Time for Changes

by GabrielleMaria

Ben has been King for 9 years, and has always wanted to have a representative of the Isle on his coucil, but someone his members were not keen on it. His family and friends are the only ones who see what he wants Auradon to be, and now he had to see how the council will react when they find out the he had brought representation of the Isle to Auradon.

4. Chapter 4

Hello! Here is another not so little update! I hope you guys like it and please let me know what you think!

Thank you to Tracie Adams for staying up late with me and helping me come up with some of the ideas for the stories!

Tracie Adams: You know what happens Lol, but I still hope you like it!

Urmimala Hazra: Thank you! I hope you like what I did in this chapter! Please let me know what you think!

shortanamx: thank you! This chapter will answer all of your questions, and I hope you like it!

Sasamc123: Thank you! This one is a work in progress, but it is super fun to write! I hope you like this update.

brimason0201: Thank you so much! I am happy that you liked it! I am hoping to get more chapters up sooner than I was before, from now on! :)

InuKagLove22: Your wish is my command lol! I hope you like this update!

Side Note: I MAY be making Soulmates longer than I was planning but not SUPER long maybe 6-10 more chapters lol

Warning for Swearing!

ENJOY!

---

"You ready man?" Doug asked as he walked into Ben's room.

"Yeah, almost," Ben said, trying to contain his excitement.

The Isle residents had left a month ago, and Ben really missed Mal. After their last night in Auradon, and their first night together, Ben was even more eager to see her. He had waited a couple of days before texting her, because he didn't know how long it was going to take Carlos to put the cellular boxes up. When he finally texted her, he was happy to get a reply back so quickly.

"Thinking about Mal?" Doug asked, breaking Ben out of his thoughts.

Ben's cheeks flushed, making Doug chuckle at his friend.

"I miss her," he said.

"You text her everyday," Doug said as he pointed to Ben's phone on the nightstand.

"Yeah, I know, but it's different than actually seeing her," Ben said as he walked over and picked up his phone.

"Did you not try facetiming her?"

"I tried, but the reception is still not the best," he said as he walked back over to his bag to make sure that everything was ready to go. "Ready?" he asked as he threw his bag over his shoulder. "We need to leave now, if we want to get to the Isle before dark."

"No shit," Doug said, making Ben give him a surprised look. "That's why I came up here," Doug said. "You act like I came up here to chit chat."

Ben shook his head and laughed, before shoving Doug's shoulder. They both walked downstairs to meet their friends at the limo. When they walked out they saw Ben's parents, Jane, Lonnie, Audrey, Chad, and Jordan standing by the limo.

"Ready?" Lonnie asked when she saw Ben and Doug walking their way.

"Yep," Ben said as he threw his bag in the trunk, and walked over to the rest of their friend.

"Thank you again for inviting me," Jordan said, making Chad smile and wrap his arms around her shoulder.

After Audrey and Chad had broken up the day after the Isle residents left, he went running to Jordan. Audrey couldn't believe that he would move on so fast, but she couldn't be mad. If Chad didn't love her, or had eyes for someone, she wasn't going to hold him back from following his heart. She was upset because of how fast he moved on, but she knew Jordan was a good person, and they were all friends in high school.

"Of course," Audrey said as she took Jordan's hand and they got into the limo.

Ben and Doug looked at Audrey in shock at the action, making Chad look at them confused.

"What?" he asked.

"How do you have the best luck?" Doug asked. "You and Audrey broke up a month ago. After that, you sprinted to ask Jordan out. And lastly Audrey and Jordan are friends. You are the biggest douchebag I have ever met, and I want to know how you get so lucky with this crap."

"I don't know," Chad said with a shrug. "You guys are lucky too."

"How?"

"Doug almost got to first base with Evie when they were here, and Ben hit a home run with Mal," he said as he smirked at Ben.

Ben's eyes widened, before he looked at his parents to see them chuckling along with Lonnie and Jane. Ben turned back to Chad before punching him in the arm, making his wince in pain.

"Get in the fucking car, you idiot," Ben said as he shoved Chad into the limo.

"Blonde princes," Doug said, before he got into the car, but stopped and turned back to Ben. "Sorry. Just Chad. Chad is the only stupid one," he said, making Ben laugh.

Ben held the door open for Lonnie and Jane, while they got in, before his parents walked over.

"Be safe," Belle said as she pulled her son in for a hug.

"We will," he said. "We have the best on the Isle that are going to be with us."

"We know," Adam said with a smile. "But what your mother meant was…"

"No," Ben said as he held his hands up to his parents and crushed his eyes shut. "I am not talking about this. I'm 25."

"We know," Belle said with a chuckle. "All I was saying was to be safe… in all the ways."

"Ew," Ben said as he shook his head. "I am not going to be talking about my sex life right now…"

"We know it's weird, but…"

"Dad, I'm 25," Ben said as he rubbed his face with his hand. "I like her, I don't know what we…"

"We get it!" everyone yelled from the limo.

Doug popped his head out of the sunroof, making the royal family look at him.

"Ben, we get it," he said. "You like the very pretty purple haired girl, but you won't have a sex life if you don't get in the damn car," he said before he ducked his head back into the limo.

Ben's cheeks flushed pink, making him embarrassed that everyone knew about his and Mal's night together. Once the limo had left with the Isle resistance, the teasing began. He looked at where his best friend was with a 'are you fucking kidding me' look before turning back to his parents.

"I'll be safe," he said to them in a hushed tone.

"Like you said," Belle said to him, making him look at her. "You're 25. And we trust you."

"Yeah yeah," Ben said as he waved his hand and got into the limo.

Once the door was closed he took a breath and slouched in his seat, before he started to play on his phone. He noticed how quiet it was, making him look up to see all of his friends looking at him.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

His friends shook their heads at their friend, but they all had sirks on their faces. They knew how much Ben had missed Mal, and they knew that he really liked her. They were just hoping that she felt the same, because they did not want their friend to be heartbroken.

---

The drive took two hours, and when they had gotten to the barrier they could see Jay, Harry, Gil, and Carlos standing on the other side waiting for them. Ben was the first to step out of the limo with everyone following him. They grabbed their bags from the trunk of the limo, and walked over to the barrier.

"You got a magic button to open this?" Jay asked with a laugh as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yeah," Ben said as he pulled the remote out of his pocket and pressed the button.

Jay knew that there was a button, but he wanted to be funny because he didn't think that they were going to use it instead of magic. They walked through the barrier and placed their bags down when they stood in front of the VKs.

"I didn't think you were going to bring it with you," Jay said as he clasped Ben on the shoulder.

"Well, we had to get here someway," Ben said with a laugh. "Where are the girls?"

Everyone started to laugh, making Ben roll his eyes and groan. He knew that he was going to be teased about Mal for the entire trip, but he was going to have to deal with it. Carlos walked up to him, clasped him on the shoulder, and smiled at him.

"If it makes you feel better," he said, making Ben look at him. "She missed you too."

Ben flushed a little, now knowing that Mal had missed him too, but all he wanted to do right now was see her.

"They are in town square, getting ready to perform," Harry said as he walked over and threw Jane and Aurdrey's bags over his shoulder. "We'll head over just after we…"

Uh, dirrty (dirrty)

Filthy (filthy...)

Nasty

"Fucking shit!" Jay yelled as he dropped Lonnie's bag on the floor. "I told Hadie not to let them perform that song!"

"Shit!" Carlos exclaimed. "We should have known better. Hadie does whatever Mal says."

Girls, you nasty (yeah)

Too dirty to clean my act up

If you ain't dirrty

You ain't here to party (woo!)

"Hadie?" Chad asked. "Isn't that Mal's brother?"

"Yes," Jay said. "Now I don't want to leave you all here by yourself, but Harry and I are going to stop them."

"Why?" Ben asked.

The four guys looked at each other before looking back at Ben.

"How pretty are the girls?" Gil asked.

"Very?" Doug answered in confusion.

"Okay, good," Jay said. "This song is very…"

"Never mind," Ben said, holding his hand up. "Where do you want us to wait?"

Ladies (move)

Gentlemen (move)

Somebody ring the alarm

A fire on the roof

"Actually," Harry said. "Why don't Gil and Carlos take them to Bargain castle?"

"You'll need a third person," Carlos said.

"We can't just leave one of you with them," Harry said.

"Who is the fastest runner out of all of you?" Jay asked.

"Ben!" They all yelled, making Ben shake his head and laugh.

"All right, your majesty," Jay said with a smile. "Follow us. Keep your head low. And make sure to duck if she tries to punch you," he said, making Ben shake his head and smile.

"We'll see you later," Harry said as he started to run off with Jay and Ben following him.

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Mal had to convince Hadie to perform with them, but it never took much. He would do anything for his sister, and that included not listening to Jay. They knew that Jay and the rest of the guys were going to be taking the AKs to the castle, which meant that they would have plenty of time to do the song.

Where my dawgs at?

(Uh, let me loose)

Mal turned on the stage, making the crowd cheer. They had done this every couple of weeks, and loved doing it. The only thing that they didn't like was the guys being over protective, but it was for a good reason. They marched forward, to the end of the stage, and noticed the amount of guys crowding the front.

Oh, I'm overdue

Give me some room

I'm coming through

Paid my dues

In the mood

Me and my girls gonna shake the room

Ben followed Jay and Harry through the alleys, not knowing where they were leading him, but he could tell that the music was getting louder. He saw people moving out of their way as they ran, and after a couple of seconds Jay and Harry started to climb up a ladder that scaled a building.

"Come on, mate," Harry said as he looked down at Ben. "We're nearly there."

Ben climbed after them, and then followed them across the rooftop, until he stopped at the edge of the roof to see the girls singing and dancing on the stage.

DJ's spinning (show your hands)

Let's get dirrty (that's my jam)

I need that, uh, to get me off

Sweat until my clothes come off

Ben's eyes widened when he saw what Mal was wearing. He had seen her in less, obviously, but what shocked him was the tattoo on the side of Mal's upper ribs. She was wearing a pair of black leather pants, a white crop top, and a pair of purple combat boots. Jay shoved Ben's shoulder making him break out of his thoughts, before they could get out of hand watching Mal.

"Ben, across on the other rooftop," he said as he pointed across. "There is a ladder that will let you land on the back of the stage," he started to explain. "You're going to run over there, climb down, and catch Mal before she has a chance to run."

