The first things Artemis did when she got back to Wonderland was seek out her sister. She found her in the ballroom, ordering Jack's around to set up for her 18th year Cotillion. Artemis kept quiet, her hands held behind her back as she wandered over to her younger sister, all the while taking in the room. It was beautiful - Alison had really outdone herself this time.

"Everything looks amazing," she commented and Alison jumped nearly a foot in the air, wide brown eyes falling upon her older sister as she whirled around to look at her.

"Arty, oh my, God! Where have you been, your party's tonight." She scolded, clutching her clipboard to her chest.

"Harry fled back to the Isle and got captured by a jealous ex so I asked Mal and them to come with me and save him," she admitted, nodding slightly. Harry was off helping Uma, Gil, and Georgie get settled in for the night since they were attending her Birthday Cotillion and then they were heading out the next day on The Wonder. She wanted that adventure he promised her all those years ago, as soon as possible.

"Oh, my..." Alison broke off, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head like she was literally trying to unrattle her thoughts. "That's what you've been doing this whole time? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cause then who would plan my birthday for me," she said in a 'duh' voice and Alison tossed her a deflated look that made the older of the two laugh. "I'm kidding... there was just somethings I needed to decide and I wouldn't have been able to if you were there."

Alison frowned curiously, "what?"

Artemis smiled, taking both her hands in hers as her eyes darted between hers. "Tonight I'm going to announce my resignation as Queen and hand it over to you... if you accept." Alison's eyes widened, speechless as she tried to process what her sister was really saying to her. "I don't want to be Queen, I never have so the option is yours. You can step up if you want?"

"I, uh, I..." Alison let out a slow breath. "This is just a lot to take in. I wouldn't even know where to begin, I have no idea how to rule a Kingdom."

"Yes, you do," Artemis assured her. "I've seen you in the Elders Meetings, you know exactly what to do, just go with your gut."

Alison shook her head, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts at the news. Part of her was thrilled, she'd dreamed of being Queen her whole life. But, up until now that was a hopeless thought, she was the youngest of three. Now that it was actually happening, she felt the butterflies alive and swarming nervously in her stomach.

"Are you serious?" She checked and Artemis gave her a timid nod, smiling to show her how ready she was for this. Alison's lips broke free in an excited grin of her own, "oh, my God, yes! Yes!"

She jumped in her spot, wrapping her arms around her older sister and Artemis laugh, returning the gesture. "Good, but I do have one last order of business as Queen before I hand over my crown."

Alison pulled back to frown curiously at her, "what is it?"

The older Hatter sighed, "I would say 'don't worry about it', but you should very much worry about it." That definitely piqued Alison's interest, wondering what it could be.

One things for sure, she definitely wasn't expecting it to have anything to do with Cheney Cat. Alison and her older sister followed a few of the Jack's down to the prison chambers and over to Cheney's cell. One Jack hung up his lantern on the side of the door, illuminating them in a soft hue as Artemis stepped up to the door with her chin held high.

A deep chuckle echoed out of the cell, "Heart... I didn't think I'd be seeing you before my trip abroad." Cheney slithered out of the shadows, his eyes shining purple and his platinum locks hanging low.

Artemis simply stared back at him, "I wanted to personally thank you for your help in saving Harry," she kept her tone professional and Alison was shocked - if she was in her position she wouldn't be able to keep it professional. "Abby told me about the provisions you discussed."

Cheney hummed, leaning into the bars with a Cheshire grin, "I already have a destination in mind. It's time I got the Hell out of Wonderland."

"Agreed," Artemis nodded. "As Queen of Wonderland, I hereby lift your imprisonment sentence in exchange of banishment, required that you never step foot in Wonderland, Auradon, or the Isle ever again. Do I make myself clear."

"Crystal." Was his response. Artemis only help his gaze for a moment longer before nodding at the guards to bring him out. They unlocked the door and shoved it open with a heavy creak. Cheney's chains rattled against the floor as he stepped up to them and held his wrists out for them to undo his binds.

They fell to the floor with a loud clatter, and Cheney only had a moment to rub at his wrists before the Jacks were grabbing him by his arms to escort him to the outskirts of Wonderland themselves.

Cheney came to a jerky stop in front of Artemis, "you're making a mistake," he whispered and she frowned at him. "Giving up your crown to your dimwitted sister for a dingy pirate... it's a mistake."

"Get him out of here," was all Artemis said and the Jacks shuffled him off.

"You're making a mistake, Heart! I thought I taught you better than that." Cheney called back to her, but Artemis didn't grace him with a response, didn't even look back.

Because she knew he was wrong.

