//------------------------------// // Birthdays and Bandits // Story: Descendants Of The Isle 3: Rise of the Royal Villain // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Ember stood by the Enchanted Lake, surrounded by party decorations and guests from the school, Celestia at her side. But she was glancing around nervously. Blueblood trotted up, messing around with a water gun. “Huh, looks like Thorax forgot it was your birthday.” he remarked “He probably just took the wrong trail, he’s a little forgetful.” Ember said. “O-Or, you know, he’s never been to a birthday party before!” “Or maybe he forgot.” Blueblood said, and Celestia whacked him upside the head with her clipboard. “Hey! You never know!” Ember rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, then smirked. “Oh, Blueblood, look, there’s creatures over there taking selfies.” “Oh, yes! Hey, wait for me!” Blueblood shoved his water gun at Ember and dashed off. Ember and Celestia giggled and high hoofed/clawed. As Blueblood scrambled to join the creatures taking selfies, a familiar yak strode up to the party, clutching the Storm King’s staff. Ember and Celestia looked over and their eyes widened. “Anybody save me some guacamole?” Yona asked, receiving silence. “No? Huh. Looks like somecreature also forgot to invite me.” Celestia and Ember looked at each other in confusion. Yona then chuckled, adjusting the crown on her head and picking up a cupcake. “Well, don’t expect Tempest, she’s… not feeling herself.” Yona stomped the cupcake into the ground. “Does that make you sad? Does it just ruin everything? You mindless little drones!” Ember’s eyes widened, and Celestia stepped closer to her as she fanned out her wings. “How could you forget what she and her little crew did to us?! How could you forget you were supposed to have me as the Queen?!” “Hey! Timeout!” Blueblood raced over, grinning at Yona nervously. “First off, love the new look, I love the feathers. Second, before you do whatever you’re going to do… would you like a… loyal boyfriend by your side? Partner in crime? Sidekick? Or maybe just a lackey to do your bidding?” Yona contemplated him for a bit. “...Yes, you can be useful. Fine, stand behind me.” Blueblood instantly obeyed, and Yona turned to Ember and Celestia, who were still standing by the water. “Equus just loves to forget so much… they’ll love this.” Yona chuckled and glared at the two girls. She then began to sing softly, the staff sparking. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…” As Yona sang, fog enveloped the crowd, and everyone except Blueblood suddenly fainted, yawning and going to sleep. Ember and Celestia gasped in shock, backing up. “Happy birthday to Ember~ Happy birthday, to… you…” Yona finished as the fog crept nearer to the two girls. “What do we do?” Ember hissed “Uh…” Celestia then looked at the water. “The Enchanted Lake! Come on!” Without a warning, Celestia grabbed Ember’s claw and dragged her into the water. The two waded in, then took deep breaths and dove underneath the surface. Yona just chuckled. “Sweet dreams.” Yona laughed wickedly, and she and Blueblood were gone. Celestia and Ember held their breaths as long as they could, then resurfaced, taking big gulps of the air. The spell was fading from the air around them. “What… just… happened?!” Ember exclaimed “I don’t know but I’m willing to bet the others have something to do with it.” Celestia replied ------------------------------------------- Sandbar was bustling around in his room in the castle when his phone rang. He picked it up and answered the call, grabbing his gift for Ember. “Oh, hey Ember, I’m on my way to the party-” “No, Sandbar, stay where you are.” Ember’s voice came out. “I’m with Celestia, Yona’s got the staff and the crown. Celestia’s going to call her mom and tell her to get her crown.” Sandbar blinked in surprise, not registering the call end. “Is Gally with you? Ember? Ember?” -------------------------------- Meanwhile, the VCs finally arrived in the Hidden Isle. They stopped near the building Discord’s father owned, skidding to a halt. Tempest canceled the spell, and the group set their bags down against a fence. Tempest looked at herself, finding she was back to normal. “Finally, I’m back.” “Well, obviously. Evil magic doesn’t work here, remember?” Discord flicked a claw at her horn. The group followed Discord as he led them to a metal door. He knocked against it in a pattern, another pattern answering back, which he answered with a third, and the door opened. Tempest rolled her eyes slightly and led the group after Discord. The draconequus known as Diataro ran an arcade and fortune telling saloon, and was currently surveying the activity going on around him. Discord ran up from behind and he spun around. “Discord!” “Dad!” The two hugged, then did a complicated handshake before Diataro and Discord walked off, presumably to get the key. “So, what kind of hustle you been pulling?” Diataro asked his son. “Heh, no hustle dad. I got friends on the other side.” Discord chuckled, and Diataro laughed. “Ah, I hear ya.” Diataro tweaked his son’s wings playfully as Discord snagged a key. “We’re on a mission.” Discord explained, putting the key around his neck. “I’m a major player, so I’m afraid I can’t stay long.” “Yeah, you just make sure you get your cut.” Diataro rubbed his son’s head, the two smiling at each other. Meanwhile, Thorax was fiddling with an old TV Diataro had in the arcade. He inserted one of the arcade tokens that had been left on top of the TV, then spun the dial. The TV turned on after a moment of static and Thorax sat down to observe what was playing. “Alerts of what appears to be a sleeping spell keep coming in as it spreads throughout Equus.” “U-Uh, guys?” Thorax called. “You might want to come see this…” The others rushed over, standing beside Thorax as they watched the screen. “There are rumors that Prince Rutherford’s daughter Yona is behind the spell. We are trying to find out who’s responsible for these vicious lies, and figure out which villain has perpetrated the evil deed.” Discord and Diataro wandered over as the reporter got an update. “It’s what? It’s moving this way-? It’s moving this way!” “Come on, we need to go get the bell, now.” Tempest ordered, and they nodded, getting up. As they went outside, Gallus threw up his wings in frustration. “Rookie mistake!” Spitfire’s pirates were rooting through their bags. Rainbow chuckled, slinging Pharynx’s bag over her shoulder. “Long time no see, eh?” “Give me my stuff, Rainbow!” Pharynx demanded “Catch me if you can, Pharynx!” Rainbow laughed, and the group took off, flying down the street. “Over the roofs, cut ‘em off, go!” Pharynx ordered, and Gallus grabbed Thorax, leading him off as Luna spread her wings and followed from the other direction. Pharynx charged after the pirates from the back. “Hey, not you.” Tempest said as Discord made to follow them. “We’re getting that bell, come on.” “Well, good timing I suppose, it’s around his naptime.” Discord shrugged, leading Tempest off. Meanwhile, the others chased the pirates, who had taken to the air, laughing and cackling. “Just let it go, Pharynx.” Thorax panted as they struggled to catch up to the pirates. “T-They’re way faster than us, you know, a-and without magic we’re at a disadvantage.” Pharynx snarled, nodding. “Fine. We’ll catch ‘em later anyway.” he muttered, patting his jacket to ensure he still had the ring.