29

The next day was the coronation, and, despite not having asked for anything specifically, Evie had made her a gorgeous dress. Margot shouldn't have been surprised, there was no way Evie would let her attend the coronation in anything less than a masterpiece, but it still made her smile despite the troubling past few days.

The dress itself was silver chiffon, elegant and flattering, with no sleeves and two long pieces that flowed out behind her from the top of her shoulders. These were held in place by shiny silver buttons of some sort. A wide silver belt was around her waist, engraved with swirly patterns.

Her hair, which had been straightened but still retained some curls at the bottom, was held back by a silver headband that looked like it could've been a circlet, and her makeup was perfectly natural and otherworldly-looking. Basically, she looked like a moon goddess.

When Ben saw her, boy, was he sorry he still had to take Mal as his date, but the purple-haired girl was equally beautiful. Even Snow White commented that she looked like some sort of princess.

Margot didn't care for any of Snow White's commentary, though, after all, when Ben had seen her, he said she looked as beautiful as Arwen was described in the books. Mal had teased the two of them for being nerds, but considering Arwen was supposed to be the most beautiful elf in the whole of Middle Earth, the compliment meant everything to Margot. Being called a moon goddess by Snow White mattered nothing to her.

Margot and Oliver were right behind Ben and Mal as they approached the king and queen. When Mal tried to apologize, the king interrupted.

"I told Ben this wasn't going to be easy."

"You also taught me that a king has to believe in himself. Even when it isn't easy." Ben replied, smiling at his father. Margot was glad they seemed to have gotten over their fight.

"Oh, Margot dear!" Belle waved the girl over, much to her shock, and gave her a hug. "Oh, don't you look beautiful!"

"You're the girl who stood up to me." Beast said, eyeing Margot appraisingly. The girl curtsied nervously. "None of that, now. I'm glad my son has friends willing to stand up for him. It's a sign of a good leader, and, well, I am grateful for what you said."

Margot stared at him in shock. "Thank you, your Majesty."

"He's thanking you, Margot." Belle reminded her with her usual warm smile.

"Right." Margot replied sheepishly.

The King turned to his son again. "You're gonna make a fine king."

Margot nodded encouragingly, agreeing wholeheartedly with the words.

Soon, Ben was pulled away, and the four of them began to make their way to their seats. While Belle, King Adam, and Mal stopped at the front row, Margot continued to her spot next to Jane, though the girl was clearly uncomfortable.

It was only minutes more before Ben came walking down the aisle, towards where Fairy Godmother was waiting with the King and Queen, her magic wand in hand.

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

"I do solemnly swear." Ben replied without hesitation.

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

Then, suddenly, Jane ran out from her spot before Margot could pull her back. The girl grabbed the wand from her mother's hand, and light beams started shooting out of it. Instinctively, Margot ran forwards in front of Belle, making sure the queen was behind her.

"Child, what are you doing?!" Fairy Godmother yelled.

"Stay behind me, Belle!" Margot urged, holding her arms in front of her face as one of the beams of light hit her. "Ow!" The burning sensation spread across her forearms, and, looking down, Margot saw that her arms were bleeding.

"If you won't make me beautiful, I'll do it myself! Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" Jane yelled desperately, making another beam of light soar past ducking heads.

Much to Margot's relief, Mal ran forward and grabbed the wand, managing to subdue its power.

"Careful, Mal!" Belle yelled from behind Margot.

"Mal, give me the wand." Ben said, having noticed the terrified expression on the girl's face.

Margot's arms dropped down as she realized Mal wasn't moving. "Mal, what are you doing? Give Ben the wand!"

"Stand back." Mal said through teary eyes as she pointed the wand at Ben. Without hesitation, Margot stood in front of him.

"Don't you dare."

Ben pushed her behind him hastily. "You're already injured Mar. Stay behind me."

"You're more important!"

"Mal, give me the wand." Oliver said, coming forward.

"Ol, I said stand back." Mal yelled, now crying.

"I told you so!" Audrey sang maliciously.

The other three VKs came running down then.

"Let's go!" Carlos yelled.

Jay and Evie were right behind him, and Margot watched in horror.

"You guys..." Margot muttered, her eyes filling with tears.

"You really want to do this?" Ben asked, holding his arm to keep Margot from moving from behind him.

"We have no choice, Ben! Our parents..." Mal cried out.

Oliver stepped right up to Mal, his eyes determined and full of love. "Your parents made their choice. Now you make yours."

Slowly, looking into his eyes, Mal lowered the wand. "I think I wanna be good."

"You are good." Ben answered, finally removing his hand so Margot could stand next to him.

"How do you know that?" Mal asked.

"Mal..." Margot started. "You protected me my entire life, you were willing to drown to save me, you've done good your whole life and never once asked for anything in return. Isn't that enough proof? You're so proud of Evie for becoming who she is now, and the boys for their tourney, and you want good things for them. You're not evil, Mal. If you were, I wouldn't even be able to be here right now."

"Mal, I know you're good, because, because, I'm listening to my heart." Ben said.

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

Jay grinned softly.

"And you, scratching dude's belly makes you happy. Who would've thought?" Mal almost broke down when she turned to her very best friend. "And Evie... You do not have to play dumb to get a guy. You are so smart. 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 Oliver. Because Ollie makes me really happy. Us being friends makes me really happy. Not destroying things. I choose good, you guys."

"I choose good, too." Jay said, smirking.

"I choose good." Evie echoed.

Carlos joined in, and with a nudge of Mal's head, Margot joined in, followed by Ben and Oliver.

"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." Carlos fretted.

"Your parents can't reach you here." Ben reassured him.

"Okay, then. Good." The others chuckled at Carlos's comment, and Margot smiled softly. Though it did hurt to know they'd planned to leave without her, nothing beat the relief in knowing they'd decided to stay instead.

Unfortunately, Ben would have to eat his words almost immediately.