Hey Descendants!

We're back with another update!

So many of our readers across the sites we post on were so happy with Gil's thought process in the last chapter, so thankfully we get to see the fruit of his labor.

You ready?

Lots of Love!

-Dark-

Gil pats his leg rhythmically as he sits on the strange doorstep. He had to trust that the imps brought him to the right place. He hadn't even considered that she might go to her favorite teacher's house. So as much as it killed him to wait, he wasn't leaving until the man opened the door and he was able to ask if Deez was here.

He just had to keep moving to stay warm.

"We are unsure why the old wizard is not answering young sir." Pain paces the street in front of the stoop.

"Yes yes, young sir. Please do not be angry with us." Panic inches closer to Gil with his tail held in his hands, twisting it nervously.

"What?" Gil looks up in confusion, "No. I'm not angry with you guys… I'm just worried about Deez. You're sure she didn't get taken, right?" He asks looking at the two imps hopefully.

"We felt her energy only a little while ago." Panic assures him with a small pat to his shin.

"And you said her gang was taken to Auradon days ago." Pain reminds him.

"The master was also very upset when he thought she'd been taken." Panic soothes.

"But he came back to the temple looking very relieved after talking to Maleficent."

"He uh-" Panic swallows, "He thought something was going to be fun to watch."

Gil scratches the back of his head as he tries to figure out what he should be more upset about. The fact Deez was still with them? Or the fact that she hadn't achieved her dream of going to Auradon.

It was conflicting.

"Thank you, guys." He smiles at the two of them. He wasn't sure why he didn't think of going to the catacombs sooner, but he was glad he did. They never would have thought about looking for Yensid- Let alone know where to find him. Unless they had been willing to risk going to the school to talk to him. Which, he would have.

What worried him though was the imps' reactions. He was grateful that they had found him so quickly. He hated going into her childhood home. It always felt so confining. Like he couldn't breathe. It had been clear Pain and Panic were also concerned about her and had happily brought him to the run-down house the old wizard called home.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't feeling apprehensive about meeting the man for the first time by himself.

The way Deez, T, and Carlos had talked about him… It was overwhelming. He was glad the imps stuck around. It was weird that he felt small when he knew he'd gotten so strong over the last couple of months. But when it came to intelligence he knew was painfully inadequate, regardless of what his family and friends tried to tell him.

"I could try to knock again young sir, if it would please the friend of the Mistress." Panic offers as he scurries to the door before throwing his whole body against it.

"Yes young sir, we can knock again." Pain adds before he starts doing the same.

The two squeak and wail in pain as they continue to throw themselves against the door over and over again before he overcomes his shock and grabs them by their tails.

He cringes as he pulls them away from the door. "Please stop. Deez hates when you do this type of thing." He totally could understand why. "Hurting yourselves isn't going to help or speed up finding her."

"Our Mistress is such a kind Mistress." Panic nods before he fiddles with his tail.

"Very tender-hearted." Pain adds as he lays on his stomach and looks up at him.

"She is the sweetest person I know." Gil smiles. "Now, please breathe. I'm not even sure Yensid is home, it's not worth hurting yourselves. And I don't want us to damage his door or anything. We're asking him for the favor, remember? So..." He pats the spot next to him in invitation.

He racks his brain for a way to distract them before he remembers T mentioning something about them loving to talk about Deez. He smiles. "So, what got Deez to start writing?" He realized he'd never asked her, even though he'd always been curious. She'd been writing since before he could remember.

Pain and Panic both shoot up excitedly, talking over each other before they freeze comically. They blink a few times before they look at each other and nod.

"She was always a curious baby." Pain starts with a smile as he takes a seat on Gil's left.

"She picked up a stone one time, we thought she was going to choke on it again-" Panic presses his fingers to his temples, the memory clearly giving him anxiety all over again.

Gil looks between them in concern. Deez had teethed on stone? He blinks, grimacing slightly. He supposed there were worse things she could have teethed on in the tombs.

"But she didn't." Pain interrupts with a grin, "She started scratching it across the floor."

