The Lantern Festival/Wrongfully Imprisoned and Sofia’s Sob Story

*(At the gates leading to the Wizard, the citizens are clamoring as a guard is trying to calm them down. He is an Arabian man with a black beard and mustache, a muscular built, tan skin, and wearing an Arabian soldier uniform, consisting of a white turban with a red jewel on top, a black vest with a gold sash, a red belt, white baggy trousers, and gold pointed shoes. He is Razoul, the guard Charlie's group conned before)*

Razoul: Alright, calm down!

*(The crowd calmed down)*

Razoul: I can assure you that the Wizard has gotten matters into his hands now.

*(The crowd slowly gave in as he explained this)*

Razoul: And to assure you, we are safe. So you can all go back to work on the festival and have nothing to worry about.

*(The crowd then left to resume working on the festival. Sofia’s group then approached Razoul)*

Razoul: What do you want?

Sofia: We like to see the Wizard immediately.

Namine: Can you let us in please?

Razoul: First of all, he’s busy at the moment! Second, nobody can see the Great Oz! Not nobody, not no how!

*(He glared daggers at Charlie's group*)

Razoul: And I’m sure he especially won’t want to see you five rip-off artists!

Riku: Actually, about that....

Sora: They’re sorry.

*(They and Sofia's group turned to Charlie's group with smiles)*

Sofia’s group: Right?

Charlie's group: (Nods in agreement) Right!

Itchy: Seen the light.

Razoul: Then I guess I’ll eventually accept your apology, but not nobody, not no how!

Sofia: But you don’t understand, this is important!

Gabu: And we got a permit for the occasion.

*(Razoul got agitated)*

Razoul: NOT NOBODY, NOT NO HOW!!!!

*(Realizing he shouted, Razoul cleared his throat, calmed down, and spoke normal)*

Razoul: Sorry. Now run along, uh…?

Sofia: I’m Princess Sofia the First.

Hugo: I’m Hugo.

Amber: I'm Amber.

Desmond: I'm Desmond.

James: I'm James.

Isabel: I'm Isabel.

Clover: I'm Clover.

Namine: And I’m Namine.

*(Razoul got surprised)*

Razoul: Wait, you mean, the Sorceress and Sly Fox’s Sofia's group and Namine?

*(They nod. Then Razoul grumbled in annoyance as he thinks it over and then he gave in)*

Razoul: Fine! I’ll tell the Wizard you wish to see him. In the meantime, wait out here and enjoy the festival, and I’ll announce you at once when the festival’s over.

*(He goes through the gates and closed them as the group got happy)*

Pooh: Isn’t it fantastic? We’ll be announced at once after the festival! I've as good as got my brain.

Pooh's group: Yep!

Fender: Rodney and I can fairly hear our hearts beating away!

Rodney: Indeed!

Charlie: And me and the boys will have our business in our new casino in no time!

Itchy, Swiper, Tom, and Jerry: Yeah!

Namine: And I’ll learn my true heritage!

Riku: Can’t wait for my friends and I to become knights soon!

Sora: As well as you eventually marrying the lost princess.

Riku: (Agreeing) Oh, yeah.

Riku’s group: Indeed.

Louis: And I’ll become a best jazz player in a world!

Naveen: And Tiana and I will soon be human again so I can live in a highlight!

Tiana: And I'll be able to get that restaurant besides becoming human again!

Ray: I'll be with my *belle* in no time! I can't wait!

Sofia: And Hugo, Amber, James, Isabel, Desmond, Clover, and I will be home in time for supper, as well as see our family again!

*(The group looked at Sofia's Kansas group in confusion)*

Ray: What do you mean, “In time?”

Swiper: Even I'm confused.

Sofia: (Shrugs) Oh, nothing. We’re just excited.

*(Mei then changed the subject, speaking to Gabu and getting everyone's attention)*

Mei: Anyway, I’ll become the best fighting partner ever!

Gabu: And in another hour. I'll be king of the forest like a lion.

*(The group got interested)*

Group: Really?

