Chapter 11
"We'll meet you guys at the clubhouse. I know the way. Try not to die," Hadley says after they cover the limo with a tarp. Elyse and Ben look around at the rickety metal buildings around them. Concrete covered in spray paint. "Try to avoid pirates. Ben would make a great hostage against Mal," she says before heading towards the chip shop. Elyse sticking close to Hadley, but not close enough to be touching. "Around here, we call friends allies. Friends shows weakness. Allies just shows loyalty." Hadley explains to her girlfriend as a wide berth opens in front of them. A shorter teenage girl walking through the path, approaching the two teens. Teal and black hair pulled into tight braids, shells clinging against each other on her turquoise dress. "Sup, captain."
"Miss your crew enough to visit? Heard from the twins that you came to visit before," Uma says as she stops in front of Hadley. Looking up to make eye contact. "You got tall."
"Tall enough to annoy Mal," Hadley chuckles as she takes the blue messenger bag off her shoulder and holds it out to Uma. "I found something that may get rid of the shrimp smell. Along with some other useful things. The others don't know about the packages."
"Well you did keep your place by not forgetting about us. Unlike the traitors," Uma says as she takes the bag and slings it over her shoulder. Then glancing at Elyse. "Gil is in the shop. He'll take you two to the Underworld. Just in case someone tries to steal your Auradonian."
"He used Mal's insult again didn't he?" Hadley asks as she and Elyse follow Uma to Ursula's Chip Shop. Gil sitting on the front steps. "Hi Gil!"
Gil looks up and grins as he sees his friends and a new girl who looks familiar. He isn't quite sure from where though. "Hadley! You're home!" he exclaims as he runs over to Hadley and pulls her into a hug. Lifting her off the ground as she laughs. He puts her down before shaking Elyse's hand. "Hi! I'm Gil!"
"Gil, this is Elyse. Elyse, this is Gil," Hadley says as Uma slides inside.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Elyse smiles as she shakes Gil's hand. Finding his friendliness adorable. "Uma said you can come with us to the Underworld," she says being direct and to the point, like how her true love told her to.
"Let's go!" Gil says as he starts leading the way to Hades' home. Chatting with Hadley about the territory gains the Wharf Rats made over the past months. "How do we get in the Underworld?"
"Facilier has it. His arcade is next to the entrance, Hadie has a tendency to lose his key," Hadley says as they turn to the brightly covered fabrics showing the entrance to the Voodoo Arcade. She pushes past the fabrics and leads them through the colorful arcade to the back. Hadley taking Elyse's hand as they reach the voodoo man himself. "He knew about me since I was 12," she whispers to Elyse before giving her a smile.
"Hadley! It's been so long, you've really moved up in the world," Facilier states as he walks over to the trio. Taking Elyse's free hand and kissing the top of it with a bow. "You must be Elyse. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise," Elyse says as Hadley's grip on her other hand tightens.
"I came for the key. Got something for my old man," Hadley says after Facilier drops Elyse's hand.
"It's unlocked. Celia is making a delivery," the man says as he shoos the teens away. "Now go. I have to work."
Hadley grins and starts leading the way to a stone door with a skull carved on it. She pushes open the door and takes off her sunglasses. She walks in and grabs two headlamps. "Gil, are you coming or going back to Uma? Celia and Hadie would be up for giving extra protection," Hadley says as she walks back out and puts one on Elyse's head. Checking the battery on the light.
"I should probably get back to Uma. She might have a job for me!" Gil grins before walking off towards the Core Four's clubhouse.
"So am I about to see why you take so long to adjust to the light?" Elyse asks as they walk into the dark tunnel. Blinking as her eyes struggle to see anything. Hadley's eyes glowing a bright green. "You're like a cat," she chuckles as she feels around the hat for the switch to turn on the headlamp. "Can Mal see in the dark?"
"She took after mom. I'm more Hades than she is. Which is why the ember will influence me and not her," Hadley says as she leads the way down the tunnel. Taking the snow princess' hand in her own. Not sure how she would react to the darkness. "It will get lighter when we reach the main area. Ma doesn't see in the dark very well."
"Ma? Does Maleficent know that you refer to Persephone as that?" Elyse asks as she happily gives Hadley's hand a squeeze.
"Maleficent doesn't even know my name," Hadley scoffs as they enter Hades' throne room. Hadie being in the chair. "Hey, kid. Are ma and dad here?" she asks as she sees her little brother.
"No. Ma is on Olympus and dad is out somewhere. Did you bring the ember?" the thirteen-year-old asks as he runs over to his half-sister.
"Here," Elyse says as she takes the dull blue ember out of the inside pocket of the black leather jacket. Holding it out to the young teen. "Hadley has told me a lot about you. I'm Elyse."
"Hadley told me about you when she came for the ember. It's good that my sister has someone she can trust, I just wish that I could go back with you guys. A lot of us want to go to Auradon," Hadie says as he takes the ember and turns it in his hand.
"We're trying to get another group over. Arendale is willing to take as many as allowed," Elyse says as the boy puts the ember into an empty wrought iron candle holder. Many members of the council were not ready to bring over more children. So far, Elsa and Merida only convinced Cinderella. Hadley was easily able to convince Hercules. "Most of the council still don't like the fact that the five who did come over are in Auradon."
"Ben is on the Isle, maybe seeing how we live will speed things up. We will continue fighting for everyone here," Hadley promises as she puts a hand on her brother's shoulder. "We need to get back to the others. Stay alive?"
"You too," Hadie whispers as he watches the girls leave.
Within half an hour, the teens made it to the clubhouse. Climbing up to find Mal pacing. Evie and Jay took the couch while Carlos sat backwards on a chair. Ben nowhere to be seen. "Didn't I say to not lose Ben?" Hadley points out as she crosses her arms.
"We have a plan to get him back. Elyse, go with the boys back to Auradon. Hadley… see if you can talk Uma into releasing Ben. We have until noon," Mal orders, not giving any room for arguments.