Hey everyone! Sorry about the weird updating fiasco going on with the last chapter. It updated, but the chapter itself didn't get on til days later. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen with this one!

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Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Descendants, only of Belladonna.

20 years ago, King Beast and Queen Belle united the Fairytale Kingdoms into the United States of Auradon. In that union, the kingdoms had decided to throw all villains and bad guys onto the Isle of the Lost. Permanently.

The Kingdom was in harmony.

2 years later, the first of the next fairytale generation was born.

And her name was Stella.

She was the daughter of Princess Rapunzel and Prince Eugene, one of the most recent royal couples, but no less in love than any other.

Stella was born, shockingly, with the golden hair that her mother had so long ago. Her eyes, brown, just like her father's. She even had her father's nose.

She was beloved by all.

How could the heros possibly know that this joy wouldn't last forever?

How could Rapunzel know...her Mother Gothel wasn't dead?

One night, just like the night Rapunzel was taken, cries broke out.

Rapunzel had gone to check on her baby, who was unusually quiet that night. She discovered an empty bed and an opened window.

King Beast sent forces all over the lands, no stone left unturned, to find the missing child. The search went on for days, weeks, months...years.

By the time Rapunzel could not handle the pain of searching any longer, she already had given birth to her second born, Xavier. Brown hair and nose like his father, green eyes like his mother. In a way, Rapunzel felt relieved.

She too would take up the tradition her parents had so long ago. Those in the region of Corona, every year on Stella's birthday, would release paper lanterns into the sky. In hopes their Stella would return.

But for the United States of Auradon, Stella became a tale of tragedy. The Lost Princess.

No one knew that she had been taken to join her Grandmother Gothel who had been hidden away on the Isle of the Lost.

No one knew she had become Belladonna.

Evie had gathered the rest of the VK's in the girl's room once I had calmed down enough. She and I both agreed I needed to tell them. I would need my friend's support. Xavier was a factor we hadn't counted on, that I hadn't counted on.

"What's up?" Jay asked, breaking the silence around us. Mal and him were sitting on her bed. Carlos was on mine with his new addition of Dude. Evie was on her bed and closest to me. I was tense and shaking still. I had changed into black sweatpants and a black tank top with one of Evie's blue sweaters for comfort. My hair was still in the braid, but my makeup had been fully washed off leaving a bare and red face. I knew I looked like a mess. I felt like a mess.

But I needed to get it out.

"I have been keeping things from you. Very important things. Things I hadn't planned on telling you for a little bit more, but certain incidents today have sped the process up." I began.

"I need your help to stay in control." I said, when Mal went to protest the knowledge that I had kept secrets. It had quieted her down.

I was the most level headed of all of us. I was always in control. I didn't feel like I was right now.

"Whatever you need D." Carlos said, looking ever as eager to help his friends.

I took a deep breath, but when I exhaled, it was shaky.

"On the Isle. I was the orphan. No parents to speak of." I began again.

"But that isn't true." I said. The three were wide-eyed.

"Your parents are on the Isle? Who are they?" Jay asked quickly, looking like he was wracking his brain to figure it out.

"What caused you to suddenly reveal this to us?" Mal asked, anger in her tone. I knew her though. It was masking the hurt. She felt like I had kept it from her and the gang selfishly probably.

But I knew no other way to say it.

"I met my brother today."

Silence. They were wide-eyed, mouth gaping at me.

"Your...brother?" Mal asked after a moment. I nodded, tensing up by the second. Evie reached out to take my hand, but I jumped. After a second, I let our hands wrap around each other.

"But...that means-" "Are your parents heros?" Jay asked in disbelief, cutting off Carlos.

I nodded again, but I didn't know if I could say it outloud twice in one day. Evie stood up then to stand beside me.

"You need me to say it?" she whispered.

I nodded, leaning my head to hide my face in her shoulder, not carrying that my back twinged from the height difference.

"Belladonna's parents are heroes. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider...to be exact." Evie dropped the ultimate bomb.

The three erupted with questions but the sudden burst of volume made me step back. Whatever look Evie must have given them in response quieted them down.

"But that means you're Stella. The Lost Princess Stella!" Mal said in shock.

"Do you know what this means?" she asked, looking to the others.

"This is it! Our way into getting the wand and-" "No" I said firmly, cutting her off.

"Bella this is the best-" "No Mal" I repeated, giving her a hard look. She looked confused.

"Mal. Be real with me for a second. How do you think this place is going to feel when a kid, who for all purposes they believe came from the Isle, was born on the Isle, and now she suddenly claims she is the greatest mystery they have ever known? The greatest tragedy the kingdom has experienced since unifying." I asked, my tone meaner than it needed to be, but I had to get it clear in her head.

"But this means you weren't born on the Isle!" She defends her reasoning.

