Author's Note

So the votes are in for todays ride experience! thanks to those of you that gave your input. The first to respond was AriettaSoulStealer, who said that the chosen attraction today would be... Sleeping beauty castle walkthrough! thanks for your participation, enjoy your chapter!

Chapter 36

LAST TIME:

"Its eight fifty, Katie, we got ten minutes!" Steph said. "What should we do now?"

Katie thought and turned to Haruhi. "Quick, Pinocchio or Sleeping Beauty Castle!"

Haruhi didn't hesitate as she answered…

THIS TIME:

"Sleeping Beauty Castle!" She had a dreamy expression on her face. She was ready to see the interior of the beauteous castle.

"The princess of the host club has decreed a tour of her foreign sister's castle!" Steph announced to the somewhat empty kingdom. So off they went towards the castle, while Katie addressed the host club.

"So this castle, back in 1955, has had a lot of interesting things happen to it. If you want to hear some of them, stick with me!" So Steph led the charge of the castle while Katie gave the history lesson. They made it to the castle, where they saw a huge hoard of people waiting for the ropes to drop. Honey waved at the crowd and some waved back. Katie ushered them along so they could see the castle. They were looking from Fantasyland out to Main Street.

"So, the person who made the concept of the castle was Herbie Ryman, Disney Artist. But when Disneyland was a scale model, finished and ready to present to Walt, Herb looked at the castle and said something very odd and sudden." Katie said, quickly telling her first tale.

"What was it?" Tamaki asked.

"He didn't like it. So he took a moment, with everyone waiting for Disney to arrive and approve the Happiest Place soon to be on Earth, and noticed that the scale model split in half. So he picked up the castle segment, and flipped it around. He asked if that looked good, but everyone was telling him to put it back, since Walt was almost there. He didn't listen, saying that he liked it. One moment later, the big cheese, Walt Disney, walked in the room. Everyone gasped, expecting him to say that he hated it. But Walt walked up to Herbie, beaming face, proclaimed that the castle looked great like that and everyone suddenly realized that it did indeed!"

"So, this castle-" Hikaru started.

"As we look at it now-" Kaoru continued.

"Was really meant to be in the front of Disneyland?" They said together. Steph giggled and nodded. She led them in the castle with a few words.

"Can't imagine the castle looking like this, can you?" She winked and they entered the story of Sleeping Beauty. They saw a storybook open with lovely music surrounding them. Tamaki decided to read the book aloud.

"In a faraway land, long ago, lived a king and his queen. Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born. They called her Aurora." He read in his best prince voice. They turned to a bunch of stairs and began to climb. The walls were elaborate stone and the lights were sweet and dim.

They came to a diorama in a window. The music became dramatic as the host club neared and all gasped. It was the King and Queen, watching as all the spinning wheels in the kingdom burned. It was as if the cartoon came to life in the window. Haruhi was closest to the window and lifted her hand up to the grieving parents, grieving with them. She didn't touch the window, but let her hand fall to the rail. Her eyes never left the scene as Tamaki found another storybook behind her. He read again.

"Fearful of Maleficent's curse, King Stefan decreed that all spinning wheels in his kingdom be burned. To protect Aurora from Maleficent, the Good fairies hid her in a forest cottage." He was a good narrator, and expressed sadness in his voice.

There were more stairs, so Katie gave a little more history. "This castle has had many names before fully christened 'Sleeping Beauty Castle', such as Snow White's, Robin Hood's, or Cinderella's castle. But this place was about to be transformed inside to be this place you see now. But while the outside looked like solid stone with amazing interior decorating, it was really made out of scaffolding and had nothing in here. So, Walt decided to take two imagineers inside the castle to see its potential for a walkthrough. One man lifted up a box and his clothes turned gray, all at once! He was covered in fleas!" Those who were listening gasped. "Soon, all three men were swatting at the bugs. Walt picked up a phone that was in there and called for someone to pick them up. You see, they checked the castle during the day, when there were guests in the park, so they couldn't run through the crowd covered in fleas." That was something the Host Club understood. The guests needed to stay happy, it was bad for business otherwise.

But the stairs ended and another chapter of the story unfolded before their eyes. It was the tree good fairies, flying over the princess's cradle and casting their protecting spells. Again, the scene was magical and amazing. Tamaki read again.

"Princess Aurora grew in Grace and Beauty. But on her 16th birthday, a dancing green light lured her to a tower."

He gasped as he read what was next. He had heard the story before, but it was more dramatic when told like this. Haruhi was watching the baby princess, who was doomed to die. Everyone was silent.

"There she found a spinning wheel glowing in the dark. 'Touch the spindle,' a voice commanded. Aurora obeyed, and… Pricked her finger." He wiped a tear away. Tamaki was always easily swayed by emotion.

Kyoya was not looking at the princess in the cradle. But he pointed to another display with sadness. It was the spinning wheel, glowing, with the princess on the floor. Maleficent and her raven stood over her. Haruhi nearly pushed the twins over as she tried to get to the display. Everyone crowded around it, morning, sniffling.