Gabu: Yep! Long live the king.

*(Deciding to play along with Gabu's daydream under Gabu and Mei's silent request, Charlie then turned to the citizens who overheard Gabu's announcement in interest)*

Charlie: Cue the fanfare!

*(Then the fanfare played loudly by the trumpet players, led by Louis. Seeing everyone wanting to watch this entertainment, Sofia's group encouraged Gabu to show his dream, and he gladly does through song)*

Gabu: **If I were king of the forest**

**Not queen**

**Not duke**

**Not prince**

Mei: Or the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.

Gabu: **My regal robes of the forest**

**Would be satin**

**Not cotton**

**Not chinze**

**I command each thing**

**Be it fish or fowl**

**With a roof**

**And a roof**

**And a royal growl**

*(He makes a playful growl, making everyone chuckle a bit, amazed by this performance)*

Gabu: **As I click my heels**

**All the trees would kneel**

**And the mountains bow**

**And the bulls kowtow**

**And the sparrows**

**Would take wing**

**If I**

**If I**

**Were king**

**Each rabbit would show**

**Respect to me**

**The chipmunks genuflect**

**To me**

**Though my tail would lash**

**I will show compash**

**For every underling**

**If I**

**If I**

**Were king**

**Just king**

*(Then everyone proceeded to pretend to treat Gabu like a king, even a citizen picked up a nearby green empty flower pot and lets Fender accept it and smash the bottom off with his axe to make it a shape of a crown. After that, Fender crowns Gabu with it as everyone bows to him and Namine placed a dark green satin carpet on him like a kingly robe)*

Gabu: **I'll be monarch**

**Of all I survey**
**Mooooooonarch**

**Of alllllll**

**IIIIIII**

**Surveeeeeey**

*(Then Sofia's group proceed to ask away playfully)*

Sofia: You're majesty, if you're a king, you wouldn't be afraid of anything anymore?

Gabu: (Boasting) Not nobody, not nohow!

Pooh: Not even a rhinoceros?

Gabu: Imposterous!

Hugo: How about a hippopotamus?

Gabu: I'd trash him from top to bottomous!

Namine: Suppose you met an elephant?

Gabu: I'd wrap him up in cellephant!

Rodney: What if it were a brontosaurus?

Gabu: I'd show him who's king of the fores'!

Everyone: How?

Gabu: (Pretending to be shocked) How?!

*(He takes his "Robe" off and proceeds to ask away)*

Gabu: Courage. What makes a king out of a slave? Courage. What makes a flag on a mast to wave? Courage. What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage. What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage. What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage. What makes the hottentot so hot? What puts the ape in apricot? What do they got that I ain't got?!

Everyone: Courage.

Gabu: (Smiling) You can say that again. *(Confused)* Huh?

*(Then they concluded the song)*

Gabu: **For courage is**

**The king of kings**

**For courage**

**I'd be king of kings**

**I'll be hailed all around**

**I'll be throned and crowned**

**By every living thing**

**If I**

Everyone: **If he**

Gabu: **If I**

Everyone: **If he**

Gabu: **If I....**

**Were.... Ki.... Ki....**

**Give me a K, give me an I, give me a N, give me a G**

**KIIIIIIIIIIING**

**YEAH**

*(Suddenly, Tim cleared his throat and made his announcement, getting their and the citizens' attention now that the song is over)*

Tim: Evening is here! Anybody who wishes to talk to King Squall and Queen Rinoa before we light the lanterns, come on up!

*(Riku's group turned to Namine and the others)*

Riku: Wait until you meet the king and queen themselves!

Sofia’s group: Really?

Sora: (Nods) Yep!

Riku: They're nice.

Kairi: They are very compassionate rulers.

*(They then head over to the courtyard where Squall and Rinoa are lighting the beacons while the citizens resumed what they're doing and Gabu removed his "Crown" and gave it to a citizen who accepted it)*

Male citizen 3: I'll keep it for you.

Gabu: Thanks.

