Hi, it's-a me, TonicShadow!
I'm happy to report that I now almost have about 200 followers, and I love your comments and reviews, if this keeps up I may decide to make this as a book when it's all done.
So here's chapter 9 coming at ya!
Chapter 9
The Boogieman's Casino!
In the land of the dead, in the dead centre of the city was a flight of stone stairs leading towards a structure at the very top…one that was far different then everything else.
What was there was a very large twisted wooded tree that had stones and roofs merging with the tree-…connected by rope bridges, steel fences and large bones, with two cage shaped elevators hanging off the think branches-…a treehouse then none have seen. The entrance was a Greek stone arch that was crooked to one side, and hanging lanterns that were lit green. And the very top, resting on its structure was a large ship-…which was a three-masted ship, with the appearance of a galleon and East Indiaman, with tattered black sails and a soot coloured hull.
And on the side of the ship was a large neon sigh with the words 'The Boogieman's Casino' flashing purple and green.
"[Welcome! To The Boogieman's Casino!]" A voice echoed all around for everyone to hear. "[Come join the fun and get to chance to win and lose! Remember…we're just dying to meet you! Haaa ha ha ha ha ha haaa!]"
…this is where we find out heroes, hiding in the darkness of the ally at the bottom of the stairs-…looking at the casino.
"There it is amigo's, The Boogieman's Casino." Héctor said pointing to the casino. "Oogie Boogie's home away from home."
'This is where that Oogie Boogie lives?' Kyuubi mentally asked. 'A tree house? Seriously? Even I can do better than that-…and I had a cave years back!'
'Not the time furball.' Naruto mentally replied before he turns to the pirate and asks. "What do you think Jack?
"…"
Naruto blinks at not getting an answer…then notices an unhappy expression on the pirates face as he was looking at something.
"…Jack?"
"…that's my ship." The pirate muttered getting their attention.
"What?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow.
"My ship…" Jack said while he was staring at the roof of the casino. "On that tree…is me Black Pearl…someone's vandalised my ship."
Naruto looks to the roof to see the ship he was talking about…with the neon sign it stuck on it…oh…he looks back to the pirate sheepishly. "Well at least we know where it is?" He said with a sheepish smile.
The pirate give the young ninja a look…before looking back forward before saying. "…when I get the chance-…I'm making the person responsible walk the plank…over a cliff…and on fire."
That earned him concerned looks from the others.
"Anyway…" Héctor started to say. "Whatever it is your looking for-…this is the best place to find it little amigo…as well as the most dangerous."
Taking out the compass, Naruto takes a look to see if Héctor was right…and he was, as he saw that the compass was pointing to the casino…treehouse…thing.
"He's right." Naruto answered before lifting his head at the place. "What we need is inside that place."
"Look-…as much as I want to go there-…AND save my ship, there just one problem." Jack suddenly called out. "…every walking skeleton and dead man are looking for us-…and considering that the three of us are alive an not dead…we'll be like lighthouses to them-…except we don't light up."
"…he's right." Naruto muttered out. "I know of a technique that will hide my appearance-…but it will only work on me." He then turns to look at the pirate and the fairy. "And if catch you guys we'll be stuck here with no way back."
"Then it is a good thing I know someone who can." Héctor answered with a grin.
Naruto raises an eyebrow at hearing that…
-: Moments Later :-
We find out heroes about a mile away from the casino down the back alleys of the city-…to hide from Davy Jones and his crew, with Héctor leading the way to a friend of his that can help them get in The Boogieman's Casino…if he or she can help.
"You sure this…friend of yours can help us?" Jack asked. "Not all of us-…mostly me?"
"If you want to stay hidden in the city-…she'll make sure you are." Héctor replied. "And trust me anything that involves that sack of errores, she'll help you."
Jack pauses for a moment. "…errores?" He asked in confusion
"It means bugs."
"Oh." He muttered before he continues to follow them. "…why didn't you just say that then?"
As they continue on Naruto looks up to take notice of the multi-coloured winged animals flying about the place, from birds to winged monkey's to large winged cats.
"…what are those things?" Naruto asked Héctor. "They don't look like dead animals."
