Once again, I apologize for the delay, beloved readers and writers, the last few days of 2020 weren't pleasant for me at all. But now it's 2021! Happy New Year!

Chapter 10: Chaos in Charmington

1

"So, we need to organize the ASDF into regional units," said Ben as he sat with Commander Delacour, "as much as I'd hate to spread our forces out, we need to be able to counter the enemy's teleport ability." With Ben was Evie, Carlos, Caroline and Doug as they all sat round a map of Auradon.

"Until we figure out how they're popping their forces in and out of the kingdom, there's not much else we can do" said Commander Delacour, "we need to be able to have a definitive deterrent in each region that can hold off the enemy until the majority of the army can rush in to help. Then again, none of our preparations will make a difference if we cannot overcome the Elves' military technology," he looked at Caroline, "any progress in that department, Ms. Hartigan?"

"I've taken apart the captured Ornithopter and examined every piece inside and out," said Caroline, "as far as I can tell, the machine is powered by a combination of magic and science, but the exact power source still eludes me."

"What about the machine itself?" Commander Delacour, "the armor plating and its weapons? Can we counteract them with Auradon's existing weaponry?"

"Well…yes and no," said Caroline, "not with the regular army's ordinance, I mean. If enough helicopters were to gang up on one enemy Ornithopter, yes, we can shoot it down. Same goes for destroying one enemy fighter and enemy tank."

"Therein lies the problem," said Commander Delacour, "there's far too great a kill ratio in the enemy's favor. And if the information provided by the prisoner, this…" he checked his tablet, "this Corporal Camolock, if it's accurate, then the enemy has far greater resources at their disposal. What they threw at us in Auradon City and the units seen across the kingdom, they're just one regiment. I fear to imagine what the enemy can do with a brigade or, heaven forbid, a whole division."

"But they're not invincible!" said Evie, "yes, their arms and armor are superior to anything we've got in Auradon, but wars aren't won with just weapons."

"That's right, it's the quality of soldier who carries the banner to victory," said Doug, "and we've seen what kind of soldier Camilsama has at her disposal."

"Either they're bloodthirsty fanatics eager to mow down innocents," said Carlos, "or half-brained morons."

"Not all of them are like that," said Ben, reminiscing on his brief acquaintanceship with the herald Iachyon Chaeihle, "but with Camilsama leading her people…"

"They won't give up unless we make them give up," said Caroline, "and their war machines aren't invincible either. The Ornithopter we captured in Tangletown was brought down by an extraordinary warrior with just a wooden club." She then pulled up some data on her tablet, "in Charmington, a police officer brought down an Ornithopter with one well place shot."

"Must've been the luckiest of lucky shots," said Carlos.

"There's more," said Caroline, "in Auroria, several enemy infantrymen were wiped out by four martial artists, while in Bayou de Orleans, another martial artist is helping Princess Tiana organize the city's defenses."

"You can bet your last Simolean the media's gonna capitalize on these small victories," said Doug, "so we'd better get a handle on them first before 'you know who' blows them way out of proportion."

"We've got other things to worry about than Snow White exaggerating the news," said Carlos.

"No, we should get a handle on it," said Ben, "the people of Auradon are in a frightful state, what with the invasion and with Mal and the others missing. After the devastation inflicted on Auradon City, the kingdom needs all the good news it can get. I want to sit down with Snow White so we can better deliver the news. Also, find out who these martial artists in Auroria and Bayou de Orleans are. As for that lucky police officer from Charmington, I'm gonna pin a medal on his uniform."

"'Her' uniform," Caroline corrected.

"Him, her, trans or whatever," said Ben, "that police officer is a hero and deserves recognition. In fact, there's a lot of unsung heroes in need of singing. Where's Akane? If anyone deserves a medal…"

"She's with Celia and Dizzy," said Evie, "she's become very protective of those two. Last I saw, they were spotting Akane as she lifted weights, I think she was up to 400lbs."

"Yet another subject for research," said Caroline, "I'm determined to find the source of Akane's strength. If you will be so kind as to excuse my absence."

For an instant, Ben felt as if part of him were leaving with Caroline as she stood up to leave.

"There's one or two more issues in need of your attention, Ms. Hartigan," said Commander Delacour, "including the rabble rouser in Auradon City."

"Oh, that's right," said Caroline as she sat down, easing Ben's anxiety.

"Yeah, have you seen this guy, Ben?" Carlos as he pulled out his phone, "he's nuts!"

Carlos pulled up a video and showed it to Ben. On the video, Ben saw a man in white robes standing atop a pile of rubble in Auradon City, speaking to a small crowd of disillusioned civilians.

"Hear me, my brothers and sisters! Hear me well! The Stars do not lie, for The Stars say we live in dire times. The Stars say our world is corrupt and chaotic, just as we are chaotic and corrupt! Everywhere you look you see death and destruction, the strong oppressing the weak, the innocent preyed upon by the wicked. Even Auradon is tainted; first the Villains make war on the Heroes, then the Heroes make war and imprison the Villains, now the Villains and Heroes mingle. All that is Good and Evil are contaminated by this world, and the world is contaminated by us."

Carlos paused the video, "you see? He's nuts!"

"This guy can't be serious," said Ben, "yes, Auradon has its fair share of problems, some more unfair than others, but the kingdom isn't corrupt and chaotic!"

"You know that and I know that," said Carlos, "but this guy believes otherwise. Just watch." With that he resumed the video of the doomsayer. Ben watched as the white-robbed man pulled out a small book bound in black leather.

"All of this was foretold long ago, brothers and sisters! Foretold by the prophet Gyleth!"

He held the book aloft for his audience to see.

"It is all here in his writings! Here, Gyleth foresaw the struggle of Heroes vs. Villains, the formation of Auradon and establishment of The Isle of the Lost! It is here in The Gylethian Prophecy, the unification of Kingdom and Isle, and it is here that the kingdom would be invaded by Elves! It is all here, brothers and sisters, all here and far, far more!"

"He's crazy, right?" Carlos asked after pausing the video, "you can't predict the future, right?" He looked at Evie, "remember what Doc. Facillier kept saying about fortune telling? 'You can only glimpse the future, and everyone sees it differently.'"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Doug asked.

"That the future isn't fixed," said Caroline, "it doesn't matter what you use to predict, be it tarot cards, a crystal ball or a complex mathematical equation, the world of tomorrow is always shifting by what we do today. Only the past is fixed in time."

"Wow, that's really deep, Caroline," said Ben.

"Really?" Caroline as she gave Ben a smile that briefly raised his pulse, "I got it out of a fortune cookie." She then saw the unbelieving looks from Evie and the others, "what? It was a really big fortune cookie."

"Well, this nutjob thinks he knows what's going to happen," said Carlos, "but he's only letting subscribers in on the really juicy parts. Just keep watching." He then resumed the video. Ben realized that the doomsayer's audience was slowly growing.

"Yes, Gyleth saw the truth of the world! He foresaw the Elves as a chastisement from upon high, to force us to atone for the sins of corruption and chaos! And the Elvin invasion is just the beginning, brothers and sisters! Far greater and devastating tribulations are on the horizon! Auradon's days are numbered! Our days are numbered, for humankind has been weighed and found wanting!"

Someone in the audience spoke up

"Is there no hope, then?"

This led to the audience to erupt in cries of despair and anger at their ostensibly forlorn situation. The doomsayer raised his hands for silence

"Yes, brothers and sisters, there is hope! Mankind can be redeemed for its sins. There is one in the vast reaches of the cosmos who can save us from eternal death and desolation: Uc'thythrholbh! Remember this name, brothers and sisters. Remember Uc'thythrholbth, for he is our one and only Celestial Father! Only he can redeem the mankind its sins and save us from damnation! Only He can cleanse the world in Fire and Ice!

"'Who is Uc'thythroholbh?' you might ask. He was, is and always will be the creator of us all! He was the one who, countless millennia ago, seeded the world with life. It was His will that drove humankind to evolve from the lowly ape. It was His will that humankind attained civilization. Yet we have forgotten His will with our sins. Through our corruption and chaos, our Celestial Father has turned his back on us, his Children, his greatest creation.

"Yet there is hope! The Celestial Father is still out there. Yes, out there, in the infinite reaches of the cosmos! He can save us from ourselves, but he is far, far away. If He is to save us, then He must first hear us! He must hear our cries for help, our pleading for salvation, our sincere supplication for redemption!

"We must pray to The Celestial Father, brothers and sisters! Pray to Uc'thythroholbh for redemption and salvation. Pray, pray with me, brothers and sisters…

"'Celestial Father, hear my plea! This world is corrupt and chaotic, I am corrupt and chaotic! This world is sinful, I am sinful. Only through your embrace can I overcome my sins, only through you can I be free of corruption and chaos. I beg of you, Celestial Father, save me. I beg of you, save the world! I beg of you, cleanse me and the world of our sins. Cleanse the world with Fire and Ice!'"

"I don't believe it," said Ben the video showed him some of the audience falling on their knees and praying along with the white-clad doomsayer.

"Believe it, bro," said Carlos as he stopped the video, "they're falling for this fruitcake's fruitcake."

"It's worse than that, Ben," said Evie as she made Carlos pull up the video's stats, "his preaching, it's gotten over a million views and its trending on social media."

"It does make sense some would," said Doug, "war brings uncertainty and fear. People go looking for something to hold onto, something to believe in."

"And they're believing this load of trash!?" Ben bellowed, forcing Evie, Caroline and the others to flinch back, "my people are swallowing this lunatic's poison!?"

"My sentiments exactly, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "just say the word and my men will find this lunatic and put an end to his false testaments!"

"You can't do that!" said Caroline, "you can't arrest someone just for talking! The founding charter of Auradon guarantees freedom of speech and religion."

"This isn't free speech and religion, Ms. Hartigan," said Commander Delacour, "this is the beginning of a cult, and cults, if allowed to get out of control, are more dangerous to a nation as a foreign invader as they eat away at the land and its people from within."

"You still can't prosecute someone because you don't like what they're saying," said Caroline.

"Not without royal authority, I can't," said Commander Delacour. He then faced Ben, "your majesty, "give me permission to put an end to this…this subversive activity before it does permanent harm to the kingdom."

"Is it subversive?" Doug asked, "because I didn't hear anything specific about harming the kingdom or the people."

"Don't tell me you've swallowed the same poison as those people?!" Commander Delacour asked.

"Hell no!" said Doug irately, "I'd never believe such nonsense! 'He was, is and always will be the creator of us all,' what a load of crap! But we shouldn't call it subversive without proof it is subversive. It wouldn't hold up in court."

"That may be," said Evie, "but we shouldn't let this go on without doing something. I sincerely doubt this guy and his preaching will be forgotten in a week."

"We shouldn't let it get that far, your majesty!" said Commander Delacour, "nor should we let this get complicated by legal matters. This is a time of war, your majesty, the normal rule of law does not apply. Just say the world and I can have this false preacher dealt with quick and quiet like."

"And turn him into a martyr?" Caroline asked, "no, we need to deal with this in a more logical manner."

"I agree," said Ben, "we'll keep an eye on this mad prophet and his followers and see what we can learn about this Celestial Father of his. Perhaps we can counter this cult with the truth before it gets out of hand."

"That's…reasonable, your majesty," said Commander Delacour reluctantly, "but…I insist we at least bring this madman in for questioning, at least to confirm his identity."

"It would help if we knew who and what we were dealing with," said Evie.

"Alright," said Ben, "bring him in, but politely. The last thing we need is a riot over a misunderstanding with the police."

"I'll deliver an engraved invitation for an interview if that's what it takes," said Commander Delacour, yet Ben could tell that the military man would rather solve the problem more assertively than with just words.

