▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 them, bounding up the stairs, panic covering her features. As the group walked by the King and Queen, King Adam quickly reached out for Mal. "Mal," He said, gently grabbing her arm. She stopped and looked at him, tears threatening to fall.

Belle shook her head. "Honey, we're so sorry. We had no idea."

"I'm gonna talk to him." Adam pushed. Mal let out a soft cry and turned away from them, the group continuing up the stairs.

Jane reached Lumiere. "Lumiere, unveil the gift. They need to see it!"

Lumiere quickly did as told. The light covered him as he quickly announced, "And now, for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece, designed especially for his Lady." Lumiere motioned a hand towards Mal and the group stopped before turning around, watching as the giant blue covering fell from the large stained glass piece.

A soft gasp fell from Ilaria's lips, a hand covering her mouth. It was of Mal and Ben, Ben kneeling before her and her eyes were green representing her powers, her hair and dress were both purple. It was who Mal truly was. The crowd clapped and Ilaria reached over and squeezed Mal's hand. Mal swallowed before asking, "Ben did that?"

Evie nodded her head as she softly replied, "Yeah, he did."

"Oh." A fresh wave of tears fell over her as she grabbed Evie's hand, walking down a few steps. "Evie. Ben's known who I was all along."

Evie squeezed her friends hand. "He loves the real you, Mal."

"A true love," Mal realized.

"Yeah."

"Told you," Carlos said from behind her. Ilaria smiled in amusement.

Uma turned, making her way towards the stairs, staring at Lumiere. "Cover that back up!" She shouted.

Lumiere was appalled. "I will not!"

"Um. . ." Uma looked around, chuckling nervously. She looked at Ben. "Why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me, Ben?"

Ben looked around and Ilaria cocked her head slightly, her eyes scanning over his face. Something wasn't right. She could tell. "I have an announcement!" Ben called, holding his hand out for Uma who stepped towards him and took it. "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my lady."

Adam stepped towards his son. "Son. . ."

"Not now, Dad!" Ben snapped. Ilaria recoiled. Never has Ben spoken to his father like that. In an instant, it clicked. Ilaria quickly stepped down to join Mal's other side.

"Mal," Ilaria hurriedly said. The purple haired girl turned to look at her. "Ben's been spelled. This isn't him. Uma's done something to him."

Ben continued, seemingly surprised by his own outburst. Ilaria could see the battle in his eyes. "Uh, so, as my gift, uh, to her, I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all." The crowd gasped in fear and Ilaria stood frozen. Fear coursed through her entire body.

"No," she softly whispered, her voice cracking.

Ben held his hand out towards Fairy Godmother. "Fairy Godmother. Bring down the barrier."

The older woman's eyes widened. "I most certainly will not."

"I am your King!" Ben yelled.

Uma added, "Obey him!"

Mal nodded, looking at Ilaria. "You're right." She swallowed, glancing at Ben. "Ben's been spelled."

"Uma found your spell book." Evie realized, watching as Uma forced Ben to make eye contact with her.

Mal glanced at the piece Ben made her before letting go of Evie's hand and walking down the rest of the steps, making her way towards Ben. "Ben," she softly said. He turned to look at her. "Ben," she repeated, a small smile pulling on her lips. "Look at me."

Uma butted in, "No, look at me. You love me, remember?"

"No, you don't." Mal shook her head.

"Yes, you do."

"Ben, look at me." Mal urged.

Uma turned to Fairy Godmother. "Bring down the barrier now!"

"I do not take orders from you!" Fairy Godmother hissed.

Uma turned to Ben again. "Ben?"

Mal kept a small smile on her face, fighting through her tears. "Ben. I never told you that I loved you because I thought that I wasn't good enough. And I thought that it was only a matter of time before you realize that yourself. But, Ben, that's me." She motioned to the stained glass and Ben turned to look at it. "I'm part Isle and part Auradon."

Uma grabbed Ben's attention. "Ben, eyes over here."

