Hiram's Group Gets Lost/Stumbling Upon the Castle

*(Time passed by as Hiram's group and Epona rode along happily. As they reached a beautiful countryside, they smiled softly, knowing what they must do. Hiram pulled out his cellphone and called Olivia's cellphone via FaceTime. Back at her and Marina's home, Olivia and her group were hanging around, with Olivia enjoying her book alongside Marina when Olivia's cellphone rang. She happily answered as her group joined in happily)*

Olivia's group: (Greeting Hiram's group happily) Hello, Daddy, (Hiram,) (Mr. Flaversham,) guys. (Chu, pika, chu.)

Hiram's group: (On-screen, greeting them happily) Hello, girls, everyone. (Mi, mi, mime.)

Serena: See something wonderful on your trip so far?

Delia: (On-screen, nods) Yep.

*(With Hiram's group, they displayed the beautiful view on Hiram's phone for Olivia's group to see from their side)*

Volteer: A nice French countryside.

Ignitus: Something you haven't seen in your life, up until now.

*(With Olivia's group, they smiled softly in amazement and wonder)*

Olivia's group: (Happily amazed) Wow....

Buttercup: Now that's keen gear!

Marina: None of us have ever seen such a lovely field like that.

*(With Hiram's group, they smiled softly, glad to have shown Olivia's group such a beautiful site they're passing by. Then Hiram sang his heart out softly, which made Olivia's group and the rest of Hiram's group smile softly and silently as they listened)*

Hiram: **How does a moment last forever?**

**How can a story never die?**

**It is love we must hold onto**

**Never easy, but we try**

*(With Olivia's group, Olivia's group briefly glanced in a sentimental at an old picture of a beautiful grown female anthro mouse with a young adult Hiram with a toddler Marina and the female anthro mouse holding an infant Olivia in her arms, giving soft smiles as Hiram continued, for the female anthro mouse in the picture was apparently Olivia and Marina's mother and Hiram's wife, who is now already deceased, yet we don't how she died yet)*

Hiram: (On-screen) **Sometimes, our happiness is captured**

**Somehow, a time and place stand still**

*(With Hiram's group, Hiram continued his song)*

Hiram: **Love lives on inside our hearts**

**And always will**

*(The song over, Hiram then proceeded to have his tender heart-to-heart with his daughters and their friends)*

Hiram: You do recall that your mother used to sing it to you as a lullaby, right?

*(With Olivia's group, they replied in agreement with soft smiles)*

Olivia's group: (Nods) Yep.

Marina: Yet Olivia and I can't shake off the feeling that we recall our childhood home from Paris, like how you told us.

Olivia: In a very little way.

*(With Hiram's group, Hiram responded in agreement with a hint of sentimentality along with Grace)*

Hiram: Indeed. And our home in the village may be small.

Grace: With some of the villagers back home who don't know you being small-minded.

Hiram: But small sometimes also means safe. And even back when we lived in Paris, your mother, I knew her as a girl who was just like you two....

*(With Olivia's group, they listened sentimentally with soft smiles, with Olivia and Marina giving a knowing soft smile)*

Hiram: (On-screen) Who was so, *(Struggles to explain properly)* well.... *(Then finds the right explanation)* Ahead of her time. Different.

*(With Hiram's group, Marina responded in agreement)*

Marina: (On-screen) And yet the people of Paris even mocked her, as you told us.

Olivia: (On-screen, agreeing) Until one day, they all found themselves imitating her, getting to know the real her.

Serena: (On-screen) And that's what helped you both fall in love with each other and eventually conceive Olivia and Marina.

Olivia and Hiram's groups except Olivia and Serena: (With Olivia's group on-screen) Exactly. (Pika, chu.) (Mi, mime.)

Utonium: And it's like the old saying goes; Never judge appearances, especially with the way they seem to behave the way they are.

*(With Olivia's group....)*

Blossom: (Agreeing) For their true selves can emerge from within.

Olivia: And I truly believe that that moment can happen to me and Marina for this village eventually.

Olivia and Hiram's groups except Olivia: (With Hiram's group on-screen) Yes, indeed. (Pika.) (Mime.)

Marina: Daddy, please tell me and Olivia one more thing about our mother.

Olivia: Something we don't know of. What was she also like?

Marina: And how *and* where did she die?

*(With Hiram's group, they hesitated a bit in silence, then Hiram explained away on who Olivia and Marina's mother once was, but not on how and where she died long ago, for it turned out, when Olivia and Marina's mother died, he knew how and where, yet he believes that Olivia and Marina are not yet ready to know the truth about that, yet he told the rest of his group about it, hence why they briefly hesitated)*

Hiram: (Struggling to explain) Your mother was.... *(Finds the right answer)* What you call fearless. And well, she died from.... *(Struggles for the right explanation again)* Well.... *(Finds a grim, yet appropriate, answer)* A mere sickness, *en route* to moving to the village we now live in.

