The Day had finally come for every manner of people and creature to come to the Kingdom of Murine. The Festivities would be extraordinary for all to enjoy. A Grand Ball would be filled dancing and laughter. And at the end of it all there would be a new banner that would be forged to showcase the unity of all the lands all the people about them into a glorious alliance.
But the discovery of the evil of Chernabog who had risen up from Bald Mountain in the dark lands and as witnessed by, King Mickey he had summoned forth and brought back to life every manner of dark creature and villain to serve at his whim. He would use them to bring about an age of darkness. Everyone of them could have their revenge on those responsible for their demise and rule a part of the realm or even a realm itself outside of Ethiopia.
King Mickey was devastated not only to discover the rise of the Demon of the Darkness and his plan but to also discover a most trusted friend of his was found long dead in a hidden study in his castle. However, with learning that his final years were of constructing a device to send a relic he forged that would be the key to their salvation to a child in a realm known as Earth. The Closest realm to their own.
The King spent the remaining days before the arrival of the dozens to hundreds of those that would be coming for the gathering of unity ceremony and festivities. His old friend, Yen Sid left behind many notes that explained of this child he spoke of. He also talked about the prophecy that the great light would shine and cast away the darkness once the child himself knows what he carries upon him.
Though some of his notes brought hope to the King there were some notes that, Yen Sid left were something to be concerned of. Even during his solitude within the hidden study of the castle he knew that Chernabog was already on the rise. He would not be able to appear from the Dark Mountain yet, but his spies were everywhere. His Shadow minions that could move though lands at night like the shadow ghosts that they were.
His Spies purpose was to learn of all those that would soon oppose him. Every creature that stood for the righteous or were entities of peace and love he would cast away as soon as soon as he would rise up.
And the most unfortunate of it all was that one of his spies happened to discover, Yen Sid in his hidden study. While he was in the middle of constructing the portal device a shadow demon had infiltrated his study unknowing to him. The Notes that, Yen Sid currently had left talked about the plan he had and the relic he created that would bring down his master. The Shadow minion tried to take it but caused a clatter which alerted the aged wizard and he managed to stop the shadow demon from taking the relic, but the shadow demon got away. With that no doubt that, Chernabog would know of the very child that the relic would soon go to when the Portal Device is finished.
When King Mickey had read that part, this worried him all the more. This meant his and all of his newly acquainted friend's enemies would know about the child and the relic he possessed. Chernabog would have to spend some time to construct his portal device. And if there was any good news it would take time and the Demon of Bald Mountain itself was confined to the mountain. He would not be able to move from it.
Now the King when he read the notes understood why the demon himself would not simply to try to lay claim to the realm around him or go after the child when his own device would be complete. His Shadow Demons were plenty forged but since they were made from such a tiny among of dark magic that could be easily dissipated. It now made more sense to, King Mickey why the demon would use his power to bring back some of the darkest hearted and evil-minded individuals that ever existed upon the realm of Ethiopia. He would need those that had power and influence. Those that were not defeated so easily. They have been killed by their perspective foes but either by a stroke of luck or they underestimated them.
This was so much for the King to bare that he had to tell the truth as soon as everyone would arrive for the festivities. He really wished he didn't have to, but the matter was of the most seriousness. This crisis that was on the way would involve everyone not only in Ethiopia but in the realms beyond. If they didn't come together to counter the darkness then the peace they have gained. The Love they had for all that they knew would be at risk. Everything they had every known would fall into an era of darkness where light no amount of hope would save anyone. All those that would live under such an age would only know tyranny, oppression and subjugation.
King Mickey awaited the day for all the guests to come. Every important figure from Royals to nobility to even gentry would come. All of them from high to low played a vital role in protecting their homes, lands and their people against the beings that tried to take them over that now were existing once again in the service an evil that was beyond even their own capabilities.
When the day had finally come the King looked down from the balcony that overlooked all his kingdom and the lands beyond it. Thankfully, he did not have to see the dark lands that were on the other side of the castle.
He looked upon the great caravans of so many different wagons and carts carrying every manner of folk. Some of them were riding on horseback and some even flew in upon either a winged horse to a carpet or even by a set of wings they had. It was such a glorious sight to behold but despair was on his face seeing all those entering his kingdom with such happiness and glee. He was going to ruin it for everyone.
His Queen came out by his side and took notice of it. "Are you well?" Minnie asked coming up to, Mickey's right side and took his hand. Though the warmth of her grip did little comfort him in this dire time.
