It was now time for cotillion, and everyone was partying on Belle and Beast's yacht. Everyone was having the time of their lives—everyone except Mal and Azira.

Azira was breathing heavily, trying to keep her composure while at the same time trying to keep her powers under control.

"Conceal it, don't feel it. You got this Azira," she muttered to herself as she heard the music quiet down and saw Arin walk in front of her.

"Sorry for still making you go through this," Arin told her. "My mother and Aunt wanted you to have your time to shine before beating up my cousin afterward."

The two laughed, which made her feel a bit better. "Thank you, Arin. you really are a best friend."

Arin nodded. "So are you."

The duo held hands as trumpets began to play and die down a minute later.

"Presenting Prince Arin and Eliott princess consort, Lady Azira," Lumiere announced.

Arin sighed as he and Azira walked forward to face the crowd below them. Arin wore a simple but regal burgundy uniform with his hair perfectly straightened and combed. At the same time, Azira wore a red, orange, and yellow ombre dress with glitter down the bottom to make it look like fire when it touched the light. Evie, Jay, Carlos, Jane, Haidee, and Lonnie all clapped loudly for them as they walked down the stairs, causing the others to clap as well. Evie and Haidee walked towards the duo as they walked down.

"Are you okay?" Evie asked them.

"I feel...okay," Arin answered.

"I don't," Azira told them. "I feel like my heart is gonna explode out of my chest!"

Evie, Haidee, and Arin chuckled.

"It's okay, Azzy, it's okay," Evie said as they walked them to the others and they turned to wait for Mal, Eliott, and Ben.

"Presenting Lady Mal," Lumiere said, causing everyone to clap loudly as she showed up. She wore a blue and yellow dress with a blue cape draped across her back and a small crown on her head.

Lumiere walked up to her. "Work it, girl," he whispered to him, making her laugh a bit. After a minute, she walked down the stairs before being stopped by Belle and Beast.

"Mal," Belle said with admiration. "You look beautiful."

Mal smiled. "Thank you."

"We know we were pushy before, but we realized the truth now. You are the right person for our son."

Mal's smile became warmer and she thanked them once again.

"And luckily for me, she doesn't take first impressions." Beast jokes, causing Belle to lightly hit him and Mal to laugh.

Evie and Arin walked over to Mal.

"May we?" Evie asked, grabbing Mal's hand.

"Oh, of course," Belle smiled as the trio walked to the floor.

"You look amazing!" Arin complimented. "Evie, you really stepped up your game with her and Azira."

"Why thank you," Evie said, putting her hand to her chest while Mal just laughed.

"He's coming soon," Jane reassured Mal as they turned around to face the stairs.

"I hope so, this is so nerve-wracking," Mal told them.

"You're telling me," Azira shuddered, causing everyone else to laugh.

They then went silent as Lumiere took center again.

"Presenting Prince Eliott and King Benjamin," Lumiere announced before stepping aside to let the men take the spotlight.

Eliott looked calm but his eyes told them that he also looked nervous. He looked down at Azira. She had her eyes on him, but they were more mutual than they were loving. Eliott sighed as he and Ben walked down.

Ben just looked blank. He came out with a blank stare and he kept it as the two walked down, being followed by the faint music playing. Mal and Azira looked at each other as the men reached the floor.

"Go to him," Evie whispered to her before pushing Mal towards Ben. Mal and Ben faced each other as well as Azira and Eliott. The respective couples bowed to each other.

"I wish I had time to explain," Ben said as they all rose. Azira and Eliott gave each other confused glances until they all looked up on top of the stairs and saw Uma stepping into the spotlight.

Mal and Azira gasped. "Is that Uma?" Azira muttered.

"It is..." Mal answered, looking just as surprised.

Uma then walked to the floor. Ben walked over to her, grabbed her hand, and kissed it. When his lips left Uma's hand, Mal was shocked to see that Ben's ring was on her.

"Ben?" Eliott asked. Ben and Uma turned to him. "What is going on?"

