Monday, September 11, 2017

Colour Mania

Got one of those colouring apps just for fun and here are some of the results:






Anime Avatars

Something I made just for fun with this Avatar Factory app I had in my phone. Unfortunately it's pretty wonky and too much ads and it occasionally crashes, so I made what I could and deleted the app.

Made avvies for myself and some of my online buddies here

Me aka BlackGargie

xSapphire-Catx

Lil aka Heaven56

HinenoChikkyu

Carly aka cmara

Arden aka ArdentNerd

Saturday, May 6, 2017

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter Finale

The Beastess groaned as the rest of Max's gang pulled her up to the balcony of the tower. Max threw the trident aside and rested The Beastess's head on his lap. Rusty, Normie and Virgil stared in horror at their Mistress's condition. She was faltering—and fast.

The Beastess blinked her eyes open and saw Max's face greeting her. She smiled and said weakly, "You...You came back..."

"Of course I came back," Max replied. "I wouldn't let them...Oh crap! This is all my fault! If only I've gotten here sooner..."

"Maybe...it's better...it's better this way..."

"Don't talk like that!" Max shook his head in denial. "We're all together now. Everything's gonna be fine, you'll see."

"At least...I got to see you...one last time...my Little Master..."

Max's heart ached. He didn't think her love for him would make her go this far. He couldn't love her the way she wanted him to, but he knew he had to do something to repay her. Whatever she had done for him was too great a price to pay for her unrequited love for him. He felt so guilty as he let her huge hand caress his face. Then suddenly he felt her hand slip. He heard her final breath escape from her mouth and then there was silence. The animated objects turned towards the window of the East Wing where the bell-jar was (the tower was somewhere near the East Wing) and saw the last petal fall from its stem and its glow diminished. They shook their head in dismay. It was too late. All was lost. They will remain the animated objects they were for the rest of their lives.

"No! No, Beastess! No! Please don't leave me! You're my best friend! You can't die on me! You promised to be a faithful friend and a loyal guardian! You promised! Please don't leave me!" Max yelled in horror at realizing that The Beastess's life had slipped away. He turned desperately to his father and pleaded, "Dad, please help her! Please! Your trident! Please bring her back!"

"I'm sorry, son," Blake said in regret. "My trident has many powers, but it cannot bring back the dead. I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do, Max."

Max let out an agonized yell and buried his face onto The Beastess's breasts. She was his best friend. She was the friend that loved him unconditionally. She was the friend he had come in terms to like despite her grotesque figure. He had seen past her looks and seen her as just a normal human being. No one could replace a great friend such as her. How could all this happen? How could his selfishness get in the way of their friendship? He felt as if he had led her to her doom. He felt as if by appearing in her life, he brought SkullMaster and all this tragedy upon her. Everything had started when he met SkullMaster. It was his fault Fishermen's Friend Village got into this mess. It was his fault his mother was almost taken by him. It was his fault his best friend had died. Max kept on blaming himself as he continued to cry and wail in remorse. Bea, who had awakened after her wounds healed, came over and hugged Max from behind, trying to make him feel better, but he just wouldn't stop crying.

"Poor girl..." WarMonger said as he moved towards The Beastess's dead body. Gently, he moved Max and Bea aside and cradled her head in his arms. There was something inside him that told him he had to do something to make all this pain go away, but he wasn't sure what it was. He let his instincts guide him as he brought The Beastess closer to himself.

Everyone watched in awe as suddenly a bright glow of light emitted out of his chest. The light came out of him and spiraled around WarMonger and The Beastess, engulfing them in a reddish-blue glow that lit up the whole tower. They had to shield their eyes a little from the blinding light as they continued to see the light spiraled around the area of The Beastess's chest. Finally the glow slowly dimmed and a thin line began to form that connected WarMonger's chest with The Beastess's before disappearing as mysteriously as it appeared.

"What the...What's going on?" Norman finally found his voice.

"They're sharing lives," Thor replied, remembering something he had seen in the past. "WarMonger had the power to revive the dead by giving a small piece of his lifeline to them. He's done that loads of times when he finds dead birds in the bell tower. Judging by this action, he's not only giving a piece, he's giving a big piece, and he's sharing it with her. Both of them will have the same lifeline and will live forever unless both of them die together! (A/N: This concept almost goes the same with Macbeth and Demona in Gargoyles, ya dig?)"

"Woah, dude! That's what I call colossal, man!" Felix exclaimed in admiration.

The Beastess opened her eyes and got up slowly. The wound inflicted by SkullMaster was gone. The first person she saw was WarMonger grinning at her sheepishly.

"What...What happened?" she asked, puzzled. "I thought I was..."

Max beamed and ran over to hug The Beastess while Thor explained WarMonger's power again. She turned towards WarMonger who still looked a little sheepish. He actually helped someone he had first met? This was the first time anyone would give away their life to save her. She began to grow rather more interested to this WarMonger guy.

The rain had stopped. The sun began to shine out of the horizon. Everyone went out of the castle to see what was left of SkullMaster. He lay on the ground on his own pool of blood, lifeless and motionless, his eyes staring blankly up and his bloody mouth slightly open. The rose had fallen out of his pocket and lay helplessly on the floor, its petals scattered everywhere. The ring was still on his finger. Blake tried his luck and took off the ring. And since he was the true heir, the ring slipped out rather easily. He reached over and closed SkullMaster's eyes. No matter what deed he had done, he was still his half-brother and he still loved him the way he was.

As he stood up, Virginia finally found the courage to approach him. Throughout the whole ordeal, she didn't dare to believe that the man standing before her was her so-called dead husband. Only when she tentatively touched his cheek and felt his warmth was she able to embrace him.

"I missed you, Blake," Virginia whispered. "I thought you were dead."

"I missed you too, Virginia," Blake replied. "And there's something I need to clear up. It wasn't the mermaids who killed me. It was, I regret to say, Scott, my own half-brother."

"I know. I know now. I'm so sorry."

"You've deprived our son of his love for the sea. You knew that the sea was in his blood. You really gave him a hard time. Yes, I've been watching you, Virginia. That wasn't a very nice to do to our son, you know."

Virginia scratched her chin guiltily. For years she had took to believing other people's rumours just to get rid of the grief and pain she felt over her husband's loss. She looked apologetically at Max. Max just shrugged. He knew she would find out about the truth sooner or later. Blake stole a look at Norman's aching look on his face and sighed.

"And I cannot be with you anymore, Virginia. I have found a new life and a new world. I have a family of my own with the Queen of the merpeople, and I'm sorry, but I cannot remain long here."

"That's right, Mrs. Deanhart," Drakeb replied as he stood beside Blake. "King Benedict had a daughter with Queen Fridorithia and I'm officially his son-in-law. Which makes you my stepmother-in-law."

Virginia stared in disbelief at Blake and Drakeb. She was speechless at what her husband was saying. Yet, she didn't know why, but deep down inside her, she felt a sense of relief and acceptance towards Blake's decision. She took a deep breath and asked, "I just need to ask you one question, Blake. Is she really worth it?"

Blake nodded. He then went over and took Norman's hand and put it on Virginia's. He winked and said, "May you two be happy."

Norman and Virginia looked at each other and blushed. There was nothing to hide anymore. Their feelings were mutual. They didn't have to pretend that they didn't like each other. They soon locked themselves in each other's embrace and kissed. Max smiled. Finally they were getting somewhere. Then Blake approached Max and said, "I believe this is yours."

"But...But Dad. You're the true heir of the King of the West. You should be wearing it."

"I already have my own kingdom under the sea. One kingdom is enough for me. Besides, you're my son. What makes you think that you might not be the heir as well? Go on. Try it on. No harm done."

"But the rose," Max stole a look at the broken rose. "Virgil said I need the rose to break the seal of the castle."

"We'll figure that one out later. Try it on."

Max stared at the ring. All this trouble and chaos for a ring (A/N: Almost like LOTR, don't ya think?). The ring that had brought both happiness and grief. Finally, after staring it for a long while, Max shrugged and took the ring. This was going to be his final and biggest adventure yet. What else he had to lose.

As he put on the ring, something miraculous happened. A bright light shimmered and Max's cap suddenly changed into the shape of a fully diamond-studded crown. The rose that was broken and scattered suddenly reattached themselves back together and looked brand new. With a blinding speed, the rose shot towards the direction of the room where the altar was and laid itself on the base. Almost immediately, light streamed out of every corner of the castle and everything that was ugly inside and outside the castle became immaculately beautiful. The gargoyles turned to angels and the beasts turned to gods and goddesses statues. Whatever was dark and gloomy from that castle quickly became bright and cheery. The light continued to travel around the castle and began circling itself around the animated objects. One by one, the animated objects changed back their original forms, starting with Rusty and her boyfriend. They turned out to be a pair of couple that stood almost the same height, with Rusty having hair the colour of rust (guess that's where she got her name) and eyes a perfect black and the boyfriend with long flowing brown hair. Come to think of it, Rusty looked almost like the teenage version of Virginia.

Then it was Normie and her son Junior. She turned out looking like a middle-aged version of Phoebe and Junior a boy of maybe 8 or 9 years old with the same hair colour as hers. Later it was Virgil, who turned out to be like a humanoid chicken. Then later it was the rest of the animated objects changing into their human selves. Everyone cheered and beamed in relief at finally becoming the human they once was.

