Chapter 27: Deadly Storm
Quick Disclaimer: I do not own anything Disney, characters, attractions or otherwise. I only own my 10 OC's and the unfolding plot of this story, so no flames please!
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Carmen's P.O.V.
The rest of the girls were still celebrating as we walked out of the ride. I on the other hand, felt something foreboding in the air as soon as we got back outside. I only had to look up to see ominous looking storm clouds quickly rolling towards us, and though the air was still chilly, a dry breeze was beginning to whistle through the trees, a clear predecessor to the rain that would be soon to come.
"Girls, I don't like the look of those storm clouds. We should get back to the castle quickly before," I started to say before a huge bolt of lightning hit just inches from my feet. "THAT HAPPENS!" I yelled, as thunder drowned out my words completely.
The rest of my friends screamed as lighting came down around us, and I immediately knew that this wasn't normal lightning, for it was purple, with what looked like dark blue thunderclouds.
"Florian, get Snow White and yourself to the castle as quickly as possible! We'll be right behind you!" I ordered, and then looked at Peter and Edmund.
"You need to call your horses, or I don't think we'll get to the castle on time! " I said, relieved when they whistled for their horses, who came when called but we're very skittish. Ashley and Carly hoped up on one, while Kim and Chloe pulled themselves up on another. Caspian's horse also came running, though Caspian himself was absent.
Carly and Ivy jumped on, and the three horses began running to the castle.
"Pegasus, you just need to run, for if you fly you might get hit," I told him, before lifting up April and Zoey behind Meg, whose hair was nearly getting yanked from her head in the high winds.
"What about you?" asked Zoey, concerned over her friend's safety.
"Don't worry about me, just get back to the castle!" I yelled, the girls reluctantly leaving. " Let's book it guys!" I yelled, Peter and Edmund racing after me.
We almost flew down the street, thunder and lighting surrounding us. The clouds suddenly broke, getting us soaked to the bone in seconds. The streets were flooded, and just when we made it to the statue of Mickey and Walt Disney, Peter slipped on the slick ground and went down.
"Peter!" I yelled, for a saw a huge bolt of lightning flying down toward the young king. With split second thinking, I threw myself on top of him, fully absorbing the bolt of energy.
I screamed in pain as the electricity coursed through me, fire surging through my muscles in the most agonizing way. Never had I felt this much pain, not even when the shadow mans minions nearly suffocated me to death. My body could take no more and yet, even in a nearly unconscious state, I still felt the pain.
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Peter's P.O.V.
"Carmen!" yelled Peter, picking up the now limp girl in his arms. "Ed, in the castle now!' he yelled to his brother, but Edmund ignored his demand, helping him carry the girl to the castle.
Peter felt awful. Because of his clumsy fall, Carmen had paid the price. She had to be all right. She just had to be.
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Carly's P.O.V.
It had been about an hour since the group had returned. I had been overjoyed that Carmen, Ashley and Snow White had been found and were all right, and that the lighting strikes hadn't had a chance to hurt everybody. The sole person suffering was Carmen. I had watched from my window as she pushed a fallen Peter away, taking the bolt of lighting that should have claimed him.
It had been very brave, but now we could only wait and hear the diagnosis from the fairy godmother on our friend. The rest of us were currently in our bedchamber, sitting by the fire in our nightclothes, holding mugs of hot chocolate, but not really drinking them. I could tell all of them felt bad, considering that they were ok while their friend had managed to get hurt so easily. Ashley looked especially worried, seeing that now she was the oldest girl present, and everyone looked up to her. I think all of us subconsciously had looked up to Carmen as our leader, and felt worried about what would happen if she didn't pull through. Fairy Godmother then came into the room.
"Well now, don't all of you girls look a sorry sight" Julia grunted in annoyance, clearly not in the mood.
"Sorry sight huh? Maybe that's because our friend is hurt, and our not telling us anything!" she said angrily, her hair looking like a cloud of fire resting on her shoulders, matching the fire in her eyes that was solely directed on the fairy.
"Julia!" chided Carly, and then looked at the fairy. " What she meant to say is that were very concerned and our tempers are a bit out of line, " she said pointedly at Julia, who glared back at here.
