Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mal waited for Ben to get done talking to Fairy Godmother with her arms folded. Being engaged to the King of Auradon was tedious at times. They almost never got to be alone, or that’s how it felt. She stood with her closest friends grouped loosely around her, all talking to their respective boyfriends/girlfriends, and glanced around the gardens of Auradon Prep, still amazed at the sight of heroes and villains mingling for Family Day. Yes, she and Ben, along with the other VKs, had worked at this for months but to see it actually happening, the kids of the Isle getting a chance at a better life, and still able to see their parents, without the people of Auradon protesting or starting fights… It was incredible.

Two younger teens, one boy, one girl, that she only vaguely recognized caught her attention as they raced towards a woman in a purple dress with long reddish brown hair, standing beside a huge man, who held his arms out to the kids, who had to be twins, with a booming laugh. Apart from his size, he looked just like any other middle-aged guy, but the sight of him made Mal tense, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. Something about him screamed ‘threat’.

Mal narrowed her eyes at the pair of twins, trying to place their names. The girl embraced her mother, even lifting her feet clean off the ground when she did so. Mal suddenly recognised her from the tourney team. “Jay,” She turned and tapped her friend on the shoulder. “That girl right there, what was her name?” 

“Huh?” Jay, who’d been deep in conversation with Lonnie, blinked, having totally missed what she said.

Sighing, Mal repeated herself, pointing towards the girl, while doing her utmost to avoid making eye contact with what had to be the twins’ father. She didn’t know why he unnerved her, but her instincts had always served her well growing up on the Isle, so she wouldn’t ignore them now.

Jay squinted at the girl. “Oh, that’s Helen. She only started school this semester, tried out for the tourney team her first week. She’s crazy strong, it’s freaky. But she’s an awesome player.”

“Huh. Don’t suppose you know anything about her family? Which heroes are they?”

Jay scratched his head. “Dunno. I mean, I know Helen has a twin brother, Makis, the skinny kid with her, but they’ve never talked about their parents.”

Mal frowned. “Weird for Auradon kids- most of them love flaunting their parents’ histories.”

“Was that a jab at me?” Ben grinned as he strolled over, wrapping an arm around Mal’s shoulders. “Pretty sure I’ve never done that!”

Mal elbowed him in the side playfully, rolling her eyes. “No, I was just wondering who those kids’ parents are. I don’t think I’ve seen them before-”

At that moment, the huge guy glanced their way, bright blue eyes piercing into Mal’s. Her fists clenched as she fought the sudden urge to hide, to not let him see her. She mentally shook herself. She’d stood up to a freakin’ dragon before (albeit said dragon was also her mother, but whatever). No way was she going to hide from some muscle-bound oaf!

Ben, for some reason, smiled, like he didn’t get unnerving vibes from this guy at all. “Oh, that’s just Lord Hercules and Lady Megara.” 

Jay’s jaw dropped. “Herc- like the god Hercules?!”

“Demigod, technically, but yeah.” Ben blinked at Mal and the others. “I thought I’d told you their kids had started at Auradon Prep?”

Mal tensed even further. “Nope, you didn’t. I guess you were too busy?”

Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “Kind of. I didn’t think it’d be that big a deal. It is Family Day, they have a right to be here.”

“Mm.” Mal edged sideways, out of his reach. “Yeah, it is Family Day. Did you forget who else we invited? My father? Since I’m trying to mend bridges with him and all?”

“Yeah, why- oh.” Ben clamped his lips together, his expression making it clear he understood. “Mal, I… didn’t think…”

Mal cursed under her breath at her fiancé’s naivete and closed her eyes. If they had been open they'd have flashed that menacing green that always made even Ben, Evie, Jay and Carlos dive for cover. The girl  sighed, trying to keep her temper in check. “Great, just great. A God and a demigod who hate one another in one place, in close proximity and a hundred civilians within striking distance, this is going to end well.” She stated sarcastically.

“What’s going to end well?” Evie sauntered over to them, looking gorgeous as always in her latest design. Mal glared at Ben, daring him to explain. Wincing, he did, his shame at his mistake clear. Jay facepalmed as he realised the problem. Carlos and Jane joined their little group halfway through the explanation, and Carlos tentatively raised his hand like he would’ve in class. “Mal, don’t bite my head off, but what if we just-”

Mal’s eyes snapped open. “Don’t even think of suggesting we uninvite my dad. The whole point of all the work we’ve done is to give villains who want it a second chance!”

“Yeah, that won’t work.” Ben loosened his necktie nervously. “He might revoke his permission for me to marry you. Or, you know, kill me in my sleep.”

Mal looked up at her fiancé. “He's not the only one with the power to do those things.” She threatened with a smile and flash of green in her eyes. Ben gulped nervously and moved so Evie was blocking Mal’s view of him.

At that moment, the twins Mal had been observing had walked over. The girl- Helen- curtsied, peering around to see Ben who was still half-hidden behind Evie. 

“Hi Ben, and…Mal, right?* 

Mal spun around, plastering a smile on her face, rather like the one she'd given Audrey upon first meeting her. “Hi! Helen, isn't it?”

