Hi, it's-a me, TonicShadow!
Love the positive reviews, I'm even getting ones saying that it's giving them giddy. :D I've also added a new cover image for the story and renamed it as "The Kingdoms Keybearer (Book One).
I hope you like the design and if you want to take a closer look at it, here is the web address for Enlarge image.
tonicshadow/art/The-Kingdoms-Keybearer-Book-One-Cover-763160996
So here's chapter 10 coming at ya!
Chapter 10
Tale of the Dead.
A few levels below The Boogieman's Casino, we find our heroes heading down a hallway following the pointer of the compass-…where they will hopefully find the dungeons and where the person called Jack Skellington are.
"…we've been following that thing for a while-…shouldn't we be close to it by now." Héctor said to the pirate breaking the silence.
"Patience my bony friend, you can't rush these sort of things-…when you're on a course you must follow it no matter how long it takes." Jack told the skeleton…before he quickly asks the young ninja. "Are we there yet? We've been walking for a while now."
Héctor pauses after hearing that before he deadpanned the pirate before he continued following the young ninja.
"We should be somewhere close now-…so keep your eyes open." Naruto replied to the pirate…then took notice that the compass was slowly turning to the right. He stops to stare at it…before he looked to the side to see a wooden door with a stone arch.
When he looked up, he saw the sign labelled as the dungeons…this was it…
"Good, we've found the door to the dungeons!" Jack replied…then made a face at what he just said. "…that's something I didn't expect to say."
Naruto grabs the handle and pushes the door open, to revels an open spiral stone staircase leading a few levels down to the dungeon floor-…where a few lit lanterns and torches lit the whole room while giving off an ere atmosphere.
…really creepy.
"…well this is charming isn't it-…feels just like my old home." The pirate said sarcastically.
Naruto starts to head down the stairs with Tinkerbell lighting the way, with Jack and Héctor-…who closes the door behind him, not far behind. When they reach the bottom, they look around the room to see if anyone was here…
"Hello?" Naruto called out. "Hello?"
"Senior Skellington? Are you here?" Héctor also called out. "We've come to save you!"
Jack walks towards on of the cells to check inside…but no one was inside…except a skeleton dog sitting on the floor…holding a ring of keys?
Jack raises an eyebrow at that and soon realises who the dog was. "…so this is where you went?" He said to the dog…before shrugging. "…at least you have the same job-…except with less weight now."
Meanwhile Naruto walked further into the dungeons with Tinkerbell flying next to him lighting the way, to see if he could find Jack Skellington in any of the cells close to him.
"Hello? Jack Skellington?" The young ninja called out again. "Can you hear me?"
When he reached the last cell at the end he paused and took notice that it wasn't empty…he leans to take a closer look…before he blinked at what he was seeing.
There hanging on the wall-…with his arms chained to it, was a tall white skeleton that was extremely slender, wears a black and white Gothic-style tuxedo with a bat-like bow-tie, and he had his eyes close as he looks to be either unconscious or asleep…this must be him.
"Hey guys, I Think I've found him!" Naruto called out to the others, who quickly joined him to take a look.
"…this is Mr Skellington?" The pirate asked with a raised eyebrow. "…he looks…thin."
Héctor grabs the bars to the cell and calls out. "Senior Skellington? Wake up! We've come to recuse you!" Hoping to get a response from the pumpkin king.
…but got no answer.
"…you don't think he's…?" The pirate asked dreading the answer.
Héctor scoffs at that. "Of course not-…he's not dead!" He told him. "When you die in the land of the dead you fade away into dust to the next life beyond here-…so he's alive."
"So why isn't he moving then?" Naruto asked while looking at Jack Skellington.
"…that I don't know." The skeleton answered making everyone sigh.
"Awake or not-…freeing a possible ally isn't the only reason why we are here." Jack remined them.
"He's right." Naruto replied as he takes out his key. "We need to get whatever it is he has-…and get it quick."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice called out making our heroes freeze.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…was that either of you-…because I know it wasn't me." The pirate asked breaking the silence which both Héctor and Tinkerbell shake there heads no.
