CHAPTER 14

In a stream high in the mountains, water began to swirl faster and larger before it finally stopped, flinging water on everything nearby. Where it was, five human like creatures appeared. All but one began coughing up water. The girl not coughing was breathing heavily.

After a minute, when everyone had caught their breath, Phil exclaimed, "That was awesome!"

The others laughed, then Kida spoke up. "Is everyone ok?" she asked.

Eric shook his head to clear it. "Just a little dizzy," he answered.

"Are we where we're supposed to be?" Cinderella asked him.

Eric looked around. "Yeah, I think so." Getting his bearings, he pointed. "The base is just over there. Not far from here at all."

"You can lead me, then," Aladdin said, turning into a horse. Eric climbs up, then offers Cinderella a hand. Smiling, she took it, and climbed up behind him.

"Up you get," Shang said, pulling Phil onto his own back. Then Shang turned to his stepdaughter. "Kida, Stay here and stay hidden. We're going to need a portal back as soon as we come running."

Kida nodded. "I'll be ready," she promised. Shang nodded, and they headed off.

Not five minutes later, Eric motioned for them to stop, pulling Aladdin's mane to get his attention. "This is it," he said quietly.

"Not to put a damper on things," Phil spoke up, "But how are we going to get in? Surely we can't just waltz through the front door unnoticed."

Eric smiles. "That's exactly what we're going to do," he announced. "Trust me."

Two guards were standing by the door. They raised their weapons when they saw Eric, Aladdin (who was himself again), and Cinderella pulling Shang and Phil toward them.

"Who goes there?" one of the guards asked loudly.

Eric spoke confidently. "The Witch's servants, bringing more subjects for her experiments."

"I don't recall her requesting more subjects," the other guard said.

"Then you're an idiot," Eric said harshly. "I was ordered to bring these freaks up here so she can finish her tests." He glared at the guards. "Or are you doubting her orders now?"

The guard immediately straightened up. "I'll show you the way, then," he offered.

Eric scoffed. "I know the way. I've been here before. Or have you forgotten that too?" And he roughly led the others through the door, leaving the guards feeling foolish and confused.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Phil spoke up. "Ok, that was freaky."

Aladdin glanced at Eric wearily. "Have you really been here before?"

Eric smiled and shook his head. "Not a day in my life," he chuckled.

"How long will it take them to figure out you lied?" Shang asked.

"They shouldn't even remember we came in," Eric assured him. "It's going out that will be the hard part."

Cinderella asked, worried, "Will she let us leave?"

Eric ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "So long as she doesn't know we're here we'll be ok. I can manipulate those guards, but I have no control over her."

"But can't Cindy just take the witch's powers away, like she did mine?" Aladdin asked, confused.

Eric shook his head. "It might not be that simple," he warned. "If she's on her guard, we won't be able to do anything until she drops it."

"I thought you said she couldn't stop me," Cinderella exclaimed, frightened.

"I said you were the only one who could stop her," Eric corrected gently. "But you'll have to wait until she's off guard, otherwise even your powers are useless."

Aladdin sighed. "It figures. Why does she have to be so powerful?"

Eric shrugged. "She's spent the last three hundred years making herself the most powerful being on earth. We're lucky there's someone alive today who can stop her."

Cinderella stared at Eric in shock. "Three hundred years?"

Eric nodded. "At least."

Suddenly a scream echoed throughout the base. They all froze.

"What was that?" Cinderella asked shakily.
Eric was pale. "Jim. Come on, this way!"

Eric led the way down hallway after hallway. The screaming continued, growing louder, mixed with snarls and growls. "He doesn't even sound human," Cinderella panted as they hurried along.

Suddenly, they heard the witch's voice behind them: "That's because he's not." They all stopped and turned. She was grinning. "And neither are any of you," she continued. "My job is to prove it, so that no one has any objections to killing you."

Aladdin rushed toward her in fury only to find himself blocked by an invisible barrier, knocking him to the ground.

"Why are you so afraid of us?" Cinderella yelled.

"Afraid of you?" Vanessa spat disgustedly. "I'm not. I simply want you out of the way." Then using her magic, she threw them all against the wall, causing them to cry out in pain. "Guards!" Vanessa yelled.

Three guards showed up almost at once. "Yes, my lady?" they asked.

"Lock these traitors up," she ordered. "I want them unharmed." Grinning, she added, "They will do nicely for my next experiment."

Eric glared at her as he was led away struggling. She smiled in triumph, and with a snap of her fingers, he lost all consciousness.