The ring wasn't done yet. Almost automatically, Max was led by the ring towards The Beastess and showered its power at her. She began to transform. Her height shrank down to the 18-year-old height she was supposed to be and her red hair became less fiery. The colour reduced to a normal redhead should have and her scaly green skin slowly peeled off her body, revealing fair, white skin underneath. Her eyes remained copper-brown but she wasn't looking as threatening as she used to. The miraculous thing was that because she shared the same lifeline with WarMonger, he experienced the same change too. His hunchback was gone and his height increased. His red skin was no more and his face morphed into human proportions. His yellow eyes changed colour into blue, matching the dark sea-blue of his hair. His fangs were gone and off went the horns as well and when he tried to talk, his voice didn't have that rasp anymore.

"Woah," Max said in marvel. "Is that how you really look like? I find it hard to believe. And you, WarMonger...you've changed as well! Guess that sharing lifeline gives you quite an advantage. And Virgil, is that you? A chicken?"

"I'm not a chicken, I'm a fowl! I happen to be the last Lemurian after a plague hit my tribe back on an unknown island in British-India (made that up ;P)," Virgil said with pride. "Your ancestor took me in and I've been the master butler ever since."

"R...Rusty...!" The Beastess looked at herself first, then turned towards the servants that had served her throughout the years of her duty to guard the castle. "Normie! Virgil! Look at us!"

"My goodness! This is really a breakthrough!" Normie beamed happily as she hugged and kissed her son.

"It is unbelievable! We're free! We're finally free from our curses at last!" The Beastess exclaimed as she hugged each and everyone. She then hugged Max and said, "Thank you, Max. Thank you so much. I should've known you're the true heir all along. You really are the King of the West!"

"Guess I got good genes," Max grinned as he stole a look at his father.

"I guess it's time for you to take your rightful place on your throne, Your Majesty."

"Yeah, I guess," Max grinned sheepishly before holding out his hand to Bea. "Would you like to join me, my Queen?"

Bea was speechless at first, then blushed and nodded as she took his hand.

"I'd be delighted, my King."

Soon, all's well ends well. Maxwell Deanhart was officially proclaimed the true heir of the King of the West and was crowned, together with his new wife Bea Deanhart, as the New King and Queen of the West. Many people attended the crowning ceremony, from the highest societies to the lowest (that'll be the people of Fishermen's Friend Village). Even King Benedict and his royal family, including Drakeb and Phoebe came to watch the crowning ceremony. An alliance was made between the land and the sea and Max's reign and King Benedict's reign had officially become neighbouring kingdoms. Peter, Pad, Pjer, Pac, Pince, Pablio and Phoebe were welcomed to visit Max anytime they liked, and that goes the same with King Benedict and Queen Fridorithia, and vice versa.

Norman and Virginia were also married a week after Max and Bea's wedding and were crowned as consorts, since Virginia was Max's mother, minus the royal blood. Norman was made a knight and deemed as Lord Norman son of Samson Bear (A/N: I dunno what's Norman's dad's real name, so I took one of Norman's aliases :p) and made him in charge of the royal army. The Beastess, or her real name Alexandria Sean, was also made a knight to fight alongside with Norman as a second-in-command. WarMonger changed his name to Angel Disguisia, after the name 'angel in disguise' by the archdeacon, and decided to work in the weaponry and art field, creating weapons for the army and nice sculptures and arts for either the castle or to be marketed out. Alexandria and Angel soon found love in each other and got married a year after Max's reign. They had a nice, quiet elite home built for them somewhere in the woods, with Thor living with them. SkullMaster's body was burned and sent out to sea, just like any self-respecting seaman should be cremated. King Benedict requested it to be so.

"He was my first mate, and die as a first mate he will."

Max never forgot the village where he came from. He pays a visit to the village once in a while and funds it entirely under his expense. Its wellbeings were kept and he ruled in his reign well. 2 years later, Max and Bea became the proud parents of twins, a girl and a boy whom they named Bea Junior and Maxwell Junior, or in royal terms, Bea and Maxwell Deanhart the 2nd. Norman and Virginia, too, became the proud parents of Samson Junior, Normandy and Helena Bear, and Alexandria and Angel the proud parents of Andrew Disguisia. Bea and Maxwell Junior were well taught to be the best successors of the throne and became the best of friends with their uncles and aunt and Andrew, including their mermaid friends Dominique and Dominic, the twins of Phoebe and Drakeb. Their heir continued to flourish and the King of the West and their descendants were well known as the best and most well-liked rulers of the world.

And they lived, as all fairy tale stories go, happily ever after.

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter 21

The blast didn't make it to WarMonger's face. He felt something warm on his face and realized that it was blood. He looked up and saw that it was The Beastess growling angrily at SkullMaster with both her bleeding hands on the hand which had the ring. Her copper-brown eyes glowed as she glared with her heart full of hatred at the man whom she thought was the rightful heir of the throne of the King of the West, the man who tried to kill her.

While SkullMaster and The Beastess struggled with each other, Norman and Virginia rushed over to help WarMonger up the balcony. That's where WarMonger had a good glimpse of The Beastess. The red flaming hair, the scaly skin, the towering height and forceful strength...yet those eyes filled with a sort of emotion that only he knew. The emotion of someone who lived a life as lonely as he was. The emotion of someone who had loved and lost somebody, just like he did when he had the crush on Virginia. The emotion of someone who would go to the ends of the earth for that person she loves, even if it means having to face and endure that unrequited love all alone, just like he was.

They both share the same emotion—loneliness and heartbreak.

"Is she the Keeper of this castle?" WarMonger asked as soon as he was on the solid floor of the balcony.

"Looks like it," Norman replied as he stared at the two towering mountains fighting each other.

"Can anybody tell me what's going on here?" Virginia, who finally had her head clear out of the excitement. "What are you guys doing here? What am I doing here?"

"We'll explain later. We gotta check out the others."

"The others?"

As Norman led WarMonger and Virginia inside the castle, SkullMaster and The Beastess continued fighting with each other. The rain beat mercilessly on their bodies and the roof and thunder rolled. The lightning flashed badly, threatening to hit them into oblivion. They fought they've never fought before. They have fought really bad battles, like SkullMaster fighting alongside with the crew when the pirates decided to raid their ship and The Beastess fighting for Max to save him from the wolves, but this was different. This was a hectic battle as they fought for their own reasons: SkullMaster to fight for the throne and The Beastess to fight for the wellbeing of the castle. She knew that if this skull-faced monster gets control of the world, everything she had guarded for would be gone and everyone would suffer, including her beloved Max.

She had to save him from this evil man. She had had pledged herself to be his loyal guardian and his faithful friend. And she was going to fulfil that pledge.

Even if it means dying for him.

"Give it up, Red Girl!" SkullMaster growled as he aimed a punch on her face. "The throne is mine!"

"Never! I will never let the throne go to the likes of you!" The Beastess aimed a sock on his gut.

"You think? I'm the rightful heir of the throne and I suggest that you let it to me before I make you wish that you're never born!"

"You're not the heir! You're never the heir! I can see it in your eyes. The eyes are the window of a person's soul, and I can see that your soul is as black as your heart!"

"When I'm through with you, I'm gonna be out there ruling the world, and I'm gonna be out there taking control of everything! Everything will be under my grasp, their lives, their fates, their destinies, everything! Including your darling little master Maxwell Deanhart!"

The Beastess was shocked. She had used the windows of the soul, not knowing that she had exposed her window of soul to him. Her shame of being discovered slowly boiled into anger. With a burst of energy, she grabbed his throat and held him off the roof, threatening to drop him down the hard ground below.

"Come on! Drop me! Drop me down and see if you can live with it!" SkullMaster challenged. "Drop me now and return to your bestial ways! How would you like that? What a release, eh?"

The Beastess glared hard at SkullMaster. Slowly, his words began to eat through her. She began to remember the days she had with Max. Max had been tolerating her mad tantrums and savage ways ever since he appeared in her life. He taught her how to read, how to use her cutlery properly, how to dress, how to live life and how to have fun. He had taught her everything her parents never tried to teach her. Her parents were harsh and cruel and never gave her what she wanted. They told her life was a cold, cruel reality and nobody loved her. She was abandoned when she was 5 and she had been in the streets since, protecting herself against the harms of the world with her temper and her violence. No one bothered to civilize her. No one bother to care about her.

No one but Maxwell Deanhart.

She realized that if she were to let go of SkullMaster to his death, she would be no different than the person she was before. Everything Max had done for her would go up in smoke, gone with the rain. She would not be worthy of Max. She would not be able to face him if she had done this despicable crime.

She had to let him go.

She backed away, still holding SkullMaster's throat. She lowered him onto the ground and stared right at the face of a surprised SkullMaster. Before throwing him onto the ground, she only said one thing.

"Get out."

"Beastess!"

The Beastess spun round and saw Max standing at the balcony of one of the castle's towers, holding out his hand to her. She quickly went up to him as fast as her arms and legs could carry her as she made her way up on the roof. She could see the rest of his gang, including Virginia, waiting for her to get up to them. There were some people seemingly apprehensive at the sight of her but it didn't matter. Max was there, and she will protect and guard him with her life, no matter what it takes.

"Max...My Little Master..." The Beastess breathed the words as she took his hand. "You came back."

