Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“So? So have you not read the rule book? Section 2, paragraph 3, 11-14. ‘A team will be comprised of a captain and eight men.’ Mmm? You should read the rule book,” Chad interrupted before Jay could accept Lonnie’s request of joining the ROAR team.

Lonnie was about to say how stupid that rule was until she, Chad, Jay, Carlos, Jane, and a few other members of the team were surrounded in a cloud of smoke. 

They opened their eyes to see their other friends and parents. 

“Well, looks like we’re doing another viewing,” Ben said, looking around the theater. 

“I wonder what caused the Fates to bring us this time,” Emir said. 

“This better not take long; I still need to do the finishing touches on Mal’s cotillion dress,” Evie said. 

“Don’t worry, time is paused when you guys are in here,” Atropos said. 

“Let me bring in the other four and I’ll explain,” Clotho said. 

When the cloud of smoke disappeared, they were able to get a look at the new arrivals. 

“Evie!” Dizzy, being one of the four, exclaimed. She ran up to Evie, and the two wrapped each other in a tight hug. 

The other three were completely new to the Auradonians. One was a girl with teal braids, another one was wearing a red coat with a tricorn, and the other one had an orange vest. The three were too focused on the fact they were off the Isle to notice the others.

“We’re off the Isle!” The girl cheered with the other two.

Clotho cleared her throat, which gained everyone's, including the Sea Three’s attention.

“I'm sure the majority of you are confused why you’re back here,” Clotho said. 

The people who were at the last viewing nodded, which caught the attention of the Sea Three. 

“Well, well, if it isn't the princess,” Uma snarked at Mal. 

“Shrimpy,” Mal glared at the girl. 

“I’m sensing bad blood,” Akiho whispered to Emir and Ben, both nodding their heads. 

“You two, no fighting,” Clotho reprimanded. 

“What are we even doing here?” Uma asked. 

“To watch your past,” Lachesis said. 

“Present,” Clotho added. 

“And future,” Atropos finished. 

The Sea Three blinked, taken aback. 

“So what’s the reasoning this time?” Beast asked. 

“Someone in this room has been living in constant stress along with verbal abuse, and we have to show you so it can be resolved,” Clotho said. 

Everyone looked at each other, wondering who was going through that and never told any of them. 

“Why do I have a feeling it’s Mal?” Macaria worriedly asked.

“What makes you think that?” Hyllus asked his sister while everyone grew worried about Mal and sent worrying looks at her.

“Because she’s the only one out of the VKs that’s really changed,” Macaria said. 

The rest of the group thought of what she said and had to agree. Mal was about to say she's fine when Tyrone spoke. 

“Why is it that every time Mal is experiencing something, the Fates always bring us to watch our future?” Tyrone asked.

“Well, we’re rather fond of her, considering who her—” Clotho started to answer but got cut off. 

“Ladies,” Malinda warned.

Everyone jumped a bit at the sound of the older Mal’s voice. 

“They aren’t ready for that kind of information yet,” Malinda said, giving them a warning look.

“Of course, they’ll know when the time is right,” Atropos smiled. 

“Also, Mal doesn’t deserve any backlash just because of how she was brought into this world,” Lachesis added. 

“How are you guys so calm about a future Mal and Beastie Jr. being here?” Uma asked. 

“We did this type of thing before, and they were here last time,” Akiho answered. 

“Yeah, we just call them Malinda and Benjamin so we don’t get confused about who we’re talking to,” Emir added. 

“I must say you get even more ravishing when you age,” Harry flirted, looking her up and down. 

Everyone stared at Harry in disbelief. 

“You do know she’s married, right?” Tristan asked. 

“And from the looks of it, pregnant as well,” Rachel added, looking at Malinda’s stomach. 

They all turned to Malinda and Benjamin. They smiled and nodded, confirming the pregnancy, which resulted in a few of the girls squealing. 

“Thank you, Harry, for the compliment, but I am indeed very much taken,” Malinda smiled.

“Well, I guess we better get this lame viewing started,” Uma said, rolling her eyes. 

“Yes, everyone take your seats,” Clotho said. 

Everyone took their seats. Mal really hoped it wouldn’t go into depth about her situation since she doesn’t want to disappoint Ben, hope it doesn’t end badly if he does find out. 

The screen lit up once everyone was settled and ready.

Chapter Text

“Why are you guys surrounded by a cauldron?” Evan asked as the screen showed the Core Four scooping an apple and putting it back into a bubbling cauldron.

“I have no idea,” Jay shrugged. 

“We haven’t been around a cauldron since the Isle,” Evie added. 

“I didn’t even think cauldrons were in Auradon,” Carlos said. 

“We have a couple of them, but they’re rarely used,” Fairy Godmother said. 

“Of course, you Boradon people barely use them,” Uma said, rolling her eyes. “Anything related to magic, you guys lock it up without a second thought. While there are some people who have magic, and they have to learn to control it. So, how are they supposed to learn those types of things if magic is against the law?”

“I hate that she’s right,” Mal muttered. 

The Auradon adults looked ashamed of themselves that preventing magic would be a good thing, especially with how all their stories involve some sort of magic. 

“Didn’t we have a similar conversation like this last viewing?” Aziz asked. 

“Yes, and Malinda revealed that she almost had a flare-up, which could have hurt Carlos and Dude,” Doug said. 

The ones with magic slightly paled at the thought of a flare-up. 

“I’ll arrange a magic class for those with magical abilities to help them,” Fairy Godmother informed. 

“I think that would be a great idea,” Belle said. 

“Should have been a class already,” Elsa murmured. 

Mal: Wicked ways beneath the skin… Let all who taste it now join in

“It’s weird seeing Mal with long hair,” Dizzy said. 

“100%,” Rowyn agreed. 

