Mickey's Dream Team

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Lost indeed. Alone and wandering through the woods, Mickey Mouse found himself in the dark in both the figurative and literal sense. What was he doing there? He didn't know. What just made that spine-tingling sound right behind him!? He didn't know that either! All that did go through his mind was shouted aloud in panic,

"I gotta get out of here!!!" he hollered, throwing his arms up and using his hands to shield his eyes from the eyes in the dead trees which seemed to be peering down at him. Eyes were everywhere he looked. There was no escape. Everything was out to get him, and everything from logs in the water to shadows between the trees was alive. Racing for his very life, Mickey dashed over dirt path and hurdled over exposed roots. Hostile sounds were closing in on him. There seemed to be no escape!

That was the case until he saw a breakage in the woods. The trees cleared away to reveal a castle, dimly illuminated in the moonlight. Dare he go closer to it? The woods were not so welcoming, so there was no option for him. He ventured on, dashing as fast as his feet could carry him. He scarce noticed the ground below his feet start to feel more like cloud than terrain. His eyes were fixated on the castle.

He only hesitated once he got to its mighty doors. Tender-footed, Mickey knocked at the door and shrank away. He only hoped the Master of the Castle was home; or maybe it was better if they weren't. Such a forboding air hung about the place.

"H-Hello? Is anyone there? I've been lost in the woods nearby, and I-I need a place to stay for the night."

 

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"Gosh, I'm not sure," Mickey responded, holding the red crystal like a carefully guarded treasure. "The essence of someone I know, huh? Well, who is it? And just how do I get them out of there? Are they okay? Oh no! Is Minnie alright?" His questions grew more anxious the more he asked, clapping one hand over his head when the stress became too much. It was a lot to take in, and it looked like, once again, it was up to him to save his friends.

More steadily, Mickey furrowed his brow and looked up to the man in the white coat with stern understanding.

"You just tell me what I have to do to put a stop to her and help my friends. I imagine they're counting on me, and I can't let'em down."

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"All ten. I got it. Thanks for all your help,--- I --- I guess I call you Dreamer." Mickey did not take the mystery man's words lightly. "I figure I got some danger ahead of me, huh? And I'll have ta keep an open mind to make sure I don't fall for any of those illusions ya mentioned." He faced the door, gripped the crystal tight, and ventured in. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave, and that it would be a challenge, but he was a determined little mouse.

Into the castle entryway strode the mouse of a great lion (though his knees felt like that a frightened kitten). The view inside sure was spooky and Gothic, and two knights blocked the stairways on either side, a doorway in the middle led to a smaller room with three doors. The two to the right were locked, but the left one had no such chains. Left with no other choice, Mickey readied himself to go through the left door when a rattling in his hand shocked him.

"Woa!" he hollered, as the red gem began to shake and freed itself from his hand. "Is this what he was talking about?" he asked, eyeing the floating gem with curiosity. "Gosh, I wonder who's in there."

 

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Darkness surrounded the Black Rabbit, but it did not harm him. It merely enveloped the anthropomorphic fella, blanketing him in this seemingly never ending dream-scape of a bad memory. Wearing blue overalls, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit floated in this sea of blackness, staring away at nothing after the memory ended only just moments ago. Why does this keep happening to me? No matter what I do... It just plays out the same.

Disappointment waved over the rabbit while jaw tensed slightly. The darkness slowly beckoned him to close his eyes and to accept the outcome. Eyelids waned in strength, vision unable to tell the difference anyway. He was ready to accept his fate, he was ready to be forgotten permanently.

Ortensia... I'm sorry...

However, it would seem the light wasn't ready to forget the Black Rabbit. Starting off as a sliver in the blackness, it quickly caught the Lucky Rabbit's attention. "Wha?!" he stirred, life suddenly taking hold of him. Eye's widened in refound hope, the lack luster dissipating as the light grew larger and larger. He got up, all the time fixated on the light. The darkness waned, being replaced by the radiance that belonged to the light. It became so bright that Oswald had to shield his eyes from the light.

