[person panting]
[skeletons growling]
[roars]
[gasps, screams]
[students chattering]
[school bell rings]
[sighs]
- Ah, another A-plus, same old Russ. - Hey.
Good to see you're starting high school the same way you ended middle school.
Not gonna lie, feels good. Feels almost...
- Normal? - Exactly.
I feel ya.
I've never been a big fan of normal,
but after everything we went through this past summer,
a bit of normal kind of feels amazing.
Yeah, but let's be honest, we still have a lot of work to do.
We may have freed Dad,
but we still sleep above a ton of cursed artifacts.
So? We always have, right?
- But we didn't know it, and now we do. - Yeah, true.
But after taking on that black widow, I feel invincible.
[grunting, shouts]
- [both grunting] - Just remember not to get too confident.
Be careful. You never know where the next danger may lie.
I'm starting to understand why you two were down here for so long
and never managed to organize anything.
It's my fault.
After Pandora taught us parkour, I've become obsessed.
And this is the only room we can do it in
if we don't want to risk touching cursed stuff.
No, I'm to blame. I need to act more responsibly.
But I must say, your last jump from the journal stack to the desk
was both inventive and athletic, even if it did cause this mess.
Compliment accepted.
We still need to use these journals, so maybe take your games elsewhere.
[both] Sorry, Sky.
I'll have Alex grab a bunch of crates for you to use instead.
Alex?
Where'd he go?
[screams]
It wasn't funny the first two times.
What makes you think it'll be funny this time?
Rule of threes?
[laughs] Hilarious.
Thank you, Larry.
I just wanna make sure everything is in order down here for you all
before I start my new job.
Sky, you are gonna rock your new gig.
Georgia and the Paxton Museum are beyond lucky
to have you curating their exhibit.
Whatever you need, I'm here to help.
I know.
It just feels weird to try and go back to regular life,
especially with your nightmares.
You did so much while I was, uh, preoccupied.
Let me follow your lead and keep returning all these artifacts.
It gives our family an opportunity to create a new Vanderhouven legacy.
And look, Sky, again, I'm sorry for keeping everything from you.
- I-- - The past is the past.
Let's focus on the future.
[Larry] Hmm.
[both] Hmm.
Oh... [chuckles] ...which reminds me,
I told Stanley and Larry you'd get them a crate for their parkour.
Okay, acrobats. Here you go.
[gasps]
[roars]
- [grunts] - Alex, are you okay?
My dream. I know what it all means now.
I finally figured it all out.
It must have been all the time I spent inside that void,
but I think I'm connected to the briar.
Dad, you're not making any sense.
Trust me, Russ, I wish there was a more scientific explanation,
but everything down here is connected,
the artifacts, the briar, and now me.
Here, I'll show you.
- [Sky grunts] - When I touched the briar just now,
it showed me this artifact.
The Lucerna Sale.
Also known as the Salt Lantern.
What? You don't think I know things?
Fine, I saw it in the journal I was sitting on
while I was planning my parkour desk launch.
This is clearly tied into my skeleton dreams somehow.
Before, the briar was using the red thorns to show us which artifacts to deal with.
Which it stopped doing after we crushed that black widow.
Now it must be telling you directly.
This is our next mission.
Are you sure you're recovered enough?
I don't think these nightmares are going to stop until we do this.
Then let's get to work.
Why am I carrying it like this again?
Well, we learned that you definitely don't want to touch a cursed artifact
if you don't have to,
which is why I've been designing a robotic artifact handler.
But until then, these tongs will have to do.
Cornelius wrote here that this salt lantern was originally created
to "capture a mine worker's full and undivided attention."
There's just a piece of salt in there.
I mean, it's sparkly, but that captured their attention?
Miners must have been desperate for entertainment back then.
You three are like a well-oiled machine. No wonder you rescued me.
[Russ] Found out where it's from.
Pandora, you are going to love this.
Seems this lantern was stolen from a little area in Romania
known as Transylvania.
[gasps] Transylvania. Yes!
Please let it be a vampire castle. I've gotta pack.
[Alex sighs]
Are you thinking about the same thing I am?
Underwater volcanoes?
Again, no.
[sighing]
With the family all together now, what is our role in all of this?
The Restricted Wing is still our domain. We are still the captains down here.
[Stanley] I'm not so sure lately.
I need some time to think.
I'll be in the celestium with my new harmonica if you need me.
[harmonica playing]
Hmm.