"It was like watching her see the outside the first time, seeing the lines on the ground." Panic smile, "We taught her how to write her name because she was so happy and giggly when we would make shapes for her."

Gil chuckles, "Really young then." He smiles.

Of course, even as a toddler Deez would be able to write. Before meeting Carlos he had been certain she was the smartest person on the isle. Not that she wasn't brilliant. She definitely was. Carlos was just- Carlos. He grimaces. The loss of his friend still stung. But, he was genuinely happy he'd gotten away from his mother once and for all.

It was a weird place to be.

"But I think Master Yensid is the biggest reason she started to focus on her writing though." Pain adds thoughtfully.

"Yeah yeah yeah, I definitely remember her coming home from school all excited because a teacher didn't hate her for her fire."

"We were surprised to hear it because we'd been told by many she was a nuisance at the school and the villains didn't want her there."

"She's always loved writing down the stories we told her, but after that, she started writing about everything. She made up stories for all the remains of mortals in the catacombs and wrote those down too."

Gil can't help his small smile. It was a bit morbid, but so very much Deez. Of course, she'd write stories for the dead.

"She asked everyone to tell her their story. And on the rare occasion that they did, she wrote it all down."

"She used to cry a lot until we figured out that she could write in stone."

"I mean, she was carving stories all over the floors and walls, I don't know why we didn't think of it sooner."

Gil chuckles, he'd seen a lot of her childhood writing. He just never realized how young she'd been when she wrote them.

Pain and Panic both sigh happily, "Good times."

"Thank you for sharing that." Gil grins between the two of them. He'd hold that story tight. It made him feel warm to know something so important to who she was.

"Of course young sir." Pain nods.

"You are one of the Mistresses' very favorite people." Panic adds with a nervous grin.

"And she's one of mine." Gil smiles. "Thank you both so much for bringing me here. I would've never guessed this shack was where the wizard lived." He couldn't count the number of times he'd passed it unwittingly.

"I like to remain rather inconspicuous."

Gil suddenly jumps to his feet, saluting the man before he could think about it. "Uh- um- Hi?" He awkwardly drops his hand back to his side.

"Master Yensid!" Pain and Panic both greet.

"No wonder he never answered." Pain smacks his forehead.

Yensid grins at the two imps, "It would be hard for me to answer while not at home."

The man's dark eyes move from the two small figures to him, making him shift in discomfort under the shrewd gray eyes.

"You must be Gil." Yensid smiles warmly.

Gil looks up in surprise. "Yeah." He scrambles to hold out his hand, "Pleasure to meet you Master Yensid, sir. C, Deez, and T all speak very highly of you."

"As they do you." Yensid shakes his hand, "I must admit I have been looking forward to meeting you for some time now, The final member of Book Club." He smiles kindly before it falls. "Though I wish it could have been under better circumstances."

"Me too sir…" He rubs the back of his head, "You haven't seen Deez or T have you?" He blurts out before he can stop himself.

"Would you care to come in for tea?" Yensid offers instead of answering.

Gil tilts his head to the side, but the imps make up his mind for him.

"Yes!" They chirp in unison before they push him forward, "Though we must return to the temple to make the master breakfast and pretend to have news from the underworld."

Yensid nods his head in understanding, "Thank you for bringing the young sir, Pain, Panic."

"Yes, sir!"

"Of course, sir."

"If you see the Mistress let her know we miss her."

"But it's okay if she can't come see us."

"Of course." Yensid agrees easily. "If I see her, I will do just that."

The imps nod before they take off.

Yensid claps Gil on his back, "Come, my dear boy."

"Uh… Kay?" Gil follows though his eyes drift back to the imps, wishing they could stay longer. "It doesn't taste like T's tea does it?" He can't help how his face twists in a grimace.

Yensid chuckles as he pulls a stone from his pocket and runs it down the door, "I would imagine not. I have heard some tales about the horridness of a particular dark brew of his with interesting side effects."

"It's nasty, but it works."

