Sorry that this chapter took a few days. I wanted to make sure I got everything in that I wanted to.

You will not see the "Be OurGuest" remix in here as I don't like that song but I will mention it. However I did include the "If Only" reprise, which again I don't own. And I threw in another song from another DCOM. "Stand" from ZOMBIES. I love that song and I felt it was a good song to put here, and again, I don't own it. Enjoy!

Ben returned Mal to her dorm after their date and Ben gave Mal a kiss on the cheek before he left. He did want to kiss her on the lips, but he felt it wasn't the right time for it. He wanted his first kiss to happen at the perfect moment. When both of them felt love for each other. Mal did tell him that she didn't know what love felt like and he was going to show her. He walked back to his dorm as Mal leaned on her door smiling to herself. When Evie tried to ask her how it went, Mal was vague and just it that it was fine and tolerable. She hated having to lie to Evie and the boys, but she didn't want them to know that she was having conflicts about whether to get the wand or not. She remembered that she wished for her connection with Ben to be real and she held onto that wish closely.

Ben went back to his room and summoned his secret door to enter his secret domain. The Force spirits then appeared around him as Luke asked, "Do you think it was wise to tell her about your other self?" "That's your first question?" Han asked. "Man, you have no romance, Luke." "Guys!" Leia shouted. "Give Ben some space. I'm sure he has a perfectly good explanation for it and he can choose to say how his date went." Ben sighed and said, "I know I probably shouldn't have told her about Solo. But I could sense that she wanted to see if I knew him. I know that it was on the tip of her tongue. Her thoughts were loud and clear. I just wanted to draw suspicion away from me being Solo. And to show that Solo is not a bad guy." "Cautious you must be, young Skywalker," Yoda said. "Remember Agathe's warning. Don't force this all at once on the girl. Listen to what the Force says, you must." "Yoda is right," Obi-Wan said. "But telling her some truths will help sway her curiosity for now. But be warned. I feel that she and the other VKs are very observant for mortals their age. Be on your guard." "Anyways," Padme said. "How did your date go besides that?" Ben smiled and said, "I think it went well. Mal enjoyed all the food I brought, especially the strawberries. I should send more fresh fruit to the Isle during my monthly donations so that everyone there can enjoy them. When I was taking a swim in the lake, I heard her singing, and she has the most beautiful voice. I may have secretly joined without her noticing. Anyway, then she couldn't find me and jumped in the water despite not knowing how to swim. From that alone, I could sense her light balancing out her darkness. She also said that she doesn't know what love feels like yet, but she feels the connection we have. And I found out that she has been dreaming about me like I have her." "Interesting," Anakin said. "That alone shows that the dyad is strong, even when one person hasn't regained their Force connection. I wonder if she might also be getting visions of her past. That is probably your next goal to figure out." Ben nodded as he held out his hand and summoned his lightsaber and said, "I'm going to work on my lightsaber skills. Any of you can join me if you wish."

The next couple of weeks flew by quickly. The Core 4 were becoming more and more comfortable. Jay with Tourney and was a favorite among the ladies. Carlos with Dude and getting better at Tourney. He still went on walks with Ben and Chewie every morning. Evie was spending more time with Doug as their friendship grew and Evie felt that Doug was better than any prince. And Mal loved spending time with Ben. She went on evening walks with him and Chewie as they explored different parts of the forest and their lunch dates became a tradition for them. They would talk about their interests and even some parts of their past. Both understood that there were parts of their past that they didn't want to talk about yet. Although Mal was trying to find some way of telling Ben about how she knew Solo like he did.

Speaking of which, she was still having dreams about him at night. She would see the masked figure stare down the brown haired girl, who Mal was also having dreams about too. She saw the brown haired girl met a dark skinned man along with a small robot of white and orange, flying on a strange ship through space, and an old smuggler teaching her things, but those dreams were always fractured and she never knew what any of their names were. Mal would wake up flustered and frustrated that she kept having these dreams every other night with no reason why. She hoped that the nights she didn't dream about the brown haired girl in space along with Solo were pleasant, however nights she didn't dream about them she dreamed about Ben. Most of them were pleasant as Ben was with her like the lake dreams, but sometimes they were of Ben alone. Like one time she dreamed of Ben standing on his balcony looking out to the night sky singing a sad lullaby about wanting his love to come to him. Mal woke up with tears in her eyes that she quickly dried so that Evie wouldn't notice. She never brought up the dreams to Ben as she was still scared that her connection with Ben wasn't fully real because of the love cookie she gave him. She still clung onto the wish she made at the lake and hoped it would come true.

