DT

The courtyard fell silent. King Ben stood on the castle steps, the royal scepter raised high as Auradon celebrated his coronation. Beside him stood Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos, smiling as cheers echoed through the kingdom. Then the sky turned green. A blast of emerald fire struck the center of the courtyard, sending everyone stumbling backward. Maleficent emerged from the smoke, her staff clicking against the stone. “Well,” she purred, “look at all my little disappointments.” Ben instinctively stepped in front of Mal. “It’s over, Maleficent.” “Oh, is it?” She laughed. “Mal, hand me the Fairy Godmother’s wand.” Mal tightened her grip around the wand. “No.” Maleficent’s smile disappeared. “You’d choose these people over your own mother?” “They’re my family.” For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Maleficent slowly smiled again. “Very well.” She reached into the folds of her cloak. “If you won’t give me the wand…” She pulled out a glowing sapphire crystal wrapped in black iron. “…then I suppose it’s finally time.” Mal frowned. “What is that?” Maleficent held the stone high above her head. “I think it’s finally time…” Her eyes locked onto Mal’s. “…you meet your older brother.” The courtyard went completely still. “What?” A swirl of brilliant blue fire erupted from the stone, unlike Maleficent’s usual green magic. The flames spiraled into a towering vortex before collapsing inward. When the smoke cleared… A teenage boy stood in its place.