Prompt number #26- you will go down with this ship. Descendants 2 set when Ben is captured by Uma.

When Ben had woken up that morning, he had no idea the day would end in his current predicament- sneaking onto the Isle of the Lost, pleading with Mal ( the love of his life but possible ex-girlfriend) to return to Auradon, only to fail miserably and be told by Mal she didn't plan to come back. Ever.

The other three VK kids didn't take it much better than he did.

Evie frowned in concern as Ben relayed Mal's decision. "I'll talk with her." Brushing past the boys, she hurried up the stairs to the hideout.

Ben made to follow her, but Carlos barred his way. "Mal needs to figure it out. You've said what you need to."

"Anything more and she'll run the other way on principle." Jay muttered.

Gritting his teeth, Ben relented. The last twenty-four hours had shown how much Mal hadn't told him, even after dating a year and a half.

"I'm going for a walk."

Carlos opened his mouth but Ben glared at the younger boy, causing him to take a step back.

"This isn't Auradon."

"I know Jay."

Jay shrugged, but his expression turned cold. "Watch your back."

Not sure if it was a threat or a warning, Ben stalked off down the alley. 'What do I do now?' If Mal continued to flat out refuse Ben's appeal, he couldn't force her to come back. She'd only hate him more. But to stay again on the Isle...

Ben looked around, taking in the broken windows, rotted doors, holey roofs, and piles of garbage sitting in the street. From what little he'd seen this wasn't an isolated run down area. The whole Isle had more in common with a trash dump than Auradon's cities. No one should have to live like that, let alone all the kids who'd been condemned to a life of poverty because of their parents' choices. Nausea churned in Ben's gut as he realized how bad life had to be for everyone on the Isle.

So lost in thought, Ben didn't hear footsteps approaching from behind.

"Well, well, well, what 'ave we 'ere?" Ben jumped, spinning on his heel to face the boy who'd spoken. "Ye must be lost, or else very stupid to wander so openly down 'ere."

Ben tried to figure out how to respond. Shadows shrouded the figure, but Ben could just make out a tricorn hat and long coat. That coupled with the accent screamed pirate.

"Well? Nothin' to say?"

Scrambling to remember Evie's advice, Ben shrugged as nonchalantly as he could manage. "Didn't see any names on the street."

"Hoo-hoo. Funny boy this one." The figure strode forward at a leisurely pace, but each step conveyed complete confidence. "Everyone knows this area belongs to Uma. Unless..."

He was close enough that, even in the dim light, Ben could make out his facial features. After a couple seconds the other boy's eyebrows shot up to his forehead. A vicious grin spread across his face.

"I must say King Benjamin, yer a long way from 'ome. And I thought Mally bein' back would top my day."

Alarm bells rang through Ben's head. He took a subconscious step backward, acutely aware he had no guards, friends, or even a weapon on his person. The pirate laughed coldly.

"It's dangerous on these streets. Best be comin' off them."

Ben finally managed to unstick his tongue and drew himself upward despite his pounding heart. "I'd already come to that conclusion so if you'll excuse me. . ." He made a move toward another alley when a tall, brawny shape blocked his way.

"Ya misunderstand me mate. Yer comin' with me." A sword manifested in the boy's right hand- and was that a hook on the other one?

Briefly squeezing his eyes shut to compose himself, Ben drew a deep breath, ready to shout for all he was worth. Hook Jr. saw and quickly tisked.

"By all means, go a'ead and scream. No one's gonna come. Or if anyone does, yer on an island full of people who'd love to take out years of misery on ya. Now," Hook Jr. walked lazily forward, entirely too much into Ben's personal space, and rested the point of his hook on Ben's chest, "would ya rather be a good little 'ostage or dead to rights?"

More shadowy figures clogged the alley. Ben fought to control his breathing as he scrambled for a way out. Even if Ben managed to get away from Hook Jr., he'd never make it away from the rest of this 'Uma's' gang. Gripping what shreds of dignity and decorum he still had, Ben gave Hook Jr. a level stare.

The other teen broke into a mocking grin. "I knew ya'd see it my way. Gil," he gestured to the largest shadow behind Ben, "keep 'im from makin' no trouble, eh?"

