Hey guys! I'm back with the next chapter from Warriors. Since we've spent a lot of time at the alliance camp, let's go beyond the borders. I bet you're all wondering what Carlos, Evie and Jay are up to, right? Yeah, first we still have a bit more of Chad and these reviews before we go to Evie, Jay and Carlos:
pinksakura271: Thanks for reviewing! It's not like anyone cared about her like he does, so she's happy someone's concerned. Chad's just angry because of what Hadrian can do, which did cost him his sword. (he's taking a break from the alliance). He only completely trusts Audrey because they grew up together and knows her better than anyone else and so he knows she would never betray them. I know right? I wanted that magic to be more than 'bibbity bobbity boo' and rhymes.
Kingson24601: Well, she has her mother's talent. I don't think I'll ever mention it in this story, so I'll just tell you: Merlin saw some potential in Philip and he trained Philip until Madam Mim killed him. Hadrian's known for doing that, which is why Chad was so angry (that and the threat about 'sending him to is father'). Hadrian's a demigod, partly human, so he can still die. Thanks for reviewing!
jaleftwich: Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, he just pops up again after a long absence. Just remember he can't accurately say who will be dying, so Chad may survive this story. Next up in her training are, well, more basic spells before moving on to intermediate spells.
PurpleNicole531: Yeah, he's starting to annoy me, too. I can imagine him siding with the new VKs in the sequel. With everything that's going on, it may take a while before she has peace with herself. Thanks for reviewing!
Enjoy!
-Writer207
"Chad, can we talk?"
"No."
"Chad." Philip repeated his name calmly, not saying anything else. Eventually, Chad sighed and put the sword back where it belonged. Then he and Philip walked away from the group so they could talk in private. While Ben continued to talk with Hadrian, Philip was ready to talk to his son.
"Why did you do that?" Philip asked, looking only at his adopted son, "That was unnecessary." Chad shook his head, still feeling angry.
"It wasn't," he said. A short period of silence followed and Philip hoped this short time would hopefully make Chad calmer.
"Just think about it," Philip said, "A young boy comes to us. Did it ever cross your mind he came to seek help?"
"No, it didn't because he goes where people die," Chad reasoned. Philip already could feel how the next part of the conversation would go, but continued to talk nonetheless. Maybe he could reason with his son eventually. He just hoped Chad would be reasonable – though, knowing him, he wouldn't.
"He may have had another reason," Philip said, "He's been here before, remember?"
Chad scoffed. "How could I forget? When he left, ten of us died!" Philip could remember the first time they saw each other. The boy was on the run from a daughter of Hecate he had angered – or so he said. Before he left, ten people passed away. He also remembered that there had been a severe case of food poisoning the other day, causing ten people to die.
"It wasn't murder," Philip said. Many – including Chad – blamed Hadrian, which prompted him to leave. "They were all sick." As expected, Chad shook his head in disbelief, ready to sneer again.
"And now he's back," he said, "How many do you think will die now?"
"Those are matters for the future," Philip said, trying to stay calm when his adopted son wouldn't, "Right now, we have a lost boy to help."
"He threatened to kill me!" Chad then started to shout, not in the mood to be reasonable anymore, "He threatened to kill two of us by the end of the month."
"He just said—" Philip began, but Chad wouldn't let him finish.
"He disgraced my father!" Chad had always been defensive whenever his parents were mentioned. In association with sending him to his father – or, in other words, to kill him –, he freaked out. "I wasn't going to let that little—"
"Chad Charming." Philip didn't shout, yet Chad became instantly silent and kept it that way, staring at Philip. He never really used that name, only when it was serious. He knew Chad would listen when he mentioned his last name. When he was certain he wouldn't be interrupted, he continued.
"Please listen to me. He's just a kid with a terrible gift. Everyone must hate and fear him. If you were him, what would you do?" Chad, surprisingly, stayed silent. He didn't know how to answer, didn't think about what he would do if he were in Hadrian's position. After a while, Philip made a hard decision.
