On Thursday morning Ben and Gaby walked to school.
"That's weird," Gaby burst out as they got close to the school building.
"What's weird?" Ben asked.
She pointed. Kids and teachers stood outside the main doors.
"It's almost time for the first bell.
How come Mr. Freaky hasn't unlocked the doors yet?"
Before Ben could reply, the school doors flew open.
Mr. Freaky came racing out, followed by Ms. Van Ghoul.
The principal was wringing his hands.
"Students, this is a disaster!" he cried.
"Art Week is completely out of control!"
Teachers and kids stepped cautiously into the building.
"Oh no," Ben murmured.
The vandal had struck again.
Sculptures had been knocked over.
Pottery, baskets, and spider web weavings lay everywhere.
Paintings and drawings hung crookedly from the walls, and the big Art Week banner dangled from one side.
"This is awful!" Mr. Freaky wrung his hands again.
"What are we going to do, Ms. Van Ghoul?
Leonardo da Creepy will be here at ten o'clock!"
"Who could have done this?" Gaby said.
Several heads spun toward the Doppel Gang.
"No way! It wasn't us!" Moe said.
Larry and Carly shook their heads furiously.
Ms. Van Ghoul's eyes looked glazed.
"It's not so bad," she said in a tight voice.
Then she fluttered around, picking up a pot and putting it back on its stand.
"We just need to do a little cleanup."
"A little cleanup?" Ben thought.
"This place is a disaster zone!"
Mr. Freaky took out his handkerchief and mopped his head.
"Hey!" A fish monster pointed to a painting.
"My piranha family portrait was hanging there yesterday.
Someone else made this painting to look like it!"
A blob gasped. "I see a bad copy of my painting too!"
"That's not my artwork either," a goblin said.
"Whoever painted that thing must have been half asleep!"
"Everyone, calm down." Ms. Van Ghoul sighed.
"Mr. Freaky will investigate while the rest of us clean up."
"Me? Investigate?" Mr. Freaky spun around.
"Where's Ben?" he demanded.
"He's writing a story about Art Week for the paper.
And that's what reporters do—they investigate!"
"I'm working on it, Mr. Freaky," Ben mumbled.
"Okay, monsters, all claws on deck!" Ms. Van Ghoul said.
The monsters worked all morning to clean up the wrecked exhibits.
Just as Ben and another ghost finished rehanging the Art Week banner, Leonardo da Creepy arrived.
"He's here!" Mr. Freaky cried. "Get ready!"
A tall ghoul with a long beard and a red beret strode into the building.
Ms. Van Ghoul hurried over to greet him.
"Mr. da Creepy! We're so glad you're able to participate in Art Week!"
Mr. da Creepy frowned. "I'm not participating yet.
I've come to inspect the artwork.
Things must be up to my standards, you know."
"Oh yes. I'm aware of that," Ms. Van Ghoul said.
"If you'll follow me, I'll show you the fabulous artwork on display.
The students have been working very hard to make Art Week great!"
Leonardo da Creepy grunted.
Ben followed the adults through the school, taking notes for his article.
As they strolled along, Ben noticed that Leonardo da Creepy did not look impressed with the students' work.
The artist's lip seemed to curl with distaste.
"I must say, Ms. Van Ghoul," Mr. da Creepy said, "many of these artists do not take art very seriously."
The smile slipped from Ms. Van Ghoul's face.
"Oh, we're very serious about art here at Monster Academy!
If you need more proof of that, I can show you an amazing work in progress.
It's a flying painting—have you ever seen one?"
Leonardo da Creepy raised his eyebrows.
"Did you say, a flying painting?"
"Yes, we have a flying painting.
The witches are still working on it," Ms. Van Ghoul said proudly.
"And when it's finished, it's going to be breathtaking."
"Oh." Mr. da Creepy's tone had changed. "May I see it?"
"Certainly."
Ben heard Leonardo da Creepy gasp as they all entered the gym.
"Now, this is what I call art!" he gushed.
"Why, I'd be delighted to participate in the festivities tomorrow night."
"Phew!" Mr. Freaky let out his breath.
"Does that mean you'll still donate your painting?"
"Of course," Mr. da Creepy replied.
"In fact, I just finished painting it this morning.
I think the Monster Academy community will love it."
Ms. Van Ghoul's face lit up. "Wonderful!" she said.
"The ceremony will start tomorrow evening at seven."
"Wait till I tell Winnie," Ben thought happily.
The witches' flying painting wasn't finished yet, but it had already saved the day.
Leonardo da Creepy was coming back to Monster Academy—with a magnificent painting of his own!