(If you know what the title is referencing, I love you)

(hint: It's also something from Disney channel)

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This is Sera's outfit: 

This is Sera's outfit for Mal and Ben's engagement party. The ponytail is obviously actually black with red streaks, but same style as the picture. And, of course, because she's Sera, the dress has some flaws, like smudges of dirt or food on it. 

Ellie's: 

This is Ellie's outfit! But picture that the skirt goes only to her knees. I picked this dress out before I watched D3, so I pictured all of them being in long skirts again. Whoops. But the skirt only goes to knees. Kay? And the braid is black with that white bang thing.

Endora's outfit: 

Those bangle things are on both wrists, but the twirly hand thing is only on the right hand, her wand hand. :D

Starting chapter!

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"Gotta say, I never pictured you in a dress." I say thoughtfully, tapping my chin while looking at Sera.

She rolls her eyes at me. "Ar insisted. Plus, I figured since this is Queen Green and Beasty Boy's engagement party and whatever, I better dress up."

I laugh. "You look good."

"Gee, thanks, Icy. You look better, per usual."

"Well, that's no competition." Carlos comes up behind us and puts his arm around me. "Mal and Ben are coming out soon. We're all agreed that we're going to make her do a speech, correct?"

"Of course." I promise. "We have to find some way to call her out now that she's basically going to order us around for the rest of our lives."

"So, not very different from how we are now?" Maira suggests innocently, batting her eyelashes.

"Nope." I say. All around me I'm surrounded by people I've known my entire life. Jane is here, Chad as well. Nedwin is skulking around, probably trying to steal some food. Jay and Lonnie are laughing at something Audrey told them, and my parents are talking loudly to Dizzy and Anya. Probably some story about me, based on how much Dad's gesturing towards Carlos and I.

"There they are." Evie says, pointing. We all turn to look underneath the archway, where a beaming Mal and Ben are entering holding hands. They both hold their free arms in the air in greeting, making the crowd cheer. Our group of friends is louder than everyone else, clapping wildly.

Mal and Ben move around the crowd, shaking hands and smiling. When they get to us, we exchange a few words in greeting before they move on. They climb the stairs to our scattered applause, bowing to Beast, Belle, and Fairy Godmother until they take their places at the front of the balcony.

"Lady Mal and I want to thank you for celebrating our engagement with us today. I couldn't be prouder..." He meets eyes with her. "Or happier to call you my Queen."

Servants, on a cue, start handing out tiny glasses of pink punch. I accept one and so do all my friends. Arson greedily raises it to his lips while glancing around sneakily. Right on cue, Sera slaps his hand. He mournfully lowers it again.

"So," Ben continues. "Raise your glasses." We all lift our arms in the air. "To our future Queen of Auradon."

"To our future Queen of Auradon!" The crowd chants. We all sip, and then Carlos grins.

"Speech, your Specialness!" he calls.

"Speech, O Fancy One!" Jay adds.

"Speech, Green Queen!" Sera shouts. Everyone laughs, and Mal smiles a bit too. Everyone goes silent, waiting for her to start. For a moment, she smiles at us all happily. But as seconds tick by, Mal's smile starts to fade. And she doesn't say a word.

"Is she okay?" I murmur under my breath.

Carlos makes a sound that resembles "I don't know."

Mal's mouth opens and closes a few times. "I can't."

Cue the dramatic and totally synchronized gasping. Carlos and I lock eyes with each other. This totally wasn't part of the plan.

"I can't be Queen of Auradon." Mal continues, and gasping ensues once again. Ben takes her hand, and Mal turns to him, talking quietly to him. People start to whisper, and I look around, worried. I bend down to set my glass of punch down, preparing for... actually, I have no idea what I'm preparing for. I'm just going to be ready.

Mal faces us again, her hands on the stone rail of the balcony. "We made a decision..." She starts slowly. "To close the barrier forever."

No one gasps this time. It's like the breath has been sucked out of the room.

"And it was my idea." Mal admits, pausing. "But it's wrong."

Slowly, a grin starts spreading on my face. I may not have to interfere after all.

