Throughout the journey, Shiller couldn't stop thinking about the possibility that Strange had suggested. They had theorized that something as simple as an amusement park was also a magic array, a concept that sounded too absurd to accept.
Firstly, even Strange didn't sense any energy fluctuations here. If these amusement facilities were acting as runes, they should be absorbing and releasing magic energy. However, everything seemed calm and even the Supreme Magician didn't notice anything unusual.
Looking at the map of Magic Kingdom, aside from Main Street, U.S.A. being the main artery, the other five areas were evenly distributed in a circular pattern, which seemed somewhat similar to a magic array.
But this could simply be because humans have a sense of balance and symmetry. The park design could just be using that principle, not necessarily implying the existence of a magic array.
Shiller speculated that if there were indeed magical devices capable of opening portals to other dimensions within Disney World, they would definitely be in the Magic Kingdom, as the answer seemed to be right in the name of the place.
So where exactly could that be?
Once the Unscrupulous Quartet finished their discussion, they scattered. Strange had sensed an increasing concentration of magic energy within the park and deduced it must be coming from the playful Little Wizards.
Although Earth's magic energy levels were fairly high so Strange allowed the little wizards to bring magic wands, they were mostly permitted to toy with the energy, which was only a small amount. After a while, it would run out anyway. But he still needed to keep an eye on them to prevent any reckless beings from harming others using that energy.
Loki had to negotiate with Thanos about the details of setting up a visitor center. Thanos had traveled extensively throughout the cosmos and his opinions were valuable and worth considering.
Nick planned to go and gather information from extraterrestrial visitors, fulfilling his role as the King of Special Agents. He also needed to keep an eye on his agents, to prevent them from becoming too disorderly, so he too departed.
Left alone and having nothing else to do, Shiller decided to look for Stark, who was in Future World, and discuss Strange's idea with him.
At that moment, Stark was at the Buzz Lightyear Shooting Range, drawing a lot of attention by hitting targets with lasers, which triggered applause from the crowd.
But since Stark hadn't eaten much at lunch, he got hungry after a while. While he was picking a flavored sugar cone at an Ice Cream stall, Shiller approached him.
"I suggest you lay off the sugar. You have no idea how sweet this thing is," Shiller said, glancing at the ice cream. "You do know that it's illegal to serve any food in Disneyland without it being packed with sugar, right?"
"I need some sugar right now." Stark took the ice cream from the clerk. "I barely had anything for lunch. Did you join them for a big meal?"
"Not exactly a big meal, but you should have prepared in advance. The American fast food in Disneyland usually isn't very appetizing. You would do better to ask for a steak at a tavern."
"Then let's go. I bet you haven't had tea yet."
"I've had some, but we can still find a place to have a beer. The Liberty Tree Tavern I went to before was pretty decent."
Stark looked at him in surprise and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? It's as though it was you who has been starving all day."
Waving the map in his hand, Shiller said, "We've got a major discovery and we need your genius opinion. Are you in?"
In no time, Stark was on his way with Shiller.
The two went to the Liberty Tree Tavern. After wolfing down an ice cream, Stark stared at the sizzling steak in front of him, hesitant to touch it, fearing he might get a mouthful of grease again.
But hunger was nagging at him, urging him to take whatever nourishment he could get. After a moment of hesitation, Stark cut a piece of steak and put it in his mouth, then found it tasted much better than he expected.
"The steak here is famous, though the quality can be inconsistent, making it less popular. If you're lucky, it can be Michelin rated. Seems like you're quite lucky."
"I think it may just be because I'm really hungry." Stark stubbornly retorted, "The steak from the Stark Group's kitchen is the best, and not any other restaurant could compare. After all, you did eat twelve lambs in one night."
Shiller burst into laughter, took a glass of sparkling water from the waitress, and said, "And I still haven't finished them till today. Lots of restaurants here don't welcome you with your own food."
"Let's focus on the matter at hand." Shiller put the map of Magic Kingdom on the table in front of him and began to present to Stark the theories that Strange had discovered and his own suppositions.
In addition to that, he shared some new ideas he had come up with on the way.
"I think it's unlikely that all the rides in a theme park area have an additional function. There must be one or two key nodes. But rides also differ in their nature. Among them, some share specific attributes."
"For example, both the Merry-Go-Round in Fantasy Island and the spinning teacups in Future World have rotating movements. Both Jungle voyage in Adventure land and Liberty square Riverboat in Liberty Square are boat-related projects. I think this is no coincidence."
"The most compelling evidence is the three mountains. They all have the same characteristics both in names and in the form of the rides, and they are all must-play classic rides, which fits the characteristics of a magic array very well."
After gobbling down his food, Stark swallowed the steak in his mouth, looked at the map on Shiller's table with a frown, and said, "You sure you guys didn't just overthink this?"
