Ulma wiped the sweat from her forehead as her team gathered around. They were tied 1 to 1 against the Northern Wei Warriors R.O.A.R. team and were preparing for their final match.

"Alright guys, all we need to do is win this round and we beat the warriors. I want you to divide into pairs and watch each other's backs." She instructed.

Su nodded in agreement. "The only way we win is together. How do you want us to divide up?"

Ulma glanced around at her team. She had watched them practice and play long enough that she knew who worked well together. Ulma prepared to give her orders when something, or rather someone, caught her attention in the stands.

There, in his royal attire, was King Chad of Charmington and Auroria. She couldn't remember the last time he had attended one of their matches. Ulma glanced at Connor and quickly revised her pairings, this was his moment to shine.

"Max with Amira, Matt with Willow, Trevor with Myla, Su and Connor your with me." She ordered watching as the warriors broke their huddle across the arena. "Let's do this."

👑

Connor stared at her with wide eyes. "You want me watching your back? I'm not that good Ulma, you should switch me and Trevor."

Ulma placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Connor, you've been practicing so hard, you can do this."

He nodded solemnly as he followed the team into the arena. Ulma was the Captain, ready or not, he had to have her back.

As they made there way to the center of the arena, Connor felt a hand grab his shoulder. He turned to see Trevor had walked up beside him.

"Relax man, just do your best. Ulma wouldn't have you watching her back if she didn't trust that you could do it." Trevor grinned, patting his back. "You're gonna do great man."

"Y-Yeah thanks." Connor stuttered nervously as he glanced towards the rest of their team. "Well, um, we should get in position."

Connor got into position as the two teams lined up, facing each other as they prepared for the signal that was to come.

The referee stepped forward and called out the orders to start the match. "Assemble. Salute. Lower the point. Masks down. En Garde. Begin!"

The Auradon Knights immediately split into their pairs back to back as they faced the oncoming Warriors. Ulma, Su, and Connor formed a triangle in the center, their swords out and ready to strike.

Trevor and Myla tagged out their opponents quickly. The daughter of Merida moved with lightning fast reflexes as she jumped in to cover Matt, blocking an oncoming attack as his partner, Willow, moved to the sidelines having been taken out.

Her mother may be known for her skills with a bow, but she had found her own promise with the sword.

Trevor moved the opposite direction as Amira struggled to fight off two Warriors without Max, who had quickly been eliminated.

Trevor's sword rang out with a clang as it collided with his opponents. "I got your back, Street Rat!"

Amira laughed as she dodged her opponent, jumping off a nearby box and tagging the surprised Warrior in the back before getting the leg of an opponent attempting to sneak up on Trevor. "Right back at you Frog Prince!"

Things were looking good for the Knights until the Warriors took to the walls. In one swift moment two of the Warriors broke free of the fight and ran up the walls. They reached out their swords, surprising the Knights and in one duel-coordinated movement, Trevor, Myla, and Su were eliminated.

It was now three Knights V.S. four Warriors. Ulma, Amira, and Connor stood back to back as the Warriors surrounded them. Connor glanced at Ulma as they closed in. "Captain, now would be a good time to call a play!"

Ulma grinned as she remembered the play her Uncle Jay had taught her for a situation like this. It was a play he had picked up after watching the Wonderland Wanderers.

They had practiced it a few times, now she just had hope they could pull it off.

"Mad Tea Party!" Ulma called out, just as the Warriors began their attack.

The rest of the match was a whirlwind as the three knights spun around eachother, away from the swords aimed at them and aiming their own swords at the unsuspecting targets beside them.

Amira's tag landed perfectly, taking out the opponent behind Connor. Ulma ducked to the side, taking out the two Warriors who had been after Amira.

Connor spun around and swung his sword at his opponent's chest but at the last moment the warrior jumped back, avoiding his attack.

He stumbled past his opponent as his momentum sent him off balance as the Warrior moved forward, tagging Amira before turning to Ulma who had her back turned.

Connor surged forward and placed himself between Ulma and the sword, allowing himself to be tagged out so that she had time to react and tag out the final Warrior. He had been eliminated, but the Knights had won.

"Connor we did it!" Ulma cheered, embracing him in a hug.

He laughed and pumped his fist in the air in victory as the rest of the team surrounded them. "Yeah we did!"

Connor glanced up at the cheering crowd in the stands. Everyone was excited about the victory, except one.

His eyes widened when he spotted his father standing in the front row, an emotionless expression on his face. His dad hadn't been to a match since he and Ulma started playing in the Junior league together in elementary school.

Now it made sense why Ulma had switched him and Trevor's positions. She had known his Dad was watching and wanted to give him a chance to shine. He'd have to thank her later.

His dad motioned to him with his finger, signalling for him to come. Connor immediately felt the dread pooling in his stomach. When his father wanted to meet, it was never good news.

Connor pulled away from the team and made his way towards the steps that would take him up to the stands. He shook hands with the Northern Wei Warriors as he walked along, congratulating them on a game well played. He finally made it to the based of the stairs when a hand pulled him back.