"That's because there not. Those my little amigo, are alebrije-…they function as a sort of spiritual guide for everyone living here." The skeleton replied. "They can't really talk to use cause…you know…they can't-…which makes it difficult to understand them most of the time…as well as that they also make a lot of caquitas." He then notices a blue door on his right. "Aha! Here we are! This is the place!"
He stops at the door before lifting his finger too keep the other quiet…before he knocked on the door.
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK- KNOCK- KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK- KNOCK- KNOCK
…with a unique tune that earned him a few puzzled expressions from the others.
CL-CLICK
…but worked none the less as the door opens to reveal-…
Naruto and Jack's eyes widen at the person who opened the door in surprise.
"…well…didn't expect this." Jack muttered to the young ninja.
Whet they where looking at was a women who wasn't a skeleton…or a ghost either, just…something.
She had has faded blue fabric for skin, with multiple sewing stitches all over her body, and is quite slender. She has large eyes with small black pupils and red lips. Her hair, where she hides a sewing needle, is a reddish colour, and is kept at tailbone-length.
She also wears a knee-high, ragged dress with a V-cut neckline, and is presumably made by simply stitching together multi-coloured pieces of cloth. She also wears black heel boots with black and white striped socks.
As Naruto stares he mentally muttered to the fox. '…am I losing my mind-…or am I seeing a blue women covered in stiches and body parts here?'
'…well, we are in the land of the dead-…so I guess undead people are not the only people that live here.' Kyuubi said after a moment a of silence. 'Even beings made from other…body parts.'
'…for once, I can't help but agree with you furball.' Naruto mentally replied before cutting the connection.
"Héctor? What are you doing here?" The women asked. "Don't tell me you lost another Frida Kahlo costume did you? You know how long it took to make those dresses?"
That earned the skeleton bewildered looks from everyone around him-…which he took notice and gives them a sheepish expression.
"…if it's to disguise yourself-…that's a good plan mate." Jack said breaking the silence. "If not…then best keep that to yourself mate."
The women notices the extra guests and gasps at seeing the others before she quickly looks round before telling them. "Quickly! Quickly get inside-…all of you before someone sees you!"
Following her advice they quickly rush into the building, as she looks around one more time before closing the door behind her and locking it. She then looks to Héctor with a glare as she places her hands on her hips.
Héctor sheepishly chuckles at the glare. "Good to see you again senorita Sally, you look wonderful today-…did you use a new stich on your face?"
Naruto sweatdrops at this. "…really? Even I know that's the wrong thing to say to someone." He muttered.
"I have to agree mate-…wrong choice of words." Jack said agreeing with him as Tinkerbell flies to the top of the chair.
"Héctor Riveras!" The women said in anger. "Do you know how much trouble your in-…or how dangerous it is helping the living?!"
"I'm sorry, senorita-…but you know that when I see someone in trouble, I've got to help!" The skeleton replied. "Especially the living-…just like senior Skellington has done before!"
The women signs as she rubs her forehead. "But you've got to be more careful, Héctor, if you carry on doing something like this, Oogie Boogie will figure out whose causing all the trouble-…and we'll both be caught by him and Davy Jones!" She told him
"I know, I know-…I'm sorry, Sally." Héctor answered using his hands to calm her down. "But I promise you-…this is different."
The women-…now known as Sally, lowers her hand and sighs in defeat. "…how different is it? They need to escape dressed in lady clothes?" She asked getting looks from the young ninja and the pirate.
"God no-…I'm not agreeing to that!" Jack answered getting her attention. "…I don't even have the figure for it."
Naruto and Tinkerbell give Jack a bewildered look. "That's what your complaining about? Your figure?" The young ninja asked.
The pirate turns to the ninja and sez. "Of course I am-…if I disguising myself to hide-…I've got to have my pride still intact."
Naruto sweatdrops after hearing that before he hangs his head and sighs. "I give up." He muttered out as Tinkerbell pats his cheek in sympathy.
The women then took another look at the young ninja…before she narrows her eyes at him as if she's seen him somewhere before… "…you there…what's your name?" She asked getting Naruto's attention.
"Eh?"
"I don't know why but…there seems to be something about you that's…familiar, in some way." She told the young ninja. "Even though we've never met before.
Naruto blinks at that before answering her. "…um…it's, Naruto…Naruto Uzumaki."
She eyes widen as she gasps and covers her mouth. "…it's you…the whirling maelstrom." She muttered getting blinks from everyone.