Max smiled as he gestured some people to pull her up. WarMonger was one of them, and that was when their eyes met. The Beastess was surprised to see the oddity before her. She thought she was the only one in this whole wide world who looked like a hideous freak of nature. She never expected someone to be the same as she was. Somehow, at that split second, she felt that there was something similarity between her and this creature.

Before she get to know more of WarMonger, she suddenly felt a painful stab on her side. She let out a roar of pain as she realized that SkullMaster had snuck up behind her and blasted her with the ring. She could feel that the blast was fatal. She began to slip out of reality and she had lost her grip on the balcony railings. WarMonger quickly reached over and grabbed her cape. Max saw the smug look of victory on SkullMaster's face as he reached over the balcony railings. He couldn't let him get onto the tower. Everything would repeat itself again if he did. Without realizing, he grabbed his father's trident and let out a loud yell as he stabbed it deep into SkullMaster's heart. Blood squirted everywhere, even onto Max, but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was keep him away from the railing and away from the castle.

"This is for my Dad."

Those were the last words SkullMaster heard and a pair of sky-blue eyes filled with hate and contempt was the last thing he saw before he was blasted out of the trident's grasp and fell to the solid ground below.

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter 20

The door of the castle finally broke open. SkullMaster and Virginia stared at the darkness before them and were quite apprehensive. Everything was quiet. Too quiet. They can't be too careful.

"Stay beside me, love," SkullMaster brought Virginia close to him and grabbed a nearby candelabra. He had no idea that he had actually grabbed Rusty who had been waiting there for him to take her. As soon as she felt his grasp on her body, she let out a loud shout:

"NOW!"

Within seconds, SkullMaster and Virginia found themselves surrounded by animated objects of all kinds—wardrobes, chest trunks, clothes hanger, tables, chairs, you name it. All of them were alive and seemed pretty threatening. SkullMaster noticed Rusty in his hand and flung her onto the solid ground. Her boyfriend caught her just in time and regained composure almost immediately.

"Ah, the legendary cursed servants of The Beastess," SkullMaster grinned, unperturbed by the angry looks on the animated objects' faces. "I've heard of you. Take me to your Mistress. I am here to receive my dues."

"What proof do you have that you are the true heir of the King of the West?" Virgil demanded.

"This is the proof," SkullMaster brandished the ring on his hand and the rose. "I have the ring and the rose. Now take me to your Mistress so that I can take whatever is rightfully mine."

"How do we know that you didn't steal from the real heir? You could be just someone who's power-hungry enough to kill for the ring and the rose!"

"Enough! I'm tired of this childish bickering! If you won't let me meet your Mistress, then I shall have to go to her myself! Step aside!"

"Not without a fight," Rusty said as she braced herself, followed by the rest of the animated objects.
"Very well," SkullMaster said as he clicked his fingers. "As you wish."

Without warning, the smoky entities doubled, no, tripled their amount and started charging towards the animated objects. The fight began. Butt-kicking and face-punching ensured. The wolves also charged in and attacked them, breaking them to pieces with their sharp claws and fangs. And while the battle continued, SkullMaster and Virginia slipped up to the stairs and went towards the East Wing where The Beastess was.

Max could hear the loud commotion inside. They looked at each other and nodded, then made a dash into the castle. They were shocked and horrified to see SkullMaster's henchmen and women and the wolves from the forest wrecking the hell out of the animated objects. With a loud yell, Max brought up his sword and started hacking at the wolves. The rest of the gang joined in—Bea with her axe, Felix with his sledgehammer, Norman with his huge bulky sword, WarMonger with his dagger and his iguana friend Thor, Drakeb with his bow and arrows and Blake with his trident. A hectic battle started as swishes, bangs and blasts could be heard. The surviving animated objects helped out and soon, the enemies were taken down. Rusty leapt onto Max and hugged his neck.

"Little Master! I knew you would come back!"

"Glad to see you too, Rusty," Max replied as he set her down. "Where's SkullMaster?"

"You mean that ugly purple bonehead?" Virgil asked grudgingly. "That fiend just barged in claiming that he was the heir to the King of the West and is probably harassing our poor Mistress to hand in the throne!"

"The Beastess!" Max exclaimed and made a dash towards the East Wing. The rest followed suite, picking up the animated objects that were too battered to move in their hands.

"The King of the West?" Norman asked. "That kinda sounds familiar. What's it about?"

"Let me explain..." Virgil said as he started the legend of the King of the West while they made their way to the East Wing.

"The Beastess?"

The Beastess turned around. The first thing she noticed was Virginia. She looked so different in the attire SkullMaster had gotten her. She was still her old self, with the exact blonde hair his love Max had inherited. The sight of her reminded her of that fateful day Max decided to trade himself for her freedom and the day that started to change her life. But there was something different about her eyes. So trance-like, so dark and black...What was wrong with her? Had she been put under a spell or some sort? She only stopped looking when SkullMaster had approached her.

"The Beastess, I presume?"

"It is I. Who wants to know?" The Beastess replied, towering over him. SkullMaster smiled; he was unperturbed by her size and menacing copper-brown eyes.

"You don't seem to be as tough as the legend said. Now, please lead me to my throne."

"Your throne? On what grounds?"

"On the account that I have the ring and the rose."

So saying, he showed the ring and the rose to her. The Beastess was slightly taken aback. This was the true heir of the King of the West? This was the heir that she had waited for so long? This was the heir whose castle she had guarded for such a long time? This was the heir that had caused her to endure this damned curse for almost more than 10 years? She was expecting someone who would look decent but this was ridiculous. But he had the ring and rose and he had come all the way to this castle. He has to be the heir. The Beastess heaved a sigh.

"Very well. Come with me."

The Beastess walked out of the East Wing and led them down the hallway where there were more gargoyles and disfigured statues around. She came to a dead end and looked around, as if looking for some hidden switch or something. She soon found it hidden behind one of the tattered paintings and pulled the lever. A secret door opened on the wall and a flight of stairs lowered itself towards the floor. She continued to lead them up the stairs to higher ground. She stopped at a dark room that had no door. She lit a candle at the side of the opening and almost automatically the rest of the candles in the room lit brightly. It wasn't a room, but a huge hall decorated magnificently with jewels and precious stones. There were paintings of portraits of all the past Kings of the West and an empty frame at the end of the line of paintings where portrait of the true heir would be. The floor was made of marble and the ceilings were covered with paintings of the great deeds done by the great Kings of the past, including a few mythical creatures added here and there to support the legend. At the end of the hall were the thrones of the King and Queen of the West. SkullMaster beamed at the magnificent sight before him.

"Here is your throne, Your Majesty. There is another room next door where you have to lay the rose on the altar to break the seal of the castle and return it to its original glory. Your rule will start from there."

The Beastess stepped aside as soon as they reached the end of the hall. SkullMaster's hand trembled slightly as he touched the handrest of the throne. There it wasa, right in front of him, ready for him to be claimed. He had worked so hard for this. He had finally gotten what he deserved. Finally, the throne of the King of the West was his! He settled down on the throne and savoured the feeling of the soft cushion. Virginia joined him at her throne, smiling as she lay her hand on his, congratulating him for his success.

"Welcome home, Your Majesty. May you rule the world fairly and wisely. My work here is done."

"Yes, of course," SkullMaster said as he stared at the ring. "And my first command...is to let you be annihilated."

The Beastess was taken aback. After all she had done, the King was going to kill her? How could he? She had guarded this castle for so long and waited patiently for him to return and this is how he repay her? This is not what the King of the West would do! This wasn't the King! This wasn't the true heir! She was going to die by the hands of a power-hungry tyrant...

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

The Beastess, SkullMaster and Virginia turned to see Max standing at the entrance of the hall. The Beastess's heart skipped a beat at upon seeing him.

"M...Max..."

"Don't do this, SkullMaster!" Max yelled. "Enough is enough...Uncle Scott."

"Ah, you finally recognized me as your uncle now, eh, sonny boy?" SkullMaster sneered as he got up. "I'm rather surprised to see you alive. And I was wondering when are you gonna figure it out."

"Scott, you have done enough damage," Norman said. "And it's time to face your past."

So saying, Blake made himself seen. SkullMaster was slightly taken aback.

"Blake...No...You're dead..."

"I'm very much alive, Scott, thank you very much," Blake replied. "When are you gonna let bygones be bygones, Scott? It's not that I wanted to be the favourite son. You gonna have to live with the fact that everything that had happened is fate."

"Oh really? Is that what you think? Is that what Mother and Father think? Face it, Blake! Mother and Father never liked me! I have always been the black sheep of the family! Even my real father didn't want to bring me along when he left Mother. As soon as you were born, Mother forgotten all about me. Father never treated me as his own son. Everyone liked you! Everyone loved you! It's time someone liked me instead, like your pretty little ex-wife here, whom you stole from me!"

"Is that why you killed Blake? Is that why you tried to throw him overboard?" Norman asked grudgingly.

"What?" Max and Blake were shocked at this news. Blake has yet to remember that part—the trauma was too much.

"Now where have I seen that face before? Hmm..." SkullMaster pretended to think back, then grinned at Max. "Oh yes, I remember. This is just the way your father looked before he died."

SkullMaster raised the ring to him and it glowed. Max felt a pull at his navel and found himself being dragged by some unseen force towards SkullMaster. He caught him by the throat and said, "And here's my little secret: I killed Blake Deanhart!"

The memory struck Blake right in his brain. The incident on the boat, the night the storm hit their ship, the sight of Scott standing before him with his cold yellow eyes...It all began to come back to him.

