Disclaimer: I do not own the copyrights of Yu-Gi-Oh, Disney, or any copyrighted material referenced in this episode. The Yu-G-Oh franchise made its debut in the U.S. in 2001 on Kids' WB hence why I would place them in the Warner Domain. I am using the names from the English dub and MillenniumPrincess's interpretation of the characters. Also, I do not own Digimon, but I can tell you that it was on Jetix and Toon Disney. All copyrighted materials go to their respective owners.
Episode XX (20): Impacts and Choices
Within the library of the Forbidden Castle, Brandon was sitting on a desk, and he was reading a book about Digimon out of curiosity, until a toon penguin named Slip entered the library.
Brandon asked, "What are you doing here? Have you told Maleficent about that probation officer?"
"Well, regarding that," Slip added. "Should I ask Maleficent to just send you home?"
Brandon stated, "You should."
Slip sighed. He hated to invoke Maleficent's wrath, but Brandon was getting to be a nuisance.
Slip said in a nervous tone, "Mistress of all evil."
Maleficent gave him her attention. "You bring news of the children?"
"No, Excellency," he answered. "About the boy Brandon-,"
"What about him?" she asked sternly.
The penguin gulped and said, "I was thinking, since he hasn't been of any use to you, you should send him home."
Maleficent sighed and she stated, "Very well. However, he is not to tell his parents about this."
Slip nodded in understanding.
Maleficent wasn't finished. "However, once I have finally found a way to use him, I will bring him back to this castle."
"Of course, Your Excellency," Slip replied.
Slip gathered two goblin guards and they began to run to find Brandon!
He found the boy still reading that book and Slip announced himself. "Brandon Kyle."
He gave the penguin his attention. "What do you want?"
"I come on behalf of Maleficent. You are free to go."
Brandon cried, "All right. What portal will lead me home?"
One of the guards grabbed the book thinking it was useless placed it on a table. The other guards saw it as a chance to get more cauldrons for Ursula.
"Maleficent will transport you herself." Slip answered. "Follow me."
Brandon followed the penguin to the throne room. While he was disappointed that he wouldn't be getting an opportunity, he was glad to finally be leaving the castle and returning home.
Maleficent gave a cold smile. "I'm sorry it had to be this way, Brandon."
"That's not necessary," he told her.
"Before I send you home, you must promise me you will not let your family know of the time you spent in this castle or me or my comrades." she requested.
Brandon nodded. "I promise." Knowing what the Dark Masters were capable of, he knew it would be wise to keep this to himself.
Satisfied with his response, Maleficent used her magic to warp Brandon home. "When the time is right, I'll summon him back here," she promised herself. At least she wouldn't have to deal with any more complaints about the boy.
Brandon awoke to find himself back in the house and to see his mother watching the news really concerned after hearing those six teenagers who had disappeared, and he asked, "Mom, what's going on?"
Brandon's mother had long flowing blonde hair and green eyes dressed in a black Back to the Future t-shirt, black jeans, and brown walking shoes. She went by the name of Garwen Dallben Kyle. She looked at the screen with concern that her son would meet a similar outcome.
She answered, "I have heard that six teenagers have disappeared, and I don't want you to meet a similar fate."
Brandon watched the report, knowing full well who the teenagers in question were. He knew it was about Natius and the others. But he couldn't say anything to his mother, knowing it would cause him to break his word to Maleficent.
Garwen commented, "I hope that those kids will be found."
Brandon cleared his throat. "So do I."
Garwen looked at her son. "From now on, Brandon, I want you to come home after school. No detours or delays. That means I want you to stop getting in trouble at school. You are still banned from that arcade which houses that Kingdom Hearts wannabe. When you carved Mr. Virgil's desk, I asked the staff at the arcade to not allow you access to that game until you learn some humility and respect for others' property."
"But, Mom, that game is-,"
"But nothing," she snapped. "Your father and I will drop you off and pick you up if we have to."
"I'm not a little kid," he argued, not understanding his mother was just worried about him.
Things were stressful enough for Garwen because of her son's behavior; especially after hearing about how he vandalized a teacher's desk. He was also failing at school. How she wished her son would talk to her about his behavior. Finally, she said with sadness and worry, "Brandon, I don't want to lose you."
Garwen asked noticing the boy's eyes were a little glassy, "Are you feeling all right?"
Brandon sighed. "Just tired." He went to his room.
Brandon asked, "Why was I involved in this mess?"
Thinking about the events, he secretly hoped Natius and the others would find a way home.
Brandon fell asleep and began to have a dream about Natius's encounter with Judge Doom.
He asked, "Natius?"
Natius cried, "Mr. Virgil, why are your eyes red?"
"Mr. Virgil is not present. I am Judge Doom!"
Brandon could not see the burning red eyes and he dashed over to Natius trying to stop the disappearance from happening!
To his regret and horror, he faced a pair of flaring blood red eyes!
He cried, "Mr. Virgil! Stop! What does he have to do with you?!"
"I am not Mr. Virgil," the judge growled.
Brandon cried, "If you're not Mr. Virgil then who are you?"
"I am Judge Doom," he said again.
Brandon asked, "What are you doing to Natius? He has no connection to you!"
"That doesn't matter," the judge argued. "I was ordered by the Dark Masters to kill the boy."
The chasm below the statue of Walt started to summon powerful winds to pull in anyone within the shrine!
The boys felt themselves being pulled in. "Natius!" Brandon screamed, holding his hand out.
Natius grabbed Brandon's hand, refusing to let go.
Judge Doom threw down a glass ball hard causing it to shatter and poppy fog was unleashed!
Both boys coughed as they breathed in the substance and began to lose consciousness and fall deep into the chasm.
Brandon gasped as he woke up and took deep breaths to calm himself.
Brandon laid back down and he asked, "Mr. Virgil, what happened to you?"
In his mind, he was debating whether to listen to his mother and stay here or find a way back to help Natius and the others rescue Mr. Virgil. No. If the Dark Masters were to find out, they would likely kill him. Besides, how could he go back if he wanted to? It was Maleficent who brought him to the castle in the first place and it seemed like she wasn't going to ask him back any time soon.
"What can I do?" he asked out loud.
He took a Tepig plush doll next to his bed that he named Hen Wen in honor of a pig that his mother would tell him about and he asked in his mind, "What am I going to do, Hen? It's already bad enough that I infuriated mom in more ways than one."
He was snapped out of his thoughts as Garwen entered the room, but did not direct his attention to her.
"Brandon," she said, trying to speak softly. For all she could assume, he was asleep. "Are you awake?"
She received no response but spoke anyway, "I wish you would talk to me. I don't know what you're going through that would prompt you to act like a delinquent. I had problems like you when I was your age."
She said to herself, "I guess that runs deep in the family."
Brandon remained silent.
Garwen sighed, seeing there was no point in this. She left the room and closed the door. She didn't know how much more disappointment she could take.
Brandon began to think about his behavior, and he began to look up information about a shrine in Redwood Forest.
He remembered what he realized from watching the same report his mother was watching. It was the last place the six teenagers had been to before they disappeared. Maybe that place had some answers to all of this.
Garwen stated, "I'm going to run to the store. Do not sneak out while I'm gone."
"All right, Mom," he replied. What an opportunity. With his mother gone for the moment, he could go to the shrine. Once he made sure his mother was out of sight, Brandon snuck out and hurried to Redwood Forest.