“That’s what you guys are focusing on?! How about the fact they’re evil!” Chad said. 

“In a way, he’s correct,” Tyrone said, looking pained at having to say those words. “Why are you guys being bad when you chose good?” 

“I don’t remember this ever happening,” Evie said. 

“Me either,” Carlos agreed. 

“Maybe the answers are in here,” Cinderella suggested.

Core Four: We got all the ways to be
W-I-C-K-E-D
We got all the ways to be
W-I-C-K-E-D

Jay: Come on! 

Core Four: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

“Why would you spill on the apples on the floor?” Samantha painfully asked as Carlos spilled a bucket of apples onto the floor and the people by their lockers fell to the floor for them. Carlos shrugged, not knowing the answer himself.

Core Four: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

“That looks so cool!” Rachel complimented as Mal closed all the lockers revealing “Long Live Evil!” spray-painted on them.

Mal: Crashin’ the party, guess they lost my invitation
Friendly reminder, got my own kind of persuasion

Jane looked at the screen in disbelief when she took a bite out of the apple and took the spray paint from Mal.

Carlos: Looks like this place could use a bit of misbehavior

“That’s so impressive!” Gil said as the people on the floor did a full body wave when Carlos slid the bucket under them.

Harry and Uma glared at the boy for talking to the Auradon people.

Carlos: “Happily ever after” with a little flavor

Jay: Bad to the bone, with even worse intentions 

“Oh! That could have hurt someone,” Anna gasped as Jay threw apples at the unexpected band kids.

Jay: We’re gonna steal the show and leave ‘em all defenseless

Evie glared at Jay for getting an apple in Doug’s trumpet.

“Sorry, Doug,” Jay apologized, noticing the bluette’s glare.

“It’s ok, Jay,” Doug forgave.

Evie: A fairy tale life can be oh-so overrated

“Wow, Chad is sitting in front of the class,” Rachel sarcastically said.

“I think that’s detention,” Samantha said.

“What! I can’t get detention!” Chad exclaimed. 

“I think you should consider what Malinda revealed last viewing,” Cinderella sternly said.

“But the Fates gave us the decision to change what we wanted,” Chad tried defending himself. 

Cinderella and Henry looked at each other. 

“You’re off the hook for now, mister,” Henry said after a few seconds of having a conversation with his wife with their eyes.

Chad nodded and hoped the things Malinda said last time didn’t appear since he did do some of the things. But that didn’t mean he was a spoiled prince, as she said! 

Evie: So raise your voices, and let’s get it activated

Core Four: Long live having fun
We take what we want
There are so many ways to be wicked
With us, evil lives on the right side of wrong
There are so many ways to be wicked
Apple, apple
Dip, dip

“You know it's a good thing Queen Leah isn’t here,” Lonnie said.

“Yeah, or she would have had a heart attack from the poison apples,” Rowyn added. 

“Oh, Snow, I’m so—” Rapunzel was about to apologize for what her daughter said, but she beat her to it.

“It’s perfectly ok, Rapunzel,” Snow White smiled.

“Can we bring her so that could happen?” Malinda asked the Fates.

“I'd rather not have people’s eardrums bursting from her screeching,” Clotho said. 

“But that would be entertaining!” Astropo laughed at the thought. 

Core Four: Wanna try it?
Tick, tick 
Take a bite, c’mon, be bold
Change the way the story’s told

Mal: This time the dark is finally getting your attention

Evie: We’re wicked by the book, and class is back in session

Fairy Godmother flushed at how incredibly inappropriate the way she was acting with using Chad’s leg as a guitar.

Tyrone thought it was funny how the acronym on Fairy Godmother’s chalkboard was pretty close to the word wicked, and all that needed to be added was the W and D. 

Jay: You like it? Steal it

The VKs rolled their eyes when Jay was surrounded by the cheerleaders. The Audradon girls blushed at the possible chance of being around Jay. 

Jay: Gotta beat ‘em to the treasure

Carlos: A rite of passage

Core Four: Bad just doesn’t get much better
Long live having fun

Ben blushed in embarrassment at his parents' dance moves.

Core Four: We take what we want
There’s many ways to be wicked
With us, evil lives on the right side of wrong
There are so many ways to be wicked

Mal: Mother always knows best

Malinda snorted, then started to uncontrollably laugh at her mother knowing what’s best. “Ah, that’s too funny,” she said once her laughter died down and wiped a tear. 

“Was it that bad being raised by Maleficent?” Hyllus asked. 

Malinda thought of the right words to use. “She let her anger take over, and it resulted in her becoming the way she is now. And because of being under a magic barrier, she grew angrier and grew a little cuckoo.”

Evie: Show her, pass every test

Carlos: Hear her voice in my head

Carlos shriveled at how he still hears his mother’s voice yelling at him.

Jay: Evil is the only

Core Four: the real way to live!
We got all the ways to be 
Hey, hey, hey, hey
W-I-C-K-E-D 

Jay: Let’s go!

Core Four: We got all the ways to be
Hey, hey, hey, hey
W-I-C-K-E-D

Mal: Yeah!

Everyone looked amazed at how Mal held out the note. 

“Mal, that was amazing!” Ariel complimented. 

“Thanks,” Mal awkwardly smiled. It was freaking her out how much that her daydream of becoming evil again was being broadcasted to everyone. 

Core Four: Long live having some fun

Mal: Having some fun

Core Four: We take what we want
There are so many ways to be wicked

The AKs tried so hard not to laugh at Chad apple-dipping in the school’s fountain. 

Core Four: With us, evil lives on

Mal: Evil lives on

“Damn, Chad, I didn’t know you could do a backflip,” Tyrone said, impressed.

“I didn’t either, but I'm just that cool,” Chad said, puffing out his chest in pride. 

