"Ben, you're insane."

Mal paced back and forth in front of her three friends. She couldn't believe what Ben was considering. It was insane. Crazy, even. No, it was mad. It was a mad, mad thought. Evie, Jay, and Carlos, shared an awkward look as they bare witness to one of Mal and Ben's arguments.

What was this argument? You may ask. King Ben was in the midst of working out a treaty between the Isle and Auradon, wanting to be the good King he'd always dreamed. He wanted all to be united under one, to be equal. Unfortunately that included not just Auradon and Isle, but the Kingdom no one dared to enter.

Wonderland.

That was the part Mal wasn't okay with. The portal to Wonderland was on the Isle, and stood guard was William the Rabbit, the White Rabbit's only son. And inside was the kingdom of Wonderland. It was a glorious kingdom, beautiful even. But, ruled by a dark force. Queen Heart. She let no one into her kingdom, all outsiders were forbidden. All except Harry Hook.

Queen Heart had a love of Pirates, ever since she was little. So, when the son of Captain Hook stumbled his way into Wonderland. Queen Heart didn't claim his head as a trophy, she welcomed him with open arms. He told her stories of great voyages. All of which were only creations in his head, but she didn't know that. Because the Queen never left Wonderland.

"Queen Heart is ruthless, and she's mean, and she's nasty and- and," She spun sharply, her purple curls whipping at the action. "She's worse than my mother."

Ben sighed at her over exaggeration, "What's the worst that could happen, Mal?"

"She'll take your head!"

Ben froze at that, trying to remain calm, but the thought was chilling. He let out a small chuckle and his lips pulled up into a half smile, "I thought that was a myth, like a bed time story. She doesn't really do that, does she?"

"Yes," All four of the ex-villains that sat before him exclaimed at once. His eyes widened.

Yet, he wasn't going to back down. As a good, and righteous king, he must oversee all of his kingdom. They all needed to be united as one. That was the dream, and he would stop at nothing until that dream was a reality.

"Ben, look," Evie stepped forward, an understanding look adorning her pretty face. "We understand that you want to bring us all together. What Mal is saying is, um..." Evie darted her attention to her purple haired friend, biting her lip. "It's dangerous. Not even the most wicked dare to go to Wonderland."

Ben sighed, "I can't just sit here and do nothing."

"You don't have to man," Ben turned back when Jay spoke up, his buff arms crossed. "Wonderlands fine on it's own. They don't want anything to do with Auradon or the Isle for that matter."

"Yeah, you'd be better off letting them do there own thing," Carlos was quick to agree, nodding tightly.

In all honesty, it wasn't that just Wonderland frightened them, they all together wanted nothing to do with the place. It was odd, and confusing, and drove everyone mad. Including it's residence. To take anyone there would risk them falling underneath it's spell, and bringing anyone here would mean Chaos.

Ben let out an incredulous laugh, looking around at the four of them, "just let them do their own thing?" He echoed. "Do you know what would've happened if I had listened to my parents when they wanted me to leave the Isle alone."

The four VK shared a guilty look. They'd be stuck on that dingy island, under the dark shadows of their parents. They wouldn't be able to know happiness or love. They'd be miserable. But, Wonderland was a different story. A completely different story, that Ben just didn't understand.

"Ben, even if you did decide to go to Wonderland, you can't." Mal told him, her arms crossed. Queen Heart would never allow another royal into her kingdom. Especially one that wanted to join the Kingdoms as one. Take some of her status. It was her way. Always her way.

Ben frowned at them, "what do you mean?"

"She means, Queen Heart doesn't let anyone into her kingdom." Evie told him with a sad smile. Maybe that would be that. He'd realize he had no chance of even stepping foot in Wonderland and he'd back away from this whole plan entirely. Wonderland would stay in Wonderland and Ben would stay far away from it.

Carlos snorted, "except for Harry."

"Carlos!" Jay and the girls snapped, and his eyes widened, startled. Only then did he realize that he had said that aloud.

Ben's eyes snapped to the son of Cruella De Vil, "What did you just say?"

Carlos shrunk under the intense gazes of the other four bodies in the room. He shrugged sheepishly, "Me? I didn't say anything." He was quick to deny, shaking his head. His eyes resembled those of a puppy that had been kicked one too many times. But, when he saw Ben's pestering gaze still on him he gave in quickly, with a sigh, "Heart likes pirate's."

Mal threw her hands out to the side in frustration. That was it, she knew she'd lost this argument now. Now, Ben knew his one ticket into Wonderland. Harry Hook. And now there was nothing stopping him from going to the strange Kingdom.

Thanks, Carlos. She mentally snapped at the boy with platinum locks.

"Pirates," Ben echoed.

"Yes, yeah, pirates," Jay was the one to speak up when no one else did. He had the same look of defeat reflected on his face as Mal did. "She's obsessed with them."

"So, once upon a time, Harry stumbled into Wonderland on a dare," Mal finished for him, finally rejoining the conversation. She had her arms crossed tightly across her chest and an irritated look shimmering in her eyes. "And usually that would be it, off with your head."

