Elena of Avalor

They say every story has a beginning.

Except mine.

My story has two.

That's me, Princess Elena of Avalor,

on my 15th birthday.

My parents gave me a special gift that day.

A magical amulet they said would always protect me from harm.

I didn't think I'd ever need it.

But one fateful day,

an evil, power-hungry sorceress named Shuriki

invaded Avalor.

She attacked my parents,

then came after the rest of us.

Our royal wizard Alacazar knew a spell

that could protect my little sister and grandparents

in an enchanted painting.

But he needed time to cast it.

So I decided to face Shuriki on my own.

Shuriki tried to strike me down,

but the amulet saved my life

by pulling me inside it.

Alacazar found the amulet,

and summoned his spirit animal Zuzo,

who sent him on a journey to free me.

It took a little longer than I'd hoped.

Forty-one years.

But one magical day, I was freed from the amulet.

It was finally my time to take back my kingdom.

I rescued my grandparents and sister Isabel

from the enchanted painting,

and with the help of the brave people of Avalor,

I defeated the wicked sorceress.

Avalor was free once more,

and as heir to the throne, I was gonna be the new ruler.

So, as it turned out, my adventure wasn't over.

It was just beginning... again.

On your left.

- Skylar! - Look out!

Luna, come on.

It is too early for these shenanigans.

Oh, what are you so cranky about, Migs?

The evil queen is gone,

the majesty of Avalor has returned,

and we are back on the flag.

Strike a pose!

Hey, let's go see if Princess Elena's up.

- Great idea. - Uh-uh.

No way, you two.

It's bad enough you woke me up.

Should we knock?

- Hey, princess, you up? - She is now.

Well, good morning!

Sorry if they woke you up, princess.

Woke me up? I barely slept last night.

I mean, how are you supposed to sleep

the night before you become queen?

So when do you get your crown?

Tonight at the Royal Ball.

We will be there.

Uh, we were not invited, Skylar.

Oh, you're always invited.

I'll see you tonight.

Zuzo?

- You can see me? - Uh, yeah.

Can you see me now?

- Yeah. - Now?

- Yep. - How about now?

A little too closely, but yeah.

Um, I thought I couldn't see spirit animals

unless a wizard conjured them up.

I thought so, too.

Hm. So why can I?

I have no idea. Do you?

Well, you know, I have felt a little...

uh, different, since I was freed from the amulet.

Now that you mention it,

you were trapped in there for a long time.

Maybe, when you got out of the amulet,

you took some of its magic with you.

So I'm magical now?

I'm just throwin' out guesses.

But whatever's goin' on, it's all good,

'cause now, you can get an extra helping

of animal spirit wisdom any time you like.

In fact, I'm gonna hit you with some right now.

If you don't get downstairs right away,

you're gonna be late for breakfast.

Ha ha. That's spirit wisdom?

Oh, go on. You don't want it to get cold now

Go on, go on.

Isabel. Time for breakfast.

- I know. - Oh! You're up already.

How can I sleep after being trapped

in an enchanted painting for 41 years?

That's 14,965 days.

There's so much stuff I wanna do.

Ooh, what's that?

Well, since I'm getting a crown today,

I wanted to get you something, too.

A journal!

Yeah, and you can use it to design all your inventions.

"To my little sister, for your big ideas.

Love, Elena."

Thanks, Elena.

You're the best big sister.

But am I the fastest?

Race you to breakfast!

The food is getting cold, abuela.

Oh, we can wait a little longer, Esteban.

- On your left. - On your right.

Racing through the palace?

This is no way for princesses to behave.

Don't worry, cousin.

After tonight, Elena won't be a princess anymore.

She'll be queen.

Um...

Should I tell her?

Tell me what?

Elena, um... you're not becoming queen tonight.

I was looking through the kingdom's by-laws last night,

and discovered that you are too young to become queen.

Uh, too young?

I was trapped in that amulet for 41 years.

But you did not age, mija.

Technically, you're still 16.

Your grandmother is right.

According to the laws,

you must rule Avalor as crown princess

until you come of age,

with the help of the Grand Council,

who must approve all of your major decisions.

I have to get permission to rule?

Uh, not exactly.

But it's like having a group of advisors

who can help you make the best decision.

And look on the bright side.

There's a bright side?

There's always a bright side.

You get to choose the four members of the Grand Council

tonight at the Royal Ball.

And may I be the first to offer my grand counseling services?

That's a kind offer, Esteban,

but I don't think I need a grand council.

I'm ready to rule now.

This is how I know you're still a teenager.

You think you're ready, but ruling a kingdom

is not so simple.

It reminds me of a story.

It always does.

Oh, Papa, how will I show them

I can be as good a leader as you?

The city. Of course!

Today, I will meet with all the city leaders,

and make sure they have what they need

to restore our kingdom to greatness.

Can you arrange that, Armando?

Uh, is the chief of the castle supposed to arrange such things?

I'm still getting used to the job.

I know everyone who's anyone in Avalor.

I will take care of everything.

Then what are we waiting for?