Mal watched as Ben walked down the aisle of the cathedral, her eyes scanning the area for any sign that her mother might appear; constantly glancing at the windows for anything out of the ordinary. Despite the promise from Jane and the knowledge that Hadie would be in good hands, Mal was still extremely tense.
Her mother did not get the title Mistress of Evil by being someone to underestimate. Or by sparing those who crossed her.
However, she was brought out of her thoughts by a sharp poke to the ribs. Looking to her right, she saw Audrey's elbow move back to her side. The pink clad princess was standing perfectly still, not fidgeting in the slightest. The model of a perfect princess. Yet Mal could see the corner of her mouth move.
"For the love of all that is good and pure, relax," Audrey whispered, her eyes fixated by the coronation. Mal didn't respond; while the prissy pink princess had turned over a new leaf since the viewing, Mal was still apprehensive toward her and her grandmother. It was hard to tell where they stood at times. "You're making my grandmother nervous, who in return is making my mother annoyed and my father paranoid that something bad's going to happen."
"When isn't your grandmother nervous around me?" Mal hissed back, causing Audrey to inexplicably shrug, if you could call her shoulder moving up and down one inch a shrug. Mal turned her attention back to the coronation just as Fairy Godmother was placing the crown on Ben's head.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the peoples of Auradon with justice and mercy as long as you shall reign?" Fairy Godmother asked, as Belle beamed down at her son.
"I do so solemnly swear," Ben replied and Fairy Godmother tapped Ben's shoulders with her wand and a giant smile on her face. Mal couldn't help but relax as Jane stood next to her mother, no sign of wanting to grab the wand. Maybe all would be alright after all.
"Then it is my honor and my joy to bless our new—"
Fairy Godmother was cut off by the sound of the doors being blasted open, and some of the Auradonians knocked down from the blast. Mal wanted to rush to them, knowing her little brother was one of the ones closest to the door but knew she would never make it in time.
But instead she froze as she saw a figure she knew was supposed to still be trapped on the Isle of the Lost. Someone she knew couldn't get off the Isle this time because there had been no major event to cause a hole in the barrier.
"So sorry I'm late," Maleficent said with a smirk, strolling into the cathedral; her scepter glowing green with power it hadn't had for twenty years. Each step Maleficent took was accented by a clank as she set down her scepter, the sound echoing in the cavernous hall. "I must say I was quite distressed at not receiving an invitation Prince Ben. I had assumed that it was some sort of oversight."
Out of the corner of her eye, Mal saw Audrey trying desperately to get her parents, brother and her grandmother out, but the latter seemed frozen in fear at the sight of Maleficent, while Phillip had already rushed his son out the door as part of a small exodus that had occurred when Maleficent appeared. Mal couldn't help but feel a minuscule twinge of pity for Leah- maybe the old hag was experiencing deja vu to Aurora's christening?
Whatever the case may be, it was certainly nice to not have Queen Leah screeching about her mother for once. Even if her mother was here to rant at. Mal couldn't even fault Phillip for leaving; knowing what the viewing had provided, she knew that any good parent would want their kids as far away as possible from Maleficent in dragon form. Especially a parent that had already faced such a thing before.
"Mal, darling. No greeting for your mother?" Maleficent asked, drawing Mal out of her thoughts and she knew all eyes were on her.
"Hello, mother," Mal responded, keeping her voice flat as possible; she could only hope that Evie, Jay and Carlos either got out of the cathedral or were on their way down to get Hadie and Dizzy out. Of course her mother would be here. Why would she think otherwise?
"How did you get off the Isle?" Beast demanded, stepping in front of Belle to protect her. Ben, however, hadn't moved from his spot kneeling in front of Fairy Godmother. To be fair, it was rather shocking and Mal didn't fault Ben for being surprised. After all, they had all thought that her mother would be staying on the Isle.
