Audrey’s eyes teemed with evil intent. “I want to be dangerous. My life was perfect until you stole it! And then Auradon turned its back on me.” Audrey pivoted in place, whipped around her luscious hair, and stormed away with attitude. “It’s time for a little payback,” she muttered ominously.
“Audrey, wait,” shouted Mal. Desperation filled her voice.
Audrey spun around, threw back her head, and cackled. She waved the luminous scepter in Mal’s direction, then cursed her with a flash of light. When the pink smoke cleared, its effect left Mal speechless. The hex had transformed Mal into a shriveled old woman. Mal’s glossy purple hair had turned a sickly shade of gray, and her once-porcelain skin was covered with deep wrinkles and liver spots. Her chic purple vest was replaced with a ratty wool cloak. Mal looked down at her withered hands and winced.
Audrey soaked up Mal’s pained reaction and laughed with glee. “Think Ben will love you now, you old hag?” Audrey lifted the scepter to the sky triumphantly. “You’ll pay the price for what you did, and so will all of Auradon.”
Alerted by the commotion, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Celia burst out of the house. They stopped short on the driveway when they saw Audrey in possession of the magical objects, then gawked when they saw Mal’s monstrous makeover.
Audrey took a moment to bask in everyone’s shock, then snickered, twirled around, and disappeared in a puffy cloud of pink smoke. “So long, suckers.” Revenge really was glorious.
Jay rushed to Mal’s aid but accidentally recoiled in revulsion when he saw her up close. “Whoa! Ah, you might want to think of a spell for that.” He winced.
“There’s no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter,” responded Mal. Her voice sounded gravelly and old.
“Well, that’s a shame,” Carlos muttered, and looked away with a grimace.
Mal shook her head of wiry gray hair, then squinted her eyes, crow’s-feet and all, toward the remaining wisps of Audrey’s pink smoke. “Forget about me. Audrey’s out for revenge. Auradon’s in danger.” Mal knew from firsthand experience with her mother: that scepter was dangerous in the hands of a woman scorned.
“What should we do?” asked Evie.
Mal looked at her frantic friends. “The only thing more powerful than the scepter is Hades’s ember.”
“Like he’s just going to hand it over to you after you blew him back to the Isle,” Jay said, raising one eyebrow.
“No one knows where his lair is,” said Evie as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Celia piped up. “I do. I’m his errand rat. I’ve got the key at my dad’s.”
Mal pointed at Celia with authority—well, as much authority as an old hunchback could muster. “You’re coming.”
“But I just got here,” Celia said disappointedly. She had expected to revel in more of Auradon’s beauty and riches before returning to the Isle. And also to eat more cake.
In truth, returning to the Isle wasn’t anyone’s first choice for how to spend the day, but there was no other way. They had to retrieve the ember to safeguard Auradon.
Just then, Dizzy appeared in the doorway, holding Squeaky’s and Squirmy’s hands. They were all spruced up and ready to leave for Jane’s party. “Mal?” asked Dizzy, her voice cracking with confusion.
As realization hit, Dizzy shrieked in terror. The twins buried their faces in fear.
Evie’s heart went out to the terrified kids. “Dizzy, stay here and take care of the twins. We’ll be right back and everything is going to be just fine. Go inside,” she instructed, hoping the younger VKs bought her fake-confidence act. Then she turned to Carlos, Jay, and Celia. “Guys, go get your stuff.”
While the others ran inside Evie’s castle, Mal turned and whispered to Evie, “Really, how bad is it?” She flashed a near-toothless grin.
“You age beautifully,” Evie reassured her with a quick smile. “Now let’s just get you into something fabulous, okay?” Evie was halfway to the front door when she realized elderly Mal walked at an extremely slow pace. She took a few steps back to help her friend.
Mal had always known she and Evie would be best friends until a ripe old age. She just hadn’t planned on that old age coming so soon.
A little while later, senior citizen Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos peeled through the forest on their custom-detailed motorbikes, with Celia riding on the back of Mal’s. On a normal day, the VKs loved to take their tricked-out bikes for a spin, but there was no joy in that day’s ride as they headed toward their unfortunate mission. The group, all wearing helmets in their signature colors, pulled to a stop on a rocky bluff and looked out across Auradon Bay. Not one of them was excited to return home.