"What's going on!?" he exclaimed, hesitating to open eyes.

Little by little, eyelids unfolded as irises readjusted to the surroundings. "Where...Where am I?"

Everything was blurry for a moment, but he could make out what was around him. Brick walls, three doors, and someone of a familiar shape. Two round ears, Big nose, a tail as thin as a string, red, white and yellow colors adorned this person, and...

Oswald jumped back when he realized it was someone he was not fond of. "You? What are YOU doing here?" he pointed a judging finger at the Mouse.

 

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Mickey jumped back. The action with the gem was startling enough, but this rabbit looked pretty displeased to see him. And Mickey had no clue why.

"Me?! But... What about me? Who are you? I-I-I- Did I do somethin' ta upset ya? Gosh, I'm real sorry, but ya see, I only just got here, and I'm tryin' ta rescue my friends and my girl, Minnie. There was this man in a white coat just a little while ago, and he handed me this red gem. And you just popped out of it!"

 

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Now this was truly strange. Somehow, the Mouse had no idea who The Black Rabbit was or why he was upset with him. Jaw dropped in awe. The same Mouse who had ruined his world, who had stolen everything from him had forgotten HIM and had forgotten what he DID. Something began to boil inside the Rabbit as he became irritated for a brief moment. Teeth gritted themselves.

"Gggrrr...! What do ya mean, Did I do somethin' ta upset ya? How can ya forget somethin' as big as the BIG SP-" he stomped angrily, but stopped as he registered all that the Mouse said. "Wait, I came out of a red gem?" he queried, but quickly decided it was pointless to further discuss it. If the mouse was just as surprised, then asking him a question was obviously useless. A sigh escaped Oswald. Slapping the air in front of him, "Oh forget it... So where are we anyway? And who's this White Coat fella y'er goin' off about?"

 

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"The answer I have for both is the same one, but it's not very good, I'm afraid. I don't really know. He said a witch had taken folks I knew and put them into gems. Seven of'em. And this is her castle we're in. He warned me that illusions and tricks would be everywhere, so you keep on your toes too, okay. Does that about catch you up- Erm... uhhhh... Sorry, pal, I guess I'm supposed to know ya, but... I just don't really know your name."

Mickey didn't really feel like this was the time or the place to be going over formalities and introductions, but these two seemed to have prior history he wasn't aware of. Was it one of the castle's tricks perhaps? No matter what the case, he'd have to trust in the rabbit for now.

"I guess you already know who I am."

 

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"It's Oswald." he replied, crossing his arms in a pout. Very displeased with Round eared Mouse, he showed his annoyance. A Witch's castle housing a Witch whom had taken Mickey's friends hostage as gems. Wait, did that mean HE was one of Mickey's friends? Right foot tapped on the floor as he stared at the Mouse, falling into contemplation whilst remaining annoyed. Well THIS is ironic... Anyway, a castle with a witch and illusions and tricks everywhere... This sounds oddly familiar...

"Well if you trust this White Coat Fella, then I suppose I don't really have a choice. I was freed from that gem, and it must've been for a reason..." he let out a thought. Giving his back to Mickey, he struggled to let out words that eventually came out. "I guess I owe ya a thanks..." he muttered. Seeing as time was passing and nothing was happening,

"Well? What are we waitin' for? They're YOU'RE friends we gotta rescue, not mines."

 

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"Nice ta meetcha, Oswald. But I'm not really sure if I trust him, but it seems like everything he said is true so far. No thanks necessary though, pal! I wasn't the one who let you out, and, really, I'm glad ta have ya with me," he laughed with glee. "I wish I knew what it was that I did to upset you though, but we can talk about that on the other side of that door."

Mickey walked over to the left door and cracked it open. There was no telling what would be on the other side, but, as soon as he'd opened it far enough, he could see it led back outside to the forest. Huh. It looked a little different though. Why did it feel more... mystical? Careful, Mickey led the way into the Enchanted Forest.

"C'mon, Oswald. We've got some work to do."