Tyrone rolled his eyes at the snobby blonde. 

Core Four: The right side of wrong
There are so many ways to be wicked

Beast chuckled at the purple and green statue of him. 

Carlos: Yeah!

Core Four: We got all the ways to be 
W-I-C-K-E-D
We got all the ways to be 
W-I-C-K-E-D
We got all the ways to be
W-I-C-K-E-D

“You girls should really try out for choir. Your voices are amazing, and you two can hold out those long high notes,” Fairy Godmother encouraged.

“Yeah! We love new people,” Elle nodded. 

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m much too busy with business,” Evie declined the offer. 

“Yeah, and I’m too busy,” Mal said, thinking of all the meetings she had with her handler. 

Benjamin brought Malinda into his arms, thinking of Mal’s past handler as well. 

Core Four: We got all the ways to be

Mal: So many ways to be wicked

“Well, that was… interesting, to say the least,” Naveen said.

“More interesting than turning into a frog?” Tiana teased. 

“I just realized Ben wasn’t seen anywhere in that,” Emir acknowledged. 

“Oh yeah!” Akiho agreed. 

“I’m still confused about what happened and when exactly did or does this happen to us,” Lonnie said. 

“You’re about to see,” Lachesis mysteriously said. 

Reporter #1: Mal, please, over here! Mal! 

“This raises more questions than answers,” Chip said. 

Everyone nodded in agreement. They were all confused how the scene they just watched disappeared when Mal threw an apple after kissing it and zoomed into her eye.

“Mal, blonde completely washes you out! Why would you dye your hair that color?” Dizzy asked, shaking her head at the foolish choices of the older girl. 

“Uh, Dizzy, we have more concerning things to focus on than hair,” Rowyn said. 

“Shh!” The Fates shushed the crowd so they could continue. 

Reporter #2: Only three days to the royal cotillion.

Benjamin groaned at the sight of seeing that reporter. 

Everyone sent questioning looks to the older king, wondering what she did to get that kind of reaction from Ben. 

“Hey, isn’t that the same interviewer that wanted to cause some kind of scandal, so she asked you if there were any girls at an event that you found attractive?” Malinda asked her husband. 

“Yes, darling,” Benjamin nodded. 

“No wonder you don’t like her!” Emir said. 

“Well, that and what she’s going to say,” Benjamin said. 

Reporter #3: Ever think a girl like you would be Lady of the Court?

Mal snorted. “No.” 

“That’s ironic.” Doug chuckled as Ben walked into the frame eating an apple and the daydream Mal was last seen kissing an apple. 

Reporter #1: How does it feel to be the most envied girl in Auradon?

Reporter #3: Well, do you like being blonde?

“That’s a dumb question,” Rachel said, rolling her eyes. 

“Yeah! It’s not anything special,” Rowyn added to her sister’s claim.

“Why did you choose blonde over brunette when your mother is a brunette?” Benjamin asked his wife. 

“My handler ‘suggested’ that I should dye my hair so it’s not offensive towards anyone, and it would help with fitting in. But honestly, brunette makes a lot more sense than being blonde.” 

Benjamin had a hard look in his eyes that of course she’s the one that suggested Mal should dye her hair blonde.

“I’m sorry, did you just say handler?” Ben asked Malinda, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yeah…” Malinda trailed off, knowing Ben was not going to like her having a handler, especially since he didn’t know. 

“You have a handler?” Ben double-checked, turning to Mal. 

Mal nodded. She was a tad bit surprised to see Ben’s eyes harden. “I thought you knew that.”

“I did not know that,” Ben dryly chuckled. “Why would I give my girlfriend a handler?”

“Maybe because I’m a VK,” Mal fidgeted. 

“I feel like this should be talked about in private,” Tiana muttered. 

“At least Ben isn’t speaking in full French… yet,” Malinda said, hearing Tiana’s mutters. 

“Yeah, that’s what happens when Ben gets really mad or sleep deprived,” Akiho commented. 

“I’m not complaining; it was really attractive,” Malinda shrugged. Benjamin shook his head fondly at his wife. 

The couple didn’t pay any attention to the others and instead were lost in their conversation.

“Malinda Bertha, love of my life, I would never suggest for you to get a handler. My mom didn’t have a handler, so there’s no reason for you to have one,” Ben said. 

“But she wasn’t the daughter of a villain, I am,” Mal said. She looked down, not wanting to look into the eyes she loves. 

“Mal, that doesn't mean anything to me. You’re your own person, and if you need help with the royal life, then come to me,” Ben said. 

“I didn’t want to disappoint you for not being able to handle it,” Mal muttered. 

Ben pulled her into his arms, and Mal easily went there. 

“You could never disappoint me. I fell in love with you. A natural-born leader that would help anyone that needed the help. A girl who cares so much about her friends and would make the love potion antidote just because it would be cruel that I was still spelled if the villains came to Auradon. A girl who makes sarcastic remarks any chance she gets, enjoys spray painting, loves strawberries more than anything in the whole world, has beautiful purple hair, and the most enchanting green eyes that I can get lost into every time I look at her. That’s the girl I fell in love with,” Ben confessed. 

Mal stared at Ben with teary eyes. He always told her that he loved her, but she didn’t know that he loved her for her, no matter where she came from. She smiled and reached out to move a piece of hair out of his eye. She really did love him. She was finally about to say it when someone interrupted.

“You love this ‘strawberry’ that much?” Uma asked Malinda. 

“Oh yeah,” she nodded. “I would die for strawberries, but I would kill for Ben; that’s where my love lies,” Malinda said. 

“Please don’t kill anyone,” Benjamin pleaded to his wife. 

“I make no promises,” Malinda grinned. 

Reporter #4: Is your mother still a lizard?

“What are these questions?!” Mulan asked, frustrated. 

