30 Worlds, Episode VIII: "You are the Music in Me, Part II"

by William "Blissey" Raymer

Based on the Disney Channel Original Movies High School Musical and High School Musical 2

and

the Walt Disney Pictures motion picture High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Teleplays and Screenplay by Peter Barsocchini

"Peyton Leverett" character taken from the Disney Channel Original Movie Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure

Written by Robert Horn

Based on Characters Created for High School Musical by Peter Barsocchini

"Princess Scarlet" character taken from the Sofia the First fanfiction series The Scarlet Saga

Written by jakevoronkov1

"Klorgbane" and "Skips" characters taken from the Cartoon Network series Regular Show

Created by J.G. Quintel

HISTORIAN'S NOTE: This story takes place concurrently with the second half of my fan-fiction story, High School Musical IV: The Reunion. As a result, that story (starting with Chapter 5) will feature appearances by 30 Worlds characters in their cover personae.

In our last episode, the Enterprise arrived in the World of High School Musical, where their mission would be two-fold.

The first phase of the mission had William, Charlie, Sgt. Calhoun and Rocky covertly escorting Troy Bolton from his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico to Stanford University in California so that he could pick up his girlfriend, Gabriella Montez, then return to Albuquerque for high school graduation exercises.

Upon Troy and Gabriella's safe arrival back in Albuquerque, William and Sofia assumed the roles of talent scouts for the noted Julliard School for the Performing Arts and ensured that the right students got the announced scholarships.

Now, the mission enters its most delicate stage, as the crew of the Enterprise must protect Troy and Gabriella as their biggest performance looms on the horizon...

PROLOGUE

In the observation lounge on the Dimensional Defense Vessel Enterprise, William Edwards sat in his customary place at the end of the table as the ship's other senior officers took their positions surrounding him.

"Everyone, now that we've arrived at this point in time, our mission becomes more delicate and difficult," William said. "We must ensure that the A.I.C. does not interfere in Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez's wedding."

Raquel Blue held up a personal access device. "I've checked the schedule for the Lava Springs Resort and Country Club," she said before handing the device to William for his inspection. "The 'Montez-Bolton Wedding' is set to occur in one week's time."

William looked at the information on the p.a.d., then set it down on the table. "Here's what we're gonna do," William said. "Sofia and I will go down there and act in our personae from four years ago—at least, four years ago as the citizens of this world reckon it. However, we're going to act as a newly-married couple. Consider it practice for our real honeymoon. E.R.I.N., engage Briefing Mode and give us a precis of what has happened to our targets since we last saw them."

The lounge lights dimmed and the humanoid simulation of E.R.I.N., the Enterprise's artificial intelligence system appeared.

"In the last four years the citizens of this world have experienced, several things have changed—enough so that Troy and Gabriella are no longer the only Key components from this world," she began. "What do you mean, E.R.I.N.?" Charlotte "Charlie" Duncan asked.

"Sharpay Evans became a award-winning Broadway star; her brother Ryan a respected choreographer who recently joined the staff of the Broadway musical Sharpay stars in. The other members of the Key group from this world are also doing well for themselves," E.R.I.N. continued, gesturing to the display shelves on the bulkhead.

Six new mini-projectors joined those of Troy and Gabriella on the shelf marked "World of High School Musical." "Chad Danforth will join Troy Bolton on the Phoenix Suns; Taylor McKessie is a highly-placed member of the reelection campaign committee of U.S. President Barack Obama; and Kelsi Nielsen is becoming a sought-after songwriter, writing songs for some of this world's top singers," E.R.I.N. said.

"In addition, a new factor has been added: Peyton Leverett III, documentary filmmaker and boyfriend of Sharpay Evans. Three years ago to the citizens of this world, Peyton assisted Sharpay in thwarting the plans of an evil actress to become the star of the musical Sharpay now is," E.R.I.N. added.

"It is when the eight of them come together as one that will be when this world's Key power will be at its strongest," E.R.I.N. said. "Remember what we learned fro the recent unpleasantness regarding William, Sofia and Scarlet: any negative impact on a Key or Key component's life will weaken it."

"Which is why we must protect the Wildcat 7 and Mr. Leverett until they can come on board?" Cecelia Jones asked. "Exactly, CeCe," E.R.I.N. said. "Even if we must break Yen Sid's cardinal rule to do it." William knew the rule E.R.I.N. was referring to: unless the Army of Inter-universal Chaos makes its plans in a world known, the crew of the Enterprise must not reveal their true identities.

"All right," William said. "Let's get down there and take care of business. E.R.I.N., return to normal mode. Dismissed."

The observation lounge lights returned to normal levels and E.R.I.N.'s simulation disappeared. The senior officers stood from the table and began to exit the room. Sofia stayed in the room and watched as William turned in his chair and looked out at the expanse of space and Earth spinning silently in the darkness.

"Sofia, are you still there?" William said. "I am," Sofia said. "Then, there is something I must inform you of," William said. "A few nights ago, I was visited by Yen Sid. He informed me that we will soon start to visit worlds not related to Disney."

"Worlds not created by Disney, you say?" Sofia asked as she moved to sit down next to William. "Yes," William said. "You remember the message Scarlet sent us from Republic City, home of Avatar Korra, right?"

"I remember," Sofia said. "Master Yen Sid informed me that the A.I.C. is starting to target these 'unaligned' worlds, as he called them," William said. "In fact, he informed me that a key A.I.C. action commander from one of the Unaligned Worlds is behind the operation here in the World of High School Musical."

William turned to the nearest E.R.I.N. audio pickup. "E.R.I.N., access the Klorgbane file, authorization Edwards-4-7-Alpha-Tango," William said. "Access code and voice-print confirmed," E.R.I.N. said.

The image of the mysterious A.I.C. action commander appeared, floating over the observation lounge table. "Klorgbane is an immortal being who joined the Army of Inter-universal Chaos following an incident 157 years ago in which his tyranny over a high school and its students led to the death of one student and the immortalization of another student named Walks into a being known as Skips, whose destiny is to defeat Klorgsbane once and for all," E.R.I.N. said.

"Oh, my God," Sofia said. "What, Sofia?" William said. "Skips is a member of Scarlet's Army," Sofia said. "He trained me on how to avoid physical violence and to use my mind to resolve conflicts whenever possible."

"I see," William said. "Yen Sid informed me that this Skips will soon be joining us here on the Enterprise. However, for now, the knowledge of the Unaligned Worlds must remain between us."

"I understand," Sofia said. William smiled at his wife-to-be. "For now, let's focus on protecting Troy and Gabriella's wedding. The Unaligned Worlds will come along in time," William said.

::TBC::