A/N: Hello there keepers! It's been really long since we last saw each other. Sorry about that! I was really busy for the past two weeks. I'll try my best to write the next chapter ASAP! I know I ended the last chapter in a huge cliffhanger, but hey, look at it this way. At least I didn't end a book like that! Ugh! I legit can not wait until April 2013 for KK6! It's just not fair. Anyway, here's chapter 26: Just one bite.

Back in Wanda's apartment, Willa, Amanda and Jess sat in silence. The boys were out getting dinner at Mcdonald's. Willa felt like her heart had been ripped out. Charlene couldn't be dead. It couldn't possibly be true, but it was. She had seen it with her own eyes. She had seen Charlene's hand dangling wimpy, she had felt the absence of a pulse, she had heard the absence of breath, but she still could not believe it. Charlene could not be dead. Charlene could not be dead.

The word dead kept replaying in her mind. Death always seemed so unreal, until it happened. Willa hadn't felt this much pain since her father had died, and she couldn't stand it. Willa thought about what the keepers would do, how they would handle it. The thing that Willa dreaded the most was having to tell Charlene's mom. How would her mother take it? Of course she would be mortified and heartbroken, but would she believe the story about the Overtakers. Would she believe that the Overtakers had drowned Charlene, or would she think that the kids were being irresponsible and an avoidable accident had occurred?

Willa's mother didn't believe the keeper stories. Jelly, Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Philby did, but Charlene's mom had never really voiced her opinion. Even if Mrs. Turner did believe the keepers, Willa dreaded telling her the news. Nobody wanted to tell someone that their child was dead. When your heart was broken, you didn't want to deliver it to someone else.

Willa crawled over to the couch where Charlene's dead body lay. She grabbed her best friend's cold limp hand that dangled off the side.

Suddenly, she was filled with memories of the times that she and Charlene had shared. The time when they had nearly died on the Winnie the Pooh ride and had held on to each other so tightly, the time when they had joined hands and jumped into a pool, the time when they had cried on each other's shoulders, thinking Wayne was dead.

Then, Willa felt her eyes begin to shake. She tried to force them away, but the tears game gushing out of her eyes and pouring down her cheeks like waterfalls. She wiped them away, but still they continued to fall.

Willa sat up higher on her knees and looked at Charlene lying there. She spotted a chain around her neck. She reached to take it off, because her mom would probably want to keep it. As soon as Willa saw what the necklace was, she began to cry even harder. It was a half of a heart that read "best" and underneath that, "for". It was the best friend necklace that Willa had given Charlene for her birthday about a year ago. After all this time, even after the huge fight, Charlene was still wearing it.

Willa pulled her necklace out from underneath her shirt. She put together the two heart halves, so that the necklace read "Best Friends Forever" A tear trickled down Willa's cheek and landed on the necklace.

"No matter what, these words will always ring true." she whispered. Then, slowly, she dropped the necklace and let go of Charlene's hand. Amanda and Jess came over and together the three girls shared a long group hug.

About a minute later, the boys came in the door with dinner. They placed the bags on the table. None of them were talking and they all still had somber expressions on their faces. Everyone ate dinner slowly in silence. The only sounds were the slurping of sodas and the occasional whimper or cough. Tears streamed out of everyone's eyes and streamed down their cheeks.

When dinner was finished, Willa finally found the courage to speak.

"I-I think we should all say a few words. You know, sort of like a little memorial service." she stuttered. The other keepers nodded in agreement. They all gathered around the couch. Amanda and Jess leaned on each other. Philby held Willa tightly to his chest and let her tears run down his shirt. Maybeck and Finn stood next to each other looking down.

"Willa, I think you should go first" Amanda said.

Willa nodded and slid away from Philby. Slowly she walked closer to Charlene. It took a minute before she was able to begin. She had so much to say about Charlene, but where would she start? And how would she get through the entire thing without bursting into tears. No matter how hard it would be, she knew she had to do it.

For Charlene she kept telling herself. For Charlene.

"I guess I'll just start by simply saying, Charlene, you were my best friend, but I shouldn't use the word were because, you still are my best friend and you always will be so, let me start over." Willa took a second to pull herself together, then started again.

"Charlene, you are my best friend, and you always will be, because even though I can't see you, I know that you're still here with me." Willa felt tears start to well up in her eyes, but she willed them away so she could continue. She had to continue for Charlene.

