Author's Note: Hey you guys, I'm back with another one. Not much to get into, but this will be about how Herkie will feel depressed after everything that's happened and he's emotions would turn against him and causes mayhem for the people he cares about. And as for how college interviews work, I just made it up as I go. I did my best to search how it would, but I would end up how it would go in my vision. So without further ado, enjoy the reading.
Auradon Prep, Friday
Less than 3 weeks left before finals and every one's brushing up on their studies to get things prepared. More time in the library, more time in study hall and more time in their rooms taking notes and personal quizzes rather than going out and play. It was too important to play as everyone had to pass these exams and move on to the next grade and/or graduate. Though it's not without some students that seems to be struggling with certain subjects. Students like the son of Hercules, Herkie. His head was hurting from all the reading he was doing the past week and he feels as if nothings sticking to his brain. In fact, his brain has been occupied with more than just the exams.
Things have been a little weird between him and Ally since the talent show. She was still feeling jealous of Ariana's advances towards Herkie and she wasn't exactly being honest about her feelings about the whole thing. Not only that, but his dad has been kinda pressuring him into going to university at their kingdom. And also the fact that crazy magic is on the rise and he had to watch all his friends and girlfriend being twisted around in the air because of it. Which is why he went to that meeting that Mal hosted.
Flashback, Sunday at Mal's and Evie's dorm room
"Alright! You all know why we're here, right?" Mal asked the group.
"Yeah, after last night's events, I couldn't sleep a wink." Ally said
"But why is this happening? And when did it start?" Pin asked.
"I think I know. At Ariana's party." Jordan said.
"That was wild that night, I even had to save Emeri's boyfriend from falling off the cliff." Herkie said.
"How's that going by the why?" Ally asked,
"Actually…" Jordan was about to say.
"Guys! We're getting off topic." Mal said,
"I mean, I kinda want to know." Evie said raising her hand.
"Later." Mal said to Evie, who shrugged. "Anyways, did you notice anything about that night that seemed off?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, just everyone having good time. Everyone was fawning over Emeri's hair and the second they all got on the dance floor, that's when they all started to act weird." Jordan said.
"What about at the Museum when Lonnie attacked you?" Evie said.
"It was strange. I've never seen her act like that before. She was always so sweet, she never put her hands on anyone and when some guys wanted date her, she would decline them respectfully. Even with her mom's training, she restrained herself. But that day, it was like she's someone else." Jordan said.
"And she doesn't remember anything, right?" Evie asked.
"Not a single second of it." Jordan answered.
"Anything else? Like another catastrophe?" Mal asked.
"Well, I have noticed something amiss with Chad." Ally said.
"That's not surprising." Doug said.
"I saw him chatting with this girl and another one shows up to throw him out the window out of jealously." Ally said.
"Ok, I'll admit that's a bit extreme, but hardly anything magical. Chad probably promised to call her, but didn't keep that promise."
"She threw him from the hallway of the school to the Beast's statue." Ally stated.
That got everyone interested.
"Not only that, but she was leaping from wall to wall chasing Chad when they thought no one was there."
"Except you were?" Pin said.
"I was curious as to why Chad was freaking out. So I've been following them alll day and then just when she was about to hit Chad with a textbook, I accidentally turned on my favorite songs, which is so uplifting and it was like she snapped out of whatever was messing with her mind and then drifted off."
"Ok, that is something to take note of, but after Freddie's performance, we can't ignore this anymore. We have to be alert from now on, so guys, be on the lookout if you have any knowledge of what or who is behind this."
"Oh, don't worry, Mal. I have a lead that I'm gonna follow up on." Jordan said.
"Perfect! Let me know what you find out." Mal said. "The rest of you, report back if something else happens."
"Right!" Everyone said.
Present
So far, Herkie hasn't noticed anyone, but that doesn't mean he isn't feeling a bit stress from everything. He hasn't even talk to Aziz about how he's feeling or anyone. Guess that's another thing he and Ally have in common. Right now, he needed to clear is head and if there's one thing that could do it, it's a haircut from Quincy since he has an appointment with him. In fact, he's walking towards to his and Chad's dorm. He got to the door and almost immediately, Herkie was greet by the Auradon Prep hairdresser.
"Hey Herk! You're right on time." Quincy said as he just finished cleaning his station.
"Hey, Q!" Herkie said.
"So, you ready to get started?" Quincy said.
As Herkie got on the chair, Quincy started inspecting his hair.
"So what are we doing here? You're usual trim?" He asked.
"That would be my answer, but I want something new this time." Herkie said.
"New? Well, this is unexpected. You're a pretty simple guy, well for a son of a god that is." Quincy said.
"Yeah, well, after everything that's happened, I need something different. I need a change." Herkie said.
This had Quincy concerned for his friend. "Something on your mind?"
"Kinda." Herkie said.
"Well, let's see what I can do for you. What look are you going for?" Quincy asked.
