Gil frowns as his eyes sweep over the cove for what felt like the hundredth time. They'd checked the beach nearly every day since the Core Four, maybe five- His eyes soften sadly- possibly six had up and been taken to Auradon.

And every time he checked he hoped he'd find their little Treasure hiding here. And every time he was painfully disappointed.

T definitely would have shown up with news by now… Right? He knew T had been a little off lately, but in his heart he knew he could trust T. Could trust that T would always come back to them. Trust that T would never keep them in the dark on purpose. Off or not, that just wasn't the type of person T was.

Were they searching in vain for their Shadow? Maybe they were wrong about T being pissed about being sent to Auradon. T had always supported Deez's writing, for as long as he'd known him. Had even risked the Dragon's wrath when she'd stopped writing. There was a chance that T would've viewed it as an adventure. Or a challenge- But. He sighs. He knew T would be worried about fucking it up for the others. He wouldn't have wanted to be in the first group. He'd want to be in the last. After all, for as much as Deez was an advocate for everyone, T viewed himself as the isle's protector.

Or, he frowns, would T have wanted to go with the Rottens to make sure they'd be okay? The summons had been completely out of the blue. There was a chance it was a trap. Or at least T might have viewed it as a trap. And if he thought for a moment C or E were in danger, he'd do anything in his power to protect them. He knew that in his soul.

T'd always enjoyed being called a Ghost, but was that what they were searching for? A ghost of a shadow?

But Deez?

Deez would never willingly leave them. And according to T, wouldn't have been a part of the Rotten gang at that point anyway. T'd told them as much the night of the Howler.

He knew she'd want to get to them if she was still here. And she was still here. Of that, he had no doubt of. There wasn't a scorch mark to be seen. And not a single witness that mentioned her fire. No. They all just said the entire gang left in the long car.

But who the hell was in the gang when they'd left? He groans as he drags a hand down his face. What a mess.

He knew, just knew Deez would want to reach them. Desperately even. But she wouldn't be able to make it past the docks. His heart squeezes painfully. So where was she waiting? Because she had to be waiting for them. Nothing else made any kind of sense.

He sighs deeply. Her being here, waiting for him with her scared big blue eyes, was the only thing that made sense. His brow furrows. This was where she should be, where they always got to meet up. Always got to be together.

But she definitely wasn't here and hadn't been here yet. Was there a reason she wasn't able to get here? Could she not get here? And if that were the case, what was keeping her from getting here?

That didn't leave many places for her to hang out while she waited for them to come and find her.

She had to be so torn up by now. He knew how bad it had affected her not being able to see them, and if she had been torn from the Rottens he knew it was going to throw her world upside down. All over again.

He gulps. Could she have run back home despite everyone wanting her to stay away?

His resolve hardens.

He doubted Harry and Uma would mind him taking an extra hour or two to check out the catacombs, especially if it meant finding their Baby Girl.

His brow furrows. And maybe stop by Freddie's and Dizzy's on the way back. He knew both of their missing family members, and they were family members whether they owned it or not- Often sought out the two of them. Maybe one of them had seen them. Maybe they'd been going about this all wrong.

So, what was another pit stop when none of them could get a good nights sleep without knowing where the two were?

And who better to figure out if they were still here than the isle's lil' fortune teller? He knew he didn't know Cecelia that well, but he was sure if he explained the situation the young girl would be willing to help. Deez and T had done too much for her and her sister through the years for her not too.

With a hopeful grin, he rushes back to the cliffs with newfound energy.

Besides, even if he couldn't find her at the catacombs, Pain and Panic would at least for sure know if she'd been taken or not, right? That would at least take some of the guess-work out of this mess.

Why hadn't he thought of this plan sooner? He frowns. Probably because Harry and Uma's grief and fear had been too loud for him to think. Their plans made sense at the time, but now?

Now he was sure this was the best course of action.

Yensid lifts his brow at the number of goblins standing outside the dilapidated castle. His eyes travel beyond them to the broken door and smashed window.

That was interesting.

Who had the audacity, the courage or folly, to make such a blatant attack against the Mistress of Evil herself? His eyes narrow. Only two names came to mind.

For certain the god of the underworld would. He didn't doubt that for a second. Especially if Maleficent had summoned his daughter without his say so or consent.

The other was, most unfortunately T.

So, what had happened here?

If it had been T, was this why she wanted Deez? To keep the boy at bay?

He tosses out the thought almost immediately.

The Mistress of Evil would never rely on a… Thirteen-Fourteen- It bothered him that he didn't even know her age- Young teen for protection. Especially from a… He'd never seen T without his hood. But he could only guess the physical girl was around sixteen or seventeen by her height. Which had always thrown him off anyway. Most of the females he taught around that age were much shorter. He shakes his head as he continues walking.

If Maleficient was foolish enough to believe that a few extra goblins would stop T from attacking her- Well, hopefully someone who'd managed to remain the leader of an isle of villains for so long wouldn't be that idiotic.

And if it had been Hades that would be an interesting development. Unless he'd thought his daughter had actually been shipped to Auradon with the others of course. Deez never spoke of it directly with him, but he'd gotten the feeling over the years that the god kept her around as a means to free himself of the barrier.

