CHAPTER 34

The next morning, Ellie and Ben meet with Beast, Belle, and Fairy Godmother.

"I think we all know why we're here," Beast starts. "The people are in a panic about Hades. He almost got out."

"Who knows what he would've done if he had escaped?" Fairy Godmother adds.

"We can't risk having another villain on the loose," Beast finishes.

"I really feel like this is my fault. I'm supposed to protect Auradon," Ellie says as she looks at Ben.

"You do protect Auradon," Ben tries to reassure her.

"Every time we open the barrier, we're exposed to danger. Maleficent, Uma, Hades," Beast explains before Ben's phone goes off.

"Maleficent's scepter and the queen's crown have been stolen," Ben says after checking his phone. Belle and Fairy Godmother let out gasps of shock.

"Uma?" Beast accuses.

"We don't know that, Dad," Ben argues.

"When the people hear this, they will never wanna leave their houses. What do we tell them?" Belle says before looking at Ellie. "Ellie? What do we do? How do we keep evil out of Auradon?" Ellie looks at her shocked that she is asking her to make such a big decision.

"I think that there's only one way to guarantee their safety. And I think that there..." Ellie starts explaining as she lets out a sigh. Her head was telling this would be the best option but her heart is fighting against it. "There can't be anymore going in and out. I think that we have to close the barrier... forever." Beast and Fairy Godmother nod in agreement.

"No," Ben says as he looks at her shocked.

"Son," Beast tries.

"No," Ben says as he turns around.

"Ben," Ellie calls as Ben walks away.

"No, no, no, no," Ben says as Ellie follows him.

"Ben. Hey," Ellie says getting him to stop. "I do not want to take away your dream. Because it was so beautiful. And it is why I fell in love with you. But as King, and as Queen what's our duty?"

"To protect Auradon," Ben answers her sadly. "But do you know what would this mean? All those kids? Are you prepared for that?"

"I know what it means and no, I'm not prepared for it. I just think that we have no other choice," Ellie answers him as she holds back tears.

"Son?" Beast calls causing them to look at him. "Ellie's right."

"I just don't think that we would forgive ourselves if something terrible happened," Ellie explains as she looks at everyone.

Ellie goes to Evie's starter castle, 'Evie's 5Hearts'.

"Who else knows about the crown and the scepter?" Mal asks Ellie.

"No one. I mean, think about it, people are scared enough as it is. We have to employ these entirely new security measures," Ellie explains as she lightly paces.

"Will this delay our bringing over more V.K.'s?" Evie asks her.

"We're talking about closing the barrier for good," Ellie answers her sister with a frown.

"But you said no. I mean, the five of us are living the dream here, and we finally get to share that. I mean, what could be more important than that?" Evie says as Ellie tries to hide her shocked look.

"Yeah. I know. I mean, maybe security or maybe peace of mind for everyone in Auradon," Ellie says trying to explain her reasoning without disappointing her sister and friend.

"Is that what they're thinking? And were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in or out of the Isle ever again?" Mal questions as hurt appears on her face.

"What, we never get to go back and see our parents? And what about these kids? We promised them that they could go back and visit whenever they wanted," Evie adds.

"Yeah, I know," Ellie says sadly as she starts to kind of regret her decision.

"El, I am so glad that you are going to be Queen. You will be a part of these conversations, you will stand up for the V.K.s. Thank you for telling us," Evie says before hugging Ellie, who cringes on the inside.

"You're gonna be a great Queen," Mal adds before joining the hug. Ellie couldn't believe that she had just lied to them but she believes that she is doing what is best for Auradon and the safety of their futures.

Ellie walks outside with her gift for Jane, after changing clothes. Audrey then appears from a cloud of pink smoke.

"I was hoping you were home," Audrey says as she sees Ellie.

"Is this a joke? What are you doing with the crown and the scepter?" Ellie questions her as she looks at Audrey in shock.

"Well, I wanted them, so I took them. And you, of all people should understand that, Ellie," Audrey answers her before breathing in the power of the scepter.

"Wait, Audrey, stop! Don't use that," Ellie says as she sets the gift down.

"I thought you liked spells," Audrey says causing Ellie to look at her in shock. Audrey then brings the scepter back close to her.

"Okay, Audrey, you're better..." Ellie starts.

"Quiet!" Audrey yells.

"It's not a toy. It's dangerous," Ellie tries.

"I want to be dangerous," Audrey says angrily as she turns back to Ellie. "My life was perfect until you stole it. And then Auradon turned its back on me. Well, it's time for a little payback." Audrey walks away from Ellie.

"Audrey, wait!" Ellie calls out before Audrey zaps Ellie with the scepter.

"You think Ben will love you now, you old hag?" Audrey asks her, seeing as Ellie had been changed into an old hag. "You'll pay the price of what you did and so will all of Auradon." Mal, Jay, Carlos, Evie, and Celia run outside. "So long, suckers!" Audrey disappears in a cloud of pink smoke. Jay reaches over to help Ellie.

"Whoa! Mal, you might wanna think of a spell for that," Jay says realizing she had been changed.

"There's no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter," Mal says sadly.

"Well, that's a shame," Carlos says.

"Forget about me. Audrey's out for revenge. And all of Auradon is in danger," Ellie explains, knowing the danger that Auradon is in.

"What should we do?" Evie asks her sister.

"The only thing more powerful than the scepter is Hades' ember," Ellie answers her, causing Evie to roll her eyes.

"Oh! Like he's just gonna hand it over, if we went back to the Isle," Jay says sarcastically.

"And no one knows where his lair is," Mal adds, not liking the idea either.

"I do. I'm his errand rat. I've got the key at my dad's," Celia explains.

"You are coming," Ellie tells Celia.

"But I just got here," Celia complains.

"Ellie?" Dizzy asks as she and Madi walk out with the twins. Madi and Dizzy let out a scream and grab the boys as they see Ellie.

"Dizzy, Madi, stay here to take care of the twins. We'll be right back and everything will be just fine. Go inside," Evie explains before they go back inside. "Guys, go get your stuff."

"How bad is it?" Ellie asks Mal and her sister.

"You age beautifully," Mal says after she and Evie share a look.

"Now, let's just get you into something fabulous," Evie says with a smile.

"Okay," Ellie says with a smile.

"Come on," Evie says a she and Mal walk off with Ellie following slowly. Mal and Evie go back to help Ellie. "Okay. Oh, yeah, there we go. Okay. Almost there."

The VK's take their bikes before stopping by the water. Celia is riding with Ellie.

"Noble steed, proud and fair, you shall take us anywhere," Mal says as her eyes turn green. They then start driving across the water to the Isle.

Meanwhile at Jane's party, Audrey showed up and put everyone to sleep besides Chad. Jane escaped by getting into the Enchanted Lake.

"Hey, Jane. I'm on my way to the party. My meetings ran long," Ben says as he answers his phone.

"No, no. Stay where you are, Ben. Audrey's got the scepter and everyone's asleep. I'm gonna call Mom and tell her to get her wand," Jane quickly explains before hanging up.

"Is Ellie with you? Jane? Jane?" Ben tries asking before realizing she hung up. He was worried about Ellie.