"Okay," he said as he shook his head.

"We're probably going to get onto the stage before you," Harry said as he started to walk toward the shove Jay in the direction of the stage. "Just remember to duck. Mal is a feisty one," he said as he laughed and disappeared with Jay.

"Oh you have no idea," Ben said to himself as he took a breath and hopped onto the other roof.

It's explosive, speakers are thumping

Still jumping, six in the morning

Table dancing, glasses are crashing

No question, time for some action

Mal thought she saw something out of the corner of her eyes jump across the roof, but when she looked she didn't see anything move. She looked back at the roaring crowd and continued to sing and dance.

Temperature's up (can you feel it)

About to erupt

Gonna get my girls

Get your boys

Gonna make some noise

Gonna get rowdy

Gonna get a little unruly

Get it fired up in a hurry

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time that I came to start the party

"No!" Jay yelled as he started to make his way through the crowd with Harry behind him. "No party starting here, Mallory!"

Mal shook her head and laughed, with Evie and Uma doing the same. They walked toward the back of the stage and continued to sing, making Jay and Harry grow frustrated. They climbed up onto the stage, and chased Uma and Evie. Mal turned back to see the girls struggle against the guys as they dropped to the floor.

"Keep going, Mal!" Uma yelled toward Mal. "They can't get you, if they have us!"

Mal saw Hadie run off the stage, and toward their parents house, before turning back to the crowd.

"Mallory," Jay said in a warning tone.

She smirked at him as she watched her friends struggle against the guys, not noticing that someone was creeping up behind her.

Sweat dripping over my body

Dancing, gettin' just a little naughty

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time for my arrival

A hand wrapped around Mal's waist, making her drop her microphone and struggle against the hold. The hold was strong. One she didn't recognise, and she didn't know if she was going to be able to get out of the hold.

"What about my arrival?" he whispered into her ear, making her calm down, knowing that Ben was holding her.

She turned around to look up at the king before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard on the lips. Half the crowd booed, while the other half cheered. Most of the booing was from the guys who wanted the song to keep going, but they got louder when Mal kissed Ben.

"Okay!" Jay yelled as he helped Evie up and looked at the crowd. "Party is over! Now scram!"

There were a bunch of awes, but everyone scattered, leaving town square.

"Okay, Mal," Uma said as she wrapped her arm around Harry's waist. "Don't kiss him to death."

Mal flipped Uma off, making her friends laugh. A couple of seconds later, Mal and Ben broke apart, and laughed as he leaned his head against hers.

"Damn," he said. "If you kiss me like that again, I might just think you missed me."

"I almost forgot how funny you are," she said as she playfully shoved him. "I didn't know you guys were going to be coming here."

"Yeah," Jay said. "We could tell. I thought we agreed that you guys wouldn't do songs like that unless we were here to push pervs off the stage."

"Oooooooooooooh," Mal said. "We thought you said we can do it as long as we kick the perves off the stage," she said, making Jay give her a yeah right look. "My mistake."

"Yeah," he said. "I'm sure it was. Now, where is Hadie? I have a bone…"

"No," Mal said. "You do not have any bones to pick with my brother. Now, we could stay here and chat for the rest of the day if you want, but I bet the rest are going to be waiting for us."

"You're lucky you're my favorite," Jay said.

"HEY!" Uma, Evie, and Harry said, making Jay turn around and point at them.

"Carlos is your favorite brother," he said, pointing to Evie. "And Gil is both of yours," he said, pointing to Uma and Harry.

"And now you are my fifth favorite brother," Evie said as she turned and started to walk toward the castle.

"Woah," Jay said. "You're my second favorite sister," he shouted as he started to follow her. "First the worst, because Mal is the worst pain in my ass, but I love her. And second the best because you are the best at everything," he said, making everyone laugh.

The others followed them and continued to laugh as they started to walk toward Bargain castle. Uma and Harry were behind Jay and Evie, and Ben and Mal were behind everyone else. They were happy to be together again, and are hoping that things were going to be just as great as they were in Auradon.

---

"There you guys are," Gil said as he saw them walking into the castle. "We have been waiting for you guys in the den. I just came to see if you guys were close."

"We're here, Gil," Harry said. "We just had to clear town square and wait for Mal and Ben to stop sucking on each other's faces."

"HEY!" both of them said as they looked at the pirate in shock.

"What are you two yelling at?" Doug asked as he walked up to Ben with everyone following behind him.

"Just Harry embarrassing Ben and Mal," Uma said.

"Shut it, you walking talking pile of calamari," Mal said as she glared at her cousin.

"Down girl," Ben said as he rubbed her arm, making her calm down.

"We're going to call you the dragon tamer," Carlos said, making Ben look at him. "No one other than her dad, Seph, and Evie can calm her down. So you should feel special."

"Alright," Mal said as she walked up to the rest of the group. "Let's all show you to your rooms, and get you all situated. I hope you don't mind, but we have you guys sharing rooms."

"No," Jordan said. "Not at all."

"Great," Evie said. "We made three rooms. One for Audrey and Jordan, one for Jane and Lonnie, and we were going to let Ben, Chad, and Doug decide who was going to take the last room while the other could share with Jay, Gil, or Carlos."

"Well," Chad said as he held up his hand. "Why don't Doug and I share a room with each other, and then Ben and Mal can share a room?"

Everyone started to chuckle and laugh. They knew it was going to be a running joke for the personable future.

"Okay," Ben said with a shrug. "Don't tempt me with a good time."

Mal had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter. She didn't expect this, but she wasn't opposed to it either.

"Wouldn't have a good time with us?" Jay said as he gestured to himself, Gil, and Carlos.

Ben furrowed his brows, before taking Mal's waist and pulling her close. "Not even close."

Mal shook her head and laughed before taking Ben's hand and leading him through the castle.

"Let's get this tour on the road, shall we?" she asked as the rest followed her into the den to gather their bags.

---

After showing everyone to their rooms, and around the castle. Mal showed Ben to her room. It was the farthest room in the wing, and had its own private balcony and restroom. It was spacious and large, a giant bed in the middle of the room, and her art supplies scattered around the room.

"Wow," Ben said. "I like your room," he said. "It is very… you."

"Is that an insult?" she asked as she flopped down onto her bed. "Because, if it is, you can spoon with Jay in his bed."

"Not a chance," he said as he placed his bags down and dove onto her bed. "I'm saying it because it's a purplish red and covered in art."

"It's messy," she said.

"You should see my office."

"I have," she said. "I said my room is messy. Not that a tornado came through it," she said, making him laugh.

"My office is not that messy," he said.

"Ben, I found 5 plastic water bottles surrounding your desk, an apple core, and crumbs surrounding your chair."

"That was from that day," he said. "Mrs. Potts made me lunch and brought my favorite cookies."

"Her cookies are good," she said as she turned to her side to face him.

He looked into her glorious green eyes. The eyes that made his heart melt. He never felt this way about any of the girls he dated, but he knew he didn't want to feel this way with any other girl. He moved a piece of her hair out of her face, and moved it behind her ear.

"I missed you," he said as he smiled down at her.

"I missed you too," she said. "More than I thought I was."

Ben smiled down at her before giving her a small kiss on her lips. If they could, they would stay like this forever. Just together. Away from prying eyes, and responsibilities.

"So, what is on the agenda?" Ben asked as he pulled Mal close to his chest.

"Well, first you guys are going to meet my parents and brother," she said as she looked up at him.

"Great," he said with a nervous tone. "Meeting my girlfriend's father… who is the king of the underworld," he said. "What is there to be nervous about?"

"Is that what I am?" she asked with a smirk. "Your girlfriend?"

"Well, if you don't want to be," he said as he looked down at her. "You don't have to be. I was just thinking because after our night together in Auradon…"

"It's fine, Ben," she said as she cut him off with a chuckle. "I was just teasing you."

"So, you are or are not my girlfriend?"

"Well, that depends," she said as she rested her chin on his chest.

"On what?"

"If you want what happened that night to happen again," she said as she winked at him.

He smiled and flipped her over so that she was on her back, and he was looking down at her.

"Like I said downstairs," he said as he smiled down at her. "Don't tempt me with a good time."

She laughed before he pressed his lips against hers. They let the kiss linger before letting it consume them. She knotted her fingers into his hair, making him groan into their kiss. He had been wanting this since the morning after they left, and had been dreaming about her ever since. He pushed his body further into her, making her body press further into the firm mattress. She slowly started to unbutton the top of his shirt until her nails wouldn't unbutton them, making her rip it open and letting the buttons fly. He pulled her off the bed, making her wrap her legs around his waist. He turned to sit on the edge of the bed, letting her have the opportunity to pull her shirt over her head, and leaving her in her black lace bra. Ben couldn't help but let out a small gowl that made a shiver run up Mal's spine. He crushed his lips to hers again, laid down on the bed, with Mal laying on top of him, and finally sealed their relationship like they did her last night in Auradon.

---

"We have to get up soon," Mal said as she and Ben panted.

They had been together for a couple of hours and were due to meet the others downstairs to head over to her dad's. He pulled her close, not wanting to leave the confines of her room.

"If you want to make a good first impression with my parents," she said as she turned her head to look up at him. "We have to be on time and dressed."

"What are the chances that they will be upset if we don't show?" he said as he turned into her hair.

"Well seeing as you are the King, and they are my parents, I would say pretty upset."

Ben groaned before pulling the blanket over his head. He knew she was right, but he wanted to be with Mal. He didn't want to leave her room, see anyone, or go anywhere. He had missed her, and missed her a lot.

"Fine," he said as he moved the blanket from his head. "Let's go."

They both got up and got dressed. Mal pulled on her jeans and was standing in her bra, making Ben notice her tattoo again. It was a heart, but they looked like two dragons too. He walked up to her and rubbed it with his thumb.

"When did you get this?" he asked. "I didn't see it when we were at the lake."

"Well, maybe you were paying more attention to me not drowning than my body," she said in a teasing tone.

"Nope," he said as he shook his head. "That's not it. It was not there when we were at the lake. I would have noticed it."

Mal laughed before shaking her head. "Yeah," she said. "I got it two weeks ago."

