Chapter 39: The Cotillion (Part 2): Who's That Girl?

Purpledolpin05: Well this ought to be an interesting and eventful chapter, as things get dramatic at the Cotillion. Also, the title for the chapter is mostly based off Hillary Duff's song "Who's That Girl" which seemed pretty fitting for the events of the Cotillion. Anyways, before we head to the chapter, here's some shoutouts for the reviewers: -

To Anonymousette: Thank you for the review, last chapter was certainly fun to write, especially for Jones and Max's previous mischief that summoned one of the underworld goddesses and destroying the school's West Wing in process. I felt like "A Night to Remember" from High School Musical 3 perfectly suited the mood of the Auradon teens and the VKs preparing for the Cotillion, and having Chad singing both Sharpay and Ryan's parts was very fun to include because he is sorta vain in appearance. The forever running gag will be January and Jayden being mistaken as Tracy and Jay's children that will not grow old anytime soon. Hope you will enjoy this chapter.

To PrettyRecklessLaura: Thanks for the review, hope you will like this update.

Purpledolpin05: Alright, Uma, do the disclaimer if you will

Uma: sure. Purpledolpin05 doesn't own Disney Descendants or the Malaysian Dream's OCs, she only owns this story and her OCs. Enjoy

Previously…

The Cotillion is around the corner. But when stress and pressure to fit in gets to Mal, she left for the Isle of the Lost after a fight with Ben. Meanwhile, Jay tried to practice asking Tracy out with Lonnie's help, but was mistaken by Tracy who thought Jay was going with someone else.

To get Mal back, Ben and a bunch of their friends (along with some stowaway children) followed Mal back, but unfortunately Ben and Jayden got kidnapped by Uma's crew while Dewey and January were imprisoned by the Coachman who has been hoarding and conducting one of the largest human trafficking syndicate on the Isle of the Lost.

The child slaves and the kidnapped royals were rescued; while Mal negotiated with Uma to release Ben and Jayden for the Wand. Now everyone is back in Auradon Prep and ready in time for the Royal Cotillion

Present timing

The Cotillion has begun, with many partygoers dancing in pairs. Some would stand by the side and chat with their friends.

Right now, Aziz and Lonnie are competing against Hayley and Hunter in a dancing contest. Calvin Charming was slow-dancing with his girlfriend Robyn of Dunbronch (it was not easy to convince her boyfriend to try an outdoorsy activity as he was more used to being indoors and playing video games or using his laptop).

Kailani, Simon, Kozi and Zevon were all chatting while teaching Zevon about ballroom etiquette. However, it felt like Simon and Kailani were the responsible ones while Kozi and Zevon were just goofing around.

Annie Darling (Max's little sister) was busy flirting with her date/boyfriend/classmate Connor while Lizzie was talking with the other classmates who decided to come alone without a date.

"Hey Jay, where is your date?" Evie went up to Jay, as some girls who were trying to flirt with Jay waked away.

"She's catching up with her friends." Jay looked over at Tracy Li who was chatting with her friends before they all laughed at a joke. She's grown to be a lot more outgoing since Jay met her. "I know we agreed to come here as dates, but sometimes I feel like we're still stuck in the friend zone than actually dating."

"I love your dress. Really Slytherin chic." Tracy complimented Chris's silver and dark green dress.

"Thanks Trace, I could say the same about you. You look like the galaxy threw up on you." Chris smiled back. "Yo, Kav, don't you think my bestie looks amazing?"

"Uh yeah you look nice." Kavan gave a polite smile. "Jay is really lucky to have you."

"She likes you back, you know that, right?" Evie pointed out.

"I know, but I don't blame her if she doesn't want to date at the moment." Jay sighed, remembering when Tracy told him about Eason (the first boy she liked who left her).

Jay still does not like Kavan because he and Tracy are close, but at least Jay feels assured knowing that Tracy returns his feelings. But he can't help but feel jealous when she's with other guys.

"Well, my brother Ben would suggest something like sing your love to her." Charles joked, sauntering by while dancing with Jamie. Jamie dips him in the middle of the song. "I mean it worked so well the first time."

"Yeah, but spare us the mercy by not breaking our eardrums." Jamie joked back, as Charles twirled her around before they both danced away to join Theodore and Jenny dancing.

"Man, it is sad that even the kids are having a better progressed romance than we do?" Evie questioned out loud.

"You should ask her for a dance." Carlos suggested.

"Yeah, maybe I should." Jay nodded, as he turned around to prepare and walk over to his date.

"Hi Jay!" Tracy approached him.

"Uh hey Feisty. I was just about to look for you." Jay put on a smile.

"Have you seen the kiddos? I haven't seen Jackie and Chloe since we got on the boat." Tracy asked.

"We're in the middle of a romantic dance on a boat, and you're bothered about your kids running around?" Jay thought. And here he is, got his hopes up about his date asking him to hang out with her. But then again, she's known the kids longer and given the experience they all recently had on the Isle of the Lost, it would make sense if she is worried of them.

"Your Former Majesties, have you seen the younger kids around?" Tracy went over to ask Dewey's parents.

"I think I saw Jones and Max earlier with Jackie and Chloe, they were going to the kitchen to get more food." Beast answered.

