Arthur, Amy, Jack, and Jess were walking down Main Street. They were going to watch the fireworks, but Arthur was taking them towards the train station, not a very good place to watch them.
"Arthur, wouldn't the best place to view them be back by the partner statue?" Jack asked, pointing back toward the castle as they pushed past guests.
"Nope, the place I'm taking us has the best view in all of Disneyland!" Arthur stated.
They walked to the firehouse. Arthur stopped for a moment and looked at the small light in the window. He smiled at it before placing his hands on the gate next door. He pushed open the left side and ushered them backstage.
"Arthur, are you sure we can be back here?" Jess questioned as she looked around the dark and empty backstage part of the park.
"Sure I'm sure, Cast members aren't over here during the night unless it's a holiday, which it's not." He gestured for them to follow him.
Backstage was a different atmosphere. It was empty and dark, and the backside of the buildings were bland. It was like walking through an unfinished park. They didn't need to go far as on the back side of the Emporium building was a fire escape. Arthur climbed up it rather quickly, and so did Amy, while Jack and Jess struggled a bit to come up the ladder. Once they were all up on top, they gasped at the breathtaking view. They could see almost the whole park from up there.
"Welcome to the character viewing spot!" Arthur gestured to the rest of the rooftop, it was filled with characters big and small.
"This. is. Incredible!" Jess squealed.
"So everyone up here, is a character?" Amy questioned as she looked around.
"Yep, everyone up here is a part of the Walt Disney Company in some way, except for Jack and Jess obviously," Arthur explained.
"Hey, Arthur!" He turned his head to see one of his least favorite character friends heading their way. "Including him," he mumbled.
A young man, with a blue shirt and vest with a satchel over his shoulder, came over to them. He had a gray cap over his head and a newspaper in hand. "Hey Arthur, care for a pape?" he asked in a New York accent.
Arthur rolled his eyes, he didn't appreciate the man one bit. "Not today Jack, showing the newbies around." Arthur gestured to Jack, Jess, and Amy.
"Newbies, I didn't know we were getting any." he folded the paper into his bag "So what da ya names be?" he asked with a smile.
Arthur rolled his eyes again "This is Jack and Jess, Sarah's friend from the outside. And newcomer Amy, Sarah's sister." They all gave him a friendly wave.
He stuck out his hand "Name's Jack, Jack Kelly."
"You mean the newsies are here?" Jess questions with surprise.
"Of course, we're Disney as well. Carrying the Mainstreet Gazet since 1992" he took his hand back and took out a newspaper from his bag. "Can I interest you in a copy? Today's headline reads "Villains suspected of attacking castle!"
"Give me that!" Arthur shouted as he snatched the paper from Jack's hands. He opened it up and skimmed it. The Mainstreet Gazet was just like any other paper, only with content related to the characters themselves. As Arthur read the front page, he noted that Jack had yet again ripped him off with a phony headline. This article talked about their daring rescue from yesterday, nothing more. "This is just about yesterday's events!" Arthur shouted as he crumpled up that newspaper and chucked it at Jack's feet.
"Hey, that's a perfectly good pape ya wasted!" Jack complained as he picked it up and tried to smooth out the wrinkles.
Arthur crossed his arms, glaring up at the man. "Well if you actually had stuck to today's story-"
Jack cut him off "Well everyone does think the villains are gonna attack."
"That's not what the article even talked about!"
Jack, Jess, and Amy all looked surprised at Arthur's outburst. Well more Jack and Jess as he never acted like this in the films. Noticing their banter wasn't gonna die down any time soon, they walked along the rooftop together, finding a place on the other end to sit down.
"Can you believe it, a private viewing space on Main Street to watch the fireworks!" Jack said.
"We really are the luckiest kids in the world!" Jess squealed again as she gazed back at the characters.
"What's so special about their fireworks anyway?" Amy questioned.
"Oh you're gonna love them, Amy, they're not just normal fireworks, but they also got projections." Jess sighed as they finally crossed over to the other side of the building. "Tess loved the fireworks, it was one of her favorite parts about coming to Disney."
"I know," Jack said, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Will get her back, if she doesn't realize the mistake she's made before then."
"Many people make mistakes. I'm sure your sister will come around eventually. If Vader can realize his mistake, then so can your sister." Amy stated taking a seat on the concrete roof.
