Faith of the Heart

Part 1: Chapter 4
THE WIZARD OF ARTHUR

Written by DisneyFan-01
HTML Coding by Shadow20X6

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Mickey, Pluto, Donald, Goofy, Marina, Chip, and Dale got out of their party attire and changed into the clothes they were most comfortable in to face off someone in battle.  

Mickey was wearing his blue colored shorts underneath the very same red robe he wore when he was the apprentice of the Great Sorcerer.  Pluto was out of his blue diamond studded collar and into his regular green flea collar.  Donald wore his old sailor shirt and hat--The same type of shirt he wore nearly every day.  Goofy wore his orange sweater with a dark vest, blue pants that were pulled up to his stomach, oversized shoes, and his funny green hat.  Marina was wearing a nice light blue top with a dark  gray jacket, long blue skirt, and black slip-on shoes.  Chip and Dale wore outfits they had hidden away in their little closets for years.  Chip wore a fedora and aviator jacket like he was a tiny version of Dr. Indiana Jones.  Dale was wearing a red and yellow Hawaiian shirt as though he were a small version of Magnum P.I..

"Yes, sir," said Dale on Marina's shoulder.  "Chip n' Dale, Rescue Rangers are back in business at last!"

Marina smiled, "I remember you telling me about your times as Rescue Rangers.  Never thought I'd actually see you in your old outfits.  You two look so cute!  I just hope I look okay.  I wanna look presentable, but Mickey told me to dress in a hurry.  This is the best I could get into quickly."

They were out in the garden when Mickey said, "You're fine, Marina.  After all, if we do face more Nightmares, I don't think they're gonna care what you're wearing."

"I know that, Mick," Marina ran her fingers through her hair.  "I just wanna make a good impression.  After all, I've never met a wizard before."

"He may be a wizard, but he's as humble as any regular person," said Mickey.  "Don't worry about it, Marina.  You look nice."  He gestured her to come closer, "C'mon, now.  We need to hurry."  He held up his scepter, "Everyone gather around me."

Donald and Goofy placed there hands on Mickey's shoulders as the crystal on his scepter started to glow from white to purple.

Marina asked, "Are you sure about this teleporting thing, Mick?  I mean, are you sure it won't do any of that gene splicing thing that happens in some of those movies?"

"Those are just movies, Marina," Donald frowned.  "And stop reading all that science fiction nonsense."

"It happened before with a few people, Wise Guy" Marina pounded her fists to her hips.  "There is a possibility of gene splicing through teleporting."

Mickey chuckled, "Oh, don't worry about it, Marina.  Teleporting through magic is a lot different than the technological way.  It's safer and easier.  Trust me."

She sighed, "Okay, Mick.  But if I end up with Donald's big bill on my face. . ."

"Hey!" Donald yelled.  

"Don't start, you two," Mickey lowered his brow.  "That's enough.  Now let's go."

"Yes, sir," Marina nodded once and place her hand on his shoulder.  

Mickey held up his scepter and placed his other hand on Pluto's head.  With everyone together, the purple light in the crystal became brighter and surrounded them.  In the blink of an eye, the light suddenly went out like a candle and the whole group was nowhere to be found.





The light reappeared nearly twenty miles away from the kingdom.  When it went out, the gang opened their eyes finding themselves in an opening in the forest.  Everything looked very unfamiliar to Marina.  The trees were taller and thicker.  If they had faces they would be looking at her and the boys like strangers in a new neighborhood.  But it didn't bother her.  Seeing new places was an exciting experience for her.  What got her attention most was the firelight coming from a window behind her.  Everyone turned to find a small cottage.

"Good," Mickey smiled.  "He's awake.  I guess he's expecting us."

"Expecting us?" Chip asked.  "Did you call ahead or something?"

"Nope.  It's just common for him," Mickey walked ahead to the cottage.  "Being the Wizard of Arthur, he always knows of what's to come in the future."

While Goofy and Pluto were following him, Chip, Dale, Donald and Marina stood still in shock.  Their eyes were wide open and their heart was beating hard and fast.

She whispered, "Did he just say. . . the Wizard of Arthur?  As in King Arthur?"

"The Excaliber owning King Arthur?" asked Chip.

"The guy with the Round Table King Arthur?" asked Dale.

"THAT King Arthur?" Marina finished.

