A/N: My sincere apologies, but for the purposes of future suspense and the fact I've let you almost catch up to the amount I've actually written, the next few chapters including this one will alternate between the groups of characters. For the last few, I simply split a line so you could see what Mr Wonka/Edward and Jack/Ichabod were up to but for reasons that will hopefully make sense, I'm splitting each 'scene' into a chapter. Unfortunately, this may make some appallingly short (ie this one) so sorry about that. So if you're wanting to know what's going to happen to the poor pirate and detective, you'll have to wait alternate updates. Oh I'm so cruel. If/when the charries meet up again, the style will revert.

Extra note: I wasn't going to inform you guys, but -and no whingeing please ;) - Mort was the last of the Depp charries to be introduced into this story. I'm a strange girl and have this obsession that means I only include what I deem to be the worthiest characters of an epic and eccentric value. So strong is this obsession that I actually refuse to watch a movie of Depp's that is not Burton or Disney. Secret Window was a sheer accident before I developed my obsession with characters (and not in fact the dear actor himself, much as I admire his work), and I am partial to Stephen King once in a while so Mort earned his place.

Just so you know, many people think my neuroticism and stubbornness in this respect deserves me being strapped to a chair and forced to watch the rest of Depp's movies. Also so that you know, I keep a loaded pistol handy in case any of these people should locate my house.

For those of you who mainly love Ichabod, William, Captain Jack and Edward (or even Mort - bless you people who post in your reviews that you hope he's going to be okay!), you have nothing to worry about. Or do you...? Muahahaha...(coughs and splutters) All right, enough already, enjoy this short commencement to some smaller chapters...


William marched through one of the many mazes of corridors, Edward scuttling not far behind.

"Three more turns, Mr Edward, and we can take the shortcut across the factory."

Edward struggled to keep up, hoping not to scratch the walls as he passed.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"You'll see!"

The chocolatier skipped around the third corner and halted in front of a gap in the wall. He smiled at his companion.

"Here we are," he said gleefully. "My trusty mode of transport, the Great Glass Elevator!"

Mr Wonka stepped into the lift shaft – and fell several feet into a gaping void. He hit the slanted roof of the elevator face first. An Oompa Loompa wearing a yellow technician's helmet looked up at him sympathetically as he peeled his nose from the glass.

William, though he clung for dear life, still made the effort to grin weakly up at worried Edward.

"Maintenance, haha."

The Oompa Loompa inside the elevator fumbled around with some wires. There was a sharp 'fzzt' and the roof panels flipped inwards, bowling Mr Wonka to the safety of the floor.

William crossed his arms over his chest and bowed. The little orange man returned the gesture. With thanks given, the chocolatier stabbed one of the plastic buttons with his squeaky purple-coated finger and the lift moved upwards a fraction.

Having reached Edward's level, Mr Wonka encouraged him on board. No sooner had the boy stepped through the doors, they closed to behind him and the lift shot sideways.

Edward's scissors snipped thin air frantically. He staggered about the transparent elevator, clearly terrified at the speed and the fact that he could hardly see that he was standing anywhere at all.

"Whoa!" William cried. He broke his rule of no human contact, pushing Edward's arms down to his sides. "Take it easy, 'kay? It's totally safe. I'd never want anyone to fall down there…" There was a hint of untruth in his voice.

Edward bit his lip and stared into the many-coloured abyss.

"What's down there?" he spoke in a whisper.

"A whole lotta things," William replied. "More rooms, more space, tunnels to Loompaland, and beyond that, well, you can go on all the way to Minusland."

"Minusland?"

"Yeah. I wouldn't recommend it though. That place gives me the wiggins. It's one thing dealing with people, but people who don't even exist yet? Ew!" Mr Wonka shuddered before turning to the tiny technician. "Set a course for the main industry section, will ya? Next stop, the Ammunitions Department."