Disney World: The Age of Tears

Love & Loss

Sherwood forest seemed to fall deathly silent. The wind rustling the leaves could be heard for miles as even the animal life took notice of the words just shouted. It began to spread in whispers at first, its carriers unsure of the truth behind such a bold proclamation. Slowly as reality set in the whispers became louder until they were shouts of celebration to some and agonizing torture to the others. The four words echoed throughout and Maid Marian clutched her chest in pain. All those close to Prince John could see and knew it to be true even while others further out still doubted.

"Robin Hood is dead!" the voices cried out from both sides of the battlefield.

Little John finished beheading his opponent just as the words reached him. His heart sank deep into his stomach as he muttered in a barely audible voice, "No..."

The battle all but came to a complete stop with Chernabog's forces cheering like victory had been attained. It was a terrible blow to the moral of the Merry Men and it was visible on the faces of everyone on the field.

Prince John raised the blood-dripping head of his hated foe high as he could shouting, "Kill them all!" at the top of his lungs.

Chernabog's forces attacked with a ferocity that sent the Merry Men retreating frightfully on all corners. The moments following Robin's death turned into bloody slaughter, several lost their lives and limbs until a pillar of earth erupted from the ground towering above the battle. Everyone froze and stared up to see what had happened.

Mickey, Donald and Goofy glared down at the armies, eyes ablaze with anger. "Merry Men!" Mickey screamed, voice bursting with vigorous strength. "Robin may have fallen but the battle can still be won!"

Scar scanned the battlefield quickly. "Jafar! Archers! Shoot them down!" he bellowed frantically.

"Rally! Fight! For Nottingham! For Robin Hood!" Mickey, Donald and Goofy jumped from their pillar with their keyblades glinting in the morning sunlight as one they landed in the midst of the enemy army discharging a powerful burst of elemental magics. Wind, water and earth ripped the ground to shreds and flung soldiers into the sky in a brilliant display of power. Cheers went up from the Merry Men and as the armies of Chernabog stood fearfully still. The Merry Men rallied behind the display and cut many of them down.

Tears in their eyes, Marian, Little John, Lady Kluck and Friar Tuck began shouting battle cries of their own and leading their forces into the fray. Alan-A-Dale pointed his sword skyward screaming, "Fire!" The archers with him unleashed a hail of arrows arching and then down into their foes.

Prince John's lip quivered. "They-they are fighting back?" He was visibly shocked and shaking a little. He had thought victory assured when he took Robin Hood's head. But, as he watched Mickey and the others tearing through his forces he tried to swallow the lump of fear in his throat and only found it growing.

The sound of Dumbo trumpeting rang out as the mighty beast slammed into the ground crushing a few men on both sides of the battle. Jafar's staff had transformed into a giant anaconda and was currently wrapped around the elephant trying to constrict while lunging to bite. Dumbo slapped the snake's head away every time with its trunk and was much too large to be constricted so the two behemoths rolled and struggled in a stalemate. Dumbo could not break free of the snake's grip to crush it beneath his feet nor could he stun it with his magical call for the snake wasn't real.

As they tossed each other about the small humans and hyenas struggled to stay out of their way while bloody battle raged around them. Scar had taken to a bit of high ground to survey the battlefield and assess the situation.

"Jafar," he said as his partner in crime joined him. "These bastards are turning the tide. We've got to do something." Both of them had blood splattered here and there with some visible minor wounds.

Jafar took the sights for a brief moment before replying. "If we can keep the keyblade wielders busy our troops still outnumber the Merry Men."

Scar sighed, "We can't do that alone. They are enraged." He glanced and saw a relatively untouched batch of Notre Dame troops. "We'll need to sacrifice some to even the odds." Jafar took a moment but caught on to what Scar was hinting at and smiled.

With every swing of his keyblade Donald swept up torrents of water that slice through some and carried others away. Goofy had to control his elemental use more as tearing up the earth too much could badly injure his own troops. Still, even without the full extent of his powers Goofy was a brilliant swordsman, shredding through multiple soldiers like paper while tossing chunks of rock here and there for added destruction.

Mickey had swept himself into the air with wind and landed in another part of the battle using powerful gusts to blow his enemies aside from the force. "Charge!" Mickey heard from over his shoulder. A contingent of Notre Dame soldiers brandishing long halberds were charging straight at Mickey. He had been here before. Outnumbered, tired, surrounded but the rage inside him from Robin Hood's death burned like a great pyre fueling his resolve.

The entire front line of Notre Dam was blown off into the distance by a sudden gust of wind. Mickey rushed forward engaging the soldiers. He deflected halberds left and right, countered with a burst of magical energy that turned the soldiers into dust. The remaining ones hesitated and in that second Mickey could almost taste their fear. The sweat and blood covering his body didn't bother him at all as he flexed his hand and tightened his grip on his keyblade.

He moved to attack but the familiar sound of Scar's roar went off to his left and he was hit with the full force of Scar's sonic roar.

Mickey felt himself hurdled through the air, tumbling. The world spun around him as his head rang with the pain. He slammed hard into the forest floor and rolled a bit more. Instinct made him summon a magical barrier just in time to stop the halberds and swords from cutting him to pieces. Mickey blinked his eyes trying to get himself focused but the sonic roar had rattled his brain a bit more then expected. He could feel the bladed weapons colliding with his barrier but it would take hours for them to chip away at his powerful spell. Still, every connection sent a slight rattle through his bones and made his teeth chatter together.

"Don't let up!" Mickey heard Jafar call out. His vision straightened and he saw Jafar hold out his hand and summon his golden staff to him. Off in the distance the anaconda that had been wrestling with Dumbo vanished in a puff of smoke, roughly tossing Dumbo aside into to some trees. The staff flew straight through the battlefield and right into Jafar's hand, the eyes began to flow and fire burst out.

Mickey couldn't do anything but close his eyes and hope his barrier held up but there was no impact. Instead when Mickey opened his eyes he saw Donald and Goofy had sprung to his aid engaging Jafar and the Notre Dam soldiers. Donald jettisoned a group off into the air while Goofy flung a boulder at Jafar.

