EP.191|I’ll Always Be There For You
 
The Villains were glad to see their VKs again but something about Araden’s last sentence was making them uneasy.
 
“We can't focus on that right now, we need to get the kids out of here,” Arcadia felt the castle begin to shake, the ceiling started crumbling, “shit!”
 
Facilier helped Freddie onto Acadia’s back, “dad...everything hurts…” Freddie groaned in pain. “I know baby, we have the best healers at the NPA, it’s okay, you’re going home.” Facilier assured her.
 
Freddie nodded slightly before closing her eyes. “The fastest way out of here is underground,” Christine informed them. “Is that really safe? The place is crumbling!” Cruella reminded her, morphing into her panther form so Hex can place Carlos on her back.
 
“It’s our only option, Cruella.” Dante tried to pry Jasper off of Evie but everytime he did Jasper growled, “Jafar! What’s up with your kid!”
 
“His dragon’s in protective mode,” Jafar pulled out his staff, tapping Jasper with it. Jasper peaked open his eyes, gazing into the rubies, “let go of Evie.” Jasper ordered.
 
Jasper turned into putty, letting go of Evie, “who’s a good dragon! Yes you are!” Jasper teased, ruffling his hair.
 
“Alright,” Esther kissed her daughter’s forehead, “let’s get you home.”
 
Facilier took Freddie necklace momentarily, his eyes turned lavender, teleporting the Villains and their kids to the underground tunnels of Antoine’s palace.
 
“We got about 3 minutes before this place crumbles.” Farrah estimated. “Only 3?” Gaston asked, Farrah nodded. The Villains began running, the castle falling behind them.
 
Meanwhile, a certain platinum blonde sadly gazed at the dirt ground she was forced to sleep on.
 
“My beautiful prince,” she wrote the initials C and M in the ground, “how I miss you so…”
 
She sighed, falling back on the ground, “your mark...it’s depleting...I hate being away from you!”
 
“I hate being stuck here, forced onto demons day in and day out, no sense of stability, love, warmth.” she rubbed her arms, “warmth, oh warmth...you were always so warm,”
 
Her voice echoed down the hallway, Hades stopped momentarily, “no way.”
 
He walked slowly towards the cell ahead of him. “Courtly?” Hades looked into to see it was indeed her.

“HADES!” she ran to the bars, hugging him tightly, “you have to get my out of here, I need to see Militon! There’s so much I need to tell him! Everyone!”

“We’ll get you out, just breathe Courtly.” Hades used his skeleton key to open the door, freeing Courtly, “thank you!” she cheered, hugging the god.
 
Hex pulled out his phone, “everything ready on your side, Healer?”
 
“Yep,” Healer’s portal appeared, “jump in!”
 
The villains gladly jumped into the portal, finally bringing the kids back home, safe and sound.
 
⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
 
It’s been a week since the VKs have returned and all ten were in comas. “How long till they wake up?”Hook questioned. Healer shrugged, “days, weeks, months, it’s hard to say.”
 
Jafar bit his nails, tapping his feet in worry, “why the fuck am I so worried.”
 
“Maybe because he’s your son.” Maleficent rolled her eyes. “Jafar’s never one to worry though, so it’s nice to know he actually has emotions,” Nikita pinched his cheeks.
 
“Shut up…” Jafar muttered.
 
Meanwhile, inside the infirmary, Mal eyes adjusted to the hospital light. She sat up slowly, a sharp pain in her head. She felt her forehead to feel gauze wrapped around it.
 
“What...what happened?” She rubbed her temple, soon realizing her mistake as more pain was added to her previous one.
 
“Hey! She’s awake!” Midnight cheered, Mal whinced, she never noticed that her voice was so loud. “I told you she wouldn't die,” Zalia rolled her eyes, Mal smiled, she was glad her demons were safe “gods your such a helicopter demon!”
 
“I’m sorry,” Midnight whipped her head towards Zalia, “who did Mal make head demon?”
 
“You.”
 
“Exactly!” Midnight stuck out her tongue. Zalia grimaced and filed her nails. Mal chuckled, bringing the two demons attention back to their vessel.
 
“I’m glad you two are okay.” Mal sighed slightly in relife. She looked around to see she was the first of her VK friends to awaken. She was tired of sitting in bed, she removed the covers and swung her legs over the hospital bed.

