Here is the next chapter!
So . . . I am thinking about either having an epilogue or a sequel. I know that if I do a sequel, I will lose a chunk of readers, so I'm leaning more toward epilogue.
Problem is . . . I have many ideas on what the epilogue could entail. Of course, there's the weddings, and a couple ideas about what could happen afterwards. I don't know if I want to do one epilogue or more than one.
Wait a minute . . . I have another idea! We will have a little competition!
There is a character that doesn't appear in this story. The first person that correctly states the character I'm thinking of will make a decision: either one enormous epilogue, a three-part epilogue that will cover each major event, OR a one-shot series story.
HOWEVER: There will be a couple rules.
Rule 1: Only one guess with each new chapter. That means you can't go to the first chapter, give a name, then go on to the second chapter to do the same thing. That would give you nearly sixty guesses right now and that would be quite unfair.
Rule 2: You can't PM me a guess. It has to be in a review, that way I know you followed the first rule. I will respond to each review, so be sure to make your decision ahead of time, just in case.
Rule 3: The last time you can guess—if no correct answer is given by then—will be the chapter that has Hades coming to Auradon to save Audrey. This way I can inform everyone the winner's decision in the last chapter.
You know what? I need to give you something a little more so you'll be more motivated to guess.
If you guess correctly . . . I will tell about the reunion in the last chapter, the twentieth anniversary present, and a pregnancy.
Is that good enough to make you guess?
Nearly an hour later, the five villain children finally arrived at their home, the Isle of the Lost. In the matter of minutes of returning, they parked their motorbikes in the lively French Quarter. The Core Four didn't usually spend their time at that area of the island, so they were given strange looks like they didn't belong. To be fair, the bystanders were probably surprised by their appearance, since they had just been there two days prior.
Anyways, when Mal removed her purple and green helmet, she inhaled a big gasp of air. She grasped her neck, causing her friends to rush over to her aid. "I'm fine . . ." she croaked, unintentionally burning her fingers, though she had become so used to the pain that she didn't notice. "The iron . . .loosened. . . Finally breathe. . ."
"And we'll have it removed shortly," Evie promised calmly and quietly so the spectators wouldn't become suspicious. "We just have to get Celia's spare key, head to your father's lair, and grab the ember. The curse will be broken, and you'll be saved."
"Still have . . . burns. . ." Mal reminded between deep breaths, grateful that she could say more than one word at a time now. "How do . . . we heal . . .?"
"We'll figure that out when we are back in Auradon," Jay promised as he helped her climb off her motorbike. "Right now, the ember is our main priority."
A few moments later, the Core Four followed Celia down dark dead-end alleyway. Technically, it wasn't a dead-end since there was a steel door attached to one side of the wall. After it slid open, Celia practically skipped inside while the other four travelers cautiously strolled through. Pushing aside a heavy set of curtains, the four friends found themselves inside hideaway, the open mouth of a forty-foot tall mardi gras mask being the main entrance.
The 'hideaway' was actually an arcade for children of any age that wanted a little fun in their life that was stealing or scheming. The rowdy room was packed with many villain kids of all ages. There was no denying that Dr. Facilier had a booming and successful business.
Speaking of the Voodoo Man, he greeted his daughter on the arcade floor, where the two busted into an impressive coordinated dance. The adorably elaborate routine was how the pair greeted each other all the time.
With the secret salutation complete, Dr. Facilier hugged his daughter tightly. "Come, here, you little rascal." His face was illuminated with the kind of joy brought on by an excellent surprise. It was clear from Celia's giant grin that she was equally elated to see her pops.
Evie was actually about to interrupt the sweet family scene when Mal subtly stopped her. Mal knew exactly how Celia felt when she greeted her father. After all, Mal is a 'Daddy's Girl', just like Celia.
While Celia spoke with her father, the Core Four strolled around the arcade for a few moments since they hadn't been there before. However, Mal was really looking for a place to sit so the iron would stop rubbing into her skin with every movement she made.
Toward the front, Carlos stood in front of an ancient antenna television. Placing in the two tokens it required to start, the beat-up set sprang to life. An Auradon newscaster appeared, revealing that evil things were afoot across the sea. "Alerts of a sleeping spell keep coming in as it spreads throughout Auradon," the anchor announced, reporting live from circular driveway at Auradon Prep.
