For the next two hours Ben and Mal looked through the folders. Ben already picked out four children. He said that he'll let Mal pick the last one while he gets some snacks from Mrs. Potts.

It was hard for Mal to look at the pictures of familiar faces. The villains' kids looked so angry, scared and bitter in those pictures. She wondered how the king managed to get them.

Mal was curious as who Ben picked to come to Auradon.

She got out of her chair and picked up the four folders.

Hmm… Not bad Ben. They won't cause much trouble and they do have potential to be good, Mal thought after going through the four files.

She went back to her side and sat down. Mal groaned seeing the pile of files in front of her and started going through them.

There seemed to be a pattern going on.

Each one of these kids is being molded into copies of their parents. Their names are male or female versions of the villains' names.

Anthony Tremaine… Claudine Frollo… Francine "Freddie" Facilier…

Harry Hook.

She remembered that the obsession he had with the hook. He pretended that he lost his hand like his father, Captain Hook.

Looks like he built himself a fearful reputation.

Mal shuddered reading his report.

There's no way someone that unhinged is be brought to Auradon.

She saw that he had two sisters, he's the middle child and that his dad wasn't exactly happy that his only son was first mate to…

No!

Her?

What the-"

Mal closed his file and searched for another file connected to Harry Hook. Her heart was racing when she found it. It looks like Harry's captain had made a name for herself.

She's the leader of the group called the Rough Seas Three.

Mal was half tempted to throw her folder away, but the other half wanted this girl to come to Auradon. She still harbored a lot of anger towards this girl.

She carried on reading about her former friend.

It looks like she's enemies with another old friend of hers. The sea witch's daughters made tons of enemies over the years.

It was plain to see that she wasn't liked or feared by the people of the Isle.

A lot of Mal's former enemies became the VK's enemies. It was like the girl was trying to be Mal, but failed miserably. She charged in head first like a rhino.

This girl did not have the patience to learn the strength and weaknesses of enemies.

The only reason why people stayed away from her was because she had the unhinged son of Captain Hook as her first mate.

Mal missed the times when she could let her hair down and cause mischief with her friends. She could do what she wanted without getting in trouble.

She and Uma were an unstoppable force.

She sighed wondering if it is a good idea to invite her former friend to Auradon. She's got so much potential and she can step out of her sisters' and cousins' shadows.

Mal prayed that she didn't make a bad choice and placed the file on top of the ones Ben chose.

All of a sudden Mal heard screaming. She got out of her chair and saw that Ben was trying to calm someone down. Mal hid in the shadows listening in on their conversation.

"You're causing a scene Audrey."

"I gave you the best years of my life and you throw me aside like trash!"

Mal rolled her eyes.

"I thought you were on a retreat with your grandmother. Why are you here?" Ben calmly asked.

"We have been together for years Ben? We were so happy," Audrey sounded like she was going to cry.

"I wasn't happy," Ben argued. "I only dated you because everyone expected us to be together. I gave in to the pressure. I then realized that I was wrong to lead you on. You deserve so much better Audrey. I'm sorry but I can't live a lie anymore."

"Excuses!" Audrey yelled. "Excuses! Excuses! Excuses-"

"Ah hem."

The two turned to see that it was Adam, King Beast.

Mal did not even notice that he was there. She looked around to see Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts hiding behind walls and statues.

They wanted to see what all the commotion's about.

"Your majesty," Audrey curtsied.

Adam did not look impressed at the girl.

"Audrey, I think it's best if you go home now. You're disturbing the castle. Ben had some important business to attend to and I don't appreciate you distracting him."

The princess blushed and bowed her head. Eyes full of tears, she ran out of the castle.

Adam sighed.

"Sorry for the disturbance, dad. It won't happen again," Ben apologized.

"It's alright son," Adam said. "Anyways, you have some explaining to do."

Ben looked confused.

"Mind telling me who the young lady is hiding in the shadows?" Adam asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Ben blushed. "Um… uh… Well…"

Mal paled.

The King knew where she's hiding.

Heels echoed.

Adam turned to see a fae-like girl walking down the stairs. She looked so delicate, but her green eyes told a whole different story.

She curtsied. "Your majesty."

Adam bowed.

"Dad, this is Mal. She's new here," Ben introduced them. "She's my self-appointed assistant."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Self appointed?"

"Ben was working himself to exhaustion at the library," Mal explained. "I was done with my homework anyways and decided to help him before he ran out of steam."

"Overreaction," Ben muttered.

"A fact," Mal said in a sing-song voice.

Adam chuckled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mal."

"Likewise, your majesty," Mal said, blushing.

"Please, call me Adam," the King said.

Ben looked at his dad with wide eyes.

Looks like dad isn't mad at me after the disastrous council meeting, Ben thought.

"Have a pleasant day, Mal," Adam smiled then turned to Ben. "Don't forget about the council meeting tomorrow Ben and the dress fitting for the coronation."