“I’m pretty sure you would notice if Maleficent was human again,” Meg deadpanned. 

“Yeah, she did immediately come to Auradon even though she spent years without her magic,” Eric said. 

“But that could give her a reason to stay hidden and get stronger with her magic so she could overthrow Mal,” Macaria reasoned. 

Everyone paled a bit if that was actually happening. 

“You raised an outstanding, intelligent daughter,” Aladdin complimented the two gods in the room.

“Thank you. But that’s all Meg,” Hercules chuckled, looking at his wife. 

“Damn right, Wonderboy,” Meg smirked. 

“The only reason she could grow is if she learned how to learn love, which she’s still a lizard to this day,” Malinda said. 

Ben: Okay. All right. Excuse me. 

“Ben to the rescue!” Herkie cheered. 

“Yes, Ben! Save your woman!” Tristan cheered along with Herkie. 

Ben chuckled at the two boys’ actions. 

Ben: Uh, we will let you know if and when that particular situation changes. 

Reporter #2: Did you ever think you’d be with a villain kid?

“No wonder you hate that woman,” Mrs. Potts glared at the woman through the screen.

“Actually, I did since I dreamt of her before meeting her,” Benjamin answered the woman’s question, glaring at the screen. 

Ben: We’re done here. 

“The amount of times I’ve seen that quote in a Ben edit is ridiculous,” Malinda said, shaking her head. 

“You watch edits of Ben?” Melody asked. 

“This is the second time you mentioned an edit!” Elle grinned

“Lonnie sends them to me all the time,” Malinda shrugged. 

Lonnie laughed.

“That makes so much sense,” Samantha said. 

“She sends edits to our whole friend group,” Benjamin added. 

“That’s the price of being friends with Lonnie,” Jane chuckled.

Shang and Mulan shook their heads at their daughter’s antics. 

“And I'm sure you enjoy every time,” Lonnie grinned. 

“What is this so-called ‘edit’?” Harry asked. 

“There are different meanings and types to what an edit is, but the version we’re talking about is a short video, usually with a song, and the focus is a person or couple or whatever,” Lonnie explained.

“Also really?” Benjamin asked his wife that she used ridiculous, clearly making a Did I Mention joke.

“Mhmm,” Malinda grinned. 

Fairy Godmother: Okay. Shush, shush. Shh, shh. Shh, shh. 

“I see she learned from last time and actually helped her students,” Mulan muttered to her husband.

Fairy Godmother: This is still a school, so if you’re here, you’re either skipping or trespassing. 

The adults smiled at Ben and Mal’s interaction in the background.

Reporter #1: Just one more question.

Fairy Godmother: Shush. Shush. 

Reporter #5: Fairy Godmother!

Fairy Godmother: Shhh. Shh. Shh. 

Ben: Thank you, guys. 

Fairy Godmother: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

“They don’t deserve any thank yous,” Eugene said.

Fairy Godmother: Mal. Ben. 

Mal & Ben: Fairy Godmother. 

Mal: Whew. 

Ben: Don’t pay any attention to them. 

Mal: Well, that’s a lot easier said than done, right?

“You were raised to be used to the spotlight from paparazzi and not pay attention to them while I was used to people running away terrified just from giving them a look,” Malinda said. 

“Yeah, I know,” Benjamin sighed. “I was trying to calm your nerves down a bit.”

Ben: I know. I know. You know, maybe we should do something. We should go somewhere. Go away. 

“I think that's a great idea for the both of you,” Beast said.

“I agree, both of you are under constant stress only at the age of 17,” Kristoff agreed.

Mal: Yeah. 

Ben: You know, I have a council meeting. I’m so late!

“Why do you guys have so many council meetings?” Akiho asked.

“Leah,” all the council members said. 

Mal: That’s okay.

Ben: We’ll—we’ll do it sometime. Uh… 

“Evie! You interrupted their moment,” Rowyn pouted.

“I needed Mal!” Evie defended. 

Evie: If we don’t do a fitting for your gown right this minute, you’ll be dancing in your bathrobe, okay?

“I’m sure Ben wouldn’t mind,” Tyrone teased. 

Ben and Mal blushed. The teens burst into laughter. The parents looked embarrassed when they realized what Tyrone meant. Malinda and Benjamin smirked at each other, remembering the night of the cotillion. 

Evie: Hi. Let’s go. Let’s go. 

Mal: Bye, Ben. 

Ben: Bye. 

Reporters: King Ben! King Ben! King Ben!

Ben: Uh…

“Honestly, I'm going to have a stern talk with the other reporters! They are harassing teenagers; that’s not ok!” Snow White said, frustrated.

“I’ll remind you when we leave,” Florian said. 

“Thank you, dear,” Snow White said, kissing his cheek.

Chapter Text

A few chuckled at seeing lizard Maleficent in her tank. 

“How did you find a mini spinning wheel?” Herkie asked. 

“I have no idea, to be honest,” Malinda shrugged. 

“That’s so creepy… it looked like she just hissed right at us,” Carlos said. 

Kristoff chuckled at the “don’t feed my mom” sign outside of the tank. 

“…that’s your cotillion dress?” Melody asked, looking at the blue and yellow puffy dress. 

“Isn’t it impeccable?” Evie gushed. 

“Yes… but is it really Mal though?” Melody asked. 

“Yeah,” Macaria agreed. “Shouldn’t Mal’s dress represent her and not the Auradon colors?” 

Evie looked closely at the paused screen of Mal looking like she rather being anywhere but there and closed in. Then how the dress is completely the opposite of Mal’s taste. Evie was only following what Mal told her to make her more Auradon like clothes and she thought it was because she wanted to fit in. Evie’s heart sank from how much she was being a bad friend and never noticing. 

