Here it is! The first part of the two-part story I promised. I may have to warn you. Things mights get a little... dark.
Try to enjoy it.
Darkness Within, Part 1
It was night time in Auradon. The moon was shining, the starts are twinkling, and everyone is asleep in bed. But only one is about to have a rough night.
In the Auradon Prep dormitory, Mal was sleeping just like almost every night. Peacefully. But as soon as the clock struck midnight, Mal suddenly felt something surging within her and started to shake. The noise she was making was starting to wake up Evie. Noticing this, Mal immediately casts a sleeping spell on her friend, putting her back to sleep. Mal ends up rolling off the bed as she tries to fight the rush in her veins. She knows what is transpiring. It was what she has been trying to fight.
"Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts!" Mal yelled to herself, trying to shut out the darkness.
However, Mal continues to scream as the darkness continues to consume her. She crawls to the mirror and looks at herself. She saw her eyes glowing green. She tried to make it stop, but she continues to scream in agony. After a few more seconds, Mal stopped screaming. She was now breathing in and out repeatedly, trying to recover from what just happened.
As soon as Mal calmed down, a devious smirk shows up on her face. She looks at herself in the mirror and her eyes are still glowing, but she didn't mind. She continued smiling. She opens the curtains and stares at the full moon.
"Happy birthday to me," said Mal.
Six hours later, the students of Auradon Prep begin to wake up to a new day for school. In Mal and Evie's dorm, Evie has woken up from the sleeping spell. She saw that Mal wasn't in bed. Instead of being curious, Evie took this as the perfect opportunity to sneak outside. She texts her friends and quickly heads for Castle Beast, but not after dressing up. She was surprised Mal wasn't in the bathroom either, but she ignored that to focus on something else.
"Hey, guys. Guys?" called out Evie.
Her fellow VKs, minus Mal, and the Auradon kids all meet with her.
"Hey, Evie," greeted Carlos.
"Hey," greeted Evie. "So, do you guys remember what today is?"
"How can we forget? It's Mal's birthday," said Ben.
"You've been talking about it for over a week," reminded Audrey, clearly annoyed.
"Sorry," apologized Evie.
"So, the last time you talked about it, you said you had a plan. What is it?" asked Chad.
"Okay, listen up," started Evie. "Today, we are going to pretend that we don't remember her birthday."
"Wait, what?" a confused Doug reacted.
"That's right. We're going to pretend that we don't remember it's Mal's birthday," said Jay. "We'll just pretend it's just an ordinary day..."
"Won't Mal choke the life out of us if she figured out?" worried Carlos.
"Maybe you, and Audrey, and Chad, probably Jane, but that's not the point," responded Evie. "Let me finish. We're going to pretend it's an ordinary day, but we're going to be secretly setting up a birthday party for her."
"Is this the reason you told me not to prepare it?" asked Ben.
"Yup," confirmed Evie.
"But... Mal's birthday is today," pointed out Jane.
"How are you going to get a birthday party set up in just one day?" wondered Chad.
"Actually, the three of us working on it for three days," explained Evie.
"Well, where is the party?" asked Lonnie.
Evie takes out her phone and texts everyone at the same time the location of the party.
Ben was puzzled. "H... how did you...?"
"Never mind about how. This is about Mal," said Evie.
"Her birthday is the worst day of every year in her life. It's about time to change that," said Jay.
"I still think one of us will get our heads cut off if she finds out," said Carlos.
"Then don't say a word," said Evie. "Don't be scared, Carlos. Mal may still be as malicious as ever, but remember, she's nice now. More or less."
"Hey, wait a minute, where's Sofia?" questioned Jane.
"I don't know," answered Evie.
"No clue where she is," answered Audrey.
"Don't look at me," responded Carlos.
"You know, I'm kinda worried about Sofia," started Ben. "First, she disappears during Christmas. Lately, she's been vanishing once in a while."
