Having left the seaside town they spent the night in, Pinocchio and Jiminy were now out upon the sea, keeping an eye out for any danger on their voyage back home. Pinocchio's heart was full of dread, not merely of what he had been told about Monstro, but also worried his father may have already encountered Monstro if he was out looking for him.

"No sign of anything, Jiminy," he said looking around on the boat. "It's too quiet."

"I'm sure your father hasn't gone far," Jiminy assured him. "let alone probably come out this way yet. One thing for sure, we can only hope if he has that Monstro hasn't got him yet."

As the boat sailed upon the sea, Pinocchio thought to himself about that. Later on, as they stopped to eat, Pinocchio looked out to the sea and sang for a bit.

"If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme,"

"When you wish upon a star as dreamers do,"

Jiminy looked at him.

"I hear you singing that often, Pinoke. You sing it when you're sad and such."

Pinocchio looked down other to his small friend.

"It was a song my father used to sing to me when I was little. He would sing it when putting me to sleep sometimes. I was just a baby when he sang it to me for the first time. I used to believe it meant truly anything I wished for could come true. It's why I wished so hard for my mother to come back. I thought maybe if I kept on wishing, she would come."

Pinocchio hung his head in sadness and sat down as he told his little story.

"But I was wrong. I didn't gain anything from it. It's just a song. Like a fairy tale, like the ones my father would read me at night. If I hadn't been wishing so hard for something so foolish, I…I guess we wouldn't be in this predicament. It's true. I never really did appreciate everything my father ever did for me."

But then he looked up.

"But once we get home and find him, I'm not going to make that mistake anymore. I'm going to keep good on that promise. That's for darn sure."

"I know you will, Pinoke. I have every faith in you."

"You know," Pinocchio said, "I'm glad somebody does. I just hope my father will be glad to see me again."

Pinocchio let his mind wander and flashback to his younger days with his father and some of the memories he shared with him. From the night of his first words, to his first steps, even remembering Geppetto helping him learn to swim, and playing catch with him out in the forest sometimes. The last thought that occurred on his mind was the last tender talk they had together before the big fight two days earlier. Somehow, Pinocchio could now picture his father somewhere saying, "My poor little Pinocchio. He was such a good boy."

"Pinocchio. Pinocchio!" Jiminy called out breaking him from his trance. Somehow it seemed Jiminy was afraid of something.

"Pinocchio, look," Jiminy said pointing to the water. They say a large group of Tuna swimming by as if in panic.

"Something must have spooked them," said Pinocchio. "Do you think maybe it was…."

Suddenly they saw a large shadow pass underneath.

"Well," said Jiminy. "There's always a bigger fish."

"A bigger fish?" Pinocchio blurted. "Then it must have been…"

Suddenly a large whale rose out of the water and flew right over them.

"Monstro!" Pinocchio shouted.

"We gotta get out of here!" yelled Jiminy. "Hurry, lower the sails!"

"I can't! The rope is stuck! It's no good!"

"Hurry, Pinoke! He's turning around. Coming straight for us!"

As Jiminy said, they saw the whales' silhouette heading towards them chasing another swarm of fish. Pinocchio finally got the sail down hoping to get the boat moving. But it was too late. Monstro charged over them out of the water and with a swish of his tail, destroyed the boat. Pinocchio and Jiminy jumped clear. But now they were in the sea itself.

"Swim for it, Pinocchio! Swim for it."

But it was no good. As fast as Pinocchio could swim with his life, Monstro was too fast for him and Jiminy. They were so caught up in the school of tuna, Monstro was already close enough. Monstro dived back down then making a huge splash jumping up, Pinocchio and the tuna were flung in the air, and before long, swallowed alive.

Inside the whale's mouth, the waves were so heavy, Pinocchio was moved back and forth so fast he was almost knocked underwater completely.

"Jiminy! Jiminy help!"

Jiminy swam towards Pinocchio and managed to stay close.

