While the gang headed to the next island, Tiana took the time to teach Snow White how to play checkers. She had the rules down to a degree as she and Tiana played a first game.
"I'm not sure about this, Tiana," said Snow White.
"It's easy; remember, my pieces are black and yours are red and to capture a piece, you jump over it," said Tiana.
"Oh...ok, I think I got it now," said Snow White.
As the game went on, Tiana captured one of Snow White's pieces. However, based on what she had learned from her, Snow White saw an opening and captured four of Tiana's pieces in one move, much to her shock.
"I'm sorry, was I supposed to do that?" Snow White asked meekly.
Feemer had picked up the location of the next crystal scepter a lot quicker than usual which was a relief to the gang considering how long it had taken them previously.
It any case, the ship followed Feemer's signal until they reached their next destination.
They didn't need to worry about crashing as this time, they stopped at a dock. Albeit, a very rickety one. So much so, that a plank fell off into the water as the ship hit it.
After the ship docked, the gang got off, making sure not to make any sudden movements as the dock could give on them at any moment, and got a good look at the island they had landed on.
The only way to describe the island was slums with broken down, dilapidated houses and buildings from left to right.
"Reminds me of back at home in New Orleans," said Tiana.
"It looks utterly horrendous!" said Feemer.
"Grandma Willow always says never to judge a book by its cover," said Pocahontas.
Regardless of how the island looked, it was unimportant. What was important, first and foremost, was finding the scepter. So with that, the gang walked across the dock to begin their search.
"Well this is one sloppy looking book," said Merida before she a board in the dock gave in on her and she fell into the water.
The rest of the gang chuckled as Merida climbed back on the dock, her hair soaking wet, and spitting out water.
The island got no better as the gang headed further into it. Every direction they turned, they saw a resident covered in tattered up clothes. Many of the buildings looked like they were one blow away from losing their foundation and falling apart. People resorted to making tiny fires just to keep themselves warm, some resorted to common thievery to survive. From the look of it, 'survive' was the common word on this island as not a happy could be found.
"Look at these people. This is terrible," said Jasmine.
"I agree with Jasmine. These poor people," said Snow White.
"Yeah, it is bad, but we don't have time to worry about it," said Tiana.
"Tiana's right for a change. We need to focus on finding the scepter and leaving," said Feemer.
Merida nodded in agreement, though the rest of the princess seemed distraught at the sight of some many miserable people, most of all, Jasmine. While the rest of the princesses were going on their way, following Feemer's signal, Jasmine, just couldn't move. The more she looked at these people, the more she had a deep feeling inside herself.
The rest and the gang turned around to see Jasmine rushing back to the ship.
"What is she doing?" said Feemer.
His question was soon answered as Jasmine came back from the ship with some food that she handed to some of the poor people.
"Bless you, miss," said a female peasant.
"No problem," said Jasmine.
"Look, Jas, I know you feel bad for these people, I do too, but don't forget why we're here," said Tiana.
"You need to focus on the task at hand!" said Feemer.
"Don't be to hard on her, Feemer. She's was just lending a helping hand," said Snow White.
"But there is a kingdom of people that need our help too and every second we spend worrying about these guys is another Golett is enslaving them," said Merida.
Jasmine realized there was some truth to what they were saying, but at the same time, she couldn't just ignore the fact that the people of this island were distraught. However, there was only so much she could do for a whole island. She was only one princess.
The gang continued to their way with Jasmine reluctantly close behind.
As they moved further into the island, the gang exited the slums and headed into a more upper section. The houses were much cleaner and brighter; and the citizens were dressed in more formal and fancy apparel as they walked along the perfectly carved cobblestone roads and sat at the beautiful water fountains. On this side of the island, the people seemed way better off than those in the slums section.
"Talk about a change of scenery," said Tiana.
"I'll say," said Rapunzel.
As the princesses walked by, the citizens eyed them with admiration.
One of them, a gentlemen with short blond hair in a black suit, walked up to them. "Morning, my fine ladies. I couldn't help but notice you walking by. Would you happen to be princesses?" he asked.
"Why yes we are," said Snow White.
The man walked over to Snow White and gently took her hand. "Well my name is Caspan and allow me to be the first to welcome you to Regalia," he said before kissing her on the hand. "The island is called that because is the most beautiful and regal island."
"Really? Because from where we docked, not all of the island is very beautiful," said Jasmine.
"Oh, you mean those commoners? Do not worry about them," said Caspan.
"Don't worry about them?! They all seemed miserable!" said Jasmine.
Just then, a woman with long blond hair walked of to the gang next to Caspan. "Well it's no fault but their own. Besides, they're not worth the time," she said.
Jasmine took offense to these words, but before she could say anything else, Tiana walked up to Caspan and the woman.
"Well in any case, could you help us with something?" she asked.
"Oh, but of course! We're honored to help royalty!" exclaimed Caspan.
Jasmine rolled her eyes at the hypocrisy at that statement.
Tiana continued. "We're looking for a big kinda scepter made outta crystal. Have you seen it by any chance?" she asked.
