Here is the next chapter!
Somehow, I managed to finish this chapter today too. Next chapter we will have graduation, which will be the last chapter involving "Escape from the Isle of the Lost". I have a couple things planned for that chapter that will make things even more interesting than I intended.
Enjoy.
"You should have seen him!" Mal exclaimed as she ate her dinner, showing off her long bob; her new hair style thanks to Dizzy. "Carlos knocked those Gaston twins down like they were nothing! I didn't think he had it in him!"
"Gee, thanks," Carlos commented sarcastically as he once again ate the food that Evie had brought from Auradon. "I just got tired of them picking on kids so much smaller than them and finally did something about it."
"I wished someone had recorded it," Jay joked as swallowed the last of his meal. "We could have used it to tell everyone, 'This is what happens when you attend Auradon Prep: you kick ass!' "
"Mind your language," Hades scolded as he served himself another plate of somewhat decent spaghetti—as decent as it could get on the Isle of the Leftovers. "You shouldn't curse in front of women. It's rude and improper."
"And none of the girls in Auradon will like you if you start acting like a villain kid again," Evie teased half-heartedly as she picked at her plate.
Cruella shook her head in amusement, not believing that her once timid son was able to do something so brave. "At least you were able to get a couple applicants for the VK program," she pointed out hopefully. "How many does that make?"
"If they all turn it in on time, four," Mal answered with a soft sigh as she leaned back in her seat. "It's the max number that we need, but we were hoping to get more. If no one else applies, then obviously they will all be chosen. I just wish that there was a way that we could get more students interested."
"Why not give them an incentive to apply?" Maleficent suggested with a shrug. "Villains like fame, riches, and attention. Their children are the same. Sell the program as a way to get all those. Learning to be good or being part of a team—they're not interested in that. Not yet. But they'll understand the appeal of a celebration."
"Like a VK Day!" Evie exclaimed as she perked up happily. "We'll tell Dr. Facilier that there'll be a huge party, and that the four kids who are chosen will be famous!"
"That's brilliant!" Mal cheered as she smiled happily at her mother. Then her smile faltered. "What about Celia, Dizzy, Squeaky, and Squirmy? They decided to apply before we decided to do VK Day."
"Then choose them," Hades advised, like the solution was obvious. "The celebration could be an award for them being the first to apply. Then the next semester you can pick from those who applied afterwards."
"That makes sense," Jay agreed. "Besides, no one knows that Celia or Dizzy has applied yet. We just have to make it sound like we considered everyone when we choose them."
"Looks like you have a lot to do tomorrow." Cruella commented as she took her plate to the sink. "Carlos and I better head home. He needs his rest after the eventful day he had."
"Can I stay with you tonight?" Evie requested before the mother-son duo could leave. "There's something I liked to talk to you about."
"Of course," Cruella agreed with a kind smile. "We'll wait for you to grab your things."
As the Isle princess quickly scurried to her friend's room to grab her belongings, Maleficent wondered, "What is that about?"
"You'll find out sooner or later." Cruella teased with a smile. "Hopefully it will be sooner than I think."
The next morning, after they packed all their luggage and gave their parents a proper good-bye, the Core Four met with Dr. Facilier at Dragon Hall once more.
"Before we leave," Mal began as she sat at the edge of the headmaster's desk, something she would do in the past, "we just wanted to share with you a new development concerning the VK program."
"Oh?" Dr. Facilier leaned back in his chair with a frightening smile to show his interest. "A new development? Pray tell."
"Evie," Mal chided as she turned to her friend. "Tell him."
Evie leaned forward, her voice a little breathless due to her excitement about a new development in her personal life. "The four chosen kids will be celebrated with a huge, kingdom-wide fest that will be bigger and more spectacular than anything one has ever seen."
"We'll have a marching band, the royal family . . ." Mal listed off with a shrug. "It will be an amazing welcome for the new transfer students."
"Talk about rolling out the red carpet," Jay commented.
"The gold carpet," Carlos corrected with a conspiratorial wink.
