"There they are!"

Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Jiminy riding on Goofy's hat were the first to pursue Pete beyond the castle grounds. Jiminy had told them everything on the way, even the importance of Rachel's magic book and all that he'd overheard Pete say. Not one of them was the least bit surprised to discover him in Maleficent's company. The stolen books floated before her; held in black flame. The story journal had been returned to its normal size. For the moment at least that seemed to be the one she had her focus on.

"Stop right there!" Donald demanded. "Give those back and get outta here!"

Pete turned as they neared.

"Doh! I knew dey'd catch up if we stuck around here. We can still make a break fer it. Let's go!"

"Quiet," Maleficent ordered. "Flee if you must. I do not fear the challenge of the little king and his lackeys." She turned her head to Donald. "As to your demand, I will gladly return the cricket's journal and perhaps this tome and take my leave should neither be what I seek."

"What could you want with my journal?!" Jiminy demanded.

"Want? Nothing. I have no time for the useless drivel of a foolish child's adventures."

"Useless drivel?!"

"It is the book itself that interests me. Same goes for this one."

All the while dark magic probed at the books, trying to find even the smallest crack that could be widened to reveal any secrets they contained.

Mickey stepped forward.

"Maleficent, you know you're not welcome here. And you knew you will be met with force if you try to stay or cause trouble. So why? Why would you risk a fight over a couple of journals? You've already said you're not interested in what's written inside."

"Because the reward would outweigh the risk entirely if this is what I suspect it might. Even if it isn't, this second book is most interesting. Where does such an insignificant insect come upon such a tome?"

"Insig-? Insect?!"

"Unlike his chronicles of 'heroic' exploits, this book seems to have a strong will not to open for me. I may have to take it anyway, even if it isn't what I am looking for."

"Well go look someplace else!" Goofy commanded. "Jiminy ain't got nothing you want!"

"So give it back and stop being such a bully!" Donald continued.

Pete laughed heartily. "You chowderheads ain't got no idea what yeh mighda had wit ya de whole time! Especially if bugboy's journal is in fact de Book of Prophesy!"

"The what?" Jiminy asked, quite bewildered.

"Be silent you fool!"

"Book of Prophesy?" Goofy scratched his head. "But I thought that was only an old legend."

"A legend not many know about anymore," Mickey confirmed. "What would make you even think it survived? No one knows what happened to it after the Keyblade War. No one knows what it looks like or what exactly it contains or what it can do. No one even knows how much time has passed since then. Those chances are pretty slim-."

Slim but not impossible. Master Yen Sid had told Mickey of at least one other surviving relic from the Keyblade War. If the story was to be believed, Master Rachel and Bryan's Keyblade, No Shortcuts, was a veteran of that time. Once wielded by a deserter, No Shortcuts was left trapped and alone outside the city limits of what would one day be known as Radiant Garden. Maybe the Book of Prophesy still around wasn't that farfetched after all. Still, why did Maleficent suspect Jiminy's journal to be the book?

According to ancient legends, the Book of Prophesy was not only a powerful artifact from the time before the Keyblade War, but was capable of transcribing and even conjuring future events. Another incredible facet to the legend claimed the book could create entire worlds filled with beings and powers that did not yet exist. But where did fact and fiction overlap? Maleficent would of course bet on even a long shot if it meant ultimate power.

If the Book of Prophesies still existed, you wouldn't have to go out on a far limb to suspect after so long the book could have been disguised or maybe even disguised itself. Though it did seem a bit of a stretch that of all the millions of books that existed on all of the worlds the most important of them all just so happened to end up in the hand of a cricket conscience who also just happened to be on the good guys side.

"Enough of this!" Maleficent said. "Take care of them!" She ordered Pete as well as the two dozen Gargoyles and Air Pirates she'd just summoned.

"Wit pleasure," Pete said nastily. He also called five Large Bodies and a squadron of Soldiers.

"That's not gonna scare us!" Donald cried, drawing his wand. "Let's go get 'em!"

