HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYBODY!

Myst: It is me, MysteryGirl

Freak: And me, Freak.

Myst: Now we know that most people are more interested in our other story, but we wanted to add another chapter to this.

Freak: So that's why we are updating this now instead of finishing up Garnet's part.

Myst: It's just Kyra and Luke for now. Next chapter will be all about Garnet.

Freak: Since something big is gonna happen. Plus, when you're in Wonderland, lots of stuff happens that it requires its own chapter.

Myst: So, we don't own Disney. And without further ado, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter Two

~Kyra~

Kyra leapt over another dead log, nearly tripping in the process. She's been walking around for hours and had not even found a footprint. To make matters worse, she had no idea where she was going.

"Man, where's a GPS when I need one?" she complained, pulling a low branch out of the way and letting it whip back behind her. "Even the forest is different than when I first woke up."

It was true; the trees weren't as tall and the scenery looked more like it was enchanted. Also, there were mountains as big as the ones along the Rocky Trail back home. Not to mention, her glow was a bit brighter here, though still hard to see in the sunlight.

'I don't get it,' Kyra pondered, taking a seat on a boulder. She slid her bag off and laid it on the ground near her. 'How did I end up here with my brothers missing?' She sighed, resting her chin in her hands, elbows propped on her knees. 'If I'd known running away would be this difficult, maybe I could've come up with something else.' She blew at a stray hair in her face, frustrated.

Unknown to her, something sneaked forward behind her back. It headed over to her bag and opened the flap.

Kyra went rigid when she heard the grumbling, raspy voice. Looking down, she saw the bottom half of a grey, fluffy creature sticking out of her bag.

"Hey!" Kyra jumped up, immediately taking hold of the creature's legs. "Get out of there!"

She yanked it out, her stuff spilling out in the process. Upon seeing the creature, she screamed, dropping it on its head. Dazed, the creature slowly sat up, rubbing its head.

"Oh, poor Gurgi hurt his poor, tender head from mean lady dropping him!"

"Oh, my gosh!" Kyra mumbled, stunned. She stared wide eyed at Gurgi, one of the characters from 'The Black Cauldron'. A Disney movie. And here he was, before her and caught rummaging through her bag. "I-I can't believe this." Then she noticed he was clutching her hairbrush and she snapped out of it. "E-excuse me, that's mine."

Gurgi quickly hid it behind his back with both of his arms. "Gurgi doesn't know what mean lady is talking about."

"Mean lady?" Kyra raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed. "Look, I'm having a bad day. And seeing you is probably proof that I've smashed my head before I woke up. So please, just give me back my hairbrush." She put her palm out.

Gurgi just shook his head. "Nope."

Kyra growled, clutching her hand into a fist. She took a deep breath. 'Well, looks like I have to try something else,' Kyra thought. 'What happened in the movie again? He did the same thing to Taran with that apple. Maybe if I give him food, he'll give it back.'

"Ok, how about we trade, huh?" Kyra bent down and fumbled around inside her bag. "Give me my hairbrush, which is useless for you, and I'll give you…" she pulled out a Hersey bar and ripped off the wrapper. "This chocolate bar." Kyra held it out to him, giving him a sweet smile.

Gurgi looked curiously at the bar, sniffing it. His eyes shifted back and forth from her to the candy. Finally, he agreed and snatched the food, dropping the brush. He ate it in three big chomps while Kyra grabbed her brush and gathered the rest of her belongings back into her bag.

"Oh, Gurgi is much happy!" Gurgi said with glee, jumping into the air as if dancing. "Mean lady gave poor, miserable Gurgi munching and crunching! Nice food. Good lady! Good food!"

"Ok." Kyra slung her bag across her shoulder and stood up, feeling awkward. "Well, I have to go."

She started to stride briskly, but Gurgi ran out in front of her.

"Wait, wait!" he exclaimed, holding his arms out. "Gurgi wants to know where Mean Lady going."

"No time to talk, Hallucination." Kyra walked around him. "I got some brothers to find. Then find the next bus out of here."

The furry creature scampered to catch up with her. "Gurgi looking for brother, too."

Kyra paused, looking back at him as he stopped beside her. "You…have a brother?"

Gurgi shook his head, vigorously. "Nope. Gurgi have no brother."

"Then what? The person's name happens to be 'Brother'?" Kyra crossed her arms, not knowing what to think of this. But one thing she was sure of was that this creature before her wasn't real. She was ninety-nine percent sure.

"Gurgi looking for a brother of his friends," he said, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Are they all related?" Kyra teased, hand on hip.

Again, he shook his head. "Nope."