Mal lifted her safety goggles. Her wrinkled eyes flashed green and she incanted from memory: “Noble steeds, proud and fair, you shall take us anywhere.” With a zing of enchantment, the motorbikes roared to life and magically zipped across the surface of the sea toward the Isle. Celia had not seen that coming in her fortune cards.
Moments later, Carlos’s dog, Dude, scurried onto the bluff and saw his master’s bike floating toward the horizon. “Carloooooooos!” the talking dog howled forlornly. “You’re gonna miss Jane’s birthday!” But he was too late.
And a very unhappy birthday to poor Jane…
It was the perfect day for a birthday party at the Enchanted Lake, and Jane’s guests were having a blast. They splashed in the crystalline green water and enjoyed cupcakes off a three-tiered pastry stand. Several girls in summer dresses gathered around a crystal punch bowl. A periwinkle banner reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE hung above their heads. The banner, of course, was decorated with pink bows. Jane matched the decorations, wearing a new off-the-shoulder pinstriped romper with a fuchsia bow at the waist. The party was a rollicking success, but the birthday girl looked a touch sad. All her birthday wishes hadn’t exactly come true.
“Looks like Carlos forgot about your birthday,” said Chad. The daft prince leaned over the lake and filled a giant squirt gun with water, preparing to surprise his next victim.
Jane had been almost 100 percent sure Carlos would be there. “Well, maybe not. Maybe he just took the wrong trail or something. Or you know what? They probably don’t celebrate birthdays on the Isle. Maybe it’s like a cultural thing,” Jane reasoned.
Chad snickered. “Yeah, or maybe he just forgot your birthday. You never know.”
Jane wasn’t enjoying their little chat. “Hey, Chad, look. There’s people taking selfies,” she pointed out in an effort to distract him.
“Selfies, guys! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait for me!” Chad yelped. He couldn’t stand the thought of missing out on a good photo op. He handed his precious squirt gun to Jane and sprinted up the hill to join the other students. Jane smiled to herself, pleased to be rid of him. Now if only Carlos, Mal, and the others would arrive, her birthday would be perfect.
Without warning, a fierce wind swept through the party with a whoosh. The music died instantly, and up on the grass, a cloud of threatening pink smoke swirled. Jane’s guests gasped as Audrey appeared, wearing the queen’s crown and holding Maleficent’s scepter.
“Anyone save me guacamole?” she asked a surprised young man. “No? Someone forgot to invite me.” Audrey swanned around Jane’s party just like Maleficent had at the christening years earlier. She plucked a blue-frosted cupcake out of a party guest’s hands and chucked it to the ground with spite.
Jane frowned. Audrey was not the surprise guest she was hoping to see.
Audrey smirked. “Don’t expect Mal,” she told the birthday girl. “She’s not feeling herself.” Jane furrowed her brow with worry. “Does that make you sad? Ruin everything?” Audrey asked with an insolent tone.
Audrey made a show of spinning the scepter and pointing it at the detestable party guests. “Mindless little drones. How could you forget what she did to us? How could you forget that I was supposed to be your queen?” she bellowed.
Audrey raised the staff and was about to releas
e havoc on the party when Chad scampered down the hill, waving his hands in the air, frantic to catch her attention. He darted to Audrey’s side. “Time out, time out. First off, great new look. I absolutely love the feathers,” he said, and winked at Audrey.
Audrey glared at him with contempt. Chad kept rambling.
“Before you do whatever you’re going to do, I was wondering if maybe you wanted a loyal boyfriend by your side?” he asked.
Audrey rolled her eyes.
“Partner in crime? Sidekick?” Chad abandoned all hope of seeming like a brave and gallant prince and pleaded with Audrey. “Or maybe just a lackey to do your bidding. Change tires? Or smoothie runs?” Chad gave Audrey his best puppy dog eyes, the ones she had never been able to resist when they’d dated.
“You can be useful. Fine. Stand behind me,” Audrey conceded. Chad scampered behind Audrey as she gazed over the rest of the loathsome party. “If Auradon likes to forget so much, you’ll love this!”
