It was time to get ready for Cotillion and Samantha was super tired but hopefully Cotillion will get done earlier so she can come back to her dorm and take a nice long nap. Then she forgot that Cotillion is going to be on a boat and she doesn't feel like swimming, as that is work and she doesn't feel like working, that takes energy. She wants to save her energy.

Sam's dress is going to be a light blue frilly dress, as Evie wanted to experiment with different colors for Sam as she was wanting to find a good color that would look good on her. So Evie had asked when it was getting closer to Cotillion as it was shortly after it was announced and Sam told her the colors that she wanted, as she went with a light blue dress, that felt like a day project for her but she loved it. She loves seeing her customers happy, especially when they're her friends.

Just as Sam was finishing with her hair as she did it herself, as it's a simple high ponytail, with some platinum blonde extensions, to make her actual hair longer. She heard a knock on her bedroom door, and she walked barefoot to the door and opened it as it was Carlos. "Oh, wow, you look um amazing." He says smiling down at her as she smiles, before letting him in as she closed the door behind him.

"I'm almost done actually." She says as she went to find her heeled boots, as she has sworn to never wear high heels again, in her entire life. She wore them once and only once.

"It's fine, Cotillion doesn't start for another hour anyway." Carlos says as he sat on her bed and watched her finish getting ready. He had to admit that she looked amazing in a dress, as the only other time that she has been in a dress was a the Coronation, six months earlier as it was Ben's Coronation, then she spilled punch over it, which it sucked. But the cleaning fairies were kind enough of getting it out, before it got worse so that was a blessing in disguise.

Samantha got her boots onto her feet as she was debating of wearing flats, knowing that they're going to be dancing, lots of dancing and having a good time as they are celebrating the Cotillion. She had some music playing in the background, as she was a little shocked that she didn't have a roommate when she first walked into the room, when they first got here. As far as she has been told nearly everyone has a roommate in their room, but Sam was one of the few people who didn't as they specially requested that they don't. She didn't do any of that, though if she did she hope it would have been Audrey. That would have been a nightmare by itself, hearing her complain about every little thing that wasn't 'orderly' and 'neat' and 'tidy'.

Granted yes, Sam's room is cluttered, as she went on a shopping spree with Jane, three weeks ago, and she still hadn't gone through the boxes as she went a little crazy of ordering stuff, that she probably won't wear, but it's fine. The boxes are in a corner right now on the other side of the room. There's different piles of clutter around the room as Sam struggles with being organized, as a clutter-filled room reminds of her being with her Dad and little brothers.

Carlos looked up and saw a small frown on her face as he got up and walked towards her desk which has her makeup vanity, that Evie suggested as she custom painted it herself, to remind herself of the vanity that she had in her room on the Isle. It wasn't exactly like it, but it was similar, but it worked.

"What's wrong?" He asks her as he leans a little on the desk, as she sighs as she puts on a nude lipstick.

"You wouldn't understand, Car." She says to him as she gives him a little pouty side-eyed look, as he raised his eyebrows at her.

"Try me, there's nothing you've said that I couldn't have handled." He says as he puts his hands into his pockets, as she sighs knowing that she can't get out of this now. She mentally kicks herself for digging herself a hole and not being able to get out of.

"If and when Ben decides of bring more kids over, I'm going to suggest Squeaks and Squirms, because they deserve a better life. Only reason why I'm saying that is because when me and Mal came to the Isle, I told her I was going to see how my brothers were, to like check up on them, to see how they were going. They had bruises and the whole nine yards, all because they wouldn't give the other pirates their food that they had spent at least a good half hour trying to get. It made me so mad seeing them like that, that it breaks my heart knowing that's how children live. I should talk I didn't get out of it easy because I was a girl but just seeing little innocent children like that, it makes me want to march my happy tush to the Isle and...and...you know what forget it. It's probably one in a bajillion chance that they'll get picked." She says shrugging her shoulders trying to get her mind out of it but she just can't get her mind off of it. "I shoulda just brought them with me, when we left. Give them a second chance of life, ya know."