 

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In the new landscape, Mickey soon found it fraught with peril. Not only did the door shrink and vanish behind the pair as the entered, but it also them behind to deal with monsters on the other side. Unsure, at first, what to do, Mickey watched in horror as an enchanted tree stump stomped its way towards them on it's uprooted limbs.

"Not really off to a great start just yet, are we, Oswald?" Mickey extended one arm and, in a burst of white light, his Keyblade was in-hand. It was short work dealing with the minion, just taking one hit, but he doubted that would be the last obstacle on their way through. "Don't worry. I'll guard ya with this. It's called the Keyblade and I was taught ta use use it by my mentor, the great sorcerer Yen Sid. I can't really explain how it works, but it's gotten me this far."

 

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The blade, it's design, and color scheme. "What?!" exclaimed Oswald, baffled by the scene. "How'd you- Why do you-?!"

Words just seemed to choke up before they could be fully expressed. Beady eyes stared at the Keyblade held in Mickey's hand. Of all the things to see. With a quick flick of both wrists, he too summoned his own keyblades. However, only one appeared and it was nearly identical to the one the round eared mouse had. The color scheme was the only thing different about the two as they both had inverted colors of each other. He looked down at his empty hand, shocked. How? When did this happen?! Eyes shot back at Mickey Mouse in ambivalence. The more he looked at Mickey holding a keyblade that did not belong to him, the more furious he got. Just how much more was this so called Brother of his going to keep taking what wasn't his? Face started to turn heat red like a furnace. Brows furrowed deeply and teeth began to grit. The Rabbit was fuming through the ears in anger.

"Why do YOU have MY keyblade?!" he burst out.

 

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It was perplexing for Mickey to contend with both an enraged rabbit and an escaping enchanted tree. The addition of Dreamer's voice into the meddling melting pot only caused more strain on the poor mouse's nerves. With determination and just a moment's thought, he had his answer for all three.

"Listen. Oswald. I can tell this won't be easy, because ya just have a lota questions I just don't have an answer for. But that gem that wood fella had? That's one of my friends trapped in there. The same way you were trapped. No matter who it is, I always have to be there for my friends. Now, I'm not askin' ya to come with me to face that baddie, but it sure would be swell if I had a friend by my side. All of mine need me. So I'm sorry that I can't stick around for an answer. I gotta job to do. You can stay behind in the castle entrance if ya like, but me? I gotta go after that good for nothin' log! I hope you understand!"

Then, quick as a dash, Mickey raced off after the rolling log, chopping away stumps, mushrooms, and jumping over giant moths all the way.

 

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The Enchanted Tree stump transformed and rolled out away from the two anthropomorphic rodents. Mickey obviously having a lot on his plate, had put things in order of priority. In this moment, chasing after the Tree Stump was at the top; considering it held a gem Mickey needed. The enraged Black Rabbit seemed to have cooled off in an instant the moment the situation was explained, irises suddenly looking at Mickey with a bit of surprised respect. However, it was a foreign mood; specifically it being felt towards the Mouse. So obviously he looked away, masking the coyness in his face with the tough guy facade. It was a bit annoying to have questions ignored, but despite his feelings towards Mickey, he too understands how important friends are.

Mickey Mouse ran off to the chase Enchanted Tree Stump, leaving the Lucky Rabbit in ambivalence. "...friends...." he uttered, reminded of the Wasteland denizens. It frustrated the Rabbit to be lost, left out of the loop. He wanted to know what happened prior to him being lost in that gem. Where did HIS friends go? What happened to the Wastelands? Was Ortensia ok? What about his plethora of children? Why did Mickey have one of the keyblades? He trained under Yen Sid, the same man who created the Wasteland?

Empty hand coiled itself into a tight ball, and weapon baring hand gripped harder on the keyblade's handle. Small eyes shifted back up to see Mickey Mouse a ways ahead of him. A sigh escaped Oswald, deciding to toss the unanswered questions aside. With foot forward, the Rabbit darted off to chase after Mickey chasing the Enchanted Tree stump.