First, there was the cannon fire that peppered all along the East side of the Park. Then there came a clash and a clank when the lights completely went out. Meanwhile, inside the very first attraction that went down without any sign or reason, Toy Story Mania, one of the projection screens began to light up. A swirling radiance glowed and spat out bright embers…. Not too long after, a series of screams were heard from inside before a pile of toys shot out and landed squarely on the cold ride track. Woody accompanied by a Space Ranger, a fellow cowgirl, a slinky dog, a green dinosaur and a potato head doll, all landed in a great heap before this radiance completely disappeared.
They were entirely alive, completely out of breath from the rush. Woody looked around, remembering that he came this way to find Sarah in the first place. He had to go back quickly with Yen Sid's help to gather his friends before Maleficent would get to them first. Hopefully, Sarah and Buddy were in tow very soon.
"We have everyone? Is everybody here?" he began, getting up first before he was rammed into by Jessie.
"For the life of Abraham Lincoln, Woody! You scared us all half to death!" she exclaimed.
"It's good to see you with all of your stuffing intact, my friend." Buzz came up to the two.
"We thought you were never going to come back!" Jessie said.
"Jeez, what the heck happened to this place…?" Potato Head observed once he got both eyes put back on.
"You'll know in a sec, guys… It turns out we're all in the same pickle." Woody said, trying to find out where to start. "Y'all might think I'm crazy…"
"Did you find Bonnie?" Rex worried. "Is she okay?"
"I - I… I don't know." Woody's voice went low, as he began to look so crushed that it would seem that he could no longer hold it in. It all passed onto them, their hopes quickly diminishing. Buzz could see the devastation in his brave friend's eyes.
"We're figuring this out, Woody. Tell us everything he told you…" Buzz walked a bit closer. Woody massaged his temples, clearly upset before continuing.
"It turns out that a Dark Fairy took her." he started, knowing the group was going to freak out. "… She's not the only one. Just shut up a minute, Rex!" he snapped a little at Rex's whimpering.
"Sorry, sorry, Woody, I just can't stand any of this tension!" the dino replied.
"I need you guys to be on the same page as me, all right? Yen Sid's on our side." Woody reasoned. "… because he rescued a kid. A kid I grew to know through the course. Sarah. I helped her get through before a shadow could snag her. It turns out her parents were taken the same way Bonnie was. She has the same mission as us."
"Oh Woody, what can we do? Why would anyone want to do something like this to children?" Jessie saddened.
"Children aren't given special treatment this time around…" Woody shared. "… it was really hard to watch. Not just her, but she has an Imaginary as well."
"You actually saw one?" Potato Head piped up.
"I've actually met one." Woody corrected, matter-of-factly. "He's going to be helping us… Helping Sarah for the most part."
"You think he would be willing to go against this witch…?" Rex stayed in the back. "I mean, look at us — we're just toys."
Woody led his band around corners and through these halls, looking for a way out to the queue line of the dead 3D ride. the painted facades and pictures of games and themes were all dark and looming without lights. It was already dark outside only a greenish hue bounced off the grounds and the worried mumblings of caught security guards ran about, trying to hide away from something or someone…. Woody saw a few men run passed in a panic and had the others hide with him in the dark corner.
"If you thought shadows were bad enough," Woody's voice shook a little. "You remember Yen Sid's message, right guys?"
"You can rely on us, Woody. We're small enough to fit anywhere…" Buzz explained.
"How can we dodge all those shadows? They are everywhere!" Rex piped.
"We're small, guys. We can do it. All we gotta do is reach the far side, Disneyland. With the Cars, they can get us there quickly." Jessie bravely reminded them.
"I'm sure they have their plates full too," Woody said, beginning to lead. "We reach them, then we'll reach the others! Before Yen Sid will arrive — Come on!"
With that, the lot began to run as quickly as they could under the shadows of the walls, trees, and benches. There they went, through the empty queue line, coming upon the massive dead still Mr. Potato Head animatronic. It stood like a mountain over the toys with arms spread wide. In all this darkness, it struck them all as unsettling, especially to Potato Head himself.
"By far, this is the strangest trip we've ever been on…"
"Woody? What does this Imaginary look like?" Jessie whispered, following through.
"First and foremost, a cotton candy mountain shaped like an elephant in a hobo jacket." Woody tried to make it blunt but it sounded crude by how he said it out loud. "But get this — When I met him he looked so lost. Scared. But no kidding that his appearance was only a glimpse of how sweet he really is. Brave too, I might add. But I have a feeling that he won't be that easy to recognize anymore, by how things are lookin'. I trust the Fairy and the Mouse."
"You so sure about that? Considering this is all his fault." Potato Head spoke sourly.
"Hey. He's on it, okay?" Woody tightly replied in the Mouse's defense.