Two days before Ben's coronation, Mal was having a dream where she saw the brown haired girl strapped down to a table where Solo was watching her. The brown haired girl woke up and asked, "Where am I?" "You're my guest," Solo answered. But Mal noticed like in her other dreams with Solo that he was wearing black as opposed to the dark grey that she saw him wearing at the museum. Mal saw the girl squirm in her restraints and ask, "Where are the others?" Solo stared at the girl and said, "You mean the murderers, traitors, and thieves you call friends? You'll be relieved to hear that I have no idea. You still want to kill me." The girl scoffed and said, "That's what happens when you're being hunted by a creature in a mask." Solo sighed and lifted his hands to his mask and started to pull it off. But the dream abruptly ended and Mal woke up panting. She looked around and saw Evie staring at her from her bed as Mal asked, "What?" Evie gulped and said, "I think you were having a nightmare. You were tossing around a lot and you were muttering something about not knowing where you were and a creature in a mask." Mal's eyes widened. "Was I saying what that brown haired girl was saying in the dream with Solo?" Mal thought. Mal shook her head and said, "Don't worry about it. Come on, we need to get ready for class. Then we need to have a meeting with the boys tonight." Evie nodded and got out of bed to go get ready. Mal sighed and thought, "I need to forget about these dreams. The coronation is in two days and I have a wand to steal." But then her mind went to Ben and she felt her doubts rise. Sighing, she got out of bed and got ready for school.

Later on during Remedial Goodness class, Fairy Godmother got their attention and said, "Children, excuse me. Um, as you know, tomorrow is Family Day here at Auradon Prep. And because your parents can't be here due to distance, we've arranged for a special treat." Fairy Godmother turned around to the TV that was in the room and turned it on. Maleficent's face appeared and said, "I don't see anything, nor do I hear." Maleficent backed away from the camera showing that Evil Queen, Cruella, and Jafar were there as well as Fairy Godmother had the four come up to the screen, with Carlos carrying Dude as he always had the dog in classes with him. The villains were having trouble getting visuals and sound until they found the on switch and both groups could see each other. "Evie!" Evil Queen shouted. "It's Mommy. Look how beautiful. You know what they say, the poison apple doesn't fall far from the tree." "Don't you mean the weeds?" Maleficent retorted. "Who's the old bat?" Cruella asked meaning Fairy Godmother. "This is Fairy Godmother," Mal answered. "Still doing tricks with eggplants?" Maleficent asked. Fairy Godmother scoffed and said, "I turned a pumpkin into a beautiful carriage!" Maleficent laughed and said, "You really couldn't give Cinderella till 1:00 a.m. I mean really. What, the hamsters had to be back on their little wheels?" The villains chuckled as Fairy Godmother huffed, "They were mice!" Mal gently took Fairy Godmother's shoulders and whispered gentle things to the headmistress and pushed her offscreen before her mother could say anything else mean.

"Hi, Mom," Mal said. "Mal!" Maleficent shouted. Then she shuttered, "I miss you." Mal knew that wasn't true as Jafar lied, "You children are never far from our thoughts." Maleficent then sweetly asked, "How long must Mommy wait to see you?" Mal answered, "There's a big coronation coming up. I think probably sometime after that." "When?" Maleficent asked. "Two days from now," Mal said. "10:00 a.m." "You sure I can't see you before that?" Maleficent asked. "I don't know what I'll do if I don't get my hands on that magic…." Evil Queen hit her on the head and Maleficent shuttered, "You, you little nugget that I love so much." "We love you so much," Jafar added. "Yes," Mal said. "I completely understand, Mother." Cruella then pushed her head closer to the screen and said, "Carlos, is that a dog? Yes, yes, baby, I do understand. It would make the perfect size for earmuffs." Carlos heard Dude whimper, which gave Carlos the courage to step forward and shout, "He's the perfect size for a pet! This dog loves me and I love him! And FYI, your dog is stuffed! So, give it a rest!" Cruella gasped and pulled away from the screen as Jay pulled Carlos away from the screen. "Burn!" Jafar said. "Oh," Cruella said to Jafar. "Why don't you go sell a toaster, you two-bit salesman!" "People who talk to stuffed animals shouldn't throw stones!" Jafar retorted.

