**Chapter 25: The Rise of the Forgotten**
The sun bathed the Kingdom of Disney in a golden glow, casting warm light upon the castle towers and the lush, enchanted gardens. For the first time since Alexander's coronation, peace reigned over the land, and the spirits that once haunted its corridors had been laid to rest. With Eliza by his side, the kingdom seemed whole again, its magical harmony restored.
However, deep within the hidden corners of Disney, beyond the lands that Alexander had explored, a stirring began. In the Shadowed Realm—a place where forgotten characters and discarded stories lingered—something ancient and powerful awoke.
In the darkened chamber of a forgotten tower, a figure sat in silence, cloaked in tattered robes, their face hidden beneath a hood. The figure's eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence as they gazed into an enchanted mirror, watching Alexander's triumphant return to the Castle of Dreams.
"King Alexander," the figure muttered softly, a hint of bitterness in their voice. "The magic of Disney has chosen you, but it has forgotten the rest of us—those cast aside, lost in the pages of unfinished tales."
The figure stood, revealing a tall and imposing presence. They reached out a pale hand, touching the surface of the mirror. In response, shadows swirled within it, revealing images of characters from long-abandoned stories. These were the beings who had been erased or rewritten by the magic of Disney, their destinies stolen and their names forgotten.
"We will not be forgotten any longer," the figure vowed, their voice now filled with determination. "It is time for the Forgotten to rise."
---
Back in the Castle of Dreams, Alexander and Eliza stood on the balcony overlooking the kingdom. The sky shimmered with hues of purple and gold as dusk settled in. The kingdom was alive with the sounds of merriment, as the inhabitants celebrated the newfound peace.
"I never imagined I would become king," Alexander said, his tone both reflective and thoughtful.
Eliza smiled, her gaze soft as she looked at him. "And yet, you've proven yourself more than worthy. The kingdom is thriving under your rule."
Just as Alexander was about to respond, a strange, icy wind blew through the balcony, causing the torches to flicker and the air to grow still. Eliza's smile faded as she sensed something amiss.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered, her eyes scanning the horizon.
Before Alexander could answer, a sudden tremor shook the castle. The ground beneath them seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy, and in the distance, the sky darkened. A massive, shadowy cloud began to form, swirling above the farthest reaches of the kingdom.
"What is happening?" Alexander asked, his voice filled with concern.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the air, low and haunting. "The time of peace is over, King Alexander. You may have restored the balance, but you cannot erase the past."
Alexander and Eliza turned toward the source of the voice, only to see a figure materialize before them. It was the same cloaked being from the Shadowed Realm, their presence imposing and their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.
"I am Malgath, the Forgotten," the figure declared, their voice resonating with ancient power. "I speak for those who were erased, the characters whose stories were never told, whose magic was left to wither in the shadows. And now, we have returned to claim what is rightfully ours."
Alexander's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at Malgath. The air around them grew colder, and the sense of danger was palpable. Eliza stepped forward, her expression fierce. "You cannot undo what has been done. The magic of Disney exists to protect all realms, not to destroy them."
Malgath's lips curled into a dark smile. "You are wrong, princess. The magic of Disney has cast us aside for far too long. Now, we will take back our place, and the balance will tip in our favor."
With a sweep of their hand, Malgath summoned a surge of dark magic. The shadows around them seemed to come to life, taking the form of twisted, forgotten characters—once beloved, now corrupted by years of neglect. They marched forward, their eyes hollow and filled with a desperate hunger for recognition.
Alexander drew his sword, the blade shimmering with the magic of the medallion from Eldoria. "I will not let you destroy this kingdom."
Malgath laughed, the sound chilling and full of malice. "This is only the beginning, King Alexander. The Forgotten will rise, and you will see that not all stories end in happily ever after."
With a final wave of their hand, Malgath disappeared into the shadows, leaving Alexander and Eliza to face the advancing army of forgotten characters.
As the castle alarms rang out, calling the royal court to arms, Alexander knew that this battle would be unlike any other. The magic of Disney was vast, but so too were the forces of the Forgotten, fueled by centuries of resentment and untold stories.
Eliza turned to Alexander, her eyes burning with determination. "We need to rally the court. This fight isn't just for the kingdom—it's for the future of every story in the realms."
Together, they raced toward the great hall, where the royal advisors and legendary characters of Disney awaited. As Alexander called for a council of war, he couldn't shake the weight of Malgath's words.
The Forgotten had returned, and they would stop at nothing to reclaim their place in the world of magic. The balance that Alexander had fought so hard to restore was now under threat once more, and this time, the echoes of destiny would resound through every corner of Disney.
And so, the rise of the Forgotten had begun.