CHAPTER 6
The story so far...
As if things could not get even more weirder, Joshua himself couldn't have been quite in a pickle of an unfamiliar situation once he had stepped right into the story of Toontopia. You see, what Joshua did not realize was that his new friend, Melvin, and this mashed-up world of worlds play a huge part of something quite bigger.
In case you already established earlier, this 'Toontopia' is apparently made up from the many worlds of Disney and Pixar from across time and space, such as Arendellle, Zootopia, San Fransokyo, Wonderland, Monstropolis, DunBroch, Agrabah, the Pride Lands, Atlantica, Neverland, the Kingdom of Corona, the Beast's Castle, New Mushroomton, Avalor, Radiator Springs, Enchancia, Motunui, Prydain, Metroville, Port Royal, and many more to come, with the majestic Disney Castle at its center.
Just when you and Joshua thought it could not get any weirder around this merged world, with amazing cities, enchanted castles, and wild jungles being its new neighboring districts, it gets even MORE weird. Some of the most beloved heroes, heroines, princesses, and some unlikely allies from their respective stories have all been getting to the bottom of these mysterious claims of the Creator when their home worlds were completely added it to other places in Toontopia. Ever since then, the whole event also centers on Melvin, who claims to have known the Creator, if the boy finds out more about his past, that is.
But while Joshua was busy enjoying himself in Toontopia, as well as trying to find a way back to our universe, trouble was brewing elsewhere - trouble in the form of an array of Disney's most powerful villains, such as Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, Captain Hook, Hades, Cruella de Vil, the Evil Queen, Gaston, the Queen of Hearts, Yzma and many adversaries. They did not share the Creator's interests, for they pose a threat to Toontopia's peace and planned their revenge against those who had defeated them in their past stories once they had escaped from their eternal prison.
Soon, Joshua Sumter may find himself in an epic battle between good and evil, one that will change the fate of not only Toontopia, but maybe even his new friend.
CHAPTER 7
For now, Joshua was having his own ideals. Over the course of a few days, or maybe even weeks or months perhaps, it seemed that it was the start of something new for him in the world of Toontopia! And the surprises were just set to keep on coming!
That one time, Joshua just went out for a swim in the one of the huge pools. Suddenly, the Disney princesses - Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Moana, and even Vanellope Von Schweetz - came on running down, taking off their clothes and into their swimming bathing suits once they were in another huge pool beside Joshua's.
"Hey, look! It's Josh!" Vanellope called out when the princesses noticed Joshua hiding in the waters.
"Oh, hey, ladies. I didn't know you were here," Joshua greeted them.
As soon as they became fast friends, the princesses tell Joshua that they sing about following their dreams, and maybe he should do the same.
"Sometimes a song can't start until you go someplace to reflect," Mulan offered.
"And what works for some of us is finding a body of water and staring at it," Pocahontas said, agreeing with Mulan.
"Oh really? That worked for some of you?" Joshua asked, intrigued.
"Trust me. I did that once and it worked," Vanellope nudged him, telling that thanks to their advice, she sang and dreamed about staying in a racing-game called Slaughter Race.
"I stared at a wishing well," Snow White replied.
"I stare at the ocean," Moana said.
"Horse trough," Mulan confessed.
"Soak bubbles!" Cinderella said.
"So, what you're saying is that if I stare at some water...," Joshua said.
"Important water," Ariel clarified.
"Okay, okay," Joshua said. "I'll stare at some important water, and for some reason, I'll start magically sing about my dreams? Well, thanks for the tip, ladies. I'll think about it."
"It was nice to meet you, Mr. Joshua," Aurora said.
"Best of luck finding your song," Belle said.
Joshua smiled and left the princesses as he waved bye to them.
Soon, Joshua made friends with the other Disney folks and helped them with their side-quests.
Many adventures and misadventures later, Joshua went back on track to get back to the real world, but everything he tried did not go successfully. Not to mention that in this world, all the physical rules of the real world don't count, like getting flatten and pop back up, or get blown up with air and fly around like a balloon then come back okay, and even in the real world, physical rules don't count much for him.
"I don't think my real-world body will be really jazzed about being in an animated universe," Joshua groaned, unaware that Melvin, Frank, and Selena were behind him.
"Unbelievable...I don't get this," Joshua muttered. "I understand that this animated world is a little crazy, but this is almost like something out of Battleworld from Marvel's Secret Wars from 2015. Or maybe Chronopolis from Lego Marvel Superheroes 2."
"Sounds like he had some issues," Frank said quietly to Melvin.
Joshua turned to see the three friends, startled. "Oh... I didn't see you there."
"I'm sorry to interrupt you," Melvin spoke up. "Looks like you've been a little...flabbergasted since we got here. But at least you looked happy when you're hanging out with such good friends."
Joshua looked at Melvin, "Yeah, it's true. You...got a point!"
"Maybe it is a good thing we came. If only I could see my master's face lit up like that," Melvin looked up at the sky, for it was the one thing he thought about that would make him incredibly happy.
Seeing the expression, Joshua sighed. "Alright, what is it? What's your prob?"
"I've been wondering what's been hiding in the mist that is my past."
"You mean like you don't recall anything before you met me?" Joshua blinked. "I thought we shared that story of yours at the campfire."
"We did, but I just some had gaps in mind," Melvin nodded. "I can't remember many things."
Joshua sat up. "You're kidding, right?"
"But it's the truth! We were connected."
Joshua looked over at Frank and Selene. "Did they really?" he asked as he shot a look of utter disbelief.
"He's not the only one," Frank replied. "He was my owner, and I intend to keep an eye on the boy as the Creator promised ever since."
Selena began to spoke. "I accidentally came to life because of him, even though I'm made of china. When I look at Melvin, he had this sweet little face."
"So, what? You are saying you're all connected to this Creator guy? Like you belong to him?"
Melvin nodded as he replied, "Well, if anyone knows about my past and that wishing well that brought you here, it's him."
Joshua's eyes widened when Melvin kept mentioning the Creator, the mysterious being who had made Toontopia from the beginning. According to some of Disney and Pixar characters he had met, they had recently known all about the Creator when their worlds were merged.
"So, where does he even live anyway?" asked Joshua.
"I remember our home being a big cabin where he created me and raised me for a reason, reasons I don't know yet," Melvin replied. "And to be honest, ...I could use your help."
Joshua looked at Melvin. Was he literally, asking him for help?
"What's that?" Joshua asked, smirking.
"That I could use your help?" Melvin guessed.
"I'm sorry; I couldn't hear over your plea. Could you enunciate that last part?" Joshua smiled.
"We need your help!" Selena shouted.
"Oh, why didn't you say so? Well, let me think about it... I wouldn't help you three find this Creator if my chances of going back to the real world depended on it!"
Just then, Rafiki appeared, hitting Joshua with his stick. "If you want answers, you'd best come with me."
"I thought you'd be busy at your tree in the Pride Lands," Joshua narrowed his eyes and gave Rafiki a serious look. "What makes you think we'll come with you?"
"Because... I know the Creator. He's alive, and I'll show him to you. You follow old Rafiki! He knows the way!"
Joshua groaned as Melvin, Frank, and Selena smiled.
A while later, Joshua now finds himself following Rafiki and the others through jungles, swamps, and climbed snowed cliffs. The trek was tough, but they just kept on going. Some were excited and nervous about reaching the Creator's home.
As they walked, Joshua noticed that somehow Melvin was a little...distracted.
"Uh, kid?" Joshua noticed. "You seemed bothered. What's up?"
"Nothing at all...," Melvin answered, but then sighed. "Actually, I just had a feeling of familiarity."
Joshua scoffed. "You crazy. Maybe it's one of those 'lost memories' from when you were born or something."
"I guess so."
"OK, seriously, this 'Creator' guy. Your 'lost memories'. Each tale is crazier than the last!" Joshua groaned. "I just can't read you at all... But why is the Creator so keen about you? Almost as though I'm being entangled in a mystery."
Melvin nodded in agreement.
CHAPTER 8
Many hours later, they had come to the crest of a hill, which sloped down into a large area. Beyond it lay a nice, large cabin.
At last, they came upon the Creator's home. It was a big and lovely place, and it was like something from the pages of a cabin magazine.
