AN: Creator of Magic: I'm glad you like Carlos and Rose as much as I do. I thought Jay should go through something with his dad because Jafar wasn't really that mean to him in the first movie. He just wanted Jay to steal for his shop. I think its what Jay needed. Especially since Lonnie is away. Rose and Ben will be shaky for a while now. I hate to admit it, but Rose is going to start doubting her own actions. She's really going to flip a switch form what we've seen so far. That'll come in upcoming chapters.
Thank you for reviewing
Zahabiya: Ben's in an uncertain mood. This chapter will go a little bit into that. I feel like I needed to touch on emotions more so you can really get a feel. Also, I'm happy that you like Carlos and Rose's friendship. When I first put it in there, I wasn't sure if it was the right thing, but I think it was. Thank you for your continued support.
When Jay couldn't find his way out, he decided to go to the place he thought he would get help he knew Uma had given up, but there had to be somebody. Jay had walked all the way to the ship, only to see it was now completely empty. He hesitated before stepping onto the ship. It creaked under his feet. There was a sudden sigh. Jay turned around and search for him. Harry was here.
"Why are you here?" Harry's voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Harry?" Jay turned to see Harry's face. It was completely blank of makeup.
"Yes its me," Harry turned from him. He picked up his jacket off a barrel.
"You've been living here the whole time?" Jay watched him put on his jacket.
"I didn't have anywhere else to go," Harry looked down.
"You couldn't have gone home?"
"I didn't want to," Harry shook his head. "Uma's given up, but I haven't."
"Mal and Ben have too. Carlos just left. Jane's too scared to think," Jay shrugged. "But I haven't lost hope."
"Did you find Rose?"
"Yeah, but she got away again." Jay recalled her scared face. She thought he was going to turn her in or something. She was afraid of him.
"Well, we need to get our troops back." Harry said after a moment. "I'm glad you came Jay. I needed someone else to show me hope." Jay looked at him and smiled. The two then headed off.
Mal decided to go to Hades' liar. Ben had told her not to, but that's why she snuck out in the morning. Jay was gone before her, but Mal expected this. If anything, she was going to try and give him back the ember. There was no point for her to keep it if she as just going to spend the rest of her life here. She sighed, she hated to think this way, but it was the reality.
She took out the key she had copied. She didn't tell Celia she had done this, but she knew it would come in handy. After going through the tunnels and riding the bike, she became nervous the closure she got to the living room. instead of the dogs barking, Mal's ears perked to hear laughter and music. It was weird to hear this. Mal then stepped out and down the stairs to see Celia and her father.
They hadn't even noticed her presence. "Hey," Mal said loudly. Hades spun around. Celia ran to the player and turned down the volume.
"Mally," Hades smiled. "I heard about your situation. You've come to the master for help."
"No," Mal folded her arms. She took a few steps forward. "I think this belongs to you." She held out he blue ember in her hand. At one point, she thought it was going to be their savior, but she didn't even get a chance to use it.
Hades walked over to her. He reached for the ember, but then pushed her hand away. He grinned as he said. "You keep it kid." Mal's expression didn't change.
"Did you really think that you giving me this made you okay? Because last time I checked you're still the dad who ran out on his only daughter."
"I tried to explain to you, I didn't leave you. I left your mother. I just don't need you mad at me too. Celia's just been telling me all about her adventure in Auradon. You are a great leader."
"I wasn't good enough," Mal put the ember back in her pocket. "We're all trapped here on the Isle for good and there's no going back."
"Well if you're going to be here for a while maybe we could actually spend some time together, get to know each other. Fresh start. I could teach you to use the ember." Mal shot him a look. She didn't exactly like the idea of staying here with her dad. But there was a desire to actually have a parent in her life. He at least was trying, and that was something.
"That ember wouldn't help anyway," Celia folded her arms. "Dark magic does work here. It never has, never will." Mal froze.
"Say that again."
"Dark magic doesn't work here?" Celia raised an eyebrow. That was it.
"Dark magic," Mal whispered. "Dark Magic!" She exclaimed. "That's it! If dark magic doesn't work here, good magic would!" Celia's eyes lit up.
"Rose!" They said together.
Hades began to laugh. "That girl who blew up the castle? I heard about her. Apparently she's been dubbed the cloaked bandit." Mal shot him a questioning look. "I have people. Come on, I don't live under a rock." Mal raised an eyebrow. Hades raised a finger.
"Are we really getting out of here?" Celia was too excited to think.
"As soon as we can find Rose," Mal nodded. They almost left, but then Mal turned back to her father. "Thanks, dad."
"Go get em," Hades grinned. Mal matched his expression before leaving the lair. This was it, they were going to make this work.
"Do you really think we'll find a way out?" Rose asked. She and Carlos started their search once again. This time, they were just starting off. Rose slept well in the tree house, but was awakened when Carlos had finally come down from the roof. He didn't say much last night. She knew how much he missed Evie. She had no clue where Audrey would hide her. She definitely wouldn't kill her. At least, she couldn't put that thought into Carlos' mind.
