Turning Pages: Part Three

      "I a-assure you, g-good lady, your daughter is ab-absolutely fine.” Sir Alberts continuously pulled at his collar, causing it to wrinkle.

      He was shaking, not necessarily because of fear, but because of the quaking of a much larger Krawk above him. Each pounding step sent shockwaves rumbling from beneath his feet.

      “I would love to believe you,” the Krawk exhaled loudly. “And I’m sorry, I always get like this when she runs off, but I’ll believe she is safe when I see she is safe.”

     “Indeed.”

      One particularly strong shockwave sent the tour guide flying into the air, landing on the side of his face. A golden chain rocketed from his suit, the monocle in tow. It proceeded to roll away down the hall.

      “This day gets more and more riveting by the minute, it seems,” the Meepit said as he waddled down the hallway. “But if you do not mind my asking whilst I obtain my runaway monocle, what in Neopia would merit so much worry? Is she not a Neopian of a moderately responsible age?”

      Her eyes averted contact as she bit a fingernail. In the meantime, Alberts affixed the monocle again. He had to stay his breathing to keep from looking panicked.

      “Let’s just say there are certain places in Neopia where our family is no longer welcome,” Genevieve said with a sad smile. “Stephanie is sometimes just too curious for her own good.”

      The Meepit could feel his body tensing up, happiness draining away. “Oh, dear. Looks like I was right, then. I suppose this leaves me with no other choice.” From out of his pocket came a small metal whistle. When blown, it emitted a high-pitched buzzing followed by a string of low chatters.

      A white Weewoo and two of its cohorts—one green, the other red—flitted about the hallway, making twittering noises as they landed on a nearby perch. They each donned metallic caps branded with the words, “Neopian Times Security Department,” and carried a sort of commanding presence. Each of them nodded at Sir Alberts, a gesture that he quickly reciprocated.

      The white Weewoo spoke in a string of garbled tweets to which the Meepit nodded occasionally.

      “Apparently, she was spotted by security.” The Meepit’s voice seemed cold and distant. “When one of my cohorts here was not paying attention,” the green Weewoo hid its head under its beak, “she managed to sneak into our restricted room. The alarm was set off mere moments ago, my red friend says.”

      “Meaning?” asked the mother, eyes wide with fright.

      “Meaning…” Alberts took off his top hat and held it by his heart. He gripped it so tightly that creases appeared in the fabric. Tears formed in his eyes. “I am truly sorry. Your daughter could be in grave danger.”

      Stephanie rolled over onto her back and massaged her head. “What in Neopia just happened?” she groaned, staring at the sky.

      Wait…the sky?

      Stephanie bolted up and looked around. A light wind blew through many tower-sized trees, causing them to sway gracefully. A distance away, there was a smattering of houses and a pond. Mallards were swimming within the pond’s rippling waters. As she grew near, they all took off. Within a few seconds, they returned. Instead of being in front of the Cybunny, they appeared to be flying straight… from behind her.

      “Okay, this has to be some joke…” she said uneasily, eyes darting around the forest setting. Unlike the cool, dark library, it was humid. The sun beat down upon her back, causing sweat to pool around her face and ears. Within moments, her head began to ache.

      “Okay, Alberts, your little joke’s not funny anymore!” Stephanie yelled towards the sky, causing various woodland creatures to scatter. Maybe he used evil Meepit dream magic or something? This is too weird. Now Mom will know I wandered off, and I’ll never get those Twisted Roses tickets.

      Her fur felt sticky. Worst yet, there was not a cloud in the sky. Gasping, Stephanie wiped her paws against the Twisted Roses shirt, leaving a streak of sweat on Dark Ranger, leader and head vocalist of the band.

      She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m not outside. I’m sitting on an uncomfortable stool reading boring books. This is a dream! An evil Meepit magic dream!”

      A pinch on the cheek said otherwise.

      “Alberts, you say?”

      Stephanie opened her eyes and screamed, falling backwards against the soft grass for two very distinct reasons. One, that pinch hurt! And two… just a second before, she was all alone. Now, a towering White Kyrii was standing in front of her. From her wide shoulders, a green and black cloak slung loosely over plain white traveler’s robes. In her right paw was a tall wooden staff that exuded a strong, ruby red aura. Her large blue eyes were round with curiosity.

      “Well,” the Kyrii chuckled. “Hello to you too.”

      Stephanie stared at the Kyrii, too stunned to say anything. She closed her eyes, rocking from side to side. “That hurt you know… figment of my imagination.”

      A loud burst of laughter erupted from the Kyrii, causing Stephanie to flinch.

      “I assure you, Cybunny, I am quite real, and the sooner you admit that, the sooner you can leave this place.”

