Chapter 4: Payback Time!
Hans had gotten back to the castle long before all 12 of his brothers got back from doing their royal duties. They were not aware of the fact that he left the stables where he should have been at all which saved him from getting yelled at any more than he already has his whole life. At this moment, Hans was finishing his dinner in his dungeon cell with the bag the hobgoblin gave him still in his pocket. He was planning to use it on his brothers the first chance he gets. Bertram came in and said, "All finished with your dinner, sir?". "Yeah, I'm done. Thanks, Bert.", Hans said as he was done eating. "So, you never told me how things went when you were out earlier today. Did you find the sprite?", Bertram asked as he was loading the dirty dishes onto his platter. "I sure did find him.", Hans answered. "So, did he give you something magical?", Bertram asked. "Hans then pulled out the small bag of brainwashing dust out of his pocket and showed it to his servant. "This is what he gave me.", Hans said. "What is it?", he asked. "It's full of magic dust that can make whoever breathes it in very obedient and willing to do whatever I tell them to do. I can use this to tell them I'm no longer being punished and that I'm a free man.", Hans explained. Bertram looked concerned after Hans explained what he had. "What's wrong?", Hans asked once he saw the butler's expression. "Are you sure that's a good idea for how to get them back?", Bertram asked. "What are you talking about? You were the one who first put the idea in my head to go get something magical from that creature.", Hans said. "Yes, but what you're talking about is pretty much like mind control. I meant like maybe pull some kind of harmless prank or something.", Bertram said. "This will be a harmless prank. With this dust, I can make them forget about my sentence and then I'll no longer have to call this cell my home. I can also make it so they treat me nicer.", Hans said. Bertram thought for a moment before saying, "Well, when you put it like that, I guess that makes sense.", he said. "When do you plan to use it on them?", he asked. "Seeing as how they all came back from business trips today, they're probably going to want champagne and have me serve it to them. I'll sprinkle it into the glasses when they want it.", Hans explained. "Okay. I'll take these dirty dishes up and let you know when they want you.", Bertram said. He then left the cell leaving Hans alone once more. When nighttime hit and the 12 brothers all got done with their own supper, they were craving their champagne to celebrate their business ventures being done and successful. "Hans, bring out the champagne! What the hell's taking so long?!", Prince Leif yelled to his youngest brother who was in the kitchen. Hans was getting the drinks together by pouring the champagne into all 12 of the glasses. He then took out the small bag of dust and sprinkled it into each of the glasses. "Hans! Champagne!", Leif called again. "Coming, guys!", Hans said he put the glasses onto the tray and carried them out into the dining room. "I know you're incompetent, but I would imagine you wouldn't take forever to pour champagne into glasses.", Prince Elias mocked him. "Sorry about that.", Hans said apologetically. He went around to each of his brothers as they took one glass off of the tray. "Anything else?", Hans asked. "No, that's it. Go back down to that slimy dungeon you call home.", King Anders said. "Very well. Goodnight.", Hans said as he left the room. Although he really didn't leave, he just hid behind the door he went through and left it cracked so he could see what would happen. "Well, my brothers, cheers to our meetings today being successful and may the future of the Southern Isles be pleasant and prosperous.", Anders yelled as he raised his glass. "I think we can all drink to that, Anders. And with you as our king, we know the kingdom's in good hands.", Prince Oliver said. The brothers all clanked their glasses together in a toast and drank the champagne not knowing their brother drugged it. The brothers continued chatting for a while after their drinks. Hans was still waiting behind the door to see what would happen. Why wasn't the magic dust working? He began to think the sprite had tricked him seeing as how he said he was a creature of mischief and trickery. Hans sunk his head down feeling hopeless that once again his brothers had won in making his life Hell and that he'll never get them back. "I feel a little funny.", Prince Erik said. "Me too.", Prince Christian said. All of them began to feel weird and delirious. "We're probably just a little tipsy from the champagne.", Anders said. "But it wasn't that much. Hans must've used the strong stuff.", Oliver said. "Either that or the little bastard drugged us.", Prince Tobias said. It wasn't long before they all stood still and motionless like zombies without uttering a sound. Hans saw and heard everything and entered the room once again. He began to realize that it seemed like the dust worked after all and felt pleased and hopeful. "Can you guys hear me?", Hans asked. "Yes. We can hear you, Hans.", Prince Phillip answered without any will of his own. "Is there anything you need?", Hans asked his brothers. "We don't need anything. We are here to serve you, brother.", Tobias said also robot-like in tone. "Really?", Hans asked with excitement in his voice. "Yes. What is it you want, good brother?", Anders said in an obedient manner. "Well, Anders. Since you asked so nicely which is surprising to hear you talk like that to me after all you have done to me. For being an asshole to me for so long, punch yourself in the face and hard.", Hans ordered. "I'll do what you want.", Anders said as he then made his hand into a fist and gave himself one good punch across his cheek which left it lightly bruised. Hans couldn't believe that that dust actually worked. His brothers who were never there for him and always picked on him were like his obedient puppets now. "So, you'll all do whatever I say?", Hans asked in a sinister tone. "Yes. Anything you say.", Christian said. "I can tell I am going to enjoy this.", Hans said.