"I've gotta be honest. I never thought that we would be best friends. When I first saw you and found out you were a cheerleader; well as a girl in all honors classes with straight A's who's never been that popular, it's not hard to figure out what I thought. I thought that you probably felt the same way and that we were never going to contact each other at all, but then I got to know you and I saw that deep down, you and I were destined for friendship, even if we were polar opposites. Well, like they say, opposites attract.

Charlie, there's so many things that I never got to tell you. I never got to tell you that I thought of you as a sister, I never got to tell you that you had become a part of me. So, that being said, with you gone, part of me is gone too. I'm sorry we left things the way we did. The most important thing I have to tell you is that I didn't mean anything I said and I hope that you didn't either. Although, after what I saw today, I knew you didn't mean it. Oh, and Charlie, thanks for saving my life. If only I could have saved your's.

I'll end with this. I'm sorry that I'll never get to be there to see you walk down the aisle or see your children born and I'm sorry that you will never experience them either. I do know though, that you will see my wedding and you will see my children because, like I said before. You are always with me. I'm sorry we'll never go to Prom together, or be bridesmaids at weddings together, but we'll always have that special, unbreakable connection. So, thanks Charlie; for everything."

Willa turned around. The other keepers had tears in their eyes. Willa finally let the tears she had been holding in fall. She let them gush and stream. She ran back into Philby's arms and let herself cry so much that she didn't think she had any tears left at all. Amanda was the next one to step up.

"Charlene, let's be honest. You and I didn't always get along" she began.

"Sometimes, you really pissed me off" she paused slightly and then continued to talk.

"but that doesn't mean that I didn't care about you. I hate that we left things the way we did because the things that I said might have made you think that I hated you and I don't hate you. I never hated you. You were like a sister to me Charlene there's no way that I could hate you. Sure sisters fight, but they still love each other and care about each other. We're all like one big family here and we all care about each other no matter how hard things get. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is…"

Amanda began to cry. Jess walked over to her and squeezed her hand. Amanda took a deep breath and continued through tears.

"If you can hear me, I don't hate you. I care about you so much and now that you're gone, my heart is broken and I don't think it will ever heal."

Amanda stepped back. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Amanda, Jess and Willa all sat in a huddle, hugging and crying on each other's shoulders. Everyone else then proceeded to say a few words.

Finn mentioned how helpful she had been when Jess was captured using her disguise in the Animal Kingdom. Philby talked about how she was never afraid of any mission and how her never ending spirit allowed her to have a never give up attitude. Jess mentioned all of the times she, Charlene, Willa and Amanda had shared.

She talked about going to see movies, hanging out at the beach, having splash wars in each other's pools and staying up into the long hours of the night at slumber parties. Finally, Maybeck stepped up.

"Charlene..." he began. "I'm going to admit now that I'm not so good at these kinds of things so, um, I guess I'm just going to keep it simple. At first, you were just one of my best friends and then it grew to much more. You were like a sister. As time went by, it became so much more. Suddenly I felt a connection between us. I could tell that there was chemistry. You understood me like no one else Charlie and I understood you.

What I'm trying to say is, I've had this huge crush on you for the longest time, but I never had the courage to tell you, so I'm telling you now. I really like you a lot Charlene, I think I might even love you and I'm gonna miss you so much."

Maybeck stepped back. Then, there was a moment of silence. Willa began to cry all over again. Amanda put a hand on her shoulder. In just a few minutes, the entire group was locked in a tight hug and there were tears falling from every eye.

About an hour later, everyone had calmed down, but the room was still filled with silence. There wasn't a single smile or dry eye. Amanda walked over to Finn. There was something they needed to talk about.

"Hey Finn?" she said. Finn looked up at her.

"Can I talk to you a minute?" Finn walked with her to the kitchen.

"What is it?" he said.

"You know I didn't mean anything I said before right? I really care about you and it was just the heat of the moment. I'm really sorry. It was wrong of me and..." Finn pulled her in close and kissed her, but Amanda pulled away.

"What's wrong?" said Finn, confused.

"Well Finn, it's just, I'm sorry for what I said and I forgive you for what you said and I still wanna be friends, you're still like a brother to me, but I just don't know if I can trust you in a relationship anymore."

"I really care about you Amanda." Amanda was near tears.

"Then why did you kiss Charlene and Storey? We both knew that we liked each other Finn. We were basically together. I thought you were really loyal, but I don't know anymore. I don't know if I could be in a relationship with someone who goes around kissing other girls after him and his girlfriend get into one fight."

