Level 12: Not Giving Up

The company was silent as they trudged the rest of the way towards the tunnel's end. No one can deny that London's silly chatter was missed, more so when she unintentionally makes a mindless statement. The only sounds being heard were the rippling of an underground spring.

Maddie winced at the thought. The underground spring was where London confessed her feelings for her. And Maddie remembered how heartlessly she lashed at London without even waiting for an explanation. Then again, wouldn't the "I-did-it-for-love" excuse explain all?

"Hey," Zack said, poking the glum cavalier, "don't be too hard on yourself. It's not your fault London was captured."

"Don't sugarcoat the truth, Zack." Sir Moseby said firmly, "it was Madeline's duty to guard Princess London. If the princess had a bout of insomnia that night, Madeline couldn't sleep until London does. Madeline's life is London's!"

Maddie's eyes widened at Sir Moseby's last statement. My life is London's?

"And furthermore," Sir Moseby huffed, "when we get back to Castle Tipton, I am surely asking the Queen Mother to replace London's personal cavalier."

Maddie's eyes met Sir Moseby's. The knight was steaming mad, and any angrier he would have had been breathing fire from his nostrils. Flinching at the thought, Maddie hung her head. "Yes, Sir. I understand I was inadequate in providing the protection of my liege."

"Good that you know!" Sir Moseby growled.

"Don't be so hard on Maddie, Sir Moseby," Cody pleaded, "it was my fault for not waking anyone up."

"Madeline should keep an eye on London 24/7, considering she's always been the curious type." Sir Moseby replied.

Something inside Maddie snapped, and she retorted, "It's not my fault at feeling uneasy! Sir Moseby, with all due respect, London's in love with me! She was acting so bizarre as of late, and out of the blue she tells me that she loves me!"

To Maddie's surprise, Sir Moseby remained his composure, not the least bit fazed by Maddie's outburst. "What is your problem, Madeline? Everybody in this group can see that you love London in return."

Maddie's jaw dropped, and she shook her head. "No…that's not true!" she denied.

But everyone gave her a stern look, and she sighed in defeat. "Well, maybe I do…but it's only as a friend."

"Well, whatever 'love' you have for London isn't going to cut it. If 'love' is what proves to be the main reason for your incompetence, it gives us all the more reason to replace you." Sir Moseby said.

Maddie remained silent, and everyone in the group viewed it as conversation over.

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London woke up, feeling weak and nauseous. The trek from the previous night didn't give her enough time to recharge her energy. She was sleepy, and the blinding light from whatever prison she was made it difficult to see.

"Where am I?" she thought out loud, getting up to a sitting position. "The last thing I remember was being in that cave…"

"London, is that you?" a voice called out.

London's eyes flew open, trying to remember whose voice it belonged to. Finally, she called out feebly, "Daddy? Is that you? Where are you?"

"London! I'm so glad you're safe." Wilfred Tipton exclaimed. "I was worried about you!"

"I'll bet you were," London mumbled under her breath. Wow, Daddy's nice to me in the VR. If only Maddie could be as nice as he is…

"Where are we?" London continued.

"This is Morte Island," Wilfred Tipton replied gravely, "where those who step in never step out." "Stop scaring me, daddy!" London pouted. "Use some of your money so we can get out of here! Pay the jailers! Pay the boatmen! Just don't use the new clean bills." London demanded.

Wilfred tried to stifle a laugh wondering what in the world was a "bill". But was successful in keeping his composure serious. "It's not as easy as you think, princess." "Why, daddy? Aren't you the king in this game? Can't you order these people to set you free?" London waved a hand towards the squadrons of guards below their suspended cages.

"They're the Black Ace, and they're looking for the essence of something called the royal youth of fates." Wilfred tried to explain. "They started trying to get the willpower of other princes and princesses in the surrounding cities, but their trail eventually led to you. I tried to stop them, but they proved too powerful for me and my platoon."

Before Wilfred could fully explain to his adorable yet dim-witted daughter, a guard opened London's cage. "London Tipton, come with us."

"Can't my daddy come too?" London asked, thinking that she was about to be free.

The guard looked at Wilfred, and then shook a negative. "The leader would like to see you alone."

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"End of the line…" Cody whispered as a huge boulder blocked their path. "Even with our combined force, it won't be enough to push this rock away from the exit."

"Perhaps we should try finding another route?" Carey suggested.