The girl nodded. “Yeah. And this is my twin brother Mak.”

Helen’s brother stuck out his hand for Mal to shake. “Ignore her, it's Makis.” He insisted.

Mal shook his hand, using enough strength to make Makis’ face fall and pull his hand away, flexing his fingers. 

“Yikes, did I get another sister I don't know about?” He joked, still rubbing his hand. “Oh, these are our parents, Lord Hercules and Lady Meg.” He gestured  to both parents in turn. 

“Come on, Makis, I’m sure our kind hosts have heard all about us!” Hercules practically crowed. “All the lands know of my labours and my defeat of that scoundrel of an uncle of mine, Hades!”

Lady Meg rolled her eyes fondly. “Yes, Wonderboy, we all know the story.” She quipped but not unkindly. 

Helen responded in much the same manner, with an added eye-roll. “Yeah Dad, you’ve only told it like a million times…”

Ben shot a nervous glance at Mal and opened his mouth, probably to try and change the subject since apparently Hercules had missed the latest 'adventure' that had threatened Auradon and therefore didn't know who Hades was to Mal.

Hercules' loud laugh drowned out Ben completely. “But everyone adores it nonetheless! How I single handedly tamed his three headed guard dog and bested the cyclops monster with only a length of rope, before aiding my mighty father in ending Hades’ foul treachery against the Gods!”

“Yeah, after you let him trick you into giving up your strength and nearly lost your girlfriend just to get it back,” Mal muttered under her breath.

The family looked at her: she must’ve spoken louder than she thought, oh well, whatever. Hercules brushed it off with another obnoxious laugh, giving Mal a friendly punch on the arm. He didn't seem to notice the way she looked at her arm where he had jabbed her, then back at him, she stood with her arms crossed, nails digging into her skin as she resisted the urge to rip his arm off.

Jay began inching away with a mutter of “Oh boy” under his breath.

Ben laughed. It sounded a bit forced, and Mal could see anxiety in his eyes as he stepped closer to her, his arm sliding back round her shoulders. He gave her a comforting squeeze, and yet she wasn’t sure if the embrace was to support her, or hold her back, but she did feel herself relax slightly under his touch. She turned her gaze from Hercules to Meg. Her dad said that Meg was smart, and more sensible than her husband could ever dream of being, and if anyone would know, Hades would.

Meanwhile, Hercules had started talking again, only for his daughter to interrupt. “You know Dad, I bet Hades wasn't even all that. I mean, you did beat him when you were barely older than me!”  

Hercules roared with laughter, exchanging a fist-bump with his daughter in agreement. ”Exactly! Maybe you’ll get a chance to deal with him next. He won’t have gotten any stronger, trapped on the Isle for so long!”

“I hope so! I’ll beat him faster than you did, old man!” Helen stuck her tongue at her father.

This was meant as playful teasing, and Mal knew that, but that was her dad they were mocking. Mal's head snapped in Helen’s direction, eyes flashing green again. This was a  well-known red flag to her friends and they exchanged glances quickly. Ben's arm tightened around her, and Evie, Carlos and Jay moved closer to Mal.

Evie put a hand on her friend’s arm, whispering to her. “Mal, you got this, chill. They don’t know what they’re saying.” 

Hercules’ family however somehow hadn't yet noticed Mal’s increasing irritation. In fact in response to his daughter’s quip, Hercules had tackled Helen and the pair had started playfully rough housing, more like the way siblings might  rather than father and daughter.

Mal focused on Ben’s arm around her, the presence of her friends, and the hundreds of other people here, people that, as the future Queen of Auradon, she did not need to make a bad impression on, especially as Hades was supposed to show up at some point today. Keeping things calm with the God of the Underworld around would be tough enough. She could control her temper at the thoughtless words of a bunch of idiots, demigods or otherwise.

Naturally, it was at that exact moment that the ground rumbled, then exploded upwards in a whirl of blue flames, directly in front of Mal and Ben. When the screams and cries of fear died down, along with the flames, Hades stood there, grinning like the Cheshire Cat, eyes only for Mal as he held his arms out to her, oblivious- or pretending to be oblivious to the vast (gawking) audience and the whispering and terrified muttering of his name rippling through the crowd like a building tsunami. Apparently, knowing Hades was Mal's father didn't do much to quell people's fear of him.

Hades winked at her, stepping forward, arms still outstretched, hair a writhing mass of blue and white flame. “Come on, Mal! It’s Family Day, if I read your invite correctly. Can’t I get a hug from my only daughter?” He spoke in a fairly low voice, enough that she could hear him, but not loud enough for any onlookers to pick up on. Judging by the uncertain look in his eyes, he was waiting for her to decide how to respond, whether to publicly acknowledge him or not.

Mal smirked, deciding in a split second to just go with it and deal with the fallout from the onlookers- those who knew her paternity and those who didn't- later. She stepped into his waiting arms, relishing the hug he gave her and returning it. “Hi Dad.” Her words were muffled by Hades' leather jacket as he held her tightly, like she was important to him, precious. Mal's heart warmed at the gesture. Even though they’d only recently reconciled, she still loved having a parent that actually cared about her- she’d never known how much she’d wanted that until she finally got it.

