Author's Note: I felt the need to address this quickly, so maybe that's why the next chapter is out so soon. I wanted to make this review response public so that people would be able to hear my side of it:

Dear bluethunder25,

I can assure you that I am a writer, not a copy machine. Everything that I post on this site is 100% from my head. I don't read other fanfiction much, and so I have never read yours. (In preparing this statement, though, I looked over the synopses of your stories.) Several of your stories came out after this was published, and most of the Disney ones don't sound like my story at all. Some sound similar to it, but similarity is not a basis for plagiarism.

On another point, the idea of Disney characters living normal lives in a world of their own is not a rare idea. (Look at perhaps the most famous Disney fic of all: "When Curiosity Met Insanity.") I decided to do my take on it, and you decided to do yours.

Finally, I encourage you to read further. It's hard to tell much about a story from the first chapter, and judging from your review, that's all you read. Individual characters and story lines are what make fanfictions all unique and interesting.

So, in conclusion, I wish you would have messaged me instead of leaving this in my reviews, where helpful criticism and encouragement belong…it would have been classier and less messy.

This has hurt me as a person and as a writer, and I am deeply offended. I wish you wouldn't judge a book from the first chapter… it insults the person you're talking to.

But I can understand why you're upset—if I thought someone stole my story, I'd be upset, too. If you still aren't convinced that I didn't steal anything, try messaging me… but I think I laid out all of my points and arguments sufficiently.

To all my readers, I am still confident and in love with this story, and will continue writing. I hope my audience trusts me and continues reading, as well.

Thank you!

Everything he had to do was done for the day. He had done his chores, and his mom knew he had bathed that day. They ate at separate times, so really, she had no reason to bother him… especially with as little as they had been talking to each other lately.

Chip even knew the places to avoid- Belle's Books and Phil's Training Gym—just in case Belle or Adam saw him. Even if they did, he had an emergency beanie to cover his hair and sunglasses that he had…uh, borrowed…from Lumiere.

He knew how to get to the basement, but from there, it was foreign territory. He had to act like he had a purpose in going there… seeing other servants was unavoidable. Chip tried to convince himself of this lie: he was just going for a walk. Just a walk… outside.

He wasn't a bad boy. He didn't do this sort of stuff often... and if he was being honest, never. But the fire in his heart had only grown more rogue with the possibility of going out and away. His mother, if she ever knew, which he didn't plan on her knowing, would just have to understand.

He stepped down onto the fragile wooden stairs that led down to the basement, hoping not to make too much noise with the squeaky, rotting steps.

"Chip?" It was Cogsworth. Chip's pulse went into overdrive.

"Uh, hello, Cogsworth."

"What are you doing, boy?" he asked, looking to Chip's outstretched hand that was reaching for the door to the basement. His "going for a walk" lie wasn't going to work here.

"Uh, I'm just getting something for Adam."

"For Adam? Isn't he at work?"

"Darn it," Chip thought. "Uh, yeah, he's at work. That's… that's why he needs it. Yeah, I'm giving it to someone else to take to him."

"Oh. Well what is it?"

"Uh… it's… his breastplate. Special business that Phil ordered on short notice. Needs protection."

"I see. But doesn't Adam have his breastplate at work?"

Chip froze again. "He has one of his breastplates… he needs the better one, though. You know those villains… they have arrows that can pierce right through metal." He swung his arm enthusiastically, hoping he'd buy it.

"Is that so?"

"Yup."

"Well, who are you supposed to give it to?"

"Another question?" he thought. "Uh, I was supposed to give it to you, but since you don't seem to know anything about it…"

"I know everything that goes on inside this castle… and out." He straightened his jacket. "Of course I know that Adam needed his breastplate for work. Let's go in and see if we can—"

"Cogsworth! What are you and Chip doing going down into the basement?" asked a familiar French accent, grabbing Cogsworth by the shoulder and spinning him around.

"Lumiere! I thought you were in the kitchen. I was just going to help Chip find Adam's best breastplate so that I can deliver it to him while he's working. Phil's sending them on a special order, you see, and—"

"Yes, monsieur, I'm sure that's all good and nice. But Adam's breastplate isn't in the basement… it's in the attic. I should know. I'm in charge of both. Let's send the boy on his way and find it together, shall we?" Lumiere said, ushering Cogsworth along back down the corridor. He turned back his head to Chip and mouthed "run!"

