. Normally Mal would have kept her cool and freaked out in private. But now, knowing she had another option other than the clubhouse on nights where she didn't want to stay at Maleficent's? A place where she could truly be her and not some carbon copy of the dragon?

That's all you need to be Mal. You never have to be a copy of anyone, Persephone said, sending a message through the mental link.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

Hades grinned as he heard that, happy that he could give Mal a good birthday for once.

"I have to say, that was a more cheerful scroll than the previous ones," Kit noted.

"Hey we can have good days on the Isle," Hades told him. "And before anyone asks, I'll read."

Chapter 21 Chapter Text

Hades shook his head as he grabbed his scroll. He didn't know why he had to be here and partake in this mad exercise but it let him spend more time with Mal so it couldn't be all bad!

The months continued to fly by and before Mal knew it, it was September.

"The best month of the year!" Hadie said with a grin.

"Even though that means school starts," Alexandria said, sighing slightly. "I'll be so happy once I can start Auradon Prep with Kitty and Lucy. I'm stuck in Auradon Royal Middle."

"You've got different schools?" Jay asked.

"Yeah," Emir nodded. "There's Auradon Nursery, Auradon Royal Prep, Auradon Royal Middle and of course Auradon Prep."

"We have two. Serpent Academy and Dragon Hall," Mal said.

She couldn't believe how much things had changed throughout the year. She still stayed at Maleficent's once a week if only to keep up appearances.

"I never picked the same day," Mal said, absently picking at her nails. "Maleficent never noticed if I stayed or went somewhere. Besides, the lack of a pattern prevented someone from springing a trap."

"…I think Athena would really like her," Demeter muttered to Poseidon, who nodded. Hey, he might not get along with Athena all that much but even he could see that. Also not for the first time, he had to wonder why Triton's wife had to have the same first name as his niece.

Considering it was the goblins who usually checked on her, though, a pillow stuffed under her threadbare blanket tended to fool them and she could sneak out without getting caught.

"I'd say they're dumber than dirt but I think that's insulting to dirt," Phillip Jr. said.

"Doesn't change the fact it's true though," Phillip Sr. stated.

"…didn't they capture you?" Aladdin asked.

"Moving on!"

Staying at her dad's, though, was so much better. Pain and Panic didn't pinch and scratch her to wake her up in the morning but came with a respectful 'my lady' that never failed to elicit a growl from Mal.

"Easy dragon girl," Uma chuckled.

Though whether that was because Mal wasn't a morning person or because of the title, they would never know.

"And they never will," Mal said with a smirk.

"It's both," Jay mouthed to the group.

Today, though, was a different day. Today was her official first day of school—since she was six, she was old enough to go now.

Belle couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at her lips as she thought about Ben's first day of school. He had grown up too fast for her liking, there were times she wished he could go back to being the little boy who carried his plush dragon everywhere. Before he insisted he was a 'big boy' who didn't need it.

"Ben honey? Where's Flamey?" Belle asked one night when Ben was seven. The blue and gold dragon was always present at bedtime.

"I don't need him maman," Ben said as he scooted down into the bed.

Belle sat down on the edge of the bed and looked over at him. "Oh really? But you love Flamey."

"…big boys don't have stuffed dragons," Ben said and Belle's heart broke as she heard how small his voice was. Beast was on a conference call that ran late otherwise he would have been in there too.

"Now I know that's not true," Belle said. "No matter how old you are, you can never go wrong with a stuffed dragon."

Ben shook his head. "I'm a Prince though, maman. I'm supposed to slay dragons like Prince Phillip did."

"Is that why I haven't heard as many dragon facts from you, mon rayon de soleil?" Belle asked, smiling as she heard Ben's use of French. She always tried to use it when she could so that Ben knew there was nothing to be ashamed of and to be proud of where his family came from.

Ben nodded again and Belle kissed the top of his head.

"How about this? We'll try this no Flamey thing for a night and if you absolutely hate it, we'll convince Flamey to come back okay?"

"…okay maman," Ben said with a grin.

Belle shook her head softly—it wouldn't do to go down that memory lane. But she did have to wonder what happened to that old dragon. Well what happened to him after she had found him under Ben's bed when Ben was twelve she meant.

Mal wasn't exactly thrilled about it but her dad had promised a spray paint lesson after school so the day wasn't so bad.

"Ah bribery," Chip said with a smirk. "I've got five siblings. I know it well."

"Six you mean," Emir pointed out.

"Oh right! Can't believe I almost forgot Benji!"

"Morning Mali," Hades said with a small smile as Mal walked into the kitchen.

"Morning dad," Mal said, returning the smile. It may have been morning and it may have been her first day of school but her dad never failed to eliminate her bad mood.

"Gee, be more of a daddy's girl why don't you?" Audrey scoffed.

"That's rich coming from you Audrey!" Phillip Jr. told her.

Aurora sighed. "That's another weekend Audrey, you want to make it a whole month?"

So what am I going to do with three Sundays worth of free time? Ben thought in amazement.

"Grab some breakfast and then get going," Hades said before chuckling. "The last thing you'd want is to be on time for class on your first day."

"That…that seems rather backwards," Belle said, her brow furrowing in thought.

Mal nodded and dug into the food that was before her. Granted it was just leftovers but her dad's leftovers were better than anything Boreadon had to offer.

"That's only because you haven't had dad's cooking," Hyllus stated.

Scarfing it down, Mal hopped down and grabbed her hat and her bag.

"Now is today your 'appearance' day with the dragon?" Hades asked as he walked her to the door. He wasn't thrilled with the fact that Mal still stayed with Maleficent but one night was better than nothing. But if Maleficent hurt Mal in anyway…let's just say they would find out if fire could burn a dragon.

"You know, if there was a weak spot in the scales…ooh maybe I can talk to Ares or Athena…actually Athena would be better since she's the Goddess of Strategy…"

Persephone sighed. "Dear, ease your blood lust. I want a crack at her and I can't turn Maleficent into a plant if you've killed her."

"Nope," Mal said. "The dragon had her night two nights ago. I don't even think she noticed I was there though. She seems fixated with busting from the Isle, trying to find a weak spot in the barrier."

Carlos had never been more thankful that he was nearly invisible to everyone than he was at that moment. Oh Gods, what's Beast going to do when he finds out I put a hole in the barrier? I mean it was a small hole but a hole nonetheless!

Hades snorted. "I'd tell her good luck with that if I didn't find her frustration amusing. Zeus reinforced the barrier when it was created so the odds of there being a weak spot are extremely low."

Mal and Jay looked over at Carlos and gave him a small smirk that seemed to cause the already pale boy to lose what little color he had left. They knew!

"Did you really think we didn't pay attention to Isle gossip Carlos?" Jay muttered to him. "Think about it. The week after the rumor spreads about you making a device that punched a hole in the barrier, we put you under Rat protection?"

Oh thank Gods, they wanted me for my brains not because they thought me weak, Carlos thought and let out a small sigh of relief.

Mal couldn't help the small giggle that came out at that. Maleficent's frustration was quite amusing especially when Mal was safe on the other side of the Isle.

"It's amusing to us too!" Emir nodded.

"That's because you never take anything seriously," Aziz sighed and shook his head.

"Go on," Hades said. "I'll see you after school."

Mal nodded and left the Underworld, stopping by the docks on her way to Dragon Hall. Uma and Harry weren't attending her school, having been enrolled in Serpent Academy.

"Thank Gods we both go to Dragon Hall!" Dizzy said, wrapping her arm around Celia's shoulders.

Mal wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of her crew being split up but at least it was only a few hours a day. They could always meet up in the clubhouse afterwards.

"Plus you have things to talk about that way! If you went to the same school, you'd know everything that went on in their day," Rachel added.

"Why wouldn't you already know what goes on in your best friends' day? How else are you going to know things they don't want to tell you and find out what enemies you need to get rid of for them?" Mal asked.

Uma grinned. "Thanks Mal! And you know I got your back!"

"Always Uma," Mal nodded.

Akiho looked over at Ben. "I like you…but I don't know if I'd kill for you."

"Yes you would. Don't even lie," Emir snorted in amusement.

"Hello co-cap'n!" Harry said with a grin as Mal walked into the chip shoppe. "Aren't you a bit lost? Dragon Hall is in town after all."

"Yeah and the chip shoppe is near the Cove," Uma nodded. "You were really pushing your luck Mal—you might have gotten a rep as a teacher's pet if you showed up super late on your first day!"

Mal wrinkled her nose at the prospect. "No thank you!"

"I wasn't going to go without saying hi to you two," Mal said with a smirk. "Where's our captain?"

Harry tilted his head toward the back. "In the kitchen. Fair warning Mal, she's not in the best of moods. I'd keep it short before she wraps her tentacles around you."

"Uma and bad moods when doing dishes are pretty much like Gaston and idiocy," Mal said, shaking her head.

Mal shook her head and walked into the kitchen. Just as Harry said, Uma was busy glowering at the dishes towering in the sink; clearly her cousin was not in the best of moods, as Harry had said.

"But…if Mal's going to school, why isn't Uma?" Alexandria asked.

"Maybe Uma's school operates on a different time than Mal's," Kitty suggested.

"What did the dishes do to you?" Mal asked and Uma whirled around.

"What are you doing here?" Uma growled.

"Whoa?! What did Mal do? She just showed up!" Ben exclaimed.

"Oh gee Uma, I feel so loved," Mal snarked. "I mean, I just wanted to say hi to my captain and crew before I made my way to Dragon Hall but if this is how I'm going to be greeted…"

"Okay, even listening to you two fight for a second is weird," Jay stated.

Uma sighed. "Don't go Mal. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"What's up?" Mal asked and Uma sighed again.

"I found out why Anastasia Tremaine hasn't been at Curl Up and Dye as often," Uma said. "Apparently she and my dad had a relationship. I'm getting a sibling."

Celia tilted her head. "We've got a sibling somewhere on the Isle? Why didn't you say something before Uma?"

Well this got awkward, Elle thought as she took note of the younger girl's red hair. Being a redhead herself, Elle knew how rare it was for someone to be a redhead if their parents weren't redheads. Add in the fact that Anastasia Tremaine was a redhead…

"You don't sound thrilled about that."

"They'll be worthless! A baby! Mal, you know the only thing a baby is good for around here is getting kidnapped! There's no way I'm risking my neck for the welp!"

"You say that now cuz…" Mal muttered, shaking her head.

"Oh really? You're not exactly going to like it if your little pity fest when Hadie was born is in here," Uma muttered back.

Mal shook her head. "Well it'll be a while before the welp as you called them will arrive. Besides Uma, this just means you'll be an older sister! Basically you'll be the captain in your own family."

"Not necessarily, there's still Freddie," Jay said with a small chuckle. "No way would she take orders from you Uma."

Uma couldn't help but smirk a little at that. "That does sound good…but they'll still be worthless!"

"True. But they won't always be worthless. Besides, you know the smaller kids always go unnoticed. We could train your sibling to grab loot if Jay's busy with his dad's quota."

Teaching young kids to steal…I mean, I know the brat's a villain but they could at least not spread their villain, Leah thought.

Uma's smirk grew. "That sounds good," she said.

"We still on for training later on?" Mal asked as the two of them made their way out of the kitchen. She figured it was better to not push the subject.

"Of course," Uma said. "Oh, you're coming here for lunch right? Dragon Hall is usually stingy for lunches, what with the food we get from Boreadon from what my mom says. Serpent Academy seems like it's the same."

"Wait…do you guys not get food for lunch?" Emir asked.

"Why waste food on kids who might not make it till adulthood?" Jay said with a small shrug, as if he was used to it.

Aurora gasped and tears prickled in the corners of her eyes.

"Besides, I'd rather eat dad's food or…wait a minute, does that mean you guys do get food at school?" Mal asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm just going to read before a fight breaks out," Hades said but everyone could tell that even he was more than a little annoyed by the development.

Mal nodded. While she would normally choose to go to her dad's restaurant, she wouldn't pass up the chance to eat with her crew.

"Great!" Uma grinned. "Now get going!"

"Aye aye cap'n!" Mal nodded and walked out of the restaurant. Making her way into town, Mal met up with Jay. Since Jay was older, he should have been a year ahead of them in school. However, Jafar didn't want to miss out on thieving opportunities so he enrolled Jay a year later.

Jasmine shook her head in astonishment. Jafar cared so little about his own child that he wanted to impede his development and his education for his own gain!

Not that Mal was complaining. She would never say anything but she was happy that she would have someone from her crew with her. Especially since she saw Blueberry walk past her as they walked into the school.

"I should have taken up mother's offer for castle school," Evie muttered with a small sigh.

"Leave her cap'n," Jay muttered, resting a hand on Mal's shoulder. "She's a pest, not worth the energy."

"I mean I know you two aren't friends but what if she heard you?" Robin asked. "You could have hurt her feelings!"

"You lot call us 'villain kids', why do you think we'd care about that?" Jay scoffed.

Mal nodded tersely but was already making plans to restock their smoke bomb stock. Just in case Blueberry thought any emotions from being snubbed of an invite had faded and tried to worm her way into Mal's crew.

"It's been months though by this point. Why not be the bigger person?" Ben asked.

"How about no? I'm 5'2" and a Godling, you be the bigger person," Mal shot back.

"I already am. I've got seven inches on you," Ben told her.

"Ooh, come join the 'I'm taller than Mali' club, Beastie Jr.!" Uma said with a grin.

"One inch! You've got one inch on me!"

"…I'm 5' 4"…" Evie said, her voice trailing off as Mal and Uma glared at her.

I mean, I think I'd rather join Frollo's crew than spend more time with Blueberry than I had to, Mal thought.

"And I revise my thoughts that I had at the age of six," Mal decreed. "Blueberry's annoying but I'd rather claw off my own arm and eat that than spend any time with Freddy Frollo!"

"Why not use the arm to beat Freddy to death with it?" Uma asked.

Mal grinned. "I knew I was related to you!"

The first half of the day went by faster than Mal had thought possible and before she knew it, it was lunchtime and she and Jay were sitting at the counter of Ursula's Chip Shoppe scarfing down fried clams and burnt breadcrumb fish.

Mal smiled at the memory. The food might have been burnt and they might have been trapped for the rest of their lives on an Island that also had Freddy and Zevon but she wouldn't have traded it for all the gold in the Cave of Wonders.

"…and now we go to the castle, as Prince Ben gets ready to return to class for the afternoon," the reporter on the television stated and Mal rolled her eyes.

"That seems a bit invasive doesn't it?" Persephone asked. "Why not allow him a chance to enjoy his time with his parents?"

Beast sighed. "After Belle's…the people seemed to enjoy stories on Ben, to make sure the royal family was going strong. By the time it got to this, they were almost like mosquitos. Annoying but easy to ignore."

"What do we care about Prince Beastie?" Harry scoffed.

"Apparently King Beastie thinks we do. Otherwise the only other thing we have to watch is an infomercial on dungeon shackles," Uma sighed.

"I'd take the shackles," Jay muttered.

Mal shook her head and looked at the television again. The prince wasn't what you thought of when you pictured a prince; he was clad in dark blue pants, blue and yellow shoes with laces and a light blue shirt.

Belle couldn't help the small, sad smile that formed as she heard that. It wasn't that long after that day that Ben had wanted to start wearing suits like his father.

"There are other colors Benji," Chip chuckled.

"Uh huh. Tell me Chip, when's the last time you wore something that didn't have purple, gold, or white on it?"

"I like him!" Mal said with a smirk.

Honestly, when you think of a prince you think of what his dad's wearing, Mal thought as she glanced at King Beastie. He was looking the way you'd think a king would look; clad in his suit and tie and crown. Gods, can't you go one day without the crown Beastie? What, you thought people might forget you're the king otherwise?

Beast flushed slightly at the scathing thought. He had started wearing the crown when dealing with Leah, if only to try to get her to remember that she couldn't push him around like she wanted.

It didn't work.

Mal wasn't going to lie, she felt an odd lump in the back of her throat as she saw Queen Belle wrap Prince Ben up in a big hug. She would never say it out loud but it would be nice to have something like that. Sure she had her dad but sometimes a girl needed a mom.

Normally Snow White would have cooed or aww'd or something upon hearing that. If it hadn't been for the fact that she could relate to it. More than anything. Even now there were days where she wanted to talk to her mom.

Persephone smiled slightly and went over to sit by Mal, holding her close. "You don't need to worry Mal," she whispered. "You've got me."

"Love you mom," Mal whispered.

"Love you too," Persephone whispered back, kissing the top of her head.

And Maleficent was certainly no mother.

"I see we're stating the obvious today?" Lucy asked.

You've got Steph, a small voice in her head rang out. No matter what, Steph has always been there. Even if Steph's not your mom, she's better.

"But Lady Persephone is your mom!" Emma stated.

"Okay it might just be easier if I make a list of people who I don't like at this point…and how did it come to this?" Hades asked.

Mal sighed as she caught sight of Beastie wrap Prince Ben up in a hug as well. Of course, have to act like a loving person for the cameras, Mal thought with an inward eye roll. No matter what good will Belle might have on the Isle, no one would be caught dead praising Beast.

"I'm 99.9999 percent certain that if anyone did praise Beastie over there, they'd be chucked off the docks into the Cove," Uma stated.

The lump in her throat didn't go away though and Mal knew the only place she wanted to be was with her dad. Steph being there too would have been preferable but Mal knew the motto of the Isle well. Beggers couldn't be choosers.

Persephone couldn't help the sad smile that formed as she heard that and held Mal close to her, as if to let Mal know that she was loved without question.

"Guys, I'm skipping the rest of the day," Mal said and her crew nodded.

"I'm pretty sure mom and dad would have killed us if we skipped," Kitty said.

"Dad would have only killed us if we got caught," Evan said with a shrug.

"Eugene!"

"Blondie, like you wouldn't have said the same thing," Eugene said.

Hopping down, Mal made her way to the Underworld, walking faster than she usually did. Not fast enough to draw attention but still fast enough that she got to the Underworld faster than she usually did.

"How do you run—?"

"Straight leg running!" Ben said, looking over at Mal. "Right? When you don't bend your knees so you look like you're just walking really fast but really you're sprinting to your next location?"

"…should I wonder how you know how to do that?"

"Hello?" Mal called out just as Persephone walked out into the hall from the portal room.

"Yes! Mom's home!" Hadie cheered.

Mal froze, was today the day? The day that Persephone came back? How had she missed it on the calendar?

"Because Pain didn't put it on the calendar," Hades muttered.

"Hello Mal," Persephone said softly, giving Mal a kind smile. That was all Mal needed as she raced toward her step mother and wrapped her arms around her waist, burying her face into her stomach. She couldn't help but smile as she felt Steph's arms wrap around her like a blanket.

Demeter smiled as Hades read that. It wasn't the same as hearing her granddaughter call Persephone 'mom' for the first time but it was something.

The feeling passed as quickly as it came though and Mal broke from the hug, quickly wiping at her cheeks as some liquid had leaked from her eyes. "Let's not talk about this, okay?"

"Too bad you said nothing about reading about it in a room set up by the Fates with people from Auradon," Hadie said.

"Because I didn't know that was a possibility!"

Persephone only chuckled and gave her a small smile. Little did the two of them know that Hades had been watching from the doorway.

I couldn't help but be reminded of Persephone holding Mal in her arms and walking her around, Hades thought.

Normally he'd make some comment about wanting a hug too but he wasn't going to take the moment from Persephone. She had been gone for six months and Hades knew she had missed Mal. He still remembered the conversation he had with Persephone the day she had told Mal she needed to go back to Boreadon.

"Dad, you know mom would have given you a hug if you asked," Mal said, teasing him slightly.

"Not who I meant Mal," Hades shook his head.

"I'll have to tell her at some point Hades," Steph said in a low voice. They could hear Mal and Virgil talking in the den and didn't want to risk disturbing them.

Hades sighed. As much as he hadn't wanted to have that conversation, he knew his wife had been right.

"She's five , Steph. I don't know how she'll take it," Hades told her and Persephone sighed.

"I hate this. I already missed five years with her—she'll be six by the time I'm back on the Isle."

"Does it really matter?" Leah scoffed.

Ignore her, she's not worth it. Ignore her, she's not worth it, Persephone thought to Hades.

"I know Steph," Hades said with a sigh. "I hate it too but what else can we do? It's not like we can renegotiate the agreement."

"I know Hades but Mal is still my child too and I'm missing her life! It doesn't matter that she wasn't born to me, she's still mine!"

"I know Steph. Portal calls can only do so much and Mal's not over here every day."

There's got to be something I can do, Ben thought. After all, Lady Persephone's six months here will be over soon and Mal shouldn't be without a parent.

Persephone sighed and shook her head. "How do you explain to a five year old child that you're going to be in and out of their life?"

Persephone sighed. She hated having to do that with her kids—it had been a little bit easier with Hadie if only because he didn't run out of the room. But that was it.

"Well thanks to Maleficent, we're already pros at that," Hades grumbled.

"Just gives you another reason to turn her to ash," Mal pointed out.

"Mal, we will never run out of those reasons," Hades told her.

Mal had walked in before they could continue the conversation and Steph had told Mal the news about needing to return to Auradon.

"Welcome back Steph," Hades said, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Persephone looked over at him and smiled.

"It's good to be back," Persephone said softly. "Mal, why don't you show me your room? Hades, dear, my bags are still in the portal room. Can you get them?"

Hades smiled at the memory—originally they were going to set up and wait for Mal to come home but then they had heard the door to the Underworld open.

He had to say, he rather much enjoyed the on the fly party they had!

Mal tilted her head a little in confusion but then shrugged. It didn't really matter.

Hades chuckled as his girls made their way to Mal's room and he made his way to the portal room.

"Your girls huh?" Persephone chuckled as she leaned over and kissed Hades on the cheek.

"Of course," Hades said, grinning at her.

Normally when one thought of bags, they thought of suitcases piled to the ceiling. Not with Steph, there were maybe two or three bags with a small carrier and yet Hades felt his heart jump into his throat.

Persephone gave him a small smile, resting a hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. She knew exactly what he was feeling as she had felt it when she was getting the items in question.

Back when they had Mal the first time…Steph had come with bags of toys and clothes to spoil Mal with. Now it seemed that Steph had the same idea—only no clothes this time.

Persephone shrugged slightly upon getting some questioning stares. "I didn't know Mal's style. Babies are easy, you buy clothes and you put them on the baby. A six year old is different."

One bag held numerous pencils and filled cans of spray paint while the other one seemed to have all the necessary supplies for a pet.

"And thus our tags were born!" Uma decreed.

"Eh not really," Mal shook her head. "We needed to design the things first."

"Oh right."

A small bag in the middle held a medium sized cupcake with bright purple lettering showing up against the white frosting: Happy Birthday Mali.

"Medium sized my butt, that thing was the size of my head!" Mal exclaimed.

Even if Hades was as dumb as Gaston, he wouldn't need any hints as to what was in the small carrier that was off to the side.

"A pet! It's got to be!" Alexandria said, grinning from ear to ear!

They had talked about getting Mal a pet so she wouldn't be the only kid on the Isle without one. Steph had come through on that.

"Thanks mom," Mal said as Estelle gave a small yip, wagging his tail.

Quickly getting the gifts and the cupcake over to the kitchen and setting it up, Hades rushed back to the portal room to grab the carrier. Rushing back to the den, Hades pulled the now wriggling puppy out of the carrier and held him in his arms.

"It's hard to believe there was a time Estelle was small enough to hold," Hadie said as Estelle trotted over to him and licked his cheek.

Meg smiled at the mental image of the big bad Lord of the Underworld holding a squirmy puppy. Even if the pup was a Cerberus, it just didn't seem like something you'd see.

Okay Steph, we're going to talk about the fact that you got our daughter a Cerberus puppy as a pet, Hades thought as he held his chin up as to avoid the licking that was coming from one of the heads.

"What's wrong with a Cerberus?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, three heads means three times the kisses!" Herkie nodded with a grin.

He didn't have long to wait though for the return of Mal and Steph as he heard their voices from the hall.

"Dad, Steph really liked my room!" Mal said with a smile before pausing. "Did…did you get yourself a Cerberus for the Isle dad?"

Jay snorted. "I love how that's where your mind went."

"If you saw dad holding a Cerberus puppy, what would you think Jay?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"…alright, that's a good point."

Hades shook his head and smiled a little at his daughter. "Well, he's for the Isle but he's not for me Mali."

"I've got Pain and Panic. They're enough of…whatever happened to Cerberus?"

"Dad's taking care of him, Uncle Hades," Macaria said.

Hercules shrugged. "I wasn't going to let the poor thing suffer."

"…it's a three headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld until we moved it to the Isle!" Zeus exclaimed.

"Right. And that still doesn't mean the dog has to suffer or be lonely," Hercules said.

"Oh. Steph never really struck me as a dog person and really I think Virgil's a bit too nervous for a three headed dog but okay, to each their own—"

"Actually dogs have been proven to be quite handy at calming anxiety," Ben said. "Virgil might have done well with a pup."

Is that before or after they eat him? Carlos thought.

"Mal, he's not for Steph or Virgil," Hades said, the smile still on his face as Persephone moved to stand next to him.

"You sure she should have a Cerberus if she can't figure out it's for her, Lord Hades?" Harry asked, teasing Mal.

"If I didn't know you were teasing me Harry, I'd make you walk the plank!"

"Well then who's he for?" Mal asked, crossing her arms. "You're not going to just drop him on the Isle and make him fend for himself are you?"

"Do I seem like the type of God who'd do that?" Hades asked.

You say you're wicked Mal but you're so quick to jump to Estelle's defense, Ben thought with a small smile. There's good in you. In all the VKs. I know it.

"Mal, sweetie, he's for you," Persephone said and Mal stood there, stunned. She must have stood there for a full minute before the largest smile Hades and Persephone ever saw broke onto her face.

"So on a scale from one to ten, one being the equivalent of Ben getting a new book and ten being Ben getting to see a Cerberus, how big was it?" Chip asked.

"I…I don't know how to answer that."

Persephone sighed. "Thankfully I'm still fluent in Auradonian. One would be like Mal getting a new can of spray paint and ten being Mal's smile the day I adopted her."

Hades nodded. "I'd say an eight."

"Dad, are…are you serious?" Mal asked, staring at the puppy in amazement. "He's for me?"

"No he's for Zeus. I'm just holding him for him," Hades scoffed.

"I was six and wasn't expecting a puppy!"

"Have I ever lied to you before Mali?" Hades asked gently. "If you want to rant to Virgil, try to not do it in the den where people can overhear. But anyway, you shouldn't be the only kid on the Isle who doesn't have a pet just because you didn't get an invite to a party. I talked about it to Steph and she agreed to go, shall we say, 'special' puppy hunting while in Boreadon. Hence the fluffy result in my arms."

"Hmm, that's a good point. When ranting, it's good to be aware of your surroundings," Mal mused.

Steph, when I meant special I just meant as a special treat.

You honestly thought I wouldn't get our daughter the best? Persephone thought back, using the mind link all the Gods of Olympus had. Since there was no 'evil' intent, the barrier couldn't block it. Besides, the poor pup was going to die in the pound if someone didn't adopt him.

Alexandria gasped. "Oh no!"

Ben frowned, also upset at the idea that the lovable pup had been in danger of not getting to see Mal just because Mal was on the Isle while Estelle was in Auradon.

Though I'm not going to lie, having a Cerberus would be awesome, he thought.

You're lucky I love you.

And you love Cerberi. After all, you named yours 'Spot'.

"Wait, he did?" Hadie asked.

Persephone nodded with an amused smirk as Hades shook his head.

"Ruin my rep with my own kid, why don't you Steph?"

Hades shook his head as Mal walked over to pet one of the heads. "He's so soft," she said gently.

"Today we learned that Cerberus puppies are soft," Evan said, chuckling slightly.

Hades grinned as he handed the puppy over to her.

"I'm glad you like him Mal," Persephone said, "and for the record I do like dogs."

"You just struck me as more of a bird or horse person," Mal teased, giggling a bit as the three floppy eared heads snuffled at her.

"Horses are your uncle's thing," Persephone said as she shook her head.

"But she's not off about the birds. After all parrots and all talking birds are some of your sacred animals," Poseidon pointed out.

Jay made a face. "Does that mean I can't kill Iago?"

"No Jay," Persephone said, looking almost amused.

Mal couldn't help but smile as the puppy continued to sniff at her. "Hi! Oh, you're so fluffy," she said softly, petting the puppy in her hands. The puppy's left head gave Mal a small lick on the cheek.

"How sweet," Snow White said softly but for once Mal didn't flush. There was nothing to be embarrassed about when it came to anything regarding Estelle!

"Do you have any pictures?" Ben asked, looking over at Mal and missing the fond grin Emir and Akiho gave each other. "I'd love to see them!"

Mal couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise as she heard that. "Um…yeah. I mean I don't have a lot but mom does love her camera."

Persephone couldn't help but give her daughter a fond smile, somehow picking up on the request for her phone before Mal even asked for it. Thank the Gods for cloud storage so her photos could still be accessible.

"Here you go Mal," she said, handing her daughter the phone.

Mal nodded and took the phone with a smile before getting up and sitting down next to Ben, scrolling through them and giving the real life Estelle a fond smile as he came plodding over.

"Okay, so that's us the first night he was in the Underworld…him sopping wet after his first bath at the docks. I think he was rather shocked because he wouldn't let me dry him off…him and me at his 'party' when he turned one which was mom's idea I'll have you know…Estelle's first babysitting job when Hadie arrived…"

Audrey couldn't help but glare as Estelle wagged his tail, happy to see his human so happy.

"Is this it? Have we found the person that Ben might actually be willing to think about himself for?" Emir muttered to Akiho who shrugged in response.

Benji, I think you just found your dream girl. Don't lose her after you just found out she's real, Chip thought.

Leah scowled. "Ahem! As…'sweet' as this is, could you hurry it up? Some of us don't exactly want to be here forever while you look through old pictures of a 'dog'."

"Oh mother, honestly what's the harm? They're enjoying themselves," Aurora said, not noticing her husband roll his eyes at Leah's comment.

"Oh…right…apologies Queen Leah," Ben said quickly.

Mal glared at Leah as she noticed the way the aged Queen almost spat out the word dog, as if she'd rather say something else, before nodding slightly and getting up to go back over to her gang.

Ben noticed and tried to hide the flash of disappointment that he was sure appeared on his face. He wanted to open his mouth and invite Mal to sit with him, in fact he actually got as far as opening his mouth before he closed it. It was too soon after all.

"Hey, you wanna sit with us?" Emir asked, seeing Ben's indecisiveness.

Mal smirked. "I'm good with my crew," she said as she went back over.

"He's amazing," Mal whispered, looking back at her dad and step mom.

"He really is Uncle Hades," Uma nodded as Estelle gave a small doggy grin.

"Steph gets all the credit there," Hades said as Persephone leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"You know he kinda reminds me of your goat," Phoebus said, looking at his wife.

"Djali is rather dog like at times," Esmeralda nodded.

"I also brought everything you'll need for him, and a purple collar of course," Persephone said with a smile. "All you'll need to do is think of a name for him and it'll go on the tag."

"That's handy," Naveen noted.

"Thanks Steph," Mal said with a smile as she looked back at the puppy. Anything Greek was off the table, a Cerberus was already a massive hint that she was connected to Hades but give the dog a Greek name and even Gaston could see that she was related in someway.

"Are we sure about that? I mean, judging by the fact that Gil and his brothers have less brains than a sign post, I doubt Gaston would ever put it together that you're Lord Hades' daughter," Harry said.

But there was a way around that. Since Maleficent had at least communicated with the royals of France before she was banished to the Isle, she thought it would at least benefit her daughter to know a little of the language.

"Really?" Chip asked, raising an eyebrow slightly in disbelief.

At least so if she ever got off the Isle, she wouldn't embarrass the Maleficent name.

"Ah. That makes more sense."

"Estelle. His name's Estelle," Mal said softly, looking at the new star of her life. Plus, that way there could be the hidden Greek twist—after all, the constellations were stars.

"Clever," Jane said with a small smile.

"I'll put it on the tag," Persephone said with a smile.

"Actually, Steph, I think Mal should do that," Hades said.

"Are you sure dad?" Mal asked softly, Estelle still in her hands.

Hades nodded. "The first time putting on a dog's collar is a big thing. It should be between you two; remember you'll have him for life now."

"It's just putting a name on a collar. Does it really need all that pomp and circumstance?" Audrey scoffed.

Mal nodded and set Estelle down so she could grab the collar. There was no way she would be able to put the collar on him with him still in her arms. The three heads watched her curiously, wagging his little nub of a tail.

"Well boy, after I get this on you, you're stuck with me," Mal said softly, giving him a small smile. "Are you up for it?"

"I don't think Estelle would want anything else Mali," Uma said as Estelle gave a small yip as if agreeing with the squidling.

Estelle looked at Mal and gave her a little puppy grin, his tail wagging. Mal couldn't help but grin back and gently slipped the collar around his middle head. "Welcome to the family," she said softly as the tag glowed causing the name to appear and three small blue gemstones appeared, as if making the name appear in parenthesis.

"You know, I'm surprised those gemstones are still there," Jay said.

"Do you honestly think someone would be dumb enough to try to take it from a Cerberus?" Mal asked.

Estelle gave a small woof and licked Mal's hand, his tail still wagging happily.

"That's not the only thing we have for you Mali," Persephone said softly.

"Wait, there's more? You guys already got me Estelle—"

"Well yeah but we're still celebrating your birthday Mal," Persephone stated.

"Let your mother have this," Hades said as Mal opened her mouth.

"We couldn't celebrate on your actual birthday because of the stupid agreement but I'm here now. We can celebrate as an actual family," Persephone said. "I told you we'd do something for your birthday way back in April and I keep my promises Mali."

Rapunzel nodded. "A promise is one of the most important things you can make to someone."

"Mom never breaks her promises either," Rowyn told Mal. "Well, except for when you promised nothing bad would happen when I ate Brussel sprouts and I broke out in a rash!"

"How were we supposed to know you were allergic?" Rapunzel asked, shaking her head. "You'd never had a Brussel sprout before and you were ten years old!"

Mal nodded slowly, as if unable to believe what she was hearing. Silently she followed Hades and Steph to the kitchen, Estelle plodding behind her. The sight of the brightly colored bags and the cupcake sitting on the plate in the middle of the counter gave her pause.

"The Underworld isn't exactly known for brightly colored anything," Mal pointed out as she realized she was getting a few shocked looks.

"Is…is that for me?" Mal asked softly.

"No it's for Panic. Of course it's for you Mal!" Jay said.

"Of course," Persephone said gently as she picked Mal up to put her on one of the stools but he counter so she could blow out the candle. "Let me get a picture."

Persephone smiled as she thought about that picture. While she had a digital copy, she also had a framed version on her bedside table in her apartment in Auradon. She never had anyone over so it was safe to have it and in a small way, it was like Mal was there with her.

Mal nodded and tried her best to fight the tears prickling in the corners of her eyes. She wasn't going to ruin Steph's photo by being weak. It was stupid to cry anyway—who cries over a party? A prissy princess that's who, and Mal was not prissy.

Mulan gave the younger girl a small, sad smile. "I'm pretty sure I cried the night before my father was to go and join the army," she said, her voice soft.

"That's different," Mal told her, shaking her head.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mal, happy birthday to you," Hades and Persephone sang as Persephone lit the candle and quickly took the photo.

I'm just glad I didn't ruin the photo by crying, Mal thought.

"Make a wish sweetie," Persephone said gently.

But everything I could wish for, I already have, Mal thought. A way to escape the dragon, a parent who actually cares, a crew…

"I'dve settled for a way off the Isle back then," Mal muttered.

Mal blew out the candle and it was as if she'd given permission to her body to let the tears flow as she felt her cheeks get wet. Furious, she began scrubbing at her eyes to try to stem the flow of tears but to no avail.

Tears aren't wrong thought Mal, you don't have to hide them, Belle thought with a sad smile.

"Dad, Steph, I…I—"

"Shh, it's okay Mal. You don't need to explain sweetheart," Persephone said gently. "Just let it out. It's okay to cry."

"It's okay Mali," Hades said gently as he rubbed her back, trying not to rush out of the room to kill his ex-wife. Mal shouldn't be crying at her own party, he thought.

"Can Maleficent swim?"

"I…I don't know," Mal said, looking over at Poseidon in confusion.

"Oh okay, just wondering," he said and Uma couldn't help but smirk at the look on his face.

"No, no what I meant to say is…thank you. I…I definitely didn't expect this," Mal said, trying to calm herself and giving them a small smile. Even if she broke one of the cardinal rules of the Isle by doing so, she knew her dad and Steph weren't going to tell anyone.

"But…you've thanked people while you've been here," Ben said, looking more than a little confused.

"Sarcasm gets a pass," Uma stated.

"You don't need to thank us Mal," Persephone said with a small smile. "It's your birthday, or at least your birthday where we're all together."

"I..I just..I wasn't expecting…"

"We did spring it on you," Hades nodded.

"I know sweetie," Persephone smiled gently. "You can let it out you know. No one's going to be upset with you for crying. You're safe here."

Mal shook her head as the tears began to well back up. "Dragons don't cry," she muttered. "Cerberi don't cry. Villains don't cry."

"You're none of those things though," Carlos pointed out though no one heard him as his voice had grown almost inaudible due to Estelle walking over to him and sniffing his foot. "You're Mal."

"But daughters can and that's all you need to be here," Hades said gently. "It's okay Mali. This is your home. No one is going to make you feel bad about crying here. Of course we won't force you to cry but if you feel like you need to let it out, you can do that. There's no shame in emotions…not here anyway, and this is the guy who used to erupt into a giant fireball when he got mad."

"You also forgot how you used to literally explode," Meg added, keeping her voice low as to avoid ruining the mood.

Mal tried to stop it but the tears began to leak out of her eyes once more, silently streaming down her cheeks.

"That's it," Persephone said gently with a sad smile as she and Hades continued to rub Mal's back gently.

Damn you Maleficent was what ran through the heads of both parents as they continued to let Mal know they were still there. How dare you do this to her! Mal shouldn't be crying at her own party because she hadn't been expecting one!

"Every kid should expect a party for their birthday," Rose said softly.

"That's not the Isle way," Harry shrugged. "Even the runt knows that."

Mal sighed. "Harry, you know that's not fair. And the crew gives her a party anyway."

Estelle gave a low whine as he sat up on his hind legs to put his front paws on Mal's leg, his eyes soft. One of his heads gave a soft lick to Mal's hand, as if to comfort her.

"Good pupper!" Alexandria said, her voice soft as Lucy wrapped an arm around her.

"I'm alright boy," Mal said, giving him a weak smile. "I'm…I'm happy."

Persephone smiled and held Mal close to her, kissing the top of her head. There was a part of her that was rather thankful Mal hadn't decided to sit next to Prince Ben.

Estelle gave a low woof and wagged his tail a little, giving Mal a doggy grin. Mal couldn't help but smile a little and scratched behind the ear of the middle head.

Hades couldn't help but give a soft smile as he watched, happy Estelle was able to cheer Mal up a little.

"There's nothing better for cheering you up than a dog," Melody said with a smile.

"What about a cat?" Kitty asked.

"Or a goat!" Esmeralda said with a fond smile.

"I'm okay," Mal said as she wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks.

"Okay sweetie," Persephone said softly and Mal gave them a small smile.

"Thank you guys for the party. It's…it's more than I've ever gotten before. I mean Harry and Uma did what they could but…"

"And they did an amazing job by the sound of it," Persephone stated.

"You don't have to thank us Mal," Hades said gently. "We're your parents, it's our job to spoil you on your birthday. And, since Steph couldn't be here on the date proper, it's only fitting we have a party now."

"I can agree with that reasoning!" Akiho stated.

"You just agree with anything that allows you to throw a party," Emir said, shaking his head.

"Do you disagree?"

"Of course not but I know my friend!"

"I can live with that," Mal said softly.

"Well good cause you don't have a choice!" Hadie stated.

"Good," Hades said with a smile. "Cause you're stuck with us. So be prepared for as much spoiling on your birthday as the Isle allows."

"I think that's the law when it comes to birthdays," Ashaki added.

Mal couldn't help but giggle at that. "Dad! That's a nice thought but it's barely anything."

"You underestimate our power as your parents Mal!" Hades declared.

"True, but what we can do we will," Hades told her with a smile. "Now then…who's up for their first bit of cake?"

A more naive part of Ben hoped that only meant it was Mal's first slice of cake or something. Sadly, though, he knew that wasn't the case.

"Me!" Mal giggled, causing Hades and Persephone to grin. Persephone cut into the cupcake and set a piece on a plate, setting it in front of Mal.

"I'm reiterating here, it was the size of my head!" Mal stated.

"Here you go Mal," she said and Mal licked her lips slightly. "Dig in."

Mal tentatively picked up the small fork given to her and took a small bit of the cake. Putting the cake into her mouth, Mal couldn't help but grin at the taste.

Wow! This is good! Amazing actually! Definitely not something you'd find on the Isle—there's no dirt on it for one, Mal thought as she chewed.

Okay I hope Michael can find those tapes fast otherwise I'll be finding them for him, Anna thought with a small frown. Cake's not supposed to have dirt on it unless it's 'dirt' aka crushed up oreos.

"What do you think?" Persephone asked with a small smile.

"It's good!" Mal said with a grin.

Persephone returned the smile as Mal went back to her cake, digging in and missing the smile her dad and step mother shared. Before Mal knew it, the cake was gone and her presents were opened.

"That's what always happens. The party doesn't last as long as you think it will," Evan said, shaking his head.

"Dad, can I take Estelle on a walk?" Mal asked.

"He's your dog Mal, you don't need to ask permission," Hades said. "Just be careful—and have him wear the leash Steph got for the first few walks so he doesn't run off."

"Or so someone doesn't steal him," Celia nodded.

Dizzy looked over at her friend in slight concern. "Who's going to risk getting Lord Hades angry at them by stealing a Cerberus?"

"Idiots one and two?"

"This is true."

Mal nodded.

"Oh Mal," Persephone said, reaching into her own bag. "I got this for you after you said that you had a bed in your clubhouse. A bed needs a blanket after all—I had Rapunzel tie dye it for you guys. Don't worry, all she thinks it is is a way for me to remember Auradon when I'm on the Isle."

"My apologies for the deception Queen Rapunzel," Persephone said.

Rapunzel held up her hand to stop her. "No apology is needed Lady Persephone."

Mal nodded, staring at the blanket in slight shock. It was big enough that it could easily cover all four of them and the bed! Plus it was tie dyed their colors—red, purple, blue and yellow.

"I was wondering why you requested those four specific colors," Rapunzel said as she looked over at Persephone. "Well the blue, yellow, and red made sense in a way—blue because of Lord Hades and then red and yellow because of the fire but the purple stumped me."

"It took a week before she came to the conclusion it was because purple was a royal color and Lord Hades is considered to be King of the Underworld," Eugene nodded.

"Hey does that make Mali a princess?" Hadie asked.

"No way!" Mal declared, shaking her head.

"Thanks Steph," Mal said softly, folding up the blanket to put under her arm. Persephone gave her a small smile as Mal hooked up the leash to Estelle's collar. Walking out of the Underworld, Mal rushed over to her clubhouse. She wanted Estelle to get used to it before the others came.

"Smart," Ariel nodded. "That's what Eric used to do with Max if we were visiting a new location and he happened to be with us."

Unleashing Estelle once they got inside, Mal went over to the bed and unfurled the blanket. Now all they were missing was a couple of pillows and this could be an actual bed, not just a place to sleep.

"Um…isn't a bed usually just a place to sleep?" Chad asked.

"Estelle!" Mal giggled as her puppy jumped onto the bed and rolled on his side, as if asking for Mal to pet him. Shaking her head, Mal did just that and in her distraction missed the gate opening and the arrival of her crew.

"I bet that was a bit of a shock," Chip said.

"You can say that again!" Uma nodded.

"Where did you get a puppy?" Uma asked, staring at Estelle in slight shock. The boys, however, were staring open jawed at the fact that there was a Cerberus in their clubhouse.

"That's a fair question," Eric nodded.

"I mean, one of the Dobermans could have given birth," Jay said. "Or Chief could have gotten—."

"How many girl dogs are on the Isle? And Roscoe and DeSoto are boys Jay," Mal said, shaking her head.

"From Lord Hades," Mal said with a shrug. "Guys, allow me to introduce Estelle!"

"Um Mal? I'm not sure Lord Hades is the type to just give his errand rats puppies," Harry said as Uma bent down to pet Estelle. Mal didn't respond at first.

Hades sighed. He knew why Mal had hesitated in telling her minions but at the same time, he also knew they were probably the three people outside of the family she could trust with this secret.

Dad said not to tell anyone!

It's my crew! If I can't trust them, who can I trust? Besides, Uma's my cousin!

Sometimes you can't trust family, Ariel thought with a small sigh. After all, Ursula was her aunt and yet she still used her to try to take over Atlantica. To try to hurt her father.

Mal sighed. "Guys, if I tell you why Lord Hades got me Estelle, I need you to swear that it won't leave this room."

"Oh yes, and who would we tell Mali?" Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm with Harry on this one," Jay nodded. "What, did you think we'd run out and blab it to Freddy or something?"

"Of course," Jay nodded.

"Wild seahorses wouldn't drag it out to me," Uma told her.

"I give you my word as a pirate," Harry promised.

"Not that that is worth much," Audrey muttered under her breath.

Mal nodded and sighed. "Lord Hades gives his errand rats puppies if they're also his daughter," she said, looking at Harry.

"Sweet! Secret's out!" Hadie said with a grin.

The three of them stared at Mal for a second, as if they didn't understand what she had just said.

"You're my cousin?" Uma asked, breaking the silence.

"You believed her awfully fast," Chip pointed out.

Uma shrugged. "Why would Mal lie? It's not like she needs the power grab. Now if Blueberry had made that claim, I'd have needed a DNA test. Or fifty."

Mal gave her a small smile. "Seems there's a reason why we're so close huh?"

"Guess so…cuz," Uma said, returning the smile. The boys, meanwhile, were still looking on in shock.

"I think you broke them," Emma said with a small giggle.

"Guys? Hello? Snap out of it," Mal said as Estelle trotted around, sniffing everybody.

"Sorry Mal," Jay said, shaking his head as if to clear it. "It's kinda shocking though, knowing a child of a God."

"And what am I? Chum?" Uma asked, rolling her eyes.

"You know Uma! It can't be that shocking!"

"Uma, and I mean this with no offense meant to the captain, is a grandchild of a God," Harry spoke up. "Child is higher up than grandchild."

"It's still the descendant of one of the Gods," Akiho said. I mean it's the same reasoning I use whenever Ben and Emir ask why I haven't asked out Elle. Why would she want to be with me when she's the great-granddaughter of Lord Poseidon?

"Any one else find it a little ironic that it's the pirate who says that about the granddaughter of the God of the sea?" Lucy asked with a small giggle.

"So you really are the highest in the hierarchy," Jay said softly.

Mal shrugged. "I'm still me though. To everyone on the Isle but you guys, Dad and Steph, I'm Maleficent's daughter."

"So the Isle's filled with idiots then," Hyllus stated.

"Didn't we already cover this?" Mal asked, shaking her head.

"So how does that little fluffy fur ball tie in?" Harry asked.

"I'm sure Mal will tell you if you let her finish," Emma said, shaking her head.

Mal smiled. "Dad and Steph got him for me. They said that it wasn't right that I was the only kid on the Isle without a pet since I was the only one not at Blueberry's party. So now we have a four legged member of the crew!"

"You know, that was actually pretty smart and probably saved Blueberry as well," Jay pointed out.

"What do you mean?" Meg asked.

"Rumor goes around that Mal's seen with a Cerberus, Evie could make up a lie about not wanting the other guests to be jealous so she gave Mal her baddie bag in private," Jay said. "Maleficent's not going to care as long as she doesn't look weak or like a fool in front of the Isle."

"As long as he doesn't take my hook I'll be fine with him," Harry said with a grin as Estelle sniffed at the aforementioned item.

"Remember that time Estelle tried to bury it near the hyena den?" Mal said.

"Wasn't that the same time Estelle met the hyenas for the first time?" Uma asked.

"Yep."

"Neither the hyenas nor Harry was very happy that day," Jay said as he shook his head.

"I can train him Harry," Mal said. "Estelle, leave it!"

Estelle stopped sniffing Harry's hook and looked over at Mal.

"Leave it!" Mal told him again and Estelle walked over to Mal.

"I thought you said you trained him?" Audrey sniffed.

"He's a puppy. He's going to mess up," Phillip Jr. said, rolling his eyes.

"Good boy," she said, picking him up and cuddling him a little. Estelle gave a small woof, one of the heads licking Mal on the cheek and causing Mal to giggle softly.

"He's a real fluff ball," Harry said with a small smile.

"Yes he is."

"Where did Uncle Hades get him?" Uma asked, petting one of the heads.

"Excuse me? Why does Hades get all the credit?" Persephone asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because he's the one most connected to Cerberi," Uma stated.

"He didn't," Mal said. "Steph did. From where, I'd have to guess wherever Cerberi live I guess."

"Well no one told me mom saved him from the pound!" Mal stated.

"My money would be Greece," Uma said. "After all, that's where all the Gods are from and Aunt Persephone's a Goddess. Plus I bet that's where the real Underworld is and there's probably packs of Cerberi way deep underground or something."

"I mean she's not wrong but she's not right either," Hades shrugged.

"The pound I got him from was in Thebes though," Persephone added.

"Well wherever she got him from, I'm glad she did," Mal said with a grin as she hugged Estelle. He was hers—and he always would be! Plus, how many kids on the Isle could say they had a Cerberus? The same number who could say they were Hades' kid—one!

"Yeah that's a good point! Why did I never get one?!" Hadie exclaimed.

"When you're the only kid not invited to a party where the other guests are getting pets in their party favors, then you can get a Cerberus but the Underworld is not big enough for two dogs," Hades stated.

"You guys hungry?" Mal asked with a small grin. "We could stop by my dad's place if you don't want to train with Estelle possibly getting underfoot."

"You know it's funny but now it's not even a factor," Jay said, shaking his head. "Estelle just hops on the bed and watches us."

She figured that's why her dad and Steph had her eat the cake first—she always went to her dad's restaurant with her crew after they trained.

"I could eat," Jay shrugged.

"Only an idiot turns down food and Jay is many things but he is not an idiot!" Harry decreed.

"Would Estelle be okay in the restaurant?" Harry asked.

Mal shrugged. "Anyone tries to touch him and they'll answer to me. Besides, even if they don't know I'm dad's kid, who's going to look at a Cerberus funny in Lord Hades' restaurant?"

"Anyone who does question it at this point will just get deemed an idiot," Jay said. "Estelle's been over there so many times he's practically part of the staff."

She turned toward the stairwell, Estelle in her arms. "Come on."

Uma, Jay and Harry quickly followed her. Mal set Estelle down once they reached the bottom of the steps and clipped on his leash.

"Whoa a leash," Uma chuckled. "Better watch out guys, Mal might ditch us for Blueberry soon!"

"There's nothing wrong with a leash and actually it'll be better for Estelle to walk around Auradon now that I know he's leashed trained," Ben spoke up.

Mal looked over at him. "Explain…"

"He's your dog right? Seems rather cruel to separate Godling from Godling's best friend," Ben told her.

"…you're not just doing this because you want to see a Cerberus again are you?"

"Am I bad if I say it's both the right thing to do and I want to see a Cerberus again?"

Mal chuckled in amusement, grinning slightly at the idea of her boy joining her in Boreadon.

"Don't be dramatic Uma," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "It's just until he learns he has to stay with me or at least the crew. The Isle's too big for something his size. I don't want him running off or into Sykes' dobermans, at least not while he's this size. He'll be trotting after me without it in no time."

Carlos bit his lip as he tried to keep a small whimper in at the idea of being face to face with those dobermans. Only thing more terrifying would be his mother's yelling. Or her bunions.

"I know Mal," Uma chuckled. "But if I can't tease you, who can I tease?" She asked, giving her cousin a small smile and causing Mal to chuckle.

"Freddie," Celia pointed out. "You tease our sister all the time."

"That's sibling teasing, that goes with the territory," Uma stated.

"You can tease our first mates," Mal told her.

"Okay Mal," Uma said with a chuckle.

Mal grinned. "Let's go."

The four of them made their way to Hades' restaurant, Estelle tagging along and Mal smiled fondly.

"The first of many, many, trips to Uncle Hades' restaurant for Estelle!" Uma said with a grin.

"Hey, is Estelle going to be okay? In the restaurant I mean?" Jay asked.

"Didn't I already ask that question?" Harry asked and Jay rolled his eyes.

"No, I mean are they even going to let him in?"

"Who's going to argue with a Cerberus? Even if he is a puppy?" Lonnie asked.

"I like her!" Hades and Mal said at the same time.

Mal shrugged. "If they don't, they can take it up with the man in charge," she said and Jay nodded. "Come on!"

"Yes cap'n!"

"That's co cap'n," Mal said with a grin as she opened the door to the restaurant. "Come on boy, over here."

Estelle followed Mal over to a nearby table.

"But…if Estelle's on a leash, doesn't it go without saying that he'd follow Mal?" Rose asked.

"What did I say about pointing out the obvious?" Robin said with a chuckle.

"You stay right here while we go get some food," Mal said as she tied his leash to the table leg. "Sit."

Estelle sat down and gave a small woof.

"You know he reminds me of Max a little," Rapunzel said with a smile.

"Dad's sheepdog?" Melody asked, tilting her head.

Eugene burst out laughing at that while Rapunzel sighed. "No dear. Our horse. And stop laughing Eugene!"

"Good boy," Mal gave a small smile as she headed back to the crew to place their orders. Her father had hired on Mr. Smee and a few of the pirates from the docks as part of his deal with Hook. Smee was a hard worker though so it didn't matter, plus it helped whenever Mal walked in with Harry.

"Smee's a big old softy," Harry said, shaking his head. "He wouldn't have cared if you walked in by yourself."

"Hello Ms. Mal! Master Harry, Mr. Jay and Ms. Uma! What'll be for you today?" The first mate asked with a smile.

"Why does he call you 'master' while he calls the others 'ms' and 'mr'?" Emma asked Harry.

"That's what he does for all the Captains' kids," Harry said. "Harriet and the runt get called 'mistress' and if Sammy and the twins weren't his kids, he'd call them 'mistress' and 'master' too."

"Usuals?" Jay asked the group.

"Works for me," Mal said with a grin.

"So that's crispy chicken for Ms. Mal, honey glazed chicken for Ms. Uma, Braclaius for Mr. Jay and Master Harry…"

Hades wasn't going to lie. If Beastie Jr. was true to his word and change did come to the food supply for the Isle, he was looking forward to trying new things. Steph had already promised him a cookbook!

"Sounds about right," Harry nodded.

"Coming up."

Mal nodded and the four of them went back to their table; Estelle still waiting for them underneath it. Mal couldn't help but grin: life was pretty good! She had her crew, Estelle, her dad and Steph. What more could a girl ask for?

"Absolutely nothing!" Mal said.

"Hey!" Hadie exclaimed.

Mal chuckled and ruffled her brother's hair. "I didn't know you were a possibility then, storm cloud."

Well…maybe food…but that was coming! Any moment now! Mal couldn't help but lick her lips in anticipation, she could almost taste it!

"I wonder if we could do a delivery system for Lord Hades' restaurant?" Ben said. "I have to admit, I'd like to try some of the food too."

"Me too!" Lonnie nodded.

"Same!" Emir and Akiho grinned.

Hades looked at the young Prince with a look that was one part shock and one part wariness, almost looking to see when the next shoe was going to drop. "I'll…I'll see what we can do."

"Absolutely Lord Hades," Ben nodded. "I know we're busy with coronation prep but after that, I'd be happy to sit down and work to see about a delivery system to Auradon."

"Here we are!" Mr Smee said as he approached the table. "Four orders: one for Ms. Uma, one for Mr. Jay, one for Master Harry and one for Ms. Mal."

"Thanks Smee," Harry said.

"Of course," Mr. Smee nodded. "Let me know if you four need anything more—oh and if the dog under the table needs anything as well."

"Is it safe to say Smee doesn't really deserve the Isle?" Alexandria whispered to Lucy.

"At least the VKs have someone nice on their side," Lucy whispered back to her.

"He's good Smee but thanks," Mal said with a small chuckle.

"Of course Ms. Mal," Mr. Smee said and walked back to the kitchen. The four of them dug into their meals.

Hades read ahead and his eyes grew wide. "You know what, why don't we not read—?"

"Dad, Uma gave me the order not to skip anything embarrassing!" Mal exclaimed.

"Mal, honey, you're going to want me to skip this," Hades stated.

"Honestly Hades, it can't be that bad," Hera shook her head.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the Isle, Hades and Persephone's bedroom door closed shut as Hades gladly welcomed his wife home the best way he knew how.

"…I stand corrected," Hera said as Persephone sighed, a faint flush on her cheeks.

"Why did dad need to welcome mom home in his bedroom?" Hadie asked Mal who just stared ahead in disgust and horror as she realized what they'd ended on.

Mal shook her head. "Sorry storm cloud, you must be fifteen years old for me to answer that question."

"Mal!"

"I'll read next Hades," Persephone said, cutting off Mal's retort.

Chapter 22 Chapter Text

Persephone wasn't going to lie. There was a part of her that was rather enjoying these scrolls, especially the fact that it allowed her to see the part of Mal's life she missed while in Auradon.

Mal walked down the streets of the Isle a couple of months after the makeshift birthday party, Estelle's leash firmly in hand. It was a nice day, or at least as nice a day they got on the Isle. The cloud cover didn't seem as bad at the very least.

"That's good then. At least a bit of sun can get through," Rapunzel said with a smile.

Mal couldn't help but smile as people seemed to scurry out of her way. Sure she got a few odd looks but no one said anything. No one was insane enough to question the daughter of Maleficent walking down the street with a Cerberus.

"That's what I thought at least," Mal muttered with a sigh and Ben looked over at her. What…what did she mean by that?"

"Well, well, well, what have we here?"

Harry shuddered. "Ugh I can hear the slime in his voice even though it's Lady Steph reading."

Okay scratch that. There was one person who was insane enough. Unfortunately, they were also the other pain in Mal's side.

"Zevon?" Hadie asked.

"No, the other other pain in my side," Mal told him.

Ugh, Blueberry can at least be intimidated into going away. Frollo's just a pest, Mal thought as Fred Frollo walked toward her. The nine year old strolled over to Mal, the purple haired girl glaring at him.

"You know, I think this is the first time I've seen a non-Angel refer to him as 'Fred'," Harry stated.

"Considering they're now calling him 'his Holiness', it'll be the last time too," Mal nodded.

"Aww, does poor widdle Mally need a guard dog to protect her from the scary Isle?" Frollo taunted.

"That…that didn't seem like what I thought the first words I heard Frollo's child say would be," Phoebus said, sounding almost confused.

"Wait for it," Mal said as she shook her head.

"Baby talk Freddy?" Mal shot back as Estelle looked at her in slight confusion before looking back at Frollo. "Seems beneath you."

"It really is. I mean, he's taunting you for what? Having a Cerberus? Cerberi are awesome!" Ben muttered.

Frollo scoffed. "What's with the dog anyway? Didn't strike you for the type to have a dog, witch. Thought your kind went more for crows and toads."

"There it is. That sounds much more like what I thought Frollo's son would say," Phoebus nodded.

Mal glared at him. "He's my puppy. I got him because of a little princess' birthday just like every other kid on the Isle who got a pet. You got a problem with that Frollo?"

"Freddy's got a problem with anyone who's not an Angel," Mal scoffed.

"Well he sounds pleasant," Audrey sniffed. Gods I hope he doesn't end up as part of Ben's stupid VK Initiative, she thought.

Frollo rolled his eyes. "Nobody likes a liar Mal. I have it on good authority that you weren't at Evie's party."

"Considering I or mother didn't invite him, I wonder how he had that information," Evie said.

"Never said I got my dog at Blueberry's party," Mal told him, rolling her eyes a little. "I said I got him because of the party. You need to get your nose out of that bible and listen better."

"If it doesn't feed his ego, he doesn't care," Jay scoffed.

Frollo glared. "You keep hanging around that heretic Hades and there'll be trouble Mal. He can't keep claiming to be a false God forever."

"He threatened you?" Hades snapped, his hair changing from blue to a pale orange.

"It was a typical Freddy encounter dad. Nothing happened," Mal said, not noticing how Ben's hands curled into fists at the thought of Freddy near her.

"Hey!" Harry and Jay exclaimed as they turned the corner to see the confrontation, Uma trailing behind them. To a casual observer, one would think Uma just didn't care but Mal knew better. Uma knew her cousin could handle herself against Frollo.

"Good timing boys," Hades nodded, simmering down slightly.

"Just the boys?" Meg asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah! Uma was there too," Macaria nodded.

"Right, right. Good timing Uma."

"Looks like your little crew is here," Frollo smirked as he slipped into the shadows, Estelle letting out a low growl as Harry and Jay reached Mal.

"Shame, I would have loved to stick my sword through his gut," Harry growled.

"You okay Mal?" Jay asked.

"Yeah," Mal nodded. "Freddy boy was just being a pest is all."

"Mal, I have to say I don't like the way he stares at you sometimes," Harry said, crossing his arms. "It's just creepy. Like he's planning something."

"When isn't Freddy planning something?" Uma asked, rolling her eyes.

Mal rolled her eyes. "What do you expect? His father nearly burned down all of Paris because he got told no. Of course Freddy boy would have a creepy stare."

Esmeralda rubbed her arms gently as a shudder went down her spine. Even after years of being rid of him…the thought of Frollo staring at her while she was tied to the stake…it wasn't something she enjoyed thinking about.

Harry and Jay still seemed unsure, staring in the direction that Frollo had gone as if the older boy was going to reappear. Uma, who had caught up to the group, shook her head.

Good. Mal and Uma are lucky to have friends like those boys, especially since Frollo's son seems just like his father, Phoebus stated.

"Boys, Freddy boy has hated me the minute he found out I existed," Mal said with a sigh. "He's just a pest. You two are acting like he's going to become like his father and hunt me down like Esmerelda. Chill, will you?"

Mal sighed and looked over at the older woman. "I…I probably could have phrased that differently."

"In your defense, you didn't expect that something you said at six would be written down and read out loud," Esmeralda pointed out.

"Mal, he may be a pest but he's a pest that stares at you," Harry told her. "It's just creepy."

"Creepy is just one of many words we can use to describe Freddy," Uma stated. "It's also the only word for us to use that's safe for any under fifteen year old's ears."

"Yeah, we'll 'chill' when he does," Jay nodded.

"Which'll be never," Jay stated.

"Jay, you're forgetting one thing. We're in Boreadon and he's still on the Isle," Mal pointed out. "He can't get me."

"But he can get Uma."

"Do you really think Harry would let Freddy within one league of Uma?"

Mal looked over at Uma and both girls shared an exasperated look as the boys continued to glare in Frollo's direction.

"Guys, unless he wants six sets of teeth in his hands, he won't do anything even when I'm alone. Now calm down," Mal told them.

"Mal, like you said, the guy's day once burned down all of Paris because Esmeralda wouldn't have a relationship with him. Do you really think Freddy boy would be discouraged by Estelle?" Harry asked.

"Who wouldn't be discouraged by Estelle?" Carlos said softly.

"But Estelle's a big sweetheart!" Alexandria exclaimed, making it so no one heard Carlos' question.

"Who wouldn't be discouraged by Estelle?"

"The son of the guy who once sang, and I quote, 'choose me or the pyre'?"

"Look, Mal, all we're saying is don't lower your guard around him," Jay interjected.

Phoebus nodded. One never knew when Frollo would strike, after all he somehow managed to sneak into the court of miracles without Phoebus or Quasi noticing.

"When have I ever lowered my guard around Freddy?" Mal asked. "Really guys, you're panicking over nothing."

"We're not 'panicking' Mal," Harry told her. "If we could predict what Freddy would do next, we'd brush him off like the pest he is but he's unpredictable. You never know when he'll pop up."

"You know, when I want to know where my cat is or hear her coming, I put a bell on her neck," Kitty said. "Maybe you could do that?"

Harry and Jay looked at each other and then burst out laughing at the idea of Freddy with a bell around his neck.

Mal sighed and shook her head once more.

"Guys, seriously, it's fine. If Freddy tries anything, he'd be met with three mouths filled with sharp fangs and a fireball sent his way. So relax, would you?" Mal told them. Ever since she turned six, her dad had been helping her tap into her God powers. He told her that, even with the barrier, it was a good idea to at least try to control her powers. That way, if she ever found her way past the barrier, her powers wouldn't go haywire.

"I thought Yen Sid was supposed to be there to teach the kids from magical parents how to live without their powers?" Beast asked.

"Yeah I thought about that and then I realized how incredibly stupid it was," Hades stated. "So I decided to teach Mal to control her powers."

Mal smirked and brought up another fireball. "I've gotten pretty good if I say so myself."

There wasn't much she could do due to the barrier but she could manage a small fireball in the palm of her hand. Small enough that it wouldn't kill anyone but fire would still do some damage.

Fire…or smoke…Esmeralda thought, Phoebus gently rubbing her back.

Harry and Jay looked at each other once more while Uma rolled her eyes.

"Back me up here Uma!"

"Sorry Mal, I'm on the boys' side here," Uma said. "Freddy boy's creepy. A'int no lie about it, and for some reason he seems to dislike you in particular."

"Oh joy, he's like his father. Obsession and all," Phoebus muttered, wrapping an arm around Esmeralda.

"He doesn't like anyone other than his 'angels'," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes at the name for the rest of Frollo's gang.

"Seriously? He calls his gang members 'Angels'?" Emma asked.

"Yep," Mal nodded.

"Freddy's demented," Uma stated.

"Even still, be careful Mal," Uma told her. "You won't have Estelle with you when you go to school and Jay can't be everywhere since Harry and I go to a different school than you guys."

"Does…does Freddy even go to Dragon Hall?" Jay asked.

"Claudine's the bell ringer there so I'm guessing they'd both go?" Mal ventured. "I don't see Frollo sending Freddy to Serpent Academy."

"If I promise I'll be on my guard, will you three relax?" Mal asked with a sigh.

"A little."

"Okay, then I promise I'll be on guard around Freddy boy." Mal said with a small eye roll.

"Good."

"We second that," Hades and Persephone said in unison.

"You three are insane," Mal said with a sigh as she shook her head.

"The word I believe you're looking for is 'protective', co-cap'n." Harry said. "I mean, the French fanatic made Estelle growl and we've never heard him growl before!"

Ben frowned as he heard that. Part of him wanted to believe that Freddy was just having a bad day. That there was good in him.

But he had read that you should always trust a dog's judgement…

"Yeah Mal, if Estelle doesn't like Freddy boy then he's definitely bad news," Jay nodded.

"Estelle likes everyone," Mal stated and then rolled her eyes as she noticed Carlos stiffen up as Estelle sniffed at him again. "Oh for the love of…he's not going to hurt you DeVil. Relax!"

Ben shook his head and held out his hand to try to tempt the Cerberus over to him. "Come here boy, I don't think Carlos wants to play."

Estelle snorted before trotting over to Ben who promptly rewarded him with a scratch behind the ears.

"What, just because Freddy boy stares at me? One good smoke bomb and *poof* I'm gone before he can say 'witchcraft'," Mal said as she shook her head.

"Almost reminds me of your performance at the F.o.F," Phoebus whispered to Esmeralda.

"Seriously guys, I'm alright. Besides, the training book Steph got me said dogs know when their owners don't like people. Estelle probably growled because he saw how I reacted to Freddy. "

"Or because he's a genius dog who knows that Freddy needs to take a long walk off a short pier," Harry growled.

"Okay. Just remember what we said."

"Yeah, yeah," Mal said with an eye roll.

"Okay, now that that's been addressed," Uma said. "Anyone want to go pelt smoke bombs at Blueberry? She just got all the residue off from the last barrage we sent her way."

"Do you guys always target Evie?" Lucy asked with a small frown.

"Nah," Uma shook her head. "We'll switch it up a bit."

"Yeah. Our eardrums can only take so much of her shrieks," Mal chuckled.

Mal chuckled. "Sounds perfect," she said with a smirk. The two cousins grinned at each other and Jay shook his head.

"Do we even have smoke bombs remaining from the last time you two pelted Blueberry with them?"

"Jay, we always have smoke bombs," Harry stated. "If we run low, the captains go and make some more."

"Jay, Jay, Jay, oh ye of little faith."

"We always have smoke bombs at the ready to pelt at Blueberry, hidden all over the Isle so we can be ready at a moment's notice."

"Well not just for Blueberry," Mal amended. "They're great for getting out of a fight too in the event you're outnumbered."

"Watch and learn."

Mal turned and started to dig in one of the nearby crates.

"Ah ha!" Mal grinned as she pulled out three smoke bombs. "Colors are unknown but that makes it more fun!"

"Fun for you maybe," Evie muttered softly to herself.

"Let's go," Uma said with a smirk as they got into position, laying in wait for Evie to appear. Harry sat off to the side in amusement since he didn't have a smoke bomb. Plus someone had to make sure Estelle didn't run off. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, his crew would never change—and that was just the way he liked it.

"And we like you just the way you are too Harry!" Mal decreed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Target sighted," Mal muttered after about half an hour of waiting, catching sight of Evie.

"You waited for half an hour?" Evan asked. "I mean, don't you guys have lives?"

"Aim."

"Fire!"

The sounds of Evie's shrieks was music to Mal's ears as she and Uma cackled in glee. The princess' hair and skin was now covered in purple, red and yellow residue.

Rachel frowned. "Aren't…aren't you guys acting like Freddy did though? Evie was just going throughout her day, not bothering anyone—."

"We are nothing like Freddy," Mal snarled as Uma glared.

"Just nod," Jay mouthed, having the slightly cooler head. Oh he hated Freddy too but he wasn't about to attack a royal in a room full of her allies!

Kitty frowned slightly. She couldn't help but make the comparison between the smoke bombs and Audrey putting cat litter in her locker. But she didn't want to say anything. Not when they were already upset.

"Nice shot girls," Harry said as Evie ran off, presumably to try to get the residue off before she had to go see her mother. The best part about the smoke bomb colors? No one but the crew knew what they meant so there wasn't anyway to tie it back to Harry, Mal, Jay or Uma unless Evie saw them fire the smoke bomb at her.

"I didn't," Evie said, shaking her head as Mal and Uma looked over at her. "And even if I did, I wouldn't have…Mal, Maleficent's allied with my mother. Why would I rock the boat there?"

"She's got a point," Uma shrugged.

"Thank you Harry," Mal said with a smirk.

"Blueberry's going to have a hard time getting that residue off," Uma said, a smirk gracing her face as well.

"Did you?" Rachel asked, looking over at Evie. Hey, the poor girl was here by herself with no friends it seemed other than Dizzy. She was going to change that!

"A little," Evie said, her voice soft.

Mal got up from her spot and took Estelle's leash from Harry; Estelle giving her his usual doggy grin.

"Good boy," Mal said softly before looking at the crew. "So what now?"

Uma shrugged. "Not sure. Not really a lot to do on the Isle after all."

"What about sports?" Akiho asked. "We've got Tourney and R.O.A.R."

"We have 'run from people you just stole from' and sparring," Jay told him.

"We could go down to the docks, maybe swipe some stuff?" Jay offered. "Or we could go to Ratcliffe's place. He usually has some nicer stuff to swipe."

Aladdin and Eugene perked up a little. They were always interested in seeing someone else's technique even if they didn't partake anymore.

"Docks are good," Mal said. "Last thing we'd want is for Ratcliffe to catch us looting his place. He might tell Maleficent or Jafar."

"Knowing what he's like, he'd go to dad," Jay said. "But that's pretty much the same thing as going to Maleficent."

"Let's go then," Uma said. "Is there anything we need?"

"Not that I can think of." Mal said. "Pillows for the bed in the clubhouse would be nice but I don't really trust any pillows that came from the docks. Let's just see what we can get."

"Any pillows that we found at the docks would be all moldy and mildewy anyway," Uma said, making a face.

"Sounds like a plan!" Uma said, smirking and the five of them strutted off to the docks to see what they could score. Meanwhile, back in the Underworld, Persephone curled up in bed.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Hadie asked, frowning slightly at the idea of his mom not feeling well.

For the past couple of weeks, she had had these waves of never ending nausea that she just couldn't understand where it was coming from.

There wasn't a virus on the Isle, at least not that she'd heard.

"Actually that was I think one of the few years we didn't have some sort of bug running around the Isle," Jay said, tapping his chin.

"We did have a lot fewer colds," Harry nodded.

"Steph?" Hades asked, his voice soft as he looked in from the doorway. "Are you feeling alright dear?"

Persephone sighed and sat up a bit. "A bit better than yesterday but still not one hundred percent. I wish I knew…"

"Hmm, if only we had a system filled with medical experts who you could have gone to!" Mal stated, glaring slightly at Beast.

"You have been active throughout the Isle," Hades said. "Maybe it's just a bug?"

"You didn't think it was—?"

"Unlike you Zeus, I think with the brain in my head," Hades stated.

"It's possible," Persephone said slowly as she tried to think of what else could be affecting her. "But what bug could affect a God Hades?"

"There isn't one," Hera said, shaking her head.

Hades shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll let you get some rest though—Virgil said he found a drink from Boreadon that might sit well on your stomach. He was saving them for Mal but with you not feeling well…"

"Aww! That's so sweet!" Snow White exclaimed.

Persephone gave her husband a small smile. "Tell him that's very sweet but he doesn't have to give up his present for Mal. I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow."

"With all due respect you don't know that Lady Persephone. And even flattened soda can be a comfort on your stomach," Chip stated.

"If you're not, I'll see if I can get one of those drinks from him," Hades said before he came over and kissed the top of her head.

"And if you couldn't dad, I could have gotten them for you," Mal said. "Virg keeps them in a box under his bed."

"And you know this how?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We like drinking them and Virgil's predictability makes him a good practice mark for swiping stuff," Jay shrugged.

"Hades, don't," Persephone said softly. "What if you catch whatever I have?"

"Then I'll finally be able to cuddle my wife," Hades said with a small chuckle. "I'll let you rest."

Demeter couldn't help but smile as she watched the interaction between her daughter and her husband. It was clear that Hades truly did love her.

Hades left and Persephone sighed. Ever since she got back, Hades had been extremely attentive. Not that she was complaining mind you. She loved the attention she was getting from her husband. It was the same amount she got the first month or so she was back on the Isle.

"Reminds me of you when I get back from some royal conference," Eric chuckled as he looked at Ariel.

"Well I mean, he is my great-uncle. I'm bound to have some familial habits. How else do you think we ended up with two kids?" Ariel told him.

Getting up to use the bathroom, Persephone paused as she knocked over some of her toiletries. She'd been a little clumsy lately, though it was probably due to the nausea. Though she'd also been feeling a bit bloated so that could be the culprit too….

Wait a minute, Persephone thought as she stood up. Nausea, clumsiness, bloating…oh I may be wrong but if I'm right, I need to talk to Eileithyia.

"But why would you need to talk to the Goddess of pregnac…oh!"

Reaching out with the mind link was no issue for Persephone. The only concern would be if her fellow Goddess would pick up. It had been so long since they communicated this way, despite the fact that every God or Goddess could do it.

Persephone?

Oh thank Zeus! Eileithyia, you picked up!

"Why wouldn't she?" Elle asked. "She's Lady Persephone's sister after all."

Persephone sighed. "When I'm on the Isle, there's a…shall we say mandate that everyone blocks me from their mental link."

"That's stupid," Mal stated.

Of course I did, Persephone! It's rare that you reach out when you're on the Isle. Is something the matter? Is someone pregnant?

Persephone sighed and took a moment before answering. Saying it out loud, even in the mind link, would almost be like speaking it into existence.

Hades couldn't help but glance over at Persephone in concern. Was…was she embarrassed to have his child? Ashamed?

Was she ready for the possibility of a pregnancy? It was hard enough leaving Mal every six months, could she do that to another kid?

"As hard as it is to say good bye every six months, I wouldn't trade my two kids for anything," Persephone stated, giving a fond smile to Mal and Hadie.

Persephone?

Oh, yes I apologize Eileithyia. I got lost in thought.

Quite alright but you never answered my question. Is someone with child on the Isle and in need of my services?

Eileithyia, can you keep a secret?

"Of course she can," Hera nodded. "After all, we never knew about this conversation."

"I knew," Zeus spoke up.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"We hadn't confirmed that Persephone was pregnant yet. I'd have told you after we got that."

Of course!

I believe I'm with child.

"Hang on…that's me!" Hadie said with a grin.

"Sure is storm cloud," Mal nodded though she couldn't help but hope that her feelings toward Hadie wouldn't be in the scrolls.

Eileithyia's response was slow but that was to be expected. After all, to the Gods of Olympus, this would be Hades' first child. A child of the Big Three born on the Isle? Such a thing was unheard of!

"I can feel the sarcasm from here," Kitty said, shaking her head.

Though Persephone knew the truth, that this would be the second child of Hades born on the Isle. When she had gone to Zeus for help getting Mal back from Maleficent all those years ago, though, she hadn't told him that. Persephone knew how Hades felt about Zeus and knew her husband would want his brother to have as little information about Mal as possible. So Persephone had played it as if Mal was Pain's daughter.

"Hmm, I mean it's believable but I'm just surprised mom didn't get a thousand questions about how it was possible for Pain to have a kid. That's what happens whenever anyone asks about Virgil," Mal said.

The purple tied in well and Hades still cared for his minions, even if he called them morons most of the time.

Hades smiled slightly. "Hey, as I once said. They may be morons but they're my morons."

Persephone had been ready to reveal the truth right then and there when Zeus said simply that it was Hades' karma coming home to roost.

"You should've," the older VKs grumbled and Persephone sighed. There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think the same thing.

Persphone?

Eileithyia? You're still there?

Yes I am. I apologize, your news startled me. Do you have any way of confirming whether or not you're with child?

"If we had a way to do that, most pregnancies wouldn't be a surprise," Mal snorted.

I'm on the Isle Eileithyia. They're lucky to have babes survive to reach one year. Most of the time, pregnancies are a surprise.

Belle's hands flew to her mouth as tears began to prickle in the corners of Ariel's eyes. Those poor babies…those poor kids…

I see. Hold on one moment Persephone. I need to talk to Zeus for a second.

"That's never good," Hades muttered.

That wasn't good. The last thing Persephone wanted was for the other Gods to know before it was even confirmed.

"I can keep a secret!" Zeus exclaimed.

"Uh huh," Hades said, the dry tone of his voice conveying exactly what he thought about his brother's statement.

Persephone, go to the portal.

Why?

I'm sending you a way to confirm that you're with child. Don't worry, only Zeus knows and for once he's agreed to keep it a secret until it's confirmed.

"And he actually managed to do so," Poseidon said, teasing his little brother.

But—

We want to know if a child of Hades is to be expected Persephone. Zeus may still harbor negative emotions toward Hades for kidnapping Hercules and the attempted take over of Olympus but the child is innocent in all this.

"Was that Zeus saying that or Eileithyia?" Hades asked.

"Eileithyia," Persephone stated. "She's the Goddess of Pregnancy Hades. She of all of us knows how innocent a child is."

Wait, the portal can be used after the six month mark?

"I was nauseous and possibly hormonal. Do not judge my questions," Persephone said.

"What's the point of being a Goddess if you still have to deal with morning sickness?" Melody asked.

"Melody!"

"No, no, she's got a point," Persephone nodded. "I asked myself the same question."

I know you haven't confirmed it but you must have what the mortals call pregnancy brain. No, the portal remains closed when not on your arrival or departure date. Zeus, as a favor to his unborn niece or nephew, is allowing it to be opened for a brief time so that I can get this test to you.

"Okay I have to say that hearing Aunt Eileithyia say the words 'pregnancy brain' is just strange," Mal said.

Persephone sighed and quickly made her way to the portal room. Thankfully, there was no one in the hall—Virgil was in the den, Mal was out with her friends, Pain and Panic were hiding from Hades and Hades was in the kitchen preparing something for dinner. Slipping into the portal room, Persephone frowned when she saw a plain cardboard box like the ones the mortals used.

"Wait, seriously?" Emir asked. "That's what the Gods use? It sounds like the same kind of thing mom used."

Did you receive it?

Yes but Eileithyia, there must be a mistake. This looks like a mortal test.

There's no mistake. We Gods have tried to modernize and keep with the times. Believe it or not the mortal's way of confirming they're with child is much more accurate than ours. I'll mute the link so you can take it and then I'll check back in.

"And yet you didn't see fit to provide some of those to the Isle," Uma grumbled.

"Yeah, it would have made Anastasia Tremaine's life easier if people knew off the bat when they were pregnant instead of her having to do math and make guesses as to how many months they were," Mal muttered.

Persephone nodded and made her way back to the bathroom. In her revelation, she had forgotten to do the thing that she wanted to do in the first place! Taking the test out of the box and reading the instructions, Persephone had to shake her head. How in Hera's name was this supposed to be easier than the old way?

The old way didn't run the risk of you peeing on your hand!

Audrey wrinkled her nose in disgust at the very idea. Thank Gods she'd be able to get a pregnancy test done in the hospital when that time came—the perk of being the Queen of Auradon. Well, she wasn't yet but when she was married to Ben, she would be!

But being squeamish didn't get you anywhere on the Isle and it wouldn't get Persephone anywhere here either. There was no choice but to grit her teeth and do it.

"She's a better person than I am," Lonnie said. "I'm not squeamish but I'd still rather get the blood test than pee on a stick and risk peeing on my hand."

One empty bladder later, Persephone set the test on the counter and sighed as she waited. Thankfully the Gods had made some improvements on the mortals' test and the result showed instantly.

"That's certainly an improvement," Cinderella nodded. The ten minute wait on the regular tests was usually the most nerve wracking experience of her life.

Well? Eileithyia's voice sounded in her brain. What is it?

Persephone looked at the stick in slight trepidation. She wasn't sure what she wanted—a child of her own with Hades would be wonderful but she already had that with Mal. Still…another child running around the Underworld, watching Hades play with his younger son or daughter, Mal being able to be a big sister…

Belle couldn't help the sad smile that grew on her lips. Ben had been so excited when he learned he was going to be a big brother, she thought. I'm happy Mal at least will get that experience…

Persephone?

Sorry Eileithyia. That's the second time you caught me lost in thought!

I don't blame you, this is a momentous occasion but we still need to know the results.

"Does she really? Before her husband even got the chance to know?" Snow White asked.

Hades blinked in surprise before shrugged. "Yeah okay I like you too. I really need to make that list."

Yes, yes of course.

Persephone shook her head and looked once more at the stick. Two bright blue lightning bolts stared back at her. Persephone couldn't believe it—she was pregnant!

"Oh how wonderful!" Aurora said with a big smile on her face.

"Thank you your highness," Persephone said, not wanting to ruin the moment and remind Aurora that it should have been obvious judging by Hadie and Mal's presence in the room.

Well?

We were right, Persephone responded with a small smile as she gently grabbed the test to show Hades. Well, at least Hades would be able to get his wish. Pregnancy wasn't contagious after all.

"No, it's certainly not," Jasmine said with a fond smile.

"Though sometimes it feels like it is," Rapunzel chuckled.

Persephone smiled as she put down the scroll. "That was the end of the scroll. Perhaps it might be time for us to take another small break?"

"Works for me," Hades nodded.

"I've no issue with it," Beast said.

"Great," Persephone said.

Chapter 23 Chapter Text

Evie bit her lip, careful to once again not leave any teeth imprints on the lipstick. She must be out of her mind to even consider this but it wasn't as if Maleficent would ever find out about it right? The Fates clearly wanted the people of Auradon to know what was happening on the Isle and Snow White was probably the closest thing Evie had to family here.

"Excuse me, your highness?" Evie asked as she walked up to Snow. "Can…can I have a word?"

"Of course Evie," Snow said, giving the blue haired girl a smile. "And you don't have to call me 'your highness'. After all, we're practically sisters."

That's debatable, Evie thought as she could almost hear the rant her mother would go on had she been there to hear that. "Um…do you mind if it's in private? I…"

"I understand," Snow said and they walked off a bit to a nearby corner, still in sight of the others but far enough away to be out of earshot. "Is everything okay Evie? I know it can't really be easy hearing about Mal's treatment of you. I'm just sorry I haven't said anything before now."

Evie shook her head. "No, no. I mean, of course it's not easy but that's pretty much the way life was on the Isle. Not to mention our mothers…I mean my mother and Maleficent are pretty much the textbook definition of frenemies. They may be in the same clique but my mother could jump at the chance to snatch power from Maleficent and Maleficent knows it."

"That doesn't mean Mal has to be mean to you now though," Snow stated. "You and Carlos, you both seem to be here without any friends. You know you're welcome to sit with me and my family but I…I don't think that's what you wanted to talk to me about."

Evie shook her head once more. "I…I need your help," she whispered.

"Okay," Snow nodded and knelt down as establish eye contact with Evie. "I know that couldn't have been easy to say, especially being from the Isle as we've seen in these readings. How can I help you?"

"My…my dad…"

"What about your dad?" Snow asked, tilting her head slightly, confused as to the direction the conversation had taken.

"Maleficent has my dad," Evie said, her voice still not above a whisper, terrified about the possibility of the Dragon finding out that she said anything. "She…she gave me a task to do upon getting to Auradon and if I…I don't do it, she's…she's going to…"

"You don't have to say it," Snow said, longing to wrap Evie up into her arms and give her the biggest hug. "Evie, I promise, no matter what the task was, you don't have to do it. My kingdom will help you get your father back. Alive. In fact, I'm on King Beast's council. I could petition for Auradon itself to help in getting back your father."

"You'd…you'd do that for me?" Evie asked, unable to help the look of shock that she was sure was on her face. "But…I'm just a villain kid and not even one at the top of the food chain."

"There's more to life than power," Snow said. "Love is more powerful and more beautiful than anything power itself can be. It's magic. And real love, true love, is the most powerful kind of magic of all. So powerful that a barrier can't suppress it."

"But…but I don't have a true love…"

"There's different kinds of love. There's the love that siblings share as Queen Anna proved and then there's the love a daughter has for her father. I think that Prince Ben was right about you all. If you were truly wicked and evil as some in attendance here like to claim, you wouldn't have come for help. You wouldn't have cared that Maleficent had your father. You would have just carried on with your assigned task."

Before Evie knew what she was doing, she wrapped Snow into a big hug; her worries and stress melting away at her step-sister's words.

"Oh! I'm so…forgive me," Evie said after a minute but Snow only gave her a kind smile.

"Forgive you for what? I'm a hugger after all," she said. "But just so I'm aware, what's your father's name?"

"Daniel," Evie said and Snow's smile grew.

"So Regina got her true love after all," she muttered as the two of them walked back. "Good."

"Your highness, if you don't mind…why did my dad get brought back?" Evie asked. "He wasn't a villain…"

Snow couldn't help the slightly sad smile that grew on her lips. "Let's just say it was my way of apologizing to your mother. I…I made so many mistakes when I was younger, thinking I was sparing Regina the pain I felt living my life without my mother…but all it did was cause her more heartbreak. At least this way I could allow her a little bit of the happy ending she was due."

She sighed before shaking her head, pulling herself out of her memories. "Evie, I mean it, would you like to sit with us? You're more than welcome."

"I mean…if it's not too much trouble or inconvenience," Evie said and sat down between Emma and Neal. Something that did not escape Ben's attention as he couldn't help but smile.

Good, it's nice to see the VKs be welcomed into the fold, he thought as he saw Mal pull Hadie off to the side. I hope everything's okay. Then again, it's probably just a brother sister talk. Emir has a lot of those with Ashaki after all.

"What's wrong?" Hadie asked Mal as he looked at her, having moved a considerable distance away from the others.

Mal sighed. "Okay storm cloud. I'm sure you've gathered that these scrolls seem to focus a lot on my life and my thoughts."

"No really? I didn't notice Mal."

"I've taught you well in the art of sarcasm," Mal chuckled before kneeling down. "I wanted to give you a heads up. When you were first born…let's just say I wasn't as loving to you as I am now."

"You mean like how Uma said that Celia would be 'useless' when she was a baby?"

"…yeah sure let's go with that," Mal nodded.

"Mal, I'm not a baby. I can handle you be mean to me over ten years ago," Hadie said with a chuckle before batting Mal's hands away as she ruffled his hair. "Gah! Stop that!"

"Never!" Mal declared with a grin as she ruffled his hair once more.

"Mal!"

"Yes Hadie?"

"You're so weird!"

"I get that from your side of the family you know?"

"I don't think that's how that works!" Hadie said as they went back over to the group. Giving his sister a small smirk, Hadie said, "so you looked nice and cozy next to Prince Beastie over there. Gonna take Emir up on his invite and sit next to him?"

"Why would I do that?" Mal scoffed. "Just because he invited us to Boreadon doesn't mean I have to like him."

"Uh huh," Hadie said. "You're seriously going to pull an Uma about this?"

"I am not pulling an Uma, Hadie! Uma's been in denial about her feeling for Harry for years whereas I have nothing to be in denial about!"

"Keep telling yourself that sis," Hadie said, plopping down in his seat just as Akiho pulled Ben to the side. "Wonder what's going on there?"

"Something royal probably," Mal shrugged but kept watch as Akiho pulled out his phone and began showing Ben something on it. She frowned slightly as Ben's face clouded in fury before it vanished and he walked over to his dad.

"…we've got to do something…we've got your full council right here…" she heard him tell Beast, his low tone not as low as he thought it was, more than likely due to his anger.

"…we can't just accuse Leah without proof…not to mention we don't truly have a full council…" Beast told his son.

"There's the proof dad," Ben said, his voice a near growl. "I don't know what else you call handing the captain of the deliver barge a stack of bills other than proof of wrongdoing."

"Without the shipment records though it's just—."

"Begging your pardon, your highness, but I think we might have those," Emir muttered, walking up. "Akiho told me about the tapes so I texted Doug. He could only get the past five years but there's enough here for at least a council hearing. There's a delay every month after all."

"You mean Leah's caused a delay every month," Akiho said, his voice a near snarl.

"I'm sorry there's a what?!" Harry exclaimed and the royals turned to look at the VKs, who stared at them in shock.

"You…you weren't supposed to hear that," Ben said, looking almost guilty as if they were talking about the VKs in front of them.

"Then go off to the side like Blueberry and Snow or Hadie and Mal did," Uma stated, crossing her arms. "Not to mention the fact that you're not exactly the most quiet when you're angry Beastie Jr. Now, what did you mean by there's been a delay every month?"

"I…I um…I can't comment until there's an official council hearing," Ben said, more than slightly nervous as the girl's glare deepened. "But um…it's exactly what it sounds like."

"Harry, no!" Mal exclaimed before Uma could say anything more and Jay immediately lunged to hold Harry back as Harry lunged toward Leah.

"I don't care Mal! Let me at her!"

"Harry, don't! You do this, you could get stuck on the Isle forever!" Jay muttered, wincing as Harry's hook dug into his arms as his best mate scrambled to escape his grasp like a determined badger.

"Jay, I mean it!"

"Now really! I don't know what you all think I did to deserve this kind of treatment but if you think this is an acceptable way to treat royalty—!"

"My mother would still be alive if it wasn't for you, you twisted harpy!" Harry roared. "I don't need the evidence! So far, Prince Beastie's the only one here who's kept his word to the VKs and if he says there's proof of you delaying the barges and Mal believes him, that's good enough for me!"

"Sire, I know it's not the council room but should we have the hearing now?" Eugene asked.

"It's not a full council," Leah said though a slight smirk could be seen. "Chi-Fu and the Duke are not here."

"Ah good, so you all can actually have a council meeting not take five hours?" Anna asked. "I'd be happy to stand in my sister's stead, King Beast."

Beast nodded. "Very well. Queen Leah, you're accused of delaying the food supply to the Isle thus making it almost inedible to the citizens there. How do you plead?"

"They got their food, I don't know what the big fuss is abo—."

Leah had to duck as a fireball went off near her head. But it wasn't Mal who did it. This time.

"Hades!" Persephone exclaimed as Hades glared at Leah.

"Do. You. Know. How. Many. Children. You. Sent. To. The. Underworld? How many babies? Gods, Beastie might have imprisoned the children but at least he had the wherewithal to provide food! Tell me, what crimes did my children commit against your family? What crime did Milah Hook commit? Or the numerous children now roaming around Elysium? You say we got our food but it's only because of Steph and Poseidon that we had edible food!"

Turning to Zeus, Hades growled, "I want her. I want her soul. You owe me little brother."

"I…Hades, it's a council decision and if they don't vote to kill…"

"Then send her to the Isle! She won't last five days there anyway and I'll still get her soul!" Hades exclaimed, not noticing Persephone walking off to the side and whispering to the floating eyeball that appeared once more.

"Now really! Did I really do anything to deserve this? The Isle's a prison after all, not a luxury hotel—."

"Three hundred fifty three," Mal said flatly.

"I beg your pardon?" Anna asked, looking over at her.

"That's how many people have died on the Isle since this whole mess started," Mal stated. "I am the daughter of Hades, I know the death count by heart. And that is counting miscarriages, still births, and people who have died in childbirth," she said as she looked over at Leah. "Madam, you have made children mothers before their time. You have made children killers to try to get better access to food. And you say you've done nothing wrong?"

"I have the tapes right here," Akiho said, passing around his father's phone. "And Queen Leah, before you get any ideas of deleting the tapes, our security team has them on a cloud server only available to the royal family of Arendelle and Auradon."

"And how do we know that these tapes haven't been altered in someway?"

"You can't," Carlos spoke up. "Can…can I see it?"

Eugene nodded, handing the young boy the phone. Carlos looked at the footage and nodded.

"You see those lines? That's a VHS tape that's been digitized. Poorly but still digitized. Meaning if the security team was going to alter the tapes, likely they'd have to alter the VHS tape before digitizing it. I don't think they'd be able to do that and still send the tapes to Prince Akiho as quickly as they did."

"…we've got to get you into some tech classes over in Auradon Prep when this is all over," Ben said with a nod.

"And how do I know that this hasn't been altered magically?!" Leah demanded.

"If you're looking to blame me, I'll remind everyone that I didn't even know the tapes existed before this moment," Mal said, examining her nails. "Though I do appreciate the idea that you think I'm powerful enough to alter something I don't know exists."

"Same," Uma said with a smirk. "Makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

"Enough!" Beast exclaimed as Leah opened her mouth. "Queen Leah, since you're obviously not going to say anything to your defense, I open the floor to suggestions for sentencing."

"Send her to the Isle!" Shang spoke up. "I'm pretty certain that this is a crime, the attempted decimation of an Island of people!"

"I second that!" Aladdin nodded. "I've been in their positions, to not know where my next meal was coming from. To know that this was done to them on purpose!"

"Very well. All those in favor of stripping Queen Leah of all titles and sending her to the Isle once this is all over, raise your hands."

The VKs couldn't help but stare in amazement as all the hands of Beast's council rose.

"And all opposed?"

It almost seemed like a pointless question but one that had to be asked. Needless to say, no one raised their hand.

"Queen Leah, you are to be stripped of your title as Queen of Auroria and sent to the Isle once this has finished up." Beast stated.

Aurora leaned over to Belle. "Belle, in light of everything, I'd understand if you wanted to discuss removing the betrothal contract."

"Let me talk to Ben about that," Belle said. "I don't think this is something we should spring on the kids but I do agree that should be something that we talk about."

Aurora nodded and then sighed as she looked over at Harry who was still struggling to get out of Jay's grip. "That poor boy…I couldn't image how Audrey or Phillip Jr. would have reacted if the same thing had happened to me…"

"He loved his mother, that much is clear," Belle said softly just as the eyeball floated down and began to spin once more. This time, however, it wasn't as bright of a spin and it only deposited one person, a woman.

This woman was clearly dead judging by the transparentness of her appearance.

"Oh right," Persephone nodded and walked over, handing the woman a red jacket. Where Persephone got the jacket, no one knew but no one really wanted to question a Goddess.

"Thank you your Ladyship," the woman nodded, putting the jacket on and becoming solid just like all the other people in the room. Her appearance seemed to have calmed the wild badger that Harry had become as he stared at her in shock.

"Mom?"

"Hello my darling," Milah said softly as she went over and wrapped Harry into a hug, frowning slightly as Harry froze at her touch before melting into the hug. "Lady Persephone informed me as to what was going on and the Fates allowed me to be in attendance for the readings."

Harry didn't care. He didn't care what his mother was doing there or why she was there. All that mattered was that she was there in front of him. He dropped his hook and wrapped his arms around his mom for the first time in fourteen years.

"How did you—?" Hades asked.

"The other two realms might be your playthings Hades, but Elysium is my territory," Persephone said with a small smile as they all sat back down, though Estelle seemed to have appointed himself guard duty against Leah.

"Um is he—?"

"Don't worry your pretty little head, Beastie Jr.," Mal said as Ben looked in concern. "Estelle won't let anything happen to the harpy. Now, who's reading next?"

"I'll read," Naveen said as he reached over to grab a scroll. No one questioned the appearance of another seat, big enough for two people. Nor did they notice Milah and Harry taking that seat.

As much as his crew was his family, Harry wasn't going to be apart from his mom if he didn't have to.

"Uh…what are we going to do about food?" Emir asked.

"Yeah, and sleeping," Akiho added. "Unless the Fates have frozen time, it'll be getting near dinner soon and we've got some young kids with us."

"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," Anna said.

Chapter 24 Chapter Text

Naveen quickly grabbed a scroll and unfurled it, smiling a little at the sight of Harry with Milah. It reminded him of his own relationship with his parents and he was happy the young boy was able to get a second chance with his mother.

Persephone couldn't help but smile softly as she watched Mal try to get Estelle to sit on the floor in Mal's room, the training book she'd purchased for Mal propped against a pillow so Mal could see the pictures inside.

"I remember training my dog Sultan," Beast said, a fond smile forming at the memory. "Of course all that training went out the window when he became a footstool."

"And who's fault was that again?" Chip asked, a grin on his face as Beast turned to give him a look.

Normally they would have done this in the den but Estelle still made Virgil nervous and the now nine year old was spending more and more time here rather than at Vanessa's.

I don't blame him, Carlos thought thought it was a lot less nerve wracking being around Estelle now that he had put himself on guard duty rather than sniffing around everyone.

Not that it was a bad thing. Persephone couldn't help but smile at the thought of her home being a safe place for the children of the Isle.

Thank you Lady Persephone, Milah thought as she held Harry close to her. Yes she knew her son was sixteen, nearly an adult. That didn't matter—and despite the want to appear tough in front of the Auradonians, it didn't matter to him either.

Plus she welcomed the privacy Mal's room provided. A conversation like the one they were about to have required a bit more privacy than a regular conversation.

"I wouldn't have eavesdropped," Hades said, shaking his head.

"And Pain and Panic?" Persephone asked, raising an eyebrow.

If Mal took the news of Persephone's pregnancy the wrong way, Persephone wanted to be sure Mal felt safe to let her emotions out rather than bottle them up.

Yeah, I failed at that didn't I? Mal thought. Gods, I'd've had weeks with my brother if I didn't have the stupid thoughts that he was replacing me.

"Hey Steph," Mal said, looking up and giving her step mother a small smile. Persephone returned it. Lately she'd noticed that Mal had been calling her 'Steph' instead of the title of 'Lady Steph'. That, plus the hug she'd gotten her first day back, never failed to make Persephone smile.

Then again, pretty much everything Mal did made Persephone smile.

"Spoken like a true mom," Rapunzel said softly, smiling as she looked at her brood.

How could she not? If it wasn't for that stupid registry, she could refer to Mal as her daughter rather than by the pointless title of 'step-daughter'. A daughter was a daughter, it didn't matter that Mal wasn't genetically Persephone's.

Snow White and Cinderella both couldn't help the sad smiles that formed on their lips as they heard that. How they wish they could have had the same relationship, but they wouldn't begrudge Mal her relationship for anything.

"Hey Mal," Persephone said, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "How's the student?"

"Great!" Mal said with a grin. "Watch!"

Looking back at Estelle, Mal cleared her throat. "Estelle, sit! Sit!"

Estelle gave Mal a little puppy grin before sitting down.

Audrey rolled her eyes. Great, it can sit. Now could you train it to stop glaring at my grandmother?

Mal grinned and fished out a dog treat from the bag of pet supplies Persephone had brought with her.

Estelle's right head looked over at Naveen while the other two kept a watch on Leah.

"Um…?"

"Okay does anyone have something we could use as a dog treat?" Mal asked. Normally she would have told Estelle that there wasn't any there but it was just cruel to say the 't' word in front of a dog.

Ariel perked up. "Oh! I think I have some in my pocket!"

"Why—?"

"I was playing with Max earlier dear. You know how much he loves these," Ariel told Eric as she fished a couple of dog treats out of her dress pocket. "There we go."

"Awesome," Mal said as she took the treat and gave it to Estelle, who wagged his tail in thanks.

"Good boy!" Mal said and handed Estelle's middle head the treat, which he happily took before trotting off out of the room to eat it.

"Max does that with his treats," Melody said with a smile.

"Maximus does that sometimes with his apples," Rachel nodded.

"I guess it's just a pet thing," Esmeralda said. "Djali used to do that sometimes as well."

"That would explain the treat your father found in his shoe the other day," Persephone said with a small chuckle.

"Estelle was just saving it for later," Mal told her. "Three heads means he has to share his treats after all. Saving them makes them last longer."

Ben nodded. "That just makes sense. Almost as if he's putting the snacks in a savings account to accrue interest."

"Except for the fact that it's a dog," Audrey sniffed. "They don't know what savings accounts are Ben."

"Audrey!" Aurora scolded.

"I see." Persephone said with a small nod and walked into the room, shutting the door behind her to guarantee them privacy. Not that Hades would eavesdrop but there was no guarantee Pain or Panic wouldn't snoop. "Mal, I need to talk with you."

"Probably the scariest words a parent can say to their child," Evan nodded.

Mal seemed to tense up a little, as she always did whenever Hades or Persephone needed to have a private chat with her. Not for the first time, Persephone cursed the fact that Maleficent had gotten her talons into Mal during her formative years.

Demeter's hands curled into slight fists at the very thought. Ooh, Maleficent had better consider herself lucky she was trapped behind the barrier.

"It's nothing bad," Persephone said gently as she picked Mal up and set her on the bed before sitting down next to her. "I wanted to tell you that I'm pregnant."

"Nice lead in there Steph," Hades muttered.

"Oh hush you," Persephone told him.

"Oh. That's nice," Mal said after a brief pause.

Eugene shook his head. "Rachel acting like that after we told her about Blondie's pregnancy with Evan made sense. But I thought there'd be a bit more excitement?"

"Dad, you told me when I had my nose buried in a book remember? Not to mention that was the fifth time in my life mom had been pregnant!" Rachel exclaimed.

Mal shrugged. "I don't really get excited."

"Mal, sweetheart, do you actually know what that means?" Persephone asked gently. She had seemed to accept that rather quickly so Persephone didn't know if Mal truly knew what Persephone being pregnant meant.

Mal shrugged. "Uma said it's how you get a new brother or sister. Right?"

"Ah, so glad to see you remember my wisdom," Uma said with a smirk, sitting up straighter. "Of course it is my job as the older cousin—."

"We're the same age!" Mal exclaimed.

"That's right," Persephone said with a small nod.