"Scott! Why aren't you on the boat! I thought you've gotten on!"

Those eyes. Those cold eyes that continued to stare at him.

"Scott, please! Brother, help me up! Norman will come get us! Help me up!"

The smile of evil on Scott's face as he finally reached over and grabbed his wrists. The malice as he leaned closer to him and hissed those mysterious words.

"Long live the King!"

Scott's hands letting him go...The impact of the sea water as he plummeted further towards his doom...The huge wave that carried him away...The feeling of the sea filling his lungs and the pressure ready to crush his body...Then the blast from the trident as Queen Fridorithia tried to save him...

Blake fell onto his knees as he remembered the cruel deed done to him. His brother...His half-brother whom he loved so much despite his cynical remarks and cold attitude had actually killed him. He finally understood what those last words he hissed to him meant. He was meant for the throne and Scott was jealous. He wanted it all to himself, just like the way he wanted the things he used to have when they were young. He was willing to offer half of his share but Scott didn't want half. He wanted all of it. He was nothing but an unfortunate target of his plans to take whatever was his, including Virginia. He looked up venomously at SkullMaster and hissed in hatred, "How could you, Scott...? You're my brother...! I loved you like my own brother...and yet...you..."

"You remember now, don't you?" SkullMaster smirked. "I wasn't lucky though. When you fell, I fell as well. I almost died if it weren't for an old Wiseman who took me in and nursed me back to health. He saw me as Wiseman material and taught me everything he knew before he died. He was getting older by the minute and I kinda did him a 'favour', God bless his soul."

"You...You monster!" Max tried to grab SkullMaster in vain. "You murderer! You tried to kill my father, and now you're taking my mother against her will! I'm gonna kill you! I'm gonna kill you!"

"Save you breath, boy!" SkullMaster yelled as he threw Max back to his group. "No one can defeat me! No one ever will! It's about time I end this! Minions, attack!"

As soon as he said the word, his ring somehow summoned more smoky henchmen and women to attack them. Even the wolves came back to life in their battered, bloody form from behind and attacked. The battle started all over again, but this time the battle was more brutal than before. Everyone had an injury inflicted on them. Even Norman and Blake, who used to be the best fighter back in the shipping years, were hurt as well.

"Just like old times, eh, Captain Blake?" Norman asked, grinning.

"Just like old times," Blake replied.

"Max, look out!"

Max turned around to see Bea blocking him and a loud slash was heard. He didn't see the incoming wolf that crept from behind him and tried to kill him. Bea saw it and immediately rushed towards him, taking the blow onto herself. Felix quickly came to their aid and bashed the wolf with his sledgehammer.

"Bea...why...?" Max asked as he held Bea in his embrace.

"Because...Because I...I love you..." Bea finally admitted the words she longed to say to him ever since she laid eyes on him for the first time. "I suppose...it's too late to say this but...I had a crush on you...since..."

"No, don't speak! You're hurt real bad!"

"I...had a crush on you...since the first time...I saw you in...school...I wished almost everyday that...you would court me...and take me as your...wife...but it's just wishful thinking...I'm not fit for you...I'm just a carpenter's daughter...I..."

"It's true, Max," Felix confirmed her words. "She had been in love with you since first grade. She begged me to keep it a secret. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

"I...I love you...Max...forever..."

Bea soon slumped into his arms, her eyes closed forever. Max was horrified. He began to remember and comprehend everything that Bea had done for him throughout his childhood. All those cover-ups, all those excuses she made for him to keep his Mom from finding out about his sea escapades...it was all for him. Tears began to well up in his blue eyes. All this while, there was someone who love him and yet he was oblivious to the fact. Instead, he went off to chase an unreachable dream. He went off to pursue someone that was never meant for him, and yet his happiness is just right there, screaming at his face. How dumb could he get? He cried as he held Bea close to his chest.

"It's alright, son. She only fainted."

"What...?" Max looked up with his tear-filled eyes as Blake held up his trident to her slash wounds.

"The impact of the wolf's claws was too much for her to bear. She only fainted. I'm going to heal her wounds. Don't worry, she's fine. Just let her sleep."

Max sighed in relief. Bea was alive. She's alive, not dead. Max planted a kiss on her forehead. Once she wakes up, he promised that he would make it up to her properly.

"Dudes," Felix broke the ice. "Where's that boney-faced guy?"

SkullMaster took Virginia's hand and ran towards the room The Beastess had mentioned. It was empty and bare, save the altar and the stained glass window at the end of the room. SkullMaster smiled to himself and turned towards his blushing bride.

"As soon as this rose opens the seal of this castle, you will officially be my bride and my Queen."

"I would love that, my love," Virginia smiled and watched as SkullMaster tentatively laid the rose on the altar.

"NO!"

Before the rose even hit the base of the altar, SkullMaster was pounced on by WarMonger. Somehow, he noticed that his master was trying to get away and followed him. He saw him trying to put the rose on the altar and he knew that it would spell disaster. He drew out his dagger and breathed heavily as he tried to pick up the courage to stab the Master that he had looked up as a father-figure for so long.
"Let my husband go, you filth!" Virginia tried to pull him away from SkullMaster, but WarMonger's body was no match for her.

"Forgive me," WarMonger muttered apologetically and aimed his fist at her abdomen. Virginia choked in her breath and began to puke. She doubled over and hurled out everything that was inside her gut.

"Look, WarMonger..." SkullMaster tried to inch his way from the anger-filled red boy. "Sonny boy, listen to me..."

"No! You listen! All my life I was told that the world is a dark cruel place! But now the only thing I see that is dark and cruel is people like you! I trusted you! You were like a father to me! You told me that no one would ever love a monster like me, but Virginia treated me just like any other human being! You're the monster here, SkullMaster! The only thing that is deformed and ugly is you and your black heart!"

"W...WarMonger...?"

WarMonger spun round. Virginia rubbed her temples and looked up, and the first thing she saw was WarMonger's red body. Somehow, that blow had forced her to vomit the love potion she drank and her mind was finally cleared. Her eyes were back the way they were—the dark sea-blue WarMonger had come to love so much.

"Virginia! You're alright!" WarMonger ran towards her and helped her up. SkullMaster's eyes narrowed in contempt and held out the ring, aiming at them.

"She remembers..."

"No!"

WarMonger quickly picked Virginia in his arms and made a dash towards the stained glass window. He crashed through and found himself on the huge long balcony that led all the way up to the highest roof of the castle. Telling Virginia to hold on tight, he made a dash and jumped off the ledge, holding one of the gargoyles' head and hiding from view. He could hear SkullMaster walking around looking for them. By then, the thunder began to roll and rain was starting to fall.

"Leaving so soon?"

WarMonger and Virginia were caught off guard. Before WarMonger tried to move towards a nearby window that led to one of the rooms in the East Wing, SkullMaster had already discovered them. With his strong arms, he moved quickly towards the end of the balcony, avoiding the blasts from SkullMaster's ring. WarMonger settled Virginia onto the balcony floor and braced himself with his dagger.

"I knew you would risk your to save my blushing bride," SkullMaster hissed. "Just like your mother died trying to save you."

"What?" What was SkullMaster talking about? His mother died? Trying to save him? Before he was able to comprehend what he was saying, SkullMaster blasted the place he was standing and he lost his footing. He quickly grabbed the ledge and stared in horror as SkullMaster towered over him, glaring at him evilly with his yellow eyes. Virginia tried to stop him but he used the magic of the ring to hold her in place. He turned back to WarMonger and aimed the ring at his face.

"And now I'm going to do what I should've done 16 years ago!"

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter 19

Norman and the gang were on a boat in the middle of the sea following the Evening Star as Max navigated with his compass. WarMonger broke it to the gang that he had an idea of SkullMaster moving towards The Beastess's lair. Before they left, the kind archdeacon appeared carrying a huge worn-out bag for them. When he opened it, out poured dozens of weapons and gadgets from the bag. Everyone gaped in awe at them, including WarMonger who had known the archdeacon to be no more than a peacemaker and a fine servant of the Lord.

"These weapons used to belong to the ancestors of this village, mine included," the archdeacon explained as the gang marveled at the weapons before them. "Before it was as peaceful as today, it was known to be one of the places that harboured strong, mighty soldiers into battle. After the war, the descendants decided that the bloodshed was too much of a sad reminder and decided to separate themselves from any violent matters happening in this world, thus created Fishermen's Friend Village. These weapons were kept in the deep cellars of our church, the place people least likely to find anything lethal and now, it's time for these weapons to be put to use again, for the good of the village and its future."

"Father, I..." WarMonger didn't know what else to say. He felt in debt for the archdeacon who had regarded him a son and a friend more than any other, perhaps even more than SkullMaster.

"Go now, my child, and use these weapons well. May God bless you, my little angel in disguise."

The gang made their choice of weapons and made a dash towards the jetty, borrowing a boat from a fellow fisherman and went off their way. Norman paddled as fast as he could. He had to get The Beastess's lair as soon as possible to stop SkullMaster. He had done a lot of damage to Fishermen's Friend Village and it's time they decided that enough is enough.

Secretly though, Norman wanted to get there fast to save Virginia.

"So, uh, you know my mother?" Max asked WarMonger after a brief introduction to each other. WarMonger nodded.

