The Adventure
So Arthur and Taran headed off in the direction of the mountains. Though neither had any real idea of how to get there or how far away it was, but it didn't matter as the two were driven by their young hearts fueled by adventure.
So with one foot in front of the other they went on their way. And for the longest time the only other people they saw ere each other and the only animal they saw was Copper. The loyal hound walking every which way with them. The only other implication of life they hears was the cawing of a crow in the distance.
Every now and then the black bird would cry out and it's calling would echo far off into the distance. And then before it could be spotted the boys would hear the flapping of it's wings grow softer and softer as it flew off into the distance.
The journey continued as the boys growing deeper and deeper into the woods until finally they'd reached the end where the dark forest ended and the peaks of the black mountains began.
The two boys stood in awe as they stood at the bottom looking up at the never ending mountains that rose up and into the sky. Looking far behind them was the forest and even beyond that the town of Radiant Garden.
And the three just stood there looking at the mountains for the longest time.
"So how should we go next?" asked Arthur.
"It seems like the only way to go, is up." Responded Taran as he gazed up at the mountain.
"Up." Arthur repeated." Way,Way up there." With their destination before them and home miles and miles behind them there seemed only one place left to go. It was now that Arthur remembered something Merlin had once told him during a time of doubt. 'You've got nowhere to go now but up.' And so up Arthur would go, into the unknown and the supposed darkness everyone feared." Then let's go." And in a quick motion Arthur jumped forward and began climbing the rocks.
Taran quickly followed after Arthur, standing under him and prepared to catch him should he fall even though he was no more than five feet off the ground. Copper followed after them as well but while the two boys were preoccupied with climbing the mountain Copper's attention was called to something else.
A sudden smell caught his attention. The hound straightened himself out and perked his ears up. He turned away from the mountain and towards the forest behind them. He smelt something, something most foul and dangerous.
Within another second the smell got stronger and Copper began growling in the direction of what he had smelt. His growling attracted the attention of Arthur and Taran finally.
"What is it boy?" asked Arthur as he jumped down from the mountain and onto the ground. Copper continued to growl. The boys followed his gaze and looked out towards the forest. And there they saw two big, yellow eyes staring back at them. The two stood there stunned for a moment as the eyes blinked and looked at them.
Copper advanced forward continuing to growl at whatever it was. But then a large paw shot out form the dark and slammed onto the ground. The boys watched as followed the paw came a big, orange tiger.
Seeing the great beast standing before them the two slowly reached for the swords on their belts. But when the two made the slightest movement for their weapons the tiger let out a terrifying roar and lunged for them.
But lucky for them Copper jumped between them and the attacking animal. He let out a howl as he jumped forward and lunged at the tiger, managing to knock him onto his back.
"Copper NO!" yelled Arthur. He watched as the tiger hit Copper off him with a single swipe of his paw. Despite the pain Copper managed to bounce back onto his feet, limping with three legs. Then he and the large cat began circling the other, growling as they did so. In another furry the tiger jumped at Copper but hound turned and ran from the big cat. He turned and ran back into the woods and the tiger gave chase."Copper!" yelled Arthur after him." Come back!"
But Arthur's call suddenly got the big cat's attention and it slowly turned around to look back at the two boys.
"Uh no." groaned Taran. Then with a flash of his eyes the tiger turned and charged back at the two.
Taran quickly turned and climbed up onto the mountainside. He managed to sweep down and haul Arthur up before the Tiger could get him. The two boys stood only several feet above the animal's swinging paws as It roared at them.
But it only remained there for several more seconds before it realized it couldn't reach them. So then the tiger turned and ran off into the distance.
"Well that could have been worse." Panted Taran as he sank down to his knees.
"But Copper's gone." Said Arthur with tears in his eyes." He's out there all alone and scared."
"He knows the way." Taran said comforting him. "And if he doesn't go there, he knows where we're going." Arthur let out a deep sigh." C'mon, it's best if we start climbing this mountain." Arthur turned and looked up, the direction they were going. With their destination now closer he decided to put his emotions aside about Copper and continue forward. So they climbed, climbed high into the mountains.
Taran climbed faster than Arthur, so he managed to reach the first peak much faster than his friend. He swung one arm up and onto the flat ground and then pulled himself up. There the first sight he caught when he looked up was into the barrel of a rifle.
"Well, well, well." Commented a sophisticated voice. "What have we here?" The rifle was lowered and Taran looked up to see a big man with a yellow coat, brown hair with some gray, and a thin mustache." A bit lost are we boys?" He asked resting both hands on the barrel of his gun.
"Who are you?" asked Taran.
"John Clayton at your service." He responded.
"D-Do you think you could give us some help, sir?" asked Arthur.
"Of course, dear boy." Clayton said as he put his gun in the holster on his back. Then he reached over and grabbed the tow boy's by the cloths on their backs, lifted them up and onto the ground next to them.
"T-thank you, sir." Said Taran.