Cuts scene to kitchen

"You got any more food here to eat?" Jones asked, helping himself with some of the hot-n-spicy potato chips. One of the special traits about Jones is that he has high metabolism and he can eat copious amounts of food without the fear of gaining weight.

"This gravy tastes weird." Jackie protested.

"That's because you are eating guacamole." Chloe corrected her brother.

"I'm hungry!" Jackie whined.

"While we are here, I would like to file a complaint about the food-" Chloe turned to the chef.

"Where are the chicken nuggets?" Max asked, he was snooping around the kitchen like it was his own home.

"Ooh, look at the big fire!" January stared at one of the chefs cooking.

"January, step away from the fire." Jones walked January away, "Why don't you go and tell the chef what desert you want."

"I want chocolate tarts with sprinkles on top!" January cheerfully told one of the chefs.

"I'll get juice boxes for us too!" Dewey smiled at his little friend, before the two little lovebirds went out to the deck to share their little moonlight picnic.

"Welp, they are the kitchen staff's problem now." Tracy shrugged with a weak smile.

"Dewey told me that he and the younger kids were hungry. And Jones is chaperoning for them." Belle pointed out before smiling, "I think it is so cute that Dewey is sweet on January."

"Honestly, they would make a good couple when they are older." Tracy nodded.

"Am I the only one who is concerned about their age gap?" Jay thought, he likes January (She is like a daughter to him, the fondness grew over the time he spent with her and Tracy) but he does not like how close Dewey and her can be.

It did NOT help when the royal family decided to seal the deal by announcing that the youngest prince of Auradon is betrothed to the Emperor of China's youngest granddaughter during January's first birthday.

"Ahem, Tracy, would you like to dance?" Jay offered out a hand.

"Sure. But I will apologize beforehand if I step on your toes." Tracy blushes as she accepts his hand.

At that moment, Chandler Chandelles (Lumiere's son) along with a few other men started to blow on the trumpets.

"Seriously?" Jay frowned, the moment he finally got alone time with his date something always happens.

[Authoress: well nobody said it was easy to get with someone you like.]

"Ladies, gentlemen and guests, introducing the future…Lady Mal." Lumiere declared as Mal stepped out to make her debut to Auradon.

All of the classmates and friends went closer up to the front to get a good look at Mal walking out. She was wearing the gown Evie made her with her purple hair in a braid.

Majority of the audience gasped when they saw that Mal's blonde hair had returned back to her purple hair colour, they didn't know how to react. Until the friends started applauding and cheering for Mal, which follows by the applaud of the other guests.

"Work it, girl." One handmaiden, Angelica (daughter of Angelique the Christmas angel from the Christmas special movie, also dating Chandler) smirked as she gave Mal a hi-5.

"Wow, I feel so welcomed." Max commented, he and the others had left the kitchen and came upstairs when Mal had made her debut with everyone else applauding.

Max started to dramatically blowing kisses to the applauding audience.

"That's because Mal finally made her debut." Carlos motioned to Mal walking down the stairs.

"That would make more sense." Max blinked.

"Well to be fair, you would look better in Mal's gown." Jones joked.

"I do have the legs for it. Yeah, I can probably rock the gown!" Max glanced over at Mal's gown before making a few poses.

"Why did it take this long for the guests of honor to show up?" Jackie asked.

"Yeah it's bad manners to keep people waiting." Chloe pointed out.

"Where is January and Dewey?" Charles asked the kitchen invaders.

"Probably out by the deck for a little picnic." Jones replied.

"Jay, stop growling." Tracy turned to Jay before elbowing him in the chest a bit.

"I can't help it; I don't trust our daughter to be alone with an older boy." Jay rolled his eyes in response.

"Hi." Mal greeted Ben's parents.

"You look lovely." Belle smiled at her.

"Thank you." Mal smiled, nervous but glad to see them again. It was a bit awkward for her to be talking to her ex's parents because Tracy had mentioned to Mal that she told Ben's parents they broke up, or at least not on the best speaking terms.

"I know we were shocked at first, but you are exactly the kind of person Ben needs." Belle smiled at Mal.

"Yeah, he's already got experience of being roped into trouble by us kids and Tracy and Jones all these years." Charles added.

"And lucky for me, my wife doesn't exactly go by first impression." Beast quipped in.

"Neither do I. When I first met Charlie, he stole my milk bottle." Jamie skated by and glared at Charles.

"I was a toddler, give me a break!" Charles exclaimed.

Belle smiled over at Charles and Jamie arguing, she sees Jamie as Charles's future wife (because the two kids reminded her of herself and her husband back when they first met).

"Ben is on his way; he is running a little late." Beast informed Mal.

"He is probably updating his will." Charles commented, earning looks form his parents.

"What? Ever since the incident with Town Hall, Ben has been writing his will at the age of 12. And after everything that recently happened, he would probably need to rewrite his eulogy." Charles responded with a shrug.

"Hey Mal." Evie went forward to greet her best friend.

"How are you?" Evie asked her friend.

"Uh sorta feeling like I wanna throw up." Mal responded with a weak smile.

"Here." Tracy dug out a paper bag from her handbag and passed it to Mal. "I get seasick on boat rides too."

