The Most MARVELOUS Time of the Year

[muppetwriter]

What is the first Christmas story to "The MARVELOUS Muppets" series is also the first story for my spinoff series, "The MARVELOUS Mini's." And it'll be split up into parts instead of the usual chapters to distinguish the fact that it is a short story.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[muppetwriter]

Part One​

Stanley Thomas was the most unique member of the Thomas family, if not the youngest. He was an adopted six-year-old muppet with brown-colored skin, short and curly black hair, and tiny, black eyes that matched with his tiny appearance. Born in San Francisco, Stanley came to New York City for the first time in his short life during Christmastime, being accompanied by his two cousins, Sean and Lori. The trip was sort of a Christmas present from his cousins, as they were taking him to the premiere of the Manhattan Melodies reunion performance at the Muppet Theatre.

“Oh! Oh! Look at that!” Stanley shouted, pointing at the huge Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center, which they passed by in a taxicab on the morning of Christmas Eve. “Where do they find trees that big anyway?” Lori playfully rubbed her fingers through Stanley’s curly hair, enjoying his excitement.

“Abnormal trees like that grow in the North Pole and are brought to Manhattan by Santa, twelve days before Christmas.” She told him.

“Seriously?!” Stanley exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Lori remarked. “You think he only comes to this city during Christmas? New York’s special like that, kid.” As Stanley smiled at her, she looked towards Sean, who was gawking at her strangely. “What? That’s what Mama used to tell us.”

“And you still believe that?” Sean asked her.

“Well…” Lori seemed rather sheepish as she gave out her answer. “You can never stop believing in someone as marvelous as Santa Claus.” Sean just looked at her blankly for a moment and then put on a little smile, pleased to see how much his sister hadn’t changed since their childhood. When he turned towards the window and looked out at the street corner they were passing through, he was surprised to see one particular building on that corner.

“Driver, pull over here!!” Sean shouted, and the cab driver immediately parked the vehicle to the side, allowing Sean, Lori, and Stanley to jump out and walk right into the building, which turned out to be the Daily Bugle building to Lori and Stanley.

“Is this the Muppet Theatre, Lori?” Stanley asked, as they followed Sean into the elevator.

“Not exactly, Stan,” Lori replied. “But it’s just as marvelous.” Once the three arrived at the top floor of the building, they stepped out to quite a familiar atmosphere: several staff members rushing around from place to place and running errands. Passing through the large, crowded area, Stanley gazed at some of the faces of the staff members, who either smiled or gave a friendly wave at the six-year-old muppet child. When the three came near the entrance to J. Jonah Jameson’s office, they met up with Betty Brant, who was more than happy to see Sean and Lori again.

“I don’t believe it!” She exclaimed. “The Thomas siblings are back in the Bugle, after three years!”

“Three years?” Lori said, looking at her wristwatch. “Man! Time is going by really fast!” Betty stepped out from behind her desk and hugged the two former reporters, before she noticed a new face that belonged to none other than Stanley.

“And who’s this little cutie?” Betty asked.

“He’s our little man from San Fran named Stan.” Sean said, which he was surprised to have been able to say. “Could you watch over him for a sec, Betty? We have to see Jonah.”

“We?” Lori said, obviously confused.

“Coming back to N.Y.C. at this time of year has reminded me of how much fun we used to have, before we quit and went to San Fran.” Sean told Lori. “I want to go back to the beginning and start all over again.”

“And you came to this decision before or after we got off the plane?” Lori asked, looking excited and confused at the same time.

“Well, if you two are coming back, then I hope you’re up to the competition, which is growing by the second.” Betty said, and she gestured to the window of Jonah’s office, where the Bugle’s publisher was talking to a peculiar group of characters (a blue mouse, two purple otters, a bear cub, a lemur, and a big, orange bear) who all were signing up for jobs. “They come from a town called Woodland Valley, just a few miles from Westchester. According to the big one, they have some experience working in the field of journalism, with their famous Woodland Valley Gazette paper.” Lori raised an eyebrow at the characters in Jonah’s office.

“Man! Jonah would hire just about anybody!” Lori commented.

