This is my primary story, based heavily around Kingdom Hearts. I've been working on this one for a good number of years, so any comments or critiques you can offer would be greatly appreciated. :)
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 1 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 1
Chapter I: Disney Dreams
December 26, 2003. The heavy snowfall swirled in the darkness outside more intensely this year than any other I had yet to witness or can actually recall. Access outside was barred by at least half a foot of snow outside any exit we had around the house, save the windows.
We were all content with staying indoors, however, since it was night now and we had celebrated Christmas the day before. My many siblings were off in their own little worlds, making merry with their newly acquired toys in the contained environment.
I was downstairs, still in my new pajamas and slippers, playing some of the video games I had a
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 2 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 2
Chapter II: The Strange Visitor
Scenes of my dreams from that night passed on a screen in the middle of a hexagonal table within a dark room. Not a single bright light shone in this room, except for the screen and the glint of the evil eyes watching it. Several beings surrounded the table, contemplating what they were seeing and making secret plans (as well as wagers on the outcome, apparently).
Hes good, as I had told you hed be, one of the beings, a pirate, said.
You never told us that, shot back the second, a wizard.
Of course I did. I even bet you three sapphires on the boy. Now pay up!
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 3 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 3
Chapter III: The Pumpkin King
I woke up in a cold, grassy field to the sound of some weird but cheerful music. The pain from the blow to my head was still pounding, even now. I rubbed the sore spot under my hair as I sat up. I looked around, but all I saw was a mass of grinning pumpkins against a dreary sky around me, all of them staring at me. The only other light came from somewhere over the next hill, where the music was coming from. Not even the moon showed his face tonight. Something told me I wasnt in my basement anymore.
Where am I?
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 3.2 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 3.2
Near the edge of the forest beyond the pumpkin patch and on the other side of a long dried up creek, a rickety clubhouse rested in the branches of an ancient tree. Its paint was centuries worn off, and a long, thick tube was practically the only thing keeping the gnarled tree from collapsing.
It was to here that a bathtub on four stubby legs hurriedly ran through the forest path, bearing three passengers. All three were wearing masks in different shapes and colors and dressed in different outfits to match these masks.
Do you think Oogie Boogie will be displeased with us? asked the first one dres
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.1 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.1
Chapter IV: Arabian Antics
Well, a good job Oogie did back there.
As if you could have done any better, you fish-brained freak!
Just shut up, you matchstick.
The sorceress stepped between the two bickerers and hissed, Stop that, both of you. Oogie Boogie was the weakest one of us, so its no loss to us if hes charcoal. All that matters is finding out which one of us should deal with that boy next.
The wizard stood up gently from his seat and leaned over the table, looking at my image on the screen as he twisted his goatee. I belie
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.2 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.2
I awoke with my mind swimming with memories and dreams, being unable to distinguish actual happenings from figments of my imagination. My eyes were only met by vast darkness, only broken by a small fire in front of me. Wait fire? I slowly sat up, the back of my head still throbbing. I looked over my surroundings as best I could. From what I saw there were sheer rock walls in front of us. The only exit had been sealed. The others were sitting on rocks they had rolled around Donalds wand. The short staff was stuck in the sand and was shining wit
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.3 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.3
It was about an hour after we lost sight of Agrabah that we started to get a little restless and hungry. Will you shut your stomach up? Donald thundered, angrily pointing his wand at me.
I held the offending organ as it roared again. I havent eaten a thing in the past two days, I explained. I get hungry.
Donalds stomach groaned when I finished. He flushed with embarrassment and lowered his staff. I laughed in spite of my better nature and chuckled, And it appears Im not the only one! The others joined in
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.4 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 4.4
My eyes slowly opened some time later. Some loose grains of sand fell from my eyelashes and hair as I sat up. The others were gathered around me; the magic carpet was under me, acting as a sleeping mat. The moon was once again hanging over my head, and a blanket of stars accompanied its pale light in the night sky. Apparently I had been asleep longer than I thought.
You okay, Michael? Goofy asked.
I vigorously shook the remaining sand out of my hair and replied, Yeah, yeah. I was just a little tired, is all. What did I miss?
Were back at the Cave of Wonders, for a start, Donald answered, poin
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 7 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys, Chapter 7
Chapter VII: Battle by Moonlight
The lot of us stepped out into a grove of trees. However, nothing looked right. Instead of the black shadows of nightfall hanging about, there were orange skies. Around us, the only things to disturb our vision were brown tree trunks with bare branches. The dirt was barren of any other plant life, even the leaves that should have fallen off of the trees. Donald, Goofy, and I wandered into the forest. Even the ground felt different beneath our feet. Uh, Jack, are you sure this is Halloween Town? I asked.
Im sure, Jack replied confidently. He too stepped through the door;
Skeleton Keys: Chapter 10.1 by PumpkinApprentice431, literature
Literature
Skeleton Keys: Chapter 10.1
Chapter 10: Playing Pirates
I stood at the helm to our glorious new vessel, allowing the winds of space to brush over my face. I didn't rightfully care about the laws of physics and biology we were breaking. All of my attentions were on this latest sensation, my imaginations taking flight like our ship. I had always dreamed of the pirate's life, and this latest segment to our adventure brought me even closer to that seemingly-unrealistic desire. Maybe it wasn't so impossible. I mean, I was sailing with Jack Skellington in the crow's nest and Donald and Goofy on the deck below keeping us shipshape. Impossibilities were practi