Naruto then took notice of a blue glow a few cells down towards the end of the wall, and raises an eyebrow at that…before he slowly made his way towards it.
Jack and Héctor both share a look…before they look to Tinkerbell-…who took notice of them…before she huffed and flu after the young ninja.
When Naruto reached the cell and looked inside, he blinked at how big the room was compared to the other cells…and how fancy.
Inside was a large bed next to a bared window looking over the dead city, and a large table in the middle of the room where what looked to have a few small models of a few buildings and vehicles and all sizes, then next to the table was a large chair…where we find the occupier of the cell himself…and was gobsmacked by his appearance.
The being was a blue-grey humanoid with flaming blue hair, wearing a black robe and a smoky base, with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. And said person was-…from the looks of it, making a model using a magnifying glass for the small details…he must like models.
…flaming blue hair? Really?
"You gonna stand there all day kid or talk-…I don't get that many gests down here." The being said focusing on finishing his latest model. "Actually I don't get any guests at all-…so that's a plus in my book."
"…who are you?" The young ninja asked after a moment.
The being raises a finger. "Ah-ah-ah-…isn't it common curtesy to tell your name first before asking someone elses?" He said.
Naruto blinks at that. "Oh, y-yeah." He muttered out as Jack and Héctor walk to he side. "It's Naruto Uzumaki, sir…and these are my friends, Jack, Héctor and Tinkerbell."
The being raises an eyebrow at that before he turns too look at the group.
"…huh, I swear there a joke about this-…a pirate, a ninja, a fairy and a dead musician walk in a dungeon." The being said before he chuckled getting shared confused looks from out heroes.
"What about you then? What are you called?" The pirate asked.
"Don't you know?" The being asked before hanging his head a sighs. "Of course not-…you would think after so many years a ruling this place people would know."
Héctor narrows his eyes in thought…before they widen as he gasps. "Are…are you…Hades?" He slowly asked getting looks from the others.
"…whose that?" Jack asked.
The being gets up from his chair-…after putting the magnifying glass down. "That's me-…I'm Hades. Ruler of the land of the dead-…and the most powerful being you'll even meet."
That got him looks from the young ninja and the pirate while Tinkerbell's eyes widen before she bows to the lord of the dead. "…you're the lord of the dead?" Jack asked. "As in…lord of the dead…dead?"
"That's me pirate dreadlocks."
The pirate deadpans after hearing that. "…don't call me that-…I hate it." He muttered out.
"If you're the lord of the dead…why are you locked up here?" Naruto asked him. "Shouldn't you be out there?"
"That's the thing kid-…I can't get out." Hades answered. "And not because of the locked door-…because honestly I could melt it off and escape this place in seconds. I can't get out because I'm trapped here by some magic that sack of bugs use to get me sealed here. Sure I can stick my arm out and all-…but that's how far I can do."
"Um, Lord Hades, sir." Héctor nervously said. "What do you mean about not letting senior Skellington out? We came here to help."
"A few reasons really." Hades replied. "The first is that as soon as you open the cell you'll set the alarm off and alert everyone that you're here-…including the bug bag. And the second is because my cellmate is under a sleeping spell and only a kiss will wake him up-…and trust me you do not want to go there."
The men in the group grim are that. "Eww." They said together while Tinkerbell rolls her eyes.
Naruto shakes his head to get back on track. "I don't understand it-…how can this place get taken over this quickly?" He asked.
"Not quickly kid, I should know-…I'm been locked up here for years." Hades answered. "This has been years in the making-…even before king made the kingdom itself."
That got his puzzled and confused from Naruto before he asked. "King? There was a king?"
"Of course there was a king." Jack answered. "You can't call it a kingdom without having a king to rule-…it's protocol."
"He was the one who created everyone here amigo." Héctor told the young ninja. "But it's been so many years I can't remember the tale for it."
"It's a good thing that I remember it then-…because I was there when the king ruled."
Naruto raises an eyebrow at that. "…can you tell us? I've never even heard about his king before." He asked with Tinkerbell who nodded.
Hades raises an eyebrow at the question. "You want to know? As in-…you want me, the lord of the dead, to tell you about the king and how this place came to be?" He asked gesturing to himself…before shrugging. "Hm, okay, I guess I'll be a narrator for a change here-…never done it before but hey, how hard can it be?"
