MAXIMOJO

AND

THEWANDOFLIGHT

ANOVELBY

JULIANNEBIEN

Theauthor’sdog,Maxi,aBichonFrise,istheinspirationforthisbook.

Copyright©2011JulianneBien FirstPrintingMarch2012 Publishedanddistributedby

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(416)340.0882 www.spectrahue.comAllrightsreservedbytheauthor.Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsaretheproductoftheauthor’simagination.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.Thisbookmaynotbereproducedinpartorinwholewithoutwrittenpermissionof

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ImaginationismyMojo…

Chapter1

“MOJO…MOJO-O-O-O!”calledtheplanetsandthestarsas theyrecognizedtheinseparableduo,Maximojo,thecosmiccanine,andGlitta,thewandoflight,speedingthroughtheuniverse.Somehowtheyknewthiswouldbeanadventurenoonewouldforget.

Timewas slipping. Fast. Glitta, a solar-charged gizmo, hooked onto thebackpack fastened around Maximojo, a button-nose space dog. She threw asparkandignitedintoarocket,andtheyspedoffintothedarknessonanurgentmission. Whirling from one galaxy into another, the fabled masterminds ofstellar technology, accelerated by skimming off the gunk that spewed aroundspace.Nowzoomingatsonicspeed,theyslicedacrossthesoundbarriertowardstheir destination. And far away in the distance behind them, their homestar,Plaxo,glistened.

TheircoordinatesweresetonthePolyMatrixor–adevicethatmonitored

all activity and communication with the Galactic Council, helping to ensureorderlyconducteverywhereintheuniverse.TheCouncilgavestrictinstructionsto go directly toPlanetZalturn, located light years away in a galaxy ready toundergoanupgrade.

Noteveryonewashappy tosee them,however. It tookgreat skill to slippast asteroids without being noticed. These random rocks appeared out ofnowhere andbegan crashing together in front of them, trying to keep the pairfromentering theirspace.Asteroidsarenotoriousfor their territorialdislikeofvisitors.

“Stoneheads!” Maximojo warned the asteroids. “Hold on tight, Glitta!”

The wand wrapped her brilliant wings around Maximojo’s neck. Avoiding acollision,Maximojoveeredontoanalternativespacetrack.

“WatchoutMojo!”shesparked.Heswervedupandovertheasteroids.

“These are open spaceways,”Maximojo scolded the stoneheads. “We areonanurgentmission,stayclear!”

“Go back where you came from. It’s a private zone!” responded theasteroids.

“Youareoutoforder,”Glitta sparked. “Can'tyou seeweareonofficial

business! Clear our path! Why are you stoneheads so pushy? Who said youcouldoverridethe‘CosmicCodeofConductivity’?Youshouldknowbetter!Areyou bored, floating aroundwithout a purpose?”She aimed a series of nuclearprojectiles at them, blasting several of the stoneheads into debris. “Cosmicclearance achieved, Mojo. Back on track!” she said brightly. They sped offagain.

“Ooof. That wand pulverizes us every time!” the stoneheads grumbled,scrambling to gather their pieces before they drifted away. “Next time we’llsurprisethem,”shoutedoneoftheasteroids.“Wham!”ItslappeditspiecesbackintoshapewatchingMaximojoandGlittamovingfurtherandfurtheraway.

“We were the ones who were off course, Mojo!” Glitta said. “You’realways looking for shortcuts.” She looked back at clusters of radioactiveparticles that now were in close pursuit. “Looks like those stoneheads havespreadthewordofourlocation.”

Maximojoweavedbetweenstars,butthedustmassfollowed.“It’stryingtosweepusoutinonebigswoop,”Glittaflared,andemittedaluminouscloudbehindher.Theclusterdetouredtoavoidcrashingintoit.“Makeanothersharpturn.Fast.”

Maximojo swerved and hid behind an isolatedmoon,who enjoyed theirunexpectedcompany.Theswarmburnedoutofsightinthedarkness,asthestarsinspacebegantotwinkle,feelingsafetoshowtheirfacesagain.

“Stariola!Itworkseverytime,”Glittasparked.“Let’sgetgoing,Mojo.Wehave to get to Zalturn before the new timekeeper gets there to start the nextmillenniumwithanewcalendar.Thetimekeeperissoimportantbecauseitlooksafterthetimepiecethatbalancesourpastandfuture.It’sthebigclockamongstthestarsthatneverstopsticking.Itkeepsorderintheuniverseandissupposedtoremembereverythingthathappens.Wecan’tbelate.Itwon’teverforgetit!”

“I’ll take another shortcut then. I know this space inside and out,”Maximojo said, and sped up to catch a ride on the tail of a shooting star he

recognizedfromtheconstellationmap.“Easeuponthefuelforawhile,Glitta.It’sfuntocoastonhelium!”hesqueakedinahigh-pitchedvoice.

JustthenGlittasawarippleinthespaceaheadofthem.“Watchout!”shesquealed.“Stop!”

Maximojo turned upright and came to a shuddering halt.Glitta putteredout,releasingexcessenergyfromherwings.“Thatwasaclosecall!”shesaid,driftingbesidetheemptyspace.Sheflared,butnothingilluminated.

“Lookslikeatearinthedarkness,maybeit’swarped,”Maximojosaid.Hesawaflashfromthesensorplateclippedtohiscollar.“Hmm.Itappearswe’vearrived at the right coordinates of the assigned galaxy, but Iwasn’t expectingthis.Itlookslikesheeremptiness.”

“Notevenaparticletolightup,”Glittasaid.

Maximojo slid an arm into the wavering space. His arm vanished andbegantosizzle,andheyankeditoutfast.“Thathadabitetoit,”hesaid.Withawing,Glittasweptherhairofglitter toonesideanddirectedabright rayoverMaximojo.Theiceencasinghisarmliftedaway.

“This must be what happens when a retiring timekeeper loses track of

time, space becomes blank,” Maximojo said. It’s a glitch in the memory ofeverythingthateverhappenedduringrecord-keeping.Nowonderafaster,moreefficient timekeeper isbeing installed.Wemusthavemissedourexitandnowwe’reinthefutureseeingthefinalmomentofitspeteringmoments.

MaximojoflippedopenhisPolyMatrixorandread theupdate.“I’veseenthis before,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s sad. Everything lost that took solong to build. All those memories gone, and not even a single dream can bedreamtfromwhat’sleft.TheCouncilwantstoensurethisdoesn’teverhappen.”Maximojopointedtothescreen.“WeneedtofindoutwhateverisinsideZalturnthat’smakingtheplanetwobble.Ifwedon’t,theplanetwillloseitsorbitanditsfuturewillneverexist,as the incomingtimekeeperwon’tbeable torecordtheactivities of this planet. This mission is bigger than I was led to believe. Ifeverythingdoesn’tgoaccordingtoplan,itwillbeahugeembarrassmentfortheCosmicFederation,biggerthantheBigBang.”

“That’swhytheychoseus!”Glittasparkled.“Everyoneknowsthe‘cosmicduo’areexpertswhoensuresmoothtransitionsduringgalaxyupgrades.Andlets

not forget the spectacular, incredible, undeniable ‘MojoEffect’ that influenceseveryonewhocomesincontactwithyouintheuniverse!”

“Mymojowillchangetheirlivesforever.I’msuretheycan’twaittomeetme,” Maximojo said elatedly, and checked their coordinates again on theshimmeringmapthatthedeviceprojectedintothedarkness.

“According to this,we’re at the right spot,”Maximojo said. “And I can

smellZalturnat thetipofmynose.Maybewecanfindanotherwayin.”Theyfloatedaroundandlookedforaclue.

Hispawpokedthroughaholeinthemap.“Thespacegateshouldbejustabouthere.”Thesensoronhiscollar flashedagain,andadoorswungopen towhatappearedtobeaspacegate.

Glittadimmed.“Itlooksbottomless,”shesaid.

“Thisisit,Glitta.Remember,Zalturnisaworldhiddenfromtherestoftheuniverse.Getreadytoplunge!”

“Sparkafras!Whatifit’sabottomlessblackhole.Dowehavetoplunge?”shesaid.

“Holdon tight!This iswhereouradventurebegins!”Maximojosaid,andtheyweresuckedin,plummetingtowardZalturn.

Back in another part of the universe, the stoneheads were throwing

themselves around for target practice. “Those two will be back,” one said,holding its crumbs in a tight grip. “We canwait.We have all the time in thecosmos.”

***

Butthestoneheadsdidn’tknowthattimewasrunningout.Thegalaxywas

awaitingKalapsis, thenewtimekeeper.Thegalaxyhadalreadymaderoomforthetimepiecethatwouldregulateallof theuniverse.Evennowitwashurtlingthroughspacetoreplacetheantiquatedanaloguetimeregulatorthathadn’tbeenupdatedsincethelastmillenniumofathousandyears.Itsimplycouldnolongerkeepupwiththespeedofevolution.

Kalapsis gathered energy as it tumbled erratically, knocking out the odd

planet while getting back on track toward its destination. “It’s chaos aroundhere,”itthought.“I’mmovingasfastaspossibleconsideringtimepastgotinmyway.”Memoriesofancientcivilizations,eventsandthingsflashedbyKalapsisinevery directionmaking it difficult for it to keep on schedule. “Get out ofmyway!”itwarned.

Someplanetswerequicktomoveaside,butunstableplanetsimplodedas

Kalapsishurriedby,anxious toget to thephase-inceremony.“Icannotbe latefor theobvious,” it thought, tryingfuriously to justify themess itwasmaking.“Thoseplanetsneverwouldhavebeencolonizedanyhow.They’dbe‘highrisk’inanyorbit,inanysolarsystem.Theyshouldhaveknownbetterandswungtothe side when they saw me coming. They’ll eventually find themselves inanotherdimensionandrebuildtheirlivesorwanderaimlesslywithoutapurpose.That’sspacelife.Besides,nothingtotallydisappearsforeveraroundthisplace.Itgetscreatedanddestroyedandrecreated, time in, timeout, time in– that’sallthatmatters.

