“Did you learn anything at the party before the crash?” I ask meekly.
She sighs. “A bit. The Princess of Captiva told us he preyed on a similar school in her kingdom. She said he got students to help him with a ‘special project’ but to this day, she doesn’t know what that project was. Some students became so loyal to him that they left town with him and haven’t been seen since.”
I feel ill. “My sister Anna is completely charmed by him,” I confess. “She’s a member of his Stiltskin Squad. What if she tries to follow Stiltskin when he leaves?”
Rapunzel looks me square in the eye as the distraction dust starts to fade. “You’re the toughest girl I know. You’ve got to get through to her before it’s too late. Find out what he’s up to. If we work together, we can stop him.”
I know Rapunzel is paying me a compliment, but I don’t feel I deserve it. I’m not tough. If I were, I would have been able to talk sense into Anna already. She can’t stand the sight of me. Neither can Flora, who seems to think I’m a failure. “FTRS isn’t the same school it was when I was here the first time,” I say sadly. “A lot of these kids like what Stiltskin is doing and don’t want a hero to rescue them. I don’t think I’m the best person to get through to Anna or anyone else right now. All I’m doing is spinning my wheels.”
“This doesn’t sound like the Gilly I’ve heard about from Jax,” Rapunzel says. “He said you’re someone who is always ready for a fight, and you don’t quit ’til you win.”
The last of the dust evaporates just like my hope. I smile grimly. “You can only win if you know the rules of the game.”
Happily Ever After Scrolls
Brought to you by FairyWeb—Enchantasia’s Number-One News Source!
Rumpelstiltskin Challenges the Royal Court to a Bake-Off!
by Coco Collette
After taking their desire to meet with Mr. Stiltskin public in HEAS, the royal court has finally received an invite to Fairy Tale Reform School—for a bake-off. “I believe important discussions are more engaging when food is involved,” says Mr. Stiltskin, who claims a security threat has kept him from opening the school’s doors before now to anyone—including the royal court. “The students are very excited about this fun event. I plan on bringing my spatula-and-mixer A game, and the princesses should do the same.”
“Mr. Stiltskin should know we have more important matters to discuss than frosting,” says Snow White stiffly. “We won’t be leaving the school grounds without answers.” Parents have appealed to the princesses about school conditions. “We don’t want another Alva situation,” said one parent who learned in recent weeks that FTRS has stopped Pegasus Posts, put many school extracurriculars on hold, and canceled family visitation. Flora, who was always accessible to parents, has been silent.
Mr. Stiltskin says parents and the royal court have nothing to worry about. “They will see for themselves that all is well at FTRS,” he says. “The students adore me and do everything asked of them. Isn’t that why FTRS was created? To help turn misdirected criminals into obedient children? That’s finally happening under my watch.”
Check back for more coverage on the FTRS Bake-Off!
CHAPTER 11
I Want Candy
I wake up to the smell of cinnamon, chocolate—and something furry crawling on my legs. “Rodent!” I scream and push the covers away in a panic. “Oh. It’s you.” My ridiculous mouse Fairy Pet squeaks madly. “How’d you get in here?” More squeaking. “Nope.” I tug on my ear. “Can’t understand you.”
Peaches hops on my bed and quacks like crazy. Then she bites my big toe.
“Peaches!” Maxine scolds. “What do you mean, you stole Gilly’s Fairy Pet from the classroom?” Peaches flaps. “What do you mean Gilly hasn’t checked in on her mouse all week?”
All three of them—Peaches, the mouse, and Maxine—stare at me.
“How do you understand what that duck is saying?” I grumble.
“I listen.” Maxine sniffs. “Peaches says she had to feed your mouse again since you forgot. You’re supposed to stop in daily!” My mouse crawls over to Maxine and climbs in her hand. She feeds him a piece of leftover bread.
“I’ve been busy, okay? Rapunzel wants me to talk to Anna, and I can’t get anywhere near her. She’s always in class or with him, and no one will let me anywhere near his private kitchen. I even tried making an appointment with Stiltskin to try to butter him up and get in his club, but he wouldn’t see me. I’m failing. Miserably.”
