Kingdom Hearts What If?: Guardian Of The Depths

by SORARULES23

Taking place twelve years after the Little Mermaid. What if the reasons Melody was kept away from the sea were different? What if there Atlantica's Legacy was bigger? What If the Maverick ended up in the ocean instead of on land? (This is a third alternate version of my current Maverick stories.)

14. Pleasure Island

WE'RE BACK FOLKS! 🎉🎉🎉

This was a world I wanted to visit for a long long time. After spending a childhood watching Pinocchio and a crappy remake in my adulthood. I've always wanted to do something about Pleasure Island and have the Maverick rescue those boys that were turned into donkeys.

"Granted they had this plot in the film to teach the viewing of undisciplined youth a lesson in consequences. Hence why they weren't rescued. But I digress." Maverick stated.

Right. And also we have a surprise mention of one famous One Saturday Morning Disney show and the appearance of another very famous Disney Afternoon series. Right in this chapter. 😉

But before we dive right in let's answer some comments.

RustyPete12: Thank you! I'm glad I delivered in the final battle. Yeah talk about a real twist with keyblader Mowgli, right? This won't be the last time we see her. But I don't plan on doing a spin off story since I practically covered the meat of her story. But I don't mind anyone taking over for a spin off or giving ideas if anyone has any. Zira's main reason is because she had a prejudice against humans and saw their existence as a danger. Especially to her position. Her actions speak out on that fact. And yeah technically Shere Khan was the super boss. But I don't mind if you wanna share some ideas on Super Bosses. And don't worry. There's not a trace of the God awful remake in this Pinocchio world. 👍

SPYRO 101: Oh absolutely! Pleasure Islands their next stop. And thank you again for helping me write this chapter. 👍

Alright. Now that we're all here.

LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎

---

Pleasure Island.

Morning on the Stingray...

The Stingray was on autopilot in its Gummi Ship form, while flying towards the destination of the next pearl shard. Everyone on board took the time to slack off and relax this morning. Especially since everyone had to win a war yesterday and party afterwards. But the Guardians truly felt victorious.

Donald and Goofy were still asleep in their rooms on the Gummi Ship/Sub. Well right now it's a space ship since they're flying across space. But it might be a sub next time. It can change between the two, you all know that.

But the Disney Duo will soon wake up to do morning hygiene and more than likely make breakfast.

As for Connor and Melody. The keyblader couple. Well, the Princess was still asleep and cuddled up in Connor's arms. Melody fluttered as her pretty blue eyes opened. Melody slowly woke up and remembered that her head was laying on top of her boyfriend's chest. She scanned her surroundings and saw that she was still in Connor's room and she was in his bed.

(Note: This was not an explicit manner. This was just two children who are in love and who fell asleep while cuddling together. After all, Michelle from Full House did the same thing! AND SHE WAS TWO!)

Melody looked down and saw that Connor was still asleep. Snoring softly against the pillows. She smiled lovingly at her boyfriend and snuggled closer to him as he slept. She even laid her left cheek against his muscular chest like a pillow.

Connor stirred a bit when Melody pecked his lip. So he smiled and kissed back while his eyes were still closed.

"Mmmmmmm...Who let the goldfish out of the jewelry box?" Connor mused a flirt quietly.

Melody giggled and wiggled her bare feet.

"Good morning to you too, my crazy knight in glowing armor." Melody said softly before giving him another loving kiss on the cheek this time.

Connor slowly sat up and stretched his arms out a bit. Feeling a few of his joined pop and he exhaled a reliving sigh. Before he leaned back and the bed.

"How was your sleep, Mel?" Connor asked with a yawn.

"It was the best rest I've ever had." Melody said as she rested her head on his chest. "Especially when I have such a comfy pillow to rest my head on."

"I didn't know you preferred your pillows black with 8 pack abs from a diet of protein shakes and 20 bucks worth of VitaminShoppe supplements." Connor quipped about his lean muscles and how he got his muscles.

"I may never be able to sleep with a regular pillow again. And it's all your fault." Melody said with a fake pout, making herself look so cute.

"Sue me for existing, Ocean 20." Connor snorted playfully. And shrugged. "Whelp so far...Remind me again, how many pearl shares did we connect and how many do we have to go?"

Connor has a habit of losing track of certain thing like a to-do list of worlds and a number of items. That's usually what FELICITY is for.

"If I counted correctly, we've collected four of the ten pearl shards we need." Melody said after giving it some thought.

"Well... Five if we count the one you had back home jn your seashell bag. But you're still right. We have five shards and more than likely five more worlds to visit...Unless if some douchebag split one of those shards in half just to drag this trip on further...Or charge our voyage with interest." Connor stated with a little added humor while he tested his shoulder. "I'm still kinda sore after that Game Of Jungle Thrones battle last night."

"Would you like me to give you a little massage to help you?" Melody asked with a very adorable smile.

"That depends. How much are you planning to charge me?" Connor inquired with playful skepticism about how much money he would lose.

"No money. But I think it would only be fair if you gave me a massage in return." Melody said with a cute look.

Connor blushed hard as he nearly dropped his jaw from hearing Melody say that.

"Touch you whe- I mean massage you Where?" Connor asked as he was almost afraid to hear where she wanted to be touched.

Thankfully Melody is a young and sweet innocent Princess.

"Oh, maybe just my legs and feet." Melody smiled while she lifted a bare foot into the air and wiggled her toes playfully. "I was on them almost all day yesterday."

"You're on them all day every day, Princess Flintstone." Connor playfully scoffed. And smiled. "But tell you what. You lean back and I'll do your feet first and than you'll do my shoulder. I'll even add in a free frozen yogurt coupon that may or may not have expired. Sounds good?"

"Sounds perfect to me." Melody said with a big smile and gave him a peck on the lips.

Then as Melody leaned back against the head board. Connor played some music on the Stingray radio in his bedroom. And he began to slowly and gently rub Melody's left foot. And pressed his tumbs one the sole of her foot.

(The Impressions - It's Alright)

Say it's all right

(It's all right)

Say it's all right

(It's all right)

It's all right, have a good time

'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right

We're gonna move it slow

When lights are low

When you move it slow, it sounds like more

And it's all right, whoa, it's all right

Now listen to the beat

Kinda pat your feet

"You know. Back home on the Destiny Islands. I wasn't always a hit with the ladies. Back then. It would've been easier for Steven King to make a kids movie than for me to get a girlfriend." Connor remarked as he massaged Melody's foot expertly.

"I find that very hard to believe. I honestly thought you would have had dozens of girls swooning over you." Melody said with a sigh as she enjoyed the foot rub.

You got soul, and everybody knows

That it's all right, whoa, it's all right

When you wake up early in the morning

Feeling sad like so many of us do

Hum a little soul

Make life your goal

And surely something's got to come to you

"Well today maybe. But back then I was a total dweeb. An introvert. And an asthmatic." Connor stated as he rubbed the heel of Melody's foot.

I've heard that word several times now, asthmatic. What does that even mean?" Melody asked curiously as she felt the tension release from her heel.

It would make sense that Melody never heard of it since

"It means I suffered from inflammation in my esophagus. It was a condition that narrowed and otherwise swelled the airways in my throat which made it difficult to breathe." Connor explained as he gestured his throat.

"Really? That sounds rough." Melody said with a concerned look. "You're doing better with that now though, right? I don't have to worry about you suddenly being unable to breathe, right?"

"Oh without a fricken doubt. The day I became the Maverick and got my powers was the day I was cured. But let me tell you. I had to live every day feeling my airways randomly close throughout the day at least once or twice. I had to use something called an inhaler. Which sprayed medication down my throat and halted my asthma for hours. There were some days when I nearly forgot to have it with me." Connor explained as he worked and gently massaged Melody's ankle.

"Oh my. What did you do in those cases?" Melody asked.

"Well. One time I was at the mall, being chased by some school bullies who wanted my allowance. But then No-...Another kid took them on and got them off my back. But I dropped my inhaler somewhere at the mall and began to panic." Connor stated while he hesitated bringing up Noctis.

His best friend from back then could've taken on anyone. And he for the most part always kept the bullies off. And this particular day was a day that reminded Connor to never handle situations like that without his best friend.

"What happened?" Melody asked.

"I...Collapsed on the ground because I couldn't breathe. It felt like a rope was wrapped around my neck. Getting tighter every passing section. It became impossible to breathe at that moment. Someone called the ambulance while this was going on and...I remember blacking out on the ground. As everything was going black. I was going to die at that moment. A seven year old boy sufficating from an astma attack." Connor said as he remembered how scared he was that day.

"Oh my God, Connor. I am so sorry you went through that." Melody said with great concern. "Was there anyone there to help you through that?"

Connor wanted to say Noctis. Since he was the one who called the ambulance and Connor's father. But he decided to keep it close to home.

