Always by your Side - A Descendants Story : REWRITTEN

Chapter 20

"Five more minutes..." Mal mumbles, still half asleep, not even opening her eyes.

It's early in the morning when Jay and Lonnie are preparing breakfast for the group, ready to get started with their mission. The other's have already seated themselves, while Ben is trying to get Mal to get up for the fifth time. "That's what you said 10 minutes ago," he reminds her.

"I know," she groans, not even moving.

"Come on," he says, pulling the blanket off her.

"Hey! It's cold!" she exclaims, finally opening her eyes and turning on her back.

"It's warm by the fireplace where the others are sitting for breakfast," he informs her.

"It's also warm under the blanket," she argues, sitting up.

"Tonight you'll have it back, now you've got to get up," he tells her.

"Fine," she gives in, reluctantly getting out of bed.

"There we finally have our sleeping beauty," Jay says, when she finally joins them.

"Haha, funny," Mal says, sarcastically, rolling her eyes at him.

After a chatty breakfast, it is time to get started. They all freshen up and then make their way to the tunnels. They're narrow and dark hallways, feet below ground. They brought flashlights so they're not completely in the dark. Every so many feet there's a ladder against the wall that leads up to some place. Carlos brought a compass to see which way they have to go, because without it they'd be totally lost in this maze of tunnels.

We check a ladder, which turns out to lead to the other side of Auradon Prep, so we know we're going in the right direction. We're guessing the pirates have taken over Belle and Beast's castle, so we're trying to make our way over there.

After about half an hour we finally reach the castle, now we just have to find the right room.

"Guys, I think I found it," Jay calls down, almost whispering, standing on top of the ladder and looking into the room above them.

"Do you see anyone?" Mal asks him.

"I can't really see the room, it's blocked by a giant bookcase, but I'm guessing they are smart enough to place some pirates as guards at the door," Jay says, as he makes his way down again.

"They've probably taken over the entire castle," Lonnie says, looking at Ben. "Where do you think your parents are?"

"I think they locked them up along with all the other royals," he sighs.

Mal looks at him, knowing he must be worrying sick about them. She knows exactly what they must be going through, having experienced it first-hand. It's more horrible than you can imagine, it's something that you're going to carry with you your entire life, although you'd rather just forget all about it...

"We're going to get them out of there," Mal tells him. "We're going to take back this kingdom, get everyone free again. They will be fine, okay?"

Ben smiles weakly at her. "I hope so..."

"This is going to work," Jay agrees. "We know where the wand is, if we're able to grab it, it's game over for them."

"But to do this successfully, we need to plan it very carefully," Lonnie tells them. "So, I suggest we go back to the room and make a good plan."

"I agree; the less chance we give them to catch us, the better," Jane says.

"Yes, please, I want to go back to bed," Mal agrees as well.

"I love how you always have your priorities straight," Evie tells her, chuckling.

"I am very responsible, if I say so myself," Mal says.

"Right..." Jay says, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, shall we go then?"

"Let's go," Lonnie says, taking the lead.