There was so much I wanted to skip over to save time, but I realized I couldn't do that without missing or over-simplifying some plot points that I had thought really hard about. Originally, this chapter summarized three to four chapters worth of content and it was nearly finished. I decided to completely start over, which gave you this chapter.

Enjoy.


The next couple days were not pleasant for those working on the musical.

On the first day while deciding the script and passing out their appropriate parts, Fairy Godmother sadly realized there were simply not enough performers. If they attempted the musical with the numbers they had, everyone would be too entirely exhausted before the first intermission. Some of the teenagers suggested holding auditions for background dancers or even understudies for each of the seniors, just in case one needs to take a break for a performance or if something were to happen to someone.

After all, there was a high possibility that Lonnie wouldn't be able to attend the musical due to her rigorous tryouts for the army, which would take place the same afternoon. If anything, she would only be able to participate in the last half of the show, but she still promised she would do everything possible to help out with the musical.

As for Ben, his father was predictably angered at the idea of his son participating in the show. Mr. Adams had already been annoyed about Ben staying over at the Fae residence after the championship party without his or his wife's knowledge or permission. Coach Beast was practically purple in the face during the morning discussion with the drama teacher and principal about the show. He just knows the two were conspiring together just so Ben could participate in the musical. If he found out either one of them lied about his son needing to do the performance to graduate, Mr. Adams warned he would talk to the school board and convince the committee to fire the two.

But it's not like he really has enough power to do so.

The next day, after Jane and Lonnie went around the school passing out flyers for the understudy auditions, only two freshman showed up. Somehow Fairy Godmother managed to mask her displeasure and offered the two girls each special parts. Dizzy Tremaine would assist Evie with the fashion designs and, on the day of the musical, would fix any rip, tear, or problems that might come up with the costumes so Evie could solely focus on her performance.

As for the other freshman, it came to no surprise to anyone that sassy Celia Facilier 'won' the understudy role of her big sister, Uma. The sisters were more than thrilled with the idea of performing together and spending time with each other. With this being Uma's final year of high school, the sisters won't be able to spend as much time together as they want once Uma graduates.

On that day, Fairy Godmother ended the practice early, insisting that she needed the extra time to plan a way to get more students involved with the performance. While most collected their things, an idea formed in a young teenager's mind. Without consulting with her friends, Mal approached Fairy Godmother with a genius scheme to get more students involved. All she and the other three needed was permission from the principal. After being reassured that such would be given tomorrow, Mal hurried to her friends to plan everything they would need.


The following day, dressed head to toe in leather of their favorite colors, the Core Four waited until the bell rang for passing period before free period to meet together in the hallways. Each wearing a microphone set that connected to all the announcement speakers around the school, the four friends strutted down the hallway, ready for their 'interactive' performance.

On a count of three, they chanted together:

"From the North to the South,

From the East to the West,

Lost boys, lost girls,

You all know you're the best,

Hit the streets, it's your day,

Turn it up, now's your chance,

It's time to get up on your feet and dance."

Moving so they were in a circle, they placed their hands on top of each other before throwing them up, signaling the start of their mission. Breaking apart, the four split up to cover more ground with Mal starting them off, "Anybody wanna be like us? Everybody wanna be like us!"

Carlos went next as he interacted with a few sophomores at their lockers. "All the boys from Auradon, and the girls 'cause they know what's up."

Evie smiled at some shy freshmen, who watched in amazement and curiosity. "Your life could change today. Your life could change today."

"These streets named after us," Jay boasted to some of his teammates, though the lyrics were just part of the fantasy. "Because we paved the way."

Those who once attended Dragon Hall couldn't help dancing along as the Core Four performed. It had been so long since anyone has heard them sing and danced as a group. Back at their old school, they used to do a performance every day where nearly everyone would dance along. Those students wondered just what their goal was for doing a song out of the blew.

Nonetheless, they still gathered behind the Core Four as the ladies sang together, "Everyone come and take your shot. Now's the time, show 'em what you got. 'Cause everyone is gonna get their chance. They said being from the Isle was bad. . ."

Altogether, the Core Four harmonized the catchy chorus:

"Well, it's good to be bad!

And we're proof of that!

Used to be lost, now we're on the map.

Used to steal snacks, now we're giving back.

Remember that?

It's good to be bad!

If you got pride,

Raise your V's up high,

Wave 'em wide, side to side,

Feel the vibe.

It's good to be bad!"


Meanwhile, in the theater, those who would be working on the musical were waiting around on the stage impatiently. Fairy Godmother had told them practice would start a little later since the four wanted to try something to drum up interest, but the others just wanted to get it done and over with so they could study for finals, entrance exams, etc.—

With the exception of Ben Adams.