As the villains were fighting amongst themselves, Jay stepped forward and turned off the screen. Fairy Godmother sighed and said, "I'm so sorry." "Thanks for the special treat," Jay said. Fairy Godmother nodded as the group turned and walked out of the classroom, gathering their materials as they left. Evie stopped Mal and asked, "M? What do you think our parents are gonna do to us if we don't pull this off?" Mal then sarcastically said, "I think they will be quietly disappointed with us, but ultimately proud of us for doing our best." "Really?" Carlos asked, not knowing that Mal was being sarcastic. "No," Mal said. "I think we are definite goners." "Yeah," Evie said as the group continued walking.

Ben was concerned. Sure he was happy that the VKs, especially Mal, were fitting in great in Auradon, but the night before Family Day, he started to get worried. He noticed that ever since Mal did the hair spell on Jane, Jane started to hang out more with Audrey and her group of friends and not hanging out with himself, Doug, or Lonnie anymore. Lonnie was very concerned about Jane's behavior and said that even though she liked the hair spell Mal did for her as well, she didn't try to make herself better like Jane did and felt hurt by Jane's actions. Audrey would always give stern glares at Ben whenever he was with Mal and he sensed that Audrey was trying to think of a plan to get Ben back, which had Ben worried, but because he was busy with other things, he couldn't focus on what Audrey was thinking. As for the VKs, the day before, Mal wasn't really talkative during lunch and Ben found out about the video chat with the parents Fairy Godmother set up that didn't go very well. Ben knew that their parents were unforgiving, but now he was upset that speaking with their parents just put more darkness in them and made them remember about the wand plan. He sat on his bed in his dorm room with Chewie and sighed. "Things are going so well, Chewie," Ben said to his dog. "But I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. Audrey seems to be up to something and I feel that something might happen to the VKs. Especially Mal. And the Core 4 are being secretive again. I think I need to see for myself what they are thinking. Wish me luck." Chewie barked once as Ben sat in a mediative pose and focused his energy to astral projection. Suddenly Solo stood next to the window and phased through the wall, looking for the VKs.

The Core 4 were having a late night meeting in the boys' room as Mal said, "OK, we all know what the wand looks like. So, we'll be up on the dais under King Adam's spell jar from when he was a beast, and we'll be coming in from here. I will be in the very front. You all will be up in the balcony." "OK," Evie said. "Carlos?" Mal asked. Carlos nodded and said, "OK, so I'll find our limo, so we can break the barrier and get back to the island with the wand." "Perfect," Mal said. "Evie?" "Yeah?" Evie asked. Mal handed her a perfume bottle and said, "You will use this to take out the driver. Two sprays and he'll be out like a light." Evie took the bottle and put it in her purse as the boys walked away from the table and sat on their beds. Evie looked down and saw that Mal had her spell book open to the page that stated how to break a love spell. "M?" Evie asked. "You want to break Ben's love spell?" "Yeah," Mal said. "You know, for after. I've just been thinking, you know, when the villains finally do invade Auradon, and begin to loot and kick everyone out of their castles, and imprison their leaders and destroy all that is good and beautiful, Ben still being in love with me just seems a little extra cruel." Mal hated lying to Evie, who could tell that Mal wasn't telling the whole truth, and she stood up and walked out of the room heading for the kitchen to make the anti-love spell. The Core 4 didn't notice Solo hiding outside their window listening in and Solo felt his heart break a little for Mal. So he followed her.

As the night wore on, Jay couldn't sleep. He got out of his bed and looked at the trophy he won with the Tourney team and the MVP trophy he got. "Should we really do this?" Jay thought.

Carlos kept tossing and turning all night. He looked over at Dude, who Carlos started to have wear jackets matching his. Dude whimpered and Carlos started to pet him, wishing that he would never leave this place.

Evie sat on her bed, alone since Mal wasn't there. She pulled out her chemistry test and stared at it, feeling good that she didn't have to hide the fact that she was smart. And she thought about Doug, who she started to feel affections for. She didn't want to leave him.

Mal was standing in the kitchen stirring a bowl making the anti-love potion for Ben. Her eyes were starting to tear up and she sang her sad lullaby,

A million thoughts in my head

Should I let my heart keep listening?

I know it's time to say goodbye

So hard to let go

Mal shed a tear that dropped into the mixing bowl. She cried softly to herself as she closed her spell book. She didn't want to let Ben go. She wanted to keep the connection they had, but Mal wanted it to be real.