"Well then," said Commander Delacour, "unless there's anything else, your majesty, I've got an army to deploy, but as stated before, unless we can overcome the enemy's technological advantage…"

"Leave that to me," said Caroline, "I've got a few connections who might come up with something that'll turn the tide of battle."

"I sincerely hope so," said Commander Delacour, "regardless," he then faced Ben, "for better or worse, your majesty, I give my word that every man and woman in the ASDF will give their all in defense of the kingdom."

"I know they will," said Ben, "as will we all." He shook hands and exchanged salutes with Commander Delacour, who then left the room.

"Well, guys, this has got to be the most boring war I've ever fought in," said Carlos as he and the others stood up.

"It's the only war any of us have fought in," said Doug, "what made you say that in the first place?"

"I don't know," said Carlos, "I just thought a real war would be…we…you know…"

"More like the movies?" Doug asked, "all guts and glory where the hero survives to come home to the girl who waited for him? Hate to burst your bubble, Carlos, but in a real war, heroes die all the time. Honestly, I thought you were smarter than this. You know what? It's like you're speaking for Jay."

"Yeah, it kinda is what Jay would say," Carlos remarked, "where is he, anyway?"

"He's still on that stupid jungle adventure with Gil," said Evie, "I sincerely hope they're alright, because if they're not hurt or dead, I'll do it for them for scaring us like this." She sighed and sat down, "I could really use all of my friends right now."

"'If you can't have all your friends with you,'" said Caroline as she placed a comforting hand on Evie's shoulder, "'be glad for the ones you got.'"

"You read that on a big fortune cookie?" Evie laughed.

"An online advice column," said Caroline, "if it'll make you feel better, Evie, I'll start a web search for any sign of our wayward boys."

"Oh, you don't have to do that, Caroline," said Evie, "you've got way too much to do already."

"Nonsense," said Caroline, "you think I'm gonna let an Elvish invasion stop me from helping my friends? I'd like to see Camilsama and her barbarian hordes stop me!"

"How did we ever get a friend like you?" a gratefully smiling Evie asked, "seriously, Caroline, you're amazing."

"You think I'm amazing now," said Caroline as she returned the smile with a confident one of her own, "wait until I pull Mal and the others out of a hat." With that she walked out of the room.

"I'm convinced, she's an angel," said Doug, "no human is that selfless."

"If she's an angel," said Carlos, "where's her wings?"

"Angels don't always have to have their wings out for everyone to see," said Doug as he and Carlos walked out, with Evie shortly following them.

Ben sat for a second, before leaving the room, but instead of heading after Evie and the others, he caught up with Caroline, whom was going over some data on her tablet.

"Oh, hey, Ben," said Caroline, "need something else? 'Cause if you've got a minute or two, I've got some ideas on how to more efficiently deploy the ASDF."

"Actually, I just want to talk," said Ben, "like how much you're doing for the war effort and Auradon itself."

"I'm fine, Ben, seriously," said Caroline, "yes, I've got a lot on my plate, but asking me to slow down and shrug off some of the burden, you might as well ask the wind to stop blowing."

"That's what I want to know," said Ben, "why? Why are you so caring?"

"You know," said Caroline thoughtfully, "I really don't know. I guess I've always been this way. No, that's not really true. I was kinda a brat when I was little, but…"

"But what?" Ben asked when he saw how ashamed Caroline looked, "if it's too embarrassing, believe me, do I have stories of my childhood that'll make me blush."

At that Caroline laughed and Ben soon joined in on the merriment. Ben then caught Caroline's eyes looking into his and his heartrate increased, "you…I hope you know how much you've done for Auradon, Caroline, how much you're doing for us all."

"I'm only doing what every Auradonian should do in defense of the kingdom," said Caroline.

"Well, I wish others in the kingdom were as altruistic as you are," said Ben, "heck, if I had a thousand men and women half as selfless as you are, the war would be over by now."

This made them both laugh, then their eyes met. Once again, Ben felt his pulse increase as Caroline's gaze bore into his, and for an instant, he knew she was feeling the same as he was: connected.

"There you are, Ben!" shouted Dizzy as she and Celia burst in on the moment, breaking the connection.

"We've been looking for you all over!" said Celia, "oh man, do you need to see this!" she pulled out her phone and showed a video of Snow White to Ben and Caroline.

"This is your faithful reporter, Snow White! Yes, the Snow White, reporting to you from her native territory of Charmington!"

"Oh great, more gossip," said Caroline, whom Ben reasoned was just as annoyed as he was that their brief connection was lost.

"What tabloid trash is she blabbing about now?" Caroline asked, "What, did Cinderella forget to wear matching shoes?"

"This isn't a video, it's live," said Dizzy.

Ben and Caroline looked at the screen as, they realized now, a profoundly serious Snow White continued her streaming discourse.

"As you can hear around me, the peaceful community I call home is rocked by the cacophony of war! Explosions and deadly spells raining down from skies dominated by Elven war machines! Fear and despair have engulphed the streets of this fair city as its citizens desperately attempt to escape the unfolding horrors. Beloved viewers, I do not know how much longer I will remain on the air before the enemy blocks my transmissions, but know that as long as there is breath in my body, I shall report to you the events transpiring in Charmington, and…"

The video cut to static.

"YOUR MAJESTY!" shouted Commander Delacour as he dashed in, "CHARMINGTON IS UNDER ATTACK!"

2

"Charmington," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth as she, Maleficent and the others in Camilsama's inner circle, observed Seralin's forces in action. Already the center of the city was secured and the facilities for Magicak extraction was up and running, gruesomely processing captured men, women and children for their untapped magical potential, while a barrier identical to the one used in Auradon City had severed Charmington from the rest of the kingdom.

"Yes, a quaint little town southwest of the capital," said Maleficent, "where human and dwarf can mingle in harmony. Rather pathetic when you think about it."

"Dwarves aren't pathetic!" said an annoyed Professor Anaeduseus, "some of the empire's greatest scientific achievements came from Dwemer technology!"

"'Dwemer?'" Maleficent asked.

"Deep Elves," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "shorter than the other Elven races yet capable of wonderous near-miraculous feats of science."

"But we decoded some of their secrets," said Professor Anaeduseus, "including the energy source that powers our war machines, and so much more."

"Aren't you worried they'd come after you for stealing their sciency stuff?" Maleficent asked. She then blinked in confusion when the gathered Elves laughed. "What? What'd I say?"

"The last known sighting of The Dwemer was during The Battle of Red Mountain in the 700th Year of the First Era," said General Tahromiath, "almost four-thousand years before our ancestors were exiled from Nirn."

"For reasons known only to them, The Deep Elves vanished," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "leaving behind vast underground cities and much, much knowledge. Many a scholar, human, Elf and other, spent their lives deciphering they mysteries of The Dwemer, with he greatest mystery of them all, the fate of The Dwemer, unsolved."

"So, no, dear honored guest," said Charmore, "I doubt The Dwemer will come demanding payment for use of their technology."

"Which brings us to a completely different mystery, dearest Maleficent" said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "why did you choose Charmington as the next target for Seralin's incompetence?"

"Yes, why Snow White's hometown?" Charmore asked, "I betted that you'd choose Aurora's home territory."

"You made a wager on my decision?" the mortal Mistress of all Evil asked, "I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted. It's quite simple, actually, I'm saving Auroria for the next time. As for Charmington itself, the city, like most others in Auradon, has an archive of books of magic," she then looked at Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "and one archive is as good as the next."

"And here we thought you'd wanted to watch Aurora suffer as her home goes up in flame and her people put to the sword," said Empress Camilsama as she walked in, leading her entourage to bow, "regardless, I expect a good harvest of Magicka, and all the benefits that come with the new N'Maka," she then winked at Professor Anaeduseus, "wouldn't you agree, dear professor?"

"I…uh…well…yes, of course, your grace," said a sweating Professor Anaeduseus, "the new batch of N'Maka does have a rather…stimulating side effect."

"I'll say," smirked Charmore, "you'd better be careful, Brainiac, otherwise you'll spend all day in bed and never get anything done."

The Elven scientist glared at Charmore before respectfully bowing again to Camilsama, "I must agree with your chief bodyguard, your grace. While our…evening together, was enjoyable, I mean…I did enjoy it…but…"

"You were adequate, dear Professor," said Empress Camilsama, "I've had better lovers, nevertheless, you satisfied my needs. And yes, I understand the need to fine tune the new batches of N'Maka. If everyone in the empire were as aroused as I was, nothing would get done. Now," she looked the hologram of the unfolding carnage in Charmington, "if we could just find some clue as to The Dark Chest of Wonders. I will not be satisfied until The Chest is mine and I have extracted It from it."

"Fear not, my empress," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "my sorceresses are in place in Charmington and are taking advantage of the chaos to raid the city's magical archives. If there's even a glimmer of a clue as to where we can find The Dark Chest of Wonders, they'll find it." She then frowned at the hologram as it showed two Elven tanks fire on a building, "assuming that ass Seralin doesn't destroy It by accident!"

"Just what is this It in The Dark Chest of Wonders?" Maleficent asked, "what are you so hot and bothered about getting?" She then saw the hostile glared from the gathered Elves, more hostile than anything else she received from her hosts in their not so gracious mood. "I…think I'll take a walk."

"I'll join you," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth as she grabbed Maleficent and hustled her out of the room. Once out of earshot of Camilsama and the others, the Elven Sorceress Supreme slapped Maleficent across the face just hard enough to ensure her attention.

"FOOL!" snapped Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth as she grabbed Maleficent by both shoulders, "we never ask The Empress about It! Many a witless Elf lost his skin with such reckless inquiries!"

"Okay, I get it!" said Maleficent as she felt where the Elf slapped her, cataloging it in the part of her mind where she held her grudges, "I won't ask her about it, so I'm asking you: What is It? And if It is so important to Camilsama, why doesn't she want anyone talking about it? Doesn't that make searching for It near impossible?"

"One would think so," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "but Empress Camilsama says It is contained in The Dark Chest of Wonders, she swears by her soul. As to what It is," she paused and stepped away in thought, "there are many theories whispered throughout the empire as to what It is and why The Empress covets it so, as well as why the object in question is such a sensitive subject to The Empress."

"What's your theory, then?" Maleficent asked, barely holding onto her enthusiasm as she was sure Sarvola would be interested in this tidbit of information.

"The Empress didn't always wear such heavy robes," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "as well as why the males of the empire are so reluctant to make love to her. Yes, to be selected to please Empress Camilsama is a great honor, yet after the passion, no male has ever openly talked about the experience. Again, these are only rumors."

"I'm listening," said Maleficent.

"When she was much younger," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "long before she assumed the throne, Camilsama was considered the most beautiful of all the Elven races in the empire. You've seen her face when she took off her mask of office, but her body, she had a body that would fill any Elf of either sex with desire. The male who she would've chosen as her consort would've worshiped her as a goddess."

"But something happened that made The Empress hide her body away beneath those robes. Again, these are only rumors, but what I heard was that, while leading a conquest of a human realm long ago, long before I became her Sorceress Supreme, Camilsama faced a human wizard known only as Aimon the Rogue. I know not the outcome of the battle, only that afterwards, The Empress never showed to anyone without her robes, except in the privacy of her boudoir."

Intrigued, Maleficent was. Already she was formulating plans to uncover the mystery of Camilsama's body and how to use it to her advantage. She pressed for more, "But…surely some have seen her unclothed? When she dresses and bathes?"

"She uses mutes as her personal attendants," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "to be chosen to serve such a post is a tremendous honor amongst our people, but the lucky few pay such a terrible price. Aside from losing their voices, either by magic or by surgically removing their tongues, they also have death curses on them, to take the secrets to an early grave should they even think of violating The Empress' trust.