He dashed through the skyscraping trees, and he came across a shrine that almost resembled a church as if it was sacred ground and as soon as he opened the door, he noticed a small, shattered mess on the floor of the shrine and he asked, "What the hell happened?"
The door suddenly closed. Brandon tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. "Hey, anyone out there?!" he asked shouting.
He turned to see a statue of Walt Disney!
He asked, "What the hell?"
A voice whispered, "Choose your path."
"My path?" Brandon asked in confusion.
Brandon was presented three choices each one represented by a single item floating on platforms.
The first was a powerful sword bearing an insignia of a red deer, a magical brown wooden staff that had a light orb on the top of the staff, and a shield that had the Mickey Mouse head on the front.
Brandon asked, "What is this?"
"Choose," the voice said again.
"You want me to choose one of these?" Brandon asked. He looked at the insignia on the sword's hilt. He remembered seeing it in his dreams. Without realizing what he was doing, Brandon reached for the sword and grasped the hilt.
The voice said, "The power of a warrior, indestructible courage to fight to protect others. Is this your choice?"
Brandon answered, "Yes."
Suddenly, the entire area began to disappear around Brandon, and he began falling into darkness.
Brandon cried as he fell, "Help!"
The sword released a brilliant light, causing him to lose consciousness.
When Brandon woke up, he began to look around his environment with confusion.
"Where am I?" he asked himself. "This isn't the Dark Masters' castle."
He got up and he noticed that the atmosphere was dark and he asked, "Is there anyone out there?"
He listened for a voice, but received no response.
He turned to see an imposing sorcerer of great power dressed in blue billowing robe with a blue conical hat that resembled Sorcerer Mickey's hat as evident from the crescent moon and star pattern.
Brandon asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The sorcerer identified himself. "I am Master Yen Sid. And I have been waiting for you, Brandon Kyle."
A shocked expression crossed Brandon's face. "How do you know my name?"
The sorcerer knew more than just the boy's name. He also knew of his ancestry and how he had questions about Mr. Virgil. He looked at the sword in Brandon's hands.
He pointed the sword towards the sorcerer. "Don't come near me!"
Master Yen Sid replied, "There is no need to be alarmed. Lower your blade and I will explain to you what I know."
Brandon lowered his blade in hesitation.
"You have questions and concerns regarding the man called Simeon Virgil," he began. "That is why you are here."
"I had a dream about him before I came here," said Brandon. "Except his eyes were red and he seemed menacing. If you know what's happened to Mr. Virgil, please tell me," he pleaded.
Master Yen Sid answered, "Simeon Virgil is being possessed by a notorious servant named Judge Doom."
Brandon remembered the name from his dream. "Why is Judge Doom controlling Mr. Virgil? What does he want with Natius?"
Master Yen Sid answered, "Natius is a living descendant of the first of the three Walt Maidens of the purest heart."
Brandon asked, "What are you saying?"
"After his mother, Natius became the current living descendant of Snow White and Prince Harald," the sorcerer answered. "Just as you are the current living descendant of Taran and Eilonwy like your mother was before you." He looked at the sword again. "That is why you have the sword in your hands."
Brandon remembered the stories his mother told him about how Taran and Eilonwy and their companions saved the land of Prydain.
He asked, "What must I do?"
"For now, you must avoid the Dark Masters," Yen Sid advised, "for Judge Doom is under their command."
Brandon refused. "I can help Mr. Virgil. The Dark Masters don't scare me," he bragged.
"You are a fool to challenge those villains," Yen Sid scolded. "If you confront them, you will likely die at their hands."
Brandon wouldn't admit it, but the sorcerer was right. Maleficent still had some use for Brandon and if she saw that he was now against the Dark Masters, they would kill him.
Even so, he didn't want to be a coward. "I can't just sit and hide like a coward. There has to be something I can do."
Master Yen Sid replied, "You are to stay away from the Dark Masters. They have been bringing despair and darkness for generations and they would easily have you executed and feed your deceased body to Scar and his hyenas."
Brandon was disgusted at the thought.
"Your resolve to rescue Simeon Virgil will do you no good at this time. Untried courage is no match against the evil of the Dark Masters."
Brandon scoffed. "That's what Dallben said to Taran about the Horned King."
"Then you know to do well to heed that advice," said Yen Sid.
"Can't I just help Natius and the others?" Brandon asked. "They're fighting the Dark Masters."
"Fool," the sorcerer scolded. "If the Dark Masters see you with Natius and his group, they will deem you a traitor and that will give them even more incentive to kill you."
Brandon felt he was getting nowhere. "I came here looking for a way to help Mr. Virgil. If my answer is to hide and do nothing, then coming here was a waste of my time."
Master Yen Sid retorted, "Your trial of Humility has not started yet."
"What?" Brandon asked.
"Go to Prydain, the land of your ancestors," the sorcerer instructed. "Once there, you will face a trial that will prove you worthy of the sword's power. If you are successful, you will awaken as the warrior you are meant to become. Then and only then will you be ready to face the Dark Masters."
Brandon asked, "How can I find Prydain?"
"I will have a servant guide you," Yen Sid answered.
"Will I see Natius and the others?" Brandon asked.
"This is a trial you must face alone," the sorcerer told him. "They will be going to Paris to face one of the Dark Masters."
"Then I want to go there instead," Brandon immediately said. "I can help."
Master Yen Sid replied, "No. Frollo may be a human man, but he instills fear to those that come in his path. In other words, He's too dangerous for you to handle."
Brandon raised his sword. "Not if I have this."
"Foolish boy," Master Yen Sid jeered. "The true power of that sword will not be released until you have proven yourself worthy." He used his magic to open a path to the land of Prydain. "Your trial begins now."
Brandon ran into portal that would lead him to the mystic land of Prydain!
Meanwhile in a house that was two houses down the Grimhilde Estate was an elegant house that had a stone steps that resembled seashells and the house had a design that resembled a combination of Atlantica and the castle Eric lived in.
Within the house was a little girl who was eight years old with flowing black hair that extended to her waist and gray eyes. She was wearing a white long-sleeved dress that extended to her ankles and black low heeled shoes. Her name was Samara Henderson.
She had gotten home from school and was preparing her room to watch the Little Mermaid, one of her favorite movies.
She walked downstairs to ask her parents if they needed anything before she would began to watch the movie.
Samara's father was a man in his mid-forties with black hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a black flannel shirt with jeans and boots. He was listening to the news report about the six teenagers who had disappeared.
Samara's mother was away for grocery shopping.
Her father noticed her and said, "Samara, if you ever plan to go outside, don't go by yourself."
"Why? What's the matter?" Then she turned her attention to the news report. At that moment, she immediately understood. Her father didn't want something like this to happen to her.
"I intend to let your sister know about this," her father said. "From now on, if you plan to go outside, she's to watch over you."
Samara asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
She paid closer attention to the report her father was watching. Six teenagers were reported missing and there were no leads on the disappearances. Mr. Henderson was worried that they were kidnapped. It was because of this that he didn't want Samara to leave the house by herself for any reason.
Samara looked at the image of Natius and she cried, "I hope they find those guys. That boy's family would be devastated if he's dead."
Samara began researching information about the disappearance of those teenagers on her computer and she recognized one of the boys as her neighbor, Natius.
She was curious about his disappearance, but she couldn't leave her house; at least not by herself.
She asked her father, "Do you know anything about the Grimhilde Estate?"
He looked at her and answered, "Yes, and I know the folks who live there. I'm really worried about Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi-Roseraven's son, and I hope he's all right."