Suddenly, the waves knocked Pinocchio and Jiminy nearby a large houseboat of some kind, he saw someone from on it was fishing all the tuna out of the water. Though he was struggling to keep his balance in the waves, he recognized who was on the boat.

Father! FATHER!

Geppetto was on the boat. He was fishing all the tuna out and placing them in a container. One he got enough, he recognized something that wasn't a fish. It looked like a person. A boy. Geppetto recognized the voice too.

"Father!"

Geppetto's eyes lit up.

"PINOCCHIO! Hold on, son!"

"Father! Help!"

Geppetto got a rope and tossed it down holding one end.

"Grab the rope! I'll pull you up!"

Pinocchio did so. As slippery as he felt his hands were, he used all the strength he had not to let go as Geppetto pulled him up. And he didn't let go until Geppetto pulled him up all the way onto the boat.

"Oh, Pinocchio! My son!" Geppetto shouted with joy. "Thank heavens you're alive."

"Father!" Pinocchio cried as he jumped into his father's arms and they both shared a big hug.

"Pinocchio, my boy," said Geppetto. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Me too, father!"

Jiminy jumped up nearby.

"Here he is, Mr. Geppetto. safe and sound," said Jiminy.

"Oh, Jiminy! You're alright too. You went looking for him! Thank you!"

Pinocchio still held onto his father, crying in his arms as Geppetto cuddled him.

"Oh, father, I'm so sorry," he said with tears. "I'm sorry for everything."

"Shhh. Shh. It's alright, Pinocchio. You're back with me now. It's alright. I'm sorry too."

Pinocchio suddenly let out a sneeze.

"Oh, you are soaking wet. come. You mustn't catch a cold," Geppetto said as he put a blanket over Pinocchio and put him on a bed. "You know, I don't know how you ended up here, but I'm awfully glad to see you. Let me take your hat."

Geppetto took Pinocchio's hat and hung it to dry. Pinocchio looked up at his father and smiled.

"Thanks, father. How did you end up here?" Pinocchio asked. "Jiminy and I were on our way to come to find you, we were hoping you hadn't come out this far."

"Well, I did, Pinocchio," Geppetto told him sitting near him. "I came to find you. What happened to you?"

"Well, I…I.."

"It'll be alright, son. I won't be mad. Just tell me the truth."

"Obviously he's a bit traumatized right now and been through a lot, sir," said Jiminy. "Perhaps I should explain for him, if I may."

"Alright, Jiminy," Geppetto agreed. So in as much detail possible, Jiminy explained the whole story.

"So you actually did go to pleasure island?" Geppetto asked Pinocchio. "You were almost a donkey. How did you manage to avoid that fate entirely though?"

"I managed to escape with the help of Jiminy. And we managed to jump off a cliff to escape. When I jumped in the water, the donkey parts must have washed away. Then after we spent the night in that sea town, we started coming home to reach you hoping we weren't too late. They warned us about the whale, but I decided to do it. Because I wanted to get back to you."

"Oh, Pinocchio," Geppetto said as he placed his hand on Pinocchio's shoulder. "You are such a brave boy. I thought I'd never see you again when I got swallowed."

"Why did you come after me?" Pinocchio asked shedding a tear.

"Because, Pinocchio. You're my son," Geppetto said.

"I thought after how I've been behaving you didn't want me anymore," Pinocchio cried. "I just...I wanted more than anything for mother to be home. I know she's dead, but...I miss her so much, I let it get to me. I was jealous of how all the other kids have a mom and I don't."

"Pinocchio, I know. I miss her too," Geppetto assured him.

"Not a day goes by when I don't think of her. I'm sure she would've been very happy with you. And I've done the very best I could to carry on without her to raise you. And despite everything that's happened recently, In our time together you have become all that she could've hoped you would be. I know you've made some terrible choices these last few months, but I know in my heart, you're still a good boy, Pinocchio. You're not beyond redemption. I know there is still good in you."