"If she has a secret, let her keep it. We all have secrets," said Carlos.
"I know what you mean," said Evie all of a sudden.
Things started to feel awkward between the two until Jay broke the silence.
"So, shall we get ready for school?" he said.
Sofia, meanwhile, was in a hidden spot in the park, practicing her new sword, using wooden figures she bought from a lumberjack. The sword cuts as well as any other sword, but she has been informed of its power by the Enchantress. As soon as the "great evil" arrives, Sofia feels confident that she can save Auradon with her new weapon.
"Um, Sof, are you not worried about inflicting harm with that thing?" asked Clover, worried.
"Clover, you know I would never hurt anyone," said Sofia. "I already told you about what the sword can do."
"Then why are you practicing your slicing?" asked Mia.
"Precaution," answered Sofia. "After all, Mal once told me there's a reason we take self-defense classes even though Auradon is full of heroes."
"So, you think you're ready?" asked Robin.
"I'm not sure I am, Robin, but as long as I believe in myself and fight for what's right, I know I will be," answered Sofia.
"Are you gonna tell them?" asked Clover.
"No, not yet," answered Sofia.
"How are you going to explain yourself?" asked Robin. "You lied to everyone. To your family. To your friends."
"I've been telling lies for as long as I can remember, Robin," reminded Sofia. "You know I have my reasons."
"Yeah, we know. You don't want your amulet falling into the wrong hands. You don't want Auradon to be worrying about some mysterious bad guy. We get it," interrupted Clover. "But do you really expect everything to A-OK once you defeat... whatever's coming?"
"Right now, Clover, I really don't know," answered Sofia. "Whether I live or die through this, I'm not doing it for myself. I'm doing it for Auradon."
"Say, isn't it time for school?" reminded Robin.
"Right," realized Sofia. "Well, see you guys."
As soon as Sofia left, the three animals were left worrying.
"Are you sure she'll be okay?" wondered Mia.
"Of course she'll be okay," said Robin. "She's Sofia. She's, like, the kindest person you can ever meet."
"I know, but she's always been the kind to do what's necessary to accomplish things," said Mia.
"True, but the way you say it, it sounds like she's going to do something... bad," responded Clover.
"You actually think she'll go 'there?'" questioned Robin.
"I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes open, like she said," said Clover.
It was time for Intermediate Goodness Class. Evie, Jay, and Carlos are currently sitting down in their seats, but class hasn't started because Mal was late. It wasn't long before the purple-haired sorceress showed up. Although, instead of her school uniform, she was wearing her clothes from the Isle.
"Mal, you're late," said Fairy God Mother.
"Don't give me that tone, grandma," sassed Mal.
"Watch you tone, young lady," warned Fairy God Mother.
"Watch your attitude, Ms. Know-It-All," said Mal disrespectfully.
"Mal!" reacted Fairy God Mother, surprised and disappointed at Mal's behavior.
"Mal, what are you doing?" asked Evie.
Mal didn't respond, but smirked.
"And why aren't you wearing your school uniform?" asked Fairy God Mother.
"Didn't feel like it," answered Mal.
"You know the school rules, Mal. You have to be wearing your school uniform at all times," said Fairy God Mother.
"If you didn't feel like wearing the skirt, why not just wear your other uniform? It resembles your clothes from the Isle," said Evie.
"I don't need some cheap replacement," retorted Mal.
"What is going on with you today?" asked Carlos.
Mal didn't respond, but she swayed her finger and Carlos' chair leg collapses, causing Carlos to fall to the ground. Mal smiled again.
"Mal, if you keep behaving like this, you're going to get detention," warned Fairy God Mother.
"You don't want to do that," retorted Mal.
"And why not?" asked Fairy God Mother, crossing her arms.
"You have no idea," said Mal, acting mysterious.
"If you're not going to wear your school uniform, can you at least pay attention?" said Fairy God Mother.
"Whatever," responded Mal.
