Author's Note: Enjoy.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.
"Sorry about Angelo we should have left the minute I got the camera" Eddie spoke.
"No worries partner, we dealt with people like that before in the past especially John and Michael" Matt told the private eye.
"Is what he said true, you used to work with Toons?" Richard asked the man.
"Yes both me and my brother,that was until his death" the private eye stated.
"How did he die?" Kurtis asked.
"A demented toon killed him by dropping a piano on his head" The ex Shield agent answered before Eddie could.
"What?!" Sora exclaimed.
"That explains the empty chair I saw back in his office which is currently collecting dust," Riku commented.
"Oh God Eddie we're sorry about your loss" Kairi replied.
"Don't be, it happened many years ago and I moved on,'' Eddie said.
"Still we're sorry for what happened to him, no one deserved to die the way he did" Frankie told him.
"It's okay, anyways it's going to be dark soon and we still have to pay a visit to the Ink and Paint club later so we could find evidence of Jessica cheating on Roger" the Private eye reminded them.
"Where is Roger anyway?" Kairi asked.
"Knowing him, he must've ran to Toontown or somewhere sulking after another failed cartoon" Brer Rabbit answered.
"We'll look for him later, right now we should head for the Ink and Paint. By the time we get there it will be dark by then" Hank told them.
"First thing first, who were those people with you back when you confronted Angelo and how did you find out about the info regarding his former work? Did Tony help you?"Nate asked.
"I spoke with some toons while you guys were at the bar after I got through speaking with Stark, and when I asked them about Mr. Valiant and where his hatred for toons came from, they told me that he developed a hatred for them after one killed his brother by dropping a piano on his head when the two brothers were on a case in Toontown, needless to say I was shocked when I heard the news toons aren't created to kill their created to make people laugh so whoever killed Eddie's brother back then is not a true toon" the overwatch Agent explained.
"And who were these toons you spoke with? Seeing that there's a bunch of them in this world" Nate said.
"Popeye, Felix the cat, and Casper," Rogers answered.
"Lucky" Xander commented.
"Hey if you want to meet them all you had to do was ask Xand" he said.
"I'm surprised you were even able to understand Popeye the sailor man" Willow stated.
"What about those three that were with you when you confronted Angelo were they toons also or just locals?" John asked.
"Just some toon fans of Overwatch and the Avengers, promised them that I'll give them something once the world is done" he answered then asked.
"Any more questions?" He continued.
Once he saw everyone that shook their heads no he turned his attention to the skyline.
"Good let's head for the Ink and Paint club then see what we can find out" Hank said.
"Agreed" James said as the heroes and allies left for the Ink and Paint club.
Undisclosed location
While the heroes alongside Eddie were making their way to the Ink and Paint club, a corridor of Light manifested in an undisclosed part of Roger Rabbit's Hollywood and Cole Phelps exited it and looked at his surroundings.
"This is the place, now I just got to find the heroes, Roger and Eddie then help them stop Judge Doom and Xehanort" he said.
"You must be the one Doctor Strange sent" Bugs said as he and Daffy approached him right as the corridor of light closed up.
"Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck right, were you two waiting for me to show up here?" He asked.
"That's one way of putting it to anyone else coming or is it just you?" Daffy said.
"Just me, where can I find the heroes and Eddie or Roger?" Phelps prompted.
"We don't know where Roger is though it's possible he's still at Maroon Studios, as for the others they're heading for the Ink and Paint club we could take you there but Daffy and myself won't be able to enter it unless we're doing some kind of act or form of entertainment" Bugs told the L. A. Detective.
"So they haven't met Judge Doom and the Toon Patrol yet? That's good so that's one less problem to worry about for now" Phelps stated before adding.
"As for getting into the Ink and Paint club I have an act you two could do if you're up for it that is" he added just as the two tunes looked at each other for a few minutes before returning their attention back to Phelps.
"What needs to be done?" Daffy asked.