"I'm sorry I blamed you for her death," Pinocchio told him. "I just didn't understand."
"Pinocchio, it's all right. Do you understand why I've sheltered you so much and been so overbearing and protective? It's because when I lost your mother I promised her I would take good care of you. When she was pregnant with you and got sick I was so scared. I knew I was going to lose her but I didn't want to lose you too. That's why I soon as you were born, I promised both you and her I wouldn't let anything happen to you. Because I love you just as much as I loved her. Pinocchio, your mother's death was not your fault nor mine. Dr. Collodi, he did admit one thing. He couldn't save both of you. And your mother, she chose to accept her death. Your mother sacrificed her self to save you."

"She did?"

"Yes. I finally realize now. It wasn't a mere memory at all that made you miss her. It was a feeling. Something of her that has always been there. A mark that she left on you at birth. Not like a birthmark Pinocchio or a scar you can receive from an injury. It's a mark that cannot be seen that lives on in your very skin and in your heart."

"What mark is that?"
"Love, Pinocchio. Love. Your mother's love lives on inside you. It's always been there. Because even before you were born she loved you. That's why she chose to die for you. And for me. She couldn't leave me all alone without you. My heart shattered into a million pieces when she passed away the day you were born. But when I held you for the first time whatever pieces were left of it melted. You were the glue that was holding the broken pieces together. You always have been. Because when I first looked into your eyes, I saw there was nothing I could give you but all the love in the world that I have."

"Tell me, father," Pinocchio muttered. "Did mother say anything to me when I was born before she died?"

"She did Pinocchio," Geppetto replied as he stroked the boy's head. She said that she was sorry she couldn't be around for you and that I would take care of you, that she would always be inside my heart. As well as yours."

"She did?" Pinocchio replied emotionally. "Mother said that?"

"Yes," Geppetto said with a tearful smile. "She also said she'll always love you."
Pinocchio felt the heavy weight of these words crushing down on his heart. Knowing that although his mother was gone, she had loved him since birth brought a sad warm feeling to him. Tears began to flow from his eyes. His lips trembled. The tears couldn't be held back anymore. He moved closer to Geppetto and buried his head in his chest and wrapped his arms around him. Geppetto reciprocated the hug and hugged his boy back tightly. He rocked his son back-and-forth just like a baby and patted his head once again.

"There, there. It's alright, son. Old Geppetto has his little wooden head. Nothing else, matters."

Though he was still crying, Pinocchio looked up at his father and smiled. Even though he realized now nothing could bring his mother back, at least he was happy to see his father again. Geppetto looked over at Jiminy.

"Thank you for going out and finding him, Jiminy."

"Least I could do for you both," Jiminy replied kindly. " but now we have another problem. How are we going to get out of here?"

"I'm not sure we can, Geppetto said. "I've already tried everything I could think of. And every time the whale opens his mouth, I just end up right back at the first step. Even with the raft."

"Looks like we're gonna need a miracle to get us here," Jiminy pointed out.

Pinocchio could feel more tears welling up inside him.

"I want to go home," he whined and uttered tearfully. "I miss Figaro too, I want to be back in my own room and be with you!"

Geppetto laid Pinocchio down on the bed cradling him like he did as a baby.

"Figaro wants you so much to come home. He misses you so much. Cleo too."

"I love you, father," Pinocchio said in his tears.

"I love you too, son. It'll be alright," Geppetto told him in comfort. "Why don't you take a little nap?"

Pinocchio started falling asleep for a bit as Geppetto stroked his hair again. Geppetto took a seat on a chair nearby.

"Jiminy. Thank you," Geppetto said to Jiminy. "But why did you leave without saying anything?"

"I'm sorry, sir. But I didn't want to worry you," Jiminy responded. "I care for him too. You and him, and Figaro and Cleo. Why you fellows are practically my new family since my sister died."

"That's very kind of you, Jiminy," said Geppetto. "I appreciate you going out and looking after Pinocchio. I was wrong to hide his mother's death from him. That was a mistake, I see that now. Although had I told him sooner, it might have made no difference."

