1Confusing the Searchers

Disclaimer: Same as before…

AN: This version of EPCOT is based off of the 1992-93 version of EPCOT.

"How did you four get into that fight again?" Kolopak said, as the ESPO guard opened the door to the holding cell containing Godfrey, D'Artagnan, Doc, and Vinny.

"I merely commented how they let trash into this place…" D'Artagnan remarked.

The four beat up Vichy French in the other cell bristled. "This ass insulted us!" One of them shouted.

"Insulted?" D'Artagnan replied, "Not hardly. I only spoke the truth."

"Gentlemen." The ESPO Chief of Police spoke, "This is a neutral ground, differences of opinion regarding government aside. I expect all parties to conduct themselves like gentlemen."

"Very difficult, if not damn near impossible for pigs to do." D'Artagnan replied with a derisive snort.

"Call me a pig will you?" the Vichy gendarme demanded.

"I'll call you worse than that!" D'Artagnan replied, "You are traitors to France…"

"We serve France."

"The French puppet government that the German swine have set up!" D'Artagnan shouted, "If you were true patriots you would join your countrymen instead of collaborating with the occupiers."

"I'd like a word with you, D'Artagnan, in private." Godfrey interjected as they were released, when they were alone he asked, "What the hell is your problem?"

"Traitors to France." D'Artagnan replied, "But I do not expect you will understand, for you are not French."

"I might ask what uniform you wear right now?" Godfrey asked.

"It is a British uniform." D'Artagnan replied.

"You serve as a member of His Majesty's forces for now, D'Artagnan." Godfrey replied, "I expect you to conduct yourself accordingly."

"Oui mon leutnant." D'Artagnan growled.

Godfrey fixed him with an equally determined stare, "Your disdain for collaborators in ranks, notwithstanding, you will keep the fact that we are on neutral ground in mind. Do we understand one another?"

"Yes sir." D'Artagnan replied.

"So who is this Dreamfinder, Donald?" Prue asked as the four of them continued their trip to the World of Motion. The Universe of Energy fellows hadn't been much help. The animatronic dinosaurs were entertaining, sure, but that was about it.

They walked towards a stainless steel, wheel shaped pavilion. The sign "World of Motion" was visible as they fell into the line.

"Most think he's an ordinary person, a fat guy with a big imagination," Donald replied, "But he's more than that. He's like a muse, he inspires thoughts and imaginings, he helps nurse dreams into being."

"So he basically built this place?" Prue asked.

"No," Donald replied, "The leaders of the nations represented here all had a hand in it, even Germany's old democratic Weimar Republic. The Dreamfinder inspired them to build a neutral ground where intellectual and scientific curiosity could flourish."

"It hasn't been working well." Prue observed, as they walked onto the moving platform and two American Military Policeman (MP) with carbines walked by.

"Sadly the war's touched here too." Donald replied, "There is the EPCOT Neutrality Treaty, which limits the number of soldiers any nation can have here."

The ride began and Prue couldn't help but relax and be amused by the portrayals human transportation, the caveman blowing on his foot, the sea captain gazing into the eyes of a sea monster, the half finished Mona Lisa painting...

The ride concluded and Prue blinked her eyes as they walked into the bright sunshine outside. This wasn't bad as far as searches went, despite the cloudy day outside and the presence of armed soldiers.

"Any luck?" Prue asked several hours later as the groups met back at the Morrowind.

"If these four hadn't gotten into a fight, we might have had an easier search of it." Kolopak replied gruffly.

Indeed D'Artagnan, Godfrey, Vinny, and Doc looked like they'd exchanged fisticuffs. "If you're looking for a chief culprit." Vinny began, pointing at D'Artagnan, "Blame this idiot!"

"Idiot? Idiot?" The bearded Frenchman shouted at the Italian, waving his arms, "You got into that fight too!"

"That was only because you dragged us into it!" Vinny replied.

"Both of you bloody stop!" Godfrey ordered.

"You're one to talk!" D'Artagnan reported, "I saw you put an elbow right into that Vichy pig's eye socket!"

"That was because you started the bloody fight to begin with! It had already escalated!" Godfrey snapped back.