"Up! Now, Mickey! The tide turns!" Donald shouted as he reached down to help Mickey to his feet. "We must push on! For Robin!" he added.

Mickey however looked around to survey the field. He saw Little John and Alan-A-Dale leading a charge against Captain Crocodile while Maid Marian and Lady Kluck fought against Trigger, Nutsy and a few Rhino Guards. Friar Tuck had mounted some resistance and was engaging with Notre Dam reinforcements as well but Mickey knew it wasn't enough. They were still outnumbered and a good counter charge would cost them dearly.

"No, Donald. We must retreat and regroup," Mickey replied. "Gather who you can and we will make a path for the Merry men. We cannot suffer more loses."

Donald gawked for a moment. He knew Mickey had to be feeling the same anger he and Goofy were feeling. "We could easily slaughter the remaining forces if the three of us work together, Mickey."

Mickey shook his head. "But how many more Merry men would lose their lives? We have to think more about the future then right now."

Donald looked displeased but nodded in agreement. "I will gather who I can. When the time comes give the signal, my friend." Water swirled around his webbed feet and carried him back into battle.

The battle was growing fierce as the adrenaline rush began to fade from the Merry Men and the forces of Chernabog began to regain their footing as their commanding officers gave out orders for counter strikes and relief of their tired men. An advantage that the Merry Men did not share. Their tired troops had no reprieve. If they stopped fighting they would die. The ground beneath them was becoming less dirt and more a muddy soup of blood and excrement. Prince John was back atop his horse well off from the battle atop a small incline that gave him some view of everything.

"This isn't going as expected," he whispered to himself. A bloody sack hung from the back of his horse saddle. Inside it was the greatest prize John had won since stealing the throne, Robin Hood's head.

"Things rarely do," came a calm and creepy voice from behind John. He immediately recognized Claude Frollo and had to force his body not to shake with fear. Frollo rode atop a beautiful white horse with nearly two dozen soldiers guarding him along with Oafish and Brutish leading them. "That is why I always have more plans." Frollo smiled, "I believe its time to make your presence felt."

For a moment John feared Frollo was going to command him to actually fight. However, before he could think of possible excuses a familiar figure that all in Chernabog's army knew stepped up beside Frollo.

"Oswald..." John whispered fearfully.

Chernabog's personal guard was resplendent in midnight black armor with hints of red spread throughout. His eyes stared forward at the battle not even taking a moment to acknowledge Prince John's presence. It was then that John noticed Oswald was holding a weapon similar to the keyblades Mickey, Donald and Goofy used except that his seemed to radiate a red aura. "A keyblade?" John whispered.

Oswald finally looked at him and it was all John could do to maintain eye contact with the terrifying rabbit. "Our God blessed me with the greatest creation," Oswald replied and turned his gaze. John exhaled swiftly, having been holding his breath the entire exchange.

A tall and bulky figure came up then. John identified him as Pete, a powerful knight of renown in the dark armies, who had risen to some fame for battle prowess and courage in numerous victories and defeats over the years. Pete's silver armor was speckled with gray throughout, heavy plate and chainmail covered his bulky form and across his back hung a mighty two-handed broadsword that had slain hundreds of Walt's army. Pete folded his arms and remained silent. His renown had garnered him the attention of Oswald after some time. Oswald had taken Pete under his wing and together the two of them had become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefields.

Frollo seemed overly pleased with himself. "If you wouldn't mind dealing with the three keyblade wielders, Oswald. Pete, please take care of the Merry Men leaders," he calmly ordered.

Prince John knew that Oswald had no obligation to obey Frollo but the rabbit silently nodded and started forward. Pete drew his broadsword and followed suit. Prince John remained deadly silent even as Frollo strode beside him on his horse. John's full attention was on Oswald and Pete. They had no extra soldiers with them, just walking toward the battle practically melting power and confidence.

Two Merry Men rushed at them but Pete stepped forward brandishing his mighty blade. The two attacked as one and even with a heavier weapon Pete was swifter then them both. He parried with such force it knocked both fighters off balance and in one swift strike he nearly sliced both men in half with a single blow. Their bodies fell roughly to the ground, entrails splattered about.

"Focus on Little John," Oswald ordered. "He is next in line to lead these fools."

Pete looked around a moment and after spotting his target headed toward him. Oswald's eyes fell right on Mickey and zeroed in. With a leap he sprang several feet into the air flipping in a beautiful arc before landing safely a dozen or so feet away from Mickey.

At first Mickey didn't notice, engaged in a scuffle he quickly ended with two bursts of wind from his keyblade. It was then that Mickey locked eyes with his most hated rival and the battle around them seemed to vanish. Mickey remembered the last time they had met in combat during a battle between Pocahontas and Governor Radcliffe. Mickey had been able to defeat Oswald but unable to deliver the finishing blow. Now here he stood again but this time seemed different, fiercer then before somehow.

Mickey's eyes ran over Oswald's armor and widened as noticed the weapon he had. "A keyblade?" Mickey was shocked. "but, but how?"

Oswald didn't so much as smirk, burning with anger at Mickey he gruffly replied, "You're not the only one who serves a mighty god." Oswald charged forward with a shout and swung overhead with all his might.

Mickey held his keyblade upward and blocked the strike. As their keyblades collided fire came from Oswald's keyblade and shot out in a circle around them. Mickey was caught completely off guard and pushed back attempting to take the offensive but Oswald continued his attack with a spinning swipe that Mickey blocked. Again a wave of flame pushed outward nearly cooking Mickey.

He sprang backward to put distance between them and unleashed a swirling pulse of purplish magical energy from his palm at Oswald. The rabbit didn't dodge, instead he unleashed a fireball from his keyblade that detonated upon contact with Mickey's magical blast. The explosion was bright with magnificent red and purple colors. Mickey found himself again shocked by the display. Oswald was much more powerful then he had ever been. It was going to take more power then ever before to defeat him.

