“So, you’ve turned Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana into frogs…” Mal’s had a wicked grin plastered on her face as she spun his hat on her finger; walking backwards through a row of desks, she baited her old headmaster as she circled the room,“ and now look at ya? Sad.”
“It isn’t my fault,” Dr Facilier growled. His eyes followed her like a hawk, waiting for the right moment to strike, “It’s Beast’s fault. It’s Ben’s fault. It’s your fault.”
“Well, I’m not gonna pretend anymore,” she sighed, feeling a twinge of remorse for not telling her friends goodbye, “I don’t belong in Auradon. I never did. I mean, heck, I enjoy these little games we play.” She let his hat drop to the floor and smashed it with her boot. “But your problems are not my fault!”
“That’s what we learned over there,” she continued, suddenly storming towards him, driving him backwards with blazing green eyes, “We’re all responsible for our own actions. You blew it, now deal with it!”
“You’re a fool.” he retorted, tripping over a chair as he stumbled backwards, “Your mother was gonna rule the world. You would’ve been right there with her.”
The purple-clad girl snorted, “Mom wanted to rule alright, but she never intended for me too. I was her big disappointment, remember?” She shook her head, rolling her eyes, “I couldn’t see it then, but you guys just use, abuse, and throw away—even your own kids.” Jumping to the top of a desk, she kicked another chair at him, “Well, not anymore. I’m going home.”
“You think you’ll get away that easy?” He jumped out of the way like a cat. Then, as she landed on the floor, he sprung forward and muscled her all the way to the wall, “You might have been my worst student, but you’re still a student.”
*o*o*0*o*o*
“There’s no way I’m going to let dad stop her from going back.” Freddie muttered, unconsciously balling her fists as they arrived in front of Dragon Hall, “I’m not gonna let him ruin us like that!”
“Yeah, but what if she won’t come back?” Jay looked grieved, “She didn’t come back last time. What if—”
“Then I’m gonna stay.” Evie answered simply, “I won’t leave her here alone again.”
“But you need Auradon!” Carlos was aghast, ”More than any of us. And they need you.”
“I promised her this morning,” Evie frowned at him, “Dizzy too.” Reaching out, her voice cracked a little, “Listen guys, you two are my brothers—and Freddie you’re my friend—so I’m gonna tell you what I told her last time. If we live here and you guys go back, it doesn’t change anything. The space between here and there doesn’t exist. If you ever need us, we’ll be there.”
“Well, I know I’m not going anywhere,” Carlos was firm, “If you’re staying; I’m staying.”
“Me too.” Jay agreed, “I don’t even need to think about it.”
*o*o*0*o*o*
Gil and Harry heard every word then scurried back to the Chip Shop to find Uma doing evening chores.
“Guess what, Guess what?” the brown-clad boy dashed through the door, “If Mal doesn’t go back to Auradon, they’re all gonna stay here!”
The green-clad girl glared at him from behind the counter, her lips firmly pressed together, waiting for more information.
“It’s true,” Harry confirmed, coolly sauntering up to the counter. He pressed his hook into the counter, making a little dent, “Apparently, Mal is holed up at Dragon Hall with Dr. F so they went to see what she’s going to do.”
“We’re in a better position now.” Uma answered slowly, calculating the balance of power on the Isle if the purple-clad girl and her gang returned, “They’re not taking an inch of ground from us.”
“Hey, I know,” Gil suddenly lit up, “Let’s go to Dragon Hall and convince her to stay. Then the AKs will probably come back and we’ll catch em all!”
Uma gave Harry a disbelieving look, “You know…he might actually be onto something…”
*o*o*0*o*o*
The situation in the great room hadn’t changed for the better when Fairy Godmother stuck her head back into the room. Beast was still raging, Belle was still trying to soothe him, and everyone else still looked shell-shocked.
“Um, excuse me…” she interrupted, her face red as an apple.
“You—” Beast howled, pointing his finger at her, “You’re responsible for this! I thought I told you—”
“Dear—” Belle anxiously shook him, vainly trying to get his attention, “Dear, stop. She might have—”
He lunged to his feet, beyond hearing sense, and stalked towards Fairy Godmother with rage in his eyes, “Our children are—”
“Easy, easy, there,” Shang, Philip, and Prince Charming scrambled to hold him back, “Think man, think about what you’re doing!”
“Yen Sid just called for the limos!” Jane’s mother blurted out, her voice squeaking a little, “He said everyone is safe.”
“Wonderful!” Doc bounded to his feet, “I knew our kids would come though!”
Grumpy snorted, “Was there any doubt?”
“See, we told you!” Aurora, Cinderella, Mulan, and Belle jumped up and threw their arms around their husband’s necks, “We told you!”
“I’m soooo happy right now!” Bashful blurted out, bouncing off a couch and pumping his fists in the air.
“Me too!” Happy exclaimed.
“It’s a dream come true!” Alice swooned into Genie’s arms.
As the celebrations continued, Fairy Godmother quietly closed the door and slipped away. Her face was damp with tears but she beamed with pride that her final official act had brought so much joy to the kingdom.