"It can't be," Donald shook his head.  "That's just a legend.  That was a thousand years ago."

Mickey knocked on the front door, "Merlin?  Are you home?  It's me."

Donald and Marina slowly came forward as they heard the sound of footsteps coming from inside the cottage.  The chipmunks were hanging on to Marina's collar as they were determined to see if this was the person they believed it to be.  The doorknob turned and they all held their breath in suspicion.  When the door opened, Mickey was greeted by a tall elderly man with a long white beard wearing a blue robe and tall pointed hat.

"Ah, Mickey," the old man straightened his spectacles on his bulbous nose.  "How wonderful to see you again."  He took out a pocket watch and checked the time, "And you have arrived just in the right time I predicted and. . . well. . . you are two minutes early, but at least you are here."

"It's great to see you, too, Merlin," Mickey smiled.  "I guess you know why we are here."

"Yes indeed.  Good evening to you all."

"Good evening," Goofy shook hands with him.  "The name's Goofy."

Donald, Marina, Chip, and Dale stood there with their jaws dropped.  

"It's really him," Donald whispered.  

"Sir Merlin, the Great Wizard of Arthur," Marina tried not to stutter in her state of shock.  "In person."

"Wow," Dale smiled.  "He looks the same as they say he did in all those stories."

"Well, he is a wizard," said Chip.  "And one of the most powerful at that."

Merlin stepped out and welcomed his guests, "Come in.  Come in, everyone.  I have tea on the fire if you'd like some."

"No thank you, Merlin," said Mickey as he Goofy went inside.

Donald and Marina were nervously taking small steps toward the cottage.  Chip and Dale immediately hopped to the ground and hurried to the door.  They stopped in front of the famous wizard where Chip tipped his hat to him.

"It's nice very nice to meet you, Sir."

"Yeah," Dale bowed to him.  "An honor to meet ya, Your Wizardness."

"An honor to meet you too, Chip and Dale," Merlin nodded.

Donald came up to Merlin first.  He took off his hat and nervously smiled at him, "H-Ho-How do you do, Sir.  You can call me Donald."

"Greetings, Donald," Merlin shook hands with him.   "Mickey told me a lot about all of you."

"Sir Merlin," Marina approached the front door and bowed to him.  "It is indeed an honor to meet you.  I'm Marina.  Marina Seadrift."

"Glad to know you, Marina Seadrift," Merlin tipped his hat.  "But there's no need for addressing me as Sir Merlin.  A wizard of King Arthur I might have been many centuries ago, but I'm still as humble as they come."  He shook hands with her, "Do come in, my dear."

Marina was frozen at first from the shock of shaking hands with a legendary person, but she quickly snapped out of it as Merlin asked her to come in again.  She stepped inside and looked around the room.  In one corner of the room was a tall pile of books.  In another corner was a table with a chemistry set.  Hanging from the ceiling were many models of airplanes, submarines, space galleons, and rockets.  Among all the furniture, what stood out the most in the room was a stuffed owl on a perch.

"You have a nice place here, Merlin," Marina smiled.  

"Yeah," said Dale.  "Cool models up there!  Hey, you've got one of the Kitty Hawk!  My favorite!"

"Dale," Chip elbowed him.  "Let's stick to business."

Merlin started pouring himself a cup of tea at the table in the middle of the room.  "Yes, I must say this business we are in is a tough one.  Now then. . . Mickey, my friend, did you find out who might be controlling the Nightmares?"

Donald answered immediately, "Yeah!  I think it's the pirate we just captured in the palace."

"Donald!" Marina nudged him in the head.  "Can't you learn to speak when you are spoken to?"

As Donald mumbled at her, Merlin asked, "A pirate?  Did you stop him?"

Donald answered, "We sure did!  I wouldn't be surprised if Captain Ward sends him to Executi--"

"That's enough, Donald," Mickey frowned.  "You see, Merlin, we're not so sure if John Silver is the perpetrator."

"John Silver?" Merlin asked.  "Never heard of him."

"Man, you need to get with the times," Dale crossed his arms.

Chip bopped him on the head, "Dale!"

Goofy explained, "He's a pirate who became famous a few years ago for his mutiny on a ship, the M.R.S. Regency."