"Woah," said Joshua, unaware of seeing the big cabin yet. "Look at that! Who on Earth lives in a place like that?! I mean, nice digs!"
"That's...this is my home...," Melvin said as memories flooded back to him, just as Frank and Selena remembered it, too.
"Oh, talk about your fixer-upper," Joshua gushed. "You know, this Creator of yours should've been called the Decorator, because it's amazing with what he'd done with, I don't know, like such a large and modest budget!" He looked at a large rock in the hill. "I don't know about that boulder, but that is a nice boulder."
"We made it!" Rafiki exclaimed as he laughed happily. "He'll be able to help you now."
"He?" Joshua asked as he blinked, but then he remembered. "Oh, right, him."
Since Joshua never heard of the Creator when he had first arrived, every Disney and Pixar characters had learned all about him. His ideas, his wisdom, not to mention his mysterious omnipotent powers that made all this possible.
Rafiki ran up to an older man with a beard, who had just opened his door to see he brought guests as the others followed. He whispered something to the man, and he rose instantly.
The bearded man laughed, "Rafiki, you'd done a good job."
"Thank you, Creator," Rafiki smiled.
Joshua was stunned as his jaw dropped. This old, bearded guy is the Creator? He looked a little bit like Russell Crowe. "Wait, what? You have got to be kidding me. That's the Creator?!"
And thus, the guests finally made their appearance! First, a little reunion was held as Melvin and the Creator embraced.
"You... You've come back to me...," the Creator said to Melvin, tearfully. "I've longed to see you all this time. It is you!"
"Creator!" Melvin cried happily as Frank, and Selena joined in for a group hug.
The Creator then turned to Joshua. "I see that this grown man helped you. Thank you for supporting the boy, and for bringing him home to me."
"Yeah, it was nothing," Joshua flattered a bit.
"I bid you welcome to Toontopia, a realm beyond imagination," the Creator continued. "I've been waiting for you, Joshua Sumter."
"This is the part where I say, 'It's an honor', right?" Joshua replied. "So, you are the so-called creator of Toontopia, huh? But why did you sent Rafiki to get me?"
"I have summoned you, so that I may ask you...why you are here," the Creator answered.
Joshua was dumbfounded. "What are you talking about?!"
As expected, the Creator began to explain his reasons, "In creating Toontopia, I provided everything...and in turn, make everything imaginable. I give each character a reason for my actions of merging their worlds together. Well, fragments of them, because I only wanted to create a beloved magical kingdom for the characters and children of all ages, a place where happiness flourished."
"Where have I heard that before...," Joshua muttered aloud. "Anyway, does any of this have to do with Melvin? Because that kinda why we're here."
"Actually, yes. You see, I longed for a prodigy, a little somebody who will inherit all that I've done and what I've learned," the Creator continued. "So, in all honesty, this boy Melvin you've been around with...is, indeed, my clone child."
"Clone?! Geesh, talk about a major plot twist," Joshua said, rolling his eyes.
"As everything occurred, it would appear that an interloper had accidentally made its way into the story," the Creator turned to Joshua. "You."
"Are you saying...that me being here wasn't part of your story?" Joshua asked, confused.
The Creator nodded, "That's right. And so, I must ask you...exactly how did you find your way into this world?"
"Well, you see," Frank spoke up for Joshua. "He told us that he was brought here somewhat inadvertently. He was brought here by a magical wishing well. One, he claimed, that had appeared in his real world. He was led to believe that it was you had created it."
"Yeah, 'cause surely you can't deny it," Joshua nodded, smiling with satisfaction.
But the Creator gasped and lowered his head. "I'm sorry, but it would appear that I did not create it, but I've indeed found it - the wishing well you've been seeking for was actually the source of the corruption within my story."
"In other words, you consider Joshua's presence to be a slight inconvenience or maybe a hindrance to Toontopia's story," Frank replied.
"Uh, sorry, but you all kinda lost me there," Joshua called out. "You're saying my arrival here was accidental? Or planned?"
"I think it's best I filled you in on some things. Well, slightly a few," the Creator said to Joshua. "I know it must be hard for you to adjust your extended stay here after I heard all about you. A coalition of the most powerful villains are trying to change the course of my story."
"Wait, you mean the Disney villains? Like Jafar, Hades, Ursula, Captain Hook, and so forth...?" Joshua asked, making a list of villains as he tried to memorize them.
"Yes. Apparently, they hold deep resentment against me and their former enemies, and they are biding their time until they can exact revenge," the Creator continued. "If left to their own devices, it is certain they will eventually bring unimaginable calamity and suffering to my world of worlds. There is no question about it that they're the enemies of everyone here in Toontopia, for I had banished them once. But somehow, they had managed to escape from their imprisonment. So, don't forget that."
"Wow! Talk about that scenario...," Joshua said. "But, duh, they're only a bunch of powerful villains! It's what they do."
"That's kinda true," Frank shrugged.
"And now you expect me to believe that something THAT big is about to happen in any moment?! So, what?!" Joshua said to the Creator. "I mean, come on! You are the big entity that has been fabricating this entire world. From its places to its people!"
"Uh, Josh, perhaps you might want to-," Melvin tried to speak.
"Ah-ah-ah, I'm putting a little tantrum/suspicion on that right now," Joshua halted Melvin, then he turned to the Creator. "Seriously, this is the big-shot who has been merging worlds and characters from classic and timeless tales to build this so-called 'magical kingdom'. And here I thought the greenery is manufactured!" He went toward the door outside. "Now, if you'll excuse me, thank you for our time, Creator. But I am out! PEACE!"
And with that, Joshua went outside as he left the cabin and muttered. But he calmed himself down a bit as the thought of being stuck in Toontopia and not returning to his real world sink him in. He was supposed to be glad to have found the answers, but for some reason...he ain't. After all he had been through, why did he feel so...unsure?
Joshua then looked at the water, hoping to enjoy the content of peace and quiet. And then, something big and epic happened: Joshua began to sing!
OKAY. THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET REALLY, EPICALLY AWESOME.
Tilting back his head, Joshua started to warble. As he got into it, his voice grew louder. By the time he hit the chorus, every cute animal joined in, swinging their heads to the bouncy rhythm.
As Joshua continued his impromptu concert, he closed his eyes and sang the loudest. What if his princess buddies were right? What if his heart's desire was not to just find the wishing well and go back home to the real world but maybe, just maybe, it was also to somehow help save Toontopia in a climax of epic proportions? But Joshua did not realize that he was wandering around - until he opened his eyes as something in front of him made him scream loudly.
Instantly, Melvin, Frank, Selene, and the Creator heard Joshua's scream. They looked out to see what had caused their other-worldly friend to let out a frightened scream. To their utmost surprise and horror, the reason was immediately not good. A pack of wolves from Beauty and the Beast, with bare teeth and fierce eyes, were chasing Joshua.
In a blind panic, Joshua ran as fast as he could, running around. Who would send the wolves after him and his friends and why? But it did not matter, because Joshua wasn't nearly fast enough.
"He's in trouble!" Selena exclaimed.
"Back off, wolves! Get away from me!" Joshua screamed. "Shoo! Go away!"
"They found us?! I should've known," the Creator said. "I guess there's no choice..."
"Choice?" Melvin asked. "What choice...?"
"There's only but one thing left to do to save your friend and this world from danger," the Creator replied. "Listen to me carefully, you must be aware of this. I still watched over Toontopia, and the characters from other worlds dwelling there. I must relinquish all the power I have had...to you. It is time for the two of us to become one. When that time comes, I'll disappear."
"You can't mean that," Melvin said in tears. "I'm not ready."
"Please, wipe those tears," the Creator reassured the boy with a smile. "You and I will never be apart because my soul will join yours. I will always be with you."
Melvin nodded. He finally understood.
"I'm entrusting my sacred duties to you, along with everything else."
"Really?" Melvin was surprised.
"I see you must've guessed it by now. The truth of what you are, or maybe your memories had returned. I have been acted all this time as nothing but a proxy for you. But that duty is yours alone. Only you can lead everyone in Toontopia. Everyone, old and new, is in your hands."
The Creator then turned to Frank and Selene, "You two... Keep an eye on him for me."
Melvin clearly spoke up as he nodded, "I'm... I'm ready!"
