CHAPTER 9

Mal walks in through the doors of the Chip Shoppe. Ally watches from the counter in shock.

"I'm  back," Mal says with a smirk.

"Loser, party of one. Right this way, please," Uma says before kicking a chair at her. Mal catches it before sitting down.

"Place still stinks," Mal says as she scrunches her nose.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We're down a butler today... Princess," Uma retorts.

"Where is he?" Mal asks as she worries about Ben.

"You know, I've dreamed of this. You wanting something from me, and me watching you squirm like a worm on a hook," Uma says with a smirk.

"I'm so flattered that you dream of me. I haven't given you a thought since I left," Mal retorts causing Uma to bang her fist on the table.

"Obviously. You have your perfect, little life, don't you?" Uma says before turning to everyone else. "Doesn't she have the perfect, little life? And we're 20 years into a garbage strike."

"Listen, if you have some kind of score to settle with me, game on," Mal says. "I see no need to bring Ben into this."

"You captured the king," Ally asks Uma shocked as she walks over. Mal looks at Ally shocked that she is at Uma's.

"It may be a little unnecessary, but, oh, it is so much fun," Uma says with a laugh. "Here's the deal."

"Just like your mother, always a catch," Mal says with a smirk before Uma sits in front of her.

"If you win..." Uma says as she holds her hand up. "Ben is free to go. " Mal holds her hand up. "Hmm? Don't you want to know what I get if I win?"

"Still dreaming," Madi tells her.

"Mm. Last time I checked, your mother thought she had things all sewn up, too, huh? How'd that work out for her again?" Uma retorts causing Mal to glare at her.

"Uma!" Ally says in warning.  "On three." Mal grabs Uma's hand as Ally places her hand on top of theirs. "One. Two. Three," Ally moves her hand before they start arm wrestling.

"You know, that whole princess act? Ugh. Never bought it for a second. You can stick a tiara on a villain, but you're still a villain," Uma attempts to taunt.

"And you can slap a pirate hat on, but you're still Shrimpy," Mal quickly retorts causing Uma to get distracted and Ally to smile. Mal's eyes turn green, Mal starts to bring Uma's hand down.

"If I win... you bring me the wand," Uma says causing Mal to look at her in shock, losing her green eyes and Uma slams Mal's hand down, winning. "Now... if you want beasty boy back, bring me Fairy Godmother's magic wand to my ship tomorrow at 12:00 noon... sharp." Uma starts to walk away before she turns back around. "Oh, and if you blab... you can kiss your baby goodbye." Uma blows Mal a kiss before walking away.

"I'm so glad you're back and I'm so sorry, I had no idea she was planning something like this," Ally explains to Mal.

"It's okay, I believe you," Mal says before she and Ally hug.

"Are the others here?" Ally asks and Mal nods before they leave to fill in the others.

"Ally!" Jay says as he quickly hugs her when she and Mal show up. "I've missed you so much." Mal then fills everyone in.

"There's no way we're gonna give Uma the wand. We can't just let her destroy Auradon," Evie says as Mal  paces around.

"Uma doesn't get the wand, then Ben is toast, guys," Ally says.

"Right, so, we're gonna give Uma, of all people, the wand," Jay says before he, Evie, Carlos, and Ally start arguing.

"Wait! You guys!" Mal says getting their attention. "Your 3D printer."

"A phony wand?" Carlos says with a smile.

"Yes!" Mal cheers.

"In my sleep," Carlos agrees as Ally looks at them confused.

"And the second Uma tests it, she'll know it's fake," Evie says with doubt.

"Well, okay, so then we just get Ben out really fast. We need some kind of diversion," Ally plans.

"Smoke bombs!" Jay says.

"That's perfect. I'll get the chemicals I need from Lady Tremaine's place. That could work," Evie says finally on board as she walks over to Mal. "Oh, and sick hair, by the way. Evil Stepmom seriously stepped up her game."

"Okay, do you want to know something?" Mal asks as she plays with her hair. "Dizzy did this."

"Little Dizzy? Shut up!" Evie says excitedly.

"I know. I'm, like, loving it. It's, like, a lot lighter," Mal explains.

"Really proud of her," Evie says.

"Hello?" Carlos calls as Jay clears his throat.

"Right. Carlos, Jay, Ally, you guys meet us at Pirates Bay no later than noon. And, you guys, losing... not an option," Mal explains. "Cause we're rotten..."

"To the core," Everyone finishes.

"Let's do this," Evie says before they all leave.

"Hi. Oh, I'm sorry I'm so late, Dude. Ben got captured," Carlos says as he picks Dude up on the way to his room.

"Don't. Why is our door open?" Jay says as he looks ahead.

"You've got to be kidding me," Carlos says as they look into the room to find Chad using the 3D printer.

"I knocked," Chad says as if that would make it okay. Carlos sets Dude down before holding his hand out to Chad. With a frown, Chad places the key into Carlos' hand.

"What is that?" Jay asks as he looks at what Chad has been making.

"Oh. That's a little Chad action figure," Chad answers as he takes it out of the printer. "Zoom! Well, minus the head."

"Sounds like an improvement," Ally retorts.

"Excuse me. All right. Here we go," Carlos says as he walks around Chad before pulling up the configurations for the wand on his phone.

"Why are you guys making Fairy Godmother's wand?" Chad asks as he looks over Carlos' and Jay's shoulders.

"Uh, why are we making Fairy Godmother's wand?" Carlos asks Jay as they look at each other in panic.

"Because, uh..." Jay tries.

"Ben's been captured!" Dude calls out.

"What?! Dude can talk?" Chad asks as Ally looks at the dog confused.

"I was stalling," Carlos yells Dude.

"I thought you forgot," Dude says.

"Don't tell anyone!" Jay says as he hits Chad's shoulder. "Ben's life depends on it."

"Really? So, if something were to happen, you know what I'm saying..." Chad starts.

"Something bad, we get it," Carlos tells him.

"God forbid. But if something were to happen, who do you think would be in line to be king?" Chad asks as he holds his action figure up beside his head.

"Is it me, or is that in really poor taste?" Ally asks as Jay moves to stand beside the door.

"I'm taking this," Chad says as he holds up the action figure. "And if you think I..." Jay closes the door in Chad's face.

"Thank you, Jay," Carlos says before turning back to his phone. Ally looks around Jay's side of the room as she notices a MVP trophy and a tiny picture of her, causing her to smile as she reaches up and grabs the necklace around her neck. She then walks out of the room with Jay following her.