"Hold up a second," Zack said, "I see a keyhole."

The group huddled around, and sure enough, they saw a keyhole in the bottom-right corner of the boulder.

"Let me try to pick it." Zack offered. The thief got on his knees and began using a lockpick. After a few minutes, though, he gave up. "Cody, why don't you try? There are several carvings around the keyhole, maybe you can decipher it."

Cody cast a small fire spell and began examining the odd carvings on the stone. But he, too, was unable to read it.

Carey, Maddie, and even Sir Moseby tried, all to no avail.

"Hack-ach-ach-ach!" came an all too familiar laugh, "all your crawling around in ze dust vill help nothing."

"Ilsa?" Sir Moseby queried.

"You've guessed right, Sir Mozeby. I must zey, vou have exceeded my approximated time of reaching ze end of viz tunnel. Iz someone in your group missing?" Ilsa taunted, throwing her head back in an ear-splitting laugh.

With every movement of Ilsa, the diamond bounced across her chest, sending reflections of red all across the tunnel's wall.

Zack tried inching towards Ilsa unnoticed, intent on keeping his end of the bargain with London. However, someone beat him to it.

Maddie was in pure fury, grabbing Ilsa by the neck. "Where's London, you madwoman?!" Maddie growled, her eyes blazing with fury. "I know your group took her. I know that you know something. Speak up before I run my lance through your chest!"

Ilsa gagged and flailed helplessly.

"What's that? You can't speak?" Maddie taunted. "Maybe before the end of the day, the 'Black Ace' will lose a member of theirs too. Say your prayers, you hag!"

Ilsa was moving her lips to some sort of incantation, and before Maddie knew it, the sage teleported herself away. "Darn it!" Maddie hissed as all she held was thin air. "She disappeared…" she mumbled. "She disappeared! Damn it! I let her get away!"

Maddie began sobbing, "I'm a total failure. I can't protect London or even kill Ilsa. I really deserve to be punished when we get back to the Tipton!"

Everyone gathered around, trying to comfort the cavalier. But Maddie seemed oblivious to their presence. "Alright! I confess to whatever divinities abide here, I love London as well! Just let her live, please! Even if we don't get to be lovers…even if she forgets all about this adventure…just let her live! If she dies…all our efforts will be naught!"

"Stop that nonsense, Madeline! You're giving me a headache!" Sir Moseby groaned. "Quit your bawling…and as for your confession, just tell it to London herself! She's a tough princess, she won't go down easily!"

"Sir Moseby is right, Maddie," Carey said, "look what that scatterbrain left."

Maddie's eyes, still blurry from her hysterical bawling, took awhile to adjust to the item Carey held in her hand. It was a key, with the exact same hieroglyphs on the keyhole's sides.

"The key…" Maddie said, reaching for it.

"Mm-hm. That's right. We still have a chance. Don't let these recent events put you down. We should never give up." Carey encouraged, patting Maddie's back.

Maddie smiled back, and slipped the key into the keyhole. As soon as they turned the key, they were greeted by the warmth of the over world sunshine.

"Morte Island…" Sir Moseby mouthed, "…the Island of Death."

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London winced as a black-cloaked figure moved closer.

"This is indeed her, the royal youth. We need her essence to resurrect our fallen troops in battle." A voice spoke from beneath the hood, sounding as if he came from the grave.

London was too scared to say anything. Not that she had a choice, her mouth was gagged. Before she could even blink, cold, clammy fingers touched her forehead and tried to extract her soul. London felt herself getting sleepy, but fought fiercely to stay awake. Whatever this guy was trying to do, it was obviously malevolent.

As she was about to give up, the same voice said, "Her willpower is too strong, take her back to the cages. That could weaken her resolve and make it easier to get her spirit."

The last thing a semi-conscious London felt was hitting the cold steel floor of her previous cage.

End Notes: Well, this is a boring chapter, I know. But it is a major step in the plot! Will Maddie's group make it in time? Or will they be too late? Maddie finally confesses to the entire company, but not to the person who needs to hear it the most. Sit tight until the next update! (I'll try to get it up ASAP).

Thanks to all readers and reviewers! :)

P.S. I'm so happy! Lots of Londie stories keep popping up! But on the other hand, I'm quite glum that the Hotel gang isn't complete in the upcoming Suite Life on Deck. It's just not the same without Maddie…