Ben knew one of his biggest flaws was his tendency of seeing the best in people. Most wouldn't consider it a flaw, but sometimes he wondered if acting on instinct was the worst possible idea he'd ever had.
For example, he'd decided to invite Uma to live in Auradon, despite multiple of his friends begging him to opt against it. However, he strongly believed in second chances, and so he anxiously awaited in dorm room with Evie and Carlos as Jay and Lonnie prepared to escort the Villain Kids to Auradon.
"This is crazy," Carlos broke in a moment of silence, "Why are we letting Uma come to Auradon?"
"Because Ben believes in second chances," Evie explained calmly, adding with a slightly bitter undertone, "Even if it is Uma."
"People change, you guys are the proof of that," Ben argued, "We need to give her a chance."
"You don't know her like we do," Evie argued, "She won't change, trust me."
"We can try," Ben insisted, "Come on guys, trust me."
Carlos huffed in annoyance, "Fine. When's the sea witch arriving anyway?"
"Anytime now," Evie muttered, turning her head to watch the band prepare for their usual welcome song.
Evie knew the struggle of living on the Isle. In fact, she was more than happy to give the other Villain Kids a shot at happiness. However, she'd grown up with Uma. She'd seen what Uma was capable of, and she was ready to guarantee that Uma was probably already planning an evil scheme as they spoke.
However, Evie had been clever enough to make sure Ben didn't allow any of Umas henchmen to join her passage to Auradon. In fact, Harry Hook and Gil Gaston were to remain on the Isle until the next group of Villain Kids had habilitated to Auradon. Ben had tried to argue at first, but after Evie reminded him of Harrys very real threats to his crown along with his very insane stare, he'd backed down and allowed her to pick the rest of the Villain Kids.
"I'm going to go get ready," Evie announced, swiftly moving to leave the room, "Call me when they arrive, I'll be waiting."
Mal lay on the edge of the building, leg dangling off the side. With a small rusted fire exit balcony below her, Mal looked up at the cloudy skies, knowing it was going to rain very soon. With a sigh, she desperately tried to think of a place she could relocate while the rain passed.
"Did you ever tell him you loved him?"
Mal would've recognised that accent anywhere. She spun her head round to be met with none other than Harry Hook - or well, his boots. As usual, the glistening silver hook was held tightly by Harry's hand, recovered from the shores of the Isle after the fight.
Mal instantly sprung up from the ledge, drooping her eyes to make herself look disinterested. However, Harry knew Mal's tricks better than anyone.
"So, did you?" Harry asked again, "Because you never said it to me either."
"What do you want Harry?" Mal cut him off, rolling her eyes at Harry.
"As you may've heard, Uma is gone," Harry began, slowly circling around Mal, "Which means the gang has lost their leader, or at least 'till shes back."
"What makes you think she's going to be back?" Mal replied, raising her eyebrow as Harry stopped behind her.
"She won't, she's too good for the Isle," Harry confessed, "You on the other hand... You came back."
"Yeah, so?" Mal pushed, "What do you want exactly?"
"I'm offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Mal," Harry continued, "Join the Pirate Crew."
"And why exactly would I want to do that?" Mal asked, spinning around to face him and narrowing her eyes threateningly, "I'm fine on my own."
"You want to be like your mother, right?" Harry asked, pulling Mal's chin to face him with his hook, "Your mother didn't become the Mistress of Evil alone. You need help, and I'm offering it."
"You really can't last long without a leader can you?" Mal smirked, "Someone to boss you around?"
"Do you want to join us or not Princess?" Harry urged, "We can give you the protection you need, if you'll take it."
Mal hesitated. On one hand, she didn't need anyone else slowing her down. On the other hand, being part of a team meant strength on the Isle, and she needed all the protection she could get until she integrated back onto the Isle.
"Fine," she finally agreed, "But on one condition."
"Which is?" Harry smirked, stepping closer to Mal.
Mal leant closer, pulling Harry's collar down, "Never call me Princess again."
Uma could barely contain her excitement. Sure, she'd just been taken away from her friends, her mother and the pirate crew, but she was being given the chance to release evil back into Auradon, and she wasn't about to pass that up.
In the limousine with her sat a couple of other Villain Kids, even as young as Dizzy Tremaine. They'd decided on bringing six new Villain Kids to Auradon this time, yet all sat silently in the car, not a hint of friendliness in the air. In all honesty, Uma didn't think they'd last very long. Dizzy was bound to become an Auradon girl the second she stepped out of the car, and the other people in the car seemed far too eager to arrive in Auradon to stay evil.
Uma on the other hand, she was determined. She was going to be the perfect Auradon girl to everyone's eyes, but she was ready to burn Auradon down to the ground. She had a plan: steal the wand for herself.
She'd be the perfect student with the perfect grades. She'd even apologise to Mal's gang if it meant gaining their trust. By the end of the school year, Uma was certain she'd be casting spells and raining evil upon Auradon.
The limousine drove through the gates of Auradon Prep swiftly, the sound of the school band slowly approaching. Dizzy Tremaine lit up at the sight of the greenery around them, her eyes sparkling with hope only someone her age could still have. Uma slouched in her seat, yet the excitement brewing inside her was undeniable. The other Villain Kids, such as CJ Hook and Freddie Facilier, seemed less than excited to be in Auradon.
The limousine came to a stop outside the great doors of Auradon Prep, the band still joyfully playing. Outside the limousine stood Ben, Evie, Jay and Carlos, exactly where Ben and Fairy Godmother had stood just six months prior to greet the first set of Villain Kids into Auradon. Evie bit her lip, gently giving Ben a reassuring arm squeeze as the limousine door opened.
Ben took a deep breath. He was King, he could do this, regardless of where Mal was. He'd get her back eventually, he was sure of it, but for now he had to suck it up and deal with his royal duties. And so, he plastered a big smile on his face, stepping forwards as the new Villain Kids stepped out of the limousine.
"Welcome to Auradon Prep," Ben began, "I'm Ben, and I'll be giving you a tour around the school today along with my friends Evie, Carlos and Jay. I'm sure you'll feel right at home here."