"That is not what I meant entirely, but thanks for the paper bag." Mal blinked but smiled back at her friend before placing the paper bag aside.

"You look stunning." Lizzie told Mal who nodded politely in return.

"You did amazing for your first and formal debut to Auradon as Future Lady." Some of their friends gave Mal compliments and assuring her that she was great.

"Whatever happens, we're all here for you." Jones assured Mal.

"Thank you." Mal smiled back at Jones.

"But you would need to understand and respect if Ben needs some time away from dating." Charles spoke out.

Life was so much easier back before girls became interested in the Adams brothers. Plus, back when Ben dated Audrey, he would choose to hang out with his brothers over actually dating Audrey sometimes. Ben knew for a fact that his brothers didn't really have good opinions about Audrey even though he has tried on many occasions to arrange gatherings for Audrey and his brothers to get along.

"Considering the week that we all had, it's messed up to just jump into relationships." Jenny spoke out as the younger tweens nodded in unison.

"Besides to be fair, you kinda stole our big brother from me and Dewey back when you two first dated." Charles added. "Like it or not, Ben was still my older brother long before he dated you, Mal."

Welp, looks like Charles is still pretty salty towards Mal after everything that has happened. Mal doesn't blame Charles as he had every right to be mad at her.

Meanwhile…

Dewey and January just finished eating their chocolate tarts (packed and prepared by Dewey's Uncle Chip) and were looking up at the sky together.

"It's really pretty tonight." Dewey pointed up at the starry clear night sky.

"Uh-huh." January grinned back.

"We should go back to find Cece and my mom and dad. It's almost time for Ben to show up." Dewey looked at the watch before he informed.

"Ok." January nodded, before the two of them stood up and walked back to the Cotillion.

They didn't see much, but they saw a flash of a turquoise gown with

Is that…No!

"We need to tell my mommy and daddy!" Dewey turned to January as they both nodded and scurried back to the Cotillion immediately before it's too late.

Back to the Cotillion…

After a few minutes Mal has made her debut, it was almost time for Ben to make his appearance.

"I never get why are the VIPs always late." Jamie raised a hand before complaining.

"Well, there is such a thing known as Fashionably Late." One of the chaperones, Madam Aries Nigel (the school's drama teacher) corrected.

"Huh, that would explain why Theo here was born a couple of days after his expected delivery date." Jenny nodded, understanding what Evie was trying to say, even though it wasn't the same concept.

Evie and Mal turned to each other before squealing a little in excitement when it is time for Lumiere to announce Ben's arrival.

It was pretty easy to tell when they are gonna announce the arrival of some important guest (because the fanfare kept playing) which draws the attention of all the guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing…King Benjamin." Lumiere announced as Ben entered the stairway.

"Hey look, it's my Loyal Son." Tracy made an inside joke, which earned some giggles from her childhood friends.

Ben was wearing a royal blue suit tailored with golden accents. He was wearing a belt with a golden beast emblem and he looked really handsome in the suit.

"Go Benny!" Charles cheered loudly, as he earned applaud from the audience.

"Go and get him, girl!" Robyn winked over at Mal.

Ben slowly made his way down the stairs.

"I swear, if Ben is that slow at making an entrance, we're booting him down the stairs next time." Jones made a remark over to Max who nodded.

So back when Max first met Jones, Jones was (mentioned by Tracy and their Auradon friends) to be more introverted and shyer. Max was outgoing and invited Jones to hang out with him in the playground. Around the time, Ben was taking his time on the slide but was too slow to get down the slide. Long story short, the first time Max and Jones met the future king of Auradon, they both pushed Ben down the slide. Yes, you heard me: two would be-best friends pushed the Heir of Auradon States down the slide.

Ben eventually climbed down the stairs and paused at the bottom. He breezed by his parents and his brother without even looking back at them.

"Okay…" Belle mouthed over to her husband. Both were surprised that Ben didn't bow at them or acknowledged his parents and younger brother with a hug or a smile like he usually would. This was unusual.

"He must be really eager to see Mal if he's ignoring us." Beast replied as his wife nodded at the reason. Young love can sometimes make you forget about everyone around you.

Evie gave Mal a nudge as Mal walked forward to Ben. Ben bowed at Mal as she bowed back in response.

Right at this very moment, Prince Dewey and Princess January came running down the deck in a hurry.

"GUYS! GUYS! THERE'S A SCARY MONSTER! AND IT'S COMING THIS WAY!" Dewey and January came running towards the group of teenagers. Dewey rushed into his mother's arms while January ran towards Tracy's arms.

"Oh no, don't tell me Audrey's decided to make a grand appearance tonight!" Charles frowned.

"Oh, come on, that is just rude. It's just Ben with a bad perm." Jones responded dismissively, motioning at Ben who was talking to Mal.

"Or it could be just Uncle Chip with a bad hairdo." Tracy tried to calm down the terrified children. "Remember that one summer when he refuses to cut his hair and grew out a mullet just to impress his ex who was into 80s music?"

"No, you have to listen to us!" Dewey cried out.

"Ok, I believe in you." Tracy nodded, assuring them.

Dewey and January were generally good kids and they wouldn't make a big deal out of a monster if it doesn't mean it was something very concerning. Dewey has always been an honest and nice boy, and January is still young and usually follows what Dewey does.