Caspan and the woman, who was named Cynthia, by the way, didn't know what the gang was talking about. They suggested that they go to the castle and talk to their king, King Argon, pointing towards the castle on top of the hill. The gang thanked the two for their help and went on their way.
Jasmine, with her hands crossed, huffed as she walked. "Not worth the time?! Who do those two think they are?!" she huffed to herself.
Her thoughts returned to the poor people back at the slums, reminding her of her own people back in Agrabah; the ones who she never even knew were poor, due to her time being cooped in the palace.
The gang arrived at the foot of the castle. Snow White admired the beauty of its white and yellow stone exterior. But there was no time to praise the castle as the gang approached the guards at the door.
"Hello, we'd like an audience with the king," said Flora.
"If it's not too much trouble," said Fauna.
The guards obliged and allowed them to enter.
Arguably, the interior was even better looking than the exterior with its purple carpets, gold and silver trinkets and jewelry, and crystal chandeliers. Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, and Rapunzel were amazed while Merida, Pocahontas, Mulan remained indifferent. Jasmine on the other hand cringed a bit at the sight of all the fancy things in the castle as the gang walked across the hallway, being escorted to the king's throne room.
The good fairies and most of the princesses had the courtesy to bow upon being in the king's presence, though they had to remind Merida to do so.
In any case, the king with his golden hair, looked upon the gang, rising from his golden throne to greet them after the escort presented them to him.
"Welcome to Regalia! I hope the presence of those riff raff didn't give you any bad thoughts about our island?" the king said.
"Uh...no...heh...actually we've come to..." Flora said before she was cut off by Jasmine.
"They are not riff raff!" Jasmine shouted.
Tiana facepalmed while Feemer groaned.
"And who might you be?" asked the king.
Flora introduced herself and the other fairies and the princesses, including Jasmine.
"Well I'm King Argon and I'm sorry, my dear, but those peasants are in fact riff raff. I mean, have you seen them?" said the king.
"Yes, and they're only that way because of you!" said Jasmine.
"Jasmine, this is no time to worry about that! We have a mission!" said Feemer.
"I think Jasmine is right. The king has it really good in this castle while those poor people are starving down there," said Belle.
"Well that's not our problem!" said Feemer.
"But it's the king's problem! And he should be doing something about it!" said Jasmine.
Argon thought about what Jasmine had said. Could he really have been the reason the people in the slums were as bad off as they were? Despite his comments on them, he never actually went down to the slums to see them, nor did he actually consider that he was the problem. The fact was the people in the section of the island were in desperate need of food and water.
"I would like to take your request into consideration, my dear, but unfortunately, I have other things on my plate. I have representatives from the island coming to the castle for an important dinner to discuss some issues," said Argon.
"What issues?" asked Jasmine.
"Well things like the annual horse race; the design of the uniforms; and then there's the opening of the new country club; the representatives from our island coming in a few hours; there a lot of things that need to be discussed," said Argon.
"Well we wish you luck in dealing with them. The reason we are actually here is because we're searching a crystal scepter that we think might be here," said Feemer.
"Have you seen anything that even remotely looks it?" asked Tiana.
"Hmm, not to my knowledge, but you're more than welcome to stay and look if you wish," said Argon.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Flora.
The good fairies gave a courteous bow before heading on their way. Jasmine was the last to turn and walk.
The king looked at her and held out his hand, signaling her to stop. "Wait! Your name. What was it?" he asked.
"It's Jasmine," the princess said, turning to the king.
Argon asked Jasmine to step forward. The rest of the gang was concerned, but the king assured them that he just wanted to talk to her. So the gang exited the throne room and Jasmine stood before Argon.
The king got up from his throne and requested her to take a walk with her through the palace.
The long hallway with its tall walls would make any person feel small, but to a king and princess, this was practically nothing. As they walked, the two royals got to talking.
"So Jasmine, you say those riff raff are in poor condition?" asked Argon.
"They're not riff raff! And they're all hungry and are in need of food and clothing," said Jasmine.
Now the king was not above attempting to do something about the issue with his people, but as he previously stated, he other things to worry, though Jasmine felt tending to the needs of the people was more important than opening up a country club.
"You know, my dear, its very important that I'm on good terms with the representatives and having a princess would certainly help my cause," said Argon.
"Oh so you just want to use me to heighten your status?! I don't think so," Jasmine said, crossing her arms.
"No, not at all! But the reputation of this island is the top priority," said the king.
"Really? Well, I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing about how the great king neglects his poor people. I'd be more than happy to inform them of that," said Jasmine.
"No, no, no! How about we make a deal? You agree to come to the dinner tonight and I'll talk to the representatives about the rif-uh...poor people," said Argon.
Jasmine had some reservations as she wasn't too sure if the king would keep his word. Though she realized she wasn't exactly one to make speculations considering she never dealt with many royal types; discounting potential suitors of course. But nonetheless, she figured it was worth a shot and maybe she could do some additional convincing to the representatives if things went well enough.