Stained Glass Breaks and So Do Hearts

Crown of Thorns

 The group was happy to have Carlos back, none more than Ben of course, but they had more pressing matters to deal with. Maleficent had taken over the castle and was primed to use the powers of the wand and scepter to bend good and evil to her will, making her all-powerful. The plan was explained to Carlos. They would enter the throne room, Mal, Uma, Evie, and Carlos would go in through the main doors and Ben and Harry would enter through flanking doors. They would attempt to distract Maleficent long enough for Carlos and the magic users to summon the wand to them. Once they had the wand they would turn it on Maleficent, combine it with the ember and shell's magics in hopes of defeating Maleficent for good. Mal surprisingly had little reservations at this point. It was Auradon or her mother and she knew which side she preferred.

They made their way to the castle while Harry quickly dumped Zevon off on the isle like the garbage he was. Carlos and Ben being very close together the whole time. Ben was fretting over Carlos checking him over for any wounds but found nothing but healing bruises from some mild torment that Zevon put him through.

"I'm fine Ben... I promise." It wasn't his most reassuring voice but Ben seemed to stop inspecting him.

"Did he do anything to you?" the pained whisper that escaped Ben's throat made Carlos cringe. It only brought memories of Zevon's roaming hands and that one forceful, unwelcomed kiss. Carlos looked at Ben worried which only made the beastly king bristle. His voice was now acidic, "What did he do? He didn't..." Carlos quickly shook his head.

"He kissed me... and touched me... but nothing else." Carlos looked away, feeling a little tainted. Ben just snaked a protective arm around his waist.

"Well, he won't touch you ever again..." Ben almost threateningly posed before kissing Carlos more needy and worried. Carlos was happy to oblige but they didn't exactly notice the green fire that lit inside the eyes of Mal, the glint of anger in Evie's eyes or Uma's boiling rage-filled eyes. They overheard everything and the three were very protective, as Ben was. Carlos was family to them and Zevon had messed with family. The three shared looks that said that they would be paying Zevon a visit on the isle after this was all over.

Once they all made it to the castle, including Harry, they set the plan into motion. The castle was practically abandoned, and the new creeping malefic magic had twisted the colors and style turning into a castle fit for a Villain. Everyone was on edge but went to their places just outside of the throne room. The girls and Carlos shared nods before Mal leads them into the now thorny and gothic throne room. Maleficent sat waiting, wearing Carlos' future crown, making him growl.

"Welcome to my not so humble home daughter. I'm guessing Zevon was too big for his own ego? Don't answer, I'm already aware of his failure, the same as yours. You really disappoint me Mal. Turning on your own mother to be..." Maleficent faked wretching "... good." Ben and Harry had entered the side doors, all of them slowly creeping towards the mistress as she spoke. "Come now children, must we really fight? I've already won, I've got the wand and the scepter. There is nothing you could possibly do." Ben and Harry pulled swords from the suits of armor guarding the entrances and charged for Maleficent. She waved her scepter and the two froze in front of her. She smiled and ran a spindly hand along Ben's arms feeling his muscles.

"Oh my! What a handsome young man... You know every Queen needs a King." She flashed Carlos a look that chilled him right to the bone. Her eyes glowed green and Ben's did too. He quickly turned looking to the girls and Carlos with no recognition in his eyes, only malice. He growled.

"Anything to protect my mistress," Ben growled threateningly. She turned and did the same to Harry. Uma and Evie shared looks before the other swords were ripped from the remaining suits of armor's gauntlets and pulled to Evie and Uma with golden and teal magics. The two squared up, Uma with Harry and Evie with Ben. They began sword fighting against one another. Uma groaned blocking a swing from Harry that was too close for comfort to her face.

"Stick to the plan!" She hissed at Mal and Carlos who nodded and took hands, Carlos holding his hand out to the wand in Maleficent's grasp.

"And now I command." He was cut off my Maleficent transforming into her dragon form and breathing fire at the two. Mal was a dragon in a snap and fought fire with fire. Mal's fire was normal but Maleficent's was green. Mal lunged at her mother who ascended, breaking through the ceiling and soaring up into the sky. Snorting fire, Mal followed and took their fight to the sky, the plan now only a failed back up. Carlos watched as the two fought before turning his attention to Harry and Ben who were locked in a fierce battle with Evie and Uma. Carlos' eyebrows knit together, trying to figure out what to do.

"Evie, sword." He said running up towards her. With grace, she tossed it to him and cartwheeled back and away from Ben's beastly swings. Carlos locked swords with Ben as Evie went to get another weapon. "Ben this isn't you. Please stop it. Fight her." He groaned as their swords sparked and scraped as Ben pressed hard trying to overwhelm him.

"My will is only to my mistress." Ben glared at him with eyes of the brightest green. Carlos grabbed the hilt and yanked the sword from his hands. The swords fell from his hands and he grabbed Ben hard by the face.

"Come back to me Ben." Once again, True love's Kiss would be a magic, even Maleficent's magic couldn't break. Their lips tingled and sparked as the magics fought before Maleficent's spell was broken. Ben kissed him softly, the apology already in the kiss. Carlos broke the kiss and smiled.

"True love's kiss is really the strongest magic huh?" He smiled proudly.

"I dunno pup... maybe your kisses are just that good." Ben winked before the two sighed, scooped up their swords and went to help Uma with harry. Mal and Maleficent still clashing in the sky above the ruined ceiling.