The moment her feet touched the ground, her whole body grew cold. “That’s ne-new,” her teeth chittered. She quickly rubbed her arms to gain heat but it wasn’t working, she needed something hotter.
 
“Welcome to mate withdrawal honey.” Maleficent leaned against the doorway. “Mat-Mate withdrawal? Tha-That doesn't affect me!” Mal tried to lie to her mother but her body betrayed her.
 
“It didn't before but since your Demonic Dragon powers unlocked Dual Possession, that comes with disadvantages, ergo; mate withdrawal.” Maleficent explained. Stefan chuckled slightly, “it’s a little funny,” Maleficent glared at him, “not funny, totally not funny.”
 
“Here,” Stefan passed Mal Ben’s letterman jacket he wore. It was royal blue with white sleeves and yellow at the cuffs, the words, “Beast King '' in bright graffiti letters on the back with a crown on it.
 
Mal sniffed the jacket, sighing in delight, “hazelnut…”
 
“Is that his scent?” Maleficent questioned. Mal nodded through the jacket, “and it smells just like him…” she put on the jacket, warmth flooding through her body.
 
She was practically purring, it wasn’t him but it was enough for now. She looked at the VKs surrounding her, Ben wasn’t here.

“Where’s Ben?” Mal questioned. “He’s in a different unit,” Stefan began. “A different unit? Is he okay? I told him using that new magi was dangerous!” the demon vessel began to pace back and forth.
 
“He’s only in a different unit because...well...he’s um...ugh! Can't we show her?!” Maleficent looked at Healer, she nodded, Maleficent sighed and grabbed her daughter's hand.
 
“Take us to Ben,” Maleficent ordered, her staff surrounding her and Mal in a green mist. Once it was gone, Mal and Maleficent stood behind a plexiglass barrier.
 
“You wanna see this?” Maleficent asked with concern, Mal nodded. Maleficent pressed a button on the control panel. “Show her,” she said into the microphone.
 
The lights turned on to reveal Ben, still human, but feral and ready to attack at anything. His eyes were a deep gold, Mal wasn’t afraid, instead she marched for the door.
 
“Let me in.” Mal's voice was filled with sureness. “Are you sure?” Maleficent was hesitant. Mal nodded, Maleficent opened the door, giving the two some privacy.
 
Ben’s eyes were locked onto Mal’s, they circled around each other, “where’s my husband?” Mal demanded an answer.
 
Ben growled, launching for Mal. She didn't move an inch, she knew Ben wouldn't attack her.
 
And he didn't.
 
His body stopped inches before he could hit her. Mal smiled, “that’s my husband,” Mal placed her hand on his forehead, her eyes turning purple.
 
When she opened the again, she was transported into a large white space with golden fluffy clouds. A painful scream from her husband got her attention, Mal raced towards the sound, knowing it was him.
 
She stopped when she reached a black ball, Ben was in the center, screaming with his hands framed around his head. “Let me go! Please! Stop!” her husband shouted out for help.
 
Mal put her hand on the ball, the darkness spreading away from her hand, letting Ben see her, “hi.” she smiled.
 
“Mal,” Ben stumbled to stand, his hand on the same part Mal’s was, “baby, I-I-I’m sorry! Where am I? Where are you? Are we still in the boxes?!”

“No, no, no, our parents found us, we’re in the NPA and I’m the only one awake.” Mal informed him. Ben nodded, sitting down in front of her, “how’d you get here?”
 
“Touched your forehead.” Mal shrugged, not wanting to tell him about how he almost attacked her, “how’d you get here?”
 
“After my eyes started bleeding, this black ball took over! I-I remember them bringing me to the NPA, I-I-I didn't want to let go of you so they sedated me, before I knocked out, they took you and the VKs in a different room.”
 
“I was so scared! I thought they’d hurt you, the VKs, Operetta’s twins. Baby,” he wished he could touch her, taste her, just hug her, “I’ll find a way to get out.”
 
“For now,” Mal made herself conformable beside him, on the other side of the ball, “I’ll stay here and talk with you.”

“Ben, remember the time we first met?” Mal asked, Ben nodded. “I saw you at orientation at the school-” Mal shook her head, “not that time, the first time.”
 
“Huh?” Ben tilted his head. “I’ll tell you,” Mal began to remember her fond times.
 