Our heroes share a look not sure what to think.
"I'm new to this so cut me some slack." Hades said as he creates a ball of magic blue fire, before he threw it at the wall…which started to form shadowed images, surprising our heroes.
"Whoa…" Naruto muttered out.
"Now that's impressive." Jack added.
"Thank you." Hades replied before he clears his throat to starts the tale. "Okay, so…long, long ago this world…was in chaos." The images form a village being attacked by monsters. "Darkness roamed the land creating creatures and monsters made from the shadow." The image change into a large shadowed monster looking down at a burning village. "Destroying the lives of all who stood in its way."
Naruto looks at the images…and is remined how familiar this was when the fox attacked Konoha years ago.
'Except compared to this one, I was alone to do the destruction.' The Kyuubi commented on Naruto thought.
"All hope was lost…until one person came from a far away land." The next image show a figure on a hill with six flouting objects around him. "And with him brought magical artefacts-…and with it push the darkness back to the depths it came." The image changes to show the figure using the objects to push back the monsters-…who shy away looking afraid of the objects. "Then using the artefact-…locked them where no one can ever release them." The next image shows the shadowed creatures disappearing into a whirling portal before it closes behind them. "When the danger pass, he looked at the destruction and lives that the darkness left behind, leaving many homeless and afraid." The image shows the village in ruins. "So he decided to create a kingdom, a kingdom so large that it covered the country, where many would live happily." The next image shows the figure using the artefact to create buildings that grew and grew. "And with that the people of the kingdom crowned him as there king." The images changes into the figure now wearing a crown on his head.
"Hold on…he became king-…just like that?" Jack interrupted Hades. "Isn't that just a little…simple to anyone?"
"Look-…I'm not the one who wrote the story, okay." Hades replied sounding annoyed. "I'm just telling it. Now let me finish it."
"…my apologise." Jack sheepishly replied.
"Where was I?" The lord of the dead mutters and he rubs his chin…and quickly remembers. "Oh-…right…however, he soon realises that someday the darkness would return again for revenge and he knew he may not be able to defeat it again." The images shows the king looking from a balcony to the distance as images of the shadowed monsters. "So using the power of the artefacts he created…life." The next image shows the king using the artefacts to create a living creatures…a small humanoid mouse.
Naruto blinks at that and narrows his eyes at the creatures in confusion. "He made a mouse?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I know-…not the first things I would make myself if put in his place, but he did." Hades replied with a shrug.
Naruto looks back at the wall as sees the images showing the king creating more creatures of all shape and sizes.
"And with life…he created guardians to help protect the kingdom, and what better characters then the ones in fairy tales." The images changes into giants, animals and dragons. "As years pass the kingdom thrived, as well as technology." The next images shows the kingdom growing and evolving. "But where there is light…there is also darkness." The next images shows a few guardian's becoming shadowed figures, before it changes to show the figures causing mischief and accidents.
Héctor gulps at that. "That is not a good sign." He muttered quietly.
"The king notices the changes happening to his citizens and guardians, but he could not find a way to stop it." The images shows the king looking at the shadowed figures. "And created more guardians to help defend the kingdom." The images changes showing the king creating more creatures to help defend the kingdom. "And with that…brought war." The next images show the guardian's and the citizens-…both corrupted and not, attacking each other. Swords where clashing, cannons where firing, blasts of magic and many live being lost on both sides.
Naruto could not look away from the images as he is reminded from his past experience when Otogakure and Suna attack Konoha-…and how he felt when the third Hokage fell in battle against Orochimaru…before he gained a sad expression of understanding.
Jack notices the young ninja's expression. "…it really never an easy thing is it?" Jack said getting Naruto attention. "All that fighting-…and for what? All you get at the end is that you'll feel a little less inside."
"…yeah." Naruto muttered out…before looking back to the wall.