"It's…"

"Weird?" she asked. "Not lady like? Going to ruin my body? Permanent?"

"I was going to say hot, but those are true too," he said. "But it's more sexy than anything. I like it."

"Really?" she asked in shock.

"Yeah," he said. "I really like it."

"Thanks," she said. "I got it for my mom. It's her emblime."

"It's really cool," he said as he continued to stroke it. "I bet she would love it."

"I doubt she would approve of me tattooing my body, but she would love the gesture," she said with a chuckle and pulled her blouse over her head.

When she walked over to her mirror to fix her hair she looked and saw Ben staring at her. She shook her head and laughed, seeing that he was still shirtless.

"If you intend on meeting my parents with no shirt, I would say you are ready," she said as she turned to look at him. "But if you don't then I would hurry," she said, before she walked over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

---

"Are you nervous?" Doug whispered to Ben as they walked through the cave that led to Hades' home.

"No," Ben said sarcastically. "I am so excited to be meeting my girlfriend's father who could easily steal my soul, and send me ro Tartus."

"Great," Doug said as he clasped Ben on the shoulder. "As long as you're good."

Ben shook his head and laughed. He knew Doug worried about him, and he always checked on him too. Making sure that he was taking care of himself, and that he wasn't overly stressed. He was a good friend. The best actually.

"Hi, dad," Mal said,making Ben freeze and look to see her being picked up by a tall man with blue hair.

"Hey, Mally," he said as he placed her down on her feet.

Ben had a lump in his throat. He didn't know what to expect, but here he was… in the same place as the Lord of the Underworld, but more important than that… his girlfriend's dad.

"Hello, everyone," Hades said as he scanned the unfamiliar faces. "And who is who?" he asked.

"This is Jordan," Mal said as she walked over to Jordan. "She is the daughter of Gene. Chad, the son of Cinderella and Kit. Jane, the daughter of the Fairy Godmother. Audrey, the daughter of Aurora and Phillip. Doug, the son of Dopey. Lonnie, the daughter of Mulan and Shang. Ben, the son of Belle and Adam," she said as she walked up next to everyone. "Then we have Dumb and Dumber," she said as she pointed at Jay and Harry.

"Hey!" they exclaimed, making everyone laugh but Ben.

Ben was still staring at Hades in shock, and probably making it obvious that he was almost crapping his pants.

"Yes, Mally," Hades said with a laugh. "I know who the Dumb and Dumber are. Now, why don't we head inside," he said as he gestured for everyone to go inside. "Seph is getting dinner ready."

"Mama!" Mal yelled as she ran into the cave and Evie and Uma ran behind her.

The rest of the AKs followed Mal and the girls in, leaving Ben and the VK boys standing outside in the cave.

"Are you okay, your majesty?" Hades asked as he looked at Ben.

Ben shook his head to shake his thought, before nodding at the god.

"He's just nervous to meet you," Jay said with a smirk on his face.

"Why?"

"Maybe because he and Mal are dating," Harry said as he and Jay started to laugh.

Hades looked at the young king with wide eyes. He didn't expect this, but he had to admit that his daughter could do worse than him. Hell she couldn't do better than the king.

"I… um… you… I'm…" Ben stuttered as he tried to find the right words to say.

"It's okay," Hades said as he held his hand up to the king. "My daughter is 25. She is perfectly capable of dating whoever she chooses, but I would like to have a talk with you later, king to king."

Ben nodded his head before following Hades and the rest of the guys. He didn't know what Hades wanted to talk about, but he knew he was going to be nervous. After meeting Hades, everyone went into the home to meet Seph. She was very nice, and welcoming to the AKs. They stood around wheelie she cooked dinner, and Mal, Uma, and Evie were helping her. Ben couldn't help but watch Mal as she cooked with her friends and family. She looked so happy and the smile on her face made his heart beat harder in his chest.

"Mom! Dad!" Hadie yelled as he walked into the room with a red headed girl behind him. "Crap, sorry," he said as he saw everyone gathered around the kitchen talking.

"You!" Jay said as he pointed to Hadie.

"Me!" Hadie said as he held his hands up.

"I thought we had an agreement," Jay said as he started to stalk toward the 18 year old.

"I am more afraid of Mal than I am of you," Hadie said with a shrug.

"As you should be," Mal said as she pointed a spoon at her brother, making him laugh. "Guys," Mal said as she looked at the AKs. "This is my brother Hadie and his girlfriend Dizzy, she is the daughter Drizzella."

Chad walked over, hugged Dizzy, picked her up, spun her around, making her steak.

"Who's the dude?" she asked. "And why is he hugging me?"

Chad placed her down on her feet, before looking down at her.

"I'm Chad," he said. "I'm Ella's son. I'm your cousin."

"Oh," she said as she looked at him in shock. "Then hello," she said as she gave him a hug. "It's nice to meet you."

"Hadie. Dizzy," Mal said, making them look at her. "This is Ben, Jordan, Doug, Audrey, Lonnie, and Jane," she said as she pointed to all of them.

"Who's the one my sister has the hots for?" Hadie asked as he pointed to the guys.

Everyone in the room besides Ben and Mal pointed at Ben, making the pair flush red.

"Well, he's the king," Hadie groaned as he held his hand out. "I can't kick his ass now."

"You couldn't even if you tried," Ben said, making Hadie stare at him with a shocked look on his face.

"Want to take this outside, your majesty?" Hadie asked as he thumbed to the cave entrance and had a smirk on his face.

He wasn't expecting the king of Auradon to be quick with the comebacks, but he liked it. It made him seem more real than some of the other royal stories that they had heard through the years.

"Gladly," Ben said as he stood from his seat.

"No," Seph and Mal said at the same time, making Ben and Hadie look at them.

"Yeah," Evie said as she smirked at Mal. "Mal doesn't want Ben's pretty face getting bruised."

"Shut up, E," Mal said as she tried to hide her laughter.

"He would have to get a hit in before that would happen," Ben said as he leaned back in his chair and smirked at Hadie.

"Can I please hurt his pretty face?" he asked as he turned to his sister.

Mal walked over to Ben before pinching the sides of his face to examine it.

"Yeah, no," she said as she let go of Ben's face, making him laugh. "I like his face the way it is."

---

"Everything was delicious, Lady Persephone," Jane said as she got up to help take plates to the kitchen.

"Thank you, Jane," Seph said as she picked up Hades' plate. "And you don't have to do that. I can take care of it."

"We don't mind at all," Audrey said as she started to pick up Doug and Gil's plates.

The girls started to take plates and other dishes back to the kitchen, and then Ben noticed Hades staring at him. He looked up to meet the god's eyes, and when he did, Hades nudged his head toward a room that had a door to it. Ben swallowed before getting up, following Hades through the door, and closed it when he was inside.

"Have a seat, Ben," Hades said as he walked over to his desk. "Would you like a drink?" Hades asked as he walked over to a small bar that was on the far end of the room.

"Sure," Ben said, not knowing if he should deny the drink or not.

"Bourbon? Whisky? Scotch?" Hades asked.

"Bourbon, please," Ben said with some hesitation.

Hades nodded to himself before pouring the brown liquid into a crystal glass. He turned, handed the glass to Ben, before walking to his chair.

"There are a couple of reasons why I wanted to talk to you today," he said as he sat in his chair and leaned back. "One, being you dating my daughter," he said, making Ben slightly choke on his drink. "Like I said," he said, making Ben look at him and clear his throat. "I trust my daughter, and the decisions she makes. My brother says you are a very good man, and despite our past differences, I trust his word."

Ben sighed in relief. He was very nervous right now, and he didn't know what else Hades wanted to talk about.

"Second, is that I am leaving Mal and her friends incharge of the Isle reconstruction and changes," he said, letting Ben nod his head. "I hope that is okay with you."

"Yes, of course," Ben said. "This is your kingdom, and I want you to be the one to make the decisions on who is in charge of what or if you want to be in charge," he told the god. "I am just the resource at this point."

Hades gave Ben a smile before nodding his head. He was happy to hear what was coming from the king, but he knew this last part might be hard to hear. He shifted in his chair, before putting his glass on the desk and folding his hands in his lap.

"This last part," he said, making Ben give him a confused look after noticing the change in his posture. "I don't know how you are going to take this, but I wanted to tell you before I talk with Audrey."

"What do you mean? What does Audrey have to do with anything?"

"Stefan is dead," Hades said, making Ben look at him with a shocked expression. "He came through the Underworld last week, and…"

"It's fine," Ben said as he held his hand up. "Do you know how he passed?"

"Judging by how wet he was, I would assume he drowned," Hades said, making Ben nod his head with no facial depression. "You seem heartbroken," Hades said sarcastically.

Ben scoffed a small laugh. "Stefan and I have never gotten off on the right foot," he said. "And after what he did to Mal last month…"

"Thank you for that by the way," Hades said, cutting Ben off. "I heard my brother's storm brewing from here."

"You should have been there when he saw the mark on her neck," Ben said as he finished the bourbon that was in the glass. "I was afraid Zeus was going to throw one of his lightning bolts at him."

"I wouldn't put it past him, but the reason why I wanted to tell you first, was because I wanted to know if you wanted me to tell Audrey or if you wanted to tell her."

"I would prefer if you would tell her, but I can be there in case she needs me," he told him. "I won't have the answers if she asks any questions."

"Okay," Hades said. "We'll talk with her before you all head back to Bargain castle, but now," he said as he sat up and straightened his posture. "As Mal's father, I have to give you the 'if you hurt my baby girl' speech."

"I can promise you, right now," Ben said as he rested his elbows on his knees. "I will never hurt her. She is like no other girl in this world," he said as he started to think about Mal. "I have been texting her for the past month, and she is literally the best person ever."

Hades smiled as he heard the words. "She is just like her mother," he said. "I think Mal is amazing, but I am biased because she is my daughter," he said, making Ben chuckle. "I know that Maleficent would be so proud of the woman Mal has become."

"Mal could make anyone proud," Ben said, making Hades smile.

---

After about an hour and a half, Ben and Hades emerged from the room to see Mal and Persephone looking at them with their arms crossed.

"Hades?" Persephone said as she took a step toward her husband. "What were you two talking about for so long?"

Mal walked over to Ben with squinted eyes, making him squint back at her. She shook her head and chuckled before nudging his shoulder.