In order forKalapsis to commence its new timekeeping position, it hadonlytowaituntilthemoonspinningaroundPlanetZalturnbegananewcycle.Itwas paramount that this occur on a certain newmoon that happens only onceeverythousandyears,otherwisethephase-inwouldbeadisaster.

“Itisanhonortohavebeenchosentokeeptrackoftimeandthememories

itwillhold,”Kalapsisthought.

***

MaximojoandGlittawereona fastdescent.Before the spacegate could

slamshut,spacematterpouredintotheblackholebehindthem.Theyjustbarelyescapedthesolarwindthattriedtoengulfthem.

They landed amongst strewn boulders on the brittle surface of Zalturn’sdarkside,farfromtheKingdomofKavalon.Itwascolorlessandcoldhere.Thecosmicduoputtheirstellartechnologytowork,nudgingtheplanetintoafasterrotation.As the sun’s light began to creeponto thedarkened landscape,Glittaactedfast,wavingovertheatmospherefromalocalplanet,whichrespondedandspreadacrosstheskies,thrilledtoshareitslightandwarmthwithZalturn.

The planet’s foundation nearly shatteredwith the change. “Are you sure

it’sokayformetoilluminateoverhere?”thesunasked.“Ithasbeenalongtimesincethissidehasseensunshine,”itturnedslightly.

“You’llneedtobeeclipsedatthisanglewiththemoon.It’sonourupdate.Nowmovethisway,”Maximojoreassuredthesun,ashecontinuedtodirectit.“Rotateovera littlemoreandeaseuponyourgases.”Thesunreleaseda fewflares.“Solaricious!”itsaid,adjustingitsaxisandglowingproudly.

“That’sbetter.Nowbecarefulnottoleaveanysunspots,”Maximojosaid.

Thesunregulatedtheintensityoftheraysitdeliveredovertheterrain.

Glitta darted away, brighteningup craters carvedout from the impact ofmeteorshowers.

“Looks like the atmosphere integrated smoothly,” Maximojo said,

brushingdustoffhiswhitecurly-hairedcoat.

Thesolarwindcrashedintotheatmosphericbarrierandbouncedbackupinto space, swallowing cosmic dust on its way. It stormed back to where thespacegate crossing had been. It would not accept defeat. “I’ll be right herewaitingpatiently,”thewindsaid.‘I’llsweepthemintooblivionontheirwayout.No one is more messier than me around here, and they keep on cleaningeverything!Ihavemyrights,beingtheuntouchablewindandall.I’llshowthemnottokeepthingsinorderandclearmyspace.”

“No one ever sees my last breath approaching,” the winds threatened.“Theywillneverseetheendofme.”

The sensor flashed, demagnetizing the space magnets wedged betweenMaximojo’s pads. He plucked them out. “Easy does it! That one is stillvibrating,”hesaid.Glittaflickeditawaywiththetipofherwing.

“This always happens when we take shortcuts, especially through

vanishingholes,”shesaid.

Plasmapuddlesseepedintothecracksofthelandandthegroundsoftened.“Space is dumping its excess trash everywhere so it can make room for theretiring timekeeper’s big move out of the galaxy.” Maximojo looked around.

“What a mess we brought with us!” Meteorite chunks covered the grounds,interspersed with wild flowers that had begun to blossom under the sunlight.Little streams had begun bubbling in the enclaves. “We never miss anopportunity to clean out space. It was a good dump, Glitta. Look around.”Maximojobegankickingthroughthedebris.

Glittaflickeredabout,busilybuildingastaticshieldtoprotectthemfrom

thefallingrubbletheyhadtrackedin.

FrombeneatharockpileastrangeobjectcaughtMaximojo’sattention.Hekneeleddowntogetacloserlook.“Look,Glitta.It’sacoin.”Abruptlythecoinsprang at Maximojo, barely missing him. It rocketed skyward, bursting intoflamesandnearlyevaporatingtheshieldGlittahadassembled.

“Notthewelcomewe’dexpect,butweneverknowwhatwe’reupagainst

when we’re on a mission,” Maximojo said. “Wait till we get started!” Heactivatedthesensor,sendingoutasonicwavethatricochetedoffamountainthathademergednearaforest.Themountainshookandalmostcrumbledunderthepressureofthesound.Itwaveredandvanished.

“Thatmountainblewitstop,Mojo,andnowit’sgone.IhopetheCouncildidn’t see that. We have a reputation to uphold. Remember our Mojo pact?We’renottodisturbthelayoutofaplanetunlessitisabsolutelynecessary.Weshouldtrytoleaveeverythinginorderasmuchaspossible.”

“Iwasjusthavingalittlefun,that’sall.Lettingwhoeverisoutthereknowthat we’ve arrived!” Maximojo flipped open the PolyMatrixor, rotated itsreflectors to filter out the garble of information cluttering the airways, andcontacted the Council, stationed in a satellite hovering on the periphery ofZalturn. TheCouncil transmittedZalturn’s landmaps back.Glitta flickered tohisothersidetoilluminateit.

“For some reason that vanishingmountaindoesn’t appear on the screen,but itmustbeclose to theKingdomas itemergedneara forest.Glittols!Thisdoesn’tmakesenseatall,”Maximojosaid,assomethingcaughthiseyeontheground.

Hesawaglowingstoneamongsttherubble,andpickeditup.“Exquisitespecimenofa solarizedgem. I’venever seenanything like it. Iknow it isnotfollowingthepoliciesofthe‘CosmicCode,’but…”

Glittaknewwhathewasthinkingandgleamedindisapproval.

“Itprobablydoesn’tbelonganywherenow,Glitta.Itmusthaveslippedin

through theblackholewithus. It’sprobablynot fromhereanyhowandwon’tupsettheplanetarybalanceifitweremissing.Besides,itshouldbeharmlessonour homestar. Think of it as a souvenir of our adventure. We should startbuilding a collection of tokens fromour adventures.Noonewill ever know Itookit,exceptmaybethatcoin,andit’snowhereinsight!”Glittaexpressedherdisapproval by drawing an upside-down smile in the air with a stream ofphotons.

Maximojoshrugged, tossed thegemback,andreported thecoin incidentto theCouncil, endingwith, “Mojo out.” TheCouncil transmitted back, “Thecosmic inspectors have reported similar sightings of coins while they werecascadingthespaceways.Thecoinscanchangeshapeandhide indarkplaces.Theyhavebecomelikewanderingpirateswhoforfeitedtheirrightstoliveonaplanetduetobadbehavior.Instinctually,thecoins’areonanever-endingquestforaKingdomtooverrule.Theyarealsoillegalsmugglers.

“Sometimes they hide between planets disrupting the orbital spin, and

some have managed to get inside and occupy them,” the Council continued.“Theinspectorshavebeennotifiedandareonalertforthattroubledcoin.Itmustbecaptured.Ifitbelievesitcancarryonintoeternityinnewlyforminggalaxies,ithasanotherthingcoming!

Therewasapauseinthetransmission.

“Your agenda has been changed slightly, Maximojo. We have assignedadditional members to your team as backup. Meet them in the cornfield.Afterward,youwillrendezvouswithaninterestingsocietyattheMcFeeEstate,theStarrings.Theyareanimportantpartofyourmission.Youcan’tcompleteitwithoutthem.Afterward,godirectlytothepalace,intheKingdomofKavalon,theRuler,CaptainDaltoidSwaggelot,awaitsyourpresencethere.Councilout.”

Maximojo was confused. “Backup? That’s a first! We’ve never let theCouncil downon anymission, in anygalaxybefore!Backup!Hmm…Theremustbesomethingseriouslurkingundermynose.Iwonderifithastodowiththatvanishingmountain.”HeputthePolyMatrixorintohispack,resignedtohisnewinstructions.

“The phase-in of timekeepers is a fragile task in the universe,” Glitta

flickered,“Timemustbeaccountedforeverywhere.Ifatimepieceslippedoutofharmony, itwouldbedisastrous.”Shedimmedat the thought,andpeeredoverthe misty haze under the now-blue skies, then zoomed off to inspect thesupporting magnetic field around the planet, and locate the center point ofZalturn’sorbitalspin.WhenGlittareturned,shecouldn’tstopsparking.

“Weneedtoproceedwithcaution,Mojo.Thereareunidentifiedactivitiesandstrangenoisescomingfrombelowtheplanet’ssurface.Theymightbewhatiscreatingtheglitchintheplanet’sstability.”

ThegroundrumbledunderMaximojo’sfeet,andturnedparched.Asuddencharge surged under his coat, singeing his hair, and throwing him into somethornyshrubberynearby.

“Don’tmove!”Glittabeamed,andswiftlyliftedhimintoapond.Afterhecooled down, Maximojo crawled out and sat beside the water looking at hisshimmery imagecovered in thorns.He lookedupatGlitta,knowingwhatwasnext.

Shebeganpulling theprickles fromhis coat. “Glittols!”Maximojo said.“Thatlastonestung.”

Hestooduponhishindlegs,adjustedhisstance,shoulderedhispackandcarriedon.Witheach stephe took, the landscapecontinuedunveiling itself inbreathtaking colors, blossoming at an incredible rate. Impressed, Maximojoprancedoverandsatagainstatree.

"Whenmynosetwitches,themissionisalwaysfullofsurprises,"hesaid.

Maximojoclosedhiseyesbeneaththetoweringbranchesthathadsproutedintoacanopy above him. He began to dream. Flashbacks of heroic adventures andquantum quests came rushing to him, and he felt that he and Glitta couldaccomplishanythingtogether–beingthecosmicduoandall.

“Everyone in the universe can make their dreams come true, especiallyafter theymeetme,”hisdream-selfsaidtohim.Maximojodrifteddeeper.“OhyesandGlittaofcourse.Allittakesisalittleimagination.”

“Wake up!” Glitta bonked him. Her glow balls flew everywhere, butMaximojodidn’tstir.Glittasighedandpreparedfortheinevitable.Maximojo’s

memories were materializing into real escapades and traveling fast towardpresenttime,headeddirectlyatthetree.