“Well, they can have whatever position they want, soon long as Lori and I can get ours back.” Sean said, right before he took his sister by the hand and led her into the office, leaving Betty with Stanley.

“I didn’t have the heart to also tell them that Eddie Brock Jr. is joining the staff as well.” Betty uttered.

“I know him.” Stanley said. “Cousin Lori and Cousin Sean used to work with him. They were always talking about how much of a jerk he is when it comes to journalism.”

“That’s why I didn’t have the heart to tell them.” Betty remarked.

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[muppetwriter]

Part Two​

With a lot of convincing, Sean and Lori were able to get back their jobs at The Daily Bugle. However, it came with a price. The two had to take on apprentices in the form of the new reporters from Woodland Valley: Tutter, Ojo, Treelo, Pip, Pop, and Bear. And because they were going to be their apprentices, they had to be by their side at all times, except for that particular day, when the siblings and their cousin were on their Christmas vacation. Soon after the meeting, the three came out of the building and literally bumped into a group of characters that were each carrying wrapped-up presents, knocking them all over the sidewalk.

“Hey, bub!” One of them exclaimed. “Why don’t ya watch where ya goin’?” Sean, Lori, and the people they bumped into had immediately started picking up the scattered presents.

“We’re sorry, sir.” Sean remarked. “We are just so…” Once Sean and Lori looked at the faces of the strangers they had bumped into, they were surprised to see how the strangers were actually Wolverine and Storm of the X-Men, accompanied by their newest members: Gobo Fraggle, Wembley Fraggle, Mokey Fraggle, Red Fraggle, and Boober Fraggle. “Hey, I know you guys!”

“Doesn’t surprise me, after what we’d been through months ago in San Francisco.” Wolverine said.

“That’s where we know you guys from.” Lori said. “We were living in San Fran at the time of that ‘Mutant Cure’. If it hadn’t been for you X-Men, Magneto and his army would’ve wiped us out for sure.” The X-Men and the Fraggles never wanted to be reminded of the incident, especially during the holiday season.

“We were just doing what Charles Xavier would’ve wanted us to do.” Storm said.

“Yeah, we don’t think it’s right for humans and mutants to fight.” Gobo remarked. “It causes too much chaos and destruction.”

“And it tears apart everything that the world has worked so hard to bring up over the centuries.” Mokey added. “This a special time of year for peace amongst everyone, including people like ourselves. But it would be much more marvelous if every part of the year was as peaceful as this for us.”

“Hasn’t it been, Mokey?” Red asked. “Ever since that incident, we’ve been getting the respect we mutants deserve.”

“Yeah, just the other day, a complete stranger gave me this nice sweater.” Wembley said, indicating the Christmas sweater that he was wearing at that time.

“And someone donated some gifts that everyone back at the mansion will really enjoy by Christmas.” Boober said. “I can’t wait to see the look on Beast’s face, when he gets that rare copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy that he had been searching for.” Sean and Lori smiled, happy to hear about some of the nice deeds that the mutants had received.

“You Fraggles are forgetting one important thing: it’s Christmas.” Wolverine contradicted. “After the season’s over, things are gonna go right back where they started.”

“Have faith, Logan.” Mokey urged.

“That’s what Xavier would want us to have.” Gobo said, and thinking about his old mentor only made Wolverine more discouraged, remembering the last time that he had seen him.

“Let’s just get back home.” He said, taking the last bit of gifts that had fallen to the ground and walking away, while Storm and the Fraggles remained where they were.

“It’s the first Christmas without the Professor, so he has a good reason to be acting like a scrooge this year.” Storm indicated.

“We understand.” Sean said. “And we hope that things continue to work out for you all.”

“Thank you, sir.” Gobo remarked. “And…Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” Sean said, and he watched with Lori and Stanley as Storm and the Fraggles followed Wolverine down the sidewalk, thinking about what kind of Christmas the mutants were going to have.