Fairy God Mother signed. Instead of continuing her vocal scuffle with Mal, she decided to get started with class. She started writing on the chalkboard. Mal, however, was up to something again.
She waves her finger and chants, "Drip, drop, pop, I command the object I seek to blow up."
Fairy God Mother was almost finished writing when the chalk she was using suddenly blew up, covering her face with chalk dust. She looks back at her students and it wasn't long before she knew it was Mal. After all, she was the only one who was laughing.
"I'm going to get cleaned up," said Fairy God Mother as she left the classroom.
As soon as the headmistress was out of sight, Evie, Jay, and Carlos were all looking at Mal.
"What?" wondered Mal.
"What is wrong with you?" asked Jay.
"You're acting different today," pointed out Carlos.
"Actually, she's acting familiar," said Evie. "What's with the bad-Mal attitude today?"
"Like I said before, you have no idea," said Mal, remaining mysterious.
"Well, what's the idea?" asked Carlos.
Mal didn't answer but started sketching on her sketch pad.
"By the way, don't you guys remember what day it is today?" started Mal.
"No," answered Evie.
"Not at all," responded Jay.
"Is it special?" wondered Carlos.
"Oh." Mal frowned. She thought they forgot her birthday.
Knowing what Mal was thinking, it makes the three villain kids feels bad lying to her, but they want to make this birthday special for her... in their own way. They know she will be happy once they show her the birthday party they've been planning.
After first session, Mal was finishing her sketch she was working on during class. She was sketching the waterfall in the park. Another smirk shows up on her face as she thinks about the picture. Realizing that the bell will be ringing soon, Mal fixes her things in her locker before heading for the classroom. But as she rushes around a corner, she accidentally bumps into Chad. Both of them fall down.
"Hey! Watch where you're going, you knucklehead!" yelled Mal.
"Did you just call me a knucklehead?" asked an offended Chad.
"Yes. Yes, I did," confirmed Mal.
"What happened to becoming good?" questioned Chad.
"What happened to having good manners? You didn't say sorry," retorted Mal.
"I was gonna say sorry, but you started the insults," retaliated Chad.
"Don't start with me, hotshot," warned Mal.
"What are you going to do? Glue me to a wall?" dared Chad.
"You know what, I think I will," responded Mal. As soon she picked herself up, she uses her magic to glue Chad to a column. Everyone who was watching stepped back in fear.
"Seriously? Again?" complained Chad.
"You suggested it in the first place," said Mal.
"Mal!" called a familiar voice.
Ben showed up to see what Mal was doing to Chad. At first sight of the young king, Mal, for some reason, stopped, releasing Chad in the process.
"Hi, Ben," greeted Mal.
"What were you doing?" asked Ben.
"He pushed me," answered Mal.
"You insulted me," said Chad.
"Do you want to get back on that wall?" warned Mal.
"Enough! Both of you," interrupted Ben. The two stopped bickering. Ben continued. "Mal, Fairy God Mother told me about what happened during your first session. What is the matter with you? Are you getting cranky from lack of sleep again?"
"Well, I haven't slept since midnight," confessed Mal.
"Look, Mal, I don't care about what you choose to do this time. You are going back to your room and you're going to rest. Please," said Ben.
"Well, if you say so," responded Mal. She picks up her stuff and heads back to her locker.
"She's so relaxed with you," pointed out Chad, talking to Ben.
"I think you already know why," said Ben.
Chad asks for a hand. Ben helps him up.
Mal returns to her room, but she didn't go to sleep. Instead, she sat on her bed to continue sketching. While she did, her mind was buzzing around what recently happened.
She was actually surprised that she calmed down from her fury against Chad when she saw Ben. She is aware that she has been acting vicious and ruthless lately, but, to be truthful to herself, she means to. After her latest battle against the darkness in her blood, she lost, but she knew the only way to end the pain was to embrace the darkness. As soon as she did, she let it corrupt her and she loved it. She realized how she missed being malicious. She realized how she missed being malevolent. Basically, she realized how she missed being bad.
