Chapter 1: Heffalumps and Woozles

I put up the entrance chain to signify The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh's temporary closing. All I could do at the moment was just stare into the empty ride, biting my lip with my boss Gordon standing next to me. "If we keep closing rides, we're gonna end up closing the whole park!" I said.

"Tell me something I don't know. This park is decades of years old. It was bound to fall apart at one point."

"Is there actually something wrong with this ride? All you told me was to shut it down."

"There's some faulty wiring in the emergency sprinklers. They just go off at random times."

"And that calls for a complete shut down?"

"Do you want to start an electrical fire?"

"Sir, I don't even think that can-"

"Dusk!" I was cut off when Gordon called for a nearby Cast Member to come over to us. He looked to be a bit older than I am, me being 20. He stood quite tall against me. His eyes were an icy piercing blue, and his hair was a thick ebony black. But his skin was a sickly pale. You could almost call it white. I snapped out of my trance when Gordon spoke once more. "You go with Moira here to do a diagnostics check on the ride. That shouldn't take you too long."

Dusk didn't speak. He kept a solid composure as he made his way to the rides Cart Entrance. "And who is he?"

"He's new. He's quite the silent type, so be easy on him."

"Easy on him? I don't even think I can do anything with him! Are you sure he's capable to work under the likes of my wing?"

"I trust you enough." I narrowed my eyes at him and followed after Dusk.

Thinking about his sudden appearance, I realized I had never seen him before in all the time I've worked in the park. I found it a bit suspicious that he just showed up all of a sudden. But now he was nowhere to be seen.

I got to the rides Cart Entrance only to find it vacant. Did he seriously go in without me? I squeezed my way past the many entry panels, calling out for him, but I got no response. The ride was dark, and my vision hadn't adjusted yet.

I called his name once more, and there was still no response. Making it past the last panel, the atmosphere was . . . different. It felt open. Light. Windy? Yes, despite the ride being shut down, there was still wind. And it was ice cold. The wind effects were never set to full blast, but I don't know why they'd still be on anyway.

I continued on, the familiar smell of rain beginning to form. I wasn't really near the Rain Scene of the ride. Then again, I still couldn't see my surroundings. It wasn't exactly pitch black dark, but it was enough to cause me to feel around.

My hands were gently in front of me, feeling for the next set of panels, but they never came. And I had been walking for a few minutes. This was a small ride, and it felt more open than usual.

I felt someone grip my hands and led me forward. I guess without knowing it, I had closed my eyes at some point, which was a habit of mine when in dark places. I felt hands gently caress my cheeks. I opened my eyes and saw Dusk staring deep into them. "Follow me."

He kept a tight grip on my hand as he continued to lead me through the ride. Where to, I still had no idea. My vision was finally adjusting, and I noticed why it was so dark. I looked above me to see dark grey clouds threatening to burst at any moment. There were trees surrounding me hinting that I was in a forest. I wasn't in a ride at all. But where.

I craned my neck to see Dusk's face, which was stern and cold. I was actually a bit nervous to even talk to him, but what choice did I have? "Hey, could you explain to me what's going on? Or where we are?"

"Knowing you, you'd think it would be a bit obvious."

"Are you implying that we're actually in the Hundred Acre Woods?"

"Exactly." At this point, I pulled my hand out of his and stopped in my tracks. "What's wrong? Hard to believe?"

"Hard to believe? What do you think? I'm wondering if I should even question your mental stability!"

"All you have to do is look around you. Just that should be enough."

"What exactly have you dragged me into? Is this some joke? Some prank to make me look bad? If you think I have a reputation to uphold, think again!"

"Look, it wasn't my choice get you involved. If we can make it to Pooh's house, I can explain everything. It's not safe out here."

"If this is really the Hundred Acre Woods, then where are the characters?"

"Hiding."

"From what?"

"From that!" He pointed towards the sky. The grey clouds were swimming and swirling ferociously, lightning cracking every few minutes. "This world is corrupted, and the only way to fix it is to continue on. I can't help you for not believing, which I think is a joke, but for now, just go along with it, and I will kindly explain this once we're in a safe zone. Deal?"

I again was drawn to his eyes. I don't know why, but they're just so . . . mesmerizing. But they also held truth. Something I'm used to seeing. Ever since I could remember, I could always read people through their eyes. And his don't lie. I don't think he'd lie about this. "Okay, fine. But how much farther?"

"Just a little ways across the river."

Sure enough, there was a river just up ahead. And it was wide. "I wasn't exactly good at the long jump."

"I'll go first. That way I can catch you."