*(With Olivia's group, they understood from that explanation)*

Marina: A mere sickness that's deadly.

Hiram: (On-screen) Aye. And that's all there is to it.

Olivia's group: (Agreeing) There isn't anymore.

Hiram's group: (On-screen) Right.

*(Then as soon as that conversation is over with, Olivia's cellphone's FaceTime screen suddenly begins glitching a bit, and immediately, both Olivia and Hiram's groups realize what that means)*

Olivia: Oh, dear.

*(With Hiram's group, they knew it's time to hang up upon seeing a forest up ahead in their path)*

Hiram: "Oh, dear" is correct.

Delia: We're about to go through that forest.

Volteer: And besides, it's our only way to get to the fair.

Mr. Mime: (Agreeing) Mime.

Olivia: (On-screen, getting a bit static) Understood.

Olivia's group: (On-screen, getting a bit static) Goodbye, and be careful. (Pika.)

Hiram's group: Goodbye, and we will. (Mime, mime.)

*(Then with that, Hiram, as well as Olivia's group from the other end, hung up and puts his cellphone away as he, his group, and Epona continued on, entering the forest. More time passed after Hiram's group and Epona had entered the forest. As they continued, they looked more lost in the forest suddenly)*

Hiram: (Confused) We should be there by now. Maybe we missed a turn.

*(The male Scottish mouse and his group looked at the map while Epona looked a bit nervous. She noticed an owl hooting while looking at them)*

Utonium: I guess we should have taken another.... *(Then he notices a sign)* Wait a minute.

Delia: (Confused) What is this?

*(Hiram gently pulled on Epona's strap before they stopped. Hiram's group looked at the sign of the road, looking at the calm road at one direction and the scary road in the other)*

Hiram: Well, let's go this way.

Ignitus: That could be the way.

Mr. Mime: (Agreeing) Mime mime.

*(They and Hiram's group motioned the horse to turn to that direction, but Epona, noticing the spooky way, looked worried, turning to the calmer side)*

Utonium: Come on, Epona, it's a shortcut.

Grace: (Reassuringly) We'll be there in no time.

*(Hiram's group, though Epona hesitated, went to the scary road. However, as they continued, something ran past them, causing Epona to feel even more frightened as Hiram's group went back to looking at the map while a creature howled in the distance, a sound resembling a wolf's howl)*

Hiram: (Confused) This can't be right!

Volteer: Where have you taken us, Epona?

Delia: (Feeling uneasy) I think we'd better turn around.

*(Epona turned around in agreement, only to accidentally back the wagon up into a tree)*

Hiram's group: (Scared) Whoa!

Utonium: (Scared) Whoa, girl!

*(Then, a flock of bats flew out of the tree, frightening Hiram's group and Epona. The horse ran off, running as fast as she could, until she almost ran over the edge of a cliff)*

Hiram: (Scared) Back up, Back up, Back up!

*(Epona backs up off the edge, still scared)*

Hiram: Good girl! Good girl! Tha-That's.... Back up!

Utonium: Steady, steady.

Delia: (Calm at first) Now, steady. Steady. *(Scared)* No, Epona!

*(But then, more creature-sounding howls were briefly heard, and Epona fearfully reared, throwing Hiram off of her. The frightened Hiram finally recovered and looked around nervously along with his group who climbed off the wagon to check on him and then look around)*

Hiram's group: (Trembling) Uh-oh. (Mime.)

*(Then, Hiram's group and Epona noticed something as they looked horrified)*

Hiram's group: Wolfos! (Mime!)

*(Then a pack of evil-looking creatures emerged from the fog after Hiram's group. Each of those creatures are a pack of male muscular anthro wolves with shaggy dark brown fur, lighter brown triangular ears and markings around their eyes, black noses, sharp black claws, sharp white fangs, magenta tongues, long bushy tails, and glowing lemon yellow eyes. They are the Wolfos. As the Wolfos approached slowly and menacingly, claws and teeth ready, Hiram's group climbed on Epona's back and the wagon for their lives, dragging the wagon with. The Wolfos chased after them before the next thing they knew, they see an iron gate and fence, and, to their confusion, snow and ice. They looked behind, noticing the Wolfos in hot pursuit. They quickly went to the gate, not noticing Hiram's hat off of him, shouting)*

Hiram's group: Help! (Mime!)

Utonium: Is someone there?

Hiram: Help!

*(Then, the gates flew open before Epona and her riders ran in. Before the Wolfos could get to them, Utonium and Delia slammed the gates shut, causing the Wolfos to fall away with some snarls and then retreating, as if they are afraid of the location they found. Hiram's group sighed in relief before they turned, noticing the bridge leading to a huge castle of some sort, all of its area covered in snow and ice)*

Hiram's group: Oh my.