"Amanda, I regretted those kisses as soon as I thought about you. And about the fight, I…"

"I don't even want to talk about that now Finn. After you said those things to me and rode away on your bike without even looking back, I didn't feel angry Finn. I felt hurt. I felt betrayed. I couldn't believe you would say the things that you did."

"I was just worried about my mom. It was the heat of the moment."

"I get that and I would've been there for you. I would've given you a shoulder the cry on. I wanted to comfort you Finn, but you didn't give me a chance. How could you accuse me of helping the overtakers? Even if you were worried about your mom. I thought that you really cared about me."

"Amanda…"

"Forget it Finn. I don't wanna start fighting again." Then, Amanda turned around and began to walk out of the room with tears in her eyes.

"Amanda!" Finn called, but she didn't turn back.

"Amanda!" but she was already in the other room, crying in Jess' arms. Maybeck walked up to the two girls.

"Listen, about those things I said before…" Jess cut him off.

"It's okay. We know you didn't mean them." Amanda nodded.

"No." said Maybeck. "They were really awful."

"Don't worry about it." Jess said. "I was wrong too. I'm sorry." Again, Amanda nodded. A few minutes later, the keepers were all lying down in their sleeping bags, trying to go to sleep.

Willa woke up in the center of the magic kingdom. She was confused. Had Philby crossed everyone over? She sat up and looked around, but she was the only keeper there.

Why would Philby cross me over alone? she thought. Then, a thought occurred to her and her eyes grew wide.

The Overtakers must have crossed me over. They must have created a new server. Then, Willa stood up and began to run. She ran as fast as her legs could possibly carry her, but she stopped when she heard a voice behind her.

"You aren't afraid of me are yee?" It was a young woman with a Scottish accent. Willa knew she had heard the voice somewhere recently, but she couldn't recall where.

Slowly and cautiously, Willa turned around and saw a girl in a hunting gown, carrying a bow in arrow.

That's where I've heard that voice! Willa thought. She was looking at Princess Merida, from Brave. Willa turned around and looked on in awe.

"No-no- it's just, I.."

"Ah, I'm only kiddin' with ye. I understand. Anyway, there's something you need to see."

"Wait." said Willa.

"There's no time. We can talk on thee way to Typhoon Lagoon. I brought two palace horses with me. Hop on the white one there and we'll be off." Willa trusted Merida, so she did as she was told. Merida and Willa began to ride to Typhoon Lagoon

"Now what is it you wanted to ask me?" Merida asked.

"Well, actually, I have a few questions."

"Well ask away then. We don't have much time." Willa decided which question to ask Merida first.

"First of all, what are you taking me to see?" Merida hesitated.

"You really want to know?"

"Yes"

"Okay" said Merida. "I'm taking you there because there's something you need to know involving your friend Charlene." Willa felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"Charlene's dead" she struggled to choke out. Saying the words still hurt, because she still couldn't believe them to be true.

"That's just the thing" said Merida. "There may be a way to save her, but we've got to hurry." Willa's eyes lit up.

"You mean, she could still be alive?"

"Yes, but only if we hurry. Time is running out." Willa was slightly confused about something.

"Why did you just cross me over and not my friends?"

"Well, you see, it was very difficult for me to figure out how to cross someone over, and I only had the time to cross over one of yee, so I picked you."

"But why me?"

"Well you are the girl's best friend after all."

"How did you know that?"

"Word spreads fast in this kingdom dearie."

"Okay, but why were you trying to cross us over? There are some Disney characters that are really good with techie stuff."

"Ai, yes, but none were able to."

"Why not? Are you the only character left who hasn't been captured?" Merida's look and demeanor became very somber and serious.

"No, but, I'm one of very few. There aren't many of us who are still free." What Merida was saying didn't make sense to Willa.

"But, I went to one of the Overtaker prison cells just a day or so ago. It didn't look as if almost every Disney character was there."

"Ai. That's because a lot of them are being used to fight for thee dark side." Once Merida said this, Willa realized that she had forgotten that detail of the Overtaker's plan. They didn't just want people out of their way by method of capturing. They wanted to use some Disney characters to their advantage.

"So, who else is still uncaptured?"

"Well, there's me, and some of the wee little children like my brothers, but we've been trying to keep them out of the fight. Some of the animals are still free, but I couldn't expect them to work a server. There are only a handful of us that are still free. Most are captured. I expect the only reason I'm still standing is because I'm new to this kingdom, but that hasn't protected all of my family. Me mother's been captured and me father is under a spell."

