A/N: Piper is now 7 months pregnant. This isn't one of my greatest chapters, 'cause it goes a little fast. Denas Dreams: lol Actually, I like the line. ;) You are really sweet! I'm so glad that you were able to review; it makes me feel REALLY happy to know that you like my story/writing so much! :-D I was really inspired by your review! peanut2lb: You always have such sweetness to say. I'm glad you liked everything was was tied into the last chapter. (Especially Pandora's "conversations" with Prissy.) Chub: lol Thanks. I had quite a bit of fun incorporating Glenn into things. (See, I really am trying to add the guys more.) I'm so happy that you liked the duo! wyatt333: You really check my story that much? ::blushes:: I feel so special! lol Samara8akaNessa: Aww, I'm so glad you liked the heart. And thanks for the comment about the Jason ending. Amanda: Coolness, you liked the heart too! Yeah, I felt it was time for some Patty and Piper bonding. Actually, there will be a little more Persia and Prissandra bonding, in a few upcoming chapters. LOL You wanna start a fan club for me, 'eh? I can just see it now, "The Pinky Fan Club!" LOL You're awesome and I laugh and grin everytime I read your reviews! CharmedAli: Aww, thanks for the sweet review! Zythe: Really? I didn't know that. Thanks for letting me know; I'll go edit that. Hmm....I'll think about the, "maybe she could"....Hey, no problem! I was reading your bio page and I think it's really cool that you'll eventually write a crossover between "The Defence" and "Children Of Another Fate". I can't wait! (Not that I want "Children Of Another Fate" to end.) Jade-eye Halliwell: Thanks for reviewing again! I'll look into your request. Thanks for giving me some imput! winter blaze: Coolness, glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing! Jenny: I'm thrilled that you were happy with this chapter! Andy will make another appearance!

The Blessed Ones
Chapter 32: Let The Game Begin

Pearl slid to the floor and glided past an ice blast. She hopped to her feet and held out her hands, sending 2 glowing balls of white light sailing into 2 more ice blasts, causing the ice blasts to explode on contact. She hurled another exploding light ball out in front of her and then then jumped back as she saw it fly back at her. She, again, waved her hand and sent another exploding light ball into the deflected light ball and they caused a huge explosion; sending Pearl sliding across the room. She winced, as her hands burned from the slide. She quickly glanced at her attacker, right in the eyes. "As we lock eyes, I command you to be paralyzed!"

A woman with long, reddish brown hair stopped in mid movement as a bright flash surrounded her. Then another red flash surrounded her and she smiled and waved her hand. "Very good, Pearl! A!" The woman praised.

"Thanks, Mrs. Humphry." Pearl said.

Brandon burst through the door. "Wow! That was totally awesome!" He gushed.

Pearl grinned. "Ya really think so?"

"Well yeah! I mean, come on! Nobody comes up with spells that fast, dodges attacks like that, or has such control over their power!" Brandon replied.

The lunch bell rang.

"Why don't you two run off to lunch. I'm going to go record your score Pearl. In fact, I think it may be one of the highest, if not the highest score this year!" Mrs. Humphry said, as she walked out of the room.

Brandon grabbed Pearl's hand. "I got a special piece of cake from my mom. Wanna share?"

Pearl shyly nodded. "Yeah! I mean, yeah, that'd be really cool."

Brandon grabbed Pearl's hand and teleported them out.

----

Moments later, Brandon teleported himself and Pearl under a tree, in the playground. He'd layed out a little white and blue checkered blanket, 2 paper plates, 2 pieces of chocolate cake, and 2 plastic forks. "I hope you like chocolate."

Pearl grinned. "My family are coffee and chocolate addicts! 'Cept, I'm not allowed to drink coffee yet." She giggled and took one of the plates. "Can I have this one?"

Brandon examined the plates, noticing that one slice was a tiny bit larger than the other. "Actually, take this one, it's bigger. See?" Brandon replied, as he pointed to each piece of cake.

Pearl raised her eyebrows, much like her Aunt Piper, when she was questioning someone. "Are you sure?"