"I've learned... that you can't live in fear." Mal starts to smile, tears gathering in her eyes. "Because it doesn't actually protect you from anything!" She laughs, her voice pitching higher as she holds back tears. "You never know where the bad is going to come from. And you never know where the heroes are going to come from, either! Without Uma and her pirates, Auradon would be gone."

There's a small ripple of surprise at Uma's mention, but I'm beaming too wide to care. I know what's coming next.

"And without Pluto... my father..." Mal says, and people practically scream those gasps out. "Audrey would be gone."

All eyes turn to Audrey, who ducks her head a little bit, her eyes sparkling with tears.

"We are all capable of good and bad." Mal insists, tapping her hands on the railing for emphasis. "No matter which side of the barrier we come from." She turns to Ben, clasping his arm. "And that's why I can't be Queen of just Auradon. I have to be Queen of the Isle, too. And... it's time, that we take the barrier down. Forever."

Weirdly, the image of Squints from Sandlot jumps into my brain. For-ev-er. FOR-EV-ER. FOR-EV-ER!

I've watched too many movies.

"We can't do that." Beast argues.

"It's up to us, Dad." Ben says, smiling at Mal. Turning to the crowd, he takes Mal's hand. "I choose to be a king who moves forward." He says to the people gathered below. "It's time for forgiveness. It's time for new beginnings."

Everyone in the room holds their breath.

"The barrier will come down!" Ben proclaims.

"YES!" Carlos screams, letting go of me to jump into the air, pointing at Ben. "WHOO!" He starts clapping. We follow suit, everyone in the courtyard below clapping hesitant at first, but quickly it escalates.

"I KNEW YOU'D DO IT, GREEN QUEEN!" Sera hoots. Everyone chuckles, and she grabs her brother around his shoulders, rubbing the top of his head. "I knew she'd do it." Sera says smugly.

Mal looks down to us, gesturing. Evie and Jay run up the stairs, quickly followed by Carlos and I. Sera, Endora and Arson stay below, shoving their way over to the exit from Auradon, the ripped-up edge of the bridge.

The four of us arrive, standing around Mal, who is now holding the wand. Evie looks ready to cry, one hand on her chest. Jay and Carlos are more like me, grinning our heads off.

We stand before the crowd, the same group we were two years ago when the four VK's chose good, and I really chose it. Instead of just being born here.

Carlos clasps hands with me, and then Evie with his free one. Ben comes up behind us, all of our eyes fixed on the far-away island.

"To make the world a better place," Mal starts.

"We have to do it face to face." We all finish together. Mal raises the wand in the air. A jetstream of magic bursts from it, launching toward the Isle of the Lost, hitting the barrier with enough force to finally tear it apart. The golden dome erupts, and the ever-present cloud drifts away, letting sunshine onto the Isle for the first time in over twenty years.

The crowd below cheers, Sera and Arson heard above them. Sera's practically screaming, grabbing her brother and shaking him so hard I'm sure his insides are in the wrong places now.

Slowly, a gorgeous golden thread of magic winds around where the magical bridge appears, creating a stone one with a supporting beam that looks like a slinky when it's all stretched out. The bridge extends until finally, finally, the Isle of the Lost and Auradon are connected.

Mal laughs in a mix of emotions I can no longer identify, because I'm feeling just as elated. Carlos squeezes my hand, grinning down at me.

"It's down." I say to him in disbelief.

He nods. "It's down." Then, his grin growing wider, he grabs me around the waist, picking me up and spinning me in a circle before setting me back down. I laugh, embracing him.

Auradonians gather near the edge, and far away I can see Isle kids doing the same. I can't tell who anyone is except for a flash of bright bluish-green that is most definitely Uma.

We all back off, and Mal hands the wand graciously back to Fairy Godmother. I do a double take. Okay, seriously. Wasn't Mal wearing a cape a minute ago? And wasn't her skirt longer? Wasn't it? I can't be the only person that sees this.

Mal, smiling wide, walks towards the rail of the balcony. ♫It's time to bring it together. Time for a brand-new start♫

♫We're gonna put it in mo-o-otion. Break down what keeps us apart♫ Uma's voice joins in, as easily heard as if she's right next to us. Music logic. Just like it was with the song we sang when we picked kids for VK day.