"My dad was there. I remembered waking up in a hospital room to seeing him screaming at the phone. Looking so angry. I was almost afraid he was angry at me. But when I woke up. He looked ready to drown me with a river of tears and sweet relief. Even some of my relatives came to see me." Connor remarked as he remembered that day.

"Wait. Relatives?" Melody asked with a surprised look. "You have other family members on your father's side?"

She asked this knowing that he didn't meet his mother or her side of the family until the plane accident.

Not that Melody knew about the plan accident part. Or the death of his father. Because she assumed Connor met his mother and stayed with them after finding out who he was. But Connor wants to keep that to himself for now.

"Yeah? Did you think my Pop was born as a one hit wonder to a single woman in the Ghetto?" Connor mused with mild playful sarcasm.

"No of course not. It's just that this is the first time you've ever mentioned having other relatives besides your mother and her side of the family." Melody said with a shrug.

And say it's all right

(It's all right)

Say it's all right

(It's all right)

It's all right, have a good time

'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right

Now everybody clap your hands

Give yourself a chance

You got soul, and everybody knows

That it's all right, whoa, it's all right

"Yeah I guess I shouldn't leave the other end out. I'm just too proud of my aquatic heritage you know?" Connor explained as she gently rubbed and wiggled her toes.

"I do." Melody smiled.

"Well. Speaking of Proud. That was literally the name they went by. The Proud Family. Living in Smithville California like some invisible force is making them live in a sitcom without knowing and no laugh track." Connor remarked as he began to rub and massage Melody's leg.

"Sounds like a fun bunch of people." Melody said with a giggle. "So, what are they like?"

"Well first there's my uncles. Oscar and Bobby. Now Uncle Bobby is a total disco celebrity/ junkie who takes his microphone everywhere he goes. And for some reason he owns a car that turns into a mailbox. The guy practically talks like he's cursed into an infinite rehearsal of a Soul Train revival." Connor remarked as he held up a picture of his Uncle Bobby to Melody.

The white disco suit and afro looked extremely silly in Melody's eyes. And to be honest, it took a long time for the society of the 70s to realize that Melody was right. That look is goofy.

"That hair looks like a journey to brush every morning." Melody giggled. "He probably has nothing on you and your singing skills.

"If you can call what he does singing." Connor snickered before he showed a picture of the other uncle. "And this is Uncle Oscar. The man of the house. An entrepreneurial and totally strict-laced with capital triple digits."

The image was Oscar Proud practicing for his pose on the Proud Snack's logo.

"So he's a successful business man then?" Melody asked.

"It's kind of a stretch to call him a success. Granted he makes good money, sure. And he's into the snack making business. The problem is his 'Proud Snacks' taste so terrible. That the cheeto tiger shaved himself into the Pink Panther just for his tail touching the bag." Connor explained with added humor to explain Oscar's snack business.

"Wow. That's bad. If his snacks are so terrible, why does he still make them? Or better yet, how is he still in business?" Melody asked befuddled.

"I still haven't figured it out myself. Personally I think he has a way of spinning words rather than processed munchies. But I think the majority of their income comes from his wife. Aunt Tudy. She's a Veterinarian. A real good one. She practically did CPR on a walrus...using Uncle Oscar as the breather." Connor remarked as he showed a picture of Trudy Proud.

The image was Tudy in her vet's uniform while looking strikingly beautiful at the same time.

"Wow. That's amazing. And she looks very pretty." Melody said with a big smile. "So far, I'm liking her more than your uncles just for her profession alone, right now."

"Oh she definitely keeps the Uncle Hounds on a tight leash. Especially whenever Uncle Oscar gets into those episodic conflicts about a certain business scheme that both burns and bites his ass every time." Connor quipped before he pulled up a picture of his cousin. "But for me. This girl here is the highlight of the Proud Family's jam. Penny Proud. My cousin and my homegirl from another home."

Connor handed Melody a picture of his Cousin Penny. Which was her making a selfie in front of a couple of stuffed monkeys. Probably to help her dad promote animal care since his employees are monkeys.

"Oh wow. She's really pretty." Melody said with a smile. "What's she like?"

"Penny is more of a grounded but confident extroverted kid who was also some of the few youth I could hang out with. She had the patience for a shy outcast like me. She taught me how to socialize and to get in the right amount of trouble I needed. In fact twenty percent of my charm and social skills came from her." Connor described his cousin while he rubbed and massaged Melody's other leg.

"I hope I get to meet her someday soon." Melody said before a thought came to her. "Do they know where you've been and what you've been doing?"

"Um...Well I...it's. It's complicated." Connor said nervously.

"Complicated how?" Melody asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well. It's just. Everything that's happened I mean happening. Everything I've become since gaining my ring and keyblade. I don't think they'd understand half of it. Especially considering that the last five years I've been part of an ancient Atlantean War. I can't involve them in that." Connor protested while he rubbed on Melody's bare foot.

"I can understand that. Sounds a lot like what my Mother did. But... Do they at least know you're doing okay?" Melody asked.

Connor was hesitant to answer. Because he told her nothing about the plane accident or his father's death. It's not that he wasn't sure if Melody would understand. He knew she would. But Connor wasn't ready to dig up some old wounds yet. He wanted to stay strong for his family. And for winning this war.

"I hope so. I mean. Knowing Dad he's got everything covered. But after this war is over and believe me, Mel. We're closer than ever before. I plan to see them again when this whole trip, this whole war is all over." Connor smiled confidently.

That for much was true. Connor plans to make his hit comeback and let his entire family know he's alive. Once Atuma and his radar is down for good.

"Well, then I look forward to meeting them when that time comes." Melody said with a big smile.

"I'm sure Penny will even freak the hell out when she finds out all our favorite marvel heroes are my current next door neighbors." Connor smiled as he massaged Melody's heel and toes.

"Oh, that'll be quite a sight." Melody said with a giggle.

"Assuming that Suga Mama doesn't kill me first for never calling." Connor remarked.

"Suga Mama? Who's that?" Melody asked.

Connor pulled out a picture of Suga Mama and handed it to Melody before he resumed massaging her foot.

"That's the grandmother. Argo from dad's sight. But since she's practically everyone's mother and redflag. We all call her Suga Mama because despite her age and despite most of us not knowing the exact number. She's got more energy and ironically more youth than the Lost Boys at Starbucks." Connor answered as he worked on Melody's toes.

The image was Sugamama smiling while holding her puppy poodle in her arms. We all know who's name is Puff.

"Awe. She looks just like a sweet old lady." Melody said fondly at the picture.

"Ha! 'Sweet'. That's rich." Connor scoffed and smiled a bit before he hadded. "Yeah she's sweet. To those she cares about. But if you're someone on her bad side. Or someone that's trying to cause some shit to someone she does care about. You're on her personal death note."

"Is she really that intimidating?" Melody said with a raised eyebrow.

"Only to the folks who deserve it. She's a Mother 2.0 on sugar. Thus the nickname. But don't worry. If she met you, you'd become part of her nest instantly." Connor winked at his girlfriend as he finished up with massaging her foot and released it. "Alright. How does that feel?"

Melody felt the works of her boyfriends hands as her legs felt better without any of the aches or tension from yesterday's fight.

"Very good. Your hands are magic, Connor." Melody said with a blissful smile while wiggling her toes to show how good it was.

"I live to give. Anyhow. Time to pay up, Princess Starkist." Connor said as he took off his shirt. Showing off his muscular chest while he pointed at his right shoulder. "Just this shoulder. I think I rammed it several times yesterday."

"As you wish, sweetie." Melody said sweetly while giving him a kiss on the cheek, before she started to massage his shoulder.

Melody admired how muscular her boyfriend was at his age. While she pressed her little thumbs into several nerve points of Connor's back shoulder. Which felt really good. He closed his eyes several times but stayed awake to talk some more.

Someday I'll find me a woman

Who will love and treat me real nice

Then my woe's got to go

And my love, she will know

From morning, noon, and night

And she's got to

"Yeah. Inspite of how big my fam is. My life never improved until I met my Mom when I was ten. Woke up with a keyblade and a ring on my finger. The moment...She came to me during my vacation to New York." Connor stated another part of the story.

Not a lie, just half the truth with nothing to fill the other half.

"Yeah. I think you mentioned that during our trip to Thebes." Melody said in thought. "I just wish such great conflict was not required for us to meet, though."

"Yeah. I feel ya. But I doubt we would've met otherwise. Especially since we lived worlds apart. You know what I mean?" Connor said as Melody continued to massage his shoulder.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Melody said with a sigh before looking optimistic. "But who knows? Stranger things have happened."

"Like what?" Connor asked as he was curious to see how Melody would see these past events as stranger.

"Like how every time you opened your mouth back in Thebes, those things happened. Like you were psychic." Melody said with a smirk. And she continued to rub his shoulder.