“Not now,Mojo!” she sparkled, bursting color everywhere. She zoomedbeyondtheatmospheretoblasttheincomingmemoryofapastadventure,backwhere it came from, then swerved off the time warp back onto Zalturn, andlandedbesideherMojo,flickering.

“Wakeup!”sheglitteredbrightlyandwavedherwingsinhisface.

Maximojoawokewithsuchastarthejumpedupandhungfromabranch.

“Juststellar,Glitta,simplystellar.Iwasholdingupaspinningplanetinonepawbefore youwokeme up! Everyone needs to reminisce now and then. A littlereflectiononthepastisalwaysagoodthing.Alittlespacesurfingisgoodforadoglikeme.DidtheCouncilreallysay,backup?”Hejumpedoutofthetree.

“Ready?”Glittatwinkledinrelief.

Chapter2

Maximojosoonfoundhimselfonamoss-coveredwalkwaythathadbeguntolayitselfdowninthedirectionofadistantfield.“Lookslikewewillbegoingthisway,” he said, admiring the path that was rolled out in their honor. Glittaflickeredexcitedlyandransolarwavesthroughhertorevupherwandlikebody.

“Weneed tobeonecosmic leapaheadandchargedfor theunexpected,”Glittasparked.Maximojoknewshewasusuallyright.

He curled his lips and attempted towhistle sounds. “Are those howls?”

Glitta giggled. Even though, the duo had the ability to speak the language ofeveryone in the universe, with any necessary dialects thrown in for goodmeasure,Maximojohadn’tquitemasteredthisplanet’swoof.

“IhopeyouareofftheCouncil’sradarrightnow,”Glittateasedhim.“It’seasy. Now round your mouth into a black hole!” She twisted herself into adoughnut.“Likethis.Nowblowoutsounds,it’sjustlikeasolar-windwhistle!”

Maximojo’sfloppyearsperkedup–afamiliarscent–andhequittryingtowhistle.“Thismustbedealtwithrightaway,urgentmatter!Isthatmyfavoritesnackawaitingme?”heasked.“Yesindeed!”Hebegantodroollikeanycanine.Whenitcametofood,Maximojowasalwaysonit.

“Now, where are those spacecakes filled with lava-cream filling?” heasked.Hebounded around in searchof the temptations that filled the airwiththeiraroma.“Iknowthey’recloseby.TheysmelljustliketheonesmymotherusetobakewhenIlearnedtoslidebetweendimensions.

“Glittols!Therewere right undermynose,”Maximojo said, as he came

uponastackofcakesbesidethepath.“Iknewtheywerecloseby.”Picturesofcertainanimalspoppedintofocusallaroundhim,thendisappeared.Helookedaround, but saw no one. “Someone is playing a trick on me,” he thought.AnothermessagecameinfromthePolyMatrixor.

“When the news flash came about your arrival, one of your new teammembers,bakedtreats.”

“So, not only are we going to get some help, but also spacecakes,”Maximojosaid,smackinghislips.“IthinkIcangetaccustomedtobackup.I’vealreadyhadaninfluenceonthem.Mojoout.”

“Thesecakesarenotgoodforyou,Glitta,”hesaid,clutchingthemtohischest.“Theycanmakeyoubloat.They’remadeofdifferenttypesofgelatinousplasma,cosmicdustandthegooiestgunkthatcanbeharvestedin thecosmos.Then theyarebaked toacrisp in solarovenswith secret ingredients thatonlycan be harvested from certain galaxies. Not good for your figure at all. Youshouldsticktolightersnacks!”

“I’d like to try one from this galaxy!” Glitta said, throwing glow ballseverywheretodistracthim.Sheswoopedunderhisnose,homedinonthestackofsteamytreatsandsoaredawaywiththestash.Maximojoranafterheronallfours.

“Getting a little planetary exercise, Mojo?” Glitta teased. Maximojopuffed,lengtheninghisstrideuntilhisbreathingwasnormalagain.

“Youdon’tevenlikespacecakes,”heprotested.“Youalwayssaytheyarenotairyenoughforyouandtheyinflateyouintoaballoon.Rememberthetimeyoualmostburst?”

Glittaswervedandaccidentlyspilledtheliquidfilling,drippingitalloverhim.“Youdiditagain!”hehollered.“Showoff!”Shezoomedpasthim.“Waitup!”hesaid,wipinghiscoat.“Okay,youknowIcannevercatchyouwhenyouplaythisgame!”Hepanted.Shegiggled,swervedaroundandputtheleftoversinhispack.

“Let’s go.”Maximojo crouched low, ready to spring into the air. Glittalatchedontohispack,ignited,andtogethertheylaunchedintotheairandflewacross the land to find their first stop, the cornfield. His ears flapped in thebreeze, thinking, “Someoneknowshow tomake thebest spacecakes I’veevertasted.Gladthey’reonmyteam.”

Glitta lefta trailofcolorfulbubblesacross theskiesas theysoaredovermountains and waterways, and through valleys. Maximojo’s tail waggedexcitedly,flippingGlittaover,butshecaughtholdofhiscollarforafront-seatlanding.

“Coordinates confirmed,” he noted. The pair descended into the vast

cornfield.Maximojolandedonhisears.

“StariolaMojoooo!”Glitta lost hergrip and somersaultedoverhishead,endingupstuckinacornstalk.Indistress,shesentoutfireworks.“Youneedtobrushuponyourlandings.”

Maximojo lifted himself up and freed Glitta. “Just dust off your wingswith a little shimmer. It works every time we happen to crash,” he said, andclimbedatopapodium-likeboulder, andgot aglimpseof theKingdom in thedistance.TheywerenowontheoutskirtsofKavalon.Lightpouredbackintoherwandlikebody,asGlitta’sfaceshonewithatwinkleinhereye,smilingwing-to-wing,“That’smyMojo!”

Tucking back his ears,Maximojo began to munch on a stalk. “Perhapstheywere considered a treat on Zalturn,” he thought. “Glitta, I think I like ithere,andIdon’tmeanjustbecauseofthetreats.Watchthis!”Hechompedonacornhusk.“See?Cosmolicious!”Hewas trying todissuadeGlitta fromtakingtheremainingspacecakesstashedinhispack,butsheknewthatnothingtastedbettertohimthanthecakes,exceptperhaps,cosmiccuisinefromhome.

He took a last bite, and his sensor flashed, letting him know that the

momenttomeetwiththeirbackupteamwasfastapproaching.Glittapluckedablade of grass and offered it to him to free a few corn bits from between histeeth.“Ishouldhavepackedourowncelestialcuisine,”shesparked.Maximojobeganfilinghisnailsontherockwhenhisnosetwitched.

HeflippedopenthePolyMatrixorandactivatedthegloballinetorequestthepresenceoftheanimalsofthisworld.

Asthesunpeeredoverthemountainrangethehorizonradiateditsgolden

tones accented with silvery hues. Relentlessly challenged by lightning stormsand other natural occurrences, the sun applied its brilliance to change theweatherconditions.

“Whatdoyouhaveinmind?”Maximojosaid,teasingthesun,thoughhealreadyknewtheirroutinesinside–outfromhismanyadventuresinothersolarsystems.

Thesun,surprisedatMaximojo’swords,emittedasecondaryshaftoflightthat ignited the stalks around theperimeter of the cornfield, turning them intotorches.“Ooops!”itapologized.Thetorchesblazed,firingkernelsintotheskiesin a popping salute. “Watch this!” The sun emitted solar flares that stretchedfromoneendoftheplanettotheotherinordertolightthewayforthetravelers.

Alltheanimalsweregivendirectionstothegathering,andpackedonlytheessentials.ThethreechosenfortheteamwerereadytoservetheirAlliancesforabiggerpurpose–MaximojoandGlitta’smission.EachAllianceoversaw theanimals’activitiesandevolutionofitsspecie.

***

From the time they were small, animals all over the universe knew of

Maximojo and Glitta, the wand of light, and their adventures. Their favoritebooks,Fa-Hairy Tail Stories, were passed down from galaxy to galaxy. Theanimalsfantasizedabouttheinvincibleones,astheduoweresometimescalled,andthestorieshadencouragedthemalltobethebesttheycouldbe.Asaresult,eachhadaninnerwishtomakeadifferenceintheworld.

Now the undefeated pair were in their own backyard! Their dreamwas

about to become a reality. Animals of all sizes and shapes strapped on theirtravelsacksoverflowingwithtreats,andmadetheirwaytothecornfield.Somewalked, scurried or galloped across valleys and deserts. Some leapt overmountainsandcanyons,orsoaredovervastbodiesofwater.Oneanimal,acatfromthe future,was transportedback through time inacapsule forherarrivalintothisworld.

Then therewere the sleek, streamlinedwonders that ruled thedeepseas.Withawaveofafin,awaterpondappearedinthefieldandcalledtheirnames.Thedolphinsandthewhalenowhadagetawaytosplasharoundin.

“I’ve just picked up some distress signals,” Maximojo said. The

PolyMatrixorscreencameintofocuswiththosewhoneededassistance.

“I’m on it!” Glitta said. She twirled, creating ribbons of sunshine thatweavedintocomfytravelcubicles,whichmadetheirwaytothosewhowereair-driftedinbyclouds.Thelasttoarrive,theyfloatedoverandweregentlyplaced

uponhaystacksinthefield.“Wecouldn’thavemadeitwithoutyou,thankyou!”thelastarrivalswavedtotheclouds,whichhadalreadybeguntodissipate.

Standing upright on the rock,Maximojo counted the assembled animals

and began to update the global species files. The attendance far exceededexpectations.Numberswererecordedonthemissionreport.

“TheCouncilwillbeimpressed,”Glittaradiated.

“Accordingtomylist,everyonemadeit,”Maximojosaid.

All chattering stopped as Maximojo raised his paws and welcomed

everyone. Glitta spun, stirring up energy that surged toward the boulder. Shechargedherselffully,ignitedandflashedcolorstreamsoverthecrowd.Thefieldlit upwith spectacularbrilliance.Morselsof corn sizzled andpopped,while abreezeswepttheairandraisedeveryoneintoastateofecstasy.

