Hello new and old readers.

This is the first revised chapter of 'A Twist of Time'. As you might have noticed, the story previously mentioned has not been changed, as I have decided to make a new story instead of replacing old chapters. This way, you can see the differences between plots and how exactly things have changed.

This revised story will not follow the exact same plot as the original story. The original story took place after Descendants 2, while this story will take place after Descendants 3. A few things will be taken out and a lot more will be added, as you will see in this first chapter alone.

This story will only be updated once a week, but as some of my long-time followers know, that can always change within a few days to a few hours. I am really looking forward to seeing your reactions so please be sure to review. Without any further delay:

Enjoy.

The party ended so wonderfully; nothing could spoil the moment.

The barrier around the Isle had been removed by the King of Auradon's fiancé, who would soon become his wife and the Queen of Auradon. With the removal of the barrier, a bridge magically formed to connect the Isle of the Lost with the United States of Auradon. The Isle citizens joyfully crossed over to celebrate the unification of the two kingdoms.

Everyone partied long after the sun had set and until the moon was directly over their heads. Those, who wanted to, stayed at the King's castle for the night, while the rest returned to their homes either on the Isle or in Auradon. His fiancé thought about staying at her friend's starter castle, but the King practically begged her to stay with him. After little to no convincing, the engaged couple peacefully slept together in the King's bed.

And yet, when Ben awoke from his slumber, his fiancé—Mal, the beautiful daughter of Hades and Maleficent—was nowhere to be found. Ben somehow woken up over two years in the past. In fact, he hadn't even woken in his bed.

Instead, he found himself walking with his ex-girlfriend—though, at that time they were together—through Audrey's family rose garden. It took Ben a few moments to realize he had been taken back to a month before his official proclamation began, where his beloved and her three friends from the Isle were given a chance to live in Auradon.

"I don't know why those sidekicks are so upset," Audrey insisted, momentarily snapping Ben out of his clouded daze. "They're so adorable, and everyone loves them. Why would they bother with things like wages and hours and"—she paused to shudder at the thought—"credit?" She stroked the dove that had landed on her shoulder moments before. "Those aren't lovely things at all."

Ben stared at her in befuddlement before it clicked in his mind: Audrey was speaking of his meeting with the King's Council—more specifically, the sidekicks of all the fairytales.

"They don't live a life like we do," Ben claimed bitterly, his thoughts scurrying back to the people of the Isle. "They don't live in castles with servant, or silk sheets, or breakfast trays, or rose gardens. That's only for us spoiled royalty."

"I love rose gardens," Audrey commented with a smile gracing her lips, acting as though she didn't hear Ben's last statement. "And I love the ones with topiaries shaped like adorable creatures." She giggled in delight with the dove chirping back in agreement. "The elephants are my favorite, with those cute little trunks, but also the hippos with their lovely teeth. It is such a talent to be able to prune a bush into the shape of—"

"Audrey," Ben chided, a scowl settling deep on his facial features. "Have you listened to a word I said?"

Instead of answering the question, Audrey laughed once more, sounding like the tinkle of fairy bells chiming in the wind. Ben preferred hearing that over her sinister laugh as an evil enchantress, but he would rather hear Mal's genuine laugh instead of this dreadfully perfect one.

Noticing his frown furrowing deeper, Audrey took Ben's hands into her tiny, perfectly manicured fingers. Mal's would have had purple and black chipped nail polish.

"Don't worry about it, Ben," Audrey reassured. "Everything will work out in the end. It always does. You are a prince, and I am a princess. This is the land of Happy Endings, remember? You deserve nothing less than everything your heart desires. You were born into it, Ben. We all were."

Roughly jerking his hands away from hers, Ben stubbornly argued, "Not the people of the Isle. They don't have the resources that we have. They probably don't even know what fresh food is."

The king—or 'prince' as he was at this time—was still pretty irritated with himself when he heard the story of Gil calling a food by the wrong name, because he had never seen it before. The Isle's grungy environment was terrible for growing food and, with the island being nicknamed 'Isle of the Leftovers', never had a chance of having anything 'fresh'.

Instead of being concerned or even considering the thought, Audrey laughed once more. "Don't be silly!" Then, she changed the subject. "I have something to show you. Something perfectly perfect, just like today!"

This day isn't perfect, Ben thought to himself as he allowed himself to be dragged off by the maiden princess. It is a living hell!

As they circled the garden, Audrey led the 'prince' to a secluded patch of wildflowers. A beautiful picnic laid out before them on the grass amidst the blossoming flowers, in a woodland valley filled with happy forest animals either nuzzling, chirping, or hopping about.

"Isn't it amazing?" Audrey complimented as she leaned into Ben lovingly. "I had half the grounds-men and three cooks working on this all morning." She nuzzled Ben's check tenderly. "Just for us."

Ben fought the urge to vomit. He felt absolutely terrible when she tried to show affection to him. His first thoughts were of Mal. She would have hexed the princess with a bad-hair spell or something terrible for trying to make a move on him. Ben had to end this before he could grow any worse for cheating on her—though they weren't technically together yet during this time—but what could he do?