"No. Look out there. All those smiles. All those happy individuals. Our friends. Today was supposed to be day of joy. And I am going to ruin it all." Mickey simpered. Minnie however gave him stern look shaking her head.
"Its not you, Mickey! Its that demon in the dark lands! Everything your about to tell is his doing not yours! You're doing the right thing by telling all those below about it. Today will be a grand day. We all will be unified, and it will be thanks to you." Minnie assured.
Mickey smiled slightly giving his Queen a warm look. She always knew how to turn a bad situation into something else entirely. "Thank you. I can only hope for the best. I'll inform them in a few hours. Let them all enjoy themselves as this could be the last among of it any of them will have for a time." Minnie nodded in agreement as they headed back into the castle.
For the entire day everyone that had arrived in the Kingdom of Murine had the time of their lives. Food was plentiful as so many of the guests were busy keeping themselves stuffed with so many taste treats. Some of them kept to certain type of food and were eating so much that it seemed their stomachs were bottomless and there was hardly any bit of that kind food left for anyone else to little of their frustration to a greatly amusing one.
Many others were enjoying the great many games that were set up for all those that wished to indulge themselves into friendly competitions of strength and skill. Though many of the folk from various places of the known realm participated some of them proved to be champions of the said games.
One individual could easily arm wrestle and lift up the heaviest object with ease. Showing off with just one hand and playfully admiring himself in the mirror.
Some participated in races where some were quite evenly matched in the skill and no matter who was it that crossed the finish line first some of them crashing into each trying to outdo the one next to them all they did was laugh it off as it showed they both had much to do if they were to win in the next mater.
And others were participating in competitions of accuracy. Shooting at targets with what weapon of their choosing nearly all who were known for their skill with it used bow and arrow. Due to their years of using the said weapon it was quite the challenge for the participants to outdo each other.
No matter what the target was or how far away the contestants each nailed the bullseye some firing their arrows while doing trick shots or showing off in some way. It came to a point where all the archers could not outshoot each other but could outdo the way they shoot. But in cases they were happy to meet such worthy opponents and better yet, more folk to call their friends.
Evening began to fall over the kingdom. The lamps and torches were lit within the castle and it was announced that the ceremony within would come to a head but there was something the King himself needed to discuss with everyone that was present.
Immediately every guest headed into the throne room in an orderly fashion all trying to act as polite and regel as possible. One after another they came into the massive room that was so long and so wide that many wondered why was the throne room designed in such a manner where the kingdom consisted of creatures that were barely any taller than a dwarf?
The Throne Room was so massive that even when the entirety of the guests have entered there was still enough room to hold a small army within it.
Everyone that came for the ceremony all gathered to the throne where, King Mickey and Queen Minnie sat on their thrones. They all expected to see him all bright and happy as this night would bring about something grand that would be remembered for all time. But to the surprised of the guests, they saw the King hanging his head low and his expression indicated something was on his mind and it wasn't anything good.
One of the Princess's named Cinderella who had rose from being a maid for a cruel household stepped forth to the King and Queen's throne as the rest of the guests all settled down on chairs and spots around.
"King Mickey. You look rather distressed! What is wrong?" She asked as, King Mickey raised his head and took one look at his Queen who nodded at him. There was no other way he could put this.
"I fear I have dreadful news." The King sighed feeling very guilty having to put a damper on what should have been a grand evening as confused murmurs echoed in the massive chamber.
"Well can't be that bad!" A Young boy known as Peter Pan wearing a green short sleeve tunic in olive tights with a green pointed hat with a red feather on it who was short of being a teenager came flying over the crowd in the room and sat floating just above the ground crossed legged and folded his arms smiled widely but, King Mickey shook his head.
"I am afraid it is." King Mickey replied in a sad voice.
"Well, what is it?" A Young woman wearing a blue top and yellow skirt dress whose skin was white as snow which she was known as, Snow White.
King Mickey stood from his throne standing tall so all could look upon him so they may all hear what he has to say. "Darkness has rose in the lands near here. The Demon above all the wicked kind has returned. He is known as Chernabog." He called out in a loud voice so all may hear it.
This brought a lot of concern to all those that gathered. One figure kindly walked past many of the people and creature there. He wore an armor outfit that was known to be worn by warriors in his kingdom. He was muscular and rather astonishing. He was the son of the high god Zeus.
"Just point me in the direction of this, Chernabog! I will have mangled and broken before dessert!" He asked confidently punching the palm of his left hand and took to a moment to flex his arms.
