Chapter 14: Not-So-Small Interrogation

The Toonateers with Aurora sleeping in Mickey's arms and the Gremlins carrying the rope-tied Small Pete. All of the Toons cheered once they appeared out of the Projector Screen.

"Alright, Gremlins. Take Small Pete to the dungeons and get the Three Pigs to start the interrogation process," said Oswald, cracking his knuckles.

"Yes, Oswald," said the Gremlins.

"Not the interrogation process," Small Pete panicked while he gets taken away.

"What's the interrogation process, Ozzie-san?" Mickey asks.

"Oh, you'll find out, Mickers," Oswald ruffing Mickey's head with affection.

"You know I'm taller than you."

"Yeah, but I am older than you."

Snow White and Cinderella show up for Mickey to say, "Snow White, you're here. And Cinderella, I'm glad you're awake."

"It's nice to see you again, Mickey. And to see Aurora safe and sound. Snow White told me everything," said Cinderella.

"While I take her to bed, can you tell us everything you've been through?"

As the Toonateers and two Disney Princesses walk together, Cinderella says, "After being taken through my mirror at my castle, these ink monsters took hold of me along with the other Disney Princesses to show us to four Petes in different outfits. And then next thing, I know. I was trapped in a mirror prison."

"Thank you, Cinderella. I'm sure we will get you and the other Princesses home soon," said Ortensia.

"I don't know. This Wasteland is more relaxed and less stressful than back at home."

"Really?" the Toonateers ask.

"Mickey, what is it like up there?" Oswald said.

"Things have changed around the world, Oswald," Mickey continued. "The fans of Disney Company wanted them to make some changes in their cartoons and movies, mostly on the romance side of things."

"Oh, yeah. Eh, I don't mind. People favor same-gender romance on TV and in movies over opposite-gender romance. As long as it makes people happy, and the couples are happy and healthy in their relationship."

"I'm glad you're one of those accepting people. I'm part of it too, though Disney higher-ups tried to hide it from the public."

"You know. I'm glad I'm not the actor anymore. They sound so strict and pushy."

"Even I envy your retirement, Ozzie-san."

But when Mickey and Oswald see Snow White and Cinderella staring at them, the two princesses say, "You two are brothers. How adorable."

"I know, right?" Ortensia added.

"We are not adorable," Mickey and Oswald embarrassed.

Mickey then makes it to the Disney Princess Suite to place Aurora in her bed and tucks her in.

Just then, Mad Doctor appeared and sang, "Rejoice, everyone, for news I want to give [His arrival and singing surprises everyone, but Turpley takes out earmuffs and puts them on.]

Bog Easy's conquers ceased to live [He takes out a screen to show the inhabitants of Bog Easy settling in peacefully.]

Now that it's ours, once again [Everyone smiles in joy while Snow White and Cinderella go to Sleeping Aurora's.]

Victory, we will soon obtain [The Mad Doctor then slides to a stained glass window for it shines around him like stage background lights.]

"Don't you get tired of singing?" Turpley takes off his earmuffs.

"Nope," said the Mad Doctor.

"Every day is not a musical with sunshine and kisses."

"Where do you learn something like that?" Tintley asks.

"Reality can be cold and harsh. Without facing hardships, we can't face the things we want to encounter."

"So, you're a realist?"

"You could say that."

Ghost Ian then showed up to say, "Hey, Boss. We got some intel from Small Pete."

"Is that so? We'll be right there. Princesses, stay safe," said Oswald.

"Good luck," said Snow White and Cinderella.

At the dungeon, the Toonateers arrive to see the Ghosts and the Gremlins laughing while Small Pete is on Practical Pig's Lie Detector from Silly Symphony.

Mickey looked shocked.

He pointed his eyes toward his brother and said, "Oswald, is this necessary? I hate Pete, but not so much for him to go through this."

"Aren't you mad that they ruined my birthday party and took the present you made?" Oswald asks.

"Yes, but I'm mostly mad at BlotToon Mickey, for he's the one who took it."

"I see that you are the soft brother in the relationship. You got his sweet and affectionate while having his tough and spunk. Daddy Disney must be proud of us."

When the Lie Detector stopped, Ghost Ian said, "Hey, Small Pete. Will you tell what you told us to the Toonateers?"

"Toonateers? Really?" Small Pete questioned.

"Mickey named it. Deal with it," Oswald said

"Okay. I mostly keep everything in tack, with the Paint and Thinner suppliance for the armies. I discovered some crystals that contain Paint and Thinner back in the Rainbow Caverns. It was when Mickey and Oswald went there to get to Disney Gulch 23 years ago."

"Paint Crystals and Thinner Crystals?" Mickey said.

"So, that's where they come from," Oswald continued. "You see, Mickers. Even though I was the first to come here, I and the rest of the forgotten characters didn't know how Paint and Thinner can be produced in our world until now, I guess."

"If you want, I have some in my pocket," Small Pete shouted.

"Alright then," Gus said, going over.

He goes through the pocket and finds a blue diamond and a green diamond.

"Oooooh," everyone was dazzled by the gems.

"So pretty and shiny," Ortensia said, enchanted by them, and began to pounce like a cat.

"Ortensia, your feline instincts are coming in," Oswald said while Mickey tried to hold in his laughter.

However, Tintley and Turpley were too focused on the Paint and Thinner Crystals. This made them go through a memory together. In it, they find themselves standing before each other at the Rainbow Caverns while Mother Angel and Papa Devi L. are watching from afar and having some tea that looks like the neutral Guardian Pool water at a table tea set.

"It's so nice to meet you. I'm Tintley," she said with a smile.