Oswald charged again but this time Mickey was ready and shot out a razor-like whip of wind that Oswald sliced through with a blade-like burst of fire. The two clashed, keyblades locking together for a moment. Despite his empowerment from his newly attained weapon Mickey knew he was all-around more powerful and suspected Oswald knew it as well which was why he was attacking with such ferocity to end the fight quickly.

"I will present your head to Chernabog, mouse." Oswald drove a knee into Mickey's belly pushing the air from his foes lungs. Mickey stumbled backward but was still able to send a gust of wind that tossed Oswald backward several feet rolling him across the forest floor. Mickey held his gut and drew in several breaths.

Off in the distance Little John was fighting like a man possessed cutting down the enemy soldiers with such ease that after the fourth fell to his blade men began to hesitate. The hyenas had long gave up trying to attack Little John instead going for easier prey. Now the Merry Men around him had begun to gather around and cheer his name, feeling renewed by his display of battle prowess.

"What's the matter? Too scared?" Little John swung his sword through the air sending some of the blood from it and to the ground. "Then we'll bring the battle to you! Charge!"

The burly bear went forward with the Merry Men hot on his heels and collided with the frightened batch of enemies. Some in the rear turned to flee but sound of someone choking on their own blood stopped the cowardly troops in their tracks. Behind them Pete was standing with his sword buried into the belly of one of his own men.

His eyes burned with anger. "Any who run will deal with me," he grumbled as he yanked his broadsword from the soldiers stomach. "Stand aside. Little John is mine." There was no hesitation as the path to Little John was cleared for him. Even the Merry Men had stopped attacking and watched as the big knight walked calmly forward.

Little John had never done battle with Pete but his reputation preceded him so he tightened his grip on his sword and checked his shield. "Stay out of this," he ordered the Merry Men around him. "He's mine."

"A noble sentiment," Pete said. "Let's see if the rumors about you are true."

Little John took a strong battle stance with his shield high and blade at the ready while Pete closed the distance between them and attacked. John turned his first strike away with his shield and swore in his head there was no way Pete could block fast enough but was shocked when Pete managed to do it. 'His speed is incredible,' John noted. Nobody could move that swiftly with such a large and unruly sword but it seemed Pete could.

Pete was pushed onto the defensive, parrying and stepping backward or sideways as Little John attacked with quick and precise strikes attempting to wear him down. Pete stepped to the side making Little John go off balance when he swung downward and went for the killing blow. However, Little John held his shield up at the last moment and his arm absorbed the shock of the powerful blow that knocked him further off balance.

The two continued to hack away at each other with neither of them gaining any obvious advantage over the other. The soldiers on both sides had stopped to gawk and a circle had formed around Pete and John as they bashed away at each others defenses.

That was until Alan-A-Dale drove his sword through the back of a Nottingham soldier and shouted, "Don't just stand there! Kill these cunts!"

It was as if the Merry Men and others were brought back from some fantasy land and battle again was joined by all present.

Mickey unleashed a string of lightning that Oswald barely blocked with a wall of fire that erupted from the ground when he slammed his keyblade down. The wall of flame stretched upward some ten feet and then was pushed forward toward Mickey who shot a hole through it with a burst of wind. Oswald was breathing heavily, unused to actually wielding and controlling the power of his keyblade in battle. Mickey took a quick moment to check his surroundings, he had to end this now to stage the retreat for the Merry Men.

In his moment of distraction, Oswald had rushed forward and Mickey barely had time to block but this time the burst of flames stung across his face causing him to yelp in pain. Oswald smiled in a sick way and tried to press the advantage but Mickey had had enough and unleashed an explosion of magical power that sent Oswald flying off into the distance. He fell to one knee after this, tired from the expulsion of power but knew he had to do one more thing.

Mickey made his keyblade vanish and then began to roll his hands in a circle gathering magic between his fingertips. He could feel himself weakening as he expelled more and more power into the spell he was conjuring but he couldn't stop. He had to send the signal and the retreat wouldn't work without a good distraction. Whispering the proper incantation Mickey finally fired the magics upward where they exploded in bright green then began to swirl together and take form.

Everyone in the immediate vicinity stopped doing whatever they were doing and glanced up to see what was happening. The magic form sprouted wings and then a long neck grew as four legs sprouted and scales began to sparkle as detail filled the mighty form of what Mickey had created.

"A dragon!" someone screamed in absolute terror.

The green beast Mickey had conjured roared and unleashed fire skyward while flapping its mighty wings. It was a huge conjuration that towered over the tree line. Each flap of its wings knocked soldiers to their backs and as it unleashed a wave of fire down into the ground several dozen men and hyenas lost their lives being cooked alive. Mickey fell to one knee and had to summon his keyblade to keep from completely collapsing. The dragon spell wouldn't last long and he had used too much power now he was unable to fight.

Just as he felt himself about to fall flat on the ground he felt arms grab around him and haul him to his feet. "Brilliant signal," he recognized Donald's voice.

"We've got you, my friend." Goofy helped hold Mickey to his feet. "The retreat has begun. The dragon will serve to cover our tracks." The three tried to leave but a wall of fire stopped them in their tracks. "What the hell?"

Mickey groaned, "It's Oswald..." just as the rabbit stepped through the fire looking worse for wear physically but ready for a fight.

"He's got a keyblade?" Donald cocked his head. "How...?"

"Who cares?" Goofy let go of Mickey. "Get him out of here. He's mine." Goofy summoned his weapon and stepped between Oswald and his friends while behind him Donald summoned a wave of water that carried he and Mickey off.

"You can't take me, dog," Oswald spat and a little blood dripped from his mouth.

Goofy scoffed, "Perhaps if you weren't already injured," he replied slyly. "But at the moment..." Goofy didn't finish his words, instead attacking and catching Oswald by surprise with an eruption of the ground around both of them.