"…I'm sorry you've lost me there." Jack asked breaking the silence.
Sally then crouches to Naruto's height. "Tell me, do you have a key that was given to you from a dream? From an old man?" She asked him.
The young ninja's eyes widen after hearing that in surprise. "…yeah…how do you know that?" He asked her.
"It's because of my visions." She answered him. "Ever since I was made by my farther, Dr. Finklestein, I was given the ability to see things no one else can-…the future. One of my visions showed me, was a key flouting inside a whirling maelstrom."
"And connected that with his name?" Jack asked getting a nod from her. "…remind me to ask you about my fortune then-…the last one made me gave up my compass."
"…but…how did you know who I got it from?" Naruto asked Sally.
Sally then gains a sad expression. "…the day that I got that vision…it was the same day that…." She started to say but sighs not wanting to finish it.
Catching on to what she was going to say, Naruto also gains a sad look before he looks to the ground. "…oh." He muttered out.
"…but if you where given the key-…that must mean you're the keybearer." She replied putting her hands on his shoulder. "Your the grandson of Walt Disney himself."
"He's your wha-wha…?" Héctor started to say in shock…until his eyes group into his mouth earning him grossed out looks from Naruto, Jack and Tinkerbell-…who covers her mouth to stop barfing.
"…ew." Jack muttered. "…never do that again."
The skeleton the pops then back up with a punch to his jaw before he sheepishly smiles. "Sorry." He replied.
Naruto turns to Sally and asks her the reason why they were here. "The reason we're here is that there's something inside The Boogieman's Casino that we need to find."
"And that same something-…whatever it is we're trying to find will help us get an artefact before anyone else does." Jack added.
Sally's eyes widen at that. "…so its real." She muttered…before she gains a determined expression and turns to Naruto. "If you want inside that casino you'll need a disguise."
"So you'll help us?" The young ninja asked with a hopeful tone.
"If its to get back at Oogie Boogie-…of course I'll help." She answered as she stands up. "But that place is protected by a magic that can reveal hidden appearances-…so that's a no go on spells to hide yourself."
Naruto blinks at that. "…so I guess my Henge no Jutsu is out of the question then." He said to himself with a deadpanned look.
Sally walks to a wardrobe and opens it to show to show multiple costumes. "Lucky enough, I have Just the right thing." She cheerfully answered.
"…do you by chance have something in my size?" The pirate asked.
-: Later at The Boogieman's Casino :-
We find ourselves outside of the casino at the bottom of the stairs where multiple skeletons, ghosts and the alebrije coming in and out of the place and where we find ourselves looking at an alley.
Héctor pokes his head out from around the corner and checks around…before he steps around the gesturers to others to follow him.
"The coast is clear." Héctor quietly said.
When Naruto and Jack step out…we find them in there disguises.
For Naruto, he was wearing a red hooded jacket with white stripes over a white tank top, blue jeans with cuffs, and black shoes with Tinkerbell hiding in his jacket pocket. With his hood up-…and with a hand from Sally, had face painted to look like a skeleton to look like Héctor.
For Jack Sparrow…he was dressed as an animal…a large winged colourful alebrije monkey to be precise…poor, poor Jack.
"…no one…will speak of this…ever." The pirate muttered out.
"You hate monkeys or something?" The young ninja asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not all monkeys-…no of course not." Jack answered. "…just one little undead one."
Naruto was about to reply but freezes in fear as he sees a few members of Davy Jones walking up to them…before walking pass ignoring our heroes. The young ninja sighs in relief before he looks to follow the crew.
"So far so good." Naruto muttered out before he looks to the others. "Now comes the hard part."
"Actually-…getting inside…is the easy part." Jack interrupted the young ninja. "It's getting out that's hand."
"Whatever-…you know what I mean." Naruto replied in annoyance. "Let's get moving."
And with that-…with Naruto leading the way, they start to travel towards the casino.
Making there way they pass the people who where giving them confused looks…especially at the hidden pirate, which was making them nervous.
"Quickly, act like a momo." Héctor whispered to him.
"Right-…gottcha." Jack whispered back…before asking. "…what's a momo?"
"Monkey-…act like a monkey."