Evie smiled as she retook her seat, "But, lucky for Harry, Heart's got a thing for pirates with some stories."

"But, Harry's never left the island," Ben pointed out the one fact that everyone was aware of except the Queen of Wonderland herself.

"Heart doesn't know that," Carlos shrugged.

Ben pursed his lips in thought. All he'd need to do, is get Harry to take him into Wonderland. He'd sit down with Heart and they'd have a talk of a treaty and everything would be okay. Happily ever after. Should be easy enough.

His lips spread into an accomplished smile, "So, we go to Harry Hook." The four VK's shared a silent look, it definitely wasn't going to be as easy as Ben was sure to think it would be.

On The Isle

There was a steady hum throughout the cafe as everyone was in for the lunch rush hour. Which left Uma more than busy, she was swamped. Harry sat in one of the back tables, his attention of his hook as he cleaned the steel with the hem of his shirt until it shined. "Hm," He hummed, grinning smally at the twinkle it gave in the light.

Uma dropped a tray loudly in front of him, rolling her eyes at his stupid grin. She stood before him, her hands on her hips and her shadow, blocking the light that once made his prize hook shine delightfully. "Harry," She snapped to get his attention.

He looked up at her with his bright blue eyes. His once wide grin, doubled, as he took off his hat and pressed it against his chest. "Uma," he whispered. His charcoal locks stuck up all over the place, hat hair.

She rolled her eyes once more, and dropped into the seat across from him. He could clearly tell she was agitated, from the snarl that pulled back on her lips and her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table top. "I'm so sick of this place. I'm sick of the constant smell of fish."

The bell at the front counter rang repeatedly as the costumer waiting soon grew impatient. She let out a groan of frustration as she took the food off the tray she just dropped and chucked it at his back. He flinched, starring at her with a mix of anger, fear, and bewilderment. Not being able to decide which emotion controlled him more, the man grunted something under his breath and headed back to his table.

"I hate that stupid bell," She groaned, running her hands through her teal locks. "I hate this stupid Island."

"I quite like the island," Harry muttered, more so to himself, than the daughter of Ursula. But, she still heard, and she snapped a dark glare his way. "I wouldn't want to be at their pretty, pink, poppy kingdom anyway."

"Says the boy who's got a hand written invitation to The Red Queen's birthday Galla," She picked up the crisp envelope that sat in between them in between her fingers delicately. William the Rabbit had stopped by earlier that afternoon to drop it off, he being the only one allowed between the Isle and Wonderland. Well, him and Harry, of course. "In Wonderland," she added, tauntingly.

Harry fought back a smile as he snatched the envelope from her hands, but that just enticed a wicked laugh from the girl. He tried to keep his face neutral as he stared down at the delicate handwriting that spelled out his name on the front. He hadn't been to Wonderland in forever, one year to be exact, not since Artemis' coronation where she officially took her place on the throne.

He had no explanation for it, only that she slowly began to become too busy for his little visits. And she was different after taking the thrown, colder, meaner - not that he minded this naughty change. But, when it was directed to him, it kind of hurt. Not that he'd ever admit it out loud. He had a reputation to uphold, even in Wonderland.

Feeling eyes on him, he looked up to see Uma starring at him. He soon realized he hadn't done a good job at keeping his face neutral and with a scoff, he tossed the letter back onto the table. "It doesn't matter," He crossed his arms. "I'm never going back to Wonderland."

At that moment the doors to the chip shop were thrown open loudly, and in walked five people he didn't expect to see anytime soon. "Harry Hook!" None other than King Ben himself, called the pirate's attention with that same clueless grin on his lips, like always. "You're going to Wonderland."

Harry and Uma shared a wordless look, they didn't need to speak, their eyes said it all. Was this boy crazy? Probably. Harry would go as far as to call him mad, even. Uma sat back in her chair, shaking her head at them. "Look who's back. Get tired of your princess duties already?" She quirked an eyebrow and Harry let out a chuckle at that, raising a hand to try and wipe the grin off his face. It didn't work.

"Not now, Uma." Mal sighed, her arms crossed. "We're here for Harry."

"Me?" Harry's eyebrows shot up in fake shock. He tossed a look at Uma who was merely smirking widely at him. He pushed up out of his chair with a loud screech as the metal scarped against the floorboard. "Well, well, well, what a nice surprise."

Mall rolled her eyes, pursing her lips but not a word escaped them.

"What could you possibly want... with me?" His voice rose slightly throughout the small cafe when he said the word 'want', but soon dipped back down to a hushed whispered as he approached the purple haired girl.

"Me? I don't want anything," Mal smiled sarcastically at him, dropping her arms from their crossed stance.

"Hm," Harry hummed, reaching up his hook to run through her straightened locks. His blue eyes followed the action a little too closely for Ben's comfort.

"Hey, hi!" He smiled brightly, sure to get the attention on him. Harry turned bored blue eyes on the King of Auradon as he dropped his hook back to his side. "Um, I was wondering if I could ask you a small favor."

