Charles Charming looked at himself in the mirror to straighten his tie.
In 30 minutes he would launch his campaign to be Fantasia's new mayor.
Sure his Uncle Hubert was a fine leader but Fantasia was ready for a more tough approach. And he was just the person to do it. To lead the next generation of leadership in to Fantasia. He sighed contentedly and left his dressing room. As he entered his bedroom he was stunned to find the window wide open.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Charming."
Charles turned to the sound of the voice. Casually lounging about in a winged-backed chair next to his closed bedroom door, was Fantasia's most notorious scalawag.
"Jack Sparrow?"
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow."
Charles started to head toward the phone on his bedside table to ring for help but he felt something sharp on his back. He turned around to see Will Turner with a sword.
"Alright. I give. What is the meaning of this?"
Jack stood up and almost danced off the chair making his way toward the mayoral candidate.
"William and I just popped in to wish our dear friend luck at the pier today."
Charles huffed in laughter.
"Forgive me if I don't believe you. If this is your way of somehow creating an alliance of sorts, you can forget it. It is my wish to see your entire operation obliterated from the shores of Fantasia."
"Is it now?" Jack responded, walking in small circles, stroking his beard as if in thought. "Well then I guess you are just two smart for the likes of us."
Jack turned around and smiled maniacally. "Or perhaps we have a different, entirely separate, but nonetheless important, proposition that would interest you, Mr. Charming. Isn't that right, my dear William?"
"Yes, I believe so."
Charles looked between the two, wondering what they could possibly mean.
"You see, Mr. Charming, Jack and I make it a point to really educate ourselves about the candidates who are running for public office."
"And it was during this education that we surmised said proposition. Savvy?"
"No. Not really. Out with it, Mr. Sparrow."
"Captain!" Will and Jack simultaneously responded.
"Captain Jack Sparrow, Mr. Charming." Will added, inching his sword even closer to Charles.
"Alright. Out with it, Captain Sparrow."
Jack smiled, knowing full well his and Will's plan would work.
"You see, Mr. Charming, you and I both understand the importance of reputation. And should something come bubbling up that would tarnish said reputation, it would be a terrible tragedy."
"Indeed it would. I still don't understand how that pertains to the two of you trespassing on my home on the day of my campaign launch party."
"Well, it's simple really," Jack said matter of factly.
"You let us continue our business here in Fantasia," Will started.
"Absolutely not!"
"And we will not bring light to what goes on in the dark and concealed hallways of a certain manor with a certain master, thus protecting your impeccable reputation," Jack finished.
Charles' body temperature rose. Sweat formed on his brow. His face grew pale.
"Oh I think he understands perfectly well, Jack."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about."
"Oh really now? Mr. Charming. Don't mistake 'ole Jack for a fool." Jack replied.
"Like I said. Jack and I make it a point to educate, really and truly educate, ourselves on the people running for public office and their, shall we say, relationships."
Charles knew he could no longer deny it. Will and Jack knew his secret relationship with Adam Beastman.
"How could you possibly know of my relationship?"
"That is none of your concern, Mr. Charming. What is your concern, however, is if Will and myself decide to reveal this information to the public. Wouldn't want to tarnish that pristine, conservative blood reputation of yours. Savvy?"
Charles nodded in understanding.
"Alright. Alright. If I'm elected, I will let you continue has you have been for many years. Just please. Keep my private affairs to yourselves."
Jack and Will made knowing glances at one another, knowing they had Charles Charming right where they wanted him.
"We wouldn't dream of anything else, Mr. Charming. So, we have an agreement then?" Jack confirmed holding out his hand for a shake with the frightened mayoral candidate.
Charles nodded and extended his hand to Sparrow's.
"Wonderful! Now, if you'd excuse us, we have some business of our own to tend to."
Jack motioned for Will to move toward the window. As they made their exit, Jack turned back to make one last statement to Charming before meeting the others at Shipman's warehouse.
"Oh and a word of advice, If I may. If you plan on being a politician the rest of your life, I suggest you practice your poker face."
And with that Jack and Will and disappeared from the balcony of Charles Charming's bedroom, leaving the now insecure mayoral candidate to look himself in the mirror one last time before greeting his public.
Norrington and Smith were preparing as well.
All of Fantasia was at Princess Pier awaiting the arrival of Charles Charming and the performances that would open for the announcement. John could not believe the crowd of people.
"All of these people here for one man's campaign? Seems a bit much, doesn't it, James?"
"Who's to say. The Charmings are one of the richest families in all of Fantasia, rarely seen out and about."
