Some popular tropes include the 'lost identity' trope. Mal, for instance, might question who she really is, whether she's destined to be evil like her mother or can break free. The 'mystery solving' trope is also there. The descendants could be faced with a mystery that ties back to their parents' pasts, like a long - lost artifact or a forgotten spell. And then there's the 'rebel against the norm' trope. The kids might not want to follow the rules set in Auradon and try to create their own path, which often leads to interesting conflicts.
A prevalent theme is family relationships. Fanfictions might delve into the complex mother - daughter bond between Mal and Maleficent. There could be stories about how they reconcile their differences or how their relationship affects their actions in the Descendants world. Also, the theme of self - discovery is common. Mal, for example, might be on a journey to discover who she really is outside of her mother's shadow in these fan - created stories.
In many fanfictions, Mal's relationship with Maleficent is explored through flashbacks. These can show how Maleficent raised Mal, the lessons she taught, and the expectations she had. It helps to understand why Mal might be conflicted about her own identity.
One popular trope is the 'unlikely alliance'. Diaval, being Maleficent's servant raven, might form an unexpected bond with the OC. For example, they could team up to protect the Moors from an outside threat. Another trope is 'forbidden love'. Given Diaval's loyalty to Maleficent, a relationship with an OC could be seen as going against his duties, adding a layer of drama. And the 'discovery of powers' trope is also common. The OC might discover a hidden power within themselves with Diaval's help or influence, leading to a journey of self - discovery.
One popular theme is the exploration of Mal's relationship with her mother Maleficent. Writers often delve into how their bond develops over time, especially considering Mal's journey in different scenarios.
In Descendants fanfiction, their relationship is often complex. Sometimes it's shown as a strained mother - daughter relationship. Mal wants to break free from Maleficent's shadow and evil legacy. But there are also fanfictions where there's a glimmer of underlying love. Maleficent might not show it in the best way, but she still has some feelings for Mal.
You can start by looking on fanfiction platforms like Archive of Our Own (AO3). There are often many well - written Descendants fanfictions there. Just search for 'Mal and Maleficent' in the search bar and you'll get a bunch of results. Another option is FanFiction.net, which also has a large collection of fan - created stories related to the Descendants universe.
In a battle of wits between Mal and Maleficent in Descendants fanfiction, it could go either way. Mal has the advantage of growing up in a more modern and diverse environment. She has learned to adapt and has friends who support her. However, Maleficent is cunning and has centuries of experience. But I think Mal might win as she has a fresh perspective and is not as set in her old - fashioned ways as Maleficent.
One popular 'Descendants Mal is a Dragon' fanfiction might be 'Mal's Dragon Adventure'. It could explore Mal's newfound dragon abilities and how she uses them in the Descendants' world. Maybe she has to face new challenges or protect her friends in a unique way as a dragon.
Romance is also a big theme. Some fanfictions imagine a romantic relationship between Mal and Audrey. This could involve a slow - burn kind of story where they gradually fall in love, or a more sudden realization of feelings in the midst of some big event in the Descendants world.
One popular theme is the 'forbidden love' aspect. Since Mal is from the Isle of the Lost and Ben is the king of Auradon, their relationship can be seen as something that goes against the norm in their world, which makes for an interesting and often explored theme.