"Uh, guys, come look at this," Carlos called as dread started to fill his face.
Mal, Evie, Jay, and Celia gathered around Carlos as they watched the news in dismay. "There are rumors that Sleeping Beauty's daughter, Audrey is behind the spell," the reporter continued. "We are trying to discover who is responsible for these vicious lies and which evil villain perpetrated this evil."
The anchorman cocked his head to listen to his earpiece better. "We have an update. It's moving this way—!"
When the report abruptly ended there, the Core Four and Celia hurried outside the arcade. They had their mission: grab the ember so they can return to Auradon to save the kingdom. There was just one small problem . . .
Somebody nabbed their rides.
Harry Hook, Gil, and two of their nasty pirate buds sat astride the VKs' motorbikes. Based on the laws of the street, their bikes were pirate booty now, along with their helmets.
"Wow. Rookie mistake," Carlos scolded himself, feeling foolish. They had been so worried about Mal's condition that they weren't thinking clearly when they left their brand-new vehicles out in the open for anyone to take.
Harry had a permanent smarmy smirk etched across his face, his pirate accent drowning out his words as he greeted, "Long time no see!"
"Get off my bike, Hook!" Jay shouted as he leaped over random street rubbish to chase after his bike.
"Catch me if you can, Jay," Harry provoked before revving down the French Quarter avenue.
Gil sped off next, waving his muscular arms in the air like a lunatic as he drove by.
Jay surveyed the unfamiliar French Quarter street, formulating a plan in half a second. As if calling a play on the tourney field, he exclaimed, "Over the roofs, we'll cut them off!"
Jay scurried up the side of an old shack with Evie and Carlos following his lead with no hesitation. Celia started to join the fray, but Mal grabbed the collar of the little fortune-teller's splashy jacket, bringing her to a swift halt.
"Stop . . ." she instructed with her scratchy voice. "They'll manage . . . You and me . . . ember. . ."
"Sorry," Celia apologized almost sheepishly. "I'll lead you to your daddy's lair now. Just a warning, there's a section in the old mine shaft where we have to pedal a two-seated bike. I can pedal it myself so the iron doesn't rub into your skin any worse."
"Thank you . . ." Mal offered a small, yet pained smile. "Lead . . . the way."
Celia turned on the wedge heel of her magenta bootie and led Mal through the maze of twisted alleys, making sure she went slow enough that the Queen of the Isle wouldn't lose her breath again.
Mal couldn't believe that her father somehow converted an abandoned mining cave into his personal lair. She couldn't believe that she went nearly nineteen years of her life without seeing it. It was unbelievable!
The rocky walls were slick with minerals and jewels and support timbers stood throughout. An azure scarf covered a wobbly lampshade, bathing the entire room in a blue haze. Most would probably see it as disheveled, but Mal found it beautiful. If only she could have spent some of her childhood in his lair.
Hades laid on a shoddy couch, his feet perched on the armrest as he gazed up at the ceiling, having not heard either girls enter his 'man-cave'. The god looked quite different from the last time Mal saw him. Her father had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and his eyes appeared to be a little puffy, maybe from him trying to contain his emotions.
Mal also noticed something peculiar about her father. Every time she took a cautious and quiet step forward, Hades would snarl his nose in confusion. It was almost like he could sense something but didn't know what it was.
Unable to wait much longer, Mal made her presence known as she stepped further into the room, whining softly, "Daddy . . ."
Surprised to hear his daughter's voice, Hades slowly removed himself from the couch as he cautiously approached his daughter. "Mali?" he greeted in confusion. "Why do I sense so much iron on you?"
"Chained up . . ." Mal croaked as she tried to up a brave façade for her father. "A spell . . ."
"Audrey stole the Dragon's Eye," Celia explained so Mal wouldn't have to waste the energy to do so. "She came to Evie's starter castle a couple hours ago and cursed Mal with the scepter. Audrey made iron chains appear all over Mal's body. Mal can't really speak because some of the chain is wrapped around her neck. Jay tried to remove it, but the chain just squeezed tighter on her. Mal thinks your ember can break the scepter's curse."
"It can remove the iron," Hades corrected as he inspected the curse on his daughter, particularly around her neck. "But you are only half Hades. The ember won't heal your burns. It would for me, but I promised your mother—"
"I know . . . Daddy," Mal interrupted as she mustered up a brave smile. "I'll manage . . .Thank you . . ."
