Dumbo Gumbo (The Gathering – Part Four)
(The Merged Realms of Tarzan and Dumbo)
(The Merged Realms of Tarzan and Dumbo)
“Can’t believe just how many more worlds have merged now
– especially after we just closed two
rifts that tried to put four other worlds together!”
“I know. It’s starting to become a huge pain in my butt!”
“Yeah. Mine, too.”
Theresa and Tiffany walked through the African jungle
that was a part of the Tarzan side to
the amalgamated worlds between it and Dumbo.
The Dumbo side was there in the
railroad tracks they came across – obvious spots where the Casey Jr. circus
train had passed. The two women had arrived just a short moment ago, responding
to the insanity that plagued the Disneyverse and also brought them together.
They both were aware of each other being reincarnations of their original
entity – Sean Thomas (Tiffany more so than Theresa, being eleven life cycles
ahead of her).
(Biographical Note: "Theresa" and "Tiffany" are based on and inspired by Theresa Rousselot-Vandiver and Tiffany Amber Bertrand respectively. Both good personal friends of Livingston, both women were brought into Tales of the Disneyverse from the random selection of Facebook and Twitter friends conducted during production of the miniseries. However, Theresa has previously collaborated with Livingston on the final story from The Disney Ghostbusters, in which she was portrayed as a half-demon/half-mortal entity that carried the moniker of her real-life stage name.)
There was distinctness to their attires to suit with their
incarnations. Theresa was donned in a paperboy- styled
blue cap with a white crescent moon and stars design and multi-colored scarves
with a long violet boatneck fishnet top featuring a cotton violet boatneck shirt
that had a tendency to fall off one shoulder, a short-pleated tartan style skirt with sewn-in holster
straps that were let down, thigh- high
fishnet stalkings, and knee-high socks under black strapped street stomping
boots with hearts on the soles – all worn beneath a red robe. Tiffany wore a
blue robe with the same white crescent moon and stars design that matched with
Theresa’s hat, gray corduroys, a jean jacket, a flower belt, and a black long
sleeve shirt with ankle boots.
(Character Note: Theresa's character attire is notably different in her first appearance here from her first appearance in the Tales of the Guardians miniseries. In Guardians, her attire is based upon one Theresa had worn for another one of her photo shoots.)
As far as age went, Theresa was noticeably younger in
appearance to Tiffany – looking to be in her early-thirties with bright blue
eyes, long, straight brown hair with strands that covered her right eye, bright
pink lips that glistened, and light skin. Tiffany, somewhere between her early-
to mid-forties in her physical appearance, was curvy and somewhat muscular with
long, straight dark reddish brown hair, long eye lashes, slightly tanned skin,
big blue eyes, and pouty lips, standing slightly taller than Theresa at
five-foot, nine inches.
(Authorial Note: Livingston gave the muses for his characters a chance to provide descriptions of themselves to stay true to their actual appearances. Tiffany's physical characteristics depicted in this scene are based directly from Bertrand's own view of herself.)
“You think he still remembers?” Theresa randomly asked.
Tiffany gawked at her puzzlingly. “He who?”
“Clayton.” Theresa clarified. “We are back in his world. Heck, with all the craziness going on,
what’re the chances we might run into Gigi or our ‘friend’ Agent Livingston?”
Tiffany shook her head negatively. “I highly doubt that
could happen.”
“Could happen?
You said ‘could,’ which means that there’s a chance it can happen.”
(Authorial Note: Livingston originally played with the notion of the rift opening paths into events from previous World of Disney stories, as well as future ones. Theresa and Tiffany's reference to Gigi and Agent Sean Livingston's visit to the Tarzan realm in The Marvelous World: World of Disney 2 pokes at the idea, but it doesn't actually happen. Livingston opted to leave the events untouched for the sake of maintaining continuity.)
“Are we gonna have this conversation all the way to
the—?”
KURR-POW!
The sound of gunfire rang throughout the heavens,
indistinctively stopping Theresa and Tiffany in their tracks to listen and
recognize its register.