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[muppetwriter]

Part Three​

There was only seven hours left until the Manhattan Melodies reunion performance at the Muppet Theatre started, and Lori and Sean knew that they had plenty of time until then. So they had asked Stanley if there was any particular place in Manhattan that he wanted to visit for the first time. And the place that the child had pointed to, when the three of them had passed by it in a taxi, was the largest toy store in the city. It was there that the group came across the gang from Sesame Street who was in line to see Santa Claus.

“Long time, no see.” Sean uttered, as they approached them. “How have you all been lately?”

“It’s been great, Mr. Thomas.” Big Bird said. “This is the first Christmas that Gina’s new baby, Marco, is going to be spending with us.” Sean, Lori, and Stanley noticed the Guatemalan baby that Gina the veterinarian was holding and all smiled.

“Oh! He is so precious!” Lori exclaimed, tickling Marco’s little chin. “He reminds me of how Stanley looked at that age.”

“I was never that small.” Stanley said.

“No, sweetie,” Lori uttered, “You were smaller.” The S.S. gang spotted Stanley and was excited to see a new face amongst the Thomas siblings.

“Is this a brother that we never met before?” Gordon asked.

“Close. He’s our cousin.” Sean told Gordon.

“He’s just as cute as Marco is.” Maria commented, making Stanley blush a little bit.

“I think he’s just as cute as any baby that was and is on Sesame Street.” Luis said, motioning towards Gaby and Miles as he said that. “Especially these two.”

“Do you like triangles, Stanley?” Telly asked, and Stanley smiled.

“Oh, I sure do.” Stanley said. “They remind me so much of pepperoni pizza…the best thing in the whole world, next to Spider-Man!”

“Ah! Not that web-head again!” Oscar bellowed, from inside the trashcan that he was carrying with him.

“As a fan of the great and ever-so-cute Super Grover, I must ask you this one little question, Stanley.” Grover said. “Who would you think win in a race: Super Grover or Spider-Man?” Stanley didn’t take one second to think over his answer.

“Oh, definitely Spider-Man.” He said, and for a moment, Grover thought he answered the opposite hero.

“Naturally, you would say…Spider-Man?!?!” Grover exclaimed. “Why would you choose him?!?!”

“Because he has super fast reflexes and Super Grover is just really clumsy.” Stanley said, much to Grover’s displeasure.

“I think I am ready to see Santa now.” Grover said, facing away from Stanley, while Elmo and Zoe addressed him.

“If Stanley really likes Spider-Man, then he’ll be happy to hear a little secret from Elmo and everybody else, if Stanley promises not to tell anybody.” Elmo said, sparking the interest of not only Stanley, but Lori and especially Sean (who was afraid that it might’ve been the secret that he knew about) as well.

“Yeah,” Zoe said. “It turns out that Spider-Man is just…” Before Zoe could have finished, the sound of youths screaming nearby interrupted her, catching the attention of shoppers everywhere.

“LET IT GO!!!!”

“NO! IT’S MINE!!!!”

Sean, Lori, and Stanley turned their heads towards the area where the screams were coming from, seeing a teenage boy with blonde hair fighting over a game system with a teenage girl with red hair. Behind the two were their friends, another redheaded teenager who was the boy’s friend and four girls (two of African and Chinese backgrounds and others that were blonde and light brown-haired) who were the girl’s friends, each urging the two to stop their nonsense.

“Ron, just be a gentleman and let her have it!” The boy’s friend said. “It’s really no big.”

“Not happening, K.P.!” Ron shouted. “I’ve waited too long for this, and I’m not gonna let some loser have it!”

“Oh, you’ve done it now, my friend!!” The girl yelled. “Nobody…and I mean nobody…calls Will Vandom a loser!”

“Trust me. I learned the hard way on that life lesson.” The girl with the light brown hair had uttered.

“Is a Playstation 3 really worth all of this?” The blonde girl asked.
“It does when it matters on getting the perfect present for little Robin.” The Chinese American girl responded.

“I don’t see why we just can’t get him an Xbox 360.” The African American girl suggested. “It’s really much cheaper.”