*(Gabu caught up with Sofia's group and then Squall and Rinoa noticed them approaching upon lighting the last beacon and greeted them)*

Squall and Rinoa: Hello, guests.

*(They notice Riku's group)*

Rinoa: Riku, you and your friends didn’t find our daughter yet.

Riku: Not yet.

Goofy: But we found a girl that looks like her!

Squall: Really?

Rinoa: Where is she?

*(Namine approached calmly to them. They look at each other in silence for a while and they smiled politely)*

Rinoa: Pleased to meet you. I’m Queen Rinoa Heartilly.

Squall: And I’m King Squall Leonhart.

Namine: My name is Namine.

*(Rinoa and Squall got interested and surprised)*

Squall: That’s strange. Our daughter’s name is Namine, too. And her birthday’s today as well.

Rinoa: And your face looks like her from her baby picture. Even your really long hair has the same coloration as hers.

Squall: Could it be…?

*(A short pause. Then they shrugged)*

Namine, Rinoa, and Squall: Nah.

Rinoa: Anyway, we like to let you know that you and your friends will always be welcome in Emerald City.

Squall: Anytime.

*(The group nods happily. After getting to know each other, the group and Rinoa and Squall understood each other)*

Rinoa: I hope you’ll accomplish your dreams, everyone.

Squall: Indeed.

Rinoa: Well, shall we celebrate the festival?

Squall: It’s starting already.

Sofia’s group: Yes, you’re majesties!

*(The group went to the courtyard and joined in the festivities, such as dancing, drawing and painting from Namine, reading a lot of interesting books, eating some delicious food for the festival, and Namine even earning a green flag with an image of a golden sun that resembles a golden flower. As soon as night came, Tim shouted his announcement)*

Tim: Everyone, it’s time to light the floating lanterns! Anybody who wishes to ride the ship in the lake to see the lanterns’ reflection, come aboard!

*(The citizens and the group cheered. Back at the gates, Razoul exited to await Sofia's group to return. Suddenly, he heard something from within the bushes nearby)*

Male voice: (Voice-over) Pssst!

*(Razoul goes over to the bush and saw Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, and Johnny there, looking casual)*

Razoul: What are you mafia men doing here?

Fat Tony: (Casually) Oh, we're just here to talk about this girl and her accomplices.

*(Hearing him say that, Razoul got suspicious)*

Razoul: You mean Sofia and her group?

Fat Tony: That's them.

Louie: We believe they are associated with the Sorceress and Sly Fox.

Legs: Heck, they even destroyed our fireworks supplies back at our bar.

*(Surprised, Razoul turned to Johnny)*

Razoul: Is that true?

Johnny: (Shrugs) Meh, it's true.

*(Razoul immediately believed them)*

Razoul: I had a feeling they were up to no good.

*(Then he negotiated with Fat Tony's gang)*

Razoul: So, you want me to lock them up when they come here?

Fat Tony: Oh, yes. And tomorrow, we will take them with us.

*(Meanwhile, the group, unaware along with everyone else of what happened at the gates, boarded the ship with some citizens on board, carrying their own lanterns. Namine got happy and excited)*

Namine: I can’t wait to see it up close finally.

Kairi: I know.

Sofia: You’ve been waiting for so long.

Itchy: And then what happens with you?

Namine: Well, then we’ll see the Wizard when it’s over and our dreams come true.

Donald: Exactly.

Louis: This is so exciting tonight!

*(Then, standing on the stand of the courtyard, Rinoa and Squall then lit their lanterns with soft sad smiles, and then they lightened up their soft smiles and gently released the lanterns into the air as they floated away into the sky. Soon, the citizens joined in and more lanterns flew into the air. Even the group on the ship joined in. Sofia, Hugo, Kairi, Sora, Namine, and Riku watched with calm passionate smiles along with the group as Namine, Kairi, and Sofia began singing)*