"Just a couple of things," Hades said. "About that thing that I told you about last week."

"I see," Persephone said as she nodded her head at her husband. "I was going to have Jay barge in and tell you that we have been waiting for you for over 20 minuted, but as you can see," she said pointing to Jay who was passed out of the couch. "Jay is not available at the moment."

"I got it," Mal said as she turned toward the living area.

Everyone looked at her, before she shouted.

"Jay! Ben said he can beat you at an arm wrestling contest!" she yelled.

Jay snapped his head up, making Lonnie and Jane jump.

"Like hell," he said as he fell off of the couch and onto the floor, making everyone laugh.

He stood up from the floor before pointing at Ben.

"Me. You. Dinner table. Now," he said as he pointed to the dining table, Ben shook his head and laughed before following Jay.

"I swear Jaden," Persephone said. "If you break my table…"

"I promise, I will not break your table," Jay said as he and Ben walked over to the table.

Ben and Jay sat down and Ben pulled his sweater over his head, leaving him in his t-shirt. Mal noticed that he seemed more muscular than when they were in Auradon. She looked at him, and thought how she didn't notice it before. But, then again she was a little preoccupied to notice.

Ben sat down before taking Jay's hand and positioned his elbow.

On three," Jay said as he smirked at Ben. "one… two… three…" Ben and Jay started to arm wrestle, and Jay was surprised to see how strong Ben was.

"Come on, Jay," Harry said as he walked up behind Jay. "You look like you're struggling."

"Shut up," Jay said as he concentrated on Ben.

Ben smirked at Jay before pushing his hand, tilting Jays to his right. All of Jay's friends were going making Jay get annoyed. Jay was starting to break a sweat, and then noticed that Ben looked like he wasn't even struggling. Ben chuckled again before pushing a little further, as Jay started to huff and puff. Ben finally pushed hard, and smacked Jay's hand against the table, making Jay look at him in shock.

"We'll, that was fun," Ben said as he leaned back in the chair. "I bet you didn't know that there was still part of the beast enchantment that carried over to me when I was born, huh?" he asked, making everyone laugh and Jay look at him in shock. "Oh, and one more thing," he said, Jay focus on him. "I didn't say anything about beating you in an arm wrestling match. Mal just wanted to wake you up."

Jay looked over at Mal with a shocked look, making her laugh. She knew she meant it as a joke, but watching Ben beat Jay was the highlight of her week. Jay pointed at her, making her back away from the table slowly and holding her hands up.

"Mallory," Jay said in a warning tone. "You know I don't like to be bested in a battle."

"Well, in my defence, it was supposed to be a joke," she told him as he continued to stalk in her direction. "I didn't think you were going to go full meathead, and actually want to arm wrestle Ben."

Jay dove at Mal, trying to grab her wrist but she was fast and jumped out of the way, making him land on the floor. She jumped over next to her dad and Ben, before hiding behind Ben's chair.

"Your boyfriend can't keep you safe, Mallory," Jay said as he stood up to see Mal behind Ben.

"I mean, I can," Ben said as he stood from his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

Jay walked over to Ben and stared down at him. He had never had anyone, other than Harry and Gil, stand up to him like that, but he had to give the king some props. If he was going to be in the Isle, he needed to know how to defend himself, and there was no problem there. Jay clasped Ben on the shoulder, smiled, and nodded his head.

"Got to say, Bennyboy. I'm impressed," he said. "Usually no one, other than Harry or Gil, would stare me down."

"Okay," Persephone said as she walked in between Ben and Jay. "I think it's time for dessert."

Jay perked up at hearing the word dessert, making Ben shake his head and laugh.

"Mal made apple turnovers with filo pastry dough," she said as she turned to walk toward the kitchen.

"I am so glad I came for dinner," Dizzy said as she laced her arm through Hadie's. "I love Mal's apple turnovers."

Everyone followed Persephone into the kitchen, but Ben grabbed Mal's hand, pulling her back to him.

"You can bake?" He asked as he pulled her against his chest.

"I can do a multitude of things that you don't know about," Mal said as she smirked up at her boyfriend.

"Well it looks like I have a lot to learn in the next month."

They walked into the kitchen just in time to have Dizzy pass them each a plate with half an apple turnover on it. Ben was impressed. During their meeting they had been informed that the Isle did not have the best food, but the food was edible and tasted good too.

"I don't mean to sound rude," Lonnie said as she started to eat the turnover. "But, I thought that the food was trash?"

"Thank you?" Mal said with a chuckle. "About a year ago, mama started to bring fresh food from Auradon. We started to make loaves of bread, different types of pastries, and other foods that could last a while."

"So, technically the food is still shit, but we try to give everyone on the Isle something fresh to eat," Evie told everyone as she sat down next to Mal and wrapped her arm around Mal's shoulder.

"That's amazing," Audrey said. "Is that how you became such a great baker, Mal?"

"I'm not great, but yeah," Mal said as she nodded her head. "Mama, taught me and I liked it."

"Well, you can bake for me anytime," Ben said as he reached over and picked up the rest of Mal's turnover and shoved it into his mouth.

"I wasn't done with that," Mal said as she looked up at Ben.

"I'm sorry," he said with a full mouth. "Did you want it back?" he asked, pointing to his face and making her laugh and shake her head.

"I'm okay," she said as she shook her head. "Thanks for the offer."

After about an hour, Hades walked up to Ben, tapped him on the shoulder, and gestured his head toward Audrey. She was standing and talking with Gil and Dizzy. Ben knew that it was time to tell Audrey, and he didn't know how she was going to react. Ben walked over to where Audrey was standing and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hey, Audrey," he said in a quiet voice. "If you don't mind, Hades wants to have a talk with you."

Audrey looked at her friend in confusion before nodding her head. He led her into Hades' study, and closed the door when Hades walked in behind him.

"I'm sorry to pull you away from everyone, Princess Audrey," Hades said as he walked around to sit in his chair. "Please have a seat."

Audrey took a seat in one of the chairs, while Ben took the other. She was really confused, and didn't know what Hades wanted to talk to her about.

"If you don't mind me asking," Audrey said as she looked at Ben and Hades. "But, what is it that you need to talk to me about?" she asked.

Ben turned in his seat and took Audrey's hand, making her look at him in confusion.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I am sorry to say this," Hades said, making Audrey look at him. "And I don't know how you are going to take this, but I felt like this is something you needed to know."

"What do I need to know?" she asked.

"Your grandfather is dead," Hades said as he looked at the princess. "I am so sorry. I don't know how close you were, but I know that everyone should know if they lost a loved one."

Audrey sat there for a minute not saying anything. She honestly didn't know what to say or think. She never had a relationship with her grandfather, but he was her papa.

"Audrey," she heard Ben say, making her break out of her thoughts. "Are you okay?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah," she told him. "I'm fine."

"It's okay if you're not," he told her. "If my papa passed away I would…"

"Your papa isn't a monster," she said. "Mine is. He hurt Mal's mom, lied to my grammy's dad to become king, sent my mom away because he didn't invite Maleficent to my mom christening, blamed Maleficent for his evil actions, tried to kill Maleficent, and then tried to kill Mal," she stated. "I didn't have a good relationship with him growing up, but I never thought that he would be so evil," she said. "I may be upset that he has passed, but I will get over it."

Both kings sat there quietly, not knowing what to say. They expected Audrey to be slightly upset, but not completely stiff about it. I guess she wasn;t the prissy pink princess that everyone thought she was. Ben squeezed her hand, making her look at him.

"So, you're okay?" he asked. "Really okay?"

"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "I'm okay. I don't know how my parents and Grammy are going to be, but I'm going to be just fine."

"You're a tough cookie, princess," Hades said as he stood up from his seat. "I'm sorry for your loss again, but I am glad that you will be okay."

"Thank you for telling me, Lord Hades," she said as he stood from her seat and smiled at him. "I do really appreciate it."

He gave her a smile and a nod, before she walked out of the room, leaving Ben and Hades in the office.

"She's a strong one," Hades said, making Ben turn to him.

"Yeah," Ben said. "She has changed a lot since we broke up, and even more so after Mal and the rest left a month ago."

"Well, if all of your friends are like her," he said as he clasped Ben on the shoulder. "I cannot wait to see what you and my kids do to fix this place."

---

"So, what is the plan for today?" Ben said as he rolled over and wrapped his arms around Mal.

It was the morning after their dinner with Mal's parents, and Ben was more than just happy to see Mal's face when he woke up.

"Well, we are going to start your tour of the Isle," she said as she stretched her arms up. "And we should…"

"No," he said as he tightened his hold, making her laugh. "I want to stay here for a little while longer, before we have to get up."

Mal laughed as Ben nuzzled his face into her hair. She had never felt this way about someone, and she was genuinely happy again. She had been happy, but this is the type of happiness she hasn't felt since she was four, before her mother passed away. She turned to her side to face him, and smiled when she saw his messy hair and stubble on his face.

"You're a mess," she said as she brushed her nails across his stubble.

"I know," he said, before he started to scratch his jaw. "I need to shave."

"I like it," she said, making him look at her with a flirtatious look.

"You like it?" he asked.

"I love it," she told him with a laugh before pressing her lips to his.

They started to share a lingering kiss, but a knock at the door made Ben groan loudly.

"Your Royal Purpleness, and King Beastie Boy are needed at breakfast," they heard Jay say from the other side of the door.

"Shut up, Jay!" Ben yelled as he threw one of Mal's pillows at the door, making a loud noise as it hit the door.

"As you wish my liege," they heard him say, making the couple laugh.

They heard Jay walk away, and when his footsteps grew softer, Ben pulled Mal back against his chest. She placed her chin on his chest to look up at him, giving him the opportunity to pull her up and lather her face in small scratchy kisses.

"Not that I am complaining or want to leave, but we have to get up soon before one of our friends comes barging in here," she said as he rolled her over and started to kiss his way down her neck.

"10 more minutes," he said against her neck.

"You and I both know that we don't just take 10 minutes," she told him, making him laugh.

"Fine," he groaned. "Have it your way," he said as he rolled off her and stretched his arms up.

"I'll only be 15 minutes," she said as she got up and walked over to her closet.

"Do you need any help?" he asked with a smirk as she walked out of her closet with clothes in her hand.