"Maybe so, but honesty truly is the best policy," Jiminy said. "Your son truly is one of a kind. He has a very strong heart for a boy his age. I think that's what kept his hope for his mother alive."

"I suppose so," Geppetto said with a smile. "I'm sure from above, Francesca would certainly admire that. And I'm sure she does."

After a few hours had passed, Pinocchio woke up.

"Hi, son. Feeling better?" Geppetto asked lovingly.

"Yeah. I'm alright. I think that nap helped. So how do we get out?"

"Hmmm," Geppetto pondered. "It looks like the whale's mouth may be the only way in or out. But getting out is the thing that's impossible. As Jiminy said, we'll need a miracle of some kind."

Suddenly, Pinocchio heard Jiminy say, "what I certainly wouldn't give for a comfortable room and a nice warm fire right now."

Then Pinocchio got an idea.

"A fire! That's it! If we a big smoking fire, he might be able to sneeze us out! We need lots of smoke!"

"Oh, that will make him mad. I'm sure of that," Geppetto said. "Is there anything else you can think of?"

"No! This might be the only way! We've got to do this!" Pinocchio exclaimed as he gathered plenty of wood.

"I got a bad feeling about this," Jiminy told himself.

As soon as Pinocchio gathered enough wood possible, he took a lantern, and smashed it over the pile and started a large smoking bonfire. Monstro could feel the smoke coming out of his blowhole, and the stench was getting to him as he began to exhale.

"It won't work!" Geppetto shouted

"Hurry, father! Climb aboard!" Pinocchio called out. Both of them climbed on board the raft. With Jiminy on top of Pinocchio's shoulder.

"We'll never get by his teeth!" Jiminy said. "This is madness!"

"Trust me, Jiminy! We'll make it! Come on, father! Start rowing!"

Both Geppetto and Pinocchio started paddling as hard as they could, then Monstro let out a huge roaring sneeze bursting the raft out of his mouth. But he began inhaling again pulling the raft back.

"Not good!" Shouted Geppetto. "He's pulling us back in!"

"We'll still make it! Just hang on!"

Monstro let out another sneeze blasting them further away. The whale then furiously shook himself and dove underwater.

"Looks like he's gone!" Jiminy exclaimed. "In any case, Geshundheit to him."

All three of them chuckled.

"I told you we'd make it," Pinocchio said. "Now let's get out of here."

Suddenly they heard a loud rumbling underneath them.

"That can't be good," Geppetto blurted out.

Suddenly, Monstro burst out from the water.

"Look! now he is mad! I told you he'd be furious!" Geppetto shouted.

"Everybody start paddling!" Jiminy shouted.

"Faster, son! Faster!"

They paddled as fast as they could, but Monstro was too fast.

"He's trying to kill us! Paddle the other way!"

Monstro dove over them again, narrowly missing the raft by just a few inches. But as soon as he hit the water, he turned around rose back up knocking everyone off the raft into the water. And with a swish of his tail, destroyed the raft knocking them away with the waves.

Amidst the wreckage of the raft, Pinocchio rose above the surface of the water.

"Father! Father!" He cried trying to find Geppetto. Geppetto was hanging on to a log, but he was losing his grip.

"Pinocchio, swim..for shore," he breathed. "Hurry."

"Father! I won't leave you again!"

"Pinocchio, no! It's too dangerous!" Jiminy called out.

"Save….yourself," Geppetto muttered as he started slipping and begun to sink. But Pinocchio grabbed his father's suspenders and lifted him above the waves and began carrying him as he swam for a nearby set of rocks with a hole in the middle.

"Hang on, father!"

Swimming as fast as he could, Pinocchio made his way as Monstro got closer and closer. Just as he was in close range, Monstro made one last dive toward them, just as Pinocchio made it through the crevice, Monstro smashed himself against the rocks and made a big splash letting out a roar.

