So sorry that it's taken me a while to update D: School has been pressuring, and it was a busy long weekend. I'm trying my best to keep us all happy as can be. Does anyone watch Once Upon A Time on ABCFamily? It's friggin' amazing :D I love it. Anywho, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far, but it looks like you are. And for those of you who are worried, I do plan for Dylan to come back and only get more beaten up :D WE'RE ALL GOOD, NO WORRIES. I'll keep you sane.

Disclaimer: à O: WOAH. I just accidentally discovered how to make an arrow on Microsoft Word. Wicked… Anyways. You need help if you don't know that I don't own MR or Carnival. Gee.

Chapter 9, Max's POV:

I didn't even feel panicked by the fact that the security guards of the cruise ship were on my tail. But I am slightly concerned that Fang is laughing his ass of as he runs next to me… in other words, he was showing emotion. What a change. Quickly using a burst of speed, I ran to the door of my room after lightly and effortlessly hopping up the stairs. Ramming open to door of my room after sliding the ever so useful key in, I closed it just as Fang slid into the room beside me.

"Any ideas?" Fang asked. "We're kinda trapped."

"I have one idea. But it's completely mental," I said with a smirk. I stalked over to the balcony and opened the doors. "Where is Iggy's room?"

"18 rooms down from here," Fang answered, catching onto my idea.

"Excellent," I said. I jumped up onto the balcony railing, and hopped the 3 feet over onto the next balcony, which belonged to Fang's room. Without hesitation, he followed me with as much ease as this was for me. We steadily made out way from balcony to balcony, lucky enough to not have anyone out on theirs.

"This one's it," Fang said from behind me.

"'Kay," I said happily, and jumped down onto Iggy's balcony. Fang landed beside me, chuckling.

"You're crazy," he muttered.

"Yeah, she is. But, that was the most epic thing I've ever seen!" Gazzy yelled, appearing at the balcony doors with Iggy, Nudge, and Ella behind me, grinning widely. He stepped aside, allowing me and Fang to go into the room's warm interior. Guess Gazzy has a mind similar to mine, huh? I grinned. Nudge and Ella retreated to a corner, leafing through the pages of a magazine. Iggy walked over to me, tossing me a root beer.

"Thanks, bro," I said with a laugh, shoving him with my shoulder.

"Hey! That hurt!" Iggy whined mockingly, unable to hold in a bark of laughter afterwards. Fang had gotten himself a coke, and Gazzy had a sprite. Iggy, like me, had a root beer.

"So, what about that kid?" Gazzy said angrily, his face contorting into a dark look.

"He needs more beating up," Fang said. I agree with him.

"Downright bastard," Iggy said in agreement.

"I have no issue with hurting him," I hiccupped. "We can try and find him tomorrow, I guess."

We heard the thundering steps of what we assumed were the security guards roll down the hallway. Looking at each other for a moment, we all started bursting into laughter, with the exception of Fangles.

My stomach growled. "Anyone up for more chocolate from the buffet?" I asked hopefully.

"Hell yah we are!" said Igy and Gazzy at once. Fang nodded his agreement, smirking.

"We're gonna go to Nudge's room," Ella said. "Is that okay?" I nodded, and she and Nudge ran out of the room, squealing. The four of us who remained ran out of the room after them, and then up the staircases to the top floor.

"Awww," Gazzy moaned. "No chocolate's left!"

"Damnit," I snarled. What? I want my chocolate. You can't blame me. Reluctantly, we all turned in the same moment. I bumped into a picture frame that held a painting of an apple and grapes, making it fall to the ground. "Oops," I said with a grin, as the other three snorted at my clumsiness.

"Wait," Fang said suddenly.

"What is that?" Gazzy and Iggy asked in wonder.

"What the hell are you all talking abou-? Oh. Woah…" I said. There was a small passageway that was concealed beneath the painting. "I wonder where it leads?"

"No time to wonder. Might as well find out!" Iggy said excitedly, running down the hidden passage. Fang, Gazzy and I followed him after hanging back up the painting to keep this hidden. The passageway was brightened by simple lights that were on the ceiling, and it had ruby colored carpets and shiny stone walls. Quite fancy for some hidden place.

"Quick, here!" Iggy hissed, sliding into a dead end that sprouted from the main hall. Urgently, we followed him, squeezing into the tight space. I was sandwiched between Fang and Gazzy. Awkward! We heard footsteps, and clattering dishes as someone walked past. After a minute, we all stumbled out of our hiding spot.

"I can breathe again!" Gazzy said triumphantly.

"Hey, we aren't that fat!" I said, crossing my arms in a stubborn sort of way. Fang rolled his eyes, pushing us along after Iggy. His hand seemed to linger on my back before dropping to the side. Weird. We continued along the passage, and I swear, we were making no progress. "I feel like we aren't getting anywhere," I whisper yelled.

"Same here," Fang murmured.

"Just keep going! There has to be something," Iggy said stubbornly.

"He's right," Gazzy said loyally. I facepalmed, and smacked Gazzy upside the head.

"Ow!" he yelped.

"Be a man for once," Fang said, chuckling.

"I am a man, thank you very much!" Gazzy said irritably.

"Shut it, will you?" Iggy snapped. "I sense something ahead. Stay quiet," he muttered.

"Becoming quiet," I said helpfully. Iggy glared at me, which was about as scary as a puppy's glare. "Ha ha, very creepy, Iggy."

"I know," he said sarcastically.

"Hear that?" Gazzy said.

"Hear what?" I said, walking forward at a brisker pace. The lights seemed to be dimming.

"Where are you?" Iggy said out loud.

"Where's who?" Fang asked.

"You, Max, and Gazzy," Iggy hissed.

"Right here," I said, sniggering.

"Where?" Iggy asked again.

"Here!" Gazzy yelled.

"Oh," Iggy said.

"Took you long enough," Fang commented. I laughed, and walked forward, bumping into someone who I assumed was Fang. "I found Fang's exact location," I said irritably, backing up.

"Really? What's his longitude?" Gazzy asked in his smart ass tone.

"Shut up!" Iggy and I snapped.

"Got it," said Gazzy. Iggy's footsteps grew slightly fainter as he ran forward.

Moments later, we heard Iggy yell, "JACKPOT!"

And there we are, dear readers :D Anyone think they know what the passageway led to? Post in the comments :3 Mwahaha. Anyways, please please PLEASE review. Maybe 6 or 7 reviews minimum? I'll do my best to post sooner, I really will. STICK WITH ME, FRIENDS. Remember, anything in a review that is based on the material in my chapter/story helps me improve as an author. A review is like an early birthday present, but free. What's not to love? Anywho, I'm gonna go before I get a headache from too much computer time. Love you all in a non-creepy way!

A presto,

Ezio