Chapter Text
Ben was overwhelmed by the amount of aggression his friends had now that they were back on the Isle. It was like a switch flipped when they crossed through the barrier. Jay’s fist collided with anyone in range. He showcased his strength more than once shocking Ben with just how much he could lift. Tossing away any unwanted fool like he was nothing more than a backpack. Gone was the Jay that smiled and flirted, here he was tough, strong, and mean.
Carlos hissed *actually hissed!* at those brave enough to approach. He had bitten two people already and they hadn’t even been there a full hour. He was the smallest out of the group, but he certainly could hold his ground. If squirrelly was in the dictionary Ben was certain it would be a picture of Carlos. The boy could escape any grasp and climb up damn near anything. He was quick and smart. Efficient always going for the kill; scratching, biting, and gouging whenever necessary.
They had nothing on Evie though. Warm, kind, caring she was the one most in Auradon could talk to if they had questions about the VKs. That Evie wasn’t here right now, maybe she never was on the Isle. Her brown eyes were cold and careful. She let the two kids go, but not without a steely warning. She never even glanced at the children in the alleyways, or the ones stabbing each other for water. She only made sure everyone kept their distance. And if they didn’t? She made sure they wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Ben threw up the first time because Evie had stabbed a man through the throat when he snuck up behind her. The man got one hand on her shoulder before he made a horrible choking sound. Pulling out her blade she left the man there, kept walking as if he was just a pesky fly. The king had only made it one block before he bent over. Bile stinging his throat.
Maleficent herself could not have prepared him for Mal’s effect on the Isle. People hid from her gaze. The crowds parted as she strode through. Her mother may be gone, but her reputation remains. Those who didn’t move from her path were moved, either by the fae herself or one of her crew. His best friend gripped a man’s face as she growled out a warning that she better not see his face again. Blood trickled from crescent marks on his face as he ran away. Blazing green eyes followed him out of view.
His friends were vicious, they were mean, cruel, and nasty. Yet, they chose not to be. They chose to be good, to be kind and gentle. (Or at least as gentle as they could be) Of course, they were rough around the edges, how could they not be? But they strove for goodness even when they could be truly evil. Ben realized his friends were a whole lot stronger than they let on. The fact that not a single murder (or manslaughter for that matter) had occurred showed how much they worked to be good.
Watching his friends kill, stab, intimidate, and steal their way through the Isle made him appreciate them that much more. He vowed to send out an official letter to all the kingdoms explaining the situation and demanding that they speed up the process of getting the much-needed supplies to the Isle. He couldn’t let anyone suffer the way the people of the Isle already have. He refused to be his father and he refused to do nothing as he watched the joy in his friends' eyes disappear.