Descendants Beyond

by AndrewK9000

Several dark conspiracies threaten to destroy Auradon as Ben and Mal prepare for their wedding. As Ben is forced to lead his kingdom into war, Mal must endure a quest to save another world. Will the two halves of the same heart be reunited? And what of the various outworlder heroes converging on Auradon? What brought them on? And just who is the true enemy?

9. Chapter 8: What a Tangled Web

Chapter 8: What a Tangled Web

1

Ben looked over the figures handed to him by Commander Delacour, "and this is the final count?"

"I fear so, Your Majesty," said Commander Delacour, "two-thousand and nine dead, five-thousand, three hundred and twenty-five wounded and six-hundred eleven missing."

"PEC bastards!" snapped one of the Auradon soldiers, at which his comrades voiced their indignant agreements.

"Stop that!" said Evie as she, Carlos, Caroline, Harry, Chad and Akane sat nearby, "you shouldn't degrade the Elves like that."

"Why shouldn't we?" another soldier asked, "why shouldn't we call them what they are? Pointy Eared Creeps, that's what they are!"

"They attacked us without so much as a 'by your leave!'" said a nearby officer, "they abducted and slaughtered innocent people and wrecked the city. I'd say we're entitled more than simple name calling."

"That's still no excuse to give in to prejudice and hate," said Evie, she then glared at Carlos, "you see, this is what happens when you let prejudice rule your mind and heart."

"I said I was sorry," said Carlos, "what else do you want?"

"You can hate the enemy all you want," said Ben to his friends and soldiers, "just as long as you respect them, because they hate and respect us just as well. We've shown the Elves that Auradon won't go down without a fight, and I promise you all, we'll make it a fight they'll remember."

"Well spoken, your majesty," said Commander Delacour.

Just then Aurora and Phillip stomped into the area, "there you are!" shouted Phillip as rushed at and grabbed Harry by his shirt, "we've unfinished business, you and I!"

"Why didn't you protect our daughter?" Aurora asked as Phillip lifted Harry into the air, "why didn't you stop that horrid Sarvola from taking Audrey?"

"I tried!" Harry pleaded, "I tried to save her, but…"

"We all tried to save Audrey!" said Ben as he, Carlos and Evie made Phillip put Harry down, "and Mal, and Jane and Uma. I swear, Phillip, Aurora, we'll find them."

Seconds later Belle and Beast entered the room, followed by Ella and Kit, with Ella rushing to embrace her son.

"Oh, my baby boy!" exclaimed Ella as she hugged Chad and smothered him with kisses, "my sweet, baby boy! I heard what happened and was so afraid for you!"

"He's alright, Ella," said Kit, "aren't you, son?"

"You better believe it, dad!" said Chad triumphantly, "you should've seen me wipe the floor with those Elves!"

At that Evie and the others did their best to stifle derisive laughter.

"Well, of course you did well," said Ella, "my brave boy, so courageous, so strong! I wouldn't be surprised if you were awarded every medal for bravery Auradon has."

This caused Evie, Akane and the others to nearly burst out in uncontrolled chortling.

"Well, it wasn't that big a deal, mom," said Chad modestly, "it was, but wasn't…well…you know what I mean, right?"

"I'm just glad you're safe," said Ella before resuming her motherly smooching.

"You're not gonna embarrass me like that in front of the others, mom?" Ben asked.

"No, a hug and handshake will suffice for your father and I," said Belle as she and Beast embraced Ben.

"You did better than I would've, son," said Beast after shaking Ben's hand, "I would've charged head on into the enemy ranks and caused a lot of unnecessary casualties."

"I know what you mean, dad," said Ben, "what Camilsama wants for Auradon is just…deplorable, yeah, that's the word I want, deplorable."

"Any unjust military action is deplorable, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "but righteousness is on our side. You proved that they can be beaten."

"Well, that and a lucky hammer strike," said Ben, "Mom, dad, this is Akane, she's a friend."

"Um…hello," said Akane as she realized just who she was being introduced to, as well as who Chad's parents were, "this…this whole situation is kinda overwhelming."

"War usually is, young lady," said Beast, "but it also brings out the best of some, and I think we'll see more of the best of you before this war is over."

"Oh, well," said a blushing Akane, "I mean, thank you, sir, I mean, your majesty, I mean, well…" she looked at Ben and whispered, "what do we call your dad now that you're king?"

"Technically he still is until Mal and I are married," said Ben, "after that, well, it gets kinda complicated."

"Oh, Ben," said an anxious Belle, "we heard that Mal was taken! You must be going crazy with worry."

"Good thing he's got a war to keep him occupied," said Kit.

"How can you make jokes at a time like this?" Aurora asked, "my daughter was kidnapped too, I don't see my husband making jokes?" she looked at Phillip, "aren't you, dear?"

"Absolutely not," said Phillip, "and if you think we're upset, just you wait until you hear from my mother-in-law. She is on her back with a case of the vapors but just you wait."

"What about Fairy Godmother?" Carlos asked, "how's she taking this?"

"Much better than I thought," said Belle, "once she heard that Jane was gone, she went to the restricted vault of the national archives, where they keep the old books of magic."

"Why would she do that?" Evie asked, "after decades of teaching to get by without magic."

The answer to Evie's question was postponed as a soldier rushed in, saluted and handed a document to Commander Delacour, "you'll have to postpone the search for Lady Mal and the others, Your Majesty. The Elves, they're back."

"Where?!" Ben asked as he and his friends tensed for action.

"Everywhere, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "They've been sighted all over Auradon!"

A computer display of Auradon showed the movement of Elven units throughout the kingdom.

"My god, this is it," said Beast as he comfortingly held Belle, "full-scale invasion."

"We don't stand a ghost of a chance," said Aurora.

At that Chad snickered, "betcha' feeling rather stupid for turning down the Elf Empress' offer, huh, Ben?"

"I regret nothing," said Ben, "I stand by my decision."

"I would've accepted her offer if I were king," said Chad.

"Yeah, you would've," said Carlos contemptuously, "you do realize just what Camilsama wanted of Ben, right?"

"Yeah, give her some of the people to save the rest," said Chad, "I've no problem sacrificing some lives to save the greater whole."

"Guess that makes you an idiot," said Caroline muttered.

"What'd you say, brainiac?" Chad asked irately.

"I was just musing how terrible a king you'd be," said Caroline, "only a fool would so callously sacrifice his people in such a matter."

"You do realize what the Elves do to their captive Auradonians, boyo?" Harry asked.

"Camilsama wants Auradonian magic and souls," said Carlos, "and she wanted Ben to mate with her and make Half-Elf super soldiers with her."

"You mean…she wanted…with Ben?" Chad asked, He then smiled eagerly, "well, call her back! If Ben won't be with her, I'll do it, for the sake of peace that is."

"You'd actually lower yourself to sleeping with the enemy sovereign?" Commander Delacour asked, "that'd you'd whore yourself out to save the kingdom?

"What yourself, sir!" exclaimed Ella, "that's my son you're talking about!"

"Yeah, I'd never stoop so low!" said Chad, "unless Camilsama really wanted me, and if she was beautiful. Was she beautiful, Ben?"

"She wore a mask," said Ben, "just forget about it, Chad. Camilsama's terms were and always will be unacceptable. No, we're in this fight to the end."

"The end may come sooner than you thin, your majesty," said Kit in a disapproving manner as he looked at the display of Auradon and Elf unit positions, "maybe sacrificing some Auradonians to save the majority would've spared the whole kingdom a senseless slaughter."

"I disagree, m'lord," said Commander Delacour as he read a further report, "according to observation of Elven movements, they're not actively attacking. Yes, there's been some skirmishes between the enemy and local defense forces, but no major acts of violence. Not only that, the numbers don't add up."

"Oh, great," said Chad, "I hated math."

"Then why'd you always get an 'A' by copying over my shoulder?" Caroline asked.

"You cheated in Math class?!" exclaimed Kit, who then cuffed Chad on the head, earning a pained and surprised yelp from him.

"Serves you right," said Caroline, "anyway, the enemy, I don't think this is the full invasion. Rather, I believe these are scouting missions."

"Scouting?" Carlos asked.

"They're obviously looking for something," said Caroline, "and I think we all know what that something is."

"The Dark Chest of Wonders," said Ben, "whatever that is."

"It's nothing, your majesty," said Fairy Godmother as she walked in, "just a myth, a bedtime story that's fallen out of style."

"Well, Sarvola and Camilsama both think it's real," said Ben.

"Then they must be mistaken," said Fairy Godmother, "there is no Dark Chest of Wonders."

"How can you be so sure, FG?" Carlos asked.

"It doesn't matter," said Fairy Godmother evasively, "instead of wasting time on a snipe hunt, you all should focus on the more important matters, such as finding this horrid Sarvola! She took my daughter! She took Jane!"

"We don't know that for sure," said Evie, "for all we know it was Camilsama."

"Or the two could be in cahoots," said Aurora, "no one's thought of that yet. But yes, we should find Sarvola and get the real truth out of her."

"No, we should focus on the Elves!" said Kit, "Auradon is facing annihilation and you want to run around the kingdom for some weirdo witch?"

"Your only child wasn't taken by her," said Fairy Godmother, "oh, I just know Jane's out of her mind with terror and doesn't know what to do."

"Hey, give her some credit," said Carlos, "I'll bet she's with Mal, Uma and Audrey and they're figuring out how to get home. It wouldn't surprise me if they walk in any minute now."

"I wouldn't take that bet," said Akane, "my sister would, but not me."

"Which sister?" Harry asked, "the extortionist or the one who can cook?"

"I can cook too, darn it!" snapped Akane, "just…not as well as Kasumi."

"Who cares about which sister can cook?!" Fairy Godmother shouted, "my only daughter was taken!"

"So was my only daughter!" said Aurora, "I'm doing all I can to help find her and to defend Auradon."

"Whereas you, Fairy Godmother," said Phillip, "what've you done in defense of the kingdom? Lasted I checked, your wand is still locked in the museum."

"You leave her alone!" spat Ella as she stood next to Fairy Godmother, "I don't see you appealing to Flora, Fauna and Merryweather for help!"

"Oh, that's a good idea," said Aurora as she pulled out her phone, "I'll text them right now, see if they're willing to come out of retirement to save the kingdom."

"We may need all the help we can get," said Commander Delacour, "the battle in Auradon City proved that the enemy's weapons are vastly superior to our own. Even if the whole kingdom was mobilized for total war, their military would still outclass ours."

"Not for long," said Caroline as she worked on her tablet, "I may know a few fellow geniuses who're working on widgets that can help, if they're willing to turn over their projects for the war effort."

"If they don't," said Beast, "Ben can nationalize their projects, won't you, son?"

