"Why do we have to move?!?" the young Usul whined. "I'm happy here! All my friends are here!"

"Lindy, dear," the older Usul sighed, "We warned you that if a better job was offered, we might have to move..."

"B-but..." Lindy stuttered, her eyes brimming with tears.

"...and a better job was offered. I know you'll miss your old friends, but we're certain that you'll make plenty of wonderful friends when we reach the new town. Now, help me pack this."

"I hate you," Lindy muttered, sitting with her arms folded and her face scrunched into a terrible scowl. She glared around her new room with utter distaste. Sure, it was bigger then her old room, and had a nice view, but she was determined to hate it with every ounce of loathing her small body could muster.

"Sweetie, it's time to sleep," a voice called from outside her door. "You have a big day tomorrow, starting at your new school, so get some rest."

Lindy stuck her tongue out at the door.

"Lindy, it's time to wake up, dear. I hope you went to sleep early like I suggested."

The Usul sat up and rubbed her eyes, then looked at her clock. "What?! It's morning already?" The Usul realized that she must have fallen asleep while sitting on her bed... she still had yesterday's clothes on.

"Hurry up sweetie, or you're going to be late!"

"Ahhh!" the little Usul cried, leaping out of bed...

"I can't get out! The door is gone... help! HELP!" Lindy yelled. Her mother didn't believe her, but then she saw that there was only a plain white wall where once there had been a door.

"I'll get help!" her mother yelled.

Minutes later, Lindy heard the sound of lots of voices. That was followed by a mallet, which was apparently banging on the wall, trying to break it. There was no more hope left, as the wall wouldn't budge.

"Don't worry, sweetie!" Serah yelled. "We'll get you out of there soon!"

Seeing as there was nothing else to do in an empty room, Lindy decided to explore. Most of the drawers and shelves were empty, for she had not unpacked yet. One drawer, however, contained an old and mysterious book that appeared quite tattered.

Lindy opened the book to the first page...

...How to Enter Other Dimensions

"What?" the young Usul said, scratching her head. "You can't enter other dimensions!"

However, recalling a short story about a prince and princess she had read to a group of young Neopets at her other school, she determined that this must be some sort of fantasy book.

"I assume I will read this," the Usul said sadly to herself, "for there is nothing ELSE for me to do, as long I am trapped in this horrible prison."

As she thumbed through the pages, looking at the contents curiously while reading with great concentration, the book engulfed her... literally! Soon, there was no pounding on the walls, or voices... Lindy felt as though the book was drawing her to read on.

As Lindy arrived at the novel's end, she found directions for how to enter other worlds and dimensions. The book HAD been interesting, so Lindy (being a curious Usul) read the directions silently in her head. The first direction was to never say them aloud...

The next line in the book described how to create gaps in the walls of the world around her, by concentrating intently on a single point in space. Lindy shrugged her shoulders and decided that it was worth a try. Her lips parted and she took a deep breath. Sweat began to pour down her face as her eyes bored into the blank wall in front of her. To her astonishment, a black gap opened in the whitewashed wall. She stepped back away from the torn space that had appeared so suddenly. The doubts she'd had about the book instantly dissolved, as if they had been pulled into the void that lay before her. She excitedly read on.

The next section in the book told of how one could travel through "portals" in space, which would take them to other worlds:

Other lands lie just beyond our perception, and travel between these worlds is quite uncomplicated. One must simply know how to unlock the barriers that exist between their world and those that reside elsewhere. Once a door has been opened, desire is the ticket that will carry you to any world you could ever hope to dream of.

Lindy drank in the words of Deiad Nimmo, like a thirsty Apis would drink water after a long stay in the desert. She could go anywhere she wanted to... she could travel to a world of her dreams.

"I want to go to a dream world," she whispered softly. The ground lurched beneath her feet, and by the time she remembered what had been said about speaking out loud, it was too late. Her world tilted wildly, and she was flung into the yawning black gap...

Minutes passed as she traveled throughout this strange place, and Lindy felt the fear leave her body. She stopped worrying about what was going to happen to her, and instead began to admire this strange place. Then, just as she was starting to almost enjoy the strange, rollercoaster-like ride, it stopped.

"Huh? What's happening?" Lindy called out, to no one in particular. Then, everything went black.

"Good morning, Miss Lindy."

Lindy opened her eyes. In front of her, a smartly dressed Quiggle held a tray full of candy -- it was the kind that only millionaires have could afforded.

"What... where am I?"

The Quiggle giggled, but stopped shortly when she realized Lindy was serious.

"Miss, this is your master bedroom."

"Wha--"

"You have several other bedrooms, but this is your favorite. Oh, and this, of course," the Quiggle said, while making a waving gesture towards a giant window, "is your estate, the largest one in all of Neopia!"

Lindy jumped out of her bed, then yanked back the blinds of her window. A gorgeous view of all Neopia lay before her. She could see the pyramids of the Lost Desert, the clouds of Faerieland, the giant snow-capped peaks of Terror Mountain, and everything in between.

"Wow," was all Lindy could say. How did I get all this? she silently wondered... but then she remembered.