“Well…speak of the devil.” Tiffany said with a grin.
“Who’s not to say that blast is what wounded Livingston?”
Theresa indicated.
“Oh, will you stop? It’s dimension-travel, not
time-travel. We rebooted the Disneyverse after we stopped Facilier from taking
it over. Events are just playing out as they’re originally supposed to – end of
story.”
Theresa frowned over her disbelief. “Then how do you explain
us meeting like this? If you’re part
of my future – or one of them,
wouldn’t that make what’s happening here a result of the space-time continuum
in a flux?”
Tiffany moaned. “I suppose you believe in the legend of
Cthulhu, too?”
“Oh, we both
know the answer to that.”
(Biographical Note: In reality, Theresa Rousselot-Vandiver has a fascination with Cthulhu. Livingston picked up on this from her Facebook posts and integrated it for her character, despite her being the reincarnation of his fictionalized self.)
Tiffany knew Theresa got her on that one – regardless of
a difference in personalities, they still shared the same thoughts and beliefs as when they were Sean
Thomas. “Alright. I’ll give ya Cthulhu, but I one-hundred-percent guarantee
that what we’re dealing with now is not
time-tra…”
They both stopped once again when they caught sight of
something that sent chills down their spines: Dumbo himself pinned to the
ground by a large net in a nearby clearing. “Oh, no,” Theresa whispered just as
she and Tiffany rushed to the famous elephant’s aid. Theresa looked into
Dumbo’s teary eyes and saw how much fear was in them. “Poor baby. Who could’ve
done this to him?”
“I can give you one guess, and his name rhymes with
‘Clapton.’”
(Pop Culture Note: This line is an indirect reference to English musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Eric Clapton, whose music has appeared in multimedia, including film and television.)
Theresa was a bit unsettled by her deduction. “Clayton’s
many things, but he isn’t an elephant hunter – he’s a gorilla hunter.”
“He’s a hunter no matter what, and I wouldn’t be
surprised if it were him that trapped
this poor lil’ fella for sport or something far worse.” Tiffany commenced in
using her right index finger in cutting the net ropes, summoning another spell
that enabled her to do so. “Try to keep him calm while I get him free, O.K.?”
Theresa knelt down beside the trapped baby elephant and
gently rubbed her hand up and down his small trunk. “It’s alright, Dumbo. We’re
here to take care of you. Nobody’s gonna hurt you.”
“GET AWAY!”
The loud, furious booming voice immediately prompted
Tiffany and Theresa to stop what they were doing and face the angry speaker.
Both women expected to have seen Clayton standing there in the clearing to
confront them, but they found another Caucasian male entirely. This man looked
just as imposing with low-cropped brown yet slightly grayed hair and stubble
facial hair (a “five o’clock shadow”), standing at average height and build and
wearing nothing more than a red t-shirt, blue jeans, and black boots. There
were dark circles around his dark brown eyes, which made him look threateningly
unhinged.
Theresa clearly did not recognize this man, but Tiffany
seemed to have from the alarmed look on her face. “No…not him…not now,” she muttered whilst gazing upon the
unbalanced stranger.
Hearing her, Theresa looked over to her and saw how
troubled she was. “Tiff? You know this guy?”
“His name’s Michael…he’s another reincarnation.”
(Biographical Note: "Michael" is based on and inspired by Michael Vandiver, the husband of Theresa Rousselot-Vandiver. Other than Livingston himself, Michael is the first male to be included into the series. After casting several women for different roles, Livingston desired to broaden out the genders of his original characters, choosing Vandiver to be the one that would give way for another later in the series with the casting of Jatniel Gonzalez for The Disney Access. The aspect of two characters based on a real-life married couple interested Livingston, particularly since they are both representations of his character.)