Harry broke out in a maniacal grin, his blue eyes drinking in Ben's form before he turned on his toes. "You want me to go back to Wonderland, am I right?" He half turned to peek back at the five in the chip shop.

Carlos crossed his arms, "Come on, Harry. It's not like you haven't been there before."

"Oh, I've been there pup," He barred his teeth at the shorter boy, turning fully as his wide eyes danced from each of the new arrivals. "Wonderland," he hummed, a giddy grin on his face as he remembered the enchanting land. "The world of nonsense. Nothing is truly what it is, because everything is what it isn't, ya understanding me?"

The five shared confused looked, making it clear they didn't. Harry sighed, in clear frustration.

"I invite you to a world, where there is no such thing as time," He sung, his arms spread out wide as he backed away from the five still standing in the doorway. "And every creature lends themself to change your state of mind," he grinned sinisterly, tapping the edge of his hook against the side of his head.

"And the girl who chased the rabbit, drank the wine, and took the pill. She's locked herself in limbo to see how it truly feels," He spun on his feet, ending with his hands resting on the back of Uma's chair, kneeling down so he was beside her face that was tilted to look back at him. "To stand outside your virtue. No one can ever hurt you."

"Or so they say," he drew out the last note, pushing back off the chair. "Her name is Alice!" His voice rose. The sound of utensils banged against the table and each other to match the beat, along with the occupants feet.

"Alice," The four VK's along with Uma and King Ben echoed as they slowly circled the son of Captain Hook.

"She climbs in to the window, through shapes and sounds," He bent his knees slightly, turning on his toes to follow the motion they were making. "Alice!" He sang loudly with the same echo as before, his foot hitting the floorboards hard and his arms shooting up to the ceiling. "And even though she's dreaming she knows," He broke the circle, grabbing the sleeve of Ben's coat to get the boy to look at him.

He shoved him aside and stalked up to the counter, "Sometimes the curiosity can kill the soul but leave the pain," He spun back around to them his back pressed up against the counter and the customers sitting on the bar stools banged their fists and clapped their hands rhythmically. "And every ounce of innocence is left inside her brain."

"And through the looking glass, we see she'd faithfully returned,"  his fingers, once locked together with his palms facing out at everyone, broke apart and he slid forward. "But, now off with her head, I fear is everyone's concern." He swirled his one finger around beside his head, pretending to trip, but catching himself in a low crouch.

He looked up through his Charcoal locks at Ben who stood closer to him than any Of the others in the cafe. "You see there's no real ending," He kept his crouched position as he stepped evenly up to the king. "It's only the beginning. Come out and play,"

"Her name is Alice," the name was echoed throughout the room. Harry spun as he pivoted around the shaggy haired King, his arms spread out wide as Ben followed his movement with wide, curious eyes. "She climbs into the window, through shapes and shadows."

"Alice."

"Alice."

Harry took Uma's hand and spun her under his arm to place her in front of him. Her hand flew up, her dark eyes following as it slowly dropped back down. "And even though she's dreaming, she's unlocked the meaning for you," he ducked under Uma's arm, letting her spin around his back and away from him.

"This Kingdom. Good riddance," The circle reformed around him as he raised his hands up once more. "Her freedom and innocence," his hand - the only holding his precious hook - fell back down to his side while his free one fixed his hat, "Has brought this whole thing down," he drew out the syllable, his fists clenched against his chest, and his eyes screwed shut as he turned with the moving circle around him.

"Her name is Alice!"

"Alice."

"She climbs into the window, through shapes and shadows," He pointed his hook out at the door. "Alice."

"Alice."

"And even though she's dreaming," He turned on his toes, his red coat billowing at the action and he stalked forward, the circle of the six around him breaking on their own. "She's unlocked the meaning."

He broke off, his chest heaving as he stopped at the table he once occupied with Uma before the interruption, his eyes falling to the letter. Around him the others sang, synchronized.

"Red knights. White knights. Marching into the fight."

He dropped his hook onto the table top with a loud clatter that was barely heard over the thumping of the floorboards. His fingers grappled at the red envelope with a certain look in his eyes.

"Drink me. Shrink me. Fill me to sink me."

He silently took back his earlier statement; Maybe he would return to Wonderland, he'd been meaning to give Artemis a visit anyway. And he was sure Alison would be thrilled to see him.

"Red knights. White knights. Marching into the fight."

He looked around, and through the crowd he met Ben's gaze. A silent question adorned the King's eyes and Harry nodded in response. Ben couldn't help, but smile.

"Drink me. Shrink me."

"She's unlocked the meaning for you," He tucked the envelope into the inner pocket of his jacket.

"Fill me to sink me."

"And opposed to what ya may think," Harry continued, his boots lumbering against the floor as he approached the four VK's and their King. "What it should be, it really isn't. And what it shouldn't be, it really is. Ya see?" He grinned widely at the bunch of them.

"So, are you taking us to Wonderland?" Evie asked, a hand on her hip and a fine eyebrow quirked.

Harry shared a look with Uma, chuckling under his breath as his bight blue eyes found the blue haired girl once more, "It'd be an honor," he bowed mockingly. "M'lady."