Chapter Eight: Realm D1995
“Pocahontas, this is crazy! We have to warn the village
of him!”
Standing in a clearing within the forest, Pocahontas and
Nakoma observed the peculiarly dressed man that was Steve Rogers. Both native
girls were baffled by his presence more than they were over his attire, yet
Pocahontas remained the only one of the two of them to be heavily intrigued,
circling around Steve with great curiosity. She lightly touched Steve’s helmet,
her hand retreating when she felt its texture, which was unusual to her. Seeing
how curious she was about the helmet, Steve removed it from his head and
exposed his short blond hair to the surprised native girls.
“It’s my helmet.” Steve said, handing it over for
Pocahontas to analyze and even try on for herself. Rogers chuckled from the way
Pocahontas looked with his helmet over her
head. “It’s a good look for you.” His attention was directed away from
Pocahontas as he felt something climb up his leg and onto the belt of his suit.
Looking down, he discovered Meeko, Pocahontas’s raccoon friend, searching
through the pockets on his belt; obviously, he was searching for food. Steve
snickered, removing Meeko from his body and holding him up in his hands. “Won’t
find food there, little buddy. I forgot to bring some with me.”
(Disney Note: Much of this scene mirrors the first meeting between Pocahontas and John Smith, the latter of whom also wore a helmet that fascinated the Disney Princess. Meeko even searches through Rogers for sustenance in similar fashion.)
Hearing this, Meeko squirmed out of Rogers’s grip and
went back to Pocahontas’s side. “Where did you come from?” Pocahontas inquired
as she removed Steve’s helmet from her head.
“Well, uh…that’s kind of hard to explain.” Steve honestly
answered. “Where I come from is very
far.”
“He’s not like us, Pocahontas.” Nakoma warned. “This white
man is an invader to our land. We don’t know what he might do.”
“Ma’am, I assure you that I come in peace.” Rogers
assured.
(Factual Note: "I come in peace" is a stereotypical phrase used in science fiction narratives, in most cases by extraterrestrial visitors upon first meeting the inhabitants of a planet, typically Earth.)
Pocahontas looked long and hard at Rogers; there was
something about this man that she trusted and, despite Nakoma’s warnings, made
her want to learn more about him. Turning to her fellow native, she instructed,
“Go back to the village without me. I’m going to take Steve Rogers somewhere.”
Clearly, this idea was met with skepticism from Nakoma.
“Pocahontas! You can’t…!”
“I will be all right.” Pocahontas assured her.
The confident smile on her face convinced Nakoma that
Pocahontas knew what she was getting herself into. As much as Nakoma tried to keep
her out of trouble, there was just no talking her out of situations that were
clearly not the way of their tribe; after all, her name did mean “Little Mischief.”
(Biographical Note: According to colonist William Strachey, the name "Pocahontas" did mean "Little Wanton," due to her frolicsome nature. The 18th century historian William Stith claimed that the name was originally "Matoax," which the Native Americans carefully concealed from English settlers and changed out of superstitious fear, believing the English would do harm in learning her true name. She only revealed it to them after she had taken her Christian name, Rebecca.)
“Fine.” Nakoma accepted. “But if you don’t come back when
the sun sets, then your father will
be looking for you!”
With that warning established, Nakoma departed from the
clearing and left Pocahontas to deal with Steve. Soon after her departure,
Pocahontas focused her attention back on Rogers. “Come with me,” she beckoned.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Baffled by her request, Steve merely nodded and said,
“O.K.”
Realm D2009
Bruce would not have imagined himself to be standing in
1926 New Orleans when he woke up in the morning. What happened to him
ever since he volunteered for this expedition was nothing short of astonishing.
There he was, walking down a sidewalk and passing by people who were dressed for
the era. It was New Orleans of a different time in a different world, and Bruce
was taking it all in with a huge smile. Of course, he knew that he should have
been looking for Tony Stark, who he figured was probably looking forward to the
next Mardi Gras event.
(Authorial Note: The world of 1926 New Orleans that Bruce Banner has stepped into is based on the 2009 Disney animated feature The Princess and the Frog. Livingston had chosen this setting to place Banner in due to how much it reflects his character - an area with a sense of normalcy that hides a mythical yet monstrous side.)
Just as Bruce crossed a dark alley, he heard someone
whistle his way. Turning his head in the direction of the whistling, he saw a
rather tall and very slender mustachioed African American man with a gap in his
front teeth, purple eyes, a dark maroon undertaker tailcoat, white spats over
black shoes, a purple vest under his coat that did not completely cover his
midriff, a necklace with two crocodile teeth, and a tall black top hat with
skull and crossbones up front and a purple thin feather on top. This man
brandished a cane with a purple globe on top that he pointed at Bruce with and
said, “You look like a gentleman who’s been through quite a bit in his
lifetime.”
(Character Note: Doctor Facilier's physical traits bear a resemblance to Jafar, the main antagonist of Aladdin. His purple eyes are a physical trait that has common association with the Devil.)
Bruce laughed. “You have no idea.”
“Of course I do.” The man stated with a grin. “I know all about you.” He removed his hat,
showing off the huge hairdo he had beneath it, and removed a card out of it,
handing it to Banner. Taking the card, Bruce saw the name “Doctor Facilier”
printed on it with the terms “Tarot Readings,” “Charms,” and “Potions” below
it, as well as the selling tagline “Dreams Made Real.”
(Disney Note: Since his first appearance as the villain of The Princess and the Frog, Facilier has gained critical acclaim and major popularity with Disney fans, making him one of the most popular Disney Villains and a primary member of their franchise.)
Flattered by the offer, Bruce shook his head and politely
declined, knowing a scam when he saw one. “Thanks, but…no thanks.”
As Banner started to walk away, Facilier spoke up again.
“A non-believer, I take it. But we both know what you believe in is much bigger…and greener.”
(Character Note: Facilier is the only pre-established Disney Villain featured in World of Disney so far to have complete knowledge of the realms outside his own, courtesy of his voodoo capabilities.)
Banner stopped in his tracks once he heard Facilier give
a close description of the Hulk, shocked to know that the voodoo bokor knew
that the creature existed. “How do you know…?”
“Ah, ah!” Facilier said, waving a finger at Banner. “If
you wanna find out more, my friend, you’re gonna have to follow me.” He waved on
for Banner to follow him into the alley. Bruce took the bait without having
realized it, following Facilier deep into the alley until they came upon a
courtyard.
Facilier pointed his cane towards a set of skull-shaped
candles, using otherworldly abilities in lighting all of them. Above the
candles was a sign that read “Dr. Facilier’s Voodoo Emporium; and below the
sign was the purple door that led inside the emporium of Doctor Facilier. He
stood beside the door as it opened on its own and told Bruce, “Step inside, Doctor. We have much to discuss.”
(UP NEXT: Two worlds, one family!)
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