"True. Are all the men in their proper positions then?"
"As far as I know. Phoebus is keeping an eye out on the docks. Luckily Sparrow and Turner left shore hours ago so there will be some peace for a change."
John Smith smiled, knowing that his friend's preoccupation with the pirates Sparrow and Turner would subside for the time being.
"Good afternoon, Norrington, Smith."
A deep powerful voice interrupted their thoughts as Po Triton and one of his seven daughters approached the Pier.
"Good afternoon, Po. Lovely to see you," John Smith replied.
"Po, good afternoon," James greeted the record mogul, expecting a passing hello but then his eyes caught sight of Po's daughter.
Her eyes were a deep sea blue. Her hair was candy apple red. Her smile was purely innocent. She was the most beautiful girl James had ever seen.
"I'd like to introduce you both to my youngest daughter, Ariel. She's performing this afternoon to begin the festivities. Ariel, this is James Norrington and John Smith."
Ariel blushed.
It was her first time singing in public since returning from boarding school and she was quite nervous.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Norrington. Mr. Smith."
"Please, call me John."
"And do call me James."
She smiled again.
James felt an intriguing interest in her immediately.
"We must get Ariel ready on stage now. See you fellows later."
"Nice to meet you both!" Ariel waved goodbye.
"I'm sure we will be seeing you again soon, Ariel." James responded noticing her blush as she walked away with her father.
"Try to be less obvious, James."
Norrington rolled his eyes at John's comment as the rest of the guests continued to arrive.
Eric Shipman made it a point as a member of the new business class in Fantasia to make appearances at all public functions. He was always accompanied by his assistant Grimsby. Eric didn't like to get too involved in public affairs like many of the old families of Fantasia but he knew the importance of appearances.
"Should be a good show today, Master Eric."
"Let's hope so."
Eric kept a watchful eye on where every single law enforcement officer was placed. Not a single one was near the docks – except for Phoebus – making his plan with the others off to a great start. Eric got out his phone to text the others when he was approached by George and Ursula Jungle.
"Good afternoon, Eric!" Ursula started. "I hope we're not disturbing you by coming to talk to you this way."
Eric slipped his phone in his pocket.
"Oh no. Not at all."
'Great! Well we wanted to ask you if you'd be interested in shipping the new lion we have coming to Pride Rock? In addition to the newest lion to our pride, we have a few cheetahs and leopards from a rescue in Africa scheduled to be transported too. Our initial choice dropped out and we are in need of a ship and a crew to help us out."
Eric couldn't believe the luck of the day. Not only was he going to help the Pearl out of Fantasia he was going to get something out of it too.
"Absolutely. I actually have a ship departing rather quickly. Grimsby? Would you work out the details with Mr. and Mrs. Jungle?"
"I'd be happy to!"
Grimsby led them away from the crowd to iron out the shipment. Eric sent a quick text to Sinbad alerting him that Jack and Will had to make one more stop on their journey and to be extra careful with this one. He was quite pleased as the rest of the guests found their seats. The ceremony was seconds away from beginning.
"Jasmine! Darling! Over here!"
Jasmine followed the sound of Cruella's voice and found her seat right next to her.
"Hi, Cruella! Beautiful day isn't it!"
"Yes, yes, yes, of course darling. I cannot wait to see those beautiful costumes on Angelica and Esmeralda. They are simply gorgeous!"
Jasmine smiled at her boss's eccentricities. Although she was excited to see her friends perform as well, she was nervous about what would happen afterward. When Jasmine had finally left the Teach's apartment, Clopin had gotten Angelica to agree to dance with Esmeralda on the condition that they wouldn't have to speak before or after about the Jack Sparrow situation. Esmeralda also agreed to sleep at Meg's for the distant future. Jasmine hoped upon hope that the sisters' shared passion in dancing would bring them closer to reaching a solution.
Cruella's voice drew her out of her thoughts.
"Darling, where could she possibly be?"
"Who, Cruella?"
"Aurora, darling! She is not responding to my texts! Where could she possibly be!"
Little did Cruella know, Aurora was working on Cruella's latest project and doing some reconnaissance work on her part. Aurora knew that Sinbad ran the docs and any day now the new big cats for Pride Rock would be arriving. She wanted Sinbad's help in fulfilling her duties for her boss. So she sat in Donald Duck Park watching from across Atlantica River as Sinbad and his pal Tullio loading rugs on to the Black Pearl plotting on her moments alone with him. No other man in Fantasia had been able to resist her charms. She was hoping that Sinbad wouldn't be any different.
