Rachel was quietly braiding her hair, just a small bit. The rest of her blonde hair was naturally wavy. She sat at in her vanity dressed for today.

Today was Ben's and Mal's engagement party, and to be honest she didn't feel like partying.

Rachel hadn't felt like much in the week after everything.

After her phone call with her folks, she kind of spent a lot of time locked in her room. Jane being one of the few people she'd see, since they shared the space together.

Jane would try to convince Rachel to come out with her and the others, but Rachel would just turn her down.

Jay had come by a few times, but Rachel never answered the door.

Ben had actually entered the threshold of the door to the room, only to be met by his childhood friend laying in her bed wearing her sleepwear. Ben tried to convince her to come out, but again Rachel just denied the offer.

However, despite her best judgement of staying locked away in a methodical tower, she decided that she'd be going to the party. After all, she knew Ben since they were babies. Despite her own depression of what transpired in the past week, she wasn't going to stay locked away when today she knows the right thing to do is be there for Ben.

She sat there looking at her reflection of her vanity.

Light makeup.

She wasn't super peppy like Audrey or even Jane, but she did cover some of her imperfections just for the day. Once her hair was complete and her makeup was to her standard, she rose to her feet.

She wore a nice purple dress that came to her knees. The dress had thick shoulder straps. The dress also seemed to shimmer a little. She wore light brown flats.

She smoothed her dress and then looked at her reflection one more time.

This was the nicest she had looked in a while, this was the most effort she put in her appearance for quite a long time.

She sighed and then turns to the doorknob.

-D3-

Rachel had exit the dorms and was heading to where everyone was off to, the terrace that overlooked Auardon.

"Rachel," A voice got her attention.

She turned around and saw it was none other than Evie.

"Evie," Rachel smiles softly.

She felt a little better not seeing Doug with her, not that she disliked Doug, it was because seeing other people happy with their loved ones made her sad. Jealous even. Hence her locking herself away.

"You look stunning." Evie said.

Rachel kept the smile on her face.

"You did all the work on the gown," She said, "I shouldn't be getting any compliments for just putting in a little effort."

Evie loops her arm with Rachel's as they began to walk.

"Nonsense!" Evie declares, "I made the dress, sure, but anyone can make a dress-."

Rachel shakes her head, "You're not anyone."

Evie and Rachel look at each other.

"But you made the gown into your own." Evie said and lightly brushed some hair behind Rachel's ear.

Rachel smiles a little more for real.

"Thanks, Evie." She said, "I guess I needed to hear that- I guess."

Evie squeezes a little but it was sweet.

"I am just glad to see you." Evie said, "I've missed seeing you around school grounds, but- but I understand things have been hard."

That did it.

The mood was somber.

Rachel looks at Evie a little sad.

"I'm sorry you can't see your mom anymore," Rachel said, "That must- be difficult."

Evie looks at her.

"I- I overheard Ben mentioned before how a lot of you guys were working on your relationships with them and- and I had heard that you two were-," Rachel stops.

Evie smiles softly.

"Yeah, mom and I were-," Evie looks away and sighs, "We were getting better. Honestly, I think my time in between the Isle and Auardon really helped me grow as a person and helped me learn how to communicate my issues to my mom."

Rachel looks at her.

"We were talking and- and it felt nice. We talked about simple things before it got to more serious stuff, but- but it felt like we were getting to a point where we were mending what wasn't there in the sense of mother-daughter relationships." Evie said.

Rachel pulls her arm out of Evie's hold and then goes to hold onto Evie's hand. The blue haired girl looked at Rachel, and sees the blonde trying to comfort.

"I wished things weren't like this, but-" Evie then wipes what seemed to be a single tear, "Maybe we can live in a world where the barrier doesn't have to exist."

Rachel smiles softly at that.

"I'd like that," Rachel said, "I'd really like that."

-D3-

The party was going fine.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time. There was music, food, dancing, and talking. A lot of talking.

Rachel was off to the side, and her gaze was found to be directed at the Isle with a small frown on her face.

"A drink, princess?" A voice gained her attention.

Rachel looks at the person who spoke, it was Jay. He had a small smile on his face as he held two drinks in his hands. He was offering one to Rachel.

Rachel kindly accepts.

"Thanks," She said.

Jay takes a sip of the punch.

"You uh- look pretty," Jay said.

Rachel nods.

"Thanks," She said.

Jay looks at the Isle and then to her again.

"I- I'm sorry how things ended between you and Garrett." Jay said, "I- I told him to kiss you before leaving. You needed to know how he felt, it was only fair- but-."

Rachel was looking at Jay seriously.

"I- I guess him telling you only hurts you in the end." Jay said, "So sorry."

Rachel shakes her head.

"It wasn't your fault, Jay. Even if he never told me, even if he never kissed me-," Rachel sadly smiles, "Those feelings were always there inside, the only part would've been me always wondering if he felt the same."

Jay watches Rachel compose herself in order not to cry, but he sees her eyes get teared up.

"Does it hurt? Yeah it does, but- but I'd rather know that he loves me than never getting closure." Rachel said.

