Later that night, after the employees had left, the park came to life. Characters roamed, visiting friends, chatting with neighbors, and raiding the turkey leg—or as Henry called them, emu leg--carts. Disney's mascots loved to come out and play just as much as the guests did.

Every land was buzzing with activity. The Pirates of the Caribbean's auctioneer and Scarlett swapped crude jokes over a few pints of ale in Adventureland. Around the Enchanted Tiki Room's thatched towers, Pierre the parrot flew after his female costar, Suzette. Fritz the cockatiel just shook his head in mock annoyance at his flirtatious friends. In nearby Frontierland, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear chased the wily Br'er Rabbit down Chick-A-Pin Hill, much to the amusement of all the critters watching. Twanging tones of guitars accompanied by whoops and hollers from Grizzly Hall could be heard halfway across the park. The ghosts of Liberty Square played hide and seek in the graveyard. Dumbo raced Peter Pan around Fantasyland. Buzz and Zurg battled in the streets of Tomorrowland as Stitch raced around the Indy Speedway in a little car that had been enhanced with a pair of rockets.

This didn't just happen in the Magic Kingdom. In the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel at the Disney Studios, ghosts had a swinging party. Figment flew through the Imagination Institute, thinking up new ways to creatively annoy Dr. Nigel Channing over at EPCOT. Simba stayed up for hours every night, trying to teach the real lions at Animal Kingdom about the Circle of Life. This went over about as well as Pocahontas' efforts to make the Everest yeti understand that man and nature could probably live together in harmony.

Overall, it was a usual night, save for the fact that the Kingdom's Representatives were not out like everyone else. Cinderella, dressed in her humble brown skirt and blue blouse, paced anxiously in the cavernous meeting room, waiting for the others to show up. She had sent Gus and Jaq to remind the others, hoping her little friends wouldn't run into any cats along the way.

The heavy door groaned open, making the anxious princess jump.

"Sorry I'm late," Snow White called out, dashing into the room, her red cloak floating out behind her and her hood bouncing on her back. "No one else has showed up yet?" she asked, looking around the empty chamber.

Cinderella shook her head. "Do you think we should get the others involved?" she asked, referring to all of the Characters in general.

Snow shrugged. "You know they'll find out sooner or later. Although, apparently cast members have been telling people all day that the Carousel is closed just for refurbishments."

With a sigh of disgust, Cindy threw herself down into a chair. "People know better by now. Everyone grows leery when they see the 'Pardon our dust' signs on the green gates. Your favorite attraction here today, empty plot of land tomorrow."

"Oh, it's not always like that," Snow said kindly, sitting across from her. The girl was endlessly optimistic. She saw the good in everything. Except for apples, of course.

Smiling wearily at her old friend, Cinderella admitted, "I know, I know. I suppose I'm just so upset because John's been a dear, dear friend, and he's one of our last connections to Walt. With the Carousel of Progress gone, it would feel like part of the heart of this place was torn out."

"Hey, Mikey, mi amigo!" Jose called out to his best friend. An emerald colored parrot flew over and perched next to him. With the exception of the slumbering, gently snoring tiki totems and a few other twittering birds, they were alone in the room. The tropical themed room was always peaceful and dark at night, perfect for naps.

"Anythin' I can be doin' for ya, old friend?" asked the Irish bird, always eager to help out.

Jose nervously preened his crimson feathers a moment before answering. Odd, he could perform in front of hundreds of people each day, but he was always anxious before going to the castle. Maybe it was because it was so different being above the heads of everyone during the show and then being at eye level at the meetings. When John, Gracey, Henry, Snow, and Cindy surrounded him, he suddenly realized how small he really was.

"Just look after things for me while I'm gone. I can't trust Iago not to sell everyone into slavery as an Animal Kingdom exhibit." He spread his wings to fly, but then paused. "Oh, and if you see senor Sparrow, drop a bomb on him for me!"

Michael laughed as Jose flapped his wings and soared out into the night. "Humiliate an Englishman? Tis an honor I do for pride and country, sir!" He bent a wing in salute.