"I'd rather not force them," said Ben as he paced back and forth, "if only…"

"If only what?" Evie asked.

Ben sighed, "I don't believe the enemy, the Elves, that they're evil, just…mislead. They only reason they're attacking Auradon is to get to the untapped magic in the people."

"And find The Dark Chest of Wonders," said Harry.

"That's Camilsama's obsession," said Ben, "that and she wants powerful human males to have children with, but the Elves, they're addicted to N'Maka. If we could somehow get around their drug addiction and break Camilsama's hold over them, I'm sure we could establish peace with the Elves."

He then looked at Evie, his parents and the others, "I'm just trying to save two great peoples from destroying each other."

"Such is the wish of all soldiers, your majesty" said Commander Delacour, "the sane ones, that is. But you must accept the reality of this war. Unless we can overcome their technology, the Elves have a drastic tactical advantage over us."

"Then overcome it," said Caroline as she showed Ben and the others the status of her social media pages, "just shoot down one of their jets or 'thopters or capture one of their tanks. My contact list is full of fellow geeks, each one willing to fight to the death for the chance to reverse-engineer an enemy war machine."

"That's a lot of eggheads talking to each other," said an impressed Harry.

"Well, in terms of getting hold of enemy tech," said Commander Delacour, "it's just a matter of time before one of our fighters or tanks destroys one of theirs."

"But how many of ours have to die in order to get hold of that technology?" Ben asked.

Just then another soldier rushed in with another message for Commander Delacour, "less than you may thing, your majesty. An enemy 'thopter was shot down over Tangletown."

"Tangletown?" Evie asked, "wasn't Lonnie supposed to be there with her mother today?"

"Way to go, Lonnie!" said Carlos as he pumped his fist. He then realized Ben and the others were looking at him strangely, "what? Who else could've taken out an Elf war machine?"

"We'll get the details when we get there," said Ben, "in the meantime…"

"We should return to our respective districts to help maintain public moral and confidence," said Kit as he and Ella stood up.

"Good idea," said Aurora as she and Phillip stood up, "the people of Auradon need to know we're with them in this crisis."

"And I shall return to the magical archives," said Fairy Godmother.

"To research The Dark Chest of Wonders?" Ben asked.

"There's no such thing!" said Fairy Godmother sharply, "no, I'm searching for defensive spells to use to protect Auradonians from Elvin aggression, nothing more."

"Why just defensive magic?" Evie asked, "why not look up offensive magic?"

"And degrade us to the level of the enemy?" Fairy Godmother asked, "to the level of Maleficent and the other former Villains? I think not. No, defensive magic shall see us through these dark times." With that, after nodding to everyone, she left the room.

"She knows something," said Harry, "I'll wager the family hook on that."

"She's just upset over Jane," said Aurora, "as are we about Audrey."

"And don't think you're off the hook, young man!" said Phillip menacingly, "as far as I'm concerned, the idea of you and Audrey as a couple, you can forget about it!" with that he and Aurora left.

"Don't worry, they're just upset," said Belle comfortingly to Harry, "I'm sure they'll accept you when Audrey comes back."

"You have quite the surplus of confidence, your excellency," said Harry, "but I cannot help but fear that the two most valued ladies in my life, both my former captain and my current paramour, they're beyond our reach."

"If there's one thing I've learned about Audrey, Uma, Jane and Mal," said Belle, "especially Mal, is they're full of surprises."

"And I know Mal's alright," said Ben, "I'd know if she wasn't."

"Me too," said Evie, "we'd all know if they weren't. But come on, we've got to get to Tangletown."

"Yeah, and see the prize Lonnie bagged," said Carlos.

"How can you be so sure Lonnie was the one to down the enemy machine?" Harry asked.

"Who else could've done it?" Carlos asked, "I'd like to see Ruby and Roxie do something like that."

"You coming, Chad?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah, I just want to talk to my folks for a sec," said Chad as he stood with Ella and Kit.

"We'll leave you to it," said Ben as he and the others left the room.

"Chad, son," said Kit, "this is particularly important, probably the most important thing your mother and I will ever say to you, so pay attention."

"Yeah, I'm listening," said Chad.

"Are you sure?" Ella asked, "you're not having one of your spacing episodes, are you?"

"I'm all ears, mom," said Chad, "what's up?"

"Stick close to Ben," said Kit, "stick very close and keep him safe."

"That's all?" Chad asked, "shucks, dad, what's so important about that?"

"It's direly important, Chad," said Ella, "because if anything were to happen to Ben, you need to be there to take over for him as King."

"Sure, whatever," said Chad. He then did a double take, "wait, what? I'd be King if Ben kicks the bucket? You really mean it?"

"The line of succession must be maintained," said Kit, "according to the founding charter of Auradon, Audrey was technically Ben's heir, or would've been once they were married. She would have acted as regent for their children, but Mal assumed that role once Ben asked her hand. But now, with both Mal and Audrey missing, the next in line for the throne is you, son."

"You're serious," said an astonished Chad, "all this time I was joking about getting the crown if Ben doesn't make it."

"Your father and I wish it were otherwise," said Ella as she gave her charming prince a knowing look which he reciprocated, "but with Ben unmarried and no issue, and no other heirs present, you're next in line. So, Chad darling, stay close to Ben and keep him safe."

Chad gave his parents a reassuring smile, "you can count on me, mom and dad, I'll stick with Ben like a brother, only closer!" with that he dashed out of the room.

"I sincerely hope we did the right thing by telling him," said Ella as she and Kit hugged.

"I hope we didn't make things worse by giving him the wrong idea," said Kit, "you know, like, our son would…"

"Put Ben out of the way so he'd be king?" Ella asked, "of course he wouldn't! Our son's ambitious, but not a murderer," she frowned in thought, "I hope not, I really hope not."

"We'll just have to hope for the best," said Kit.

"I know," said Ella, "but…there's one thing that's bothering me more than what our son might or might not do."

"What's that?" Kit asked.

"Fairy Godmother," said Ella, "she knows something about this Dark Chest of Wonders and is afraid to talk about it. She may hold the secret to Auradon's salvation."

---

2

"I'm telling you guys, FG knows something about The Dark Chest of Wonders," said Carlos as he, Ben, Evie, Harry, Chad, Caroline and Doug, whom they picked up, sat in the back of a stretch Hummer, "She knows, but what does she know?"

"We've been talking about it ever since you guys picked me up," said Doug, "and since then, we've come up with exactly nothing."

"So what if she know something?" Chad asked, "she's not gonna tell us."

"Not even if it means Jane and the others won't come back?" Carlos asked.

"How do we even know there really is a Dark Chest of Wonders?" Caroline asked, "I've been running a search through every available database in Auradon and there's not even a hint of such a thing."

"So?" Evie asked, "what if it's not on a computer? What if it's in a book?"

"Like in the national archives?" Ben asked, "forget about it. There's no way we can get to the books of magic stored there."

"Is that a challenge, your majesty?" Evie asked daringly, "us VK's managed to get into the museum and nearly stole Maleficent's staff without getting caught."

"I'll bet we can get to the books in record time," said Carlos, "hey, Harry? How'd you feel about pulling a high-stakes break in?"

"Depends on the reward, mate," said Harry, "of course, we'll need more than just thee, me and Miss Personality there," he eyed Evie teasingly, then looked back at Carlos, "I'll have to call some former shipmates."

"Getting into the archives isn't the problem," said Ben, "anyone can visit the archives, but you simply you can't touch the books of magic. Seriously, you physically can't. Mom and dad took me to the archives when I was like six or seven. Fairy Godmother was researching a charm for some beneficial project that couldn't be pulled off with mortal means and she said the books of magic are spelled so that only she or Merlin or another authorized magic user can touch them without getting zapped."

"Zapped with what?" Akane asked tentatively.

"I don't know for sure," said Ben, "but I do remember hearing of a few wannabe wizards and witches tried to checkout some of the books of magic. The one I remember for sure, he spent six weeks in the hospital and needed six months of psychotherapy afterwards."

"I really don't want to spend six weeks in the hospital and six months on a shrink's couch," said Carlos.

"You keep calling the books 'books of magic,'" said Akane, "What does that mean?"

"There's a difference between books about magic and books of magic," said Caroline, "a book about magic is just that, about magic, like a textbook or an encyclopedia. They can have spells and potion recipes, but books of magic, even reading a spell from one of them is magical."

"Oh, like in D&D where a character needs to read a spell daily to refresh it," said Akane, "I have a few friends from school who're really into tabletop RPG's. Anyway, how'd you get all of the books of magic in one place? They can't all be in the archives, right?"

"No, not every single book of magic in Auradon," said Ben, "the archives has the largest collection, but there's other collections throughout the kingdom; Charmington, Agrabah, Auroria, Cinderellasburg, there's even a waterproof chamber in Atlantica, and all of them have protective spells to prevent unauthorized usage."

"Well, somebody's gotta know something about The Dark Chest," said Doug, "because Sarvola seemed fairly sure it was here in Auradon."

"So was Camilsama," said Ben, "but it isn't The Chest she's desperate to get, it's what's in the chest. What could possibly in it that obsesses both Camilsama and Sarvola?"

"And just who or what is Sarvola?" Caroline asked.

"Someone who needs their head examined," said Akane.

"You weren't there when she zapped Harry's voice," said Carlos, "or when she blasted Caroline off her feet. She's crazy but not crazy-crazy, you know."

"Sorry," said Akane, "it's just…I've dealt with magic back home and it's been nothing but a pain in the neck ever since Ranma showed up at my front door."

"Speaking of this Ranma guy," said Doug, "were you serious about him turning into a girl whenever he touches water?"

"Cold water," said Akane, "hot water turns him back. You don't believe me? If I ever see that jerk, I'll splash him with an ice bucket and you can see the curse for yourself."

"If he's such a mismatch for you," said Evie, "why stick with him? Unless you two do love each other."

"I guess I do love him," said Akane thoughtfully, whom then acquired an irate scowl, "it's just he makes me so mad sometime, I just wanna break his face open and make him eat his own brain since he doesn't use it!"

"That's a little too much information," said Doug, "but I get it, your relationship is kinda rocky."

"Oh, it's way more than rocky," said Akane, "but, somehow, no matter what insanity life throws at us, Ranma and I, we get through it, albeit with more bruises than before"

"Aw, that' so sweet," said Evie, "in a disturbing way."

"But still," said Harry, "your fiancée, he turns into a girl with water."

"That must be a doozy of a curse," said Doug.

"It's more embarrassing than a doozy," said Akane.

"It must alter his physical makeup on the molecular level," said Caroline as she made some notes on her tablet, "a curse that changes your DNA in the blink of an eye. Tell me, just how much of a girl does he become?"

"All the way," said Akane, "and believe me, I know just how well-endowed he is when he's a she."