"I hope so," Carlos sighed. He looked at his mother's house. He thought about the party he had been forced to thrown years ago. It was the night that he developed his crush for Evie. He wondered what would've happened if he had acted on it sooner.
Rose suddenly stopped walking. Carlos looked to her, but then met her gaze. Mal and Celia were both running towards them. Rose's face had gone white. Carlos saw this and stepped in front of her. "Carlos!" Mal called.
"Wait Mal," Carlos held out a hand. "I don't want this to end badly."
"Its not going to," Mal stopped. "I found a way out, but I need Rose to cooperate." Carlos didn't step away until he felt Rose's hand on his shoulder.
"Its alright Carlos," Rose said calmly. "I can handle this."
"There's nothing to handle," Celia shook her head. "We need you to free us."
"We'll explain on the way," Mal nodded. Rose was so confused. She was shunned from the group. Even her own brother didn't believe in her anymore. How could she trust that this wouldn't land her back in her cell? Mal's voice dropped when she said. "Please Rose. You're our only hope."
Rose couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry, the irony is just too good. You guys wanted nothing to do with me, and now I'm your only hope?" She began to laugh again. She was just trying to fil her time. Rose kept debating in her mind. She needed to restore her honor. For Ben. "Fine, I'll help."
"You what?" Uma leaned against the counter.
"We're looking for a way out," Harry ate a chip. He and Jay were sitting at the bar at Ursula's restaurant. "We want you back on the team."
"Did you really think you can just find away out because you're teaming up," Uma raised an eyebrow, "Come on boys stop kidding yourselves."
"We're not," Jay deafened. "I know that there's a way off this Isle."
"Says you," Uma shook her head as she wiped the counter. "I've been looking for a way since the beginning of time. Believe me when I say there is no way out." Harry reached out and touched her hand. Uma looked up him. Their faces were inches apart.
"Uma-"
"There is a way off the Isle," Mal's voice said from behind them. Uma whisked her hand away from Harry's and looked to Mal. She was accompanied by Rose and Carlos.
"What?" Uma asked. She was trying her best to conceal her blush. Thank goodness Harry was still looking at Mal.
"We've got a way, it'll work." Mal walked up to the bar. "But after that, we'll need the whole team to defeat Audrey. What do you say?" Uma thought for a moment. Was it too good to be true? She was about to question Rose, but did it really matter? Anything goes now. So what if Rose was trying to back stab. If she was trying to help now. Uma would have to let her. Especially if she had any chance to live freely in Auradon.
"Does our deal still stand?" Uma asked. Mal cringed on the inside. She knew she would have to lie again.
"Yes," Mal said shakily.
"Alright then," Uma tried to hold in her excitement. "Gil! We're getting off this rock."
"Already here," Gil wrapped his arms around Carlos and Rose. "I'm so glad we've all become a team again." He pulled the two close to him. Their faces were all squished together.
"Uh," Rose pushed her face away from Gil's and hid her blush. "We still have to get Jane and Ben."
"We'll go to the hideout," Mal nodded. "Then we'll go from there. As a team." Mal smiled.
"As a team," Uma return the smile. For the first time in two days, her hope had returned.
Before Ben could get too worried, Celia had come up to the hideout and told them what had happened. Jane seemed intrigued. He felt bad for her. She had been scared out of her mind for the past few days. He thought that she was going to pass out from all of the fear. After about an hour, Mal had finally arrived. he smiled when Uma, Harry, and Gil came in, but his smile dropped when he saw Rose.
"What is she doing here?" Ben pointed his finger at her. He was so hurt, he didn't want to see her at all. Her eyes were blank and matched her expression.
"Hey," Mal held out a hand. "She's here to help. The barrier only defects dark magic, but, Rose is good."
"Rose is not good," Ben defended. "How do we know she's not just going to betray us after we're out."
"I've got a plan," Mal nodded. "We'll break the cuffs off of Rose. When we're out, I will restore them. There will be no problems."
"What if someone tries to escape again?" Jane asked.
"That's where my brother comes in." Rose said in a calm voice. She tried to act in her calm and casual way, but on the inside she was terrified. Rose tried to keep herself from remembering what she had heard Ben say to Mal. She tried her best to stop the tears.
"What do you mean?" Ben's voice was harsh, but he didn't care.
"With Audrey putting that spell on you," Rose stepped in front. "I think she's unlocked your magic."
"I don't have any magic," Ben shook his head.
"Maybe not magic," Rose crossed her arms, "But with training, you will be able to change back and forth like me. Well not just like me. I don't know what your animal will look like."
"No," Ben shook his head. "Why would I trust you to teach me anything after what you've done?"
"Do you have a better plan?" Uma crossed her arms. Everyone looked at him. It was all up to Ben. The more he looked at Rose, the more he wanted to hide away. He was still trying to find his answers. Who was he? How was he feeling? What were his needs? His needs were to get off this Isle.
"Fine," Ben sighed. He didn't look at Rose anymore. "Let's go."
