Hey everyone, It took a while but I finished this chapter where Carla stands before the grand Council.

this one is going to be intense and heartwarming at the same time, so I hope you are prepared.

Enjoy!

Today was the day, of the grand council meeting, and Carla was about to stand before them and state her reasons of assistance.

Carla agreed to help Elena catch Ash and Esteban after three days thinking about it.

Elena went to the dungeon to inform Carla on how the meeting is going to go.

"Carla, you are going to stand before the grand council and you are going to tell them why you want to help us catch Ash and Esteban, and each member will decide if they should give you a second chance."

Carla nodded.

"Now I wont go easy on you and neither will they, you'll still a criminal under law and you are to be judged as such unless they have mercy on you. you understand?"

"Yes princess." Carla replied.

"Just tell them the truth and the council will make their decisions and put it to a vote." said Elena "I'll give you more time to get yourself ready, then I'll send Gabe down"

Carla was afraid, but she was willing to do anything for her father.

"I'll do this for you Papa." Carla said to herself.

"Carla, are you ready?" Gabe said as he opened the Carla's cell door after giving her a little time.

...

Gabe escorted Carla out of the dungeon up to the door of the grand council room where they meet Elena and Mateo

Okay, as soon as Mateo opens the door a little bit and gives the single its time for you to come in

Carla felt so anxious "I'm scared."

"Don't worry you can do this." Gabe encouraged.

"We'll be with you the whole time." said Mateo

"Remember, Just tell the truth and you'll be fine." Elena encouraged.

Carla felt calm at the moment. "Okay"

Elena and Mateo went in to meet the council, while Gabe stood outside alongside Carla to comfort her as she was about to be judged.

...

Elena called this meeting in session and she had the floor. "I've called this council meeting here today because we have updated news on Ash and Esteban"

"You do?" said Naomi

"Where are they?" asked Luisa

"Well, we don't know exactly where they are but, we know how to find them." said Elena.

"We've learned that Malvagos can sense other dark wizards no matter how far we are." said Mateo.

"So all we need to do is find a dark wizard." Naomi said.

"Yes" said Elena

"But where can we find one, Elena?" asked Francisco

"Well, we know one.." said Elena.

...

Mateo opened the the door to give the signal to Gabe and Carla to come in

Gabe made sure if she was okay. "Are you ready for this?"

"No." Carla trembled. "but I'll have to be."

"You'll be fine." Gabe smiled

...

Gabe opened the door as Carla presented herself to the grand Council

"Carla Delgado!?" Everyone was in shock.

"Yes." said Elena. "Carla can sense other Malvagos by using her magic and channeling it into her tamborita, she can track Ash and Esteban down."

The whole council was having some doubts

I know what you're thinking, but despite all her treacherous crimes against Avalor, we have to trust her. Elena insisted.

Naomi was totally against this. "After everything this selfish greedy trickster has done you're going to trust her?!"

Elena knew where Naomi is coming from. "I know it's a lot to ask Naomi, but Carla really wants to help and she is going to tell us why."

"Well this should be good." Naomi scoffed.

Elena turned to Carla.

"Carla, you will explain to us you reasons for helping us, then you will be judged accordingly." said Elena. "You have the floor"

Carla froze up for 15 seconds then she took a deep breath and told her story

"My whole life I felt like had no purpose in life, all I had was my family they loved me, as long as I had them, I would never be alone. When Shuriki kicked us out of Avalor, My mom promised us after she finished her training that we could be malavgos so we could never be looked down upon again, and I've been ruthless and evil like her ever since. She was gone for ten years. After my she came back, everything seemed to be fine, I thought we were a happy family again, but when we were in Cariza, my mom said we had to leave papa and that we would come back for him. During our time together she told me that power means everything and Papa was a second priority, I thought that something was wrong but I just ignored it, but when she started to say bad things about him, I was so hurt that I went back to save him myself even though I got caught. and when we were escaping with Esteban, I fell off a cliff and almost died I thought I was never going to see my family again." Carla whimpered as she replayed that tragic moment in her mind. "But when my mom saved me. Papa ran to my arms because he thought he was going to lose me, My mom she still wanted to go to Takaina after everything that happened. My father refused to go with her because I almost died because of her selfish desire for power, he was trying to protect me from her. And then..." Carla closed her eyes as tears fell from them. "...she turned him into stone." "My Mother never loved me or Papa, she only wanted power and it meant more to her than familia. I never wanted anything to do with her again!" "When Elena apprehended me, I was afraid of her after everything I've done to make an attempt to hurt her and her family. I thought she would have no mercy on me, but I was wrong. Princess Elena helped me, took care of me in prison. After everything I've done, she poured her heart out to help, I realize now that I was wrong to hurt Elena, and all of you. I feel guilty for everything I've done, now I just want make things right and save my Papa." "I am so sorry!"