"Surprise me. I want in your opinion on what will look good on me." Herkie said.
"Really?" Quincy said. "Well, I do have some ideas, but I think I know what'll do."
"Great. Can't wait." Herkie said.
Quincy got his clippers and started on Herkie's sides.
"So what's been bothering you? You seem a little down and I don't believe I ever seen you like this before."
"Everything's been feeling off lately and I just don't have control of any of it. People are acting strange, my relationship with Ally's on thin ice and my dad's been pressuring me about college."
"Woah. Yeah, I can totally understand why you feel the way you feel." Quincy said.
"I'm not sure what's going on with this magic that's taking over the school, but last night, it did sorta help with me and Ally. I wanted to ensure her that nothing was going to tear us apart."
"Not even Ariana, right?" Quincy said as he was done on his left side.
"That's right." Herkie said.
"You need to say something to that girl, tell her you're off the market and that you're not interested."
"I tried to let her down gently, but she's not getting the message." Herkie said.
"From everything I heard about her, you need to let her down harder. She's too thick-headed."
"You're right about that. Especially cause I've been trying to tell Ally that I love her."
"Hold the phone!" Quincy stopped. "You love her?"
"Yeah, for a long time. I've been working up the courage to tell her, but Ariana keeps on getting in the way and I don't wanna come across as rude." Herkie said.
"Herkie, I know you're a nice guy and that's what I like about you, but sometimes, you gotta learn to put your foot down. Well, maybe not too hard, don't want to crack open a fissure." Quincy advices Herkie as he goes to cut the other side of his head.
"I get you. I just never been in this position before." Herkie said.
"Welcome to the love triangle." Quincy said.
"I don't suppose you've ever been in one before?"
"Well, I've never been in that situation before."
"Now that I think of it, have you ever been in a relationship before?"
"Well…no…" Quincy said in a unusual tone.
"Wait…" Herkie then gets a dopey smile on his face. "Did you ever like someone?"
Quincy then blushes and nearly made a mistake on Herkie's head. "What…well…Wait, when did we go to my love life?"
"I just realized we never talked about if you ever had a crush on someone." Herkie said.
Quincy liked that Herkie was looking like himself, but the whole having a crush thing was something he wasn't feeling comfortable talking about.
"I'll say this. There's a reason why we don't date back on the Isle." Quincy said.
"Oh, that bad? Well, what about in Auradon? There has to be someone…"
"Can we focus on your haircut? You almost made me mess up." Quincy said but he face is still as red as his hair.
"Ok, don't mean to push." Herkie said chuckling silently.
After Quincy was done with the clippers, he brings out his shears to trim the top of his head.
"Anything else going on? There has to be something good out of everything." Quincy said.
"Well, I am supposed to going to this interview for a college." Herkie said.
"What? A college interview? And you're just telling me this now?" Quincy said.
"I haven't told anyone yet. I mean I was, but then after the concert, I got sidetracked." Herkie said.
"For a second there, I thought I was the last to know." Quincy said.
"You're cool. You're the first person I've told."
"Well, I feel honored." Quincy smiled. "So what college is it?"
"Notre Dame University." Herkie said.
"Oh, from Emeri's hometown?" Quincy said.
"Yes, she had her folks put in a good word for me. Notre Dame's supposedly has one of the best Tourney teams in the country."
"That's sounds exciting. I hope you get it. They're dummies if they turn you down. How can they with you as Hercules's son? As Zeus's grandson even?"
"I think it'll take more than that. I'm not even sure if I'll get it."
Hearing those defeated words from his muscular friend, Quincy got furious real quick and turns Herkie around to face him.
"Oh no, you don't!" Quincy said. "I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you giving up. Herkie, you're one of the bravest people I've ever known since coming here to Auradon! You inspired me to be a better person, to give people a chance like you, Chad and everyone else gave me chance. And you never back down from a fight, that's also what I like about you! This talk I'm hearing, that isn't you, that's your self-doubt and I won't let you bag on yourself because you mean that much to me!"
Herkie was shocked but impressed by Quincy's words. It just gave him a jolt of confidence that he needed. With that, he smiled assuring Quincy that he hears him.
"Thanks, Q! I needed that." Herkie said.
"Anytime!" Quincy smiled at him.
And with that, he used the new hair products from shampoo and conditioner to leave-ins. After putting in a mousse and blow drying, Herkie was given a hand mirror and he inspects himself with the giant mirror in the background. Herkie was rocking with a taper fade with a trim and some spikes at the top of his head while curled up.
"Woah! Killer Mohawk!" Herkie said as he's still inspecting himself in the mirrors.
"Well, I figured you'd have the face shape for it, so I did a taper and a trim so it would blend well. I mean, you have a rocker vibe going on, so I wanted to match it." Quincy explained.
"This is sick! I'm definitely gonna ace this interview now!"
"Now that's the Herkie I know!" Quincy shouted.
He and Herkie high-fived each other before Pin came in the room.