“Our friendship with Robin the Frog is not a cheap thing!” Will screamed, and mentioning the name of Kermit the Frog’s nephew helped Kim Possible realize who actually deserve the game system more. She immediately slapped Ron’s hands, forcing him to let go of the system and making Will fall back and land on her butt. “Ha! I got it!”

“Only because you brought up the name of the nephew of a dear friend of ours.” Kim told Will. “We planned on getting him the same present.”

“No, we didn’t.” Ron said, before Kim elbowed him in the ribs. “Uh, I mean…yeah, we did.”

“Seriously?” Will said, as she got to her feet. “Wow. Talk about an ironic situation.” She looked down at the thing that had caused the commotion, realizing how much her ridiculous attitude embarrassed her. “Listen, you guys go ahead and take it. At least he’ll be getting it.”

“Boo-yah!” Ron shouted, and he was about to take the system, until Kim stepped in front of him. “Hey!”

“Trust us. It’d be nicer if it came from you girls.” Kim said.

“I’D BE WILLING TO TAKE IT OFF YOUR HANDS!!!!” One shopper screamed from across the mall.

“Bloo! Keep out of other people’s business and follow us out!” The shopper’s punk rock companion said, as they left the mall.

“I have an idea.” The Chinese American girl said. “How ‘bout we just all pitch in and give it to the little guy?”

“That’s a good idea.” Will said.

“Yeah, that would be awesome.” Kim agreed.

“But what about…” Ron was interrupted again, as Kim elbowed him in the ribs again. “You know, it’s gonna be hard for me to breathe anymore, if you keep doin’ that.” While the teenagers all pitched in to purchase and wrap up the game system, Sean and Lori shook their heads at the display.

“Why can’t things ever be like the days of the first Nintendo?” Lori asked.

“My thoughts exactly.” Sean replied.

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[muppetwriter]

Sorry it took a little long. Getting some Christmas shopping done.

Part Four​

After a visit to the Sesame Street neighborhood and doing a little socializing and ice-skating with the locals for a while, the Thomas siblings and their cousin had found themselves left with four hours until the show. They knew that they had to get to their old (literally old) home at the Happiness Hotel, which looked more dingy than ever during Christmastime. Upon arriving at the Hotel, the three found the building decorated with lights (some of which blinked but weren’t supposed to and had broken bulbs), snow covered with filth that turned it from white to gray, and a withered reef hung on the front door.

“The place never looked so ‘happy’ during the holidays.” Sean said, as they went through the front door and came into a house that was filled with Muppets from the KMUP station, one of which was Clifford, who was happy to see Sean and Lori arrived.

“Yo! If it ain’t my main man, Sean, and his fine woman of a sister, Lori!” He shouted, hugging them as he noticed Stanley. “And who’s the little man?”

“That’s our cousin, Stanley.” Sean told Clifford, who shook Stanley’s hand as Sean spoke. “He’s coming to stay here at the Hotel with us.”

“You mean if there’s a hotel left to stay in.” Clifford contradicted, while Sean was looking around a partially emptied Hotel, spotting the skimpy Christmas tree located in the corner of the living room, decorated with the Hotel residents’ laundry (things like long underwear and baseball caps had been used for tinsel), leftover appetizers, and a bug zapper for the star (with all of the flies in the Hotel, it zapped every two seconds).

“You never had one left to begin with.” Sean commented, and Clifford chuckled. “You guys never failed in giving the audience what they want. I’m certain the show will pay off any foreclosure notices that Bitterman throws at ya.”

“What’s wrong with that woman anyway?” Lori asked. “Can’t she find anything else better to do on Christmas than ruin people’s lives?”

“The witch lives for the thrill of making everyone miserable, babe.” Clifford stated. “She tried that one Christmas in 2002 and came very close to putting us out of business. That’s why she’s comin’ after us again. She’s only a step away from accomplishing her goal and thinks the best target is the Happiness Hotel…the only home we have.”

“What about that boarding house that Kermit’s been thinking of purchasing?” Sean asked.

“Gotta have the right dough first to buy a house like that.” Clifford replied.

“Well, I’ve got a strong feeling you all are gonna get it, with this new show premiering tonight.” Lori said. “This Bitterman has no clue how inseparable and invincible you Muppets are.”