"That's R.L.S. Legacy," Mickey corrected him.  "He tricked his way into get him and his crew hired on the ship under the Captain Amelia and sail to Treasure Planet where they sprung their trap and took over the ship.  However, when they got to the treasure, it turned out that the whole trove was rigged to explode the entire planet.  Luckily, the ship's cabin boy, Jim Hawkins managed to save everyone and get them all out of the explosion in the nick of time.  That boy is a hero.  But Silver managed to escape the ship later."

Marina added, "But you forgot one thing, Mick.  Rumors have persisted that when the trove was exploding, Silver gave up what was left of the treasure to save that boy's life.  If not for him, young Hawkins wouldn't be the hero he is known as.  Not to mention the words going around that Silver has turned privateer now."

"Rumors, shm-umors," Donald rolled his eyes.  "He's still a pirate who started a mutiny and I still think he brought the Nightmares here.  Now, he's finally caught to pay the price."

"I'll be the judge of that, Donald," Mickey rebuked him.  

"How very interesting," said Merlin.  "Has he shown any proof of controlling the Nightmares?"

"No, Sir," Marina answered.  "As a matter of fact, he saved my life.  We don't know what to believe."

"I do," Donald raised a hand, but no one paid attention to him.

"However," Mickey mentioned, "Captain Silver mentioned something that made me a little suspicious."

"Then he's guilty," Donald added on.

"He told us he knows that you have a certain visitor here, Merlin.  Is this true?"

"If it is, then it proves he is guilty," Donald crossed his arms.

Marina stomped her foot, "Oh, put a cork in it, Don!"

"Bah!  Stay out of this, Marina!" Donald yelled at her.  "Just because he saved your life doesn't mean he's a good guy."

She yelled back to his face, "Maybe so, but it also doesn't mean we have to jump to conclusions about everything!  So, keep your big bill shut!"

"Same to you!"

"You're the one being the loud mouth as always!"

"And you're the sassy one as always!"

Marina mocked his lisp, " Shashy Smashy!  Just zip your bill before I clamp it shut!"

Donald growled.

She grunted back until someone shouted, "Stop it!  Both of you!"

Donald and Marina stood up straight at attention.  The voice came from the owl in the room whom everyone thought was stuffed.  He ruffled his feathers and flew closer to the two of them with a sour look in his large eyes.

"Flabberty jacks!  Would you listen to the two of you?!  Fighting like cats and dogs when there's important business to tend to!  Now stop bickering and let's all get to the point!"

"Y-Yes, sir!" Donald nodded once.

Marina crossed her arms, "But for the record, he started it."

"I did not!"

"Did so!"

"DID NOT!!"

When the two of them were going face to face again with their arguing, the owl came between them and pushed their faces apart with his wings.

"I said that's enough!!" he yelled.  "For the love of Heaven, stop fighting each other when there are Nightmares to fight!"

Merlin smiled, "I'd like all of you to meet Archimedes, my old friend."

Marina muffled behind his wings, "An honor."

"Ah, phooey to you," Donald moaned.

"Wh-WHO?!  Wha-what was that?!" Archimedes stammered.

"Nothing."

Archimedes took his wings off their faces and flew over to Merlin.  When he perched on top of his hat, he mumbled, "Of all the revolting things.  Why can't people act their own age and not like a bunch of preschoolers?"

"Ahem," Merlin cleared his throat.  "Anyways, back to business.  To answer your question, Your Majesty.  Yes.  I do have a visitor.  Two for that matter.  They arrived late last night.  Come now.  I'll show you."  He turned and head for the door to the next room.  

Before Merlin reached for the doorknob, everyone noticed for the first time a strange green glow coming from the next room.  Now that everything was quiet in the cottage, they started to hear a woman's voice quietly chanting some haunting words.  Merlin opened the door and the first thing everyone saw was the source of the light.  Over a small table hovered a large crystal ball glowing like a green firelight.  Everyone slowly followed Merlin into the room staring the floating crystal ball down hearing the spine-chilling words echoing around the walls.

"Serpents and spiders
Tail of a rat
Call in the spirits
Wherever they're at

Rap on the table
It's time to respond
Send me a message
From somewhere beyond"

Merlin closed the door behind him and that was when everyone noticed something about the crystal.  Within the center of it was a green fog, but as the sphere began to slowly rotate, everyone saw the face of a beautiful woman.  Her skin seemed the color of the light the crystal produced and her eye were ghoulishly yellow like a cat, but her thin lips were as red like blood.  As she was facing the group continuing her chant, they realized that it was her thick curly hair that was really the fog in the crystal.  