"Sup, Lil Bro?" Herkie greeted Pin.
"Just thought I come to check in on you." Pin said. "By the way, Emeri passed by and wanted me to let you know that the Archdeacon is gonna be a bit late with your recommendation letter."
"Really? How late?" Herkie asked.
"It shouldn't be before your interview, she said. But congratulations though, I didn't know about this." Pin said.
"Yeah, it was kinda of a secret, so if you can keep this to yourself, I don't get my hopes." Herkie said.
"Secret's safe with me, but don't stress out. You'll do great! You always do."
"Thanks, Lil Bro!"
"Alright, what you waiting for? Go get dressed! That university won't wait for you forever!" Quincy said.
"No problem." Herkie said.
He hands Quincy payment for the haircut and makes his way out the door.
"He's sure in high spirits as always." Pin said.
"Yeah, hopefully it continues." Quincy said.
"What do you mean?" Pin said.
"He's been feeling down lately and I don't like seeing him like that. I hope he does get into that school, he needs this." Quincy said.
"Don't worry. If there's anything know about that big jock, it's that he works hard for what he wants. There's no way he gonna get passed up on this." Pin said.
"You're right. I'm stressing over nothing." Quincy said.
"That's right, relax. Because I've got news for you!"
"Better than spending the summer at Ben's castle? I almost couldn't believe it."
"How would you rate having Kings and Queens as your new clients?"
Quincy dropped his comb at the question Pin just spoke of.
"WHAAAAAT?!" He shouted.
Notre Dame University
Herkie is waiting in the hallway in his beige dress shirt, a blue tie and dark brown pants. He waits patiently for his turn for his interview, but he was close to being full on nervous. He still awaits for the recommendation latter from the Archdeacon. A email would've been simpler, but he's old fashioned, so he writes his letter by pen. He keeps check the time on his phone and it was less than 5 mins until it was his turn.
"Where is he?" Herkie said under his breath. "How late is he gonna be? It's almost my turn."
Just then, the door to the dean's office opened and a boy around Herkie's age comes out, but he doesn't look thrilled as the sad look is displayed on his face.
"Oh man." He said as he walks away.
Herkie gulped when he watches the poor boy turn a corner.
"Mr. Herkie!" He hears the dean call out. "It appears I can take you in earlier than planned! Come on in!"
"Aw man!" Herkie said in his mind.
Dean's office, 5 mins later….
The dean looks through the documents that Herkie has prepared to be reviewed, including grades, accomplishments and resumes. Herkie tries not to show it, but he's borderline nervous, especially with the administrative team taking notes and talking amongst themselves. After a good while, that was when the questions started.
"So Herkie, I've noticed your grades are decent, you've been very active in sports, which is what we're looking for with our Tourney team and you have been named in the news with a couple catastrophes and were named a hero with said catastrophes."
"Sounds about right." Herkie said with his voice a bit high-pitched.
"Your resume is impressive as well. I've even been contact with your coach before and he mentions how you're the strongest tackler out of your team."
"I have Jay to thank for that. He showed I can be a little aggressive without hurting anyone too much."
"Ah yes, I understand too well. The boys here can be that way when it comes to the games. I'm sure Being Zeus's grandson has something to do with your known strength. We could really use that."
Hearing those words calmed Herkie down quite a bit. As they were talking, Herkie speaks clearly and answers more effectively without any hint of high-pitching. Eventually, the dean came to a certain part at the end when he notices something.
"Although you are a remarkable young man with a lot ahead in your future, I'm still trying to grasp on who you are."
"How so?" Herkie wonders. "I'm Hercules's son, I'm active at sports, I get good grades and I helped saved the world with my friends."
"Yes, I understand that, but I was talking about your character. Your needs, your wants, how you are with people and what makes you tick."
"Oh."
"Honestly, I'm surprised, I would've thought you had a latter of recommendation. That would help determine this matter more easily."
Herkie's eyes begin bulging out at realization when remembers he still didn't get that recommendation letter. He even looked at his phone and still no text.
"It's on the way, I was waiting for it to before you called me in." Herkie said.
"It's on the way?" The dean asked.
"Yeah, it should be coming any minute now." Herkie said with a bit of panic in his voice.
The dean then took off his glasses and took a deep breath. Herkie knew deep down that he was going to get some bad news and tries to prepare himself.
Auradon Prep
After his return, Herkie wasn't as peppy as his usual self. He would sulk while walking, not even greeting his classmates as they got by him. He tried to find a place for him to sit and finds a bench. He sits on it, thinking about the choices in his life and tries to figure out where he'd gone wrong. The result of this interview was less than good, heck even terrible.
Flashback, Notre Dame University
"Herkie, I believe that'll be all for today." The dean said.
"But I'm sure if we wait a few more minutes…." Herkie tries to explain.