“Well, that’s no excuse to ignore… What is your mouse’s name, anyway?”
“Who names a mouse?” I ask. The mouse starts to squeal at such a high volume that even Maxine winces and puts him down. We watch as the mouse scurries to a corner and drags back a piece of orange silk I recognize. I pick it up. “This is part of Anna’s butterfly clip,” I say in amazement. “How’d you get this?”
“Maybe your mouse has been spying on Anna too,” Maxine marvels.
If he has, he’s smarter than I gave him credit for. I let him crawl into my hand. “I guess a move like that deserves a name.” I think for a moment. Anna once had an imaginary prince boyfriend named… “How about Wilson?” I ask, and the mouse seems to wag its long tail. It doesn’t squeak. Maybe it likes it. “Okay, Wilson it is.”
“Thank Wilson,” Maxine whispers, nudging me, “for getting Anna’s clip.”
“You really want me to—” I stop myself. “Thanks, Wilson.”
He squeaks for a moment, then tears a hole in Anna’s butterfly wing. Maxine and I watch as the mouse sticks its nose in and pulls out a small, white pebble. We lean in to see what it is.
“Is that a rock?” Maxine asks.
“It’s sort of soft like a bean. What’s a bean doing in Anna’s hair clip?”
Our bedroom mirror starts to glow bright blue. I hide Wilson behind my back.
“Good morning, Fairy Tale Reform School,” Miri says. “Please finish your muffins and report to the former magic-carpet racing track that is now Stiltskin’s Kitchen. The royal court will be joining us within the hour. Students are required to wear the new FTRS uniforms. You will find them already hanging in your closets.”
Maxine opens our closet. Two sparkly purple uniforms made of tulle and ball-gown material, along with sparkly gold stockings, a gold sweater, and heels hang on gold hangers. I reach for my blue uniform instead and watch as it shimmers and disappears.
“Fairy no!” I quickly grab my boots before they can be zapped away too. I pull the sweater off the rack and drop Wilson into the pocket. He’ll have to hang with me ’til after the bake-off.
“One final note: Students who were assigned to speak to Happily Ever After Scrolls will find their approved, prewritten statements on their mini magical chalkboards. Headmaster Stiltskin would like to remind the rest of you not to speak to the royal court unless he orders you to do so. Those who attempt to tell anyone about matters at FTRS without his permission will face severe punishment. You have been warned.” Miri clears her throat. “Have fun!”
Maxine and I look at each other. Stiltskin is hiding something. The question is: What?
• • •
Stiltskin’s warning may have freaked us out, but the rest of FTRS seems excited about the bake-off. As we reach Stiltskin’s Kitchen, there is already a line wrapped around the hallway to get in. Kids jump or fly out of the way as the hallway keeps trying to seal up and reappear in another place.
Ollie runs over to us. “Someone said Stiltskin is giving out free bags of Candy Wands and Genie Gummies!” He looks ridiculous in pale-green dress pantaloons and gold suspenders with a glowing, green bow tie. “Let’s go get some!”
Harlow clears her throat as she breezes by with Kayla and Jocelyn. She’s wearing a glittery black apron over a charcoal-gray beaded dress that must weigh fifty pounds. “Mr. Funklehouse, like the food her
e, the candy is off-limits to your group.” Ollie frowns.
“But how can you let the other kids eat it?” Maxine asks worriedly.
Harlow shrugs. “There are no brains or beauties in that bunch.” We glare at her, and she rolls her eyes. “Fairy be, don’t be so bothered. Wolfington is already looking into potions to counteract whatever effects the candy gives off.” She begins to walk away, then looks at Jax and me and frowns. “Those uniforms are an abomination.”
My jaw drops when our line weaves into the room. It looks like a candy factory exploded in here. The walls are covered in candy-patterned wallpaper, and candy-colored chandeliers dripping with candy hang from the ceiling. The floor has been transformed from stone to purple glass that screams Purple People Eater Licorice. In the center of the room, I spy several long tables with mixing bowls, magical mixers, spoons, and baking supplies. Ovens line the back wall, along with a large, candy-covered stopwatch.
