TAoP Chapter 29

The Queen's Court

Penny looked up at a small blond girl in a blue dress. She practically glowed white and she knew she had found the Heart of the world.

I should really pay attention to where I'm going, Penny said as the others helped the girl up.

Seeing as how you can feel where everyone is around you at all times. Yes. You are very clumsy or you should take your head out of the clouds, Midnight laughed at her.

"I'm so sorry! I did not see you and I have lost my way. But I am ever so glad to run into people," the girl said, fiddling with her hands. "You see, the caterpillar told me to come this way and I had felt something this way, so I wondered this way."

"It's alright. I'm used to it. My name is Penny and these are my friends," Penny said pointing to each one saying their name.

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Alice and I appear to be lost again."

Penny flinched at the power and white came to mind. "We can help you out, Alice."

"Oh thank you so much! Now the caterpillar told me that one side of this mushroom will make you taller and the other side will make you small."

"Then we'll just take both," Illiana said as she grabbed each side. It took them quite a long time to finally figure out which side made them normal sized. Star was a little sad that they had to grow, but she quickly got over it. After they all returned to normal, Penny found herself to be the same height as Alice. She was startled to see a girl her own age.

"Much better," Max said as he stretched. "I miss being the tallest."

"Yea, being freakishly tall is amazing," Jayden muttered.

Illiana interrupted Max, "So Alice, do you know where we are and how you came here?"

"Oh yes! This is Wonderland and I was following the White Rabbit when I fell down a hole," Alice explained. "I'm too curious for my own good."

"Sounds like someone we know," Max said, side glancing at Penny.

"I'm not that bad! By the way Alice, I need you to do something…" Penny was tying a white bead in her hair as Alice put the green bead on a string around her neck. "Now what do we do?"

"Well we should still search for any Darkness activities. I didn't think we would find the Heart this fast," Jayden said as he sat on a log with is laptop out on his lap.

"The Cheshire Cat might know something," Alice offered.

"The Cheshire Cat?" Penny looked at her in disbelief. "What does a cat know?" Midnight barked in agreement.

"Now Penny, we always follow a lead, no matter who gives it," Illiana warned Penny as Alice looked sad. Be nice Penny. She's only a little girl.

What? What does that have to do with anything? Penny held on to her necklace.

She may be the youngest Heart. She needs special attention, Max added.

Penny grumbled as a purple and pink cat materialized on a branch above her. He was humming a tune as he watched them, "You called for me?"

"Oh Cheshire Cat! These people are looking for Darkness. Do you know anything about that?" Alice went to stand under him, right next to Penny. Penny took a small step to the side as she came close. She didn't like the idea of someone her age.

"Darkness is everywhere. You just gotta know where to look," he answered as he stood up on his two legs.

"So they are here? Where are they?" Jayden asked.

"Who?"

"The Darkness."

"Where?" the Cat pretended to be searching for something.

"That's what I'm asking you for!" Jayden pulled out his staff ready to light the tree on fire.

"Oh no please! He likes to talk in riddles," Alice said, coming to the Cat's aide.

"If you're looking for her, you might want to try the Red Queen," the Cheshire Cat said as he slowly disappeared. "You might find something interesting."

"Wait, who's 'her'?" Illiana called but the Cheshire Cat was gone. All they could hear was his laughter. "Great, no help at all."

"If you want, I can show you the way to the Red Queen. But I must warn you, you mustn't get her angry," Alice offered.

"Thanks, Alice. We would like that."

They all entered the forest with Alice in the lead and penny in the back, frowning at the Heart. Her so-called teammates seemed to be more interested in the Heart than her. They even helped her over logs, but would they help Penny? No, she can take care of herself. Penny struggled over the logs, hoping to gain some attention. No such luck.

Stupid girl Heart. Gaining all the attention.

No Penny, I didn't know you could get jealous, Midnight said, walking beside her.