And they did. As soon as Goofy charged in with his shield, Jiminy jumped off and then under the safety of a nearby bush. After all their experience fighting Heartless all foes went down easily and fairly quickly. But that only encouraged not only the calling of more Heartless but also stronger ones. Jiminy's stomach was tied in tight knots. No Heartless had paid any attention to him but he'd been watching Maleficent. Rachel's book and his journal were engulfed in flames of black magic. Right now he knew she wouldn't destroy his journal unless the probing magic discovered there was nothing of value about it. But what made him feel sick was thinking of the Princesses of Heart. Good news: The protection spells successfully masked their Light Maleficent had no idea what she had. Otherwise she would have most likely commented on her discovery by now. That assurance only eased Jiminy's mind a little. The principle is what made him feel so bad. Rachel had entrusted her beloved story world to him. He was supposed to be its keeper. Yet here it was, in the hands of public enemy number two. And there wasn't anything he could do to stop her. Then-

Flashing green flames and short sparks of black lightning violently attacked Rachel's book. The book began to shudder terribly in response. Was it the protection spells being challenged that did that? Or could…the book feel pain? All reports came in strong that Rachel poured her heart into her little world. Was it possible that the book itself had a heart of sorts? Love is what can make common trinkets and treasures. Maybe that is what Pete and Maleficent sensed about the books, only mistaking it for some kind of unknown power.

Maleficent raised an eyebrow. "Curious," She muttered. "Something this guarded must hold secrets to great power."

The dark witch ran her fingertips slowly down the cover, trailing an eruption of pale green light. The shuddering got worse.

"That does it! You put that down right now!"

Jiminy couldn't just sit by any longer. Rationally he knew he wouldn't be able to do much. Yet at the same time he was incapable of doing nothing.

"That book is very special to a friend of mine! I'm supposed to take care of it so you take your-your-your nasty witch hands off of it!"

Maleficent looked down in response to the shouting, only to turn away again with a mocking cackle. Jiminy took off his jacket and threw his hat to the ground. The last time he was this angry a snotty kid had called him a grasshopper. He had no idea what he was doing. He had no idea what he was feeling. But it filled him from the core outward. Honestly, it scared him a little but he couldn't back down.

"Don't you ignore me! I'm responsible for that!" Jiminy marched angrily toward Maleficent. He picked up a stick (I say 'stick' to be kind. It was hardly a twigs little brother) and threw every pebble he came upon with all his strength. "I promised I'd keep it safe! I'm not about to let that promise be broken by the likes of you! I won't! I WON'T!"

A sudden flash of light caught the attention of everyone present, including Heartless. While Jiminy had been shouting, gold light etched its way down the edge of every page until everything but the cover glowed. Then, without the slightest clue of forewarning, the story book snapped open, light radiated from the open pages.

"NO!" Jiminy, Mickey, Donald and Goofy shouted together when they saw what happened.

Maleficent smiled faded when she realized the book opening was not of her doing. The book pulsed with magic. The dark magic from her spells faded. Jiminy's journal was released and fell to the ground. Maleficent took a step back. Not a moment too soon either. A huge mass of what looked like molten gold erupted out of the opened pages and high over Maleficent's head and landed at the edge of the battlefield. Two more followed almost immediately after. The second and third weren't as big as the first but still large. A much smaller fourth and final also came out of the book. Afterward the book settled down, floating serenely in the air with a gentle light glowing around it.

As the golden light hit the ground it seemed to rapidly evaporate to reveal-

"What in the name of an old salt's stern just happened!?"

"Huh?"

Pete and Maleficent looked just as surprised as Mickey and the others.

Two young buccaneers stood where the gold vanished. They looked the most bewildered of them all. Apart from their dark hairstyles and one had five o' clock shadow they were the perfect mirror image of each other. The only other difference was one had green eyes and the other had blue. They both stood defensively with their weapons drawn. These were werewolf and vampire twins, Elliot and Killian Craven respectively.

Behind them was far more gruesome character. A horse-sized zombie-dragon shook its thin body to get its bearings. This was Harliolious (Harli for short), the dracolich. Afraid of his own death the dragon made a pact with a necromancer to carry on with an un-life until he was ready to move on permanently. A dracolich typically gets stronger the longer it is undead, even though it literally loses parts of itself in the meantime.