"As for my theory of It, I can only assume It is an artifact that can undo whatever horror Aimon the Rogue inflicted on The Empress, to restore her body to the near-divine beauty of her youth."

"Ah, vanity," said Maleficent, "a sin I can relate to. Well then, let's hope we find The Dark Chest of Wonders and give Camilsama the It she so desperately desires." With that she walked on, her mind ablaze with plans for It, for if It could restore Camilsama, perhaps It could restore Maleficent to her former dark glory.

3

Driving at top speed, Ben, accompanied by Evie, Doug, Akane and Caroline, reached the outskirts of Charmington with a lead attachment of ASDF soldiers, only to find the city cut off by another barrier. A representative from the local police force met our heroes, who then reported there was no way in or out of the occupied area.

"Check the storm drains," Ben ordered, "check the utility pipes, check the sewers, check anything underground," he pulled out his phone, which showed Snow White's live reporting from inside Charmington.

"If Snow White got back online, then there's a way in and out of the city," said Ben. The police officer saluted and hurried off to carry out his orders.

"Ben, even if we can get past the barrier," said Doug, "I don't think the Elves are gonna fall for the same trick twice."

"She's right," said Akane, "wearing captured Elf armor won't get us past them again."

"I'm glad we left Carlos behind," said Evie as she looked towards the barrier, "because I'm really mad at the Elves right now! How are they doing this? How can they just pop in and out at will and cause so much havoc so quickly?"

"We figure out how they're teleporting their forces, we've got the war won," said Caroline, "heck, we could even take the war to them."

"One thing at a time," said Ben.

"Yes, getting inside the barrier and stopping the Elves' murder factory," said Caroline, "that's our top priority." She then took several bracing breaths, "looks like another claustrophobic freakout for me."

"We'll hold your hands the whole way, Caroline," said Evie.

"You won't have to worry about going underground this time, Caroline," said Doug after he heard a report from another police officer, "the barrier, it goes way deeper than the one in Auradon City."

"Deeper than the utility corridors and storm drains?" Caroline asked, "how deep are we talking about?"

"At least two hundred feet," said Doug, "the only thing that's that deep that we can possibly access is the old catacombs beneath the city center, and we can't get to them from here, unless…"

"Unless what?" Ben asked intently, while Evie and the others looked on in anticipation.

"Unless some of my uncles are outside the barrier and can get here really quick," said Doug as he pulled out his phone.

"I think I know where he's going with this, Ben," said Caroline, "and if I'm right, would you mind if I sit this one out?"

"I completely understand," said Ben as he held Caroline's hand, an act that briefly raised his blood pressure, and did the same for her, "the last thing I want for you is to go through another panic attack like before."

"Oh, it's not that," said Caroline as she broke contact, "it's just this time, I've got an idea that might just give our military a chance against the enemy. It all depends on how much of a gambler you want to be, Ben."

"Do I want to know what kind of risk I'd be taking?" Ben asked cautiously.

"It's a risk that could save Auradonian lives," said Caroline, "civilian and military," she then pulled out her phone, "I just hope my father is willing to offer up one of his dream projects for King and Kingdom."

4

"The processing facility is up and processing, Colonel Seralin," said an adjutant Dark Elf by the name of Captain Daymis Dalofass, "and we've plenty of humans to process for Magicka."

"Excellent," said Seralin as he held up an Elven sword decorated with enough jewels to ransom a small country, "and we've severed all human communications?"

"All but that rogue signal, sir," said Captain Dalofass, "the reporting princess is still telecasting to her people."

"You mean she's broadcasting subversive propaganda!" said Seralin, "I want that pasty princess found and silenced! The sooner these human chattels realize they've been conquered, the sooner we can process the lot of them and be done with this vile world. No, I tell a lie. I am not done with this world, nor will I be done with this world until I find and slay that mutant monarch! I will not be satisfied until I've run my new blade through his filthy human heart and taken back what is rightfully mine!"

"Your Glass sword, sir?" asked Captain Dalofass.

"You bet your last gold piece, my Glass sword!" exclaimed Seralin, "I paid good money to have it crafted! Just thinking of my precious property in the hands of that misbegotten mongrel monarch makes my stomach curdle!"

A junior officer rushed in with a report, saluting after handing it over to Captain Dalofass. "Sir, this may not be the best news for you to hear in your delicate condition, but the Auradonian military is massing outside the barrier. They're amassing infantry with tank and artillery support in a horseshoe formation."

"Are they now?" Seralin asked as he grabbed the report, "the fools, they think they can break through the force field and engage in close combat."

"They're wasting their time, sir," said Captain Dalofass, "let them sit and grow moss outside while we conduct business inside the barrier."

"But the enemy is out there!" said Seralin boldly, "no doubt lead by that pubescent pustule who stole my sword! Order the first, third and fifth companies to attack at once!"

"Sir, I must state that this is a very bad idea!" said Captain Dalofass, "our orders from General Tahromiath are to stay inside the force field and ensure the Magicka extraction remains uninterrupted. The Empress expects a full quota!"

At that Seralin slapped his adjutant across the face, "do not lecture me on the wishes of Empress Camilsama! I hold the complete confidence of her imperial viciousness in my hand, so if anyone has an inkling of Her will, it is I! Now, order companies One, Three and Five into action!" He then poked the tip of his new Elven sword at the adjutant's stomach, "or will I have to be more assertive?"

"Uh…no, sir, you won't," said a sweating Captain Dalofass, "I'll send the orders immediately.

"Ensure that that foul creature Benjamin is captured alive and untouched!" said Seralin, "the honor of slaying that mutant mongrel is mine and mine alone! For the sake of my Glass sword, it must be purified by soaking it in the heart's blood of the mongrel monarch who dared take it from me!"

"I thought you were going to use your new sword to kill him," said Captain Dalofass.

"DO NOT QUESTION MY PLANS!" Seralin yelled, "now make yourself useful and find that propaganda porting princess and silence her!" He then gave a disarming smile, "Expeditiously, that is."

5

"Yeah, leaving Caroline topside was a good idea," said Evie as she stood with her neck bent in a hastily dug tunnel, "but…are you sure you guys know what you're doing?"

"We're dwarves, lass," said Happy as he, Bashful, Sneezy and Doug, hammered at the earth to form the tunnel faster than any automated digging machine, "digging holes is what we do best."

At that, Bashful smiled and blushed heavily, "Oh, we're not that special, just experienced."

"Not bad for a bunch of semi-retired miners," said Sneezy, "we'll link up with Doc and his group in…in…" he then gasped and twitched as his namesake involuntary action built up. Just as Sneezy was about to let loose a doozy of a sneeze, Bashful thrusted a handkerchief into Sneezy's hands, which he used to muffle the blast from his nose.

"Careful, Uncle," said Doug, "one wrong blow and we're all pushing up daisies," he glanced up at the roof of the tunnel, "and we've a long way to push if we'd want to see sunlight again."

"Please, don't make me regret agreeing to this plan," said Evie. She then glanced behind her, "how're you holding up, Akane?"

"Me? I'm alright," said Akane as she too bent her neck, "a little cramped, though. I kinda wish whatever pulled me from my world to Auradon also grabbed Dr. Tofu, did I ever tell you about Dr. Tofu? He's kinda my first crush but he's all but engaged to my sister Kasumi."

"So, you're not claustrophobic?" Doug asked between pickaxe strikes.

"Not really," said Akane, "I'll be happier once we're aboveground again, but I'm not freaking out like Caroline would. Now, if we had to go underwater, then I'd be freaking out, you know I can't swim, right?"

"You never learned?" Bashful asked, "even we Dwarves know how to swim, we don't like to, but we can."

"Don't think I didn't try," said Akane, "believe me, I've tried really hard but all the insanity in my life kept getting in the way. This one time, my substitute math teacher, Miss Hinako, she tried to teach me to swim, we wound up destroying the school swimming pool, and don't get me started on how much of the rest of Furinkan High needed rebuilding after Ranma and the others were threw with it."

"Wow, a lot of your life involves random destruction," said Sneezy.

"We're not called The Nermia Wrecking Crew for nothing," said Akane.

"Hold it a second!" shouted Happy as he listened against the tunnel wall, "I think…yes! I hear digging!"

"It's Doc and the others!" said Bashful, "I know those pick strikes anywhere!"

"How can you be so sure?" Akane asked.

"We're getting old, but not deaf," said a blushing Bashful.

"They're changing direction," said Happy, "they're coming towards us, and…"

"And what?" Evie asked.

"They're…they're…" said Happy, only for the roof of the tunnel to cave in, dropping Doc, Sleepy and Dopey on top of Happy, Bashful, Sneezy and Doug.

"Well, button my bursts! I mean, burst my buttons!" said Doc as he and the others picked themselves up, "that wasn't supposed to happen."

"We must've turned left when we should've gone straight," yawned Sleepy.

"Least Grumpy's not here to complain," said Happy, "good to see you guys."

"I'm alright, dad," said Doug to a franticly gesturing Dopey, "it'll take more than a horde of homicidal Elves to stop me. Oh, you remember, Evie, my girlfriend?"

At that Dopey smiled eagerly and enthusiastically shook Evie's hand, then gave Evie a questioning look.

"Yeah, we've been a couple officially for a while," said Evie. She then saw Dopey miming a marriage proposal, "uh…no, we're not at that level of our relationship just yet."

"Yeah, war kinda puts everything into perspective," said Doug.

"We can plan the wedding later," said Sneezy, "how's…how's…" he then gasped and twitched as another sneeze came on. This time Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Dope and Doug all piled on their friend, smothering another cave-in inducing blast.

"I think he should see a doctor about that," said Akane.

"I peg your bardon, I mean, I beg your pardon, young lady!" said Doc as he and the others got off of Sneezy, "I've been the primary caregiver for my friends for decades. There's nothing wrong with Sneezy, he's just…well…"

"It's the dust," said Sneezy as he wiped his nose, "working underground, it's bad for…bad for…" Seeing his comrades ready to pounce on him again, Sneezy beat them to the punch by covering his nose with his handkerchief in time to block the blow, "my allergies."

"Well…I'm just saying," Akane remarked, "maybe you should think about a different line of work."

"Hey, you guys!" shouted a voice from the tunnel above, "you alright?"

"As cell as wan be, I mean, as well as can be, Officer Makibi!" Doc called.

A rope dropped from the upper tunnel and down it climbed Kiyone, "it worked, then? We've a tunnel out of the city?" She looked up doubtfully at the tunnel structure, "I'm not sure I'd want all those civilians going through here."

"Young lady, we've been digging tunnels longer than you've been alive," said Doc as he cleaned his glasses, "if it wasn't safe, we wouldn't let anyone through."

"It's safe, just needs some shoring up," yawned Sleepy.

"What about Snow White?" Happy asked, "is she still safe?"

"She's safe with Grumpy and a whole bunch of innocents," said Kiyone, "but it's only a matter of time before the enemy figures out how she's broadcasting."

"Yeah, how is she doing that?" Doug asked, "I can't figure out how she's been getting a signal past the enemy force field."

"Oh, that's actually my contribution to the war effort," said Kiyone eagerly, "I just sacrificed my old Galaxy Police communicator and helped a Hartigan Foundation IT worker hack into a satellite above us."

"Wait, 'Galaxy Police?'" Akane asked, "and…do I know you from somewhere?"

"I feel like we've met before, too," said Kiyone. She then snapped her fingers, "the science expo! I saw you with that boy with the braid!"

"And I saw you too!" said Akane, "you were looking for someone."

"Now I definitely know who you are," said Kiyone, "your sister's been worried about you."

"Sister?!" Akane exclaimed.

It was then that Nabiki poked her head down from the upper tunnel, "is that a certain uncute tomboy I hear calling for her family?"