The explosion sent rocks of various sizes cascading upward with the two of them in the midst of it. Goofy easily balanced on one of the rocks navigating himself to safety while Oswald was tossed about hitting numerous rocks before he growled angrily and unleashed an explosion of fire from his keyblade destroying all the rocks around him. His body slammed hard into the ground and he spat more blood, glancing around and seeing Mickey, Donald and Goofy were gone.

"Damn them..." Even with the newly created keyblade of fire the three of them had proven to be too strong. Oswald cursed again and tried to stand but stumbled a bit. He had been warned that the weapon was still new to him while Goofy and the others had centuries of practice with their own weapons. Oswald had gotten cocky and let his lust for vengeance push him into a fight he hadn't been ready for. "...I swear on Chernabog I will have their heads..."

When the dragon had first appeared both Pete and Little John had still been locked in their stalemate battle but with the distraction of a giant fire breathing behemoth Little John had slapped Pete across the face with his shield knocking the bold knight to his back. By the time Pete got his vision to steady he saw that the Merry Men had used the dragon as a chance to retreat. He angrily punched the ground several times before getting back to his feet.

"Jafar! We've got to take care of that dragon!" Scar ran beside Jafar toward the beast that was unleashing fiery death on their men.

As they neared it Scar roared while at the same time Jafar shot a fireball from his snake staff. The fireball was pushed forward by the power of Scar's roar and the two attacks slammed into the dragon's head stumbling the beast and making it stop breathing fire. Scar roared again hitting the beast in the side while Wolf Archers sent streams of arrows upward into the beasts neck. At the same time brave soldiers began to hack away at its legs and lower belly with swords, spears and halberds.

"Scar, we must hit it again!" Jafar called out and the two of them shot another combined attack that hit the dragon in the head again. This time the beast tumbled to the right and fell on its side where the soldiers attacked it even more fiercely. The dragon lashed out from its side with tail and clawed feet killing numerous men around it.

The dragon lashed out with its entire body, spraying spouts of flames and struggling to stand but it could not. Jafar and Scar blasted the creature again and again while the soldiers attacked hard to keep the pressure on the beast. Many more lost their lives as the dragon struggled but then as suddenly as it appeared it vanished, slowly dissipating until it was gone.

"Did we kill it?" a voice called out.

"It was but a distraction," Frollo replied. "The Merry Men have retreated into the forest. Send out search parties. I want anyone found returned to me alive."

Scar looked around the now quiet battlefield. The smell of death was heavy but he used to it by now. Many of the dead bore the sigil of Notre Dame and that pleased him to no end. His pleasure must have shown too much on his face because Frollo turned to him.

"Send out your hyenas as scouts, Scar. Their sense of smell would be most valuable in finding stragglers."

Scar knew the scouts sent would likely to be killed and wondered if Frollo knew he and Jafar had sacrificed the Notre Dame soldiers against Mickey. He swallowed his pride. "Of course, Lord Frollo." It irked him having to take orders from Frollo. He was a King. Titles however meant nothing against the power and favor Frollo had garnered.

Frollo nodded and turned his horse around. "I shall return to Nottingham and await reports." It was then that he took notice of Oswald and Pete coming toward him. The displeasure was apparent on his face, "Mickey escaped," he stated flatly, not needing to even ask the question.

"You were right, Lord Frollo," Oswald admitted, eyes locked defiantly with Frollo's. "I need more practice with the keyblade. Mickey is still too powerful."

Frollo said nothing but raised his eyebrow to Pete, "And you?"

"The dragon distracted me and Little John took advantage. He escaped with his men into the forest." Pete held his head down as he spoke, unlike Pete he didn't have rank or power enough to look Frollo in the eyes after failure.

"How disappointing." Claude Frollo murmured plainly. "I expect full reports upon your arrival to Nottingham. The information may help us defeat them in the future." With that his horse set off at a trot with his guards jogging a bit to keep pace. Oswald and Pete both began walking in the direction Frollo had just went.

Jafar waited until he was gone before speaking to Scar. He watched Frollo vanish into the forest with Prince John following on his horse as well. All around them the soldiers had begun the process of searching and clearing the dead, helping their injured allies and finishing off the dead enemies. The screams for help or death were much louder now that the clashing of steel had died down. Jafar inhaled and exhaled with a shake of his head. He and Scar's plans for Nottingham had become increasingly more difficult as their stay grew longer. They hadn't lost this battle like the first and Robin Hood's death was a serious blow but the threat Walt's forces posed was still there.

"It will be some time before the death counts come back to us," Scar said after licking his paw a bit. "What should we do until then?"

"Remain here," Jafar said back. "I don't relish the thought of being in Nottingham with Frollo or listening to Prince John's embellished tales of how he killed Robin Hood."

Scar snorted."I bet the coward did nothing until Robin was near death's door."

"My lords," came the raspy voice of Captain Crocodile.

Scar and Jafar turned to greet the stout warrior. "It is good to see you survived the battle, Captain. You continue to impress me," Jafar complimented.

Scar peeked around. "And where is our dear friend the Sheriff?"

Captain Crocodile smiled a bit. "Fell in battle, my lords."

"Fell?" Jafar raised an eyebrow curiously. "Who managed to deal the final blow?"

"I did not see personally," Captain Crocodile lied. "I was engaged in battle at the time."

Scar snickered, "Seems we've suffered a great loss as well." he said sarcastically. "And now King John will have to name a new Sheriff. I'll be sure to put my word in for you to receive the appointment."

"I as well," Jafar added.

A soldier of Nottingham rushed up to them, breathing heavily. "My lords," he bent his head quickly. "We've managed to find at least a dozen Merry Men alive on the battlefield."

"This is good news. Have them transported to Nottingham at once," Jafar ordered. The soldier left to follow the orders.

"Shall we go then? I'm sure Frollo will want reports at once." Jafar and Scar both began walking toward Nottingham.