"Like I told you," she said, looking back at him. "That would only delay our tour longer."

Ben huffed a laugh before Mal closed the door to the bathroom. He got up, quickly changed, and when Mal came out of the bathroom he kissed her head before going in and finishing getting ready.

---

"Well, look who finally decided to join us," Doug said as he smirked at Ben and Mal.

"Fuck off, Dougy," Ben said with a laugh.

"So, what is the plan for today?" Lonnie asked as she passed Mal a plate.

"First," Mal said as she sat down in one of the chairs at the giant table. "We are going to enjoy your first Isle breakfast."

Jay smirked before taking the lids off the trays on the table. Under the lids were sliced breads, canned processed meat, and rotten fruit. The AKs looked at the food with green faces. Mal leaned over, picked up an apple before looking at the green faced royals.

"What?" she asked as she tossed it up in the air. "Aren't you hungry?" she asked as she brought the apple up to her mouth for Ben to slap it out of her hands.

"Please don't eat that," he said as he looked at his girlfriend.

"That is what we have been eating for 25 years," she told him.

"That is discussing," Audrey said as she covered her mouth. "Is that spam?"

"Yeah," Harry said as he poked it with his fork. "I have to say that your meat is better than this crap."

"Which is why this was just for show," Mal told them as she stood up and walked through a wooden door.

She was gone for a couple of minutes before she walked out with two trays on her arms. Jane got up to help her, taking one of the large trays out of Mal's arms.

"I had mama bring an abundance of food that would be edible for you," she said as she placed the tray on the table. "She even managed to bring us a usable refrigerator to keep things cold and from rotting."

She took the lid off the tray to reveal an assortment of pancakes, waffles, french toast, toast, bacon, and sausage. On the tray Jane had was an assortment of fruit, berries, and eggs.

"We may not be used to this kind of food, but we want you to feel comfortable here," she said. "But, not everyone knows that we have all of this food. We have to keep it on the hush, because if we don't we will have people breaking into the castle, and we don't want that."

As everyone dug in, Ben started to feel this turn in his stomach. Mal noticed and placed a cup of water in front of him.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said as he nodded his head to her. "I just… Do you always have to hide and hoard your food?"

Mal nodded her head. He didn't know what to say. He didn't think the problems with food had to be so bad that they had to eat rotten food and to hoard it. He took her hand and leaned in close to her.

"I promise," he said. "That is going to be the first thing we fix. No one should have to eat rotten food, and not to mention hoard it."

"Well, isn't that the reason why you are here?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, baby," he said, making Mal look at him in shock at the name. "I am here for more than just that," he said before he kissed her hand and smiled at her.

---

"Well, that was interesting," Jordan said as she wrapped her arm around Chad's waist.

They had just walked out of Ursula's fish n' chip shop. They were welcomed by Sammy, Freddie, Harriet, CJ, Hadie, Ginevieve, Gaston Jr, Gaston the third, Dizzy, and Celia.

"What did you think?" Uma asked.

"I'm thinking it was a good idea Evie made us Isle clothes and you guys gave us swords," Ben said as he put his fingers through the belt loop of his pants. "There was no need for the sword, but they helped us look more Isle."

"Who said they won't be needed?" Mal asked as she walked up next to Ben. "I mean we only showed you the chip shop. We have many places to go, and not everyone on the Isle is as friendly as we are," she told everyone with a cheeky smile.

"Well, my lady," Ben said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Lead the way."

After showing the Isle to the Auradon royals, they ended up at Lady Tremaine's Salon.

"Okay," Evie said. "When do you all want to have a girls day?"

"How about the day before we leave?" Lonnie suggested.

"That's cool," Hadie said as he wrapped his arm around Dizzy's shoulder. "Maybe the guys and I could have a guys night."

Mal walked up to her brother with her eyes squinted. "You are not allowed to drink," she said as she poked his chest.

"Come on, Mally," Hadie said as he held his hands out to her. "Do you really…"

"Yes, I do," she said, before she turned to her friends. "And you four better make sure that he doesn't," she told them after pointing at her brothers.

"Mal," Jay said as he walked up and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Mallory. Mally. Queen Mallory…"

"Get on with it!"

"We would never let…"

"Do you think I didn't hear you, when you brought Hadie to Bargain castle last week?"

"Don't tell mom and dad!" Hadie said as he walked up to his sister.

"I'm not, but you better not drink," she said, before she turned to Ben. "And you better make sure that he doesn't."

"Yes, ma'am," he said as he smirked down at her.

"Okay, let's head back to the castle. I think we had enough sightseeing today," she said as she started to walk toward Bargain castle.

Everyone followed Mal back to the castle, with the VKs walking on the outside of the group. Ben noticed on their tour that Mal stopped, for a split second, when they passed a small meadow that had flowers in it. It was different from the rest of the Isle. it was a meadow you could have sworn was in Auradon, and it made Ben wonder why Mal had stopped.

"Hey," he said as he took Mal's hand. "Can I ask you something?" he asked, making Mal nod her head. They slowed down to let everyone go in front of them, leaving them trailing behind. "What was that meadow we passed a while ago?" he asked, making Mal freeze after he asked the question.

"That is where my mother is buried," she said. "I go visit her every day, except when we were in Auradon, obviously."

"Why didn't you visit her today?"

"I'm here with your guy," she said with a shrug. "I don't want to be rude and leave you all."

"Wanting to visit your mother's grave is not selfish," he told her. "Come on." Ben took her hand and started to pull her away from the group. "Guy! We'll catch up."

"Where are you going?" Hadie asked.

"To visit my mom."

Everyone nodded their heads, before leaving Ben and Mal behind.

"We don't have to do this," Mal said as Ben laced his fingers through hers.

"I know we don't have to, but I know now that this is something important to you," he said. "So, let's go say hi to your mom."

Mal smiled at Ben before they continued to walk through the streets of the Isle, not knowing that there were two others following them.

"Here she is," Mal said as she knelt down in front of a small plack. "Hi, mom."

Ben stood behind Mal as she crossed her legs in front of herself.

"Mom, this is Ben," she said as she pointed behind her. "He's my boyfriend," she said with a laugh that made Ben laugh too. He hadn't told her or anyone that he had talked to Maleficent the first night Mal had come to Auradon, so he was going to let Mal keep introducing him. "He is from Auradon and he is the King of all things."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Ben said.

"And he's sarcastic too."

What Ben thought was amazing was that the flowers started to glow around Mal as soon as she stepped onto the greenery, making Ben look around the meadow in shock. There was no magic on the Isle, so he didn't know what was going on.

"Their flowers from the moors," Mal said. "We stopped in Auroria before coming home. The creatures of the Moors let me bring some home with me after I told them I wanted to bring them to my mom."

"Well, you're their queen," he said. "I doubt that they would say no to begin with."

"The flowers are enchanted," she told Ben as she started to brush her fingers through the green glass that was surrounding the place. "The flowers that mama planted had died when I was younger, but when I brought the flowers over, they turned the meadow back into this beautiful place. It only glows when I am here, but other than that it just looks like any other meadow that is in Auradon."

Ben sat down behind her, and pulled her against his chest.

"Hello, Queen Maleficent," Ben said, making Mal smile. "Mal has already introduced me, but I am Ben. I would just like to say that Mal is an amazing person. She is like no one I have ever met," he said as he put his nose into Mal's hair. "And she is very snarky too," he said with a laugh.

Mal smacked his leg and laughed. They sat there for about 20 minutes before getting up and saying goodbye. Mal led Ben out of the meadow, but the meadow didn't stop glowing until Ben stepped out of it. He was confused, but thought that it was a delayed reaction to Mal stepping out of it. He shook off the confused feeling and laced his fingers with Mal's, before they headed back to Bargain castle.

"So, what do you have planned…"

"Well, look at what we have here," a voice said, making Mal freeze and grab onto the hilt of her sword. "Oh, love," the voice cooed. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your fling?"

"Why don't you show yourself you spikey haired freak," Mal said as she held on tighter to the hilt and moved in front of Ben. "Stay behind me," she whispered to Ben.

"I can handle myself," Ben told her as he gripped the hilt on his hip.

"Yeah Mal," another voice said from behind Ben. "The boy can handle himself."

Mal stiffened even more after hearing the other voice. She pushed herself closer to Ben, making him grab her hip.

"Frollo, get the fuck out of here," Mal hissed through her teeth. "You do not want to mess with me."

Ben tightened his hold on Mal, after hearing the voice's name. Both guys came out of the shadows, and smirked at Ben and Mal.

"You either Zevon," she said as he glared at the two unwanted guests.

"Why?" Frollo asked as he took a step toward Mal.

"Take one more fucking step and I'll end you now," Ben growled as he pushed Mal behind him.

"Why, your majesty," Frollo said as he bowed to Ben. "I was only trying to save you from this unholy…"

"Claude," Zevon said in a warning tone. "Don't talk about my love like that."

"If she is going to be anyone's, she is going to be mine," he said as he looked at Mal. "She may be an unholy demon, but she is a pretty one. I'm sure God will forgive me."

Ben let out a small growl, at hearing them fight over Mal.

"Calm down," Mal said. "We need to find a way to get out of here. Come on," she said as he took his hand and tried to get away from Frollo and Zevon.

"And where do you think you are going?" Frollo said as he put his sword in front of Mal. "I'm not done talking."

"Oh, that's funny," she said as she looked at Frollo. "Because I wasn't even listening."

"What a mouth on you," he said as he pointed his sword at her.

"I told you to stay the fuck away from her," Ben said as he held his sword up close to Frollo's neck.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Frollo asked as he took a step toward Ben. "Bite me?"

"I'm the one who bites," Mal said before she kicked Frollo onto the floor and clanged their swords together. "Now, stay the fuck away from us."

Frollo laughed before smirking up at Mal. Mal heard swords start to clang behind her and when she turned she saw Ben and Zevon fighting, and Ben had the upper hand. Frollo kicked Mal's stomach, making her fly back.

"Mal! Are you okay?" She heard Ben shout as he continued to fight Zevon.

"I'm good," she groaned.

"She won't be," Frollo said as he stalked in Mal's direction.

Mal stood on her feet and held her ribs. She kept her eyes on Frollo, knowing that Ben was not in danger.

