Black Magic

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Celia, Uma, and I continue to eat Jane's cake.  We couldn't give it to her anyway, so might as well eat it.  Don't waste a good cake, guys.

Mal walks in and stops behind Uma, "That was a really good idea, to check Audrey's room. Now, we know that we're on the right track."  Uma stops eating and blinks, "Is there an insult in there that I missed?"  Mal chuckles and shakes her head, "Just... I wanted to thank you."

I grin, "I bet Evie would hate to miss this."   We all laugh.  Celia and I stand up, "We'll give you two some time to talk."  We leave the kitchen and Celia asks, "So...since I'm helping you guys...I'm the good guy right?"  I laugh and put my arm around her, "I have a feeling you were always the good guy.  I saw you with Dizzy and the twins.  You really care about them.  You're smart, resourceful, cunning, and a little queen."   She blushes and says, "Thanks Brie."

Suddenly, wood planks start forming on the doors, trapping us and making the rooms dark.  Celia starts breathing heavily.  "Celia, calm down," I say.  Uma and Mal call out to us.  "We;re trapped!" Celia yells and rushes to Mal and Uma.  Evie and Doug join us and Mal holds out her hands, "You've caused my friends pain and fear. We've had enough, now disappear!"  Nothing happens, "You guys, I'm sorry. My spells aren't working. Audrey's magic is getting stronger."  Uma pulls out her mother's necklace and she and Mal join hands, "You've caused our friends pain and fear.  We've had enough, now disappear!"

The planks fall off the doors and the sunlight comes streaming in.  I relax and hug Celia, who is still shaking.  Evie beams, "You did it! Together! This is what I've been talking about."  Uma smirks, "I guess my shell likes you."  We all snicker and Uma takes out the ember, giving it to Mal, "Why don't you hold on to that?"  Mal smiles and Celia goes to the door.  She looks outside and faces us, "Hey, it's your bae and your brother."  Mal and I face each other and race outside. 

"Ben!" Mal calls and embraces him.  Jay hugs me and Celia and I laugh, "You're crushing me."  He lets go, "Are you okay?"  I kiss his cheek, "I'm fine."  I walk over to Ben and indicate his facial hair, "What happened to you?"  Mal grins, "I love it."  Uma leans forward and points to his fangs, "What about those?"  I laugh, "Not bad.  So you went all Beast?"  He nods, "What tipped you off?"

We all laugh and Mal explains, "Okay, so, we all think that Audrey could be at Fairy Cottage. We have no idea where it is.  Did she ever take you there?"  He nods, "Every Fairy Godmother's Day. Where is Fairy Godmother when you need her?"  Jane looks sad, "I wish I knew."

"Don't worry, Jane.  We'll find her," I promise.

Ben says, "Doug! Go with Jane. We need to find Fairy Godmother."  Uma says, "They might need some muscle."  "Hey," Doug complains.  "No offense, Doug, but you got the brains...not the brawl," I say.

"Well, I'll go," Gil says.  "Yeah, actually, I would feel better," Carlos admits.  "Yeah, actually, I'd feel better, too," Evie agrees.  "Same," Mal replies.  Doug sighs, "Actually, I would, too."  Gil gives him a pat on the back, "All right, man. Let's do it.  Let's go, Jane."  She nods, "Okay."  They go to find FGM and we go to find Audrey.

That night

We all circle the Fairy Cottage and then burst inside.  But everything is quiet and empty.  No one's here.  Jay goes upstairs and shortly comes back down, "She's not upstairs."  Suddenly, someone starts pounding on a locked door.  We all look at each other and Ben and I open the door.  Chad is on the floor, his arms wrapped around his knees.

"Chad?" I say, surprised.  He looks between me and Ben, "I want my mommy."  I shake my head and Ben helps him up, "It's okay. What happened, buddy?"  Chad suddenly becomes aware of everyone staring at him.  He touches Ben's face, "Ben. Ben! Your face."  I fold my arms and he looks around, "She's gone?"  I smile stiffly, nodding. He looks at the door, "The door is open. I'm free. Freedom! Oh! Freedom!"  He runs out of the door, screaming into the night.  Harry starts laughing and I just shake my head at how chicken Chad can be.

We all leave the cottage.  Uma sighs, "Ooh. All right. Let's get this Audrey chick taken care of already."  We laugh and I say, "What do you say, girls? Time to wrap things up?"  Uma and I fist bump and Ben wraps his arm around Mal, "You know, someday, you're gonna have to tell me how you guys all got teamed up."  Evie says, "Actually, Mal and Brielle promised to let all the kids off the Isle once this is over."

I nod, "It's gonna be so amazing."  Ben looks at me then at Mal.  Mal walks ahead and turn to face us, "I have to tell you guys something.  Um...I lied to you.  The kids won't be coming off the Isle."  Jay shakes his head, "What do you mean?"  Mal continues, "The program is shut down.  And the barrier...will be closed for good."  Harry shakes his hook at her and Ben adds, "For Auradon's safety."

I blink, "Mal...Ben...come on.  Hades isn't a problem anymore and Audrey is almost taken care of.  And we're all getting along."  Ben clears his throat uncomfortably, "Actually Brie...since it was Mal's idea, she and I have the final vote.  And I agree with her.  So the program is shut down."

I blink tears of anger away and Uma says, "Hold up.  So we're saving our precious people and your behinds for a lie?"  She shakes her head, "I knew it was a mistake to trust you.  You're always out for yourself."  Harry says, "And you, King Ben, ah?  You're probably just gonna throw us all back inside."  Celia steps forward, "You know what? I actually thought you were brave. You're nothing but a chicken. Too scared to tell me I was never gonna see my dad again."

She takes the ember out of Mal's hand and drops it in a cauldron of water.  Mal grabs it and yells, "Regain your might and ignite! No...regain your might and ignite!"  She turns to Uma who looks at her shell.  Then she looks up at Mal, "Bummer."  Turning to Harry, she says, "Let's go find Gil and leave them all to rot."  Mal watches them leave, "No.  Uma!"  Mal turns to Evie, "Evie...I'm so sorry.  I'm sorry. I just...I thought that...I was afraid to tell you! I thought I was gonna lose my best friend! But I had to do something. I had to protect Auradon."

Evie looks almost as crushed as I feel, "Closing the barrier was your idea?"  Mal tries to defend herself, "I did it for us. I did it for our life that we have here now."  Evie replies tearfully, "For our life? What about the kids that we left behind on that island?  The kids that we promised? We were their only hope. I thought you were gonna stand up for the V.K.'s. But instead, you lied to them. And you lied to Jay. And you lied to Carlos. And you lied to me. We're your family."

We all turn away from Mal and she begs, "Evie. Brielle.  Guys, come on. I had no choice!"

The last thing I heard was a thunder crash and I was frozen in place.