Meanwhile, the Ghost Host sat in the darkest, most mysterious chamber in the Haunted Mansion: Madame Leota's séance room. He knew he was running late, but he would catch up to the others eventually. Mysteriously showing up just in the nick of time was a talent of his. But he wasn't lingering simply to play a spooky prank. He hoped he could find out some useful information before leaving for the castle.

George peered into the glowing, green crystal ball, hoping to see glimmers of a victorious future.

"Don't stare at me like that!" Madame Leota's sharp voice commanded, making George pull his face back. "It is impolite for a gentleman to gaze so fixedly at a lady."

"I wouldn't think such a lonely woman would be complaining. After all," he smirked, "you've got, hmm hmm, nobody."

The clairvoyant's face appeared, a brow arched and her dark lips curled into a cynical smile. "I do have good news. You will be triumphant…"

George grinned.

"But…"

He frowned. There was always a 'but.'

"Only if the chosen four come."

"Chosen four?" He sighed. "Not Characters, are they?" The psychic shook her head, her hair swirling about her face. "No, that would make it easier. And they'll wind up going on some fantastic, mystical quest, right?"

She chuckled. "Right again, Gracey. Four humans. Cast members, to be exact." Suddenly her eyes filled with lime colored light, her pupils and irises vanishing. Her dark voice echoing, she intoned,

"The chosen four shall this night arrive,

And because of them, Progress can thrive.

Scholar, Adventurer, Princess, and Wizard,

Shall save us all from greed's cold blizzard.

But should they fail,

And all is lost,

We'll lose what's most important,

That which has no cost.

Without Progress,

Our world will die,

And that's all I see,

With mind's inner eye."

The orb returning to its usual cool green, Madame Leota shook her head to pull her back into the present. After blinking several times, her eyes reverted to normal. "So there is hope, Master Gracey."

Dull light suddenly flooded into the room as Ezra the lanky hitchhiker strode in. Sitting on the brim of his bowler derby were two brown rodents. "We've got a vermin problem, boss," he joked. "I'd say send for an exterminator, but you know how this place views mice," he cackled hoarsely.

"We not vermin!" Jaq squeaked, clutching the edge of the hat and looking upside down at the skeletal spook's face. Gus hid behind his friend. He'd always been frightened of the Mansion. "Cinderelly send us."

"I figured," said Gracey, somehow managing to sound elegant and cordial, rather than sarcastic. He had Paul Frees to thank for that talent. "I was just on my way. Have you fellows been to see Henry yet?"

They shook their heads.

"All right. I shall accompany you then." He held out his hand and they jumped onto his palm and raced up his arm and perched on his shoulder. "No tagging along this time, Ezra."

"Now why would I do a thing like that?" he grinned.

"And thank you, dear, sweet Leota. Your news will be passed on."

The psychic blushed. "Oh, you're such a flatterer George. Good luck!" Through her teeth, she muttered, "You're all going to need it."

Things had quieted down in Grizzly Hall. Most of the bears had taken their instruments out into the street and were singing and playing to the delight of dancing critters, pirates, and ghosts. George slipped into the wooden, western style building, the adorable mice still on his shoulder. It was dark and felt empty and he wondered if everyone had left.

Something about the place had always given him the creeps. Bitterly ironic, he knew, but he couldn't help it. Maybe it was all the over bites.

"Hello?"

From somewhere in the darkness, a banjo twanged out a few notes…

Dee dee dee de de dee de de dee…

A guitar slowly answered.

Da dum dum dum duh dum dah dum dum…

Utterly creeped out, Gracey froze, his formerly finely combed hair standing on end. Slowly he started to back away.

From somewhere near the left of the stage, a deep voice rumbled, "Where you goin', pretty boy?"

No ghost was ever that scary! Before George could bolt, three spotlights turned on behind and above him and laughter filled the room. Looking up, he saw the guffawing heads of Melvin, Buff, and Max. The moose, bison, and stag were the Country Bear Jamboree's infamous hecklers. Stuck up on the wall, they had nothing better to do than crack jokes about the performers.

The furthest red curtain on the left slid open and Big Al the bear giggled in his mellow growl as he plucked on his banjo. Wendell, a little brown bear in a small cowboy hat and wearing a scarf tied around his neck, peeked out from behind the main stage's drapery, waving his tiny guitar.

