TAoP Chapter 20
A True Nightmare
Penny gasped at the sight of all the food on the table. It was completely full of regular food and desserts. Her stomach growled even loader than before, her mouth watering with anticipation. Midnight barked with delight.
"All this is for me?" she grabbed a plate and fork, deciding what she should eat first.
"Well, it's also for your friends and everyone else," Belle laughed, taking her place at the table.
"And thank you for waiting for us," Max said, putting his hand on Penny's head.
"I was going to save you some," Penny insisted.
"Yea, right," Jayden and Illiana took a sit. Immediately, servants came to set drinks in front of them. Penny looked in her goblet and saw white stuff.
"What is this? Is it wine like last night?"
Belle laughed, "No it's milk. You are too young for wine." Penny shrugged and drank it all in one gulp.
"Sorry I'm late, Belle. I had business to take care of," Adam entered the room and sat at the head of the table. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"It's alright, dear," Belle answered taking a sip of soup.
"And these are our guests?"
"Yes. I'm Max and these are my friends. We are only passing by here while we are searching for…people. We will probably leave sometime tomorrow," Max vaguely explained, taking on the role as leader of the group.
"So soon? Will you be back?" Belle asked.
"Yes, eventually. We will be back before you know it," Illiana reassured her. Penny was too busy stuffing her mouth with food as if it will disappear. Star chimed that she should slow down.
"Penny," Jayden warned, buttering his bread and not paying much attention to her. She looked up to find everyone staring at her. She swallowed her food and slowly started eating again.
"She eats a lot, doesn't she Mama?" Chip observed from the doorway.
"Chip, don't be rude," Mrs. Potts scolded at him, "I'm sorry dear. He isn't used to visitors.
Penny shook her head, "It's fine. Sometimes I forget I'm with company."
The meal continued in silence until most of the food was gone (it was Penny who ate the most). Penny leaned back in her chair, content with everything. Midnight jumped on her lap, but he was too big. The group couldn't even see her anymore.
"Midnight! You aren't a pup anymore!" Penny shoved him off.
Sorry! I forgot. He put his head on her lap instead.
Jayden looked about the room, "I think we should head out."
"Okay we have everything ready. You sure you'll be fine here Penny?" Max asked. They headed out to the main entrance.
"Don't worry about me Max! You can trust me!" She grinned. Max just looked at her in disbelief.
"Wait. It could be chilly out there," Belled handed them cloaks.
"Thanks. These will be helpful," Illiana said putting one on. "We might be back soon. You never know."
"I'll hold the fort here!" Penny saluted.
Max couldn't help smiling at her and ruffled her hair, "Good. Let us know if anything happens."
"Will do!" She waved them out until they were out of sight.
Belle put her hand on Penny's shoulder, "Why don't we read until they come back?"
"So thanks to all…and once and to each one…When we invite you to see us…crone—"
"It's 'crowned' Penny," Belle corrected her.
"Oh right, okay. Crowned at Scone," Penny had finally finished her first book ever. "Wow, who knew reading could be fun!"
"See? That wasn't so bad. You have a natural talent," Belle picked up the book and put it away.
"Maybe, I could be a fast learner." Penny eyed a piece of paper that was on the table next to her. She was very tempted to draw since she hasn't done it in awhile. "Hey, Belle, can I use this paper?"
"Sure, what are you going to do?" Belle brought back another book and watched Penny draw. She started drawing the usual things: the forest, Lost Boys, the fairies, and Peter. But soon, she was grabbing another sheet of paper. On that one, she drew her crew, Minnie and the other Hearts.
"Wow, you are a good drawer. How did you learn?" Belle looked at the papers, tracing the pencil marks.
"I've taught myself. On my island, I drew in the sand when the Lost Boys and Peter were off somewhere," Penny said.
Suddenly, a streak of lightning shone through the windows and a loud crack of thunder followed soon after. Midnight yelped in surprise as Penny gasped dropping the papers. The room became dark since the sun was gone.