Donald gulped, "A g-g-ghost."

"Ghost nothing," Dale whispered.  "It's a woman's head in a giant paperweight."

The chanting stopped and the woman's eyes turned down to look open the guests as though she could see each of their souls.  She spoke, "I am Madam Leota. . . Seer of All. . . Voice to the Spirits. . . Oracle of the Other Realms."

Mickey smiled, "Madam Leota.  As I live and breathe.  It's good to finally meet you."

"You know this spooky lady?" asked Goofy.

"The Master told me about her.  I never thought I'd actually see her in person."

The crystal ball softly floated down to its stand on the table as Madam Leota closed her eyes and spoke, "Even though we have never met in person before. . . your inner spirit tells me we are friends and more.  I am pleased and honored make your acquaintance.  May your spirit remain so gracious."

"Oh, and I almost forgot," said Merlin.  "Mr. Cricket. . . we have company."

"Oh, pardon me," said a little voice by the crystal ball.  "How do you do?  It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."

Everyone looked around but saw no one but Madam Leota at the table.

Pluto barked once and pointed with his nose at the table when he spotted someone.

A tiny being wearing a top hat, suit, and shiny shoes hopped up and down for their attention, "Here!  I'm right here.  Can you see me now?"

"Oh!" Marina gasped with a smile.  "Yes."

"A cricket?" Donald tilted his head.

The little cricket tipped his hat and bowed, "It's nice to meet all of you.  You may call me Jiminy Cricket."

"Nice to meet you too, Jiminy," said Mickey.  "What brings you here?"

Merlin answered, "Mr. Cricket came here last night with Madam Leota by mistake.  Or maybe for a reason.  For all I know, with him being made an actual conscience, perhaps he was sent here by the one who made him one."

"You're a conscience?" Chip asked Jiminy.

"A conscience in the form of a being?" Dale smiled.  "Cool!"

"I too find it interesting," said Merlin.  "Of course, I'm hoping to help this little guy get back to finding the boy he's the conscience of.  Especially since he was made one by the Blue Fairy, herself."

"The Blue Fairy?" Mickey gasped.  "Merlin, does she know what's going on too?"

"I hope so.  If the Nightmares have come here, then it's most obvious that they have come for me and Leota.  And that means the prophecy is preparing to begin."

Goofy asked, "So, uh. . . what is the prophecy anyway?"

Leota replied, "I shall answer your question. . . but to read it is my suggestion."  Her eyes glowed a ghostly yellow and started speaking a poem, while doing so, each word spoken was written in mid-air in front of her.  The words were made with a golden light that shimmered until the last word was said.

"As powers of the Alpha coalesce,
Dark Omega comes to oppress.
When the Talismans of Life unite,
Snuffed out is the eternal light.
Bereft of the flame, order dies,
For the reign of Darkness will rise."

When the words faded away and Leota's eyes stopped glowing, the boys and Marina looked at each other.  When they saw that none of them understood what it meant, they looked to Mickey.

He shrugged, "It's the exact words the Master told me."

They looked at Merlin hoping for an explanation, but right as he opened his mouth, Archimedes yelled, "Oh, no!  No no!  You asked the question and she gave you the answer.  If you don't get it, then figure it out on your own!"

"Archimedes!" Merlin glared.

"Well, I don't think they should be told about it because the way they get along," the old owl crossed his wings.  "If the fate of a world was in their hands, then the chances are far too slim."

"Archimedes!" Jiminy frowned.  "That's really rude to say to a king."

"I was referring to those two!" he pointed at Donald and Marina.

Mickey smiled, "Oh, you don't have to worry too much about them.  They've been like that for years."

"We wouldn't be if Marina wasn't so stubborn," Donald rolled his eyes.

"Here we go," grunted Marina.  "For your age and weight, you're the most stubborn person I've ever known in my life."

Donald scoffed, "You weigh more than I do."

Marina stomped her foot and yelled, "WHY YOU LITTLE--  I dare you to say that again, Featherhead!!"

Archimedes lifted his beak, "Hmph, see what I mean?"

While Donald and Marina were attempting to begin another fight, Goofy came between them, "Oh, c'mon, you two.  Why don't we jus' get along and--"

"You keep outta this!" Donald pushed him aside.