King Mickey again shook his head. "I am afraid its not that simple! I was there when he rose when my scouts reported something suspicious. I went there to investigate it, and not only did I watch this figure emerge from the mountain as if he was it himself something else happened that I truly wish I did not witness it. If I hadn't saw it myself I wouldn't have believed it."
"Well, out with it already!" A brown Bear wearing a green shirt and a similar hat to, Peter Pan's demanded. "What more is there than about this fella?"
"I witnessed many brought back from the darkened cracks that came from the earth at the wave of, Chernabog's hands. Many of them I saw emerged from the smoke were those that many of you have told me you had most unfortunate encounters with." The King explained sadly as the guests recoiled at that news.
"You're not saying!" A Boy wearing nothing but a red loincloth who had a grey bear wrap his big arms around him protectively said.
The King nodded. "I cannot say this in any other way. Your foes have all return to the land of the living. Chernabog has brought them all back to existence for the purpose of taking our realm and the realms beyond our very own!" King Mickey exclaimed dropping back on his throne in shame and worry as every guest was taking the news in the way that he expected it.
"You lie!" A Woman wearing a green soldier's outfit that was modified for her use. "I saw, Shan Yu perish! There was nothing left of him!"
"No matter how you defeated all these foes each and every one of you have told me about I assure you I am not fibbing in this remark. I would not put this night in such a dismay if I did not witness it myself." The King replied sadly as again the crowd in front of him was now in complete shock. Some were in disbelieve while others were in denial.
"Why? How?! How could this happen?" A young woman with long red hair wearing a regal green outfit huddled close to her husband in disbelieve but accepting that it was not a lie. No King would ever lie of such a horrific discovery and make it into an elaborate prank.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Ariel." King Mickey replied putting a hand over his forehead.
"Then if all of our old foes have returned then I say we all march through those lands and return them to their graves!" A young red-haired boy wearing a farmer's outfit took out a sword from his belt and raised it up high as many around them all nodded and murmured in agreement some of them raising their own weapons in the air.
King Mickey shook his head again. "Again, its not so simple there. My presence had to be noticed. When I left the land after my discovery I searched for answers in my library and while I was I tried to lead a scouting party back to the dark lands, but a barrier now protects it. Its of dark magic and beyond anyone. Nothing less than the relic my old friend has made could penetrate such darkness."
"Relic? What relic?" A Man wearing a white lavish royal outfit looking much like the one a smaller fatter man had standing at his side.
"A Relic that is our best and only chance to fight against, Chernabog and all your old enemies. But if they get their hands on the relic and the child who possesses it then we are all doomed!" King Mickey stated as his tone got more serious.
"Child?" Belle the recent town girl turned princess who helped a once disgraceful and short-tempered prince who was made a beast by an enchantress he wronged and was cursed to be a beast until, Belle managed to work her way into him to make him become a better person and made him discover something better underneath the monster that he was on the outside and to see within that he had the capacity to become something better than he was thanks to her help.
"Yes. There is a great deal to explain." King Mickey replied.
"Well then hop to it then, your majesty!" A Fox known as, Robin Hood who stood by his friend, Little John the brown bear that spoke earlier. "The Sooner we know all that we can about this Relic and the child that has it we must then make haste to find him before our foes do!"
King Mickey nodded. "I agree. Please calm yourselves. I do wish to humbly apologize for bringing such news upon a day where we have all agreed to come together to unite our lands and people. Truly it saddens me to my heart that I had to discover such a horrific truth. But now our unity must come together more than ever if we are going to stand a chance against the new darkness that has risen."
The King snapped his fingers and guard came in carrying a banner that held a symbol on it that was drawn over the colors of the flags of each of the kingdoms and lands from where each of the guests have come from.
Even with the horrifying news they all just heard the flag that was brought out that waved softly in the light breeze that came from the open windows everyone present gazed at the flag and all of them smiled.
"This night. We must come together. Tonight, we must vow to stand together. From hence forth we shall be the unity of Ethiopia!" King Mickey raised a fisted hand and everyone in front of him all cheered and applauded as the alliance they came to be a part of is now accepted. They are now allying both in bond and in friendship.
"Now. Allow me to tell you everything I know." King Mickey prompted as he sat back down, and everyone moved closer to the throne so they may hear of everything the King had about their new enemy who has brought back those they thought they once defeated. If the King had everything right about him then this Relic and this child he talked about could be the only things standing between them and an era of darkness and their vengeful enemies.