Go the Distance

03

The next morning, Evie, Mal and Maia were sitting in the sewing room of Evie's cottage. Mal told us that her mom's scepter and the crown had been stolen.

Evie sat down and asked, "Who else knows about the crown and the scepter?"

Mal shook her head. "No one. I mean, think about it. People are scared enough as it is. We have to employ these new security measures."

Maia frowned. "What new security measures? Ben annoyingly really hasn't told me much of anything."

Evie glanced at Maia and nodded. "Will this delay in bringing over more VKs?"

Mal seemed slightly off as she answered, "We're talking about closing the barrier for good."

Evie was silent for a moment. "But you said no. I mean, the four of us are living the dream here, and we finally get to share that. We found a great friend in Thea. I mean, what could be more important than that?"

Mal nodded. "I know." She sat down in the chair behind her. "I mean, maybe security or maybe peace of mind for everyone in Auradon."

Maia pushed off from the wall and walked closer to Mal. "Peace of mind would be nice, especially after what Hades attempted."

Evie frowned. "Is that what they're thinking? And were they seriously thinking that no one will ever go in or out of the Isle again? What, we never get to go back and see our parents? And what about those kids?" She stood. "We promised they that they could go back and visit whenever they wanted."

Maia looked at Mal who looked down sadly. "Yeah, I know."

Evie took Mal's right hand. "M, I am so glad that you are going to be a voice for the queen. You and Maia will be a part of these conversations, you will stand up for the VKs. Thank you for telling me. For telling us." She hugged Mal, as did Maia. "You're gonna be a great queen."

Evie and Maia left Mal and made their way into the kitchen. They began packing things for Jane's birthday party. Carlos appeared and tossed a couple towels into a basket. "Morning. Got the beach towels."

Jay was eating something as he said, "These."

Elias frowned. "Hey! Those are for later."

"Hey," Evie greeted.

Carlos was excited about Jane's birthday, which Elias found sweet. "I really think she's gonna like the cake you guys."

Maia nodded. "We worked hard on that."

Carlos walked closer to the cake and his expression dropped. "Oh no. Okay. Who got into Jane's cake?"

Maia snuck off and noticed Audrey pointing a scepter at Mal. Audrey turned the scepter towards Maia.

Mal pushed Maia out of the way and was struck.

While trying to solve the mystery of the cake culprit, the others heard yelling outside.

They ran out to see what they guessed was Mal hunched over and Maia with wide eyes. She was wearing a black robe and had been turned into an old hag. They saw Audrey wearing black and pink garments, and her hair was a dark pink and purple color. She had the crown on her head and Maleficent's scepter in her right hand.

Audrey glared at Mal. "You'll pay the price for what you did, and so will all of Auradon! So long, suckers!" She disappeared in a cloud of pink smoke.

Jay turned around and gasped. "Whoa! You might wanna think of a spell for that."

Mal shook her head. "There's no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter."

Carlos frowned. "Well that's a shame."

"Forget about me. Audrey's out for revenge, and all of Auradon's in danger."

"What should we do?" Evie wondered.

Mal looked up at her friends. "The only thing more powerful than the scepter... is Hades' ember."

Jay scoffed. "Oh. Like he's just gonna hand it over, give them back to the Isle."

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

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

Mal smiled. "You are coming."

Celia backed away as an annoyed expression overtook her face. She let out a sigh. "I just got here."

Dizzy stepped outside with Smee's twins and screamed. "Mal?"

Evie walked up to them. "Dizzy, stay here to take care of the twins. Elias might stay to help. We'll be right back and everything will be just fine. Go inside." They went inside and Evie turned back to the others. "Guys, go get your stuff. Elias, Maia and I'll help Mal. I promise."

"Come on, boys. Let's go," Dizzy called.

Mal looked at Maia and Evie. "How bad is it?"

Evie's eyes flicked to Maia's before she said, "You age beautifully. Now, let's just get you into something fabulous."

Maia glanced at Mal. "Thank you for saving me. As for your outfit, I think I have an idea."

Mal nodded and smiled sweetly at them. "Okay."

"Come on," Evie said, walking ahead of them.

Maia cleared her throat and she looked back. Together, the two of them slowly helped Mal inside.

Evie nodded encouragingly. "Okay. Oh, yeah, there we go."

"Okay," Mal said again.

"Almost there."

They entered the cottage and grabbed everything they needed.