Jay goes to open his mouth and then is caught off by none other than Ben walking over, he seemed to be in a bit of a rush, but he did stop for her.

Of course, he'd stop for her. To Ben, besides Mal, Rachel was one of the most important person in his life.

"Rach," Ben said with a big goofy smile.

Rachel has her soft smile on her face.

She was so happy for him. She was so thrilled that he found his happily ever after. It wasn't an Auardon traditional story on how they met and fell in love, but that's what makes sense to her. Ben was more than just an Auardon kid. He had plans to change the future, and Rachel couldn't wait to see how.

"Ben," Rachel says softly.

Ben embraces his best friend in a tight squeeze and then pulls her back.

"I'm so happy you came," He said.

She exhales and keeps the smile on her face.

"I'd drop anything for you." Rachel said, "You know how much you mean to me."

Ben nods with his dorky smile, "I do." He said.

And then someone came over to motion Ben away, it seems like he and his future bride were going to give a speech. Very kingly of him.

Rachel watches as Ben glanced from her to the man.

"I- I uh," He stammers.

Rachel shakes her head grinning, "Go. Your subjects need to hear an address from their king and future queen." She jokes.

Ben smiles and chuckles lightly as he turns away.

As soon as Ben walked away, her smile faltered. It didn't matter if Jay was still standing nearby or her other friends close by. She just felt sad. She just felt angry.

"Rachel," Jay spoke.

Rachel looks at him with a sad smile.

"I just have to get through the rest of the party and then lock myself up for the rest of summer." Rachel said with a sad laugh.

Jay goes to say something but then there were the sounds of glass clinking. It turns out both Mal and Ben were on the balcony with glasses in their hands. Up with them was Ben's parents and Fairy Godmother.

"Lady Mal and I want to thank you for celebrating our engagement with us today." Ben tells the crowd with a big smile, "I couldn't be prouder or happier to call you my queen."

Ben looks from the crowd to Mal.

Mal smiles at Ben.

Ben turns back to the masses.

"So raise your glasses to our future queen of Auardon!" Ben shouts.

And just like that, one by one the people at attendance held their glasses high to Mal. However, from below, there was some shouting. Certainly the VKs messing with Mal.

"Speech, oh fancy one!" Carlos yells while he had his arm wrapped around Jane.

Jay laughs and joins in.

"Speech! Speech!" Jay shouts.

Mal looked at the crowd. She sees them all staring at her. All of them smiled and waited for their future queen to say anything. Anything at all. Mal's eyes lingered on the crowd, especially the villain kids.

Her eyes pull away from the crowd and to Ben with sadness visible as clear as day.

"I- I can't," Mal said, "I can't be queen of Auardon."

The room began to stir.

Evie gasps.

Ben's face dropped.

Both Jay and Carlos frown.

Rachel tilts her head in confusion.

Mal speaks to Ben quietly. No one heard what was said between them, but Rachel had a lingering feeling on what the issue was.

Mal turns to the crowd.

"We made a decision to close the barrier forever." Mal said.

Quickly there was some muttering.

Dizzy looks sad as do the twins. Dizzy's eyes shoot from Mal and then to Evie, the blue haired teen has been like something of a big sister to her.

Evie sadly nods at Dizzy.

"It was my idea, but- but it's wrong." Mal continues, "I've learned that you can't live in fear, because it doesn't actually protect you from anything. You never know where the bad is going from and you never know where the heroes are going to come from, either."

Everyone looks to Mal and listens to every word she says.

"Without Uma and her pirates, Auardon would be gone. And without Hades, my father-," Mal said.

When Mal dropped the dad card, there was some more muttering in the mix, but that didn't stop Mal from delivering what she needed to say.

"Audrey would be gone. We're all capable of good and bad, no matter which side of the barrier we come from." Mal held her head high.

Jay, Evie, and Carlos stood below beaming with pride for their friend. Rachel stood a little to the side, a small smile on her face hearing the words coming from Mal.

She really had a way of commanding a room. She sounds like a true natural born leader.

"And that's why I can't be queen of just Auardon. I have to be the queen of the Isle, too. It's time we take the barrier down." Mal turns to Ben, "Forever.

Beast looks worried, "We can't do that," He said.

Ben turns to his dad.

His dad was afraid of what could happen if things changed from what they were. If the villains ran lose who knows what chaos could happen, but then again they were all on the Isle when Audrey went bad, so who knows what can and will happen in that sort of future.

Ben standing shoulder to shoulder with his queen kept his eyes on his dad.

"It's up to us, dad. I choose to be a king who moves forward. It's time for forgiveness. It's time for new beginnings. The barrier will come down!" Ben yells.

It was officially a royal proclamation.

Carlos leaps in the air with glee and then grabs Jane to spin her around. Jane also cheered. Doug holds onto Evie as they cheer with such glee. Jay claps his hands and shouts gleefully.

Even Chad, Audrey, and Queen Leah, who had a new empathy for the villains, applauded.

Ben's eyes found Rachel in the crowd.