Quickly removing the ember from his pocket, Hades paused as he held it between his fingers. "You need to be careful," he warned sternly as he handed over the object. "If it gets wet, the ember will be useless."
"We'll be cautious," Celia reassured a little quickly as Mal graciously accepted her saving grace. "But we better get going. Her friends are probably waiting on us and the longer I look at the iron, the more I see it moving around. It's kind of creepy."
Hades chuckled despite the tense situation. "Then I won't keep you, Miss Froggie." Hesitating one last time, he placed a loving kiss on his daughter's forehead. "Love you, Mali."
"Love you . . ." Mal mumbled as she forced herself to walk away, Celia quickly following her lead.
Once they were out of eyesight, Hades allowed his stance to droop in worry. There was no telling how badly his baby girl would be burned. If not treated, at least partially—
Don't worry, Brother.
I have that under control.
Meanwhile on the mainland, Ben held his cell phone in his right hand as he paced his palace bedroom. He was calling the shots with confidence and getting things done with authority.
"No, no. I want the Auradon guard handing out gas masks. . . Not everyone is asleep!" He threw his phone aside before adverting his attention to the royal attendant, who stood watch at the entranceway. "Find out if anyone's seen Audrey or knows what her plan is"
The young man nodded in acknowledgement and headed out the door.
Suffocating from frustration, the king unsnapped the collar of his blue-and-yellow leather jacket fell into his chair with an agitated sigh. Once the door closed, Ben leaned back in his chair to relax for a moment. Although half of his kingdom was asleep, he was more worried about his Mal. It's been nearly two hours since he's talked to Jane, and he's been unable to get ahold of Mal or any of their friends. Who knows what Audrey could have done to her?
"I could tell you . . ."
Ben jumped out of his seat at the voice. Turning around, he came face to face with Audrey, who was looking more and more like a wicked enchantress.
Audrey smiled at the king's reaction, amused that he was so jittery. "In fact, I'll wake everyone right now under one condition." Her eyes glinted with a dark scheme as she proclaimed, "Make me your queen. We'll rule side by side like we were always meant to."
"That's never going to happen," Ben denied as he narrowed his eyes at her. "What did you do to Mal?"
"Oh?" Audrey tilted her head in mock curiosity. "You don't know yet? I'm surprised! I thought you and Mal were inseparable."
"Don't play games!" Ben shouted as his anger started to become worse with every passing minute. "You are putting people's lives in danger!"
"You did too!" Audrey retorted as she flexed her hand that held the scepter. "You brought over those villain kids without consulting anyone in the kingdom!"
"I told my grandfather and Fairy Godmother," Ben corrected forcefully. "Both thought it was a wonderful idea, so we started planning their arrival. The next day I told Doug because I knew he'd be more than willing to help. The day after I told the entire student body. No one complained or protested the idea of Isle transfer students."
"I did!" Audrey reminded bitterly. "You wouldn't listen to me!"
"Because you were always against anything I did!" Ben retorted. "You didn't like when I talked to Lonnie when she's my sister. You didn't like that I spent all of my time learning to be king. You didn't like that I wasn't wrapped around your finger like everyone else!"
Pausing a moment to exhale a breath of air to release some of his anger, Ben warned, "I'll give you one chance." He held out an opened hand. "Give me the Dragon's Eye. You'll receive less of a punishment if you do."
" 'Less' of a punishment?" Audrey gave a mocking smile. "I don't think so. As long as I have the scepter, I can't be punished. You know what else? Sleeping is too good for you."
Eyes gleaming with malicious intent, Audrey thrust the scepter toward Ben, releasing a crackling hex that knocked him to the ground. Audrey grinned viciously at the results of the spell.
Twirling on her heels, Audrey stepped onto Ben's balcony to gaze out at the entire kingdom of Auradon. "Sleeping is too good for Auradon!"
Waving the scepter in the air once more, a menacing flash blanketed the kingdom, condemning the curse on all the people below.
At that very same moment, Fairy Godmother was running up the steps of the museum to obtain her magic wand, believing that it could help save the kingdom. As the evil magic washed over her, the Auradon Prep headmistress instantly turned to stone. The same frozen fate befell hundreds of others all around the kingdom—
Though one Auradonian remained safe from the horrid spell thanks to a god's interference.