“Bag?” says Gretel. She’s chewing gum like a cow.
I step back. “No thanks. Candy is for suckers.” Several kids behind me grab bags, then run to giant dispensers full of jelly beans, gummies, and Bubble Gum Mermaids, which I haven’t seen in years.
Gretel pops a blue bubble in my face. “The headmaster said everyone has to take candy so… Take. The. Bag.” She shoves it in my face.
I fold my arms across my chest. “I don’t want his tainted candy.”
“Han!” Gretel shouts, and I notice something in her pocket—a packet of seeds. What are those for? “The problem sister thinks she’s too good for the headmaster’s candy.”
Hansel stalks over with a face as grim as his sister’s.
“Candy is no good for you,” I say. “My mother never let us have it.” I reach for Gretel’s shirt hoping to swipe the seeds. “You have some chocolate on you.” She steps out of my reach.
“You never had candy because you couldn’t afford it,” Hansel sneers. “Your sister has it all the time when we’re with the headmaster.”
“That explains a lot,” Ollie mumbles.
Hansel stands over him. He’s twice Ollie’s size. “Got a problem, pirate?”
“Hey, you called me pirate!” Ollie beams. “I appreciate that.”
Hansel nudges him. “Take the candy. Now.”
“We don’t want to be brainwashed into his Stiltskin Squad, okay?” Kayla says.
Hansel rolls his eyes. “Please. You, fairy, are seconds from being tossed out of this place and turned into a tree like the rest of your family.”
Kayla lunges at him, but Jax holds her back. How does Hansel know about Kayla’s family? What else has Stiltskin told him?
“I’ll make them take sweets,” says Hayley, running over. “You guys should go deal with that riot at the Giant Gummies table.”
Hayley points to Anna, who looks overwhelmed as kids in her line freak out about a jammed gummy machine. Kids are throwing punches, and illegal magic is swirling in the air. My instinct is to help her, but when she catches my eye, it’s clear that’s the last thing she wants. I stay put, and Hansel and Gretel rush over.
Hayley hands us bags. “Haven’t you guys learned how to deal with the RS yet? Pretend to do what they want. Take the candy, and when no one is looking, dump it.” She shows us her sweater pocket. It’s full of gum.
“Who are you?” Jocelyn asks snippily.
“I’m in your Magical Fairy Pets class,” Hayley says. “Your cat ate my unicorn’s breakfast.”
Trumpets sound, and everyone looks to the doorway. My jaw drops as Mr. Stiltskin rides into the room on a horse, waving and throwing candy as kids scream like he’s the lead singer of Gnome-More. He’s certainly dressed like a rocker in a gold glitter ensemble that has the initials RS lit up on the back of his jacket. He looks briefly our way before focusing on the teachers who have gathered on the other side of the room. Madame Cleo is being beamed in from a large silver mirror in Blackbeard’s dirty hands.
“Good morning!” Stiltskin steps off the horse with help from his squad. He quickly climbs onto a throne-like chair. “I’m so lucky to be loved by this school!” he says, looking at a Happily Ever After Scrolls reporter. The woman scribbles furiously on her parchment while a second piece of parchment and second quill write on their own. “Who is excited for today’s bake-off?” he asks, and kids scream. “I know Professor Flora is excited to be our judge. Tough job though. I wouldn’t want to choose between my boss and the royals in a bake-off.” He laughs, but Flora’s expression is hard to read.
“Sir?” Miri’s voice is extra-loud in the large room. “They’re here.”
Stiltskin leans back in his chair lazily. “Children, please take your seats and show our royal court how well you’ve learned to listen under my guidance.” My classmates practically run to their rugs as his RS squad watches. Even the mer-kids stop swishing their tails and stay still in their tanks. “Excellent! Show them in.”
The trumpets sound again, and a group of royal guards precede Rapunzel, Ella, and Snow. Each princess looks more beautiful than the next in gowns covered by cream-colored aprons that are stitched with the words Royals Rule. The three princesses move around the room, shaking hands. Finally they make their way to Stiltskin. He steps off his throne and shakes their hands. He looks taller than normal. It makes me wonder if he bewitched his shoes to give himself more height.