♫No more, no division, we down♫ Mal says, snapping her fingers. ♫New team, got the vision♫

♫United♫ Uma and Mal sing together.

♫We stand, now we livin'♫ Uma sings alone.

♫Marchin' in the light, one-two, one-two like♫

♫I see you♫ Mal sings, tapping her chest.

♫You see me♫

♫Imperfect♫ Mal spreads her arms.

♫Perfectly♫

♫Face to face we can see clearly our similarities like♫ They sing together. Sera and Arson, Endora, Jane, Doug, Chad and Audrey climb the stairs. Carlos, Evie, Jay and I move up behind Mal, singing along with the song in the background.

♫Day and night♫ Uma says.

♫Wrong or right♫ Mal responds.

♫We come together for a good time♫

♫We're gonna break this down♫ We all sing together, smiling at one another.

♫We're gonna rock the town♫ our friends join us on the further back parts of the balcony.

♫Everyone all around♫

♫Let's be whoever like this, stronger together like this!♫ We all chant, pushing back from the balcony and starting our way down the stairs.

♫Believing in second chances!♫ Uma calls.

♫And we're all starting today!♫ Celia says happily.

♫Marchin' on in a new land!♫ Who knew Harry could sing?

♫Our world's a better, a better place!♫ They all yell, coming as a crowd onto the bridge and heading our way. We do the same, with the four of them in front and Sera, Arson, Endora, Maira and I right behind.

♫Welcome the addition, new love♫ Evie calls.

♫Unity, new beginning for us♫ Carlos says, moving his head back and forth.

♫Harmony, that's the mission, marching♫ Jay says.

♫In the light one-two, one-two like♫ Maira, Endora, Arson, Sera and I chant.

♫I see you, you see me♫ The rest of the group joins in.

♫Imperfect, perfectly♫

♫Face to face, we can see clearly our similarities like♫

♫Day and night♫ our side yells.

♫Wrong or right♫ Uma's side shouts.

♫We come together for a good time♫

♫We're gonna break this down!♫ We all start dancing as one, moving our arms around kind of like chickens, and playing flutes, but it doesn't feel that way.

♫We're gonna rock the town!♫ All Auradonians and Islers merge together. I end up dancing in front of Brit, who beams at me in happiness.

♫Everyone all around♫

♫Just be whoever like this, stronger together like this, we're reunited like this!♫

Carlos takes my hand, and we all run for Auradon. Ben and the Auradonians we left behind join in on the dance.

♫Bringing it, bringing, b-b-bringing it down♫

♫Bringing it, bringing, b-b-bringing it down♫

♫Bringing it, bringing, b-b-bringing it down♫

♫Bringing it, bringing, b-b-bringing it down!♫ All the Auradonians cheer, running forward and joining Ben and the others inside the courtyard and leaving all the Islers standing in a close line just behind the entrance to Auradon.

Ben smiles, and flourishes his arm in the air, bringing it down into his bow. All of us follow suit, bowing in a swarm of Auradonians.

As we rise, Uma's beaming. With a cheer, she runs forward, embracing Mal like a sister. The Islers quickly follow, screaming at the top of their lungs. Brit grabs me and pulls me close, shouting next to me over the roar of the crowd.

"THIS IS AMAZING!"

"I KNOW!" I reply, laughing. 

(Brit's outfit---still Isle-like, because she was there, but she's Brit, so a bit of Auradon touch in it as well. Also, the bracelet-looking thing is NOT a bracelet, it's a necklace. Choker necklace type thingy.)

Releasing me, she joins everyone else as we all file into a large crowd, Isle and Auradon alike. I'm in between Carlos and Chad. Starting to the left, people move in their own way, falling to the ground. The wave continues down, coming back up our way within seconds. Ben picks Mal up, swinging her around, while Carlos does a trick I learned where he acts like he's trying to trip you up. Like a jump rope, I leap into the air and come back down on my feet. We dance, faster and stronger than ever before, because we finally have a reason to celebrate with all our hearts. It's not just Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos coming here. It's not Mal becoming a Lady of the Court. It's all of us, coming together, being here in a way we never thought could be possible.

A real cause for dance. Because we're together, and nothing else matters right now.