Her eyes once again flashed emerald green as she turned, with her dad’s arm still around her, and glared at the shocked faces of Hercules and his family. “Problem?” Her voice was as sickly sweet and innocent as she could make it. Inwardly, she was laughing hysterically at Hercules’ dumbfounded expression.

Chapter Text

Of course Hades’ rather dramatic entrance had caught the attention of everyone attending Family Day, not just Lord Hercules and his family. 

Hades and Mal broke their familial embrace, and almost immediately Hades turned, seeing Hercules, Meg and their twins staring, mouths agape.

Hades gave a wolfish smile. “Ah. My favourite nephew. And Meg! Long time no see. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your kids?” 

Adam, Ben's father, approached rapidly, moving between Hades and Hercules, clearly nervous and anticipating some kind of confrontation. Belle was right behind him, plastering an obviously fake smile onto her face, stepping past her husband and curtsying to Hades before offering a hand in greeting as if he were any other dignitary that might visit Auradon, not the Greek god of the Underworld.

Meg ushered Helen and Makis closer to her, and away from Hades, looking uneasy, though was clearly trying to conceal this with her accompanying anger as she glared at the blue haired God. Hercules, being less subtle, stepped in front of them, brushing Adam aside as if he wasn’t even there. Adam stifled a growl, then adjusted his glasses, patting Belle’s hand as she steadied him. Hercules’ strength, controlled as the ‘push’ had been, still made Adam stumble.

“How did you even get here, Hades?!” Hercules demanded, as if he hadn’t even heard or seen Hades’ greeting to Mal, or registered that he still had an arm around her shoulders, now more protective than affectionate. Mal was leaning into Hades’ leather clad side, arms crossed, with an eerily similar expression on her face. 

Hades narrowed his eyes slightly at his fellow God, sarcastically gesturing to the singed earth beneath his own feet . “I mean-” he smirked, “I’d have thought even you, Mr Biceps larger than brains, would recognize a portal.” Hades then put both hands to the sides of his face with a mock look of shock. “Oh wait, I forgot you can’t make them yourself, so you probably don’t know how to recognize one. Shame on me for forgetting, you need sweet Nutmeg to do your thinking for you!”  

Letting his hands fall back to his sides he grinned and Mal snigered behind her hand. Meg, with her eyes narrowed, glanced between Hades and Mal, her eyes widening suddenly. She took a step closer, though staying behind her husband, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. “Herc, I think-”

Hercules patted her hand without even turning to look at her. “It’s OK, Meg. Stay with the kids. I’m handling this.”

“But- the girl-”

“She’ll be fine. I won’t let Hades hurt her.”

Mal’s eyes widened at this exchange and she looked up at her father. “Seriously?” she muttered, her eyebrows lifting.

Hades looked down at her with a shrug. “Like I said, he’s not famous for being smart.”

Helen and Makis both looked mortified now- having been at Auradon Prep for some time, they were probably well aware of Mal’s parentage. Helen’s face was scarlet, and Makis was hiding his head in his hands. Seeing her kids’ embarrassed expressions, Meg stroked her son’s hair and tried to gain her husband's attention again. “Honey…” 

But Hercules still hadn’t caught on and flashed her a charming smile over his shoulder. “Babe, I got this!” He returned his attention to Hades, stepping closer to him. “Ok flame boy, you want to take your ghoulish hands off that poor girl there?” He punctuated his sentence by flexing his hand several times, making a fist at his side.

Hades snorted, tightening his hold on Mal, but not painfully, just giving her shoulders a reassuring squeeze, although his face kept its sneer, aimed at Hercules. “Or what, wonder-breath?” 

Hercules cracked his knuckles, inexplicably grinning. “Oh, I was hoping you’d say that.” He stalked closer to Hades and Mal. Being the same height as the former, he towered over the latter. Behind the father and daughter, Ben had moved to stand with his parents, and Evie was fanning herself while admiring Hercules’ considerable muscles. 

Hercules lent closer to the God of the Underworld. “Or you’ll end up like that three headed freak-dog of yours. Is it true that all you have now is a recording of his bark? How sad.”

Dude whimpered nervously at Carlos' feet and Mal, who had had her teeth clenched for the last five minutes, now felt her blood boiling in rage. She knew her eyes had probably turned that eerie shade of green again, but couldn’t bring herself to care. Shaking her dad’s hand off her shoulder, she squared up to Hercules, refusing to let his size intimidate her  “Hey, meat-head, don’t disrespect-” 

Hercules waved her off before she could even finish her sentence. Behind Hercules, Meg winced. Hercules didn’t even notice. “It’s ok kid, you’re safe from this undead degenerate now.” 

Hades rolled his eyes. “Some mighty big words in there.” He snapped his fingers as if he’d just figured something out. “Aww, has Meg been teaching you to read?”