"I was just kidding." She started to take to go again. "Well, good luck."

However, Gurgi leapt onto her back before she went further, hugging her neck. "Hey!"

"Gurgi has seen brothers!"

"Oh really?" Kyra glared at him. "What were they wearing?"

Gurgi opened his mouth, though he had no answer. He darted his eyes around as if he could find the answer at Kyra's feet. She just rolled her eyes. "Just what I thought." She pried him off her neck, but that didn't help much as he then held onto her arm in a death grip. Frustrated, she flailed her arm like a hummingbird. "Would you just-!" she groaned. "For something imaginary, you're a real pain."

Finally, she managed to shove him off with her other hand. Gurgi landed on his back, dropping a bar next to him. Kyra caught a glimpse of it before Gurgi hid it behind him, giving her a sheepish grin.

"You were just trying to steal chocolate off me?" she accused, mad. "Why didn't you just ask instead of bothering me?"

"Uhh…"

She waved her hand dismissively. "You know what? Keep it. I don't care. Do yourself a favor and get back to your friends."

But Gurgi didn't seem to be listening to her. He was looking at her with a stunned and frightened face, like she was some kind of ghost or something. She raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

He curled up a bit, peeking over his knees and pointing at her with a shaking hand. "G-g-glow."

"Huh?" Kyra glanced down at her arm. Apparently, a cloud must be covering the sky because the blue outline shone brighter and more visible than before. "Oh. Yeah. This…I'm not sure what it is. But I can assure you that I'm not a ghost if that's what you're thinking."

Gurgi wrapped his arms around his head as if trying to conceal himself. "Mean lady is human."

Puzzled, Kyra asked, "Aren't you friends with the Taran guy, if I recall right, who is also human?"

"No. You don't belong here."

"What are you talking about?" But Gurgi had already started to run away, darting around the vegetation. "Hey, wait!" She chased after him, running through twigs and thorns. She followed him down a slope, leapt over a fallen log, went through a small stream, and pushed between some bushes. He was hard to keep in sight the farther they went. It wasn't until her foot got caught on an aboveground root caused her to trip and lose sight of him. She turned right and left, not knowing where to go.

'Why did he freak out like that?' Kyra thought. 'And what did he mean when he said that I don't belong here?'

She was pulled out of her thoughts by an unearthly screech that made her jump. Then a raspy scream followed.

"Gurgi!" Kyra yelled and ran towards the source.

She ended up at an open meadow, the ground bare and desolate. There, she could clearly see the dragon-like creature in the sky with black and purple scales. Kyra froze.

'That can't be real. This cannot be real."

The gwythaint swooped down, talons outstretched. Its prey jumped out in time from its clutches, dirt flying as the gwythaint flew up.

"Yipes!"

Kyra shook out of her shock and saw that Gurgi was the one being chased. Without hesitating, she bolted into the meadow. She stopped as Gurgi climbed into a dead hollow tree and jumped into a hole, the gwythaint not far. Picking up a rock, she reeled her arm back and threw it. "Leave him alone!"

It sailed straight into its face, hitting its eye. The monster growled, turning its attention towards the girl, glowing more brightly than before. When it veered right, Kyra realized her mistake; the glow around her went dim. "Oh, not good!"

She turned and ran with the creature hot on her heels. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as her heart pounded, her hair flying behind. A shadow fell on her and she looked up to see the monster almost upon her. She was almost at the forest's edge. Gaining more speed, she made a daring leap into the woods.

Then the gwythaint's talons closed onto her back.

Kyra screamed as she was lifted up, legs swinging and the ground sinking below her. Below, Gurgi peeped out of his hiding place as the gwythaint carried the human girl away, disappearing into the horizon.

~Luke~

Luke wheezed as he climbed over another rocky hill. He stumbled, almost hitting a cactus. To say he was tired was an understatement. The wound in his stomach ceased bleeding, but it weakened him. His wobbly legs felt like jelly. Sweat covered his black muscle shirt in torrents, dripping off his face as though he'd splashed it with water. Mud stained his jeans from the numerous times he'd fallen. His navy blue jacket was currently being used as a makeshift turban (he started to hallucinate twenty minutes ago when an ice cube did the conga). If he didn't find a town or something, he would be in trouble.

"Oh man," Luke said, voice hoarse. "I'm gonna die."

He coughed violently, falling to his knees and hands. He swallowed, gripping loose dirt and rocks.

"This is not how I imagined it would end." His voice felt so dry. A chorus of coughs erupted from his throat; spitting followed afterwards. "Alone, middle of nowhere, buzzards eating my entrails. I don't want to die like this."

