3rd P.O.V.

Once upon a time, long, long ago... well, more like twenty years ago... Belle married her Beast in front of six thousand of their closest personal friends. Big cake.

Yeah, so, instead of a honeymoon, Beast united all of the kingdoms and got himself elected King of the United States of Auradon. He rounded up all of the villains and sidekicks- basically all the really interesting people - and he booted them off to the Isle of the Lost with a magical barrier to keep them there.

--

ALI

I lounge on the uncomfortable armchair next to Ben as he's fitted for his coronation outfit and crown, tossing an apple between my hands. The gold, jewel-encrusted bangles on my wrists jingle with every movement.

"Sleeve." The tailor lifts Ben's arm as he stares at the Isle of the Lost behind me.

"I'm just saying, Ali, these kids were never given a chance."

"Head." Ben's forced to turn away from me by the tailor, who's growing more impatient with the Prince as the day moves on.

"You don't gotta convince me, your Majesty. I know better than most that you can find a diamond in the rough. With the number of people on the Isle, there's bound to be heaps. I say go for it."

"You're right." Ben smiles, "I'll talk to my parents."

"How is it possible that you're going to be crowned King next month? You're just a baby!"

I accidentally drop my apple but catch it with quick reflexes and scramble to stand tall as Belle and King Beast walk into the room with proud smiles, hiding the fruit behind my back.

Belle grins and pats Beast's arm, "He's turning sixteen, dear." She smiles warmly at me as they come closer to us, picking up Ben's discarded clothing from the foosball table with a gentle, motherly expression on her face. "How are you, Ali? And your parents?"

"I'm doing alright, thank you. My parents are having a great time with Genie and Dalia on their trip as well."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear it." Beast smiles charmingly, nodding at me in greeting.

"Yes, that's wonderful news."

"Hi, Pops," Ben says a little sheepishly. I let myself relax back into the armchair from before, although I still sit more formally than I was before.

"Sixteen?" Beast takes off his glasses, "That's far too young to be crowned King. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least... forty-two." Ben's parents come to a stop before the both of us and Belle turns to her husband with a disbelieving scoff, "Uh, you decided to marry me at twenty-eight."

"Ah, it was either you or a teapot." He winks. Ben and I chuckle softly before he placates Belle with a smile, "Kidding."

Ben looks down at me and I nudge my head in his parent's direction, raising my eyebrows to get my message across. He sighs and nods with a sheepish smile, "Mom, Dad-" He tries to step off of his small podium, only for the tailor to hold tighter onto his pants. "Ah!"

I snort at the sight of him wagging his finger at Ben in refusal before covering it up with a cough at the tailor's glare. "Mmm-mm."

"Maybe.. stay there, Ben."

Beast huffs a laugh at my nervousness towards the tailor before he turns his attention back to his son.

"Right. I've chosen my first official proclamation."

Belle and Beast look at one another with a look of shock and pride. I take a bite of my apple, entertained as Ben continues, "I've decided that the children on the isle of the lost be given a chance to live here in Auradon."

"Uh." Beast stares at his son and Belle drops the blue shirt she had been holding. "Huh."

As they continue to stare at him, Ben looks at me awkwardly, and I clear my throat and gesture to the window where we have a view of the Isle.

"Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned."

I can't hide my proud smile as I stand up and move to Ben's side.

Beast isn't so proud. "The children of our sworn enemies? Living among us?" He questions.

"We start out with a few at first, only ones who need our help the most. I've already chosen them."

I take another bite of my apple, finishing it off and throwing it over my shoulder. It lands in the bin with a thunk.

"Have you?"

Wiping my juice-covered hand on my jeans, I clear my throat and speak up. "If I may, Your Highness," Beast stares, and Belle lays a gentle hand on his arm and nods for me to continue. "My father wasn't exactly an upstanding citizen, either. He had to steal-"

"To survive."

"You're right, Sir. But that doesn't change the fact that because he had no money- because he had to steal, he was called a criminal. He wouldn't have saved my Mom or anyone else if he wasn't given the chance. These kids, they're just like him. They're doing the best with what they've got."

Belle looks up at him. "Ali's right. After all, I gave you a second chance." Knowing he's listening, albeit reluctantly, she turns to Ben. "Who are their parents?"

"Cruella de Vil, Jafar,"

The three's attention all turns to me as Ben speaks Jafar's name, and I clench my hands into fists and smile through gritted teeth. It was my idea to invite his kid. No reason to be dramatic- I can always avoid them if I need to.

"The Evil Queen..."

Belle and Beast have grown progressively stiffer and uncomfortable the further down his list Ben goes.

"And Maleficent."

The tailor, who I'd forgotten was here with us, screams shrilly and I jump.

"Maleficent!" Beast roars, "She is the worst villain in the land!"

"Dad, just hear me out here-"

"I won't hear of it." He denies. The tailor behind us bows and hurriedly rushes out of the room as Beast continues. "They are guilty of unspeakable crimes. Jafar tried to kill your best friend's parents!"

"I know, I know, but Dad- their children are innocent! Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?"

The doors slide shut behind us and I let out a shaky breath in anticipation as Beast stays silent.

"Dad?"

Belle and Beast exchange a look and he sighs as he turns back to his son. "I suppose their children are innocent."

Beast begins to walk away as Belle says her goodbyes, "Well... Well done." She turns her gaze to me after straightening Ben's suit, and I shouldn't be surprised by the warmth behind her smile, but I am. "Both of you."

"Thank you," I smile weakly.

As Ben's parents walk away arm-in-arm, the both of us move to look out the window that faces the Isle of the Lost. Ben looks down at his signet ring before facing me. "Ali," He mutters, a vulnerability that he had hidden from his parents now exposed to me. "Are we making a mistake with this?"

I smile at him despite the heaviness in my heart at the thought of Jafar's son being so close to me and lightly punch his arm. "How bad can they possibly be?" With a final sigh, I turn and leave the room, and Ben, behind me.

I need some air.

1213 words.

The only character I own is Ali. Everything else belongs to Disney.