By now both Hercules’ fists were curled tightly at his sides, knuckles turning white. “You keep my wife’s name out of that mouth of yours! After what you did to her you’re lucky I don’t kick your butt back to the Underworld! That’s where you belong, with the dead, not here among decent living people and their kids…” 

Mal growled, she felt… strange, like she did when turning into her dragon form but not nearly as intense, just…different. All she knew was that she was mad. “Hey, because it somehow hasn’t penetrated your thick skull yet, Herc , that’s my dad you’re talking to, idiot, and as future Queen of Auradon you do not get to decide who Ben and I allow into our kingdom!” 

Evie’s voice called out to her, sounding concerned. “Um, Mal…” 

Mal turned, seeing Evie gesturing to her own royal blue hair, left then right, and Mal sighed. “Evie, this isn’t the time to worry about my bad hair day-” 

But Jay interrupted, wide-eyed and pointing. “It might be since your hair is like, on fire!” 

“Yikes!” Dude barked, yelping as he leapt into Carlos’ arms. “That is freaky!” 

Confused, Mal looked down, grabbing fistfuls of her purple hair; well, it should have been purple, it had turned a shade of indigo with a very pronounced blue tinge, and it shimmered and flickered like flames!

Startled, and a little uneasy, she looked to her friends, Ben and Hades, whose expressions seemed to mirror her own to varying degrees, though Hades, although surprised, beamed proudly, his own hair flaring brightly in response, slipping his arm back around Mal’s shoulders. 

“That’s my girl. Like father like daughter, right, Herc?” He winked at the demigod, who was white as a sheet, mouth hanging open, a look of horror and disbelief on his face.

Chapter Text

Meg winced as Hercules slammed his fist into the wall of the lounge that Adam and Belle had hastily shown them into, making the whole building shake.

“His daughter!” Herc raged, speaking to Meg as if Adam and Belle themselves weren't in the room. “Hades’ spawn, the future Queen of Auradon?! What in Tartarus’ name is Adam thinking?! ”

Helen and Makis, sitting side by side on the couch, glanced around nervously. It wouldn’t be the first building their father had brought down to its very foundations in anger. Of course he’d never hurt them or their mother, and on the rare occasion his anger and strength got the better of him, he was always remorseful after the fact. 

Helen lent closer to her brother. “5000 drachma says he breaks something before Mom can calm him down,” she muttered.

A mischievous twinkle came to her brother's eye. “You’re on!” he answered, and the pair discreetly shook hands in agreement. 

Hercules turned to his wife  “Meg, can you believe this?” He took several deep breaths “I mean, the standards here!” He marched over to Adam and Belle. “How can you put your son, our kids, in danger by having Hades and his brat here!”

Adam tensed. “Lord Hercules, Mal is my son’s fiancée, and considered part of the royal family, therefore I’d prefer you not speak of her that way. When the barrier came down, it was to be opened for everyone trapped on the Isle, to build better lives for themselves and their children, and for their kids to be given the same opportunities as anyone else in Auradon, without exception.” He stated firmly. 

Hercules scoffed derisively, about to retort.

Adam however wasn’t done, and cut him off, gesturing with both hands as he addressed Hercules. “Your twins have been attending Auradon Prep for some time now, and neither Mal or Hades, or anyone from the Isle for that matter, have caused them any harm. We knew the risks, and of course there have been arguments, some scuffles here and there, but there are programs in place to help rehabilitate those struggling with the changes, and the anxiety  brought on by the opening of the barrier.”

Hercules was shaking his head. “With all due respect, your highness, I don’t think you really understand. Hades isn’t like your garden-variety villains. He’s an evil God. You probably won’t live to regret trusting him or his offspring.”

Belle raised her hand. “Lord Hercules-”

He cut her off. “No. No, this is ridiculous. I don’t get how, or what Hades’ scheme here is, but you’re all being conned. I’m going to deal with my uncle and get rid of him, right now.” Hercules stormed from the room before anyone could stop him.

Meanwhile, Mal was bent over the vanity in her and Evie's old dorm room, which the former now shared with little Dizzy Tremaine since Mal no longer attended school in order to attend ‘Queen in training’ duties.

“How come it isn’t burning me?” she asked, running her hands through her new flickering indigo locks.

Hades was lounging on the large comfortable bed, leaning against the wall, arms behind his head, having made himself right at home already. “It’s your hair, kiddo. It’s not going to hurt you.” 

Ben was standing beside Mal, looking intently at her hair, reaching to tuck a strand behind her ear, only to flinch, shaking his now-singed fingers. “Ow!” Clearly in pain, he sucked the tip to ease the stinging sensation. Mal, concerned, put her hands on his shoulders and shot a glare at her father, who threw his head back, laughing. 

“I said it wouldn’t hurt you, Mallie, not that it wouldn’t hurt anyone else. You know, I can’t tell you how proud I am that you have some of your ol’ dad in you after all.” His laughter cut off abruptly when the pillow Mal had just lobbed at him hit him square in the face.

Hades chuckled, grabbed the pillow and tossed it one side before swinging his legs over the side of the bed, getting to his feet. “Don’t sweat it, kiddo. You’ll get used to it soon enough.” he reassured, giving Mal's shoulder a squeeze.

