The trip to the castle was not a lively one. Luckily, the fairies were able to magic them up some [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Chocobo.png]mounts[/url] for their valiant charge. Taivas and Zen-Aku were both trying to come to terms with what had happened back there. Taivas by the fact that the evil fairy witch had toyed with his brain like a ball of yarn. Zen-Aku with the revalation of who that man was that came out when he began singing. He looked down at the Shield of Hope as he floated next to the large bird Dotty was riding with all of the gusto of a proper knight. [color=6ecff6]"THIS IS SO COOL! WE DON'T HAVE GIANT CHICKENS WHERE I COME FROM!!!"[/color] She yelled as the valiant birds charged through the thicket and towards the castle, the pair of Chocobo made a great leap straight up onto the top wall.

[color=7bcdc8]"COME ON, SHE'S THIS WAY!!!"[/color] Yuna yelled. Vaulting down from the Chocobo who let out a loud Kweh! before the magic creating them faded, Dotty and Taivas sprinted across the wall, the party bellow providing perfect cover from what they were doing, heading towards main castle. Making their way in through one of the guard entrances, they followed the 3 fairies up to a bedroom, Taivas booting down the door taking some frustration out on it, as they looked around, Payne pointed to the missing fireplace.

[color=silver]"She's gone in there, hurry!"[/color] The pair set off again at a run, the dark passage lit by the light of the fairies.

[i][color=39b54a]"Touch the spindle..."[/color][/i] That evil voice wafted through the air.

[color=00aeef]"BRIAR! NO!!!"[/color] Taivas roared out as he quickly climbed the stairs, his knee's screaming in agony by this point, but he had been fooled by that witch once, he wasn't going to compound that defeat.

[i][color=00a651]"TOUCH IT I SAY!"[/color][/i] The voice came again. Finally rounding the corner, Briar was reaching her hand towards the spinning wheel, without missing a beat, Taivas summoned his Keyblade and made and almighty leap towards the spinning wheel. But it was too late. In a flash of evil green magics, Taivas was thrown against the wall as the others watched in horror, Briar slumping down on the ground. In a flash of green flames, she appeared... Maleficent. [color=39b54a]"You poor simple fools. Thinking you could defeat me? ME! the mistress of all evil!"[/color] She growled [color=39b54a]"And you, Taivas, i had such high hopes for you... But instead you chose poorly."[/color] She let out an evil grin as she looked at Briar slumped on the floor. [color=39b54a]"And look at your precious princess!"[/color]

[color=6ecff6]"Listen here, Hag!"[/color] Dotty yelled. Maleficents eyebrow went up and she looked at the puppy. [color=6ecff6]"I don't get a tupney about that trollop, but you killed someone my future husband cares a lot about, ya hussy! Now put 'em up, because me and Poodlewolf are gonna knock your blinkin' block off! HEROIC SPIRIT OF POODLEWOLF-"[/color] Maleficent sighed as the child reached for the mask. She then looked down at Taivas who had just stumbled to his feet. She let out a shrill cackle, before disappearing in a puff of green flames. [color=6ecff6]"GET BACK HERE YA SCAREDY CAT!!!"[/color] She screamed. Taivas slumped in the corner, watching over Briar's body. Rikku flew over to Taivas.

[color=fff79a]"Don't worry, she's not dead. She's just... Awaiting true love's kiss."[/color] She patted him on the shoulder.

[color=6ecff6]"Does she have a lover? Like, someone who would..."[/color] She looked around at the others who stared at the child with mild disbelief. [color=6ecff6]"Ooooooh No. No. NO!"[/color] She cried. [color=6ecff6]"SHE ISN'T HAVING MY PRINCE!!! PHILIP IS MINE AND WE'RE GONNA KISS AND WE'RE GONNA TURN BACK INTO DOGS AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE 99 PUPPIES AND WE'RE GONNA LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!! JUST LIKE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-NANNY AND GRANDAD DID!"[/color] Zen-Aku stared at her again. [color=6ecff6]"OK! FINE!!! But just the 1 kiss and then me and Philip live happily ever after!"[/color] She replied. Taivas got up and made her way to Briar's side, picking her up in his arms, before carrying her back to her room in the tallest tower, the others following. Taivas lay her down on the bed and looked at the others.

[color=00aeef]"Where is Philip?"[/color] He asked the Fairies. The three looked nervously at each other, but then in a flash of light, a vision appeared.

[i]Inside of Maleficent's Castle, her minions drank, ate and danced merrily. The 18 year long plan having come to fruition. Maleficent sat atop her throne, grinning and stroking her crow. [color=39b54a]"What a pitty Prince Philip isn't here to enjoy the celebrations..."[/color] She giggled. She then reached for her staff and pulled herself to her feet. Looking at the crow, she laughed again [color=39b54a]"Come, let us away to the dungeon to cheer him up."[/color] Walking slowly through her castle, she made her way to the dungeon, before opening the door and stepping in to see Philip chained to the wall. She put on a voice of faux sympathy. [color=39b54a]"Oooh, come Prince Philip, why so melancholy? A wonderous future lies before you. You, the destined hero of a charming fairytale come true."[/color] Waving her hand over her staff, she showed him a vision.

[color=39b54a]"Behold, King Stephan's Castle. And in yonder topmost tower, dreaming of her true love, the Princess Aurora... But see the gracious whim of fate, why, tis the self-same Heroic Maiden who won the heart of our fair prince but yesterday! She is indeed, most wonderous fair. The gold of sunshine in her hair, lips that shame the red-red rose. In ageless sleep she finds repose. The years roll by, but 100 years to the steadfast heart are but a day."[/color] She showed him wasting away to become nothing but an old man, gray hair and beard dripping down to his belly. [color=39b54a]"And now, the gates of the dungeon part and our prince is free to go his way. Off he rides on his noble steed, a valiant figure, straight and tall, to wake his love, with love's first kiss. And prove that true love conquer's all!"[/color] She threw her head back in an evil cackle, as Philip strained against the chains to try and throw a punch at her. She instead walked back to the door, grabbing the crow. [color=39b54a]"Come, my pet, let us leave the prince with these happy thoughts."[/color] She walked out, Philip still struggling against his bindings.[/i]

The vision was cut off as Taivas cracked the stone wall with his fist. [color=00aeef]"We CANNOT let her win."[/color] He growled.

[color=7bcdc8]"But..."[/color] Yuna sighed. [color=7bcdc8]"She's so powerful. We threw everything we had at her and it did nothing."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"We don't need to fight and kill her... We just need to free Philip. If he can deliver true love's first kiss, then the curse will be broken and her plan falls to pieces."[/color] Taivas replied.

[color=6ecff6]"And then me and my prince can ride off into the sunset together with him in my big, strong arms!"[/color] Dotty laughed. [color=6ecff6]"I love the sound of that, what's the plan?"[/color]