Maleficent chuckled; a low soft chuckle that chilled Mal to the bone. "Why, an old friend provided me the answer. It took a godly amount of patience though to get it out of him."
Mal gasped softly, resisting the urge to look back at Ben as she realized what her mother was talking about. She had somehow found Persephone's way onto and off of the Isle.
"What did you do to Hades?" A slender brunette woman asked, stepping out from the crowd. Her gown draped over her like a toga and flowers were braided into her hair as if they had been planted into her scalp.
"Ah, Persephone," Maleficent said, turning from her daughter to face off against the woman who had taken her husband. "No need to worry about your husband. He should be just fine. There's a lot worse I could have done to him if I'd had the time."
Are there no guards? Mal asked as the two women semi-circled each other like birds of prey, Persephone never allowing Maleficent to get behind her; Ben taking the momentary distraction to slowly get up and stand by her. Honestly, Mal had to wonder what was going through her mother's mind. This was the goddess who turned a nymph into a mint plant because Hades found her attractive.
Then again, Maleficent was...you know. Maleficent.
"Bibbbidi. Bobbity," Mal heard Fairy Godmother speak and didn't have to turn around to know that the older fairy was attempting to cast a spell. However, Maleficent turned around and closed the distance between the two fairies within a couple of steps.
"Boo!" Maleficent said and hit the floor with the bottom of her scepter and froze the audience with the exception of Mal, to the best of her knowledge. Mal tried to deny it, but her heart broke as she saw Ben frozen in place just as he had been in the viewing. How much had they changed and how much was going to stay the same?
"I'll take that," Maleficent said, yanking the wand out of the iron grip out of Fairy Godmother and patted the other fairy on the cheek in a faux sympathetic expression. "Oh, you poor dear. Did you honestly think you could defeat me?"
"Maleficent!" Persephone's voice called out, startling both Mal and her mother.
"I thought you were frozen," Maleficent stated, turning toward the goddess once more. Persephone chuckled, one similar to Maleficent's.
"Did you honestly think you could freeze a Goddess?" Persephone asked, her voice growing hard and Mal knew that she was practically invisible to both women. A fact that she was thankful for. "Especially the daughter of Zeus?"
If Persephone wasn't frozen, could it be safe to assume that Hadie isn't frozen too? Could I still get him out of here? Mal thought and winced as a hand pulled her down, missing Persephone's second question as a result.
"Macaria?" Mal whispered, more than slightly shocked to see the daughter of Hercules in front of her.
"Hey cuz," Macaria smirked before growing serious. "Thought your mom wouldn't be showing up? What with Jane swearing not to grab the wand and blowing a hole in the barrier?"
"Persephone has a portal to the Isle of the Lost. It's how she's able to do the six month deal with Hades. I have no idea how my mom found out about it," Mal explained, sneaking a glance but her mother and Persephone were just circling each other. Looking back at Macaria, Mal sighed. "Macaria, I need you to do me a favor."
"Name it."
"Get Hadie out of here," Mal said and to Macaria's credit, her cousin didn't react. Mal had to admit, it was weird referring to the other girl by the familial title, even if it was just in her head. The only family Mal had really ever known was Hadie and Evie. "My mother has gone on rants as to what she would like to do to him and I don't want him to get hurt."
"I'll get him out," Macaria nodded, the look on her face indicating that she had no need for an explanation. "Hyllus will be able to help too—he's up on the balcony, last time I saw him. I think dad told mom and Herkie to get out but knowing mom, she didn't listen."
"Text him," Mal said, ducking behind the frozen bodies of Audrey and Aurora to avoid detection as opposed to crouching out in the open as they had been previously. "Ask him if Evie, Jay and Carlos are frozen."
Macaria nodded and began frantically typing on her cell phone as she moved behind the frozen body of another royal. Mal held her breath as she waited for a response, looking over her shoulder to see what all was going on.