Ink and Paint Club Nighttime
"Knock Knock" Eddie knocked on the secret entrance to the club while the other heroes kept watch for any hostels in the perimeter just as a voice spoke from the sliding window of the club.
"Got the password?" The voice asked.
"Walt sent me," the private Eye answered. The window slid shut and the door was opened granting Eddie alongside some of the heroes and their allies access to the club before the door closed was by a bulky toon black gorilla with a gray muzzle, and wearing a black sleeveless coat, white shirt front and a black bowtie.
"Nice monkey suit," Eddie told him.
"Wise ass" Bongo said as the heroes walked down a short corridor towards a door behind it the sound of a piano could be heard playing and as they entered the main sitting area for the speakeasy an explosion of sound from the said piano reached their ears. And on a stage opposite was two looney tunes which everyone recognized as Elmer Fudd and Taz the Tasmanian Devil playing dueling pianos with numerous people seated at small round tables and being served by toon penguins which Hank and Michael along with the group recognized as the same penguins from Mary Poppins while over at the bar a toon octopus serving several customers at once.
"Ah bblba pffff" Taz said.
"Does anyone know what this Tasmanian devil is saying? Because all I hear is gibberish" Elmer asked.
"Mmm, most amusing" a woman commented while the group which was composed of the adult members of the heroes including Hank, Stryker, Nate, Richard, and Jak found a place to sit while Eddie stood and watched the events going on the stage.
"A bit more wine?" A man called to the nearest waiter while the heroes spoke and talked amongst each other while Elmer and Taz continued with their piano duel.
"I've worked with a lot of people pal, but you're worse than that rascally wabbit and Duck!" Fudd spoke.
"Growl tibb nit" Taz snarled.
"You think you'll be able to translate what Taz is saying? For I don't speak through grunts, snarls, and growls like you, your Godfather, and your brother" John told James just as Taz got angry at Elmer and started growling and snarling angrily .
"You know we rarely do that right? But if you must know, when we first entered he said knock it off implying that Elmer probably did something that caused him to mess up, and just now he called Elmer a stupid stubborn hunter at least I don't always get fooled by the Rabbit unlike you" James explained.
"Wait, you could actually communicate with and understand people through growls, snarls, and grunts?" Stryker asked.
"Come with the perks for being the Godson of the Wolverine from the X-men" the mutant replied while the Looney Tunes resumed their duel.
"This is the last time I will work with someone with a speech impediment," the hunter said.
"Daroo?" The Tasmanian Devil asked before grabbing Elmer and placing him the piano then started to play it while James translated what Taz said.
"Ooh I'm going to get you for that!" Elmer said before mimicking Taz movement while Valiant made his way to another table while a bald heavy set man dressed in a suit squirted ink on Eddie's and started giggling.
"What do you think that's funny?" Eddie asked.
"Oh, it's a panic" the man answered as he continued laughing.
"You won't think it's funny when I stick that pen up your nose" the private eye threatened.
"Now calm down son, well ya? Look the stain's gone it's disappearing ink No hard feelings, I hope look I'm…" the man said.
"I know who you are Marvin Acme, the guy who owns Toontown the Gag King" Eddie told him.
"If it's Acme, it's a gasser put it there pal" Marvin said as he held out hand Valiant reluctantly shook their hand and felt his body vibrating plus heard a buzzing sound causing the private eye to let go of the hand gasping.
"The Hand buzzer is still our biggest seller" Marvin said laughing while the music from the tunes continued to play in the background and a penguin waiter came by then gave Eddie a menu as he took a seat.
"Give me a scotch on the rocks" he ordered, the penguin nodded, then took the menu and went to put in the private eye's order.
"And I mean ice" the said private eye added as he called out to the penguin right as Taz angrily growled.
"Haboo nuz pff?" The Tasmanian devil asked.
"Had enough yet?" James translated for the others as the tunes did their last bit before their grand finale which went out with a bang from Elmer earning a series of applauses, cheers, and laughter even John and the others applauded them.
