A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! I haven't had a lot of time to write this week, so I apologize for the long wait between chapters. This story has maybe a couple of chapters left before it ends. I appreciate your patience and thank you to everyone who has been reading this adventure. In the meantime, enjoy Chapter 12!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Keepers or Disney, but my copy of Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance 2 arrives in a few days! :)

Chapter 12

Finn had thought he had known pain and suffering at the hands of the Overtakers before, but nothing could have prepared him for this. The light from the Red Moon pierced his heart, heating his very core. His body was convulsing as if he was having a seizure, and sweat was dripping from his forehead. His screams went unheard through the gag in his mouth, and his throat felt as dry as sandpaper. He could barely register the cries coming from the audience begging Hades to let him go.

The pain was so unbearable that Finn didn't even realize that something else was happening to him.

The tiny spark that had been buried deep inside of his soul had slowly begun to grow into a flame. Though it had remained dormant over the past several months, it had never been fully extinguished. Now, as if someone had flipped a magic switch, the flame began to grow even bigger. It appeared that the Red Moon's energy was somehow charging not only the Beacon of Darkness, but Finn himself.

Hades wasn't aware of what was happening to his prisoner at first. His attention was focused on Maleficent and the Beacon up on the balcony. The Mistress of Evil kept a firm grip on the heart, though she appeared to be struggling to keep her balance. The Beacon was now only moments away from being fully charged. Very little remained of the blue light that had powered it. Soon, the clock would strike midnight, and the ritual would be complete.

"Umm, Boss?"

"Not now, Panic! Can't you see that I am mere moments away from eternal victory?!"

"But Your Hideousness! The boy is- "

"I SAID, NOT NOW!"

"Really, Boss! He's…glowing!"

That was enough to get Hades' attention. He finally turned to face the platform where Finn was chained, and his jaw dropped in disbelief.

The boy's body was indeed glowing, but not from the Red Moon's energy. Though very faint, a blue light was slowly spreading over the prisoner.

His DHI was somehow coming back to life!

Before Hades could even process that the impossible was happening, there was a loud commotion from the onlookers.

Hades stood in shock as members of the Resistance suddenly appeared from where they had been hiding amongst the crowd. Portals were opening from the rooftops and side streets as the reinforcements arrived. The guards tried to hold them back, but it wasn't long before they found themselves overwhelmed. Even the civilians joined in the fight.

As soon as the God of the Underworld was distracted, the two guards behind Finn nodded at each other and took out their swords. Finn braced himself as the blades came crashing down, awaiting his impending death.

It never came.

To Finn's surprise, the guards struck the magic chains that bound him to the platform. The chains disintegrated from the impact, and the Red Moon's energy beam disappeared as the connection was severed.

Finn quickly removed his gag and looked up at his rescuers.

"What? I- I don't…" he panted.

The guards took off their helmets revealing themselves as Philby and Maybeck.

At the sight of his fellow Kingdom Keepers, Finn opened his mouth to thank them, but Philby held up his hand.

"There's no time to explain, Finn! You need to get to the Beacon now! At the last strike of midnight, the ritual will be complete!"

"What about Hades? And the OTs?"

"We'll buy you as much time as we can! Now, go!"

Finn nodded and started to run down the platform steps. The clock on the castle showed that he only had 15 minutes to break the curse.

Hades spotted him right before he reached the entrance.

"NO!"

The Dark Lord conjured fire balls from his hands and began throwing them in Finn's direction. Finn dodged them easily, but he had still not regained his full strength. The power from the Red Moon had been draining. It was taking everything he had just to remain on his feet.

As Hades threw fireballs one after the other at his escaping prisoner, he found himself under attack as well. From up above, Peter Pan, the Darling children, and the Lost Boys were throwing heavy stones at the god. At the same time, Maybeck and the other Kingdom Keepers attacked with spears and crossbows surrounding their foe and allowing Finn to slip inside the castle.

With a final yell of anger and frustration, Hades released a burst of power that knocked his enemies off their feet. They flew back several feet groaning in pain. Before they could recover their senses, they found themselves surrounded by the kingdom guards who wasted no time taking them into custody.

Satisfied that he would not be pursued, Hades strode quickly into the castle.

He had a pest control problem to take care of…

Dark Castle Throne Room…

Meanwhile, Finn had entered the throne room and was desperately searching for the way to the balcony. He knew that the Kingdom Keepers and other resistance members couldn't hold Hades forever. It was only a matter of time before the god caught up to him.

He was halfway through the enormous room when a door to his right burst open. At least a dozen pirates ran inside, led by Captain Barbossa. Finn skidded to a halt as the pathway in front him was blocked.

"We have really got to stop meeting like this, Finn", sneered Barbossa.

Finn didn't answer immediately. He was too busy trying to figure out a way to get the past the pirates who were now beginning to surround him. He was unarmed, severely outnumbered, and was running out of time.

"Listen, Chief," he said finally, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm kind of in a hurry. I'm afraid I am going to have to reschedule our meeting for another day. Does Tuesday work for you?"

The Chief of Police laughed in amusement.

"You won't be able to talk your way out this time, Boy. In case you haven't noticed, the ritual is nearly complete! You can't stop us, no matter how hard you try! Surrender now, and perhaps she will be merciful!"

"Yeah…I'm going to have to pass on that one," replied Finn. "Appreciate the offer, though! Catch you some other time!"

Barbossa shook his head.

"Seize him."

As the pirates advanced, Finn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could feel his heartbeat slow down and a familiar tingling sensation surge through his body.

I am Light…Nothing but Light…I have no fear…

The first pirate reached out to grab Finn…and his hand passed right through the boy's body.

"Impossible!"

Finn opened his eyes to find the pirates staring at him in disbelief. His DHI welcomed him back like an old friend, filling him with warmth.

Barbossa looked at the teen in front of him and realized that he was about to become the ex-Chief of Police.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET THE BOY!"

The pirates charged at Finn, who simply laughed as he passed easily through them. They tripped over each other as they attempted to grab the young Keeper.

Finn paused long enough to stare back at the pile of pirates in the throne room.

"Well, guys, this has been fun! But I must go now. A certain Mistress of Evil is expecting me, and I would hate to keep her waiting! Toodles!"

By the time Hades appeared in the throne room and the pirates had untangled themselves from the pile, Finn was long gone.

The clock on the castle showed that it was now 10 minutes to midnight.

He had to hurry before it was too late…

A/N: Wow, what a roller coaster of a chapter, am I right? Finn finally has access to his DHI again, and now he can kick some serious OT butt! But can he stop the ritual before the last stroke of midnight? Keep reading to find out! Please don't forget to review and follow for updates!

See you next time, my beautiful readers!

Happy Reading!

Love, Mickeygirl20 :)