"I haven't really gotten all day. I've got more students coming in for their interviews, hopefully ones who are more prepared. I'm looking to accept students based on their character and to be honest, right now I'm not even sure what type of person you are besides where you come from and the heroic acts. I can only wish you good luck." The dean said as he packs up the documents Herkie lend him.
Herkie's expression is representing a crushed look. He was on the verge of tears before he grabbed his folder and left. He turns back to say one last thing.
"Thank you for your time."
Present
With no one around, he let out his tears while having his face planted down on his hands with his elbows on his thighs. He sobs softly as he feels like a failure at this moment. Unbeknownst to him, Ally happened to be walking at the corner before Herkie. She was on the way to her parents café, Mad for Tea, when she suddenly hears someone crying.
"Aw, who could that be?" Ally whispered.
She walks to the corner and then slowly peeks over it to see that the cries came from her own boyfriend. A shocked expression was placed on her face when she sees Herkie sobbing into his hands.
"Herkie? My Herkie? What could be wrong?" Ally thought.
Herkie just feels terrible that he's not getting into the college he wants. Truth is he wants to venture out into Auradon by being accepted into a college that isn't in his hometown. But he knows his father wanted him be close to him and Megara. Right now, that seemed like the only option and it got him really upset. Naturally being his girlfriend, Ally walks over to him to comfort him in his distress, but then…
"What in the wonderland?" Ally said.
Herkie's hair suddenly got shiny, glowing even. His hair was shining a bright coppery brown color. And then, it got worse when it turned into what looked like a fire. His skin also turned into a glowy golden color. He stood up, not crying anymore and turns to Ally, who doesn't even recognize Herkie in this strange form.
"Herkie?" Ally said.
Next thing she knows, a ball being to form around Herkie that appears to be covered in golden fire and he begins to walk.
"Herkie, now let's all calm down."
But Herkie wasn't hearing any of it as he continues to walk towards her.
"Herkie, stop!" Ally shouted.
Herkie still keeps on coming. Fearing for her life, Ally starts to run. She runs towards the Tourney Field, which has some of the students hanging around. As he was chasing Ally, Herkie starts over to a trio of student at one corner of the field and he walks through them. He left them behind, but the three student just looks depressed, like the life was sucked out of them. Their skins even turned grayish and their expressions were just sour.
"Man, this day sucks." The short bob girl said.
"You said it." The blond boy said.
"I don't even wanna laugh no more." The brown hair boy said.
Ally looked back and her eyes bugged out at the sight of those kids.
"Herkie, what did you do to them?" She asked while still running.
She runs past two girls listening to their music and dancing. Herkie then walks through them, making those girls gray and depressed looking.
"I don't like this song." The blond girl said.
"Yeah, it's not depressing enough." The brunette girl said.
"Oh no!" Ally said.
She gets out her phone and texts a 911 alert to Mal. Hope she would get that, she tries to find a place to find. She ducked behind a tree, but while she was hiding, she sees Herkie draining the students of their happiness and they turned into the depressing sad sacks like their first victims. Aziz, Jay, Carlos, Chad and Quincy happened to be walking over to the Tourney Field to play some tourney.
"I'm going to win this bet." Carlos said.
"Oh sure, Short-Stack, keep telling yourself that." Quincy said smiling.
"Well, with me on his team, we'll wipe the floor with you." Aziz said.
"That'll be us with you face in the grass!" Jay said, pointing out to himself, Quincy and Chad.
"You know you got a unfair advantage." Aziz said.
"Don't blame us, blame that huge no-show." Chad said.
"Chad!" Quincy said to him.
"I'm just saying Herkie never texted back hours ago."
"I told you he's busy with something."
As they were talking amongst themselves, Carlos was looking towards the Tourney Field and the shocked expression came on his face.
"You mean with that?!" He shouted.
The rest turns over to where Carlos was pointing at. They see Herkie draining happiness student after student.
"What's he doing?" Jay said.
"And how's he doing it?" Chad said,
"I don't know, but we gotta stop him." Aziz said.
Aziz charging to him and before he got close, Ally tackles him out of the way.
"Don't!" Ally said on top of Aziz.
"What you do that for?" He asked.
"I'm stopping your from turning into them!" Ally said said pointing to the gray, depressed students.
"What the?" Aziz said.
The others reached to them while Ally helped up Aziz to his feet.
"Ally? What's going on?" Jay asked her.
"I have no idea! I saw Herkie was crying and then next thing I knew, he turned into that!" Ally said pointing to Herkie.
"Herkie? Crying? In all the years I've known him, I've never seen him cry in my life before." Aziz said. "But then again, I never seen him or anyone turn into a monster after crying."
"You haven't seen Audrey on a bad hair day." Quincy said.
"What could've happened to him? What's he so sad about?" Carlos said.
Then Quincy remembers about their conversation in his hair appointment. "I think I might know." He said. "He was feeling down lately, partly cause of you, Ally."
"What?" Ally said.
