TaoP Chapter 17
Little Town
Penny ran to the edge to see the next world with Midnight at her side. Star had come up to see what was going on and landed on Penny's head. The world had a castle, much like the one on Fantasia, with a forest surrounding it. There was also a small town in the forest,
"When do we land?" Penny asked eager to get off.
"Not for awhile. We still have to prepare our things. Penny, has your shirt always looked like this?" Illiana asked.
The girl looked down. The shirt looked like it normally did, maybe there were new rips and smudges here and there, but it was her shirt. Her pants weren't in better shape, seeing there was a new hole in the back.
"And why don't you wear shoes?" Max pointed out, strapping his sword on his belt.
"Shoes hurt my feet. Why do you guys care about what I wear?"
"I'm sure Minnie packed new clothes for you. But you do what you want. Remember: first impressions are very important. Now grab your things. We'll leave when everything is ready," Illiana said as she anchored the ship.
Penny headed below deck to where the sleeping quarters were. She found her pack and dumped everything on the ground. In the pack was her canteen, some rope, extra pair of small shorts and chest cloth (as she puts it), a notebook with a pencil, and some extra clothing. The shirt was still green, but it was smaller and was made with better material. The pants actually had pockets and were the same length as her old pair. After some serious thinking, Penny changed out of her old clothes and into the new ones. They were snugger and the belt looked shabby compared to them.
I suppose it will do, she said feeling the material.
You can always fix your old clothes, Midnight suggested, sniffing them.
Star chimed her opinion about the new outfit. She thinks Penny looks less like a boy than she did before.
They headed further down to the storage so Penny could get some more water. She sipped a little bit extra just in case and Midnight had some too. She could feel the water working as they went back to the top. The others were grabbing their packs when the small group came back. Max was making sure his weapons were clean and checked on Penny's. Illiana added more bullets to her guns and Jayden grabbed everything he needed.
Once prepared, Jayden announced they were heading off.
"What world is it?" Penny asked.
"It is France. What time period, I have no idea, but I do know they have a castle with a princess. There doesn't seem to be any reports on Shadow sightings," Illiana said as she got into position.
"Okay so I adjusted my transporting spell so that we will land closer to the town, unlike last time. Hopefully it will work," Jayden said, "Ready? One…two…three!"
The bright light blinded Penny for a bit and she could whispers and mutterings all around her. Opening her eyes she found herself standing in the middle on a town with shops and people walking around. Behind her was a fountain which had the others in it,
"Good job, Jay. Your spell worked wonders! We don't have to walk at all!" Illiana said sarcastically as she got out of the fountain. Penny tried hard not to laugh as she helped them out.
"Okay so maybe my calculations were a bit off, but at least we got to the right place," Jayden said cleaning his glasses and looking around.
"Yea, but now we are drawing a crowd. We should move," Max said as men came out of the tavern behind them, looking at the group with suspicion.
"Agreed. Let's move. C'mon Penny."
Penny smelled fresh bread, cheese and other foods, her mouth watering. She spotted the bakery and started making her way toward it until Midnight grabbed the back of her shirt.
Not again. You are staying with the group. He dragged her away and followed the others.
But food! It calls to me! She struggled against his hold, but he was too strong. She let him take her as they caught up with group.
"Good job Midnight. Okay Penny, where to?" Jayden looked at her from behind his glasses.
"How should I know?" Penny moped, knowing there was a Heart here, "Can't we explore for a bit?"
"No. Our mission is to find the Hearts, warn them, and leave. We have to be quick or else the Darkness will find out and follow us."
Penny thought and was about to answer when an elderly lady and a boy passed by. The boy looked at Midnight and grabbed the lady's hand.
"Look Mama! A dog! He's bigger than Sultan!"
"Yes, yes dear, but we must be going. Adam and Belle are expecting us. Come along, Chip," the lady said without looking at them. They were headed towards a wagon with an older man at the reins, waiting for them. As Penny listened, yellow came to her mind and the string to the Heart grew stronger.
"Okay I got it now. We should follow them." She watched them leave town.
"Great, but how do we follow them?" Max asked.
"With my new invention I have been working on," Jayden explained, pulling out the gray cube. Penny was curious so she turned to watch.
"A cube? How is that helpful and did you and Ludwig work on this?" Illiana looked at it cautiously.
"No and it will work! Just watch." Jayden placed it on the ground and waited. He took out his staff and stood still for a few minutes. Finally something happened: the cube had turned into the exact copy of the wagon that had just left. Jayden turned looking smug, "Well what do you think?"
"Couldn't you do that before? Why did you need to invent something like that?" Penny asked.
"I added my magic so that this can stay like this for a long time. If I just did this with another object it would only last for a short while. The cube is using my magic until I take it away."
"It's great, but we need a horse," Max pointed out.
"Oh right. Umm, that I can't do."
"Give me a second," Penny said as she spotted a stable. She, Midnight, and Star entered, looking at all the different horses, "If only you were an animal fairy, Star."
Star chime in agreement as she flew over them. Penny and Midnight walked down the aisle until one horse stuck its head out of its stall. It was a light tan horse with a white strip down its nose. The mane was also pure white and its brown eyes watched Penny closely. She reached over to pet it and it nickered softly.
"You'll do."
Penny returned to the group with the horse behind her.
"Penny, what—how?" Jayden said amazed.
"Animals love me. I think her name is Buttercup, but I could be wrong. Her voice is a little hard to hear. But she agreed to give us a ride," Penny explained.
So they harnessed Buttercup and they set off towards the forest. Max and Jayden sat up front while the girls and Midnight sat in the back. The forest was bright and there were many birds about. Penny enjoyed the breeze with Midnight. Star rode on Buttercup's head chatting away without a care.
"I miss the forest," Penny whispered.
Illiana glance at her, "Some other worlds have amazing forests. When this is all over, we could visit some of them."
"And when will this be over?"
She didn't have an answer, so she stayed silent for the rest of the ride.
This may not be over for a long time, but you should at least enjoy the journey, Midnight stated.
But my home and everyone else, had I not left, there would have never been another girl there, Penny said stubbornly, still angry with Peter.
Then we would've never had met. Do you regret that?
No. I would never regret that, but I do see your point. Thanks.
"So, Penny, did you sense the Heart already or was it the lady that helped you out?" Max asked in the silence.
"I sensed…her since we landed, but it was faint as usual. At least it was until the lady said a name and the trail became clearer."
"Are we assuming that all Hearts are females?" Jayden asked.
"Well, let's think on it: so far we have found three Hearts—"
"Whoa, what about the one on Neverland?"
"Okay fine, four Hearts, they are all female so far and it I'm correct they are all protected."
"Protected? What does that mean?" Illiana asked.
"They have someone to watch over them besides me, so that nothing bad can happen to them if I'm not there," Penny explained.
That must be why they have the power. People can protect them every day, Midnight added.
"Exactly. So in conclusion, all Hearts are female."
"Still, we shouldn't assume that. Remember the lady said two names," Jayden said.
"Well, we can check that out now," Max said pulling to a stop, "I believe we have made it."