He coughed more, his body shaking. Groaning, he lifted his head up weakly and spotted something he hadn't noticed earlier. A mountain with railroad equipment, some sort of old mine. And it looks as if it has been used.

Luke's face brightened with hope, drawing out a breath. "Please have running water."

With renewed strength, he made a beeline to the entrance. He didn't stop running until he was inside, practically slamming into a water barrel. As if he were bobbing for apples, Luke ripped off his makeshift turban and dunked his entire head into the water. He resurfaced and shook his head like a dog.

"Whooo!" his voice echoed down the tunnel. "Talk about refreshing!"

He leaned against the barrel, trying to catch his breath. Spotting a canteen next to the water barrel, he picked it up. "Huh, what luck!" Luke shrugged, pouring it into the barrel. Once full, he shut the lid and slung the strap across his shoulder, walking deeper into the mine shaft. He didn't know what was in here, but it wouldn't hurt to find out.

The sound of water dripping echoed throughout the dimly lit passage, lanterns hung on beams. He kept to the rail track, cautiously looking around. Over on the wall, he spotted a crooked sign. Squinting, he grabbed a nearby kerosene lamp and stepped closer to it. On it read: Echo Mine.

"Echo Mine," Luke said out loud. "Hm, why does that sound familiar?"

Then he heard something. Voices. They were coming from the next entryway in the wall. Curious, Luke treaded softly into the tunnel, staying close to the wall. He could hear the voices clearly now, a rough voice with a cowboy accent. Keeping himself hidden, he peered over to the people below.

A big, fat guy with red hair and a mustache was fuming and yelling at three skinny guys that were identical and were cowering on a couch. Luke raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why does that big guy look a little like Tim Curry?" Luke muttered. He shook his head and crouched low, listening to their conservation.

"We almost got caught!" the big guy ranted. "That deputy almost lassoed me like a calf! I'm not gonna be hoosegowed again! So you three better get more than just a tiny jag next time. Got that?

The triplets nodded. "Yes, Uncle Slim."

'Uncle Slim?' Luke thought. 'You gotta be kidding me. There's nothing 'slim' about that guy. An elephant has less weight than he does. Wait a minute…I heard that name before.'

Now that Luke thought about it, the whole scenery in the cave looked familiar. But he just couldn't put his finger on it. He was interrupted by the fat dude's talking.

"It's no wonder I'm such a laughing-stock to the other Disney villains," he complained, dragging a hand down his face.

"What about your yodeling and getting out-smarted by cows?" One of the triplets asked. His uncle grabbed him in a chocking hold like Homer does to Bart Simpson in response.

Luke turned away and leaned against the wall, mulling over what he just heard.

'Disney villains? Uncle Slim? Yodeling and cows? Sweet Fantasy Island, I'm in a Disney movie!' Luke realized with disbelief. 'But how?'

Luke tried to think back. All he could remember was sneaking out in the middle of the night with his siblings, carrying whatever they had left, and running into the forest. So why couldn't he remember anything else?

'This is bad. Real bad. Why did it have to be this movie? Out of all the others? Well, at least these guys are harmless villains. They don't have anything lethal.'

Click!

'Except guns!'

Luke slowly twisted his head to face the muzzle of a gun. Then slowly looked up from the barrel to the trigger, the hand, and then the face of the owner; a mysterious-looking dude with a long brown coat and big hat to match. "Um, howdy?"

Rico made a slight upward movement with his gun. "Up on your feet. Slowly."

Luke obeyed, raising his hands above his head. He kept his eyes on the gun. He never had a gun pointed at him before. Unless you counted those used in paintball and laser tag. But this one wasn't a toy.

"What are you doing here?" Rico questioned, aiming the gun to Luke's chest.

"I-I was lost in the desert," Luke stammered, sweat forming on the back of his neck. "I saw the mine and just entered it. I-I was looking for help. Didn't know this was private property. I swear I'll leave and never come back."

"It's too late for that." He aimed his gun up higher. "You've seen too much."

Luke's eyes darted around, his mind trying to come up with a plan. "P-please, I-I have this important telegram I need to take to the sheriff."

That seemed to catch Rico's interest. "What does it say?"

"I'll give it to you. Just lower your gun and I'll give it to you." Luke gripped the lamp's handle tighter, bracing himself for his plan.

Rico lowered the gun, but still kept it pointed at Luke. Luke reached into his pocket, pretending to search for something. He started to bring his hand out very slowly. Rico leaned in to see him pull out the telegram he believed the boy was getting out. When he was close enough, Luke slammed the lamp into the side of Rico's face, breaking it in the process. Rico yelled in pain, dropping the gun and clutching his face. Hot oil dripped down and splattered on the ground.