Audrey strolled menacingly between the scattered guests and sang a creepy rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Her voice was thick with vengeance. Each time she stopped and stared at a group of teenagers, ominous fog rolled in and put the cluster of students to sleep on the spot. Haughty and imperious, Audrey paraded around the lakeside and spread her curse of endless sleep across the entire party. The spell gave new meaning to the phrase slumber party. Once all the guests were asleep, Audrey stood on top of a rocky cliff and stared down at Jane, who stood alone in the pavilion. “Happy birthday, dear Jane. Happy birthday to you.”
The magical fog rolled closer and closer to the birthday girl. It was sure to put her to sleep the moment it touched her. But Jane, ever so clever, was one step ahead of the sorceresses. The Enchanted Lake! she thought, and waded into the sparkling magical water.
“Audrey?” asked Chad.
“Sweet dreams,” Audrey incanted, savoring the success of her evil plan.
But Audrey didn’t see Jane’s escape into the lake. The birthday girl held her breath underwater for what felt like forever. Finally, she exhaled and rose to the surface. Gasping for air, she watched Audrey slam her scepter ruthlessly into the ground and disappear with Chad in a cloud of smoke.
It was official, Jane thought. This was the worst birthday party ever.
King Ben stood in his palace bedroom. He was already late for Jane’s party. His meeting had taken more time than he’d hoped. But now he was finished with his official duties for the day, had traded in his formal suit for a casual navy-and-yellow striped rugby shirt, and could finally go have some fun with his friends. He retrieved Jane’s present from his shelf and looked around to see if he was forgetting anything.
Ben’s cell phone rang. “Hey, Jane, I’m on my way to the party,” he said apologetically. “The meetings ran long.”
Jane paced along the lake’s stone platform and held her pink phone to her ear. She wished her biggest problem was tardy party guests. “No, no. Stay where you are, Ben. Audrey’s got the scepter. And everyone’s asleep,” she blurted frantically. She was still trying to understand how the good girl had turned so evil so quickly. “I’m gonna call Mom and tell her to get the wand.” She hung up quickly and, in a frenzy, began to dial Fairy Godmother.
“Is Mal with you? Jane? Jane?” Ben asked an empty phone line. A panicked expression fell over his face.
Dr. F’s arcade is seriously the best…and for Celia, it’s home.
The VKs’ four motorbikes landed amid the lively atmosphere of the French Quarter. Mal removed her bike helmet and immediately brought her hands to her face. The deep wrinkles, saggy skin, and old-lady hair had been replaced by her flawless complexion and signature lush purple locks. The powerful curse of Audrey’s scepter had been broken. “Heeeeeeey, I’m me again!” she said with a grateful laugh.
“Duh, evil magic doesn’t work here. Kinda the point,” said Celia.
“Woo, welcome back,” Evie said. She threw her arm around her pal, relieved that the spell had lifted.
“Thank you,” said Mal, ecstatic to be back to her old self. She smiled, then followed Celia as she led them down a dark run-down lane.
Celia looked around her hood and realized it felt good to be home. She walked past her fortune-teller table and stopped suddenly in front of a magenta-and-gray-painted door with PA DERANJE stamped across it. For those new to the French Quarter, that meant Do Not Disturb. Celia was all smiles as she knocked six times in a rhythmic pattern. Tap-pi-ty tap tap tap. It was answered by a second series of elaborate knocks. Tap tap tap tap tap. The whole thing was very cool and cryptic; the veteran VKs were impressed. Celia knocked out one more secret code and the thick steel door slid open. The five travelers pushed through a set of opaque curtains, then entered the shrouded hideaway through the open mouth of a forty-foot-tall laughing carnival mask. DR. FACILIER’S VOODOO ARCADE was spelled out above them in neon lights. Several of the letters had burned out, but that only added to the atmosphere. The rowdy room was packed with villain kids of all ages. There was no arguing that Dr. Facilier’s business was booming.
Dr. Facilier, looking rakish in a magenta crushed-velvet suit and a silk top hat with a purple plume, greeted his daughter with pure delight. “Hey,” he said, tossing his walking stick to a nearby customer. He rushed to meet Celia on the arcade floor, where the two busted into an impressive coordinated dance. The adorably elaborate routine was clearly the way the pair greeted each other all the time. With the secret salutation complete, Dr. Facilier hugged his daughter tightly. “Come here, you little rascal.” His face was illuminated with the kind of joy brought on by an excellent surprise. It was clear from Celia’s giant grin that she was equally elated to see her pops.