Evie practically shoved Ben aside to admire Mal’s new hair. “It does look totally sick though. But Dizzy’s going to be disappointed that she won’t be able to work on you anymore.” She pointed out. 

Mal chuckled. “With all the noble daughters of Auradon to work on? I doubt she’ll even miss me.”

Jay, who was leaning against the doorframe, given the dorm was a little crowded with them all there, spoke up. “So what can you do, will your hair go all-”  He imitated a ‘whoosh’ sound, making his hands imitate the sound effect, “Like his does?” he gestured to Hades.

The God blinked. “Hey, what am I, chopped liver? I got a name, kid!” He reminded those present, letting his own flaming hair increase in size as he spoke, though it did sound petty. No harm keeping these kids on their toes, and it did amuse him as they trod on metaphorical eggshells around him. He grinned as the boy- Jay, was it?- cringed and nodded, backing away. Ahhh, it was good to know he could still inspire fear.

The pillow that had fallen to the floor walloped him in the face again.

“Knock it off, Dad!” Mal was grinning, still holding the pillow, brandishing it in case it was needed again.

Hades supposed he should have taken offence at her tone and actions, but honestly, it warmed his heart to see his daughter happy, and bold enough to stand up for her friends. (Hearing Mal call him Dad with affection in her voice was wonderful as well, though he’d never say it out loud: he had a reputation to uphold!)

All of a sudden, Jay stumbled, rather comically, as he was knocked out of the way, falling over Carlos and disappearing from sight, only for Hercules’ muscled form to appear in the doorway, his large frame almost taking up the space entirely.

“Hades!” Hercules' bellow alone was enough to rattle the windows.

Hades groaned, leaning his head back and rolling his eyes. “Gods, what now?”

Hercules cracked his knuckles. “Get over here so I can throw you from the nearest window!” 

Hades glared at Herc. “You going to make me pay for damages to the school for that too, Wonder-breath?” He stated sarcastically. 

Hercules snorted derisively. “Unlike you I have some honour, and wealth. I just want the joy of throwing you out of a several storey high building, preferably several times;  monetary cost be damned. Besides, you deserve to pay for a lot more than that, and you know it.” He cracked his knuckles again. “And it’s time to pay up!” 

Hades squared his shoulders, ready for a fight. From the hallway, out of sight, Jay could be heard, likely with his hand cupped over his mouth as he called out, “God on God smack-down, let’s get ready to rumble!”

Snatching the pillow from Mal, Evie marched past Hercules, squeezing herself to one side. “Excuse me.” She launched the pillow, hard, and it smacked right into Jay's face, sufficiently shutting him up.

Hercules stomped into the room and Hades drew himself up to his full height, braced for a fight. There was a flurry of movement as the two Gods scuffled. Hercules managed to grab Hades, briefly, in a headlock, only for Hades to twist around and shove Herc away, meaning they had, effectively, swapped places, with Hades standing in the doorway, Hercules inside the room. He clenched his fist and drew his arm back, ready to land a blow against his sworn enemy. 

"No, stop, both of you. Stop it!" Mal yelled, getting in between the two of them without thinking. She both wanted to stop the fight and prevent her father from being punched, knowing it would only anger him rather than truly hurt him, and thus only escalate the situation.

Hercules’ eyes were wild with rage. He had time to stop, and he even met Mal’s eyes, but she wasn’t sure he really saw her. The blow landed, but not on its intended target. Mal screamed in pain as she was struck. The force of the blow hurled her off her feet and she flew backwards, hitting the wall opposite the dorm hard enough for her body to leave a significant dent before she crumpled to the floor.

Chapter Text

Hades was instantly at Mal's side, but Ben reached her first by virtue of being nearer, while Evie, Jay and Carlos were recovering from the shock of seeing their friend crashing into the wall, then to the floor, unconscious. None of them even breathed loudly until Mal stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

Mal groaned as she came around, rubbing the back of her head. "What..." She tried to sit up but doubled over, clutching her side with a cry of agony.

Ben put a hand to her back, gently rubbing circles against her shoulders as he tried to soothe her. “Mal, it's OK.”

She responded by gripping her fiancé's hand tightly, gritting her teeth and wincing, beyond words at this point.

Hades, kneeling by her other side, spoke soothingly (something he'd fervently deny if ever asked, of course). “You've probably broken something. Don't try to move, ok?” As he bent over his injured daughter, cradling the back of her head, Hades shot a murderous glare at Hercules.

The famed demigod stood there like a deer in headlights, mouth partly open, seeming unable to move or speak. His eyes were wide with disbelief and shame. Adam and Belle, having followed Hercules from the other room, stopped abruptly, taking in the scene before them and  quickly piecing together what had happened.

A short time later, after Adam and Belle had all but ordered Hercules away from their daughter in law, Hades had followed, looking murderous, his hair smoking with his rage. Ben had carefully moved Mal to her bed, where she was resting back against the stack of pillows. The young king of Auradon knelt by his fiancée’s side. “It’s ok, Mal, my parents have called for Fairy Godmother, she’ll be here soon,” he promised.

