Message from the author: Hey guys ! Thanks for clicking on this fanfic, and welcome to this re-edited version of "Descendants 3" ! If you were frustrated by the 3rd movie and think this series deserved a better finale, this is the right fanfic for you ! Before we jump in, we need to adress of few things. Firstly, the events of this fanfic take place (aproximatively) a year after the events of descendants 2. You might be able to follow even without having seen Descendant 1 & 2, but there's a lot of references you might not get. Honestly, got watch if you haven't, they're pretty cool movies ! Now, I changed one thing from the original series. Ben (son of Belle and Adam) is not the King of Auradon, but still the Prince. Honestly, I thought it was pretty unrealistic to name a 16 years old to be King of a kingdom when his dad is clearly still able to rule. So, yeah !

This fanfic will also take inspiration from the live action movie "Maleficent" (also a good movie you HAVE to watch), but we'll talk about that later on...

Anyways, this first chapter is an introduction of the main conflict of the story ! Enjoy ;)

Prologue - The sword, the rose and the crowns

"Audrey ! Audrey, look ! This is THE sword !"

In the middle a warm summer, while everywhere in the country kids were playing outside, in parks, at the beach, riding bikes or playing sports - two very special children were locked inside a museum. Benjamin was the heir to the throne of Auradon. Ever since he was little boy, he was used to spending his days indoors reading, receiving lessons and hearing about stories and myths that led up to the creation of this kingdom, that he would one day have to rule. The sun could shine as bright as it wanted to, Ben actually liked the way he spent his days. Fairy tales were particularly interesting to him. He knew everything single one of the founding myths by heart, and his favorite by far was Sleeping Beauty. He liked to think of himself as the type of man who would be able to defeated the dragon without fear if it was to save the one he loved. Pretty ironic, you'll see…

Ben's favorite princely activity was visiting the Museum of Cultural History. Walking around these hallways and rooms was like traveling to a time he never knew. Here, enchanted objects and magical artefacts were exposed to the view and enjoyment of everyone. All of the iconic objects from all of the classical fairy tales leading to Auradon's creation were here, and just by seeing them, Ben could replay them in his head. Today - as always - Benjamin was starstrucked in front of 'THE sword ' - as he called it. The Sword who delivered Sleeping Beauty, who slayed the dragon and ended Maleficent's spell - symbol of braveness, courage and protection. It was beautiful. Stars in his eyes, the little boy pressed his face to the glass wall behind which the sword was exposed.

"Audrey ! Come look ! It's your dad's sword !" insisted him

His voice echoed in the empty hall, but the little girl he was talking to did not react. Audrey was busy admiring another object. Her soft fingers caressed the glass bell with tender and a light smile appeared on her lips. In front of her stood a single rose - older than any other flower that ever grew in this world. As red as a rose could ever be, as beautiful as the prettiest flower. While being enchanted, the rose still seemed fragile, precious - as if single blow of wind could destroy it. But somehow, even after all these years - it was still there. Just like her love for Ben.

In her opinion - and she was a very opinionated little girl - Beauty and the Beast was by far the best fairy tale that Auradon could recount. And, in contrary to her mother, she did not say that only because Belle and Adam were King and Queen. She did not need to please them, she actually liked the story. She liked because it was a love story, a true love story.

See, the thing was, Audrey did not believe in love at first sight. How could people ever meet in a dream ? It didn't make any sense. And she stood on the opinion that kissing a lifeless sleeping girl should never be your first reflexe - also when her dad was the one telling the story it always sounded kinda cute. That being said, Audrey believed in people growing on each other - growing up with each other - and becoming lovers. Belle did not like Adam at first sight - he was a beast ! And he, he had already given up the entire idea of love. Their story - this rose - was the real symbol of the power of true love. The power of hope.

"Audrey !"

She turned around.

"The Rose is prettier every time I see it" she said

Ben laughed. He liked her fascination for his parent's story, just like she likes his for her parents' tale. It felt like they were meant to be. He turned away from the sword to look at the ten years old girl at the other side of the room. He sighed. Gosh, she was pretty. Blonde, thin, with beautiful hazel eyes and a bow in her hair. He walked towards her and they met midway between the sword and the rose. Right in front of the …

"Woah" said Audrey. "The King and Queen crowns. What are they doing here ?"

Ben shrugged.

"They left town for a "business trip" this weekend. So I guess the crowns are waiting for them here. They have smaller one to travel."

Audrey laughed.

"You're kidding, right ?"

"No, I am absolutely serious" insisted Ben. "It's extra, I know. But, I guess being extra is part of the life of King and a Queen."

"Two crowns…" repeated Audrey. "It's really extra."

Ben smirked.

"I'm pretty sure, they have three" he said. "A third one for ceremonies."

This time, Audrey cracked up and her laugh filled the room and echoed against the wall. Ben laughed too but then he looked at her and said:

"One day, you'll have your crown, my Queen."