Hidden Love

The Barrier Comes Down

CHAPTER 12

"Lumiere, unveil the gift. They need to see it!" Jane says urgently.

"And now for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece, designed especially for his lady," Lumiere announces causing Ben and Uma with Mandy and Harry to stop dancing. The horns play before a stained glass window is revealed. It is of Mal with purple hair with a crown, green eyes, and a purple dress with Ben kneeling in front of her.

"Ben did that?" Mal asks as she stares at it in shock.

"Yeah, he did," Evie answers her.

"Oh! Evie," Mal says as they start walking back down the stairs. "Ben's known who I was all along. Oh!"

"He loves the real you, M," Evie tells her.

"A true love," Mal says still in shock.

"Yeah," Jay agrees as he looks down at Mandy and Harry. As much as he dislikes Harry, he knew how much Mandy and Harry love each other.

"Told you," Carlos adds.

"Cover that back up!" Uma yells as Ben stares at the window.

"I will not!" Lumiere yells back.

"Um, uh... why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me, Ben?" Uma asks.

"I have an announcement!" Ben calls out. "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my lady."

"Son..." Beast tries.

"Not now, Dad!" Ben yells at Beast and looks like he is fighting against himself. "Uh, so as my gift to her, I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all!" Everyone gasps. "Fairy Godmother. Bring down the barrier." Mandy looks at Harry shocked knowing she had been played. Harry and Uma were trying to take over Auradon, not be a part of it.

"I most certainly will not," Fairy Godmother states.

"I am your king!" Ben yells at her.

"Obey him," Uma adds.

"Ben has been spelled," Mal says.

"Uma found your spell book," Jay adds and Mal nods.

"Just look at me," Uma tells Ben. Mal looks at the window and realizes what she has to do to get Ben back.

"Ben," Mal calls as she steps forward causing Uma and Ben to look at her. "Ben. Look at me."

"No, look at me. You love me, remember?" Uma says getting Ben to look at her.

"No, you don't," Mal argues.

"Yes, you do," Uma tries again.

"Ben, look at me," Mal says causing him to look at her.

"Bring down the barrier now!" Uma yells at Fairy Godmother.

"I do not take orders from you!" Fairy Godmother tells her.

"Ben?" Uma tries.

"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 that yourself. But, Ben, you that's me!" Mal explains as she grabs his hands. "I'm part Isle and part Auradon."

"Ben, eyes over here," Uma orders turning him around and he looks at her.

"And, Ben, you've always known who we were and who we can be," Mal says causing Ben to look at her.

"Don't listen to her," Uma tries again.

"Ben, I know what love feels like now. Ben, of course I love you. Ben, I've always loved you," Mal says before kissing Ben.

"Mal," Ben says with as Mal pulls away before they rest their foreheads together.

"True love's kiss," Mandy says with a smile.

"Works every time," Evie finishes.

"Ugh, give it to me!" Uma yells as she tries to grab Fairy Godmother's Wand.

"No! Guards, seize them!" Fairy Godmother yells. Uma and Harry run to the edge of the ship.

"No, no! Stop, please! Stop!" Mandy calls out to keep people from surrounding Uma and Harry.

"Uma, I know you. You are so much more than just a villain. And you have to believe me, because I've been there. Do not let your pride get in the way of something that you really want," Mal explains as she stands beside her sister. Uma's necklace starts to glow as Mal steps forward. Uma then jumps over the edge into the water. "No, no! Uma! Uma!" Everyone rushes to the edge and Harry is grabbed by guards. All they can see is the glow of the necklace before the water starts to swirl and rise up. The water then bursts sending everyone back as they are soaked. In the water is Uma with tentacles.

"True love's kiss won't defeat this," Uma says as everyone looks at her in shock. "The world will know my name!" Uma swipes a tentacle at them making them duck. She does it again making Mal and Mandy angry that their friends are in danger. Mal and Mandy walk away from everyone as their eyes turn green and purple. Uma laughs at her as they start shaking.

"Mal?" Ben asks worriedly. Mal and Mandy are then covered in purple and green smoke before emerging as dragons. Mal blows fire at Uma before Uma swipes at her with a tentacle.

"Come on, Mal! Let's finish this once and for all!" Uma calls out causing Mal to roar. Mandy blows fire at Uma before Uma swipes at her and she dodges. Mal blows a fireball at Uma causing her to duck underwater.  When Uma emerges from the water it sends a wave towards the ship.

"Watch out!" Ben yells as the wave comes. The wave soaks them while making the ship rock. Ben roars before handing his crown to Carlos and his jacket to Jay.

"Wait, Ben! No!" Carlos calls before Ben jumps into the water.

"Ben!" Evie, Jay, and Carlos call for him.

"Mal, Mandy, Uma! Stop! Back down!" Ben calls as he looks between the three.

"What are you gonna do, Ben? Splash me?" Uma questions him causing Mal to growl at her.

"That's enough! It's got to stop! This isn't the answer! The fighting has got to stop! Nobody wins this way! We have to listen and respect each other. It won't be easy, but let's be brave enough to try," Ben explains before turning to Uma. "Uma, I know you want what is best for the Isle. Help me make a difference." Ben holds out a hand to Uma. Mal roars as Uma raises a tentacle. Uma then puts Ben's ring in his hand. Uma gives a sad smile before swimming away. Carlos and Jay lower a ladder as Ben swims back to the ship.

"There you go," Beast calls before helping Ben over the side.

"Good job, man," Doug says before everyone starts cheering.