"So congrats. Good for you."

Milah held back a small chuckle at that—she couldn't help but be reminded of Harriet's reaction when they had told her about Milah's pregnancy with Harry and CJ.

"Thank you sweetie," Persephone said with a small smile. "Are you excited? You're going to be a big sister."

Mal shrugged again. She tended to do that a lot, Persephone thought, especially when it seemed like she was trying to hide what she really felt. "It's a little exciting I guess," she said. "But won't the baby spend most of its time in Boreadon?"

I wish you both could have spent all your time in Auradon, Persephone thought with a small, sad smile.

Persephone sighed and rested her hand on her stomach. She had begun to show slightly, which worried her a little as she was only about two months along. However, Eileithyia had told her that should be normal. A Godly pregnancy had a faster development time than a mortal one.

"Really? How fascinating! I wonder—?"

"No Ben, you can't go find out if there are books on the developmental stages of a Godly pregnancy," Chip said, shaking his head.

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me for being interested Chip."

"I'll find out if those books are available, Ben," Belle promised.

Persephone looked at Hera and Demeter. "They do know we're right here right?"

"I've stopped trying to understand mortals," Hera told her.

After all Athena and Aphrodite were born as full adults, Persephone thought. Then again, they weren't born in the most shall we say conventional methods.

"No, sweetie, they'll have to stay here," Persephone said softly after a brief bit of silence.

Mal tilted her head slightly in confusion. "Why? They'd be your kid and you're a good guy right?"

I hadn't thought about that. That there were kids of heroes and villains…though could Lord Hades really be called a villain? He's more of an anti-hero I'd think…kinda like dad is, Ben thought.

Persephone couldn't help but give Mal a sad smile. "They're also your father's child," she explained. "So they'd have to stay here with you and your dad."

Sighing, she added, "most likely they'll be born on the Isle, so they'll be classified as a VK meaning the Isle will have to be their home."

"But they'd be a baby," Mal said with a frown. "They didn't do anything to be classified as a VK."

"Spoken from the mouths of babes," Phillip Sr. stated, shooting a glare at Leah.

Persephone couldn't help but give Mal another sad smile. None of the kids on the Isle had done anything to earn their classification either and yet they still were.

"Something that will quickly be rectified!" Ben stated.

"Steph?" Mal asked after a few minutes of the two sitting in silence. "What if the baby's born in Boreadon?"

"I'm going to be completely honest, I didn't even think about that," Hades said, shaking his head slightly.

"I don't know sweetie," Persephone said softly, brushing a bit of hair out of Mal's face. "We'd have to discuss that with King Beast and your Uncle Zeus."

"And that, something tells me, would not be a quick conversation," Chip said under his breath.

"King Beastie wouldn't order you to stay in Boreadon would he?" Mal asked softly.

"More than likely one of the Gods would have been appointed guardian during the six months Persephone was on the Isle," Zeus spoke up.

"So dad would never get to see his kid and Hadie would never see his dad. Got it," Mal nodded.

She still remembered the talk she had had with Steph, the day of Blueberry's party. Her stepmother had said that her agreement with King Beastie could have been worse, that she could have not been allowed to see either Mal or Hades.

That was the last thing Mal wanted.

"Me too!" Hadie exclaimed. He hated the idea of living without his mom for six months but he'd hate it even more if he never got to see Mal either!

Maleficent might not have cared for Persephone but the dragon really didn't care about anyone but the dragon. There had been more than one day where Mal caught herself wishing she had been Persephone's child instead.

You were my child sweetheart, Persephone thought to Mal. Even before the adoption, you were always my child.

"I don't know sweetheart," Persephone said softly. She doubted it since her agreement had been set before the creation of Auradon or the Isle. Beast may have been king of Auradon but even he couldn't get between an agreement of the Gods.

It may be time to look at revising that agreement, Hera thought. Six months is a long time to go without seeing your children and all it's doing is punishing Persephone.

"If he does, couldn't you guys just reverse the agreement?" Mal asked. "Dad spends six months in Boreadon instead of you spending six months on the Isle?"

"And if we did that, then who would run the Underworld?" Hades asked.

Persephone couldn't help but smile a little at the innocence in the question only a child could have. It was heartwarming to see that six years on the Isle and Maleficent hadn't removed it completely from Mal.

Sometimes there's nothing that can remove a child's innocence, Rapunzel thought with a small smile, thinking back to her own childhood and how she'd creep down the stairs every year on her birthday and watch the floating lanterns.

"That's a possibility," Persephone told her. "But we're not leaving you here."

"Not on your life," Hades nodded. "If I'm suffering in Boreadon in this hypothetical situation, you're coming with me."

Mal made a small face at that. "Six months in Boreadon? Without Uma, Jay or Harry? Yuck!"

"See you haven't changed much, cap'n," Harry said with a small chuckle.

Persephone couldn't help but shrug at that. She couldn't deny that it was likely not going to be fun, spending six months without her friends.

"Wait a minute, the way that's phrased…you were going to bring her to Auradon?" Demeter asked.

"If I was ordered to stay or if the agreement was reversed and Hades was given six months? Of course," Persephone nodded.

"Besides, according to Boreadon and that stupid registry, I'm Maleficent's kid and only Maleficent's kid," Mal muttered. "Would you even be able to take me off the Isle?"

"Don't underestimate me Mali."

"I think that's the motto every kid should have for their parent," Rowyn said, nodding her head slightly.

There was no way she would allow Mal to be alone with Maleficent ever again. Persephone had already spent five years with that-she wasn't going to make Mal go through that again.

"I'm not. But I don't want you or dad getting in trouble either." Mal said with a small shrug.

"Can…can Gods get in trouble?" Emir asked.

Persephone sighed. "We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it," she said softly and Mal nodded slowly.

"Hey speaking of bridges—oof!"

"What was he going to ask?" Ben asked, looking over at Mal as Jay massaged the side that Mal had elbowed him in.

"Nothing," Mal told him.

They were silent for a few minutes before Mal spoke up again.

"When will the baby be here?"

"Around September sweetie," Persephone said with a smile.

"Like I said, best month of the year," Hadie said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh. So they won't be here right away?"

"You actually thought that?" Jay asked with a small chuckle.

"Athena. Aphrodite."

"I see your point."

"No honey. We'll all have some time to adjust to the idea," Persephone said gently.

Mal nodded. "Will they have magic like me?"

"Yep," Persephone said with a chuckle. "You can teach them. You two will be giving your father and I grey hairs in no time."

Well, I wasn't wrong, Persephone thought. Mal running away and then that incident at the Cove certainly came close to giving me grey hairs.

What incident?

Mother? I thought I muted the mental link!

No, you didn't. Now what incident? Poseidon told her.

Poseidon?!

Mom, fair warning, I can hear this too. I'd like to request they not get 'spoiled' for lack of a better word, Mal thought. Hey if they couldn't be bothered to provide aid to the Isle then why should they get to be spoiled in terms of what was likely in the scrolls?

You heard Mal. It'll likely be revealed soon, Persephone thought.

"Cool!" Mal grinned but the grin faltered as she paused and tilted her head. "But wait, can Gods get grey hairs?"

"Sure they can! Just look at Grandfather," Macaria said with a grin.

Persephone chuckled. "Not literally but it'll certainly feel like it."

"This'll be fun!" Mal said with a small smile starting to form at the thought. "Me and my sister!"

"Wait…you thought I was going to be a girl?" Hadie exclaimed, looking at Mal.

"I was six," Mal said, shrugging slightly.

"And what's wrong with being a girl?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing but it's just weird to hear Mal think I was going to be one," Hadie told her.

Persephone couldn't help but laugh a little at that. "We don't know that for sure, Mal—"

"Nope! They're a girl! I want them to be a girl!" Mal insisted, grinning from ear to ear.

"It's safer for boys on the Isle though," Uma muttered to Mal.

"And how aware of that were you at six?" Mal muttered back. "Besides, can you honestly say it's safe for anyone on the Isle?"

"Well we won't know until they're born. They could be a boy."

"Nope! And I shall call her Haille," Mal said, the grin never leaving her face.

"Not a bad name choice honestly," Hera said.

Persephone once again couldn't help but chuckle. "You'll have to take it up with the baby sweetie."

"But it fits! It's an 'H' for dad and then her nickname could be 'Hail' which ties to you, you know weather yada yada."

"Isn't Lady Persephone the Goddess of Vegetation? How does she tie to weather?"

"And dear, what if they're a boy?" Persephone asked. "We can't control their gender after all."

Mal went silent for a minute before speaking. "We'll see," she said softly. After all, Harry had sisters. Why wouldn't Mal?

Actually, for a six year old, that's not a wild assumption to make, Belle thought. Especially if all her friends have sisters.

"Well brother or sister, we're all looking forward to their arrival," Persephone said with a soft smile.

Mal nodded with a small smile.

Mal doesn't seem all that excited, Hadie thought with a small frown but then shook his head. That's just how Mal is, if she jumped up and down in excitement we'd think something was wrong.

"Come on, let's go get the nursery ready," Persephone said. While there was plenty of time before the baby came, Persephone knew that most of her time was going to be spent in Auradon. With Hades running the Underworld and being a dad to Mal, the last thing Persephone wanted to do was put anymore stress on her husband.

"Steph, it was fine—."

"Hades, you said that enough during the pregnancy and then every time I'm off in Auradon. I'm getting close to banning the word from your vocabulary!"

"Is that possible?" Mal asked.

"And if it is, can you teach us?" Emir, Akiho, and Chip asked in unison, causing Ben to roll his eyes.

"Can I veto pink?" Mal asked with a grin as she hurried after Persephone. "Just no! My sister is not going to be a prissy princess!"

"Does anything pink exist on the Isle? I mean even Blueberry avoids it," Uma pointed out.

Persephone chuckled. "Of course! I was thinking maybe blue since that's your father's color with a bit of another color to accent it. What color would you like Mali?"

Cinderella smiled slightly as the memories of getting Chad involved in setting up Alexandria's nursery came coming back. They of course tried to involve him in the twins as well but he'd only been two at the time.

Mal bit her lip as she thought. "What about yellow? Or red? It goes with blue and it sort of represents you and dad. Plus, if for some reason she's not a girl, it'll still work."

Blue and yellow are Auradon's colors. I've no doubt Mal'll be at home in Auradon, Ben thought with a small smile.

Persephone couldn't help but smile at that, and made a mental note to get some art books for Mal the next time she was in Auradon. "I like red," she said. "Because red and blue also make purple, so that way the baby can also know that their big sister is around too."

Mal couldn't ignore the stab of guilt that hit her gut as she heard that. Because of her stupidity, she hadn't been there for Hadie at the start.

Mal couldn't help but smile slightly at that.

"I can't wait to meet her," Mal said softly.

"I'm very glad to hear that sweetie," Persephone said gently. It was nice to know that Mal wasn't jealous or thought that they were replacing her with the new baby.

No one noticed the slightly awkward looks on Hades, Persephone and Mal's faces, or if they did they didn't comment on them.

It was like she knew she would always be their child—no matter what.

"Steph?" Mal asked with a small grin. "Can I tell Uma, Harry and Jay that I'm going to get a baby sister?"

"If you'd like," Persephone said with a smile.

"Yeah," Mal nodded her head. "Uma should know she's getting a new cousin anyway!"

Uma grinned and reached over to ruffle Hadie's hair. "One of the best cousins around too!"

Persephone smiled. Mal had told them that she had told her gang about her being Hades' daughter and thus, Uma had been around a lot more. While Hades had been a little hesitant at first, it had been nice to see him developing something of a relationship with his great niece.

Poseidon gave Hades a small smile and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you brother."

"The kids needed someone looking out for them," Hades told him but didn't shrug the hand off.

They needed all the family they could get on the Isle.

"Come on, let's get the nursery ready and then you can meet up with your friends," Persephone said and Mal grinned.

"I mean, did it have to be done that day?" Kristoff asked.

"It was time I got to spend with Mal. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Persephone told him.

"What are we waiting for?"

Persephone chuckled as they headed off to one of the spare rooms that was close to the master bedroom. Hades had already set up Mal's old crib and chest of drawers; having refused to have Persephone do any heavy lifting while she was pregnant.

"Gee, why does that sound familiar?" Rapunzel asked, looking over at Eugene.

"Hades, dear, I can do that. Or at least help."

"Nonsense. I don't want you getting hurt Steph. Besides, it's almost in position."

"Hades, you know nothing's going to happen to the baby right now if I do any heavy lifting and it might be better for you if you had help."

"Husbands. They're all the same," Jasmine sighed as Aladdin gave her a sheepish smile.

"Steph, Mal's off at school and Virgil's nine. I'm not asking a nine year old to help set up a nursery."

"So does that mean you would have asked Mal?" Aziz asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Even if it's for their cousin?"

"Have we officially figured out whether or not that's the case?"

"Hades, the way you've been acting toward Virgil, he's practically family already. Does it matter if it's official or not?"

"I'd like to meet him," Poseidon said.

"I'll invite him to Auradon," Ben stated. "He can be one of the first new groups."

"He'll be more timid than DeVil," Uma muttered to Jay.

Hades sighed as he pushed the chest of drawers into position. "No of course not. But regardless, I'm not asking a nine year old for help with this Steph. That's my child in there, I'm going to do the work for the nursery. Just like I did with Mal."

"No man is an island, you know," Persephone whispered to Hades.

"You know, I seem to remember you had Pain and Panic set up Mal's nursery. Or did you lie to me about that?"

"I had a three week old Mal in my arms. I trusted those two more with the nursery than I did with Mal and there was no one else here to watch Mal while I set up the nursery."

"That…is a fair point I'm not going to lie," Persephone nodded. "No parent worth their salt would have trusted their three week old with Pain or Panic."

Persephone shook her head. "Hades, I was going to do this. You really didn't have to—"

"Hush. You're pregnant—I know you can still do things but you're just getting over the nausea fun part of your pregnancy. The last thing I want you to do is overexert yourself right away. Not when you're regaining your strength."

Great, now I have to like him, Demeter thought with a small sigh.

Persephone sighed. There was no arguing with him when he was like this. Plus, she hated to admit it but he had a point.

"Oh now don't let it go to your head," Persephone told Hades who smirked slightly.

"I'll need to tell Mal," Persephone said, breaking the silence.

"She's six Steph. Do you really think she'll understand?"

"She understood when I told her about the agreement."

"If I remember correctly, she ran to her clubhouse when you told her you were leaving for Auradon."

"Technically I just ran out of the Underworld," Mal muttered under her breath.

Persephone sighed. "Yes well once I had the chance to explain the agreement between my mother, Zeus and King Beast, she seemed to understand."

"But this isn't an agreement Steph. You're telling Mal she's going to be a big sister."

"Believe it or not Hades, I'm aware of that. But Mal's a smart kid, she'll know we're not replacing her."

And I went and blew that certainty out of the water, Mal thought, chewing on her bottom lip.

"She may be a smart kid but she's a kid who's had Maleficent mess with her head for five years."

Meg frowned slightly—there was no denying the fact that Hades had a point.

Hades had eventually agreed after Persephone had pointed out that there wasn't a way they could keep it a secret from Mal for long.

"Though that would have been interesting to see you guys try," Uma told her aunt and uncle.

"You ready Steph?" Mal asked, holding up some of the paint Hades had worked with her to create. Before Persephone had brought the already full cans of spray paint for Mal, Hades had worked with her on creating her own. It hadn't been something Persephone generally approved of—Mal was too young to be working with those chemicals. But Hades had been with her every step of the way so it wasn't like Mal was in too much danger.

"You really think I'd let anything happen to her?" Hades asked Persephone.

"Of course not," Persephone said, shaking her head.

That being said, most of their attempts only produced regular paint since they had a hard time getting the paint into the empty spray paint bottles that came from Auradon. So they kept it in storage in buckets that came from Auradon.

"And nothing leaked?" Jay asked.

"That stuff that you found that you all used to hang up the banner on my birthday came in handy there," Mal told him. "And no, we still don't know what that stuff is."

"I'm ready Mali," Persephone said, grabbing a brush and dipping it in the paint. "I'll go high, you go low?"

"I mean, I don't think Mal could reach the high areas," Uma said with a small smirk.

"I will make you into calamari if you don't drop the height thing!" Mal exclaimed.

Mal grinned and nodded. The two of them quickly got to work painting the room a middle of the road blue in terms of shade. Not too light as to be confused for an 'Auradon' color but not too dark that it would be too depressing for the Underworld. After all, with no natural sunlight, too dark a color would make the room feel cold and depressing.

Ben frowned slightly. There had to be someway they could get sunlight to the Isle even if they kept the barrier up.

Perfect for the Isle. Not so much for a nursery.

"Thinking back, it probably would have been a better idea to paint and then have your father bring in the furniture," Persephone noted after they finished.

"That would explain the pain splatter on the crib," Hades said with a small chuckle.

No one could accuse them of being professionals but it was done. The walls painted a nice, neutral shade of blue with the baseboards painted a dark red.

When I'm in Auradon, I'll pick up some red and blue fabric. Make a blanket for the baby, Persephone thought as she smiled slightly looking at the nursery.

Hadie grinned, he loved that blanket. He didn't know what his mom did when she made it but it was always the perfect temperature—not too hot and not too cold.

"Steph? Can I go meet up with Jay, Uma and Harry?" Mal asked.

"Go ahead," Persephone said. "Just be home before dark okay?"

"I always was," Mal said. "Even after we got our alliance with the hyenas, the lions and Shere Khan still roamed at night. Oh and not to mention Sabor."

Mal nodded and ran off. In the distance, Persephone could hear Estelle running after her and couldn't help but smile. The bond between Mal and her dog was one that could not be replicated.

"All I'm saying is that I'm also a child of Hades and I'm much older than Mal was when she got Estelle—."

"I'll think about it Hadie," Hades said.

Looking back at the nursery, Persephone rubbed her stomach lightly; as if trying to reassure herself that her baby was still there.

I promise you, you'll be able to enjoy this nursery for as long as you'll need it. Nothing is going to happen to you. You have my word—and you'll soon find out that your mom keeps her promises. Besides, you'll have a sister and father who I know won't let anything happen to you in the months I'm off the Isle.

"You got that right mom!" Mal declared, holding Hadie close to her.

Hadie smiled at Mal. Honestly, other than the fact that she somehow was certain he'd be a girl, he didn't know why Mal was so worried about his reaction to her finding out about him?

Speaking of which, her six months were coming up weren't they? She'd have to get ready.

Odds are when she came back, she'd be dangerously close to her due date. Gods help her, she couldn't help but hope the baby would be born on the Isle. As much as her child wouldn't deserve this life, at least they wouldn't be separated from their father and sister.

"Until Boreadon decides said sister would be better off on their side of the bridge," Uma added.

"Can I read next?" Dizzy asked with a huge grin.

"Go for it, fireball," Uma said with a small chuckle.

Chapter 25 Chapter Text

Dizzy grinned as she reached forward and snagged a scroll.

"I think that thing might be as big as her," Mal muttered to Uma as the scroll became unfurled.

Mal sighed as she crossed out yet another design for her tags. Ever since she had gotten the spray paint and a proper sketch book from Steph, she had been trying to design tags for her crew to put on the buildings on Hades' side of the Isle.

"You know I can't wait to see your designs," Rowyn said. "Maybe someday we could collab on something?"

"Hmm, maybe," Mal nodded though she wasn't going to lie. There was a part of her that was oddly excited by the idea.

After all, how were the other gangs supposed to know who's territory they were entering without them?

"And how else do we annoy the hell out of Freddy?" Uma asked with a smirk.

She winced as she shifted and accidentally brushed the bruise she knew was on her left leg.

Persephone frowned. "Mal…how'd you get that?"

"I'm sure it's nothing," Demeter told her daughter, though she was tense too. Gods I hope that's just from roughhousing. After all, it does seem like they play rough on the Isle.

Maleficent had finally found out that she was staying at Hades' most of the time.

That can't be good, Elle thought as a knot began to form in her stomach.

It was safe to say her reaction wasn't pretty.

"I think that's obvious," Phillip Jr. muttered, looking worriedly at the scroll in Dizzy's hands.

"Mal!"

"Yes mother?" Mal said, trying to keep her voice calm but knew it was no use.

"Still a calm reaction was probably better in front of the Dragon than a scared one," Uma muttered.

Maleficent was clearly angry about something and Mal was about to pay the price.

"But…she can't really be angry that you're spending time with your father can she?" Jane asked.

"Maleficent once cursed a baby because she wasn't invited to a party," Mal stated. "What do you think?"

"The goblins had some interesting news this morning," Maleficent stated, stalking toward her daughter. "Would you care to guess what it was?"

"Something idiotic as it always is?" Mal asked, trying to not show any fear. Fear was the enemy when it came to facing off against Maleficent. Mal may have only been six but it had been something she'd known for a while.

"Was it really a good idea to quip like that?" Lil' Shang asked.

"Insulting the goblins usually got her on a different tangent and I could have scurried out of there," Mal shrugged.

"Normally that would be an acceptable answer but not this time," Maleficent hissed. "They told me that you've been seen multiple times on that so called God's side of the Isle, near the Underworld. Why?"

"Because I'm looking to see if he has any weaknesses so we can take over his side of the Isle and truly rule it," Celia said.

"…where was she when this was going on?" Mal asked Uma.

"Being a baby. Literally."

Mal swallowed to try to remove the pit in the back of her throat. She had figured that Maleficent would find out, she just didn't think it would be so soon. "Am I not allowed to spend time with my father, mother?"

"If she had her way? No," Hades muttered, his hands curled in slight fists as he listened.

That had been the wrong thing to say as Mal had been met by the back of Maleficent's hand,

"What?!" Persephone exclaimed as Demeter's eyes flashed in anger and Poseidon's hands curled into tight fists. And if anyone was paying attention, they'd have seen a dark look flash over Hera and Zeus' faces.

"Hades, you never told me—."

"Would you have wanted to know?" Hades asked, a low growl in his voice. He still wasn't happy about hearing Mal getting hurt, even if he'd gotten the chance to freak out about it.

but it was light compared to what might have occurred if Mal had said she was Hades' errand rat.

It was Ben's turn to have his hands curl into fists and Lonnie's eyes flashed dangerously. They knew they'd have no chance against Maleficent but…if they ever got the chance to go up against her…

The slap had been so powerful that Mal had been knocked down from the force. She bit her lip to keep the tears prickling in the corners of her eyes at bay.

Carlos bit his lip, trying his best not to give Mal a sympathetic glance. He knew she'd see it as him thinking she was weak.

Her father might have said that no one was going to judge her for crying but she knew crying would only make Maleficent madder. The dragon may not have had her powers but Maleficent didn't need magic to make Mal's life a living hell.

"None of our parents really need magic if they wanted to make our lives hell," Jay muttered under his breath.

"Your…that weakling is nothing but trouble. You honestly think he cares about you? All he's waiting for is a chance to destroy what we've built! Remember Mal, he walked out and never looked back."

"That's a lie!" Macaria growled. "Uncle Hades walked out on you Maleficent but he never walked out on Mal!"

"But, mother, he and Steph seem to really—"

Oh honey, thank you for defending your father but not if it means you'll get hurt, Persephone thought as she chewed on her lip.

Mentioning Steph seemed to be another mistake, as Mal quickly learned due to the scepter hitting her leg.

Evie gasped, hiding her mouth with her hand to muffle the sound as to prevent Mal from thinking she was being pitied. She had always thought that Mal had it easier than the others, being Maleficent's kid.

Then again…she actively called Lady Persephone 'mom'. She may have been biologically Maleficent's but it was growing clear to Evie that the Mistress of All Evil was no mother.

Mal bit her lip again to make sure no tears slipped out—there was a reason most of the Isle kids had numerous sayings about the importance of not crying. You cry, you die was the most popular, and was the most likely to ring true.

Survival of the fittest probably but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have the chance to cry if you're in pain, Lonnie thought; biting her lip to keep the tears from streaming down her face.

"Do you think I care about that tart?

"Oh the Dragon asked for it now," Jay muttered to Uma, seeing the look of hatred on Demeter's face.

"You think she'd let us watch her take the Dragon down?" Uma muttered back.

The so called Goddess who thinks she's better than the Isle her family helped create?

Hades sighed and gently pulled Persephone close to him, though it was harder than he thought considering Persephone was still holding Mal close to her.

"It's okay," Persephone whispered to Hades. "I don't let anything Maleficent says about me affect me."

"That doesn't mean I have to like it," Hades whispered back, kissing the top of her head.

All she's waiting for is a chance to have a child with Hades."

"That's you Maleficent, not me," Persephone growled, her fists clenched.

The one thing Maleficent could claim that Steph could not, Mal thought. However, Mal knew that wasn't the case anymore. Steph was pregnant with Mal's sister. Oh sure there was no way of knowing until the baby was born but Mal just knew she was getting a sister.

Hadie chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you there Mali."

After all Harry had a little sister. Uma had a little sister since Celia had been born a couple weeks prior. Jay didn't have a sister but he had a cousin—Jade. They weren't exactly the closest but family still meant something on the Isle. Hell, Freddy boy of all people had a sister—granted Claudine was the most timid thing known to man but she was still his sister.

The logic's not far off there, Cinderella thought. Though…that poor girl, having Freddy as a brother.

Honestly, there were times Mal wondered how people like Claudine and DeVil survived on the Isle being as timid as they were. Granted DeVil at least had an excuse, being about four or so.

"You're two years younger than us?" Jane asked, looking over at Carlos who nodded slightly.

Maleficent had resumed ranting about Persephone and Hades and their lack of a 'true' child. Mal had taken the opportunity to back out of the room.

"Good, get out of there!" Emma nodded.

She may have been six but she wasn't an idiot. Persephone was safely off the Isle but that didn't mean Mal should blab to Maleficent.

"That is a very good idea," Phillip Sr. muttered softly. The last thing he wanted to hear about was Mal getting hurt again because of Maleficent.

After all, Persephone would be back at some point and the last thing Mal's sister needed was Maleficent on her case. Of course, even if that happened, Mal would be there to protect the little Cerberus pup.

Mal nodded, suppressing the pang of guilt that nestled in her stomach. She hadn't been there though. Not for several weeks. All because of her stupidity.

"Hey," Uma said, bringing Mal out of her thoughts as her cousin walked up the stairs and into the clubhouse.

"Hey," Mal said with a nod, looking up at the teal haired girl. "Thought you'd be at your dad's?"

Tiana couldn't help but smile at that. It was clear that Facilier really did care for his daughters.

"Facilier…Ursula…why?" Naveen muttered.

Uma shook her head. "Celia won't stop crying ever since Lady Tremaine dropped her off, insisting having her lowered Anastasia's chances at a favorable partnership.

"Wait…what?" Celia asked, looking over at Uma. "Anastasia's…she's my mom?"

Uma bit her lip as she nodded. "I'm…Lady Tremaine didn't want anyone to know and dad didn't want you getting hurt, Lia."

"Wait a minute, that means we're cousins!" Dizzy exclaimed with a grin. "Celia! We're just like Mal and Uma!"

Celia gave her best friend a small smile but Mal and Uma could tell that it didn't reach the little Shadowling's eyes. Then again, they understood. It was rare to know who both your parents were and she'd lived her whole life just thinking she only had a father.

I told you the whelp would be useless."

"Celia's not useless!" Dizzy exclaimed and Celia gave her another small smile. It was…it was hard to wrap her head around the fact that she knew who her mom was now.

Was this how Mal felt? And Uma? She thought, lightly biting her lip.

"You know if anyone but you called her a 'whelp', they'd need to be fished out of the harbor." Mal said, ducking her head back down to get back to work on the tag, starting a new attempt at a sketch.

"Of course! Only siblings get to mess with their siblings," Neal stated.

Honestly, she didn't really care about Lady Tremaine's opinion on Anastasia's partner—everyone on the Isle knew about how the older woman had practically shoved the red head toward Ratcliffe who then left her high and dry after Anthony was born.

"He did what?" Cinderella exclaimed. Anastasia had always been the kinder of her stepsisters, actually offering her condolences when her father had passed. While she'd never forgive her for destroying her mother's dress, the strawberry blonde knew that her stepsister didn't deserve that.

"It's Ratcliffe," Uma shrugged. "The only reason Tremaine even shoved Anastasia in his path was because he was a governor and that was a title."

Not that it bothered the young Tremaine boy. No, if Mal had to hear him insist people call him 'Lord Tremaine' one more time…well let's just say Blueberry was going to get a break from being their smoke bomb target for a while.

"I think you guys did change targets for a bit there," Jay chuckled. "Ah Anthony. You know he never does realize when I steal his watch?"

"But you do it every time you see him," Mal pointed out.

"Exactly!"

"Of course! Only I get to complain about my sister!" Uma said as she plopped on the bed next to Mal. "Whatcha sketching?"

"See? Uma agrees with me!"

"No one said you were wrong Neal," Emma said with a chuckle.

"A tag design for our territory," Mal said, glaring slightly in annoyance as the bounce from the mattress made her pencil slip and caused her to have to reach for the eraser.

"Ro, did you take over Mal's body there?" Rachel asked with a chuckle. Her sister had the same reaction if anyone caused her to mess up on a piece she was working on.

"Freddy boy and his crew keep invading and while we can take him, I'd rather he have a visual of who's territory he's in. Put the fear of the god he keeps touting in him before we crush him."

"Ah my favorite part of the day," Harry said with a smirk.

Phoebus shook his head. "I want to be surprised that the kid is like this every time we hear about him but I'm not."

"Just Uncle Hades' side of the Isle?" Uma asked. "You'd think you'd want to do one for Maleficent's side too. After all Blueberry's on that side of the Isle and Jay's dad is in Maleficent's gang."

"Oh ye of little faith," Mal said with a smirk. "You know I had a backup plan there."

Mal flipped to a previous page and tore it out of her sketch book to show it to Uma.

"…how? It was a composition notebook, do you know how hard it is to tear something out of one of those?" Rowyn exclaimed.

"Um, Ro, weren't you paying attention? Mal's using an actual sketchbook here," Rose pointed out.

"Maleficent's side was easy. Just do her outline and green flames with something about evil. Play up her ego, stuff like that. I've got one for Jafar too—his is a bit more fun. I've got a red genie and then I've also got a giant snake."

Jay grinned. "Remember when we climbed on the roof so you could paint it?

"So what's the issue with the tag for Uncle Hades' side?" Uma asked, setting the page Mal handed her to the side.

"I don't know if I want to go with blue flames or a Cerberus," Mal sighed, leaning over to pet Estelle who had looked up upon Mal mentioning the word 'Cerberus'.

Estelle's right head looked over at Dizzy and gave her a doggy grin, the other two heads maintaining a watch on Leah.

"Plus I can't really use anything about evil. Dad's not evil. He's…he's more of an anti-hero than anything else. At least compared to the villains around here."

"Um…so are we just going to ignore…?"

"Mal, Uncle Hades stole a baby and tried to then kill said baby."

"My point exactly!" Hyllus nodded.

"Scar killed his brother, Evil Queen poisoned Snow White, Maleficent had originally cursed Aurora to die and we're supposed to be hot and bothered because my dad had his minions steal a baby and couldn't even properly finish the job?

"There's still the intent though," Hyllus pointed out.

"I should have known the grandson of the God of Law would bring up intent," Mal said, shaking her head.

As for his deal with Jerkules, it's what my dad does. Not to mention he kept his side of the deal—twenty four hours without powers, if nut-Meg got hurt it was null and void. Meanwhile, Wonderbreath makes the deal to stay in the Underworld if he can save Meg. Where is he now? In Boreadon, not looming around here."

Hercules sighed—there was no denying the fact that Mal did have a point. He'd made a deal with Hades to save Meg and he hadn't upheld his end of the bargain.

Uma paused and then nodded. "Good point. Uncle Hades may be one of the more powerful villains on the Isle but he's not the most evil."

"Excuse me?!"

"Uncle Hades, you give free food to the Isle kids," Uma stated. "A truly evil person would have charged us extra."

"Exactly," Mal nodded. "If dad was evil, like Maleficent levels of evil, I don't think he'd put up with Virgil as much as he does."

Hades sighed. While he knew his daughter had a point, and he loved the fact that she was sticking up for him, he wished that she could have phrased that any other way. If only because there was a room of Auradonians smiling at him—he'd have to do something big to get the reputation of being a big bad villain of the Isle back.

"Your dad really is loyal to his minions," Uma nodded. "Like my mom is to Flotsam and Jetsam."

"I swear if you start calling Celia your little 'poopsie' I've lost all respect for you as my cousin."

"I actually forgot Ursula said that," Ariel said.

"To be fair, you were kinda out of earshot when that happened mom," Elle told her. "At least if our history textbook is accurate."

"If that happens Mal, just chuck me off the Isle to Boreadon because I've clearly become a prissy pink princess pondering for my pampered prince."

"Nice alliteration," Ben said with a small smile.

"Nice wordplay there."

"It was nice wasn't it?"

"Yep, she's definitely related to me," Mal said, wrapping her arm over Uma's shoulders and giving her a smirk.

The two girls chuckled and Mal shook her head. "I guess you could say dad's ruthless. He did spend eighteen years working toward one goal, not caring who got hurt along the way—even his own family."

Ah there we go. Thank you Mal, a nice boost to my rep, Hades thought even as he ignored the stabbing pang of guilt at that. It had been easy to ignore at the time that Zeus' bouncing baby brat was his nephew. But now?

"But like you said, he's loyal. To his minions at least and his kid," Uma said with a smile as she nudged Mal's shoulder.

"Hey! No nudging while the pencil is on the sketch pad!"

"She sounds just like Rowyn," Evan said with a chuckle.

"I nudged your left shoulder! You're right handed!"

"That's still nudging!"

Uma shook her head and leaned forward to pet Estelle who was curled up by the girls' feet.

"Okay did Rowyn and Robin learn how to take over people's bodies or something?" Ruby asked. "That sounded almost similar to some of the interactions I've heard from them!"

"How's Aunt Steph doing?" Uma asked, scratching Estelle behind the ears. "She's in Boreadon right now right?"

"Yeah," Mal nodded. "She says she's doing okay. Honestly, after the constant nausea she had at the beginning, I don't know how it could be worse. If Uncle Zeus could give birth to Athena then how bad could it be?"

"Oh the innocence of youth," Rapunzel said and shook her head.

"Blondie, you had an epidural with every—."

"Not with Rachel remember? She came so fast that the doctors said there wasn't time."

Uma chuckled. "From the swear words I learned when Celia was born, it's no high tide."

"You got that right," all the mothers in the room nodded—well except for Leah of course.

"Anastasia's a mortal though. Steph's a Goddess . Besides Harry says worse than anything Anastasia could say."

Milah shook her head. "No teaching your little sister those words."

"You're not mad that he could say the words?" Aurora asked.

"Why would I be?" Milah said, raising an eyebrow. "My husband was a pirate captain. They're not exactly known for their clean vocabulary. However, if CJ hasn't already learned those words I don't exactly want her knowing them."

"A Goddess that will be on the Isle that's surrounded by a magical barrier."

"She still has full access to her powers though."

"She's the Goddess of Vegetation. What good would her powers do her here?"

"There has to be a way to get something to grow over there," Ben muttered to himself.

Mal shrugged. She was trying to look on the positive, to try to ignore the voice in her head that sounded like Maleficent.

Everything is going to change once the baby's born. Your weakling of a father can only devote so much of his attention to one child—which one do you think it's going to be? The one who's fully a God or the one who's half the woman he hates?

She…she has negative thoughts like that too? Carlos thought as he glanced at Mal. Mal's so confident though, it's hard to imagine her having thoughts like what…what run though my head at times.

You're so weak….worthless…ingrate…

"Ruthless yet loyal."

"Huh?" Mal asked, pulling herself out of her thoughts and looking over at Uma.

"The birth of our motto," Jay said, though his voice was soft as he looked over at Mal.

"That could be the words for your tag on Uncle Hades' side of the Isle. Ruthless yet loyal."

Mal nodded. "I like it—it fits dad almost too well. But what about the image?"

"Why not both?" Uma asked. "A Cerberus surrounded by blue flames? That way, it's similar to Maleficent's."

"I like it!" Hadie said with a grin, trying to get Mal's mind off of her past thoughts.

"Of course you do, storm cloud," Mal chuckled, pulling him close to her.

Mal nodded before sighing. "Except the moment I spray this, I'll be announcing to the Isle that I'm dad's daughter. He doesn't want me dealing with the target it could put on my back hence why you, Jay, and Harry are the only ones who know."

"That's an excellent point," David said with a small sigh.

"Couldn't someone else spray the tags?" Snow asked.

Uma was quiet for a moment. It was a real conundrum since they needed a way to keep the other gangs out of their territory but the villains of the Isle weren't dumb.

"Um…all of the villains?" Herkie asked.

Well maybe Gaston was but others weren't.

"Whenever the villains of the Isle are mentioned and we bring up their intelligence, it's safe to assume we're not talking about Gaston," Harry stated.

They'd be able to connect Mal walking around with a Cerberus to her spraying a tag with blue flames and a Cerberus on it.

"Teach me."

"What?"

"Teach me how to spray paint," Uma said.

"That's brilliant!" Ariel gasped, giving Uma a smile. "That way, you can still have the tags put up but Mal's secret remains safe."

Uma nodded slowly, more than a little taken aback at Ariel saying something she thought at six was brilliant.

"That way, I'll do the tag. Everyone knows my mom is Uncle Hades' niece. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch if people saw me spray painting a tag with Uncle Hades' logo on it."

"Even though your mom and Uncle Hades aren't exactly the closest?" Macaria asked.

Uma shrugged. "We're still blood and it's a relationship that everyone on the Isle knows and wouldn't question."

"I don't know Uma," Mal said as she bit her lip. She wasn't going to lie, she liked the idea of spray painting being her thing. Art may have been toeing the line at being something a prissy pink Boreadon princess would be into but Mal couldn't help it. She loved sketching and drawing and spray painting….it felt good being decent at something that wasn't evil.

Ben looked over and gave Mal a small smile. I knew it! I knew she wasn't evil, that they weren't evil, he thought. All they need is someone to give them a chance!

"Art's not prissy though," Rowyn said, shaking her head. "You can do anything with art. Some of my favorite things to draw are the battles from our history textbooks after all."

"…that's an option?" Mal asked, looking intrigued despite herself.

She could never say that out loud though. She may only be six but she knew the score on the Isle. Besides, she was seen as Maleficent's daughter—and Maleficent would never be caught dead with a sketch book in her hands.

"I'm sure she'd rather have a spell book," Audrey muttered.

"I'm not going to steal your thing if that's what you're worried about," Uma said, rolling her eyes and not for the first time since Mal had known Uma the purple haired girl was left wondering if her cousin could read minds.

"Well I mean…all Olympians can technically," Macaria said with a small smile.

"You can keep graffitiing random stuff all over the Isle and sketching to your heart's content. Heck you can even spray paint another tag—maybe an octopus with the words 'we roll with the tide' near the docks just as another reminder for Freddy boy.

"I thought it was 'we ride with the tide'?" Mal asked.

"It is," Uma nodded. "I couldn't read Gil's handwriting when he came up with it so I thought it said 'roll' instead of 'ride'."

But you're the one worried about people finding out about you being Uncle Hades' daughter. This is a win win—we get the tag up there and no one finds out."

"That really is quite clever," Eric nodded.

Mal sighed. "Sometimes I really hate it when you're right."

"Really? I kinda like it."

"Of course you do," Jay said with a small chuckle.

"Of course you do," Mal chuckled as she put the torn out page back in her sketchbook, closed it, and hid it under the mattress. She had another book in her room in the Underworld but it wasn't worth the risk of carrying the sketchbook in the open.

Mal sighed. There hadn't been time for her to get that sketchbook from the Isle before she was carted off to Boreadon, and she doubted there'd be a way for her to get it back without someone looking through it.

Oh sure she might be able to play it off like it was a spell book the first time someone caught her with it. But as mentioned before, the villains of the Isle weren't dumb. If word got back to Maleficent or the dragon caught her with the sketch book…well Mal knew what would happen. The sketchbook would probably be turned to ash and Mal would be taught another 'lesson'.

"Do you really think anyone would question you again if you told them it was a spell book?" Jane asked, her voice growing meeker as Mal looked at her.

"Maleficent would have asked to see it," was the only thing the purple haired Godling said.

Thankfully, no one but her crew, Steph and her dad knew about the clubhouse so she knew her sketchbook was safe.

Persephone smiled, making a mental note to get the sketchbook from the clubhouse so she could bring it back to Mal.

"I'm serious Mali. Teach me. We can do it at Uncle Hades so no one needs to know it's your design."

"I already said yes, stop pressing."

"Oh Gods, it's Akiho and Ben!" Emir chuckled.

"Sometimes you can never tell with you." Uma said as they got up. "Are we doing it now or…?"

"Well we can do it today but I figured while we're here, we'd get a sparring match in," Mal said with a smirk.

"Of course. Uma's Mal's sparring partner no matter what," Jay said, shaking his head fondly.

"Oh so you feel like losing today?"

"Hey, you're sleep deprived. I think I could actually win this time!"

"Ha! In your dreams, cuz!"

"At least I'm getting dreams!"

Chad chuckled slightly and looked over at Ben. "Who does that sound like?"

"Will and Conner," Ben nodded with a grin.

"Who?" Jay asked.

"Our team mates," Emir told him.

"Not for long. Once Aunt Steph has her baby, you'll be joining me in the lack of sleep club."

Well…you weren't wrong there, Mal thought with a small sigh.

Mal chuckled and tossed Uma her sheathed sword. "Just draw your sword Uma. The sooner you do, the sooner you can lose and the sooner I'll be able to teach you how to spray paint."

"You know, I'm surprised there were any empty walls for Uma to learn," Jay said with a slight smirk.

"We practiced in the Underworld," Mal said.

"Specifically in the room that became my room," Uma added.

Poseidon looked over at Hades. "You gave her a room?"

"She was over so often, it just made sense," Hades said, shrugging slightly.

Uma chuckled and unsheathed her sword just as Mal did the same. The two cousins smirked before the sound of clanging steel broke the silence. This was how Harry and Jay found them about half an hour later, still going strong.

"Half an hour?" Neal exclaimed.

Mal shrugged. "That's short for us. We've gone as long as three hours before."

"Why am I not surprised?" Harry asked, shaking his head.

"Because you know our captains well," Jay chuckled. "I'd say we should spar too but then we run the risk of running into them."

Harry nodded. They all knew it was better to start two spars at the same time—that way each of them could have their own area and not risk bumping into each other.

"That's smart," Lonnie nodded. "Our R.O.A.R. team could learn to do that."

Having to explain an injury they got from sparring to their parents would not be fun.

"That would require them to care," Carlos muttered under his breath.

"You meet your dad's quota?" Harry muttered and Jay nodded.

"Just barely," Jay muttered back. "But I still made it."

"Good," Emir said with a nod of his head. At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore. He's in Auradon now—good pick Ben.

"Good. You know I'd have snuck you onto the ship if Jafar locked you out of the house again."

And you were the one insisting we didn't need him in the crew Harry, Mal thought with a small smile.

"Thanks Harry but I would have just come to the clubhouse. The weather hasn't been too bad and you or Uma would have probably been here anyway."

"Why would the weather impact your decision to stay in the clubhouse rather than the ship?" Elle asked.

Jay shrugged, not wanting to reveal the fact that sometimes kids opted to sleep in alleyways if they couldn't go home for the night. They may have been revealing all their secrets but that didn't necessarily mean Jay trusted the Auradonians.

Mal normally would have been at the clubhouse too but ever since she revealed the news about her father, she'd been spending her nights in the Underworld—or her once a week night at Maleficent's.

"I'd have preferred if it was every night in the Underworld," Persephone said with a sigh. "And you three know you've got rooms if you need them."

"We know Lady Steph," Jay said, nodding his head as Milah gave Persephone another grateful smile.

Jay frowned as he noticed the mark on Mal's face. "Harry, is that a trick of the light or—"

"No, I see it too Jay."

"Who do you think—?"

"The only person who could," Harry said with a slight growl.

"Who do you think is brave enough to slap the girl the Isle knows as Maleficent's daughter? Maleficent . Yesterday was Mal's 'appearance' day after all. The dragon must have finally caught on that Mal's been spending her time around Lord Hades."

"But hasn't it been around a year?" Lonnie asked. "Surely Maleficent would have noticed before then."

"Maleficent's not the most attentive of evil beings," Mal muttered.

"But Mal's been Lord Hades' errand rat for at least a year ."

"Maleficent isn't the most attentive of mothers," Harry muttered before sighing.

"I'd like to revise my statement to what Mal said," Harry spoke up. Maleficent was not Mal's mom after all.

"Hey, are…are you going to be okay? This week…"

"I'll be fine Harry," Jay sighed. They were coming up on the three year anniversary of his mother's death.

"Oh! The poor dear," Fairy Godmother said softly.

Jay wasn't sure how Harry knew but assumed Mal had told them at some point once Jay joined the crew.

"Of course I did," Mal said softly. "I…you know Harry thinks without speaking Jay. I didn't want him to say something incredibly dim witted around that time."

"I'll probably be spending a lot more time around the clubhouse though. Dad seems to get worse around this time of the year."

"Worse how?" Aladdin asked though he wasn't sure if he wanted to know.

"His quota mainly," Jay said, shrugging slightly and pretended not to notice the sigh of relief from the former street rat.

Harry nodded. "Captain papa's the same. Though Harriet always makes a fuss because it's also the little runt's birthday."

Milah sighed and gently rubbed Harry's back, holding him close to her. She hated how Harry seemed to hate his sister—and of course she knew about that. There wasn't a moment that went by that she didn't check on Harry, on Harriet and CJ.

"You call your sister 'runt'?" Melody asked and Harry gave a stiff nod.

Jay nodded. Harry did not care for his little sister—though Jay knew that if anyone else said anything about CJ or went after her, Harry'd be the first one leading the charge to defend the younger girl.

"Like when Freddy made that comment," Jay added. "I thought Harry was going to kill him for that."

"You all should have let me," Harry muttered, a dark look flashing across his face.

"What was the comment?" Emma asked.

Mal shook her head. "Can't say it with under fifteen present," she said.

Their families may have been horrible but they were still blood .

"Well actually the saying is 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'," Ben said. "Meaning the bonds we've made with others are more important than the bonds bound by blood."

"Why am I not surprised you know that?" Chip asked, shaking his head.

The sound of a sword crashing to the ground broke the silence and the two boys looked in shock as Uma stood empty handed.

"The first time I ever won against Uma," Mal said with a small grin.

"I won?" Mal gasped but then laughed as the realization sunk in. "I won!"

"Congrats!" Macaria said with a grin.

"You got lucky," Uma scoffed but with a small smile on her face. "If I wasn't sleep deprived from the whelp—"

"All's fair in sparring Uma," Jay chuckled as he walked up. "Congrats Mal."

"Besides, you could have always slept in the clubhouse," Mal pointed out. But you wanted to be with your sister.

"Thanks Jay," Mal said as she put away the sword. "But I can still beat you all the way to Boreadon and back."

"Hey I've gotten better!"

"Jay, Celia could probably beat you and she can't even walk yet!" Mal chuckled.

"I wasn't that bad!" Jay exclaimed as Celia chuckled.

"Heck, Steph's baby could probably beat you."

"That would be pretty impressive," Hades said, giving Hadie a small grin.

"Okay, I'm not that bad! I've beaten you a couple of times and I've come close to beating Harry!"

"Close is not a win," Harry chuckled. "Ah don't feel bad Jay. We've got more experience than you is all."

"That's changed though. Jay's now one of the best swords we have in the crew," Harry said with a grin.

"Which considering you're a year older than us is not something we get to say often," Mal chuckled. "What are you two doing here? I thought you'd be out putting the fear of the Gods in Freddy boy and his Angels?"

"What makes you think they didn't?" Akiho asked.

"Because they normally grab us first," Mal told him.

"Well we did. Then we got bored and wanted to see where our captains were," Harry said. "At first we thought you'd be out pelting Blueberry with some more smoke bombs—"

"Except for the fact that Anthony was our target at that point," Mal said, picking at her nails.

"But there were no ear piercing shrieks so we dismissed that about fifteen minutes after we came up with it," Jay chuckled. "So the next option was to come here."

"From what we've heard, it's a pretty safe bet that you guys will be in your clubhouse," Kitty said with a small smile.

"Want to go grab a bite at Lord Hades'?" Harry asked. "I think Smee's working today."

"Why does that matter?" Emma asked.

"Smee tends to sneak us more food," Harry said. "Even more than if Lord Hades is working."

"I don't know Harry," Mal said with a sigh. "The Boreadon shipment is late. Again. I wouldn't want to cause dad to run low on supplies that could help feed other kids."

Chip leveled a glare toward Leah. Mal's six and she's having to think about things like rationing food because of your actions, he thought.

"What if we all share an order?" Uma suggested. "That way, we're not taking up the wares and we still get something to eat."

Belle couldn't help the sad smile that appeared on her face as she heard that. You poor kids…Auradon really did fail you didn't we?

"What about your—"

"I'm your cousin. We can do that any day."

"Not like we have any pressing matters to uphold on the Isle," Mal muttered.

"I dunno, remember that time we strung Dustin up the mast by his underwear?" Uma said with a chuckle.

"That was because he was spreading information about his flings in front of Hadie!"

Mal nodded. "Well, if we're all good with sharing a dish, I'm down with grabbing a bite at my dad's."

"Great!" Jay grinned and Mal grabbed Estelle, hooking the leash back on him. The crew quickly made their way to the restaurant, the girls slightly ahead of the boys as Harry and Jay kept an eye out for any possible attackers.

Chip gave the two boys a sad smile; that shouldn't have had to be something they would have to worry about .

They may have only been six and seven but they would still protect their captains. They were loyal to their core after all.

Hades had to smile as he heard that; happy that his daughter had such loyal minions. Oh sure she called them friends but he knew they were her minions.

"Who wants to read next?" Dizzy asked.

"I'll read," Fairy Godmother offered.

Chapter 26 Chapter Text

"I must say it's been interesting to see how the Isle's been," Fairy Godmother said.

"I…I don't know if 'interesting' is the right word mom," Jane said softly as her mother unfurled her scroll.

Time passed, as time often does.

"I see we're stating the obvious," Milah said as she shook her head in amusement.

Another birthday had come and gone for Mal, this time with a small party where Uma, Jay and Harry spent the day with her, her dad and Virgil. It had been nice, being able to spend the day with her cousin and friends-plus they had finally confirmed that Virgil was in fact Hades' nephew through Vanessa.

"Oh good, I'm glad we finally got that confirmed," Poseidon said with a smile.

"Wait…Panic and Vanessa had a…"

"Don't worry about it mom. No one really understands it," Harry said. After all, he didn't even know that Panic had a child with Vanessa until he met Mal so it'd make sense that his mom wouldn't have known.

Persephone had done a little digging since she was over across the bridge.

"I couldn't resist," Persephone said, shrugging slightly as some of the other readers looked over at her.

Poor kid had almost passed out when Hades told him but Virgil always seemed close to passing out so there was really nothing new there.

"Poor thing," Cinderella said, her voice a near whisper.

Honestly, Panic probably was more nervous than Virgil was though to be fair Virgil wasn't the one married to Lord Hades' niece. Mal didn't truly understand it but she knew Virgil was her cousin. That was easy enough to understand.

Several of the older readers there couldn't help but smile at the innocence of youth. No messy explanations needed, the older boy was her cousin. Simple as that.

It hadn't taken much in the way of persuading the boys to put Virgil under the crew's protection. Sure they were a little iffy at first considering Virgil was a year older than Jay but, as Mal reminded them, Virgil was jumpier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. That, plus the fact that he was a minion's kid, made him a prime target for gangs like Freddy boy's.

"Plus the fact that his dad was Uncle Hades' minion made Virg an even bigger target for Freddy," Uma stated. "Considering Freddy hates Uncle Hades."

Uma had easily backed Mal up-the daughter of the Sea Witch stood by their motto of Ruthless yet Loyal . If there was anyone Uma was going to be loyal to, it was her crew and her family. Besides, any extra reason to go after Freddy boy was a positive in both their eyes.

"Don't go picking a fight now," Persephone warned.

"Don't worry mom," Mal told her. "Freddy always starts it but Uma and I make sure to finish it."

"Yeah Aunt Steph, the day Freddy bests us in a fair fight…well I can't think of anything because it'll never happen," Uma added.

School continued on but Mal paid it no mind. The only purpose of Dragon Hall was to teach kids how to be evil.

Ben frowned slightly at the thought of Mal not liking school but at the same time he couldn't help but feel a jolt of excitement at the thought that she wasn't paying heed to a school that taught kids to be evil.

Mal though enjoyed her private lessons with her father, where she learned to harness her magic and made sure she at least had some control over it. They couldn't do any advanced lessons—mainly because of the barrier but also because Hades didn't want to risk Mal getting hurt.

"If you had to teach her, at least you were making sure she wouldn't get hurt," Persephone said with a sigh.

"Of course I did, Steph," Hades stated, shaking his head. "You know if I didn't, or if I forbade it, Mal would have tried to teach herself."

"I only meant I wish I was there too," Persephone told him.

With no proper doctors on the Isle, it wasn't worth the risk.

"That will be something that will be rectified too!" Ben stated.

"After the coronation," Chip told him.

"But—."

"After. The. Coronation."

"They need—."

"Ben, you're going to burn yourself out if you don't slow down okay? I care about this too but you're my brother. Your health matters too."

The private lessons, though, meant Hades soon learned about the 'lessons' Maleficent had taught Mal. To say the Lord of the Underworld was furious would be an understatement.

"Ah so we're still stating the obvious," Poseidon muttered, his hands curling into fists at the thought of anyone harming his niece.

Mal still remembered the rant her dad had gone on when he saw the mark Maleficent had made when she'd slapped Mal.

"And the Dragon's still alive?" Uma muttered.

"Mal? What's that?"

"My face?" Mal told him, aware that it wasn't what he had meant.

"Don't be cute Mali." Hades told her, picking her up and sitting her on the sofa.

She already is, Ben thought and then shoved that thought down into the back corners of his mind. He was with Audrey, he couldn't think like that.

"How'd you get that mark on your face?"

Mal shrugged, knowing that anything she said would just mean a worse 'lesson' from the dragon when she eventually found out. Because she always did.

Poseidon's hands curled once more into fists and he briefly wondered if it wouldn't help just keeping them balled up.

"Mal, did Maleficent do that to you?" Hades asked gently, trying to keep his temper under control. Mal didn't need him ranting about smiting his ex wife. At least not right now. That didn't mean that when Mal wasn't in the room Hades wasn't going to let it rip.

"So…when should I go get my sword?" Phillip whispered to Aurora.

"I said you could do it Phillip, why are you still offering?" Aurora whispered back.

"Because I mean every offer. A kid shouldn't fear their parent, even if that parent is just an egg donor," Phillip said and Aurora gave him a small smile.

Mal sighed. "She's the only one who could do it," she muttered. "Everyone else is terrified about potentially upsetting her to ever lay a hand on me. Freddy boy being the obvious exception but he's just a few bricks shy of a full load to borrow a saying from Steph."

"Ooh that saying fits Freddy perfectly and we've only seen him twice," Ashaki said with a smirk.

"I've said it before but I'll say it again. It's a shame how much he turned out to be like his father. Doesn't seem like he had a chance," Phoebus sighed.

Hades sighed and bit back the tidal wave of curses dying to come out of his mouth. Those were things Mal definitely didn't need to hear-though he was sure she already had.

"Oh I had, but you're always more creative with your curses than the pirates are, dad," Mal said with a smile.

Hades shook his head. "Flattery will get you everywhere Mal."

Most adults on the Isle didn't care if there were kids around when they let loose with their curses and swears. "Let me get you some ice, it'll help ease the pain," he told her.

Harry tilted his head. "Where'd…where'd Lord Hades get the ice? There's no running water on the Isle after all and I doubt salt water would freeze all that well."

"Mom probably brought it," Mal told him.

"I've had this for a day," Mal shrugged. "Besides dad, I'm a VK. Pain is what we're used to."

"My daughter doesn't have to be," Hades said gently before walking into the kitchen to get the ice. Satisfied he was out of Mal's earshot, he growled as he opened the fridge to try to get a bit of a barrier.

"I'm…why am I tempted to see if that'd work?" Rowyn asked.

"Because you're too much like your father," Rapunzel told her, shaking her head as Eugene smirked.

"GODS FREAKING DAMN YOU MALEFICENT! DID YOU AIM FOR THE FACE ON PURPOSE? WAS IT A WAY OF TAUNTING ME? KNOWING I CAN'T COME AFTER YOU OR THE WHOLE ISLE'LL KNOW MAL'S MINE! I SWEAR TO WHATEVER GOD THOUGHT GIVING YOU A CHILD WAS A GOOD IDEA, YOU'LL PAY FOR TOUCHING A SINGLE HAIR ON MY DAUGHTER'S HEAD!"

"…that's tamer than what I thought you'd say, Hades," Demeter told him.

"My child was in the next room and I didn't know how well the fridge would keep her from hearing it," Hades stated.

"Wouldn't you rather rant to Maleficent than the fridge, Lord Hades?" Chip asked.

"Of course. But Mal needed me."

"I know I didn't offer it at the time but you should know that my sword is fully available if you wish to go and slay a dragon," Phillip Sr. stated.

"Dad? Screaming into the fridge doesn't do much to block out the sound," Mal said dryly as Hades made his way back to the den.

"You weren't supposed to hear that," Hades said as he handed her a towel full of ice.

"Then you shouldn't have shouted into the fridge," Poseidon told his older brother.

"And yet I did," Mal said with a shrug as she put the ice on the mark on her face. "I've lived with the dragon for six years dad, I'm used to it by now."

"Excuse me Mali, but I have to go kill a dragon."

"Can we watch?" Uma, Jay, Harry, Emir, Akiho, and Chip all asked in unison.

Hades sighed. "Ask your mother, no, ask your mother, no, no, and even though I'm convinced you're a legal adult, no."

"Mom, can—?"

"No," Milah said firmly as Harry turned to look at her.

"Dad, what about me? Can I watch?" Hadie asked.

"When I'm dead," Hades told him.

"No! Dad, that's what she wants!" Mal exclaimed as Hades stood back up, presumably to do just that or at least confront his ex-wife. "Just ignore her. It's what I do-it's why Jay, Uma and Harry and I set up the club house in the first place. Maleficent may run the Isle but she doesn't know about the club house. It's the one place on the Isle she doesn't have spies."

"Back then," Hades said with a small smirk. "Over the years, your mother and I have made it so that the Dragon only has her spies on her side of the Isle."

"Mal, if you think I'm just going to sit by and-"

"What's stopping her from finding a way to file a report to Boreadon if you confront her?" Mal shot back and Hades sighed. She was right.

"But…like dad said, Maleficent would see that as admitting weakness right?" Lonnie asked. "So wouldn't it make sense for her not to file a report?"

"As we've said, the less we delve into her mind, the better off our blood pressure will be," Hades told her.

Hades hadn't gone to confront Maleficent after that but he did keep a close eye on Mal. Any new scrape, bruise or cut was immediately spotted and treated to the third degree-until Mal reminded him that she was friends with two boys and Uma. Roughhousing was kinda going to happen whether he liked it or not.

Hades couldn't help but frown slightly as he heard that. How many bruises that Mal had claimed were from roughhousing were really from Maleficent?

As the days dragged into weeks, Mal couldn't help but wait in anticipation for the day when Steph would arrive back on the Isle. It would be likely that Steph wouldn't have Mal's new sister but it would be close.

You can say that again, Persephone thought. Considering I think I went into labor as I stepped through the portal.

Oh, Mal couldn't wait to see little Haille and teach her all the important things—how to sneak things from under people's noses, how to sword fight, how to make the perfect smoke bomb and how to best Freddy boy in a verbal sparring match.

"Replace 'Haille' with 'Hadie' and you've described my childhood," Hadie said with a grin.

Not that Mal would ever let Freddy boy get close to her sister but if he did, Haille would need to be able to shut him down. No sister of Mal's was going to be lacking in sarcastic wit after all!

"Between Hades and Persephone, I think the 'sarcastic wit' gene is fully covered," Hera stated.

Besides, if Freddy did touch a hair on her sister's head, well then Mal would gladly introduce him to his precious Hellfire!

"You won't be alone there Mal!" Uma exclaimed while Jay and Harry nodded in agreement.

However, one grey September day, Mal's whole world was going to change even if she didn't know it yet. Quickly making her way to the Underworld as school let out, Mal grinned as Estelle greeted her at the door.

"You actually stayed the whole day?" Uma asked with a smirk.

"I didn't know if mom was coming home that day and I didn't want her disappointed that I skipped," Mal said with a shrug.

"Hey boy," she said, petting the Cerberus' right head as the middle and left ones tried licking her face. "Where's dad?"

Estelle gave a small yip and grabbed his leash, which was in a basket near the front door, with the mouth of his left head.

"Aww! He wants to go on a walk," Alexandria said with a grin.

"Oh you want to go on a walk? Okay boy but first I want to say hi to dad. He'll freak out if he doesn't see me since it's not an appearance day at the dragon's," Mal said. "I think Steph comes back today too. I don't want to miss her!"

Estelle gave a small yip even as he continued to maintain his position as guard dog.

"Sorry boy, no walk," Mal said and Estelle gave a small sigh. Mal shook her head. "Though I do have to say…maybe we should have taken it. All of that would have been over by the time we got back."

"But if you weren't there, who'd have gotten Anastasia?" Hades asked.

"Virgil? Pain? Panic?" Mal suggested.

Persephone though couldn't help but smile slightly at how excited Mal had been to see her.

Estelle yipped again and wagged his tail, whether in excitement over Persephone coming home or just from the excitement of seeing Mal no one knew.

"It's because Estelle's the best Cerberus ever and he's just always happy to see people," Dizzy declared.

"She's not wrong," Celia nodded.

A small commotion near the portal room caught Mal's attention and she scurried over, with Estelle trotting after her. In the portal room, Mal saw a sight that delighted her to her core. Steph was back! She was currently hunched over, though, and being propped up by her dad. It almost looked like she was in pain but that was impossible right? Steph was a Goddess after all!

"Oh dear, was everything alright?" Snow White asked, looking over at Persephone in concern.

"Steph!" Mal exclaimed with a smile, making her way into the room to properly greet her step mother. Estelle poked his noses in through the doorway and gave his little doggy smile at seeing Persephone as well.

Persephone gave Mal a small sad smile. "Any other time I would have been glad to hug you Mali, but I was a bit preoccupied at the time."

"I know mom. It's okay," Mal told her.

Ariel couldn't help but smile. "Estelle there reminds me of Max. When he found me on that rock."

"Mal, I know you're happy to see Steph but let's not give her a hug just yet," Hades said before turning back to Persephone, his tone low and a little worried.

All the fathers looked over at Hades with a knowing smile on their faces. As if knowing the first time father panic well, even if Hades was technically a second time father at that point.

"You're sure your water broke just before you—"

"You're in labor!" Demeter exclaimed.

"Mother, you know what day Hadie's birthday is," Persephone stated.

"Well yes but I had thought you were relaxing when you went into labor, not that you'd only just arrived back on the Isle!"

"Hades, I can assure you I'm not in the habit of wetting myself. The baby's coming!"

"Okay, okay," Hades said, gently rubbing her back as a contraction hit. Turning toward the door, Hades frowned as he saw that Mal was still there. She shouldn't be seeing this, he thought. The thought of Steph in pain would traumatize her and I'm sure this isn't the end of the contractions.

Oh no, it wasn't. Not by a long shot, Persephone thought.

"Mali, run and get either Lady or Anastasia Tremaine. They'll be the best ones to help right now," Hades said, trying to keep the worry out of his voice. She didn't need to be scared by this.

Cinderella sighed. It was almost bizarre to hear her step mother and step sister be referred to as aid in delivering a baby. Especially a Godling.

"But dad, can't I help?"

"You are helping though," Lucy spoke up.

"You can help by getting the person I asked for, Mal," Hades said, a tiny bit of his stress seeping into his tone by the fact that Mal was still there. Why did she have to be so stubborn?

"Well because she's got you and Persephone for parents," Poseidon pointed out.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hades asked.

"Hades…you're very stubborn."

"But—"

"Mal, go !" Hades snapped, and regretted it the instance he saw the slight look of hurt on Mal's face before her walls went back up.

"Sweetheart, thank you for wanting to help," Persephone said, her tone gentle. "But while your father shouldn't have snapped at you, he was right. You didn't need to see me like that."

She turned and left, Estelle by her side as always. Hades sighed and turned back to Persephone.

"Let's get you to our room, okay?" Hades suggested. "You shouldn't be on your feet right now."

"You're not going to apologize to Mal?" Hadie asked, looking at his dad.

"Hadie, mom was more important," Mal told him. "You needed to be born after all."

"You shouldn't have snapped at her," Persephone said as they slowly made their way to the bed. Thankfully their room was only across the hall from the portal room so Persephone didn't have far to walk. "She only wanted to help."

"I see you haven't changed much over the years, Aunt Persephone," Macaria said with a small smile.

"I know, and I'll apologize to her once all this is over," Hades promised.

"I mean…I know Mal and I are 'all that' and it makes sense to make a fuss but maybe use a bit of tact dad?" Hadie said, slightly teasing his father.

"All this," Persephone chuckled as she laid down on the bed. "It's only the birth of your kid but sure, let's refer to it as 'all this'."

"Like mother, like son," Hades said, shaking his head.

"Sorry, sorry. Bad choice of words," Hades sighed and gently kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling?"

"Better since that contraction passed," Persephone said, her brow lightly tinged with sweat from the contraction. Hades grabbed a cloth and dabbed away the sweat as gently as he could. "Eileithyia had warned me that giving birth might be harder on the Isle than it would be on Olympus or even in Auradon. I mean, I don't know how she knows what giving birth on the Isle is like since we're the only Gods who've stepped foot here-"

"She probably was going off of the fact that the barrier was set up around the Isle," Hera pointed out.

"Well you're going to be fine okay?" Hades said, grabbing her hand as another contraction hit. That turned out to be a mistake as Persephone gripped as though her life depended on it. Oh sweet Zeus, Steph, you're going to break my hand if you squeeze any harder! Mal, where are you?

"Gods I know that feeling well," Eugene said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, but it's better to just let her squeeze rather than comment on it," Kit added, stretching out his hand as if Cinderella had squeezed it five minutes ago rather than it being years since it happened.

Meanwhile, the seven year old in question was furiously making her way toward Curl Up and Dye; the most logical location for either Lady Tremaine or her eldest daughter to be. While they may not have had a medical system on the Isle, they did have the Tremaines—somehow the noble women had taken it upon themselves to become midwives on top of running the only hair salon on the Isle.

"How were they able to do that without any training?" Kitty asked.

"From what I understand, all their training was done on the fly," Uma said.

Maybe Lady Tremaine did it in an effort to make a suitable match for her daughters, maybe they did it so that if they were ever given a chance to get off the Isle they would be looked on more favorably than others. Mal honestly didn't care.

"The thing is, wouldn't the kids be invited off first?" Aziz asked. "So really it'd be Lady Tremaine's grandkids who'd benefit from that. Not her kids."

"There's still a benefit factor there though," Rachel told him.

Why would dad do that? Just yell at me like that? I could have helped! Instead he just tossed me out of the room like I was Estelle chewing on his slipper.

…Lord Hades has slippers? Akiho thought as he tilted his head slightly, never knowing that his father had the same thought run through his mind.

Mal shook her head. She would be able to talk to her dad once all this was over. Right now, she needed to focus on getting one of the Tremaines.

Hades couldn't help the sad smile that tugged at his lips. "We ended up having the talk a little later than we should have."

"Hello?" Mal called out as she stepped into Curl Up and Dye. Estelle stayed outside, mainly because Lady Tremaine hated dogs. If she was there, and saw Estelle, it wouldn't matter that Estelle was a Cerberus. She would have refused to help and Steph would have been up the creek.

"Which was probably why Lady Tremaine was the Dragon's midwife. Both of them have egos the size of the Isle," Mal stated.

"Mal?" Anastasia Tremaine asked, looking at her from behind the counter, and Mal sighed inwardly in relief. Anastasia wouldn't waste time needing Mal to play to her ego before she would agree to help. "Does someone need assistance?"

"Obviously," Chad scoffed.

"In her defense, most people would come to Curl Up and Dye for assistance," Mal said. "However, since she can't read minds, there's no way for Anastasia to know what they wanted—hair assistance or you know, birthing assistance. Hence the question.

Mal nodded. "It's Lady Persephone. I don't know what's wrong but Lord Hades told me to get either you or your mother."

Mal didn't need to told it was more than likely a better idea to play up the errand rat angle than reveal to Anastasia that Hades was Mal's father.

"Smart," Hades said, giving Mal a proud smiled.

Mal returned the smile and shook her head slightly. "Well it was the safest angle I could use. I couldn't exactly say 'my step mother/mother is in labor with my sibling' could I? That would just open up a can of worms you didn't need."

"I didn't realize Lady Persephone was pregnant," Anastasia gasped before grabbing a bag from behind the counter. Ducking into the back for a second, Mal could hear her instruct Anthony to watch the shop while she ran out.

"Oh I bet little Lord Tremaine got a reality shock there," Uma said, rolling her eyes.

"Anthony's not—."

"Sorry Dizzy but even I have to say my…my brother?" Celia said before slowly trailing off as she realized that was in fact the case. Anthony Tremaine was her brother.

Mal held back a snort as she followed Anastasia out of the shop and, grabbing Estelle, showed her the way to the Underworld. The young girl had to give Anastasia credit—she didn't react upon seeing Estelle. Then again, they had a time crunch. Her sister was coming and she wasn't going to wait for Anastasia to dilly dally.

"Let no one ever say Mal is a patient person," Carlos said, his voice soft.

"Lord Hades?" Anastasia called out as they entered the Underworld once more, the journey made in silence.

"In here!" Hades called from his room, all the way at the end of the hall. "Anastasia, thank Gods. I—"

"I have to say, Anastasia is a lot better suited to being a midwife than her mother," Persephone spoke up.

"I'm not surprise. Anastasia was always the more maternal one," Cinderella said, her voice soft.

"No need to explain, just tell me how far apart the contractions are," Anastasia said as she walked into the master bedroom. Mal tried to follow but was held back by her dad.

"Not this time Mal," Hades said gently. "You wait outside okay? You don't want to see this."

"Not this time? So was that to imply I'd be going through labor again or that Mal would be present in the room for the next time I went into labor?" Persephone asked, gently teasing her husband.

"But—"

"No Mal," Hades said, more sternly before shutting the door. Mal stared in shock before sinking down to the floor in front of the door to Hades and Persephone's room. The door was thick enough that, if people kept their voices down, Mal couldn't hear what was being said.

However, when one was giving birth they weren't likely to keep their voices down.

That would be an understatement, Aladdin thought as he glanced at Jasmine, thinking about all the screams, all the exclamations, she had emitted. He found himself hoping Lady Persephone had a short labor as to prevent Mal from hearing all of that.

Mal wrapped her arms around Estelle's neck and buried her face into his fur; trying to block out the sound of the occasional screams of pain coming from the closed room.

"I'm…I'm so sorry mom," Hadie said softly.

Persephone gave her son a small, sad smile. "The pain is temporary, my little lightning bolt. You however are forever."

Why is my sister doing this? Mal thought. Steph's in so much pain because of her! But…I mean she's a baby right? She doesn't mean to do this. Besides, I'm getting a sister. Someone who can look up to me!

"But…why wouldn't you have gotten a gender reveal when you were in Auradon, your ladyship?" Emma asked Persephone.

Persephone gave the girl a sad smile. "I wanted Hades and Mal to be there too. It seemed almost cruel to see for myself without them being there."

However, Mal couldn't help the tears that leaked from her eyes as Steph's screams of agony rang through the Underworld.

Hadie couldn't help but hate his lip. I'm so sorry mom, he thought. He knew it wasn't necessary but he wanted to apologize again.

For some reason, even though screams like Steph's weren't uncommon on the Isle, it hurt more when it was Steph.

"Who were you around who gave birth?" Hades asked Mal.

Mal shrugged. "Not every woman on the Isle could give birth in private dad. Sometimes Uma or I would stumble across one in an alley."

We really need to set up that hospital, Ben thought with a slight frown at the idea of women giving birth without the aid of medical professionals.

I could help! I may only be only half God but that's better than nothing! Hail better appreciate what Steph is going through for her! If this is what having kids is like, then I'm never having them!

Uma gave her cousin a sad smile. "You made the vow early then."

"Guess I did," Mal nodded, returning the smile.

"The vow?" Emir asked.

Mal sighed. "There are a lot of girls in our crew who've vowed to never have kids," she said and Emir nodded. He didn't need any explanation as to why.

The hours trickled by, with Mal still sitting guard outside Hades' bedroom door; waiting for news like Estelle begged for scraps.

"Why didn't you get your sketchbook?" Harry asked.

"Didn't think of it. Besides, if dad needed or wanted help I wanted to be ready," Mal said with a slight shrug.

Why would he let you know anything? A nasty little voice sounded in her head. After all, this is his and Steph's kid being born. A full God, someone who wasn't tainted by the dragon. A kid that dad can raise from birth and not worry that her mother will want her back because her mother lives with him.

Mal hugged Hadie close to her, burying her face in his dark blue hair. "I'm so sorry, I am so sorry," she whispered.

"It's okay Mali. You warned me remember?" Hadie whispered back though he wasn't going to lie, some of Mal's thoughts stung a little.

Mal shook her head to banish the nasty thoughts. Dad would be back to normal when Hail's born, Mal thought. Why would…

I mean I was right, dad would go back to normal once the stress of mom giving birth was over, Mal thought.

Mal's thoughts trailed off as the door opened for the first time in hours.

"Mali?" Hades said gently and Mal looked up from Estelle as she took in the lack of screams. Instead, a faint coo of a baby took their place. It was hard to believe…after all this time, Haille was finally here!

"I should have known something was up when you kept referring to Hadie as 'your sister'," Hades said, his voice soft as he let out a small sigh.

"Is my sister here?" Mal asked, standing up and looking at Hades with hope filled eyes. Hades gave him a small smile. "I'm a big sister now right?"

"I mean, yes to the second question…" Uma said with a shrug.

"That's right Mal. You want to come say hello to your little brother?" Hades asked and Mal blinked. Did…did he just say brother ?

Maybe the word for sister in Greek sounds like brother in English? Mal thought as she walked into the room.

"…does it?" Herkie asked.

"We can look it up later," Hyllus told his brother.

"Mal," Persephone said with a small smile, holding a bundle wrapped in a blue blanket.

You know, I'd like to point out that past me was an idiot. Blue's dad's color, that didn't necessarily mean that Hadie was a boy. I could have at least gone up to Steph, Mal thought with an inward sigh.

It was safe to say that Mal's world shattered into a million pieces. Instead of a sister who would look up to her, she would have a brother who would replace her.

"…Mal?" Hadie asked, and the slight hurt and confusion in her brother's voice caused Mal's heart to crack.

She pulled him closer than she thought possible and held him to her. "No matter what, I want you to know I don't think that anymore okay?"

After all, when you think about the Gods, who's the first who come to mind? The Big Three—dad, Uncle Zeus and Uncle Poseidon. You don't tend to think of the Goddesses, the nasty little voice was back.

Mal sighed, hating the fact that everyone was hearing about her negative thoughts—never knowing that the same type of thoughts were rattling around in her friends and fellow VKs' heads at that moment, as if her past negative thoughts had summoned theirs.

You're worthless…why can't you ever steal anything of value? If you had, maybe we could have had enough money to bribe someone to provide care for your mother! A voice that sounded like Jafar's rang though Jay's head.

If you hadn't bothered your mother so much during the pregnancy, she'd have had the strength to recover from CJ's birth! Harry's negative thoughts sounded through his head, sounding like his father.

You're fooling yourself into thinking that anyone cares about you. It's just you! Uma thought, taking care to make sure the mental link was muted.

You'll never be pretty enough to land a prince…it's why mother has to set you up with matches. Evie thought, lightly chewing on her lip.

You're a worthless, weak, ingrate of a son who can't do anything right! You'd be better off as a dog's chew toy! Carlos thought with a small sigh.

Why would dad want anything to do with you now that he has a son? Not just any son but a son who was full God? Someone who could easily break out of here once he was old enough-after all, what's fairy magic compared to the magic of the Gods?

Mal held back a sigh. Sure there was a part of her that had hated Hadie at the time but…she had also hated herself too. Hearing Gaston, Hook, hell even Frollo when he'd venture out from wherever he bunkered down talk about the importance of a male heir if Mal overheard them..she knew it was stupid now but back then it wasn't hard to realize that she wasn't a boy. She wasn't a full God. She wasn't what her dad needed.

"Mal?" Hades' voice broke through her thoughts and Mal looked up at her father. Hades looked at Mal with a kind smile that had hints of concern hidden with it.

"Call me crazy but it might be a good idea to talk to her or ask her what's wrong," Meg suggested.

"Go on, say hello to your brother Hadie."

Hadie. It was even worse knowing the little whelp's name. He was going to be a Hades clone…just like Mal was a Maleficent clone.

See? She even admits it Ben yet you're going to bring her over to Auradon and risk the safety of our kingdoms! Leah thought. She had opened her mouth to comment but a low growl from Estelle made her think otherwise.

"I am not Maleficent's clone. If I must be a clone, I want to be my mom's clone!" Mal stated.

I will not look at him. I'm not going to give dad the satisfaction! Mal thought as she turned on her heel and walked out of the room with Estelle on her tail—unaware of the stunned looks her father and step-mother were giving her.

"You had been so excited during the pregnancy," Persephone said. "We didn't know why you'd changed your mind."

Marching into her room, Mal waited until Estelle was safely in before slamming the door behind her. The sounds of Hadie's cries pierced the air, only slightly muffled by the door.

Ben tried to school his face into one that didn't have a disappointed expression on it. He knew Mal was seven there, he knew she loved her brother.

But…there was a part of him that longed to do nothing more than hold his little sister. To be able to truly call himself a big brother. And to hear Mal reject Hadie just because he was a boy…?

"I…I'd never shut him out anyway but if I didn't let him in, Estelle would just let himself in," Mal said, her voice soft.

Flinging herself onto her bed, Mal grabbed her pillow and jammed it over her head as to block out the wails.

It didn't work, Mal thought with an inward sigh.

Why did he have to come? Life was perfect before—almost like getting to see the sun, like in Steph's stories!

I know the feeling Mal, Harry thought. Before the runt came, life was perfect. Just the Captain, Harriet, me and mom.

Hey, it might not be so bad. He's the shiny new thing and then dad will be yours all over again. Just watch—dad's never let you down before.

Hades couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at his lips.

You always had me Mali. I love both my kids equally, he thought.

Unless you count the fact that he left you to live with the dragon for five years until he finally got around to telling you he was your father.

Hades wasn't going to lie, hearing that thought from Mal was almost like getting slapped in the face.

The whelp will just ruin everything!

Mal shook her head. Whelp was Uma's nickname for Celia, and even now it had become more of a term of endearment rather than the cruel nickname it had started out as.

Celia rolled her eyes as she noticed that some of the AKs were looking at her. "What? I'm supposed to be upset because of a nickname? I'm a VK, full Isle born. We're made tougher than that."

No, Mal needed her own way to show her displeasure toward… him.

Hatchling? No that was too close to dragon…which he wasn't. No relation to Maleficent at all. Just another way he blotted out the sun of her life. Like a…cloud.

Wait…no…it's just a coincidence right? Mal's nickname for me is a play off of mom's nickname of 'lightning bolt'. That's what she always told me, Hadie thought to himself.

Mal smirked as she thought of the perfect way to reference her little replacement. After all, he ruined her life like a lightning bolt ruins a sunny day…and what brought lighting, at least according to Steph?

Storm clouds.

It was Hadie's turn to feel like he'd been slapped in the face. His nickname, the thing that was solely his, that Mal had given him…it'd been an insult? A way for Mal to show her displeasure at his very existence?

"…storm—?"

"Don't!" Hadie exclaimed and got up to sit next to Hades, missing the hurt yet understanding look on Mal's face.

It was a shame too. He liked storm clouds, he always had. But hearing them, hearing his nickname used as a way for Mal to show how much she hated him?

Besides, like Celia said, the full Isle born were made tougher than he was. He was just a half VK after all.

That was the perfect way to describe the little beastie. As a storm cloud-and that's all he would ever be!

"…well this was awkward," Akiho muttered to Emir, who rolled his eyes. He could sympathize a little with Mal; according to his parents he'd reacted the same way when his mom told him she was pregnant with Ashaki.

Akiho couldn't understand. He was an only child after all.

"Who…who wants to read next?" Fairy Godmother asked, her voice soft.

"I'll read," Phoebus offered.

Chapter 27 Chapter Text

Phoebus unfurled the scroll and hoped that the contents would be more uplifting than the previous one had been.

Mal groaned as the little storm cloud's cries continued to ring through the Underworld.

Great way to start, Hadie thought with a small sigh. He just loved hearing about how Mal hated him.

Sure it might have been irrational, to be upset about something that Mal used to feel, but if she could be upset that he hadn't been a girl then as Zeus as his witness he could be upset about this!

It had only been about three weeks or so but the little brat was as obnoxious as could be. What was worse was the fact that he seemed to take up all of Steph's time.

"Younger siblings always do at that stage," Robin nodded.

Mal hardly got to see or spend time with her step mother since the little storm cloud was born.

What did you expect? She's his mother! Mal thought as she tore yet another page out of her sketchbook, balling it up and tossing it in the corner where it joined the growing pile of pages containing ruined tag idea after ruined tag idea.

"I am also your mother Mal," Persephone said, her voice soft as she knew her son was also upset. "You could have said you wanted me honey."

The constant crying was making it hard to concentrate, and the interrupted sleep made drawing difficult since Mal kept messing up making it so the drawing didn't turn out right.

Oh sure, that's my fault too. Guess I'm just to blame for everything that goes wrong in Mal's life now, Hadie thought as he rolled his eyes.

She hated wasting the paper but at least it could be used as fuel if they ever needed to make a fire. Plus the page had been filled to the brim with tag attempts, there was almost no white space remaining. If she could find a spot to attempt a tag, it wouldn't have the space needed to be good.

Rose shook her head and looked over at Rowyn. "Are you sure you didn't die or something and take over Mal's body for a time? Because that sounds exactly like you with your sketches."

"If you're going to have a good sketch, you've got to have the proper amount of room on the page," Rowyn stated. "Mal gets it."

Uma was right after all, little siblings were useless. At least Uma didn't have to worry about Celia replacing her though.

"I don't know if I'd call them 'useless'," Aziz said, looking over at his brother and sister. "Strange? definitely. Annoying? Without a doubt. But never useless."

Dad did try though, Mal thought as she started on a fresh tag. The day the storm cloud was born.

Of course I did, Hades thought with a small frown as if the scroll had implied that he had just ignored Mal in favor of Hadie.

Mal shook her head. She hated thinking about that day...the day her life got turned upside down and not in a good way.

"Mali?" Hades called, knocking lightly on Mal's closed door a few hours after Hadie was born. Mal laid on her side, her back facing the door. She really didn't want to see her dad right now. She didn't want to hear the news that she'd been replaced.

This brings back memories, Kit thought as he remembered how Lucy had pouted for days after they had told the kids that Cinderella was pregnant.

Honestly he'd been surprised Chad hadn't done the same considering he had when Cinderella was pregnant with the twins but then again, it wasn't Chad's first rodeo so to speak.

It'd been bad enough just seeing her replacement, she didn't want to have it said out loud.

"Mal, come on. I just want to talk. You were so excited when Steph was pregnant, what changed?"

"Good," Meg said, nodding her head. "At least you're trying."

"My daughter was upset, of course I was going to try," Hades told her.

Hadie scoffed and rolled his eyes. Of course, Gods forbid Mal have her little feelings hurt over something stupid like thinking I'd replace her because I was a boy!

"You promised me a sister," Mal muttered under her breath. Later on, when Mal looked back on this time of her life, she would realize that neither Steph nor Hades ever actually said the storm cloud would be a girl.

I know the feeling Mal. But you should take it up with the Fates, not your dad, Harry thought as he unconsciously curled up next to his mom. He may have been sixteen but the last time he got to cuddle with his mom like this was when he was two. Sure Uma might give him grief but Mal and Jay were in Boreadon—none of the other crew would even know.

But in the moment, all Mal cared about was the fact that her dad had a son all his own.

Hades sighed. "I'll leave you alone for now Mal. But I do want to talk to you. I'll see you in the morning okay?"

"I know sometimes it's better to leave kids alone when they're upset but in this case you probably should have pushed more," Meg said with a soft sigh.

Mal stayed quiet as she listened to his footsteps grow softer and softer, the only noise other than Estelle's scratching at the door. She knew her boy wanted to go see her dad, she did too.

"And you always can Mali," Hades told her. "No matter what I'm doing, you and your brother can always come see me if you want to."

But...she didn't want to get hurt twice in the same day.

Is this what Maleficent meant by love is weakness? Could...could the dragon actually be right about something? Mal thought as the storm cloud's cries broke through her thoughts and Mal grabbed a pillow to cover her ears.

"Okay, past me was clearly sleep deprived or something to ever think that the Dragon was right about something," Mal declared.

"Stormy please...rest your head. Now it is, time for bed. Please stop, don't you see? I want Steph and dad for me," Mal sang softly, pressing the pillow to her ears to block out the wails and closed her eyes as she imagined a world where it was just her, her dad and Steph.

Elle couldn't help the small sigh that escaped her lips as she heard that. She wasn't going to lie, the same thoughts had found their way into her head after Melody had been born. Elle had been so worried that her parents would love her sister more because Melody could walk and Elle couldn't.

A world where it hadn't been the worst day of Mal's life-and considering how many bad days she'd had in the seven years she'd been alive that was saying something. After all, good days weren't exactly common with Maleficent as your birth giver.

"That feels like an understatement," Akiho muttered to Emir.

Estelle whimpered as the little storm cloud's cries seemed to grow louder. Mal rolled her eyes—she knew what that meant.

Mal sighed and shook her head. "All babies cry, past me. You never rolled your eyes at Celia when she cried after all."

Here comes dad, with another attempt for me to bond with my replacement, Mal thought with an inward scoff as she brought her sketch book higher and closer to her face as if to act as a shield. No thank you! I can stay in this room for as long as I possibly can dad! One of the only good things about growing up around Maleficent: hunger doesn't bother me!

Uma rolled her eyes as Jay and Harry looked at Mal in looks of shock and exasperation on their faces. "The day you actually pass up Uncle Hades' cooking is the day we need to get you tested for some sort of illness!"

After all, was skipping lunch really all that bad when the other option was spending time with…him?

Gods, a sister. All I wanted was a sister and you couldn't even do that! Instead dad had to have a bouncing baby brat! Was this some punishment from Zeus, for being part Maleficent?

"Zeus controls many things but he has no control over a baby's gender," Hera spoke up.

"Mal?" Hades' voice came from the other side of Mal's closed door, and Mal was surprised not to hear the usual crying. She hadn't even heard the cries fade as her dad walked away from the door the first time he'd come by. Guess she'd been in the zone so to speak. "Hadie's gone down for a nap if you'd like to join us for lunch?"

"Uh no. What you do when the baby goes down for a nap is take a nap yourself," Eugene stated.

"He's not wrong," Phillip Sr. and Kit nodded.

"You sleep when the baby sleeps," Shang added.

Mal grinned and hopped off the bed, putting her sketchbook away as to avoid it getting ruined somehow. While she had been prepared to skip lunch to avoid spending time with the storm cloud, she wasn't a complete fool. Nothing was worth skipping her father's cooking.

"Told ya," Uma said with a smirk.

"Yeah, yeah, you're a genius," Mal said and rolled her eyes.

The little beastie might have replaced her in the family but there was no way she was missing out on lunch because of the little demon. Wait no demon would be a compliment to him wouldn't it? Because of his connection to her father. Mal would have to revisit that particular insult.

"For the record, I do consider 'demon' to be an insult," Hadie said with a small sigh.

"Don't worry storm cloud, you're only a demon when you and I want the same bit of garlic chicken. Then you really don't know what 'no' means," Mal told him with a small smile.

"Don't call me that," Hadie snapped and the smile slid from Mal's face.

"There she is," Hades grinned as Mal opened the door.

"Dad, you saw me this morning," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "You know, at breakfast?"

"Doesn't matter. Every dad likes to see their kid," Phillip Sr. said, grinning at both Audrey and Phillip Jr.

"Yeah well that doesn't mean I don't like seeing my daughter," Hades told her as the two of them made their way to the kitchen. "Hey, Steph brought this stuff back from Boreadon—it's a type of paste that they put on food. Supposedly adds flavor to whatever they put it on. You want to try it out for lunch today?"

"Wait, so you were eating unseasoned chicken before this?" Alexandria asked.

"She does know we were eating practically garbage before we started catching the chickens for Uncle Hades right?" Uma asked, looking over at the other VKs.

Mal shrugged. Food was food after all, and why would her dad want to mess with stuff that was already good?

"Just because something works does not mean it can't be improved upon," Lonnie stated.

"I'm taking that as a yes," Hades said as he picked her up and sat her by the counter. Despite being seven, Mal still hadn't grown all that much.

"Don't you say a word!" Mal snapped at Uma, who smirked in amusement. Neither girl noticed a small smile tugging at Hadie's lips at the familiar banter.

That being said, she wasn't going to complain. Not when it meant a rare bit of attention from her dad in this post storm cloud era of her life.

"Mal could ease up a little. Hadie didn't ask to be born," Dizzy muttered to Celia.

"Give me fifteen minutes and then lunch will be served."

"Okay dad," Mal said with a small nod as she swung her feet, trying to find a way to amuse herself without her sketch book since she had left it in her room. She could try to practice her magic but what was the point?

"At least you've got a parent who teaches you magic," Jane pointed out. There was no malice in her tone yet Fairy Godmother couldn't help but frown as she heard it.

Her fireball never got any bigger and she couldn't practice any of the advanced stuff, not with the barrier around the Isle.

Besides, she hadn't had a private lesson with her dad in weeks. Not since the little storm cloud came around and blotted out her sun.

"Hmm, maybe because magic gives you an edge over Freddy?" Uma told her. "Did you suddenly develop a want to not lob a fireball in his face?"

"Hello Mal," Persephone said as she walked into the kitchen, a tired smile on her face upon seeing the young girl.

"Ah, the face of every new mother—tired yet exhilarated," Jasmine said.

"Especially a mother with more than one child," Aurora added.

"Hey," Mal nodded. She always seems tired lately, though with the storm cloud always crying I guess that's to be expected. Gods why couldn't he have been born in Boreadon? Then I could have both of them all to myself and nothing would have to change. After all I'm sure Uncle Zeus or Uncle Poseidon would watch the storm cloud in the six months Steph was here-or any of the other Goddesses.

So…there was once a time I was 'Uncle' Zeus to her? Zeus couldn't help but think, feeling a stab of guilt at what could have been the relationship between uncle and niece.

Plus she was sure that the Gods of Olympus were scrambling to make sure he was brought off the Isle. They probably started as soon as they saw the registry get updated.

"No, no they weren't," Mal said softly as Hadie looked away from her. "But if they won't then I will."

After all, the storm cloud was the son of one of the Big Three. Perish the thought of the son of Hades living amongst villains, and in squalor!

"Ease up on the sarcasm there Mal," Macaria said, trying to ease the tension that was building in the room.

Never mind the fact that Mal was Hades' daughter; the Gods didn't know that.

To them, she was just Maleficent's daughter. Someone who probably deserved to be on the Isle.

"You're only Maleficent's daughter to those without brains," Persephone stated as she looked over at Zeus.

"I beg your pardon!" Leah exclaimed.

"Oh right, forgot about her," Persephone muttered as Estelle growled at Leah.

"Steph, where'd you put the garlic paste you brought back from Auradon?"

"In the pantry dear," Persephone said and Hades went to go grab it but paused upon hearing Persephone's voice again. "No, wait, it should still be in my bag. Sorry, I meant to unpack it but with all the excitement—"

"Excitement would be one word for it," Ariel nodded, a small smile on her lips.

"No apology necessary Steph," Hades said, gently kissing the top of his wife's head. "Let me go and grab it. Be right back girls."

Hades left and an awkward silence grew. Truthfully, Mal hadn't really said much to Persephone since Hadie had been born. She didn't mean to, she just wanted to punish Hadie for coming and snatching her spot as dad's child.

Hadie couldn't help but wince slightly as he heard that.

"I'm sorry Hadie," Mal whispered as she lightly bit her lip. "That was cruel."

"Yeah well we're VKs, we're supposed to be good at that or has Boreadon already made you soft?" Hadie shot back.

"Hadie!" Persephone scolded.

"No, mom, don't. He's got a right to be upset," Mal told her.

Persephone shook her head. "That may well be Mal but he shouldn't take the fact that he's upset about something you thought when you were seven. If your brother needs to blame someone, he should blame your father and me for not talking to you before he was born."

But Persephone was almost always with Hadie. Mal honestly hated the sight, hated the look Persephone would get whenever she looked at Hadie.

The look a mother should have when they see their kid, Mal thought bitterly. Not the look of indifference or hatred Maleficent usually has. If I'm lucky, it's just a look of distain.

Mom looked at you the same way she looked at Hadie. You were just forcing yourself not to see it, Mal thought with a small sigh.

One gained an extensive vocabulary quickly when one had a God and the Mistress of All Evil as their parents—though Maleficent usually used hers when ranting about Auradon, Hades, the Isle, Mal and the Evil Queen; usually in that order.

"Boy does she need a hobby," Chip said with a small chuckle.

Hades used his when berating Pain and/or Panic or ranting about Maleficent or Zeus.

"Mal, sweetheart," Persephone said softly, "is something bothering you?"

"Thanks for trying mom," Mal said, her voice so soft it was almost like a whisper.

"I'm fine," Mal said quickly, making sure her walls went back up.

"Are you sure?" Persephone asked, giving Mal a kind smile. "It's just, we haven't really talked since Hadie was born. I want to make sure you're not feeling neglected. I remember you were so excited when I told you I was pregnant."

"I wasn't neglected, I was just being stupid," Mal sighed.

Yeah well you led me to believe I was going to get a sister, someone who'd look up to me, Mal thought bitterly. Not someone who was going to replace me.

"Actually, past me, that was you," Mal sighed. "No one said for sure Hadie would be a girl, in fact mom tried to remind you of that."

"I'm fine Lady Persephone," Mal said softly, making sure to face forward and therefore missed the slight look of shock and hurt that flashed over Steph's face.

Mal couldn't help but wince as Phoebus read that part. "I'm sorry mom, that was harsh."

"I know sweetheart. You were hurting and you lashed out," Persephone said, giving her daughter a small smile.

She hadn't been 'Lady Steph' in ages and she had never been called Lady Persephone by Mal. Mainly because Mal had had difficulty pronouncing it when they had first met.

Milah leaned down so that she was close to Harry's ear. "Reminds me of how you had trouble pronouncing Harriet's name when you were first starting to talk," she whispered.

"Mal—"

"Found it!" Hades said, walking back into the kitchen and holding up the jar of garlic paste, unknowingly diffusing the tense atmosphere that was building in the kitchen. "Why was it in your toiletry bag of all places?"

All the moms in the room smiled knowingly as they heard that—they'd all been there.

"Didn't one of the trade agreements wind up in Ashaki's changing table when Emir was a toddler?" Aladdin asked as he looked over at Jasmine.

"Yes," Jasmine nodded. "Comes with the territory of having more than one kid when there's an infant involved."

Rapunzel sighed and looked at Eugene. "Don't even start."

"I wasn't going to, Blondie," Eugene said with a grin.

"I don't know," Persephone said, shaking her head as she turned to look at her husband. "I'm going to say going into labor might have been the main cause."

"That would be a more pressing matter," Hades nodded. "Mal, are you ready to try this?"

Hades shook his head. "Damn. I should have taken longer to find that garlic paste!"

"It's not your fault dear. You didn't know what Mal and I were talking about," Persephone sighed.

Once again Mal shrugged though a small part of her couldn't deny the joy she felt in this. It was something the storm cloud couldn't replace her at. No matter what, she would always be her dad's food tester.

"Hey, now I've got two food tasters," Hades said with a grin.

"Um, you mean five right Uncle Hades?" Uma asked as Jay and Harry perked up at the thought. Milah couldn't help the small smile that formed on her lips as she saw how excited her son was.

"Actually six," Mal corrected. "Virgil will sometimes taste test too."

Just you wait though. Babies get older and soon dad will be using him for testing items for the restaurant. After all Ursula has Uma help out at the Chip Shoppe, why wouldn't dad have his precious son help at his restaurant? You'd be lucky to get the scraps off the brat's plate. That's if dad doesn't take back the deal and you have to go back to scrambling for food. At least you'd have Ursula's Chip Shoppe as an option. That's better than what most kids have on the Isle.

So that's why she got so defensive about her role as a food taster, Neal thought.

"I don't mind, we sometimes switch off now unless dad's making something he thinks Hadie won't like," Mal said, shooting her brother a small smile; trying to get him to at least look at her.

Sometimes, she really hated her thoughts. She was having a good time with her dad, why did they have to show up now?

Sometimes thoughts like that…they don't come when you want them to, Ben thought with a small sigh. After all, he was well familiar with thoughts that were almost similar to Mal's—a voice in his head that pointed out everything he was doing wrong as Crown Prince. How he'd be a horrible King. How his dad was going to come to regret stepping down.

"Hey Mali, do you know why eggs don't tell each other jokes?" Hades asked as he began to cook the chicken, the sizzling sound music to Mal's ears.

"Dad, it's probably because eggs can't talk."

"Nope. It's because they'd crack each other up," Hades told her and Persephone groaned.

"I thought it was good!" Phillip Sr. said with a chuckle.

"You did?" Phillip Jr. asked, looking as if he was questioning his own genetic makeup.

"It's my own fault. I got him that book of 'dad jokes' the last time I was in Auradon and he's been non stop with them," she said, shaking her head.

"Why would you encourage those jokes?" Jasmine asked Persephone, who just shook her head.

"What do you get from a pampered cow?"

"Who pampers their cow?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Spoiled milk!"

"Good one!" Eugene said with a grin.

Rowyn shook her head. "Only other dads appreciate a dad joke," she sighed.

"I'm with Mal though. Who pampers their cow?" Ashaki asked.

Mal shook her head but she couldn't avoid the small smile that began to creep onto her lips. She couldn't help it; the joke was just so…bad that it was hard not to find it funny in some regard.

"Hence why they're called 'dad jokes'," Kitty said, grinning from ear to ear. "Their sole purpose is to make you smile when you're feeling down and the best person to do that is a dad!"

"Oh really?" Cinderella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"After a mom of course!"

"Ah there it is!" Hades said, smiling at the sight of his daughter's smile. "Haven't seen that around these parts in a while. I have to say it's a welcomed sight."

"Your child's smile is always a welcomed sight," Belle said softly, giving Ben a small smile of her own.

Mal rolled her eyes but the smile stayed on her lips.

"Hey dad?" Mal asked softly as Hades continued to work on lunch. She didn't want to push her luck with how great everything had been the past hour or so but she really wanted to know the answer to her question. "Do you…do you think we'd be able to have one of our private lessons after lunch?"

"You never have to ask for a private lesson Mal," Hades told her. "I've always got time for my kids."

Mal gave her father a small smile. I know dad. You'd break out of the Isle if you thought I needed you, she thought to him.

Count on it Mali. Hades thought back.

"Of course Mali," Hades nodded and Mal's smile turned into a grin. Finally, she'd be able to spend time with her dad—just her and him. No annoying little beastie to ruin anything.

Hadie rolled his eyes. "I get it Mal, I ruined your life! Stop harping on it!"

Mal flinched slightly and nodded slowly. She wanted to apologize, to let Hadie know that those thoughts were a thing of the past but she knew her brother didn't want to hear it. She shook her head slightly as Hades opened his mouth to scold Hadie, the last thing she wanted was for him to think their parents were playing favorites.

We need to talk to them, Persephone thought to Hades. I don't like the fact that Hadie's upset—he has every right to be of course but he's punishing Mal for something Mal couldn't help from living with Maleficent for years.

"Dig in!" Hades said, handing Mal her lunch. "Garlic crispy chicken, for your enjoyment. Let me know what you think, Mal."

Mal eagerly dug in and she couldn't help but be amazed at how much better it was than her dad's regular chicken. It was hard to explain, maybe it was the garlic?

"It's the best meal in the world, it doesn't need an explanation," Mal stated.

"You like it?" Hades asked and Mal nodded, too focused on eating every last bit of chicken to answer.

"So like every time Mal has the garlic crispy chicken at the restaurant?" Uma asked with an amused smirk.

"I think that's a yes dear," Persephone said with a smile. "You should put that on the menu in the restaurant."

"I think I just might. The other patrons might think I'm trying to poison them but then again, they thought that when I began offering chicken in the first place," Hades nodded as he and Steph dug into their lunch as well.

"I'm pretty sure they still think that if I'm being honest," Hades added.

Before long, the lunch had been consumed and one seven year old was eagerly waiting for her private lesson with her dad.

"Alright Mali, let's—"

"Excuse me, Lord Hades?" Pain spoke up, interrupting Hades and earning a glare from the Lord of the Underworld.

"And the award for worst timing goes to…" Akiho said, shaking his head.

"What?"

"L-L-L"

"Speak quickly," Hades said with an eye roll. Pain wasn't typically the kind to stutter but it could happen occasionally and it was more annoying than Panic's. Panic's at least had a reason, he was panicky. When Pain stuttered, all it served was fuel for Hades' urge to throw Pain out the window.

"Fatherhood's really changed you huh Tex?" Meg said with a small smile. "There was a time when you would have incinerated Pain or Panic for annoying you."

Hades shrugged. "Pain was telling me my son needed me. Not really an incinerate worthy offense nut-Meg."

Not to mention but before Mal and Hadie came along, Pain and Panic were my only company when Steph was in Auradon, he thought. I could never really hurt them.

"Lord Hadie is up," Pain said and Mal's heart sank as Hades nodded. Persephone had gone down for a nap so Hades was the only parent available for Pain to go to.

"That is generally how that works," Audrey scoffed.

"Says the girl who was probably raised by servants," Uma shot back, glaring at Audrey.

After all, Hades had threatened to chuck his minions into the cove if they even so much as coughed while Persephone was napping.

"Didn't Uncle Hades actually do that to Pain when we were eleven?" Uma asked with a small chuckle.

"Yeah he did," Mal nodded.

"Thankfully Pain floats," Hadie added with a small chuckle of his own.

"I'll go get him," Hades said.

"Dad, what about—"

"We can still do it Mal. I just need to take care of Hadie first," Hades said and he walked off to the nursery where the little sun spot resided.

Hades winced as he heard that. He'd been so distracted that he hadn't realized what he had said at the time.

Mal stared at his retreating form, not knowing what to do.

"Go after him," Melody suggested. "He can't know you're upset if you don't tell him."

First. He actually said first. See? The storm cloud's not even a month old and he's already replacing you in your dad's eyes.

Yep, I should have worded that differently, Hades thought with a small sigh.

Mal sighed and went back to her room, Estelle trotting behind her as usual. If this was going to be the new normal, Mal wasn't going to stick around for it.

"Okay, now you're just being overdramatic," Uma sighed, shaking her head.