"Yeah, Ben," Mal added, stepping forward. "What's going on?"

Ben sighed. "Well, when I was on the Isle with Uma, something happened, you know, it was like some kind of connection."

"Connection?"

"It was love!" Uma blurted out. "When we saw each other, it was like we were meant to be together forever."

Mal gasped in horror. "Ben," Mal called out, but they ignored her, complimenting each other. "Ben!" They looked at her. "Did-did you go back for her?"

Ben tried to speak, but Uma got to it first. "He didn't have to," she said. "I jumped through the barrier as it was closing and I'm a really good swimmer."

"You are," Ben complimented as their foreheads touched.

"Thank you," Uma giggled.

"Ah," Eliott muttered, making Azira and Arin look at him. "If I was that big of a douche then I am so sorry. Genuinely mean it."

Azira sighed. "You were," she admitted. "But you were stable compared to this."

Eliott winced as the trio looked back at Ben and Uma.

Uma reached for Ben's neck while Ben grabbed her waist. Once the music began to play, they started dancing together. Carlos sneered.

"Not too thrilled I risked my life for him," he said with Jay nodding in agreement.

"We're with you, Mal," Lonnie said as they continued to watch with Mal looking on with a tearful expression.

As they continued to dance the others had enough as Evie and Azira looked at each other before walking to Mal.

"Mal, let's go," Evie said. Mal nodded as they tried to leave with the boys and Lonnie following behind them.

Beast pulled Mal aside. "Mal we are so sorry," he apologized. "We never knew he was going to do this."

Mal tries to say something but her throat gets caught up and she just nods.

Jane then runs up the stairs towards Lumiere. "Show them the gift!" she told him. "They need to see it."

Lumiere nodded and raised his hand for the music to stop, and once it died down, he began to speak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he announced. "I would like to present the portrait King Ben made especially for his lady."

The guards unveiled the gift, which was a stained glass portrait of Ben and Mal. Ben was bowing to Mal while Mal had her hand out to him. Her eyes were green and she was wearing a long, fluffy, purple dress.

Mal gasped once she took in the portrait. "Ben made this?"

"He did," Azira said with a smile.

"He knew who I was all along,"

"True love," Evie smiled while she squeezed Mal's side.

"Told you," Carlos said, causing the girls to laugh.

Jay nudged Eliott. "You couldn't do that?"

Eliott pursed his lips. "Actually, I did," he said before pulling out a box. "It's not as big as a portrait, but I think you'll like it, well, accept it."

Azira took the box and was surprised when she saw an orange necklace with a sun jewel on it. Azira gave the box to Evie as she picked up the necklace.

"Since my handmade gifts aren't usually here to stay, I thought an actual gift would."

Azira lifted the necklace for everyone to see. She was amazed by it, but she was also looking at the necklace in horror.

This is the same necklace as the one in my... she shuddered. "It's too late," she muttered.

Eliott looked at Azira in confusion, but before he could say anything, Azira ran to Uma as she was going to Lumiere.

"Cover that back up!" Uma yelled at him.

"I will not!"

"Uma!" Azira yelled before bringing her voice to a small whisper. "Today's the day. Keep the role up for one more minute, please."

Uma was confused until she then smiled nervously trying to compose herself. "Uh, why don't you tell everyone the gift you have for me, Ben."

Ben looked at everyone before clearing his throat. "Uh, everyone, I have an announcement. Uma will now be joining me as my new lady and as my gift to her. I will let down the barrier once and for all."

Everyone except Uma and Azira gasped at his news.

"Ben, you're making a mistake-"

"Not now, Dad!" Ben yelled before murmuring.

Mal gasped. "Ben's been spelled."

"Uma found your spell book," Evie added.

"That witch!" Arin growled.

"Calm it, beasty," Eliott warned.

"Fairy Godmother, take down the barrier," Ben told Fairy Godmother.

"I can't do that," Fairy Godmother told Ben.

"I am your King,"

"Obey him!" Uma told Fairy Godmother, who gasped.