"And you really think they will believe that. With how I look? Mal there is still so much to the story that you don't know. That Evie doesn't know" I emphasized when she looked like she would protest again.

The fact that Evie didn't know the whole story had a weight to them and we all knew it. Evie wasn't mad that I hadn't told her yet. She was patient.

"I will help you in whatever scheme you wish to get the wand, if that's your choice. But not this way. Please Mal." I insisted.

She had a sour look for a second, but she seemed to come to some sort of peace about it before nodding in kind.

"Thank you" I said, sitting on the edge of Evie's bed. She sat next to me and wrapped an arm around me.

"Do we call you Stella now?" Carlos said after a moment.

"No bud. Still Belladonna, ok?" I said. He nodded and continued to pet Dude.

"Wicked..." Jay breathed out after a moment.

I guess Jay.

"The important thing is that you know now. And we all need to work to make sure D's wishes are followed. No one can know who she really is." Evie stressed to the other three. I placed a kiss on the side of her head.

"Thanks Evs" I whispered in her ear. She gave me a soft smile back and patted my cheek.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Right?

The next day brought a better mood in me. With Evie by my side, there wasn't anything I couldn't do. In Literature class, Carlos and I flew by it relatively fast. I decided to do a little recon for Mal as a thank you for dropping my heroic parentage.

"Yes Miss Belladonna" the teacher responded to my raised hand. Everyone turned to look at me.

"Sorry to interrupt on the subject. But I'm not in a history class so I feel you hold the best answers to my question. I must admit I am fascinated by Fairy Godmother and her power combined with that of her magic wand. Does she still use it? For academic purposes perhaps?" I asked. Carlos poked my side but I swatted his hand away.

"Well yes, Fairy Godmother is indeed a fascinating character. Both in history and literature so I see why you came to me. However, she does not use her wand unless it is for magical emergencies or royal duties. If you would like to see it in action, might I suggest getting a good seat at Prince Ben's coronation. She will be using it there." he explained.

Jackpot.

"Thank you sir" I responded with a polite smile before leaning back in my seat. Carlos was looking at me wide-eyed.

"How did you do that?" Carlos whispered to me.

"Words are power Carlos. Use them the right way and you get what you want. I played to his ego that only he could answer my question about a powerful figure in the Kingdom. Easy." I said with a shrug of my shoulders.

"Wow." Carlos said before turning back, still wide-eyed. Merlin bless him.

School passed by relatively quickly. Even in Strategy and Tactics I managed to not ruffle any tail feathers too much.

Although one interesting concept came up in conversation.

"So Prince Ben. Any confirmation of your Royal Advisor?" asked Mr. Barker. From Ben's face, it looked like he asked that a lot, but in a good and fun kind of way.

"Any and all announcements relating to the position of Royal Advisor will be held until Family Day" he recited with an easy going smile. Chad looked absolutely smug beside him.

"Royal Advisor?" I asked.

"Ah yes, you wouldn't know." Mr. Barker seemed to remind himself.

"When King Beast took over all the Lands, he appointed Lumiere as his Royal Advisor. Lumiere decided to not continue such a stressful position once Ben is crowned so now, our prince, must decide who will take his place." he explained.

Ah, that's why Chad looked smug. He thought he was going to be chosen.

"No pressure" I snorted.

"You're telling me" Ben joked back causing me to snort again.

"Pressure indeed" the teacher quipped back too.

"Let us continue our discussion with the tale of Beauty and her Beast. Prince Ben, do you feel the Enchantress was right in cursing your father?" Mr. Barker asked.

"Well..I feel it's complicated. My dad doesn't like to talk much of the time before my mom. But he does say how after the curse had been lifted, he felt like he learned something." Ben started to explain.

"Well then it was right." Chad cut in rather rudely. I couldn't stop the snort from my lips if I tried.

"Anything to add Miss Belladonna?" Mr. Barker asked, amused. I could tell he, at least, appreciated how I riled some of these boys up.

"Oh yes. The Enchantress, pardon my language but there is simply no other word for it, was a stone cold bitch for doing that to King Beast." I said. Some of the boys started trying to interrupt but I turned and held them down with a stare.

"I'm speaking." I said, making them all go quiet.

"Why do you say that?" Mr. Barker continued. I turned back to him.

"The lesson she wanted him to learn? If memory serves me correct, King Beast was a boy when she cursed him. And i don't know about you but I've met some pretty rotten little boys. But that kind of behaviour doesn't warrant a curse on not only a child, but all of the people that lived in the castle. A curse, that if unbroken, would lead to death. She gave a child a death sentence if it wasn't for Queen Belle." I defended my statement.

It was absolutely bullshit in my opinion. But I already had gotten away with saying "bitch", better not risk it.

"I never thought about it like that." Ben said, thoughtful. I turned to him and granted him a small smile.

