A/N: What's this? 2 chapters in one day? Surprise! This chapter picks up where the previous one left off. I know that you are all eager to see what happens next, so let's get right to it!
Disclaimer: I still don't own the Kingdom Keepers, but I am very excited to read the next Inheritence book when it is released next month!
Chapter 3
Finn was pushed through another wooden door and forced up a narrow winding staircase. He knew that it was pointless to struggle within the tight space, but it didn't matter.
He had to escape before they reached the throne room.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Maleficent led them through a plain looking Cast Members Only door.
The sun had not yet risen in the early morning sky that greeted the large group. The park was eerily silent, as if in mourning. Even the magic itself seemed to have died.
Maleficent escorted her party through the entrance of Cinderella's Royal Table. The King of Hearts motioned them in from the check-in desk. He gave Finn a small, sympathetic smile as they entered the restaurant.
The enormous throne room usually served as a lobby area for the establishment. Guests would stand in line to get their picture taken with Cinderella while waiting for their table to be ready. The restaurant was especially popular with little girls.
But there were no princesses to greet them tonight. Overtakers from every Disney film and attraction had gathered within the massive room. They stood in perfectly straight lines on either side of the red carpet that led to the throne. Others stood up above, peering down from the balconies.
Hades was sitting regally on the elegant throne looking like a kid on Christmas. Pain and Panic were standing on the steps near his feet. As the group approached him, Maleficent bowed in respect.
"The prisoner, my Lord."
"Ahh, excellent! Our guest of honor has arrived," said Hades. "Welcome, Finn Whitman! Welcome to the first day of the rest of your miserable life! I do hope you got enough sleep. We have a lot to celebrate, and it's all thanks to you, kid!"
He stood from the throne and walked towards Finn, who was still attempting to free himself from his captors.
Finn managed to find his voice.
"I wouldn't start celebrating just yet, Hades," the boy answered courageously. "The other Keepers are still out there. Do you really think you can hold me here forever? If I were you, I'd wait a little longer before bringing out the champagne. We will stop you."
Hades let out a laugh that shook Finn's very core.
"Forgive me, my dear boy," the villain continued, "I almost forgot the best part! The Kingdom Keepers are finished! No one can take away my victory, not even you!"
"We'll see about that!"
Finn closed his eyes and pictured a bright light. All he had to do was clear his mind, and he would become his hologram.
Hades watched on in amusement.
"Cute trick, kid, but you're wasting your time."
Finn opened his eyes. What was going on? Why couldn't he go All Clear?
Then, it hit him.
The memories of what had occurred the previous night came flooding back.
The spell. The storm. The purple lightning. And the heart!
"What did you do to me?
"What I should have done a long time ago. Your abilities are mine, now!"
"LIAR! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Is it? See for yourself."
Ursula came to the front of the room. Finn could see what she was holding long before she reached the throne.
The large crystal heart was glowing a bright blue, the same color as his DHI hologram.
Hades had been telling the truth.
"It doesn't matter whether I have my power or not," Finn proclaimed boldly. "I can still defeat you!"
The god of death grinned from ear to ear.
"We've saved you a front row seat. Sit back and relax! Our victory nears."
He turned away from Finn as the guards dragged their unwilling captive to a pole beside the throne. Finn fought with everything he had, but the adrenaline from his earlier escape attempt along with the aftermath of the sedative proved too much. He was too weak to throw them off. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, his hands were chained above his head. The guards attached iron shackles to his ankles and secured him by the torso with even heavier chains. A gag in his mouth completed the process.
He wasn't going anywhere.
"Shall we begin, my friends?"
"YES, LORD HADES!"
"Tonight, we take our rightful place as the sole authority of this world! It is our first step in our journey to obtain the power of the Red Moon!"
Hades moved aside to stand next to his prisoner as Ursula placed the crystal heart on a tall pedestal. He reached out to grab the boy's chin.
"You will watch this, boy!"
Maleficent, the Evil Queen, and Tia Dalma were throwing handfuls of magic dust and herbs on the heart. The Queen and Voodoo witch stepped back as the Mistress of all Evil reached out to touch the strange object.
"Memoriam omnium qui adversantur mihi, et responde mihi.
Hoc maledicto, vincam!"[1]
She finished her chant and grabbed the heart.
There was a flash of lightning and hurricane force winds that engulfed the room. Several of the Overtakers were knocked off their feet. Finn would have found himself face down on the floor had he not been securely chained.
Maleficent was still holding on to the heart with all her might. She, too, was having trouble staying on her feet as her magic began to flow from her fingers into the relic.
After several agonizing minutes, everything was still. Maleficent was thrown back onto the floor breathing heavily. Her companions surrounded her with concern.
"Mistress! Are you injured?"
"I will live."
Hades finally let go of Finn and ran to Maleficent's side.
"Rest, my Sweet. You've done well."
He returned to the center of the room.
The crystal heart was now surrounded in green and purple flames. Thick thorns encircled the area around the heart like a wreath.
"Behold," Hades announced triumphantly, "the Beacon of Darkness!"
The Overtakers cheered.
Hades turned his attention back to Finn, who was now struggling against the chains that bound him to the pole. The two pirates held him at sword point as Hades came closer. The helpless prisoner stared back at the god with a mixture of shock and terror in his eyes.
"Perhaps I should explain what you have just witnessed, my friend. You see, extracting your DHI was only part of the plan. To ensure our victory, we needed both Light and Dark magic. The former, obviously, came from you, but that was just the first spark. The next step was more complex. Channeling Dark magic requires a conduit of Light. It is a delicate balance act. One cannot exist without the other. The Beacon you see before you has cast our curse to all four corners of the world. 8 billion people have had their memories altered. The only life they ever remember is one that is under our control! We didn't just stop at the Magic Kingdom. We have conquered the planet Earth!"
Finn felt his heart drop into his stomach. The Overtakers had finally won. Everyone on the planet had now been brainwashed.
But what did that mean for him? He still had all his memories intact!
The villain in front of him seemed to sense what he was thinking.
"Oh, you want to know why you were not affected by the curse. This castle- our new Dark Castle- is now hallowed ground. All living beings within this space are immune to the effects of the Beacon. That means, of course, that the rest of the world- including your friends- belongs to me! You have no allies, no leverage, no hope, and no powers. The war is over, and you, my dear Finn, have failed!"
His words hit Finn like a ton of bricks. After everything he and the other Keepers had been through over the years, their efforts had been for nothing. What would Wayne say if he could see him now? He hung his head in defeat.
Hades forced him to make eye contact.
"You need some time to be alone with your thoughts," he said in a quiet voice. "We have a very special room prepared for you. We'll have another little chat soon. Get him out of my sight!"
Finn didn't even have the heart to resist as a bag was put over his head. He was only vaguely aware of the pirates unchaining him from the pole and leading him out of the throne room. He had no idea where he was being taken, but he didn't care.
His mind was already beginning to form a plan of escape…
[1] "Reshape the memory of all who oppose me! With this curse, I shall have victory!"
[1] "Reshape the memory of all who oppose me! With this curse, I shall have victory!"
A/N: Wow! A lot of crazy things happened in that chapter! Now that we know how the Overtakers cast their curse, what happens next? Will Finn be able to come up with a plan to stop it? Or, will he remain a prisoner forever? The Red Moon is getting closer with each passing day. Keep reading to find out what life has in store for our hero! Thanks for reading! you know what to do.
TTFN- Ta Ta For Now!
Love Mickeygirl20 :)