Maleficent's tenement apartment was a reflection of her twisted soul—dark, grimy, and completely uninviting. It sat directly above Bargain Castle, a decrepit shopping plaza known for its cheap trinkets and stale wares, but for Maleficent, it was the perfect setting. The apartment was cloaked in shadows, with mismatched colored windowpanes that blocked out most of the light, casting the space in eerie hues. The walls were stained with years of neglect, and the air reeked of sulfur and old incense. Green crystal lights hung from the high, cracked ceiling, swaying gently as if stirred by some unseen, sinister force.

Maleficent herself lounged in a tall, sinister green throne chair, its carvings so twisted they looked as though they might come to life at any moment. Her legs were propped up casually, her feet resting on an ornate footstool as she filed her long, pointed nails with an air of utter disinterest. The dark shadows around her seemed to bend in sync with her every movement. Around the room, her four companions sat uneasily, clearly waiting for her to get to the point of this strange gathering.

Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos sat stiffly on mismatched chairs, trying not to look too uncomfortable. Their three parents—Cruella, Jafar, and the Evil Queen—flanked them, all equally uneasy but hiding it beneath their usual airs of self-importance. The villains had seen better days, their once-formidable presence now diminished by time and circumstance.

Cruella, with her wild black-and-white hair, wore a ragged, almost threadbare black-and-white dog-fur coat, complete with a bejeweled stuffed Dalmatian head clinging to her neck like a hideous accessory. She stroked it lovingly, as though it were alive, her sharp nails scraping across the toy's fur.

Jafar, with his signature mustache and goatee, now sported a bloated potbelly that stretched the fabric of his tunic. His once regal appearance had been replaced with a sad comb-over and puffy pants that screamed 'midlife crisis'. He slouched, draped in a patchwork of regal robes that were more shabby than majestic.

Evil Queen, once a beauty feared by all, now looked every bit her age. She stared into a mirror, tugging at her cosmetically altered face, as though trying to return herself to some long-lost form of perfection. The vanity that had once defined her seemed hollow now, the beauty fading with each pull of her skin.

Despite their crumbling appearances, the four of them still commanded a certain level of fear from their children. Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos exchanged nervous glances, none of them wanting to break the tense silence.

Finally, Maleficent spoke, her voice as cold as ice. "You will go," she said, her eyes flashing green, a sinister glint in them. "You will find the Fairy Godmother. And you will bring me back her magic wand."

She exhaled dramatically, blowing on her nails as if the task were beneath her. "Easy peasy," she said, her smirk twisting into something darker.

Mal, ever the one to question authority, raised an eyebrow. "What's in it for us?" she asked, a note of skepticism lacing her voice.

Maleficent leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she stared at her daughter. "Matching thrones," she said with a venomous smile. "And hers and hers crowns." She leaned back into her chair, her nails clicking against the armrest. "Don't you want to be the rulers you were always meant to be?"

Carlos gestured awkwardly to his friends. "Uh... I think she meant us," he stammered, his eyes darting between Mal and Maleficent.

Maleficent rolled her green eyes. "You guys? Nothing really," she said, almost dismissively. "Maybe a toy or something. But that's it." Her gaze lingered on Carlos, her lips curling in an almost amused sneer. "Maybe you'll get a new collar for your pet, boy."

The others shifted uncomfortably in their seats, none of them daring to challenge Maleficent further, but it was clear that none of them were eager to take on such a task without some form of reward. Mal's eyes burned with determination, but it was clear she was already calculating the risks.

The room grew quieter as the tension mounted. Maleficent's presence was like a thick fog, heavy and suffocating. She didn't care about their opinions—her mind was already set. This would be another one of her schemes, another opportunity for her to get what she wanted, no matter who had to suffer for it.

Mal's sharp voice cut through the oppressive silence of the room. She stood up, her posture confident as she crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Why would we need Elsa's daughter?" she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

The question hung in the air for a moment, the tension growing thicker as everyone's eyes shifted toward Maleficent, waiting for her response.

Maleficent's lips curled into a sly grin. She leaned back in her throne, as though the answer were obvious, and then spoke, her voice dripping with contempt. "Because, my dear," she said, her green eyes flashing with malice, "the girl has power. Unmatched power. Power we can use."