Steph nearly laughed. She was amazed at how seriously these people took the pieces of cardboard and plastic. Katie was smiling like a proud mother, Steph knew how much she loved dramatics. But Steph really loved the fun. So she snuck up behind the twins and tickled them.

"WAHHH!" They both squealed, breaking the mood. Steph cheerfully grabbed their arms and skipping off with them. "Are you lads of little faith?! Come on! There still is the promise of true love's kiss!" She stopped and looked at them with fake astonishment. "Or do you all not believe in true love?" Everyone laughed, as they did believe in love. What kind of Host Club would they be if they didn't believe in true love?

"Steph is right! Come on, team! Lets go save a princess!" Tamaki declared as he wiped his tears away and led the cheering group on. Steph smiled. This was more like it!

Katie just chuckled. She loved this group. She beckoned them to the next segment, ready to move on, but Mori placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She looked at the silent one in wonder.

"Will you tell the rest of that story later?" Katie's mouth burst in a smile. She nodded and promise to continue it once they had saved the princess. Mori patted her head and gestured for her to lead on.

So they continued on. They charged the stairs and turned a corner to the next set of dioramas. Katie let others go in front, knowing what was next. Tamaki rushed past her until he saw the sight before him. He froze, causing everyone to bump into him. Soon, everyone except Katie was on the floor at the top of the stairs.

"Hey!" The twins and Honey cried out. They looked up and their protests were immediately silenced. Haruhi, who was on the top of the pile, launched in front of everyone and ran to the display. Tamaki wasn't far behind her, despite being at the bottom of the lot.

Haruhi stroked the glass with watery eyes. Tamaki shook his head in despair. It was the Princess Aurora, sleeping eternally. The host club wandered behind them, hope fleeing their hearts. It was Katie who brought them out of this funk.

"Oh, lads, there is hope. Come, Tamaki, read." Katie pointed to a storybook, but Tamaki looked at it without moving from where he was. It looked like he was reluctant to leave Haruhi's side. Kyoya came to Katie's side instead to read the book. His voice was kind and strong.

"Unbeknownst to Maleficent, the good fairy Merryweather had changed the curse so that the princess would not die, but sleep. The three good fairies put the entire kingdom to sleep as well, until the day Aurora would wake." Soon, everyone's attention was turned to the diorama where the kingdom lay in slumber.

Katie gestured to another book, nearest to the slumbering Aurora. Kyoya walked up to it and read it as well. "High atop the tower Princess Aurora slept, awaiting the noble Prince Phillip, who would one day release her from her slumber…" He gave the page a tender look. "With true love's kiss." Tamaki's head shot up as Haruhi smiled. There truly was hope!

After reading, Kyoya stood up straight, pushed his glasses further up on his nose, and grabbed Katie's hand.

The young tour guide was shocked at this, considering where he pulled her. He stood in front of the chamber that was dark and scary. He led her to its entrance and stood there, gently pushing her behind him, as if protecting her from the horrors within.

For, truly, there were terrors ahead. It was inside Maleficent's castle. Steph whispered the title in fake fear. "Corridor of Goons." Everyone gasped. The twins pulled Steph behind them, protecting her. She was slightly pleased at this development. Tamaki did the same with Haruhi, who didn't mind. Honey looked up at Mori, who pulled the boy on his shoulders. Honey didn't look scared, he looked ready for a fight.

Kyoya's glasses glinted and he walked forward, slowly, still gripping Katie's hand. He knew he was being dramatic, but he liked where this was going. Besides, he had noticed Katie's apprehensive glance towards this. He felt her shaking slightly behind him.

He stopped at a door in front of them. It had a window that looked down a hall. Kyoya listened intently and whispered to everyone "get down!" and everyone immediately crouched. They watched in silent horror as a spear came across the window.

Once it had moved away, they started walking again. They passed a door that seemed chained off. The twins looked at each other, both wanting to pull the monster handle for the door, but decided to not. But they got a look from Step, one of complete mischief and fun, that was equivalent to her expression back in Indiana Jones. When she told the twins to pull the rope. So, as they passed it, they pulled the handle.

A lot of things happened at once. The door started to shake and let out an evil cackle. Once Katie heard that, she screamed, as did Haruhi. Kyoya whipped his arm around Katie's waist as Tamaki hugged Haruhi close. The twins jumped back in surprise, protecting Steph, as Honey and Mori looked ready to attack the door.

After that moment of commotion, everyone waited a moment. And Katie straightened up, composure regained, and resumed her position behind Kyoya.

"Lead on, Master Ootori." She said, loud enough for everyone to hear. He smiled at her and walked on, passing another guard. They made it to the end of that section, still crouched, and Kyoya saw another storybook. Since he was closest, he read it in a quiet voice, loaded with danger and emotion.