"Well, there's no need to worry my dears. Carmen is fine, just a bit shocked, is all," she laughed gently, but no one else did.
"Will she be ok?' asked Kim, sitting up from her pillows, knees pulled up to her chest.
"Of course she will be. But don't forget, although it is unfortunate that Carmen got injured, this storm means that even the villains are trapped in doors. They were planning on fighting you tonight, I hope you know."
We gasped, for we hadn't known it. "Just the price of a friends life!" cried Ashley, angry that her friend had hurt herself.
"Ashley don't!" I said, laying my hand on her arm. Maybe my calm voice did something, because she cooled down, and apologized.
"In a way yes, but she'll be up and around tomorrow morning, " said the fairy, before leaving the room. I think she was a bit afraid that Ashley might start yelling again, or worse yet, that Julia might. I think we all were in a way. Then, I think the pressure of the silence ma have gotten to Carly, for she got up and went to the door.
"I'm not going to wallow in misery, and neither should the rest of you. You should get out of this room and go visit with the characters. That's what Carmen would have wanted."
"Wait where are you going?" asked Ivy, getting up to leave as well.
"Going to make sure that Peter isn't wallowing either," she smirked, and then turned to me.
"Don't worry, Emily, I'll send some of your friends up to see you as well, seeing as you're still hurt," she smiled, before she swept out of the room.
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Carly's P.O.V.
I walked down the hallways, looking at the many doors that seemed to stretch forever. Belle had told me earlier that there was a spell on this castle, that made it appear smaller on the outside then it was on the inside. Since many of the Disney characters routinely visited, there was a room for each of the characters movies. For example, she had just walked past the Jungle Book, Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid, when I found the Door, which the characters from the Chronicles of Narnia stayed in while in the park. I knocked once, and heard a voice say come in.
I opened the door and felt my jaw drop. The bedroom looked like something right out of Cair Paravel, with the deep red and gold colors from the movie everywhere.
"Oh Carly, it's you. Please come in," said Edmund, motioning me inside. I nodded and did, immediately feeling the warmth that radiated from the fireplace.
"Um, where's Zoey?" asked Edmund, his eyes searching the hallway behind me, in hopes of seeing her no doubt.
"I think she's going to Rapunzel's room," I said, smiling as he nearly sprinted past me into the hall.
"Excitable much?" I asked, getting a laugh and a hug from Lucy.
"I think he really likes your friend," came Susan voice, and I winced a bit as I saw Caspian cleaning out some of her cuts on her face. I had heard she got them during the wolf attack.
"But now that you're here, I do have to ask. Is April all right? She saved me and then disappeared after I passed out. I really would like to thank her," she said, and I tried not to laugh at how forma she sounded.
"She said she was coming in here after she saw Anastasia. I think she feels bad about Princess Cinderella's capture." The girls nodded, and that when I got my first look at Peter.
He was staring out the window at the rain, looking like his heart was ripped up into miniscule pieces.
"Um, Peter, are you ok?" I asked, jumping back a little as he spun around, his normally cheerful eyes angry.
"Carly, the girl who put her life in danger, who saved me from certain death, is now almost dead herself! How can I possibly be ok!" he yelled, Susan and Lucy flinching a little at his tone. I rolled my eyes. Typical guy drama.
"Well, you can start by letting me finish and not yelling at me," I said calmly, surprising the two girls, who I think thought I would yell back. I pushed a lock of my highlighted hair behind my ear and continued.
"I came to tell you that Fairy Godmother told us that she would be ok, and that she'll wake up feeling better tomorrow," I said, smiling at the look of hope now filling his face.
"She's really going to be ok?" he asked breathlessly, his eyes bright as the firelight danced in front of them, reflecting on the tears that didn't yet fall.
"Now, she's in one of the hospital rooms, sleeping. Why don't you go check on her?" I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.
He nodded, and left the room.
"Now, if you guys don't mind, I'm going to go check up on Belle. I'll send April on in if I find her," I said, turning to go, when Lucy grabbed my hand.
"Can I come with you? I want to find Ivy and see if she can teach me some sword tricks," she said, and I had to laugh at her enthusiasm.
