Chapter 10: A Dark return
As time passed, everybody in the Magic Kingdom was enjoying the celebration. Well...Not everyone exactly, in the villain's realm most of the villains sulked because they were forbidden to attend the festivities.
"This stinks!" grumbled Pete
"Tell me about it. I could've been there now stuffing myself with dishes of the richest food in all the land!" Ursula said as she drooled at the thought.
"I could be there picking pockets! All those rings, watches, necklaces and earrings gleaming in the light. Now that blasted Jack Sparrow will get all the goods!" fumed Captain Hook.
"How will everyone know how better Gaston is if Gaston is not there!" said Gaston in disappointment.
"Again with this babbling fool." sighed Frollo
"It seems like it was inevitable that we would be here," said Thanos
"Indeed." agreed Emperor Palpatine
"Fredrickson probably brought the bird with him." pondered Charles Muntz
"Well I was hoping to catch a glimpse at some of the dresses and wears there so I could come up with a new line up," said Cruella De Vil.
"You think you have it worst!?" shouted a frustrated Drizella as she pulled out a brand new glamorous looking dress. "I had this dress all set and ready for the party!"
"Wait a minute!" Shouted Anastasia "I was gonna wear that dress!"
"Well I got it first!" Drizella shouted back
"No way! I had it in my closet ready for the party and you stole it!" said Anastasia
"Well think of it as a favor," said Drizella. "I mean look at yourself, you would never be able to fit into it."
"WHY YOU!"
While Drizella and Anastasia engaged in a series of scratching, pushing and hair pulling, everyone else continued to sulk, moan, and complain about the big plans they had for the party.
Meanwhile Maleficent was still up in her room deciphering the last part of the paper ripped from Walt Disney's book. It had taken her the last few days and nights, but she was finally able to decode the mysterious symbols and words that were on the page.
"Finally, it is done Diablo," said Maleficent as she stroked her pet's feathers.
"After all this time, that old wizard has kept this secret knowledge to himself, but tonight that knowledge will be made known to me and everyone else in the kingdom," she said with a wicked smile.
Diablo let out a confused squawk to his mistress.
"Of course, I know I lack the necessary amount of magic to make the spell work. Which is why I'll need the assistance of our associates. Come," Maleficent beckoned the bird to follow.
Maleficent made her way down the stairs of the tower, to the main room where all the other villains were.
"Good, I see you are all gathered here," she said to the others.
"Of course we are, there's nowhere else to go," grumbled Mortimer Mouse.
"Now I know you are all upset with recent arrangements, but fear not, I have something of interest to share," said Maleficent as she placed the piece of paper on the table before them.
"What is this?" asked Gothel
"The first step in our chance to secure our triumph over our advisories," said Maleficent
"Explain." said The Evil Queen.
"Ever since that old wizard and mouse were here a few days ago, there was something about that book they had with them that drew me to it like it was calling out to me," explained Maleficent to her fellow villains
"I couldn't let something like this pass by without knowing the origin of this magic, so I sent my servant to retrieve it for me. He returned with this page taken from the book," said Maleficent
"And how will this scratch of paper be of any interest to us?" asked Scar
"This isn't just any piece of lettering, this paper contains many secrets as well as a powerful summoning ritual. Enough to bring forth a master of these forbidden arts of magic," said Maleficent.
"Forbidden arts of magic?" questioned Yzma.
"Correct," confirmed Maleficent.
"Oh, so that's why you've been cooped up in that room of yours." Hades realized.
"I've spent many countless hours trying to translate the symbols and messages. They lead to a place on the far side of the realm, where the ritual must be performed," said Maleficent.
"Are we to believe that the reason you are sharing this information with us is because you wish to secure our aide for this ritual?" asked Jafar
"It is our chance to finally ensure our victory over our enemies." reminded Maleficent.
"Why should we listen to you!?" Shouted Pete "You're the reason we're stuck here in the first place!"
In response to this, Maleficent struck Pete with a bolt of lightning turning him all black with ash and shutting him up.
"As intriguing as it sounds, our magic is limited in this place," said Ursula
"Individually yes, but with more than one magic source, it should be enough for the ritual," said Maleficent.
"Do Mickey mouse or any of the other magicians know about this?" asked Shan Yu
"That, I am not certain of, which is why this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Maleficent.
"So who will join me?"
It took some of the villains some time to process what they were just told. On one hand, Maleficent was responsible for their current situation. On the other hand, the chance to finally have some power in their favor was too tempting.
"Your story does seem convincing," said Jafar as he rubbed his chin. "Very well, I will assist you."
