Ben’s Point of View

The Isle of the Lost was as foreboding then I thought it would be. The air seemed to hang heavier, the sharp tang of salt and decay mingling with the cloying smell of burnt garbage. After the confrontation with Celeste, the daughter of Cruella de Vil, we reached the hideout. A decrepit alley led to a concealed entrance, accessible only by throwing a rock at a rusted sign that clanged hollowly in response.

I glanced back at Mal, Jay, Evie, and Carlos. Their faces mirrored the worry I felt. “Wish me luck,” I said, forcing a confidence I didn’t feel.

“All the way up,” Jay said with a nod.

“Good luck,” Mal murmured softly, though her eyes remained fixed on the crumbling steps ahead.

With a deep breath, I began my ascent. Each creak of the worn stairs felt like a warning. Nearing the top, a faint hiss reached my ears, accompanied by the metallic clatter of a spray can. I turned the corner and froze.

There she was. McKenna.

She stood with her back to me, her once Auradonian attire replaced by the edgy, defiant fashion of the Isle. Her hair was back to its vibrant purple, a far cry from the soft curls I’d grown used to seeing. She moved with a deliberate, almost angry precision as she spray-painted bold streaks across the crumbling wall.

“At least it’s not a picture of me with horns and a pitchfork,” I quipped, my voice breaking the silence.

McKenna turned sharply, startled. Her brown eyes locked on mine, filled with something between surprise and irritation. “Ben.”

“McKenna,” I began, taking a cautious step forward. My chest felt tight, words threatening to tumble out all at once. “I’m so sorry about our fight. It was my fault. All of it. Please—come home.”

Her expression hardened, though a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. She scoffed. “Ben,” she said with a bitter laugh, “I am home.”

“I brought the limo,” I tried, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “It’s a sweet ride.”

She sniffled, wiping her wrist across her face. “I don’t fit in, Ben. I gave it my best shot. But Audrey was right. I may have been born a princess, but I was raised a villain. And villains don’t get happy endings.”

“That’s not true.” Desperation crept into my voice. “I’ll change if I have to. I’ll skip school, blow off responsibilities—whatever it takes to make this work.”

McKenna shook her head vehemently. “No, no, no. See? I’m a terrible influence on you already. It’s only a matter of time before I do something so messed up that the kingdom turns on me—and on you.”

“Don’t quit on us, McKenna.” My voice cracked. “The people love you. I love you. Don’t you love me?”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I thought she might relent. But then her shoulders slumped. “I have to take myself out of the picture, Ben. It’s what’s best for you. For Auradon.”

“McKenna, please—”

“Ben,” she cut me off, her voice firm now. “Please go. Just…leave.”

I stared at her back as she turned away, her silhouette framed by the faint glow of her graffiti. Each step down the stairs felt like lead. When I reached the bottom, the others were waiting, their expectant faces falling the moment they saw mine.

“So?” Mal asked, her voice brittle. “Where’s McKenna?”

“She’s not coming back,” I managed, the words tasting like ash.

“What?” Evie’s voice rose sharply. “I’ll talk to her.” She moved toward a makeshift speaker and pressed the button. “McKenna, it’s Evie. Let me just talk to you for a second. McKenna, come on.”

A beat of silence passed before McKenna’s voice crackled back. “Go away.”

Defeated, I turned and walked away from the group, my thoughts a chaotic swirl of guilt and heartbreak. I didn’t notice the shadow trailing me until it was too late.

A sharp blow to the back of my head sent stars exploding across my vision. Darkness swallowed me whole.

---

Ivory’s Point of View

“Well, that was easier than I thought,” Vitani said smugly, tying Ben’s hands behind his back and slipping a black bag over his head.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at her. “Of course, it was. He was too busy drowning in his own heartbreak to notice us. Now, make sure he gets to Xavier in one piece—and alive. I mean it, Vitani.”

She rolled her eyes but slung the unconscious king over her shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”

As Vitani headed off, I turned back toward the hideout. The VKs were shouting Ben’s name, their voices growing more frantic by the second. I smirked, stepping into the dim light.

“Oh, hush. He won’t be answering,” I said, enjoying the way they froze at the sound of my voice.

“Ivory,” Evie said, her tone a mixture of icy and dare I say  nostalgia of the relationship we once shared.

I grinned, winking at her. “Still got that effect on you, huh, blueberry princess?”

“What did you do with Ben?” Jay demanded, stepping forward.

“We nabbed him,” I said nonchalantly, examining my nails. “And if you want to see him again, have McKenna come to the Shadow Arcade tonight. Alone. Xavier wants a little visit.” I turned to leave but couldn’t resist throwing one last jab at Evie. “By the way, that outfit really shows off your…assets.”

Blowing her a kiss, I disappeared into the shadows.

---

McKenna’s Point of View

The moment Evie told me what had happened, my anger boiled over. “If you guys hadn’t brought him here, this never would’ve happened! What were you thinking?”

“He was gonna come with or without us,” Evie argued. “We just wanted to protect him.”

“Yeah, and we completely blew it,” Carlos muttered.

“Okay, okay!” Mal interjected. “So, what are we gonna do?”

“We?” I repeated bitterly. “We aren’t doing anything. This is between Xavier and me. And now I have to go get Ben.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mal said, stepping in front of me. “You’ll have to go through Vitani and her lionesses. You’re gonna need us.”

“No,” I said firmly. “Xavier said to come alone, and that’s what’s gonna happen. I’ll be back.”

Without waiting for another argument, I grabbed my jacket and stormed out. The journey to the Shadow Arcade was a blur, my mind racing with every possible scenario.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?