"Ok. I'm pretty sure she's in with Princess Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie," I said.
"They have a genie! Amazing!" she said as we left the room. Already I had begun to feel happier, and I hoped that Peter might feel the same way.
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Peter's P.O.V.
Peter took a deep breath before opening the door to the intensive care ward. He didn't feel quite as bad when he saw that her wasn't the only one visiting her. Surrounding Carmen's bed were the princesses Tiana and Pocahontas, and Carmen's best friend Ashley. They looked up when they saw him come in.
"Peter. Good to see you still in one piece," said Ashley, as he gave her a small smile.
"Come on girls, lets go back to my room and I'll fix us some gumbo," said Tiana, her and Ashley helping a crestfallen looking Pocahontas out the door, but not before the native American princess brushed a stray strand of hair off of Carmen's unmoving face. The girls left, leaving Peter alone with her. She still looked beautiful, even asleep, and it hurt Peter to know that she was in pain. And all of that just to save him. He truly didn't get it.
This girl seemed like she wanted to like him, but he could also sense a strange but certain sadness about her, like she had experienced great pain her life. He sat down on the edge of her bed, and held her hand in his.
"Carmen, I don't know if you can hear me, but I want to say I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you," he said, then closed his eyes. He then felt pressure on his hand. Je looked up in surprise and saw Carmen had opened her eyes, giving him a weak smile.
"Don't stop now, it's just getting good."
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Carmen's P.O.V.
I heard Peter start talking to me. He sounded so sincere, and when he stopped, I actually felt disappointed.
"Don't stop now, it's just getting good," I said, squeezing his hand, and when I opened my eyes, I had to laugh at his amazed expression.
"Are you all right Peter?' I asked, groaning a bit as I sat up.
"A better question would be if you're ok. You didn't have to do that, you know," he told me, pain in his eyes as he said it.
"But if I hadn't, your siblings probably would have hurt me," I said, knowing well of Susan's temper.
"Ed probably wouldn't have minded," he said, and we both laughed.
"Truthfully though, but when someone does something for me, I have to repay them. I hate being in debt," she said, raising her eyebrows when he looked surprised.
"So it wasn't because you actually cared about my safety," he said with mock sadness, causing me to smile.
"Well that may be part of it,' I said quietly, feeling a bit uncomfortable now.
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Carmen's P.O.V.
"Carmen, I just don't get it. Do you like me or don't you, because it seems like you want to, but are holding yourself back. Why?" he asked, looking into my eyes intently. I bit my lip. Why was he doing this?
"Peter, please don't," I said, refusing to meet his eyes. "It's too painful, so if you really feel anything for me, don't make me do it," I begged him, looking up at him desperately. He nodded.
"All right, but just think about what I said, for I truly do care for you," he said, before getting up and leaving me alone. When he closed the door, I almost burst into tears.
Why couldn't I let myself love again, or anyone love for that matter, even when I so desperately wanted to? Jason had really fucked up my life, even more so then when Mom and Dad had died in that fucking car crash. Maybe Peter could help. Maybe I'd give him a chance, if we got out of this fight alive, that is, and by the pain I was feeling, I was not convinced we could.
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Kim's P.O.V.
"Say no more, Kim. Don't apologize. You and your friends saved myself and my prince. We are in your debt," said the ebony haired princesses as the two of us left. I had wanted to stop by and see Snow, to check on her just in case, but Chloe had been really ancy, signing the same name over and over again. Ariel. She really wanted to go to Ariel's room. Snow White laughed.
"Go, take her to see Ariel. Then come back, ok?" she said, leaning her head back into her princes chest. I smiled. Snow White was all right.
"Be safe you two, and no apples until I get back ok!" I said, laughing at her surprised, then smiling expression. Chloe then yanked on my hand. "Ok, Chloe, we're going!" I laughed, as she dragged me down the hall. This would be interesting.
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Chloe's P.O.V.
I hadn't meant to rush Kim, but I really needed to get to Ariel's room. Just something about being a mermaid, had really put my life into perspective. Ever since my mom passed away when I was a baby, my dad had really tried to give me the best life I could have. When he died 2 years ago from a bad bout of cancer, my life was never really the same. But when I had transformed into a mermaid, I had been happier then I had been in a long time. And now I needed to be with Ariel, who had helped me in so many ways.