As I live and breathe, Alexander the Great has returned.
Margie the Conqueror, you are a sight for sore eyes.
How the blast are ya?
[sniffs] Hmm, what is that delicious smell?
Garlic necklace.
[chuckles] Of course. Transylvania.
I can only imagine what the cursed artifact is this time.
[stammers] You know about that?
Mmm.
I assure you, she's the only one that knows.
[sighs]
[grunting]
[sighs] I can't wait to hand the artifact to the rightful owner and say,
"We are friends who have come to return a family heirloom
that was taken from you long ago."
- Uh... - Uh, it doesn't always work like that.
It doesn't?
Well, it might. Or it might not, depends on the situation.
It's different every time.
Don't worry. We'll watch out for you.
[sighs]
[engine starts, backfires]
[Margie] Next stop, Transylvania.
I can't believe I'm finally going to meet a vampire.
Just because we're in Transylvania doesn't mean everyone's a vampire.
[gasps] I wouldn't rule it out either.
Go away! I paid that bill.
Uh, sorry?
You not from electric department?
Uh, no. We're from America.
Hmm.
[locks clicking]
Huh?
Mm-mmm.
I thought you were here to shut down my power for unpaid bills.
Taking care of a castle this size must be expensive.
Yes, bleeds me dry.
Like a vampire?
Yes, it is like. So very much money.
More than my rotten family left me.
Once my family very rich, but last hundred years we lose.
Now barely holding on.
But why am I telling this? Who are you people?
We are friends who have come to return a family heirloom...
- Hmm? - ...that was taken from you long ago.
[gasps] The Lucerna Sale.
[grunts]
- [lock clicks] - [Pandora] Uh, you're welcome.
[thunder rumbles]
Well, that wasn't very satisfying,
but the important thing is the artifact is back where it belongs.
- I'm not sure it is. - You're not?
Something seems off.
It's usually pretty obvious when the curse is lifted off an artifact.
Uh, I'm sure it's right.
The briar told me that was the next artifact,
and the records say Vlad was the rightful owner.
But we have to do right by the artifact, not the owner.
Maybe we should get it back.
- No. - Huh?
We returned it to where it belongs. That should be enough.
- [door opens] - Huh?
[thunder rumbling continues]
Mm-hmm. [inhales sharply]
Did anyone else just see that?
Uh, you mean Vlad suspiciously running off with the lantern we just gave him?
Mm-hmm.
What are they doing? We've already accomplished our mission.
The mission is to make right by the lantern,
not just pass the buck.
Hmm, okay then.
[harmonica playing]
- [Larry] Stanley! - [yelps]
I have asked you not to disturb me in my thinking spot.
[groans] Have you been in the Egyptian wing while angry?
Hmm?
What on earth happened here?
You did not do this?
You think one skull could cause this much chaos?
I mean, I could, but I didn't.
Hmm. What about Hank?
He claims to have been locked up in the armory during the time in question.
That is a solid alibi.
You think an artifact came to life and did this?
Maybe. Let us get this cleaned up and do an inventory.
Perhaps that will provide the necessary clues.
Mmm.
[humming]
Huh?
[grunting]
Hey.
It's okay. We're used to this sort of thing.
Well, I'm not.
[grunts]
[groans] Salt. The walls are pure rock salt.
Vlad said his family used to be worth a fortune.
This must be the reason.
Because of salt?
Well, for most of history, salt was worth more than gold.
It's where the word "salary" comes from.
But if they've got all of this underneath the castle, why isn't he still rich?
Maybe he couldn't find any workers?
Mining is often tough work for little pay.
Wait a second. I recognize this place.
It was in my dreams.
It was?
These must be for the workers when they got tired.
They look like a good place to nap.
I think they're old catacombs.
- Where they kept the dead bodies. - [gasps] Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew.
- [groans] - Hmm, not surprising.
Salt is a natural preservative. But why are they empty?
Hmm.
We need to leave. Now.
I thought we were going after that lantern.
The lantern wasn't the only thing I saw in my dreams.
Hmm? [gasps]
[screams, grunts]
[skeletons groaning]
They don't notice us.
Wow. Zombie skeletons are way cooler than vampires.
We gotta find out what's going on.
- Attention, peasants. Look to me. - [all gasp]
The stories are true. It works.
I have very good news.
An old family heirloom has been returned,
and the Baciu salt mines will soon be back in business.
Now grab your pickaxes and get to work.
