This chapter will personally be dedicated to DitzyMinx, one of my favorite 2 authors; your colorful and almost-tangible descriptions, coupled with humor and seriousness at the right times and a bit of history/mythology I learned, especially from P.o.P. have made me thoroughly enjoy your work.

To all readers: The reason my first dedication to myself was that the title of that chapter was "The Jackass Rule." I didn't want the person I was dedicating it to to feel like a jack-I mean fool, so I put in a mishap of my own to represent what a fool I was back in the day.

Anyway, the first part of this chapter, up until 'But we would meet again on a battlefield' was meant for the end of chapter 2. I will be posting this part on both chapter 2 and this one, and take it down from here on Wednesday, PST. Anyway, I'm sorry for the delay; I hope you enjoy this.

Also, the poll has been taken down.

And they shall all return to tell their tale

About how they endured their own personal Hell

And eventually triumphed in their own little way

So they can enjoy all the rest of their days.

"Oh, Zodiacus(iii)," Flora said with a light chuckle. "That should sum up our new arrivals' stay here perfectly."

This was our Council of the Wise, a somewhat-uncreatively-yet-aptly-named place where we were to sit in a small three-rowed amphitheater, lit by a large hanging light bulb in the middle, reminiscing about how we and our friends and family were doing. It was secluded by stone walls and hanging vines, and a small waterfall, almost a trickle, was coming from one side and ran across small bricks fit into a circle to the center, where it disappeared from view.

"Let us hope for the safety of our newest brothers in their troubles," Chief Powhatan said standing, before taking a seat next to Chief Flying Eagle(iv). "They will most certainly need it."

"A special congratulations for your daughter, Powhatan," Fauna replied, making three cups of tea appear for herself and her two other fairy comrades. "A fine wife she will make.

"I thought she would've been married to John Smith myself," Captain Amelia said lightly. "But I suppose whatever makes one joyful."

"It ain't exactly hedonistic, hun," Big Momma replied, perching herself lightly on Amelia's shoulder. "She chose who she wanted to be with, and she went with her heart." She then flew up to another guest. "Wouldn't you agree with that, dear?"

"Of course I would," Grandmother Willow replied, allowing Big Momma to perch herself on one of her branches. "She was guided by her own spirit, her conscience, if you will. And that's what you always say to follow, right Jiminy?" She asked with a humorous tome.

This was the first time that speech was directed to me. I was having a light conversation with Ms. Judson when I heard my name being called. "What?"

"Oh, look at him now," Willow said laughing. "Don't you always say "Always let your conscience be your guide?"

I cleared my throat; I'm sure I was blushing after everyone began to laugh at me. "Yup, that's what I always tell Pinoc."

"But let's not forget the protection of the guardians," Great Fa(v) said.

"Oh, yes," the Archdeacon of Paris nodded. "We should not excuse their divine aid."

Most of the people there nodded in agreement, and soon everyone went on with their conversations. Mama Odie and George Hautecourt both reminisced about their glory days (George boasting about watching the Civil War and Mama Odie reminiscing about her pilgrimage to what was to be New England(vi)); Zoldwell(vii) and Amelia talked about intergalactic peace; Kuzco was trying to flirt with 'the Enchantress of France' while the Emperor of China, Tanana and Kashekim Nedakh was trying to get a word in edgewise; King Richard, Mufasa, and Bagheera talked about their respective kingdoms or domains; Mr. Stork, the Great Prince, Owl and Big Momma were talking about their growing 'babies' Dumbo, Bambi, Christopher Robin and Tod; Dallben and the Archdeacon talked with Powhatan and Flying Eagle about matters I did not catch; Yensid, the Fairy Godmother, King Triton and Zeus and the Blue Fairy were talking with the three fairies about matters in a language I could not decipher; Jock, Colonel and Rita lounged about and remained silent, observing everyone else.

Myself, Mrs. Judson (from London) and Lucky Jack were together on our own, unnoticed by anyone else; Lucky Jack was, after all, a west-side-story in himself, while Ms. Judson was only a representative of Basil and Dawson, and I was the conscience dubbed by the Blue Fairy.

"Them dairy cows're having themselves a great time," Lucky Jack chuckled. "They' enjoyin' themselves with them bulls on the farm, y'know wh'I mean?"

Ms. Judson shook her head. "Stop being so fresh, Jack!" He issued a cackle. She then turned to me. "So, how're things in the village?"

I shifted in my seat a little; she grabbed my hand. "It's honestly going swell, which is to say the children are learning and behaving . . . most of the time." I sighed. "Soon, Pinocchio won't need a conscience anymore; he'll be all grown up and have to rely on himself. He won't need me anymore."

Ms. Judson put her other hand on mine. "Have you grown attached to him, dearie?"

I could only shrug. "I would think so. I was merely a drifter before meeting him, and it scares me to think of what'll happen once he grows up."

"Of course he's going to grow up," Ms. Judson replied patting my hand. "It's what all children do."

"She's right." We turned to see the Blue Fairy sitting behind me, her finger slowly coming to my antennae. "He will grow up, but you have a whole generation of children to teach after that."

I could only utter a slight chuckle. "You mean I won't be retiring?"

It was her turn to chuckle. "Of course not. You're still a conscience."

"I'm still Pinoc's conscience," I corrected. "That'll be over soon, though."

"In about eight years, darling," Flora interrupted. "And even then humans can be fickle."

"I know," I said regretting I brought it up. It had been a lingering fear, though, losing Pinocchio. We'd been pals for about a year now, and he really grew on me. "What'll I do after he's gone, though?"

George Hautecourt intervened in between me and Lucky Jack. "It sounds like you need some other sort of . . . preoccupation," he wheezed.

