Chapter 98: Long Live the King

The magic bag of tricks crumpled into the snow.

"LONG LIVE THE KING!"

"No!" Tears burned down Ariel's cheeks. Sobbing, she dragged Wart back. "They killed him!" she cried, pulling Wart as he grabbed and yanked, struggling to reach Headmaster Mickey's lifeless body. "No! No! No!"

"ALL HAIL!" Maleficent cackled, striking her scepter into the sky. "THE LATE MICKEY! KING OF FANTASIA!"

Lightning crackled from the scepter. Ariel and Wart stumbled into the snow as the bolt warped Maleficent's sneer into the eyes, snout, and jaws of a dragon.

"Scar!" shouted the villains, hurling Mickey at the lion that had murdered Mufasa. They cheered when Mickey's nose broke as he flopped over the graves. "Scar! Feast yourself on a meal fit for a king!"

"No!" Wart cried, pulling against Ariel's arms. "Ariel! We can't – "

Ariel yelled. She'd never cried harder in all her life. But as Scar bared his teeth and nuzzled into Mickey's throat, she knew that there was nothing they could do. Mickey had warned them. If they tried to help…she…and Wart…would die.

Closing her eyes and pressing Wart against her chest, Ariel recoiled as Scar prepared to spill Headmaster Mickey's blood.

"MALEFICENT! MALEFICENT! HOOK'S FOUND THE CHOSEN ONE!"

Ariel's eyes snapped open. Wildly she looked about, searching for Mickey. Heart exploding in her mouth she found him. Safe! Ariel breathed, but her heart still race with the expected horror. Safe! The lion hadn't eaten him! Headmaster Mickey was safe!

Ariel made eye contact with Wart. Tormented with fear and relief, Wart stared back. Then, they jumped as the villains roared.

"What is this!" Maleficent screeched, pointing her scepter at a pudgy, bumbling pirate. "What is this Smee?"

"Capn Hook!" Smee whimpered, shielding his face from Maleficent. "Has the Chosen Ones! The Chosen Two! Oh the Chosen Three!"

"Chosen Three?" Maleficent raised a hand, but the villain surged and howled like an upset sea. "What is this trickery? How can there be Chosen Three?"

"Tis the truth!" Smee insisted, pulling the ends of his knit cap. "The truth! The truth! A girl with a magical needle and thread – born on the Autumnal equinox!"

Ariel gasped. Wendy.

"A boy that can fly – born on the Spring equinox!"

Ariel grabbed her stomach. She felt sick. Peter.

"And a boy with Billy Bones map!" roared Smee, pointing to the sky. "Born on the Winter Solstice!"

Ariel's heart stopped. Jim.

"Capn Hook has them captive on his ship!" Smee flapped his hands, urging the villains to follow. "And he's tricked the boy with Billy Bone's map to do his bidding! So long as the boy thinks the little mermaid is in danger!"

Ariel shook her head. Me. They mean me. She released Wart's hand. "…no…"

"Bring the little one with the pixie dust!" Smee yelled, waving the villains on. "And follow me! TO THE JOLLY ROGER! ON TO TAKE FANTASIA!"

"TAKE FANTASIA!"

"TAKE FANTASIA!"

"TAKE FANTASIA!"

Ariel and Wart fled. Scampering between the trees, they crashed into a draft of snow as the villains tore through the forest, cursing Fantasia.

They left only Headmaster Mickey's body.

And the setting sun.

Ariel breathed. She turned, snow in her eyes and the sun on her face.

They had Jim.

They had the Chosen One. Or…Chosen Ones...?

They had Jim.

Slowly Ariel stood. Sunlight burned the anger in her eyes and set her heart aflame.

"Ariel!" Wart cried. Eyes haggard and anguished, he reached as Ariel ran. "Ariel! Ariel!"

"Stay with him!" Ariel called, sprinting through the wood. "Stay with him, and wait for the sunset on the third day!"

Because Ariel knew what would happen on sunset on the third day.

Headmaster Mickey's magic spell on the castle would break.

Whoever was alive inside would be freed.

Whoever was good and true would try to save their parents and families.

Whoever was evil and cruel would try to take Fantasia.

And on the pirate ship…so very far away…

…three people…

…one whom she loved more than life itself…

…would break the Wishing Star…

…and…die.

Ariel growled. Holding an imaginary trident, she flew through the forest. Towards the ocean.

"I love you Jim Hawkins." she said, glaring into the setting sun. "So you better live for me. You better not die."