"What?! Girl, that was just convenient timing on overdrive and you know it!" Connor said back. "I am not some black clairvoyant, Mel! I'm just...A victim of coincidences!"

"Is that also your excuse when you guessed all those fish and birds running around that rock trying to stay dry back in Wonderland?" Melody asked with her smirk still there.

"We were in a young prissy girl's dream sequence, Mel. Nothing was supposed to make sense in that world so it doesn't count." Connor deadpanned.

"Well, was meeting me a coincidence?" Melody asked with a cute smile as she leaned her head on his other shoulder.

Connor smiled and rolled his eyes.

"No. Meeting you is what the adults call 'Destiny'. But for me it was like Judgment Day. Cause I wanted to make a good impression or otherwise fail. So I let my Mav Charm do the work for me...While being honest." Connor remarked as he answered and then bit his lip as he looked at her. "But be honest with me. How did I do? Not our first meeting but...Everything else I've done...For you."

Melody smiled as she pressed her thumbs into his shoulder and leaned over.

"Completely magical." Melody said softly and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"That's all? Huh. I was expecting a higher number than 'seven' at least." Connor scoffed as he referenced when Melody rated his heroics after her birthday party.

"Alright, mystifying. Absolutely perfect." Melody replied back.

Then when Connor seemed to be more physically relieved. Melody then released Connor's shoulder so he could test it out as he bent and rolled his arm a few times. It felt pretty good actually. Then he put his t-shirt back on.

"Well whatever number 'mystifying' is worth. I'll give you five 'mystifyings' for this. You got mad skills with those thumbs." Connor complemented his girlfriend's massage skills while he brought Melody to sit on his lap.

Melody giggled a bit as she draped her arms around his neck and fluttered her beautiful eyes into his gazing eyes. Her toes wiggled as she felt whimsical for being in his arms.

"So do you, Sweetie." Melody cooed before she kissed him softly on the lips and Connor returned the kiss.

Just then they heard a knock at the door which interrupted their tender moment.

***Knock knock knock***

"Connor?! Melody?! Are ya awake? Ahyuck! We're comin up on our next world!" Goofy called from the other end.

"This feels like a Monday. It's gotta be." Connor muttered at how bummed out he felt.

"Well look on the bright side. There's only one Monday a week." Melody said before calling out to Goofy. "We'll meet you guys up on the bridge!"

Then Melody got off of Connor's lap and the bed as she walked out to quickly go change in her room. Connor got up and quickly changed into his keyblader outfit.

This was their first morning after officially becoming a couple. And Connor felt like his life was taking a course for the better, even if it was a Monday killjoy. Especially since Melody is a kind and caring girlfriend. He knew she wouldn't ever hold it against him for hiding his father's death. Because her heart is too pure to be mad about that.

But Connor is still not strong enough yet to reveal it. But somehow. He felt like that strength was growing every day he was with Melody and spreading light across the Multiverse.

Say it's all right

(It's all right)

Say it's all right

(It's all right)

It's all right, have a good time

'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right

Now everybody clap your hands

Now give yourselves a chance

You got soul

---

Later up on the bridge of the Stingray...

Melody and Connor walked up the steps wearing their keyblader attire. While they had an apple and a breakfast burrito in there hands. Which was something Goofy cooked up for them. Which they seemed to like.

"Alright. What did you wanna show us Goof?" Connor asked before taking a bite of his breakfast burrito.

"Well. Jiminy called us all up here sayin it was important." Goofy explained.

Then suddenly Jiminy Cricket hopped up on the dash looking anxious.

"Fellas! You're not going to believe it! But the next world is actually my world!" Jiminy alerted them.

Melody looked surprised, while Donald and Goofy were downright shocked.

"Really? We're going to your home world? That must be exciting." Melody said with a small smile.

"WAK?! Wait! I thought your world fell to darkness like the other ones!" Donald exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah. And that's how you ended up in the Emperor's Castle." Goofy said with a shocked look.

"I know! But here is what's bizarre. Not only is my world back. But only half of it is back." Jiminy explained. "The other half is still faded."

Connor immediately figured out what was happening to Jiminy's world the moment he heard 'only half'.

"Uh oh. That's not good." Donald said with a grim tone.

"Okay….How's that even possible? And what does that mean?" Melody asked as she was trying to understand.

"It means the world is locked in a Mosfet Quantum Distortion. Apparently because Jiminy's world holds a pearl shard. It pulled itself out of oblivion with the shard the moment it detected the other counterparts we've collected." Connor explained as he pointed at the other pearl shards they've collected in a box.

"So, what will happen when we're finished here? Will Jiminy's world be fully restored or will it fall back to darkness?" Melody asked with concern.

"Hmmmm…. Good question." Goofy said, scratching his chin.

"Maybe if we seal the keyhole, this world should be fully restored." Donald guessed.

"Exactly. Which means we have to seal the keyhole before we take the pearl shard. Otherwise it will finish fading. However. Because we all didn't fade with that world. We'll be the only ones that would've noticed it falling. And while we can only travel around half of the world. Everyone else who lives there has full access." Connor said as he added a few more facts he knew about this phenomenon.

"So we only have access to half this world." Donald said with a nod.

"Would Jiminy be able to go anywhere in that world though, since he's from there originally?" Goofy asked.

"Well he didn't fall with the world so no. This is sort of an affect of a dichotomy paradox." Connor explained.

"But don't they have medicine for that?" Goofy asked.

"No Goof. A dichotomy paradox relates to a counterintuitive aspect." Connor tried to say.

"In English?" Donald deadpanned.

"Oh you speak it? I couldn't tell from your fluent Guttereese." Connor quipped.

"Aaah phooey!" Donald waved off his quip with a scowl.

"Basically because everyone else down there fell with Jiminy's World. They're part of the Distortion. It's like if you crack a TV screen. We'll see it. But the people in the channel won't because they're part of a different perspective." Connor explained it much easier.

"Oooh." Goofy said with a nod.

"That makes sense.." Donald said while nodding as well.

"So, what do you think we might encounter down there, then?" Melody asked.

"Well that depends. FELICITY? Scan for a possible landing point for us." Connor requested from his A.I. Assistance.

'Scanning...I've found only one possible location. A theme park called Pleasure Island.' FELICITY answered.

"Say...That's where my pal Pinocchio was headed before our world fell. I was under their carriage before I ended up appearing in Disney Palace." Jiminy's eyes widened. "I'm right back where I left off!"

"Hmmm then that means you could guide us while also looking for your friend." Goofy figured.

"Alright so. We all know the drill. Right?" Connor asked as he looked over to see Mini-Mav playing with his Nintendo Switch. And Connor cleared his throat.

"Huh? Oh, sorry Padre. I don't work on Mondays. Unless I'm really needed." Mini-Mav answered as he continued playing his video game.

"Well ***k it then. We all besides Mini-Me know the drill. Step down into Pleasure Island and pick up where Jiminy left off and find Pinocchio." Connor stated. "While we're at it. Let's track down both the pearl shard and keyhole. But we only secure the shard and don't take it until we lock the keyhole. And if we see any other side noted situation, even if it's a few letters that spell Heartless. We see, do and handle whatever comes along. Do we all agree?" Connor called out to the team.

"Uh huh." Goofy nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good to me." Melody agreed with a nod.

"I'm all for it, especially if we can find Pinocchio as soon as possible. I still need to act as his conscience." Jiminy said with a tip of his hat.

"As long as we keep up the world order." Donald said with a nod.

"Trust me, Gummi Ship 54. I may have the ultimate 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card with my Maverick badge. But I don't plan to abuse that power." Connor assured Donald about the World Order.

Which made Donald and Goofy give him two thumbs up.

"Alright guys. Let's head for the teleporter." Melody stood up optimistically as she summoned her sandals and placed on blue leather jacket on and walked down the steps.

Connor shrugged and followed after her.

"Oh and Mini-Wedge? You're babysitting Dug while we're gone." Connor stated to Mini-Mav before walking out.

"Yes! I've been demoted to dog-sitter! Which means I can sit around all day!" Mini-Mav beamed humorously before he ran down stairs to make some popcorn that he won't eat.

Thankfully Dug was busy walking TV while constantly repeating.

"Watching...Watching...Watching..." He panted.

Which probably means Dug will eat the popcorn for him. While Mini-Mav plugged his Nintendo Switch on the TV and relaxed like a little kid would. Or in this case a little robot who acts like a child.

While the team's away. He'll get to goof off on the ship like any kid would if their parents are away. But thankfully Mini-Mav's a good boy. Not like the guests on Pleasure Island were.

---

Down in the fun park of Pleasure Island...

Connor and the team were beamed down in what looked like an amusement park. Filled with giant attractions with animatronic entrances. Farris wheels and roller coasters. But unlike most theme parks that have people and children running around yelling and having fun. The place looked entirely empty. Not a soul seen in sight. Everyone looked around and was weirded out.