"You haven't really talked with him much about the whole thing with Ariana and it's causing him to be distant from you. Not only that, but stuff like this with Herkie keeps on happening for weeks now and also, he had an interview at Notre Dame University with hopes of getting in. He made me promise not to say anything cause he want to get his hopes up."
"I'm guessing he didn't get in by the looks of it." Jay said as he keeps watching Herkie causing more chaos.
"I think so and it might have pushed over to the edge." Quincy said.
"But how do we stop someone who we can't even get close to?" Carlos asked.
"It's difficult enough by the way he's built already! That big lug's as touch as a boulder!" Chad said.
"Still, we can't just step aside and do nothing!" Quincy said.
And that was when Herkie turns around to the group.
"Oh no, he's coming!" Chad said.
Herkie walks slowly before he starts running.
"RUN!" Jay said.
The group starts running away from their friend as he chases them. They run across the field when they spotted Mad for Tea.
"Quick, the café!" Ally said.
They run to the café and Ally brings out her keys to unlock the door. They all ran inside and Ally locked the door from their side.
"That's not gonna hold him!" Carlos shouted.
"Get the furniture!" Jay said.
The couch, chair and even the table is barricaded against the door and they all pushed on them.
"Are we sure this is enough?" Aziz said.
"For Herkie alone without the extra juice, I can't tell ya!" Quincy said.
Herkie finally reaches Mad for Tea and begins knocking on the door. Jay, Carlos, Aziz and Chad keep on pushing the furniture against the door with all their might while Quincy comforts Ally, who was starting to blame herself.
"This is all my fault." Ally said. "If I just been honest with Herkie, none of this would've happened."
"Ally, you can't blame yourself. You didn't know this would happen. Something or someone is doing this to him, just like with Lonnie and Freddie and those party people." Quincy reassures Ally.
"Who would do this to my Herkie and for what?" Ally said.
"No idea…." Quincy said.
The furniture was about to give as Herkie is getting close to opening the door.
"But right, we got bigger problems!" Quincy said.
Herkie is able to burst open the door, sending the boys flying backwards. They all stared at him towering over them and makes the first steps inside.
"No, no, no!" Carlos said.
Herkie walks towards and grabbed his ankle, making him gray and depressed.
"Carlos!" Jay said.
He grabbed his tourney stick and tries to club him at the end, but Herkie catches it and pulls him towards himself before grabbing Jay's shoulder and put him in the same state Carlos is.
"Oh no, Jay!" Quincy shouted.
"Herkie, please stop this, you're scaring us!" Ally said.
Suddenly, some tea cups flew at Herkie's head and he turns towards Chad, who was behind the counter.
"That was dumb." Chad said.
Herkie walks towards him next.
"Wait, wait! Can't we talk this through?" Chad whimpered. "When I said you're a big lug, I mean that in the most kindest way, heh."
"Chad! What are you doing, run!" Quincy said.
Herkie grabs onto him, slowly draining Chad. Chad then turns to Quincy and the others and points to the door. Quincy quickly gets what he's saying and grabs on both Ally's and Aziz's wrists and runs towards the door and made there escape. After sucking Chad dry of his happiness, Herkie walks to the door trying to chase the three who escaped, but suddenly, something just appeared at the doorway and Herkie can't seem to get out. It was a green force field surrounding Mad for Tea. And it was conjoined by the Lady of the Court, Mal. She made it just in time when she saw Quincy, Ally and Aziz ran out of the café.
"Mal, thank Zeus you're here!" Aziz said.
"I'm gonna need some concept." Mal said.
"It's Herkie, he's draining everyone's happiness and turned them into gray, sad dopes!" Quincy said.
"And he's even got Jay, Carlos and Chad in there!" Aziz said.
"It's like there's a bug going around. How did he get like this?" Mal asked.
"Well, he was feeling depressed before, with the crazy magic taking over the school, him and Ally not seeing eye to eye and I believe he didn't get into the college he wants. The last thing must've put him over the edge." Quincy said.
"He was even crying before he became that horrible thing." Ally said.
"He was crying?" Mal said shockingly. "This is serious, he's never cried before. I'm starting to think whatever magic's causing this, it reacts to high emotions. Maybe subconsciously, he was feeling sad, so he wants other people to be sad as well."
"That could be it. I'm sure doesn't mean to." Quincy said.
"Of course not, but we need to let him know he's not alone. Maybe that'll get rid of this spell he's under. Ally, it has to be you to do it." Mal said.
"What? But I'm part of the reason he's like this."
"And now, you can be a big part of him returning to normal. You guys have been together for months now, and you both like each other, don't you?"
"Well, actually, I love him!" Ally said.
"You do? That's even better." Mal said.
"But I never said it before. I was waiting for the right time to tell him, but Ariana keeps getting in the way and I just got so mad that I haven't been able to say anything out loud cause I thought he would prefer her over me."
"Ally, I think maybe now's the right time to tell him how you feel." Mal said.