"Oh, shucks!" Goofy frowned.  "We've got more important things to tend to.  Can't you fight some other time?"

"It's not my fault this time, Goof," Marina clenched her teeth.  "Donald just HAD to say I'm stubborn when he's the one who has the temper problem!"

Donald's face started turning red as he rolled up his sleeves, "Oh, now you're gonna get it, Marina!"

"Oh, phooey!  You've been saying that to me for years, and not once did I get it from you."

Goofy came between them again, "Now, Donald, you wouldn't hit a lady, would you?"

"Show me a lady, and I'll be a gentleman," Donald shoved his hat over his brow to look tougher.

Pluto started barking at the two of them to get them to stop, but it wasn't working.

"DONALD!  MARINA!!  THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Mickey shouted.  "The two of you butting heads is one thing, but in front of Merlin and Madam Leota is too much!"

"I told you the chances are slim," said Archimedes.  "Merlin, Madam, putting your faith into the hands of these characters is a big mistake if you ask me."

Leota spoke, "You are correct, my friend.  This quarreling must be put to an end.  To understand how a friendship doesn't rip like a seam, one must test how a group works as a team.  Merlin has just the test, and I suggest that you try your best."

Dale whispered to Chip, "Boy, it must be hard to always talk in rhyme."

Merlin smiled, "I quite agree with you, Madam.  Now, let me see."  He walked over to a bookshelf that held a few old books.  After skimming across them for a little bit, he found what he wanted.  "Ah, yes!  This one will do the trick."

"Sir?" Marina tried to look over his shoulder with curiosity.  "What is it?"  When she immediately saw the title, she gasped, "Oh, that's one my favorite story.  My father read it to me all the time as a child."

"I'm glad you're familiar with it," Merlin turned around to face her.  "But this is not the same story you are familiar with."

"How so?" Marina asked.  

"I'll work a bit of my magic on this version," he answered.  "It makes a good pastime for me to enter a book or two and interact with the characters."

An excited smile spread upon her face, "Are you serious, Sir Merlin.  You can make it possible to enter a book?"

"You have the word of Merlin the Great Wizard of King Arthur, himself."

"Oh, Sir, you have no idea how exciting that is for me.  I mean, reading is one of my hobbies and now knowing that it's possible for you to have a person actually enter a book and all. . . this is most exciting!"

Goofy came to Marina's side and read the book cover, "Winnie the Pooh?  A-hyuck.  I remember that story.  Gawrsh, I used to read that to Max when he was just a little boy."

Archimedes flapped a wing to get attention, "Just a minute, Merlin.  This is a children's book.  Why are you doing this one?  It's too elementary.  Why can't you just use a historical one?  Perhaps they can use more help if they enter a book of the older days.  Maybe even one of the stories of Arthur can help them.  Would be of use if ol' Arthur could teach them a thing or two on how to fight."

Leota reminded him, "To fight they know already.  It's their teamwork they need to keep steady.  This book may be simple and with ease, but it's a start for them to please.  Go forth, my friends, to your test, for it is the easy first step of your quest."

"I'm in!" Marina raised a hand in volunteer.

"A-hyuck.  Me too," Goofy raised his hand too.

"Hold on a second," said Donald.  "We can't just go off and play games in a book.  We're here to protect Merlin and Madam Leota.  This is no time for fun."

"You're going, too, Donald," Mickey looked at him sternly.  "I'll stay here and look after Merlin and Leota."

"And we'll help," said Chip.

"Yeah," Dale saluted.  "Rescue Rangers at your service, Sir Merlin and Madam Leota."

"Ah, phooey!  This is kid's stuff!" Donald mumbled.  

"Well, are we ready?" asked Merlin.  

"Yup!" Goofy nodded.

"Yes, Sir!" Marina answered.  "Ready and willing."

"Feh," Donald ridiculed.  

"Good."  Merlin raised his hand over the book and wiggled his fingers saying, "Librar-ius be-various liv-a-rious!!  Librar-us be-var-ous lif-ous!!"

The book glowed dimly in a golden light under his fingertips and slowly hovered off his palm.  As the light became brighter, the cover opened up to the first page, revealing an illustration of the main character of the book, the bear of a very little brain and stuffed with fluff.