"Duh," she said, smacking herself on the forehead. The Usul had traveled through space and time to get here.

"So, Miss Lindy, how do you wish to spend the day?"

Lindy looked at the Quiggle, slightly surprised. Lost in her own thoughts, she forgot where she was. The Quiggle's question made her realize something -- she had everything she could possibly want.

"Well, I've always really wanted to go swimming in a giant pool all by myself..."

The Quiggle, again, looked confused.

"But, Miss Lindy... pardon me for correcting you, but you just went swimming in your private pool yesterday!"

"Oh... oh, of course, that's what I meant. Now, little Quiggle, fetch me some fresh, delicious faerie bubbles and deluxe Fyora Day cake. Bring them to the pool in approximately -- I mean, exactly one hour. Don't be late! In the meantime, clear my pool out, and make sure that no one disturbs me until my food has arrived."

"Is that all, Miss Lindy?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"'Tis a pleasure to serve you, your beautifulness."

Lindy beamed.

A couple of minutes later, Lindy was spread out on an expensive-looking lawn chair. Sun glasses covered her eyes, and a gold necklace with the name "Lindy" encrusted in it lay around her neck. The clear pool water glistened like a tub full of diamonds in the sun, with several toys floating among it. She could, however, probably buy a pool full of diamonds if she wanted to.

"This is the life," Lindy said aloud.

"I know it is," a strange voice said, coming from somewhere in the bushes.

Lindy didn't even bother opening her eyes.

"Quiggle, dear, I told you that no one is allowed to bother me until my food is ready."

"Sorry princess," the voice said sternly, "but you have something that belongs to me."

Lindy opened her eyes, glancing in the direction that the voice was coming from. All she saw, however, was a cloaked figure.

"Oh yeah? What would that be?" she asked lazily.

"A book... MY book... written Deiad Nimmo, my father... I want it back!"

Lindy squealed in fear as the cloaked figure began to rush at her with amazing speed...

Directly across from her were twelve ghostly-looking Neopets, sitting in two rows on polished, wooden benches. Some glared at her with hate, while others looked upon her with pity. She gulped, then stumbled backwards.

"You, there!" called a rough voice from behind her.

Lindy spun around to see a Skeith, who was wearing a black robe and white wig. He was sitting at a tall podium, and held a gavel in his right hand. "Sit down!" he barked. Lindy rushed to the only vacant seat, behind a table across from the Skeith.

A Blumaroo hopped in with a scroll. He cleared his throat, then declared, "This court will now come to order." So that's what this was. "Today, this court will decide the fate of one Lindy Usul, hereafter known as the defendant." Lindy shivered. This didn't sound good. "The charges: disobeying the most important rule of dimension traveling."

"But, I didn't mean--"

"Silence!" the Skeith (whom Lindy now took to be the judge) shouted. "You have violated our laws, and now you must receive the punishment!" He turned to the ghostly audience. "Jury?"

"Wait! Don't I get a say in this?" Lindy begged desperately. "I'm the defendant. Doesn't that mean I get to defend myself?"

The jury huddled together and started whispering. Lindy wiped the sweat from her brow as a Shoyru stepped forward.

"Well?" came the judge's voice. "What do you say?"...

..."I s-s-say," Lindy stuttered. The Shoyru, who was staring at her with such a deep intensity, was starting to look really intimidating. "I s-s-say," she repeated.

"You have no say!" the Skeith boomed, his voice like thunder.

Lindy swallowed and quieted down. She hid her face in her tiny, Usul paws and tried her best not to give herself over to the tears that were piled up against her eyelids.

The Shoyru cleared his throat importantly. He turned from Lindy, stared the Skeith in the eyes, and began to speak. His voice was loud and clear, and Lindy wished that she had heard none of his words: "The jury has decided that defendant is guilty of speaking words during the delicate dimension traveling process, even after she read the clearly stated law of not speaking any words at all."

"B-b-but!" Lindy squeaked, removing her paws from her eyes and stamping a foot.

"Silence!" the Skeith declared, pounding his gavel on top of the desk, quieting the Usul. "Continue," he gestured to the Shoyru.

"Her punishment is a one month stay in our dungeon," the Shoyru concluded, giving a decisive shake of his head.

Lindy cocked her head, as she pondered why on earth a court would have a dungeon. Her thoughts were broken by the Skeith's response of "very well." The next thing she knew, Lindy had been grabbed on either side: the Shoyru gripped her left arm, and an Acara gripped the other. They lifted her body and, despite her efforts to get away, they began to carry her to the back of the courtroom.

Lindy knew she had to try one last thing as a means of escaping her most unfortunate fate. "But, I'm Princess Lindy!" she shouted mightily. "You have no right to lock me in a dungeon."

The Skeith stared at her. "You're Princess Lindy? Well then, I guess we'll have to make things a bit more acommodating for you. Gentlemen, please carry Princess Lindy to the royal chair."

The two guards placed her down gently, brushing her off before rushing away to get the "royal chair". Lindy was excited about the fact that, even under these circumstances, she was to be treated royally. However, she failed to notice the sly twinkle in the Skeith's narrowed eye.

