Go the Distance

05

Harry and Gil managed to get through the barrier just before it closed. Maia and Elias frowned, seeing them.

Harry turned to Gil. "We made it, bro!"

"We made it," Gil said.

Harry turned back to the others and smirked. "Hey, guys. We're just coming for a wee visit."

Carlos and Elias pushed them and they pushed back. As Mal got pushed, the ember fell from her hand. "Come on. Hey. Hey!" The ember fell into the water and she cried, "No!"

Suddenly, a green tentacle lifted into the air, curled around something, as well as a person.

Uma appeared and asked, "Drop something and someone?"

Mal's eyes widened. "It can't get wet. Give it back before it goes out."

Uma laughed and Harry and Gil's eyes widened. "Uma?"

She smirked. "That's my name."

"No!" Mal and Maia cried again, seeing the water spin around like a tornado.

Everyone looked out in the water feeling defeated. Uma's voice caught their attention. "Hi, boys."

She was standing on the bridge on the opposite side of the VKs and the twins.

"Welcome back," Harry said.

Gil nodded. "Man, you swam off and forgot all about us."

Mal crossed her arms. "Yeah. Planning her revenge, no doubt."

Uma frowned at her. "It's not all about you, Mal. I was looking for a hole in the barrier to let everybody out. And you know what I found boys? It's way better out there than we thought. There's this thing that looks like a furry rock called a coconut. And fish so big you could dance on their backs. And they've been keeping it all for themselves."

"Uma, I need that to break a spell."

"Cast by Audrey, Sleeping Beauty's daughter," Carlos clarified.

Uma thought for a moment. "Mm. So the good guy is the bad guy? Well, I might not give it back. Let's see what happens."

Maia glared at her. "Um, it's not the time for games! People's lives are in danger!"

"Guarantee me that every single villain kid who wants to can get off the Isle."

Mal looked at the ground for a moment. "I can't do that."

"Can't do that?" Uma retorted, hovering the ember over the water. "Well, how about now?"

Mal mentally groaned. "Deal! Deal."

Uma pretended to drop the ember into the water and Evie said, "Uma! Her word is good."

Uma thought for a moment before pocketing the ember. "I'll still keep this, for the time being. Because if you think I trust you to save the world on your own, think again. This is a job for pirates." She turned to Harry and Gil and smiled.

The pirates cheered and high-fived each other.

Jay stood behind Mal and said quietly, "We can always go back to hating each other when this is over."

Mal pursed her lips and nodded. "Fine."

Jay looked up at the pirates. "Where are our bikes?"

Gil grinned. "Oh, yeah. We crashed them." He and Harry started making crashing noises with their mouths.

Evie smiled. "Here's a thought. We could try to be friends. Put your history behind us and celebrate our differences. Yeah? Who wants gum?" She held out a packet of gum and no one accepted any. "No?" She put a piece in her mouth.

"Let's go," Uma said.

"Ah!" Mal called. "No. I'm in charge." She waited for anyone to challenge her, but they remained silent. "Let's go."

Maia and Elias exchanged a look and let out a sigh.