Chip, as quickly and quietly as he could, vanished inside the basement. Cogsworth must have heard something, because Chip could hear him saying, "Where did young Charles go? Lumiere, look at that! The boy moves so fast! He was just right there!"

Chip waited until he could no longer hear their footsteps, then descended further into the dark and dank basement. Looking around, he was glad Lumiere had come to his rescue. There was nothing that could even remotely pass for a breastplate.

After wading around in the fray of assorted junk, Chip finally got to the back wall and scooted against it until he arrived at the door he was looking for. Steadying himself and breathing deeply, he swung open the door.

Sunlight blinded him. It was afternoon outside, and the sun was low in the sky. He had felt the sun's warmth through the windows before, but this was different. It was illuminating, present, and real.

He knew he should move quickly. Chip shut the door behind him, stepping out into Disneyland.

"Where to go? Where to go?" he mumbled to himself.

He had dreamed of going places that he had heard only stories of, and he even had seen a few from the tall towers in the castle. He decided that Hatter and Hare's was the place to go. That's where, in his mom's words, "The cute little blonde and the crazies work." But apparently, they had the best tea… so good, Adam would say, "That it could make a villain become a hero."

Chip sauntered over across the Disneyland residential area, down to the street that he knew, if he took it, would take him to the Shopping District. He knew he had to keep his head up and look like he knew where he was going. He would just say he was new to the town.

Eventually running from excitement, but still taking in all of his surroundings, Chip finally reached the Shopping District that was buzzing with life on this Tuesday afternoon, preparing for the dinner rush. He hoped he could get in to Hatter and Hare's… he didn't have a backup plan.

He could already tell by the crowd around the door that there would be a wait. He didn't even intend on staying… he didn't have any money. He just wanted to look around inside. But that's not how it worked at Hatter and Hare's apparently.

An unseen voice was shrilly screeching above the noise of the crowd, "One at a time! One at a time! Don't overwhelm your host!" Chip finally located the source of the noise, a doorknob, who was being spoken to all at once.

"We have room for Fitzherbert, party of two!" A brunette woman and a brunette man passed through the crowd and entered the restaurant, using the doorknob to get in.

"What do you want, my boy?" asked the doorknob kindly to Chip.

"What do you mean?"

"A table and for how many?"

Chip's face flushed. "Uh, can I just get a look inside? I'm not from here, but I've heard a lot about this place and I—"

"Just get a look? I'm sorry, lad. For traffic control, we have to keep staff and customers only inside." Chip turned away sadly from the doorknob, but was grabbed on the shoulder by a dirty-blonde headed boy. Chip jumped a little. He just knew he was caught for sure...

"Hi! I'm sorry if I scared you. I just couldn't help but overhear that you're not from here. I just thought I'd introduce myself and offer you a spot at our table. We've had to wait for a while, but we're almost ready to go in." He stuck his hand out. "I'm Andy Davis."

Chip shook his hand. "Wait…" Chip thought, "What should I call myself? Would he recognize the name Chip? Does he know Belle?" He came up with something quick and replied, "Nice to meet you, Andy. I'm Matthew."

"Nice to meet you, Matthew. Will you join us for dinner?" He gestured behind him to a boy with red hair, girl with curly brown locks, and another boy with a big smile. "This is Peter, Wendy, and Chris." They all smiled and uttered pleasantries. "We were expecting two more, but they didn't show up." He turned to his group. "I think Eilonwy got a cold." They all nodded, and Peter rolled his eyes.

"Uh, really, I'd love to, but I haven't actually got any money," he admitted ashamedly.

"Don't worry about it! I think, if we all chip in," (Chip jumped at his name), "We could buy you something. I can get you ten percent off because of a silly restaurant tradition… and my girlfriend works here, so I'm sure she can get you a discount or something. You just relax. We'll take care of it!"

Chip lit up. Was this what his mom was trying to steer him clear of? Friends and kindness? It angered him a little, but he decided to remain in the present. "Thanks a lot, Andy. I'll owe you one."

Andy smiled wider. "Nonsense. A guest in Disneyland owes me nothing." He ran his fingers through his hair. "So, are you going to be staying in Disneyland?"