"She's right, and believe me when I said you have to tell him, trust me!" Quincy said.
Ally thought about it for a second then faces Mal and asks, "What do I have to do?"
"I'm going to cast a spell to get you inside Herkie's mind. Once you find his inner self, that's when you can say what you gotta say." Mal said.
"Ok." Ally said. "I'll do it!"
"Are you sure you can do this?" Quincy asked her.
"I have to! I love him!" Ally said.
Mal nodded at her and gets her hands ready and chants the spell.
"Can't speak from the heart outside, so hear her out inside!" Mal chanted.
Green sparkles came out of her fingers and Ally was surrounded by green mist. She then disappears into thin air with the green mist also.
"Good luck." Quincy said.
Herkie's Mind
Ally appears what seems to be a hallway that resembles the ones from Auradon Prep.
"Oh, bollucks! Did Mal transport me inside school?" Ally said.
But then, she hears someone talking and walks down the hallway to find the source. She turns a corner to see what looks like Herkie from the back. She slowly walks over to him cautiously cause she's not sure what to expect.
"Herkie? Are you…back to normal?" Ally said.
"What do you mean, Ally? Of course I'm normal." Herkie said with his back still facing her.
"Are you really?" She asked once more.
"No!" Herkie said while turning his head and showing fangs and a slithering tongue.
"Aah!" Ally screamed.
She turned around and runs away with the imposter Herkie giving chase. She keeping on running until she hid in the pool area. She locks the door and hid while the fake Herkie runs past the door. She sighs with relief and steps out of her hiding place.
"That was a close one." A voice said behind her.
"You said it." Ally agreed, but then… "Wait just a tick."
She turns to see the fake Herkie making hissing sounds.
"Oh, shoot!" Ally shouted.
She turns to the door and unlocks it quick then makes a run for it. This time, she heads for the Tourney field and runs across the field.
"You can run, little girl, but you can't hide! I'm in control of this mind and body! Hahahahahaha!" Fake Herkie shouted.
Panting and losing breath, Ally ducks into the Locker Room and locks the door by using a tourney stick. Fake Herkie keeps on knocking on the doors that are locked.
"You can't keep me out forever! I'll be getting in there anyways! It's just inevitable! How you think I got in the pool? I'm everywhere!" He shouted.
Ally backs away and turns to runs to a locker on the other side. Her back lands on one of them and slid down to the floor.
"This is impossible! I'll never find the real Herkie. I'll never be able to tell him how I really feel." Ally then starts shedding tears at her predicament and closes her eyes.
"Ally?" A voice said.
She got spooked and looks up to find Fake Herkie.
"Stay back!" Ally said as she quickly got up and gets into a fighting stance.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"What do you mean what am I…." Ally says but then gets a good look at him.
His face looks soften, his eyes have concern in them and best of all, he has no fangs.
"Herkie? Is that you?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm guessing you meant my evil twin?" Herkie said.
"He's so horrendous!" Ally admitted. "I just don't have any words."
"You and me both." Herkie said.
"Are you ok? What happened to you?" Ally said.
"I remember feeling upset and then next thing I knew, I was in my own head and he started to take the steering wheel to my body."
"How terrible."
"Guess I got caught in the crazy magic schtick."
"Unfortunately, yes. Can you remember anything? Like how you think you might've been affected?" Ally asked.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, just a lot of disappointment." Herkie said.
"Quincy did mention about your interview at NDU."
"Oh, he did?"
"I can't believe you told him before me. Why?" Ally genuinely asked.
"Things have been crazy with us lately. You haven't talk to me much since the talent show. It even made me distant from you. There was so much I wanted to say to you, but you just…didn't want to talk to me about how you really felt."
Ally sighs, "You're right. I have been distant. And the truth is…I was extremely jealous of Ariana. I haven't said a word about it before because I always thought you prefer her over me. She's talented, beautiful and most of all, a princess. How can I compete with that?"
Herkie then start have a clear picture what goes on in her mind, no pun intended.
"Ally." Herkie took her hand in his and looks her in the eye. "You may not be a princess, but that's not the reason why I would fall in love with anyone. You're quirky, have a curious nature, you have beautiful eyes, beautiful hair, beautiful everything. Ariana isn't the one for me, the girl I'm in love with is right here."
Ally gasped. "What?"
Herkie gasped as well at his own words and blushed.
"You love me?"
"Yeah, I always loved you. I just been too afraid to say it. I've wanted to tell for so long, but Ariana just won't take a hint."
"Herkie…" Ally takes his other hand into her other one. "I…I love you too!"
"You do?" Herkie said.
"I've been working the courage myself, but ooohh…that Ariana just won't quit!" Ally said.
"God, she's been a problem for both of us." Herkie said smiling.
"Righty-O you are." Ally said smiling.
They both laughed.
"So, any idea how to get out of here?"
When Ally was trying to think, a voice goes…. "No you don't!"
They both turned to see the Fake Herkie hissing at them. They both held on to each other.