Understanding the skeleton Jack make a few monkey noises…which were terrible-…making the others facepalm themselves and where secretly wishing for this to work.
Naruto then starts to think of something to change the subject…then remembers something that Héctor said to Sally…
"…hey, Héctor?" The young ninja said getting the skeletons attention. "You mentioned someone called Skellington before-…who is that?"
"You've never heard of Jack Skellington?" He asked in surprise.
"No."
"Neither have I mate-…I thought I was the only Jack around." The pirate added.
Héctor sighs. "Jack Skellington was a protector, here in the land of the dead." He told them the story. "Before Oogie Boogie took over, he made sure that no one would live in fear, like your abuelo told him too." That earned him a look of surprise from the young ninja.
"He did?"
"Yep! He even gave him a job at hosting a holiday, called Halloween-…they called him the Pumpkin King of Halloween." Héctor carried on. "And senorita Sally is his novia." That got him a blank look form Naruto. "…that means girlfriends."
"Oh…then where is he?" Naruto muttered earning him a sad expression from Héctor.
"…not too long after Oogie Boogie appeared, Skellington went off to face him by himself." He replied. "But when he did-…no one has heard from him ever since. There where a few rumours that he was banished from the land of the dead, or he's trapped inside that sack of errores personal dungeons-…but those are just rumours."
"Was there anyone else that could help him?" The young ninja asked.
"Oh yes, there were many." Héctor replied. "Even the ruler of the Land of the Dead himself-…Hades, was one of them." He stops in his steps. "But ever since Oogie Boogie came into power-…no one has heard from him as well either. So, everyone gave up-…except me."
"Really?" Jack asked with a puzzled expression. "So after one attempt of fighting back…they gave up?" He makes a face at that. "…that sounds like my personal motto."
"Which is…?" Naruto asked with raised eyebrow.
"You've got to fight…to run away." The pirate answered getting a sweatdrop from Naruto and a look from Héctor-…which Jack took notice of. "…but never mind about that now-…we have a job to do…and this monkey suit is beginning to ich."
With that they carried on until they reached the top of the stairs and the entrance to the casino…where two skeleton bodyguards where standing guard.
"Just stick together, and follow my lead." Héctor whispered to them before he adjusted his jacket as made his way towards the bodyguards with the others close behind.
"Hola!" Héctor greeted the bodyguards with a fake cheerfully tone. "Don't mind us-…me and my sobrino are just going inside where I can tech him the many joys of gambling!"
'…seriously? Like that's gonna work.' Kyuubi muttered out, like they were gonna get in-…
"Have a good night." One of the bodyguards replied.
'OH COME ON!' The fox cried out in disbelief.
…and with that they were in.
"…seriously?" Naruto asked with a look. "Tech me about the many joys of gambling?"
"You have any better excuses?" Héctor quickly asked the young ninja.
Naruto stares at Héctor for a moment…before he shrugs his shoulders. "Not complaining-…it's just reminded me of something Ero-sennin would do." He answered.
That earned him looks from the two. "Who?"
"Another name for pervert."
"…huh." They muttered.
Once they where pass the entrance and inside…they look around at what was inside and saw how crowded it was…
The casino itself was set as a goth horror theme where most of the tables looked like torture devices, and the slot machines looked to be gunslinging robots. The lights where Jack-o-lanterns, and the staff where monsters themselves…with shock collars? All the while music was playing.
'Oogie Boogie Song' Instrumental.
Naruto blinks as he looked around the place in shock. "…I…I didn't expect…this." He muttered out.
"If you see ghosts and walking skeletons…you'll find the things not far behind mate." Jack whispered back.
They watch as a walking tree with a face with four hanging skeletons from its branches walks pass them with a tray of drinks.
"…just like that one." The pirate added.
Shaking his head, Naruto pulls out the compass and see's it pointing towards the other side of the room where a pair of double doors are…unguarded?
"We've got to get to those doors." The young ninja whispered so that no one else could hear them. "They might lead us to what we need."
With that they travel down the stairs to the casino main floor and start making there way through the crowd, making sure no one would recognise them.
Just then the light and music go dark surprising them before they hear a drum roll and spotlight moving about.