Clutching her side, Mal glanced at him. “What, is she a doctor in her spare time too?” she joked lightly, and without malice, though it was clear she was still in pain. Ben chuckled, but his expression quickly dropped when Mal leant back against the pillows, one hand gripping his, the other digging into the bedspread.  “Ahhh," she hissed. "It’s getting worse, how is that possible? My ribs feel like they’re on fire, or moving !” She corrected herself, suddenly looking panicked. “Why do my ribs feel like they’re moving, Ben, it really hurts!” She added, curling over on herself with an agonised cry that she tried and failed to bite back with gritted teeth.

Ben looked worriedly over to Evie, who thankfully got the hint: she rushed to the door of the dorm room which had been closed to give Mal privacy. Out in the hallway, Hades had Hercules pinned to a wall, hair ablaze and fists throwing off sparks as he snarled some threats in very unsuitable language for a high school level prep school. Adam and Belle were trying to calm him down (to avoid a diplomatic incident with Olympus more than for any other reason.) Hercules looked wracked with guilt, head bowed, not even trying to fight back against his uncle's rage.

Evie, having opened the door, called out, nerves making her voice quaver. “Hades, erm, sir, something's wrong with Mal!” 

Hades almost immediately dropped Hercules to the carpeted floor and rushed past Evie, going immediately to Mal's side. She was now lying on the bed, face contorted in absolute agony. He held his hands out over her, eyes almost closed, like he was feeling for or sensing something. After a minute, he exhaled heavily and shoved his way to Mal’s side next to Ben, smoothing a hand over her forehead. “It’s alright, sweetheart, just breathe. This is how gods- or demigods- heal. It’ll pass.”

Mal managed a tiny nod, wincing. Her side felt like it was on fire. “I think, given the option for genetics, this is one thing I’d push the ‘opt out’ button on,” she joked.

Hades chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Honestly, Mallantha, surely this is better than waiting weeks to heal like some mere mortal?”

Silence fell over the room until Mal spoke, looking shocked. She grimaced as she struggled to sit upright, just about succeeding with Ben’s help. Her eyes, wider than usual, were locked on her father. “What did you just call me?”

Chapter Text

With several pairs of eyes staring at him, Hades’ eyes darted to each of them before returning his gaze to his daughter.  “Oh you don’t like your full name? I did notice that no-one calls you it but….”  he shrugged like he couldn’t care less.

But Mal shook her head “No it’s not, I mean no, no one does use it but Mom named me after her; Maleficent. But she said since I wasn’t yet up to her standard of evil or whatever I should just be called Mal ‘til I earned my full name, or something like that, she was… hard to follow logic wise sometimes.” 

Hades frowned. “No kid, that’s…I mean that does sound like your mom, but before you were born she and I agreed on a name each - she wanted to name you if you were a boy, I wanted to pick the girl’s name.” He added this looking slightly uncomfortable, as though thinking he would be judged for wanting to name a daughter rather than a potential son, but no judgement came, no-one addressed it or even raised an eyebrow.

Mal’s brow furrowed, almost the exact same way Hades’ did. “So my name…isn’t even my real name?” she confirmed, confused and hurt.  “Is Mom even my real mom at this point?” she snapped.

Hades snorted with laughter, gently patting her shoulder. “Sorry kid, that part’s true; your ol’ man can attest to that one, I barely made it through your mother’s pregnancy alive.” He grumbled.

Mal held up a hand. “Dad, need to know basis please!?” she practically begged. Her thoughts were in turmoil, a turbulent mass of questions and general feeling of indignation, but she was in shock and in too much pain to let her anger fully take hold. 

It was then that Ben spoke up, testing his girlfriend’s newly discovered ‘real’ name. “So... Mallantha?” 

Hades glared, again waiting for judgement, again none came and he nodded. Ben managed a small smile. “It’s pretty.”

Hades offered Ben a small nod, but inwardly, he was fuming, stewing in anger at the thought of Maleficent keeping their daughter’s real name from her and claiming Mal was simply named after her mother, who, it seemed, had done everything possible to erase him entirely from Mal’s very existence, down to the very name he had put more care and thought into than almost anything he had in his life. Of course he was fully aware of how cold the mistress of evil was, so it wasn’t that he was necessarily surprised, just angry, and beneath that, he felt guilty that he had allowed Maleficent to push him away to such an extent that he wasn’t even aware that Mal didn’t even know her real name! ‘She’s so lucky she’s a lizard right now, he thought to himself, imagining what he’d like to do to his ex for all her slights against him and their child, but knowing she was sitting in some glass tank somewhere was some consolation. ‘It’s something at least, with no access to her magic or whatever; I wonder if they feed her bugs.'  At that thought, the corner of his mouth lifted into a slight malicious smile. 

Mal, seeing this, spoke up. “Dad, you good?”

Hades looked at her quickly. “Oh, yeah kiddo, fine, how’re your ribs feeling?” he asked, diverting the subject with ease. 