Ben nodded.

Adam chuckled and left the two.

He had a good feeling about Mal.

In those short moments he could tell that the two were smitten, but were taking things slow because they've just met and don't want to cause any scandal.

Ben breaking up with Audrey was still top news.

Adam couldn't help but wonder who this girl reminded him off.

Meanwhile Mal and Ben went back to the office to finish up the proclamation and after that they went back to campus before it got dark.

Mal enjoyed the time she spent with Ben.

The two walked in silence not knowing that Aziz was watching them in the shadows. He smirked. It was so obvious that those two like one another.

Ben walked Mal to her dorm.

"Um…" Ben didn't know what to say.

Mal smiled. "See you tomorrow Ben."

She kissed his cheek and went into her dorm.

Ben froze.

Slowly, a goofy smile appeared on his face.

In a daze he walked to his dorm. The moment he opened the door, Aziz stood in the middle of the room with his arms folded.

Ben shook his head and gulped seeing the serious look on his friend's face.

"You have a lot of explaining to do pal," Aziz stated. Then he grinned.

His grin showed Ben that Aziz wasn't angry with him.

OOo

Sleep didn't come easy for Mal.

She shivered hearing her mother's cackling and the sound of thunder. Green lightning struck and in the end of the tunnel of darkness was her mother's scepter.

Mal couldn't remember when last she had a nightmare.

It's been so long.

I don't know what's going on with me…

It feels as if I am losing my mind.

One minute I'm dreaming about this guy who loves me just the way I am and next I have nightmares of my mom and her scepter that was taken away from her years ago.

Could she have found it?

What will she do once she finds it?

Does she… does she still think I'm dead?

oOo

It was the following morning and news already spread that Audrey is back and is not happy. She has been snapping at everyone since her return.

The students thought that she would be out of the public eye for a while.

Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip had a press conference. They said that even though they were upset that their daughter had their heart broken, they understood Ben's reasons.

What really got the press talking was the next statement about everyone expecting the prince and princess to date and get married right after graduation. Ben felt pressured and unhappy; he couldn't bend to the people's will anymore. Audrey would have been miserable.

Ben was glad that Audrey's parents cleared things up before the council meeting. He did hear some rumors about a fight between Queen Leah and Princess Aurora.

He hoped everything was alright.

Ben felt his phone vibrating. He checked to see that it was a text.

Good luck. Hope everything goes according to plan – M.

He smiled and climbed into the limo.

Meanwhile…

Mal was faced with her cousin and sister arguing with one another.

"Chad Charming! We hate him. You hate him. He dates girls and tosses them in the trash," Melody said. "He flirted with Mal on her first day, remember."

" Chad was just being friendly. He's changed Mel," Arabella argued. "I only said I hate him because of this… You being mad at me. You never want me to be happy."

"That's not true," Melody disagreed.

"This discussion is over," Arabella snapped.

"Fine, but don't come back to me when he breaks your heart," Melody said. "I won't be there to pick up the piece."

Arabella stormed out of the dorm. Melody did the same, but went into the opposite direction. Mal sighed and left, closing the door behind her.

Her morning started out great.

She woke up to find her friends looking guilty. They apologized to her by making an "I'm sorry" cake because they forgot that Mal was new here and they forgot to give her a tour of the school.

She forgave them.

Aziz was the only one who knew what Mal was up to the previous afternoon. He got all the details from Ben when he got back.

Things went all pear shaped when Melody answered Arabella's cellphone only to hear Chad's voice.

The last time the girls had a fight like this was two years ago when Arabella started dating Melody's crush. Those two did not talk for several weeks.

The rest of the day was alright.

Melody and Arabella avoided one another. They switched partners at Science and Home Economics. Mal avoided being alone with them because they would force her to pick a side.

They used to do that when they got into arguments.

Mal was so wrapped up in her thoughts, the only thing that snapped her out of it was the sound of the intercom.

"Attention Auradon Knights," it was Doug." Here are your daily announcements. The pep rally for our tourney match against the Sherwood falcons will be held after class in the west hall gym."

Go Knights!" Mal heard someone cheering.

Everyone else started cheering.

"And a reminder; Birds and rodents are prohibited from choir practice. While many woodland creatures make excellent singing companions at home, here at school it's a health code issue.

Auditions for the school musical; "What's That Spell?" will be next Thursday. Thanks to all who participated in last week's charity carriage wash. Thanks to your efforts, the jungle of Neverland will remain well."

Prince Ben has called a special assembly tomorrow for an important announcement. Attendance is mandatory by order of his father, King Beast. Have an enchanting day and remember goodness doesn't get any better than at Auradon Prep."

oOo

Mandatory assembly… What's that about? And why do I get the feeling that something bad is about to happen. Be good Auradon, someone's watching.

XOXO- SS.

oOo