Marlos

Talk

The first faint rays of dawn, struggling to penetrate the perpetual gloom of the Isle, found their way into the sanctuary. The golden barrier shimmered softly, a tangible embrace of hope. Inside, the quiet murmurs of a waking community began. Children stretched in their makeshift beds, and the aroma of Carlos's magically sustained breakfast wafted through the air.

Carlos stirred, a quiet resolve settling over him as he rose from where he'd been resting near the barrier. His conversation with Lena last night echoed in his mind, reinforcing the urgency of their mission. This temporary peace, this fragile hope, was not enough. They needed real, lasting change.

He found Mal already awake, meditating by the edge of the vibrant greenery, her eyes a thoughtful violet. Evie was carefully braiding a young girl's hair, her usual meticulousness applied with gentle care. Jay was doing a quick patrol of the outer perimeter, his senses sharp even in the early morning.

They converged near the bubbling stream that fed the sanctuary, a natural meeting spot. Helios and Luna, freshly fed and full of energy, bounded around their feet.

"Morning," Jay greeted, his voice low. "Quiet night. Too quiet."

Mal nodded, opening her eyes. "Agreed. It means Uma's either planning something big, or she's still stewing." She looked at Carlos. "You okay? You were out here for a while last night."

Carlos took a deep breath. "I'm fine. Better, actually. I talked to Lena, Lily's mom. It just... made everything clearer. What we're doing here. What we need to do." He met Mal's gaze. "We can't just keep feeding them and protecting them behind a barrier. This isn't sustainable. We have to talk to Uma. Today."

Evie finished the braid and tied a small ribbon. "Talk to her? Mal, you literally just arm-wrestled her for the right to rule the Isle. She's not exactly going to be receptive."

"Exactly," Mal countered. "She knows I won. She knows Ben, Auradon's King, is backing me. She's got to be furious, but also... she has to be thinking. What's her next move?"

"We need to control the narrative," Carlos interjected. "We show her that we're not here to just take over. We're here to help the people, the ones she claims to rule. We show her the sanctuary, the hope it's giving them."

Jay leaned against a sturdy plant stalk. "She's not going to care about hope, Carlos. She cares about power. And territory."

"Then we make her see that working with us is her best play for power," Mal said, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "She wants to be a queen? Let's show her how to be a real queen, one who doesn't rule through fear and starvation."

Evie bit her lip. "So, a negotiation? Or a declaration?"

"A bit of both," Mal decided. "We go to her. On her turf. No tricks, no magic for show. Just us, and the truth of what we've done here. We remind her of what she lost when she couldn't protect her own people."

Carlos nodded. "We offer her a choice: continue to watch her people suffer while we quietly build a better alternative right under her nose, or work with us to truly transform the Isle. A future where everyone benefits, not just those loyal to her."

"She'll try to fight," Jay warned. "Or trick us. She's Uma."

"We know," Mal said, her voice firm. "And we're ready. This isn't just about us anymore. It's about everyone here." She looked at each of them, her gaze holding their combined histories, their shared purpose. "We go to Ursula's Fish and Chips. We call for her. And we make our case."

A quiet determination settled over the group. The plan was risky, audacious even, but staying put wasn't an option. The time for passive protection was over. The time for a direct, impactful move, had arrived.

The journey from the sanctuary to Ursula's Fish and Chips was a tense one. The perpetual twilight of the Isle seemed to press in on them, and every shadow felt like a potential threat. They moved with a quiet determination, their earlier planning session echoing in their minds. This was it – the direct confrontation they had prepared for.

As they approached the familiar, ramshackle building that served as Uma's headquarters and her mother's former restaurant, the air grew thick with the scent of fried fish and stale ambition. The usual boisterous chaos of the place was subdued, replaced by a wary quiet. Uma's crew, a collection of rough-looking pirates and villains-in-training, eyed them with suspicion as they entered.

The interior of Ursula's Fish and Chips was as grimy and chaotic as ever, but Uma had added her own touches: tattered pirate flags hung from the ceiling, and a makeshift throne, crafted from old ship parts and fishing nets, dominated the center of the room.

And there she was. Uma, seated on her throne, her tentacles of hair swaying slightly, her eyes narrowed as she watched them approach. Harry Hook stood beside her, a predatory smirk on his face, his hook glinting in the dim light. Gil, ever the loyal but dim-witted follower, stood awkwardly nearby.

"Well, well, well," Uma drawled, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Look what the tide dragged in. The Auradon elite, gracing us with their presence. To what do we owe this... unexpected visit?" Her gaze lingered on Mal, a challenge in her eyes. "Come to finally bow down, Mal?"

Mal stepped forward, her posture regal despite the grime of the Isle clinging to her clothes. Evie, Carlos, and Jay fanned out slightly behind her, their presence a united front.

"We're not here to bow, Uma," Mal stated, her voice clear and firm, cutting through the tension in the room. "We're here to talk. About the Isle. About its future."

Uma scoffed, a dark laugh rumbling in her chest. "The Isle's future is just fine, Mal. It's under my rule. Order has been established. What more is there to discuss?"

"Order?" Carlos interjected, his voice surprisingly calm, though a subtle flicker of golden energy pulsed around his hands, a silent warning. "Is that what you call it, Uma? Because from what we've seen, it looks more like starvation and fear."

Uma's eyes flashed, her attention snapping to Carlos. "And what would you know, pretty boy? You ran off to your pampered kingdom. You don't know what it's like to truly live here."

"I know what it's like to see people suffer," Carlos countered, his gaze unwavering. "I know what it's like to see children go hungry. And I know what it's like to finally do something about it. I know because a few months ago, I was here, and I used my magic to give them unlimited food and clean water. I saw their hunger, Uma, and I fed them."

He paused, then continued, his voice resonating with a quiet power. "The Isle is not doing fine, Uma. The people are barely surviving. They're sick, they're starving, and they're living in constant fear. Your 'order' is a cage, not a kingdom."

Evie stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "We've been here for days, Uma. We've seen it with our own eyes. We've been helping the people, providing them with food, clean water, shelter. A place where they can feel safe."

Uma's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise mixed with suspicion. Harry and Gil exchanged uneasy glances. The news of the sanctuary had clearly not reached her ears, or she had dismissed it as a rumor.

"What are you talking about?" Uma demanded, her voice losing some of its earlier bravado. "What 'sanctuary'?"

"A place where the people you claim to rule are finally being cared for," Mal explained, her voice gaining strength. "A place where they have hope. Because you, Uma, have offered them nothing but more of the same misery they've always known."