When Ben awoke the next morning he was pulled in his restraints upstairs by Hook. When his eyes adjusted to the sunlight he realized he was on a pirate ship. Harry roughly pushed him over to a mast and tied his restraints to it. "We're trading ye for Fairy Godmothers wand. And when Mal gives it to us we're going ta use it to invade yer precious Auradon."
Ben knew fighting with Hook would do nothing so he remained silent and looked around him as Harry wandered off. Ben tried his best to find a weak spot or a way out of this. Mal wouldn't really give them the wand would she? Did she hate Auradon that much? He looked around the ship to see dozens of a pirate crew, and not just on the boat but all over the doc. Escape was useless unless he could get himself out of these binds and they weren't moving an inch.
Harry jumped back down to harass Ben some more. It brought him so much joy. It might just be his new favorite pastime. Harry put his hook to Ben's throat, "How's it feel ta be the King now, eh?" The answer was 'helpless and horrible' but Ben's lips wouldn't move an inch. He just glared at Hook and Hook laughed.
"Give it a rest Harry. Give it a rest. We don't want damaged goods." A girl with long turquoise hair ordered Harry out of the way and came to sit in front of Ben. This must be Uma.
Harry clearly wasn't happy with being dismissed, through gritted teeth "You said I could hook him."
"I said at noon." In the face of all of this Ben couldn't help but be amused that Harry wasn't as in charge as he pretended to be. Harry got back in his face and threw down a pocket watch. "Twenty more minutes."
Ben looked at the watch, this guy clearly wasn't the smartest. "That says 11:30."
"You better hope your girlfriend comes through," Uma snapped the attention back onto herself.
Ben could see Harry smirking evil behind her, "But she's not my girlfriend anymore."
Ben looked down as Harry chuckled. Uma looked at him like she was trying to figure something out, "Leave us alone Harry."
"Nineteen minutes to go now," Harry clapped Ben's chest.
"Go," Uma was impatient with Harry's childish antics.
Ben thought he might be able to talk his way out of this with Uma. "I get that you don't deserve this."
Uma let out a laugh, "This. This island is a prison thanks to your father. And don't pretend to look out for me because no one's looking out for me. It's just me." Uma looked off and Ben saw vulnerability in the gaze.
"So this isn't your mom's plan? Isn't that her necklace?"
Uma scoffed, "My mom doesn't care about me either. Well, not unless she needs someone for the night shift."
"Ouch," Ben thought he might be able to get under her skin and she might respect that more than his usual compassion.
"I don't need your pity," Uma rolled her eyes.
A thought crossed Ben's mind. If Mal used flattery to get her way with Harry maybe he could do the same with Uma. "No you certainly don't. You're very resourceful. I don't see you tied up."
Uma chuckled and got up to approach him, "Alright, so let's trash talk Mal."
"I'd rather talk about you," Ben was surprised at himself, maybe Evie had taught him a thing or two yesterday.
"Mmm funny and a gentleman. I really hope I don't have to feed you to the fishes."
"Oh you don't. Set me free and we'll go back together." Ben thought he just might have her.
Uma turned back on him seeming amused by the idea then leaned in putting her hand behind his head, "Oh so now I get an invite. Gee I wonder why. When you brought Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay to Auradon, that's as mad as I've ever been in my life. And trust me, I've been plenty mad."
That struck Ben and his whole act melted away. He had never considered the pain his decision could have caused. "I never thought of it like that before, that I could've hurt the people I didn't pick. The plan was to start with four kids and then bring more people over. I guess I was busy being king. That sounds lame. I'm so sorry. You're a leader Uma. So am I. Come to Auradon and be part of the solution."
Uma looked Ben up and down, "Me? Part of your solution. Nah! I don't need you. I'm guna get there on my own. Harry! Let's see what this puppy can do." Ben didn't like the way Uma was rubbing her necklace. He knew that that necklace was a love spell.
But before Uma could do anything Gus shouted from the crowd nest, "They're here."
All three whipped their heads towards the docks to see Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and to Ben's surprise Lonnie, walking towards the boat. But Ben doesn't have time to think on it before Harry starts roughly pushing him towards the plank on the other side of the boat.