Roses and Hooks /// Harry Hook

Chapter 5: Long Live The Queen

With Mal

Mal had helped Ben look for Rose, but none of them could find the mad, unstable princess anywhere. Thinking the worst, they checked the garage, but none of the limos had been missing, so they knew she was still in Auradon somewhere.

They had checked the news in case she had run off to cause trouble, but the news had nothing useful on Rose's whereabouts. Mal had thought that maybe, just maybe, Rose had been the one to steal the crown and scepter, but that idea died off quickly.

Rose has never showed any interest in the crown or being a princess, so that part didn't add up. Mal knows that Rose wants nothing more than to be with Harry, but why steal the scepter to make that happen? Why not just steal the wand? She knew Rose had the means and guts to do that, but she didn't because Ben asked her not to.

Plus, Mal didn't dare share her theory with Ben because they're already on rocky ground, and she didn't want to make it worse. They eventually just called the search because if Rose didn't want to be found, she wouldn't. They've all grown used to this since Rose likes to hide away from everyone because she doesn't want anything to do with anyone in Auradon. Her only friends are Evie, Carlos, and Dizzy, which none of them knew where she was.

~~

The next day, Mal meets with the gang at Evie's miniature castle to help them get ready for Jane's birthday party. Mal knows that Rose would be there for Jane because Rose sort of likes the young fairy and plans to break the news to her then. Of course, Mal will ask her to take a walk into the woods with her, so they don't ruin the birthday party.

While they all get things together and packed, Mal explains to everyone what had been stolen and how they all believe it to be the work of Uma. She's not ready to face the consequences of her decision, and she doesn't really want to talk about it either.

"I don't think it's Uma. She wouldn't do that to Rose. Who else knows about the scepter and crown being stolen?" Evie defends, and Mal gives her best friend a look. Just because Rose and Uma are best friends, doesn't mean Uma wouldn't do that. They were all there when Uma swore to Rose that she'd make sure Harry and Rose could be together.

"No one, but we do have to employ all these new security measures now. We all know how Uma is. She'll do anything to take me down once and for all." Mal says, and Evie rolls her eyes. Evie is starting to see how Mal makes everything about her even though she's hurt other people and is starting to side with Rose more than Mal herself.

"Well, we'll take care of her if it is, but I still don't believe that. What we want to know is if this will delay our plan to bring more VK's over? What about Hades?" Evie asks, and everyone looks at Mal. This had been what they really wanted to know since this in turn affects the children of the Isle. However, they knew that they had nothing to worry about since they knew Mal would stick up for them.

"We're talking about closing the barrier for good." Mal tells them, and they all freeze. That's not even close to what they had been imagining the meeting would come to. Evie shakes her head in disbelief with a chuckle.

"But you said no." Evie states, but Mal doesn't say anything right away to confirm or deny it. She chews on her lip, trying to come up with a way to tell her friends that the idea had been hers. "I mean, the four of us are living the dream here, and we finally get to share that with them. Plus, Rose will get to be with Harry freely, getting that happiness she deserves. I mean, what could be more important than that?"

"Yeah, I know." Mal says as her conscious starts eating at her as she lies straight to her best friend's face. She knows that this will come back to bite her in the ass, but she doesn't want to face the consequences of what she'd done. She doesn't know how to. "I mean, maybe security or peace of mind for everyone in Auradon?"