TAoP Chapter 31

A Dark World

As soon as they landed on the deck, Penny crumbled in exhaustion. Midnight came over and licked her face.

What's in the backpack? He asked, sniffing the contents.

Nothing of importance, Penny hugged her pack. Just the usual things.

Midnight looked at her and Max snatched the pack from her.

"Oi! Give it back!" she chased him around the deck.

"Jeez, this pack is heavy. What's in here? Rocks?" Max complained as he used on hand to keep Penny away.

"Not fair!"

Max opened the pack and stared inside. He didn't say anything until Illiana spoke up.

"Well, is it rocks?"

Without a word, he dumped the contents and a huge pile of things tumbled out. Wrapped in the cloak Jasmine gave her was gold, glittering in the sun. Books from Belle's world. A spyglass that seemed to belong to Captain Amelia. The "Drink Me" bottle and a chest of "Eat Me" sweets from Wonderland. A small sketchbook from Jane.

They all stared at the pile until Jayden looked at Penny.

"You stole all of this?"

"It's not stealing! I'm collecting. There's a difference," Penny grabbed the backpack and started packing it all back in.

"Penny, this is stealing! How did you learn such a thing?" Illiana came over and stood in front of her.

"We always took stuff from Hook back on my island. It was natural for me. Besides I want to remember the worlds we go to."

"You have to ask permission first or else people will think you were stealing. Which is bad."

Penny hung her head and didn't say anything.

"I want you to go do some sword exercises to think about what you did," Max said as he grabbed the pack again.

"And magic exercises. You are to do that until we tell you to stop. Got it?" Jayden said sternly.

"Yes, sir. I got it," Penny mumbled. Midnight whined at them.

"Good. Get on the top deck and start."

Penny got up and slowly went to where she was sent. Midnight followed silently beside her and Star twinkled sympathetically. She started on the sword exercises first so that she would get hungry later than earlier. She started swinging her sword at an imaginary enemy. After some offensive moves, Penny moved on to defensive moves. Blocking and jumping around the deck, caused her to see out in the galaxy. Some other ships passed by them and the stars shone brightly. There was a world in the distance that she could see. It was different than the other ones. This one was darker and scary looking.

I wonder what world that is. Penny wondered as she climbed the rigging to see better.

I'm not sure, but shouldn't you be practicing, Midnight stated, also watching the world.

It's fine. Don't worry about it. Will we be going there?

"You are supposed to be working," Max said from below her.

"Sorry, I was watching the world get closer. Will we be going there?" she asked as she jumped back down.

"Not sure yet. I have no idea what Illiana is planned. But since you need to be punished, I suppose we should practice." Max took out his sword and shield. Penny grinned as she got ready and soon they were having a mock fight.

After an hour, Penny felt less tired and sore than she normally did, but still got more bruises than Max. Before she could have a small break, Jayden joined them on deck.

"Oh good, have you done your magic yet?"

Penny groaned, "No, but can I have a small break first?"

"No. You should be able to use magic and fight at the same time. So let's get started."

So for about another hour, Penny worked on her magic. She discovered that she could shape the water into any weapon if she lost her sword. She didn't want to see if fire would do the same thing because she didn't want it to go horribly wrong. She and Jayden had a mage's fight until her stomach demanded that she have food. Jayden said that he was satisfied and called it quits. Penny ran down to where the food was and found that Illiana had made food for all of them. She had made a giant pot of pasta.

Before Penny could sit down, Illiana stopped her.

"Go wash up first."

"Why? I'm starving. It's fine, I'll do it later."

"No. Now, Penny."

Penny glared up at Illiana and grumbled down to where the bathroom was. She quickly scrubbed her hands and ran back up to the kitchen. Illiana still wasn't satisfied, but she let it go. For now.

Penny naturally ate the fastest and the most. The others were discussing their plans, again.

"Maybe we should head back. We visited many worlds already. Besides, Penny should go to school," Illiana said.

"I agree. We have information for the King and maybe some of the other warriors picked up something," Jayden added.

"What about the world coming up?" Penny piped up.

"We can visit that one later. It's not very popular," Illiana looked at her.

"But if we are already here, why not look at it?"

"Penny has a point," Max jumped in. "We are here and not that far off from home."

"Max, we can't delay anymore. The information has to get to the King," Jayden said.

"Technically it would be easier, but the schooling…" Illiana tried to keep the peace.

"As the leader, I say we go," Max said with authority. "I kinda wanted to see this world anyway."

"What world is it?" Penny finally asked. She was listening and waiting for a chance to ask. Plus, she was willing to delay the home ride.

"It's Halloweentown. We haven't heard from that world in awhile but it doesn't need our constant attention like the other worlds."

"Let's go! I don't see any reason not too!"

"C'mon guys. You mean to tell me that you want to go back home where people tell you what to do," Max leaned into the table and looked at the two of them.

Jayden and Illiana looked at each other for a while. Finally Jayden sighed.

"Alright, but only for a search and look. We are not staying long."

"Yes!" Penny and Max high fived and ran to get ready for departure.

Now I have more time to do whatever I want! Penny said to Midnight as she packed.

I guess so but you have to go to school eventually, Midnight said, but was wagging his tail in excitement.

C'mon, you are just as eager to see the world as me!

Okay, okay you are right. I wonder what's there…

"Penny! C'mon let's go!" Max called down.

"Coming!" Penny ran back up there.

"Are we ready?" Jayden asked with his staff out.

"Yes!"

"Here we go."

They landed in a clearing with trees surrounding them in a circle. The trees had different symbols drawn on the trunks. There was an egg, a turkey, a heart, and the one right behind the group had a tree. The place was dark and black. The moon barely let any of its light shine down in the forest. Penny went running around the trees, until Jayden pulled her back.

"What now?"

"I need to create a spell before we do anything," Jayden explained. He stood there mumbling to himself as a small light appeared in front of him. As he waved his staff, the light went around them and Penny was blinded for a second.

When she opened her eyes, her clothes were the same, maybe a bit more tattered and dirty, but that wasn't the big change. It was her arms; they were furry and her hands turned into paws. She felt her ears perk up and around as it heard noises from a mile away.

Penny turned to the others and watched their transformations. Illiana wore a long dark purple dress with long while gloves on her arms. On her head was a deep purple witch's hat. Her hair curled around her head.

Jayden was completely see through and had no legs, just a wisp that curled in the air. He did have a whitish tint to him so they could easily see him. He was able to hold on to his staff which was the only solid thing on him.

Max wore a blood red cape around his neck and a dark blue suit. He still had his sword and shield on him, but he looked weird in a suit like that. But his teeth came to a shock. Instead of being square, they were pointed and sharp looking. Max lifted his hand to feel them as they all looked at each other.

"What did you make Penny?" Illiana asked, as she circled the girl.

"Oh a werewolf pup. I thought it suited her," Jayden said.

"A vampire? Really? Am I a normal one or one of those vampires that sparkles?" Max complained.

"A normal one, of course. Those ones aren't even scary. Nor will they ever be. Stupid notion really."

"Hey! It wasn't that bad! Don't mock something that you have never read!" Illiana blushed and snapped at them.

"Sure, sorry!"

"Why are we like this?" Penny asked.

You look good. You would make an interesting wolf, Midnight stated as he sniffed around.

"We have to blend in with the people her. You'll see when we get to the town," Jayden said. "If only we knew where to go."

"This way," Penny led the way out of the forest. They walked down the black path, unaware they were watched.