"Mal," Ben began talking to Mal, "I'm sorry, I wish I had time to explain."

"What are they saying?" Jenny turned to Theodore.

"I don't know, I can't lip-read." Theodore shrugged, before he remembered. "Wait, I do lipread. He's saying sorry about not having time to explain."

"Explain what?" Jamie asked.

Ben smiled as he turned around to face the stairway.

Mal smiled back, wondering if Ben's behavior had something to do with his surprise for her at the Cotillion like all what some of her female classmates have been gushing about.

"THAT!" Dewey cried out, pointing upstairs as a new guest makes her debut, earning gasps and shocked looks from all the partygoers. Mal's eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

Uma stood by the stairway in her teal and gold mermaid style gown, her turquoise hair was in an elegant bun and she was wearing her golden shell pendant. She smiled kindly as she made her way downstairs and towards Ben, all while the guests and partygoers practically gave the new guest shocked expressions.

"Um, sorry kiddos, pardon my language but…who the heck is that?!" Uncle Chip exclaimed, motioning to Uma.

"That's Uma, she's Ursula's daughter and she and her pirate gang kidnapped Ben and baby Jayden briefly while we were on the Isle." Jamie quickly explained to the older man about who the mysterious new guest is.

Uma reached the bottom of the stairs as Ben took her hand and kissed the Beast-ring on her finger. Mal looked at them with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, it just all happened so fast." Ben linked arms with Uma before they walked towards Mal. The crowd began to whisper and gasp in disbelief at the new escalation of events.

"What the heck is happening?" "How did Uma get here?" "This can't be happening."

"Something happened between Uma and me while I was on the Isle." Ben smiled at Uma in an endearing way. "A connection."

"Ben, what are you saying?" Mal asked, shaking her head while trying to understand the gravity of the situation.

"It was love!" Uma gushed and giggled happily.

"Ben, are you sure it wasn't Lima Syndrome?" Charles pointed out with a very obvious disgusted look on his face, before turning to his older brother, "You telling me you 'fell in love' with Uma all while you were babysitting our future brother-in-law?"

Charles motioned to Princess January (whom Tracy is still holding in her arms to calm down the frightened child), because honestly falling in love with your captor all while you were supposed to be babysitting a future brother-in-law just seems very unhealthy and messed up for some reason.

"Not now, punk." Ben snapped over, as Charles stumbled back in shock. Uma reached out to take his hand into hers as he turned his attention back to her.

"Ben and I realized that we have so much in common," Uma spoke out in a cheerful and smitten tone.

"You're so beautiful." Ben complimented.

"Ok, seriously, what just happened?" Jenny turned to Theo, who was still lipreading what is happening.

"Well, this sure escalated quickly. Ben is saying he's moved on from Mal and is with Uma now." Theo explained to the other guests who were standing behind them.

"You have gotta be kidding me." Jones spoke out in disbelief.

"Ben, did you go back for her?" Mal asked in a tone, her voice was cracking with sadness and vulnerability.

"I…" Ben seemed to be at a lost of words to answer, when Uma intervened.

"He didn't have to. I dove through the barrier before it closed." Uma explained, before adding, "I'm an excellent swimmer."

Ben smiled in amusement at Uma's reply.

"I cannot believe we didn't see her!" Calvin Charming exclaimed.

"Too bad we can't fire her with the torpedoes we installed in your submarine." Robyn Dunbronch nodded.

"What did you just say about my date?!" Ben roared over.

"Nothing!" The two lovers quickly denied.

Mal kept looking between Uma and Ben with a heartbroken look in her eyes. How could Ben and Uma be a couple?

"Ben, are you sure about this?" Tracy grew worried of Ben's behavior; this was unlike him to just jump out of the blue with a new girlfriend.

"Oh, Tracy Li, right?" Uma turned to Tracy, who was very much distraught of what just happened.

"Yes, what about it?" Tracy cleared her throat, not letting her guard down because Uma is indeed not really the best welcomed visitor at the Cotillion.

"My friend Gil told me to give you this note." Uma handed Tracy a piece of folded paper.

Tracy was still suspicious of Uma's intentions before carefully inspecting the piece of folded paper and read the note inside.

"Dear Tracy, you make me wish I were a better person. –Gil." Tracy read it out loud, before she started to blush and smile, "Aww, that's actually really sweet."

"Eyes on me, Feisty!" Jay turned and grabbed Tracy by the shoulders.

"Who's Gil?" Annie asked, she wasn't as caught up with the recent events like her older brother is about the Isle misadventures.

"He's one of Gaston's sons, he and Tracy sorta flirted back on the Isle." Max answered his sister's question.

"Damn, Trace." Chris lifted her glasses a little before giving her best friend a teasing wink. "What did you get into while you were on your adventures?"

"Why would Ben suddenly change his heart, just the other day he was talking about Mal." Theo whispered over to Jenny.

"I'm not sure, but I'm not liking the way he's behaving right now, he's like a rude jerk towards Mal and his family." Jenny nodded back in response.

"Well, Ben ain't wrong about Uma. She's got pretty hypnotic dark eyes." Lizzie commented out loud, before earning confused looks from her friends.