Mal continued. "And, Ben, you've always known who we were and who we can be."

Uma shook her head. "Don't listen to her."

Mal smiled. "Ben, I know what love feels like now." A soft chuckle left her lips. "Ben. Of course I love you. Ben, I've always loved you." And then, she kissed him. Ilaria squeezed Evie's hand tightly, hoping that the kiss would break the spell. Evie glanced at her girlfriend before squeezing her hand back.

When Mal finally pulled away, Ben stared at her a small smile begin to pull at the corner of his lips. "Mal." Mal smiled widely as they pressed their foreheads together.

"True love's kiss," Evie softly said.

Ilaria smiled. "Works every time."

"Ugh!" Uma snarled. She spun to face Fairy Godmother and began approaching her. "Give it to me!" Ilaria quickly jumped in front of the woman, her eyes narrowing into a glare, grabbing her outstretched arm and shoving it away.

"Guards! Seize her!" Fairy Godmother shouted.

Uma quickly ran to the side of the boat. Mal and Ben went after her, the crowd following. Mal held out her arms. "No! No, stop! Please, stop!" Uma looked at her. "Uma, I know you. You are so much more than just a villain. And you have to believe me because I've been there. Do not let your pride get in the way of something that you really want."

Suddenly, the shell necklace around Uma's neck began to glow. Mal took a slow step towards her and Uma quickly climbed on top of the metal railing before jumping into the ocean below. They all ran to the side, looking down at the water. Suddenly, the water began to swirl, growing higher and higher before it exploded, drenching them all and revealing Uma in her true form. She had tentacles, looking at all of them from her place in the water. "True love's kiss won't defeat this. The world will know my name!"

She threw out her arm, sending one tentacle towards the boat. They all ducked to avoid it and she sent another one and again they ducked. Suddenly, Mal walked to the side and Ilaria went to follow her only to stop when she saw Mal's heavy breathing. Her eyes began glowing green and purple smoke surrounded her and then Mal was no longer there, and instead it was a large purple dragon.

Ilaria's mouth fell open in surprise. "Well, that one's new."

The dragon shot fire at Uma and Uma sent a tentacle flying towards the dragon. "Come on, Mal!" Uma yelled. "Let's finish this once and for all!" Mal flew towards her, breathing fire as she did and Uma quickly ducked under the water before popping back up. She circled around, flying back towards Uma who threw another tentacle at her. Mal barely dodged it and went back in front of her, shooting a fire ball. Again, Uma ducked under the water. When she shot back up, she sent out a wave of water that went crashing into the boat, sending them all sliding back and forth.

Ben ran forwards, staring at the two of them before a loud roar fell from his lips. He handed Jay his crown and pulled off his coat. Ilaria's eyes widened. "Ben, what are you doing? Ben!" But before she could stop him, he jumped off the boat and landed in the water between the two of them. Panic coursed through her entire body as she watched them, unable to do anything.

"Mal! Hold on!" Ben yelled. He looked between the two of them. "Stop! Back down!"

Uma laughed. "What are you gonna do, Ben? Splash me?"

Mal lowered herself so that she was hovering right over top of Ben, a fierce snarl leaving the dragons mouth. "It's got to stop." Ben replied. "This isn't the answer. The fighting has got to stop. Nobody wins this way. We have to listen and respect each other. It won't be easy. But let's be brave enough to try." He looked at Uma. "Uma, I know you want what's best for the Isle. Help me make a difference."

Uma stared at his held out hand for a long moment, a roar leaving the dragon. Finally, a tentacle slowly approached him and Uma dropped his ring in his hand. She said nothing as she turned and dove under the water, disappearing. Ben swam back towards the boat and Ilaria quickly threw a ladder over the side. Carlos and Jay helped Ben up and the first thing he did was look at his best friend. "I had to do it."

She punched his shoulder. "You're such an idiot."

He managed a small smile. "I know." Ilaria rolled her eyes but a smile curled at the corner of her lips. She gave a mocking bow. "My King."