Samara thought to herself, "I hope that boy doesn't do anything to hurt himself."
Her father sighed and nodded. Then he looked at the time. "Your mother should be getting home soon." He intended to let his wife know about this.
He heard a car pull up to see a sea blue 1989 Ford SUV pull up into the garage as it opened its door. The car door opened to reveal a woman was in her early forties with vibrant red hair that went down to hips, but it was braided to keep it out of the way and bluish green eyes. She was dressed in a white flannel shirt and brown skirt with low heeled shoes. Her name was Jodi Triton. She had worked in an office for the Roy O. Disney High School and had got off work to do some small grocery shopping as she opened the door to her house, she put away the groceries and she noticed that her husband was watching the news.
Jodi asked, "Seamus, did something happen?"
Seamus turned to his wife and replied, "There has been a mysterious disappearance that happened to one of our neighbors. The Roseraven boy with that majestic dragon statue accompanied by statues of two birds a golden eagle on the right-hand side and a red-crowned crane on the left-hand side of the statue."
Jodi asked, "What? What happened to him?"
Seamus replied, "He and five other students have disappeared."
Jodi gasped with her hand over her mouth. "Oh, no!"
"I don't know much about it, but from now on, I think Samara and Shira should not leave the house unsupervised," Seamus replied. "I don't want something like this happening to either of them."
His wife agreed. Samara was already notified of the situation. Now they just had to inform her elder sister Shira.
The school bus dropped off a girl who was sixteen years old with red hair and green eyes wearing a school uniform consisting of a brown skirt that extended to her shins, a dark blue coat and underneath was a pink flannel shirt. Upon her head was a pair of headphones behind her ears, the volume was soft enough to not be noticed.
She was singing along to a Little Mermaid song, much to her mother's disappointment as her mother had been called by an unexpected high school that was a sharp contrast of her workplace.
Jodi asked in a scolding tone, "Shira Athena Henderson, did you get in trouble with those headphones again? This is the second time that I received a phone call about you listening to some music on your Walkman 2000."
Shira countered, "My headphones behind my ears on a very soft volume that no one would hear."
Jodi gave an exasperated sigh, trying to keep her temper. "Never mind that. Come inside the house. Your father and I need to discuss something."
Shira didn't know what this was about, but she followed her mother to the dining room.
Once the family was assembled at the dining table, Seamus began the announcement. "A report was broadcasted on the news recently about a group of teenagers mysteriously disappearing. One of them happened to be our neighbor Natius."
"Your father and I came to an agreement that from now on, you girls are not to leave this house unsupervised," Jodi declared.
"What?" Shira cried.
"We will escort you girls to where you need to go, whether it be school or any activities or anything else," continued Jodi. "In addition, Shira, you will watch over Samara. Wherever she goes, you go with her."
"Are you serious?" the elder sister asked. "I have better things to do than babysitting Samara. I have friends, I have after school activities."
"Do I need to repeat myself?" her mother asked in a stern voice.
"It's not fair," Shira protested. Angry, she left the dining room.
"Shira, come back," Seamus ordered.
"Leave me alone," she snapped.
Shira walked upstairs to her room.
Samara asked, "What's wrong with her?"
Jodi gave a kind smile. "I guess your sister feels like she's being punished because she got in trouble again with those headphones of hers."
Samara loved her elder sister, but she was afraid to be near her whenever she was in a bad mood. She sighed, hoping she would come around.
Shira was really upset about the day because her headphones were confiscated and one of her teachers had to call her mother.
Samara suddenly didn't feel like watching The Little Mermaid. She was too worried about what was going on right now.
Samara placed the DVD copy of The Little Mermaid on her shelf for next time.
After dinner, Jodi and Seamus decided to visit the Grimhilde residence to speak to Natius's parents, leaving Shira and Samara at home.
Seamus walked up to the gate and became startled by the statue of the Great Stone Dragon, but his wife rang the doorbell which sounded like the leitmotif of Fa Zhou when he was called to serve the Emperor of China.
Natius's father was a man black hair and disciplined brown eyes dressed in a police uniform for the Los Angeles Police Department. His name was Masahiro Takahashi, He had been in the police business since his grandfather Satoshi Takahashi became a police officer after WWII.
He asked, "Mr. and Mrs. Henderson? What are you two doing here?"
Jodi got straight to the point. "We heard about your son's disappearance, and we thought we'd come and check on you."
He sighed and said, "Yes, we're really worried. My colleagues went to investigate the shrine where Natius and his friends were last seen, but we haven't found any leads."
"What about the families of the other children?" Seamus asked. "Have they been informed?"
"Yes. We're doing everything we can to assure them that we will find their children and bring them home," Natius's father answered. "In the meantime, I suggest you keep your children under close supervision. And if you must, give them a curfew."
"Yes, sir," Jodi and Seamus replied.
As soon as the Hendersons left the estate, his wife holding the phone that was ringing revealing Garwen's number.
Ariana cried as she held the family phone that was wireless, "Masahiro, Garwen Kyle is on the phone."
Masahiro was not amused by the name as he had argued with Brandon's father about his behavior in the school and he was furious when he found out what Brandon did to that snake.
He asked, "Did Brandon do something that will go on his permanent record again? That time he used the rattlesnake really made my blood boil. He's like that brat Taran."
Ariana answered, "Not this time Masahiro. I put the phone on speaker so you could hear her."
Masahiro got within the phone's range to speak to Garwen. "Mrs. Kyle, this is Officer Takahashi. What seems to be the problem?"
"It's my son," Garwen said desperately. "He's missing."
"Be calm," he said soflty. "What do you mean he's missing?"
Garwen explained that she had just returned home from the grocery store and when she went to Brandon's room, he wasn't there. She also revealed that she too was aware of the news report about the missing teenagers and feared that Brandon went looking for trouble regarding the matter.
Masahiro asked, "What was the last thing that was on your son's computer?"
Garwen took a second to regain her composure and answered, "He was looking at information about a shrine in Redwood Forest."
Masahiro was familiar about rumors of a shrine in Redwood Forest, and he asked, "You mean to tell me that he might be in Redwood Forest?"
"It's the only place I can think of right now," Garwen replied. "If he's there, please bring him back," she pleaded.
"I'll do my best," Masahiro promised.
He turned off the phone and he asked Ariana, "Should I bring backup with me?"
She nodded. "You'll need all the help you can get. Brandon is not a cooperative one." Even she was aware of the boy's behavior.
"Brandon may be a felon, but I still have an obligation to help even the troubled," said Masahiro. "I'll try not to be too hard on the boy." After recieving a hug and kiss and pleas from his wife to be careful, he stepped inside his car. He also contacted a few coworkers and asked for their help as he headed to the forest.
One of his coworkers asked, "Why'd you call us?"
"We've got a runaway," Masahiro answered. "It's that felon Brandon Kyle."
"You mean the juvenile delinquent who almost caused your son's death?" Another asked.
"The same," Masahiro answered. "I think he may be in Redwood Forest. That's where his mother said he was going."
"All right, Takahashi. We'll meet you there."
The officers began driving towards the Redwood forest.
Once Masahiro and his co-workers were present, the police officers stepped out of their vehicles and turned on their flashlights.
"Head for the shrine," Masahiro shouted. "The boy's got to be there."
The officers continued scouting the woods for the alleged shrine and to their surprise, they saw a shrine!
Masahiro stated, "We need to be extremely careful in that shrine. There's a rumor about it being protected by spirits from the age of the fairy tales' reign on humanity."
One officer scoffed. "Do you actually believe that? People say that just to scare kids."
"My family has believed in spirits for generations," said Masahiro.
"Whatever, Takahashi. Let's just find the boy."
The officers entered the shrine and Masuhiro ordered, "Officer Skinner, you stay out of the shrine and make sure that nothing happens to that door."
Skinner asked, "Why?"
"I don't want anyone going in or out without my approval," he answered. "If the boy is here, he have to prevent him from trying to resist."
One of the officers stated, "Besides at any moment, the door might close on us."
Masahiro asked, "How would you know that?"
"I think you guys have seen one too many horror movies in your lives," Skinner commented. Nonetheless, he took his post and guarded the door.
Masahiro looked at the statue of Walt Disney!
"Search for clues," he ordered his team, "but don't touch anything."
One officer asked, "Why? It's been deserted for God knows how long."
"There may be some evidence concerning not only Brandon's disappearance, but the missing teenagers," Masahiro answered. "And one of them happens to be my son," he snapped.
One officer who was called Peterson asked, "What was he doing here?!"
Masahiro grabbed him and snapped, "That's what I've been trying to find out since his disappearance! And it's not just my son I'm worried about, but the other five who were with him. And their families are just as scared and are wanting answers to all of this!"
One officer named Anderson stated, "There have been disappearances in 2011 from Wales."
"It's not just Wales," another officer added. "Children are being reported missing in other countries. If you ask me, something bizarre is going on."
Masahiro muttered, "Good Lord! Who would do this?"
Peterson suggested, "We should get a message to city hall about these disappearances and tell families to have children under curfew."
Masahiro stated, "We'll do that once we find Brandon."
The police officers searched the shrine, but they could not find Brandon Kyle anywhere. There was also no trace of anything left behind by the other teenagers who were missing. Masahiro was puzzled.
He found a shattered mess of glass and poppy petals and he placed them to into a small baggy using pincers to avoid touching.
He decided to take the clues back with him for investigating. When it was clear that Brandon was nowhere near the shrine, Masahiro told his co-workers they could leave, but also to put an alert out for Brandon and to go to city hall to have minors and young adults put under curfew.
The officers began to carry out the objective!
Officer Peterson asked, "What penalties should the kids or minors that break curfew?"
Masahiro replied, "We give them a warning."
They also agreed that no child or minor be left unsupervised. With these disappearances, they didn't want to take any chances.
Soon police began to set up flyers for curfew!
Masahiro took the bag into an office and one of the officers asked, "What is that?"
Masahiro inspected the contents. "It looks like flower petals and broken glass."
One of the officers by the name of Terrance Dahl Trotter who was a young man of nineteen years with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes dressed in a uniform for a police officer asked, "What kind of glass is it?"
Masahiro examined the glass, looking for any kind of residue like a fingerprint or some blood or any other pathogen. "This glass is like the kind used to fashion those snow globes or Christmas ornaments."
Terrance asked noticing petals of poppies, "Why would anyone be stupid enough to place plants in ornaments?"
"I've heard that people use these products to contain the essence of plants and use them as sleeping drafts," Masahiro answered.
Terrance replied, "Who would be stupid enough to use poppies? Those are illegal plants."
"We'll find out who," Masahiro said as he continued examining the glass.
Terrance replied, "I just hope that we'll get the person responsible for this bull."
Masahiro just hoped that in the process of finding the criminals, he'd be able to find out what happened to his son and the rest of the missing teenagers. Where are you, Natius? he asked in his thoughts.
Terrance asked, "Why would a bunch of criminals take away your son of all those kids."
Masahiro remembered that in 2005, his son had been having dreams about an age of fairy tales.
At first, he passed it off as nonsense, but Masahiro was once told by his grandparents that dreams can actually be signs and messages from greater beings, even those who have passed on. As Masahiro thought about what his grandparents once said, he began to wonder if it was so with his son's dreams; that they were signs or messages.
Masahiro asked Terrance, "Do you still talk with the Cendrillon Family?"
Terrance answered, "I consider them neighbors with a common background to my grandpa's."
Masahiro listened to Terrance's story about how his grandfather moved to New York to escape his abusive aunts.
And at the mention of the name Cendrillon, Masahiro also started thinking of the de Chatapuers family. Their son Darius was well acquainted with Natius since they had the same economics class.
In addition, Natius's father and Darius's actually grew up together and trained together at the police academy.
Terrance asked Masahiro, "Why'd you ask about that family?"
"Because the Cendrillon girl is one of the missing teenagers," he answered.
Terrance cried, "Oh my God! Who are the others? I know one of them is your son."
Masahiro couldn't believe this. Mentally, he asked himself how Terrance could not have any knowledge since the disappearance of Natius and his friends. He still answered that the other children were Mahad of the Ababwa family, Zander of the Clemens family, Bianca of the Rider-Rosamund family, and Danyal of the Parker family.
Terrance answered, "I tried to pay attention to the news, but someone had to distract me."
Masahiro asked, "Are there any connections of the families of Bianca, Jeanette, and my son?"
A deeper voice stated, "They are connected by friendship. Their great grandfathers were drafted into World War II. My father was among those men and your uncle was one of those men."
Masahiro turned to see a 57-year-old Caucasian man with blonde hair that was graying in different stands and green eyes. He was wearing a uniform for a higher rank, carrying a lion headed cane. It was Astor de Chatapuers. He was the police chief of the Los Angeles Police Department who was dedicated for a nation that would be less prejudiced against those who are different.
Masahiro asked Astor, "Chief? What are you doing here?"
Astor answered, "I came to inform you that Mr. Simeon Virgil had gone missing."
Terrance cried, "No way! Has he turned into a monster or something?"
Astor was irritated with Terrance as he scolded, "You need get up to speed on this case. Especially when it concerns your neighbor."
"Yes, sir," Terrance said obediently.
Masahiro couldn't believe Simeon Virgil was also missing. "Chief, what happened to Simeon Virgil that would cause him to go missing?"
Astor inhaled sharply. "It pains me to say this, my old friend, but his disappearance happened to be at the same time your son and the other children did as well."
Masahiro was astonished and bewildered to hear that his son's history teacher would disappear the exact same time Natius and the others did. Was there really some sort of connection between those who were involved?
"I tried talking to Father Hugo regarding Simeon's behavior," the chief was saying. "He told me he fears he could be overcome with anger towards the student he often had trouble with."
"Brandon Kyle," Masahiro immediately said. "The felon who nearly killed my son with the rattlesnake he stole from the zoo. His mother Garwen told me how he got in trouble for vandalizing Mr. Virgil's desk."
Terrance was surprised. "You've been keeping an eye on the boy?"
"Upon my personal request," Astor stated. "I asked Masahiro to check in with the boy's parents regularly to make sure he would not do anything that would go against his permanent record or land him in juvenile hall." He gave a soft chuckle.
"When my own son heard what happened, he said he would have brought the Kyle boy to justice himself if given the chance."
He looked at Masahiro and said, "Sometimes, I wish my son was as disciplined as yours, Masahiro."
Masahiro asked, "Why? Did he get into fights?"
"Sometimes," the chief answered. "Let's just say he has a tendency to try to be a hero, but it goes awry." In truth, Darius was chivalrous, but whenever he saw other students causing trouble, he would report the situation, but when those other students wouldn't cooperate, it would turn into a bit of a scuffle.