"You're from the story!" Donald exclaimed, pointing in alarm and awe.

The twins looked over the trio but didn't drop their defensive stances.

"You…you three are-."

"Mickey, Donald and Goofy, right?"

"Yeah, we are," Goofy answered. "But how'd'ja know that?"

"We can talk about that later," Mickey interrupted. He pointed to Pete, Maleficent and the Heartless. "They've taken your story home and Jiminy's journal. They are not welcome here. Will you help us fight?"

"Of course, but,"

"Jiminy? As in-?"

"Jiminy Cricket?"

"Wait, you know him too?"

"Well, yeah."

"He's the one R-."

"Enough!" Maleficent shouted. "I don't know what this power is but I intend to find out and claim it. Heartless!"

The battles resumed in the full force with its new players. Even Maleficent was forced to raise a combative hand when the dracolich charged to fight her.

Jiminy stood back, staring awestruck between the glowing book and the characters that had come from within. How had that happened? And how could he get the book back? Nothing was really stopping Maleficent from deciding she'd had enough with it all, grab the books and vanish. Would it come to him if he ordered it to? Before he could consider it further, something warm blew by him from behind. Warm air. Warm air that went by in short bursts. Short bursts…like…breathing. Slowly Jiminy turned around and was immediately met with the gaze of two large glistening grey eyes. It was…a cat? A big fluffy Maine coon with a grey calico coat. What on earth was it doing-?

Are you Jiminy Cricket?

Okay, that wasn't expected. He heard the words but they were in his head.

"I-I am. But how do you know-?"

I will tell you all as quickly as I can. Climb on my back. I will keep you safe.

She lowered herself. There was something trustworthy about the she-cat's voice. Without further questions Jiminy climbed the thick fur and hung on tight at the base of her neck. Once secure the large feline sprung forward then leapt into the air. Only she didn't come back down. Jiminy turned around. She had wings! Not only that but also a lovely cluster of gold peacock-like tail feathers. The golden feathers matched the yellow tabby fur of her haunches, back legs and underbelly.

"As I live and breathe…" Jiminy whispered.

I know who you are, Jiminy Cricket. Everyone knows of you. My lady Rachel made sure everyone knew of you.

"So you are from the book too. But what…what are you-?"

My name is Honey. I was the very first being of imagination brought to life within the story world. I was inspired by my lady's own kitten at the time. We owe you our thanks.

"Thanks? For what? What have I done?"

My home was under attack. Spells protect it but it was on your word the book was able to defend itself.

"On my word?"

When you told the witch you would not let her defile your honor as the books keeper. Your defense became our defense. Other than my lady you are the only other person in all the worlds who may open the book. But that doesn't mean the dark fairy could into break any of the protective spells with time. Imagine her persistence if she discovered the sacred lights that reside within.

"Gosh…I never would've guessed, I made this possible?

I do not know how, but yes. Be sure to hold on now. I need to gather light.

"Gather? Whoa!

Honey beat her wings and soared upward quickly. She circled high above the battlefield. Her golden tail fanned wide. Jiminy turned to see what she was doing. The dark blue and violet eyes of her feather tips shimmered in the sunlight before turning silver and glittering like powdered diamonds.

"Well I'll be," Jiminy said in awe. "What was that?"

My feathers transform sunlight into magic. I just captured sunlight and turned it into moonlight.

"Moonlight? Why moonlight?"

Elliot is a werewolf. I'm sure he could use this.

Honey circled, preparing to dive. Before she could a shadow briefly paused over them then,

Rrrrrraaaaayyywwkk!

A black featured mass swooped in and attacked. Honey hissed and twisted away from the assailant. It was Maleficent's raven, Diablo. The ebony bird screeched. Honey spat.

Hold on tight, little friend!

They circled once then dove at one another, claws and fangs bared for the attack. Hold on, no kidding. Jiminy ducked as low as he could into the thick fur and still breathe. Naturally he wanted to know what was going on. However, that was a bit challenging with how quickly Honey maneuvered in the air. Most of the aerial battle was a blur of color and sounds of angry opponents. Jiminy couldn't make heads or tails of most of it. And then,

We're diving! Don't let go!