Before Ben could try to figure out what that meant, a large fist connected to his temple.

The cellar beneath Ursula's Fish and Chips was damp and chilly. Boxes of stale food and kitchen supplies stood haphazardly about the room. Uma avoided the cellar whenever possible, but today she had nowhere else she'd rather to be. 

Barely a day ago Uma had been spewing curses toward Auradon and Mal. Tonight the perfect revenge for both lay sprawled, unconscious, at her feet. Her mind raced with ideas on how to best use this opportunity.

"I could kill 'im if ya want." Harry offered from where he stood polishing his hook in the corner.

"Live bait works best, you should know that." Uma responded absently. Not that the thought hadn't crossed her mind. However, realistically, the repercussions wouldn't be anything Uma could handle.

"What then? The king for the crown?"

Uma snorted. "A crown without weight behind it? I'd only be setting myself up for the whole kingdom to come after me. No, something else. Something that people can't ignore."

They both were quiet for a couple minutes, until Harry offered, "What aboot magic?"

"Hm. Auradon did get rid of it when they got rid of our parents." Uma mused. Her fingers traced the seashell pendant around her neck. "They wouldn't have a true defense against it. Maybe big bad M was right. The Fairy Godmother's wand is the ultimate score. Though I'm hardly surprised Mal didn't have the guts to go through with it."

An evil smile grew on Uma's face. "I think it's a fair trade. The wand for the king. And with its legendary powers it should work this side of the Barrier! It did build this prison after all." She stood, unholy excitement shooting through her veins. "Go find Mal or one of the others. They've stewed over his disappearance long enough. I want Mal here at midnight. Alone. Send Gil in behind you."

Giving Uma a mock salute, Harry sauntered out of the room. With Harry gone, Uma paced back and forth between the boxes. This was actually happening. Soon the king and those prissy pricks in Auradon would learn what revenge meant. Gil's lumbering steps sounded long before he appeared. Uma stopped near the inert king, waiting for the grunt.

Gil poked his head in the room with a dopey smile. "Harry said you wanted me?"

Rolling her eyes, Uma gestured to Ben. "Tie him up and take him to the ship's hold. I don't want him here when Mal shows up."

An uncharacteristic serious look came over Gil's face. "His mom's the one that got Dad sent here, right?"

Admittedly, Uma often forgot Gil had any brain cells. Her first impulse was to say something sarcastic, but she held herself back. Most of the VKs had crappy parents (they weren't called villains for nothing). However, Uma wasn't naive to the bruises Gil showed up with from time to time that were too big to be from any scuffle among teens on the Isle. If Uma came into contact with any of Ariel's kids she'd want to punch them in the face, just to make a statement. Not because Ursula made a habit of hitting her. So instead Uma just nodded.

"Huh."

"I'm going upstairs to get ready for Mal. I completely understand if transporting the king is a little rough. It is quite a distance after all to the wharf. Just nothing permanent and nothing to the face. We don't want Mal too upset so that she does something stupid."

From the look in Gil's eyes, Uma knew he understood her meaning. Whether or not Gil had it in him wasn't a point Uma intended to pressure him on. Instead she flipped her braids over her shoulder and stalked out of the room. She had a showdown to prepare for.

Ben first noticed the incessant throbbing in his head. He groaned, the sound only reverberating through his brain. 'What. . .?' His thoughts wouldn't stay still long enough for him to grab them. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes, but something inside him warned against letting them fall. Instead he kept as still as he could and tried to center his breathing. Even that added to the ache in his head.

Working to ignore the pain, Ben attempted to focus on his other senses. The pungent scent of salt and dead fish indicated being near the ocean. His arms were secured behind his back, his left arm completely numb beneath his limp body. Weight around his ankles told him his feet were similarly bound.

Gradually the pain faded enough for Ben to remember what happened. He stifled another groan. 'This is what I get for trying to come after Mal.' Guilt quickly flooded him. Mal hadn't arranged for him to be kidnapped (as far as he knew. But he was pretty sure something like this wasn't her wheelhouse- anymore).

No.