They all traveled to the front gate of the Isle. They all got next to the barrier. "Okay," Ben crossed his arms, "Teach me."
"I need some assistance first," Rose took off the sword that was strung around her. "I need some one to strike my cuffs. Since this is the Sword of Enchantment, I figure it'll work for you, brother." He couldn't believe her. She stole the sword too. What else had she done without him knowing?
"Don't call me that," Ben said briskly. Rose tried not to cry after he said that. Everyone watched as Ben took the sword from its sheath. Mal looked at him concerned. She could see the fire in his eyes. She hoped he wouldn't hurt her. He wasn't that mad at her, she knew that, but Rose looked terrified, even thought she tried not to show it.
Ben raised his sword. Mal held her breath. Rose closed her eyes and held out her hands. Ben was so angry. He didn't even know where this anger was coming from. Was he really mad at Rose? Or just mad at himself? He couldn't think about that right now. He kingdom needed him, and he needed to do whatever is takes to restore peace within Auradon. With one swing of the sword, both cuffs had cracked. Rose opened her eyes to see the bigger cracks. They wouldn't break off. She could feel the flow of magic though, and that was good enough.
She looked at Ben, who was breathing deeply. A lot had gone into that one slice. Rose could feel his emotions fighting with one another. Conflict in the mind must run in the family. Never mind that now, she needed to help her brother get off the Isle. "Okay, I can sense that you're angry," Rose took the sword from Ben. "This is goo. It helps with the whole beast thing."
"I think I know how to do it," Ben didn't look at her. Rose tucked the sword in its sheath. She was a little surprised at Ben's initiative.
"Okay," Rose nodded as she back away. She looked to Mal. "As soon as he turns, I'll start. I don't know what's going to happen when the barrier breaks, but I need you to control Ben. I'll be too drained to change myself." Mal nodded.
"She needs room guys," Mal instructed the rest of them. Silently, they all took a few steps back. They all stood there, watching Ben. Other's in the front square were also watching them. It made Rose a little nervous.
Ben thought about everything he's kept bottled up in the past year. Rose's take over, loosing her, their parent's lies, how Rose betrayed him, how he let everything get out of hand, and how this was all his fault. If it wasn't for him, Audrey wouldn't be ruling Auradon right now." He screamed out his inside turmoil, but it came out into a roar. He felt himself fall to all fours, but it felt natural. He was a beast.
Carlos, Jane, Jay, Uma, Harry, Gil, and Celia all backed up and gasped. They were shocked, but Mal watched in fascination. Ben didn't look like the bear Rose did. Ben's beast was more like a wolf. His new fur was the same compared to his normal hair. Mal couldn't believe that he did it, but she didn't know if Ben could control himself.
VKs began to run when the barrier opened, but Uma, Harry, and Gil pulled out swords to warn them. There was no need when Ben howled. People fell back immediately. Mal was impressed. This was actually going to work. They were going to get out of here. Carlos, Celia, and Jay were the only ones watching Rose. They weren't super close to her, but they were close enough.
Rose breath heavily. The power was sinking back into her bones. She would try her best to not loose control. Rose took a shaky breath before closing her eyes. Her mind concentrated on only one thing, escape. She stuck out her hands and began to feel magic course through her veins. It felt so good to feel alive again. She wanted more than escape. She wanted more of this power.
No! She's letting herself slip away again. Rose kept her focus on the barrier, but soon she was back in her mind. It was showing her memories of her childhood.
Her mother brushing her hair, and locking her up like an animal. She had tried so hard to forget it, but it was forever inside of her. The drive for freedom and power.
The night she tried to take her own life. The cool briskness of the wind. No one had even stopped to see the source of the screaming. No one needed her.
Her talking to kids all around the country. Telling them they could trust her, but she could hardly trust herself.
The hurt look on Ben's face. She had seen it over a hundred times, but it pinched at her heart every time. She was disappointed in herself too.
Rose was lost. She doesn't know what she is or was. And that scared her.
"NO!" Rose finally exclaimed. She opened her eyes and fell to the ground. Carlos helped her up quickly and escorted her outside the barrier. Everyone was waiting for them. Ben and Mal still remained inside. Ben was protecting them. Mal, was leading him back. Just as the barrier closed itself, Mal threw herself to Rose and pressed her hands over Rose's cuffs.
Rose was too tired to even fight her. When Mal moved her hands away, the cuffs were whole once again. Once again, Rose felt empty inside, and not because the cuffs cut off her magic, because her mind revealed something to her just now. She was scared of herself. There was no way she could ever live freely. A tear streaked down her cheek as she fell back. Carlos held her steady in his arms. The spell had drained her, the cuffs had stained her magic abilities. Even under the cool metal, she could feel her wrists were burned.
Mal ran to Ben. He had just come out of his wolf state. He had to admit, he didn't exactly know what happened. He was sitting on the ground until Mal helped him up. He stumbled a little, but Mal supported him. He looked around to all of them. Rose looked like she was sick, but otherwise, everyone was all smiles. They had finally done it. They restored their hope.