“Thank you, Glitta,” Maximojo whispered. “I’ll take charge now, sincethisismypodium.RememberourMojopact.”

ButGlittafounditchallengingtocontainherself.“That’smyMojo!”sheannounced to all those assembled, almost bursting her photonic seams, andsettingofffireworksthatlitthecloudswithspectacularshadesofcolor.

“That’sGlitta, thewandof light,” saidMaximojo,motioning towardher

proudly. “Everyone should have a friend like Glitta!” The sun sent out solarflaresof approval. “Wehavebeen assignedbyourCouncil to comehere, andseekyourassistanceforourmission.Asyouhavediscoveredthe‘MojoEffect’enables you to speak the same language with anyone on this planet. It isuniversalpracticeonallmissionsforeveryonetobeable tocommunicate,”hecontinued.

“WhatisnowoccurringinyourgalaxyisnotaFa-HairyTailStory fromtimegoneby,butsomethinghappeningnow.Weneedtotakeactioninorderforyour planet to survive. Time is of the essence, as the old timepiece will beretiringsoon,anda fastermoreefficientclockwillbe installed inyourgalaxyfortherestoftheuniverse.”Maximojoprojectedabigpictureoftheincomingtimekeeper,Kalapsis,abovetheminashimmeringhologram.

“Theswitchovertoafaster,moreefficientexistenceissoontobephasedinwiththearrivalofthisuniversaltimepiece,”Maximojosaid.“Weareheretoensure thatZalturn is securely suspendedon its axiswhen theplanet switchespolesandflipsover.

“Beforethelastphase-inofthepresenttimekeeper,Zalturnhadbeenhometotwocivilizations,oneonthesurfaceoftheplanet’slargestcontinent,andonebeneath the planet’s crust.Butwhen the timepiece had integrated in Zalturn’ssection of the universe, something went wrong. The planet flipped its axis,wobbledinitsorbit,andsloweditsrotationsomuchthatnowonlyonesideoftheplanet,theonewiththecontinent,remainedfacingthesun.

“ThesurfaceKingdomvanished. In itsplace,anewKingdomcame intobeing, Kavalon, a beautiful oasis with breathtaking gardens, surrounded by adarkforestandrockyhillsides.Massivebodiesofwaterslayoutsideitsborderswherefewdaredtoventure.Thisiswhereweareheaded.”

“Ooowwwww,” everyone said in unison, looking up. “Butwhat canwedo?”

Picturesoftheagendashimmeredintothehologram.Hehadmasteredtheart of airbrushing with breath and he enjoyed demonstrating this forte. Glittatoucheduphisartistrywithglitterspray.

“WeunderstandthatthreeofyouhavebeenchosentoaccompanyustotheothersideoftheGoldenGatesintotheKingdom,”hesaid.“Lookslikewemightneed a backup team after all to keep the spacecakes coming. These chosenanimalswilldiscoveralotaboutthemselvesbybeingpartofourteam.I’llhelpthemfindtheirowncourage,andshowthemhowtousetheirsmartstoachievesuccessineverythingtheydo.I’llgettheirmojogoing!”

Everyonemarveled as buckets of opalescent raindrops bathed them in ashower of light – a refreshingwelcome after the chaotic rush of travel.GlittaspiraledbesideMaximojo.

Maximojo took the first step on the journey to the Golden Gates, themysticalgatewayintoTheKingdomofKavalon.Adog,catandhorseappointedbytheirAlliancesknowinglypositionedthemselvesclosebehindMaximojo,andtheothersfollowed.Glittalitupintoahaloandtwinkled,servingastheguidinglightthroughthevalleysthatstretchedoutaheadofthem.TheyweredestinedtoarriveinKavalonatatimewhenthesuntottersonitsreclineoverthehorizon.

“MOJO ...MOJO-O-O-O!” The sound echoed from behind them. They

turnedandgot aglimpseof thecoin theyhad seenearlier that appeared tobewatching the ceremony. Then it shot up out of sight as they marched on.“Hopefully it will get carried away in the solar wind, or to those stoneheadswaitingforourreturn!”Glittashookawingatit.

“WhatwouldIdowithoutyou,Glitta?”Maximojosaid.

Sheonlyblinked.

Maximojoreachedintohispackforthelastspacecake.

Chapter3

AsilverymistadornedtheGoldenGates,coolingthecity.Thesunwasradiantuntilduskloweredintotheshadowoftwilight.“KingdomofKavalon”wassetingemstonesabovethegates’archway, theonlyopeningin thestonewall thatsurrounded the city. Thewords sparkled in themoonlight that now lit up theskies,makingtheanimalscuriousaboutwhatlayontheotherside.

They had to form into a stepladder to get to the top of the wall. Anelephantwho followed, became a stepping stone for thosewho dared to lookinsidethefortress.Theyjumpeduponhisbackandpeeroverthewalltogetaglimpsebeyond.

Thecatwasoneofthefirsttolookoverthewall.“Thisissimplydreamy!”

shesaidwithcharm.

“I’ve always dreamt of an adventure to take me out of my mundaneroutine,”thedogsaid,rubbinghiship.

“Lookatthatpalaceinthedistance,”saidthehorse,pointingatitwithhis

muzzle,andfeelingquitehonoredthattheotherswerestandingonhisback,ashesteadiedhimselfontheelephant.

The golden palace glowed against the backdrop of Kavalon, its crystaldomeglisteningevenatdusk.ItsbrilliancecouldbeseenfromeveryangleintheKingdom.TheRuler’sregalhomewasframedbyanoasisofexquisitegardensandwalkways, and a private balcony overlooked the city center and a nearbyforest.

Despitetheelephant’sstrenuousattempttokeephisbalance,thetowerofanimalsbegantowobble,andtheelephant’slegsbegantoquiver.Heextendedhis trunkover the topof thewall to steadyhimself,but a stronggustofwindwallopedhimbehindtheknees,andbuckledover.Everyonetoppledintoapile.Maximojo,whohadclimbedatopeveryoneelse,wasleftdanglingontheledge.

“Wheredideverybodygo?”

Theanimalsstruggledtoreassemblethemselvesintoanorderlystate.Theelephantwasembarrassed,butcouldnotfindaplacetohide.Thecatlookedon,amused.Shehadunlockedthegatewithhernailandwaitedpatiently.Theothersweresomewhatconfused,andinaneffort tocreateagreatersenseofpurpose,they all tightened their travel sacks. Maximojo jumped to the ground andeveryonegatheredaroundhim.

“Kavalon is amystery even to its own,”Maximojo began. “It has been

hidden from the Council’s radar screens until recently when our superiorsreceived a distress signal asking for our support. A Master McFee said thesurvivaloftheirplanetisatstake,andrequestedourpresenceinwhatappearstobe a tricky situation.Thiswas the first time theCouncil heardofMcFee, andwere somewhat leery, but the phase-inwas already scheduled, and everythingappearedinorder.

“Our Council keeps updated records of all galactic activities, and itindicatedZalturnhadnotbeenmarkedas‘occupied’ontheuniversalmapuntilnow.Itwasahugeoversight.Afterthephase-inofthetimepiece,thisparticulargalaxywillbemonitoredcloselyforsuspiciousactivities,”hesaid.

“WedonotknowwhentheKingdomofKavalonwasbuilt,northeorigin

ofitsracebut,asyoucansee,itismagnificent.OurfirstvisitiswithacertainsocietyknownastheStarrings.Theyaretransformedsolarflaresandsupportthegravityfieldaroundtheplanet.

Weweretoldtheyareimportanttothesuccessofourmissionandneedourhelp.Theywillnotbeabletowithstandtheincreaseofgravitythetimekeeperisbringing in. Higher vibrations are necessary to manage the new timepieceregulator,soourjobistopreparetheStarringsforthechange.Theyarewaitingfor us now at theMcFee estate on the outskirts of the city.And that’s all theCouncilsays!”

“See?It’sallhereinmovingprint,”MaximojoheldupthePolyMatrixor.Thedeviceflippedopen,andeveryoneshuffledabouttogetacloserlook.

“TheagendaindicatesthreeofyouhavebeenselectedtojoinforceswithGlittaandmyself.Areyouready?”hesaid.

Theappointedanimalseagerlysteppedforward:Woofsterthedogforthecanines, Meowlen the cat for the felines, and Whinniston the horse for theequines.

“Together,” Maximojo said, “we will be known on this mission as theMojoTeam.The rest of youwill have independent assignments to ensure themission’s success.”He felt theconfidence level rise in theassembledanimals.Eveniftheothersweren’ttheoneschosenfortheadventure,theyallknewthattheirownmojowasimportantinthevastschemeofthings.

“Andsoherewestandat theGoldenGates,readytobeginourjourney,”

Maximojoconcluded.Heconfirmedthelocationsforhisteamtogo,andenteredthecoordinatesintothePolyMatrixor’smappingsystem.Buttherewasastrangeglitch,aflickeringlightappearedonmap.Slowlycomingintofocus,theflickerappearedtobeasewergrateonMainStreet,notfarfromthecitycenter.

Maximojo zoomed inon it, and it lit up in fluorescent red. Instantly thescreen turned to static before it adjusted to a clear picture. The PolyMatrixorcaptured the map and stored it in memory for retrieval. “Just a randommalfunction due to power surges,” Maximojo said. “The sun has been prettyradiantlately,havingfreereignonbothsidesoftheplanet.

UnbeknownsttoMaximojo,though,thesewergratehadbeenerasedfrom

themap.

For those who weren’t joining the team past the gates, Maximojoimprintedapictorialguideof theirpart in themission,aswellasanavigationcompassfortheirjourneyhome,andtransmittedittoeach.Thewhalesplashedaboutinhispond,excitedtopartakeinthisadventure.

ThenMaximojoraisedhispawandsaidinaloudvoice,“NowletushearfromthethreerepresentativesfromtheirAlliances,andwhytheywerechosen.”