Meanwhile, the wolves had Joshua cornered against a tree.
"Hello! This ain't funny!" Joshua tried to call out his friends. "I'm so done for!"
Joshua was all alone. In front of him, he could hear the wolves growing and getting closer. He grabbed a branch and swung it at them. But it was no use.
Then, suddenly, something - or rather, someone - pulled the wolves away from Joshua. He turned and was stunned when he saw who it was.
It was Melvin, using his newly found powers from his creator to hurl each wolf away. They soon slunk away, and Melvin stood on the ground, watching them flee.
"Melvin," Joshua spoke up. "That...was...awesome, man!"
Melvin smiled. "It was. It totally was."
Then, Joshua almost scowled. "I know! You totally left me hanging! I thought I was done for, but now that it's over, just go ahead and spit it out. The hair, the eyes. That unfathomable power. What happened to you back there?"
Melvin, Frank, and Selena looked at each other. It looked like they must explain a lot of things to Joshua.
CHAPTER 9
On their way back, Melvin told Joshua what had happened. Raising an eyebrow, Joshua looked over at Melvin, trying to sum it up. "You mean to tell me...that the Creator who we had just finally found was also a proxy for you? And he's been that way since you were born? And then he entrusted all of his omnipotent powers to you and then vanished..."
"Yes," Melvin nodded.
"Now that's something I'm supposed to believe," Joshua scoffed, smiling. "It's kind of difficult for me to process this or swallow it, kid. But the way you looked right now… I guess I have got believe you! I thought I had everything under control...a little bit, but had I known that you were like a clone of him and had gifted powers, I would've changed our entire strategy to something where you didn't flinch. Now I'm not going to lie to you, that trip was brutal. To think the Creator did something to you when you were born while all this began. And you said you had a connection."
"We did," Melvin replied.
Joshua shook his head and sighed, "You know what, forget it! You have said quite enough for today, Mr. Chosen-One. Word on the street is there is a party going on, and we got invited. But I rather need you to go sit on that tree, and marinate on what you've done, and prepare yourself for that, too." He pointed to a tree behind him and then he flapped down on the soft grass. "While I'm gonna lay here, rest my head, and try to shake off this whole thing."
But Joshua soon sat up a moment later because there was something on his mind that bothers him. "This all happened so suddenly... Something about this doesn't make any dang sense, nor really add up, nor even ring true!"
"None of it does," Selena replied. "so which part are you talking about?"
"How did the villains know we were searching for the Creator to begin with? Unless someone in Toontopia is..."
"You sense a rat, meaning that someone had notified the enemy of our plans." Frank guessed. "A spy, no less."
In the distance, fireworks began to explode in the sky. "Fireworks," Joshua cried. "Only thing I love more than fireworks is a party. Time's up, let's go..."
Melvin nodded, as did Frank and Selena. It was now or never.
As the fireworks continued to explode, all the Disney characters were on their way to Disney Castle for the celebration. Soon, Joshua and the others headed out toward the festivities. Walking in, they really looked around with their jaws dropped. The night sky was filled with twinkled stars, and everyone were dressed in their usual clothes with beautiful colors.
The party inside Disney Castle was an overwhelming sight of awesomeness, with music, fine food, and fire drinks. Even with Joshua Sumter himself at their side, Melvin, Frank, and Selena had never felt more excited in their lives.
"Heellllloooooooo, everybody," Joshua bellowed as he lifted Melvin up high, until he had raised Melvin for everyone to see them. "The par-tay has arrived!"
The crowd went wild.
"Now that's how you do an opening entrance," Joshua said, letting out a low whistle a moment later. Then, he spotted Grumpy, Tinkerbell, Milo Murphy and Olaf getting drinks. "They're going to get some punch. I feel a little thirsty myself."
"I've never been to a party before," Melvin said.
"Seriously?"
Melvin nodded, "Well, yeah..."
"Well, you need to go back to your room, then," Joshua replied. "You're not messing up my night." Suddenly, he began to move to the music, which made Melvin laughed. "Now, you listen to me, boy. I live in the real world, and this is a party! Do not mess this up for me, okay? I'd like to party!"
Melvin nodded as the beat of the music grew louder and louder, and Joshua finally lets himself go. Everyone let out a round of applause, just as he did his little impromptu concert like he did before. This time, it is remotely amazing.
With his performance over, Joshua began to spoke, "You can clap now."
Instantly, the Disney characters began to clap. Even the Genie got into it with excitement. They had never seen anything like that as Melvin, Frank, and Selena smiled.
"No, no, no. no. Please, please, please...," Joshua said, enjoying the spotlight. "You can all honor me later when I'm about to tell you that...Melvin is the Creator's kiddo and, uh, you should all be glad to hear that he'll be now the successor."
Everyone looked at Melvin in awe and surprise.
"So, how does he even work?" Grumpy frowned.
"You're kidding, right?" Joshua hollered at everyone. "This kid is the genuine article! You all know the Creator's the one who merged all your worlds into one. Well, Melvin is the Creator's little prodigy, his successor and all I asked for was a ticket back to the real world! Where I'm from, you're all fictional characters, beloved by children. Not to mention some grown people who have good childhoods with you. You had TV shows, action figures, and even books, and they're all famous, too. But enough about that, let this party started!"
Suddenly, Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Timon, and Pumbaa pointed something in the distance when a thunderous explosion blew out the front door of Disney Castle.
"Sorry to interrupt, but it seems some uninvited guests have arrived," Nick said as the smoke and fire cleared out.
Just then, a horde of pirates, bandits, thieves, and witches charged right inside the castle, causing a riot and a ruckus. Leading them was an entourage, or maybe an assemblance, of Disney's most biggest villains ever, including Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella De Vil, Ursula, Captain Hook, the Queen of Hearts and her card soldiers, Hades, Tamatoa, Alameda Slim, Randall Boggs, Stromboli, Oogie Boogie, Yzma, John Ratcliffe, Madam Mim, the Headless Horseman and even Gaston, along with some TV villains, like Flintheart Glomgold, the Beagle Boys, Ma Beagle, Dr. Drakken, Shego, Don Karnage, Demona, David Xanatos, Hildy and Grim Gloom, Quackerjack, Magica de Spell, Megavolt, Negaduck, and Mark Beaks.
"Don't move, all of you! If you do, your lives will be dealt with!" Jafar ordered. "Thank you ever so much for bringing us here this so far. We will now be taking possession of everything here in Toontopia...once again!"
"All these villains doing here?! Is this a prank? Because I have people who don't do jokes."
Maleficent raised a huge lit of green fire for dramatic effect. "Listen, well. All of you!"
"I knew there's something funny going on," Donald angrily yelled.
Joshua looked at the duck and remembered something. During his time, Donald told him that he had under suspicion that Pete was up to something with the banished villains, and it was not good!
"Oh my - Donald was right," Joshua said quietly, with concern in his voice and in his eyes, thinking and knowing that Donald had trusted his instincts. "The duck was right - he knew it!"
"So, they knew we were heading to the Creator and tried to come after us," Melvin assumed as he pondered. "That explains the wolves."
"Pete... Did you know about this?" Minnie asked, seeing that Pete had walked up and standing with the other villains with a satisfying smile in his proud face.
"Yes," Maleficent answered for Minnie. "In fact, he gave the signal while you were celebrating. He is our spy."
"I guess Donald was right," Daisy gasped. "There was an enemy in our midst. To think that Pete was a rat."
"Minnie, Mickey," Melvin called out to them. "It's all a lie!"
"I know! Insane, right?!" Joshua shouted. "Pete, you squalid mook!"
"No, Pete had been aligned with the villains from the beginning!"
"Spy works for me," Pete laughed. "We all got a role to play, right?"
Pluto growled at the villains, just as Joshua called out to them. "OK, I'm putting a moratorium on you villains right now! You're asking for a can of butt-whoopin'!"
"Who dares speak such utter words to us?!" Maleficent asked angrily. That made Chip and Dale pointed at Joshua, who stood before them.
"That would be me, Joshua Pharoah. Sumter," Joshua spoke up. "And I say you have got some flipping nerve to come here! So, new flash, get your villainy butts out of this castle and this world RIGHT NOW!"
