THIS IS THE SEQUEL to my Prom story! Tensions are rising when the Keepers don't know what's happened to Wayne. If you haven't read "Kingdom Keepers Prom" you will most likely be lost in some parts. Please read Prom first! Enjoy this!
Amanda smiled as she looked at the picture of her and Finn in front of the Cinderella Castle. They had gone together a few weeks before to celebrate the Keepers latest achievement. Maleficent was in the middle of nowhere and wouldn't be bothering them for awhile. Finn had asked Amanda to spend a relaxing day at the parks, hoping to get some time alone with her. Amanda giggled to herself as her mind wondered to that day.
They had spent it running around, escaping spas Finn fans. At one point Finn had stopped running, grabbed Amanda and pulled her close for a picture. Although, being chased down by crazed fans wasn't an ideal date, it wasn't boring.
Amanda put the picture under her pillow and turned over to lie on her back. She stared at the ceiling for awhile before getting up to face the world. Finn was coming to pick her up and take her to the apartment in the Magic Kingdom. He had told Amanda the Keepers were arranging a meeting to discuss Wayne's disappearance. Amanda had noticed this had affected Finn a great deal. He had become depressed and quiet lately, which worried her. Amanda's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a bicycle bell. She smiled as she looked out the window to see Finn giving her a "You owe me" look. Amanda had begged him to get one as to let her know when he was at her house. She waved and ran outside to tackle Finn with a surprise hug.
Finn laughed as he returned it saying "Well hi to you too." As Amanda pulled back he asked "What was that for?"
"Just for being an awesome boyfriend…and getting the bell" she said with a glimmer in her eyes.
Finn rolled his and said "hop on." As Finn's mind drifted far from the bike, he thought about how this meeting worried him. Not so much the meeting itself but more the reason they were getting together. Wayne had been missing for two months, which was eating Finn up inside.
"You alright?" Amanda asked the suddenly quiet Finn.
"Yeah, of course, why wouldn't I be?" Finn asked, hoping his previous thoughts didn't show on his face. Knowing Amanda, he thought, she knew him well enough to realize how he was feeling.
"Finn, I know what you're going through. Wayne is part of our family of Keepers. We'll find him, I promise" Amanda said, giving Finn's shoulder a squeeze. Finn tried not to cry as he felt himself getting a little choked up at the idea of Wayne as part of their family.
"Thanks, for caring" he smiled, hoping to reassure her. Wayne was the oldest person Finn had ever been close to. No one was sure of his age, but they knew it was old enough to be more concerned about his whereabouts.
As they approached the Magic Kingdom gate, the knot in Finn's stomach grew. He thought back to three weeks ago and the adventure they'd all experienced at prom. The time when, if it hadn't been for Mr. Smee, none of them would be there today. Finn realized the Keepers could've used the tunnel they discovered under their school, but the thought of going back there frightened the girls so they took the more obvious way of sneaking in the apartment.
After another episode of getting rid of Finn fans, not that Amanda was complaining since Finn was holding her hand, they made it to their desired destination. The apartment was much gloomier than it had been when they spent after prom there. Nobody tried to make it cheerier considering they all shared the room's attitude.
"Hey everybody" Finn said, walking hand in hand with Amanda. It had taken the rest of the Keepers awhile to get used to the once secret love birds finally being together. A round of "hey's" and "hello's" passed through the once magical place.
"I think everyone knows why we're here so let's get to it. We've had a few weeks off now and we need to get back in the game. Are we in agreement that Philby should start up the crossover program?" Finn asked the group of zombies. A series of heads nodded, which frustrated the previously silent Amanda.
"Ok guys, really? I know you're all miserable and depressed but what about Wayne?" Amanda exclaimed. Finn squeezed her hand in encouragement. He would've said the same thing if he hadn't been one of the examples Amanda had just described. "We need to think and get a move on while were still young."
Amanda breathed a heavy sigh, looking rather pleased with herself. She glanced at Finn who had a shocked look on his face, as did the rest of them.
"But we don't know where to look for him or what to do" whined Charlene. After her brilliance on prom night, she had returned to her judgmental self. (if you have read Prom I hope you remember how brilliant I made her)
"Charlie, relax" Maybeck said, rubbing her shoulders, thinking it would calm her down. Since they had been together, Maybeck had to try harder to calm her down when Finn addressed a problem, or in this case, Amanda.
"Where do you suggest we start Finn?" Philby asked, who had just tuned into the meeting already in progress.
"Well, the first step is to search the parks at night" Finn said, not knowing what else to say at the moment. He felt dazed as he and Amanda sat down on the vacant couch.
"Brilliant, why didn't I think of that" Charlene said, sarcastically.
"Charlene!" Willa yelled, obviously frustrated.
"What? Tell me you weren't thinking the same thing" Charlene snapped back.
Finn put his head on Amanda's shoulder and closed his eyes, praying that when he opened them, everything would be right with the world.
Meanwhile, Willa had become quiet and was now leaning back on Philby looking down at her hands.
"Exactly" Charlene said, crossing her arms.
"That's enough Charlie" Philby snapped, comforting the saddened Willa. "There's no reason to be critical toward anybody."
"Why not?" Charlene said, totally losing it now. "What has our supposed leader done lately? Been hanging around his girlfriend hasn't he."
Charlene had just crossed the line. Finn stood up from his spot beside Amanda and walked over to Charlene but not before Maybeck met him halfway.
"Don't you dare yell at her" Maybeck said, with his temper rising.
"She insulted my girlfriend!" Finn said a little too loudly. They were both starting to feel the room getting warmer. As Maybeck opened his mouth to say something he'd regret, Amanda chimed in.
"Guys stop this!" Amanda said, rushing to Finn's side and pulling him away. "Let. It. Go." She whispered, giving Finn a look that would scare children.
"Everybody sit down" the only voice of reason Philby yelled. They obeyed as he stood in the middle of the room so he was facing them all. "This is ridiculous. We're a family…start acting like it." The Keepers were still as Philby gave them a look over.
"Sorry dude…and Amanda" Maybeck said, glancing at the couple.
"It's ok" Finn said, forcing a smile to appear, no matter how hard it was. How had this gotten so out of hand, he thought.
"I know I know" Charlene said when Maybeck looked at her "Sorry everybody. I guess I kinda lost it." She smiled hoping that would lighten up the mood she had darkened.
"I say we just discuss the possibilities and we search in couples tonight as DHI's" Willa said, finally speaking up.
"Sounds good. We'll take Magic Kingdom" Finn said, looking at Amanda in approval.
"Let's leave out Animal Kingdom and we'll take Epcot" Maybeck said.
"You ok with Hollywood Studios?" Philby asked Willa.
"Yes!" Willa smiled. Philby got a sense of relief when he saw her smile. It had been a rough month with the whole prom episode, but their relationship had recovered more than either one could've hoped.
"Well, anyone feel like staying for the day? There's nothing else to do" Finn asked.
"Good idea" Charlene said.
Little did they know how important their staying would be.