Jessika POV

The tower was nothing like I had imagined an evil place to look like. Inside was practically a palace-it looked much larger and wider than it did outside.

The glimmering glass staircase, went round in a spiral, all the way up the tower. There were hundreds of golden doors lining the walls on each platform, and it somehow made me dizzy. 

The windows all over the tower were large wide frames, rimmed with a variety of jewels, and the ground was made of pale, pine coloured tiles. 

Unfortunately, my awe at the beauty of the place was quickly trashed, as several fairies flew down from the stairs, dwarfs, goblins, pixies, elves and other creatures I couldn't identify Immediately circled around us, blocking our path to move either forward or back.

"This is getting out of hand", I muttered, "What now? Can't we use your invisibility spell and, like, sneak passed them or something"?

"That spell only works on me. I can't do it on other people, unfortunately. Sorry, Jess". Aladdin replied.

"We need to figure out what direction to go in first", Robin suggested, "Look at all these doors. She could be anywhere".

We needed to think fast.

We couldn't stall.

But we couldn't fight them all. Robin was weakening. Aladdin was weakening. I was useless. Or...was I?

The elves in front came charging towards us, some holding up small blue daggers, others with large staffs and swords. I ran towards them.

"Hey! What the heck"! Robin yelled after me, but I ignored him.

I still didn't know what happened when I had hit Ivor earlier. But I did do something. And maybe...I could do it again.

With all the force I could muster up in my arm, I swung forward my fist landing hard smack into one elf's face.

I could do it...

...Or not.

Nothing happened. he just stood there, unmoved. He didn't even flinch. "Really, little girl? Nice try, but it's gonna be a lot harder than that to take down an elf". He swung his leg into the air, kicking hard into my waist and sending a shock of pain throughout my whole body. 

Robin caught me as I fell, and Aladdin stood in front of us, holding up his staff. "This is covered in stardust". He said. "Come closer and it will kill you". 

The attackers immediately stopped in their tracks and fell silent.

I noticed Aladdin was even paler than before, sweat fell in beads down his face. 

I groaned in pain, as I tried to sit up. 

"You are the biggest fool I've ever met, commoner. Did you seriously think you could lay a scratch on an elf? Did you want to get yourself killed? You are literally..."

"Robin, just stop. I know,I was being stupid, you don't have to rub it in. I'm sorry, alright"? I slowly got to my feet. "Thanks for catching me".

I decided not to tell him. Not yet. Now's not the time.

The elf who had hit me suddenly grinned. "How long are you planning to keep up that act"? He asked Aladdin. He suddenly lunged towards him, and knocked the staff out of his hand in a flash. 

"You're a genie. You can't touch that stuff, either".

Robin tried to throw a punch but the elf blocked him. A fairy flew up from behind, and held up her bow and arrow. 

"Robin! Behind you"! I screamed, just as she fired out the arrow. He quickly ducked down and it shot right into the chest of the attacking elf. He cried out in pain, clutching the arrow tightly.

Robin used this opportunity to swing his arm forward and give him a blow in the face. The elf flew across the room.

Several others were immediately on us. Everything was happening so fast.

A fairy grabbed my arms and lifted me into the air, as Aladdin ad Robin fought off  the other creatures. Aladdin tried to reach for me as I went higher, but I slipped right out of his grasp.

I yelled and kicked around like a child, as I tried to escape her. Her grip tightened on my arms and I screamed out in pain. "I will not let go", the fairy said, "It is Mother's orders to keep you alive".

Why was this even happening?

Then I saw him. 

Chio was standing at the top of the staircase, holding up one of the black cards.He covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief tied around. His blue eyes locked onto mine, and I looked at him, pleadingly.

Don't do this, I mouthed.

He then threw the card into the air, and it sailed across the tower, landing right in the middle of the place. Everyone-the elves, pixies, fairies, trolls, dwarfs etc all stopped what they were doing. Then black smoke erupted, and the whole place was blackened.

I heard coughing and spluttering, and felt myself falling to the ground.

But my landing was not the ground. It was something soft. 

I covered my mouth, and tried to get up in the darkness. Someone grabbed my arm and pulled me backwards.

I stumbled out of the smoke, and gasped for breath. 

"You do not have to worry. That smoke will not affect you". Chio said from behind me. I looked back at him and he let go of my arm. He nodded over to the side, and I saw Robin and Aladdin sitting outside the smoke as well.

"Ch...Chio"?

"Jess".

I smiled. He had saved us. I knew he wasn't a bad guy. "Thank you". I said.

"I don't understand. Why'd you save us? Aren't you with them"? Aladdin asked him, as we looked at the large bubble like form of smoke engulfing all the other creatures in its thickness.

"If I did not come, there would be no way for you to find her". Chio replied, matter of factly. "You do not know your way".

I glanced over at Robin who snorted. I went over to him.

"So...What do you say? Shall we follow the cute fairy"? I asked him with a grin.

"I don't see why..."

"Robin".

"Fine". 

We both helped Aladdin stand to his feet and then turned to Chio.

"Please follow me. We have to hurry, before the smoke wares off". He said, starting up the glass staircase.

"Why? Wouldn't they be dead"? Robin asked, as we followed close behind him.

"No. The smoke paralyses them for a certain amount of time, and it may also weaken them slightly. But there are so many of them, and they are bound to catch up to us". Chio replied.

"What is it exactly"? Aladdin asked, weakly.

"An extracted material from stardust. It is much weaker than its original source. I have it in my card magic because the commander needs me to punish offenders with it".

"Card magic? That sounds pretty cool". I said to him. "But...you're seriously risking a lot for this right now. What will happen when he finds out"?

"That is only for me to know and decide. For now, that is not important". Chio finally stopped at the fourth platform, and took out a key from his pocket.

"She is here". He said, swinging open the large gold door.

This chapter is dedicated to @HeatherSmith672,for her follow and great tips!