It didn't matter. He was ending this summons. Deez had enough on her plate without another favor, and if he were being honest with himself… He needed this too. It felt so… relieving to know he could finally do something for one of his young pupils.

He'd been conflicted over it for the last several months. To step in or not. But now? Now he wished he'd stepped in sooner. Stepped up. It had always been clear to him that, especially the three that sought him out, each had their own problems at home. But he'd never dared to ask for fear they'd run and never come back.

Still, it had been a fair assumption and he'd never once offered any of them asylum.

Except the night T had pounded on his door… But he should've done more than just yell out. It was something he'd been regretting.

With Deez's confirmation that T was on the isle, and hadn't found her yet- It left a pit in his stomach. The boy had been acting erratic and more reckless than ever in the last few weeks. What if something bad was happening right now? Something he could've prevented if he'd gone with his instincts instead of an oath he'd made to himself nearly fifteen years ago?

But this was something he could do. Right now. The first of hopefully ways to make up for the actions he'd been remiss with.

Maleficent owed him. Had since he'd entered the barrier. He easily could've dethroned her and she knew it. He had years on her and a fair bit of magic on his side. And it was no secret to anyone on the isle that he'd always been in a grey area.

He'd never touched on the favors the woman owed him. Had never really found the need too. But now he would be calling them in. At least one of them anyway. It was the least he could do.

One goblin stood out among the rest as he makes it closer to the broken door. This one stared him down instead of running around in a panic. His sharp tusks and stout nose marked him as a boarish, which made sense with his stoutness and resolve.

He tilts his head when he notices the colorful glass bobbles around his neck.

"Wizard here to speak with Mistress, yes?"

His eyes widen slightly. They could talk? After Maleficent's culling? And surprisingly well. "Yes, I am." He informs the goblin with a sense of curiosity. He'd been absolutely certain the most they could do was grunt. Interesting.

"Follow Irk then." He nods.

"Of course." Yensid tucks his arms in his robes, looking for all the world unconcerned to be surrounded by enemies and walking further into the enemy's territory.

So this was Irk. The Irk Deez said warned her about Maleficent's summons. He'd wondered who had been brave enough to warn her. Of course the girl would fail to think his being a Goblin was of note. He tilts his chin down to hide a smile. That was very typical of her to not be judgmental like that.

Irk turns to his fellow goblins, "We no match for wizard, Mistress handle."

Many of the goblins let out sighs of relief before they form a line to the door.

"Thank you Irk. This makes things much easier." Yensid responds genuinely. It wasn't that he couldn't easily take care of them. It just would've consumed more of his time, and he'd rather be back before Deez awoke.

"Only truth." The goblin shrugs as he walks, "Irk think Irk know why wizard here."

He follows Irk into the foyer, and then into the dilapidated throne room.

"What the hell are you doing here you old coot?" Maleficent greets coldly.

"Calling in one of my favors." He says, getting straight to the point.

Maleficent dramatically rubs her fingers over her forehead, "It's been a very trying couple of days. Make an appointment and come back then." She rolls her eyes before she waves him off and turns.

"So…" Yensid can't help his smile, "Someone did get under your skin."

"Not that it's any of your concern old man." Maleficent glares as she turns back to him, her eyes glowing a vibrant green.

"Wouldn't have been a certain shadow under your employ?"

"Does everyone on this damn isle know that fucking fly?" She presses her fingers to her temple before she snorts and rolls her eyes, "Clearly there was some false advertising in his proposal spiel."

Yensid quirks a brow, "Yes, well he is pretty good at what he does. He only came to me for knowledge, but the information he sought spoke volumes about him." He clears his throat. "I heard he escaped. How… Unfortunate for you." He chuckles, nothing about it light. In any other circumstances, he would've found this entertaining. Especially now that he knew so much about T and his counterpart.

"Laugh it up, old man. I'm not as powerless as you think."

"Speaking of that favor."

"Speaking of that appointment." Maleficent counters with a falsely bright voice.

"That's not how these things work my dear evil one. It's been years, but our deal still stands."

"Exactly, it's been years, what's one more damn day?" Maleficent turns away once more and starts walking off.

"It has come to my attention that you are seeking another one of my pupils."

Maleficent's back straightens out as she pauses, "Oh? And which pupil would that be?"

"Don't play coy with me." Yensid's eyes harden, "Drop the summons."

"What summons?" Maleficent blinks innocently as she turns to stare him down, "I have no idea what you're blathering on about."

"Drop it," Yensid demands harshly, "Or I won't try to stand between the young shadow and yourself."

"You'd stand between me and a shadow? Really?" She snorts, "What, out of the kindness of your heart? Puh-leease." She snorts again, "We all know that heart dried up long ago, no matter how much you try to play at mentor. You might fool these little brats, but I know the truth."

"I'd hardly do it for you alone." Yensid glares, "I'd hate for him to bite off more than he could chew. I doubt he understands that if he takes you out he'd be in charge of the isle, and I happen to know he prefers to stay in the shadows." His chuckle dry. But when T came back from the shadows, that would be a point worth mentioning. He did not doubt that after these last few slights and Mal's absence T wouldn't hesitate to do something drastic.