Amidst the wave's intensity, Geppetto washed up on the shore heavily breathing. He was exhausted.

"Pinocchio…save your self," he muttered. "Save yourself, Pinocchio."

Jiminy washed up on the shore too and called out, "Pinocchio! Oh, Pinocchio!" He climbed on top of the rocks and look out to the shore. "Pinocchi…!"

Jiminy gasped as he saw Pinocchio's hat washed up on the shore. He could only fear the worst.

"No!" Jiminy screamed. "He was just a boy! He didn't deserve this!" He then hung his head in mourning. But he quickly looked and saw Pinocchio floating in the water, face upward.

"Pinocchio!" he shouted as Geppetto woke up. Geppetto, seeing his son's body floating, swam out towards him and pulled him ashore.

As he did, Pinocchio lay there lifeless as a block of wood. Geppetto did everything he could to try and revive Pinocchio but it was no use. All Geppetto could do was sit there looking at his little boy.

"Oh, Pinocchio. You tried to save my life," he sobbed. "My poor son! This is all my fault!"

Geppetto began to shed heavy tears cradling Pinocchio's body. His was quite certain, out of heroism, his son was dead.

Jiminy wept for his friend too and took off his hat in respect.

Suddenly, Pinocchio's fingers twitched and he let out a sudden cough as he spit up some of the water. With a sudden jerk, Pinocchio opened his eyes and gasped for air. Jiminy's jaw dropped in relief.

"Oh, thank heavens! He's alive!" Jiminy shouted with joy. Geppetto suddenly lifted his head and hock and looked down in shock and surprise.

"Pinocchio!" He shouted happily with his sad tears becoming tears of joy.

"Father," Pinocchio responded. "What ya crying for?"

"I thought you….were dead, Pinocchio," Geppetto said. "You risked your life for me. Why?"

"You're my father," Pinocchio said. "I love you."

"Oh, son," Geppetto said stroking Pinocchio's face. "I love you too."

Geppetto pulled him in for a hug. Pinocchio hugged him back, Happy they were back on dry land again.

"I thought I'd lost you," Geppetto said. "My boy. My brave little boy."

"Father, I don't hate you," Pinocchio said in his own happy tears.

"I know, son. I know. It's alright now. Everything's going to start getting better for us now."

"Whoopee!" Shouted Jiminy. "Thank goodness, you're alright, Pinocchio! That was so very brave what you did. I've never seen anyone as brave as you."

"Thank you, Jiminy," said Pinocchio. "I may have never had a mother, but I didn't want to lose my father too."

"Pinocchio, I'm so proud of you," Geppetto told him as he picked up his son. "Come on, let's go home."

Geppetto carried Pinocchio and Jiminy all the way to the village.

"We're almost there, Pinoke," Jiminy said as they were halfway there.

It was just about nightfall when they made it back to the house Out in front of Geppetto's house stood Frederico and his family.

"Geppetto! Pinocchio!" Frederico called out.

"Thank heavens, you've all finally returned!" Said Beatrice as they huddled together for a group hug."

As Martina broke her hug with Pinocchio, she ran her hand across Pinocchio's face with a slap.

"Ow! What was that for?" Pinocchio asked.

"That's for running off like that and having everyone worried sick!" She scolded. "Don't you ever do that again!"

"Martina! You're 14 years old!" Frederico grimaced.

"Sorry, godbrother," she apologized. "I'm just glad you're alright."

"Thanks, Martina. But I honestly deserved that," Pinocchio said.

"We'll tell you everything tomorrow," Geppetto said.

As Fredrico left with the others, Geppetto opened the door, and Pinocchio smiled.

"Home!" He shouted with joy. "Gee, I'm glad to be home!"

"Figaro! Cleo! Pinocchio's home! My little wooden head has come home!"

"Cleo!" Pinocchio shouted as he ran over to her water bowl. Cleo jumped out gave him a big kiss. Pinocchio suddenly heard a loud happy meow and turned to face the stairs.