Dr. Facilier's eyes shone with greed as he nodded politely. "I will make sure to tell the students of this new, very exciting development."
"See that you do." Mal hopped off the desk with a mischievous smile. "We'll be back in a few weeks to collect the rest of the applications and announce the selected kids."
A royal limousine flying blue-and-gold Auradon flags awaited the Core Four when they walked out of Dragon Hall. A group of students were milling about, gawking at it. The Core Four had already placed their luggage in the trunk a few hours prior, so they were ready to go. All they had to do was open the barrier and call up the bridge. They would be back in Auradon in no time.
"To our other home, Jay," Mal instructed her friend with a wink as she climbed into the limo. Jay slid into the driver's seat, grinning like a maniac.
"Finally!" Evie exclaimed as she climbed in next to her. "Now we can get back to preparing for finals and graduation. I still have to make all the caps and gown."
"Don't forget our mom's offer," Carlos reminded as he sat in the seat across from the girls. "As long as you have the measurements and sketches, she will do some of the gowns in case you get swamped."
"I may have to take her up on that this time," Evie commented a little too quickly. "I learned my lesson before with Cotillion. I may have her do us VKs' and probably Lonnie's, after I ask her, of course. That would give me four less gowns and caps to worry about."
Jay was about to roll up the window when they saw Celia jogging their way.
"Hey," Mal greeted with a nod. "What's up?"
"Everything okay?" Evie wondered.
"Hades asked me to catch you before you left," Celia revealed as she tried to catch her breath. Once she did, she gazed at the purple-haired princess sadly. "Mal . . . you're still wearing your crown. He says you can't bring it with you or else the secret will be out."
Mal lightly touched her head, where she still indeed wore her crown given to her by her parents. "I completely forgot." Reluctantly, she removed her crown before passing it to Celia through the window. "Please give this to my parents. I'll be asking if they received it."
"Don't worry, I will," Celia assured sincerely.
"We'll be back soon," Evie promised with a smile. "Hopefully, we'll take you with us next time."
They waved to Celia until she was just a dot on the horizon and the car was speeding on the bridge back to the mainland. Carlos raided the treats in the limousine, happy to find it was still stocked with as much chocolate and candy. Mal looked out the window as the island grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
"I'll call it." Carlos leaned back in his seat with a smile. "This was a success. We got the applications out. Now we just wait to see them come in."
"You're perkier than usual," Mal noted with a tilt of her head. "Did something happen on the Isle?"
Carlos locked eyes with Evie, grinning ear to ear as he answered, "Let's just say . . . I got some good news while we were here."
Evie looked away before her friend could get suspicious, though she had a smile of her own. Although she wanted nothing more to reveal the secret—
But she had a much better date to tell the world.
It was a few weeks after their return from the Isle of the Lost, and things were starting to gear up for graduation, which was coming faster than Cinderella's carriage trying to get home before midnight. During the debriefing, Ben asked the four if they thought their visit was a success. They unanimously agreed that they had done their best, which was all Ben had hoped for. After that, Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay went back to focusing on enjoying the last days of the school year.
Almost all the graduating seniors of Auradon Prep wanted an Evie's 4 Hearts original cap and gown for the ceremony. Between finals and trying to get all the gowns ready, Evie was so busy that her boyfriend Doug has to step in and help as business manager and she took up Cruella's offer—which meant she had to get permission from Lonnie.
Lonnie was an excellent sport when Evie informed her of her predicament and her solution. Lonnie completely trusted the Isle princess's judgement and wasn't disappointed with her graduation gown. Evie explained that her gown had pockets for her swords and a sheath for her bow and arrow too,
"We wanted your gown to be both fashionable and functional," Evie informed with a nervous smile.
"Extraordinary," Lonnie complimented as she examined the gown again with a smile of her own. "I'll show my mom. Maybe she'll put in an order for the rest of the army. Meanwhile, you and Cruella did a wonderful job!"
Evie smiled as she mumbled to herself, "And now I have a wonderful mother. . ."