We switch places for a few moments, and I'm dancing with Chad. I'm kind of surprised at myself, because for once I don't feel repulsed at being within five miles of him. He's grinning, still a little egotistically, but hey, who said you had to be perfect?

We come back to each other, and I can't find a single reason not to smile.

♫We're gonna break this down (Break this down)♫

♫We're gonna rock the town (Ooh, we're gonna rock!)♫

♫Everyone all around♫

♫Let's be whoever like this♫

♫Stronger together like this♫ We roll our hands, bowing to one another before switching places again.

♫We're reunited like this♫

♫Break this down!♫

♫We're gonna rock the town♫

♫Everyone all around♫

♫Just be whoever like this, stronger together like this, we're reunited like this♫

♫Bringing it, bringing, b-b-bringing it down!♫ Everyone finishes with what reminds me of jazz hands, panting from our random but totally acceptable dance-off. Brit is the first to move, giggling in a fit as Gil wraps her in a hug, lifting her a few inches off the ground.

Dizzy and Celia come up behind Mal on either side, looking out on the Isle with her. Coming toward us is a group of Islers who must've been really prepared, because they're holding a purple dragon thing like I've seen at Lonnie's parties sometimes. Everyone backs off from Mal, cheering as the dragon circles her, bobbing up and down. Mal laughs joyfully, holding her hands in the air in a way that reminds me of what people do when it snows or rains and they're happy about it.

Within moments, Mal is surrounded by shouting Islers. I catch sight of Celia, Squeaky, Squirmy, Hector, Dizzy, and Anya running for Dr. Facilier, Smee, a redheaded woman in a purple dress that I'm guessing is Hecate, and Lady Tremaine and behind them... my heart leaps into my throat.

Walking towards us, with a calm expression on his face and his hands in his pockets, is Hans Jr.

I seem to be the only one who sees him, so I walk forward to meet him midway. He catches my eye and stops, letting me come to him.

"Ellie." He greets when I stop a few feet from him.

"Hans." I respond, letting my hands dangle at my sides. I'm not going to be violent if he won't. But if it comes, the second he makes a move against me, I'm going to be ready.

He shrugs, a weird combination of embarrassment and hope on his face. "So... you guys decided to take down the barrier."

"I guess so." I tilt my head to one side. Every time I've seen Hans Jr, he's tried to kill me. The only time I've even had close to a civilized conversation with him was when he took me to Ben and he told me I shouldn't have talked to his father in a mocking manner.

But here, he seems... different.

He shrugs once again, not meeting my eyes and shuffling his feet. "I... I just came over to say..."

I abruptly stick my hand out. He flinches backward, but I hold it there, palm open. He looks up in surprise, seeing the smile on my face.

"Barrier's down." I remind him when he doesn't move. "Fresh start. Deal?"

Slowly, he seems to realize I'm not kidding. He grins and takes my hand, shaking it. "Deal."

We both smile at each other, and then Hans' gaze seems to flit away and his eyes widen. I turn around to find his line of sight is on Maira, who is wearing a filmy green dress, her hair pulled back in a falling-apart bun low on her neck. Right now she's laughing with Endora, her arm around her friend's neck.

(YES I REALIZE AGAIN IT'S A LONG DRESS---DEAL WITH IT. PRETEND IT'S SHORT---TO HER KNEES!!!) Also I know it's twi different dresses---I loved both, couldn't decide, so pick whichever you want, I got nothin'. 

I turn back to Hans Jr, thinking it over in my head. He has the same look that Doug had when he looked at Evie for the first time. "You should go say hi." I tell him.

He instantly looks back down to me, a shocked look on his face. "What?"

I press my lips together, but a small giggle still slips out. "Go talk to her."

"Um---no---I'm---" Hans sputters. I let go of his hand and shove him towards Maira. To my delight, she doesn't look angry to see him. She just locks eyes with him, grins, and nods to him.

He turns back to me, a shocked but pleased look on his face.

"Go." I order. He doesn't ask twice and starts toward Maira and Endora.

As I watch him go, I smile to myself, a nagging thought in my mind. I hadn't really thought about the fact that all villains suddenly had free reign over Auradon. Cruella De Vil, Gothel, Pitch, Ares... They're all still on the Isle.