Masahiro understood that kind of demeanor. After all, he and the chief both came from a long line of warriors who fought for what was right.
Masahiro stated, "Let's be thankful that Darius is not among the missing teens. Otherwise, if he was to encounter Brandon, he would get into a brawl."
Terrance spoke up. "We still don't have any leads to Brandon's whereabouts."
The chief turned to Terrance, and he asked, "Did you find any information about a rumored shrine in Redwood Forest?"
"We just came from there," the young officer answered. "But we didn't find anything unusual."
Masahiro presented Astor with a bag of shattered glass and poppy petals.
Astor was aware that the plant was illegal; but was outraged that its essence was being made into some kind of draft and being contained in ornament-like containers.
Astor snarled, "We need to find the source of the distribution for those drafts and shut it down before anyone else suffers a similar situation or even worse."
"Yes, sir," Masahiro and Terrance said obediently.
Astor muttered, "This is worse than what the British police are dealing with. Trying to investigate what caused a 12-year-old boy to fall comatose and trying to catch a man who fled on suspicion of murder."
Masahiro asked, "What caused the boy to go comatose?"
"I just said the British police were investigating that," Astor stated, "meaning not even they know what happened. For all they assume, he was attacked. There's no evidence of any drugs or substances being used in the process."
Masahiro remembered. "Chief, didn't you say you had friends and allies from European countries like England and France?"
Astor answered, "Yes. One of my friends, Phillippe Perrault has been following the case and he was crushed to hear from Adam Ashman that his godson fell comatose. He fears that the boy will die. His older brother on the other hand has been committed in a mental hospital for abusing substances."
Masahiro could not imagine what the older boy is going through.
Neither the chief nor his officers could fathom it, but they also had a feeling all of these events were connected; the disappearances of children in various countries, the sites where the children were last seen. What did it all mean?
Terrance found something related to the Clemens family and discovered an article about how Hurricane Katrina damaged a restaurant known as Tiana's Palace.
Terrance clicked on the article and he began reading how much tragedy it caused Tiana's family.
Meanwhile, Masahiro continued to examine the flower petals and shattered glass.
Masahiro began to look for any potential leads to where the poppies are from.
He noticed the words Cloverleaf.
Masahiro dismissed the word Cloverleaf as a random decoration on the ornament.
A dark-skinned police officer with light brown hair and brown eyes wearing a police uniform of a low rank appeared.
He was distraught to hear that his nephew was among the missing teenagers.
Now he had to find his missing nephew and he wanted to find him alive for he did not want to deal with another loss.
Masahiro noticed the officer and asked, "Bruno?"
Bruno replied, "Any information that will lead to my nephew?"
Masahiro begged, "Calm down Bruno. I've found something for you to investigate. Do you know a Cloverleaf?"
Bruno glared at the bag on the desk as he was disgusted by the fact that they were using an ilegal plant.
"What does this have to do with my nephew?" Bruno asked impatiently.
"Easy," Masahiro told him. "I found all this at the shrine in Redwood Forest, which happens to be the last place where your nephew was sighted along with my son and the other missing teenagers."
Masahiro added, "Also that history disappeared with your nephew."
Bruno asked, "What?"
"The chief just informed me and Terrance of the matter, but he wants us to focus on finding our children and leave Simeon Virgil to him," said Masahiro.
Bruno asked as he took another look at the name Cloverleaf, "What kind of company is that?"
Masahiro was familiar as his grandfather and father would tell him stories about how Cloverleaf was against animation and they were hellbent trying to get rid of it.
The both of them wondered, did someone from this company have something to do with this? But why would they use the essence of an illegal flower? Why would the disappearances of Mr. Virgil and his students take place someplace said to be sacred? All Masahiro and his coworkers could do was hope they would be able to find their children and their teacher, but they didn't know how or at what cost.
Mentally, Bruno asked himself, What happened to you, Alexander?
In his mind, Masahiro vowed that he would find his son and bring him home.
Masahiro typed in Cloverleaf, and he found out that Cloverleaf had a controversial background and history of the company.
The Los Angeles Zoo was peaceful and quiet as students from field trips were learning about the animals in the zoo. One student who was a seventh-grade boy with dark black hair and blue eyes. His hair was covered by a reversed baseball cap wearing black jeans, a red shirt covered in a crimson jacker. The boy's name was Cliffton Jones. He was Walrath Jones' young grandson. He decided to wander away from his classmates to see some animals that he wanted to see.
Cliffton had an interest of seeing the Kodiak Bears as he heard stories about them. He saw an exhibit that housed two bears.
One bear was a dark furred Kodiak Grizzly Bear with brown eyes. The bear was wearing a peculiar talisman around his neck. It was a stone talisman in the shape of a stone bear. His name was Brutus.
The other bear had lighter fur and brown eyes. His name was Duncan. The lighter bear now known as Duncan noticed Cliffton was walking to the exhibit that his brother shared as he stood on his hind legs.
Duncan stated to his brother, Brutus in his own language, "Brutus, this is third time in a week that another wayward student who thinks we're cuddly is heading for our exhibit. Care to do the honors of scaring him into getting back into line?"
"And risk getting punished by the zookeepers? Not a chance," his brother answered.
"Come on, it's not like we're going to maul him," Duncan complained.
Brutus looked at his brother. He was always annoyed whenever his brother pestered him like this.
Cliffton looked around and he noticed the Kodiak Bears and he began to read the facts about the bears.
Brutus saw that the boy was focused on reading the slab containing the information on bears. He took this as an opportunity to startle him. Plus, he wanted his brother to stop annoying him. Brutus got as close to the boy as much as the enclosure would allow and he gave a loud roar.
Startled by the sound, Clifton yelped and fell back.
Cliffton ran off to the line yelling, "Hey! Guys don't antagonize the bears!"
Duncan began laughing!
Brutus looked at his brother. "Happy now?"
"Yeah," Duncan said, catching his breath.
Cliffton ran back to the line of his classmates. Some of them were laughing at him.
Cliffton asked the laughing students, "What's so funny!? Those animals are not as cuddly as a teddy bear. They have claws that are sharp enough to tear a fish like paper. They have brutal strength that would equal the amount of six men."
"Yet you allowed yourself to get close to them," One boy pointed out. "That's asking for trouble."
"I just wanted to get a closer look at them." he argued.
"Quit playing innocent, Cliffton, because you're not!" a girl snapped.
Cliffton knew they were right, and he followed the class to see the bird exhibit. Cliffton began thinking about the time his grandfather would watch a movie called The Birds on his television.
Brutus noticed something that he had never seen. A bear with an orange glow. The bear looked almost like him, but with Duncan's color and he was wearing a necklace similar to Brutus's. He began to follow the strange bear into a cavern that he never saw in his life.
Brutus kept trying to talk to the bear, but was receiving no responses from the bear. He instead kept walking.
Brutus followed the mysterious bear and to his shock, he saw the walls of the caves decorated with cave paintings!
He couldn't believe it. In all his time living in the Los Angeles Zoo, he asked himself, how did he and his brother never know about this place before?
Brutus noticed the bear walking further into the cave towards an old sorcerer looking man.
The sorcerer and the bear nodded to each other. The sorcerer then beckoned Brutus to step forward. "Come closer, young bear. Don't be afraid."
The bear complied to the sorcerer walking close to the man.
Looking at him, Brutus asked himself, "Who is this human and what is this place?"
But the sorcerer understood him and answered, "I am Master Yen Sid."
A shocked expression crossed Brutus's face. "You can understand me?" Seeing him nod, he asks, "But how? You're a human."
Master Yen Sid replied, "Your ancestor was once a human man."
Brutus looked at him in confusion and shock.
The sorcerer grinned. "Judging by your expression, you don't know the story," he assumed.
Brutus shook his head in response.
It was the truth. Brutus's ancestor was not a natural born bear, but actually a human man named Kenai. The sorcerer explained the story, saying that Kenai was of age to be bestowed a totem from the spirits; one that depicted his element. Much to his surprise and disappointment, the theme of Kenai's totem was love and the animal representing it was a bear, which was an animal he hated. For to him, a bear was not capable of love and had no thoughts or feelings.
He hunted down a bear he knew had stolen the fish he and his brothers had gathered and began fighting with the bear. Kenai's older brothers Denahi and Sitka came to his rescue. To save his younger brothers, Sitka struck his spear into the glacier everyone was standing on, causing it to come apart. Both Sitka and the bear fell, but only the bear survived. Sitka had sacrificed himself to save his brothers.
Blinded by anger and hate towards the bear, Kenia rejected his totem and went looking for the bear, wanting to kill her to avenge his brother.
Brutus was surprised to hear that the bear was a female. But Yen Sid would add more to that later. He continued, saying Kenai found the bear, fought her, and killed her.
This angered the spirits. The spirit of Sitka also appeared, feeling sadness for the bear and shame towards his younger brother. He used his spiritual power to transform Kenai into a bear.
Brutus listened to the story with astonishment. "Why a bear?"
"Kenai did not know it, but it was a trial for him; a trial in which he had to learn what it truly meant to love another, starting with the one he saw as an enemy," Yen Sid answered. "On the journey, he met and befriended a bear cub named Koda, who agreed to help him travel to the mountain where the lights touch the Earth."
"What changed Kenai's point of view on bears?" Brutus asked.
"He realized he was wrong and that bears did, in fact, have thoughts and feelings like people. But what really changed him was when he found out that the bear, he killed turned out to be the cub's mother."
Brutus gasped of shock.
"At that moment, Kenai realized that he was the real killer, and the bear was innocent," Yen Sid continued. "He felt an incredible amount of guilt for hurting the cub he came to love. Having now understood what love meant and by finally accepting his gift, Kenai decided to stay with Koda and live among the bears."
Brutus asked, "Why am I here?"
"You must go through the same thing," the sorcerer answered. "You will now face a trial where you will learn what it means to love and be understanding even to those you despise."
"I don't despise anyone," Brutus argued.
Yen Sid replied, "There are unfortunately humans that harm bears."
Brutus asked, "What?"
"Humans hunt and kill bears for food and fur. There are also some who sell cubs to the black market." the sorcerer said truthfully.
Brutus was disgusted by the thought. "To think, I have an ancestor who was a human."
Master Yen Sid instructed, "It's time for you to prove your worth for the element of love. However, I plan to turn you human for the test in the City of Bells, Notre Dame."
Brutus asked dumbfounded, "Why?"
Master Yen Sid pointed out, "A bear would draw dangerous crowds, so it is best to avoid unwanted attention."
Brutus sighed. "Why do I have to go someplace full of humans?"
"Just as Kenai had to learn to be understanding of bears, you must learn to be understanding of humans," he answered. "One other thing: there is another who represents the element of love. She is a princess from the Warner Domain. You could learn something from her."
Brutus stated, "This sounds like a badass proposition. I'm in."
Yen Sid smiled approvingly. He raised his hands and moved them around rhythmically, casting a spell that would turn Brutus into a human.
Brutus was changed into a man in his early thirties with black hair and brown eyes wearing dark clothes suitable for medieval Paris and around his neck was his ancestral necklace.
One of the lights projected a rat, but it also quickly projected a familiar face of a pale boy with black hair and dull light brown eyes that bordered to hazel.
"This boy and his friends will be going to Paris as well, but they will be disguised as animals," the sorcerer explained.
"Why?" Brutus asked.
"To avoid the wrath of Claude Frollo," he answered. "He is the city's minister of justice with a prejudiced nature, and he has a reputation for cruelty. He is also one of the four Dark Masters. If he sees the boy and his friends in their true forms, he won't hesitate to kill them."
Brutus asked as he saw projections of five other animals, "Why would he go as far as hurting a bunch of kids?"
"Men, women, children, it doesn't matter," Master Yen Sid said. "There's not a person he won't kill to remind people of his power. Besides, these children are descendants of the greatest heroes of our domain; princes, princesses, and warriors. And like you, they also represent certain elements and are awakening as warriors of those elements."
Brutus nodded in understanding. "What about this princess you told me about? Will she be in disguise too?"
"No, she will be in her true form," the sorcerer answered. "You'll see her at the festival that is to take place in the city."
"How will I know her when I see her?" Brutus asked.
"She has been to Paris more than once," said Yen Sid. "And Frollo has been after her as well since her arrival. He appears to be consumed by lust for her."
Brutus was disgusted at the thought.
Yen Sid warned, "That boy I showed you has a deep and strong dislike for Frollo."
"After what you told me about that man, I can understand why," Brutus replied.
Master Yen Sid pointed out, "That boy will lash out on the minister which would be a huge problem."
"What do you mean?" Brutus asked.
"Being a rat, he will put himself at risk for serious injury or even death," the sorcerer said. "So, I want you to keep him from getting into trouble."
"What?" Brutus asked. "So, you're saying you want me to make sure none of these kids cause any trouble?"
"Correct." the sorcerer stated.
Brutus began contemplating on the whole situation and he asked the sorcerer, "Why does that pale boy look familiar?"
"You and your brother may have seen him pass by before," Yen Sid told him.
Brutus remembered his brother. "Wait, I can't leave my brother behind."
"This is a journey you must face alone," the sorcerer told him. "Rest assured, your absence will not impact your brother in a bad way."
Brutus stated, "Thanks. That's good to know."
Brutus noticed a portal and he asked, "Will this portal lead me to Paris? What's it like?"
Master Yen Sid pointed out, "Also there's a young woman descended from a gypsy. She will have a test herself."
"Great," Brutus sighed. "Anything else I need to know?"
Master Yen Sid answered, "She's a hair stylist who uses a leopard as her animal motif and is destined to awaken the element of beauty."
Brutus asked, "Beauty? How is that an element?"
"For too long, people have cared more about outward appearances, forgetting to take time to consider inner qualities," the sorcerer stated. "The gypsy girl proved she was as lovely on the inside as she was on the outside when people considered her a heathen just for being a gypsy. That and she saw others for who they were for their souls."
Brutus asked, "So I need to keep that lady away from Frollo?"
Master Yen Sid replied, "This woman has not met Frollo yet."
Brutus was relieved to hear that, and just as he was about to enter the portal. He had to ask a question.
Brutus asked, "Am I keeping those kids in line by myself?"
Master Yen Sid answered, "No. A mink named Alexander can help you with keeping Natius in line. He has the maturity of his late maternal great-grandmother, Tiana Verdance from New Orleans."
Brutus remembered hearing the name Tiana many times before. It was the name of one of the Disney Princesses. He also knew what Tiana looked like because some little girls who passed by his exhibit dressed up as the princesses.
He asked the sorcerer, "What happened to Tiana? Just curious."
"You needn't be concerned about that right now," Yen Sid answered. "It's time for you to begin your journey."
Brutus bowed respectfully. "Yes, sir." And he passed through the portal, wondering what strange new wonders awaited him in Paris.
In the quiet street of Clampett Road was a young woman who was twenty-nine years of age with long black hair and bright green eyes. She was also wearing a light blue dress suitable for a hair stylist, and she also wore a necklace depicting the crucified Christ. Her name was Maria de Chatapuers. As a hair stylist, she believed in making people look beautiful inside and out.
She heard the phone ringing and she announced, "Thank you for calling the Graceful Hair Salon located on Clampett Road, our shop is not open as of yet, but you can schedule an appointment."
She had no answer and she asked, "Hello?"
She hanged up in annoyance, thinking it was a prank call committed by troubled teens. She began thinking about that time that a boy copied her music onto his laptop.
At the same time, she thought about her younger brother Darius and wondered how he was doing.
The phone began to ring again, Maria was getting confused with the phone ringing for a second time and the shop hasn't even opened yet.
She asked, "Why do they pick a bad time?"
Maria picked up the phone and announced, "Thank you for calling the Graceful Hair Salon, located on Clampett Road. My name is Maria de Châteaupers. Are you calling to schedule an appointment or are you calling to reschedule?"
Again, she had no answer from the caller. Maria began to wonder, who would call people at this time of day?
She thought, maybe she should report this to her father. He is the chief of police and even he didn't take kindly to prank calls. She then decided against it. This was childish, but nothing close to an emergency or anything like that. And she really didn't want to have to bother her father for something as ridiculous as this; especially when he and his fellow officers already have their hands full with the case on the missing teenagers.
Maria turned on the television system and it started to play coverage about children disappearing from different parts of the world.
Maria recognized one of the boys as the one who copied one of her CDs' music onto his laptop as his image and name, Mahad Ababwa was on the screen as one of the missing six teenagers.
She asked, "What happened to that boy? I still remember the time that he copied my Stigmata soundtrack."
She heard a bell ringing as the door opened, and she noticed a tan skinned young man with black hair and a long nose. He was wearing bright colored work clothes for a barber shop worker. His name was Charles Paul Trouillefou. He preferred the name, Chuck as he wanted to honor his hero: legendary animator and Looney Tunes director, Chuck Jones.
Maria was disappointed that he was late in setting up the salon and she asked, "Let me guess, is it because of an anime series about some kids searching for a way home?"
Chuck answered, "No. Some of my neighbors thought it would be funny to blare out some music with poor taste in the middle of the night."
Maria asked Chuck, "Did you file a complaint against them for that?"
Chuck confessed, "I thought that the authorities already had their hands full with those six teens and one history teacher going missing."
Maria nodded. "Yeah, my father's got enough on his mind about trying to find out what happened to them. I don't want to give him more to have to deal with."
Chuck replied, "I got back at them by playing music from Kingdom Hearts on my speakers."
Maria asked, "Why that music? I would have them listen to Bible videos."
Chuck commented, "Those videos sound like old movies."
Maria replied, "Those neighbors should be lucky not to call the wrong person. Can you please help with the reception desk? I need to make sure there aren't any appointments scheduled for today. I've been dealing with a mysterious phone call."
Chuck asked, "What? What do you mean? Who would be foolish to prank call a salon?"
Maria explained to him about the phone ringing with no caller.
Chuck asked, "Did they leave a voice message?"
Maria hadn't thought about it.
The phone rang again. This time, Chuck decided to answer. He picked up the phone, but remained silent, hoping to hear a sound of any sort on the other line. There was nothing but dead silence. He couldn't hear any breathing or static or any other noise in the background.
Chuck placed the phone against the receiver to hang up the call. "It must've been the same fool," he said.
Maria couldn't understand it. "What's going on? I've only seen stuff like this in horror films."
Chuck speculated, "Maybe they dialed the wrong number."
Maria checked for any appointments for any client for today. To her surprise, the information had been removed.
She asked, "Who has been tampering with the computers? I thought I told Matthew to install the security cameras to see who's been tampering with the information about upcoming appointments."
Chuck checked the messages on the answering machine, and he found a mysterious message with no phone number.
The message stated, "It's time Maria for your test to understand the meaning of beauty."
Maria looked at the number and to her surprise and disappointment as she noticed there was no number to call back.
Chuck took out his touch phone and he asked Maria, "When they called you, did they leave a phone number?"
Maria answered, "I didn't even look at the number because I was trying to figure out who was making those calls."
The both of them looked at the phone for today's record of calls but found nothing.
Now Maria was starting to get scared. "How can there be no phone number?"
Maria heard a familiar giggle from a mouse coming from the room where clients would go to get their hair cut.
Maria asked, "Who's in that room?"
"There should be no one," Chuck informed her. "We're not open."
Maria decided to investigate the matter and when she opened the door to the cutting room, and to her surprise and confusion, she saw a mouse dressed in red robes of a sorcerer.
She asked the mouse, "What are you doing here? The Graceful Hair Salon is not open yet. I would recommend you leave the room, or I'll have no choice but to have you kicked out of this salon for trespassing."
"Why, Maria, don't you recognize me?" the mouse asked, as though offended.
"For all I know, you're just some troublemaker dressed up as Sorcerer Mickey." she replied.
The mouse replied, "I am not some human dressed up in a costume like in those parks."
Maria retorted, "Prove it. Do you know where those missing teens are?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," he stated. But instead of providing the answer, he turned to a round mirror with a lavender frame. "Ah, the mirror of beauty. I haven't seen this in years."
"Don't touch that," Maria snapped. "It's my family heirloom."
Mickey replied, "I know of your family, Maria. It can be traced as far back as medieval Paris. Esmeralda was the matriarch of that family."
Maria asked still confused, "How do you know about it? What does the family's mirror have to do with the location of those kids?"
"Since their disappearances, I've had friends and allies watching over them, informing me of what's been going on," he told her. "Like you and your own friends, these children are descendants of the greatest heroes and royals of my domain. And now they have gone to the world of your ancestors."
Maria didn't want to believe him. "That can't be possible."
"That's why I am here," Mickey informed her. "I've come to take you there as well, for there is a trial you must face and they will likely need your help."
That was when it made sense to her. "It was you. You were the anonymous caller."
Mickey answered, "That's right."
Maria asked, "Why didn't you answer the first times you called?"
"I tried to be discreet about getting your attention," said Mickey.
Maria stepped back. This was overwhelming. She had often dreamed of going to Paris when she was young, but she never thought it would be in this way. "So you say you can take me to the time and place of my ancestors? But, wait, what about my brother? And my friend Chuck? And I think Father Hugo has family too. Are they going too?"
Mickey answered, "You won't be alone on this journey. Father Hugo's oldest is a doctor, so I wasn't able to reach him. However, I messaged his younger brother, Matthias about this. I must ask you, are you familiar with Digimon?"
Chuck heard the word "Digimon and he asked, "Did someone say Digimon?"
"Chuck?" Maria asked.
He invited himself to join in the conversation. "I always loved that show! The characters, the adventures, the Digimon!"
Maria was familiar with them too. "Why do you ask?" she asked Mickey.
"Another group of heroes has been sighted in Paris and they've been accompanied by Digimon," he told them. "Creatures my people and I haven't seen in ages."
Chuck asked, "What? The Digi-Destined stumbled in Paris?"
"Not quite the heroes you're familiar with, but these heroes are from another world," said Mickey. "They've been seen in Paris quite often, so I'm sure you'll likely meet them."
Chuck asked, "How do we get there and is Darius coming along for the ride?"
Mickey answered, "Yes, but I have to wait until he has two of the three Dalmatian dogs in your family residence, Ollie and Johnston on their leashes. Old Rod is going to stay with your father."
Maria asked, "Why?"
"You also mentioned Matthias coming along too," Chuck added.
Mickey answered, "Yes. Also, the six teens are in the forms of animals to hide from Frollo."
Maria and Chuck looked at each other. They knew full well what the minister was capable of and didn't want to think about what he could do to Natius and the others.
Maria also remembered that he was the man who had lustful desires for her ancestress and that gave her a greater reason to despise the man. Chuck hated him as much because he was always persecuting the gypsies.
Maria spoke up. "We'll have to be careful to avoid him too. But, Mickey, why should my brother bring our family's dogs along?"
Mickey answered, "The dalmatian breed would be commonly found with fire trucks. They're fiercely protective of their owners."
"But what if the dogs end up attacking those children while they're disguised as animals?" Maria asked.
Mickey stated, "I'll notify Darius not to take the dogs with him for that reason."
"Now for phase two," Maria was saying, "how are we going to get to Paris?"
In answer, Mickey took his master's hat and placed it on his head. "Just leave it to me."
Mickey conjured a portal that would lead to Notre Dame Paris.
Chuck smiled, "This is going to be fun. That minister better not have a Digimon partner. If he does, then there's no telling of the hell that would break loose."
Mickey replied, "Thankfully, he doesn't have one."
Maria smiled. "That doesn't surprise me, considering he hates monsters and magic."
Maria asked Mickey, "What kind of animals are those six teens?"
Mickey listed off the types of animals. "A rat, a magpie, a mink, a European hare, a mouse, and a polecat."
Maria stated, "Those kinds of animals would be the last ones suspected of possession by a demon. Then again Frollo would despise rats."
Mickey cleared his throat. "Your journey begins now. I wish you the best and I'll be praying for your safety."
Maria and Chuck braced themselves and passed through the portal, anxious to begin their adventure.
Darius was coming out of the family's residence until he was startled by Sorcerer Mickey who was at the doorstep as if he was expecting the boy.
Darius asked, "What are you doing here?"
Mickey announced himself. "I have come to ask for your help, Darius de Chatapuers."
"How do you know my name?" the boy asked, startled.
"I know more than just that," said Mickey. "I also know of your family's history."
Darius asked, "Why are you asking for help?"
Mickey explained to Darius about how he knew about the disappearance of Simeon Virgil and six of his students and that the missing teenagers had been traveling to the different worlds and were now being sent to the world of Medieval Paris. He also talk about how he met up with Maria and Chuck and informed them of the situation as well.
Mickey added, "The six students are a rat, a magpie, a mink, a European hare, a mouse, and a polecat. That's why you have to leave the dogs."
Darius stated, "I was looking forward to taking Ollie and Johnston so I would see them bite Frollo in the butt."
"And risk possible injury to those students as animals?" Mickey asked. "No."
Darius stated, "Good point. They'll watch over the residence."
There was another reason Mickey couldn't let Darius bring his dogs along. Master Yen Sid informed him about Brutus going to Paris as well. Though he would appear human on the outside, the dogs would still know he was a bear on the inside and would probably end up hurting him.
Mickey asked, "Are you ready for your journey Darius?"
He was. He was ready to go to the world of his ancestors and help his sister and friends.
Mickey asked, "Are you familiar with Digimon?"
Darius's smile brightened up. "I've watched that show all the time. It's one of my favorites. Why do you ask?"
Mickey answered, "There have been rumors of sightings of them."
Darius asked, "Tai and the others are in Paris?"
"That's not what I said. I meant that the creatures themselves have been sighted in Paris," Mickey clarified.
At first, it sounded cool to Darius, but then he wondered how that would be possible since modern technology didn't exist in medieval times.
As if Mickey could understand his thoughts, he said, "The Digimon didn't come on their own. They followed their partners who are also from another world."
Darius asked, "How do I get to Paris?"
Just like before, Mickey used his magic to create a portal.
Darius braced himself and muttered, "Hopefully, I'll see my sister there."
Now that Darius had passed through the portal, Matthias was the last person for Mickey to find.
Matthias was coming out of the church after helping his father in the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel.
He looked back and said a prayer for the missing teenagers and for their history teacher to return home safely.
Matthias looked at the statue of the Holy Mother and he noticed that someone was in the garden behind the statue.
He tried calling out to the figure. "Hello? Can I help you?"
Mickey revealed himself and stated, "I've been looking for you."
Matthias couldn't believe it. "Mickey Mouse? You're really here?"
Mickey answered, "Yes, but your friends need your help."
Matthias asked, "What kind?"
Matthias asked, "Do you know where those kids are?"
Once again, Mickey explained the situation to Matthias, telling him about what happened to the six teenagers and their history teacher after their disappearances. He also explained about how the heroes had been going to the worlds of their ancestors and battling the villains of those worlds.
"Now they are going to the world of your ancestors," Mickey concluded. "That's why I came to you. I already informed your friends Chuck, Maria, and Darius and have already sent them off."
This was a lot for Matthias to take in. "Mickey, I understand what you're saying, but I don't think I can go along."
"I wouldn't ask you to do this if it wasn't the right thing to do," said Mickey.
"But I can't just leave my father and abandon my church duties," he argued. "And my brother has his own job."
Mickey could not argue as the church had been way before his own time and he asked, "What if I can ask your father?"
Matthias gave it some thought. "I suppose we could do that." So the two of them walked back inside the church to consult with Father Hugo.
Father Hugo Laverne was lighting the candles to prepare for the evening mass. He turned to see the church door open to see his younger son Matthias walking into the church with Mickey Mouse who was looking around in amazement of the church's interior.
Father Hugo noticed Mickey and he asked, "Why are you here at this time?"
Mickey took a moment to compose himself. "I'm sorry to disturb the church at this time, but I've come to ask your approval."
"For what?"
Matthias spoke up. "Father, Mickey knows what happened to the missing children and their teacher." And together, they began explaining everything.
Father Hugo asked Mickey, "So you know where those children are?"
Mickey answered, "Yes."
"He says that they're all in Paris," said Matthias.
Father Hugo replied in approval, "You have to help your friends. I will arrange for Nicholas to help until you come back. I pray for you the best of luck."
Matthias didn't expect his father to give his approval so easily, but he was grateful that he did.
"One more thing; take this." He removed a chain from around his neck. Hanging from it was a golden pendant with the image of a star surrounded by rays of light. He secured it around his son's neck.
Matthias recognized it. "The pendant of miracles!"
"Our family's most prized possession," said Father Hugo. "There may not be any power in it, but I hope it will give you strength and courage."
Matthias hugged his father. "I won't let you down, Father."
Together, he and Mickey left the church. Because it was sacred ground, Mickey couldn't use his magic to create a portal within its walls.
Matthias knelt to the statue of the Holy Mother, Mary hoping to find the missing students.
Mickey took a few more steps away from the church to ensure that the sacred ground would not be disrespected.
Mickey looked both ways to ensure there were no witnesses whatsoever and he summoned the portal.
Matthias entered the portal hoping to find his friends.
Author's Notes: Looks like the human world has been impacted by the disappearance of those teens. Will their prayer for their safe return be answered? Will Matthias find his group? Tune in next episode, A Meeting of New Friends. I would like to give special thanks to MillenniumPrincess for help with this episode. It was a lot of fun.