Excitedly,eachonesteppedforward.Thedogwasthefirsttospeak.

***

“Ahem,”hesaid,clearinghis throat.“IamWoofster. Iwas raised in the

East. Iwas likemost puppies, I suppose.Theworldwasmyplaygroundwith

unlimited bones and toys, and I always made it my goal to be the best atretrieving thembecauseIbelieved thestories told tomeandmylittermatesoftheFa-HairyTailStories. I’msuremyAlliancehadaneyeonmeforawhile.I’maquickthinkerandteamplayerlikeMaximojo.Ifanyonehasstreetsmarts–you’relookingathim.”

ThosecloseenoughcouldseethatWoofsterwasamixedbreed,heftyanda little rough around the collar.Hewas an awkward dogwho carried himselfwithpride,andtheymarveledthatoneeyewasblueandtheotherbrown.

“WhenI reachedmypotential to lurk, Iwasassigned toa junkyardandtrained to be a guard dog.My career took precedence over having litters, andthoughitwashardtoleavemysiblingsbehind,IbelievedIwasbeinggroomedforabiggerpurpose,thatIhadamissioninlife.

“Iwasgoodatmyjob.Ineversnackedonmyshift,andIwasalwaysalert

formischief,”hepaused,andhunghishead,asifrememberingsomethingsad.“Therewerecrittersinastorageshedatthejunkyard.Sometimestheywouldtrytodistractme,butitneverworked.Thenonemorning,justasthesunrose,thecrittersscurriedinfrontofaforkliftdriver.Heswerved,anddidn'tseemeintheshadowsalongsidethefence.Iwassideswiped.Itchangedeverything.

“Fromthenon,Icouldnolongerprance.Ihave,asyousee,alimp.Theownerdecidedtoretireme.Iretreatedtothealleywayswiththeotherhomelessanimalswhobeggedandstole from theirownkindand from the sleepingcitydwellers. Ibecameadeterminedsurvivorandrosetobecometheleaderof thestreetgang.IsworeIwouldneveragainlosemystatus.Butitwasahardlife,andIwasn’treallyproudofwhoIwas.

“ThenonedayIwasrummagingaroundthroughthegarbageofawoman

namedLadyDewitt,whowasnotborninKavalon.ThereIwas,myheadinhergarbage can when I heard her voice. My legs began to flail and everythingtumbled over. I sat there in a pile of leftovers. I must have been a sad sightbecausethefineLadyofferedmeatreat–Icouldalwaysbetemptedthatway–andluredmeintoherhome.

“Sheofferedme thechance tostartover. I felt like Imighthaveamojoafter all!At first, she chainedme, andall I coulddowaspacebackand forthoutsideherplace.Butthenshesaid

that if I promised to behave, she would unleash me. Well, Woofster isalwaysgoodtohisword,andIbegantofeellikethetopdogagain.

“Now, this Lady was the finest hat maker in the country, and owned amillineryshop.Herskillgavehersuchagreatsenseofprideandprivilegethatshe trulybelieved thatshewasaboveallcreaturesandentitled to tiemeupasherpet.

"Once, she tookme tomeet her customer, but because Iwas noisy and

inquisitive, Iwasmade towaitoutside from thenon. Itwas lonely,oftencoldandalwaysboring.Iusedtolieonthedampgroundanddreamofabetterlife,alife of purpose, a life of adventure! I never thought my prayers would beanswered,youdon'tknowwhatitmeanstoaretiredguarddoglikeme."

“What Iwant to say is, somethingwas stirringdeep insideofme. Iwascravingadventure.Onenight Iwas soundasleepanda small critter cameandtappedmynosehard. I lay there, and thenhad a curious thought, ‘Maybe thetimeisneartomoveon.Theheroicsideinmecravesachallenge!’

“Inmydreams, Ikept seeingMaximojoandGlitta, from theiradventurestories. That night I jumped up with my eyes closed – maybe I was stilldreaming–andgrabbedabonefromthegarbagecan.ItwirleditlikeGlitta,thewandoflight,inthosestories.IthrewitintheairandthoughtIsawitflashingboltsofcolor.Itcrashedonthetable,shatteringLadyDewitt’s teacup.WhenIopenedmyeyes,therewasLadyDewitt’sfoottappingonthefloor.ShestaredatmeasthoughIwasnothing.

“Ihidtheboneundertherugandlaiddownbesidethefireplacewithmyheadbetweenmypaws.‘WhathaveIdone?’Iaskedmyself.“Ifellasleep…”Hepausedforeffectandtookadeepbreath.“andthenextthingIknewIwasinacornfieldwithallofyou!”

Theotheranimals,whohadbeensilentlylisteningtohistale,brokeintoacheer.Woofsterbowedandwaved,andstoodnexttoMaximojo.

***

ThenMeowlenthecatsteppedforwardgracefully.Decidedlyshowingoff,

she uncurled her tail and sent it up to the skies,where it took on themoon’ssilveryhueasitpeakedaroundtheclouds.Thecrowdgaspedinwonder.

“Thereisonlyoneme.YoumaycallmeMeowlenforshortandskipthe

manytitlesatthebeginningandendofmyname.Yousee,”shepurred,“intheevening I can appear in a jet-black coat, then the next morning in scragglycalico.”Shelickedapaw.“Thealleycatswerecleverbutneverfiguredoutmywhereaboutsormotive.Roughandtumblyfelines,eventheslickandpolished,wouldtrytotemptmewithtastydelicaciesandjewels,butIknewIcouldhaveitall,aswellasmyindependence!

“Ihaveunsurpassableintuitionanduncannyingenuity.I’mexperiencedin

adventure,havinglivedmanylives,andgracedmanyworlds,”shesaid.“InoneIwas amystic, in another life, I ruled over aQueendom thatwas adorned inever-changing jewels.Butbeingawarrior isoneofmygreatest strengths.Forthisreason,theFelineAlliancechosemeforthisexploit.

“I have tread other places you might only have dreamt of, my fellowanimals.I’vewornmanyhatsinthestyleoftheseasoninalternaterealities.Iamfashionablyhonoredtobeaninfluentialforceinrespecttoourexistence.I’mnotreallyusedtoruralactivities,”shesaid,“butIagreedtothecornfieldgatheringaslongasIdidn’thavetoforfeitmyrighttobefirstinlineonthemarch.TheCouncilagreed,andsohereIam.”

Theaudiencetakenwithhercharisma,cheeredinapproval.

Meowlenraisedhereyes,andtheylitupintheshadowsofdusk.Woofstertiltedhisears, takenabackbyherbeauty.ButMeowlen,draped inacashmereshawl that allowed her emerald brooch to peak through. her green eyesglistening,sheturnedandcurledbesideWoofster.Hefeltprivileged.

***

Whilethetwobeforehimhadgoneonandon,Whinnistonthehorsehad

beenpacingbackandforthalongthecitywalls.WhenMaximojosignaledhim,Whinniston galloped up the steps, his powerful muscles rippling beneath hischestnut-coloredcoat,andtheinsigniasilverstarmarkingonhisforeheadalmostglowing.

“Er…my turnalready?Myhow time fliesaroundhere!”henickereda

littlesarcastically,andextendedhisupperlipashespoke.

“Ididn’tplanonbeingthelastmemberofthisimportantteam,”hebegan

withmore thana littlepride. “But,beingaproudhorse, and theoneandonlyWhinniston, Iwill dowhat I have to do.”He arched his back, stood tall, andlookedtosee if theotherswerewatching.Assuredof theirattention,herearedontohishindlegsandfrozeintoamajesticpose.

“I am sure this stance amazes everyone,” he thought. No one uttered a

wordbut,beingWhinniston,hestillfeltdistinguished.Hestruckanotherpose,andMeowlennoddedwithapproval.“Finally,”hethought.

He came back to all four hooves, and then bowed toMaximojo. Glittatwinkledanddrewa smile in theair. “Ihavebeenknown tomove in thebestherdsofsocialstatusworldwide,well,atleastaroundtheseparts,”hewhinnied.“Growingup in theWest, Iwasoneof the fewstallions thatnotonlyhad theopportunitytomasterrodeomoves,butwhostudieddressage.Thatgavemetheagilitynecessarytomaneuveraroundfastcornerswithprecision,andbechosenbymyAlliance.

“Onacoldandrainyday,”hecontinued,“aladynamedMadameKindel

andherdistantrelative,Millicent,cametoanauctionatthecountyfairwhereIwas performing. They both saw that I was well mannered and talented as Itrotted past in the auction ring. Little did I know that my life was about tochangedramatically.

“Soon after I settled into the paddock behind her farm house, strangethingsbegantohappen.IwashearingmessagesfromtheothersideoftheequineworldwhileIslept!Ibecameincreasinglyinterestedinfindingoutthehistoryofmyancestry.Atfirst,Icouldn’tbelievethattherewereotherplacesIcouldvisitin my dreams. Then I would awaken and somehow knew I would be on anadventurewithaspacedognamedMaximojo.

“I was ready when I got the call to come to the cornfield, but ...” hepaused,pawingthegroundalittle–ifahorsecouldblush,hewouldhave–“Iwas in the midst of a grooming session. You don’t know Millicent,” heexplained.“Shehadregularriding lessonsatmystable. Icarriedherforeverymaneuvershewanted toexperience in theshowring.Shewasafineriderandskilledbraider,butdemandedmytimeforfine-tuninghercraft.”

Heshookhiswithers,andrevealedsomeunsightlycurlshiddenunderthe

topofhismane.“Ididmybesttocoverthemup,butahorsecanonlydowhatahorsecandoonshortnotice.Ihadtostandperfectlystillinmystallwhileshedidhercreativethingonme.Standingontiptoe,Millicentwouldwhisperinmyearoverandover,”–he imitatedher stanceon twohooves–“ ‘Yourmane isunruly and runningwild. I need to tame it right away!’ Then shewould snipawayatmyforelocks,”hesaid,flippinghismaneovertocoverthejaggedcuts.