There were plants that seemed to be creeping along the floor, as if targeting Maleficent's feet. Mal was confused at first until she remembered who Persephone was, what her title was. The Goddess of Vegetation would have a lot more ammo than she would if she was on the Isle.
However, one blast from the scepter was all Maleficent needed to stop the attack in its tracks.
"Okay," Macaria said, closing her phone and bringing Mal back to the task at hand. "He's in and your friends are unfrozen. They're making their way down now. I have many questions but I know that they'll have to wait. What's your plan?"
Mal stared at Macaria as if she was from another planet. "For your brother to grab mine when he enters the room and then run like hell."
"Good plan. Simple."
"Well, we are going up against my mother!" Mal hissed, looking back over her shoulder. She couldn't help but wonder who would draw first blood. It was then that she realized something—Persephone had Hadie behind her. If Persephone made too big of a move, it could open Hadie up for her mother to enact part of her revenge.
"Tell your brother to move," Mal told Macaria, who nodded and sent a brief text. It was then that Mal was aware of a shadow looming over them.
"Am I boring you girls?" Maleficent asked, grabbing Macaria by the throat and lifting her up. Mal jumped to her feet as the older girl was thrown into the air, nearly hitting Persephone and crashing into the wall behind them.
"I see you've made some friends Mal," Maleficent said, walking toward Ben and his family. "Some more important than others. I must confess I found myself disappointed that my own daughter didn't feel it important enough to tell me that she would be accompanying the prince to his own coronation."
"How could I get the word to you, mother?" Mal asked, thinking on her feet. "All of our correspondence is watched, and the people of Auradon aren't as stupid as they look. They could have broken my code."
"Bah! I know Anastasia gets letters out to her insipid husband. If someone as dimwitted as her can do it and not get caught, you could have gotten word to me," Maleficent said, whirling around, standing where Mal had been standing previously; dangerously close to Ben. "Unless you were protecting someone?"
"Who would I be protecting mother?" Mal asked, standing as straight as she could as she faced her mother. "You are the only one I have allegiance to."
Maleficent looked at her daughter and slowly shook her head. "You want to believe it but you don't. Your loyalty belongs to someone else. Is it the Prince? Do I need to remind you that love is weakness?"
"You're wrong mother!" Mal shouted, unable to keep it in.
"Oh?" Maleficent looked at Mal, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Anyone else might have thought that Maleficent had a bit of respect in her voice but Mal knew the tone of voice meant danger. "Wrong, am I?"
"Love is not weak or ridiculous," Mal told her mother, tears welling in her eyes as she felt the back of Ben's ring on her palm; he had given it to her on the carriage ride over. It felt warm to the touch, as if Ben had just been wearing it. She knew she was digging her own grave but the words were spilling out of her as if she had no control over what was being said. "It's actually really amazing. And powerful."
"I've had enough of your antics, Mal," Maleficent warned, pointing the scepter at her daughter, who's eyes widened a little in shock and fear though Mal fought hard to make sure the latter didn't show. Fear was weakness and that was the one thing that Maleficent would never forgive. "Be thankful you are not the reason I am here."
"Mal!" Hadie shouted and Mal's head jerked to see her brother struggling against Hyllus's grip as the son of Hercules was attempting to get the son of Hades to leave the room.
Run you fool! Don't you know a rescue attempt when you see one? Mal thought, trying desperately to get her brother to leave the room before her mother saw him but it was too late as Maleficent followed her daughter's gaze.
"Perfect," Maleficent smirked and began to make her way toward the young boy. Mal frantically began to look for Persephone but quickly saw that the Goddess was busy tending to Macaria and so did not notice the Mistress of Evil walking up to her son.
"I've dreamt of this day," Maleficent stated as she walked toward the boys, who were frozen. At first Mal feared that her mother had recast the spell but then realized it was out of fear rather than a magical freeze as Hyllus began to tremble. "And now, powered with both my scepter and Fairy Godmother's wand, I can do everything I've dreamt about and more. You worthless excuse for skin."