"Guess by now I ought to know my place," Mal began to sing under her breath as she grabbed a small bag. She didn't know why she was singing but it felt...right. It must be an Olympus thing. "But I won't stand by and watch myself get replaced. Dad knows how much I love him, but now he's got more important things. So I'll keep waiting in the wings."

"You're not an understudy Mali, you never were," Hades whispered to his daughter.

I know the feeling, Ruby thought with an inward sigh as she glanced at Evan. I know it more than you think Mal. After all, mom and dad stopped having kids after they had Evan. What else was I supposed to think?

Quickly, she tossed some clothes and her sketch book into the bag along with Estelle's supplies (food and water, dog treats, toys) before closing up the bag and tossing it over her shoulder. The lone food bowl and water bowl would have to stay behind-they were located in the kitchen and Steph and dad would definitely notice them missing. She had to get out of here before her dad came back and caught her.

"Or I could have found you," Persephone reminded Mal. "I wish I had."

Though maybe that would just be the reason he needed to kick me out. Make more room for his precious son, Mal thought as she made her way to the front door; Estelle by her side as always.

"I would never kick you or Hadie out," Hades said firmly. "The Underworld is your home, Mal. You always have a place there as long as you want it."

"Come on boy," she said, clipping the leash to Estelle's collar. "It's clear we're not wanted here. Let's go see if the clubhouse would be a better home."

"You do that again young lady and you're grounded," Persephone said firmly.

"At least she had Estelle with her. Plus Uma, Jay, and Harry knew where the clubhouse was so she wasn't completely on her own," Hades pointed out.

Estelle gave a small yip and the two of them slipped out of the Underworld, making their way to the clubhouse that had quickly become a second home to her and her crew.

"He probably knew you were upset," Ben said, his voice soft.

"Guess we're going to have to get you a food and water bowl for here huh boy?" Mal asked as she sat down on the bed. The crew wasn't likely to show up today, which was good. As much as Mal cared for her crew, she didn't really want to be around anyone right now.

"Hopefully those bowls were still useable," Lil' Shang said.

"They were," Mal nodded.

"You know we probably should have had a food and water bowl for Estelle there anyway," Jay said and Mal gave him a small smile as she realized he wasn't drawing attention to her emotional display.

"Why didn't we?" Harry asked.

"You stepped in Estelle's makeshift water bowl when sparring Uma and complained for a month about your wet sock," Jay deadpanned. "We never replaced it since it broke when you stepped in it."

Sighing softly, Mal conjured a small fireball and stared into the lilac flames before vanishing it.

She'd be alright. After all, she'd stayed in the clubhouse plenty of times before she found out that Hades was her dad.

"What were you thinking?" Emma asked. "When you conjured the fireball?"

Mal shrugged. "It's been over nine years, I couldn't tell you if I wanted to."

Wait, what about stopping by the restaurant? Mal thought. Dad'll probably start working there more often now that I ran off, as an excuse to talk to me.

"Did you? Poseidon asked, looking at his older brother.

"Of course," Hades nodded.

Persephone shook her head. "He practically wore himself out trying to juggle both the restaurant and being home to help with Hadie. I almost pulled a Queen Rapunzel and knocked him out with a dented frying pan that showed up in one of the barges just so he'd sleep."

With his bouncing baby brat? You heard him, the storm cloud comes first.

Harry bit his lip as memories came flooding back to him, about how he had said similar things about CJ. The only difference was, his sister deserved them for taking his mother. Sure Leah had been mainly responsible for the food situation causing his mother to grow weaker but if she hadn't been pregnant with CJ, she'd have still been alive—Harry knew Mal was just upset because she wanted a sister.

"You don't mean that," he said softly, looking over at Mal.

Besides, you can just send Jay or Uma to make the order and bring it back to the clubhouse. Get yourself involved in a sparring match with Harry, that way you've got a believable excuse why you can't go.

"Why Harry?" Emir asked.

"He can spar for hours," Uma said, shaking her head. "I already know that's why Mal picked him. Every move has to be perfect."

"I'm a Hook. We can't be bad at sword work," Harry stated.

Mal nodded before patting the bed for Estelle to hop up. The Cerberus did just that and rested his heads on Mal's leg.

"Have I told you guys before that Estelle is one of the best gifts you ever got me?" Mal asked. "Well if I hadn't then I want to take this moment and say that he is and if I have then it bears repeating."

Of course Mal gets a Cerberus because she was upset that she wasn't invited to a party. Watch me not get one—and I wasn't invited to freaking Auradon! Hadie thought.

"At least you'll never leave me boy," Mal said softly, scratching Estelle behind the ears of his middle head as she looked at the barren walls of the clubhouse.

Estelle gave a soft yip at that, wanting to go and comfort Mali but knew he had to keep an eye on the mean older human!

Thankfully, she had plenty of spray paint here and two sketchbooks filled with designs. It was time to get to work.

"We left Mal alone with empty walls, spray paint, and her sketch books," Uma said, shaking her head.

"And we wondered why the clubhouse looked different the next time we were there," Jay added, chuckling slightly.

Phoebus cleared his throat. "That's the end of the scroll."

"I'll read next," Persephone stated.

"Steph, you already—."

"I'll read next," Persephone said, giving Hades a look.

Chapter 28 Chapter Text

Persephone quickly unfurled the scroll. She knew Mal hadn't resented Hadie for too long after he was born but she hoped this scroll would show that. Otherwise the talk she was going to be having with her kids was going to be a very awkward one.

"You want to tell me why you're not talking to Uncle Hades?"

"Oh thank Gods, someone's addressing it," Emir sighed in relief.

Mal sighed as she put the swords away from the sparring session they had just had. It had been about three weeks since she 'moved' out of the Underworld and set up in the clubhouse.

"Three weeks?!"

So that's six weeks she hated me, Hadie thought with a small sigh.

She missed her home there more than she thought she would but the last thing she wanted was to watch herself get replaced.

Hadie rolled his eyes once more. Gods, were these scrolls just going to always have a reminder of how his sister hated him?

Avoiding her dad and Steph had been easier than she thought, considering there was only one way in and out of the clubhouse and Steph knew where the clubhouse was.

"Yeah, that is a good point," Harry nodded. "How'd you avoid getting caught?"

"You'll see," Mal sighed. She wasn't exactly proud about how she avoided her parents back then.

Granted, Mal figured they didn't think she'd crawl under the bed upon hearing the gate open like a Boreadon prissy princess.

Hades sighed and shook his head. "I thought I heard something under the bed when we went up there."

But that was the rule of the Isle-always keep 'em on their toes. Besides, they couldn't drag her back if they couldn't find her.

"…she's got a point," Lil Shang said though it was clear that he didn't want to agree with the concept of hiding from ones parents.

"I don't know what you're talking about Uma," Mal said, turning back to the task at hand.

"Uma won't fall for that," Jay shook his head.

"Yeah right," Uma scoffed. "You've been sparring with Harry more and more, to the point where we have to get the orders to go when we get lunch at Uncle Hades. Of course, whenever we get lunch at mama's shop you're fine with cutting your match short."

"Are you sure it wasn't so much concern for Mal that you were talking to her about this and more because you wanted your sparring partner back?" Jay teased.

"Can't it be both?" Uma shrugged. "Besides, Harry was your sparring partner Jay. Don't tell me you weren't tired of Mal hogging him."

"Seriously Uma, you're imagining things," Mal told her, plopping on the bed and petting Estelle behind the ears.

"Uh huh," Uma said, rolling her eyes. Harry and Jay had already left for the day, Harry needing to go man the counter at his father's fish shop and Jay still needed to complete the quota assigned to him by his father.

Honestly James, he was too young to do that, Milah thought, shaking her head a little. I know you thought the shop would keep any kids we had out of trouble but to put them to work at six years old?

"Honestly Uma, there's nothing to—"

"So if I said let's go to Uncle Hades right now, you'd have no problem with it?" Uma asked. "Cause Aunt Steph should be back now and yet you haven't said a single thing! You normally never shut up when she gets back from Boreadon."

"It's true," Uma nodded. "Sometimes she'll talk about Aunt Steph being back while we're sparring!"

"It's called multi-tasking Uma," Mal said, shaking her head.

"She's gone and come back twice since I've known her. Can you really say I never shut up?"

"You know what I mean," Uma said.

Mal sighed. "Steph gave birth," she muttered, petting Estelle as if to have something to do with her hands.

Demeter smiled. Despite the seriousness of the scroll and the fact that her granddaughter had felt the need to run away from her home, the thought of her daughter with another child of her own just filled her with joy.

"Mali, that's great!" Uma beamed. "Come on, I can't wait to meet my little cousin!"

"At least one of the Captains was excited to see me," Hadie muttered. Referring to Mal as her title of 'co-captain' made her hatred hurt less.

Uma made her way to the door but paused when Mal wasn't following her. "Um, hello?" Uma said as she turned around. "Let's go!"

"She gave birth to a son," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes.

"So?"

You don't get it Uma. You spend all the pregnancy excited about getting one younger sibling and then when the opposite happens…Harry thought. After all, the Captain had spent all of his mom's pregnancy with CJ telling Harry the joys of having a younger brother.

Yes, he still remembered that despite being two when his mom was pregnant. Sue him.

"So? So?!" Mal exclaimed. "I wanted a sister Uma! Someone who would look up to me! Someone I could teach the important things to! But all he is is a replacement."

"You can still teach Hadie the 'important' things," Kitty pointed out.

"Not all of them," Lucy said. "You know, the joys of womanhood?"

"Oh…right…Hadie's lucky he doesn't have to deal with that."

"Mali, he will still look up to you," Uma told her. "Boy, girl, doesn't matter. Any sibling would."

Mal shook her head. "No. All he is is a replacement. After all, he's full God, someone who's Steph's kid and not the dragon's. Dad doesn't have to worry about the storm cloud getting taken from him if Maleficent changes her mind about raising him, like she did me."

I do have to say, if I'd come back from my tower and from Gothel to see my parents with another kid, I'd have probably thought the same thing, Rapunzel thought to herself.

"Okay, I'm getting the sense that you feel betrayed—"

"Yes, well, that's one of the unpleasant side-effects of betrayal," Mal muttered.

"You didn't get betrayed! Gods, my past self was dramatic," Mal sighed and shook her head.

"Was?" Uma, Harry and Jay asked in unison.

Uma sighed. "Mal, I'm going to ask you two questions okay? And give me honest answers."

"We're VKs Uma. Since when do we do honest?"

"She's got a point," Harry nodded.

"Yeah well we don't lie to the crew," Jay told him, giving the First Mate a look.

"Shut up and let me talk," Uma sighed. "Okay, first question. Have you spoken to Uncle Hades or Aunt Steph about this? Second question, have you ever actually held your brother?"

"Uma, why are you asking something you already know the answer to?" Harry asked. "No and no."

"You're not exactly one to talk Harry," Uma said, giving him a look.

"No, why would I talk to them about this?" Mal asked, crossing her arms. "They're too busy with him. And why would I ever go near that little storm cloud?"

Because he's your brother, Kitty thought as she glanced over at Chad. She couldn't help but wonder where her brother went. The one who used to check under her bed for monsters and help her with her sword work. It wasn't necessarily expected in Charmington but their father didn't want any of the kids to be unable to defend themselves if needed.

"Mal, when dad told me about Celia I wasn't very happy either," Uma said as she shook her head. "You were there that day in my mom's kitchen, you've listened to me rant constantly about how Celia would be useless. But when dad handed her to me, from that first moment she was mine and under my protection. Hadie may be a boy but he's still your sibling. Just think of him as someone who's yours."

Zeus looked over at his great-niece. "Have you ever thought about going into politics? You're a very good speaker."

"I'm a Captain. You don't get to be Captain by being bad at public speaking," Uma said, her voice flat as she glared at her great-uncle.

"It's not the same Uma," Mal told her. "Celia wasn't a replacement, she's just your sister. Why would I want to think of the storm cloud as mine when all he's here to do is ruin my life? For all I know, dad and Ste—Lady Persephone are getting ready to ship me back to Maleficent now that they have their own kid."

Oh…I…I never thought about that. The fact that Mal had to deal with the Dragon always looming over her shoulder, Hadie thought as he bit his lip. Still though…I was a baby! Why blame me? All I did was be born!

"Mal, the entire time Aunt Steph was pregnant, did they ever even for one second make you feel like you were being replaced? No. You were involved in everything, we both were—from painting the nursery to getting Aunt Steph the foods she wanted. You were there before the baby was born and when you thought he was a girl, you were counting the days. I know you still have the countdown tallies on the last page of your sketchbook. For Poseidon's sake, your brother's not a replacement. He's just a sibling—but maybe it'd be better if you heard it from your dad."

"You got Lady Persephone the foods she wanted? I thought she spent most of the pregnancy in Auradon?" Ben asked Mal.

"The first couple of months were spent on the Isle," Mal told him. "Mom didn't really have 'cravings' if that's what you were wondering. She mainly just asked for dad's chicken."

"Garlic crispy chicken specifically," Uma added. "And yet we're amazed that it's Hadie's favorite too."

Mal glared at her cousin and sat crossed legged on the bed. "I'm not going anywhere near him or the storm cloud Uma. If dad wants to replace me, that's fine. That doesn't mean I have to stick around for it. The club house is a good enough place as any to live as long as I have Estelle with me."

"The clubhouse doesn't have a way to store food long term," Harry pointed out.

"Plus what if you ran out of kibble for Estelle?" Uma asked.

"Jay," Mal said simply.

"You think Jay could steal a fridge?!"

"You think he couldn't Uma?"

Even if I do miss dad, seeing him wouldn't be worth the pain of being replaced, Mal thought with an inward sigh.

Dad wasn't replacing you, past-me. You could have gone and seen him, Mal thought.

"Now you're just being stubborn and stupid. Maybe you're really Uncle Zeus' kid," Uma told her, grabbing Mal's arm and began to drag her toward the clubhouse steps.

"Hey!" Hercules exclaimed but the small smile on his face eliminated any negative feelings from the exclamation.

Uma was slightly taller than Mal even if they were both short, and Uma was prepared to use that to her advantage.

"Ooh, can I get a copy of this scroll? We have it in writing people, Cerberi and Leah! I am taller than Mali!"

"One inch! You're taller by one inch!"

"That's still taller!"

"We can come back for your stuff later, don't think I didn't notice that bag underneath the bed. Estelle, are you coming?"

"Uma, let go!" Mal exclaimed as Estelle followed Uma, wagging his tail. "I told you. I'm not going back there! Not while the storm cloud is still there!"

"…you didn't notice the bag?" Meg asked Persephone and Hades.

"Again, we were a bit distracted," Hades told her. "Besides, we didn't think to check under the bed. If we had, this scroll would be about something else entirely."

"Thank me later Mal."

Thank you, Mal thought to Uma.

Don't mention it cuz, Uma thought back.

"Why would I thank you when you're asking me to accept my replacement?" Mal asked with a small glare.

"No. I'm asking you to accept your sibling."

"Uma's right," Emma nodded. "Hadie's not a replacement. Just because the family grows to include someone else doesn't meant there's less love for the remaining members."

"The day I recognize that storm cloud as my brother is the day we all get off the Isle!" Mal declared. "It'll never happen!"

Hadie couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips. After all, some of the VKs did get off the Isle. So clearly his sister grew to like him—actually he knew she did.

So…why didn't that make him feel better?

"Mal, I'm telling you! Just talk to Uncle Hades and hold your brother just once. It might change your mind," Uma said as they made their way down the stairs.

"You're not going to let me go until I agree to this are you?"

"Nope!"

"Uma's probably more stubborn than Mal," Jay said with a small chuckle.

"Get used to disappointment then, Uma!" Mal exclaimed but Uma just kept dragging her cousin down the stairs and through the streets of the Isle. Mal, though, knew she would never like the little storm cloud. Not just for replacing her but for all the pain he had put Steph through! She would never get Steph's screams of pain out of her head!

Persephone sighed and Hadie looked down slightly. It was harder to be mad at Mal for hating him when she was mad he'd caused their mom pain.

He knew he'd hate anyone who hurt their mom!

The two of them made their way to the Underworld in silence, Mal every so often attempting to break free of the iron clad grip Uma had on her wrist.

"That's the problem with squidlings, they've got a grip even dragon fire can't break," Mal muttered and Uma smirked in amusement.

If any passersby thought this was an odd sight, they didn't comment. Not after catching sight of Estelle. You really don't stop to question someone with a Cerberus even if they were seven year olds.

"I think that's a good rule to live by," Akiho nodded. "No second guessing a Cerberus."

Upon reaching the door to the Underworld, Uma stopped and turned to look at Mal. "Mal, I'll make you a deal," she said softly.

"Just like your mother, always a catch," Mal growled but Uma ignored her.

"Dad likes making deals too," Celia pointed out.

"Don't remind me," Naveen muttered. "I'd just gotten the image of Facilier and Ursula out of my head…"

"You go in there and talk to Uncle Hades or Aunt Persephone and hold the baby just once. If nothing changes, if you still don't like him like you do right now…you can go back to the clubhouse and I'll never bring it up again."

Hades nodded. "Fair, doable…even if I don't like the idea of my daughter staying in the clubhouse, that was a good deal Uma."

Uma couldn't help the small grin that formed at her uncle's praise.

Mal sighed. She hated to even consider being close to the storm cloud but fair was fair. "Okay," she said softly. "But don't count on anything Uma."

At least she was willing to try, Hadie thought. And you know she loves you now. I just…I was born! I didn't ask to be born a boy!

"Okay," Uma nodded as she led Mal into the Underworld. Mal sighed as she stepped foot into her home for the first time in weeks.

All because of my stubbornness and stupidity at thinking I'd been replaced, Mal thought to herself.

"Uncle Hades? Aunt Persephone?"

"In the den Uma!" Hades called back and Mal scowled slightly. The little sunspot must be there too unless Pain or Panic were watching him. There was no way her father would risk waking his precious son up.

Is sunspot better or worse than storm cloud? Hadie thought with a small frown.

"I believe I have someone who belongs to you," Uma said as she made her way into the den, tugging Mal behind her. "Mal has something she'd like to discuss with you."

Zeus hoped the slight feeling of jealousy didn't show on his face. All he knew was that he would have loved if someone had brought Hercules back to him when he was a child.

"Mal?" Hades asked, looking at his daughter in shock and delight.

"Hi dad," Mal muttered, keeping her eyes on Estelle who was sitting right next to her.

"Well this isn't awkward at all," Akiho muttered to Emir.

"I'll leave you guys alone," Uma said, ducking into the kitchen.

"Mal?" Persephone asked, her tone gentle. She longed to rush over to Mal but didn't want to potentially scare the young girl off. "Would you like me to leave so you can talk to your father alone? Or would you like me to stay?"

"Wouldn't a talk like that be better in private?" Snow White asked.

"I'm her mother," Persephone stated. "But it was Mal's choice."

Mal shrugged, still looking at Estelle who was still by her side; giving his usual puppy grin and wagging his tail.

You know it's got to be nice to be a dog, Mal thought. Nothing bothers you, not like it does when you're human.

"You can do whatever you want Steph. You'll probably hear it anyway," she muttered.

Before Persephone could respond, or do anything other than smile at hearing Mal call her Steph again, a small cry from the nursery could be heard.

I guess we've both got bad timing when we were babies, huh Mali? Hadie thought, not realizing he'd called his sister by her nickname.

"I'll go check on Hadie," Persephone said softly.

"Right," Mal muttered, biting her lip. Of course the little storm cloud would have to worm his way into this too. Persephone got up and went to the nursery, leaving the father and daughter alone in the den.

"Okay, that wasn't fair," Mal said with a small sigh and looked over at her brother. "I'm sorry Hadie."

The silence grew almost overpowering and Mal couldn't take it anymore. "Dad, I'm going to ask you a question and I don't want you to lie to me okay?"

"I never lie to my kids Mal," Hades said, shaking his head.

"Okay Mali," Hades nodded.

Sighing, Mal looked at her father for the first time since she arrived in the Underworld "Is Hadie my replacement?"

"On the one hand, that could have been said a bit more tactfully but at least there was no beating around the bush," Phillip Jr. said softly.

Hades wasn't going to lie, he had not been expecting that question. In all honesty, it felt like a slap to the face.

Every father in the room nodded in unison. They knew hearing that question from any of their kids would probably feel the same.

"No. Mali, of course not," Hades said, sliding off the sofa and getting down to Mal's level. "He's your brother and of course I love him very much but that doesn't mean I love you any less. Why would you think that?"

"Six years of living with the Dragon?" Uma muttered a suggestion. Mal never told her exactly what Maleficent said when she went on her rants against Hades and Persephone but Uma knew they were a thing.

"Maybe because he's full God and not half? Maybe because he's part Steph? Maybe because he's a clean slate and isn't someone who's half psychotic dragon? Maybe because he's a boy? Take your pick," Mal muttered.

"Hey I'm half psychotic octopus woman and you don't see me questioning whether or not Celia's replacing me because of it," Uma stated.

"You're just doing it now to get a rise out of Naveen aren't you?" Tiana chuckled.

"Oh that's just a benefit," Uma smirked as Naveen began muttering once more.

"Mali, trust me," Hades said with a small sigh, "none of those things matter. You are my daughter and no matter how many kids Steph and I have, you are always going to be our eldest. I don't care whether you're a girl or boy Mal. I just cared that you were healthy when you were born—which you were thankfully."

"I think that's something every parent is thankful for," Belle said with a small smile as she looked at Ben.

"What about Gaston?" Carlos asked.

"Sorry, let me rephrase that. Every good parent."

Mal leaned over to Hades. "Do we like her?"

"Jury's still out," Hades whispered back.

Mal gave him a small smile, the unspoken truth lingering between them. If Mal hadn't been a healthy baby, who knows what Maleficent would have done to her?

"And that's something we're not going to think about," Persephone said firmly.

"You know Steph and I have been going out of our minds, hoping you were okay and wondering if you had Estelle with you?" Hades asked gently, trying to rid the awkwardness from the room.

"But…wouldn't you have seen the dog bowls in the clubhouse when you went to check?" Phillip Jr. asked.

"We may not have been paying attention to the surroundings there," Persephone sighed. "Our daughter was missing and was somewhere on the Isle, it was the only thing we could think about."

"Of course I had Estelle," Mal said with a shrug. "I was in the clubhouse. We have a bed there so it's not like I was sleeping on the floor or anything. As I've said before dad…you don't have to worry about me."

"That's not going to happen," Persephone shook her head. "If you've ever met your father Mal, you know he's going to worry about you and Hadie and Uma and Virgil and—."

"Steph, if you listed all of Mal's minions and compatriots, we'd be here for an eon," Hades said.

"And as I've said before Mal, I'm your father. It's my job to worry about you, and no matter how many siblings you have, that will never change. We will always love you, we will always worry about you and we will always care about you."

"It's called being a parent," Kristoff said as Anna wrapped her arms around their son.

"It never goes away," Aladdin nodded.

"Even if you end up having a hundred kids," Eugene added.

Mal sighed and crossed her arms softly over her chest. "Dad…how can you love him after what he put Steph through?" Mal asked, her voice a near whisper. "I've had her screams in my head for the past few weeks."

Eugene sighed. "That is one of the downsides of having multiple kids and being a royal. Granted I wouldn't trade my kids for anything but sometimes you don't have the time to talk to them when something's bothering them."

Hades sighed. He hadn't realized that Mal had heard Steph's screams the day Hadie was born.

"…seriously? I mean she was camped outside the door. I'm pretty sure she'd hear some of those screams," Chip said, his voice dry as he looked over at Hades.

"Come here Mal," Hades said, opening his arms and bringing his daughter in for a hug. "The pain was Steph's body's way of making sure Hadie could be born safely. The pain was temporary but Hadie, though, is forever."

"Like your father said, it was temporary. One day you'll learn that when you hold your child in your arms," Persephone said gently.

"I'm never having kids though," Mal stated. "Sorry mom but Uma and I made that decision a long time ago, growing up on the Isle."

Uma nodded. "Yeah Aunt Steph. Mal and I stated that we're not putting kids through that."

"But—"

"Mali, when you're a parent in the far, far, far, far future, you'll learn that despite any pain your children put you through, you love them unconditionally," Hades told her.

"I did not know about the vow Mal made," Hades stated. "That being said, Mal, I wouldn't mind grandkids in the far, far, far, future."

"I make no promises dad," Mal said with a shrug.

"Guess it falls on you Hadie," Hades said, turning to his son. "But again, far, far, far, far, future. Like when you're thirty."

"Even if they run off with their Cerberus without leaving a note?" Mal asked softly, backing up a little and breaking from the embrace to look at her dad as a little bit of her doubts began to fall away.

"Gotta say, that was a very specific hypothetical question," Uma said with a small smirk.

"Even then," Hades said with a small smile.

Mal bit her lip. "Dad, are…are you sure Hadie's not replacing me?"

"You know, if they were going to replace you, they would have just had another kid after Maleficent took you and not tried to get you back."

"My brother, the King of Tact everyone," Kitty said, shaking her head. "Though…he has a point."

"Isn't that one of the signs that the world is ending? Chad having a point?" Lucy asked.

"Girls," Cinderella warned.

"Mal, I am absolutely positive because you could never be replaced."

"No child can ever be replaced," Belle whispered to herself, thoughts of her daughter flashing through her mind. The daughter she never got a chance to know.

Mal knew then in her heart that her father was telling the truth. Launching herself back into her father's arms, Mal whispered, "I'm so sorry dad."

Is it better that I have no memory of this? That every time I think back on my childhood with Mal, it's only been happy memories? Hadie thought to himself.

"It's okay sweetheart," Hades said gently, lightly kissing the top of her head as he softly rubbed her back. "It's understandable, after all you're still going to the dragon's castle once a week and you're seven. With the poison she's most likely feeding you, Steph and I should have expected it. I just wish you had told us you were feeling this way before now—we could have had this talk ages ago. You were so excited when Steph told you she was pregnant."

"She's a child of the Isle of the Lost, lives with Maleficent once a week, and has basically been taught for most of her life that showing weakness is a bad thing," Mulan pointed out. "Unfortunately I don't think Mal would have talked about it had it not been for Uma."

"I like her," Uma said.

"We always did cuz," Mal reminded her. "Breaking the biggest rule there is, being a master strategist, not being a prissy princess, and just plain kicking butt like that? Who wouldn't like her?"

"And she did the 'butt kicking' in a dress," Evie pointed out, shrinking back a little at the glares. All she wanted to do was remind Mal and Uma that being 'feminine' once in a while wasn't a bad thing and that they were surrounded by the prissy princesses they hated. Evie wasn't going to lie, Mulan was one of her favorites too—even though she wasn't crazy about the fighting part, the lengths Mulan went to to protect her father…Evie couldn't help but wonder how she had the courage to do it.

"She's got a point," Jay told them.

"Doesn't mean we have to like that she does have a point," Uma muttered to him.

Mal sighed. "You and Steph were always so busy with the little storm cloud…I mean Hadie that there was never a right time to have the talk," she said softly, trying to get over her feeling of resentment toward her brother.

At least she's trying, and it could be worse. She could have kept hating you like Harry hates CJ, a little voice in the back of Hadie's brain rang out.

"When Steph was pregnant and I thought I was getting a sister…she'd be someone who could look up to me. Dad, when you think of the Gods, it's you, Uncle Zeus, and Uncle Poseidon that first come to mind. The 'Big Three'. None of the Goddesses. I just thought…with Hadie being a boy…"

Poseidon and Zeus looked at each other as Hera nodded.

"We could start reminding the mortals that Gods other than the 'Big Three' exist," Demeter nodded.

"Or that there are the female 'Big Three'," Persephone added.

"There are?" Ruby asked.

"Lady Hera, Lady Demeter, and Lady Athena I believe," Ben spoke up.

It was Hades' turn to sigh as he looked down at his daughter, still wrapped in his arms. "While the Gods are old fashioned, they are changing. You know Jerkules has a daughter? Born around the same time you were. According to Steph, Zeus won't shut up about his grandkids—both the grandson and the granddaughter. Poseidon keeps trying to get updates about Uma from Steph when he can but she hasn't given him anything since that's Uma's business. As for me? I just care that my kids are happy and healthy. You're one of the best parts of my life Mali, of both our lives. Never doubt that."

Macaria gave her grandfather a grin while Uma looked over at Poseidon, as if trying to determine if he had really asked about her or if her uncle Hades was just trying to make Mal feel better.

Mal smiled slightly. "I…I really am sorry Dad. I never meant to worry you. I just…I didn't want to be around if I was being replaced."

"Gee, and if you'd just talked to dad instead of—."

"Hadie," Persephone warned. "I understand you're upset and you have every right to be but I won't allow you to continue to attack your sister for something she thought when she was a child!"

"Mom," Mal shook her head. "It's okay."

Hades gave her a small smile as he gently continued to rub her back. "Mal, do you want to go say hello to your brother?"

"I..I don't know dad," Mal said, biting her lip. "I don't know how to hold a baby…at least not one that young. I'm more used to someone Celia's age."

"She's only a few months older than me!" Hadie exclaimed.

"It's okay Mali, Steph and I will be there. If you want, you can sit with me and I'll help you hold him?" Hades suggested with a small smile.

Mal nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her face.

"Holding your sibling for the first time is the best," Chip said, nodding his head.

"Chip? You're the youngest of your siblings," Ben told him.

"I'm nine years older than you Benji, you really think I didn't hold you?"

"Okay, stay right there and I'll go get them," Hades said, putting Mal on the sofa. "Be right back okay Mali?"

"Okay dad."

"You know why even have a nickname for a nickname?" Audrey asked, brushing a bit of hair out of her face. "None of us have—."

"Benji," Chip said instantly.

"Chaddy!" Alexandria said with a grin as Chad flushed slightly.

"Also, Audrey, a parent can call their child whatever they want as long as the child wants it," Phillip Sr. told his daughter.

Hades smiled and walked over to Hadie's nursery where Steph was waiting. "Please tell me you heard all that?"

Persephone nodded quickly, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

"Of course I did, everything echoes in the Underworld after all," Persephone said.

"Oh Hades. Why didn't she come to us sooner? If I had known what her wanting Hadie to be a girl so badly meant…"

"You also could have asked…"

"Zeus, you're probably the worst person or God to be speaking right now," Hades told his little brother. "Even Beastie would have been better."

"I know," Hades said gently. "But she's here now. We can show her she could never be replaced. She's our daughter."

"And she always will be," Persephone said in a gentle yet firm tone. And Maleficent has just given me another reason to rip her head off, she thought.

"And we get front row seats when that happens right?" Uma and Harry asked with grins.

Persephone shook her head. "Ask your mothers."

"Mom—?"

"What was my answer last time?" Milah asked.

"That was Lord Hades, this is Lady Persephone," Harry argued.

Milah chuckled. "And my answer is the same. No."

"Can you bring Hadie out?" Hades asked. "She wants to meet him but she's a bit nervous about holding him. Understandable considering I doubt Maleficent would ever willingly hold a baby or teach Mal how to do it either, so Mal's going to sit with me and I'll help her."

"The day Maleficent willingly holds a baby without looking like she's going to toss the baby from her balcony is the day Leah becomes a likable person," Harry stated.

"Of course," Persephone smiled and picked Hadie up out of the crib. "Are you ready to go see your sister?" She asked Hadie, who cooed softly causing Persephone to smile.

Oh to be that young and not even know Mal hated me, Hadie thought with a small frown. He wished he could go back to then, to go back to a time before he knew his sister had hated him for a part of his life.

"What, no awws?" Uma asked, crossing her arms. "You all cooed over me and Mal, coo over Hadie Gods damn it!"

"Language Uma," Persephone warned.

"Yes Aunt Steph," Uma nodded, smiling as she saw the smile on her younger cousin's face.

"Let's go then."

They head back to the den and Hades was thankful to see Mal was still there. She hadn't left.

"Mali?" Hades asked, his voice soft. "Are you ready to say hello to your brother?"

"And that will never change," Mal said softly, looking at Hadie. "You may hate me now but I will always be your sister."

"Okay…" Mal said, her voice as soft as her father's.

Hades went and sat down on the sofa before picking Mal up and putting her on his lap. "Be sure to mind his head," he said as Steph handed Hadie to them. "Have your arm around his head like this…that's it, good girl…and the other hand can go under his back…there you go."

"I swear I was so worried I was going to drop Rachel when she was born after all the instructions they gave you on holding the baby," Eugene said.

"Eugene, you refused to let her go for an hour after the nurse handed her to you. I had to beg to hold my daughter," Rapunzel told him.

"Because I was so worried I'd drop her!"

Mal nodded and positioned her arms and hands the way Hades had instructed. Mal looked at her brother, trying to imagine him as hers the way Uma had said to.

Hadie couldn't help but hold his breath a little. It was stupid, he knew how it would turn out. And yet…

Hadie stared back at her, Steph's blue eyes looking at her with a mix of innocence and curiosity shining in them. Mal had expected to still feel resentment toward Hadie but now…seeing those eyes, the eyes that had only stared at her with love and kindness, the resentment seemed to melt away as Hadie softly cooed at her.

"I wish I had blue eyes like mom and Hadie," Mal sighed. "Instead of having the Dragon's green ones."

But your eyes are beautiful, Ben thought with a small frown.

"Hi Hadie," Mal said softly, giving him a small smile. "I'm Mal. I'm your sister."

Hadie continued to softly coo at Mal, tilting his head as he looked at her. Mal couldn't help but give a small giggle at the sight.

"Alex did that once, when Chad was holding her," Kit said with a fond smile.

"More than once if I remember correctly," Cinderella nodded.

Dad said I used to do that too, she thought as she continued to look at her brother.

"Growing up here isn't going to be easy," Mal said softly, not noticing the slightly hopeful look Hades and Persephone gave one another. "But don't worry. Me and Uma'll keep you safe—you're under my crew's protection and no one messes with your big sis."

"Well no one who's smart that is," Uma corrected.

"Yeah Freddy and Zevon still haven't figured it out yet," Harry nodded.

Hadie would have to deal with the natural chaos of the Isle, what with the lack of food and the never getting to leave but in terms of being evil that was something Mal could control. Her baby brother was not going to be a villain. Not if she could help it.

"That goes for Celia too," Uma said firmly.

"Dizzy as well," Evie spoke up. "I…I know I'm not her sister but she deserves so much more than what the Isle—."

Whatever the blue haired girl was going to say was cut off by the hug Dizzy ran up to give her.

Honestly, it was hard to believe that almost an hour ago, she was vowing that she would never like her brother. But as she looked at him now how could she not? This was her brother and if anyone tried to harm him, they'd have to answer to her.

"Hey Ben, guess that means that you'll have to take the kids off the Isle!" Emir teased.

"Oh no, what a shame," Ben joked, grinning from ear to ear. That was his plan anyway, to get all the kids off the Isle. In a strange way, Mal's vow may have just helped him with that.

He's so innocent, Mal thought. And hopefully he can stay that way. No. No hope necessary because he will. If Uma and I have anything to say about it, he will—and I'm sure the guys will agree too! Even if they don't, I'll just make it an order!

"You did make it an order," Harry said. "That's when we implemented the 'don't talk about our flings around the under fifteens' rule."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Mal said with a slight smile.

Before long, Hadie started getting a little fussy. "What did I do?" Mal asked, looking at Hades with a slightly fearful look like he was going to get mad. Gods, did I just ruin everything? Mal thought.

"Babies get fussy," Rachel said. "It doesn't mean you did anything."

"Trust her, she's an old pro by now," Rowyn 'whispered' to Mal.

"Nothing at all sweetheart," Hades said reassuringly. "He's just hungry."

"Oh," Mal said softly. "Do…do I have to stop holding him?

"Not if you don't want to Mal honey. I can get his bottle and you can feed him?" Persephone offered.

That's probably the best way to cement a bond between siblings, Rapunzel thought. All of her kids had fed their younger sibling—well Evan didn't but he was the baby of the family after all.

"Okay," Mal said softly, giving a small nod.

"I'll be right back," Persephone said with a smile. She quickly made her way to the kitchen to get a bottle for Hadie.

"How's it going in there?" Uma asked from her spot at the counter. "I don't hear any screaming. Which may or may not be a good thing now that I think about it."

"No screaming is always a good thing," Emir stated and Ashaki nodded her head in agreement.

Persephone couldn't help but smile. "Mal's holding Hadie," she told Uma.

"Good. That's all I wanted her to do," Uma said, her voice a near whisper with a slight smile on her lips.

"Babies have that affect," Jasmine nodded. "Once you have one in your arms, nothing else matters. That's a very smart tactic Uma."

"Well thank you Uma," Persephone told her. "It's nice to have Mal back."

Uma nodded. Like she had told Mal, she had gone through the same thing with Celia so she knew what it was like.

"Well not exactly the same thing," Celia said. "You didn't run to your clubhouse."

"Yeah well I didn't have a Cerberus either," Uma told her. "Plus dad put you in my arms like the minute you were born. Your mom was the only one to hold you before me."

"I'm going back out there so Hadie can have his bottle if you want to come," Persephone said. "No reason for you to be exiled to the kitchen."

Uma shrugged. "I didn't want it to be awkward out there with me just standing there while Mal and Uncle Hades had their heart to heart."

"If you think it won't ruin the moment, Aunt Steph," Uma said with a small smile.

"It's up to you Uma," Persephone told her, "but I'm sure Mal would want all her family there."

"Mom was right about that!" Mal stated. "But not all my family was there. Harry and Jay were working."

Uma gave her aunt a smile before following her out to the den.

"Here you go dear," Persephone said, handing the bottle to Hades.

"Do…do you think he'd take it from me?" Mal asked softly.

"I'm sure he would," Hades said gently and handed the bottle to Mal. "Let me know if you need any help Mali."

"She won't," Uma, Harry, and Jay said instantly.

"Look who's talking. I swear I'm allies with some of the most stubborn people on the Isle," Mal stated.

Mal nodded and started to tentatively offer the bottle to Hadie. To her delight, Hadie opened his mouth and started taking his bottle.

"Good boy," Mal said with a smile.

"Woof," Hadie couldn't help but snark, giving his sister a small smile which she returned.

Estelle gave a small yip from his spot on the ground.

"Not you this time boy!" Mal giggled.

"Don't worry Estelle," Uma said with a chuckle as she pet him, his tail wagging in delight. "You're always a good boy."

"He's the best," Mal said firmly.

Turning to Mal, Uma couldn't help but smirk slightly. "I was right wasn't I?"

"You know, no one likes a know it all," Mal told her but had a small smile on her lips. Uma smiled back at her cousin.

"Oh I don't know, I'm rather fond of them," Chip said with a chuckle as he wrapped an arm around Ben's shoulders and shot a smile to Belle.

"He's mine," Mal said softly.

"And he always will be," Uma nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. Mal smiled and continued to hold Hadie as he took the bottle.

"It means he trusts you," Elle said with a small smile. "Babies won't let just anyone feed them after all."

"He looks like you dad," Mal said softly.

"Yeah he kinda does," Hades nodded. "Has Steph's eyes though."

"And what's wrong with that?" Mal teased, faking offense on Persephone's behalf and causing Hades to chuckle.

"Yeah Uncle Hades, Aunt Steph has nice eyes." Uma nodded.

"Why thank you girls," Persephone said with a smile.

"Yes she does," Hades said, smiling over at his wife.

"Why thank you," Persephone said with a chuckle, walking over to give Hades a kiss. She wasn't going to lie, she loved this. Her whole family together again. She was dying to snap a photo—the image of Hades, Mal and Hadie on the sofa? That would be a perfect picture.

"It is the perfect picture," Persephone corrected her past thought as she thought about the picture that hung on their fridge. She was just fine with not being in the shot—she'd much rather take the photo anyway.

She walked back to where she had been standing, giving a small sigh. If only she had her camera but she'd left it in the kitchen.

"Here Aunt Steph," Uma whispered, as if she'd read Persephone's mind. "I thought…in case you wanted a picture or something.

"Cue mind reading joke…now," Harry said with a smirk as Uma smacked him on the shoulder.

"Thank you," Persephone said softly, taking the camera from Uma. Uma smiled and stepped back as Persephone quickly took the photo; none of the subjects

even noticing.

Huh…I've always loved that photo, Hadie thought. It's almost hard to believe that was Mal's first time holding me…the first time she let herself like me…

This was all she had wanted when she found out she was pregnant, her two children together.

And hopefully I can help mend this riff these scrolls have caused, Persephone thought with an inward sigh.

Mal smiled as she continued to hold Hadie, until a smell wafted up to her nose. "Um, dad? Hadie's kinda smelly."

Hadie flushed as some of the older kids chuckled.

"Oh like you didn't do the same thing!" Celia snapped, glaring at them.

"Yeah!" Dizzy nodded.

"We were chuckling at Mal's reaction," Emir told them. "Why would we laugh at a baby going to the bathroom?"

"I'll take him honey. He probably needs changing," Persephone said as she took Hadie from Mal's arms. "You sit with your dad for a bit."

"Okay Steph," Mal said softly as Persephone left, taking Hadie with her. Mal leaned back into her father's chest and smiled a little.

"Welcome home Mal!" Emir and Akiho said with a grin.

Mal chuckled and leaned over to Uma. "You're getting Nick and Jake vibes from those two aren't you?"

"I was thinking more Harry and Jay," Uma whispered back.

"Gods help us all if that's the case."

"It's good to have you back Mali," Hades said with a smile before leaning down to kiss the top of Mal's head.

"It's good to be back dad," Mal whispered with a small smile of her own.

And I'm never leaving again. Not until you lot have to practically force me to go to Boreadon, Mal thought.

"Promise me that if you ever start having doubts about your place in this family that you'll talk to us before taking off again?" Hades asked and Mal nodded, causing Hades to smile and pull her closer to him.

"Remind me to hold her to that," Hades muttered to Persephone.

"Good. Now, on to happier topics. What do you want for dinner?"

"Anything new? Or am I picking from old favorites?" Mal asked with a grin.

"If you want to pick from your favorites Mali, go ahead," Hades said, a grin of his own on his face. His daughter was home, that's all that mattered to him.

"Honestly you could have picked anything and it would have been good," Harry said.

"Yeah, Uncle Hades is an amazing cook," Uma nodded.

Mal took a moment to think. There was only one thing that came to mind, even though it was a fairly recent development.

"Garlic crispy chicken?" Mal asked softly.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Jay asked with a small chuckle.

"Because you know Mal," Uma said, shaking her head.

"Coming up," Hades said with a smile, kissing her forehead and causing Mal to smile.

"Great!"

Hades chuckled before looking over at his great-niece. "Uma, will you be joining us?"

"I wouldn't mind," Uma said with a small shrug.

"You're more than welcome," Hades told her. "I'll make sure there's enough for four people."

Thank you brother, Poseidon thought to Hades. Knowing that there was a member of the family looking out for his granddaughter…

…You never need to thank me for looking out for Uma. I may not have a relationship with Ursula but Uma didn't ask for that. She didn't deserve to be born on the Isle. None of the kids did. Hades thought back to him.

Uma nodded. "You don't have to do that Uncle Hades. But I appreciate it."

"You're family Uma, it's what we do here," Hades said with a smile. "Steph says Boreadon has a motto—family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. I think that's something we can steal for us, don't you?"

"I think that'd be something we'd be willing to share, Lord Hades," Belle told him.

"We actually have sort of a variation of that as our motto for the crew," Mal told him with a slight smile.

"Oh really?"

"Yep. 'Ruthless but loyal'," Mal told him. "We kick the butts of the people who mess with us but we don't abandon the people in the crew or under the crew's protection."

"We mainly kick Freddy's butt," Harry said with a grin. "Good times, good times."

"That's a good motto," Hades said with a smile. "Just don't go looking for trouble Mali."

"When do I ever?"

Hades and Uma chuckled, causing Mal to smile. Life was looking back up. At least she wasn't being replaced like she had feared.

"I honestly think that's what every older sibling fears at least once," Emir told Mal. "Especially when the younger sibling is of the opposite gender."

Hades sighed. "I…I think it might be a good idea if we take a short break."

"But it's only been four scrolls!" Lonnie pointed out. "We normally take a break after seven."

"Lord Hades is right," Shang said. "A break would be a good idea."

Chapter 29 Chapter Text

Persephone gently led Mal and Hadie off to the side while Hades seemed to have a heated yet silent conversation with the floating eyeball that was still hovering off to the side. Mal wasn't going to lie, it was rather creepy.

Before she could say anything, however, the eyeball began to glow once more though it didn't spin. Mal blinked as a side room seemed to appear out of thin air—could this have been done the whole time?

"Called in a favor with the Fates," Hades said as he opened the door for his family to walk in. Well human family as Estelle was still taking his self appointed role as guard for Leah seriously, not letting her out of his sight. "I figured this is a talk that we should have out of the ears of some of those in attendance."

"You just don't want Zeus or Hera butting in don't you?" Persephone asked, lightly teasing her husband.

"Oh and you want your mother interjecting?"

"You raise a good point."

Mal sighed and Hadie shook his head in slight amusement at his parents' antics. It made it feel like everything was the way it had been, but it wasn't. There was a riff that was still there.

Persephone sighed and looked at her children. "Alright. I think it's time we have a little talk. Hadie, how could you talk to Mal like that?"

"Mom, really, it's—."

"Malinda, if you dare say 'it's fine' I will make good on my promise to your father and find a way to ban it from your vocabulary." Persephone stated. "Your brother knows that you had to deal with Maleficent—."

"But I never knew she was stolen," Hadie spoke up. "You guys always made it seem like Mal was always in the Underworld with us and that she just had to go to the Dragon's every so often because despite the adoption, she was still genetically Maleficent's."

"Thanks for that reminder," Mal muttered and then sighed. "Hadie, I know you're upset and it's on me. I made you think that my thoughts were going to be similar to Uma calling Celia a 'whelp' and 'useless'. I should have told you what they were. I…I guess I just thought that if I did say what my thoughts had been, you'd hate me."

"Look how well that turned out," Hadie scoffed.

"Yeah," Mal nodded. "I guess I come by it naturally. I mean, mom and dad were beating themselves up for not talking me out of my belief you'd be a girl. I should have—."

"Mal, don't," Hades spoke up. "I get it, and I get that Hadie's upset. But son, you don't know what living with Maleficent is like because we never told you. Whenever Mal got back from the Dragon's, we made sure you were either at the restaurant or with Uma. And maybe that was a disservice to you but we…we didn't know how Mal was going to come back."

"What do you—?"

"You were there for the one bit of scroll where Maleficent laid her hands on me," Mal said as she knelt down so that she was looking straight into her brother's eyes. Blue met green, and Mal continued. "Hadie, imagine that for six years. Imagine Maleficent going on tangents about dad and you could never tell her she was wrong otherwise you could wind up with a broken ankle at best. Remember this is the Fae who broke my ankle when I was four because I called her by her name in front of the Evil Queen."

"Yeah she still needs to pay for that," Hades grumbled.

"Not the time dear," Persephone told him.

Hadie sighed. "I know Maleficent isn't the nicest person or even the nicest villain. I'm not Gaston's kid after all Mal. But…everyone's getting on my case for being upset and yet you're doing the same thing you're mad at the Auradonians for doing!"

"What do—?"

"I was born Mal! That's all I did and yet that earns me the right to have my sister hate me for six weeks? All because I wasn't born the right gender? And don't even get me started on the fact that you get everything! Private lessons with dad, a Cerberus, leading the crew, ruling the VK population of the Isle—."

"Alright kid, let me stop you right there," Mal said, still down at Hadie's eye sight. "You get private lessons with dad too, both magic and musical. And yeah Estelle's mine but the main reason I got him was because mom and dad knew that if I wasn't seen around the Isle with a pet of some kind, Maleficent would freak. You know Maleficent's story just as well as I do. Do you really think Maleficent would take me not being invited to a party very well? Or that the rest of the Isle would know I wasn't invited because I didn't have a pet?"

"She's right Hadie," Persephone nodded. "And dear, your father was right earlier. There's no room in the Underworld for two Cerberi. That being said…I do agree that you're of the age where you should be able to get your own pet."

"Really?" Hadie asked, perking up a little.

"We can talk more about it after we finish up reading these scrolls," Persephone said. "And if your father agrees. After all, it's his Underworld. We just reside in it."

Hades shook his head and gave his wife a small smile before looking at Hadie. "Look Hadie, I know you're upset. And again, your feelings are your own, and they're valid. But I don't want you snapping at your sister or telling her she went soft for apologizing to you for something she thought when she was seven."

"…yes dad," Hadie said with a small nod. "Sorry dad."

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to young man," Hades said, his voice gentle yet firm at the same time.

"Dad, really, it's fine," Mal said. "I was the one who threw a six week temper tantrum because I thought Hadie was going to be a girl and replace me. You guys keep saying that Hadie's feelings are valid but you're also asking him to get over them super fast too. It's up to Hadie right?"

"…how'd you get so wise?" Hades asked with a small smile.

"Kinda helps when I've got the Goddess of Wisdom as a cousin, even if we probably will never actually talk to her," Mal said with a shrug and then looked at Hadie. "I understand if you don't want to be called 'Storm Cloud' anymore. Here's the thing though…I don't know any other nickname other than 'Beastie' to call you."

"What about something flame related?" Hadie suggested. "Or Cerberus? You know, cause of dad? Hell, it could be plant based?"

"What, you want me to call you 'minty'?"

"Gah! No way!"

"Sorry, after that reaction, I kinda like it!" Mal chuckled and ruffled Hadie's hair, smiling as he batted away her hands. There was a part of her that knew Hadie wouldn't be over the hurt, her brother was too much like her and maybe she had done too good a job in protecting him from the evils of the Isle.

But innocence was the one thing she wasn't allowed to have that she would never begrudge her brother. Despite growing up on the Isle, she had been determined to allow Hadie a childhood.

"Mal?" Hadie asked, causing his sister to look at him. "Is…I know I said I could handle you not being happy with me when I was born but…hearing those thoughts wasn't I…"

"Hey, hey," Mal said gently. "I know, those thoughts were a lot harsher than they had any right to be. But you're still my brother. No matter how much time you need, you take it. Just…promise me something?"

"What?"

"I'm not going to come back to the Isle one day and find out that you've joined forces with Freddy and Zevon, am I?"

Hadie shook his head. "No way Mal! Even if I was as mad at you as I could be, I'd never join Freddy or Zevon! That's an act of treason against the Rats, against you and Uma, and against dad and mom!"

Mal smiled and pulled Hadie into a small hug, not noticing their parents' smiles.

"…I'm still a bit mad though," Hadie whispered.

"I told you, that's okay," Mal whispered back.

Hades sighed. "You can be mad without hurting your sister Hadie. As long as you understand that Mal does love you."

And something tells me it's not so much mad as it is jealousy, Hades thought. Trust me son, I know the feeling well. After all you're talking to the guy who's brother didn't get eaten as a baby.

Unfortunately jealousy wasn't something that could be just gotten over but at least Hades knew about it. He could make sure he was spending more time with Hadie while they were both on the Isle.

Because if there was one thing the God of the Dead knew, it was that Mal wouldn't stop until Hadie was with Auradon with her.

"I think we should head out back there before they break down this door," Persephone suggested. "You know how eager everyone is to keep reading."

"Oh yes, I think not reading a scroll is probably the highlight of Audrey's day," Mal scoffed, rolling her eyes. She couldn't help but smile as she heard her brother snort in amusement.

Good, she thought. It'll take some time but as long as he's laughing, Hadie'll be okay.

They walked out of the room just in time to see the eyeball float down to the middle of the room and begin to spin.

"Ooh, who's it going to be this time?" Alexandria asked with a grin.

The spinning stopped and the light faded to show two girls—one with dark hair, one with blonde, both with red coats.

"Harriet!" Harry exclaimed with a grin.

"Harry!" Harriet perked up upon seeing her brother but then paused, pulling the younger girl behind her and glared at Milah. "Who are you? What kind of trick is this?!"

"Harri, it's not a trick," Harry said, walking toward his sister. "It's really her. Lady Steph, she made it happen."

Harriet shook her head. "And what if it's just one of Freddy or Zevon's tricks Harry? You're just going to—?"

"It's alright Harriet," Milah said, walking over and giving her eldest a smile that only held a hint of sadness. "Look at you, you've grown up so much my little captain."

"…what did you call me?" Harriet asked, looking at Milah in shock. "No…no one's called me that. Not since…"

"I found a book on names after you were one," Milah said. "It must have gotten tossed out but we found your name and the definition. Harriet. It means 'estate ruler' but your father insisted you'd be a great captain if you put your mind to it. So I started calling you—."

"My little captain," Harriet said, tears coming to her eyes as she took in the woman she hadn't seen since she was five. "Mom? It…it's really you?"

Milah nodded and had to brace herself for the almost flying hug Harriet gave her, never noticing the slight frown on CJ's face.

"I've missed you so much," Harriet whispered.

"I know," Milah whispered back. "I've missed you too. But Harriet, my darling, I'm so proud of you. The way you've taken charge of your crew, the way you've looked out for your siblings. I've never been more proud than to call you three my children."

Harriet smiled as she broke the hug. "You want to meet CJ?"

"I've waited fourteen years to meet her," Milah said as she looked over at CJ. "Gods…she looks just like me."

"CJ…it's mom," Harriet said, her voice catching with unshed tears.

CJ shrugged. "I mean…if you say so."

Harry scowled. The runt's the reason why we don't have mom around! The least she could do is be grateful she's here!

Before Harry could speak, however, the eyeball floated down once more.

"Because of what may come to light," the voices of the Fates rang from the eyeball. "We've brought along someone with the help of Aion. Someone from a timeline where different choices were made."

"…that's possible?" Hades asked as the eyeball began to spin once more. It spun around in the air for a few minutes before revealing a new figure. A figure that caused everyone who recognized her to gasp as they knew her by sight.

A well manicured hand with periwinkle blue nails brushed the brown hair out of her face, brown hair that had one strand of bright pink that stood out. Her brown eyes looked around the room in almost bemused shock as she brushed out the skirt of her green summer dress; part of the dress covered with an apron with multiple soup stains while a familiar blue bird necklace graced her neck.

"Mal? Ben?" Audrey asked, looking at the two of them in shock. "Is this another viewing? Did something happen? Wait, Harriet? You're here too? Did something happen at the soup kitchen?"

"What in the world!" Their Audrey exclaimed and the other Audrey spun around and stared at herself in shock.

"This has to be a trick!" Leah exclaimed but grew silent once more as Estelle growled at her. Mal frowned as the color seemed to drain from the other Audrey's face and she backed up a little.

"You're…you're supposed to be on the Isle!"

"According to the Fates, you're from another timeline?" Hades asked before Leah could respond to that.

Audrey nodded, a look of understanding coming to her face. "That does explain why everyone's looking at me like they've seen a ghost."

"No I'm pretty sure it's the apron," Phillip Jr. said and his eyes widened as Audrey brought him into a hug. "Okay, this is clearly not my sister!"

Audrey sniffed. "You're making a fool out of yourself…myself…ourself?"

"Oh wow, so clearly I haven't had a new personality blown into me yet," Audrey noted as she broke from the hug. "But what's going on?"

Ben spoke up. "The Fates have decided to bring us together to learn more about what's going on the Isle of the Lost…and clearly thought that your assistance is needed."

"Oh so you've learned about the food situation?"

"You know about—?"

"Uh huh. The Blue Fairy brought a group of us together and gave us three viewings of events where we learned about that," Audrey nodded, glaring slightly at Leah.

Leah sniffed and opened her mouth to say something but closed it once more at Estelle's growl.

"But clearly I'm holding up the reading so let's get cracking!" Audrey said with a grin.

"We might need to reposition to comfortably fit everyone," Phoebus said.

Audrey shook her head. "I mean, you can if you want to Captain, but I'm fine on the floor."

"Audrey!"

"Grandmother?" Audrey asked.

"You are a Princess! I don't know what—?"

"Oh see I was a Princess but then I decided that Phil would be a better fit for next in line for the throne so I abdicated," Audrey told her. "Did it the same day you got sent to the Isle too."

Leah didn't respond, she had promptly passed out upon hearing the word 'abdicated'.

"Can we keep this Audrey?" Emir muttered to Akiho.

Audrey grinned, Emir's mutter not as quiet as he'd thought. "Hey Ice Man. How's Kari and Agnarr?"

"…who?"

"Ah right! Timeline difference! That must be why Mal is currently glaring at Evie like they're mortal enemies!"

"How else would she look at Blueberry?" Uma asked.

"…like they're best friends…"

"What?!" Mal and Uma exclaimed, and Evie looked shocked as well.

Audrey sighed. "Look I can answer any questions you want later. But I'd rather not hold up the reading so I'll just go and sit next to Carlos."

"You could sit next to Bennyboo!" Audrey pointed out.

"Um…yeah I'll save that for his girlfriend," Audrey said with a chuckle.

"You are his girlfriend!"

Audrey shook her head and went to sit next to Carlos. Of course, with all the time taken up, there was some natural reshuffling and so Mal was left standing by Ben.

"You mind if I sit with you?" Mal asked Ben, as Hadie opted to sit with their parents. She was okay with that, she'd give him his space.

"Not at all," Ben grinned and moved over so she'd have room. "Who's reading?"

"I'll read," Harriet said with a shrug; no one noticing how the two person seat had expanded to be a four person.

"Sounds good," Ben smiled as Mal sat down next to him.

Chapter 30 Chapter Text

"So how do you guys know if you're grabbing the right scroll?" Harriet asked. Leah remained unconscious but in all honesty no one really cared. Well Audrey did but Audrey rolled her eyes at the dramatics.

"Luck of the draw," Harry told her as Harriet grabbed a scroll and unfurled it.

Mal smiled as she watched Hadie played on the floor of the den, Estelle keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.

Estelle yipped softly and trotted over to Hadie, resting his heads on the young boy's leg. Estelle knew Mali's pack mate needed him more than the mean human needed to be watched.

She was still passed out anyway. No sense in guarding her when she wasn't doing anything.

A couple of years had gone by since her brother had been born and Mal wouldn't have traded it for the world.

"Really?" Hadie asked.

"Of course pup," Mal nodded. "I wouldn't trade you for all the gold in the Cave of Wonders."

"…pup?"

"Trying out a new nickname since you kiboshed Storm Cloud. I'm guessing that's a no?"

Hadie nodded.

"Back to the drawing board!"

Nothing had really changed in terms of her family dynamics—there was just an extra person now who got her protection.

Her nasty inner voice had been wrong, something Mal had never been happier to think.

"And now you know to talk to someone if you ever start feeling like that again," Uma stated.

Plus, Hadie allowed her to test out her skills drawing people. Whenever Hadie went down for a nap, Mal snuck in and sat by the crib with her sketchbook in hand. So far her sketches looked like a deformed potato but there was one that looked close to human.

"Humans are hard to draw at first," Rowyn nodded. "Mine still look like some deformed aliens. It's why I like more landscapes."

Hadie couldn't help but smile though. Even though Mal's sketches looked odd, the fact that his sister had wanted to be around him helped eliminate some of the negative feelings that had nestled inside him.

"Hey Mali," Persephone said with a smile as she walked in to the den.

"Hey Steph," Mal said, looking up. Ever since she had that talk with her dad, Hades and Persephone always seemed to find ways to prove Mal wasn't being replaced and that she had a spot in the family.

Chip couldn't help but smile as he heard that. Belle had done the same thing after Ben had been born, as if to reassure the former teacup that he would always have a place with them if he needed it.

For Mal's eighth birthday, Persephone gave her a leather jacket she had made using material she had obtained over in Auradon. It was mainly purple and silver but had a smidgeon of green near the elbows. No one would question it though—green was Maleficent's color after all even though Mal pretended the green was for Persephone instead.

"Oh that jacket's the envy of every girl at Auradon Prep," Audrey said with a smile. "I remember there were a few girls who wanted to commission orders for one of their own."

"Why?" Audrey sniffed. "It's just a leather jacket."

Audrey stared in shock at her counterpart. "Okay so again, I clearly need a new personality blown into me."

"I'm sorry but my jacket was the envy of Boreadon girls?" Mal asked.

Audrey nodded. "Oh yeah. I remember there was talk about wanting to get commissions done for their own jacket. You made me one. Well it was more Evie but you gave me the jacket."

"…I'm sorry, what?!" Audrey and Mal exclaimed.

"I made you a jacket?" Evie asked with a smile, excited at the possibility of making clothes for other people. It wasn't something a Princess should do but designing was something she enjoyed.

Audrey nodded. "Uh huh. Helps that your business took off."

"My what?"

"Perhaps we can table this conversation for another time?" Persephone suggested, her tone gentle but the message was clear.

"Of course Lady Persephone. My apologies," Audrey nodded.

What are you planning? Phillip Jr. thought as he looked over at Audrey. There was no way any version of his sister would just treat a VK like she would a good friend or be that respectful to Lady Persephone.

But Mal's favorite part of the jacket was on the back. There, on the center of the jacket, were two dragons: one purple and one dark blue, almost black. No one would question it at a glance and with Mal being known as Maleficent's daughter on the Isle, no one would dare look twice.

"I'm pretty sure if anyone stopped you and questioned you on your dragon themed jacket, it'd spell their end," Uma stated.

Mal never took it off—sure the sleeves were a bit long and Steph had made it slightly bigger than a normal jacket to allow Mal the chance to grow into it but Mal didn't mind.

"Cue the cracks about my height," Mal muttered. After all, her jacket was still rather big on her.

"Actually there are theories that dragons will continue to grow throughout their lives but if you cage or imprison a dragon, they won't grow or be slow to grow," Ben said.

Everyone turned to look at the Crown Prince, some with bemused looks (like Chip, Emir, Akiho, and Audrey) and some just looking confused.

"Why do you know that?" Mal asked.

"Again, I like to read," Ben said with a shrug.

The best part was definitely the dragons, Mal still couldn't believe Steph had included them. She still remembered the talk she had had with Persephone regarding her love of dragons when she was eight.

"Actually it was probably safer for her to include them," Meg spoke up. "Considering who dragons are normally associated with and with who's daughter the people of the Isle believe you to be…"

Mal bit her lip as she sketched out the outline of a dragon, one of the many attempts on the page. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty but she found that she really liked dragons. Despite the link they had to Maleficent, Mal couldn't help but be drawn to them.

"Huh. Thought that might wake her up," Mulan said as she looked over at Leah who was still passed out.

"Shouldn't we try to wake her up?" Jane asked.

"And lose our hearing?" Akiho scoffed.

"Akiho behave," Anna warned. Even if it is true, the Roses are an older family compared to ours. Older families are more powerful and make for dangerous adversaries.

"Yes mom."

"Mal?" Persephone said, knocking on her door. Mal looked up and quickly closed her sketchbook. The last thing she wanted was for Persephone to realize that Mal liked dragons. That might be the straw that breaks the camel's back so to speak and Persephone would kick her out of the Underworld.

Persephone shook her head and looked over at Mal. "Mal, honey, I want you to know that there is nothing you could do that would make me kick you out of the Underworld."

"I know mom," Mal said with a small smile.

"Yeah Steph?"

"What are you drawing?" Persephone asked, giving Mal a smile.

"Just sketching," Mal shrugged. "What's up?"

"Just sketching she says," Harry shook his head. "Mal, you once did a rough sketch of Henry and Jake sparing and it looked like a freaking Boreadon painting."

Mal shrugged. "They kept moving too fast for it to really be good. Hence why it was just a rough sketch."

"Do you still have it?" Rowyn asked.

"It should be in my old sketchbook but that's over in the clubhouse."

Not for long, Persephone thought with a small smile.

"Nothing much, just wanted to stop by," Persephone said as she sat down on the bed and picked up the sketchbook. "Can I look?"

"It's not all that good—"

"Really Mal?" Uma asked. "Be more obvious when you lie why don't you?"

"I'm sure it looks just fine," Persephone said. "Your drawings always are amazing."

"I think you have to say that. You're my mom," Mal said, shaking her head.

Mal smiled slightly before sighing. "Go ahead," she said softly.

Persephone opened the sketchbook and couldn't help but smile slightly as she looked through the sketches of Hadie, Uma, Estelle…and then she came across the page of dragon attempts.

"I…I know who dragons are connected to," Mal said softly as Persephone remained silent. "But I can't help it. Dragons are still awesome, the way they look with the curves and the rough exterior of the scales. Not to mention the ability to fly and breathe fire—"

"Well Ben, I think we found someone more obsessed with dragons than you," Kitty chuckled.

"She's not wrong," Ben said, shrugging slightly.

"Mal, there's nothing wrong with liking dragons," Persephone told her. "Just because Maleficent is who most people think of when they think of dragons doesn't mean you need to be ashamed of liking them.

Ben nodded. "I like dragons too but no one thinks I'm like Maleficent."

"Ben, you don't just like dragons," Audrey chuckled. "You're flat out obsessed. I think I know more about dragons from you than I'd ever read in a book."

"I mean I don't—."

"If you tell me about how dragons would drop out of trees and on to people's heads before they evolved the ability to fly one more time, I think I might go insane."

Audrey sniffed. "He still goes on about dragons in your timeline too?"

"Sue him for having an interest outside of you I guess," Audrey shot back.

"Seriously. Can we keep her?" Akiho whispered to Emir.

As well, dragons are often connected to the Gods so it would make sense that you're drawn to them."

"But you and dad seem to really hate anything related to Maleficent," Mal said softly.

"Well that's just because we hate Maleficent," Hades stated. "Your relation to her is something you can't help Mali and we'd never penalize you for it."

Persephone sighed. "Your father and I do have our differences with Maleficent, I'm not going to lie. But Mal, just because you like dragons doesn't mean you are like Maleficent and it doesn't mean you are any less our daughter."

Mal bit her lip as she gave Persephone a small smile.

"So no matter what, I'm still going to be your daughter?" Mal asked softly. "Even if you eventually have a girl and I get my sister?"

Is…is it wrong to be relieved she was still worried about that in the event mom had a girl? Hadie thought.

"Mal honey I could have a hundred daughters. Heck I could have a hundred children, boy or girl, and you would still be my daughter. Nothing will change that."

"One hundred kids would be an impressive feat," Eugene nodded.

"Says the man with six children," Aladdin chuckled. "You've only ninety four more to go."

"No," Rapunzel said.

"Gaston has him beat though," Audrey pointed out.

"He's got the twelve kids in your timeline too?" Ben asked. "As well can I just say that the idea of separate timelines is very strange?"

"You're in a room created by the Fates to read scrolls on your lives and it's the separate time lines thing that bothers you? But to answer your question, yes," Audrey nodded.

"You're sure?" Mal asked, looking at Persephone. "I mean, I don't want you to you have a hundred kids. There are days I don't want to share you with Hadie but he's reasonable."

"Yeah I think every kid with siblings thinks like that," Rose nodded.

Persephone chuckled. "It was just an exaggeration sweetheart. I don't want that many kids either but I am positive that no matter how many siblings you get, you will always be my eldest."

"I know you have a mom who's probably one of the most wonderful people around," Belle whispered to Chip, "but I hope you know that the same goes for you."

Chip smiled at Belle. "Hey it's okay Belle. I've got two moms then. Nothing could be better there," he whispered back to her.

"Oh, okay," Mal said softly before pausing and tilting her head in confusion. "But wait. I wasn't born to you, how can I be your oldest? Wouldn't that be Hadie?"

"But you were born first," Hadie spoke up.

"Yeah but not to mom," Mal shook her head. "But it doesn't matter. Mom's my mom."

Persephone gave Mal a soft smile. "Mal, when you think of your mother, who comes to mind?"

"Well…you Steph," Mal said instantly, her voice soft as if worried about how Persephone would react. "You do all the stuff a mom's supposed to do and you don't rant about cursing entire kingdoms."

Demeter couldn't help but smile as she heard that. Even though Mal was still calling Persephone 'Steph' and not 'mom' in that instance, she still thought of Persephone as her mother.

Which counted in Demeter's book!

Persephone smiled, trying not to show how touched she truly was. "And that is how you're my oldest. I've been there since you were a baby sweetheart. I raised you. Blood doesn't always dictate who family is."

That's definitely true, Rapunzel thought with a small nod. Cass is my sister and she's not related to me by blood. I just hope she's doing okay on the Isle, I haven't heard from her in a while.

Mal gave her a small smile before sighing. "Steph? I…I wish I had been born to you instead of the dragon. Dragons are cool and everything, and the benefit of the food when we get it and no one's able to touch me on the Isle is great…"

"But having a normal parent is so much better than one that sings about being evil I'm assuming," Audrey said with a nod.

"I'm…I'm sorry?"

"Does your Maleficent not sing about the joys of being evil and try to lure you to her side via song?"

Mal blinked in shock. "I worry about your timeline."

"She also dances. I do have to say, she may be evil but she does have a great singing voice."

"…that might be the only compliment someone from Auradon has ever given her," Hades stated.

"I know sweetie but it doesn't matter. You are my daughter, and if anyone says otherwise to you, tell them to tell me that."

Hercules smiled a bit as he heard that, thinking of conversations he'd had with his adoptive mother and father after they had revealed that they had found him as a baby.

It didn't matter that he called his parents 'mother and father'. He could have two sets of parents.

Mal nodded. "Does that include Maleficent? She hasn't said anything but there are days where she'll go on rants about dad being worthless and weak."

"Yes well she thinks that because she hits a child she's a big bad scary villain," Hades growled.

"As your dad often says, Maleficent will say a lot of things but that doesn't make them true. What matters is your opinion of your father. But I'd be glad to have a word with Maleficent. I have plenty to say to her."

If it's anything like the fight you had with her at Ben's coronation, I'm sure it would be something to behold, Audrey thought with a small smile.

Mal nodded. "I know dad's not weak and considering the number of things Maleficent considers worthless, the insult doesn't mean much coming from her. Steph, if you do have a talk with her…can I sell tickets? Or at least let Uma know so we can watch?"

"Us too!" Harriet, CJ, Harry, Jay, Emir, Chip, Akiho, and surprisingly Audrey exclaimed.

Persephone shook her head. "Ask your mother, ask your mother, ask your mother, no, no, no, and because you're not of our timeline, no."

"Mom?" Harriet and Harry asked.

"No," Milah said with a chuckle though there was a hint of sadness to it as she noticed that CJ hadn't asked. In fact, she had hardly looked in Milah's direction; opting to curl up next to Harriet instead.

Persephone chuckled softly. "If and when I talk with Maleficent, it'll be when you're much older so you won't get hurt if you do decide to watch," Persephone promised.

Mal sighed but nodded.

Persephone smiled slightly. "Don't worry Mali. No one messes with my kid."

"Mothers are rather protective in that regard," Jasmine said as the other mothers in the room nodded. Well, except for Leah, who remained unconscious.

Mal couldn't help but smirk slightly. It felt good, hearing Steph say Mal was her kid and knew she meant it.

"You ever know mom to say something she didn't mean?" Hadie asked Mal, raising an eyebrow.

"Very true minty, very true."

"I said no to that one!"

"Steph…are you planning on having more kids?" Mal asked softly.

Persephone sighed. "I don't know Mal. Truthfully it's hard enough leaving you and Hadie every six months. I…I don't know if I could do that to another kid."

"But…if you wanted to, could you?" Mal asked.

"It is one of the benefits of being an Olympian," Persephone said. "After all, Zeus carried Athena to term so clearly we don't need to worry about that."

Mal nodded.

"But as I said, even if I do have another kid, you will always be mine and you'll always be my eldest," Persephone promised.

Mal gave her step mother a small smile.

As did the real life Mal, looking over at Persephone. A smile which the Goddess eagerly returned.

"Mal, honey, I'd like to talk with you," Persephone said, pulling Mal back to present day. "Do you remember when I told you that just because you like dragons, it doesn't make you any less my daughter and how dragons are a godly symbol?"

"Not just a Godly one. In China, it's believed that the emperors were descended from dragons," Lonnie said.

"I think you've spent too much time around Ben," Lil' Shang told her.

"No such thing!"

"Yeah, Steph," Mal nodded, unsure about what the conversation was about. "You also said that no matter how many siblings I had, I'd be your eldest…you're not pregnant with a dragon are you?"

"That's possible?" Ben asked.

"Oh dear Gods," Emir shook his head as Audrey bit back her chuckles.

"No sweetheart I'm not," Persephone told her, trying not to laugh.

"Oh," Mal said. "I mean, you could be! Shapeshifting is a godly power—Zeus has done it numerous times after all."

"Oh yes, let's see there was the time he shape shifted into a satyr, a shepherd, an ant—."

"I'm sorry, an ant?" Mal asked, looking at Hades as Hadie chuckled.

"You've got a very strange uncle," the God of the Dead told his daughter. "Of course there was the time he shape shifted into a swan and then there was also the time that he shape shifted into a shower of gold coins."

"Do you just have this memorized in case you need to embarrass him?" Poseidon asked.

"Eaten. As. Babies."

"Fair enough."

"Very true, but I'm not pregnant," Persephone told her before taking a small breath. "Mal, honey, what I'm about to say is completely optional and one hundred percent your choice."

"Okay. What's up?"

"I love how nonchalant you are," Elle said with a small smile. "Lady Persephone says something that sounds really serious and you just say 'what's up'?"

Persephone took a moment to consider the two topics she wanted to talk to Mal about. After weighing them over in her head, she opted to go for the slightly easier topic first. "I've two things that I'd like to talk to you about but we'll start with this one. We both know that your full name connects you to someone we're both not particularly fond of."

"That would be the definition of an understatement," Phillip Sr. nodded.

"That's an understatement," Mal snorted.

"Yes well…how would you feel if your dad and I started calling you by a different full name? Only if you want to," Persephone offered.

"Wait, what was your full first name before?" Kitty asked.

"…I'm sure it'll be revealed in one of these," Mal muttered.

Mal sat up a bit in shock. "You mean I wouldn't be Maleficent anymore? I'd have my own first name?" She asked softly. Not being a copy of the dragon, not needing to earn her full first name…that was a dream come true!

Oh yeah, Mal had mentioned something in the first viewing about needing to earn her full first name, Audrey thought with a small frown. I didn't realize it was Maleficent though. I don't know why but I thought it was something like Malice. Maleficent makes a lot more sense though.

"Exactly sweetie, you are your own person and I think it's high time we stop letting her mold you into a copy of her," Persephone said.

"No parent should try to mold their child," Aurora said with a small nod. "Children should be themselves, not an extension of their parents."

Mal nodded. "What…what would it be? My new full first name I mean?"

"That would be up to you. As I said, this is your choice but if I may make a suggestion, I'd keep the 'Mal' part. That way, the transition won't be as jarring," Persephone said gently.

"Well there's Mala, Malachie, Malanie, Malann, Malantha—."

"I think you made up that last one," Ruby told her sister.

Robin shook her head. "It's old Greek, means 'black flower'."

"But…we know her full first name though," Rowyn pointed out. "It's Malinda."

Mal bit her lip in thought. "What about…Malinda?" Mal asked, her voice soft.

"It's Greek," Macaria said with a small smile. "It means 'gentle'."

"Well that's not Mal at all," Uma chuckled as Mal rolled her eyes.

"I like that," Persephone said with a small smile.

"I do too," Mal nodded. "Malinda Bertha….dragons are still my thing though. The dragon's not taking that away."

Ben smiled slightly at that. I…I wish I'd had your strength Mal, he thought. After all, some of his friends hadn't been as welcoming to his dragon fascination as the others and he had to tone it down by the time he was seven.

After all, Princes should be slaying dragons not spouting dragon facts.

He still liked reading about them, and learning all he could. It just felt more…forbidden now. Like a dirty little secret.

"Of course not," Persephone said. It's high time we started associating dragons with someone different anyway, she thought. "Now for the second topic I wanted to discuss. Mal, you know you're my daughter no matter what. But…how would you like to make it official?"

"Wild seahorses wouldn't stop her from making it official Aunt Steph," Uma nodded.

"Really?" Mal asked. "I'd…I'd be yours and Boreadon wouldn't be looming over our shoulders, in case Maleficent made a report?"

Belle sighed. That shouldn't have ever been something for a child to have to worry about. The fear that a safe place to live might get taken away in the event their biological parent made a report.

"With this type of magical adoption, you'd be legally and magically mine. You'd still be biologically Maleficent's so Hadie would still be your half brother but Maleficent would have no right to you anymore. But, like I said Mal, it's your cho—"

"Wouldn't Maleficent still have to waive her parental rights in someway?" Hyllus asked.

"You're getting dangerously close to 'I don't like you' status, kid," Hades told him.

Persephone didn't get the chance to finish due to the nine year old wrapping her arms around her in a hug.

"I'm not fluent in VK but I'd say that's a 'yes'," Akiho said with a grin.

"Yes! Yes! I want that Steph! More than anything!" Mal exclaimed, startling Estelle who looked over at the two of them in shock.

Gods I wish I'd been there for that, Hades thought with a sad smile. Unfortunately he'd had to work in the early part of the day. The joys of being the God of the Dead.

Persephone grinned, unable to contain her own happiness. "Oh Mal, I'm so happy to hear that!"

"So would this affect the registry over in Boreadon or would they still know me as Maleficent's daughter?" Mal asked.

"If you honestly think we wouldn't get that corrected as soon as humanly and as Godly possible, you don't know us Mal," Hades stated.

"That entry can be removed and you will be put under my entry, just like Hadie."

"Good," Mal smiled. "Oh, I can tell Uma, Jay and Harry right mom?"

Demeter knew she was more than likely grinning from ear to ear but she didn't care. Finally!

…mother?

Oh. Was that over the link?

It was. But I'm glad you're happy. I believe I had the the same thoughts hearing Mal call me mom for the first time.

Persephone paused, having heard the new title. Truthfully, she hadn't expected Mal to use the title of 'mom' so quickly. That didn't mean she didn't like it.

"There's nothing better than hearing your kid call you 'mom' for the first time," Meg said, smiling at her three children.

"Mal sweetheart, you know you don't have to call me that right away if you're not comfortable," she said.

Mal shook her head. "I meant what I said last year. When I think about my mom, you're the one that comes to mind not the dragon. You do all the mom things and you're not a ranting insane dragon obsessed loon. You said it yourself, blood doesn't dictate family. You're my mom."

"I love how you managed to get the insult to the Dragon in there," Uma nodded. "Nice touch."

"Well, I did learn from the best," Mal smirked, looking over at Hades.

Persephone couldn't help but smile at the innocent reasoning. Such was the logic of a nine year old. "Okay sweetheart."

"I dunno, I think that's some pretty sound logic," Eugene nodded. "I know when I was living in the orphanage, I'd have jumped at the chance for someone to do all the mom things. The not being a ranting, insane, dragon obsessed loon would just be icing on the cake."

"Now back to my question. Can I tell them? They might wonder why I've started calling you 'mom' when I was calling you 'Steph' before."

"Or we would have just realized you finally figured out what the three of us have known since we were six," Uma said with a shrug.

"Of course, as long as they know that it can't get spread around the Isle," Persephone said and then paused.

"No Lady Steph we were just going to go and spread it around the Isle," Jay said as he shook his head.

"You've all spent too much time around my husband and daughter. You're too sarcastic for your own good," Persephone said with a small chuckle. "And Jay, you know you can just call me Steph."

"Mal, honey, you will still need to spend one night with Maleficent until the registry's updated."

"Uma, Jay and Harry can keep a secret, mom," Mal said. "They know about dad after all."

"And about Estelle and you know, practically everything involved in Mal's life," Jay nodded.

"You need someone to keep secrets, we're your VKs," Harry grinned.

Persephone smiled at that.

"The whole Maleficent part stinks but, hey, what can you do?" Mal added, shrugging a little.

"Hey, it's just until the registry's updated and then you're never going near her again," Persephone promised.

"Yeah that was a lie," Mal sighed.

"It was?" Ben asked.

"I ended up making an appearance about once or twice a month," Mal told him. "Just so she didn't question anything."

"How long would that take? Changing the registry?"

"The actual adoption would take about an hour, two at the most. Changing the registry would have to wait until the next time I'm in Auradon."

"Though if the Isle had internet access, we probably could have done it same day," Persephone pointed out.

"Yeah Carlos could have probably done it without breaking a sweat," Audrey nodded, wrapping an arm around Carlos' shoulders and frowned as he stiffened in shock. "Oh…sorry…"

"Just…didn't expect it," Carlos said, his timid voice jarring to Audrey who was used to a more confident DeVil boy.

Mal nodded. "Okay, so I'd just have to keep pretending I'm the dragon's spawn for about six months?"

"Unfortunately."

"Pretending…" Audrey scoffed. "All you're doing is pretending Lady Persephone's your mother."

"Is smiting her an option?" Mal asked, looking at her mom. "I mean, we've already got a decent Audrey."

"Now Mal, I'm sure the timeline Audrey came from is missing her," Persephone said.

"Well I spent nine years doing it. What's six more months?" Mal asked with a sigh.

Persephone couldn't help but give a sad smile upon hearing that. Mal shouldn't have to resign herself with living with Maleficent.

"Oh mom?" Mal asked. "What would this do to my magic? Like would it make me full God or would I still have my Fae side?"

"Oh that's…that's a good question," Jane said with a small nod.

"You may retain a bit of your Fae powers but the majority of your magic would be Godly abilities," Persephone said gently.

"I wonder—?"

"Prince Ben, I'd be happy to loan you all of the books I used to look up the adoption method Mal and I used," Persephone offered.

"Thank you Lady Persephone," Ben said with a grin and ignoring Chip's chuckles.

Beast looked over at Belle. "He gets this from you."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Belle said, shaking her head. "Besides, I don't think you're one to talk Mr. Had a Giant Library."

Mal couldn't help but smile. The promise of no connection to Maleficent was just too exciting.

"Could…could we do the adoption now? What does it need?" Mal asked as she got off the sofa.

Persephone wasn't going to lie, hearing once more how eager Mal was to make their mother daughter status official both warmed and broke her heart. Because had Maleficent been any sort of a decent mother it wouldn't have been needed in the first place.

"Of course sweetheart. If that's what you want," Persephone said with a smile as she got up too. Normally one would never leave a three year old alone in a room especially with a three headed dog. However, Estelle was pretty much a nanny to Hadie at this point and both of them knew the Cerberus would never allow any harm to come to the young boy.

"So who's a better baby sitter? Estelle or Pain and Panic?" Uma asked with a chuckle.

"Estelle," Hadie, Mal, Hades, and Persephone said in unison.

Said Cerberus yipped softly and wagged his tail, giving the group a doggy grin.

"All it requires is a potion that you'd have to drink," Persephone told her as she got the ingredients out from the pantry. Thankfully she had picked up all the required ingredients the last time she had been in Auradon. She and Hades had talked about her adopting Mal back around her eighth birthday—the only reason it'd taken so long was because Persephone wanted to do the research into the best form of adoption.

"How many different forms did you look up, Aunt Persephone?" Herkie asked.

"Three hundred and fifty eight," Persephone told him.

"Let it not be said that Steph is anything but thorough," Hades nodded.

The last thing she wanted was for this to end up hurting Mal.

"I think that's the last thing any parent wants to do," Ariel said as she held her girls close to her. Not because she was scared but because in the moment, she just wanted to hold her daughters.

"That's it?" Mal asked. "Seems rather simple."

"It's magic, Mal. It doesn't have to be flashy to be powerful," Persephone told her.

Audrey smiled slightly as she remembered an almost similar line in one of the viewings that the Blue Fairy had given them.

It's magic. It doesn't have to look scary.

So that's where you got it from huh Mal? She thought.

"However I will need to cut your hand slightly. Blood magic, as it implies, requires blood."

"It is said that early magic users believed that the blood was the most direct way to access your magical core or your own magic and it would also make the spell stronger," Jane spoke up. "It's why they started adding blood to potions."

Mal nodded. Even if it might hurt, she'd do anything to make it so she was Steph's and not Maleficent's.

"It won't be a big cut sweetie and I'll make sure it heals straight after we have a few drops in the potion. I promise."

"Good move," Hades muttered to Persephone. "Otherwise the cut could have gotten infected—."

"Hades, dear, you really think I'd have let anything happen to Mal? Besides she was still a Godling then even if she was only half. An infection wouldn't have done much to her."

"Still," Hades sighed.

"Okay," Mal said. "I trust you mom."

Persephone couldn't help but smile as she heard that. No matter how old she got, she never tired hearing those words.

Persephone gave her a smile as she started preparing the potion, pouring liquids from ancient looking bottles into two bowls.

"Got any eye of newt in there?" Mal chuckled as she watched. Maleficent rarely taught her anything about magic so to be able to watch like this was a rare treat.

"…You…you don't actually use eye of newt do you?" Emma asked.

"Those poor newts!" Alexandria gasped.

"My mother told me, eye of newt is just mustard seed," Evie spoke up. "There are some potions that requires animal parts but nine times out of ten, it's just something mundane made to sound magical."

Huh, so Blueberry does have a brain, Uma thought to Mal.

"No, it's pomegranate juice, binding elixir, crushed lily petals in holy water. That sort of thing," Persephone told her with a chuckle.

"Anyone else see the irony in—?"

"Even Mama Odie could see the irony there," Macaria said, shaking her head at her older brother.

"Ah. That sounds much better than eye of newt," Mal said and then bit her lip. "I…I thought anything with blood magic was considered 'dark' though. You're not going to get into trouble for this are you?"

"I'd like to see them try," Demeter stated, glaring at both Beast and Zeus.

"Demeter, it's blood magic—."

"Zeus, all she's doing is adopting her daughter. On what planet is this dark or evil?"

"Not to mention, the barrier is meant to block the use of evil magic," Fairy Godmother spoke up. "By providing young Mal a good home and a family who loves her, there's no way that could be done with evil intent."

Hades pursed his lips. "Normally that would make it so I would like you, the fact that you're sticking up for Steph. But you created the barrier with Zeus' help trapping us all on the Isle."

"If I do, then I do," Persephone said simply. "You are my daughter Mali. We're just making it official in every way."

"Yes but you won't get in trouble Persephone," Poseidon stated. "Will she brother?"

"You do know I could turn you mortal again right?" Zeus asked, glaring at his older brother.

"And you've not answered the question."

Zeus sighed. "No, Persephone. You won't get in trouble. At least from me."

"And what happens between the Gods is no one's business but the Gods," Ben spoke up as he looked at his father. "That's what you always told me dad. Besides since it happened on the Isle, technically it could be argued that it was preformed outside of Auradon's borders despite the fact that the Isle is a part of Auradon—."

"Ben, dear, you're rambling," Belle said gently. "But we get the point."

Ben nodded and leaned back against his seat, missing the small smile Mal shot his way.

Mal nodded, though she still bit her lip in worry.

"Now, can I have your hand please?" Persephone said gently and Mal nodded, handing Persephone her hand.

Uma, Harry, and Jay couldn't help but smile at that. They knew how much trust was involved in such an act. Yes Persephone was Mal's mother but someone asking for your hand while holding a sharp object and claiming the wouldn't hurt you?

Hard to trust that on the Isle.

"Just a small cut sweetheart," Persephone said softly as she carefully made a small cut on Mal's pointer finger with a knife before holding it over one of the bowls and squeezing it gently, causing a few drops to land and turning the mixture inside gold with veins of purple running throughout.

"Oh wow, that sounds beautiful!" Rowyn exclaimed. "Imagine—."

"If you say 'painting', I'm going to officially declare you 'art obsessed'," Rachel said with a chuckle.

Honestly she didn't understand why the mortals always cut their palms when they did this. There were so many more nerve endings there and all you were doing was causing unnecessary pain.

"Huh, did not know that," Emir said with a grin.

"Should we be worried that you're grinning at that?" Ashaki asked her older brother.

Huh, I wonder how I could replicate that, Mal thought as she looked at the mixture. Be fun to spray paint something using that.

"Did you ever manage to replicate it?" Rowyn asked as Rachel shook her head in amusement.

Mal shook her head. "Tried a couple of times but I could never get the veins of purple. The gold paint came in handy though, for when I had to spray paint the Jafar tag on the Dragon's side of the Isle."

Persephone quickly healed Mal's finger before cutting her own hand and adding the blood, turning the other mixture gold and green. "Okay," she said softly after healing her own hand. "Now you drink this one and I'll drink the one in front of you."

"That's it? It's that simple?" Mal asked.

"That's it Mali," Persephone nodded. "I can go first if you'd like."

"Knowing Mal like we do, that won't happen," Jay said, shaking his head.

Mal shook her head. "I'm good doing it at the same time."

"So stubborn," Harry shook his head in amusement.

"Should you really be commenting on the stubbornness of others?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

Audrey chuckled and leaned over to Carlos. "So have they gotten together yet?"

"H..Harry and Uma?" Carlos asked, jumping slightly at the question. "Not really. I mean, everyone…everyone knows but…"

"Ah," Audrey said with a smile. Makes sense. I mean it did take Mal and Jay shoving those two in a room the Blue Fairy created to get them to admit their feelings after watching a future version of themselves almost kiss, she thought.

"Okay," Persephone said with a smile as they both picked up their respective bowls. "On the count of three. One…two…three."

Mal gulped the liquid down. It didn't taste too bad—not like how most potions tasted or so she'd read in the limited books they had on the Isle.

"How'd it taste?" Hadie asked.

Mal gave her little brother a small smile. "Like those drinks Virgil got for us. The ones that taste like sweet water."

"You might feel a bit of a head rush. That's your body adjusting to the added magic," Persephone told her. "In fact, it might be a good idea if you sit down. Come 'ere."

She gently scooped Mal up and carried her over to the sofa in the den, where Hadie and Estelle were still playing dutifully.

Mal shot Uma a look but Uma, for once, did not make a crack about Mal's height. Not when her mom was carrying her.

That was not somethings cousins did after all. Besides, there would be other moments to make short jokes. You make too many of them and they get stale.

"Thanks mom," Mal said softly. She'd spent enough time around Persephone to know there wasn't much point in arguing. "Why aren't you getting the head rush?"

"She's not receiving as much magic," Zeus stated, to everyone's surprise. "What? I do know things regarding potions and the like."

"Yes but the fact that you're volunteering that information Zeusey is why we're surprised," Hades stated.

"I'm an adult and have been a full Goddess for much longer than you have even been alive Mal," Persephone said gently.

"Oh. That makes sense."

"Does that count as a kid admitting their parent's right?" Kit asked.

"Close enough," Kristoff nodded.

"Yeah. Are you feeling okay?"

Mal nodded. "A little bit of a head rush like you said but I'm good."

"Well just stay sitting for a bit okay? At least until it passes."

Mal stiffened slightly as she remembered what happened after and wished she had stayed sitting for a lot longer than she had been.

"Okay mom. Hey, does this mean I'll have control over plants like you do?"

"You're just asking all the magic questions aren't you?" Uma chuckled.

"Hey, you'd want to know too!" Mal said with a small shrug, trying to force herself to relax. It was possible that wouldn't be in these scrolls right?

Ben looked over at her and smiled. "So do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Have control over plants!"

Mal chuckled. Prince Beastie Jr. really was an odd duck at times. "Yeah. Yeah I do. I still have a bit of my Fae magic too but the majority of my magic is Godly based."

"Potentially yes," Persephone nodded. "I can teach you."

Not that it'll do much good here on the Isle, where it's mostly buildings, she thought with an inward frown but she didn't say anything at seeing Mal's grin at the prospect of learning new magic. In fact, her glee was so infectious that Persephone had to smile back.

"But didn't you say that Slade guy had a farm?" Chad asked.

"Just animals though," Uma told him.

"No sunlight, no plants," Mal said with a shrug.

Take that Maleficent! I told you I'd get my daughter back, Persephone thought. Honestly I should have thought of this years ago. When I wanted to take Mal to Auradon after Hades brought her to the Underworld back when she was five, this would have been the perfect way to do it!

"Hindsight is 20/20 after all," Hades sighed. Would he have missed Mal if she went to Auradon when she was five? Of course he would have. But Mal deserved to get off the Isle. Both his kids did for that matter.

And maybe Mal wouldn't have taken Hadie being a boy so hard if she'd already been legally mine as well—she wouldn't have been living with Maleficent and having the dragon pour all that doubt into her head.

It's a nice thought mom but I would have still had years of Maleficent messing with my head, Mal thought with a small sigh. Not to mention I lived with dad and I still had to make an appearance at the Dragon's.

I really should have thought of this years ago!

But it was done now and it couldn't be undone. Mal was her daughter in every sense of the word. Well, every sense that mattered.

Ben nodded, looking over at Chip. "Lady Persephone's right after all. Blood doesn't make family."

"Aye," Harry agreed, looking over at Jay. I finally got my brother because of thinking like that. Doesn't matter that he's not related to me…and he's older…he's still my brother.

"I love you Mal," Persephone said softly, kissing her daughter on the forehead. Mal smiled and rested her head on Persephone's shoulder. They stayed like that for a bit until the sound of the front door opening caught their attention.

"Dunno why, there was only one person who it could have been," Mal shrugged.

"Virgil?"

"…okay two people it could have been," Mal corrected herself upon hearing Jay's suggestion.

"Mal?"

"In the den, Uma!" Mal called back and Uma walked in, smiling at seeing her cousin and aunt.

Audrey couldn't help but smile at the interaction between this timeline's Mal and Uma. It was so strange—her Mal and Uma had been enemies turned friends while these two never seemed to have been enemies at all.

"I wanted to come by and see if you wanted to hang out at the docks?" Uma asked.

"I should have said the clubhouse," Uma muttered. Freddy better get ready for a whole lot of people out for his blood, she thought as her hands curled into fists.

"Sure," Mal nodded.

"Then come on!" Uma grinned. "Thanks for letting me steal her Aunt Steph!"

"Just don't get into too much trouble you two," Persephone chuckled as she picked up Hadie.

"Trouble? Mal and Uma? Perish the thought," Harriet chuckled. She stopped though as she looked over at Harry, who was as silent as could be. This wasn't him pouting because he was near CJ either, something was wrong.

I remember what happens next, Harry thought as he subtly wrapped his hands around his torso; as if trying to protect his ribs from an oncoming attack. Even after all these years, he still didn't like to think about it.

"It's like you don't trust us mom!" Mal chuckled as she dragged Uma out. Persephone just shook her head in amusement as Uma's shocked questioning followed them out of the Underworld.

"Gee, I wonder why," Audrey sniffed and Audrey shook her head.

"Who wants to read next?" Jay asked, trying to keep the peace and prevent an Audrey vs Audrey spat.

"I'll read," Esmeralda offered.

Chapter 31 Chapter Text

Before Esmeralda unfurled her scroll, the eyeball lit up and seemed to pulse for a bit. Everyone braced to see who it was who would be joining but no one came.

"We thought it might be necessary to limit the magic that could be displayed," the Fates' voices came from the eyeball. "The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt."

"Really?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"…okay we just don't want to deal with injured people because of the wrath of the Gods."

"That makes more sense ladies."

"Should we wake up Leah?" Ariel asked.

"Do you want to?" Jasmine said and then looked at Aurora. "No offense."

Aurora sighed. "Perhaps it would be better if my mother remained passed out for now. Esmeralda, my apologies. Please proceed."

Esmeralda nodded and unfurled her scroll.

Mal and Uma hid behind some of the barrels that were stacked around the docks, lying in wait for Cruella and her son. It was rare but they did like to diversify their targets from time to time.

Evie sighed softly, thankful for the rare moments she got a respite from the barge of smoke bombs.

"You okay?" Emma asked, looking over at her as she heard the sigh.

Evie nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Blueberry's shrieks were always pleasing but sometimes their ears needed a break.

"You could always just not throw the smoke bombs?" Rachel suggested. "Honestly it's been years since the party invite, can't you just let it go?"

"Good question. Let me ask you one," Mal said. "Are kids still on the Isle?"

"What?"

"Are kids still on the Isle?"

"Well yes but—."

"So you've all imprisoned children for their parents' crimes but you want me to let the insult of not being invited to a party go?"

Audrey shook her head. "It is so weird to hear you hating Evie when you're best friends where I'm from."

"Yeah well you also have a singing and dancing Maleficent so the jury's still out on your sanity," Mal told her.

"So let me get this straight. Aunt Steph adopted you?" Uma whispered as she scratched Estelle behind the ears, the loyal Cerberus having followed them from the Underworld.

"Should you really be talking about that out in the open like that?" Akiho asked. "After all, it's supposed to be a secret."

"For the thousandth time, yes," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

"Sorry, it's just…weird. I've spent how many years knowing you as Maleficent's daughter?"

Rapunzel sighed, she could certainly sympathize with that. "I'm sure it was jarring to think about."

"I'm not Maleficent's anything, even if she is my birth giver," Mal muttered. "Mom's more of my mom than Maleficent ever was."

"Maleficent donated the egg, that's it," Mal said firmly.

"Under fifteens present Mal. Not to mention we don't want to think about that," Uma reminded her.

"But you still have to go back to her lair once a week?"

"Just until the registry's updated," Mal said, keeping her voice low as a couple of the warf rats passed by. "But mom said that won't be done until she goes back to Boreadon."

Mal shook her head. "It's like we were hoping the news would get back to the Dragon. Why in the world were we talking about it so openly?"

"You were excited?" Uma offered with a small shrug.

"Possibly," Mal sighed.

Uma nodded and then peered over the barrels. "Looks like we'll have to table this topic for now. Here they come."

"You got the smoke bombs ready?" Mal muttered, grinning wickedly. "Also, do you think we use smoke bombs too often?"

Only when it's important, Audrey thought as she thought about the second viewing, and Ben on a plank with his hands and ankles tied together. Mal, Jay, Carlos and Evie standing against Uma, Harry, and Gil.

"Maybe," Uma muttered, pulling out the smoke bombs. "But they're easy to get ahold of. We don't have to rely on anything from Boreadon to make 'em."

"But…you use resources from the hair salon which does rely on things from Boreadon," Dizzy spoke up.

"True and Ms. Fur Ball hates it when her precious furs are stained."

"Kinda makes me wonder where she's getting all those furs. This is the Isle after all."

"…how many strays or furry creatures does the Isle have?" Emma asked though there was a gnawing feeling of dread in her stomach.

"Not enough to keep Cruella in furs," Jay told her.

"Now Shere Khan on the other hand, with his pawn shop…" Uma mused.

"…a tiger has a pawn shop?" Chip asked.

"Excellent point!" Mal nodded.

Uma grinned wickedly. "Target on lock! Fire in 3…2…1…"

"Fire!" Mal shouted and both of them began throwing the smoke bombs at Cruella and Carlos. The girls laughed as Cruella shrieked amid blue and purple smoke.

"Thanks for that," Carlos muttered under his breath. His mother had spent hours ranting about the damage to her furs before giving him the task of cleaning them.

"Come on! Run! Before she catches us!" Uma shouted through her laughter. Mal laughed and began to run. Unfortunately, she still had a bit of a head rush from the potion so running in a straight line wasn't the easiest task. Add the added difficulty of the smoke obscuring her vision and Mal would be forgiven for bumping into someone.

"Were you okay?" Ben asked, looking over at Mal.

"Fine," Mal said shortly. She really was not in the mood to relive one of the worst days of her life.

"Watch where you're going, witch," the person growled and reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"Let her go," Jay growled.

Mal winced as they gripped it hard—not as hard as Maleficent had done in years past but still hard enough that it would probably bruise.

"Get your hands off me," she growled, trying not to show how much their grip hurt.

"It's not Maleficent is it? That's the only person who'd even try to hurt Mal!" Dizzy squeaked in fear as Jay, Harry, and Uma all narrowed their eyes; the other kids looking at the three of them in concern and never noticing how pale Mal's face had gotten as the memory of that day came flooding back.

"You strut around here like you own the Isle," the person growled and Mal froze as she thought she recognized their voice. "You think you're so great just because you're Maleficent's spawn. You're nothing without your mother's name behind you."

"Excuse me? Who is this person? How do they have any right to say that to Mal?!" Demeter demanded, her eyes flashing.

"Mal never told me about that part," Uma growled.

He leaned forward and whispered into Mal's ear. "And he shall

Everyone stared as Esmeralda trailed off, her eyes widening in horror. She knew those words. They still occasionally haunted her nightmares—she could feel her arms get heavy as if she was trying to keep Quasi from falling into the molten steel, she could smell the smoke in the air and almost feel the water dribble down her chin as Quasimodo tried to nurse her back to health.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to banish the images that had started to form in her head. Trying to prevent the voice that was now ringing in her head from taking hold and trapping her in her memories…The time has come Gypsy, you stand on the brink of the abyss…choose me or the fire…

Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the scroll, silently reading the information as her eyes narrowed in rage before widening in horror.

"Esmie?" Phoebus asked, looking over at his wife in concern. He hadn't expected for her to drop the scroll and make a beeline to Mal. Mal gave her a look of unease as the older woman stood in front of her, an unreadable look on her face. However, before Mal could say anything, Esmeralda enveloped the Godling into a hug.

"…did not see that coming," Emir said but Harry, Jay, and Uma's eyes widened in understanding. If there was one person who knew what that line meant, it was Esmeralda.

"I am so sorry you had to go through that," Esmeralda said as she released Mal from the hug, her eyes filled with sympathy and understanding.

"Thank you," Mal said, her voice soft as Esmeralda sat back down.

"You want me to take over?" Phoebus whispered to her but Esmeralda shook her head. She would get through this.

smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery depths. We may not have fire but water would work just as well, don't you think?"

"What—?"

"Don't you even think about it whoever you are!" Poseidon growled.

"Perhaps he would like to spend his life as a tree?!" Demeter offered, her eyes flashing in irritation.

Before Mal could react, the person shoved her off the edge of the dock into the water below. She gasped as her body broke through the water of the cove and Mal flailed about, trying to keep her head above water.

Mal didn't react outwardly but her heart pounded so fast, one might have thought it was trying to escape her chest. She didn't exactly expect to have to relive that day. Unbeknownst to her, her hand had latched onto Ben's wrist; as if she was trying to reassure herself that she was firmly on land and not drowning in the Cove once more.

"What?!"

To everyone's surprise, it had been Zeus who yelled. Well, Zeus and Hercules but everyone had kinda grown used to Herc coming to Mal's defense.

"What?" Zeus asked as he noticed everyone else staring at him in astonishment. "You think I wouldn't—?"

"Zeus, we need your help. Maleficent has stolen a child from Hades," Persephone stated. "You didn't help us then, why would we think you'd care one bit about Mal now?"

"Persephone, is now really the time?" Hera demanded. "Someone just pushed Mal into the Cove!"

"Hera, you don't think I know that? But after years of denying help and ignoring the Isle, you have no right to act offended when we're surprised you're reacting like this!" Persephone shot back as Hades paced back and forth, his hair almost a bright orange as he ranted about what exactly he'd do to the person who pushed Mal.

Her assailant turned and left but Mal wasn't worried about who they were. All she cared about was getting out of the water. She tried desperately to cling to one of the barrels that had fallen into the water but the wet wood made it impossible to keep her grip.

Poseidon glared at the scroll in Esmeralda's hands, his own hands curling into fists. How he wished he'd been there! He could have brought the water up so Mal could get back onto the dock.

"Ben, when you bring more VKs over, that one stays on the Isle," Audrey said, her voice hard.

Ben nodded, too angry and worried about Mal to even be happy that at least one version of Audrey supported the VK initiative. "I'm all for giving the VKs a chance but that's attempted murder!"

Each time her hand slipped, Mal felt her head go under the water and she struggled to keep herself afloat. A splash and a tugging at the collar of her jacket, though, couldn't help but make her smile a little despite the circumstances.

"Good boy," Persephone whispered, her heart clenching in fear. It had been one thing to see Hades carry a sopping wet Mal into the Underworld but to read about it?