"Nabiki!" shouted a joyful and aggravated Akane, "get down here so I can hug you to death!"

"Why don't you come up here and say it to my face!" said Nabiki, "do you realize how much trouble you've caused, Akane?"

"Me, what'd I do?" Akane asked as she grabbed and climbed up the rope, embracing her lost sister.

"What didn't you do?" Nabiki asked ironically, "your temper has gotten you into more trouble than Anne of Green Gables, but seriously, what you did at the expo…"

"What are you talking about?" Kiyone asked, "and is this the time to worry about who did what?"

"She's right," said Evie as she climbed up, "we've got to get to where the Elves have their murder factory set up and shut it down!"

"Darn tootin' we've got to shut it down," said Doc, "but how?"

"That's what we've got these explosives for," said Doug after climbing up, revealing a backpack full of bombs, "but we can't do it until Ben draws off the enemy forces."

"It all depends on if Ben can get Seralin's attention," said Evie, "and if Caroline's invention can hold out."

6

As the gathering forces of the ASDF readied themselves for the relief of Charmington, another effort was underway, the effort of one Caroline Hartigan to convince her friend and monarch to let her participate in the coming battle. Off to the side was Carlos, Harry, Lonnie, Chad, Shampoo, Mihoshi and the twin daughters of Rapunzel, intently watching the unfolding drama.

"You heard my decision, Caroline," said Ben, "it's too risky. Someone else will manage the weapon."

"And just who do you have in mind, hmm?" Caroline asked, "who else here knows the workings of the A.E.V.A. Unit?"

"The 'what' unit?" Mihoshi asked as she munched on some popcorn, "is it that big silver thingy there?"

"Yes, Mihoshi," said a slightly annoyed yet good-naturedly smiling Lonnie, "it's the big silver thingy there."

Glinting like a modern art statue not ten paces from the arguing Ben and Caroline, stood a fifteen-foot humanoid frame of metal and wires. Several technicians were attaching silver-plated armor to the fame, while other technicians were preparing several weapons.

"'Armored Extravehicular Activity,'" said Ruby, "our friend Caroline is using a spacesuit meant for exploring harsh alien environments to save Auradon."

"How's a spacesuit gonna stop the Elves?" Chad asked.

"It won't, by itself that is," said Ruby, "that suit was designed to protect an astronaut from the worst outer space and other planets have to offer; lack of oxygen and air pressure, extreme temperatures and gravity, radiation, toxic atmospheres, diseases unfamiliar to human physiology…"

"Only a fellow egghead would drool over a fancy suit of armor," said a disapproving Roxie.

"It's more than a suit of armor, you intellectually challenged meathead," said Ruby, "it's the future of Auradon's space program. This is one of Mr. Hartigan's pet projects, something he put his heart and soul into, and now we're sacrificing it for the war effort!"

"Oh, so you're a pacifist now?" Roxie asked.

Before Ruby could retort with a verbal lashing that would've soon escalated to another fight, Shampoo silenced her and Roxie with an angry tapping of her Elven greatsword.

"Twin friends of Shampoo should not fight," said the purple-haired Amazon, "not when their friendship is at risk."

"At risk?" Ruby asked, "what's at risk? We just disagree on stuff, that's all."

"Yeah, we'd never say or do anything hurtful to each other," said Roxie as she and Ruby put their arms across their shoulders.

"Oh really?" Lonnie asked, "didn't you just get into a fight and wind up almost losing an eye?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Roxie asked, "you mean that little spat back home? We've already forgotten about it, haven't we, dear sister?"

"Forgotten what?" Ruby asked.

"Exactly," said Roxie.

"And they say I'm an airhead," said Chad.

"No, they're not," said Lonnie, "just an overly complicated relationship."

"FOR THE LAST TIME, NO!" Ben roared at Caroline, "you're not going and THAT'S FINAL!"

"Dear me," said Caroline calmly, "what an outburst, and when was the last time you brushed your teeth? Look, Ben, aside from my father, I'm the only one who knows what the A.E.V.A. can do," she glanced at the new armor and weapons, "even with the battle modifications, I'm the best one to pilot the unit."

"Pilot it head-on into battle, you mean!" said Ben, "you do realize the key to the plan is drawing out the enemy and destroying them in the open."

"With the A.E.V.A. Unit, duh!" said Caroline, "and the rest of the ASDF, no offence, Commander Delacour."

"None taken, Ms. Hartigan," said Commander Delacour as he stood nearby, issuing instructions to his men. "But I must agree with his majesty in regard to your safety; you're too valuable an asset to Auradon to risk yourself in combat."

"So, that's what it all comes down to, huh?" a visibly hurt Caroline asked as her eyes began to well up, "I'm just an asset? A commodity for the kingdom to hoard and dispense with at the will of the throne?!"

Seeing Caroline so distraught was like a sharp jab right to Ben's heart. "No, it's not like that at all, Caroline."

"Oh, yes, it is," sobbed Caroline as she pulled out a lace handkerchief to dab her eyes with, "all you care about is my mental capabilities. You don't see me as a friend, never did and never will."

"That's not true!" said Ben, "you are my friend, my very close and dear friend." He then laughed at a sudden idea to cheer her up, "why, you're so good a friend, I'd marry you alongside Mal if I could get away with it."

Caroline let loose a giggle and she smiled with slight embarrassment, "oh, you don't mean that. No way would the moral monitors of the kingdom let you pull it off. Besides, don't you think Mal would be a bit jealous I've got half your attention? Seriously, I doubt Mal would be okay with sharing you."

"I think you'd be surprised," said Ben.

"Your Majesty! Look!" shouted Commander Delacour, "the enemy, they're coming out to fight!"

"Oh crumbs!" said Lonnie as she and the others turned to see an opening in the force field, from which emerged six Elven tanks and hundreds of infantry troops.

"No air support, that's good," said Commander Delacour, "at least we have that one advantage," he looked at Ben and Caroline, "whoever's getting in that walking gadget, now's the time."

"Please, Ben!" Caroline begged, "I'm the only one qualified to pilot the A.E.V.A. You must let me go! It's either me or pick Harry or Chad or…"

"Okay, get in the damn robot!" said Ben, shuddering involuntarily at the thought of the havoc Chad or Harry would cause if they were let loose with such a weapon at their command.

Caroline squeed with delight as she quickly hugged Ben, then skipped towards the A.E.V.A. Unit.

"Dying time is here for Elves," said Shampoo as she and the others hurried towards their prepared positions, "Pirate Boy, Shampoo bets she can kill more Elves than you can!"

"Really? And what would the lavender-haired lass care to wager should she win?" Harry asked as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Is this really the time?" Chad asked, "because if anyone's gonna make a bet with the gorgeous strong girl, it'll be me!" he looked at Shampoo, "if I win, you owe me one date and everything and anything that goes with it."

Shampoo looked Chad over appraisingly, "okay, but if Shampoo win, handsome but stupid prince must make embarrassing video of himself to put on internet."

"Uh…" said an unsure Chad.

"He'll do it," said Lonnie eagerly, "I'll make sure he does."

"Can we please save the ridiculous wagers for when we're not about to risk our lives for King and Kingdom?" Roxie asked, "Ruby, get to somewhere safe."

"I'm not going anywhere!" said Ruby, "not without you, anyway. If you're staying to fight, so am I."

"The hell you are!" snapped Roxie, "do you have any idea how devastated Mom would be if you got killed?"

"The same way she'd feel if you got killed, dear sister," said Ruby, "but you're staying to fight!"

"I've had training in the art of combat!" said Roxie, "whereas you, all you've done since the war started was what you've always done: stick your nose books!"

"I can still fight!" said Ruby, "just give me a rifle! Someone, give me a rifle!"

"Girl Guides was a long time ago, sister of mine!" said Roxie, "just because you beat Audrey in the rifle competition…"

"Wait, wait, stop!" said Carlos, whom all this time was focusing on cleaning his weapon while thinking about his friends and loved ones, namely Jane and the other members of The Core Four.

"Are you telling me Audrey, our Audrey, she used a rifle as a little girl?" an unbelieving Carlos asked.

"We were all like twelve at the time," said Lonnie, "and she nearly got the camp record for that year."

"It was close, but I beat her to it by one shot," said Ruby as a soldier handed her a rifle and a few magazines of ammunition, "I got nine shots in the area of a coin, she got eight, and you only needed five to get the badge."

"Can we get a move on, people!" Ben called as he pointed at the enemy. The Elves had spread out with their tanks as support to flank and destroy the Auradonians.

"How's the robot coming, Caroline?" Ben asked.

"It's not a robot, Ben!" said Caroline as she climbed into the opened front panel of the A.E.V.A., "it's Powered Armor! Remember it!"

"CAROLINE! WAIT!" shouted Ruby as she ran towards the large armor, "YOU FORGOT THE GUM!"

"Oh, thank you!" said Caroline as she jumped out of the Unit and hurried to Ruby, whom handed her a pack of bubblegum. Ruby ran back to the bunker where her sister and the others waited, while Caroline dashed back to the A.E.V.A.

Furiously chewing a piece of gum, Caroline flicked several switches and pressed several buttons. When the front panel closed, Caroline stuck the gum wad to the side of the panel as the Powered Armor suit activated. The Unit walked forward and moved its arms about as Caroline tested the suit's capabilities. She then grabbed the weapons her father's technicians prepared: a rocket launcher, a laser cannon and a minigun.

"I sincerely hope this works, your grace," said Commander Delacour as Caroline walked the A.E.V.A. into position in front of the forward ASDF troops, "not just for Ms. Hartigan's sake."

"I know, Commander," said Ben, "if we can't score a victory today, the kingdom will lose hope of ever winning the war."

"We're not beaten yet, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "our forces are arranged in a horseshoe formation, infantry with tank and artillery support. Any Elf that gets past young Miss Hartigan will find themselves in a cul-de-sac of lead."

"What was that about the bubblegum?" Carlos asked as he and the others watched Caroline set down the laser cannon and minigun.

"For luck," said Ruby as she loaded her rifle, "Caroline, she and her family never test their inventions without their favorite flavors of gum; lemon grape for Caroline."

Loading a rocket into the launcher, Caroline took aim at the foremost Elven tank and fired. The rocket shot from the launcher, missing the tank by inches. While failing to hit the target, the waylaid rocket had the effect of forcing the Elves around the tank to bunch up behind it, while the other attacking Elves did the same with the other tanks.

"Even if she hits them, the enemy's machines are too strong!" Harry said as Caroline reloaded.

"With a normal RPG, yes," said Ruby, "but this is something Caroline's foundation cooked up just special for the enemy."

Her launcher reloaded, Caroline kneeled to steady her aim before firing again. This time the rocket hit the tank in the lower chassis. Instead of an explosion, the rocket burst on impact, spraying the hull of the tank with a blue fluid that began smoking.

"That's a highly corrosive acid," said Ruby, "the most powerful available in Auradon. If it doesn't eat through Elf tank armor, nothing can."

Through binoculars, Ben and the others watched as the acid dissolved the front panel of the tank, then ate through to the inner workings. Within seconds the tank stopped.

By then Caroline had reloaded and fired a third rocket, this time hitting a tank in its right treads. The acid ate through the treads and the hulking machine stopped.

But then the other tanks and the two disabled ones opened fire on Caroline. Most of the incoming spells and explosive bolts missed her easily as Caroline reloaded and aimed at a third tank. Yet when she pressed the firing mechanism, nothing happened. Caroline pressed the mechanism again with the same negative result. Reasoning a malfunction in the rocket launcher, Caroline discarded it and picked up the laser cannon.

"Okay, now we're getting into more uncharted territory," said Ruby to the others, "that laser was meant for outer space mining, like on The Moon or on asteroids. It's designed to burn through the densest materials known on Earth, so let's see what it can do against Elf metal."

