A/N: I'm back with another chapter! I have been trying to make them longer while still keeping a steady pace in the story. Thank you to everyone who has read this adventure so far! I really hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I have writing it. There's lots more action and adventure still to come, so be sure to follow for updates.

Enjoy Chapter 4!

Disclaimer: Before the OTs come after me, I own nothing!

Chapter 4

Kingdom of Darkness, Present Day

Finn forced himself back to the present before the events of the past could overwhelm him completely. Despite his many failed attempts to escape, there was still time. He refused to allow his spirit to be broken. Hades would not be given the satisfaction of his total surrender.

The Kingdom Keeper stared directly into his enemy's eyes, much to the amusement of the hot-headed god.

"I can see that you still refuse to cooperate," Hades said with a shake of his head. "Perhaps a lesson in discipline is in order."

Hades snapped his fingers, and the familiar restraining device from the Dark Ritual materialized in the center of the room. The Goons wasted no time in dragging their prized captive to the pole and securing him to it.

Only this time, they weren't using ordinary chains. The chains in which Finn found himself currently restrained were glowing an eerie green. Finn knew that he was in for a terrible fate.

When the guards had finished their work and stepped away from their victim, Hades approached his prisoner. He reached up and removed the gag from Finn's mouth.

Finn tried to put on a brave face.

"So, it's come down to torture, has it? You're wasting your time, Hot-Head! I'll never talk!"

This made both Hades and Maleficent laugh hysterically.

"Oh, I don't want you to talk, my little Keeper! I want you to suffer!"

Before Finn could yell out another outburst, he was screaming in pain. The chains that bound him had suddenly become electrified! The electricity was just strong enough to cause him to writhe in agony without killing him.

The brat needed to be taught a lesson he wouldn't soon forget.

The Overtakers were practically drinking in the scene before them. Watching the teen being tortured was simply delicious.

Finn had no idea how long his torment lasted. Whether it was over in minutes or hours made no difference to him. All he knew was that he had never known a worse pain in his entire life.

And then, Hades snapped his fingers again and it was all over.

Finn's screams could still be heard echoing in the throne room for several minutes after the torture session had ended. He hung limp in his chains, sweating profusely and panting as if he had just run a marathon. It was becoming difficult to remain conscious.

He was vaguely aware of Hades lifting him by the chin and staring him directly in the face.

"Well, Finn Whitman," he whispered, "do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Weak from the horrors he had just endured, Finn finally lost consciousness.

"I thought not."

Kingdom of darkness, 6 months earlier

Several days passed quickly by after the night of the Dark Ritual. The Overtakers were making significant progress on the rebranding of their domain. What had once been a place of joy and laughter had become unrecognizable. Cinderella Castle loomed dark and foreboding from the end of Main Street USA. The Dark Castle, as it was now known, had turned a deep green color. Thorns as thick as Redwood trees now grew around it.

The Characters, who had no memory of the events that had transpired, were released from the dungeons, and put to work. They spent their days laboring for long hours in the shops, maintaining the landscape, or transporting supplies between the parks. Although they were far from eager to complete their expected duties, no one dared to argue. Guards patrolled the streets to keep any troublemakers in line.

Only one person dared to resist the new world order.

Finn had been taken to a cell inside the fort on Tom Sawyer's Island. He had been blindfolded during the entire journey from the throne room to his new prison, but his other senses worked perfectly. He could still recognize the sound of the motor on the raft and smell the musty Florida swamp water.

Now, he just needed to figure out how he was going to get away.

His first attempt to escape from the castle dungeons had been less successful than he anticipated. Whatever sedative had been used to subdue him during his initial capture had done its job a little too well. The throbbing headache from the side effects had lasted for hours. A plate of food had been brought to him a few moments after he had arrived at the cell, but the smell alone made him sick.

The cell was small and cramped. There was enough space for a cot and toilet bucket, but nothing else. The door was made of iron bars and through it, he could see the courtyard and parapets of the fort. The same weasel guards who had captured him at Animal Kingdom kept watch over the area. Other than bringing him his daily meals twice a day, he was generally left alone.