“Thank you for coming,” he says. “I am sad to see Princess Rose is not with you.”
“She’s still recovering,” says Ella coolly as she walks over to Flora. “It’s good to see you, Stepmother. I’ve been worried about you. It’s not like you to give FTRS to someone else to rule without consulting me first.”
“Now, now, Flora is an adult. Some deals are hers alone to make,” Rumpelstiltskin says as Flora looks awkwardly at the floor. He quickly changes the subject. “So let’s bake! Princesses, what will you be making?”
“Rapunzel and I are making a blueberry cobbler,” Princess Ella says.
“I am making an apple pie,” Snow says wryly and looks at Harlow. “I do hope the Evil Queen will have a piece.”
Harlow looks amused. “With pleasure.”
“And I’m making raspberry boysenberry rhubarb tarts,” Mr. Stiltskin says as he fires up his mixer and waves a wand at the large clock on the back wall. “The bake-off begins now!”
The students around me begin to cheer wildly. I suspect their enthusiasm is from a combination of the sugar they’ve just consumed and whatever magic-altering ingredients Stiltskin added. I glance at Anna and the RS squad, talking on the side of the room. Gretel and a few others have packs of seeds in their hands. Han whistles softly, and I see Stiltskin look up. He quickly nods, and some of the RS members start to leave the room together.
“Should we follow them?” Jax asks, nudging me.
“We’ll get in trouble,” I say, thinking of what Anna will do if she spots me.
“When has that ever stopped you before?” Jocelyn whispers.
I hesitate. “I know, but Anna doesn’t want me to bother her.”
“So?” Kayla asks. “That didn’t stop you from going after me when you knew I was in over my head. Anna is in trouble. So is everyone else here, and if we don’t do something to help them, they’re going to live in a candy-coated ‘I Heart Stiltskin’ world forever.”
“But we have no idea what he’s planning or how to stop it,” I say helplessly. I feel Wilson stick his head out of my pocket. He’s got the bean in his mouth. He drops it, and Jax picks it up.
“Is this what I think it is?” Jax holds it up. “Where’d you get a magic bean?”
“Magic bean?” we repeat a little too loudly. Kids nearby shush us.
“It was in Anna’s hair clip,” Maxine says. “Gilly’s mouse found it.”
“These are banned,” Jax says, sounding nervous. “If one was planted, and it grew t
o full height, it would give the giants access to Enchantasia. They could snuff out the whole country with one giant step. Why does Anna have one, and where did she find it?”
My heart starts to pound. Anna may not want me to interfere, but if she’s messing with magic beans, she’s jeopardizing our whole family and this kingdom. I can’t let Stiltskin get away with that. We need to know what is going on. “We have to break into his office.”
Ollie pats me on the back. “Glad to see you’ve come to your senses, thief. Now how do we get out of here without being seen?”
“You need a distraction,” Hayley says, and I am startled when I realize she’s heard our whole conversation. “Let me help you get him.”
I stop and look at Hayley for a moment, considering the risk.
“Please,” she says.
I think back to the Magical Fairy Pets class where she talked about how much she missed her family. A hero never works alone, I remind myself. “Okay,” I say and she grins. “What’s our plan?”
“I’ve already got one. Go with it,” Kayla says, and her wings pop out of her back. She flies across the room and points to Stiltskin. “This man is a liar! He stole my family, and he won’t tell me what he’s done with them! He’s holding us all captive here!”
“She’s creating a distraction all right,” Jax says. “Everyone slowly make your way backward out of the room.”
Mr. Stiltskin looks furious. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This child has clearly had too much candy. See the dispensers I placed throughout the room? The students love how I treat them, right?” Kids cheer.
Snow shuts off her mixer. “I hope so. Because if this child is telling the truth, you have some explaining to do. Are you neglecting students?” The HEAS reporter runs forward, her parchment and quill floating along beside her.
Flora moves toward Kayla, but Stiltskin pulls her back. “Absolutely not! Look how well I feed them! I’m not neglecting anyone. Someone please escort this child to the infirmary. She’s clearly ill.”