"Ben?" Mal called.
"Ha ha, this way!" Dude said, sniffing the air for Ben with me.
"Ben could be asleep anywhere," Mal said in frustration.
"Or turned to stone," Celia said as Evie covered her mouth.
"Ben!" Mal called, more fear in her voice.
"I got his scent. Very pungent cologne, easy to track. Follow me, people!" Dude announced.
"That's great, Dude," Jay said, trying to ease the tension.
"FYI, I give great cuddles too," Dude said.
"Really? I never really had a pet growing up. Well, except for the elk head in Dad's man cave, but I don't think that really-"
"Hold up!" Uma stopped us.
I turned and saw claw marks on the wall. "What's this?" Uma asked.
"Uh, any chance that this was already there?" Carlos asked Mal.
"And, follow us!" Dude said, continuing to walk ahead of the group.
"Where are you from?" Dude asked flirtily.
I barked at him. "Okay, okay. I'll leave you alone."
I followed the scent with Dude and led them to a pair of doors. Mal opened the room to the Hall of Knights, where suits of armor stood about six feet apart from each other. I looked curiously at a stain-glass window display of a baby in a yellow dress.
"Who's that?" Uma noticed the display.
"Claire, Ben's twin sister. Taken by a villain when she was a baby and hidden on the Isle of the Lost. Ben wanted to go look for her tomorrow, but obviously that's not going to be the case," Mal explained.
I heard Uma sigh. "I bet you lost some sleep thinking about me on the loose, huh?"
"No. Dragons don't really lose sleep. I wonder what fried octopus tastes like."
"Okay, cut it out." Evie came between them.
"We're celebrating our differences," Uma said.
We were gathered around a night and I saw Harry jerk suddenly. "I believe we're being challenged."
Uma put out a hand to stop him from talking. "Let's split up and look for Audrey."
"That makes absolutely no sense. Unless you give me the ember, she's going to spell you," Mal argued.
"Do you like a prince, Mal? How about a knight in shining armor? Or knights?" Audrey asked, her voice coming from the suit. A maniacal laugh came from the armor as the other knights sprang to life.
Watch your back, watch your back
Watch your back, watch your back
We can counter their attack
Hit 'em 'til the armor cracks
This could get a little sticky
How to win this battle could be tricky
But I know the best way
Fall back let me lead, you hold the line
And we'll bring them to their knees
Swords in the air if you're with me
They got us outnumbered one to fifty
But victory is ours
'Cause I got a strategy, you take the left
And the rest of you can follow me (uh-uh)
This is my crew
Well this is my squad
This is my turf
Oh my gosh, look guys
We've got bigger fish to fry
Put your differences aside
'Cause right now we're on the same side
Until the night falls, everyone
We'll stay together 'til the battle is done
Watch your back, watch your back
Watch your back, watch your back
We can counter their attack
Hit 'em 'til the armor cracks
Until the night falls, we're aligned
It doesn't mean that we're on the same side
Watch your back, watch your back
Watch your back, watch your back
Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast
They're too heavy to react
"Claire!" Uma yelled, grabbing a sword and throwing it my way.
I transformed just in time to catch it, fighting off a knight that almost instantly came toward me. I fought it off and pushed it to the ground. My eyes widened when a knight was about to attack Gil. I stood in front of him, blocking the knight's attack. I pushed it to the ground with my eyes glowing yellow.
All my soldiers stand at the ready
We can cut 'em up like confetti
We'll hit 'em from the front, you counter from behind
Don't forget the fate of Auradon's on the line
This is all out war, they got us outnumbered
The way the swords clash is the sound of the thunder
And we are not going under, we will never run for cover
We battle for the victory and ride for each other
Until the night falls, everyone
We'll stay together 'til the battle is done
Back to back, back to back
Back to back, back to back
We can counter their attack
Hit 'em 'til the armor cracks
Until the night falls, we're aligned
It doesn't mean that we're on the same side
Back to back, back to back
Back to back, back to back
Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast
They're too heavy to react
Suit of armor strong and true
Make this metal bust a move!
Until the night falls, you can trust
I'm gonna help you win this battle because
I got your back, got your back
Got your back, got your back
All for one, and that's a fact
Night falls pitch black
I took a deep breath, releasing the breath I was unintentionally holding. Gil hugged me tightly, and after a few seconds, pulled away. Uma took my hand, and we bumped shoulders.
"I see you kept the sword training." Uma looked at Harry and Gil.
"Of course I did," I replied before Uma's eyes turned to the group of four.
"You know what we should try? An icebreaker," Evie said between the two groups.
I turned and rolled my eyes, then turned back to Evie. "Harry. Great accent," Evie said, starting the icebreaker.
"Is she always this perky?" Uma asked, asking Mal.
"Oh, it wasn't your turn, but thank you." Evie smiled at Uma.
Mal eventually stopped her. We then agreed to split into the boys and girls, the boys looking for Ben while the girls looked for Audrey.
"Shouldn't I go with you?" I pouted.
"We'll find him, don't worry," Gil whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too," I whispered before heading over to the girls.
"Hi." Mal glanced at me as we walked out of the castle.
"Hi," I replied, trying not to talk to her.
"What Mom said in the beginning wasn't true. You belonged in our group," Mal said slowly.
I bit my lip for a moment, thinking about what to say. "Thank you?" I said, coming out as more of a question. "Let's just focus on this. We'll worry about sappy sorrys later."
"And maybe, I can show you your room," Mal added.
My eyes widened as I looked at her. I looked at Uma in disbelief and she shrugged.