[A/N: This chapter was so supposed to kinda light since it is Disney Town and unlike the 100 Acre Wood I think I achieved that in this chapter. Minnie strikes me as the type who doesn't take crap from anyone which is why she isn't shaking when she sees Juliet. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy the chapter!]
Disney Town was as bright and colorful as ever, but something seemed off. They'd landed in the main courtyard there were guards in gold armor posted around the area. One of them pointed his spear at Juliet when she went over to a stage. "You're that trouble maker whose been traveling through the worlds. Don't think you're welcome here."
Juliet pushed the spear from her face. "I can assure you that I'm not causing trouble anymore. I'm just seeing the sights. For instance what's that?" She was pointing over at a cannon that was standing in front of the stage.
"That's none of your concern."
"I'm just curious. You don't have to be so grumpy." She looked up at the guard's helmeted head for a few more seconds before frowning at him and walking away. "Let's go look somewhere else."
Akio looked back at the guard who was standing completely still. Well at least she didn't get in a fight. "Clementine, do you think it's a good idea that we're here? I mean what if she finds out that we're here?"
"Oh you mean the Queen? I always thought the Queen gave people second chances."
"Yeah, but Juliet did some pretty bad things."
"Maybe we won't even go to the castle."
"What are you two whispering about back there?"
Clementine shook her head hoping Juliet had heard. "We were just discussing your new hair cut. Maybe you'd like someone to trim off the burned pieces?"
"And I was saying it makes you look kinda cool. The black eye and the singed hair makes you look kinda like a bad ass."
Juliet hadn't expected that they'd be talking about her. "Well next time I need a hair cut I could ask Hades. I'm sure he'd be glad to throw another fireball at me." She had walked out into another open area with a giant net in the middle. She saw a horse wearing a plow collar and walked over to him. "Excuse me mister, why is there a giant net out here?"
The horse's previous smile melted away and he put his hands up. "I don't want any trouble." He reached into a cart behind and pulled out an apple the size of a beach ball shoving it into Juliet's hands. "Take what you want and leave me alone."
"I'm not going to do anything to you. I just want to know why the nets here."
The horse put his hands down. "You don't want my heart?"
"No, what would I do with it?"
"Oh, well maybe I got you mixed up with someone else. I'm Horace and the net is up for fruit ball."
"Fruit ball? So you just toss fruit back and forth over the net? Sounds like fun. Akio come here let's play a game. How much?"
The tense look returned to Horace's face. "Its free…no charge…just have fun."
"That's generous. Well thanks Horace." She tossed the apple at Akio. "You start. Winners plays against Clementine."
"You should know that I've had some practice at this game since we last played."
"Good, don't go easy on me."
Clementine wasn't really paying attention to the game and was trying to catch Horace's eye. "You know Horace she may have done some bad things in the past, but it wasn't her fault."
"She makes you nervous that's all. That black eye is kinda creepy."
"That's because she was something evil in her heart, but its nothing to be worried about." Clementine turned her attention back to the game in time to see Juliet nearly get knocked over by the apple.
Eventually the apple had been smacked around so much that when Juliet went to hit it back it split apart. "Can we eat this fruit? I'm feeling a bit hungry."
Horace jumped when he heard her voice. "Of course you can eat it. There's plenty of giant fruit."
Juliet picked up a large chunk and offered it to Horace. "Let's be friends Horace."
"Oh…ok…" His hands were shaking as he took the bit of apple and he was still expecting her to attack him.
After the apple had mostly been eaten Juliet could hear engines coming from around the corner. "What's over there?"
Horace realized he was being addressed again and looked around the corner. "That's where the rumble races are. You'll want to look for Chip and Dale."
"Well let's go look for Chip and Dale."
There were already racers on the track by the time they got there.
Juliet saw two chipmunks and was about to go over to them when she felt Akio pull her back.
"Maybe I should handle this. You really don't want to scare them like you did with Horace."
"I guess you're right, but tell them they have nothing to be afraid of."
What's with this overly friendly attitude all of a sudden? I thought you didn't need anyone.
Well I decided I didn't like that. Besides I don't like having people be afraid of me.
Akio had to lean down so that he could talk to Chip and Dale. "Are the races still open? There's someone who wants to play."