But hey. Uma changed. So did Gil and Harry.

"Carlos." I say loudly over the noise. He turns to grin at me. "Your mom's going to come over. Right?"

He shrugs. "Probably. But I think she knows better than to mess with us now."

"Still nervous. Last time I saw her, she basically told me she blamed me for losing you."

"You're nervous?" Dude demands, coming up to us. "His mom is Cruella De Vil! I'm petrified!"

"Hello, petrified." Sera says, clapping Carlos' shoulder as she joins us. "Don't be scared, Dude. Wait'll she hears this one wants to be a vet." She pokes Carlos' arm.

I laugh, looking over at where Uma, Harry, Evie, and Doug had been watching Mal talking with Isle kids. Uma, Evie, and Doug are gone, and Harry is standing there trying and failing to look cool. I grin when I see Audrey twirl his way, almost hitting him, but he catches her waist in time. They grin at each other, Audrey curtsies, and Harry offers his hand. He twirls her once, then she pulls him out into the fray again.

I hear a giggle behind me. I look to see Brit watching them, both her and Gil holding back laughter. I smile at them, shaking my head. "You two are hopeless."

"Better hopeless than... actually, my mind is way too busy at the moment. I'll finish that sentence later." Brit says, grabbing Gil's arm. "Want to dance again?"

"With you? Definitely." Gil says, and they run back out. Sera chuckles watching them, then her gaze fixes on something in the distance.

"Ells." She points towards the new bridge, and I turn just in time to see Mal embracing her father, with Ben hovering behind them. I quickly search the crowd for my dad, and catch him just as he's walking towards Pluto, my mom at his side.

"I'll be right back." I promise, slipping through the crowd. I get there just in time to see Dad stop in front of Pluto, Mal, and Ben. Mal's eyes are dancing as she smiles at me.

Dad clears his throat. "Pluto."

Pluto nods his head. "Hade."

"So... you married Maleficent?"

"And you married the Snow Queen."

"I said I would when I left."

"I never doubted that. I only said you'd regret it." Pluto narrows his eyes at my mom, who doesn't shrink. She stands her ground, her head held high.

Pluto's mouth twitches upward. "I was mistaken. I like her."

"I'm glad you approve." Dad says stiffly.

Pluto chuckles. "Lighten up, Hade. I can see why you left. Your daughter is quite the charmer."

Dad looks sideways at me. "That she is."

Pluto actually smiles at me. "Just like her dad."

"Thanks. Officially speaking this time, I'm Ellie." I hold my hand out in greeting. He takes it without hesitation, but instead of shaking, he pulls me into a hug. Mal laughs at my surprised expression, and then Pluto releases me.

"Nice to have a relative who's been raised right." he says.

Dad eyes Mal. "I'm not hugging you."

"That's fine." she assures him. "We need to go back to everyone else now, right?" She takes her dad's hand again.

"One thing." Dad raises a finger. "I'm glad you're finally here, Plute."

Pluto laughs sarcastically. "Don't call Plute."

"Don't call me Hade."

"We really picked up right where we left off, huh?" Pluto grabs my dad in a side hug. "Wait. I'm taller."

"You weren't the other day. You're cheating with those boots." my dad gripes, pushing away from his brother. It's like they're teenagers, both grinning, trading banter back and forth as we all enter the courtyard together. Carlos is at my side instantly, taking my hand. Dad, Mom, Pluto, and Ben break off. Sera and Arson join us as well, and we all walk down between the crowd together. Into Auradon.

One by one, line by line, kids and adults alike enter Auradon with grins on their faces. My dad and Pluto are still arguing with each other, Mom giving them an amused smile. Brit and Gil are still dancing, but they leave with Uma, Endora, Gil and Harry. Dizzy, Anya, and Hector walk out with their parents, and the crowd trickles out.

Carlos squeezes my hand. "This what you pictured two years ago?"

I shake my head. "No." Looking back behind us, I smile to myself. "This is a thousand times better."

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Long chapter. Sorry!

But so worth it. Ellie's Flame is ALLLLMMOOOOOSST done. Two more chapters. And then after that... mwahaha you guys have no idea what I'm planning.