That made Maleficent and the villains incredibly angry as she said to Joshua. "Must you always be so irritated, young man. For a fool, you catch on quickly, spare me your outburst... Or do you need a reminder of my power?!" She then lifted Joshua in the air with her scepter.
"Stop it!" Melvin yelled. "You're hurting him."
Maleficent and the villains glared at the boy. Then, with another wave of her scepter, she sent Joshua flying and landing with a thud on Melvin and some heroes.
"But since you're wondering, it was all MY idea, 'ya bozo," Pete said as a memory came to him. It turned out that during his times as a spy, Pete had accidentally made a portal window into the real world - Joshua's world. As fascinated by the people and events going on, including their lives as fictional stories, Pete called out to Maleficent to show her his discovery.
"What is this?" Maleficent asked, seeing the real world.
"I ain't no expert, but I think it'll help put all the pieces together," Pete replied. "Could come in handy for someone in the real world to be a pawn in our big idea, huh?"
"Indded. For once, you might be quite right..." That, in turn, gave Maleficent an idea.
Hearing Pete's story, Joshua suspect that his arrival to Toontopia was no accident.
"And there you have it!" Pete finished. "Me and my villain buddies have been waiting for this moment ever since. And lucky for us, that wishing well connects between here and that harsh-reality world of yours, Joshua. Oh, right, I mean it used to. But that was before I took control of the only way out, making sure that you are stuck here forever."
Joshua was stunned.
"It must've been come as a shock to you, for someone who'd unknowingly stand against my power...and have unknowingly walked right into the middle of the story," Maleficent smiled. Joshua heard those words before, realizing that Maleficent was the old hag who pushed him into the magic well back in the real world. It all made sense!
Maleficent then turned to everyone. "The time has come to bring our gift - our wish - to you. Because starting tonight, this whole realm will change to the place where NIGHTMARES COME TRUE!" Then, she and the assembled villains laughed manically.
But just then, Joshua halted the villains' laughter with a stern look on his face. "Okay, first of all, your so-called 'gift' is NOTHING compared to Melvin's, and he's the chosen one," He pointed at Melvin, who was about to awaken his power once he saw how upset Joshua was as he continued on, "And second, I couldn't care LESS about any of your crazy revenges, or lack thereof. So, if you're done wasting everyone's time, including mine... Grab your friends, grab your spy, and kindly GET OUT!"
Suddenly, Melvin's eyes glowed white, and his creator's power flowed inside him, just like before. "Insolence!" he screamed in an odd but godly voice. "I will not allow you to repeat the tragedy once again." He then turned to the heroes. "Everyone! Stop these villains and protect the castle! It mustn't be desecrated."
The heroes soon held their weapons for battle as Maleficent sighed. "I grew tired of this! Seize them!"
And so, a huge battle ensues as Melvin told Joshua. "Joshua, escape here at once! The villains are a threat to you and all of Toontopia!"
"Yeah, whatever you said, 'chosen one'! I'm outta here!" Joshua said, freaking out and shaking all over now that he knows the drill.
Melvin, who had returned to normal, shot after Joshua as he got up. "Joshua, wait!"
But Joshua just kept on running as soon as he went toward the exit. But it was too late because the villains spotted him.
"Oh, come on! Give me a break!" Joshua shouted angrily as he then grabbed Melvin and the others and ran out. As the battle rages on not only inside Disney Castle but outside as well, the friends ran fast as they could.
"What happened?" Melvin asked, coming to his senses.
"You went all godly-like on the villains, and ticked them off," Joshua answered. "Well, technically, I ticked them off first."
Just when they thought they were safe, the bad guys appeared, charging at them. Melvin used his powers to lift himself, Joshua, Frank, and Selena in order to escape.
Maleficent, seeing this, began to smile. "At last...This whole realm is finally ours!" Then, she and the other villains laughed in victory.
After a hard-fought battle at Disney Castle, the Disney characters were forced to retreat somewhere.
CHAPTER 10
Moments later, a full moon appeared in the night sky as its light shined upon the Creator's home, where Joshua, Melvin, and the others hid.
"We somehow managed to escape," Selena said, worried.
"I think we can organize our safe camp here," Frank nodded.
Just then, Joshua shook his head to dry himself off as he felt shocked and dismayed. "I did not see that coming! I mean, really! If anyone needs me, I'll be freaking out inside!"
Seeing Joshua entering inside the cabin to find some clues or maybe to chill out a bit, Melvin sighed, "I just hope there's enough time. I have this strange feeling... that Toontopia's story is being written. That the climax and an age of war is upon us. Let's hope I'm mistaken...or not."
A little while later, as Joshua was sitting down recounting the crazy stuff going on at the party, he heard a noise of...voices. He called out to Melvin and the others. "I thought you guys were making a campfire outside or something."
Suddenly, Joshua heard some really chattering noises and went outside to check it out. But outside was a big surprise. A really, big one.
Filling Melvin's home, as far as the eye could see, was a teeming yet endless sea of Disney characters. Big, short, tall, or small, they were everywhere, including the tents they brought with. Joshua's jaw hung open as Melvin tried to take in this crowd of guests. "Oh, my!" he screamed. "What are you all doing in our hiding place?!"
But when Joshua screamed, a few remaining heroes, princesses, heroines, and animals turned and gathered around Joshua and Melvin, recognizing them.
But Joshua was desperate to get the characters off his space, Joshua tried to back them away. "All right," he shouted, "Stay where you are! Chill the hey out!" Then, he turned his glare on Melvin, Frank, and Selena. "All right, which of you three gave away our hiding place?"
"Don't look at me!" said Frank, feeling offended. "I did none of the sort!"
Then, out of this swarm stepped Mickey Mouse, who volunteered as he and his friends went up to Melvin and Joshua. "Why, gosh, no one invited us."
"Uh, ...What?" Joshua blinked.
"We all kinda, sort of followed you here in the sky," said the famous mouse.
Noticing all the characters are looking at him blankly, seeing that they need a leader, Melvin took a deep breath and addressed the crowd, "Uh, hi... Now, uh, before we do anything else, I want to ask that if you are certain you came all this way here to join us. As expected, some or a few of your dear loved ones are still hidden in Toontopia, buying you time to escape and build their own base. Now, is anyone present?"
To answer Melvin's question, an array of heroes and heroines were all present. Behind and beside Mickey and his friends were the following: Brock Pearson, Claire Wheeler, Fairy Godmother, Merlin, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven, Mike, Sully, Boo, Hercules, Megara, Philoctetes, Pegasus, Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope, Shank, Fix-It Felix, Jr., Sergeant Calhoun, Scrooge McDuck, the triplets, Huey, Dewey, and Louie; Webby Vanderquack, Ms. Bentina Beakley, Launchpad McQuack, Lena, Violet Sabrewing, Gizmoduck, Darkwing Duck, Robin Hood, Dumbo, Timothy Mouse, King Simba, Queen Nala, Zazu, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Aladdin, Abu, Magic Carpet, Genie, Jasmine, Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, aka Eugene Fitzherbert; Maximus, Pascal, Snow White and her seven dwarf friends, Ariel, Moana, Maui, Mulan, Li Shang, Mushu and Cri-Kee, Ling, Chien-Po, Yao, Mei, Ting-Ting, Su, Pocahontas, Sofia the First, Elena Castillo Flores, Naomi Turner, Isabel Castillo Flores, Gabe Nunez, Mateo, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys; Wendy Darling and her brothers, John and Michael; Tinkerbell and her friends of Pixie Hollow, Silvermist, Fawn, Rosetta, Iridessa, and Vidia; Penny Proud and her friends, LaCienega Boulevardez, Zoey Howzer, Sticky Webb, and Dijonay Jones; Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable and his mole rat, Rufus; Lilo and Stitch, Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, The Manhattan Clan-led by Goliath and consist of gargoyles Hudson, Broadway, Brooklyn, Hudson, Lexington, Angela, Bronx, and their human ally, investigator Elisa Maza; the 7D of Jollywood, Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher, Milo Murphy, Melissa Chase, Zach Underwood, Big Hero 6 - consist of Hiro Hamada, Baymax, Gogo Tomago, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred; The Parr Family-Bob, Helen, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack-aka The Incredibles, along with Frozone; Mira, the royal detective, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, Luz Noceda, Eda the Owl Lady, and King.