"I have to admit despite what those two be doing to Bugs and Daffy in the cartoons they certainly know how to keep people laughing" Stryker commented.
"That's why they're called Looney Tunes mate for laughter is in their description" the Aussie commented as he felt someone pulling his pants leg.
"Looks like one of the waiters wants to have a private word with you" Nate pointed out as he noticed the penguin waiter by the said Aussie's side.
"Huh?" John questioned before glancing down and indeed he did see one of the penguin waiters by his side and looking up at John with a smile on his face and he didn't seem to be holding a pen and notepad which meant it wasn't there to take anyone's order.
"It appears so, keep an eye on Stryker and Mr. Acme for me while I see what this little guy wants" he told them.
"Sure thing bub" James stated while John got up from the table and followed the penguin.
"Uh should one of us follow them and keep an eye on him in case it's a trap or something" Daxter spoke as the ottsel appeared on Jak's shoulder.
"John can handle himself Dax plus he met one of those penguins before so that's unlikely to ever happen" Jak told his friend.
"Cigars? Cigarettes? James R Wolf Howlett" a female voice said, coming to the hero's table.
"Betty Boop?" The fable questioned facing the toon.
"Long time no see my big bad Wolf" Betty told him with a wink.
"Wh-wh are you doing here?" The son of Bigby Wolf and Snow White asked.
"Work's been kinda slow since cartoons went to color on this world but I still got it James Boop boop be-doop, boop" Betty answered.
"Yeah you still got it" The mutant replied simply as a variety of applause occurred along with catcalls he also noticed Marvin Acme was suddenly smiling ear to ear.
"What's with them?" James asked, gesturing to the table where Marvin and Eddie were sitting.
"Mr. Acme never misses a night where Jessica performs," Betty answered.
"Got a thing for rabbits eh?" The detective said as he and the others at his table turned their attention to the stage where Jessica would perform expecting an anthropomorphic rabbit to step onto the stage instead they saw a tall busty green eyed woman with long red hair dressed in a glittering red dress and high heels then started to sing.
'You had plenty of money in 1922 you let other women make a fool why don't you do right like some other men do' Jessica sang as she walked along the stage with the men sending catcalls her way.
'Get outta here get me some money too' the woman continued.
"She's married to Roger Rabbit?" James asked mouth agape.
"Yeah what a lucky girl" Betty replied before closing the fable's mouth and walking off with a sad expression while Jessica continued her song.
'Now if you had prepared twenty years ago you wouldn't be wanderin now from door to door why don't you do right like some other men do Get outta here Get me some money too why don't you do right like some other men do' the toon finished before returning backstage while cheering and wolf whistles were heard.
"That was Jessica Rabbit? She was ugh I can't believe I'm about to say this but she was kinda hot" Kurtis commented.
"Don't get any ideas Stryker this is Roger Rabbit's wife we're talking about here and after a performance like that especially with the song she sang, I doubt she's cheating on Roger with another person or is the one responsible for her husband's failed performances at Maroon Studios there's something else going on in this world and Miss Rabbit's song proved that" the fable told them.
"He's right there's more to this than we think and it all points to Cloverleaf and most likely Maroon Studios" Hank stated.
"Okay I see your points but what does Jessica's song have to do with Cloverleaf and Maroon Studios?" Jak asked.
"It's in the lyrics bub you see the original song tells of a woman who is complaining about her destitute partner's lack of ability to make some money. For the topic of financial woes was a common theme during the Great Depression and prohibition eras" James explained.
"And since Jessica doesn't seem like the kind of person to pull that off a bigger player is in the game but the question is who" Nate spoke.
"I have an idea but we need more clu" James cut himself off when a loud sound reached his ears while patrons all around were either oblivious or too caught up in their own conversations even Bongo the Gorilla was missing from his post.
"That came from the kitchen" Kurtis commented just as he shot up from the table and rushed to the source of the sounds.