Mal's brow furrowed. "You want us to use her? A princess? She's nothing like us. She doesn't even belong here," Mal said, incredulity in her voice.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong," Maleficent said, leaning forward, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "Her power isn't just magic, it's ice. She controls it, shapes it, and bends it to her will. Do you realize what we could do with that kind of strength? Think about it, Mal. Ice... it's cold, it's harsh, it's unforgiving. Just like us."

Jay, always ready to challenge authority, stepped forward. "But she's Elsa's daughter," he said, his voice a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "What makes you think she'll just help us?"

Maleficent's eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating light. "You'll convince her, my children. You will find a way. And if she doesn't cooperate willingly, well... we've always been good at persuasion, haven't we?"

Evie, her arms crossed as she listened, couldn't hide her interest. "So, you want to use her powers to... what, take over Auradon? Tear down the walls between the Isle and the kingdom?"

Maleficent's smile widened, a glint of madness in her eyes. "Exactly. But first, we need to break her spirit. Make her see that she belongs with us. She will see that her place is not with the righteous, but with those who truly understand power."

Carlos, his face filled with confusion and hesitation, spoke up. "And we're supposed to get close to her? How?"

"Simple," Maleficent said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "You'll be her friends, her confidants. Use the one thing we know she's missing—companionship. She's been isolated for far too long, hiding from who she is. You'll show her that being with us is where she belongs."

Mal couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt. This could work, she thought. But the idea of manipulating Elsa's daughter, of using her for their own gain, still made her uneasy. She shot a glance at her friends—Jay, Evie, and Carlos—who all seemed to be caught between uncertainty and curiosity.

"I still don't like this," Mal muttered, looking back at her mother. "But... if it gets us closer to what we want, I guess we'll have to play along."

Maleficent's smile was triumphant. "That's the spirit, darling." She leaned back in her throne once more, her fingers playing with the dark scepter resting beside her. "Now, get ready. Auradon Prep is waiting for you, and so is your next victim."

The air grew colder as the tension in the room escalated. Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos exchanged looks, unsure of what was to come but knowing that this mission, no matter how devious, would be their first step in bringing the chaos and power they craved. And Elsa's daughter would be the key.

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Astrid stood at the grand entrance of the castle, the cool breeze brushing through her wavy chestnut hair. She leaned against the railing of the stone balcony, gazing down at the courtyard where Sven, Kristoff's loyal reindeer, was happily prancing around. She felt a knot in her stomach, a sense of unease bubbling up inside her.

"I don't know, Sven," she muttered softly to the reindeer, who paused and looked at her with his big, gentle eyes. "I don't think I'm ready to meet new people. Not today."

Sven nudged her hand with his nose, a comforting gesture, but the feeling of hesitation lingered in her chest. Astrid watched the sunlight dance on the snowflakes falling from the sky, the castle walls shimmering in the distance. She had grown up balancing two worlds—Berk and Arendelle—and now, she was about to step into something even bigger. The whole of Auradon seemed like a faraway dream, a world so different from what she knew.

She shifted her gaze toward the horizon, where the gates of the kingdom stood tall, ready to open and welcome the new arrivals. Her heart raced. She was about to meet people from all corners of the world—heroes and villains alike. And with them, she would need to balance not only her own powers, but also the legacy of both her parents.

"I'm supposed to be a leader, a protector..." Astrid whispered to herself, feeling the weight of the responsibilities pressing down on her. Her powers—her ice magic, her dragon whispering, her inventiveness—felt like both a gift and a burden.

As Sven trotted beside her, his hooves clicking softly against the cobblestone, Astrid closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't let fear take over. She had to be brave. Just like her mother, Elsa, who faced her own fears to protect Arendelle. Just like her father, Hiccup, who fought against impossible odds for the people he loved. Astrid's heart swelled with pride, but it was also weighed down by the fear of stepping into a world that seemed so uncertain.

She ran a hand through her hair and straightened up, pushing away the doubts. She had a duty, and she would fulfill it—whether she was ready or not.

"Alright, Sven," she said, her voice steadying, "Let's see what this new world has in store for us."