"Nice song," Mal heard a deep voice behind her, knowing exactly who it was. She wiped her eyes and turned to see Solo standing there in his dark grey robes and mask. Mal glared at him and said, "That was private. What are you doing here? Making sure that I break Ben's spell? Since you are his guardian in fact." "So," Solo said, playing along. "Ben told you about me? How cute. Yes, even though I guard over the Isle, I also protect the prince. He told you about how he ran away. I saw that scared little boy who wanted to make his own destiny and I helped him. I showed him that there was more to this world than what his parents and everyone here is putting into everyone's little minds. I could sense that he was the key to making this world come back into balance. So I became his guardian, in a sense. He told me about the purple haired girl who he dreamed about on that lonely island. I wanted to help him." "So that's why you started appearing on the Isle," Mal realized. "He sent you." Solo nodded, secretly glad that Mal was buying his lie for now.

"I went to the Isle to search for you. But I also saw what was happening on the Isle. So I came back to Ben and told him. He was devastated to hear about how your life and all the lives of the children are on that island. So he wanted to get you and others over here to live a better life, away from your parents who keep pouring darkness into you. But then, I saw his dream girl and her friends trying to steal the wand because that's what their parents want them to do. So I stepped in and stopped you. I thought it would be done after that. But no, you had to go and make a love potion to give to him because you don't believe that your connection with him is real. Or that Ben doesn't want to act upon it himself. Sad really, when you don't understand the full picture. And now you want to break his heart, thinking that this isn't real, despite your wish of wanting it to be real. You need to open your eyes. Stop listening with your mind and listen to your heart and trust the person you care so much about!" "Why do you care so much?" Mal asked. "I don't even understand what you are." Solo chuckled and said, "I'm more complicated than you think. But right now I am concerned about you. The girl who secretly cares about the prince but doesn't trust that what they have between them is real. Why won't you trust Ben?" "Because!" Mal shouted. "I have my mother whispering in my ear that I can't mess this up! But my heart won't get rid of this light that's been inside of me for so long that I had to hide on the Isle so that I could survive that place. The light that keeps telling me that my place is with Ben, but my darkness doesn't trust him yet because he has secrets of his own. Like you! Why does Ben trust you so much?" Solo sensed something was up and said, "You don't trust me." Mal huffed and said, "That's what happens when you're being hunted by a creature in a mask!"

Solo sucked in a breath as Mal put her hand over her mouth, realizing that she just said the words that brown haired girl said in her dreams about Solo. Staring hard at Mal, Solo raised his hand towards Mal and froze her in place and asked, "Where did you hear that? You've seen something, haven't you?" He then walked towards her and searched her mind, focusing all her energy on breaking down the barriers she built up and because she didn't have her Force connection back, she couldn't stop him at full force. Solo saw the dreams she had about him as Ben. Then he saw the dreams she had about him as Solo, and that they were actually memories of him as Kylo Ren. He saw that she was starting to have memories of her former life as Rey but didn't know who anyone was in her dreams like he did as a child. He found what he was looking for and saw the memory of when he interrogated Rey after capturing her on Takodana." He then lowered his hand but didn't unfreeze her. Mal looked up at Solo with terrified eyes as Solo leaned forward and said, "You've been dreaming about me. Haven't you? And you don't understand why. Interesting. Just know this. That man you see in your dreams isn't the man you see before you. He is long gone. Trust me on that. If you should focus on anything from those dreams, focus on the girl. You might like her better." He turned to walk away as he let Mal unfreeze as Mal gasped several breaths and she asked, "Why am I having those dreams? About you? About her? About Ben? And why is he having dreams about me?" Solo stopped and said, "You'll know someday. Today is not that day. Just focus on the problem in this reality. Focus on Ben. Focus on your wish." Solo then disappeared and Mal stared out to where Solo once stood. She was trying to process what happened. She didn't trust Solo yet, but decided to take his advice and focus on Ben. But she was going to make the anti-love potion just in case.

