Chapter 18

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the cold submergence to come when a hand gripped around my arm, hoisting me back up. I opened my eyes to see Harry straining to pull me up, Evie and Carlos reaching to help me aboard the ship.

"True love's kiss won't defeat this!" Uma cackled; the thunder danced around her words. "The world will know my name!"

Her tentacles whipped forward, wrecking at the ship. A growl sounded behind us, I looked behind to see a carnage of sea-creature hybrids climb up the side of the boat, water and kelp dripping off them as they boarded the deck, eyes rabid and teeth sharp. I reached for my daggers, Harry reaching for his hook. I pushed my friends behind me, eyeing the snarling creatures. A gasp sounded; Evie shrieked. Whirls of purple smoke circled Mal, her eyes glowing a vivid green.

"Mal?" Ben called out uncertainly.

The smoke all but consumed Mal, large leathery wings unfolded as a dragon emerged from within. We stood back, backing away from both the dragon and the sea creatures that crept towards us. With a strong beat of her wings, Mal took to the darkening skies, the strength of the wind enough to knock our opponents off their limbs. A roar sounded and flames shot at the waters, Mal fired at the tentacles that wrapped round the ship, forcing them back into the depths as Uma avoided being burnt by the fire.

I tore my gaze from them, turning my attention back towards the creatures. The one closest to me pounced forward, I raised my blades to fend it off, its teeth gnashing inches away from my face. A yelp tore from its throat as Harry stabbed into its flesh with his hook, dragging it away from me. The wounded creature laid whimpering on the ground, the other three continued towards us. They were strong, my blades couldn't penetrate their slimy skin. They couldn't take much damage, but just wounding it had taken almost all of Harry's strength. The situation was not looking very pretty right now.

A shot of flames blasted the front of us, sending the creatures flying. Mal had saved us, but the lapse in her concentration cost her. Uma's tentacle snapped towards her knocking her, Mal teetered in the sky, falling fast and onto the deck with a loud smash. Purple smoke billowed out, leaving a crumpled Mal in a purple help on the ground.

"Mal!" Ben yelled worriedly; he pushed past the crowd around her, folding her wounded body into his own. Mal coughed weakly, failing to push herself up. "No, don't." Ben shushed her, holding her still. "You're wounded."

Passing Mal off to Evie and his crown to Carlos, Ben dove into the water with a beast-like roar. Everyone stilled as he swam towards the awaiting Uma. "Stop! Back down!" Ben shouted at her.

"What are you going to do, Bennyboo?" Uma snarked, tentacles snapping near where Ben floated. "Splash me?"

"It's got to stop! This isn't the answer! The fighting has got to stop! Nobody wins this way! We have to listen and respect each other. It won't be easy, but let's be brave enough to try." Ben cried out. I didn't think diving into the water was necessary for this, but you do you, Ben.

Uma looked at him pensively, without a word. I recalled a time when we were younger, before our parents deemed it our responsibility to take over their ambitions from their glory days. Uma used to put paper crowns on her and my heads, calling us princesses; she'd made Harry save me from behind locked cabin doors many a times, she'd said that it's his duty as a prince to free the princess from captivity. As kids, it was a dream we had, to be saved from the Isle, but as time passed and we grew up, it became clear that no one was going to come for us. And if we wanted out, we'd have to do it ourselves. That was the Uma I knew, deep down.

"Uma, I know you want what is best for the Isle. Help me make a difference."

Maybe this time, someone was actually going to save her.

A tentacle reached towards where Ben drifted in the water, Mal's grip on my arm tightened as she watched on with worry. The slippery limb uncurled an object into Ben's outstretched hand. Uma had given Ben his ring back. With one last sad look at Ben, Mal, Harry and me, Uma turned away and towards the Isle in the distance, sinking back into the watery depths.

Claps and cheers sounded from everyone as Ben climbed aboard the ship once more, his arms circling Mal as she ran towards him. "I didn't know that I could do that," Mal chuckled, wincing at the bruises that were undoubtedly forming on her pale skin. "That makes the two of us." Ben smiled, pulling her into a deep kiss. I didn't know how, but the cheers became even louder. But who am I to judge, I'm already whooping, slapping Ben on his wet back.

"Alright, alright," Carlos intervened. There's underaged people about. "That's enough of that."

"I owe you guys, so much," Ben gripped at my shoulder, then Jay's, Evie's and Carlos. To my joy, he even shook Harry's hand. "If there is anything that you need, or anything I can do for you-"

"Um, actually, there is, Ben," I said. Well, if he's offering, I'm not going to say no to a little reward. "You see, Harry and I were just planning to go on a road trip around Auradon; see the sights a little. So, if you could just uh, lift the restrictions on V-kid travel permits, that'd be super helpful."

Ben chuckled, patting us both on the back. "Consider it done, Andy. And Harry, welcome to Auradon."

"Ben, there's a lot of kids who would really love it here in Auradon," Evie added. "Kids just like us, and Harry, who also deserve a second chance. Can I maybe get you a list?"

"Yes, yes! Absolutely, please."

This was going to be a great start. I smiled, hopefully Uma would come round, eventually. She'd been hardened by time, like the rest of us; but if Auradon got us here, I believe she'd let go of her anger one day.

"Shh, keep it down," I hissed at Harry when he threw his hook onto the floor of the speedboat. The sounds of the Cotilion blared a distance away, the party was still ongoing as Harry and I snuck away from the others. He held my duffel bag in hand, his coat, some clothes and money stuff in hurriedly. I figured since Ben had given us the go-ahead earlier, we could head out as soon as we wanted. Perhaps stealing a speedboat from the side of the ship isn't the nicest thing, but alas, you can take the girl out of the Isle, but you can't take the Isle out of the girl. Well, at least not completely.

"I'm pretty sure your whispering was louder than that, lass." Harry smirked as he climbed aboard, feet making soft thuds despite his tall stature.

"Leaving so soon?" I recognised Evie's lilting voice.

Evie, Mal, Jay and Carlos appeared from the once silent hall. Jay crossed his arms, scoffing. "And without saying goodbye, too. Ass."

I laughed. "Alright, you've caught us! It's been a good show, guys. But we have some catching up to do." I looked at Harry, his arm circling my shoulder as he pressed a kiss to my temple.

"We get it," Carlos smiled. "You can always come back here, both of you. We'll be here in the meantime."

"It's great out there," Mal whispered, giving me a tight hug. "You'll love it. I'm glad you got your chance."

"Take care of our Andy, Hook!" Jay called out. "Bring her back in one piece!" Harry rolled his eyes at that, flipping him off, Jay only roared with laughter. Eh, he'll come round.

"Oh yeah, Mal!" I dug her spell book out from my duffel bag, tossing it to her as Harry lowered the speedboat into the water. "You forgot something earlier."

Mal gripped at the old book. Auradon was hard at first, sometimes the old ways were just easier to fall back onto. But it was a little different now, we've grown. "You know, this seems like the kind of thing that belongs in the museum." Mal gave a wry smile, Evie beamed next to her. "I'm not gonna be needing it anymore."

"Atta girl," I gave her a thumbs up as they waved; I watched as they turned and headed back to the party."

The sun was beginning to rise, embers of orange beginning to line the length of the ocean ahead, the waters glistening beneath the light. "So where to, love?" Harry asked, lifting my knuckle to his lips.

"Anywhere we want."