The mood within the Merry Men hideout was sullen and sad. Many had not returned but there were still stragglers that were coming in slowly in small batches. Nobody said anything for the most part, still shocked by the greatest loss they had ever suffered. The task of tallying the loses and tending to the dead or injured had been taken up by Alan-A-Dale and Friar Tuck. Both men said working would be what Robin would have wanted and it would help them settle. Of Maid Marian they had seen nothing but word came that she was safely locked in her chambers to mourn the death of her beloved. Donald and Goofy had wanted to call for a meeting as soon as they arrived but Mickey had denied saying baths, some time alone and waiting for a tally of numbers would better help them on deciding their next course of action.

Water had been heated and brought up to their room while Minnie helped Mickey undress. Mickey coughed up blood.

"You nearly got yourself killed using that dragon spell, Mickey," Minnie chastised him, silent tears slowly trailing down her face.

"I had no choice," Mickey replied, trying to ignore the pain that was racking his body. "They had us outnumbered. Many would have died if-"

Minnie clutched his face. "I don't care about them! Only you!" Mickey's face softened from the distraught look his wife had. Even with the dried blood of their enemies crusted across her body she was still beautiful to him.

"I am sorry, my love." He kissed her lips softly but with passion.

"Promise me you won't take such risk again," Minnie pleaded. "I-I can't imagine having to deal with what Marian is going through right now."

Mickey looked at her and sighed. "I cannot make such a promise, Minnie. You above all others know the responsibility I bear."

Minnie began to sob and Mickey tried to pull her close but she shrugged him off and stood to her feet, "No..." she said. "No...I can't, Mickey. Why you? Why us?" She was shouting, the tears coming swifter now. "I can't live without you, Mickey."

Mickey grimaced as she stood to his feet and made his way to Minnie. "You know why us, my love. Walt appointed us to lead."

Minnie glared at him. "Walt is gone, Mickey. It's been centuries since he left! All this bloodshed, all this death in the name of a dead god!"

Mickey visibly winced but Minnie didn't know if it was because of her words or the pain he was in. There was a silence between them that lasted almost an awkward amount of time. Mickey just stared at her as if wanting to say something but he couldn't remember how to talk.

"What is it, Mickey? Speak."

Mickey opened and closed his mouth then sighed deeply and sat down. He dragged his hand down his face."Remember when I woke up screaming?" Minnie nodded and sat across from him, still keeping some distance. "Walt came to me in a dream that night, Minnie. Only, it wasn't a dream. Not really. I was awake and it was real."

Minnie looked at him questioningly and Mickey smiled a little. "I know it sounds crazy but I am telling you it happened. Walt came to me and told me everything. He was weakened when he fought Chernabog because he had created another world. He was preparing to bolster our forces with new heroes. Heroes with magical abilities. Heroes that he tasked me with finding and helping for they are young and their world is yet untouched by the evil Chernabog plagues us with."

"If their world is untouched could we not escape there?"

Minnie's question shocked Mickey and he stared into her eyes to see if she was being serious. When he realized she was he shook his head. "No. It is yet untouched but his evil is still there. Walt and Chernabog are connected somehow in a way we cannot possibly understand. Walt showed me beautiful visions of glorious good and haunting visions of terrible evil."

Minnie looked displeased. "So again he tasks you with the impossible?" She shook her head and sighed heavily knowing that her husband would never stop fighting for Walt and realizing that she would never abandon him. "What would he have us do?"

Mickey shook his head. "I do not know. He told me that I would know what to do when the time was right."

Minnie snorted. "Cryptic as always." She wondered if her husband was delusional. In his desperation for the return of his beloved creator was Mickey taking a simple fevered dream as something more then it was? Had the stress and strain of leading forces across Disney finally taken its toll and his mind snapped from the pressure? So many possibilities.

She shook her head and turned away for a moment to gather her thoughts. This was not the time for questioning of leadership, least of all by her. Now more then ever they needed a united front. If not for the lives of the numerous people that looked up to them then for their lives alone. "Then I guess we will have to figure it out together," she finally broke the silence and looked back to Mickey who was now smiling.

"I love you," Mickey said, standing up and taking Minnie in his arms.

"And I you," Minnie replied. She pulled away as a soft knock came to the door. "Come in."

The door opened revealing Lady Kluck. "Sorry to interrupt but if I could take your wife for a moment. I need some help."

"Of course." Mickey smiled a little. "I'll be here when you return or I'll send word where I am."

Minnie nodded and then walked out of the door with Lady Kluck. "Is everything alright?" she asked, a bit of worry in her tone. With all that had happened recently she hoped no more sad news was about to be delivered.

"So far yes," Minnie visibly sighed but Lady Kluck continued, "I just haven't heard from, Marian since we arrived. I figure it'd be easier to talk if it were just us women. I was going to get Daisy as well."

"Agreed." Minnie replied. "I'll get some wine and meet you both at her quarters."

Nottingham Castle was abuzz with movement or troops and equipment. Men and women moving to and fro carrying supplies, bodies and other things from one point to another. Four armies in total were moving around the grounds and campsites outside of the castle. The tents and campfires for the soldiers from Nottingham, Agrabah, Notre Dame and the Pridelands burned brightly as food was cooked and injured tended to. The air was restless, as could be expected with so many packed into such a tight space. The stench of the Pridelands hyenas was beginning to bother many of the soldiers while some racial tension was building between those of Nottingham and Notre Dam with the troops of Agrabah as well. Some fights had broken out but were quelled by their individual commanding officers.

Captain Crocodile had walked amongst them gathering reports to take to the rulers in their soon to come meeting. Although he had yet to be formally given the title of Sheriff of Nottingham, Captain Crocodile was assured that it was his as none was more fit for the title. Once he had finished gathering information, updates and giving orders he made his way to the room that Frollo had claimed as his own while staying in Nottingham. The biggest quarters of course, much to Prince John's dismay.

It took him a moment but once he arrived Nutsy and Trigger were standing guard at the door. They opened it for him and he found that Jafar, Scar, Prince John and Claude Frollo were already in attendance. He bowed his head respectfully. "My lords. Apologizes for my delay but there were many to check in with."