"Liz, I think your gayness is showing." Max mouthed over as Lizzie nudged him in the elbow.

"Besides, you should be siding with your friends." Annie nodded.

Uma started walking over to Mal before taking her hand.

"Listen, Mal. I know we never got along well, but I just really want to thank you." Uma smiled, before hugging a distraught Mal, "Thank you for everything."

"Don't you see, Mal? You were right. You knew that we weren't meant to be together, that's why you never told me that you loved me." Ben spoke out, which felt like rubbing salt to the wound for Mal's broken heart.

Ben then lead Uma to the dancefloor for a waltzing session, as everyone else on the boat watched on in horror and disbelief.

"There is something wrong with Ben, I just know it." Dewey spoke out, voicing his concerns.

"Ok, I know karma's a biter, but I didn't see my brother get broken up, kidnapped and rescued; only for him to fall in love with the same person who held him hostage. This is just messed up!" Charles voiced out his opinion.

He was not especially happy to learn his older brother just got out of a relationship only to start dating someone who was even worse than his previous exes. Was there some strange pattern that doesn't really explain why Ben just got himself out of a relationship only to start dating another girl again? What was the word that can best describe Ben's pattern of relationships?

"I cannot watch this any longer. Quick, Chloe. Scoop my eyes out." Jackie handed his sister an ice cream scoop.

"C'mon let's go." Evie turned to Mal.

"And to think, I risked my life for him." Carlos spoke out in an agitated tone.

Lonnie walked over to Mal and assured her, "We're with you, Mal."

"Bad timing but uh…Quick question, would you rather Ben reject Cece all over again back when they were kids; or watch this train wreck with Ben waltzing with Uma?" Theo asked out.

"Wow, you know what? That is a bad timing to ask." Jenny turned to Theo, frowning.

"Neither, I'd rather it be Ben being without a date and with his family." Jamie nodded, before adding, "The first one is a better option."

"Let's get out of here." Jay spoke out, before he turned over to take Tracy by the hand, hinting that she should join them and leave.

"This is weird, we need something to jog up Ben's memories that he loves Mal." Emmerich Tweed spoke out, giving his date an idea.

"Emmerich, you're a genius!" Jane remembered the painting Ben had commissioned and planned to gift Mal, before she rushed towards Lumiere.

Mal was so crestfallen that she and their friends started to make their way to the staircase.

"Mal, we're so sorry." Belle apologized on the behalf of her eldest son.

"We'll talk to him." Beast spoke out.

"Quick! Unveil the painting!" Jane ushered Lumiere, both had noticed that Mal was starting to leave.

"And now…for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece. Designed for especially for you, mademoiselle." Lumiere announced, as the trumpets played and the painting is unveiled.

Elian Cogsworth Jr (Known as CJ or Elian) unveiled the painting and everyone was astonished by the present Ben had given Mal that they gasped and applauded.

It was a beautiful glass painting of Ben and Mal standing in sunrise. Ben was kneeling to Mal on the right, dressed in a royal blue suit with golden epaulettes. Mal stood on the left side of the painting, wearing a purple gown that matched her purple hair.

Ben started to subconsciously walked towards the painting, mesmerized. There was something so familiar about those emerald eyes.

"Ben did that?" Mal gasped, surprised but overjoyed of the painting Ben had created for Mal.

"He loves the real you." Evie smiled.

"It's true love." Mal spoke softly.

Uma's face started to gloom darkly before she turned to Lumiere and demanded.

"COVER THAT BACK UP!"

"I most certainly will not!" Lumiere scoffed, his loyalty lies with Auradon and will not take orders easily from a stranger.

Everyone started to gasp in surprise when they saw Uma's outburst.

Uma then put on a sweet coy look to Ben, "Ben, why don't you tell about your present for me?"

As if cued, Ben nodded and suddenly announced, "Everyone, I have an announcement to make.

Beast removed his glasses, cautious about what his son might say.

Ben gestured out a hand as Uma took it gleefully, he then announced, "Uma will be joining the Court tonight as my Lady."

Everyone gasped louder and exchanged whispers.

"Son-" Beast was about to call out his son's behavior.

"But Ben…" Dewey went over to tug Ben by the sleeve.

"NOT NOW!" Ben shouted back loudly, as he smacked away his youngest brother's hand.

Ben then took a breath, trying to keep his composure before continuing his announcement.

"Uh so as my gift to Uma, I have decided to bring down the barrier of the Isle once and for all." Ben finished, as everyone was basically shocked and horrified by the news.

"Dewey, are you ok?" Belle reached out to her son who had just be shooed away by her eldest son.

"He was so mean, mommy." Dewey sniffled a little.

"What if Benny under spell?" January asked with her limited vocabulary, breaking Mal's quiet tension.

"I may not be a fairy, but even I can tell that Ben looks like he is brainwashed." Hayley Long spoke out, giving Mal a look that she should do something about it.

Meanwhile back on the Isle of the Lost…

The news media had set up a few camera drones around the ship so the Cotillion's events were all broadcasted live throughout Auradon and the Isle of the Lost.

After hearing the news from the live broadcast of the Cotillion, the pirates started to cheer loudly.

