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Carlos accidentally kicked a trash can, overturning its contents, and one of Harry’s hooks rolled out. “Pirates were here. Ugh. No wonder this place is such a dump,” he said, his frown deepening.
Jay glared at the mustaches and assorted doodles the pirates had drawn on the portraits of the four of them that Mal had painted on the walls. “Animals!” he pronounced, and went to look for a rag.
They made the place as habitable as they could, sweeping up the trash and scrubbing the floors. Evie put clean sheets on the beds and unpacked the pillows she’d brought from Auradon. “Thank goodness you don’t travel light,” said Carlos, looking relieved.
“Never,” promised Evie, removing a vase and flowers from the bottom of her trunk. She looked around at the newly clean and brightened space. They had brought a little Auradon to their old pad. “Better.”
“Let’s get going,” said Mal. She felt a rush of energy. “I want to make the announcement as soon as possible.”
They left and locked the hideout, and Mal led them out through the crowded bazaar back to her old castle. Inside, everything was covered with a thick layer of dust, from Maleficent’s old throne to the green refrigerator that still held goblin slime from two years ago. For a moment, Mal felt sad about her mother, who was still trapped as a lizard—wherever she was now.
Mal braced herself to go out on the balcony and address the crowd.
“Hold on,” said Evie, brushing Mal’s hair from her forehead and pulling up her jacket collar. “Better.”
“Thanks,” said Mal, trying not to feel too nervous.
“You’ve got this, okay? It’s a great plan, and I know you’re going to do Auradon proud,” reassured Evie.
“I just really want this to work,” said Mal, taking a deep breath.
“I know. Me too,” said Evie.
“You’re gonna be great!” said Carlos. Jay grinned and clapped Mal on the shoulder for encouragement. She smiled and stepped onto the balcony.
Mal took her place and raised her hands to signal for attention. Jay, Carlos, and Evie walked behind her, fanning out so that everyone could see them. Mal hoped they looked like a power squad, and not like a bunch of kids who didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.
A hush fell over the crowd as the people of the Isle of the Lost spotted them. But whatever Mal had expected their reaction to be, it wasn’t this. The audience shrank back, whispering wildly and gesturing with fright toward the four of them. Some people even seemed to be trembling! A few of the little ones were outright crying. Mal looked around in confusion and disbelief. She knew she had a reputation, but how scary did they really think she was?
Evie crept up beside her. “Um…Mal?”
Mal stage-whispered back, “What’s going on? Why do they look so freaked-out?”
Carlos cleared his throat. “Well, we’re kind of standing in the shadows,” he said, gesturing to the overhang that was cloaking them in darkness. “I think that they think you’re, well, your mom.”
It was only then that Mal could make out the fervent, terrified whispers from the crowd. “Maleficent!” they were saying. “She’s back!” Someone in the crowd shrieked and ran away.
Mal tugged down the collar of her jacket—which might have looked a bit cape-like in silhouette, she realized. But, come on, it’s not like she had horns. She stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight.
“Guys, guys,” she said, waving her hands. “It’s me, Mal!” And my mom is like, eating leaves and lying on a rock somewhere, she wanted to add, but didn’t.
A murmur rippled through the crowd as terror turned into something that resembled relief, but a relief that was definitely still tinged with terror. Mal! She’s back! Mal’s going to curse us! Why is she here? Who’s that behind her? Why, it’s the four of them! They’re all back! I like Evie’s dress! What’s Mal going to do to us?!
“I hope my mother doesn’t find out I’m here,” muttered Carlos, standing next to Evie.
“Shhh,” said Evie, who was waving to the crowd and blowing kisses like a true princess. “Everyone calm down! We have good news!” called Evie, but the crowd ignored her and continued to churn with nervous energy.
Jay stepped forward. “Settle down, settle down!” he commanded. “Go on, Mal, tell them.”
Mal raised her hands once more for silence. This time, she got it.
“Hi,” she started again, then took a breath and squared her shoulders. “I have an official announcement from the kingdom of Auradon. Auradon Prep is taking more applications from the Isle of the Lost!” Mal paused, glancing around for applause or gasps of excitement. But they were only staring up at her silently. “Four new kids are going to be selected to attend the school, just like we were. I promise you, this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I hope you’ll all consider applying. Join us on the mainland!”
Mal finished her announcement with a grin and waited. But the villains were just shaking their heads. They grumbled to each other: School? Who wants to go to school? Auradon? Why would we want to go there? This is stupid. Homework? Ew.
The crowd began to disperse, muttering and shaking their heads. Evie rushed up next to Mal, her arms outstretched. “Wait! Hear us out! Please!”