"Figaro!" Pinocchio cried out as Figaro jumped into his arms as Pinocchio hugged him tightly. "I missed you!"

Figaro was so happy Pinocchio was back he licked Pinocchio's nose making his giggle with happiness.

"Oh, Figaro has missed you so much. Professor! Lots of music!" Geppetto shouted as he turned on every music box and they all celebrated Pinocchio's return.

"Oh, boy, Jiminy said. "I sure do love a party!"

They danced and played for hours until Pinocchio started falling asleep.

"My goodness," Geppetto said. It's getting so late, I didn't realize it was past Pinocchio's bedtime.

Geppetto then carried Pinocchio upstairs and watched as Pinocchio got ready for bed. He was so happy for the first time in two days to be back in his own bedroom. Geppetto came by and gave him two very important things.

"My Teddy!" Pinocchio cried with happiness cuddling it tightly. "Oh, I've missed him so much."

"But there's something else. Here you go, son," Geppetto handed him something Pinocchio could never forget.

"My old doll that mother made," Pinocchio said with a sad smile. He shed himself a tear that Geppetto sat on the bed and wiped.

"Father, I'm really sorry for what I did. And for destroying your best music box too."

"Thank you, Pinocchio. I know it was an accident. I'm not sure I can fix it Without having to rebuild it. But it may take a lot of work. All that matters is that you're home now. You mean so much more to me than any music box in the world."

"I'll never ever run away again. I promise. Father, there's no place like home.

"Pinocchio, I just want to let you know that no matter what happens, You're my son and I'll always love you. Even without your mother, you, me, Jiminy, Figaro, and Cleo, we're a family. All of us."

" I know. I just want to ask you one thing," Pinocchio said. "Is it maybe my fault that mom died? I thought myself if it wasn't for me she'd still be alive."

"Pinocchio, don't say things like that," Geppetto said lovingly. "Your mother's death was not my fault, nor was it yours. I never blamed you. Not once. She gave her life to save you. That's all that matters."

"We never lost mother. not really," Pinocchio said.

"Nothing's gone forever. Only out of place," Pinocchio unexpectedly sang.

"So when I need her touch and loving gaze,

Gone but not forgotten is the perfect phrase."

Smiling from a star that she makes glow,

I trust she's always there,

Watching as I grow.

I'll find her in the place,"

Then Jiminy joined in.

"Where the lost things go."

Geppetto looked with a sad smile and tears of Happiness.

"You're right, Pinocchio. You're mother's not gone. She's in our hearts. And I see her every time I look in your eyes. And you look so much like I did when I was a boy. Except for her hair. Your hair color comes from your mother. She would be so proud of you," Geppetto told him as he pulled him in for one big hug.

"I love you," Geppetto said as he rocked Pinocchio to sleep like a baby. As he laid Pinocchio back down, he covered Pinocchio with the blanket as the boy cuddled his two favorite childhood possessions close to him. Geppetto leaned forward and kissed Pinocchio's forehead as Pinocchio lay asleep with a smile.

"good night, my boy. I'm so glad to have you home."

Geppetto walked off for the night. And left Figaro to sleep with Pinocchio.

Even though Pinocchio has been through so much in the last couple days one thing with certain as he snoozed off. All that mattered was that he was home safe and sound with his family. But there was one other thing he knew in his heart. He still wanted to help those boys from pleasure island. Jiminy watching from the nightstand, hopped over and patted Pinocchio's nose and said, " good night, Pinoke. Sweet dreams, Pal."

Jiminy then hopped over to his dollhouse and finally got into his own bed.

"Little man, you've had a busy night," Jiminy told himself as he made his way into bed and fell asleep. As he did. He looked at one thing on his nightstand. A portrait of him and his old family from his youth. He realized soon he was going to want a new portrait just like that with Pinocchio and the others.

But as far as he was concerned, All that mattered right now was that he and his new family were all back together safe and sound. Neither he, Geppetto nor Pinocchio could be any happier.