"Really?" Harry asked with aroused curiosity, "just how well-endowed are we talking about?"

"Enough to make me see red with jealousy," said Akane as she gripped her war hammer with growing rage, "and he's rubbed my nose in it more than once! So what if the girl who drowned in Nyannichuan 1500 years ago had the body and face of a pornstar!? That's no excuse for Ranma to flaunt himself when he's a she every chance he gets, the pervert! I'll bet if he were here right now, he'd come up with some insane plan to beat the Elves by seducing them! I oughta make him screw Camilsama and beget freak babies! I should…"

"TENDO AKANE!" bellowed Ben, causing Akane and the others to back away as far as they could in the cramped space of the Hummer.

"Uh…sorry," said a mortified Akane.

"I think we should all agree not to talk about Ranma around Akane," said Evie, "at least not when she's gripping a deadly weapon."

"Yeah, especially not something like that," said Carlos as he cautiously eyed Akane's war hammer.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" Akane asked.

"Read any good books lately?" Doug asked.

"She doesn't want to talk about that," said Caroline as she brought up a blank document on her tablet, "your world, Akane, tell us about your world."

"What do you want to know?" Akane asked.

"Well, your life before 'you know who' turned it upside down," said Caroline, "start with that."

"Oh, okay then," said Akane, "well, I grew up in Nermia district of Tokyo with my father and two older sisters. My mother died when I was little and my father…."

---

3

A few hours later the Hummer was on the road approaching the bridge to Tangletown when the driver stopped.

"What's the matter?" Ben asked as he looked out the front windshield, "what's that?"

"What's what?" Evie asked as she and the others craned their necks to look ahead.

"That white thing coming down the road towards us," said Ben. He and the others got out of the car in time to see a rapidly approaching white object with a large dust trail. Almost too late, they realized it was Rapunzel riding Maximus. Ben and the others jumped out of the way as Maximus dashed past them, then skidded to a halt. The dust cloud caught up with our heroes, leaving them coughing and rubbing at their eyes.

"Sorry, Ben," said Rapunzel as she and Maximus walked up, "I was on my way to Auradon City to get help, we lost communications in the city again."

"Again?" Ben asked, "Rapunzel, what are you talking about?"

"It's a long story," said Rapunzel, "I'll fill you in on the details later."

Just then a car with Mulan and Lonnie in it drove up, "great ancestors, Rapunzel!" said Mulan, "your horse is too fast."

"Yeah, he's like that," said a smiling Rapunzel as she lovingly patted a smugly grinning Maximus on the neck.

"Hey, guys," said Lonnie as she got out of the car, "you heard of the craziness we've had here?"

"Just that someone shot down an enemy craft," said Doug, "Carlos has this weird idea you did it all by yourself."

"Heck yeah, she did!" said Carlos, "just wait until Jay hears about it! He'll be so jealous he wasn't here to see it!"

"I didn't do it," said Lonnie.

"You didn't?" Carlos asked, "oh…wow, I feel like a deflated balloon for some reason."

"It's alright, man," said Doug, "you'll fill up again soon,"

"Oh, Lonnie," said Evie, "this is Akane, she's a friend."

"Hello," said Akane as she bowed pleasantly

"Good to meet you," said Lonnie as she bowed back, "oh, you guys, wait until you meet the friend I made! She's the one who took down the Elf 'thopter! It was so awesome!"

"The Ornithopter!" said Caroline as she grabbed Lonnie by the arm, "please tell me your friend didn't completely destroy it!"

"Nice to see you too, Caroline," said a somewhat uncomfortable Lonnie, "no, she didn't. She just broke one engine and it crashed into the lake."

"We had guardsmen ready to tow it ashore," said Rapunzel, "and believe it or not, we took prisoners."

"You did?!" Ben asked, "That's wonderful!"

"Yeah, we can beat some information out of those PEC's," said Carlos, only to get smacked upside the head by Evie.

"One thing at a time," said Ben, "let's see the 'thopter."

"Oh yes!" said Caroline enthusiastically, "I can't wait to take it apart to see what makes it tick!"

"And hear how your friend brought it down," said Harry.

"Just you wait until you meet her!" said Lonnie, "she's awesome, and a great cook to boot." She frowned slightly, "but a bit weird. When we rowed out to get the 'thopter out of the lake, she insisted on staying ashore. She said she doesn't like the water. I didn't want to offend her so I didn't ask, but she looked like she was afraid of the water."

"Or maybe something else," Akane muttered as she gripped her war hammer.

"Well, just you wait," said a smiling Lonnie, "you'll love her, the twins already do. Oh, I almost forgot; Evie, Carlos, have you heard anything from Jay?"

"No, nothing," said Evie, while Carlos shook his head.

"Nothing either from that barnacle-brains Gil," said Harry, "but it wouldn't surprise me if he just lost his phone."

"I'm really worried, guys," said Lonnie, "what if something happened to Jay? What if he and Gil are lost or hurt somewhere in the jungle? What if they got eaten by wild animals? What if they were eaten by cannibals? What if they were eaten by wild animals and cannibals?! What if…!"

"LONNIE!" said Caroline as she gripped Mulan's daughter by the shoulders, "if you can trust yourself when everyone else doubts you, then your Fluid Link needs its mercury topped off."

"Huh?" Lonnie asked.

"It's something she does to help others calm down," said Ben, "confused, but calm."

At that Lonnie laughed and soon Ben, Akane, Evie and everyone else joined in.

---

4

Not long after our heroes were at the docks in Tangletown, where the disabled Ornithopter had been hoisted onto an assembled platform.

"Incredible!" said a delighted Caroline as she walked around the Elven war machine, "Lonnie, I do hope your friend didn't damage the engines too much."

"No, she was really careful with her aim," said Lonnie, "she threw both her war clubs, one missed and is somewhere in the lake, the other's stuck in the wing. But she's okay with that, she's got other weapons. Oh! There she is now! Over there with the twins!"

Ben and the others looked and saw Ruby and Roxie approaching with Shampoo between them and Mihoshi right behind.

"Welcome to the war zone, you happy people!" said Roxie.

"We certainly have a prize for you," said Ruby, "guests and a new toy."

"And what a toy," said Caroline, "just give me some tools and some diet, fruit-flavored soda; lemon and grape if you have it, but not orange, I hate orange soda."

"Really?" Ben asked, "I can't stand orange soda too."

"What a coincidence," said Caroline as she smiled at Ben that Evie briefly thought was too friendly.

"Oh, Shampoo, this is Akane," said Lonnie, "Akane, this is…"

"YOU!" shouted both Akane and Lonnie. With that they rushed at each other, Akane with her war hammer and Shampoo with a massive curved sword. The two met with a crash of metal on metal and flash of sparks as Shampoo swung her sword to take Akane's head off. Akane blocked the sword strike and countered with a swing of her hammer. Both girls expressing unadulterated wrath as they endeavored to destroy each other.

"Uh…I guess they know each other," said Roxie as she, her sister and everyone else backed away from the clashing girls.

"Gee, it must be 'Obvious Day' at 'Lesbian Camp!'" said Ruby.

"'Bisexual,'" said Roxie, "whereas you are so asexual, you reproduce by budding!"

"Screw you!" snapped Ruby.

"Get in line!" said Roxie.

"Shampoo! What's the matter with you?!" Lonnie shouted over the crash of weapons and grunts of effort from the two fighters.

"She is!" shouted Shampoo, "Kitchen Destroyer is bane of Shampoo's existence!"

"You're no small pain in my neck!" exclaimed Akane as she swung her hammer at the purple-haired Amazon. Shampoo easily dodged the hammer swipe, then struck back with a flurry of sword strikes of her own.

"We gotta stop them before someone dies!" shouted Lonnie.

"You wanna get in the middle of that?" Chad asked as he pointed at the dueling girls.

"Where on earth did you find this girl, Ben?" Rapunzel asked.

"She just popped out of nowhere in the middle of Auradon City," said Ben, "according to Celia and Dizzy."

"She's from a world full of crazy martial art styles," said Evie.

"So's Shampoo," said Ruby, "and they both know and hate each other."

"Gee, is it the fact that they're trying to kill each other that gave it away?" Roxie asked.

"What Kitchen Destroyer Girl do to Ranma?!" Shampoo demanded as the two girls backed off and circled each other.

"Nothing, yet," said Akane, "but if he had anything to do with us being here, I'll hit him so hard through the roof, he'll land back in Jusenkyo!"

"Ranma never do anything to separate him from his Shampoo!" shouted the purple-haired Amazon, "but he would banish girl who can't cook to other world!"

"Then what are you doing here?!" Akane demanded. With that the two girls screamed furiously at each other and charged in, their weapons clashing and producing sparks.

"Stop it!" shouted a frantic Mihoshi, "aren't you two supposed to be friends?!"

"Akane girl no friend of Shampoo!" said the purple-haired Amazon

"I ain't too fond of her either!" said Akane.

"Oh…what to do? What to do?" Mihoshi worried to herself, "where's Pretty Sammy when you need her? Oh! Wait! I know what to do! Be right back!" with that she dashed away.

"Look at them go," said an impressed Harry as Shampoo and Akane traded and blocked blows, "they truly wish to destroy each other. I don't know who to bet on."

"A blind man can see that Shampoo has the edge in terms of style and technique," said Caroline, "yet Akane, in the case of sheer physical power, she is superior."

At this point Shampoo and Akane had their weapons locked and they glared at each other as they tried to force each other back.

"Kitchen Destroyer Girl…get stronger…since Shampoo…last saw her!" said the straining purple-haired Amazon

"You're no slouch either!" said Akane, "but you're still a conniving, deceitful barbarian!"

At that Shampoo smiled, "this barbarian know something Akane doesn't know!"

"Oh yeah?!" Akane asked, "what's that!"

"Akane shoes untied!" said Shampoo. Akane glanced down for just a heartbeat, but that was enough for Shampoo to push forward and knock Akane off balance. Akane fell over and dropped her war hammer. Shouting with triumph, Shampoo dashed ahead to impale Akane on her sword.

Akane rolled to the side and grabbed her war hammer. Shampoo changed direction, raised her sword and brought it down to cut Akane's head in half. Akane brought the haft of her war hammer, blocking the sword strike with a clash of metal on metal and a shower of sparks.

"Shampoo finish Kitchen Destroyer Girl!" said the purple-haired Amazon, "then Ranma be all Shampoo's!" with that she chopped her sword down again and again, yet Akane kept blocking, until finally, when Shampoo, shouting with all the rage and hate she could muster, swung her sword down as hard as she could.

Chinese Amazonian steel met Elven Quicksilver and Moonstone, and Amazonian steel lost. Shampoo's sword shattered into fragments and she fell down hard.