Jack Raised a brow down at her. "I don't know what timeline you're from Amy, but here Darth Vader is still a villain," he stated as both he and Tess sat down next to her.
"What?!" Amy said in surprise "But that man died 2 years ago."
"In your world, yes," Arthur said from behind them, taking a seat next to Amy. "But here, stories get switched around a bit. After all, we can't walk around and be dead at the same time." he gazed at the castle. "We are what the humans believe us to be. And more people believe that he is a villain rather than Anakin Skywalker."
"This world makes no sense," Amy muttered, dropping her head into her hands.
"We should introduce you to Alice, I have a feeling you two would be great friends." Jess giggled.
Just then the castle sparkled to life as the announcer introduced "Wondrous Journey". They watch in amazement as the castle lit up with fireworks and projections that make Disney characters dance upon the castle. After several minutes, the show came to an end and everyone cheered. The announcer then said the show had concluded and guests began to leave for the night as the characters began to get ready for their evening festivities.
"That was incredible," Jess said with glee, tossing her hands up in the hair.
"60-something years here and that still hasn't gotten old," Arthur said getting off the ground
"60? But you look no older than 14." Amy stated with surprise.
"Aging works differently in this world as well. We don't have birthdays, rather we have what's called creation days. It's the day we appear in this world. We don't age. Instead, we stay forever in our current form, unless the character is given two forms, then sometimes they can switch between the two." Arthur explained as they all made their way towards the fire escape. "Best we head back to the castle now, the park will be closing soon, and it's not always safe to be out as a small group at night."
The group nodded as they made their way back down the fire escape and back onto Main Street. As they walked down, they pushed themselves through the crowd of people trying to leave. As they walked through the crowd they noticed Sarah coming towards them. She looked rather upset, muttering to herself.
"Sarah!" they all shouted, happy to see her. She looked up at her friends and family. A small smile formed on her lips before fading. "I missed the fireworks, didn't I?" she questioned as she approached them. They stopped somewhere in the middle of Main Street.
"Afraid you did," Jack said with a frown.
"But that was pretty cool. Who knew projections and fireworks would be so amazing." Amy said with satisfaction.
"We should come back tomorrow night and see them again!" Jess said with a smile.
Sarah let out a sigh of frustration. Her face began to twitch as anger began to boil inside of her. Arthur noticed and quickly came to her side. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes. He looked serious yet concerned "What happened?"
"This is all Yen Sid's fault! He keeps me in his tower for more than I need to be! And he's keeping me from the people who mean most to me! It's like he doesn't want me seeing any of you!" she screamed, stomping her foot in frustration.
Groups of guests glanced at the group as they walked by. Sarah could sense their judgment of her behavior. She could sense the confusion in her friends and sister, but also the understanding in the main friend she had here in the kingdom. None of which were helping with her built-up emotions. Her fist clenched as her eyes shut tight.
"Breath with me." Arthur said as he grabbed both her shoulders "in 2, 3, 4, out 2, 3, 4. In, 2, 3, 4, out 2, 3, 4, good." Sarah did the breath exercises. Her emotions started to calm down.
"I'm cool, I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm calm," she spoke as she breathed until she felt relaxed. Her eyes blinked open, her expression calmer.
"Better?" Arthur asked. Sarah nodded.
"Want to talk about it?" he questioned.
Sarah looked between him and her friends as well as her sister. She gave him a look as if to say alone. Arthur understood and looked at Jack, Jess, and Amy. "Do you guys mind going back to the castle?"
Jack and Jess nodded and were about to leave when Amy spoke up. "Wow, wow, wow, if my sister has to say anything she can share it with me."
Arthur turned to Amy, trying to speak on Sarah's behalf. "Amy, I know you are her sister and you would do anything for her-"
"Exactly. Which is why she can open up to me!" she looked Sarah dead in the eyes.
"Amy I promise to tell you later," Sarah whispered aloud, she could sense the anger in her sister. She loved her, but Arthur had been the only one she had to confide in, other than her master, for several years. He also knew how to handle this situation in particular. "Just let me talk to Arthur first.".
Amy sighed in frustration and looked Arthur dead in the eyes. "You be nice to my sister!" she said like any overprotective sibling would before storming off down Main Street.