It took Carlos a second to process everything that Sam said as he knows everything that she has gone through, and he means everything, every little thing. That's also why they are so close, also because they're close in age, just almost a year apart. But not like Evie, Mal and Jay, who are almost like two to three years apart from Sam. "I know what you mean, it wasn't easy living on the island, but we made it through it." Carlos says as he bit his tongue that she wouldn't get mad at him for saying that, as this topic gets her on edge and makes her prone to snap on someone. She looked at him before looking back down.

"I just want to get them out of there, as soon as possible, but it's going to take a bajillion years until that happens, because there's an entire process of what needs to get done before we go and get them. Why because that's what Ben said." Sam says taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"Someday, someway, we will get all of those kids off of the Isle, and to Auradon. Okay, but for now, let's go see if everyone else is ready." Carlos says changing the topic which made Sam feel so much better as now all she wants to do is figure out a way to get her brothers off of the Isle.

"Sounds like a plan." She says as she grabs her little purse on her way out and making sure that her key is locked as she has a 3-D printer herself but it's a miniature one which is inside her desk in one of the drawers, that has a passcode on it.

Carlos and Sam got to where they were going to meet up with the others (beside Mal as she was busy), as Evie smiled brightly at seeing Sam wearing her dress. "Oh my gosh, you look beautiful, it took forever to make but it was so worth it. If we hadn't gone to the Isle to get Mal, I would've seen you try it on, but you know things changed." Evie says almost squeezing the daylights of Sam, who didn't mind.

"Thanks, it looks amazing." Jay as even though he isn't the 'fashion' type, he knows what looks good and what doesn't. Sam couldn't help herself but blush at him, as cheeks flared up a bright pink on her pale white skin. Her skin color goes to show how much that she goes outside, even while they're living in Auradon. She also realizes that she sunburns easily even with sunscreen. But she found out that the sunscreen that she had gotten from one of the many Auradon stores, that she was allergic to the ingredients in their sunscreen, but luckily she found one where she doesn't get a rash, and or have an allergic reaction.

"Yeah, I couldn't had agreed more." Carlos says to her which is helping with her confidence as her self-confidence is really low, as she isn't used to getting compliments of how she dresses or things like that. So her friends are helping that.

"Let's go, I have to talk to Lonnie anyway." Sam says as the others nod their heads as they head to where Cotillion is going to be at.

"I finally have a date to Cotillion, and I also scored myself a girlfriend." Jay said with a huge grin on his face as it took the other three a second to process what he said. He has a girlfriend?

"You do!"

"Oh my gosh!"

"That's good, man."

"I do." He says as he stuffs his hands into his pockets as he still has a bright smile on his face.

"Who is it? Who is the lucky girl?" Evie asks as she slows down a little as she was a little ahead of Carlos, Jay and Sam. She slowed down more until she was beside Jay.

"Lonnie, I asked her after we had gotten back from the Isle. Hopefully, after the craziness of Cotillion we're going to take a trip to her place and meet the parents." Jay says as he couldn't be happier than he is now. He has a date to Cotillion that also comes with a girlfriend. He liked that package, and he didn't even have to steal her heart either, it was just his natural charm. It's really helpful, if he's being honest.

After a couple minutes of walking which felt like forever, they got to the boat, where the paparazzi is at taking the pictures, and for the school year book. They did some pictures of course with their dates and some solo pictures, if they wanted to. Sam wasn't fully comfortable of taking pictures by herself, but thank the Gods that she had Carlos by her side to comfort her.

They walked onto the main deck to find many people dancing together as the music was playing. Cotillion was always a huge big deal and this year it was no different except that Ben is king. Not too long later Lumiere stood at the top of the stairs and everyone turned their attention to him. All of them clapped for him before he spoke.

"The future lady, Mal!" He announced as Carlos and Samantha smiled. Lumiere stepped to the side and walked out Mal in a beautiful yellow and blue dress with her hair braided over her shoulder and with a small crown on her head.

Evie began to clap and cheer which led to everyone cheering and clapping for Mal too. She descended from the stairs and was greeted by Beast and Belle and they talked to her for a bit before Evie quietly approached the three. Mal and Evie took their hands and walked towards the center of the ship.

