De Fragee Prutia

t w e n t y

 Ben had no time to think about where the shadow would put the spellbook because he was called in to a meeting. It was small. Just his parents, Fairy Godmother, and Mal. 

"The people are in a panic about Hades," Beast said. "He almost got out. Who knows what would've happened if he had escaped. We can't risk having another villain loose."

"I really feel like this is my fault. I'm supposed to protect Auradon," Mal said looking at her hands.

"You did, Mal. You do protect Auradon."

"Every time we open the barrier, we're exposed to danger, son. Maleficent, Uma, Hades."

Ben's phone rang. "One second... hello... Maleficent's scepter and the queen's crown have been stolen."

"Uma."

"We don't know that, dad."

"When the people hear this, they'll never want to leave their houses," Belle said, slightly panicked. "What do we tell them? Mal... you know the Isle, what do we do? How do we keep evil out of Auradon?"

"I think there's only one way to guarantee their safety. And that means there can be no more going in and out... we have to close the barrier. Forever."

Ben shook his head as everyone in the room agreed. "No...no."

Ben walked out of the room. Mal ran after him.

"Hey, I do not want to take away your dream because it was so beautiful."

"What about the kids, Mal? What about Nami? Am I supposed to let her rot there... you know she was even making plans to get some of the adults off. Are we supposed to leave all of them? Leave her?"

"I know you had plans for the Isle but as king what is your duty?"

"... to protect Auradon."

"I know what this means, Ben. And I'm not prepared to accept it, I just think we have no other choice. We have to do what's right by Auradon. I just don't think we would forgive ourselves is something bad happened."

Ben said nothing, he just nodded slightly and walked off.

"Well who else knows about the crown and scepter?" Evie asked. Mal had come to her starter castle/design studio.

"Just you. People are scared enough as is. This would make it worse. We have to employ these entirely new security measures."

"Will this delay us bringing over more VKs?"

"We're talking about closing the barrier forever."

"But you said no," Evie said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I mean, the four of us are here living our dreams and we finally get to share that. What could be more important than that?"

"Yeah. I know. But security, maybe peace of mind in Auradon..."

"Is that what they're thinking? M, were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in and out the Isle again? What about the kids we just brought? We said they could go back and visit any time? What about Nami, she's still not with us."

"Yeah. I know."

"M, I'm so glad you took up royal advisor again. That we have you there to speak for us Isle kids. Thank you for telling me." Evie gave Mal a hug.

"Children! Breakfast!"

She had headed to the orphanage early that day. Nami left Dr. Facilier to his mourning, apologizing profusely because she didn't know Ben would say his mother died. Nami ate with the children at their tables, breakfast at the apartment was boring without Dizzy. Some of the kids were playing with her shadow, the smaller version that worked like Pan's, although the kids loved the big one. Now that it was tied to the jar back in her room, she could let it roam whenever and not have to worry about running out of dust.