"You sure? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"Have I lied to you, yet?" Maybe. But I couldn't ask questions now. I stood back, giving Dusk some room. He took 5 steps back, then took a running start before jumping way across the river, landing on his knees. He motioned for me to go next. I took a deep breath, took a few steps back, and ran. I jumped a bit too early, and fell into Dusks arms right at the edge of the river. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"I take it you find this amusing, don't you?"

"Maybe just a little." His smile was infectious. It suited him better than a stone cold frown. I even think his skin tone gained some color.

Then I realized how close we were standing . . . and that he was still holding me. He noticed this as well, and released me. "We should go. Going by the length of the ride, Pooh's house should be pretty-" I was cut off when something grabbed my ankle and began to pull me under the river.

Dusk grabbed onto my arms, pulling with all his might. But whatever was pulling me down was quite strong. "Dusk, I can't hang on!"

"I've got you! Just a little-" I lost my grip and was pulled under. I heard Dusks muffled screams.

This was no river. It was more like a small ocean. The water pressure made my head pulse, and my lungs began to burn. I swam as much as I could to the surface, but I was dragged even farther. I looked to see what was pulling me, and it was none other than a pink Heffalump.

I kicked at its head repeatedly until finally it released me. I pushed myself upward, but the Heffalump came up and wrapped its trunk around my neck and proceeded to pull me down.

My vision was now starting to get blurry. I clawed at the trunk, trying to pry it off my neck. Jesus, is this thing strong! My strength was depleting. So, as a final attempt, I just dug my nails into the flesh of its trunk, until finally it released me.

I swam as hard as I could until I broke the surface. Dusk pulled me out, balancing my weak body. "God, your neck!"

"Don't worry about that. Let's just go!" We ran in the direction of Pooh's house, which was just in sight. We were just a few feet away when something jumped from a nearby tree and attacked Dusk, clawing at his face.

As he pulled it away, it left a lasting scratch on his left cheek. He threw it aside, and made it to the front door. He threw it open, made sure I made it inside, then slammed it shut, locking it in the process.

He was leaning against the door, while I had collapsed to the floor catching my breath. It the brighter lighting, I got a better look at him. "Oh, my god, your face!"

He touched it, feeling the blood still threatening to pour out. "It's fine. No harm done."

"You were just attacked by a Woozle, and you're saying no harm done?"

"I'm still alive, aren't I? You're the one who almost got strangled to death!"

I felt where the Heffalump had wrapped its trunk. It was rough, and probably red. "It's not too noticeable, is it?"

"Not really. But either way," He went over to a nightstand. "This will probably distract from it." He opened the drawer and pulled out a necklace that had a golden Mickey Mouse Charm.

"We risked our lives for a necklace?"

"Not a necklace. Magic! I asked Pooh to keep it safe since this is probably the most light hearted world next to Small World."

"Yeah. Say that to the missing chunk of flesh on your face."

"I mean no Villain can get inside here. We're safe. This necklace can only be worn by one person."

"I take it you mean me?"

"Precisely! Of course, a Villain could get a hold of it and bend its powers for their own use, but if you're wearing it, they can't touch it. It'll burn them."

He threw the necklace to me. "I still don't get it. Where do I fit into any of this? As a matter of fact, why is any of this happening? Last time I checked, Heffalumps and Woozles didn't try to kill you!"

"Right. Gotta keep up my end of the bargain. Now, once upon a time ago, when Walt was developing Disneyland, as well as establishing his beloved characters, he realized the magic he was creating was much more powerful than he had original thought. So, his plan was to have someone keep the place in check when he couldn't. A Guardian. Even though I was chosen from the very beginning, I wasn't really chosen until I was 23."

"Wait. If you're 23, then how could you have known Walt?"

"Once you're a Guardian, that sticks with for eternity. You're considered a Toon. You can never leave the park, never grow up."

"So you basically watched your whole family die?"

He didn't speak, but somberly nodded. I silently gasped. He was alone. He was the pure definition of alone. "But still, what am I? You haven't exactly told me who I am yet."

"Along with a Guardian comes a Saviour, someone to protect what you are now wearing. The Charms that belong on that necklace is just one of the things that keep this park alive. But the Villains have them, using them for their own evil. That's why I need you now. To purify the Charms and the worlds they reside in. I know it's a lot to ask, but-"

"No, it's fine. I'll help you. But . . . if it's at all possible . . . could I have outside help?"

"There was a time where I had 2 Saviours. But they never agreed on anything and quit shortly after. Are you sure you think you need help? You have me!"

"True, but with 3 of us, we'd be stronger! I know someone, a friend, who knows me better than anyone else in my life! He'd be a great help."

"If you can convince him, sure. But I'm only telling you this to save the embarrassment: Walt chose you because you believe the most. What if your friend is doubtful, and doesn't believe you?"

"You can just leave that to me."