Mal and her friends took in the sweet family scene and exchanged heartfelt glances. Dr. F and Celia were like two thieves in a pod. It was so different from the other VKs’ experience with their own parents. They weren’t used to seeing love like this in a villain family. It really was quite something.
Dr. Facilier glanced slyly at his celebrity guests, leaned into his daughter, and whispered, “What kind of hustle you got going with the shiny people?” His eyes glinted with mischievous approval.
“No hustle,” Celia said, smiling. “I got friends on the other side.”
“I hear you,” said her dad, his eyebrows dancing with understanding.
Celia scanned the room. She looked past mysterious pin dolls, half-melted candles, vintage strands of beads, and assorted glass trinkets and finally focused on a wall near her fortune-telling nook. She headed straight for it, the tassels and pom-poms that adorned her outfit swaying as she walked. She retrieved a mysterious skull-shaped key from the wall and placed it around her neck.
Dr. Facilier looked at her questioningly.
“We’re on a mission,” she explained conspiratorially. “I’m kind of a major player. So that’s why I can’t stay long,” she bragged brashly, hoping to impress her father.
It worked. Dr. Facilier looked at his mischievous daughter with what was clearly pride. “Just make sure you get your cut,” he said, beaming.
Toward the front of the arcade, Carlos stood in front of an ancient antenna television and put in the two tokens it required to start. The beat-up set sprang to life and an Auradon newscast revealed that evil things were afoot across the sea. “Alerts of a sleeping spell keep coming in as it spreads throughout Auradon,” said the anchor, reporting live from the circular driveway at Auradon Prep.
“Uh, guys, come look at this,” said Carlos. Dread filled his face.
Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos gathered around and watched the news in dismay. “There are rumors that Sleeping Beauty’s daughter, Audrey, is behind the spell,” continued the reporter. “We are trying to discover who is responsible for these vicious lies and which evil villain perpetrated this evil.”
The anchorman cocked his head, listened to his earphone, and spoke with urgency. “We have an update. It’s moving this way! It’s moving…”
&n
bsp; Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos sprinted outside, ready to rush back to Auradon and save the kingdom. There was just one problem: they had no way to get there.
Harry Hook, Gil, and two of their nasty pirate buds sat astride the VKs’ motorbikes. Based on the laws of the street, their bikes were pirate booty now. The scallywags had even stolen their helmets.
“Wow. Rookie mistake,” said Carlos, feeling foolish. The VKs knew better than to leave anything of value sitting out in the open around the Isle.
Captain Hook’s son, who had a permanent smarmy smirk etched across his face, raised his left arm and mock-saluted Jay with his fake hook. “Long time no see,” said Harry, his words drowning in his Isle pirate accent.
“Get off my bike, Hook,” Jay said. As the pirate rode off, Jay leapt deftly over random street rubbish to run after his bike.
“Catch me if you can, Jay,” Harry dared him. His striking green eyes sparkled as he scooted down the French Quarter avenue.
Gil, son of Gaston, drove off next, wearing a brown leather shirt over his sizable biceps and a brown bandana over his matted dirty-blond hair. He took his hands off the handlebars and waved his muscular arms in the air as he drove by.
Jay surveyed the French Quarter street, formulated a plan, and then, as if calling a play on the tourney field, instructed the others where to go. “Over the roofs, we’ll cut them off!” he exclaimed, and scurried up the side of an old shack. Evie and Carlos followed Jay’s lead. Celia started to join the fray, but Mal grabbed the collar of the little fortune-teller’s splashy jacket and brought her to a swift halt. “Hey, hey, hey,” Mal said. “They got this. You and me gotta go find the ember.”
“Good timing.” Celia snapped her fingers. “It’s right about his naptime.” She turned on the wedge heel of her magenta bootie and led Mal in the opposite direction, through the maze of twisted alleys.
Barking guard dogs and descending into a mine shaft aren’t exactly my idea of a good time….
Descendants 3 Junior Novel Page 5