“Inseparable, yes.” Clifford remarked. “Invincible…whatcha talkin’ about?” Before anyone could say another word, the doorbell rang and suddenly made a large chunk of the roof to fall and nearly crash on Stanley.

“You okay, sweetie?” Lori asked him.

“Yeah, I’m good.” Stanley acknowledged, a little shaken but unharmed, while Sean went to the door and answered it. When he saw Rachel Bitterman standing on the doorstep, he immediately slammed the door shut.

“Looks like the biggest roach in the Hotel decided to live outside.” Sean uttered, although he knew he was unsuccessful in urging Bitterman away by his rude slamming.

“That’s okay.” Bitterman said from outside. “I’ll just post another foreclosure notice to remind the wreckers of which building to tear down.” Lori, obviously upset about what nearly happened to Stanley, walked up to the door and opened it again, staring Bitterman straight in the eye.

“What do ya want, tramp?” Lori asked.

“I just thought I’d come by and wish my little green friend good luck on his pathetic reunion show.” Bitterman said, as she strolled into the lobby. Lori wanted so desperately to kick her butt, despite the fact that Bitterman was a few inches taller than her. “Of course, who would really care about a stupid remake of a stupid Broadway show that’s past its prime?”

“Shows what you know, Miss B.” Lori said. “Sean, our cousin, and I passed by the Muppet Theatre earlier today, and according to the marquee, the show is sold out.” Bitterman had shown a very small sign of intimidation at that news, thinking that her plans would be foiled just like that last Christmas. But the wicked banker always had another ace up her sleeve.

“Like that’s really supposed to sound marvelous!” She yelled, hysterically. “Tons of shows and movies get sold out on the first night, but no one ever comes back the next to the same thing. I’d give it a day before it gets canceled and people start askin’ for their money back.”

“Tonight’s the reunion show, Rachel.” Sean stated. “It’s sort of like the teaser trailer for the actual Manhattan Melodies II show, which starts the week after.”

“You’re just adding on to my point, Thomas!” Rachel snapped. “Why would anyone want to see something as stupid as ‘teaser show’?”

“You wanna know why, Bitterman? Because Muppets rule!” Lori stated. “Nobody cares about what kind of show it’s going to be, as long as it has the Muppets in it!”

“The marquee said Mickey Mouse is going to be there as well.” Stanley mentioned. “I’d go see a show with Mickey Mouse and Kermit the Frog on the same stage.”

“Yeah, you would, kid! Seeing as how you’re one of them!” Bitterman bantered, causing Lori to go into frenzy and charge at her. Sean, who wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her away from Bitterman, stopped her.

“You’d better recognize, tramp!!” Lori screamed, as she struggled under her brother’s grasp. “Don’t nobody talk to my cousin like that!” And just like the news about the show selling out, Bitterman was not intimidated by Lori’s rants.

“Please. I’d rather get my butt kicked by the pig.” Bitterman said.

“That can be arranged, you know.” Clifford said.

“Whatever!” Bitterman snapped, looking around at the dingy interior of the Hotel. “Look, it’s obvious that Kermit and the other pathetic puppets are at the Theatre and not this dump. So, I’ll be seeing ya at the show.” She walked back towards the door, passing by the glaring eyes of the people around her. “It won’t be hard to find me. I’ll be the only one sitting in the audience.”

“Don’t you mean ‘standing’, Rachel?” Sean said, as he let go of Lori and stood near Bitterman, who was at the doorstep and looking awkwardly at Sean.

“No…I mean ‘sitting,’ like in my booty touching the seat.”

“With your big booty, there’s not a seat in the house that it can touch.” And before Rachel Bitterman could’ve come up with a good comeback, Sean slammed the door in her face again, turning and smiling at his friends, who smiled in return. “Let’s get ready to meet the Muppets on the muppet show tonight, shall we?”

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[ReneeLouvier]

Awesome work MW! It's the perfect tone for the Christmas Holidays!

