CHAPTER 32

The next morning, Mal, Addy, and Ben meet with Beast, Belle, and Fairy Godmother.

"I think we all know why we're here," Beast starts. "The people are in a panic about Hades. He almost got out."

"Who knows what he would've done if he had escaped?" Fairy Godmother adds.

"We can't risk having another villain on the loose," Beast finishes.

"I really feel like this is my fault. I'm supposed to protect Auradon," Mal says as she looks at Ben.

"You did a better job than I did," Addy tells her with a sigh.

"You both did good, you both protect Auradon," Ben tries to reassure them.

"Every time we open the barrier, we're exposed to danger. Maleficent, Uma, Harry, Hades," Beast explains before Ben's phone goes off.

"Maleficent's scepter and the queen's crown have been stolen," Ben says after checking his phone. Belle, Addy, and Fairy Godmother let out gasps of shock.

"Uma?" Beast accuses.

"We don't know that, Dad," Ben argues.

"When the people hear this, they will never wanna leave their houses. What do we tell them?" Belle says before looking at Mal. "Mal? What do we do? How do we keep evil out of Auradon?"

"I think that there's only one way to guarantee their safety. And I think that there..." Mal starts explaining. Addy starts shaking her head, already knowing where she is going. "can't be anymore going in and out. I think that we have to close the barrier... forever." Beast and Fairy Godmother nod in agreement.

"No," Ben and Addy say.

"Son," Beast tries.

"No," Ben says as he turns around.

"Ben," Mal calls as Ben and Addy walk away.

"No, no, no, no," Ben says as Mal follows them.

"Ben. Addy. Hey," Mal says getting them to stop. "I do not want to take away your dreams. Because it was so beautiful. And it is why I fell in love with you and why Jay fell in love with Addy. But as King, as Royal Advisor, and as Queen what's our duty?"

"To protect Auradon," Addy answers her sadly.

"But do you know what would this mean? All those kids? Are you prepared for that?" Ben questions her.

"I know what it means and no, I'm not prepared for it. I just think that we have no other choice," Mal answers him as she holds back tears.

"Son? Addy?" Beast call's causing them to look at him. "Mal's right."

"I just don't think that we would forgive ourselves if something terrible happened," Mal explains causing Addy to let out a sigh before nodding.

Mal and Addy go to Evie's starter castle, 'Evie's 4 Hearts'.

"Who else knows about the crown and the scepter?" Evie asks Mal and Addy.

"No one. I mean, think about it, people are scared enough as it is. We have to employ these entirely new security measures," Addy explains.

"Will this delay our bringing over more V.K.'s?" Evie asks her.

"We're talking about closing the barrier for good," Mal answers her.

"But you said no. I mean, the four of us are living the dream here, and we finally get to share that. I mean, what could be more important than that?" Evie says as Addy looks to Mal to answer.

"Yeah. I know. I mean, maybe security or maybe peace of mind for everyone in Auradon," Mal says trying to explain her reasoning.

"Is that what they're thinking? And were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in or out of the Isle ever again? What, we never get to go back and see our parents? And what about these kids? We promised them that they could go back and visit whenever they wanted," Evie questions and Addy could feel tears building in her eyes.

"Yeah, I know," Mal says sadly.

"M, I am so glad that you are going to be Queen. You will be a part of these conversations, you will stand up for the V.K.s. Thank you for telling me," Evie says before hugging Mal. "You're gonna be a great Queen." Addy slightly glares at Mal for lying to Evie before she leaves the room to get changed for Jane's party.

"Morning. Got the beach towels," Carlos says as he walks into the kitchen.

"Morning," Jay says back as Evie starts tossing him apples causing Addy to smile at them.

"Hey. I really think she's gonna like the cake, you guys," Carlos says as he walks over to it.

"Oh, yeah!" Addy says in agreement.

"Oh, no. Okay. Who got into Jane's cake?" Carlos yells.

Mal walks outside with her gift for Jane, after changing clothes. Addy follows her out to talk to her about how she lied to Evie. Audrey then appears from a cloud of pink smoke.

"I was hoping you were home," Audrey says as she sees Mal.

"Is this a joke? What are you doing with the crown and the scepter?" Mal questions her as she looks at Audrey in shock.

"Well, I wanted them, so I took them. And you, of all people should understand that, Mal," Audrey answers her before breathing in the power of the scepter.

"Wait, Audrey, stop! Don't use that," Addy says quickly.

"I thought you liked spells," Audrey says causing Addy and Mal to look at her in shock. Audrey then brings the scepter back close to her.

"Okay, Audrey, you're better..." Addy starts.

"Quiet!" Audrey yells.

"It's not a toy. It's dangerous," Mal tries.

"I want to be dangerous," Audrey says angrily as she turns back to Mal and Addy. "My life was perfect until you stole it. And then Auradon turned its back on me. Well, it's time for a little payback." Audrey walks away from Mal and Addy.

"Audrey, wait!" Mal calls out. Audrey then zaps Mal with the scepter.

"You think Ben will love you now, you old hag?" Audrey asks her, seeing as Mal had been changed into an old hag. "You'll pay the price of what you did and so will all of Auradon." Jay, Carlos, Evie, and Celia run outside. "So long, suckers!" Audrey disappears in a cloud of pink smoke. Carlos reaches over to help Mal as Jay wraps an arm protectively around Addy's waist.

"Whoa! You might wanna think of a spell for that," Carlos says realizing she had been changed.

"There's no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter," Mal says sadly.

"Well, that's a shame," Jay says.

"Forget about me. Audrey's out for revenge. And all of Auradon is in danger," Mal explains.

"What should we do?" Evie asks her.

"The only thing more powerful than the scepter is Hades' ember," Mal answers her.

"Oh! Like he's just gonna hand it over, if we went back to the Isle," Jay says sarcastically.

"And no one knows where his lair is," Evie adds.

"I do. I'm his errand rat. I've got the key at my dad's," Celia explains.

"You are coming," Mal tells Celia.

"But I just got here," Celia complains.

"Mal?" Dizzy asks as she walks out with the twins. Dizzy lets out a scream.

"Dizzy, stay here to take care of the twins. We'll be right back and everything will be just fine. Go inside," Evie explains before they go back inside. "Guys, go get your stuff."

"How bad is it?" Mal asks Addy and Evie.

"You age beautifully," Addy says after she and Evie share a look.

"Now, let's just get you into something fabulous," Evie says with a smile.

"Okay," Mal says.

"Come on," Evie says a she and Addy walk off with Mal following slowly. Addy and Evie go back to help Mal. "Okay. Oh, yeah, there we go. Okay. Almost there."