“Shewouldn’tquituntil sheweavedbows inmymane.Thenshewould

twist and twinemy tail.AfterMillicent left,MadameKindelwouldcomeandbrush itallout.Shehadno ideahowtountanglebraids,butshedidknowtheembarrassmentthatIwouldhaveendured,especiallyinthepasturewhereothersteasedme.

“Asachild,MadameKindelhadhiddenbehindtheparlordoorwhereshewatched her great grandmaster hold a hologram tablet,” so I’m told frommyancestors on the other side, “then crystal sticks were cast upon it and theyscattered into a pattern. She mastered reading the meaning of the sticks,revealingthehiddenfutureofthosearoundher.Therearethosewhostillgatherat the farmhouseon thehill, around the same tablewithMadameKindel.Shemesmerizeseveryonewithherwisdom.Eachchildbornwasgivenacrystalsticksoheorshewouldneverforgetwheretheycamefrom.

“The Kindel family secrets were passed down from each previous

generation,withtheexceptionofone–acertainKindeldescendant,achildwhoarrivedattheexactmomentwhentheplanetsinthissolarsystemaligned,andatripleeclipseoccurred,andconcealedthesun,butonlyforamoment.

“Inaflash,thechilddisappeared.Somesayheslippedthroughaspacegateinto another galaxy andwould never be seen again until the nextmillennium.Madame Kindel believed in her heart that, on a certain new moon when theplanetsalign, the lostKindelwould returnand rediscoverhis true identityandfindpeace.Shehasbeenwaitingeversince.”

The crowd was captivated. “I took Madame Kindel for rides in thecountryside toclearhermind.She threwrocks in thepondadjacent toa largetreeandalwaysmade thesamewish– that thechildwhohadvanishedwouldlearnwherehecamefrom.MadameKindelneverstoppedwishing.”

Withahufffromhis longnose,Whinnistondecidedhehadsaidenough,andtrottedovernexttotheothers.

AlltheanimalsnowturnedtoMaximojo.Glittasparkedoverhisshoulder.

“Althoughwearefromanothergalaxyunlikeyours,shetwinkled,“ourmissionstakeusanywhereintheuniverse.Togetherweareknownasthecosmicduo,andhavebeenlookingforwardtothisadventuresinceweleftourhomestar,Plaxo.”

“Glitta and I have been together ever since I found her hidden behind amoon,”Maximojosaid.“Shewaslostandfarawayfromherhome.

Atthatmomentweknewwewouldbecomethefabledonesyouhaveread

about inFa-HairyTailStories.”Glittawatched theexpressionson the facesoftheanimals,knowingthattheywouldneverbethesame,whenshesawanalertsignalflareupoverintheKingdom.

“Stariola!The loud crashing of the animal ladder has alerted the guardsfromtheothersideofthegate,Mojo!”

“Sorryforcollapsingagainstthewall,”theelephantapologized.“IguessIslipped-up.”

“Wecouldn’thavedoneitwithoutyou.Nowwemustmovequicklybeforetheyarrive,”Maximojosaid,flinginghispackoverhisshoulder.

With a big heave from the animals, the Golden Gates slowly opened.

Maximojo entered with Woofster, Meowlen and Whinniston at his side.MeowlenleapedtothefrontbesideMaximojoandGlitta,andslippedonsomesensible, but trendy walkwear. The rest of the animals waved goodbye anddispersed.ThegatesslammedshutbehindtheMojoTeam.

FromthemysterioussewergrateonMainStreetcamerustlingnoisesandloudsqueals.

Bythetimetheguardsarrivedatthegate,Maximojoandhisfriendswere

longgone.

Chapter4

WhinnistonstrodegallantlythroughthestreetsofKavalon,therestoftheteamonhisback.

Maximojowaswithout a cosmic care in theworld as he listened to theangelic realms.Glittahadbeamed into theairways toprovide thepartywithaselection of upbeat celestial tunes, broadcast live for galactic voyagers. Themusicsailedintotheirears.Maximojoswungrhythmicallytothebeatwhiletheothersenjoyedtheride.

The traffic began merging with incoming lanes. Everyone was heading

toward the city, it seemed.Carried away by themusic,Maximojo hadmovedfrom his seat to the top of Whinniston’s forelock. Whinniston couldn’t seethrough his dangling legs. He weaved between the speeding carriers andaccidentlyveeredintotheoppositelane.Hewhinnied,“HowcanIkeepmyeyesontheroadwithallyourboppingaboutinmyface?Iprefercountrypasturestobusyroads.”Thehorsepickeduphispace.

Glittaswitchedtosoftermelodies.

Tobreakfreeofthecongestion,Whinnistonleapedoverafewcarriersand

broke intoagallop.Glitta threwglowballsat thecarriers trying topass them.Theresultwasathree-lanepileupbehindthem.

“I knew she would clear the freeway,”Whinniston nickered. “We haveplacestogoandwecommandclearance.”Histravellingcompanionshunglowonhisbacktryingtostayoutoftrouble.Maximojograbbedthehorse’sforelockandbracedhislegs,directingwithapaw.Thosetheypassedhadsurprisedlooksontheirfaceswhentheglowballsburst.

“We’returnedaroundandaregoingthewrongway,Mojo!”Glittasparked,circlingWhinnistontogethimontrack.“Wearesupposedtobeinconspicuousandnotdrawattentionfromthelocals.”

“Lookwho’s talking,”Whinniston said, nodding at the honking carriers

covered in sparkles. “I was clearing a little room for us!” A stray glow ballbonkedMojofrombehind.“Keeplowforabigone!”Glittasaid.“Sparkafras!”Glittercoveredtheroad.

“ItisdifficultenoughtoseewithWhinniston’smaneflyingeverywhere!”

Woofster shouted from behind the horse’s shoulders. “Easy does it. There arepassengersaboard!”hesaid,strugglingtobeheardovertheroaroftraffic.

“Hangontight,”Whinnistonsaid,andmadeasharprightturntoavoidacollisionwiththecarriers,whowerefuriouslywavingtheirarmsathim.“Watchwhereyouaregoing,”oneshoutedasitspedpast.Whinnistonslowedtoatrotastheyapproachedthecity.

“Hey, haven’t you ever seen a horse before?” Whinniston snorted at

curiousonlookershuddledonthecurbs.MainStreetwasbustlingwithactivity,itssidewalksoverflowingwithpedestriansstrollingpast littlestuccoshopsandeateries,theirchimneyspuffingtinysmokerings.“Istillhaveitinme,andhaveneverforgottenastep.Watch!I’llgiveyousomethingtostareat,”hesaidtothegawking street vendors.He lifted his head andproceededwith fancydressagegaits.“Theymustbeimpressedbynow,”hethoughttohimself.

Meowlen gently nudged the horse. “Be kind to the strangers. Can youblamethem?”shesaid.“Theywereonlyadmiringmyfashionableattire.”

The sidewalks stretched out on either side of theMojo Team inmosaicpatternsmadefromstonepiecesinsetintoflattenedmeteorite.Oneverycornerstood a lamp post capped with a bright globe that lit up after dusk from thereflectionofthestars.

MeowlenstoodbesideMaximojowithhertailwrappedaroundabraidinWhinniston’s mane. She leaned forward and waved so that the locals couldbetterappreciateherridinghat.

“Thank you. Thank you,”Meowlen said as she bowed, swinging a lilac

scarfwithagemstonenecklacethatmatchedtheinscriptionontheGoldenGatesoverher shoulder. “Purrr-fect! I knew Iwouldneed it for a special occasion.”Though she was meticulous with her apparel and chose designer outfits andcosmic classics for every possible occasion, no one could understand her

rationale.Shezippedupherfavoritespeckledsapphirejacket–thatis,ifshehada favorite – right up to the jade studded lapel. The movement caughtWhinniston’seye.

“Howdoesshechangesoquickly?”hewondered,impressed.

ShejumpedontoWhinniston’swithersandeloquentlyentwinedapaw.To

herdismay,amanicurednailgotsnaggedinatatteredknotthatMadameKindelhad forgotten to brush out. “Oh no! My favorite color, Saturn Red, is nowchipped!”Shecomparedhernailsandlookedathercompanionsforsympathy.

“ThereisnothingIcando,”Woofstersaid.Hesatupright,histaildanglingoff the horse’s shoulder and grabbed a handful ofmane.Hewhirled the otherpaw in the air as if hewere a rodeo star. “Isn’t it obvious I am a little busy?Giddyup.Giddyup.Wooah,Whinniston!”Hereminiscedabouthislifebeforehewassideswipedinthejunkyard.“ThosewerethedayswhenIthoughtIhadtheworldinthepadofmypaws.”Herubbedthehipthathadbeguntoachefromtheride,andsettledontohisbellywithhislegsandarmshangingoverthesides.He tookadeepbreath andhowled,wavinggoodbye to thebustling sight theywereleavingbehindliketherestofhismemories.

Hefeltthecallofduty,andhereachedovertountangleMeowlen.“Iknewyouwouldchangeyourmindsoonerorlater,”shepurred.“Becarefulnottochipthepolish.IonlyhavePlutoPurplewithmeanditwouldclashwithred.”Then,allofasuddenshesaid,“Stop!Halt!I’mgettingoff!ThislookslikethefashiondistrictofKavalon.Prettyupscale,evenfortheelite!”Herhairstoodonend,hercuriosity piqued. “I want to browse in these boutiques. Do you thinkMasterMcFeewouldmindifwearealittlelate?”Sheglancedattheclockinthecitysquare.“Alittletreattoourselves!Shoppingspreesareessentialtokeepupwiththelatesttrends.”

“Didyousaytreat?”MaximojoandWoofstersaidinunison.Bothdrooledastheylookedaround,consideringthepossibility.

“Everyoneseemstohaveapurpose,”Glittasaid.“Lookatlocalsrushing

aroundcarryingstacksofgoods.”Shecouldn’tunderstand,andgotdizzyfromwatchingthem.

“Yes, where is everyone going?”Meowlen said. “Especially when theycan get everything they might want over there?” She pointed to the maze of

shops.