 

[The Count]

Isn't it? Was laughing at that ending with Rachael Bitterman... And amazed that J3 would cave in and hire someone he fired before. He's probably unhappy his staff's growing, cause though it's growing that means more salaries to give out.
Pepe: I likes the celeries... Is like moneys?
Hush... Now if you could, please post more soon.

 

[muppetwriter]

Thanks for the great comments. This is my first Christmas story on MC, and I wanted it to be a memorable one.

Yeah, I pretty much just had Jonah realize that his best reporters had left the newspaper and went to start a new show on Broadway, so he needed his old ones back on the team with some fresh, partially experienced reporters. That's how I intend on connecting the Bear in the Big Blue House characters with much of the other characters in the storyline, since Lori and my character already know everyone.

I'll have the last two parts of this short story posted hopefully tomorrow. I'm done with my Christmas shopping, so I should have plenty of time on my hands.

 

[muppetwriter]

Part Five​

It was indeed a full house at the Muppet Theatre on that evening. Everyone in the city of Manhattan had come to see the Muppets (with help from Mary Jane Watson and a handful of highly popular Disney stars) perform in what would be the pre-show for the sequel to Manhattan Melodies. A lot of friends that the Muppets made through the years were there, including the ones that they had made in recent years, such as Peter Parker, Betty Ross, Bruce Banner, Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm, and Tony Stark.

The Thomas siblings and their cousin, all dressed perfectly for the occasion, were surprised to see that many people there, even though they had anticipated on it. Lori and Sean greeted Peter Parker, their old friend from the Daily Bugle who was there mostly to encourage his girlfriend, Mary Jane. What was interesting about their reunion was the fact that Tony Stark was present at the time and expressed a huge interest in seeing Scooter perform.

“I never realized Scooter was your favorite Muppet, Mr. Stark.” Sean said, as he slightly adjusted the red tie of his tuxedo.

“I never realized that you were a Muppet fan in general.” Lori uttered, while she had done a little adjusting to the short skirt of her tight black dress that she felt a little uncomfortable in. She was so used to wearing blue jeans and blouses that she kind of felt out of place in her formal attire.

“I’m an admirer of their many talents,” Stark said. “But you really have to give it up for their ‘gofer’, Scooter. That kid has a lot of passion in his singing and dancing. It’s just…well…marvelous.” As Stark walked away from them, Lori and Sean just stared at him strangely, wondering if the businessman had some sort of fetish with the Muppet character. What they didn’t know (next to the fact that he was actually the Invincible Iron Man who they used to write about in the Bugle) was that he was the “father” of Scooter, who didn’t know himself.

An hour later, the show had finally begun with an introduction by Mickey Mouse, who basically told what the audience had already known about the Muppets. He started saying how they were the characters that would transform a cloudy day into a sunny one, with their wild antics and great humor, and mentioning about the magic they keep within them that was just as strong as the mouse himself and his Disney friends. Mickey then reminisced about his first encounter with the Muppets years ago at Disney World.

“I can tell ya this much, folks,” Mickey said. “If this were Orlando and we were all celebrating the night before Christmas, just like we are now, then I could only imagine how much more marvelous it would be for us all to be here…together again.” And with those last two words to come out of the mouse’s mouth, Kermit came out on stage and stood next to Mickey, who he sang happily with.

“Together again…Gee, it’s great to be together again.” Kermit sang.

“I just can’t imagine that you’ve ever been gone.” Mickey sang. “It’s not starting over, it’s just going on!” Goofy and Donald, who entered from stage left, then joined Mickey and Kermit, singing as well.

“Together again! Now we’re here and there’s no need remembering when.” Gonzo and Fozzie came out from stage right and joined Goofy and Donald, as they all sang together.

“‘Cause no feeling feels like that feeling! Together again!” As the characters kicked it up a notch on their performance by parting the huge, red curtains and revealing a replica of the old Manhattan Melodies set, the audience roared with applause, much to the displeasure of Rachel Bitterman, who was sitting close to the stage. Several Muppet and Disney characters joined together, as they sang a number of memorable songs.