"How are you?" Evie asked her.

"Sort of feel like I'm gonna throw up." Mal says nervously as Evie turns to her.

"Look, we're right here with you, okay?" Evie softly reassured Mal, who nodded her head.

"Okay." She says before the horns blew again, indicating that Ben was here.

"King Benjamin!" Lumiere announced and everyone cheered and clapped for our beloved King that stood up at the top of the stairs. They stopped our applause and cheers and bowed for Ben as he got closer to where Mal was.

"Go get him." Evie smiles and motions Mal forward. Ben descended from the steps and stood in front of Mal before bowing and she bowed back. Sam looked at Ben's face, particularly his eyes, and noticed that they weren't there usual color of hazel brown. They were like a dim colored of brown, as she squinted her eyebrows at him which got Carlos' attention.

"What's wrong?" He whispered in her ear, as she stepped on her tippy toes, and whispered her suspicions to Carlos and he too looked at Ben's eyes and his eyes widened in realization.

Ben's been spelled. Sam thought in her head as she knows that Ben's eyes are a deep hazel brown, but they seemed lighter, as something was up.

"Mal..." Ben began. "I wish I had time to explain." Ben says and before anyone could say anything from the top of the stairs walked out another girl dressed in a light turquoise dress and Sam's eyes widened in absolute shock.

"Uma." Sam muttered under her breath, as she squeezed Carlos' hand a little not knowing what is going to happen next. She had learned from being around Uma growing up on the island, is that you never know what she has up her sleeve. This time is no different.

Everyone was in disbelief, as they all turned to each other completely and utterly confused of what's happening with a mix of shock. People started muttering with disbelief as Uma descended from the stairs and met Ben halfway, leading her down.

The two stood at the bottom and everyone all gasped as Ben bent down and kissed Uma's hand. Sam's eyes found Mal and she looked absolutely heartbroken. After everything that they've been through these past six months, and granted, yes, Mal going to the Isle was her fault but she rescued Ben from Uma, Harry and Henry, and this is how he pays her. By acting like Uma is his girlfriend.

"I'm so sorry." Ben apologized to Mal.

"No your not." Samantha said to Ben but it was loud enough for him to hear as he gave her a look, before turning back to Mal.

"It happened all so fast. Something happened to me when I was on the Isle with Uma, it felt like a connection." Ben says as Sam shook her head at the words that was coming out of this boy's mouth.

Uma and Ben smiled at each other, as Mal shook her head as she's still in disbelief that this is happening. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying-" Ben says before he gets interrupted by Uma as he looks at her.

"It was love!" Uma gushes happily. "It was. I just...I realized how alike Ben and I, are you know?"

"No your not." Sam remarked louder for Uma to hear as Uma looked like she growled at Sam.

"We are." Ben agrees with Uma.

Uma giggles as Sam glares heavily at Uma, and Ben. "I know."

"You're so beautiful." Ben mutters to Uma.

"Ben." Mal began but they ignored her like she wasn't even there. "Ben!"

The two finally looked at her and Mal continued what she was saying. "Did you go back for her?" Mal asked him.

"He didn't have to." Uma spoke for Ben, much like Audrey would when he and Ben were still together, and before Mal spelled Ben to like her. "I dove through the barrier before it closed and I'm an excellent swimmer."

"You are." Ben says as he smiles softly.

"Thank you!" Uma giggles at him while Mal is still devastated, in disbelief, and is heartbroken.

Uma and Ben shared a look before Uma moved closer to Mal and took her hand. Mal gasped slightly at the action and flinched at her touch.

"Listen, Mal." Uma began. "I just really want to thank you, I do. For everything." Uma says hugging Mal, who didn't react to her and almost froze at her actions. "Thank you so much."

"You're not welcome." Sam says as she continues to butt into this conversation as Uma glares heavily at Sam, as Sam smirks at her.