"Did a pandemic of early summer school strike? Where the hell is everyone?" Connor inquired as he looked around.

"I don't know. But it seems kind of ominous out here." Melody said with a hesitant tone.

"And it looks like we showed up during the night time." Goofy said while looking up at the sky.

"But that doesn't make any sense. My gummi phone is telling me it's 11 AM." Donald said looking at his phone.

"It's gotta be the paradox. Apparently the world's not only half filled, but I think maybe the time is stuck on or near the exact time zone from when it fell into Darkness." Connor figured as he looked around and noticed a 'Rough House' exhibit and gave the animatronic a weird look. "Is that suppose to be Popeye?"

Seriously. The animatronic figure that invites the park guests into the Rough House, it roughly looks like Popeye the Sailor.

"So. My world came back only at the exact time it fell. Given that it came back a couple of hours ago. We must've missed a lot." Jiminy figured as he walked on the ground and saw a lot of empty or half filled popcorn bags and theme park litter of every kind.

"Looks like everyone left in a hurry." Donald commented.

"But what happened here?" Melody asked before she looked at her boyfriend. "Connor?"

"I knew Popeye encourage kids to eat their spinach and beat the piss out of bullies. But still...Huh?" Connor muttered before he noticed Melody's question. "Oh! Well um...Jiminy? What do you know about this place?" Connor asked.

"Honestly. I just heard of it. I'm not that familiar with the circus, let alone Pleasure Island." Jiminy answered honestly.

"Hmmmm...Hey FELICITY? Do ya know about this place? Maybe from the book?" Goofy asked from his Gummi Phone.

'Sorry. Due to this world quantum distortion. I can't access any records from the Pinocchio books across the Multiverse. However, according to reports gathered from this world. Pleasure Island is connected to the disappearance of hundreds of boys across the globe.' FELICITY answered which shocked all of them to hear.

"Gawrsh! Hundreds of boys disappearing?!" Goofy gasped in fear for those children.

"That's just awful!" Donald looked concerned.

"Oh my God!" Melody exclaimed with great worry. "We have to find those kids!"

"Mel! Everyone! Stay calm." Connor grabbed Melody's shoulders and firmly assured her. "We're going to get to the bottom of whatever this Amityville Thrill Park is. But I need you and everyone to keep it together."

Melody understood what he was saying and took a steadying breath. Even Donald and Goofy exhaled to calm themselves down.

"You're right. Freaking out won't solve anything here." Melody said with a sigh.

"We all share your concerns. Especially me of all people. I mean. What if Pinocchio...What if he's been through the same thing? Whatever happened to these boys I mean." Jiminy paced back and forth before he gripped his umbrella and looked serious. "No. We'll find him. I'm sure of it."

"Donald. Goofy. Take Jiminy with you and look around for Pinocchio near the entertainment district. Mel. You're with me. My scans are picking up something happening down near the docks." Connor suggested a strategy as he was scanning with his ring.

"Okay." Melody said with a nod.

"Don't worry, we're on the case." Donald said with a mock salute.

"Come on, Jiminy. Let's go find your friend." Goofy said to Jiminy.

"Thanks Fellas." Jiminy smiled as Goofy held his hand out and Jiminy hopped on it.

Then the group split in two. Well with a cricket with the other two. But still. Connor and Melody walked down the steps going towards the front gates of Pleasure Island. Connor was thinking maybe they could see where it all started and work their way up to where everyone probably went. Connor was also hoping that Pleasure Island wasn't run by a group of cannibal clowns or circus ghosts…..Or Geeks.

---

Connor and Melody passed by a few empty attractions and a carousel with many colored horses.

"Heh. I used to live next to a carousel in my neighborhood." Connor remarked as he was just talking to help ease the concerning silence around the park as they walked.

"You know, I always thought Amusement Parks were fun." Melody said with a nervous tone as she looked about. "But when it's completely deserted, it's just really creepy."

"Almost everything's creepy when it's empty. Especially when the night calls for it." Connor said as he was scanning around.

Suddenly as they were approaching a lot of stone work near the front gates of Pleasure Island's entry. Connor and Melody could hear a lot of sounds of laughter and the sounds of dozens of donkey calls. Coming from the eastern wall.

"What was that?" Melody asked with a concerned look.

"Nothing good I'd say." Connor muttered.

They looked towards the direction of the sound which came from the other side of the wall west of the main. Connor then noticed a large hole up against the wall, large enough for them to go through.

"This way Mel. And get your game face on." Connor said, directing her to the hole.

"Right." Melody said before she shifted into Tsunami and Connor shifted into Maverick.

The two moved quickly to the hole and slipped through to the other side of it, as they were now standing at the harbor. Once there, Maverick and Tsunami moved to hide behind some empty wooden crates, wanting to get an assessment of the situation before springing into action. And they saw many cages with hundreds of donkeys crying out.

And standing at the center of it all was a creepy looking man who was fat and round, he had white hair and a big nose. He wore a red coat that covered him from neck to ankles, boots, gloves, a scarf, and a top hat. This man was known as the Coachman.

The Coachman's crew all looked like typical thugs in standard casual wear or rags. As they were pushing or beating some of the donkeys with sticks or whips to get them to move or submit.

"Come on you blokes! Keep em movin!" The Coachman yelled in his Liverpool accent. Seeming like a demeaning boss trying to keep up a schedule as he snapped a whip.

"What's with the mule trafficking deal?" Maverick whispered as he looked around.

"I don't know. But this is no way to treat animals." Tsunami whispered as she saw how these poor donkeys were being treated.

Then Connor noticed that some of the donkeys in the corner were wearing clothes. Not just clothes. Children's clothes. Boys clothes.

"Hang on..." Maverick muttered as his super hearing picked up on some talking going on with one of the donkeys being disciplined or locked up.

*"GO ON! GET IN THERE!"* A crew member pushed a donkey into a gated stable on the other side of the ship. Against one of the far corners

*"Why are you doing this to us?!"* One of the donkeys in clothes whimpered and sobbed.

*"Haha! Because all bad boys make jackasses of themselves in the end!"* One of the thugs mocked an answer.

Maverick's eyes widened as it soon dawned on him.

"Holy shit." Maverick muttered.

"What is it?" Tsunami asked quietly.

"Mel, these aren't donkeys. These are the park residents. The missing children." Maverick answered as he was dumbstruck.

Tsunami let out a gasp in pure horror, her hand shooting to her face.

"All the missing boys are being turned into donkeys?!" Tsunami exclaimed in horror at this revelation.

Come on! Come on! Let's have another! The Coachman shouted to his men as they brought a donkey with clothes still on. "And what's your name?"

"Yee-Haa!" The clothed donkey let out a whine, indicating he couldn't talk. While shedding a tear.

"Okay! You'll do!" The Coachman said as he ripped the clothes off the donkey. "In ya go!"

The Coachman then kicked the poor boy now donkey into a small wooden cage with a sign that said 'Sold to the Salt Mines'.

"You'll bring a nice price! Hehehe!" The Coachman said to the caged donkeys near the boat with a dark chuckle, scaring them even more. "Okay, next!"

Tsunami looked on at all this with anger building up inside of her, her fists clenched so hard it nearly dented her armor. She was ready to explode in fury at the audacity, the cruelty seen before her at what was being done to these poor boys who were younger than her and Maverick.

"Alright. I hope this park take's ass whoopins for a discount. I'll get in position. When I give the signal. You bring in the flood." Maverick whispered as he gestured to the water around the ship.

"Oh don't worry. I plan on drowning these monsters." Tsunami whispered back with barely restrained anger as she watched.

Then another poor boy turned donkey was brought up to the Coachman. Wearing a typical blue student's uniform of that century.

"And what might your name be?" The Coachman asked.

"Al-Alexander." The donkey named Alexander whimpered.

"Hmm, so you can talk." The Coachman noticed with a sneer.

"Y-yes, sir." Alexander whimpered before turning around and crying. "I wanna go home to my Mama!"

Tsunami's heart broke at this, and felt her anger spike even higher as she watched the cruel man roughly pick him up by his ears and tail.

"Take him back! He can still talk!" The Coachman shouted as he threw the donkey towards an open gate and into a corral filled with other clothed donkeys.

"Please! Please! I don't wanna be a donkey!" Alexander cried out with the other boys now donkeys crying out as well as the Coachman's shadow loomed over them. "Let me out of here!"

"QUIET!" The Coachman shouted at them while snapping his whip, scaring them into silence. "You boys have had your fun! Now pay for it!"

Then suddenly. Five of the crew members fell in a pile behind the Coachman as Maverick landed on top of the pile. The surprised the Donkeys as the Coachman barely noticed as he barely noticed after he turned around.

"What discounts do you take for your teeth?" Maverick seethed.

"Ah. I had a feelin you'd be here." The Coachman grinned.