"She's the only one who regarded me as a human being and a true friend. I would do anything for her, even if it means going to the ends of the earth for her. My Master had played with both her and my emotions and I'm going to stop him before he does anymore damages."

"You realize though," Max lowered his voice, "that my pal Norman there has a crush with my mom."
WarMonger took a look at Norman's determined face as he picked up his rowing pace and sighed, "I know. I assumed that he was her boyfriend the first time we've met. There's no surprise they'll end up as a real couple. I'm content in being just her best friend. I wouldn't ask for more."

Suddenly, a few feet ahead of them, the sea bubbled and churned. Everyone held their breaths and grabbed their weapons. Is it one of SkullMaster's evil magic to keep them at bay? Could he have sent some of his minions to capsize them and attack? As they braced themselves for the worse, a few forms began to emerge and lo and behold! It was ours truly King Benedict a.k.a. Blake and his royal family!

Norman was stunned. Bea and Felix gaped. Max was speechless. After so many long years, Blake had finally returned with a new form. After being lost and presumed dead, here he was, in the flesh and alive and well. A long silence hung as everyone tried to take in whatever was before. Only WarMonger and Thor were puzzled at what was going on.

"Blake..." Norman breathed his words in wonder.

"Hello, Norman," Blake smiled, his body shimmered a little. Obviously, he had used his trident to create a protective layer on their bodies against the ray of the moonlight. "It's been years, don't you think?"

"I...I knew it was you. I knew it was you all along. I just didn't dare to believe it..."

"Oh God..." Bea's eyes began to well up. "It's Mr. Deanhart! I can't believe it...After all this while..."

"Dad...?" Max finally found his voice.

"My son," Blake turned towards his son that he hadn't seen ever since he decided to remarry. "I missed you so much."

"Dad, I...how...? Why...?" Max didn't know where to start asking. The questions burned intensely inside him but he didn't know which one to let out. How did he disappear? Why did he leave? Why hadn't he ever come back? Why didn't he return to his mother? How could he leave his mother and marry someone else, let alone have a child with her? As Queen Fridorithia gave him a few last concerned words, Max's heart ached at the loving sight. How he wished it was his mother and not the Queen who was talking to him. He wouldn't have to go through all that hell about his mother's prejudice with the sea and his deal with SkullMaster.

"Son, I know there's been a lot going on since I've left and I know there's a lot of explaining to do," Blake said as comforting to his son as he could. "I promise it'll all be cleared. But first we have to go stop SkullMaster. I received information from your friend that there had been a disturbance on the surface and I believe it has something to do with my half-brother Scott. I'm joining your fight."

"And so am I," Drakeb appeared from behind Pablio. Max looked at him a little grudgingly and Drakeb smirked, "Just a little service I'm offering to make up for your loss."

Phoebe, who had followed along to see Blake off, blushed a little out of shyness and guilt. She still feel a little peeved after the rejection she made and dare not face Max. Bea caught sight of Phoebe and understood what all this disappearance of Max and the goings-on in the village was all about. She couldn't help feeling a small tinge of jealousy but dare not to reveal it. Max stared at Phoebe for a while, before letting a sigh.

"It's alright, Phoebe. I've got it all thought out. Being your half-brother doesn't sound so bad. At least my little sister is prettier than the others I know."

Everyone chuckled and the atmosphere grew less tense. With that, Blake held up the trident aimed it at both himself and Drakeb. Like Max when he transformed back to human, their tails began to disintegrate, the scales began to peel and a line ran through the middle of their tails, separating into four pairs of legs. Phoebe and the Queen draped cloaks over their husbands' bare body and the gang helped them up the boat. As soon as they were on, Max quickly gave his father a bear hug. He didn't need his father's explanation anymore. He had his own reasons and his own choices to make, and he respected that. He had chose his own love life and didn't seem to regret it, just like Max chose his own love life and destiny, and he knew he had no place to question it.

Like father, like son.

Still, Blake had some explaining to do for those who didn't know of his fate. So as they bid goodbye to the rest of the royal mermaid family and continued their journey towards The Beastess's lair, Blake began his side of the story all over again, telling it to Bea, Felix and WarMonger with Max nuzzling lovingly in his embrace.

"I knew it! I knew it was foolish to get our hopes up!"

"Maybe it would've been better if he had never come at all."

The animated object servants were at the hallway bickering among themselves, still peeved about the fact that Max had walked out of their lives and that their Mistress had actually allowed Max to walk out of her. They really truly believed that Max being in their lives would change and turn their Mistress, including themselves, back to the way they were. Yet it was all but a dream. Max have left, and the Mistress was back to Square One, back to the olden days where they had to painstakingly endure her tempers and move around the castle in however movement their current bodies allowed them, although their Mistress didn't seem to care about whatever is going on around and prefers to muse over her misfortune in the East Wing. They couldn't help feeling disappointed.

Suddenly, the footrest dog lit up and barked. He hurried all the way towards the window and barked excitedly. Hope began to rise once more in the animated objects' hearts.

"Could it be...?" Rusty said as she made a dash towards the window, followed by the rest of the animated objects.

"Is it he?" Normie, the last one to approach the window, asked.

Who they saw was not the Max they were waiting for. Who they saw was a bulky man dressed in purple attire together with a woman with the exact hair colour of Max, like a female version of him. He had an evil, dark aura about him and behind him trailed a long line of spooky-looking smoke entities, moaning and groaning as they followed behind him. The huge gate was torn to pieces, lying helplessly on the ground and the wolves, as if under his spell, moved from the woods towards the castle, following the purple attired man's trail. This didn't look good.

"Omigosh!" Rusty exclaimed. "Invaders!"

"Intruders!" Virgil exclaimed as well.

"And...And he has the rose and the ring!" Normie breathed the words. Her eyesight was not to be taken lightly.

"He can't be the heir! That's not the heir we're expected to receive! Just look at him!" Rusty's broom boyfriend went into denial. "The ring is not even glowing and the rose isn't suppose to do that to the gate, is it?"

"Warn the Mistress!" Virgil ordered. "If it is a fight they want, get ready the moves with me!"

Meanwhile, SkullMaster and Virginia were standing before the huge front door of the castle. He marveled at the sight and imagined himself sitting on the throne of this huge castle ruling all over the world from here. And best of all, he had his love to rule alongside with him as he holds the world in his grasp. He held the rose towards the door but it didn't move. Obviously, the same thing happened at the gate. He had expected that to happen because he wasn't the true heir, but he had to make up a show to get Virginia's trust. The effects of the black love potion he fed her wasn't very strong (since in the rule of magic, love potions are actually forbidden and never has enough lasting effect) and he had to constantly shower Virginia with his promises so that the potion will hold on until he gets the throne. After that, he'll have to figure out a better, stronger love potion for her.

"The door is not responding, love," Virginia said as she stared at the unmoving door.

"The keeper here must've put another binding spell on it to keep me out," SkullMaster made an excuse. "Obviously she wants the throne all to herself. I'll show her."

With a signal of his hand, the smoky henchmen and women began ramming at the door. Even the wolves that he had enchanted suddenly developed some superhuman strength and began to ram the door as well. Inside, the animated objects tried to hold the door back. Normie went up to the East Wing to warn The Beastess.

"Pardon me, Mistress..."

"Leave me in peace," The Beastess cut her words short. Surprisingly, she didn't fall into one of her temper tantrums.

"But, miss, the castle is under attack! What shall we do, Mistress?"

"It doesn't matter," The Beastess sighed, caressing the bell-jar that held the rose. "Just let them come."

Meanwhile, as the ramming continued, the animated objects put their backs in keeping them out.

"This isn't working!" Rusty exclaimed.

"You tell me! It's like they're using a cave troll or something!" the wardrobe groaned as another ram hit the door.

"Oh, Rusty! We gotta do something!" Rusty's boyfriend pleaded as he tried to put more pressure on the door.

"Wait! I think I know what to do!" Rusty said as she got off the crowd. "Spread out, guys! I got an idea!"

"Wow."

Blake has finally finished his tale, and they were slowly closing in towards the island. Bea and Felix stared in awe. They’ve heard tales of The Beastess but never expected it to be true, or the island to exist for the matter of fact. As they got off the boat and wade through the thick forest, they braced themselves for any incoming wolves. Max sure didn't want to become the wolves' dinner again. While they waded on, Max remembered something his father said.

"Dad. You said something about my friend telling you about the goings-on in our village. Who is it?"

"Yeah, dude. Who could it be?" Felix asked, equally curious. "We sure weren't suicidal to be going down to the sea, not like you, Max."

"Well, I owe it to this friend," Blake replied as he fished out something from his pouch. Max beamed in delight as he saw that it was Normie's son, the coffee cup Junior!

"Junior! I didn't think I'd see you again! How did you get here?" Max exclaimed as he picked him up in amazement. Bea and Felix stared in disbelief.

"I've followed you ever since you left the castle, Max. And I've got a real good glimpse of the outside world while you were gone out to sea. When I saw you come back with a few merpeople with you, I figured out that the mermaid was the reason you left, and then I saw that really evil man come into the house and kissed your mother with some weird drink and they just took off. I had to tell someone. I knew I had to look for the mermaid princess. She's the only one who might offer you some help."

"He was almost drowning when we found him, or should I say when Phoebe's pet dolphin Reynard found him" Blake continued. "And when I formed a protective bubble over him for him to breath, he told me everything."