"Don't you see Mal, you were right." Ben adds on, leaning in. "You knew we weren't meant to be together...that's why you never told me that you loved me." Mal lets out a sad sigh at that, as she couldn't find the right words to speak, which allowed Ben to continue. "Thank you."

"Once again you're not welcome, Beasty." Sam says as she is livid but is keeping her composure as she is about to snap. If she could she would leave, but sadly she can't.

Moments later, soft music began to play in the background, as Ben and Uma began to slow dance to it. The rest of them awkwardly stood around the two as they danced and felt uncomfortable in their presence.

Evie went up to Mal and pulled her away as she took Mal's hand gently. "I'm here for you if you need anything." She softly says to her as she gives her a sad nod in return.

"Not too thrilled, I risked my life for him." Carlos commented and Sam couldn't help but nod in agreement.

"We're with you Mal." Jay says as Sam, Carlos and Evie nods their head at him.

"Always." Sam adds as Carlos nods his head at her.

Jane jogged ahead of them, and they all ignored Uma and Ben walking by them to the stairs to leave.

"Mal." Beast says stopping Mal and she looks up at him.

"Honey, we're so sorry." Belle says apologizing. "We had no idea that he was going to do this, and that she was going to be here."

"I'm gonna talk to him." Beast adds.

"Lumiere!" Sam hears Jane exclaim to Lumiere. "Unveil the gift! They need to see it!"

"And now for the unveiling of King's Ben's masterpiece! Designed especially for his lady!" Lumiere announced as the two stopped dancing before the horns blew and everyone turned their attention to the back of the boat where the tarp was covering the gift.

The tarp fell down to reveal a beautiful glass portrait of Mal in a purple dress and glowing green eyes with Ben kneeling next to her, holding her hand. Sam smiled at the sight of it and glanced at Carlos who was smiling also. Everyone gasped at the beauty in front of them and applauded the masterpiece.

"Ben did that?" Mal says with shock.

"Yeah, he did." Evie says.

"Evie." Mal says sighing as the two girls descended from the stairs together. "Ben's known who I was all along."

Carlos, Jay and Sam slowly trailed behind Mal and Evie looked at Mal. "He loves the real you, Mal."

"A true love." Mal says as Evie nods her head.

"Told you." Carlos adds as Mal chuckles at her friend.

Uma marches over to us with anger rising from her. "Cover that backup!"

"Calm down, Shrimpy." Sam snaps at Uma but she is so mad that she didn't hear her call her Shrimpy.

"I will not!" Lumiere protested as Uma looked around awkwardly before chuckling.

"Why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me, Ben?" Uma asks Ben as Sam narrows her eyes, as she's figuring out why. Then it hit her, because it wasn't the real wand, and Uma wants to get out of the island.

"I have an announcement!" Ben announces as he took Uma's hand. "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my lady."

Beast decided to intervene with his son's speech. "Son-"

"Not now Dad!" Ben yells at his father as everyone gasped at his outburst.

Sam looks at Carlos before they nod their heads as they are having a secret conversation to themselves. So Uma did spell him, it all makes sense?

Ben clears his throat, lowering his voice. "So, uh, as my gift to her...I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all!"

Everyone gasped in shock and was speechless at Ben's announcement.

"Fairy Godmother." Ben continued turning to her. "Bring down the barrier."

"I most certainly will not." She protested.

"I am your King!" Ben says arguing with the headmistress.

"Obey him!" Uma ordered as everyone gasped at her.

"Ben's been spelled." Mal says to us.

"I sorta figured that out before that was said." Sam says as Mal turns to her and nods her head before looking back at Ben.

"Uma found your spellbook." Evie remarks as Uma was trying to get Ben to stay in his trance that she has him under.

"Ben." Mal begins and the two look at her. "Ben...look at me."

"No, look at me. You love me remember?" Uma reminded him.

"News flash, no he doesn't, Shrimpy." Sam says again but the three ignore her, as Carlos slings his arm around her back.

"No you don't!" Mal objected.

"Yes you do!"

"Ben, look at me." Mal says softly to Ben.

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

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

Uma turns to Ben with an angry look on her face. "Ben.."

