I want to apologize for always updating so late at night. I always write the chapter during the day, but by the time I edit it and put it on here it's always so late! It's a bad habit, hopefully I can get better at that!

So, I have to put a disclaimer on here. I'm not Ridley Pearson. Not even close. Sorry to disappoint :P

1700 VIEWS! Talk about awesomeness! I hope y'all enjoy chapter 19!

Chapter 19: Trusting Maleficent

Finn and Dillard were doing their best to find the temple, but their best, wasn't too great. Sometimes the group had to double back and try a new direction. Without the journal, Finn thought they would never find the temple.

While trekking through the jungle, Finn glanced back at the rest of the group. Charlene and the captain were currently fighting. Based off what Finn had learned about them over the past few days, he knew they were probably fighting over something stupid and pointless.

Willa was still heavily leaning on Philby. Whatever had knocked her out had taken a toll on her, but she was slowly gaining her strength back. Willa was like a little sister to Finn. Seeing her like this fueled the hate he had against Maleficent. He knew she was behind this. She had been behind all of this.

And Finn was determined to stop her once and for all.

"It's a baby girl, your majesty." The midwife told the king with a smile on her face. "She's a healthy, beautiful girl."

"I'm glad to hear that! When can I see my two lovely ladies?"

The midwife's face turned sour. "Your wife…she…she didn't make it sir."

The midwife scurried off before seeing the king's reaction. The king sat back down on the throne. He didn't know what he was going to do with two young children and no wife. He truly loved his wife, despite the arranged marriage.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed. The king thought he must have been seeing things, for he saw a shadow move along the pillars. He wiped the tears on his cheek.

Before long, a figure emerged from the shadows and into the center of the throne room.

"King Peter. I am truly sorry for your loss. It's always a shame losing a queen to childbirth." The sarcastic, dry, raspy voice taunted.

The king rolled his eyes. "Maleficent, your sarcasm is not appreciated. Go away before I have my guards kill you."

"Oh, now we wouldn't want that." She patted the golden crow on top of her scepter as if it was real.

"What are you even doing here? You are not wanted here!"

"Not wanted? Oh dear, what an awkward situation." She let out an evil laugh, but the king was unfazed by her.

"State your business or leave."

"Fine! I'll tell you. Your daughter will die if she stays in this castle."

The king stood up. "How dare you threaten my daughter!"

"Oh dear, you think I'm the one who's going to kill her?" She let out another laugh. "Oh, you're sadly mistaken."

"Then what?"

"She was born a month before she was due. I'd say it's self explanatory."

The king took a few steps forward. "I presume you know how to save her?"

"Of course!"

He waited a few seconds for her to answer, but she never did. "How do I do it?"

"You're going to have to take her away from here. I'd say give her away to some poor peasants far, far away."

"Give up my daughter! You've lost your mind!"

"Some have told me that. But if you want her to live, I'd do just that."

Maleficent disappeared into thin air, leaving a cloud of purple smoke.

The dream shifts.

The king stands at the castle gates as he watches the carriage roll away. He had just given up his daughter, Princess Isabel, to a young couple. They were poor, yes, but he had just made an amendment to his will. On the day after Isabel's fourteenth birthday, the couple was to receive enough money to purchase a royal title and maintain a wealthy lifestyle for the rest of their days.

The thought of his daughter growing up far, far away brought tears to his eyes. He did not want to do this, but it was for her safety. He had decided to pretend as if she had died along with the queen at childbirth. But one day, the king vowed to tell his son about his long lost sister. The king's sister knew of her niece, but otherwise, no one else.

Why he ever trusted Maleficent in the first place was a mystery to everyone, including the king himself. But as long as his daughter lived to see him again, he wouldn't question it.

He sent up a silent prayer at that moment. He prayed that he would live long enough to see his daughter again. He had to see her at least one more time. Please, he prayed, please.

A soft knock at the front door woke Jack up. He walked over to the door and peeked out.

"Wanda, my dear sister, what brings you here. I thought we said we couldn't meet for a few more weeks." The man whispered.

"Jack, dear, it's of the utmost urgency." She invited herself in, walking straight to the back room and sitting down on his bed.

"What is it?" He stood next to the bed.

"Maleficent has gone after the ancient temple spirit herself. I fear that our plan to overthrow her might be in jeopardy."

"She went herself?" He paused, gathering her thoughts. "Any news of my children?"

"Jess went out to find Finn about a week ago. I haven't heard from her, but I just know that she found him. About your daughter, I hope she is with him. She escaped the castle almost three weeks ago."

