Rise of the Isle of the Lost (Descendants 3)

“You explain,” said Carlos to Jay.

“I will,” said Jay. “Well, you see, Fairy G, it’s like this…” he began.

“Stop,” said Mal. “I know what you’re about to say.” Jay was an experienced and practiced liar, and no doubt he’d already come up with a good story and was fabricating some details in his mind.

“You do?” asked Jay.

“Whatever it is, it’s not the truth. And I think we need to tell the truth tonight,” said Mal, sticking her hands into her jacket pockets, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Are you sure?” said Jay.

“I would prefer the truth,” said Fairy Godmother, sounding amused for the first time that evening.

“I’m sure,” said Mal.

Fairy Godmother nodded. “Also, I must inform you that this is a very serious offense indeed. Stealing something that doesn’t belong to you goes against every rule we have in Auradon. I’m afraid if you are found guilty of such a crime, you will all be expelled from Auradon Prep and sent back to the Isle of the Lost.”

“Sent back!” cried Evie.

Carlos went pale.

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—Arabell

a’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.