Me? Jealous? Don't be silly! I'm not jealous! Penny crossed her arms and decided to not pay any more attention to them, but something felt off. The forest had gotten quiet and she knew what that meant.

"Uh, guys, hold a minute," Penny cocked her head so she could hear better. Midnight sniffed the air for anything off. Max grabbed his sword and shield while Illiana cocked her guns. Jayden pulled out his staff waiting for anything. Penny ran to stand next to Alice, who looked scared.

"What's going on?" she asked shakily.

"Could be Shadows. We've had this happen to us before. Just stay close to me," Penny said as rustling occurred near them. They all froze and giant Cards came out of the bushed bearing spears. They had gathered around the group, not giving them any room for escape.

"Oh! It's just the Cards. They won't harm us," Alice said as she tried to get close to one but Penny pulled her back. She gave her a confused look.

"Stay here. Something isn't right," Penny hissed. When she glanced at the Cards, their eyes were pitched black. Illiana gripped her guns as she took aim at two of them. Jayden put on his goggles, waiting for the right moment. Max stood on Alice's other side. They seemed to be waiting for something.

Finally, one of the Cards attacked, but his spear turned into a bouquet of flowers. In fact, all the spears turned into flowers, thanks to Jayden's magic. The Cards stared at the flowers in confusion as the group attacked. Penny could only defend since she was protecting the Heart, but Max was handling most of it. But even as they were winning, more Shadows were coming.

"Penny, take Alice and get out of here!" Jayden yelled as he fought three at once. The trees were bending to his will and sweeping the Cards away.

"Are you crazy! There are too many for just the three of you." Penny argued. She had managed to freeze some of them as Max came up and got the Shadows. Illiana was in a tree, shooting from higher ground.

"No arguing! Just go!"

"Fine!" Penny turned to Alice. She quickly put her sword away. "Take me to the castle!" She picked up Alice like a princess and talked to Midnight, Stay here and help the others!

Okay, put if you do something stupid, I will tie you to a tree! Midnight raced to help them.

"Star! We need dust!" Star flew around them and Penny flew above the trees.

"Oh my!" Alice called as she looked down.

"Where to, princess?" Penny asked, struggling to stay up. She never really flown with someone else before and it was difficult.

"Over there! Beyond the forest," Alice pointed to the right. Looming in the distance was a huge castle with hearts all around them.

"Alright, here we go!" Penny flew fast towards the castle.

When they arrived in a courtyard area, Penny set Alice down first, so she could have her sword out. She landed and waited. Nothing out of the ordinary here….well…stranger then what she has seen. In the courtyard was nicely cut grass and red rose bushes that seem to be dripping.

"Everything seems to be in order," Penny said, glancing around.

"What were those things?" Alice asked, coming close to Penny.

"Darkness. They are trying to throw this world into darkness. In order to do so, they must get rid of the Heart. The Hearts protect their world."

"But…how can I protect it? I'm only a—"

"WHO HAS BEEN PAINTING THE ROSES RED?" a booming voice sounded over the courtyard. Penny dragged Alice behind her as a large woman in red came into view. She had a small crown on her black hair, glaring at the Cards that were behind her, begging for forgiveness.

"OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!" she yelled and more Cards dragged the others away. The woman turned her head towards the girls. "WHO'S SNEAKING AROUND IN MY GARDEN?"

"Please your—Your Majesty. It's me, Alice," Alice stepped around Penny and presented herself.

"Why, yes dear. Of course it's you," the woman said almost kindly. "I was hoping you would visit me soon. Care for a game of croquet?"

Who's the large woman? Penny silently asked Alice.

The Queen of Hearts. Please don't get her angry, Alice begged. "Why, of course, Your Majesty. I would love to play a game with you." She curtsied.

"And who is this, my dear?" the Red Queen pointed her scepter at Penny.

"Name's Penny…Your Majesty," she said, bowing to her. She put her sword away and waited.

"Very good. NOW LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"