"Okay. Say I am worried about a shadowy mutual something or other of ours." Maleficent shrugs as she puts a hand on her hip, "I still don't know who you believe I have summoned."

Yensid's eyes harden. "Your collateral." It wasn't hard to guess why she was summoning Deez now.

Maleficent tilts her head to the side, "So everyone cares about that damn firebrat now?" She snorts, "What the hell is wrong with this generation? You do your best to teach them to take only what they need and yet they still form idiotic attachments." She glares at him, "What the hell have you been teaching them?"

"I've simply taught them to use what's between their ears." Yensid shrugs, "And now they're old enough to have finally realized the boogeyman under their beds are no more than that. Perhaps the rest of you should have realized they'd eventually grow older and become stronger than yourselves eventually. Fear can only get you so far."

Maleficent giggles, the sound rolling between a high tinkling laugh and a low snort, "You're not serious. Oh, that's rich."

"Kindness goes further than malicious intentions." Yensid shrugs, clearly unconcerned about her opinion on the matter. "Twenty years here and you still haven't learned that. What a waste of a brilliant mind." He shakes his head in disappointment. "I'd thought your bitterness would've faded through the years, but the isle seems to have intensified it. Still, it's such a basic principle. You catch more flies with honey."

"Thanks, grandpa for those weird nuggets of wisdom." Maleficent rolls her eyes.

"Drop the summons. Or T won't be the only thing you're cowering from." He turns and starts walking out. "Careful. Times are changing as this generation grows bolder with age. Your daughter may have saved you from him before, but she's no longer here to keep him at bay."

Maleficent laughs bitterly, "You know, I've had just about enough of that stupid little firebrat. I mean her father, I guess I can understand. He's got all those damn plans for her, but now you? What makes her so fucking special?"

So Hades had stopped by then. That was interesting in its own right.

"I expect this to be a non-issue by the morning. Don't make me come back." Yensid doesn't even bother to turn around. "As for what makes the girl special, or any of them special really, I'm afraid that information would just be lost on you."

"How did you find out about the search for the little gem then?"

Yensid smiles as he turns to boldly face her, "She did. After all, she's staying with me as my guest."

Maleficent's eyes widen slightly.

"So keep that in mind before more goblins and minions get fried. Again."

"Get out!" Maleficent shrieks at him, as she points to the exit in emphasis.

"With pleasure." He bows to her before taking his leave. The deed was done. Now he just had to get home and check on her before trying to get a message out to let her family know she was safe. Safe, and they were of course invited to see her.

Frollo stands on the pulpit, watching his small flock as they dispersed after his midnight mass.

If only he could find worthy acolytes and lesser priests to run some of these sermons. Having to journey back and forth between his duties to the church and his saving of Faustina's eternal soul was taxing.

With a heavy sigh he closes the elaborately decorated Bible on the stand, resting his hand on it as if he could absorb the guidance he was seeking.

But he'd learned long ago that sometimes you have to make your own guidance, especially when one knew they were already damned.

He drums his fingers idly across the gold embossed cover. Whatever was wrong with Faustina, he'd figure it out and fix it later. He would get his beautiful little fortunate one back. Just the thought of her hair the color of night and her eyes green as sin made his skin goosebump.

For now, the explanation that the Daughter of Hades had infected her with a demon was good enough for him. He knew the old ways of the inquisition and knew the ways the church once endorsed the exorcism of evil.

He could work with that for now. He would find salvation for her soul.

Hiya bitches!

So, what'cha guys think?

What'd ya think about Gil's solo-hunt?

Poor thing is just as desperate as the rest of his family to find their two missing members. I know it's rare we do just Gil scenes, but it was nice to demonstrate how he thinks when he's by himself when push comes to shove. I personally hate one dimensional characters and spent a lot of time thinking about how to keep him in line with the movie version while still adding some depth and intelligence. Why else would Uma and Harry keep him around if he was such a bumbling idiot? So the fact that he's been so well received has been nothing but a source of pride and joy for me. Thank you guys!

And what about his ideas of how to find the two? I mean, even if they don't pan out they were certainly clever right?

The scene between Yensid and the M.o.E had us laughing. She is just so done with everyone's bullshit when it comes to them protecting Deez. And being called out for being afraid of a teenager.

What do you guys think of the interaction?

And just for funsies who do you think would win in a fight between Yensid and Maleficent? I've never actually watched Fantasia so I'm genuinely curious to hear your thoughts…

Anyone find the scene with Frollo incredibly foreboding? Was anyone expecting any less when you guys figured/found out that's who T's OV was?

Honestly I suck ass at writing villains, it's hard for me to get into that kind of mindset. I have to have a very, let's go with strict, way of viewing life or I'd be fucked as would the people around me. It's one of the reasons I'd never be able to write solo. Dark on the other hand can hard core dive into that shit and come out still all sunshine and daisies. I know, I know I keep giving her shout outs, but she'd just so dope at making my skin crawl when she's one of the sweetest people I've ever met- so I really can't help myself.

On that note…

Let us know

In the comments below

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted-