AN: Thank you to both The Imaginationeers and Princess Peacock for the story suggestion this chapter!
While Gabriel did have his mission to restore the Hundred Acre Wood book and help Kessie find her friends (even if the bluebird couldn't remember them), the Dream Keeper still had his duties to fulfill. Today was one of those days, with Gabriel heading to Fantasyland to take part in PhilharMagic, a showcase of various iconic musical moments from across the Disney library. The raven stepped into the theater, decked out in his sorcerer robes as he admired the various awards and posters strewn about the lobby of the building.
"What kind of place is this?" Kessie asked.
"It's a music hall. People come here to listen to music," Gabriel explained. "I'm set to be the conductor, which means that I'll be leading them through the music. Since my Fantasia magic already requires that I conduct, this will be a piece of cake."
The Dream Keeper opened the theater doors and stepped inside, only to stop when he saw that someone else was already up on stage. They were a peahen, though her feathers were brightly colored in blues and greens like a peacock. She was wearing a sky-blue Arabian vest over a golden tube top with matching sky-blue pants, with golden bands on her wrists, arms, and one holding her head feathers in a ponytail. The peahen waltzed across the stage, performing an Indian dance to an unheard song.
"Um, excuse me," Gabriel said, climbing up on stage. "Are you supposed to be here?"
The peahen stopped her dance and gasped as she saw who it was. "No way, you must be the Dream Keeper, Gabriel! Oh, how I've been dying to meet you!" She quickly zipped around the raven, giving amused giggles as she observed him. "Those robes are really dashing, you know? The purple really brings out your eyes."
"Thanks," Gabriel said, blushing a bit.
The peahen laughed, taking his hand and giving it a kiss. "I am Princess Almyra, Dancer of the Mystic Veils. It's a pleasure to be in your presence, Dream Keeper."
"Nice to meet you too, Almyra, but I must tell that you I do in fact have a girlfriend already," Gabriel said.
"Yes, your relationship with Queen Jasiri is well known to me," Almyra said. "Logan has told me much about you."
"You know Logan?" Kessie asked.
"Yes. In fact, while you were out with your students in the Mirrorverse, I assisted Logan in a rescue mission to save Sora from a villain that brought back the Organization XIII in data form," Almyra explained. "He even named us honorary Dream Defenders!"
"Did he now?" Gabriel hummed. "And how many of you were there that helped out?"
"Not counting myself, there were eight others that Logan called upon," Almyra said. "I hope that Logan's decision doesn't offend you."
"It doesn't, but I wish he had told be first," Gabriel admitted. "So then, Almyra, why are you here at PhilharMagic?"
"To dance, of course!" Almyra said, taking a pose. "While my business is fashion- you should come by my boutique in Epcot sometime- my passion is in dance. I even created my own magic in the form of the Dance of the Mystic Veils. Logan has told me that it works similarly to your Fantasia, but with dance instead of song."
"Oh, I want to learn how to dance!" Kessie said eagerly.
"It might be a bit hard, considering that your body is not built for the same kind of moves as mine," Almyra said. "But it never hurts to try."
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm here to conduct the orchestra today," Gabriel said.
Almyra tilted her head in confusion. "But I was told that I could use the stage for my dancing!"
Gabriel slapped his forehead. "Doh, I bet our timeslots got mixed up and now we're both scheduled for today! This is what happens when you let Goofy oversee the schedule…"
"Well, maybe we can find a middle ground," Almyra suggested. "I have wanted to see Fantasia in action, and how it can mix with my Dance of the Mystic Veils."
"That's not a bad idea," Gabriel nodded. "Okay then, Almyra, let's sing and dance our way through this concert. But first: lights please!" The room lights dimmed as two spotlights shown down on Gabriel and Almyra. "Now then, a warmup." Gabriel raised his hands, and instruments coming out from backstage to magically tune and perform. Fantasia danced on his fingertips before the Dream Keeper tapped the air like a conductor's wand, causing the instruments to pause in their warmup.
"Looks like we have an audience," Almyra said, looking out to see people coming into the theater.
"Ladies and gentlemen today will be a special performance of PhilharMagic," Gabriel said. "Not only will we take you through the songs of Disney, but with our special guest we will be showing you the art of dance as well." The raven looked to Kessie and whispered, "Why don't you go take a seat and enjoy the show?"
The bluebird nodded, flying down to the seating area as Gabriel and Almyra shared a nod. The raven and peahen raised their hands, going back-to-back as they began clapping a beat, tapping their toes as the instuments started to bounce.
"Drums!" Gabriel called, summoning the instruments to play.
"Strings!" Almyra called.
"Winds!" Gabriel called.
"Okay, let's go!" Almyra said, taking Gabriel's hand as they started to dance, a Columbian beat playing as they did so.
This is our show
We've got every kind of dance step
So full of music
A rhythm of its own design
As they danced, Gabriel used Fantasia to make the instruments float around them, exciting the audience as they did so. Gabriel held out a wing to Almyra.
This is my partner
A perfect constellation
Almyra blushed at the compliment, holding out her own wing to Gabriel.
So many stars
And everybody gets to shine
Woah! Let's be clear, Gabriel runs this show (Whoa!)
Whoa! He came here to this place not long ago (Whoa!)
Whoa, and every year our music blessings grow (Whoa!)
It's just a lot, you've simply got to know, so
The two birds came back together in dance, twirling and spinning as the instruments moved faster.
Welcome to the PhilharMagic Show
The home of the PhilharMagic Show
(We're on our way!)
Soon their spinning started to create a tornado of music, with Fantasia and the Dance of the Mystic Veils combining as their users danced together.
Where all the people are fantastical and magical
I'm part of the PhilharMagic Show!
The magic tornado soon overtook the stage, turning into a sandstorm before the view transformed into a street in the town of Agrabah. A precession marched down the street, with bell ringers, sword dancers, and harem girls leading the way of the big event.
Make way for Prince Ali!
Say hey! It's Prince Ali!
Genie (in his human disguise), lead the way as a fire twirler, with Gabriel and Almyra following behind him in their own Arabian outfits, with Gabriel's matching the Genie while Almyra had a golden dancer outfit.
Hey! Clear the way in the old Bazaar
Hey you! Let us through! It's a bright new star!
Oh come! Be the first on your block to meet his eye!
Almyra performed a belly dance to attract the people of Agrabah's attention, while Gabriel used Fantasia to draw in a crowd with music.
Make way! Here he comes!
Ring bells! Bang the drums!
Are you gonna love this guy?!
Aladdin (in his Prince Ali disguise) came in riding on top of Abu (in his elephant form), waving to the crowd as Genie, Gabriel, and Almyra all danced and sang his praises.
Prince Ali! Fabulous he!
Ali Ababwa
Genuflect, show some respect
Down on one knee!
Gabriel flicked his wrists, forcing the people of Agrabah to bow.
Now, try your best to stay calm
Brush up your Sunday salaam
Then come and meet his spectacular coterie
Almyra did a spin, giving a wink to some of the guys before disappearing in a puff of smoke. When the smoke cleared the peahen was surrounded by harem dancers and Genie disguised as a harem dancer himself, all of them dancing together as Gabriel used Fantasia to make Prince Ali's various fortunes appear.
Prince Ali! Handsome is he (There's no question this Ali's alluring)
Ali Ababwa (Never ordinary, never boring)
That physique! How can I speak? (Everything about that man)
Weak at the knee! (Just plain impresses)
Almyra's dance made everyone stare, her Dance of the Mystic Veils fully capturing the beauty of Arabian dance.
Well, get on out in that square (He's a winner, he's a whiz, a wonder)
Adjust your veil and prepare (He's about to pull my heart asunder)
To gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Ali! (And I absolutely love the way he dresses!)
Prince Ali blew a kiss to the girls, making them faint as Gabriel just rolled his eyes. The precession reached the palace, with Gabriel throwing his arms out to blow the doors open as Abu marched in.
Prince Ali! Amorous he!
Ali Ababwa
Heard your princess was a sight lovely to see
Genie suddenly appeared next to Almyra, giving her a kiss on the hand as she blushed.
And that, good people, is why,
he got dolled up and dropped by
Gabriel and Almyra combined their magic, summoning various treasures and spoils that Prince Ali had as he hopped on the Magic Carpet and flew around the room.
With sixty elephants, llamas galore
With his bears and lions
A brass band and more
With his forty fakirs,
his cooks and bakers
His birds that warble on key
Gabriel took Almyra by the hand before whistling, calling on Carpet to drop Prince Ali off and pick the two birds up as the song came to its climax.
Make way
For Prince Ali!
Genie winked the audience before snapping his fingers and filling the area in blue smoke. Soon Gabriel and Almyra were alone on stage. "Huh, is there supposed to be something here other than darkness?" Almyra asked.
"I think usually the magic brooms come in for the Fantasia segment, but "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is more about the music than dance," the raven said, scratching his head. Suddenly Gabriel got an idea. "I know! Lights please!" And with that a spotlight shown down, revealing a hippo in a tutu and an alligator in a feathered hat. "Presenting: Dance of the Hours!" he called.
Hyacinth Hippo and Ben Ali Gator took each other by the hand, doing a slow spin under the spotlight. Gabriel gave a bow to Almyra, the peahen giggling before holding out a hand for the two to dance as well. Of course, even though Hyacinth and Ben were amazing dancers, the two couldn't help but start up a chase, with the other gators, hippos, elephants, and ostriches coming out to join in the silly dance as well.
"I think we should make our exit here," Gabriel whispered, Almyra giving a nod as Ben balanced Hyacinth on his tail while the music swelled to its conclusion. When the spotlight turned off, a funky groove started to play, with the lights becoming bright as a shadow started dancing on the wall.
Suddenly the audience's attention was turned to none other than Emperor Kuzco, taking a pose. "Oh yeah," he said with a grin. He turned to Gabriel and Almyra. "Isn't this my big scene? Theme music, please!" The two birds shrugged, with Gabriel calling on Fantasia as he started singing.
There are despots and dictators
Political manipulators
There are blue bloods with the intellects of fleas
Kuzco danced down the hall as his servants came out to toss rose petals on his path. When the emperor came to a wall, he snapped his fingers, with Almyra replied to by using her Dance of the Mystic Veils to create a new doorway for Kuzco to dance through.
There are kings and petty tyrants
Who are so lacking in refinements
They'd be better suited swinging from the trees
"But not me!" Kuzco boasted, snapping his fingers to call his guards to come in as backup dancers.
He's the sovereign lord of the nation
He's the hippest dude in creation
He's a hep cat in the emperor's new clothes
"That's true!" Kuzco said, taking Almyra by the hand. The emperor sized her up before dropping it. "Let me guess, you have a great personality. Sorry, but I'll pass."
"I don't know if I should be offended or not…" Almyra said.
Years of such selective breeding
Generations have been leading
To this miracle of life that we all know
"You know what to say!" Gabriel said, waving his hands as everyone in the palace came out to shower Kuzco with whatever the emperor wanted.
What's his name?
Kuzco, Kuzco (That's his name!)
Kuzco (He's the king of the world!)
As Kuzco basked in his glory, Almyra rolled her eyes but still danced along to the beat. Gabriel and her followed behind Kuzco until they noticed a sign the read "This Way To Next Scene" and followed that instead.
Kuzco, Kuzco (Is he hip or what?)
Kuzco (Yeah!)
As the segment ended, Kuzco turned to the audience and stuck a pose. "Hah! Boom, baby!"
The scene soon changed as the sounds of monkey screeching filled the room. Leaves parted as the audience as transported to the jungles of India, where King Louie was making his case to Mowgli to give the orangutan "Man's Red Flower" aka fire. Gabriel and Almyra watched from the background, feeling the beat as the king sang.
I wanna be a man, mancub
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
The song soon went into full swing, with the visuals becoming colorful as Gabriel used Fantasia to make everything in the jungle pop.
Oh, ooh-bee-doo, (Oop-dee-wee)
I wanna be like you-ou-ou (Hop-dee-doo-bee-do-bow)
I wanna walk like you (Cheep)
Talk like you (Cheep)
To-o-oo! (Wee-bee-dee-bee-dee-boo)
King Louie soon saw Almyra and was enraptured by her beauty. The orangutan swung over to her, the peahen being surprised when he started singing to her instead of Mowgli.
You'll see it's tru-u-ue (Shoo-be-dee-doo)
An ape like me-e-e (Scooby-doo-bee-doo-bee)
Can learn to be
Hu-u-uman
To-o-oo!
Soon the monkeys had brought Gabriel down to dance as well, the raven following along with the swinging jazz music of the jungle.
You hoo hoo! (Oop-dee-wee)
I wanna be like you-u-u! (Hop-dee-doo-bee-do-bow)
I wanna walk like you! (Cheep)
Talk like you (Cheep)
To-o-oo! (Wee-bee-dee-bee-dee-boo)
The Dream Keeper waved his hands at the door of the ruined temple, which opened up to reveal Baloo in his ape disguise waltzing in to dance as well.
