Chapter 33
Drac found himself somehow prisoner in Evie's room standing on her pedestal while she made the final touches to his attire for Cotillion. He was wearing dark plum colored dress pants with two thin lime green stripes up either side of the pant legs. He had a black button down tucked into them neatly. Over that he wore a darker green leather vest with the embossing to make it look like dragon scales. It was hands down his favorite fabric so Evie had taken him up on his request to use it. Over the vest was a dark purple jacket that matched the pants, the lapels were black and for a final touch the tie was lime green. Usually around Auradon he had been gelling his hair to be more tame like the other princes but tonight he left it loose, running a hand through it he thought briefly that he might get it cut, he needed a new look, something more. . . him. The person he was growing into.
As Evie was adding the final pins to tailor the jacket to fit him just right the door burst open and a distressed looking Doug was there.
"I have a scout badge in s'mores." he declared, "How could you go camping without me?"
"What?" Evie asked confused and Drac started to play with the black cuff and lime cufflinks on the sleeve of his jacket.
"Are you seeing someone else? Are you?"
"No."
"Is it Happy's son? Cuz let me tell you, he is not as happy as his dad. Kinda a dark streak in fact."
"Maybe I should hang out with him." Drac chimed in as Evie giggled.
"Doug, Ben was captured on the Isle. We rescued Ben and, saved Auradon."
"So you're not seeing Happy's son or anyone else?"
She took his hands with a smile, "Don't be dopey." she said before kissing his cheek.
Drac looked away feeling like he should leave them to their moment. He adjusted the collar of his shirt, making sure it would cover the white gauze square Evie had placed over the stitches she had given him earlier.
"Now." she said looking to Drac, "I have just a few more alterations to make and you are free to go. And then we" she turned to Doug, "Have dresses to deliver. It is Cotillion day after all." she moved to her vanity and picked up a headpiece. "And you know what? I was lucky enough to have been given a chance and, now I need to give someone else a chance too."
"My Uncle Bashful used to say that."
"Did he?"
"Yeah. But, really quietly."
Evie giggled and got back to work as Doug sat at her desk and continued working on submitting her orders and receipts into an excel file that tabulated her overall profits.
When Drac was declared a free man Evie gave him his suit and he headed back to his dorm. On the way there he ran into Carlos who was grinning ear to ear and excitedly told him Jane had said yes to being his date for Cotillion. But before Drac could congratulate him they reached their dorm and found their door open yet again.
"Ten bucks says Chad Charming is in there using your 3D printer again." Drac muttered and Carlos groaned and shook his head.
Then they heard trumpets - it sounded like someone's ringtone - and they entered the doorway to see Chad throw his phone in shock as he screamed, "Audrey!"
He dove across the floor for the phone not caring about ruining his Cotillion attire, a light blue suit and a fur lined cape complete with a replica of Ben's crown. Chad scrambled on the floor grabbing at the phone.
"Chad!" Carlos shouted, "This is our room Chad!"
But Chad shushed him and held up a finger as he answered the phone. Still on his belly, and held it to his ear talking smoothly, "Audrey? . . . Yeah?. . . Yeah. . . Yeah! That's wonderful news!"
He pulled the phone away from his ear, covered the speaker with his hand and got on his knees as he turned to the VK's, "She got a flat tire in Sherwood Forest and she wants me to go fix it."
He was all smiles about that while Carlos told him, "That's six hours away."
"Really? Only six?" he said turning back to the phone, "I'm gonna be there faster then I thought."
He kissed the phone before he hung up and hurried to his feet. Carlos stood in his way in the middle of the door and held out his hand. "Uh, uh, my printer, my crown."
"Oh. . . yeah. . . about that. . . right." Chad stumbled through his words as he passed the crown to Carlos and the son of Cruella moved aside.
"I'm coming Audrey!" Chad shouted as he ran down the hall, his cape flowing behind him.
"Wow." Carlos muttered watching him go.
"Sometimes man this place is scarier then the Isle." Drac commented shaking his head in disbelief.
- - LONG LIVE EVIL - -
'All you ladies in the house, put your hands up in the air. All the fellas in the place, put your hands up in the air. Let me see you break it down, let me see you break it down, let me see you break it down.' The music played accompanied by clapping behind the beat. Cameras flashed as the paparazzi shouted their burning questions at the arriving VIPs. All the princes and princesses wore sashes over their attire showing not only their status but which kingdom their family hailed from. Drac had no sash as he buttoned his jacket and fixed his black fingerless gloves. He ignored the questions entirely as he posed for a few pictures moving his hands from clasped in front of him to clasped behind his back. He moved down the carpet quickly and thankfully Evie was behind him and she instantly drew ten times the attention he did. Cotillion was a fashion event and with her being the fashionista she garnered more attention then Drac and his political affiliations. Thank goodness.