Maverick wasn't expecting the Coachman to say that.

"You've heard of me?" Maverick inquired.

"Heard of ya? Haha. I know all about ya. My boss has beef with ya he does." The Coachman revealed with an evil grin. "Pleasure Island isn't as oblivious as you think."

"If that were true, you would've been smart enough not to be performing these heinous acts and expecting to walk away scott free!" Tsunami snarled as she landed in front of the donkeys while glaring at the Coachman in rage.

"Oh. That. Hahahahaha!" The Coachman chuckled. "I didn't kidnap them. Came here scott free they did. These boys. They were as worse as they came. Disrespectful to parents. Never obeying the law. Misbehavin in school. So they came here to escape it all and be all bad as they want."

"And you decided to punish them by turning them into donkeys, so you could sell them to the highest bidder?!" Tsunami snarled at this evil man.

"I'm simply doing society a favor. For the right price. Everyone's better off without these boys." Coachman declared as he kept his grin.

"***k you!" Maverick slashed his keyblade at the Coachman.

But his keyblade passed right through him. Which caused Maverick's eyes to widen. And the Coachman began to laugh evilly. The Coachman has dark powers!

"Hahaha! Seems you're part of the same lot! Despite your heroics!" The Coachman laughed before he started to fade away slowly in darkness. "Boys! Take care of these clowns!"

Then as the Coachman disappeared in a mist of darkness.

The rest of the crew members surrounded Maverick and Tsunami while standing with a group of Acrobat Heartless. These Heartless resembled daredevils and divers of a circus. With stripe colors of black and purple. And were flipping around looking flexible and dangerous with knives in their hands.

So Maverick and Tsunami stood together as a fight started.

Maverick spun his keyblade as he teleported all around knocking the crew members aside and even breaking a few limbs in their legs or arms. Making them scream out.

Tsunami wasn't showing any mercy as she does. The same. She spun around using water attacks to knock crew members into the walls. And even slashing her keyblade into the acrobatic Heartless. They tried to counter attack her. But Tsunami would block them with her forearms and her legs. And spin strike her own counter attack.

She took out at least fifteen crew members and twenty Acrobat Heartless.

Maverick soon shifted his keyblade into a trident as he spun and slammed his weapon into the Acrobat Heartless that kept falling out of the air for some aerial attacks. But he would bounce off of them into the air and thrust or slash at them to take them out. Then he landed next to Tsunami and formed two giant water orbs.

Tsunami used her aquakinetic ability to control the water orbs and form five water tentacles to spin around and bash the rest of the Heartless to the floor. As they quickly ended the fight.

---

Maverick and Tsunami stood up as they looked at the donkeys and even Alexander as those boys were whimpering in fear.

"You okay?" Maverick asked them.

But the Donkeys cowered in total fear of him.

"Hey, it's okay. We're not going to hurt you. We're here to help you." Tsunami said softly as she knelt down to their level. "It's going to be okay.

"We...We didn't mean to..." One of the donkeys sobbed.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have run from daddy!" Another one cried.

And Alexander whimpered as he slowly approached Tsunami and looked at her with tears falling.

"Are...A-are you going to help us?" Alexander asked while sniffing.

Tsunami gently pulled Alexander into a hug. "Yes. We're going to get you boys home. I promise." She cooed as Alexander leaned into her embrace while sniffing.

Maverick looked around at all of the unconscious crew members and that some of the donkeys were still in crates. So he teleported over to break the crates over and help the donkeys out as they could only 'Yee-hah' like any donkey could due to them being fully transformed.

"You're safe with us. Follow me to the others." Maverick said to them.

The donkeys nodded as they looked scared still. But they somehow figured they could trust him. After Maverick led ten over to Alexander's group. Tsunami stood up and decided to help her boyfriend free the others in the rest of the crates.

"You're part of the same lot despite your heroics." Maverick repeated the Coachman's words in confusion as he tore open another crate with his bare hands. "What the hell was he talking about?"

"I have no idea. He could've just been saying it to get inside your head." Tsunami said as she used a crowbar to set several more donkeys free. "Either way, we still have to get these boys back to normal and back home, and make sure that monster can never do this to anyone ever again."

"Yeah. You're right but...I didn't hear his heart shift. He seemed so sure...It's almost...***k it. Let's just help these kids out." Maverick sighed as he tore open another crate.

Tsunami tore open another crate using a water claw which tore it open in two. And six donkeys ran to the group.

"There is one thing that's got me confused. How did they turn these boys into donkeys?" Tsunami asked.

"Pleasure Island brings out the true nature of those who rebel." They heard someone say and looked over.

Maverick and Tsunami looked up to see a newcomer standing near the ship.

This guy was a white man with spiked hair, and wore a black shirt underneath a black jacket, black pants, black shoes, silver gloves with the thumbs missing, and glasses.

"Who are you?" Tsunami asked with narrowed eyes.

"Ignis Scientia. strategist and second intelligence of the Meridia Resistance. At your service." The man named Ignis approached and gave a graceful courtesy of respect.

Maverick's eyes widened because not only did he see the same seal Cor was wearing. But he heard Ignis' heartbeat and knew he wasn't lying.

"It's okay. Mel. He's telling the truth." Maverick assured as he gestured Tsunami to ease up.

Tsunami heard him and eased up.

"You work with Cor Leonis then?" Tsunami surmised after standing down.

"Cor is our commander. I am considered to be his tactical expert." Ignis stated as he leaned against an empty crate.

"Plus he makes up our trio!" They heard another voice say.

But a familiar one as Maverick and Tsunami looked up to see Prompto standing on the edge rails of the ship before he jumped up and landed next to Ignis.

"Agent Justin Bieber!" Maverick beamed seeing him.

"Prompto! It's so good to see you again!" Tsunami said happily with a wave. "We haven't seen you since Traverse Town. How are things going?"

"As always! Bright and cheerful as a K rated Vegas! Meh, unlike this place." Prompto mused.

Then Gladiolus appeared as he dropped an open crate and set four Donkeys free.

"Hey Princess. Still keeping that jacket warm?" Gladiolus grinned as he crossed his arms looking strong and cool as ever.

Gladiolus was referring to the dark blue leather jacket Melody wears with her keyblader suit. He gave it to her as a prize for winning the Strength Tester.

"Whenever I can." Tsunami said with a cheerful tone. "Anyone else from Traverse Town here? Or is it just you guys?"

"It's just us actually. We came here as soon as Empress Minnie informed Cor about this world." Ignis stated.

"About a few hours before you arrived." Gladiolus revealed.

"Yeah. Only something's really screwy with this world. We were here for what felt practically days. Tracking down all of the other donkeys that got sold. But by the time we came back here. It's only been a few hours in our time." Prompto expressed how bizarre the timezone is in this world.

"Apparently time is a bit messed up right now because this world is only halfway restored due to the pearl shard it has here." Tsunami explained.

"It's the dichotomy paradox from the-" Maverick almost added.

"Mosfet Quantum Distortion?" Ignis finished with a grin.

"Oh so. I was right. A+'s on the rocks for everyone." Maverick quipped.

"Like Prompto said. We were here for three days of this world's timeline, searching and freeing the other Donkeys that were sold around the map. The Salt Mines and Circus. You name it. This is the last of them here." Gladiolous stated as he gestured all of the donkeys.

"Nice! That saves us the migraine of having to find all the other children." Maverick complemented the Resistance's work.

"Thank goodness." Tsunami said with a sigh before she looked concerned again. "But how do we turn all these boys back to normal?"

"I have a few theories, but you'll both have to hear the rest of it first." Ignis explained.

"Basically how the runaway guests got her and how they all turned." Prompto added with a shrug.

"Alright?" Maverick nodded.

"You see. All of these boys. They're runaways. The Coachman. The man you've inquired runs this whole operation. He sent out invitations to all of the rebellious l boys he could gather and they all came here to have fun and cause chaos. But at the end of the day in the middle of the fun. Somehow Pleasure Island is cursed into turning everyone into what they're considered. Jackasses." Ignis explained the important details as he looked out at the park.

"Basically it's like these boys are sent to heaven. Not only that, it's a secret hell that's meant to punish them for their sins." Gladiolus stated.

"And that asswipe Coachman is profiting off of the whole thing." Prompto smacked his fist showing how mad he is about that.

"That man is disgusting! How is he even able to turn these poor boys into donkeys?!" Tsunami snarled in anger.

"He's not the one turning them. It's like Ignis said. The island is cursed. We believe this Island is connected to something dark. Something that's turning everyone. Pleasure Island was built on top of a curse the moment it was discovered." Gladiolus stated.

"That's weird cause if I were a politician. I would've turned this place into another Alcatraz at least. Not really. I would've bombed this island down." Maverick quipped.

"How did this curse even start?" Tsunami asked Ignis.