You'll see it's tru-u-ue! (Shoo-be-dee-doo)
Someone like me-e-e (Scooby-doo-bee-doo-bee)
Can learn to be
Like someone
Like me
Soon King Louie turned his attention to the bear, the two singing and dancing together as Almyra and Gabriel were surrounded by the monkey troupe. The two birds started to jazz dance together, having a great time.
(Take me home, daddy!)
Can learn to be
Like someone
Like you
(One more time!)
"Think you guys can take us out of here?" Almyra asked, the chimps all nodding in agreement and leading the two to the exit.
Yeah!
Can learn to be
Like someone
Like me-e!
As Baloo sang, his costume started to fall off, much to the shock of King Louie.
Cee-de-do-bop-bop
Bada-doodle
Dot-andot-andot-andot-andot...
(Man...)
As Baloo looked to the audience, the jungle leaves closed as a different kind of beat started to fill the jungle. The sounds of chirps and bird calls came from the trees, with drums and strings coming in to add to the symphony. Gabriel and Almyra soon appeared, running through the forest as they came out to a cliffside to find that their magic had taken them to the city of Rio de Janeiro, which meant only one thing. Turning around, the two saw the colorful birds of the city filling the jungle air as they started to sing.
All the birds of a feather
Do what they love most of all
We are the best at rhythm and laughter
That's why we love Carnival
"Come on Almyra, time to Samba!" Gabriel said, letting Fantasia run free as he started to dance.
Call so clear we can sing to
Sun and nature's big moon
Dance to the music, passion and love
Show us the best you can do
Almyra smiled, joining her dance partner in the dance as the birds of Rio did the same in the air above them.
Everyone here is on fire
Get up and join in the fun
Dance with a stranger, romance and danger
In the middle of the birds were Blu and Jewel, the two dancing together without a care in the world as they enjoyed their time together.
Magic could happen for real, in Rio
All by itself (itself)
You can't see it coming
You can't find it anywhere else (anywhere else)
Gabriel laughed as he spun around, feeling the magic in the air of the spectacle that Samba brought to the jungle. Almyra held out a hand, a baby bird landing on it that she gave a quick nuzzle before letting it fly free.
It's real, in Rio
And know something else (something else)
You can't feel it happening
You can feel it all by yourself!
Once the drums hit for the final time, flower petals filled the air as Gabriel and Almyra went to the next scene. A marching beat filled their ears, and the two birds were now standing in the middle of the army of Ancient China, with Mulan and Shang training their fellow warriors. "Isn't this more military training?" Almyra questioned.
"This is an iconic song, plus Kung Fu like a lot of martial arts have a basis in dance," Gabriel shrugged.
The two were tossed training staffs and stood at attention as Shang started to sing.
Time is racing toward us
Till the Huns arrive
Heed my every order
And you might survive
Gabriel and Almyra followed the moves of the training exercise, the peahen starting to get a feel for it as she realized the similarities between it and her own dancing. Mulan and Shang sparred against each other, with Shang sweeping his staff underneath Mulan's legs and knocking her to the ground.
You're unsuited for
The rage of war
So pack up, go home, you're through
How could I make a man out of you?
Mulan got back up and retook her stance, Shang smiling at his girlfriend's determination. The two clashed staffs as the scene changed to training montage with Gabriel and Almyra performing a mix of Chinese dance and Kung Fu over it.
(Be a man)
We must be swift as the coursing river
Gabriel waved his staff, creating a rush of water across the stage.
(Be a man)
With all the force of a great typhoon
Almyra twirled her staff over her head, conjuring up a windstorm.
(Be a man)
With all the strength of a raging fire
The two thrust their staffs to the ground, sending up pillars of flame.
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Gabriel, Almyra, Shang, and Mulan and jumped in the air and did a kicking pose as the moon shone brightly behind them. The glowing orb soon panned down to a boggy swap in New Orleans, a gospel beat rising up from Mama Odie's boat as Gabriel and Almyra entered in to see what the voodoo priestess was up to.
Don't matter what you look like
Don't matter what you wear
How many rings you got on your finger
We don't care
(No we don't care!)
The spoonbills soon appeared around Gabriel and Almyra as Mama Odie started singing to them, pulling the two into the song.