"Evie! You look beautiful!"
"Thank you so much."
"Did you design the barrette?"
"It's beautiful isn't it. No it's not my creation. Many of the hair accessories this evening are by a fabulous new designer - Dizzy of the Isle." she winked before Doug joined her on the carpet.
Drac made his way onto the yacht and headed straight for the DJ table where Opal already was. She wore a white gown with mother of pearl embellishments which did clash with the headphones on her head. Drac tapped her shoulder and she turned and smiled at him taking off the headphones and passing them to him as he took over the booth and she hit the dance floor with Pin.
Drac found his happy place with the music beating in his ears and the dancers crowding the floor below him 'Imma do my thing. . . ' the music blasted as people jumped around. 'Let me see those hands. Let me see those hands. Everybody keep 'em up! Let me see those hands. Everybody keep 'em up.'
Drac got the signal from Lumiere across the boat and brought the music down and ended it. Then the trumpeters blew their horns, a spotlight hit Lumiere and he announced, "The future Lady Mal."
A moment later Mal appeared in her blue and yellow dress and Lumiere stepped to the side as she strode forward into the spotlight. She looked nervous until Lumiere whispered something to her.
"Some people are a gem some people are a rat. To tell who's who give me the ear of a bat." Drac whispered holding his hand to his ear as it changed long enough for him to tune into what was being said.
"You work it girl." Lumiere smiled and Mal giggled seeming to calm down a bit. Drac smiled and brushed his ear wiping away the spell, then he pulled his headphones all the way off and around his neck. Evie kicked off the applause and everyone chimed in cheering for Mal.
She grabbed her dress and descended the steps, former King Beast and Queen Belle met her and Drac removed himself entirely from the DJ table and began to gently make his way through the crowd. By the time he reached his friends Evie had already moved forward and took Mal's hand bringing her down the last few steps and into their group.
"How are you?"
"Uhh, sort of feel like I'm going to throw up."
"Ok, that's okay. Look. We're right here with you okay." she smiled as Mal looked around to them all and seemed to get some strength just from them being around her.
She smiled back, "Okay."
Then the trumpets sounded again. "King Benjamin."
Everyone cheered as Ben appeared, everyone bowed and Evie whispered to Mal "Go. Get 'em."
She walked forward as Ben came down the steps and they bowed to each other. Ben's face wasn't happy though as he said, "Mal, I wish I had time to explain."
Then he turned around and confused, they all followed his gaze. At the top of the steps Uma appeared and Drac's heart fell into his stomach. A million thoughts ran through his mind, each one themed with Uma seeking revenge or a fight. But Uma was dressed like a princess not a pirate and looked shy as she made it down the steps in her teal ballgown. Ben walked up the steps and met her, taking her hand and escorting her down as gasps of surprise and confused whispers piled on top of each other. Mal's jaw dropped as Beast and Belle plastered fake smiles just before Ben leaned down and kissed his ring on Uma's finger. Ben smiled and Uma giggled - actually giggled. Drac looked between Carlos and Evie as Jay and Lonnie shared a surprised glance.
"I'm sorry." Ben said as the pair reached Mal, "It all happened so fast. Something happened to me while I was on the Isle with Uma. A connection."
"I. . . What are you saying?" Mal asked trying to keep it together.
"I'm saying. . . "
"It was love." Uma gushed, "It was. I just. . . I realized how alike Ben and I are. You know?"
"We are."
"I know."
"You're so beautiful. "
"Ben." Mal said breaking their moment and they stopped looking into each others eyes to turn to her, "Did you go back for her?"
"I -"
"He didn't have to. I dove through the barrier before it closed, and, I'm an excellent swimmer so. . . "
"You are."
"Thank you." she giggled again. Uma then walked away from Ben and took Mal's hand. "Listen, Mal. I just really want to thank you, I do. For everything." then she did the unthinkable - she hugged Mal. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Drac took half a step forward, something in him telling him he had to protect his sister. That Uma was going to do something like stab her or squeeze so hard Mal stopped breathing. But she didn't, she just pulled away smiling.
"Don't you see Mal?" Ben said, "You were right. You knew that we weren't meant to be together but, that's why you never told me that you loved me. Thank you."
As Mal stood there looking heartbroken he turned back to Uma and classical music started to play as the pair danced. Drac noticed it was a lullaby version of 'Kiss the Girl' and Evie grabbed Mal and pulled her back and turned her away from Ben.
"Not too thrilled I risked my life for him." Carlos said, his displeasure coloring his tone.
Lonnie stormed over and reminded Mal, "We're with you Mal."