"Here's what I believe. Are you two familiar with the Astral Plane?" Ignis asked.

"I don't believe so." Tsunami said with a shake of her head.

"I do." Maverick said with a raised hand. "In essence, the Astral Plane is a parallel realm where Thoughts become reality. Where the mind travels outside the body like a ghost but more in a mental way, not a Ghostbusters way."

"Correct. And somehow I've managed to track a link between the Astral Plane and the Dark Realm somewhere in the Pleasure Island fun house." Ignis revealed.

"So why y'all haven't gone inside yet?" Maverick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because at first, we couldn't get into Pleasure Island." Gladiolus explained.

"Every time we stepped foot inside this park. We kept appearing back outside." Prompto explained.

"But we had managed to kidnap and interrogated one of the crew members here who spilled everything about their 'jackass' operation." Gladiolus added.

"And you all decided to focus on tracking the other 'living merchandise' down before coming here hoping it would shift the distortion?" Maverick guessed.

"That's right. Somehow we were only able to come here the moment you Guardians arrived." Ignis revealed.

"Well I'm glad you were able to save those other boys, and find your way here. Because I think we're going to need all the help we can get." Tsunami said with a nod. "So, what's our next move then?"

"Are next move is to-" Maverick almost said before they heard Donald and Goofy running in.

"Connor!" Donald yelled as he ran.

"You're not gonna believe this!" Goofy yelled as they ran up and stopped to catch their breaths.

"Um...You all know them, right? And vice versa?" Maverick inquired at the Resistance trio.

"Yep." Prompto gave a thumbs up.

"Sure." Ignis nodded.

"Who doesn't?" Gladiolus shrugged.

Since Donald and Goofy met Cor Leonis. They know the other Resistance Members here. And since Cor is a good friend of Emperor Mickey. It's impossible for Ignis, Gladiolus and Prompto to not know them.

Jiminy hopped down on the ground to speak to Maverick and Tsunami.

"You're not gonna believe this! But Pinocchio's not here! He was already rescued!" Jiminy revealed.

"Really? By who?" Tsunami asked, though with relief in her voice.

"By our group!" They heard a voice say.

They saw two mice arrive from a small makeshift blimp made of five carnival balloons and a plastic ice cream up.

They floated and landed next to Jiminy as they stepped out to greet everyone. One mouse looked bigger with a bushy mustache. Green eyes. A blue sweater and a gray jacket.

While the other mouse looked small and female. With a gray purplish engineering uniform and goggles with blue eyes.

And another friend of theirs came flying in. He was literally a fly. With a puppy cute face with yellow eyes and a red sweater.

"Who are you three? The lost cast of the American Tail Reboot?" Maverick inquired as he and Tsunami knelt down to get a good look at them.

"Oy. No mate. We're the Rescue Rangers. Sent here by an informant to go and rescue a wooden boy." The big mouse answered.

"But we got separated from Chip and Dale." The female mouse added.

"Oh yeah! Chip and Dale told us about you guys and the adventures they went on with you." Donald said with a nod.

"Yeah. They told us you guys were the most courageous team they know." Goofy said.

"You know them?" Tsunami asked.

"Yeah. Well heard of them, mostly. They're part of Chip And Dale's team. The Rescue Rangers?" Jiminy explained.

"Chip and Dale?" Maverick inquired. "Like the shirtless vegas dancers or the 18th century cabinet maker?"

"Neither! Chip and Dale are heads of the Disney Palace Gummi Ship Crew." Donald explained. "But when they're off duty, they run this rescue crew."

"They're the ones who built our Gummi Ship before we merged it with your Submarine." Goofy continued.

"Sweet." Maverick mused.

"I'm Gadget. The Rangers' pilot and inventor." The female mouse introduced herself.

"Monterey Jack. The muscle and field mouse. But you can call me Monty." The big mouse introduced himself.

"Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!" The fly chirped and buzzed as he was greeting them with a thumbs up.

"And that's Zipper. The Rangers' infiltration expert since he's small with wings and all." Gadget gestured to the fly.

"Wait so. How were you little guys able to get inside Pleasure Island before we could?!" Prompto gawked at the Rescue Rangers.

"I think the better question is how were you guys able to get out of Pleasure Island before we could?" Gadget answered back with sarcasm.

"We came here to find Pinocchio. But by the time we ran off together. Gadget. Zipper and I were unable to leave with him." Monty explained.

"So you guys couldn't enter the park while you little guys couldn't leave the park?" Maverick figured looking at the Resistance and Rangers.

"Hmm." Ignis hummed while rubbing his chin. "If I had to guess, I would say that the distortion has an opposite effect for whoever enters this world."

"Looks like with Maverick and his team being here, that shifts things towards our favor." Gladiolus stated with a nod.

"Thank God. Otherwise, we'd probably be here forever trying to leave or wait until the rides open back up." Prompto commented.

"Okay so getting back to Pinocchio." Maverick suggested.

"Right, see. Ol Chipper and Dale just texted us from our gummi phones." Monty stated as he held his mouse size phone up.

"Does every creature in the universe have a gummi phone? Does Apple have a variant?" Maverick inquired to himself.

"Chip told us that they brought Pinocchio home. But his father was gone. But then they were informed by someone called the Blue Fairy that his father got lost trying to search for him." Gadget explained.

"Oh no." Jiminy said with concern.

"Who's this Blue Fairy?" Tsunami asked curious.

"The Blue Fairy is a powerful being who brought Pinocchio to life to reward Geppetto with a son, for all the joy and happiness he brought others." Jiminy explained to the group. "She even gave me the role of being his conscience until he proves he deserves to become a real boy."

"Ooooh! Like in the book! God, I wish I'd read that thing more often." Maverick expressed in realization.

"There's a Pinocchio book?" Prompto inquired.

"Really? You're just now hearing about it?" Gladiolus raised his eyebrow at Prompto.

"Hey! Ignis is the book expert! I'm just the bullet guy! And co-driver! And co-badass!" Prompto jested back.

"Are you done?" Ignis asked in exasperation.

"Yeah sure." Prompto shrugged.

"We've got a track on Chip and Dale's phones. They're ten miles off the coast. But we'll need help getting there." Gadget stated to the group.

"We could help out." Goofy offered.

"But what about this place?" Donald asked.

"We've already got that covered, Gentlemen." Ignis stated.

"Oh they do. They marinaded the ground in convenience." Maverick remarked.

"Tell you what. Donald. Goofy. You two take this ship and the Rescue Rangers with you to find Pinocchio, Chip and Dale. The rest of us will take care of what's happening on this island." Tsunami suggested an idea for all of them to cover more ground and handle everything as individual groups.

"Okay." Donald said with a nod.

"We'll take care of it." Goofy said with a nod.

"That would be great. Thank you." Gadget thanked the team.

"Yeah. Most appreciated." Monty said as Zipper zipped about and gave a salute.

"Meanwhile. Ignis, Prompto and I will handle freeing and protecting the rest of these kids." Gladiolus said as he opened another crate freeing three more donkeys

"and we'll search Pleasure Island to see if there's anyone else we might have missed." Prompto added.

"Meanwhile. Maverick. Tsunami.I detected a strong dark source of the distortion down south at the Pleasure Island Fun House. It might be worth investigating." Ignis informed the Keyblader couple.

"We're on it." Tsunami said with a nod.

"Let's go put the Fun back into Fun House." Maverick said, cracking his knuckles.

"Good luck Depth Guards!" Prompto gave them a two fingers salute.

"We'll be around in case you need us." Gladiolus nodded.

After that, Ignis helped Donald. Goofy. Jiminy and the Rescue Rangers on board the ship that was gonna be used to deliver the donkeys to the salt minds. But now it's gonna be used to rescue Pinocchio, Chip and Dale. And more than likely Pinocchio's father Geppetto.

While Maverick and Tsunami ran out head towards the Fun House on the other end of Pleasure Island.

---

Down At The Pleasure Island Fun House...

Maverick and Tsunami stood together looking at the Fun House entrance as they both were intrigued and concerned about what was inside. But whatever it is. They hope they'll find the Coachman and put an end to this evil theme park.

The entrance had the face of an evil looking clown above the entrance with demonic looking eyes. To the side of the entrance was an image of a bearded lady. Which looked more like a hipster than a bearded lady.

"Sheesh, is that supposed to be a bearded lady or Jesus?" Maverick asked with a cringe.

"I don't know what's creepier. That, or the demonic clown above the entrance." Tsunami commented.

"Be glad you never saw IT on Dish Network's Pay-per-view." Maverick remarked as he was about to step up to the entrance. But then he froze mid point. "Wait..."

"What?" Tsunami inquired.