Jiminy's eyes watered as Honey made a sharp nosedive. He turned around as far as he dared. Diablo was right behind them.

"He's gaining!"

I know. Trust me, little friend. But this may get rough.

The ground neared ahead and the menacing bird neared from behind. The Heartless and other fighters were barely aware of the battle above them. Then in a wingbeat everything went crazy.

With a quick dip of her body, Honey tilted her body up and spread her wings wide, creating an effect similar to opening a parachute. With a jolt they were pushed upward. Diablo had been only a beaks-length away from being able to grab one of the golden tail feathers. Then he was suddenly on top of her. The she-cat took advantage of his confusion. Diablo tried to back away but not before she wrapped her paws around his neck and clamped her jaws around the feathers of his throat. And, as icing on the cake, Honey closed her wings. Now the raven was forced to try to keep himself aloft while supporting her weight (which, for those of you in the audience who do not know, an adult Maine coon is one of, if not the largest domesticated cat breed and can easily reach twenty-five pounds). For all his efforts the bird only floundered and tumbled to the ground. But Honey, not one for falling in the dirt, quickly beat her wings to change their positioning. The raven and she-cat bounced off the back of a Large Body (tat didn't even notice) before rolling to a stop with Honey on top. Diablo flapped, clawed and cawed terribly but it made no difference. Honey had her wings pinned with her front paws. Her fur was too thick for his flailing claws to do any real damage to her belly.

Silence. Let us see how much value you have to your mistress. Jiminy, call to her.

Honey fanned her feathered tail. The silver eyespots changed color. Most turned orange and green. One turned pink. With a single hop Jiminy was on top of her head and cried,

"MALEFICENT!"

The magic in the feathers magnified his voice to that of an average shout. The dark fairy turned at the sound of her name. To elicit an alarmed response felt, quite frankly, empowering.

"Leave this world now. Leave and leave behind what doesn't belong to you."

Diablo tried to struggle free. Honey held her open jaws over his throat; a warning to both mistress and pet. But Jiminy felt an uncomfortable, sinking feeling in his stomach. Logically he knew this was one of the few, if not the only way to get leverage on Maleficent. That bird was the only being they knew about she actually cared for. The principle felt wrong. The bad guys were the ones you'd expect to exploit your attachments to make you bend to their will .And, even though he'd only known Honey for a few minutes, Jiminy had a strong gut feeling she'd follow through with the threat if Maleficent called their bluff. This was the only way without anyone else getting hurt. It still didn't feel right.

Maleficent glared at them strangely. Jiminy could see fury at being challenged and her raven threatened. But also…what was it? Was she honestly torn? She wanted power and dominion over everyone and everything. If this journal really was the Book of Prophesy, no matter how preposterous the idea, it might just give her all she needed to achieve her goal. But at the cost of the only truly devout and loyal servant and companion she ever had?

During her hesitation, Harli positioned himself between her and his glowing home. Now she couldn't just take the books if she attempted a hasty retreat.

"You've lost today," Mickey said calmly. With two swings of his Keyblade two Large Bodies and an Air Pirate fell. "You heard him. Leave now. We'll let him go and we can all part peacefully this time."

"Yeah!" Donald added. "Because unlike you, good guys will actually do what we promise!"

Maleficent's scowl was frightening. The lack of retort was more surprising than the wave of her staff that made the Heartless disappear. Honey loosened her grip.

"Release him!" Maleficent commanded quietly.

"Will you go?" Jiminy replied?

Once again she looked torn and furious. A door of Darkness appeared behind her.

"You have made a grave mistake this day," She promised. "Beware my return."

She took a step back. Honey removed her jaws from the bird entirely. The Craven brothers joined Harli in case Maleficent tried to make a defiant attempt to take off with either book. Though she looked the embodiment of fury itself, the her posture was not offensive. Though, not trusting her under any circumstances, everyone else hadn't relaxed in the slightest. Pete didn't know what to think. But after several long seconds with Maleficent only focused on Diablo, Honey released him. The raven didn't return to his mistress without trying to get one last peck at his captor first. Once Diablo perched safely on her shoulder the flame-like wisps of the dark door grew longer and they vanished within it.

