[A/N: I know this has been another abnormally long hiatus, but my life was a bit hectic for a while. Anyway the drama is over with so updates should be regular again. I think Penny is the cutest thing ever as far as Disney characters go which is why she got so much page time in this chapter. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy the chapter!]

It looked like they'd landed in a swamp of some kind. In fact it looked like the swamp was huge. Juliet looked out at the murky water when she heard someone or something coming towards them. "I think we better hide." She did a very stupid thing and got in the water the mud imminently pulling down on her feet. "Clementine, why did you shrink us?"

"I was going for mice, but I obviously messed up the spell."

Akio crawled a little further down the embankment they were on when he saw two alligators coming into view. "What are two alligators doing with a teddy bear and a little girl?"

Juliet had pulled herself out of the muddy water and was shaking mud out of her shoes. "Why don't you go investigate?"

"Me?"

"No, the guy next to you. Yes, you the little girl is probably in trouble maybe you can help her."

Akio would have liked to point out that due to his tiny size he probably wouldn't be much help to anyone. Instead he found himself waist deep in swamp water. Hopefully I don't get myself in a bad situation. After he'd been swimming after the alligators for a few minutes he was able to grab onto one of the alligator's tails and pull himself up. I don't think I've ever been this wet not even in Atlantica and I'm covered in mud.

The little girl was squirming in the alligator's mouth when she thought she saw something on its back. "Put me down Nero you big bully and Brutus you better not rip Teddy."

Kid you've got bigger worries then if your bear gets ripped. He could see a boat house coming into view and flattened himself against the alligator's back hoping he wouldn't be noticed.

On the docks of the boat house was a woman with red hair wearing a red dress and garish make-up. "Brutus, Nero you found her good boys."

Akio was crawling off Nero's back when he saw a familiar red eyed shadow. "What are you doing here?"

"Madam Medusa is an old friend of mine I just thought I'd come and say hi. Besides I'm board of Juliet at the moment."

"When can I go home?"

"Oh Penny, Penny, Penny you know the answer to that. Once you get me that diamond I'll take you back to your orphanage."

Akio looked over at Erik. "What diamond is she talking about?"

"It's called the Devil's Eye or something she actually had me looking for it."

"Did you find it?"

"Yes, but I didn't bring it her obviously. You know I'm feeling sympathetic to the little girl I think I'll give Medusa a little scare."

"What if you scare Penny?"

"She'll be fine."

Madam Medusa had seen a shadow from the corner of her eye. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Penny clutched her bear when she heard growling. "I'm scared."

"Don't be such a fraidy cat it's probably nothing. Brutus, Nero go see what's making that noise."

Before either alligator could get to the door a large shaggy dog was standing on the threshold with its mouth curled into a snarl.

Penny shrieked before darting up the steps.

Medusa simply stood there with her mouth open for a few minutes before her senses returned. "Snoops get in here I need some help."

Snoops went to come out of the room he was in when a shadowy hand shut it.

"Remember me Medusa?"

"Should I?"

"You don't remember the little boy with the animals who found the diamond for you?"

"You don't even look human."

"No I suppose I'm not."

Medusa dropped to her knees at his feet. "What do you want?"

"Stop your sniveling I don't want anything from a dried up old woman like you."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"My vessel came here and I decided I'd do a little sightseeing. Now I want you to listen very carefully I'm going to go upstairs to see my vessel's friend and I want you to stay very still. If you move that dog will tear you apart."

Akio had finally managed to get into Penny's room. Luckily for him she'd left the door open. "Penny are you ok?"

Penny jumped looking for the source of the voice.

"Down here."

She crouched down so that her belly was on the floor. "You're so muddy are you a swamp fairy?"

"Um, no my friend cast a spell on me and that's why I'm small."

"Was it the shadow man?"

"How do you know about Erik?"

"Teddy whispered in my ear. He said there was a shadow man who could help me."

"I hate to disappoint you Penny, but Erik is not going to help you."

"He scared Madam Medusa."

"He likes to scare people."

"Rufus told me that everyone has good in them and I think the shadow man has good in him too." Penny cupped her hand so Akio could get into it before she walked over to the bed.

Akio sat down in the palm of her hand. "Penny, I want to help you and if you don't want to get hurt anymore then you already have you won't trust Erik he's only out for himself."

There was smoky vapor coming from under the door.

"Oh look it's the shadow man." Penny set Akio down on her bedspread before standing up and smoothing out her dress. "Excuse me Mr. shadow man I have a favor to ask."

"A kid with manners what a refreshing change. What's the favor?"

"Teddy told me you could take me back to the orphanage."

"Unfortunately your bear doesn't know what he's talking about. I can't take you anywhere. If I touched you my hand would go right through you."

Penny hung her head with her lower lip stuck out. "You seemed so nice. You scared Madam Medusa."

"Don't pout I didn't say there was no hope. I hate Medusa as much as you do I can't stand people who use children for their own personal gain. All you need is a bottle with a cork or lid, a pencil, and some paper."

Penny reached under her bed and procured a piece of paper and a pencil. "I can steal a bottle out of the garbage."

"Erik what are you planning?"

"You've never heard of a message in a bottle? I'm shocked and appalled." Erik could feel something poking at his middle and looked down at Penny. "What are you trying to do?"

"I want to hug you to say thank you."

"I don't do hugs. Go hug Akio."

"What if I crush him?"

"He'll be fine."

Down stairs the dog still had its intelligent eyes fixed on Medusa who was trembling. What is Erik planning? He never told me about this part of the plan. Chiyo growled at Medusa when she tried to stand up. I don't like being in the Bayou I just want to leave.

"Do you really have to go so soon?"

Akio was in the window sill looking to see if it would be ok to jump. "Don't worry Penny just write that letter and someone will come and rescue you."

"Be careful don't let Brutus and Nero find you."

"Even being tiny I can handle two alligators. Besides Erik will back me up if I get into trouble. Won't you?"

"I suppose…."

Penny got off her bed and pulled the sheet off dangling it out of the window. "You can use the sheet to climb down."

Chiyo must have realized that Erik had gone and headed for the door, but not before growling again at Madam Medusa.

Juliet and Clementine had been struggling to get through the swamp when Clementine heard something behind them. "Do you think those alligators are back?"

"It doesn't sound like it." Juliet readied her Keyblade just in case. "Oh it's only Akio. Did you find out anything about that little girl?"

"Actually and you aren't going to believe this, but Erik helped her."

"I was wondering where he went."

"She said her teddy bear told her a shadow man was going to help her and he did."

He's up to something I know he is. "Well tell me on the way, ok?"