A villain has arrived in Auradon to save the day! Who would have thought? Crazy, right?

A looming black SUV pulled into the Auradon Prep circular drive. Four commanding officers of the Auradon Royal Guard stepped out. One opened the rear door while flanked by the other three, who stood ready to surround the obviously dangerous passenger. Hades’s feet, which were locked together in chains, hit the pavement with a clank.

Upstairs, Audrey lay stiff and lifeless in her dorm room bed, looking every bit a princess once more with her pink gown and long brushed hair. Queen Leah, grief-stricken, sat beside her motionless granddaughter and held her hand. Fairy Godmother and Belle stood attentively on Audrey’s other side. Beast paced the rug a few feet away.

There was a knock at the door. Mal, wearing a subdued lavender shirt and a tasteful gold skirt, jumped to open it. But Beast beat her to it.

Hades stood towering in the doorway, legs shackled, hands cuffed, and guards on all sides. The officers escorted him into the room. The god of the Underworld’s menacing presence sent an uncomfortable ripple through the air. Everyone was clearly on edge.

“Thank you for coming,” said Mal with an efficient nod. A dragon barrette pulled her bluish-purple hair back neatly into a low ponytail. As she stood close to Hades, the family resemblance was unmistakable.

“Didn’t have much choice,” said Hades, his shackles clanging. He looked about the opulent dorm room, with its gold brocade chairs and rose wallpaper. He had to hand it to the good guys: they were sure living the sweet life in Auradon.

“Can you wake her?” asked Ben.

“Since when do heroes care about villains?” hissed Hades, danger clear in his voice.

“She’s…” Ben stopped and realized there was no good answer for that.

“One of your own. Right. When you guys try to destroy the world, it’s an error in judgment. But when it’s one of us, lock ’em up and throw away the key.” Hades leveled a look at Beast. There was no love lost for the man who had permanently banished him and every other villain to the Isle. “Right, Beast?” he said with a snicker.

Mal registered the troubling double standard and furrowed her brow. Hades had a point. It did seem terribly unfair.

Suddenly, Hades jerked his arms in the air. Everyone startled in fear.

“I’m going to need my hands,” Hades said.

With apprehension, Mal signaled for his release. She’d learned from Uma to trust that sometimes help came from the most unexpected places.

The tension in the room rose as Hades rubbed his wrists together, then held out his hand, ready to reclaim his unrivaled object of power. Mal gave Hades the glowing ember. His hair burst into blue flames, and the ember burned even brighter.

“I haven’t lost my touch,” remarked Hades, relishing the feeling of the magic as it ran through his veins. For the first time in a long while, he felt whole. Hades moseyed right up to Beast, stared into his eyes, and growled. With his peerless powers restored, Hades could defeat Beast in one quick blast. Beast didn’t flinch. He, too, unleashed an intimidating guttural roar. The two men stood nose to nose, both ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.

“Dad,” Mal said quietly.

Hades studied the pleading expression on his daughter’s face, then reluctantly acceded. He pulled himself away from Beast and moved to Audrey’s bedside. Queen Leah, clearly terror-stricken in Hades’s presence, stayed by Audrey’s side and clutched her granddaughter’s hand protectively.

Hades held the glowing ember above Audrey and swirled it through the air. Under Hades’s command, the ember emitted a dark whirlpool of colors, which grew progressively lighter and brighter. As Hades worked his magic, pulsating shafts of colored light moved through the room. With a flash of brilliant blue light, Audrey awakened with a stretch, as if she’d just woken from the most peaceful nap.

Hades tossed the ember into the air like It ain’t no big thing. I just saved the girl, or whatever.

Queen Leah sobbed with relief and clasped her granddaughter. “Audrey, you’re okay,” she cried.

Audrey noticed Mal and Ben, and her face flooded with shame. “Tell me it was all a bad dream,” she said.

“I wish I could,” said Ben. “But it’s over now.” He tried to sound reassuring.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to hurt you both. I wanted to hurt all of you,” Audrey admitted, mortified by her actions.

Audrey moved to the edge of the bed toward Mal, who took her hand and looked at her solemnly. Audrey wasn’t the only one who was sorry. “I have owed you an apology for a very long time now,” said Mal with heartfelt realization. She’d love-spelled Ben and never looked back.

“So have I,” added Ben.

Audrey’s face filled with light.

Queen Leah stepped to Mal. “And perhaps I’ve owed you one as well.” Queen Leah gave the slightest curtsy and bowed her head a touch. One small bow from Queen Leah was a giant step for villainkind. Mal returned the curtsy.

As everyone fawned over Audrey, the guards re-handcuffed Hades, then led the dangerous captive back into the Auradon Prep hallway. Mal struggled to find her words. “Dad,” she yelped. Hades took a step toward his daughter, but the guards restrained him from getting any closer.

“I’m going to miss you all over again,” she said. He’d come through for her when she needed him.

Hades shrugged sheepishly. “Thanks for a glimpse of the sun,” he said. The lines around his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

Mal watched as he was led down the hall, once again a captive on his way to permanent imprisonment on the Isle. She smoothed her hand over her purple-and-blue hair, went to his side, and surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. Hades turned his back to her and opened his left hand, which held the ember. Mal took it and held it close. As he continued down the hall, Hades turned back for one last look at his daughter and left her with a knowing wink.