Frollo, who was sitting behind a large oak table that should have been Prince John's seat waved his hand in dismissal. "Not to worry, my good Captain. Do you have an update for us?"

"Yes, my lords-"

Prince John cut him off, "Should we not wait for the Sheriff before the meeting begins?"

Everyone looked at him but it was Frollo, with a sly grin who replied, "The Sheriff of Nottingham is no longer with us." Prince John's face dropped at the news but before he could speak Frollo continued, "We'll be appointing the good Captain here to the newly vacant station of Sheriff of Nottingham." If Prince John held issue with Frollo's decision he knew better then to voice it openly. Frollo turned his attention to the newly appointed Sheriff Crocodile. "Continue..." he paused with another small smile. "...Sheriff."

"All is in order. We lost many but our numbers still stand strong and we still outnumber the Merry Men from the last tally of their troops." Frollo had secretly assigned men with the task of counting the numbers of the Merry Men during the latest battle. All had held hope that victory would come but in case it didn't he planned to have a proper assessment of the enemy. "As far as the enemy goes we've managed to keep about a dozen that we found alive. Most of whom are in stable condition and able to move so they are under guard." Sheriff Crocodile held out a piece of paper that Frollo took, it further detailed the information he'd just given.

"Excellent," Frollo commented while absently looking at the paper. "Their defeat is soon at hand. Now is the time to drive the stake into their hearts and win over Nottingham for good."

"How do you propose we do this, my lord?" the crocodile asked.

Frollo looked at the other leaders in the room. "We release the prisoners."

"I'm sorry..." Prince John finally spoke. "...release the prisoners?"

"Did I stutter?" Frollo's voice dropped to a dangerous tone and his eyes locked with John's. "We have the body of Robin Hood, do we not?"

"Yes," Jafar reported. "It's behind held in cold storage beneath the castle. John has the head." Jafar intentionally left out the King in John's title having lost what final bit of respect he had for the man.

"Good. Then we release the prisoners and allow them to return to whatever hole the Merry Men are licking their wounds in." Frollo sat back and rubbed his chin gently.

"They are much too intelligent to let us track them, my lord Frollo," Scar said. "If we release them they'll know it is simply a ploy to track them."

"True. Very true. Which is why we will not be tracking them, my friend," Frollo chuckled. Everyone in the room looked at Frollo confused but he continued to smile and chuckle in a manner that made Prince John and Sheriff Crocodile uncomfortable.

Despite the ghastly reason for them being together, at the moment, Lady Kluck, Minnie, Daisy and Marian were sharing a laugh in her private quarters. Each had a cup of wine in their hands and the pitchers of wine, one of which was completely empty and the other halfway gone, spoke for their level of sobriety at the moment.

"The fool John was livid to find that it was just Robin dressed as a stork and entering the tournament," Marian continued with another laugh.

"And even more so when he tried to spring his trap and that too failed as well!" Lady Kluck added cheerfully. "Oh, what a fight we had that day."

"Was the beginning of many," Marian sighed. "He led us well..." she let her voice trail off and took a hefty drink from her cup. "I'm going to miss him."

Minnie touched Marian's shoulder, "We all are going to miss him, Marian. He was more then a commander in Walt's army. He was a dear and trusted friend."

"To, Robin!" Daisy raised her cup. "May he rest in peace."

"To, Robin!" the other three women chimed in unison.

They all drank deeply and were silent for a long while, each living in their fondest memory of the fallen Robin Hood. "Thank you all for coming," Marian said to them. "I had thought that being alone to wallow in my sadness was the best course but I see now that I was wrong."

"We're here for you, Marian." Lady Kluck smiled warmly. "In times of joy and even more so in times of sorrow. You're the dearest friend I've got and I'll be damned if I let you go through anything alone. We love you."

"And I all of you," Marian replied. She too was now smiling. "I don't know what I'd be doing without you all being here for me." A frantic knock interrupted their conversation. "Come in, come in. It's alright." Marian placed her cup down.

Alan-A-Dale pushed quickly into the door, "My ladies." He was clearly not expecting all of the warrior women to be present. "It's good I've found you all, saves me some time." he said.

"What is it, Alan?" Lady Kluck asked curiously. "Has something happened?"

"Yes, my lady. I've got good news." Alan smiled. "A few of our men managed to escape from Nottingham and have just returned. They're with Little John and the others debriefing as we speak. I was sent to find you all."

Daisy stood up and drained her cup. "Looks like our little get together is at an end." she giggled. "Ah well, back to work, ladies?"

"We will be there in a moment, Alan." Marian nodded and the rooster left the room. "With all that's happened good news like this is exactly what the Merry Men need."

The four of them walked quickly through the halls toward the meeting room where they knew the others would be. On the way many gave their condolences and shared brief words with Marian and she did what she could to reassure and inspire them that everything would be all right. Minnie found herself feeling quite proud of the strength her beloved friend was showing.

It didn't take long before they arrived and opened the door to see Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Little John and Alan-A-Dale speaking with four injured and tired but still lively Merry Men. Marian knew the men and embraced each of them one at a time. "It brings me great joy to know you're all alright," she said.

"Thank you, my lady," the fittest of them said. "Many were not so lucky, I'm afraid."

"The bastards only spared the wounded that could move. Their men went through killing everyone else regardless if they could survive their injuries or not."

"Some might call that a mercy," Goofy said grimly. "They'll pay for this," he swore.

"How did you all escape?" Donald asked.

"A guard was sent to feed us. He was lax in his duty and did not lock the cage properly. When we discovered it we decided that it would be best if only some of us left to make them less likely to notice a few absent men."

"And the others?"

"Elected to stay behind to cover our escape. We had to bring word to you. We overheard the enemies plan."

"Their plan?" Mickey leaned forward as did everyone else in the room.

"Yes. They plan to desecrate the body of Robin Hood tonight in a ceremony to celebrate the end of the Merry Men."

