Before we start I just wanted to extend thanks to every one who has reviewed, followed or just read this FanFic. I am forever grateful! Just wanna warn you that this chapter is very dialogue-ly but to make up for that we get to see what Ariel is cooking up in that brain of hers.

"I still think this is a bad idea," said Belle as she and Subira stood outside Ariel's bedroom door.

"Have a little faith in people," Subira intoned as she worked up the courage to rap three times on the door.

"I don't know-"

"Or at least have faith in my judgment."

"Fine." The door swung open, narrowly missing striking both of them in the face. A disheveled redhead stood in the doorway blinking several times to wake herself up. Her eyes lazily focused as she registered someone waving in her face and speaking in a familiar upbeat voice.

"Hey Ari!"

"...Really? That's how you're going to address me after all these years?" Ariel asked her eyes narrowing at the sight on her ex-best friend and lifelong competition.

"I don't under-"

"That was my nickname almost ten years ago."

"Oh! Is there a name you would rather I call you by?"

"I would rather you not call me but since you seem to be so obsessed with me-"

"Grow up, Ariel," Belle growled.

"Oh look! It's the beast wrangler!" Ariel said with an innocent smile. "How is your pet?"

"Can't you be civil?" Belle retorted.

"Says the one who lies with animals," Ariel chuckled.

"Ariel! I'm sorry, Belle. Maybe we should go..."

"Sticks and stones, shark bait."

"Ow, burn. I've never heard that one before, ever."

"Can we please stop…

"I am perfectly capable of having an adult conversation," Belle said placing an encouraging hand on Subira's shoulder. "I cannot speak for trout lips here," sneered. Ariel sighed, grogginess slowly returning.

"Why are you even here?" She asked

"Subira would like your help, musically. I can't imagine why."

"I need a song for the dean, Ari. And nobody knows more about music than you,"

"Really?"

"Really," Belle replied.

"Subira, you don't actually think you have a chance do you?"

"It could happen!" Belle retorted.

"If it didn't happened in the 90s, then it's not gonna happen."

"Don't listen to her, Subira. She's just threatened by the competition."

"I am definitely not threatened. I am surprised though. After everything that's happened, you want my help? I thought I made my feelings clear."

"I told you those things in confidence, Ari and you took advantage of my trust!"

"Did I say anything that isn't true? If you're still worried about your secrets getting out then you shouldn't even run. You'd save everyone the trouble and me my beauty sleep so in answer to your question no I don't want to help you and I never will. Bye!" With that she slammed the door shut with an audible thud. Subira shuddered pushing any and all tears away. Belled mutter incoherently about "soulless redheads."

"How late does she even plan to sleep anyway?" Belle asked as the two began making their way back to their dorm.

"She doesn't like waking up before ten," Subira muttered. "I'm sorry I put you through that."

"You're sorry? You're sorry! Subi, I was never friends with her. It doesn't hurt me when she makes stupid remarks; none of it is true but you two were close. How can you not get mad?"

"I don't know...I guess I'm just waiting for her to come back so we can be close again." Belle sighed.

"Come on, I'm sure Pocahontas or Jasmine would be glad to help you."

Walt looked up into the blue eyes of an irate redhead slamming his office door shut.

"Good Morning Ariel! What brings you here?" He greeted with a bright smile. A visit from one of his favorite princesses could always bring a smile to his face.

"This is all your fault! Why are you allowing Subira to run?" She snarled advancing on the man. Disney frowned at her tone before smiling sadly at his little flower.

"Now Ariel, don't tell me you're jealous? Besides, you know the rules: any young lady can audition to run. It's not like I decide who is in the pageant."

"You're the dean! Just pretend-"

"Ah, ah, ah, sweetheart you know that's not up to me. It's too late now. We released vague hints to the public and they will decide who runs." Ariel crossed her arms clearly frustrated with her lack of control over the situation. "Oh don't be like that, darling. You know you'll be in the pageant. The world still loves you. I still love you. You're not going anywhere."