"Come on you religious pervert," Mal said, making Frollo smile. "You want me? Come and get me."

Frollo smirked before, she swung her blade at him. He dodged the baled, swinging his own in the process. Mal was quicker though. She caught his blade with hers and pushed him against the wall.

"I see you like pinning men to walls," he said as he smirked down at her.

She heard a groan and a thud from behind her, making her turn to see Zevon knocked out on the floor. She sighed in relief when she saw Ben didn't have a scratch on him, but was punched in the face by Frollo. She fell to the floor and held her jaw.

"Mal!" Ben yelled as he rushed over and pushed Frollo away from Mal.

"I'm fine," she said as she spit blood onto the floor.

Frollo swung her sword down toward Mal's head, but Ben stopped it with his.

"Oh," Frollo said as he looked up at Ben. "Such a noble act of a king, but a stupid one for a slut from the Isle."

"More like a noble act to protect my girlfriend," Ben said through his teeth before he pushed Frollo away from Mal and onto the floor.

Ben swung his sword at Frollo, shocking him with how fast and strong Ben was. Frollo tried to fight back, but Ben was too strong for him. Zevon was still passed out, and Mal was tying him up so that he wouldn't get away.

"Ben!" Mal called as Ben kept fighting Frollo.

Ben had Frollo pinned up on the wall with his hand wrapped around his neck.

"Ben, let's go," Mal said as she tugged on his jacket. "But first," she said as she started to go through Frollo's pockets. "These are mine," she told him with a smirk as she held up the daggers she found on his person.

"Say you're sorry," Ben hissed to Frollo.

"Never," Frollo said as he gasped for air. "She doesn't…"

"She is the queen of the Moors. Not to mention the princess of the Isle, and you will show her the fucking respect she deserves," Ben growled before he threw Frollo to the ground.

Frollo looked up at Ben with slight horror in his eyes. He had never been afraid of someone, not even Mal, Jay, or Harry. Ben's eyes were glowing gold, and he had never seen anyone's eyes glow before, other than Mal and her family's. He didn't want to show them that he was actually afraid, so he got up and stood tall.

"I'll leave you and your fling for today, but you won't be so lucky next time," he said as he went trick up his sword.

Ben stepped on the blade of the sword, making it unable for Frollo to pick up.

"This is mine now," he said.

Frollo started to walk backward, not taking his eyes off of Ban and Mal. He was defeated by an Auradonian, and the king of all things. He grabbed the rope that was wrapped around Zevon, and started to drag him down an alleyway. Once they were out of sight, Ben picked up Frollo's sword and put it through his other belt loop.

"That was fun," he said as he wrapped an arm around Mal's waist. "How's your jaw? He got a good hit in," he said as he brushed his thumb across her jawline.

"I'm fine," she said as he leaned her head on his shoulder. "But we should head back. I think we had enough fun today."

"That was fun," he said as he nodded his head. "I haven't spared like that for 7 years."

"When you said you liked to spar, I didn't think you would be that aggressive."

"Well, I did play dirty," he said, making Mal look up at him in surprise. "Why the shocked face?"

"I never pictured you as the type to play dirty," she said as they continued to walk through the dark streets. "I pictured you as a man that plays fair."

"I will have you know that I made team captain for a reason," he said as they walked up the steps of Bargain castle.

"So you being the crowned prince had nothing to do with it?" She asked with a laugh.

Ben threw his head back and laughed before stopping Mal from opening the door.

"No," he said, making her look back at him. "I earned that spot, but right now I could use a drink. Got anything good?"

Mal smirked up before nodding her head. "Yeah, why don't we change and get everyone together, before having that drink. I think I have something that would be… fun."

---

After changing and telling everyone to meet down in the den, Mal told Jay to grab the special drink so that they could play a game. Everyone sat down by fire before Jay and Harry passed around unlabeled bottles and glasses. Chad poured the liquid into his glass, before smelling it and crushing his eyes shut.

"What the hell is this?" He asked. "It smells strong enough to get us drunk off one sip."

"It's a concoction that the boys made a couple of years ago," Mal said as she sat down next to Ben and poured the brown drink in his glass. "It's not that strong."

Ben smelled the drink and made the same face Chad did.

"Are you trying to get us drunk?" He asked.

"No," Mal said as she shook her head. "Let's just hope you don't lose the game."

"What game are we playing?" Jane asked as she looked at the liquid in her glass.

"Never have I ever," Evie said as she smirked at Doug.

"Oooooooo," Lonnie said. "I'm game. It's time to spill."

"How would we know if someone is lying?" Jane asked.

"I am more than 100 percent sure that at least one person in this room knows one or more of our secrets," Mal said as she took a sip of her drink. "So well know if someone is lying."

"Alright," Ben said as he pulled Mal to his chest. "Let's see who gets drunk that fastest."

"Okay," Jay said as he crossed his legs and sat up straight. "Never have I ever kissed a guy."

Every girl in the room drank except for Jane.

"Really?" Evie asked as she looked over at Jane.

"No," Jane said as she shook her head. "I guess I'm just not pretty enough."

"You're a babe," Mal said as she looked at Jane in shock. "Are all Auradon boys stupid?"

"Hey!" Chad, Ben, and Doug said at the same time.

"Well, not you… maybe Chad," Mal said, making Chad shake his head and chuckle. "You guys see Jane as a sister. I know you guys see Jane as a sister, but the rest are stupid."

Jane smiled at the compliment. She had never been one to have high self-esteem, and hearing someone call her pretty made her feel happy.

"Thank you, Mal," Jane said with a smile as Mal gave her a wink. "Anyway… Never have I ever played strip poker."

All of the VKs drank, making Ben look down at Mal with a shocked expression.

"You have?" He asked.

"Well yeah, but I would always win, so I never stripped," she said with a shrug.

"Good," he whispered into her ear, making her laugh.

"Okay, never have I ever gone skinny dipping," Carlos said.

Only Chad and Audrey drank, making everyone look at them with wide eyes.

"We dated for 6 years," Chad said. "Don't act so surprised."

"Moving on," Jordan said with a laugh as she shook her head and nudged Audrey's shoulder.

The two were very good friends in high school, and just because Jordan was not dating Chad didn't mean that they were going to spot being friends.

"Never have I ever smoked a joint," Jordan said as she looked around the group.

"What's a joint?" Gil asked.

"It's a hand rolled cigarette, but instead of tobacco it's marijuana," Ben explained.

"Ooooh," the VKs said as they nodded their heads.

Chad, and Lonnie drank, and then Chad's head started to spin.

"Whoa," he said. "How are you guys not getting dizzy? Mal, Evie, and Uma are smaller than I am, have refilled their glasses, and aren't even the least bit showing that they are tipsy."

"We have been drinking this for a couple of years," Uma said as she raised her glass. "We're used to it."

Chad shook his head, and then regretted it as it started to throb.

"Okay," Audrey said. "Never have I ever had a one-night stand."

Mal looked up at Ben, making him look down at her.

"Would you count that night as a one night stand?" Mal asked.

Ben shook his head. "No. Because it happened more than once."

"Ew," Jay said, making Ben and Mal look at him. "Not something I wanted to hear."

Mal stuck her tongue out at Jay, making him make a face back at her. Jay and the rest of the guys thought of Mal, Evie, and Uma as sisters. Well, except for Harry and Uma's situation, because they were together.

"Please move on so I don't barf," Jay said as he looked away from Mal.

"Never have I ever dated or hooked up with someone 3 years younger or older," Gil said. "I know it's not a big age gap, but it's still a gap."

Jay, Evie, and Jordan drank.

"Who?" Chad asked as he looked at his girlfriend.

"A guy from Agrabah," she said. "We dated over summer before sophomore year, and we broke up when I was coming back to Auradon Prep."

"I see," he said. "Does he still have the hots for you?"

"Well, he's gay now, so I don't think so," she said with a laugh.

"Just checking."

"Never have I ever sent nudes," Evie said as she smirked at Mal.

Mal glared at her best friend, and Evie knew why she was getting the ok of death. Chad and Audrey drank, but all eyes were on Mal right now.

"Oh," Evie said. "I think someone is not following the rules of the game," she said in a teasing voice.

Mal groaned before bringing the cup up to her lips and taking a drink.

"That's the last time I tell you anything, Evilyn," Mal said as she pointed at her friend.

"Yeah, okay," Evie said. "We'll see how long that lasts."

"It's okay, Mal," Doug said as he looked over at Ben. "Someone else isn't following the rules and I know you know that too."

Ben rolled his eyes before taking a drink, making Doug laugh. Ben flipped off his best friend as he finished the liquid in his glass and placed it on the ground next to him.

"Fuck you, Dougy," he said as he filled the glass again. "Fuck you."

"Rules are rules, Ben. Rules are rules."

"Who sent you nude pictures, Mal?" Harry asked as he glared at Mal.

Both Ben and Mal looked at the pirate with a are-you-serious-look, and Uma smacked him on the backside of the head.

"Never mind," he said, now understanding how stupid the question was.

"Wait!" Chad said. "I didn't get to do one."

"Go on," Ben said as he put his chin on the top of Mal's head.

"Never have I ever hooked up with someone of the same sex or gender."

Lonnie was the only one to drink, making Jay look at her with raised eyebrows.

"What?" She asked. "I was a little bicurious."

He smiled at her, but couldn't help but think it was a little hot.

"Okay," Doug said. "My turn. Never have I ever fallen in love at first sight."

No one went to drink, but all of the AKs looked over at Ben. He slowly shook his head, pleading with them to let it go.

"Oh, Ben," Doug said as he shook his head. "Rules are rules."

Mal turned to look up at Ben as he took another long drink.

"Really?" Mal asked. "With who?"

Everyone started to laugh, making Ben's cheeks flush red. He didn't want to tell Mal that he fell for her the moment she walked through the door, but he also didn't want to lie to her.

"He fell for you," Doug slurred.

Mal snapped her head in Doug's direction, before looking back at Ben. He had his eyes closed not wanting to meet hers. She gave him a small smile before pushing herself up and kissing his cheek. She knew he was embarrassed, but she didn't want him to be. She may not know her full feelings for him yet, but she knew she liked him and that she would do anything for him.

"Okay," she said. "Stop embarrassing him. Moving on. Go one, Ben. Do yours."