"Wow! Talk about a huge roster," Selena stared in amazement.
"When I saw Joshua running on out of here, I ran as fast as I could to catch up," Brock spoke up as he and Claire went up to them.
"I hoped for us to be allies with you, Melvin, so Eugene and I will be staying," Rapunzel said as she and Eugene went up to the boy, followed by Maximus and Pascal.
"Was this a good idea? Did we even make the right choice?" Zack asked Milo and Melissa.
"You're both fine here with us," Elena reassured.
Elsa walked up to Melvin. "You're the Creator's successor now, so we're all here to guide you at this point."
Melvin smiled as he took a deep breath and spoke, "I'm glad to hear that from all of you. You see, like you, I have rose to fulfill my destiny. Thanks to the experiences I had, I cut a path that I will see to it until the end. You have witnessed your former enemies and their ambitions to use my master's powers to fabricate their own miracles, to annihilate everything he had worked so hard on, including your home worlds. I know this because he told me this before he vanished. After what you saw, is there any doubt? We are the only thing that'll stop the indomitable coalition that will soon plague this world, along with yours. We fight for all Toontopia, for all your worlds! If you walk with me, take your first step. It's now or never!"
Everyone cheered. Then, they all got to their positions as Selena went up to Melvin, smiling. "That was incredible, Melvin."
"Thank you," Melvin replied. "To be honest, I was relieved that they decide to follow me... I just hope it would come to that."
"As long as we're here, you're never alone," Frank insisted.
But then Melvin realized that Joshua ain't among them, so he went out to find him.
Joshua was already farther away from the crowded cabin earlier, muttering. "I spent the whole day for a party and now a war? I did not and will not expect this!"
Just then, Melvin followed him as he tried to speak, "There you are! Where are you going? We haven't given you a chance to offer your contribution." But Joshua did not answer. "Say something."
Joshua suddenly lifted his finger and raised an eyebrow as he finally spoke up. "Before I even walk away even further from all of this, I want to give out some little pointers."
"Josh, please. Just-"
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah," Joshua interrupted as he directed his gaze at the boy. "Your creator said the wishing well was a source of corruption. The ONE thing that could've send me home."
"He did tell you that, but-"
"You didn't tell me that I was bamboozled by the villains this whole time?!"
"But they hate my creator, and he couldn't think of something to help you!" Melvin sighed as he continued. "They thought that if you'd be stuck here, you would be a pawn to their entire plan."
Joshua could not believe his ears. The villains had brought him to Toontopia - on purpose! "I can't believe this! I have been a godforsaken idiot!"
Melvin's eyes widened as Joshua spelled it out, "That's right, a godforsaken idiot! That is what I am for buying into their garbage heap. I can't believe I missed my one chance to go back home, because now I'm dragged into this crazy ravaged war!"
"I'm sorry...," Melvin said, seeing that his new friend is upset.
"Apologizing won't solve anything," Joshua replied. "I wasn't dragged here to get my butt whooped by a bunch of villains! You and the Creator both knew the whole time, and NONE of you did anything about it! Do you think I want to help stop them, too?! Why do you think I am still here? Do you have any of the slightest idea of how much crazy stuff I have been through for the past few days or weeks right now? I could've hardly felt my real-world body!" Then he calmly sighed. "But you know what? If it weren't for them, I would be home right now. None of this would've ever happen. I'm supposed to believe in you, but now I see that the fate of everything here and now hangs on some people like you. And that, kid, is sort of terrifying."
Melvin can see that Joshua was beyond frustrated with everything that had happened to Toontopia and to himself as he continued, "Now I'm leaving because there's an array of villains who are now after me as well, all right?! And now I have to get as far away as possible from everything else while being a CARTOON! And thank you for that! Thank you very much for everything! But you know what, you stay on your side of 'Toontopia's story' and I'll stay in mine! And if you're smart, you'd at least come with me."
But Melvin shook his head. "I can't give up on my destiny."
Joshua sighed in disgust. "Look who I'm talking to," he said. "It was nice knowing you."
And with that, Joshua angrily stomped off in dismay. Melvin watched him go, not exactly sure what to do, unaware that Maleficent's raven was watching.
Joshua did not want to know the fate of Toontopia or the villains' takeover. All he cared about was getting back to the real world, to his home. And, most importantly, back to the way things were. But unfortunately, like before, Joshua had no idea where he was or where he was going. But as he took another step through the forest, he thought he heard voices when he came to a familiar spot - the very same spot he landed when he first arrived here.
"Think this is where you arrived. But I'm afraid we can't let you go back to your 'real world', now can we? It's all over!" Pete's voice echoed throughout the woods as he continued. "That wishing well isn't going to do you any good once my dear friend Maleficent is going to conquer everything."
"You really think I care about your whole crazy place to take over every place on this merged world?" Joshua replied, not in the mood for games. "I'm trying to be alone, so kindly...go away!"
But hearing Pete's laugh, however, Joshua turned, and his eyes grew wide in fear. Appearing out of the shadows were a pack of wolves, chasing after him once again.
"Not again!" Joshua screamed as he could, with the wolves hard at his feet or heels. He glanced back in terror, and just as he did, he hoped to find somewhere to hide from the wolves. Joshua screamed for help. "Melvin!"
But Melvin did not hear Joshua's scream, because he was ambushed by Maleficent. He tried to break free, but it was no use. Maleficent's voice slithered to Melvin, "You feel that dread, child? That unwary dread that has you rolling around like a serpent or perhaps a fog."
"Why are you doing this? I don't remember you," Melvin said.
"But... I know you by name. Think about it," Maleficent said. "Maybe a little bit of memory will help. That little...bonfire at your home?"
Melvin's eyes widened, remembering the fire from long ago. The fire was green, meaning that Maleficent was there.
"Aww, you finally remembered. Because I certainly have never forgotten that very moment. Your creator was magnificent, he was very elusive. A lot of crazy and foolish ideas, and he even give such many miracles to people like you!" Maleficent smirked, but then frown. "Except for those...like us!"
"That's because you were all a bunch of bad villains who were about to hurt a lot of good innocent people, and it was my master's job to help keep everyone safe," Melvin replied angrily.
"Oh, really?" Maleficent scoffed as a memory of revenge came to her. "I'd watched every single one of my villain allies all gone as your master had simply banished us somewhere completely far away. He was a fool at ridding this world of us...as he was at raising you. After all, you are nothing but a vessel."
Maleficent looked at Melvin, who looked wide-eyed. "But you should know something about all of this. Your master hit us hard, child, so I planned to hit back harder." Then, she lifted her scepter and a flash of lightning appeared as storms gathered around in the night sky, even covering the moon.
"All of this...," Maleficent said as she magically showed Melvin her old hag disguise. "...is because of you." Then, she smirked as she reverted back to her original form. "Speaking of which..."
Melvin, realizing that smile, said to himself, horrified. "He's walking into their trap. Joshua, no..."
Maleficent did not say one word. She signaled the Glooms to cast a little "spell".
"Hey! Joshua's harmless," Melvin said. "He doesn't have anything to do with all of this. He's not a real threat to you, it's me you want! Listen to me, listen to me! I didn't know, all right? You can't win! Do you hear me?!"
As if on cue, the Glooms' spell was already heading directly for Joshua as Melvin screamed. "DO NOT hurt this man!"
At the same time, Joshua came out of his hiding spot, but then he turned around to see a strange white light. "What the...?"
"Don't-don't do this! Please!" Melvin pleaded Maleficent. "DON'T DO THIS!"
"Oh my god...," Joshua gasped as he realized that that light was heading straight for him. "Are you kidding me?!"
THUMP! A bright light had flashed out elsewhere in the woods as Melvin looked on.
"NO!" Melvin screamed... just as a tear rolled in his eyes.
"Now I'm taking everything from you," Maleficent said, walking out into the darkness, leaving Melvin completely alone.
Melvin slumped over, racked with grief of losing one of his many friends. But soon thereafter, he wiped those tears and went back to his friends and the gathered characters. As events unfold, everyone soon begins to act to take back Toontopia and save their home worlds.
As for Joshua? To him, everything faded to white...