Uma then glanced at Azira, who gestured for her to calm down. Uma just groaned silently but her anger returned once Mal walked to her and Ben.

"Ben, look at me," Mal told him.

"No, Ben, look at me," Uma said.

"Ben, this isn't you,"

"Don't listen to her."

"Bring down the barrier, now!" Uma yelled to Fairy Godmother.

"I do not take orders from you," Fairy Godmother told Uma.

"Ben?" Uma looked back at him, getting mad.

"Ben, I never told you that I loved you because I thought that I wasn't good enough and I thought that it was only a matter of time before you realized it yourself, but Ben, that's me!" Mal gestured towards the portrait.

"Please," Uma said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm part Isle and part Auradon," Mal continued.

"Ben, eyes over here," Uma commanded.

"And Ben you've always known who we were and who we can be,"

"Don't listen to her,"

"Ben, I know what love feels like now," Mal chuckled nervously. "Ben, of course, I love you, I have always loved you!"

Mal then leaned in and kissed Ben. She pulled away after a few seconds.

"No..." Azira muttered.

Ben's lips slowly turned into a smile. "Mal," Mal smiled as the couple put their foreheads together.

"True loves kiss. Works every time." Evie stated.

Uma then glanced at Azira again. Azira moved away without anyone looking and locked eyes with Uma. She motioned towards Fairy Godmother. 'Get the wand.'

Uma looked at Mal and Ben before running towards Fairy Godmother. "Ugh, give me the wand!"

"No!" Fairy Godmother yelled. Evie was trying to hold Uma's arm back. "Guards, seize her!" she yelled, holding her and the wand back.

Azira looked at the commotion and groaned loudly before running to the end of the ship, holding out her hand, and making the wand come to her. Everyone turned to her with a look of shock.

"Azira..." Mal said. "What are you doing?"

Azira smirked. "You really thought I liked you heaps?" she asked before laughing. "You turned your backs on evil, but I will never be like you, worthless princesses. Uma, Elisia, and I will finally get what we deserve."

Uma smiled wickedly at Azira while the others were shocked.

"Azira...why would you do this?" Mal asked. "I thought we were a family!"

"Oh, I thought so too," she said with fake sympathy. "But you left everyone in your so-called 'family' and left them all to rot in that disgusting excuse for an island! You chose good, you chose them," she gestured to the Aks. "Over your actual family and never looked back."

"Isn't that what you also did!" Carlos countered.

"Oh, that was just a part of my plan," she said. "I would gain as much trust as I can get on this pathetic Bore-don, which means more hearts to break once this is over. Oh how revenge is fun! I multiplied the remote to the border so I could get in and out without anyone noticing I was gone."

"Is that how you managed to get letters to and from the Isle without anyone noticing? That means...you're the spy." Eliott said.

Azira laughed. "Well, better late than never am I right?"

Mal stepped closer to Azira. Azira noticed this and pointed the wand at her, making her step back.

"Don't come any closer, Mal," she snickered. "You don't want your little boyfriend to see you as an Icicle right?"

Mal looked at Azira for a moment, their eyes locked in a mental war. Then, Mal stood straight again. "You're right," she said as Azira smiled. "We did leave everyone on the isle, but you know how much we want to have them with us. You saw Dizzy, you saw how happy she was when she heard about Auradon. You don't have to become evil just because you want them to come with us, we're trying!"

"And have I seen that effort?" Azira asked. "Nope, all I've seen is endless parties, candy, and everything that's sweet and pretty. You don't care about them."

"Why do you think I left Auradon? To be with my family and to get away from all that!" Mal yelled before holding out her hand. "Please, Azira."

Azira backed away smiling as she shook her head. "Nah," she said. "I don't need you." she then pointed the wand towards the Isle. "do the deed, do your worst, break the barrier of it-"

Azira yelped once she felt something tugging at her pants. She looked down to see Dude tugging at his shirt. She growled and kicked him away. While she was distracted, Mal struggled to pull the wand from her. The girls struggled for what looked like three minutes until Fairy Godmother stood in between them.