      Stephanie shook her head. “No, no you’re not. This is some sort of a weird dream or an illusion or something. I was just reading a book—a book! I can’t be here. That would be impossible.” She began to bite at her fingernails. A wave of dread washed over her. “I don’t even know where here is! I was just with this boring tour group… and then this boring library and then… then…”

      The Kyrii raised her eyebrows slowly as if coming to some sort of realization from Stephanie’s words. For just for a moment, you could almost see the slightest of grins creep across her face.

      “Ah, now I see…” she crooned, although her voice seemed viscous and distant.

      “See what?” Stephanie asked, crawling back. Her paws were sweating.

      “Before I tell you ‘what,’ please tell me your name,” the Kyrii answered. “My name is Magis Magister.” She extended her right paw while balancing the glowing staff. Stephanie stared at the Kyrii’s white paw, large Cybunny ears lying flat against her back. When Stephanie hesitated, she scoffed. “Oh, come now. Surely you know how to shake paws? I haven’t been gone that long.”

      Stephanie glared at the Kyrii, trying hard not to stick out her tongue.

      “Of course I do.”

      She extended out her paw stiffly and shook the Kyrii’s paw. With a little lift, the Cybunny was standing.

      “My name is… Stephanie. Now that I’ve told you that, please tell me where in Fyora’s name I am!”

      “Nice to meet you, Stephanie.” Magis turned her back to her and her strange staff glowed brightly before dimming down. Stephanie shivered. “You are in Monsters: Night of Despair, my dear.”

      Stephanie felt her skin grow cold. She thought back on the book that she left lying on the table in the round room. Its red cover and golden lettering had imprinted in her mind, clear as a bell.

      “D-did you say M-monsters: Night of Despair?”

      Magis nodded gravely, her back still facing Stephanie. “I’m afraid you are yet another unfortunate Neopian to fall into the evil hands of William Pendleton Alberts.”

      “Are you talking about Sir Alberts?” Stephanie said, voice going up an octave. Her heart pounded in her chest after each word. The Kyrii turned back to face her, long face twisted by what appeared to be a mixture of sorrow and rage.

      “Hah! So is that what he is going by now? I’m afraid that he is hardly a Sir, my dear Stephanie. He’s the reason I’ve been stuck in this blasted prison for years.” Stephanie blanched, feeling the blood rush from her face. Before she could faint, Magis had grabbed hold of her paw and kept her steady.

      “Evil Meepit magic!” whispered Stephanie. Magis nodded.

      “You said you came with a tour group, right Stephanie?”

      “Um… yes, I did.”

      “Same! Neopians didn’t believe me when I told them that he was evil, and I stumbled across a room that appeared to be…” she seemed to grasp for words. “Well… I can’t seem to remember, actually, it’s been so long here. But while Sir Alberts led the tour group off in a different direction, I broke away.” Magis’ paw shivered. “Sir Alberts noticed I was missing, found me, then…” Magis clenched her paws and stared at the ground. After a few seconds of silence, her raspy voice choked out barely audible words. “Somehow he cast me into this story… and enchanted the book to swallow anyone who opened its pages. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a way out of here.”

      Stephanie had lowered herself to the ground as Magis told her story. She began to quake and rocked her legs against the grass.

      “This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening,” she cried, holding her head within her hands.

      “Stephanie, calm down!” Magis said, grabbing hold of her collar.

      “Calm down?!” the Cybunny shouted. With a strong push, she knocked Magis to the ground. “I need to get out of here! I have friends, a family, a life back in Neopia. You can’t keep me here—he can’t keep me here!” Her eyes blazed like a wild fire.

      And I…I have to get back to my Mom, Stephanie thought. She didn’t want to admit it, but under her fiery demeanor, she was scared.

      “Stephanie, silencio!” Magis yelled from the ground, and all fell silent. A shrill wind picked up and blew off some of the dirt from the Kyrii’s robes. The robe glowed green as she stood, the grass and dirt stains all but vanished.

      Stephanie found herself unable to speak, and she looked at Magis in confusion.

      “I put a simple spell on you, girl, for acting out of turn.”

      Stephanie’s eyes watered with anger. She clenched her paws tightly and stamped towards the robed Kyrii, holding out a fist.

      Magis put out her paw and stopped Stephanie in her tracks.

      “Please, let me explain before you do anything you may regret.”

      Stephanie couldn’t possible imagine what she would regret. All she wanted to do was leave this place.

      Why didn’t I just stay with the tour? she thought. It would have been boring, but at least I would have been safe!

      “As you may have noticed, I’m spell-caster—and please, for the love of Fyora, put those fists down.” Stephanie did not budge, causing Magis to sigh gruffly. “The Order of the Red Erisim—I’m sure you’ve heard of them—was once my, shall we say, affiliation. After a time, I left to pursue magic training on my own. Their ideals were a bit naïve for my tastes, but I learned a great deal from them.” She paused, and her expression soured. “You know I am trustworthy, yes? If so, stop your pointless rage. I’m your ally, and your only chance out of here.”