***

Evie had made sure that everyone had their outfits for tonight ready in time for the Red Queen's Cotillion, and collected her money for doing so. Artemis' dress was a beautiful, deep red that fell all the way down to the floor and a rose bust. Her hair was curled and half pinned back with red roses decorated into her platinum locks.

She was hanging out behind the curtains with her parents and both her siblings. Alison looked gorgeous, fit for a future Queen of Wonderland. Her dress was a light blue, and sleeveless with a decorated bust and a lacey skirt that nearly dragged on the floor near her feet. Her hair was pined back in a braided bun with a few loose curls to frame her face.

Matt was done up nicely in a dark green suit, a black tie around his neck, and a matching top hat over his lop of ginger hair.

Alison was fidgeting, so nervous she didn't notice her sister walk over to her until she spoke up. "Don't be nervous Ali," she whispered, taking her hand. "Tonight is going to go perfect.

"What if they don't like me," she whispered back, her dark eyes shining nervously. "What if the elder's don't let you hand over the crown to me?"

"They will," Artemis promised. "And screw the elders. I'm Queen, they can't tell me what to do." Alison nodded, letting out a deep, steadying breath.

Artemis didn't get to say much else cause she could hear The White Rabbit announce Harry's arrival as 'Sir Harry' to the court and she nearly laughed. She could just picture the look on Harry's face when he heard that.

"And presenting, Queen Artemis!" He called out next and Artemis tossed her sister one last reassuring smile before ducking through the curtains. She was greeted by a room full of familiar faces and her smile widened as her eyes landed on harry waiting at the foot of the stairs for her.

She took him in from head to toe, from the shoes on his feet, to the deep red and white suit he adorned for the night. His face was clean of any dark smudges, making his eyes that much more luminescent and his dark hair slicked back against his head.

She gathered her dress in her hands and descended the steps down to him, she gave him a quick little curtsy and a giggle. His lips twitched up into a devilish grin as he took her hand and bowed to kiss her knuckles.

She turned to see Uma and Gil standing just behind him and she smiled at them. She had extended an invitation to them months ago, but she wasn't sure if they'd actually show up. "Uma, Gil, I'm so glad you guys came," she told them and Uma nodded at her while Gil grinned excitedly. "You both look amazing."

Uma grinned cockily, flipping her loose teal locks over her shoulder, "I know." Artemis had to admit, she looked good in her dark green ball gown and her teal locks loose from their braids - falling down in tight curls to her hips. And Gil looked dashing in his yellow suit.

"Love," Harry whispered and Artemis turned her attention away from the Sea Witch to him. He gave her a pointed look and her mouth made a perfect 'O' as she remembered the announcement she had to make.

"Oh, yes. Right," she turned to address the room with a bright smile. "Welcome everyone! Thank you so much for attending my birthday Galla! I have a very important announcement to make." She caught everyone's attention quickly and a hush fell over the room. "I am stepping down as Queen," she admitted and she could hear a few gasps and hushed murmurs at what that could mean for Wonderland. "Instead, I put you all in the trust of my sister, Alison," she turned to where the girl was standing next to William. "And Sir William."

Alison's smiled nervously, waving at the crowd while William looked shocked. The ears on the top of his head twitched as he ran a hand down his white suit to straighten it out.

"Artemis," her mother whispered, hurrying down the stairs to her. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I don't want to be Queen, mother," Artemis told her with a defeated shake of her head and Alice's eyes darted between her and Harry. "Besides, Alison just turned sixteen - she's a fit heir and it gives her two years for William to lock things down," she added with a wink and a grin. "She'll do amazing and if not... I'll be right here to help her."

Alice looked like she was about to protest but before she could the Mad Hatter stepped up beside her, and place a hand on her lower back. They shared a silent look and Alice sighed, "I know she will," she smiled. "I just wish you'd have talked to me about it."

"I'm talking to you about it now, aren't I?" She teased, breaking out into a wide grin that Alice reflected.

Alice shook her head, "to Queen Alison!" She cheered and the room soon echoed after her, bringing a wide grin to Alison's face. Artemis let Harry loop an arm around her waist and pull her into his side, feeling him press his lips to her temple as she held her sister's gaze.

The beat of the music picked up as the applause died down, and everyone merged in on the dance floor. Artemis stepped up to Harry, smiling at him as she laced her fingers through his.

Do you ever feel like a misfit?

Everything inside you is dark and twisted

Oh, but it's okay to be different

Cause baby, so am I

Matt held his hand out to Georgie, who was standing off to the side awkwardly with Gil. She had her wild curls straightened so they nearly reached her hips and a deep maroon dress that hung down to the floor and came up to lace around her neck. She smiled widely with a slight giggle as she took his hand and let him whisk her away onto the dance floor.

Can you hear the whispers all across the room?

You feel her eyes all over you like cheap perfume

You're beautiful, but misunderstood

So why you tryna be just like the neighborhood?