"This is too easy. I mean. What if the moment we step in we trip something and the whole fun house becomes a bomb house? Or what if we get teleported to another more complicated world with talking vehicles or a magical forest with a thinly disguised religious allegory?!" Maverick guessed as he was getting more nervous about stepping in and backed away. "Or what if this entrance will have some dark force field and demand us to collect three golden tickets from some hidden Heartless around the park to drag this charade on longer?!"

"Or…." Tsunami said with a condescending smile before she stepped to the other side of the entrance, with nothing changing and she sarcastically added. "Maybe. There's nothing holding us back from going inside."

"Oh." Maverick deadpanned as he dropped his guard and walked in through a tunnel with her.

"You Crazy Bum." Tsunami scoffed with a small giggle as she followed him inside.

"Well at least I didn't jinx us." Maverick shrugged and added in realization. "Hey, you know what? This is proof that I'm not psychic."

He referenced what his girlfriend said to him earlier in his bedroom.

"I don't know. It's still early. Something you've said could still happen." Tsunami said with a teasing tone.

"Kay now you're trying to jinx us." Maverick deadpanned with an eye roll.

Suddenly they were passing through a hall of funny mirrors. On both sides there were many funny mirrors they passed by as their reflections were in different shapes, it changed each time they passed another funny mirror.

---

Suddenly Maverick grew curious and stopped to stand in front of one where he was skinny. His limbs looked like straws you could sip out of.

"What the ***k is this acid trip?" Maverick inquired at his reflection in the funny mirror.

"Woah. This is so strange." Tsunami said, looking at the mirror that was making her look more round. "I look like I ate one too many cakes."

"Look here. I look like I've been questioning my sexuality and sold my soul to the Kardashians." Maverick pointed at an image of himself in a female body.

"Is it wrong to say you look good as a woman?" Tsunami said with a teasing tone.

"Is it wrong to say you're not tall enough for the rides?" Connor said as he pointed at another image.

Tsunami turned to see a reflection of her as short. Really short like a mest cube.

"Ugh. This one makes me look like a dwarf." Tsunami said as she looked at herself in the mirror.

And as they stepped in further. They were forced to shift out of their armored forms and back to Connor and Melody. Which surprised them

"Woah what the hell?" Connor looked down and tried to shift back but he couldn't.

Melody tried to shift too but she couldn't either.

"We can't use our armored forms?" Melody exclaimed as she looked down at herself. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. But this is-" Connor stopped when he looked back up at the mirror and saw his father in the reflection Joe Ramsey. "SHIT!"

Connor backed up and cracked another mirror he fell back against.

"What's wrong?!" Melody asked, concerned by Connor's reaction just now.

Melody looked back and didn't see a reflection. And Connor looked up to see that it was gone.

"It...It's nothing. Let's just move on." Connor got up and walked ahead.

"...Okay?" Melody said with hesitation, worried about her boyfriend.

---

They walked on and this time. There were no reflections in the funny mirrors. Suddenly they saw a front door of what looked like a door to someone's house. Connor opened and stepped inside with Melody. And then they were standing in the middle of a really nice family room. Complete with a beige couch, and a sectional on the side. A large Flat Screen TV and entertainment center with a coffee table. Windows to a backyard and a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

The odd thing is. Everything was upside-down. And the odder thing is. Not only Connor and Melody were both standing on the ceiling.

But Connor recognized this place.

"Are we still on Pleasure Island, or did we somehow end up back in Wonderland?" Melody commented as she looked around the room.

"No no no...I mean this kinda stuff always happens in a fun house but this..." Connor said slowly as he looked around.

Then they heard a voice calling from the office room.

"Connor?! Let's go, we're gonna be late! Noctis already got your favorite chips in the car!" Joe Ramsey called from the other room.

"No no no. You gotta be shitting me." Connor hissed as he backed away like he heard the devil's voice.

"Connor, what's wrong?" Melody asked while being worried for her boyfriend. "Who was that calling you?"

"Do. Not. Ask." Connor exhaled a warning while giving Melody a scowl. As if he was having trouble breathing.

"Connor..." Melody muttered softly, she was not sure what to say right now while having no idea what was going on.

Then suddenly the whole living room spun as they stumbled and yelped.

"whoooa!" Connor and Melody yelled and they suddenly…Didn't land on the floor of the family room.

---

But they both landed on the floor of a plane. A first class section of seats. One that Connor instantly recognized as he slowly stood up. Complete with snacks and a TV still on the Simpsons. Connor backed up while Melody was looking afraid and confused for her boyfriend's response as Connor slowly turned around...

And the entire interior of the plane looked like a wreck with dead passengers with bloody wounds, cuts and bruises on their faces, strapped into the exact seats they were sitting in. But not just any passengers.

It was his father Joe Ramsey. His best friend Noctis and his parents.

"What the ***k. What the actual...Don't do this to me...Please." Connor panted and begged as he was breathing uncontrollably and sweat as he gripped the sides of his head backing away.

Only this time. Melody saw the corpses.

Melody gasped in horror at the sight of the dead bodies.

"Oh my God, what happened here?! Who are these poor people?!" Melody asked with horror in her voice.

Then a dark deep evil voice spoke out loud.

***"Hahahahahaha. These? They're just the spoils of a boy's lack of grit and destiny's harsh reality."*** the voice mocked.

Melody spun around, trying to find the source of the voice.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" Melody exclaimed.

Then suddenly everything turned dark. And the entire area filled with a purple misty fog as a figure stood up from the fog. A monstrous dark purple figure with spikes on his shoulders. Large claws on his hands and piercing white eyes with sharp teeth and a sinister smile. This figure stood at least six feet tall in front of Melody making her stumble a bit but she stood firm against the figure.

"I am known many names. But my favorite. Is...Shadow King." The monster snarled.

"Shadow King?" Melody muttered at the name before shaking her head. "Why are you here?!"

"If you need help with the details. Who do you think started the Pleasure Island Curse?" Shadow King revealed as he gestured himself before he faded into the midst.

Melody's eyes widened before they narrowed in anger. The Shadow King was the reason all of those poor boys were turned into Donkeys.

"You?!" Melody exclaimed in anger.

***"In my world. I was always just a fog in the nightmares of open minded people. And imaginary itch. But in the Multiverse. I can be anything in the darkness between the stars. And can make the Heartless do anything."*** The Shadow King declared. "For they are just puppets tangled in the strings. Ready for someone in the dark to pull them."

Then Melody saw ten Shadow Heartless being forced to dance by the strings attached to their limbs.

***"They can be anything based on the world they enter. Even a special...exceptional...legendary curse that makes naughty disrespectful boys what they are. Jackasses who need to be punished."*** The Shadow King revealed.

It became clear. Pleasure Island's residents aren't turning from a curse. But a special kind of Heartless.

Melody's eyes widened in realization. And then needed one answer.

"But where does the Coachman fit into this?" Melody demanded.

***"He's just a hired help. But surely your keyblade can undo all of that. It doesn't matter. This Park as well as the Coachman will outlive their usefulness."*** The Shadow King declared.

"What are you talking about?" Melody glared up at the midst.

***"Oh that's not the first prized question, isn't it? You really need to ask. Who were those corpses? And I'd answer."*** Shadow King caused the midst to shift and show a portrait of the passengers Melody saw.

It was an image of Joe Ramsey. Regis Caelum. His wife Aulea and their son Noctis. Making fubny faces with a young black boy in front of the camera.

***"Noctis. His parents. Their best friend Joe. And Joe's son...Noctis' best friend...Connor Ramsey. Your beloved."*** Shadow King revealed in the image.

Melody gasped in horror, tears in her eyes, now realizing why her boyfriend was acting off.

"Oh my God. His father and best friend are..." Melody tried to say, but the word caught in her throat, feeling terrible for Connor, before a thought came to her, making her narrow her eyes. "You... Did you have something to do with it?!"

***"Sadly no. My conduit. Attuma did this. The moment the boy's first class plane trip to new york. Passed through a portal that selected him as the Maverick and brought him home to the Marvelous World of Marvel. His squad of anti-Atlantean forces detect the boy's blood in the air. And his forces caused a storm using technology beyond common understanding. And caused the boy to lose everything...Only for the ocean. Atlantis. Is all he has left. He's just too ashamed to admit it. To face it."*** The Shadow King revealed.

Attuma killed Connor's family. He's the cause of everyone's pain!

Melody's fists clenched in anger.

"Attuma... He took away everything from Connor, all because he knew what he would become?" Melody seethed, now truly angry at the Tyrant for hurting Connor. "But you said conduit. You're basically telling me Attuma works for you."

***"No. Attuma and I are on mutual terms. Besides, I only just redirected the boy's flight that night. But Attuma came. Saw. And shot them down..."*** The Shadow King chuckled.

Then the midst and portrait faded as it revealed Connor was standing in front of his dad's car. As his father was calling for him from the driver's seat as the car window was up.

"Come on! Connor we're gonna be late!" Joe called from the car.

"Stop..." Connor panted in heartbreak.

