Dark Times -2 season

30 days later

30 days later

One month later

The phrase "Mal can die" is never uttered, and this constant reality is ignored as much as possible.

"There has to be a solution, Rashid!"

Ben shouted at the wizard.

The two had been meeting for weeks to find a solution. However, so far nothing has been found, no potions, spells or anything, which obviously worries the king.

There isn't even a book about a half-fairy who has magic from years ago and a magic scepter. Or about a half-fairy who fell in love with a human and the two of them gave birth to a daughter who will have magic from one of the greatest villains of all time.

"I'm sorry, Ben, there isn't a book I haven't read." Like the king, he too is increasingly distraught and worried, but he tries to be realistic, he can't see a way for Mal and his daughter to both stay alive. "I'm sorry, Ben, I wanted to have some good news, just like you."

"No, we're not giving up! We have time, go after Merlin, he must have more old books with him."

Ben asked nervously. The king is unrecognizable. He spends more time in his office than sleeping, in fact, it's hard to tell when he's had a full night's sleep, which is why the dark circles under his eyes are now so noticeable along with his scruffy beard.

"Yes, King Ben."

He says it as if he were more than one of the king's servants. Rashid knows it's better to comply with his request than to argue back, Ben is just as stubborn as his wife. How could the wizard blame him? Accepting that there's no way out is like saying goodbye to Mal, and neither of them is prepared for that.

(...)

"Come on, Mal, just for a minute, please."

Evie begs her friend.

Over the last month, Mal has felt what it's like to have a little of her magic go away every day. Every day, she feels weaker and more unwilling to do anything. She doesn't do spells on a daily basis, but when she tried it the day before, she realized that it's not as easy as it used to be. She now does most of her royal duties in her room. Since sometimes she has a few bouts of magic, and it's better to stay in her room, lest someone see her eyes glowing and smoke coming out of her nose.

"No, Evie, I've told you a thousand times."

She lay back down on the bed after leaving the bathroom to take one of the potions Rashid had left. Now it's possible to use them as "medicines" to ease the most bizarre symptoms he feels.

"Mal, I know you're tired, but you're already into your sixth month, it's going to get worse soon, and then you won't be able to go out at all." Evie tried to persuade her, but all Maleficent's daughter did was roll her eyes and grab the documents Lumiere had brought. "Fine, you made me do it." She picked up her phone and began typing rapidly.

"What are you doing?"

Mal asked worriedly.

"You'll see."

About an hour later, Mal was still in the same state when her room was brutally invaded, and she heard some voices shouting: "Surprise!"

"But what..."

She tried to ask, still frightened, looking at all her friends in the room.

"Well, since you refuse to leave the room, I brought your baby shower to you." Evie said simply. "You have half an hour to get ready and go down to the living room. Just to be clear, not one of us is leaving, okay? And before you try." The blue-haired girl said all she needed to, and before Mal could refute her, she snatched the papers out of her hand.

(...)

"Finally!"

Jay said when he finally saw Mal coming down the castle stairs.

"Mama Mal, ladies and gentlemen!"

Carlos shouted and everyone clapped along.

Mal is wearing her usual purple dress, but her belly is much bigger now, as the wizard had warned her the baby grows very fast.

"So, you hate me less now?"

Evie asks, helping her walk to where everyone is gathered.

"Yes." Mal smiles at her. "I still want to kill you, but less now."

She says quietly enough for her best friend to hear.

"Forgive us, dear, but that was the best way to get you out of the room."

Belle asked her daughter-in-law. Her mother-in-law looks at her in a way that makes it impossible to get angry.

"Well, let's get this party started!"

Jay says, and everyone around forms a harmonious chorus saying, "Ohayohay, hey!"

This nostalgic atmosphere invades them, and for the first time it becomes painful to return to the memories.

"There'll be food here, right?"

Carlos jokes, trying to break the sad mood.

"Why are you two here anyway?"

Evie wanted to know.

"Loonie."

Jay pointed to his girlfriend, who had forced him to leave the apartment to be with her in the castle.

"Jane."

Carlos also blamed his girlfriend.

The baby shower couldn't have been better, in Mal's opinion, except for the lack of anyone present. As queen, she knows that this event should welcome all the royal women, even if it was just a baby shower. However, just not having all those "pink princesses" made her the happiest person in the world

"And this one is from Ben." Evie handed her a package. After opening everyone's presents, all that was missing was his. "He can't come, he's at the office." When she saw the sad look on her friend's face, Evie thought it's best to defend her brother-in-law, although it wouldn't do any good to improve Mal's face.

First, she read the little card. "My gift to my dragon and the perfect combination of her and the beast."

"Aww." Her friends said when Mal read the paper aloud. She opened the present and found a necklace just like the one she has in the form of a dragon, and little shoes with the symbol of Auradon on them. "Oh, so cute." They said again.

(...)

"So, Mal, have you and Ben decided on a name yet?"

Loonie asked.

"No, not yet."

Tiredly, she sat back down on the couch next to Jay.

"Wait, what's going on in there?"

Jay wanted to know when he saw a small bump appear on Mal's stomach.

"It happens every time she sucks in my magic too quickly."

She explained that it's like a kick from the baby, but stronger, which is why it's so clear, as well as explaining why she feels so weak right now.

"Calm down, girl, there's more magic out here."

Jay says, rubbing his sister's belly.

"Little dragon, Auntie Evie's first rule of manners, a princess always behaves in front of others."

Evie says, snuggling up to her friend's belly too.

"Mal's daughter behaving? Hey little dragon, take after your father in that respect, he always knows what to do in front of people, your mother's not a big fan of people."

Carlos told Mal, making her laugh.

Mal smiles at the sight of her three siblings interacting with her daughter. She wouldn't say it out loud to them, but she knows they'll take good care of her little dragon when she's gone and can no longer protect her.