Carla broke down in tears as she felt heart broken of what Ash had done to her Father, and she felt ashamed for what she has done to Elena, her family, and Avalor.

Elena felt horrible for her, so she made the best judgment possible

"Carla when I first met you I thought we could be friends, but when you and your father commited many crimes in Avalor including working for Shuriki, I was certain that You and Victor don't deserve any mercy. but after what you been through there's more to your story than I thought, I should've realized that earlier" she said as she thought about Esteban for the moment. "the fact you're willing to do anything to make things right just proves to me that you're not truly evil, that's why I'll forgive you. I forgive you Carla."

When Carla heard those words from the Crown princess there was joy in her heart.

Francisco showed compassion to Carla as he heard her story.

"Carla when I first saw you, you were a lovely young lady, but after you and your father stole the crown jewels, I thought you were just like him. Now I understand why. It is not your fault Carla, a child should not be blamed for their parents' decisions, so with a loving and merciful heart I forgive you as well."

Carla felt grateful for his compassion.

Naomi was not buying it she thinks her "sad sob story" was just another one of her tricks.

"Do you think I would actually forgive you?! You released an evil sprit to destroy Avalor, you snuck into the palace in disguise to trick me and Elena, you helped Shuriki with an attempt to harm Elena, her family, and retake Avalor! You helped your mother try to kill my best friend! I would never forgive someone so mean, cruel, bratty, and evil! You don't deserve a second chance! You should stay in jail where you belong! Better yet, you should be sent to exile like Esteban!"

Carla was frightened when Naomi harshly judged her, she knew Naomi would forgive Carla, after what she done in the palace to make her look like a fool.

Elena was afraid that Naomi wouldn't forgive her. After all, Naomi has had hatred before, when she discriminated against the sirenas for sinking her grandfather's ship.

Dona Paloma stated her opinion.

"For once, I agree with miss Turner, Carla has committed numerous amount of crimes against the royal family and should be punished, and if I may correct you Francisco, she is not a child anymore, she knows what she did, therefore she must face the consequences as an adult."

Elena turned to Luisa "Abuela?"

Luisa thought real hard about this, she wouldn't forgive someone who hurts her family especially after what happened with Esteban, but she wouldn't let this poor girl suffer the same fate as Elena and her family went through so she made a decision.

"Mija, you know I love my familia right?" She said to Elena.

"Of course" said Elena.

"and you know I would never let my be harmed right?"

"Yes." Elena answered.

Then Luisa turned to Carla with a stern face. "Carla."

Carla looked straight into Luisa's eyes to give her full attention.

"From what I can see, I see two strong arguments, Naomi and Dona Paloma made some pretty strong points, you made many attempts to harm to our familia and our kingdom, that is something that can be unforgivable, and you should face punishment. But I also agree with Francisco, you should never be blamed for your parents' irresponsible choices at such a young age."

Then Luisa challenged her honesty. "Carla, I'm going to ask you a very serious question. If we freed your father, would you accept that we sent you both to exile?"

Carla would do whatever she must to make things right. "Yes"

Luisa made her final decision when Carla answered honestly.

"Carla, I can't be merciful to those who hurt my familia. I can't forgive you... but I will give you the chance to do the right thing."

Carla was surprised and relived at the same time.

Elena calls the voting result. "Lets call it to a vote, all those in favor of Carla helping us catch Ash and Esteban raise their hand."

Elena and Fransisco raised their hands. Naomi and Dona Paloma didn't raise theirs.

It was up to Luisa to make the final vote. "Carla, before I raise my hand I want you to promise me something."

"Anything." Carla said.

"Promise me, you will do whatever it takes to bring Ash and Esteban back to the palace, no mistakes." her voice was stern.

Carla knew it was a lot to ask but she knew she had to do this for her father. "I promise"

"Then you have earned my vote out of mercy, don't take it for granted." and with that Luisa raised her hand.

"3 in favor 2 against, the grand council has ruled." Elena declared. "Gabe, prepare Carla for our mission. Mateo, get Carla's old tamborita, we're going to need it."

"I'm coming too." said Naomi. "Someone has to keep an eye on her, and this time, I'm going to be real close." Naomi looked at Carla with anger as she walked past her and out the door with Mateo.

Carla had a lot of pressure on her shoulders, she just hoped that once she captures Ash and Esteban, she'd make things right.

What do you think?