Chapter 3: In Enemy Territory
Mickey made sure he got up early the next morning to prepare for the journey to the Villains Realm of the Magic Kingdom with his master Yen Sid.
As Mickey was packing, he kept thinking about how things will all turn out. He then started to remembering why the Villain's Realm exists.
Yen Sid and the other sorcerers had created a realm to be a form of temporary confinement for villains who cause trouble or misbehave. They had put the all-feared primal demon known as Chernabog as its keeper and to watch over the villains. If a villain fills out their sentence, they are aloud to come and go as they please, but this had yet to happen.
When outside the realm, sorcerers, witches and generally those who possessed magical abilities' powers were limited in order to ensure they wouldn't be able to deal a certain amount of harm. Some have found secret ways to elude the system but their attempts were usually meet with failure.
As Mickey continued to get pack things, he heard a chilling knock at the door and a voice call out.
"Apprentice? We have a long journey ahead of us, and we must be back by nightfall." said his master.
"Erm, I'll be ready in a minute sir!" Mickey shouted back as he frantically packed the last of his supplies for the departure.
As Mickey put the last thing in his bag, he then remembered the book Walt had given him. He started panicking and began frantically looking around the room for it; opening covers, looking through chests and climbing up the bookcase.
Mickey had just finished looking through another chest when he suddenly realized where the book actually was.
"Oh no! It's still at the castle!" cried out Mickey as he slapped his forehead.
He picked up his satchel and walked to the front door. When he opened it there stood his master standing with his arms crossed. Yen Sid. The old sorcerer who was Mickey's master for longer than anyone can remember. There he stood with his ocean blue robes and his phantom white beard hanging from his stone cold face.
"I would have assumed that you would be more prepared for this urgent matter." Yen Sid said looking down on his apprentice.
"Y-yes sir, I was just getting the map." said Mickey.
The old master slowly nodded his head.
"And the book?"
"Well I um…" Mickey trailed off, twiddling his fingers.
Yen Sid raised an eyebrow.
"Out with it, boy." the sorcerer said.
"I...forgot it at the castle." Mickey admitted with a nervous chuckle.
Yen Sid narrowed his eyes and started towards the carriage.
"Come along, the castle is on our route, we will retrieve it on our way."
Mickey followed the sorcerer, head drooping in shame.
Mickey and his master got into the carriage, then Yen Sid gave a hand motion and the driver pulled off. Mickey's master never enjoyed riding in cars so he arranged for a horse and buggy, Mickey never understood this, but it pleased his master so he went along with it.
A little while later, they finally arrived at the castle and Mickey opened the door of the carriage and hopped out.
"I'll just get the book and be right back." said Mickey
"Make haste."
Mickey ran through the main gate, across the courtyard, into the ballroom and down the hall to his dressing room. He opened the door and walked to the desk and opened the drawer which had the book. He picked it up and ran out the door.
Mickey was just about to walk out the gate when he heard Minnie call out to him. Mickey looked back and saw Minnie running towards him with a basket under her left arm.
"Mickey, wait!" shouted Minnie.
"Minnie, what's wrong?" asked Mickey
Minnie huffed trying to catch some some of her breath. "Mickey, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned the letters last night. I didn't think everyone would react that harshly." she said with guilt clear on her face.
"Aw Minnie, you don't have to apologize. It was my fault for keeping that a secret from everyone. I should've told everyone about it sooner." He grasped his and Minnie's hands together and held them up. "I'm just happy you're willing to take a chance with me on this."
"Oh Mickey," she pulled away blushing. "I don't deserve a sweetheart like you."
"Gosh Minnie," he leaned in. "I'm the one who's lucky." he said with a warm smile.
Minnie softly giggled and raised her basket. "I know you're probably in a hurry, but I wanted to give you both something for the trip." She handed Mickey a basket full of food. It was a homemade basket, decorated with a single pink ribbon, Minnie's signature decoration.
"What did you pack?" Mickey asked with curiosity as he peered in the basket.
"Just a few things that I hope you'll like. Two apples, a few sandwiches and a kettle of tea with cups."
"Why thank you Minnie, that was really nice of ya!" Mickey said with gleeful grin.
Minnie gave a warm smile and embraced Mickey in a tight hug. "Just promise me you'll be careful."
Minnie leaned in and pecked Mickey on the cheek. She then went back inside leaving Mickey standing there blushing.
He then saw Yen Sid in his eyesight. The stone faced wizard stood with his arms folded, slowly tapping his finger on his elbow as he turned his head towards the door and boarded the carriage.
Mickey snapped out of his love struck trance and ran toward the carriage. When Mickey stepped in Yen Sid gave the signal to the driver and they continued on their journey.
As they rode on, Mickey reached in the basket and took out an apple and offered it to his master.
"Minnie was nice enough to pack us some food for the trip. Would you like an apple, a sandwich or some tea sir?" asked Mickey.
Yen Sid slowly turned to him as the mouse was only met with a unreadable expression.
