A/N: So...

Descendants 3 came out and I still haven't updated any of my ongoing stories. However, I have about 337753 ideas for AUs for Descendants that I could write into short stories, which I have decided to do with this. I've had a little bit of a writers block for my other stories, so I have decided to compile this collection of AUs as a way to get me out of my slump.

Please leave any prompts in the reviews. Prompts will ALWAYS be open and welcome. Thank you all for your patients on my other stories, which I will be trying to update very soon x

AU: In which Mal and Ben meet at the end of Descendants 3, after the barrier is brought down.

"And so, as your King, and with the help of my councillor Evie of the Isle, I have decided to take down the barrier for good."

Those words shook the population of Auradon to their core. Of course, when Ben had first proclaimed that he intended on bringing the children of the most famous villains to Auradon, people had been weary of their new King. But after the success of Evie, Carlos, and Jay (children to The Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil, and Jafar), people became more… Open to their new King's ideas.

Ben had been a strong and kind King. When news broke out of his intentions of bringing Evie into his royal council, many had feared he may become corrupt, especially following his breakup with his ex-fiance Audrey. However, once the King had settled into his new duties, life in Auradon blossomed.

Carlos, Jay and Evie became some of the most loved persons in both Auradon and The Isle of The Lost as they began 'Project VK', in which they slowly began integrating more and more of the villains children into Auradon. Sure, they had a few mild problems with a certain group of pirates, but the program was (mostly) sailing smoothly.

However, there were still so many people on the Isle that needed Auradon's help, and Ben wasn't about to let that matter slide. Him and Evie had attended meetings upon meetings to discuss the possibility of raising the barrier for good, and although many of his council didn't support the idea, Ben fought for the cause with all his might. He was determined to change his Kingdom for good.

"We cannot live in fear," King Ben continued, effectively shushing the crowd that had gathered for the occasion, "Because by doing so, we are allowing the fear to control us. I refuse to let fear control this Kingdom. Not while I'm in power."

The crowd stayed silent, no one daring to even breathe as they stared at their King. People were scared, Ben knew this, and he had to change their minds. He had to give Auradon the strength to open their eyes and open their hearts.

"As your King," Ben continued, his eyes glancing to his friends from the Isle, stood in front of the crowd, "I made a vow to protect the citizens of Auradon, and serve you with honour, and with grace. Today marks a momentous occasion; a decision I did not take lightly. I now see that I cannot be King of Auradon without also being King of The Isle. I stand here today with the promise of a better and brighter future, for the day two peoples will unite. Not as heroes and villains, but as simply people."

Evie watched her best friend with a beaming smile. Once his speech had ended, she raised her hands into a confident clap. Soon, others followed, cheers and whoops erupting throughout the crowd. Carlos and Jay held Evie between them, the trio smiling at each other.

Finally, they could make a difference.

"You miss her."

Mal scoffed at Uma's claim, keeping her eyes fixated on the barrier, "No, I don't."

It had been one of those rare days in which Mal had retired to Maleficent's old tower, her legs draping off the side of the balcony as she stared out over the Isle. From so high up, she could see Auradon perfectly. The bright lights and colourful buildings were a sight of sore eyes for a girl who'd spent all her life in greys and blacks. It made her feel… Well, melancholy.

"Look, I know your mother was the Mistress Of All Evil or something, but you can still miss her," Uma reassured her friend, taking a seat next to her, "I'm sure she's thinking of you, wherever she is."

Mal snorted. She'd watched the news, like so many others on the Isle were forced to do, with their limited two-channel televisions. She knew her mother was locked up somewhere in Auradon, transformed into a lizard by the friends she once had. If anything, Mal was probably the last thing on her mothers mind. Besides, Mal could fend for herself. She always did.

"Do you think we'll ever get out?" Mal asked Uma, keeping her eyes locked on the barrier, "I mean, we're a little old for Project VK aren't we?"

Uma shrugged, "Honestly? I'd rather give people like Dizzy a chance instead."

Mal smirked, nudging her friend playfully, "Since when did you go soft?"

"Since I met you," Uma shrugged, earning herself a playful glare from Mal, "But seriously; she misses you. I'm sure."

Mal sighed, leaning back onto the stone banister behind them. She missed her mother, she really did, but she also missed her old friends. She knew they were doing well, with Evie constantly on the news by the King's side. She sometimes just… Wished she was there to see it herself.

"Come on," Uma announced, climbing back over the banister and holding her hand out to Mal, "Harry and Gil found some pretty cool stuff over by the old jokes shop. You wouldn't want them to have first pick, would you?"

Mal smirked, grabbing Uma's hand as she climbed over the banister, "Definitely not."

Suddenly, just as Mal's feet hit the concrete once more, the whole Isle started to shake. The two girls fell into each other, grabbing the others arms to stay upright. The pots precariously perched on the edge of the balcony started rattling, the whole Isle going into a frenzy of panic. Uma and Mal stared at each other in fear. Was this Maleficent's return?