"Let's get outta here." Jay said and Mal nodded still looking crushed. They all headed for the stairs but Drac stayed rooted to the spot. He felt something, something in his gut. It wasn't the heat he had felt before, it was more like. . . like. . . like there was magic pulsing from somewhere and he could sense it. He rubbed right over his heart and looked to Fairy Godmother. She must have felt his eyes on her and she turned to him. There was shock on her face and suspicion but when she saw him it was like she knew. She was an advanced magic practitioner after all. And her eyes darted from him to Uma and back again. He nodded. Something was not right here.
Jane saw their little exchange and as the others turned to leave she past them heading for Lumiere at the top of the steps. "Lumiere! Unveil the gift! They need to see it!"
Unprepared but willing Lumiere announced and the music stopped, "And now!" he called attention, "For the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece! Designed especially for, his lady." Lumiere gestured to Mal and Drac saw Uma's expression change.
She was bracing for something, he could see the wheels turning in her head.
Everyone followed the spotlight which shone brightly to the other side of the yacht, far past the DJ table. There was a brown wooden frame and a blue curtain. The trumpeters played again and the curtain was pulled off revealing a beautiful stained glass portrait of Ben and Mal. There were ooh's and ahh's from everyone at how stunning it was.
Even Mal's jaw dropped. "Ben did that?"
"Yeah he did." Evie confirmed.
"Evie, Ben's known who I was all along." she realized seeing as the Mal in the stained glass wasn't the fake blonde princess lady of the court, but the purple haired VK Ben had fallen for, in a dress that matched her flowing hair.
"He loves the real you." Evie said.
"A true love."
"Yeah."
"Told ya." Carlos bragged smiling.
As they all grinned Uma stormed to the bottom of the steps and shouted at Lumiere. "Cover that back up!"
"I will not." Lumiere refused.
She turned to the crowd and Drac moved to stand in front of Mal. Uma looked nervous and he knew whatever scheme was going on was cracking and Uma was trying to maintain damage control. She looked around and when she saw him his eyes glowed green. Then she smiled and turned to Ben. "Why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me Ben."
"I have an announcement! Uma, will be joining the court tonight as my lady."
"Son -"
"Not now dad!" he screamed and everyone gasped in horror. Then Ben swayed a bit on his feet and Uma clasped his hands and smiled at him. He blinked a few times. "Uh, so as my gift. . . to her. . . I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all."
Loud gasps filled the air as Mal's jaw dropped again. Drac only continued to glare. King or no King Drac would fight Ben to prevent that from happening. Sure there were people on the Isle like CJ and Dizzy who deserved to be free, but there were still dozens of angry scorned villains, and kids with something to prove to said villains. It would spell disaster for Auradon and the Isle if the barrier were taken down without the right precautions.
"Fairy Godmother, bring down the barrier."
"I most certainly will not."
"I am your King!"
"Obey him." Uma barked.
"Ben's been spelled." Mal gasped in realization.
"Uma found your spell book." Evie whispered in horror.
"If this is mom's magic it won't be easy to break." Drac told her looking over his shoulder at his sister.
Mal took a long look at the stained glass portrait, then she stepped forward, "Ben." He turned to her, so did Uma, but she looked mad. "Ben. Look at me."
"No look at me, you love me remember?" Uma urged.
"No you don't." Mal smiled.
"You do."
"Ben look at me."
"Bring down the barrier now!" Uma shouted at Fairy Godmother again.
"I do not take orders from you." she denied.
"Ben, I never told you I loved you because I thought I wasn't good enough. And I thought that it was only a matter of time before you realized that yourself, but Ben - that's me." she pointed to the gift. "I'm part Isle and part Auradon."
"Ben eyes over here." Uma continued to try.
"And Ben, you've always known who we were and who we can be."
"Don't listen to her."
"Ben, I know what love feels like now. And. . . of course I love you. Ben I've always loved you." then she kissed him.
Uma looked furious as Ben melted into the kiss. When Mal pulled back Ben smiled and brought their foreheads together. "Mal."
"True loves kiss." Evie said and Drac turned to her smiling, "Works every time."
But then in desperation, Uma turned and ran at Fairy Godmother. "Give it to me!"
Drac threw himself between them, arms spread wide, eyes glowing and lime green fire burning in his hand as the other gripped the railing by the headmistress.
"Guards! Seize her!" Fairy Godmother shouted. Uma ran for it, but she had nowhere to go, they were on a ship. She made it to the rail before Mal ran after her shouting for her to stop. Uma turned around, her back to the sea.
"Uma I know you. You are so much more then just a villain. And you have to believe me because I've been there." Mal tried to talk her down. "Do not let your pride get in the way of something that you really want."
Mal held out her hand, urging Uma to take it. Uma's shell necklace began to glow as she glared at Mal, then she smirked and leapt over the railing.
"No!" Mal cried as they all rushed to the edge and looked into the water. They could see the necklace glowing and the sea started to bubble and rise.