"Will you three quit going at it like a trio of hyperactive cranky preschoolers, you're giving me a migrane!" Andy replied.

Kida came into the lounge with Lal wailing in her arms, "Now look what you've done, you just woke up the baby!" Milo shouted.

"If our French friend here hadn't started shouting, it wouldn't have happened." Vinny heatedly commented.

"Blame the French for everything why don't you?" D'Artagnan replied, "You damned Italian!"

"No, I'm not blaming the French, I'm blaming you!" Vinny replied.

"Well you can go take your inventions and shove them up your..." D'Artagnan replied.

"ENOUGH!" Kida shouted, and she spoke softly but in a no less reprimanding tone, "I would advise you gentlemen to be quieter next time, because if you wake my baby one more time with your arguing you are going to find something out..."

"And that would be?" D'Artagnan replied.

"Just how dangerous a mother protecting her offspring from predators can be." Kida replied, "Or in this case obnoxious assholes of any nationality."

"I'd love to see you try..." D'Artagnan grumbled.

Kida jumped into the air and kicked out her right leg, swinging it toward's D'Artagnan's head, knocking his cap off and rustling his hair.

"Point taken." Vinny replied.

"Good." Kida replied.

"Prue," Andy said, "I need to talk to you for a little bit..."

"Sure," Prue replied.

"Alone." Andy replied. Godfrey nodded and walked off.

Godfrey had walked across the tarmac to the nearby gymnasium. He locked his bag in a locker, and clad only in his swimming shorts he leaped into the pool and began to start swimming laps. There was something inherently soothing about water, about letting it cover him over entirely, feeling its cold embrace. He swam several powerful strokes, starting on yet another lap.

As soon as this fifty meter lap was finished he rested at the side of the pool when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Nigel, Prue's Whitelighter standing there.

"Getting a little exercise in, are we?" Nigel asked.

"Of course." Godfrey replied, "There's something soothing about water..."

"Prue could well be needing your help right now." Nigel observed.

"After nearly speaking my mind on a few occasions I've vowed to keep my nose out of Prue and Andy's affairs." Godfrey replied.

"Discrete as always, Godfrey." Nigel replied, "But I'm not asking you to spill your heart out to Prue, that's the last thing she needs right now."

"I'm glad we agree," Godfrey replied, positioning his feet on the walls of the pool, about to push off for yet another lap.

"And I recall you havingbeen quite a fan of the Bohemian ideals during your university days. What were they again? Truth, beauty, freedom, and love?" Nigel asked.

"Those were days long past." Godfrey replied.

"Are they. Truth you sought daily as a police officer in Mayapore. Beauty is something you can appreciate, and not simply Prue you understand. Freedom is what you joined the British Army to defend. And love is something you have."

"Last time I checked." Godfrey replied, "Prue was with Andy."

"I was referring to the love you have for your crewmates, Prue included. And their friendships with you, especially that friendship you have with Prue. She will be needing your support." Nigel replied, "I only ask as her Whitelighter, and as her friend, that you not push her away. Unless you want to end up frigid and unhappy like the Duke from that novel of the Moulin Rogue you still reread occasionally."

"I can only imagine what she thinks of me." Godfrey replied, treading water about eight meters away from the edge of the pool.

"You underestimate your worth." Nigel replied, "Prue may be head over heels in love with Andy, but sadly his time is short. Remember that lovers come and go but nothing can replace a good friend."

Nigel orbed out and Godfrey swam back to the pool's edge. He ran to the locker room, dried off, got back into his uniform and raced back to the Morrowind.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" Prue asked Andy.

I can't do it...No, I have to do it. I owe that much to her. Andy thought. "Prue, remember how Maleficent brought me back?"

"Vividly." Prue replied, "Andy, if you're worried that you're going to turn evil just because Maleficent..."

"No, Prue, it isn't that." Andy replied.

"Then what is it?" Prue asked.

Andy took a deep breath before he spoke, "Please let me finish. Promise me you won't interrupt."

"I won't." Prue replied, as Andy took her in his arms.