Ensuring the laser cannon had a full charge, Caroline took aim and fired. A beam of red light as wide as a coffee saucer hit one of the tanks and melted through. Within seconds the tank caught fire and the crew bailed out, one of them on fire. Our heroes watched as the ablaze Elf flailed about in agony before falling to the ground where his fellows franticly smothered the flames.

At this point the fire, ice and lightning spells were falling more on target, peppering the armor of the A.E.V.A. Unit, yet did little if any damage. One fireball spell hit the A.E.V.A. helmet and nearly knocked Caroline over, yet she shrugged the blow and fired the laser cannon at the tank that shot her, setting it on fire and forcing the crew to bail out.

But now the remaining active tanks were in range for their explosive bolts. One after another fell around Caroline and burst, briefly obscuring her from Ben and the others by fire and smoke.

The wind then blew the smoke away, revealing a slightly scorched and dented A.E.V.A. Unit and Caroline aiming at the tank on the right. She fired and melted the bolt thrower of the tank, before the laser cannon began sparking and producing flames of its own. Caroline threw the laser cannon away from her before the malfunctioning weapon exploded, peppering the armor with shrapnel.

With only one functioning tank left, the Elven infantry saw the seemingly unarmed Caroline and charged ahead, showing various war cries in their native Elvish, brandishing sword, axe, hammer and mace.

"Oh no!" said a distraught Mihoshi, "Caroline's out of weapons! They're gonna run her over flat!"

"Not today, my fair maiden from the stars," said Harry, "Caroline still has one ace left in the hole!"

Caroline bent down and picked up the minigun. She waited until the oncoming Elf infantry was less than a hundred paces away, the battle crazed soldiers overcome by their eagerness for slaughter had bunched together, some of them even tripping and trampled by their maddened comrades.

Bracing herself, Caroline pulled the trigger. The eight barrels of the minigun rotated to a blurred speed and spewed their lethal rain of led into the stampeding Elves. The first ranks fell, riddled with bullet holes, their blood soaking the field, while their comrades behind kept going, only to fall as Caroline swept the minigun back and forth.

More and more Elves felled until they realized their armor was useless by the high velocity ordinance. Panic ensued among the ranks and they turned around, or rather, they attempted to. Many Elves were crushed in the confusion as those trying to fall back met those still charging forward, leading to more shot and several trampled alive.

Eventually the rear of the charging Elves realized the full extent of the carnage and retreated, dragging as many of their wounded comrades as they could, while the last tank provided cover with spells and explosive bolts. Caroline ceased fire, not only to save herself the dishonor of firing on a retreating enemy, but to allow her overheated minigun to cool.

Ben was the first of the cheering Auradonians to reach Caroline as she exited the suit of Powered Armor, drenched in sweat and with a handsome bruise on her forehead, but incredibly pleased with herself. Before she realized it, Caroline found herself hoisted onto the shoulders of several soldiers and carried around parade style.

"You did it, Caroline! You did it!" shouted Lonnie.

"You made those cowardly Elves show their true colors!" said Harry.

"And all by yourself, no less!" said Carlos.

"You are a genius!" said Ruby as Roxie managed to grab and carry Caroline herself, "a certified genius!"

"No, my father's the genius in this case," said Caroline, "it was his Powered Armor suit." She then looked at the A.E.V.A. Unit, "she'll do better."

"It will have to, I fear," said Commander Delacour, "there is no way the enemy will back down after this one defeat."

"He's right," said Ben, "they'll hit us again as soon as they regroup."

"In greater numbers and a different strategy," said Commander Delacour, "next time they'll have air support."

"Which means I've got to get back to work," said Caroline as she made Roxie put her down, "I need to fix the rocket launcher and change barrels on the minigun. The laser cannon is a wash, but I've got another energy weapon and something else for the Ornithopters," she then looked at Commander Delacour, "and there's still our brave fighting lads and lasses in the ASDF."

"You'd bet your last Simolean, we do!" said Commander Delacour. He then dashed off to issue orders to his troops.

"Caroline," said Ben, "what you did was…"

"Brave and stupid, I know," said Caroline, "that blast to the helmet," she tenderly felt her bruised forehead, "I almost thought I'd bought it there. You were right to try and talk me out of it, but there's no one else who can handle the A.E.V.A."

"Not yet anyway," said Ben determinedly, "as soon as the battle's over, you're gonna teach me how to pilot the robot."

"It's Powered Armor," said Caroline, "you wear it like a suit of regular armor, and no, you're not gonna wear it."

"Why The Hell Not?!" Ben demanded loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Because you wear The Crown, that's why," said Caroline. She then sighed with impatience, "can we talk about this when we're not in the middle of a battle? You want to do more to help with the war effort? Help me fix the rocket launcher," she then looked at Roxie, Carlos, Lonnie and Shampoo, "you guys can change the barrels on the minigun, it's easy, I emailed you instructions how."

"She did, amazing," said an impressed Roxie as she, Carlos and Lonnie checked their phones, while Shampoo read over Lonnie's shoulder, frowning slightly as she struggled to understand the text in English.

"What do you want us to do?" Chad asked while Harry nodded in agreement.

"You two, go get the cases marked LZR-RF Mk1 and FCs," said Caroline, "and God help you if you break anything in them!"

"Yes, ma'am!" said both Harry and Chad, who then dashed off to retrieve Caroline's packages.

"That should keep them occupied for at least five minutes," said Caroline, "now, Ben," she then showed him the malfunctioning rocket launcher while grabbing a toolkit, "help me unclog this pipe."

"You do realize, Caroline," said Ben, "that we're working with an unexploded bomb. If anything happens and I…well…you know…"

"Then we'd better not set it off," said Caroline as she gave a confident smile, causing Ben's heartrate to increase, "'cause you know what'll happen if it does? Chad will be king." At that she and Ben laughed heartily.

Just then Carlos ran up to Ben and Caroline, "Uh, Ben? We may have a problem."

"Aside that we're in the middle of a battle and I've got an unexploded bomb in my hands?" Ben asked as he helped Caroline dismantle the rocket launcher.

"Uh…oh, that," said Carlos as he took a step back, then another, "yes, there's that, but we've got another problem."

"Where is she?!" shouted a voice that was familiar to every former VK and more than a few mainlanders. "Where's Evie!? Where's my darling daughter?!"

"Is that The Evil Queen?" Caroline asked as she and Ben stood up to see none other than Evie's mother, franticly dashing through the ASDF troops.

"In the flesh," said Ben.

"You! King boy!" demanded The Evil Queen as she hurried towards Ben, "you, if anyone in this cluster fudge of an army would know where my sweet little girl is!"

"I'm so sorry, your majesty," said Commander Delacour as he hurried in with several Military Police officers, "I told her she wasn't allowed in the encampment, but she slipped passed the sentries."

"As if a bunch of glorified watchdogs could stop me from finding my daughter!" said The Evil Queen, "I refuse to leave until someone tells me where Evie is. I know she's all mixed up in a war that isn't any of her business, so I've come to save her from getting shot or stabbed or blown up or some other horrid death!"

"E.Q., Evie's exactly where she wants to be," said Carlos, "fighting for her kingdom and its people!"

"If you really believe that, little pup," said The Evil Queen, "you're as mad as your mother, and that is saying something. Now," she marched right up to Ben, "tell me, where in all of this…this…mess, is my daughter?"

"Evie is, she's…" said Ben, "well, if everything's gone according to plan, she should be in the city by now. She's gone to save innocent lives. You should be proud, Evil Queen, to have such a fearless and noble daughter."

"Noble, she certainly is," said The Evil Queen, "but if her mission is such a glorious one, why aren't you doing it and Evie is back here where it is safe?"

"Oh, Ben wanted to go," said Caroline before Ben could answer, "but someone had to stay behind and inspire the troops. Ben just happened to draw the short straw."

"In fact," said Carlos, "it's more dangerous out here than in the city. The enemy can see us, they don't know Evie's there."

"So, she's actually safer on her mission," said Ben, "I'm sure she'll come back soon with quite the story to tell."

"Oh, well, if that's how it is, then," said The Evil Queen, "I shall stay and wait her return." She then looked at Commander Delacour, "you may escort me to a fitting vantage point where I shall observe the battlefield."

Commander Delacour looked pleadingly at Ben, whom only shook his head apologetically. Reluctantly yet stalwartly, Delacour took Evil Queen's arm in his and they walked to a less chaotic part of the encampment.

"I hate to be in Evie's shoes when she comes back," said Carlos, "E.Q., she's not gonna let her go after today."

"We'll worry about that later," said Ben, "we've got to get ready for the enemy's next move." He looked at the force field, "it all depends on how mad we made Seralin."

7

"INCOMPETENT IMBECILES!" shouted Seralin upon hearing of the defeat outside the force field, "I ordered the humans crushed without mercy! I was extremely specific that the mutant monarch was to be taken alive, and yet, three companies were decimated by one soldier?! AM I THE ONLY COMPETENT ELF IN THIS REGIMENT?!"

"Of course not, sir," said the Captain Dalofass, "it's just, the humans, they employed a primitive yet functional Battle Machine and…"

"Battle Machines!" spat Seralin, "metal monstrosities derived from the mad musings of long dead Dwemer! If I had my way, we would never have used such sacrilegious technology!"

"If you had your way, we'd all be chewed up and spit out," muttered Captain Dalofass.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" exclaimed Seralin.

"I was informing the Colonel," said Captain Dalofass as he stood at attention, "that the first, third and fifth companies are in no shape to attack the humans without further support."

"Send them back out!" Seralin ordered, "they may have the second, fourth and sixth companies, I need companies seven through ten to round up the human scum in the city for processing."

"What of air support, sir?" Captain Dalofass asked.

"I need that air support in the city!" said Seralin, "not only to assist in the human culling, but also to find that accursed Snow White! I will silence her heretical ramblings if I have to bomb this miserable excuse for a city to the ground!"

"Heretical?" Captain Dalofass asked, "how is her broadcasts heretical?"

"She is preaching that her fellow humans are superior to Elves, dimwit!" snapped Seralin, "have you listened to the filth coming from her mouth?! 'We must stand firm in this time of darkness and hold fast to our values! We must show the enemy that, no matter how ruthless and bloodthirsty, no matter how diabolical their tactics, no matter how deplorable their atrocities, we will never give in!' If that is not heresy, then you do not know the word! Now, find that blabbering bitch and SILENCE HER!"

8

"I have to say, Princess Snow White," said Kiyone as she, Evie, Doug, Akane and Nabiki, stood with Snow White and several armed men and dwarves, "that was an impressive and inspiring speech."

Our heroes were in one of several large shelters originally built for hurricanes, now repurposed to house weapons and supplies for the war effort. While the able-bodied citizens of Charmington were gearing for a fight, Doug was examining a computer that broadcasted Snow White's speech to her people and to Auradon, a speech prerecorded and broadcasted on a loop.

"Oh, I just spoke from the heart," said Snow White, "My one regret is that glitch in the recording."

"You mean the part where you were supposed to say 'We mustn't submit to Elvish aggression. Never give up, my friends! Never Give Up!' but the glitch made it sound like 'Neba Giba?'" Nabiki asked, "I kinda like that part, it's funny."

"It's supposed to be inspiring and encouraging, not a joke," said Snow White, "so much for my career as an ace reporter. I'll be remembered as Snow White, Television Laughingstock."

"You'll always be a Princess, so don't you forget it," said Grumpy, "honestly, lowering yourself to be a TV personality, what's the world coming to?"

"It's a free kingdom, Grumpy," said Snow White as she comfortingly patted his head, "we can be the best we can be, and I wanted to be the best reporter in Auradon."