CHAPTER 11
Joshua had no idea what had just happened to him after what seemed to be a white light had knocked him out. But as he woke up, he finds himself in a familiar place. He was on his bed, filled with several of his books, a set of headphones, and both blanket throws he slept on. He looked around to see that he was back in his room, in his big house. And that could mean one thing...
"I'm... I'm home?!" Joshua mumbled as he got up on his feet. Then, he looked at his entire body, excited to see that he did not look like a cartoon anymore.
"I got my real-world body back! OH, SWEET MERCIFUL GOD, I'M BACK BABY!" Joshua laughed. Then realized something. "And I smell stink. Little bit awkward."
That's when Joshua turned to see his good ol' Jack & Jill bathroom, gleaming white, along with the shower tub. "Oh, sweet porcelain!" He cried as he then ran inside his bathroom and shut the door.
After a few minutes, Joshua emerged victorious. He had taken a shower, done his thing, and put his new clothes on, like he had done for like years or so.
"Woo-hoo! And the crowd goes wild!" Joshua exclaimed. "There he is! Joshua Sumter, back in the real world!"
Next, as Joshua was in his man-cave and relaxed a bit, he looked out the window to see it is a beautiful day as always. So, Joshua opened the front door and said out loud, "Hello, world! I am so glad to hear and see your good faces. You're not gonna believe exactly where I..." His smile faded. "...was?"
But as he looked around, there was no one here to see him. In fact, the whole world became...empty and deserted. "Hello?! Anyone out here? It's getting spooky, I ain't playing no games!"
Just then, a rumble occurred all around him as Joshua realized that something was not right. He's back in the real world, and everyone should be happy to see him, but...why did he get the strange feeling that there's something off about of this?
Suddenly, a huge shadow loomed over as Joshua turned to see that it was a giant, flying ship in the sky right behind him. It was the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook's ship!
"What the-Are you kidding me?!" Joshua screamed. He ran, but there was no one on the ship that gave chase as the Jolly Roger swooped down after Joshua through the air above.
"What's happening?!" Joshua asked himself as his relief would not last long. Then, suddenly, he heard lightning and his eyes grew wide in shock. Dark, red clouds began to form above the sky and then swirled outworld, darkening it and lightning struck again.
"Oh, no!" Joshua gulped as thunder and lightning tore through the sky. He took one look at what is happening and backed away into his house.
As Joshua tried to wash his face in the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror and was stunned. Because in the reflection was his animated self.
"This isn't right," Joshua said. "Okay, something is SERIOUSLY WRONG! What the heck is all this?!"
Just then, Joshua heard voices, someway familiar as one spoke up. "Joshua... Do not chase the illusions. They'll lead you nowhere, just to an abyss you'll never wake up from."
"An abyss?!" Joshua screamed. Then, he sees everything beginning to dissolve into...what looked like an endless white void of space. "What's going on?! Why is still happening? I thought I was home free!"
Just when he thought all hope is lost, Joshua heard a familiar voice, "Bibbidi-Babbidi-Boo!" He turned to see a familiar face. Well, two of them perhaps.
"Fairy Godmother! Carpet!" Joshua exclaimed to see her riding on Magic Carpet. And with them was the one Marvel character that Joshua had always recognized. "Gwenpool, too?!"
"The one and only!" Gwenpool corrected.
"Will someone please tell me what's happening?! I thought I was home free," Joshua pleaded.
"Joshua... You're not back in the real world," Fairy Godmother explained urgently. "This isn't your home, it's all an illusion! You're still in Toontopia."
Joshua was shocked, "You've got to be kidding me?! Tricked again!?"
"You're trapped in an illusion bubble by a spell the Glooms had cast," Fairy Godmother continued.
"Come on!" Gwenpool cried as she somehow ripped a hole that showed...the empty white space. "I'm good at this sort of thing!"
Following Gwenpool, Joshua, Fairy Godmother, and Magic Carpet jumped through a rip in time and space...
Down, down, and down he went, Joshua Sumter himself finally landed with a thump. Looking around, he can see that the white space seemed to be looked like an extra multiversal dimension between realities.
"What is this?!" Joshua asked, then he tried to call out somebody. "Hello? Hellllloooooo...? Melvin?! Monkey-boy?! Selena the China girl?!" He then sighed and took a deep breath. "Okay, is this even heaven? Or the realm of darkness, except it's finally all...white?"
"Nope," Gwenpool looked at Joshua. "Sorry about all of that. It's a real doozy."
Joshua blinked for a moment, amazed. "Gwenpool?! I can't believe it, you're here! And you're real, just like all the others! Are you for real real?!"
"If I am, could I do this?" Gwenpool said as she snatched Joshua and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
Soon, Joshua wiped himself as he began to spoke up. "What's going on?!"
"I have some answers about that," a voice appeared.
Joshua turned to find himself face-to-face with...
"Creator? You're alive?!"
The Creator giggled a bit as he spoke up, "You never ceased to amaze me, Joshua Sumter. Just tell me one thing... what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Ain't it obvious? I'm trying to get back to the real world, but... now I'm not so sure what to do anymore," Joshua answered, lowering his expectations a bit.
"If that is indeed the case, the answer lies in the final chapter," the Creator said. "At this very moment, the epic battle between heroes and villains will be tried, and all stories will end. But permit me if I may to ask you a question, Joshua...why is it that you're here?"
"What...?" Joshua was confused.
"You should be returning to where you were, watching as your side of the main story unfolds."
"My side of the story...? What does THAT mean?"
"You must surely be aware that your side of Toontopia's story has taken a turn," the Creator replied. "Take your arrival in my created world, for instance. Not to mention us being here at this very moment. Neither of these things had already happen in the story I wrote. In other words, what I am saying, is that I'm not the weaver of the tale."
Joshua blinked at what the Creator said as the man showed flashbacks of his trip to Hollywood, relaxing at home, the magical well, and his adventures in Toontopia. "At the start of your journey, when you thought you had been overlooked for your own movie, you saw somebody dressed in a robe," the Creator said. "Immediately, you didn't know something was up. So, without even knowing it, you have dove into Toontopia's story. After all your efforts, Toontopia is still on the verge of a great battle, heading toward its grand finale."
"Grand finale?" Joshua asked.
"Indeed. Exactly what I had told Melvin. One that requires a climax of epic proportions, or so it would seem."
"Except... It's not all over, right?"
The Creator nodded and smiled, "Oh, and I have one more twist in mind." He then reaches for his face, tearing his mask off.
Joshua's eyes were widened in confusion and in awe as the so-called 'Creator' behind the mask is revealed to be...the user, conthauberger, formerly known as Conrad Thauberger from DeviantART! Joshua did a double check - he remembered that the user was the founder of a group that founded years ago called WorldofToontopia, and Joshua himself had been one of the co-founders!
"That's right, it was ME the whole time!" Conrad said, triumphantly.
"Oh...," Joshua blinked, then laughed.
"You're laughing? Seriously?" Conrad asked.
"Well, I was hoping that the audience would've figured it out pretty early. I mean, who else could it be?"
Conrad tried to speak, looking a little flabbergasted, "It could've been anybody! Like, maybe... Jim Carrey?"
"Oh, please, in that outfit?" Joshua said as the two laughed happily, then stopped for a moment.
"All right, smart aleck," Conrad started to ask, "How do you expect to help fix the situation, then?"
Joshua began to ponder for a moment. Now he knew that his new friends and the good guys of Disney were in danger. In fact, Toontopia was in danger. Even though he had done more than anything, there was no way Joshua could help save Toontopia without trying to help. "Oh, I think I know what I have to do..."
Before he knew it, everything faded to white once again...
CHAPTER 12
Joshua opened his eyes, wide awake. As he looked around, he was right back in Toontopia. But he soon sighed in disbelief. "Still in cartoon land, and here I thought I'd be home free."
Joshua then looked up at the dark grey clouds in the sky, but he knew they are the signs of an impending battle, yet Toontopia remained lost in a sea of turmoil. He was sad about what had just happened while he was trapped in an illusion bubble, knowing that this is a Timeskip, but there was no way he could not let all of this happened to Melvin. Not after all they had been through.
