Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Disney movies. I do however, own Wesley and Olivia
Forward: Another new character introduction, yay! So far I've only covered Geppetto, Mickey, Frollo, Jiminy, and Dr. Facilier, I believe….but more are to come! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, this is one of my favorites. If anything is OOC or doesn't make sense or anything, please tell me! Enjoy!
"How are we gonna get to Basil's?" Olivia asked cheerfully, as she walked down the deserted streets of Italy with Jiminy. They'd been walking for a while now and still Olivia had no idea how they were supposed to go movie hopping. Would there be an object that made them disappear then reappear in another movie? Would there be a mirror or puddle that they would have to pass through? Would they just click their heels together like Dorothy and just wish to be in the other world? The only reason Olivia hadn't asked earlier was because the walk was long and it was an interesting thing to think about.
"There is a portal, down at a cave, nearby." Jiminy answer, turning around to look at Olivia. "It shouldn't take too long to get there!" Olivia looked shocked at the news, imagining when in the movie Pinocchio was there a shore. Then she remembered the scene near the end of the movie, where Pinocchio had nearly died in a cave. But how were they to get there? Swim through the waves?
"Um…Jiminy?"
"Yes?" Jiminy paused, narrowing his eyes in concern. "What's bothering you?"
"I…I can't swim." She looked down then, feeling embarrassed. However, Jiminy just laughed and continued on his way as though nothing had happened.
"Don't worry! We're taking a boat there! Do you know how to row?" Olivia smiled at that, feeling relieved.
"Well, sure! That's easy!" She replied, happily. It wasn't that she had no strength in her arms, it was more that she couldn't swim under the water for fear of drowning. Still, her arms were a little small to row an entire boat alone. "But I need some help and aren't you too small to row?"
"That's true. But I know someone who can help! You didn't think I'd make you row all on your own, did you?" Clearly, she had. But being as Olivia wasn't a very good liar, she figured the effort was fruitless. Besides, she was too busy feeling dumb to think of that possibility.
"Well, I…" Olivia muttered, trying to come up with a good reason for believing that Jiminy would hang her out on a limb. But she didn't come up with any.
"Of course I wouldn't!" Jiminy replied, kindly. "Come on, we need to hurt up if we want to make it to Baker Street in time!" Olivia and Jiminy then walked at a more brisk pace, passing through the eerie street much quicker. They both kept silent, making sure not to attract any attention to themselves. Finally they stopped at an old abandoned building. Jiminy went in first, with Olivia behind. Olivia had bad feeling in the pit of her stomach about this place but she hastily tucked that worry away.
"Hello? Jiminy asked, his voice echoing off the walls and through the building. Olivia held her breath anxiously. A shadowy figure approached then, with an animal like body.
"Whose there? What do you want?" The voice asked, looking at Olivia in confusion. That hadn't sounded like a female voice…
"My name is Olivia." Olivia replied, trying to sound and look brave. "This is my friend-"
"Hey! I know you!" The man interrupted, looking down at Jiminy. He then took a step forward to get a better look at the cricket and when he did, Olivia was able to recognize him. She gasped silently, terrified and shocked. It was Honest John. Honest John narrowed his eyes at Jiminy suspiciously.
"You were friends with the puppet boy, weren't you? What are you doing here?" The stranger asked harshly. Jiminy just shrugged the insult off.
"I need your help." Jiminy stated bluntly. "I need to get to the portal and I need someone to help row a boat up there." Honest John laughed coldly at that.
"And what makes you think I'll help you? Do you have any idea how much money I lost thanks to you and...and…your tomfoolery!" He spluttered, his voice quiet but in a rage nonetheless. Jiminy just raised an eyebrow, taking the insult lightly. He had no reason for feeling guilty about what he'd done, he had kept a criminal from conning an innocent kid even more then he already had and from obtaining more money illegally.
"Well, from what I've heard, things aren't going too well for you right now, are they?" Jiminy asked, changing the topic, his voice cool. "The stagecoach hasn't been paying you much at all, has he?" He elaborated.
"And why would you think that?" Honest John retorted, trying to gauge out if Jiminy was bluffing about his knowledge in hopes of prying information out of him or not. Jiminy gestured to the dirty building around him.
"It's not too hard to figure out." Jiminy stated. "How about this? If you help me, I'll allow you to go to whatever world you want. You can make your living there. Just don't cause too much trouble, you hear!" Olivia stared at the two animals in shock. These were Disney characters, for crying out loud! Any Disney hero in the right mind would never make a shady deal with a villain!
"Jiminy, you can't!" Honest John glanced at Olivia briefly before smiling.
"It's a deal." Honest John replied. Still smiling, he grabbed his stuff. In a small pack he brought some cards, a pipe and other odds and ends things. He was holding in his hand a cane, and was wearing his infamous ripped top hat. He then followed Jiminy and Olivia out the door. Jiminy took the lead then, being as he knew which direction they were going. Honest John and Olivia followed him.
"So what's your name, little girl?" Honest John whispered to Olivia.
"Olivia. What's yours?" Olivia replied, keeping the answer short without being rude.
"Honest John, they call me. The most honest person you'll ever meet!" He added proudly, grinning a fake grin. Olivia barely held bad from rolling her eyes. He was such a sleaze, it was hard to believe he'd ever fooled Pinocchio.