"Bibbidi-bobbidi-"

"Shut up!" Azira screamed before throwing Mal to the side and blasting Fairy Godmother as she fell back.

"Uma! The water!" Azira yelled.

Uma ran to the ocean. She looked down just as Mal, Ben, and the others ran to stop her.

"Uma, stop!" Mal yelled as they came closer. "Uma! I know you, you are so much more than just a villain. Please, don't let your pride take away something you really want."

Uma then glanced down at her necklace, which was glowing. Azira took in a sharp breath, clenching the wand tighter. Uma looked at Mal for a moment until she climbed upon the railing of the boat and fell into the ocean, ignoring everyone's attempts for her to stop.

Everyone looked down at the water for a sign of Uma. They all completely forgot about Azira as she was smiling brightly as her plan was finally coming together.

Everyone looked to see a yellow light coming from the water until a huge blast of it erupted, causing them to step back a bit before going back to the waves once again. After a moment, Uma came back up, but this time, bigger and had tentacles. She laughed viciously.

"True loves kiss can't defeat this!" she shouted before swinging one of her tentacles at the boat, scaring everyone as they ducked.

"Everything's going according to plan," Azira smiled as Uma continued her rampage.

Mal then went to the side of the boat and started breathing heavily. Everyone turned to her as her eyes began to glow green.

"Mal?" Ben said.

Mal turned to him as purple smoke surrounded her. After a moment, the smoke disappeared, and in replace of Mal was a purple dragon. Mal jumped up, roaring loudly as Uma laughed.

"Come on, Mal," she said. "Let's finish this once and for all!"

Mal dove down towards Uma, breathing fire at her. Uma dodged it and tried to hit Mal with a tentacle, only for her to dodge that one.

Ben looked at the two fighting before he then roared loudly. Azira cringed at the sight. Ben stepped back, taking off his crown and jacket before handing them to Jay and Carlos and jumping into the water with a big splash.

People called out his name and were relieved once he floated back up. Once he came back up, he saw Mal and Uma facing each other.

"Enough!" he shouted. "Fighting is not going to solve anything!" He turned to Uma. "Uma, you are a leader who cares, I understand that, and you fight for what is right, but you have to understand that revenge is not the solution. Hurting others isn't the solution." he then looked at Mal. "Mal, I understand what she did is wrong but learn to forgive, please! You are more than this, both of you are. Find it in your hearts, please." Ben reached out to Uma, holding out his hand.

Everyone looked at Uma, who was silent. She looked at Ben and Mal, the latter of which roared at her, urging her to choose.

Azira held her breath tightly, watching Uma as she glanced from Mal to Ben. Then, suddenly a tentacle rose out of the water. The top of the tentacle was curled up and made his way to Ben. Ben, expecting Uma to surrender, placed his ring in his hand. Uma looked at the duo for a minute before diving into the water, giving them a sad smile.

Azira smirked, knowing what choice she was going to make, and was glad that it was the right one to continue her plan.

Everyone watched as Mal flew down to the top of the stairs. Once she was landing, purple smoke surrounded her again until it disappeared again, in place of the dragon now was Mal wearing a purple dress and her hair was in purple curls. It was the same as the portrait.

Azira smirked, crossing her arms. "Well, I'll say."

Evie walked towards Mal, helping her down. They had a little conversation before they reached the floor. Mal and Azira caught each other's eyes, Azira walked more slower as Mal stormed over to her.

Azira swung the wand around as everybody turned to her.

Mal's expression softened as she stared at her friend, well, the girl who used to be her friend.

"Azira," Mal said. "You're angry, I get it, but you don't have to take it out on everyone else. Please, you don't have to do this."

Azira looked around at everyone. Evie was angry, but she looked more tired than she didn't look angry at Azira, she looked more sympathetic. Eliott and Arin were still stunned while Jay, Ben, and Carlos had a look of frustration and understanding on their faces. None of them were angry at her, well, it didn't look like it.