Confused, Turpley said, "Um, hi? I'm Turpley."

"I saw your Thinner powers early. I think it looked amazing."

Charmed, Turpley said with pride, "Well, I feel appreciated. You want to see more?"

"Yes, please."

Turpley then makes Thinner from his hands to shape it into a flower. Tintley clapped in amusement.

"Hehe. Tintley, can you do something like that too?" Turpley asks.

"I think so," said Tintley, using her Paint to create a butterfly.

The Paint butterfly lands on the Thinner flower, which impresses their Guardian Fairies and caretakers.

"Woah. I never thought that it was possible. Paint and Thinner able to touch," said Turpley.

But when Tintley boop his nose, she said, "Tag your it!"

She flies away while laughing. Turpley, finding it fun, begins to chase her.

Papa Devi L said, "Hoho, they are just like us when we were created. It's so heartwarming."

"But Tintley isn't wanting to be away from Turpley," said Mother Angel.

"Aw, come now, Angel. Why aren't you happy about this?"

"I'm worried if this closeness gets too far."

"You're always worried about that. Tintley and Turpley are fine, so why can't we come together?"

"You hardly show space to me."

"I can't help it. You're beautiful."

Mother Angel blushed before Papa Devi L continued, "Oh, I see. You're just shy."

"You not acting very devilish," said Mother Angel.

"I'm only devilish for you. I couldn't keep away forever. Angel, our clans and we coming together might be better for all of us and the environment."

"Maybe you're right."

"Does this mean you'll give me a chance?"

"…If you learn to have personal space, I guess so."

"Yeah! This calls for some treats. Oh, Tintley and Turpley!"

They came over and said, "Yes, Papa Devi L?"

Papa Devi L then removes a box, opens it to reveal Paint and Thinner Crystals, and says, "Guess what I got for us? Candy."

"Yeah!"

Tintley and Turpley begin to eat their perspective crystals with their guardians happily. When the memory ends, Tintley and Turpley lick the Paint and Thinner Crystals in Gus's hands. They stop to notice everyone staring at them in confusion.

"Wa-What are you two doing?" Mickey asked.

"Sorry. These Crystals are like candy to me and Turpley," said Tintley.

"The rock candy of our kind," Turpley added.

Then the Mad Doctor showed up and said, "Hmm. These crystals look like they are embodied with magic. Maybe these can fix the Paintbrush."

"Oh, good. That means Yen Sid won't spank me with his broom," said Mickey.

"What?! Then I'll spank him back for you!" Oswald said.

"Sheesh. You have some issues," Small Pete commented.

But Oswald grabs Small Pete by the throat and holds him in the air.

This shocks everyone while Oswald yells at Small Pete, "Listen, you overgrown, peg-legged, fiendish, flea-infested, feminist, freaky feline! Because you and the other Petes ruined my 96th birthday with your scheme!"

Then he continued violently shaking him, "AND NOW, ONE OF YOUR GENERALS HAS SWALLOWED MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT THAT MICKEY MADE FOR ME!"

"Hahaha! Oswald is as great as Mickey," Turpley commented.

"He is my older half-brother, after all," said Mickey.

"Who wants to bet he'll shake out Small Pete's brain?"

"Oh, and Toonateers, I got word that Ariel is somewhere in the Jug Pump," said the Mad Doctor.

"Jug Pump has survived?" Ortensia was surprised when Oswald stopped and let Small Pete go after hearing the words.

"What's Jug Pump?" Mickey asks.

"It's a waterpark mountain hot spring spa with a jug fountain filled with purifying water. I thought it disappeared during the Thinner Disaster. Fun fact, Oswald and I had our honeymoon. Let's go."

"Jug Pump is part of Bog Easy. We can take the riverboat to it," said Oswald.

"I hope jazzy music is playing over there. Cultural music is what's get me to move along the way," said Mickey as the Toonateers began to leave.

"Ghosts and Gremlins, keep Small Pete under lock and key. I'm not finished with him yet."

"Oh, brother. I won't hear the end of it," Small Pete complained.

The three Generals at the Pete HQ watched Big Bad Pete, Petetronic, and Pete Pan pestering in anger.

"I don't leave it! So, Small Pete turned himself in?!" Big Bad Pete yelled at three Generals.

"Yes," said BlotToons Mickey and Oswald as BlotToon Ortensia nodded.

"And when can a mouse and a rabbit like you two talk?!" Petetronic shouted at BlotToon Mickey, and Oswald.

The three Generals stared at him with unimpressed eyes until he said, "Fair point."

Then Pete Pan said, "I had a hunch that he might chicken out. He's the softest out of all of us."

"It doesn't matter now. Their Princess rescuing and sending our Lieutenants at them are the perfect distractions to buy us some time to complete our plans. Prescott, the book!"

"Yes, Big Bad Pete," Prescott said, still chained and holding an ancient tome with sparkling white pages and brown leather covering labeled in gold, "The Arts of Paint and Thinner."

Big Bad Pete takes it and opens it to read while saying, "I can't believe this book is with those Guardian Fairies when we found them in their eggs. And because of this, we could extract Heart Essences from the Disney Princesses. That squeaky mouse and his runt rabbit brother won't defeat us."

"Speak for himself," BlotToon Mickey whispered to BlotToon Oswald and Ortensia, making them chuckle.

"What are you three Generals still down here?! Make sure the Mouse-Rabbit duo and their friends don't get the upper hand!"

"Yes, sir!" said BlotToons Mickey and Oswald while BlotToon Ortensia nodded.

They quickly ran off while BlotToon Oswald said, "Keep at it…Keep at it…"