The sun was high in Chicago, Illinois. A young brown haired girl was walking down the streets, with a small brown pouch on her side. In that small brown pouch were her art supplies. She had short brown hair, brown eyes, wearing a red short sleeved blouse with pink floral design, a short white skirt, white stockings, and white flat dress shoes. She had a silver cross around her neck. Her name was Darla Ashley Cortex, the daughter of Andrew Deville and Jasmine Cortex. Darla was currently 14 years old and she often wondered if there was something else out there besides her hometown.

Sure, she knew that Pokemon were real. Sure, she knew of the possibility of her Uncle Neo being on an island not on any map. She was a believer, a strong one at that. She hated her parents so much that they were trying to get those foolish ideas out of her head and trying to get her to pursue a career in art. Darla rolled her eyes when she thought of that. She had talent, she wasn't arguing that. But she wished that her parents weren't such sticks in the mud. Everyone in school knew how Darla felt about her parents, even the principal. The Deville's have been really harsh on Darla, almost too controlling to everyone's liking.

That's why the school allowed Darla to go by her Mom's maiden name. But only while she was on school grounds and nowhere else. That was until she was older. Darla sighed, hating that. She just wanted to be the person she wanted to be. Not what her parents wanted to be. She kicked a can and that can crashed right into a pink lava lamp. Darla saw it, raising an eyebrow. She picked it up, looking at it. Where did this come from? She rubbed the dust off of it, hearing a 'gong' as she did. She coughed, as she looked up and saw something making her pale. It was a genie. But it was no ordinary genie, it was Norm. It was on his cell, looking annoyed.

He told to the other person on the other line, "No, I wanted that pizza a century ago. Yeah, just deliver it to the crazy guy in Dimmsdale…" That's when he finally looked around. He saw that he wasn't in Dimmsdale and that Darla was staring at him in awe. He added to the person on the other line, "Uh, hang on." With that, he hung up and put his phone away. He took out a card and read it aloud, "Greetings, "Insert human's name here" I'm Norm the all-powerful genie!" With another 'gong', a neon billboard appeared over Norm. He started to tell her, "You get three wishes and…" That's when he noticed that she looked rather in awe. This threw Norm for a loop. Didn't she hear him? Norm stated, "Ah, earth to brown haired teen staring at me. Did you not hear what I had just said? I'm a genie and I can grant you three wishes."

Darla shook herself out of it and replied, "Uh, yeah I heard you." She look around the genie, in awe. She added, "I have never seen a genie before."

Norm was starting to get annoyed as he asked, "Listen, can you stop doing that, teen-with-no-social-life?"

Darla raised an eyebrow and answered, "Teen-with-no-social-life? Aren't you the snarky one?"

Norm stated, "Yeah, I can be snarky when I want to be."

Darla replied, "Then call me Darla when you aren't."

Norm said nothing, already starting to plot something with her. That's when he saw two small yellow things coming towards them. He could tell that they were two Pichu. One had messy hair and the other had straight hair. Darla saw them, smiling. They looked at Norm and then at Darla.

The one with the messy hair asked, "Friend of yours, Darla?"

The one with the straight hair added, "Sure ain't a friend of mine."

Norm perked up at this and questioned, "They can talk?"

Darla answered, "Sure can. These two are Johnathon "John" Patrick Pichu and Peter "Pete" Jonah Pichu. Better known as the Pichu brothers."

John stated, "You are saying that like we're famous like the Mario brothers."

Pete replied, "Only wish we were."

Darla pointed at the genie as she told them, "Watch how you phrase that, please."

Norm raised an eyebrow and questioned, "Don't exactly trust me, do ya, teen-with-no-social-life?"

Darla answered, "If you are born and raised in Chicago, you know who to trust and who you can't."

Norm perked up at this as he stated, though it was more of a question, "Wait, I'm not in Dimmsdale?"

Darla replied, "Uh...no." She turned to John and Pete as she asked, "Can you believe this guy?"

John shrugged and answered, "Eh, not really."

Pete added, "You worried about him, Darla? Want us to shock him?"

Darla shook her head and stated, "Nah, if we really want to find my Uncle Neo and get some answers, we can't mess around with this 'genie'."

Norm immediately got an idea as he asked, "If you want, I could take you to your Uncle?"

Darla raised an eyebrow and answered, "Uh...why? I have the situation handled, thank you." She started to walk away with John and Pete as she added, "Unless you can tell me about N. Sanity Isle."

Norm perked up and started to ask, "N. Sanity Isle? Thee N. Sanity Isle? The home of Crash Bandicoot and Dr. Neo Cortex...?" That's when he realized something Darla had said. He paled and asked, "Wait, teen-with-no-social-life, didn't you say that your Uncle's name is Neo?"

John answered, getting annoyed, "Yes, goodness gracious!"

Pete added, also annoyed, "Now leave her alone, will ya?!"

Norm started to say, "You don't understand, if you go there, you might wind up in the biggest battle of their lives..."

Darla got mad as she made a fist. She snapped back around, throwing a white magic power ball at Norm. The genie avoided it but the wall behind him was completely destroyed. John and Pete yelped in surprise. Darla was in shock, looking down at her hands.

John asked, freaking out, "What was that?! Magic?!"

Pete nodded and answered, "Yeah but where did that come from?!"

Darla breathed, "I - I don't know..."