The only reason she hasn't betrayed her friends is because of Ben. She was currently fighting herself about what she wants: a future with Ben or fulfill her desire for bloodlust. She then realized that Ben didn't greet her a happy birthday. She actually let out a tear at the thought he forgot her big day. After wiping it off her face, she once again stares outside the window. Her first sight was Sofia, who was holding scabbard. The look on her face tells Mal that she's trying to keep it hidden. Something pops up in Mal's head and a smirk shows up on her face as she closes the curtains and walks out the door.
Mal sneaks back to the school and enters the library. She heads to the "Magic" section. She found a book called "Ancient Magical Objects." The book contains information about magical items originating from ancient times. She begins flipping through pages until she found what she was looking for. Unfortunately, the page about the item she was looking for was torn from the page.
"Smart," said Mal, referring to the person who did it. "Now, where would you hide it?"
Mal exited the library, only to be seen by Felicia.
"Hey, I thought Ben told you to go home," said Felicia.
Mal puts her hand on the princess' shoulder and tells her, "I just want you to know, I'm sorry about this."
"Sorry for what?" asked Felicia.
Mal pinches Felicia's neck and lets out a continuous "shh," triggering a nerve, causing Felicia to collapse to unconsciousness. "Remember the threat, or you can forget." Mal taps her glowing finger on Felicia's head. The spell will remove her memory of seeing Mal coming out of the library.
"Sweet dreams, Felicia," said Mal before walking away.
Mal returns to her room. She actually decided to rest. She does feel tired form staying up all night.
Meanwhile, back in Auradon Prep, Sofia was taking her books out of her locker before she heads to class. She was approached by Ben.
"Hey, Sofia," greeted Ben. "Where have you been? We didn't see you at goodness class."
"I asked Fairy God Mother if I can be excused from first session," explained Sofia.
"Why?" asked Ben.
Sofia couldn't find the perfect lie and remained silent.
"It's personal. In that case, never mind telling me. We all have our secrets," said Ben. "Oh, and by the way, do you remember what today is?"
"Uh... oh, right, I almost forgot. It's Mal's birthday," responded Sofia.
"But I need you not to greet her a happy birthday," said Ben.
"Why?" asked Sofia.
"Her friends' idea. We're going to pretend we don't remember that it's her big day, so we can surprise her with a party after school," explained Ben.
"Won't she be mad?" wondered Sofia.
"Knowing Mal, yes, but she'll understand," said Ben. "So, do I have your word?"
"You have my word, your highness," responded Sofia.
"I'll never get used you that," said Ben.
Sofia laughed a little. "Well, I gotta get to self-defense class. See ya."
As Sofia started walking away, Ben tells her, "You know. One of these days, you're gonna have to open your box of secrets. They don't stay locked up forever."
"Oh, well see," responded Sofia, playfully taking his words as a dare.
Three hours later, lunch time has come. Mal decided to wake up and show up. She meets up with her friends.
"Hey, Mal," greeted Evie. "How're you feeling?"
"Fantastic," responded Mal sarcastically. "Still not saying anything to me?"
"Say what? I have no idea what you're talking about," said Carlos, innocently. "What is it? Your birthday or something?"
"No, no it's not," said Mal. She decided that if they're not going to remember, she won't let them know.
"If there's nothing to say, then why're you still feeling edgy?" wondered Sofia innocently.
"Never mind," said Mal as she started eating her strawberries. "So, what'd I miss?"
"Sofia kicked my butt in self-defense class," answered Evie.
"Wow," reacted Mal.
"I got a perfect score in today's computer programming test," said Carlos.
"Expected, but great for you," replied Mal.
"I embarrassed myself in literature class," said Jay.
"Try practicing in front of a mirror," advised Mal.
"Oh, and Felicia was found unconscious earlier," said Evie.
Mal snickered.