Yensid nods and pushes the door open, "Welcome to my-" a scream cuts him off and he suddenly finds himself stumbling into the house as the door slams shut.

"Deez!" His heart skips a beat. He would recognize that scream anywhere. She'd had enough night terrors on the ship to recognize the sound. He runs to her without thought.

He skids to a stop by the couch before instantly scooping her into his arms, taking her seat as he holds her to his chest.

He didn't care even for an instant that she was fighting his hold. He found her! She was okay!

"Sssh Baby Girl, it's okay." Gil coos into her ear. "You're safe. With me and Yensid. It's okay." He murmurs into her hair as he rocks her with no other care for the adult in the room. His whole world had narrowed to just her.

When she finally starts to settle he grins. It was pure bliss to have her calming at his reassurances; relaxing just enough for her to uncoil. His eyes turn glassy when he notices what she'd been curled around, clinging to like a lifeline. Even obscured by her small hands he knew it was the shell he'd carved her. The sight warmed his heart like no fire ever could.

He strokes her blue hair softly. "I've got you Deez. Got you and I ain't letting go." He holds her to his chest tightly, embarrassed to admit his vision was getting blurry. He'd started to think he was never going to see her again. And then to find her, clinging like she was to her necklace, her one tie to them? It soothed something he hadn't even been aware was hurting. She loved them, missed them just as much as they'd missed her.

Yensid stands back and watches curiously with a small smile on his lips. "She showed up earlier today, hiding in the shadows much like our mutual friend. In fact, I first thought she was T, until I noticed her vastly different height."

Gil continues to rock her soothingly, as he looks up at Yensid for the briefest of moments. "T made her start dressing like him," Oh god, was it really only a short few weeks ago? It felt like an eternity since then. "When he brought her to the ship in secret."

"Smart planning, she obviously took to the lesson well." Yensid nods, "It would seem she's been hiding since her gang was taken to Auradon without her."

Gil nods as he absently continues to stroke her hair, smiling when her whimpers finally subside. "Deez has always been smart like that." He hides his face in her hair. He couldn't fight the overwhelming sense of relief he felt at having her back in his arms. And frankly didn't want to. She was back with him. And soon, back with their family. Uma and Harry were going to lose their minds when he came back with their missing treasure.

"Indeed, I think so as well," Yensid looks around the room, "Would you care to stay until she can travel again?"

He bites his lip at the offer. "It'd be better to get her to the ship like this…" He admits after a moment, "Though I really appreciate the offer, sir."

Yensid holds up one hand, "I will respect your decision of course, but please allow me to fully explain her situation."

At his tone, Gil looks up in concern, "Situation sir?"

"The reason she was hiding for so long." Yensid sighs, "As you can tell, she's in rough shape. I barely got her something to eat before she nearly fell asleep on her feet."

Gil lets out a small grunt of disapproval as his eyes drop back to Deez. He looks past the miracle of holding her in his arms again and begins noticing all the signs. The dirt streaked across her face. How tangled and grimy her hair was. The layers of dirt and grit that clung to the oversized hoodie that was swallowing her. The dark circles around her eyes that showed harshly against her usually pure white skin. The clean bandages on her thumbs. Every detail was stranger than the last.

"She's being hunted by Maleficent. She mentioned not being able to get out of town. While I was out I did see the Goblin patrols. But I believe she may have also feared getting anyone involved while she was unsure of what to do."

Gil frowns as he readjusts Deez against his chest. Didn't she understand that they would support and protect her just as much as she did them? "That sounds like our Treasure." He meets the man's gaze. "We've been searching everywhere for her."

"I can only imagine how hard the past couple of days have been for you, your captain and first mate. I imagine it was hard for her to reach out, even to me, had she not been so desperate. I know her thoughts haven't been far from the three of you for many months, and she has been going through quite a lot recently."

Gil leans back on the couch repositioning her to make sure she was comfortable even in her slumber. "We'll take care of her, sir." And of this new attitude of hers.