"Maleficent told me something about my creation. That necromancers can create two kinds of clones. A Type A that lives for one hundred years and a Type B that lives for two weeks." Andy replied.

"Unless you wanted to tell me you're worried that you'll outlive me by a few decades, I'm guessing you're a...Type B..." Prue replied, blinking.

Andy nodded silently, "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner..."

"That means you have only...Oh my God..." Prue moaned, "Less than nine days to live?"

"Yes." Andy replied.

"And you chose now to tell me?" Prue replied, breaking away from his embrace, a wounded look on her face.

"Prue, I didn't know about that until I told Maleficent it was off!" Andy protested.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Prue began, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"I don't know, Prue, something like this isn't something you slip in casually in conversation." Andy replied, "Hi honey, pass the butter. Oh by the way I have only nine days left to live."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth Andy thought. Why did I just act like such an ass to the woman I love?

Prue replied heatedly, "You could have been a lot more honest with me about this!"

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Andy snapped back.

"Overreacting? I don't think so!" Prue replied, angrily, "First you tell me that you're going to die in nine days. Oh, and what's worse you don't tell me about it."

"Prue..." Andy began.

"Andy, I don't know what to say..." Prue replied, as she left the room, a choked sob in her throat.

Andy sat down on the bed of the quarters they shared, and buried his own head in his hands.

Godfrey walked aboard the Morrowind, the ship was largely darkened because everyone was asleep save for whoever was on night watch. He heard the sound of sobs from the lounge and he walked in, slowly. He saw Prue sitting on one of the couches.

"Hey," he said, gently, "Do you mind if I sit down?"

Prue didn't respond and Godfrey replied, gently, "If you'd rather be alone, I understand."

Godfrey turned to leave when Prue said, "No, wait..."

Godfrey turned and sat beside Prue. She turned towards him, her eyes reddened and he gently dried her tears. "What happened?"

"Andy..." Prue replied, "He's dying and I can't do anything for him..."

"Have you tried speaking to Nigel?" Godfrey asked.

"He told me that the Elders won't do anything about it." Prue replied, sniffling.

"I'm sorry about Andy." Godfrey replied, "I know he and I have had our differences, but for what it's worth..."

"I couldn't have asked for a better friend than you, Godfrey." Prue replied.

"I'm glad I could help." Godfrey replied. A friend is what she needs right now. Calm the hell down!

"It just hurts so much, to know the Elders won't help him." Prue replied, "And to lose him again. You'd think it wouldn't hurt as badly as the first..."

"Prue," Godfrey replied, "For what its worth, to feel makes us human, even if it does hurt to do so occasionally."

"Did you make that up?" Prue asked.

"No, it's an old Welsh saying." Godfrey replied.

"Next thing you know, you're going to say 'To be or not to be' is also Welsh." Prue replied. Alan Godfrey, how do you manage to get a smile out of me no matter what state I'm in?

"You forget I'm half English as well." Godfrey replied.

"Before we get too far off topic, I shouldn't have gotten so upset with Andy." Prue replied.

"You just found out some distressing news, its perfectly natural to be upset." Godfrey replied.

"I just hurt Andy when I left the room..." Prue replied.

"He'll forgive you. It would be best that you patched things up between each other, if I may." Godfrey replied.

"You're right." Prue replied, "We have to patch things up. I love him and we have to patch things up."

Victor Garibaldi heard more grumbled complaints from two other Italians of his Bersaglieri unit. For his part, he agreed. They shouldn't be out here chasing a fat bearded dreamer. He believed they should be in North Africa or any front where Italian soldiers were giving their lives.

Sergeant Lorenzo Capiari trotted alongside his long limbed officer and said, "Sir, the last patrol has finished searching the woodland sector. So far nothing."

"Tell first squad and half of second squad to stay out there. Let the other half of second squad and third rest for a few hours." Garibaldi replied.

"Yes sir." Capiari replied, his short, stocky form disappearing into the night.

A German Hauptmann approached just then, demanding, "Why is half your platoon leaving, lieutenant?"