Chip looked over at Juliet and Clementine. "Which one wants to race?"
"The brunette."
"She can't."
"Why not?"
"Because she's one of the bad guys. We want nothing to do with her."
"Chip that was a while back. Besides she's changed since then. I thought you believed in second chances."
Chip looked back over at Juliet. "But she let a whole bunch of heartless loose."
"Well she doesn't do things like that anymore."
"You can race if you want, but she can't."
"I'll get you those nuts you like."
"What kind?"
"The candied peanuts. We'll probably end up in the castle so I could get you some. If you let her race that is."
"Give me one minute." Chip turned around bringing his brother into a huddle. They whispered back and forth for a few minutes before Chip turned around. "Deal, but you have to bring the sugared cashews to."
"Deal." Akio walked back over to Juliet and Clementine. "Good news they'll let you race, but we need to stop by the castle before we leave."
Juliet wasn't paying any attention to the part about the castle and hurried over to the track.
On the other hand Clementine's mouth dropped open. "You know that taking her to the castle isn't a good idea."
"I bribed Chip and Dale with nuts to let her race that's why we need to go. We can avoid the Queen."
"I had no idea bribing wasn't below you."
"Well she seemed like she really wanted to race so why not?"
"Be careful that your feelings don't get you in a sticky situation. Remember Antonia in Atlantica?"
"Yes, I remember, but we haven't seen Puck or Antonia in such a long time. They probably won't shut up again."
"Maybe they aren't around anymore, but now we have Chiyo to deal with."
"Who we also haven't seen in a while either."
"She's probably biding her time. You were with her what was she like?"
"She liked Erik. I mean really liked him. She practically worshiped the ground he walked on. If she really wants to do some damage because of what happened to him she can do it."
"All the more reason for us to keep our eye out."
After a few more minutes Juliet rejoined them looking quiet windswept. "What's next?"
Clementine looked down at Akio and pushed him forward.
"There's the castle. I have something I need to get from up there anyway."
"Ok, let's go to the castle."
Disney Castle towered above the rest of the town with a couple towers with flags blowing in the wind. There were more of the gold armored guards posted outside the doors.
Clementine took Juliet by the hand and led her down a set of steps.
They were in a garden with bushes cut in different shapes that resembled animals playing musical instruments.
Clementine walked over to a little door and pushed it open. "Looks clear."
"Why are we being so sneaky?"
"No reason." Akio just had to go and bribe Chip and Dale.
Once they were in the hall Juliet broke away from them walking down the hall towards a pair of massive shut doors with a much smaller door built in. "What's through their?"
Before either of them could answer her the smaller door opened. There was a mouse wearing a pink dress and a crown. She looked a bit nervous to see Juliet. "What are you doing here?"
"Just exploring. Oh, let me guess you're afraid of me too."
"You don't scare me, Juliet. I can handle myself just fine."
"How'd you know my name?"
"I'm the Queen it's my business to know who you are. And I know you were quiet the trouble maker."
"So I've heard. What's your name?"
"Minnie. Actually now that you're here I have something to show you." Minnie opened the smaller door again and walked through it.
The throne room was extremely large, but also very empty. The throne sat by itself in the back and above it was a massive painting of a man with salt and pepper hair with a thin mustache wearing robes of gold and purple.
"Who's the guy?"
Minnie looked a bit sad as she looked up at the painting. "That's King Walt. He was the King many years ago."
"What happened to him?"
"He found out that the darkness was getting stronger and he went to fight it. He never came back."
"He must have been really great if you're this sad over his disappearance."
"I didn't know him personally, but my husband did. Mickey said King Walt was the most wonderful King this world had ever had. I think that's enough sad talk for now. I have something I need you to do for me. Akio, Clementine you come too." Minnie pressed a button on the side of the throne allowing it to slide out of the way. "I'm afraid a neighboring world of ours is having a slight problem." She led the way into the basement where she pointed at a pair of large silver doors. "Through that door is Timeless River and there's a scoundrel whose been causing all kinds of problems."
"What's their name?"
"Mortimer."
Oh dear not that idiot.
You know him?
Yes, and trust me when I say he's an idiot.
"So we just go through the doors? Sounds easy enough."