"Maybe it's time you took some time for yourself." Chad looked at him, blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?" he then asked, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.
"You have to go," Philip said. Chad sighed – so it was what he'd feared, "This place and everything it stands for is making you blind and furious. Staying away for some time may be good for you. Take a break."
"You can't do this to me!" Chad said, protesting against this measure. Whenever the older members couldn't take the pressure of being with the alliance anymore, they could leave and come back whenever they pleased, if they let someone know first. The leaders also have the power to put a member on hold, temporarily.
Philip had hoped he wouldn't have to rely on that rule, but now he had no other choice. "Chad, as an alliance leader, I now order that you leave now and don't come back until fourteen days have passed. You'll be fine, I promise." He smiled sadly at Chad, then extended his hand.
"Just give me the sword." Chad's hand automatically went to the hilt, grabbing it and holding it tightly. He had accepted the request to leave – didn't mean he liked it – but he would have liked to keep the sword.
"I won't—"
"Do you want them to catch you? To kill you?" Philip interrupted Chad. He continued to talk slowly. "Chad, please, give me the sword. You'll get it back when you've returned." Chad glared at him and eventually sighed dramatically.
"Fine!" He took the sword and its scabbard and pushed it in Philip's hand before starting to walk away. "If you want me to go, then I'll go!" These were the last words he'd said before focusing on the journey ahead. Philip sighed as he walked behind him, to the group of teenagers while he tied the scabbard to his waist.
"Be careful," Philip said, but he was certain Chad hadn't heard it. He shook his head – he could be really stubborn and annoying sometimes, but since they've started to accept villain kids in their ranks, it's become worse than ever. It will do him well, he thought to himself, he will be okay. He'll come back with a clean slate. Everyone who took a break, even those who were forced, came back relaxed. So Chad will, too.
Yet he feared that he would come back being more annoyed than ever before, or not come back at all.
Thirteen days later, it was time for Chad to leave the town where he had spent his time. He hadn't thought about his job too much, since he had been too busy helping the villagers with their problems. He had helped catch an escaped horse, had painted the fence for an older man who couldn't do that anymore, had repaired an old cart. They wanted to pay him, but he always refused the money – the villagers needed it more than he did.
He would never admit it, but Philip had been right: this break had done him well. He almost hadn't thought about his duties. He had had some time for himself, which he had spent helping the villagers. He didn't have to make sure everyone was doing something useful at the alliance, didn't have to teach the newbies how to wield their new weapons. He had felt calmer, better than ever before. He felt like a fool for the way he acted around everyone. He hadn't changed his opinion, but he could have approached the issue differently. It was time to go back, apologize for his behavior and pick up his life again.
Early in the morning, Chad had gathered everything he had bought over the past thirteen days. The only thing he owned before he had to leave were the clothes he wore that first day. He put everything in a small backpack and then quietly left the town. They would definitely hold him back, asking questions and keeping him from reaching the alliance as soon as possible.
He'd never find people as friendly as they were and even hoped to return one day to say hi, but for now the alliance needed him to go back and help everyone again. Without looking back and with a smile, he began walking away from the town, back to the alliance. He knew it would take him a long time before he would be home – at least half a day of walking – but if he walked at a certain pace without resting, he may be there earlier.
Yet, the human body can only take a certain amount of effort and at one point, Chad had to take a break and sit down, giving his aching feet and legs some rest. He muttered to himself that he shouldn't strain himself so much.
Only then, he heard the screams.
"Help me! Somebody, please, help me!" He turned his head in the direction of the screams. The girl – it was a girl, he was sure of it – was far away from them, the wind carrying her voice to him. he immediately jumped up, ignoring the aches. The need to rescue this girl was bigger than going back to the alliance. If he didn't help her now, nobody might. He did have to stray from the path and venture into the woods, but after everything he's been through, he knew the best way to navigate through all the plants.
