An: This chapter is really long, but I'm sure everyone will enjoy because I spent a lot of time on it. Its got a lot of drama in a lot of different places.
Creator of Magic: Uma and Harry HAVE to have some more drama! I'm sorry but its fun. Although it will be touched on in this chapter. As for Ben and Rose...well this first part of the chapter will be a little bit of a shocker, but its vital to the story. Evie is coming back! This chapter is all about that. With Rose's past, its just hard to trust someone again. They are still a little convinced that she's working with Audrey. I know I would be skeptical too if I were them. Mal is very torn and just wants to keep the group safe.
Zahabiya: I'm glad you like Ben's transformation. Rose basically is their only hope, but no one will admit it. They probably won't go out of control with Mal's lies, but there will be some reactions. Thanks for your compliments!
The crew had walked all the way through the afternoon to get across the ocean. Everyone had been quiet the whole way. There was a tense feeling between the group. Ben was in the front with Mal, Rose was in the back with Carlos. Something was just off. Once they had gotten to the main land, Carlos' heart dropped. "Guys, what's even our plan?"
"Go and defeat Audrey while we still can." Mal turned and folded her arms. She held the ember tightly in her palm. She thought about her dad. He wanted her to win, and now it was her only goal.
"What about Evie?" Carlos asked. "We didn't even think about looking for her."
"She's here," Rose said quietly. "Audrey separated us for a reason. She wouldn't kill her until she's no longer useful."
"What is that villain code 101?" Ben said coldly as he crossed his arms.
"It is actually," Rose put her hands on her hips. Mal was surprised by her tone. She thought Rose would act a little nicer, but she seemed to match Ben's tone.
"Just stop," Uma cut in. "We don't need anymore of...well whatever this is." Ben shifted his weight.
"She's right," Ben folded his arms. "I think we need to spilt up."
"What?" Carlos and Jay said in sync. Splitting up was never the plan. They always did things together.
"Ben," Mal shook her head. "We can't do that."
"Its obvious we can't do everything together. Maybe Rose and Carlos should go get Evie while the rest of us actually do what's important." Ben scoffed.
"Ben," Mal said in a hurt voice. Carlos clutched his heart. He was hurt that Ben would ever say such a thing. He was always a kind king, but now he was acting different.
"Don't take it personal, Carlos," Rose held up a hand. "Its the change. Its making him irrational." Mal looked at Ben. There was a different way about him. His posture was upright and confidant. He had that amused look on his face that reminded her of the first time she had seen Rose.
"Irrational?!" Ben folded his arms. "The way you're acting is irrational."
"Ladies," Harry held up his hook, but Ben slapped it away.
"No," Ben was letting his anger get out of control. "She's just walking all over everybody. Why are we letting her help us? She's done nothing for anyone but herself. How can we even know that she's not Audrey's spy?"
"Oh you're one to talk," Rose was getting angry too. "You just waltz around thinking your the greatest guy in the world. Then when someone is just a little bit different than you, you flip a switch. You just always want your way. Always the boss of everyone."
"I don't act like I'm better than everyone else, that's you. You left our family high and dry." Ben shook his head. "And to think that we could actually accept you back into the family. You're just a selfish girl who is never satisfied. At least I think of others."
"No one ever thought of me, Ben!" Rose exploded. "You have to wrap your mind around that tiny detail that I wasn't you. Not the king to be, high esteem good boy everyone loved. We never had the same childhood. You think there's good in everyone, but you're still oblivious!"
"That's where your wrong," Ben stepped closer. "I don't think there's any good in you." Rose's stern expression melted.
"That's enough," Mal threw Ben back with her magic. He floated back a few feet. "We're going to get Evie and that's final. No one is leaving anyone behind. Got that?" She looked to Ben, who seemed to snap out of his change phase. He nodded. She looked to Rose, who wasn't looking at her at all. Her eyes were watery, but no tears were spilled. Mal was disappointed in Ben, he had gone too far.
"Audrey wouldn't hold Evie hostage," Uma said after a moment. "If she sent us to the Isle as punishment, you would think she would hide her away. Somewhere that would torture her."