"We're gonna be late!" Joe yelled out

"I said stop!" Connor snapped back at the phantom image of his father calling from the car.

"WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!" Joe Ramsey shouted, causing Connor to grit his teeth.

Then Connor kicked the car door multiple times. Shattering it. It was even causing the car to bend from the boy's raw super strength

"SHUT! UP! SHUT! UP! SHUT THE ***K UP!" Connor bellowed as he kept kicking the car door.

"Connor, Stop! It's just an illusion!" Melody called out to him, trying to get him to calm down.

Connor didn't listen as he took the car. Grabbed hold of it and slammed it down. Multiple times as he gave loud screams each time he smashed the car. Then he tossed it to the ground and kicked it some more.

"DAAAAAAAAAAAAD!" Connor screamed in between the rapid fire kicks.

Melody, not being able to stand to the side while her love was suffering, rushed to his side and grabbed him

"Connor, stop! Please!" Melody cried out to him, with tears of concern in her eyes.

Melody practically tackled Connor to the ground and held onto him as she embraced him from behind and he leaned forward and huffed.

Before he bursts into tears. And finally for the first time in a long time. Cried. As their surroundings were just the wreck of the plane again. But this time without the corpses.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." Connor whimpered and sobbed as he leaned forward. With his back to Melody.

"It's okay. Sweetie. I'm here for you. It's going to be okay." Melody whispered softly to him, trying to comfort him while holding him close to her as he cried.

Connor shook his head as he muttered griefing incoherent words. Melody moved to be in front of him as she continued to hold him. She was standing on her knees so she could have Connor lean on her chest as she comforted and held her boyfriend in her arms. As he cried still.

"It was my fault. We should've stayed home. I never should've pushed him for us to go on that goddamn vacation." Connor groaned as he exhaled more tears which were neon colored tears streaming down his face.

Melody moved to kneel in front of him and held his face in her hands.

"Connor, you listen to me. This is not your fault. You're not the one who killed them. It was Attuma." Melody said softly but slightly sternly while wiping away his tears. "He was the one who killed them. Not you."

"You don't understand. He killed them because of me. Because he was trying...And they all died instead of me." Connor grimaced at the last note.

"I'm so sorry Attuma did this to you. But Look at all the good you have done because you survived that day. All of the people that are alive because of you. The lives that you've changed. Like mine." Melody said softly to him. "Would your father want you to blame yourself for what happened to him?"

Connor took a moment to take a breath as Melody's words were sinking in. And he stared straight ahead to see that the car he was kicking was gone.

"I don't know what he would want. He's not here to tell me. And it wasn't just him." Connor muttered. "Noctis, my best friend. His folks. Everyone else on that plane. They weren't on Attuma's list."

Connor was speaking on the fact that he didn't just lose his father. But he also lost his best friend Noctis and even his parents died in the plane crash. And all of those other passengers that died on the plane.

"Well let me tell you something. Their blood is not on your hands. It's on Attuma's. He's the one who killed those innocent people, just as he killed my Aunt Attina, and so many other people. He started this war. And caused so much pain." Melody said with a pained look before smiling softly at him. "The only thing you're responsible for, is trying to undo the damage that monster caused."

Melody then softly cupped his face with her hands.

"When we met, you didn't just change my life for the better. My life truly began because of you. And I love you for it." Melody said lovingly.

Connor was starting to see things from Melody's words. If he never became the Maverick. So many people would be dead or worse right now if it wasn't for him. He's done so much good since becoming the Maverick.

And he'll continue to do so.

"Once things for sure. Dad would kick my ass for letting self pity waste my potential. Especially when there's a jackass printing his self portrait on innocent children." Connor said confidently as he slowly stood up with Melody's help.

Melody giggled at his words.

"There's the crazy bum I've fallen in love with." Melody said sweetly before giving him a loving kiss.

Connor kissed her back as he hugged her tightly. He could always count on Melody for being there for him. But there was one thing left that concerned her.

"You're not mad right? I mean...You know for not telling you about...All of this." Connor asked as he looked a little concerned.

"It was a difficult subject. And I would never be mad at you for it." Melody said sweetly as she leaned her head onto his chest.

Melody had her arms wrapped around Connor as she was giving him a big hug, and he hugged her back.

"To tell you the truth….. Remember my family? The ones I spoke of this morning." Connor sighed as he referenced his relatives.

The Proud Family.

"Yes?" Melody started before her eyes widened in realization. "They don't know you're alive, do they?"

Connor shook his head as he felt ashamed to admit that.

"Our plane ended up in the ocean...Then it faded back into my home world's ocean. Where it was recovered. Penny. Uncle Oscar. Aunt Tudy. Suga Mama. They all think I died with Dad in the crash." Connor explained.

"Why didn't you ever tell them you're still alive?" Melody asked in shock.

"Mel. I can't. I mean how can I while I'm in the middle of this war. Like I said on the ship. They'll never find it easy to discover I'm alive and back only to have to leave them again to win a cosmic ocean war with a warlord like Attuma." Connor explained firmly and then sighed. "Once Attuma's dealt with and war's over. I'll reveal myself to them. But not before. I could never drag them into all of this. The struggles, the war."

Melody understood where Connor was going with this. It would be hard on the Proud Family if they would meet Connor again. Only for him to leave to go win a cosmic war he may not come back from. It's easier for Melody's mother because Ariel is more familiar with the wonder and fantasy of light and magic. And Ariel took a leap of faith by letting her daughter go with Connor. But for the Proud Family. A group who has never seen real magic before, and Sista Spice sure didn't count. A group that's not familiar with talking fish. To have Connor reveal himself while this war is still going on would make this harder for them when he had to leave.

"I understand." Melody said softly before giving him a kind smile. "But when you do eventually tell them, I'll be there to back you up."

"I know." Connor smiled at her. Before he bit his bottom lip. "Honestly though. The hardest task ahead won't be trying to bring down. Attuma. It will be me surviving Suga Mama's wrath for being alive this whole time without her knowing."

He shuddered at the thought.

"Yeah. You're definitely in for it when she gets her hands on ya." Melody said with a chuckle.

"Lord have mercy." Connor exhaled as he pinched the bridge of his nose before he sighed. "Anyway. I'm good now. Let's get out of here."

"Yeah, let's." Melody said before looking around. "So... How do we get out of here?"

"Well. One thing about an illusion." Connor walked forward.

Then Connor took out a gun constructed from his neon powers and pointed to the side of where their standing and shot a few neon bullets *Bang! Bang! Bang!* Causing glass to shatter and their entire area shifted into an empty tunnel and the hall of mirrors. And the entrance with steps leading down to a rocky underground mine.

"They all shatter like glass." Connor finished about his illusion remark.

"Okay. That was just showing off." Melody said with a smirk.

"Only show offs stand strong. Babe. Come on. Let's get to the bottom of this. Literally." Connor quipped and gestured the stairs leading down to the rocky cave down below.

"Right. Lead the way, my Crazy Bum." Melody said with a big smile.

On that note. Connor and Melody pressed on to hopefully find the Heartless responsible for Pleasure Island's evil and put a stop to the Coachman's wicked operation.

Connor wondered if Donald and Goofy were making progress with finding Chip. Dale and Jiminy's friend, the wooden boy Pinocchio.

But needless to say. Something has already been accomplished. Connor has been liberated from the guilt and shame of his past. And now Connor and Melody have been set free from all secrets they have been keeping. Thanks to Connor's bravery and honesty. And Melody's selfless heart is full of compassion.

Nothing is holding them back now.

---

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! 🎉 🎉 🎉

Yes. Connor Ramsey is related to the Proud Family back home and yes. They'll show up later on in the story. 😉

Also I bet everyone's happy to see Chip N Dale's Rescue Rangers in this chapter! As well as Connor and Melody rescuing those poor boys. And not to mention three of the main characters of Final Fantasy XV showing up here. Including our first appearance of Ignis. 😁

Also I believed this was the right time for not only the first appearance of the Shadow King. The one who will serve as the Dark Heartless Ansem type leader of this story. But it was also the right time for Melody to learn the truth about the demise of Connor's father. As well as how not-so-easy it was for Connor to fit in as a young asthmatic.

I wanted to show how supportive and understanding Melody is in this story. While also having the zeal to help those in need while staying sweet…

"And beautiful beyond all reason." Maverick mused. 😏

"Awe…." Tsunami gushed.

As for the Coachman and how he's in league with all of this. Well he did use a cursed island to make a profit off of abducted boys. So I figured it would make sense that he was alerted about the Maverick's arrival and with the Shadow King using the Coachman as a pawn.

As for what they'll face next and what the Coachman has in store for them…..

Find out in the next chapter!

Thank you all so much for reading. Be sure to Fave and Follow if you like what you see and don't forget to leave comments and reviews to let me know your thoughts.

And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!

FISTBUMP! 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