"Hah! A stowaway, huh? You should try working in a spy agency," Max grinned in admiration as he let Junior ride on his cap.

"Did you say that Scott fed Virginia with a weird drink?" Norman asked. Junior nodded.

"Master must've fed her with some love potion," WarMonger commented, remembering the black eyes he saw in Virginia. "I've seen him making some and selling it to a blacksmith's apprentice once. She fell under his spell almost immediately but soon died a few days later because there was something in the potion she was allergic to. Poor boy."

"Max, why did you go away?" Junior asked in his cute voice. "Don't you like us anymore? Don't you love the Mistress?"

"Well, of course I like you, and I like your Mistress," Max explained. "It's just that..."

"We're here."

Everyone stopped in their tracks as they saw themselves standing a few feet away from the broken gates of The Beastess's castle.

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter 18

The view from the cathedral downtown wasn't so good, judging by the way Fishermen's Friend has become since Virginia's ailment and the curse rumours. The village was not as lively as before and everyone seemed as they seen better days.

Thor sighed at the sight of the place.

"Oh, this doesn't look good. Everyone's gone mental about a curse that doesn't even exist!" Thor complained. "And we're not even sure if our WarMonger's girlfriend here has even awakened from the coma. I hope he's not feeling too bad today. Speak of the devil."

"Any sign of her, Thor?" WarMonger asked as he approached the ledge to see if Virginia is up and about walking in the village. Thor shook his head. WarMonger sighed in disappointment as he fingered the locket Virginina had given him before she left Fishermen's Friend Village.

"Hey, cheer up, kid. She's gonna be alright. Sooner or later, she'll be up and about and the whole village will know that this curse thing is all hogwash. Nothing to worry about, really."

"I don't know. There's no news about her for such a long time and the village doctor doesn't even know what exactly happened to her and what to do to cure her from her coma. I think maybe the rumours are true; the village really is cursed."

"Do you really believe that, WarMonger?"

WarMonger spun round. He recognized that voice. He knew that voice anywhere. And as expected, he saw Virginia right before his eyes, wearing the exact same clothes she wore when they first met. Her smile was ever so sweet, just he remembered her to be. He ran towards her and gave her a bear hug, feeling so glad to be able to see her again.

"Oh, Virginia! I knew you'd come back to see me!" WarMonger exclaimed happily.

"I'm so glad to see you too, WarMonger, after so long in slumberland," Virginia replied, smiling.

"Are you alright? Are you in tip-top shape now?"

"Well, if I'm not OK, I wouldn't be standing over here now, would I?"

"Oh...yeah...right," WarMonger grinned sheepishly.

"You been a very good friend to me, WarMonger. I really need a favour from you right now."

"Anything. Anything for you, Virginia."

Virginia came closer towards WarMonger and held out her left hand. WarMonger stared at the magnificent ring on her ring finger—the one given by her late husband which she used to wreck Max's secret sea collection. He looked at the ring first, then at Virginia, then back at the ring again, not sure what she meant. Virginia chuckled a little before she continued.

"Sorry, I'm supposed to tell you clearer. I need you to help me take off this ring coz it's pretty much stuck tight here and I can't get it off, so if you please…"

"But…why would you want me to take it off? Can't your butler do it?"

"Well, he's nowhere to be found in the meantime and I really, really need it taken off. Coz...well...I was thinking that maybe you could make a ring for me."

"Me? Make a ring for you?" WarMonger was surprised to hear this.

"Yeah, you know. To make our friendship closer. You do want to be my friend now, don't you?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"Then please, help me," Virginia stood closer, her face really close to WarMonger's. Her deep black eyes were so seductive-looking, WarMonger became seriously drawn to them. He remembered them being a deep set of sea-blue, but then again, who cares? If he wasn't all red, you could see him blushing. "Help me take off this ring so that we can be closer friends.

"Come on. Help me out, OK?"

WarMonger finally gave in. How could he resist her eyes and her words? How could he turn away from her beauty and charm? Unconsciously, his hands reached towards the ring that wrapped snugly around her ring finger. Almost as easy as it was put on, the ring slipped out of the finger with just a gentle pull from his hand. He held it close to his eyes to examine and marvel at the logo on the ring.

"This is so beautiful. It looks kinda familiar though, like something I read out of one of my Master's book. I got scolded because of that, but then again…"

"I think I'll take that."

WarMonger almost had a heart attack when he saw the ever familiar hand of SkullMaster reaching over to take the ring from his hand. Almost instinctively, he went over towards Virginia and shielded her protectively. SkullMaster didn't seem surprised at WarMonger's reaction.

"Uh, uh, Master. Uh, I can explain. She's…She's just a friend. Nothing more. She just came to visit. I'll ask her to leave right now, don't harm her…"

"Calm down, child, calm down," SkullMaster said as he came closer towards them. He reached for Virginia's hand and pulled her gently close to him. She smiled and planted a kiss on his lips. WarMonger gaped and gawked in disbelief at what he just saw. SkullMaster noticed and grinned, "Oh, dear WarMonger. I knew that someday you'll be of use to me."

"No..." WarMonger breathed. "What are you talking about, Master?"

"Why, she led you right into my trap, young boy," SkullMaster grinned maliciously. "You see, the ring that she's wearing has some sort of a magical force. And yet she is not exactly the true heir to this ring, so when she wears this ring, she can't take it off. Only someone with pure of heart and no bad intentions towards this ring can take it off from the person who wears it. And surprisingly, it also has to be someone who is experiencing unrequited love. And, by George, you actually have all these conditions! I cannot believe you actually fell for this woman! My woman!"

"It…It can't be…"

"Do you honestly think that this woman would fall for you? Do you honestly think that any woman would fall for a monster like you? I told you about the cruel world out here, and Virginia would never fall for the likes of you. She is mine, boy, and nothing can change it."

So saying, he snapped his fingers and out came his smoky henchwomen. He waved his hand and immediately, chains were conjured up out of nowhere and wound themselves all over WarMonger's body, forcing him to his knees. The smoky ladies wound in and out around WarMonger and through the holes of the chains, giggling and hissing menacingly at his pathetic self. WarMonger looked up painfully at Virginia for help, but she just looked back at him coldly with those eyes as dark as night. This was when he realized that those weren't her eyes. He remembered those eyes to be sea-blue, not black. He realized that she was under SkullMaster's spell. He didn't know how or exactly why, but he knew she's been bewitched.

"Wake up! Wake up, Virginia! Remember me? It's me, WarMonger, your friend! Your best friend!" WarMonger yelled as he tugged at the chains. "Wake up! You're under a spell, Virginia! Snap out of it!"

"Keep him right here in this bell tower," SkullMaster said before he walked slowly out of WarMonger's domain. "And make sure he stays here."

Far out into the sea, a huge ship could be seen in the distance, moving eerily towards north-east, following the Evening Star. It was the Dementor, the ship which belonged to the eccentric rich man. Ever since the man commited suicide, SkullMaster had pretty much claimed ownership on everything he used to own. Not that anyone knew about it. If they knew, they'd pretend not to anyway—the rich man's eccentric and weird attitude was legend.

He had to get to the castle quick. He could tell that time was running out on him. He had to hurry before Max caught up with him and foil his plans. It was enough that Blake had failed his plans and his dreams in the olden days and Max almost succeeding in kissing Princess Phoebe, and he wasn't going to let himself fall again this time. He had his dream love Virginia with him and the influence of Fishermen's Friend Village in his grasp and all he needed now is the throne from the King of the West. The throne was his and his to keep, and there is no way he was going to forsake it.

"Where are we going, my love?" Virginia, seated near the dock, asked.

"We're going to claim our rightful place on the throne, my sweet," SkullMaster replied. "And I shall make you my Queen."

"And together we would rule the world, won't we?"

"Yes, together we will," SkullMaster replied as he kissed Virginia deeply.

Feels so good to be in control.

As Norman, Max, Bea and Felix ran towards the chapel, Thor was trying to break through the chains that held WarMonger in his place. The smoky henchwomen just giggled menacingly at Thor's vain effort, winding themselves in and out of the chain holes and mocked at the iguana. Thor ignored their mockery and continued to bite and chew the chains.

WarMonger did nothing to stop him. He just let the rock iguana do whatever he was doing, brooding over his own loss. The laughter of the smoky henchwomen made his heart even heavier with guilt and grief. His obsession and crush for Virginia had brought her into trouble. She was under the spell of SkullMaster and yet he couldn't do anything to stop her. He felt as if he had failed her. It's like she was there, the old Virginia standing right there before him hidden behind an invisible force field begging to be released from her captivity, yet he had done nothing to help her. He had failed her. His best friend, his crush, his love…

He felt like throwing himself off the bell tower and rid himself of his stupidity. How could he lead himself to believe that Virginia would even consider liking him more than a friend? How could he let himself believe a pretty lady like her would fall for a monster like him? Even the henchwomen are laughing at his for his monstrosity. His face and looks were no different than the Demon himself.
SkullMaster was right.

He is a monster.

"Come on, WarMonger, snap out of it!" Thor urged as he tried to bite through the chains.

"It's all my fault," WarMonger muttered weakly. "I've failed her...I should've saved her but...I disappointed her..."

"You gotta break these chains!"

"It's no use. I've tried...What difference does it make?"

"So, you've given up? That's it? You're stronger than this, boy! You've tolled bells heavier than these chains, what makes you think that you can break free from them?"