"The castle," Carlos said with a quiet voice. "The Evil Queen's Castle." His insides ached terribly. He didn't know if Evie was even alive. He just hoped for the best. Carlos wished he had the red heart necklace with him, so it would show him the way.
"A trip to Dandelion it is," Mal held up her hands. Then they all disappeared in a green fire. When they reappeared, they were surrounded by those dark green trees. Mal had actually missed this place. It had some kind of peace that made her feel safe. The woods really wasn't much different from the woods around the palace, but it just had a protective feeling.
They walked through the wooden gate. Everyone had been here before, but they all looked around wondrously at the beautiful small town. Mal looked over at the small houses that they knocked at. Hoping someone would take them in for the night. Then, that wonderful old lady greeted them with open arms. Ruby was a sweet woman who Mal only hoped the best for.
They continued their journey through the town. Carlos noticed Rose's eyes were still trained on the ground in a dazed way. "Hey," he nudged her. "Don't believe anything he said." She was pretty stiff as she walked. There was something different about her when those cuffs were sealed. She was more vulnerable when it came to her emotions.
"It was all true," Rose shook her head. Her voice sounded distant. "I don't even know if I have any good left inside me."
"Of course you do," Carlos soothed her. "If we didn't trust you, you wouldn't be with us right now."
"Only because of these," Rose held out her hands. "You're afraid of me with my magic."
"I'm not," Jay added. He wasn't far ahead of them, but he smiled. Rose looked up at him and twitched her lips into a small grin before sinking them back down.
"I guess it didn't help that I snapped," Rose continued. "I should have just stayed quiet."
"You did have a right to defend yourself," Gil piped in. "My dad always said if they shot at you first, you have a right to give the final blow."
"I just wish I would have stayed in hiding instead of trying to get my final blow," Rose hugged herself. "Without Ben, there's really nothing worth staying in the kingdom for." Carlos opened his mouth to retort, but then the dark grey stone castle caught his eye. He felt his heart pinch. Evie was close. He could feel it.
It would be his third time going into the castle. It was a bittersweet place in his mind. He had been trapped down with a talking mirror, fighting to find her. But once he did find her, it was where they proclaimed their love for each other. It also what Carlos thought was where they had their first kiss, but in reality, Evie had erased it from his mind. But all was forgiven once he realized there would be many more kisses to remember in the future.
He didn't even realize everyone turned to stare at him as he walked towards the door. They stopped in their tracks and made a path for him. He felt his heart beat in his ears. Carlos reached out and brushed the wooden door with his fingers. "I'm coming Evie." Carlos said as he put his fingers on the door knob, but then froze. Many thoughts of doubt tortured his mind.
He then felt a hand on his back. Expecting it to be Rose, Carlos turned to see it was Jane. He looked at her questionably. "She's waiting for you Carlos, and we're here to support you." Carlos managed to grin. He had always felt bad for the way he had let things go with Jane, but now he thought they actually had a shot of going back to being good friends. Jane returned his expression.
Carlos took a deep breath and opened the door. Silently, the door swung open. Carlos didn't know what he was expecting, but not for everything to be calm and still. They journey through the dark tunnel, and when they were about halfway through, the door slammed. The group gasped and turned to the closed opening. They were now completely in the dark. It was getting colder by the moment.
"I got this," Mal said after a moment. She snapped her fingers, and a small green flame appeared. As she opened her hand, the flame grew. Carlos didn't like the dim light flashing on the brick. Something was waiting for the them. They just didn't know where it was or when it would attack. Carlos could feel the hair raise on the back of his neck as he heard a distant call.
"What's that?" Celia asked in a scared voice. She was clutching onto Jay. He didn't mind, because he was slightly scared himself. They all stayed huddled together as they tried to detect the sound.
There was a small yell behind them. A wind gust blew Uma's hair of her shoulders. She didn't make a sound, but grabbed Harry's arm. He looked at her before feeling the chilling wind himself. He then raised his arm and grabbed Uma's hand. At first, she didn't acknowledge his sudden hand hold, but then there was a scream echoing around their ears. Uma interlaced her fingers with Harry's. She also grabbed his arm with her other hand.