"I sent them back to the barracks for some rest, and that they may shore up security. Rumor has it that Allied Intelligence might just be planning an operation in our pavilions." Garibaldi replied.

"The Dreamfinder's capture is the top priority." The German replied.

"Sir, my men are exhausted from these numerous search operations plus patrols. I have assigned some to rest, so that they may have fresher eyes than their peers." Garibaldi replied.

"No wonder we never succeed with Italians on any front. We Germans are far tougher..."

The German captain walked off and Garibaldi scowled at the arrogance of his own allies. Yes, his own forces had suffered their share of defeats, but that wasn't the fault of the individual soldiers as this condescending, arrogant ass was implying. That was more the fault of the officers, who rarely if ever ventured from their bunkers to accompany their men into an operation.

"We need all the men we can, because Imhotep has declared that we must find the Dreamfinder before the crew of the Morrowind." The German replied.

"Yes sir." Garibaldi replied. The last time I checked Germans complained too.

The Dreamfinder could hear them coming closer and closer. He crept low in the drainage ditch, a glimmer of hope befalling him. The Morrowind? His old friend Kolopak and his crew with its new additions? He hid until the grumbling Italians walked by. He had to make contact with the Morrowind's crew.

"Why bother with holding that pathetic Neutrality Pact?" Oogie Boogie protested, "We need to capture the Dreamfinder."

"Why a fat and bearded Dreamer is that important anyway is beyond me." Jafar replied, "We have more than enough magic on our side."

"The Dreamfinder's power is to inspire the Imagination." Oogie Boogie replied, "And maybe he could inspire a way for us to try and stop the Keyblade Wielder and the Charmed One. By inspiring our imaginations and make us grow more powerful."

"That may be true." Jafar replied, glaring at Imhotep, "But that's not going to be possible if we don't have him."

"If somebody would use Heartless instead of relying solely on the human allies we have..." Oogie Boogie added.

Imhotep glared back at both of his colleagues, "If we violate that world's neutrality, there could be consequences."

"Pagh!" Jafar replied, "We are powerful enough as is..."

"Silence, all of you." Maleficent said.

"The Source has grown rather impatient. He wants our help." Oogie Boogie began.

"FOOL!" Maleficent said, "You have been consulting with the Source without my permission."

"If we can add his army of demons to our force we will be unstoppable!" Oogie Boogie replied.

"And after we take these worlds," Maleficent added, "With the help of the Source, what do you thing will become of us?"

Before any of the villains could answer, Maleficent continued, "The Source does not like to share power. If we align with him he will kill us all and bring the Heartless under his sway."

"We control the Heartless!" Oogie Boogie replied, "We could summon swarms that can overrun him and his closest followers. His lower level demons will be ours!"

"The Heartless consume the careless, Oogie Boogie, take care to remember that." Imhotep interjected.

"Is that why you're unwilling to use them in EPCOT!" Jafar sneered, "I thought it was just because you're led about by your little wench Anck-su-namun..."

At this Imhotep used his power of telekinesis to fling Jafar's staff into his chin. "Speak of my love in that way again, and I assure you the loss of your teeth will be the least of your worries!"

Jafar launched a force bolt at Imhotep that slammed him against the wall. "ENOUGH!" Maleficent roared angrily, "Divided against each other makes us vulnerable!"

"He is right." Maleficent began.

"So if we overuse the Heartless we in turn will be consumed." Imhotep replied, and glaring at Oogie Boogie, "And if some of us get impatient and confer with the Source before we are ready to try and take on the Power of Three, we will be destroyed."

"We must stall for time yet make sure the Source is appeased." Maleficent finally said.

"What of the Charmed One? Prue Halliwell is a problem now that she has teamed up with Sora." Jafar replied.

"She is of no concern." Maleficent said, "The death of her beloved Andy will paralyze and destroy her."

"Can you be sure." Imhotep replied, "Why not simply destroy her directly?"

"She is a Charmed One. Other forces of good will intervene." Maleficent replied, "Andy's death devastated her to begin with. He is her greatest weakness."

"But we're not sure how or even if that will be the case." Imhotep replied.

