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Words: 2,434
“Mom, Dad, as my first duty as King, I want to explore.” Ben said nervously, heart pounding his chest as he tried to keep his smile bright.
“Oh sweetie, you could have done that ages ago.” Belle chuckled. “You don’t need to be King to explore Auradon. The only place you haven’t been to yet is…probably Neverland.” Adam laughed, nodding in agreement with his wife.
“I don’t mean Auradon.” Ben took a deep breath. “If I am to be ruler, I want to know what I’m ruling over. That doesn’t just mean to Auradon, Mom…Dad.” He looked up at his father, hoping the man took notice of his earnest gaze. “I want to explore the Isle.”
“Absolutely not – “
“Do you even know what you’re saying –?”
“We keep it barricaded for a reason, Ben Florian Woolverton.” Ben forced himself to stand tall even when his father used his full name.
“And it’ll stay that way!” Ben insisted. “I just…I can’t be a fair King if I don’t know what I subject even my worst citizens too. There are kids on that island, just like me. What if they aren’t bad? What if they just need…that extra push to be good? I won’t let them onto Auradon unless I can get proof that they can change their ways, that they can be kind to us and us the same to them.” Ben walked towards the window and pointed out to the dark, cloudy island. “We call ourselves heroes and royals and good guys, but we reject the idea of second chances. Some of us fought for what we believed was right, and they fought for revenge or bloodlust. Their children might be able to change, and they deserve the chance to try. If I can go over there, change at least a few of their minds to good… Maybe that will give us hope for a bigger, better, just future. That’s the future I want for Auradon, Dad.”
“This…This is insane.” Adam shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Well…I only asked out of politeness.” Ben said, unmoving. “I leave in three days. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few people to ask to come with me.”
His palms were clammy as he walked out, but he refused to yield.
~~~
“You’re…That’s insane!” Audrey looked at him as if he was the Mad Hatter. “Like I would ever go there. Do you know what they’d probably do to someone as beautiful as I? I don’t want to find out.” Audrey opened her hands up in surrender. “I’m out, Benny boo. You’re cute, but you’re not that cute.”
“Same. I’m not setting foot on that disgusting island. Do you know how dirty it is? These shoes were just shined, I’m not scuffing them up for a little road trip to death.” Chad scoffed, standing up with a shake of his perfect blond head. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to meet up with Annie…Or is her name Elaine?” He frowned to himself before shrugging it off and picking up his bag.
“Chad’s right. It’s suicide. While you’re doing that, I’m going to go to my tea tasting ordeal with Ally.” Audrey flicked her hair over her shoulder as she sashayed out of the room behind Chad.
Ben licked his lips nervously, looking around at his remaining guests. Jane, Lonnie, Doug and Aziz sat in front of him, all in different stages of shock. Lonnie snapped out of it the quickest.
“You’re really going to do this?” She said, a tinge of excitement in her voice.
“Yeah. That’s the plan.” Ben laughed weakly.
“…I’m in.” Lonnie nodded, though she did look a bit hesitant. “I’ll admit, I’m scared of what will be over there but…I’ve always grown up hearing about how cool my parents were. My mother saved China, and then risked marrying a man she didn’t love just so my three aunts could be with my uncles, and my dad's a war veteran. I’ve admired them since I was so young, and the idea of saving kids from the Isle by teaching them to be good? I might just make them truly proud.” Lonnie gushed. Ben smiled at her.
“Thank you, Lonnie. I really appreciate it. I would be terrified to go alone.” He admitted.
“Well, you have me too.” Aziz rose his hand, giving a tight smile. “I heard Jafar’s kid lives there. Jean…Jay? Something like that. I mean, I’m the son of Aladdin and Jasmine. If I turned that guy to the good side, I’d be legendary back home.” Aziz said proudly.
“Uh…Thanks?” Ben furrowed his brows.
“I think the motive is a bit misplaced in this regard, Aziz.” Lonnie crossed her arms, hip jutted to the side as she reprimanded with a single look. Aziz opened his mouth before closing it with a reluctant nod.
