[2] Fire Within | Disney's Descendants

TWO: A New Proclamation

Meanwhile in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon, Prince Ben stood on a small platform with a tailor by his feet, taking his measurements for his coronation suit. Ben stared out of the window where the Isle of the Lost could be seen from a distance and three things seemed to be swirling through the young prince's mind.

One: His coronation. He couldn't escape the feelings of excitement and nervousness that came with the thought of him being crowned king next month.

Two: The Isle of the Lost. Ben didn't know why, but he felt drawn to the island full of banished villains and his curiosity started to take over.

And three: Who was that beautiful girl with the purple hair from his dream? Was she even real? Or just a figment of his imagination to help him get through his coronation? No. He needed to stop thinking about this girl. He had a girlfriend after all.

Ben started to think more about the second thing on his mind. He knew for a fact that there had to be children in that prison that his own father created. Kids who didn't have any say on if they wanted to be there or who they wanted to be. It wasn't fair to them, they didn't do anything wrong.

The kids on the Isle wouldn't have the privileges that he and the other children in Auradon have. A good education, fresh food, clean drinking water, happiness ... Won't putting them in an environment where there's nothing but anger, hatred and jealousy just reset the cycle instead of getting rid of it? The more Ben thought about the kids that were on the Isle, the more he felt certain about his plan. Now he just needed to tell his parents.

"How is it possible that you're going to be crowned king next month?" King Adam asked as he walked into the room in a suit and blue blazer with his wife wearing a yellow sun dress, holding onto his arm. "You're just a baby."

"He's turning sixteen, dear," Queen Belle pointed out.

"Hey pops," Ben greeted, but his father ignored him.

Belle picked up a piece of clothing that Ben had thrown onto his bed earlier this morning and started to fold it as the King continued on to say, "Sixteen? That's far too young to be crowned king. I didn't make a good decision until I was at least forty-two."

Belle scoffed and turned towards her husband, "Uh, you decided to marry me at twenty-eight."

"Well, it was either you or a teapot." Adam winked at Ben, who chuckled slightly. "Kidding." Adam said once he saw his wife giving him The Look.

"Mom, Dad," Ben began, deciding that now was the perfect time to tell his parents about his idea. He started to walk towards him but his tailor stopped him and Ben remained on the platform. "I've chosen my first official proclamation." His parents exchanged glances and turned back to their son, waiting to hear what he had to say. "I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost should be given a chance... to live here in Auradon."

Adam's face fell instantly along with the piece of clothing that was in Queen Belle's hand. The tailor even stopped pinning Ben's suit and stayed frozen in his spot. "Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned," Ben defended, walking off the platform and toward his parents.

"The children of our sworn enemies, living among us?" The king asked, making sure that he heard his son correctly.

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

"Have you?" King Adam asked skeptically and Ben's smile started to fade.

"I gave you a second chance," Belle reminded her husband as she placed a hand on his arm, the king looking down as the queen turned to her son. "Who are their parents?"