"Of course you wouldn't. You wouldn't punish the child. You would give it a second chance...you already have." I said.

"What?" Ben asked, confused.

"Think about it Ben. Your whole proclamation to bring us, to bring me, to Auradon was to say a child shouldn't be punished for others actions. You gave some rotten little boys and girls...a second chance." I said, probably the most open I had been around all the people in this room.

Ben got a soft, almost proud smile on his face.

"Huh...Thanks Belladonna." he said genuinely.

"Thank you." I finished before turning back in my seat.

When class ended, Ben was sure to catch me in the halls.

"Our group is going to meet around 5. Do you want me to get you from your dorm?" he asked.

"Very kind Ben. Sure. I still don't know my way around much yet" I accepted. He gave that good hearted grin before saying farewell and walking away.

I caught up with Evie in the hall and she gave me a smile.

"You're looking good after that class. How are you feeling?" she asked, holding my hands in hers,

"Alright" I said after a moment. "I didn't pay much attention to him. Plus Ben pulls most of the focus in class if I am being honest" I explained. Evie nodded.

"He'd make a good King," I said. Her smile dropped a little, the weight of the mission heavy on her mind probably.

"Yeah" she whispered before tugging me off to lunch.

The rest of the day passed. I was sitting in our dorm until it was time for Ben to come get me for our group project. A project I didn't even know what was going on in, but details.

To Evie's delight, I was serving as a model as she worked on a dress for herself. While taller, we had roughly the same body type so I was good for things in beginning stages.

She was currently working on a dark blue dress that had lots of layering and a ruffled train. There were burnt orange accents which I felt would complement her eyes very nicely.

Jane was currently ranting to Mal about her mother and how Fairy Godmother wouldn't let her use the wand. I didn't get a chance to tell Mal my information yet, and I wanted to wait until it was just VK's in the room.

"Mal do you like?" Evie asked, eyeing the dress on my with a critical eye.

"Yeah it's cute. It brings out your eyes" Mal said with a small smile. Knew it. Evie nodded, pleased and continued her work.

"I'll never get a boyfriend," Jane said in despair, looking in the mirror.

"Boyfriends are overrated" Mal said with a huff.

"Knew that already" I said, making Evie poke me in the side and Mal laughed.

"How would you know Mal? You've never had one" Evie continued.

"Well neither have you." Mal said right back causing us to laugh.

"Besides I don't need one E. They're a waste of time." Mal said with her signature eye roll as she flipped through her mother's spell book.

At that moment Lonnie walked in, with the same eager grin, and a purpose in her step.

"Hi Belladonna! Hey girls! I'm Lonnie." she greeted us but the others kind of just stared at her. I gave her a polite wave.

"My mom's Mulan?" Dear Merlin, does she get this alot?

"No? Anyways, I love what you've done with Jane's hair. And I know you hate us, and...well, you're evil. But do you think you could do mine?" she asked.

I had to contain my laughter as she led up to her request so Evie let me get off her dress stand and out of measuring. I walked over to my bed as Mal looked at her incredulously.

"Why would I do that for you?" she asked, annoyed. "Play nice Mal." I said, giving her a look.

"I'll pay you 50 dollars?" Lonnie offered, holding a wad of cash. Evie immediately grabbed it out of her hands.

"Good answer. I need to buy more material." she said pleased before circling Lonnie with a critical eye. I got this unpleasant feeling inside of me. I wanted her eyes on me. I knew she was just looking at her for her hair, but for some reason this stupid jealous feeling inside of me wasn't leaving.

"I'm thinking...we lose the bangs, maybe some layers and some highlights." Evie said, probably imagining it in her mind.

"I want it cool. Like Mal's." Lonnie said instead. Both of the other girls were surprised.

"Really?" Mal asked.

"The split ends too?" Evie teased.

"Okay…" Mal said, shooting Evie an annoyed look.

"Beware, forswear, replace the old with cool hair."

Lonnie's head instantly transformed and her hair became pretty much a copy of Mal's, but just a smidge longer and brown. Lonnie stared in the mirror wide-eyed.

"I know. I know. It looks like a mop on your head." Evie started, making me bust out laughing on my bed. Mal threw a pillow from hers at my head.

"You know what? Let's cut it off, layer it-"

"No, no,no, no, no! I love it!" Lonnie said happily.

"You do?" Evie asked in shock.

"It's just…" Lonnie started before reaching down and ripping part of her skirt so now it had a slit.

Auradon girls make me laugh.

"Now I'm cool." Lonnie said confidently.

"Like ice." Mal added.

Jane, poor Jane, then decided to get up, look in the mirror, and do the same thing to her skirt. But she looked mortified.

"What did I just do? Mom's gonna kill me!"

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in a single afternoon.