"Did you really think it would be that easy," Audrey's voice taunted. Mal tensed. She hoped Audrey wasn't here. That this was just a set up for anyone who came in. Her fire extinguished when she heard the cackle. It sounded just like her mother's. A light flickered down at the end of the tunnel. The group began to run towards it. Then, the ground began to shift under their feet. Mal hit the ground along with Jane and Ben.
The other's were struggling with the waves. Gil, Celia, and Jay all gave into it, but Carlos stayed determined. He couldn't see where Rose was, but Uma and Harry were still keeping their balance. The waving had stopped, and everyone helped each other back on their feet. The light was still at the end of the tunnel, but it was different know, it was getting closer by itself.
When it roared, Carlos knew they were in trouble. "Uh, Mal," Jay said as he helped Celia up. "It might be nice you could un. Do some magic." Mal gasped at the sight. A dragon made of green fire was coming towards them. She shot fireballs at it, but it didn't work. She even tried to use the ember's powers, but the dragon drew closer. Uma tried using her shell, but it was no use. Audrey's powers were getting stronger now.
"Run!" Celia called. Everyone turned and darted, except the wall was right behind them now. There was no where to go. They all turned to face their fate. Mal held onto ben for dear life. Carlos felt a tear roll down his cheek. This was it. There was nothing left to do.
That's when they heard the sword. Carlos looked in the dim light to see Rose running towards the dragon to meet it. "Rose no!" Carlos called, but she didn't listen. She was only feet from the dragon when she jumped in the air and plunged the sword deep in the brick. It cracked, and the sword sent a shock through the walls. The brick's vibrated as the dragon crashed into the sword.
With one final roar, the green fire creature had vanished. The halls had become still again. Everyone caught their breath as the usual torches lit themselves. Rose had saved them, again. Uma had let go of Harry's hand awkwardly and tucked a braid behind her ear. Harry cleared his throat and turned away, but not before stealing a glance at the blushing sea witch.
Carlos looked to Rose, she was still kneeling with the sword in her hands. It was still wedged in the brick. He looked to Ben, who wasn't even paying attention to her. Carlos didn't know what would happened between the siblings, but he knew one thing, he would at least be there for Rose. He ran up to her and noticed a tear had fallen down her cheek. She was breathing deeply as she leaned her head against the cool blade.
That's when Carlos noticed the purple veins creeping out from under the cuffs. He knelt down beside her. "Rose, did you use magic?" Carlos ask while placing a hand on her shoulder. Her body tensed to his touch, but she didn't flinch away. He brushed his thumb over the veins, they weren't pulsing, but just marks. Carlos wondered if they were their the whole time.
"Its just the magic build up," Rose shook her head. "I've had them before. They'll go away after a while. I hope anyway.? Her voce was raspy and quiet. There was something going on in that mind of hers, but he decided not to push it. "Let's go find Evie." She said after a moment. Carlos helped her to her feet. She then drug the sword from the brick.
No one had even thanked her, but Rose didn't need their approval. Rose was only protecting Carlos anyway. She didn't really care about anyone else anymore. That's what she told herself anyway. Deep down, she longed to have them all as her friends, to build trust with them, and to just get along. But Rose knew that would be too much to aske for. It was just something she would deal with all of her life. That's why she's better off alone.
They had made it to the throne room, but Evie wasn't there. "Alright," Mal instructed. "Lets spilt up and search the castle. I know I said we're doing this together, but I think we can just cover more ground. Ben, Celia, and Jane, come with me. I trust the rest of you would prefer to go alone." Nobody objected to the plan, so they all disbursed.
Jay and Gil search the old planning room. Jay had never seen it, but it was much bigger than he had expected. The figures had been knocked over, but they still were crowed around the popup of the castle. Jay looked on the map to see where the final of R.O.A.R was being played. How he missed Lonnie. His heart ached thinking about her. He wondered if she was safely asleep, or turned to stone.
"It funny to see how Rose thought of Auradon as a game board," Gil said in a low voice.