Good boy, she thought.

"Uma!" Mal shouted, trying to get her cousin's attention. "Uma!"

"Thank Gods she wasn't alone," Hera sighed in relief. Mal may have been adopted by Persephone, but who knew how long it actually took for the magic to take affect? For the immortality?

Hades could have lost his daughter that day. Persephone could have lost her daughter…

"Oh Gods!" Uma shouted, having doubled back for Mal as she heard the commotion. "Hang in there Mali!"

She knelt down on the docks and held out her hand. "Can you get my hand?"

"No, you're too far!" Mal called back, a small bit of fear in her voice.

Hadie looked over at Mal in shock. Mal…Mal was never afraid. She was always like a rock, calm and cool. But here…she was terrified.

Forgetting that their mother had adopted her, forgetting that she had the Godly powers to protect her, Hadie ran and launched himself at his sister.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as Mal wrapped one arm around him, the other hand still holding on to Ben's wrist for dear life. "You can call me whatever you want, storm cloud, minty, I just…"

"Shh, shh, it's okay Hadie," Mal whispered, rubbing his back. "I'm okay Storm Cloud."

Hadie smiled slightly. It didn't matter that it had once been an insult, it didn't matter that Mal had hated him upon his birth. All he knew was that there had been a time when Mal might not have been there to call him Storm Cloud.

Uma bit her lip, looking around for the other two members of their crew.

Harry! Jay! Where are you?!

"Uma!" Harry called as he jumped over the railing and ran toward his captain, as if he had heard Uma's frantic thoughts.

"Oh thank Gods," CJ sighed in relief, causing Harry to look at her in surprise.

"What?" The younger girl asked as she saw the look. "You're a strong swimmer and you're taller than Uma, Harry. You can get Mal."

"Was jumping over the railing really necessary though?" Harriet asked.

"Saved time," Harry shrugged.

"What happened? I was manning the counter for the Captain at our fish shop and heard shouting."

"Help!" Mal cried out.

"Oh Gods! Keep your head up Mal, I'm coming!" Harry said, dropping his hook on to the dock.

"You actually dropped it?" Harriet asked, turning to look at her little brother.

"Didn't even think about it," Harry told her. "Mal needed me more and two free hands is a lot better than one free hand and one hook. I didn't want to accidentally hook Mal."

"What's the big deal? Makes sense that he'd drop it," Evan said.

Uma shook her head. "Harry's hook is like Mal's dragons or Jay's stealing. One without the other is almost impossible to picture and Harry never lets go of that hook."

"Uma, get your uncle now!"

Harry dove into the water as Uma ran off, presumably to do just that. Quickly, Harry swam to Mal and wrapped one arm around her torso and the other hand gently grabbed Estelle's collar.

He didn't even hesitate but jumped right in, Ben thought. So far, other than that Freddy guy, the VKs have proven that there's good in them. There's no way they deserve the Isle!

Milah leaned down so that her mouth was next to Harry's ear. "I am so proud of you."

"I got her boy," he said gently. "I got you Mali. Don't worry, we're going to get out of this."

"Harry!" Jay called after what felt like hours but was probably more twenty five minutes of Harry continuously kicking to keep both his and Mal's head afloat.

"Why didn't you just swim to the dock?" Elle asked.

Harry shrugged. "All I thought of was keeping Mal's head above water. I didn't think it'd be so long before someone came."

"What happened?"

"Oh cap'n and I decided to go for a swim," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "Mal fell in, what do you think happened Jay?!"

"She didn't fall in. She was pushed," Harry snarled, his hands curling into fists.

Jay rushed over and knelt down on the docks, his hand outstretched.

"I gotcha Mal, don't worry," Harry said. "Nothing's going to happen to you while I'm around."

"I know Harry," Mal said and gave the pirate a small smile.

"Come on you two. Grab on to me!" Jay called.

"Jay, can you stretch any farther?" Harry shouted. "I don't want to risk her head going under if I move."

"I may have been the tallest out of the four of us but I'm not made of elastic," Jay said, shaking his head. "You were just out of reach Harry."

Jay shook his head. "This is as far as I can reach," he said, biting his lip in worry. Just like Mal, he couldn't swim either so he couldn't jump in to help Harry. He'd just be a hinderance.

"My dad's from Agrabah, you really think he knows how to swim surrounded by nothing but sand?" Jay asked as he saw the looks from Emir, Aziz, and Ashaki. "Not to mention swimming would take up time I could be stealing something."

"Out of the way Jay!" Hades' voice startled the boys and Jay scrambled to get out of the way as the lord of the Underworld rushed over to them. Hades knelt down on the dock, holding his hand out for Mal to take as Harry continued to kick his legs to keep them both above water.

"Oh thank Gods," Melody sighed in relief and Elle sank back.

"She's right there," Chad pointed out. "She clearly survived this."

Lucy shook her head. "They're allowed to be worried for family Chad. Now hush."

"Come 'ere Mali," Hades said softly as Mal grabbed his hand. Hades quickly wrapped his other arm around her chest and lifted her out of the water, holding her to him. This was his side of the Isle, if anyone had an issue with him showing a bit of kindness to Mal they could take it up with him.

"I don't think anyone would take issue in you helping Mal, Lord Hades," Aladdin said, shaking his head.

"Well Maleficent might," Eugene added.

"Yes well she's a few apples short of a full bushel."

Plus if he could take the opportunity to warm up his daughter, he would. It wasn't done with an evil intent so the barrier couldn't block it.

"Thank the Gods for that," Persephone sighed. The last thing she wanted was for Mal to get sick because of this.

"Dad," Mal said softly as Hades set her down on the docks. Harry and Jay quickly got Estelle out of the water before Jay pulled Harry out, Harry shaking himself off the same way Estelle did.

"Hey Ben, Harry dries off the same way you do!" Chip said, teasing the younger boy and trying to bring a bit of levity back to the room after what they'd just read.

"I know, I know," Hades said gently. "You're okay, I've got you. Come on, let's get you home and get you dried off."

Harry went over and stood by Uma. "We should give 'em some privacy," he muttered. "Keep watch and the like. I doubt Mal'll want anyone finding out about this."

That shouldn't have had to be something a child should have to think of. For that matter…where is everyone? In Auradon, there would have been a crowd of adults and other kids trying to help get Mal out of the water, Aziz thought with a small frown.

"Thank you for the offer but I want you three to come with me," Hades said as he stood up, holding Mal to his chest and rubbing her back. "Especially you Hook Jr. We'll need to get you out of those wet clothes before you get sick. Come along."

"Thank you Lord Hades," Milah said, her voice soft as she looked over at the Lord of the Underworld.

"He saved my daughter," Hades stated. "I wasn't going to let him get sick."

Harry stared in shock before Uma elbowed him in the side. "Uh, yes Lord Hades," he said and the three of them began to trot after Hades.

You matter to us Harry, Uma thought. That includes Uncle Hades. He's not going to let you get sick.

"Wait, Estelle! He's still in the—"

"You honestly think we'd forget about him?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We got him Mal," Jay said gently as Estelle gave a small yip.

"Yeah Mali, he's crew. You don't abandon your crew," Uma said and Harry nodded. Mal gave a small smile as they made their way back to the Underworld.

Estelle looked over and gave Uma a doggy grin and trotted over to her, giving her a small lick on the hand.

I hope Harriet's fine taking over the counter for me, Harry thought. If not, the Captain won't be happy I abandoned my post. But if it was between manning the counter and saving Mal…Mal wins every time.

Mal shook her head. "Harry, no! You know as well as I do that you should have picked the counter."

"Mal, I mean it," Harry stated even as his arms moved once more as if to protect his ribs. "If I'm picking between you and the counter, you win every time."

Even if it means I wind up with broken ribs, he thought.

"Hades, what's going on?" Persephone asked in worry, her eyes widening as Hades walked into the Underworld with the three kids following him. "What happened? Is she alright?"

"Hades was watching on the Ember," Persephone said. "I'd told him that Mal and Uma went to the docks, even after Mal came to live with us Hades still kept an eye on her when she went out of the Underworld when he could. Without explanation though he dropped the ember and went sprinting out of the Underworld…"

"Did you know? Who it was who pushed me?" Mal asked, looking at her father.

Hades shook his head. "The blue and purple smoke covered up their face, just like it did with you. I didn't even know you'd gone into the Cove until I heard a splash and saw Estelle jump in."

"I'm fine mom," Mal said softly.

"Thanks to Hook Jr over there," Hades added. "Actually thanks to all three of them I should say."

"Why is it you all get called by your first names but I get 'Hook Jr.'?" Harry asked.

"Because you're the only one of us with a last name," Jay told him.

"I didn't do anything though," Uma spoke up.

"You came and got me, that counts in my book."

"And in mine," Persephone nodded.

Uma shrugged. "Harry's the stronger swimmer, he's taller. Besides I'm blood. If you hadn't already been running toward the docks, Uncle Hades, I would have been able to go straight in and not waste any time."

"Not necessarily," Eugene stated. "If Lord Hades hadn't been running for the docks, you would have still needed to explain what was going on."

As soon as they'd been able, Hades and Persephone had added security to the Underworld where no one who wasn't a blood relation could get in without Hades, Persephone's or Mal's approval.

"Let me know if you need any additional security measures," Poseidon told Hades.

"I'd be happy to come up with some suggestions as well," Demeter nodded.

"It still counts Uma," Hades said. "Besides, you could have just stood there watching."

"Why would I do that?" Uma asked. "Mal's my cousin, not to mention the co captain of our crew. Harry and Jay would be useless without us."

"Honestly there are times I wonder if they just share a brain cell," Uma chuckled.

"Hey!"

"She's got a point Harry."

"Jay!"

Ben chuckled slightly and shook his head in amusement, able to do so now that Mal was safe. Those two truly were just like Emir and Akiho. So much so that it was a little scary if he was honest.

Hades gave the three of them a small smile before turning to Persephone. "Steph, can you make some tea for Mal and Harry? And see if you can find him some clothes. I'm going to take Mal to her room so we can get her out of these wet things."

"You didn't even need to ask, Hades," Persephone said. "There was no way I was going to let Harry stand in those wet clothes for longer than he had to!"

"Of course dear," Persephone said before turning to Harry. "I think Virgil's old clothes should fit you just nicely Harry."

"Um, thank you your Ladyship but I'm fine really—"

"Harry, really. You're not seriously going to stay in those sopping wet clothes?" Harriet asked, shaking her head at her brother's stubbornness.

Persephone gave Harry a look, not unlike a look a mother would give a son as Hades carried Mal off. "Harry, you're dripping wet. I'm not having you get sick because you were too stubborn to change your clothes. Come on, we'll get you a change of clothes and then I'll get some tea on. Now come along and we'll get you sorted."

It was Persephone's turn to get a thankful smile from Milah. "Thank you Lady Persephone."

"I'd have want someone to do the same if it was Mal or Hadie in that position," Persephone told her. "It was the right thing to do."

You practically are my mother though Lady Steph, Harry thought. You, and Harriet…and Molly Smee until she joined mom…

Meanwhile, Hades was busy getting Mal situated.

"It's okay sweetheart, you're safe," he said gently as he closed the door to her room. Mal clung to her dad, as if nervous that letting go would result in her winding back into the water even though she was no where near it.

Mal tried to keep her face as unexpressive as possible even as a shudder ran down her spine at the thought of possibly winding back up near water.

"Gods, there's no need to be so drama—."

"If you have more than one braincell, you won't finish that sentence," Uma growled as she glared at Audrey.

"I thought I was going to die," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Jay leaned over to Uma. "You know…is it weird that Mal's still sitting by Prince Beastie Jr.? You'd think after all that happened in this chapter, she'd want to be with us?"

"Mal's not going to want attention on her. She moves, everyone will remember she's here," Uma muttered back to him. "She probably just wants this scroll to be over with."

"Shh, it's okay Mali," Hades said. "You're safe. There's nothing to be afraid of, okay? Let's get you out of this wet jacket and into some dry clothes, and then you can get into bed to keep warm and I'll see if Steph's made your tea."

Uma shook her head. If there was anyone more stubborn than Harry when it came to having someone look after them, it was Mal.

Mal shook her head, crossing her arms. She could handle getting changed but she was not going to take off her jacket.

"Is this really the time to be stubborn?" Macaria asked.

"Malinda, take off the jacket," Hades said, a bit more firmly. Persephone had told him about the name change and he had been one hundred percent for it. "You can put it back on once it's dried," he added, his voice going back to the gentle tone he'd been using. Mal bit her lip but her dad was always good to his word. Plus…the wet leather on her arms did send chills up her spine.

"How'd it feel?" Poseidon asked Hades. "The first time using the full first name?"

"It felt amazing, strangely enough," Hades told him. There was no point or reason to lie about it. "In all honesty I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to do so."

"What about the others?" Mal asked softly as she shed her jacket. "I don't want them to wor…I mean I should go back out there."

"A crew will worry about their captain, or their co-captain," Harry said firmly.

"And friends worry about each other," Akiho added, glancing over at Ben.

"I think that ship's sailed sweetheart," Hades said gently with a soft smile on his face. "Mal you don't have to put on a brave face. Not with them and not with me or your mom. Besides if your minions are anything like I think they are, they'll be worrying about you whether you want them to or not. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the minute Harry's dry, the three of them will be outside your door wanting to climb on the bed with you."

"We're not minions!" Harry, Jay, and Uma exclaimed.

"Harry shouldn't have come out," Mal said softly. "Hook's not going to be happy Harry abandoned his post at the shop—hopefully Harriet covered for him."

"Of course I covered for him," Harriet stated. That didn't mean anything to the Captain though, she thought as she realized exactly why Harry's arms kept wrapping around his ribs.

"Mal, if Harry hadn't done what he did there's a very high chance you wouldn't be here right now unless Uma managed to hold you up in the water. Truthfully I'd rather Harry get in trouble with his dad than you not be here," Hades said.

Nope, nope! While I still maintain I want Mal here, you don't realize what you might have inflicted on Harry, past-me, Hades thought. He didn't know how it happened but years of having the boys in the Underworld all the time had made it so Hades couldn't help but think of the pirate as another son.

"I only get one daughter and I'm rather fond of her. So let's get you into some dry clothes and then you're getting into that bed young lady. No complaints."

No matter where you are, the parental lectures for raising a daughter remain the same. Just with little tweaks here and there, Kit thought as memories trying to get a sick Lucy or injured Kitty to stay in bed flashed through his mind.

"Dad?" Mal said as Hades pulled some dry clothes out for her. "Thanks…for being at the docks I mean. I know we're still keeping it a secret but I…it was nice having you there."

"The only place a parent wants to be is by their child's side, being able to help them when they need it," Belle said with a small nod.

"Anytime Mali. I told you, I'll always watch over you. No matter what, it doesn't matter that you're living here now or that Steph's adopted you. I'm still going to keep an eye out for you. Now, would you like a moment alone so you can change or would you like some help?"

Mal braced for the cooing, she had almost expected it. But it didn't come much to her relief. She could almost handle the cooing around Evie. Evie and two Audreys? Even if one Audrey didn't seem to have the stick up her butt? Yeah no. Not happening.

Mal bit her lip as she thought it over. She was nine after all—she shouldn't need her father's help to get changed.

"Or would you rather I send your mom in?" Hades asked softly.

Despite the terror of the previous scene, Demeter couldn't help but smile a little as Hades referred to Persephone as Mal's mother.

Mal shook her head. Steph…mom would just fuss and worry. "Can I have the moment alone?"

"Of course I would fuss!" Persephone said, nodding slightly even as she smiled at hearing Mal call her mom once more. She never tired of it.

"Of course, call if you need anything," Hades said, kissing her on the forehead and handing her the clothes before heading out the door.

"Thanks dad," Mal said softly, watching him leave and closing the door behind him for her privacy. She sighed and shivered slightly as she pulled off her wet top.

I'm going to owe Harry a big thank you, Mal thought as she got changed. Though what can I do that equals basically saving my life while risking his father's wrath?

You don't have to do anything Mal. Besides, you're more important in the scheme of things. I'd be a pretty lousy crew member if I just let my co-captain drown, Harry thought with a small frown.

If Hook does anything to Harry because he left the counter to save me, he'll regret it for the rest of his life! I'll be throwing more than smoke bombs at the Captain if that's the case.

"And you won't be alone!" Uma vowed.

"You got that right!" Jay nodded.

Ben glanced at Emir and Akiho, each of them glancing at Harry in concern. They knew Maleficent hadn't been a fit mother but…that was Maleficent. Surely Hook…he didn't…

Though if Hook wanted to keep the deal he had with Hades, he wouldn't do anything to Harry. After all, Harry just garnered favor with Hades of all people.

Hmm, that's an idea. After all, Hook isn't the only one who can provide fish and actually with Leah removed from power, there could be better food for the Isle, Hades thought.

That was a big thing on the Isle. Even if they were keeping her relationship to Hades a secret, it didn't change the fact that Harry, Jay and Uma had just earned massive points with Hades. The only one who probably would have to keep it a secret though would be Jay.

"Eh, I had enough clout on the Isle anyway," Jay shrugged. "Between dad working with the Dragon and being with you guys, I was like Mal. Ruling the Isle."

And we're sure they're not dating? Ben thought with a small frown.

"Thank you Harry," Mal whispered as she quickly finished getting dressed as to not worry her father any more than she already had and left her room to go join the others.

"Don't mention it Mal," Harry whispered back. "I'd do it again."

"Ah ba ba ba! Young lady, where do you think you're going?"

"To join the others?"

"Are you telling her or asking her?" Rowyn asked, a small smile pulling at her lips now that Mal was safe.

"They can come to you! You are getting under those covers and drinking a cup of tea!"

"Mom!" Mal exclaimed as Persephone led Mal back to the bed. "I'm fine!"

"Thank you for the reminder that I need to ban that word from your vocabulary," Persephone muttered.

"…how would you do that?" Chip asked.

"No complaining, in you get!" Persephone said, tucking her in pointedly.

"Mom! Seriously, I'm fine!"

"Yes, you will be. Once you have some tea. I have the water on right now."

"You don't have to fuss like—"

"Have you not met your grandmother? Persephone comes by it honestly and really, she's got the right to fuss," Hades stated.

"Was that a compliment?" Demeter muttered to Poseidon.

"Take it as one," Poseidon muttered back. After all, Hades could have referred to Demeter as merely 'Persephone's mother' rather than Mal's grandmother.

"I almost lost my daughter today Mal. I will fuss however I please!" Persephone told her. "Now, young lady, you will be staying in this bed until the tea arrives!"

"We could take lessons from her in getting Ben to sleep in his own bed," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Hell, I'd settle for having him eat something that's not a sandwich," Akiho muttered back.

"I'd listen to her Mal," Uma said as she poked her head through the door.

"Hey Uma," Mal said with a small smile.

"Can we come in?"

Mal nodded. "How's Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "She almost drowned yet she'd worried about me."

"Ask him yourself," Uma smirked as Harry, now wearing a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt that was slightly too big for him, and Jay followed her in.

"I had wondered where you got those clothes from," Harriet told her brother.

"Now you know," Harry said, his gruff tone rather startling. Even if Harriet knew what might be coming, her brother had never spoken to her like that.

"Harry…?"

Harry shook his head. "I…I don't want all these Boreadon people finding out," he whispered.

Harriet nodded. She would have held him close but their mom was busy doing that.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question to you Mal?" Harry asked. "You're the one who almost drowned."

"You're the one who spent who knows how long keeping my head above water Harry," Mal told him. "How are your legs not rubber right now?"

"It might have been adrenaline," Lil' Shang suggested.

That…that might explain why I had trouble running away later that night, Harry thought, lightly chewing on his lip.

"Swimming lessons since I was practically six months old," Harry chuckled as they all clambered up on the bed, Estelle joining them.

"I don't think that's possible unless you're secretly a mermaid," Melody spoke up.

"I don't think that's actually possible," Jay said with a chuckle.

"Take a look at who the Captain is. I was practically born in the water," Harry shook his head.

Persephone smiled slightly at the sight. "I'll go check on your tea," she said and left the room. Mal sighed. Now that the excitement was over, she realized that someone had pushed her into that water. She hadn't fallen. She hadn't tripped. That was on purpose.

A dark look crossed against Zeus' face. "Whoever did it will pay. I can assure you of that."

"For once we agree on something brother," Hades nodded, his hair lighting up once more at the thought of someone trying to harm his daughter.

"Someone pushed me in…" she said softly.

"What?" Uma asked, the lighthearted mood of the room growing somber.

"Who was it Mal? They now have an appointment with my hook—"

"And fists—"

"And swords and other sharp objects—"

"—before they get shoved in themselves!" Harry growled, ignoring the interjections from Jay and Uma.

Akiho nodded. "I've got a giant snowman who'd love to teach them a thing or two about messing with Mal!"

Don't lose your temper, don't go Beast, Ben thought. You've got a girlfriend, an easily made jealous girlfriend. Even though the thought of someone harming Mal…

"Guys, I have my suspicions but I can't prove anything," Mal said softly. "The smoke covered their face."

"Mal, suspicions are good enough! No one tries to murder my cousin and get away with it!" Uma growled as she hopped off the bed and began to pace.

Gods this is too strange, Audrey thought. Considering the fact that my Mal and Uma only just became friends and there was a viewing where they fought each other as a dragon and a giant octopus woman. It's nice though.

"Mal, the other gangs have gotten into fights on less than suspicions, you know that!" Jay said. "Who was it? When your dad finds out, he'll feed them to the Furies! After we're done with them of course!"

"Oh I won't just feed them to the Furies Jay," Hades shook his head. "I'll find my Cerberus and gift him a new chew toy!"

"But…you're on the Isle and Hercules takes care of Cerberus…"

"Hush. Let a God have his fantasies."

Mal smiled softly at her crew's determination. "Guys really, you don't have to make a big deal out of it."

"You almost died Mal!" Macaria exclaimed. "I'd be amazed if they didn't make a bigger deal over it being on purpose!"

"Beggin' your pardon, co-cap'n, but we do. No one messes with a member of our crew and gets away with it," Harry told her.

"Mal, if you insist on not telling us, we can just ask Estelle. There's no way he didn't see 'em or at least smell 'em," Uma said, crossing her arms.

"I…I could ask him?" Carlos spoke up, his eyes wide with fear but there was a determined note to his voice.

"But you're terrified of dogs DeVil," Mal said with a slight frown.

"Yeah," Carlos nodded. "But you guys gave me and Gil protection from the other gangs, make sure we get food, and a whole bunch of other stuff. If…if you ever want it confirmed, I…I can suck it up for a minute."

Mal had to admit, she was oddly touched by that. Everyone on the Isle knew about DeVil's cynophobia. For him to offer…wait did he just say he could ask Estelle?

"Back up. Explain please?"

"I'm Cruella DeVil's son," Carlos said with a slight shrug. "Of course I can speak dog."

"That…that in no way explains that," Uma said, shaking her head.

Audrey chuckled. "In my timeline, we just used a truth gummy and we could all speak to dogs. Well it was just one dog. Carlos' dog in fact."

"I have a what?!"

Mal sighed. There was no way her crew would drop it. "I…I think it was Freddy boy," she said softly. "You know how much he hates me and he's probably the only one that would have the guts—"

"He's dead! I don't care if I have to go to the Isle myself and smite him there!" Demeter exclaimed. "I hope he enjoys life as a tree!"

"Sorry Demeter but you're going to have to beat me to him!" Poseidon growled. "Let's see if this Freddy can swim!"

Phoebus shook his head. "While I normally wouldn't say this, with Freddy being a child in the scroll, it's clear that he has grown up to be just like his father considering Freddy seems to be three years older than Mal. In that case, I'd like to request that Esmeralda and I handle it. We have a connection with the Frollo family after all."

"Why not all of you?" Uma suggested. "After me, Harry, and Jay of course."

"I like the way your granddaughter thinks, Poseidon," Zeus stated.

Mal rolled her eyes. "Oh honestly. I clearly survived so there's no reason to try to kill Freddy. He's trapped on the Isle anyway and I'm in Auradon."

"That's it! He's dead!" Uma growled. "Harry, Jay, we're going to make sure Freddy boy sees his precious Hellfire! Estelle, stay with Mal. We'll be back!"

"Guys, wait! You'll start a gang war over this, it could tear our lives apart!" Mal exclaimed as the boys got up, dark looks on their faces.

"Our crew outnumbered theirs Mal. If it came to a gang war, we'd decimate them," Jay stated.

"Think about it! Killing Freddy might feel good until Freddy's angels come after us! I'm not risking Hadie over this! And Celia, Uma think about it! You kill Freddy and Celia will have a target on her back! You really want her mixed up in this?"

I'm not risking Hadie over this, Hadie thought. She…she cared more about me than getting her revenge. Thank you Mali.

It'll take more than Freddy Frollo to get me to put you in harm's way Storm Cloud, Mal thought to him.

"Mal, Celia and Hadie are under our protection. What good does that do if if we don't go after someone who tried to kill a member of our crew?" Uma asked.

"Besides if Freddy did get his filthy paws on my sister, Freddie and I would kick his butt from the Isle to Boreadon," Uma stated and Celia gave her a small smile.

"Girls, I've got an idea that might prevent a gang war," Harry chimed in. "Go to Lord Hades. Think about it. Most of the Isle knows that Mal is his errand rat and it's pretty well known that he doesn't take well to threats to his his minions and this wasn't just a threat, this was an attempt at murder…"

"I like the way this boy thinks," Hera said with a rather feral grin. "I think we should go and take a visit to the Isle don't you?"

"Oh yes," Demeter nodded. "Remind young Mr. Frollo exactly how big of a mistake he made."

"I almost feel bad for Freddy. Almost," Harriet stated.

Mal frowned. "I don't want my dad being a murderer Harry. If they ever let people off the Isle, that might keep dad here."

"I'm supposed to worry about you Mal. Not the other way around," Hades said as his voice grew dark at the thought of someone purposefully harming his daughter.

"Mal! We can not just let him get away with it! He has to pay! You could have died! What's it going to look like if we do nothing?!"

"I'll humiliate him, no I'll debilitate him! No wait, better, I'll eliminate him! No, I'll—!"

"Harry!" Uma barked. "We get it."

"Harry, we don't know it was him!" Mal exclaimed even if she knew in her heart that it was Freddy. With the line that was said before she was pushed, how could it not be?

"Isaiah 11:4," Phoebus stated, his voice hard yet soft at the same time. "If it really is Frollo's son, I'm not surprised. That one was his father's favorite line."

"You three are asking us to disrupt our lives and risk a gang war like no one has ever seen because of something I suspect. Only the four of us know my suspicions and wouldn't it be better revenge if Freddy just saw me walking around like nothing happened?"

"Living well is the best revenge," Ben said even as his fists clenched, his nails digging into his skin.

"Ben, we're not taking advice from a sixteenth century poet today," Chip told him. "If I ever see this Freddy guy, I'll make sure he regrets ever looking at Mal!"

The other three looked at each other in doubt, causing Mal to groan in frustration.

"Guys, we have a good life here under the circumstances! We have food, security, places to sleep! We practically rule the Isle with the Warf Rats and you want to threaten that for mere suspicions! I nearly died today, I don't want any of us to actually die—and you know the angels would do it too if we killed their leader. Eye for an eye."

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind, though," Belle said with a small sigh.

"And what exactly do you call putting us all on an Island and raising some from the dead because death is too good for villains?" Hades asked.

"Mal, he still needs to pay! If it was him and we don't do anything—"

"Harry, I hate to say it but Mal has a point," Uma spoke up.

"Thank you!" Mal exclaimed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Finally someone sees my point!"

Harry and Jay couldn't help but stare at her in shock.

"What? I still think Freddy needs to pay but I'm not risking Celia getting caught up in a gang war," Uma said.

"I can take care of myself!" Celia stated.

"Not at three, you couldn't," Uma told her. "And I wasn't going to let you get hurt!"

"Can we at least hold him under water for a while? See how he likes it!" Harry muttered.

"If you can catch him, be my guest Harry," Uma told him. "Just don't let him see you or his angels might go after Harriet and CJ next."

"I'd like to see 'em try," Harriet snarled, glaring at the scroll. "Our crew could take 'em without a sweat!"

"Watch me," Harry nodded.

"He won't be alone either," Jay growled.

"Oh if you guys fight against Freddy, I want in of course," Mal said with a smirk. "I just don't want you killing him."

Mal shook her head. "Guys, honestly. It's not like Freddy knew I couldn't swim. It's not as if he tied me to a pyre and then lit it on fire to burn like his dad did with Esmeralda."

Mal winced slightly. "Sorry about that. I—."

"It's okay Mal. I'm sure you didn't expect your thoughts and private conversations to be transcribed on a scroll for people to read," Esmeralda said.

"Doesn't matter. He still caused you harm! And a slight against you is a slight against the crew!" Jay said firmly.

"And even if it wasn't a slight against the crew, it was still a slight against you," Uma stated.

"I'm going to reiterate that we don't know it was him…but since I know there's no talking you out of this, as long as you don't kill him, have at it."

"Gladly," Jay and Harry grinned wickedly.

"Jay, you're going to be in Auradon with me," Mal reminded him.

"…drat."

"With pleasure."

"You two are insane, I hope you know this," Mal chuckled as she shook her head.

"Mal, you'd do the same for any of us. What makes you think we wouldn't do it for you?"

"Because I don't want you guys getting hurt because of me!"

"Tough cookies," Harry said, crossing his arms. Mal, you're like a third sister to me. There's no way I'm letting Freddy near you!

"He's right Mal. We're 'ruthless yet loyal' so let us be loyal to you the way you'd be loyal to us."

Mal couldn't help but give them a small smile as she heard that.

Ariel let out a soft sight, causing Eric to look over at her.

"You okay?"

"They're nine Eric. Nine years old and they need to make declarations of loyalty like that. They shouldn't be worried about that. Just like they shouldn't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. And…and it's our fault."

"Thanks guys," Mal said softly. "Now come back here."

Jay and Harry looked at each other before going back to Mal. She'd be alright, they'd make sure of it.

Something tells me they're not the only ones, Audrey thought with a small smile as she looked over at Ben. If he hasn't broken up with this timeline's me, he'll do it soon. If he's anything like my timeline's Ben, he won't stop until he knows Mal is safe.

Mal's eyes started to drift closed, finally warmed up enough to sleep. She knew her mom was on her way with some tea but her body couldn't help it.

Harry, Jay and Uma smiled as each of them curled up by Mal.

She felt safe enough to sleep, to put herself in the most vulnerable position she could, Aurora thought with a small smile. At least they had that, though kids shouldn't have to feel like they'd be attacked if they let their guard down.

"You can sleep Mali. You're safe now," Uma said softly. "We'll wake you up when Aunt Steph comes in with your tea."

"Good luck with that," Hadie spoke up. "Mal sleeps like the dead! She only wakes up when she wants to."

"Harry's tea too," Mal said softly as her eyes closed and she leaned against Jay.

"We gotcha, Mal," Jay said softly.

"Go on and sleep cap'n," Harry added, ignoring the comment about Steph bringing in tea for him too.

"Of course you did," Mal said, shaking her head in fond exasperation. "Stubborn pirate."

"Okay," Mal whispered and they watched as Mal slowly but finally drifted off to sleep.

The other three shared a look.

"So…when does Freddy boy die?" Harry whispered.

"Harry!" Mal exclaimed.

"Can we help?" Emir and Akiho asked as they looked over at Jay and Harry.

"The more the merrier boys," Harry smirked.

"Harry, Mal said no killing," Uma sighed.

"Oh come on—she almost died Uma!"

"Almost. I didn't," Mal stated. "And therefore ignoring my orders is not the way to go!"

"I know that. Still, she said no killing."

"However, that doesn't mean we can't maim," Jay pointed out.

"Exactly Jay. After all, you know you'd be surprised at what you can live through," Uma said with a wicked grin.

"May I offer some assistance or even just provide some ideas?" Emma spoke up.

"Oh don't think I'm not helping too!" Lonnie exclaimed.

"Of course!" Uma nodded and grinned. "Freddy won't know what hit him!"

Jay smirked. "Excellent. As long as we don't make Freddy boy see his precious hellfire, I don't think Mal'll have a problem."

"Would you? Have a problem that is?" Hadie asked, looking at Mal.

Mal shrugged. "The guy's a world class creep who deserves it. Doesn't mean he deserves to die. But no, I wouldn't have a problem with those three maiming him."

"We'll make him wish he was there though," Harry whispered.

"Of course we will. After all, we're 'ruthless yet loyal'…I think it's time we were ruthless," Uma smirked.

"When have we ever been anything but ruthless when it comes to the Angels?" Harry asked.

"Count on it," the boys agreed with matching smirks.

"Though I think we'll have to do it when Jay's not acting as 'pillow'," Uma said, the smirk still on her face. Jay chuckled softly.

"I've no problem being pillow," Jay shrugged. "Of course Mal and Uma are the only ones I'll be pillow for."

"I'm fine being pillow if it means Mal sleeps," he said softly. "She needs it."

"She does," Harry and Uma nodded.

"I didn't need it," Mal muttered.

"The fact that you fell asleep says otherwise," Jay told her.

Jay couldn't help but give a sad smile. "She does so much for the crew…did she really think we were going to let this slide?"

"I was hoping," Mal muttered. The last thing I want is for you three getting hurt.

"I don't think Mal values herself as much as she values the crew," Uma said softly.

"And I think we can all blame Maleficent for that," Harry added.

"That's clear as glass," Jay sighed.

Hades looked over at his daughter, hoping that the ten years of living with him and Persephone had countered the six years of living with Maleficent. One could only hope though.

"Well we just have to show Mal that she's important too," Uma said and they all nodded. Harry and Uma repositioned themselves so they were curled up closer to Mal and Jay, just like in the clubhouse. Jay couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Jay smiled a little as he thought back to it. Being the oldest of the four of them, he always tried to protect the others even though Mal and Uma were Godlings compared to him being a mere moral. But it was always great to see the other three curled up next to him, safe and protected.

"Nobody messes with us," he said softly.

"They'll regret it if they do," Harry muttered, as his eyes began to close. He tried to fight it though, he needed to go and relieve Harriet from the counter before the Captain found out. If he hadn't already.

CJ subtly rolled her eyes. Honestly I know the Captain's horrible but you saved Mal's life. He won't fault you for that Harry.

"Sleep Harry. You've got to be worn out mate. You were in the water holding Mal up for what? Twenty minutes?"

"Twenty five but who's counting?" Harry muttered.

"You are apparently," Akiho told him.

"My point exactly," Jay said. "Sleep."

Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't help it as his eyes slowly closed and he began to sleep as well.

"So stubborn," Harriet shook her head as she gave her little brother a small smile.

Uma gave a sad smile as she looked at the sight.

"What are we going to do with those two?" Jay asked softly.

"Be there for them to fall back on," Uma said.

"You don't have to—."

"Hush," Uma told Harry. "You'd be there for me, so I'm going to be there for you."

"Always. We have each other's backs."

"And we always will," Uma said softly. "It'd take an act of Boreadon to break us up."

"You weren't wrong there cap'n," Harry said with a small sigh. Mal and Jay were invited off the Isle…he was never going to see his best friends again the way his luck was.

"Like that'll ever happen. Beastie's pretty set in his ways."

"You're telling me? We're all stuck on this Isle because Beastie's stuck in his ways," Uma sighed.

Belle gently rested a hand on Beast's shoulder. "She does have a point dear. Remember how you reacted when Ben suggested bringing the kids off the Isle?"

"You know I heard a rumor that DeVil built a device that managed to blow a small hole in the barrier?" Jay said. "He was trying to get better TV channels than the two we get."

"I'm sorry what? There's a hole in the barrier?!"

"Dad, what does it matter?" Ben asked. "There's been a hole in the barrier for years and yet no one's tried to escape. Doesn't that say something about the people we put on the Isle compared to say some of the people in this room?"

"You're referring to Leah aren't you?" Mal asked.

Ben shrugged as everyone looked over at the still unconscious Queen of Auroria.

Audrey shook her head. "Honestly. There's a time and place for dramatics and I don't think this is one of them."

"But it's been so peaceful," Emir pointed out.

"Really?"

"Yeah. The device broke but now we can at least watch something other than Boreadon news. DeVil freaked out at one of the shows—it had a dog on it."

Carlos winced and braced himself for the laughter that was sure to come. But it didn't. Instead almost all of the AKs looked at him in concern—the only one who even looked amused with their Audrey.

"Ben help me! This thing is a killer. He's going to chase me down and rip out my throat! This is a vicious, rabid, pack animal." Audrey couldn't help but think with a small frown, knowing exactly where Carlos would get his fear of dogs. Cruella.

"Dad, surely it can't hurt to have some entertainment broadcasted to the Isle?" Ben asked. "They say necessity is the mother of invention after all so clearly there is a need for more channels."

Uma snorted in amusement.

"Maybe we should bring him in or at least put him under our protection. He's still far too timid for a seven year old." Jay said.

Gee thanks Jay, Carlos thought with a small frown. You'd be timid too if you had to deal with my mother.

"I'll talk it over with Mal when she wakes up," Uma said. "Still, DeVil's brains should be with us. If Freddy boy got ahold of him…"

He wouldn't, Carlos thought. I don't know why he's got Strat in his gang but he wouldn't bring another guy in. Not when he's got all those girls all to himself.

"Uma, it'll be fine," Jay said. "DeVil's his mom's servant anyway."

More like slave, Carlos thought with a small shudder at the thought of scraping his mother's bunions.

"I know Jay. I just don't like the idea of Freddy boy getting access to DeVil's brains. As smart as he seems to be becoming…Freddy could do a lot. I'll talk to Mal as soon as possible about bringing DeVil in, or at least offering him protection. I don't want a Freddy boy with access to Devil."

"And he wouldn't have that," Carlos said, speaking up with more conviction than he ever had before and startling some of the others. "I may be timid but I have enough self respect to never sign up with Frollo of all kids. I'd pair up with the Casters before I did that!"

Jay nodded.

"But for right now, let's let her sleep."

Estelle stared at the four kids from the end of the bed.

"Come 'ere Estelle," Uma said softly, patting the spot next to her. Estelle gave a doggy grin and carefully scrambled next to her.

"Good boy," Mal said with a smile, still holding Hadie close to her while holding onto Ben's wrist with her other hand. Estelle gave her a doggy grin and hopped up on the sofa next to her.

"Um…" Ben said as he realized he had a Cerberus in his lap.

"You really complaining?" Chip asked with a small chuckle.

"Good boy," Uma said softly as she pet Estelle. "You did good today."

Estelle gave a small yip and rested his heads on Uma's leg.

"You did what I couldn't do," Uma whispered as she continued to pet him.

"But you ran and got help," Elle told her. "Not to mention you didn't leave until Harry was there. It could have been a lot worse if you hadn't been there."

"You ran and got your uncle," Jay said softly, hearing the whisper. "You did more than I did, just kneeling there with my arm outstretched."

Uma shrugged.

Mal sighed and looked over at the two of them. "It's not a competition. Besides Jay, if dad hadn't been able to come, I know you would have thought of something to help pull us to the docks."

"Plus you can swim," Jay added. "You could have jumped in if Harry needed help."

"And I didn't…"

"At least you got help," Jay sighed and Estelle gave a small lick to Uma's hand causing her to smile slightly.

"But you were there if something happened," Akiho pointed out. "Plus what if someone found them in the water like that? Hard to fight when treading water."

"Good boy," Uma said softly and Estelle wagged his tail lightly. Uma and Jay smiled at Estelle, he was a great part of the crew. You honestly couldn't ask for a better crew mate. He fit right in and was protective of everyone.

"He's like if Mal was a Cerberus," Harry said, lightly teasing his friend.

"I'm taking that as a compliment," Mal said with a grin.

"Estelle's a good buddy," Jay said softly with a small grin.

"He is," Uma nodded causing Estelle to wag his tail again. They laid there quietly until Persephone and Hades walked in.

"Think they'd be up for some tea?" Persephone asked softly.

"Considering you broke into your Boreadon stash, I'd be a fool not to be," Mal stated.

"How did you—?"

"Mom, the tea bags you bring back with you are always stronger than the tea bags on the barge," Mal told her. "I like the tea stronger."

"If you can wake 'em Aunt Steph," Uma said. "Harry spent twenty five minutes keeping Mal afloat, that'd wear anyone out. And you and I both know Mali sleeps like the dead. A herd of elephants could pass by this room and she wouldn't even turn over."

"Is it strange that I want to see if she could sleep through a herd of elephants marching past her room?" Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Where would you get a herd of elephants?" Akiho muttered back.

"Well the tea'll help plus I've got some pain medicine here for Harry's legs," Persephone said. "They can go back to sleep after they have it."

"I don't need to be coddled, Lady Steph," Harry shook his head.

Gently shaking Mal's shoulder, Persephone said, "Mal, honey? Can you wake up and have some tea for me?"

"Okay, teach me your ways Aunt Steph," Uma said as Mal woke up.

"Or and just hear me out here…she wasn't really sleeping?" Rose suggested.

"It's a mother's touch, dear," Persephone said with a small smile.

"Mmm? Mom?" Mal groaned, sleep still in her voice.

"Ah the 'just woken up' grogginess," Lucy nodded. "Kat knows it well."

"Who?" Mal asked.

Kitty chuckled and raised her hand. "Me. It's a nickname based on my full first name."

"Tea time," Persephone said. "You can go back to sleep after you have some."

Mal nodded and smiled slightly as she saw Harry curled up next to her. "Harry'll need some tea too."

"Really Mal?" Harry asked. "I didn't need tea."

"What else were you going to use to wash the pain medicine down with?" Mal asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"Already on it," Hades said. "But he'll need to be woken up first."

Mal nodded and poked Harry in the side.

"You could be more gentle," Emma said.

Mal shrugged. "Why? It's how we wake up people on our ship so why would I change my ways?"

"Sides, Harry would probably accuse us of coddling him if we did it any differently," Uma said with a small snort.

"I'm up!" Harry said instantly.

"Good," Mal said. "Cause tea's here. And you're taking something for your legs. No questions."

"Thank you Mal," Harriet said, giving her brother a look. "Nice to know someone else is looking out for you while I'm not there."

"Mal, what if someone else needs it?"

"I thought Mal said no questions?" Melody asked.

"Mom can pick up more when she goes back to Boreadon," Mal said. "Your legs have to be killing you right now."

Chip nodded. "Lactic acid buildup is no joke after all. But with all the sparring you guys do, I'd think you have your leg muscles built up."

Harry sighed. "Why can I never say no to you or Uma?"

"Because you'd be lost without us," Mal chuckled, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "Thank you," she whispered, the humor leaving her voice.

"You never need to thank me," Harry told her.

"No thanks needed Mal," Harry whispered back. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

You shouldn't have to though, Ben thought. This is going to sound naive but I had no idea how bad the Isle had truly become. I should though. I'm going to be King in a month—I should know this.

"In fact, I think I owe all three of you a thank you," Mal said as she pulled back.

"She's not the only one," Hades spoke up as Persephone handed Mal and Harry a mug of tea and handed Harry some pain tablets.

"Oh thank Gods! Someone else who uses the right way to drink tea!" Chip exclaimed.

Beast shook his head. "He claims it's strange drinking out of a tea cup," he explained.

"You spend ten years existing as one and then tell me it's not weird to drink out of it!"

"You don't need to thank us Uncle Hades," Uma said as Harry eyed the pain pills. "Mal would have done the same for any of us."

"She protects us, we protect her," Jay nodded.

"Like I told Mal, sir, I'd do it again in a heart beat," Harry added.

They're good friends aren't they? Poseidon thought to Hades. Mal's really lucky to have them.

…the fact that Jay got invited off the Isle as well might be the only reason why I was even remotely okay with Mal going, Hades told him. If it was only Mal of her group, I'd have said no.

Even though she'd be in Auradon?

She would have been without a single ally. Well a single immediate ally since she'd have Steph of course.

Hades couldn't help but give the three of them a smile. It was clear that they lived by their motto and that they'd be loyal to each other.

"You said it yourself Uncle Hades. Family means no one gets left behind," Uma said. "Well Jay and Harry are family just like Mal is."

"She's got that right," Mal nodded.

"Harry, the pain medicine only works if you actually take it," Mal told Harry, noticing he still hadn't taken the pills. "It's not poison I promise."

"Dad wouldn't do that," Mal said, shaking her head. "Now if it was the Dragon, I'd understand you being wary."

"Mal, if the Dragon handed me anything and told me to eat it, I am not ashamed to admit that I'd run the other way," Harry stated.

"I think everyone would," Phillip Jr. told him.

"I trust you Mal," Harry sighed. "It's just…the Captain always said that men and pirates don't complain about pain though."

Milah shook her head. Honestly James, what are you teaching our son? It may be the Isle but he should be able to accept help when he needs it.

"Well he's not here and nobody in this room will tell him. After what you did, none of us are going to let you be in pain. Also, and I'm shocked I have to tell you this but you're nine," Mal rolled her eyes. "Just take the pills."

"Are we sure that Harry's not Ben in pirate form?" Emir asked.

Ben shook his head. "I don't even think that's possible."

"Yes my lady," Harry muttered with a small smile as he put the tablets in his mouth.

"Don't call me that!" Mal grumbled but smiled as Harry swallowed and drank his tea.

"Hey Ben, there you go! Someone else who hates their title as much as you do!" Chip said with a chuckle.

She sipped hers slowly, knowing that her parents were watching.

"Thank you for the tea your ladyship," Harry said. "Oh, and the clothes."

"Virgil was the one who picked them out," Persephone said with a small smile at the memory. "Of course he fretted for thirty minutes before he decided on them but he managed."

"You're very welcome Harry," Persephone said with a smile.

"You are all welcome here anytime if you need anything," Hades told them.

"Thanks Uncle Hades," Uma said softly. "Any chance you could get us a way off the Isle?"

Don't worry Uma. I have a feeling Ben's on the case, Emir thought as he glanced at his best friend and future King.

Hades couldn't help but give a sad chuckle at the joke. "I may be a God, little squidling, but I can't do everything. Believe me, if I could, you four would already be out of here."

"It should be us four getting off the Isle," Ben heard Mal mutter to herself.

"Oh," Uma said and grew silent.

"Could be worse," Jay said. "We can get decent food and shelter. There are so many other kids who aren't so lucky."

Mal nodded slightly. After all, the practice of Flings for Food was rampant among the lower ranked girls or the girls without a gang. The only reason Mal knew about the practice was because word spread quick on the Isle.

That and the girls had started to ask the boys in her crew. Ginny had tried to go to Henry for a fling, and Mal was pretty sure the crew had only just stopped teasing him about that.

Uma and Harry nodded.

"Like DeVil," Mal said slowly as if thinking. "He's more jumpy than Virgil at times. We should look into bringing him in…or at least offering him protection like we do Hadie and Celia."

"Great minds think alike!" Jay said with a grin.

"I don't know if DeVil will treat that as a compliment considering Hadie and Celia are three."

"The highest ranked VK gang on the Isle wants to put you under its protection? Doesn't matter if you're insulted, you take it," Harriet stated.

"Hey, he can be insulted and refuse," Mal shrugged. "We're the ones taking on the risk since his mom's with the Dragon after all."

"Wouldn't it be as much risk as bringing in Jay though?" Jane asked. "Both he and Carlos have a parent connected to Maleficent after all."

"He might be less insulted if we add Gil to the list," Uma said, causing Harry to roll his eyes. "I know you can't stand him Harry but he still deserves food."

"He's an idiot! He's nine and he acts like he's five!"

"Gee Gaston's son isn't the brightest. Who would have guessed?" Chad shook his head.

"Chad!" Cinderella scolded. "Everyone's got intelligence in their own way. Books aren't the only thing we use to see if someone's smart."

"His father's not exactly known for his smarts Harry," Mal pointed out. "Not to mention his brothers aren't the brightest bulbs in the box either. Uma's right, he may be stupid but that doesn't mean he should starve."

"Gaston was a decent hunter in our village. I'm surprised he's having trouble finding food for his sons," Belle said.

"Fine," Harry muttered. "But I'm not spending any more time with him than I have to. Bad enough the Captain keeps forcing him on me."

"Aren't you the same boy who put up a fuss about Jay joining the crew?" Uma asked raising an eyebrow.

"Jay is not Gil!"

"You won't have to Harry. We'll give him take out bags from the restaurant if we see him around. It's not like he'll be sitting there eating with us."

"Oh thank Gods. Every time I have to interact with him, I want to slap him over the head with my hook," Harry said and then paused.

"No matter what timeline I'm in, you always hate Gil," Audrey said with a fond smile. "He's not that bad."

"Speaking of which, has anyone seen my hook?"

"I just might have…" Jay said and pulled out the aforementioned hook.

"How'd you get that?" Harry asked as he grabbed it from Jay.

"Picked it off the dock after Lord Hades shooed me out of the way. I figured you'd go crazy looking for it once you realized you didn't have it."

"Thanks mate," Harry said, giving Jay a small smile.

"I didn't even think, I just dropped it," Harry said, gripping the base of the hook. Mal couldn't help but give him a small smile, she knew how much Harry valued that hook. After all, this was the Isle—they didn't have to do anything if they didn't want to.

Not true Mal. How many times did you have to pretend to be cruel and vicious and mean around the Dragon when you didn't want to? Jay thought.

Harry could have decided his dad's wrath wasn't worth abandoning the counter.

Milah frowned as she looked over and saw Harry flinch slightly. She knew her husband had an aggressive temper and yes he did shoot cannonballs at the Lost Boys but…he wouldn't…

Jay could have decided to focus on his father's quota and Uma could have decided not to get Hades. Instead they picked her.

"The motto's not Ruthless yet Disloyal, Mal," Jay told her. "I don't know about the others but I'm with you till the end of the line."

"Act of Boreadon Mali, act of Boreadon," Uma stated, referencing the only thing that would ever break up the four of them.

"Mal, you okay?" Harry asked. "You're being quiet—that usually means you're planning something or Jay and I are in trouble."

"She could just be tired," Elle pointed out.

"No, no. Harry you're not in trouble. Quite the opposite actually."

"Oh, so Jay's in trouble?" Harry asked with a smirk.

"You seem so happy about that too," Harriet chuckled.

"No! None of you are in trouble!" Mal said with a small giggle. "Why would you be? Unless you two got into mischief while I was getting changed?"

"Considering those two are like a human Pain and Panic…" Celia said.

"I thought that was us!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed.

Ben shook his head. "Don't tell me you two are proud of that?"

"Of course we are!"

"Knowing those two, it's possible," Uma chuckled.

"We didn't touch anything! We swear!"

"That doesn't really scream innocence," Audrey noted with a small smile.

Mal chuckled and shook her head. "No, trust me guys. None of you are in trouble. After what you did today, how could you think that?"

"Quite easily actually," Jay said with a small smirk.

"Okay so you know how Rowyn is clearly just Mal without the purple hair? Those two are clearly your shadows," Chip muttered to Ben.

"Then what is it? You're not usually quiet."

"Just thinking."

"Oh yeah? What about?"

"You guys."

"Oh really? Do tell."

"So nosy," Akiho chuckled.

"Like you're not the same," Ben said, shaking his head in amusement.

Mal gave a small smile. "This is going to sound sappy and Boreadon-y but I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you guys as my crew."

"That does sound sappy but we'll let you off this once," Jay said with a smile.

"Jay, you tell us how lucky you are you fell in with us every time we eat at Uncle Hades' restaurant," Uma told him, rolling her eyes. "You're pretty sappy as well."

"You've had the same food I have!" Jay exclaimed. "I'd be an idiot not to consider myself lucky I fell in with you guys!"

"Well technically if we didn't need a chicken, we might not have crossed paths," Uma pointed out. "So really we all should be thanking the chicken."

"We do. Every time we eat it," Mal said with a smirk.

"Uma, you still call your mom 'mama'. Don't act like you're not sappy yourself sometimes. In fact, I think the only non-sappy one of us is Harry."

Harry sighed. The others didn't know this but there was a box hidden in the storage closet on the Lost Revenge—in it was the dagger his father had given him when he was two and a lone picture of his mom. Harry had saved it from getting tossed out.

An act that had earned him a slap from his father. But it was worth it—it had been the only way he could remember that his mom had blue eyes like he did rather than the brown eyes the girls both shared with the Captain.

Harry shrugged. "Pirates don't do sappy. But on that note, I should get going. Harriet can only cover for me for so long. That's if she did at all—if she didn't, the Captain really won't be happy I abandoned post."

Don't leave! What are you doing you idiot? The Captain wouldn't take it out on Harriet or the runt, they would have been fine! Your ribs are not going to be happy with you! Harry thought.

"I'll walk you out Harry," Hades said. Harry couldn't help but be a bit nervous at that but followed the God to the front door. "You're not in trouble, I just want to talk."

"No offense Lord Hades but that's not exactly the most comforting thing to hear," Harry pointed out.

"Yes Lord Hades?"

"I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me okay? How much do you like working at your father's shop?"

"I though we established the whole 'VKs don't do honesty' thing?" Ashaki asked.

"It's different when you're talking to a God," Celia told her.

Harry shrugged. "As much as any nine year old likes working I guess. The Captain's not the easiest to work under but it's better than being on the streets."

Tiana frowned as she heard that. Working with a parent shouldn't have to be described as 'not the easiest to work under'. Something didn't sit right.

"What if I told you there was another place where you could earn your keep but that would, from the sound of it, treat you better?"

Considering Smee works at dad's restaurant, they'd definitely treat Harry better over there, Mal thought to Uma.

Harry straightened up, obviously interested but trying to not let it show.

"Harry I'm going to make you an offer. After what happened today, I don't want Mal going near the docks. I'd like you to start working at my restaurant, taking orders and giving out food."

"Two seagulls one stone huh Hades?" Poseidon asked with a small smile. He wasn't stupid, he had heard the sayings the pirate was parroting from his father and the God of the Sea knew his older brother was trying to protect the young boy.

You say it's just because he saved Mal but you care about him don't you? Poseidon thought to Hades.

I'm not having another child stand before me to be judged. Not if I can help it, Hades thought back.

He wasn't cruel—there was no way he'd have a nine year old making the food after all.

"There's no way Smee would have let me prepare the food when I was nine," Harry pointed out.

"Me?" Harry asked shocked. "But…I'm just a pirate. I'm honored Lord Hades but are you sure you want me?"

"You saved my daughter's life today Harry. I will not have you treated cruelly. Any of you three for that matter."

Uma nodded and looked over at Harry. Normally she would have wrapped her arm over his shoulder but he was still sitting with his mom and sister. "You are more than just a pirate Harry."

Harry looked down, trying to not let any of the emotions he was feeling show on his face. Pirates were cruel, pirates were vicious. "I doubt the Captain would let me go," he muttered.

"But it's a better opportunity for you," Lonnie pointed out. "Why wouldn't he?"

"I abandoned my post," Harry said with a slight shrug, trying not to show how much he was truly worried that the lesson his father taught him when he got back that night would be in the scroll.

"If he gives you any trouble, send him to me."

"I mean that," Hades said firmly.

Harry looked up, the hope shining on his face despite his best efforts. "Sir you should probably know that I probably won't be any use to you counting money. I…I never learned how to count," he said softly, at a near whisper.

It's okay Harry. You don't have to know, you're number one, Audrey thought with a small smile. Okay that was bad. It's not my fault though—that song from the second viewing just got stuck in my head because of that!

Admitting that was probably a weakness but he didn't want to lose this shot by Hades finding out later and kicking him out.

"If you want, we can teach you," Emir offered.

"I know how to now," Harry told them, looking over at Hades and giving him a small nod in thanks.

Hades nodded. "We can start you off by carrying the food out or cleaning tables and if you want to learn you can be taught."

Harry nodded, still looking a bit hesitant. "If you're sure Lord Hades."

"I wouldn't have made the offer if I wasn't sure," Hades told the young pirate, trying to give him a reassuring smile.

"I'm positive. Now you run along but you're to be at the restaurant by ten for a shift. Any questions?"

"No sir," Harry said and left. Hades sighed and went back to check on Mal and the others. Well and Uma he should say as Jay apparently had slipped past him and snuck out.

"How? There's only one way in and out of the Underworld!" Uma stated, looking at the older boy.

Jay shrugged. "I've been raised to steal stuff since birth Uma. I know how to go undetected if I choose."

Mal had fallen back asleep and Hadie was babbling happily to Uma and Steph, Steph apparently having grabbed him while Hades was walking Harry out. Hades couldn't help but smile at the sight.

I almost wish I'd pulled a Steph and took a photo, Hades thought. We don't have that many pictures of Steph with the girls or with Hadie, she's always taking them. Hmm, I wonder…the girls always say the DeVil pup is good with tech. Actually he'd have to be if he built something that put a hole in the barrier. I wonder if he could make it so Steph was in one of the pictures?

His family was safe—his daughter was safe. That was all he could ask for, living on the Isle.

"That's the end," Esmeralda said, her voice soft.

"Gods this was a rather intense chapter," Emir sighed.

Ben nodded and glanced down, finally noticing that Mal's hand was still around his wrist. "Um…you can let go if you want?"

"Oh!" Mal exclaimed and released the death grip she had on Ben's wrist. Much to his disappointment. "Who's reading next?"

"I can go," Meg offered.

Chapter 32 Chapter Text

Meg sighed as she unfurled the scroll. Here's hoping this scroll isn't as intense, she thought.

The next morning, Mal wandered around the Isle with Estelle trotting loyally by her side; trying to find her crew.

"Was that really a good idea?" Chip asked with a small frown. "Walking on your own like that?"

Audrey nodded. "I'm with the teacup there. I know you can take care of yourself Mal but walking around without backup…?"

"I was fine," Mal scoffed. "Besides, I had Estelle with me."

Normally she'd go straight for the docks but her dad had forbidden her from going there.

"Of course I did!" Hades said with a nod of his head.

Not one to tempt fate by having her dad find out she disobeyed him, especially with Freddy still out there, Mal decided to check the other places. Starting first with the clubhouse.

"Always the best place to start if you're looking for the boys," Uma nodded. "Mama's restaurant is probably the best place to look for me if you strike out at the clubhouse."

"Yeah well why do you think I started at the clubhouse?" Mal asked her. "If it was just Harry and Jay, I'd have someone with me when we went to go get you from Ursula's."

If Harry and Jay got locked out of their homes, odds were they were there—hopefully not nursing any wounds for going after Freddy. Though knowing the boys the way she did, Mal wouldn't put it past them.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Mal," Jay said as he shook his head in fond exasperation.

After all, the smoke covered Freddy's face so it was likely the Dragon wouldn't find out. Yet. Her spies were everywhere after all.

"They weren't at the docks," Hades said with a smirk. "By that time, I'd made it so anyone associated with Maleficent couldn't step foot on my side of the Isle. Well except for Jay."

"Boys? Uma?" Mal called as she opened the gate to the clubhouse and climbed the stairs.

"In here Mal!" Uma called.

"Are you three alright?"

"Why wouldn't they be alright?" Melody asked.

"If they went after Freddy…" Mal said and Melody nodded.

"I'm fine. So's Jay. This idiot however…" Uma said as she tried to wrap Harry's ribs with a makeshift bandage, Harry trying to squirm from her grasp.

"What happened?!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed. It was weird, they only knew Harry for a few hours. But they could see that Mal made Ben happy and Mal was friends with Harry. Therefore if Mal was worried over Harry, then Ben would be worried too—and Ben didn't need anymore stress in his life.

Harry sighed. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough," he muttered.

"Nothing that wasn't to be expected," Harry muttered and sighed as he saw Mal's face.

CJ frowned. "But…if you didn't go after Freddy…why would you expect…?"

She trailed off as a memory from when she was seven came flooding back. It was the night Harry saved Mal from drowning, only she hadn't known that at the time, and Harriet was leading her to her room as quickly as possible. In the background though she could hear her father's voice…and the occasional grunt of pain that could only come from…from Harry.

He was the only other male in the family after all.

"I didn't disobey orders Mal. The Captain wasn't too pleased I abandoned my post and had Harriet take over. She hasn't worked the counter since I was seven-the counter's 'man's work' after all."

Milah looked over at Harry. "Your father did that to you?"

"I thought you were watching? Wouldn't you know?" Harry muttered. He didn't want to talk to his mother that way but to hear her ask that…he wasn't exactly in the mood.

Milah shook her head, angry tears coming to her eyes at the thought of Hook putting a hand or hook on their son or any of their children for that matter. "If your father started scolding you kids, I stopped watching to allow you some privacy."

Harry seemed to almost relax at that. Mom didn't see…didn't see me being weak. After all, I should have fought back by then. I was nine after all.

He winced as Uma continued to try to wrap his ribs.

Uma? Why didn't you reach out on the mental link? Persephone thought to her great-niece.

I…I didn't think about it, Uma thought back. I was just worried about Harry.

"Harry! You should have come straight back to the Underworld," Mal cried as she hurried over to help or at least hold Harry still so Uma could wrap him.

"Good. The more you can keep him still, the less likely a rib might do some internal damage," Mulan said with a frown. Gods, how could a parent do that to their own child? I know Hook's a villain…and I know we saw Maleficent do it to Mal but Maleficent's not a mother. Though I guess Hook can't be called a father if he's doing this.

Personally she thought the whole concept of men and women's work was completely stupid—Athena and Artemis were proof of that. Mal doubted that they wouldn't do something because it was normally done by a man, but she held her tongue. Harry needed her attention.

I mean it is stupid, there's no such thing as men's work or women's work, but it's not the time to say that right now, Lonnie thought.

"Mal, it's nothing," Harry said as he winced again, Estelle trotting over and resting his heads on Harry's leg. "I think they're just bruised this time. I'll be fine."

"Bruised or broken, doesn't matter. You can't win a fight if your ribs are busted!" Audrey told him. Gods, did the Harry in my timeline have to deal with this as well and the viewings just never showed it?

Mal rolled her eyes. "Doesn't matter Harry. You should have come back to the Underworld."

It was dark…I didn't have my flare gun and going to the Underworld from the Captain's puts me in Shere Khan's hunting territory, Harry thought with a small frown. Going to the clubhouse at least put me in the lions hunting territory and Zira will leave us alone since we're allied with the hyenas. She doesn't want to wind up in their belly like Scar did before he was brought back.

Harry gave a small shrug, wincing as the pain of the motion hit him.

"Hey idiot, don't shrug," Uma told him. "If you were with Uncle Hades right now, he could get you something for the pain."

"Without question," Hades said with a nod. "I agree with my daughter Harry. You should have come straight to the Underworld."

"I…it was late and I didn't think I could get past the—."

"I don't care if it's three in the morning, you need someone, you can always come to the Underworld," Hades told him. "You and Jay were added as blood by proxy to the security settings anyway after you saved Mal's life so you could have come straight in."

Why didn't I tell the boy that sooner? Hades thought as he saw the almost hopeful look in Harry's eyes. Like he was trying to make sure the God wasn't lying to him.

"Don't coddle me Uma. Yesterday was a one off."

"How is making sure you're not in pain coddling?" Evan asked.

"Who's coddling? Bruised or broken, your ribs are injured!" Uma told him. "It's going to smart for a while."

"I'm aware," Harry muttered.

I'm aware…was he aware because it's common knowledge that injuries to the ribs hurt for a while? Or was he aware because this wasn't the first time…James Killian Hook, you'd better hope you don't join me for a long time! Milah thought.

"So, still think I'm coddling you by suggesting we get you something for the pain?" Uma asked.

"Uma, nobody else gets—"

"Why's he being so stubborn about this?" Mal heard Akiho mutter to himself.

"Because we have limited resources and he didn't want to 'waste' them," Mal muttered to him. Akiho flushed, he didn't realize Mal had heard him.

"No one else is sitting in front of me with potentially broken ribs," Uma said, glaring slightly at Harry. "Uncle Hades would flip if he found out we just let you suffer, especially after you saved Mal's life yesterday. Now do I need to drag you or are you going to come by yourself?"

"Why not get Harry situated on the bed and bring Lord Hades or Lady Persephone to the clubhouse?" Elle asked.

"Yeah I don't think he should be dragged with potentially broken ribs," Emma nodded.

"Uma, would it be better if I brought my dad here?" Mal asked. "You and I both know Harry's as stubborn as a mule and I don't think dragging him would be the best idea with his ribs."

"Mal gets it," Rowyn said with a small, relieved smile. She didn't want to think about Harry potentially getting hurt more because the girls had been in a hurry to get him help.

"Either way works."

"Girls!" Harry exclaimed. "I'm fine! I've had worse anyway."

"Worse?!" Milah exclaimed.

Harry shrugged and looked like he was intently examining the ground around his feet. "There…there was a time when I was six…"

"This wasn't the first time Hook injured Harry's ribs," Mal said, her voice cold and her eyes flashing in anger at the memory.

Oh Gods…and I never thought…I took the kids of the biggest named villains off the Isle because of…and I left Harry in that situation! Ben thought, chewing on his lip in guilt.

"Be quiet Harry!"

"But I'm fine!" Harry said, throwing up his arms and nearly shouting in pain from his ribs. "I should not have done that."

"No. No you shouldn't have," Harriet said, her voice no higher than a whisper as she realized her brother had been in pain that night and she hadn't been there for him. Her baby brother had been in pain and alone.

"I wasn't alone long," Harry muttered, as if he knew what she was thinking. "Jay came in probably about three hours after I made it to the clubhouse. It was too late to spar so I was able to hide it from him. Uma on the other hand…"

"Case in point. I will be right back," Mal said as she headed for the door. "Estelle, stay with Harry. I think he needs you more right now boy."

"Excuse me?" Hades asked, looking at Mal with a raised eyebrow.

Mal crossed her arms over her chest. "I had my sword and I could fry Freddy with a fireball before he could blink. He got the drop on me on the docks but that will never happen again."

"Mal, is that a good idea?" Jay asked. "With Freddy…?"

"I knew I liked Jay!" Hades declared.

"Let him freak out over me walking around alive," Mal smirked. "Harry's more important. Stay, Estelle."

Estelle gave a small yip and stayed on his spot on the bed. Mal ignored Harry's protests as she made her way out of the clubhouse and ran back to the Underworld.

"I thought you only ran if someone was chasing you or someone got stabbed?" Chad asked.

"Someone would have gotten stabbed if they tried to stop me," Mal said shortly.

"Hey dad? Mom? Can you tell me where the pain medicine is?" Mal asked, poking her head into the den.

"Straight to the point, good. Don't waste any time," Chip muttered to himself, nodding his head.

"In our room Mal," Hades said as he walked out of the kitchen. "Why?"

"Don't panic," Mal said. "It's not for me. Harry needs another dose."

That didn't exactly calm me down there Mal, Hades thought with an inward sigh.

…so what was that about not caring about the kids of the Isle Hades? Poseidon thought to him and Hades rolled his eyes.

The kids need someone to care about them otherwise they'll just become more villains, Hades told him. As Steph said, we adults made our beds but the kids shouldn't have to sleep in them.

"What happened?" Hades asked as he went to go get it. Ever since Hadie learned to walk, they had kept the pain medicine in the top drawer of their tallest dresser. The last thing they wanted was for him to potentially overdose on it—God or not, that was the last thing any parent wanted.

Every parent in the room nodded though they remained silent. If they made a comment, it might have seemed like they were making light of the contents of the scroll.

"We think he's broken his ribs. Right now he's saying they're bruised but with how he's wincing and everything, it's hard to tell," Mal said.

"You won't be able to truly tell without an x-ray," Aladdin said, a slight growl to his voice as he thought about his childhood. The broken bones and bruises he'd gained from falling off of rooftops when he was first staring off—he knew that pain. How could someone willingly inflict that on another? On a child? On their own child?

Hades paused as he came back with the pain medicine. "His father?"

How I wish I hadn't been right about that, Hades thought with a small sigh even as his hands curled into fists.

"Right in one," Mal said softly.

Hades growled slightly but shook his head. "Here," he said as he handed the pain medicine to Mal. "If Harry's still in pain after taking this, bring him here. Have Jay carry him if need be."

"He's probably not going to like that," Ashaki said, biting her lip.

"Tough cookies," Emir, Aziz, and Chip all said in unison.

Mal nodded as she took the bottle of pain medicine. "Thanks dad."

"Ooh, hang on a sec. He's going to need some fluid with those."

"Thank Gods you're allies with Lord Hades," Harriet sighed in relief. Other gangs had a harder time finding fresh water after all but Hades had managed to set up a system of removing the salt water from the water that came in from the Cove.

"Dad, it's going to take a battle to get Harry to take these," Mal said with a small sigh. "Never mind actually drink something with them."

"You're taking them," Harriet said firmly.

"This already happened," Harry told her, glaring slightly.

"Don't you give me that look Harry!"

"Well then bring him here." Hades reiterated.

Mal nodded, mentally preparing for the fight it'd have to take to get Harry over to the Underworld.

"Sounds like when we need to get Ben to slow down and take a break," Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Actually, it's probably more serious than that," Akiho muttered back. "Ben won't die if he won't take a break."

"I hope I don't see you in about ten minutes," she said as she turned to head back to the clubhouse.

"I hope so too Mali but your mom and I will be here if you need to bring Harry here," Hades told her.

"Why didn't you just go with Mal to the clubhouse?" Hera asked.

"I…that's a good question," Hades said, slowly shaking his head.

"Thanks dad."

Hades smiled and Mal left to go back to the clubhouse, hoping she wouldn't have to make a return trip with a very stubborn pirate. Hades couldn't help but smile sadly as he went back to the kitchen to clean up the breakfast dishes. He had wondered why Harry hadn't shown up that morning. He'd have given Harry the day off if he'd asked.

"You didn't have to do that Lord Hades, I could have worked—."

Hades raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, okay. And I would have figured out in five minutes that you were hurt kid. Either from watching you or from Smee. And how many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to use the 'Lord' title."

None of Mal's minions did.

"Everything okay?" Persephone asked as she came into the kitchen from putting Hadie down for a nap.

"I think everything is far from okay Aunt Persephone," Macaria said, her voice soft as she frowned.

"Harry needed another dose of pain medicine."

Persephone frowned as she pulled out a dish towel, drying as Hades washed. "Are his legs still hurting him?"

Belle frowned. There was something wrong with having that conversation during such a…domestic situation. That being said, it was good at least that there were people who were looking out for Harry.

"Worse. Hook's potentially broken his ribs," Hades growled.

Persephone froze. "He what?!"

"Our thoughts exactly, my Lady," Phoebus said. He couldn't imagine ever hurting Zephyr in such a way. Even by accident. For a father to purposefully do that to his own son…

"My thoughts exactly."

"Hades, broken ribs or even the possibility of broken ribs is serious," Persephone said, turning to look at her husband. She knew Hades already knew that but her brain was more focused on her worry for Mal's friend than anything else.

I should have been there…Harry would have needed his mother even if Lady Persephone and Lord Hades were looking out for him, Milah thought, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Harry should be in a bed, staying still, not in the clubhouse where he probably is right now. Get Jay to carry him if necessary. He needs to be here!"

"Why did everyone want to carry me?" Harry grumbled. It wasn't like the Captain had broken his ankle or leg or anything.

Hades sighed. "Something tells me Mal's having the same conversation with Harry right now."

He knew Hook didn't care for children, hell his own history with Peter Pan and the lost boys could have told him that. Firing a canon at children who had nothing to do with the war between him and Pan, trying to get children to join his pirate crew...but to do this? To his own son? And from the way Mal had acted, it wasn't the first time.

"If you didn't know for sure, why did you guess that Hook was the one who did it earlier?" Zeus asked.

"Because just like how Maleficent is the only one able to lay a talon on Mal, Hook is the only one able to lay a hook on Harry without significant retribution," Hades stated. "Despite his reputation as a codfish, the Captain is still widely feared in the pirate community on the Isle."

"Jay! Put me down you sneaky scarf snatcher! I swear I will hook you for this! Put me down right now!" Hades and Persephone heard faintly as Harry's voice trailed in from the front door.

"Speak of the pirate and he shall appear," Celia said with a small smile. She liked Harry, she liked how he made Uma happy—and if they ever got out of their denial, she thought they'd be good together. So she was glad to know Harry was going to be safe.

"Sorry Harry, this is for your own good," they heard Jay's voice respond, a bit louder. "Besides, you can barely lift your arm without nearly cursing in pain. You need this."

"So you weren't really sorry then?" Emir asked.

"Not in the slightest," Jay told him, shaking his head.

"Knew it," Harry muttered.

"Take him to the spare room Jay," Mal's voice chimed in.

"Guys, come on! Put me down! At least let me walk for Poseidon's sake!"

"And that would run the risk of you piercing a lung," Lonnie told him, crossing her arms. "Jay carrying you was the best move."

"Sorry Harry but we don't really trust you not to bolt," Uma's voice told him, all the voices getting louder as they got further and further into the Underworld.

"Oh come on! Uma, this is embarrassing!"

"Well I suppose it could be worse. Imagine having the reputation of being a grown man fleeing in fear from a crocodile," Naveen said.

"Well we're here now, no one can see you. Jay, go lie him down while I get something to force feed him that medicine."

"But if you're in pain, why not take something to make it so you're no longer in pain?" Alexandria asked. "Especially when you were in private where no one but Mal, Uma, and Jay would have known you took the pain medicine in the first place?"

"Mal, don't you dare! Bad enough Jay carried me from the clubhouse but now I'm being coddled?!"

"Well if you'd taken it when I first gave it to you back at the clubhouse, I wouldn't need to do this!"

And if they had a medical system in the first place, children wouldn't have had to worry about this, Belle thought with unshed tears shining in her eyes. Gods…Adam, this is all our fault.

"Mal, they weren't necessary—seven hells, Jay! You did that on purpose you two bit pit pocket!"

"I think Jay was just proving a point," Rowyn said though she bit her lip. If Harry's ribs were broken, that could have been a dangerous move by Jay.

"Still think they're not necessary?" Jay deadpanned.

"No pirate worth his salt takes pain medicine Jay! Besides, you know I've had worse than this! You all are making way too big of a deal of a few bruised rib—oh for Poseidon's sake Jay! Stop jostling me!"

"That time I didn't," Jay said. "I just set him down on the bed. Unfortunately, he bounced a little against the mattress."

"I think we'd better get in there," Hades said softly.

"I think that might be a good idea," Persephone nodded and frowned as she heard the string of curse words that Harry was shouting. "He's not going to be teaching those to Hadie, is he?"

"I learned worse on the ship!" Hadie stated.

"Which is why you're not allowed on the ship until the crew cleans up their language, as we've stated before," Mal said firmly.

"Hopefully not."

The two Gods made their way to the spare room where Harry was laying down on the bed, glaring at Mal who was holding the bottle of pain medicine.

"Oh good I've always wondered what a stand off between two really stubborn people would be like," Chip said, earning a small snort of amusement from Harry and an approving smile from Milah, Hades, Persephone, Uma, Jay, and Mal.

"No." Harry said firmly.

"Harrison…" Milah warned.

"They were just bruised ribs," Harry shrugged. "I really should have just sucked it up."

No you shouldn't have, Ben thought as he looked over at the pirate.

"Harry, you're clearly in pain if the curse words flowing from your mouth a few minutes ago were any indication," Mal said as Estelle hopped on the bed, once again resting his heads on Harry's leg. "Take the pills. There's no need for the tough guy act here."

"And if word got around the Isle—?"

"Who were we going to tell?" Mal asked Harry. "Estelle, Hadie, and my parents would have been the only other ones who would have known!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Mal, you've refused pain medicine too!"

"Oh she's tried," Hades muttered.

"Dad, when have you given me pain medicine?" Mal asked. "I wasn't with you for the broken ankle."

Mal looked over her shoulder, having heard the mutter. "Hey dad. Here to make Harry take some pain meds?"

"If I need to Mali."

"If a God is telling you to take the pain meds, you take them," Macaria said, looking over at Harry.

"Lord Hades, I'm fine," Harry said but the very act of shifting a bit caused most of the color to drain from his face and he had to hold back the swears he wanted to shout since there was a lady present. Two ladies if one counted Mal but Harry knew his co-captain would smack him if he called her a lady.

"Not while you were injured," Mal stated.

"But once my ribs were healed, you and I both know I'd have earned a smack if I'd called you a lady," Harry told her.

"Uh huh, sure you are," Persephone deadpanned.

Harry bit his lip to keep the swears at bay though Mal could have sworn she heard a whimper. It was a faint one, after all one didn't cry on the Isle, but it was there.

CJ bit her lip as she looked over at Harry. Would…would he accept any comfort from her or would he just brush it off like always?

"What?" Harry asked, his tone gruff as he saw her looking at him.

"Nothing," CJ muttered. Figured. Even now, he still hates me. Guess I was wrong in thinking that if we…if we ever got mom back, he'd at least like me.

"Harry," she said softly, her heart breaking for her crew mate. "Just take the pills. No one is going to judge you for admitting you're in pain. Not here. It's the one safe place on the Isle other than the clubhouse."

"He's nine," Kit sighed and shook his head. "A nine year old child, and he thinks he'd get judged for taking pain medicine when he's potentially has broken ribs! Why was the hospital not put on the Isle? It shouldn't have even been a second thought for him to take those pills!"

"Harry, do I need to make it an order?" Uma asked, looking at the pirate. "You look half ready to pass out from the pain. Take the pills!"

"That would be the one way to get Harry to take something for the pain," Harriet said, her voice soft from worry. "Make it an order."

Harry glowered but sighed. "Fine," he said softly. "But only because Uma's threatening to make it an order."

"Oh it wasn't a threat. It was a promise," Uma nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jay held out his hands as he gestured to Uma. "Behold, Ladies, Lords, Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, and Leah. The only person Harry will actually listen to."

"Shut it Jay!" Harry and Uma muttered.

"Whatever makes those pills get into your system," Mal shrugged and shook out a couple of pills, handing them to Harry. Jay stood to the side holding a glass of water at the ready. Harry sighed but swallowed them down.

"Thank Gods," Harriet muttered to herself. At least the guilty feeling of Harry being alone and in pain might subside…even if she didn't deserve that relief.

Jay handed Harry the glass of water. "Here," he said.

"Thanks guys," Harry muttered.

"You'd do the same for us Harry," Uma said. "Though we probably wouldn't be as stubborn."

Jay shook his head. "I'm not even going to touch that one," he muttered.

Persephone walked up and sat gently on the bed. "Hold still Harry."

Harry stayed as still as he could but wasn't sure what Persephone was going to do.

"But…but it's mom," Hadie said. "You can always trust mom."

"Hey, hey it's alright. I'm just going to see if we can tell if your ribs are actually broken," she said gently.

Harry nodded but still had to fight the urge to flinch away as Persephone reached for his shirt. He knew she would never hurt him like the Captain did but it was instinct at this point. However, it was still a weakness. If anyone outside the crew found out…

Harry held back a sigh as he looked back at the ground, his elbows resting on his thighs. He didn't want to see the pitying looks from the Auradon folks, the judgmental looks from his fellow Isle dwellers. He didn't want the confirmation that he'd been weak in that instance.

"It's understandable," Rachel spoke up and Harry lifted his head to look at her. "You were injured by an adult. An adult you should have been able to trust. It's understandable that you'd be wary about another one touching you so soon after receiving the injury."

Persephone gave him an understanding smile as she gently lifted his shirt. The smile turned into a frown as she saw the extent of the bruising on the side of the boy's torso. Even the makeshift wrap couldn't hide all the black and blue that was up and down Harry's left side. She didn't want to cause the young boy more pain.

Cinderella gasped and Kit wrapped his arm around her to hold her close. Ariel's green eyes watered, as did Rapunzel's. Tiana gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Their respective husbands held them close, though none of them were thrilled about the image of a young boy with bruising that severe.

"What's the verdict?" Mal asked.

Persephone sighed as she lowered Harry's shirt. "Unfortunately, I can't tell without an x-ray. Going by the state of the bruising though, I'd say it's better to err on the side of caution and act as if the ribs are broken. So Harry, unfortunately for you, that means no moving."

Persephone gave Mal a sad smile. "I appreciate your faith in me Mal but you know I'm not a doctor."

"Maybe not but you're one of the few people we trust in that situation. Besides the Isle's got a lot of self taught doctors," Mal told her.

Harry frowned. "But—"

"No."

"But I've already missed one of my shifts—"

"And that doesn't matter. As long as you want to work at the restaurant, you've got a job there," Hades told him. After all, this wasn't the last time Hook would injure his son—whenever that happened, Hades would make sure Harry's shifts were light and consisted more of learning to count lessons rather than carrying a heavy tray of food.

Oh sure other villains might accuse Hades of coddling Harry but being a God, Hades knew how fragile mortals were. If Harry needed someone to get him to take it easy, Hades would be that person.

"But—!"

"Harry, your work ethic is appreciated. Don't get me wrong, but there is no way I would or will make you work with broken ribs," Hades said firmly.

"Harry, no moving means no moving," Persephone told him. "The last thing we'd want is for one of those ribs to pierce your lung if they're actually broken."

Harry sighed and shook his head. Why do they insist on coddling me? He thought.

"Call me crazy but I think not wanting a piece of bone to pierce your lung is coddling you!" Emir exclaimed.

James, if our son joins me as a permanent resident of the Underworld before you do, I will figure out how to haunt you! Milah vowed.

"Hey," Mal said gently. "You got us Harry. Anything you need, we can get for you. You're safe here."

Harry shook his head, wincing a bit as pain shot up his side once more. "Mal I couldn't ask you to do that. I've managed broken ribs before, you know that."

"When?" Harriet asked, her voice hard.

"Harriet, it doesn't matter—."

"Like hell it doesn't Harrison! When did you have to deal with broken ribs and why didn't you tell me?!"

"…like I said, I was six," Harry muttered as he glanced back at the ground. "You were taking care of CJ…it was after you helped us with the bed. He wasn't exactly thrilled he heard from Smee that I got you to abandon the counter."

"Well too bad because it's happening. You'd do it for us."

Harry looked straight at Mal. "Mal, I can't just stay in a bed all day."

"If it means you don't die, then yes you can!"

"Last I checked, being sick or injured is the one pass to stay in bed all day," Neal said.

"Mal, the Captain's not just going to let me laze about. He's already furious about yesterday."

"Furious? Furious?!" Milah exclaimed. "Because you saved Mal's life?!"

"Because I abandoned my post," Harry muttered.

Milah's hands curled into fists. "Oh your father better thank his stars that he's not here right now!"

"Well it's just as well that you're not going back there then!"

Harry looked at Mal in confusion. "Where else would I go? The clubhouse? Wait, you're not saying I stay—?"

Gods, what I wouldn't have given for a resource like that when I was on the streets of Agrabah. A place where I could safely recover from any injures and have someone around to get what I needed. Well, a human someone. But then again I probably would have fought to prove myself the way Harry is here, Aladdin thought.

"Yes you idiot, I'm saying you stay here!" Mal told him. "You saved my life yesterday, it's only fair I make sure you don't end yours by trying to move with potentially broken ribs!"

"I do have to say that's a fair argument," Phillip Jr. said softly. He couldn't imagine having to try to convince his friend to stay in bed because of broken ribs. But then again there was a lot about the Isle he couldn't imagine in his life.

"Mal, I can't stay here—"

"And why not?" Mal asked, crossing her arms. "We clearly have a bed we're not using. So stay. You know I'll just have Jay carry you back if you try to run."

"I'd do it too," Jay said, crossing his arms over his chest and looking over at his best friend.

Harry sighed. "Mal I can't just stay here."

"Why not?"

"I just can't Mal!" Harry said and winced. "I can take care of myself."

"But you shouldn't have to," Eugene said, shaking his head.

"You don't have to Harry!" Mal said and turned to Hades. "Dad, Harry can stay here right?"

"Of course."

"Thank you," Milah said, looking at Hades.

Hades nodded, hearing the sincere gratitude in Milah's voice. "As I said during the previous scroll, he saved Mal's life. Not only that but I wouldn't let a child go out around the Isle when they're injured. You can't win a fight that way and I'm not about to let another child stand before me to be judged."

Mal turned back to Harry. "See? Just stay here Harry! What else are you going to do? Go back to the Captain and pretend like your ribs aren't potentially broken?"

Harry shrugged and winced once more.

Harriet couldn't help but give her brother a sad smile. I wish that wasn't an option, she thought. I wish you were able to be safe at home and not have our father act the way he did.

"Harry, stop being stubborn," Uma said as Mal pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're in pain and have an offer of being able to heal without worrying about the Captain ruining the progress there!"

"Unfortunately, stubbornness is a Hook family trait," Milah said as she looked at her three kids.

"I swear Harry, if the next words out of your mouth are 'I'm fine' or any variation, I'll have Jay hide your hook for the next month!" Mal growled as Harry opened his mouth.

"Don't look at me mate," Jay said, crossing his arms as Harry sighed. "You need this. I can look after Harriet and CJ, if you're worried about the Captain going after them. We will sort it out. You just need to stay."

The Captain wouldn't go after either of them. Harriet's our true parent, the one who made it so he doesn't have to do anything other than punish me, and the runt's the favorite, Harry thought with a small frown.

"I hate all three of you right now," Harry said with a glare.

"You matter to us too Harry," Mal smirked.

You have no idea how much I needed to hear that at that moment Mal, Harry thought.

Harry scowled but sighed. "Fine, Mal, you win. But just until my ribs heal."

"That's all I'm asking. How are you feeling by the way? Those pain meds kick in yet?"

"What kind of pain medicine works that fast?" Akiho asked, trying to make a joke to lighten the mood of the room. It fell flat but at least a few lips twitched.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah, ribs still hurt though."

"That's to be expected," Persephone said gently. "You can have another dose of pain medicine in a couple of hours."

"It was just over the counter pain medicine," Persephone said as some of the adults looked over at her. "I may be a Goddess but even I can't get morphine and the top notch pain killers if there's no hospital."

"Got to say, it's weird seeing you be so still," Jay said with a small smirk.

Harry scowled at him. "Not funny Jay. If I could move, I'd hit you. Actually, Mal, any chance you could hit Jay for me?"

"Be nice Jay," Mal said, whacking him on the arm with a small smirk.

"Seriously?" Jay asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You were asking for it," Mal shrugged.

"Now that I could get used to," Harry said with a smirk of his own.

Uma chuckled and shook her head.

"Hey, I'm plenty nice Mal," Jay said. "After all, I could have carried Harry through the town square which is a direct path to the Underworld but is also the most heavily trafficked area."

"I'm pretty sure Harry would have killed you if you'd done that," Harriet said, her voice soft.

"I know. Which is why I didn't do it," Jay told her.

"True."

Uma chuckled again. "I don't think Harry would have forgiven you if you'd done that Jay."

"Harry is still in the room," Harry spoke up causing the other three to chuckle once more. "So that whole can't move thing? That wouldn't happen to count toward bathroom trips too?"

"Hmm, I'm sure that's an innocent question," Akiho said, not sounding sincere in his musing at all.

"We can make some allowances for that," Hades said.

Mal's eyes narrowed. "Harry, you wouldn't be asking because you're planning on making a run for it are you?"

"You know you potentially gave him an idea right?" Chip asked.

"I know," Mal nodded. "But I wanted to cover my bases. Harry, as you can see, is quite stubborn at times."

"Mal, I promise, I really have to use the bathroom," Harry told her. "Not that that's not a brilliant plan by the way."

He sat up slowly and, being careful not to jostle his ribs too much, he got out of the bed. Making his way to the bathroom took more time than Harry wanted but he made it. He tried to not bite his lip, after all men and pirates didn't show they were in pain. Besides it wasn't that bad now—thanks in part to that pain medicine Mal made him take.

"That's it!" Uma exclaimed. "I told you what I'd do if I heard that freaking 'men and pirates don't show pain' nonsense one more time!"

"Uma, technically I didn't say it!" Harry told her. "It was the Lady Meg who said it…I just thought it."

"Did he just call me a Lady?" Meg asked.

"You're married to Hercules who's the son of Zeus," Mal told her. "Harry does that, claims it shows proper respect to those above his station."

"Uh huh. And should we stop them?"

Mal looked over to see Harry and Uma still quibbling about the semantics of who truly said the line. "Nah…I think this is their way of flirting honestly. Considering they're both in denial about—."

"We're not in denial!" Harry and Uma snapped at the same time.

"There we go," Mal said with a smirk.

Oh thank Gods, Harry thought as he went to the bathroom. He couldn't help but consider what Mal had said; about making a break for it. He sighed. Staying here would only potentially put a large target on Mal and her family even if Mal's as tough as they came, I couldn't do that to her.

Mal gave Harry a sad smile as she looked over at her friend and crew mate. She wasn't surprised in the slightest that Harry would place her over his own safety—she just wished he didn't.

He mattered too.

Sighing again, he couldn't help but shake his head slightly. "Mal'd just drag me back. Besides the Captain's a big cod fish toward anyone bigger than him. There's no way he'd go after Lord Hades," he muttered to himself and smiled slightly. He had definitely lucked out when it came to his crew.

"I could handle Hook," Hades said. "Besides I've got more than a few words to say to him on the subject of child rearing."

"Can we watch?!" Mal and Jay asked.

"Can I help?" Uma growled, her hands curling into fists as the thought of Hook hurting Harry once again entered her brain.

He hobbled back slowly, inwardly cursing his ribs and his father all the while.

"You need any help?" Jay asked as Harry hobbled back into the bedroom.

"I'm good."

Mal shook her head. "How are all my friends so stubborn? Come here Harry."

"We're the stubborn ones?" Harry, Jay, and Uma exclaimed, looking over at Mal.

"Yes. Thank you for finally admitting it," Mal nodded.

"Mal, I'm fine. I don't need help," Harry told her.

"Uh huh right," Mal deadpanned as she nudged Harry onto the bed, earning a glare from the pirate. "Don't give me that look. I do have to give you credit, at least you didn't run off. Now get comfy."

"You know who they remind me of?" Hercules muttered to Meg.

"I know," Meg muttered back, looking at Macaria and Hyllus.

Mal pulled the blanket around him and Estelle once again took his place by Harry's legs, his heads resting near his knee.

"Mal, you don't have to do that," Harry muttered.

"Hush. Captain's orders."

Thank you Mal, for being there for Harry when I couldn't, Harriet thought with a small smile.

Harry sighed but did as he was told. He had to admit, this was comfy for the Isle at least. He would even allow himself a bit of coddling, even if he would never admit it to the others.

"I hate these scrolls," Harry muttered as his friends and crew mates looked over at him. Figured it'd be his luck that his friends would be here and that thought would appear.

His eyes shut against his will and Harry drifted off to sleep.

"You get some rest Harry," Uma said softly as the rest of the group shared a sad smile.

"Come on," Mal mouthed, gesturing for them to leave. The group left the room and made their way to the den, in case Harry needed them they'd still be close.

"Ah the 'we've got a stubborn friend who'll likely try to do things himself while he's injured' method of caring," Emir nodded.

"We know it well," Akiho added.

"Boys?" Anna, Jasmine, and Belle asked, each looking at their sons and raising an eyebrow. Their fathers also looked over at their sons in concern, wondering which one of them had been hurt and hadn't wanted to tell them.

"We've been sworn to secrecy," Emir said after catching Ben's eye.

"But the scrolls haven't!" Akiho said with a smirk.

Ben sighed. "Akiho, you have no idea what's in the scrolls."

"Neither do you Ben," Akiho told him.

"Ooh loophole," Mal chuckled. "I like your friend Benny."

"Would anyone like a hot drink? Or some food?" Persephone offered.

Mal shrugged. "Guys?" She asked, looking at Uma and Jay.

"A hot drink would be nice. The water at Mama's place is mostly salt water," Uma said softly.

"And we can't really drink that. Not unless we want to get sick," Uma added.

"Yeah, a hot drink sounds good," Jay nodded.

"Coming up," Hades said with a small smile.

"Hot drinks are a specialty of mine," Hades nodded.

Mal nodded as the adults made their way into the the kitchen to get the drinks before sighing softly. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. After all, the only reason Harry had abandoned his job at Hook's place yesterday was to save her life.

"Yeah well I'd do it again in a heartbeat Mal," Harry said firmly, looking over at her. Her life mattered more after all. She was a Godling, a dragon if only by association. He was just a pirate.

Which was why she was going to make damn sure that Harry was alright. That all her crew would be alright. No matter what. She was co-captain after all. She'd do it anyway, even if Harry hadn't saved her life.

"You won't be alone there Mal," Uma said. "I'm Captain too."

"You okay there Mal?" Jay asked.

"Hmmm?" Mal said as she looked over at Jay. "Yeah Jay, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Didn't…didn't LeFou once say that's a dangerous pastime?" Carlos asked.

"Yeah but he was talking to Gaston," Uma said. "The same man who once said that it's not right for women to read because then we might start getting…ideas!"

"Oh yes, and thinking," Belle nodded. "He didn't want us to think."

"Explains a lot about his sons," Harry muttered.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Uma asked.

"That you guys will be okay."

"Of course we will Mali," Uma said before sighing. "It's Harry I'm concerned about. Was it just me or was he more stubborn than usual?"

"That's possible? He seemed pretty stubborn," Lucy noted.

"Not just you."

"Yeah," Jay nodded. "You don't think Hook did something or threatened to do something if Harry accepted help, do you?"

You guys weren't there the next day…when the Captain realized Harry wasn't home. For a second he almost seemed guilty of what he did, Harriet thought.

"I wouldn't put it past him," Uma growled. "I mean a little stubbornness is one thing but... I know we all have to grow up quickly on the Isle but if I have to hear the words 'men and pirates don't show pain' one more time, Hook's hook is going to find someplace a lot more interesting to live."

"May we offer some suggestions?" Emir asked, Akiho nodding earnestly.

Mal raised an eyebrow. "We've only known you for like a couple of hours. Why do you care?"

"That's who they are," Ben said. "They're the 'mom' friends."

"And proud of it!"

Mal nodded in agreement. "Well at least Harry won't have to worry about Hook until his ribs recover," she said before she sighed. "Isn't it bad enough Boreadon gives us horrible food? Did they have to forget to give us doctors as well?"

Beast winced as he heard that. It wasn't as if they had forgotten on purpose! It just sort of…slipped through the cracks.

"I've stopped wondering about Boreadon, to be honest," Uma shrugged. "Staying alive's the mission around here. And hey, as I've said before, at least we get the most decent food there is. We could have it a lot worse."

"I think most kids under the age of five are the only ones who still wonder about Boreadon," Celia said with a shrug.

I still wonder about it. What it would be like to live there, Dizzy thought, lightly biting her lip.

"True," Mal nodded as Persephone and Hades walked back in, holding the hot drinks for the kids.

"It's just some weak tea but it's drinkable non-salted water, and it's warm," Hades said with a smile as he handed Uma her drink.

"Now that I know there's a 'Boreadon' stash I don't know if I should feel insulted you made us 'Isle' tea or not," Uma teased her aunt.

"Thanks Uncle Hades," Uma said as she took her tea and closed her eyes. There was something so comforting about being around her Uncle Hades and Aunt Steph. It was like having a second set of parents at times. After Mal had told her she was her cousin, it had been a joke that soon Aunt Steph would start fussing over Uma as much as she did Mal. A small part of her couldn't help but think that would be nice.

I…I know Aunt Steph is your mom Mali but…she's more of my mother than my own mom is, Uma thought to Mal, who gave her a small smile.

It was one of the reasons why Uma didn't understand why Harry put up such a fight coming to the Underworld. This was the one place where the adults were normal. Uma couldn't even let her walls down much around her dad, in case Ursula heard. Sure her dad cared but he only went as far to check that she'd eaten if they were alone or teach her to make sure she wasn't left behind on the Isle. Now that Celia was born, she got the majority of his attention.

"Well that also was because Celia lives with him and Freddie while I live with mama," Uma said, shaking her head.

Not that Uma would ever begrudge her baby sister their dad's attention but there was a reason why Uma spent more time at her Uncle Hades' than her dad's now.

Celia gave Uma a small smile as she heard that. She hated to admit it but for a split second she'd been worried that it was going to be another Hadie and Mal situation.

There was even a room set up for her in case she ever wanted to spend the night—the Underworld had a lot of spare rooms for the home of someone who didn't like to entertain.

Thank you again for that brother, Poseidon thought to Hades. You didn't need to provide her a room—.

She is family Poseidon. Now stop thanking me every time you hear me look out for her, Hades thought back. As you can clearly see, I don't exactly fit the Isle mold.

That's not a bad thing, Poseidon told him.

"You okay Uma?" Persephone said gently.

Uma nodded. "I'm okay, Aunt Steph. It's just...nice to have a safe place."

"I know I said it back then but I want to say it again, you've got a place as long as you want it," Persephone said, keeping her voice gentle.

Persephone gave the young girl a sad smile. "You always have a place here as long as you want it. We have plenty of room and food."

"I know," Uma said with a smile. "Thanks Aunt Steph."

Uma wasn't the only one smiling at Persephone. "Thank you," Poseidon told her.

"I only wish I could do more for the kids on the Isle," Persephone said with a small sigh.

Persephone wished more than anything she could take the kids off the Isle with her when the six months came around, but that wouldn't be a life for the kids. Always hiding. It wasn't fair to them, but neither was life on the Isle. The adults had made their bed, why should the kids have to lie in it?

"Lady Persephone raises a good point," Rapunzel said. "Technically I could be considered a 'Villain Kid'. Should I not be put on the Isle?"

"Quasi would also be considered a 'Villain Kid'," Esmeralda nodded.

Audrey pursed her lips, unsure if she should mention the other crimes her grandmother had committed. Like trying to force certain council members onto the Isle.

"Should someone check on Harry?" Jay asked. "He probably shouldn't roll over too much."

"I'll go," Mal said as she stood up. "I'll give a holler if he needs anything."

It shouldn't have been up to you Mal, Eric thought with a small frown. That being said…he understood. Harry would be extremely wary of adults at that moment so seeing his friend would be a lot better than seeing his friend's parents.

Mal went into the spare room where Harry was still sleeping. Leaning up against the doorframe, she couldn't help but sigh. Harry…what were they going to do with him?

Give him the support he needed…like he'd do with us, Uma thought with a slight nod of her head.

"I can feel you lurking," Harry said softly, looking over at Mal as he woke up.

Mal gave him a small smile as she walked into the room. "Good. How're you feeling?"

"Before anyone says anything, I am well aware of how stupid that question was," Mal said, shaking her head.

Harry sighed, wincing as he tried to sit up. "As well as anyone with potentially broken ribs can feel I guess."

"The pain medicine shouldn't have worn off that quickly," Persephone said, her voice soft as she muttered to herself.

"You need another dose? Or some food? When's the last time you ate?"

"Probably whatever we had for lunch yesterday," Harry said softly. "Getting kicked in the ribs repeatedly really kills your appetite and the clubhouse doesn't have food."

"You hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day?" Aziz exclaimed.

Harry shrugged. "The food barge was late again. I wasn't about to take food from kids' mouths."

"Besides, even as well connected as we were, even kids in our crew went hungry from time to time," Uma said with a small sigh.

"…he kicked you? Your father kicked you?"

"Okay CJ, you're about to see mom get really mad," Harriet muttered to their sister. Of the memories she had of her mother, there was only a few times when Harriet could remember her mother's voice getting that low.

"Mom, it…it doesn't—."

"Don't you dare say it doesn't matter Harrison," Milah told Harry. "I swear to all the Gods, if your father was here, I'd…I'd…I'd eviscerate him!"

"I'd hold him down for you," Hades told her, glaring at the scroll.

I'd help, Eugene and Aladdin thought, catching the other's eye and nodding slightly.

"Well we have food here. What would you like?"

She'd hold off on killing Captain Hook, Harry needed her attention now.

"I'm joining you when you do kill him," Uma vowed and Jay nodded as well.

Audrey sniffed. "See Ben? They're vowing to kill someone and you still—."

"There's a difference between murder and dealing with an abusive parent," Audrey snapped at her counterpart. "Be thankful you've never had to know the difference."

After all…her mother had been nothing but loving to her. Her grandmother on the other hand…

Our family status, gone. You were supposed to be his queen and you let him slip through your fingers. Your mother could hold on to a prince in her sleep.

"Mal, really, you don't have to go through any trouble for me."

"Harry! Why are you being so stubborn?!"

"Oh this from the queen of stubbornness?" Harry asked and then sighed.

"How does one become the 'Queen of stubbornness'?" Rowyn asked.

"Be Mal apparently," Rose told her sister.

"I know you're my captain Mal but I don't know why you're going through all this effort."

"Because I want to. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same if it was reversed."

"In a heartbeat!" Harry shouted. "You need me, I'm there Mal. No questions asked."

"Of course I would!" Harry exclaimed, as if offended Mal would imply otherwise. "But it's different Mal."

"How?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms. "Because I'm a girl?"

"I've had Harriet for a sister for how long and you honestly think I think girls can't take care of themselves?" Harry muttered.

Harry sighed. "Cause you actually have people who care," he muttered.

Harriet looked over at Harry who was avoiding her eye. "Harry…?"

"That night. Captain's kicking me in the ribs and yet your first instinct was to get the runt out of there so she didn't see what was happening," Harry muttered to her. "I get it Harri, it's not fair to you. You've got to be a mom to the runt after all."

"So do you," Mal said softly, her heart sinking.

"Yeah, the Captain showed how much he cared last night," Harry muttered. "Face it Mal, the last person who truly cared about me died when the runt was born. Maybe I have Harriet but she can't do much against the Captain."

Oh Gods, what…I had to get CJ out of there though, I couldn't have her see…but in doing so I…Harriet thought as Harry focused his attention on the ground.

"Harry…" Milah said, her tone soft even if she was shaking slightly in anger at her husband. Sorry, ex- husband. Death did them part after all. How could he do that? Make Harry think no one cared about him!

She knew she needed to talk to Harry and knew she needed to talk to him alone. He wouldn't want everyone hearing this. Gently resting a hand on his back, Milah frowned as Harry flinched away from her.

"Harry…" Persephone said, her soft voice drawing Harry's attention and causing him to lift his head. "Come with me."

Milah quickly followed them, stopping in the doorway as Persephone turned to look at her. Despite being dead, Milah quickly feared for her life as the Goddess walked up to her.

"I know he's your son…but he's as good as mine too," she said, keeping her voice low. "Hurt him, and you'll be sent back to the Underworld so quick your head will spin."

"I understand Lady Persephone," Milah nodded and she walked into the room, closing the door behind her to provide some privacy.

The sight before her broke her heart—her once vibrant baby boy now a closed off, cynical teen. Granted he'd been that way when she arrived but now she could see it so much more clearly.

"Harry…my darling. What did your father do?" Milah asked as she closed the distance between them and held Harry's face in her hands, looking into his blue eyes that mirrored her own.

Harry shrugged. "You're listening to the same scroll I am," he muttered.

"That's not what I mean and you know it," Milah told him. "Harry, you have people who care about you. Harriet—."

"Harriet chose between me and the runt that night and the runt came out on top!" Harry exclaimed, backing up so that his face was no longer in her grasp. "The runt's always picked first! Even though she's the reason we don't have you!"

Oh sure, he knew that Leah's manipulation with the food was what made his mother so weak but if it hadn't been for her pregnancy with CJ, she could have regained her strength.

"Harrison!" Milah scolded. "Do not talk about your sister that way!"

"See? Even you're siding with her!" Harry shouted, unshed tears shimmering in his eyes. "I can't stand her and she's the Captain's favorite whereas I've been his punching bag since I was four! All because she looks like you!"