Mal's eyes wandered back over to the barrier, and to her shock, it was coming down. She held onto Uma's tightly as she watched the barrier disappear, the bridge connecting Auradon and The Isle reconstructing itself. Mal couldn't believe her eyes. In the distance, she could see fireworks being set off in Auradon, the bright colours filling the sky as music began pouring into the Isle.

"What in the…" Uma breathed, watching the clouds that permanently hovered over the Isle disappear.

"We're free," Mal breathed, turning to Uma, "We're actually free."

Uma's mouth broke into the biggest smile Mal had ever seen. The two girls hugged tightly, separating only to rush down Maleficent's tower and into the Isle's centre, where people were rushing towards the edge of the Isle. In the chaos, Mal spotted Harry and Gil, excitedly pushing past the citizens of the Isle to reach the two girls.

"What happened?!" Uma asked the boys over the sounds of happy yells on the Isle.

"We don't know," Gil replied, "Do you think it's a trap?"

"No," Mal shook her head, "It's Evie. It had to be Evie."

"Well what are you lassies waiting for?!" Harry exclaimed, hook in the air, "Let's go!"

The three friends grinned, rushing to the bridge with the rest of the Isle.

The citizens of Auradon celebrated as the people from The Isle arrived in Auradon. Evie, Carlos and Jay greeted everyone as if they were old friends, which most of them probably were. Carlos and Jay had gone ahead onto the bridge, meeting the Isles people halfway. Evie stayed by Ben's side, her hand firmly in her boyfriend Doug's own as she watched the children run into Auradon. There was a permanent smile on her face, matched only by King Ben's own.

"We're proud of you, son," the former King Beast reassured his son, Belle on his arm, "You did something I didn't have the courage to do."

"I couldn't have done it without your support," Ben smiled, hugging his dad tightly, not noticing Evie excuse herself from the party to walk towards the bridge.

"What are you going to do next?" Belle asked, "Because I personally would love to grow old watching you with a Queen."

Ben blushed awkwardly, "I just haven't met the right person yet, Mom."

Belle smiled warmly, placing her hand on her sons' arm, "You will soon. I can feel it."

"Shall we join the celebrations, dear?" King Beast asked, winking at Ben as he pulled his wife away.

Ben smiled at his parents. They'd supported him regardless of their own concerns. He was so lucky to have had parents like them, and he couldn't imagine how the children on the Isle felt. That was part of the reason he'd originally started 'Project VK'; to give the next generation a chance. Now, without the barrier, he could do so much more.

Meanwhile, Evie was desperately scanning the crowds of villains for a specific purple-haired girl. Despite her best efforts, she hadn't been able to nominate her for Project VK. Now, she just hoped she hadn't been too late.

Finally, in the midst of celebration, she spotted her. Mal, arm-in-arm with Uma, marching down the bridge with Harry Hook and Gil in tow. The minute the two girls locked eyes, Evie could feel tears starting to form.

"Mal!" Evie yelled over the commotion, running towards her former best friend as the other did the same.

The two met in the middle of the bridge, arms wrapped tightly around each other. Evie was already crying, holding onto her friend as tightly as she could as the world passed around them.

"I thought I'd never see you again," Evie sobbed into her shoulder, "I mean I tried so hard to get you on the Program but no one knew how to find you and-"

"It's okay," Mal nodded in reassurance, smiling at Evie, "We're here now."

"Well isn't this cute," Harry Hook teased as the two girls parted.

"You did this?" Uma asked Evie, gesturing to the crowds around them.

Evie shook her head, "It was Ben's idea, I only helped."

"I knew you'd do great things," Mal smirked, nudging her old friend playfully, "Now; you have a kingdom to show us."

Evie curtsied playfully, sidestepping elegantly and gesturing to Auradon, "Right this way, Princess."

"Gross," Mal laughed, following Evie into Auradon.

Ben had been greeting everyone from the Isle, shaking the hands of some of the most famous villains of all times. Hades, Cruella De Vil, Jafar… They had smiled and thanked him, searching for their children.

"Ben!" Evie had called once he'd given none other than Gaston a high-five, "There's someone I'd like you to meet!"

Ben turned around, his smile falling. Because trailing by Evie's side was possibly the most beautiful girl Ben had ever seen.

The purple hair was a dead giveaway; she was Maleficent's daughter. That, and the shining green eyes, which accentuated her pale skin and slightly pointed nose. Her cheeks had the lightest of pink dusting over them, which Ben found immensely cute. Even clad in a villains outfit, Ben knew in that moment that he had met his future Queen.

"This is Mal," Evie introduced, nudging her forwards, "My best friend from the Isle."

"Ben," Ben stammered out, his hand shooting forwards for a handshake, "Enchanted to- I mean, nice to meet you."

"Mal," Mal replied simply, shaking the hand tentatively (because no one had told her that the King was gorgeous), "Thank you for, well, this."

"It was long overdue in my opinion," Ben replied, still not letting go of Mal's hand, "And I especially think so now."

Uma and Evie smirked at each other, watching their friends obvious connection. If anything, maybe lifting the barrier had given Auradon their new Queen.