"It really is a game isn't it," Jay didn't take his eyes of the board.
"You're not referring to the board are you?" Gil said after a period of silence.
"No," Jay shook his head. "I've got a girl on my mind."
"The one that's really good with the swords," Gil recalled. "She's dangerous."
"Yeah," Jay laughed a little. "She really is."
"Where is she anyway?" Gil asked. "Rose had said something, but you never answered. Did something happen?"
Jay wondered if should let Gil into his thoughts, but he did need to share with somebody. He felt the sword necklace he planned to give to her. "I just really wonder if we're going to make through. You know, college and stuff. She's going to train to be a knight, but I just don't know what I want to do with my future."
"Take a break like I said before," Gil shrugged. "You can still work long distance. Hey, if you're meant to be with her, you'll make it through. You've got plenty of time to figure out what you want to do." Jay thought about it. He loved Lonnie so much, maybe it was enough for them to pull through. They could still be apart and be together. It gave him hope.
"You know you're actually pretty smart," Jay nodded.
"I wouldn't go that far," Gil held up his hands before laughing. Jay smiled. He felt much better now then he had all weak.
Mal, Ben, Celia, and Jane all were upstairs. They were looking in rooms. Celia and Jane were running between doors, but Mal lead Ben into Evie's old room. The balcony looked over a beautiful woods. They stood there for a moment. "You know we have to talk." Mal said suddenly.
"What is it with you in balconies? You only want to talk when we're just enjoying this sight.
"I just wanted to be away from Jane and Celia," Mal shook her head. "Its doesn't matter, because you knew this was coming. How could insult Evie like that? Treating her like she didn't even matter if we go t her or not."
"I want to save my kingdom," Ben snapped. Mal was surprised it was so soon. "The longer we take here the longer its going to take to find Audrey. The longer it takes to find Audrey the stronger her power grows."
"But what about Rose?" Mal asked. "I thought you weren't mad at her."
"Well I'm sick and tired of around and around in these dumb circles," Ben shook his head. "She doesn't want to be here anyway. She just wants her power back."
"Maybe that's true," Mal shrugged. "Or maybe she wants to redeem herself and hope to prove herself to you. Why else would she still be here?"
"Lets see how long that'll last," Ben didn't look at her. "I bet Rose will run out on any moment she can. She never stayed anywhere too long, and you and I can both agree on that." He straightened and walked back inside the castle. Mal was so confused. She didn't know what to do. Her team was torn apart. She was torn between the truth and trust.
If only I knew what my heart was telling me
Don't know what I'm feeling
Is this just a dream?
"If only," Mal whispered. She sighed before turning and continuing the search for Evie.
Harry and Uma traveled along secret stair case. It started in the throne room, but Uma never knew where it had led. Harry kept right on her footsteps. She tried to keep it together. Ever since she had kissed him, Uma has been wondering what if really meant. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe Harry wasn't really spelled. If he wasn't then he just woke up to a kiss, not her kiss.
"Uma," Harry called, but she was lost in thought. "Uma!" Harry grabbed her arm. She turned to him. He was a stair above her. "You need to slow down. What is it with you lately?"
"What do you mean?" Uma played dumb. She hoped her thoughts weren't obvious.
"You've just been acting so out of the zone. I know this whole thing is strange, but you usually don't crack like this," Harry looked her straight in the eyes. "Talk to me. What's bothering you?" She wished she had the courage to tell him everything, but she didn't even know what to say. How could she explain to him that they had true love's first kiss, when they used to think that stuff was impossible.
"Nothing. You've just been acting strange ever since you were put under the spell." Uma tried to turn, but Harry grabbed her arm again. She turned her face to his. His face looked smooth in the dim fire light. Uma looked at his lips before looking back up into his eyes. Their faces were very close.
"Because it was strange," Harry said. His breath reflected off of her skin. "I had a dream and I just.."
"Well?" Uma asked in a soft voice. That's when Harry leaned into her, and gently pressed his lips against her own. At first she was taken aback, but then she let herself close her eyes for only a moment. Instinctively, Uma pushed Harry off her before she could kiss back. "What are you doing?"