All eyes immediately went to Marian who was shaking with from anger. "I will not allow that to happen!" she slammed her fist down onto the desk that had once belonged to her husband. "I will not allow them to commit such an atrocity!"

"Marian, please," Mickey stood up. "We can't act rashly. This reeks of a trap."

"I agree with Mickey," Little John said softly, looking down as he spoke being unable to meet eyes with anyone as he admitted it. "A desperate ploy by Chernabog's generals to bring us back onto the field before we can properly regroup and heal."

"But, John..." Lady Kluck was almost breathless. "Who knows what horrors they'll..." she couldn't even bring herself to finish the sentence she was so choked up.

"I know." Little John finally looked up. "I know but there is more here at stake, Kluck. Lives of those yet living and the war for Disney. We have suffered a great loss. If we act too rashly now we could lose all of Nottingham forever."

The silence in the room following Little John's words was heavy enough to be touched. Marian looked around at everyone in the room and knew without needing to ask, they all agreed with Mickey and Little John. She said nothing else, just stormed from the room.

Lady Kluck glanced around, "I'll go and check on her. Keep her from doing anything drastic." Then she followed after Marian.

Mickey massaged his temple with his fingertips gently, and Minnie spoke softly. "Mickey, I'd like to go as well. We were making such progress earlier." Mickey said nothing just nodded his head. "Daisy, join me?" They left the room together leaving the men to continue their work.

Minnie and Daisy had to jog to catch up to Lady Kluck and Marian who were both moving swiftly down the hallway, Marian's sobs were audible. By the time they caught up Kluck and Marian had been whispering to each other briefly. "Marian I know-"

Marian cut Daisy off. "I'm going after him. I won't let them have his body." she said firmly.

Daisy smiled, "I was going to say I know they told you not to but if you want to..." she cast a side glance at Minnie who nodded once. "...we're with you."

Marian's eyes grew wide for a moment and a few silent tears dropped. "I can't ask you to come with me on what may very well be a suicide mission."

"It won't be if you've got us as back up," Minnie replied coolly.

"And we aren't letting you go alone," Lady Kluck added. "We've got your back, lassie, good or bad, we've got your back. So what's the plan?"

Mickey didn't know how long he'd been sitting in the room with the other generals discussing strategies, supplies, death and injury numbers and generally everything important pertaining to the Merry Men's army. Their latest battle had taken a big toll and heavy price but all in all they had come out of it well enough to still fight another day. It would take time before they could mount another large scale battle like the most recent ones they had fought but time was what they had. Water, food and kettles of tea and coffee were brought in several times indicating that they had spent much time in heavy discussion. Although each of them would rather be mourning they knew deep inside their hearts that they had to continue on for Robin.

Donald, Goofy and Little John were currently engaged in a heated debate on whether or not attempting to assassinate Claude Frollo was a good idea when Mickey found his mind drifting off again to thoughts of Walt and their encounter. Should he tell them? If ever a time to share such things wouldn't this be it? But what if it were just a dream and all he would be doing was giving false hope to the already downtrodden? Little John was putting on a strong face but all knew he was a wreck at the moment. Alan-A-Dale had been relatively silent, only engaging in conversation when most necessary.

'Oh, Marian,' Mickey thought. 'I can't imagine what you are going through right now.' her husband of some several hundred years dead mere hours ago. His body taken by their most hate enemy and due to be desecrated soon but unable to do anything about it. Mickey swallowed the sudden lump in his throat for he knew if roles were switched and it was Minnie's body that had been taken he would-

Mickey say up immediately with wide eyes. "When was the last time anyone had heard from the women?" he demanded standing up and moving toward the door.

Goofy looked confused at the others then back to Mickey. He was just about to make his point when Mickey had interrupted him. "Not since they left to check on Marian. Why do you ask?"

Mickey said nothing as he opened the door and shouted, "You! Go and find where Marian, Minnie, Daisy and Lady Kluck are at once the report back to me!" The startled soldier simply nodded his head and bolted off to complete his task.

"Mickey," Donald spoke behind him. "What is going on?"

"I fear we may have a problem." Mickey replied. "It may be nothing but-"

"Oh no," Little John now caught on. "You don't think?"

"I do not know." Mickey said solemnly. "But what would any of us do?"

The soldier came back even faster then Mickey had expected. "Sir!" he gasped. "Sir! The men stationed at Marian's room have been knocked out. They say Marian and the others knocked them out."

"Damn it, Minnie!' Mickey grumbled.

"They've gone after Robin's body?" Alan-A-Dale was the last to catch on, eyes now wide with worry. The Merry Men- no, Walt's army could not survive the loss of Robin Hood, Marian, Minnie, Daisy and Lady Kluck in the same night.

"Donald, Goofy. With me. John, you and Alan continue your work but have a small contingent of men ready to sally out in case we are pursued upon return," Mickey's voice rang strong and showed this was not the time for discussion.

Donald and Goofy moved swiftly out the door behind Mickey while Little John said, "You're going after them? But- but Mickey it's suicide," while following them out into the hall.

"We will bring them back safely, John. I swear it on my life. Now go. Make preparations." With that Mickey, Donald and Goofy began to job through the halls to get outside. Behind them faint shouts from Little John's booming voice could be heard giving orders.

It took them a minute or two to reach the exit and once outside they could see that the sun was near setting. They didn't have much time before Chernabog would rise. "What I ask of you both is risky-"

"Save it, Mickey," Goofy cut him off and summoned his keyblade. "We don't have time."

Donald nodded sternly. "Let's go save them and bring Robin's body back."

Mickey couldn't stop the small smile from spreading on his face but he simply nodded back and turned around. He waved his hands in circular motions summoning up bright yellowish magical energies that surrounded the three of them in circular rings from their feet to their waist. The yellowish rings pulsed white and then the three of them shot into the sky as if spit from a cannon.