"Maleficent! Maleficent, wait for me!"

Pete didn't hesitate to run after her before the gate closed.

The silence that followed was bizarre. Actually the whole thing was bizarre.

"That's it?" Donald asked, surprised.

"I'm glad it's all good now-."

"But what villain throws it in that quickly?" The Cravens asked.

"I guess we underestimated just how much she cares about that raven." Mickey said. Though he too was hesitant to believe it.

Jiminy took his journal and dusted the covers clear of the dirt from when it fell. The story book still hovered, surrounded in a gently glowing haze. Afterward, without even looking at it, or that he even really knew what he was doing, Jiminy clutched his precious journal to his chest, dropped to his knees and began to sob. A sniff became a choke then quickly snowballed into bawling.

"Jiminy," Goofy said gently.

"You know this isn't your fault," Mickey tried to say.

"I p-poured so much int-to my journal. That-that awful woman tried to take-to take it from me. And-and I-I was su-supposed to-to-to keep that book safe! M-Miss Rachel t-trusted me and I couldn't…I couldn't-." He couldn't finish.

"How could you know?" Donald tried to reason. "Everybody was expecting anything bad to come from Xehanort."

"That's right," Goofy agreed. "And Maleficent didn't even know what she found."

But Jiminy was completely inconsolable for several minutes.

Honey lay down next to the little conscience. The twins knelt near him as well. Even Harli made a comforting growl.

We do not blame you.

Honey's voice could be heard by everyone.

"Not even a little," Killian said.

"And we're not just saying that as a hollow way to make you feel better." Elliot added.

After several attempts to reply, "Even if *sniff* even if you really mean that, I still have to*sob* tell her the truth. H-how am I supposed to explain-?"

"Well that ain't nuthin' you'd have to do alone," Goofy said.

"That's right!" Donald agreed. "You've been right there with us on our adventures too. After all that, you don't think we'd leave a friend in trouble, do you?"

"No one has any reason to doubt you, Jiminy," Mickey told him. "I have no doubt Rachel will be alarmed and maybe a little upset. But no harm came of it. And Donald was right. We were all focused on an attack coming from Xehanort for the creation of the X-blade. If anything, this is partly my fault. After Pete and Maleficent captured Minnie I should have done more to make it impossible for either of them to ever enter again."

You do not stand alone, Master Cricket. Please do not weep for your role in this incident.

Another murmur of agreement went around the group. After another few moments Jiminy settled down and dried his tears. No one was ever left to face anything alone.

A twinkling flash beckoned from the living storybook. It caught Harli's attention first. The undead dragon put the tip of his bony snout to the edge of the radiating light. Instantly his body was engulfed in light then, in a flash was gone; returned to the catacombs of the Ruins of Insanity.

We must return too. Come, brothers.

"Do we really have to?" Killian asked. "What if we can never leave again?"

"This…this is incredible in the actual world. What would it hurt to stay until we can meet Rachel in her world?"

"As much as we all love our home I know most everyone fantasizes about what the outside is like."

Is that how you would like m'lady to discover what had happened? Coming home to the two of you waving her welcome when you're supposed to be sailing the Slilvan Coast?

As much as they wanted to stay longer the brothers couldn't argue. The three said their thanks and their goodbyes before returning to their world. As soon as they returned the book returned to normal as well as the size it was before Maleficent cast her magic. Like a falling feather the book came to the ground where Jiminy hastily snatched it up and clutched it protectively.

Mickey knelt down beside Jiminy and offered him his outstretched hand.

"C'mon. Let's go back to the castle. We can figure everything else out there."

"Like if the journal might be this Book of Prophesy?" Goofy asked.

"As crazy as that sounds," Donald added.

Jiminy straightened up and stepped onto Mickey's hand.

"You're right. You were all right. Thank you all."

"You're our friend. That's what we do. Now we should go back and wait for the return of the rest of our friends."