This seemed to dispel the fugue of hate in the two girls as they both lay on the ground, panting with exhaustion.

"Where did…Akane get such…amazing weapon?" Shampoo asked as she rolled onto her back.

"From a dead Elf," said Akane. She sat up just as Shampoo sat up too, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted that way."

"Shampoo sorry too," said the purple-haired Amazon, "Shampoo shouldn't have thought Akane try to hurt her and take Arien away forever."

"Yeah, well," said Akane as she stood and helped Shampoo up, "anyway, how long have you been here in Auradon?"

"Not long," said Shampoo, "For time, Shampoo not know what day it was, friend Mihoshi even more confused."

"Uh…are you two done fighting?" Carlos asked cautiously as he, Ben, Evie and the others kept their distance.

"Or are you going to wreck more of the city?" a disapproving Rapunzel asked.

"No, we're done fighting for now," said Akane. She then looked at Shampoo, "sorry for breaking your sword."

"It not your fault," said Shampoo, "Shampoo blame Akane girl's war hammer. Shampoo want Elven weapon too."

"If this war keeps going," said Harry, "there be plenty of Elven gear to go around."

"Yeah, about that," said Eugene as he walked up, "can someone please tell me why Auradon's been invaded by Elves?"

"It's a long story," said Evie, "so I hope you've got snacks."

"And diet fruit soda," said Caroline as a servant brought her a tool chest, "and plenty of it. Ben, you and the others tell the story, I've got an Ornithopter to take apart."

Just then Mihoshi came charging back in, carrying a large bucket of water over her head, "this will calm them down!" she shouted eagerly.

"Wait! Don't!" exclaimed Akane, just as Mihoshi tripped, the bucket falling out of her hand and spilling its contents over Ben, Evie and the others.

Akane and Shampoo sighed with relief, "that was close," said Akane.

"Close? Close?!" exclaimed Chad as he, Ben and the other Auradonians flicked water from their arms and faces and wrung their clothes out, "do you have any idea how much time and effort I put into getting my hair just right?!"

"Well, excuse me, prince," said Akane teasingly.

"You alright?" Ruby asked as she and Roxie helped Mihoshi back up.

"I'm fine," said Mihoshi, "sorry, I was only trying to stop the fight." She then slipped and fell on some of the spilled water, sending a few droplets into the air and onto Shampoo.

In less than the blink of an eye, Shampoo was gone and in her place was a cat with light pink fur, dark pink ears with earrings, paws and tail.

"Wh-what the?!" exclaimed an astonished Eugene as he and everyone else gaped at the cat.

"Sorry, she's cursed," said Akane as she picked up an irate Cat Shampoo, "hot water will turn her back to normal, but other than that she's alright."

Yowling with irritation, Cat Shampoo smacked Akane on the nose with her tail and leapt gracefully down, only to walk up to Lonnie, Roxie and Ruby, purring happily as she rubbed against their legs.

"Oh, how cute!" said a gushing Ruby as she picked up Cat Shampoo, "and the best part, I've got a whole storage bin of doll outfits she'd look absolutely gorgeous in!"

At that Cat Shampoo meowed in fright and tried to wriggle her way out of Ruby's embrace, only for Roxie to grab her.

"We're not playing dress up, prude!" said Roxie, "no way you're subjecting our friend to your demented fantasies." Cat Shampoo sighed with relief Roxie's words.

"No, instead we're gonna follow her around with our phones and put funny videos of her on the web," said an eagerly smiling Roxie.

"Or we can wait for some hot water and put her back to normal!" said Lonnie sternly as she took Cat Shampoo out of Roxie's arms, "can someone get me some hot water, please!"

"Oh, I'll get it!" said Mihoshi.

"NOOOOOOO!" exclaimed Akane and the others, with Lonnie, Mulan, Rapunzel, Eugene and the twins shouting the loudest.

"Okay, you don't have to make me deaf," said Mihoshi.

---

5

After supplying Shampoo with hot water and waiting for her to dry off, our heroes, sans Caroline, headed towards the city guard headquarters where the Elf prisoners waited.

"So, what do you think?" Evie asked, "would the prisoners be willing to talk?"

"If they're as fanatically loyal as that Seralin jerk," said Doug, "doubtful."

"Not all the Elves are as blindly loyal as Seralin," said Ben, remembering his brief but impressionable time in the company of Camilsama's herald, Iachyon Chaeihle, "if we can establish a reasonable dialogue, we can forge the path to peace."

"But what if they don't want peace?" Mulan asked, "what if these brigands are just like the others, ready to follow orders as they've been indoctrinated to?"

"If we can't establish a line with the common soldier," said Ben, "we'll have to find answers elsewhere in the enemy host." Again he thought of Iachyon Chaeihle, and hoped there were more like him in Camilsama's horde.

"Well, in the meantime," said Rapunzel, "we've questions and six Elf prisoners to get answers out of." She sighed, "I just hope we won't have to resort to messy measures, like really messy."

"Why shouldn't we get messy?" Carlos asked, "after all the innocents they slaughtered in Auradon City, why should we play nice? I say polish up the branding irons and oil the racks and thumb screws!"

"You can't actually be thinking we should torture the prisoners?" an aghast Lonnie asked.

"If you mainlanders are too squeamish for such things," said Harry, "I can call up a few former shipmates and we'll get our hands messy. 'Be no sweat off our backs."

"No one is torturing anyone without my say so!" Ben insisted, "I want to exhaust all other options before we resort to violence."

"You think the thousands lost in Auradon City were given other options by the enemy?" Carlos asked.

"I'm saying we should use other methods," said Ben, "I can't think of any, but I'm sure there's plenty to choose from."

"Oooh! We could play 'Good Cop, Bad Cop!'" said Mihoshi eagerly, "you know, where one cop comes in and acts all mean and scary, then the other cop comes in all smiles and sparkles and says if the perp doesn't start talking, the bad one will come back in and things will get messy then. I'll be the good cop!"

"I doubt that'll work," said Evie.

"You want me to be the bad cop?" Mihoshi asked, "well, I guess I can try."

Before anyone could respond, the captain of the guard came rushing up to our heroes, "My King! My Princess!" he said as he stiffly saluted both Ben and Rapunzel, "I beg to report that five of the six prisoners are dead!"

"What?!" shouted Ben, while Evie and others voiced their surprised concern.

"I thought they were locked up with all their stuff taken away," said Eugene.

"They were, each in his own cell," said the captain of the guard, "nevertheless, five of the six are dead, suicide it appears."

"Don't tell me they hanged themselves with bed sheets or with their clothes," said Roxie.

"Maybe they had hidden knives or razor blades inside them," said Ruby.

"More like a poison capsule," said Evie, "it's what I'd use to prevent my soldiers from spilling their guts."

"I've already ordered autopsies for the deceased prisoners," said the captain of the guard.

"You said five of the six," said Ben, "what of the one still alive?"

"He's alive but unconscious," said the captain of the guard, "as far as I know that is. He was taken prisoner with a moderate head wound and is under guard at the hospital."

"Double the watch on him," said Rapunzel, "I want to know the instant should he wake up."

"And order the guard to maintain alert," said Ben, "there's every chance the enemy will come back to find out what happened to their missing comrades."

The captain of the guard saluted, smartly turned around and marched off to carry out his orders.

"Uh, Ben?" Lonnie asked, "I think Shampoo can help with the prisoner."

"She can?" Ben asked, "how?"

"Shampoo, she know…" said the purple-haired Amazon, frowning with confusion, "Shampoo not know the word for…" she then spoke to Lonnie in Chinese.

"She says some of her people's ancient skills could help," Lonnie translated, "if Auradon's medicine can't heal the Prisoner, her people's might, and she knows some acupressure techniques that could make him talk."

"Or make him forget!" said Akane accusingly, "you think I'd forget that time you made me forget Ranma?"

"Shampoo also give Akane wash and conditioning," said Shampoo smugly, "you forget, but have beautiful hair."

"Yeah, well," said Akane as she reflexively touched her short hair, "how do you know you won't make things worse?"

"Shampoo knows she won't know if she doesn't try," said the purple-haired Amazon as she gave a confident smile and wink.

"Good enough for me," said Rapunzel, "wait a second…are you going to get the prisoner to talk by washing his hair?"

"That won't work!" said Mihoshi, "we can still do 'Good Cop, Bad Cop.' Oh! I can be both! Just watch and see!"

"No, think I'd rather go with Shampoo's suggestion," said Rapunzel. She then turned to the purple-haired Amazon, "so, about this hair washing technique?"

"I know what you're thinking, Ben," said Evie as she, Ben and the others watched Rapunzel and Shampoo talk, "it's what I'm thinking."

"That if Mal were here she'd use a truth spell?" Ben asked, "yeah, she would."

"What are you thinking, Akane?" Carlos asked.

"Not thinking," said Akane, "I'm remembering," she looked at Mihoshi jabbering to Lonnie and the twins, "she was there at the science expo. I can't recall what she was doing there, but she was there, I'm sure of it."

"Do you remember anything else?" Evie asked, "anything that could explain how you got here?"

"No," said Akane, "but if Mihoshi and Shampoo are in Auradon, who else from the expo is here?"

---

6

Mabiki Kiyone patrolled the streets of Charmington, both saddened and ecstatic at the absence of the one who was both her best friend and the bane of her existence.

"Mihoshi, wherever you are," said Kiyone aloud, "I hope you stay right where you are, as long as you're safe."

She stopped and saw her reflection in a nearby storefront window, smiling at the new uniform issued to her by the Charmington Police Department, complete with hat, shiny badge and knifestick in her equipment belt. The only object that was out of place in her uniform was her GP blaster holstered where a service revolver should've been.

Yes, life was good for Kiyone since she woke up in the middle of Charmington with no knowledge of how she arrived. She found a moneychanger that converted the few coins in her pocket into local currency and sought out a job in the profession she knew best, law enforcement.

Despite the demotion from Galaxy Police Detective First Class to rookie beat cop, Kiyone was happy. Sure, things were quiet in this strange new world, almost too quiet for a up and coming detective in the Galaxy Police, yet there was one thing this world lacked that Earth had in abundance: Mihoshi.

Another thing this world had that her adoptive home world of Earth did not, a home of her own. Sure, it was a one-room apartment overlooking a rather noisy street and she had to take public transportation to get to work, but at least she didn't have to share with five other alien girls, a boy, two adult males and a carrot-obsessed cabbit.

Yes, life was good, almost too good. Kiyone winced at herself as she thought she may have jinxed herself.

"Come on, Kiyone," she said to herself, "you've been here for months and no sign of Mihoshi or your other housemates. You've found a good place, don't screw it up."