Theresa’s eyes grew wide with interest on this
revelation. “H-He’s us? B-But he’s…he’s a guy…a dude! We finally get to be a dude again! Which one is he? Must be
before you since you know—”
“I SAID GET AWAY FROM MY DINNER!” Michael screamed, his
voice hollowed and his eyes glowing white.
Theresa flinched from his intimidating demeanor. “Certainly
not the type to say ‘Please,’ is he?”
“Theresa, there’s something you have to know about this
one – the reason why he’s different from the rest of us, not just from gender: Michael
wasn’t ‘born’ naturally. One of my previous lives – one of your future ones –
tries something dangerous to break the cycle…return us back into Sean Thomas.
The reincarnation was disrupted…and he’s
the result.”
(Narrative Note: Michael's botched reincarnation is the focus of two tales in Tales of the Guardians that center on the death of Tasha and his reincarnation from her attempt to "break the cycle.")
Theresa swallowed very hard, her interest in Michael
quickly transforming into horror as she saw the animalistic expression on his
face. The thing that sickened her most was what he addressed Dumbo as. “And he
wants to eat Dumbo?” Her nurturing
instincts suddenly kicked in as she stepped forward and stood between the
trapped baby elephant and the savage man. “Well, I’ve got news for you, dude:
that ain’t gonna happen!”
(Spoiler Note: The animalistic nature of Michael's reincarnation stems from his "upbringing" by Scar in the Lion King realm, which functions as the setting of his rebirth.)
Her defiance only made Michael even more furious. Letting
out an ungodly howl, he charged at Theresa, just as his body transformed into a
bolt of lightning that struck her and sent her out of the clearing. As Theresa
and Michael vanished beyond a collection of trees, Tiffany looked on
helplessly. She saw the trees violently shift from the unseen battle taking
place between Theresa and Michael – some of them even collapsing. The groans of
both combatants echoed throughout the jungle as blows were received, although
Tiffany heard more grunts from Theresa than Michael. He was clearly getting the
upper hand over her, and Tiffany wanted desperately to step in to help; but she
did not want to abandon Dumbo while he was still under the net.
It was then that she noticed someone passing by from her
left, tossing her something that she barely managed to catch. “Here,” said the
unexpected visitor – a woman wearing a blue silk sweater, a maroon miniskirt,
and a gun belt. “Use that to set the elephant free. I’ll take care of ‘Hungry
Eyes.’”
(Pop Culture Note: Adrienne wittingly references the 1987 song by Eric Carmen that was featured on the soundtrack to the Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey film Dirty Dancing.)
She disappeared into the trees and joined in on the fight
happening within them. Tiffany gazed at the object she tossed to her – a
lightsaber hilt. It was the only evidence she needed to know who the woman was.
“Adrienne!”
“Don’t tell her I said this, but she seriously needs to
prep up on how to get around the Disneyverse again. I’m getting a bit tired of
ending up in the wrong place.”
Tiffany heard the familiar voice speak from behind her
and turned to see Shelly, accompanied by Marla. “Oh, my goodness,” Tiffany
reacted upon seeing two of her previous lives there in the flesh.
Knowing what
Tiffany was, Marla did not hesitate in asking, “Which one are you?”
Tiffany smirked, pointing to herself and answering,
“Fifteen.”
Shelly nearly choked on the chuckle that escaped her
mouth in surprise of Tiffany’s response. “Fifteen?”
“Good lord! It’s never gonna end, is it?” A greatly
distraught Marla uttered.
“What’s Dumbo doing in this net?” Shelly asked while
looking down at the snared baby elephant.
Reminded of why she had the lightsaber hilt in her hand,
Tiffany switched it on, extending the glowing orange blade. She carefully
brought it down to the net and cut through the ropes with great ease, finally
freeing Dumbo. The baby elephant stood right up, gratefully rubbing his small
trunk up at Tiffany’s face; she giggled from the way it tickled her face. “Aww!
You’re welcome, lil’ fella.”
A loud explosion rang from within the trees, bringing
their attention to them as Theresa’s smoking body flew back into the clearing
and landed with a hard thud on the
ground. Shelly instantly recognized the smoking form of her past incarnation
and rushed to her aid. “Theresa! Are you alright?”