Audrey pulled him onto the embroidered silk blanket with her initials—intertwined with those of her parents—stitched into the fabric, the golden threads sparkling like sunshine in the grass.

Ben huffed in frustration, ready to just break things off with her. "Listen, Audrey—"

"There are seventeen sorts of pastries to sample." She held a dessert shaped like a swan with chocolate wings. "This one is sweet, don't you think?"

He shook his head stubbornly. "Haven't you ever wondered if there was more to life than this? Wouldn't you like to at least explore your own kingdom? Or maybe go see the world?"

While Audrey sucked the chocolate off her fingers, Ben had a weird sense of déjà vu as he thought of Mal once more. She had done the very same thing on their first date at the Enchanted Lake. Mal looked adorable because it had been the first time she ate a jelly doughnut.

But that hasn't happened yet.

Sighing softly, Audrey wondered, "You're not talking about that awful island, are you?"

"Don't talk about it like that," Ben harshly demanded. "How would you feel if someone called your castle awful. They are trapped under the dome with no way leaving. Can't you feel just a little bit of sympathy for them?"

"Perhaps, darling, they should have considered the consequences before undertaking a life of evil and villainy," Audrey argued, "which could only lead to an eternity of punishment."

And yet you were able to get out of one for what you did to Auradon. What a hypocrite.

"And eternity is far too long, especially when there are people there who have done nothing wrong." Ben shook his head to rid himself of plaguing and guilty thoughts. "They're captives. Here in Auradon, we can travel anywhere and everywhere we want. They can't."

Despite that reasoning, Audrey smiled brightly. "Which reminds me, I told Aziz and Lonnie we would be visiting them today. The carriage will pick us up in an hour." She leaned forward, touching his chin with her fingertips. "Time for a new topic. Almost a whole new world, you could say."

Ben's stubborn streak—which grew more since being with Mal—wouldn't give up on the matter. Pulling himself away from her touch, Ben spat, "Don't change the subject, Audrey. Haven't you ever wondered about the villains?"

"Certainly not!" Audrey shouted defensively, shaking her head in fear. "Mother says one tried to put her to sleep for one hundred years after she had already spent her entire childhood in foster care and protective custody! Then that same horrible woman turned into a dragon, who tried to kill Father!"

"Her name is Maleficent," Ben reminded, for how could he ever forget the name of his beloved's mother or more importantly the ex-wife of his future father-in-law? "She is the Mistress of Darkness, the evilest and powerfullest fairy to have ever lived."

"Don't say her name here," Audrey whispered, her voice a hiss as her frown deepened. "She might hear you and curse you! She takes away everyone and everything my family loves!"

"But haven't you ever wondered about the villains' children?" Ben pursed determinedly. "Haven't you ever thought what it would be like to meet them or wondered what they have been through? Have you ever thought about helping them?"

Audrey gasped at the horrifying suggestion. "Never! The moment we try to help them is the moment they try to take advantage of us!"

As though he expected that answer, Ben stood from the picnic like he was leaving. Audrey gave him a flabbergasted look. "Where are you going?"

"To start my first royal proclamation before I become 'king'," he answered matter-of-factly, complete confidence in his tone. "Don't expect me to visit Aziz and Lonnie with you, or do anything with you ever again."

"Excuse me?" Audrey interrogated, flabbergasted by his statements. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Breaking up with you," Ben informed, like it was the most obvious fact in the world. "I don't want to be with someone who refuses to give someone a second chance, or even a first chance. In fact, I rather fall in love with a villain princess than a spoiled princess like you. We are done."

Audrey didn't seem to believe the 'prince' until he started walking away. She tried calling out to him, but he refused to acknowledge her. He had only one goal in mind—

And that was to reunite with his Queen.

The next day, Ben met with Grumpy to suggest a compromise for the dwarfs' and sidekicks' petitions. The 'prince' gave the representative the same speech as the first time, word for word but with more kingly confidence than before. Just like before, Grumpy agreed with the newly offered terms.

"You're going to be a good king," the dwarf complimented with an unusual smile. "Give your father my best, and your mother my love."

"I will," Ben promised, pleased that he could close the deal a second time.

"However, I do have a question." Grumpy gestured toward the 'prince'. "Why do you have such a strange piece of jewelry on your desk?"

Ben appeared confused by the question, as it wasn't asked before. "What do you . . ." He trailed off as glanced down at his desk. Complete surprise overtook his facial features as he immediately recognized the vintage ring with a one-of-a-kind dragon design that encased a unique purple stone.

Smiling softly, Ben held the ring as he examined it closely, confusing the dwarf by his action. "I found this while I was walking through town one day," he expertly fibbed. "I decided then that I would give it to the most beautiful princess ever, as she would be the only one worthy of becoming 'Queen of Auradon'."

"Now, I have a question for you." Ben straightened himself so he would appear more authoritative that he truly was in that time. "Have you ever thought about what it would be like to meet the child of the villain of your fairytale? What would you do?"