"On and on, the battle continued for many mouths and many years…" The images shows more guardian's fighting each other. "But over time the king realises that besides the guardians he created, only he was the only human left in the kingdom." The images shows the king looking for the human figures…but couldn't find them. The shows the king looking to the sea to find that they escaped by boats away from the battle. "They didn't want to stay in a kingdom ridded in war, and sailed away from the kingdom." The images shows the boats disappearing into the distance…it then changes as it shows the king looking at the battle in disappointment at the creatures he created…and with himself. "Knowing that he could not destroy what he created, he decided for the fighting to stop, and make peace." The images changes again to show the king stopping the war by standing in between the two side, before it changed again to show the two sides shaking hands as like they were old friends. "There were a few who didn't follow his quest for peace, and went into hiding-…away from everyone else, swearing to take the artefacts away from the king, and create a new age of darkness." The images shows a few shadowed figures lead by a female with horns turning there back to the king and into the forests. "Fearing that they come back, he decided to separate the artefacts and hid five of them in five different locations, hidden within the kingdom, while the sixth one was kept close to him." The images changes to the king with six objects flouting around him before showing five of them shooting off into separate directions, while he kept hold of the sixth. "Until the day they would come together again."
Naruto blinks at that…six artefacts? That sounded like the same one's that he was searching-…
His eyes widen as it struck him and realises why Hades was telling the story…that would mean…? He turns to the lord of the dead and notices a smirk on Hades face, knowing that he figured it out.
"…the king in this story-…the one you said created the kingdom…" Naruto said to Hades. "…it was my Jiji…wasn't it."
"Got it in one kid." The lord of the dead replied pointing at the young ninja.
"…so you knew who I really was this whole time then-…the moment you saw me."
Hades shrugs his shoulders. "It wasn't that hard to figure out-…you have that same look your old man had years back. The grandson of Walt Disney-…the keybearer himself."
Naruto looks back at the image of the king…not sure what to think after hearing that…he suddenly blinks as another thought hit him. "Wait…does that mean that everyone I've met since coming here…are my RELATIVES?!" He asked and dreaded as he thought that he was related to a dead captain…or worse yet a sack of bugs. He turns green at that thought. 'Oh dear kami!' He mentally replied.
'…that…is the most disturbing thing I ever heard…in my life.' The Kyuubi muttered out in disgust.
"Luckily your not related to everyone here-…just so you know." Hades quickly answered the young ninja. "So trust me-…you don't have any creepy uncles or green aunts." The young ninja sighs in relief at that. "…but you do have two uncles thought." That earned him surprised looks from everyone.
"…what?" Naruto muttered out.
"Uncles. You have two uncles-…one that no one know who-…and the others…a mouse." Hades told them. "Considering they were his first creations-…he saw them as his sons, so yeah."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
'…HA HA HA HA HA!' The Kyuubi mentally laughs as the sound of his fists hit the floor. 'This is the most hilarious thing I've ever heard! You have an uncle that's a mouse! HA HA HA HA HA!'
Naruto's eyebrow twitches and his face turns red in angry. 'NOT FUNNY FURBALL!' He mentally yelled back before he cut the connection.
Héctor then asked Hades. "What happened after that?"
"Simple really, the guardians-…like myself included…where given roles that would be best suited to the five lands in the kingdom." The gestures to the wall as the images formed into written words. "Frontier Land, for the people who wanted to travel and explore." The word change to more words. "Adventure Land, for those who seek the thrill of adventure." More word appear in its place. "Fantasy Land, where myth and magic dwell." And again. "Tomorrow Land, where the future is to infinity and beyond." And again. "And Mains Street, for where the common man can exist."
Hades then made the word vanish before he sez. "Five lands for five artefacts-…all hidden in places no one would think to look-…unless you have the right tools to find them. While the last one he kept close."
'That must have been the magic paintbrush Yen Sid was talking about before.' Naruto mentally said before he turned to look at the wall and begins to get lost in his thoughts…he never knew that his grandfather was this important to everyone…even more important than…
"…what about my mother?" The young ninja quietly asked the lord of the dead before he turns to him. "Can you tell me about her? Or where I can find her?"
"Sorry kid-…not much to tell you about that-…your old man made sure your mothers identity was well hidden to make sure no one knows-…not even me…and I know a lot of things." Hades answered him. "If you want to know more about her…you'll have to ask her yourself."