“Yes, sorry, Lons.” Aziz stood up, giving a dramatic bow. “I would love to reform the Villain Kids out on the Isle. I’ll be your right-hand man, Prince Ben.” Aziz gave his father’s signature grin and Ben laughed.
“Thanks, Aziz.” Ben turned to Doug and Jane who seemed to finally be registering everything.
“So…”
“You want us to…”
“No way! I’m easy pickings to the goblins and witches over there!” Doug shook his head wildly as he stood, pacing. “They’d probably boil the flesh off my bones or stuff me in a pie.” Doug shuddered.
“You think you’ll have it hard? I’m the daughter of Fairy Godmother! One, my mom would kill me if I went to the Isle, and two, Villains always hold a grudge! They’d kill me just because my mom put the barrier up in the first place.” Jane stood up, picking up her bag in a hurry. “I’m sorry, Prince Ben, I really can’t come with you – “
“Wait, Jane,” Ben stopped her before she could run, “Look…I know it’s scary, I’m terrified too. The reason I asked you to come is because…You’re a good person. I think you would be able to break through to some of them also. And who knows, maybe this experience will be good for you. It might even help you become more…you, you know?” Ben knew the girl was shy, anxious and jumpy. He’d known her since they were children after all. Underneath all the fear and insecurity, she really was a sweet girl, and beautiful inside like her mother always said.
“You…You really think so?” Jane said softly, eyes darting about nervously before settling on the Prince, hopeful.
“I do. I really do. So please…Join us and go to the Isle.” Ben took her fidgeting hands into his, a kind smile on his lips. “You might just change a few kids lives for the better.” Jane’s lips twitched into a smile.
“Okay…Okay.” She nodded, taking a deep breath. “I’ll go.”
“Well…If you can even convince her to go…” Doug nibbled at his top lip in indecision. “Give me some time to think. You’ll know my choice if I arrive or not.” Doug pulled on the cuff of his shirt.
“Thank you, Doug. That’s all I can ask for.” Ben turned to the group of teens with a wide smile. “Meet me outside school after dinner, Friday. We’ll dress to suit the environment, go over our roles and…we’ll head off. But don’t worry, we won’t be completely cut off from our home.” Ben pulled out a small blue device with two buttons. “Left button calls the Auradon guards to come get us, and the right calls my parents so they can keep updates on us. We’ll be fine.” Ben promised.
~~~
Ben is seconds away from turning on his heel and running from the idea all together when Lonnie and Aziz jog up to him, arms looped with Jane to keep her from do the same thing Ben was prepared to do.
“We’re here! Don’t go leaving without us.” Lonnie grinned, eyes alight with the prospect of adventure. Aziz winked at Ben.
“We caught this little fairy trying to turn tail, but we caught her before she could.” He gestured to Jane.
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea…I mean, me? On the Isle? That’s like – That’s like me becoming a princess. Best it doesn’t happen.” Jane went to turn around again but paused when she saw Doug jogging up to them.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m coming.” Doug threw his hands up. “I can’t handle another heart attack because Chad keeps bringing girls back to our dorm. Snow White’s ditzy daughter, Sophia, just mistook my science project as toffee. I’m done. Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll find someone with brains on the Isle.” Doug ranted before looking at the group. “No offence, you’re all very smart, just lacking a certain self-preservation I just lost moments ago.” Doug sighed heavily as if he was light-headed.
“Well…Since we’re all here, I have these for you.” Ben placed a duffle bag onto the ground, kneeling as he unzipped it to take out five different outfits.
One was dark blue leather, much like Ben’s Auradon blue, and he placed it aside for himself.
“This one’s for Lonnie,” Her outfit was a leather dress in a dark shade of pink with one orange sleeve and one red. The collar was studded, and a brown belt was fastened around the waist. Along with it came ripped black tights and worn in sneakers, studded pink gloves completing the set.
“Awesome!” Lonnie beamed.
“Don’t forget this.” Ben passed her an old, crumpled pink sash. “Tie it however you want in your hair, as long as your bob isn’t so noticeable. It’s kind of iconic and I don’t want to take chances.” Lonnie hummed as she peered at the sash.
“I have a better idea. Anyone got something sharp? Preferably scissors?” Lonnie looked pointedly at Aziz who pouted.