Azira then looked back at Mal. She had a pleading look on her face. Azira glanced down at the wand again before walking closer to Mal. The purple-haired girl smiled, thinking that she was going to accept good, but was surprised when Azira stopped closely in front of her.

"Nah," Azira whispered. "I don't need to work for the good side for my plan to succeed." Azira grabbed Mal's hand. It wasn't tight, but it was enough to send a message. "And if you wait just long enough, it will, I'll be sure of it."

Azira shoved the wand into Mal's chest, making her step back as she caught the wand.

"For now, enjoy your party," she said, stepping back from everyone as her eyes turned orange. "Because it might be the last thing you do if you mess up."

Everyone had a look of terror on their faces as Azira laughed loudly before disappearing into a whirl of fire.

Everyone looked stunned for a moment until Ben grabbed Mal's waist from behind. Mal sighed.

"Are you okay?" Ben asked her.

Mal nodded. "I will be," she told him. "I just wish she didn't have to choose bad."

"I know," Ben said as they hugged each other.

Arin cleared his throat. "Uh, heh, is this a bad time to tell you that I'm hungry?" Arin asked, trying to light the mood, which worked as everyone smirked and laughed at him. He raised his fist in victory. "Did it! But real, I am hungry."

Eliott laughed as he and Arin walked to the snack table. Ben then walked to the middle of the floor.

"Let's party, huh?" Ben yelled as everyone cheered.

~~~

https://youtu.be/Q0kuJ3lPnPY

(Ben)

Looking back at yesterday

I thought I gave it everything

But still, there's so much road ahead of me

(Mal)

When I looked into your eyes

I guess I didn't recognize

Who we are and all that we can be

(Both)

Sometimes it's hard to find yourself

But it's worth it in the end

'Cause in your heart is where it all begins

(All)

We gotta be bold

We gotta be brave

We gotta be free

We gotta get loud

Making that change

You gotta believe (woah)

We'll look deep inside

And we'll rise up and shine

We can be bold

We can be brave

Let everyone see

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(Evie, Carlos, and Arin)

There's something special that I've learned

It's together we can change the world

Everybody's got something they can bring

(Mal, Jay, and Haidee)

When you take a look inside yourself

Do you wish that you were something else

But who you are is who you need to be

(Mal, Evie, and Haidee)

Sometimes it's hard to find yourself

But it's worth it in the end

Cause in your heart is where it all begins

(All)

We gotta be bold

We gotta be brave

We gotta be free

We gotta get loud

Making that change

You gotta believe

(woah)

We'll look deep inside

And we'll rise up and shine

We can be bold

We can be brave

Let everyone see

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(Mal & Evie)

If we all can do our part

We know that it can be the start

To bring about the difference that we need (yeah)

(Mal, Evie, & Ben)

I promise we can with this out

I promise we can see it through

Don't you know it's up to me

It's up to me and you

(All)

We gotta be bold

We gotta be brave

We gotta be free (wanna be free)

We gotta get loud

Making that change

You gotta believe

(woah)

We'll look deep inside(with your heart)

And we'll rise up and shine

We can be bold

We can be brave (we can be brave)

Let everyone see

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

(woah woah hey)

It starts with you and me

~~~

In the isle:

Harison is pacing around in front of the entrance with Harry and Gil. he stops as a bright light comes from the outside of the barrier. Once the light disappears, Azira gives the boys a big smile.

"Hey boys," she said before opening the barrier and letting herself in.

Harison walked towards her. "We saw what happened."

"Where's Uma?" Harry asked.

"She's down below, but don't worry boys when the time is right, she'll come back," she looks at her sun necklace. "I'll make sure of it."

~~~

In the ocean

Uma floats back up, looking at the yacht from afar. She turns around to the reader and gives them a little smirk.

"What?" she asked. "You didn't think this was the end of the story, did you?"

She then laughed as she descended back into the ocean.