"Stryker, wait!" Hank tried to stop him but the cop had already disappeared behind the kitchen doors.
"Damn it, we need to go after him who knows what trouble he could get himself into especially with his condition" the overwatch agent told the others.
"We have bigger problems pal Eddie and Mr. Acme is no longer at their table, not only that, but we also have a giant Heartless sighting in downtown Los Angeles to deal with" the young Treasure hunter told them while showing a message he just received on his phone from Cole.
"Eddie and Mr Acme probably went backstage after Jessica's performance so Eddie could get the pictures for R.K. Maroon while Marvin went to congratulate her on their performance tonight as for the giant heartless situation in Downtown LA we can't leave without John or Stryker not to mention we haven't met our ally who's going to be helping us in this world yet" James stated.
"He's right we haven't even heard back from Bugs and Daffy yet I wonder where they're at and hope they haven't gotten into any trouble or anything" The overwatch agent commented.
"I wouldn't worry about Bugs and Daffy, those two are perfectly fine but I do suggest we grab Stryker and John before we deal with the giant heartless problem in Downtown LA" the fable told them while gesturing to a sign on the stage that read "Tonight only! Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck would return to the Ink and Paint Club for one performance that you won't forget featuring Elmer Fudd and the rest of your Looney Tune pals!"
"Hm I wonder what they're doing for their performance and with the rest of the Looney Tunes as well" Michael spoke as he appeared with Andy Beast and by his side.
"I thought you two were going to wait outside the club with the others. How did you even get in here? The door could only be open if you knew the password and not to mention Bongo is nowhere to be found the toon ape is going to get himself fired" James said.
"I got tired of waiting so I wanted to tour the place and see what it has to offer while Andy wanted to speak with Johnny boy about something" Michael told them.
" As for how we got in we kinda snuck in via the backstage door" Andy admitted sheepishly.
"As long as you didn't get caught or did something to get us kicked out of the club/Speakeasy then that's fine but John isn't here right now kid for one of the waiters took him off to somewhere I don't know when they'll be back or if they're back already" Howlett told the purple manster and partner of John.
"Was the waiter one of the penguins from the animated segments of Mary Poppins and during the song Jolly Holiday?" Smith asked.
"Yeah how did you know?" Nate asked the Harry Flynn lookalike.
"Let's head for somewhere more private I'll explain more then" Michael told them as he led the others to a more private area of the club/speakeasy.
"Why do I get the feeling that what you're about to tell us isn't going to end well?" Daxter spoke as the heroes found a private part of the club far from eavesdroppers and bugged locations plus onlookers.
"Most of the conversations I have usually do. I'm the nephew of Sandy Shore's most unhinged person after all but I assure you what I'm about to tell you has a good ending Johnny and I even made some friends and allies during this and whether Dr. Strange is going to send them to help us in later worlds or not is up to them" the young man told them.
"We're listening" Hank started with arms folded across his chest.
"Well as all you heard back when we first met in Brer Rabbit's Briar Patch, John and I been thieving across worlds among other places before we had our fallout back in our thieving days and these worlds include Cherryton Academy (anime version), Faerûn, The City, Silent Hill, Carey Ohio, Columbia, Los Santos, my uncle's world Sandy Shore's which is part of Los Santos, The Big Apple, Kingdom of Monsters, Hawkins, Aperture Labs, the World of DOTA (DOTA Dragon's Blood), Arcadia Oaks, Amity Park, the Boiling Isles, Pandora, Jump City, and Salem just to name a couple Michael began. But that's not where we met those bowtie wearing Penguins, we met them in another world known as Cherry Tree Lane where we also met Mary Poppins, the Banks family, and Bert. However while we were being Robin Hood and Little John in other worlds we actually decided to help out the heroes in the worlds I mentioned Cherry Tree Lane included and those bow tie wearing penguins that are out there waiting tables all seem to appreciate everything both John and I did for them and the Banks family especially with Mary's and Bert's assistance" Smith concluded.