WarMonger remained silent, looking away as the smokey henchwomen continued to mock and giggle menacingly at the two bickering people before them. Thor narrowed his eyes in comprehension and went up close to WarMonger.

"These chains are not the ones that are holding you back now, are they?"

"Leave me alone!"

Thor was taken aback. WarMonger hadn't expected Thor's words hit him rock bottom. But then again, he had been friends with him since he was 5 years old; that old iguana should know by now what true feelings lay behind that devilish face of his. But nothing mattered now. He was a failure and need nothing but self-pity. Thor sighed and moved aside.

"OK, kiddo. I'll leave you alone. After all, I'm only made of stone," Thor crawled towards the ledge of the tower. Before turning into stone, he looked sideways at him and said, "I just thought you were made of something stronger."

WarMonger stared sadly at Thor who had turned to stone, ignoring him completely. He was alone now. All alone to fend for himself. All alone up in the tower just as he had always felt ever since he could remember. Without friends, without Virginia, without SkullMaster...

'I just thought you were made of something stronger...'

Slowly, as Thor's words rang in his ears, his loneliness began to dissolve. Yes, he had been strong. He was trained to be strong. Ever since he came to this tower, he was given the fact that to toll those heavy bells, he had to be strong. With the absence of his real parents who had left him for how he looked like, he had taught himself not to cry over the loss and be strong, to show that he could survive without their help and to show that he could lead a good life, maybe even better on his own. In fact, most of the time, his loneliness had taught him the hard lesson about the strength of the body...and the heart.

He couldn't believe that all this while, he had been used by his Master for his own benefit. He knew that his Master was an all-seeing man, since he knew most of the ins and outs of the village and he can tell that he knew he had a crush on Virginia. He knew that he liked Virginia, and yet he took her away from him. He let her come to him so that he could play with his emotions. He had used her like a puppet for his own purposes. He could tell that the ring held great powers and SkullMaster wanted it all to himself. He felt so betrayed. The Master he had looked up as a father-figure and a pillar to lean on was an illusion. The Master standing before him was a power-hungry man who cared nothing about him. He never loved him as his own son. He never loved him at all. To him, he was still a monster, and nothing else.

"Do you honestly think that this woman would fall for you? ...She is mine, boy, and nothing can change it."

"NO!"

WarMonger let out a scream of anger and betrayal and finally stood up. He pulled at the chains that held him—those flimsy chains that meant nothing to him. Forcefully, he tried to break through the chains that held his ground. Rubble and debri began to fall from the ceiling and poles tore as he pulled and tugged at the loud clinking chains and dust began to fly all around as huge rocks and wood crashed unceremoniously to the ground. The smoky henchwomen tried to stop him but Thor got out of his stone stance and began jumping at them, nipping at them with his strong rocky jaws. He had to break through the chains. He had to get out of here and save Virginia from SkullMaster's clutches and from her own demise. He had to stop SkullMaster from doing whatever ill will he plans to bestow upon the village he had loved so much.

Most importantly, he had to break the chains that held his heart captive. The invisible, evil chains created by the lies and deceit of SkullMaster.

"Now that's the spirit!" Thor exclaimed gladly as he tried to stomp off the remaining entities of the smoky henchwomen. "Come on! Let's get out of this joint and stop that ugly bonehead!"

WarMonger nodded and grabbed a rope that he had kept stashed in his worn-out cupboard. He lassoed and threw it at a nearby gargoyle statuette and swung down with his usual agility (almost like Spiderman, don't you think?) towards the ground 20 feet below. He landed coincidentally in front of Norman and the gang as they were about to approach the chapel door. They were all taken aback by his sudden appearance, especially Max who had met him for the first time. But WarMonger wasn't in a mood for introductions.

"I know where he's going."

A Mix of Fairy Tale Cocktail-Chapter 17

Max continued to cry sadly and bitterly as he watched Phoebe and her family paraded towards the chapel where she and Drakeb would be wed. Drakeb had won the war, that's for sure. There's no doubt about that. He knew he shouldn't have made the deal with SkullMaster. The price for it was too absurd—his voice? He couldn't talk to her and he couldn't tell her how he felt about her and he most certainly couldn't tell her that he was the one who saved her that day. Norman tried to calm him down but it was no use; unable to talk about it literally wasn't making Max feeling any better.

Just when he thought he was done for, suddenly a small bottle came sinking down towards him. Max was curious—who could be sending a message? A stranded man on a no-man's island? A person dangling on a shipwrecked boat? Only people in trouble would send messages in a bottle like this. He reached over and took the bottle.

As soon as he touched the bottle, a huge black mist surrounded his hand that grabbed it. He was shocked to see SkullMaster's smiling face at him. SkullMaster waved his staff at him and said, "This is a holographic message, so listen carefully. I've been watching you for quite a while now, and I realize that you haven't been successful in your mission. Well, part of it has to be my fault 'coz I was the one who asked your voice for payment, so let me make it up to you. Drink this potion I've brewed for you and soon you will be able to talk again. Your voice wouldn't come immediately but that'll give you time to get to the wedding fast and kiss the bride. Now go, and may you be happy."

The mist disappeared, leaving Max sitting there dazed with the bottle in his hand. It sure didn't look like potion to him, what with the crystal clear content in it. It probably was just filled with seawater and nothing else. But then again, it could be true. He had been brewing many weird potions and he had used it to change his body mechanism. He loved Phoebe and would go to the ends of the world for her, so what has he got to lose with drinking this potion? What choice did he have?

"Before the moon rises on the 3rd night..."

The next thing he knew, he was emptying the content of the bottle into his gut and soon was swimming after the parade which was leaving him far behind. It tasted like drinking pepper but he didn't care. He had to get to Phoebe and fast so that he could kiss her and be a merman.

Anything is worthwhile for her.

Everyone talked in hushed voices as the wedding march was played. The chapel was quite packed with guests both young and old, rich and poor, merman and mermaid alike. They were all looking very excited to see the bride. Everyone has expected Drakeb and Phoebe being together as a royal couple. There was no doubt in their minds that Drakeb and Phoebe were match made in heaven—or sea, to be exact. They can expect for this day to be the most celebrated day of all days.

Soon Phoebe appeared in the chapel with a long flowing veil that stretched almost as far as 3 feet across the floor and it was sewn on a tiara sparkling with rubies and diamonds. Her beautiful face and magnificent figure made her wedding features look like a Sea Goddess. Drakeb widened his eyes in wonder and blushed as he stared at his bride of beauty walking down the aisle towards the altar with her father King Benedict leading her. As she reached beside Drakeb, he took over and stood before the old merman serving as the priest to minister this wedding. He spoke a short speech on how wonderful was this evening to be gathered here and all that crud before moving into the main point.
"Do you, Prince Drakeb, take Princess Phoebe as your lawful wedded wife, till death do you part?"
"I do," Drakeb replied proudly, smiling lovingly at his bride. Phoebe smiled back wryly.

"And do you, Princess Phoebe, take Prince Drakeb as your lawful wedded husband, till death do you part?" the old merman priest turned to Phoebe and asked.

"I..." Phoebe hesitated, a pang of guilt went through her heart. She couldn't help feeling sorry for Max whom she had once loved but unable to now. She couldn't help thinking about what Max was doing right now at this very moment. She had to say that she didn't mean to hurt his feelings, but things are just not meant to be right now. She never had a chance to explain and apologize to him, but she couldn't just take off just like that in the middle of her wedding.

Just when she was about to claim her 'I Do', a long gasp filled the chapel. Drakeb and Phoebe spun round and saw that it was Max barging into the chapel, panting breathlessly. Everyone looked at him and at each other questioningly, not sure what was going on.

"Maxwell!" Phoebe exclaimed in surprise. "I was looking all over for you! I meant to tell you..."

Before she could finish her words, she heard a distant singing voice. It was absolutely familiar, she couldn't forget it. It was the beautiful singing voice Max sang to her that she loved so much. As she continued staring at Max gliding towards her, she saw a bright blue glow beating like a heart in Max's throat. His mouth was opened slightly but the voice was pouring in a melodious tune from the throat. Drakeb wanted to go forward and stop him from coming any closer but Phoebe waved him away. As he came closer to her, he finally and actually was able to sing out his tune through his mouth.

"Ma...Maxwell...?" Phoebe almost breathed her words in wonder.

"Phoebe..." Max tried out his voice and he could finally hear himself.

"You...You can talk! You really are the one! It was you all the time!"

"Hey, Maxwell," Drakeb had his hands on his hips. "If you're asking for a last minute invitation, you're a little bit unorthodoxed here."

"Oh, Phoebe, I have always wanted to tell you about how I feel about you," Max blabbered, ignoring Draken's remark. "I had to make this terrible deal with this sorcerer and he asked me to trade my voice with this body and I had been through hell for you and I just wanna say that..."

"I know, Maxwell, I know how you feel for me," Phoebe stopped him with her finger on his lips. "I know that you love me and I loved you too. But...we're not meant to be. I'm sorry, Maxwell, I cannot love you back anymore."