With a flick of the wand, Hyllus was thrown through the air just as his sister had been moments prior. Mal winced as the older boy hit the wall, and she hoped that the fact that Hyllus wasn't moving was because he had been knocked unconscious. She knew her mother had no qualms of caring how old someone was—case in point, cursing an infant.
"Mal!" Hadie shouted once more as he backed up against the wall and the panicked call of the young boy drew Persephone's attention but there was no way for the Goddess to make it to her son in time. Mal's eyes darted around, hoping to see movement from the adults or at least her friends bursting in through the door. But she saw nothing. Mal knew she would have to do something drastic.
"And now I command, wand to my hand!" Mal shouted, stretching out her hand in an attempt to weaken her mother in some way or at least distract her so that Hadie could escape. She could finally see her friends standing in the doorway and hoped she would be strong enough by herself rather than with them by her side.
To Mal's surprise, the wand appeared in a swirling glow of yellow light just like it did in the viewing.
"It worked!" Mal gasped, looking at the wand in shock and elation. The logical side of her knew it would, having seen it in the viewing. But the other side, the side that was filled with worry for her brother and fear for her friends, stared at the wand in amazement.
"I hardly think so," Maleficent said, turning from Hadie to face her daughter upon hearing the incantation. "Give me the wand, Mal."
Maleficent raised her own hand, and Mal had to fight to keep herself from flinching at the incoming magic blast; knowing she would be no match for her mother's magic. However, Maleficent soon found a hand gripping her own wrist. Mal opened her eyes, which had shut out of instinct and looked over Maleficent's shoulder to see a broad shouldered man with flaming blue hair and a bruise on his forehead.
"Keep away from my kids, Maleficent," Hades growled. For the first time in her life, Mal could honestly say she was happy to see her father. Despite the barrier, Maleficent had enough power that she could still use a bit throughout Mal's childhood and it was usually on her. Mal was not excited to experience a magic blast at full force.
"Hey Dad," Mal nodded but there was no response from the man. To be fair, he was going toe to toe with Maleficent so he couldn't be faulted for being a little distracted.
"Oh, have you forgotten that Mal is also my daughter and as such I can punish her however I like for her disobedience?" Maleficent asked, turning to face her ex-husband, wrenching her hand out of his grasp. "How did you get here?"
"Same way you did, only I didn't need to knock someone out to do it," Hades told her, his voice still hard as granite. "Now, back away from my son and don't even dare think about threatening my daughter."
As Hades was giving his ultimatum, Mal's friends scurried to her side causing Mal to roll her eyes.
"Gee, why not grab my brother and Dizzy and get them out of here?" Mal growled, turning to Evie.
"Lucy and Kitty already got Dizzy out since we didn't see them by the doorway," Evie said, not even batting an eye, "and do you honestly think your little brother would go anywhere if there was a chance you'd get hurt? We already had to knock out Roman Fairy to prevent him from challenging your mother and he's not even related to you—and no, we don't know how he avoided being frozen."
"That was fun," Jay chuckled, cracking his knuckles. While he didn't enjoy hurting people, he did enjoy protecting people from their own stupidity.
"He wanted to challenge my mother?" Mal asked, her fury dampened in her confusion. Sometimes the people of Auradon concerned her with their stupidity.
"He called her a quote 'dragon witch' unquote that he needed to stab the spleen of," Evie said, looking like every word pained her. "Let's just say Maleficent is not the person who you want to stab the spleen of."
"Does anyone really want to have their spleen stabbed?" Carlos asked, Duke trembling in his hands.
"Please tell me we have a plan?" Jay sighed, eyeing the two angry adults warily. "Because your mother is looking very angry right now. Like "about to turn into a giant dragon" angry."
Mal sighed and resisted the urge to run her hand through her hair; if only to prevent a freak out from Evie. "Trust me, she's been worse. The anger is probably a combination of her lack of ability to enact revenge on Hadie for keeping Hades away from her and Hades being anywhere within three feet of her presence."
