Jay gulped.
Mal balled her hands into fists, frustrated. They were only trying to help. Uma was out there, and the trident was within her reach—not to mention that of all the other villains who were searching for it.
“So, yes, I dearly hope you have a good explanation for this.” Fairy Godmother crossed her arms, still holding her wand like a weapon.
Maybe it was time to come clean, and confess all—Arabella’s mischief, the missing trident, and their plan to recover it.
“You see, Fairy Godmother…” said Mal. She was just about to admit everything, when who should burst into the office but the King of Auradon himself.
Ben entered the room wearing a dusty regiment uniform, Jane at his heels. Before Mal could say anything more, Ben held up his hand. “What’s going on here?” he asked. “Mal? What happened?”
“Oh! Ben,” said Fairy Godmother. “I’m so glad you’re here! We have a situation.”
“I can see that,” said Ben mildly. “Someone care to tell me what it is?”
“Fairy Godmother caught us in a restricted area by Belle’s Harbor,” said Mal. “On the royal speedboat.”
“I see,” said Ben, frowning.
“They were in the middle of stealing it,” said Fairy Godmother, her voice rising an octave. “This is exactly what we feared when we let villains into Auradon.”
I can explain, Mal mouthed when the headmistress wasn’t looking.
Ben held his elbow with one hand and scratched his chin with the other. “Actually, Fairy Godmother, they were doing nothing of the sort. They weren’t breaking any rules. They were down at the harbor because I sent them there.”
“Right, we’ll put them on the first boat back to the Isle of the Lost….Wait, what?” said Fairy Godmother. “Excuse me? What did you say?”
“They weren’t doing anything wrong. Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos were on a secret mission for me, which is why they were on the royal speedboat. Because I told them to take it,” said Ben firmly. “And that’s why they couldn’t explain what they were up to: because they knew it was confidential.”
“They were on a secret mission for you? Did I hear that correctly?” Fairy Godmother cupped an ear.
Ben yelled into it. “Yes!” He exchanged a meaningful look with Mal.
“Ben, you don’t have to do this,” she whispered.
“Of course I do,” he said. “I can’t let you guys get in trouble when you were only doing this for me.” He turned away before Fairy Godmother could get suspicious.
“See, Mom?” said Jane. “I told you they weren’t doing anything wrong!”
“And may I ask what the secret mission is…?” Fairy Godmother still looked unconvinced.
“Unfortunately it’s council business,” said Ben. “Top secret information that could compromise the safety of the kingdom. You do understand.”
Fairy Godmother sighed and finally relented. “Of course. If you say so.”
“You have my word,” said Ben. He walked over to Mal and slung an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know what I was thinking, sending you guys on such a dangerous assignment alone. We’ll do it together.”
“I’m so sorry I meddled,” said a contrite Fairy Godmother. “But I’m so relieved as well. I was quite distressed about expelling you,” she told the four friends. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found you.”
“It’s all right,” said Jay with a grin.
“Don’t worry, Fairy Godmother. All is well,” said Ben.
“I’m glad to hear it. I hope I didn’t disrupt your, um, mission,” said Fairy Godmother, still mystified.
“Not at all,” said Ben.
She turned to the four villain kids. “Well, then. It appears I owe you four an apology. I’m so sorry to have assumed the worst.”
“Quite all right,” said Evie. “It looked bad.”
“So bad!” said Carlos.
“The very worst,” said Jay. “Speedboats are expensive, aren’t they?”
“We’re sorry we couldn’t tell you the truth,” said Mal. “Are we dismissed?” she asked hopefully.
Fairy Godmother nodded. “If the king agrees,” she said.
“I do,” said Ben.
“Dismissed,” said Fairy Godmother.
The six of them left the headmistress’s office, but no one said a word until they were safely in Ben’s study. Mal found she could breathe again when they were inside the plush, opulent suite, with its magnificent desk against the window and the gym equipment in the corner. Jay wiped his forehead and flopped down on the nearest couch. “Phew! That was close!”
“Too close,” said Carlos, taking a seat next to him.
“I agree,” said Evie. “Thanks for rescuing us, Ben.”
“How’d you get back here so fast?” asked Mal.
“Jane called Merlin and told him to zap me back here immediately. At first, he was worried about using such dramatic magic, but she was able to convince him that it would be my wish given the circumstances,” said Ben with a smile. “That felt weird, I’ve got to say. Not sure I have all my molecules back. Am I missing any part of me?” he asked, patting himself down.
“You look complete to me,” said Mal, laughing in relief. She turned to Jane. “You are awesome,” she said, giving Jane a quick hug.
“Thanks,” said Jane, shrugging. “But I knew whatever it was my mother was mad about, it was probably just a misunderstanding. You guys can’t be sent back to the Isle of the Lost!” Mal noticed Jane sneak a look at Carlos as she said this, and Carlos beamed.
“Did you get your work done, though?” Mal asked, turning to Ben. “Were you able to get the villagers on both sides of the wall to agree to the terms of the truce?”
“Yes, thanks to Lonnie,” he said. “We were just about to return to Auradon when I was pulled away. She’s taking the jet home in a bit. So fill me in. Why were you guys taking the boat in the first place?”
“It’s my fault, I was the one who suggested we steal it. Never again,” said Jay. “From now on, I’m going to follow every rule to the letter. I’m walking the straight and narrow path!”
“Well, now that we don’t have to steal the boat, can we get back there, actually?” said Mal. “Ben, I’ll fill you in on the way. But right now we’ve got a trident to find.”
Uma would never admit it, but the Isle of the Doomed gave her the creeps just as much as it did Harry. She’d lost him somewhere around the forest of thorns, but heard his call and made her way back to where she saw him last, finally coming upon him in the middle of a clearing.
“Tell me you’ve found the trail,” she said, Gil right behind her.
“Nope, nothing like that,” said Harry.
“Oh, so you got bored and gave up, did you?” she accused.
“Stop grouching. Follow me.” Harry led them to what he’d found. There, carved into the bark, a symbol glimmered in the evening light.
“What is it?” said Uma.
“A crescent,” said Harry.