“Guys, it’s fine. I’m not going to put more stress and pressure on Evie to make a completely new dress for me,” Mal said, breaking Evie out of her thoughts. 

“M, cotillion is for you and becoming lady of Ben’s court, which I’m sure you don’t care about that sort of thing, but that night is all about you. And I will make you the dress that represents you and your style, no matter what,” Evie said. 

“But-“ Mal was going to deny with how much work that is and little time she has. 

“We’ll help!” Rachel, Rowyn, Evan, Macaria, Jane, and Lonnie exclaimed. 

“You know how to sew?” Chad asked Evan. 

Evan shrugged. “My mom taught us just in case we needed it.” 

Rapunzel proudly smiled at her kids. 

“I know just the perfect design, Evie,” Jane smirked and showed something on a tablet to Evie. She squealed and nodded her head.

“Guys…” Mal tried to stop them even though she was touched they were going to extreme efforts for her. 

“Ben, kiss her so she can’t stop them,” Carlos said. 

Jay and Carlos felt extremely guilty they didn’t notice Mal struggling with settling in so they would do anything to make sure Mal would have the best cotillion night. 

“Okay, let’s continue with the viewing and you guys can continue in a break,” Fairy Godmother interrupted the conversations. 

They all quiet down and turned their attention to the screen.

Mal: Oh! Okay, Evie. I cannot breathe.

“Did you mean you can’t breathe with how much pressure you’re under or you can’t breathe that you’re going to pass out?” Beast asked. 

“Both,” Malinda answered. 

Evie hugged Mal. Mal knew Evie is going to doubt herself and she can’t let that happen so she hugged her back while keeping her hand interlocked with Ben’s.

Evie: Well, you can breathe after cotillion. 

Mal: Well. I seriously doubt that. I have at least 20 more events directly behind it

“What do you mean you have 20 more events after cotillion?” Ben asked Mal with a hint of edge.

“My handler scheduled events and lessons for me to attend after cotillion,” Mal said.

“She’s definitely getting fired when we get a break,” Ben said, leaving no room for arguments. 

Mal: and I can’t even remember what a single one of them is. 

“I would too,” Kristoff agreed. 

Evie: Impeccable.

Evie winced how she didn’t even pay attention to Mal’s words instead focusing on the dress. 

Mal: Evie?

Evie: Hmm?

Mal: Do you ever think what we’d be doing if we were back on the Isle right now?

Ben was struck hard in the chest at the thought of Mal going back to the Isle or even never getting the chance to meet her. 

Evie: That’s funny. Ah! Look who’s on TV. 

Malinda and Mal groaned at the sight of that campaign. 

Voice: As the royal couple continues their tour of the kingdom, they dined with Aladdin and Jasmine. 

“Don’t worry Mal, Ben has spilled something all over himself the first time he came over,” Aziz said. 

“Dude!” Ben blushed embarrassed at the reminder of that memory. 

“What?! It’s true!” Aziz said.

Mal smiled at Aziz’s attempt to make her feel better and to know even Ben makes mistakes.

Voice: Six months ago

Mal: Yeah. 

Voice: no one thought King Ben and his girlfriend from the wrong side of the bridge would last. 

“I knew we would last,” Benjamin proudly said.

Malinda and many other of the adults snorted at Benjamin’s claim. 

“Don’t you already have my engagement ring?” Malinda asked.

“I have just the design done,” Benjamin said. 

Some of the AKs snorted. That is so Ben, already having Mal’s engagement ring design ready. 

Mal blushed and was a little curious about what it looked like. Maybe she could ask her older self to see the ring.

Mal: Yeah. No kidding.

Voice: Mal must be counting the days until the Royal Cotillion 

“How on earth did they get that footage so quickly?!” Tiana yelled outraged.

“It could have been live,” Tristan tried to reason but he was mad they were mistreating Mal. 

Voice: when she will officially be a Lady of the Court. 

Mal: Read it fast at lightning speed. Remember everything I need. 

“You know, that’s a pretty useful spell,” Hyllus said.

“Yeah! I could use that, especially before a test,” Tyrone nodded.

Evie: I know Mal’s secret to fitting in, and Ben wouldn’t like it one bit. 

“But Ben is fine with Mal using magic. I mean he didn’t mind the fact she literally love-spelled him,” Melody reminded everyone of the last viewing. 

“Ben is just fascinated with magic in general,” Akiho said.

“If you knew what Mal was doing, then why didn’t tell Ben or anyone?” Samantha asked.

Evie sighed. She couldn’t believe how in her head she was in and she could have helped Mal. 

Evie: Haven’t you guys had enough secrets between the two of you already?

“That doesn’t sound like a healthy relationship…” Rachel said. 

“Yeah…” Melody agreed.

Mal looked down, avoiding looking at Ben. 

Mal: Evie, you remember what I was like before I started using my spell book. I mean, I was a complete disaster. 

“Honey, you weren’t born into this kind of life, so it’s ok if you were a ‘complete disaster’. We don’t expect you to know all about royal life overnight. It takes time and I definitely had a hard time when I was adjusting to it as well,” Belle said. 

“Us too,” the rest of the ‘Learning to be Royal’ club agreed. 

“We should invite Mal to join us in our next meeting,” Aladdin whispered to Eugene. The former thief nodded. 

Evie: Well, personally, as your best friend, I strongly believe that this spell book

Mal: Ah!

Evie: it belongs in the museum, along with my mirror. Don’t give me the face. Put the pout away. Mm-hmm. You know I’m right. 

“Kinda reminds me of you,” Melody said.

Elle glared at her with a little pout. 

“You’re just proving my point,” Melody said, resulting in Elle rolling her eyes.

Mal: You don’t ever miss running wild and just breaking all the rules?

Evie: Like stealing and lying and fighting?