"Oh, really?" Olivia asked, feigning curiousity.
"Truly. Pleased to meet you, Miss Olivia." He added, tipping his hat to her.
"Yeah…" Olivia muttered, not wanting to say 'same to you' as it would be a lie. Lying was Honest John's game, not hers.
"So, what do you need the portal for?" Honest John continued, determined to proceed with the conversation. "A young girl like you shouldn't be out here, all alone and unprotected. Didn't your parents ever tell you how dangerous it is outside?" Honest John whispered, his voice holding a clear threat in it. Olivia shivered and it wasn't because of the cold.
"Yeah." Olivia managed to reply, her voice cool. "They also told me not to talk to strangers." Honest John laughed at that, as though it were a joke.
"That's good advice." He replied, still laughing. He then took a step closer to Olivia, so that she could feel his fur lightly brush over her skin giving her goosebumps. "Strangers can be very dangerous to talk to if you don't know what you're doing." Olivia took a step back.
"I know." Fortunately, the conversation had to reach its end at that point, being as they were at the dock. Jiminy stopped walking and turned to his two companions.
"We're here!" Jiminy announced. "Why don't you take the front, John?"
"Honest John, if you don't mind." Honest John corrected. "Why don't I take the back? Cover the rear and keep you safe?" Honest John suggested, his face showing concern and as much kindness as he could muster. Jiminy snorted.
"Don't take me for a fool!" Jiminy admonished, offended. "You're nowhere near as honest as your name wants us to believe! We'll get attacked in a heartbeat if you can get something from it. I'd prefer Olivia took the back." Honest John shrugged, as though he didn't care either way.
"Suit yourself." The three then stepped into the boat. Honest John was sitting in the front and Jiminy and Olivia were behind him. They began rowing almost immediately. Jiminy was watching Honest John carefully the entire time. Finally, Olivia could no longer stand the silence.
"Excuse me? Honest John?" Olivia asked meekly, scared to be speaking to this villain. If he was speaking to her, that was a bit scary but it wasn't too bad. Trying to muster the strength to speak to him was a lot more terrifying, though.
"Yes?"
"If you don't mind me asking…" Olivia asked, than paused nervously. She wasn't so sure that this was the best idea. "…where's Gideon?" The boat then jerked to a stop, sending Jiminy flying into the back. Honest John snapped around, narrowing his eyes at Olivia suspiciously. All his fake warmth and friendly front were gone now, and his eyes were instead cold and suspicious. She now understood why this fox was considered a villain.
"What do you know about him?" Honest John asked. Olivia could hardly respond, for she feared her voice would only come out in squeaks.
"J-just that he's y-your friend, sir." She stuttered. Jiminy, shook his head behind her.
"Oh, Olivia…" He sighed, knowing that poor girl hadn't known what she was getting herself into.
"Was my friend, if you can hall him that." Honest John spat. "He betrayed me and joined the Stagecoach. I always knew he was a fool, but…" He shook his head, lost in thought. "I was swindled…me! The greatest con artist was conned…" He snapped back into attention then, remembering that Olivia was still there. "…does that answer your question?" Olivia was speechless.
"I didn't-" She began, feeling guilty. She didn't like making people feel bad, even if it was a villain.
"We don't speak that nincompoop's name, understand?" Olivia nodded.
"Yes, sir." She muttered, looking down.
"Good." Honest John replied shortly, then turned back around and continued paddling. Olivia rowed along wit him. Finally, after a long while of rowing and sitting in an uncomfortable silence, they reached their destination. It was the place where Pinocchio had become a real boy and Jiminy smiled sadly, feeling nostalgic and depressed all at once. Honest John and Olivia arrived there a moment later. They made their way over to the portal quickly. The portal looked like a swirling vortex in the middle of the rock wall. Honest John stared it for a moment, before smiling evilly. "Well, catch you two later! It's been a pleasure. "He tipped his hat at the word 'pleasure', than stepped into the portal, still grinning. Olivia stared at him for a moment longer, wondering what kind of monster she and Jiminy had unleashed upon the Disney world.
"Where do you think he's going?" Olivia asked, curiously. Jiminy looked at her, a sad smile on his lips.
"I don't think we want to know, Olivia." Olivia nodded at that, Jiminy was probably right there.
"True…so off to Baker Street then?" Jiminy nodded.
"Yes. Take my hand, you don't know the way yourself."
"Okay." Grasping Jiminy's hand, they stepped into the portal together. Lights flashed as the world seemed to spin madly out of control. A moment or so later, the confusion stopped, leaving Olivia dizzy and slightly nauseous. Looking next to her, Olivia noticed that Jiminy was suddenly the same size as her. She then looked forward to see that she was already at Basil's home. In front of her lay a small door, with the front reading 221B Baker Street. After a moment of silence, Jiminy knocked on the door.
Ending Note: I'm not so sure how my writing was here, but I think it wasn't too awful…at least I really hope so. I love Honest John and I think he's a very underestimated villain. I also can not wait to write Basil, since he's one of my all-time favorite Disney characters (So are Frollo and Jiminy Cricket...). Please review! I'd love to hear what people think and if there are any changes I should make to make the story more enjoyable and better!