"If you couldn't stand her, why did you fight so hard to defend her against Freddy when he made that comment?" Milah asked and Harry stilled. "That's right, I was watching when that happened. It was another moment when I was so proud to call myself your mother. But Harry…I need to know what your father did."

They could talk about this whole blaming CJ for her death thing later. Harry needed to be the focus.

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry muttered.

"Harry…"

"No one knows okay!" Harry snapped. "Not even Jay, Uma, or Mal! They just know that the Captain once again turned me into his punching bag and I didn't fight back. I was weak, I was pathetic! I was…I was a disgrace to piracy…"

Harry didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Milah quickly wrapped her son up in her arms.

"You were not weak or pathetic," she murmured, gently rubbing his back. She was furious at her husband but now was not the time for ranting or enacting revenge. Her son needed her. Harry had lived his life thinking others were more important than him and he needed someone to put him first. "You know who was weak and pathetic? The grown man who thought it okay to almost break a nine year old's ribs. Especially when that nine year old had just saved his friend's life."

"But…I abandoned my post…" Harry whispered and Milah could hear his voice catch, as if he was trying to not cry into her shoulder.

"What's one of the rules in the Pirate Code? Loyalty to captain and crew above all else," Milah said, gently rubbing his back and trying to ignore the way Harry would stiffen up or flinch with each rotation. As if he was expecting another shoe to drop. "Not to mention it's not as if you just let the counter sit there without anyone there to watch it. Your sister was there wasn't she? But even if the counter was truly abandoned, you did nothing to deserve that."

Harry's shoulders began to shake and Milah knew her son was silently sobbing into her shoulder. She held him close, just as Lord Hades had done with Mal all those years ago. Not that Milah knew about that of course, having missed that scroll.

"I am so sorry Harry," she whispered into his hair after a few minutes of standing silent. "I wish I could have been there for you. If there had been a hint that your father would have done this…"

"He…he didn't start doing it until after you died," Harry said, quickly wiping his tears away. "I…I didn't mean to…I should have been stronger…"

"Hey, hey," Milah said gently. "I'm your mother. If you can't cry on my shoulder, who's shoulder can you cry on?"

"Harriet's?"

Milah gave her son a sad smile. "I guess she has had to be your mother all this time huh? It's not fair to her, it's not fair to any of you kids. But Harry, know that you matter okay? I don't want to think about you potentially joining me until you're old and giving me great-grandchildren."

"Mom, I don't even know if I'm going to have kids—."

"Great. Grandchildren. Harrison."

"Okay, okay," Harry said with a slight chuckle and Milah smiled as she heard it. She wasn't naive enough to think one conversation would undo years of abuse from his father but she knew that her son would be okay enough to listen to the rest of the scroll.

"You want to go back out?"

Harry shrugged. "Mal, Uma, and Jay would probably drag me back out. Besides, Mal listened to the scroll about her almost drowning," he muttered.

"That's not what I asked," Milah told him. "What do you want?"

Harry bit his lip. "I…I want to go back out there," he said softly. I want to show the Captain he's got no power over me. Even if he's not here.

"Then that's what we'll do," Milah said and the two of them went back out to the rest of the room.

"You okay?" Uma mouthed to Harry as he passed her.

"Just fine cap'n," Harry mouthed back and Uma nodded. She knew that was a lie but she wasn't going to press him.

"I'm not talking about Hook, Harry. I care. Uma cares. Jay cares. My parents care. We're the Rotten Four. Harry, if something happened to you, something we couldn't reverse…we wouldn't be the same. You're a part of our crew and we look after each other," Mal told him, ignoring his nickname for CJ.

"I care about you too Harry, and so does CJ," Harriet whispered to him, Milah having reconfigured the seating arrangements so that Harry was in-between her and Harriet.

"So don't think we don't care about you or that we're going out of our way when we offer something. You'd do it for us no questions asked."

"Of course I would Mal," Harry said with a sigh. "You're my crew. What kind of a crew mate would I be if I didn't help if it was needed?"

"So if you can help them if they needed it, why can't they do the same for you?" Naveen asked, looking over at Harry.

"Exactly. So why shouldn't we do the same for you?"

Harry couldn't help but give a sad smile at that. He still didn't understand why Mal was going through all this effort but he wasn't going to lie, it felt nice.

"I'm going through the 'effort' as you put it because you're my friend and I don't want to see you in pain!" Mal stated.

"Now, back to my question, what would you like to eat? If the last time you had food was lunch, you've got to be hungry."

"Do…do you have any soup or something I could drink?" Harry asked, his voice soft. "With these ribs…"

Milah's heart broke as she heard her son ask that. In a perfect world, she would have been there to take care of him. Of course, in a perfect world his father wouldn't have dare to lay hand or hook on their son!

"I'm sure mom can find you something," Mal said. "I'll be right back. Estelle can keep watch on you—I'm not surprised he's still here."

"He's been keeping my leg warm," Harry chuckled as Mal left the room to go back to the den, her hand curling up into a fist. If she wasn't nine, she'd go and give Hook what's for. Maybe use the Isle thinking she was the Dragon's spawn to her advantage!

"Again I've got a giant snowman ready to help out if you guys need it," Akiho offered.

She knew it was rough on the Isle, and that most of their parents didn't care about them but that didn't mean Harry deserved to have that confirmed!

I think there's a part of the Captain that still cares about Harry, Harriet thought. He at least asked where Harry was the next day. Not that I told him of course but he did ask. And he asked again when Harry moved out after Harry turned ten. It was only because of him asking that I started our monthly family dinners that I try to get Harry to go to.

Sighing, she shook her head as she got to the den.

"Mom, what kind of soup do we got?"

"I think we have some chicken noodle soup left over from the restaurant," Persephone said, getting up.

Estelle perked his head up upon hearing the word 'chicken'.

"Again boy, sorry but there's no chickens here," Mal said with a small sigh as Estelle snorted in disapproval and put his head back down.

"Can Harry have some? He wants something easy with his ribs."

Persephone nodded. "I'll go get it heated up right now."

"Thank you."

Persephone gave Mal a smile and went to the kitchen to get the soup heated up for Harry, Hades quickly following to give the kids some privacy.

"More like so your father could rant about what he was going to do to Hook if he ever got his hands on him," Persephone said.

Hades shrugged. "Like you weren't threatening to turn him into a mint plant, Steph."

"I never said I didn't Hades," Persephone shook her head.

"How is he?" Uma asked.

Mal sighed. "Physically, he's about the same. Emotionally…well let's just say the Captain's lucky I'm not older and off the Isle otherwise he'd be a charred sack of bones right now. He made one of my crew feel worthless!"

If it wasn't for the fact that the Hooklings don't deserve to lose another parent before they're twenty, Hook and I would be having a very long conversation. One I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be walking away from, Hades thought as he glared at the scroll.

"What?!" Uma growled and sat up. "Harry has to know how important he is, right?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Harriet swore Harry seemed to sit up a bit straighter as he heard Uma's words.

Mal sighed. "Not according to the talk I just had with him. Harry thinks no one cares about him since his mom died."

"Well that's clearly not true," Lonnie spoke up, looking over at Harry. "If it was, Mal and the others wouldn't put up such a big fight for you."

Uma stared at Mal, her mouth hanging down like a fish. "I—how—what—how can he think that?"

"If I knew that, I'd tell you," Mal sighed, shaking her head. "But I think we found the reason why he's so stubborn when it comes to accepting our help."

Harriet bit her lip to keep the tears that were building up from streaming down her cheeks. Gods…how can I call myself a big sister when I failed in protecting Harry? I know CJ needed me…but so did Harry. I made a choice and now my brother's going to have scars. Oh the bruises faded but the emotional scars…

Uma started to get up as if to march into the spare room. "What are we waiting for? We've got to show him how wrong he is. It's not like he can run from us with those ribs."

"I'm no pirate expert but I don't think it's a good idea to corner him," Emma spoke up.

"Shouldn't we let him eat first?" Jay asked.

Rowyn nodded. "It probably won't be a good idea to pepper Harry right away. Not after something like this."

Uma sighed. "You're right Jay—I just don't like the idea that Harry's thinking he doesn't matter to us."

"I know," Jay said softly. "But if we just storm in there, Harry's just going to have his walls up. We need to think this through."

Uma sighed. "He was right," she muttered. "Storming in there wouldn't have worked at all. Not with Harry."

"What's there to think about?" Uma asked. "It's Harry we're talking about. If it was any of us in that bed, feeling like that, he'd be leading the charge to show we were wrong."

"Uma…cap'n…you didn't have to—."

"What's that Harry? You're thankful we care about you and treat you the way you'd treat us?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked over at her first mate.

Mal sighed but before she could respond, Persephone walked out of the kitchen holding the bowl of soup.

"Good timing," Mal said, looking at her mom.

"A mother's intuition dear," Persephone told her.

"Soup's ready," she told Mal.

"Thanks mom," Mal said as she took the bowl and went back to Harry's room. "Harry?"

"Yeah Mal?" Harry asked, looking over at her.

"Time to eat," she said, walking over to the bed.

"You know it was probably a good idea for Harry to have something to eat with that pain medicine," Jasmine spoke up.

Harry nodded and tried to sit up as best he could. "You're not feeding me," he said, taking the bowl.

"You know it honestly didn't cross my mind until you said that," Mal said with a smirk.

"As long as you can eat," Mal said with a shrug.

Harry nodded again and began to eat the soup, thankful it only seemed to bother his ribs a little. He licked his lips—the food he'd eaten at Lord Hades' restaurant seemed to be a lifetime ago.

"The twenty five minutes of swimming probably didn't help that hungry feeling," Ben said. "I know after I've been swimming I'm usually ravenous. I can't imagine…"

"How is it?" Mal asked as Harry ate. Harry only nodded, too busy eating to talk. Mal couldn't help but smile, happy Harry was at least eating.

Good. He needs it, especially since he hasn't eaten since lunch yesterday, Mal thought with a sad smile. It's not fair! Why does Harry long to be just like the Captain when he hates the man?!

Because…because if I was just like him…maybe he'd stop treating me like a walking, talking punching bag, Harry thought.

If there was one person Mal couldn't see Harry being like, it was his father. Even if they did have to patch up his wrist a couple of weeks ago because he tried to chop off his own hand so he could truly need the hook.

"What?!" Milah exclaimed. Harry immediately moved his wrist out of reach as to avoid any questions. He could still feel everyone's eyes on him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Uma creep in to curl up on the bed while Jay stood in the doorway. Estelle lifted his right head, wagging his tail as he saw Uma.

Jay and Mal looked at each other in knowing exasperation.

Gods it was clear when we were nine that they were going to wind up together yet they're still in denial? Jay thought, shaking his head.

"Uma?" Harry asked as he finished the soup, as if surprised she was still there.

"Yes?" Uma asked, looking at him like there was nothing out of the ordinary as she scratched Estelle behind the ears.

"Considering how often we all huddle together in the bed up at the clubhouse, there really wasn't anything out of the ordinary there," Uma added. "Only difference was you were injured."

Harry shook his head. "Nothing," he muttered.

Mal couldn't help but smile slightly as she walked over and sat on the bed next to Uma while Jay stayed in the doorway.

"You could have gone in at the same time," Hadie said.

Jay shook his head. "Didn't want Harry to feel too pressured. If I walked in with Mal, he'd have realized what we were doing."

"Guys…"

"Yes?" Mal, Uma and Jay said innocently.

Harry shook his head again. "Nothing."

"That's the second time you've done that Harry," Jay said, walking into the room. "What's up?"

He's just being stubborn, Harriet thought with a small sigh. Captain…is it wrong that I wish you were here so you could see what you did to Harry?

"Nothing…I'm just surprised you guys are so worried over this."

"Why wouldn't we be?" Uma asked. "You're part of our crew Harry, and crews stick together."

"Like Jordan's friend Nalani's aunt always says, Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten," Lonnie said. "Your crew's like your family I'm guessing so same motto applies."

"Even if they have the stupid notion that we shouldn't worry about them," Jay muttered.

"Pot, meet kettle," Mal sighed and shook her head. "You're just as stubborn as Harry is, Jay."

Harry sighed. "Jay, don't you still have your dad's quota to fill? Why are you wasting time—?"

"So I get locked out and have to sleep at the clubhouse tonight and avoid him for a few days. No big deal."

"Um, wrong. Big deal, very big deal!" Emir stated, looking over at Jay.

Jay shrugged. "Harry needed me more. I'm used to disappointing my dad and missing quota."

"Jay!" Harry exclaimed. "You're not getting locked out of your house because of me!"

Jay shrugged, as if he'd already made up his mind about the whole thing.

"He probably did too," Uma muttered.

"Jay, don't be stupid," Mal said. "Stay here if you get locked out. We can have a sleepover in Harry's room. As Harry pointed out, unfortunately, the clubhouse doesn't have anywhere to keep food long term. At least if you stay here, you'll get fed."

"Plus staying in the Underworld means you can avoid the Dragon for a few days," Mal pointed out. "Staying in the clubhouse, you'd still need to make your appearances if the Dragon had a meeting of her minions."

"Sounds cool," Jay said with a shrug.

"I'm sorry, my what?" Harry asked, looking at Mal.

"Your room," Akiho repeated.

"I heard Mal the first time," Harry grumbled.

"Your room."

"Mal, you can't be serious about that!"

"Do I look like I'm joking? You're staying here anyway. Why not just make this your room? Uma has one across the hall anyway."

Someone had to make sure Harriet and the runt didn't become the Captain's new punching bag, Harry thought. I know I said he wouldn't touch them but…he's unpredictable…after all…I never thought he'd smack me for trying to save a photo of mom when I was four…

"Because—"

"Because?" Mal repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm…not a god."

"Yeah so?" Mal asked. "The only cool Gods are mom and dad anyway."

"Besides Virgil's not a God and he's got a room in the Underworld," Uma pointed out, as she and Mal ignored the other Gods' protests.

"Hmm, Grandfather's not that bad," Uma pointed out.

"Okay true," Mal nodded. "But we can agree that Zeus is the worst right?"

"Agreed!"

Poseidon couldn't help but smile as he heard his granddaughter's defense of him but Zeus frowned as he heard Mal's judgement of him. The worst part was he knew he deserved it.

"Ah the sound of my daughter trashing my brother," Hades said as he walked into the room. "Music to my ears."

Mal couldn't help but giggle at that.

Are you ever going to get over that? The whole eaten as babies thing? Poseidon thought to Hades.

That's not why I hate Zeus, or at least it's not the main reason, Hades thought back. He could have provided aid to get Mal back. He didn't.

"I just came in to see if you all needed anything," Hades told them, scooping up Harry's empty soup bowl.

"Uh huh," Hercules said. "And it's not because you care about the young injured boy your daughter brought home and wanted to check on him, is it Uncle?"

"I can multi task Wonderbreath," Hades said with a shrug.

"Any idea on how to get Harry to put some value on himself?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't usually say this…but tact is a thing," Neal said. "I mean I agree completely but maybe it shouldn't have been said so bluntly?"

"Mal, you don't have to make a big deal out of this," Harry muttered. Mal just looked at him, the eyebrow still raised.

"What?" Harry asked, noticing the eyebrow.

"That eyebrow spells doom to anyone who looks upon it!"

"Now you're just being dramatic," Mal said, shaking her head as she looked over at Harry.

Mal rolled her eyes. "How many times are we going to have to say it? You. Matter. To. Us."

"Okay. Okay."

"Okay now let's try that again but this time pretend like you actually mean it," Chip told the younger boy.

"Oh that's convincing," Uma said, rolling her eyes. "Uncle Hades, seriously, any chance you know how to get stubborn pirates to know their value?"

I know my value Uma…the problem is you've assigned me too much, Harry thought, holding back a sigh.

Hades shook his head. "Girls, it's not going to happen overnight."

"Thank you sir, don't encourage them," Harry muttered. Hades frowned, he hadn't been expecting that. The boy was nine after all. Then again, that didn't stop Hook from potentially breaking Harry's ribs. All the kids could really do is be there.

"And here I thought you'd come up with something more challenging Uncle Hades," Uma said.

"Yeah, we're always there for Harry," Jay nodded. "Like I told Mal, I'm with him till the end of the line."

"How're your ribs feeling?" Hades asked, looking over at the young pirate.

"Better," Harry told him, thankful for the subject change.

Harriet looked over at Harry. "Were they really or were you just saying that so Lord Hades and Mal wouldn't fuss over you?"

"I don't have to answer that," Harry muttered.

Hades nodded. "If you need any more pain relief, let me know."

"Yes sir."

"Okay. I'll be in the other room if you kids need anything," Hades said.

"Thanks dad."

"Dad you know perfectly well Harry would never let you know if he was in pain," Mal said, shaking her head.

Hades gave a small, sad smile before heading back to the den holding Harry's empty soup bowl.

"How is he?" Persephone asked as she looked over at Hades.

"Better, or so he says. I'm more worried about him emotionally rather than physically right now.

Harry held back a sigh. Great, even Lord Hades thought I was weak because of this. It's going to take forever to get people to see me as a pirate again rather than a scared little boy.

"Hades, his father potentially broke his ribs. That's not something he'll forget overnight," Persephone said with a frown.

Steph, I'm well aware of the psychological damage a bad father can put on a kid, Hades thought to his wife.

"I know."

"Plus he's staying here until his ribs heal remember? If something's bothering him, he can tell us."

Not that he ever did, Persephone thought with an inward sigh. Harry had been with them for about six weeks and had never talked about the experience. Though it had been maybe six months later that he'd packed up what he could and asked Hades if his room was available for him to stay in permanently when he wasn't staying on the ship.

"True," Hades nodded. That didn't mean he had to like the idea of Harry suffering. He had saved Mal's life after all—and even if he hadn't, he was one of Mal's minions and clearly was loyal to his daughter. If there was one thing Hades could appreciate, it was loyalty. Unfortunately, solving emotional trauma wasn't something that could be done overnight.

Okay therapy. Definitely adding therapy to the next group…and arranging it for this group of VKs too, Ben thought.

"You okay?" Persephone asked, looking over at Hades.

"Yeah."

Meanwhile, back in Harry's room, the aforementioned pirate couldn't believe how stubborn his crew was being. He didn't matter this much, not so much that Jay was going to risk getting locked out of his house for him.

Jay sighed and shook his head. "Harry, if I'm getting locked out of my house for any reason, taking care of an injured crew mate has got to be the best one I can think of."

He sighed softly.

"You okay Harry?" Mal asked, having heard the sigh. "Need any more pain meds?"

Uma stroked Harry's hair as they looked over at him.

Gods…why was his hair so fluffy? It's not like we had anything from Boreadon to make it that way, Uma thought, taking great pains to make sure she wasn't broadcasting on the mental link.

Harry shook his head, slightly pleased by the attention from Uma of all people though he didn't know why. "I'm fine guys. I'm comfortable."

"More than likely due to the pain meds," Akiho noted.

Jay and Mal smirked though upon hearing that Harry was pleased by the attention from Uma.

"You're sure?" Mal asked. "I can easily run out to the kitchen if you need anything."

"Mal I'm fine. Honestly I don't know why you keep asking."

"Because if I don't, it's not like you'll tell us!"

"Because you'd make a fuss if I did," Harry muttered.

"Because I know my own pain tolerance Mal!"

Mal couldn't help but give a sad smile at that. "You shouldn't have to though Harry."

"Yeah well, this is the Isle Mal," Harry muttered. "How many times has Maleficent smacked you around?"

"Thanks for that reminder," Demeter growled and Hades narrowed his eyes at the implication that there had been more instances of Maleficent hitting Mal than the times they'd heard about.

"Thanks for the reminder," Mal grumbled. "Gods, I wish we could stick King Beastie on the Isle just so he could see what it's like."

"You're not the only one Mali," Uma grumbled.

"Dad, shouldn't we…shouldn't we at least tour the Isle?" Ben asked. "Or bring a representative from the Isle to serve on the council?"

"Ben, honestly, you want to —?"

"I think that's a great idea," Belle said, giving Audrey a look.

Beast sighed. "I'll consider it Ben. The tour might be too dangerous for us to do but I have to admit, after all we've heard, a representative might not be such a bad idea."

"Gods, I wonder what counts as a problem in Boreadon?" Jay asked, leaning on the headboard.

"The dinner being cooked wrong," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"The servants missing a spot dusting," Uma scoffed.

"A princess broke a nail," Mal shook her head.

"A prince got his suit dirty," Jay sighed, joining in on the fun. Mal shook her head again.

A grandmother emotionally abusing her granddaughter, Audrey thought with a small sigh.

A Prince trapped in a betrothal contract he shouldn't be in, Chip thought as he glanced over at Ben.

A mother missing her daughter, never even getting the chance to hold her, Belle thought as she bit her lip to keep the tears at bay.

Ben, though, wasn't aware of their thoughts and sighed softly. "They're right. When it's compared to what Mal and Harry went through…what all the people of the Isle lived through…it makes us sound so shallow," he whispered.

"There's a reason why we call the place 'Boreadon' after all," she scoffed and Uma rolled her eyes in agreement.

"I…I think I'd take boring to wondering…wondering where our next meal was coming from," Carlos spoke up.

Mal pursed her lips but nodded, acknowledging Carlos' point. "DeVil's right. Boring at least means we wouldn't run the risk of dying."

"What's the first thing you guys would do if you ever got off the Isle?" Jay asked.

"Test out my powers in the ocean."

"See how big I can get my fireball."

"Get a ship and go sailing," Harry said with a small smile at the thought of being free to do that. "Let me guess Jay, you'd just steal a bunch of stuff."

Gods…if Quasi was here he'd so easily put himself in those kids' shoes, Esmeralda thought. The red-haired hunchback had told her about how he would imagine what life was like outside of the stone walls of Notre Dame when it was the only safe space he knew.

"Although that stuff would have actual value, not the junk we have here on the Isle," Jay pointed out. "And I wouldn't have to give any of it to dad for him to sell. I could actually get myself a place and wouldn't have to swipe food."

The fantasy of every street rat, to be able to get by without swiping something, Aladdin thought with a small sigh.

"We all could," Mal sighed. "Imagine, not having to live in a place run by Maleficent."

"Huh, thought for sure that would wake her up," Mal said, looking over at the still unconscious Leah.

"Has she heard about Freddy pushing you in?" Uma asked and Mal shook her head.

"The smoke obscured his face," she said. "If I hadn't heard him talk, even I wouldn't have known it was Freddy. But it's only been a day. Her spies are everywhere-she'll hear. Whether or not she'll do anything is another thing. All she'll know is that I fell into the water. Like I said, the smoke covered his face."

"That won't matter to the Dragon," Carlos spoke up. "She hears any speculation that it was Freddy, she'd go after him."

"Gods, the one time in my life I agree with that she-demon," Hades muttered.

"I still say he needs to pay. "

"Well until those ribs heal, you won't be doing anything," Mal told him.

"I do have to say Harry, you were a great help with watching Hadie those six weeks," Hades said.

"Um…thank you Lord Hades," Harry said, hoping his cheeks weren't bright red.

Harry sighed. "Anyone else think it was extra cruel of King Beastie to put the Isle within view of Boreadon? It's like putting what we can't have just out of reach," he muttered, clearly trying to change the subject.

Belle sighed and bit her lip before speaking up. "The Isle was supposed to be further away but we had to deliberate between ease of delivering food and supplies along with transporting them. It was decided that the closer option would be better."

"I hate to give Beastie the benefit of the doubt but I don't think they expected the villains to have kids," Mal sighed.

"You know what I rescind my nine year old optimism!" Mal declared. "Because if you didn't expect the villains of the Isle to have kids, why did you have all those posters that said 'King Beast wants you to try to be good' and other sayings? The adults weren't going to try—they'd rather have revenge!"

"But if they didn't expect the villains to have kids, why have the registry?" Harry asked. He knew all about it, having been on the receiving end of Mal's rants on the subject. "Why need to count people if you weren't expecting there to be more?"

"So we could know what resources needed to be sent to the Isle and if the number needed to be increased in anyway," Belle said.

"Of course the only reason the number of resources would need to be increased would be if the population increased," Hades pointed out.

"Harry's got a point," Jay muttered. "If they knew we could exist, why'd they leave us here?"

"Because we're villains," Mal said simply. "Or at least born to villains. That's all the reason they need."

"Or it's because we're associated with villains in anyway," Harriet muttered, thinking about her best friend Sammy Smee and her brothers.

"Well we're never getting off the Isle so what's the point of wondering?" Uma asked.

"Wistful thinking?"

"Okay in our defense, we did not know that the Crown Prince was going to come up with some crazy plan to take the VKs off the Isle," Uma said with a chuckle.

Ben pursed his lips but didn't say anything.

"He okay?" Mal muttered to Akiho who was sitting closest to her.

"Ben's not exactly a big fan of the 'c' word," Akiho muttered back. "What with what happened with Gaston and his grandfather."

"His grandfather?" Mal asked but then gasped as she remembered. "Oh that's right…Gaston tried to have him institutionalized until Belle agreed to marry him."

Akiho nodded and Mal sighed.

Apologize, she thought to Uma.

What? Why?

For calling Ben's plan 'crazy'.

It is a crazy plan but crazy in a good way. Like unbelievable. Why's Beastie Jr. getting so touchy anyway?

Tell me if this rings a bell Uma. Crazy. Old. Maurice.

…oh boy.

Yep.

"That being said I happen to like the plan," Uma said, giving Ben a small apologetic smile. "Makes sure kids get off the Isle and have their day in the sun like they deserve. Especially the younger ones."

Ben smiled back at her, knowing it was probably the closest he'd get to an apology.

"Yeah," Jay sighed. "Still it's nice to imagine even if it'll never happen. And, as we keep saying, we have a fairly decent life here anyway. It's not all bad."

"It could always be worse," Uma nodded.

Evie nodded. "Compared to some of the girls without gangs, I've got a fairly decent life too thanks to mother joining Maleficent's clique."

"As much as I dislike you, I do have to say you don't deserve that life Blueberry," Mal said. "The LeGume girls are some of the girls who first come to mind when you think about gangless girls after all."

"We just need to keep on Mal's good side," Harry said with a slight chuckle.

Mal rolled her eyes. "You all saved my life, idiots. I think you're permanently on my good side for that."

"So saving your life gets you permanently on your good side but not inviting you to a party gets you permanently on your bad side?" Emma asked. "Seems a bit of an imbalance there."

They all chuckled at that, and Mal couldn't help but smile as she heard Harry chuckle. It was good to hear him laugh. He'd be okay and they'd be there for him no matter what.

Milah smiled as she heard that, thankful that her son had people looking out for him when she couldn't.

The four of them snuggled up into a huddle; Mal, Jay and Uma taking care to lie in a spot that wouldn't jostle Harry's ribs.

I seriously lucked out, Harry thought as Mal rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the one who lucked out Harry," Mal told him.

They had one of the best crews on the Isle and all they needed was a few years and they'd be the best crew on the Isle. No one would dare cross them—they would rule the Isle.

"We did rule the Isle until someone decided Jay and Mal would better off in Boreadon," Harry muttered.

"Harry?" Mal asked, looking at him. "You okay? You're awfully quiet."

Harry nodded and Mal smiled and relaxed. She knew this moment would have to end but part of her wished it didn't have to.

You and me both Mali, Jay, Harry, and Uma all thought at the same time.

Moments like these were rare. They also had the added benefit of showing Harry that they cared without the other three sounding like a broken record.

"Guys, why don't you all try to sleep? It's warm in here," Mal said softly.

"How? From what I understand the Isle's usually freezing," Jane said, her voice soft as the VKs looked at her. "Were…were there torches or fires going all the time or something?"

"Have you been under a Cerberus? Doesn't matter if the Isle's freezing, the room's going to be warm," Uma told her.

"Okay Mal," Uma said softly as she scooted down to get a little bit more comfortable. Mal couldn't help but smile softly as she watched as Jay also got comfortable and one by one, her crew drifted off to sleep.

Now why does that seem familiar? Kit thought as he glanced over at his daughters. No matter how old they got, there were at least three days a month when Kit would find them all squished together in the same bed.

Even Estelle was sleeping, his heads split between Harry and Uma's legs.

Note to self, find a way to give Estelle a nice big juicy steak, Ben thought as he nodded to himself.

Mal smiled as she too closed her eyes. Soon the room was filled with the soft snores of four sleeping VKs and one sleeping Cerberus.

At least there's one place where they can just be kids, Belle thought with a sad smile.

Sound asleep in the safest place they could be.

"That was the end of the scroll," Meg said, a small smile on her lips as she finished. At least it ended on a relatively positive note. "Who wants to read next?"

"Can I?" Audrey asked.

"Go for it," Meg said.

"Hold up," Uma said and got up, marching over to Meg and snatching the scroll from her hands. Without hesitating, she ripped up the scroll before handing it to Mal.

"Fireball?" Mal asked.

"Fireball," Uma nodded and Mal brought up a lilac colored fireball before turning the ripped pieces of the scroll to ash.

Uma nodded and went back to her seat. "Proceed."

Chapter 33 Notes:

Just to let you know, WAL Audrey is now going to be 'Audie' instead of being italicized and underlined. :D

Chapter Text

"Are you sure you want to read Audrey?" Aurora asked.

"I'm not reading, she is," Audrey sniffed, pointing to her counterpart.

Audrey shook her head, massaging her temple due to the slight headache that had been building since she arrived. It was almost as if there was a copy of her back in her timeline—after all she could remember the surprise party they had for Evie after she got engaged and she knew that Evie had not been engaged before Audrey arrived at the reading. "I do have to say it's rather confusing having two Audrey's here and calling both of us by our full name. Just go ahead and call me Audie. I honestly should have said that when I arrived."

"That…that was the nickname I gave you when I was five," Phillip Jr. said, his voice soft.

Audie nodded. "Yep, sure is. If it helps avoid confusion though I'm fine being called it again. Oh, and I think we've had enough of her dramatics."

Leaning down by Leah, Audie whispered, "Ben and Mal are engaged in my timeline."

"What?!" Leah exclaimed, jolting up out of her unconscious state.

"Oh shame, she's alive," Mal shook her head.

Audie smirked and took a scroll, unfurling it with a flourish.

Time trickled by, as time often did, and before the kingdom of Auradon knew it twenty years had passed since the creation of their kingdom.

"Gods, it's honestly hard to believe it's been twenty years," Belle said, shaking her head.

Honestly, the citizens didn't know what was harder to believe—that their kingdom was twenty years old or that their prince was now sixteen and of age to take the throne.

Ben sighed as he looked over at his dad. He could still remember the day he made the offer to take the throne and all the responsibilities from him.

"…hey dad?" Ben said as the two of them worked on paperwork. Ever since Ben turned fourteen, Beast had given him 'practice' paperwork to do that they would work on for a couple of hours.

"Yeah Ben?" Beast asked as he rubbed his eyes, his glasses resting on the top of his head.

"You okay?"

"Just needed to rest my eyes. I'm fine."

Ben nodded and bit his lip slightly. "Well anyway….I was thinking…wouldn't it be a good idea if you got a break?"

"I'm not so old that I can't handle a bit of paperwork Ben," Beast said with a small chuckle.

"No, no…I mean…I mean from being King?"

"You can't really take a break from being King, Ben."

"You can if I take up the crown," Ben said quickly, as if he'd lose his nerve if he said it at a normal pace. "Dad…I…I know you never got the chance to mourn Abby."

"…your mother told you about that didn't she?"

Ben nodded. "Dad, that's over ten years of being unable to mourn your own daughter because you think the kingdom needs to see you as a King rather than a father . Let me take the throne. I don't want the power but…you should get the chance to finally mourn."

Beast sighed and shook his head. "That's too much pressure to put on you right now Ben. Enjoy your youth."

"…will I still have a father by the time I do take the crown?" Ben asked and Beast looked at him. "Dad, you're always working. Mom said it's rare for you to come to bed before three in the morning. Your piles of paperwork never seem to get any smaller and Queen Leah's always on your case. Let me take the crown dad. You can tell people it's because you never gave mom a honeymoon or anything you want."

Beast sighed once more. "I'll talk to your mother and get back to you Ben. It's an extremely kind offer."

"You okay Beastie Jr.?" Mal asked, bringing Ben back to the present.

"Just thinking," Ben told her.

"Don't hurt yourself then," Mal said with a slight chuckle.

Said prince, though, wasn't curled up in bed or lounging as one might expect a prince to be at the early morning hours of six am.

"Early workout? A good run is a great way to destress," Hercules said, giving Ben a kind smile.

No, the prince had fallen asleep at his desk located in his office at Auradon Prep; piles of paperwork acting as his pillow.

"Ben? Why are you sleeping at your desk surrounded by paperwork?" Belle asked.

"When isn't he sleeping at his desk surrounded by paperwork?" Emir said.

"Benjamin? What does he mean by that?" Beast asked, looking over at Ben.

Ben looked down at his feet, avoiding his father's eye. "It's nothing dad. Emir and Akiho always exaggerate," he muttered.

"Oh really Ben?" Akiho asked.

"Yes. Really."

"Thirty." Emir said.

"What?"

"That is the number of times Akiho and I have coaxed you to bed in your dorm after finding you asleep at your desk. Otherwise your parents would have found out well before now as you'd be at a doctor's with a neck injury," Emir said firmly.

"See, this is what I mean when I say you exaggerate," Ben said, shaking his head before giving Emir a look. A look Ben hoped gave the message he was trying to give: drop the subject while my parents are here dude!

"No Ben we don't," Akiho said. "Look we understand wanting to make your parents proud. We've all been there. But this has gone on long enough without them knowing! You told us you'd tell both them and Chip about your Tourney injury but have you? I'd say not."

"Honestly?! Are we ever going to finish with this scroll are are we going to focus on where Bennyboo sleeps?" Audrey scoffed, preventing whatever Belle was going to say as she'd opened her mouth.

"Are you saying that your boyfriend's health doesn't matter? Emma snapped at her. Ben quickly motioned for Audie to continue reading.

Wake up Ben. Wake up Ben. Wake up Ben.

"I'll kill them, I'll kill them, I'll kill them," Ben muttered as he reached for his phone.

"Oh Ben you wound us!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed.

"You messed with my alarm," Ben said, giving his friends a look. And interrupted my dream where I'm on the Isle with my mystery girl.

He didn't know how or when but he knew his best friends had been the ones to set that alarm on his phone.

Granted their voices on the alarm were a dead giveaway but still.

"Honestly Ben, keep a better watch on your phone," Emir smirked. "And a better passcode. Honestly, 112291?"

"I will be changing that passcode now that you've just revealed it to everyone in this room," Ben said, rolling his eyes. "But why did you make your voices my alarm?"

"Why not?" Emir and Akiho shrugged.

"Seriously? You had to go off right when I was in the middle of that dream?" Ben sighed as he looked at his phone.

Ben coughed, having swallowed his own spit in surprise. Please…not that dream. Not with a girl who looks almost identical in the room! Audie, if you've got a heart, you'll skip this part!

"Ooh what sort of dream is Beastie Jr. having?" Uma asked with a small smirk.

"It must be good to get his face to be that red," Harry chuckled.

Audrey rolled her eyes. Her Bennyboo wouldn't have one of those dreams that the other girls on the cheer squad talked about.

He had been having the same dream since he was about fourteen or fifteen,

"He went to me after the first time and I swear, I almost directed him to his dad," Chip chuckled.

"Seriously Chip?!"

"Well Benji, when your opening question is 'is it normal to dream about girls', I'm preparing myself for a whole different conversation and not one I want to have with my little brother!"

Emir and Akiho burst out laughing as Ben turned bright red.

"Oh Gods, the rest of the team will be upset they missed that," Chad said, chuckling slightly.

about a beautiful purple haired girl with glowing green eyes on the Isle of the Lost.

Mal froze, looking over at Ben. She had never told anyone, not even Uma, but for the past few years she had been having dreams of a similar nature. Dreams where she was clearly off the Isle, enjoying a beautiful lake surrounded by ruins that could have come from Olympus and sitting with a boy with honey brown hair and hazel green eyes.

A boy who honestly looked like a carbon copy of the boy sitting next to her.

"…what?!"

"Oh wow, I'm surprised I can still hear after that," Harry said as Estelle whimpered, putting his paws over his ears as Audrey continued to go on a rant.

"Welcome to our world," Emir told him, gesturing to himself and Akiho.

"You poor lads."

"Audrey, Ben can't really control what he dreams about," Phillip Jr. pointed out.

"That doesn't matter! We're betrothed! He shouldn't be dreaming about any other girls!"

"Oh so you're just going to go into his head and control what he dreams about?" Emma scoffed. "Didn't realize you had the power of the Gods Audrey."

"I'm sorry, but can we go back to the beautiful purple haired girl with glowing green eyes?" Uma asked with a small smirk as she looked at her cousin.

"Drop it Uma," Mal muttered, glaring at the older girl as Ben flushed. Her cheeks were also a faint pink as Emir and Akiho leaned forward slightly.

That almost sounds like a True Love, Akiho thought with a small smile. He had spent enough time around Audrey to know the signs (she ranted about the subject enough times plus his grandparents were love experts after all). But he kept quiet. He didn't want to risk spooking Mal and chasing her off before Ben had a chance.

She never said her name but her voice…her voice was like a gift from the Gods.

"Well considering she's the daughter of two Gods, it makes sense," Emir chuckled. "How did we not know about this dream before now?"

"Because I knew this is how you'd react," Ben muttered, his cheeks still bright red.

Ben shook his head a little to clear it as he continued to wake up. He was spoken for. He shouldn't even be dreaming about other girls—even fictional ones. He had been 'off the market' so to speak ever since he was three and his parents signed the betrothal contract with the Roses.

"I'm sorry, since he was how old?" Hades spoke up, narrowing his eyes as he looked over at Belle and Beast. Ben and Mal were not going to lie, they were thankful that the focus shifted from them.

Ariel looked over at Leah. "Why did Ben and Audrey need to go into a betrothal contract at three? Audrey was Ben's friend, there was as much of a chance that they'd get together themselves. Were you so insecure that you needed to take away a child's choice?"

"Oh please," Leah scoffed. "Three years old was perfectly old enough to look into a betrothal contract. We put Aurora into one when she was born after all."

"Yes well you are not exactly parent of the year," Hades shot back. "And why am I not surprised you're in favor of this whole mess?"

"I'm not exactly in favor of this either Hades," Hera spoke up, surprising him.

"…you're not?"

"Contracts may be your thing but marriage is mine. Goddess of marriage remember? You really think I would be in favor of putting children in a match for life?"

"Huh, no wonder Mal got you to officiate Chip's wedding," Audie spoke up.

"…we'll touch on that later," Hades said. "But you all are aware that since there was no way Beastie Jr. or the horrid version of Audie over there could consent to the contract, it should be considered void."

"What?!"

"They're under the age of eighteen and more importantly, the contract is in regards to them but I have a feeling their signatures aren't anywhere on it. In fact, give me a copy of the contract and I'll check myself."

"I have it right here Lord Hades!" Emir said, pulling out his phone.

"Why am I not surprised?" Aziz asked, shaking his head.

"I thought it'd come in handy," Emir shrugged as he handed his phone to Hades, the contract pulled up.

Hades nodded and looked at the contract, studying every line. "Just as I thought. No signature from either impacted party. You can't hold either one of them to something they did not agree to."

"But…but…"

"Oh Gods," Audie sighed as Audrey spluttered in shock. "Hey, me with the stick up my butt, this could be a good thing. I mean, I wouldn't know, I didn't have a contract with Ben—."

"But weren't you dating him?!"

"Of course. But you know, without our parents and Leah forcing us to do so," Audie nodded.

Belle nodded. "Ben, dear, I did want to talk to you about that but maybe that could be done during the next break?"

"I agree with Queen Belle," Aurora said. "Audrey, dear, your father and I want to talk to you during the next break. But for now, let's let Audie read."

Sure Audrey had been his best friend at the time

"Yeah okay and how much of that friendship is still there?" Chip muttered as he glanced toward Audrey.

and sure, sometimes it was better to not argue with Leah and just go along with what she wanted, but Ben had to admit it was a little…trying at times, being in the relationship.

"Trying? Trying?! Bennyboo—?"

"Just throwing out a guess but it might be the cutesy nicknames that may be a cause of him feeling like the relationship is 'trying'?" Jay suggested.

"And what do you know about relationships?!" Audrey snapped.

"Audrey!" Aurora scolded. "I know you're upset and shocked that's not a reason to be rude! Apologize!"

"Mother!"

"Now!"

Audrey narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, clearly not moving to do as her mother ordered.

"Very well, you're grounded for a month young lady," Aurora said.

Of course it didn't help that all his friends seemed to hate Audrey, with maybe the exception of Chad.

"Of course they hate me!" Audrey exclaimed. "The little—!"

"Don't even finish that sentence," Audie told her. "Remember, I've been where you are. I know what thoughts might be running through that head of yours. Use the brain I know you have and think before you speak."

There wasn't a day that went by when Emir or Akiho weren't trying to get him to break the contract.

Quickly pulling his phone to him, he shot a quick text to Chip. Nothing major, but Ben figured he should know that he had the dream again considering he'd gone to his surrogate older brother the first time he'd had the dream.

Belle couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her lips. Thank Gods they're so close. At least this way Ben could have a sibling, she thought.

He didn't expect a reply, after all it was six in the morning and if there was one thing Chip loved more than anything it was his sleep. Ben used to joke that maybe he was Akiho's long lost brother, the way he coveted sleep so much.

"He calls me so often he might as well be another one of my brothers," Chip said with a small smile.

"Let's take a look at today's schedule," Ben muttered, pulling out his planner. Thankfully, it was a fairly light day being a Saturday.

"Compared to your usual hell," Emir nodded.

Ben rolled his eyes. "My day's not that bad Emir."

"I see we've changed the definition of 'not that bad'," Emma noted.

"Yeah Ben, there's a betting pool about when you'll collapse from lack of sleep," Lonnie nodded.

"I get enough sleep!"

Emir raised an eyebrow and pulled out a navy blue planner, flipping it open. "On an average weekday, Ben has six hours of school. That's guaranteed, and then either two to three hours of Tourney or R.O.A.R. practice. King Beast then has him shadow his council meetings which can last up to four hours and then finally the dreaded paperwork—which is noted as being done after dinner but we all know that's not true."

"When do you sleep?" Hadie asked, looking at Ben as Belle looked at her son, horrified at that schedule.

"When his body tells him to apparently," Akiho shook his head. "Why else would he be sleeping at his desk and not in his bed?"

"Coronation's coming up, I've got to—."

"Isn't your dad still King?" Mal asked, frowning slightly. "Dump the paperwork onto him. He's still got a month to enjoy it."

Ben sighed. The whole reason why he was taking the crown at sixteen was because his dad had never allowed himself a chance to mourn Abby and had started working himself into an early grave. Of course, the only people who knew the true reason were Emir, Akiho, his mom, Chip, and of course him and his dad.

The public was told the official reason for the abdication was that his mom had never been given a honeymoon.

"…when did you get my planner?" Ben asked, looking at Emir.

"You know I appointed myself the keeper of your schedule after you gave a five minute pep talk in French during one of our practices," Emir told him. "Therefore I know how to get your planner. And no, I'm not giving it back."

"…Dean gave you it didn't he?"

"Yes he did."

Not even a single council meeting, which Ben couldn't help but be surprised by.

"I do enjoy the occasional day off from my council," Beast said, a frown still on his face as he thought about his son's schedule. The whole reason Belle managed to talk him into retiring early after Ben made the offer was because she had said she didn't want to see him work himself into an early grave. But now it was clear that his son was doing the same thing and he wasn't even King yet.

Then again, today was his suit fitting for coronation.

Dad probably thought it'd be more relaxing if I didn't have a lot of stuff today, Ben thought as he put his planner back in his desk drawer.

"I only schedule the council meetings Ben," Beast said as everyone turned to look at him. "I don't know what else is on your schedule."

"Oh so it's like how teachers will overwhelm us with homework and projects, not knowing that all the other teachers do that too?" Kitty asked.

"…should I be worried that's where your brain went?" Kit asked his daughter.

But Ben was so used to a busy schedule that down time was pretty much a foreign concept to him. It happened so rarely after all.

"Achidanza! I think Prince Ben is a bigger workaholic than you Tiana," Naveen muttered to his wife.

"Naveen!" Tiana shushed. "That may be true but you shouldn't say things like that."

Tapping his fingers on his desk, Ben bit his lip as he tried to think of something to fill his time.

I could read…no I don't have anything new.

"Easily fixable," Belle said. "What kind of genre do you want Ben? I know you were reading historical fiction the last time we talked—."

"Mom, it's fine," Ben said. "I've got the paperwork—."

"Benji, when's the last time you read something that wasn't paperwork?" Chip asked, looking over at his brother in all but blood.

Ben sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe…maybe a year?"

"Honestly is it really that much of an issue? A King has paperwork," Leah sniffed.

Mal shook her head. "It was so much more peaceful when she was unconscious," she muttered.

Video games? Nah, that'd just make me risk being late for the fitting.

"And this would be different from everything else you've had to do for the past year how?" Chad asked. "With the exception of Tourney and classes, you're always running late."

Ben sighed. "The teachers are the ones who dismiss us, not the bell and I have to be at practice early. Remember Coach's rule? The captain of the team gets there early to set up, is the last one to leave to help clean, and never leaves early unless it's an emergency."

"But it's the month before your coronation," Emma pointed out. "Surely he would know that you'd be too busy to come to practice early—."

"It's Ben," Emir told her, crossing his arms as he looked at the Crown Prince. "He insisted it was fine and that he could make it work."

"Coach was counting on me, I couldn't—."

"Yes you could've Ben!"

Plus Emir and Akiho are visiting their parents today. All the best games I have are multiplayer anyway. Go for a run? My MP3 player's dead. Forgot to charge it last night.

Uma pursed her lips. You think DeVil could make it so his MP3 thing doesn't die on him?

I mean DeVil blew a hole in the barrier so I think anything's possible, Mal thought back. But since when do you care about the royal family Uma?

Since Prince Beastie Jr. was dreaming about you Mali. Not to mention Hadie and Celia can't get their butts off the Isle if Beastie Boy's burnt out.

Go for a swim? No, same risks as with the video games. The last thing I need is to lose track of time and be late for the suit fitting.

"Shame, you love swimming," Elle said with a small smile.

"Yep, Ben's a fish!" Akiho said with a grin. It's one of the few ways he can relax too.

Suddenly, an idea struck him like a bolt of lightning—he could finalize the kids for the VK initiative he was going to propose to his father later that day.

To everyone's surprise, Chad pinched the bridge of his nose. "You are officially a workaholic Ben. You've got a day off and you spend it working?"

It didn't make sense that they were trapped on an Isle all alone when they were Auradon citizens too. Shouldn't they have the same access everyone else had available to them? What right did Auradon have to forget them?

"He's a teen. A teenager is the one thinking about the kids on the Isle. He could have chosen anything and he chooses to make his first proclamation about something that should have been handled years ago," Eric said with a small sigh.

Quickly booting up his computer, and briefly wondering why his dad didn't just digitize the paperwork needed for coronation, Ben pulled up the digital version of the registry.

Carlos perked up. "Thank Gods! I thought you all were just ignoring all the technology you had available."

It escaped his notice that he had spoken that whole sentence without pausing—but it didn't escape Audie's. She gave the younger boy a small, encouraging smile.

Persephone frowned. "I didn't know there was a digital version of the registry."

It was one of their first ever attempts at going digital, made when Ben was about eight years old. Hephaestus had suggested it, as the God of Technology—plus it was a safer way to keep their records secure.

"Yeah okay until the power goes out and someone gives birth then or something," Rowyn pointed out.

The citizens of the Isle of the Lost couldn't hack into the digital version should they somehow escape, the way they could steal or destroy the physical copy. That was Hephaestus' reasoning and Ben's father had agreed.

"Of course we couldn't hack into it! We have no internet!" Jay scoffed.

However, because Beast wasn't as technologically literate as the kids were, the digital version of the registry didn't get updated as often as the physical version—only updated when a child was born on the Isle, to match their written records.

"King Beast…that better not mean what I think it means," Persephone said, her voice low as she turned to look at Beast.

That wasn't something, though, that was known to the young crown prince so Ben hurriedly looked through the records, trying to find four kids who would need their help the most. After all, four was a nice small number that might reassure anyone who had their doubts.

"Shouldn't the fact that your digital records aren't as updated as your written ones be something that should be made known to the future King?" CJ asked.

Should I start small, maybe bring in the kids of sidekicks? Ben thought as he pursued through the registry and then shook his head. The whole idea was to provide help to the kids who Auradon forgot.

Sammy would love it if her brothers got the chance to get off the Isle, Harriet thought with a small sigh. Unbeknownst to her, Milah gave her daughter a small, knowing smile.

As Lonnie always told him, go big or go home. If the program failed, it may be these kids' only shot to see Auradon.

"So you listen to me when it comes to your work but not when it comes to your health," Lonnie sighed, shaking her head.

Besides, ignoring powerful villains could be dangerous. He had heard of the kingdom of Udrogoth where the king and queen had left to battle the evil that plagued their land, leaving their eldest daughter in charge. Their kingdom was constantly under siege by their resident villain, the Dark Lord Chuckles.

"That's a real kingdom?" Celia asked, raising an eyebrow.

Many people say it was unfortunate that Udrogoth never joined Auradon, otherwise the Dark Lord Chuckles would be trapped behind the barrier with the other villains. Ben's only question was how a pig became a dark lord in the first place.

"…yeah, it's probably a good thing he didn't wind up on the Isle," Mal said.

"A sentient pig is still a pig after all," Uma nodded. "If we didn't get him, the hyenas or big cats would have. But any chance could you shoo him or any of his kids to the Isle? I'm sure Uncle Hades wouldn't mind a new type of meat to work with."

Her attempt at sounding casual didn't work as Alexandria looked at her in shock and horror.

Okay let's focus. We only have so much time before the fitting, Ben thought and brought his attention back to the computer. Hmm…Cruella DeVil's son might be a good pick, a sort of 'weaker' villain as it were. Evil Queen's daughter, I hope Queen Snow won't mind. Jafar's son, that one may be a bit tricker if he's inherited Jafar's genie abilities but nothing we can't work with. Now…who'll be my fourth?

"Did you?" Aladdin asked, looking over at Jay. "Inherit his genie abilities I mean?"

"Considering I've been under a magic barrier my whole life, I have no idea," Jay told him.

Snow looked over and gave Evie a small smile. "Of course I don't mind. I'm happy to get to know my step sister."

If it gets me away from my mother, I'm more than okay with her being considered a 'weaker' villain and therefore getting labeled as weak by association, Carlos thought.

Pursuing the records, Ben couldn't help but sigh. There were so many kids on the Isle, how could he pick just one more kid to come to Auradon? But he knew people would be hesitant to agree to even four kids coming to Auradon—any more and he could potentially kiss the VK initiative goodbye.

Ben looked over at Harry. "I swear, I had no idea what I was leaving you to deal—."

"Don't," Harry shook his head. He knew Ben meant well but the last thing he wanted was anyone's pity.

Ben had to pause though as he reached Maleficent's page. According to the records, she had a daughter.

"…the Dragon has never had a daughter," Hades said firmly. "She may have supplied the egg but that's it."

"Can we please stop providing that image?!" Chip exclaimed.

Her magical abilities would definitely cause others to have concerns since it was a lot more likely Maleficent's daughter would have magic than Jafar's son, but Ben didn't care. He didn't know why, but he knew the daughter of Maleficent would be a good fit.

"Gee Ben, could it be because she looks exactly like your dream girl?" Emir teased.

"This is why I didn't tell you two about the dream," Ben sighed.

Perfect! That way there'll be two girls and two guys, shoulders to lean on so to speak. If they need it of course. I mean I know my friends will be perfectly welcoming but they might want to be around someone from their home to start with.

At least Carlos is a relatively friendly face, considering Mal still hates me and Jay's one of Mal's best friends, Evie thought with a small sigh.

Ben knew his dad wouldn't like the idea of Maleficent's daughter coming to Auradon—after all she was the most evil villain of them all. But her daughter

wasn't.

"You don't know her Ben!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Hate to say it but Audrey's right," Ashaki sighed. "I mean you know you're right now since you met her and got to know her through this reading but the you in the scroll doesn't know anything about Mal."

Her daughter didn't ask to be born to Maleficent just like Ben didn't ask to be born the crown prince. It was a matter of fate.

"I don't think those two things are equal," Uma said.

Ben tilted his head. "How are they not? They were both circumstances of Fate though I must get those records updated."

Giving a small nod, Ben reached for a pad of paper so that he could note down the names of the four kids.

Carlos, Evelyn, Jay, and…Mal.

For some reason, a small shiver went up Ben's spine when he thought the last name. He shook his head once more, he was probably just tired. Or excited that he finally had finalized his idea to propose to his parents.

Jay looked over at Mal with a small smirk. 'Beastie Jr. likes you,' he mouthed as soon as he caught Mal's eye.

If they approved, he could get the invitations sent out within the week!

Considering this was a trial program, and that it would be his proclamation, Ben knew he could get away with not going to the council. This time.

"I don't think you'll have any problems getting more kids off the Isle your highness," Aladdin said. Ben gave him a small smile as his eyes flickered to Leah. Even though she'd been removed from his dad's council, Ben had a sinking suspicion that she'd try to make trouble anyway.

Any more kids would require a council vote, and Ben knew that could get delayed if any particular members of the council disapproved of the idea.

"You would honestly leave children in that environment?!" Milah exclaimed.

"They're villains," Leah sniffed.

Thank Gods she was unconscious for the last scroll. I think Milah, Harriet, or Harry would have killed her, Mal thought to Uma.

…That's a bad thing?

And Ben knew of three who would definitely delay the vote to bring more kids from the Isle, and one person in particular who would make it next to impossible if she so chose.

"Remind me to remove the Duke and Chi-fu from the council when we get back to Auradon," Beast muttered to Belle.

"Of course dear," Belle nodded.

Hence why Ben was sticking through the betrothal contract—well that and it was a promise. Ben wasn't big on breaking promises. A king should stick to his word after all.

Mal and Uma looked at each other, Mal nodding slightly. Ben was going to put himself through hell just so the VKs could have a chance at a better life.

Well then, if he was going to do that, the least Mal could do would be to make sure he actually survived to make it to his coronation. Ben might not have known it but he had officially been put under Warf Rat protection.

Sighing, Ben logged out of the digital registry and went back to work on the paperwork he'd fallen asleep on. He had about an hour to kill before his suit fitting, might as well get as much paperwork done as he could before then. At least then it would be paperwork he wouldn't have to do tonight.

"Or, and this is just a suggestion, you don't do any paperwork since you worked so hard the night before you fell asleep at your desk," Lonnie spoke up.

Ben sighed. "Lonnie, the paperwork had to be done. I couldn't—."

"Ben, do you not remember the time I hid in your office and dragged you out of it at ten in the evening? I'll do it again if you tempt me!"

Looks like he's got a Jay, Mal thought with a small smile. Good. I'm not the fondest of the royal family but Beastie Jr…Ben needs to learn to take breaks and relax. He's still a teen after all.

A buzzing from his phone distracted Ben though and he quickly answered. "Hello?"

"You texted me at six in the morning?!"

"Three guesses who that is," Emir said with a chuckle.

"And if you need the other two, you're Chad," Lucy added.

"Lucy!" Cinderella scolded.

"Hello to you too Chip," Ben chuckled. "I'm doing fine, thanks for asking."

Even though he couldn't see him, Ben knew Chip was rolling his eyes. "You're far too chipper this morning…and really? You texted me because you had that dream again?"

Ben chuckled. "As you can all see, Chip is not a morning person."

"What? Is it normal to have a dream more than once?"

"Well yes, at least according to Aurora. But she also says if you dream something more than once it's sure to come true. Maybe this means you'll finally meet your mystery girl."

"Oh! I guess you could say Ben and Mal met once upon a dream," Phillip Jr. said with a small chuckle.

"Chip, you know I can't. I'm with Audrey."

"You sound so enthused about that too."

"Chip, come on! She's…she's not that bad."

"It might be easier to defend your relationship with her if she put in any effort to be in the relationship," Lonnie said, her voice low.

Ben couldn't help but wince a little at that. It sounded weak even to him. He was supposed to be defending his girlfriend and it sounded like he was half heartedly recommending a restaurant.

"Well you know in his defense, he'd been up since six in the morning," Neal spoke up. "It's hard to think on the fly when you're tired like that."

"I like you!" Ben said instantly.

"That'd mean more if you didn't like everyone Ben," Neal said with a slight chuckle.

"Ben, I love you but I don't know how you can just stay in that relationship."

"Because if I don't, Leah would make all our lives hell?"

"That shouldn't be your worry Ben," Belle said with a sad smile.

"Mom, when I'm the one in the contract, it becomes my worry," Ben said, the same sad smile on his lips.

"Oh. That…that's an excellent point. But it shouldn't be one that you should deal with. You should be out having fun with your friends, enjoying the Tourney season."

Ben sighed. "We've got the championship game coming up. Not much left of the season to enjoy. Besides, I've got to quit the team after that game anyway."

"No, no you don't," Akiho said, shaking his head.

"Akiho, yes I—."

"No! I understand you've made a decision Ben but considering it's a stupid ass decision, the team has elected to ignore it!" Akiho said firmly.

"Akiho's right," Emir nodded. "Until that crown touches your head, you're our captain Ben. And even after that, really."

"Excuse me? Why?"

"Coronation's in a month, Chip. You really think the others teams would be okay playing a team that had a king on it? We'd be disqualified in a heartbeat, or worse we'd get a rep for having the refs side with us because I was on the team. Even if it wasn't true."

"If any rumors or allegations did start, it wouldn't come from Imperial Academy your highness. I promise," Shang said.

Lil Shang nodded. "Yeah, it's more likely to come from the Neverland team. They're so immature."

Chip sighed. "I hate that you're right. But I also hate the fact that you've got to give up Tourney Ben. You love it. Anyone with eyes can see it."

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Emir muttered to Akiho.

"Monthly Tourney pick up games?"

"Oh yeah."

"A king—"

"Don't give me that crap. You're more than just a king you know—not to mention you're not king yet. Besides, if you're going to still be a student then I see no reason why you can't stay on the team."

"And I still think it's dumb you can't play!" Chip stated. "If you're going to be a student after becoming King, you should get to play the sport you love!"

"Chip, have you ever read the biographies of Henry the 8th?" Ben asked with a small sigh. "There's a reason why they don't let kings play sports."

Ben couldn't help the sad smile that formed on his face. His team had given the same speech when he had to tell them he was stepping down from his position as captain. Emir and Akiho had nearly locked him in the art room until he changed his mind. Well that was until Chad talked them down—to everyone's surprise.

"He wouldn't be stepping down as captain if he didn't want to," Chad said with a slight shrug as everyone looked over at him. Even Mal gave him a look that could only be described as asking him 'what's your game?' "Ben didn't need the whole team arguing with him about his decision…even if our next captain has some massive shoes to fill."

Well, everyone's surprise but mine, Ben thought. After all, Chad and I have been friends since infancy—Emir and Akiho may be my closest friends but they're not my oldest friends.

"Yeah and yet he constantly pines over your girlfriend," Lonnie muttered. "I think Chad needs to reread the friendship guidebook."

"You still there Ben?"

"What? Oh yeah, sorry Chip. Just thinking."

"Well don't hurt yourself there," Chip chuckled. "We can catch up after your suit fitting. I'm sure your mom's going to tear up at the sight of you in it. Well, if you wore anything other than suits."

"Bennyboo looks good in suits!" Audrey argued.

Audie shook her head. "I'm not saying that's not true but you've never seen Ben in Isle garb then. Brown shirt, blue jeans, blue beanie that I think he borrowed from Jay…Gods, if he wasn't happily in love with Mal he'd be fighting off girls with a stick!"

Ben flushed as Emir and Akiho chuckled.

"Now this I've got to see," Emma said as Lonnie nodded.

"I own other clothes Chip!"

"Yes. You just don't wear them is the thing. Though maybe that's a good thing—that blue and gold plaid blazer over your orange and blue striped polo that you wore when you were twelve was an eye sore many people want to forget."

Evie shuddered. "I'm…I'm sorry your highness but that sounds horrid."

"It was green and gold in my timeline," Audie said. "And it was horrid considering he paired it with an orange and blue striped polo."

Evie's jaw dropped in horror. "No! I'm sorry but no! Who was your stylist and why did they let you go out—?"

"Well Blueberry's come out of her shell," Uma muttered to Mal who nodded. Ben just smiled. He could take critiques about his wardrobe if it meant the other kids were feeling more comfortable around him.

Audie pulled out her phone and opened the Auratube app. Much to her delight and surprise, she was able to get her timeline's Auratube.

"What are you doing?" Phillip Jr. asked.

"Enacting revenge on Chip for making me think about that monstrosity," Audie said, skipping past Ben's performance at the Championship Tourney game before anyone could ask any questions about it. "Ah here we go. Chip's drunken makeup tutorial from his bachelor party."

"My drunken what from my what now?"

Audie didn't answer but played the clip. Soon, Chip's voice rang through the room.

"I must put on makeup fellow men, join me."

"I…I have questions," Chip said as most of the kids burst out laughing.

"Your brothers apparently gave you alcohol from what I heard," Audie shrugged. "According to Ben, one of your brothers wasn't there for your twenty first for what Ben calls the 'highlighter incident'?"

"Oh yes," Belle nodded, a few chuckles escaping her lips at the memory even though she was still rather worried about Ben. She truly had no idea how much stress he was under though she thought he had changed a bit over the past year. He was normally so vibrant but recently it was almost as if he was trying to put on an act. A very good act but an act. "Chip tried to color Ben's face with highlighter."

'He claimed I was important," Ben said.

"You are Benji!"

"Who filmed that? It's too steady for it to be one of Chip's brothers if they were also drunk," Rachel said.

"The VK girl Chip was fostering from what he told me once he sobered up," Audie told her.

"More kids come from the Isle?" Evie asked, a small smile on her lips as she thought about Dizzy getting her chance.

Audie nodded. "Oh yeah. Lacey loves being with Chip."

"…Lacey LeGume?" Uma asked and Audie nodded again.

"Well Fish for Brains will be happy at least. Lacey's one of his favorite sisters," Harry sighed.

"Ha ha," Ben said dryly. "I'm going to let you go now, unless you've got any other critiques about my clothing?"

"No, that was pretty much it Benji. But I will say this."

"Yes?"

"Stop texting me at six in the morning!"

"The only time I want you texting me at six in the morning is if you're hurt, sick, you're drunk for some reason and you can't drive yourself home, or your wife's in the throws of labor," Chip said, looking at Ben.

Ben chuckled. "Duly noted Chip. I'll text you at five next time."

"Ben!"

"Somehow I don't think that's what he meant," Neal chuckled.

"I kid, I kid! I'll catch you later Chip. Don't do anything strange in the meantime, like say create a megaphone by using string, a squirrel and an already made megaphone."

"That poor squirrel!" Dizzy gasped.

"Why would you tie a squirrel to a megaphone?" Carlos asked as Estelle perked up, looking around for the squirrel. Did he know what a squirrel was? No, but that didn't mean he didn't want to know where it was!

"That was one time! I spent too much time around your grandfather!"

Ben shook his head. "No such thing!"

"Papa does always enjoy spending time with you Chip," Belle said with a fond smile.

Ben chuckled as he hung up the phone. Quickly straightening up his desk, Ben smoothed out his shirt as he stood up. Grabbing his jacket, he buttoned it up before fishing a comb out of his desk drawer and ran it through his hair.

"…you have a comb in your desk drawer?" Rowyn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It can't hurt to fix up your hair," Ruby said.

"Rubes, that's true in your case but Ben's hair is like naturally perfect unless he's got bedhead. For him to have a comb in his office means he's slept at his desk before and tried the fingers as a comb method."

Before he could leave his office, though, his stomach rumbled with the reminder that he'd missed dinner the night before.

Audie sighed and reached into her pocket, pulling out a protein cookie. "Eat it," she said, handing it to Ben.

"But I—."

"Did I stutter? I know I'm not your girlfriend but she should have come and gotten you the minute she realized you weren't at dinner."

"I'm not Bennyboo's keeper!"

"That's right, Audrey has many responsibilities—."

"Seriously? If she truly loved Ben like she claims, making sure her boyfriend eats should be a priority!" Audie exclaimed. "Now eat the cookie Benjamin!"

"Okay," Ben said and took a bite. "Hmm, good. Peanut butter?"

Audie nodded while Emir and Akiho grinned at the fact that there'd be someone else looking out for Ben.

"You just had a cookie in your pocket?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Queen Rapunzel was trying out a new recipe for the soup kitchen on the Isle but needed tasters," Audie shrugged. "I was going to give it to some of the kids and see how they liked it."

"Did that dress have pockets?!" Evie and Dizzy exclaimed.

I should really grab some breakfast…oh but the suit fitting's in fifteen minutes. There's no time.

"We would have waited for you to get something to eat Ben!" Belle exclaimed.

"You have the resources of Auradon at your fingertips and you're just going to skip meals!" Mal and Uma shouted at the same time, drowning out Belle's exclamation.

"Do you know how many kids would have loved to have the option of skipping a meal?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes at Ben.

Ben sighed. "I didn't mean to skip dinner. Normally I do my paperwork after I eat but there was so much of it, I thought I'd start before dinner that day. I was lucky in that the council meeting only went three hours so I had an hour to kill before the meal. I just…got into the zone and lost track of time."

"Where were you two?" Lonnie asked, looking at Emir and Akiho. "Wasn't it one of your turns for Ben Dinner Duty?"

"I ran late to dinner, thought Emir had taken my shift," Akiho said.

"Same," Emir nodded, looking guilty.

"Your sandwich delivery has arrived!" A familiar voice called from the other side of his door.

"You are a life saver," Ben said as he opened the door to find one of his two best friends.

"I thought you were visiting your parents?" Harry asked, looking at the Arendelle heir. "That was the whole reason why Benny over there said he couldn't play his video games to relax after all."

Akiho shrugged. "I was about to make my way to my car before my 'Ben sense' went off."

"Your what now?"

"They claim they have this sense where they can tell when Ben needs them," Audrey sniffed.

"More like I'm just used to it at this point," Akiho sighed and handed Ben a turkey and ham sandwich. "What's this, the tenth time this year?"

"Why didn't you come to us regarding this Akiho?" Anna asked.

"Didn't think about it," Akiho told her, looking down at the ground at the possibility of disappointing his mom.

"Right, that's it! We're postponing the coronation," Beast said, looking at his son.

"What?! No, dad! You can't!" Ben exclaimed.

"Don't tell me that Benjamin! You've skipped dinner ten times this year?"

"Um…actually…" Audie said, her voice soft.

"I think eleventh but who's counting?"

"Dad you can't just postpone the coronation," Ben said quickly before his dad could say anything. "Think about all the work that's gone into the planning! All the date that've been set! The kingdom's going to be watching for it! Think about why we're doing it! You need this! I'm fine!"

"We can keep going forward with the coronation only after you've had a doctor's appointment confirming you're fine Ben," Belle spoke up. "You missed dinner eleven times and were prepared to miss breakfast as well young man!"

"Perhaps this is a subject better discussed for the next break?" Persephone said. "It should be coming up soon."

"You are apparently," Akiho chuckled as Ben dug into the sandwich. "Ben, ever thought about getting a vending machine for your office? Or even just a mini fridge so we could load it up when you get into your paperwork mania?"

"Oh joy, another conversation I've had fifty times and gotten the same answer," Akiho sighed.

"Akiho, you can see how small my office is," Ben said, gesturing behind him. "I move into dad's office in a month anyway. There's not really any point in getting those things when it'd just be something for someone to move."

Beast sighed and shook his head. "Ben, if you need anything for your office, you know you can always ask."

"As my scroll self says dad, there's no point in calling in workmen to do it when I'm just about to move out. But thank you."

Beast raised an eyebrow. "If you're skipping meals Ben, I'd say there is a point. A mini fridge would barely be any extra effort for the movers."

Mal facepalmed. "Dad, could you…?"

"Way ahead of you Mali," Hades said, conjuring up a turquoise gem and quickly attached it to a chain and handed it to Mal.

"Here. This should allow you to have food instantly arrive when you want it by thinking about it and pushing a button," Mal told Ben. "Use it."

"Mal, how—I mean thank you but how did you do that? That sort of thing defies the laws of magic—."

"Well I didn't but even so I'm a Godling in a room of the Fates. Don't question it."

I don't care if you are dreaming about me Beastie Jr., you're the key to getting my brother off the Isle. I will make sure you take care of yourself!

"Problem with that?"

"…no," Ben said with a small smile.

"Thank you Mal!" Emir said with a grin.

"You know we'll actually need to make sure he uses it right?" Akiho sighed.

"…drat!"

Akiho shook his head. "This happens again Ben, and I'm going to coach. You're our captain, you can't be falling asleep at your desk all the time. Especially not with the game against Sherwood coming up."

"I should have gone to coach the first time it happened," Akiho sighed.

"He would have benched me!" Ben exclaimed.

"After what happened at the Imperial Academy game, he should have!" Emir told him.

"What happened?" Belle spoke up, causing the three boys to freeze.

"Nothing mom…"

Belle raised an eyebrow before looking over at Shang. "Captain, you're the coach over at Imperial Academy. Do you know what my son's referring to?"

"Shang?" Mulan asked, looking at her husband.

"I have a feeling it'll be brought up in the scrolls," Shang said. "I'd rather not cause more stress and reveal something Prince Ben doesn't want to talk about."

Belle nodded. "Fair enough Captain, and Ben I know you love Tourney. But a game is not more important than your health!"

"Your mother's right son," Beast nodded.

"I know how important the Sherwood game is Akiho," Ben sighed. "It's my last game after all."

I appreciate the sacrifice Ben. More than you know. You should have never had to make it, Beast thought.

"I'm happy to do it dad," Ben said softly with a small smile, as if he'd heard Beast's thoughts.

"So you know coach'll bench you if he thinks you're sleep deprived."

"Which I'm not."

"The five minutes you spent ranting in French the other day prove otherwise.

"…was he ranting in French class or in the language?" Evan asked.

"The language," Akiho said. "Ben's taking…what foreign language are you taking?"

"German," Ben said. "Doug's taking French so we're helping each other."

Not to mention that's the same suit you had on yesterday when you disappeared to this here office." Akiho told him. "Of course this could all be solved if you'd—"

"You know why I can't," Ben sighed. "Dude, it's too early for you to go into a 'why I should dump Audrey' rant. I've heard your reasonings. About a hundred times."

"And yet you refuse to listen to me," Akiho sighed.

"Not now okay Akiho? She's in the room," Ben said softly.

Emir shook his head. "We know. We've been nearly deafened at least twice this scroll. I think poor Estelle is still trying to cover his ears and recover from the shriek she made when your dream came up."

"And that's reason number ten as to why Ben should break up with Audrey!"

"You only have ten?" Uma asked.

Audie sighed. "No, they've got plenty more. I think they're just being kind."

"Oh they've got about three hundred reasons as to why Benji should break up with Audrey," Chip said. "I should know, I helped come up with some. We'd recite the whole list but I'm sure you all would like to leave at some point."

"We appreciate that Chip," Aurora said, her voice soft.

Chip winced slightly, having forgotten that he'd said that in front of Audrey's parents. "No offense meant your highnesses. Audrey's actions are her own, and are no reflection on you."

"Okay, okay," Akiho sighed. "All I'm saying Ben is you can do better."

Ben's mind flashed to his mystery purple haired girl and briefly, he couldn't help but hope she was real.

"Looks pretty real to me," Uma snickered as Mal rolled her eyes and Ben flushed slightly at the reminder.

"Yeah well," Ben shook his head before looking at his watch. "Oh man! Sorry Akiho I've got to run!"

"Suit fitting?"

"Yep!"

"Finish the sandwich on the way."

"Did you?" Akiho asked, looking at Ben.

Ben nodded. "Of course I did. You made it for me, even remembered how I hate mayo. I wasn't going to waste your hard work like that."

"Yes mom," Ben teased and dodged the punch Akiho aimed for his shoulder. Ben chuckled and made his way over to Beast Castle where his fitting was scheduled.

"See, told you," Ben said. "The 'mom' friend."

"Sounds like you need several mom friends," Uma told him.

He assumed that it was because there was more of a guarantee there'll be privacy in case either one of his parents wanted to have a word with him.

Ben knew it was more than likely that his friends would eavesdrop if the fitting was done over at the school.

"We're not even going to deny it," Emir, Lonnie, and Akiho said with a grin.

"Oh Gods," Ben shook his head.

"Ah your highness, please come in," the tailor stated, sounding extraordinary cheerful. Though it probably wasn't every day he got to do this sort of thing. Design a coronation outfit, he meant. Ben knew the tailor—the man had made all his suits for all the events Ben had gone to since he was six.

Evie perked up a little as she heard that. It was strange but she kinda wanted to talk to the royal tailor, see what other material there was for making clothes other than things like safety pins and duct tape.

"Hey Ken," Ben smiled as he entered his room. "How've you been?"

"Very well your highness. I hope you've been well yourself?"

Ben nodded and quickly got up on to the stand so that Ken could take his measurements. Honestly, Ben wasn't going to lie—he hated this part. But he'd been through it enough times to know that it was better to just stand still and think of Auradon while it happened.

"Wouldn't he have your measurements already on file?" Evie asked. "Seems like he could just use those and then do a proper fitting once he'd made the suit."

He learned quickly when he was younger—the more you complained, the longer it took.

He couldn't help but turn his head and look out the window toward the Isle. He wondered what the four kids he selected were like. Would they be like their parents or would they be more like the kids in Auradon?

"To answer your past self's ponderings, they're the Isle versions of us!" Emir said.

"No they're not!" Audrey exclaimed.

Emir raised an eyebrow. "Harry's as stubborn as Ben, Akiho and I have been compared to Jay and Harry about five times during these readings—."

"Emir, I don't think we've got time for you to do the whole list," Audie said, giving him a kind smile.

"Sleeve. Head. Ah-ha!" Ken stated, turning Ben's head away from the window as he worked to get the measurements. Ben couldn't help but smile a little as his parents walked in to his room from the patio.

"I hope all your tailors have been given a thorough background check if they're going to be left alone with the future King," Hades said.

Beast shook his head. "Ken's been with us since Ben was six. He's practically family."

"You're telling me Ben starting wearing suits like the one he's wearing when he was six?" Mal asked.

Ben shrugged. "It's not like it's hurting anyone. Besides, a King or Prince needs to look his best at all times right?"

"No prizes for guessing where you got that line from," Mal muttered as she looked over at Audrey.

"After he switched to suits, I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen Ben in 'casual clothing'," Chip added.

"How is it possible you're going to be crowned king next month? You're just a baby," Beast said.

"Dear, would a baby do what Ben offered and take the crown at sixteen?" Belle whispered to her husband, giving him a sad smile.

Beast looked at her as he returned the smile, softly shaking his head.

"He's turning sixteen, dear," Belle corrected him and Ben chuckled.

"Hey pops."

"Sixteen? That's far too young to be crowned king. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least forty two!"

"Ignoring the fact that implies that Beastie ever had a good idea, that means you were fifteen then?" Harriet asked, looking over at Ben.

Ben nodded. "I think my birthday was like a day or so after this."

"Oh yeah!" Akiho nodded. "How many ballrooms of yours are now ice rinks again?"

"Three."

Kristoff and Jasmine sighed as Emir and Akiho high-fived while Aladdin grinned and Anna shook her head.

"Why does Elsa always agree to that?"

"Because it's for Ben's birthday," Akiho said with a grin.

Hades sighed and shook his head. "If you consider it too young then, why is he being crowned?"

"We have our reasons Lord Hades but rest assured, this was completely my choice," Ben said, his voice soft.

"Well I for one think we should know—!"

"Ben said that they have their reasons Leah!" Chip snapped. "You know the reason as well as anyone. If Ben and his family have reason that they want to keep private then that should be respected and as such make them none of your business!"

"Chip…it's fine," Ben said softly. "You don't need to get upset."

Ben fought the urge to roll his eyes—his dad had made that same joke every day for about a year. Though hearing it again only caused the nerves he'd built up to spiral into a ball in his stomach. If his dad hadn't made a good decision until forty two, what did that say about the VK initiative Ben was about to propose?

"Most adults think the decisions they made in their youth were bad ones," Jane spoke up. "In this case Ben, you're making a good decision. Especially after what we read."

"Thanks Jane," Ben said with a small smile.

"Uh, you decided to marry me at twenty eight," Belle stated, breaking into Ben's thoughts.

I hate that joke. Besides, Adam, you couldn't tell that Ben was nervous? Then again, so were you. I know how hard it is to see Ben growing up, Belle thought with a small sigh.

"Ah, it was either you or a teapot. Kidding!"

Ben sighed. It was really now or never to propose his proclamation to his parents.

"Mom, dad…"

Okay, maybe I shouldn't have moved forward there, Ben thought as Ken made a few utterances. Though Ben couldn't help it—when he had an idea, he got antsy.

Emir shook his head in amusement. They forgot the part where he'll completely shut out the world for like a week while he's nailing down every last bit of his idea, he thought.

"I've chosen my first official proclamation," he continued as Belle and Beast looked at Ben to give him their full attention. "I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost should be given a chance to live here. In Auradon. Every time I look out to the island…I feel like they've been abandoned. They're Auradon citizens after all yet they're kept separate from us."

"Like King Eric said, Ben's a teenager and he's thinking about this," Rose said, shaking her head.

"We sure Ben's a human and not some puppy turned into a human by Fairy Godmother?" Lucy asked.

"Lucy!" Cinderella and Kit exclaimed.

"The children of our sworn enemies? Living among us?" Beast exclaimed and Ken quickly left the room, closing the door to give the royal family their privacy.

"Why give him the power to make the proclamation if you're just going to reject it?" Meg asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We'll start off with a few at first," Ben said quickly. "Just four, and we can bring more over as the first four acclimate to Auradon. I've…I've already chosen them."

"Have you?"

"And he sounds so thrilled about it too," Uma shook her head.

Belle rested a hand on Beast's arm. "I gave you a second chance," she said gently before turning to Ben. "Who are their parents?"

"Why do we say we're giving the kids a second chance?" Cinderella asked. "From what we've read, it's clear they were never even given a chance."

Ben swallowed softly before speaking. "Cruella DeVil, Jafar, the Evil Queen…and Maleficent."

"I'd like to revise my past statement here as Mal is clearly the daughter of Lady Persephone," Ben said quickly.

Well who didn't see this coming? Ben thought wryly as Beast's face almost seemed to cloud over with rage.

"Ooh sarcasm from Beastie Jr.," Uma smirked.

"It's rare but it does happen at times," Emir nodded. "Usually when one of the other Tourney guys behaves in an idiotic fashion."

Ben knew his father wasn't going to like the idea of Maleficent's child being in Auradon. But Ben was determined now. The children deserved a shot at a life in Auradon.

"Maleficent! She's the worst villain in the land!"

Leah nodded. "Thank you, that's what I've been saying! And you want her daughter—?"

"Mal is not Maleficent's daughter," Esmeralda said, glaring at Leah.

"And personally we might disagree there, your highness," Phoebus spoke up. "Frollo burned half of Paris to the ground and ordered me to kill innocent people."

"Maleficent cursed my daughter!"

"But did she kill anyone?"

"She cursed my daughter to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!"

"But it was changed to be an enchanted sleep by Merryweather," Hades spoke up. "Therefore Maleficent never killed anyone."

"Dad, just hear me out here!" Ben said.

"I won't hear of it! They are guilty of unspeakable crimes!"

"Really? Because Queen Bat over there seems to only be able to speak of them," Harriet said, gesturing to Leah.

"Harriet, behave," Milah warned.

Harriet looked over at her mom with a raised eyebrow. "I'm a VK mom. Since when do we behave?"

Leah, though, ignored Harriet's comment as she was too busy nodding in agreement to Beast's statement. "Yes thank you your highness! You're absolutely right!"

"Bennyboo, how can you think this is a good idea?! You didn't even discuss it with me! Your girlfriend!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Dad, their children are innocent!" Ben stated. "Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life? Dad?"

"If…if that was your goal your highness, you should have picked the younger kids," Harriet spoke up. "The ones under the age of fifteen. They…they have more life to be able to enjoy tasting the sun so to speak."

CJ rolled her eyes. "I know you're talking about me Harriet, and there's no way I'm leaving the Isle!"

"You do in my timeline," Audie said.

"Yeah right," CJ scoffed. "There's no way Ryan would have agreed to leave the Isle."

"Oh he's still on the Isle last I checked."

CJ looked at Audie in shock. "I…I left the Isle without Ryan? But he's my best mate!"

After all, if you hadn't been put in power, I could have wound up a child of the Isle of the Lost. I'm not quite sure kidnapping a man, imprisoning him, imprisoning his daughter in exchange and keeping her hostage really scream 'hero' to the more conservative royals.

"He has a point…how close did Prince Ben come to being born on the Isle?" Persephone asked. I hope he would have ended up at least becoming allies with Mal…I could have kept an eye on him then.

"I suppose…that their children are innocent," Beast said rather reluctantly as if he had heard Ben's thoughts.

Belle smiled and rested a hand on Ben's arm. "Well done," she said softly. "We can get the invitations sent out by week's end."

"Is that really something you should wait on though? With how those kids are living?" Ariel asked.

Belle sighed. "I could see how stressed Ben looked even if he was trying to hide it. I may not have known his schedule but somethings are obvious to a mother. I just…"

"You wanted to take something off his plate," Tiana said, giving the other Queen a kind smile.

Ben gave his mom a small smile. "I appreciated it mom but it's my proclamation. I should be the one to send out the invitations."

"I can take care of that mom," Ben said.

"Are you sure?" Belle asked, brushing some hair out of Ben's face. "You don't look like you're getting enough sleep Ben. The last thing I want is for you to tire yourself out this close to coronation."

"Yes! Ask! Note the tiredness!" Chip nodded, sitting on the edge of his seat. "Make it so Emir and Akiho stop calling me at five in the morning every Sunday!"

"…why are you calling him at five in the morning every Sunday?" Jasmine asked her son.

"Multiple reasons mom but one of them is Ben's sleeping or lack thereof," Emir nodded.

"Championship game's coming up," Ben told her. "Coach has been running us a little bit more ragged than usual. Once the game's done, I'll be fine."

"Oh man it's a good thing Coach isn't here to hear you throw him under the bus like that!" Emir exclaimed.

"More importantly Ben lied! To his mom!" Akiho added.

Ben shook his head. "Coach had been running us more ragged to prepare for the Championship. It just…wasn't the only reason why I was more tired than normal."

Chip shook his head. "Belle, you've got to push harder than that! Getting Ben to admit something like that is like pulling teeth!"

"Well if you're sure dear," Belle said with a small smile. "We can have Lumiere post them as soon as they're ready."

Ben nodded and Belle turned to her husband.

"Shall we?"

"Wha…you…no! You were asking him about his sleep! Keep going! The guilt from lying to you alone would have made him tell you!"

"…I think you broke Chip," Ben said, looking at his mom as Chip continued to rant.

"It's not that hard to do but he's got a point Ben," Belle sighed. "We'll be having a discussion about this during the next break."

"…yes mom."

Ben watched as his parents left the room and he couldn't help but stare back at the window toward the Isle of the Lost. Twisting his signet ring, he sighed.

"What were you thinking?" Chip asked, keeping his voice low as he looked over at his brother.

"How similar those kids were to Abby and that I hoped I…I was making her proud," Ben whispered.

Am I making the right choice here? Maybe different villains…no. Those are the four I want. Dad was just shocked. I'm sure the rest of Auradon will welcome them warmly—they're just kids after all.

Audie smiled even as a bit of guilt wormed its way into her heart. Ben had been so hopeful, and she was sure that her Ben had been as well. Gods I hope he doesn't have that hope destroyed, she thought.

Moving to his desk, as Ken had left the room when his dad had started shouting, Ben pulled out his quill and parchment to start writing the invitations. He had some kids to get off that Isle after all.

"Some kids and your mystery girl you mean," Emir said with a smirk.

"This is why I never told you!" Ben exclaimed.

"Who wants to read next?" Audie asked.

Poseidon shrugged. "I'll give it a go."

Chapter 34 Chapter Text

Poseidon took a scroll and unfurled it, noticing how Ben seemed to be avoiding everyone's eye. Then again, the God of the Sea didn't blame the Princeling—he did just have multiple secrets revealed in the previous scroll after all.

A week went by and the invitations were posted, just as promised. Mal stared at the invitation in her hand in shock. Somehow, it had been delivered to Ursula's Chip Shoppe rather than Maleficent's castle or the Underworld.

"They say the word delivered but I think 'swiped' would be a more appropriate word," Jay chuckled, looking over at Harry.

"Hey, the guy just gave them to me after I said I'd take them to where they needed to be," Harry shrugged.

Mal honestly suspected Harry had something to do with that, considering all four of the invitations were there.

"Mal, do you really not trust me?" Harry asked, looking at Mal with a look of exaggerated hurt.

"You were the one to swipe the invites Harry," Mal told him with a small chuckle.

Speaking of those invitations...

"Wait a minute," Mal said slowly as she looked at the other envelopes. "None of these have your name on them Uma. Or your's Harry."

Milah sighed. Knowing what I know now, I so wish you'd been invited off the Isle Harry. Of course, as a mother, I'd always wish that, but…with what your father put you through…

"Yeah we noticed that too," Uma nodded. "But who cares Mali? Boreadon wants you!"

"No, no, no, no!" Mal said, shaking her head. "I'm not going! Not if half my gang's left behind! I'm not going to leave you two here to defend the turf while I go to some boarding school filled to the brim with prissy pink princesses!"

"Hey! Some of us aren't Princesses you know," Lonnie said with a small chuckle.

"Mal, hang on a minute. Just take a moment to think this through," Uma said softly, looking thoughtful while Harry just looked at her like she was crazy.

Of course I did! How can I protect Mal if she's on the other side of the barrier?!She's practically my sister! Harry thought.

"Uma there's nothing to think through!" Mal exclaimed, whirling around to face her. "You're my cousin! Harry's my crew! I won't leave you two behind! Especially just because Boreadon's asking-if they want me then why didn't they ask before?"

"Because apparently only Ben thinks about the kids of the Isle despite the fact that there's an always growing registry of kids," Chip said, giving Beast a look.

She looked through the invitations once more and scowled as she noticed one of the names on the envelopes.

"Look! This one's addressed to Blueberry! DeVil is tolerable since we put him under our protection but Blueberry? You really think Jay and I would rather leave you two behind and pal around with them?"

You know what, I'll take Mal thinking I'm tolerable. It's better compared to the alternative, Carlos thought, giving Mal a small smile.

"Uma, really, how can you think this is a good idea?" Harry asked. "We'd be splitting the crew and Mal and Jay would be off in Boreadon without our protection."

"Wait you honestly think we wouldn't look out for them?" Emir asked, looking at the pirate.

"In my defense, I didn't even know you existed," Harry shrugged.

"Because if you two would think for a moment, this is a chance to get through the barrier without having to battle all of Boreadon's forces! Hell, by the looks of things, they'll open it for Mal and Jay!"

"And Carlos and Evie!" Dizzy spoke up.

"Oh joy they're letting four kids off the Isle," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "I've got you guys here and Hadie! I'm sure Jay would agree too, we're not going to Boreadon without you!"

"I'd rather Hadie get an invite rather than me anyway," Mal said.

Is that because I'm your brother or because you'd get mom and dad to yourself again? Hadie couldn't help but think but immediately shoved the thought to the back of his mind.

"Mal, at the very least we need to go tell Uncle Hades about this. I think he should know."

"Yes. Yes he should know that his daughter was invited off the Isle!" Hades exclaimed.

"You'll have to drag me to dad then Uma, because I am never and I mean never going to Boreadon."

"I think we really need to keep telling you 'never say never' Mali," Hades said with a sad smile.

"Fine then," Uma said and grabbed Mal's arm and began to pull her out of the Chip Shoppe's back room. "Harry, grab the letters."

"You really thought I wouldn't drag you? I did it when we were seven, I'd happily do it again when you're being stubborn," Uma told Mal.

"What? No! Uma!" Mal exclaimed as her cousin began to actually drag her out of the restaurant, reminiscent of when they were seven. They may have had better access to food than most of the other kids on the Isle but they were still Isle kids-therefore Mal was fairly light for her age and Uma could drag her with ease, being a smidge taller.

"I seriously need to find a way to frame these bits of scroll that admit that I'm taller than Mal!" Uma said with a grin.

Harry could only laugh and do as he was told. Such a scene had become common on Hades' side of the Isle, so much so that no one really questioned it.

"Jake, Dustin, and Nick actually have a bet to see when it would happen next," Harry said with a slight chuckle.

It helped that by now, Mal's crew basically ran Hades' side of the Isle with the help of the Warf Rats. The children on their side of the Isle knew by now that there was one rule you didn't break—don't question Mal's crew.

"We do have the largest VK crew on the Isle," Jay nodded. "Nineteen to the seven Angels and four Casters."

"Uncle Hades! We have some news we think you should hear!" Uma called over Mal's protests as they walked into the Underworld.

"You know that's certainly a way to get a God's attention," Meg said, shaking her head.

"What is it?" Hades asked, coming out of the kitchen as he'd been trying a new recipe for the restaurant.

"Just out of curiosity, what were you working on Lord Hades?" Harry asked as he perked up slightly at the thought of a new restaurant item.

Hades chuckled. "Sorry kid but that would spoil the surprise."

"Dad, ignore her!" Mal shouted, struggling against Uma's grip but she had a grip like an octopus when she was determined. "She's gone insane!"

"Of course I've got a grip like an octopus! You've met my mother haven't you?" Uma said, shaking her head.

"Mal, while I care for you and your loyalty to us, I'm not insane. You're not thinking clearly about this," Uma told her before looking over at Hades. "It seems Boreadon is under new management or something. Mal and Jay have been invited off the Isle."

"I mean…she wasn't wrong about the new management thing," Chip pointed out.

"What?!" Hades exclaimed, looking over at Mal. "Mali, is this true?"

Uma shook her head. "You really doubt me there Uncle Hades?"

Mal shrugged. "Yeah. Now tell Uma it's a crazy idea and that I'm not going! Oh, and tell her to let go of my wrist!"

"Was it really necessary to ask Lord Hades to tell Uma to let go of your wrist?" Elle asked Mal.

"You've read how many scrolls that show you what our cousin's like and you still have to ask that?"

Chad tilted his head. "But if you've already reached the place she's dragging you to, there's not much point in still holding on to your wrist is there?"

"I didn't trust her not to bolt from the start," Uma said with a shrug.

"I don't run from my home," Mal muttered.

"Wait, wait, Uma's right Mal. Let's think about this, oh and Uma let her go before she starts hitting you like when you girls were younger. Now, who exactly invited them off?"

"You'd really hit her?" Ben asked, glancing over at Mal for the first time since the scrolls revealed he had dreamed about her.

"If she didn't let go, of course," Mal nodded. "We were the same rank after all and sometimes that's what it took to get her to let me go."

"Harry, show Uncle Hades the letters," Uma said as she slowly released Mal. Harry walked slowly up to Hades.

"It's true, sir, there's one for each of them. Oh, and DeVil and Blueberry too," he said as he handed Hades the envelopes.

"…can someone remind me if there are pictures attached to the registry?" Mal asked.

"There's not. At least, I don't believe there are," Belle said.

"Mal, what are you thinking?" Jay asked.

"That we were idiots for not taking this opportunity to use the invites to get Harry and Uma off the Isle," Mal said. "If there aren't pictures, there's no way anyone in Boreadon would have known Uma and Harry weren't Devil and Blueberry."

"…the Dragon already knew about the invites though and told EQ and Cruella along with dad," Jay reminded her.

"Drat!"

Hades took the envelopes from Harry, setting the ones for DeVil and Evil Queen's daughter aside, before opening up Mal's invitation and reading it. "Seems you've been invited off the Isle by Prince Ben."

Persephone looked over at Hades with an amused look on her face. "I do believe that's the first time you've called Prince Ben anything other than 'Prince Beastie Jr.'," she teased.

"Great, we know who it is," Mal said with an eye roll as Jay slipped into the Underworld and joined the group. She'd wonder where he had been later—there were more pressing issues. "Now, can we stop entertaining this crazy notion that I'm going to Boreadon? My home is here."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "She could at least be grateful for the invitation. It's not like anyone wants the little liar here."

"And you could be grateful for your good life," Kitty shot back.

"Mal, think about this. He has invited you and three other kids off the Isle. That could mean he could be talked into doing it again," Hades told her.

"Quite easily too considering Ben wants this program to be successful," Akiho nodded.

"Dad, wouldn't that still happen if Blueberry and DeVil went by themselves?" Mal asked. "I'm not leaving Uma and Harry. Or you! Dad, if I went to Boreadon, I'd never see you again!"

Ben frowned. That's a good point. I guess I didn't realize that by inviting kids off the Isle, I might be separating them from parents they'd want to see. Like Lonnie always says, even villains love their kids but as we could see from the contents of the scroll before last, that's not always true.

Uma shook her head. "No it wouldn't Mal. You'd really trust the future of the VKs to Blueberry and Devil? Blueberry may have been raised as a Princess and have some small amount of skill in diplomacy but she'd be too busy flirting and Devil's too timid to handle diplomatic relations. Not to mention neither one of them have the rank you have."

"Mal, again, think about it. If you can get into the Princeling's good books, we could start getting actual food around here. I mean, I love Uncle Hades' food but he can only do so much with what Boreadon sends us," Uma said.

"And you know, considering that Ben's dreaming about her, it should be really easy for Mal to get into his good books," Akiho said with a slight smirk.

"…it's Ben though," Neal spoke up. "Does he have any bad books?"

"Boreadon, the land on the other side of the bridge wants Jay and wants you! Go there, show them they were wrong about the VKs! You don't have to leave us for long if Boreadon decides to invite others!"

"Actually it's not so much a question of if we decide to invite more VKs, it's more a question of if the council will allow more VKs to be invited," Anna said with a small sigh.

"Why should I show them anything Uma? They kept us kids on the Isle when we didn't do anything, never sent us any decent food and basically ignored us! What, now that their pampered prince feels guilty or something, I'm supposed to drop everything and go skip on over to Boreadon? This is insane!"

Emma frowned slightly. "You know…she's got a point Ben. We really shouldn't have expected the VKs to be happy about an invite twenty years after the Isle was formed."

"Mal, as much as I don't want you to go, think about it. If you can make the prince your ally, you could pave the way for the others you want to come over there. You could have Uma, Harry, even Hadie," Hades told her.

"Celia, CJ, Ryan, Nick, hell even Dustin just to name a few!" Harriet pointed out.

"I'm not leaving the Isle!" CJ stated.

"Oh Gods, you're as stubborn as Mal," Harriet sighed.

"You know, it's no fun when you two gang up on me," Mal muttered. "Dad, I'm your daughter. Shouldn't you be on my side?"

"The only thing a good parent wants is for their children to have a better future than they had," Aladdin said softly, giving his three children a small smile.

"If it helps Mal, I want you to stay," Harry said. "How can I keep you out of trouble if you're in Boreadon?"

And how can I make sure you remember you matter if I'm in Boreadon? Mal thought, looking over at Harry.

"Aren't you usually the one helping her get into trouble?" Jay asked.

Harry shook his head. "That's Uma."

"Mali, the last thing I want is for you to leave but if there's even a small chance of one of my kids having the life they deserve then I'm not going to sit here have let her throw it away," Hades said, ignoring Harry's comment. "Your loyalty to your crew is admirable honey but as I said, you could have them over there with you with just a little bit of patience."

"…Uncle Hades, you did remember you were talking to Mal right? She's not exactly known for her patience." Uma said, shaking her head.

"Dad, they don't want me," Mal said. "They want Maleficent's daughter. Look, it even says so on the envelope. I'm not Maleficent's daughter. I'm not Maleficent's anything! I'm mom's daughter! Maleficent's daughter has been dead since I was nine years old!"

"Technically you could even say she never existed," Macaria spoke up. "Since Aunt Persephone considered Mal to be hers even before the adoption. The only tie Mal has to Maleficent is genetically."

Hades sighed. "It's clear that Auradon doesn't check the registry anymore or they'd have seen the update. Regardless, they're still asking for you Mal. Don't turn down your chance to leave the Isle because of semantics. This is your chance to get out of here, to have a good life—"

"Oh they do check the registry but they just don't update both versions of it!" Demeter said, glaring at Beast.

"I'm sure the mistake will be rectified soon enough," Zeus said.

"You wouldn't be this calm if Hercules was called the son of someone else, Zeus!" Demeter snapped.

"I have a good life dad! I have access to food, parents who aren't crazy. I rule the Isle—both your half and the Dragon's by virtue of association! Why would I give that up?"

"Hmm, you could have food that's edible all the time," Jay pointed out.

"No Dragon breathing down your neck," Harry added.

"Get to see what the sun feels like," Uma finished.

"I hate all three of you," Mal muttered.

"Mal, if you were off the Isle you'd have access to good food, food that wasn't rotten, doctors if you needed one and you'd be able to spend time in the sun! If your mother was here and not in Auradon, she'd tell you the same thing."

Persephone sighed. "As much as I hate seeing you upset Mal, your father has a point."

"I'm a Godling though. There's not much that can hurt us and leave an impact," Mal muttered.

"Mal, Uncle Hades is right. You're throwing away a golden opportunity because of a name on a letter. Think about what you could do for the Isle by being off it! You're going, end of story!"

"Isn't that more something a parent should say Uma?" Persephone asked, looking over at Uma.

"Well yes but as the older cousin, I felt it was in my right to—."

"We're the same age!" Mal exclaimed.

"Uma, I'm not going! If Boreadon wants me so badly then they can ask for the daughter of Lady Persephone!" Mal shot back. "The Dragon's daughter has been dead—unofficially since age five but officially since age nine!"

"Again, as Macaria said, the argument could be made that she never existed since Maleficent never acted like a mother," Hyllus spoke up.

"Mal, think about it! You'd be another voice for the the Isle! You could get us food, maybe even a medical system! You could get us off the Isle! Do you want Hadie stuck here the rest of his life?"

"Low blow but one that could be effective," Rachel said, nodding her head slightly.

"It's why I dealt it," Uma told her. "There's only one thing stronger than Mal's stubbornness. Her loyalty to her family and crew."

"Uma, if they don't know the registry's updated do you really think they'll listen to me? They'd just see me as the Dragon's spawn." Mal said with a frown. "And no fair using Hadie! Of course I don't want him on this Isle for the rest of his life!"

You're Ben's True Love though Mal, Audie thought. Of course he'd listen to you no matter who he thought your mother was.

"Low blow or not, it may be the only way to get you to think this through! If you won't go for yourself, then go for your little brother! Go for us! You need to go! Captain's orders!"

Rose frowned. "You're not really taking Mal's feelings into account here though."

"It's a small sacrifice," Uma said. "She'll thank me later."

"We'll see Uma. We'll see," Mal said, rolling her eyes.

"That we will Mal," Uma said with a small smirk.

"Uma! You can't play that card! Not with me—I'm co captain remember?" Mal exclaimed before picking up the invitations again. "I'm going to state again, they're inviting Jay, DeVil and Blueberry! DeVil's grown on me since we brought him under our protection but if you think I'm spending the rest of my life with only Blueberry to talk to as a VK girl, you're out of your mind! I'm not leaving you and Harry here by yourselves Uma!"

"What would you guys have done?" Aziz asked. "If it'd only been Jay or Mal invited off the Isle?"

"Depends on who the fourth kid was," Jay said. "If it was a younger kid, like CJ or Sammy Smee's brothers, I'd stay with my crew because I trust DeVil and oddly enough Blueberry to at least look out for them. If it was someone like Freddy…I'd go to Boreadon so I could finally teach him not to mess with Mal."

Mal shook her head. "I wouldn't be there because I wouldn't last one day in Boreadon without someone from my crew. Particularly if I had to put up with her," she said, pointing to Evie.

"Come on Mal, leave Evie alone," Carlos said, surprising everyone. "You pelted her with smoke bombs after you weren't invited to her party over ten years ago. Haven't you held the grudge long enough?"

"I'm a Godling," Mal said, giving Carlos a deadpanned look. "Do you know how long the Gods have been known for holding grudges?"

She pointed to Hades. "Case in point, he's held a grudge against Zeus for who knows how long because Zeus wasn't eaten as a baby."

"Mal, we will be fine. Someone needs to hold the turf, and it's not like you're going to going to disappear off into the sun and forget about us right?"

"Well…no. Because I'm not going anywhere. The Isle is my home Uma!"

"And it will always be your home sweetheart," Persephone said gently. "But that doesn't mean you throw away an opportunity like this."

"And your home needs you to go across that bridge!"

"Jay's going to have to drag me across that bridge Uma because I'm not going!" Mal growled, digging her feet in. Estelle trotted over and sat next to her, looking at the group in slight confusion.

"You know, you should really stop saying people will have to drag you places," Rowyn said. "From what we've seen, that doesn't really deter your friends."

"That can be arranged Mal, do you want to test me?"

"You wouldn't dare Uma!"

"Seriously, you need to stop telling Uma she wouldn't dare do something," Ashaki said.

Emir nodded. "Yeah, it's my experience that when you tell someone 'they wouldn't dare', that just give them more of a reason to do the thing."

"I regret nothing!" Akiho exclaimed.

"Of course you don't," Ben sighed.

"Try me. You can either get into that limo willingly or unwillingly but you are going for our future and the Isle's future! You're going!"

That's a lot of pressure to put on someone, Mulan thought with a small frown.

"You'd have to catch me first Uma! Because there is no way in the Underworld am I willingly going into that limo! End. Of. Story!"

"You know this just proves that Mal would fit in upon arriving in Auradon," Rapunzel said. "If she was truly evil and wanted to take over Auradon like Maleficent no doubt tried to teach her during the days Mal was in her castle, she would have jumped at the chance to go but instead she's fighting to stay on the Isle."

Uma sighed and shook her head. "Alright, you leave me no choice Mal. Jay! Grab her!"

"Jay don't you dare—put me down this instant!"

Ben tried to suppress the little twinge of jealousy he felt as Lord Poseidon read that Jay had picked up Mal. Just another thing to confirm his belief that they were dating after all.

Jay sighed. "Sorry Mali. No can do. Captain's orders."

"I'm your co-captain! This is mutiny! Dad! A little help here!"

Mal shot a small glare to Harry and Uma. "This has got to be a violation of the Pirate Code in some way," she muttered.

"Actually it's not," Harry shook his head. "Rule 84, section a, subsection 3 of the Pirate Code states that any order from the Captain overrules any order from the co-captain or anyone else who happens to be below them. I don't know why that had to be written but it is."

"Not exactly what I meant Harry," Mal grumbled.

"I'll go pack your bag Mal. Don't worry, Hadie and Estelle will be well taken care of," Uma said, hurrying off to Mal's room.

"Have to say Mal, I'm on your friends' side here," Hades said. "Though Jay, I'd switch to a mode of carrying that won't lead to a dislocated shoulder."

"You're a bit too calm about that Hades," Poseidon told his older brother.

Hades shrugged. "A dislocated shoulder is tame compared to what else could happen on the Isle and it's easy enough to fix. If Mal did anything, I could fix it in a second."

"Yes sir."

"Dad!"

"Mal, I love you and it's because I love you that this has to happen," Hades told her. "Like I said, if there is a chance for even one of my kids to have the life they deserve then it needs to happen. There is always the hope with you there, Hadie can get off the Isle too."