Mal: Yeah!

Evie: No!

Mal: What?

Evie: Why would we? M, come here. Look at where we are. We’re in Auradon! And we’re Auradon girls now. 

“Mal doesn’t strike me as an ‘Auradon girl’” Evan said. 

“Yeah,” Rowyn agreed. 

“I think it’s stereotypical how we put people into genres just because of what they look like,” Lonnie said. “Like I dress girly but I can beat a guy in swords.”

Mulan and Shang proudly smiled at their daughter.

“Ok, don’t get too cocky,” Chad rolled his eyes. 

“I bet I can beat your ass right here right now,” Lonnie challenged. 

“Children, calm down,” Fairy Godmother warned.

“I honestly would love to see Lonnie beat Chad’s ass,” Benjamin whispered to Malinda. 

Malinda burst into laughter and couldn’t stop laughing at her husband’s comment. 

Voice: Since Mal revealed her love of strawberries, she has received hundreds of cartoons from her admirers. 

“Mortals are so weird. Why would they do that?” Herkie asked. 

“Maybe they don’t want to be on her bad side,” Hercules said. 

Malinda snorted. “You can 100% tell if you were ever on my bad side.” 

Voice: Here she is enjoying a cozy bite…

Benjamin rubbed the back of Malinda’s hand with his thumb. 

Evie: See, this is the land of opportunity. We can be whatever we want to be here. So, please, let’s just leave the past in the past, okay?

“As much as that sounds like the easiest option, the Isle is where you four were born and raised,” Cinderella said. 

“There’s still days where I miss spending the whole day swimming in the ocean and collecting objects in the sea,” Ariel admitted.

“But aren’t you royalty?” Dizzy asked, tilting her head. 

Ariel smiled at the confused look on Dizzy’s face. “Yes, but I wasn’t being taught how to rule a kingdom, much less a kingdom on dry land.” 

Evie: Besides, I mean, look at the shoes. Look at them. 

Mal: Mm. Servere. 

“Those are semi-Mal’s style,” Samantha said. 

“At least, it’s not glass slippers,” Henry teased.

“I’ll have you know those were quite comfortable,” Cinderella defended and sent a smile to Fairy Godmother. 

Fairy Godmother smiled back at the blonde. 

“Would you guys like a break or keep going?” Clotho asked. 

Everyone looked at each other, wondering whether they should take a break. 

“I wouldn’t mind to keep going,” Elle said. 

“Same,” Samantha agreed. 

Other people nodded, some hoping it would be more uplifting but unlikely. 

“Well, that settles it,” Clotho said. 

Lachesis unpaused the screen. 

Chapter Text

Girl #1: Hi, Jay. 

Jay: Hey.

Girl #2: Hey Jay. 

Jay: Hey, what’s up? Hi. 

Carlos: Why do you torture them? Just pick someone to take to Cotillion already. 

Jay; I’m going solo. That way, I can dance with all of them. 

“That’s gonna cause major girl drama, calling it now,” Aziz said.

Carlos: Ah! You’re the expert.

“Since when is Jay an expert?” Tyrone snorted. 

“Hey! It’s not my fault all the ladies find me attractive,” Jay said. A few of the girls blush while some rolled their eyes.

Carlos: Um, Jay…

Ben frowned at how zoned out Mal looked and in her head. He rubbed circles on her hand. She squeezed his hand and rested her hand on his shoulder. 

Carlos: If you were gonna ask someone, what’s the best way to go?

“Aww.” 

Carlos blushed at what’s gonna show and avoided looking at Jane.

Jay: Listen, all you got to do… is look like me. 

“Sorry to break it to you, Jay, but you aren’t every girl’s type,” Rowyn said. 

Carlos: Oh, ha-ha. 

Jane: Mal. 

Carlos: Hey, Jane. 

Jane: Hey. 

Carlos: I was wondering… uh… 

Elle and Melody grabbed each other's hands waiting for Carlos to ask Jane. 

Carlos: if you liked the… carrot cake last night. 

Groans were heard all over the room. 

“Why are you guys groaning?” Fairy Godmother asked, sending a questioning to the teens.

“No reason.” the teens quickly said.

Carlos: I had the pumpkin pie. Oh, cool. Um-uh…

Jay: Smooth. 

Evie: I have an opening for a fitting at 3:00. Who wants it?

Lonnie: Me! Sorry. 

“Jeez! Where did you come from?” Herkie asked. 

Lonnie shrugged. 

Evie: Perfect. I’ll take you later. Okay, well…

Jane: Mal?

Mal: Yes? 

Jane: I hate to keep bugging you, but the decorating committee needs more answers. So, as much as I hate to, um… you know, um… 

Mal: Bug me?

Jane: Right. 

Mal: Yeah, Jane, I would love to. I just have to get to class. 

Jane: You know, just nod if you like it. 

Mal: Okay. 

Jane: Chair swags. Entry banter. Twinkle lights. Napkin design. Table bunting. And you still haven’t picked the party favors yet. 

Mal: Honestly, Jane, whatever you think- 

Jane: I mean, we can do chains, key charms, pen toppers, I kind of love the pen toppers, but, I mean, we can do all three. 

Jane winced at how pushy she was towards Mal. 

Everyone stared at the screen in shock as Mal’s eyes glowed green like the previous time from the last viewing. 

Mal: I say pen toppers.

Jane: Yeah?

Mal: Yeah.

“Sorry, Jane,” Mal apologized. 

“It’s ok, Mal, I’m sorry for pushing you too much,” Jane also apologized.

Jane: You won’t regret it, 

Mal: Okay. 

Lonnie: I can hardly wait to see what your wedding will look like!

“Lonnie, you can’t just say those types of things!” Shang said. 

“Especially when comparing cotillion with a wedding since both are extremely stressful,” Mulan added. 