Suddenly, Joshua thought he heard something. Then, without warning, he felt someone grabbing his leg and yank him up. Next thing he knew, he was hanging upside down. "Alright, bring it! BRING IT!" Joshua shouted as he tried to throw punches wildly with his eyes closed. Then, he heard a familiar voice.
Opening his eye, Joshua saw an upside down but familiar face... Well, three familiar faces. "It can't be... Joshua?!"
Joshua knew immediately who it was. "Kid?" Then, he turned to see Frank and Selena as well. "You guys, too?!"
"You're okay!" Melvin said, smiling. "But I thought you were... How did you-?"
"Oh, I don't know, through a little bit of fourth-wall breaking," Joshua answered as he shrugged.
"I thought I had lost you," Melvin replied softly. "I tried to get you out of that bubble and yet... Here you are, back to your senses."
"And here you are, looking...all grown up?" Joshua said as he can see that Melvin, Selena, and Frank were completely different from how he remembered them. Frank was now a huge monkey, Melvin was still a brave leader, and Selena...was changed from a china girl to a real human, wearing a newly cool dress.
"It's a long story...," Frank said as he put Joshua down gently. "Melvin here took it really hard when you...left."
"We did our very best while you were gone," Melvin said to Joshua. "I'd been trying my best to lead everyone as the new Creator."
"But ever since you were gone for a long time, it became apparent that you were like his anchor," Selena replied.
Joshua sighed. "Look, I don't know anything about waging wars or leading armies, but I'll tell you what I do know." He looked at Melvin. "I can tell by looking at you now that you're the true leader and hero here, not me!" He turned to Selena and Frank, "And I know that you two know how to put things together, how to keep 'em organized, and how to take it on the road." Then, he pointed at himself. "Me? I just do my own thing!"
"That, my friend, is exactly what we need," Melvin grinned.
"But I'm sure you've been longing to return to your homeland," Selena said sadly.
Joshua sighed, "Yeah...that. But not anymore." But he jumped up with a smile on his face. "Alright, so which way to your crib?" But Frank grabbed him and swung him in another direction. "You know what? I better let you lead."
"Welcome back, my friend. I'm happy that you're safe." Melvin said, satisfied.
"Well, duh. Of course, I came back," Joshua replied. "Uh, why wouldn't I?"
Joshua, Melvin, Selena, and Frank made their way through the forest to the Creator's home when Frank spoke up. "Hey, Josh. You're not gonna guess how many characters are still remaining to help us."
"How many what? What do you mean?" Joshua repeated. Then, he turned around and screamed. "WHOOOAAAA!"
Surrounding the group were every single Disney characters everywhere, present and were all incredibly happy to see them.
"Hi, Josh!" Everyone chimed together.
Joshua stood in front of the crowd. He was afraid to ask, but he did it anyway as he said uncomfortably, "So, uh... What are you all doing here?"
"We thought you went back to your universe," Judy Hopps said.
"This land of 'harsh reality', savvy," Jack Sparrow added, flickering his fingers.
"I can't believe it! You came back," Olaf chimed in, looking at Joshua.
"Come on, you owe us, kid," Philoctetes said.
Everyone murmured in agreement as well.
"Yeah, um..." Joshua shuffled his feet. "Sorry about everything and what happened at the party back there...," he said to Mickey and his friends. "And I heard how those villains mess y'all up, you know," he added as he then turned to everyone else. "M-My bad. But that's why I came back. If I stayed back home, they could come over here after me. Until that happens, I suggest we fight back!"
The Disney characters nodded and murmured in agreement. They had been doing what they had always do in their respective stories: Fight back!
"That's right," Joshua said. "If there's one thing y'all have taught me, that Toontopia is a mashed-up, marvelous place." He looked at all the Disney characters and added, "And y'all are crazy!" He then laughed and continued, "You've been around me and my butt since I got here."
The Disney characters traded embarrassed looks and laughed as they looked at each other, admitting that they had been a little easy on Joshua a bit.
"So, let's do to them what you've been doing in your stories and to me!" Joshua declared. "And I say we give those villains a lesson they'll never forget!"
"YEAH!" Everyone shouted.
There was no doubt - the battle was on.
Encouraged by Joshua's words, all the Disney heroes, princesses, heroines, and animals decided that it was time to return to Toontopia and to take back their home worlds.
Melvin smiled at Joshua, as did Selena and Frank. If they were going to take on the villains and foes, they were going to need all the help they could get.
"What's the plan, boys?" Anna asked.
"Oh, we're going to run those villains back to jail," Joshua said. "Yeah, baby! When we get through with them, they won't ever come back!"
And so, the odds are about to get even!
As everyone brought their own weapons and powers needed for their battle with the villains, large storm clouds rolled in behind them. Just then, out of the shadows jumped Gwenpool. And with her was backup in the form of few teenaged superheroes of the Marvel universe, consist of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel; Nadia Pym, known as the Wasp; Miles Morales, the Spider-Man from another world; Lunella "Moon Girl" Lafayette, an inhuman preteen genius, and her 'pet', Devil Dinosaur; and Doreen Green, also known as Squirrel Girl.
There was also Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and BB-8 from the Star Wars universe. Soon, the superheroes and sci-fi heroes had vowed to help them fight.
"Geesh! Everyone's acting like this is leading up to the final chapter in a book or something!" Joshua muttered to himself as he surprisingly sees every Disney character ready for battle. "Is the battle ahead really going to be that climatic? Am I the only one not taking it seriously though?!"
"Yes, yes you are," Ferb spoke up.
CHAPTER 13
By the following cloudy morning when everything and everyone was ready, Joshua looked to see Toontopia all dry and barren, just as the Fairy Godmother had said. A storm loomed over Toontopia's Main Street, where all the villains had destroyed everything the Creator had worked so hard to create in the days since they had crashed Mickey's party.
Maleficent, Pete, and the other villains, unaware of their arrival and Joshua's return, were reclined in Disney Castle as they all threw themselves a party to commemorate their ultimate triumph.
Suddenly, they hear something in the distance flying and screaming in the air. They watched to notice the commotion as they see that it was... Stitch!
While the villains wondered what that was about, they didn't know that it was Joshua who had sent a signal, and at that moment, an epic squadron - led by Genie, Peter Pan, and Elena, riding on Skylar the Jaquin - flew over.
"OKAY, everybody!" called Genie. "Let her rip!"
When they were nearly above, the squadron blanketed Toontopia in a smog of colorful smoke when they released bombs of color over Main Street and the unsuspecting enemies.
"Here are some masks!" Joshua told his troops.
"Got it!" Aladdin said as he and the other characters, using gas masks, ran through the colored fog and stole and dispose the villains and minions of their weapons.
"All right," Joshua said to Hercules, Aladdin, Quasimodo, Stitch, Flynn Rider, and Jack Sparrow, who wore the gas masks. "Time to run those villains out of here!"
A militia of Disney animals marched out on the ridge. Squirrel Girl and Judy Hopps perched on Maximus.
"This is awkward, ain't it?" Judy commented.
"Yes, yes, it is," Squirrel Girl nodded proudly, then she shouted along with Judy. "CHAAARGE!"
The herd thundered off the ridge toward Main Street as the villains were surprised when they saw it.
"Is that...a stampede?" A Beagle Boy shouted in fear. "It's a STAMPEDE!"
"All right, ladies!" Vanellope commanded. "Show me your grr! face!"
"GRRRRR!" The Disney Princesses growled as they leaped into action, ready to protect themselves and fight the bad guys. Mulan held her sword, Rapunzel gripped her frying pan, and Belle clutched a book. Cinderella even smashed her glass slipper and waved its jagged edge - just in case.
"Now let's kick some villain bahookie!" Joshua and Vanellope said to their groups and teams as they all pulled out their own weapons and formed a protective barrier and marched forward. They began to move out.
"Avengers Assemble, baby!" Ms. Marvel said, excitedly as she used her Inhuman powers to grown big, following her friends.
"I feel so alive!" Gwenpool let out a howl of joy.
As for Squirrel Girl and Judy Hopps, they felt in control as they led their army of animals. "Now we're talking!" Frank exclaimed, leading the monkeys and apes.
And so, the battle raged on as everyone attacked the villains with all their might, their powers, skills, weapons, and lots of chaos.
"How are you doing, Joshua?" Melvin asked.