As to what that was, the tiny band of live toys soon found themselves in the dodgy territory when they crossed the walkway. Beyond that point there stood the darkened Ferris Wheel where a sinister presence prowled. A single shadow in the shape of a cat wormed its way around the beams and gears at dizzying speed towards the band. If it weren't for that one who rode on the back of silky pitch black steed. Dismounted, a heavily cloaked man drew out a shortened wand as he stepped out from behind a character photo backdrop.
With a single whip of the wrist, a flash of light shot out, striking the dark being straight in the head. Two more of those and the entity was gone. No less, Woody ushered his group to break into a run as he kept their back. This resort was in the modern world which was littered with dangers. Now with it under a powerful spell, the impossible was slowly becoming possible. No less, even the stores and hotels were all something out of a horror film. Things were in disarray. Oddly enough, a few benches, some wooden, some metal had been dented and crushed which led a cause for concern for the group besides that other who just saved them.
"It seems that we're not the only ones making progress!" Buzz panted while running.
"You listening? I hear guns going off!" Jessie shuddered before she was ultimately pushed by Woody to hide beneath a shop display. At once when they were able to hide, something massive barreled across the Pier bridge, leaving blackened skid marks on the wood after leaving an ear-numbing, dull roar. It was a stock car engine by the sound of it.
"Looks like our work is cut out for us…" Woody spoke out in mere shock, believing that he had just seen a car zoom past them.
That was no joke on their part. They were blessed with time to recharge, to think and clear their minds… because they could not stay there at the Keep. Even though it was heavenly to be there. The sense of security was mesmerizing. Sarah was frightened because she found that she had no idea how to wield anything magical. That one thing everyone kept referring to, especially the Wizard, was the key, as though the formerly named Bing Bong was a literal key. As to what that meant and what it entailed, the point was to steal away Maleficent's staff. As if that were possible…
Mickey was who she really trusted, to be perfectly honest, while the dreamer fully trusted in her. Gurri's worried words bugged Sarah time and time again about that single fact. It was to her knowledge that her candy laced friend was, in a way, a tool… or a guide that will help get them through these doors into the Imagination. That scared her! What was going to be over there? Apparently, it was the only way to get back to her world. We were in literally a huge hurry. Mickey took Dreamer by the glove and pulled him into this strange corridor.
Sarah didn't know how to describe it. It stood out from the rest of the castle like a sore thumb. The elephant certainly had no idea. That was before his sensitive hearing began to pick up on something. Growing into a willful creature, that forceful tug angered him to the point that he yanked his hand away, facing towards the direction where that sound came from.
The corridor seemed neverending to them on each side of the walls were completely decorated with wooden furnishings that looked like unfinished painting frames with nothing but flat, smooth wood at their center. It struck Sarah as very odd and slightly frightening, to say the very least. Mickey was surprised when the Imaginary showed a sign of rebellion, only to find him beginning looking down the left hallway that resembled exactly like the right. There was no direction or indication that anything was down there.
"Wait a sec! You hear that?" he asked suddenly, very on edge.
While Mickey looked all the more intrigued, Sarah was skeptical. Although, she had trust in the magical being… since it was he who needed to figure things out on his own now. It was odd to think of her friend as a literal key to help them get back to her world. Who knew what other horrors awaited them. They had never even seen Maleficent face to face yet and she dreaded if that chance ever came. Especially if she wanted the Imaginary so badly. There was the fear that maybe she wasn't as good as she thought. Of course, when in the thick of things she had to have some doubt!
"I don't hear anything…"
Dreamer looked at her as if she grew a second head. "Ya nuts! How can you not hear that?"
It sounded like someone was yelling… "Wait, what the…"
The three turned a corner only to find a rather awkward sight. Gammy, of all creatures here, bright and colorful, happened somehow in this corridor. The weasel was panicking as he seemed to be herded and dragged down this hall before their very eyes. What he was dragged by looked like enchanted brooms that hopped and danced around him, seeming to sweep him along as he struggled to get away.
"Was this your idea!? Get off!" Gammy cried at them, quite flustered.
Sarah struggled not to laugh at him and neither could Dreamer. "What's going on here?"
"These fool brooms won't stop!" Gammy panted being batted by those bristles. "What are ya standin' there for? Help me!"
"You're fine, pal~" Mickey ultimately laughed. "Ya haven't been trying to sneak off again, have you?"
"Not… to — well! Ah! Maybe… Ow! YES! Okay, ya guys got me!"
"I say Merlin wants to meet you too. It's just us down here." Sarah added.
"What is this place even!?"
"Yen Sid's private quarters. This is where he keeps his most personal projects…"
"This place? It's a maze!"
"To the naked eye… Like what Robin told you, are you with us?"
"If you get these things off my tail, yes! Stop ya laughing, candy factory ~ I was starting to like you…"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" the elephant was bright and gleeful as he was almost bent over in laughter. "Okay, okay~"
All that was needed to break the spell was a mere thought of goodwill, no doubt, from the Imaginary. The brooms seemed to freeze for a second before falling motionless to the floor. That left them, even Gammy, very confused. Mickey looked impressed.