Mal: Me too. Wait! What?!

“Wait, you didn’t know?” Rachel asked. 

“No,” Mal said, shaking her head. 

“You know, a little heads up would have been nice,” Malinda teased her husband.

“Sorry,” Benjamin sheepishly apologized.

Jane: The Royal Cotillion is like getting engaged to be engaged to be engaged. 

Evie: I knew it!

Lonnie: Well, everyone knows it.

“Clearly not everyone,” Hyllus pointed out. 

Mal: I didn’t know it! How come nobody told me that?

“That’s a great point. Someone should have told you that, especially since you didn’t grow up in Auradon,” Belle said. 

Mal: Is my entire life just planned out in front of me…

Ben felt guilt that he’s the reason why Mal is feeling stress and going through so much right now. Without him, she wouldn’t have her entire life planned out, have to learn a completely new way of living and always have annoying paparazzi in her life.

Ben: Hi, Mal.

Evie, Jane & Lonnie: Hi, Ben. 

“Also seen this in a lot of edits,” Malinda said. 

Benjamin smiled and shook this head fondly at her. 

Jane: Oh, oh. Quick moment. 

Many teens frowned at Jane interrupting a Bal moment.

Ben: Uh…

Jane: All right, they’re almost finished with the surprise for Mal’s big night.

Everyone except Jane looked at Ben and Benjamin questioning what he had planned for Mal on Cotillion. 

“Are you proposing?!” Samatha gasped. 

“Didn’t Benjamin say he only has the design of the ring though?’ Melody asked.

“Oh, yeah. Nevermind then,” Samatha said. “Then what is it?”

“It’ll show you,” Benjamin said. 

Jane: Snow White

Snow White and Florian smiled at their stained glass.

Jane: Belle

Belle and Beast smiled at theirs.

All the girls in the room squealed when Jane swiped to the next picture, revealing a stained glass window for Ben and Mal. 

Mal stared at the screen in disbelief at the beautiful stained glass of them.

Jane: But the one you designed for Mal is my favorite. 

Ben: Make sure her eyes are green. 

All the girls swooned at Ben making sure Jane gets the right color of Mal’s eyes. 

Ben: Uh… see you later.

Mal: Okay. 

Jane: Which green should they use?

Ben: Uh… This one. 

“I love your eyes,” Benjamin dreamily sighed. 

Malinda smiled. “You love anything and everything about me.”

“True,” Benjamin smiled. 

“Do any of your kids have Mal’s eyes?” Chip asked.

“Our oldest, Maddy, does,” Benjamin nodded. 

Chapter Text

Chad: What about peacock feathers? Yeah. I bet you nobody’s gonna have those at Cotillion. 

“Cause no one would want them in the first place,” Akiho said. All the boys nodded, except for Chad. 

Evie: Chad, when I look at you, all I can think is… “king.”

Some teens shivered at the thought. 

“So this is what Malinda was talking about last time,” Henry whispered to his wife. Cinderella nodded, sadly wondering what happened to her sweet boy.

Evie: And fake fur…

Chad: Uh-huh.

Evie: Fake fur says it all.

Doug: Loud and clear. 

Few people chuckled at that.

Jay: Amphitheater in five! 

Chad: Why did the coach make him captain instead of me?

Cinderella and Henry gasped. 

“Chad Charming! We do not put others down when they are rewarded, especially when they clearly deserve for working hard!” Cinderella scolded. 

“With this kind of attitude, no wonder the coach didn’t make you captain,” Henry said. 

Chad sank down in his seat, hoping no more scenes would show him in a bad light. At least Audrey wasn’t here, he thought, not wanting her to get scolded by his parents.

Chad: I’m obviously better. “King Chad,” though. 

Cinderella and Henry shook their heads in disappointment, with this attitude they would holding off his crowning til much, much later. 

Chad: I do rather like that. You know who else would like that? 

Evie: Who?

Chad: Audrey. 

Emir and Akiho rolled their eyes. 

“Great idea to mention the girl you literally kissed in front of the girl you promised a date,” Rachel sarcastically said. 

Evie: She would. 

Jay: Chad, let’s go. 

Chad: I’m coming. Yeah. 

Evie: Oh. 

Chad: It– I–

Jay: Come on. 

Chad: It’s just–

Evie & Doug: Not a lot of there there. 

Couple couldn’t help but laugh a bit at that, remembering from the last viewing. 

Evie: Someone’s obviously having some trouble dealing with his breakup with Audrey. 

“So like when grass is green,” Rowyn said.

“Or when snow is white,” Akiho added.

“Water is blue,” Elle joined in. 

Doug: Yes. I’ve been doing the numbers.

Evie: Yeah?

Doug: And after we collect from all the girls for their gowns and Chad’s cape… 

Evie: Wow! No wonder people work.

“Isn't the majority of the kingdom royalty though? Why would you guys need to work?” Gil asked, titling his head. 

“After some time, it’s really boring doing nothing but relaxing during the day, so it’s just nice to do something like a job,” Belle answered. 

“If I was rich like you lot, I would never lift a finger ever again,” Uma said. 

Malinda and Benjamin tried not to laugh as that's not the case. 

“Oh really? So you wouldn’t miss bossing your crew what to do, especially Harry?” Malinda asked. 

Benjamin gave her a look but then realized how his thinking took a completely different turn. He covered some of his face with his hand and said, “Oh…” 

Malinda looked over in his direction and asked, “What were you thinking?” It took a few seconds to figure out what he thought. She gasped and hit his arm and said, “Ben!”

“What? What was he thinking?” Beast asked. 

Malinda ignored her father-in-law’s question. “You’ve spent too much time with us,” she said, laughing.

Benjamin couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as well, but rolled his eyes. “Please I grew up with Lonnie.”