When we reached her door. I knocked, now just a bit nervously.
"Come in," came a voice, and the two of us entered.
"Oh, Chloe! Kim! How great to see you,' said the red haired princess, getting up from her chair by the fireplace. I could only look around in wonder. Sure the bedroom was nice, but what enchanted me most was the large pool in the middle of the room.
On the bottom, there was a large sponge bed, a crystal mirror, and some shelves made out of blue coral.
"Wow Ariel, this room is amazing. I love the pool," said Kim, and I nodded, amazed and excited as we stepped inside.
"I'll leave you guys to it then," said Kim, as she left, going back to Snow whites room.
"How you doing Chloe?" Ariel asked, as she took my hand and the two of us sat on the bed. I looked around, and smiled as I saw some stationary. I looked at Ariel and pointed at it, miming writing.
"Oh of course! Please use it," she said, handing it to me.
Pretty good I guess. How about you?
"Fine, but Chloe, I just feel awful about the whole sea witch incident. You shouldn't have thrown yourself in harms way like that." I rolled my eyes.
Ariel, I didn't come here for you to apologize. What's done is done, and you shouldn't feel responsible for me losing my voice. It actuallyputs things in perspective.
Ariel laughed and hugged me.
I actually came to tell you something. She nodded, prompting me to continue.
When I was searching for the sword, Kim and I got the chance to become mermaid, thanks to Sebastian, I wrote, smiling when I saw the crab pop up out of the water.
Anyway, when I became a mermaid, I became happier then I have been in a long time. Ariel smiled sadly.
"That's great, but if you became a mermaid full time, it'll be hard to see your parents very often," she said, but cut off when she saw my expression. "Chloe, was it something I said?' she asked, as I wiped a few tears away. My hand shook as I wrote.
No Ariel, it's not your fault. I don't really have any family to go back to, because my mom died when I was a baby, and my father just recently passed away from cancer. I wrote, trying to stop my shaking hands as Ariel's own eyes started tearing up.
"Oh Chloe! I'm so sorry," she said, and hugged me again. The one thing I had learned when I had come here was how nice people could be. Sure, I occasionally visited with my mom's sister, but she didn't really care about me as much as she did her collection of Prada bags. So recently I had been staying with some family friends, but always felt like I was intruding. Here, surrounded by the girls and the characters themselves I felt whole, like I belonged, something I hadn't felt for a long time. I picked up the pen again.
It's ok, Ariel. I do want to let you know that being here has really made me happy. Especially when I was a mermaid. Ariel nodded. I then remembered my necklace.
Oh, Sebastian gave me this, and I was wondering if maybe, I began, but stopped when Ariel put her hand on my shoulder.
"If you could sleep here? Of course. Anything for the girl who saved us." I smiled, but then looked around.
Where is Eric anywhere? I wrote.
"Oh, he and the other princes are keeping watch while the rest of us get some shut eye. " I nodded.
"Well, if you want to be a mermaid so bad, then jump in girl!" she laughed, and I giggled silently as I did, a bright light surrounding me as I touched the water. In seconds, my pink tail had replaced my legs, and I felt complete once again. I surfaced, grinning as water ran down my face.
"Sleep well Chloe," grinned Ariel from her bed, and turned out the light as she lay down. I swam down to the sponge bed and lay down myself, marveling at its softness. A bit of lightning lit up the sky and a bit of thunder made the water slosh a little. It was an interesting feeling, watching a storm from under the water, and I feel asleep, peaceful for the first time since I lost my voice. It was great, and I hoped that the rest of the girls were having equally as pleasant nights.
Ok, super, super long chapter to make up for the long wait. Ok I'll say it, I've have been walking through a fog of un-inspiration that only just left. And my school just finished a state test, so for the past few days I've been surrounded by four uninspiring walls and no windows, so I will blame them. Seeing that it's only one more week until spring break, and then I will be updating as often as possible! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry it's not action-y but that's what fillers are for after all. Next chapter up soon, and please, tell me what you want for upcoming stuff. I need more reviews, I'm begging you!