TAoP Chapter 19

The Night Has Only Begun

Mrs. Potts walked nervously down the hall, attempting to hold the candle stick straight. She was feeling jumpy because there was a wolf following her along with a strange girl and boy. Why Belle wanted them to stay was a mystery to her, but she will do as she is told. She stopped in front of a couple of doors and opened two of them.

"This room will be the boys and this one will be for the girls."

"Thank you ma'am, these rooms look amazing," Penny said as she walked through the girls' room. Midnight ran inside sniffing everything in sight.

"That's good dear. If you need anything just ask."

Max and Penny nodded to her and both headed into their separate rooms. As Penny walked in hers, she found that Midnight had already claimed one side of the giant bed and Star claimed one side of her pillow.

"Great, is there anything else you guys require? A massage maybe or a glass of water?" Penny asked as she got into bed.

You know, now that you mention it… Midnight joked opening one eye to watch her.

It can wait until morning.

Penny settled on Midnight's side and fell right asleep. Her dreams were fairly normal. They were of forests and of all the places she used to go on Neverland.

It was late in the night when Penny was wrenched from her peaceful sleep by a scream. She could feel Belle's panic and fear. She immediately flew into action. Midnight was not far behind her.

"Huh? Wha? Penny? What's up?" Illiana groggily got up, but Penny was already out of the room. She ran through the halls following the string that connects her with Belle. She finally found the door and burst her way in. Belle was sitting on the bed with Adam's arms wrapped around her. She was crying.

"Belle? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Penny asked, wide awake. She could still hear her screams.

"They keep getting worse. Why?" Belle looked at Penny.

"Wait, who are you?" Adam asked getting up from the bed defensively.

"It's okay, Adam. She will help me. Please come with me." Belle took Penny's hand and they went down the hallway. They went through some double doors which lead them to a gigantic library. "This is where I go when I can't sleep. Help yourself."

"Wow! This one is bigger than the one on Fantasia," Penny admired. Belle laughed and grabbed a book from a table. "Ooooh, what's that one?"

"This is about King Arthur. Have you read it?"

"No…I can't read. But is it good?"

"You can't read? Here, I'll read it to you and maybe I'll teach you a bit." Belle started reading the story and didn't stop until the end.

Penny woke up and stretched her neck; it was feeling stiff from sleeping awkwardly. She had been sleeping on Belle's shoulder who was still reading a book.

"Belle?" Penny asked, her voice thick with sleep. The sun was shining brightly through the windows. Mrs. Potts was there with little Chip and a hot cup of tea.

"You are awake. Did you not like the story?" Belle smiled and sipped her tea.

"No, no I was just tired. It was a long day yesterday."

"Would you like to start to learn how to read?"

Penny nodded eagerly, but Jayden came in, "Ah Penny! There you are. C'mon, we need to practice."

She groaned, stood and stretched. Midnight got up from his pillow that he stole and waited for her. Penny bowed to Belle and followed Jayden outside.

They made it to a courtyard. There, Jayden had set up tons of barrels all which were filled with water. The two of them stood in the middle of the forest of barrels.

"Okay, shall I tell you what you are going to do?" Jayden asked, switching his glasses for goggles.

"I might have an idea," Penny said, glancing around.

"Right, since you are so eager to learn about magic, we might as well start right away. Remember, magic is based on your imagination. Whatever you can imagine, your magic can create it." Jayden lifted his staff and soon the water formed into a water version of Penny. It was the exact height and it even had her smile.

"Whoa…" She whistled, impressed as the water went back into the barrels.

"Now you try to create something."

Penny spread out her hands, closed her eyes and concentrated. Not that was helpful at all; she could hear the Hearts. Minnie was sewing her dress, Amelia was navigating her ship, Jasmine was walking in her garden, and Belle was watching her but was thinking about her nightmare. Penny frowned as the image of an arrogant man came to mind. He was big, muscular guy with a cocky grin much like her own, but his seemed nastier. He was all Belle could think about and in turn all Penny could think about. She could hear the water tinkling and her right hand went cold.

"Wow, now that's impressive Penny, but who is he?" Jayden asked.

Penny opened her eyes and found a copy of the man in water form. He had his arms crossed, looking down at them with his cocky grin.

"I'm not sure. He's the one in Belle's dreams, but other than that, I have no idea," Penny said, impressed with her own work. She looked at him and imagined him flexing his arms. The water man did and he looked ridiculous. Penny laughed.

Belle came into the courtyard, "You created this?"

"Yup! Sorry, but I was listening to you and he was occupying your mind."

"He is in my dreams a lot now. He wanted me to marry him, but I didn't like him. Gaston, that's his name, tried to destroy this castle. He fell to this death while fighting Adam. In my dreams, he survived that fall," Belle shivered as she watched the water man. Penny let the water fall after seeing how uncomfortable she got, getting their feet soaked.

"These dreams, you said that Penny was in them right?" Jayden asked, interested now that they were on the subject of dreams.

"Yes. She seemed like she was helping Gaston, but now I'm not so sure."

"This seems like the work of Nyght-mares. Or Nyght-creatures. We better take a look around. Shadows could be nearby as well. I'll go get the others." Jayden jogged back into the castle calling the others from his necklace.

Penny took out her sword and practiced some moves. She felt a little better with her magic, but she didn't want to think about her fire power.

"You're leaving?" Belle asked nervously.

"Yes. But we are only checking out around the castle. We should be back later," Penny explained, still practicing.

"But do you have to go? Something doesn't feel right to me."

Penny paused and looked at Belle. Her brown eyes were full of concern. She also felt like something was going to happen and leaving the Heart was the last thing she wanted to do. She put her hand on her necklace and talked to the group.

Guys, I'm staying here.

What? Why? We need you, Jayden asked confused.

The Heart thinks something is up and to tell you the truth, something is telling me to stay here. So I'm staying here. You guys go on ahead.

Are you sure? If something happens, let us know, Illiana said.

I hate to leave you behind, but if Belle wants it, Max added.

No worries, guys! I got Midnight and Star with me. What could go wrong? Penny said with a wave of her hand.

Are we staying here? Midnight asked when Penny was done talking to the others.

Yup! We are so we might as well make the most of it and keep our eyes open. Penny patted Midnight and turned to Belle. "I'm staying here while my friends go around. Just as you requested."

"Thank you. Now would you like some lunch?" Belle asked, gesturing back to the castle. They all headed back inside as Penny's stomach grumbled for food.