Without hesitation, he walked from the path and ran in the direction of the screams. Even with the forest indirectly holding him back, he still reached her rather quickly. The girl stood with her back against a tree, with a dark bag pulled over her head and arms tied together around the tree with a thin rope. The bag didn't cover everything, though, as her mouth and parts of her wavy black hair were still visible. When he came closer, he noticed the piece of cloth around her neck, which formerly could have covered her mouth. As soon as he stood in front of her, she stopped screaming, remaining silent because she knew someone was near.
"Don't worry," he said trying to calm her down, even if she seemed rather calm already, "I'm here to rescue you." The first thing he did was remove the bag from her head. The girl had to be around his age and was pretty. He now noticed her beautiful brown eyes and a lovely smile. But when he noticed her hair, he didn't want to think of her as attractive anymore and backed away from her.
There were dark blue streaks in her hair, which he couldn't have seen from a great distance. He realized he was looking at the Princess, the daughter of the Evil Queen. He didn't curse out loud, but thought of all colorful words he'd like to yell right now. It's a trap, he thought, looking around for anyone else who could have come with her, always trying to keep her in his sight just in case she would try something.
They didn't disappoint. As soon as Chad turned his head, he saw one of her friends charging at him. It was the son of Jafar, the Traveler, and he seemed more than happy to be able to fight Chad. For a villain kid, Jay was a lousy fighter, which was to Chad's advantage. Jay soon stopped in front of them and immediately tried to punch him. Chad evaded the fist and with a few quick step soon stood behind Jay, hitting hard in the back of his neck. Jay fell on his stomach and it didn't look like he would get up soon.
Chad turned back around to do the same to the girl and then get out of here – they sure wouldn't have come all alone – and had already turned around to do what he had to do. Like he had guessed, she had freed herself, not being the damsel she had pretended to be. He was more than willing to knock her out, but he hesitated.
Evie stared at him, looking like she could cry. He thought that, if she wasn't the person she was now, she could be an excellent actress. "You wouldn't hit a girl, would you?" she had asked him right after he turned in her direction.
He scolded himself for hesitating. Yes, she was a girl, but she was a villain kid with a long list of crimes on her name. And a villain is a villain, no matter what gender they have, and they all deserve what is coming. He lifted his arm, but then felt a shark pain in his neck. He reached out and found a small dart stuck in the back of his neck. He could see the malicious smile on Evie's face before he fell on his knees and hands.
His vision blurred and he fought to stay awake. He could hear Evie and Jay talk.
"It really works," Jay said, sounding a little surprised.
"Of course it does," Evie said, "I made it. We just have to wait a while."
Chad realized there was no way he'd stay awake in this situation. He closed his eyes and let himself drift away into darkness and unconsciousness.
He woke up in a completely different location, like he anticipated. He knew he was somewhere else without having to open his eyes. He was sitting in a chair, hands tied to the back with handcuffs, softly cutting his wrist's skin. The chair stood in a dim lit, stuffy room. Someone was pacing around in front of him.
Chad finally opened his eyes, ready to face whoever was in this room with him. He adjusted to the light easily, since there was only one lightbulb and it still was rather dark. There was a table in front of him. He saw Jay and Evie were with him in the room. Evie sat on another chair in a corner, looking into the mirror while it had been Jay who'd been pacing and who was now looking at him.
"He's awake," Jay said and Evie turned her attention to their prisoner while putting her mirror away. Jay looked at her while she approached him, telling her 'not to hold back'. Chad already guessed she would try to seduce him and make him do horrible things. He had prepared for a moment like this, asking how Evie had seduced Doug and others in the alliance. Besides, she would have to try her best to make Chad do as she wanted.
"So, handsome," Evie said, putting her hands on the table and leaning closer to him, "Who are you?" She really would have to try harder than this, he thought.
"Nobody interesting," he told her, trying not to look too much at her – he didn't want that pretty face of hers to make him betray his family and the alliance.
