Ava and Carlos made their way up the stairs and to the living room where they found Evie sitting on the couch, looking at her notebook that was filled with dress designs. Upon hearing multiple footsteps, Evie looked up and she smiled when she saw the pair, before quickly frowning. "Carlos, I'm sorry, but I have to take Ava for her fitting. Otherwise - " "I'd be dancing in my bathrobe?" Ava asked in amusement, a smirk playing on her plump lips. "Correct." Ava chuckled and she turned to Carlos. "I'll see you later tonight, yeah?" Carlos nodded and he leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. He then smiled over at Evie before turning to go talk to Harley. If Carlos could ask Ava to Cotillion, then surely, Harley could ask Jane to Cotillion.

Ava smiled while Evie's eyes widened and her mouth dropped. Before she could even utter a word out, Ava grabbed hold of her hand, and led the blue haired princess out of her house. As soon as the front door was closed, Carlos pumped his fist into the air, a smile on his face, and Harley smirked over at the boy. Once outside, Evie exploded.

"What was that?!"

Ava chuckled at her friend's excitement and looped their arms together. They began walking, and Ava promised to tell Evie when they got to the room, where she would also tell Mal. Evie wanted to know in an instant, so she began dragging Ava as she ran back to their dorm. Ava yelped before laughing at Evie's excitement, and easily began running with the girl.

They quickly arrived to the dorm, and Evie forced the door open with so much force, Ava was surprised that the door didn't break.

"Mal!" Evie yelled.

"Mal, you won't beli - Mal?"

However, the room was empty and a lot more messy than usual. Clothes were thrown on Mal's bed, and Ava noticed that Maleficent - who lived in a lizard tank - was no longer there. The worst immediately came to mind, but Ava caught eyes with a white envelope. She pulled Evie over to the desk and Ava picked up the envelope.

It was rather heavy, and when Ava opened it, she knew why. Inside, sitting above a letter, was the ring that once belonged to Mal. The same ring that Ben gave Mal on the day of Coronation.

Ava fiddled with the ring as Evie read the letter aloud. Both girls paused and frowned when Evie read the last line.

"Mal's gone?"

Evie only nodded and Ava put on her glasses. "E.D.I.T.H., check every surveillance camera and look for Mal."

"There's no sign of her. I have video of Mal leaving Auradon and going back to the Isle. Shall I bring it up for you?"

"Please."

E.D.I.T.H. then projected a screen in front of the two girls and they watched the video. It showed Mal on her scooter, the one that Ben gave her. Mal had stopped before a cliff and Evie gripped onto Ava's hand. Mal said a spell and both girls gasped when Mal went over the cliff. They then calmed down when they saw her driving on the water, as if it were a road.

The video then ended and the two girls looked at one another. "What do we do?" Evie asked as she felt herself wanting to panic. Her best friend went back to the Isle, and she didn't know what to do. Ava noticed the signs of an upcoming panic attack - having quite a few of them herself - so, she quickly placed her hands on Evie's shoudlers.

"Evie? It's okay, calm down. Focus on my voice. Okay? Focus on me. Focus on my voice. Take a deep breath in - " Evie did as told, " - and out." They repeated the process until Evie felt herself much more calm. "How - how did you - "

"You were going to have a panic attack. I get them a lot. Not fun, huh?"

Evie shook her head and Ava gave the girl a sympathetic smile.

"Okay. We're going to go tell Ben. I'm sure he will know what to do. Whatever it takes, we will get Mal back. Okay? And if I have to swing over to the Isle, web her up, and force her to come back, then I will. Mal is family. You don't turn your back on family - you help them. It's what we should've done in the first place."

Evie nodded before pulling Ava into a hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, let's go find the King."

🕸 🕸 🕸 🕸 🕸

As soon as the guards saw Ava and Evie, they let the two girls - who were best friends with Ben - into the castle. Ava led Evie down many corridors before they came to a stop in front of Ben's room. Ava knocked on the wooden door, and opened it, revealing the two girls. "Ben?" Ava called out as she peered inside.

"Ava. Evie. Come on in."

The two walked in, and Ava decided to break the news. "Mal's gone back to the Isle." She saw Ben's face fall and she felt her heart break for her best friend. They walked over and Evie gave Ben the note as Ava gave Ben the ring he gave Mal on Coronation six months ago. Evie put her head down as Ava fought back tears. She's tired of losing people.

"This is my fault. This is my fault. I - I blew it!" Ava's heart sank even more. "She's been under so much pressure lately, and instead of being understanding, I just went all Beast on her!" Evie felt her eyes watering again and she gripped onto Ava's hand. "I have to go there and apologize," said Ben, realizing that he needs Mal back.

Both Evie and Ava turned to Ben, already knowing that it would be bad if the King went to the Isle. Especially alone. "I have to go there and beg her to come back," Ben finished. "Ben, you'll never find her. You need to know the Isle and how it works," Evie told the King. "Yeah, it's like a mission. You need to know who you're up against and you'll need a plan. You won't make it if you just go to the Isle with nothing," informed Ava as she began to pace around the room. Ben looked outside his window and over at the Isle. Evie knew what she had to do. "You have to take me with you," said Evie, causing Ava's eyes to widen.

"Yes! Uh, are you - are you sure?"

"Yeah," Evie swallowed, hard. "She's my best friend. And we'll bring the boys too, because their's safety's in numbers and none of us is really too popular over there right now. Ava - " Ava cut her off.

"I'm in. She's my best friend too. I would do anything for you guys. C.L.A.I.R.E., have O.R.I.O.N. prepare my suit, weapons, and have a limo at the ready," Ava told the a.i.. "Yes, Ms. Parker."

"Thank you."

"But let's get two things straight," Evie quickly spoke as she turned back to Ben. "You have to promise me that I won't get stuck there again. I know that Ava would move Heaven and Earth for us. . . But I need you to promise me, Ben." Ava walked over and she put a hand on Evie's shoulder.

"I promise."

"And there's no way you're going looking like that."

The two girls smirked at one another. As Evie began to get Ben's measurements, Ava was coming up with a plan.

"It should be easy sneaking in and out if we don't draw too much attention to ourselves. Evie, you guys will lead us to where you think Mal will be. From there, Ben convinces Mal to come back with us. . . Then we just sneak out and if anybody tries to stop us, I'll just web them up." Ava didn't want to express the one concern she has. She has to give them hope, after all.

"Evie, finish up with Ben. Meanwhile, I'm going to go tell the boys. We meet up at house at midnight." Ben and Evie nodded and Ava quickly left the castle. Running over to the boys' dorm, she knocked on the door and Jay quickly opened it. Inside was Jay, Carlos, and Harley.

"Mal's gone back to the Isle, and we're going after her. Meet at my place at midnight. Harley? Let's go. C.L.A.I.R.E., call Peter."

A/N: so, I got sick, but hopefully the next chapter should be up tomorrow.