TAoP Chapter 22

Jungle Fever

Penny ate as much as she could when Jayden came back into the kitchen. His staff was on his back and computer in his hand.

"The good news is we don't need a transport spell. We can land in the water. The bad news is that Illiana won't be able to wash her clothes."

"An island?" Penny asked as she cautiously put her beads in her hair. It didn't hurt as much, but she did get a slight headache.

"Actually it's Africa. I remember Donald talking about it during my lessons. This where Tarzan lives and a pit stop for many people. We can get as much fruit as we like and see if there are any messages for us. Also, it's a great time for you to relax."

"Donald has been here before?"

"Yea, he was one of the original protectors. He traveled with Goofy and the King."

Max popped his head in the room, "Hey, we're gonna land soon, so I'm reading the row boat. Penny, Illiana needs you up deck."

"Aye, aye!" Penny ran up the stairs, feeling like her old self. Midnight was excited as he followed her up deck along with Star.

Illiana was at the wheel when Penny arrived, "You needed me?" Penny bounded right next to her.

"Yes, as soon as we land, I need you to check to make sure the water is safe for a row boat. It should be fine but one cannot be too careful."

"But how can I get there without a boat?" Penny asked tilting her head to the side in confusing.

"By flying…"

"Oh right! Will do!" Penny watched the new world come closer. After hearing about Illiana's dad, she wondered about other things. "Hey, what about Jayden's parents? Are they protectors too?"

Illiana stiffened at the question, "Only his father. Please don't bring it up to Jayden. He doesn't like talking about it much."

"Why?" Penny asked, getting more curious.

"Just don't Penny. Okay?" Illiana stared at her waiting for an answer.

"Okay, okay. Sorry I asked."

Some people like their privacy, Penny. Midnight said, looking at Penny's expression.

But I'm curious! I don't really know much about any of them.

They will tell you when the time is right. Be patient. And I'm glad that you are back to normal.

Well, almost normal. I still have a slight headache.

The ship landed in the ocean with a huge splash. On the island, all they could see was green; trees covered every inch of the place. The boys got the row boat ready while the girls packed crates for fruit. Midnight and Star watched while they worked.

"Okay, Penny. Fly over and see of it is okay place to row to," Max said loading the long boat.

"Will do!" Penny did a front flip over the side and flew towards the shore. Star flew around her watching the water. Penny dipped her hand into the ocean, letting the water rush up her hands. It felt cool to touch. The water was clear and she could see the bottom pretty good. There were no sand bars to overturn the boat, so it was a good place to travel. As she landed on the beach, she communicated with the others with her necklace.

All clear!

The long boat was dropped in the water and Penny had to wait until they came. Star flew higher than the trees to see how far the jungle goes. She couldn't where it did, but she did spot a tree house not far from the group. The fairy returned to report to Penny.

"A tree house? I wonder what's there…" The boat finally made it ashore and Penny rushed to help pull it up.

"Okay, we should travel in teams, so we don't get lost," Max suggested as the leader. "Since Donald and my dad have been here, they told us, meaning me and Jayden, about this place. So it makes sense that I go with Penny and Jayden and Illiana are a team. Right, any questions?"

Illiana raised her hand, "Who made you leader?"

"Since I'm the oldest and…am older than you guys. Don't ask me why I was made leader!"

She laughed, "It's all good! Just weird hearing you giving out orders like that."

"Well, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm willing to hear them."

Jayden took out his staff and grabbed crates, "Nah, it's a good plan. We'll take this path and you guys take that one. We'll meet up before the sun sets."

"Okay that works. C'mon Penny, let's go!" Max stacked some crates and followed the trail. Penny fell behind him, only carrying one crate since that's all they will let her carry. They walked under the cool canopy of the trees with the sun filtered through the leaves. There were bird songs throughout the trees and other animal noises. Penny was itching to climb the trees.

"You sure Tarzan is the only one who lives here?" Penny asked, feeling the ever familiar presences.

"Last time we checked. Why, do you feel a Heart?" Max said carefully walking the path.

"Kinda. It's pretty faint though."

"Guess we'll stay here a day then. This place is very big. We could always ask Tarzan if he knows anything."

This place is also very peaceful. A perfect place for you to recover after all that has happen. Maybe even practice without hurting anyone, Midnight added taking all the different smells in this world.