"Like Aladdin said, the main thing a good parent wants is to make sure their kids have a better life than they had," Eugene said, his voice soft was it was his turn to give his six kids a small smile.

"…dad, you really I'm going to have to kill Jay for holding me in a bridal pose right now? All this just so I go and rub elbows with some prissy princesses and pampered princes? I thought you liked Jay!"

"Yeah I thought so too!" Jay exclaimed with a small chuckle. Ben couldn't help but frown slightly as he heard that.

"I think someone might be jealous," Emir muttered to Akiho, both boys noticing Ben's frown.

Hades chuckled and shook his head. "Jay, do you value your shoulder or your life more? Cause something tells me carrying Mal into the limo's the only way she'll go there so you'll have to pick one. I'd advise the shoulder really. They have doctors across the bridge from what Steph tells me."

"Were you doubting me there dear?" Persephone asked, amusement audible in her voice.

"Never have, never will," Hades told her, kissing the top of her head.

"Yes sir," Jay nodded, shifting Mal over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Mal, will you calm down? Consider this, you're swiping another girl's spot. Say Freddy boy had gotten a spot, would you want to go just to spite him?"

"We will totally accept spite as a reason for coming to Auradon," Lonnie nodded.

Mal looked over at her and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want me in Auradon so bad? You don't know me…for all you know I could be…oh I don't know, plotting Ben's or Beastie Sr.'s assassination."

"Yeah but we know you're not," Phillip Jr. said. "It'd be in the scrolls after all and if you were plotting an assassination, you wouldn't be fighting tooth and nail to stay on the Isle. Assassins want to get close to their targets after all and to do that you'd need to leave the Isle."

Hades sighed. "Mal, could you not make yourself out to be all cloak and dagger? I just got you off the Isle."

"Fine dad but they're a little too welcoming. Where's the distrust?" Mal said with a sigh.

"We only distrust people who've earned it. You've done nothing for us not to trust you," Emir said with a shrug.

"…VKs don't really trust easily," Harriet told them. "This is a little…odd for us."

Ben shrugged. "Those that are worth you trusting will be willing to earn it," he told her with a small smile.

"The day Freddy Boy leaves this Isle in nothing less than a body bag is the day I start prancing around Boreadon like a prissy princess," Mal growled.

Audie stiffened as she looked over at Mal. She could still remember the second viewing and how her timeline's Mal had changed herself to become what she called a 'prissy princess'.

There's…there's no chance of Freddy escaping the Isle. Is there? Audie thought, slightly biting her lip.

Jay closed his eyes and mentally facepalmed, being unable to actually do it as he was carrying Mal and didn't want to risk dropping her.

"That would be appreciated Jay," Mal nodded.

"I mean it Jay! He will see his precious hellfire before he gets off this Isle!"

"Yes Mal, I know. I usually help even if you won't let me give the revenge he deserves for pushing you into the cove all those years ago."

"And you know my reasoning for that Jay," Mal said with a small sigh. "You want the Angels to go after Jade?"

"Mal, they'd go after Jade regardless of what I did," Jay said, shaking his head.

"You won't be able to help if you're off in Boreadon Jay! How are we supposed to make sure our turf stays out of Freddy boy's hands if we're off drinking tea and doing Gods know what else over across the bridge?"

"But…don't you guys drink tea there?" Alexandria asked. "What's so wrong with drinking tea in Auradon?"

"Mal, as I said, that is why Harry and I will still be here," Uma said as she came back in, holding Mal's bag.

"Not for long though," Jane said, squeaking slightly as Uma looked over at her. "I just mean…Ben'll more than likely invite you and Harry over in the next round of kids."

Mal glared from her spot over Jay's shoulder. "Uma, what do you think Freddy boy will do when he learns it's just you and Harry defending the turf?"

"Just me and Harry? Henry and the others will be disappointed to hear they don't count Mal," Uma chuckled.

"Yeah, what're me, Sammy, Jade, and CJ?" Harriet asked, shaking her head.

"Ah hem! Are you forgetting that I have friends on the other side? Plus the Warf Rats, they've been itching for a fight actually. Henry's been uping the training with Ryan, Derek and Dustin."

Jay shook his head. "And Nick and Jake too. Henry said that Nick needed to work on his footwork more."

"Yeah but Henry trains for like eighteen hours a day," Harry added. "No one has better footwork than Henry."

"Jay and I are itching for a fight too! You'd honestly get into a fight with Freddy boy and his Angels without us?!"

"Hang on, no one told me I'd miss out on fights against Freddy and his Angels!"

"…that's kinda implied with the whole 'you're going to Boreadon' thing Jay," Mal told him.

"It will be strange, I'll admit, but it would be in defense of our turf!"

"Now you're just being dramatic," Mal muttered.

"It runs in the family," Persephone sighed and shook her head slightly.

"I'm being dramatic? I'm not the one who needs to be carried into the limo to have a chance at a better life," Uma said, waving Mal's bag.

"Again, being dramatic is something that doesn't just run in the family. It gallops," Macaria pointed out, also shaking her head.

"Oh, Mali, I swiped something for you when I was over at the Dragon's," Jay said. "Her spies already know about the invites—DeVil and Blueberry were there too. She actually seemed annoyed her knuckleheads didn't find you."

"Wait, back up, you swiped something from under Maleficent's nose?" Emir asked. As Jay nodded, the second son of Agrabah smirked. "Man you're good. Think we could swap notes sometime?"

"Sure!" Jay said, nodding his head.

Mal smirked at that fact. "Her knuckleheads aren't allowed on dad's side of the Isle. Quite easy to avoid being detected by the Dragon when her spies are only allowed in her territory."

"…then why wouldn't the Dragon try to get people who could spy in Lord Hades' territory?" Melody asked.

"Would you want to anger Lord Hades?" Harry asked her and Melody quickly shook her head.

"Anyway…" Jay said and pulled a certain book out of his jacket-which was easier said than done considering he was still holding Mal over his shoulder. "Little bit of revenge huh? And you're still a magic user anyway so you'd be able to actually use this in Boreadon."

"…you have Maleficent's spell book?" Beast asked, looking over at Mal.

Mal shrugged. "Better I have it than she does right? Besides, it's not like I'd use it."

"Jay, I'd be more impressed that you swiped something from under the Dragon's nose if you weren't currently holding me like a sack of potatoes!"

"If I put you down, I'll never get ahold of you again."

"You got that right!" Mal muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You got that right! Have you all forgotten what Boreadon did to us?! Trapped us on an Isle without decent food, no medical system and Freddy boy! Why would I willingly go there?"

"In our defense, Freddy was not our doing," Belle sighed. "But Mal does have a point about the other two."

"Mal, no one has forgotten that!"

"And no one is asking you to forget that," Ben said, his voice soft. "But we can't help the Isle if we don't know about the problems…"

"Then why do you all want me to go there?!"

"Because Mal, as has already been pointed out, if a first group of us can get invited over then it's not out of the realm of possibility that others will too. Don't you want to have control over who comes next? Don't you want to see your mom?"

"You know that raises a good point," Emir spoke up. "These are kids who will be without any parental guidance or aid. What if something happens where Fairy Godmother needs to call a parent or guardian? Especially since Mal was invited as Maleficent's daughter so Fairy Godmother wouldn't even think to call Lady Persephone."

"The kids have guardians," Ben spoke up. "I believe Sultana Jasmine is Jay's, Queen Snow is Evie's, Anita is Carlos' and Mulan is Mal's."

"…Mulan?"

"…Anita?"

Ben chuckled slightly at the confusion coming from the two VKs. "Anita insisted on it Carlos. Said that even if Cruella harmed them, it wouldn't be right to have her son be in a strange world without a ally."

"And for Mulan?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow. "Let me guess, no one else would be guardian for the daughter of Maleficent?"

"You're seriously complaining about having Mulan for your guardian? Probably one of the few or really the only hero respected on the Isle," Uma shook her head in amusement.

Mal glowered. "Of course I want to see mom! But I'll see mom in six months anyway! Still…having control over who comes next is tempting."

"Will you go for the sake of that? To keep the ones we know deserve the Isle on the Isle if nothing else?"

"you have been around my dad way too much. It's clear he's influenced you if you can smooth talk me like that," Mal muttered.

"…I hate all of you so much right now. But fine. If only because Freddy boy is not leaving this Isle. Not if I can help it!"

"Fair enough."

"Okay let me revise my previous statement," Uma said with a slight chuckle. "There're two things stronger than Mal's stubbornness. Her loyalty to her family and crew…and her hatred of Freddy."

"Now will you order Jay to let me down?!"

"That depends. Can you promise you won't bolt on us?" Uma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I make no promises!" Mal exclaimed.

"Actually that's a smart answer," Meg said. "Prevents you from breaking a deal since your only answer was that you didn't promise you wouldn't do the thing they didn't want you to do."

"Then you're not getting down."

"What?! Uma, you're not actually going to have Jay carry me to the limo are you?!" Mal shouted. The last thing she needed was for the entire Isle to see her get carried off like a child throwing a temper tantrum. She had a rep and she wasn't going to ruin it by having Jay carry her like some simpering…princess!

"Wouldn't it better for your rep though if Jay had to carry you?" Lonnie asked. "Since that way it looks like you're fighting against going to Auradon?"

"Can you behave and walk by yourself?"

"I'm a VK. Since when do we behave?"

Harriet nodded, having asked the same thing to her mother not one scroll ago.

Uma sighed and shook her head in exasperation. "Let me rephrase that then. Will you go quietly?"

"Uma, all of us know Mal'll never go quietly," Jay chuckled.

"True…"

"Okay so it's obvious that Jay and Harry are the Isle version of Emir and Akiho but does that make Uma the Isle version of Lonnie since Mal and Ben are so similar?" Robin asked.

"I thought Mal was the Isle version of Rowyn?" Elle asked.

"She can't be both?"

"So let me go or the next thing I'll do is dislocate Jay's shoulder!" Mal exclaimed. "You have until 'five'!"

"You're bluffing Mal," Uma said, shaking her head. "You'd never hurt Jay."

"I've got two shoulders Mal and they've got doctors in Boreadon," Jay shrugged causing Mal to growl in displeasure. "Growl all you want Mal, I'm not letting you down."

"Just a thought though but wouldn't it be better to not be in pain when you get to Auradon?" Rachel asked.

"Jay, you are so lucky—"

"Lucky how Mal? That I'm your first mate?" Jay smirked. "Why yes I am. Because I know you'd have already dislocated my shoulder and escaped if I wasn't."

He even calls himself her first mate, Ben thought. That's what Harry calls himself in relation to Uma and everyone can tell there's something there with those two.

"Jay!"

"Yes Mal?"

Mal growled once more causing Uma and Harry to roll their eyes.

"Down girl," Jay chuckled. "I'll let you down when we get in the limo."

"It's also how I knew she wasn't truly angry with me," Jay said. "If she was and she wanted to get down, Mal could have easily beaten me in a fight."

Mal sighed. "Dad…"

"Sorry Mali, I'm with Jay on this one," Hades chuckled. His daughter was tenacious, he'd give her that.

"I'm not even allowed to say goodbye?"

"Oh she's good," CJ said, shaking her head. "If it was anyone other than Lord Hades she was talking to, I think Mal would have booked it out of there the second Jay set her down."

Hades gave his daughter a sad smile. "Of course you are Mali. Jay?"

"So Jay, what was that about not letting Mal down?" Carlos said with a slight chuckle.

Good, Audie thought. I know you're not the same Carlos but watching you be timid was just weird.

"You run and I'm chasing you down," Jay said as he set Mal down.

"I had no doubt there Jay," Mal said with a small sigh.

Mal sighed as Hades pulled her into a hug. "Bye dad."

"Love you Mali," Hades whispered before kissing the top of her head.

"Love you too dad," Mal whispered back.

"…anyone else notice that we never hear the kids say 'love'?" Meg asked, her voice soft. "The only two people we've heard Mal say it to are Hades and Lady Persephone. The closest another VK has come is Uma when she told Mal that she cares for her."

"You go out there and you show Boreadon what a child of the Gods can do, okay?"

Mal nodded, smirking a little at the use of the nickname. Her dad didn't use it often around the kids as her mom thought it might be a bad idea to poison the kids against the kingdom. "I'll give mom a hug for you and Hadie okay?"

Persephone shook her head. "I ask you not to use the nickname 'Boreadon' around Mal and Hadie and what do you do?"

"I know you will," Hades said. "Just remember this okay? No matter what happens over there, never apologize for who you are or try to change yourself to make the simpering royals happy."

"You remember that Mal," Audie said, her voice soft as she looked over at Mal.

Mal nodded softly. "Auradon's going to regret inviting me over there," she said with a small smirk.

We already do, Leah thought with a small roll of her eyes.

"But I don't regret it," Ben muttered softly as he glanced over to Mal.

I don't blame him. Mal's only known him for what has to be a few hours and she's already shown him she cares more than Audrey—and Audrey's known him her whole life! Chip thought.

Hades couldn't help but chuckle at that, before cupping his daughter's face in his hands. He knew it likely wouldn't be the last time he saw her but it would still be a while before he saw her face.

Meg glanced over at Hades and gave the God a small smile. I promise, I'll keep an eye out for her. I know Persephone will do the same but an extra set can never hurt, she thought.

"Dad? Is Mal going somewhere?"

"Hey Hadie," Mal said with a sad smile, turning away from their dad to pick her younger brother up into a hug.

"Wow, you can still pick him up?" Evan asked, looking at Mal with a slight amount of awe in his voice.

"…Godling remember?"

"Mali! You're being weird!"

"Yeah, well when I'm not going to see you for a while, I'm allowed to be weird."

"Why won't you be seeing me for a while?" Hadie asked. "Is…is the Dragon making you go somewhere?"

"Hadie, if the Dragon was behind this, I'd be hiding Mal in the Underworld for a year," Hades told his son.

Besides…she's not making Mal go to Boreadon, Evie thought with a small frown.

"Actually it's more a combination of dad and your cousin but essentially yes."

"Uma or Virgil?" Hadie asked.

"I don't know if I should be offended or not that a clarification was even needed," Uma said with a slight chuckle.

"Uma. She pulled the captain card."

"Oh. Why is Uma sending you someplace?"

"Because she wants me to get into Prince Beastie's good books," Mal sighed.

"I reiterate, is it possible for someone to be in Ben's bad books?" Rowyn asked.

Hadie frowned. "Is that possible? I mean he's part of the Auradon royal family and they clearly don't care about the Isle."

Ben frowned and tried to hide the wince he gave as he heard that. There was no denying that Hadie had a point but that didn't mean it didn't still hurt.

"Well all I know is that me and Jay are wanted over there—and I think the limo's almost here, the invite said it'd be arriving soon. So little bro, I'm going to have to say goodbye," Mal said with a frown.

"Note to self, send invites earlier than same day of limo arrival," Ben muttered to himself.

"Be ruthless but loyal. I'll tell mom you said hi," she told him, kissing his head as she set him down.

"We'll keep an eye out for him Mali, like I said," Uma promised. "No one'll mess with him."

"I know," Mal said, her voice soft. "There's no way I'd even let Jay drag me off the Isle if I thought you wouldn't try and keep Hadie safe, cuz."

Mal smiled before pulling Uma into a hug. "You let Freddy boy or his Angels put one toe into our territory, I'll come back and kick both your butt and his," she whispered.

"Aye aye captain," Uma chuckled.

"That's co-captain, Uma," Mal said with a smirk causing Uma to chuckle again.

"Go on. We don't want you being late and missing the limo."

"I think we've established though that VKs are never on time," Lil Shang spoke up. "Besides why do I have the feeling that Ben gave the order for the limo driver to take as long as he needed to?"

Mal snorted but gave Harry a quick hug. "If you continue to listen to your father, I will find a way to smite him from Boreadon," she muttered. "You matter to this crew Harry. Don't forget it."

Thank you Mal. Hopefully he listens to you, Milah thought with a small, sad smile as she glanced at her son.

Harry smiled slightly and squeezed her lightly. "Go on cap'n, give Boreadon hell for us."

"Count on it," Mal muttered.

"See Ben? She's already planning on making trouble!" Leah exclaimed.

Chip shook his head. "You do realize that you are most likely the reason why the VKs don't trust easily right? Or at least one of the reasons?"

Harry smiled as the hug broke and Mal couldn't help but give a sad smile herself.

"Go on Mal," Uma said softly, handing Mal her bag. Estelle whined softly, causing Mal to give another sad smile as she knelt down.

"Poor Estelle," Dizzy said softly. "He'll miss Mal!"

"I can't take you with me boy," she said as she scratched behind his ear. "I wish I could. But you've got to stay here, to keep Hadie and dad out of trouble. Okay? Promise?"

Ben frowned slightly. "You could have brought him. It's not fair to separate you two, we'd have worked something out for him."

"Appreciated…Ben, but I needed to make sure Hadie was safe," Mal said. "As much as I trust Uma and Harry, there's no one better at protecting my brother than Estelle."

Estelle gave a small yip and gave Mal's hand a small lick, as if making the promise.

"Good boy," Mal whispered, the sad smile still on her face as she kissed Estelle's middle head.

Estelle walked over and rested his heads on Mal's leg, wagging his tail slightly and giving her a small doggy smile.

"We'll take care of him Mal," Harry promised.

"I know," Mal sighed as she stood up. Uma handed Mal her bag, which she'd dropped when she bent down to say goodbye to Estelle.

"Better ship off cap'n. Both of you, actually. You'll be late."

"That would be a bad thing?" Audrey muttered under her breath.

Jay and Mal nodded, Mal taking her bag—Jay already had his bag with him.

"Jay, I can't believe I'm saying this, but…don't steal too much," Uma said softly. "Don't give Boreadon a reason to kick you back here-you know Mal might actually go insane if one of us isn't there."

"I make no promises," Jay said with a small chuckle.

"Jay, if you leave me there alone, I'll kill you," Mal said, looking over at Jay.

Mal couldn't help but chuckle herself as she shook her head. "C'mon Jay. Before I change my mind."

I think you'll be surprised at how much you like being in Auradon, Mal, Audie thought, her eyes flickering between Ben and Mal.

"Coming Mal." Jay nodded. Mal could only assume his own bag was back with the Dragon and his father. "Let's go."

"Hold up. How could Mal assume Jay's bag was with the Dragon and Jafar if Jay had his bag with him?" Aziz asked.

Mal nodded slowly and the two of them headed out of the Underworld and to the limo. Little did they know how much their lives were about to change.

"Well that's not ominous at all," Harriet said, trying to chuckle but it sounded forced even to her.

Poseidon nodded but before he could ask who wanted to read next, the eyeball came floating into the center of the room.

"…yeah that's creepy," Milah said.

There was no instructions from the Fates as there had been when Audie arrived. Instead the eyeball pulsed a faint light and began to spin. When the spinning stopped, two people stood in the room.

One, a tan man with brown hair who seemed happy to see Audie.

"Another viewing?"

"Not quite Lucas," Audie chuckled. "But nice to see someone else from my timeline's been brought over."

Ben didn't have a chance to comment though as his eyes were on the girl who'd also been brought over. Had it not been for the transparency of her appearance indicating her deceased nature, Ben knew the long flowing locks of hair would have been brown—just like their mother and father.

"Oh right," Persephone nodded and handed the girl a blue hair bow, and she quickly put it on to gain a corporal form. Before Ben could say anything, the girl quickly ran into his arms, squeezing him into a tight hug.

"…Abby?" Ben gasped.

"That's right Ben," Abby nodded, breaking from the hug. "Sorry, I know it's kinda odd, getting a hug from your dead little sister but I…I've wanted to for so long."

"How…how is this possible?" Belle asked, staring at her daughter with unshed tears shining in her eyes.

"You're in a room provided by the Fates and you're asking how it's possible for me to talk to you mom?" Abby asked before going over and giving her mother a hug. "I love you maman."

"Oh! I love you too my sweet girl," Belle whispered, holding her close. That was all she'd wanted for years to hear, and it was just as sweet as she imagined. "But I think your father would love a hug as well."

Abby nodded and quickly gave Beast a hug. "Dad, it wouldn't kill you to tell Ben you're proud of him more," she whispered, trying to avoid embarrassing her brother. "That's all he wants, to make you proud."

"…he makes me proud every day," Beast whispered back.

"Then tell him that," Abby said before turning back to face Ben. "As for you…you've got to break up with Princess Leech over there. Trust me Benji, there's someone out there who's a whole lot better for you."

Before Ben could say anything, or anyone else for that matter, the eyeball pulsed once more.

"Creepy right?" Lucas asked Audie.

"Very."

"And you're aware there's two of you?"

"Oh this version of me is like the me in the third viewing but somehow worse."

Lucas stared in shock but before he could say anything, two more people appeared. Both of them appeared to be in their twenties, one a petite woman with purple hair and bright green eyes. The other a man of medium height with honey brown hair and hazel green eyes.

"Ben!" Emir exclaimed.

"Why am I not surprised you figured out who I am first, Emir?" The older Ben said with a small chuckle.

"Well he is one of your shadows Benny," the purple haired woman said.

"Yes Mal but I'd have thought someone would have recognized you first. Also, where are we?"

"…well I think this is a good spot for a break," Poseidon said and everyone nodded.

Thank Gods for the new arrivals! Mom and dad will forget they wanted to talk to me, the younger Ben thought with an inward sigh.

Chapter 35 Chapter Text

Lucas shook his head as he stared at everyone. One moment he'd been sitting on the loveseat with his Chip, the next he was transported to a room that was clearly controlled by the Fates judging by the floating eyeball that had dropped the older version of Ben and Mal in front of them.

Now the real question is….which version of Ben and Mal were they? Were they the older versions of the ones already in the room? Or were they the older versions of the Ben and Mal he left?

"Oh dear Gods, there's two of them," he heard the older version of Mal mutter as she looked at the two Audreys.

Well that solved that mystery, Lucas thought as he shook his head. Not to mention it looks like the older version of Ben is almost looking at Audrey with a sad look on his face. Like something happened between the two of them that he regrets.

"Mal! Ben!" Audie said with a smile as she got up to walk over to them. "Gods, you look amazing!"

The older version of Mal blinked in surprise. "Okay…there's a nice Audrey. And now she's hugging me. Ben, did we get transported to a world of opposites?"

"I'm just as perplexed as you are Mal," the older version of Ben said with a small chuckle as Audie broke from the hug.

"You are aren't you?"

"How did you know?!" Malinda asked, looking at Audie in shock. Mainly because there was a version of Audrey in front of her who wasn't ranting about how she ruined her life but also being happy that Malinda was with Ben!

"Mal, I was a cheerleader and a Princess. Certain things like weight gain became something I was taught to notice by like age seven. Combined with the slight curved nature of your stomach…"

"Wait a minute!" Persephone exclaimed, having heard Audie's question.

The older version of Mal chuckled as she looked over at the Goddess. "Hi mom. And to answer Audrey's question, yes. I'm pregnant."

One would have thought a bunch of pigs had been slaughtered by the multitude of squeals that had been emitted. Estelle whined slightly and covered his ears.

"Audrey!" Leah exclaimed as Audie hugged the older version of Mal once more before Persephone quickly rushed up to hug her daughter.

"Oh congratulations," Persephone said before breaking the hug. "But now I guess the question is, how do we address you?"

"I don't understand…"

"Well there's two version of me so I told everyone to call me 'Audie'," Audie spoke up. "It'll be confusing having two Ben's and two Mal's."

"Ah. Well then just call me Malinda."

"And you can call me Benji," the older version of Ben said. "Now then…why are we in the room of the Fates?"

"Good question young King," the voices of the Fates rang from the eyeball still floating above them. "We brought you here as we know the contents of the scrolls you're to read and they now go past the point in the timeline that we brought the audience from."

"That was in no way helpful," Hades said.

"We're now going to read the future," Audie said with a shrug. "Once you've watched the future version of yourself fight a dragon version of Mal, you get pretty used to being exposed to what might happen."

Malinda stared at her for a second. "Yeah…what she said…including the dragon thing, I'm sorry what world did I fall into?"

"I'm sorry but can we go back to the whole pregnant thing?" Uma exclaimed. "You said you'd never have kids!"

"Yeah well you always said you'd never get married cuz. Things change," Malinda said with a small chuckle as Uma stared at the older version of her cousin in shock.

"Who is it? Who's the groom?" Jay asked with a grin.

"Now, now Jay, like you don't already know. Who else could marry Uma without earning a hook to the stomach?"

Malinda chuckled once more as Jay and Mal hopped up in celebration. Though to be fair to them, they had been dealing with their friends' denial for many, many years.

"Our suffering will end! They'll finally see the light!" Mal exclaimed.

"You are so dramatic," Uma told her, shaking her head.

"Like Macaria said, being dramatic doesn't run in the family. It gallops," Mal smirked. "I don't even care that I broke my vow if it means you finally got over your denial!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that vow," Malinda said as she gently rested a hand on her stomach. "Trust me, live in Auradon for a few years with your crew by your side and a very devoted husband who wants to make you happy, you'll change your tune pretty quickly."

Harry smiled as he heard that. "We join you then I take it?"

"Of course!" Malinda nodded before giving Evie a small smile. She knew exactly what was going on in the blue haired girl's life at that point after all—and she could only hope that she could make it better.

"Uh…Mal's smiling at Evie and it doesn't look like she's about to pelt her with smoke bombs," Carlos said, his voice soft as his eyes went wide from shock.

"Of course I did! She's crew after all, same with you Carlos," Malinda told him.

Uma shook her head. "Okay so pregnancy has clearly made Mal's brain all wonky. Also, should we be concerned that Beastie and Belle haven't let go of the new girl?"

"That's…that's Abby," Benji said, his voice soft as he smiled at the sight. "That's my sister."

"The sister Belle…oh. Oh!"

Benji nodded. The one thing he always felt a little guilty about was the fact that he'd been able to at least talk to his sister while his parents had to be content with a photo. Malinda rested a hand gently on his shoulder, knowing where his mind had gone.

"It'll be okay," she said.

"I hope so," he told her. "Especially if we're supposedly reading about the future. Or their future I should say. Wait I just realized something…"

"Who's watching the kingdom while we do our reading?"

"Exactly. It's like you read my mind."

"Well we have been married for about three years Benny. Comes with the territory I would think."

"There is no way you're married!" Leah exclaimed. "Ben and Audrey are under a contract, there is no way this spawn is even legitimate if it even is Ben's—."

"Dear Gods, are you still on about that contract?" Abby snapped, glaring at the geriatric royal. "My brother deserves the chance to be happy in his relationships and not feel like he has to be in one just because you're obsessed with seeing Audrey in power!"

"Abby, calm down," Benji said, looking over at his sister.

"No I will not calm—."

"If you get Mal riled up Abby, you're dealing with the hour long rant about anything and everything under the sun," Benji said and then looked up at the floating eyeball. "Excuse me? Your fatefulnesses? Could we please have a snack or something? I'd rather not have my pregnant wife go hungry. Also, who is watching the kingdom while we're here?"

"Ben," Malinda said with a fond smile. "I can handle going without food. I've done it before."

"Don't care. You're my wife, I'm making sure you get food."

"Of course King Ben. As for your kingdom, you needn't worry. To everyone else, it's as if you and Queen Mal never left," the voice of the Fates came out of the eyeball which pulsed once before revealing a bowl of strawberries.

"Thank you ladies," Malinda said with a grin as she made a beeline to the bowl.

Benji nodded before turning to Leah, his eyes narrowing. "Mal is my wife and the mother of my child. I can assure you madam that our marriage is legitimate. For that matter, consider where you are. Do you really want to insult the grandchild and great grandchild of the Gods? Not to mention upset a pregnant woman with magic?"

"Ben it's okay," Malinda said as she took his hand, the other hand holding a strawberry. "Honestly let her rant. It's almost nostalgic considering everything—it's not like she can change anything. Let her think she has more power than she does if it'll make her happy."

"Mal, I'd rather not have her upset you. Not with our child in there," Benji said, his voice soft as he rested his hand on her stomach.

"Leah's a fleabite considering everything and at least there's nothing your little firefly can make explode."

Benji sighed and kissed the top of Malinda's head. "I know she's a fleabite but…with happened with my sister…the stress Leah put mom under…"

"I know…don't worry, she even thinks of harassing me that much, she'll get smote before she can blink," Malinda said, her voice gentle as she looked at her husband. "Our child will be fine Benny. I promise, the minute I think something's wrong I'll tell you."

"Now honestly! I really think—."

"Queen Leah, I'd consider your next words very carefully," Beast said, his voice low and hard as he looked at Leah. "You indirectly killed my daughter, made me go against my conscience and put my son in a contract that clearly makes him miserable but you're not going to be the reason my son loses his child!"

"Dad, really you don't—."

"Ben, she's had this coming for years," Abby said. "Besides, dad has never let loose like this from what I've seen. Ergo, let him rant."

"Gotta say, it's weird hearing Mal referred to as someone's wife. And Harry and Uma are married too," Jay said, shaking his head. "Guess I didn't want to break all the girls' hearts by getting married."

"Oh no you're married too. Your wife's just not pregnant, you're both focused on your careers," Malinda said with a smirk as she took a bite of a strawberry.

"Oho! Who's the lucky lass?" Harry asked as he patted Jay on the back.

"I'm sure it'll come up," Malinda said as her eyes flickered over to Lonnie for a split second.

"What about Evie?!" Dizzy asked with a small squeal.

"Same boat," Malinda said with a small chuckle at the younger girl's enthusiasm. "She's married but focusing more on her fashion business before having kids."

"My what?" Evie asked in astonishment.

Malinda smiled. "Your fashion business. Thank the Gods you branched into maternity clothing, otherwise I'd be swarmed every time I go out shopping."

"You and Blueberry get along?" Mal asked.

"Of course," Malinda nodded. "Keeping a grudge because we weren't invited to a party? Who are we? The Dragon?"

"Okay, here's a tough one. What about Emir and Akiho?" Ben asked, chuckling a little at the looks his best friends gave him as Mal stared at the future version of herself with her jaw dropped.

They can be as offended as they want, but the more that people are talking about the future, the less likely it is that mom and dad will remember that they wanted to talk with me, he thought.

"Happily married and expecting kids," Benji said with a small smile.

"They've got to keep up with Benny after all, though they ran late on proposing. I think we were engaged for almost a year before Akiho and Emir proposed to their girls," Malinda added.

"What about Chad?" Alexandria asked with a grin. "Oh and Kitty and Lucy?! And Ashaki and Phil and Melody and—?"

"Okay, okay, breathe Alex," Malinda said as Cinderella and Kit gave their youngest daughter a fond smile. "Chad's married and trying for kids, Kitty's married with one son, Lucy just got married and as for Phil and Melody…I'll let the scrolls explain. More than likely it'll be there."

"I'm married?!" Chad blurted out before Alexandria could ask about why the scrolls would explain about Phil and Melody.

"Oh so you and Ginny finally got out of your denial?" Audie asked with a grin as she looked over at Chad. "Good for you Chad. She's good for you."

"Who's Ginny?!"

"Ginny Gothel," Audie and Malinda said at the same time.

"Chad ends up married to a VK?!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed as Chad's jaw dropped in shock.

"Oh right, he's still in his anti-VK phase isn't he?" Audie asked. "Well like I said, she's good for you Chad. You'll see."

Chad shrugged. He didn't really believe them but it wasn't worth arguing—he didn't want to see if the disappointed puppy eyes from Ben had gotten worse as he got older. "Oh since we're talking about future partners, what about Alex?"

"She's the furthest behind but she is involved with someone."

"Ooh! Who? Who?" Kitty and Lucy asked with a grin.

"In the spirt of keeping the shock factor down, I'll let you figure it out," Malinda said with a chuckle as her eyes flickered to Hadie.

"…I'm pregnant?" Elle asked, her voice soft and her eyes shining with unshed tears as she looked at Malinda.

Malinda nodded. "Your due date is a month after mine. I promise you Elle, you're pregnant. Akiho spent about five hours dancing around Ben's office in excitement when he told us the news."

"And yes, we know that you regret nothing," Benji said with a fond smile as Ariel brought Elle in for a hug.

"I'm sorry, I know this is a happy moment for Poseidon's family but Mal, can you please let your mother quiz you on your pregnancy before she bursts?" Hades asked with a small chuckle as he looked over at Persephone.

Malinda grinned as she looked over at her parents. "Of course. Ask away mom…and dad, are you actually in a room with Poseidon and Zeus and neither one have been smote?"

"How far along are you honey? Boy or girl? Do you know yet? How're you feeling?" Persephone asked, sounding almost like a dam breaking.

Malinda chuckled as she rested a hand on her stomach once again. "I'm about three months mom. We don't know if they're a boy or a girl yet but we will be finding out. I'm feeling okay now…had a bad bout of morning sickness for the first couple of months. The main thing now is with their added magic I can barely touch anything without it exploding."

"We've gone through three alarm clocks because of the added magic. Thank Gods for Dean and the fact that Estelle now knows our schedule," Benji added.

"And on that note, come 'ere boy. I know it's confusing," Malinda said with a chuckle as Estelle looked between her and her younger self. He came over, looking slightly confused but giving her his typical grin after smelling her.

"Good boy. How've you been huh? You've been taking care of younger me? Yeah? Whatcha think? You up for the babysitting job again in the future?" Malinda asked as Estelle snuffled her belly.

Estelle yipped softly and wagged his tail, still gently snuffling her belly and giving her hand a small lick as well.

"Oh and Queen Leah, let it be known that if you call my grandchild a spawn or illegitimate again, you'll be spending the rest of your bitter days as dead grass," Persephone said, her fond smile turning into an icy glare.

"Mom, her words don't matter. If you've all found out the information I think you have, she has no more power to do anything but spout annoyances," Malinda said.

"Persephone, you don't have to keep a grudge against her," Demeter said. "That's what you have me for after all."

Persephone nodded at her mother before turning back to the older version of her daughter. "Do you have a name picked out?"

"If they're a boy…we're going to name them Maurice Benjamin Adam and if they're a girl…Stephanie Isabelle Hailey. We wanted to make sure all the grandparents are included."

"Stephanie?" Mal asked before her eyes grew wide in realization. "After mom!"

"Got it in one," Malinda nodded.

"As long as the child's healthy, that's all I care about," Persephone told her as Belle smiled at the thought of her grandchild being named after her father. "Congratulations Mali."

"Thanks mom," Malinda said with a small smile that turned into a slight grimace as the baby kicked. "Ooh, really? Right in the kidneys pup?"

"Pup?" Hades asked.

Malinda nodded. "We haven't gotten the ultrasound done yet to see if they're a boy or a girl but neither Ben or I feel comfortable calling our baby 'it'. So we came up with nicknames. I use pup since the Cerberus is a symbol of you dad. And Ben uses 'firefly' as a combination of my ability to fly and his dragon obsession."

"Oh he still has that?" Audie asked with a smile.

"Sure does," Malinda nodded.

"Hey what about Chip?" Ben asked as the conversation seemed to almost come to a lull. Lulls were dangerous, they might remind his parents that they wanted to talk to him. "Anything new in his future?"

"I'm not exactly sure I want to know," Lucas teased. "What if you're marrying someone who's not me?"

"…I'm sorry what?" Chip asked, staring at Lucas in shock.

"Yeah…oh wait. Everyone in here knows right?"

"The VKs probably are the…the only ones who don't," Chip sighed.

Harriet shrugged. "What? You think we'd have an issue with that?"

"Yeah that seems like something Freddy would have an issue but that's about it," Mal nodded. "He dies at some point right? Freddy I mean?"

"That would be spoilers," Malinda told her younger self.

"Oh come on!"

Benji chuckled. "Now that Mal's given us her King Eugene impression, does anyone have any other questions?"

"Malinda never answered the question about Chip!" Ben said.

Benji shook his head and leaned close to Ben's ear. "You think I don't know what you're doing? Let me guess…mom and dad found out you missed dinner and slept at your desk? I've got some unfortunate news for you. That's not going to be something they're likely to forget, no matter how excited mom is over knowing she'll have a grandchild in a few years or getting to hear Abby's voice."

Ben sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "…they don't need to worry about it though. I was fine—."

"They're your parents. They're going to worry about you overworking yourself. Besides, how can you plan on running the kingdom properly if you don't take care of yourself?"

"You've heard that speech before haven't you?"

"I can recite it line by line," Benji said with a small smile. "Doesn't change the fact that it's true. Yes dad needs the chance to mourn Abby but how do you think he'd feel if something happened to you because you were overworking yourself to prepare for coronation? You think he wants you to work yourself to an early grave? To join Abby before your time?"

"But…but I'm not…I mean…the work still needs to be done and it's not like I can give up school. I'm already giving up Tourney and R.O.A.R to be King. Everyone says I need to learn to delegate but who do I delegate to?"

"That's what your council is for Ben," Benji said with a small smile. "I'm sure mom and dad can help you figure out a way to delegate things while keeping some of your duties. As for your workaholic tendencies, don't give me that look I am you you know, let me suggest a strategy Mal got me trying that really works. Set a loud alarm at lunch and dinnertime that repeatedly goes off until you physically turn it off."

"And if I agree, you won't bring up the fact that mom and dad haven't talked to me about the whole sleeping at my desk thing?"

"Depends. Have Emir and Akiho brought up the Imperial Academy game yet?"

"Yes."

"Lead with that next time. As much as I think you should have that talk, I don't think we're in the mood for a seven hour lecture about that game," Benji said, shaking his head.

"Thank you!" Ben said, nodding firmly.

"Okay, so who wants to continue reading?" Benji asked as he looked at the rest of the room as he swiped a strawberry from Malinda's bowl.

All of the fathers in the room stared at Benji, their eyes wide and their jaws dropped.

"Ben, a word of advice. Never, ever take the food of a pregnant woman," Beast said as he looked at the older version of his son.

"Dad, if Mal eats all the strawberries in Auradon, our child will be a strawberry," Benji chuckled as Malinda rolled her eyes.

"I'm not that bad!"

"Agree to disagree," Benji shook his head in amusement as he kissed the top of Malinda's head. "At least your cravings are easy to handle. If it's not your dad's garlic crispy chicken, it's strawberries. Or chocolate covered strawberries if you want something sweet."

Malinda chuckled and kissed his cheek. "You are completely ridiculous you know that?"

"Ridiculous and in love with you," Benji said, resting a hand on her stomach. "In love with both my girls."

"Ben you know we haven't had an ultrasound yet."

"Doesn't matter. I've got a feeling that soon there'll be a mini Mal running around the castle."

"Just for that, I'm sure we'll have a mini Ben curling up everywhere with as many books as he can find," Malinda told him.

"I see nothing wrong with that!" Abby called to them with a grin. "I think the world could use more Bens!"

"I definitely agree with that!" Chip nodded, leaning over and giving Abby a hug. "I can't believe I didn't give you this when you first showed up."

"To be fair, you were shocked by your husband showing up," Abby teased.

"…yeah I'm not going to be used to that."

Ben chuckled. "Who wants to read next?"

"I'll read!" Abby volunteered.

"Oh yeah, she's your kid," Chip said with a chuckle, looking over at Beast and Belle.

Chapter 36 Chapter Text

Abby reached over to the pile of scrolls to grab one but before she could unfurl it, Chip sprung to his feet.

"I'm sorry but I just realized something! Ben's wife isn't Audrey!"

Lucas shook his head. "No matter the timeline, you never change. Honestly if you hadn't gotten to be friends with Audie here, I think you'd probably react the same way."

"I'm sorry…what?"

Benji shook his head fondly. "There it is. I wondered how long it would sink in for those three."

"But Chip's the only one…and now Emir and Akiho are on their feet too," Malinda chuckled. "Seriously? I know for a fact one of you is an adult."

Ben shook his head and sighed. "Guys, come on. Audrey's in the room, tone it down will you?"

Jasmine and Kristoff shook their heads. "Emir, Akiho, sit down."

"Yes mom."

"Got it dad."

Emir, Chip, and Akiho sat down, all the while chanting 'Ben's free from Audrey' under their breath.

Abby held up a finger to indicate she needed a minute, she'd been laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

"What's the date of your wedding or even your engagement? It must go on my calendar!" Chip asked Malinda.

"Maybe it's in the scrolls," Malinda said with a small chuckle.

"You mean you guys didn't get engaged on VK Day?" Audie asked.

Malinda shrugged. "I don't know what date that is."

"Ben's free from Audrey…Ben's free from the Banshee…"

"Guys!" Ben barked. He knew they were happy for his future break up but Audrey was still in the room and didn't deserve that.

Emir, Akiho, and Chip grew silent at that—not wanting to risk Ben going Beast on them.

"I'll read now," Abby said, smothering the last few remaining chuckles.

Mal and Jay made their way to the limo, which oddly enough was parked near Maleficent's castle.

"Makes sense though," Rowyn said. "If they're going to pick up who they think is Maleficent's daughter, they'd want to be parked near Maleficent's castle."

Mal wasn't going to lie, it was more than a little nerve wracking being this close to the Dragon without knowing exactly what her plan was. Because of course she'd have a plan or a scheme.

"Aren't schemes and plans the same thing?" Dizzy asked.

Jay put a hand on Mal's shoulder, causing the smaller purple haired girl to give him a small smile.

"Hey, it might be okay," Jay whispered and Mal rolled her eyes.

"And clearly I was right," Jay said, gesturing to Malinda and Benji.

Malinda chuckled. "Yes, yes, take a bow Jay."

"Jay, I'm honestly giving us forty eight hours before Boreadon kicks us back to the Isle," she muttered.

"Oh man was I wrong there," Malinda chuckled. "I think it's been what? Seven years?"

"Seven years?!" Leah exclaimed.

"Oh my, is there an echo i here?" Malinda asked, glaring daggers at Leah.

"And I swear, if they make me room with Blueberry…"

"Do they?" Mal asked, looking at Malinda.

"Gods I forgot how much I hated Evie when I was younger," Malinda shook her head.

"You don't know that they will," Jay told her. "But if they do, you can always hang out in my room during the day."

"It was a logical guess though," Benji said. "School policy is that boys and girls can't room together and since I brought over two boys and two girls…"

"But I wanted to room AKs and VKs," Ben said with a sigh. "I thought it would help to eliminate some of the divide between the two worlds."

Malinda looked over at him. "Then who's the reason for the change? That's a great idea."

"Oh dear," Fairy Godmother sighed. "That was me. I thought it might be more of a comfort for you kids if you were starting off with someone from home as a roommate."

"And I can't even fault her for that," Mal muttered before speaking up. "So…who were we going to get as roommates?"

Ben chuckled. "So Jay was going to be paired up with Li, one of our Tourney teammates. Carlos was going to be paired with Neal, Evie was going to be paired with Emma, and Mal you were going to be paired with either Lonnie or Kitty. I was waiting to hear back to see if they were okay with it when Fairy Godmother brought up the change."

"And maybe even at night," Mal muttered.

Ben hoped the frown that was on his face wasn't obvious. Mal hanging around Jay's bedroom at night had a whole different meaning.

Benji chuckled and leaned over to mutter in Ben's ear. "So…you think she's dating Jay?"

"What?! No! I mean…how obvious is it?" Ben asked with a small sigh.

Benji shook his head. "Only to me and that's just because I am you. Trust me though. You're wrong."

"Of course," Jay nodded. "I doubt DeVil would complain anyway, considering the protection he gets from us. It would be just like the clubhouse back when you were five, only minus Uma and Harry."

"You know Jay's pretty much assuming he'd be rooming with Carlos there," Kitty pointed out.

"Yeah well it's a safe assumption," Jay said with a shrug. "I didn't really think you all would want to room with a VK after all."

Mal nodded but she couldn't help but sigh as she looked once more around the Isle. She hated to sound mushy but she was really going to miss her home.

Mal shrugged. "It may be a hellscape piece of rock but I lived there for sixteen years."

"I'm with you," Jay said softly as to not be overheard.

"Thanks Jay. And I'm with you," Mal told him, matching his tone as they fought through the crowd of lower classed villains gathered by the limo.

Ben couldn't help the small frown that appeared as he heard that. Yes he knew that the older version of him said that Jay and Mal weren't dating but that didn't mean that they weren't dating at that part in the scroll.

"Seriously Ben?" Akiho asked, whacking him lightly on the shoulder. "You do see that there's an older version of you with a wedding ring sitting next to a pregnant Mal right? Nothing's going on with Jay and Mal."

"Let's show Boreadon who's boss," Jay said with a smirk.

"Gladly," Mal said, a wicked grin growing on her face.

"See Ben?! They're just planning to make trouble and you're find with them coming over?!"

"Okay so I did not miss the ear piercing shrieks," Malinda muttered, glaring at Audrey.

The grin slipped when she happened to look up to see Maleficent looking back at her from the balcony. The Dragon didn't do anything, just looked at her as if sizing her up.

"Keep away from her Maleficent," Hades growled.

"Dad, she didn't do anything," Mal said, shaking her head.

Mal forced herself to look away and piled into the limo, keeping her distance from Evie.

"What else is new?" CJ asked, shaking her head.

Carlos gave a shy wave; while he was under the crew's protection and therefore couldn't be touched by the other gangs of VKs on the Isle, he wasn't officially part of the the crew. Of course Mal had a feeling he didn't mind; Gil was under that same umbrella and both boys were fairly close. They were both creative at least—Carlos with technology and Gil with crafts. It was the youngest Gaston boy who got Ursula's necklace put back together after all.

Carlos nodded. "Yeah Gil's really good at craft stuff. Whenever Mal or Uma ask for something done, he's the one usually asked. I partnered with him when Mal asked me to design the flair guns to keep the Warf Rats safe from Shere Khan after all."

"Only thing Fish for Brains is good for," Harry muttered.

"Hey DeVil," Jay said with a nod.

"DeVil," Mal said softly, giving a small nod in his direction.

Lucas chuckled. "Remind me to start getting people to shout 'hail Satan' whenever Carlos walks into a room."

"I think Chip's had too much influence on you," Audie shook her head.

She of course ignored Evie. As much as she hated the blue haired girl, the last thing she'd want was to cause a fight in such a contained environment.

She'd win of course but that was besides the point.

"The only reason you'd win in a fight is because Evie hasn't been trained to fight like you have," Malinda told Mal.

"Mal," Carlos said softly. "You hungry?"

Mal shrugged. "Depends. Did Boreadon provide food?"

"Yes?" Carlos said but it sounded like a question as he gestured to an array of brightly colored squares and items on small sticks. Mal and Jay looked at the items before looking at each other, as if questioning if they should take one.

"You didn't happen to see if there was any blue sour taffy?" Uma asked Mal.

Mal shook her head. "I didn't get a good look. Sorry Uma."

"I had food at Lord Hades' restaurant before this," Mal said after a few minutes of silence while Jay reached for one of the items. "They can't honestly call that food?"

Carlos shrugged. "At least it's better than their garbage," he muttered.

"Good point," Mal muttered.

"Wow, looks like the pup's got some bite to his bark," Harry said, shaking his head.

"It's…not that bad actually Mal," Jay said as he nibbled on one of the offered items. "Try something. It's sweet, that's all."

Mal rolled her eyes but took one of the offered items. Sweet things were rare on the Isle after all. Boreadon rarely threw out their candy. Hmm…it wasn't bad.

"Not bad," she muttered as she tilted her head, chewing away. "Not as good as Lord Hades' food but not bad."

"I don't think there's much that could be described as better than Lord Hades' food," Harry said.

"I can agree with that," Harriet nodded.

"Agreed," Jay nodded and Mal sighed as she leaned back in her seat.

"Gods Jay, what are they playing at? Inviting us to Boreadon?" Mal muttered.

Jay shrugged. "Press gimmick?"

"Has to be. It's been twenty years and all of a sudden they care about the Isle?"

"The day Ben willingly has a press gimmick is the day the Earth flies into the sun," Chip said.

"Maybe it won't be so bad?" Evie spoke up with a smile. "I mean, with the perfect princes…"

Mal scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Blueberry, you and I seem to have different ways to pronounce 'prissy'. Just do us all a favor and stay out of our way when we get there."

"That was rather rude," Rachel said, looking at Mal.

Mal shrugged. "Being rude on the Isle is a second language."

Malinda sighed. "Sorry E…"

Evie frowned but grew silent.

Good, Mal thought. It'll make the ride that much better without her yammering.

"Are…are there really dogs in Auradon?" Carlos spoke up after a few minutes.

"From what I've heard, yeah," Mal nodded. No one under the crew's protection met Estelle, as Mal wanted to keep the people who knew to a minimum. Carlos, for his timidness, was no idiot. He'd be able to put together the clues of Mal walking around with a Cerberus. Even if no one else on the Isle had.

"You know the saying, beware the quiet ones," Neal nodded.

"Oh," Carlos said and grew silent. The whole limo grew silent for a few minutes before Jay noticed something through the windshield, quickly looking away.

"Don't look out the window," he muttered to Mal, who tensed at the command.

"What's wrong?" Mal muttered back.

"There's no more road."

"What?!" Hades exclaimed. "Mal, Jay, get out of the car!"

"Use the mental link Mal!" Persephone said, tears coming to her eyes at the thought of almost losing her daughter. Yes she was immortal by that point but she still could not swim and if the limo went into the water…she didn't want to think about it. "Call us! We'll get you—both of you! Actually all of you for that matter!"

"Jay, I swear to all the Gods, get out of that car!" Harry shouted, Milah holding him close. He didn't care about his rep at that moment—all he knew was that Boreadon was going to take his best friends from him the way they took his mother.

"Harry, calm down," Jay said gently. "I'm okay."

"Mom, dad, it's okay. I'm okay," Mal added.

What?! Mal thought and, against her better judgement, looked out the windshield herself. They're trying to kill us! So this is their plan—make us relaxed by making us think we're finally getting off the Isle and then kill us by dropping us in the water. Pretty dark actually, if you think about it. Sacrificing one of their own to kill off four villain kids!

"Oh honestly if we were going to kill you there'd be no reason to waste a perfectly good driver," Leah scoffed.

"That's…that's almost reassuring in a way," Hera frowned. That was odd coming from Leah, when was the other sandal going to drop?

"We'd make sure he had a life jacket."

"There it is."

"I don't think you're the best person to make that kind of comment, Leah," Benji said, his eyes narrowing at his almost-grandmother in law.

She couldn't help but subtly grab Jay's arm, after the events at the docks she had never been near water unless she could help it. Her trips to Ursula's Chip Shoppe were the rare exceptions and her dad only allowed those trips if she was with Uma, Harry or Jay-and even then she made sure Harry or Uma were always on the side closest to the water. Jay subtly put his arm around Mal, as if covering her body with his.

Mal looked over at Jay. "Jay, I'm immortal. You should have thought about yourself."

"Mal, being immortal doesn't magically give you the power to swim," Jay told her. "You mattered more than I did."

"It's a trap!" Carlos exclaimed, finally noticing the lack of road himself but nothing happened as the four VKs began to panic. Instead the limo was awash in golden light.

Rapunzel gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "You…you thought we were going to kill you?"

"You all left us alone on an Isle for twenty years. What were we supposed to think?" Jay asked with a shrug.

"Wait, what just happened?" Mal asked, shocked they weren't plummeting to a watery grave.

"It must be magic!" Evie gushed and looked over her shoulder. Mal rolled her eyes but had to agree, even if she wouldn't voice out loud. She wouldn't give Blueberry that satisfaction.

Emma rolled her eyes. "You know you can admit when she's right, it won't kill you."

"Hey, did that button just open the magic barrier?" Evie asked the driver, pointing to one of the buttons on the ceiling.

"No," the driver told her and held up a remote. "This one opens up the magic barrier, that one opens my garage and this one…"

He pressed another button and a divider went up, separating the four VKs from the driver.

"Honestly!" Belle exclaimed. "I'll be having a talk with that driver, you kids didn't deserve to be treated so rudely!"

"Oh just like we didn't deserve to be imprisoned on an Isle meant to keep villains just for the crime of being born?" Uma asked with a faux-sweet tone to her voice.

"Okay, nasty. I like that guy," Mal chuckled. How could she not? It was so…not Boreadon-y that she had to smirk. Jay chuckled and even Carlos had to nod as Evie sat back down with a small pout.

Malinda chuckled slightly. "Sorry Evie, I know I shouldn't laugh but I forgot how much I liked that driver."

"Serves Blueberry right," Mal muttered to Jay. "But…why's she asking about the barrier?"

Because if I don't find a way to bring down the barrier, Maleficent'll…I don't want to think about what she'll do to my dad, Evie thought. It helped that Snow knew but it didn't change the fact that it had to be done.

"Curiosity?" Jay suggested but he had a frown on his face, as if something wasn't sitting right with him.

"It's not a crime to be curious though," Neal said, shaking his head.

"Since when is Blueberry curious about anything but boys and makeup?"

Jay shrugged. "We'll keep an eye on her."

"I mean, not that she has the brain cells to do anything right?" Mal scoffed.

"You can be girly and still have brain cells," Lucy said as she looked over at Mal.

"Don't underestimate anyone Mal," Jay muttered. "It could end up with us getting a stab in the back. Don't forget, it's the exact same trick my dad played back in Agrabah."

"I know Jay," Mal nodded. "But still…it's Blueberry we're talking about. If it's not about a boy or makeup, she doesn't care."

"That's not true!" Dizzy exclaimed.

"Maybe it was a one time fluke," Jay muttered, nodding his head. "Still, our parents underestimated people and got put on the Isle for it…"

"True." Mal sighed. "We'll keep an eye on her then."

The ride to Auradon Prep continued on in silence, Mal wincing slightly at how bright everything was.

Note to self: include sunglasses for the next group, Ben thought to himself.

"We will definitely need sunscreen," she muttered under her breath. Well maybe Jay wouldn't but DeVil definitely would. So would she. Blueberry probably already had some packed if any showed up in the last barge, wouldn't want her perfect skin ruined by the sun.

"Huh…I didn't even think about that," Ben said with a small frown. "That living without sun all your lives would have made it so your skin would be more susceptible to burning."

"I'll swipe some as soon as we get out of the limo," Jay promised, having heard the mutter. "Gods, how do they live with this?"

"How do you think?" Mal told him. "They're used to it. Probably just like they're used to sending us their garbage."

"Let's make the most of it huh? Hey, maybe we could sneak some fresh stuff over to Harry and Uma," Jay whispered to her.

"We'd definitely appreciate that!" Uma said and Harry nodded.

"I like the sound of that Jay," she whispered back with a smirk.

Jay smirked back at her as he pocketed some more of the oddly colored food for later. "So…what do you think Beastie Jr's going to be like?"

"Stuck up," Mal muttered.

"Okay so I was wrong again," Malinda chuckled and kissed Benji on the cheek. "I think if you looked up the definition of 'stuck up' in the dictionary, you'd find Ben's name as an antonym."

"Well that goes without saying," Jay scoffed. "After all, he is the crown prince of Boreadon."

"So Jay, how do those words taste?" Lucas asked with a small chuckle.

"Like I said Jay, this is probably just a press stunt," Mal sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Earth flies into sun," Chip repeated.

"Besides, there's no way Beastie is actually stepping down for a sixteen year old to take his place."

She was referring, of course, to the announcement that had gone out the year before.

"Dad, dad, dad! Did you hear the news?" Mal asked as she ran into the Underworld, Estelle at her heels.

"Do tell. What gossip has Boreadon deemed worthy to feed us this time? Must be something juicy to get that reaction from you," Hades said, in the midst of trying out a new recipe for the restaurant.

"Lord Hades, how many does your restaurant have?" Kitty asked. "It seems like every time you're introduced lately, you're working on another recipe."

Hades shrugged. "You know I don't know. Right now I know I've got the fish, and the chicken, and the meatballs…"

"And the curly fries!" Mal and Harry added with a grin.

"Beast is stepping down from the throne! Beastie Jr.'s going to be king!" Mal exclaimed, sliding into the kitchen as she was trying to stop.

Aziz shook his head. "Yeah I still don't know how that can be considered a good idea, to make a then fifteen year old King."

"It was my idea, I offered," Ben said.

"It may have been your idea but your parents could have still said no, Ben," Lonnie told him.

Hades' head snapped up from the recipe. "He what?!"

"The coronation's next year," Mal said. "The Dragon may already know because of her spies but I grabbed the announcement before she could see it yesterday."

Despite the update to the registry, they had decided it was probably better for Mal's safety if she made occasional appearances at Maleficent's castle. Thankfully, it was only once or twice a month.

Persephone shook her head. "That's still too often for my liking."

"Well….that is surprising. No doubt he's just a mini Beast though, I doubt much will change here. Good job hiding it from the Dragon though."

"Really Hades?" Persephone sighed. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Judging a child based on your dislike of their parent."

Mal sighed. "Dad…is it wrong to hope Beastie Jr. will be better than his dad?"

"There's nothing wrong with hoping for a better life," Cinderella said, her voice soft.

"No. You're young Mal, it's natural."

"But I've been on the Isle for fifteen years. I should be more vicious shouldn't I? Or at least more realistic? That's what the Dragon says when I grace her with my presence at least."

"Just like I told you that you shouldn't change for Boreadon, don't change for the Dragon either Mali," Hades said.

"Maleficent's brain is basically 'be evil, be evil, be evil' Mali. It's better to not follow her world view."

"But if I'm not going to leave the Isle, I…I'll need to toughen up even more right?" Mal asked, sitting down at the counter. "I mean, being nice only earns you a rep as an easy target around here."

"It also earns you genuine allies like Henry and the Warf Rats," Malinda pointed out.

"Mali, think of it this way. You're ruthless when you need to be but you treat your minions decently don't you?"

"Ruthless yet Loyal, I've heard of that," Benji said with a small smile as he looked at Malinda.

"Well yeah," Mal nodded. "I mean Uma's not a minion, she's family and we have to make sure Harry and Jay don't hurt themselves picking a fight with the wrong person. Besides someone has to look after DeVil and Gil so they don't get hurt—DeVil because he's too timid and Gil because…well because he's Gil."

Harriet sighed and gave Harry a look. "Now's not the time for an hour long rant about Gil."

Harry opened his mouth but then noticed the looks he was getting from both Uma and his mother. "Yes Harriet."

"That's my point. It's a better way to survive by not being completely evil. Having people who are loyal to you is better than ruling by fear and getting stabbed in the back."

"Oh can that happen to Freddy? Because he seems to only rule by fear," Harry said, perking up slightly.

"Or the front in the Dragon's case," Mal pointed out with a smirk. As much as she hated Aurora and her family, she wasn't going to lie—Phillip stabbing her birth giver with his sword was her favorite part of that story.

Phillip Sr. smiled slightly as he heard that. Yes it was sad that Mal's favorite part of the story was Maleficent getting stabbed but at least he was able to give her a bit of joy.

"Hmph," Audrey scoffed. "Figures the VK would like the stabbing and not the romantic True Love's Kiss."

"But dad, you have a minion who's name is literally Panic and you were never betrayed by him."

"Panic's jumpy, yes, but he also knows I have his back. Of course I have to now, considering he's family being married to Vanessa and all."

"I'm sorry what?" Lucas asked.

Malinda grinned. "I knew having those cards made would be worth it," she said as she fished out her wallet. Opening it up, she handed Lucas a laminated card about the size a business card would be.

"Yes Panic has a child with Vanessa. No we don't know how that's possible. Yes others were just as confused as you were," Lucas read.

"I don't know why but I got the whim to have them made up. Benny here thought it was pregnancy brain," Malinda chuckled.

"Oh." Mal said. "Wait, does this mean I have to be nice to Blueberry?"

"No, it means you keep eyes on her and only retaliate if she starts something."

Mal looked a little unsure about that. "Dad, this is the daughter of the Evil Queen remember? I don't trust her as far as I can throw her."

"No throwing Evie to see just how far you can," Persephone said quickly.

"Aww mom!"

"And that's why I'm saying you don't have to be nice to her."

"Oh that's easy," Mal smirked and then looked around. "Where's Hadie? I thought that little storm cloud would have been by my side the second I slid in here?"

Mal sighed slightly—she'd still have to come up with a new nickname for her brother since she wasn't sure if he was still comfortable with storm cloud.

"Three, two, one," Hades counted, chuckling at Mal's nickname for her brother—what used to be a derogatory name had turned into a term of endearment. A blue blur slid into the kitchen and Mal smirked as her nine almost ten year old brother ran in.

"Mali!"

"Hello my little beastie," Mal chuckled.

"Did you hear the news Mal?" Hadie asked, bouncing a little. "There's going to be a new king! Oh, and Dizzy's going to start working at Lady Tremaine's shop!"

"Joy," Dizzy sighed. "If only there was more to do than just sweeping all the time."

"Yeah I heard. Well the king news, not the Dizzy news," Mal nodded. "Let's hope Beastie Jr. eases up on us somewhat huh?"

"Think we'd get to go to Auradon?" Hadie asked, the grin still on his face and the bouncing getting more intense.

"I'll make sure of it it," Ben promised, giving Hadie a small smile.

"Is it possible he's had some sugar?" Mal asked Hades.

"We don't get sugar here Mali. He's hyped because of the news," Hades remarked, his tone deadpanned.

"Well that's something we'll have to fix!" Akiho said as he and Emir pulled out bars of chocolate.

"…where were you keeping those?" Mal asked, tilting her head as Kristoff and Jasmine shook their heads at their sons' antics.

"Magic!" Emir smirked as he handed a chocolate bar to Hadie.

"Mom brought some snacks from Boreadon," Hadie said. "They were good! Too sweet though."

"Do you remember what it was?" Mal muttered to Hadie. "I'll see if I can send you some."

"Your mother gave you sugar?" Hades exclaimed. "Persephone!"

"Yes dear?" Persephone walked into the kitchen. "You bellowed?"

"You hyped our nine year old up on sugar?"

Persephone looked over at Hades. "And what is wrong with giving my son a few sweet things dear? He rarely gets them."

"I gave him a few pieces," Persephone said rolling her eyes. "I did not 'hype him up' as you put it."

"I liked it!" Hadie grinned.

"Clearly," Mal smirked.

The limo came to a stop, bringing Mal out of her thoughts and she sighed. This was it. Two students and an older woman stood in front of the school to greet them as a marching band played.

"The start of one of the best days of my life," Benji said, his voice soft as he kissed Malinda's cheek.

At least we didn't come out of the limo fighting or anything. That would have been an excellent first impression, Mal thought.

"You did in my timeline," Audie chuckled. "Well Carlos and Jay did. They were fighting over what looked like a towel if I remember correctly. But yeah, not the best first impression."

She couldn't stop the smirk that came to her lips as she saw the boy's bright yellow pants. She almost pitied him. Almost being the operative word.

Ben looked down at his pants, the aforementioned bright yellow ones. "They're…they're not that bad are they?"

"Ben, let me put it to you this way," Chip said with a chuckle. "Never go into fashion."

"It's so nice to meet all of you," the boy spoke up, a kind smile on his face as he gestured to the woman standing next to him. "This is Fairy Godmother, headmistress of Auradon Prep, and I'm Ben."

"Is the introduction necessary?" Harry asked. "We only get two channels—the dungeon shopping network and Auradon News. They'll know who you are."

Benji shrugged slightly. "I didn't want to assume anything. It would have have made me look stuck up if I thought you guys already knew."

"Prince Ben!" The girl standing next to him on his other side exclaimed. "Soon to be king!"

"Gods I can't believe I used to act like that," Audie sighed, shaking her head.

"What? There's nothing wrong with being proud of and announcing your station," Audrey said with a slight scoff.

"Did you ever consider that Ben might have been deliberately avoiding using his title so the VKs might not have thought that he was only there out of obligation?" Emma shot back.

"Ah, I might have known," Mal muttered under her breath.

"You had me at prince," Evie smiled as she walked up to Ben and gave a small curtsey. "My mom's a queen which makes me a princess."

Yeah well my parents are Gods so that makes me a godling but you don't see me bragging about it, Mal thought as she rolled her eyes.

Evie winced slightly as she heard just how obvious she was in flirting with Ben.

"The Evil Queen has no royal status here and neither do you," the girl said rather harshly in Mal's opinion. Oh Blueberry deserved it, don't get her wrong. Mal was just surprised a Boreadon royal wasn't sickly sweet.

Oh she's anything but sickly sweet, Malinda thought with a small frown.

"If the Evil Queen has no royal status, then why do you still call her the Evil Queen?" Dizzy asked. "Why not use her name?"

Snow gave Evie a small smile. "There is every chance Evie that you can still get your title. Not from your mother but from me."

"Audrey!" Aurora scolded.

"What? I haven't even said this mother!" Audrey exclaimed. "The VKs had just come out of the limo when the Fates brought us here!"

"This is Audrey," Ben said quickly as if to diffuse any tension between the two groups.

"Princess Audrey, his girlfriend. Right Bennyboo?" Audrey said, grabbing Ben's hand.

"Not for long," Malinda muttered.

"Out of curiosity, where did that nickname come from Audrey?" Emma asked.

Mal fought the urge to roll her eyes but frowned slightly as Ben seemed to almost stiffen at Audrey's touch.

Hmm…that's interesting, she thought. Still she had to still smirk at the nickname. I almost pity you Beastie. Almost.

"Rest assured that nickname got retired," Benji said quickly.

Ben slipped out of Audrey's grasp and started shaking each of the VK's hands.

"It is so, so good to finally meet you all," Ben said, trying to recover from the nickname Audrey had revealed. "This is a momentous occasion, and one that I hope will go down in history as the day our two peoples begin to heal."

"Is that on the fly?" Chip asked.

"Huh?"

"You know, because she threw you off? You sound a bit awkward there and that's not normal for you."

"As soon as I can tell the future Chip, I'll tell you."

"I am from the future," Benji pointed out. "And yes, it was Chip."

"Or the day you show four peoples where the bathroom is," Mal snarked.

Ben looked over at Mal. "A bit over the top?"

"More than a bit," Mal nodded.

Malinda smiled and then winced as the baby kicked. "Yes little one, that was maman and papa's first meeting. The first step that would lead to you existing huh?"

"There's no way your marriage is even legal!" Audrey exclaimed. "Ben and I still have the contract, even if there are nonsensical talks about getting rid of it!"

"As I told your grandmother Audrey, I can assure you our marriage is legal and Mal has both the engagement and the wedding ring to prove it."

"Well so much for my first impression," Ben said with a chuckle and Mal couldn't help but give him a small smile. So far, he was a lot different than what she'd expected.

"Ben, considering I married you, I'd say you had just the right first impression," Malinda said, giving Benji a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, you're Maleficent's daughter right?" Audrey butted in, as if she was trying to break the moment.

Audie shook her head. "Oh Gods, I remember this conversation from my timeline. If I remember correctly, the next line out of my mouth is going to be something like 'Yeah you know what? I totally do not blame you for your mother trying to kill my parents and stuff. Oh, my mom's Aurora. Sleeping…'."

"…you just remembered that right off the cuff like that?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm not," Mal said, crossing her arms and she had to smirk as Ben, Audrey and Fairy Godmother froze. Sure she was about to reveal something to DeVil and Blueberry but she was going to set the record straight with these spoiled royals. "Next time you guys send invites, make sure you have the right information. If you must know, Maleficent's daughter is dead. She died at six years old but my parents didn't want your oh so generous offer to go to waste so I came."

"You could have eased us into that you know," Benji muttered to Malinda.

Malinda gave him a small smirk. "Now Benny, does that really sound like me?"

Mal wasn't going to lie, she was savoring the stunned looks she was getting not only from Sleeping Brat but from Blueberry as well.

"Be nice Mal," Jay muttered but smirked all the same. Gods, we haven't even gotten inside…

"I am being nice. I'm just giving them the facts."

"So…so who's daughter are you?" Audrey asked.

"You know, considering the fact that Lord Hades isn't listed as Mal's father in the registry, that is a fair question," Evan spoke up.

Mal smirked. "Lady Persephone's," she said with a mocking bow and she wasn't going to lie, she loved being able to say that out loud. Plus, you know, the continued stunned looks that were on Fairy Godmother, Audrey's and Ben's faces.

Uma shook her head. "You are having way too much fun there Mali."

"What? I'm clearly just straightening out the misinformation they have. Plus it's the first time I get to say that out loud somewhere that's not the Underworld."

"But anyway, now that we have cleared up my parentage, are we going to just stand here all day?"

"Oh right!" Ben exclaimed and clapped his hands together. "How bout a tour?"

"You bounced back from getting that news rather quickly," Lil Shang said. "Or will bounce back."

Benji chuckled. "My dad used to be a Beast not to mention my best friends have grown up around a flying carpet, a genie, and a giant snowman. Meeting a Godling was a Monday for me."

"Plus I think we've desensitized him to our insanity, he just rolls with the punches now," Akiho added.

Mal shrugged. "Fine."

Ben smiled and led them toward the school, Audrey clinging to his arm.

"Auradon Prep, originally built over 300 years ago and converted into a high school by my father when he became king," Ben said as they stopped by the statue of King Beast.

Right, Mal thought with an inward eye roll. Who makes a 300 year old building a school anyway? And dear Gods Brat, you can lessen the grip on his arm. Insecure much?

"That's a good question," Malinda said, looking at her father in law. "Why did you make a three hundred year old building a school?"

"…let's just say that castle holds some memories for me. I thought it would be better to put it to another use," Beast told her.

I'm guessing due to the snark in your thoughts that you've made it to Auradon? Steph's voice came through Mal's mental link, the same link all the Gods shared. Mal could only assume that since the other Gods of Olympus had no idea she existed, they had blocked her link along with Hades', Uma's and Hadie's. Otherwise, why weren't they championing for change for the Isle?

"We didn't know the Isle needed change for us to champion for," Hera said, looking over at her niece.

My thoughts are always snarky mom.

"She wouldn't be Mali if she wasn't snarky," Uma chuckled.

Not to this degree Mali. I'm so sorry I'm not there. Zeus has us stuck in a meeting of all things. If it lasts any longer, I'm going to find out if you can in fact kill a God.

"So…we'll not be having that meeting," Zeus said as Persephone glared at the God.

"Good choice."

Hades grinned. "If you do have the meeting though and Steph tries to kill you, anyway you could have a video camera rolling Zeus so I can see it?"

Demeter shook her head. "Honestly Zeus, Persephone should have been excused from that meeting. Her daughter was coming to Auradon of all places, she could have used a familiar face."

I...I will see you at some point right mom?

Athena would have to turn me into a spider to keep me away from you Mal. You're my daughter. Whenever you need me, I'll be there.

You have no idea how right you are there Mom, Malinda thought with a sad smile, as thoughts of a certain handler crossed her mind. When I need you, not even the barrier around the Isle can hold you back.

Ben clapped his hands together, an impressive feat considering the vice like grip Audrey had on his arm, and caused the statue to change from a human to a beast. Carlos screamed, jumping back into Jay and pulled Mal out of her thoughts.

"Oh gods DeVil, get a grip!" Jay griped but grabbed the smaller boy as to prevent him from falling down. "It's a statue!"

"Jay, be nice. You know he's jumpy," Mal muttered.

"Whoa…your mother did a number on you huh?" Aziz said softly, looking at Carlos.

Carlos shrugged, trying to look just as tough as Jay or Harry did. Or even Harriet, Mal, and Uma. No one ever looked at them with pity.

"Carlos…I really think you should consider therapy…" Ben said, his voice gentle.

"I'm fine," Carlos muttered as he shook his head, though he stiffed as Estelle walked over to him, resting a head on his leg.

He could sense that the omega needed some comfort even if he wouldn't admit it. Humans were stubborn that way.

"You're not fine Carlos. But that's okay," Benji said softly. "There are resources to help you come out of your shell, you just need to ask for them."

"Come on guys, DeVil says he's fine. He's always been like this so lay off okay?" Jay said. DeVil's timidness might annoy the living daylights out of me but he's under Warf Rat protection so I'm not going to let him get badgered!

"Trust me Jay, it's not a dig at him," Malinda said. "I know the smart, loyal, confident guy Carlos can be and is. He just needs a push out of his shell."

Carlos gave Malinda a small smile as he heard the compliment but sighed. "Guys seriously…I've been like this my whole life. I'm fine."

Everyone glanced at each other but dropped the subject. For now. After all, Ben was promising himself that he'd keep an eye out for Carlos…

Ben looked over at them, having heard Carlos' scream. "Carlos, it's okay. My father wanted the statue to be able to transform from beast to man to remind us that anything's possible."

"Anything's possible as long as you fit his definition of 'good' you mean," Harry scoffed.

"Yeah, not much is possible on the Isle you trapped us on," CJ snarked.

"Does he shed much?" Mal snarked as she looked up at the statue.

"Oh yeah, mom won't let him on the couch," Ben nodded, a deadpanned tone to his voice. Mal couldn't help but give Ben another look. She definitely hadn't expected that response from him. This could be interesting.

Malinda giggled slightly. "Sorry Ben but hearing that again, I forgot how snarky that was. Definitely one of the things that drew me to you."

"So do you guys have a lot of magic here in Auradon? You know like wands and things like that?" Evie spoke up, and Mal rolled her eyes. Figures Blueberry would focus on the sparkly things.

Gods I should have looked deeper into that, Malinda thought. Though it was smart of Evie, to use her already established rep as an airhead and a flirt to avoid suspicion from the three of us.

"Yeah," Ben said with a nod. "I mean, it exists of course but it's pretty much retired. Most of us are just ordinary mortals now."

"With a few Godlings thrown in there," Elle chuckled.

Hades shook his head. "That's ridiculous. What are the Godlings and other kids born with magic supposed to do? Let me guess, they have to get permission to use something they're born with?"

"Well the Godlings can come to Olympus to practice using their powers," Hera said.

"Who just happen to be kings and queens," Mal quipped.

"That's true!" Audrey beamed. "Our royal blood goes back thousands of years," she said, smiling as she made Ben's arm drape over her shoulder.

"Not all of our royal blood," Ashaki spoke up.

"Yeah, my dad's not royal at all," Akiho nodded.

"Neither's mine," Rowyn agreed. "And I don't know why we need to point that out but Ben's mom wasn't born royal either."

"Actually there're quite a few royal couples where one of the pairing wasn't born royal," Tiana spoke up. "It helps the bloodline, doing that. Otherwise you all wind up related."

Phillip Jr looked over at Audrey with a raised eyebrow. "Really? I don't think Grandmother's been teaching you your history properly. I think our royal blood only goes back two generations at the most."

"At least Grammy's teaching me and not letting me wander around on my lonesome," Audrey snapped.

Audie shook her head. "Trust me. We'd be better off if she let us go off on our lonesome."

Mal had to keep herself from rolling her eyes at the simpering fool as they made their way into the school. Okay Beastie, you need a smarter girlfriend if the one you're currently dating doesn't know she's outranked by two people in our group here. Pretty sure crown prince outranks princess and I definitely outrank her-unless she's already forgotten the little bombshell I dropped five minutes ago.

"Right, that's actually something I should have asked at the time," Malinda nodded and looked over at Aurora and Phillip Sr. "Does Audrey experience memory problems? I mean I had just told her I was a Godling not five minutes ago and she doesn't seem to be able to remember that she's outranked by at least two people there."

Plus maybe it was her imagination but Mal didn't think Ben really appreciated that 'royal blood' line.

"Knowing Ben the way we do, I can say with certainty that he did not," Akiho nodded.

"So who's idea was this press gimmick?" Mal asked as they headed inside.

"Press gimmick?" Ben asked, looking confused as he turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Like I said, the day Ben has a press gimmick is the day the Earth flies into the sun," Chip said, shaking his head.

"Bringing us over?" Mal prompted, gesturing to herself and the other VKs. "No one's cared about the Isle for twenty years and now suddenly we matter? How much attention is this whole thing going to get?"

"Mal I can assure you, this isn't a press gimmick," Ben said. "Bringing the children of the Isle of the Lost to Auradon was my idea. You guys are part of Auradon, you deserve the same chance we get. After all it's all just circumstance. You could have very well been born here but for Fate's choice."

Uma looked over at Malinda and raised an eyebrow. "Are we sure he's human?"

"I'm sure. I don't think I could have gotten pregnant if he was a robot," Malinda said with a chuckle before taking another strawberry from her bowl.

Mal shared a look with Jay, as if they didn't believe what Ben was saying. Before either of them could say anything though, Ben waved to another boy who was walking down the stairs toward them.

Benji smiled, he knew who it was who was walking toward them. Doug was one of the few people that could truly be described as a true friend. Well after Emir, Lonnie, and Akiho of course—and that was before Ben had met the VKs.

"Doug! Doug, come down!" Ben said. "Guys, Doug has your schedules and know the way to your dorms. Any questions?"

"Yeah where is Doug?" Emir asked. "If the scrolls are going to start mentioning him, you'd think he'd be here?"

"Who are we rooming with?" Mal asked. "Or do we have separate rooms?"

"Ah no," Ben said. "Carlos, you'll be rooming with Jay and Evie, you'll be rooming with Mal."

"Nope! No! Sorry but absolutely not!"

"She can room with me," Lonnie said, looking at Ben. "I mean, she's clearly not happy with rooming with Evie, Ben, and mom's already her legal contact here."

Jay quickly wrapped a hand around Mal's mouth. "That's Isle for 'thank you'," he said before whispering to Mal. "Calm down. Remember the plan—just come and see me."

"Easy to you to say, you're not rooming with Princess Blueberry!" Mal hissed, Jay's hand still covering her mouth.

"Remember why we're here Mal. It's just for a while and then you'll have Uma to room with," Jay muttered. Mal shot him a glare but nodded slightly.

Uma and Harry stared at Mal, slightly in shock. They knew of course how loyal Mal was to them but they also knew how much she hated Evie. For her to room with Blueberry just to give them a shot of getting off the Isle…

Hadie also stared at his sister. He had been subjected to many a rant about the blue haired wannabe Princess so he knew how much Mal despised her. But he also knew that Ben was the key for him to get off the Isle—and so did Mal.

"Fine."

"Great!" Ben said as Jay released his hold on Mal's mouth. "Well I'll see you guys later and if there's anything you guys need, feel free to—"

"Ask Doug," Audrey finished.

"Audrey!" Aurora scolded.

"What Audrey? Scared that Ben might actually find a girl he wants to be around if he's around us?" Malinda asked.

"Or me. As I said, this was my idea. Any concerns or questions, my door is always open," Ben said.

"And your door would be where?" Mal asked. "Should we have these supposed questions?"

"Oh look Audrey, a girl who actually cares where Ben's office is," Lonnie said, giving Audrey a look.

Ben chuckled. "Just down the left hallway, then turn right. My office'll be three doors down on the left."

"If you see a black haired or blond boy running into it or dragging Ben out of it, you've come to the right location," Emma said with a nod.

Mal nodded. She doubted she'd need it but it was good to have just in case.

"As I said, Doug knows everything anyway. Ask him. Bennyboo's very busy," Audrey said harshly as she dragged Ben off.

"First thing she's said that I agree with," Emir muttered.

"Ha," Mal muttered, rolling her eyes. "Possessive much?"

"You know, that just proves that their relationship won't work," Rowyn said. "If Audrey can't even trust Ben to let go of him for two minutes when he's around other girls."

"If she clung to him any tighter, she'd be a snake," Jay snickered.

"She is a snake," Akiho and Emir muttered.

Ben shook his head. "Come on guys…"

"But, um, don't look now but it seems dwarf boy is smitten by Blueberry."

"Of course he is. Wasn't every boy on the Dragon's side of the Isle? Probably some of the boys on our side too," Mal muttered.

"Yeah but I thought the people in Boreadon had brains," Jay muttered back. Mal snorted but her thoughts seemed to flick back to Ben without permission.

Benji smiled slightly as he heard that. He knew Malinda loved him but it was nice to know that even at the start, she was at least attracted to him.

He definitely was different than what Mal had thought a prince of Boreadon would be like.

Malinda nodded and gave Mal a small smile. "Oh yes, you're going to find that he most definitely is different than what one would think an Auradon royal would be like."

He wasn't stuck up and his welcoming attitude seemed genuine. Not to mention it had been his idea to bring kids from the Isle. Not for some press thing to make himself look good. In fact, unless they were really good at hiding, Mal didn't think there had been any press there when they arrived.

"The press aren't allowed on Auradon Prep's property unless invited by Fairy Godmother or King Beast," Snow White said.

Plus, maybe Mal was imagining it, but there was almost a silent 'help me' cry radiating from Ben when he was around his 'girlfriend' that made Mal's more protective instincts flare up.

Belle, Beast, Aurora, and Phillip Sr. all frowned slightly as they heard that. Belle and Beast frowned as their son shouldn't have a 'help me' cry when he was around his girlfriend while Aurora and Phillip frowned as Audrey shouldn't have made him feel like that.

"You see? Mal's known you for five minutes at this point and even she can sense it," Chip told Ben.

We're getting him away from this girl right? Mal thought to Uma.

Considering you marry him, I'd say that's a done deal, Uma thought back.

Ben shook his head. He didn't have a 'help me' cry…did he?

"That's ridiculous! Bennyboo doesn't have a 'help me' cry when I'm around him!" Audrey exclaimed.

"People who are happy to be around someone don't stiffen when they're touched by that person," Lonnie snapped.

She didn't like owing debts, and getting her off the Isle was probably the biggest debt she could think of.

Ben shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. It's the right thing to do."

But anyway, Ben had seemed to stiffen every time Audrey latched on to him, like someone staking her territory for the whole world to see. And yeah, okay, Blueberry had flirted with Ben but he didn't even seem to notice or care. In fact, he'd been looking at Mal. From the second they shook hands, he hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

He's just being friendly, Mal told herself. After all, whether they think I'm the Dragon's spawn or knowing I'm mom's kid, I'm still the highest ranked VK here.

"That wasn't it, was it? You liked me, you just wouldn't do anything about it," Malinda whispered to Benji.

She sighed softly as they made their way to their dorms. She honestly didn't know how she was going to survive a month with Perky Princess Blueberry as a roommate. Mal scowled as she entered her room, seeing how bright and airy it was. She. Hated. It.

"Please tell me you changed that room! I am not sleeping in a pink room!" Mal exclaimed, looking at Malinda.

Malinda shook her head. "You spend most of your time sleeping in Jay's dorm anyway so there was no point in changing it. Gave Evie a small mercy after all."

"I'm sorry my dear but boys and girls are not to be in the same room overnight after curfew," Fairy Godmother said with a small frown.

Mal rolled her eyes. "Honestly. We're VKs. You really think that'll stop us?"

"It's not like the school would know anyway. No one ever checks the dorms after curfew," Chad muttered.

Lonnie raised an eyebrow. "Seriously FG? Jane, Ben, Emir, Akiho, and I have sleep overs all the time when we can drag Ben from his paperwork. It's harmless!"

Note to self, change the color of the VK girls' dorm, Ben thought to himself.

She missed her room in the Underworld, with the dark tones and the lack of light. She didn't need to look over at Blueberry to know that she probably loved it.

"She did," Malinda nodded. "If there's one girl who loved being in Auradon, it's Evie."

However, a package on her bed distracted her from her hatred of her room and Mal had to smirk a little.

Dear Mal,

I wasn't sure if you would have brought your own but here's a small welcoming gift to welcome you to Auradon.

"Open mouth, insert foot," Ben sighed and shook his head.

Just a few things to help you settle in: shampoo, conditioner, a face cloth and towel, and some soap. It's not much I know but I hope it helps a bit.

"It was more than you know," Malinda said softly as she kissed Benji on the cheek.

Ruby frowned. "Hang on…if it's true that there's no running water on the Isle…then how do you guys wash your hair? Do you use shampoo?"

"Ruby, that's a rather personal question," Rapunzel told her daughter.

Mal and Uma shrugged. "We get by."

Though neither girl could avoid the slight feeling of self consciousness that crept into their veins. Yes Hades and Persephone had set up a tub of desalted water for when they didn't want to bathe in the Cove/whenever Mal needed a bath but it probably wasn't the same as what Auradon had to offer.

"Okay, hospital first but after that some sort of bath or shower house needs to go on the Isle," Ben said firmly. "Basic hygiene's another human right that they've been denied it seems."

Welcome to Auradon.

-Ben

"Well that's…friendly," Mal muttered as she looked through the items. Sure the room was as princessey as one could get but the toiletries almost seemed neutral in some way.

"Out of curiosity, who helped pick out the products for our packages?" Malinda asked, looking at Benji.

"Lonnie and Jordan helped pick out the products for your package and Evie's while Emir and Akiho picked out the ones for Jay and Carlos," Benji said with a smile.

"Who's Jordan?" Mal asked.

"Genie's daughter," Malinda said. "Ben here gets her and Jay mixed up all the time."

As if Ben was trying to not assume they'd be the same as the girls in Auradon. The label on the shampoo said it was 'strawberry' scented…whatever those were.

Malinda shook her head. "Oh you have so much to learn. I can't believe there was a time when I didn't know what strawberries were!"

"Look at this room!" Evie squealed. "It's so amazing! And we get presents! How great is this?"

Ben smiled slightly as he heard that. At least I didn't mess up with one of the VKs, he thought.

Mal couldn't help but nod a little. "Interesting way to store soap," she muttered as she picked up the bottle of soap/body wash. If there was soap on the Isle, it normally was the dregs of bars of soap; washed as thin as possible.

"That doesn't sound all that sanitary," Rose said, wrinkling her nose at the idea of using used soap.

All of the VKs shrugged, it wasn't as if they really had a choice in the matter.

"Hmm, black orchid and jasmine scented. Nice."

"You like black orchids?" Ben asked, mentally making a note of that.

Mal shrugged. "If I must partake in the prissy rituals of liking a flower, I will say that I am rather partial to them."

She put it down and turned to look at Evie. "Listen up Blueberry. We may be forced to be roommates but we are not friends. You keep to your side and I'll keep to mine. Just like the Isle," she growled as she picked a bed and drew the curtains.

"Well that sounds like a fun way to spend a month," Rachel said, shaking her head.

"It…maybe it won't be so bad Mal," Evie offered. "Maybe we could grow to be friends?"

"Really Blueberry? Do you have a death wish?" Uma asked, shaking her head.

"It sounds like it was worth a shot anyway," Evie muttered.

Mal stuck her head out from the curtains. "If you value never seeing a smoke bomb again, you'll rethink that statement. Don't think that just because Uma's on the Isle, we'll suddenly become friends."

Malinda shook her head. "Well it certainly wasn't sudden but don't count out the idea of becoming Evie's friend."

She ripped open the curtains and began to stalk to the door. If Blueberry was going to insist on talking, she could talk to herself. "I'm going to Jay's room. Do not touch my stuff," she growled and stormed out.

"You should have taken it with you!" Uma exclaimed.

"Uma's right," Harry nodded. "Rule of the Isle, always guard your valuables!"

Mal shrugged. "I'm just spitballing here since it's the future and all but do you really think that Blueberry is going to risk making me mad when I've got full access to my magic?"

"And on that note, that's the end of the scroll," Abby said. "Who wants next?"

"I'll go," Herkie offered.

Chapter 37 Chapter Text

"Hopefully the Auradon scrolls won't be as intense," Hyllus muttered to Macaria as Herkie grabbed his scroll.

"Something tells me we wouldn't be here if that was the case," Macaria muttered back to her brother. "We already know about the food situation after all."

Mal stalked down the hall, making her way to Jay's dorm and pounded on the door. Other students seemed to actively avoid her as they made their way down the hall but Mal suspected that was more because of the fact she was a VK rather than because of her bad mood.

"Considering they don't know you well enough to know you're not in a good mood, I'd say it's probably the VK thing," Uma nodded.

"What's the password?" Jay called from the other side of the door.

"Let me in Jay! I'm not in the mood!" Mal growled.

"Nope, but since it's you," Jay chuckled as he opened up the door. "You know it was unlocked right?"

"What was the password?" Emir asked Malinda.

"Same thing it's always been since the Rotten Four were founded," Malinda said with a small smile. "Ruthless yet Loyal."

"…you know we have to change it now right?" Jay asked.

"I'm aware," Malinda nodded.

"Gods, five minutes in a room with Blueberry and I'm ready to tear my own hair out," Mal growled as she stormed into the room.

"All she said was maybe you guys could be friends!" Emma exclaimed.

Her bad mood seemed to dissipate as she saw the boys' room. There were more dark tones, with dark wood finishes and paneling on the wall. "Now this is a room I could live in!"

"Me too!" Uma nodded.

"Ditto!" Celia chimed in.

"I agree with them," CJ added. "You know, if the end of the world happens and I have to leave the Isle."

"I will make a note of that," Ben said.

Dizzy bit her lip. "I…I kinda liked the pink room," she said, her voice soft. "Like Evie."

"Glad you like it," Jay chuckled. "My room is your room, Mal. As long as DeVil doesn't mind."

Carlos shook his head. "Why…why would I mind? Mal's the highest ranked VK among us and the one providing me protection along with you Jay. You don't argue against that."

"Not at all," Carlos said quickly, with a look of slight fear in his eyes.

"Glad to hear it," Mal smirked before shaking her head. "I'm not going to hurt you DeVil, don't worry."

"Why would I hurt someone under my protection?" Mal asked with a slight shrug. "You don't hurt or abuse your allies. That's just asking to be betrayed."

"You know I mean it Mal. My room is your room," Jay said as he plopped on his bed.

Benji chuckled softly at the look on his younger self's face. "He's like her brother," he muttered to him. "You're jealous over a sibling relationship."

Mal could tell that the boys had gotten the same welcome basket she and Blueberry had gotten over in their dorm. "So…Prince Beastie."

Mal sighed. "Not what I expected," she said as she crossed her arms.

"That's certainly the truth," Uma nodded.

"Very true. His girlfriend though…"

"Hate. Her," Mal muttered. She was exactly what Mal had expected of a Boreadon royal.

Audrey sniffed. " Feeling's mutual really. Honestly. You act like—."

"You know you're just proving their point," Audie said as she examined her nails.

"How dare you?!"

"…do you know any volume other than ear bleedingly loud? I feel bad for poor Estelle there!"

"Not surprised," Jay chuckled. "I mean I do too. Honestly she may be his girlfriend but he didn't look like he cared that much about her. Truthfully he looked like she was about to lead him to the executioner's block every time she touched him."

"I was almost in a political marriage because of an outdated law when I was not too much younger than Prince Ben is now," Jasmine said with a slight frown. "I think it's a good idea for that contract to be removed."

"Probably a political match," Mal said with a shrug.

Malinda shook her head. "Before I even knew about the contract, I was right about it being a political match."

"Doesn't matter though. Prince Beastie's not our business. Even if he does seem miserable."

"He most certainly is your business," Malinda muttered.

"He might not be your business now," Melody chuckled. "But considering you marry him, I'd say that doesn't last for long."

"I'd argue that if we want him to like us enough to bring certain people over here, he kinda is," Jay muttered. "He's not likely to want to bring more kids over if he's miserable or constantly battling with Audrey."

"That's not true!" Ben exclaimed. "It's my proclamation! I want to make sure it's a success and that includes bringing more kids over!"

Mal rolled her eyes. "Okay so what do you propose we do Jay? Become his best friends or something?"

"Sorry, that role's taken!" Akiho exclaimed as he and Emir grinned.

"We'd be happy to give you the positions of Best Friend number three and future wife along with Best Friend number four," Emir added.

Lonnie raised an eyebrow. "I'm Best Friend number three."

"Oh right. Best Friend number four and future wife along with Best Friend number five."

"Maybe not, but I mean we could integrate with him. Get him away from her and more toward us."

"Good luck with that," Hyllus sighed.

Malinda chuckled. "You're underestimating our power of persuasion cuz."

Mal frowned. "Okay but how do we do that? We're not the most friendly people in the world Jay—there's a reason why our crew only has four people. We're 'ruthless yet loyal', we don't go up to just anyone."

Malinda shook her head. "Maybe our main crew was four people but the Rats were an extra fifteen people in our crew."

"Still, you're right about us not being the friendliest," Jay nodded.

Abby raised an eyebrow. "But you guys brought in Carlos. If you weren't friendly, would you really have offered your protection?"

"How'd you—?"

"I may have been in the Underworld but I was listening to the reading," she said with a smile. "I always try to keep an eye out for news about Ben!"

"So we become 'ruthless yet loyal' to Beastie Jr.," Jay suggested.

And boy did I, Malinda thought as she thought about a certain dragon transformation.

"He's a captain on a couple of the sports teams here. I overheard a couple of kids talking in the hall. We could go to a game? Make it like a parley or an alliance like back home."

"I think you guys would like Tourney!" Emir spoke up. "It's a great sport, and it involves a cannon!"

"Tell me more," Harry said, leaning forward a tad in interest.

Harriet shook her head. "Why am I not surprised? But my brother's right, tell me more."

"If the scrolls are mentioning the school's teams, I'm sure there'll be more information about Tourney," Shang chuckled.

Mal shrugged. "I guess. The last thing I'd want to do is risk Freddy boy winding up off the Isle instead of Uma or Harry."

"That will never happen!"

"Well you should have it easier than me," Jay smirked. "After all, he spent five minutes shaking your hand when we were outside. Don't think I didn't notice that."

"…I didn't think it'd be that obvious," Benji chuckled, a faint flush on his cheeks.

"Oh Benny, you had a crush on me," Malinda teased.

"Mal, we're married and have a kid on the way. Are you really teasing me about that?"

"What does that got to do with anything?!"

"Mal, as your first mate, it astonishes me that you still can't tell when a boy likes you. He seemed to care about his first impression with you, not with us."

"Jay, even if he did like me—which he doesn't—he's taken."

"What does that matter if you don't like him?" Macaria asked, giving her cousin a small smile.

Jay nodded before raising an eyebrow at Mal. "Exhibit A in terms of proof you're wrong there Mal," he said, pointing to Malinda and Benji.

"Not for long, if the way he was looking at you combined with how he acted whenever Audrey touched him was any indication," Jay said with a smirk.

"That doesn't mean anything!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Audrey, dear, I agree with Audie. Please lower the volume," Aurora said gently yet firmly.

"Jay, he was just being friendly. Besides bringing us here was his idea, he couldn't exactly snub us."

"If you say so Mal, but the point still stands."

Mal sighed. Jay was a great first mate but there were some days when she did not understand him. "Honestly I think Ben just likes everyone."

Akiho, Emir, and Chad all nodded.

"It's true," Chad said. "There's a theory that Ben's really a puppy masquerading as a human."

"…would that get him out of the betrothal contract?" Chip asked. "Cause if it would, I'd say go with it."

"How do you know?"

"He seemed really happy to see Doug for starters."

"Who isn't happy to see Doug?" Ashaki asked.

"Mal, Doug served as an excuse to get out of Audrey's grasp," Jay pointed out. "I think anyone would have been thankful to see him in that case. Well, maybe not Harry."

"And what's that supposed to mean Jay?" Harry asked.

"That you're a flirt," Jay said, rolling his eyes.

Harry smirked which quickly faded from his face as Uma glared at him.

"Not that she let it last for long. She's such a snake," Mal muttered.

"You're not wrong," Rose shook her head.

"She really is," Jay nodded. "Though…is it wrong I wanted to laugh when she took down Blueberry?"

"No," Mal chuckled.

Neal shook his head. "I mean I know you don't like Evie, but really? No solidarity for your fellow VK?"

"In my defense, I didn't know who Audrey was and was rather surprised by how un-Auradoney she was," Malinda said.

"Oh Gods, could you imagine Harry meeting Audrey? He'd be trying to flirt with her the minute he saw her," Jay chuckled.

"I think I've been rather well behaved Jay!"

"Which is a first for you Harry!"

"Well that's because she's not my type! I don't do pink and I don't do screamer!"

"Not that she'd notice," Mal snorted. "Plus Uma would kill Harry if she ever found out if she wasn't busy trying to kill Blueberry."

"Excuse me? Just what are you implying there Mal?"

Mal chuckled. "Considering my future self said that you'd be married to Harry, I think you know exactly what I mean Uma."

"So, are we really going to do this?" Jay asked after a few minutes of chuckling. "Try to bring Beastie Jr. into the crew?"

Chip snorted. "You say 'try' like it'll be a hard task to try to befriend Ben. I once heard him described as a puppy masquerading as a human."

Mal bit her lip but before she could respond, her stomach rumbled. "I'll think about it," she said. "But for now, let's find out where they keep the food around here. Come on DeVil, you too."

"Never let your allies go hungry," Uma nodded.

"You could always put him under your guys' protection," Carlos offered nervously as they started to head out. "Sorry, I…I couldn't help but overhear. Ben's the future king and all but I didn't see any guards around him."

"That's a good point," Mal said. "Why is that?"

"That's because Ben doesn't believe in using guards," Emir sighed.

Akiho nodded. "Yeah Lonnie's basically his head of security and that's just because he can't give her the day off the way he can his actual guards."

"Helps that I don't work for him," Lonnie smirked.

Malinda shook her head. "Honestly Ben, why didn't you just pay Emir and Akiho to be your guards? They already do the job better than the ones on your payroll."

"Don't give them an idea!" Ben sighed.

"Too late!" Emir and Akiho grinned.

"That's not a bad idea, DeVil," Mal said, slightly impressed. She'd have to seriously consider it.

"We'd have to talk to him about that," Jay said. "I don't know if he'd accept us just sneaking around him considering we're VKs."

Ben looked over at Jay and raised an eyebrow before pointing at Emir and Akiho. "Those two are called my shadows. I've come to accept that I can't really stop you all from tailing me if you want to."

Jay shrugged. "Well at this point in the scrolls you don't know us."

"Ben seems pretty okay with everything," Carlos said with a small shrug. "Just ask him."

"DeVil's got a point," Mal nodded. Two excellent points made by DeVil in one conversation, who would have thought?

"Hey Carlos is smarter than you think!" Malinda said with a slight frown.

"Thanks Malinda," Carlos said with a shy smile.

"Mal, you ask him," Jay said without hesitation though there was a small smirk on his lips. "You're the only captain here."

Malinda shook her head in amusement. "Gods I forgot how much Jay was trying to push me toward you when we first met," she told Benji.

"Hmm, so I have him to thank for my amazing wife?" Benji chuckled.

Mal shrugged, though she wanted to slap that smirk off of Jay's face. "Alright."

She oddly enough didn't mind the thought of seeing Ben again. Even if it meant playing into Jay's crazy idea that Ben liked her.

"Oh yes, she claims that there's no way Ben can like her but she also doesn't mind seeing him again," Jay said with a slight smirk.

"You know I somehow end up with him. Why are you like this?" Mal sighed.

"Because making fun of your stubbornness is amusing."

Honestly, it had to do with ranking—she was the highest ranked VK in Auradon. God outranked princess after all.

"Unless it's Godling Princess," Herkie said, looking at Macaria. "Didn't someone say you had a royal title through Grandfather?"

"We all do," Hyllus told him. "Princes and Princess of Olympus since Grandfather's the King of Olympus. Just like how Hadie's the Prince of the Underworld."

"So. Food. Where do we find it?" Mal asked, changing the subject.

"Smooth subject change," Evan chuckled.

"Doug mentioned a cafeteria when he showed us our room," Jay said. "You want to go check it out?"

Mal nodded. She'd have to be a fool to not want to at least scope out the food situation. It wouldn't be as good as her dad's but it should be decent.

"Why thank you Mali," Hades grinned. "Though I will admit, I think the Boreadon crew's got me beat. They've got more to work with after all."

"Then let's go," Jay grinned.

"I wonder what kind of food they'll have here," Mal muttered. "Since we usually get their leftovers."

"Only one way to find out," Jay said.

"Wouldn't it make more sense to show all four of them where the food was at the same time?" Dizzy asked.

"…should we grab Evie?" Carlos asked softly as they stare to make their way down.

"Thank you Carlos," Evie said, giving the younger boy a small smile.

Mal sighed. That was the last thing she wanted to do but she couldn't deny that Blueberry at least deserved food. They all did. "Alright."

I'm very proud of you, Persephone thought to Mal.

I haven't done it yet, Mal shrugged. Besides, am I wrong? The only person I'd let starve is Freddy.

Malinda shook her head. "I may not have liked Evie at that moment but as the highest ranked VK there, she became my responsibility and as said she still deserved to eat."

"I can get her Mal," Jay offered. "We can meet you and DeVil over there."

"Jay, you don't know the way to my room," Mal pointed out. Doug had led them to the boys' room before showing Evie and Mal their's.

Leah nodded. "Boys shouldn't know where the girls' dorm is anyway."

"But girls can know where the boys' dorm is?" Neal asked. "That doesn't seem fair."

"Oh. Right…I'll follow you then?"

"Right," Mal nodded and led the boys toward her and Evie's room. Mal sighed once more before opening the door.

"Blueberry, we're off looking for food. Do…do you want to come?" Mal got the question out though it may have hurt her.

"Did it?" Mal asked, looking at Malinda.

"Seriously? Get over your hatred okay," Malinda said with a small chuckle.

"Sure," Evie said with a smile. She always had a smile unless Uma and Mal just finished pelting her with smoke bombs.

"Well then come on," Mal muttered as the four of them began to search for the cafeteria. Okay, stay calm. No matter how annoying Blueberry is, she deserves to eat. We all do. Now…just where is this cafeteria?

Ben frowned. "Someone should be with you guys to show you where the cafeteria is."

"Say…shouldn't that be your job Ben?" Emir said, nudging Akiho in the side so that he'd catch on.

"Oh yeah! I mean it is your proclamation," Akiho nodded.

Anna shook her head. Honestly those boys couldn't be more obvious if they blasted the idea into Ben's head like Elsa's magic, she thought.

"Jay, did Doug say where this cafeteria was or did he just say they had one?" Mal asked after about ten minutes of searching.

Malinda chuckled. "I think I know why Doug might have let that little detail slip," she said as she glanced over at Evie.

"He said it should be right over….there!" Jay said, pointing to a room where students were milling in and out, delicious smells wafting out into the hall making the four VKs drool slightly.

"That'd be a safe bet," Kitty nodded with a slight smile.

"Is it me or does it look kinda crowded in there?" Carlos asked softly. Crowds were dangerous—crowds could mean you're risking getting trampled if you go in.

Ben frowned slightly as he heard that. "Would…would you four prefer for me to arrange for meals to be sent to your dorms for the first few days? Or maybe someone to come get you when the crowd's thinned out a bit?"

"And would that person be you Benji?" Abby teased.

"Hey if it got him out of his office, we have no problem with that," Emir said and Akiho nodded.

Ben shrugged. "The VK Initiative is my proclamation. I can't ask anyone else to do it."

"Your highness, you really don't have to go through any trouble for us," Evie said, shaking her head.

"Yes Ben, I don't know why you're bending over backwards for them. That is how the school operates and if they don't like it, they can suck it up," Leah stated.

"Dear Gods, you're listening to the same scroll we are," Hera snapped at Leah. "It just said that crowds on the Isle meant the kids risked getting trampled to death."

Zeus' eyes flickered over to Hades for a second as his wife said that. How many times had his older brother had to judge a child's soul who'd been brought to the Underworld solely because they'd been trampled?

There was a reason why most kids in high ranked gangs avoided the barge when the food first arrived on the Isle.

The kids in the lower ranked gangs or even the ones who weren't in gangs were the ones who had to risk the barge after Maleficent's goblins grabbed the items she wanted.

"Gods, thank goodness we set up the soup kitchen," Audie sighed and shook her head as many of the others in attendance looked horrified. "Those poor kids."

"Actually, that's not a bad idea," Tiana said, looking at Beast. "A soup kitchen can at least ensure all the kids get food."

After all, Maleficent ruled the Isle so she had first dibs on whatever was on the barge. Hades normally had second dibs, though Virgil would often slip in and grab some items before word got out that the barge had arrived.

