Stepping inside the home once occupied by the wizard Merlin the group fell sight. The house had changed a lot since they had lost the ancient mage with it becoming more organized. Stepping inside the smell of a home-cooked meal hit them.
The restoration committee sat around a large dining table. Tifa stood arranging numerous pieces of food. She had laid out a beautiful meal for them. At the head of the table sat Cloud slicing a small roasted chicken with ease.
Skipping Olivia rushed over to her father. As she reached his side he paused glancing at her. Smiling with pride she rocked on her heels. He raised a brow waiting for her to speak.
"I told you we could do it, father." She mutter sticking out her tongue
"I never said you could." Cloud quipped
From behind Olivia was lightly smack on the head. Turning she saw her mother smiling at her. As Tifa smiled she waves a disciplinary finger to her daughter. Turning her attention back to her task the bruiser chided her daughter.
"Keep your tongue in your mouth." She said quietly
"I could say the same about Lucas."
The mother-daughter duo turned to see Yuffie beside them. The Ninja wore a knowing smile as she nibbled on a buttered roll. Sitting at the table the young gunslinger hid his blush. As the elder mechanic sat he coughed into his fist.
"So I'll look at your ship I'm not sure I'm not saying I can fix it." He muttered
The traveling trio looked at each other wide-eyed. At their looks of concern, the former pilot sat straighten up. Grinning at them he spoke with a confident laugh.
"The Highwind is the fastest ship on any world," Cid announced
"Enough jabbering can we eat now?" Yuffie asked snatching the chicken leg
Stepping into the dark restaurant the trio glanced around. With a click, the room was illuminated by overhead lights. The room was beautiful, colored shades of green and yellow. Frowning the Naveen stepped to the room's center. Closing his eyes he turned to a dark corner of the room.
"Come out Facilier I know you're here." He stated glaring into shadows
"It seemed a fitting place for us to meet." Dr. Facilier said from the shadows
Strolling from the darkness he tapped his stick against the floor. With every tap, heartless snakes slithered out. Creeping along the ground the serpents hissed and snapped at the air. As the voodoo man came into view they froze.
"Faldi Faldonza, let her go!" Naveen snapped
Stand just at the edge of the shadow stood Tiana. She had been coiled in the inky serpentine creatures. The shadow man simply leaned on his cane. With a dismissive wave, more heartless formed. With a smirk watched as a large creature formed, it looked like a giant voodoo doll with a colorful mask. The doll heartless held twin pins like sabers.
"Prince I don't think you understand, we need her heart." Dr. Facilier stated
When the words left his mouth the monster struck. In a blur, Duncan moved. With a click, he blocked the pins. As he restrained the beast a golden arrow hit it between the eyes. The beast stumbled back falling to the floor. Rushing past the monsters Naveen ran to Tiana.
From atop a rafter, Merida perched firing arrows. Above the battlefield, she fired at the snake. With every shot, she killed a snake. Among her storm of arrows, Duncan fought the voodoo beast. The twin needles stabbing into his sides the warrior flinched.
"Naveen I'd appreciate it if you sped up a bit!" Duncan hissed through clenched teeth
With a thump, the monster fell again. Turning he found Naveen and Tiana wielding stools. They were prepared to swing again as an arrow hit it. As the monster vanished Dr. Facility grinned. Touching the feather in his hat he stepped into the darkness.
As he reached the darkness the room distorted. Taking on the appearance of castle Dunbroch. To her confusion, Merida found herself alone with her companion. Glancing at him he was dressed in a rather fancy outfit. Looking down at herself she was in a beautiful dress.
"What is this malarkey?!" She exclaimed
"How sweet who would have thought this your desire."
Stepping into their view The Shadow Man grinned. Spinning his cane like a showman he studied them. Before he could speak again a firm punch made him stumble. As he clutched his jaw the illusion faded.
"I see how it is don't even let a man talk." Dr. Facilier growled
His smirk disappearing he straightens his posture. With a twirl of his cane, he fired a wave of flame. Jumping in the line of the attack Duncan caste Reflect. The flame hit the mystic wall curving upward. Once the flame had dissipated the shield lowered.
"Ya two-bit trickster ain't no man," Merida muttered
As the magical shield fell she fire a trio of arrows. Before the arrows could land Dr. Facilier's shadow moved catching them. Turning to the archer he aimed his staff at her. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a blast of lightning.
Instinctively she raised her arms to shield herself. As her arms moved her bow became a golden shield. On contact, the spell bounced off hitting the ceiling. As she lowered her arms her weapon took its normal form.
"What the devil?" Merida thought
As she prepared another string of arrows Dr. Facilier stumbled. Behind stood Tiana wielding a heavy frying pan. The voodoo man fell to the floor looking up at them. With a look of panic, he scurried backward.
"Look you're reasonable people right maybe we can make a deal?" Dr. Facilier pleaded
"We're not falling for your song and dance." Naveen snapped
"You're beaten now tell us what Maleficent is planning," Duncan stated
"I don't know anything about her plan she just wanted me to distract you."
Dr. Facilier mumbled
As the words left his lips a bright green flame consumed him. The flame rippled from the strange feather in his hat. A silent scream leaked from his lips as he burned. In seconds all that remained was his purple hat. Like broken glass, the feather crumbled to dust.
"What just happen?" Tiana inquired as the dust is blown a stray breeze
"Maleficent took care of her loose end," Duncan said letting his blade vanish
"So what will you do now?' Naveen asked
"I don't know," Duncan whispered sadly