Delia: But why is there snow and ice in this area?

Grace: (Feeling some snow) And they're not even cold.

*(Then, lightning flashed in the sky and it began to rain, mixed with snow, as if it were magic. They wasted no time getting on the porch after quickly dropping Epona off at a nearby stable and knocking on the front door. The door creaked open with them hesitating. Finally, they came inside, stepping into the foyer. They looked around, noticing a huge staircase and a few opened doorways in darkness while walking cautiously around)*

Hiram: Hello?

*(Nothing was heard before Utonium tried his turn to call out to someone)*

Utonium: Hello?

Delia: Anybody home?

Male voice 1: (Voice-over) Poor guys must have lost their way in the woods.

Male voice 2: (Voice-over) Be quiet. Maybe they'll go away.

*(Hiram's group looked surprised, looking for the voices)*

Utonium: Hello, anyone here?

Male voice 3: (Voice-over) Not a word, Tiana, Naveen, Ed, Eddy. Not one word.

Hiram: (Looks around) We, uh, we don't mean to intrude, but we lost our way and we need a place to stay for the night.

Ignitus: Could you please help us out?

Male voice 1: (Voice-over) Come now, Eddy, have a heart.

*(The third male voice is then heard shushing the first male voice savagely. Just then, a brief yelping sound was heard as Utonium unknowingly stepped on a paw)*

Eddy's Voice: (Voice-over) Ow!

Utonium: Who said that?

Hiram: Who's there?

*(They looked around before feeling someone tap on his shoulder)*

Naveen's voice: (Voice-over) Right here.

*(They turned, then noticed a lime green male frog, a green female frog, and a green furred goofy-looking bear)*

Naveen: (Smiles) Hello.

Tiana: Hi, y'all.

Ed: Hello!

*(Hiram's group screamed a bit and then yelped as they landed on their rears. Then, they stood up after being helped up by the bear while a red and purple feathered owl wearing a black sockhat came out and got concerned and a yellow furred hyena with purple and red spots glared at the bear and the two frogs after coming out as well)*

Owl: Oh, now you've done it, Naveen, Tiana, and Ed!

Hyena: Yeah! Nice going, lumphead!

Tiana: Well, excuse us for trying to say hello, Eddy and Double D!

*(Hiram's group takes a closer look at the hyena, now named Eddy)*

Utonium: Talking non-anthro animals....

Volteer: How very peculiar....

Grace: Especially with all that snow and ice outside.

Eddy: Well, duh!

Hiram: Sorry for panicking. We....

*(Then he felt a sneeze coming up. Then the sneeze caused the hyena to gross out. The male Scottish mouse took out his handkerchief from his pocket, wiping his nose, before putting it away again)*

Utonium: Seems like you're getting sick, Hiram.

Ignitus: Poor guy.

Tiana: My goodness, you're right.

Ed: You're soaked to the core.

Double D: That's soaked to the skin, bone, or fur, Ed.

Ed: (Haughtily) Says you.

Naveen: Come, you should warm up by the fire.

Double D: That'll keep you dry and warm.

Ed: Cozy and snuggly like a happy camper!

*(He, Tiana, Ed, and Double D took Hiram's group, leading them to the parlor)*

Hiram: (Feeling sick) Oh, thank you.

Utonium and Hiram's group except Hiram: Yes, thank you.

*(As they followed Naveen, Tiana, Double D, and Ed, Eddy walked quickly after them while a figure with glowing red eyes watched them, rushing off)*

Eddy: Guys, no! You know what the Master would do! *(Pulling Hiram's tail)* I order you to stop!

*(However, he tripped, forcing to let go of him. Hiram's group smiled as they sat on each armchair a yard away from the fireplace)*

Eddy: (Groans a bit) Not the Master and his brother's chairs!

*(At that moment, a yellow-furred wolf named Pluto came up to Hiram's group, placing each footstool under their feet along with normal-looking black mice, one male and one female, a black normal-looking dog, and two white feathered normal-looking ducks, one male and one female. They are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald and Daisy Duck respectively)*

Eddy: (Looks away) I'm not seeing this! *(Covers his eyes)* This can't be happening to me!

Utonium: (To Pluto and the other animals) Why, hello there.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy: Hi there!

*(Goofy gives his trademark laugh. Hiram and Delia petted the wolf a bit with a smile. Then Double D came and placed each blanket around Hiram's group)*

Utonium: Ah, what service.

Hiram: And good hospitality.

Delia: I'll say.

Mr. Mime: (Happily) Mime.

Eddy: (Angrily) Oh, that's it! Enough! I'm in charge here!

