Matt Myklusch - The New World

Order of the Majestic

The New World

Matt Myklusch

The Jack Blank Adventures

The Accidental Hero

The Secret War

The End of Infinity

Order of the Majestic

Order of the Majestic

Lost Kingdom

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

First Aladdin hardcover edition August 2021

Text copyright 2021 by Matt Myklusch

Jacket illustration copyright 2021 by Owen Richardson

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Jacket designed by Karin Paprocki

Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Myklusch, Matt, author.

Title: The new world / by Matt Myklusch.

Description: First Aladdin hardcover edition. | New York : Aladdin, 2021. | Series: Order of the Majestic ; book 3 | Audience: Ages 8 to 12 | Summary: Joey Kopecky and his friends Shazad and Leanora have one last chance to defeat the Invisible Hand.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021007341 (print) | LCCN 2021007342 (ebook) | ISBN 9781534479401 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534479425 (ebook)

Subjects: CYAC: Fantasy. | MagicFiction. | Adventure and adventurersFiction.

Classification: LCC PZ7.M994 Ne 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.M994 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021007341

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021007342

FOR MY READERS.

THIS BOOK WOULDNT EXIST WITHOUT YOU.

Ladies and gentlemen, our time together is nearly at an end, Joey announced. For my final trick, I need a volunteer to join me onstage. Somebody special, he added, raising a finger in the air. Preferably someone with a touch of magic in their soul. I dont suppose anyone here tonight fits that description.

The floorboards creaked beneath Joeys feet as he waited for an answer that wouldnt come. He looked out to where the audience should be. But there was no audience. The seats were all empty, and Joey was alone on the stage. He was wearing a tuxedo and standing beside a table with his old magic set, Redondos Mystery Box, resting on top. Joey had no idea how hed gotten there. The situation didnt make any sense.

Despite his young age, Joey Kopecky was a master magician, but he wasnt a stage magician. It was true he spent nearly all his free time in the Majestic Theatre, but he never performed there. No one did. The Majestic was more of a clubhouse. It was a treasure trove of magical objects that had been left to Joey and his friends by their former mentor, Redondo the Magnificent. Magic shows had been Redondos stock in trade, not Joeys. He had no plans to become a world-famous magician. He had actually taken great pains to avoid the spotlight, but there he was, dressed up like he was trying to be Redondo for some reason. Even the words Joey had used to address his nonexistent crowd were not his own. He remembered hearing Redondo recite those lines the last time he ever performed in public.

What am I doing? Joey wondered aloud.

It looks like youre doing my act, a familiar voice called out behind Joey. You seem to have stolen everything except my mustache.

Joey turned around and saw Redondo standing at the edge of the stage. In that instant, he understood what was going on. I get it now. This is a dream.

Redondo walked over to where Joey was standing. Thats one way of looking at it. I prefer to think of it as a special appearance. One night only.

Joey smiled, glad to see Redondo, even if he was just a manifestation of Joeys subconscious, sleeping mind. Redondo was exactly as Joey remembered him. Stylish and confident, he was the classic stage magician. Redondo was dressed, as usual, in a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, vest, and bow tie. His stark white hair was combed perfectly, and his pencil-thin mustache completed his polished look. Arent we a pair? Redondo asked, noting their identical outfits.

I dont know why Im dressed like this, Joey said. His own standard uniform was a T-shirt and jeans. The only jacket Joey ever wore was a hoodie.

I like this look on you, Redondo told him. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Can I tell you a secret, though? I always hated these things. He untied his bow tie and let it hang loose around his collar. There. Thats better.

You? Telling secrets? Joey said. Now I know Im dreaming.

If you say so. I hope Im not intruding.

No way, Joey told Redondo. I wish you were here for real.

Redondo furrowed his brow. Whos to say Im not?

Joey hiked his shoulders an inch. I dont know. You are dead.

And? Redondo asked, as if death were a small matter, hardly worth mentioning. When magic is involved, not to mention a magician of my caliber, nothing is impossible. I stuck around to say goodbye after I died, if you recall.

Exactly, Joey agreed. You died. You said goodbye. That was over a year ago.

And what a year its been, Redondo replied, beaming. Youve been busy. I said you flattered me before, but the truth is, youve put me to shame. Ive been watching. Youve discovered secrets even I never knew. The secret history of the world! You found out what happened to rob the earth of its magic all those years ago, and now youre in a position to do something about it. Redondo pointed an aiming finger at Joey. Thats the part thats got you worried, I expect. What comes next?

Im not worried, Joey said a little too quickly.

Really? Redondos lips curled up in a knowing smile, not fooled at all. I heard you ask for volunteers just now. He looked around the empty theater. So far I dont see anyone raising their hand. Youre all alone, young Kopecky. Why is that?

Joey said nothing.

Its got to mean something. Could it be because you feel like youre all alone, up against impossible odds?

This is just a dream, Joey maintained. Im not alone in real life. Ive got friends. Shazad, Leanora, Janelle theyre with me. Were the new Order of the Majestic.

Thats good. Thats important. The purest, most powerful form of magic cannot be created alone, but theres no getting around the fact that youre the one with the wand. When the time comes, youre the one who has to say the magic words.

Joey looked down and realized he was holding the wand. Had it been in his hand this whole time? He didnt remember having it earlier.