Go the Distance

11

Mal ran up to Maia and handed her a brownie. "I feel horrible for forcing Ben to fall in love with you. If he truly does love you, he'll tell you."

Maia nodded and took the brownie. "Thanks."

"Don't let him eat it until later, okay?"

"Okay."

Ben and Maia climbed into his carriage and he noticed how nervous Maia was before saying, "Don't be nervous. All you have to do is sit there and look beautiful. No problem there."

Maia smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Maia, would you wear my ring?" Ben asked.

Maia's eyes teared up. "Um... not now. I think it would probably just fall right off of me. I have something for you."

Ben's eyes widened. "For me?"

She nodded. "Yeah. It's just for later, you know, when you need strength. Some carbs to keep up your energy."

Ben smiled at her. "Always thinking. But I can't wait."

He grabbed the brownie and Maia cried, "No!"

"Mm. Mm... Mm! This is really good."

"Uh, do you..."

"Maia?"

"Do you feel okay?"

He nodded. "You bet."

Maia chose her next words carefully. "Would you say that you're still in... that... that you have very strong feelings for me?"

Ben shrugged. "I'm not sure. I mean, let's give the anti-love potion a few minutes to take effect."

"Yeah... okay." Maia's eyes widened at his words. "What? What? You knew?"

"That you let Mal spell me? Yeah. Yeah, I knew."

Maia instantly began panicking. "I'm... I can explain myself."

Ben shook his head. "No, look, it's fine. I mean, you had a crush on me. I was with Audrey. You didn't trust that it could happen on its own. Am I right?"

Maia nodded, letting out a soft, relieved sigh. "Yes. You're so right. So, then, how long have you known?"

Ben smiled. "Since our first date. Your spell washed away in the Enchanted Lake."

Maia frowned. "So what then? You've just been... faking it since then?"

Ben took her hand and placed his ring on and kissed it. "I haven't been faking anything."

They reached the palace and Ben offered his hand to help Maia out.

Mal stood on the side with Elias. Maia stood up front with Ben and his parents.

Fairy Godmother began the ceremony. "Do you solemnly swear to govern the peoples of Auradon with justice and mercy as long as you shall reign?"

Ben answered, "I do solemnly swear."

Fairy Godmother smiled. "Then it is my honor and my joy to bless our new king."

Seconds later, the wand was grabbed. It happened so quickly everyone thought it was Mal but realized it was Jane. A bright light struck through the ceiling.

Fairy Godmother's eyes widened. "Child, what are you doing?!"

Jane frowned. "If you won't make me beautiful, I'll do it myself! Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!"

"Take cover!" Beast cried.

Mal grabbed it from Jane's hands and held it in both of hers.

"Careful Mal!" Belle warned.

"Mal, give me the wand," Ben said.

"Stand back," Mal ordered as her voice shook.

"It's okay," Ben reassured, stepping closer to her as he moved in front of a wide eyed Maia.

"Ben, I said stand back!"

"I told you so!" Audrey shrieked.

"Let's go!" Carlos yelled.

Jay smiled. "Revenge time."

Ben studied Mal. "You really want to do this?"

Mal looked at him sadly. "We have no choice, Ben! Our parents..."

Ben cut her off. "Your parents made their choice. Now make yours."

Mal frowned. "I think I want to be good."

Elias smiled at her. "You are good."

"How do you know that?!"

"Because... Because I'm listening to my heart."

Mal's eyes flicked to the ground. "I want to listen to my heart." She turned to her friends. "And my heart is telling me that we are not our parents." She turned to Jay. "I mean, stealing things doesn't make you happy. Tourney and victory pizza with the team makes you happy."

"Yeah!" a boy cried.

Mal shifted her gaze to Carlos. "And you, scratching Dude's belly makes you happy. Who would've thought? And Evie... you do not have to play dumb to get a guy. You are so smart." She turned to Elias and Maia. "Maia, Elias, I didn't think I'd become friends with an Auradon girl or fall for an Auradon guy, but I can gladly say that you are my friend and that I like you, Elias. And I don't want to take over the world with evil. It doesn't make me happy. I want to go to school. And be with Elias." She turned back to him. "Because Elias makes me really happy." She flipped around back to her friends. "Us being friends makes me really happy. Not destroying things. I choose good, you guys." She held her fist in front of her.

Jay nodded and put in his fist. "I choose good, too."

Evie smiled as she put in hers. "I choose good."

Carlos furrowed his brow. "So, just to be clear, we don't have to be worried about how really mad our parents will be? Because they're gonna be really, really mad."

Ben smiled at Carlos. "Your parents can't reach you here."

Okay, then." Carlos put his hand in. "Good."

Mal flicked her head to Ben. "Come on." She rested her head against his shoulder.

All was peaceful for maybe ten seconds and then a green smoke entered the room.