The young ninja sighs after hearing that, but with a small smile knowing that his mother was somewhere alive…but not sure where…
"What about how that bug man captured you?" The pirate suddenly asked getting everyone's attention. "I mean-…I would understand with capturing someone and all. But how did he get you? Aren't you all powerful or…something?"
Hades narrows his eyes in angry at hearing the boogieman. "That sack of insects had something that help drain me of my powers-…that's how." He answered the pirate as his skin starts to turn red-…as well as his fairy hair. "As soon as he turned up-…he came knocking at MY door and claimed to be the new lord of the dead!" The fire spreads to his shoulders and Hades gets angrier, making the others nervously take a few steps away from him. "There's only one lord of the dead here! And that's! ME!"
As he angrily yells out the last word the fire shoots up in a blasé surprising out heroes as they feel the heat off the flames…the fire then starts to settle as Hades breaths heavily before he takes a deep breath to cool down turning back to blue-grey and his hair blue.
"Okay, fine, fine. I'm cool. I'm fine." He replied as our heroes look on with looks.
"…I think you might need some anger management lessons mate." Jack called out getting deadpanned look from the lord of the dead.
"Trust me-…it never works out." Hades replied.
Changing the subject, Naruto asks. "What about everywhere else in the kingdom? Are they the same like here and Frontier Land?"
"Basically…yeah." Hade answered. "Him and the Shadowman back in the living are both in some sort of group called the…Overtakers or something." Naruto eyes widen after hearing that. "First they took over Main Street and either drove everyone who lived there out or surn to stone statues-…then they basically did the same to Frontier Land-…except now they have trapped prisoners instead of statues and can't escape their own homes to the town. Same with the Adventure Land too-…except that I heard that there some sort of resistance going on. Not sure what's going on at the Fantasy Land-…cause no one as heard anything from there. But I do know that Tomorrow Land is still safe-…protected by a force filed of some kind or…whatever."
"So Tomorrowland is the only safest place in the whole kingdom?" Jack muttered…before he smiled. "Fancy that."
"I'll tell you this though, so far ever after they nearly taken over the whole kingdom-…they still can't find the artefacts." Hades told the young ninja.
"We're in luck then." Jack replied. "Because we're a step ahead-…we just need to find the…thing…to help us locate it."
Naruto's eyes widen as he remembers why they where here. "That's right!" He said as he takes out the compass. "The compass said that the thing we need is in here. So Jack should have it."
The pirate gives the young ninja a look. "…I do?" He asked in confusion.
"Not you Jack-…the other Jack!"
"Ah! That's clearer."
"I don't think he'll have it." Hades said getting everyone's attention.
"…what do you mean-…he must have it." The pirate answered. "Who else would have it?"
Hades points to the compass. "Check it again…you'll be surprised." He said mysteriously.
Raising an eyebrow at that, Naruto looks again to the compass…was pointing forward?
Blinking in surprise the young ninja looks at Hades who was smirking at him. "…it's you…you have it?" He asked the lord of the dead.
The lord of the dead chuckles before saying. "You were right about one thing kid." He then walked towards the table and picked up an object. "Jack Skellington did had it on him-…but gave it to me saying to keep it hidden." He walks back to the young ninja. "At first I didn't know why-…but now…I think he was waiting for you to have it." Then handed him what he had…which he took.
"…a magnifying glass?" The young ninja asked as he stares at it with a raised eyebrow.
"You'll be surprised how the simplest things turn out to be a huge advantage." Hades replied with a smile.
"…what's so special about it?" The pirate asked not sure what to think.
"What can you use a magnifying glass for?" Hades answered with a question. "To find small clues-…and with this…hidden secrets-…go ahead take a look."
Naruto looks at the magnifying glass with a puzzled expression, before he uses it as he faces the cell…he blinks as he took notice something that wasn't there before.
Around the whole cell that hades was in-…was covered in what looked to be glowing blue symbols. He looks away to see no symbols before looking back at the magnifying glass and sees the symbols again.
"…whoa." The young ninja muttered as Jack and Héctor lean over to see the symbols in the magnifying glass.