"Wait, you guys were actually helping out the heroes of their worlds like Sora? No wonder why every hero or heroine plus ally we met seem to recognize John well most of them I guess the same has been for you after your fallout with him before being reunited again but if I may ask what kind of problems were the heroes of each world facing that you and John had get involved with so much to meddle in the affairs of other worlds even if it was before John became a keyblade wielder also what were their names?" Nate asked.
"Well that depends on which world you want to learn about first I did give quite a lot of them to you after all" the nephew of Trevor Phillips reminded.
"Start with Cherryton Academy then continue from there for that sounds like a school based world" the overwatch agent commented.
"Heh I figured you would want me to tell you them in the same order I listed them but yes Cherryton Academy is a school based world in fact it takes place in a modern world of civilized anthropomorphic animals with a cultural divide between Carnivores and Herbivores also eating/devouring meat which always came from other anthropomorphic animals is strictly illegal so if you were born a carnivore on that world you would have to either keep your fangs in or head for the Black Market or even join the Shishigumi to eat meat, the hero we met there was a large gray wolf named Legoshi and we had to help him twice first time it was to save a white Dwarf rabbit name Haru he developed feelings for from the Shishigumi, the second was to help solve the murder/devouring of Tem an alpaca he's been friends with since Drama Club it took Legoshi a lot detective work and training plus side jobs with Dr. Gohin a giant panda he met during an accidental visit to the Black Market to solve it but we eventually found the culprit who turned out to be a big brown bear named Riz who apparently skipped his meds to show Tem the real him which ended with him accidentally devouring the alpaca in Lecture Room 2 however instead of turning him into the police Legoshi decided to fight him on New Year's Eve course this wasn't the first time we've seen the gray wolf fight it happened before first was when him and the drama club had a rehearsal after one of the students Louis a red deer collapsed on stage due to an injury he received a couple of nights ago mainly the night Legoshi met Haru and almost devoured her before regaining his senses and stopped himself. As soon as the curtain fell, guy was hospitalized for weeks while Bill a bengal tiger and another member of the drama club served as his understudy Legoshi on the other hand had to take Bill's place and when the day of the rehearsal came, things got violent fast, the two fought in front of the audience who obviously weren't fans of Bill's take on Adler both of them were able to make it alive with a few scars thanks to Louis intervention. The second time we saw Legoshi fought was when John and I along with Dr. Gohin helped him with the Shishigumi to save Haru from being eaten by the former boss to the gang and let me tell you something about that canine kid he'll the protect herbivores and his friends plus Haru no matter what even if it means putting his own life on the line or taking on a fellow predator five times his size not to mention that he's pretty strong to" Michael explained.
"Given the way you describe him I am actually curious if Stephen really is going to send him to help us in later worlds along with the other heroes you and John met and help in their worlds" James spoke while rubbing his stubbled chin, a habit he picked up from his dad.
"As I said earlier it up to them whether Dr. Strange sends them or not besides I haven't told you about the others and their worlds or what happened to Legoshi after his fight with Riz on New Year's Eve yet but I suppose that could wait we do have a keyhole to find and seal plus a giant heartless is still wreaking havoc in Downtown Los Angeles after all and who knows maybe Strange and the other allies who hasn't been sent yet is probably already out there recruiting Legoshi and the other heroes/allies Johnny boy and I met in those worlds I mentioned as we speak for didn't he always have a way with knowing things like Yen Sid?" the sociopathic young man asked rhetorically as he started to walk out the club with one hand in the suit pocket while his right hand was hanging to the side; the others soon followed after him after leaving tips on both Valiant's and their tables before exiting the Ink & Paint Club and met up with the others outside.
"There you guys are what took you so long and where are John and Stryker for Foxy was about to rush inside to jump scare everyone in there" Sora spoke.