Mal knew that if Hades and Persephone hadn't been standing where they were, Hadie would be nothing more than a charred pile of burnt skin and bones right now. And that would before Maleficent transformed into a dragon. Her mother was very descriptive in her revenge rants.
"And you stealing the wand from her," Evie smirked, breaking Mal out of her thoughts. Mal's eyes widened as she had forgotten about that.
"You know I find all of this frankly tiring and immature," Maleficent's voice drowned out any response from Mal. "Give me the wand Mal!"
Mal didn't respond, but instead tightened the grip she had on the wand. "No, mother."
Maleficent stared at her daughter in shock, while Hades couldn't help but smirk in the background. "What?"
"Did I stutter, Mother? No."
"That's my girl," Hades said, the smirk still evident on his face, yet Mal almost missed it due to Maleficent's reaction. True to form, her mother was seething in rage, not used to being denied by her daughter. Evie quickly scrambled to stand on Mal's right side while Jay took his spot in the rear and Carlos took his place on Mal's left.
"You will all regret this!" Maleficent shouted as she spun around, causing the room to fill with green smoke. It quickly faded, causing many who were unfrozen to gasp at the sight of a giant dragon where Maleficent had been standing. A dragon who had a line of sight right on Hadie.
"HADIE, RUN!" Mal shouted, not caring who heard her this time. Hadie, for once, took his big sister's advice and ran to the left just as the dragon let out a big burst of flame. Mal gasped as some of it hit Hades but to her surprise, her father remained unharmed. Even the dragon seemed shocked by the reveal.
"I have my powers now," Hades smirked, as he conjured a fireball seemingly out of thin air and then doused it just as easiliy. "You really think a little fire will kill me? I'm the God of the Underworld. Death is my specialty."
"You know, magically, your dad's not that impressive," Evie muttered to Mal.
"Yeah well he's more talented at ditching a baby than he is magic," Mal muttered back but she knew why her father wasn't doing more to fight against Maleficent. A stray bolt could easily bounce off of the dragon's thick hide and hit either Hadie or Persephone. Or even her. "Oh, we could all almost die. Then he could show off for you!"
"Sarcasm is so not a good look on you."
"Not the time, E."
Evie didn't get the chance to respond as the dragon turned toward them. As if by instinct, Evie held up the remnant of her magic mirror. "Magic mirror, show your bright light!"
A burst of light beamed from the mirror as Evie aimed for the eyes. It was a risky move but Evie didn't care. It was a fight or flight response and for the first time, Evie was willing to choose fight.
"Behind me, E!" Mal shouted, pulling her best friend behind her as the purple haired girl prepared to face off against her mother. Mal knew then that the only magic that would work against her mother would be her own. There would be no risk of anyone else getting blasted, not like Persephone's or Hades' powers.
"Are you insane?" Evie asked but Mal ignored her.
The dragon stared at Mal and roared menacingly but Mal stayed strong as a statue. "This is between you and me, mother. Leave my friends and my brother out of this!"
Maleficent snorted in amusement but stared at her daughter, her eyes glowing green just as they had for so much of Mal's life. Mal couldn't see it but she knew that her eyes were glowing green as well.
"The strength of evil is good as none, when stands behind four hearts as one," Mal chanted as Evie rested her hand on Mal's shoulder; a reminder that her friends were there to back her up. Mal could hear Hadie cheering her on but all Mal was focused on was the spell. "The strength of evil is good as none, when stands behind four hearts as one. The strength of evil is good as none when stands behind four hearts as one. The strength of evil is good as none when stands behind four hearts as one!"
Mother and daughter locked eyes, each pair glowing green and refusing to blink. After a moment's pause, the dragon screeched causing the cloud of green smoke to return, engulfing the dragon in it. Mal gasped as the spell broke from her and she stepped back, Evie providing her support so she wouldn't collapse.