"Ben, I never told you that I loved you, because I thought I wasn't good enough!" Mal admitted. "...and I thought that it was only a matter of time, before you realized that you but Ben!" Mal says as Ben turns and looked at the portrait of them. "I'm part Isle and part Auradon!"

"Ben!" Uma interrupted, as she is starting to struggle to keep Ben under her trance. "Eyes over here!"

"Ben, you always know who we were and who we can be." Mal continues.

"Don't listen to her." Uma interfered.

"...and I know what love feels like right now." Mal says ignoring Uma. "Ben...of course I've loved you..Ben, I've always loved you." Mal says as she leans in and kisses Ben, which made everyone gasp with delight, as Sam rolls her eyes having enough of all of this already.

"Mal..." Ben mumbles as he regains his memory, which made everyone look at Ben who was smiling.

"True loves kiss, works everytime." Evie says as she smiles.

Uma lunged at Fairy Godmother and shouted. "GIVE IT TO ME!"

"Guards, seize her!" Fairy Godmother cried out as everyone gasped with horror at Uma.

Suddenly, Uma rushes towards the edge of the boat as everyone surrounds her as Mal stopped them from doing anything.

"No, stop, wait, stop!" Mal yells at them, as everyone froze including Uma.

"Uma, I know you." Mal begins calmly. "You are so much more than just a villain and you have to believe me because I've been there. Don't let your pride get in the way of something you really want!"

"I don't need your pity. There's nothing that you can do that will change me. You left all of us behind when you brats got chosen and you abandoned us on the island, and never looked back on us. As we were rotting away on the island." Uma says to Mal as it grows silent for a moment before Uma's shell necklace began to glow. There was hope for a moment before Uma climbed the railing and jumped into the water below them.

They saw something at first until the water started to circle up getting bigger and bigger, almost as big as the ship. The water pushed onto the ship. Everyone got soaked. They all screamed as Uma laughed evilly. She had turned into a giant octopus, much like her mother had done all those years ago.

"True loves kiss, won't defeat this, THE WORLD WILL KNOW MY NAME!" Uma yells as she swung a tentacle at them. They all screamed dodging it, as she swung another one, they all dodged blocking the giant tentacles.

Mal was angry, not angry she was furious. She's been messing with her for so long since the VKs were kids. There was purple smoke that began to cloud around her. Everyone was confused about what was going on as Uma gave her a challenging laugh. Growls could be heard inside of the smoke until it cleared up and everyone saw that Mal transformed into a huge purple dragon.

"Come on, Mal! Let's finish this once and for all!" Mal roared and before flying into the air, as Uma laughed at her.

Everyone looked at Mal who was now a purple dragon, she flew at Uma. She dodged it and swung her tentacle at Mal. She swung her tentacle at Mal again, knocking her into some water. She roared again, and she flew up and blew a giant fireball at her.

Her eyes widened and ducked underwater only to come up creating a giant wave. "Watch out!" Ben yells, as the boat rocked and shook, as they were all thrown left to right.

Ben came to the top as he suddenly let out a loud and proud beast roar. It shocked everyone, he then took off his jacket along with his crown before handing it to Jay and Carlos. He then jumped overboard. Everyone yelled his name but he didn't listen to them. Ben poked his head from underneath as he said in the freezing cold water. "Uma! Mal! Stand down."

"That's enough! This has to stop! The fighting has got to stop! Nobody wins this way! We have to listen and respect each other. It won't be easy but we'll have to be brave enough to try. Uma, I know you want what's best for the Isle. Help me make a difference." Ben says offering to Uma.

"Mal, you know this isn't you and you know I know this isn't you. Fighting is not what you resort to. This doesn't make you better than your mother." Mal's eyes dropped down knowing that he was right. "So please stop." He says begging her.

She stared at Ben stopping but standing on guard if Uma tried something. Uma stared at him, as Mal growled at her, but gave her a look. "Uma you know he's right. let's end this. The peaceful way." Uma held up her tentacle and gave Ben his ring before smiling sadly and diving underwater.

