Chapter 29

CHAPTER 5 DISNEY CASTLE “ARE YOU QUITE FINISHED GIVING YOUR REPORT of how you managed to fail at absolutely everything?” Maleficent’s fury boomed through the halls of Hollow Bastion. “What’s more, I hear you put on airs in my absence, thinking you could take my place. Well, as of now, you’re finished. When our time comes, there will be no place for you!” Pete hung his head. There was nothing else to do while he was thoroughly rebuked. “Useless imbecile,” Maleficent spat, whirling to stalk out of the room. “But—but… But I…,” Pete stammered miserably. He’d been working as hard as he could, but all he did was fail. He didn’t know what he could do to gain Maleficent’s approval. “For cryin’ out loud… She didn’t have to go and say that,” he grumbled. “Okay, I mighta messed up here and there. But I’m a lot more things than useless. Why, back when I was startin’ out…” He sighed, looking up at the ceiling. “Ohh, I miss those good old days. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time… Just go back…” As he daydreamed, a door appeared faintly in the air right in front of him. “…Gee, what’s this?” He tiptoed closer and examined it. From the other side, he could hear the shrill whistle of a steamboat. “Hey! If that ain’t my old…” Pete flung the door open and took off through it. The Gummi Ship sailed again through the Other Sky. Goofy leaned forward, staring out the front viewport. “I wonder what sorta gate opened this time?” “There it is!” said Donald. Sora leaned over, too, and saw a big white castle with blue rooftops. Donald let out a glad “Wak!” “Another place we’ve never been before,” said Sora, a little glum, but Donald spoke over him. “It’s Disney Castle!” “Disney Castle?” Sora repeated. “Our home!” Goofy explained, just as glad. “It is?” “We’re back!” Donald and Goofy hugged and danced around in celebration. “So that’s where you guys come from…” Sora gazed down on the spires of Disney Castle. The Gummi Ship touched down in the castle’s hangar. “So this is your castle…” Sora took in the sights of this new place, although it was familiar to his two friends. “Must be nice to be home, huh?” But Donald and Goofy didn’t seem to hear him. They were staring farther into the castle, both wearing frowns. “What’s wrong?” asked Sora. “Somethin’ just doesn’t feel quite right…” Goofy cocked his head. “Uh-huh,” Donald agreed. “Really…?” Sora tried to figure out what was amiss as two tiny figures came scurrying into the hangar. “You’re back!” Chip and Dale scampered right up to them—urgently rather than happily. “But there’s trouble!” “The castle’s in danger!” “Queen Minnie needs to see you! Quick, to the library!” Seeing their alarm, Sora, Donald, and Goofy nodded. “Let’s go!” the boy urged, and Donald opened the door that led out to the courtyard— “Wak!” He immediately closed it. “Gawrsh, what’s out there? …Yipes!” Goofy cracked open the door to peek out and did the same, slamming it shut. They both exclaimed at the same time, “It’s full of Heartless!” “I sure hope Daisy’s okay!” “And the queen, too!” “What about all the broomstick servants?” Donald and Goofy huddled close together, talking almost too fast for Sora to keep up. “Guys, cut it out!” He pushed them apart. “We have to go to the queen, right? C’mon!” He opened the door himself. Just as Donald and Goofy said, the prettily pruned courtyard was overrun with Heartless. Goofy’s head drooped in disappointment. “The castle used to be so nice…” “Don’t let it bother you right now, okay?” Sora gave him a friendly thump on the back and took out the Keyblade. “Which way’s the library?” “Over there!” Donald pointed with his wand. “Then let’s go find the queen!” “Right!” Donald and Goofy nodded and dashed into the fight. They battled their way through the garden and down the long corridors with Heartless at their heels. Finally, they burst into the library, slamming the heavy doors behind them. “Your Majesty! We’re back!” Donald promptly announced with a salute. Wearing a fine gown, the queen standing before them was a mouse like King Mickey. A crown adorned her head between the ears. Donald and Goofy lined up together to stand at attention and give a more proper salute. “Welcome back!” Her voice was kind and mild as she clasped her hands over her breast. “Where’s the king?” Sora asked, poking his head between Donald and Goofy.