Descendants 1: A New Story

Part 1: Ben's First Proclamation

A long time ago...
A long time ago...
Well, more than twenty years ago...
Belle married Beast in front of sixteen thousand of their closest personal friends.
A big cake.
But, instead of a honeymoon, Beast united all the kingdoms and was elected king of the United States of Auradon. He rounded up all the villains and helpers, mostly interesting people, and dumped them on the Isle of the Lost with a magical barrier to keep them there.
This is my hood. No magic. No WIFI. No exit.
Or so I thought.
Hold on! You're going to meet us. But first this happened.

Prince Ben stood patiently on a velvet-topped pedestal, his gaze fixed across the sparkling blue sea, staring off at the Isle of the Lost. He could see the magical barrier that contained it, flickering across the water. Ben felt a familiar ache, one of guilt and responsibility, settling in his chest.

The royal tailor, Lumier, rustled with the measuring tape as he got the exact measurements of Ben, preparing him for his Coronation taking place for him in a few days. The grand oak doors swung open, as his parents, King Beast, also known as King Adam and Queen Belle, Beauty herself, strolled inside, admiring their son as they did.

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

"He's turning sixteen, dear," Belle said, her voice warm.

"Hey, Pops," Ben said, flashing his parents a friendly smile.

"Sixteen?" Adam scoffed, taking off his glasses to polish them. "That's far too young to be crowned king. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least... forty-two." He said, shooting his son a playful smile.

Belle's eyebrow arched at her husband. "Uh, you decided to marry me at twenty-eight."

"It was either you or a teapot," Adam quipped, winking at Ben, who let out a genuine chuckle. "Kidding." He assured his wife.

Ben took a deep breath, letting the familiar, lighthearted banter settle. The playfulness in his eyes was replaced by a quiet, determined fire. "Mom, Dad," he said, steady and clear. "I've chosen my first official proclamation."

His parents exchanged a proud, knowing smile, happy to see him taking his position seriously. "I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost should be given a chance... to live here in Auradon."

The silence that followed was heavy and immediate. King Adam's face hardened, the easygoing father vanishing, replaced by the wary monarch. Belle's eyes widened, her hand flying to her throat. The tailor, sensing the sudden, sharp drop in temperature, quickly gathered his tools and retreated to a far corner of the room, trying to make himself invisible.

"Every time I look out at the island," Ben said, his arm sweeping toward the window, his voice ringing with a passion he could no longer contain, "I feel like they've been abandoned."

"The children of our sworn enemies?" King Beast's voice was a low growl, a remnant of the monster he once was. "Living among us?"

"We start out with a few at first—only the ones who need our help the most," Ben pressed on, holding his father's gaze. "I've already chosen them."

"Have you?" the King challenged, his eyebrows furrowing into a formidable line.

Belle, ever the mediator, placed a gentle hand on her husband's arm, her touch a silent anchor. "I gave you a second chance," she reminded him softly, her words carrying an immense weight. She then turned her gaze, full of love and a hint of trepidation, to her son. "Who are their parents?"

Ben held his breath for a second, knowing the names were like sparks falling on dry tinder. "Cruella De Vil, Jafar, the Evil Queen..." He paused, steeling himself. "And Maleficent."