With that, Astrid set her sights forward, determined to face whatever came next with courage and conviction.

Elsa emerged from the palace, her flowing blue gown catching the light of the setting sun. She approached Astrid, her expression a mix of love and encouragement. Gently, she reached out and took her daughter's hand, her touch warm despite the winter chill that clung to the air.

"Your fate is calling you, my dear," Elsa said softly, her voice a comforting blend of strength and tenderness. "It's time for you to take that next step. Go with your dragon. You're ready."

Astrid looked up at her mother, her heart swelling with both excitement and nervousness. She hadn't seen her father in years. Hiccup, the Chief of Berk, had been away leading the village, working tirelessly to keep the peace between the Vikings and the dragons. It had been far too long since she had last seen him—or Toothless, her father's legendary dragon companion. The thought of reuniting with them both brought a mix of joy and longing to her heart.

"I know, Mom," Astrid said, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "I've been waiting for this moment—for so long."

Her mother smiled, brushing a strand of loose hair from Astrid's face. "You have the strength of both your parents in you, Astrid. Don't ever forget that." Elsa's icy blue eyes sparkled with pride. "You've got this."

Astrid's heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the sky, her mind already on the journey ahead. She would be joining her father again soon, flying with Toothless and reconnecting with the world she loved. She could almost feel the wind in her hair, the thrill of soaring through the sky atop her dragon, Frostwing.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Elsa one last time before nodding. "Thanks, Mom," she said, her voice full of resolve. "I'll make you proud."

With that, Astrid turned toward the stables, her mind set on the adventure ahead. As she approached Frostwing, the ice dragon hybrid that had been her companion for years, she felt the weight of her lineage, her family, and her destiny pushing her forward. The moment of reunion with her father was drawing closer, and the call of Berk was strong.

Elsa watched her daughter go, a mixture of pride and bittersweet longing in her eyes. She knew that Astrid was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, but as a mother, she couldn't help but wish that her daughter's journey didn't have to be so far from home.

But Astrid was not a child anymore. She was her own person now—brave, capable, and strong. Elsa knew her daughter would find her way, just like she had.

With one final glance toward Astrid, Elsa turned back toward the palace, feeling the cold winds of the kingdom swirl around her, but with a heart full of love and hope for the future.

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The sleek black stretch limo rolled down the winding, cracked streets of the Isle of the Lost, its polished exterior starkly out of place against the gritty, decrepit backdrop of the tenement buildings and the rotting market stalls. Villagers, with their eyes wide and mouths agape, watched in awe as the luxury vehicle idled at the curb, its shiny surface a glaring contrast to the rusting, dilapidated world around them. The air was thick with curiosity as the curious onlookers murmured among themselves.

Jay, Carlos, and Evie were practically bouncing with excitement as they stepped outside, their eyes immediately locking onto the extravagant vehicle. They whooped with glee, their hands gesturing toward the limo like it was some rare, precious treasure.

"Ugh," muttered Evil Queen from the balcony above, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd of villagers. "Smells like common folk," she sneered, her nose crinkling in distaste.

The driver, a tall, cool figure dressed in a crisp gray suit and dark sunglasses, stepped out of the limo. His movements were smooth and purposeful as he approached the teens, who were practically salivating at the sight of the pristine car. He took their luggage—Jay's bulky carpetbag, Evie's oversized suitcase and sewing machine, and Carlos's haphazardly packed black trash bag—and popped open the trunk, loading it all inside with practiced efficiency. Jay, ever the mischievous one, swiped the crown-shaped hood ornament off the front of the limo before grinning at his friends and climbing inside. Evie followed closely, her eyes gleaming with excitement, and Carlos, looking a bit uncertain but eager for adventure, shuffled in after them.

Mal, her expression unreadable, handed her bag to the driver. He threw it in without a word, then slammed the trunk shut with a soft thud. Mal glanced back at the balcony where her mother, the ever-watchful Maleficent, stood glaring down at her. Mal's gaze met her mother's, and though there was no spoken word, Mal understood the silent message: I have my eye on you.