"Nobody interesting, huh?" Jay then said, "We think you are."
"You've got the wrong guy," Chad said in return, "You have to let me go. My family is waiting for me."
"We're sure we have the right guy," Jay said again, Evie giving him the space to continue the conversation, "unless your name isn't Chad Charming." Chad couldn't really control the way he reacted when he heard his last name. Besides, he wondered how they knew his last name. He concluded someone in the alliance must have told them.
Mal. He knew she couldn't be trusted and he thought she somehow had contact with her friends. He didn't know they hadn't talked to Mal since the day she saved Ben. In the meantime, Jay grinned victoriously.
"Welcome to the interrogation room, Chad," he said, "Now, what are you up to? You're all alone and I can imagine the others aren't anywhere near this place." They wanted information, Chad realized. He knew exactly what he had to do and say in this situation, even if he didn't like it.
"Listen, because I am only going to say this once: just kill me already. You'll be doing everyone a favor. You're wasting your time, because I won't say anything. I am useless." He was certain they were going to kill him when they were done with him, so it didn't matter when he would be losing his life. Unfortunately, they didn't do as he wished.
"Useless?" Jay said and once he realized Chad wasn't going to say anything in response, he continued, "So you're not going to say anything? I get it: the brave yet foolish soldier thinks he won't betray his friends. You'll be disappointed in yourself, because you will give us your secrets." Jay really seemed convinced he would betray his family. For as far as he could, Chad shrugged in response.
"Go ahead, then," he said, "Waste your time." He glared at Jay, who started to laugh. After half a minute, he stopped. Evie had come to stand next to him.
"I don't think you understand. I won't interrogate you," Jay looked at his girlfriend, "but she will." Chad stopped glaring and instead shifted his focus to the pretty girl, who was coming a little too close for his (and probably Jay's) taste. Jay backed away to the corner where she sat when Chad woke up.
"Let's get to know each other," she said, "Do you have any friends?" As promised, Chad didn't answer that question and just tried to look at her as neutrally as possible. This is just an interrogation, he convinced himsel. She isn't trying anything else. Which was weird, as she had the reputation to seduce men and boys she could use to her advantage.
"Someone as handsome as you definitely has friends. Perhaps even a girlfriend," Evie continued, but didn't get any response. She then asked him: "No friends at all? There must be someone who likes or respects you." Chad shook his head.
"Everybody hates me," he told her.
"Everyone? Really? So, even your family?" Evie asked him. Chad kept his lips pressed together, not in the mood to answer. Evie started to be fed up with his attitude, which he liked. The sooner they realized he was useless, the sooner they can kill him. "Chad, does your family hate you?" She tried again.
"Does yours?" Chad then asked her – he'd die anyway and it was not like he'd give her the information she needed, "I can imagine you're extremely insecure and need boys to constantly acknowledge how pretty you are. Fairest of them all? I bet your mother still claims that title, miss."
"My family likes what I am doing," Evie replied coldly. Chad nodded.
"Good for you. So does mine." He only realized the damage until after he said it. He had revealed something about himself to her, which was apparently the entire point of this interrogation. Worst of all, the Princess noticed it, too.
"They accept your decisions. They don't hate you," she said and he promised himself not to say anything else which could give her what she needed. "You know, I'd love to meet them. They're probably just like you."
"They're certainly not like your mother," he said, giving her a piece of information she already should know. Evie mercilessly continued to talk, ignoring his comment.
"Must be hard, being a prince and being chased down. I can't imagine what kind of life that is. That's not a royal life, is it?"
"I'm happy without the luxury," Chad said, hoping she wouldn't continue with this topic. Unfortunately, she did.