"Where are you going Charming? We're celebrating here! And you! I told you that you would be great!" Trevor grinned, wrapping an arm around his shoulder in an attempt to guide him back to the team.

Connor sighed, shrugging his arm off his shoulder and taking a step back towards the stairs. "I have to meet my dad, I'll catch up with you guys."

Trevor's smile faltered for a second before returning. "Alright, just don't take too long! We're going to Remi's Bistro to celebrate!"

Connor nodded before making his way up the stairs. By the time he reached the top, the stands were empty with the exception of his father who was waiting with his arms crossed.

"Hey Dad." He greeted. "I'm glad you made it."

"Why didn't you go for the final blow?" His father asked coldly, staring him down.

"I set up Ulma to take the winning blow, she was in a better position and--"

"But you could have won it yourself!" He snapped, pointing at him harshly. "He was going after Ulma! You could have easily hit him from behind! Why let her make the final move!?"

Connor's blood boiled at his dad's words. This was the best match he had ever played and here was his dad telling him what he should have done instead of congratulating him.

"Because in the moment it seemed like the right move! The Knights won! Who cares who made the final move!?" Connor snapped back.

His father's eyes narrowed as he grabbed his shoulders tightly. Connor winced as his nails dug into the flesh under his jersey.

"You are a Charming. You are descended from two lines of Royal blood. Connor you should be the one taking charge of this team, not her!" His father growled. "I came expecting to see a champion in the making, instead I find that nothing has changed."

"Dad I----"

"Enough," his father barked. "you'll start extra practices after regular practice tomorrow. Maybe you'll be a decent player by the time the college scouts start looking."

"But Dad, that's not fair! I'll barely have time for homework, let alone see my friends! Please don't do this!" Connor pleaded.

"You will go to practice and that's final." His father replied, his voice low as he walked away. "Maybe when you start playing like a real R.O.A.R. player you'll have time for friends."

Connor watched his father leave the arena before throwing his sword to the ground in disgust before making his way to the stairs.

He sat on the top step and ran his hands through his hair. No matter what he did it was never good enough.

Connor thought back to his younger days when his dad had spent every free moment with him. How they'd sneak off between meetings to steal cookies from the kitchen or take early morning fishing trips before they even began. Those were the good days.

But as he got older, things changed. His father became king of not one, but two kingdoms. And ruling Auroria came with the constant nagging of Great Grammy Leah to uphold the family reputation.

His great grandmother demanded perfection not only from his parents, but from him as well. In Queen Leah's eyes his father was a second level prince, not worthy of his mother's love or Auroria's throne.

But his Uncle Ben had proposed to his Aunt Mal years ago, dashing any hope of his mother marrying him. So Queen Leah had begrudgingly accepted the marriage between his parents and finally acknowledged his birth as well.

Now his father was left having to prove that he was just as good a king as Ben and that his son was a worthy heir to the throne.

Connor looked over at his discarded sword. He hated R.O.A.R. and Tourney. He hated sports in general. He only played because his father forced him.

Connor grabbed his sword, putting it away before walking down the empty hallway to the music room. He knew his friends were waiting, but he needed some time alone.

He placed his bookbag to the side as he sat at the piano in the corner of the room. One of the benefits of living on campus was his father couldn't control everything. He had been taking piano lessons with Mr. Sebastian since he was 12.

He found the music calmed him and gave him a way to express himself in a different way. Connor grabbed his notebook and started practicing a song he had been working on.

Here you are alone, and you deserve it
Your friends are unaware
And that's on you
You had a cause to serve but did you serve it?
Or did you see yourself in a way that wasn't true?

This is not your father's fairytale
And no, it's not your mother's fault you fail
So when your story comes to light
Make sure the story that they write

Goes once upon a time a boy tried harder
Once upon a time he tried again
Once upon a braver choice
He took a risk
He used his voice
And that will be my once upon a time
This time

💜

The team gathered around with their glasses as they celebrated their victory at Remi's Bistro.

Matt grinned as he stood up and bowed towards Ulma. "Speech oh Captain my Captain!"

"Speech, your R.O.A.R.-iness." Max laughed, taking a bow next to his brother.

Ulma laughed at the boys as she raised her glass to her teammates. "To teamwork, friendship, and victory!"

"Hear, hear!" They shouted, clinking their glasses together.

Ulma looked around at all her friends, but her smiled faded when she realized one was missing, Connor.

"Guys. Guys! GUYS!" She called out, grabbing their attention. "Has anyone seen Connor?"

Her teammates looked around shaking their heads.

"Nope haven't seen him."

"Me either."

"He should have been here by now."

Ulma sighed, she had seen him go upstairs to speak with his father. Had something gone wrong?

"You okay Captain?" Trevor asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Ulma shook her head. "Connor should be here, something isn't right. I need to find him."