Whinniston had an urge to take charge.When it came to swiftness and

sure-footedness,hewasconfident.“ThatiswhytheAlliancechosemeabovetheotherhorses,”hethought.“Imaynothaveachievedmymojopotentialyet,butwhen it comes to a race against all odds with limited time, Whinniston canalwaysbereliedon!”Hesaid,“Mygloriousmanehasbeenadornedwithmanymedalsformyagilityandspeed,ifIdosaysomyself.”Hebowed,andeveryoneslidforward.

“Easywiththegratitude,bigfellow.Rememberwhoseaboard.Headsup!I’ll be on critter watch.” Woofster reminded him and sat up, regaining hiscomposure.“Iamtopdogonthismission...afterMaximojo!”Heflunghisearsawayfromhiseyes.

“Onward towards the mountains,” Maximojo said from between the

horse’sears.“TotheoutskirtsofKavalonwhereMasterMcFeeawaits.”HebentoverandstaredintoWhinniston’sface, teasingly,whileGlittagentlycrackedalightbeamoverthehorse’shindquarters.

Out of nowhere, the air was filled with what sounded like sirens. Thepiercing noise spooked Whinniston, who bolted, forgetting about his friendsaboard.Everyonegrabbedontightly,astheynearlyslidoff.

“It’s only the clock in the city square,” Maximojo shouted. “The bells

chimeonthehourallnightandday.Nowwatchyourstepnearthecurb.Wooah.Neigh!”ButWhinnistonpaidnoattention.Theywereoffinacloudofdust.

Woofster tried barking. “Heel. Those rodeo days are long gone. Nowshortenthosestrides!Woohoo!Thisis theadventureI’vebeenwaitingfor,butwewon’tmakeitifwecan’thangon!”Itwastoolate.Hewasthrownoff,andbarelycaughtholdofthehorse’stailasitwhippedintheair.

“Hang on Woofster!” Maximojo hollered, and gripped both of

Whinniston’s ears to steer thehorsewhilehis airborne legs floppedout to thesides. Glitta hooked onto his pack, and the team stormed out of the city.Meowlenwassecurelywrappedupinthemane.

“This is a little more of an adventure than someone of her class was

expecting, I bet,”Woofster thought, andwith a heave, clumsily threwhimselfback on, bumping into the beautiful cat. He looked bashful as he caught herglance,andregainedhisseatontherump.Meowlenturnedtheothercheek.

Hetriedtoactnonchalantandmovedover.“Justcheckedhisfooting.Thelegworklooksinorderforthetrip.”

“Thatwasaclosecall. Iknew I stillhad it in these flanks.”Whinnistonglancedoverhisshoulder.Heslowedtoatrot.“Wedidit.We’vewontheraceandbeatthatpiercingsound

withmy swiftness. Rest assured it is out of range. Just listen. Nothing!We’resafe.Youknewwhoyoucouldcountontogetusoutoftrouble.”

***

Back inKavalon, the sight of fur balls flying by clinging to a panicked

horsehadstartledeveryone theypassed.Maximojohadplanned togo throughthe city as inconspicuously as possible so as not to influence the outcome ofevents.Theyhadendedupmakingquiteaspectacleofthemselves,however.

“They arrived, then disappeared in a cloud of smoke,” one citizen latertestified.“Aclumpofanimalsallpiledontopofthatpoorhorse.”

“Invaderssneakingintoovertakeourland.AlerttheRuler!”anothersaidwhile the commotion grew and the crowd began to panic. TheKavalonAlertSquad, arrivedon the scene and tookcareof the traumatized.Althoughgrouphallucinationswererare,miragesafterduskhadoftenbeenobservedprior toanewmoon.

“We all know anything can happen in this heat,” the squad leader said,looseninghishelmet.“Thisisjustanotheroneofthosetimes.Doyouagree,orshallIinformtheRulerofyourbehavior?Breakitup!”

Everyone began to leave. “It is extremely hot this season,” he added.“Continueonwithyourbusiness.Moveon!”

He wiped his forehead and everyone dispersed was convinced thesightingswere the result of organized smog formed from the sun’s heat.Theyhustledon,thebizarreincidentsoonforgotten.StrangeoccurrenceshadbecomeawayoflifeinKavalon.Anythingcouldhappen.

***

Below the sewer grate on Main Street, red eyes glowed from the city

lights,butwentunnoticedabove.Ablackratpressedhisfaceflushagainst thegrate.Greenfoambegantoforminthecornersofhismouth.Hisclawswrappedaroundtherustybars,whichquiveredwiththehungertheysawintherodent’seyes.

Heswungbackandforth,andwatchedthehorsegallopfuriouslypast.

“Maximojo and his accomplices are heading toward their fate,” the rat

sneeredknowingadeliciouslydespicabledemiseawaitedthem.

Hewhippedoutaspyscreenfrombehindanear,wipeditwithhiselbow

and shook it.His eyeswidened as an image appeared on the display. The ratgrinned, baring a few chipped teeth, and fiddled with the spyscreen until thepicturecameintofocus.“Theylookalittleshakenupfromtheride,exceptforthatcat,”hesaid.“Whatisshewearing?”Therat’sfacecontorted.“Iknewitallalong–she’sfromoutoftown.”Heturnedthespyscreenoff.

“Thiswillbe their last adventure, cut short,”he said to theothers inhisgang,who huddled against the sewerwalls below the grate. “Only oneworldexists andwill ever exist –mine – deep below the city lightswhere darknessrules.”Hiseyesburned,andhesmackedhislips.“Icansmellvictoryonthetipofmynose.”

Therat,knownasRutty,wastheleaderofthegangthatlivedbeneaththecitystreets.Hejumpedontoa ledgethat juttedout in the tunnelof theancientsewersystem.

“Theyenteredour trap,”hesaid.“Imagine.Thewondrousonesdefeatedbyameaslyrat.Well,not reallymeasly.Notmeasly in the least!”Hestruckapose, turned sideways, bent an arm and flexed a muscle. “Smart. Strong.Handsome. Yes. Very handsome! City rodents find me irresistible,” he said,slickinghishairawayfromhiseyes,priminghisearsandstretchinghistailtoafinepoint.“Butdefinitelynotmeasly”hewinked.

“Like I told you,my schemewillmake their disappearance seem like a

random mishap, one that will shake the planet out of orbit to collapse intooblivion.Orsoitwouldappear,”hesaid,liftinghischin.“Ihaveitallplannedoutwithmygemdealer.Iwillruleuponlandwithmygangguardingthemines,below.”

Thegangmembersbelowhimmurmuredinagreement.

Rutty puffed out his chest and caught his reflection in amurky puddle.“Yes! Truly a distinguished Ruler,” he said, “and when their mission fails,Maximojo will be held accountable. He will have no alternative than tosurrenderhiscollartome,andhisstorybookadventureswillbeover–nevertobe read again. That’s if he is ever found. Ratisico! Never! It will be an easyvictory.” He waved his spyscreen. “As for Glitta, that sparkling stick, I havesomethingextrainstoreforher.AndIamsurethatwandknowshowtolightthemines,dimly,thewayIlikeit!”

“Didyouseehowradiantsheis?”saidoneofthegang,askunklennamedSmelka,shiveringbesideapileofsludgeinacornerofthetunnel.Shesquinted,rememberingitsbrightness.“Iamsureshewilllearnfast–orelseshewillbeintrouble!”

Ruttyraisedafist.“FirstIwillhavetofindawaytocatchher.Meowlenisan interesting cat.Don’t you agree?”Hewhippedhis tail and cracked it, thentuckeditinhisbelt.

“She’lleventuallylearnalso,”Ruttysaid,“likeallofyouhave,andI’llbesuretoteachthatchameleonaboutdresscodesinthemines.Icanputthewandandthecattogooduse,too,watchingovertheslaves.”

A lizzardowiggledoutofhishidingplace,slowly liftedupastickyfootandslappeditdown.“Hey,Rutty.Iamthetoptaskmasterintheminesbelow,”hesaid.Hisvoicecarriedoverthehornanchoredonhisflathead.“I’mtheonewhomakessuretheslavesfillthecartswithgemsrighttothetop.What’sallthetalkaboutothersjoiningus?”Hehadwatchedangrilyastherodeofledthroughthe streets. “Having one of those join the gang…notwhen I’m at the guardpost. We’ll be rid of all of them just like you said … all of them … thedespicabledemiseroutine.”

“Simmerit,Letcho!”Ruttysnapped.

Smelka came out of the corner with her tail between her legs, with

ScrapsieScopiolaclippedontoherear.NowthatLetchohadfinishedventing,itwas safe to come out, although the stream of the fumes he had released hadseepedthroughthegratesandhadbeguntodrawattentionfromthelocals.

“Getmoving!”Ruttysaid,scurryingintothelead.“We’rerightbehindthehorse!”Theyspedupbyskimmingonslimepatchesalongthepipelinesthatranbeneaththerockyouterlayeroftheplanet.ThegangfollowedtheMojoTeaminaparallelbeneath street leveluntil they reachedanopening in thegroundandsqueezedoutofthesplitpipe.“It’sclear.Movefast!”HewhackedLetchoonhishead.

Scrapsie attached himself onto Letcho’s neck. The lizzardo’s scales

changedcolorwitheachmood.Hewasbuiltfordutywithaplate-likearmorandrazorteeth.Sliveredeyescoveredhisheadtoprovideforwide-rangevision.

Scrapsie was from a line of poisonous scorpiolas who possessed theultimate jagged stinger. It would paralyze just about any breathing moverScrapsiechosetozap.HerepeatedlythreatenedLetchowiththestinger,butthelizzardobarelynoticed.Scrapsie’sattemptedtormentswouldneverhurtLetchothroughhisarmor,andLetcho’ssuction-cupfeetwouldterrorizeScrapsieifthescorpiolaevergotsuckedintothem.ItinfuriatedScrapsiethathecouldn’thavehiswaywiththelizzardo,buthenevergaveuptrying.