"Wha...What?" Max was shocked. He couldn't believe his ears. Phoebe—his Princess Phoebe that he had been yearning for all his life and who had made him go through a hellish journey through death and back again—actually rejected him at his face? He couldn't take the pressure. He felt as if he couldn't breathe. In fact, he felt a little squeamish and suffocating right this minute. All of a sudden, he felt as if the water was engulfing his lungs. The pressure was building against him. He fell onto the sand trying to hold his breath and hold on to the pressure around him. Norman, who was with him, gasped and ran towards his aid. Right in front of everybody, his tail began to disintegrate. The scales began to peel and a line ran through the middle of his tail, separating it to two. Everyone gasped in horror as Max slowly turned from an out-of-the-ordinary merman to the normal young human he was.

"What...What's going on here? What the heck is going on here?" the priest obviously was out of the picture and confused for a minute there.

There was too much confusion to understand what was going on but so far, Drakeb, Phoebe and her family knew what was going on, and they knew an even bigger thing—Max seriously needed help. Without another word, Phoebe threw off her tiara and grabbed Max's arms, carrying him back to the surface. Drakeb helped her too, carrying him by the legs up towards the surface where he could breathe properly. Conveniently, they found themselves at Fishermen's Friend Village. Luckily, it was the dead of the night, or else someone would panic seeing two real life merpeople carrying their village's prized man out of sea.

"Max! Max! Max, wake up!" Norman, who had followed them behind, swam over and slapped his face lightly, trying to wake him. "Max, tell me you're alive, Max! Wake up! Wake up!"

"Uhh..." Max groaned as he blinked his eyes open. He tried to adjust his eyes to the moonlight and soon found himself staring at the relieved faces of Drakeb and Phoebe.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright, Maxwell," Phoebe sighed in relief.

"Yeah," Drakeb agreed. "We almost thought you were a goner, not to mention a wedding crasher."

"Why, Phoebe?" Max sat up almost immediately. "After all I've done...Why can't you love me back?"

"Because...Because...I'm your half-sister."

Max widened his eyes in disbelief. Phoebe cleared her throat and explained as simple as possible about the whole story of how Blake became King Benedict and how she was born. Max heard everything but wasn't sure he was able to take it all in.

"I'm so sorry, Maxwell," Phoebe apologized again, nodding as Drakeb signalled her about the time limit they have on the surface. "I really did love you before, but...well...we're just not meant to be. I'm sorry."

With that, they both dove back into the sea and swam back to the chapel to continue their interrupted wedding, leaving Max all alone to muse over his misfortune.

"I can't believe it, Normie...I can't believe it...All this while, we've been staring at my dad and yet we didn't know it. We've been seeing him so often but we never thought that he is still alive...and...and he married someone else and...had a daughter who just so happen to be my so-called one true love..."

"I'm so sorry for you, Max...I really am," Norman comforted Max, not daring to tell him that he had already a headstart on knowing King Benedict's true identity.

"I've been through hell and back...and for what? For something that was never going to be mine...I feel so stupid…" Max said and buried his face in his palms, sobbing his heartbreak out. It felt so bad to be rejected with a reason that was worse than 'I have another boyfriend' line.

"Poor little kid...Lost a precious one now, aren't we?"

Max jerked his head up. It was SkullMaster's voice alright, but he was nowhere to be seen, and his smoky henchmen weren't there. Max stood up angrily and started yelling at air.

"Come on out, you chicken bastard! Stop hiding and face me like a man!"

"Oh, tsk, tsk, tsk. Is this the way to treat someone who had helped you?"

"Help me?! You did nothing to help me!! You made me lose everything!! You knew all along that Phoebe is my half-sister and you knew all along that I would never succeed anyway, so you decided to get rid of the spell and reap all the benefits, aren't you?! You're an all-seeing, all-knowing wizard, you should know something about Phoebe's background, shouldn't you?!"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that I didn't know anything about the little mermaid princess you've been yearning for, but I didn't say I know everything about her either now, did I? You're just a little of what I call collateral damage."

"What do you want from me, huh? What do you want from me exactly??"

"Oh, poor little boy, it's not exactly you I'm after. I have a much bigger fish to fry, and you're just a small pawn of mine to get that fish."

"What exactly are you talking about, SkullMaster?" Norman asked, curious and suspicious about all this conspiracy talk.

"You'll find out sooner or later," SkullMaster's voice replied silkily. "In the meantime, take a little rest. You're going to need more than what's in store for you in the future."

With that, Max and Norman suddenly felt their whole world spinning. Norman could feel the slight change in his body and it ached from his head all the way to the tip of his tail. Slowly, they fell, losing all consciousness...

Max blinked his eyes open and found himself in the bedroom of their cozy home near the hills. As he tried to get up, he turned around and saw Norman--in human form--lying face first on the floor beside his bed. He got off the bed and shook Norman slightly, trying to wake him up.

"Hey, Normie. Normie, wake up. We're home."

"Hmm...?" Norman groaned groggily as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "What happened? What's going on here?"

"The question is how exactly did we get home? And where's Mom?" Max asked, puzzled. Before they could investigate, they suddenly heard a loud commotion outside their house. They went to answer the door and were shocked to see a huge mob of all the people of Fishermen's Friend Village.
"Uh...hey, guys...uh...can I help you?" Norman asked nervously, not sure what was going on.

"We're here to collect your little master," one of the people from the mob voiced out.

"Max? Why?"

"Don't worry, Norman," another spoke. "The convent for boys will take really good care of him and get rid of the filthy curse he brought upon our village."

"Curse? What curse? What are you guys talking about?" Norman's words made everyone exclaiming something.

"Oh, don't play dumb with us, Max! I knew you and your mother are trouble ever since your family moved in here. There's nothing but mishap in this village and we're getting lesser and lesser people coming to our village. We're going broke, and it's all your family's fault!"

"We know that you've been to The Beastess's lair and you must have angered her. That's why our village has been cursed! It's because of you!"

"Yeah! The convent will take care of all our problems now that they've agreed to take care of you!"

"Let's get him, guys!"

Soon, everyone was coming closer and grabbing Max's arms, dragging him towards the carriage bearing the sign of the boys' convent that has come to take him away. Norman tried to help him but a few other burly-looking men came up and stopped him. Max hollered for help but in vain. Bea and Felix came too when they heard about the commotion but they were outnumbered by the villagers. Just then, out of the blue, SkullMaster appeared in the midst of the crowd and undid his hood. For the first time since he stepped into Fishermen's Friend Village, this was the first time he showed himself in front of everybody.

"Sk...SkullMaster!" Max exclaimed and broke free from the crowd towards him. "SkullMaster, please, you gotta help me! These people have gone mad!"

"It's shame, little boy. I really do want to help you, but my hands are tied," SkullMaster replied. "I tried to convince them you're innocent, but they wouldn't listen."

"You know I'm not cursed, SkullMaster. You know that. You're the one who sent me to that place for you."

"Hmm..." SkullMaster rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I may be able to clear this little misunderstanding...if..."

"If what?"

"If you let your mother marry me."

"What?! What are you talking about?" Max was surprised and confused.

"You see, your mother is another price you have to pay for your freedom. My services don't come cheap, you know."

"Never!"

"Have it your way then," SkullMaster replied nonchalantly as he stood there and watched Max got dragged away again further and further towards the carriage. He grinned evilly and was about to walk off when Norman exclaimed in the midst.

"Max has done nothing to anger The Beastess and I can prove it!" Norman shouted and held out the magic mirror The Beastess had given Max before he left. "Show me The Beastess!"

The mirror flashed and out came an image of The Beastess sitting in the room of her East Wing domain, looking faraway in the distance as another petal fell from the rose. Rusty walked in and stood on the table to face her.

"Mistress, I know it's hard for you, but please, you have to go down to dinner. You have to eat something."

The Beastess did not reply.

"Maybe...well...maybe we could do something. Create some sort of spell or something to bring the little Master back..."

"No!" The Beastess exclaimed. "You will do no such thing! He has to come back in his own free will! And...And I will wait for him, even if it means I die waiting."

"How wonderful it would be that the little Master still knows that you love him..."

The image disappeared, leaving the villagers staring in awe. Norman saw his chance and spoke.
"You see, people? None of this is Max's fault. He had brought nothing bad to the place. It never was anything to do with Max going to The Beastess's lair or The Beastess putting a curse into this village. It was all because of him! That fiendish SkullMaster! He was the one responsible for all this!"

Everyone gasped and turned towards SkullMaster who was standing there unperturbed.

"I should've known there was something fishy about you, SkullMaster...or should I say, Scott?!"

Now everyone was shocked at seeing the so-called dead Scott standing right in front of them. Even Max was shocked as he breathed the name he hadn't been calling for a long, long time, "Uncle Scott...?"

"So, you've found me," SkullMaster grinned.

"I'd recognize those evil yellow eyes of yours now. Took me a while to get it all straight, but I knew it was you all along alright. You tried to gain trust and loyalty in this village and lead it slowly to its doom for your own personal interest! I bet you are the one who killed Blake, aren't you? What's going on through your demented mind, Scott?"

"Love to stay and chat about your deductions on my plans, but I have an unfinished business to attend to, especially regarding with my future wife!"

"Mom...?" Max somehow knew what he meant.

So saying, SkullMaster disappeared in a pillar of smoke, leaving everyone gasping and coughing. By the time the smoke cleared, he was nowhere to be seen. Bea and Felix ran towards Max and Norman.
"Where could he be now?" Max asked worriedly.

The sounds of faraway bells from the church sent a flashback zooming past Norman's brain. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the direction of the church, saying, "I think I have the perfect idea where he is."

Soon, Norman could be seen running towards the church, followed by Max, Bea and Felix.