“Look at us! Here we are! Right where we belong! The curtains’ up and the lights are bright, and they’re playing our old song!” While the characters were performing on stage, the Electric Mayhem was in the orchestra pit and performing the music. Mickey Mouse was playing conductor for them, while Kermit the Frog was on stage, dressed in his colorful, sparkling Manhattan Melodies tuxedo.

“What better place could anyone be? ‘Cause you’re here with me!” Kermit sang, just as Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, Scooter, and his other Muppet friends, who all provided backup singing, accompanied him.

“So here we go! Let’s start the show!” While the curtains had closed again and the audience applauded, Rachel Bitterman got out of her chair and headed backstage. From his own seat, Peter Parker noticed what she was doing and figured that it couldn’t have been anything good, knowing much about Rachel Bitterman from Mary Jane. As Peter got out of his chair and headed out of the theatre, a large cardboard cutout of an airplane appeared on stage, with Robin the Frog, Launchpad McQuack, and Donald Duck’s nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) standing behind it and singing their rendition of “Movin’ Right Along.”

“Movin’ right along in search of good times and good news,” Huey sang.

“With good friends, you can’t lose,” Dewey sang.

“This could become a habit.” Louie sang.

“Opportunity just knocked, let’s reach out and grab it, together we’ll nab it.” Robin sang.

“Yeah! We’ll hitchhike, bus, or yellow cab it.” Launchpad sang, and the nephews looked at him oddly.

“Cab it?!”

“You’ve got it.” Launchpad said, and they slowly started moving along with the cardboard cutout, as they finished their song.

“We’re movin’ right along! Foot-loose and fancy free! Gettin’ there is half the fun; come share it with me.” Once Launchpad and the nephews were off the stage, the curtains opened again and revealed a replica of the dinner club that Kermit and Piggy danced in during their muppet caper in London years ago. They danced just like before, wearing the same outfits, and joined by popular Disney couples (from Belle & Beast to Prince Eric & Ariel) who danced as well, while Mary Jane Watson sang in the background.

“The first time you see her, no bolt from the blue. Just something so quiet, that’s waiting for you.” Mary Jane sang, while the couples danced across the ballroom replica. “With no one to tell you, where you’ve got to go. The first time it happens, you know…” Then it was Piggy and Kermit turn to sing, as they moved in and out between other twirling couples.

“The first time together…how simple, how rare.” They both sang.

“And just when you thought, you’d forgot how to care.” Piggy sang.

“And though you feel much more than you’d dare to show.” Kermit sang, and everyone on stage joined them afterwards, as they concluded.

“The first time it happens, you know.” The curtains closed once again to allow Gonzo to step on stage, while being accompanied by a little Hawaiian girl named Lilo and an alien known as either “Experiment 626” or simply “Stitch,” as they sang one of Gonzo’s personal favorite songs.

“This looks familiar…vaguely familiar. Almost unreal…yet, it’s too soon to feel yet. Close to my soul, and yet so far away. I’m going to go back there someday.” Gonzo sang, and Lilo sang after him, with Stitch howling softy as she did.

“Come and go with me, it’s more fun to share. We’ll both be completely at home in midair.” Lilo sang. “We’re flyin’, not walkin’, on featherless wings. We can hold onto love like invisible strings.” And both Lilo and Gonzo finished the song together.

“There’s not a word yet…for old friends who’ve just met. Part heaven, part space…or have we found our place? You can just visit, but we plan to stay. We’re going to go back there someday. We’re going to go back there…someday.” After they had finished, the curtains opened behind them, revealing a replica of the street corner that the Muppets sang in from their caper. Kermit, Mickey, Fozzie, Donald, and Goofy joined Gonzo, Lilo, and Stitch, as they all sang a different version to “Hey, A Movie!”

“It can be spectacle! It can be fantasy! But there can be only one word to describe it, you see.” Kermit sang, and several characters popped up in places behind them, shouting out the chorus.

“HEY, IT’S MARVELOUS!!!”

“Yeah! That’s exactly what they are!” Mickey, Goofy, and Donald sang, pointing at Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo.

“They call us ‘MARVELOUS Muppets’!” The Muppets sang. “MARVELOUS Muppets!”