While Lonnie left, Jane stayed behind to talk with Mal. Mal looked utterly annoyed at some points, but continued her charade.

Evie, pouting, nestled next to me on my bed for a much needed cuddle while I waited for Ben. I had already changed into a pair of faded black jeans with holes here and there, a off the shoulder black shirt, lots of necklaces so I was accessorized, fingerless gloves, and black converse. I had refashioned my hair into braided space buns. Quite large on my head, but I liked the effort I put into them.

In about half an hour, Ben came to escort me to our group work. Evie made sure to place a long kiss against my lips and I relished in the comfort it gave me.

Ben and I walked in a comfortable silence for part of the way.

"How are you adjusting to everything? To Auradon?" Ben asked.

"I'm getting there. Little things have shocked me in pleasant ways. No longer needing to hide my affection to Evie is the greatest part of it though. I'm happy we are off the Isle" I said.

"I'm glad. Are the others doing ok? They don't say much to me whenever I try to talk to them." he continued.

"Again Ben, understand. We have come from a place where you don't express your feelings to others. You don't let them see doubt or weakness in you. They are adjusting as best as they can. They just need time. We are all different in how we cope with things." I advised.

He looked more content and nodded.

"Ok. I probably got too eager with my conversations." he admitted.

"That's ok. Just don't take offense if they are a little short with you. They are trying." I said.

"I know. Thanks Belladonna. If there is anything they need that they might not be comfortable asking...could you tell me?" he asked, hesitant.

"If it doesn't betray their trust I will." I said. He seemed content with that.

"What exactly is this group project anyway? You haven't told me." I inquired.

"We are having a debate in class the day before coronation. Apparently no exemptions for nerves." he joked.

"Anyway, there are four groups. So two groups go against each other. One is to say the hero side was right...and one is to say the villain side was right." he explained.

"Oh wow. Mr. Barker really likes making you princes sweat." i said with a smirk.

"Yeah. Chad isn't happy about it. Our group got the villain side." he said.

"Oh. Is that why you wanted me in your group?" I asked, suddenly wary. If Ben really didn't think the rehabilitation was working and wanted me in the group only for that I would be disappointed.

"No! I mean, yeah you probably have the best insight of all four of us. But you're really good at explaining any side of an argument." he said honestly.

Shouldn't doubt Ben. I gave a nod to show I understood.

We ended up going back to Ben's room, which was easily as big as mine, Mal, and Evie's room. I didn't understand all the space for one person but he was going to be crowned King soon so I guess it made sense.

Xavier was sitting in a chair by a desk, papers spread around him on the desk. He still looked like he was in his athletic clothes. But he didn't smell so maybe he just likes to be comfortable. He was very relaxed, but staring at me. It set my nerves on edge. He couldn't possibly recognize our features could he?

Chad was sprawled across the only couch in the room, making it quite clear he didn't want me sitting next to him. It would either leave me to sit on the floor or the bed.

Well Chad.

With a smirk, I walked over to Ben's bed and set my stuff beside it. I turned to Ben.

"Mind if I sit here? Looks like no other seating?" I asked. Ben gave Chad a look but Chad was very defiant.

"Sure yeah. No problem Belladonna." Ben said with his ever present smile. Ben also chose to sit on the bed with me. He was by his headboard, leaning against it, while I was by the edge of it. Chad looked a little horrified at the thought.

But the thought of me sitting next to him appeared to be even more horrifying. So he did not move.

"Hey Belladonna." Xavier offered me in greeting albeit cautiously.

"Hello Xavier" I said, rather formally, but I needed to suppress everything when it came to him.

"Can we just get on with this already? Mr. Barker's torture of us doesn't need to extend past the usual school day." Chad complained, making me roll my eyes.

"Sure let's. Ok Belladonna, welcome to our debate group. Like I said we were given the villain's side of the story to debate and try to prove that they were the one's in the right." Ben explained.

"Which is next to impossible with this one." Xavier said with a huff.

"And just who's side are we defending?" I asked.

"We got the story of Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Triton, Adrian, and Skylar got Peter Pan's side and that's like so easy. Peter Pan was just a kid having fun and Hook wanted to kill him for no reason." Chad said, not noticing my growing anger.

"Merlin...what are they teaching you here." I said a little darkly, making the boys pause.

"Am I wrong?" Chad countered rather rudely.

"Yes. Because this is in fact the easiest side to take on. Peter Pan should have been thrown on the Isle with the rest of the Villains. Especially after what he did a couple years ago." I said.

All three of them looked confused.

"Wait what happened Belladonna?" Ben asked concerned.

"You really don't know?" I asked, not containing my shock. The memory of Harry Hook that day was printed in my mind and the very idea that none of the hero's knew what had happened made my blood boil.

"Peter Pan killed Hook right in front of his son."