Mal blinked. “Fine, actually. They don’t hurt at all anymore.” With no hesitation, and no help from anyone, she sat up fully, showing no signs of pain, though she did accept when Ben offered her his hand to help her sit with her legs hanging over the edge.

The moment her feet touched the ground, however, two vaguely feline-like creatures, just ‘off’ enough to be unnerving, appeared out of thin air. One had black fur with blue/grey stripes, the other black with with violet stripes, but while both were dark enough in colour to pass for black, their forms seemed almost iridescent in the light as they materialised and began winding round Mal’s legs like kittens, sniffing curiously at her, levitating a few centimetres from the floor every so often.

Carlos, still wary of unfamiliar things, backed away quickly. “What are those?”

The cat-like beings flinched, turning to hiss at Carlos, tails lashing at the air, upper bodies lowered, almost pressed to the floor as they bared their fangs. Carlos whimpered, leaping into Jay's arms out of fear, despite Jay’s sounds of protest.

Hades, looking somewhat bemused, snapped his fingers. “Pain, Panic! What are you doing here?”

Ben blinked. “You know these… cats?”

Carlos, still persistently clinging to Jay, looked at Ben with wide eyes.

“They are not cats, they’re…they’re demons!” 

Mal snorted, bending to give each cat an affectionate scratch at the base of their tails, earning a chirpy purr from both as they sat at her feet, tails flicking lazily.

But Hades shrugged a shoulder at Carlos’ statement.

“Ding-ding, you got it in one kid. Pain and Panic are my… errand-runners, I guess you’d say. They’re shapeshifters, two of very few survivors of an early species of fae, more chaotic than most.” he stated. He eyed the pair of cat-like beings as they turned lazily and began to saunter over to him. “Though why they’re suddenly here and not in the Underworld where they’re supposed to be…” He gave both creatures a glare, arching an eyebrow in question, clearly waiting for a response. 

But the cats simply stared back, one relaxed, with a malicious gleam in its narrowed eyes, the other tense, and seemed to shift from physical form to almost invisible. 

“Well?” Hades folded his arms. “I know I’ve been away for a while, but you two are perfectly capable of answering me. Why are you suddenly showing up here?”

“The- the boss sent us!” The almost invisible cat-creature spoke. This was only obvious because the dark-purple striped one was clearly not talking, but nonchalantly licking a paw and rubbing it over its face.

Hades narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me? In case you’ve forgotten, I am your boss.”

“Not the only one!” The purple-striped not-a-cat sing-songed, pausing in its washing to smirk. Hades' eye twitched and his teeth clenched - these two had always grated on his nerves like nothing else, and that hadn't changed in his years away. 

Mal couldn’t help but grin. “I like these little guys already.” She moved to pet the more nervous of the two, and it sniffed her hand before accepting a pet to its head, seeming to relax a little more, becoming less transparent. “But hang on,” she glanced up at Hades, “I thought you were the only ruler of the Underworld?”

Carlos, having finally been forcefully pried off of Jay, cleared his throat. “Uh, not exactly. According to a book I read about the Greek Gods, Hades shares the rule of the Underworld with his wife-” he cut himself off abruptly. “Uh, you did know about her, right Mal?”

Mal’s jaw dropped in shock, and she whirled around to face Hades. “Dad, you and Mom never married, right? And she’s still a lizard in a tank, so… what’s Carlos talking about?”

Hades stood, rooted to the spot, blinking for a moment. Today was apparently not done being absolutely hellish to him, not by far; first he’d had to deal with Wonder-Boy, then finding out just how far Maleficent had gone to distance Mal from him by hiding their daughter’s true name etc, and now having to explain that he, in fact, had a wife, who was, in fact, not Maleficent; he fought the urge to shudder at that thought and briefly wondered if he could make himself spontaneously combust.

Chapter Text

Mal, now fully healed from her injuries, paced around the bedroom. It felt smaller than she remembered, but she had been living with Ben in his family’s palace, sleeping in a room twice, maybe three times as big, for some time now so it was no surprise that she would notice the difference. But that wasn’t what was on her mind right now, and she pushed back her shoulder length hair in agitation. Things had turned awkward at the mention of this…Persephone woman, or whoever she was and Mal had asked her friends, including Ben, to leave her alone with her father for this discussion; even the pair of shadowy cat-like demons had melted into the shadows and out of sight, for now.

Mal took a breath, trying to keep calm. “Ok, Dad…” she started, trying to wrap her head around the information Hades had just given her. “You’re going to need to explain this one more time because my brain is just… not braining right now!” she told her father, her voice shaking. 

Hades, sitting on the edge of the bed with his elbows resting on his knees, sighed and conceded to his daughter’s request. She was clearly having a difficult time taking everything in and he felt something he could only describe as guilt gnawing at his chest. “Ok, ok. So… Persephone and I got married, a bit before I was exiled for my little…scheme against Zeus’ son, wonder boy.” He gestured with one hand to the window, where the royal palace could be seen in the far distance, where Hercules was likely still speaking with Ben's parents.