"Oh my!" Fairy Godmother exclaimed and Mal looked behind her to see that the headmistress had unfrozen and was headed towards them.
"I guess some things never change," Mal said, a faint smile on her face to try to keep it light hearted as Fairy Godmother approached. "I guess my mother is now a lizard?"
The five of them walked over to where Maleficent had been and true to form, a small lizard now stood where the mighty dragon had been. However, Mal didn't have too long to feel any sadness for her mother as her midsection was met with a ten year old boy. It really was amazing how tight Hadie's grip was—thankfully there was enough fabric in the dress to make it possible to breathe even with Hadie's hug.
"I'm so sorry Mal. You said there'd be danger and I didn't listen. I shouldn't have come!" Hadie's muffled voice rang from the fabric of her dress. Mal gave the Fairy Godmother an apologetic glance and the headmistress thankfully got the memo. Her friends had to be given a much more frank glare before they were kind enough to give them a bit of privacy as well.
Nosy idiots, Mal thought with an internal eye roll. Though Evie was practically another big sister to Hadie so it would make sense that she was concerned. Plus the boys would be curious anyway considering they had just found out about Hadie's existence in Mal's life a day ago.
"Listen kid," Mal said, prying Hadie's face out of her dress and bending down to look him in the eye. "I'd give anything not to be right about what happened here today. You think I enjoy turning my mother into a lizard?"
"Yes."
"Well okay you'd be right about that," Mal nodded, amused by Hadie's instant response. What? That was an impressive bit of magic and when Mal didn't feel so tired her bones hurt, she'd feel smug about it "Look, honestly, I'm more mad that you didn't run when I told you to."
"But you were in danger!" Hadie insisted. Mal chuckled.
"Hadie, I've lived with my mom for sixteen years. I know how she works. You don't. Besides, you're ten. I'm sixteen. It's my job to protect you."
"And it's the adults' jobs to protect you both," Persephone said, walking up to the two of them; looking more than a little disheveled with her tete de tete with Maleficent. "Which means knowing when our ten year old son is someplace he shouldn't be."
Hadie flushed a bright red, clashing horribly with his blue hair. "I think I hear dad calling me!"
"That won't work," Hades said, standing next to Persephone, who wrapped a hand around his waist. "Spill. Now. What in Zeus' name are you doing here? And Mal? How long did you know he was here?"
"So in his and my defense, he's only been here a day," Mal told her father, crossing her arms. While she was happy that her dad came in the nick of time, that didn't mean that she was prepared to play happy families with him.
Hades leveled a glare but was stopped by Persephone pulling him off to the side. "Dear, just a thought. Why don't I take lead on this one? After all, I'm not the one who abandoned Mal to Maleficent for sixteen years."
"You're never going to let me live that down are you?" Hades asked.
"You know it," Persephone told him before walking back over to her son and the girl she loved as her own daughter. "Mal?"
Mal sighed and looked over at her brother. "So you may have been at the viewing Persephone—"
"I wasn't but I heard about it," Persephone said. "I wasn't at Family Day as I was preparing for my six months on the Isle."
"Yeah well apparently these two royals got sent through a magic wishing fountain and and they found the portal and Hadie saw them and so he used the portal and so here we are," Mal said. "As to the reason why Hadie's not back on the Isle with you and Hades? I have no godly clue where the portal is on this side. The only reason "
Persephone opened her mouth, probably to respond to Mal's point, but then closed it; as if realizing that her step-daughter was correct.
"Zeus knows," Hades said, his voice breaking through the quiet. "He's the one who set it up with Beast's permission."
"Yeah, well Zeus doesn't really know he has a niece running around the Isle before now. Not much I could have done there," Mal shrugged, trying to not admit that her dad had a poiint. "As for King Beast? He knew. He was at the viewing when Hadie ran in. If he wanted Hadie back on the Isle, he could have told me where the portal on this side was."