He took a breath before looking back at his friends. "Never have I ever filmed an intimate moment."

Uma and Harry drank, making everyone look at them in surprise.

"How in the hell would you be able to do that?" Jay asked.

"First things first," Uma said. "It's none of your fucking business. And two it's still none of your fucking business."

Everyone laughed, and Ben started to feel better about him getting embarrassed, because at least he wasn't the only one.

"Can I ask another?" Jane asked as she raised her hand.

"Ask away, Janey," Ben said as he took another drink from his glass.

"Never have I ever caught my parents having sex," she said.

Chad, Jordan, and Lonnie drank, but Ben was thinking.

"Does hearing it count?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" Gil asked.

"Well… my dad… growls… really loud," he said slightly embarrassed.

"I would say yes then," Harry said. "Drink up, mate," he said as he raised his glass, making Ben take another drink and everyone started to laugh.

"Like father like son," Mal said, making Ben choke on his drink a little.

He put his fingers up his lips, telling her to shush and she laughed. He swallowed what was in his mouth before leaning down next to her ear.

"Two more questions, and then I want to go upstairs," he said, making Mal look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay," Lonnie said. "Never have I ever gotten a tattoo."

Mal, Evie, and Uma drank.

"Where? And what are they?" Lonnie asked in excitement.

"I have a crown on my wrist," Evie said as she pulled her glove off to show her tattoo.

"That's so cool!" Lonnie said. "What about yours?" She said as she turned to Uma.

"I have a shell behind my ear," she said as she moved her braids to show them the shell.

"And I have my mom's dragon crest on my upper ribs," she said as she started to pull her shirt up, but Ben grabbed her and pulled her shirt back down.

"Nope," he said. "Not going to happen. It's too high for you to show."

"And how… never mind!" Jay said, answering his own question. "Move on please!"

"Never have I ever been blackout drunk," Mal said as she looked at her brother.

Jay, Harry, Ben, and Chad all drank, but Chad looked at Lonnie with furrowed eyebrows.

"Aren't you going to drink?" Chad asked.

"Why would I?" She asked with a slur. "I may have gotten drunk, but I'm not stupid like you and Ben to get shitfaced."

"I take offense to that," Ben said and he finished off his drink. "And with that said, Mal and I are going to bed and we will see you in the morning."

Ben got up, helped Mal up and held her close so that she didn't fall.

"Would you like another wake up call tomorrow?' Jay asked as he smiled at the couple.

"Fuck no!" Ben said as he wrapped his arm around Mal's waist and they started to walk out of the room. "And if you do, I'll tell everyone what you told me a couple of days before you guys left Auradon."

Jay's eyes widened, before he held his hands up in defeat.

"What did he tell you?" Harry and Gil asked at the same time.

"Nothing!" Jay said. "Ben I swear…"

"Then say it," Ben said as he and Mal turned back to him. "No more wake up calls."

Jay rolled his eyes before nodding his head. "No more wake up calls."

"Good boy," Ben said as he and Mal turned back around and walked out of the room. "Have a good night!"

Ben and Mal swayed back and forth as they made their way to Mal's room. Once they were inside, Mal closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She stretched her arms up, before throwing her head back.

"Do you want to get ready first?" She asked. "Or do you want me…"

She was cut off by Ben pinning her to the door, and crushing his lips to hers. She was expecting something like this, but not him pinning her to the door.

"You know," he said against her lips. "I suddenly got a burst of energy."

Mal laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Really? I couldn't tell," she said with a laugh.

He crushed his lips to hers again, before picking her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. Her fingers finding their way into his hair. His hands rested under her butt, and he was tempted to rip her pants off from their seams, but he didn't want to be too aggressive. He walked them over to her large bed, before laying her down on it. He couldn't believe that he had such a beautiful girlfriend, and he never wanted anyone else. He pressed her further into the bed, after she smiled up at him, and he pressed his lips to hers again. She may now know that he fell in love with her after seeing her for the first time, but he didn't care at that moment. All that mattered was that he was with her and she was with him. Even if she didn't feel the same way he felt right now, he was hoping that she would later.

---

"I swear," Mal said as Dizzy started to rinse her hair out. "If Hadie shows up to that show drunk, I am going to kill the guys."

"I'm sure Ben is keeping a good eye on him," Evie said as she was playing with her hair in the mirror. "Dizzy, you work wonders."

"Thank you," Dizzy said as she started to dry Mal's hair. "I'm glad we decided to keep your black roots this time. It blends in well with the blue."

"So am I, but what I can't wait for is to see Audrey's hair!"

"She's going to look amazing!" Jane said as she smiled at her friend.

"Thank you, Janey," Audrey said as she turned to look at Jane. "I am sad that we are leaving in two days, but I can't wait to show my mom my new hair. I hope that it turns out good. I have never done anything like this to my hair."

"You're going to look hot," Lonnie said as he started to run her fingers through her newly done hair with hot pink streaks in it.

"Okay, Mal," Dizzy said. "Let's get you under the heater, so that I can wash out Audrey's hair."

Evie was curling Jordan's hair, trying to help Dizzy out. Jordan had Dizzy bleached the bottom half of her hair, and then dyed it multicolored. Jane had new baby blue streaks in her hair, and it was something that she had never thought about doing, but made her feel more confident in herself. Uma had Dizzy take out all of her braids, touched up her teal color, and then started to braid again. This time, instead of doing full long braids, Dizzy only braided the front of Uma's hair. She stopped at the top of Uma's head, she twisted the end of the braids into what looked like a small crown, and left the rest of Uma's hair down and loose. They all loved the way Dizzy did, and couldn't believe the talent that she had for hair. When Dizzy was done rinsing Audrey's hair she started to blow dry it, and then added the colorful dye. Evie started to curl Mal's hair once Audrey needed to go under the heater. Mal's hair was a violet color with newly added blue streaks peeking out of her slightly show black roots. . They looked great and blended well with the purple.

"Okay, Audrey," Dizzy said as she turned the heater off. "One more rinse and then all we have to do is blow dry and straighten."

Audrey smiled at the 18 year old, before nodding her head.

"Let's do this," she said as she walked over to the sink.

This was going to be an Audrey that no one had ever seen, and she was nervous, but ultimately happy, because this was something that she felt she needed.

---

Everyone was gathering into the Isle's town square, ready for the performances to start. Ben was standing next to the stage with Jay and Harry, before a girl with silvery purple hair walked up to him.

"Hm," she said as she looked up at Ben. "Don't you look… delicious."

Ben gave her a weird look before looking over at Jay and Harry. They were rolling their eyes, making Ben understand that they knew who this was and that she was not someone that they liked very much.

"And what is your name, good looking?" She asked as she trailed her fingers up Ben's chest.

"His name is Mal's boyfriend," Jay said as he pushed her hand away from Ben. "And I would skedaddle if I were you, Maddie, because we both know that you and Mal are not each other's biggest fans."

"Mal always gets the pretty ones," she said as she crossed her arms and walked away.

The statement made Ben furrow his brows. What did she mean by that? Did Mal have any other relationships before him?

"Jay?" Ben said, making Jay look at him. "I don't know if I should even be asking you this, but what did she mean by Mal getting all of the pretty ones?"

Jay shook his head before leaning in closer to Ben. "Don't worry about it," he told him. "She meant it as in all of the 'attractive' guys go after Mal. She would always deny them, but that's it."

"So, she didn't have any past relationships?" Ben asked.

"No," Jay said as he shook his head. "You're her first."

Ben nodded his head before Jane, Lonnie, Doug, Jordan, Carlos, Gil, and Uma walked over to them.

"Woah," Jay said as he turned to see the girls with their new hairstyles. "You guys look great! Very colorful."

"Thank you," Jane said as she started to play with some of the blue streaks in her head.

"You guys look amazing," Ben said with a kind smile, but wondered where his girlfriend was. "Where are Mal, Evie, and Audrey?

Uma pointed to the stage to see Hadie walking toward the middle, and Mal, Evie, and Audrey were walking behind him but then had hoods over their heads.

"Attention Isle of the Lost!" Hadie said as everyone turned their attention to him. "Who's ready to get crazy?!"

The crowd started to roar, making him smile and nod his head.

"Yeah, I like the energy!" He said as he started to pace back and forth. "But, let's move on. We have a special guest performing tonight, and when I say special, I mean she has traveled all the way here from Auradon."

The crowd started to roar again, making Audrey chuckle from behind Hadie.

"Now without further ado. Let's give it up for Princess Audrey, my sister Mal, and Evie!" Everyone started to clap as he walked off the stage and toward Jay and the others.

"Okay," Audrey said as she spoke into a microphone. "First, I want to say that I wrote this song after a break up, but I want everyone to know that I am over it and I absolutely love my ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend," she said as she smiled down at Jordan and Chad.

Jordan gave her a wink and smile, before Audrey, Mal, and Evie turned around to have their backs to the crowd. A couple of seconds later, music started to play.

Payback bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

Audrey said as she, Mal, and Evie started to sway back and forth with their backs still toward the crowd.

Now I'm out here looking like revenge

Feelin' like a 10, the best I ever been

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt

To see me like this, but it gets worse (wait a minute)

Now you're out here looking like regret

Ain't too proud to beg, second chance you'll never get

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this

But it gets worse (wait a minute)

Audrey was singing the main lyrics while Mal and Evie were singing back up. All three of them turned to face the crowd, and slowly unzipped their jackets, but kept their hoods on. They were each wearing a pair of leather pants, but Audrey's were pink, Mal's were purple, and Evie's were red. They walked forward and Mal and Evie turned to the side crowds, leaving Audrey to face the front crowd.

Now payback is a bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

You're fuckin' with a savage

Can't have this, can't have this (ah)

And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah

Audrey belted out the next verse, and the three of them took their jackets off, threw them into the crowd, and revealed their new hair. Ben caught Mal's jacket, but didn't know where Evie and Audrey's were. The crowd started to scream louder at the girls, as they started to dance on stage.

"Audrey is blonde," Doug said, making Ben look away from his girlfriend.

Ben looked at his friend with wide eyes. "Wow," he said. "It looks good. She has said she wanted to do something different with her hair for years, but was always afraid to do it. I'm glad that she did it," he said as he turned his attention back to Mal.