As soon as he arrived in the theater, Ben found himself a comfy spot to sit as he pulled out an old book to read, deciding to get back into his favorite hobby. He put in his earphones before he began, as he planned on listening to the instrumental score he was given for his forced solo. Fairy Godmother specifically gave him the score, thinking he could do something with the piano playing at the beginning. Ben just hoped reading while listening could give him some kind of inspiration for lyrics, since he had no idea what he would sing about.

But, of course, as soon as he opened the book, a different type of music blared through the speakers. Taking out his earbuds, Ben and the others took a few moments to listen to the singing, recognizing those voices immediately.

After a few minutes, Mal, Jay, Evie, and Carlos burst through the theater doors with a large group of students behind them. There had to be at least forty kids, if not close to fifty. As the Core Four did a dance down the aisle, their classmates followed, mimicking the steps with ease.

Climbing onto the stage, the four removed the microphones and set them on the ground. Carlos stepped forward, while the remaining three formed a line behind him, instructing, "Spread out in the audience! My friends and I want to try to something."

Taking a few moments to do so, there appeared to be just enough room for all of them to stand and stretch comfortably in the audience. If any more had joined, it would have been too crowded.

"Us Core Four are going to teach you a dance," Carlos announced to the students. "We will take it eight counts at a time. We will do the counts first and then you will follow. Once we have gone through the steps, we will put you to the test by putting it all together. Are you ready!"

The crowd cheered their answer. All of them were more than excited to be dancing with the Core Four again.

"We are going to teach this in three parts," Carlos informed. "Part one, start low on the right foot, snap one, snap two, snap three . . ."

As Carlos and the trio did the first three counts, they walked forward as they did so. They knew their students wouldn't be able to walk forward with their limited space, so they will just have to come up with a plausible solution to do the step.

"Look four." Carlos raised his right arm as he looked to the right. "Slide five. Leg up on six. Head seven." The four imitated cracking their necks. "Together eight." On that final step, their feet were together while their arms were down. "Your turn! Five, six, seven, eight."

While Carlos counted out the steps, the students followed the steps with ease. Everyone had turned so they would be walking through the rows to do the steps, which was exactly what the Core Four had wanted them to do.

"Nice job!" Carlos complimented. "Part two, hands come together on one, down two, throw it three, throw it four. Five and cross open cross open turn."

Luckily, none were confused by the steps as they still managed to follow along with the same ambition as before.

"Part three!" Carlos continued, getting hyped up himself. "Jump to the left on one, down two, arms out three, up four, left right, left right, roll it up, spread them out, right left, kick it back, back, down, punch, punch, open up."

Those who had been watching everything on the stage truly believed none would be able to follow those steps exactly. Carlos and the others had gone through the last part too fast and there were much more than eight counts mentioned before.

And yet, they couldn't hide their surprise or their astonishment when the crowd in the audience managed to do the final part step by step. Who knew any of them could dance so good?

"Now we're going to try it with music," Carlos announced, encouraging them as he shouted, "Show us what you got!"

Stepping back so he stood at the end next to Evie, which gave the students enough time to get into their starting positions, the Core Four did a count of three before they sang the chorus one last time, dancing the taught steps as they did so:

"Well, it's good to be bad!

And we're proof of that!

Used to be lost, now we're on the map.

Used to steal snacks, now we're giving back.

Remember that?

It's good to be bad!

If you got pride,

Raise your V's up high,

Wave 'em wide, side to side,

Feel the vibe.

It's good to be bad!"

Every single student followed along perfectly. Not one of them was off beat or had missed any steps. Once they had finished, the Core Four and the others on stage gave them a round of applause at their dancing performance.

"Magnificent!" Fairy Godmother praised the group. "That was simply wonderful and inspiring!" Pausing for a moment, she turned to raise an eyebrow at the Core Four. "But what is this 'Isle of the Lost'?"

Blushing slightly at the question, Mal bashfully admitted, "You see, with my perspective, I thought that those of us who went to Dragon Hall lived on the Isle of the Lost, because nobody ventured to this part of Auradon City due to our parents' criminal history. This part we are in now is the Kingdom of Auradon. At the time, my classmates liked the idea of us living on our own separate island, until we grew up and realized there was a barrier keeping us in."

The drama teacher shook her head in amusement. "Lady Fae, you have such a vivid imagination," she admired, before adverting her attention back to those in the audience. "As for all of you, the spring musical is in dire need of dancers. With how well you performed, I would be more than honored to have all of you dance in our musical. As a reward for your participation, I will give each one of you one-hundred-fifty extra credit points for any class you choose. What do you think?"

The crowd cheered their approval at the offer.

With an incentive like that, how could they say no?