Solo merged back into his body and Ben opened his eyes, gasping for breath. "She's getting the dreams," Ben thought. "She's starting to get some of her memories back as dreams. Just like I did before I reawakened. But why are some of them focusing on me as Kylo Ren? Those are my memories, not hers." "Because seeing you in your Solo form triggered it," Ben turned and saw Agathe standing at the foot of his bed. "You were the key to start the process." Ben got out of bed and walked up to Agathe and said, "But I didn't need a trigger for mine to start when I was 5. Why does she?" Agathe sighed and said, "Being on that island suppressed not just her magic, but the Force as well. Yes she won't get her Force connection back until she reawakens, but you had the advantage of being around it already. She only got very limited amounts of it. She needed a push from the Force to start the process. And the Force answered through you." "But she told me during our date that she was getting dreams about me," Ben countered. "New me. At the lake. I thought you said she wouldn't get any until she came here." "I said I wasn't sure," Agathe answered. "But I guess when Mal was old enough, she was strong enough to start receiving dreams about you, like you were of her. These things do seem to work in mysterious ways. You were wise to not tell her the full truth yet. I know you want to, but you listened to the Force. Good job. Hopefully soon her dreams will shift to her former memories and soon she will hear the call to reawaken. Have patience, young Skywalker. Her time is coming."

The next day, Family Day, was off and running. Ben and the other students, minus the VKs, put together a musical treat for the parents. A remix of "Be Our Guest". Ben wasn't thrilled about the idea of performing a musical number, but it was for the parents so he got over it. As he and his classmates were singing, he looked up and saw Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay walking down to the festivities and Ben silently wished that today would go well. He chuckled to himself when he saw Carlos hand Dude over to Evie and he and Jay went to town on the chocolate fountain. The song ended as Ben walked over to his parents. Belle smiled and said, "That was so lovely!" Ben guided his parents to the photo spot and they got their picture taken. "So," Adam said. "Are you here with Audrey? We do need to go over the plans for the coronation." "Actually," Ben said. "I came here with someone else. And she's the person I invited to the coronation." Adam was about to argue, but Belle glared at her husband and said, "That's OK. It does say that you can invite whoever you want. It doesn't have to be Audrey. Who did you invite?"

Ben smiled, silently wishing that this would go well, and he called out, "Mal! Come here!" Adam and Belle paled a little as Mal walked over and Ben said, "I wanna introduce you to my parents." "Hey," Mal said, walking up and hugging Ben. Adam and Belle were shocked. Ben was actually smiling and hugging the girl like he wanted to. He didn't seem stiff like they saw him with Audrey. Could their son have found someone he loves? Ben pulled away and put his hand in Mal's and turned to his parents saying, "This is Mal. From the island. My date." "Hi," Belle said, getting over her shock and trying to be friendly, while Adam held his anger down. Mal meekly waved and said, "Hi." Ben smiled and said, "I was thinking maybe she can join us for lunch." "Of course," Adam finally said, speaking in a monotone voice. "Any friend of Ben's…." "Um," Mal interrupted. "Sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I actually came with my friends." "Well," Belle said. "You should invite them. Because the more the merrier!" "Sure," Mal said smiling. "I'll go grab them!" "Actually," Adam interrupted. "How about a game of croquet before lunch?" "Of course," Mal said. "Game on," Ben said. He fist-bumped his dad before putting his arm around Mal and walked away with her whispering, "Have you played before?" "No," Mal whispered back. "It's OK," Ben whispered. "I'll teach you."

The game was underway and everyone was having a good time. Ben was playing with Jay and Carlos, and Ben didn't notice that Audrey smirked to herself as she saw her grandmother walk towards Mal. "Time for everyone to see that these VKs don't belong here," Audrey thought. "Starting with the girl who stole my Bennyboo." Queen Leah walked up to Mal and said, "Hello there." Mal turned to the older lady and said, "Hi." "Now," Queen Leah said. "Have we met?" "No," Mal answered. "I don't think so. I'm new. I'm sort of like a transfer student." Suddenly Audrey walked up to them and gave her grandmother a kiss on the cheek and said, "Hi, Grammy." "Grammy?" Mal asked. Audrey looked at Mal and said, "Sleeping Beauty's mother. Grammy, I don't think you want to be talking to this girl. Unless you feel like taking another 100 year nap." Mal looked shocked and saw a mean smirk on Audrey's face. "You!" Queen Leah shouted at Mal, getting everyone's attention. Ben turned and saw the mean smirk on Audrey's face and ran over to Mal as Queen Leah asked, "How are you here? And how have you stayed so young?" "Queen Leah," Ben interrupted. "It's OK. Maleficent is still on the island. This is her daughter, Mal. Don't you remember my proclamation to give the new generation a chance?" "A chance to what, Ben?" Queen Leah sneered. "Destroy us? Come on. You remember, don't you? The poison apples. And the spells. That's why we had magic banned and all those villains imprisoned on that island. And my daughter was raised by fairies because of your mother's curse. So, her first words, her first steps, I missed it all!" Ben looked over at Mal who had a sad look on her face.