"Of that, I have no doubt." Yensid smiles warmly

She was theirs now. No ifs, ands, or buts. He holds her closer.

There was no way he'd let her go until she joined them. Harry and Uma might be all about choices, but he'd put his foot down on this one.

Never again. He never wanted to feel the way he had the last couple of days, or see how it affected the rest of their family, ever again.

"You are both protected within these walls, and as you saw earlier, no sound from within can be heard outside. You can wait for her to awaken and I would happily offer you both a meal."

"I really appreciate that sir," He states as respectfully as he could. Did he know about her fear? He shrugs, "But she's terrified of the docks, and is already in a state. I don't want to make it worse, but our family misses her, and it seems cruel to make them wait longer than they have too…"

"I could always deliver a message, or even invite them to join us here until Maleficent rescinds the summons."

Gil chews his lip, "Why would she take back the summons?"

"Because I told her to." Yensid shrugs.

Gil's jaw drops, "You're that powerful?" He blurts out before he can stop himself.

"My dear boy," Yensid presses a hand over his heart, "I am so happy to have another eager mind ask me that."

Gil stares at him in awe for a moment. Yensid might have the confidence to go toe to toe with the isle's leader, but he certainly didn't. Especially with Deez in the condition she was in.

"Sorry, I know it's probably not the wisest decision… But I can't not go back with her now that I've found her… I'd hate it if Uma or Harry did that to me."

"I understand dear boy. You have to reunite your family, and that is commendable." Yensid walks over to a closet and pulls out a bag, "If you don't mind waiting a moment I would like to collect a few things for our young friend that may help her recovery."

Gil nods, "Thank you, sir."

"And I will, of course, accompany you home." Yensid continues as he walks into his kitchen.

Gil opens his mouth to argue before he thinks better of it, instead, he just thanked him again.

"And I would like a promise that you will continue to stop by when you can, you are a most charming young man and I look forward to getting to know you better."

Gil blushes as he looks away, holding Deez closer. His discomfort lessens when she lets out a contented murmur and curls closer to him of her own accord. "That is kind of you to say sir, and an easy deal to make. I'd like to get to know you better as well."

After several moments Yensid walks back into view with the bag hanging from his shoulder, "Ready when you are Gil."

Gil tempers himself to keep from jostling Deez in his excitement. "Lead or follow?" He asks, wanting to know the best way to protect the treasure in his arms. T had been right on the money when he'd marked her hiding place with an X.

Deez was nothing short of a Treasure. Their Treasure.

Yensid taps a finger to his mouth before he pulls a blanket off the couch, "I'll lead the way, but let's get her good and covered first. No need to draw unnecessary eyes."

Gil nods as he takes the offered blanket and, with grace even Yensid was surprised by, easily tucks the girl in without so much as jerking her, before he pulls her hood up. "Can you get her hair?"

Yensid smiles as he assists, tucking the wisps of blues under her hood. "There, you could be carrying stolen goods for all anyone else can tell."

Gil grins at him, "More like stolen Treasure."

Yensid chuckles lightly as he opens the door, allowing the youth to pass him before he locks up.

So,

Short but sweet, amiright?

How did you guys like the story from the imps?

Did Gil and Yen Sid's first meeting go as you had hoped?

Are you as stoked as the rest of the Sea Three will surely be to have D back where she belongs?

Are you biting at the bit to know what's happening to T?

Are you excited to see what happens next?

Let us know

In the comments below!

Much love and appreciation

Twisted

Wanna make it three?

Play nice and review and me and Dark might put up another on Wednesday!

Oh, the good old days where we posted three times a week. *Le sigh* We'll get there eventually guys- (She says hopefully, knowing full well it's her fault there's only two going out a week right now because she decided to change such a pivotal action they had to rewrite the entire third book, 200,000 words in. LOLz Sorry.)-T

Accurate… But what ya gonna do? She'd do the same for me if I felt like something was off. -Dark-

To be fair, THAT off! We promise it was worth it though! I think it was anyways-T

Still Accurate. :) -Dark-