The shower I took after talking with Maleficent was the most amazing thing ever. The hot water felt good on my grimy skin and the soap washed off all of the dirt, sand, and sweat. When I stepped out of the shower there were clothes ready for me to wear. They were just a pair of normal jeans and a black shirt but I felt very odd putting them on, wondering what happened to my clothes.

Once I was dressed I walked out of the bathroom where Riku was waiting for me. He was leaning against the wall with his slivery hair framing his face. I tilted my head and studied him for a moment. His bright green eyes were looking down the hall, almost like they were looking for something.

"Okay." I said. He looked at me and pushed himself off the wall. I couldn't help but watch the muscles in his arms move as they performed such a simple task. Holey Smokes.

"Maleficent wishes to see you again." I looked at him confused. I'd already talked to her what else did she want?

We walked through the confusing hallways and I tried to remember everything I saw, including a doorway to the outside, through which a little sunlight came through. When we were back in front of the chamber doors Riku kept walking.

"Isn't that the meeting room?" I asked, confused. He stopped in front of a smaller door and opened it.

"Yes, but she wishes to meet with you in here," He explained, holding the heavy wooden door open for me. I limped up next to him and peeked inside.

"Sure is dark in there, don't you think?" I asked, checking his facial expression. But before I could really catch anything in his face his hand reached out and grabbed my arm. He shoved me forward so hard I tripped over a lump in the floor and landed flat on my face. "Shit." I muttered. Slowly lifting myself up. I pushed myself to my feet and turned to face him as he was slamming the door. I launched myself at it, trying to throw him backward. "YOU BASTARD, WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" I screamed. I pounded my fist against the door but he'd already shut it and walked into the chamber. "UGH!" I stomped around the cell, stopping only when my foot couldn't handle the pressure anymore and I collapsed on the wall to the left of the door. I leaned my head against it.

"That smarmy vizier could've had 'em –," Someone said from the other side, "if someone had stuck around to give him a hand." I pushed my ear closer to the wall.

"Hey I did my part. I brought the princess didn't I?" Riku answered. I ground my teeth at the sound of his voice. Even though all we'd done was attack each other since we met, I felt we were getting along slightly.

"Jafar was beyond help," Maleficent said. I remembered her offer of power to me and wondered why she would throw her allies in a chamber so very dislikeable. "Consumed by his own hatred. One should beware of letting it burn too fiercely."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lighten up," the other guy said, "I'm as cool as they come, okay? By the way, kid, have we got something special for you." He muttered something. Stupid handsome boy, I thought.

"We had a deal, yes?" Maleficent said smoothly, "You help us, and we grant your wish."

"KAIRI!" He yelled. I suddenly felt myself getting worried. What was my problem? I searched my brain as thoroughly as possible trying to remember whom that Kairi girl was. What's the big deal?, I asked myself.

"Go to her, your vessel is waiting," Maleficent instructed. It's not like anything besides abuse is going on.

"Just remember," Someone else entered the room, his voice heavy with a pirate accent, "this is no pleasure cruise. It won't be a pleasant voyage."

"Why are you doing this for me? What's the catch?" Riku asked. Oh so he does question authority. He's not just a puppet.

"Catch? What's the catch?" Maleficent cooed, "Silly boy. You're like a son to me. I only want you to be happy."

"I seriously doubt that."

"Believe what you wish. But lest we forget I kept my end of the bargain," She said as a set of footsteps left the chamber. I launched myself to the door and looked through the metal bars to see into the hallway. I poked my head as far through as I could, but he was headed the other direction. I slumped back against the wall.

"….girl's power. Should we tell him?" The first man's voice asked.

"Maybe," The other man said.

"Idiots," Maleficent mumbled. "His anger, rage, and pent up feelings of loneliness are all we have at controlling him. If you let them all out at once it's a waste."

"We'll be off then," The pirate said.

"I'll go get the girl." The first man suggested. They both left the room and I heard Maleficent start to laugh.

"So you're what all this hubbub is about." I moved my head so fast I thought my neck would break from the force of it. I stared up between the bars and saw a very tall blue man with a head of flaming blue hair looking down on me. "You don't look like much of a threat." I glared at him with my lips pursed. I pulled myself to my feet. "Well I'm supposed to take you with me. There was a long debate on whether you should go with the Captain or me. But I suggested a few tournaments to test your power would be good before sending you off on a mission." He started to unlock the door and I cautiously limped up to it.

The lock clicked and as soon as there was enough room for me to get through I bolted. He just laughed as I limp/ran away. Suddenly blue flames sprouted in front of me and blocked my path. I growled in frustration and he continued to laugh.

"You're the most anxious prisoner I think we've had in a long time," He said. I didn't know whether to take it as a compliment. "But listen. I've got a deal for ya Gimpy." I fumed angrily. "If you go with me to Olympus and fight in the trials, and you pass those trials I'll let you go off on the mission alone as long as you promise to return."

"And what if I don't return?" I asked.

"Then Maleficent gave me permission to throw you in the underworld until I decide to let you out," He looked at me, that amused look flashing in his eyes again, "I can tell you'd be a fun one to keep down there."

"There has to be something else. That's not much motivation to keep me in line," I tried to get him to understand.

"I think that's plenty motivation." He grabbed my shoulder and I felt like I was being suction cupped through a wall and then hung on a clothesline by my toes. When we stopped I sucked in a deep breath. Where we were was dark. A river that felt like water floated past our feet, but when I lifted my foot out of the murky water, my pants were still dry. The place was as dark as a cave and just standing here made me feel sick. "See?"

"Yes," I admitted quietly.

"You'll stay out of here, and Maleficent said you can see your friends again," He held out his hand and a little white orb appeared. I could see Meg and Nessa sitting in some sort of ship cabin.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"Who knows?" He snapped his hand closed. "So do you accept the challenge?" I could feel myself getting weaker and the offer of Maleficent's power still rang in my ears.

"I accept."