One of the few benefits of the docks being on Hades' side of the Isle.

Lucas tilted his head. "If the docks are on Lord Hades' side of the Isle, why does Maleficent get first dibs?"

"Because most of the idiots are afraid she'll turn into a dragon and eat them," Hades shook his head.

"You'd be right but it looks like the only place to get food," Mal sighed, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "Jay, keep an eye on DeVil."

"I always do!" Jay nodded and gave Carlos an encouraging grin.

Jay gave her a small salute, and Mal chuckled as she led the way into the cafeteria. Sure it was crowded but no one in Auradon was going to attack them. Right?

No on in Auradon, Malinda thought with a small sigh. But on the Isle was a very different story.

Gods I wish I had my sword, Mal thought. If there is an attack, my only choice would be to run or have Jay run interference. I hope it doesn't come to that—I'm not a prissy princess after all.

"No…no one's going to attack you in Auradon," Elle said, her voice soft.

Mal raised an eyebrow and pointed at Leah and Audrey.

Lucas shook his head. "If those two are anything like the ones in my timeline, they won't let that happen," he said as he pointed to Emir and Akiho.

"This…this is a lot of food," Carlos said softly, looking around. There were different stations throughout the room, each one having different options available for consumption. "This is food right?"

Hercules winced. "Gods…I can't imagine how that might look to you guys."

"Well people are eating it," Mal muttered.

"People eat the 'food' back home too," Jay muttered back to her.

"Good point."

"The difference between the food we have and the food you guys were being forced to eat is just that," Macaria said. "We're not forced to eat it."

"Hey…are you guys alright?" A boy about their age asked, his black hair flopping into his face.

Aziz shook his head. "How many times has dad said you need a hair cut?"

"Doesn't matter. It's not long enough to be a danger for Tourney so I'm not going to cut it," Emir shrugged. "Also you don't know that's me."

"I'm going to say it's a safe bet though," Ashaki chuckled.

"Um…yeah," Mal nodded. "Just not used to…all the options."

It was true after all—their main options were either Ursula's shoppe or her dad's restaurant and nine times out of ten they split their food with the warf rats if they came up empty on their food runs.

"You don't need to split food Mal. The Warf Rats shouldn't need to do food runs, they have the restaurant," Hades said with a slight frown.

The dark haired boy nodded but with a small frown on his face, as if he was confused as to why they wouldn't be used to all the options. "Oh….oh you guys are the new students right?"

"Well I mean they're students that you've never seen before," Rowyn shook her head.

"That would be us," Mal nodded.

The boy smiled, which seemed like it belonged on his face more than the frown had. "Ben told Akiho and me to see if you guys needed any help if he got stuck with paperwork or if he got caught in a meeting. I'm Emir by the way."

"Should we be worried that you have a plan in case you're stuck with paperwork or in a meeting?" Elle asked Ben.

Mal nodded back, trying to at least appear friendly. She felt Jay stiffen slightly behind her as if he was preparing for a fight; everyone knew who's son Emir was.

"Jay, remember what I said…don't you dare leave me there," Mal muttered to Jay.

Jay nodded and looked over at Malinda. "So were you friendly because we needed allies at that point or was it because he's Ben's friend?"

"At that moment? We needed allies but honestly Emir and Akiho are people you can't help but like," Malinda told him. "I could tell that they were genuinely friendly, Lonnie too."

"So, you guys going to grab some dinner?" Emir asked, not noticing or pretending not to notice Jay stiffen. "I know the pasta's always good but then if you're more of a meat fan, we've got steak and potatoes, or chicken and assorted veggies. Or salad if you're in the mood for something lighter. Then again, there's always the fish—tonight's catch is salmon but sometimes we have tuna and other times we have halibut."

"Hold on, you guys have all those options yet the Isle still has to eat your garbage?!" CJ exclaimed.

Ben looked over at her. "That's going to change. I promise you, when we get out of here, the food deliveries will be fresh."

Mal looked over at Jay, trying to not let her jaw drop at the offered options. She knew Auradon had more food than the Isle…but she hadn't expected that many options.

"Um…I guess I'll try the steak," Jay said quietly after a minute.

"Same," Mal muttered.

"I'll try the pasta," Carlos said softly.

"Salad for me," Evie said, her smile never leaving her face though she too seemed hesitant.

"You know your choices really suited you guys," Benji said with a fond smile.

"Come on then," Emir said with a smile. "Just go up to the station and grab what'd you like. I'm heading over to the steak station myself."

"Of course you are," Jasmine said, looking over at her son fondly.

Emir shrugged. "I need the protein mom. Championship's coming up, you don't want me getting hurt do you?"

"Okay," Mal said slowly, trailing after him.

Jay followed Mal while Carlos and Evie reluctantly split off to grab their food. It certainly smelled nice, and Mal could still see DeVil out of the corner of her eye. Blueberry too. She may have hated the blue haired girl...but she was still a VK.

Ben gave Mal an encouraging smile as he heard that.

"Oh please, I'm not going to let Blueberry starve," Mal scoffed as she saw the smile.

Boreadon didn't get to destroy her-that was Mal's job.

"Okay I'm not going to lie," Lucy said. "That's a little terrifying."

"Go on, grab a plate," Emir said as he did just that before glancing around the cafeteria as if he was searching for someone. "Ben, where are you?" He muttered to himself, still scanning the cafeteria.

"He might just be caught in a meeting or something," Rose said, trying to sound positive.

"Rose, you know that's not true," Robin shook her head. "We all know where he is."

"In his office," every AK who knew Ben with the exception of Audrey sighed in exasperation.

Lucas looked over at Audie. "Was our Ben this bad?"

"Not that I remember," Audie told him.

"In his office," a blond haired boy said with a sigh as he slid up next to Emir, grabbing a plate. "He's in mid paperwork, didn't even notice me poking him in the head for about five minutes."

"I'm sorry but you poked…or will poke me in the head?" Ben exclaimed.

"Well I haven't done it yet but doesn't that sound like something I'd do?" Akiho asked with a grin.

Benji sighed and shook his head. "I am so sorry," he told his best friends. "If it helps, Dean sets up a system."

"Knew I liked him!" Chip nodded.

"No, it doesn't involve Sven dragging me out of the office."

"My approval has dropped somewhat."

Emir sighed. "Why am I not surprised Akiho?"

"He'll get here. He's gotta get hungry right?" Mal said with a shrug.

"Oh he gets hungry," Abby muttered. "He just ignores his body's hints to stop."

"That's what we keep telling ourselves," Emir sighed and checked his watch again.

Mal frowned slightly. "Not that I care but…is this a common thing for Ben?"

"Yes!" Akiho and Emir nodded.

Beast sighed. "That reminds me, we still need to have that talk Ben."

"But this hasn't happened yet dad," Ben reminded him. "Remember, we all got pulled in here just as Mal, Jay, Carlos, and Evie stepped out of the limo."

She didn't understand, he had all this food and yet he was insisting on working? Meanwhile her crew was stuck on the Isle where they were lucky if the food that arrived was only slightly rotten!

Malinda sighed and shook her head. "Because he's a selfless workaholic who didn't and still doesn't know the meaning the word 'break'."

"You're pregnant! I just do it to take some pressure off you!" Benji exclaimed.

"Unfortunately," Emir sighed. "He'll eat though. We make sure he does."

"Thank you," Belle said with a sigh. "But that shouldn't be your job."

"Isn't that more of a thing his girlfriend would do?" Jay asked.

Akiho snorted. "Tell that to Audrey," he muttered. "I don't think she even knows where Ben's office is."

"Again, I must point out that Audrey has many responsibilities—."

"And as Ben's girlfriend, knowing where Ben is and caring about it especially when he should be at dinner should be one of her responsibilities!" Aziz snapped.

Mal frowned slightly. "But she seemed really…fond of him when we saw them at our arrival."

"Fond's an understatement. She's possessive," Emir snorted. "Audrey only thinks of things that are in her best interests and when it comes to matches…she can't go any higher than Ben."

"Unless she dates one of us," Hyllus pointed out.

Macaria shook her head. "You'd be the only option Hy. Herkie's too young as is Hadie, and the only other Godlings are our cousin Arabella, Elle, Melody, Mal, Uma, and myself."

"Don't give her any ideas," Audie muttered. "She'll make you wish you weren't immortal."

Mal rolled her eyes. "I thought you Auradon people were supposed to be about 'true love' and all that muck?"

It is so weird hearing Mal be dismissive of True Love, Audie thought. Then again it makes sense, considering everything.

Malinda raised an eyebrow at her younger self. "All that muck? You…or we I should say have the closest example of True Love the Isle can provide and you still call it 'all that muck'?"

"Well first off I'm you," Mal pointed out. "But also I mean…mom and dad's story's different. No prissy princesses or princes kissing them when they're asleep without their permission."

"Yeah," Phil Jr. muttered. "In a way it's so lucky that mom and dad had already met before the kiss. At least because of that we can say with maybe 70-90% certainty she would have consented if she could…"

"In general, yes," Emir said with a shrug. "But…let's just say there are some people here who would like to think they have True Love when in reality—"

Chip shook his head. "You don't have a True Love, Audrey! You have a contract! How can you brag about that?"

"In reality they're delusional ladder climbers who can't tell when someone's trying to escape their grasp like you would a snake?" Mal asked. She wasn't sure why Ben's friends were telling her this but anyone who was willing to trash Sleeping Brat around her was okay in her book.

Audie winced slightly. She's right of course, that's what my Grandmother instilled in me, she thought.

"Exactly!" Emir nodded while trying to hide his snickers.

Mal couldn't help but smirk. "Oh I think you and I are going to get along just well."

"Oh yay!" Emir said with a grin.

Akiho faked a pout and shook his head. "I knew Mal liked you more," he said with a slight teasing tone to his voice.

"Glad to hear," Emir chuckled as they sat down at a table; Evie and Carlos sitting down a few seats down. Close enough that Mal or Jay could step in if needed but far enough away that no one would think they were together.

Though Carlos was a bit closer than Evie was, considering he still had Jay and Mal's protection.

"Gods Tourney practice today was brutal. I know I'll be sleeping well tonight," Akiho sighed as Mal and Jay dug into their steak. Well more like wolfed it down as if it was going to disappear if they ate at a normal pace. Emir and Akiho stared in surprise.

"Guys, you might want to slow down," Emir said with a small chuckle.

"Yeah, it's not going to vanish," Akiho nodded. Mal rolled her eyes but didn't slow her tempo.

Hades shook his head. "Steph should have been there. They could have eaten dinner with her like they're used to. The kids know it won't get taken then."

"No one at Auradon Prep would steal someone's food!" Ruby said, shaking her head.

Carlos shrugged. "Lord Hades is right though and…you get food…you guard it with your life."

"Seriously guys, slow down," Emir said, the smile on his face slowly turning into a frown. The way they were acting, you'd think they hadn't eaten all day.

Hades and Persephone frowned slightly. They knew Jay and Mal had eaten that day—no matter what, they always tried to make sure Mal and her friends had food.

Glancing over to Carlos and Evie, Emir could see that they were eating the same way though Evie might have been a bit slower than the others.

Esmeralda sighed, Phoebus wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You never really know when your next meal is going to be after all," she said, her voice soft.

"Gods that's disgusting," he heard one of the cheerleaders mutter as she walked past their table.

"Yeah the amount of makeup on your face is disgusting Ariana, glad we agree," a raven haired girl said as she sat down next to Akiho.

Aurora shook her head. "I think that's the last time you're around your cousin for a while Audrey."

"Mother! What did she say that was wrong?" Audrey snapped. "Lonnie's the one throwing insults!"

"Lonnie's the one standing up for people being insulted." Phillip Jr. muttered.

"Nice one Lonnie," Akiho chuckled. "Went for the steak tonight I see?"

"I'm a carnivore. Sue me," Lonnie shrugged and then turned to Mal and Jay with a smile, giving a wave to Evie and Carlos. "Hi! I'm Lonnie. My mom's Mulan?"

"Hero of China and broke the biggest rule there was at the time? Of course we know who your mom is," Mal snorted in amusement.

"We know," Mal said as she swallowed her steak. "Believe it or not, we do pay attention to things that happen off the Isle."

"But only when they interest us," Uma nodded.

"Oh," Lonnie said. "Well anyway, nice to meet you guys."

"…thanks?"

The group grew quiet as they continued to eat their dinner. Mal looked around the room, and she couldn't help the pang of guilt that entered her stomach. Sure her dad's food was delicious but he had to work with what was provided by Boreadon.

Tasting what food apparently was supposed to taste like instead of what they had grown used to with the rotten or slightly rotten food that was sent to the Isle…having options other than fish and chicken…it was enough to turn her head.

"You don't have to feel bad about that Mali," Hades said, his voice soft. "That's the point. That you're having a better life."

"And soon all of the Isle will have those options," Ben said, gently resting a hand on Mal's shoulder. "I promise."

Sure Frollo had a shop but that was in Freddy's territory. Even if Mal was actively starving, she would rather chew off her own arm and eat the flesh off it than willingly go into Freddy's territory and deal with him or his angels.

"Or and this is just a thought you could use that chewed off arm to beat Freddy with," Celia said.

Mal chuckled. "You've spent too much time around Uma."

"Well she is my sister!"

Seriously, if I had to pick who was more annoying it would have to be a tossup between Blueberry and Freddy. Though Audrey is quickly getting up there and I just met the girl.

"Evie could never be as bad as Freddy, not even when I hated her," Malinda muttered softly to herself.

Besides, Frollo's shop sold stale croissants anyway. If Mal was going to go into Freddy's territory, it would be for something other than stale bread.

Malinda shook her head. "The day I willingly go into Frollo's territory is the day Ben stops liking dragons."

"Lonnie, you're beautiful. Absolutely stunning. A real work of art."

Mal raised an eyebrow as Emir's compliments drew her out of her thoughts.

"Nice try but but I'm not giving you my cookie," Lonnie chuckled, having finished her dinner and had moved on to dessert.

Lonnie chuckled and looked over at Emir. "Should Emma be jealous?"

"Because I'd rather not get stabbed or shot with a bow and arrow, I'm just going to say no comment," Emir said.

"Nice blush Emmy," Ashaki teased.

"Please!" Emir begged as Lonnie took a bite of the aforementioned cookie. "Coach ran us ragged in practice today and Ben sided with him!"

"That's just cruel Lon," Lil Shang chuckled.

Benji shook his head in amusement. "I was the captain! Of course I agreed with Coach. Anyway, you guys will thank me later."

"You lot need it after that performance you gave against the Imperial Academy team."

"Okay, first off we still won that game even with that behemoth knocking out Brenden, Conner and Ben and second off your dad's the coach! Of course you'd side with them!" Akiho stated and then turned to Jay.

Shang shook his head. "As their coach, that still hurts to think about. The fact that we lost despite the performance Auradon Prep gave that game," he muttered.

"You ever play Tourney?"

"No…" Jay said slowly. "Does it involve hitting people?"

Leah sniffed. "You see? He just wants to hurt people!"

"No the only person Jay wants to hurt is Freddy," Uma scoffed.

Mal snorted in amusement, Ben's name not escaping her notice.

"Kinda," Emir nodded. "You should try out! I know it might seem pointless considering we're a couple weeks away from the championship but new blood's always welcomed."

"Does that go for the cheerleading squad as well?" Evie asked.

"Probably," Emir shrugged. "Audrey's the captain so she'd know better than I would."

Audrey sniffed and looked over at Evie. "Like you know how to do what's necessary for cheerleading."

Evie gave Audrey a tight smile before getting up and walking over to a more open area of the room. Everyone watched in shock as Evie quickly did a double back handspring followed by a roundoff.

"I think I can handle myself," she told Audrey once Evie returned to the group.

"You know, I think I could grow to like her if she can upstage the pink shrieker over there," Mal muttered under her breath.

"I don't care what Audrey says," Rose stated with a grin. "I'll talk to our cheer coach myself and get you a spot!"

You know I really should be commended about my lack of laughing right now, Phil Jr. thought as he saw the shock on Audrey's face.

"Ben's captain," Akiho added. "He'd definitely let you try out if interested. Your friend too."

Mal and Jay raised an eyebrow, looking at each other. He..he wasn't honestly saying DeVil should try out for a sport that involved hitting people was he?

"Carlos might surprise you," Benji said with a smile. "Though R.O.A.R. seemed more up his alley."

"I'll think about it," Jay said with a shrug.

"We're on the team too," Emir told him.

"I gathered that," Jay chuckled. "Considering you were asking me to try out after all."

Akiho shook his head. "You don't know that. We could have been cheerleaders. There are about four male cheerleaders on the squad after all."

"Wherever Ben goes, they go," Lonnie shook her head. "An inseparable trio—or Ben just has a set of personal shadows."

"Why not both?" Lucas and Chip chuckled.

Lucas smiled as Chip looked over at him. "You copying me there teacup?"

"Not just shadows," Akiho said. "We also double as security, chefs, and advisors if needed.

"Oh and jesters if absolutely necessary," Emir added, nodding his head.

"So…do you guys sleep?" Ashaki asked, tilting her head.

"Of course we do!" Emir said, Akiho nodding earnestly in the background.

Lonnie rolled her eyes. "No wonder Ben holes up in his office. It's the only alone time he gets."

Lonnie shook her head. "Okay, that was a bad joke on my taste."

"Please, Ben loves our antics," Akiho scoffed and Jay and Mal couldn't help smile softly. The three teens reminded them of their own crew dynamic.

Ben shook his head. "Of course I love your antics," he told Emir and Akiho.

Gods I miss Uma, Mal thought as she finished her dinner.

"I'm sure I miss you too Mali," Uma said, looking over at Mal and giving her a small smile.

I wonder what she and Harry are doing…probably spending time sparing or bossing the warf rats. Maybe even getting into a fight with Freddy.

"Hmm, that was good," Jay muttered as he finally finished his meal, which was surprising considering the rate at which he and Mal had consumed it.

"We probably shouldn't have inhaled our steaks like that. Jay and I had the worst stomach aches about three hours after dinner," Malinda said with a sigh.

Persephone bit her lip. "I know it tastes amazing to you two but don't eat too much too fast. Your bodies aren't used to it and you'll make yourselves sick if you go overboard."

Jay shrugged. "Can't speak for my future self but that's how it is on the Isle. You inhale your food before anyone else has the chance to take your food from you."

"That's disgusting," Audrey muttered.

"No one is going to take it from you," Ben told him and then looked over at Carlos and Evie. "From any of you."

"Glad you thought so. Steak night usually is," Lonnie told him.

"I'm sorry, steak night?" Jay asked. "As in this doesn't happen every night?"

The Auradon kids shook their heads.

"Even I would get sick and tired of steak every night," Lonnie chuckled.

"We've had pizza, Italian, French, tacos, and one time we had breakfast for dinner as the main option," Akiho told him. "Of course we've always had side options as well, in case you're not in the mood for the main course."

"Gods guys…knowing what I know now," Akiho said, shaking his head. "The way that would sound to you guys…"

"The only side option that hasn't been the main option is seafood," Emir added. "Melody and Elle pretty much insist on that."

"Kinda ironic how you insist on not having fish for the main course because of who your mother is and yet you didn't bat an eye when you found out Grandfather was sending fish to the Isle," Uma scoffed.

Ariel sighed. "Of course we don't like it and under normal circumstances we'd never condone it. But…the scrolls have made it crystal clear that without those fish you kids would have been dead. Lesser of two evils basically."

"Makes sense considering who their mother is," Lonnie nodded. "There's a calendar that says what's for dinner each day. I'm sure Fairy Godmother will get you all a copy tomorrow when you start going to class."

"Why didn't they get a copy when they first arrived?" Alexandria asked.

Kit nodded. "That's a good point. It really should have been given to them with their schedules. Otherwise it just throws them off and makes them stand out."

Ben quickly pulled out a notebook and jotted it down so he could remember for the upcoming VK groups, along with everything else he'd mentally noted. Something that did not escape Emir, Akiho, Chip, or Abby's notice as they shook their heads fondly.

"…where did he even get that notebook?" Beast muttered to Belle, who shrugged slightly in response.

Yeah, maybe in that Remedial Goodness 101 class they set up just for us, Mal thought with a snort, making sure to keep her mental link blocked in case Steph heard her snark.

"You know Mal has a point," Rachel spoke up. "Setting up a class like that solely when the VKs turn up is just going to make it clear that we think of them as different."

"Does…does anyone else think it's a little hypocritical that Fairy Godmother's the one teaching us about goodness when she's the one who created the barrier that's trapping all the kids on the Isle in the first place?" Evie asked.

"Well speaking of classes, we should think about hitting the hay," Akiho said. "I wasn't kidding when I said coach ran us ragged today. I know it's early but I am beat."

"We might be in some of the same classes," Lonnie told the VKs as they all got up to head up to their dorms. "That'll be fun at least."

"I think we have very different definitions of fun," Harry said with a chuckle.

Mal nodded. She wasn't sure what Lonnie defined as fun exactly but she wasn't going to lie, it was a little comforting knowing that they had a few allies already.

Lonnie grinned. "Happy to be of service."

Making her way back to her dorm, Mal sighed as she grabbed some sleeping clothes and made her way back over to Jay's dorm.

If they thought she was actually going to spend time in a room with Blueberry for more than five minutes, they had another thing coming.

Malinda shook her head in exasperation. "Honestly, you're acting like you're rooming with Freddy. Evie's not that bad, she cheerleads. That takes more than a 'ditzy brain' and her clothes are seriously some of the best work I've ever dealt with in Auradon."

"I can't believe you're defending her," Mal muttered.

Reaching Jay's dorm, Mal knocked on the door, her knock a bit lighter than it had been when she arrived before dinner.

"It's me."

"It's unlocked," Jay called back and Mal headed in. Jay shook his head in amusement at seeing her change of clothes.

Persephone sighed. "You could at least try to get along with her Mal. She's alone in a strange world, just like you. Imagine if Jay hadn't been invited with you. You'd be in the same boat as her. It's not Evie's fault you got placed with her. If you feel that strongly about it, go ask about a room change."

"I'd be happy to help with that and see if we have rooms available," Fairy Godmother spoke up. "It'd be better than constantly breaking the boys and girls in the same dorm rule."

"The offer to stay with me is still open," Lonnie said. "The scrolls seem to think we'd get along at least."

Mal shrugged. "That's not a bad idea," she muttered. Even though Jay's my person…Jay and Harry and Uma. If I killed someone, they're the people I'd call to help me hide the body.

"I'll look into setting it up if neither one objects," Ben spoke up.

Mal shrugged again, making a slightly noncommittal noise.

"I…I don't mind if Mal doesn't," Evie said. "Being alone is better than possibly fearing a fireball every time she walks into the room."

"Evie can room with me!" Emma said. "She shouldn't be alone. After all, she's family!"

"You're welcome here any time Mali but you do know that you're going to have to spend time with Blueberry eventually right?"

"I know," Mal sighed. "Doesn't mean that day has to be today."

"Like I said, it is not this day," Mal said.

Ben looked over at her with a big grin on his face. "You've read Tolkien?"

"I take it you have?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow and not noticing the amused looks on Emir, Akiho, and Chip's faces.

Jay chuckled. "Well get changed and get in."

"So many jokes I could make," Kitty muttered.

"Should I ask?" Carlos asked softly.

"No," Mal said as bluntly as she could as she made her way toward the bathroom to change.

"Mal does what she wants," Uma said with a small chuckle.

"Okay," Carlos said as he climbed into his own bed, smilingly slightly as the mattress seemed to bounce with every movement. It was a lot better than a nest of furs, that was for sure.

"That sounds like it would be Elysium," Carlos whispered. "So comfy."

Akiho frowned slightly though. What did they mean by nest of furs?

Mal quickly changed and came back out, climbing into Jay's bed.

"At least we've got this little bit of home," Jay whispered as he climbed in next to her.

"See mom?" Jane said, her voice soft. "It's okay. They're just homesick is all."

"Yeah," Mal whispered back. "Just like the clubhouse. We're just missing two people."

"It won't be long. Just don't kill Blueberry in the meantime."

"I make no promises."

"Yeah well seems you won't have to worry about that," Jay chuckled.

Jay gave her a small smile. "Evil dreams."

"Same to you," Mal said with a small smile before they both drifted off to sleep.

"Evil dreams?" Benji asked, looking over at Malinda. "I've never heard you say that."

"Now you have Benny," Malinda said. "And you know what, I'll read next."

"You're sure? With the baby—."

"Ben, I'm reading. It's not like I'll be doing any heavy lifting."

Chapter 38 Chapter Text

Malinda shook her head as she unfurled the scroll in her hand, holding it with one hand as she rubbed her stomach. "Your papa is a tad overprotective, isn't he pup?"

"I can hear what you're telling our kid you know," Benji sighed.

"That's the whole point."

Mal scowled as she made her way through her first day of classes.

"Oh Gods, that's never a good sign," Jay shook his head.

Fairy Godmother, in her infinite wisdom, had decided to make it so none of the VKs were in a class together other than Remedial Goodness 101.

Kit raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that just make them stand out even more if there's only the one VK in a class together?"

Ben quickly jotted that down in his notebook.

"Okay, we're just going to take that," Benji sighed and gently yanked it out of his younger self's hands. "Focus on the now, okay?"

"But what if I forget something?" Ben asked. "How can I fix something if I don't remember what it is?"

Benji sighed, he had a point.

"Ben…your phone," Malinda said. "Doesn't it have a recording function?"

"Oh…oh!" Benji smiled and pulled out his younger self's phone from his front breast pocket of his suit blazer; switching on the recording app. "There we go. Now you won't forget anything."

"And you'll have the dulcet sounds of Audrey's voice whenever she's upset about something," Emir added with a chuckle.

Even if she didn't want to be in a class with Blueberry, Mal wasn't thrilled to be alone either.

You know, some of us aren't evil. We're just wicked. There's a difference, Mal thought as she looked at her locker as she closed the door, having put her books inside. It was just the same as the other lockers, though that could pretty much describe all of Auradon. Being different was bad, judging by all the looks she and the others got for their clothing.

"She's right you know," Kitty said. "There is a difference between evil and wicked. Otherwise we'd have to class me as evil for some of the pranks I pull."

What was worse was there was a rumor that someone tried to break into the museum where Fairy Godmother's wand was held the night they had arrived.

"What?!" Jane gasped. "But…who'd want to steal mom's wand?"

Okay, definitely not a good idea to comment on the fact that in my timeline, it was Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay who attempted the theft. Not if I want this Leah to go off on a five hour rant, Audie thought.

No one noticed Malinda giving Evie a sad yet knowing look.

Probably someone who wants to frame us VKs for something, Mal thought with an inward snort, making sure her mental link was temporarily blocked as to not worry her mom or dad—or Uma.

"Explain please!"

"What's the point of worrying you when you're on the Isle trapped by the barrier, would be my guess," Mal said, looking over at Uma before glancing at her older self.

"Got it in one," Malinda nodded.

I certainly don't need that wand—I've got dad's powers coursing through my veins. Plus mom's as well. Not to mention I've still got a bit of my Fae magic—not as much as I did before mom adopted me but it's still there.

"You…you do?" Jane asked, looking at Mal and Malinda.

Malinda nodded. "As has probably already been stated, genetically I'm still part Fae. I just have the added magic and immortality of the Gods so my Fae powers were reduced. Though one could say mom's powers over vegetation could have boosted my Fae magic."

"That's right!" Jane gasped. "The Fae of the Moors did have control of the vegetation there according to the books on them."

Sighing, she set her bag down and pulled out a couple of cans of spray paint—one never knew when one needed to mark their territory. Holding her breath, she began to get to work. Ignoring the stares and mutters of the passing students, Mal smirked as she got into the zone; making sure each pass of the spray paint was even and perfect.

No one was going to think of her as a second rate tagger. Not in Auradon.

"Yes because that's what you should be worried about," Rose shook her head.

"She's defacing school property, are you just going to—?!"

"If someone catches her doing it, I'm sure there'll be a report on my desk," Fairy Godmother said to Leah as Estelle whimpered once more at the high volume.

"Nice one," Jay said as he walked up. "Might be your best tag to date."

"Thanks Jay," Mal smirked as she finished up. In front of them was a pomegranate fruit with a golden skin, blue flames in the background, and the words 'Family is Forever' underneath.

"Huh, that sounds so much better than the tag you did in my timeline," Audie said.

"What was it?" Lucas asked. "Chip said that Ben mentioned something but he didn't go into specifics."

"It was a green and black silhouette of Maleficent with the words 'Long Live Evil' over it," Audie said.

"What?!" Mal and Uma exclaimed.

"Did I not mention you were raised by Maleficent in my timeline?" Audie asked, tilting her head.

"Why was she allowed near my daughter and where was I?!" Hades asked, a growl audible in his voice.

Audie shrugged. "I don't know. Mal never told me," she lied.

Let's see Sleeping Brat try to claim I'm lying now, Mal thought. Oh she'd heard the scuttlebutt about Audrey claiming Mal was lying to make herself seem more important and that she truly was Maleficent's daughter. Mal didn't care. She could crush Audrey like a bug but she knew doing that would make it next to impossible for Uma and Harry to come over.

"Shame," Ashaki sighed. "I'd love to see Audrey crushed like a bug."

"Plus knowing Ben, he'd still bring over Uma and Harry," Neal added.

Hadie faked a pout. "What about me?"

"You go without saying," Malinda chuckled.

Emma shook her head. "Audrey, what proof do you have that Mal's lying anyway?"

"You having a good first day?" Jay asked as he shot a grin to some of the female students who were passing by. Mal rolled her eyes.

"Considering the scroll said she was scowling, I'm going to say no," Melody said, shaking her head.

"Gods Jay, get some dignity."

"What use do I have for dignity? It just gets in the way of the really fun stuff," Jay smirked, not noticing Chad, Audrey and Ben in the background.

Harry rolled his eyes fondly. "And you say I'm the flirt Jay?"

"I dunno Ben, they seem like trouble," Chad said.

"Really? Cause Jay seems like you," Lucy told her brother.

"Yeah I'm sorry but you can string girls along and you're not trouble but the VKs who've only been here a day and as far as we know are just going to classes like they're told are?" Kitty asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, you're what Chad?" Kit asked, looking at his son.

"Nothing! Kitty's lying!"

"Come on man, give 'em a chance," Ben told him. "Emir and Akiho said they had a great time with them."

"Yes Chad, you should listen to us more," Emir nodded.

Chad shook his head. "The day I listen to you without wondering if you've gone insane is the day I go insane."

"You know my motto!"

"Yes, yes Emir. Being normal is vastly overrated. You've said it at least once a week since I've known you," Chad sighed.

"No offense Bennybear but you're just too trusting," Audrey said, grabbing Ben's hands, not noticing Ben stiffen once more or Chad's frown. "I know your mom fell in love with the big scary beast that turned out to be a handsome prince but in my story, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy. That girl's mother."

"Audrey Stephanie Rose!" Aurora exclaimed. "I believe an apology is in order!"

"For something I haven't even said?!" Audrey said in shock.

Audie shook her head. "Because I know it won't come, allow me to apologize," she said to Belle and Beast. "Unfortunately I did say the same thing in my timeline."

"Honestly she's so desperate to make me look bad, she can't even apply logic," Mal said. "She's got no proof I'm lying anyway which I'm not!"

Abby glared at Audrey. "You do realize you're saying that not only about your boyfriend's parents but the reigning monarchs right?"

"Yeah if Ben wasn't such a people pleaser, he could have easily said 'I'll tell my parents you said that. I'm sure they'd be glad to know what you think of them'," Chip added.

"She told us yesterday, the records are wrong. In fact, I'm going to see if I can update them myself today," Ben said, slipping his hands out of Audrey's grasp. "And you're wrong about them."

"You are so lucky that it's Ben you're in the betrothal contract with," Phillip Jr. said. "Any other guy would have immediately gotten out of that contract and dumped your ass after you said that about his dad."

"Yeah that was a foot in mouth moment in my timeline too," Audie sighed.

Aurora shook her head. "While I agree with your point Phil, please watch the language."

"Yes mom."

"As for you Audrey Stephanie, I've yet to hear an apology—."

"Mother! What, do you want me to apologize for my future self?"

"That does seem rather unreasonable Aurora," Leah nodded.

Phillip Sr. shook his head. "That doesn't matter Leah. Aurora and I won't have our daughter saying things like that."

Ben turned away and started making his way toward Mal and Jay, wanting to see how their first day was and if they needed anything.

"Really? You just wanted to see if they needed anything?" Abby said with a small smile, teasing Benji.

"Gods Jay, you're so clingy," he heard Mal tease.

"Hey, you came into my bed last night," Jay teased back and Ben froze, his stomach clenching as he heard Mal chuckle.

"I'm just going to point out that anyone overhearing that would probably take it the same way," Hera said, shaking her head in amusement.

"Then they're idiots," Mal shrugged. "Jay's practically my brother."

They're friends. Close friends but friends—Mal probably was just feeling homesick or something. I mean the only other possibility would be that…no, Mal and Jay aren't dating. I mean they do seem awfully close and Jay was the one to put his hand over Mal's mouth the other day…he certainly feels comfortable with her…

Malinda couldn't help the small giggle that slipped out. "I'm sorry Ben but…I know you told me you'd had these thoughts but to read them…"

"My own wife's against me," Benji sighed as Ben's cheeks turned red at Emir and Akiho's laughter.

Ben shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was looking too deep into it—a boy and a girl could be friends. After all, he was friends with Lonnie and no one thought they were dating. Though granted, due to that betrothal contract and the fact that he was dating Audrey, no one really could think that.

"Well more like because we all know Ben is probably the most noble person there is and wouldn't date two girls at the same time," Lil Shang said.

"Hey Mal," he said as he leaned against one of the other lockers.

"Hey," Mal said with a smirk, Jay standing a bit off to the side and shaking his head. I'm still here, you know, he thought in amusement. Gods Mali, when you do something you don't go half assed do you? Getting the Crown Prince to like you?

"Language Jay," Persephone warned, glancing at Hadie, Dizzy, Celia, and CJ.

"Yes Steph," Jay nodded before pausing. "Hang on…"

"How was your first day?"

"Hmm…super."

Ben couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped from his lips at her dry tone. There was just something about her sarcastic nature that drew him in. Plus it didn't hurt that she looked exactly like the girl from his dreams.

"Probably because it sounds like she is the girl from your dreams," Ashaki said with a small chuckle.

"You know you should really think about taking this talent off the locker and into art class. I could, uh, sign you up," he said, gesturing to the tag. "What do you think?"

Emir and Akiho stared at the scroll in Malinda's hand in shock.

"Oh dear Gods…is he trying to flirt?" Emir asked.

"I think so," Akiho nodded. "Just very, very, badly."

"Still! When's the last time we heard Ben flirt?"

"Friendly reminder he is recording this," Lonnie said with a small chuckle.

Jay snorted from his spot behind Mal and Mal rolled her eyes as she elbowed him in the side.

"Way to take all the fun out of it," Mal said with a smirk as she and Jay walked off.

"Huh," Ben uttered as he leaned back against the other lockers.

"She has a point," Rowyn nodded. "Why make it so everything you paint has to get a grade? That's just too stressful."

"Is that why you never signed up for art?" Rapunzel asked her daughter.

"Yep," Rowyn said. "Well that and I don't like being told what to paint."

I've known Mal for like a day. Why am I feeling like this? Ben thought. I don't know what it is but every time I talk to her, I feel happier than I have in months. Being with Audrey's great but it's…it's almost like a chore at times now.

"Well you know, you could be free from that chore with just one simple phone call…" Akiho said.

"Anyone else amazed Audrey's not screaming at the top of her lungs?" Lonnie asked.

Audie shrugged, her hand placed over Audrey's mouth. "Maybe she got tired of being shrill."

Ben shook his head again. What was he doing? He had made a promise to the Roses, and to his parents when the contract had been finalized. He would stick it out. For the kingdom. For his parents. For Audrey.

"So close," Chip sighed and shook his head.

"Stupid sense of wanting to keep his word even when the promise was made for him," Abby muttered.

Even if all Ben wanted was to see that smirk again.

"Now you can see it every day you want," Malinda said, giving Benji a small smile.

As Ben began to make his way back to his office to start once more on paperwork, his classes being done for the day, Jay was in the process of teasing Mal as they made their way to their next classes: Jay heading to Basic Chivalry while Mal made her way to Chemistry.

"How could Prince Ben's classes be done for the day if Mal and Jay still have classes to go to?" Dizzy asked.

"All the heirs have a 'lightened' schedule," Akiho said with a shrug. "We've got our duties to our kingdom after all. Those won't go away just because we've got school."

"And I told you Akiho, we won't put anything on your plate that you can't handle," Anna stated.

"I swear, we're not here one week and the boys are already chasing you."

"Shut up Jay," Mal said, rolling her eyes. "Ben's just being friendly."

"Oh so he's Ben now? Not Beastie Jr.?"

"You know, as amusing as it is to hear Jay tease Mal over a boy, I think I know why she's doing it," Uma said. "We can't have him as our ally if we don't even use his name."

Mal rolled her eyes again and shook her head at Jay's smirk. "If we want him as our ally then yes Jay, he's going to have to be Ben."

"Just like to point out that Ben was pretty much your ally the second you stepped out of the limo," Chip said with a small chuckle. "You could probably pour hot soup in his lap and he'd apologize to you."

Jay shook his head in amusement. "If you says so Mali. I'll see you after class."

"See you," Mal said softly and quickly made her way to her Chemistry class. Fortunately, she shared the class with Akiho. She liked spending time with the Arendelle prince, he was funny and snarky—even if they'd only interacted the one time.

"Yay, Mal likes me too!" Akiho grinned.

Elle couldn't help but smile at the blond's antics as Kristoff shook his head with fond exasperation at his son's odd behavior.

Unfortunately however, she also shared the class with Audrey.

"Yes that is rather unfortunate," Emir sighed.

Fairy Godmother must have inhaled a bit too much pixie dust when creating the class schedules, Mal thought as she took her seat. Sleeping Brat and me, in the same class? Even if Fairy Godmother thought I was the Dragon's spawn, she would have had to have known this wouldn't end well? Especially when it was the class that ran the risk of things exploding!

"Oh dear," Fairy Godmother said. "I'll certainly be reevaluating the class schedules then."

"That might be a good idea," Phillip Sr. nodded.

"There aren't enough curse words in the world to satisfy me right now," Mal muttered as Mr. Delay started the lesson. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Audrey twitter with her cohorts like mindless zombies, going on about her wedding of all things.

The girl was sixteen, why did she even care about a wedding?

"Excuse me, but I'll have you know caring about your wedding now saves you tons of stress later on! I read about it in—!"

"No one cares Audrey," Rose sighed, shaking her head.

Malinda raised an eyebrow before leaning over to Benji. "Is it sad that's Audrey's kinda right?"

"Or people can just do what we did," Benji chuckled.

"Not everyone would say what we did would remove stress Benny."

"Gods Audrey, the entire school knows you're betrothed to Ben. Maybe you could actually focus on the lesson instead what color you'd want your bridesmaids' dresses to be?" Akiho muttered from his seat next to Mal.

Chip shook his head. "Furthermore shouldn't that be something you discuss with Ben if you have to talk about that wedding?"

"My bridesmaids' dresses were navy blue with a light purple ribbon around the middle," Malinda said with a small smile at the memory. "And Ben picked them out. I think Evie rubbed off on him ever since he was introduced to things that aren't suits, he actually has a good eye for color pallets at least."

"Oh look who's come a long way from the horrendous green and gold blazer," Chip chuckled, wrapping an arm over Ben's shoulders.

"What, she's what?" Mal hissed, turning to look at him. She didn't know why she cared about what was essentially idle gossip but there was something about the idea of Ben marrying the brainless twit that got Mal's hackles up. Even if she only knew him for a day.

"Jealous?" Audrey asked with a smirk as she looked at Mal.

"Of you? You wish," Mal shot back.

Malinda rolled her eyes. "Gods I forgot how annoying Audrey was before everything went pear shaped for her," she muttered under her breath as she rested her hand on her pregnant stomach.

"Yeah, Ben told Emir and me about it when we were twelve and then Audrey spread it around when they officially started dating last year," Akiho nodded. "Betrothal contract. Supposedly iron clad. Finalized when Audrey and Ben were three, I believe."

Hades shook his head. "No contract is truly iron clad. Besides I already proved that to be false."

"Yes dear but you're not in Auradon," Persephone reminded him.

"But dad's right," Mal said. "Besides it couldn't be finalized when Ben and the horrid version of Audie were three anyway."

Mal made to open her mouth but Akiho shook his head, gesturing to the teacher who looked like he was about to call on someone. When Mr. Delay brought some poor unsuspecting kid to the board, Akiho started back up.

"Sorry, but that's Mr. Delay's thing. He picks one kid he thinks isn't paying attention and brings them up to the board. Emir and I think he likes humiliating people."

"Oh my!" Fairy Godmother exclaimed. "I'll have to talk to him about that!"

"It happened to Evie in my timeline," Audie said. "Actually Mr. Delay almost recommended she be expelled."

Mal's eyes narrowed at that. Sure she might not be the blue haired girl's biggest fan but she was the only one who got to mess with her. Well her and Uma of course—and Jay and Harry by proxy but they were the only four who got to mess with Evie.

"Was she?" Dizzy asked, her eyes wide in worry.

Audie shook her head. "She was able to stay in school. Actually I don't remember if Mr. Delay stayed at Auradon Prep after that."

"Huh, well thanks for having my back I guess," Mal shrugged but she couldn't deny, she was oddly touched that someone from Auradon would look out for her like that.

"I know this is the future and all but I'd have done it even if Ben didn't ask Emir and me to look out for you guys," Akiho said.

Akiho shrugged. "Ben asked us to look out for you guys, at least for the first few days. Oh I think you'll get a kick out this by the way, there's a rumor going around the school that you're Lady Persephone's daughter."

"Well I don't know why that's a rumor," Mal shrugged, pretending to take notes. "I am. Maleficent's nothing more than my birth giver."

"Is this karma?" Hades muttered. "To be constantly bombarded with that image in my head when I would like nothing more than for it to go away?"

Akiho seemed a little shocked but continued on like the news hadn't phased him. "Well in that case you might want to be prepared for your Auradon cousins to come out of the woodwork. There's Ariel's daughters, Elle and Melody, and then there's Hercules' kids: Hyllus, Macaria and Herkie. Oh and Jamie Hawkins, she's Elle's cousin-her mom's Andrina and her dad's obviously Jim Hawkins."

"Why is that so shocking?" Rose asked. "We go to school with six Godlings as you mentioned, what's one more?"

"Seven," Elle said. "There's our cousin Arabella."

Oh right, I always forget that I've got a cousin Arabella too, Malinda thought. Though with all the excitement for the cause of Ari's birth, I can be forgiven for not reminding Aurora and Phillip that a royal with that name already exists when they were naming their granddaughter.

Milah shook her head fondly. "Ah Silver always had good things to say about Jim. Glad to hear he's doing well."

"Silver?" Harry asked.

"Long John Silver," Milah said with a slightly sad smile. "I guess I never did get the chance to tell you three about my brother."

"…your what?!"

"I only have one cousin," Mal said firmly, " and she's currently trapped on the Isle with no way off."

"Two you mean," Uma said. "Virgil's on the Isle."

"Yes but the idea of Panic having a kid with Vanessa seems to stress people out when they hear it," Mal told her. "I likely just didn't want to deal with that."

"She's not wrong," Malinda nodded.

"Hey I'm just telling you what might happen."

"The other Gods don't care about the VKs," Mal snorted. "If they did, a lot would be different."

Poseidon frowned, shaking his head slightly. "I do care, my granddaughter's still on the Isle after all. As are my grandson and nephew. Not to mention my brother and sister-in-law."

Hades looked over and gave Poseidon a small smile, having heard the whisper.

Akiho opened his mouth but Mal kicked his shin just as Mr. Delay seemed to want to pick another unsuspecting victim. Quickly looking down and pretending like he was taking notes, Akiho narrowly avoided getting selected himself.

"I shook my head at her, she kicks my shin," Akiho sighed.

"I'm a VK. It's what we do," Mal said with a slight shrug.

"Thanks for that," he told Mal as they walked out of class.

Mal shrugged. "You did the same for me. We pay our debts on the Isle."

Anna smiled slightly but shook her head. "While I'm happy you're making friends with the new students Akiho, you shouldn't have been talking during class."

"Your mother's right son," Kristoff nodded. "If Mal hadn't let you know that Mr. Delay was looking to call on someone, he'd be well within his rights to call on you."

"Well thanks all the same. Even if the idea of the daughter of Lady Persephone being indebted to me sounds amazing," he said, teasing her on the last part.

"Careful you don't say that around Ben," Kitty chuckled. "Don't want him jealous of two guys now."

"Kitty!" Cinderella and Kit exclaimed.

Ben chuckled, ignoring the slight heat to his cheeks. "Really Katherine? I thought you were on my side here!"

"I'm going to tease my brothers whenever I see fit Benjamin. Blood related or not," Kitty told him though her eyes narrowed at the use of her full first name.

Abby couldn't help but smile at that, happy that her brother was able to find a little sister after all.

"Gods Akiho, you don't honestly believe that lie do you?" Audrey's dulcet tones came from behind them. "She's obviously ashamed of having Maleficent for a mother so she's trying to make herself seem more important.

Robin rolled her eyes. "Oh I didn't know you were suddenly an expert on how DNA worked Audrey. Again, you have absolutely no proof that Mal's mom isn't Lady Persephone!"

"You know Audrey's lucky that Aunt Steph hasn't smote her yet for how she keeps insisting Mal's not her daughter," Uma said.

Though, with your father being an ice man and who your mother almost ended up marrying, I guess seeing past the lies would be hard for a half royal like yourself?"

"Audrey!" Aurora exclaimed, noticeably shocked. "Anna, Kristoff, I am so sorry—."

"At least he'll be able to rule better due to his family's experiences rather than lounging in an ivory tower!" Elle snapped at Audrey, glaring at her slightly and preventing Anna or Kristoff from responding to Aurora.

Without thinking, Mal grabbed onto Akiho's arm as if pulling him back. Years of holding back Jay and Harry from getting fights at the wrong time had made it second nature by this point. "Somewhere out there is a tree, tirelessly producing oxygen so that you can breathe," she told Audrey. "I think you owe it an apology. Come on Akiho."

"Can I steal that line?" Kitty asked, looking over at Mal.

"Why do I have a feeling you're going to use it against your brother, Kitty?" Cinderella sighed as Mal nodded.

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away from Audrey and her cronies; Akiho chuckling as he followed.

"Thanks for that but I'm used to Audrey's barbs by now," he told Mal. "It's one of her favorite hits honestly, trying to get Ben not to hang out with us because Emir and I are only 'half royals'. Never mind the fact that Ben is too."

Rose shook her head. "Oh that explains why I'm always on the bottom of the pyramid! You just don't like half-royals," she said, glaring slightly at Audrey.

"This doesn't make sense. She's a hero's daughter but she acts like she belongs on the Isle…" Dizzy whispered, shaking her head softly.

"Why does he keep in the contract then?" Mal asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Blueberry make her way toward the bleachers with a boy with blond, slightly curly hair that was pressed down with way too much gel.

Malinda sighed and gave Evie a sad but knowing look. You could have gone to Ben for the help. It would have been so much easier for you and you wouldn't have gotten heartbroken the way you did, she thought.

"Figured Chad wouldn't waste time getting to know one of the two new girls," Akiho snorted, following Mal's gaze. "He wasn't really a fan of Ben's proclamation but he kept silent when he was around Ben. However, Chad will never stop being a flirt especially since Audrey's with Ben.

"Akiho!" Chad exclaimed.

"Is anything I said incorrect?" Akiho asked, raising an eyebrow. "You pine over Audrey yet the only time Audrey gives you the time of day is when Ben's busy and she only uses you for a sounding board to talk about her wedding to Ben! Dear Gods man, get some dignity and stop following her like a love sick puppy!"

"He does in my timeline," Audie said with a smile. "And don't forget Malinda said he'd wind up with Ginny in this timeline."

"I'll believe it when I see it," Akiho muttered.

Anyway, to answer your question, Ben considers the contract to be a promise. Ben's big on keeping his promises. He always says a king should be as good as his word."

"Shouldn't a King also prioritize his health?" Abby asked, giving her brother a look.

"You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the contract, would you?" Mal asked, an idea slowly starting to form in her brain. "Contracts and deals are kinda my dad's thing. I want to see if it's as iron clad as you claim it is."

"That's my girl!" Hades said with a grin. "I mean it's not. As we already stated, it's invalid due to the fact that neither of the affected parties signed it themselves—."

"Dear, you're about to rant again," Persephone said with a small sigh.

"Emir's got a copy or at least a photo of it," Akiho told her. "We can get it to you on the weekend—it's on his phone. Actually, come to Tourney practice. We'll get it to you then."

"I still don't know why you had a copy," Aziz said, looking at Emir.

"Akiho and I spent a year trying to find a way to get Ben out of that contract. Helps if we had a copy to reference," Emir shrugged.

Mal nodded. "Good. Like I said, we pay our debts on the Isle."

"Ben wouldn't consider you indebted to him for getting you off the Isle," Akiho said as Jay walked up.

"Because you're not," Ben stated. "Getting you guys off the Isle is an act of human decency. You don't owe me anything."

"And, as per usual, I haven't a clue what's going on," Jay snorted.

"What else is new?" Uma smirked, teasing the older boy.

"Hey Jay," Akiho nodded with a smile. "I'll see you this weekend Mal?"

"Sounds like a plan," Mal nodded and Akiho walked off. Mal rolled her eyes at Jay's questioning stare.

"What?"

"Seriously? You're going to judge me for finding allies?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What's happening this weekend?" Jay asked as they made their way back to Jay's dorm.

"Tourney practice. Akiho's getting me a copy of Ben's betrothal contract with Sleeping Brat," Mal told him.

"It's sad how fast that nickname's latched on…and it's even sadder that I agree with it," Phillip Jr. whispered to himself before letting out a small sigh.

"I want to see if there's a way he can get out of it."

"Why?" Jay asked.

Mal rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry but weren't you the one who came up with the idea of making Ben our ally? At least according to the scrolls?"

"Well you seemed so against it at first, I'm sure it's surprising to see you taking on the role with such gusto," Jay told her.

"Because…as much as I hate to say it, especially about any member of the royal family of Auradon, he seems like an okay guy," Mal sighed. "Besides, he got us off the Isle and asked his friends to watch our backs when he couldn't. I know we don't need it but if he's looking out for us, shouldn't we do the same for him?"

"Come join the Shadows club! We can always use more people looking over Ben!" Akiho said with a grin.

Benji shook his head. "And I wondered why you'd made yourself an honorary Shadow," he murmured to Malinda.

Jay was quiet for a few minutes before he spoke up again. "I got into a fight in Basic Chivalry. The teacher wants me to take my energy where it'll be more productive. Meaning he wants me to try out for the Tourney team. DeVil too—oddly enough he tried to break up the fight."

"Wait, I thought that stupid Remedial Goodness class was the only time the VKs were in the same class?" CJ asked.

"That's what the scroll said," Celia nodded.

"Then why is DeVil in the same class as Jay?"

Fairy Godmother sighed. "There's only one time when Basic Chivalry is offered. There'd be no other option but to have Carlos and Jay in the same class."

"Why not Mal and Jay?" Dizzy asked.

"Basic Chivalry is only offered to the male students," Evan spoke up.

"That's stupid!" CJ stated firmly.

"Really?" Mal asked, sounding slightly impressed. "Guess DeVil has a little more bite to him now that we got him away from his mother. What was the fight about?"

"I'm sorry but you sound way too nonchalant over the fact that DeVil tried to break up a fight," Uma stated, looking just as shocked as she sounded.

"Oh one of the brainless wonders in the class was spouting some nonsense that you were a liar by saying Steph was your mom."

"Who was he?!" Harry and Jay demanded.

Malinda snorted. "Like Jay said, a brainless wonder. It doesn't matter guys. Mom's my mom."

Persephone smiled as she heard that as did Demeter, though her eyes narrowed at the thought of someone implying her granddaughter was a liar.

Mal snorted. "Sleeping Brat did the same thing. It doesn't matter what they think—mom is my mom. Don't they know calling me a liar is a compliment anyway? If they wanted to offend me, they'd just believe me."

"I see you don't change much," Elle said with a small smile.

Persephone sighed. "Normally I wouldn't be approve of you being happy to be called a liar Mal but in this case I can see where you're coming from."

"Yeah well, brains don't seem to be all that common around here," Jay shook his head.

"Normally I'd be offended but considering you could be referring to Chad, I have to say you're right," Lucy nodded.

"Lucy," Kit warned.

"Some of the kids here have 'em," Mal shrugged. "Akiho and Emir for one. Lonnie's another one but I haven't seen her since dinner our first night."

Lonnie, Emir, and Akiho grinned as they heard the compliment.

"And Ben?" Jay teased.

"Gods, you're like a big brother no one asked for," Mal grumbled but there was no bite to it. She wouldn't know where she'd be if she was in Auradon without Jay.

Ben couldn't help but smile a little as he heard that. Yes he knew he'd had it confirmed by…well himself that they weren't dating but it was another thing to hear it from Mal.

If only I didn't have the contract, he thought as he bit his lip in thought.

Actually, she did know—she'd be back on the Isle already, having earned her spot there because she'd have killed Blueberry.

"Okay before anyone says anything about that, do you really think sixteen years of loathing is going to go away just because I share a room with her?" Mal asked as everyone looked at the purple haired Godling. "Harry tries to kill Gil nine times a week and no one bats an eye but I loathe Blueberry—loathe only, no attempted murder at all—and everyone acts like I'm the next Chernabog!"

"Why do you try to kill Gil?" Milah asked Harry, looking over at her son.

"He's a moron! He literally has fish for brains, he could barely tie his shoes by the time he was nine! And yet the Captain keeps forcing me to interact with him! If it wasn't for the fact he's got enough brains to hate Freddy and Zevon, I'd have turned him to fish bait years ago!"

"So how was Basic Chivalry?" Mal asked as she plopped on Jay's bed. "Other than the fight I mean?"

"They put a plate with a knife, two spoons and two forks in front of us," Jay said as Carlos walked in. "Believe it or not, DeVil and I sat there like imbeciles."

Cinderella gave Jay a sad smile. "Trust me, I felt the same way when I learned. I'm sure Chad will be happy to give you any help you need."

Chad nodded slightly; the look his mother was giving him didn't really give him room to argue.

"I'm more impressed they trusted two VKs with a knife," Mal snorted.

"Were the knives blunted?" Mal asked Malinda. "Cause if Jay got into a fight with knives around, the other guy's lucky he didn't get stabbed."

Malinda nodded. "I know the VK instinct to grab for a weapon. They were butter knives according to Carlos."

"Hey DeVil. Heard you broke up a fight between Jay and a gormless idiot. Nice work."

Carlos shrugged but Mal noticed he couldn't help but smile a bit at the praise. "We don't need the extra attention," he said softly. "Besides, Jay looked ready to rip the guy's head off."

"Smart," Harry said. "Keep your heads down, it'll help in the long run and get Uma and me off the Isle."

"Probably would have too if Emir wasn't holding me back," Jay grumbled.

"Seriously?" Celia asked, looking over at Jay.

Jay shrugged. "He was insulting my sister."

"Still. Nice work DeVil," Mal reiterated.

"You guys provided me protection on the Isle," Carlos said, his voice sounding a little stronger now that it was clear Mal wasn't going to snap at him.

"Why would I snap at you?" Mal asked. "You tried to break up a fight Jay was in."

"Yeah," Uma nodded. "Knowing Mal like I do, DeVil, she'd be more likely to snap at you if you didn't try to help Jay out."

"I know you don't need protection, being Lady Persephone's daughter, but if I can…repay the favor, I will. We pay our debts on the Isle."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Yes we heard you the first hundred times."

"Oh so they're the opposite of you," Rose muttered. "Someone does something for you, they don't even get a thank you."

Mal nodded, oddly touched for the second time that day. DeVil believes me? He lived on the Isle all his life, he'd only know me as the Dragon's spawn…then again, with how Cruella treats him, maybe it's not so odd that he believes me. After all, if anyone can recognize the actions of someone who's a parent in name only, it'd be DeVil.

Carlos gave Mal a small smile. It's pretty safe to assume Mal of all people's not giving me pity, he thought.

"DeVil, you want to go get food?" Mal offered after a few minutes. "I think dinner's starting soon. We get there now, I bet we can beat the crowds."

"Smart," Harriet nodded. "Avoiding the crowds would be the best way to avoid being trampled."

Carlos smiled. "Sure. Jay, you in?"

"I'm never one to turn down food," Jay smirked. "Come on DeVil, we need to put some meat on those bones of yours if you're going to survive Tourney tryouts. From what Emir said, the sport can get brutal."

"What about Evie?" Dizzy asked. "Aren't you going to get her too?"

"I'm sorry, I'm still alarmed that someone thinks Jay and I would both be a good fit for this sport," Carlos said, shaking his head.

"Um yeah, is there anyway I can pass on going to those tryouts?"

"The teacher said it was either tryouts or detention."

"We're VKs! Since when do we avoid detention?"

"Pup's got a point!" Harry nodded, ignoring Carlos' slight flinch.

Mal couldn't help but smirk at DeVil's snark as the three of them made their way to dinner. Seems the little puppy has some bite to him, she thought. Good.

"Seriously? Why do you guys always call me 'pup'?" Carlos sighed.

Mal shrugged. "No reason really. Hey at least we got Harry to stop barking at you."

"Pup is fine."

Malinda shook her head. "Carlos, I'll get them to stop if you really dislike 'pup'. And who wants to read next?"

"Um…I guess I will," Carlos said. Hey, he'd talked this much. Reading a scroll wouldn't be too bad.

Malinda smiled at him before turning to Benji. "And nothing horrible happened because I read. You worried for nothing."

"You're going to be the reason my blood pressure is higher than normal aren't you?" Benji sighed.

Chapter 39 Chapter Text

"Wonder what this scroll will have in it?" Carlos mused as he unfurled it.

The weekend came before Mal knew it, and she found that she was actually excited to watch Jay and Carlos try out for Tourney.

"Who wouldn't be?" Kitty grinned. "Tourney's the best thing to watch!"

It would at least be more entertaining than watching Blueberry do Chad Charming's homework for him.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Cinderella and Kit exclaimed.

"She's…I'm not…"

Rachel shook her head. "I think most of the girls here have done your homework for you Chad. History report for a date sound familiar?"

"Life Skills without Magic paper," Elle said, holding up her hand.

"Basic Chivalry essay," Robin added, shaking her head in slight disgust. "In my defense, Will was going out with someone else and it was mom and dad's holiday party. I couldn't not be with someone."

Mal rolled her eyes before looking at Fairy Godmother. "So what? You don't recognize that the papers and homework are in different handwriting styles than Charming's?"

"All our papers are typed up," Ben said, looking at Chad with his patented puppy dog eyes of disappointment. He didn't really realize what he was doing, but he was doing it.

"Of course they are," Uma muttered.

Kit sighed. "Young man, your mother and I are going to be having a talk with you about this!"

"…yes dad," Chad muttered.

Honestly, what is she thinking? That Charming would just go out with her if she does his work? Mal thought with an eye roll.

"Considering that's Chad's MO from what we've heard around school? Yes, more than likely," Lucy said, nodding her head.

Mal and Uma's eyes narrowed at that. They were the only ones who got to mess with Evie. Er…Blueberry.

Still, a small part of her couldn't help but be a little amused by the whole thing. Blueberry was getting played by the same stuff she would pull on the Isle. Mal would always have a front row seat to that sort of thing since she and Blueberry were often in the same class at Dragon Hall.

"Mother always said that boys don't like smart girls," Evie said, her voice soft as she looked down at the ground.

"Your mother's an idiot," Emma snorted. "Er…no offense mom."

Snow White shook her head. "Watch the attitude Emma but my daughter has the right idea Evie. If a boy doesn't like you for who you are, then they're not worth it."

"Yeah right," Audrey scoffed. "Everyone knows it's looks not personality that—."

"Well yeah, no one would like you for who you are because you're ugly on the inside," CJ snapped at her.

"CJ!" Harriet exclaimed.

"Runt's not wrong," Harry nodded.

"Harry!"

Karma was sweet. Or at least it would if Mal didn't feel a small tug on her conscious every time she saw Evie at work.

"Wait…how long has Evie been doing this?" Rowyn asked. "Normally with Chad, it's a one and done situation."

That tug was the reason why Mal spent more and more of her time throughout the week hanging out in Jay's room. She couldn't feel the tug if she didn't see Blueberry.

"So basically if you don't see Evie, you don't feel the guilt?" Macaria asked.

"Are you sure we have to do this?" Carlos asked that Saturday as Mal once again sat in the boy's room, smirking in amusement.

"Well I mean you don't have to do anything," Meg pointed out. "But if you don't do it, you'll get detention."

"It's either we do this or we have detention DeVil," Jay told him.

"I believe I stated earlier that as VKs we don't shy away from detention!"

"And you know, really, how bad could detention in Auradon be?" Carlos mused.

Mal looked over at Jay and the two of them shared a smirk. DeVil truly was coming into his own—or at least felt more comfortable around Mal and Jay. To be fair to the younger boy, he mainly saw them when one of them checked in on him and Gil—and if it was Harry, well let's just say there was a reason why Mal or Jay handed the check ins.

"I deal with Fish for Brains for the recommended amount of time. Anything over that and I make no promises about his status as a living person," Harry stated.

"What is the recommended amount of time for dealing with Gil?" Uma asked.

"However long the Captain tells me to deal with him."

Now all DeVil needed to do was lose a lot more of the timidness around people who weren't Mal or Jay and he'd be just fine.

"And I think the pup's doing just fine on that," Harry muttered to Uma, who nodded.

Meanwhile, over at the girls' side of the building, a certain prince was making his way down the hall.

"Oh dear Gods, I think Eros must have struck him with an arrow or something," Hera chuckled.

He hadn't had a chance to talk to any of the VKs that day and he wanted to make sure they were doing alright.

"Oh really? Any VK in particular you were thinking about checking on?" Abby grinned as she teased her brother.

Ben figured that they were probably all in one location. He didn't know why but he wanted to start with Mal's room.

He had a good feeling about it.

"A good feeling about Mal's room? You don't say?"

"Well Emir, don't forget. He does dream about our young friend Lady Malinda here."

"That he does Akiho. That he does."

Aziz sighed. "One of these days, you two are going to wind up slapped. You realize that?"

"Our insanity is our cross to bear," Akiho grinned.

Mal and Malinda shook their heads. "I'm not a Lady!"

"Um…Mal…technically you're a Queen," Benji told Malinda.

Knocking on the door, Ben felt his good feeling disappear as Evie answered the door. That wasn't to say that he wasn't happy to see Evie but…he had kinda wanted to see Mal.

Benji shook his head. "I'm so sorry Evie."

"You can't help how you feel," Evie said with a slight shrug, hiding her own disappointment. It'd…it'd be nice to see that she at least would get a friend in the future instead of reading about how the Prince wanted Mal.

"Evie! Hi!"

"Hello Prince Ben," Evie said with a small smile, clearly remembering the incident from their first day since her voice lacked the flirtatious nature it'd had at their first encounter.

"Good. Honestly she shouldn't even be talking to Ben," Audrey sniffed.

"There's nothing wrong with her being friendly, Audrey," Ben sighed.

"You don't have to use the title Evie. Just Ben is fine," Ben said gently, smiling as he saw the books spread out on the table behind her; a small handheld mirror holding down some of the papers.

"In my defense," Benji said as everyone looked over at him. "I didn't know that was Chad's homework. I just thought I found another bookworm like me. You know, someone hard at work on a Saturday?"

"Huh," Emma said. "That does sound like something Ben would do."

"I just wanted to stop by, see if you and Mal needed anything. Where, uh, where is Mal by the way?"

"Probably collapsed on her bed from how she's running through your mind Benji," Chip chuckled.

Lucas shook his head. "No matter the timeline, your pickup lines are probably the worst anyone's ever heard."

"You might want to try Jay's room," Evie told him, the smile still on her face but Ben could hear a slightly resigned tone to her voice. Were...were they not friends on the Isle? Ben thought. Mal wouldn't purposely exclude Evie would she?

"Is it that obvious?" Malinda quipped and shook her head.

"It's where she always is," Evie added as Ben didn't comment, lost in his thoughts. Ben nodded though he felt his heart sink to his stomach. Oh. Mal was with Jay. Any thought or belief that Ben had that Mal and Jay were just good friends was slowly deteriorating.

"Okay I can kinda see how he's getting that impression," Hyllus said with a small nod.

"Thanks Evie," Ben told the blue haired girl, hoping his disappointment didn't show in his voice. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm good," Evie told him with a small shake of her head. Ben nodded and gave her a small smile before turning to go make his way to Jay and Carlos' room. Even though the door was shut, Ben could still hear their voices from his spot in the hall.

Malinda chuckled. "Ben's even added to that list."

"What list?" Akiho asked.

"Name one stupid thing I've ever done!" Ben heard Jay exclaim and he couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about. Certainly seemed interesting.

"I have a list. It's alphabetized," Mal's dry tone responded and Ben had to bite back a chuckle as he knocked on the door.

"Oh," Akiho said, nodding his head.

"Can we hear the list?" Emir asked.

Mal shook her head. "There's not enough time. Besides, that was when Jay had Harry with him. If you and Akiho found out…I don't think Auradon would stay standing."

You don't have a shot. After all, your dad's the one who created the Isle. Even if you did break it off with Audrey, why would Mal even want to go out with you? You've known her for like a week!

"And Ariel knew Eric for three days before they got married," Abby pointed out. "I think the only royal couple who got to know each other for a long span of time before winding up together was mom and dad."

"Hey Bennyboo," Mal's voice broke through his thoughts as she opened the door and Ben couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname, even if he hated when Audrey used it. There was just something…different when Mal used it. Ben couldn't put his finger on it.

"Hmm, could it be because she doesn't use it in place of your actual name?" Akiho suggested.

"Hey! I was just…uh I was just wondering if you all needed anything? I hadn't seen you all day so I just wanted to check in," Ben said.

"How about a room change?" Mal chuckled.

"Malinda!" Persephone scolded. "I know you're not crazy about rooming with Evie but you've been told you're getting a room change when we finish the readings. You don't need to beat a dead Pegasus."

"…yes mom."

"You're going to be seeing us in about thirty minutes," Mal said. "Jay and Carlos are trying out for Tourney."

"And you?"

"Moral support and/or mocking," Mal said with a smirk. "Probably about thirty percent support, seventy percent mocking."

"I'm surprised you can count that high," Audrey sniffed.

"Audrey!" Ben and Aurora exclaimed, Ben out of disappointment and Aurora out of shock.

Audie shook her head. "Just go ahead and give her another month on that grounding," she said to Phillip Sr.

Ben chuckled. "Hey, do you…do you all want to walk down together? I've got to head down to practice early anyway to help set up, part of the perks of being captain."

Mal looked over at the boys and then back to Ben with a shrug.

"Just throwing out a guess but I'm pretty sure Ben wants to go down with just Mal," Chip chuckled.

"Sure," Mal said and the three VKs followed Ben down to the Tourney field. Mal wasn't going to lie, it was a little weird seeing Ben away from the two parasites known as Chad and Audrey.

"Hey!"

"I beg your pardon!"

Akiho shook his head. "Chad, your parents just found out that you get girls to do your homework. I think 'parasite' is the perfect word to use to describe you."

"And we could go into a more fitting description for the Banshee here but we don't really have time," Emir added.

Sleeping Brat especially seemed to be more determined to remind Mal that Ben was her's, constantly clinging to Ben's arm and loudly showing affection whenever Mal passed them the hall.

"Oh yeah," Audie sighed. "Forgot I used to do that."

Mal honestly didn't care. Ben was an ally, nothing more. The only reason she wanted to see if there was a way to get Beastie Jr. out of the betrothal contract was to wipe the smug grin off of Audrey's face.

"And if we know Mal, she won't rest until she does just that," Harry said, nodding his head.

No one should be stuck with the brat as a future bride. Not even someone who's father was the reason she had been stuck on an Isle with nothing to eat but rotten food for sixteen years.

"You know, it would be rather hypocritical of us to blame Beastie Jr. for Beastie making it so we were all trapped on the Isle," Harriet pointed out.

Thank the Gods for her mother and her access to Auradon otherwise Mal and her crew probably would have been in worse shape.

"I only wish I could have done more for you kids," Persephone said with a small sigh.

But anyway, seeing Ben away from those two…it was like seeing a completely different person. He was more relaxed, more carefree. If it wasn't for the suit, Mal would have assumed Ben was a regular teen.

"If you're heading to practice, why are you in your regular suit?" Dizzy asked.

"We always walk down in our regular clothes," Ben explained. "We keep our pads and stuff in our lockers, makes it easier for us to move from class to practice without forgetting anything."

"That locker room must reek," Uma chuckled.

"It's pretty pungent," Akiho nodded. "Reminds me of Sven's stable sometimes."

Speaking of which, is that all he owns? Mal thought. I mean, I can understand wanting to make an impression on our first day but I don't think I've seen him in anything else—and considering he tries to stop by either my locker or my room once a day to make sure I or the other VKs don't need anything, that's a little…concerning.

"I think we can count on one hand the number of times we've seen Ben wearing clothes that aren't suits," Lonnie said, shaking her head.

"Tourney and R.O.A.R. uniforms don't count," Emir said as Ben opened his mouth.

"Gil could probably make you something," Carlos offered. "You know, if you don't have anything and don't want to go to the store for security or bother the royal tailor."

"Why would Fish—?"

"He sews, his mom taught him."

"…Fish for Brains can sew?"

"He made his brothers' vests."

Mal chuckled. "I think you broke Harry, DeVil. He doesn't know whether to rant about Gil or praise him."

"I do have casual clothing you know," Ben said with a small sigh.

"Then wear it," his friends said in unison.

She shook her head slightly—why did she care exactly what Beastie Jr. wore? If he wanted to look like a miniature of a businessman, more power to him.

"You keep sticking your nose into his business for someone who doesn't care," Audrey snapped.

Audie sighed. "It's called being a friend. You should try it sometime. People might not hate you as much."

They made their way down to the Tourney field and the boys broke off, heading over to the locker rooms to get changed into their pads while Mal climbed up to grab a spot in the bleachers.

"You know you don't have to climb all the way up to the top of the bleachers to watch practice," Emir said.

Gods I wish I had my sketchbook, she thought as she looked out at the empty field. The canon especially seemed like it would be an interesting thing to draw—and it would stave off some boredom as she waited for the boys to come back out.

"Why didn't you grab it?" Mal asked Malinda.

"I was there to support Jay and Carlos, not draw something," Malinda said.

Mal didn't have to wait long as the team quickly ran out from the locker room, Jay and Carlos at the rear.

Gods Jay, I hate to even think it but look out for DeVil, Mal thought.

"Hey if he's under our protection still, I'll keep an eye out for him," Jay promised.

The younger boy's height difference was more pronounced than ever when he was surrounded by the other players, his arms and torso covered by the pads. It didn't help matters when, maybe half an hour into practice, Mal heard the coach yell at Carlos to get out of the 'kill zone'.

"Oh great," Carlos muttered. He just loved making himself look like an idiot in front of others.

Akiho gave him a small smile. "Hey at least you're not Emir. He didn't realize he was in the 'kill zone' until someone barreled into him."

"That someone was Chad," Emir grumbled. "And it was a Tourney summer camp and we were ten!"

Okay, DeVil, we need to get you into something more…tech based, Mal thought, remembering the device the younger boy had made that had gotten them some more channels on their televisions. Granted it also blasted a small hole in the barrier which allowed Mal more access to her magic.

"Tech would be good," Carlos said with a small nod of his head.

"I'll make sure to get you into some tech classes," Ben said. "Or you can talk to Will. He's on the Tourney team with me, he's Wasabi's son. Will keeps talking about forming a robotics league at Auradon Prep, you can talk to him about that."

She couldn't help but smile as she saw Jay move through the team, running like he was sprinting across the rooftops of the Isle looking to get his next score. The smile faded as she watched Carlos throw his stick at Jay and then ducked down as to avoid the impact.

"Jay!" Uma snapped. "DeVil being under our protection does not mean you jump over him and leave him to the wolves!"

I get it's a sport but DeVil's under our protection Jay! Ruthless yet Loyal! What in the world are you thinking?!

"Sometimes you just get in the zone," Emir said, Akiho, Chad, and Aziz nodding in agreement.

"What do you call that?!" Mal heard the coach yell and she realized that he had called Jay over. "Raw talent, that's what I call it. Come see me later, I'll show you something you probably haven't seen before. It's called a rule book."

Harry glared at the scroll in Carlos' hands. "Jay knows how to follow rules. He just chooses not to."

Mal scowled as she made her way down in case they needed her should a fight break out. Jay knew what a rule book was, the Isle had its own rules. Unwritten, sure but they existed.

How else could Maleficent rule the Isle with an iron fist?

"I'm pretty sure Maleficent rules purely through fear," Celia said with a small shrug.

"You ever think about band?" The coach asked Carlos and Mal had to bite back a snort as she reached the bottom of the bleachers. There was no question that someone as timid as Carlos would be devoured by this sport.

"Not necessarily," Benji said with a small smile.

Harry'd do well here, but he'd probably prefer something with more swords, Mal thought. That's that's if he can keep his attention away from the cheerleaders. And of course Sleeping Brat's a cheerleader—because why not?

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Rose exclaimed. "What? All cheerleaders are the same or something? Just because we wave pompoms and do cheers doesn't mean we're all vapid airheads with our sights set on crowns above our stations!"

"I'll work with him coach," Ben promised and was it Mal's imagination or did Emir and Akiho just look at each other in concern? Seriously? They were concerned about Ben being alone with Carlos of all VKs? Blueberry would be more concerning if Mal was being honest.

"From what we know about those two and from what we know about Benny's schedule, they're probably more concerned that Beastie Jr. was adding another thing to his plate," Uma said.

"Take a break you lot!" Ben called as he walked off with the coach.

"Mal!" Akiho waved as Mal walked over, the blond handing Mal a rather nice looking phone. "I got what you were asking for."

"It's my phone you idiot!" Emir shouted but shook his head in amusement. "Passcode's 1-1-2-5."

"Just a bunch of random numbers?" Ashaki chuckled.

"Hey it works," Emir shrugged. "Though I'll have to change it now."

Mal nodded and, after typing in the passcode, looked at the photo Emir had of the contract. Honestly, there had to be a way out of this thing—no royal worth their salt would have signed it without a way for them to get out of it if the need arose.

"Honestly I still don't see why such a clause was necessary," Leah sniffed. "It's not as if they'd want to—."

"Yes well forgive me Queen Leah if I wanted to ensure my son's happiness in the event that he did find love with someone who wasn't Audrey," Belle told her.

And the fact that Ben stiffened every time Audrey touched him was enough of a reason in Mal's book. If she didn't think the brat wasn't capable of it, Mal might have thought that something a bit darker was going down between Ben and Audrey.

Malinda turned to Benji with a sigh. "Since I know younger you probably won't answer this, at least not honestly…she never hit you back then did she?"

Benji shook his head. "No, though honestly if it wasn't unseemly for a Princess or a Queen to do so, I wouldn't have put it past her."

It was Beast's turn to shake his head. "Right, that's it. Ben, you're not staying in that relationship for another minute. Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, though we know that the contract is already void thanks to Lord Hades, I still feel the need to extend you the courtesy of asking. With your permission, I'd like to ask that Ben be released from the contract."

"Adam, I was going to talk to Ben about that in private," Belle said softly.

"I know Belle but…after what my father did to me, the thought of Ben going through that…" Beast whispered back to her.

Ben jerked his head toward Beast upon hearing that. "What? Dad, no it's fine! Nothing happened anyway! It's not worth risking Auroria as a trading partner!"

"Prince Ben, it has become very clear from both these scrolls and watching your reactions in the room that the contract isn't what you truly want. You don't need to worry about Auroria feeling any ill will, how can we when the contract was set up when you were so young? If you want to be released from it, you have full consent."

"As for you young lady, we're going to be having a talk about how you act in your relationship with Prince Ben," Phillip Sr. said to Audrey.

Ben shook his head and looked at his parents. "Mom…dad…the contract…after losing Abby because of it…I can't just remove my consent."

"Ben, you think I want you spending your whole life being miserable with her because of me?" Abby asked. "You don't owe me or anyone anything. In fact, you kinda owe it to me to get out of Queen Bat's contract. After all, she put so much pressure on mom that she lost me! Don't give her the satisfaction of knowing she's getting what she wants!"

Benji looked over at his younger self. "I'm not going to try to influence you since it does need to be your decision but just pointing out, I'm living proof you can get out of that contract and it won't be the end of the world. In fact, I highly recommend it."

"What? You can't! Ben can't do this!"

"Okay Brat, if you want to put that much value on the relationship, name one thing you like about him," Mal stated.

"I don't see why that's any of your business," Audrey sniffed.

"Well considering there's an older me sitting next to him with a wedding ring on, it's pretty clear that he becomes my business! Answer the question!"

"Audrey, she has a point," Phillip Jr. said. "It's not that hard to say what you like about Ben. I'll even spot you one—he's friendly to everyone he meets."

"He's well read," Rowyn chuckled.

"A hard worker," Elle added.

"The most loyal friend you'll ever have," Emir and Akiho nodded.

Malinda smiled and kissed Benji's cheek. "He always tries to see the good in others, no matter what," she said softly.

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Honestly. Why am I the one being interrogated anyway?"

Ben sighed and just motioned to Carlos to read some more, hoping that his parents would forget about all that'd happened in the scroll.

Sadly though, he didn't think he'd get lucky twice and the next break would more than likely contain an awkward conversation with his parents.

Seriously, the Princeling stiffens the way Carlos does every time Jay slaps him on the back or pats his shoulder, Mal thought as she scanned the contract, not realizing that she had referenced Carlos using his first name rather than his last.

"You see?" Chip said. "Second time in a row it's been noted! It's not just us who see it!"

"Well?" Akiho asked after a minutes.

"Whoever made this contract is good," Mal sighed, handing Emir his phone back.

"Grammy knew what she was doing," Audrey said, straightening up in pride.

"Oh dear Gods, I complimented Leah?" Malinda groaned. "Well this might be the first time in three months I throw up from something not related to morning sickness."

"But like I said earlier, deals are kinda my dad's thing. How old did you say Ben was when this was made?"

"Three," Emir said as he pocketed his phone and Mal stiffened. Three ? What, were Beast and Belle content to trade away their only son like he was some sort of prized stallion to be sired? The irony that Sleeping Beauty's daughter and Beast's son being bound by a betrothal contract while their parents got to marry for love was not lost on Mal.

Mal couldn't help the slight hiss that escaped her lips before looking at Belle and Beast. "The question stands. What, was Ben put under magical influence to keep him in this contract?"

"Ben can't be spelled, at least not anything that affects his mental capabilities," Malinda said, shaking her head. "It was one of his three christening gifts."

"There you go then," Mal said, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. Ben's an ally, nothing more, she thought.

"Uh huh," Jay said with a small smirk.

"Keep telling yourself that Mali," Uma chuckled.

"There was no way Ben could consent to this at the age of three. Even if Belle and Beast consented for him, if he removed his consent now the contract's null and void. My dad always says that when it comes to a deal, consent matters. Otherwise, you have a hostage situation."

"I feel as if we should draw up rescue plans," Jay noted.

"We can help with that!" Emir and Akiho spoke up, grinning ear to ear.

Aziz shook his head. "My brother and his best friend will never change."

"I believe I once described them as 'two halves of a whole idiot'," Chip chuckled.

"We love you too Chip!"

"Huh, that's an oddly apt description for what Ben's in," Akiho snorted.

"And he won't break it why ?" Mal asked.

"Because he's an honor bound workaholic who ties his happiness to the happiness of others," Chip said with a sigh and a shake of his head.

"He considers it a promise made on his behalf and Ben keeps his promises," Emir shook his head. "Never mind the fact that he's clearly miserable. And exhausted."

Belle shook her head. "Ben…honey…say something if you feel like that."

"It's fine Mom," Ben said, his voice soft. "Emir exaggerates."

"So, you two going to just gab all day or are you coming back to practice?" Ben's voice cut in causing Emir and Akiho to jump.

"Sorry captain!"

"Yes sorry captain," Akiho nodded. "We were just getting to know our new classmate and getting your future wife into position."

Ben shook his head in amusement. "Sorry about them Mal. They mean well."

"It's my fault," Mal said with a chuckle. "Akiho was just getting me some information I asked for."

"We could have said no," Emir pointed out.

"Oh?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at his best friend.

"The subject of your betrothal contract came up when Mal and I were leaving class earlier in the week," Akiho said and Ben honestly couldn't find it in him to be angry. Mal…Mal was asking about his betrothal contract?

Seriously, you've known her for a week! Pump your brakes Princey, as Emir would say, Ben thought.

"Meh," Malinda said with a small shrug. "With all the examples of love at first sight in the room, a week is more than enough time."

"Ben, you realize you can get out of it. Right?" Mal asked.

"Yeah dude, didn't you tell us that your mom had mentioned that if you wanted out, you could just tell her?" Emir asked. "I think she told you that back when we were twelve?"

"You talked to Ben about the contract when he was so young?" Ariel asked Belle.

Belle sighed. "We had to. He was at the age where a facts of life talk was necessary but seeing as someone already gave it to him three years prior…"

"For the fifth and final time, I'm sorry! I didn't realize Ben had read my paper when I left to go to the bathroom and forgot to lock my laptop!" Chip exclaimed.

"It's Ben! You know he'll read anything you put in front of him," Lonnie said, shaking her head.

Beast nodded. "He used to read the shampoo bottles when we gave him a bath."

"Okay, now that this conversation had veered into the embarrassing," Ben muttered, motioning for Carlos to keep reading.

"Well yeah but—"

"So why are you staying in a relationship where you're clearly miserable?" Akiho asked and it was clear to Mal that they'd had this conversation many a time before.

"We have," Emir and Akiho nodded.

"They've included the Tourney team as well," Chad added. "We've come close to having an intervention for him."

"Surprised you're not just doing it so that Audrey's free for you to date," Kitty scoffed.

Chad shrugged. "Look Ben's clearly miserable for some reason dating Audrey, I want to date Audrey. If my best friend gets out of something that makes him miserable and I get to date Audrey? Win win honestly."

"Look guys, Audrey's…she's not as bad as you make her out to be—"

"Ben, you keep saying she's 'not that bad' but name one thing that Audrey has done purely for you in the year you've been together," Chip said.

"Dragging you on shopping dates every Sunday when it's your only day to relax says otherwise. Dragging you on a shopping date two days after you got knocked out in the Imperial Academy game three weeks ago definitely says otherwise!"

"What?!" Belle and Beast exclaimed.

"You're getting checked out by a doctor young man!" Belle said, looking at Ben. "No arguments."

"But…I'm fine!"

Beast shook his head and looked at Shang. "It was a home game for Imperial Academy. Why didn't you tell us? Parent to parent?"

"…I asked him not to," Ben said, his voice no higher than a whisper. "I…you had too much to worry about with the coronation and I know you were always worried about something happening to me after Abby…I didn't want you worried over that."

"Yeah see, they're our parents. They're going to worry," Abby said. "And judging by Chip's reaction, he didn't know. Keeping it from mom and dad? That's almost a normal teenage thing to do. But keeping it from Chip? I may not have been born but even I can tell that he's our older brother."

Aurora looked over at Audrey. "Young lady, I think you've got more than enough clothes that you could have postponed that trip."

"Ben canceled on me twice!"

"Because of practice!" Emir shouted. "It's not like he didn't want to go Audrey! He. Had. No. Choice!"

"I'd rescheduled with her two times already! I didn't have a —"

"I swear, Ben, if you say you didn't have a choice, I will whack you over the head with my Tourney stick! The fact that you already had a concussion this year be damned!"

"Wouldn't that give him another concussion though?" Lil' Shang asked, tilting his head.

Beast pinched the bridge of his nose, his glasses now resting on his head. "We are definitely having a talk about this Benjamin."

"I'm fine—."

"Benjamin. Florian. Le Bête. I will ban that phrase from your vocabulary," Belle warned.

"…yes mom."

"Bennyboo, is there a problem?" Audrey's voice broke through the commotion and Mal had to roll her eyes. Of course, someone like Audrey would notice when Ben was talking to another girl.

"No! You don't say?! I think I am going to have a heart attack and keel over, that's how much of a shock that was!" Ashaki exclaimed.

"She's just insecure," Rowyn muttered, shaking her head.

"No problem Audrey," Ben said, the stiff, unnatural smile back on his lips. "I was just talking with Akiho, Emir, and Mal."

"Which she will see as a problem," Emma muttered. "Everyone knows she can't stand the fact that you're friends with them Ben. Plus the fact that you're talking to a girl who's not her."

"Hmm, well, maybe it's not a good idea to have Mal distract you. She might put a curse on you Bennyboo and we'd lose the Championship," Audrey simpered as she started to put her arm around his.

"Ben can't be—."

"Shh, shh, let her idiocy just sit there," Emir said, shushing his best friend and partner in crime. "We're just going to let it age like a fine wine."

"You know I have to say, you certainly beat my first impression of you Audrey," Mal said, matching the princess' insincere tone and Audrey paused.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh this'll be good," Harry grinned as he and Jay leaned forward in their seats in anticipation.

"I never struck you for the type of princess who wouldn't mind the sweat and grime of Tourney practice rubbing against their perfect skin," Mal said innocently, giving a small shrug. "Guess I was wrong."

Audrey jumped back and glared at Mal, who simply smirked while Akiho and Emir were biting back their snickers.

"I mean…I hate to defend Audrey here but I'm with her on that," Rose said. "You ever hug someone who's all sweaty and disgusting from practice? Not a good feeling."

"You just can't stand to see someone happy can you?" Audrey snapped. "Just like your mother."

"Oh, you mean Lady Persephone?" Mal said. "Why, I consider that a compliment Audrey."

Hades smiled as he heard that. "As you should," he said, kissing Persephone on the cheek.

Audrey scoffed. "Sooner or later that lie will catch up to you Mal. Bennybear, I'll see you after practice."

She leaned up to kiss his cheek but Mal saw that the princess' lips never touched Ben's skin. For the second time that day, anger ran through her body yet Mal wasn't entirely sure why. All she knew was that she needed a way to get Ben out of that contract and wipe the smug grin off of Audrey's face.

"Why not reach out to Queen Belle?" Melody asked.

Malinda opened and then closed her mouth as she realized her cousin had a point. "I…I didn't think about that."

That's when it hit her. Maleficent's spell book—it was still in the bottom of her bag. She hated to do it, her dad wanted her to behave and keep her nose down.

But…watching Ben stiffen with every touch, watching him change before Mal's eyes whenever Audrey was near him. Mal had to do something .

"Well I mean…magic is all about intent," Jane said, her voice soft. "I think having the intent to do good would eliminate any evil nature of the spell."

"Hey, I'm just saying it now. I did not want to do it," Malinda stated. "If my dear husband would have grown a spine before I met him when we were teens, it wouldn't have been necessary."

"I had a spine!"

"You just didn't use it."

What are you doing for Beastie Jr.?

Uma?

The one and only! Thought you forgot about me cuz!

I wasn't sure if our mind thread would work, considering we're descendants of the Gods.

"Why…why would that impact anything?" Macaria asked.

"I have no idea," Malinda shrugged.

Aunt Steph's and mine work, why shouldn't ours? Anyway, you're changing the subject.

I need a way to convince Ben to break his betrothal contract to Sleeping Brat.

… why?

"No, no it's a fair question from someone who's never met the Brat," Harriet nodded.

Because he's miserable.

I thought we relished the misery of any member of the royal family?

Mal looked over at Uma and raised an eyebrow. "We relish the misery of the person willing to take kids off the Isle?"

We did. And then I met this one. Watching him be miserable is like watching Estelle beg for scraps at the table. You know, the big puppy dog eyes that just melt your heart?

Estelle looked over at Ben, giving him said puppy dog eyes as if to demonstrate his human's point.

Plus we need him as an ally if you and Harry have any shot of coming over.

"He was an ally the second you all stepped out of the limo though," Celia said with a shrug.

Didn't Jay give you Maleficent's spell book? Use something in that.

I was toying with that. But dad wants me to behave.

Hades shook his head. "Mali, it's clear that using that book wouldn't be disobeying my advice."

"Yeah," Hadie nodded. "You'd be doing a public service if you used it!"

You're a VK. Since when do you behave? Besides, think of this as service to Auradon. I'm sure the only people who want Beastie Jr. in a relationship with Sleeping Brat is Sleeping Brat and possibly her parents.

"Even the people who haven't even met Audrey are calling her that," Phillip Jr. muttered to himself with a small sigh.

She…she keeps saying Maleficent's my mom and that I'm just like her. I don't want to prove her right.

Mali, Maleficent would use that spell book to try to take over Auradon. You're using it to save a prince from what sounds like a really bad relationship.

"Yes!" Emir and Akiho exclaimed.

Yeah, so we're not going to mention what Mal and the others used that spell book for in my timeline, Audie thought. Lord knows Leah would deafen us all.

… I haven't even told you any details.

Don't need them. I hear the name Sleeping Brat, that's all I need. They want to cast judgements on us, turn about's fair play.

"Oh dear Gods, does anyone have ear plugs?" Lucas sighed as he glanced at Leah, who was in the midst of ranting and raving about how unfair they were being toward Audrey. "I think they could hear her on the Isle."

"What was it our Chip called her at the viewing?" Audie asked. "Oh yeah, a geriatric waste of oxygen."

Chip looked impressed. "I know it wasn't me but that does sound like something I'd say."

Mal smirked as Jay walked up, Carlos on his heels.

"Coach wants to meet up with me later," Jay said, slightly shocked. "I…I think I might be on the team."

"Congrats Jay!" Evie said with a big smile. Sure the Rotten Four might hate her but that was still something big.

"Err…thanks Blueberry," Jay said, looking a bit confused but giving Evie a small smile in return.

"I'm a reserve apparently," Carlos said softly. "Until Ben can work with me."

Mal nodded and the three of them went back to their dorms, Mal heading to hers for the first time since they arrived in Auradon.

"Seriously? You just left Evie on her own?" Emma asked, looking at Malinda.

Malinda sighed and shook her head. "I was used to either being with Jay, Harry, and Uma or being in my own room. No matter how you sliced it, I wasn't exactly used to sharing a room with just one other girl."

"Ben was looking for you," Evie said when Mal walked in.

"Think he found her!" Neal said with a small chuckle.

"He found me," Mal told her, grabbing Maleficent's spell book out of her bag and Evie gasped.

"How'd…how'd you get that ? If you're Lady Persephone's daughter…?"

"Don't poke that bear Evie," Emma said, shaking her head. "Just don't."

"It's none of your business, princess but you ever hear of adoption?" Mal snarked, still flipping through the pages until she found one that she thought might work. "Maleficent is still my birth giver making this mine by right. However, that is all you need to know. I'll be over at Jay's."

"But that doesn't mean that I'm going to keep it after this," Mal stated.

"What else is new?" Mal heard Evie mutter as the purple haired Godling shut the book and walked out the door to the boys' dorm.

"Ooh Princess has some bite," Uma said with a small smirk.

"Jay!" Mal called as she strolled in.

"Yes Mali?" Jay chuckled from his spot on his bed, Carlos in the shower. Mal held up the spell book and wiggled it a little.

"You want to make some cookies?"

"I mean they'll probably get burnt considering how little baking practice we've had, but if we must," Jay said with a small smile.

"How dare you! You can't just spell Ben!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Did I say anything about spelling Ben?" Mal asked, tilting her head. "All I apparently said was I was going to bake cookies."

Carlos shook his head. "Who wants to read next?"

"I'll read," Naveen said.

Chapter 40 Chapter Text

"You know it just hit me, I think I already read," Naveen chuckled.

"Well Naveen, I honestly don't think there's anyone who hasn't read," Tiana said, shaking her head.

"Good point Tiana!"

"Why do you always manage to talk me into these things?" Jay muttered two weeks later as Mal gathered the ingredients for the cookies they were going to make.

"Hey it's a bond you and Harry share," Mal said with a slight smirk. "You can never say no to your captains."

"Because I've known you since I was five and thanks to my dad, I'm fairly decent at smooth talking people," Mal said, propping up Maleficent's spell book as DeVil hopped on the counter after handing her the last ingredients.

"I taught you well," Hades said, looking over at Mal and giving her a proud smile.

"I learned from the best," Mal told him.

"And I'm here why?" Carlos asked, petting the small dog that was sitting next to him.

"Finally! Dude's in the picture!" Audie said with a smile.

"I'm sorry, there's a what near me?" Carlos exclaimed. What was he doing? Dogs were vicious pack animals that ate little boys who didn't behave! Everyone knew that!

"There's a dog," Audie reiterated. "Dude's a sweetheart Carlos, all he'd do is cover you with kisses before anything else. The two of you are inseparable in my timeline."

It had honestly been the shock of Mal's life when she had walked into Jay's room a few days prior to see Dude sitting on Carlos' bed.

"On my bed?" Carlos reiterated, almost squeaking in fear. What am I doing? Do I want to get eaten?

"I'm not seeing things am I?" Mal asked Jay, still staring at the dog in shock. "You didn't turn DeVil into a dog did you?"

"Well one I don't have magic and two DeVil's apparently sitting right there Mal," Jay said with a small chuckle.

"If I did, would DeVil be sitting next to the dog?" Jay scoffed. "Also, I don't have magic Mali."

"You don't change much do you?" Emir asked with a small chuckle.

"I hate when you have a point," Mal muttered.

Aladdin tilted his head. "Well I mean, we don't know that for sure. Your father was a genie when he got defeated, Jay. You might have some magic."

"Still, DeVil's sitting on his bed next to a dog and not running back to the Isle?"

"Apparently Carlos met Dude when working on his Tourney stuff with Ben," Jay muttered back. "I came back from meeting with coach to see DeVil with the dog."

Benji shook his head. "I was working on sprints with Carlos when Dude came running up. Next thing I knew, Carlos was booking it to the grove with Dude on his heels. I ran after them to see Carlos in a tree and Dude wagging his tail at the base."

"Somehow this still doesn't crack my top ten in terms of the strangest things I've seen."

"Your mom and dad are Gods. Somehow. I'm not surprised."

"Can we hear your top ten?" Emir asked, Akiho looking excited.

Mal shook her head. "Sorry boys but I can only remember one and that was when I saw one of the hyenas wearing chicken feathers on his head like a crown."

"Was that Ed?" Harriet asked.

"Yep."

Uma shook her head in amusement. "Hang on Mali. What about the time Gaston Jr tried to keep a chicken as a pet and was talking to it like it was human?"

"Alibi," Mal and Jay said, Mal pulling herself out of her thoughts.

"Won't it be more suspicious if we're seen together?" Carlos asked. "Plus Evie's not here."

"Actually, I hate to say it, but all four VKs congregating might look more suspicious than only two or three," Chip said.

"Blueberry can do what she wants," Mal muttered, looking over the spell book.

Emma frowned slightly. I hope I've found Evie by this point and at least became her friend. I know the scroll said that Jane was hanging around with Evie but there's no such thing as too many friends.

She honestly hated the idea of doing this but Ben needed the kick in the pants to get out of the contract. That's all this was—Mal saw there was an antidote for the spell anyway. Once Ben got himself out of the betrothal contract, Mal would slip him the anti-love spell.

"…Maleficent's spell book has an antidote to the love spell?" Kristoff asked.

"Well I mean, it's Maleficent. Wouldn't spelling someone to think they're in love only to take it away from them be the most evil thing she could think of?" Anna suggested.

"You mean after spelling a baby to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die?"

"Oh…right…"

Kristoff shook his head, ignoring Leah's rant in the background. "Grand Pabbie always said that the heart isn't as easily changed compared to say the head."

"But that's just it. Wouldn't a love spell affect the head rather than the heart?" Anna asked.

Which would be negated by Ben's christening gift, Belle thought with a relieved smile. While she knew Mal meant no harm by it, it was still a relief to know that her son wouldn't be impacted by the spell.

The last thing I need is Prince Beastie mooning after me, Mal thought with an inward scoff before pausing at the last ingredient.

"Too late there!" Emir and Akiho chuckled.

Benji shook his head as he looked over at Malinda. "I wouldn't just moon over you. You're more than that. You're my moon, my stars, my sky, and my sun."

"Even after all this time, you're still producing cavities," Malinda said with a soft chuckle.

"Jay, we may have a problem," Mal muttered.

"Well that's no ominous at all," Hyllus shook his head.

"What's up?"

Mal pointed to the last ingredient listed in the recipe. "The recipe calls for one tear of human sadness. Human sadness Jay. I don't apply, and you and DeVil don't cry."

"Gee, if only you'd brought the other human VK that came to Auradon with you," Emma sighed.

"We could just cut up an onion," Carlos suggested. "Would the magic really know the difference?"

"Um…I…I don't think that would work," Evie said softly. "Both tears have antibodies and enzymes but an emotional tear has more protein-based hormones than a reflex tear."

"How'd you know that?" Mal asked, not noticing that there was a slight lack of malice in her voice.

Evie shrugged. "Alchemy is a form of science right? Well mother wanted to make sure I at least knew the basics in case I needed to resort to it to get a match. Though she…she thought I should rely more on my looks and not my brains."

"I'd rather not take the chance," Mal sighed. Of course, she'd know if an onion would have worked if Auradon actually taught students about magic. After all, the headmistress's own daughter was half fairy but knew nothing about magic.

"You know, she's got a point," Macaria said, looking over at Fairy Godmother.

Granted she didn't seem to have the good sense the Gods gave her, considering Mal found the younger girl paling around with Blueberry in their room on the rare occasion Mal spent time in her dorm.

Evie perked up as she heard that. It sounded like she'd finally get a friend in Auradon!

"I don't mind that," Jane said softly. "Evie seems like a nice person to be around."

"Look, let's just get this started," Jay said with a frown. "We can cross this bridge when we come to it."

Eugene shook his head. "Planning on thinking outside the box? A half finished plank never ends well."

Mal nodded and they got to work on the cookies. Soon, however, there was nothing left to add but the tear.

"Alright…" Mal sighed. "Which one of you boys wants to cry?"

"Technically it'd have to be Carlos," Lucas pointed out. "Jafar was a genie when he got sent to the Isle so can you really say Jay's one hundred percent human?"

"Mal, we're from the Isle," Jay said. "You cry, you die remember?"

Well we're just going to have to fix that, Lonnie thought. It's not healthy to not cry if you're upset.

"Well sorry Jay but unless you're content to just stand here by raw cookie dough, we just wasted about forty five minutes."

"Um, no you didn't," Emma said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, raw cookie dough's the best!" Ruby exclaimed with a grin.

"Why is this so important?" Jay asked. "I mean, I know I'm the one who suggested becoming allies with Ben but—"

"It's nothing Jay," Mal told him with a small shrug. She didn't know why she was so determined to get these cookies done.

"Sure, it's nothing Mali," Uma said with a slight smirk.

"You know that takes a lot of trust," Aziz said. "To just blindly do something with no real explanation."

"I trust Mal with my life," Jay said with a shrug.

Maybe it was just to wipe the smug grin off of Audrey's face whenever the brunette princess saw her in the hall, maybe it was because it wasn't fair to Ben to be trapped in a relationship he no longer wanted to be in.

Chip sighed. "He can get out of it, he just won't ask to."

It was clear to anyone with eyes—yet Ben insisted on it. Though it could have been the reason why he was almost always in his office, much to the consternation of his shadows.

"Well that and the fact that Ben's a workaholic," Emir nodded.

Mal sighed as she thought back to her first Ben Dinner Shift as they were called.

"Okay, which one of us is on Ben Dinner Duty?" Akiho sighed as he sat down at the table about a week after the VKs arrived.

"Why were we not informed of this?" Jasmine asked. "This shouldn't be your job boys."

Emir and Akiho looked sheepish before both of them shrugged.

"Normally if it got too bad, we'd just threaten to go to coach," Akiho said. "It usually bought us a week of Ben trying to prove nothing was wrong."

"I think Emir is," Lonnie said.

"Lonnie?" Mulan asked, looking over at her daughter.

"I ran into Akiho on one of his dinner shifts and I joined in," Lonnie said. "I wasn't on a sports team so I couldn't go to Coach Jenkins when it got too bad though."

"I'm sorry, what now?" Mal asked, taking a break from shoveling down food as fast as she could and tilted her head in confusion.

"Ben often works through dinner," Emir explained. "He claims he doesn't but the number of times we've had to bring him dinner or breakfast says otherwise. What are we up to now Akiho?"

Phoebus shook his head in amazement. "They've got more loyalty in them than some people twice their age."

"I think twelve times this year," Akiho said. "Thankfully it's steak night again so a nice big slab of protein will keep him full."

"Dad, remember, this hasn't happened yet," Ben said quickly. The last time the scrolls mentioned how he skipped dinner, his father had threatened to postpone the coronation.

It wasn't that Ben was all that eager to take the crown but his dad needed the time to mourn Abby. Time he had denied himself while he was ruling Auradon. He couldn't mourn properly if he was still the King.

"I'm aware of that but don't think that won't get you out of a talk, Ben," Beast said.

"Wouldn't this be Audrey's job?" Jay asked. "I mean, even if she didn't know before, she knows where Ben's office is now. He gave us directions right in front of her."

"That would require the banshee to think about someone other than herself," Emir muttered and Mal snorted in amusement.

Ben sighed. "Really Emir?"

"Does it not suit her perfectly?" Emir asked with a slight smirk.

"I mean, she does cause our eardrums pain with every shriek," Akiho nodded.

"Huh, I think I'm really beginning to like these two," CJ chuckled.

"Oh Gods," Harriet sighed.

"You know Ben's going to catch on that you gave her that nickname," Lonnie said dryly.

"Ben hasn't caught on that Audrey's just in the relationship for the crown and it's so obvious that Mama Odie could see it," Akiho told her. "It doesn't help that he and Audrey have been friends longer than Ben's been friends with us."

Akiho shrugged as Ben and Audrey looked at him. "I'd say I'm sorry but it's only the truth."

"That is one toxic friendship then," Jay muttered.

"It's not a friendship," Lonnie muttered. "There's no friendship left."

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Emir chuckled and Mal couldn't help but shake her head slightly. This was her life now apparently: hating Sleeping Brat with the son of Aladdin.

"And yet it doesn't really hit the top ten of the strangest things that happen to me," Malinda added.

"Why don't I take the food?" Mal offered, not realizing how 'girlfriendy' she sounded. Ben was always there, making sure the VKs got anything they needed. Like she said, they repay their debts on the Isle.

"For the last time, you don't need to feel indebted to me for being a decent human being," Ben said, shaking his head.

Not to mention, she was longing to knock some sense into this boy! He didn't know how good it was, having the option to work through food. On the Isle, if you did that it was likely you wouldn't eat again that day!

"Unless you were lucky enough to have an ally to get food for you," Harriet said.

"Or if you had a parent with a restaurant," Celia added.

Mal nodded. "That's right. The Hun kids did pretty well for themselves despite not being in any of the gangs."

"You know there's a rumor that Zevon and Yzla are part Hun?" Uma told her.

"Why…?"

"Who else would be brave enough to handle that?" Harry snorted.