"That sounds funny to you?" questioned Evie.
"I can already see the picture, and, yes, it sounds funny," responded Mal.
"What is wrong with you?" asked Evie.
"Are you guys gonna keep asking that?" responded Mal.
"Because we want to know why you're acting like the Mal from the Isle," said Jay.
"We've been through this. The only thing that's changed with us is our path, not our personality," said Mal.
"Maybe, but you haven't acted like this since we lived on the Isle," pointed out Evie.
"Can I suggest something? How about you guys stop criticizing my attitude and remember what happens if you cross me," said Mal.
"Okay," said Carlos, not wanting to get on Mal's bad side.
"You're always a scaredy-cat, Carlos," said Mal. "You know you're gonna have to learn how to be a man when you get older."
"You guys always treat me like I'm the only child on this team," pointed out Carlos.
"You're 15, we're 16," reminded Jay.
"And does that give you right to lecture me like a spoiled little kid?" replied Carlos.
"Kind of. Yes," answered Evie.
That was the last straw. Carlos gets up and walks away with Dude.
"I shouldn't have answered that," said Evie to herself, feeling bad.
"Actually, it's a good thing you did," said Mal. "You managed his life for years. He has to learn to manage it himself."
"I agree," said Jay.
"I'm going away," said Evie as she walked away.
"I, uh, gotta go as well," said Jay as he walked away.
Mal was left sitting alone. She continued eating her strawberries as she continued think. She was still upset no one remembers her birthday. This is just fueling her anger. She was so mad she ended up crushing the strawberry in her hand. She throws away her bowl of strawberries in anger and punches a nearby tree. She takes a few deep breaths to calm down before sitting down on the grass.
The final session of the day for the Descendants was art class. Today, the students have to paint a display of a bowl of fruits on the canvas. Surprisingly, Mal finished in just fifteen minutes. Ms. Lilac checked her work.
"Very impressive, Mal, as always," said Ms. Lilac. "A definite A+. At this rate, I think I may need to exempt you from examination."
"Not necessary, ma'am. I love art," said Mal.
Ms. Lilac went to check on the others. She was impressed by the others, except for Kristopher, who was known for struggling with his artistic abilities. He is more adept in his singing skills, inherited from his parents.
"Mal, maybe you can help him?" suggested Evie.
"Nah. He can learn on his own," said Mal.
"What is wrong with you?" asked Evie. Knowing that Mal wouldn't answer, she just returned to her canvas.
"Mal, since you're finished, you may leave if you want to," said Ms. Lilac.
Mal gets her backpack and leaves the classroom. Sofia, however, notices that something bothering Mal.
"Ms. Lilac, may I be excused?" asked Sofia.
"Sure," responded Ms. Lilac.
Sofia leaves the classroom and finds Mal sitting down on the floor by her locker, sketching.
"Hey, Mal," greeted Sofia.
"What do you want, Sofia?" asked Mal.
"Something's bothering you. I know it," said Sofia.
"Go away," insisted Mal.
"No, I'm not," said Sofia. "Look, I lied about going on a bathroom break, so can we make this fast?"
"How about I waste your time? That'll make you go away," sassed Mal.
"Mal, Ben told me how you've been acting. I'm guessing lack of sleep has nothing to do with it," said Sofia.
"You're right, it doesn't," confirmed Mal.
"Then what's your problem?" asked Sofia.
"You wouldn't happen to know what day it is, right?" responded Mal.
"Is today special?" said Sofia, acting innocent.
"Then we have nothing to talk about," said Mal. "Now, go away."
"Mal, please. As a friend, let me help you," pleaded Sofia.
"I don't need help, princess," said Mal disrespectfully.
"I'm serious. You need help," said Sofia.
"Get out of my sight!" yelled Mal.
"Mal, where are your manners?" wondered Sofia.
"Never had 'em," answered Mal.
"Mal, please. You can't keep your problems bottled up." Sofia puts her hand on Mal's shoulder as she continued. "You need to..."