The Overtakers were keeping him alive for a reason. The only question was why. Without his DHI, they no longer saw him as a threat. Why had he been thrown into a cell instead of being killed?

Unless…

Finn scrambled to his feet upon realizing the awful truth.

The Beacon of Darkness was powered by his DHI! What had Hades said before? "One cannot exist without the other." They needed Finn to stay alive and healthy for the Beacon to power the curse!

Finn began to pace back and forth in the tiny space. His mind was racing. If he could somehow get close to the Beacon, then maybe-just maybe- he could break the spell and restore the light!

There was just one other problem, and it terrified him.

The Red Moon.

Finn had no idea what it was or when it was supposed to occur, but he knew that it couldn't be good. Where was Philby when you needed him?

A lump formed in his throat at the thought of his friends.

What had happened to the other Keepers? Had they been captured too? Were they somewhere safe, even without their memories? Were they even alive?

His mind was made up. He had to escape and find them.

All that he had to do was wait for the sun to set…

Meanwhile, at the Dark Castle…

Hades sat upon the throne and surveyed the Overtakers around him. The other villains sat at tables positioned in a semicircle that faced the center of the room.

"I hereby call the first Dark Council meeting to order," the god proclaimed.

He waited for the sounds of cheering and applause to stop before holding up a hand for silence.

"First order of business," he continued, "our renovations are going splendidly, and it's all thanks to the talented team of Madam Mim and the Queen of Hearts! Excellent work, ladies!"

The Overtakers gave a polite round of applause to their colleagues.

"Next on the agenda: keeping everyone in their place. I am appointing Captain Hector Barbossa as our new Chief of Police. I trust you will perform your duties well, Captain."

"I thank ye, My Lord," nodded the old pirate. "Ye will not be disappointed."

"Begging your pardon, Your Lordship," asked the Sherriff of Nottingham, "but, what about my job?"

"Ah, an excellent question, my friend! You are to be the new prison warden. Our young friend is a slippery one. Make sure that he doesn't escape."

"I still don't understand why we are keeping the brat alive in the first place!" Captain Hook wondered.

"Yes," Judge Frollo agreed. "Why not dispose of him now before he ruins our plans?

Several of the other villains murmured in agreement.

Hades stood up from the throne and walked to the center of the room. The Fates, who had been standing nearby came forth and handed him their eye. It floated in midair and flashed an image of the Beacon of Darkness.

"Finn Whitman is the most important part of our conquest. It is his pure DHI spirit that powers the Beacon of Darkness. The curse depends on his survival to work. Alas, the combined magic that controls the Beacon is only temporary. But we are going to change all of that very soon!"

"And how do we do that, oh Evil One?" the Big Bad Wolf wanted to know.

Hades waved his hand over the eye, and the image changed to a Red Moon.

"In 7 month's time, there will be a very special Red Moon. This phenomenon occurs only once every ten thousand years. On that day, the moon's light will super charge the Beacon's power, making its effects permanent. We will rule the world for all of eternity!"

The room erupted with the roars of the Overtakers.

"And, what about the boy's friends, Lord Hades? Suppose he manages to find them?"

The Lord of the Underworld smirked.

"Let him try. The boy will not succeed. Should he escape and manage to recruit his allies, he will be dealt with accordingly. After all, there are far more worse things than death!"

More laughter filled the room at this revelation.

Hades waved his hand again and goblets of wine appeared in front of every villain.

"A toast," he said, raising his own glass, "to our eternal victory!"

The goblet had barely touched his lips when the alarms sounded.

"Ah," laughed the dark lord, "right on time, Boy!"

A/N: And, that's Chapter 4! I hope you enjoyed it! I kind of felt bad for Finn being tortured in this chapter, but there had to be some sort of consequences for his failed escape attempts. Will he ever succeed in breaking the curse? Stay tuned for more! Thanks for reading!

Happy Windsday, my lovelies!

Love, Mickeygirl20 :)