Coughing out a puff of smoke that had been trapped in her
mouth, Theresa looked up at the blonde with the aquamarine eyes and said in a
hoarse voice, “Sure. Never better. Just answer me one question: who are you?”
“Oh, great.” Marla said. “She’s got amnesia!”
“No, silly.” Shelly remarked. “She doesn’t know me
because she hasn’t lived as me yet. This woman is who you’re going to become the day your cycle is over.”
Marla curiously looked on at Theresa as she picked her
battered and bruised body up off the ground, with a little help from Shelly.
She admired how much younger and gorgeous she was – even in her damaged state.
Her choice of clothes was something to be determined for Marla though. I must be going through a “punk stage” with
this one, she thought.
Marla’s eyes and those of her fellow reincarnations
refocused on the trees as Adrienne emerged from them, dragging the smoking,
unconscious body of Michael along with her. She roughly threw him down, causing
the back of his head to bounce off the ground, and took a deep, satisfied
breath. “That makes five so far,” she said.
“Is he…dead?” Tiffany asked her, gazing at Michael’s
inert form nervously.
“If he was, then I’d
be standing in his place right now.” Adrienne replied. “And if you think he’s horrible, you should’ve seen me when I came after him.” She took
another deep breath and then said, “Now then, ignoring the fact that I brought
us to the wrong place again, I’m in a
pretty good mood right now and willing to let one of you take us where we need
to be.”
“And where is
it that we need to be exactly?” Theresa inquired.
“Somewhere between the Up and Peter Pan worlds.”
Shelly said. “That’s where the other
four of us are.”
“Four more?”
Theresa exclaimed. “That’s ten
altogether!”
“Eleven actually.” Adrienne corrected. “There’s also
‘Little Miss Thang’ I left back between the Brave
and Sword in the Stone worlds.”
Tiffany was baffled from Adrienne’s reference. “Who?”
“It’ll all make sense later.” Adrienne quickly said.
“Right now, we need to haul it over to Never South America Land and find our
other four selves.”
As Adrienne took command of the group, Theresa felt
something rub against the palm of her right hand. Looking down, she saw Dumbo
gawking up at her with sad baby blue eyes. Her heart sank for the little
elephant, who would be left all alone once she and the other reincarnations
disappeared from the merged worlds. “Wait!” She called to their attention. “We
can’t leave – not without helping Dumbo find his mother.”
Adrienne glared in the direction of Theresa. “What?”
“She’s right.” Marla said. “I’m not just gonna leave this
poor sweet little thing alone like that.”
“Me neither.” Shelly added.
“Yeah. Ditto.” Tiffany made the vote unanimous.
Adrienne groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re
all actually worse than Genevieve!”
Theresa, Marla, Shelly, and Tiffany all reacted to the
name in familiarity, all having heard it like a beacon that called to them and
brought them together as they were that moment. Speaking for herself and her
more agreeable reincarnations, Theresa told Adrienne, “Well, Genevieve sounds
like the wisest one out of all of us…you could learn from her, it sounds.”
(Authorial Note: Livingston had picked Genevieve to be the "unofficial leader" of the reincarnations, believing her prolonged lifelong experience in the worlds in and out of the Disneyverse made her qualified to be the "boss of herself." This aspect changes by the events of Marvel Mayhem, due to the loss of her Guardian power, causing the other reincarnations to appear more independent of themselves.)
Adrienne did not take too kindly to Theresa’s words. She
continued to glare at her as she brutally grabbed the still-unconscious Michael
by his shirt and made both him and herself vanish from the clearing in a quick
flash of light.
The departure of Adrienne brought some comfort over
Shelly, who voiced her disgust over her future reincarnation. “Is it just me or
does anyone else feel like it’s pretty messed up how we’re going to be her one day?”
(UP NEXT: The Unexpected Reincarnation!)
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