DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE DISNEY VILLAIN RECRUITERS OR DISNEY VILLAINS THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS STORY EXCEPT THE STORY AND PLOT ITSELF. THE DISNEY VILLAIN RECRUITERS IS A CHARACTER CREW PART OF THE JAPAN DISNEY PARADE THAT THEY HAVE AT HALLOWEEN. THIS IS JUST A FANFICTION STORY THAT I WANTED TO SHARE.


Chapter Eighteen

They stepped through the portal yet again and left a Realm that had light in it and returned to the Anti-Realm. The laughter and music had been replaced by murderous screams and rain; the warmth of the night was replaced by a never ending chill; the welcoming feeling of trusting other humans was replaced by the feeling of paranoia and ready to be attacked when walking around the corner. As odd as it was, it was somewhat good to come home. Ms. Scatter had pulled out a small handheld umbrella and pushed it open over them. Mr. V was surprised with the reach the umbrella had, but being the gentleman that he was he carefully took the umbrella to hold it above them; he was also taller and he did not like the umbrella just resting over his hat.

"I know this may be an odd thing to say," she sighed and rested her hands in front of her as she looked up at the ever thick black sky, "but I have always secretly loved the rain."

"I don't think it is that odd," he gave a shrug. "It can be pretty calming."

"Well yes, but that's not why I like it." She hummed and held her hand out, palm up, in the rain. "I have always loved how cool it has felt on my skin. It rarely rained in my Realm . . ."

Mr. V watched as the rain drops fell on her palm and he could see steam and hear a small little hiss whenever they touched her skin. He had never known she was that physically and biologically hot to make the rain immediately steam and dissipate like that. There was a small smile on her face and she twisted her hand over to allow more rain to fall on her skin. As fascinating as it was, he knew better than to stare for too long. It would raise too many questions and pique his curiosity too much.

"Are you ready to meet this mystery Villain?" he cleared his throat. In a daze she blinked up at him, as if she forgot what she was doing and where they were.

"Oh, yes." She laughed ever so softly, almost fairy-like. "We should probably get going before it gets too late."

"Well, the good news is that it isn't too far from us." He held his arm out to her and she immediately looped her arms through his. "We just have to make sure that we don't sink in any of the puddles along the way."

"You can't be serious?"

"Oh I most certainly am," He chuckled. "Some of these puddles are so deep they act like catfish holes where they suck you in and shoot you out someplace else."

"How do you know?"

"Well, Facilier had two apprentices once. . ." He coughed and cleared his throat. "Let's just say he got sucked in faster than a clown slipping on a banana."

"That makes no sense," she laughed.

"He got sucked in so fast that I'm pretty sure it was Monstro yawning and he ate him."

"That is terrible!"

"But that is life here in the Anti-Realm." He gave a shrug. "Looking back on it though, it was rather funny."

"You're terrible," she snorted and smacked his arm.

"Hey, what can I say?" He shrugged. "I'm a Villain, Scatter."

"Not the most villainous person that I know," she smiled up at him, "but I do believe that you could possibly have it in you if you truly wanted to."

"Is that a challenge I hear?" he looked down at her and a small smirk grew on her face.

"Not this time," she shook her head as they walked. "Not before we find out who the mystery Villain is."

"Who do you think it is?" he asked thoughtfully.

"I have no idea," she hummed in thought. "It could literally be anyone, and no one."

"Tis true, my dear," he sighed. "Tis true."

"What would you do if it were Facilier?"

"Good question." He paused. "I don't rightly know. . ." He admitted.

"Do you think he would be happy to see us?"

"You, undoubtedly. Me, on the other hand," He sighed, "I would more than likely be screwed. He'd kill me in a heart beat - that is if he still has one - and probably use me as his replacement to pay off his debts for his Friends on the Other Side."

"His debts. . ." She mused. "do tell me, now that I'm curious, have you ever made a deal with those on the Other Side?"

Mr. V suddenly felt a chill go down his spine but his face felt flushed as though he had too much alcohol; but the light stuff that they drank tonight was not enough to have these sorts of effects. Shame? Regret? Anguish? Well, it was hard to tell, either way, he found it rather difficult to answer her.

"It is rather complicated. . ." he murmured. "But yes. . . Yes I have."

Ms. Scatter merely hummed in reply, more than likely trying to be polite in a situation where she wanted to be comforting, but had no idea how. The rain continued to pitter patter on the umbrella and Mr. V could see why she enjoyed the rain. He found it calming.