Kiyone's self-admonishment ended when she saw a civilian approaching with a confused look on her face. She was tall and slender, around twenty-five or so with long brown hair and eyes, wore a long-sleeved orange shirt with brown slacks and leather shoes.

"Officer, can you help me?" the girl asked.

"Yes, of course, citizen," said Kiyone officiously as she pulled out a pen and notepad, "what seems to be the problem?"

"I…think I'm lost," said the girl, "one minute I was with my brother Kazuma, the next I'm…wherever here is, with no sign of my brother."

"I see," said Kiyone as she took notes, "oh, for the record, may I have your name, address and have you suffered any serious head trauma or taken any altering drugs within the last twenty-four hours?"

"Kuwabara Shizuru," said the girl, "no, I haven't had any drugs or knocks on the head, and I don't think my address is relevant, because the more I think about it, the more it makes sense that I've left my world and arrived on another."

Kiyone was taken aback at Shizuru's statement, "you're not native to this planet?"

"I'm not native to this universe," said Shizuru, "it has a completely different feel about it."

"'Feel?'" Kiyone asked.

"Yes, feel," said Shizuru, "it's hard to describe to a non-esper."

"Non-esper," said Kiyone, "oh, you have ESP, now I get it. Well, what do you sense, then?"

"That this world is good," said Shizuru, "less complicated by greed, corruption and overall evil. But I also sense something terrible, something like a…like a cancer growing. Also, I'm pretty sure I can sense my brother, Kazuma. I don't know where he is, but he's here in…what did you say this place as?"

"We're in Charmington in the United States of Auradon," said Kiyone as she looked at Shizuru inquisitively, "wait, have we met before? I'm getting a serious sense of déjà vu here."

"I feel like I should know you," said Shizuru, "you sure you don't know my brother? I wish I had a picture of him, but you can't miss him. Tall guy with bright orange hair and a bit of an idiot? He usually hangs out with other espers or reformed demons."

Before Kiyone could respond, another girl, this one about nineteen with short brown hair in a bob cut, brown eyes and wearing a sweater and jeans and tennis shoes, came running up to Kiyone.

"Officer! Officer! A pickpocket stole my wallet!" said the girl franticly, "I was having a snack at a café when…" she then paled when she recognized Kiyone, "oh, officer Mabiki, it's…nice to see you again…"

"Nabiki, not this again," said a disappointed Kiyone, "this is, what, the third time in a month you've pulled this scam to get a free meal," she then eyed the girl's phone on a belt clip, "and how many blackmail photos do you have on that?"

"Blackmail?" the girl, Nabiki, asked innocently, "whatever do you mean? I've never blackmailed anyone."

"Uh-huh," said Kiyone, "then you wouldn't mind unlocking your phone so I can check out your photo albums and cloud storage, would you?"

"What? Not on your life!" said an affronted Nabiki, "I have done nothing wrong and you're accusing me of doing something dishonest! I ought to report you to your supervisor! Imagine that, asking me to give up my phone's passcode."

"'041589,'" said Shizuru.

"How did you…?!" exclaimed Nabiki as Kiyone grabbed her phone and unlocked it.

"Ah-ha!" said Kiyone as she opened the photos app, revealing hundreds of pictures of men and women ranging from children to elderly, all in various embarrassing positions and outfits, "yep, blackmail material. How much are you charging to keep these from getting onto the internet?"

"Uh…enough to make you an offer to let me go," said Nabiki hopefully as a nervous sweat broke on her brow.

"She doesn't have any cash on her," said Shizuru, "she never does." She then smirked, "and your next lines are 'how can you possibly know that?!' and 'wait, do I know you?'"

"How can you possibly know that?!" Nabiki asked, "wait, do I know you?" she nearly fell over in shock, "oh crap, you're a psychic, aren't you?"

"Even the weakest of espers can hear your thoughts," said Shizuru, "your brain's like a radio antenna, and yes, we do know each other, sort of."

"But how…oh now I remember!" said Nabiki, "you were at the science expo."

"SCIENCE EXPO!" exclaimed Kiyone, "I remember! I was there, trying to keep Mihoshi away from Washu's invention, when…when…"

"When everything went blank and you woke up a stranger in a strange land?" Shizuru asked, "yeah, it's coming back to me too."

"This is eerie," said Nabiki, "I think I'll go home and lie down for a while."

"Oh, no you don't!" said Kiyone as she grabbed Nabiki by the shoulder, "I don't care how freaky things are, you're coming with me, Tendo Nabiki."

"Oh, come on!" whined Nabiki, "have a heart, will you?"

"I've given plenty of heart, and warnings," said Kiyone, "returning memories won't stop me from upholding my duty. I'm sorry, Nabiki, but you've used up all your second chances, so now I gotta book you."

"Look, isn't there something we can work out?" Nabiki asked as Kiyone handcuffed her, "you know, 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours,' that kind of thing? Or maybe you'd like in on my business opportunities? And…" she then looked up in confusion, "what the hell is that?"

"You think I was born yesterday?" an annoyed Kiyone asked, "there's no way I'd fall for that childish gag!"

"No, seriously," said Nabiki urgently, "up there, in the sky, what is that?"

"Trouble, that's what it is," said Shizuru seriously.

Kiyone looked up in time to see a squad of Elven fighters fly overhead, followed by several low-flying Ornithopters. One of the craft opened and an Elf soldier gleefully fired his weapon, raining ice bolts down on the streets, terrifying civilians. Shizuru pulled Kiyone and the still handcuffed Nabiki aside in time to avoid impalement by frozen spears.

"If they run, they're humans!" the grinning Elf with the ice bolt weapon to his comrades in the Ornithopter, "if they stay still, they're well-disciplined humans!" at that he and the other Elves laughed cruelly.

"Bastards!" said Kiyone as she drew her GP blaster, took aim and fired several shots, two of which hit the Ornithopter in the starboard wing.

"We're hit! We're hit!" shouted one of the Elves as the Ornithopter shook wildly and spun out of control, "We're going down!"

"They're going down!" said Shizuru as she, Kiyone and Nabiki watched the Ornithopter crash several yards away in a burst of flames.

"Good shot," said an impressed Nabiki as Kiyone holstered her blaster.

"Thanks," said Kiyone, "now, can someone please tell me what in the name of sanity what that was all about?"

"They kinda looked like Elves," said Nabiki, "but…there's no such thing as Elves."

"Just like there's no such thing as demons and spirits," said Shizuru, "if they're real, so are Elves."

"I figured as much," said Kiyone.

---

7

"Sand, sand and more sand."

A flight of Ornithopters cruised over the deserts around Agrabah, and one crew of Elves was particularly bored.

"We've circled that city for hours, sir," said one of the crew to the pilot, "when do we go in?"

"We go in when we're told to, soldier!" said the pilot, "now keep your eyes on the desert below!"

"What are we looking for, sir?" another crewmember asked.

"Anything out of the ordinary," said the pilot.

"Wait, what was that?" the copilot asked. He then pointed at the crest of a large dune, "there, I thought I saw something shiny!"

"I'll take her lower for a look," said the pilot.

The ornithopter reduced altitude and hovered for a minute as the onboard Elves scanned the sands.

"I'm telling you, I saw a glint of light!" said the copilot, "I swear it was something shiny!"

"You need your eyes checked," said the pilot irately, "we're going back on patrol, and keep your wits about you, for crying out loud!"

The ornithopter returned to cruising altitude and flew off. Once the craft was out of earshot, part of the sand shifted, revealing a large, earth tone cloth covering a certain myopic male Amazon.

"Well, that was exciting," said Mousse as he looked up, shielding his nearsighted eyes from the sun in search of the aircraft he heard. Satisfied he was alone, he stood up and resumed his trek across the ridge of the dune, pausing only to take off his cokebottle glasses to wipe the sweat drenching his brow.

"You think this is funny?!" exclaimed Mousse at the scorching the sun, "you think this is just some sick joke!?" He replaced his glasses and resumed walking across the dune

"I'm not gonna let them beat me," said the nearsighted master of hidden weapons and sneak attacks as he reached the crest of the dune, "no way I'm gonna give up! I'll get out of this somehow!"

He then slipped on some loose sand and fell down the dune, landing face first on the shadowed side of the sand hill.

"Yeah, very funny!" said Mousse as he lay in the shade, "a real slapstick comedy. That's my life, the butt of a joke."

He sat up and spat sand out, then cleaned sand from his glasses, "but I'm not giving up! I'll find my way out of this inferno! And you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna find the ones responsible for this!"

Mousse stood up and shook his fists at the sky, "you hear me, Ranma?! That's right, I know it was you that dumped me in this desert! You and that shriveled hag, Cologne! I'm gonna find and kill you both! And then maybe, my darling Shampoo, maybe you'll finally love me! PLEASE LOVE ME, SHAMPOO!"

Mousse lay weeping in the shadow of the dune for several minutes before composing himself and resumed walking, "now, where was I? Oh yeah, I'M NOT GIVING UP!" with that he resumed his desert walkabout, unaware that he was within walking distance of Agrabah. In fact, he'd been circling the home of Aladdin and Jasmine for several hours. Had his vision been slightly better, he'd have recognized his footprints in the sand.

---

8

"I must say, Ms. Ryoko," said Masaki Ayeka Jurai as she relaxed on a reclining bench in one of Auroria's many public parks, "out of all our misadventures, this is the mist refreshing."

"You said it, sister," said Habuki Ryoko as the reformed space pirate sat next to her rival for a certain boy's affection, "no hostile aliens, no angry spirits or girls from other dimensions, and no Washu to get us involved in weird science stuff. And no Mihoshi to screw things up."

"And you know what's best, Ms. Ryoko?" Ayeka asked, "for once in quite a while, we are not arguing over a certain special someone."

"Yeah," said Ryoko, "shame Tenchi couldn't come. Where is ol' Tenchi anyway?"

"You know, I do believe I've forgotten," said Ayeka nonchalantly, "I feel as if I should be worried, but for some reason, I am not."

"I oughta be worried too, princess," said Ryoko, "but I'm not. I'm just…happy for some weird reason."

"As am I, Ms. Ryoko," said Ayeka as she closed her eyes and smiled contently, "as am I."

Unknown to the two alien beauties, a certain pair of bickering siblings was on the verge of spoiling their peaceful mood.

"This whole world defies logic, Kodatchi," said Kuno Tatewaki as he and his younger sister walked among the trees of the park, "a world where Snow White, Cinderella and so many other fairytale characters are not only real people, but all their adventures happened within months of each other? And not only do they have children, but some of their children have formed couples?

"Example; the daughter of The Evil Queen is in love with the son of one of the Seven Dwarves. In what twisted reality will that work? And then there's the fact that the son of Belle and The Beast is engaged to the daughter of Maleficent. How in the name of all that is sacred under Heaven did that happen? Are thou listening to me, dear sister?"