It wasn't long before the Acara and Shoyru returned, carrying a very large, and very comfy, love seat. "Miss Princess Lindy," they whispered in a chorus, "your room awaits you."

Lindy held her head proudly before waving her paw, signaling them to lower the immensely-sized chair. They did as they were told, and the Usul merrily climbed up into the chair of Royalty. Then, however, instead of feeling comfortable, she began to feel rather uncomfortable. They had lifted the chair so it was way too high to jump down from. Perhaps, I could climb down the back and then... her thoughts were interrupted as a metal belt curled itself up around her waist.

"What is this?!?" she squealed.

"I hope you enjoy your stay!" was all that she heard of the Skeith's words as they exited the courtroom doors and headed down a dark hallway.

I wish I was gone she thought, shutting her eyes...

Now what? she wondered. By now she just wanted to go home.

"Now is the time for you to give me what is mine," a voice said behind her. The Usul turned around to find the familiar cloaked figure.

"If it's yours, then what was it doing in my room? You sure don't take very good care of your stuff!"

"Like you took care not to misuse the book? I think we both know who is more worthy of being its owner."

"Oh yeah? Well, what would you do with it?" Lindy grumbled.

"I'll tell you what I wouldn't do with it," the cloaked figure said, "I wouldn't break the laws of the book!"

"You know what?" Lindy screamed in fury. "You can have the stupid book!" she yelled, then tried to throw it at him.

"Fool! You can't give back the book until after you've learned the lesson that is the very reason why it was left for you!"

"Well, what would that be?" she queried.

"YOU have to learn it, not me. I cannot tell you what you must learn! You have to figure it out for yourself!"

Lindy sat down to think, and realised that this might take a while. She thought and thought and thought. Maybe what I need to learn involves my life. Maybe I should be happy with my life. I should know that, even though I had to move, my life isn't over. I actually have a pretty good life.

About to utter her epiphany aloud, Lindy stopped. What would happen when she spoke aloud? After all, speaking aloud had already gotten her into trouble before. What would happen now, and what would happen if and when the cloaked figure got the book back? What would he do with it? Maybe he was a bad guy -- maybe he wanted the book so that he could use it to manipulate the universe. This book was very powerful, and though Lindy just wanted her old life back, she knew she couldn't let just anyone have the book.

Lindy's realizations must have shown in the expressions on her face, because the cloaked figure had taken a step closer to her. He held out his hand and began muttering words.

Uh oh, Lindy though. What now?...

...Lindy didn't quite know what happened as she hit the ground, but she awoke to sunlight in her eyes.

"Where am I?" she tried to mutter.

"No, no, my dear. You must keep still and rest for now."

Could it be? That silky, honey-like voice. It had to be...

Lindy opened her eyes. It was! It was!!! As Lindy's eyes slowly fluttered open, her mother smiled.

"Are you feeling better now?" her mother asked.

Lindy didn't say a word, but just wrapped her little arms tightly around her mother's neck. Lindy then realized that she was back in her old room, with everything back where it had always been, including the door and window.

"What's the matter, darling?" Lindy's mother asked. "You looked quite flushed when I came in."

"I had the weirdest dream. I woke up, and my door and windows had disappeared... then I found this book, and I had a pool, and I got into so much trouble and... oh no! Deiad Nimmo's son! What'll I do? I'll go to jail for sure!"

"Honey, honey, it's okay. It was all just a dream. You're not going to jail anytime soon. Now, let me go get some water for you, and you just sit tight, okay?"

As the young Usul settled back on her bed, awaiting some water, she noticed a lump underneath her pillow. Cautiously lifting up her pillow, she was shocked to find a tattered cloak and a letter with her name on it. Hesitantly, she picked up the envelope and peeled it open...

This was no dream -- no dream at all. You got your dream world. However, your dream world is not always the right world. You learned your lesson, as my father did his. The book was not meant to be used. Your house once belonged to my father and I. Take the cloak, and remember that it was no dream. Oh... and thanks for the book.

It was unsigned, yet Lindy smiled, because she knew the writer of the letter. Her mother walked into the room as Lindy slid it underneath her pillow.

"Why, dear, what's this?" her mother asked, pointing to her pillow.

Lindy panicked, realizing that the cloak was still sitting on her pillow.

"Oh, I found that in the closet," Lindy lied. "It's a bit dirty..."

"Why, it's ripped, old, and covered in mud!" her mother said, her face screaming with disgust. "Plus, it's on your pillow? This has got to go!"

"No, mom!" Lindy cried, grabbing the cloak. "Let me keep it!"

Serah looked suprised that her daughter, who had always loved frills and flowers, would want something old and tattered.

"Well, I guess so," she decided, hanging the cloak up in the closet. "You must rest some more, though -- you look awfully tired."

Lindy sipped her water, then yawned.

"Yes, it's been a long night," Lindy said, snuggling up under her blankets. Lindy's mother bent down and kissed her forehead, then walked out of the room, turning off the light on her way.

Through the darkness, Lindy could see the tattered cloak hanging in her open closet. She then closed her eyes, thought of the cloak, and dreamt a real dream.

The End