Disney's Dangers: Chapter 1
Mickey knew something as wrong as he stood in the tower of the Disney Castle. Shouts rang in the courtyard below as the new arrivals, Flynn Rider and Rapunzel burst through the front gates on the back of Maximus the horse.
Knowing nobody came to the castle unless there was trouble; Mickey hurried to go talk to the new visitors.
As he approached, he noticed that Flynn was obviously panicked, and behind him, still on Maximus's back, Rapunzel sat trying to calm him down, though she herself was obviously bothered by something.
Before Mickey could ask what was wrong, Flynn shouted, "I saw Gothel! I thought she was dead! I thought-"
"Yes, Flynn, Gothel is alive." Mickey started with a calm voice, though Flynn kept up his nervous chatter. He knew this was always hard for the newest people, to find that their nemesis was still alive. But the unusual thing was that the villains usually stayed in the Darklands, away from the Disney Province.
Flynn continued, his voice growing louder and more breathless, as if Mother Gothel was somehow squeezing his lungs, "And she was laughing and waving that dagger around. She is a lunatic and how is she not dead?"
"Flynn!" Mickey barked, causing both Flynn and Rapunzel to start, "Has anything odd happened besides your sighting of Gothel?"
For the first time, Rapunzel piped up, "The Stabbington Brothers escaped prison soon after she was sighted and some of the Thugs have disappeared also." As she said this, her green eyes widened with a horrible realization, "Do you think that Gothel and the Stabbington Brothers took them?"
Gears were turning fast in Mickey's head. This was bad, very bad. "Rapunzel, I need you to stay here. Flynn, take Maximus and go as fast as you can to Nottingham and tell Robin Hood to get everyone here. This is the safest place for you know where that is?" Flynn shook his head.
Mickey was amazed. How did these guys even make it to the castle? "Pluto?" Mickey called back to the castle, "Can you bring me the book?"
Minutes later, a large yellow dog bounded into the courtyard with a leather-bound book clutched in his mouth.
"Eww, dog drool!" Flynn muttered as Mickey handed him the book. But Rapunzel could hardly hold back her squeal of delight at seeing Pluto. She didn't think she would mind staying here while Flynn was away.
"That book has a map of the Disney Province and has pictures of all the villains. Do not be seen by them, and don't let them see the princesses whatever you do. Flynn, do you understand me?"
Flynn understood all right. He understood that this was a HUGE responsibility and if he screwed it up, no doubt lives would be lost. For the first time since he thought he might lose Rapunzel, he was truly terrified.
Seeing his hesitation, Rapunzel flung her arms around Flynn's neck and whispered in his ear, "I believe you can do this, Flynn. You kept me safe, and you can keep the other princesses safe too."
That was enough convincing for Flynn. "I'll bring them as fast as I can, Mickey. Just take care of Rapunzel for me. And I prefer to be called Eugene now."
"I promise." Mickey smiled.
Eugene left at full speed along the road to Nottingham.
"So, Rapunzel," Mickey said as he took Rapunzel's hand and lead her back to the castle, "I hear you have a pet chameleon?"
"Pascal!" Rapunzel exclaimed, suddenly searching around frantically for her friend, "Where is he? I know he came with us!"
Her search was interrupted by Pluto's excited barks, "I guess Pluto made a new friend." Mickey said as Pluto pranced around the corner with a small green chameleon sitting contentedly on the top of his head.
"You guys must be tired from traveling so much," Mickey said while taking Pascal from Pluto's head, "Let's get you inside and I'll find you a room. Then you can meet my friends. I know you'll love them!"