"You'll win award for this, for sure," said Doug, "not just for the speech, glitch and all, but for how you got it past the enemy force field. I mean, bouncing the signal across the city using TV satellite dishes before beaming up to the main satellite in space, genius, pure genius."

"Oh, that was all Kiyone's doing," said Nabiki, "her space cell phone hack, but I'm the one who figured on putting Snow White's speech on repeat and bouncing the signal around the city. The enemy will have to bomb Charmington to rubble to stop it."

"It won't come to that," said Snow White, "as soon as we've finished our preparations, we'll attack the enemy center and destroy the force field generator," she then looked to where Shizuru sat nearby, looking particularly glum, "and shut down their abominable acts of murder."

"Please, hurry, your highness," said Shizuru as she stood up to pace back and forth, "I can sense the suffering of the people; their fear and pain. Those machines, those despicable machines that suck the very essence of the people! And the ones they kill outright, I can still sense their souls! I can hear their souls screaming! The Screaming! THE SCREAMING!"

"Oh gosh, she's really hurting!" said Akane as she, Evie and Kiyone hurried over to comfort Shizuri.

"Yeah, having such a powerful esper this close to active crimes against humanity might not have been such a good idea," said Nabiki.

"Her problem is she meals too futch, I mean feels too much," said Doc, "normally she has better control over her power, but since she arrived in Auradon, her ability has increased in strength," he then glared irately at Nabiki, "whereas others have had their empathy dropped to almost zero, but that's just my opinion."

"Hey, I've got plenty of empathy," said Nabiki, "but I'm a realist, and a capitalist."

"Oh really?" Akane asked, "how much money have you scammed from these people since you popped into Auradon?"

"Not as much as I'd like," said Nabiki, "then again, now that there's a war on, it's just a matter of time before I figure out how to hatch a nice little nest egg."

"Nabiki, you're the only person I know who looks forward to war profiteering," said Akane, "don't ever change."

"I'm alright," said Shizuru as she tried to free herself from a comforting hug at the hands of Evie, "seriously, I'm okay now, you can let go."

"Sorry," said Evie as she released Shizuru, "you looked in need of a warm embrace."

"I'll feel better after we stop the murder factory," said Shizuru, "and put those suffering souls to rest. Believe me, you do not want a couple thousand restless ghosts clogging up your city."

"Then what the fudge are we waiting for?" Doug asked as he readied his axe, "what's stopping from charging into the enemy base and tearing some new holes in the Elves?"

"We're waiting for their numbers to thin out," said Akane, "hopefully Ben and the others will've drawn more of them outside the force field."

"Making our job of sneaking into the Elf base much easier," said Evie, "no one wants to stop the Elves and their despicable designs more than I do."

Just then several Elven tanks and hundreds of infantry marched out of the base.

"Way to go, Ben!" said Doug triumphantly, "okay, everyone, we'll wait until the enemy's outside the force field, then we'll charge into the base and shut it down!"

9

"HERE THEY COME AGAIN!"

"Oh, salt and pepper!" exclaimed Caroline as she and Ben stood up from their work on the rocket launcher. To their shock, they fresh Elven ranks forming up with sixteen tanks in support.

"How many rockets you have left?" Ben asked as he and Caroline bent down to finish assembling the launcher.

"Four acid rockets and twenty High Explosive rounds," said Caroline as she tightened the last screw on the launcher, "but I don't know how effective they'll be against Elf tank armor. But it won't matter if the launcher malfunctions again."

"Let's hope it won't come to that," said Ben, "just draw them into the cul-de-sac and let our forces do the rest."

"Yes, I know the ASDF is eager to get some licks in," said Caroline, "now, if you'll excuse me, your majesty, I've a suit to put on."

"You know," said Ben as he helped Caroline into the A.E.V.A., "it looks really cramped in there, I'm amazed it hasn't triggered your claustrophobia."

At that Caroline paled and broke into a nervous sweat, "you…you just had to bring that up, didn't you," she said irately as her pulse and breathing increased, "I…I don't think I can do this." With that she started to climb out of the Powered Armor suit.

"Yes, you can, Caroline!" said Ben, "you can because you're the only one who can."

"No, I can't!" said a panicking Caroline, "I can't do this! You gotta find someone else!"

"There isn't anyone else!" said Ben in an authoritative manner, "you told me you're the only one qualified to wear the A.E.V.A., so wear it!"

"Screw you, majesty!" said Caroline, "you're not the one facing suffocation in a tin coffin!"

At that Ben was about to yell at Caroline, when an idea occurred, "if you truly feel that way, Caroline, then you may step down. I will wear the A.E.V.A."

"What? No, No!" said Caroline as her panic started to fade, "you can't! You're King of Auradon, you can't risk your life in an experimental weapon of mass destruction!"

"And you can?" Ben asked as he gave a knowing smile.

"You bet your sweet bippy I can!" said Caroline irately, "stand back, your grace, I'm heading out!"

Ben backed away from the A.E.V.A. as Caroline powered up the suit and closed the hatch. She picked up the rocket launcher, loaded it and marched to her position before the advancing Elves.

"We're all ready to support her, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "it's just a question of how many she can take out before our forces open fire."

"I'm more worried about her," said Ben, hoping his reverse psychology trick would keep Caroline's claustrophobia under control.

Caroline took aim and fired an acid rocket, disabling an enemy tank as its tracks melted. The other tanks immediately opened fire with spells and explosive bolts. Caroline remained steadfast as offensive magic and bombs pelted around her.

"She's either crazy or crazy," said Harry as he and the others watched from their bunker, "because no one is that stupid to stand there with so much death raining down."

"Caroline may be crazy," said Carlos, "but she's getting the enemy right where we want them. They're bunching up behind their tanks again."

With her launcher reloaded, Caroline took aim and fired, yet the rocket failed to burst on impact.

"A dud!" said Ruby as the targeted tank kept rolling, then had to duck with the others as a stray fireball blast came close to the bunker

"At this rate they'll get the range right and smash her to pieces," said Roxie, "if they don't smash us first!"

"Oh, don't be so negative," said Mihoshi, "it'll all work out."

A bolt of solid ice then shot through the bunker opening, missing Mihoshi by less than an inch, "uh…maybe we shouldn't be watching so close."

"'Ya think!?" both twins asked.

Caroline loaded and fired her second to last acid rocket, yet this one missed as the tank driver, catching on to Caroline's strategy, swerved to avoid the damaging projectile. The other tanks adopted zigzagging patterns to avoid getting hit.

Seeing the enemy adapting to her tactics, Caroline dropped her rocket launcher and picked up her new weapon, a laser rifle powered my microfusion cartridges. Seeing her weapon had a full charge, Caroline aimed and fired a burst of laser beams at one of the tanks. The beams hit the tank in the tracks, breaking the treads off and disabling the machine, while also severely burning a few Elf soldiers hit by stray shots.

The tanks increased speed and maneuvering, enlarging the distance between them and the lagging Elven infantry. One tank fired and hit Caroline with an explosive bolt to the chestplate, knocking the A.E.V.A. Unit down. The Powered Armor suit lay on the ground unmoving as smoke rose from the damaged plate.

"Caroline!" exclaimed Ben as he tried to rush to her aid, only for Commander Delacour and several soldiers to grab and hold him back.

"You can't help her if you get yourself killed, your majesty!" said Commander Delacour, "besides, we've other matters to concern ourselves with!"

Emboldened by the fall of their opponent, the oncoming Elves cheered and shouted their battle cries as they charged forward, catching up with the tanks as they passed by the still form of the A.E.V.A. unit, apparently unconcerned with it now that their real enemy, the ASDF and Ben, was within reach.

"They've taken the bait and are in the cul-de-sac," said Commander Delacour to an aid, "signal all company commanders: prepare to open fire."

"No! You'll hit Caroline!" said Ben, "we can't leave her out there!"

"They're not interested in Caroline, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "they're after you!"

"They are interested in Caroline! Look!" shouted Ben as he pointed past the oncoming ranks of Elves to where a platoon of Elves were gathered around the fallen A.E.V.A., attempting to tear open the armor to get to Caroline.

"There's nothing we can do, your majesty!" Commander Delacour insisted, "we have to open fire now!" he grabbed Ben by the shoulder, "I'm sorry about Ms. Hartigan, but such is the nature of war. You have to expect casualties!"

Ben roared with frustration as his fangs and claws grew out. He shoved Commander Delacour away hard enough to knock him down, "DON'T TELL ME TO GIVE UP ON MY FRIENDS!" with another roar, Ben charged headlong at the advancing ranks of Elves.

"Ben! No!" shouted Carlos as he climbed out of the bunker and ran after him.

"Carlos de Vil, you get back here!" shouted Ruby, who then saw Harry, Chad, Lonnie and Shampoo dash out of the bunker, "what the…all of you get back here now!"

"Sorry, sister of mine," said Roxie, "but immortality is so overrated!" she too dashed out of the bunker.

"Ugh! Am I the only one here with any sense in their head?!" exclaimed Ruby.

"Uh…I'm still here," said Mihoshi, "does that count?"

"Yes, dear friend Mihoshi," said Ruby ironically, "it does."

10

Roaring with all the fury he could muster, Ben crashed into the front line of Elves, tearing the head off the first one he could grab, before jumping back to avoid a mace strike. Ben slashed the face of another Elf and grabbed the sword and shield he was carrying, then stabbed another Elf. He stabbed and slashed several Elves before the shock of his attack wore off and the soldiers coordinated their efforts to surround him.

"Say what you will about old Benny Boy," said Harry as he and the others ran towards the fray, "he's got guts to spare!" With that they reached the Elves and began fighting their way through to Ben, only to find more and more Elves clustering around them.

"Ben, I know my folks wanted me to stick close to you," said Chad as he found himself back to back with Ben, "but if we get out of this alive, I'm taking a vacation from our friendship."

"Oh, but if I end up dead," said Ben after parrying a sword strike and countering with a lethal one of his own, "then you'll be king, isn't that what you've wanted all along, Chad?"

"How can I be king if I'm dead with you?" Chad asked as he blocked an axe strike, only to wind up tripping on a fallen shield. Two Elves rushed in with swords to stab the son of Cinderella, yet Lonnie slashed both their throats in a heartbeat.

"You still think I shouldn't've been made ROAR team captain?" Lonnie asked as she help Chad back up.

"If I had my way, you'd be captain of the national team," said a grateful Chad, "by the way, Lonnie, since Jay's clearly forgotten about you, wanna…"

"Are you seriously asking her out on a date in the middle of a battle?!" Roxie asked as she had an Elf in a chokehold.

"You're right," said Chad, "it can wait."

By then the enemy tanks, seeing the target of Seralin's obsession fighting furious among the infantry, changed course and were closing in on Ben's position.

"Uh, Ben? We've got a problem!" said Carlos.

"We need to pull back to our line, Ben!" said Lonnie, "disengage and let our tanks and artillery do their jobs!"

"I'm not leaving the field without Caroline!" said Ben, "I made her get back into the fight, I won't leave her behind!"

"We can't get to her, Ben!" said Lonnie, "even if we…wait…where's Shampoo?"

Ben looked around and saw to his amazement that Shampoo was next to the A.E.V.A., effortlessly slaughtering the Elves trying to tear into the Powered Armor. Once the area was clear of enemy soldiers, Shampoo, utilizing her Amazonian strength, pulled open the chest plate and helped a dazed and more bruised Caroline out. Shampoo pointed towards Ben. Caroline saw him and gave the thumbs up

"She's alright," said a relieved Ben, "okay, now we can go."

"That may be a problem," said Harry as more Elves and the enemy tanks fully encircled them.

"Benjamin Florian Adamson!" shouted one Elf officer atop a tank, "Surrender, and your companions will not be harmed!"

"You want Ben!? Come and get him!" shouted Carlos, "we'll teach you to such eggs while you're at it!"