"Did it cost you greatly?" She spoke up and slowed their walking.

"Almost as much as Facilier." He kept his eyes forward as they walked. "But there is always a cost to everything; just like a limit."

"Is that why you weren't able to get your Happy Ending?" she asked and they finally came to a stop.

"Not. . ." His throat felt tight and he couldn't bring himself to look at her. "Not entirely; though it probably had a helping hand in it. Not that it matters now though, she's safe and happy; that's all that matters."

"But - " She tried to argue.

"Ashe." He sighed and she tensed as he spoke her name. "I know you're curious. I know you have every right to question me. I know you're wanting to help in some way. But the way my Mission Ended doesn't matter because I am happy with the way it ended. I couldn't give Tiana anything she wanted. I couldn't give her her restaurant, I can't give her kids, I more than likely would not have given her happy marriage due to all of my complicated things that go on in my life, and I despite everything that I tried, I couldn't bring her daddy back. . . . ."

His hand tightened on his cane, his teeth gritted so hard it hurt, and his nose was so wrinkled he could feel the pores begging for air. The necklace around his neck felt heavy, and the pendant almost burned his skin with how cold it was. He had to turn his gaze away from her, she meant no harm, and with all the digging that he had been doing, she had every right to question him the way she was; however he probably would have been able to have handled it better if she were not so sweet about it. If she were yelling at him it would have been easier to brush off even ignore all the knotted feels that were wrapped around his heart. But she was being kind. She could kill people with that kindness; it was already killing him.

Her small hand slid around his middle and before he could stop her, she was hugging him from his left side. Both of her slim arms were wrapped around him and it took him a moment to realize that she was hugging him.

"Scatter. . ." He whispered, trying to regain his voice.

"I know you're not used to this." She spoke softly. "I know this is technically against all protocols. I also know that this is my fault that whatever is going on in your head I caused it. So . . . Let me at least do this. I know this is probably weird and it will only be for a few more seconds."

"All right. . ." He sighed and tipped his head back. He stared up at the metal lines on the inside of the umbrella and suddenly wanted the rain to touch his face. He didn't move the umbrella because he didn't want to ruin her attire. He did agree that this was odd, hugs were odd in the Anti-Realm. Even though the two of them already did not exactly fit in with the rest of the Villains, it was still odd to see them hugging - well, Mr. V being hugged- if someone was passing by.

"Are you good now?" she asked, hesitant from withdrawing herself.

"As good as I can be, Scatter," he chuckled and lightly patted her shoulder. "You can let me go now ."

She slowly released him and her ears immediately flushed as she put her hands in front of her. They stood there for a few moments, for them both to gather themselves together. Having regained his composure, he held his arm out to her again.

"Shall we?" He asked politely, and he felt tired.

"We shall." She sounded just as polite, and possibly just as tired. With that, they continued on their way. There was no light hearted laughter nor curious conversation to keep them entertained as they walked, instead they continued in silence and just enjoyed the sound of rain falling all around them.

It did not take them very long until they appeared in front of the Anti-Realm House of Mouse. The House of Mouse was the only building in the entire Anti-Realm that was directly connected to the World of Disney where the high pitched mouse would get on stage, make his announcements, and allow the shows to file through. It was actually one of the few entertaining things to do in all of the Anti-Realm. The best part was that there was no need for tickets, just an ID to verify your Villain title.

There was a steady flow of Villains walking, swaggering, strutting, wobbling, hobbling, and sauntering into the House of Mouse. Still with their arms locked they pulled out their ID's and entered in easily past the ghost bouncers that were there to solidify and prevent them their entry.

"Do you have a preference where you would like to sit?" Mr. V leaned over and spoke in her ear.

"I like being up high," she admitted.

"Balcony it is." He nodded and they took the first right and made their way up to the balconies. "I have my own box."

"What do you mean you have your own box?" she blinked at him. "No one really has their own spot."

"Oh, I do." He chuckled and showed her his platinum card. "I have my own table wherever I go."

"Is that always necessary?" she blinked up at him.

"I like to have my own space," he gave a shrug as he led them up to his box. Two bulky ghosts stepped aside and moved the red velvet rope to his small balcony table and sitting area. They entered his space and as soon as they got comfortable, a ghost hostess appeared through the wall.

"Evenin' Mista V," she smacked her gum and gave him a wink. "Whatcha want ta-night?"

"Want anythin'?" He asked Ms. Scatter as she was looking over the edge.