With a determined nod, Mal climbed into the limo, settling into the plush seats as the door slammed shut behind her. The driver slid back into his seat, pressed a button, and without any further fanfare, the limo began to roll forward, leaving the tenement and the Isle of the Lost behind.

As the limo glided down the street, the villains waved from the sidewalk, their faces a mix of pride and control, watching as their children were carried away toward something far more glamorous than the grim surroundings of their home. Villagers watched the limo in awe, their eyes wide, but none daring to approach as the vehicle made its way toward a future none of them could even begin to imagine.

Inside the limo, the teens were in awe, their faces lighting up as they took in the sleek, luxurious interior. The seats were plush, the walls adorned with golden accents, and the floor was covered in soft carpeting. A dizzying array of buttons, gadgets, and colored lights illuminated the space, while a well-stocked fridge stood to one side, overflowing with sweets—chocolates, gumballs, jawbreakers, jelly beans, rock candies, and more. There were enough sugary treats to satisfy even the most insatiable of sweet tooths. Jay, unable to resist, immediately wrenched open the fridge and pulled out a can of soda, popping the tab and taking a long swig. His friends joined in, pressing buttons, flicking switches, and unwrapping candy wrappers.

Carlos, eyes wide with wonder, bit into a chocolate peanut butter cup and shook his head in amazement. "Oh! These! It's salty like nuts but sweet like... I don't know what!"

Evie, ever the fashionista, produced a makeup brush from her bag and began to swipe it over Mal's face. "You're looking a little washed out," she said, her tone light but firm.

Mal swatted the brush away with a frown. "Ew, stop," she muttered, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "I'm plotting."

"Well, it's not very attractive," Evie replied with a teasing smile, popping a blue rock candy into her mouth.

Carlos, his mouth full of chocolate, turned to Jay and stuck out his tongue to show him the remnants of the peanut butter cup. A few crumbs fell out, and Jay grabbed one of the cups from Carlos's hand, popping it into his own mouth with an exaggerated grin.

Mal, unimpressed by their antics, clicked a remote, and suddenly a screen that separated the teens from the driver slid up, revealing the road ahead. They all gasped, staring out the front window. Before them lay a ruined, crumbling bridge, its broken remains stretching into the open sea, with no clear way forward.

"It's a trap!" Carlos yelped in panic, his eyes wide with fear. He immediately jumped onto Jay, and Evie clung to Mal's arm as if it would somehow keep her safe.

Mal froze, eyes wide. "What is this?" she whispered.

The driver, unfazed, calmly pressed another button on his visor. The limo surged forward, hitting the bridge's remains at full speed. Instead of crashing into the ocean, however, something incredible happened: a shimmering, magical bridge appeared beneath the limo's wheels, appearing out of nowhere, perfectly solid and stretching out toward the distant land of Auradon.

The teens let out collective sighs of relief, their hearts slowing as they realized they weren't plummeting into the water. They shot each other embarrassed looks, silently reprimanding themselves for panicking.

"What just happened?" Carlos asked, still trying to process what he'd just seen.

"It must be magic!" Evie exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and excitement.

Mal, never one to leave a mystery unsolved, tapped on the wall behind the driver. "Hey!" she called, holding up the remote in her hand. "Did this little button just open the magic barrier?"

"Nope," the driver replied, his tone flat. He pointed to a different remote on his visor. "That one opens the magic barrier. This one opens my garage." He flicked a switch, and the screen slid down again, cutting off the teens' view and leaving them in the dark.

"Nasty. I like that guy," Mal said with a smile, clearly impressed by the driver's cool detachment.

The limo continued its journey across the magical bridge, which seemed to extend endlessly toward the kingdom of Auradon. Behind them, the bridge they had just crossed vanished, leaving no trace that they had ever been there—no way to go back, no way to follow. The limo cruised effortlessly toward its destination, the sunny kingdom ahead coming into sharper view with each passing second.

Finally, the limo pulled to a stop in front of an imposing sign, gleaming in the sunlight:

WELCOME TO AURADON PREP.

GOODNESS DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER.

Mal and her friends grimaced collectively, their faces contorted in disgust at the overly cheery message. They had arrived in the land of goodness—and already, they could feel the weight of the expectations placed upon them. The real journey was only just beginning.