“Fine, fine.” He pulled out a pair of hairdressing scissors and a comb from his back pocket. “How else do you think I get my hair so perfect?” He said like it was obvious when the others gave a quizzical look.
“Thanks, Az.” Lonnie took one side of her bob and started to cut around her ear roughly, using the comb to flatten it. Ben watched in shock until Lonnie finished, a rough, fluffy pixie cut replacing her bob. She tied her sash around her head, smirking. “Better?”
“Uh…Yeah. You look gre – “
“Horrible. Your style is so uneven it hurts. Pass.” Lonnie chuckled at Aziz’s antics and handed the scissors and comb back, letting him have his way with her hair. Ben shook his head with a chuckle, pulling out a green vest and faded skinny jeans, along with a camouflage green combat boots, a beanie and matching fingerless gloves. The vest was dark, zippers were the breast pockets should be and mismatched buttons along it.
“This is for you, Doug.” Ben passed it to the boy. “I figured it should work.”
“Uh…Where are the sleeves?”
“Just wear a shirt under it.”
“I will.” Doug assured, tugging his jacket off to pull the vest on over his grey long sleeve shirt. He pulled the beanie on but grimaced at how uncomfortable it was around his glasses. He pulled it off with a light huff, musing his hair instead with his hair to make it stick out and spike flatly. It reminded him of Doc’s sons, Aiden’s, bed hair before his cousin tamed it.
“Looks good. Barely recognise you.” Ben grinned playfully, actually having fun with this before he pulled out Jane’s outfit. “This, Jane, is for you.”
“Oh…Wow.” Jane said in slight surprise as she took the outfit from him. The dress was light blue like her own, but the skirt was leathery, and her sleeves were longer, if not a bit dusty looking. The jacket was more like a tiny vest, collar a faux white fur and ending mid-back with no buttons or zippers to close it with. Ben also passed her a pair of sky blue tights to wear under her dress, boots and proper gloves to match her skirt. “It’s gorgeous, Ben.” She really meant it. Her mother would never let her wear something so bold. She never thought she’d be able to pull it off in the first place.
“I’m glad. You and Lonnie can get changed in the car while I sort Aziz out, kay?” Jane nodded shyly, and Lonnie grinned, waving Aziz off to drag Jane into the limo. “Finally, this is yours, Aziz.”
Ben showed off a red jacket with blue sleeves, patchy and zippers all over, a pair of purple pants and combat boots. He added a pair of red studded gloves and snap back hat.
“Awesome!” Aziz grinned. “Love it, Benny. Let’s get sorted then, huh?” Ben shared a similar grin and nodded.
~~~
“Okay, if anyone asks, you’re all children of Scar’s ex-pride members, but don’t say you’re related to each other. We don’t exactly…look alike.” Ben looked at Doug. “Well…Maybe me and Doug, but that’s mostly the hair colour.”
“Alright.” Lonnie nodded. “So…Shall we get going? I’m pumped!” She turned to Jane, who was having her hair styled by Aziz. Aziz had already combed Ben’s hair back and hid it under the Prince’s beanie and styled his own into spikes with gel – seriously, the guy was always prepared for hair emergencies, it was insane. Or at least, Doug thought so. He had lived with Chad for two years in the dorm, so he knew a perfectionist when he saw it.
“Man, I wish I had my curl iron. You would look so good with curls, Jane. Really, you should grow your hair out.” Aziz tied both sides of her fringe into the pony tail he made and fluffed the excess hair around her fur collar to make it appear more volumized.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jane blushed at the compliment, looking down at her hands. “Who’s driving us…?”
“I’m the only one with a license!” Aziz gave a boastful laugh as he climbed into the front seat. “Then again, we’re going to an island filled with crime, so I don’t think it matters.” He snickered.
“Yeah, kick it before I chicken out.” Doug groaned, rubbing his eyes.
Ben smiled at his small group of friends as the limo started up, staring back at his home of Auradon in forlorn. He’d be back, of course, but he’d still miss it.
He hoped his father and mother wouldn’t be too mad if he came back empty handed, he thought as he fiddled with the communication device in hand.
1 BAD TURNED GOOD