"MATES, WE RIDE WITH THE TIDE!" Harry Hook declared as the pirate crews all cheered and celebrated.

In a fit of joy and in the moment, Harry Hook dipped Gil and kissed him as celebration. Yuko and Yuki were dancing on the tables, basically all of Uma's crew members were partying it up over the victory Uma had achieved for the behalf of the Isle.

Their time has come.

Inside the Warehouse with the kids

"No way…" some of the kids breathed out in utter shock.

On one hand, they were happy that the King is planning to remove the barrier, meaning they can have a chance to go to Auradon; on the other hand, without bringing down cruel traffickers like the Coachman, removing the barrier would mean more people could fall into the Coachman's hands and be new victims.

And evil will reign over this time if Ben is following misguided orders from Uma.

Back to the Cotillion

Everyone else were shocked and horrified by Ben's declaration of making Uma his Royal Consort (Lady of the Court. King's consort. Basically, the same thing) and to unveil the Isle's barrier for good.

Seriously, after everything Ben just learned or experienced on the Isle, is this really the best idea? Cruel people and abusers can easily roam free in Auradon and do what they want. Even human trafficking syndicates like Bill Sykes and Coachman can once again enslave innocent people to be their servants.

"You have got to be kidding me…" Doug frowned, pushing up his glasses that nearly fell off his face when he heard the news.

"Fairy Godmother, bring down the barrier!" Ben commanded.

"I most certainly will not!" Fairy Godmother shook her head, as her hands gripped tighter into her magic wand.

"Do as I say, I am your King!" Ben ordered.

"Obey him!" Uma demanded, impatiently.

"What is up with that boy?" Belle asked, growing worried of her son. Ben has always

"Bring down that barrier!" Ben roared out, as others started to cower in fear.

Jones noticed that his sister was gritting her teeth and clenched her fists tightly.

"We need to talk to him now." Beast stated, hoping he could resonate with his son.

"Uh mom and dad, not if Tracy does that first." Dewey tugged his father's sleeve, noticing his babysitter marching towards his older brother.

"Does what?" Beast asked before he looked up and noticed Tracy Li rolling up her sleeves.

"Benjamin 'Benedict Cumberbatch' Florian Adams! What is the matter with you? First you show up with your mysterious new date who happened to be the same person who held you captive, then you were insensitive and mean to your family and friends, and now this? I DID NOT WENT THROUGH HELL AND BACK TO SAVE YOU JUST FOR THIS ATITUDE! I THOUGHT I RAISED YOU BETTER THAN THAT!" Tracy started to march towards Ben and yelled at him. Nobody makes a sweet little kid like Dewey cry and gets away with it!

"YOU DIDN'T RAISE ME!" Ben shouted back. A flash of memory raced across his mind about Tracy Li cornering him in the old music room at school and yelled at him for forgetting to spend time with his brothers.

"I said I THOUGHT!" Tracy hissed.

"Uma spelled Ben!" Mal turned to her friends and told them.

"Like how you basically drugged my brother to dump Audrey and go after you? Good times." Charles nodded.

"And Uma must have found your spell book when we left the Isle." Evie realized.

"Should we do something before Tracy pummels Ben to the ground?" Carlos questioned.

"No, give her 5 minutes." Charles raised up his hand.

"I don't think Auradon will have a living King in another five minutes." Theo commented.

"Excuse me for a sec," Jay intervened before he held his crush/date back from pummeling King Ben to the ground (even if he did deserve the beat-up).

"Let go of me, you broad-shouldered caterpillar!" Tracy yelled as Jay restrained her from beating up Ben.

"Ben," Mal approached Ben, before Tracy could do any more collateral damage by actually using the old spiky boat paddle she used to whack Ben with back when he "rejected" her crush on him in Summer Camp of 2010.

"Ben, I never told you how I felt about you, because I never felt like I was good enough, and I thought it is only a matter of time before you realize it," Mal began to talk to Ben, before Uma mumbled.

"Oh please." Uma rolled her eyes.

"But Ben," Mal pointed at the glass art, "That is me. I'm part Isle and part Auradon."

"Ben, eyes over here." Uma commanded.

"And you saw us for who we were and who we could be," Mal continued.

"You love me, Ben." Uma reminded, trying to urge Ben to not pay attention to Mal.

"And Ben, I know what love feels like now," Mal spoke out, before confessing, "But Ben, I love you, of course I love you. I've always loved you."

Mal started to kiss Ben on the lips.

"Oh, eww!" Kitty Cheshire gagged loudly in disgust.

"I agree with Kit on this one." Jones raised a hand as the duo hi-5ed.

Mal broke the kiss as Ben's eyes slowly turned back to his green shade. He smiled at Mal.

"My Mal." Ben smiled as they beamed at each other.

"True Love's Kiss, always works." Evie sighed romantically at Ben and Mal.

Everyone started to cheer at Ben and Mal kissing, well almost everyone.

"I love you, Jenny." Theo turned to his friend, with his arms stretched out widely.

"I love me too!" Jenny grinned as she hugged herself.

"Give me that wand!" Uma started to lung at Fairy Godmother, attempting to steal the wand from the older lady.

"Seize her!" Fairy Godmother held the wand in her arms tightly and called out.