Norm explained, "It's island magic. Only granted to those who are worthy and to those who believe that anything is possible." He eyed her cross and added, "Like that cross you got there says it all."

Darla looked down at her cross, in awe still.

John asked Norm, "So that means we might get it too? My brother and I?"

Norm shrugged and answered, "Don't know, it is possible."

Pete stated, "More of a reason for us to get to N. Sanity Isle. I have a feeling something out there is calling us."

Darla finally snapped out of her shock as she replied, "I have the same feeling, Pete. My parents are hiding something. I want answers."

Norm questioned, "Why not let me go with you all? I mean, I know you don't trust me because of my snarky nature but I sense something too."

John asked, "You do?"

Pete answered, "I guess magic does know more..."

Darla looked at Norm. While it was true she didn't exactly trust him but she didn't have much of choice. She had to gamble her three wishes carefully. And it wasn't just for herself, it was for John and Pete too. She had known them ever since she was a little girl. She finally made up her mind.

She wished, "I wish I was a Cortex, I wish we could go to N. Sanity Isle, and I wish you were free!"

Norm started to say, "Well, that will take a second, teen-with-a-social-life..." That's when he noticed something. He asked, "Wait, what?"

John looked up at Darla and asked, "Wait, are you sure, Darla?"

Pete also asked, "Yeah, what are the chances that he won't frick us?"

Darla answered, "I know I'm taking a big gamble. But we have to try something if we want the answers we seek. We have to trust in the fact he will come with us and that he will be able to continuing to help us." She looked at Norm and added, "Isn't that what you wanted? Someone to free you so you can cause havoc on those who have misused you? Well, you have your chance if you want."

Norm was completely in awe. Darla was not only gambling big time but she was gambling with her friends too. She would gamble that much to give him the happiness he wanted? Sure, he wanted revenge on Turner for what he did to him. But they were sort of pals now. Sort of. Norm made up his mind, snapping his fingers. With a 'gong', a purple bow appeared in Darla's hair. Darla perked up on this, looking at Norm.

He explained, "Your proof that you are now a Cortex. Your stressful parents have a note now that you are leaving for London to see your extended family there."

Darla perked up as she asked, "Wait, I have family in London?"

Norm nodded and answered, "Yeah but she'll be coming to N. Sanity Isle soon."

John raised an eyebrow and questioned, "She?"

Pete also questioned, "Another Cortex family member, maybe?"

Norm nodded as he added, "And with these next two snaps of my fingers, we'll be on N. Sanity Isle."

With the next two snaps of his fingers and a 'gong', the three of them disappeared, on their way to N. Sanity Isle.

'Gong!'

The three of them appeared on a white sandy beach. Norm was with them as they all looked around. It was a long island, beautifully decorated with plant life.

John breathed, "This is N. Sanity Isle?"

Pete added, "It's beautiful!"

The two Pichu brothers ran off, all excited.

Darla shouted, "Don't go too far!" She turned to Norm, seeing that the bracelets were off of his wrists. She added, "I guess that means your free."

Norm stated, "Yes, thanks to you, Darla."

Darla smiled as she replied, "I just wanted to do the right thing."

Norm chuckled and responded, "Well, my next stop is Fairy World."

Darla raised an eyebrow and asked, "Fairy World? It's real?"

Norm nodded and answered, "Just like you, Darla Cortex."

He 'gonged' out of there, having Darla giggle like a little girl. Norm heard that laugh and felt...he didn't quite know. Free? It was hard to tell. But there he was, a genie changed by a human that just learned that she had magic. He didn't know why, he was looking forward to seeing her again.

'Gong!'

Norm had arrived in Fairy World, more specifically, Jorgen's office. He wanted to give himself up so that he could serve his time and try to return to Darla. But to his surprise, the entire place was empty.

He shouted, "Uh, hello! Anyone here?"

A female voice answered, "I am here."

Norm turned, gasping at the sight of Rosalina standing there.

He raised an eyebrow and questioned, "Uh...this is Fairy World, right? Not the Comet Observatory?"

Rosalina nodded as she answered, "Yes, that's right, Norm."

Norm continued to question, "Then what are you doing here? Where's Von-Airhead?"

Rosalina explained, "Von-Airhead, as you call him, is on self imposed exile. About three months ago, he confessed to time crimes."

Norm perked up at this and asked, "You mean he confessed about the lie he showed Turner? Why'd he do that?"

Rosalina softly explained, "He thought if he did, he would join Winston in the great beyond."

Norm face palmed himself and stated, "That idiot, fairies are noted to be fast healers. Learned that when I tangoed with Cosmo and Wanda."

Rosalina replied, "Yes but now he may have that chance and that chance may be coming faster than he realizes."

Norm felt totally confused and was about to ask another question when another person entered.

"Are you alright, Miss Rosalina?"

Rosalina turned as she nodded and answered, "Yes, Turbo Thunder. I'm fine."

Turbo stated, "Well, the counsel wanted to make sure that you were okay once they heard that this genie was back." He made a face at Norm, whom did the same at the former Chosen One. He then added, "They don't want anything happening to the princess of the cosmas and the temporary fairy commander."

Norm perked up at this and blurted out, "Wait, she's Von-Airhead's replacement?!"

Wishmaker1028: Surprise! Bet you guys were expecting Mario or someone like that. Nope, its our space princess, Rosalina! More to be explained in chapter 9, I promise! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!