"You are quite welcome my lad." Said Clayton. He reached into his pocket to pull out his pipe and matches, and lighting it." Do tell me lads." He said blowing smoke form his mouth. "What are two young gentlemen such as yourselves doing all the way out here?" His eyes fell to the weapons around their belts." And so heavily armed."
"We are-" began Arthur.
"We could ask the same of you." Taran replied.
"It's rude to answer a question with a question. But if you must know I am a hunter. A hunter of big game and exotic wildlife." Clayton told.
"Then you must be hunting the tiger." Said Arthur.
"Tiger?" Clayton repeated looking at him confused.
"There was a tiger at the base of this mountain." Arthur told.
"Ah yes the tiger." Clayton responded with a chuckle in his voice." Yes I know of the tiger. Shere Khan they call him, the most dangerous and deadly of the big cats of all the worlds."
"All the worlds?" commented Arthur." So you've been to other worlds as well."
"Why yes, dear boy. I am a hunter, I go wherever the hunt is. And where there's some good profit to come out of it." He chuckled darkly. Arthur and Taran looked to each other confused.
"Now hold it right there!" barked a rough voice. Everyone turned over to see another man more slender than Clayton with a big brown trench coat, suspenders, a brown hat and a rifle of his own marched over to them." I've been tracking them for more than a mile now." He marched over and barked at Clayton with the two boys standing between them.
"Them?" questioned Arthur." There's more than one tiger?" Clayton flashed his fellow hunter a look.
"Of course boy." He said, his gruff voice sounding a tad more softer." Tiger's always travel in pairs."
"I'm so sure that's the case." Said Taran matter of factly.
"What would you know boy!" he barked at the Pig-Keeper causing him to fall over." I've been hunting animals since you were a thumb-sucking baby!"
"Steady on McLeach." Said Clayton giving him a pat on the back." No need to frighten the boys." The hunter now identified as McLeach slapped Clayton's hand and quickly turned to him.
"Now listen here pretty boy." He said with a finger in his face." Are you gonna sit here with the lavender in your lips all day or are we gonna do what he came here to do." Clayton's eyes rolled over from his fellow hunter and to the two boys.
"Whatever you say, old boy." He answered. Then before Taran and Arthur knew it they were staring down the barrels of not one but two guns, as the hunters aimed at them.
"What's the meaning of this?!" said Taran. Neither of them answered." I said what is-"
"QUIET!" yelled McLeach, his voice rising and echoing through the mountains and causing the two boys to fall over." Tie them up." Mcleach said to Clayton.
The Englishman rolled his eyes over to his fellow hunter.
"You tie them up." He replied giving McLeach a shove with his elbow. Now McLeach turned and looked at Clayton.
"I'm telling you to!" He shoved back. The two hunters now turned and aimed their anger at each other. They began to argue back and forth with McLeach's voice rising by the second and Clayton's appearance getting more and more rapid along with it.
As they argued Arthur and Taran saw this as a perfect opportunity to get away. So as fast as they could the two turned and bolted. But they weren't fast enough because as soon as the two hunters saw them making a run for it they forgot their argument and went after them.
Clayton reached out his arm and grabbed Arthur by the back of his shirt while Mcleach grabbed both of Taran's arms and grabbed him. The two then shared a rope and bounded the boys hands and feet. Once they were restrained the two hunters began carrying them off.
Taran protested and yelled until he was out of breath, the two hunters rolling their eyes the whole time. Arthur however was silent the entire way.
"Where are you taking us?" he finally asked.
"He speaks." Cackled McLeach.
"We're just stopping off to visit a few friends." Answered Clayton with a hint of malice when he said 'friends'. " Nothing personal thought boys, strictly business."
The next thing that caught all their attentions was the sound of cawing above. The two hunters shot their heads up and saw a crow flying overhead and flew off in the direction they were heading.
"Ha." Laughed McLeach." Looks like they know we'll be coming. And I thought they'd love he surprise."
The crow flew off into the mountains until it came to a large, black castle. It flew into through the open windows and into the main hall where all around a group of unscrupulous characters were.
One, Captain James Hook with the use of his one hand and signature Hook was playing at the piano. He happily played away at the keys, the melody of the music floated into the air and echoed in the vast halls of the castle. He happily played along until suddenly the crow landed right before him and began cawing right in his face. The startled Captain let out a cry and fell out of his chair and onto his back.
"Why you!" exclaimed Hook as he jumped up and swung his Hook at the bird. The crow took to the air and continued to caw as the pirate continue to try and hit it.
At a nearby table was Oogie Boogie and Dr. Facilier
"C'mon Shadow Man." Said Oogie as he rolled the dice in his hands before the Shaman's face." What's your lucky number, is it seven?" Facilier chuckled in response as he began shuffling his deck of cards in his own hands.
"Oh no Boogie Man, I stay away from dice games. It's the cards" He shuffled his cards before Oogie's eyes and then three levitated onto the table." that can show you if your lucky or not." Just then the crow slew by them and after him was Captain Hook still giving chase. He jumped on the table but only managed to knock it over. He jumped all around the room trying to hit it. Knocking over tables, stepping on Lion's tales and causing the dark army of goons hanging around to duck for cover.