Namine: **All those days**

**Watching from the windows**

**All those years**

**Outside looking in**

**All that time**

**Never even knowing**

**Just how blind I’ve been**

Kairi: **Now we’re here**

**Blinking in the starlight**

Sofia: **Now we’re here**

**Suddenly, we see**

**Standing here**

**It’s all so clear**

**That Namine’s**

**Where she’s meant to be**

Sofia, Kairi, and Namine: **And at last**

**I see the light**

**And it’s like**

**The fog has lifted**

**And at last**

**I see the light**

**And it’s like**

**The sky is new**

**And it’s warm**

**And real and bright**

**And the world**

**Has somehow shifted**

**All at once**

**Everything is different**

**Now that we see you**

*(They turned to Hugo, Sora, and Riku, who smiled passionately in return. Rainbow and Lollie then silently encouraged Namine to tell Riku how she feels for him, which she then does)*

Namine: Hey, Riku. I understand you’ll marry the princess, but….

Riku: I understand.

*(Namine got calmly surprised)*

Riku: I’m starting to think that maybe you and the princess might be in common, so…. I like you too.

Namine: (Smiles) Then I wish you and the princess luck.

*(Riku smiled back. Sofia and Hugo then spoke to each other)*

Sofia: When we get home…?

Hugo: It’s a date.

Sora and Kairi: Same.

*(The group gave a smile and a thumb’s up for the six. Then Hugo, Sora, and Riku began singing)*

Riku: **All those days**

**Chasing down a dream**

**All those years**

**Believing in hope**

**All that time**

**Never truly seeing**

**Things that is possible**

Sora: **Now we’re here**

**Suddenly we know**

Hugo: **Now we're here**

**Suddenly, we see**

**If they’re here**

**It’s crystal clear**

**We’re where we’re meant to go**

*(Sofia, Kairi, and Namine joined in)*

Sofia, Hugo, Kairi, Sora, Namine, and Riku: **And at last**

**I see the light**

Hugo, Sora, and Riku: **And it’s like**

**The fog has lifted**

Sofia, Hugo, Kairi, Sora, Namine, and Riku: **And at last**

**I see the light**

Sofia, Kairi, and Namine: **And it’s like**

**The sky is new**

Sofia, Hugo, Kairi, Sora, Namine, and Riku: **And it’s warm**

**And real and bright**

**And the world**

**Has somehow shifted**

*(The group watched on with calm passionate smiles at the three couples)*

Sofia, Hugo, Kairi, Sora, Namine, and Riku: **All at once**

**Everything is different**

**Now that I see you**

**Now that I see you**

*(They and the group sighed softly. Later, after the lanterns were done and everyone disembarked from the boat and the citizens, Squall, and Rinoa all went to bed, Sofia's group walked through the courtyard and back to the gates. They then approached an angry-looking Razoul, although Sofia's group didn’t know why he is angry)*

Charlie: So, we’re in?

Desmond: Are we seeing the Wizard?

Razoul: I got good news and bad news.

*(The group got confused)*

Razoul: The good news is I told the Wizard you want to see him. However, the bad news is you are denied to go see him.

*(The group got confused)*

Sofia's group: What?

Razoul: Seize them.

*(Then, to Sofia's group's shock, Fat Tony's gang appeared and grabbed them)*

Piglet: What's going on?

Razoul: Don't play dumb! You really think you're not gonna get away working for the Sorceress and Sly Fox?

Sofia's group: (Realizing in shock) What?!

Fat Tony: Come on.

*(Then they dragged Sofia's group to the dungeon basement's entrance next door to the gates. Once down there, a cell door opened and Sofia's group are forced inside and then the cell door is slammed shut and locked up)*

Fat Tony: Enjoy the rest of the night in a cell.

Razoul: And no funny businesses.

*(They turned their backs to the cell door. Angry and/or disappointed, Sofia's group sat down)*

Pooh: Oh, bother. So, we came all the way here for nothing.

Rabbit: That stinks!

Tigger: Sorry.

Rabbit: Not you! Our predicament!

*(They see Sofia looking down in sadness suddenly)*

Namine: Sofia?

Donald: You okay?