With the bounty hunter down, Luke ran. Down below, Alameda Slim and the Willie brothers heard the commotion and looked up to see a young man dash across with a bright glow outlining his body.

The Willie brothers grabbed each other in fear at the sight. "Ahh!"

"It's a ghost!"

"The mine's haunted!"

Slim squinted at the glowing boy before he disappeared behind the passageway. "That's not a ghost, it's an intruder." He whirled around to his nephews. "Don't just sit there. Get him!" he yelled, pointing at where the boy went.

Meanwhile, Luke ran as if his life depended on it. Which it did. He needed a quick way to get out of there.

He rounded another corner and tripped. "Oof!"

"Ouch! Watch where ya goin', partner!"

Luke rolled onto his back and yelped. A rabbit that looked like a gold digger, with a peg leg, red bandana, and golden tooth, was right in front of him and talking.

Lucky Jack cracked his back. "That happens all the time. What are you gawking at, boy?"

"I've entered a cave of cattle thieves. There's a rabbit talking to me! What's next?"

They ducked at the sound of a gunshot. Luke scrambled to his feet and took off, Lucky Jack right behind.

Behind them, the Willie brothers chased in pursuit, firing bullets down the mine shaft. They were hitting everything but the runners up ahead. Lucky Jack went past Luke and spotted a mine cart ahead.

"Quick!" he called, jumping into the cart. "In here!"

Luke jumped in, accidentally releasing the break. The cart started to move, getting closer to a deep slope ahead. Jack and Luke popped their heads up and saw their pursers just about upon them. One of the brothers tried to swing a shovel across Luke's face-but hit empty air. "Dang!"

Luke and Jack screamed as the cart raced down the track, wind blasting into their faces. It ended up being like a roller coaster, twisting and spiraling, going up and down, even upside-down in a loop. Then it got so dark they couldn't see.

When they could see again, Jack glanced behind them to see the Willie brothers following them on a handcar. "Kid, we got company!"

Luke turned around and groaned. "These guys don't quit. Got any ideas?"

Jack rubbed his chin. "Got any horseshoes?"

Luke shook his head. "No. But maybe something else."

He took off his backpack and ruffled through it. After a minute, he pulled out a net-like bag of baseballs. "You ever heard of the Junior Leagues?"

"Never heard of it." Jack grabbed a red and white ball and took aim. "I'll get the one in the front! You get the two in the back!"

Luke grabbed one and readied himself. "Alright. Batter up!"

And they sent their missiles flying, Luke hit one of them square in the face and off the handcar. Jack missed and broke a lamp instead.

Jack snapped his fingers. "Dang-nabbit! That happens all the time."

Luke rolled his eyes and pitched another ball at the second Willie, hitting him in the back of the head. Dazed, he started to sway with stars circling his head, actually visible to see.

"Whoa! Never thought I'd really see something like that for real!" Luke exclaimed.

While his brother was slumped against the lever, the third one aimed his pistol at Luke. Just as he was ready to fire, a ball was thrown and wedged itself into the barrel. Blocked up, the pistol's barrel puffed up like a balloon.

"Uh oh," he muttered before it exploded in his face.

"Yes!" Luke cheered. Lucky Jack threw another one, jammed into the wheels. Sparks flew as the handcar lost speed and finally stopped on the tracks.

Luke and Jack rode out of the mine and into the desert, high-fiving each other. "Yeah, now that's what I call a lucky shot!"

"Hah! That was some of the best teamwork I ever seen!" Jack praised. "Why we put the 'team' in teamwork. Yes, we did!"

Unbeknownst to them, Alameda Slim was high on the mine mountain. He aimed his pistol, using his arm to steady the gun.

Back to the cart, Lucky Jack introduced himself. "Don't think we've introduced ourselves. Folks call me Lucky Jack."

"Luke Lockwood. Or just Luke."

"Well Luke, it's good luck that you tripped over me, or else you've been shooting practice for those bandits. Stick with me and you'll be alive to see another morning." Just then, Jack saw Slim over Luke's shoulder, and the gun aimed at the kid's heart.

"Hit the dirt, kid!" Jack tackled Luke down, a split second after the gun went off.

Myst: Man, we keep ending on cliff-hangers.

Freak: That could be a thing we do. Like a special symbol or something.

Myst: That doesn't make much sense.

Freak: Speaking of which, next chapter will be taking place in Wonderland with Garnet.

Myst: We'll see you then.

Freak: Here's the catch though. We need five more reviews for it. We need encouragement to go on.

Myst: Again, we'll see you next time.