"Huh? Oh, forgive me, dearest brother," said Kuno Kodatchi, "I was examining this extraordinary rose bush," she indicated said plant, "have you ever seen roses of such a shade of red? Why, I'd give my right eye for a color chart to determine the precise shade. Well, not my own eye, perhaps Tendo Akane's eye!" at that she laughed her trademark maniacal laugh.

"If you move one divine eyelash of Tendo Akane's out of place, dear sister," said an irate Kuno, "I shall smite thee into next week!"

"Go ahead and smite me, brother dearest," said Kodatchi as she scrutinized another rose bush, "it matters not, for none of this is real."

"Now what nonsense is this?" Kuno asked.

"We're obviously dreaming, elder brother," said Kodatchi, "and such a phantasmagorical dream it is. You said it yourself, that this world defies logic." She then plucked a rose from the bush and inhaled its scent, "yet there is logic, dream logic. It is the only explanation that makes sense."

"My poor insane sister," said Kuno, "thou hast finally crossed over into true madness."

"I was never mad, big brother," said Kodatchi as she moved on to a different flowering bush, "but perhaps you are mad? Perhaps this is your dream and I am but an aspect of it? Has thou ever considered that scenario? Oh! What manner of flower are those!" laughing with mad delight, the demented Rhythmic Gymnastics Martial Artist skipped across towards the main path and stopped at a large tree, underneath lay the bench were Ryoko and Ayeka sat.

"Those flowers on the tree," said Kodatchi as she looked up, "Their scent…" she inhaled and sighed contently, "it is so…relaxing."

"Ain't that the truth, girlfriend!" said a slightly giddy Ryoko, "who needs a hot spring spa when you can just sit under a tree?"

"Just sit and let your cares drift away," muttered a drowsy Ayeka.

"Hmmm," said Kuno as he stopped to read a nearby sign, "'This tree was a gift from a faraway land. Its blossoms have tranquility-inducing qualities. Cautious must be taken when exposed to the aroma for extended periods.'"

"Oh, so it's like a mood-altering drug," said Kodatchi as she smiled deviously, "perhaps I can use some in my next encounter with my darling Ranma."

"Ranma," murmured Ryoko, "sounds familiar."

"WHAT?!" exclaimed Kodatchi as she grabbed the reformed space pirate and hauled her to her feet, "how do you know my darling Ranma!?"

"And have we met before?" Kuno asked, "both of you lovely ladies," he eyed both Ryoko and Ayeka, "I feel as if we know each other."

Ryoko phased out of Kodatchi's grip, startling the mad gymnast. "Mister," said Ryoko to Kuno as she appeared next to him, "I've had trouble remembering stuff since…since…I don't even know how we got here," she then bent down to shake Ayeka, "hey, hey, princess! Wake up! Wake up!"

"Wh-what is it, Sasami?" said Ayeka dreamily, "go feed Ryo-Oki yourself." Ayeka then stood up as if she had received an electric shock, "Oh my goodness! Sasami! Ryoko, where's Sasami!?"

"Oh crap, I remember now!" said Ryoko, "we were at that science thingy for Washu's new McGuffin, when…when," she the lay on her side in midair, struggling to thing, "I can't freaking remember!"

"Now I know this is a dream," said Kodatchi, "I seem to remember the very same exposition," she looked at Ayeka, "you were there, I complimented you on your exquisite hair."

"I seem to remember how envious you were," said Ayeka as she reflexively touched her long tresses, "how…attention grabbing my hair is. And…yes, I remember you commenting how dumb your brother is."

"I am not dumb!" said Kuno irately.

"Yes you are!" said a much more irate Ryoko, "I remember you know! You tried to molest me in broad daylight, you grabby goon!"

"M-molest you?!" Kuno asked, "why, I never did anything of the sort!"

"You grabbed me from behind and squeezed my boobs, you philandering piece of crap!" snapped Ryoko, "I ought to tear your man-cards up and shove them down your throat!"

"Miss Ryoko! Please!" said an affronted Ayeka, "this is neither the time nor the place! Our friends and loved ones are missing and here we've been sitting around like lethargic lotus eaters!"

"We too have been separated from our loved ones," said Kuno, "alas, where art thou, Tendo Akane and The Pigtailed Girl?"

"To the ninth circle of Damnation with Tendo Akane and your precious Pigtailed Girl!" said Kodatchi wrathfully, "where is my darling Ranma?!"

As if in answer, several Elven Ornithopters and fighters flew overhead.

"Wherever he is, dear sister," said Kuno as he, Kodatchi, Ryoko and Ayeka looked up, "I fear we may need his assistance, and if that be true, then our situation is dire indeed."

Just then two of the fighters turned around and swooped low, strafing several civilians in the park and causing mass panic. They swung around for another run at the terrified civilians, launching missiles right at where the four from Tokyo stood.

Ayeka raised her hands and projected a psychic barrier just in time for the missiles to bounce off and explode harmlessly in the air.

"Of all the nerve!" said Ayeka as she glared up at the Elven fighters, "attacking defenseless civilians without so much as a by your leave." She then looked at her rival for Tenchi's affections, "shall we, Miss Ryoko?"

"Yeah, highness," said Ryoko, "let's teach these jerks a lesson."

"Does though mind if we join in on the admonishment?" Kuno asked as he drew forth his Bokken, while Kodatchi readied several lethal gymnastic items.

"We heard rumors that a hostile force was attacking this peaceful kingdom," said Kodatchi as she selected a long ribbon with a razor edge, "yes, let us chastise these horrid invaders who dare to ruin this perfect dream of mine!" she then laughed her trademark laugh.

But then two Ornithopters shot towards our heroes and fired bolts of lightning at the four would-be saviors of Auroria, forcing them to take cover in a cluster of trees.

"No fair!" Kodatchi complained, "they have the advantage of air superiority!"

"Did thou not but recently set a record at your school for the high jump, sister of mine?" Kuno asked.

"Yes, I did set the record for the high jump at St. Hebereke's School for Girls," said Kodatchi as she gave her brother a smug smile. She then scowled up at the Elven Ornithopters, "but they are far out of my reach."

"I can get them," said Ryoko, "I can fly, you know."

"Of course, you can," said Kodatchi offhandedly.

"No, seriously, I can," said Ryoko, "the problem is that it'll just be me against those jerks up there. I need someone to watch my back."

Just then one of the Ornithopters dropped an incendiary bomb, incinerating several nearby trees.

"But right now I'm more concerned about staying safe down here!" said Ryoko urgently, "Run for it!"

"Right behind you, my new comrade in arms!" said Kodatchi as she and Ryoko broke cover and dashed across the park.

"No, come back!" shouted Ayeka, "my force fields can protect us!"

Kodatchi and Ryoko didn't hear due to the fact that the two Ornithopters were chasing them. For a heartbeat, as the two dodged randomly to prevent the enemy from locking their weapons on them, it seemed they would escape.

Yet their hopes faded when another pair of Ornithopters appeared ahead of them, forcing Kodatchi and Ryoko to stop.

"It seems our alliance is has ended too soon," said Kodatchi, "I shall remember you when I wake up in the real world."

"Yeah, you say whatever makes you accept death," said Ryoko as she braced herself to take the fight to the air, "I'll see you when you reincarnate as something else."

But then something shot up from behind a tree and hit one of the Ornithopters in its port wing. The engine exploded and the craft collided with another and both Ornithopters spun out of control, crashing in a nearby pond.

"What the? Oh, who cares!" exclaimed Ryoko, "I'm going!" with that she took to the air, a blade of pure energy flashing into her hands as she shot towards one of the remaining Ornithopters and sliced off one of its wings.

"Sister! Are you…?" exclaimed Kuno as he and Ayeka ran towards Kodatchi.

"A miracle happened, brother dear," said Kodatchi, "a miracle," she then saw the crews of the downed Ornithopters extracting themselves from the wrecks, disoriented from the crash and stumbling about in the knee-deep water.

"Excuse me, brother of mine," said Kodatchi, "I have some divine retribution to enact!" she then gracefully bounced into the lake, laughing her demented laugh as she lashed the hapless Elves with her razor ribbon.

"Well, I can see she is easily pleased," said a somewhat unnerved Ayeka as she and Kuno watched Kodatchi's homicidal style and form.

"Yes, my poor, insane sister," said Kuno.

"And yet she's a natural warrior," said a nearby boy of a bout nineteen with long, vibrant red hair in a ponytail and bright green eyes, wearing a light-colored Chinese-style battle outfit.

"Had she been with my friends and I during certain tournaments," said the boy, "she would've been a great asset."

"Assuming her insanity didn't turn her against you," said Kuno suspiciously, "and just who are you as to make such assumptions about my sister?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude," said the boy as he took out a bright red rose and flicked it at a nearby Ornithopter without looking at it. The rose hit the craft in one of the engines and the craft crashed soon after, "Minamio Shuichi, but I am known as Kurama to my friends and allies."

"Then I shall call thee Kurama," said Kuno, "for if thou can destroy an enemy war machine with just a rose," he raised his Bokken over his head, "then I, Kuno Tatewaki, The Blue Thunder and Rising Star, shall count thee as an ally!" A sudden flash of blue lightning and accompanying thunderclap enunciated Kuno's dramatic statement.

"My, what an outburst," said Ayeka. She then saw two Elf fighters coming in for a strafing run, "excuse me for a moment," she then raised her hand up towards the fighter craft, just as they let lose several fireballs.

The flaming projectiles stopped in midair and shot back towards the fighters, hitting the craft and making them explode.

"Forgive me, I hate to be interrupted," said Ayeka to Kurama, "now, introductions. I am Ayeka Masaki Jurai, Princess and nominal ruler of The Juraian Empire."

"Verily?" an astonished Kuno asked, he then knelled, "forgive this humble young warrior, my lady! I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty!"

Ayeka, slightly dumbfounded by this overdramatic display of chivalry, tensed at the sight of an Ornithopter hovering nearby and discharging several Elf soldiers who came running towards our heroes.

"Fear not, fair Empress from the stars," said Kuno as he stood up and faced the oncoming Elves, "for The Blue Thunder and Rising Star, shall vanquish these foul fiends from the face of this fantastic world! Have at thee!"

Bellowing with righteous indignation, Kuno charged at the Elves and with a fury of lightning-fast sword strikes, struck down the enemy soldiers.

"His speed and technique are quite impressive," said Kurama, "yet another ally I would've been proud to fight alongside with during The Dark Tournament." He then saw another squad of Elves approaching, "excuse me, Lady Ayeka!"

Ayeka saw the enemy soldiers take aim with bows to shoot her and Kurama, yet when the Elves loosed their arrows, Kurama deflected them with a long thorny vine. He then then rushed at the Elves as they franticly readied swords, axes, maces and war hammers.