"Do you have a menu?" she asked as she turned her attention.

"Nope." The ghost hostess popped her gum before she rolled her eyes. Ms. Scatter looked taken aback. "Of course we gotta menu."

"Sammy," Mr. V snapped. "Why don't you get us some waters and give me a minute to decide."

"Whatever you say, Mista V~" She winked with a snap and disappeared. The waters appeared on the table and Ms. Scatter merely blinked at the drinks that appeared on the table.

"You'd think I'd have gotten used to that," she murmured and looked at the drink. "it happens all the time at the Castle."

"It's a little different when you have a Salty Sammy as your hostess." he groaned and slouched, his hat falling over the top of his eyes. "She can be a little overwhelming. . . She also doesn't like it when I have company with me."

"You have actually taken others to your box?" She blinked, looking somewhat hurt.

"Only for business matters." he waved it off and took a sip of the water. "I used to come up here to get away from Facilier, he had a nasty habit of keeping unwanted company. Wouldn't you know it, he hated heights. . . I kinda do too."

"Why didn't you say so?" She gasped getting ready to jump up. "I wouldn't have said to -"

"Don't worry about it, Scatter." He waved her off. "I'm used to it. So long as I only pay attention to the shows I don't get the dizzy spells anymore."

"You used to get dizzy spells?" He didn't like the guilt in her voice.

"Used to." He sat up and looked at her. "I got used to it so I could sit up here."

"I wished I wouldn't have said anything. . ." His hand went to her mouth and Mr. V frowned.

"You wanted to be up high, we're up high." He said flatly. "You did nothing wrong, you're good, Scatter."

Her brow furrowed and those brown eyes looked ready to flash yellow, but instead she snatched up her water and sipped on it and turned her gaze to the waves of people down below.

"Why do you like being up high anyways?" he asked as he sat back and set his hat beside him on the seat.

"I like to make sure I can't be ambushed." She said keeping her shoulder and back to him. "I'd rather be ready to make an ambush than to be ambushed."

"That sounds like a story." He pointed.

"Not for tonight," she shook her head and her shoulders tensed.

"Didya decide what ya wanted?" Sammy asked as she popped out of nowhere. Scatter nearly screamed and it took everything in Mr. V not to laugh, though he was still struggling to hide his hiccups of laughter.

"Get me a Jack Daniels," He snorted.

"And get me a mint chocolate chip ice cream sundae." Ms. Scatter sniffed sounding rather miffed.

"You can't be serious," Sammy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Hey," Mr. V snapped. "You heard her. Get her what she wants, Sammy."

"Whateva you say, Mista V," She stuck her tongue out before disappearing with another snap and the wanted items appeared on the table.

"Does she always do that?" Ms. Scatter huffed and pulled the ice cream towards her.

"Begrudgingly, yes," he grimaced and drank his Jack Daniels. "I can't even say that I've gotten used to it so much as I've learned not to react. She gets excited whenever she gets a reaction."

"How quaint." She hissed and began to eat her ice cream. It was rather cute to see her a little frazzled, though he could understand why she was a little on edge. Sammy isn't always the best at getting a hint or just leaving things alone.

He took another gulp of his drink and loved the way it burned down his throat. It had an odd calming effect that revived his health; he always believed that a good shot of whiskey or bourbon could cure any illness, even prevent them. As he sat back and glanced at Ms. Scatter, he noticed that her ice cream sundae was already half-way gone. He would never understand a woman's sugar addiction or how they could even inhale that much frozen sugar in one go. They never truly paced themselves. All girls, ladies, and women were made out of sugar, spice, and everything nice; it was just that some more of the third than others.

Tiana always had that sugar to go into her baking, that spice to ward off imbeciles and stupid people, and everything nice came in her naturally good nature. Ms. Scatter, in an odd comparison had more sugar in her personality to make sure she was kind to everyone, her spice was only when her temper was flared, and in all honesty - if he were truly honest with himself - everything nice went into her figure and her hard work. However, since she was a coworker he avoided such thoughts because that would only complicate things, and after this evening he was not entirely in the mood for any kind of sugar.

Suddenly the lights flickered and dimmed and Mr. V turned his gaze to the stage down below.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, gods and goddesses, animals and sea creatures, fairies and demons," Mickey Mouse chuckled as he did his usual announcement. Mr. V could only roll his eyes and sip his drink to keep him from groaning. No man, whether mouse or not, should ever have a pitch that high; it just grated on his nerves. "Welcome to the House of Mouse! By now I know many of you have already heard that a long lost Villain will be returning to the scene. However, while he is still waking up and getting ready, here are a few shows to keep you entertained."