The crow flew up and away from the pirate and into the throne room of the castle. There he found three others waiting. There was Hades lord of the Underworld standing and watching a game of chess being played between the Horned King and Maleficent.
The Mistress of all Evil picked up her Queen and placed it on the other end of the board.
"Checkmate." She announced. The Horned King leaned forward and observed the board, finding what she said to be true. He looked up to see her face smirking an evil smile and in reply all he did was grumble.
"Hey Ho!" exclaimed Hades as he came up behind the Horned King." Not so easy now ya see." He leaned down and put his hands on the Horned King's shoulder's. Just before the Horned King had commented to Hades than it is unbecoming of a being such as himself to lose in a simple game of chess to which Maleficent challenged him next.
In response to Hades the Horned King slowly turned his head and glared at him with burning red eyes.
"Hey, hey buddy." Said Hades backing away and putting his hands up defensively." No harm done, just a joke I do that you know." The Horned King continued to stare and Hades twirled his hand creating a cigar." What's say we smoke some peace pipe and shake friend." The King just continued to glare at him." Geez you don't even blink, bet you win all the time in a staring contest."
But then the crow flew into the room attracting all their attentions.
"Ah my pet." Said Maleficent reaching her hand out for the animal to perch on it. The crow did as such and began cawing and Maleficent nodded as if she understood. Hades and the Horned King just flashed their own looks of confusion, Hades wide eyed and confused with the Horned King only blinked." Apparently we have company." She smiled and turned to the two.
Meanwhile at that time Clayton and McLEach arrived at the castle, along with their two prisoners. They walked in and set the two boys down in the middle of the room. And the first thing the two captives noticed was the tiger, the same one they had encountered before.
The two were clearly frightened as the big cat slowly made it's way towards them. But before the tiger could get any closer to them Clayton stepped up and stood between them.
"Oh so sorry Shere Khan." He said patting the big cat on the top of the head." Perhaps you'll get it next time." The tiger turned and growled at Clayton as he walked by but his attention was drawn to McLeach who began tugging at his whiskers.
"Ha!" he laughed." Maybe's he's not just a big, bad pussycat after all." The tiger turned and roared at him.
Arthur and Taran shrank back as an entire group of goons crowded them, each with fierce eyes and teeth. But then a sudden tap echoed throughout the halls and brought the attention of everyone in the room to the stairway.
There stood Maleficent with the crow perched on her shoulder. The Horned King and Hades stood nearby having mingled in with the rest of the group standing with Captain Hook and Jafar.
"Well, well." She said making her way across the room until she stood before the boys." What do we have here?"
"We found them-" began Clayton.
"I did not ask you." She said turning to him and with only a stare managed to silence him. She then turned and looked back at the boys. She noticed they were clearly frightened and rightly so as they had been kidnapped and taken to this strange place surrounded by many fearsome looking people." Stand back, all of you!" she commanded. Most did as they were told but a brave few like Hades, Jafar, and the Horned King stayed where they were. Maleficent looked that action over and turned back to the boys." Now then children, who are you and where do you come from?"
"My name is Arthur, ma'am."
"And Taran." He added.
"We are from the town of Radiant Garden, just b-beyond the forest. "Arthur finished.
"Ma'am." Maleficent repeated." You have nice manners. Someone has taught you well."
"Y-Yes." Arthur replied not knowing what else to say.
"And were you also taught the history of Radiant Garden. And how it was once Hollow Bastion?" Arthur froze for a moment.
"N-No." he answered." I-I have not."
"So then you would not know who I am nor would you know anyone else in this room?" Both Arthur and Taran shook their heads.
"And yet still we have a dilemma." She said pawing the crow at her shoulder. The boys cocked their heads to her." We can't keep you here, and we can't let you go." She continued to pet the crow.
"I'd say we can come up with a creative plan." Said Jafar with a sinister smile as he ran his hand along his staff.
"Let's roll the dice!" exclaimed Oogie Boogie as he rolled them in his hands." Let's see what they get!"
Just then a strong wind blew blowing all the doors and windows open causing the banners and tapestries on the wall to flap around. Everyone in the room covered their faces as the winds blew faster and faster.
The main door swung open the fastest as a gust of wind like a tornado blew in. But then the winds died down and it became clear to everyone that someone was inside the tornado.
As the winds finally died everyone looked and saw the Wizard Merlin at the center of the tornado, spinning around until he came to a complete stop.
"Merlin!" exclaimed Arthur with a smile. Merlin turned and flashed a smile at the boy, but then turned his attention upwards to the whole host of villains in the room.
"Well, well." Said Maleficent covering the end of her staff." What do we have here?"
"Merlin." He introduced." The Great and Powerful." A standoff began as the World's most powerful Wizard began starring down the horde of villains all around him.