A Dangerous Secret
Not only are worlds connected, but there are also worlds within worlds. Separate, yet still united. The castle where the Dark Masters resided was not entirely its own world, but was still connected to the worlds they came from. It was filled with darkness inside and out, giving it a look of gloom and often intimidating anyone who would happen to come across the place. Inside, it was cold and dark and the only light came from a few torches that hung on the walls. It was also well defined with a few castle decorations and grotesque statues of monsters and gargoyles.
There was only one Dark Master in absolute authority and right now, she had the entire castle all to herself. Maleficent stood alone in the tower as though she were monitoring any activity that was going on. Servants were going about their duties around the castle and guards were on the lookout for any intruders as they were on patrol. Some lesser villains were even going about with their petty ways. Maleficent had been waiting to hear from her comrades if there was anything new regarding the Heroes of Millennia. They rarely had meetings that were planned or consistent, but Maleficent didn't want to be unaware of anything that was going on in her world or her comrades'.
Having spent enough time in the tower in her section of the castle, Maleficent returned to the throne room. There rested four thrones, one for each Dark Master. At that moment, Hades arrived. "Maleficent, how nice to see you. You're looking as lovely as ever."
She gave a wry smile. "Is there nothing you can do besides flatter others?"
"Aw, come on, we're all pals here, aren't we?" Although Hades was a Dark Master, he still had his duties as the Lord of the Dead and ruler of the Underworld, but he was still able to come to the castle regularly. Other than that, even he needed to get away and have a little fun once in a while and that was why he often went to the mortal world. "So, any news regarding the Heroes of Millennia?"
"Not yet," Maleficent answered. "I've been waiting to hear from Frollo."
"I shouldn't be surprised if he was having any trouble," Jafar said, coming to the throne room. "He may be a Dark Master, but he's still a petty mortal. I only hope nothing has happened to him."
Hades sat down in his throne. "Come on, they're just kids. Still, I'd like to see what they're capable of. I mean, Frollo shouldn't be the only one having all the fun."
"Our time will come," Maleficent promised. "Even I'm looking forward to it. We've never faced the Heroes of Millennia before, but they've never faced the Dark Masters before either."
They all grinned evilly. Hades heard a sound and looked and saw the last Dark Master coming to the room. "Well, speak of the devil, here he comes now."
"Frollo," Jafar was saying, "we were beginning to worry about you."
"So how'd it all go?" Hades asked.
The minister turned to his comrades. "Not like I planned it would. I was able to capture the Heroes of Millennia and keep them in the Palace of Justice. I was going to bring them here to this castle, but there were a few, shall we say, complications." And he began telling the story of what happened.
Maleficent wasn't surprised to hear that Frollo wasn't able to make the Heroes of Millennia prisoners of the Dark Masters. At the same time, she was glad things turned out the way they did. "I didn't expect you deal with them so soon," she told him. "But knowing that those warriors are still alive, that means the rest of us have a chance at facing them. And you should be grateful you were able to come back alive."
He was grateful to be alive. But he couldn't see the positives of all that went on. Rather than join his comrades and take his seat at his throne, he went to one of the upper levels.
Jafar and Hades followed. "Things could have been worse, you know," Hades told Frollo.
But the minister didn't want to hear it. "Those children insulted me and tried to manipulate me with their lies. Even the princess. Even now, she still torments me with her words." He held the same feather in his hand. "She claims I don't know anything about love and she pities me, but her words are lies."
Jafar sighed, leaning his back against the wall. "Well, you are rather pathetic." Frollo turned and looked at him, but Jafar added, "But I have to say, I envy you." Frollo looked at him in confusion. "You, my friend, have no idea how incredibly lucky you are. You're the first of the Dark Masters to take on the legendary warriors of Millennia and you can live to tell about it."
Hades agreed. "He's right. This should be something of a celebration."
"There is nothing to celebrate," Frollo argued. "I wasn't able to bring those children to this castle."
"Hey, there's always next time," Hades told him. "Even you know you're going to see those kids again."
"And who knows?" Jafar asked. "They may even come to our worlds and we may get to face them."
"And then you'll have the pleasure of tormenting me and ridiculing me," Frollo added. He forced a small grin. "But if you don't fare any better than me, don't be surprised when I'm the one laughing at you."
The two villains growled. "Oh, yeah?" Hades challenged. "I bet you I can coax those kids to come to this castle."
"But they'll have to come to your world first," Jafar reminded him. "That is, if they don't come to my world before that happens."
Rather than start a challenge with Jafar, Hades decided to change the mood. "Well, I say for now, we celebrate Frollo's encounter with Millennia's warriors." He placed his arm over the minister's shoulder. "Come on, let's head to the banquet hall. Have a few drinks, torment the lesser villains and boast about your battle."
Frollo released himself and snarled, "Listen to me. What transpired in my world between me and those children, I want it to stay between us Dark Masters. Understand?" It wasn't that he was afraid of being ridiculed and scorned by the lesser villains, but he didn't want word to get out to the wrong people.
That was when Maleficent came by. "I am in agreement." Her comrades looked at her. "Anything regarding the Heroes of Millennia will be our little secret. Trust me when I say it's for our own protection. We don't want to give anyone any ideas that those children may be their salvation from the Dark Masters. And besides, I'd really much rather not start an unnecessary war."
So the Dark Masters made a pact to keep anything regarding the Heroes of Millennia amongst themselves and not let anyone else know.
Frollo retired himself to his chambers in the castle. Although Jafar and Hades insisted that he should join them, he wasn't in the mood. As the minister lied in his bed, he continued fiddling with the feather in his hand and Emily's words continued to echo in his head. He knew one day, he'd see the Heroes of Millennia again, and when he would, he would be ready for another battle.