Marian crouched low behind the brush and stared patiently into the area around them. The sun was dropping low in the West and the creatures of the forest were beginning to fall silent as night approached. She was nearly invisible, taught everything she knew by her beloved Robin Hood. Blended perfectly into the forest and brush around her she spied the soldiers moving around preparing what looked to be a large pyre.

She counted in her mind the number of men she saw then faded back into the low shadows. She moved quietly around the entire perimeter of the clearing where they pyre was being constructed, stopping here and there to count men, watch patrol patterns and the general set up of the area. She saw Captain Crocodile giving out orders along with Nutsy and Trigger but of the higher leadership she saw nothing. A good sign. Still, she hadn't found what she was looking for. Her husband's body.

It took one more rotation around the clearing before she spied what looked like a body wrapped in oiled cloth being hauled from the back of a wagon by two Rhino Guardsmen. They carried the cloth carefully over to Captain Crocodile who pointed to a location near they pyre then seemed to turn his attention to other concerns while the rhinos shuffled off.

After circling the area once more to recount and see exactly where Robin's body was placed she turned and swiftly made her way back to where her compatriots were waiting for her a safe distance away, hidden safely in the high trees of the forest.

"What did you see?" Daisy whispered softly.

"They number some two dozen by my count. Maybe a few more. Captain Crocodile, Nutsy and Trigger are among them but no sign of the Sheriff, Scar, Jafar, Frollo or Prince John. They seem to be preparing everything for the ceremony. I suspect they plan to offer his body to Chernabog when night falls," Marian reported.

"Then we should move swiftly," Lady Kluck said. "We can grab Robin's body and be off before that damned devil god rises."

"Agreed," Minnie said. "Time is not on our side but we can't rush into this." She looked thoughtful. "We'll need a distraction so that, Marian can get, Robin's body and sneak away safely. We should engage in as little fighting as possible. I don't want to risk becoming surrounded and overrun by reinforcements."

"So what's the plan then?" Daisy looked around.

"Our retreat will take us back the way we came," Marian began, pointing to their left. "You should take up a good position to cover us from the trees while being able to maneuver and keep up as well. I'll circle the perimeter and come in behind them while Lady Kluck and Minnie cause a ruckus at the opposite end of the clearing to draw their attention."

"A sound plan." Lady Kluck nodded approvingly.

"Once you both have their attention, run back into the forest. Daisy will cover you while you both use hit and run tactics until you can escape into the trees," Marian continued.

"But will you be able to carry Robin's body on your own?" Minnie asked, a bit of worry in her voice.

"Swiftly, no, but I will manage. Once you're in the forest, don't look back. Make your way back and I'll circle through and take a hidden passage nearby. With luck, I'll meet you all safely in a few hours. Any objections?" Nobody said anything. "Alright. Wait ten or so minutes so I can circle around then start your work." Marian reached out and touched Minnie's shoulder, smiling at the others. "Thank you all for this. There are no words to express my gratitude."

"We are family," Lady Kluck embraced her with a free wing. "All of us. Now lets see this done."

No more words passed as each of them lowered themselves from the trees and vanished on their own paths. Marian hugged as low to the ground as she could moving and stopping whenever necessary when a soldier came to close to her position. It took some time to find a position that was closest to where Robin's body was being kept. She said a silent prayer to Walt as she awaited the signal from her friends.

It came sooner then she thought it would.

Lady Kluck's booming voice called out from the opposite end of the clearing, "All right you, muddy fuddled scalawags! Line up for yer ass whooping! We're here fer blood!"

Captain Crocodile pointed to the origin point of the and bellowed, "Intruders! Bring me their heads!"

Several of the soldiers nearby rushed into the forest and Daisy's rifle rang out two times being followed by calls of, "He's dead!" and "Where are they?" then more shots. When that happened more soldiers poured in leaving, Captain Crocodile standing where he was with three troops, both Nutsy and Trigger were edging close to the forest but all eyes were currently turned toward the source of the disturbance.

Marian briefly closed her eyes, slowly, exhaled swiftly then darted out of the forest line and into the clearing heading straight for Robin's body. 'Grab it and go, grab it and go, grab it and go...' she kept repeating into her head over and over. She could hear a little of steel on steel ringing out along with shouts and scatter shots from Daisy's rifle.

Her heart was beating intensely in her chest, threatening to burst out but she dashed forward as fast as she could focused solely on her target. It felt like an eternity but in seconds she was right on Robin's body and slid across the remaining stretch stopping right next to it. She reached down and grabbed for it with her paws, clutching firmly then turned to bolt back toward the forest when something solid slammed into the back of her head.

Bright lights exploded from behind her eyes and she felt herself slam roughly into the ground. "N-no..." she whimpered and reached for the sword at her side, her vision still blurry but the dire situation not forgotten to her. She managed to crawl a bit and draw her sword but a firm foot kicked it from her paw. "N-no..."

"Yes," came a familiar voice that filled her with dread.

"Jafar...?"

Marian's vision straightened out as she continued to crawl backward and her eyes saw Jafar and Scar smiling maliciously down at her. "Hello, my dear," Jafar cooed.

"B-but how..."

"Invisibility, fool," Scar teased. "You think we didn't know you would come?"

"A trap..." Marian fought to keep the tears at bay. Mickey and the others had warned her but she had ignored it. She struggled to her feet and quickly drew two daggers. "My friends will bring reinforcements! They'll-"

"You mean these friends?"

Marian glanced to her right and saw Captain Crocodile smiling as well. Behind him Nutsy, Trigger and another dozen soldiers paced out, in front of them with their hands up were Minnie and Daisy. Two rhinos were dragging Lady Kluck next to them. Marian couldn't tell if she was dead or alive. Her heart dropped but she clutched her daggers and glared at all the men surrounding her. If she could get back into the forest she could-

She heard rustling behind her and over her shoulder saw more soldiers coming from the forest the way she had just come. How could she have been so foolish? They had been watching her the entire time letting her think she was going unseen and waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

"It seems we will have quite the offering for Chernabog tonight." Jafar, Scar and Captain Crocodile all began to laugh.