Mickey shrunk back, worried he had somehow offended his master, until he briefly saw what looked like a small smile on the wizard.
The wise man gestured towards the tea set and slowly nodded.
Mickey's face brightened up a little as he took out a cup, poured some tea then handed it to his master. Yen Sid took the cup and brought it to his lips, silently savoring the taste.
It was late in the afternoon when Mickey thought about the strange aura he felt yesterday, he thought about talking about it with his master but quickly dismissed the thought when he remembered the mood he was in.
Mickey looked out the window as the carriage went on and watched as the scenery change from colorful flowers and luscious greenery to dead trees and dry bare ground, where it was nearly impossible for vegetation to grow. The sky also started turning a light green, Mickey clutched the basket to get a sense of comfort from Minnie's kind gesture in response to the ominous land.
After some time, Mickey noticed some stone columns with signs that said stuff like "Danger: Villains About!" and "Warning: continue at your own risk".
A few minutes later the carriage stopped.
"We are here." Yen Sid said in a low tone
Mickey and his master stepped out of the carriage, Yen Sid reached for the pouch he was carrying, took out a few gold coins and handed them to the driver.
Mickey and his master walked up to a large gate. The gate had a dark dreary grey shade to it with ancient chains hanging off the sides. There was no place for a key but there was a sort of symbol in the center. Just the appearance of it gave Mickey an uneasy feeling.
Two stone lions stood adjacent one each side to the gate. These primal beasts were mythical animals from the beginnings of Fantasia. They were the guardians that separated the gate between the Villain's Realm and the Magic Kingdom. Nobody knew where these beasts came from, but the legend believed among many says that they were born out of the fire from Bald Mountain itself. From this legend, they were given the name of The Beasts of Bald Mountain.
They were dormant, but once Yen Sid approached the gate, the stone lions simultaneously turned their heads towards the sorcerer. Mickey cringed at the sound of the stone moving. Their eyes began to shine with a piercing yellow light as they began to produce a nightmare inducing growl, not even moving a single part of their faces.
Mickey noticed how the stone exterior of the two lions began cracking away, revealing a sort of flaming interior within. Mickey never knew what their true forms looked like, but never wanted to find out. He knew that just the legend about their origins was enough to keep everyone away all this time.
Mickey had an undeniable feeling that if the beasts' stone exteriors were to break away, that he and his master were going to be met with an indescribable fate. He started panicking and tugged on Yen Sid's robes to plead his master to hurry and calm the guardians down. Yen Sid to Mickey's shock however was completely unfazed, only turning to Mickey, holding his hand out.
"The book, please." uttered Yen Sid.
Mickey handed him the book, still shaking from what he was witnessing. Yen Sid took the book and opened it to a certain page. With his eyes still glued to the book he put his hand right hand to what seemed like a weird shaped symbol on the gate. Yen Sid began to mutter some sorta enchantment that Mickey never heard before, he then saw his master tracing two fingers on the edges of symbol. As he traced his fingers the lines began to glow blue. When he finished connecting the lines, the symbol glowed brighter, than Mickey heard the sound of gears shifting and cranking, the whole gate began to glow then slowly started to open.
Yen Sid's enchantment seemed to be the trick to calm the guardians down, for once the sound of the gates was produced, the lions immediately were reverted back to their stone form and resumed their static positions on each side of the gate, almost as if they had never moved at all.
Yen Sid closed the book and handed it back to Mickey. They began walking through the gate and proceeded down a path towards a grimdark castle. When they arrived at the end of the path, they walked up a flight of stairs to a giant wooden door.
Yen Sid pushed open the door and motioned Mickey inside. They walked down a seemingly never ending dark corridor. Mickey saw eyes light up and disappear in an instant. Mickey even tripped, unsure if he tripped over his feet or if one of the unknown inhabitants purposefully pushed him down. After hearing a wave of mocking laughter, he assumed the latter. He quickly got up and started growing fearful as he had lost his master.
Yen Sid snapped his fingers and a glowing blue aura resonated from his fingers. Mickey saw the light and quickly scurried to the old wizard. Yen Sid saw the atmosphere getting to his apprentice. He put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft look. Mickey looked up at his master and took a deep breath, now gaining the confidence to trek through the mysterious abode.
At the end of the hallway was large gate entangled in thorns. It was opened, revealing a large empty room in ruins, only lit by the candlelight held by monstrous gargoyle statues that hung on the walls along with Yen Sid's glow. What stood out however, was a large oval shaped stone that stood at the head of the table. Something didn't sit right with Mickey about this dormant object.
Yen Sid gestured Mickey to stand back, he followed his command as Yen Sid slowly raised his glowing hands, and clapped them together. A shining blue light resonated across the room and Mickey heard the sound of a….bell?