Ben's smile widened as he mockingly bowed back. "Princess." He walked to the center of the boat and looked at Mal. The dragon hovered right in front of her gift, carefully lowering herself. Purple smoke covered her again and then Mal appeared. Her hair was curly and her dress was purple. Evie and Ilaria approached the bottom of the stairs, watching as Mal feverishly smacked out the smoke on her dress. She smiled at Ben, a soft giggle leaving her lips as she waved at him.

Mal lifted her dress and bowed to him. Ben smiled and bowed in return. Two of the staff began walking her down the stairs until she reached Evie and Ilaria. The three girls stood there. "So, I did not know I could do that."

"Tell me about it, that makes two of us." Evie replied.

"Three of us." Ilaria corrected. "Do you know how pissed I would have been if you knew that and didn't tell me?" Mal and Evie chuckled.

"Oh!" Evie quickly bent down, blowing out smoke on Mal's dress. Mal thanked her. Evie held out her hand and Ilaria copied her actions. "Shall we?"

Mal took both of their hands. "We shall." They led her to Ben before letting go of her. Mal stands in front of him, a soft chuckle leaving her lips. Instantly, Ben pulls her towards him and gives her a passionate kiss. Ilaria rose her eyebrows, sharing an amused smile with Evie.

Ben pulled away and looked at the group of friends. "I owe you guys so much."

"Yeah." Evie nodded.

"Most definitely," Ilaria hummed.

"Yeah." Carlos agreed. "Got that right."

"If there is anything that you need, or anything that I can do for you. . ." Ben started.

Evie interrupted him. "Um. . . actually. . . there is, Ben." Her eyes trailed over to the Isle in the distance and Ilaria gently squeezed her hand. "I know a girl who'd really love to come to Auradon. It's Drizella's daughter, Dizzy. She's like a little sister to me."

"Then she should come." Ben said with a nod.

Evie's face brightened. "Okay," she softly said with a chuckle. "Okay, great. Actually, um." They all chuckled at her antics and Evie shyly smiled. "Ben, there's a lot of kids who would really love it here in Auradon. Kids just like us who also deserve a second chance. Can I maybe give you a list?"

Ben smiled. "Yes. Yes, absolutely. Please." The crowd clapped and Ilaria pressed a kiss to Evie's cheek, her heart warming at the sight of Evie's excitement.

Suddenly, a servant pushed his way through the crowd. "Lady Mal," he said, holding out his hands which held Mal's spell book. "We found your spell book below deck. Uma had it."

Mal took it from him. "Ooh. Um. . ." She cleared her throat. "You know, this seems like the kind of thing that belongs in the hands of Fairy Godmother. Fairy Godmother."

Fairy Godmother pushed her way through. "Okay, that's me. Thank you. Mmhm."

"This belongs in the museum."

Fairy Godmother nodded. "It does, yes. And I'm gonna take it."

Mal smiled. "Go for it." Ilaria chuckled, watching the woman quickly walk away. Mal stared at Ben. "I'm not going to be needing it anymore." Ben smiled at her before Mal splashed him with water that was still covering the ground. Ben splashed her back and Mal let out a squeal. She moved towards him, quickly moving his crown so that it laid crooked on his head.

Ilaria chuckled. "Let's get this party started, yeah?"

People began dancing, eating from the snack bar, and Ilaria glanced over her shoulder to look at Mal and Ben, her heart warming at the sight. She was glad they had found each other. Ben deserved to be happy and so did Mal. She turned her head to look back at Evie who she was currently dancing with. "I have a feeling things are going to change around here."

Evie smiled. "Are you ready for that?"

Ilaria smiled widely. "Bring it on. As long as I have you by my side, I can get through anything. You're my strength, Evie."

"And you're mine, Ria." The couple shared a passionate kiss, their dancing coming to a stop as they held each other for a moment. Everything was going to be okay. At least, for now.

Because surely, you didn't think this was the end of the story, did you?