"Don't touch me!" yelled Mal as she swats Sofia's arm off her shoulder. She gets up and looks at Sofia in the eye. "Listen here, Sofia the First. Everyone has been bothering me about my 'little problem' all day long. I'm going to make myself clear. I don't need help!"
"Everyone needs help, Mal," said Sofia.
"Not me!" yelled Mal again. Her eyes are beginning to glow green. Mal looks at Sofia closely in the eye. Sofia started to feel the eyes affecting her. Seconds later, Sofia collapses to the floor. She was now in a state of shock. Her eyes remained wide open and her body began to shake unusually. Mal left her like as she left with her sketch pad.
Sofia soon recovered from her state and sat up. She was still traumatized from what just happened. The rage within Mal. The fear the sorceress struck through her soul with her evil stare. Sofia picks herself up and returns to the classroom to finish her canvas, trying to forget about what happened.
A few hours later, Mal received a note, telling her to come to Castle Beast. For some reason, the door was left open. She knew it was for her. She enters the ball room. It was dark. Suddenly, the light turned on.
"Happy birthday, Mal!" greeted everyone.
Mal was surprised. There was a party. Everyone from Auradon Prep was there, including the teachers, Ben's parents, and Fairy God Mother.
"Hey, earth to Mal," called Evie, waving her hand in front of the surprised sorceress.
"I though... I thought you all forgot my birthday," reminded Mal.
"That was the plan. We were just pretending," said Jay.
"Me, Jay, and Carlos have been working on this party," explained Evie. "We wanted to surprise you."
Evie grabs Mal's hand and drags her to the buffet table. Besides all the delicious food you would find at these kinds of parties, there is a giant bowl of strawberries. There was also a five-layer strawberry cake. There was also a bunch of strawberry-based treats, like cookies, cupcakes, and juice.
"Half of the castle's supply of strawberries were used for all this," said Ben.
"You always know how to impress me," said Mal.
"If I didn't know you well, I wouldn't be dating you," said Ben.
Mal actually smiled.
"There it is. A smile," said Ben, happy to see her smiling.
Evie drags Mal again and showed her the mountain of presents stacked up. It looks like a Christmas tree. Evie also shows Mal the stage. It was decorated like the streets of the Isle of the Lost. Carlos did the "ba-dum-crash" cliche on the drums for humorous effect. Only Evie laughed.
"Well, what do you think?" asked Evie, eager for her friend to answer.
"What do I think? You really want to know what I think?" responded Mal.
"Yes," answered Evie.
Mal lights up her hand with fire and unleashes it upon the mountain of gifts, destroying every single present. Everyone was shocked.
"Mal! What're you doing?" asked Jay.
"You guys made me think you forgot my birthday, and you think throwing a surprise party will make me feel better?" started Mal. "Do you have any idea the pain I've suffered all day?!"
"Look, Mal, we're sorry, but we wanted to make this day special," apologized Evie.
"By lying right into my face?!" accused Mal.
"Yes," answered Chad.
Mal heard him. Mal started walking towards Chad until Ben gets in her way.
"Move, Ben!" demanded Mal.
"If you're going to hurt Chad, don't," begged Ben. Mal didn't move. Ben continued. "Look, we're sorry. I wanted to throw you a party myself, but I just thought what your friends were planning seemed... fitting."
"Apparently, you don't know me very well at all," said Mal.
"I've only known you for over half a year. Maybe you're right, but I know you well enough to know you would understand," said Ben.
"Well, you're wrong," said Mal. "Like I said, do you have any idea how much pain I felt? I let out a tear when you played this game with me."
"I'm sorry. I really am," apologized Ben. "But, c'mon, this is your big day."
"Hold on a minute. Has anyone seen Sofia?" asked Lonnie.
Everyone looked around, but the new student was nowhere to be seen. A series of "no" was heard.
"Where is she when we need her?" wondered Lonnie.