"Finally, something fun to do." Robyn smirked as she withdrew a slingshot from her purse and helped in cornering Uma.

The guards started to circle and corner Uma until she had nowhere else to run.

"Wait, stop!" Mal held up a hand. While she never really liked Uma, but she knew in her heart that it is wrong to jail Uma.

Uma was backed onto the rail, and turned to face Mal and the guards (plus a few others who apparently brought some weapons onboard for some reason).

"Uma, I know you. You are much more than a villain. And you have to believe me, because I have been there." Mal tried to talk osme senses into Uma, "Do not let your pride get in the way of something that you really want."

Mal took a step closer to Uma, hoping that her words could change the young sea witch's mind.

Uma looked at Mal and touched her golden shell necklace which had started to glow bright at this point. Uma then turned around and put her hand on the rail and stepped up onto the banister.

Mal ran forward to stop Uma from jumping off the boat, but it was too late.

Everyone behind Mal screamed and ran towards the rail as well. They were all shocked that Uma had decided to jump off the boat.

"Does this count as a suicide or a homicide?" Jackie asked at the inconvenient timing.

"That poor girl." Jenny shook her head slowly.

At that moment, Uma emerged from the ocean, now a very powerful and large tentacle sea witch. Everyone else on "True Love" stared at the sea witch in shock and horror.

"Oh my god…A GIANT WOMAN!" Theo had a starry look in his eyes as he eyed Uma's giant form in pure adoration.

"I don't even know what to say about this." Charles blinked. "Quick, do something!"

"Say no more, lady." Theo grinned as he took out an ukulele and strummed to it.

"All I wanna do, is see you turn into a Giant Woman, a giant woman. All I wanna be is someone who gets to see a Giant Woman~" Theo started to hum to "Giant Woman" from Steven Universe.

"Well this is like the third craziest thing that has happened to me now." Ben commented with a frown. The first time will forever be the Great Fire of Auradon/the Town Hall incident, with the second being his Coronation.

"Ben, next time when we have any celebrations, we're doing it on LAND!" Charles turned to his older brother.

"Or in a panic room." Dewey added as the two younger brothers nodded.

"Hey Jackie, the answer of your question is that it went from an attempted suicide to a potential homicide." Jones answered the young boy's question from earlier.

To be Continued…

It took me over 3 months but here is the chapter I have been anticipating for a long time: The Cotillion Arc! There are actually a number of ways I have thought about planning the chapter, and some funny alternative ways of how Ben could have been snapped out of the spell from other than True Loves Kiss route with Mal.

Chapter Talk: -

1.) The Cotillion scenes were fun to write with all the teens and kids running around. My favorite scenes are tied between January and Dewey's moonlight picnic or Jones and Max and the kiddos raiding the kitchen. I'm a sucker for ships and watching chaos unfold when all the mischievous people gang up together.

2.) A few cutesy romance ships here and there to fuel the shippers: Charles/Jamie tangoing, January and Dewey's moonlight picnic out on the deck, Jay and Tracy's scenes, and more. I'm a sucker for ships and cute couples' scenes for the ships. On the side note: Jay is still trying to figure out if his relationship with Tracy is romantic or still platonic even though they made their feelings clear to one another but Tracy is the type to be slow when it comes to romance.

3.) Oh boy here we are at the scene I have been anticipating most: Uma's appearance. (short shoot-out to the Isle with the Warehouse kids and Uma's crew celebrating. Yes, I included the Gil/Harry kiss but I view it as a celebratory type of kiss) In this version, Ben is very rude and cold towards his friends and family (especially by how he snapped/yelled at his parents and his sweet little brother Dewey) which would be why Tracy is so infuriated by Ben's insensitiveness. [In "The Ghostwriter and Lone Ranger" when Ben was under Mal's spell, he started neglecting his brothers which in turn result in Dewey singing a very sad version of "When She Loved me" from Toy Story 2, and Tracy yelled at Ben for being a jerk to his brothers] I also made a Suite Life of Zack and Cody reference in which Tracy read Gil's note was based off an episode "Daycare" in which Zack and Cody helped Maddie babysit at the Tipton Daycare, and one of the little kids also has a crush on Maddie.

4.) It is kinda random but I felt like the ending scene with Uma the giant octopus lady would result in Theo being surprised but ultimately amazed that he sings to "Giant Woman" from Steven Universe. In the next chapter, we will be seeing more about Uma and Mal's battle and the aftermath of the Cotillion (2 more chapters down plus one Epilogue scene)

Anywhos, here are a bunch of alternate scenes whereby Ben could have been otherwise broken out of Uma's curse from: -

Alternate Scene #1: Magical Slap Out of It!

"Do we have any Enchanted water?" Jones asked out.

"My fencing gloves are. I dropped them into the lake the other day, they must be soaked in them. In theory, but it should be able to snap Ben out of his senses." Tracy pointed out, taking out a pouch of gloves from her bag.

"You carried your dirty fencing gloves in your purse?" Carlos asked out, unsure if he should be grossed out or just impressed by the convenience.

"SNAP OUT OF IT, BEN!" Tracy yelled, as she slapped Ben across the face with her gloved hand.

"Wait…wrong hand." Tracy looked down, before she slapped Ben again with the other hand.