Artemis pushed up on her toes to ruffle her fingers through his hair and mess it up like he usually had it, loose and tousled. She giggled at the face he made, his face scrunched up as he cringed back.

I can see it, I know what you're feelin'

So let me tell you 'bout my little secret

Abby, with her hair tied back in a braided bun and all dressed up in her navy blue dress, looped her one arm through Mason's - he had his platinum hair flopped to the side and was dressed up in a white suit - stepped out onto the dance floor. She used her free hand to lift her bubble wand and send a dozen little bubbles to cover Harry and Artemis.

I'm a little crazy underneath this

Underneath this

When the bubbles cleared they had a complete make over, making Abby grin proudly at her work. Her hair was let loose with a small gold tiara on her head, and her dress was sleeveless, falling down to the floor in bunched up waves of black and red material. Black, lace gloves covered her forearms to match her heels and a little red heart was painted on her cheek bones.

Harry was in a pair of black pants, and a black vest with little puffs of white from the under shirt showing through on the sweeping V-neck of the vest. He adorned a deep Maroon coat that hung passed his knees and thick, black combat boots on his feet. Artemis smiled widely, fixing the collar of his coat.

(Different colors)

Do you ever feel like a misfit?

Everything inside you is dark and twisted

Oh, but it's okay to be different

'Cause baby, so am I

Jay - dressed in his black and red suit, with half his hair tied back into a bun - led Lonnie out onto the dance floor, her pink chiffon billowing around her.

Carlos - in his red, white and black decorated suit and his hair flopped to the side - was quick to follow his friends lead and take Jane's hand - who looked beautiful with her wavy hair loose and a light blue dress swaying around her legs - and pulled her out with the other, making the girl laugh loudly.

Do you ever feel like an outcast?

You don't have to fit into the format

Oh, but it's okay to be different

Cause baby, so am I

Jaamil was standing on one side of the ballroom, looking dashing for a 14-year-old all dressed up in his red and yellow suit and his hair slicked back like most of the men had turned to tonight. His eyes, however, were on the other girl who just came from the Isle.

Dizzy Tremaine.

Evie came up on one side of him, her hair pinned back except for a single blue curl on the side of her face and looking beautiful in blue ball gown. With Doug, in his lilac suit, coming up on the other side of the boy. They each took one of his arms and led him across the dance floor to where Dizzy was sitting by herself.

Oh so, dressed so fancy like Sid and Nancy

Walkin' Killer Queen, gotta keep 'em guessin'

So baby come pass me a lighter

We're gonna leave 'em on fire

We're the sinners and the blessings

They pushed him forward and his eyes widened as dizzy looked up at him curiously, she still had her glasses perched on her nose and her hair up in crazy pigtails. But, it matched well with the rainbow dress she was wearing, it puffing out around her waist and down to her knees with matching white flats.

I can see it, I know what you're feelin'

So let me tell you 'bout my little secret

I'm a little crazy underneath this

Underneath this, ooh

Instead of saying anything, Jaamil held out his hand in a silent question. Dizzy broke out into an excited grin, taking his hand and letting him whisk her out onto the dance floor with him. Evie smiled at the young pair, but only for a moment before she dragged Doug out to dance with her as well.

Do you ever feel like a misfit?

Everything inside you is dark and twisted

Oh, but it's okay to be different

Cause baby, so am I

Harry held both of Artemis' hands in his, dancing with her to the upbeat melody as she sang out loud. He pushed her out and then brought her back in and under his arm in a spin. She spun out a little too far, however, and bumped right into Mal and Ben.

Do you ever feel like an outcast?

You don't have to fit into the format

Oh, but it's okay to be different

'Cause baby, so am I

Mal looked gorgeous with her magenta locks curled tightly and a pretty little crown on the edge of her bangs. Her deep purple ballgown, hung off her shoulders and reached to the ground. And Ben still continued to represent Auradon in his royal blue and gold tux with his crown sitting crookedly over his short, brown hair.

You're king and you're queen

You're strong and you're weak

You're bound but so free

So come and join me

And call me Harley

And we'll make a scene

Artemis took Mal's hands and the two girls spun in a wide circled before turning and ducking under each others arms to head back to their respective partners. Harry took one hand in his and then place his free on on her lower back to pull her flush up against his chest and she smiled adoringly up at him.

Do you ever feel like a misfit?

Everything inside you is dark and twisted

Oh, but it's okay to be different

'Cause baby, so am I

Do you ever feel like an outcast?

You don't have to fit into the format

Oh, but it's okay to be different

'Cause baby, so am I

Harry grinned devilishly at her, swooping down to capture her lips in a long kiss, his hand slipping from her to cup her cheek while both of hers dropped against his chest.