Mal tried to comfort the old queen, but then Chad came in and said, "Stay away from her!" Ben growled and said, "Don't do this, Chad." "They were raised by their parents, Ben," Chad said. "What do you think villains teach their kids? Huh? Kindness? Fair play? No. You, Mal. You stole the Crown Prince away from his betrothed. Did you know that Ben is promised to Audrey?" Mal glared at Chad and said, "I did." Ben stepped in front of Mal and said, "Back off, Chad." But Chad didn't and pointed to the other VKs and said, "Jay, you enjoy hurting people. And Evie, you're nothing but a gold digger and a cheater." Evie glared at Chad while pulling out her magic mirror and said, "Mirror, mirror, in my hand, who's the biggest jerk in the land?" It showed Chad as Evie showed the result to the arrogant prince, but Chad scoffed and pushed Evie away as Jay ran up to protect her and said, "Back off, Chad." Evie then pulled out the perfume bottle and sprayed Chad, making him fall asleep. Other people tried to wake Chad up as Evie grabbed Mal and said, "Come on. Let's get out of here." Mal looked at Ben, who had a longing look on his face. But Evie dragged her and the boys away as Ben shouted, "Guys!" But the VKs kept running away.

Ben turned and saw Chad waking up on the ground as Evie only sprayed him once, not twice. King Adam and Queen Belle stood near him as Adam said, "I feared something like this would happen." Ben got angry and shouted, "This isn't their fault!" "No, son," Adam replied. "It's yours." Ben looked shocked at his dad, startled by what he said. He looked at his mom who wanted to say something but didn't. Adam led Belle away. Ben looked over and saw Audrey and Jane helping Chad up. Lonnie and Doug looked at Ben with sympathy. Time seemed to freeze for Ben as he felt his anger build up. His anger at Audrey for setting this up. At his dad for causing the imbalance in the world in the first place. At his mom for not speaking up. At Chad for going too far. He hated being surrounded by people that only saw things in black and white, good and evil. As time freezes around him, he started to sing his heart out, something he rarely does,

I wanna scream, top of my lungs

Not sitting back, won't hold my tongue

No, some things are different than we thought

There's more to life than what we're taught

I'm speaking up enough's enough

'Cause I can't go all this way

I gotta wake up and be brave

But I know I'll face the fire if I say

I'm gonna stand strong

Nothing's stopping me

I'll be loud you'll hear me now

I'm gonna stand tall

Take it to the top

I'll be free can't bring me down

So I'll rise won't turn back

I won't hide who I am

I'm gonna stand

Done living life inside the lines

Following the rules and playing nice

I'm stepping up with all my strength

Even if they think it's a mistake

Won't turn my back won't close my eyes

On the edge I risk it all

It's worth the chance that I might fall

So I'm not backing down

Believe when I say

I'm gonna stand strong

Nothing's stopping me

I'll be loud you'll hear me now

I'm gonna stand tall

Take it to the top

I'll be free can't bring me down

So I'll rise won't turn back

I won't hide who I am

I'm gonna stand yeah

I'm gonna stand yeah

I'm gonna stand yeah

I'm gonna stand

Ben took some deep breaths as Audrey let go of Chad and walked over to him and said sweetly, "Don't you see, Bennyboo? Those villains don't belong here with us. Now they know their place in this world. And you are back in your rightful place. With me as your future queen." She tried to grab Ben's hand, but he yanked it away and glared at Audrey while saying, "You planned this. Didn't you? Just to get revenge on Mal. On me for not inviting you as my date to my coronation. You always try to get want you want, don't you?" Audrey backed away as if she was stung. "Bennybear," Audrey said. "This isn't you. That girl has you under a spell or something. Well, I'm here to break it. Wake up! You belong with me! You are my betrothed!" "Enough!" Ben shouted getting everyone's attention. Ben chuckled darkly and said, "If there's anyone who needs to wake up, it's you. You're wrapped up so tight around this dream of yours of us being together forever that you can see what's right in front of you. All you care about is yourself. You never thought about what I cared about. I went along with you for years. Then I invited those four kids, that have gone through more than you realize or will ever know, and they helped me find the courage to speak up and show how I really feel. So if this day was anyone's fault, it's yours." Audrey gasped as Doug and Lonnie walked up to Ben to get him to back off, with Lonnie whispering, "It's about time," in his ears. Ben shook his arms away and ran after his parents, knowing that he needed to speak up to them as well. Audrey then put on a fake smile, still holding on to the delusion that Ben was hers.