"You know she doesn't like being seen as a symbol of wisdom, right?" reminded Audrey.
"I know, but her wisdom is needed more than ever right now," pointed out Lonnie. "When was the last time anyone saw her?"
"Art class," answered Kristopher.
"Anyone else?" asked Lonnie.
"Art class," answered Felicia.
"Is there anyone who last saw her 'not' during art class?" asked Lonnie.
No one answered.
"I thought we were talking about me," said Mal.
"We were, but that was until I saw that my roommate vanished... again," said Lonnie.
"She sure is one suspicious character. Maybe you should focus on her instead of me," said Mal.
"You're not getting out of this," said Ben. "We are talking. Right here. Right now."
"There is nothing to talk about!" yelled Mal, putting emphasis on "nothing."
"I get it. You're hurt, but look around you. Everyone who loves you is right here celebrating your big day," said Ben.
"Everyone who loves me, huh?" questioned Mal. "After all the lies, I don't know if love means anything to me anymore."
Ben spoke up. "Mal, don't be so dramatic. Let us make it up to you..."
"Too late!" yelled Mal. Her resulting outburst caused her eyes to glow green and her hands to light up with black magic. Ben stares at Mal's eyes too long and collapsed to the floor. Ben's parents immediately approached their son.
"I'm okay," assured Ben as he slowly gets up. "I'm okay."
"Alright, Mal. You and I may not see each other eye-to-eye, but let's be civilized here," started Audrey.
"Actually, that can be arranged," said Mal as she grabbed Audrey and made her look into her eyes. Audrey, knowing what happened to Ben, closes her eyes. Mal releases Audrey.
"Now, first things first, why are you like this?" asked Audrey.
"You people are never going to get this through your thick skulls. It's me!" yelled Mal.
"No, it's not you. You maybe hot-heated and easily aggravated, but this is different," protested Audrey.
"Different how?" asked Mal.
"The level of ferocity. Different from when I first knew you," responded Audrey. "Besides, you would never hurt Ben. And you just did."
Mal looks back at Ben, still trying to recover. Mal tells him, "I'm sorry."
"I know," responded Ben.
Mal kneels down and tenders to her boyfriend. Mal places her hand on his forehead and chants, "May his fate not be sealed, let him be healed." Mal's spell completely heals Ben. He feels normal. Mal helps him up.
"How're you feeling?" asked Mal.
"Better," said Ben.
"I know you're in love with him, but why are you so calm around him?" asked Audrey.
"Maybe her love for him is the reason," guessed Jay.
"Mal, please. Let us help you," pleaded Ben. "Sofia always says, 'Everyone needs help.'"
"Like her words mean anything to me at all," said Mal.
"You're being stubborn," reacted Audrey.
"And you think I care?" responded Mal.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Sofia was actually at the party, but she was hiding behind a column, trying to keep her distance from Mal, still traumatized from their previous encounter.
"Do you have to be unreasonable just because we forgot your birthday?" asked Carlos.
"If you think I'll buy you're whole 'forgive, forget' mojo, forget about it," said Mal, continuing to be unreasonable.
"Can you just calm down and talk to us?" suggested Doug.
"You think I'm not calm?" responded Mal with anger. She uses her magic to glue Doug to a column like she did with Chad.
"Mal! Stop!" exclaimed Evie, grabbing Mal's arm, stopping the spell. Doug ends up crashing to the floor, but he is unharmed.
Mal removes her arm from Evie's grip and heads for the exit.
"Mal, where are you going?" asked Ben.
"Nowhere," answered Mal bitterly.
"You won't give us a chance to make it up to you?" asked Jane.
"This is not just about my birthday," said Mal. "There's something I've been wanting to say all day. I'm finished."
"What do you mean you're finished?" asked Evie.
"I'm done with Auradon Prep. I'm done with all of you," said Mal.
"You're leaving?" guessed Evie.