"[Ghosts and ghouls of the land of the dead!]" A voice called out from the surround speakers of the casino. "[Introducing the one TRUE ruler-…and popular monster around! The Boogieman himself! Me…]"
POOF
A large poof of purple smoke erupted from one of the tables close to our heroes, and when the smoke clears…
"MR. OOGIE BOOGIIIIIIIE!"
The crowd cheer of the Boogieman's grand entrance, as our heroes look towards him.
The Boogieman is covered from head to toe in a grey-green burlap sack, and an obvious seam is visible along the sides. Oogie is quite rotund, with stumpy legs and fingerless arms, tall physique. The "eyes" in Oogie's head are featureless black holes, as is the inside of his mouth, and the tip of his head extends outward and flops down.
Our heroes give nervous looks as the Boogieman jumps off the table. "Greetings fellow undead citizens!" Oogie Boogie called out to the crowd. "It does me proud to see you all gambling!" Then starts to walk towards the flight of stairs. "And remember, here at The Boogieman's Casino we are open 24 hours a night-…seven days a week! Where everyone's a winner!" Before he whispered to himself. "But mostly me." Then calls out. "Oh! And before I forget-…just a little something to address…my good friend from the other side Dr. Facilier-…a.k.a. The Shadowman, has just told me that our city has got a couple of…living tourists."
Our heroes share a few nervous looks as the crowd look on at the Boogieman.
"And you know how I feel about the living." Oogie Boogie said as his expression become angry. "Always trying to find a way to stop me-…but fail before they even try, thanks to a little extra bodyguards….and you do remember what happens when someone helps the living, right? They'll end up the same way as your hero Jack Skellington once did. Knocked down. Defeated. And spending the rest of his days rotting. And we don't want that now…do we?"
The crowd stay silent in fear not sure if they want to answer him…
Oogie Boogie narrows his hollow at the silence. "I said…now. Do. WE?!" He yelled out startling the crowd who quickly shake there heads and vocally agree with the Boogieman making him smile. "HA HA HA HA HA! That's what I like to hear people!" He then points towards the entrance doors…where a few members of Davy Jones crew where standing. "But just to make sure, Davy Jones himself has leaded me a few of his men to keep an eye out for our living guests when they turn up. And when they do…well, lets just say they have wished they never came."
Héctor gulp and he tugs his collar as Jack whispers to the young ninja. "I'm not liking the sound of that mate."
"Me neither." Naruto muttered back.
"Just remember when you see them-…shout out and when you do…" Oogie Boogie carried on. "You'll get a chance to win a free all exclusive trip to the land of the living!"
The crowd all cheer when they hear that in excitement.
"So remember my motto here at The Boogieman's Casino!" He calls out as he lifts his arms in the air. "It's just a scare away to win-…the Oogie Boogie way! Thank you! Thank you!"
As the crowd cheer again as the music and the light turn back on, our heroes watch and Oogie Boogie makes his way towards the double doors where the compass was pointing at and heads inside the next room.
"Come on." Naruto told his companions as they quickly follow the Boogieman though the double doors.
…unaware that one of Davy Jones's noticed there action and narrows his eyes at the direction.
-: Hallway :-
We see our heroes hiding around a corner of the hallway to see Oogie Boogie making his way towards another room before entering it.
Naruto quickly takes out the compass to see it pointing towards the other corner at the end of the hallway and turns to the other and gestures towards the hallway who nod and quickly and quietly seek pass the room…
"WHAT?!"
They where started by the noise and quickly lean against the wall where the door was.
"What do you mean you don't know where they went?!" They hear Oogie Boogie yelled angrily at someone. "Didn't you tell me that your crew had them in your sights?! Your already on thin ice with Facilier already!"
"There the only living people in this dead city-…there no way they can hide here." They become nervous when they hear Davy Jones coming from the room as well…not good. "They'll turn up soon or later."
"I don't want them found sooner or later-…I want them found NOW!" Oogie Boogie yelled more. "Need I remind you that if you fail again-…we'll make sure that you'll never live the next hour! Maleficent gave me and the Shadowman specific instructions that the boy and the key he has would be brought to her at all costs!"
Naruto blinks at hearing that…who's Maleficant?
"And do I need to remind you, fish-boy…" Oogie carried on. "Is that as long as we have that chest of yours-…you work for us! And your former boss Hades can't do a thing about it."
Our heroes share a look of surprise not knowing that at all.
