Escape from the Isle of the Lost (Descendants 4)

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Carlos. “I have one more year!” Then he laughed and joined the group hug. “Always.”

al couldn’t believe it was finally here: Graduation Day! The tents had been set up, and the parents and grandparents and friends and sidekicks had arrived. So many carriages had rolled up to Auradon Prep that morning, it had caused a bit of a traffic jam. Aladdin and Jasmine were there, looking proud of Aziz. Cinderella and Prince Charming were taking many pictures of Chad, who kept blinking in every photo. The whole Rose family came too: Queen Leah, Princess Aurora, Prince Philip, all fussing around Audrey, who looked radiant, while her cousin Ariana pouted next to her.

Carlos stood at the entrance, looking handsome in his black-and-white morning suit, handing out programs. “Welcome to Auradon Prep.”

The first strains of the baccalaureate song played: Auradon, fair and true…Auradon, gold and blue…Auradon, for me and you…

The seniors walked in, led by Ben in his cap and gown, holding Mal’s hand. Evie was next, with Doug and Jay falling in step behind her.

Carlos held up his camera. “Say hi to the Isle!”

“The Isle?” asked Mal.

“Yes! Surprise!” said Jane, holding up a microphone. “This is the surprise we were working on! Everyone on the Isle can watch you guys graduate!”

“To inspire every little villain kid! We wanted them to be able to see that they can grow up to do amazing things one day, just like all of you have,” said Carlos.

“That’s awesome!” said Mal. She turned to Ben. “Did you know about this?”

He grinned. “I helped set up the streaming signal.”

Mal waved to the camera. “Hi, everyone! Apply to Auradon Prep! We’d love to have you!”

• • •

The graduating seniors took their seats, and Fairy Godmother welcomed everyone. “Students, parents, princes and princesses, fairies and sultans, kings and queens. We are so proud of this class!” she said. “We have been through a lot together, and now we celebrate your accomplishments! This is a momentous day for you all. Now I’d like to introduce someone who makes us all proud to live in Auradon—King Ben!”

A huge storm of applause rained down from the crowd as Ben came up to the podium. He smiled at his subjects. “Thank you, Fairy Godmother! I’m so proud to welcome you all here today, to our graduation. I’m not just your king—I’m also a new graduate. I’m proud to call you all my friends, and I’m even prouder to introduce the person who was voted this year’s class speaker. Mal, of the Isle of the Lost!”

There was another roar of applause. Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Doug jumped to their feet and gave Mal a standing ovation as she walked to the stage.

Mal stepped up to the microphone. “When I first arrived at Auradon Prep, I was definitely its worst student. I used my magic for selfish reasons. I even cast a spell on Ben because I wasn’t sure if he liked me.”

Ben leaned over and whispered, “I always liked you.”

Mal smiled. “That wasn’t all. My friends and I even tried to steal Fairy Godmother’s wand, so that we could free everyone on the Isle of the Lost, including our parents.”

There was a slight titter from the crowd. Fairy Godmother shifted in her seat, but gave Mal an encouraging smile.

Mal continued. “But being a student here at Auradon Prep, I learned that good is better than evil. I learned to make friends. I learned to love. I learned I don’t have to be a certain kind of person because I was born in a certain part of the world. I can be anyone I want to be. I can be strong, and I can be weird, and I can be myself. That’s what I learned in Auradon—that I can change for the better. We all can. Change is good. Because we are all in it together, and only together can we change the world and make it a better place. We are now alumni of Auradon Prep. Let’s go out there and make some magic!”

This time, the entire audience gave Mal a standing ovation.

“I’m so proud of Mal,” said Jane, wiping away tears. “I’m so proud of all of them!”

“You did an amazing job planning the entire thing,” said Carlos. “Your birthday’s coming up, right?”

“It was yesterday,” said Jane.

Carlos paled. “It was?!”

Jane laughed and gave him a hug. “I’m only kidding. Yes, it’s coming up soon.”

Carlos sighed in relief. He had some planning of his own to do.

t last, it was time for the main event. Fairy Godmother called up each student one by one to hand them their diploma. King Beast shook each graduate’s hand, and Queen Belle handed them a gold-embossed Auradon Prep pin in the shape of a book. Ally of Wonderland was first, then Arabella, King Triton’s granddaughter. The Rose girls were next: Ariana and Audrey, who wore matching pouts, followed by a cocky Aziz.

“King Ben,” called Fairy Godmother with a proud smile.