In the countryside of the Villain Isles, since Evie was with Jasper for the summer, the 11 year old Mal decided to work at her family’s Dragon Ranch.
 
“A hero recruit?” Mal questioned, following her mom through the dragon stables. “Yeah, some hero kid named Ben,” Maleficent shrugged, feeding the dragons, “just be nice, it’s only for 3 months.”
 
“THREE MONTHS?!” Mal shrieked, the dragons whimpered, “sorry.” Mal whispered
 
“Meet him outside today at 4pm.” Maleficent said, grabbing the hose as the dragons lined up, waiting to be washed.
 
“Nevermore!” Midnight whistled, Nevermore peaked her head above the crowd of dragons, flying towards the front to meet Maleficent.
 
“Who’s a good dragon,” Maleficent gushed, spraying the water on Nevermore’s scales. Mal grabbed the scrub brush, going over the dragon's scales with it, forming bubbles.
 
“Mom, heroes don't come to our island.” Mal reminded her. “Well this one dose,” Maleficent washed off the soap, “his parents are Adam and Belle Beastly, they have big bucks so if we’re nice they’ll fund us.”
 
“So this is for the money?” Mal raised her eyebrow. “No,” Maleficent called up the next dragon, “it’s for something else.”
 
“And that is?” Mal questioned, Maleficent sighed, “honey, I wish I could tell you, I really do, but I can't.”
 
Mal nodded “I understand, I just hate it that I have to be stuck with some stupid hero for the summer instead of Evie.” she frowned, ever since Evie took that horrible job and escaped, she couldn't come home for the summer.
 
“I miss ever too, but it’s safe over there.” Maleficent assured her, going back to washing the dragons.
 
⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
 
After washing the dragons, Mal stood at the entrance of the farm, tapping her foot with impatience.
 
She looked at her watch for the 3rd time, “it’s 4pm, where the hell is this kid?” She asked nobody in particular, “I guess hero’s run on their own time.”
 
“Actually I was just in traffic,” a voice behind her informed her, Mal jumped up, turning around to see a boy about her age.
 
He had scruffy brown hair, milky skin with a bright smile on his face. His eyes and his teeth are what intrigued her the most. He had a set of fangs on the side of his mouth that framed his toothy smile.
 
His chestnut brown eyes were so bright, filled with innocence and power, but the history behind them is what she wanted to know.
 
“How the hell did you get here?!” Mal scolded, the child laughed and extended his hand. “I’m Benjamin Beastly, Ben for short,” he greeted, ignoring her question “nice to meet ya.”
 
“Wait! Now I remember!” Ben laughed, “you hated me for the first month!”
 
Our 11 year old Ben followed Mal around the farm, watching her perform her duties, “you really like dragons, huh?”
 
“Yeah,” Mal replied in an annoyed voice, “they’re better then humans at times.”
 
“That’s not true,” Ben swung his legs over the baby dragon’s pen, “human companionship is a necessity for happiness.”
 
Mal scoffed at his comment, “please, I don't need human companionship other than Evie.”
 
“Evianna Queen?”
 
“Yes, you know her?” Ben tilted his head. Mal nodded “she’s my best friend.”
 
“How do you know her?” Mal raised her eyebrows in suspicion. “Everyone on the Hero Isles is looking for her!” Ben exclaimed, jumping down from the fence.
 
Mal sighed, coming to the realization of why Ben was here, “oh, I see, you think that if you become all buddy buddy with me I’ll say where Evie’s at,” she slammed the bucket of animal food in front of Ben“well think again!”
 
She poured the bucket of slop on Ben's head, walking off in an angry huff.
 
Ben laughed and lifted the bucket, watching her walk off “I like her.”
 
~B~
 
“Unbelievable! He thought I would give up your location!” Mal spoke into the phone, standing in the mirror as she brushed her hair for the night.
 
“I don't think this guy is like that.” Evie shrugged, she laid in her bed, gazing up at the night sky.
 
“Well I do,” Mal wrapped her hair, “anyways, how are you and Jasper?”
 
Evie giggled, “he's right here next to me, he's asleep.” Evie ran his fingers though his hair. Jasper purred “keep doing that…”
 
Evie laughed, “I thought you were asleep.” Jasper snuggled closer to her “I was, but your fingers are just so soft in my hair.”
 
“Why thank you…?” Evie laughed awkwardly. “You’re welcome, but don't stop, it strangely puts me to sleep.” Jasper yawned as her finger threaded through his hair.
 
