The Right Side of Wrong

Part of the Solution

"'This?" she asked. "This island is a prison thanks to your father. And don't pretend to look out for me. Because no one's looking out for me. It's just me."

"So this isn't your mom's plan?" he questioned.

She scoffed at him, pushing her hair from her face and he noticed something else.

"Isn't that her necklace?"

"My mom doesn't care about me, either. Well, not unless she needs someone for the night shift."

"Ouch," Ben responded. "I guess upstanding parenting is common on the Isle."

"I don't need your pity," she snapped. "No one here does."

"No, you certainly don't," Ben admitted. "You're very resourceful... I don't see you tied up."

"All right. So let's trash talk Mal," she offered.

Ben saw through her ploy. In his emotional vulnerability, she could get him to spill secrets. So, he shook his head. "I'd rather talk about you."

"Mm. Funny and a gentleman. I really hope I don't have to feed you to the fishes."

"Well, you don't," he tried. "Set me free. And we'll go back together."

"Oh, so now I get an invite," she exclaimed, approaching him. "Gee, I wonder why... When you brought Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay to Auradon, that's as mad as I've ever been in my life. And trust me, I've been plenty mad."

Ben didn't doubt it. Uma looked like a powerful being. So, he tried once more to convince her of his sincerity.

"I never thought of it like that before. That I could've hurt the people I didn't pick. My plan was to start with four kids and bring more people over. I guess I was busy being king- That sounds lame... I'm so sorry. You're a leader, Uma. So am I. Come to Auradon and be part of the solution!"

"Me?" she blinked. "Part of your solution?"

Ben waited quietly for her to indicate that she would let him go.

She leaned forward, quietly saying, "Nah. I don't need you. I'm gonna get there on my own."

She smiled at him and Ben found himself drawn to her presence. She was powerful, alright. He could understand why these people like Harry followed her so devotedly.

He knew that one day, Uma would get off the Isle. He could only hope that when it came she had good intentions.

~ ~ ~

Evie and I could just make out the limo as it rolled over the magic bridge. We stood silently for several minutes, waiting for the boys to roll up. When they finally did, though, instead of Carlos popping out of the passenger seat, it was Lonnie.

"I'll get the swords," Jay told her, jogging to the back of the car.

"Lonnie?" I demanded.

She rushed over, wrapping me up in a hug. "I made them bring me."

I pulled away from her. "Jay?! What happened to not telling anyone in Auradon?" I yelled at him.

"Welcome to the Isle," Evie greeted her. "It's good to see you."

Jay and Carlos strolled around the car, a large gym bag in tow. "I didn't tell her," he insisted. "But she did provide us with swords."

He pulled open the bag so I could see the gym practice swords. The Tourney team often sparred with them.

"I guess weapons are good," I grumbled. "But hide those. The fact that I'm walking in there with all of you is bad enough. If Uma sees us with swords, she'll flip." I turned to Carlos and held out my hand. "Let me see."

He dropped the wand replica into my palm.

"You guys are geniuses," I complimented. "It's perfect."

I handed it back to Carlos and he hid it inside his jacket. He knew as well as I did that you never walked into a deal waving the bargaining chips. Uma wouldn't expect me to just hand her the wand... I had to argue first.

"Here's the plan. I'll walk up ahead. Carlos, you follow me with the wand. The rest of you, stay back. Evie, you got the smoke bombs?"

She nodded, lifting up her purse for me to see.

"Great. Lonnie, you carry the swords. Don't open them until the Uma breaks the wand. She'll catch on otherwise. Jay..." I sighed. "Don't let me get too frustrated and compromise us."

He chuckled, knowing full well that I would beat the shit out of Uma if she dared do anything unwarranted to Ben.

"And finally, no one step onto the ship. We stay on the dock for the entirety of the fight."

Lonnie raised an eyebrow. "Ship?"

"That's where we're going," I told her. "Uma's pirate ship. It's her territory. If you step over there, you are giving her the upper hand and playing offense in the fight. We're not here to make a statement about Uma's soldiers or her leadership. We came to get Ben and leave."

"It's noon," Jay said.

"All right," I sighed. "Let's do this."