It's what he got for not realizing how much Mal was hurting and disregarding her concerns. Then insisting on coming to the Isle even though the other VK kids made it abundantly clear Ben had no clue how to handle it. 'I am such an idiot.' Maybe even a dead one soon. That terrified him in a way he wouldn't ever admit.

Death probably wasn't what they had in mind, given he had woken up still breathing. However, as Harry mentioned, Ben was now being held prisoner on an Island full of people who hated him. Whatever the pirates had in mind wouldn't be good. Ben's imagination began to run with different scenarios. Taking a shaky breath, Ben shoved those thoughts aside. Panicking wouldn't help him now, no matter how much he wanted to.

Instead he pried his eyes open. Rough wood greeted his immediate vision. Ben groaned internally. Assuming he faced the wall, he'd have to roll completely over to see the rest of his surroundings. That sounded like a lot of effort. Listening carefully, Ben didn't think anyone was currently watching him- though to be fair his own heartbeat still pounded in his ears. Gulls cried in the distance, in time with wood creaking. Voices, loud and raucous, drifted from somewhere above him. Nothing close enough to make out the words though. With another deep breath, Ben coaxed his body to turn. The effort left him breathing heavily but he could see more of the room.

Illuminated by torch light, Ben could see three walls of wood, while the fourth consisted of crisscrossing metal bars. Beneath him the floor rose and fell. Letting his eyes drift shut, Ben could only assume he was in a ship's dungeon. If the situation weren't so dire he might have laughed at the ridiculousness of it.

Letting himself go limp again, Ben tried to think through his options. The pirates probably wouldn't leave him unguarded for long, especially if they knew he was awake. Ben snorted at the thought. Needle-like pricking ran through Ben's left arm with his weight removed, at the same time numbness began to descend in his right arm. Even if he got his hands free he would be lucky to maintain a grip on any weapon he could get his hands on, never mind coming to blows.

That also didn't account for the fact that, until Maleficent attacked last year, Ben had never actually needed to defend himself. Sure he had Tourney practice but that sport had rules and boundaries. Crime on Auradon was virtually nonexistent. Training for hostage situations amounted to "don't go to Isle of the Lost"- which the guards might have had a point on. Ben sighed. When this was over he was going to take Mal up on her recommendation of starting self defense classes. 

Heavy footsteps grew close. He involuntarily tensed. Then wondered if he could get himself upright before whoever it was came into eyeshot. He didn't fancy flopping like a dead fish in front of anyone. Despite the numbness in his arms, Ben managed to prop himself up then pull his torso completely upright before Hook Jr stood in front of his cell. 

"Comfortable Yer 'ighness?" Ben just rested his head against the wall. "Not feelin' chatty eh?" Hook Jr. traced his hook hand along the bars. A sharp screech followed making Ben wince. Hook Jr. smirked. "It's been a while since my 'ook's gotten any good use. If Mally don't come through, Uma's got lots of other ideas for ya."

Over the hammering in his chest, Ben reached for the poker face required during most of his council meetings. "You don't know Mal very well if you think so little of her."

"Me?" Hook Jr. placed his hand theatrically over his heart. "Who 'ere is followin' a gal to the slums after proppin' 'er up to be a princess? If she ran 'ere to get away from ya, which of us don't actually know Mal?" Ben couldn't deny the statement. Harsh laughter filled the cell. "That's what I thought. Ya should rest 'ighness. It's not long until the fun begins."

With a final smirk, Hook Jr. sauntered off. From down the hall he snapped something unintelligible, and two more large pirate teens set themselves down in front of Ben's cell. They glared at Ben, but didn't try to engage him in conversation.

Ben let out a slow breath. Even if he and Mal were. . . having issues, he didn't think she'd leave him here. If only because her pride wouldn't let this other Isle girl get the best of her. Ben just hoped Mal wouldn't do anything rash.

Auradon, and Ben, needed her now more than ever.

The night hours crept by. Exhaustion pulled at Ben's body, but every time he'd start to nod off noises from the ship or pirates on board sent jolts of adrenaline through him. Gradually light began to peek through the slats of the hold. When the sound of several sets of feet drew near, anticipation mingled with fear within Ben's heart. Whatever Uma had planned for Mal was about to go down. Hopefully, Ben wasn't going to go down with it.