Just like the beasts prior, the large ebony stone began to shift, unveiling what were in fact wings as wide as the night sky that were encasing a figure inside. Once the wings were spread, it revealed the primal demon himself, stretching his arms with slow force and opening his eyes, with a piercing yellow gaze to see his who had awoken him. With his wings spread, he had slowly placed his fists on the ground as Mickey realized who he was looking at. It was none other than the giant primal demon Chernabog, the Master of Bald Mountain, and the chosen to be the keeper of the Villains Realm.
There were other villains around the room giving them sneers and glares and others who just ignored them.
There were many different villains that sat at the table, villains such as the one-handed Captain Hook, Ursula the Sea Witch, Jafar the evil Sorcerer of Agrabah, The Wicked Queen Grimhilde, Hades the God of the Underworld, Scar, The Wicked Stepmother Lady Tremaine, the Maniacal Cruella De Vil, the Demonic Horned King, and many more but last not least Maleficent the Mistress of All Evil.
Yen Sid approached, pulled up and sat in a chair at the far end. He motioned for Mickey to take a seat next to him, he then got out his bag and pulled out a scroll. Chernabog sat on his throne with his hands together, eyes narrowed on the old sorcerer.
"Well? What brings you here into this domain wizard?" bellowed Chernabog
"I am here to talk about the festivities, and the behavior of all the villains." said Yen Sid
"Speak." said Chernabog
"Anyway, now as you all know the Jubilation event will be happening very soon. And we are well aware of the mishaps that had happened over the passed few years, mainly caused by villains have misbehaving and causing trouble." Yen Sid said the last part with a stern tone.
"What is the reason you're here?" asked Chernabog in slight annoyance
"I have come to ask of all of you that you will give me your absolute word that none of you will cause any sort of trouble or mischief from now until the end of the celebration. Here with me now is a document that explains these terms and conditions." Yen Sid said while unraveling a long scroll."
As Yen Sid went off reading the guidelines of the scroll, some of the villains started to whisper and mumble to one another.
"How long is this old geezer gonna keep babbling on?" asked Scar in a board tone
"Apparently until we waste away." said Ursula yawning
"No one babbles on like Gaston!" said Gaston while flexing his muscles
In response Jafar covered his face with his hand in annoyance of Gaston's ignorance.
"He'll probably bore us to death, and I would know, I am death." yawned Hades
Pete glanced over at Mickey who was next to Yen Sid.
"Why would the old coot bring that little runt along?" asked Pete with an eyebrow raised
"Hopefully for a little ssssssssnnnack." said Kaa licking his lips
As the other villains gripped and complained Maleficent felt a strange aura in the air. She looked around a little to find it's source when her eyes landed on the book Mickey was holding. She took a long look at the book, whatever was there it was drawing her in.
Meanwhile, Mickey was sitting quietly, fumbling his fingers. While his master was reading he looked around the room at the various villains some of them look more menacing in person then what the heroes described. He locked eyes with Kaa who had his swirling with patterns, Mickey was mesmerized for a few seconds but then snapped out of it and turned away, he then looked toward Shere Kan who smiled and licked his lips, Mickey shuddered at the thought of being eaten.
Mickey shifted uncomfortably in his seat as some of the eyes in the room rested on him. He then thought about what Minnie said last night. "Maybe this idea wasn't as good as I hoped." Mickey thought to himself. Then he shook his head of the negative thought, "No I will try to make this work, that's what my friends would want me to do, that's what Walt would want me to do." Mickey thought with determination.
Yen Sid finally finished reading off the scroll and set it back on the table.
"Lastly, if any of these terms are violated by anyone her, then all villains are here by forbidden from attending the festivities." concluded Yen Sid
Yen Sid then faced Chernabog.
"I trust that you will enforce these penalties if anything happens?"asked Yen Sid
"I will." replied Chernabog
"Then it is agreed, I will need your signature here please.
Chernabog did a wave of his finger and zapped the bottom of the scroll, signing his name. Yen Sid look over the signature and nodded in approval, then stood up.
"Seems to be in order, Very well then, we shall be on our way." said Yen Sid rolling up the scroll
Mickey and his master proceeded to the door, all the while Maleficent couldn't take her eyes off that book Mickey was holding, its aura was very intoxicating. She couldn't just ignore it and let it pass, whatever it was she needed to find out.
Yen Sid and Mickey made their way back to the gate where the carriage was waiting. They stepped back into the carriage and began the journey back.
"I hope everything goes well." said Mickey
Yen Sid nodded his head in agreement.
Little did they know that Maleficent's pet bird Diablo was following and keeping a close eye on them.
END OF CHAPTER 3
A/N
Sorry for the slightly long wait. I had to do some of this by myself because my partner is busy at the moment and I don't want to pester him. This chapter probably isn't perfect but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting to long, It will probably be improved later so keep an eye out. I am open to any suggestions or criticism concerning this chapter, just pm me. I am also thinking about setting up a Discord chat for pretty much talking and bring up ideas about stuff like this, so let me know if you think that is a good idea. Other then all that I hope you all liked this chapter, some of the credit goes to my partner Nikolai777. Until next time! (I own nothing except my OCs Zen and Wildroth)