Truth Or Fiction

Chapter Sixteen

Tiana sighed and unfurled a scroll that had been handed to her by one of the kids. She didn't know what was going on but she hoped to get to the bottom of it.

The father and daughter quickly made their way through the streets of the Isle toward the Underworld. Hades tried to make sure he kept his pace to one that Mal could match without seeming like he was slowing down for her.

Esmeralda couldn't help but smile at that, picturing Phoebus doing the same with Zephyr.

"Good, nobody's cooing," she heard Hades mutter.

"Give it time dad, give it time," the girl next to him told him. Esmeralda had to assume she was Mal.

Thankfully, the streets were empty wherever they went. Whether that was because someone had spread the word that Hades was coming or if it was because they were worried about upsetting Maleficent, Hades didn't know. Nor did he particularly care. As long as they didn't impede him from getting Mal to the Underworld, they could go dress in drag and do the hula for all Hades cared.

Almost all the kids stopped and turned to look at Hades.

"Yes?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Dad, did you have to put that image in our heads?" Mal asked, shuddering in disgust!

"Yeah Uncle Hades! I never want to imagine Gaston doing that!" Uma nodded.

Harry shook his head. "At least Gaston would be pleasant to look at in a strange way. Imagine Yzma doing it."

"I'm...I'm pretty sure that's not drag then—."

"Hush Benji, just be horrified like the rest of us," Chip told Ben who was looking a little confused.

"...is brain bleach a thing?" Emir asked, his voice soft from horror.

"And if it's not can we make it a thing?" Ashaki asked, her voice just as soft as her brother's.

Though now the image of Hook and Gaston potentially doing that was seared into Hades' brain...it was a good thing Gaston thought himself too manly to actually do that or Hades would have to kill him. The God would have no choice in the matter.

"We'll help!"

"Oh Gods, why did you have to mention the Captain in the drag too?!" Harry exclaimed as he pressed one of his hands into his eyes as if to block out the image.

Should I be worried that Mal's so quiet? Hades thought about halfway through their trek. Mal had been keeping pace with him quite nicely but she had been quiet. Maybe she's worried about slipping up? Saying something that someone else might hear? I mean, I want her to be proud to be my daughter. I just don't want the potential target on her back. She's already got one simply by being Maleficent's daughter, she doesn't need another one.

Though I'd love it if Maleficent came after me for this. Give me the chance to give her a piece of my mind about how she's been treating my daughter.

"I'd be happy to help Lord Hades. I've even got a sword you can use if you feel that your powers are too dampened by the barrier!"

"You. I like you. I may have already said it but it bares repeating," Hades nodded. "Come talk to me in the next break, we'll figure out a way to use that sword."

Phillip Sr. grinned and Aurora sighed, an amused smile pulling at her lips.

Hades let out a soft sigh. There was no way Maleficent would actually confront Hades about this. She would never actually do her own dirty work. That was left for her goblin minions after all.