“Mal, I think you should trust him, he seems like a very nice person.” Evie shrugged. Mal scoffed and changed into her PJs, “sure Evie, he’s a nice person, and guess what, I’m Queen!”
 
Evie faced had no emotion, “you didn't’t have to be sarcastic.” Mal chuckled, about to crawl into the bed before there was a knock on her door.
 
“I’ll talk to you in the morning, see you later.” Mal hung up, opening the door to reveal Ben.
 
Mal rolled her eyes, “what do you want?”
 
“I think we started on the wrong foot,” Ben began, Mal folded her arms over her chest, “I’m not here to get info on Evie.”
 
“Call her Evianna, only her friends call her Evie,” Mal snarled and came into close, “and you are not her friend.”
 
“Alr-Alright!” Ben squeaked, Mal smirked. “He’s gonna be a fun one to boss around!” she mentally cheered.
 
“I-I’m here to learn,” Ben regained his composure, “about your dragons.”
 
Mal backed off, “my dragons?” she raised her eyebrows, “why?”
 
“You’re dragons are all pure breds, mixed breeds, even some elemental mixture breeds! We don't have anyone on the Hero Isles!” Ben eyes glistened.
 
Mal blew a strand of her purple hair away from her face, “fine, you can stay, but don't expect us to pamper you.”
 
Mal was about to close the door but Ben placed his foot between it, forcing her to open it again. However, this time Ben’s eyes were a royal blue color with golden specs, “Midnight,” Ben smirked, Midnight growled taking control of Mal.
 
“What do you want Zypher, you know our vessels can't take it when we take out.” Midnight reminded him. “I’m aware,” Zypher pinned her against the wall, “Brazzan wanted me to check up on you. He misses you.”
 
“He-He dose?” she blushed, Zypher laughed, “i-it's not like I care! He-He’s stupid!”
 
Zypher backed off, “tsunade,” he raked his hair back, “by any chance, do-do you know where Ala-Alvarez is?” Midnight noticed the small blush on his face
 
Midnight giggled, it was obvious Zypher liked Alvarez, “Carlos is Alverz’s vessel.” Midnight simply said, looking in the mirror, “ugh I hate when she does this with her hair.”
 
Midnight released her hair from the bun, “alright Mal, chill, I’ll give you control.” Mal’s eyes returned to normal, Mal leaned forward, holding the dresser for support as she caught her breath.
 
She looked behind her to see Ben on the floor, Mal laughed teasingly, “first take over?”
 
Ben nodded, using his asthma inhaler, “do your lungs hurt every single time?!”
 
“Nah, after the first ten times, the pain hurts less.” Mal helped him off the ground, energy flowing through the both of them as their fingers touched.
 
Mal eyes sparkled but quickly looked away when Ben smiled at her, “what’s wrong?”
 
“No-Nothing! Go to your room!” Mal cringed, she sounded like her mother. “Alright mom,” Ben rolled her eyes, “but I don't have a room. I think your mom said I’m bunking with you.”
 
“Excuse me?!” Mal scolded, watching as Ben rolled under the covers. “Yeah, she says you have to play nice, Malena~” Ben cooed.
 
Mal growled and placed pillows between them. “This is my side,” Mal pointed to her side, and then to Ben’s “that’s your’s, stay on your side.”
 
“Alright,” Ben nodded, for minutes they slept in silence. After a while, he could hear Mal squirming, muttering in bed, “please...no...no!” Mal shot up, her body shaking and covered in sweat.
 
“Mal,” Ben sat up, “is everything alright?”
 
Mal shook her head, “no...no you gotta leave…” Mal quickly packed up his stuff.
 
“Why? Mal calm down,” he tried to reason with the demonic dragon but she wasn’t listening “Mal! MAL!”
 
Ben gripped her shoulders, her whole body was shaking. He held her in her arms, “shh…” Ben soothed, “lay down.”
 
Mal cried into his chest, “I don't know what you saw, but whatever it is,” he kissed her forehead, “I’ll be here for you.”
 
When Mal finished the story, she smiled, watching the ball of darkness fade to grey, “I told you talking would help,” Mal intertwined her fingers with his, she felt herself waking up.
 
Ben whimpered, “don't go…”
 
Mal clutched his hand, “don't worry, I’ll always be here for you.”