“You see.” Kermit sang, and while they were performing, Rachel Bitterman was backstage, sneaking past the personnel and approaching the control box. She figured that if the power had been shut down, then there would be no more show and everyone would complain about his or her time and money being spoiled. As she made her attempt, the Muppets and their Disney friends continued singing onstage.

“There have been heroes told, while we prove some comedy.” Fozzie sang. “And together we confront dangerous situations that ends happily!”

“And that’s what makes them so MARVELOUS!” Everyone sang.

“With friends like Mickey Mouse, you can’t go wrong.” Kermit sang.

“They call us ‘MARVELOUS Muppets’! MARVELOUS Muppets!”

“You see.” Mickey sang, just as Muppet versions of certain superheroes (such as Iron Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four, and X-Men) came out on stage. The Muppet version of Spider-Man ran into a little trouble with his tights backstage.

“We’ll save the world, kicking bad guys in the rear!” The Muppet heroes sang. “And the MARVELOUS Muppets will join in, lending a helpful ear!” That was when Muppet versions of certain super-villains (i.e. Green Goblin, Magneto, Dr. Doom, and Doc Ock) came out on stage and “battled” the Muppet heroes. Gonzo pitched in to help the Muppet heroes by flashing the light from his camera in the villains’ eyes to blind them, while Miss Piggy came in and karate chopped them all away. The comedic display was enough to make the audience laugh and applaud at the same time.

“We’ve faced goblins and octopuses! Mutants that are electric and magnetically! But with all we’ve faced before, the threat was all too easily!” Miss Piggy sang.

“And that’s why they’re so MARVELOUS!!” Everyone sang.

“Yeah! We make Stan and Jim proud!” Gonzo sang.

“Because we’re MARVELOUS Muppets! MARVELOUS Muppets!”

“You see.” Fozzie sang, and as the characters tap-danced on stage, Rachel Bitterman was about to shut off all the power in the theatre, until two web strands hit both of her hands and stopped her from doing so. She looked up towards the rafters and saw none other than the real Spider-Man there, with both of his wrists stretched out. The web-slinger then jumped from the rafters and, using his own body weight, hurled Bitterman’s body into the rafters as he had fallen towards the stage.

Once Spidey was on stage and Bitterman was hanging in one section of the rafters, he fired four huge, sticky globs that connected to her feet and hands and stuck her against two metal beams. With Bitterman’s threat adverted, Spider-Man found himself in the middle of the show, much to the excitement of the adoring audience that roared with applause. The performers, including Mary Jane, were caught by surprise over the hero’s sudden appearance, but knew that it went well with their big finale.

“It’s invincible! It’s amazing! It’s fantastic, uncanny, and even incredible!” Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo sang.

“But is it MARVELOUS?” Everyone sang.

“Of course! Just look at who’s involved!” Mary Jane sang, standing next to a star struck Spider-Man.

“They call us ‘MARVELOUS Muppets’! MARVELOUS Muppets! MARVELOUS Muppets!”

“You see.” Kermit finished, and the audience applauded even louder, giving a standing ovation for the fine performers. Lori and Sean smiled, as they saw how much of a success the reunion show had become and were certain that the audience would enjoy the sequel to Manhattan Melodies. The Muppets helped the crowd see that their money was well worth spent, and with it, they could pay off their foreclosure and keep the Happiness Hotel. But though that was the result of their success, the real award was becoming the popular performers that they once were, only more marvelous.

TO BE CONCLUDED...​

 

[The Count]

This was... Simply... Vonderful!!!
So many memories from Muppet movies past... And the interactions with Muppets and Disney... Loved the ballroom scene, and the Muppet versions of the heroes and villains. Hmmm, I wonder if any of the Muppet mutants who auditioned and were rejected for X-Men 3 were there.
*Check out Muppet Wika's From the Balcony Character section.

Hey, we're not gonna let ol' webhead grab the spotlight, are we guys?
Heck no bub.
Susan, are you there? I can never tell when you turn invisible on me.
Hulk go onstage with friends from the Muppets!

Waiting for the finale, much like tomorrow's shows.