(3) The Isle of the Lost

-Chapter 7: Welcome Back-

As Celia and I walk away from the cave, she speaks up. "I guess I was right. That's the reason why he's always asking about you. I just didn't know if the rumours were true." She says. "The gang are the only people who actually know he's my dad." I mutter, opening the gate. "And as far as I'm concerned....he doesn't exist." I add, walking out and towards the gate where we meet the rest of the gang.

"Hey." Evie says, walking towards me and placing a soft kiss on my lips. I kiss back before lifting the ember between us. "You got it." She says, smiling widely as I nod. "Yup. Let's go." I say, taking her hand as we all walk away. "All right. Get in, get out." Mal says as Jay opens the barrier. "Okay, hold on." He says as he clicks the button, opening the doorway and letting us through. As we walk through, I feel a shudder of energy flow through my body and Evie gasps. "Whoa, you got a little Hades thing going." She mutters, making me look at my hair where some parts are lighter blue as if it is glowing. "Wow." I say. "That thing packs a punch, huh?" Mal says, smirking at me.

I hear thuds behind us and turn to see two figures dive over the barrier hole just in time to make it out. Harry and Gil gasp at each other. "We made it, bro!" Gil says. "We made it!" Harry repeats before the two hug and jump around like children before seeing us. "Hey guys....uh, we're just coming for a wee visit." Harry says, trying to walk past us. Mal holds a hand out, pulling him back. "Come on, hey." She says, making Harry swing wildly and knock the ember from my hand. "No, shit!" I say, watching as it falls into the water...before being caught by a tentacle.

Uma reveals herself, emerging from the water with a smirk. "Drop something?" She asks, get eye fixated on me. I feel Evie's arms tighten around my arm as I glare at the girl. "It can't get wet, Uma. Give it back before it goes out." I say, holding out a hand. From behind us, the two pirates gasp. "Uma?" They both say. "That's my name." The sea witch replies, smirking before diving back down into the water. "No!" I say, racing to the edge. The water suddenly spirals up, kinda into a tornado and I can tell it's about to splash us. "Shit." I sat before turning and shielding Evie with my body as the water splashes us. I peek an eye open to see Uma now standing beside the other two pirates. "Hi, boys."

"Welcome back!" Harry says, smirking and hugging Uma tightly. "Uma...you swam off and forgot all about us." Gil says, like the teddy bear he is. "Yeah. Planning her revenge, no doubt." Mal mutters. "It's not all about you guys." Uma says, rolling her eyes. "I was looking for a hole in the barrier to let everyone out...and you know what I found boys?" She asks the pirates. She smirks, turning fully to them. I feel Evie's grip on my arm finally loses and I look at her to see her glaring at the pirate. "Is my baby jealous?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "What? No...I just...don't like her being here." She mutters, hiding her blush. "Sure...."

"And fish so big you could dance on their backs...and they've been keeping it all to themselves." She says, turning to us now. Uma catches a glimpse of Evie and I and rolls her eyes. "Seems like your life is as happy as ever." She adds, tilting her head. "Still have your blueberry princess on your arm." She adds. I roll my eyes, scoffing. "Whatever. Uma, I need that to break a spell cast by Audrey." I say, pointing to the ember. "Sleeping Beauty's daughter." Mal adds. Uma raises her brows, facing Mal now. "Oh? So the good guy is the bad guy?" She asks, smirking. "Well...I might not give it back. Let's see what happens." She says, hiding the ember in her palm.

"Uma, it's not the time for games. People's lives are in danger." I say, stepping forward, out of Evie's grip to face off with Uma. "Guarantee me that every single villain kid who wants to, can get off the Isle." She says. "Wha- Uma..." I start but she glares at me. "They're your people. We're your people." She says genuinely. "Don't you think it's time we're not confined to a single, smelly, old island?" She adds. I see a glimpse of the old Uma I knew before. "We can't do that...." Mal says, looking down. "Can't do that?" Uma asks Mal, scoffing. "The future Queen of Auradon and current Queen of the Isle can't do anything about it?" She asks. I nod slowly, turning to the witch. "I'll talk to Ben. See what I can do." I say, making Uma nod. "That's better than nothing." Uma says. "Although I can't guarantee anything, I promise that I will fight for my people. At the very least, we have the VK program to bring 4 VKs over every year." I say.