"Under fifteen's present," Mal reminded him. "And my braincells don't need that image permanently tattooed on them."

"I second that," Ben muttered earning a small snort from Mal.

"Thanks," Emir said without a second thought, handing Mal a plate with the biggest steak he could find and a heap of potatoes.

"Appreciated," Mal told him with a small nod of her head. It was really amazing how much the AKs trusted them-she couldn't imagine letting someone she'd known for only a week to be alone with the person who was next in line to rule the Isle.

"Um…Mal? Aren't you technically the next in line to rule the Isle?" Carlos asked.

"What do you mean? I'm not next in line to rule the Isle," Mal scoffed.

"Well…I mean…the other citizens of the Isle see you as Maleficent's daughter and she does rule the Isle…"

"Oh."

"DeVil's got a point," Uma nodded.

"Jay, watch my food. I'll be back."

Hopefully with a wayward prince, she thought before banishing it out of her head. She strode off, making her way to Ben's office and clutching the plate of food as firmly as she could to keep any from spilling off the plate.

"Thank you Mal," Belle said, her voice soft.

Malinda shook her head. "Ben would have done the same for any of us."

"Ben?" Mal called as she marched into his office, not bothering to knock.

"Huh? Oh, hey Mal," Ben said, looking up from his paperwork. "What's up?"

"And so the trend was born," Benji chuckled.

"The trend?" Ben asked.

Benji smiled as Malinda rested her head on his shoulder. "This one here will always barge into our office if she thinks we're working too hard."

"I'm your cue to stop working," Mal said, holding up the plate of food. "Unless you became a robot and I missed the notice?"

"There is speculation about whether or not Ben's human," Rowyn mused.

Ben shook his head. "I've bled enough on the Tourney field to prove those rumors false."

"What? But dinner's not for…" Ben said, trailing off as he looked at his watch. "Oh. I didn't realize what time it was."

"Alarms are your friend," Malinda said. "Start setting one. Or you can have Akiho whack you over the head with a rolled up copy of The Gazelle until you go to breakfast/lunch/dinner?"

"I'll set an alarm! Just don't give him an idea!" Ben said quickly.

"Too late!" Akiho grinned.

"Obviously. Now, come on. Away from that desk," Mal insisted. "If you insist on being in here, you can eat on the couch but you're going to eat!"

Ben smiled slightly as he got up and sat down on the couch next to her.

"Ooh I like her," Abby said with a grin. "Ben, if you let her get away from you, I'll haunt you!"

"He's in a relationship!" Leah protested.

Not for long, Akiho though. After all, if the contract isn't valid, there's no point in Ben staying in a relationship he finds trying.

"You know, I don't insist on being here Mal. I just got caught up with work."

"If you can work through your body telling you you're hungry, then yes you are insisting. Now, eat up," Mal told him as she handed him the plate.

"Just like your mother," Hades said with a small chuckle.

"I'm taking that as a compliment Hades," Persephone said, giving her husband a small smile.

"As well you should," Hades said, kissing her forehead.

Ben took the plate and began eating. "Oh, this is good," he said after swallowing. "You know, I half expected Emir or Akiho to come in."

"I took their shift from them."

"Shift?"

"If they've done it twelve times by this point, wouldn't Ben already know what they call it?" Herkie asked.

"Ben Dinner Duty shift," Mal explained. "Apparently this is the twelfth time they've done this?"

"Not surprised. They think I work too much."

"You do," Emir, Akiho, and Lonnie said in unison; their voices flat.

"You know, I'm starting to think that too."

Ben shrugged. "Coronation has to get planned and the paperwork's not going to fill itself out," he said as he continued to eat.

"Ben, just because dad's retiring doesn't mean he can't do some of the work," Abby said with a sigh.

"That doesn't mean you can't eat," Mal said as she shook her head.

"I eat," Ben said softly. "Akiho'll bring me sandwiches especially if we've got Tourney practice the next day."

Demeter shook her head. "A sandwich is not sustainable for a full day if you didn't eat the night before."

He paused and looked at Mal for a second, as if trying to see if something was wrong. "Where's your food?"

"Don't worry, I'm good—"

"You sure? No need to be hungry just because you brought me food Mal."

"And there's no reason for you to go hungry just because you're in the office," Mal said, rolling her eyes.

"I got Jay guarding my portion."

Ben nodded. "Well, I should get back to—"

"You barely touched your food Ben," Mal said. "That paperwork's not going anywhere. Eat!"

Poseidon chuckled. "As stubborn as Hades," he said, shaking his head.

"We have no problem with that!" Chip, Emir, Akiho, and Lonnie said in unison.

"Yeah, Mal's getting Ben to eat and not be around paperwork. That takes some stubbornness," Emma nodded.

"Okay, okay," Ben chuckled as he took a bite of steak. He couldn't help but feel a bit touched that Mal felt concerned enough to check on him, even if she was potentially dating Jay.

"Okay we're just going to put this out there for all of you to hear," Mal stated. "Jay. Is. Practically. My. Brother! Same with Harry!"

"Didn't you have a flirtationship with Harry when we were thirteen?" Uma asked.

"I was curious as to what flirtationships were like and Harry was one of three boys I trusted full stop not to hurt me or push me into something I wasn't comfortable with. And there was no way I was going to Henry, he'd turn me down before the words got out of my mouth. Not that I'd want that but you know, blow to the rep," Mal said with a slight shrug; never noticing how Uma seemed to perk up at the idea that there were truly no feelings involved there.

It was more than Audrey did—truthfully Ben felt like he was putting all the work into the relationship.

"You are," Emir, Akiho, and Lonnie all said once again in unison.

Chip sighed. "It feels like that because like they said, you are Benji. Honestly no relationship should bee like that. It's not even a relationship, it's you being her glorified arm candy."

"So…do you normally have this much paperwork?" Mal asked.

"No…but like I said, coronation needs to be planned out—"

Mal frowned slightly. "But…by you?"

"She has a point," Emma said with a slight frown. "I mean, it's good that Ben has some input since it's his coronation but he shouldn't have to plan the whole thing."

"It's my coronation."

"I just thought you'd have committees to handle this," Mal muttered.

"The committees are the council though," Ben said. "Royals have their own work."

"It does go through my dad's council but it needs final approval," Ben explained.

"But…isn't your dad still the king? Why wouldn't he give his final approval?" Mal asked. "Hand some of it off to him! You're not king yet, he can't just pass off his job."

"I will be taking some of that work Ben," Beast said firmly.

"It's just three hours a day Mal," Ben shrugged. "Sides, it has to be done so why not by me?"

"I'm sorry, how many hours?" Beast asked, looking at his son.

"…three." Ben said after a slight pause.

"Uh huh. Then why do I recall one of the scrolls starting with you sleeping on your paperwork Benjamin? It's been a while since I've attended a math class but I'm almost positive that sounds like more than three hours."

"You know, this might actually be the best thing for Ben," Emir whispered to Akiho.

"I have to agree," Akiho whispered back.

"Maybe because you're sixteen and should be focusing on homework, sports or whatever else you Auradon kids do?"

"Oh I do that too," Ben nodded. "School, homework, captaining the Tourney team along with R.O.A.R…"

"And that's all well and good Ben but it doesn't give your brain a break," Mal told him.

Mal shook her head.

"So um…thanks for bringing me dinner by the way Mal," Ben said after a few minutes.

"You needed to eat, it was nothing," Mal said with a shrug.

"Still, you've known me for a week," Ben said, not wanting to add that he had friends who'd known him a lot longer who wouldn't have done that.

"Chad!" Kitty coughed.

"Audrey!" Ashaki added, coughing as well.

"You know, I think there might be a cold going around," Rose said with a slight smile as Cinderella and Jasmine quickly scolded their daughters.

"Thanks you. You should go eat though, don't let your food get cold."

"Okay," Mal said softly.

"See you around?"

"Sure," Mal nodded. She'd work on getting him to take a break later, at least he was eating. "School's only so big after all."

"No!" Chip groaned. "First Belle and now you Mal? You were doing so well! Drag him out of that office never to return!"

"In my defense, I only had a small idea how bad he was at that point," Malinda said with a slight shrug.

Benji shook his head. "I wasn't that bad Mal."

"Pick your battles Benny," Malinda deadpanned.

"Yes dear," Benji said with a sheepish smile.

Mal sighed and shook her head, pulling herself out of her thoughts. After that, she and Jay had doubled their 'Ben guard' efforts as they called them. DeVil really did have a good idea with that.

Carlos perked up a little as he heard that. It was one thing for another VK to say he had a good idea. It was another thing entirely for Mal to say it.

"Talk to Lonnie," Emir said. "She's the head of the student version of Ben's security so she can add you to the guard roster. You can talk about tips and shifts with her."

However, it was a lot harder than it looked considering Ben didn't have classes with either of them. Or DeVil. Or Blueberry.

"Or me. Or Akiho. Or Miguel. Or Brenden. Or Will. Or Li. Or Conner. Or Lonnie. Or Emma. Or Elle. Or—."

"They get it," Aziz said, shaking his head at his little brother.

It didn't help matters that Ben was practically a workaholic, only stoping for breaks for Tourney, ROAR or if someone forced him.

Ben shook his head. "I'm not a workaholic."

Malinda raised an eyebrow as she looked him square in the eye. "Ben, as the cousin of the God of Medicine, I can say with certainty that you are a workaholic."

"Just nod," Benji said as Ben opened his mouth. "When it comes to arguing with your wife, you need to pick your battles wisely. Besides, there aren't a lot of arguments we win against Mal anyway."

"Besides, there's no arguing with the fact that you are a workaholic Ben," Chip chuckled.

Akiho had said at one point that he was just about ready to borrow Sven from his father and use the reindeer to drag Ben out of his office.

Mal wasn't going to lie. She'd pay good money to see that.

"She's not the only one!" Chip spoke up. "Akiho, if you need any help with that, I'm more than willing to give you a ride to Sven's stable."

Kristoff shook his head. "No borrowing Sven to drag Prince Ben out of his office!"

"Dad!"

"I mean it Akiho! Honestly, you should have talked to your mother or me about your concerns. Hell, you could have talked to your Aunt Elsa!"

"…that probably would have made more sense in hindsight," Akiho said after a moment.

But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that tear.

"We still need the tear," Mal muttered under her breath, looking over the recipe once more.

"Hey guys!" Lonnie said as she walked into the kitchen, not noticing Mal frantically covering up the spell book.

Malinda shook her head. "Oh Lonnie noticed. How could she not? I wasn't exactly the most subtle—she was just too polite to say anything."

"What are you…oh making cookies? Midnight snack huh?"

"Yeah, just couldn't sleep," Mal lied, nodding her head a little. Lonnie grinned and stuck her finger in to grab some of the dough. Mal froze, not sure how to react. Anything too sudden could be suspicious but she didn't want Lonnie to be under the love spell too.

Not that it would be all that bad if she was, Jay found himself thinking.

"Um, I don't think you should—"

"What? I'm not gonna double dip," Lonnie said, giving Carlos a small smile as the younger boy softly voiced his objections. "Hmm, could use some chips."

"Chips?" Mal asked, looking at Jay in confusion.

"Why didn't it work?" CJ asked.

"Probably because the tear wasn't added," Mal said with a slight shrug.

Malinda chuckled. "Well that and I hadn't said the incantation over it. I mean it's a spell so there'd have to be a spell to enchant the cookies. Otherwise it's just some cookies with a tear in them."

"So why'd you choose that one?"

"It got the best reviews," Malinda shrugged.

"…love spells get reviews?" Kristoff asked.

"Chocolate chips!" Lonnie elaborated with a grin as she got some from the pantry. "Only the most important food group," she added as she poured some of the chips into the bowl.

"Is…is chocolate a food group?" Ben asked.

"You bet it is!" Akiho, Emir, Rowyn and Lonnie said with a nod. Anna couldn't help but give her son a proud smile as she heard that.

Hadie leaned over to Mal. "Should I be worried that it seems like they all share a braincell?"

She paused when she realized that none of the other kids seemed to know what she was talking about. "Wait…didn't your moms ever make you chocolate chip cookies?"

"…mom did once," Jay said softly. "I have a hazy memory of it, might have been back when the food barges were still somewhat edible but we lucked out and got the stuff to make cookies. Sans chocolate. I don't remember how we were able to bake them but mom gave me some good thieving tips over those cookies."

Mal froze, glancing at Jay and Carlos. She knew she was lucky—she was probably one of the few kids on the Isle who could say she was loved by her parents. But Jay still found talking about his mom to be painful even if it'd been years since her death and DeVil would probably run the other way if Cruella actually baked cookies out of fear they were poisoned.

"DeVil, I have no shame in admitting that if Cruella baked anything, I'd probably run the other way too," Harriet said.

"Same," CJ nodded.

"I think the only ones who wouldn't would be Zevon and Freddy now that I think about it and that's just because they lack the braincells," Uma said, tapping her chin with her finger.

"Ooh! Permission to sneak baking materials over to the Isle so that Cruella bakes cookies to give to Zevon or Freddy?" Jay asked, looking over at Mal.

"Even if I say no, you're going to do it anyway aren't you?"

"You know me so well."

Though to be fair, most kids would have done that too.

"Like when you're feeling sad," Lonnie elaborated, not noticing the reaction of the VKs. "And they're fresh from the oven and she gives you a big glass of milk and makes you laugh and puts everything into perspective…why are you all looking at me like that?"

"I'm guessing it's either because they're having a hard time picturing mom of all people baking cookies or because they're from the Isle," Lil Shang said.

"To be fair…I still can't picture Mulan baking cookies," Malinda said.

"It's rather relaxing," Mulan said with a small smile. "Besides, sometimes a situation calls for a spar and sometimes it calls for a listening ear. The latter is when cookies come in handy."

"Oh Gods…does my foot taste good or something?" Lonnie muttered. "Stop talking self."

"It's…it's just different where we're from," Jay told her. There was no delicate way to say 'you lot don't throw out stuff to bake cookies with' and Lonnie was one of the few AKs who were genuinely trying to make the VKs feel welcomed.

"Yeah mom, couldn't you have brought ingredients back with you?" Hadie asked. "It would have been nice to have cookies. They sound good."

"Oh," Lonnie whispered and then tried to regain her cheerful attitude, "well I mean, I just thought…you know even villains love their kids."

Yeah…until Auradon takes them away from us, Jay thought, never realizing that Harry was thinking the exact same thing.

"Some do though," Uma said. "Uncle Hades and Aunt Steph love Mal and Hadie, no one can deny that."

"And your dad loves you, Freddie, and Celia at least in his own way," Mal added as Hades and Persephone smiled at their kids.

"And Aunt Ana!" Dizzy said with a grin.

"Even if 'Lord' Tremaine probably gives her more stress than he's worth, she still loves the brat," Celia nodded.

Mal, Jay and Carlos stayed silent; Mal didn't want to rub her relationship with her mom in the others faces. Jay had been loved by his mom—until her death when he was four. Auradon was partially responsible for it too, thanks to the fact that they had a stellar lack of a medical system.

Belle and Beast winced at the reminder that they'd been partially responsible for taking kids from their parents and parents from their children.

Jacqueline may have been a thief but she truly loved her child.

Hades sighed. "Only the good parents of the Isle are brought to me," he said, his voice low.

"I'm sorry but are we saying that being a thief makes it so you don't love your kid?" Aladdin asked.

"According to Boreadon? Yep," Mal nodded.

Meanwhile Carlos was sleeping in a nest of furs surrounding by bear traps.

Hyllus stared at Carlos in shock. "I'm sorry, surrounded by what?"

Carlos shrugged. "Yeah…it's not the best but…better that than in the streets or alleys," he whispered. "At least I have something soft to lay on."

"But…bear traps?" Melody asked with a small frown. "That's not safe at all! What if you got caught by one of them getting out of bed?"

Carlos shrugged again. "Then I keep it hidden from my mother until it scars over."

Okay, so we're definitely adding therapy for this group of VKs as well, Ben thought.

At least, if Jay was telling the truth from the one time he tried to rob Hell Hall, Mal thought, once again referring to the smaller boy by his first name. At least, in her head.

Trust me Mal, I wouldn't lie. Not about that at least, Jay thought as Carlos continued to try to avoid everyone's eyes at the new revelation.

Lonnie frowned as the three of them stayed silent, gently resting a hand on Jay's shoulder.

The start of Jonnie as one of the sports entertainment reporters called them, Malinda thought with a small smile. Honestly Lonnie could have comforted any of them but it was Jay she chose to rest her hand on.

After all, it was safe to assume that if Mal was publicly stating she was Lady Persephone's daughter then there was some love in that relationship.

"I will always love my daughter," Persephone said firmly.

"Oh guys…how awful," she whispered, her eyes beginning to well up with tears. One of Lonnie's tears dropped down her cheek and landed into the bowl.

"Lonnie!" Audrey exclaimed. "You're helping them steal my boyfriend!"

"Okay, first off, lower the volume Audrey," Lonnie snapped. "And second of all, you can't steal a person. But if showing some sympathy to people who've had it worse than us helps get Ben out of his relationship with you, I'll do it again in a heartbeat! On that note you can't steal a person! Because a person isn't an object Audrey! But even if you could steal a person, I'd help Mal steal Ben from you because then I'd know my friend isn't in a toxic relationship! Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder if you didn't somehow get swapped at birth with Mother Gothel's kid or something. Your parents are kind, fair, selfless people so I have no idea how your mother birthed a selfish, toxic cow of a daughter!"

"Lonnie!" Shang scolded.

"Aren't you going to control your daughter?" Leah snapped at Mulan.

"I can either save China or control Lonnie," Mulan said with a slight shrug, indicating that she was on her daughter's side.

"And I'm sorry but Princess Audrey has had more outbursts during this reading than all the kids combined," Esmeralda said. "Aren't you going to 'control' her?"

"Audrey's simply passionate about what she feels is right," Leah said with a small sniff.

"Uh huh," Poseidon muttered and leaned over to Demeter. "If that's 'passion' then I'm the God of Dance."

"I'm sorry dad but it's true," Lonnie said as Demeter snorted in amusement. "And Ben I see you shaking your head like you want me to stop talking but I'm not! You know she told me I couldn't be your friend when you officially started dating her last year? I had to become her friend too! Me and Jane!"

Jane nodded. "It's…it's not just Emir and Akiho she's gone after, Ben. If you don't meet her 'approval' you're out."

"And I'm sick and tired of keeping quiet about it!" Lonnie said firmly.

Kitty raised her hand. "Does it disturb anyone else that Audrey seems to actively make it so the only friend Ben's around most of the time is Chad? Sometimes I'll see Jane or Doug around him but if Audrey's there, Chad's the only one around."

"Guy, guys, really," Ben shook his head. "Chad, Audrey, and I just have the most classes together. That's it. Besides, with how much work I've got, I'm sometimes lucky if I see anyone."

"You see? Bennyboo is fine! He wants to stay with me!" Audrey exclaimed.

Yeah, I never said that, Ben thought with a small sigh.

"You're all harping about how I'm supposedly abusive but what about you all forcing him into a corner?"

Benji looked at Audrey with a slightly sad look on his face. "So you never talked over him? Never tried to force shows of affection? Never say threw his worst fears in his face? Don't forget Audrey, I am him. Everything's he's going through, I've been through so don't try to deny this."

"I never threw your fears in your face Bennyboo," Audrey said firmly. "What, are you referring to that comment I made…or will make by the lockers? Gods, did they all poison you against me that much that a simple comment is considered abuse now?"

"He told you that was his biggest fear. He trusted you with that as his girlfriend and you just casually brought it up like it didn't matter just to prove your point. What else would you call that?" Malinda growled as Benji rested a hand on her back.

"Hey, crazy idea, but we've got a lot more scrolls to read," Ben said, clapping his hands together and looking extremely uncomfortable. "We really don't need to go into this. Really. We don't. I'm fine, guys. Really. So we can drop this."

Belle glanced at Beast before nodding slightly. They could always talk about it more in private if Lord Hades would allow them to use the room he used for his family's private talk.

"Well," Mal sighed, noticing it but trying not to be suspicious and rush Lonnie out of the room. "Like we said, it…it's different where we're from."

"That would be an understatement," Ashaki stated.

Lonnie nodded. "Hey, if you guys ever want to spend the night, Jane and I usually have a sleepover with Akiho and Emir. Sometimes Ben joins too if he can tear himself away from his paperwork."

"Fairy Godmother's okay with this?"

"What she doesn't know doesn't hurt her," Lonnie shrugged. "Just…think it over okay?"

Fairy Godmother sighed. On the one hand, as headmistress, she needed to uphold the rules of Auradon Prep. But on the other hand…it was nice seeing Janey having some friends.

Mal nodded. "Thanks for stopping by Lonnie. Evil dreams!"

Lonnie chuckled. "Thanks. Sweet dreams to you guys too."

"You know, despite the differences, we're really all the same," Rachel said with a small smile. "Mal and Lonnie are both wishing the other a good night in their own way."

As soon as Mal was sure Lonnie was out of ear shot, she said, "let's get these guys in the oven."

Jay nodded and quickly dished out the cookies, getting the tray into the oven.

"We've got to be out of our minds," Mal muttered.

"This was your idea," Jay muttered back.

"Technically…you could say it was Audrey's," Dizzy said.

"What?!"

"You were the one who said that Mal might spell Prince Ben," Celia said, coming to her best friend and cousin's defense as Audrey spluttered in rage.

"I know. But now…there's a million ways this could go wrong. But it's the only plan we've got. Unless you want to be saying Queen Audrey a few years from now?"

"Only in our nightmares," Elle muttered.

"I hate to say it but odds are you still will," Phillip Jr. sighed. "Even if the contract gets removed from the equation, Audrey's mom's heir. At some point, Audrey will become Queen of Auroria."

"So…how are you guys going to get Ben to eat this cookie?" Carlos spoke up. "I'm just saying he's probably been coached a million different ways to avoid eating strange items."

"You see Ben? Don't trust anything they give you!" Leah exclaimed.

"Just ask him first," Jay said with a shrug.

"You want one of us, VKs, to ask Ben to eat a cookie?" Mal asked slowly.

"He ate a plate of steak and potatoes you handed him willingly," Evan pointed out. "What would be different about getting him to eat a cookie?"

"He is a very trusting guy. I mean he spent a good ten minutes alone with me in a tree grove that was slightly overgrown," Carlos pointed out. "It shouldn't be that hard."

"DeVil, no offense meant but it'd probably be more concerning if Benny spent ten minutes alone in an overgrown tree grove with Gil than with you," Uma said.

"Especially if Mal does it," Jay teased. "He seems to have a better report with you than he does the rest of us. Unless you want Blueberry simpering after him?"

"You know I find it interesting that my hatred of Blueberry gets me lectured but Jay also makes fun of her and no one says anything," Mal said, rolling her eyes.

Mal sighed but shook her head. "I can't promise he'll take it though."

"This was your idea Mal. No weaseling out of it," Jay told her. "All you can do is try."

"Bennyboo has the good sense to avoid eating anything you have to offer!" Audrey exclaimed.

"It's Ben," Emma said. "That boy places his happiness on the happiness of others. You really think that he'd want to disappoint Mal by turning down a cookie Audrey?"

"Just saying that if you say yes to that, you really don't know your boyfriend," Robin added.

"So…who wants to tell Lonnie that we mainly eat their leftovers?" Carlos asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Carlos, if you want to be the one to break that girl's world view into a million pieces be my guest," Mal sighed. She didn't even realize she'd called the younger boy by his first name. "We're wicked, not cruel. There's a difference."

Carlos shrugged. "I'm not that cruel," he said with a small smile at hearing his first name.

"What did you just call me?"

"Carlos. Why, you go by something different now?" Mal snarked.

"Maleficent once called me a little fur freak," Carlos said softly.

"Yeah we're not calling you that DeVil," Harriet shook her head.

"Besides, Maleficent's a few pitas shy of a full pocket anyway," Meg muttered.

"No you…you normally just call me DeVil," Carlos said with a shrug but Mal could see a small smile pull at the younger boy's lips.

"I really need to train Lacey and Brooke to cheer 'Hail Satan' when Carlos walks into a room," Lucas mused.

"Lacey LeGume?" Mal asked.

"Yeah. You know her?"

"She's Gil's youngest sister," Uma said. "We try to look after the LeGume girls as best we can. Well except for Locklyn."

"She sided with Freddy, she deserves what she gets," Mal said and then looked at Malinda. "We still hate her right?"

"Oh yeah," Malinda nodded.

"You have a problem with me calling you by your first name?"

"No."

"Then what's the problem?" Mal asked. "Jay calls you 'Carlos'."

"Could…could it be less because of it being Jay and more…more because Mal's a woman who has power over him?" Jane said softly.

"Jane's got a point," Rowyn nodded. "I mean…Carlos, what does your mom call you?"

"Um…you know, what all moms call their kids I guess," Carlos shrugged.

"Not all moms make their kid sleep on a nest of furs surrounded by bear traps," Macaria said firmly.

Carlos shrugged. "Just at Tourney practice and I think that's just so the others don't think anything's weird considering none of them refer to each other by their last name."

"Carlos, you're the only one of us with a last name," Jay snarked.

"Hey DeVil, we could form a club," Harry chuckled.

Uma smirked. "You know Gil would have to join that club with you? He's got a last name."

"Never!" Harry declared, never noticing Carlos' amused smile.

Carlos smiled slightly. "Anyone else slightly worried about their hearing when Ben breaks it off with Audrey?"

"No matter where we are in the school, we'll be able to hear her," Mal predicted as the timer went off for the cookies. There was no turning back now.

"Oh I have no doubt Olympus will hear her as well," Chip said, nodding his head.

"The Isle too!" Emir added.

Naveen shook his head. "That was the end of the scroll. Who wants to read next?"

"I'll read," Celia said.

Chapter 41 Chapter Text

"Okay, let's do this," Celia said with a grin as she unfurled her scroll.

Mal sighed as she put her books away into her locker. Today was the day. It was the day she was going to give Ben the cookie.

"You mean the day where you're going to steal my boyfriend," Audrey shot back.

She didn't want to but there was no other choice—Ben seemed determined to stick his relationship with Audrey out even though any affection there was clearly one sided.

"Here's how one sided it is," Emir said. "When Audrey sprained her ankle in cheer practice once, Ben insisted on running up to the nurse's office to check on her after Tourney practice even though it'd mean he'd be running late for a council meeting. Meanwhile, Ben gets a freaking concussion and all Audrey does is call him to ask when he'd be picking her up for their date."

Audrey only cared about one thing-the crown that came with Ben.

"And water is wet," Melody shook her head.

"Grass is green," Neal added.

"Fire is hot," Ashaki sighed.

"I see we're pointing out the obvious?" Celia asked, looking at them.

Said girl was currently chattering Ben's ear off about makeovers Blueberry had given some of the girls who were sitting out on the quad.

"Why am I not surprised?" Kitty shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Blueberry was giving the makeovers?" Mal asked.

Evie shrugged. "Why not? I like fashion and the 'girly' stuffy you dismiss, Mal. Besides it seems like it's a way to make friends."

"Or a way for the Boreadon lot to use you until you do something they don't like," Mal shot back, never noticing the slight protective edge to her voice. Hey if Blueberry was going to be her roommate, only she got to mess with her!

Ben couldn't help but smile as he heard it—and he wasn't the only one.

"Seems you're becoming protective of Evie," Benji muttered to Malinda.

"If I know my younger self, it's probably more of a 'only I get to mess with her' sort of thing," Malinda muttered back.

Mal had to give the blue haired girl credit where it was due—she was good at the whole fashion thing.

"So you paid Blueberry a compliment and the world didn't end," Jay chuckled.

"She did it with Jane too and Fairy Godmother's not happy about it," Audrey said.

"What's the harm?" Ben asked and unless Mal was mistaken, he sounded amused by the whole thing. "Evie's not hurting anyone and it's clear the other girls like the makeovers."

"How…how are you paying for the stuff for the makeovers?" Jane asked.

"I supplied each VK with a stipend that they can use," Ben said quickly. "It wasn't mentioned in the scroll when Mal went over her welcome basket but it's in there."

"How big's the stipend?" Chip asked.

"I don't…I don't think I should discuss it out loud," Ben said. "But it's enough to make sure the VKs are comfortable every month."

"Oh Bennyboo, don't you see? It's a slippery spiral! First it's the outfits, then it's the hair. Next thing you know it's the lips and the legs and then everybody looks good and then…where will I be?"

"Oh Gods, I really don't change in either timeline do I?" Audie chuckled. "Only in my timeline it was Mal doing the makeovers and she was changing girls' hair with her magic."

"That's gateway magic!" Audrey exclaimed. "We were warned about that back in middle school!"

Mal ducked her head behind her locker so Sleeping Brat wouldn't hear her snort of amusement. Of course that would be what Audrey took issue with. Not the fact that it was Blueberry doing the makeovers but that other girls looked as good or better than Audrey.

"Oh yes perish the thought that someone look as good or better than Audrey," Rowyn said, rolling her eyes.

"Listen, Audrey—" Ben started and Mal stilled. Is the cookie not going to be needed? Is Ben actually going to use his spine and break it off with Sleeping Brat?

Chip, Lonnie, Emir, and Akiho leaned forward eagerly in their seats; as if wanting the confirmation that Ben would actually use his spine.

"I will see you at the game after my dress fitting for the coronation, okay?" Audrey said, cutting off whatever Ben was going to say.

"Wow," Phillip Jr. sighed and shook his head. "You just talked right over him Audrey. If Ben was the type of person to pull rank, that'd be a perfect opportunity to do so."

"Okay," Ben sighed. As did Mal. As Audrey walked off, Mal grabbed the baggie that held one cookie. The rest were in a locked box under her bed to prevent anyone else from eating them and accidentally getting spelled themselves.

"Why not add the tear to just the one cookie so that way you don't have to waste a lot of cookies?" Hadie asked.

They would be disposed of after Ben broke it off with Sleeping Brat and Mal gave him the antidote.

"I've got to agree with Hadie, that's a waste of cookies," Dizzy nodded. "Why not send them to the Isle? Wouldn't the barrier prevent the love spell from working since evil magic doesn't work there?"

"But magic's all about intent," Celia said. "That's what dad told me and Mal's intent isn't evil here even though the spell came from Maleficent's spell book and we can all agree she's as evil as they come."

"Hey Bennyboo!" Mal teased as she closed her locker. "You have pretty good posture for someone without a backbone."

"Can I borrow that?" Emir asked.

"If I say no, you're still going to use it anyway," Malinda said with a chuckle.

Ben chuckled as he turned to face Mal. "Hey," he said, brightening up as he saw her and walked toward Mal.

Malinda shook her head as her baby kicked once more. "That's right pup. Maman's going to rescue papa from a ridiculous betrothal contract. Something you will never need to worry about."

"You got that right," Benji nodded, having heard his wife's statement.

"I just made a batch of cookies. Double chocolate chip, do you want one?" Mal asked, holding up the baggie, waving it in front of him as if to tempt him.

"Oh thanks Mal," Ben said. "But we've got the championship game later and I don't eat before a big game. Can I take it for after?"

"Huh. Should I be disappointed in Ben's weird superstition or happy for it?" Akiho asked.

"I mean normally we'd be happy because it would mean our best friend wouldn't be love spelled. Well if he could be that is," Emir told him.

"Yes but not taking the cookie means he's stuck with Audrey."

"…take the cookie Ben!"

"Doesn't the team go out for 'victory pizza' after winning a game? That's what Jay told me and something tells me that's definitely the case for if you win the championship. You won't want the cookie then."

"He's a teenage boy," Rachel chuckled. "If Ben's anything like my brother, he could eat two large pizzas and still have room for the cookie."

"She's not wrong," Evan nodded.

"Oh right," Ben nodded. "But I mean, we may not win. No win equals no pizza. So I'll need something to cheer me up. I'll tell you what, if we do win I'll only eat two slices of pizza so I'll still be hungry for the cookie. Deal?"

"Ah Tourney games, the one time we don't have to worry about Ben eating win or lose," Emir said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, praise the Gods King Beast doesn't schedule a council meeting on game days," Akiho nodded. "If we lose, Ben actually has time to go and eat dinner."

"I eat on days where we don't have Tourney games too!" Ben said quickly, not liking the look on his parents' faces.

"I mean…they are fresh from the oven," Mal told him, biting her lip. "But I guess you're being smart, not to trust us I mean. Don't eat treats offered by kids from the Isle after all. I'm sure everyone's saying it."

"Nice," Lil Shang chuckled. "Play up the guilt Ben'll be feeling at having to say no."

"No, no, no! Mal, it's not that—"

"No, no, like I said, you're being smart," Mal reassured him before sighing. "Oh well, more for me."

"She's good," Meg said with a small smirk.

Before she could pretend to go for the cookie, Ben snatched the bag out of her hands. "See, totally trust you," he said as he bit into the cookie.

"You know, I know it's technically due to your skill at smooth talking people but how much do we owe to Lonnie for adding in the chocolate?" Jay asked, looking at Mal.

Mal couldn't help but smile slightly at that. She didn't know why but hearing Ben say he trusted her…Gods Ben was going to hate her when he found out she spelled him.

Benji chuckled softly as he remembered his reaction to finding out he'd been spelled. Let's just say it wasn't a typical reaction.

Plus her parents were going to ground her until they figured out a way to kill a God if they ever found out about this.

"Well we know there's a way to kill a God but I'd rather not talk about that," Hercules said.

"Do you like it?" Mal asked softly as Jay and Carlos walked up.

Ben nodded, humming in approval as he swallowed the bite he'd taken. Before he could say anything else, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. It was almost like he was being stabbed by thousands of tiny knives from the inside.

"I am so sorry," Malinda said to Benji, gently taking his hand and rubbing the back of it with her thumb.

"You didn't know," Benji said softly, gently kissing the top of her head.

"I should have looked it up. Wouldn't that be public record?"

"The fact that I can't be controlled by love spells or potions? Yes. The side affects? Nope."

"That is a good point though. We should double check that we have that on record. You know the whole Ben can't be love spelled/love potioned thing," Chip said, looking at Beast and Belle as he heard Benji's point.

"Yeah…I'm um I'm really liking the walnuts and the chocolate chunks," Ben said, resisting the urge to race to the bathroom before he deposited the cookie on Mal's shoes.

"Mal makes good cookies," Benji nodded.

"Though I do appreciate you not throwing up all over my shoes," Malinda added.

Mal stared at Ben in concern, she knew the spell had the best reviews but they didn't say anything about causing the person being spelled to sweat like they had a fever. Was it Lonnie's tear? Was it the chocolate? Did he have an allergy to walnuts? Oh gods, why did she put the walnuts in? They were optional in the recipe after all!

"Are you allergic to anything?" Mal asked, looking at Ben.

Ben nodded. "I've actually got several allergies."

"He gets that from his father," Belle said, giving Beast a fond smile.

Ben shook his head fondly before looking over at Mal again. "Don't worry, walnuts are not one of them. I'm allergic to shrimp, soybeans, bananas and oddly enough Neosporin."

"Never heard of that last one," Uma said.

"You know, the stuff you put on cuts to stop it from scarring?" Ben asked.

The VKs stared at him blankly. "That's a thing?"

"More importantly, you never thought to tell me this why?" Malinda said, looking at her husband.

"It never came up," Benji shrugged.

"Excuse me Mal," Ben said softly. For once not caring about how it might be perceived by others, Ben raced to the nearest men's bathroom and locked himself in a stall. Draping himself over the porcelain throne, Ben proceeded to throw up the cookie. And his dinner from the night before.

"And no one checked to see if you were okay?" Lonnie asked Benji. "I mean, forget about the fact that you're the Crown Prince. Someone rushing to the bathroom to throw up should have been checked on."

He knew what this was now. His parents had warned him back when he was twelve and his father had the 'talk' with him.

"I thought he'd already had the talk though?" Kitty asked.

"I had two 'talks'," Ben said with a sigh. "The 'birds and the bees' talk with Chip after he caught me reading his health class paper and then the 'hey, here's what's going to happen if someone gives you a love spell' talk with dad."

When Ben was born, his parents had a christening for him as all royals did. Instead of getting the gifts of beauty and song like Aurora had, Ben had been gifted with the gift of Goodness, the gift of Hope and the gift of being immune to love potions or spells.

"That third one seems to be the most practical," Carlos spoke up.

"But it's not necessary," Leah sniffed. "All the villains are on the Isle after all. No one else would try to spell Ben."

"Funny because I'm looking at a villain right in front of me," Harry scoffed.

Really Merryweather should have come up with all the gifts.

Mal shook her head. "Why am I not surprised it was her? She's Maleficent's least favorite imbecile, probably because she was the one to let her know she wasn't wanted at Aurora's christening but also because of the fact that she's the one who altered the curse."

Her's were always the most practical.

"She was the one to give Audrey the gift of Strategy," Aurora said with a small nod.

"That's right," Phillip Sr. said. "Fauna gave her the gift of enjoying the outdoors and Flora—."

"Honestly. Are we going to just sit around and go down memory lane or are we going to read?" Leah scoffed.

The issue was the side effect of the gift—because of the immunity, anything that had been laced with a love spell or potion would cause his body to forcefully expel it.

"I mean it would make sense for something like that to have a side affect but that just seems unpleasant," David said.

"Really dad?" Emma chuckled. "I think that's an understatement, don't you think?"

So did the potion on my timeline's Ben not work or did the viewings just not show Ben throwing up the cookie? Audie thought, lightly biting her lip.

Panting heavily as the vomiting subsided, Ben wiped his brow that still shone with sweat. Mal..Mal had spelled him. With a love spell. She had feelings for him too!

"How…how did you make that jump?" Lonnie asked, looking at Benji. "I mean, clearly you're not wrong because you end up marrying her but really?"

Granted it wasn't the most logical jump to make but this was the first time Ben had ever been spelled like that—plus, you know, gift of Hope. He had to be hopeful.

"Ah! That makes sense now."

But there was another reason why Ben thought that Mal might have feelings for him. She had come into his office a couple nights prior, actually it'd been the same night as the Tourney practice that Mal had observed. Anyway, she walked in, brandishing Emir's phone like it was a weapon.

"I do have to admit, that was one of my favorite bursts into my office," Benji said with a chuckle.

"Ben? Put the paperwork down!" Mal exclaimed, barging into his office. "You need to answer one question, one that could change your life!"

"Huh?" Ben asked as he looked up, working on paperwork yet again. "Life changing questions? Mal, what are you talking about?"

"I think it's actually fairly obvious," Ruby said, shaking her head. "It's in the name 'life changing question' after all."

Mal sighed and leaned on Ben's desk, putting Emir's phone between them. "Ben, answer this question honestly. No 'yes but I should really….' but an honest answer. Do you want out of your betrothal contract?"

"Yes!"

"I think Mal asked Ben, not you two," Lonnie chuckled at Emir and Akiho's outburst.

"Doesn't matter, Ben won't say it so we will," Emir said firmly.

Ben paused. "Well I mean, does any sixteen year old really want to be in a betrothal contract?"

"That's not what she asked," Emma said with a sigh.

"That's not what I asked," Mal said as she crossed her arms over her chest and Ben sighed.

"Well I mean…look okay, honest answer? Yeah getting out of it would be great but I gave my word—"

"Technically you didn't," Lucas said. "Your parents gave their word on your behalf."

"It's still a promise made in my name though," Ben said, causing Chip, Emir, Akiho, and Lonnie to groan in frustration.

Belle couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at her lips. "Ben, honey…don't you remember what I told you when you were twelve? If you want out, you just say the word and I'll get you out of that contract."

"Then you'll be happy to know that the contract is null and void anyway," Mal said as she sat down across from him.

"How? That contract's been finalized since Audrey and I were three, though we only started officially dating last year."

"Exactly that. As we've stated multiple times, three year olds can not consent to someone signing a contract in their name," Hades stated.

"That's exactly what I mean Ben. It was finalized when you were three. A three year old can not give consent so the contract doesn't even have the consent of the concerned parties.

"I've taught you well Mali. Good job," Hades said with a small smile.

"I mean you already said that dad, but thanks," Mal said, grinning back at him.

As I told Akiho and Emir at Tourney practice, a contract or deal needs to have consent—otherwise it's a hostage situation. Trust me Ben, I know my way around contracts and deals. It's kinda my dad's thing."

"And mama's," Uma added.

"Mal, I…I gave my word I'd see this contract through," Ben said softly.

"Ben, you gave your word on a contract that was made when you were still thinking about mud puddles and thought girls were gross," Mal said gently.

"And lugging around that old plush dragon," Chad added. "What did you used to call it?"

"This from the boy who would carry around a wooden sword around when mom was pregnant to protect her according to dad," Kitty teased.

"Dad!"

Milah chuckled slightly. "Reminds me of you," she whispered to Harry.

"What do you mean?"

"Your father gave you a dagger when you were two and you would insist on following me everywhere when I was pregnant with CJ. After all, according to you, the baby didn't have a dagger and you did so it was up to you to protect me and the baby."

Neither of them noticed the slight smile on CJ's lips as she heard that; Milah's whisper not as soft as she'd thought.

"Unless it's been renegotiated, you could get out of the contract right this minute and no one could be upset with you."

"It's an agreed upon contract!" Leah exclaimed. "Why would it ever need to be renegotiated?!"

Ben shook his head. "Unless there's been a meeting that I'm not aware of, the contract hasn't been renegotiated. Mom and dad, they…they'd prefer to minimize their contact with Queen Leah."

"We in no way blame them for that!" Neal nodded.

"Yeah, I also like to minimize my contact with Grandmother," Phillip Jr. sighed.

"Yeah I don't blame them for that," Mal snorted. "But Ben, you're not bound to this contract. You're not a prized horse to breed, you're a teenager. If you want out, there's no legal reason to hold you to the contract."

"Yes well since when has Leah cared about what's 'legal'?" Jasmine muttered, loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room.

"Ooh, okay. I like her," Hades nodded.

"Dear, I think that's the entire Agrabah royal family you've said you liked," Persephone said with a fond smile.

Ben stared at Mal in shock. "Mal, I…I'm supposed to marry Audrey. Even if the contract's void, even if I wanted to get out of it, all it would do is show me as someone who doesn't keep their word. Not a good look for the king."

Emir sighed. "Ben, you didn't give your word. Your word is still intact here."

"Ben, every other king from here to the Underworld got to pick who they wanted to marry. Why shouldn't you? Why are you treating yourself like some sort of sacrificial lamb?"

"Because he's Ben and as we've stated, he ties his happiness on the happiness of others," Chip said with a small sigh.

"Mal, I'm not treating myself like a sacrificial lamb but a promise was made by my family on my behalf and I should keep it. Would I prefer to marry for love? Of course I would but—"

"Then you should get to," Abby said firmly. "Like I said before Ben, that contract's the reason mom miscarried. Don't give Leah the satisfaction of getting what she wants by following it through. Besides mom and dad married for love, so did Aurora and Phillip."

"You're very wise," Chip told her.

Abby shrugged. "I spent some time talking to my grandmother—my namesake. She's not very happy with dad for the whole Isle thing, said that she thought she had taught her son better. She was a bit more understanding about the contract, especially as mom and dad signed it a month after I…after mom miscarried."

"What about our Grand-père?" Ben asked as their Granddad Maurice was still alive.

"You honestly think I'm in the same level as him?"

Thank Gods. My father should never be anywhere near my daughter, Beast thought even as he winced at the idea of disappointing his mother. No matter how old he was, that was one thing he didn't want to do.

Mal sighed and shook her head. "Okay…I didn't want to have to play this card but…Ben you want to be a good king right? You want your people to be happy?"

"Of course," Ben and Benji said at the same time.

"More than anything," Ben said, looking more than a little confused at the change in topic. "It's why I push myself so hard, to make sure I can get the work done for the kingdom."

"No I'm pretty sure you work so hard because you're a workaholic," Lucy said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, we're gonna touch on that later. But Ben, how are you going to rule them properly or make sure they're happy if you aren't happy in the relationship you're in? Ben, anyone with eyes can see you're miserable."

Benji leaned over and kissed Malinda's cheek. "You are good," he said with a fond smile.

"Mal, there's so much more to think about than my being happy. We're talking political alliances., trade agreements, Queen Leah not being a thorn in my side for the rest of my life—"

"Beastie Jr, there's no kingdom if you're unhappy," Harriet said.

"Besides, you shouldn't have to worry about Leah," Belle told Ben. "Leave that up to your father and me."

"So that means because some old bat can't keep her nose out of your life, you're expected to be miserable?" Mal asked. "Yeah, that seems fair Ben. Come on, even Aurora picked Phillip. If Leah's daughter ended up picking the person she ended up spending the rest of her life with, then honestly Leah has no grounds to dictate that you follow through with the contract."

"Also I'd like to just say that there's no way our future selves would hold you to the contract," Phillip Sr. spoke up. "After all, I was ready to give up my throne for who I thought was a peasant girl I'd just met the same day. Never mind the fact that I was also betrothed. I just lucked out that said peasant girl was also Aurora."

Ben sighed. "I just…Mal I want the kingdom to do well, for my people to be happy and thrive. But I also...Audrey and I used to be the best of friends. I don't want to risk that friendship over a contract."

"If anything, Leah's the one who risked the friendship by insisting on that contract in the first place," Macaria pointed out. "If the contract wasn't a factor, you two might have grown to fall in love naturally."

Mal bit her lip, she had heard that from Akiho and Emir. Of course she had also heard their rants on her the few times they'd forgotten Mal was with them. She had heard about how Audrey clearly only cared about the crown…about how Ben was putting in all the work in the relationship…how they were worried about what the added stress was doing to Ben…

"And this is where you come to talk to someone. You boys don't need that stress either," Jasmine said, looking at her second son and his friend.

"We did," Akiho told her.

"Yeah, if Chip couldn't get through to Ben we didn't really see the point in escalating it," Emir said with a slight shrug.

Chip sighed. "Ben had asked me not to, said he would talk to his parents if it got too stressful. Knowing what I know now though, I should have broken that promise."

"Ben, from what I've seen and from what I've heard from others…the friend you used to have? She's not there anymore," Mal said softly. "She was the only one to point out that you were the future king our first day here. That's all she sees."

"Excuse me?! How dare you—!"

"What's his favorite book?" Malinda asked, cutting Audrey off mid rant.

"I don't see what that has to do with anything!"

"If you truly see more than just Ben's title, then tell me what his favorite book is!"

"What…whatever he happens to be reading at the moment," Audrey scoffed.

Ben sighed. "Your favorite's your parents' story that your father had bound in pink leather for you for your fifth birthday," he said softly. "Your mother even had it illustrated. Your favorite snack is celery with peanut butter and raisins since the protein gives you the strength to keep going with cheer while the celery prevents you from bulking up too much. Your words not mine. Your favorite—."

"Ben, I love you but if you keep going, we'll be here forever," Chip said, shaking his head.

Ben sighed. "Audrey…she does like to emphasize social standing," he muttered. "The few times we've fought were because she tried to say I shouldn't hang out with Emir and Akiho since they're only half royal and I'm 'crown prince'. Never mind the fact they've been my best friends for twelve years or the fact that I'm half royal too…"

"There's a fair few of us at Auradon Prep who're 'half-royal'," Rose said. "And anyway, if it's about keeping the bloodline 'royal', it's actually better for the bloodline to marry for love even if that love isn't a royal. Otherwise there's the risk of marrying relations."

Cinderella sighed slightly. Ben shouldn't have to worry about his girlfriend dictating who his friends were on top of all his other duties.

"See?" Mal said with a sigh. "If Audrey's trying to say who your friends are and isn't taking into account that she's basically insulting you to your face at the same time…is your friendship still there Ben? Do you really want someone who has no problem insulting you ruling the kingdom that you seem to care so much about? Is that really the type of person you want to spend the rest of your life with? Not just as king and queen but as husband and wife?"

"Honest answer," Benji said, looking over at Ben as he opened his mouth. "Remember I'm you so I know the answer you're about to give."

Ben sighed and closed his mouth, running a hand through his hair.

"If I'm honest? No," Ben sighed. "Audrey's more interested in the titles than the actual kingdom. She…she wasn't happy that I was bringing you guys over from the Isle."

"Hold up," Akiho said. "Didn't Audrey complain that Ben didn't talk about his proclamation with her when we read the scroll that revealed that Ben sleeps in his office and skips meals?"

"Dude!"

"Yeah she did," Emir nodded, ignoring Ben's exclamation. "So why would she say that if she wasn't happy that Ben was bringing the VKs over?"

"Ben would have had to make the proclamation," Lonnie sighed. "So it's possible that Ben didn't talk about it to Audrey and then Audrey wasn't happy when she heard the proclamation."

Mal sighed. "Ben, I can't force you to do anything here but you're clearly not happy…for the sake of the kids who are still on the Isle, I…I can't just stand around and watch as you subject yourself to be miserable for no real reason."

"I would say that sounds ominous but you are trying to get Ben out of that Gods damned contract so I'll allow it," Chip nodded.

"Thank you for your approval," Malinda said, shaking her head.

Ben shook his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Mal had tried to talk him out of his contract, had tried to spell him…if that wasn't the universe telling him something needed to change, Ben didn't know what was.

"And the Fates brought us here to change things so clearly this is something that needs to be changed! I mean she tried to spell you Ben and you still marry her?!"

"Huh, Audrey actually knows Ben's name," Emir said, sounding slightly impressed.

Fishing his phone out of his pocket, Ben dialed his mom's number and took a steady breath.

"Ben, honey, you never need to be nervous about calling me," Belle said, her voice gentle yet firm at the same time. "I'm your mother. You can always count on me, your father, and Chip to be the three people guaranteed to be in your corner."

"What about Lumiere? Cogsworth? Mrs. Potts?"

"Of course you can count on them too but if I started listing all of the castle's staff, we'd be here into the next millennia."

"Hey mom? Do you have a sec? Everything's fine, I'm not in trouble…I was hoping to talk to you about the betrothal contract? Yeah um…do you remember when I was twelve and you told me if I ever wanted out of it, you'd get me out? Can I take you up on that? Wait, really? All I needed to do was ask ? Mom, I…I really appreciate this. I know we spent years in an agreement with Audrey and her family but..she's just..I don't think we're compatible. You'll handle it? And talk to Aurora? Mom, thank you. I don't mean to put more work on you this close to coronation but thank you. Yeah I'll eat after the game. Love you too and thank you again. Bye."

"Yes!" Chip, Emir, Lonnie, and Akiho all exclaimed in jubilation.

"I…are they doing a conga line?" Mal asked.

Ben sighed. "Sometimes it's hard to remember that Chip's nine years older than me. This is one of those times. Chip! Come on! Audrey's in the room!"

Still…there was a bit of relief to the idea that he truly could be removed from the contract. Sure his future self was married to someone who wasn't Audrey but that didn't mean he would be removed from the contract so soon.

He couldn't help but chuckle as he put his phone away. Now there was only one more thing he'd need to do—officially end it with Audrey.

"I'll pray for your hearing," Lil Shang chuckled as Lonnie continued to celebrate.

Audrey could only sit there, mouth agape; too stunned to say anything. She never thought Ben would revoke his consent to the contract!

Gods he had a better chance of convincing his mother that she didn't need to get a book every time they went shopping. To be fair though Ben was just as bad in that regard.

"I'm not that bad!" Belle exclaimed.

"Belle, you once bought a copy of a book you already owned because it was a special edition release," Beast said with a small sigh.

"Nothing wrong with making sure a book has a good home."

"You've caused us to have to expand the library. Twice."

Sighing, Ben stood up and went over to the sink to rinse his mouth out. Vomiting was not fun. At all.

"We can agree with you there!" The VKs all nodded in unison.

Once he was sure his mouth was thoroughly rinsed out, he left the bathroom and went to Audrey's dress fitting. Thankfully it was on campus so Ben was able to located it easily. Fortunately, Audrey seemed to be finishing up as she was in her regular clothes and not her coronation dress. At least Ben assumed they were her regular clothes.

"This from the guy who only wears suits," Lonnie chuckled.

"Bennyboo! Did you come to walk me to the game?"

"Hold up," Emir said. "Captain duties include showing up early for practices but does that also include games?"

"I…I believe so," Ben said. "I mean I'm always early for games to go over the plays with coach."

"So why the hell are you risking being late to the championship for Audrey of all people?"

"Actually, Audrey…I was wondering if I might have a word?" Ben said as he walked into the room. He noticed that the seamstress and her assistant quietly scurried out, as if to give the royals their privacy.

"Smartest people in Auradon in that moment," Lil Shang muttered.

"Of course Bennyboo," Audrey grinned. Ben sighed but knew he had to do this. It was only fair to Audrey.

"Why be fair to her when she wouldn't be fair to you?" Abby asked.

"Mom and dad always taught me that it's better to treat others the way you'd want to be treated," Benji said. "I know if the situation was reversed, I'd want Audrey to tell me to my face rather than have mom tell me on the phone. Besides I knew her since practically birth—it was the best option."

"Audrey, I…I spoke to my mom early about our betrothal contract. I—"

"Yes? Oh, did you want to start discussing possible wedding dates? You should have told me Bennybear! We could have had the phone on speaker and I could have been there with you!"

"Let the man speak Audrey!" Rose exclaimed. "Gods, seriously, the world does not revolve around you!"

Ben shook his head. "No Audrey. I…I called my mom to revoke my consent to the contract. We were three when it was finalized, we shouldn't be held to it when we couldn't even consent to it."

"It only took Chip, Akiho, myself, the rest of the Tourney team, Lonnie, Emma, and Mal to get him to see that," Emir said, shaking his head.

"Oh, and don't forget a cookie spiked with a love potion," Akiho added.

Audrey's smile became very fixed as she stared at him, obviously in shock. "Excuse me?"

"Here we go, she's about to start yelling," Ben muttered with a small sigh.

"Audrey, I…I'm serious. I requested to be released from our betrothal contract as I no longer consent to it. I…I hope we can still be friends though."

Lonnie sighed. "Ben, your friendship with Audrey ended the day she became your girlfriend."

"Bennyboo, you must be joking! You…you wouldn't actually ask to be released from the contract! I'll talk to Grammy, we'll get this straightened out! This has to be a mistake!"

"Your grandmother is not a God Audrey," Phillip Sr said. "She can't force consent."

"Audrey, there is nothing to get straightened out," Ben told her. "My consent's been revoked for about half an hour now. You can talk to your mom but I'm sure she'll call you once my mom's done talking with her."

"You know I do have to say that this might have been better done in a meeting between all impacted parties," Lucas said. "That way, Audrey's not blindsided multiple times in one conversation and would technically have someone in her corner."

"Are you defending her?" Chip asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lucas pointed to Audie. "In case you forgot, she's my timeline's Audrey and you all like her. I think, despite her attitude, I can at least see both sides here."

"Wait, are you breaking up with me? You can't do this Ben! We've been betrothed since we were three! You can't just walk away from that! You can't take this away from me! I'm supposed to be queen! What, is it stress from coronation? Classes? Tourney? How can you just walk away from what we have?"

"Grab the ear plugs!" Emir, Akiho and Chip all exclaimed as Leah nodded along with Audrey.

"Actually, I'm surprised she's not shrieking now," Lonnie said,

Audie shrugged, her hand once again wrapped over Audrey's mouth. "Who's to say what goes through her mind?"

"You can. You are her."

"Very true but even I don't know what goes through this Audrey's mind."

Ben sighed. "Audrey, be honest with me. What do we have? What else do we do together other than shopping?"

AKA me being your pack mule for a day, Ben thought with a small sigh.

"We have a contract Ben! A promise we both made, not only to each other but to our families! Are you just going to walk away from that?!" Audrey exclaimed and then took a breath.

"It's possible for her to stop mid rant to control herself?" Rose asked, tilting her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm more focused on the fact that she tried to guilt Ben with all that talk of promises," Akiho said, a small growl to his voice.

"I know what this is. Professional Tourney players do it all the time to avoid distractions in important games—Chad told me.

"Hey! Don't drag me into this!" Chad exclaimed. While he was happy with the possibility of getting to date Audrey, he did not want to be dragged in to the middle of their argument. "I may have told about that Audrey but this is Ben we're talking about. Think about it, how many games has Ben gone through while you two were dating. Has he ever broken up with you because of 'nerves' before?"

"Dear Gods, the Charming brat speaks sense," Hades said, looking stunned.

"Do you like him?" Poseidon asked.

"I…I don't know."

I will see you after the game Bennybear and we can go over possible wedding dates."

Giving him an air kiss on the cheek, Audrey walked out of the room. Ben stared after her in shock—while he hadn't expected she'd take it well, he hadn't expected that .

"Denial. It's not just a river in Egypt," Ashaki sighed and shook her head.

Great. What am I going to do now? Ben thought as he started to make his way to the field. It was game time.

"And with that, the scroll is done," Celia said.

"I think after this next scroll, it might be a good spot for a break," Beast said, looking at his son.

"Good idea," Kit nodded as he looked over at Chad.

Chad chuckled nervously. "Hey, how's about I read the next scroll? Any one object? Nope, okay then!"

Chapter 42 Chapter Text

"Okay, let's read about our championship game," Chad said with a nervous smile. He in all honesty was not looking forward to what was going to happen after the scroll ended.

Ben made his way down to the locker room with a small spring in his step.

"Someone seems happy," Lucas said.

Even if there was the hurdle of Audrey not grasping the fact that they were no longer together, Ben couldn't find it in him to care at that point.

"Ben, you probably should care," Macaria said. "If she doesn't grasp the fact that you're no longer together, she'll pester you about it and by extension she'll pester Mal."

Mal was interested in him. Interested enough to try to spell him.

Malinda chuckled. "I will admit I may have been in a bit of a denial stage regarding my feelings there when I gave Ben the cookie."

"I can't believe you're all just being so calm about this!" Audrey exclaimed.

"How'd you get out of my grip?" Audie asked.

Audrey rolled her eyes. "She's flat out saying she's stealing my boyfriend and yet you—."

"Audrey, you said yourself that you're supposed to be 'Queen'. Not that you're supposed to be Ben's wife," Akiho said, rolling his eyes. "All you care about is the crown.

Honestly the novelty of the whole thing was enough to make Ben grin. He couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to think Mal and Jay were dating.

"One more time for those in the back. Jay. Is. My. Brother," Mal said.

"We get it Mali," Uma said with a smirk. "But why does it matter what Beastie Jr. thinks about your relationship status with Jay if you don't like him?"

"Well, well, well, what's this on our captain's face?" Akiho teased as Ben walked into the locker room.

"A smile. You've seen it before Akiho," Ben shook his head.

"More importantly, why aren't you teasing Ben for almost being late to the game?" Elle asked, looking at Akiho.

"Because Ben running late is almost common place, even if him being late to games isn't," Akiho told her. "However…Ben looking happy hasn't really been a thing for I'd say the past year. Makes sense why future me would note that."

"No, that smile only shows up when you've been around Mal," Emir said, backing up his best friend.

"I don't have a specific smile when I'm around Mal," Ben said, shaking his head.

"We may have only been here for who knows how long but trust us Ben, you've got a certain smile that comes whenever you talk to Mal," Emir said, nodding his head.

"And considering we heard Audrey shrieking up a storm as we made our way to the locker room…"

"But by the grace of the Gods and of Audie, we didn't hear it here and were able to keep our hearing!" Akiho said with a grin.

Ben shrugged as he started to take off his shirt to put on the undershirt that would go under his pads. "She didn't like the fact that I revoked my consent for the Betrothal contract."

"Didn't like would be an understatement," Ashaki said, shaking her head.

He paused as he got changed, looking at his two best friends who seemed frozen in surprise. "Guys? Hello? The game?"

"You're free?"

"If you've got to be dramatic about it, then yes I'm free," Ben told them, rolling his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure dramatic is one of their middle names," Neal said with a small chuckle.

"Nope!" Emir grinned. "Mine's Hamed."

"Mine's Agnarr," Akiho nodded.

Lucy shook her head. "You can have more than one middle name though! Like Dad!"

"Please don't Lucy," Kit shook his head. "I'd rather not be here for an eternity as you recite my full name."

"Okay now I'm curious," Uma said with a smirk. "What is it?"

Kitty grinned. "King Christopher Rupert Windermere Vladimir Carl Alexander Francois Reginald Lancelot Herman Gregory James Charming, and before you get upset dad, you told Lucy not to say it. Not me."

"Nice try Katherine Charlotte," Kit said with a sigh. "And you know you set her up for that Lucille Sydney."

"Oh thank the Gods!" Emir exclaimed as Akiho looked skyward as if truly thanking the Gods. Ben couldn't help but shake his head at his friends' antics.

"Guys, come on—"

"What did you expect from them Ben?" Emma asked with a small chuckle.

"We're finally rid of the Banshee!" Akiho sighed in relief. "Thank you Zeus, thank you Hera, thank you whoever else we need to thank!"

Hera couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Well you're welcome boys but I don't think we had anything to do with that."

"Thank you Persephone !" Emir stated. "After all, she's Mal's mom and something tells me it was Mal who talked Ben into finally seeing the light."

"He's not wrong there," Aziz said with a nod of his head.

Persephone couldn't help but smile slightly. "You're welcome Prince Emir but I do have to say I in no way condone Mal spelling Prince Ben."

"It got him away from Audrey though," Emir pointed out. "We have no issue there."

"Isn't he still technically with Audrey right now though?" Akiho asked.

Not if Adam and Belle's talk with Ben goes the way I think it does, Chip thought.

Ben sighed and chuckled. "Yeah well Audrey's under the impression that I just broke up with her to concentrate on the Tourney game. Apparently it's what the pros do or something.

Phillip Sr. sighed. In this case, he could see and understand his daughter's denial. After all, she'd spent her whole life being told she'd be with Ben forever. It would naturally be a shock to find out that wasn't the case anymore.

I'm hoping she'll get the hint after the game…I'm going to see if I can talk to Mal in private," he told them, a small smile gracing his lips.

Malinda chuckled. "That's the one thing you never did do, talk to me in private after the game," she said.

"What about our date?" Benji asked. "That was after the game after all."

"Okay, so maybe I should have said right after the game."

Akiho and Emir looked at each other and grinned.

"Ben, just consider the dramatic option when you talk to Mal. Maybe talk to Mal in public instead of in private," Emir told Ben as he and Akiho started changing as well. "It might be the only way to get through to Audrey."

"She's certainly proven that to be the case," Akiho muttered.

Ben sighed as he tightened his pads. "Guys…I'm not a dramatic person and really, have you thought about how that might affect Mal? She doesn't seem like she'd be into the dramatics either."

"Even a non dramatic person can turn to the dramatics in the right situation," Cinderella said with a small smile.

"And Ben, seriously? Your toddler years tell a different story, Mr. Claims To Not Be Dramatic," Chip chuckled.

"Wait a minute," Akiho said as he pulled his pads on. "Dude, are you going to ask Mal out?"

"Be honest with us your highness, did you drop him on a block of ice when he was a baby?" Emir asked Kristoff.

"You know you're just as bad as he is, right?" Ashaki asked her older brother.

"Oh I know. But at least I can read between the lines and know that a private talk is pretty much code for 'I'm asking Mal out'."

"What else would a private talk mean?" Ben asked with a shrug.

"Tell her you're not spelled for one," Neal pointed out.

"Finally!" Emir exclaimed. "Ben, you have no idea how hard it's been not to lock you two up in the art classroom just so you'd ask her out! You two have this weird 'will they/won't they' tension and it's so frustrating!"

Benji and Malinda chuckled. "Oh we worked out that tension."

"We don't have tension!" Ben and Mal said in unison, both of their cheeks flushing red at the thought.

"Shh! Do you want Audrey thinking Mal and I have been sneaking around behind her back or something?" Ben asked, hoping he wasn't blushing.

"Ben wouldn't do that," Lonnie said, shaking her head. "He's too loyal."

"Jury's out on Audrey though," Emma added.

"Excuse me?!"

"You're excused Audrey though I'm not sure where you're going to go."

"Dude, anyone with eyes can tell you have feelings for Mal," Akiho said as he pulled his jersey up over his pads. "You kinda do this thing where the two of you get lost in your own little world when you get into a conversation and then you stare into her eyes like a lost puppy."

"Why does everyone want to compare me to a puppy?" Ben asked.

His friends stared at him in shock.

"He…he can't be serious?" Emir asked, his voice faint.

"Ben, come on!"

"No, I'm serious! That's the third time since reading these scrolls someone's compared me to a puppy!"

Estelle gave a small yip and trotted over to Ben, resting his heads on Ben's leg as if to ask what was wrong with being a puppy.

Ben shrugged. "They're nice eyes.

No they're not. They're evil eyes, they're Maleficent's eyes, Mal thought with a small frown and then shook her head. That didn't matter—having Maleficent's eyes meant safety on the Isle after all.

Anyway I shouldn't be surprised you two noticed that, if that is what happens. The team nicknamed you two my shadows after all."

"Akiho once told me my pupils dilated every time I looked at Mal," Benji said with a small chuckle.

Kristoff shook his head. "Why am I not surprised in the slightest?"

"Because you know your son," Anna said with a fond smile.

"Don't try to change the subject," Emir smirked before he grew serious.

"When the subject's Mal, I never change it," Benji said with a small chuckle.

"Ben, I know you said Mal doesn't care for the dramatic but you know it's the only way to get through to Audrey. Otherwise, not only will she continue to think the two of you are still dating but she might go after Mal as well. We know Mal can take care of herself, being Lady Persephone's daughter and all, but if Audrey goes after her that could get Leah involved."

Ben couldn't help but frown slightly, he knew Emir was right.

"Please," Mal scoffed. "She's a pink fly. I can handle her."

Ben sighed, knowing his best friends were right. Well, here's hoping Mal still talks to me after this, he thought. "Alright guys…what do you have in mind?"

"Why am I not surprised your shadows were the cause of that performance?" Malinda asked, shaking her head.

"I'm pretty sure you already knew that," Benji chuckled.

"And yet it still doesn't surprise me."

Emir stared in shock. "Wow, thought it would take more persuading than that."

"Seriously? It's to protect someone he cares about," Phillip Jr. said. "It's not that surprising honestly."

"Here's our thought," Akiho told Ben, "after the game, have the school spell out Mal's name. Then, I don't know, do like a big musical number. Doug can certainly give you a beat if you need it."

"Oh he certainly can do that!" Audie said with a small giggle.

"Guys, isn't that a little too far? I mean, I know it's dramatic but doesn't it seem a bit humiliating for Audrey?"

"Yes!" Leah exclaimed. "You can't do this Ben!"

"Teach your granddaughter to accept a break up then!" Hadie shot back.

"I beg your pardon!"

Hades bit back a chuckle. "Hadie, while I agree with your point, maybe let's not anger the shrieking grandma of doom, shall we?"

"We're from the Isle. We've faced worse than her," Hadie shrugged.

"Ben, how many shopping dates has she forced you on, even when you were bone tired? How many times has she called you 'Bennyboo' or 'Bennybear' in public or in front of your parents even though you've told her to stop? She's the master of the dramatic so only the most dramatic option will get through to her. And honestly…I think other than her band of followers, you'll have pretty much the whole school on your side to take her down a peg."

"Everything I've done? Shopping dates are not the worst thing in the world and the nicknames are cute!" Audrey exclaimed. "It's my school! They love me! You'll see! This won't happen!"

"You do remember who most if not all of our classmates are related to right?" Audie asked. "Breaking into song is almost a national pastime for Auradon. I think with the exception of the DunBrochs, every one of us at Auradon Prep has burst into song at least once."

Ben sighed. "Okay. I'm not entirely comfortable with this but I see your point. Plus Mal never asked for any of this—It wouldn't be fair to her if Audrey continued to think we were dating or if she started going after Mal."

Abby couldn't help but frown slightly as she heard that. While it was definitely cute that Ben was concerned about Mal, he needed to start thinking about himself as well.

His comfort mattered too.

"Exactly! If you won't do it for your sake…would you at least do it for Mal's?" Akiho asked gently, not knowing that he was playing what may have considered to be their trump card.

"Oh they're good," Hades said with a slight chuckle as Mal flushed a pale pink.

Ben ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "I'll do it," he said. "On one condition. We win the. game. If we lose, no one would even be in the mood to stay making the whole thing pointless."

Uma nodded. "That's sensible."

"Plus it gives Ben an out to avoid being dramatic," Emir chuckled.

"That's fair. Hey, speaking of the game, we should probably head out on the field before Coach drags us out there," Emir said. "Let's show Sherwood who's boss!"

"Even though we have absolutely nothing against their student body or those who may possibly be considering moving to Sherwood," Kitty said.

"Yeah, yeah, we know you're friends with Roland Hood," Chad chuckled. "Don't worry Kitty, we'll only give you a small amount of grief for fraternizing with the enemy."

"Yeah, we give Lonnie way worse," Lil Shang chuckled as Lonnie rolled her eyes at her brother.

Ben grinned as the three of them headed out to the field, the rest of the team huddled near the bench. Their coach was sitting down with his clipboard as they awaited the start of the game.

"Never once wondering where Ben had been or if he was okay considering he's usually the first one changed and warming up," Chad said, shaking his head.

"Huh. Are we corrupting Chad?" Emir asked Akiho.

"Would that be a bad thing if we were?" Akiho asked back.

"What's the game plan Coach?" Ben asked.

"Alright this is it," Coach said. "Championship game. Ben, I want you on left forward. Chad, you're on right. William, Akiho, Emir, you're starting on defense. Conner, you're in goal.

"Interesting," Ben said, leaning forward. "Conner's been a good goalie in the past but Brenden's slightly bigger which allows for him to protect higher along the net. Not to mention he didn't say who the third forward was."

"It might have been Li," Chad said. "That's usually the trio Coach goes with in games for forwards—you, me, and Li."

Now, I know you all have probably hated me while we prepared for the game but I can say for certain that Sherwood hasn't trained as hard as we have!"

"He did what he had to do if he wanted us to win," Benji said with a small smile, thinking about his coach.

"It was for a good cause coach," Ben said with a slight smile.

"Yeah coach, besides Ben ran us harder when you weren't there anyway," Conner chuckled. "There's never an easy practice when it comes to Tourney."

"Hey you guys will thank me when we're champions," Ben teased with a slight smile.

"Alright boys, I just want you to know whatever happens today we've had a good season and win or lose, I'm proud of you all. Now…can we do this?!"

"Yes coach!" Ben, Emir, Akiho, and Chad exclaimed; as if on reflex despite their coach not being in the room with them.

"You know your coach isn't here, right?" Chip asked, chuckling in amusement.

"Yes coach!" The team shouted in unison before putting their fists in the center of the huddle.

"Fighting Knights on three!" Coach said. "One, two, three!"

"Fighting Knights!"

"Go team!" Chip cheered.

"Yeah! Kick Sherwood's as—butt!" Lil Shang said, quickly changing his word choice as he remembered the under fifteens in the room. And that his father was giving him a look.

They raised their fists and the starters ran to the field while the rest of the team sat on the bench. Ben's eyes flickered to the stand for just a second. He caught a glimpse of Mal's purple hair about four rows from the top of the stands and couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sure the purple hair stands out in the crowd," Audie said with a small smile.

Alright, let's do this, he thought and the game got underway. Since Ben was no longer 'bound' to Audrey, he could focus more on the game rather than giving Audrey the smiles she was looking for as she cheered with the other cheerleaders on the sidelines.

"That's because she expected you to wave and smile to her every five minutes Ben!" Emir said, shaking his head. "Never mind how dangerous Tourney is if you're not paying attention."

Ben made a quick pass to Chad to tie up the game near the end of the first half. It was going to definitely be a close game.

"Come on Chad!" Alexandria cheered, on the edge of her seat to see if her brother would score.

"And what a shot by Chad as the first half comes to a close!" The announcer shouted. "We're all tied up here folks with The Fighting Knights 2, Sherwood Falcons 2."

"Nice one Chad!" Ben said with a grin.

"…couldn't have made the goal without the assist from you, Ben," Chad said with a small smile. Normally he'd be basking in the fact that he was the one to tie up the first half of the Championship game.

But his parents were still itching to talk to him about the whole 'getting girls to do his homework' thing so Chad thought it might be better if he appeared a bit more humble.

"You know that's not going to work right?" Kitty asked. "The whole faux-humble thing?"

"How did you—?"

"I'm two years younger than you, I'm not stupid or blind."

Ben glanced around as he sat on the bench, taking in deep breaths and gulping down water. Li and Conner looked pretty worn out while Jay and Carlos hadn't played all game.

"Coach must have forgotten he's got the new players," Emir said. "He normally tries to give everyone a chance to play at least once in a game."

"We need to up our defense if our goalie's getting worn out," Ben said with a frown.

"Okay, okay, we can discuss strategy for Tourney later," Akiho told him.

"Alright. Ben, Chad, how you two holding up?" Coach asked. "I want you back out there for the second half. Miguel, you take Conner's place on goal. Any questions?"

"Aren't Chad or Ben going to get a break?" Alexandria asked. "They'd been playing all game after all."

"Yeah! And Jay and Carlos haven't played at all!" Hadie said firmly.

"Coach, what about Jay and Carlos?" Ben asked. "They haven't played all game."

Coach looked over at Ben before looking back at the bench, as if he'd forgotten there were two new players on his roaster.

Aziz chuckled. "In his defense, I think the last time the team got new players was after my class graduated. Coach got used to his roaster, that's all."

Looking back at his worn out players, Coach said, "Akiho, Emir, you're tagged out. Jay, Carlos, you're on the field. Jay, center forward. Carlos, defense."

"…He wants DeVil on defense?" Harry asked in shock.

"Nope, not happening," Jay said, shaking his head. "Carlos would get crushed!"

Benji couldn't help but smile as he heard that. "Actually Carlos did pretty well for it being his first game."

"What?! Are you kidding me? They'll cost us the game!" Chad protested.

"And what's that supposed to mean?!" Jay exclaimed, glaring at Chad.

"We're tied right now!" Akiho shot back. "Sherwood's already played their full roaster while Jay and Carlos are fresh! We still have another half to get through. Chad, you saw how good Jay was at practice. You're probably just still bitter that he kicked your ass! If anything, Carlos and Jay could be the difference between winning and losing the game!"

Anna and Kristoff each gave their son a huge smile.

"We're so proud of you son," Kristoff said.

Kit frowned slightly. "Chad they're your teammates. You should believe in them."

"There's a difference between practice and the championship!" Chad shot back. "You really want to put it on the line for two people who have never played a game before?"

"Oh yes Chad, and of course you've been playing Tourney all your life," Kitty scoffed. "You never had a first game or anything."

"I'd rather put it on players who are at their full strength than ones who aren't!"

"He's got a point there," Shang nodded. "There's still another full half to go after all."

"Alright, that's enough!" Ben. said, stepping up as captain. "Chad, you're going back out there in five minutes. Stop arguing and save your energy for the game. Who goes out on the field is Coach's choice and no one else's. Besides, we've trained harder than we ever have before. We got this."

Shang nodded. "That's how a Captain acts."

"Thank you Ben! Chad, you should have more faith in your team mates. There was a point where you had never played a game before. No one was trying to get me to not put you in. As Ben said, you wanna question my decision? You wanna be benched for the first half of next season as well?"

"He's right," Cinderella said with a small nod of her head.

Chad glared but didn't respond. Ben knew his friend wouldn't want to be benched for a game let alone half a season. Next year would be the year college scouts would start looking. Being benched would ruin any chance at being recruited.

"I'm sorry but from what we've heard and from what I've gathered, this is a dangerous sport," Harriet said. "You really want the royal heirs to thrones to continue to play this and risk injury or worse?"

"Harriet, your mothering side's coming out again," Harry said, shaking his head. "Besides, we have swords in our hands from practically birth."

"That's for survival," Harriet shot back.

"That's what I thought. Alright, as I said, Jay, center field. Carlos, defense! Get out there!"

"Go get 'em!" Harry said with a grin, slapping Jay on the back.

"Yes coach," Jay nodded and so did Carlos though the younger boy still looked unsure.

"Don't worry, I got your back," Jay told him, rolling his eyes slightly at the younger boy's timidness.

"Good," Uma said and Mal nodded in agreement. DeVil…err Carlos was still under their protection after all.

"How about my front?" Carlos asked as the team retook the field.

"I've got that too, Carlos," Jay shook his head in amusement. "Ruthless yet Loyal remember? I'm sure I won't let anything happen."

"And if he does, he'll be reminded as to why we don't let things happen to people under our protection," Mal said, nodding her head.

Ben shot them both an encouraging smile before turning his full attention back to the game. The game started back up and Ben, Jay and Chad continued to work together as they tried to get a third goal. Thankfully Miguel was holding his own as goalie, denying Sherwood the chance to take the lead.

"Now that's a team," Lil Shang said with a small smile. "Looks like Imperial Academy could use some pointers from them."

"Don't you start," Shang chuckled.

"And the last ten seconds are on the clock! You could cut the tension with a sword! Li has the ball and he passes it to Prince Ben! And…Oh! Prince Ben passes it to Jay and he sets up for a goal and…" the announcer exclaimed.

Most of the people in attendance leaned forward in anticipation. The few who didn't were Benji and Malinda (who knew the results already of course) and Leah and Audrey.

"Jay scores! The Fighting Knights have won the championship!"

"Yes!" Ashaki cheered as Aziz gave Emir a sideways hug in celebration.

"Congratulations you guys," Shang said.

"Thanks Captain but this hasn't happened yet. We can't rest on our laurels guys," Ben said, looking at his team mates. "We've got to train as if we never read this scroll. Especially since the rest of the team's not here."

The announcer's words were drowned out by the buzzer, signaling the end of the game. Ben honestly couldn't believe it. Though he did join in, grinning, as most of the team tackled Jay in celebration.

Mal and Uma burst out laughing as Emir and Akiho did the same thing to the Jay in the room.

"Get off!" Jay said, though Mal could tell he was also amused by the whole thing.

"Boys," Kristoff said before pausing. "Err…sorry Jasmine, Aladdin, I just…"

"At this point, we think of Akiho as one of ours too," Jasmine said with a gentle smile.

"Gah! Get off!" Jay shouted from the bottom of the dog pile but Ben could hear the laughter in his voice.

"See you all don't change much," CJ said with a small smirk.

Only thing that could have made this better would have been if his parents were there, but Ben knew they were busy.

Belle and Beast gave Ben a slightly sad smile as they heard that.

"We're so proud of you Ben," Belle said, getting up to give Ben a hug.

"Thanks mom," Ben said, returning the hug.

"Well would you look at that? The Fighting Knights' new recruit got them a championship! Folks if I may say, this looks to be a great team, the best in—"

"Isn't this the same announcer who called Jay a hothead and said Carlos could barely lift a shield?" Malinda asked.

"Yep," Benji nodded.

"Huh. I don't feel so bad for him with all the times he got hit in the head during that Tourney match. Two faced little worm."

"Now's your chance Ben," Emir told him as the announcer continued. "We won. Make with the dramatic."

Lonnie grinned. "No one's going to forget this."

Ben sighed before squaring his shoulders and bracing himself before hurrying up and grabbing the gold microphone. He could see looks of confusion coming from the team but he couldn't back down now.

"You know, we really shouldn't be confused," Chad said. "Ben leads spirit cheers all the time after the games."

"Yeah in all honesty we're probably more shocked that Ben took something from someone's hands without waiting for them to finish talking," Emir nodded.

"Excuse me! I have something to say!"

Dear gods, let this work, Ben thought before noticing Jay still looking at him in confused amusement.

Mal shook her head and leaned over to whack Jay over his head. "Confused amusement? Really? You know Ben's supposed to be under the love spell!"

Hang on, Jay was there when Mal gave me the cookie. Jay would think…that I'm still under a love potion. Meaning Mal thinks that too! Just act like you think someone on a love potion would act!

"And you would know this…how?" Chip asked.

He took a breath, noticing Audrey out of the corner of his eye. Please work. "Give me an 'M'," he shouted.

The cheerleaders and spectators looked a bit confused for a second before going along with it. "'M'!"

"Give me an 'A'!"

" A!"

Audie flushed at the memory of her timeline's Ben doing this, how she had thought that he was proposing until Ben got to that dreaded third letter.

Well, dreaded at the time.

"Give me an 'L'!"

"L!" The crowd cheered as Ben took a deep breath, preparing to go dramatic for the first time in his life.

"Clearly someone doesn't remember his toddler years," Chip chuckled.

"Seeing as this is the second time you've mentioned this, what happened in his toddler years?" Lucas asked with a small chuckle of his own.

Chip grinned. "Oh man! This one time I was reading Ben a bedtime story and believe it or not I had to use the bathroom so I dog eared my place so I wouldn't forget where it was. When I got back, little Benji was hugging the book as if to comfort it all while looking at me with those sad little eyes. He told me 'maman awwaysh shahs oo no og ear pages. Ushe a oowmarw! Wat dat poor ook ewer do to oo Cip?'

"You had to do it in the toddler voice?" Ben asked, shaking his head as Emir and Akiho burst out laughing. "And mom was right! You don't dog ear pages!"

Malinda chuckled as the baby kicked once more. "Seems our little pup agrees with you Ben."

"What's that spell?!" Ben asked, his team staring at him in shock. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Akiho and Emir hiding their eyes as if embarrassed by Ben. They asked me to do this! You two said go dramatic, this is dramatic!

"You know, in their defense, they probably don't know about the whole 'you eating a cookie that was spiked with a love spell' thing," Aziz pointed out.

"Ah, someone else who likes to use logic in Auradon," Hades smirked. "I have to say I like you."

"Okay, now I'm positive that's the whole royal family of Agrabah!" Persephone said, shaking her head.

"Does Rajah not count?" Emir asked.

"Mal!" The school cheered.

"Come on, I can't hear you!"

"MAL!"

"Mal, I really like you! More than I thought I could ever like someone! Did I mention that?" Ben shouted into the microphone as Audrey ran off the field.

"Considering the fact that we end up married, I think that's good to know," Mal muttered, willing her cheeks not to flush red.

Lonnie rolled her eyes and looked over at Audrey. "You're not even going to try to figure out what's going on? It's Ben. When's the last time he's ever done something like this?"

Ben couldn't help but feel bad, but it did seem to be the thing that got through to Audrey. Guess his friends were right. The dramatic way was the best way to get through to Audrey.

"Hate to say we told you so, but…we told you so," Emir and Akiho said in unison.

"Give me a beat!" Ben shouted, pointing toward the band. Hey, he started this. He needed to follow through.

"Hang on," Audie said with a small smile and pulled up Auratube once more on her phone. "It'll be tiny so not everyone will be able to see it but you'll be able to hear it."

"Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" Ben heard Doug shout and the band began to play.

"…why does Doug know Spanish if he's taking French?" Emma asked.

"That is a question you would have to ask Doug," Emir said with a slight shrug.

Ben couldn't help but bounce around as he began to sing. He saw Chad laughing, not out of malice but probably out of shock. He knew his friend had feelings for Audrey but never acted on them because of the contract.

"He may not have acted on them but Chad's one of Audrey's little sycophants," Lonnie scoffed. "I don't think there's ever been a time when Chad's told Audrey no."

It almost seemed like Chad was stunned that Ben was doing something like this.

Though honestly he wasn't expecting the other guys on the team, the cheerleaders or the rest of the school to join in. Especially the cheerleaders. Audrey was their captain after all.

"Captain she may be but despised by all, she most certainly is!" Rose said with a grin.

"How dare you!"

"I dare. I dare very much Audrey," Rose smirked. "I'm sure it took no cajoling to get the guys to join in as well. You do know Hayden, Adrien, Edmund, and Duncan all loathe the way you 'captain' the squad, don't you?"

"What?!"

"Oh…well now you do."

Hopping down from the cannon he'd been standing on, Ben couldn't help but smile as Carlos joined in on the dancing. The younger boy was definitely good, Ben could see that.

Carlos couldn't help but give Ben a small, shy smile. It was weird being complimented on things he did. Normally he was just lucky if he wasn't berated.

"Carlos may be a good dancer but Ben? What are these moves?" Emir asked, chuckling as he looked at Audie's phone to see her timeline's Ben bouncing around.

A second later, he saw Jay put the microphone stand in front of him and Ben couldn't help but look back. Even though he knew about the love potion, he still had a small sliver of doubt. Would Jay be okay with this?

"Ben, I'm going to say this as simply as possible. Mal is to me as Abby is to you," Jay said. "I don't date my sister."

Ben nodded slightly to show he understood.

"That being said, you hurt her and there's a crew of seventeen back on the Isle ready to show you why that's not a good idea. And a Cerberus. And two Gods—well a God and a Godling. And hyenas. And—."

"He gets it Jay," Malinda said, shaking her head. "And I can assure you, Ben has never hurt me."

But the small pat on his shoulder from the older boy and the smile alleviated all of Ben's fears and he continued on with the song;

"Ben, if I was dating Mal, would I have supported this plan to give you a cookie spiked with a love potion?" Jay asked, shaking his head.

going as far as to toss his jersey up into the crowd and hoping Mal was the one that caught it.

"Hang on, didn't you see Mal sitting on the fourth from the top row of the bleachers? How did you—?"

"Part of the Beast enchantment I inherited," Benji said. "Increased strength."

"Increased strength to the extent that you throw with the power of a t-shirt cannon?" Melody asked, causing Ben and Benji to chuckle.

As the song wound down, Ben found himself getting tossed into the crowd by the male cheerleaders before surfing toward Mal on the crowd of students.

"Nice," Chip chuckled. "You'd make a good cheerleader Benji. Er…my Benji. Not future Benji."

"I knew who you meant Chip," Benji said, amusement coloring his voice.

"He's not wrong Ben," Rose said, glancing at Audie's phone for the visual. "For someone who's never cheered, you had great form in being launched by Hayden and Adrien."

Ben, this was probably the riskiest thing you've ever done, he thought as he landed in front of Mal.

"No the riskiest thing you've ever done is not tell your parents about your freaking concussion," Chip stated, giving Ben a look.

"You're still on about that?"

"When you asked Captain Shang not to tell Adam and Belle? When you didn't even tell me? Yes I'm still on about that!"

"And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss! Come on now," he sang as the music faded out. Lonnie had whirled her around apparently so the two of them were looking at each other.

"Hey, you know technically I did," Benji chuckled, holding Malinda close to him. "Auradon's your kingdom now too."

"Ben! How could you do this?!" Audrey exclaimed.

"Quite easily it looks like," Rowyn said with a small smirk.

Leah shook her head. "Honestly the public humiliation toward Audrey alone! To say nothing about the disregard for our family's name and reputation, to just throw the heir to Auroria to the side as if she meant nothing! If anything Ben should return to the contract, to apologize for—."

"If he did that, then any affection in the relationship becomes no-sided and if anything Ben could grow to resent Audrey," Malinda said, her green eyes glinting in anger. "Madam, it was Ben's choice and Ben's choice alone."

"Easy, easy dragon," Benji whispered, gently rubbing her back. "It's Leah, don't let her bother you or get under your skin."

Out of the corner of his eye, Ben could see Evie's dark blue hair and couldn't help but wonder why Mal and Evie were standing by each other. It'd be come increasingly clear that the two girls weren't the best of friends. But that would be a question for another day.

"Lonnie had invited her to come with us," Malinda said with a small smile. "Jane would have been with us too but she was the mascot. I mean, the human mascot, not the one in the horse costume."

"You mean the one Ben jumped on and rode like an actual horse?" Ruby asked with a small giggle.

"Mal, will you go to the coronation with me?" Ben asked, panting a little as he was still spent from the Tourney game plus the musical number.

"Yes," Malinda said with a small chuckle, giving Benji a peck on the cheek.

"Get a room," Hadie said, smiling slightly as he saw the future version of his sister interact with her husband.

Please say yes. Otherwise I'm going to have to kill my best friends for putting me up to this.

"You know you love them too much to kill them," Ashaki said with a chuckle.

"You have a point there," Ben nodded as Akiho and Emir grinned.

"Yes," Mal said after a minute. Before Ben could respond, Audrey dragged Chad up to the stands and took the microphone. Ben was more stunned at her sudden reappearance than her taking the microphone if he was honest.

"Audrey…what are you doing?" Ben asked, his voice soft.

"Chad's my boyfriend now," she said, Chad more than a little shocked at the announcement. "So I don't need your pity date to Coronation, Bennyboo."

"And after all that it's Audrey who technically breaks the contract first," Emir said. "Should I be surprised you're cheating on Ben with Chad?"

"What?! How dare you! I—I would never…"

"That song was three minutes long Audrey!" Akiho said, backing up his best friend. "It does not take three minutes to convince someone to be the rebound of the Crown Prince's ex-girlfriend unless they were already in a relationship with them!"

Or if that person had been given a bit of extra motivation to always want to please Audrey, Leah thought with a small smirk. After all, the contract was iron clad but there was always the small chance that Ben was stubborn like his mother. It never hurt to have other options for Audrey to pursue and that way, should the impossible happen and Audrey let Ben slip through her fingers, Audrey would at least be the Queen of two kingdoms.

"Can I say something?" Audie asked, cutting off the shrieking coming from Audrey. "I…I know I'm not her but the same thing happened in my timeline including the 'Chad's my boyfriend now' stuff. I can promise you, Ben, she didn't cheat on you. Granted she probably just saw the crown and didn't want to risk her way to the Queenhood but she didn't cheat."

"Well that's something at least," Chip muttered under his breath.

Ben stared at Audrey slightly shocked. I…I guess Mal was right, there really is nothing of our friendship there. Hell even Chad looks shocked considering she barely gave him the time of day before.

"On the one hand…one could see that as Princess Audrey saving face since that performance was in front of two schools," Esmeralda said. "However, since we know that Prince Ben broke up with Princess Audrey in private and even informed her of the contract being dissolved…I don't blame Prince Ben for being shocked.

"She said yes!" Ben said, yelling into the microphone after taking it back from Audrey. Ben chuckled as Jay dragged him back down the stands to get changed.

"Yeah, good idea. Give Mali some space after that," Uma said with a small nod.

He wanted to do it as quickly as possible, to explain to Mal that he wasn't spelled like she thought.

Little did the prince know that Mal was already booking it back to her dorm, in search for a spell book and an antidote.

"It's not needed," Benji said with a small smile, gently kissing his wife on the cheek.

"I know that now," Malinda said with a small chuckle.

Beast nodded. "I think this would be a good spot to end for a break. I believe some conversations are in order."

"I agree King Beast," Kit nodded as Chad and Ben both let out a small sigh.

They were not going to enjoy these conversations.

Notes:

Those in the reading: Mal, Hadie, Persephone, Hades, Estelle, Ben, Beast, Belle, Chip, Akiho, Anna, Kristoff, Emir, Aziz, Ashaki, Aladdin, Jasmine, Macaria, Hyllus, Herkie, Hercules, Meg, Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Uma, Poseidon, Elle, Melody, Ariel, Eric, Emma, Neal, Snow White, David, Audrey, Phillip Jr., Aurora, Phillip Sr., Leah, Harry Hook, Jay, Kitty, Chad, Lucy, Alexandria, Kit, Cinderella, Harriet, Milah, CJ, WAL Audrey, Lucas (WAL), Malinda and Benji (future versions of CF Ben and Mal).

Actions

Kudos

Minnie239, DragonAlex, ThatPurpleDragon, Embodiment_of_chaos13, FoolOfATookAndDisturberOfThePeace, AmaryllisMoonlack, Diamondkirk99, Starkschalamet, CrimeDramaFan4Ever, LinneStarr, niiccoo, leraivanova1506, RoseTheOneForeverUnloved, Devan07, SquirrelNutmeg19, shadowwolf19, Fanfic_Rater_1_to_5, Princess_Emarelda, Snowdrop813, forest_crab, viridithehippo, Voidedwithoutprompt, Valkyria_on_heaven, YanPotatoWriter, ArianaMoon, Captain_Caspian, ominouscheese, Aunteakit, Night06Reader, JaySa_114, EclipseOfNight, KicksterAsh, JMr1227, BasiliskQueen21, Gomy_el_camaleon, Vania18, roasted_breadstick, AlyssaDreams, nyxalbertelli, TimberWolf89, DarklyDreamer1112, Yannanikki, Jasmine24Richards, j0siep0sie, FairyOncer13, MidnightsSoul15, LiveryFaith, Fallenstar07, Will_Duck_You_Up, mrbean27, and 76 more users as well as 237 guests left kudos on this work!

Comments

Pages Navigation

Hannahhook (Guest) on Chapter 1 Mon 03 May 2021 02:49PM UTC

Same Ben, same

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
Beccablue76 on Chapter 2 Mon 12 Apr 2021 07:17PM UTC

I love this!!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 2 Mon 12 Apr 2021 07:48PM UTC
  
  Thank you so much! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Fallenstar07 on Chapter 2 Tue 15 Jun 2021 09:58PM UTC

Pain and Panic ran out the door, the fear of fireballs still engrained in them. Hades sighed at the memory. He used to be a God and now he was stuck on this Isle. The only solace was the fact that he had access to the Underworld to continue to do his job; harboring the souls of the deceased.
I can only imagine that part where Hades thinks that he used to be a god that he says it the same way as when he told Mal in the movie that he used to be a god.

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
Fallenstar07 on Chapter 3 Tue 15 Jun 2021 10:14PM UTC

The sounds of stomachs rumbling filled the room and Hades could have smacked himself. Of course Mal was hungry!
"In my defense I'd only been raising Mal on my own for a week at that point," Hades stated.
"Panic!" Hades bellowed and the little imp came running. While the always nervous minion wasn't the best source of information, he was unfortunately the only other parent Hades had access to and could trust not to betray him.

I'm sorry but I can only imagine that when he calls for Panic that he is saying. Panic! As in I'm panicking. And not as in Panic the name.

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
Elizabeth A. Brown (Guest) on Chapter 4 Wed 31 Mar 2021 12:19AM UTC

So good! I love this!

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 4 Wed 31 Mar 2021 06:04PM UTC
  
  Oh thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Wed 31 Mar 2021 11:36PM UTC

Have I mentioned how much I love these stories every single one of them 😊😊😊

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 5 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:53PM UTC
  
  Oh thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! :D
  
  Comment Actions
2. 1. Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 03:53AM UTC
    
    It's just not this story alone though every single one of your stories are awesome, I've been reading them one after the next 😊😊👌
    
    Comment Actions
  2. 1. orphan_account on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 05:40PM UTC
      
      Oh thank you so much! :D
      
      Comment Actions
    2. 1. Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 07:48PM UTC
        
        No, thank you I can't wait to see what you come up with next 😊😊😊
        
        Comment Actions
        
        Reply
        
        Thread
        
        Parent Thread
FaithAndATypeWriter on Chapter 5 Thu 01 Apr 2021 02:06AM UTC

Lonnie grinned as she unfurled the scroll and leaned back in her chair. "Alright, let's get down to business."

I haven’t even read the chapter yet, I just have to stop and applaud you for that line.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 5 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:54PM UTC
  
  I couldn't resist! I mean it was right there almost calling my name so I had to put it in! :D
  
  Comment Actions
MarvelReader500 on Chapter 5 Fri 02 Apr 2021 10:02PM UTC

I love this so much please continue this. But maybe kinda jump to the problems on the isle. but I love your story.

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 5 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:55PM UTC
  
  Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Tayler1995 on Chapter 7 Mon 05 Apr 2021 02:27PM UTC

I love it, I can’t wait until Ben finds out that he is reading about his true loves past. Like I can almost imagine it, one of the people with magic arguing about something [probably Leahs treatment of the isle kids] and accidentally Ben gets hit with a spell. Audrey is like finally my time to shine but before she can the fates come in like “ what is going on? We leave you for 5 minutes, Mal hurry up and kiss prince beastie jr we are on a time limit here” que everybody losing it. Hades spends the rest of the reading just glowering at Ben lol.

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 7 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:53PM UTC
  
  I'm going to be completely honest here, I am so glad I'm currently working from home because when I got the notification that I got this review and read it, I burst out laughing for like five minutes. Seriously I love it and I'm definitely going to see if I can incorporate it if possible! :D
  
  Comment Actions
2. 1. Hope Angel (Guest) on Chapter 7 Tue 06 Apr 2021 04:22PM UTC
    
    I think that almost everyone in these last year had grown used to work from home with what's going on: I'm a student at university and have to frequent lessons via webcam.
    Real Life aside I have to ask a quick question, well is more of a repetition to see If I've understood well the situation: "watch and learn" series is the viewing of canon d1, d2 and d3, with different approaches and outcomes, while "truth fiction" is the reading of the au stories where Hades took care of mal, "loyal to the core" and "catch me if I fall" are like much more developed moments of d2, "descendants 4" is a follow up of canon d3, which is evident because Mal has Hades' ember, the barrier is down like the original, you made the plot and added different new characters like Zelda and Percy, right?
    
    Comment Actions
  2. 1. orphan_account on Chapter 7 Tue 06 Apr 2021 05:40PM UTC
      
      Hey!
      Yeah, the Watch and Learn series are the viewing of canon D1, D2, and D3 with different approaches and outcomes. Truth or Fiction is the reading of the Choosing Family series, Loyal to the Core and Catch Me if I Fall are more developed moments of D2 (basically just AUs of Cotillion).
      Descendants 4 is more of TR Lara Croft's story, I've just been listed as a co-author because I beta it over on FFN. But you've got the right idea! :D
      
      Comment Actions
3. Hope Angel (Guest) on Chapter 7 Tue 06 Apr 2021 04:08PM UTC
  
  It would be quite loving and at the same time hilarious!
  
  Comment Actions
HarmoniousFourTrisLoVer13 on Chapter 9 Mon 12 Apr 2021 04:06AM UTC

Happy Birthday to me!😁 (I'm 30 on the 12th.)
This was a fantastic present!😉 Over 8,000 words. I really love this story. I like the whole story within a story within a story plot. I think I like this fic the best of your stories.
I don't get this part.
"I think it might be time for the net again," Poseidon muttered.
"Do it and I'll turn you mortal again," Zeus said with a glare, having heard the mutter.
What net is Poseidon talking about and what does Zeus mean by turning him mortal again? I've never heard about that.
I can't wait for the next chapter.
May the Muses bless and inspire you!
Your Loyal Reader,
HarmoniousRayllumLoVer13

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 9 Mon 12 Apr 2021 04:19AM UTC
  
  Happy Birthday! :D I'm so glad I could give you a great present!
  So in some Greek Myths, Hera, Poseidon and Apollo rise up against Zeus because they don't like the way Zeus is running Olympus. They do this by entrapping Zeus in a net--Zeus in return turns Poseidon and Apollo mortal and Hera gets tied down to Olympus. Hera was released first because she supposedly screamed 24/7.
  Glad you liked the chapter! :D
  
  Comment Actions
FaithAndATypeWriter on Chapter 10 Mon 12 Apr 2021 02:56PM UTC

"Uma, he probably couldn't pour water out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel."

I don’t remember hearing that line before and it’s hilarious!

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 10 Mon 12 Apr 2021 04:20PM UTC
  
  The joys of being from the Southern United States, you know plenty of creative ways of insulting people! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Beccablue76 on Chapter 10 Mon 12 Apr 2021 10:24PM UTC

I love it!!!

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 10 Tue 13 Apr 2021 04:51AM UTC
  
  Oh thank you! I'm so glad! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Beccablue76 on Chapter 10 Tue 13 Apr 2021 12:36AM UTC

I need more this is amazing!!!!

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 10 Tue 13 Apr 2021 04:51AM UTC
  
  Oh thank you! I'll try to update soon! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Beccablue76 on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 02:20PM UTC

I love it!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 10:38PM UTC
  
  Oh thank you so much! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Quil (Guest) on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 04:08PM UTC

I love that you're gonna make Mal read the chapter she bolts in 😅 no skipping those embrassasing parts indeed!

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 10:38PM UTC
  
  Oh my I just realized that I did that! Totally did not mean to but it's funny all the same! :D
  
  Comment Actions
MarvelReader500 on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 07:16PM UTC

Love this

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 11 Wed 14 Apr 2021 10:38PM UTC
  
  Thank you!
  
  Comment Actions
Quil (Guest) on Chapter 12 Fri 16 Apr 2021 08:58PM UTC

I struggled real hard not to laugh in the middle of work. Lost it at the end with "I need a language pass for this".

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. Hope Angel (Guest) on Chapter 12 Sat 17 Apr 2021 07:14AM UTC
  
  Why did Mal ask for it?
  I mean technically Hades said the bad word.
  
  Comment Actions
2. 1. orphan_account on Chapter 12 Sat 17 Apr 2021 04:29PM UTC
    
    Hades may have said it in the scroll but Mal was still saying it when she read it--and in Mal's case there were younger ears around (Celia, Dizzy, Hadie...)
    
    Comment Actions
  2. 1. Hope Angel (Guest) on Chapter 12 Sun 18 Apr 2021 11:25AM UTC
      
      Ah now it's clear: it's like when I used to snitch on my older sister repeating the bad world she said and in the end we both ended up grounded😂.
      I thought it was something the purple girl did in the first place
      
      Comment Actions
3. orphan_account on Chapter 12 Sat 17 Apr 2021 04:28PM UTC
  
  Oh thank you! I'm glad I could make you laugh but I hope you didn't get in trouble at work!
  
  Comment Actions
Beccablue76 on Chapter 12 Fri 16 Apr 2021 09:15PM UTC

I LOVE IT!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 12 Sat 17 Apr 2021 04:28PM UTC
  
  Thank you so much! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Beccablue76 on Chapter 13 Sun 18 Apr 2021 08:27PM UTC

I LOVE IT!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 13 Sun 18 Apr 2021 08:41PM UTC
  
  Oh I'm so glad! Thank you so much! :D
  
  Comment Actions
Quil (Guest) on Chapter 13 Sun 18 Apr 2021 09:35PM UTC

Cute as always! Question, who is Lucy? She's not listed as one of those in the reading.

Comment Actions
- Reply
- Thread
1. orphan_account on Chapter 13 Sun 18 Apr 2021 09:40PM UTC
  
  Thank you so much! Lucy is one of the four Charming kids (basically OC sisters I gave Chad). I brought them in via swirling eyeball a few chapters ago!
  
  Comment Actions

Actions

Work Header

Truth Or Fiction

Summary:

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Notes:

Actions

Kudos

Pages Navigation

Hannahhook (Guest) on Chapter 1 Mon 03 May 2021 02:49PM UTC

Comment Actions

Beccablue76 on Chapter 2 Mon 12 Apr 2021 07:17PM UTC

Comment Actions

orphan_account on Chapter 2 Mon 12 Apr 2021 07:48PM UTC

Comment Actions

Fallenstar07 on Chapter 2 Tue 15 Jun 2021 09:58PM UTC

Comment Actions

Fallenstar07 on Chapter 3 Tue 15 Jun 2021 10:14PM UTC

Comment Actions

Elizabeth A. Brown (Guest) on Chapter 4 Wed 31 Mar 2021 12:19AM UTC

Comment Actions

orphan_account on Chapter 4 Wed 31 Mar 2021 06:04PM UTC

Comment Actions

Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Wed 31 Mar 2021 11:36PM UTC

Comment Actions

orphan_account on Chapter 5 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:53PM UTC

Comment Actions

Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 03:53AM UTC

Comment Actions

orphan_account on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 05:40PM UTC

Comment Actions

Kallz_t on Chapter 5 Tue 06 Apr 2021 07:48PM UTC

Comment Actions

FaithAndATypeWriter on Chapter 5 Thu 01 Apr 2021 02:06AM UTC

Comment Actions

orphan_account on Chapter 5 Mon 05 Apr 2021 11:54PM UTC