"Even assuming Walt Disney did want to build a magic array within the amusement park, who taught him? Did he also encounter a magician at some point?"
However, Shiller brought up another topic, saying, "Do you know about The Shield Brotherhood?"
Stark's brows furrowed deeply as he said, "Nick once mentioned the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. to me. Allegedly, it was formed in ancient times during an alien invasion of Earth by an Egyptian. He established a group called The Shield Brotherhood, which later developed into S.H.I.E.L.D. and SWORD."
"That's right, but what he may not have told you is that many renowned scientists and great figures from history were once members of this organization, such as Zhang Heng, Galileo, Newton, Da Vinci, and so forth. So, is it possible that Walt Disney was also a member?"
"Walt was born in 1901, and during his prime years, The Shield Brotherhood was still in existence. Known as the organization that controlled all of Western history, it would have been unusual for Walt Disney not to have had contact with them during the peak of his reign."
Stark's brows slowly relaxed as he spoke with some hesitation, "I did hear my father mention The Shield Brotherhood a few times, but he always spoke vaguely. He only mentioned that The Shield Brotherhood eventually split up."
"He seemed very disappointed, so I never asked for specifics, and I don't even know when they split apart. All I can say is that if my father could have joined The Shield Brotherhood back then, then certainly Walt Disney could have as well."
"This provides us with a new line of thinking." Shiller pointed to the surface of the map and said, "It's highly likely that Walt Disney obtained certain knowledge from The Shield Brotherhood and then turned every Disneyland around the globe into nodes of a massive magic array."
"But then what is the purpose of this magic array?" Stark was still finding it hard to believe, "The Earth's Magical Defense Network aims to ward off external invasions, S.H.I.E.L.D. and SWORD were established to handle paranormal affairs."
"If the Disneyland established by Walt Disney is also a branch of The Shield Brotherhood, then what is its purpose?"
"Remember how The Shield Brotherhood came to be?" Shiller knocked on the table again, emphasizing, "To counter alien invasions."
"Of course, many mysterious organisations in this world were established for this very reason, after all, from ancient times until now, there have been many aliens that have targeted Earth – it's puzzling why we're so popular."
Stark shook his head and said, "What I'm asking is, if indeed, as you say, all the Disneylands around the world comprise a massive magic array, then how exactly can it play a role in resisting aliens?"
"As we see now, both Loki and Thanos can enter at will, even otherworldly visitors cannot be stopped. So, if these invading aliens attack the park directly, who will be able to resist them? The cartoon characters clad in mascot costumes?"
Shiller suddenly paused, then murmured to himself, "…Perhaps indeed those cartoon characters."
Then he pounded the desk and declared, "I understand it now! That's exactly what's going on!"
Previously, when Shiller drew Mickey Mouse, the castle commandeered all equipment from the level as copyright fees. This time, when he visited Disneyland, Mickey told him not to bother him again if such events occurred in the future.
This obviously suggested that the same Mickey Mouse was keeping tabs on both Shiller and the park. It could likewise be interpreted as the true Disney behind the scenes who, having broken the fourth wall, owns all of Marvel's copyrights.
However, for the Disney in the real world to wield power within comics it would need a spokesperson, naturally appearing in the form of characters in the Marvel universe's Disneyland.
But adhering to Marvel's style, the emergence of any hero must be backed up by a story – organizations are no different. They can't appear out of thin air, there must be an origin and development process.
If this world truly has a superpowered Mickey Mouse, then like a superhero, he most likely has his own origins; and as we all know, the creator of Mickey Mouse and the entire Disney IP was none other than Walt Disney himself.
Mickey Mouse came to be as an animated character created by Walt, so then what were Walt's origins?
Clearly, if like in the real world, he was a normal businessman and animator devoid of superpowers, he couldn't possibly create a Mickey Mouse that leaves the animation and jumps around. He would definitely need to possess some special power.
Just like Newton and Galileo within the Marvel comics, Walt was most likely a superpowered individual amongst superheroes.
Every animated character he created carried responsibilities beyond delighting people – like utilizing Disney's Magic Array that he established to resist alien invasions.
This isn't ridiculous, because as we all know animated characters have infinite possibilities, they are far more formidable compared to regular superheroes, whose powers must make sense.
Walt isn't the first person to invent animations, meaning he must have watched animations - this suggests he was an unrivalled genius filled with ideas.
Only a person that possesses both talent and inspiration could come up with the idea of using a band of carefree animated characters to defend Earth after gaining superpowers.
This is a terrific idea. Shiller thought, perhaps what we're calling Disneyland was created by Walt Disney as a residence for his animated elves, and they will serve as the final defense line for Earth.
Moreover, it's even possible that Walt Disney intended Disneyland to be the final battlefield.
Because no matter how vicious the invaders, there's only one thing they can do here – just like the demon in Little Bruce's heart - ignite the wonders in each heart.