*(Sofia tried to be positive)*

Sofia: Oh, yes. Um, I can deal with this.

Clover: (Flatly) Sofia….

Riku: You said earlier “Be home in time to see our family again.”

Swiper: What did you mean?

*(Remembering those words she said, Sofia got glum slowly and remained silent. Concerned, the group tried to think of a way to cheer her up)*

Tigger: Hey, Sofia?

*(He chuckles a bit as he tried to entertain Sofia with his bouncing techniques, but Sofia did nothing. He then got confused)*

Tigger: That usually works.

*(Then Fender perked up)*

Fender: This could help!

*(He then did high-pitched voice mumbling imitations, hoping to make Sofia laugh like it did before. Still Sofia remained depressed. Then Fender got confused)*

Fender: That didn't work either.

Rodney: It usually does.

Gabu: How about I playfully growl?

Mei: Nothing’s working for Sofia, Gabu.

Roo: Yeah.

Sora: What she’s upset about is not seeing the Wizard.

Kairi: That’s right.

Goofy: Something must be making her sad somehow.

Clover: Sofia's friends and I noticed it since yesterday.

*(Namine decided to take her turn to cheer Sofia up and sat beside her)*

Namine: You know, Sofia? I’m sure your parents are home praying for your….

*(Sofia then got got upset)*

Sofia: (Sadly) I have a feeling they're not. Because it's just.... My mom is dying.... *(Starting to cry slowly)* I was so happy to get to her earlier, and now....

*(She sniffles as she pulled her handkerchief out)*

Sofia: (Crying) I thought me and my friends are going home!

*(She broke down crying calmly as she wiped a tear from her left eye with her handkerchief. Seeing Sofia crying, the group comforted her)*

Lumpy: Aw, don't cry, Sofia.

Fender: We'll try and get us to the Wizard.

Pooh: We certainly are.

*(Sofia sobs softly as she hugged herself in comfort, clutching her handkerchief in her right hand. Seeing this, her Kansas group comforted her in concern and the rest of Sofia's group got confused even more)*

Namine: What do you mean, "Dying?"

Yuki: What happened?

Rainbow: Something terrible?

Lollie: Would you please tell us?

*(At the cell door outside while Lollie said this line, Razoul and Fat Tony's gang, having heard Sofia starting to cry, unlocked and opened the cell door silently and came in to listen in confusion. Back with the group, who did not notice this, Sofia, who temporally stopped crying, spoke up finally)*

Sofia: (Sadly) You really want to know?

*(The group nodded. They need to know how to make Sofia happy again. Then Sofia sighed sadly and she began her explanation)*

Sofia: It all started back home in Topeka, Kansas. Me and my friends were walking ourselves home from school, and a cruel woman named Ash Delgado’s cat stole Clover’s favorite toy out of spite. Clover chased him and got it back, but Delgado hit him with a broomstick. Then Clover bit her on the leg in retaliation, and Delgado threatened to report to the sheriff his so-called attack and have him put down.

*(Clover gently placed his paw on Sofia’s lap in comfort as Sofia continued)*

Sofia: We raced home to tell our family and friends, but they were too busy to listen. Then Delgado and her family came along and claimed that they got an order from the sheriff to take Clover from us, which my friends and I believed is fake. And then our family and friends fell for it and gave Clover to them anyway. After they were gone, we got in a fight….

*(She closed her eyes tightly to fight the urge to cry, and then opened them again)*

Sofia: And the last thing I said to them was “I never want to see you again.” Then Clover, having escaped, came back and we ran away from home to escape Delgado and our problems. But then we met our old friend, Cedric the Sorcerer, who showed us cool things from the world and then we consulted his crystal ball and….

*(She lets out a sob)*

Sofia: (Voice starting to break) He told us my mother is suddenly having a heart attack, and is dying from it like she’s dying from a broken heart.

*(The group began to feel sorry for Sofia)*

Rabbit: Then what happened?

Charlie: That lead your house coming here?