She tried to leave but Trevor pulled her back, shaking his head. "No Ulma, you stay here and I'll find him. You're always going out of your way to help all of us, let me help you for a change."

"Connor's my friend, I should be the one checking on him." She countered, crossing her arms over her chest. "You don't even know where to look."

"Hey, he's my friend too. We've all known each other since pre-school. If you know where he might be, tell me and I'll find him." Trevor pleaded, standing his ground.

Ulma sighed knowing she wasn't going to win. When Trevor set his mind to something, you couldn't change it. "Fine, but as soon as you find him, you text me."

"Deal!" Trevor grinned.

🐸

Trevor walked through the empty school hallways towards the dorms. Ulma had said that he should check the dorms first, then the music room.

He turned the corner preparing to head upstairs to the boys dorms when the faint sound of piano music drifted down the hall.

Trevor listened for a moment before following the sound. As he got closer, he heard a voice begin to sing.

Here you are alone, and you deserve it
Your friends are unaware
And that's on you
You had a cause to serve but did you serve it?
Or did you see yourself in a way that wasn't true?

This is not your father's fairytale
And no, it's not your mother's fault you fail
So when your story comes to light
Make sure the story that they write

Trevor peered into the music room and stared in awe when he saw Connor at the piano. He had no idea that he could sing and play. He listened quietly as Connor finished.

Goes once upon a time a boy tried harder
Once upon a time he tried again
Once upon a braver choice
He took a risk
He used his voice
And that will be my once upon a time
This time

"I didn't know you could sing and play like that." Trevor commented, making his presence known.

Connor jumped at the sound of his voice and stared in surprise as Trevor came and sat beside him.

"What are you doing here?" Connor asked, finding his voice.

"Everyone was worried about you when you didn't come to the bistro to celebrate. I came to make sure you were okay." Trevor explained. "And from the sound of that song, I'd say you're not."

Connor shrugged as he looked away. "It doesn't matter, I just needed some time alone. I want to finish this song anyway."

"I think I can help." Trevor grinned, placing his hands on the piano. "And while we're at it, you can hear my thoughts."

Trevor began to play using the same rhythm he had heard being used before. He kept his eyes focused on Connor's he began to sing, responding to his previous words.

Why tell all those lies? You feel unworthy
Like there isn't solid ground for you to stand
But a stack of lies is not a firm foundation
You cannot build a castle on a mountain made of sand

This is not your Grammy's grand desire
And no, it's not your father's dream to aspire
Turns out it's you who's not awake
So if there's change you wanna make

Take once upon a time he fought a warrior
Once upon a time that beast was you
Once upon a misspent youth
He faced himself
He spoke the truth
That's how I see your once upon a time
This time

Life is not a storybook but life unfolds in chapters
Turn the page and start to make amends
There's no pre-written guarantee of "Happy ever after"
Step into your greatness before your story ends
So when your story ends

Connor smiled at Trevor's words as he joined in, letting the words flow naturally.

They'll say once upon a time a boy flew higher
Once upon a time he made things right
Once upon a tie that binds
He spoke from his heart
To change their minds
That's got to be my once upon a time

Trevor nodded encouragingly, backing him up.

This once upon a time

Connor smiled as he finished.

I'll finally see my once upon a time
This time

The two boys stared at each other as the piano's final cords faded, both unsure of what to say.

Trevor rubbed his hands over as his knees as he turned to Connor. "So what's the real reason you're sitting here alone?"

Connor sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Today was the best match I have ever played in my Tourney career and I was so happy my dad was there, but...."

"But what?" Trevor asked gently.

"All my dad had to say was how disappointed he was and how I should have won the match myself instead of setting up Ulma to make the final tag." Connor admitted.  "Just for once I wish he would say he was proud of me."

Trevor draped his arm around Connor's shoulders as he faced him. "Dude let's be real, your dad is a jerk. And one prince to another, do what makes you happy. Your dad may be a king, but he can't rule over your life forever."

"Thanks Trev." Connor smiled, closing his notebook. "I guess we should get over to the bistro huh?"

Trevor grinned as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Actually, why don't we go back to your dorm and play some video games? You could blow off some steam smashing armor in Knight's Fury. You have a dorm to yourself right?"

Connor nodded as he fiddled with the straps of his backpack. "You sure you don't want to join the team at the bistro? I'll be alright."

Trecor shook his head as he stood up, keeping his hand on Connor's shoulder. "Nah, I'd rather hang with you. There will be more team dinners."

Connor adjusted his backpack onto his back and followed Trevor out of the room. "Alright then, let's go. I'll race you!"

Connor took off down the hall as Trevor laughed. He shot Ulma a quick text to let her know he and Connor were staying back before chasing after him down the hall and up the stairs to the dorms.

Author's Note

So this chapter came out very long lol. Anyway, I turned my Once Upon a Time into a duet between the two boys. It's not perfect but I did the best I could to make it fit how I wanted it to. Enjoy and I'll see you guys soon!

                         -Meloetta246