And they all knew what they wanted
What they wanted me to do
I told them what they needed
Just like I be telling you
Gabriel added in his Fantasia, creating a tambourine for Almyra to play while he pulled out a trumpet for himself. The peahen grinned and started following Mama Odia around as the voodoo priestess did her thing.
You gotta dig a little deeper
Find out who you are
You gotta dig a little deeper
It really ain't that far
Gabriel played his instrument, music notes flying around the place that popped like bubbles after some time.
When you found out who you are
You find out what you need
Blue skies and sunshine
Guaranteed
You gotta dig
The three danced over to the lookout, rising up to the top of the boat and walking out to see the rising sun over the bayou.
Dig down deep inside yourself
You'll found out what you need
Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed
"Open up the windows!" Gabriel called, using Fantasia to part the curtain.
"Bring in the light!" Mama Odie added.
(Blue skies and sunshine)
(Blue skies and sunshine)
Almyra basked in the light, holding out her arms and smiling.
Blue skies and sunshine!
Guaranteed
The two birds took each other by the hand, turning to the audience and giving a bow before the lights turning off. When they came back on, the stage was back to normal, the audience standing up and clapping at the spectacular performance they had witnessed. Kessie flew up and landed on Gabriel's shoulder with a big smile on her beak.
"That was amazing, you two!" the bluebird complimented. "I never knew there were so many types of dances."
"And there's plenty more where that came from," Almyra nodded. She took a pose and winked at Gabriel. "It was great getting to perform with you as well, Dream Keeper. We should do it again some time!"
"Well, there is the big Hocus Pocus Bash this Halloween," Gabriel said. "I'll be there, so you should come along as well. You can meet Jasiri as well."
"I'd be happy to," Almyra nodded. "Oh, and you two should come to my shop in Epcot as well! I can make you the best costumes for the event."
"Sounds like a plan," Gabriel nodded. He held out a hand for Almyra to shake, only for the union to suddenly produce a ball of light. The ball shone brightly before transforming into a pin that Gabriel caught. "Huh, this is just like when I unlocked my Harmony powers. But I didn't specifically make this pin, so I wonder what it means…"
"How did you get the first one?" Kessie asked.
"Well, after my adventure in the Mirrorverse, I had to face a dark version of myself. I accepted that part of myself, balancing the light and dark, thus giving me access to Harmony, a version of Fantasia that calls on the powers of my friends to use," Gabriel explained.
"Well, if you got your pin from Harmony, maybe this one is the same way?" Kessie suggested.
"Makes sense to me," Almyra nodded. "The performance we just did must have connected us, so the pin was made from our shared Harmony."
"I think that gives me a name for these things: Harmony Pins," Gabriel said. He gave the pin to Almyra. "Take this, Almyra. Consider it my endorsement for you being an official Dream Defender."
"Thanks!" Almyra said. She looked at the pin to see that it depicted the singer Gazelle in the middle of a performance, singing into a microphone. "Oh my goodness, it's Gazelle! I love Shakira, and her voicing Gazelle means that I love her as well! I so want to meet her someday…"
"I hear that Gazelle might be making a surprise appearance at the Hocus Pocus Bash," Gabriel said with a wink.
"Then I will definitely be meeting you there," Almyra said. "It was fun getting to perform at your side, Dream Keeper. May the Dance of the Mystic Veils and Fantasia cross paths again in the future!"
Author's Note
Princess Almyra of the Mystic Veils (That's her full name) was submitted by the user Princess Peacock, but also first appeared in "Adventures of Logan." She's a fun character with the power of dance that compliments Gabriel's Fantasia very well.
This chapter was basically Gabriel's version of Mickey's PhilharMagic, a ride at multiple Disney parks that showcases iconic Disney musical moments in 4-D. For this version, the songs chosen were a variation on "The Family Madrigal" from Encanto, "Prince Ali" from Aladdin, "Dance of the Hours" from Fantasia, "Perfect World" from Emperor's New Groove, "I Wanna Be Like You" from Jungle Book, "Real in Rio" from Rio, "Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan, and "Dig A Little Deeper" from Princess and the Frog.
And Almyra also gets to officially be a Dream Defender. Her Dance of the Mystic Veils is already powerful enough to qualify her, but having a bonding moment with Gabriel really sealed the deal. I've also decided to name the pins Gabriel gives his friends Harmony Pins. Don't worry, the other Dream Defenders will get them in due time as well. I wonder if they hold any special powers?
Next Time: Gabriel helps to investigate a theft alongside a very good lawyer