“Fairy Godmother?” Beast caught up with her at the end of the hall, “I-I behaved badly…will you forgive me?”
“Of course.” she embraced him tightly, “I’m just glad they’re safe.”
“Me too.” he choked up, “By the way, I’m resending what I said earlier and I’ll make it official when the kids are here to see it.”
“Oh, there’s no need…”.
“Oh, yes there is!”
*o*o*0*o*o*
“Can’t we wait for them?” Ben pleaded, standing by the window as two limos pulled up, “You promised to give them a half hour!”
Yen Sid’s heart went out to him. He wanted Mal back in Auradon too. He wanted all his VKs in Auradon.
“I’m sorry, your majesty,” he bowed his head slightly, “But you need to go home—your parents, Jane’s mother, in particular—”
“Of course,” Ben frowned at his selfishness, glancing at Jane, “I’m so sorry about all this.”
She frowned, not caring how selfish she felt, “I’m not. Mom will be fine. I’m staying until our friends come back!”
Her words inspired them and, for a moment, hope returned. Then there was a heavy knock on the door and everyone deflated again.
“I’m sorry we won’t get to fight now,” Big Murph gave Lonnie a shy glance.
“You never know,” she gave him a small smile, “We live just across the strait, you know.”
“I’ll definitely look into it, Big Murph,” Ben grinned, gripping the good pirate’s thick shoulders, “Maybe we can work something out when Mal gets here.”
“It’d bring top rating on TV, for sure.” Chad laughed, slapping Big Murph’s back.
Peeking around the thick purple drapes for the hundredth time, Doug brought them back to reality. “I-I don’t see them,” he croaked, turning away to rub his glasses, “Th-they’re not coming.”
“How much time is left?” Ben turned remorseful eyes on Yen Sid.
“Not much, your majesty,” he murmured, glancing at the burly limo drivers.
“Mom will be fine,” Jane read his thoughts, her deep blue eyes boring into his soul, “She wants them back too.”
“Mom and Dad love Mal!” Ben agreed, feeling another surge of hope, “They love all of them. Everyone loves them. They’ll be so disappointed if they don’t come back!”
“We’ll all be disappointed if they don’t go back.” Yzla muttered, joining Doug at the window.
“I’ll say!” Claudine agreed, “I like having them there to set an example for us. It gives me more confidence.”
“Yeah!” Jace spoke up, “Aunt Cruella gives us grief whenever we go wash her coats and car.”
“But we stick with it because we see Carlos being good in Auradon.”
“Dad gives me grief too,” Hadie grumbled, “I can’t imagine what he’ll be like if Mal really moves back for good.” His scowl deepened, “I know I didn’t think this time was for good.”
“Me either…” Hermie Bing sighed.
“Then we can’t let that happen!” Audrey smashed her fist firmly into her palm.
“But what can we do?” Ally asked.
*o*o*0*o*o*
“Good evening, Dr. F.” Evie led the little troupe into the Sorcerer’s classroom, startling the two opponents just as the headmaster was going for the throat, “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“What are you guys doing here?” Mal eyes were wide with alarm.
“Just hanging out with my friends.” Carlos answered, throwing an arm around both Evie and Jay.
“I’m with the three people I love most,” Jay added, swaggering up to the wall. He gave Dr. Facilier a smirk, “What up, Dr. F?”
“The three people you love most?” Freddie muttered, crossing her arms over her chest as she stepped up behind her dad, “Gee, thanks.”
“No hard feelings.” Jay grinned at her.
“Of course not,” she grinned as Dr. Facilier turned, “You’re not looking so hot tonight, Dad. Maybe you oughta take a hike.”
“Ugh,” he scowled at them, “I was doing just fine until you all started talking about love.”
“But, love is all we’ve got!” Carlos retorted. He and Evie joined their friends, trapping the old villain in a circle.
“Well, maybe you oughta leave if you don’t like it.” Freddie answered softly, stepping back just enough to let him run.
“I’d take that offer if I were you.” Mal’s eyes burned green with new confidence, “because it ain’t gonna get better for you around here tonight.”
“Until we meet again!” the old villain suddenly sang out, springing forward like a jackrabbit, “I just remembered I have to get back for a date!”
“Ugh,” Freddie muttered, watching his leave “Not Madame Medusa again…”
“Okay,” Mal had her hands on her hips as the heavy door banged shut, “Why aren’t you guys going back with ‘em?”
“You know why.” Jay answered.
“Look, Mal,” Carlos added, before the purple-clad girl could speak, “What we said before, about going through so much together, we meant it. None of us are gonna leave you here alone again.”
“You know where I stand in this,” Evie reiterated, “But I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you that we believe in you. We believe in what you and Ben have together. We believe that you can be more than just queen of this Isle.”
“And just so you know,” Freddie added, “The AKs believe in you too. They wanted to come with us but Yen Sid wouldn’t let them.”
“Well, at least someone has some sense around here.” Mal snorted softly.
“Is that your final answer?” Jay asked.
He raised his eyebrows with his heart in his throat.