Her eyes wide and tears building up. She was so shocked but also so happy at the same time. Rachel was then met by Evie throwing herself on her in a hug as the two girl spun around screaming with glee.

Ben turns to Fairy Godmother.

Fairy Godmother walks over to Mal and Ben.

"Bring it down, Mal." Fairy Godmother offers her wand to the queen.

Mal took the enchanted wand and studied it in her hands. She couldn't believe how far she'd come. Years ago, she came here to steal the wand for the Isle and now she was using the wand in order to free the Isle.

Mal held the wand tight and then looked down at Jay, Carlos, and Evie.

It didn't feel right to do this without them.

"Jay, Evie, Carlos. Can you help me out with this?" Mal asks.

And just like that the original VK ran up to the balcony where Mal and Ben were. Mal held the wand as her friends gathered around her.

"To make the world a better place," Mal encanted.

"We have to do it face to face," The VKs all spoke in unison.

Mal's eyes flashed green briefly as she twirled the wand in the air, then waved the wand at the Isle of the Lost. With a crackle, the barrier, which stood for so long, began to come down. It popped, it shattered, then exploded into a shower of emeralds that rained into the sea.

Mal used the wand again to create a dazzling bridge that connected both the Isle and Auadron. The island was no longer a prison.

The VKs plus Ben stepped down from the balcony, and just like that walked towards the bridge. Jane, Doug, Audrey, Dizzy, and Rachel also joined in.

There were those from the Isle coming over too.

They all walked slowly, not out of nerves but not to spook one another.

But Rachel didn't get the memo.

Rachel saw Garrett.

Her eyes lit up.

"Garrett-!" Rachel yells.

Garrett's eyes find her.

"Blondie-!" Hey yells.

Both teens sprint towards each other. Rachel leaving Auardon and her friends in her dust as Garrett left the Isle and his crew behind him.

Rachel had tears in her eyes as she laughed the further she ran. Garrett yells with excitement as he sprints towards her.

The pair nearly fell over with the amount of speed they had, but they managed to meet in the middle in a nearly messy hug. Rachel wraps her arms around his neck and held onto him as his arms are around her waist.

He spins her around as he laughs.

They pull back and Rachel finds herself cupping his face with her hands. She stares up at him with a big smile on his face.

"Is this what Auardon's like, princesses just can't keep their hands off of me." Garrett teases.

Rachel laughs a little.

"Shut up." She said.

And then Rachel pulls him in for a kiss.

There was cheering, no doubt it didn't exactly have to do with them, but it was a celebration after all.

Dizzy hugging Celia.

Carlos high fiving Gil.

Harry and Jay give each other a bro hug.

Uma and Mal hug.

-D3-

As more people were coming from the Isle such as the twin's dad, Dizzy's mom, Celia's dad. It was apparent that Jane seemed a little nervous as she stood with Carlos to the side with Dude.

"Carlos, I'm actually nervous about meeting your mom." Jane said.

Carlos looks at her.

"You're nervous? It's Cruella De Vill. I'm petrified." Dude says.

Carlos grins a little.

"Wait till she hears I want to be a vet." He said.

A little away, both Jay and Gil were planning on an adventure travelling together. See the world. The pair were laughing up ideas on going to jungles and seeing penguins.

Evie, Uma, Harry, and Doug stood near each other and talked about how good Mal did on this. Harry was jokingly asking if Mal was for sure taken, and then Evie said she was only leading the pirate to look at her. However, Doug stood his ground for his girl. This led Uma being a little jealous, but didn't let Harry kiss her when he leaned in towards her.

Mal and Ben spun in a hug smiling.

"Am I invited to the wedding?" Said none other than Hades.

Ben smiles, "Hi, dad."

It sounded awkward and despite trying to ease the whole going to be family thing, it was still uncomfortable.

Mal ran to Hades and hugs her dad.

"I'm sure you'll be happy together." Hades said.

Mal pulls back and then hugs Ben, who gets the daggers from Hades. The protective dad was coming out and Ben wasn't sure if he should be worried or not.

Mal pulls back.

"Welcome to Auardon." Ben said and patted Hades on the back.

Hades glares at him.

From afar, Mal noticed Rachel with Garrett.

The pair held onto each other. Rachel pulls back out of maybe her twentieth hug with the boy and then she turns over to Mal.

Rachel and Mal look at each other with smiles on their faces.

Rachel mouths the words "thank you". to Mal.

Mal kept her smile.

Mal watched as Garrett grabs Rachel again and spin her around, causing Rachel to scream as a jolt but also laugh.

Mal looks around at everyone.

This was going to be a work in progress but it was the future they wanted. A future with the barrier down and everyone getting a chance. This was something they wanted for so long.

Mal glanced back at the Isle.

So many years she never expected this day to happen, but here it was.

It felt like a dream.

"Mal," Ben calls for her, "Uma is demanding you grace her with your presence."

Mal turns to him with a grin.

"Oh is she now? Does she know I am the queen?" Mal jokes.

The pair walked over towards the pirates as the party continued on. Balloons in the air. Music playing. People are laughing. People dancing.

People just happy and celebrating.