"What just happened?" Ben blinked.

"Is he normal yet?" Jay asked.

"Who do you love, Ben?" Tracy asked him.

"Uma." Ben responded.

"WE NEED THE SPIKY BOAT PADDLE!" Tracy yelled as Jones handed his sister the same boat paddle from Summer Camp 2010.

"YOU! HAVE! TO! SNAP! OUT! OF! IT! BEN!" Tracy yelled as she kept whacking the boat paddle at Ben like he was a piñata until he finally broke free of the curse.

"WHY ARE YOU SMACKING ME?!" Ben shielded himself.

"Sorry, had to make sure if you were the real Ben." Tracy apologized, hiding the boat paddle.

"I'd recognize that boat paddle anywhere." Ben muttered, before he gazed at Tracy with a loving look in his eyes, "how could I not see that before? MY TRUE LOVE!"

"Uh GUYS HELP!" Tracy yelped, Ben is NOT supposed to end up falling for her. Although it would have been nicer if Ben actually didn't mom-zoned her back when they were kids.

Jones grabbed another boat paddle and whacked Ben from the back of his head.

"I just had the weirdest dream! I was in love with Uma and then I was in love with Tracy!" Ben woke up and groaned. "I felt like I have been slapped many times before."

"Yeah sure, dream." Mal blinked, helping Ben up.

"Wow, I'm surprised that plan even worked." Dewey commented.

Alternate Scene #2: Music Does Wonders

"Should we test him?" Charles asked as Dewey nodded.

"So, big brother, if that is your real name. Dewey and I have a question to ask you. Back in summer camp of 2010, Tracy here tried to confess her crush on you but you turned her down. After that, Jones wrote a poem about the incident. If you were our big brother, you would know every little word in that poem."

Good grief, did they HAVE to ask Ben THAT question as a quiz?

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Ben shook his head.

"You SHOULD remember that poem well, it's one of the most unforgettable poems ever." Dewey stated.

"Uh…Roses are red; violets are blue?" Ben tried to guess.

"Nope. HIT IT JONES!" Dewey turned to Jones who somehow borrowed a guitar from the guitarist from the mariachi band the boat had hired. Jones strummed to a melody.

"Dreams are broken, what's said and done." Jones and the kids started to sing.

"Ben, you are my-," Tracy continued the poem unwillingly.

"Loyal Son." Ben finished the poem, snapping out of his senses.

"Wow, who would have thought True Love could apply to family members too?" Evie blinked.

Alternative Scene #3: In Which the Glass Painting was Shattered

So in the movies, Ben commissioned a painting of himself and Mal that is made of glass. Which things could have happened tragically if the gang were playing badminton on the boat before docking and shattered the painting. Here is how Ben would have been broken out of the spell for: -

"Unveil the painting!" Jane declared as Lumier started to unveil Ben's glass painting dramatically.

Everyone started to gasp in shock. Turns out the painting was SHATTERED!

"Who would do such a thing like that?" Evie gasped.

Random flashback of Jones, Max along with Jackie and Chloe and the other kids previously playing badminton on the boat deck before the Cotillion started and the shuttlecock broke the painting

Max kicked the badminton rackets and shuttlecocks further underneath the beverage table.

"Not a word about this to anyone." Jones told the kids.

"I'm taking this to my grave." Jackie nodded, crossing his heart.

"Great, how are we gonna snap Ben out of this curse?" Carlos asked out.

Cues Jones and the kids dressed up as a Mariachi band to sing the embarrassing poem.

"Embarrassing poetry, always works like a charm." Charles grinned, glad his brother is back.

"So let me get this straight, Ben was under a spell this whole time and never actually loved Uma?" Mal asked.

"Of course," Ben assured his girlfriend with a smile, before they kissed.

"Which is why I even commissioned this for yo-," Ben slowly turned around to see the shattered painting, "WHAT HAPPENED?!"

"I have no idea." Mal commented, looking at Chip Potts grabbing a broom to sweep up the broken glass.

"You break our hearts; we break your glassware." Jamie concluded, hoping to be convincing enough that the King won't figure out the kids were behind the mess.

"Really guys?" Ben frowned. All that hard work: wasted!

"On the bright side, you're finally out of the spell!" Charles claimed, trying to be optimistic.

"Why are you guys dressed up like a mariachi band?" Ben turned to Max, Jones, Theo, Jackie and Chloe.

"Because we moonlight as a mariachi band in our spare time?" Jackie lied with a grin.

"And the tips we get are fantastic!" Max held up a ten-dollar bill someone had just gave him.

Alternate Scene #4: Triple Trouble

Alternate timeline in which Audrey managed to show up for the Cotillion and more drama happens

"GUYS! THERE IS A HIDEOUS MONSTER!" Dewey and January came running towards the teenagers. "AND IT'S COMING THIS WAY!"

And right at that moment, Audrey walked into the party with her newly dyed blonde hair and her pink and blue gown.

"Oh my gods, kids! Cover your eyes and Look away!" Tracy immediately shielded the kids (plus Ben) away from Audrey.

"Wow, rude much?" Audrey scoffed.

That would be all for this chapter. Feel free to fave, follow, and leave a review down below and tell me what you think of this chapter. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.