"Oh that's right!" Hadie exclaimed. "I forgot about that."
Persephone and Hades exchanged a glance but were prevented by responding as Fairy Godmother came over.
"Oh!" Mal exclaimed, as she realized she was still holding the headmistress' wand. "I believe this belongs to you."
Fairy Godmother smiled as she took the wand back. "Thank you dear. And I believe this belongs to you."
Reaching into her pocket, Fairy Godmother cupped her hands and placed something into Mal's open palm. Mal looked down to see a tiny green lizard and knew who it was.
"You know, at least I now get to see Maleficent as a lizard," Hades said with a smirk as he and Persephone walked closer to Mal. "That more than makes up for getting knocked in the head by her scepter."
Fairy Godmother ignored him as Persephone elbowed him in the gut. Fairy Godmother turned to the four Isle kids who she had gotten to know within the past month and smiled. "You have all earned an A in goodness class. Now, I think it's time we get these poor people unfrozen, don't you?"
That earned a chuckle from everyone and Fairy Godmother lifted her wand, shouting her famous phrase. "Bibbidy Bobbity Boo!"
A beam of light filled the room and those who were frozen awoke as if summoned from a deep sleep.
"Mal!" Ben exclaimed, rushing toward his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her. "You did it!"
"Trust me, I wish I didn't have to," Mal sighed, her hand still cupping the lizard version of her mother. Ben followed her gaze and paused only for a moment. HIs head lifted up and he nodded softly at one of the attendants, who seemed to know exactly what was needed as he rushed over with a small cup.
"It will do for now," the attendant said as Mal placed her mother in it. "But we'll arrange for better accommodations for her excellency, my lady."
Mal was shocked at the title, so shocked that she didn't respond with the exception of a small nod. That was enough for the attendant, who took the cup from Mal and seemed to disappear into the void. Mal looked back at Ben, who had a small smile on his face.
"So, King Ben? How's it feel?" Mal asked, moving so that she stood closer to Ben. However, Ben didn't respond. The smile that had been on his face faded and he seemed to pale. Mal followed his gaze and rolled her eyes as she realized Ben was looking at Hades. Hades hadn't noticed Ben as he was busy talking to Hadie.
"Oh come on," Mal chuckled. "My dad? He's the one who gets the unshakeable Ben flustered? You handled an impromptu performance in front of the entire school."
"Yes well I was spelled and your father is also the Lord of the Underworld," Ben told her, trying to keep his voice low as to not offend his girlfriend's father. That would not only be a diplomatic failure but a personal one as well.
Mal chuckled but her response was cut off by a screech coming from Queen Leah.
"You know, at least she was kind enough to wait until after the whole attack from my mother to have her freak out," Mal said, causing Ben to shake his head in amusement.
"It just shows her grace as a royal," Carlos nodded, walking up to the couple. Jay and Evie walked up to them as well, showing support. Mal glanced around the room for Akiho but it appeared as though the Arendelle contingent had left already, judging by the lack of Elsa's platinum blonde hair.
Kitty and Lucy could be seen in the doorway, ducking their heads in to make sure it was safe. Kitty caught Mal's eye and Mal gave a small nod. That was enough for the princess as she brought her sister and Dizzy back into the room to stand with her parents.
"What did I tell you?!" Queen Leah exclaimed, waiving her hands around. "We brought the children of villains here and then, Maleficent appears and attacks! She has been on the Isle for twenty years with no threat of invading, and for twenty years we had peace."
Mal looked over at Chad, wondering if he would be tempted to make any snide comments like he did at Family Day. But to Mal's surprise, Chad kept his mouth shut. Maybe it was because of how much trouble he was in from the viewing? Whatever it was, Mal was glad. The last thing Leah needed was an ally.
"Oh mother," Aurora shook her head. "You're blaming the kids for Maleficent's escape? Maleficent said how she got off the Isle and it had nothing to do with the kids! Besides, what did you think was going to happen when you put one of the most powerful people on an Isle with nothing but her thirst for revenge?"