"Don't you miss that life?" Evie said, "Wait, you never had a life like that to remember. I can already imagine how things went at home. Dad goes out the door early in the morning, leaving you all alone in the house with your mom. And then you and your mom have to keep the home tidy and clean and this time, there are no mice or other animals to help you. She's worried about you and tries to provide for you, even if there isn't enough for three or even two people. You won't know when your dad comes, or even if he comes home. When he does, you wonder how much he's done for this meal and how he got that new wound on his arm and you just know he may not survive this week, or five days, or even one—"
"Don't talk about them like that!" Chad shouted, prompting Evie to stop, surprised by his sudden outburst. He panted angrily, glaring at the beautiful young woman. Jay looked up, curious about what Chad had to say. "If you ever dare speak about them like that again, I swear I'll kill you!" He couldn't understand why the two teenagers who captured him started to smile evilly.
"Good boy," she said and then turned to Jay, "Jay, you'd better leave now."
Jay nodded and was about to leave the room until he saw she took some lipstick out of her purse. "Don't go too far, okay?" He told her, worried about what she was going to do to Chad, "Promise me you won't go too far."
"I promise," she said, "Now leave, I have a job to do." Reluctantly, Jay left the room, knowing well that he would not like to see what Evie was going to do. As soon as she was gone, Evie applied the lipstick on her lips with the help of her magic mirror. Once she was finished with the lipstick and she had put it away, she turned back to Chad, who had a bad feeling about this.
"So," she said, finally showing her seductive side, "Where were we?" She pushed the table away, so there would be nothing standing between her and her new victim. Chad tried to answer to the question, trying to keep her away from him. She didn't listen and eventually came extremely close. He could feel her breath on his lips.
"Are you ready?" she asked him and Chad shook his head and then tried to keep her from doing anything else. Unfortunately, he was in no position to stop her from doing what she did best.
Without any hesitation, she pressed her lips against his.
After a few moments of utter confusion, he finally kissed her back.
In another part from Auradon, up high in his workshop, Carlos was busy putting together a bomb. He'd been working on it for a week and was almost finished. The bomb was an essential part of the final plan – there had been many before, but he never actually completed them because a better plan came to mind. He believed the bomb would work. It would have to be large enough to make the blast radius bigger and heavy enough to make it impossible to move. After all, all magical objects would be intact after a non-magical explosion.
Take that, Evie and Jay! he thought to himself when he was ready to install the last component of the bomb. He'd done it all without their help. He believed they still hadn't found the wand. He knew Jay would rub it in, if they would still find it before he would – which was very unlikely.
The computer on the other side of the workshop beeped, taking Carlos out of his concentration. He slipped and damaged the bomb. He cursed loudly and then checked the damage. It was much more than he had anticipated and knew it would take him to days to repair the damaged parts.
He walked to the computer, which had stopped beeping. He looked at the screen, annoyed and furious it would take him two more days to finish the bomb, hoping he had been interrupted by something important.
Two tab files were opened on his computer: the first one would alert him if someone used magic in Auradon and the second went through a database, which contained all Auradonians. He figured that, if the Fairy Godmother had to use magic, she'd grab her wand and bibbity bobbity boo her way out of it. If she did, Carlos would know. The Fairy Godmother also had to register herself, placing her picture in the big database. Off course she would use a different name (everyone had to register or be killed when the authorities found out they didn't register), but the computer scanned faces, not names. He had the computer compare the picture of a younger Fairy Godmother with every other picture in the database.
The idea behind this part of the plan was simple: find the person/surge of magic, find the wand. She probably didn't want to give it up so easily and wouldn't just leave it with someone else to guard it. And right now, the computer told Carlos he was coming closer to what he needed to do.
He looked at the screen and he soon became happy. "No way," he said as a grin slowly crept on his face. He soon couldn't contain his happiness anymore and jumped around as a little kid who just learned he had won a contest. I finally found you, he thought once he was calmed down. Suddenly, the two extra days weren't too bad anymore. He knew where to put the bomb. He was overjoyed with the result, but not because he didn't need to travel for or because he just discovered how the Fairy Godmother looked like nowadays.
Carlos recognized the face of the older Fairy Godmother.