With the immediate threat gone, Mal and Evie only spend one night in the castle before taking Mal's stuff to Evie's. The two contently working in tandem as they always have. Evie seems resolved to make new outfits for everyone, throwing herself into her work to ignore the very real reality that Harry just died because of prejudice. Mal has been studying her spellbook again working on protection spells and quick new spells and potions. With Auradon divided she knows they will need them now more than ever. Both of them burying their noses trying to quietly work off the grief that fills their chests.
With Jane imprisoned for Harry's death, Lonnie is let free. She ends up going to stay with her mother and father for some time to work through the feelings that come with being mind-controlled into killing another human being. Doug takes over for Jane with the Anti-Villain movement and visits her regardless of what she has done.
Uma, however, is another story. Harry's death, the death of her boyfriend, while momentarily crippling has now turned into an unstoppable focus. The truth being if she stops and focuses on anything but The Court of Villain's cause she will break down. She doesn't have time to grieve. She doesn't have time to let go. She only has time for justice no matter how much it hurts her worse in the end. She swears to visit Gil daily and make things better. So she does. The day after Harry's death Uma and The Court of Villains are out peacefully protesting for equality. She stands in the center of her people chanting with them "Equality for Villains." She gets a megaphone and stands on a statue of the beast speaking. "We will not go away. We will not be put back on the Isle. Villain's lives are Auradon lives now. We won't stop until we are treated as equals! FOR HARRY!" The crowd gathered erupts with 'For Harry's and screams of approval.
Just as things are hitting their most intense the Anti-villain protesters show up, protesting against them. Everyone is loudly screaming at one another as the peaceful protest devolves into acts of aggression and name-calling. Without Mal there to control them, war breaks out in the streets. Police move in to try to break things up but only end up getting caught in the mix. Ben steps out against his guard's insistence and uses Uma's megaphone to call for everyone to stop. Before he can speak a spell hits him in the back and Carlos watches as Ben crumples to the ground. Uma panics picking him up into her arms shaking him. The fighting dies off immediately and Carlos pushes through the crowd to Ben's body in Uma's arms. "Ben? Ben wake up. WAKE UP!" Carlos shakes him but Ben's head lolls to the side and his crown slips off his head. Carlos scoops up his crown and pulls Ben into his arms starting to cry. He buries his face against the king as sobs wrack his body. The crowd watches in horror before the ambulance arrives. Immediately Ben is pulled from Carlos's grasp and he scrambles into the ambulance refusing to leave his love like this.
Jay is coming back to Gil's room from the cafeteria when he sees Ben being wheeled into the emergency department with Carlos following along broken. Jay stops him and pulls him into a hug rubbing his back. "What happened?" Jay asks comfortingly, pulling his friend to sit down. Carlos wipes away fresh tears.
"They told him not to go out into the protest. They were fighting again and something hit Ben in the back. I don't know what but he won't wake up. I don't know if he was breathing or if he is alive at all. Jay, he could be dead… "It all comes out of his mouth watery and rough, his voice a mess. At the notion that he might be dead, Carlos breaks down again as Jay pulls him into his arms holding him. News of the attack on the King was urgent and spread rapidly. With Ben currently out of sorts, Mal had to drop what she was doing and come play Queen in his stead. With her having the most experience. The former Queen and King left for vacation after the attack so the only option was Mal. They would have resorted to Carlos but considering he has no experience in a leadership role yet he was passed over. Mal quickly dispersed the remaining protesters stopping more fighting from breaking out before going to Ben's office to see what he was working on. Apparently much of what he was working on related to her area of expertise. Villains. He was drafting a law to protect villains against discrimination, acts of hate, and unfair treatment. He also had several concepts for a new addition to Auradon's bill of rights which would make it so legally villains would be considered Auradonians and be deserving of all human rights. It was a fancy way of protecting the villains and giving them what they deserve but Ben has been trying and it warmed Mal's heart. Without much experience, she could only work on the law against discrimination as she has worked with laws since she joined the council. The law only needs to be a draft anyway. Things would be finalized later in the council meeting about it. Needless to say, Mal had her hands full.
It was hours of waiting before Fairy Godmother herself came out looking grim. "Benjamin Beast is not dead. However, he is in a sleep-like death. He won't be able to wake up and we are out of solutions. I've tried everything I can but this is out of my hands. They are going to hold him here and keep him safe and healthy until we can come up with a way to remove the curse on him." With that Fairy Godmother left but Carlos was already mulling over an idea. True Love's Kiss. It had worked with Mal once… it was a long shot since it didn't work last time but it had to work now. IT just had to. Picking up his phone He called Mal who answered quickly.
"How is he?" She asked immediately. Carlos nearly stumbled for a minute trying to get a coherent word out before replying.
"Alive… sort of. He's in a sleep-like death. I'm calling because I think you can wake him." Carlos bites his lip. "I know it didn't work for you before but maybe it wasn't a strong enough curse? I don't know the magical theory behind true love's kiss, but you need to get down here and try. It worked once right? It might work again Fluke or not I don't care. I just want him back." Carlos fights more tears and Mal sighs reluctantly.
"Fine. I'll be right there, but I can't promise this will work. The magical theory behind True Love's kiss is simple. It works every time. If it didn't work on one of my own spells… Look I'm not trying to be a downer, but I just don't want you getting your hopes up okay?" Mal hung up before Carlos could reply. It was painful waiting for Mal to arrive, but she did arrive eventually. Carlos leads her to Ben's room where he laid, looking peaceful in a disturbing way. He looked dead, not asleep. Thankfully that wasn't the case. Mal went to Ben's side. She looked down at his face and attempted to conjure all the love in her heart she could for him. She brushed some of his fringe to the side affectionately and cupped his face leaning down to kiss him.