Alone in a darkened cell, Chancellor Esteban sat shaking his head in disbelief, trying to tell himself that this couldn't be happening again. The invasion was bringing back all of his nightmarish memories. The events of Shuriki's first invasion were still the most vivid visions of his past. He was the one who had once helped her invade Avalor and for what? Power? Power that he never even achieved. It was all pointless. The death of the king and queen,his Aunt and Uncle, was pointless. And the rest of his family? He had lost them all for 41 years until his cousin Elena was freed and saved them all. She, Isabel and his Abuelos had all forgiven him for serving Shuriki all those years but he never forgave himself for betraying those who loved him the most. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't feel any guilt for what he had done. He had convinced them that he did it to survive and they had all believed him. He let them, not wanting to destroy the second chance that he had been given. He finally realized just how much they cared about him and he told himself that he would do anything for them now.

He wondered why Shuriki had not killed him yet. After all, he was the one who had stolen Shuriki's wand, stripping her of her power and giving it all to Elena. His first assumption, when he had learned that it was Shuriki invading, was that she would come for him after she had taken out the royal family. It didn't happen though.

So far, she had let him live. While trying to escape the palace with Higgins, his royal guard, they had run into several of Shuriki's men. Higgins had stepped aside and let the soldiers take Esteban away. It wasn't much of a surprise that Higgins didn't put up much of a fight, well any fight really. Higgins had never been the best guard. He was short in stature, out of shape and more often than not, was completely clueless. Still, he had been loyal to Esteban and Esteban trusted Higgins with his life as well as with all of his secrets. He hoped that Higgins had gotten away safely yet a small part of him would be relieved if those secrets had died along with Higgins that day.

A light flickered in the distance and Esteban heard a pair of footsteps headed towards him. He saw the lantern first and as a figure approached and lifted the lantern, a face was revealed. Esteban showed no shock in his expression as he was not surprised at all.

"Hello old friend" Victor Delgado said with a devilish smirk upon his face.

Victor and Esteban had been childhood friends. Victor, like Esteban had made a deal with Shuriki the first time she invaded Avalor. Esteban had betrayed him though after the deal was done. Victor was banished from the kingdom while Esteban remained by the queen's side. Victor had returned once with plans to ruin Esteban but had failed. This time, he had not.

"How are your accommodations El Segundo?" Victor asked followed by a villainous laugh. Esteban had no response. His blood only boiled as he sat staring up at Victor.

"What have you done? Where is my family?" Esteban demanded to know as he stood up in his cell, grabbed the bars and looked his old friend square in the face.

Victor laughed again. "It seems Shuriki is quick to ally with those she once turned her back on when they have something for her in return. Especially when that something is her wand and a way to get her back into the palace."

"What are you talking about?" Esteban demanded to know. "That wand was in the treasury. And how did you get inside the palace?!"

Victor grinned again, enjoying the sight of seeing Esteban lose control.

"I had some help from a well... friend? of yours" He replied with a cocky tone. He shone the light over the man standing behind him in the dark. Esteban gasped.

"Higgins?!" He questioned, not believing or wanting to believe that his most trusted companion in the castle had betrayed him. "What? WHY?!" He needed to know.

Higgins stared at Esteban with a grimace and then a look of confusion overcame him as he thought about the chancellor's question. "umm.. Victor? Why did I do this again?" Higgins asked.

Victor rolled his eyes and let out a huff at the dimwitted guard. "Because you were tired of being pushed around! An underappreciated sidekick! Someone who was confided in but never had his own voice heard"

"YEAH!" Said Higgins following Victor's every word. He was easy to manipulate and it was clear that Victor had gotten to him. Although, Esteban new that everything Victor was saying was absolutely true. Esteban did push Higgins around, he constantly insulted his intelligence and he never let him get a word in. Esteban used him when he needed someone to vent to, or used him if he needed someone to do the dirty work. In every way Esteban had used Higgins. Even if Victor had brainwashed Higgins, the truth was still behind it all and Esteban honestly couldn't blame Higgins for turning against him. It greatly pained him though.

"Higgins... after everything we've been through... I haven't always treated you right but... you know you are so much more than just my guard. Please Higgins" Esteban begged, now down on both knees, staring into the misled eyes of his companion. "I thought we were friends..."

Higgins looked upon the man that he had always admired so and faithfully followed. His heart sank for a moment as sympathy started to set.

"HA!" Victor laughed, making Higgins shake his head from his changing emotions and go right back to nodding along side Victor. "Friend? Is that allll the two of you were. Correct me if I'm wrong Chancellor but you've used poor Higgins here for much more than to carry out your petty little plans. Dare I say that the two of you were... "

"ENOUGH!" Esteban demanded, not wanting the words to be said out loud. His outburst only further amused Victor. "What do you want from me Victor? Why not just kill me? Do you really wish to torture me so?"

"Well I must admit... I am enjoying this. I mean the irony is just too good" Victor couldn't help but let out another laugh "Here I am, someone who was your closest friend. Someone you betrayed. You ruined my life Esteban! Now... 43 years later I can stand here and watch the same thing happen to you. How does it feel old friend? How does it feel to have the one person you trusted take away everything you've ever had or wanted?"

Esteban had nothing to say. He knew he deserved all of this. He knew he had wronged Victor and he knew that he had wronged Higgins and he knew that whenever it was that he would see Shuriki again, she would remind him that he had wronged her. There wasn't a soul in his life that he hadn't lied to or turned against for the reward of power or money or what he had perceived to be respect. He had done a lot of wrong in his life but had spent the past two years trying to make up for it. He tried to do good when he could, especially when it involved his family. He felt the most guilt for hurting them. None of it had been enough. He still craved the power. Perhaps that's why he treated Higgins the way he had. Whenever Esteban was feeling particularly impotent, Higgins was always there to take control of. Esteban now looked to Higgins with apologetic eyes.

"What will happen to me now?" Esteban asked in a small voice, no longer feeling worthy of meeting anybody's gaze. He stared at the ground, giving in to defeat.

"You are the only relative left of the royal family... or you will be at least... Shuriki has plans for you" Victor explained.

"I will not work for Shuriki again. I will not betray my family again." Esteban tried his best to mean what he said but he knew that when the time came to decide, he would choose to survive. He would choose the path that would benefit him the most. It was an inner struggle that he would battle until his last breath.