"…that's impressive mate." The pirate added. "Remind me to borrow it sometime."
"Now that you have the tool-…you can get back to the land of the living use it to find that artefact before anyone else does." Hades told them.
"But what about you-…and senior Skellington? We can't just leave you both here?" Héctor asked.
"…he's right." Naruto said as a determined expression forms on his face. "We've got to get the both of you out of here."
"Well getting our bony friend out is easy enough-…if you don't set off the alarms." Jack replied. "But how do we get hot head out?"
"I think the real question is…"
A voice called out making out heroes turn…and see Davy Jones and his crew standing there.
"What's gonna happen when Mr Oogie Boogie, is done with the lot of ya." The dead sea captain replied. "From my guess…it's not gonna be pleasant."
Naruto takes a few steps away from the dead crew nervously.
"Don't do it Jones!" Hades called to Davy Jones as he grips the bars of his cell. "You know you don't want to help that sack of bugs!"
"Oh but he does formerlord of the dead." Another voice called out as everyone turns to see the Boogieman himself making his way down the stairs towards them. "And he knows it too-…unless he wants to end up like the rest who oppose me."
Davy Jones grows after hearing that as Oogie Boogie brushes pass him.
"Sooo, I get to finally meet the boy everyone seems to be talking about." Oogie Boogie sez as he narrows his "eyes" at the young ninja. "Truth be told-…I pictured you be taller."
"Yeah? Well you look like a bag of crap." Naruto fired back.
"HA HA HA HA! Ooh, feisty little man aren't ya!" The Boogieman laughed. "Well not to worry, because Mr Oogie Boogie has something special planned for you." He then turns to Davy Jones. "Take them to the office, I have something specially planed for them all."
With that the dead crew quickly grab out heroes before they could do anything and start taking them out of the dungeons.
Oogie Boogie then turns back to Hades-…who was glaring at him. "Love to stay and chat Hades-…but I've got plans. Bye-bye." He said waving before he laughs and also exits the dungeons leaving the lord of the dead and Jack Skellington alone.
…or so the Boogieman thought at least.
After making sure the Oogie Boogie was gone Hades whispers. "…you can come out now."
And out of hiding was Tinkerbell-…who was hiding in another cell making sure she wasn't spotted, before she flu towards Hades.
"Smart thinking little lady-…but now there's a problem." The lord of the dead told her. "Now that your friend are captured you need to save them-…and you can't do it alone."
Tinkerbell does a couple of bell sounds in worry.
"The only way you can help them." Hades replied as if he knows what she was saying. "Now, listen closely…" And whispers the plan to her.
-: Back at the Hallway :-
As Davy Jones and his crew take our heroes thought the hallway towards the Boogieman's office-…with Oogie Boogie leading the way the dead captain whispers to the young ninja. "I know that the fairy isn't with you boy…but that sack of Maggots doesn't need to know that yet." That earned him a look from the young ninja. "You just better pray she finds a way to save you and your friends before it's to late."
"…your helping us?" Naruto whispered back.
"If Hades himself thinks you can find a way to stop all this…then I'll have to take his word on it." He then looks at the young ninja. "And that's the only help your getting-…no more or less."
With that Naruto looks ahead now knowing that Davy Jones was on there side-…not Oogie Boogie's or the Shadowman's.
'At least we know he hates working with that sack of bugs.' Kyuubi said to the young ninja. 'Too bad he can't do anything about it.'
'He's made sure that Tinkerbell wasn't capture-…so she's safe.' Naruto mentally replied back. 'And if I'm right, Hades might have a plan to help us.'
'And if he doesn't?' The fox asked.
'…then we're all in deep trouble.'
"I hope your enjoyed your stay here at The Boogieman's Casino." Oogie Boogie called out to our heroes. "Because very soon…you'll wished you didn't stay. HA HA HA HA HA!"
After hearing that villainess laugh from Oogie Boogie our heroes share a look not liking the sounds of that and wonder what the Boogieman has install for them…and how are they gonna escape before it too late.
-: To Be Continued :-
And that's chapter 10 done and dusted.
How do you like it, was it good? Please comment.
This is TonicShadow, signing off!