*(Sofia tried to fight her tears)*

Sofia: (Voice breaking) We tried to go back to her, but….

*(She sobs)*

Sofia: (Voice breaking) A twister hit, taking us away from her, and that’s how we got here with the house.

*(She finally broke down crying as tears flooded her eyes, spilled down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her handkerchief as she continued to sob uncontrollably as the group got concerned)*

Sofia: (Crying) Now I’m beginning to understand *(Sniffles)* that my mother and everyone were always there and so good to us, and we never realized and appreciated it, hurting her like that, and it’s all my fault!

*(Sofia sobbed uncontrollably again with her face still buried in her handkerchief as the group looked on in concern and then began comforting her. She noticed while still continuing to cry and even hugged Namine for comfort, which she hugs back in comfort)*

Sofia: (Crying) And if she's dead, I'll never forgive myself! Never, never, never!

*(Namine then spoke to Sofia, comforting her)*

Namine: Sofia.... Don't lose hope. I'm certain your mother might be saved.

*(Hearing her, Sofia eased her crying down a bit. Then Namine continued)*

Namine: Just think of the good memories if I were you.

*(Heeding those words, Sofia got lost in thought as she reminisced all the good times she had with her family and friends back in Topeka, Kansas)*

Woman: (Voice-over) **Be brave, little one**

**Make a wish for each sad little tear**

**Hold your head up, though no one is near**

**Someone's waiting for you**

**Don't cry, little one**

**There'll be a smile where a frown used to be**

**You'll be part of the love that you'll see**

**Someone's waiting for you**

**Always keep a little prayer in your pocket**

**And you're sure to see the light**

**Soon, there'll be joy and happiness**

**And your little world will be bright**

**Have faith, little one**

**And your hopes and your wishes come true**

**You must try to be brave, little one**

**Someone's waiting to love you**

*(After her memory trip is over, Sofia, starting to feel better, wipes her tears away with her handkerchief)*

Sofia: (Starting to feel better slowly while fiddling her handkerchief after finishing wiping her eyes, to her friends) Everyone, thanks for returning the favor to comfort me back. *(To Namine)* And you, Namine.

*(Donald suddenly noticed something behind the group and asked)*

Donald: What are you crying for?

*(The group and even Sofia, now cheered up slowly, got confused)*

Louis: But you saw Sofia just….

Donald: Not her, you palooka! Them.

*(They noticed and saw Razoul and Fat Tony's gang moved to tears from the whole thing)*

Johnny: (Crying) Because that was the saddest story I ever heard!

*(He buries his face in his hands, turned away, kneeled down, and cried his eyes out)*

Legs: (Crying) We had no idea you had it rough!

Louie: (Crying) So please, Sofia, do what your friends say and don’t cry anymore!

*(The group continued to watch in confusion)*

Razoul: (Crying) We'll let you go free since you don't work for the Sorceress and Sly Fox and I'll let you see the Wizard like I told him! So go to him!

Fat Tony: (Crying) And Sofia, about what you just said about losing your mother; My men and I also miss our mothers, too!

*(The five cried as they backed off. Surprised and happy now, the group and even Sofia got up and Sofia puts her handkerchief back in their pocket)*

Sofia's group: Thank you.

*(Razoul and Fat Tony's gang eased their crying down calmly as they let Sofia's group leave the dungeon)*

Fat Tony: (Calming his crying down) I ain't cried like this since I paid to see "Godfather III."

*(Once out of the dungeon and at the gates, Sofia's Kansas group turned to the rest of the group happily)*

Sofia's Kansas group: Shall we?

Rest of Sofia's group: Yep!

*(The group then gathered their courage and entered past the gates slowly, finally going to see the Wizard)*

***Coming up: Sofia’s group finally present their dreams to the Wizard himself, but then he agrees to give them their dreams, on the condition that they kill the Sorceress and Sly Fox, bring him the Sorceress’ wand, and find the lost princess and the stolen DNA matcher that will determine if Namine is the lost princess. Later, Sofia's group redevelop their confidence by their own encouragements.***