Jack and Jess shared a worried look as they followed cautiously behind her. Jess whispered to Sarah as they passed by "Will keep an eye on her." and they left for the castle.
By now the park was practically empty as guests crowded Main Street station, trying to leave. Arthur looked at Sarah once more. "Partner statue?"
"Yes Please," she whispered. Arthur wrapped a comforting arm around her as they made their way toward the partner statue. Usually, the park wasn't the safest to be out at night alone or in a small group. But since the park wasn't fully closed, it was safer than if it were.
Usually, Sarah wasn't even the one to talk about her feelings. But the bond she had made with Arthur, there was something there that allowed herself to confide in him. If she ever needed someone to talk to, it was him.
They stopped in front of the statue, facing each other. "Alright, what did Yen Sid do this time?" he asked, already knowing how this conversation was gonna go, or so he thought.
"He found out about the key," Sarah grumbled, crossing her arms.
"So" he let the O drag on for a bit.
"I traded it with Maleficent-" Sarah sighed as her eyes dared for the ground "for my sister."
"Oh…" Arthur said with surprise. He was one of the few people who knew of the key's existence outside the Council of Protection. Mostly because Sarah spilled everything to him, and Merlin may have slipped up a few times as well.
"He really is not happy, and the rest of the council is treating me like a six-year-old." she kicked a loose stone on the ground "I didn't ask for this, I didn't want to be a savior to a kingdom!" she shouted in anger as tears formed in her eyes. She wanted to force-push something. She wanted to squeeze something into millions of pieces.
Arthur pulled her in for a hug. She broke down in his arms, mad at the world around her. He patted her back and started to sing softly. (You'll Be In My Heart, from Tarzan) "Come stop your crying, it will be alright" his left hand slowly moved down her arm, gripping her right hand. "Just take my hand. Hold it tight"
Sarah let her hand grab onto his and listened to his voice. She liked it when he sang, always knowing what to do. "I will protect you from all around you. I will be here, Don't you cry" With his other hand he wiped her eyes dry from her tears. Sarah blushed a bit.
"For one so small, You seem so strong." He pulled away, making fake muscles which made Sarah chuckle. He then spun her around and trapped her in a bear hug. Her back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist "My arms will hold you, Keep you safe and warm"
Sarah let herself relax as they swayed in the moonlight. "This bond between us can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry" he then took her arm and spun her outwords. The two placed a hand on each other's hip and shoulder and began to dance.
"'Cause you'll be in my heart. No matter what they say. You'll be here in my heart, always" he brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.
Sarah sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They locked eyes with each other. Her face was one of confusion and sadness. "Why can't he understand the way I feel?" she questioned in a sing-song tone.
Arthur shrugged, "he just doesn't trust what he can't explain." He placed his right hand on her cheek, making her smile once again. "I know we're different but deep inside us, We're not that different at all"
Arthur then playfully rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "So don't listen to them 'cause what do they know?"
"what do they know?" Sarah questioned sarcastically.
"We need each other" They took hold of each other's hands singing in unison. "To have, to hold." A warmth grew inside the two. One they had not felt in quite some time. "They'll see in time, I know"
"When destiny calls you, You must be strong" Arthur placed his hand on her shoulders. The two looked each other in the eyes.
"gotta be strong" Sarah repeated a serious expression on her face.
"I may not be with you. But you've got to hold on" He smiled at her "They'll see in time, I know."
"We'll show them together" Sarah stated, gripping her hands as they began dancing in circles. "'Cause you'll be in my heart. Believe me, you'll be in my heart."
"I'll be there from this day on," he sang out loud as Sarah chimed back in. "Now and forever more."
"Oh, you'll be in my heart" Sarah sang.
"You'll be here in my heart" Arthur repeated.
"No matter what they say"
"I'll be with you"
"You'll be here in my heart"
"I'll be there always" They stopped spinning and looked into each other's eyes. The stars twinkled above as they leaned into each other. And for the first time, they kissed.
After a moment, Sarah and Arther quickly backed away from each other in both surprise and joy. A new feeling rushed through them, love. They made eye contact for a split second before looking away from each other, blushing.
"We should" Arthur cleared his throat "get back back to the castle," he spoke quickly.
"Agreed," Sarah said. They stood there for a moment before walking quickly back to the castle.