"I'm sorry." Willa said.

"Thank you, but I know I'm going to save them." Just then, the horses arrived at the typhoon lagoon.

"Ah here we are." said Merida. "And just in time too. We're expected by crush n' gusher in just a minute or so."

"Expected by who?"

"Ah, just a few more soldiers that are still standing."

"How are we going to get in?" Willa asked. "The gates are locked."

"I'm a Disney character." Merida replied. "I have full access of course." Willa gave an impressed look, and Merida unlocked the gates and entered the security code.

The two girls tied up their horses and jogged to the gate. When they arrived at crush n' gusher, Willa saw two girls leaning against the edge of the pool. She recognized them by their seashell bras as mermaids, perhaps even two of Ariel's sisters, but Willa wasn't sure and she didn't know their names.

"This is Aquata and Attina, two of Ariel's sisters." Merida said.

"This is that girl Willow that Ariel always tells us about right?" said Aquata.

"Yes." said Willa. "But it's Willa, not Willow."

"I'm sorry."

"No worries it was just an honest mistake."

"I love your shirt!" Aquata said. "Attina isn't her shirt beautiful?"

"Yes!" said Attina. "I especially love her hair!" Suddenly, the two mermaids were conversing loudly. Willa tried to say thank you, but the sisters were talking so quickly, Willa couldn't get a single word in. Suddenly, Merida screamed loudly. Aquata and Attina stopped talking and looked at Merida.

"Can we stop fraternizing please?" Merida said angrily. "We need to get to the task at hand. There isn't much time left!"

"Woops." said Aquata. "Sorry."

"Never mind." said Merida. "Just go get the apple." Aquata and Attina nodded, then dove into the water. Willa was finally starting to understand what had happened.

"Wait a minute" she said. "Apple? So that means Charlene didn't drown, she was…"

"Yes." said Merida ,cutting Willa off. "She was poisoned. You see, I was here in the park to visit Aquata and Attina and make sure they were okay, when I saw your friend Charlene struggling in thee water. I started to run towards the pool and when I got there, she was under the water. I dove in and swam to her, and I saw that her feet and hands were bound with plants."

Olivia Willa immediately thought. She was filled with anger and rage rushed through her bones. Merida continued on.

"I tried to untie her and help her out of the water, but the plants were too strong. I swam back to my horse and grabbed me knife, but when I came back, all I saw was your friend unconscious. I thought she had drowned, but then I saw this."

Just then, Aquata and Attina arrived back at the edge of the pool, and Willa saw an apple with a bite taken out of it.

"I was going to take her out of the pool, but then I saw someone coming and I was startled." said Merida. "I thought that it may be an Overtaker, so I swam away. It wasn't until I spotted you and your friends walking away that I realized it had been one of your friends. I tried to reach you, but I was too far away, and there were Overtakers in my path."

"So what you're saying…" Willa asked. "Is that Charlene is poisoned and if someone kisses her she'll be okay?"

"Yes, but not just any kiss can save her. It has to be a kiss from someone that loves her, and she must love that person back." Willa was ecstatic and crying tears of joy.

"I can't believe it!" she said. She even chuckled a little. Merida pulled out the fob.

"I'll be sending you back home now." she said. "Oh and one more thing. The kiss must occur by midnight this evening."

Before Willa could ask another question, Merida pushed the button. Willa awoke with a start. She looked at the clock.

11:50 it read. Willa rushed to wake the others up. She had to hurry.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I know it's really sad and ended in a cliffhanger(again!), but like I said, I'll do my best to write chapter 27 ASAP. Anyway, on top this chapter's sneak peek contest!I'm going to leave some of the lyrics to my favorite childhood TV show. There's currently another version of this show currently on air on a different channel, but it stinks compared to the original. So here they are.

"Close your eyes, and open your heart, believe in your self, that's where it starts. Dreams do come true, just wait and see..."

If you know what show it's from. leave it in a review. The first three people to get it right get a chapter 27 sneak peek!

BONUS!: If you can identify what channel the original version of the show was on, you get two sneak peeks!

Bye everyone! Hope you're all enjoying your summer, and remember...

Keep calm and eliminate the Overtakers!

-kingdomkeepers365

Got questions? Private message me and I'll honestly answer them, if I can. Even if that answer is "I can't answer that. It'll be answered in the upcoming chapters