      Despite being tense, Stephanie managed a stiff nod.

      “Good.” She continued while fluffing her long, violet mane with her free paw. “I am allowed to have different opinions from my former faction, aren’t I?”

      I thought the Order was good. Stephanie wondered. Last time I checked, they don’t cast spells on innocent Neopians.

      “Aren’t I?” The magic-user repeated.

      She nodded again. I guess you are, she mentally finished.

      “I hope you can forgive my suddenness, but that is why I can do magic. Well, most of the villagers can too, actually. It just so happens that my abilities are a lot stronger. Natural ability has its advantages. Now walk with me,” she motioned. “There is much to discuss.”

      Stephanie followed reluctantly.

      “As the first Neopian Alberts ever sent to this place, I had to build up this world from nothing, town included. And…” she grew quiet, cracking the slightest of grins. “For better or worse, there are more here than just you and I.” Violet locks of fur drooped in front of her face, making it hard to read her completely. “Being their leader is a lot of responsibility. I’m sure you would agree.”

      Stephanie rolled her eyes between nods, pointing repetitively to her mouth.

      “Just one second more, dear. I have to make sure you know that we are not enemies.” Stephanie blew a silent raspberry, which the mage seemed to ignore.

      “I have taken it upon myself to protect everyone from the evils that lurk in these forests. When Alberts cast me into this story, creatures from Neopia’s history came as well. Luckily, ‘new arrivals’ always appear at the same location, so a protection spell is very simple to create. But it takes a lot of energy to maintain such a spell for so long.” She pulled back one of the cloak’s velvet sleeves, revealing a bony physique. “But I believe in my heart that we will thwart Alberts’ diabolical book. We’ve all managed to survive so far, thanks to me.”

      A long silence seemed to pass between the two.

      “Who knows how much longer I can hold back these monsters alone…”

      Magis stopped in place before walking in a small, circular. Her staff glowed brightly.

      Stephanie’s eyes widened as an image appeared in the distance. It looked mirage-like from afar.

      “There are eight other Neopians living in that town over there, but thanks to my magic, we have everything that might ever be needed to survive. For now, that is. Who knows if I can support a ninth.” Magis stared directly into Stephanie’s eyes. Her demeanor seemed suddenly less warm and welcoming. It seemed to flicker just as a dying lantern might in the middle of a dark night. Stephanie felt a chill creep up her back.

      “I know this may seem sudden,” she grabbed Stephanie by the arm, “but I’m going to need your help to escape this place. Either we do this together, or we’ll both be trapped her for eternity.”

      Stephanie’s heart raced as she struggled out of her grip. Why is she asking me? Why not one of those other Neopians instead? I’m just a kid.

      “Oh, don’t look at me like that, Stephanie! I’m not going to hurt you. I only cast the spell to keep you from shouting nonsense.” Magis said, quickly changing her demeanor back to that of a kind mage once more. “I don’t blame you for acting as you did. I was far worse when I first landed here. Anyway,” she said, beckoning Stephanie to stay close.

      “I had a vision that a Cybunny would come one day, and the others and I escape from this vile place. My strength is weakening with the protection spell I have cast on this town for these past however many years…” she sighed wearily. “Evil shadow creatures are always lingering on the edge, waiting for my power to weaken enough where they can get past the barriers and into the town. I hate to think what might happen if my magic ever failed.”

      We’d be goners. That’s what.

      Magis leaned forward, whispering closely into the Cybunny’s downturned ears. “The two of us can get rid of Alberts and his evil schemes. You know what they say: Meepits have and always will be evil. And only through the power of good can we destroy his evil.”

      Magis waved her paw, and Stephanie felt as if someone had lifted a two-ton weight off her throat. She gingerly took a step forward, opening up her mouth to utter the first word that came to mind: “How…?”

      Stephanie fell silent. Her earlier anger and fear had vanished and was replaced by something else she hadn’t felt before…. a craving for revenge.

      “So you know why I’m your friend now, right, Stephanie?” the mage cooed.

      I knew there was no way a Meepit could lead the tour group. Mom should have believed me. Wait a second—Mom! She’s still out there with him! Her blood ran cold, and worry set in her stomach. Who knows what sort of terrible things he could do to her.

      She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, Magis. I shouldn’t have been so hasty. Alberts is our enemy, and I’ll help you get rid of him in any way that I can.”

      Magis smiled, her blue eyes shining so brightly that they almost appeared to be glowing.

      “Good girl. Come now, Stephanie. We have much work to be done.”

      Stephanie nodded and in return bowed to the mayor, firmly shaking her paw.

      “Friends, then?” said the mage.

      “Allies,” Stephanie agreed with a small smile. She would help bring Alberts to justice.

      To be continued…