Clapping echoed throughout the House of Mouse, and much to his surprise he heard cheers coming from Lady Tremaine, Yzma, and the other ladies that were apparently well acquainted with this mystery Villain.

"How interesting. . ." He murmured as he boredly watched Goofy and Donald roll out on stage to do their usual comedic performances. All the while, Ms. Scatter seemed to be enjoying the shows nonetheless. Her laughter was soft and quiet, but she was still amused nonetheless.

"Have you ever been here?" He asked casually as he drank more of his drink.

"No," She admitted and set her empty sundae glass on the small table. "I have always been too busy with my work. . . ." Her voice was quiet and she rested her chin on her arms as she leaned on the edge of the ledge.

"Surely I don't give you that much work." His brows furrowed.

"No," she finally looked back at him and gave him a small smile. "You really don't, I just add on a few things to keep me distracted. . . Plus with every other employer I have ever had they either weren't close enough, or we were on the other side of the Realm. They didn't like the idea of an employee going to the House of Mouse."

"That's rather stupid." He grunted.

"Well, it's not like I'm exactly the best of Villains."

"Are you kidding me?" He chuckled at her. "You have the ability to kill with kindness, it's pretty evil to me."

"It's only because you don't know how to use it," she giggled slightly and stuck her tongue out.

"It's still very powerful," he reassured. "Most people don't know how to use it and many don't know how to take it."

"It's not the only thing I can do." She hummed as she turned her attention back to the shows that went on.

To allow her to enjoy the show, Mr. V merely sat back in his seat and allowed his head to rest against the wall. He would lay back and catch a few 'Z's before the grand reveal. There was singing, clanging, clapping, and laughing and Mr. V could not exactly sleep, but he allowed himself to keep his eyes closed to relax a little; and then that annoying mouse came back on stage.

"Now everyone, I know that you've all been ready and waiting for him." He chuckled over the microphone. "Now everyone get your hands, claws, tentacles, wings, hooves, and appendages and clap them together -"

Mr. V was surprised by the great build up that Mickey Mouse was putting to this. He noted that Ms. Scatter was no longer relaxed and enjoying the show. Something was off.

"To welcome the Demon King from the Volcanoes of the long lost Fantasia Realm -" Mickey Mouse continued and Ms. Scatter gripped the rails.

"No." She whispered and shook her head. Mr. V's eyes too were wide at the mere mention of the Fantasia Realm.

"The Great, the Terrible Chernabog!"

Screams and cackles echoed throughout the House of Mouse as a giant Demon with his wings draped over his shoulders to be a natural cape. He had to have been over eight feet high, tail not included. He walked out and glared out into the audience, his yellow eyes scanning the crowd.

Ms. Scatter immediately dove underneath the balcony edge, literally laying in the floor and Mr. V was alarmed. She was in the fetal position, holding her head in her hands, her knees curled up in the chest, she could practically hide underneath the small coffee table that was there.

"No," she barely whispered, her lips moving too quickly. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!"

Her breathing was fast and was hitching high. Mr. V didn't like this, he didn't like this at all. Whatever, whoever this Chernabog was, he did not like him.

"Scatter?" He kneeled and reached his hand towards her. Her eyes darted around the small space and just couldn't focus on him. Her eyes kept switching between brown to gold. Brown, gold; brown, gold; brown, gold.

"Help." She whimpered and immediately with his hat and cane in his hand he scooped her up and they disappeared through the portal. While they traveled through the portal she clung to him as if she needed him to escape death.

"No," she kept shaking her head. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he whispered to her and held her close. "It's okay, I've got you."

"I'm sorry." She kept murmuring. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

She began to sniffle and Mr. V was relieved whenever they exited the portal and appeared in her room. Varuo, who had his leg outstretched in the middle of a bath, stared at them in shock. Ms. Scatter crying in Mr. V's arms and him looking at Varuo in desperation.

"What the hell happened?!" Varuo demanded as Mr. V set her on her bed. She, in her anxious and frantic state, kept apologizing.

"I don't know!" Mr. V shouted in high emotion. "Everything was fine, the dinner, then we went to the House of Mouse and Chernabog -"

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT NAME!" Varuo hissed, back arched, and his fur standing on end.