I'm perfectly fine! It was just a random spell thing. I don't understand why everyone freaked out.

They were worried about you.

Penny rolled her eyes as she walked into Max, who stopped in the trail.

"Oof! A little warning next time!" she rubbed her nose and glared up at him.

"Sorry, but I did tell you this was the spot. You were the one not paying attention." Max dropped the crates and pointed up in the trees. "This is what we came for."

Up in the trees were bananas, mangos, some that looked like stars and many other fruits that Penny did not recognize. And, naturally, they were at the very top of the trees. Penny looked at the tree branches, thinking.

"Okay, you go fly up there and grab as much as you can and delivery it in this crate," Max suggested.

"Or, I could climb the trees and drop them in the crates," Penny offered as the climbed the nearest branch.

"Why climb when you can fly?"

"More of a challenge! And Star will be right next to me just in case I were to fall. She has to save her dust until the next time we head home."

Penny grabbed the next branch and started the slow climb up. Star sat on her shoulder to make sure she didn't make any foolish mistakes. Midnight fidgeted from below, whining as she watched her progress up. Max just sighed and put the crates beneath the trees for falling fruits. What none of them realized was they were being watched.

"Do you think the others had any more luck finding anything?" Illiana asked as she and Jayden followed their path. It led them to a lagoon with a huge waterfall at the end of it. Not to the fruit they were hoping for.

"Who knows? We clearly didn't choose the right path," Jayden answered as he wiped his face with the edge of his shirt. It was humid in the jungle with not a fresh breath of cool air. The water in the lagoon was too tempting to pass up. "I suppose we should rest here for awhile. It's too hot to walk."

Illiana knelt down to take a drink of water. She also splashed herself in attempt to cool off. Jayden watched her from the corner of his eye, thinking about the ball gown she wore at the party.

"I wonder how many more parties we will have to go to while on this adventure," Jayden mused, trying to bring up a conversation.

"I don't know, but I hope they are as good as the last one. It was so much fun with all the dancing and music. By the way, who taught you to dance like that?" Illiana asked as she flashed him a grin.

Jayden cleared his throat, blushing, "Well, living in the castle and having Donald as a teacher…Daisy taught me, alright? She wanted to teach me when she found out that I couldn't."

"Well I thought you were quite the dancer."

"Not when I was first learning. I don't think Daisy's feet will ever feel the same."

Illiana laughed and Jayden joined. He loved to make her laugh and smile like that. He couldn't help the way he felt about her. He was hoping that she felt the same way because he was about to something stupid.

"Illiana…" he began as he grabbed her hand. But she was already shaking her head as if she could guess what he was about to say.

"Jay, I know how you feel, but…" she sighed.

"What's stopping us?"

"It's Penny. I never realized how much attention she acquired and you were the one who picked her up," Illiana pointed out. "But I feel as if she needs us more than ever."

"Yea well, we won't be out here forever. Illiana, please."

"I'm sorry. It will be too much." She stood up, took some crates, and walked down the path without looking back.

Jayden sat there at the edge of the lagoon cursing himself. He did know how important their mission was, but they shouldn't have to only focus on it. He took one last drink and turned to follow her only to find something else behind him.

Penny stuck out her tongue as she reached for the last fruit on the branch, but it was too far from her reach. She scooted further down the branch she was standing on until she only had one foot on and her arms spread out for balance. Her other foot was straight back behind her like a ballerina as she reached for it again. Midnight watched from below with concern.

I still don't understand why you can't fly, he called.

Because where is the fun in that? She asked grasping the banana. "Yes I got it!" she yelled as the branch she was on snapped in half. At first she didn't really react, but as she started to fall, she tried to grab a branch. That plan didn't work as well as planned.

I told you this would happen! Midnight barked to get Max's attention. Max turned back to the tree to find Penny falling. He dove to catch her as she was closer to the ground. Penny opened her eyes and found Max scolding at her.

"Next time fly so that I don't get a heart attack." Max dropped her on the ground.

"Oof! Sorry! It wasn't my fault! You didn't have to drop me." She grumbled as she brushed herself off.

You deserved it since it was your idea.

Whatever! You're just glad that I'm okay.

Penny reached down for a crate when she heard a noise coming from behind them. Both she and Midnight froze as the noise grew louder and closer. "Max…"

A huge animal came barreling through the trees and towards them.