Hades went on. “We were…separated when I was exiled. While we were on the Isle, your mother and I…well, you know…we were lonely and…” 

Mal clamped her hands over her ears. “Nope, no no, need to know basis, please !” she said loudly. 

Hades lifted his own hands in surrender. “Ok ok. ‘Mr Stork’ paid your mother and I a little visit and we got you.” 

Mal rolled her eyes but chose to accept this ‘version’ - it was better than being subjected to the idea of the alternative. Biting the nail of her thumb, she continued to pace. “So you… you cheated on your wife with Mom. Is that why you left?”

Hades frowned, pointing an index finger with  a stern expression. “Hey, I did not leave, ok? Your mother found out about Persephone after you were born, freaked out and kicked me out, telling me not to come back and to never try to see you! She decided, completely on her own, that I wasn’t allowed anything to do with you.” he stated, his frustration with the situation, both past and present, was evident.

Mal rolled her eyes and Hades sighed heavily. “Look, you’ve known from the start I’m not perfect, kid; far from it.” he scoffed. “There are thousands of villains from the Isle living right here in Auradon now, and believe me cheating is hardly the worst thing most of them have done.”

Mal made a sound of derision but said nothing, since she could hardly deny it; was she supposed to say thievery, lying, black magic use and attempted murder were awful but cheating was drawing the line? Where was the sense in that? She put a hand to her mouth, her mind a whirl of questions, feelings and contradictions. 

Hades got to his feet and tried to reach out to give her shoulder a comforting squeeze, but Mal put her arm up, blocking him before stepping away.

“No I…I need some air.” she stated, turning and walking from the room.

A short way down the corridor, she passed Ben and Evie, with the others having left for their own rooms. Seeing how upset Mal looked, Evie tried to follow. “Hey, what happened, Mal?”

But her friend held up a hand to stop her, without stopping in her tracks. “No, E, I want to be alone. You too Ben.” she said quickly, sharply turning the corner and disappearing  from sight. She’d just discovered that not only was her father, the God of the Underworld, married, but he had cheated on said wife resulting in her birth! How was she meant to process this?

Shutting the door to an unused classroom, Mal resumed her nervous pacing. Did her father love this wife he’d cheated on? Likely not, or else why would he cheat? Did he love her mother? Again, likely not! Did that mean, did that make her unlovable too? Ben, how was she going to tell him? 

“Will he think I’ll turn out to be a cheater too?” Mal thought to herself. “No, no way! He knew I was nothing like my mother, and besides, he took the news of who my father was really, really well. But…what if this is his breaking point, what if…’

A sound, like a breeze ghosting through trees on a still night, caught her attention, making Mal pause and glance over at the direction the noise had come from, yet she saw nothing. She shivered, feeling the room suddenly become freezing cold and she wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Spooky happenings, that’s all I need right now!’ She jumped when the roll-down shutters at the window suddenly unravelled and hit the windowsill with a bang, engulfing the room in darkness, only lit by the strips of light seeping through the panes of glass in the classroom door.

 “Jay, if that’s you I’m going to kick your butt!” Mal said harshly, walking to the centre of the room, only to be met with the sound of  eerie, echoing cackles, from two separate entities by the sounds of it. A moment later, two pairs of eyes appeared side by side in the shadows, like they were levitating, unattached to a physical body!

“What the-” Before Mal could utter another word, two greyish silhouettes made their presence known, and Mal immediately recognised the cat-like shapes as Pain and Panic, her father’s…. Friends? Servants? She took a step back warily. “What are you two doing in here?” 

Both the creatures grinned (which looked seriously creepy). It wasn’t clear which of the demons spoke, perhaps both given the echoing tint to the voice that replied, mockingly. “Poor Mali, must have so many questions, but we know someone who can help…”

The two figures, hardly discernible in the darkness, cackled once more and, moving with the swiftness of running water, they both leapt from their perch on the window ledge to weave their way across the floor towards her. Mal cried out, taking more hurried steps back, hoping to reach the door but unwilling to take her eyes from the creatures, but as her back hit the door and she fumbled with the door-handle, she was hit with the feeling of her ankles being grabbed. She felt a tugging sensation pulling her downwards, caught the musty scent of a deep cave from… somewhere, then everything blurred as she was dragged away. She felt warm air rushing past her face and shut her eyes instinctively, wishing she had a knife or a sword or something to defend herself. But of course, she hadn’t brought any weapons to Family Day and this all happened so quickly she didn’t have the chance to think or a spell that might help.

With no warning, the grips holding her disappeared and she fell hard onto a stony floor, the wind knocked out of her. Scrambling to her feet, she took a fast glance around. Black sandy beach, steaming river in front of him, dim light from what looked like a cavern ceiling miles overhead, huge carved black gates on the other side of the river, and, directly in front of her, a tall, cloaked hooded figure, its face in shadow, Pain and Panic, back in cat form, sitting placidly at the person’s feet; Pain, looking far more relaxed, even lent against the person's leg before clambering/slithering his way up and nestling comfortably in the cloaked figure's arms.

“Hello, Mallantha. Pleased to meet you at long last.”