"You aren't going anywhere! I'm going have all the fun absorbing all the joy from everyone at this pitiful school to be as miserable as we are!" He motions to himself and Herkie.
"No way! You're not dragging me down with you!" Herkie gets in front of Ally and stretches his arms.
"Oh yes I am! We both share the same mind and you're my prisoner forever."
Herkie growled at him while Ally gets worried.
"Oh dear. What do we do?" Ally said in her mind.
Suddenly, her phone ranged and played her ringtone, which is her favorite uplifting song. Just then, the Fake Herkie was feeling strange.
"What? What this?" He said.
His body began to distort into weird shapes. "No, what's happening to me?!"
"Huh?" Both Herkie and Ally said.
And just like that, the whole world in Herkie's mind started to break down. Herkie grabs onto Ally and makes a run for the door.
"NOOOOO!" Fake Herkie shouted as he melts into nothingness.
Herkie takes Ally to the door and breaks it down charging with his arm in front of him. White light comes through the doorway after breaking the door down and Herkie and his beloved Ally disappears into said light.
Back into Reality at Auradon Prep
Herkie's body was turning back into normal and Ally reappeared besides Mal, Aziz and Quincy.
"Ally!" All three of them said.
Mal and Quincy hugged Ally and she returns the hug.
"Are you ok? How'd it go?" Quincy said.
"I believe it went very well, all things considered." Ally giggled.
"What's about Herkie?" Quincy asked.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Ally said pointing at him.
They all turned to see Herkie is now back to normal. Mal then takes down the force field covering Mad for Tea. They run towards home and Aziz and Quincy side hugs Herkie.
"Herkie! You had us worried there." Quincy said.
"Bro, you were wild today." Aziz said.
"I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened." Herkie said.
"You're fine, that wasn't you." Aziz said. "But why didn't you just tell us what was going on with you? I'm one of your best friends."
"I just didn't want to bother anybody. With everything going on, I just felt depressed, like I couldn't talk to anyone." Herkie said.
"Don't be silly, Herkie. If you have something to say, you can always talk to me." Quincy said .
"And me." Mal said. "I'm always there if you ever want to get something off your chest."
"I appreciate that Mal. You're always like family to me." Herkie said.
"I feel the same way." Mal said smiling.
"Herkie." Ally spoke.
Herkie turns to see Ally walking to him and they stared at each other eye to eye. Herkie remembers what he and Ally were talking about in his mind.
"That wasn't a dream, was it?" Herkie asked.
"I certainly hope not, but then again, it was definitely a dream come true cause what I said was true. How about you?" Ally said.
"I think you know the answer to that." Herkie said.
As they stare at each other blushing, they lean against each other just inches away when suddenly…
"OMG!" A familiar female voice said. "Herkie, I didn't know you'd be here!"
They all turned to see Audrey's cousin, Ariana making an appearance. She walked up to Herkie, looking flirtatious as ever.
"I was just coming cause I was meeting up with some girlfriends and…" She turns to see that the other students were coming out of a daze and slowly getting up. "What happened to them?"
"A long story." Mal said.
"Hm, whatever. Say, Herkums!" Ariana hooks her arm around his. "Why don't you join us? I'm sure we'll have a great time."
Ally just had about enough of this. She was getting up at Ariana's face to say what she wants to say.
"Now you listen here, you spoiled…" Ally speaks, but Herkie's hand was in Ally's way.
"Let me handle this." He tells her. Herkie then faces Ariana and makes sure she really pays attention. "Ariana, I'm going to talk and you're going to listen, ok?"
"Sure, whatever you say." Ariana replies, think he's going to take up on his offer.
"Good. I really appreciate that you think fondly of me and that's fine. You're a great girl who dress well, has a huge social status and also a princess who never gives up on what she wants."
Ariana was liking the sound of it, but is confusing some of the others.
"Is he going somewhere with this?" Aziz whispers to Quincy.
"I'm sure he is." He whispers back.
"But that doesn't matter." Herkie said.
"I'm sorry, what?" Ariana said.
"You're a great girl, but I already have someone who's more than that. She excites me, we talk about things that matter to us, she laughs at my jokes even if they're not funny, she encourages me to be my absolute best, and most of all, I love her." Herkie said.
Ally smiled at his confession along with everyone else.
"Really? You really love her?" Ariana said.
"Yes. She's my one and only and I want it to stay that way forever." Herkie said.
He picks Ally up by her armpits and gives her a huge kiss on the lips while hugging her with his arms around her and Ally hugs her arms around his neck. Mal cheered, Quincy and Aziz claps and pretty soon, everyone who was coming from under that gray spell was clapping g along with everyone. Distraught by the affection Herkie was showing Ally, Ariana acts like she wasn't bothered by it.
"Eh, you weren't really my type anyways." Ariana said then makes her way to her friends.
"Wow, Herkie! Way to plant one on her." Jay said coming out of the café with Carlos and Chad.