"Sorry we lost track of time plus Michael was telling us an interesting story about one of the worlds he and John visited in their glory days before their fallout and the heroes they met and helped them with their world problems similar to what you do in your previous journeys" Hank told him.
"Is that right? well guess it was only a matter of time before yew mates found out anyway" John's voice called out before a corridor of light opened up and the Aussie walked out of it with Stryker's arm wrapped around his neck.
"Uh what happened to you two?" Clawd asked.
"I'm not sure about Kurtis for I found him in the Club's kitchen unconscious as soon as I got back from a reunion of the sorts with the penguin waiters and some old friends/allies before being attacked by some neoshadows and Dusks which I took care of them as for myself other than returning from the said reunion and dealing with the dusks and neoshadows I had to make a quick stop back home to grab a few things" John answered.
"Well since we're all here now minus Eddie who would meet us back at his office once he turned in the photos to RK Maroon, in the meantime we should get to Downtown Los Angeles as soon as possible so we could stop the giant Heartless" Riku spoke.
"Agreed but first we should get Stryker to the hospital or back onboard the Titan so he could recover from any injuries he received before becoming unconscious for he's in no condition to fight at the moment he also needs to be watched in case he undergoes any changes" Nate told them.
"Xander and I can take him back to the Titan while the rest of you will deal with the Giant Heartless in Downtown Los Angeles, for I know a couple of healing spells plus we might be able to figure out what's going on with him" Willow volunteered.
"Alright just keep us posted and if you notice any new changes in him while watching him let us know immediately." Rogers commented.
"Got it" Xander replied and with that said the two scoobies along with the unconscious Stryker were beamed up on to the Titan while the remaining heroes left the club and went to search for the Giant Heartless and as they walked the streets of Los Angeles John joined his partner's side then asked.
"So what all did yew tell them?" He asked while gesturing over to James, Nate, Hank, Jak, Daxter, and Andy.
"Not much I just listed a couple of the world's we've visited in those days even told them about Cherryton Academy and what we did there including meeting Legoshi and helping him with Haru and solving Tem's murder among other things you should have been there, James seem to have taken an interest in him for he was curious if Strange was going to send him along with the other heroes/heroines we helped in their worlds but I didn't get the chance to tell them about the other worlds and their heroes" the said partner answered.
"Don't worry you'll get the chance next time and I'll help you out, hopefully, as for Stephen what if I told you that he is doing exactly what you told them for he appeared to me in astral form and told me that he was sending the allies who hasn't been sent to assist us yet to recruit those heroes/heroines/allies we helped in the past including Legoshi he's even going to be the first one to recruit before moving to the the others especially since he's considering on leaving school after his fight with Riz and because of the whole criminal record he received after devouring Louis leg/foot with number 4 during the fight despite being cleared of all charges after the testimonies when both him and Riz were arrested so James just might get his wish" The Aussie whispered.
"Who is he sending to recruit him? We haven't met that many anthropomorphic animals in our travels John you know that" Michael pointed out in the same whispered tone.
"True but there's three that Jak and Daxter know and of course there was that fox we met who was also a spy along with those other anthropomorphic animals we met with along with Donald's nephews, uncle and sister so Stephen would most likely send one of them" Flynn said as the group continued to Downtown Los Angeles.
"Well whoever he sends to recruit him along with the others I just hope he told them how their worlds work otherwise they're going to be completely lost and confused" the nephew of Trevor Philips remarked.
"He always did have a way with knowing things like Yen Sid so he most definitely did" the man replied.
Author's Note: Apologies for the very long hiatus on this story I've been busy with other things plus I had new ideas popping up but now that those things have been taken care of this story along with some others would updated or posted on daily basis or take time before they're published for gotten into other fandoms but I'll still be providing updates to this story and the others but till then I'll see you next chapter where the heroes take on the giant heartless and Stephen starts sending the allies that haven't been sent to assist yet to recruit the heroes/heroines/allies Michael and John met in their past travels.