Chapter 18

(This is what Misty will be wearing for this chapter)

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It was now the morning after the situation with Hades on the Isle happened. The air all around Auradon was thick and heavy with uncertainty and fear. When everyone came back to the school, everyone was in a panic. Misty right away made a public statement saying that everything was under control and will be taken care of. After the interview she immediately sent guards out to watch the area around Auradon just to be safe in case Hades or Uma decides to come back and strike when they are the most vulnerable. Her parents wanted to set up a meeting with her, Fairy Godmother, Ben and Mal to discuss what to do next.

After Misty had woken up from a restless sleep she gets ready for the meeting with everyone. As she walks into the hallway she sees Audrey's door slightly open. Misty squints her eyes, she knows Audrey isn't one to leave her door open randomly.

Misty slowly walks over to her room and peaks inside. She looks to the bed and it was neatly made with her journal laying closed on top of her sheets. "Audrey? Are you in here?" She calls out quietly as she tip toed into the room. She looks around the room and sees her room completely untouched and unbothered. She walks a bit further into the room and near the mantle she sees a bunch of pictures. Some with her family some with Ben and then there was a lot of pictures with just Misty and Audrey.

Misty picks one of them up and smiles to herself. The picture was from a few years ago, it was of Misty and Audrey were sitting together near the Enchanted Lake having a little picnic smiling and laughing together. After a few seconds she realizes that she should be at a meeting. She quickly puts down the picture and runs out of the room closing the door behind her.

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Once Misty walks into the room, she sees her parents and Fairy Godmother waiting. "Are we just waiting for Mal and Ben?" She asks trying to break the awkward silence. Belle nods to her daughter. As if on cue Mal walks in with Ben right behind her. The look of dread on Mal's face was evident and Misty felt sorry for her, she had known about who Mal's father was. Mal had trusted her with the secret and Misty kept it.

Soon the silence in the room was broken by Adam, "I think we all know why we're here." Misty looks down as she avoids eye contact with her parents. "The people are in a panic about Hades, and Misty's public statement isn't helping. He almost got out." At this Misty looks up and lets out a small huff and rolls her eyes. 'Thanks Dad' Misty thinks to herself.

"Who knows what he would've done if he escaped?" Fairy Godmother says. "We can't risk having another villain on the loose." Adam says. Misty's eye twitched a bit, she opens her mouth to say something but Mal speaks first. "I really feel like this is my fault. I was supposed to protect Auradon" She says looking at Ben and Misty.

Misty's eyes widen at her words. "Mal, you do protect Auradon. But you shouldn't feel like that weight is solely on your shoulders. That's what all of us are here for." She says taking a step toward her, Ben nodding beside her.

"Every time we open the barrier, we're exposed to danger. Maleficent, Uma, Hades." Adam says trying to hint at something that Misty knew would be brought up in the conversation.

Misty's phone states to ring, she sighs and steps to the side and answers it, she feels eyes burning into her back as she took the call. After hearing the news on the other side of the line Misty sighs and runs a hand over her face. She turns to face the rest of the room. "Maleficent's scepter and my crown have been stolen." She says.

"Uma?" Her dad asks. Misty rolls her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, "We don't know that, Dad." She was starting to get irritated with her father's remarks and assumptions about Uma. She just wanted to be seen and understood now she was feared all across the country.

"When people hear this, they will never wanna leave their houses. What do we tell them?" Belle says worried. Everyone turns to look at Misty and Mal for a solution. "How do we keep evil out of Auradon?"

This confirmed Misty's suspicions. Her parents had already made the decision to close the barrier way before this meeting started, they just wanted to the three of them on board and make it seem like it was Mal and Misty's idea. Misty knew better she can smell something was up just based on their demeanor alone. Misty's fist clenched tightly.

"I think there is only one way to guarantee their safety. And I think that there can't be anymore going in or out. I think we need to close the barrier forever." Mal says with strain in her voice.

The adults nod their heads in agreement then look to Misty. "Misty?" Adam asks his daughter wanting to know her input since she is the queen of Auradon. Misty scoffs "No. No. No. No!" Adam rolls his eyes "Misty.." He starts. "No Dad. I know what you what is happening. I know what you three already did. You already made the decision to close the barrier for good and you wanted us to make that decision so the blame could be placed on us. I know how this works Dad." Misty says as she starts to get upset. "Why are we closing the Isle when almost all of those people had nothing to do with what happened yesterday. That was all Hades. The regular people were innocent. All of those kids deserve a second chance and doing this will take that away from them. I'm not punishing everyone when this involves only one." She says.

"Then what do you suggest we do Misty?" Her father asks, cleaning his glasses. "Why can't we create a barrier just to inclose him while the normal barrier remains the way it is. We up security. Something. But I know that what I say isn't going to matter because you already made the decision for us. Haven't you?" She says glaring at her parents. She then looks at Mal "I love you Mal, but are you prepared for the outcome that this will bring." She says not trying to bring Mal down, she just wants to have her think it through.

"I know what it means, and no I'm not prepared for it. I just think that we have no other choice." Mal says to her softly. "Misty. Mal's right. We wouldn't forgive ourselves if something terrible happened." Ben says to his sister "I know you want to do what's right for those kids, but we have to also think about our people here on Auradon."

Misty looks around the room and she realizes she's lost. She had no other say in the matter. She has to accept that this was the truth now, no matter how much she hates it.

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Misty and Mal were now at Evie's cottage to tell her the situation. Misty wasn't in a good mood at all, for most of Mal and Evie's conversation she was just leaning in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"Who else knows about the crown and the scepter?" Evie asks sitting by her desk. "No one. I mean, think about it. People are scared enough as it is. We have to employ these entirely new security measures." Mal says.

"Will this delay us bringing over more VK's?" Evie asks. Misty sucks in a breath, she knew this question was coming up. She hoped Mal would tell the truth about the situation.

"We're talking about closing the barrier for good." Mal says. Evie looked between the girls. "But you both said no" Misty nods her head. "I mean, the four of us are living the dream here, and we finally get to share that. I mean, what could be more important than that?"

Misty looks at Mal, she knows she feels terrible about the decision. Misty didn't blame her in the slightest, it was just the cards they were dealt with. She knew Mal didn't like this idea, and hearing Evie's words didn't make it better.

"Yeah. I know." She sighs as she sits on a nearby stool. "I mean, maybe security or maybe peace of mind for everyone in Auradon."  Evie furrows her eyebrows as she looks at the girls.

"Is that what they're thinking? And were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in or out of the Isle ever again?" Evie asks "What, we never get to go back and see our parents? And what about these kids? We promised them that they could go back and visit wherever they wanted." She says as she stands up.

Misty's lip quivers as everything comes back to her. She wished there was another way to fix this. "M and Misty I'm so glad you both are going to be ruling this kingdom. You will be a part of these conversations, you both will stand up for the VK's. Thank you both for telling me" she smiles and hugs Mal, then after she hugs Misty.

After Evie leaves, Misty walks up to Mal and hugs her. "I'm sorry, none of this is your fault. I'm sorry you had to make that decision. It was never supposed to be yours to make." She whispered. Mal sighs and leans into her as she lets a tear fall from her eyes.

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Hello Reader!

You have come to a very important part of the story. After this chapter this book will split into two sections and you get to choose which path you want to go down. Or read both! Whatever you choose.

As you know Misty has two possible love interests Harry and Audrey. You get to pick on who she ends up with! Just check at the top to make sure you are in the right chapter!

I hope you enjoy!