Herkie stops kissing and puts Ally down to her feet. "What can I say? She's adorable."
"Oh, stop." Ally blushes and giggles.
"You guys ok?" Mal asked the boys.
"Yeah, whatever Herkie did to us completely wore off." Carlos said.
"This is getting serious, and it's only going to get worse from what I can tell." Mal said.
"But how did everything turn back to normal? It couldn't been just Ally talking him." Quincy said.
That was when Ally remembered something. "My song."
"What?" Mal asked.
"My phone rang and it play a ringtone that plays my favorite song. It melted this evil Herkie twin and that's when everything fell apart." Ally said.
"Evil Herkie twin?" Jay said. "What did we miss?"
"Ally, you mean to say that a song broke the spell?" Mal asked.
"It seemed to make since to me, that was one of the most positive songs I've ever listen to." Ally said.
"Are you sure that's not just a coincidence?" Mal asked.
"Actually, Mal, I remember something." Aziz said. "When me and Jordan were dealing with Lonnie, this song played at the Museum and it calmed her down."
"You're kidding." Mal said.
"I kid you not and it's similar to what Ally said, it was more classical and pleasant." Aziz said.
"And maybe the same thing happened with Freddie." Carlos said. "When the background music changed all of a sudden."
"Alright! Sound like we have our first clue." Mal said.
"It's the music!" Quincy said.
"That's what turns people back to normal." Jay said.
"And maybe also vice versa." Ally said.
"What, Ally?" Quincy asked.
"Well, when I caught Herkie just moments before his scary debacle, I heard this music that was anti-positive and anti-uplifting. I wasn't sure if Herkie was the one playing it, but that's what I heard before Herkie turned." Ally said.
"Same thing with Lonnie. We heard the songs on the overhead changed into something aggressive and she want ballistic. I just thought it was because of me and Jordan's fighting, but now it makes sense.
"And also with Freddie when the music changed from pleasant to sinister." Jay said.
"Yes, so perhaps whatever type of magic this is, it reacts to different types of music. Negative music equal possessed classmates, positive music equals non-possessed classmates." Ally said.
"Good job, Ally! You figured out another part of the clue." Mal said.
"Well, I am a mystery solver after all." Ally said.
"Almost forgot." Mal smiled.
"So what now that we've figured one part of the mystery?" Quincy said.
"That, Quincy, I do not know. But we've got to nip this in the bud before it's too late." Mal said.
"While you guys figure that out, me and my handsome hunk are gonna have a bite to eat." Ally said as she hooks her arm around Herkie's.
Herkie smiles at her and vice versa when they both entered Mad for Tea.
"So, are you going to fix the place up, or…." Jay said to Mal.
Mal raised an eyebrow at Jay but also smiled, which caused everyone else to laugh.
"So anyone wanna fill me in? Sorry, lost track after evil Herkie twin, which is something I'm not fond of." Chad said.
Everyone just stared at Chad blank faced.
"Way to ruin a moment, Chad." Quincy putting his hand on Chad's shoulder.
The Next Day
Herkie was hanging out with Ally in the Student's Lounge, watching a movie on his phone while sharing his earbud. Just then, his phone rang and it was from Notre Dame University.
"What do they want? I thought they passed you up." Ally said.
"I don't know, let me check." Herkie said.
He picks up his phone and answers it.
"Hello?" Herkie,
"Hello, Herkie." The dean said.
"Is something the matter?"
"Quite the opposite indeed."
"I don't understand."
"I got your recommendation letter."
This shocked Herkie hearing how the dean got the one thing he would need to be consider as a potential student at his university.
"I'm terribly sorry how I talked with you. I wish I knew it was the Archdeacon from whom your waiting your letter on. He's always an old fashioned fella, he came by earlier to drop it off. And from the looks of this, now I have an idea of who you are. Herkie, you're probably one of my kindest young men I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I even read about how you would help those in need with your strength. Now those are the some traits I look for in a person. I'll definitely be looking over your application once more."
"Thank you so much."
"It's an honor. Now get back out there and keep showing the world who you are."
"Will do!"
Herkie hangs up the phone and turns to Ally with a huge smile.
"What is it, Herkie?" Ally said.
"That's was the dean from NDU! He got my recommendation letter. He's going to look over my application!"
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Ally said hugging Herkie. "I knew it would all work out."
"Glad to know you're rooting for me."
"Always, you big hunk." Ally said.
"Hope I get in after we graduate next year." Herkie said.
"You will and I'll be there when you do."
"You're the best, Ally!"
"You too!"
The couple keeps hugging each other, never daring to let go, fearing one or another will disappear forever.
Author's Note: Wow, talk about an emotional roller coaster, right? At least the gang found out how this magic works. Who's next to fall victim to this terrible curse? Will Quincy and his friends find the cause of this problem in time? Will they pass their exams and get to be seniors next year? Find out next time and have a Wicked Day!