Ben found his parents in a side garden near the school. His parents saw their son run up to them as Adam said, "Are you here to apologize for your actions? I've already gotten an earful from Audrey's family who are very upset that Audrey is not your date to your coronation. And you had to invite their enemy's daughter of all people. What were you thinking?" "Enough!" Ben shouted, startling his dad and his mom's eyes widened. Ben glared at his dad and said, "I need to get some things off of my chest that I have kept buried for years. First off, I don't like Audrey. At all. She's a mean, spoiled, arrogant, self-absorbed brat who only cares about getting whatever she wants." "Ben!" Adam said. "How can you say that about your betrothed? Her family said that you two were getting along great as kids." "That's a lie," Ben said. "Audrey lied to her family. I barely tolerated her. Did she ever tell anyone that she use to bully Jane? No." "How dreadful," Belle said.

Ben sighed and said, "This betrothal was the real reason I ran away to the forest on my 7th birthday." Adam and Belle looked shocked as Ben continued, "I went looking for both of you and heard voices coming from the study. The door was open a crack so I listened and heard everything. I was horrified that my parents arranged a marriage to a girl I despise. So I ran away into the forest." "You knew," Belle said. "You knew before we told you." "And to think," Ben added. "You were going to let me find out about it at the same time the kingdom of Auradon was. How messed up is that?" "Watch your tone," Adam said but Belle put her hand on Adam's arm and said, "Adam. Let him finish." She nodded for her son to continue and Ben said, "So I ran away to the forest. I was so upset that I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and I fell. Next thing I knew, I was in my bed. I lied to the two of you because I didn't want you to find out what I heard. But I was so angry that you arranged this contract with Audrey's family." "But you said you would give this a chance," Adam said. "I did," Ben said. "For your sake. But for ten years of these arranged meetings with Audrey, I didn't feel a spark or connection with her. I played the perfect gentleman for her and it felt like I was just living out her fantasy of the perfect couple. And not once did she ever consider my feelings. And I am the only one who pays attention in the council meetings. She hardly pays attention at all so when I ask her about them, she waves me off." "I could have told you that," Belle said with Adam staring at his wife. "What? I'm a good observer. And Ben seems to care more about the kingdom than Audrey does." Ben smiled at his mom, glad that one of his parents sees the truth.

Adam sighed and said, "You may have a point, Ben. But this still doesn't explain why you invited the daughter of Maleficent as your date to your coronation." "Because," Ben said. "I felt a connection with her since I first saw her. I think she's smart, funny, brave, and the most beautiful girl I have ever met. We have this spark that I can't explain. I care about her more than I ever did Audrey." Belle gasped and asked, "Ben. Do you love her?" Ben couldn't answer that, as he couldn't find the words to say and just looked at his parents with sad eyes. Belle looked at Adam with a loving stare as Adam realized what she was realizing. Adam sighed and said, "I guess I have no choice. But you are still under that contract, son. There's nothing we can do about it. And after what happened today, I don't know if inviting those 4 to your coronation is a good idea." Ben growled and said, "Those 4 as you call them, they have names. Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay. Being here in Auradon has changed them. Evie is so smart and is becoming close with Doug. Carlos is Dude's official guardian and loves that dog more than life itself. Jay is the best player on the Tourney team and has learned about teamwork. And Mal, she is the greatest person I have ever met. All of them are in fact. Mal and her friends have helped me understand that they had a rough childhood and deserved better. They are trying to make a better life for themselves. But then those people back there, like Audrey and her grandmother, judge them because of who their parents are. So you said that what just happened was my fault. Why? Because I brought them here? No, if this is anyone's fault, it's Audrey's because I know that she set that fight up. And if anyone is to blame for how those kids are, it's you, Dad. You are to blame for all of this."

Adam felt his anger build as Ben said, "I know what you're going to say. I get it. But I am going to change the mistakes of the past once I am king. And some of those mistakes are yours. I am going to help this world that is suffering. More than you will ever understand." Adam was shocked at what his son said to him. Ben sighed and said, "Forget lunch. I'll eat here. I'll see you two tomorrow. I need to help those who are hurting right now. And I need some space from everyone that is making me angry right now." Ben brushed past his parents and walked back toward the school. Adam turned to his wife and said, "How dare our son speak to us that way!" "Adam!" Belle said. "Now I admit, I didn't like his tone. But he is right. Those kids have suffered. I said that they deserve a second chance. And people here, including us, aren't giving them that. Plus, Ben is right about Audrey. I have heard through some gossip that she is not a pleasant girl. And I saw the look in Ben's eyes when he defended Mal. He cares deeply for that girl. Maybe even loves her. Now, we are not going to say anything to Audrey's family. But I am going to find a way for my son to get the happily ever after he wants with Mal. It's time I use my book smarts and see if that is possible. Are you going to help or not?" Adam sighed and said, "Let me cool off for a while. I need to think about all of this. But I promise not to mention anything to Audrey's family. You have my word."