"You of all people know what power love for another can have. Or how vulnerable it can make you." Maleficent said, "Prue is vulnerable just due to her love for Andy. Just give it less than nine days and she will no longer be a thorn in our side."

A loud screech filled the unknown room. And a banshee appeared in the room, "Compliments of the Source." A voice added.

"Who are you?" Imhotep demanded.

"I am Shax, and I thought I destroyed this particular witch."

"You did." Maleficent replied, "The Elders reincarnated her to be a thorn in our side."

"It is no matter." Shax replied, and indicated the banshee, "She will home in on the pain when the time is right."

"I thought they had vanquished you." Imhotep replied, "Shortly after their half-sister Paige joined them and reconstituted the Power of Three."

"Maleficent rescued me from that hellhole dimension where all vanquished demons are exiled." Shax replied, "I thirst for vengeance."

"On who's side are you?" Jafar sneered suspiciously.

"I have little love of the Source." Shax replied, "I was used and vanquished, not properly supported by the Source or forewarned about this new Power of Three."

"I don't trust you." Jafar replied.

"I trust no one..." Shax replied.

"Good enough for me." Jafar replied.

Nigel orbed into the Manor's living room. "Leo?" Piper said, looking up from her book and a cup of tea in the evening time.

"Sorry my dear, wrong Whitelighter." Nigel replied.

"Apparently." Piper replied, "Unless Leo grew six inches, got silver hair and a mustache and dresses like an old Englishman with a walking cane."

"What are you doing here?" Piper asked.

"There's a bit of a problem developing." Nigel replied.

And then another Whitelighter orbed into the room. "Leo." Piper said, throwing her arms around her husband.

"Nigel, what are you doing here?" Leo asked, as he returned Piper's embrace.

"Prue," Nigel replied, "She'll need your support, now more than ever."

"What's happening to Prue?" Leo asked.

"Remember how Prue told you that Andy was brought back?" Nigel replied.

"Yes?" Piper replied, "And what does that have to do with why Prue needs help?"

"My dear, let me finish." Nigel replied, "The Necromancy spells create two types of clones when a soul is stolen. There is a Type A that lives for 100 years, and a Type B that lives for two weeks."

"OK, so Andy's a Type B clone?" Piper replied, just as Phoebe walked into the room.

"Rewind please?" Phoebe asked.

"Andy's lifespan is only two weeks." Piper replied.

"Prue is going to be devastated." Phoebe replied.

"So why would Maleficent bring Andy back in the first place?" Phoebe asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Nigel asked, "Prue was at her most vulnerable when Andy died."

"How can we help her?" Piper asked.

"By being as supportive of her as possible." Nigel replied, "Sadly you've got other concerns here."

"I'll call Paige." Phoebe began and headed into the kitchen.

"Leo," Piper said, "I feel so helpless. I mean why can't we go over there and teach Maleficent a lesson."

"You're needed here. Because when, not if, the Heartless come, your importance can't ben measured." Leo replied.

"But what about Prue?" Piper asked.

"When she astral projects over here, you'll know what to do." Leo replied.

Phoebe walked in just then, "Paige will be here in an hour. I filled her in on everything."

"Good." Piper replied.

"I'd best be going..." Nigel replied, and orbed away.

Just then, Prue astral projected into the living room. Her face was still red, from crying, and obviously she was in pain.

Piper and Phoebe raced over to their sister and promptly threw their arms around her. "Prue, we heard..." Piper began.

"I can't believe he didn't tell me sooner." Prue sobbed.

"He was scared, Prue." Piper replied, "Or he didn't believe it."

"I can't believe I'm going to lose him again. And the Elders won't do anything about it..." Prue began, wiping tears away.

"We're here for you," Phoebe said, "No matter what. And from what you say of your friends on the Morrowind, they're crazy but they're a loyal bunch."

"I wish we could do something for you, or say something to make this stop hurting," Piper began, remembering how badly Andy's death had affected Prue.

"But we'll always be there for you." Phoebe added. The three sisters held each other until Prue astral projected back into her body.

TBC

Hauptmann - German for captain.

Weimar Republic – Germany's post WWI democratic government before the Nazi party took over.