Anya walked up the stone path to the front door to the palatial Swann Lake Estate with trepidation. She wasn't sure what to expect on the other side of the door but she had to find out. She'd been wanting answers for so long. And today was the day she would find out all she wanted to know about her family. She had only returned to Fantasia three weeks ago and already she had discovered her family tree was full of more secrets than she could have ever imagined. She remembered the evening rendezvous two weeks ago after the ceremony was over, after the crowds dispersed, she recalled that fateful meeting that changed everything she ever thought about who she was.
"If anything happens just holler. I'll be right here. Aladdin is already hiding out in the park." Flynn said as they approached the entrance to Pumbaa Park.
Anya took a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing!" she whispered to Flynn.
He smiled and gave her a reassuring hug.
"Don't worry. We've got your back."
She smiled back and continued on her way. Rogers hadn't been specific about where in the park they would be meeting. She walked around the trail in the park, mindlessly, her eyes darting every which way. She saw no moving figures. She decided she must be the first one here. Thinking her legs would give out from under her with nerves, she stopped at a stone bench and waited. The seconds she sat on that bench waiting for Derek Royal to arrive felt like days.
Then she heard footsteps.
Her heart was racing as she saw his shadow approach in the twilight.
He wore a ball cap and glasses, she assumed as a disguise on the off chance her brother had her followed.
'What was I born into that could be this secretive?' she thought to herself as Derek Royal approached her.
"Anya, I'm glad you could make it. May I?" he greeted, asking if he could take the seat next to her on the bench.
She nodded.
"Thank you. I'm sure you're wondering why we are meeting in secret like this?"
She nodded again, barely able to find her voice.
"Well, let me first off tell you that Adam Beastman is a dangerous man. I have wanted to get in touch with you since your arrival, but he or one of his many spies were always near by. That is why I was only at the dinner for Charming for such a short time."
Anya's curiosity grew.
'What did he know?' she thought.
"Secondly, I know that much of your life has probably been more questions than answers. And Adam was unwilling to answer a great majority of those questions. Am I correct in that assumption?"
"He'd get so angry every time I'd ask."
"Sounds about right."
"Let's cut to the chase, Mr. Royal. Why am I here? Rogers said you knew something about my mother. Where is she? Who is she?"
He smiled.
"Your mother's name is Uberta Royal. My step mother. She's been sequestered at Royal Hall since your arrival after threats from Adam and his minions."
Anya's eyes grew wide. She had no idea what to think, what to believe, what to say next.
"I know this may come as a shock to you, but Adam is only your half-brother."
"What?"
"Uberta would rather tell you all about it herself but the time will have to be right. I will arrange the time and place. Where can I contact you? I don't want to risk Adam finding all of this out."
Anya was at a loss for words. So many things were happening all at once. She needed time to process the information.
"Uh...um...I guess at my friend Flynn Rider's apartment. He can get a message to me."
"Perfect. I will be in touch. Just remember to keep your eyes open, Anya. And don't trust Adamn Beastman."
It took Anya a second to process that Derek had left the park and she was alone with her thoughts.
And now she stood at the door of Adelaide Norrington's palatial estate – the arranged location where she was to come face to face with her mother. Her hands shaking she reached up to the handle of the brass knocker and knocked three times. She heard rushed footsteps approaching the door. Seconds later it opened. She came face to face with an older woman dressed in a pink gown. Her white hair pinned up. She was holding a snow white cat with a diamond collar.
"You must be Anya. Come in, darling. Come in. We've been expecting you."
Anya graciously stepped into the entryway of the manor.
"I'm Adelaide Norrington. Welcome to my home. Please follow me."
She followed Mrs. Norrington down a long hallway. She opened a large wooden door and in what looked to be a library sat a slightly younger woman than Adelaide on a chaise lounge in a burgundy gown. She could tell the woman had been crying for her blue eyes were red and watery. She smiled.
"Anya it is my pleasure to introduce you to Uberta Royal – your mother."
Adelaide ushered Anya in the library and closed the door, leaving mother and daughter alone. The silence was petrifying. Anya didn't know what to say. She froze.
"Come sit. Please," Uberta said patting a spot next to her on the lounge.
Nervously, Anya complied.
Anya looked at the woman with curious, analyzing eyes trying to see what features she could make out. The woman's eyes were definitely blue like Anya's but their shape was smaller. They shared a similar nose and chin.
'This is my mother,' she thought.
"I'm sure you are very overwhelmed right now. And from what Derek has told me – he hasn't revealed too much, yet."
Anya shook her head.
"Well. I will try to go slow as not to frighten you too much. But firstly, I am your mother and Adam's mother."
"Who is my father, then? Derek said Adam was only my half-brother."
"Derek's father, Fasir Royal."
Anya gasped.
"I have another brother?"
Uberta nodded, noticeably fighting back tears.
"Let me start from the beginning..."
As Uberta was revealing Anya's past family history to her, Anya's newest brother Derek Royal was meeting with Eric Shipman and Sinbad Seas at one of Eric's warehouses along the Atlantica River. He was about to make a big announcement and he needed their support in order to get what he wanted.
"Derek, welcome," Eric said as his assistant Grimsby ushered Derek into the office and closed the door.