"But that is who was in the House of Mouse." Mr. V countered.

"Are you serious?" Varuo pounced on Mr. V and literally tackled him to the ground.

"Blood hell, what are you?" Mr. V tried to push Varuo off of him, but the cat was growing and was the size of a tiger.

"Are you serious?" A roar, not a soft voice came from him as his claws held his shoulders down. "He is here?!"

"Yes!" Mr. V shouted tryimg to pull the giant fluffy cat off of him. "Yes he is here!"

"Shit!" Varuo growled as he hopped of him and went over to Scatter who was now sitting up, tears streaming down her face, mascara ruined, her hair falling in disarray around her shoulder. Varuo circled himself around Scatter, and she held him in her arms with her head on top of his head.

"He's here. . ." Her voice was cracked and her eyes were still flickering from brown to yellow and back to brown again. "He. Is. Here. Varuo. . . . . What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Ashe. . ." His tail flicked and he cast his glaring green eyes on Mr. V who was still laying on the floor trying to push himself up. Mr. V quietly stood up and dusted himself off. He tried to keep quiet until he knew that she was calmed down enough to speak, however, her eyes just wouldn't quit changing colors.

"I'm sorry," her brow furrowed as she looked over to Mr. V. "I'm so, so, so sorry, Mr. V."

"Hey," Mr. V shushed as he walked over to her. He had his arms out, and although Varuo was glaring at him, Ms. Scatter allowed him to approach her. He wrapped his arms around her and she buried her face in his chest. He didn't know what to do, what to say, but he just did what she had tried to do to him. He had no words of comfort because he did not know how to comfort her, but sometimes silence was all that was needed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again.

"Stop that," he patted her back gently. "Stop apologizing. You didn't do anything."

"But I'm here. . ." She pulled back and looked up at him, her eyes finally settled on the brown color, but they had flecks of gold in them. "And he is here. . . That means something has happened. The Realm . . .Maybe it fixed itself. . ." She suddenly pushed him aside and paced around her room. "No, he said it was a lost Realm. . ."

"Ashe." Varup hopped up from the bed and shrunk to the size of his household pet size and rubbed up against her. "Stop thinking about it. . ." As he looped through her ankles he glared at Mr. V.

"I can't Varuo," she hissed and reached for her feet to snatch her heels from her feet. "I have to know."

"Ashe, no." Varuo followed her. "You can't remember?"

"I'm going, Varuo." She kept her back to him as she paced around her room gathering clothes.

"But the amulet -"

"I know about the amulet." She hissed and those eyes flashed gold and there were a few burn marks in the floor from her pacing, Mr. V noticed. "But I still have to go!"

"Um." Mr. V coughed and cleared his throat. They both snapped their heads at him. "I know I don't exactly have a right or say in this -"

"You don't." Varuo agreed.

"But may I please know what is going on?" He looked specifically at Ms. Scatter. She gave him a sad smile and held her arms.

"It is really complicated, Mr. V." She pursed her lips. "But I have no idea what to make of all of this." Her hands squeezed her elbows tightly. "I know there is so much that you want to know. I know you've been trying to get answers to your questions behind my back."

She cast those gold eyes on him and he sucked in a breath, opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand and silenced him.

"I'm not mad." She said rather flatly. "Though, I'm not particularly happy about it. Don't worry, Varuo didn't tell me, but I know."

Even Varuo tensed and they shared a surprised look.

"You're not the only one who can manipulate the shadows, Mr. V." She smirked at their surprise. "I know you just wanted to know, but there are quite a few things from my past that I have not wanted to share with you. I told you that I destroyed my Realm; well at least I thought I did. . ."

"If he is here, then that means there is a chance the Realm is fine -" Varuo sounded somewhat hopeful.

"It can't be fine, Varuo." She shook her head. "Not what I did to it. To the Amulet. To the Door Between Realms. . ." She heaved a sigh and pressed her hands to her eyes. Mr. V remained quiet as he carefully watched the two of them. "But I still need to know. . ."

"Ms. Scatter." Mr. V didn't dare move from his spot. "May I know what it is that you're thinking?"

"I'm thinking that I need to submit my two weeks notice, Mr. V." she sighed as she stared at him.


Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it so far!

Sorry to leave this chapter a little short, but I assure you that I'm working on the next chapter. Gotta keep things interesting, right?

If you can bear with me a little longer I will get the next chapter posted pretty soon, and possibly Scatter's backstory.

Thanks for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!