Oh, yeah, that thing is definitely still cursed.
[Larry grunting, straining]
Last one.
You're 100% sure there are no more?
Don't make me use numbers, mate. I'm sure.
[Stanley] Then an artifact is missing.
A bracelet from the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh.
So, did it wake up and take off?
Or someone break in and steal it?
Larry, it appears we have a mystery on our hands.
And if we are still the captains down here, we need to solve it.
Aye, aye, captain.
[Sky] Vlad's family must have used that lantern
to control these skeletons.
Now I get what it meant by,
"capturing a miner's full and undivided attention."
So, when Cornelius took the lantern, there was no way to control them.
They must have been wandering aimlessly in these mines for years.
And now that we gave it back to Vlad,
we allowed him to restart his family's business.
[Sky] These poor skeletons must be the old miners.
Even after death, they're prisoners.
[Russ] Not just prisoners. They're enslaved.
We have to free them and let them rest in peace.
Let's get that lantern back and command them to stop.
You think that'll work?
I have no idea.
Then I should be the one to get the lantern back.
You kids stay here where it's safe.
Do we have to go through this with you too?
We did that last summer with Mom. It was a whole thing.
She's right. It was a whole thing.
That's when our family was incomplete.
Now that you've got us both here to protect you,
you kids can take a back seat for a while.
- [gasps, grunts] - Just let him do it.
Some people have to learn the hard way.
[whispering] Stay alert for backup.
[groans]
[Vlad] Work harder! The Baciu fortune will be back in no time.
Vlad Baciu, stop what you are doing.
Oh, it is man who pretended to be from electric department.
Uh, no, you misunderstood.
Then what are you doing here?
We're here to stop you.
You can't use forced labor to regain your family fortune.
I control an army of the undead. I can do whatever I want. Watch.
My workers, capture the intruders.
[growling]
Uh, honey, this is where we run.
[shushes]
Mmm.
- [grunts, gasps] - Huh?
- Got it! [panting, grunting] - [gasps]
Wicked.
I'll take this.
You skeletons there, get them.
[growling]
- Run! Into the mine cart! - [whimpers]
[panting, grunting]
- [gasps] - [growling]
Can't this thing go any faster?
[grunting] Yeah, I'm trying.
[gasps]
- [roars] - [yelping]
[roars]
[groans]
Nice one, Pan.
Hurry. In here.
[both gasp]
- [straining, yelps] - [roars]
[yelps]
- Thanks. - I got you.
- [both gasp] - [Sky] Here come more skeletons.
[groans] I'm trying to get it back on the track.
- [grunting, straining] - I'll buy you some time.
[grunting]
- Almost there. - [Sky grunts]
[gasps]
- [growling] - [grunts]
[grunts] Got it!
[pants, shouts]
[growling]
[both grunt]
- [growling] - [screams]
Too bad you don't know these mines like I do.
[Russ] Oh, you got to be kidding me.
[grunting]
I do not understand who you are and why you are even here.
First, you give me the lantern, and now you try to take it away.
Sorry about that. Everyone makes mistakes.
[grunts]
[yelps] Garlic eyes!
[grunts]
Get the lantern!
[growling]
I command you to-- [gasps]
[grunting] Pandora!
[grunting] Dad!
Sorry.
[grunting, panting]
- [growling] - [grunts]
- Hurry, Dad.
Use the lantern and command the skeletons to stop.
[grunts] Huh?
[gasps]
Dad!
[grunts] Workers, I command you to stop.
[gasps]
And I command you to rest. Forever.
No!
You've ruined me.
Without my workers, there is no way I keep castle.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
How can going broke not be bad thing?
Maybe trying to maintain all of this has kept you from forging your own path.
Yeah, looks like both you and the skeletons were prisoners
of this place.
Hmm. You are right, strange American family.
First thing tomorrow, I turn over a new leaf.
Put castle up for sale.
You want to buy castle? I give you great deal.
Thank you, but no. We have house problems of our own.
So, what happened back there with the lantern?
Why did you hesitate?
Hesitate? What do you mean?
When the skeletons were about to get us,
you were holding the lantern and didn't command them to stop.
What are you talking about? I never held the lantern.
Hey, Dad, I'll race you to the airstrip. [pants]
- You're on, kiddo. Whoo! - [Pandora laughs]
What? Are your legs still made of stone?
[Alex, Pandora laughing]
Hmm.
[footsteps approaching]