"Maleficent summoned all of the demons from her castle to prevent Prince Phillip from reaching the castle." He whispered. Then, he turned his attention to stairs leading down. He straightened up, slowly, and led the group of storytellers down them. Steph thought that they looked like Indiana Jones' posse, with Kyoya playing Indy and Katie performing as the leading lady. The thought brought a smile on her lips.

As they reached a landing, another diorama appeared. It was the evil fairy herself! Everyone gasped once they saw it, looking shocked, as she was casting the thorn spell on the castle. They walked a little faster, passed the cruel fairy. They went down more stairs, which had green lights all around them. Again, they walked faster. Another landing, where they saw a bunch of spinning wheels through the window. They seemed to go on forever. They turned behind them, where Haruhi gave out a small squeal. It was Maleficent in her castle, looking cold and mean.

They walked past it in a rush. But Kyoya had seen another storybook open. He stopped in front of it, but everyone had walked past him in a daze.

They stopped once they heard him speak. "Maleficent turned herself… into a flame spewing dragon, to stop Prince Phillip at any cost. It was a fearsome battle! The prince finally threw his sword…" Everyone was waiting with bated breath, watching Kyoya's focused face melt into a smile. "…and struck the dragon in the heart."

Everyone cheered as they sought the next display. Prince Phillip watched as Maleficent turned into the dragon. Everyone watched in awe at the amazing technology. Everyone, that is, except Haruhi, who gave out a large "WHOOP!"

There, at the next display, was the princess and her prince, her deep in sleep and him poised over her, about to touch her lips with his. Everyone watched as he lightly kissed her, and all cheered when her eyelids fluttered open. The twins spun Steph around in glee, Tamaki gave Haruhi a hug, Mori fist pumped with Honey, and Kyoya and Katie had their arms around each other's waists, watching like proud parents.

They were about to move on, when Katie called for them to wait. So, they did, looking forward at a green lit corridor. They waited a moment and heard a cackle, saw the evil fairy's shadow, and saw a burst of lightning pass.

Everyone stood there, frightened for the moment. It was Steph who broke the silence.

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Everyone looked at her, confused. "LETS GET HER!" So everyone cheered and yelled as they charged past the evil magic doer.

They ran down stairs and stopped. Another book, the final book. It was open to Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora dancing together as her gown went from blue to pink and back again. Tamaki read thhe last few words with pride.

"THE END!" Again, they let out a cheer, but this cheer seemed to be magnified one hundred times. Startled, the host club looked out the door to their left and saw a bunch of people charging Fantasyland. Confused, they all looked at Katie.

"Whoops!" She said, looking at Kyoya's watch. "Its eight already!" They all looked satisfied with their before-the-park-opens adventure.

"That was great!" Honey said, beaming. Everyone agreed. They all chatted to each other about all the fun they had. Katie, who took a step away from Kyoya for a moment, looked towards a fun armor shop.

"Let's wait in here for a few minutes before we try to get to Casey Jr's." Everyone nodded. They quickly followed her in the shop.

"Story?" Mori asked once they got there. Katie nodded, smiling. Everyone who was listening before inched closer. Those who didn't hear the first part, like the twins, Honey, and Tamaki, were looking around the cool shop.

"Okay, so Walt and his buddies are calling for help. So once Walt got to someone to send a car up, the person had apparently asked 'Walt who?' to which the angry Mr. Disney replied with 'Walt DISNEY, that's who!'" Everyone laughed. "Well, soon enough, a motorcycle was sent up with room for only one person and that person was Walt. He zoomed away, promising to send another car along for the two others there as soon as he could. But it was too much for the imagineers. After a few minutes of waiting, they ran trough the crowd to costuming, fleas hopping in their wake." The host club gasped. Katie quelled their fears. "It was not too bad and, to my knowledge, no one complained. But the two made it over to costuming, where they could shower off. They met with Walt after their showers. He had a smile on his face."

Everyone leaned in closer, waiting for the witty banter they were hoping for. That wish was granted.

"'How'd you get here so fast?' Walt asked. 'You didn't go through the crowd?'"

"'Oh, no sir.'"

"'Then how the heck did you get here?'"

"'One big leap Walt, whaddidya think!"' Everyone laughed at the wit of the imagineers. They thought it was a good story.

Kyoya had to ask, however. "What caused the infestation? And what happened to the two imagineers?"

Katie smiled at him. "Feral cats had been living in the castle. And they weren't fired. Walt figured the bugs were punishment enough." Everyone agreed there.

Soon, the crowd thinned out. They made their way over to the small train and loaded on with little wait. It was a circus train, so Tamaki, the twins, Steph, and Honey went in the Monkey cage while Katie, Kyoya, Haruhi and Mori sat in the caboose.

The ride was basically a fun little train ride around Storybook Land. It was quaint and fun. Haruhi took pictures of the miniatures along with the Monkeys in their cages. All in all, it was fun.

They got off satisfied and ready for their last Fantasyland ride. Pinocchio was next.

Author's Note

I hope you liked that chapter, katie spent a while on that one! thanks for reading and as always feel free to R&R with any thoughts, see you on friday!

~That's All!~