"Hold on, there are some candles around here," Belle stumbled around the library until she located a candle stick.
"It's okay, I think I got it," Penny snapped her fingers on her left hand and a small fire ball popped out. She that about five times and the floated around the library like little fireflies.
"Careful! Make sure it doesn't touch the books," Belle cried in alarm.
"Don't worry! I have them under control."
"Belle, are you still in here?" Prince Adam came in carrying candles.
"Yes, Adam, we're here."
"Come, I'm trying to find the others. There is a huge storm outside. We need to make sure everyone is safe."
"Oh, but…" she looked at Penny.
"It's okay. Go on, I'll be fine," Penny waved them away. As they left, she touched her necklace to talk to Max. You guys okay?
Yea, we're fine. We found a cave before the storm hit, but that's not all we found. The Shadows seemed to have possessed someone, but we don't know if they managed to summon a Nyght-creature. Keep your eyes open, Max said.
Gotcha, keep eyes open! Roger that! Penny moved out of the library and traveled down the hall. Midnight, Star and the fireballs followed her out. They light the way, creating shadows on the walls.
It seems strange that a storm came randomly, Midnight said as more lightning and thunder came.
It is weird. They made it to the main entrance, which was deserted. "Huh, where is everyone?" Penny wondered out loud.
The doors opened from the wind and Shadows burst into the hall from the rain. Midnight growled, standing protectively in front of Penny. The Shadows didn't have human shapes like the ones in Agrabah; they were lighter black, but their eyes were pitch black. They crawled or walked, Penny couldn't tell, towards her.
"I changed my mind, I'd rather be alone!" Penny drew her sword as the nearest on attacked.
There are more than the ones we fought in Agrabah, Midnight observed, taking three at once.
"Thank you! Like I haven't noticed!"
The Shadows circled around them. Midnight went after most of them. Penny swung her sword, sending the fireballs at them. Star flew in her shirt to hide.
"Penny, what's going—Ahh!" Belle gasped coming down the stairs. The Shadows turned to look at her and charged for the Heart.
"Belle! Get out of here!" Penny jumped in front of the oncoming Shadows. Remembering Max's lessons, she fell into a defensive position.
I don't think we can beat them! Midnight exclaimed.
Yea well, I can't exactly call the others! Kinda busy right now!
Penny faltered in her footing when two Shadows attacked at once. One of them backhanded her, sending her into the wall. Her sword dropped from her hand as she slid down. Little dots appeared before her eyes.
PENNY! Midnight came in front of her, more vicious than ever. He showed his teeth and snarled at them as they came closer. One of them was reaching for her shadow.
"Penny!" Belle cried, trying to come to her aide.
"Stay back!" Penny gasped out as she saw the Heart. "It's looking for you!" Penny struggled to stand up right, her back bruised from the wall and her face burning from the hit. Without thinking and knowing why, she took off her gloves while thinking about Midnight. Her hands became hot and cold. Trailing from her hands was a fire and water wolf. They were bigger than Midnight and scarier.
Be careful! You don't know what you are doing! Midnight yelled at her but his voice could not reach her. Her magic was out of control; sparks of fire was flying from the wolf's fur as the water one was dripping everywhere. Star flew out of the shirt and through the doors.
The wolves stalked the Shadows as they advanced towards the girl. Penny wasn't herself; her eyes glowed green and she took no notice of what was happening around her. Even Belle or the other Hearts couldn't reach her. The elemental wolves destroyed all the Shadows without leaving a trace. She stood still as the wolves circled her. Midnight tried to get closer but the others blocked his way.
Penny can you hear me? Answer me!
"Penny, please," Belle pleaded, "They're gone. I'm fine, it's okay." Belle moved slowly closer to her. Penny turned to look at her, her eyes completely green and still bright.
"Penny…"
"Belle?" Her eyes dimmed and she stumbled. The wolves started to vanish, causing the room to get darker as the fire wolf went away. Penny blinked and her eyes went back to normal. But then, her world turned black as she fell.