At Nottingham Castle, a vixen stood at a high window, staring out into the woods, a smile on her face. Behind her, on the other side of the room, a portly hen sat knitting.

"Ah me, young love," sighed the hen, as she watched the vixen's face. "Oh, it's a grand thing."

Maid Marian moved from the window, twirling her shawl as she went.

"Oh, Cluckly," she said wistfully, "surely he must remember how much I still love him."

The vixen opened her wardrobe, revealing a wanted poster of Robin Hood attached to the inside.

"But of course, m'dear," replied Lady Cluck, "believe me. Someday soon, ye're uncle King Richard, will have an outlaw for an in-law."

Maid Marian giggled as she replied, "Oh Clucky, but when?"

"Oh patience m'dear, patience. Remember, absence make the heart grow fonder."

"Or forgetful," sighed the vixen. "Oh, I've been away for so long," she leaned on the window sill again. "What if he's forgotten all about me?"

A knock came at her door.

"Maid Marian?" came a call from the other side. "Prince John requests your presence, my lady."

"I'll be there momentarily, Sir Hiss," called the vixen. "I wonder what he wants?" she wondered aloud.

"Well, whatever it is, ye'd best not keep him waiting," replied Lady Cluck.

Maid Marian made her way to the prince's chambers. As she arrived, she knocked carefully.

"Come in," she heard him say.

She entered, closing the door behind her.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked.

"Yes my dear," he said, perched on his throne, "I have a proposition for you. I will be hosting an archery tournament tomorrow, to celebrate coming to this marvelous village. The reward will be a golden arrow, and I was hoping to add something of yours to it."

"And, what would that be?" asked the vixen, a perplexed look on her face.

Prince John smirked as he replied, "A kiss."

Marian's eyes went wide for a moment, before a thought crossed her mind.

"Robin would never pass up an opportunity like this, and he's bound to win."

She looked up at the prince and replied, "I would be honored, my lord."

"Wonderful, my dear," replied the lion. "Wonderful, thank you."

As the vixen left, Pete emerged from the shadows.

"How did you know she would say yes, kingy?" he asked.

"She and that insufferable fox were inseparable as children," he replied. "I had no doubt she's reach the same conclusion I did."

"Well, I got to hand it to ya, dis is one killer of a plan."

"Indeed, it is," replied the prince, a wicked grin on his face. "Ha ha, indeed, it is."


Trumpets rang over the tents set up just outside the village. Creatures of all kinds filed into the grounds as they came to watch the best archers from miles around compete for the golden arrow and the favor of the prince.

"Hiss, this is a red-letter day," chuckled Prince John as he jumped onto his throne. "A coup-d'état, to coin a Norman phrase."

"You got dat right, kingy," said Pete as he approached the royal box.

"Ah Pete, how good of you to join us," said Hiss. "I must say that this plan the two of you came up with is sheer genius."

"Hiss, no one sits higher than the king," said John, grabbing the snake by the neck and pushing him down. "Must I remind you, Hiss?"

"Oh, forgive me sire, I didn't –"

"My trap is baited and set, and then revenge. Ah, revenge!"

"Hey, not so loud," said Pete. "You want the whole village to know what we're up to?"

"I can't wait to get my hands on that insolent blackguard. Ooh, I'll show him who wears the crown!"

"I share your loathing, sire," said Hiss. "That scurrilous scoundrel who fooled you with that silly disguise, who dared to rob you and made you look so utterly ridiculous –"

"Enough!" cried the prince as he took a swipe at Hiss, who avoided the prince's paw.

"Hiss, you deliberately dodged."

"But, b-but sire, please?"

"Stop sniveling and hold still."

The snake cringed as he extended his neck. The prince whacked him over the head, flattening the reptile's hat.

"Thank you sire," muttered Hiss.

"Now dat's how you take care o' t'ings," said Pete. "Give 'em the old one-two."

A short distance away, Maid Marian was approaching the fairgrounds.

"Oh Clucky, I'm so excited!" she said as she hugged the hen. "But how will I recognize him?"

"Oh, he'll let ye know somehow," Lady Cluck replied, "That rouge of yours is full o' surprises."

In the bushes nearby, Robin and the others were peering out. Robin caught sight of Marian.

"There she is, Johnny," he said. "Isn't she beautiful?"

He began to walk out on his stilts before the others jumped out in front of him.

"Hang on there, Robin," said Sora. "Get your disguise finished first."

"You sure no one will recognize you?" asked Goofy.

"Oh stop worrying," replied the fox. "This disguise would fool my own mother."

"Yeah, well, your mom's not here," said Little John. "You've gotta fool ol' bushel-britches."

Robin, now dressed as a stork, strode out and greeted the sheriff. From his reaction, it was obvious that he was completely fooled.

"Hey, Rob's not a bad actor," said Little John. "Now, check out this act I pull on Prince John."

The three off-worlders followed a few paces behind the bear. As they rounded a tent, Donald squawked and pulled the others behind the tent.

"What's wrong, Donald?" asked Sora.

"Over by the prince, I saw Pete!" exclaimed the duck.

"No!" whispered Sora.

"So that's where all the Heartless are comin' from," said Goofy.

"We better stay out of sight," said Sora, "and find some way to tell the others."

"I've got an idea," said Goofy. He whispered his plan to the others.

"Sounds good," said Sora. "Let's go."

With that, the three friends parted ways.