Leah shook her head. "How easy would it have been for Maleficent to lie? So that the villains could have a spy network here in Auradon?"
Aurora made to respond but was cut off by Ben clearing his throat. "Queen Leah, that's enough. You've made your points clear multiple times, some of them during council meetings and others when accosting my girlfriend at Family Day."
"My apologies King Ben," Queen Leah said, giving a small head nod as a sign of deference. "But this is something that should not stand. Those who are villains belong with the villains."
"And how do you define "villain"?" Ben asked, looking around the room. "A child who wasn't fortunate enough to be born with heroes for parents? Personally, I think Hades confronting Maleficent was pretty heroic in its own right. Should he not be here in Auradon rather than on the Isle?"
"Ben, what are you doing?" Mal whispered but Ben didn't respond as he could see some of the faces lighting up with approval. He knew he needed at least half of the ten person council to agree before he could enact anything as king.
"But he's—"
"Someone who knows Maleficent's abilities and still stood up to her, both off the Isle and on judging by the bruise on his forehead," Macaria stated, walking up to Ben though still a bit unstable on her feet. "Hey cuz. Your mom packs a hell of a punch," she said, giving Mal a smirk. Turning back to Queen Leah, Macaria's smirk faded. "Why do we continue to punish those who's only crime was being born on the Isle?"
"I will continue to bring children who deserve it to Auradon," Ben said, staring down Queen Leah, who seemed to be smoldering with rage. "And I think, considering the day, new blood should be the theme."
Quickly moving to where he had been kneeling for his coronation, Ben turned and faced the crowd. "Council members, I call a vote of removal for Queen Leah who's outdated views seem to not match the Auradon we wish to become. A more inclusive kingdom, a beacon of hope for those who need it. Does anyone second the motion?"
There was a wave of silence throughout the crowd and Ben was worried that he had just blown his first true power move as King.
"I second the motion," Aladdin declared, standing up and nodding at Ben. Ben couldn't deny the fact that he felt a wave of relief crash over him upon hearing Aladdin's words.
"All those for?" Ben asked and had to bite the inside of his cheek to prevent his jaw from dropping. Almost all the hands were up; the only dissenters were Chi-Fu and the Duke of Weseltown. But they were keeping quiet. For now.
"All those against?" Ben asked, if only to keep it official but the only hands that went up were the expected ones. "The vote stands. Queen Leah, you are removed from your council position. I hope some day, either you or your family will be able to join the council once more."
Queen Leah scoffed. "This is a mistake Ben. You'll soon see I was right!"
"Mother, enough," Aurora told her, finally breaking her silence. "You keep embarrassing yourself like this and every time you're taught that you are wrong. First it was by the Blue Fairy and now here, and have you forgotten so soon? It's King Ben. I think I'll need to confer with my council as well when I get home and see if it isn't time that I take the reins of the kingdom."
That seemed to be the only thing that shut Leah up as the queen stared, her mouth hanging down to her chest. Ben, taking advantage of the silence, walked back to Mal's side; effectively disappearing into the crowd.
"You know you're going to get serious backlash for that?" Emir asked as he walked up.
"Yeah well I was going to have to deal with her sooner or later," Ben shrugged. "Now we can get down to business."
Emir chuckled and then turned to Mal. "So, what's it like being the King's girlfriend?"
"The same as it was when he was the prince," Mal replied. "Doesn't matter."
Emir smirked. "Good answer."
The smirk turned into a smile as Emir brought Mal in for a hug. "Thanks for saving our asses by the way. I know I would hate to be dragon chow."
"I'm quite fond of living myself," Mal smirked but returned the hug before breaking it off. "Now, I do believe we have a party to get to!"
"Wooo!" All the students from Auradon as well as Dizzy and Hadie cheered as they left the cathedral, leaving several confused parents and former leaders.