"Yes I remember. Isabel came by the house shortly after."

"She did? Did she know who you were?"

"No, no. I did not tell her. But I fear Dell might know."

"Dell? The boy soldier you took in just after the raids?"

"Yes. I fear he knows, but he never asked. I know that if he is with her, they had to find Finn."

"Does Finn know about Isabel?"

"He knows that his sister is alive, but I did not mention a name."

"What should we do, Peter?"

Jack let out a small laugh. "No one has called me that in years."

"Well it's your real name, brother. Why wouldn't I call you that?"

"Because Peter died eleven years ago. I go by Jack now." There was a moment of silence. Jack remembered the day he faked his death like it was yesterday. It constantly replayed in his mind.

"Does Finn know you are alive?" Wanda asked him quietly.

"No. And I do not wish for him to know. It's better this way."

She nodded her head. An idea appeared in Jack's head.

"You say Maleficent has left the castle?"

"Yes."

"And how much of her army did she bring with her?"

"A very small army. The Lady Grimhilde and a foreigner went with her."

"Hmm…that's interesting. I think it's time I come visit you in the castle."

She thought about it, then it dawned on her what Jack was suggesting.

"I think you're right brother."

After giving up, Finn and Dillard let Willa and Philby take the lead.

"How much longer?" Terry yelled up to Willa and Philby from the back of the group.

"Shut it Terry!" Charlene scolded Terry. "When we're there, you'll know!"

Willa rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. Ever since getting knocked out this morning, Willa's mind had been a little foggy. Over the hours, her vision had returned to normal, but she still felt exhausted. All this walking was really taking a toll on her.

Luckily for her, Philby had kept his arm around her waist, which kept her upright. Having his arm there gave her a sense of security, like he really was her knight in shining armor. She couldn't wait to get back to California so they could get married, but she also wanted to delay the fight with Maleficent as long as possible.

"Feeling any better?" Philby asked her.

"Yeah…I guess." She mumbled. She hated being the weak one, but she was grateful for Philby's help.

"You know, I've been thinking—"

"That's a relief." Willa joked, nudging Philby with her shoulder.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny." Philby rolled his eyes and continued. "I was thinking that when we get to the temple, you don't need to be anywhere near conflict."

"What?" Willa turned to Philby. "You think I can't help?"

"It's not that Willa. You can barely stand up without help! There's no way you'll be able to do anything out there without passing out from exhaustion!"

Willa didn't say anything, which Philby took as a bad sign.

"I'm worried about you sweetheart, that's all." He lowered his voice. "Whatever knocked you out still has a hold on you and until we can figure out what happened, you can't go out there! You'll be easy prey for a human sacrifice."

"I can do this Philby." She wiggled her way out of Philby's grasp and moved ahead of him, taking the lead.

Willa had been quiet for some time now, which worried Philby. He didn't mean to make it seem like she was weak. He was worried about her. All he had wanted to do was to protect her by keeping her away from the temple.

How am I supposed to protect her if she keeps continuing on like this? She's going to pass out from exhaustion sooner or later. It's like she doesn't want me to protect her.

Willa stopped cold in her tracks, then immediately squatted down. Philby ran up to her and crouched next to her, placing one arm over her shoulders.

"Everything alright?" He whispered into her ear.

In response, Willa pointed in front of her.

Philby studied her for a second before looking in the direction she was pointing. He realized they were on the edge of a twenty-foot cliff. The sight at the bottom of the cliff almost made him scream like a little girl.

At the bottom was a large ancient temple. Some of the columns that used to be lining the edge of the temple had crumbled. Philby could tell there had never been a roof, but the stone floor was completely in tact. The wall furthest away from the group was a cave.

In the center of the temple was a large stone table. Currently surrounding the table were two women. One was Maleficent, but the other Philby did not know, but she was holding the journal. Right along the wall closest to their group was the Lady Grimhilde. About ten feet to the right of the table was Jess being held by two of Maleficent's soldiers.

From their vantage point, Philby could tell that Jess was conscious but she seemed to be in a kind of daze—which was almost just as bad as being unconscious.

Philby turned around to see Dillard, Charlene, the captain and Finn crouched behind them with confused looks.

"We found the temple…and Jess." Philby whispered.

"What do we do now Finn?" Charlene asked. Philby could hear the fear in her shaky voice.

Finn worked his way up to the edge of the cliff with Willa and Philby without saying a word or making a sound. He studied the temple area and all the people in it. He turned around with a certain gleam in his eyes that Philby had never seen.

"I've got a plan."

Kind of short, but oh well.

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