Eric sat behind his desk and Sinbad was leaning up against the front of it with his arms crossed and a skeptic look on his face.
"Hello. Eric. Sinbad. Thank you both for meeting with me."
"Cut to the chase, Royal. What's going on?" Sinbad curtly asked.
It was well known that since he was dumped by Meg DeVille, he hadn't been the nicest man to be around.
"What Sinbad means to say, Derek, is what did you call this meeting for?"
Derek smiled.
"It's no secret to men in my position that you two have a working relationship with Sparrow and Turner and Charles Charming's recent campaign launch poses a problem for both of you."
Eric and Sinbad looked at each other knowingly.
"Okay. Say we know what you're referring to? What have you got in mind?" Sinbad responded, curious.
Derek leaned forward.
"I just happen to have an opposing candidate."
"Who would be dumb enough to run against a Charming? No donor stands a chance against Beastman Investments," Eric responded.
"I happen to know of a few donors in town that will go against Charming's conservative approach. Given that he's said to be appointing Judge Claude Frollo to his cabinet has a few people worried."
"I see. And that's where Sinbad and I come in, I guess?"
Derek nodded.
"Precisely. If I have the support of Shipman Shipping, I'm sure we can out match Charming's donations and beat him in the coming election. Thus preserving your working partnership with Jack Sparrow."
Eric and Sinbad looked at each other knowingly.
"And suppose this all comes to fruition. Who would be willing to run against Charles Charming?" Sinbad asked.
"John Rolfe."
"John Rolfe? Former Governor Ratcliffe's underling, John Rolfe?" Eric asked, surprised.
Derek nodded.
"He plans to make his announcement when Sparrow's ship returns with the new animals for the zoo – a deal I might add was very cleverly contrived, Eric."
Eric's face remained stoic, unresponsive to Derek's compliment.
"Well. It seems we have an event to plan," Eric responded. "Who wants to book Esmeralda Teach?"
Sinbad sent an irritating glare Eric's way. Esmeralda's best friend was Meg and Sinbad wanted absolutely nothing to do with Meg.
Eric smiled.
"Alright. I'll arrange for Esmeralda to perform for the party welcoming the newest animals to Pride Rock and give Rolfe an easy in to make his announcement."
"Now we wait for the ship to arrive. When is it scheduled back?" Derek asked.
"Two days. If all goes according to plan," Sinbad answered.
"Two days and we will welcome a new candidate and new members of Pride Rock."
Derek extended his hand out to Eric. With that they had a deal
Across town at Pride Rock, Pocahontas was meeting with Ursula Jungle about recent incidents. Earlier that week, Pocahontas had noticed that someone had tampered with the security gates of the Cheetah and Leopard exhibits. While nothing had happened since, George and Ursula decided it was best to hire a private security firm to protect their animals. Ursula had asked Pocahontas to meet with the head of the firm – a well known P.I., Cassim Abu.
"Cassim, thank you so much for coming by and meeting with us," Ursula said, seating herself next to Pocahontas at a conference table.
Cassim sat across from them.
"You're most welcome. Now, how will you be needing my services?"
"Pocahontas, here – she's our lead veterinarian – has noticed that some of our security gates leading to the Big Cat exhibits have been tampered with. So far all the animals are safe and unarmed but we want to add a night security detail as an extra precaution,"Ursula explained.
"That's a smart idea."
"Do you have a team ready?"
Cassim nodded knowing two perfect men who were just sneaky enough for the job.
"Absolutely. Your animals will be safe with my men on the job."
Ursula and Pocahontas smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Pride Rock Zoological Park and its animals were special and precious to both of them. With Cassim's help they could continue to keep them safe and happy.
Which is more than Aurora Rose could say about said animals.
"Really, Aurora? How could you! I told you to be discrete!" Cruella shouted from her office at DeVille Fashions.
"I'm sorry Ms. DeVille. It won't happen again."
"You're absolutely right, it won't! And that means I'll never have my perfect spots! Really Aurora you have FAILED ME."
Aurora shook her head.
"Not yet, I haven't! I have a back up plan."
"Oh, really? Please tell me it doesn't involve breaking and entering, darling, because you've already proven your ineptitude there."
Aurora laughed confidently under her breath.
"Oh no. Nothing like that. You see, The Jungles are transporting two new leopards and a cheetah in addition to this new lion."
"So?"
"So. Sinbad Seas is in charge of the docks – loading and unloading cargo."
"Get to the point, darling."
"I have been making it a point to get very close to Sinbad recently, and with any luck, you will indeed have your spots, Ms. DeVille."
Cruella's eyes widened as she heard the brilliance of Aurora's plan.
"And when does the ship come in, darling?"
"Two days."
"Your plan better work, Aurora. I'm warning you."
Aurora smiled.
"Oh it will, Ms. DeVille. It will."
A/N: I've mapped out most of these early chapters. Haven't decided yet how many will be in this season. Hoping to make them much longer and more detailed. For those wondering, no Fasir is not an OC. He was a character on the Aladdin TV show (like Sadira). And Cassim is Aladdin's father from Aladdin and the Forty Thieves. And yes Uberta is Derek's mother's real name in the Swan Princess but I chose to make her the step mother in this scenario. Enjoy season 2!