"Well in my dream you," Harry trailed off for a moment. "Kissed me." She sighed. It was time to tell the truth. A warm feeling lingered inside her chest.
"It wasn't-" Uma got cut off by the sudden yell. She recognized it to be Carlos' "We better go." Uma ran past Harry and back up the stairs. Harry stood there for a moment, but then followed.
Carlos had found the brick. The brick with the heart shape necklace imprint in it. He knew that Evie was here. He could feel it in his heart. He yelled for everybody. Carlos' call echoed around the castle. Getting everybody's attention, they all hurried to him. He kept yelling until everyone was at his side. Gil and Jay first, then Harry and Uma. The two were very far apart. He called Mal on his phone. They would get Evie out of there. Then the group of four found them. They all circled the engraved brick.
Rose was the last to arrive, but no one seemed to notice or care. She walked up slowly to the group. The only one who noticed her was Ben. His expression didn't change as he turned back to Carlos. Rose felt her heart sink a little. She thought after the whole dragon thing she would at least get a little more credit. "How are we supposed to know she under there?" Mal asked.
"We went down there before," Jay looked at Carlos. "I remember you put the necklace in it and it opened."
"That's the problem," Carlos crossed his arms. "I don't have the necklace." mal rolled up her jacket sleeves.
"Let give it a try," Mal breathed in before holding hands.
"Don't waste your magic," Rose said from behind the group. Everyone turned to her. She had her arms folded.
"How do you know it won't work?" Jane asked.
"I was the one that renovated this place," Rose drew her sword. "I built it special so dark magic wouldn't work on it."
"You expect us to release you from your cuffs?" Ben raised his eye brow.
"Just step aside," Rose didn't even look at Ben. Everyone took a step back, eyes on her. She took out the sword of enchantment. Its blade was unbroken from its last use, she wondered if it would after this one. She took a deep breath and tried to summon magic. Her vein's withdrawal was more painful than the last, but Rose raised the sword, and stabbed it into the brick.
The blade broke through the brick. Rose twisted with all of her power she had left. She clenched her teeth through the burning pain in her wrists. The bricks then drawled back and opened up. Rose removed the sword and sunk back as everyone gathered around the opening. Shoulders brushed her own until she finally stumbled back and fell down onto the floor. The sword made a clatter beside her. The room felt as if it was spinning.
"Evie?!" Carlos called. His heart pounded loudly. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
"Ca-Carlos?" a shaky voice called. Everyone gasped. She was alive. A chill ran up his spine as these words were spoken. Carlos could feel tears in his eyes as he jumped down through the hole. When he landed on the floor, he noticed how much colder it was down here. He looked at the mirror. The one that used to torment them all. It reflected a soft light. "Down here." Evie's voice called.
Carlos turned around. There sitting on the floor curled up in a ball, was Evie. Carlos felt his heart melt. He ran to her and wrapped his arms around her. She hesitated, but then wrapped her arms around him too. Evie was shaking. "Is this real?" Evie asked after moment.
Carlos pulled back and brushed his thumb over her tear streamed face. "Yes. I finally found you. You're safe." They hugged again. Carlos let his tears fall down his cheeks. Evie continued to shiver, so he took off his jacket and pulled it around her.
"You said you would never let me get taken again," Evie cried. "And you held up." Carlos smiled.
"I love you," Carlos whispered.
"I love you too," Evie whispered before she pulled him to her. The reunited couple kissed passionately for only a moment. Carlos held her tight as they embraced again. He finally had her back. His heart had returned to him.
"Let's get out of here," Carlos helped Evie up. Mal had made them a stairway with her magic. They climbed the stairs to meet everyone's smiling faces.
"E!" Mal threw her arms around the blue haired princess. In the light, Evie looked weak. She must've been fed somehow, otherwise she would have died. Carlos felt grateful she as back. While everyone was getting their turn to reunite with Evie, Carlos looked around to see where Rose was standing. Where she was sitting moments before, was now unoccupied. The sword was gone from its lay too. She was gone.