"Did you do that, Mickey?" Sarah asked.
"Nope, that wasn't me at all!" Mickey expressed before smiling at the smacked Imaginary.
"Bing Bong— I mean, Dreamer, you did that?"
"I just— a-ah, I just thought of it and it just… happened…"
"Well, thank you then, daydreamer. If I can call you that." Gammy breathed as he dusted himself off.
"You just thought? Of what?" Mickey asked, very curious now.
"… just for them to stop."
Soon after Dreamer replied to Mickey, there came a single, gentle applaud from further down the corridor. "Well, well!" came a cheery, warm elderly voice.
The trio, now adding that weasel, all paused and turned to see the welcoming and proud smiling face of behind a long drape of a snow-white beard that almost trailed lightly along the floor. He was not as tall and not intimidating like how Yen Sid was, naturally. He wore a simple deep blue robe as well and an old blue coned hat that was slightly worn and bent at the tip.
"When one thing happens, it only leads to another. When I thought I've seen only one of them, my today's a wonderful day."
"Merlin!"
"My friends, you are not very punctual as a start, but there is only one to blame for that." he seemed to joke, winking at the group.
"Wow…" Sarah smiled, quite amazed. They only talked about Merlin until now. Now he was here with them, and he seemed quite proud.
"Good evening, my dear." Merlin greeted. "All of you must forgive me as well. I had a previous engagement just as you had. Maleficent surely enjoys to stir up such a fuss. But never you mind all that right now — It is a great pleasure to meet all of you. Face to face! Not just by word of mouth… You must be Sarah. Sarah Jackson." he greeted the girl, sweetly taking her hand.
"Yes, sir…" she smiled.
The old man's bright eyes then landed onto the extraordinary colorful friend at her side. "And by Jove, there is so much word about you, laddie. I am proud to say that like what I see. Oh, but there is so much more yet so little time! Be quick and follow me! Come close!"
He waved his arms up so excitedly, like how a child would a Christmas much to their surprise. They had only just met but they had a schedule. As hard as it may become, they were all together. Even though Woody had a headstart for their sake… They honestly worried for him, yet they trusted the cowboy.
"You're taking us all through… And somehow get back to Disneyland? H-how does that work exactly?"
"Simply really! Do you know how wormholes work?"
"Somewhat?"
"Indeed! Here, my lass, that flower you have on your person…" Merlin told the girl who had the enchanted flower nestled on the inside of her tunic.
"Th-that's my flower," Dreamer spoke up, feeling a little worried at first. "… it's—"
"It's a key." Merlin finished. "Best to know that I am on your side, Dreamer." he smiled, kindly.
The Imaginary looked a little curious. "Everyone seems to know more about me than I do myself. Kinda scares me…"
"Both the good and the bad know about you, lad. But listen, just like how the sorcerer's stone stands out among the gems as the dwarfs dig and dig day after day, you are more than you think. Not long ago you had broken a spell. All on your own. I am glad to have the chance to meet you and quite a party you've gathered, I might say."
Merlin gently took the paper knit flower into his hand and with what was his cane, he lifted it high and began to circle it causing a slight whirlwind. "HIGGITY ALAKAZAM!" was the sudden magic word.
"Golly, now what? Now it's getting even weirder…" Gammy spoke as he watched in awe.
They had to slightly shield their eyes when similar to what happened to Mickey Mouse, the flower began to morph into a different shape.
"This needs to have a good guise. Unlikely sorts seek it. Best to guard this well…"
"Yes, sir…" Sarah nodded when she was given, not a paper flower, but a plain looking purely silver key that looked like an ordinary house key. Heck, it looked like one of her parent's spares. It even had a label on it; U.S Lock. Sarah observed, very closely, not spotting anything strange about it. Merlin smiled under his beard.
"Oh! Here is the fun part, my dear! This can change into any shape of your Imaginary's desire." he excited poked Dreamer on his bowtie.
Dreamer seemed more intrigued as well as naturally nervous about this whole situation.
"I can change it to whatever I want…?" he asked, quite smitten.
"That's right, my lad. Why don't you try it out?" the sly wizard encouraged.
"This is something new… If I can stop dancing brooms—" Dreamer modestly looked at the others.
"First Lesson; Never doubt yourself." Merlin pointed out.
Right then, Dreamer chose a single thought in mind. A happy one. Finally! He thought about flying. It was the one thing, the one feeling, that he remembered and had held onto ever since he awoke to Joy's pure glow and loving call. The tiny key in Sarah's hand slowly but surely began to shake and shimmer, just like the darling's own sugar when it would glimmer in the light.
Before their eyes, in Sarah's hand when there was a small key, a tiny bird sat in its place. It was ultimately shocking to say the very least.
"How marvelous!" Merlin brightened, even more. "Come! The time is now!"