"Yes, I have," Grumpy admitted with no hesitation. "No matter if Grimhilde had a son or daughter, I have always thought she would teach him or her to be respectful, as they would be royalty. After all, Grimhilde did raise Snow White to be a proper royal, even if she was jealous of her step-daughter. I have always assumed that Grimhilde's son or daughter would apologize for their mother's actions. I decided a long time ago that I would forgive them, because I cannot blame a child for something that their parents did. Do you have any more questions, young man?"

"Just one." Ben leaned forward; his eyes filled with determination. "How would you feel about seven, or so, Isle children coming to live in Auradon?"

Exactly one month later—after finishing the final preparations—Ben couldn't help gazing toward the Isle of the Lost as the royal tailor fitted him for his coronation suit. The magical barrier flickered and shimmered over the desolate island beautifully, making the 'prince' ache that much more for her arrival. Just a couple more hours to go—

"How is it possible that you'll soon be king?" King Beast wondered as he and his wife strolled into the room, affectively jumping Ben out of his eager thoughts. "You're just a baby!"

"He's turning sixteen, dear," Queen Belle reminded cheerily, appearing as lovely as ever in her yellow dress.

"Sixteen?" Beast repeated incredulously, still not believing those words. "That's far too young to be crowned king. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least . . .forty-two."

Belle faced him with a frown on her delicate features, retorting, "You decided to marry me at twenty-eight."

"Well, it was either you or a teapot," Beast joked as he winked at his son. The teenager politely chuckled at the harmless joke once again while his wife gave him a pointed look. "Kidding," the king promised, though his eyebrows danced amusingly at his son.

"Mom. Dad," Ben addressed as he confidently stepped forward, ignoring the protests of the tailor. "I have chosen my first official proclamation."

The married couple smiled approvingly, though their son knew their feelings about the situation would quickly change.

"I have decided," Ben slowly began, before rushing forward, "to allow the children of the Isle of the Lost to live in Auradon."

His parents gawked wide-eyed at him while the tailor found an excuse to leave the room, having sensed the tension in the room. He did not want to be caught in the middle if an argument were to ensue.

"Every time I look out at the island,"—Ben paused a moment to gesture to the view of the isle from the window—"I feel like they have been abandoned; like we have given up on them."

"The children of our sworn enemies?" Beast clarified dubiously. "Living among us?"

"We start out with a handful at first. Only ones who need our help the most," Ben explained cautiously, mainly to hopefully avoid his father's temper this time. "I already chosen them."

"Have you?" Beast stalked forward challengingly, but his son's stance did not falter.

Belle placed a hand on Beast's arm, reminding, "I gave you a second chance." She gazed at her son hopefully. "How many did you invite?"

"Seven."

"Seven?" Beast repeated incredulously. "Why such a high number?"

"Because I knew you would say no to eleven," Ben argued knowingly. "I have continuously spoke to Grumpy about this matter and he thought seven was a reasonable number. It would quicken the process of my proclamation as four was—is too little to start."

"What about their parents?" Belle wondered softly. "Who are their parents?"

Ben sighed, already knowing what will happen once he divulge the information. "Cruella de Vil," he began leisurely, "Captain Hook, Jafar, Ursula, Evil Queen, Gaston . . ." Ben paused to straighten himself to display his strength, ready to take the backlash of the final name. "And Maleficent."

"Maleficent?!" Beast shouted ferociously. "I can accept the others, but I won't hear of her! She is the worst villain in the land—guilty of unspeakable crimes! I will not allow her child to come here!"

"Her daughter's invitation is not negotiable," Ben argued, an angered scowl taking over his features. "Everything would be pointless if she isn't one of the chosen."

"Why not someone else?" Beast wondered, trying to think of any other villain whose child would be less dangerous to have in his kingdom. "I would even consider allowing Hades's child over her child."

"That's not possible," Ben denied knowingly.

"Why not!"

"Because Maleficent's daughter is also the daughter of Hades!" Ben shouted over his father, surprising his parents with his forcefulness on the subject. "Either their daughter comes to Auradon, or I step down from becoming king."

His parents paled at the ultimatum. "Ben . . ." Belle shook her head in horror. "Would you really . . . ?"

"Absolutely," Ben confirmed, no hesitation in his resolve. "She is innocent of her parents' crimes, and I will not allow her to be held responsible for something she didn't do."

Staring at his son to see if he would waver, King Beast adverted his gaze to the floor with a reluctant sigh, yielding, "I suppose the children are innocent."

Ben perked up at the statement, watching as his father walked off before he could say anything more. Belle stepped in front of her son, straightening his jacket with an encouraging smile. "Well done," she praised. "If you stay as determined as you are now, there is nothing that you can't achieve as king."

Ben offered a small smile as a 'thank you', watching as his mother went to walk out of his bedroom with his father.

The 'prince' turned his attention back to the Isle once more—

Counting the seconds until he could finally see her.