"Kid, this is awesome!" Joshua exclaimed. "I feel like this is something out of a movie I once watched." Then, he turned to see Elsa and Anna sucker-punched Hans. "This. Is. ENDGAME!"
"Avengers...and friends, ASSEMBLE!" Captain America called out as all the Marvel heroes, including the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy joined in the battle as well! Everyone attacked and battled the villains with brute force and their own weapons.
"Let's get out of here!" A hyena screamed.
Joshua could not believe it - the villains were being defeated, on the run, and were all locked up! "Yeah, look at 'em run!" Joshua replied. "That's right, keep runnin'!"
Suddenly, the villains were all rounded up in a giant snow globe, but some were not. They had come this far to rule Toontopia to their own liking, not to be foiled by these so-called heroes.
"I did not come this far to be foiled by that blasted Peter Pan!" Captain Hook said.
"Or that wretched street rat, Aladdin," Jafar agreed.
"Not to mention Triton's little daughter," Ursula nodded.
"Don't forget Zeus's little sun-spot," Hades turned up.
But the Marvel and Star Wars heroes already pointed their weapons and powers at them as Gwenpool smirked, "You were saying...?"
As they did, all the heroes, princesses, and animals cheered as the villains were all imprisoned in a giant, perpetual snow globe. Their plan of attack had worked.
"Look at them go!" Joshua laughed.
"It finally worked," Frank said to Melvin and Selena.
"I can't believe we did it," Selena said to Melvin.
"Yeah...," Melvin replied. Then, the two shared a passionate kiss.
"Uh, seriously?! Was there a romantic subplot between them while I was gone, or...?" Joshua asked Frank, who shrugged. "Eh, close enough!"
Soon, everyone continued to cheer for victory.
"Sweet!" Vanellope cried, high fiving her princess friends.
"Freedom!" Merida and Genie shouted.
"I AM GROOT!" Groot shouted.
Joshua walked up to every Disney characters all together in the middle of Main Street. He had helped the heroes led them to victory. "That was awesome, man! The giant color bombs were like, pew! And then, we were like, POW! SMASH! SWISH! And then Genie had trapped all the bad guys up in a giant snow globe! And then we...we... We actually won!"
But just as Joshua was feeling proud of himself and his part, the ground began to shake, because there was only one more person who was not about to give up.
"You all might want to cover your ears right now!" Joshua warned everyone as Maleficent appeared...and she was as angrier as Hades.
Maleficent then shrieked, "YOOOUUU FOOOOOLLLSS!"
Suddenly, lightning struck, setting fire on the dry streets of Toontopia and almost to Disney Castle. Pete appeared, smiling, clearly unaware of what had just happened. He had just missed the upcoming battle!
"Hey, everybody! What did I miss?" Pete spotted everyone, including Joshua, and gulped. "Uh-oh."
Maleficent was furious with Pete. "You useless, insignificant, imbecile! You had one job! And you blew it! Failed!"
"I did no such thing!" Pete's words were not convinced. But Maleficent reached into Pete's neck and pulled him closer to let Pete see her eyes of fiery fury. "OK, maybe a little bit."
Maleficent then pointed to Joshua as she said to Pete, "You didn't think that that man would find a way back?!"
"It wasn't easy to get by," Joshua called out. Then, he muttered to himself. "Power of fourth wall-breaking."
"Now, now, I just figured that the Glooms had it covered with the illusion bubble spell, and-," Pete tried to explain, nervously.
"SILENCE!" Maleficent roared. "I've had just about enough of you!" She then threw Pete into the snow globe with the other villains, who all glared at him. "Useless imbecile... If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!"
And with that, green smoke swirled around Maleficent, and so on and so forth, she transformed into a fiery dragon. She then took a menacing step toward everyone, with flaring nostrils. Then, she flew toward Disney Castle.
"HEY!" Joshua yelled. "Get your witchy...er, dragon hands off that castle!"
But Maleficent just ignored Joshua and began to climb up onto the tall spire of Disney Castle.
"Get back here! I am sick and tired of being ignored," Joshua yelled as he soon later climbed up the Maleficent dragon's tail. The music played in his mind as he used his moves to get closer and closer to the head.
"Take this!" Joshua shouted as he used his fists to poke Maleficent Dragon in both eyes. "What's wrong, lady?! Got something in your eye?"
Everyone quickly looked up at Disney Castle to see what was happening. As they did, they saw Melvin heading to the castle as well.
"Okay. Let's see how you like it!" Joshua said as he managed to turn Maleficent around so that he was in everyone's line of fire, but the dragon's head was too big as it shifted slowly, removing Joshua off of her.
Joshua shook his head for recovery, but still held onto the dragon. "Aw, come on!"
But someone tossed Joshua a sword and a frying pan. Joshua caught them both and used them to make vibration noises, making Maleficent lose focus. "How's that for making noise? Banging pots and pans!" he laughed.
But Maleficent either cracked or whipped her tail to cause Joshua to fall off of her. Dodging its attack and looking around, he then noticed a familiar face.
"Melvin!" Joshua called to him and he hurled the sword toward him.
"I'm not gonna let you take everything away from me!" Melvin shouted, catching it with his powers. He magically hurled the sword with all his might, and it finally hit right in the chest. As Joshua jumped off the dragon and held onto a nearby tower, Maleficent, feeling the pain, stumbled and fell off Disney Castle to her death.
"All right! We did it!" Joshua cried happily as he and Melvin hugged briefly, and then they both realize that they began to slip.
"Hold on!" Melvin shouted as Joshua held him tight. But it was too late - the two friends were falling. Just before they crashed into the ground, the Disney princesses swooped in and rescued them.
"Look up there!" Rapunzel exclaimed. "It's two young boys in need of rescuing!"
All the princesses sprang into action. They worked together to help, each one using her own special skill. With a variety of objects, they made a landing sheet to stop Joshua and Melvin's fall.
When they landed safely, Joshua looked around.
"Thanks, girls," Melvin thanked them.
"Don't mention it, chosen one," Vanellope replied.
"Any friend of Mickey's and Joshua's is a friend of ours," said Elsa.
Moana looked at the two and smiled, "You're welcome."
Just then, rain began to fall, drenching the barren land and squished the flames that threaten to consume everything.
Everyone else looked on with glee. Just then, they all noticed that Melvin was making his way to the top balcony of Disney Castle and looked out over the entire kingdom that his master had worked so hard.
Joshua laughed, "I don't believe it. The same thing that happened in the movie."
Surrounded by everyone, Melvin stood on the steps and looked out at all the Disney characters. "Everyone," he said, addressing the crowd. "Let all of you cry out a cheer, that Toontopia will be forever free!"
The crowd let out a mighty cheer of victory and triumph. As he bowed, Melvin smiled as he then looked at Joshua.
"I really enjoyed being with you all," Joshua told every Disney characters. "You guys got a lot of guts... a lot of, uh, improvement..." He blushed as he could not think of the words, but he finished anyway. "Well, whatever it was, you all still got it."
Soon, they rushed over to Joshua and give him hugs, high-fives, and maybe some kisses.
Joshua looked around as he muttered, "OK, maybe Toontopia isn't so bad."
Epilogue
All ended well and before long, Toontopia flourished again, as did Disney Castle. The trees blossomed beautifully, and everyone was all glad to return.
As for Pete and all the trapped villains? Well, Merlin use his legendary powers to shrink them and put them all in an empty white void.
With all the Disney characters around the courtyard of Disney Castle, including Joshua Sumter himself and his new little friends, a new celebration of life was taking place.
As everyone danced, boogied, jived, and having fun, epic fireworks lit up as they blasted and burst out into the night sky for all the Magic Kingdom to see.
Joshua had come a long way being forced from his all-too-real live-action home world to the animated yet enchanted world. And while Toontopia did not have what he had back home, it had friends. Then, he breathed in the fresh air and sighed.
"Is this world crazy or what?" Joshua said, joining in the party.
Suddenly, Joshua woke himself up, back in his real-world universe. He was once again in his live-action form. He then blinked and stretched out. "Well, that was an odd and epic dream." He said as he then watched TV while checking out the internet on his iPad.
Now that he knew that his adventure had been real or not, one thing was for certain: Joshua Sumter is still around and is always autistic.
The End!