"ROSE WHIPLASH!" shouted Kurama as he struck the soldiers with his thorny vine, slaying them in a matter of seconds.

"Who is that gorgeous creature?" Kodatchi asked as she stood next to Ayeka, drenched with pond water and Elf blood.

"Not human, that's for sure," said Ayeka, "yet trustworthy, for I seem to know him from somewhere."

"As do I," said Kodatchi adoringly as she watched Kurama battle, "for he is the man of my heart's desire!"

"Oh, not again!" said Kuno as he walked away from a cluster of slain Elves, wiping Elf blood from his Bokken, "my poor insane sister is infatuated with another pretty face."

"It is not infatuation, my sanctimonious sibling!" said Kodatchi, "it is love, true love!" Laughing with demented delight, Kodatchi bounced over and flung her arms around Kurama as he surveyed the dead Elves around him, much to his embarrassment at her unexpected affections.

"Does she always fall in love with total strangers?" Ayeka asked.

"Only those who strike her mad fancy," said Kuno, "yet, for some reason, I feel as if this one may be the one. Or, perhaps it is because I recognize him from the science exposition."

"Yes, I remember seeing him there," said Ayeka, "whatever it was that cast us upon this strange and wonderful world and damaged our memories, it seems to be wearing off." She then frowned with worry, "if only I could remember where my sister is? Or if she is even on this world?"

"Oh, she's here, alright," said Ryoko as she landed next to Ayeka, just as an enemy fighter crashed not too far away, "and she's with Ryo-Oki, I don't know where, but I sense that Ryo-Oki is happy, and she's happiest whenever she's with Sasami, or if she's eating a carrot."

---

9

Ryo-Oki was indeed eating a carrot, and with Sasami as the young Juraian Princess and Cabbit stood on a street corner in Bayou de Orleans. As she waited for the light to change with a bag of fresh vegetables, the young princess from Jurai reminisced on how well life had been for her and her friends.

Two months ago, Sasami and Ryo-Oki found themselves on the edge of the city with no idea how they had gotten there, or what they were doing before they arrived in Auradon. Panic set in the young Juraian Princess and faithful Cabbit when they realized that Ryoko, Tenchi, and especially, Ayeka, where nowhere to be found.

Justifiably, Sasami and Ryo-Oki would have fallen into hopeless despair at their situation. Who wouldn't've had they found themselves in a strange place surrounded by strange people and missing memories to boot? Yes, Sasami and Ryo-Oki were in dire straits, yet hope came in the form of two individuals who were in the same predicament as she was, and it was these people Sasami was on her way to.

The light changed and Sasami crossed the street, hurrying through the avenues of Bayou de Orleans and dashing around pedestrians. What she failed to realize was the level of uneasiness among the civilians, nor did Sasami see how many people were glued to their mobile devices for news of the ongoing crisis striking Auradon.

All Sasami cared about was helping her friends with their jobs at Tiana's Place, the very same restaurant Tiana dreamed about owning and bringing to life with the help of her friends and soulmate/husband Naveen.

Reaching the famed restaurant and going in through the front door, Sasami dashed through the dining room and into the kitchens where Kuonji Ukyo was working on her latest Okonomiyaki recipe, while Ice Apparition Yukina, sat nearby in a waitress uniform.

"I got the rare peppers you asked for, Ukyo," said Sasami as she placed the groceries on the counter.

"Thanks, but it may come for naught if I can't get this right," said Ukyo as she focused on her culinary creation, "I have to get it ready for Princess Tiana."

"I'm sure she'll love it," said Yukina, "she loved all your Okonomiyaki recipes."

"But this is Gumbo Okonomiyaki," said Ukyo, "what was I thinking? There's no way this'll work."

"Never despair, my friend," said Yukina as she made a minor adjustment to her uniform, "every idea you've tried was liked by the customers."

"Yes, after the boss lady gave her approval," said Ukyo, "But this is Gumbo, the signature dish of the city and Tiana."

"I thought Beignets were Tiana's signature," said Sasami as she handed a fresh carrot to a gleeful Ryo-Oki.

"It's her signature desert," said Ukyo as she wiped her brow with the back of her arm, "which is way out of my forte. I shouldn't've accepted this job; I've always been my own boss. I should've built a new Okonomiyaki cart and taken my chances as a street vendor."

"Oh but then the three of us wouldn't've stuck together," said Yukina, "comrades in arms against a strange situation," she then sighed as she looked out the window, "if only he'd find me like he always found me."

"Your boyfriend?" Ukyo asked, "I'm sorry, Yuknina, but whatever it was that brought us here, it didn't bring your boyfriend or mine, because if Ranma-chan were here in Auradon, he would've found me by now." She then saw the worried look on Sasami, "but that doesn't mean he isn't coming, or Yukina's boyfriend, or your sister and Tenchi. I'm sure they're looking for us, somewhere."

"I'm not worried," said Sasami, "I know Ayeka and Tenchi are looking for me," she then gave Ryo-Oki a comforting scratch under the chin, "just as I know Ryoko is looking for the both of us, right?" At that the brown furred Cabbit meowed her agreement.

Just then Tiana burst into the kitchen.

"Princess Tiana!" said Ukoy nervously as she nearly fell over, "I…I've almost finished the Gumbo Okonomiyaki for your approval. If it meets your culinary standards, we can feature it in tonight's dinner service."

"Sorry, Ukyo, but there may not be a dinner service tonight," said Tiana as she walked around the kitchen to the food storage areas, "and there may not be for quite some time."

"Why? What's wrong?" a concerned Yukina asked as she, Ukyo and Sasami walked over.

"What's wrong?" Tiana asked, "'What's wrong,' you ask?! Haven't you seen the news out of Auradon City?"

"No, I've been busy perfecting the recipe," said Ukyo as she turned off the fire at her workstation and grabbed her phone, while Yukina and Sasami grabbed theirs.

"I'll save you the time," said Tiana, "Mal, Jane, Audrey and Uma were kidnapped, while hostile Elves who invaded Auradon City and murdered thousands of innocent people, and now the Elves are appearing all over the kingdom."

"Elves invading the kingdom?" an astonished Ukyo asked, "it's like something out of a fantasy novel." She then looked at her fellow castaways with a knowing smile, "and considering what happened to us and where we arrived, that's saying something."

"Then…Auradon is at war?" Yukina asked.

"Darn right," said Tiana, "and we're gonna do our part. I'm figuring on turning the restaurant into a food factory for the troops, or maybe a hospital, it's big enough for either."

"Well, count me in if you need a chef to make soldier food," said Ukyo proudly, "I've got one or two Okonomiyaki recipes that'll keep our fighting men and women fully charged."

"And I'm a fully qualified healer," said Yukina, "and I can help organize the hospital."

"Count me in too," said Sasami, "you tell me what needs doing and I'll do it!"

At that Ryo-Oki let loose an impatient meow.

"Sorry," said Sasami, "'we'll' do it."

"You girls are just amazing," said Tiana, "who would've thought three castaways with amnesia would turn out to be such great friends?"

"I've seen stranger things," said Ukyo, "so, where do we start?"

"We can start by clearing the dining room," said Tiana, "I need to see the whole space before I decide what to do with the place."

"Can do!" said Ukyo eagerly as she moved from table to table, stacking places. While Sasami helped stack as well, Yukina gathered silverware.

"Evil Elves, wow," said Sasami, "but why? Why would they want to invade such a wonderful place like Auradon?"

"I don't know," said Tiana as she helped with the silverware, "but if they're gonna invade this city, they're gonna get a reception they'll never forget."

Just then Yukina tensed up and dropped an armload of silverware on the floor, startling Tiana, Ukyo, Sasami and sending a yowling Ryo-Oki up to the rafters.

"What the hell, girl?!" exclaimed Ukyo, "why'd you do that?!"

"Kazuma!" said a joyously smiling Yukina, "I can sense him! He's here in Auradon!"

"Your boyfriend?" Sasami.

"Well, he certainly took his sweet time getting here," said Ukyo, "you wouldn't happen to know where in Auradon he is, wouldn't you?"

"No, I don't," said Yukina, "but I sense him, and," she blushed slightly, "I know he's thinking of me."

---

10

"YUKINA!" exclaimed Kuwabara Kazuma, "I feel her! She's here somewhere, I know it!"

"Yes, brilliant deduction," said an irate Hiei as the black-clad fire demon hiked alongside his allied rival through the vast forest surrounding The Enchanted Lake, "perhaps your keen perception could help us navigate this endless morass of trees."

"Oh, shut up, Shorty!" exclaimed Kuwabara, "we're just as lost as we were five minutes ago!"

"Then how can you tell your frosty fiancée is here?" Hiei asked, his voice slightly edgier than normal.

"Love, duh!" said Kuwabara as he held up his right pinky finger, revealing a transparent loop of red thread tied around it, "though the line may be severed by vast distances, the knots of The Red Threat of Fate are indestructible! Yukina is here on this world somewhere, and when I find her," he then pulled out and opened a small box, revealing a diamond ring, "when we're finally together again, I'll pop the question."

"Please, you're making me nauseous," said Hiei as he turned away. Though it disgusted Hiei to no end to see Kuwabara constantly spout his love for Yukina, nevertheless, he was satisfied that his sister would be in safe hands. Even after so long, Hiei could not bring himself to tell Yukina they were twins separated at birth by a cruel fate, nor could be believe that Kuwabara still hadn't figured it out. Out of all his friends and allies, only Kuwabara was in the dark about the relationship between the separated twins.

"Now, if we could just find Urameshi and Kurama," said Kuwabara, "then we could find the lousy S-Class demon that brought us here and kick his ass!"

"How many times must I tell you, imbecile!" snapped Hiei, "it wasn't a demon that brought us to this world!"

"Then how else do you explain us winding up here with no memory of how we got here?!" Kuwabara demanded.

"You're the one with memory damage," said Hiei, chuckling slightly at his unintentional joke, "I remember exactly what happened at the science exposition. It was a combination of human stupidity and alien science that dragged us to this strange world."

"Yeah, about this place," said Kuwabara, "I'm still getting all sorts of tickle feelings, some good, the rest not so good."

"And yet your 'tickle feelings,' as you call them," said Hiei, "have done nothing but get us lost."

"I ain't seeing your sense of direction getting us unlost, pal!" said Kuwabara, "in fact, I think…"

Hiei shushed Kuwabara and held up a hand for silence, "we are not alone," said the fire demon intensely.

"Good guys or bad guys?" Kuwabara asked as he flexed his fingers in preparation of trouble.

"Possibly the later," said Hiei as he took off his bandana and waited for his artificial third eye to open. The Jigan Eye darted left, right, up and down, scanning the forest for whatever it was that triggered Hiei's senses.

