CHAPTER 11

Cinderella, Aladdin and Eric walked into the forest to find the other four waiting for them.

"Did you find out anything?" Kida asked hopefully.

Eric sighed. "Not much. They've definitely got Jim. They didn't say so, but they made it pretty clear."

"Did they say why?" Kida asked.

"No," Aladdin answered. "And when we tried to ask, they warned us off."

"The way she acted, I don't think they ever intend to let him go," Cinderella said sadly."

Pocahontas became angry. "Why are they doing this to us? We're just the same as they are!"

Eric put his hand on her shoulder. "Unfortunately, they don't see us that way."

Pocahontas pulled away from him angrily. "You can cut out that 'us' stuff! We all know you're just a regular human again. You're worthless!"

Her words stung him. "I may not have a gift anymore, but I'm still willing, and able, to help you until this is finished."

Cinderella walked up beside him, taking his hand in support. "So am I."

Aladdin put his hand on Eric's shoulder. "Me too."

They heard chuckling behind them, and quickly turned. "So, the three musketeers are at it again," Vanessa said mockingly.

"What do you want, Witch?" Eric asked, scowling.

"Only my fair share," she answered sweetly.

"You've had that for eleven years now," Eric snapped. "It's about time you back off."

"I'll be the one giving the orders around here!" Vanessa snapped back.

"What gives you the right?" Eric challenged.

Vanessa just smiled, an evil gleam in her eyes. "Perhaps your friend here gives me the right." Holding up her hand, she held up a magical mirror. Inside it, they saw Ariel, trapped in a deep hole.

"Ariel!" Aladdin exclaimed in horror. "What have you done with her?"

"Stay back," Vanessa warned them as they began to charge toward her. "Or she dies!"

They immediately stopped. Eric held up his hands in submission. "All right," he said calmly. "What do you want?"

"I want this forest," she answered.

Eric shook his head. "You can't have it."

Vanessa laughed at him. "And who's going to stop me? You? You have no power! Your pathetic friends cannot stop me. And now the forest is being ripped from you bit by bit. Admit it, I have the advantage!"

"But you lost me," Eric reminded her. "I'm not your slave anymore. You'll have to do your own dirty work from now on."

Vanessa shrugged. "You lose some to win some. I let you go for something bigger." She chuckled. "For years, you were simply a way to keep my husband alive. Then I realized that I could use you to get what I want. And lately you've been most helpful. Providing me with some excellent information. Not to mention granting me full access to the enemy camp."

That was more than Eric could take and he ran toward her, furious. But she simply rolled her eyes and batted him away like a fly. Eric fell several feet away, coughing, and finally managing to get up on his knees.

Vanessa snickered. "And now you are as weak as any mortal man. Sad, really. Eric Tremaine, the most powerful of them all, on his knees before anyone who crosses his path." She laughed darkly.

Cinderella, who had rushed over to help Eric, now stood. "You're nothing but a heartless tyrant!" she exclaimed. "You don't think of anyone but yourself!"

"On the contrary," Vanessa corrected her. "I just so happen to be thinking of someone else right now. One of you, in fact. One who will be my new servant."

Aladdin scowled. "We would rather die."

"All of you will die, sooner or later," Vanessa smirked. "All but one."

Kida stepped forward, furious. "We will never serve you, Witch!" she yelled.

Vanessa wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'm not asking you to. You will die, along with the rest of your family. No, I want someone more powerful than you."

Cinderella paled. "Jim?"

"Oh, you clueless child," Vanessa laughed. "This will be easier than I thought. You know nothing! But that will soon change, with the training I can give you."

Cinderella winced. "No, thank you. I prefer Ariel's."

"But Ariel will no longer be around to help you. I'm your only hope for unlocking your powers."

Cinderella smiled. "A wise person once told me, that if I learn to use my gift on my own, then I will learn to use it properly, and be even greater in the end." Aladdin smiled at her proudly.

But Vanessa scowled. "We'll see about that. I suggest that you wise up before all your friends are long gone, all because of you."

Pocahontas spoke up, "You can't fool us. You're going to kill us whether we surrender or not."

"You never spoke a truer word," Vanessa agreed.

Cinderella shook her head determinedly. "I will have to decline your assistance then. Besides, I would rather die fighting beside my friends then become a begging slave for you!"

"You will regret this!" Vanessa yelled, furious. Then, with a wave of her arm, disappeared.

"Yeah, you wish," Pocahontas muttered before turning back to the others.