"Gracious Gracey!" Wendell cried. "We thought we'd plumb scared the…dead light outta you!" he laughed.

"Hoo boy," Max the stag chuckled. "You northern boys sure are fun to pick on!" His two cohorts snickered.

Trying to regain his dignity, George straightened his jacket and cleared his throat. "Is Henry in?"

His over-bite plagued muzzle twitching thoughtfully, Wendell muttered, "Just a sec… HEEEENRYYY!" he hollered, a paw along his mouth.

The MC's voice drawled back from behind a curtain, "Just a moment, Wendell. Where's my hat…"

"Would you hurry it up now, Henry?"

"Wendell…" he warned.

"Goodness gracious!" he shouted teasingly, knowing exactly what buttons to push to annoy his friend. "You got an important visitor here!" he gestured to George.

"Wendell, please!" Henry snarled.

"If you can't cut it, why don't you just send me out—"

Henry Bear pushed aside the curtain and stepped out, wearing a gray top hat, a black bow tie, and a white dickey on his chest. A little sparkling ruby was in the center of the garment. "No thank you, Wendell, that won't be necessary," he said good-naturedly, walking off the stage. "On to the castle?"

"Please," George groaned.

"Are you aware you have mice on your shoulder?"

"It's Disney World. You're bound to be wearing one on some part of you by the end of the day."

Henry chortled. "Sorry about Al and Wendell. They're mischievous, but they don't mean any harm."

"Hey Henry!" Wendell called as the two Representatives walked out. "Do you mind if I borrow your toothbrush?"

Sighing, the lead bear yelled over his shoulder, "Yes!"

"Oh…I should've asked you before I used it then…"

Narrowing his eyes, Henry growled, "Yes, we're all one big happy family."

By the time George and Henry had made it to Cinderella's castle, the others had arrived and were chatting awkwardly. John had his arms crossed across his chest, frowning and furious.

"Stupid fence," he snapped, his light brown mustache twitching in annoyance. "Do they have any idea how hard it is to climb over those things?" He picked some leaves out of his hair. "Had to vault myself over." He continued grumbling and brushing off dirt. Everyone knew he was pointedly not mentioning his show.

Jaq and Gus had leapt off of George Gracey's shoulder to get a cookie. (Cinderella had promised they'd get one for completing their mission.) The Ghost Host leaned in towards the blond princess' ear. "I had a chat with Madame Leota. She says we have a chance for saving the Carousel of Progress."

Cinderella's face lit up with a smile. "Oh, George, this is the best news I've heard all month!" She turned to the assembled group. "Everyone! Everyone!" They quieted down and turned their eyes to her. "George says we can save the Carousel of Progress!"

John gave Gracey a look of disbelief, but there was a flicker of hope in his eyes. With a voice tinged ever so slightly with a plea, he asked, "Is…is that true?"

Liberty Square's Representative cleared his throat. "Well, it's what Madame Leota has told me. We all know she has quite a…" He tapped his fingertips together, leaving time for an appropriate pause. "…remarkable head for these things." Excitement buzzed in the air and he held up his hands for quiet. "But, this isn't something we're going to do. We'll need help from others."

"Who are they?" asked John, not bothering to mask the emotion in his voice.

"Cast members. Four of them."

Everyone's face visibly fell. "Cast members?" they mouthed to one another.

"And if they can't save the beloved show, then supposedly the very park itself will fall into ruin."

"You're tellin' me our future depends on a bunch of Fast Pass checkers?"

"Henry," Cinderella chastised. "I know it seems odd, but we should know by now that even the most ordinary of people can do the most extraordinary things. I'm not giving up hope, and neither should any of you."

After thinking for a moment, Jose asked, "Do we know who these people are?"

George shook his head. "Leota only called them the Scholar, the Adventurer, the Princess, and the Wizard. But I'm sure these are the greatest champions we can hope for! Why, right now, they're probably preparing to storm into the park and rally everyone together and lead us on to victory!"

Bear, bird, and princesses cheered, knowing they'd soon save their friend.

John, however, was a little skeptical. Grabbing Gracey's shoulder he pulled him close and hissed, "I hope your psychic knows what she's talking about!"

"Relax, old friend. After all, what could happen? It's not like they'll be a bunch of dorky teenagers."