"That way!" said Hiei as he pointed to the left. With that he and Kuwabara dashed through the trees for several hundred yards, before stopping at the base of a small rise. They heard muffled talking on the other side. Cautiously, the two crept over the rise and saw a squad of Elves.

"What the hell?" Kuwabara asked, "Elves? What is this, some kind of fantasy RPG?"

"Get down, you fool!" hissed Hiei as he grabbed Kuwabara and pulled him to the ground.

"Did you see that?!" one of the Elves asked as he looked at the rise.

"Yeah, you're attracting flies," said one of his squad mates. The other Elves laughed as they walked away.

"Just what kind of freaky world did we wind up in?" Kuwabara asked once the Elves were out of earshot.

"A dangerous one," said Hiei as he checked his sword, "and not just to us, for those creatures, they are not of this world."

---

11

"I am so worried about our son," said Ella as she and Kit sat in his office in the castle in the center of Cinderellasbug. The royal couple were in between appointments as they strove to prepare their region of Auradon for war, while also reassuring the people under their care that all would be well in the end.

"Are you still fretting that Chad might get the wrong ideas?" Kit asked as he put down some papers, "Ella, our son is many things, but a throne usurper, he is certainly not."

"I know that, Kit," said Ella, "but what if the chance to do something he wouldn't normally do comes, he spontaneously does it? What then?"

"I'm not even going to answer that, Ella," said Kit, "our son is not, nor will he, murder his way to the throne."

"But he may yet get there," said a voice all too familiar to Ella, a voice that gave her a cold sweat. There at the doorway, leaning heavily on a cane, stood Lady Tremaine.

"You!" said Kit as both he and Ella stood up, the former shielding the later from the woman who tormented her for so long.

"Yes, me, highness," said Lady Tremaine as she limped in on her cane, "I was passing through the region and I thought I'd call on my stepdaughter."

"You've no right to claim any relationship with her!" snapped Kit, "not after you enslaved her for years!"

"Kit, wait," said Ella.

"No, I won't wait!" said Kit angrily, "and why should I? After what she did to you…"

"What I did is in the past," said Lady Tremaine calmly, "what's done is done, and done bun cannot be undone."

"She's right, Kit," said Ella, "after Mal brought down the Barrier and reconnected Auradon with The Isle, all the former inmates were given pardons," she looked at Lady Tremaine, "including my wicked stepmother."

"It pleases me to see you have moved on, Ella," said Lady Tremaine, who then gave Kit an annoying stare, "a shame I cannot say the same for your significant other."

"I'll offer forgiveness when there's reason to," said Kit, "now, either state your business here or leave."

"Very well," said Lady Tremaine as she limped over to a chair and sat down, "this accursed ankle of mine, I twisted it the day after reunification and it still hasn't healed fully."

"Shall I send for a pillow or something to ease the pain?" Ella asked cautiously, "and would you care for refreshments?"

"Tea would be lovely," said Lady Tremaine, "and yes, I would appreciate something for my ankle. While we are waiting, let us discuss why I am here. As with the rest of the kingdom, I'm sure you two are fully aware of the unfolding crisis?"

"You mean that we've been invaded by hostile Elves and that Lady Mal, Lady Uma, Lady Jane and Princess Audrey are missing?" Kit asked sarcastically, "no, it's all news to me. Do tell."

"Charming as always," said Lady Tremaine dryly, "yes, things are indeed dire for Auradon, especially for King Benjamin, what with his fiancée and legal heir missing. The line of succession is clear; the son of Cinderella and her Prince Charming is his heir."

"Is that why you're here, stepmother?" Ella asked, "to manipulate my Chad into becoming king under your guidance? Just what sort of king do you think he'd turn out with you whispering poisoned words into his heart?"

"Hopefully one worthy to rule Auradon," said Lady Tremaine.

"And Ben isn't?" Kit asked.

"My reasons for disliking Benjamin are my own," said Lady Tremaine, "just as I have reasons for not wanting Mal and Audrey on the throne. But your son, Chad, he is a clean slate, a blank canvas, a block of clay waiting to be molded."

At that Ella glared hatefully at Lady Tremaine, "if you think for one instant I'd let you anywhere near my son, you're horribly mistaken, stepmother. I'd see you dead before you corrupt him with your vile ambitions to rule Auradon!"

"You misunderstand, Ella!" said Lady Tremaine as she raised her hands placating, "I don't wish to turn Chad into a Villain. No, he is perfectly capable of doing that on his own, Princess Audrey can attest how easily swayed her generation is."

"Hate to admit it, Ella," said Kit, "but she's got a point. If Audrey could go dark, then anyone can."

"Which is why you will need me should the worst happen," said Lady Tremaine, "for if your son becomes king, he will need guidance in the ways of both good and evil."

"And you think you can teach Chad how to be a better king?" Ella asked.

"I will instruct him in how to use his power efficiently and decisively," said Lady Tremaine, "to do what must be done in a crisis. There," she stood up without asking for help, "I've said what I've come to say; now I shall take my leave."

"Wait, that's it?" Kit asked as he and Ella watched Lady Tremaine limp to the door.

"Yes, I've spoken my peace," said Lady Tremaine, "my granddaughter was caught in the middle of this horrid crisis and I have to be there for her." She looked back at Ella and Kit, "what you do with what I suggested is your prerogative, but I will this one more thing; your son is in need of guidance, whatever form it may take." With that the reformed wicked stepmother exited the room.

"Well, that was…interesting," said Ella.

"You want the room fumigated and scoured for contamination?" Kit asked.

"No, she's not that toxic," said Ella, "but she shouldn't be left to her own devices, not until I know what other agendas she has in the works. And she was right about one thing," she then made a disgusted look, "I can't believe I said that. Anyway, she's right about Chad needing guidance. He's been pretty much drifting through life and I blame you and myself for not encouraging him more."

"Yeah, our son is rather airy," said Kit, "so, what do you suggest? Make sure he gets double the collage workload when things calm down?"

"And have him drop out in a month?" Ella asked, "no, I was thinking…I can't think of anything right now, but you'll be the first I tell when I come up with something. Now, let's get back to work. There's a lot of frightened people under our care that need reassurance that, come what may, all will be well in the end."

With that Kit and Ella walked out of the room towards a reception area where the media waited. Yet on the way, a servant told them a civilian wished for a few moments of the royal couple's time.

"It is 'Big Block of Cheese Day' already?" Kit asked.

"No, we're scheduled to hear the people's petitions next week," said Ella, "but we've got time before the press conference, and the less time I have to deal with Snow White poking me with her microphone, the better."

The royal couple headed to a sitting room where a young girl in her early twenties waited. She had a kind face with long brown hair tied to one side and warm brown eyes. She wore a blue and white dress and carrying a warn satchel.

"Princess Cinderella," said the girl as she stood up and bowed graciously, "I…I can't say how pleased I am to finally meet you." She then bowed several more times.

"Easy now, young lady," said Ella as she gently grabbed the girl by her shoulders, "you'll pass out with all that blood rushing in and out of your head. Now, let us sit and talk."

"Yes, yes of course," said the girl as she and Ella sat down on a chase lounge, while Kit sat on a nearby chair.

"Now, tell me about yourself," said Ella, "and spare no details."

"But be efficient about it, please," said Kit, "we're due to make a statement to the press."

"Uh…yes, well," said the girl, "my name…my name….is Tendo Kasumi, and…and, I've come to volunteer."

"Volunteer?" Ella asked, "for what?"

"For whatever you need, your highness," said a somewhat flustered Kasumi, "I mean…your grace…I mean…"

"Ella, please call me Ella."

"Um…okay, Ella," said Kasumi, "well, the thing is…I've been in Cinderellasburg for a few months now. I've mostly been in domestics; housekeeping and cooking, but as soon as I heard of the attack in Auradon City and the call to war, I knew my talents could be put to better use."

"I see," said Ella thoughtfully, "well, what are your qualifications?"

"Well," said a much more relaxed Kasumi, "I'm a fairly good cook and cleaner, I can sew and I've more than a basic understanding in emergency medicine."

"And how did you come by such knowledge?" Ella asked.

"My family, we've had a few weird years," said Kasumi, "I can volunteer as a nurse or a cook, or if you need someone to look after children separated from their parents, I'm very good with children, by the way."

"I think we can help you, Kasumi," said Ella, "stick with me and I'll help you bring your talents to their fullest potential."

"Wait, you mean…?" Kasumi asked.

"I'm hiring you, Tendo Kasumi," said Ella, "I don't know exactly what I'll need you for in the unfolding crisis, but I'm sure a hard working young lady such as yourself will prove herself indispensable for the war effort."

At that Kasumi let loose a cry of delight and threw her arms around Ella, "oh, thank you! Thank you so much! You won't be disappointed, I swear it! Thank you!"

"I just hope I live up to your expectations," said Ella as she stood up and helped the still joyful Kasumi up. She then wrote a short note, "just show this to one of the castle servants and they'll fix you up with a room to your liking."

"Thank you, thank you so much," said a gratefully smiling Kasumi, "you won't be disappointed! With that she bowed and happily skipped out of the room.

"Well, she's certainly a breath of fresh air," said Kit as he stood up, "she'll do Chad some good once they get to know each other?"

"I beg your pardon?" Ella asked.

"Well, that's why you're bringing her to stay, isn't it?" Kit asked, "to fix her up with our son and help him get his life into focus."

"Of course not!" said Ella, "I hired Kasumi because she wants to help Auradon to the best of her abilities, and she kind of reminds me of myself when I was younger; hard working and selfless, forced to endure ungrateful relatives with nothing in return but loyalty. I believe this is her chance to grow into something more than a menial domestic worker."

"Oh, I get it," said Kit, "still, she is cute and Chad would like her, wouldn't he?"

"He would," said Ella, "if she weren't already spoken for. Did you not see the engagement ring on her finger?"

"Huh, I missed it," said Kit, "oh well, there's plenty of eligible bachelorettes in Auradon."

"We'll find our son a wife in due course," said Ella, "come on, let's not keep Snow White waiting."

Just then they both heard the sound of Elven fighters zooming past the castle.

"Blasted Elves!" said Kit, "if I'd been made king instead of Beast, I would…I would've…"

"You'd what?" Ella asked.

"I'd asked to sit down with Camilsama and worked out terms so they'd leave Auradon in peace," said Kit, "even if that peace comes with a price. But that's neither here nor there, we've got Ben as King, so we might as well make the best of it."

"As we always do," said Ella, "With courage and kindness."

With that the royal couple headed for their press conference, yet as they readied themselves for Snow White's enthusiastic reporting, Kit couldn't help but think what might have been, or what might be.

…To Be Continued…