Second in Line - Descendants (?Mal) ~Slow Updates~

Chapter 03

      That you have left..." Emma sunk down against the back of the gravestone, barely feeling the cold of the snow that soaked her dress. 
     "And if I failed you, well, I swear I tried my best.
      And now you're gone, so all your tears can lay to rest.
      Just so you know,
      You meant the world to us, I know that it's too late.
      And all I want's another chance, I can't accept that you have left."
      That you have left..."

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●°●BEN●°●

Ben never imagined having so much trouble with walking up some damn stairs. He tried to stay with his sister, but the moment he set foot on the first wooden plank the young man sunk right through it. Even worse, he literally fell, right on his face. Startled by the amount of dust and spiderwebs in the small room beneath it he jumped back. Great, he thought. So I can move through objects, just not on them.
     Still, Ben didn't stop trying. There had to be a way. How else could he walk on the ground floor but not any higher? Shouldn't he be able to do more than this? From above he could hear voices, but they were too far away for Ben to make out any words, even though he was convinced they were from his parents. 
     Until a third voice became audible over them. A fragile voice was singing and coming closer. Of course Ben recognized his sister immediately. The moment she turned the corner and entered his line of sight his heart sank- if it still could do that, it felt like it though- Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. 
     "Kat, please, listen to me-" But she didn't. She just walked passed him as if he didn't exist.
     Letting out a deep sigh, Ben followed her as she wandered to his grave, still singing that sad song. "Emma, just- stop for a second..." Ben talked through her song, trying to get her attention by getting in front of her. Ben gasped as she just walked through him, the sensation unknown to him. Cold, but static at the same time, as if his whole body had turned into one of those very old TVs that would make your hair stand straight when you touched it. 
     Needing a second to recover, he stood there staring as she brushed the snow off his headstone. "Katy..." Of course she didn't respond, but that didn't keep him from talking to her. "I'm here. You're not alone, I still have to tell you so many things..." Emma sat down in the snow, curling up with her back against the stone, face buried in her knees. Her long hair fell over her legs, the tips brushing against the snow. 
     Not knowing what to do, Ben sat down in front of her. He couldn't talk to her, he couldn't hug her, he couldn't comfort her in any way. The only thing he could do was sit beside her, not that it was of any use when she didn't know he was even there....
     "Aw, no... Poor little lady," A male voice with a weird accent sounded from behind him. "Who died?" 
     "I did..." Ben answered through a sigh without thinking about it.
     "That's rough, buddy."
     "You could say that..." Ben froze, realizing the stranger had responded to him. He could hear him! Maybe he could help! Ben shot up, turning around to see who it was, but there was no one there. "Hello? Are you still here?"
     "Course I am, right beside ya." Ben turned to the left, but couldn't see anything.
     "Other side." He turned again, but still couldn't see anything.
     "I can't see you." 
     The voice laughed. "Sure ya can, I'm right here." Desperately, Ben's eyes scanned the white lands around him, swapping at a fly that was irritatingly close to his face. 
     "Hey! Watch it, my friend. I'm flying here." Realizing the man's words, Ben turned his gaze back to the little fly. "There ya go!" It spoke, holding his two hands in the air, a pleased smile on his face. He was mostly light green, except for his shield, which was a darker green, the cap of it partly covering his big, round backside. Little, see-through wings zooming around. 
     "The name's Raymond, but you can call me Ray, Your Majesty." The firefly made a little bow, his green antennas and few streaks of orange hair bobbing as he did so.  
     "You know who I am?" Ben questioned, not really believing he was talking to an insect. Sure, there are many talking animals in Auradon, but he didn't remember ever talking with an insect. 
     "Of course I do! Prince Benjamin of Auradon, I've been buzzing around the castle for a while now, gotta say, y'all know how to throw a party." 
     Ben chuckled, "thanks, little man." 
     "My condolences, by the way, hadn't expected you to be here so soon." Ben didn't really react at first, what do you even say to that? Eventually, Ben thanked him, not able to hide his sad expression as his eyes went back to Emma. Her body was shocking with muffled sobs.
     "Ah, don't be gloomy! Death isn't so bad, ya know."
     Ben's attention went back to Ray, " so, you're also dead? Just like me?" 
     "Yep!" He didn't seem bothered by the young man's assuming rude question, he actually sounded a little proud. "'ve been dead since the night that Voodoo witch doctor squashed me under his boot."
     "That must've been awful."
     "Yeah, well, protecting my friends was worth it, though. Besides, I finally got to be with my dear Evangeline." As he said her name, he lovingly looked up at the skies. Ben tried following his gaze but couldn't see anyone. 
     "Wait," Ben started, realizing what he had said. "Voodoo witch doctor? Do you mean Dr. Facilier?" 
     "Yeah, Whoo! What a nasty man," he shuddered. 
     "I guess insects weren't listed for the Revive Program..." Ben mumbled to myself, not knowing if Ray knew of the program and, if so, was mad about not being included. Then again, he didn't seem angry at all. 
     "Who's that orange haired, fella?" Ray's question got Ben to look up. There indeed was someone walking their way, and as they came closer, Ben recognized her.
     "That's Aggie," Ben answered, "second born daughter of Merida DunBroch, and my sister's best friend." 
     "Ooow," Ray seemed to think for a second. "Who's your sister again?" The Prince gave him an "are you serious?" look, on which he eventually started laughing, waving it away. "Ow yeah! Of course, of course." He looked at Ben with side eyes, clearly still not knowing who Emma was.
     Aggie approached Emma without hesitation and sat down beside her, one arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Aww... my wee lamb..." The red head cooed, rubbing her friend's arm. Not even having to look up to know who it was, Emma turned and let herself fall against Aggie's shoulder, burying her head in the fur on her friend's leather jacket. Emma said something that Ben couldn't make out, but Aggie seemed to be able to hear her better, because she answered by whispering,'I know' a few times over. 
     "Gosh, Em, ya're chankin'!" Aggie eventually spoke up, worry in her voice. "Lets get you back inside before ya become a statue." Emma didn't protest as her friend pulled her back up on her feet and walked her back to the castle, her arm still around her shoulders. 
     "That girl talks funny," the firefly commented as he followed Ben, while he followed them.
     "She's from DunBroch. They all talk like that." Ray made an O shape with his mouth, getting Ben to notice the few teeth he still had left in his mouth. 
     The two followed Emma and Aggie back into the house, where they were greeted by a very worried Mrs. Potts, followed by the King and Queen, who tried to cover Emma with hugs and kisses. They clearly had been worried, too. Only Emma didn't want them to cling on to her and quickly took a seat beside Aggie, close to the fireplace in the kitchen. And as her mom and dad joined, forming a silent circle with each other, Ben sat down on the ground between them. Still wanting to feel like a part of the family.
     

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