Everyone stood around awkwardly and uncomfortably, dressed in shades of black, as Harry's weighted casket was sent into the ocean for burial at sea. Ben held Carlos close, rubbing his back as he cried into the king's chest. Uma sat alone by the railing of the ship looking out at where his body descended into the ocean. Her heart hurts deeply but Jay comes up behind her and puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. It isn't much but she takes his hand in hers and clings to it. Reminding her to hold on. Hold on, that even though Harry is gone life goes on. That there is still enough to fight for. Evie and Mal are holding each other silently crying and finally letting some of their grief catch up with them. Mal would never admit it openly but she had a soft spot in her heart for Harry Hook. Now he was gone and she felt the bitter pangs of loss as well as the ice-cold weight of words she never said to him.
The ship was on its return course to the harbor when Uma approaches Ben and Carlos. "Ben. We need to talk about villain's rights. We need need to talk about so many things to protect Villains. I realize what I've been doing isn't working… we need to make change together not fighting against each other." Uma says seriously and Carlos shifts uncomfortably. Ben lets out a heavy sight rubbing his eyes.
"We will talk, tomorrow, not today. You need time and we literally just buried Harry. Now isn't the time for politics. We need to appreciate what we have and grieve. You need to grieve Uma." Ben speaks from the heart, knowing full well that she isn't letting his death register completely. Uma gives him a look of annoyance.
"I'm not going to break. I'll grieve when things are fixed. This happened because of prejudice against villains. The sooner we become treated as equals legally the sooner we break down those barriers of prejudice." Uma says passionately but Ben gives her a hard look of contained frustration.
"Uma. Regardless of whether I agree with your sentiments or now. There is such a thing as a time and a place. At a funeral is not the place to talk about these things. I said we will talk tomorrow and I meant it. We all need time to process and decompress. Harry is gone and while we all weren't as close to him as you, he still was our friend. You may not feel like you need to grieve right now but others do. I do. We do. I'm sorry Uma but I'm not arguing this with you. Wait. Til tomorrow. Okay?' Ben speaks from both his heart and his head. He pulls Carlos away from Uma towards the other side of the ship where Evie and Mal are. Carlos looks up at Ben concerned.
"I know this is for the best, but I'm worried about Uma. She hasn't cried since the police station. I'm no expert in emotions, most of the time I barely know what I'm feeling, but this isn't good. I just hope as soon as we can work things out for villains that she can finally let go and feel what she is burying down right now." Carlos sighs and Ben kisses his temple nodding.
"I agree. She needs to grieve and as much as I want to help her, it wouldn't be right to disrespect Harry's funeral with politics. He deserved better and we will do better but not right this moment. People are hurting and they need time. I need time. I may not have been close to Harry but I wanted to be at one point. Admittedly I had a crush on him for a time. I got over it but I still cared about him." Ben speaks softly rubbing circles into Carlos's back. He chuckles sadly looking up at Ben.
"I think everyone has had a crush on Harry at some point. He was just that kind of guy you know? I'm not surprised. Even I was confused about my feelings towards him. I was so sure I was straight for some time but I figured it out and I'm not. I'm really not. I thought at first I might be Bisexual like you, but now I honestly think I'm gay. I just… finally giving into liking guys has made me realized that what I feel towards girls isn't nearly the same as what I feel toward guys." Carlos confesses and Ben gives him a slight look of surprise.
"Guys huh? Should I worry about losing you to some other handsome guy?" Ben raises his brows slightly teasing but also slightly serious. Carlos laughs quietly, muffling his laughter in Ben's chest out of respect, not wanting to upset anyone for him laughing at a funeral.
"I only have eyes for you, my king. Besides, you're my true love for a reason. Most of the guys I find attractive end up looking like you anyway but I don't want any of them because I have you." Carlos hugs him tight and Ben smiles hugging him back. They exchange 'I love you's before heading back to the castle, everyone leaving the funeral in silence.
Meanwhile, a meeting was called for The Court of Villains, without Uma. Her mother, Ursula takes her place at the head of the meeting. Everyone stands around whispering before she clears her throat silencing everyone. "Harry's death proves that protesting isn't working. Uma's ideals hinder her ability to see reality. So long as the king and his council control the laws and rules of Auradon we will never be equal. I refuse to be a second-class citizen any longer. I recommend we take Auradon by force and once we are in power, we will rule fairly. Show these Auradonian's what real fairness and equality look like." Ursula grins as everyone begins whispering and speaking to one another talking about the proposal. With none of the VK's present at the meeting, most of the Villains are the older villains, Ursula, Queen of Hearts, Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella, and so on.
"How are we going to take Auradon?" Evil Queen asks wisely. "Who would rule in the king's stead. Surely not you?" She questions and Ursula glowers at her with a look of disapproval.
"No not me… for this plan to work we need another. Someone who has the power to rule and experience. We need… Maleficent." Ursula speaks calmly but there is an outpour of concern.
"Last we checked she was a lizard. How do you expect us to fix that?" Evil Queen asks again speaking for the majority of those present. Ursula smirks wickedly and rolls her eyes.
"Magic. Maleficent was shrunk to the size of love in her heart. We simply need to give her a love potion. Once she falls in love the spell that shrunk he should reverse. We break the love spell and voila. We have our leader." Ursula cackles, slowly being joined in laughter by the other villains. "However, We must keep our intentions secret from Uma. She won't understand. She believes too much in her stupid little king." Everyone seemed to agree. The plan was set. Maleficent would return to take over Auradon once again.