“You’re right,” Malinda snorted. 

“Ok, which one of you two is going to let us in on what you’re talking about?” Chip asked. 

Malinda and Benjamin shook their heads.

“Continue ladies,” Malinda said to the Fates. 

Evie: What am I gonna do with all this money? 

Doug: I think in the next few years, you could buy that castle you always wanted. 

“Aww,” the girls cooed.

Doug: That way, you wouldn’t need a prince. 

Evie: You’re right, I don’t. Because I have you.

Samatha and Dizzy let out loud squeals at the cute Devie moment. 

“Geez, you two, I think the Underworld could have heard that,” Evan said. 

“Sorry,” Samatha and Dizzy apologized. 

“Alrighty to a not good start,” Evan said, as the screen transitions to Mal running to her locker.

“Meeting?” Benjamin asked. Malinda nodded. 

Ben: Hi, Mal. 

“Did I scare you that much?” Ben asked, as Mal backed up against the lockers. 

“I thought you would be already in class or in your office,” Mal said. 

Mal: Hi. 

Ben: I have a little surprise for you.

“You called that little?” Malinda quietly asked her husband and Benjamin shushed her, not wanting to really explain his past actions. 

Mal: Again? Wow. That’s like every day now. 

Ben: Or every other day. The even dates. Because you’re… even more perfect than I thought.

Ben cringed at his words, especially since it sounds like he likes her more with an Auradon girl look instead of herself before, which is not true. 

Emir and Akiho slapped their faces at the ridiculous line. 

Mal: That is me. I am perfect. 

Ben: Come on, let me spoil you. You didn’t have a lot growing up.

Mal: We managed. 

“Quite frankly, I'd rather you shower me with love than gifts,” Malinda said.

“I know that now darling, but I wanted to spoil you as well,” Benjamin said. 

Ben: Hey, didn’t you donate that to the museum? 

Mal: Is that still in there?

“You shouldn’t feel like you have to lie to your partner just to make them happy or make them more interested in you. If they truly are interested in you then they would love for yourself,” Jasmine said, shaking her head. 

“I feel like that was a dig towards me, but I know you’re also talking about Mal,” Aladdin said. 

Mal looked down a bit ashamed. 

Mal: Um, I got to get to class.

“Were you just to distract me?” Benjamin asked, as Mal played with his hair in the scene. 

Malinda smiled, trying to back her laughter, as she didn’t notice that it kinda looks like that.

Mal: I really don’t want to be late. 

Ben: No. You come this way.

“You know, you could always say you were talking to Ben about important matters since he’s king,” Herkie said. 

“That’s… not a bad idea,” Jane thought out loud. 

“And it gives Ben and Mal a little more time to spend time with each other,” Evan pointed out. 

“Yeah, but how long will that excuse work?” Malinda asked. “My teachers would get suspicious, and my handler would definitely be pissed.”

“We should have done it,” Benjamin shook his head, disappointed at a chance that he could find out about Mal’s handler sooner. 

“I can’t believe Ben, of all people, is ok with Mal being tardy,” Rachel noticed. 

Ben: First off… ta-da!

“How was no one surprised to see that just sitting there?” Dizzy asked as Ben’s present to be a purple Vespa just in the middle of the walkway.

Everyone shrugged. 

“We stopped asking questions about weird things happening,” Tristan said. 

Mal: What?!

Ben: You like it? 

Mal: Ben…

Malinda squeezed Benjamin’s hand when she noticed his nervous habit of playing with hands on screen.

Mal: does an ogre like cheese puffs?

Everyone from Auradon looked at Mal and Malinda.

“What?” Mal asked. 

“Does an ogre actually like cheese balls?” Samatha asked. 

Malinda chuckled. “Yes, an ogre likes cheese balls.”

“You guys never heard of that?” Gil asked. 

Auradonians shook their heads. 

“Wow…” Gil said in disbelief. 

Mal: This is amazing! It’s purple.

“Duh, what other color would I get you?” Benjamin asked his wife as if she’s crazy. 

“I don’t know! I was just shocked,” Malinda said.

Mal: I didn’t get you anything. 

Ben: You’re taking me on a picnic with all my favorite foods, remember?

“I don’t think she remembers.” Hyllus said. 

Mal: No, that’s Thursday. 

“Geez, what was your handler doing to you that made you forget the day of the week?!” Lonnie asked. 

“How did no one even know about Mal having a handler? Especially Ben as she’s his girlfriend!” Mulan said, outrageous.

“I’m sure Ben would find out what’s the deal about the whole thing after the viewing,” Chip said. 

Ben nodded, agreeing with what Chip said. 

Ben: It is Thursday. 

Mal: No, it’s not.

Ben: Yes, it is.

Mal: No, it’s not. 

Ben: It is. 

Mal: I knew that. 

Few people snorted how fast Mal switched.

Ben: I mean, if you don’t have it, that’s fine.

Mal: No, no, no. I was fully messing with you. I knew it was Thursday. 

“I wish you actually were messing with me,” Ben whispered under his breath. 

Mal: I just have one more thing to go bake, and then I am all yours. 

“You used magic, didn’t you, dearie?” Mrs Potts asked. 

Everyone looked towards the older woman, surprised she was able to detect that. Mal slightly paled that Mrs Potts figured that out and it would be revealed. Malinda and Benjamin were side-eyeing each other, neither of them knowing to say. 

“That would later be revealed,” Atropos spoke, scaring some people. 

“How did you even indicate that, mom?” Chip asked. 

“Mal waved her finger like she does when she casts a spell,” Mrs Potts answered. 

Ben: Well, what about class?

Mal: She multi tasks.

Ben: She dabbles.

Mal: She dabbles.

Ben: You’re the best!

Mal: That’s me!