The towering iron gates of Auradon slowly swung open as a sleek black limousine rolled to a stop on the cobblestone drive. Beyond them stretched immaculate gardens bursting with color, gleaming white castles that reached into the blue sky, and students gathered in neat uniforms, whispering excitedly about the newcomers. It was a world so bright it almost hurt the eyes of four teenagers who had spent their entire lives beneath the gray skies of the Isle of the Lost.

The limousine doors opened one by one.

Mal stepped out first, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the kingdom before her. Evie followed, immediately captivated by the elegant buildings and perfectly dressed students. Jay climbed out with an amused grin, taking in the sprawling campus and wondering what adventures waited for him. Carlos hesitated before joining them, nervously clutching the strap of his backpack while staring at everything around him in disbelief.

Waiting at the bottom of the steps stood Prince Ben, dressed in royal blue, wearing a warm smile that contrasted with the cautious expressions of nearly everyone else.

Standing beside him were King Beast and Queen Belle. Belle offered each of the four a gentle smile filled with hope, while Beast studied them carefully, his protective instincts impossible to hide. Around them, guards remained at attention, and curious students craned their necks for a better look at the infamous children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella de Vil.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

The four VKs simply stared at the kingdom they had only ever heard about through stories told with bitterness and resentment. It was cleaner, brighter, and far more welcoming than anything they had imagined.