Mal's hair looked darker, to him. A darker purple, but there was blue in it now. He thought it looked great on her, and he couldn't help but smile up at her.

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

Jordan was having a blast watching Audrey. She may have started dating Chad right after he and Audrey broke up, but she had liked him since the beginning of their freshman year. She just didn't think that a prince would want a non royal, and knowing that Audrey supported them 100 percent made her so happy. She didn't care if the song was about Chad regretting letting Audrey go, because she would feel the same if she broke up with someone and they moved on so fast.

Baby, fineness is the way to kill

Tell me how it feel, bet it's such a bitter pill

And yeah, I know you thought you had bigger, better things

Bet right now this stings (wait a minute)

'Cause the grass is greener under me

Bright as technicolor, I can tell that you can see

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this

But it gets worse (wait a minute)

Chad knew that he hurt Audrey, by moving on so fast, but when they broke up, she told him to follow his heart. She told him that she knew that he had feelings for someone else, and she said that if he chose that person that she would always love him and they would always be friends.

Now payback is a bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

You fuckin' with a savage

Can't have this, can't have this (ah)

And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah

Gil watched Audrey from below, and couldn't help the warm feeling in his chest. He had gotten to know her when he was in Auradon, but he got to know her even more on the Isle. He was starting to like her and like her a lot, but he didn't think a princess would want to be with a nobody.

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

They started to walk down the steps and into the crowd, and their friends were surrounding them. Ben grabbed Mal by the waist, holding her close to him. Jordan walked over to Audrey and wrapped her arms around her friend, making her laugh.

Talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

If you talk, if you talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

Oh yeah

Talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

If you talk, if you talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

The three of them walked back up onto the stage, minus Ben not wanting to let go of Mal. They turned back to the crown and started to sing the finishing lyrics.

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

They walked to the edge of the stage as Audrey sang the last part.

Payback is a bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

I'm the baddest, I'm the baddest

"Yeah, you are!" Mal said, before she wrapped her arms around Audrey.

The crowd started to cheer, before they gave their microphones to Hadie and walked toward their friends. Ben wasted no time grabbing Mal again, making her smile and wrap her arms around his neck.

"That was great," he said. "I didn't think Audrey had that in her."

"She's amazing," Mal said as she looked up at her boyfriend.

"Oh and your hair looks great by the way," he told her.

"Thanks," she told him as she looked up at him. "It's not much of a change, but it's a change."

"You look beautiful," he told her. "I like it."

"Well, I'm glad," she told him with a smile before pressing her lips to his.

---

"So," Mal said as she sat down at the giant dining table at Bargain castle. "We are going to start the changes after your holidays."

"Yes," Ben said as he nodded his head. "The holidays are kind of crazy, and I want to make sure that in the new year we can all focus on making the Isle better."

"Okay," she said. "It's only 3 months, we can do that."

"Yeah, it's been like this for years," Uma said. "We have made slight changes already, but that will give us more time to see who else wants to help with the changes."

"That's another thing we wanted to talk about," Doug said as he sat up straight. "There are a lot of things that we are going to change at once, but who is going to be in charge of what?"

"Okay," Evie said as she took out her note book. "We know who is going to be in charge of what already, but what would each of you like to help with? We have helping the school, fixing the foundational structure of buildings and actual buildings, fixing our water, fixing the food problem, and helping with medical aid."

"Can I help with the school?" Jane asked as she raised her hand.

"Me too?" Audrey asked.

"Of course," Mal said as Evie wrote their names down in her notebook.

"I'm pretty sure my dad and brothers will help me with the buildings," Gil said.

"I bet they will," Harry said as he shook his head with a smile.

"I can help with that too," Chad said as he raised his hand. "I may not be the brightest, but I know how to work with my hands."

"Welcome aboard," Gil said as he wrapped an arm over Chad's shoulder.

"I can help with fixing the water here," Lonnie said. "My uncles showed me how to create a working water filtration system when I was 13."

"Great!" Evie said with a bright smile.

"I want to help with the food," Ben said. "I'm king, so I can make sure that the food barges come more frequently and make sure that they have more than what you need."

Mal turned to him and gave him a warm smile. She liked how enthusiastic everyone was getting about fixing the Isle.

"I want to help with food too," Jordan said. "I may not be the kind, but I can help make a system so that people are getting the food they need instead of stealing food."

"Okay," Evie said.

"I can help with medical," Doug said as he held his hand up. "I may know a thing or two."

"A thing or two?" Ben asked. "You finished your doctorate at 23," he said. "You know more than a thing or two," he told his friend in a teasing voice.

"How…"

"Doug is a big nerd," Chad said. "He was able to graduate high school after sophomore year, but he took college courses to make us all look bad."

"I took them so I could graduate with my friend," he said. "And I separated my classes so that I could fit college courses and high school classes together, so shut up."

"Whatever you sat, Dr. Dwarfson," Ben said, holding his hands up and making the rest laugh.

"Okay," Doug said as he shook his head. "So who is in charge of what?"

"I am in charge of school," Evie said. "Gil, as you probably already figured out, is in charge of making the building more… liveable, Jay and Harry are in charge of fixing the water, Mal is in charge of food, and Carlos is in charge of medical."

"And electrical," Carlos added. "When Gil and everyone else is done with the buildings I will go in and see how we can put lights on the inside."'

"Thank you for reminding me," Evie said with a small smile.

"I thought you helped the school?" Ben asked as he leaned over to Mal.

"I do, but I need to make sure that people are getting the proper food they need to survive."

"Good point," he said, making her laugh.

"What is Uma in charge of?" Lonnie asked after not hearing Uma's name.

"That is something else I wanted to talk about," Uma said as she turned her attention to Ben. "With all the good changes we want to make to the Isle, we don't want people making trouble."

"Okay," he said.

"We obviously know that there is going to be trouble, because you can't escape it everywhere, but we don't was murder or villainy on the Isle anymore,' she said as she looked around he table. "The isle may have been created as a place for villains, but it's grown to be a better place. Are there still people who want to follow in the footsteps of their parents? Yes, but I have a plan."

"Go on," Ben said as he started to rub his stubble with his index finger.

"There is a remote island, separated from the Isle," she said as he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a map of Auradon. "It's a small island, but it would work for the people who want to be villains."

"You want to create another Isle?" Ben asked as he stood to look at the map.

"In short terms, yes," Uma said. "It would be for the ones who don't want to change, who don't want to be decent human beings, who want to follow their parents, who want to be villains. The ones who are doomed."

"The Isle of the Doomed," Ben said as he sat back in his seat.

"We will obviously make sure that they are taken better care of than the isle was, no offense," Uma said as she looked at everyone. "But I feel that this would be better so that the Isle can thrive and grow."

"That would make things easier for me," he said, confusing everyone at the table.

"Huh?" Mal said as she looked at Ben.

"I was going to bring this up the next time you guys were in Auradon," he said. "But I want to bring the barrier down."

Everyone looked at him in shock. Never in a million years would they have thought that the barrier coming down would even be a topic of discussion, but here it was.

"What?" Harry said as he sat up in his chair.

"What do you guys think?" He asked.

"You want to bring the barrier down?" Mal asked, still in shock.

"That was my plan," he said. "I just needed to figure out a way to make it to where the people who didn't want to change wouldn't cause any harm or problems, but you did it for me."

No one had any words to say. They sat there, frozen, not even knowing what to think.

"So, what do you guys think?" He asked after a couple of minutes of silence.

"Dude," Doug said. "That is amazing!" He said as he stood up to give Ben a hug. "I'm proud of you! When are you going to talk with the council?"

"I was thinking at the next council meeting," Ben said as he looked at the table to see everyone still in a state of shock. "Which I will need you guys to be at," he said slowly, making everyone turn to him.

Mal shook her head to clear her head. "When is it?"

"In a month," he said as he sat back down and took her hand.

"Isn't that a week before your Thanksgiving holiday?" Evie asked.

"It is," Ben said. "And I was going to invite you all to spend the holidays with us."

"You want us to spend a little over 2 months in Auradon?" Carlos asked.

"Why not?" Ben asked. "We can show you what Auradon holidays are like."

"Yeah!" Audrey exclaimed. "It would be so fun!"

"Would it be just the 7 of us?" Evie asked.

"No," Ben said as he shook his head. "You can bring your family if you want."

"Mom won't go," Uma said. "She doesn't like to leave the restaurant unattended."

"Same with my dad's shop," Jay said.

"Can I bring Dizzy?" Evie asked.

"Of course," Ben said.

"I'll go, but my dad and brothers won't want to, but if my sister does can I bring her?" Gil asked.

"Absolutely," he said, before he turned to Mal. "Your parents and brother can come too," he told her, making her laugh.

"I'll have to see if they want to, okay, but Hadie will want to go for sure," she said.

"So, you guys will come?" He asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Yeah," Mal said. "Why not."

Ben didn't know he could smile as big as he was, but he was excited for them to come back to Auradon, and it would be for longer than a month. They would be there for over 2 months and it would be his and Mal's first Christmas together. He had to make sure that it was going to be perfect.

---

"I don't want to go," Ben said as curled into Mal's chest.

"I'm going to see you in a month," she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"The first month was too long," he said, making her laugh.

"But I'll be in Auradon longer," she told him. "So the sooner you leave, and do your kingy stuff, the sooner time will fly."

"Why do I get the feeling that you are trying to kick me out?" He asked as he looked up at her.

"You can stay here as long as you want," she said with a laugh. "But I don't want Auradon to think their king abandoned them for a girl," she said, making him groan.

"Fine," he said as he rolled over and got out of the bed. "I'm going, but I'm not going to like it."

"You're acting like you're going to miss me," she said, making Ben look at her with squinted eyes.

"Shut up," he said as he pulled his shirt over his head. "I'll pack you in my bag and take you with me."

Mal threw her head back and laughed before getting up and walking over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a lingering kiss on her lips.

"I'm going to miss you too," she said as she pressed her forehead to his. "The month will go by fast and then you'll see me for 2 months straight. You're probably going to get tired of seeing me."

"That will never be possible," he said before he picked her up, kissed her, and spun her around.

He knew he was going to have to wait to see her again, but he knew that the wait would be worth it, and that this was going to be the best Christmas ever.

---

Until next time my lovies! xoxo GM