Chip had to think about this. Was he going to sneak out again? "Yeah, I think I will."

"Great! I work at Rapunzel's Art during the day, but you can find me at my house in the afternoon, normally." He pointed in the distance to a two story house. "If you ever need something to do, come find me."

Chip spent the rest of the night laughing and learning about Disneyland, Peter poking fun at Andy, Andy and Alice smiling at each other, Peter and Wendy doing the same, Chris commenting every once in a while with a witty remark. Chip decided that this was the best night of his life… it was where he belonged.

Earlier that day, Mickey stood above the people and announced Lilo's coming to Disneyland. She graciously met all who came and went immediately home to finish unpacking.

She left the door open for ease of passage from the inside and outside. Lilo heard a knock on the open door as she surveyed the multitude of boxes in her tiny living room. She turned around to see a tall, dark headed boy. "Hi. Are you Lilo?" he asked, sticking out his hand.

She hadn't met him at the announcement service. "Hello! And yes, I am. Who might you be?" Lilo said, ushering him in, deciding to take a rest and closing the door behind him.

"Wilbur. Wilbur Robinson. I guess I was just stopping by to see if you needed any help moving in," he sighed, putting his fists on his hips and surveying the packed room.

"Actually, that'd be great. Would you believe no one's offered?"

Should he make a move? That was the real reason for coming over. But on his way over from the Shopping District, he saw Andy and Alice hugging as she worked at Hatter and Hare's, along with Wendy and Peter holding hands over dinner. That got him to thinking…maybe he should take things slow… but only for the purpose of finding someone to love.

Andy had done the same thing with Alice. Wilbur had been trying for years, but Andy slowly became involved with Alice as she let him know that she was interested. Peter and Wendy's relationship had been much more bumpy, but it had worked out. Even relationships that had lasted a long time—Eilonwy and Taran, or even Rapunzel and Flynn—started somewhat slowly.

Something bubbled up in the flirty mind of Wilbur's and forced him to make a move. "I can't believe that anyone hasn't offered… who would pass up the chance to spend the evening with a beauty like yourself?"

Lilo inwardly groaned. She didn't need this. "Look, Wilbur. It's really nice of you to offer, but if you came over here for the sole purpose of romancing me, it's not happening. It's not you… it's just that I'm new and it'll take some time." She smiled sweetly. "So, if that'll be all, I suggest you leave."

Wilbur was stunned. Stunned, but not hurt. They were right. Most girls didn't like fast relationships. He grunted. "No, that's not all. I'm going to help you, like I said I was. What can I do?"

"I'm going outside just for a second to get the mail. We'll resume talking when I get back," Jasmine said amiably. She and Alice were gathered in Jasmine's home to talk, as they tended to do every so often. Jasmine was a sort of mentor to the girl, and they would often talk about their experiences and plans for the future.

She stood and was only out for a minute, leaving Alice to sip on her tea, then brought in a single letter. A noise of surprise came from the Arabian princess as she read the front of the envelope. "What is it?" asked Alice.

"It's from Father. I do wonder what he wants." Alice looked concerned. "No, no. I'll read it later. It shouldn't interrupt us." Alice gave her a look that said, "Go ahead."

With a grateful look on her face, Jasmine's brown eyes flicked over the letter, quickly taking in every word. "Oh!"

"What?" Alice asked. She was intrigued about what could happen in the outside world.

"He wants me and Aladdin to come to a festival in two weeks." She put her pointer finger on her chin in thought. "I wonder if I take a plane next week if that'll be enough time…"

"Jasmine?"

She looked up. "Hmm?"

"What's a plane? I've never seen one, only heard about them in books. I got to Disneyland by way of boat and carriage. At least I think." She scrunched her brows together. "I don't really remember coming to Disneyland at all, really."

"I think everyone forgets, dear. A plane is a winged craft that flies in the air. It goes so fast, you could travel all the way to Agrabah in a day." Alice was awe-stricken.

"Tell me more about what it's like out there…"

Jasmine went on to tell of famous things called landmarks, and they had them all over the world. Alice couldn't believe people would go their whole lives without seeing all of them. She decided then and there that she would be like Jasmine, who traveled the world, looking for the best of sights, the best of times, the best of people.