*(Just then, a blur came in and nearly passed Eddy, who made him twirl a bit with great force. Then, three floating and air-breathing sea animals, one a coral pink and white female dolphin, one an orange and blue male shark, and one a red and white female goldfish with short orange hair came up to Hiram's group. They are Granmamare, Fujimoto, and Ponyo respectively)*

Granmamare: How would you like some hot tea, sirs?

Fujimoto: It'll warm you up in no time.

Eddy: (Glares) No tea! Come on, are you listening to me?!

*(Ponyo looked at Hiram's group before she felt their hands petting Ponyo unknowingly)*

Ponyo: (Giggles) Their fingers tickle, Mom and Dad!

Hiram: (Notices with his group) Oh, hello there.

Utonium: Pleased to meet you.

Grace: What're your names?

*(Just then, the parlor doors slammed open, causing a howling wind to blow in, blowing the flames in the fireplace out. Granmamare looked worried as Fujimoto hugged her in concern and Ponyo hid behind her parents)*

Ponyo: (Nervously) Uh-oh.... Not good....

Fujimoto: (Quietly) Oh, dear.

*(The red mustached anthro mouse and his group shook nervously as someone entered the opened doorway, glaring. All they saw was a shadow of a figure approaching in all fours. He is a fat brown mouse with some light brown on most of his face and chest area with dark brown bushy eyebrows, dark brown hands, feet, and tail along with a red nose and reddish eyes, and wearing a gold crown, a bluish tunic with a deep red cape and a black belt carrying a gold-handled sword. He is known only as the Mouse King)*

Mouse King: (Growling a bit) Some strangers are here.

Naveen: Uh, Master, allow me and Tiana to explain it.

Tiana: You see, they were lost in the forest and not to mention cold, so we....

*(However, the rat-like rodent roared loudly a bit, frightening them before the Eds peeked)*

Eddy: Just so you know.... *(Points at Ed and Double in an accusing way)* Blame them for it!

Ed: Ah, no fair!

Double D: We always get blamed!

Eddy: (To Ed and Double D) Hey, you should've listened! *(To the Mouse King while pointing at Naveen and Tiana next)* It was their fault also! I tried to stop them, but do they listen to me? No, they...!

*(The Mouse King roared loudly a bit at the Eds, resulting them to hide once more in fear. Then, as the Mouse King, in shadow, went to the chair, he and the animals noticed Hiram's group is gone suddenly. Outside, Hiram's group quietly ran in fear, getting Epona)*

Utonium: (Whispering in fear) We better get out of here!

Delia: (Whispering in fear) Quickly!

Hiram: (Whispering in fear) My sentiments exactly!

*(Just when they climbed on, they both noticed a pink rose garden)*

Utonium: (Whispering) Roses!

Grace: (Whispering, trying to object) But...!

Hiram: (Whispering) Let's quickly grab one for my daughters and get out of here!

*(They, except a concerned Mr. Mime who stayed by Epona, ran to the pink rose garden, with the rest of Hiram's group reluctantly following, and after Utonium plucked one pink rose, he and Hiram's group turned and then gasped, seeing the angry Mouse King, face to face and standing on two legs. They screamed a bit as Mr. Mime and Epona panicked and then ran away with the wagon with Mr. Mime riding on Epona)*

Mouse King: (Narrows in suspicion and anger) Who are you, what are you doing here?! And why did you pick one of *my* roses?!

Hiram: (Scared) We were lost!

Delia: (Scared) We meant no harm!

Mouse King: You're not welcome here!

Utonium: (Frightened) We're sorry!

Ignitus: (Frightened) We just...!

*(The rat-like mouse noticed them fearfully looking at him)*

Mouse King: What are you staring at?!

Hiram's group: Nothing! It's just...!

Mouse King: (Furiously) So, you've come to stare at the Mouse King, have you?!

*(Hiram's group tried to run with the rose, but the Mouse King blocked the way savagely, making Utonium drop the rose)*

Hiram: Please, we mean no harm!

Utonium: We just wanted a rose as a souvenir and a place to stay!

Hiram's group: Please!

Mouse King: First off, I have a rose that damned us all! Secondly, I'll give you all a place to stay!

*(He then dragged Hiram's group as they shouted a bit while another shadowy figure along with the animal servants watched in concern)*

Hiram's group: No, please! (NOOOOO!!) (Release us!) (Help!)

*(And with that, the front doors of the castle slammed shut by the Mouse King)*

***Coming up: Ratigan and Drake make a faux wedding in order to make a marriage proposal to Olivia and Marina, but the two girls turn them down. Then, Mr. Mime and Epona return and bring Olivia, Marina, and their friends to the castle to find Hiram's group, only for Olivia's group and even Mr. Mime to make the ultimate sacrifice to save Hiram's group to the Mouse King and his brother themselves.***