"So be it!" said the enemy officer. He then addressed his fellows, "kill the others but take Benjamin alive! A thousand gold pieces to the one who brings Benjamin to Colonel Seralin in chains!"

"Wait a moment, where's the Colonel's Glass sword?" another officer asked. "The Colonel, he wants both of them!"

"We'll find the sword later!" shouted one enlisted soldier, "I want those gold pieces!"

Alas, that particular Elf soldier wouldn't claim the bounty he so coveted as a bullet tore through his head and out the other side, dropping him like a stone.

"SAVE THE KING!" shouted Commander Delacor as he led a charge of Auradonian infantry and tanks into the throngs of Elves. Delacour threw something long and green over the heads of the enemy that Ben caught.

"Thanks, Commander!" said Ben as he held aloft the Glass sword.

"He's got the sword!" shouted the Elf officer atop the tank, "get them both!" But then Shampoo crashed into him and lopped off his head. She then jumped into the tank, from which the screams of the dying crew could be heard.

What followed was a confused mess as Human and Elf engaged in hand to hand combat, while the Auradonian tanks attacked their Elven counterparts as best they could, blasting the Elf tanks in the sides and rears, while the Elf tanks, taken by surprise and bereft of their commander, failed to coordinate an effective strategy. Those Elf tanks that managed to pull out of the melee to reorganize found themselves homed in by the Auradonian artillery and blasted to pieces.

Within minutes it was over as the decimated Elven infantry and tanks fled back towards Charmington, leaving the Auradonians in command of the field.

Yet the victory did not come without a heavy price as Ben saw scores of dead and hundreds of wounded ASDF soldiers and dozens of destroyed ASDF tanks, 3 for every destroyed Elf counterpart.

However, as Ben observed the carnage, he saw the looks of satisfaction and admiration on those under his command; the soldiers, tank crews and artillery personnel who came out to the field, as well as Carlos, Lonnie and the rest of his friends. They all reveled in their hard-won victory and were proud of their king.

But there was one who wasn't especially proud of Ben. In fact, he was quite upset with Ben. "Your majesty, that was utter irresponsible and uncouth of yourself as both a monarch and a military leader!" shouted Commander Delacour, "What were you thinking? You could have been killed! You got a lot of good soldiers killed and could've killed more! And for what? For a girl? Now I would have understood you risking yourself and the army if it were Lady Mal in such a situation, but…"

"Mal would've done the same for me if it were her and not Ben!" Caroline insisted as she limped over, "you should be grateful Ben came after me!" she looked back at the form of the A.E.V.A., "if he hadn't led the charge, the A.E.V.A. might be in enemy hands."

"It still got destroyed!" Commander Delacour insisted.

"No, she's just beaten up," said Caroline, "I'll fix her up, better than ever!"

"Well, it won't help us if they come again!" said Commander Delacour, "we barely survived this attack, I doubt we could hold another, especially if they call in air support."

"Then we'd better hope they've got other things to worry about," said Ben as he looked towards the barrier surrounding Charmington, "Come on, Evie, we're counting on you."

11

"How's it going, Evie?" Akane asked as she, Kiyone and Doug stood watch with Doc and the other Dwarves stood watch outside the main power generator for the Elf base.

"It'd go a lot faster if my mother's former nemesis wouldn't hover over my shoulder!" said Evie as she followed Caroline's instruction in the placement of the bombs.

"I'm recording for posterity," said Snow White as she used her phone to tape Evie, "your children will thank me for this when they see your efforts to shut down this deplorable depot of death!"

"We would've shut it down sooner if someone didn't insist on recording the murder factory in action before we liberated it," said Evie, "the people that were killed while you were fulfilling your award-winning scoop fantasy, that's on you."

At that Snow White turned off her camera, "I did what I did for the sake of Auradon. The whole kingdom needs to see the full extent of Elven atrocities, that this is a war of survival, and before you criticize me about sacrificing innocent lives, some of which I know, and believe me, I'm crying on the inside."

"I'm amazed you can still cry after all the surgery done to your face," muttered Evie.

"What'd you say?" Snow White asked, "never mind, as if you've the right to make me look like a bad guy, after all the heinous acts your mother did in her tenure of terror."

Evie stood up and glared at Snow White, "at least my mom's finally willing to let things go between the two of you! She admitted her wrong doings and apologized."

"No, she didn't!" said Snow White as she irately crossed her arms, "as if she's capable of apologizing."

"She didn't apologize?" Evie asked, "didn't she come to visit you?"

"No," said Snow White, "she didn't."

"She said she would," said Evie, "she promised me she would."

"Uh, Evie, I hate to interrupt your musings," said Doug, "but all the civilians are clear of the base, so we can blow this dome and go home."

At that Happy, Bashful and Sneezy laughed, "that's a good one, lad, a very good one."

"Eh, I've heard better," said Grumpy. He then saw the 'since when?' look from Dopey, "never you mind!"

"He's right," said Evie. She looked at Snow White, "we'll finish this talk later. As Mal would say, 'let's blow this popsicle stand!'" she then got back to placing the bombs.

"So, Evie," said Snow White as she resumed recording, "how confident do you feel about handling high explosives without prior experience?"

"I'd feel a lot better if you weren't sticking that in my face!" said Evie.

"And here I thought my family was complicated," said Akane to Kiyone, "you do realize that, basically, Snow White and Evie are sisters? I mean, they're step-sisters."

"Really?" Kiyone, "I never thought about it that way, but you're right. Then again, I never had much time to read Earth myths and fairytales, I was too busy dealing with Mihoshi."

"Mihoshi? You know her?" Akane asked, "oh wait, you're her Kiyone, I can't believe I didn't realize it before now. Oh, she's gonna be so happy to see you."

"Mihoshi's here?!" a terrified Kiyone asked. She then looked around franticly.

"What?" Akane asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm looking for Elves to fight to the death with," said Kiyone, "Damn! We're alone!"

12

"Colonel Seralin, sir!" said Captain Dalofass, "the second, fourth and sixth companies were defeated! They're in a total rout!"

"Never mind that drivel!" snapped Seralin, "what of Benjamin!? What of my Glass sword?!"

"Sir, did you not hear what I just said?" Captain Dalofass asked incredulously, "over a dozen tanks and hundreds of soldiers were lost! The regiment is no longer an effective fighting force! We face total disaster if the Auradonians get past the force field!"

"They will not get past the force field because I will it so, you gutless grub!" said Seralin, "now order the remaining companies to attack! I will have Benjamin and my sword!"

"Sir, I must refuse that order!" said Captain Dalofass defiantly, "it is your obligation as commander of the regiment to ensure a successful quota of harvested Magicka. If you commit the remaining companies to battle, you risk not only the survival of the regiment, but also disrupting production of N'Maka!"

At that Seralin punched Captain Dalofass in the face, knocking the Elven officer to the ground, "YOU DARE DISOBEY AN ORDER I GAVE!? I SHOULD HAVE YOU KILLED ON THE SPOT!"

Captain Dalofass got up, drawing his sword as he backed away, "you're mad! I knew it long now, but this is the last straw! I refuse to obey the orders of a lunatic!"

"Then you are relieved of your duties and your life!" snapped Seralin, "guards! Put this insubordinate idiot in chains!"

Just then a hologram of Empress Camilsama appeared, "Colonel Seralin! What is this I hear about you ordering an attack outside the force field?"

"Uh…your grace!" said a flustered Seralin, "I…it's just…It was that mutant monarch, Benjamin! He called me out, insulted the honor of the empire and you personally! I had to answer him, for the sake of the empire!"

"He's lying, my empress!" shouted Captain Dalofass, "the Colonel deliberately disobeyed your orders and ordered the attacks out of a petty grudge!"

"Your imperial viciousness, this officer is no longer on active duty!" said Seralin, "he is clearly not in his right mind, not when saying such treasonous filth!"

"You're the traitor!" said Captain Dalofass, "Empress Camilsama, you must believe me! Colonel Seralin ordered two frontal attacks on the Auradonians to capture King Benjamin, all so Seralin could recover a sword he lost due to his own incompetence!"

"A web of lies and treason!" said Colonel Seralin, "your grace, he has turned traitor and sided with the humans! Allow me to dispatch his treacherous life before he does further harm to the empire!"

13

"I ought to string him up the ass by his own thumbs and feed him to the carrion eaters," said General Tahromiath through gritted teeth, "doesn't he know we already know everything that happened on the battlefield? That the humans have deployed a primitive yet effective Battle Machine?"

"Is that what you call that oversized suit of armor?" Maleficent asked, "and here I thought it was a walking tin can with weapons."

"We have different classes of Battle Machines," said Charmore, "ranging from enhanced armor to giant walkers of mass destruction. We prefer not to use Battle Machines unless our adversaries put up too great a resistance."

"We may have to employ our Battle Machines in this campaign yet," said Professor Anaeduseus, "these Auradonians are more tenacious than we've given them credit for, especially their scientists."

"Whatever," said Maleficent, "so, is this enough to get rid of the incompetent ass?"

"It all depends on how much harvested Magicka he delivers," said Elanmanwe Aelsonifeth, "in the end, that's all The Empress cares for."

By now Seralin and Dalofass were arguing so loud and fast, it was impossible to distinguish who was saying what. Maleficent found the confounded dialog rather irksome, yet she was certain Camilsama was enjoying the bickering of her officers, as if the whole thing was a play for her amusement. But then the entertainment took a dramatic turn at the sound of an explosion from the Elven base.

14

"Colonel Seralin!" shouted a junior officer, "the force field generator has been destroyed!"

"Colonel, Sir!" exclaimed another junior officer, "the Magicka harvesting facility was assaulted by humans and dwarves! The base is compromised!"

"Is everything alright, Colonel Seralin?" Empress Camilsama asked.

"Uh…just finishing up the harvesting, your grace," said a swearing Seralin, "we shall be returning soon with the harvested Magicka presently! Over and out!" with that he deactivated the hologram projector.

"Pack up the base, we're returning to headquarters!" Seralin ordered. The junior officers saluted and scurried off to carry out their assignments.

"You'll never get away with this, you madman!" said Captain Dalofass, "my report to General Tahromiath and the empress will put an end to your disgrace of a career once and for all!"

"I think not," said Seralin as he pulled out a dagger and ran Dalofass through. The Elven captain gasped from both the agony and the sudden purple aura that flashed over him. He fell to the ground, clutching his midsection to stem the flow of blood.

"My dagger's enchanted with a Soul Trap spell," said Seralin as he dropped a Soul Gem next the bleeding Elf captain, "We can't have you telling your lies from beyond the grave should The Empress ask her necromancers to call you up from Oblivion."

"You…bastard!" gasped Dalofass, "you…you son of…a motherless troll!"

"You were a passable adjutant, Dalofass," said Seralin, "alas, you lost sight of what was most important: my advancement in the service of The Empress."

"I hope…you suffer in Oblivion for…eternity!" said Dalofass defiantly.

"Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?" Seralin asked, "well, let me let you in on a little secret," he bent down to whisper in Dalofass' ear, "I intend to marry Empress Camilsama. I shall rule alongside her as her Imperial Consort forever and ever, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to stop me. Farewell, Dalofass, may we not meet again in interesting times!"

15

"Well, Gamma Yellow," said Alpha Red, "your A.E.V.A. unit was an astounding success."

"It can do better," said Gamma Yellow, "still some bugs to work out. But even now it was an effective weapon against the Elves. Given enough time and resources, I can have an elite squad of Powered Armor soldiers ready to counter Elven incursions in to Auradon, and that's just the beginning. My fellow Logicians, you've seen what just a single unit can do against the enemy, surely now you see the feasibility of my weapons!"