Jay and Carlos helped Ben out of the water and gave him a towel. Everyone congratulated him for making that heroic action. Mal roared as everyone looked over at him. She flew onto the ship and roared. She changed back to herself as everyone gasped as the dress changed.

Mal and Evie tried to take the fire from her dress before looking at Samantha, who offered Mal a small smile. Mal almost slipped on some water but Evie caught her before she could fall.

"I didn't see that coming." Mal says to Evie. "Neither did we." Evie says. "that makes the rest of us." Sam says half bitterly.

"I owe you guys so much." Ben said to them as they nodded their heads. "Yeah."

"Uma actually." Evie says speaking up. "There a little girl back on the Isle. I know that this little girl would love to come to Auradon. Drizella's daughter Dizzy. She's like a sister to me."

Ben smiles as he says. "Then she should come." As Evie also says. "Um, actually. There's a lot kids who would love to come to Auradon. Can I give you a list?"

Sam smiles at the thought of her younger brothers being in Auradon with her, and she can teach them a ton of stuff that she's learned since she's been here. She misses her brothers a ton, and wants to bring them into her arms and hug them as sight as she can.

"Yes. Yes absolutely." Ben says as Evie smiles brightly.

"Lady Mal." One of the men says as Mal turns to him as he handed her, spellbook.

"Uma, found your spellbook below deck." The man says handing her the spellbook.

Mal calls for Fairy Godmother, as she was walking towards Mal. "That's me. Thank you." She says as she takes the book.

"It belongs in the museum." Mal says to the headmistress.

"Yes. I'm going to take it there." Fairy Godmother says.

"I won't be needing anything from there anymore." Mal says holding Ben's hand and looking deep into his eyes. Ben kicked water on her as she laughed and kicked some back, everyone laughed and cheered.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Mal stood at the top of the stairs with Ben. Everyone stood there with their partner. Sam holds Carlos' hand as he smiles at her and kisses her lips. The two smile as they break from the kiss.

Ben:
Looking back at yesterday
I thought I gave it everything
But still there's so much road ahead of me

Mal:
When I looked into your eyes
I guess I didn't recognize
Who we are and all that we can be

Mal and Ben:
Sometimes it's hard to find yourself
But it's worth it in the end
'Cause in your heart is where it all begins

Everyone:
We gotta be bold
We gotta be brave
We gotta be free
We gotta be loud
Making that change
You gotta believe (whoa)
We'll look deep inside
And we'll rise up and shine
We can be bold
We can be brave
Let everyone see
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me

Sam and Carlos:
There's something special that I've learned
It's together we can change the world
Everybody's got something that they can bring

Jay, Mal and Evie:
When you take a look inside yourself
Do you wish that you can were something else?
But who you are is who you need to be

Jay and Sam:
Sometimes it's hard to find yourself
But it's worth it in the end
'Cause in your heart is where it all begins

Everyone:
We gotta be bold
We gotta be brave
We gotta be free
We gotta be loud
Making that change
You gotta believe (whoa)
We'll look deep inside
And we'll rise up and shine
We can be bold
We can be brave
Let everyone see
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me

Sam and Carlos:
We all can do a part
We know that it can be the start
To bring about the difference that we need (yeah)

Samantha:
I promise we can work this out
I promise we can see it through
Don't you know it's up to me
It's up to me and you

Everyone:
We gotta be bold
We gotta be brave
We gotta be free
We gotta be loud
Making that change
You gotta believe (whoa)
We'll look deep inside
And we'll rise up and shine
We can be bold
We can be brave
Let everyone see
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me (whoa, whoa, hey)
It starts with you and me

───※ ·❆· ※───

Samantha's POV

I smiled as I was soaked with water, but I didn't care. I was having too much fun. Mal is now Lady of the Court, and with Ben. I never thought that a girl like me would go and fall in love with her best friend. Because to me it feels weird loving your best friend.

"Ready, for what life is in store for us?" Carlos asks me as he's still holding me as I smile back.

"Yeah, I actually am." I say as he kissed me as I kissed him back.

───※ ·❆· ※───

hannah speaks!

hope you like this chapter!

<3