"Like what," I asked halfheartedly.

Georges mused to himself, drumming his fingers against his chin before uttering a chuckle. "How about that lion cub you were talkin' to tonight?"

"Which one," Mufasa, situating himself behind me, said calmly. "Certainly Kiara may need a guardian, more than the meerkat and warthog."

I had already begun to become nervous with Georges bringing it up, and Mufasa getting involved made my knees buckle. "Uh, no s-sir. I didn't talk with Kiara tonight."

"Oh?" Mufasa raised an eyebrow. "Then who did you talk with?"

This only served to make my breathing faster and my perspiration more obvious. "Uh, Z-Zira's daughter, your majesty." I gave an involuntary chuckle.

The mention of Vitani made almost everyone stop immediately; Kuzco only turned once he realized the Enchantress stopped paying attention to him. The Blue Fairy frowned, and Mufasa narrowed his gaze; I backed away slowly. "I didn't know you were the one to strike a conversation with villains, Jiminy."

"Oh, come now Mufasa," Rita butted in, strutting next to him. "I wouldn't say she has the qualities of a villain yet."

"You haven't seen her," he said rather crossly; I hid behind Lucky Jack's ear. "She's as black-hearted as my brother."

"All the more reason for him to watch over her," Bagheera said. "She still has a chance to turn a new leaf, if I may say so myself."

"I have to agree," Triton began before being interrupted by Mufasa.

"I remember telling my son 'remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true king.' That's what she must also do. Remember who she is: the daughter of a murderer and a plotter!"

"She's still young," the Blue Fairy objected. "She can still be taught right from wrong."

"I have to side with Mufasa on this one," Big Momma interjected. "Elimination comes from a lack of education, and she's being taught that avenging her fallen father is right."

"It's a simple war tactic," the Colonel ambled into our group. "Changing her viewpoints would require something close to propaganda."

Mufasa slammed his paw downward, launching me into the air and close to the entrance. "What she needs is the law to keep her out of the Pridelands, along with all the other Outlanders!"

"That would be the best thing to do," the Colonel said.

"How can you be so heartless?" Merryweather waved her wand in front of the Colonel's face; he became increasingly annoyed.

"And what did she do to you in the first place," the Archdeacon yelled, pointing a finger threateningly at Mufasa, "other than being born to the wrong person?"

"You're guided by either good or bad spirits!" Powhatan pointed his staff threateningly at the Frenchman. "And her spirits are raising a child of evil warfare!"

"Oh, dear," Mama Odie mumbled to herself. "She can't realize that what she wants isn't what she needs. She needs a better upbringing, and that's what she can claim through warfare."

The events at that particular meeting appeared as though there would be a full-scale war between them, and I wanted no part of it. I grabbed my top hat and umbrella and hightailed it outta there.

And as I was running away from the scene, all I could think of were Big Momma's words:

". . . She's being taught that avenging her fallen father is right."

I shuddered.

"Pardon me, Mr. Cricket?" I skidded to a halt and turned around to see Mr. Stork walking behind me, keeping up leisurely. "Would you happen to want a ride home?"

"If you can spare it, Mr. Stork," I panted. He swept me up onto his hat and proceeded to take off.

"Things are getting out of hand there," he said with a tinge of worry.

"Violent?"

"No," he said. "Not when I left, at least."

"Well, let's hope they forget about Vitani before this turns into warfare."

He didn't reply, so I was left to 'enjoy' the remainder of the trip. The takeoff took us in the direction where we could see the second star to the right, wherewe could've flown straight on 'til morning to see Neverland.

Neverland, the first battlefield.

That's it for chapter 3. I have a lot of endnotes for this chapter; please be sure to check them out. Also, I have a personal thanks for Drama sapphire for reviewing chapter 2.

I said there may be action here, but this chapter didn't really call for it. Sorry.

To William Stock: I only have one line for Mama Odie, but I was wondering if I wrote her dialog correctly. What do you think?

I'm personally not satisfied with this chapter; it didn't feel philosophical or epic enough. Still, this is a rough draft, so reviews and critiques are both welcome. I will be making an attempt at updating every Saturday (PST), and I truly apologize if I don't make this happen.

i I do believe he's the microphone from the House of Mouse, the one that introduces and concludes the show. I also believe that this is the correct spelling of it. If I am wrong in either case, please tell me.

ii TO ALL FANFICTION USERS: The reason I'm using the phrase 'all right' instead of 'alright' is because I see the phrase 'alright' as meaning 'then everything is good.' The dictionary I have next to me says that 'alright' is a disputed spelling of 'all right,' so I'm deciding to go with 'all right' to mean 'all good.'

iii Zodiacus is the Latin origin for the word 'zodiac,' which is what surrounded the Magic Mirror in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Therefore, and only for this reason, this is what I'm calling him. I'm unsure if he has a set name or not, even in the original tale, so this is what I'm going with.

iv Because the indian in "Peter Pan" named Peter 'Little Flying Eagle,' and because I'm not sure whether he has a name in the original story, I'm naming him Chief Flying Eagle.

v I have absolutely no idea how to reference the ancestor with the staff in "Mulan." If anyone can help me out here, you'll receive a VERY special thanks in the next chapter.

vi George Hautecourt was over 80 years old when "The Aristocats took place in 1910, and the Civil War took place from 1861 to 1865 (according to Wikipedia); Odie was 193 (I think) when her movie took place in 1926 (again, according to Wikipedia), making her born in 1733.

vii The Councilwoman alien from "Lilo and Stitch" was voice by Zoe Caldwell, so I combined her first and last name to get her name