"Yes," answered Mal. "I'm tired of acting like someone I'm not."
"Good?" guessed Lonnie.
"Exactly," confirmed Mal.
"So, you're just gonna go back to being bad?" questioned Jane.
"You have no idea," said Mal, again.
Ben rushes towards Mal. "Mal, please. You've gone so far. You can't just leave the path you chose because of a simple game."
"I told you, Ben. It's not just my big day," said Mal again.
"Then what's your motivation?" asked Ben.
"I don't even need to answer that," responded Mal. "But all I can say is this. The light may shine in the deepest depths of the dark, but the shadow remains untouched."
These words made Sofia gasp in shock and horror. Mal, meanwhile, walks back to the strawberry bowl. She grabs one berry and take a bite out of it.
"I love the strawberries, though," said Mal. "But I'm afraid I have to go."
"We're not just gonna let you walk out of here," said Jay.
"Oh, but you will," replied Mal.
"And what makes you think we will?" asked Evie.
Mal snaps her fingers and caused an explosion, setting the place on fire. Mal uses her transportation spell to disappear, but not without the strawberry bowl.
"Fire!" exclaimed a guard.
"Everyone, get out of here!" ordered Beast.
Everyone started rushing for the door, but Carlos was still on the stage, surrounded by a ring of fire. Jay and Jane use the punch bowl to put out the fire, allowing Carlos to get down from the stage. Just before everyone can make it out, the ceiling starts falling apart and traps Sofia in rubble.
"Help!" yelled Sofia.
Recognizing the voice, Lonnie rushes to the rubble. "Someone help me!" Everyone did their best to clear the debris. Once they did, Lonnie grabbed Sofia. Everyone ran outside as the ballroom collapsed to the ground.
"Is everyone alright?" asked Belle.
It seems that everyone made it out safely. No one was missing.
"Are you okay?" Lonnie asked Sofia.
"I'm fine," answered Sofia, despite a few cuts and a bruised leg.
"She tried to kill us!" yelled Audrey, referring to Mal.
"Well, we're alive," reminded Ben.
"Wake up, Ben. Your girlfriend has lost her mind," said Chad.
"Worse. She's gone bad," said Lonnie.
"I need to lie down," said Sofia as she walks back to her dorm.
"So, what now?" asked Carlos.
"I think it's simple. We find Mal, talk some sense into her, and, hopefully, she'll wake up," said Evie optimistically.
"And if that doesn't work?" asked Carlos.
Evie didn't know what to answer. "I don't know."
"Well, until we find Mal, I'm canceling classes for the whole week," declared Ben.
"You're sure we can talk Mal into coming back in one week?" questioned Jane.
"I helped Mal see the value of being good before. I know I can do it again," responded Ben.
Meanwhile, Sofia returned to her dorm. Between her traumatizing encounter with Mal and almost burning to death, the princess did not feel like being around anyone for once. She wants to be alone to clear her head. Suddenly, her amulet began to glow. The Enchantress shows up.
"Enchantress? What are you doing here?" asked Sofia.
"I had another vision," answered Enchantress.
"Before you tell me, I would like to let you know that... I found the dark force," said Sofia.
"And who is it?" asked Enchantress.
"Mal," answered Sofia.
The Enchantress was speechless, but it was clear that she was shocked.
"What did you see in your vision?" asked Sofia.
"A gravestone. I could not see the name, but I know what it means," started the Enchantress. "I know you can win, Sofia, but your victory will come with a price. Someone's life."
Sofia couldn't speak after what she just heard. The Enchantress disappears. Now, Sofia was not so sure if she should tell her friends about her deep dark secret. Knowing what Mal is capable of, she knows she needs all the help she can get, but after hearing what the Enchantress said, she fears of losing someone she cares about. It was now that she decided to do what she never thought she would ever do in her life. Do something by herself.
"I'm sorry, my friends, but this is for your own good."
Part 1 done. Just be patient for the next part of the story.
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