"Now get out there and do your job!" Oogie shouted. "And don't come back until you do!"
"…of course…Mr. Oogie Boogie." Davy Jones replied sounding annoyed…before they hear footsteps heading towards the door….THE DOOR?!
The door open as Davy Jones steps out of the room.
SLAM
…slamming the door behind him angrily.
The dead captain growls in angry before he mutters out. "…blasted sack of maggots." And start to head-…
He stops suddenly as made a face…he quickly turns around to find!
…no one.
…Day Jones narrows his eyes…for a moment there he thought there where someone there before he looks down the hallway.
…with no one there…before looking down the other end.
…still no one.
The dead sea captain raises an eyebrow… "…strange…" He muttered to himself…before he starts to head out to the city.
…unaware how close he was from discovering that out heroes were hiding at the other end of the hallway.
Héctor pokes his head and see's Davy Jones going around the corner and sighs in relief. "He's gone." He told the others making them also sigh in relief as well.
"That was too close." Naruto replied. "…we got to get that tool-…and fast."
"I agree-…but first…get me out of this monkey suit." Jack also replied getting deadpanned looks from the others.
-: Moments Later :-
Our heroes exit a bathroom-…now no longer in disguises and with Tinkerbell sitting on Naruto head, and look around before Jack notices door labelled basement.
"The best treasures are always in the basement." The pirate said getting there attention as he made his way to it.
The others follow as Jack opens the door and heads down a level of stairs until they came to the bottom into another hallway with lit touches.
"Where to now Mr Uzumaki." The pirate asked the young ninja. "And we don't have long until we're discovered."
"How about that?" Héctor asked pointing to the wall behind Jack-,,,making said pirate turn to see the sign which said sez 'Powerful Items' pointing down the right hallway.
Jack makes a look after seeing that. "…oh." The pirate muttered out. "…never mind them."
With that Jack starts to head down the hallway with Héctor not far behind him. Naruto also starts to follow them as he takes out the compass to see it pointing-…
He stops and blinks…the hell?
Taking a closer look at it he saw that the compass was…pointing the opposite direction?
The young ninja stares at it…before he turns to look down the other hallway with a confused expression-…which was also shared with Tinkerbell.
Taking notice that the young ninja and fairy weren't following them they stop with confused looks before Jack called out. "Not sure why your standing there mate-…but I think we must make hast."
Naruto turns to them. "We need to go down this way." He replied pointing to the hallway behind him. "I don't know why-…but the compass is telling me what we need is down there."
That earned him looks from the pirate and the skeleton who both share a look before looking back to the young ninja.
"…that can't be right." Jack muttered in confusion before pointing down the hallway he was going. "Shouldn't it be pointing down here-…not down…there?"
"I'm…I'm not sure why either, but…" The young ninja muttered out as he took another look at the compass. "It just…does, for some reason." He then looks up to the hallway with a puzzled expression…before he blinks as a thought came in his head…what if…he turns back to the skeleton and asks. "Héctor, didn't you say something about a dungeon before?"
"Well, yeah." The skeleton replied. "I said before that it's where senior Skellington is rumoured to be held captive…why you ask little amigo?"
"…what if that wasn't a rumour at all?" Naruto replied getting looks from everyone before he turns to them. "What if that bag of bugs did put Jack Skellington in the dungeons-…and that the dungeons is right that hallway-…right under the casino?"
"…and what better place to have an enemy locked up then right under your very nose where he's kept a close eye on." Jack added realising the idea as well. "…that's sneaky."
"Then…if what your saying is true…then senior Skellington is here? Right here?!" Héctor asked in excitement. "Ha-haa! I knew it! I knew he was still in the city-…and not dead!"
"It's more than that." Naruto said getting there attention. "If the compass is right…then I think the Pumpkin King has the tool we need to find the artefact."
Jack gives a cheeky grin at hearing that. "Now that is something I like to hear mate." He replied.
Naruto turns to look down the hallway the compass was pointing too and gives off a determined smile. "…then lets free us a friend." He said before they took off down the hallway with Jack, Héctor and Tinkerbell not far behind him as they try and find Jack Skellington.
-: To Be Continued :-
And that's chapter 9 done and dusted.
How do you like it, was it good? Please comment.
This is TonicShadow, signing off!