"Yup!" Brandon said, as he handed Pearl the plate with the larger piece of cake. Secretly, he'd cut the cake that way on purpose, though he'd never tell.

The two sat in silence for a few moments, just eating their cake and reflecting on the events of the day. Finally, Brandon decided to break the silence.

"So....how's your Aunt Piper?" Brandon asked.

Pearl swallowed a mouthful of cake. "She's good. So is the baby. Both Auntie Piper and Uncle Leo are really excited! But, oh my gosh, you should see my mom and other aunts! They're like....little kids! It is always something like, 'Oooo! How is my little niecey wiecey?!' And then they poke and pat at Aunt Piper's tummy! I swear, Aunt Piper sometimes looks like she is gonna vanquish them right then and there. Last week she froze an entire restaurant, got up and said, 'That is so it! We are leaving!' And it was all because people kept coming up and patty her belly and saying, 'You must be so excited! When are you due?'"

Brandon burst out laughing. "She really froze an entire restaurant?"

"Yep! She left fourty dollars on the table and unfroze everything just before we all left! You should have seen the look on everyone's faces, they were so confused and it was totally hilarious!" Pearl said. She now found herself cracking up too.

The bell rang again.

"Lunch is over already?" Brandon asked, as he sat up.

Pearl shrugged. "I guess so. But it did seem kind of soon."

----2 Minutes Later----

Pearl and Brandon had been sitting in their seats now, for over 2 minutes. They turned to each other. "Where is everyone?"

Pearl shrugged helplessly. "We weren't suppose to meet anywhere special after lunch today, were we?"

Brandon shook his head. "I don't remember Mrs. Green saying that."

Suddenly there was a puff of green smoke at the front of the room, then a very tall and funny look many appeared. He was wearing a green outfit with purple question marks all over it. He had frizzy red hair, purple gloves, polished black shoes, a large nose, and bright green eyes with black question marks in the center. "Hello, duckies!" He screeched. He looked like a cross between a clown and the Riddler from 'Batman'. He waved his hand and magical ropes instantly strapped Pearl and Brandon to their seats. He waved his hand again and everyone else, frozen in a block of ice, appeared in the classroom. He cackled and then snapped his fingers together and a green light flashed through the room. "Sorry to keep you waiting....But I was a little, tied up!" He giggled. "You may call me Jock. I'm here to play a game with y'all today! Hehe!"

Pearl tried to summon her power, but the magical ropes wouldn't let her. "Who are you?" She demanded.

"Who am I? Well, I'm Jock the Joker, of course! I love games and riddles and you've been picked to play with me!" Jock cackled, as he skipped around the room.

"What kind of game?" Brandon asked; he'd already tried to teleport out, but he couldn't.

"A mind game...a riddle game. The rules are simple..I give you a riddle, which leads to another riddle, which leads to another riddle, which leads to a final riddle. If you can find out the answer to each one, then I'll release you and each of your friends. If you can't, then I will kill you all."

"How do we know you'll play fair?" Brandon asked.

Jock giggled again. "You don't! See, it's all part of the fun. Or I can just kill everyone now...."

"We'll play!" Pearl yelled, as she spotted Phiona in a frozen like state.

Jock backflipped into the teacher's chair. "I thought you'd see things my way!" He cackled. He held out his hand and in a puff of green smoke, a little yellow paper appeared in front of Pearl and Brandon, and their ropes vanished. "But don't try to escape, 'cause I'll know it. This whole school is under my control right now; nobody can enter or leave without me saying so! Now hurry along!"

"Don't rush us!" Pearl grumbled.

"Didn't I tell you that there is a time limit?" Jock asked. His eyes rolled around in their sockets and he laughed like a maniac. "Guess not! You have until two o' clock....Less than three hours! Have fun!" He cackled. "I'll be waiting, and remember, no messin' around!" He grinned and then disappeared, the way he came.

Pearl and Brandon joined at one desk and looked each other in the eye. They were thinking the same thing. Let the game begin.

TO BE CONTINUED....