"Is that why you brought one of her friends here?"

"Who?"

"The stable boy! The other mermaids told me. He's from her kingdom."

"Eh? No matter. I needed someone who knew about African animals, why not get an African stable boy?"

"Africa is huge! You had to bring him from her Kingdom?"

"Don't worry, Ariel. The menagerie is miles away from her dorm. I don't think they'll ever meet."

"You better hope so."

"She wants to go on a date with me?" Amadi sputtered. Anna chuckled as he accidentally dropped his bucket of oats and feed. Achilles, Maximus and Angus freaked out at the denial of their breakfast.

"Yup! Tonight, 7pm sharp. Don't be late."

"Where?"

"Oh sorry. You know Tiana's Place?"

Belle and Subira sat in Jasmine's room as she and Pocahontas paced the floor reviewing the song Belle had written for Subira. Pocahontas turned and grimaced.

"It's not bad, Belle," said the native.

"Not at all actually but," Jasmine added.

"It just doesn't feel like Subira."

"Yes. A song mourning those you've lost is…well, like I said it doesn't feel like you."

"But Belle wrote it! She-she knows me better than anyone."

"Perhaps, but your song is-it's just like your voice. No matter how well she knows the sound of it, she can't speak for you," Jasmine advised.

"Jasmine's right. I mean, look at Mulan. She and Jasmine do have the same singing voice but the songs they sing are completely different and specific to them."

"Exactly. This song has to come from you."

"Okay. Any suggestions?"

"Probably not anything slow. Mid to fast tempo at the very least because you have a habit of going from 0-60 like that," Pocahontas guided with a snap of her fingers. Subira pouted at the assessment of her famous temper.

"Yeah and don't think that it has to be an 'I Want' song like Mulan or Ariel's. The song is always at the highest point of emotion in your life. For someone like Elsa it was a triumphant "I Am" song and for me it was a romantic duet. Broaden your horizons and try something like that."

"Alright. Can I still come to you for advice though?"

"Always!"

"Just don't forget: this is about you."

"I can't believe he actually considered letting her run!" Aurora exclaimed as she and Cinderella sat on Ariel's dorm. The redhead in question had not stopped pacing since they set foot in the door. A frown was permanently etched on her pretty face and every so often she would irate little grunts of frustration.

"Well, it's in the rulebook. When you have enough support from the student body he must allow you to run but I seriously doubt she'll even make it to the final four," Cinderella assumed as Ariel stopped in her tracks.

"You blonde idiots! Don't you know anything?" she screeched. The two blondes cowered. "Princesses aren't like you anymore," she said directly at Aurora. "And you!" she said pointing at Cinderella. "Did you seriously never question why your third film retconned your entire personality? They don't want docile princesses like you anymore. The only reason I'm even still here is because I'm 'the rebel redhead'" She seethed with quotation marks before returning to pacing. "Trust me, if Subira was able to make it pass the audition phase then mark my words, she'll definitely be in the final four." A cruel smile spread across Ariel's face. "Which is perfect."

"Ariel," Cinderella asked. "Have you finally lost your mind?"

"Oh girls don't you see?"

"No, I guess we're just too stupid and blonde to read your mind," Aurora sneered.

"Sorry I called you an idiot, sleepy. Now tell me, what's better than Subira not getting a crown?" The two blondes shrugged in ignorance. "Trying and failing to get a crown," Ariel answered. "And do you know what's even better than that?" Cinderella smirked.

"Enlighten me."

"Trying, humiliating herself and failing to get a crown," Ariel answered with a dark chuckle. "In front of everyone."

"Sounds interesting," said Aurora with a sly smirk. "What did you have in mind?"

"You forget that she used to tell me everything about her life: her favorite foods, her best friends and the men she's loved. I think a little blast from the past will be just what we need to take her down a peg."