Ben walked all around the school looking for the VKs. He found them sulking at a table and ran up saying, "Hey, guys. How is everyone? Sorry, that was a stupid question. Listen. Forget about what just happened. All right? It was nothing. Forget about it. Let it go." Ben saw the sad looks on everyone's face and sighed saying, "Look. I am sorry for what happened back there. Audrey set that up as revenge on me. I should have seen it coming. So I apologize for not protecting you guys." The four looked over at Ben, surprised that the Crown Prince of all people was apologizing to them for something he had no control over. Ben continued, "I wish that after tomorrow's coronation that everything will be OK. I can't guarantee that everyone will share the same worldview that I do, but I will promise that I will fight for you guys. You guys deserve a second chance here. No matter what people like Audrey feel. You aren't your parents. You're you." He then knelt down and took Mal's hand and said, "I am sorry that you had to go through that with Audrey and her grandmother. They had no right to say that stuff to you. You are more than what they think. You're special. And that's why I care about you." Mal felt some tears pricking her eyes as Ben said those words to her. After what Audrey did to her, she was ready to steal the wand and have villains rule. But Ben still cared for her. But her self-doubt crept in thinking that this was the love cookie talking, despite the connection they had. Ben kissed Mal's hand and stood up saying, "I have to go, I'm afraid. I'll see you guys later." He then walked away with a sad look on his face that even Mal was concerned about.

Doug then walked over and said, "Listen, Evie, I wanna talk about earlier. I just…" "Doug!" Chad called out, not wanting him to sit with the VKs. Evie sighed and said, "It's my fault, Doug. I'm so sorry." "No," Doug said. "It's mine. I should have defended you against Chad. And Chad, back off. You've done enough damage." Chad backed up, shocked that Doug talked him off. Evie smiled a little as Doug said, "I'm really sorry, Evie. Please forgive me." Evie nodded as Lonnie came over and said, "I'm sorry, too. I should have tried to stop it." Jay nodded as Carlos pet Dude quietly. Audrey then walked by them with Jane and asked Jane, "How long does she think that's gonna last? Mal is just the bad girl infatuation." "I guess," Jane said, trying not to look at Carlos as she knew if she did she would falter more. She just wanted to fit it, and didn't want to look at Doug and Lonnie who were upset that she was hanging out with Audrey. "I mean, you two are betrothed and all. So he can't make Mal his queen." Audrey laughed and pulled Jane away. Mal wasn't looking at Jane so she didn't see the look on Jane's face who instantly regretted what she said. Mal opened her spell book and chanted, "Beware, forswear, undo Jane's hair." She waved her finger around and the spell was done. Audrey and all her friends started laughing at Jane. Lonnie and Doug ran over to comfort the girl despite their feelings for her behavior. Mal stood up and said, "There's a lot more where that came from."

"Excuse me," Audrey said. "Who do you think you are?" Mal then walked toward Audrey and said, "I'm the girl who put those fancy hairdos on those girls' heads. I'm the girl who actually cares about Ben and what he thinks. I'm the one who sees Ben for who he is, not just his crown. I'm the girl who is more real than you will ever be. Crown or not. And I'm the girl who can take all your perfect hairdos away." Audrey then stepped forward and whispered, "Ben is mine. Whether you like it or not. I'm the one who will wear that crown. Not you." Mal just smiled and said, "Does it look like I'm kidding?" She then opened her spell book as proof and Audrey and her friends, along with Chad, ran away. Lonnie and Doug led Jane away as Doug said, "See you tomorrow, Evie." Evie waved as Mal turned toward her friends and said, "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. Let's grab that wand and blow this popsicle stand." She hoped that she sounded confident to her friends, because inside, she was battling herself. The darkness in her wanted to take revenge and steal the wand and let evil rule. But her light wanted to stay with Ben and grow their connection. She walked away with her friends as she thought, "Tomorrow will be a day that no one will every forget…"