"I hate to admit it, but our canary comrade has proven his point," said Delta Green, "his weapons are a viable project to invest in."

"And what of Operation Messalina?" Zeta Orange asked, "it was Caroline who introduced the idea of Powered Armor to Benjamin, after all; a gift from her 'father.' Surely Benjamin will wish to meet with 'Mr. Hartigan.'"

"Ben will meet with Caroline's father, fear not," said Alpha Red, "every aspect of Caroline's lineage has been considered. Once our gracious King meets Mr. Hartigan and hears him out, Ben will start to come around to our way of thinking. Soon, comrades, soon Auradon will become a land of pure logic and reason."

"Assuming the Elves don't kill everyone first," said Beta Blue, "the A.E.V.A. countered their war machines, logic dictates they will counter with greater war machines. We face an arms race, comrades, one I fear even The Logician League will be hard pressed to win. We may end up destroying the very kingdom we wish to rule."

"I calculate an 8.6275309% probability of the complete destruction of Auradon if this…arms race…is not controlled," said Omega White.

"It is a risk we must take, comrades," said Alpha Red, "there can be no victory without sacrifice. Auradon will be ours, even if a significant part of it is destroyed. But if that is the outcome, then our efforts of rebuilding will be much more rewarding. We shall take Auradon to new heights of science and technology, free of the taint of magic for all time!"

16

"Ben!" shouted Evie.

"Thank goodness you're all safe," said Ben as he and his group and the regrouped ASDF met with Evie and her team at the city center, "looks like the Elves cleared out as soon as the force field went down."

"They ran like thieves in the night," said Doug, "with the stolen life of hundreds of Auradonians. Ben, this can't go on. We can't allow the enemy to establish footholds in our cities and slaughter hundreds upon hundreds of innocents while we scamper about."

"My A.E.V.A. Unit was not an act of scampering!" said Caroline, "we've seen just one can do, imagine what a whole army of them can do against further Elven hostilities! Just say the word, Ben, and my family foundation will go to work!"

"That Powered Armor suit really put the screws to the PEC's Ben," said Chad.

"Oh, not you too!" said an irate Evie, "it's bad enough we're at war with the Elves, so don't disrespect them."

"I'll respect them when they stop murdering us humans for our mojo!" said Chad defiantly.

Just then an ASDF officer whispered something to Commander Delacour, who then rushed over to Ben, "your majesty, we've taken an enemy officer prisoner!"

"Oh good, an example to make," said Chad, "let's kill him and send his body back to Camilsama as a warning."

"Are you serious?!" Evie demanded, "there's no way we'll do anything like that!"

"Absolutely not, we won't!" said Ben, "Chad, we will not resort to such heinous tactics, not while I'm King, so don't you dare think about any personal acts of vengeance." He then looked at Commander Delacour, "where is the prisoner?"

"I believe he was wounded in the confusion of the Elven evacuation, your majesty," said Commander Delacour, "the healers are attempting to stabilize him as we speak."

"KIYONE!"

"Oh crap," said a despondent Kiyone as a joyfully tearful Mihoshi rushed in, "Uh…hi, there."

"Oh, Kiyone!" exclaimed Mihoshi as she flung her arms around her fellow Galaxy Police officer, "I was so worried you were lost and I'd never find you again! But we're together and I'm never leaving your side again!"

"Yeah, like two peas in a pod," said a dejected Kiyone.

"You don't think she loves her, but she doesn't reciprocate the affections?" Harry asked Lonnie.

"It's more like Mihosho's codependent of Kiyone," said Lonnie, "I wouldn't say their relationship is toxic, but I think Kiyone would rather have some extended alone time."

"Speaking of toxic relationships," said Carlos, "check this out?"

By now Evie had found her mother and was dragging the Evil Queen over to where Snow White was interviewing several ASDF troopers.

"Mother, you remember my sort of stepsister?" Evie asked, "Princess Snow White, my mother has a few things she wishes to get off her chest."

"Oh boy," said Nabiki as she, Shizuru and Akane stood to one side, observing the silent confrontation between former mortal enemies, "if I remember my fairytales right, she tried to cut her heart out."

"No, she had her loyal minion do the deed, but he couldn't do it," said Shizuru, "so she fed her the poisoned apple."

"Didn't she try other stuff first?" Nabiki asked, "like a poisoned comb and constricting cloths, or am I crossing the streams here?"

"Well?" Evie asked both Snow White and Evil Queen, "aren't you two gonna talk?"

"I don't think this was such a good idea, Evie," said Doug as he tried to pull her away, "some feuds can't be resolved with just words."

"I refuse to believe that," said Evie, "Jay's dad, Jaffar, he apologized to Aladdin and Jasmine, and I'm sure Curella de Vil could be rehabilitated enough to apologize to Roger, Anita, Pongo, Perdita, their kids, grandkids and so on."

She then stepped up to the two former mortal enemies, "well, aren't you two gonna say something? Everyone's staring at you."

It was Snow White who spoke first, "You tried to murder me because a talking mirror said my face was better than yours."

"The Magic Mirror never lied to me," said Evil Queen, "but, in retrospect, it had its own agenda."

"And that's supposed to make up for the years you kept me as a slave?" Snow White asked, "and what of my own father who you murdered for his crown and kingdom? What of the countless innocents you terrorized with your henchmen and dark magics? What do you have to say that could possibly make amends for all your crimes?"

"Nothing," said Evil Queen, "I did what I did because I believed I was in the right, and I paid for all my dirty deeds when I fell down that mountain. That should've been the end of it, with my body rotting in the ground and my soul in Hell, and yes, I was in Hell."

"Am I supposed to feel remorse for you getting your eternal reward which you so richly deserved?" Snow White asked.

"You should have moved on and left me to rest!" said Evil Queen, "but you and the rest of the spiteful Princesses and your insufferable Princes, you just had to bring me back! You took me from Hell and abandoned me in another hell, one far, far worse."

"Wait, EQ," said Carlos, "Are you saying you'd rather have stayed in Hell?"

"At least in that Hell, you knew where things stood," said Evil Queen, "at least the warden of that prison was a proper gentleman, Satan was, very refined, very articulate, always willing to stop over and play cards or chess.

"But the Isle of the Lost, that was uncalled for suffering: forced to subside on the scraps and garbage of those living the privileged life, trapped shoulder to shoulder with others with nothing on their minds but revenge and mayhem."

"You wanted revenge just like Maleficent!" snapped Snow White, "Admit it, you're still obsessed with being the fairest of them all, aren't you! Aren't you!"

"I am envious that you've maintained your youth and figure," Evil Queen said grudgingly, "by obviously unnatural means. Tell me, however did you afford such transformative procedures?"

Snow White was so struck by Evil Queen's words, she was rendered speechless for a few seconds, "Wh-what I do to take care of myself is my own business! And you're one to talk about unnaturalness! What, you couldn't figure out how to indulge in your vanity even with the trash we sent you to the Isle?"

"Okay, this was a bad idea!" Evie admitted as she tried to pull her mother away from the growing confrontation, "I think we'll go back to my house and rest up, there is a war on, you know, so we all need to be at our best."

"No, Evie," said Evil Queen, "enough bad blood has spilt, it's time to end it," she then looked Snow White in the eyes, "I admit I may have…overreacted…when The Mirror told me you were the fairest."

"You call ordering my heart cut out an overreaction!?" exclaimed an unconvinced Snow White.

"Would you rather I ripped my eyes out and threw them in the forest?!" Evil Queen asked. For some reason this made Snow White burst out in laughter, which Evil Queen soon joined in.

"I don't get it," said Akane, "Why are they laughing? Why is that funny?"

"It's like something Ranma would laugh at," said Nabiki.

"I bet he would," said an irritated Akane through gritted teeth.

"At least they're not shouting at each other," said Shizuru, "I sense their tempers cooling. Yes, I think this is the icebreaker Evie's been hoping for. Her mother and Snow White, they're not ready for a full reconciliation, but at least they can share a joke."

"I still don't get it," said Akane. She then saw Shampoo and several Auradonian soldiers and medics accompany a wounded Elf on a stretcher towards Ben, "this, I do get."

"Ben King," said Shampoo, "this is Elf officer, he say crazy Seralin try to take his soul."

"Seralin wounded him?" Ben asked. He then looked down at Captain Dalofass, who had a pressure bandage around his midsection and several I.V. tubes pumping saline into his veins, "is he…will he?"

"We don't know, your majesty," said one of the medics, "we dare not give him human blood to replace what he lost."

"I…I am not dead yet," said Dalofass as he struggled to sit up despite the worrying medics, "and Seralin…is an incompetent ass!"

"You'd say that about your commanding officer?" Commander Delacour asked, "well, you have the right, I'd say that about my superior if he tried to take my soul."

"The Soul Trap spell…it only works if the victim dies within a minute," said Dalofass, "and he used too small a Soul Gem. Seralin is an incompetent ass, but he's dangerous, he has dark designs for Camilsama and the Ohachuand Empire."

Shoving the medics away from him, Dalofass struggled to his feet and saluted Ben, "I, Captain Daymis Dalofass, do hereby request political asylum of you, King Benjamin Florian Adamson." With that he promptly passed out onto the stretcher.

"Well, that makes two Elf prisoners," said Lonnie.

"No, one prisoner of war, one political exile," said Doug, "big difference."

Just then Commander Delacour hurried up to Ben, "I hate to disrupt the festive mood, your majesty, but there's a rather annoying psychiatrist wanting to see you."

"A psychiatrist?" Ben asked.

"Yes, he said something about Princess Audrey," said Commander Delacour.

"Well, let him through!" said Ben, "if Dr. Coltrane has something to tell me about Audrey, it must be important!"

A minute later Dr. Felix Coltrane was escorted up to Ben, "ah, yes, your majesty, thank you so much for seeing me on such short notice."

"Of course, Doctor," said Ben, "anything that could help bring Audrey and the others home."

At that Dr. Coltrane looked slightly dumbstruck, "wait, you…you don't know where Princess Audrey is?"

"You thought I knew?" Ben asked, "haven't you heard what's happened? Audrey vanished along with Mal, Jane and Uma. How could you possibly not know this?"

"I've been working around the clock counseling my many patients," said Dr. Coltrane, "helping them deal with the strain of the war. It was only now I tried to contact Princess Audrey. Your majesty, it is imperative I speak with her."

"Why, Doctor?" Ben asked, "is she…is Audrey…?"

"I cannot disclose details about her case, not even to you, your majesty," said Dr. Coltrane, "regardless, I can say, without violating doctor patient confidentiality that is, is that Audrey is at a critical juncture in her treatment. I must see to her mental state, especially her stress level."

"I don't understand, Doctor," said Ben, "what about her stress level?"

"Again, without violating doctor patient confidentiality," said Dr. Coltrane, "Audrey's mental state is at a delicate point. Any excessive stress could have dire consequences to her psyche."

"How dire?" Ben asked, "are you saying she could relapse and become The Queen of Mean again and go on another rampage?"

"Let me put it this way, your majesty," said Dr. Coltrane, "the incident with The Queen of Mean, that was a psychotic break brought on by jealousy, unrequited love and years of unintentional psychological abuse. Princess Audrey faces a potentially mind-shattering episode if pushed far enough, one I fear she may never recover from."

"Well," said a visibly unnerved Ben, "let's hope that, wherever Audrey is, she's dealing with as little stress as possible."

17

"It's times like this that I really miss my brain care specialist," said Audrey, "cause if I'm seeing what I'm seeing, then I've lost my mind."

"If you've lost your mind, then so have I," said Jane, while Mal and Uma nodded in agreement.

"Then I'm not crazy," said Audrey, "because that is the bridge to The Isle of the Lost, and that island out there is The Isle of the Lost, and we've been in Auradon this whole time."

…To Be Continued…