"I have nothing else planned for the evening, so I might as well join you," said Ursula
"A promise of power you say?" ponders the Horned King "This better be true."
"I anything for you sweetheart," said Hades with a wink to which made Maleficent wrinkle her nose.
"Anything to get out of this old castle for once," said Dr. Facilier
"You better be right about this!" said Theodora
"What about Chernobog?" asked Madam Mim
"The demon is currently in slumber, he will not awaken for some time," said Frollo.
"Excellent! To the gate!" said Maleficent as she led her companions down the hall.
As the carriages were getting ready to leave, some of the villains still remained skeptical.
"Are you sure this Master of the forbidden arts will actually help us?" asked Ursula
"I was led to find that page for a reason, someone wanted me to find it, Someone who can release us from our own imprisonment." said Maleficent "For many years we've been denied our rule, but now we have a chance to reverse all this."
"If you say so," said Madam Mim.
"I must ask, do we know where to go?" asked Dr. Facilier.
"This paper shall be our guide, stay close to my carriage," said Maleficent.
With all the carriages loaded with their passengers, the villains began their journey across the land.
They traversed for quite some time, over mountains, bridges, and rocky terrain. After a long two hour trip, they finally reached the source of where the paper led them. It was what looked like the remains of an old castle fortress by the edge of the sea.
Maleficent gave the order for her driver to stop at the front gate, all the other sorcerer villains followed her sign and stopped their carriages too. The villains were all gathered around a giant gate that led to the castle courtyard.
"Are you sure this is the place?" asked Hades.
"I have no reason to believe otherwise," said Maleficent.
"This castle looks like it could fall in at any time," said Madam Mim.
"We'll be gone long before that happens," said Jafar.
"We are very close now, come, this way." Maleficent led on.
The group walked down various corridors and halls, a small rock fell off a wall and hit Madam Mim on the head, much to some of the villains' amusement. The page led them to a large circular open area with no roof or ceiling. In the center of the room was a large round circle engraved into the stone floor covered with the same symbols that were on the page that Maleficent had in her hands.
Maleficent checked the page in her hands to see if the symbols matched the ones on the floor. She grinned.
"We are here."
Maleficent and the other villains inspected the area around the circle.
"What was this place?" asked the Horned King.
"Looks like this used to be a great kingdom. I don't recall ever hearing of it," said Jafar.
"Silence!" said Maleficent. "It is time to commence the ritual."
All the villains gathered around the circle.
"Now, as I cite the incantation, all of you be prepared to channel all the magic you can conjure to the jewel in the center," Maleficent instructed. "Now let us begin."
Maleficent cleared her throat and began to cite the words.
"From the darkest moon to the darkest night, let all who hear this know but fright. A shadow that will cast over these lands, that will bring its enemies to fall by its hands."
As Maleficent continued to cite word for word, one by one the symbols on the floor began to glow. The clouds in the sky started to move in a circular pattern above the circle, and thunder sounded in the distance.
Back at the party, Yen Sid felt a sudden chill up his spine. He dropped his glass to the floor. Mickey ran over to his master.
"Master! Is everything alright?" asked Mickey.
"I must go." Yen Sid said in an ominous low tone.
Yen Sid left the room in a rush leaving a worried Mickey standing there. He speed-walked to his personal study then once inside he shut and locked the door. He grabbed several books off the shelf, and one by one looked through each.
"Something is very wrong, but what can it be? Come on you old wizard, think!" he thought out loud.
Maleficent continued to cite the ritual spell, with each word her chanting grew louder to the point it made some of the villains nervous.
When she finished the last word of the incantation, the villains felt some of their magic leave them. Then there was a sudden pillar of green light that shot into the sky, which forced the villains to shield their eyes. Except for Maleficent, who watch on with wonder and interest at the burst of power.
After a few seconds, the light died down. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared there in the center of the circle was a dark figure. He was dressed in what looked like a knight's armor with a black tattered and torn cloak with a hood draped over his head, there appeared to be broken chains wrapped around his wrists and legs. When he stood up he revealed a demon-like face breastplate that had a green jewel in the center, there were glowing green symbols on his shoulder guards that matched the ones on the floor. In addition, he wore a metal mask that only covered the bottom half of his face, both his eyes were a bright emerald green that glowed brightly in the dark. Finally, in his right hand, he held a metal staff with a glowing green emerald at the top. The figure looked himself over, then finally around the room at the other villains.
"Finally, I am free.." He said.
Maleficent was just about to say something but was cut short when the figure brought his staff down on the ground. There was a small flash of green light, then when it died down he was gone.
"Great, now what," said Ursula
"You said he would answer to us," said Dr. Facilier.
"Indeed, What is this deception!?" Demanded the Horned King.
"You promised us a victory!" shouted Theodora.
"ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU!" Shouted Maleficent.
"It seems that there is something more going on than I thought."
"I'll say," said Hades
"I knew this was a waste of time," said Shuriki.
Everyone went back to their carriages and proceeded back to the villain's castle. During the ride back Maleficent continued to ponder over what just happened.
"There has to be more to this." she thought out loud to herself.
Back at the Disney castle, Yen Sid finished going through the last book in his study. He rubbed his face with his hands in frustration.
"What am I missing here!?" he said, "I went through every book in my study an-"
Yen Sid didn't finish his sentence when he suddenly realized the one book that he didn't check."
"Of course! The book of Walt Disney!" he realized.
He rushed out of his study toward Mickey's dressing room, nearly knocking over a servant in the process. He swung open the door then pulled out the dresser. He grabbed the book of Walt Disney and began to flip through the pages all the way to the back. When he reached the back of the book, he discovered the missing page. He then suddenly put all the past events together and then the color drained from his face.
"Everybody is in danger."
Outside the Disney castle gate stood a guard who was trying to keep his eyes open. He was about to fall asleep when he was elbowed in the arm by another guard.
"Alright buddy, your shift is up." said the second guard.
"Really? How time flies." said the first guard as he yawned and stretched.
Mickey didn't want everyone else to miss the party, so he put out a system so the guards could take turns guarding the gate and attending the party.
The first guard began to make his way inside to the rest of the party.
"You better hurry!" called out the second guard. "They just started serving the cake!"
"Thanks!" shouted back the first guard.
The second guard was just about to settle into his post when he saw a cloaked figure approach the gate.
"Excuse me sure, Do you have an invitation?" asked the second guard.
The figure turned his head to the second guard.
"Don't worry, the master Yen Sid knows me well." answered the figure.
"Really? I'll go bring him here so he can make sure." said the second guard.
The guard was about to make his way inside to fetch Yen Sid but was stopped when he felt a sudden pull on his leg.
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU-" The guard's sentence was cut short when he was lifted into the air then thrown into a stone wall, then knocked unconscious. Two more guards saw what just happened and were overcome with fear as they saw the figure approach them. One of the guards tried to make a run for it but was thrown into the fountain. The other guard rushed for the alarm system but was stopped by the ground sucking him in up to his head. He had a terrified look on his face as the figure stepped toward him. The figure bent down to look the guard in the eye.
"Now we don't want to ruin the surprise now do we?" asked the figure.
The guard rapidly shook his head in fear.
"Good.." said the figure with a wave of his hand causing the guard to blackout.
Back at the party, Mickey suddenly noticed the lights begin to flicker and the wind picking up, soon everyone else started to notice.
"Burr.." shivered Minnie.
"That's strange." said Mickey, "The weatherman said that it would be warm tonight with almost no winds."
"Really strange," said Minnie as she rubbed her arms.
Mickey then turned his head to see his master running toward him.
"Master? What's wrong? asked Mickey.
"Mickey." panted Yen Sid. "Something bad is coming, you need to-"
"AHHHHHHHHHH."
Yen Sid was immediately interrupted by a sudden scream that caused everyone to stop what they're doing.
There was a series of loud banging and shouting from the guards. Then suddenly, the huge doors across the courtyard were blown off their hinges and about ten guards were knocked through. Some people were screaming and shouting while others readied their weapons for a possible fight, and others tried to rush to the other doors only for them to be mysteriously locked.
When the noise died down, everyone looked to the source of all this trouble. The figure stepped past the broken doors and unconscious guards toward Mickey and Yen Sid.
Yen Sid shot a serious glare at the figure which he returned with a glance of his own with. Then the figure finally spoke.
"It's been a long time, master." said the figure.
Mickey looked to his master and only one word left Yen Sid's lips
"Zen."
END OF CHAPTER 10
A/N
Man! That to a while. Glad I was able to upload during this difficult time. Being in quarantine isn't fun. I hope you and your families are safe and in good health. You guys are welcomed to chat with me any time. Anyway, this was a big chapter to write, especially since this is Zen's official appearance. I've been a little stressed out lately with school switching around and stuff. Thank you guys for being patient. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, don't be afraid to tell me what you think. If there are any minor mistakes or anything let me know. I will try to upload the next chapter sooner. Lastly, I set up a discord for chatting about stuff, PM me if you're interested. I hope you guys are staying safe and staying well. Until next time! (I only own this story, Zen, Wildroth, and the dark army. All other properties belong to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.)