Thegangwereameanbunchwhoneverwouldhavetoleratedeachother,

if it weren’t for Rutty’s cruel and strict rule over them.When the rat wasn’taround, theotherswouldoftenattackeachother,as theycouldn’tquenchtheirthirstfornastiness.

FrustratedthatLetchoneverreactedtohisattacks,nomatterhowdeepthebarbedstingerstung,ScrapsiejumpedatopSmelkainstead.“Leaveheralone!”Rutty said, and swatted him off. “I’ve told you before, Smelka is a sensitiveskunklenwhomusttobedealtwithcarefully.Weneedhertohandlethestink-bombweaponry.”

“Comeon,shewon’tfeelathing.Justonepinch!”Scrapsie,atruesinistercrustacean in itsprime,didn’twant togiveup.Smelka liftedhernoseand taileversoslightly.ShecaughtRutty’sstarefromthecornerofhereye,andloweredherstripe.

“Don’t have it in you to bomb one of us, Smelka?” Scrapsie taunted,

hidingbehindLetcho’sscalesincasetheskunklenunloadedbysurprise.Nooneinthegangwasneverreallysureoftheother’smotives–ortheirown,forthatmatter.

“Lay off the orphan. Leave her be for now,” Rutty called out, knowing

howmuchSmelkasmartedwhenshewasremindedshewasanorphan.Letchoconstantly teased her, telling her that she would never grow as tough as theothersinthegang.

“Stopcallingmethat!”sheblurtedoutintears.ButLetchowouldneverlether forget that no one except Rutty had ever cared about her, and that as aninfantshehadbeenwrappedinbarkandabandonedinanalleyoutsidethecity.Ruttyhadfoundherandraisedherinapileofashesbehindthecastlewheretheylived, feeding her toasted crawler crisps until she grew strong. It became herfavoritesnack.

Thus the skunklen had become part of Rutty’s dark and excitingworld.

Howcould shenot idolize the strong and fearless rodentwithhis hypnotizingsnickerandhisscentlikethefirethatsometimesburnedneartheashbedofherinfancy?

Sheevencherishedwatchinghismoonlitshadowasitcastuponthewallsabove the grate, as he occasionally scurried out of the sewer on some secretbusinessmatters.Butsheneverreallyunderstoodthewaysofherleader.

***

ThatisbecauseRuttywas,likeMeowlen,notfromaroundtheseparts.He

had another lifewith important responsibilities.During the daylight hours, hetransformed into a respectable citizen of Kavalon, known as Rutland Ratkin,Advisor to Captain Daltoid Swaggelot, the present Ruler of Kavalon. In thedaylight,Rutlandmeanderedthecitystreetswithanundeniableconfidence.Hewas self-assured, smart andmost certainly loathed by thosewhowere jealousanddidn’tlikehisarrogantmanner.

Dressed impeccably and wearing stone-toed boots to hide his claw-like

feet.HewouldshufflealongthestreetsofKavalonsayingtohimself–oranyone

oneelsewhocaredtolisten–“NoonecanbeslickerorslimierthanI…Infact,Iamalwaysright,neverwrong.That’s just thewayit is!”Thenhetwistedhismoustacheuntilithurt.

But when the clock chimed in the city square at dusk, he once againbecamethespinelessrat,livingthelifehepreferred–nastyanddirty,trollingthesewersandpipeswhilethecityslept.

Heyankedoutoneofhiswhiskers, admiring itswiry springand length,

andscaledhisyellowing twofront teethwith it, then lickedhis faceclean.Hetookaminute to savor a commenthehadoverheard in the alleysoff ofMainStreet. “Handsome!” That’s what those gossiping rodents said. “The rodent’srodent, that rat is!”Rutty grinned and pulled hard on anotherwhisker until itcameout.

“Painissoirritablytemptingtoarat,”hespat.

***

Whinnistonheldstrong,thoughnearcollapse,assweattrickleddownhis

flanks.Hemanaged toslowfroma trot toawalkwithoutbreakingstride,andthenacompletestop,hiskneesaquiver.Theridewasover,atleastfornow.

“EveryoneOK?”Whinnistonsaid.“Imaynotbepolishedtoasheenwithrippedmuscles,butIstillexhibitdefinition,andknowhowtomovefastwhenitmattersmost.”

Henuzzledhisshoulderwhileflexingittoshowtheothershewasstillinhisprime.“Youshouldhaveseenmeduringmyrodeodays. Icould twistandturn,fastlikethis.Er...notagoodmove,”hegroaned,andstretchedtorubhistenderhindquartersagainstapost,causingMaximojotoslideoff.HelandedontwofeetandgaveWhinnistonanappreciativepat.

“Wellwemade it this far,wemustbeclose.Let’s see,”Maximojo said,

flippingopenhisPolyMatrixor.

Woofsterslowlydismounted.“ItwouldhavebeenbettertodothatafterIwasoff!”hesaidpanting,andwipedhisnose.Allthatjostlingmadehisbonesacheevenmore,andhegaveoutalittlewoof.“I’mfine.I’mfine.”Herubbed

his hip, “Hard-working guards never feel a thing. I’m a tough-coated dog, noneedtoworryaboutme.”

Glitta helped Meowlen wriggle free out of the braided mane. The catsprang overWhinniston’s side and landed elegantly on two feet. “Thatwas abreath of fresh air,” she said. “A fast-footedWhinn. I should have packed asaddle. It’s just notmy thing to ridebarebackon ahorse.”She caughtherselfswaying a little, and covered her wooziness by examining her nails.“Meowlowins! I broke another one!” she sniffed. “I should have used VenusViolet,thennoneofthiswouldhavehappened.Itdoesn’tchipanditstrengthensthenailbed.”

“I’llmakeituptoyousomehow,”Whinnytoldher.

“Somedayyou’llunderstandthetravelneedsofafinickyfeline,”shesaid,andretractedtheremainingnails.“Quite thewildbreezebackthere,”shesaid,combingherhair.“Tremendoustunes,Glitta!Yousurehaveaflairforcelestialclassics.”

MaximojoretrievedthemaphewaslookingforonthePolyMatrixor.Hetransposed the hologram from the screen and projected it outward before hiseyes.Themapshimmeredtothetouchashetracedtheassignedroute.

“Looks like we have reached the outskirts of McFee’s estate,” he said.“Perhapswemightwanttotakeabreakfirst.Wehavealonghikeinland.”

Meowlenledthetrooptoastreambythesideoftheroadwheretheytookacoolingsip,andthenpiledalongsideeachotheronthecurbbythesideoftheroad.Woofster passed around some ofMadameDewitt’s scrumptious biscuitsthat he had stored in his sack, explaining how he had snatched them fromMadameDewitt’scupboardforthistrip.

Woofsterexplained,“Shedidn’tevenknowthatIcouldreachthejarinthe

cupboard. I stoodon a chair onmyhind legs.”He imitatedhis posture in thekitchen, but then decided to keep quiet and eat.Besides, hewas the only onewhowasactuallyenjoyingthem.EvenGlittadimmedeverytimesheflewpast.“Ihavemyowndelights,”sheflickered.Woofstergotthehintthatitjustwasn’therthing,andstoppedwavingthemather.

Whinniston meandered along on the grass, grazing to replenish hisstrength for another swift ride. “They haven’t seen nothing yet,” he thought.

“Millicentandbridle-freeatlast!”

Maximojo’s sniffer went back on alert. “Could that possibly bespacecakes?”

Meowlenretrievedafewfromhertravelsackandwavedthemunderhisnose.“Iwhippedthemupjustforyou!”shesaid,andpulledoutherownnibbles.“Glazedwaferstravelpurrr-fectly.”

“There are spacecakes, and then there is celestial cuisine,Mojo!”Glittasaid.“Celestialcuisineisyourfavorite,andit’seventastier.Icangetsomefromhome and be back in no time!” She fueled up to rocket home, accidentlyemittingfireworksthatrattledthetreetopsandsentaflockofbirdsintoflight.

Meowlen dodged the falling branches around her and leapt ontoWhinniston.

“Easeupon those fancynails,Meowlen.Claws in.Makea fist.Whinny

will take care of things.” His whole body was quivering. “She is fussy,”Whinnistonthought.

“Rememberwhentroublestirs,youcanalwayscountonthisdogtomakethings right,” Woofster said. He felt the urge to take charge. “Top dog afterMaximojo.Moveover.Makeway.HeyGlitta!Howaboutworking things outwithMeowlen?” Shewas busy throwing around a few glow balls at a tree tocalmherself,andthenbrushedpastthecat’sshoulder.

“Sorry,Meowlen!”Glittaapologized.Meowlenturnedtheothercheekand

jumped offWhinniston. “Accepted,”Meowlen said, dusting the glitter off therimofhersunhat.Shecouldn’tblameGlittafrombeingjealous,afterallshewasthefinestbakerofspacecakesonthissideofthegalaxy.

MaximojotossedthePolyMatrixorintohispack.“We’rereadytogo,butwe need to have a vote. Shall we walk from here?” Everyone agreed exceptWhinniston,who promised that hewould take it slow, butWoofster reassuredhimtheyallneededtheexercise.“Ineedtokeepmovingsomyjointsdon’tseizeup,”hesaid.

Everyone packed up. Glitta and Meowlen took the lead side by side.Maximojoknewbetterthantogetbetweenthem.Theyturnedasharpbendandtheroadended,forcingthemtohikeanovergrowndirttrailleadingawayfrom

aneerie,denseforestwhoseswayingtreestoweredoverthebranches’shadowsinthedistance.“Let’sgetoffthepathandgothroughthebush,”Meowlensaid.“Iprefertheshortestrouteintheseshoes.”

Maximojo agreed on the short cut to the McFee estate, as they werealreadylate.

“A little spooky if you askme,”Whinniston said, swishing his tail.Hisearsturnedforward.“Iheardsomerustlinginthewoods.Listen!”

“Ithas tobescary tokeep theunwantedaway,Whinny,”Meowlensaid.Sheledthemintoapatchofthickmossthatgothervelvetslipperswet,whichshehadchosenforcomfortonlonghikes.Shetookthemoffandcreptforwardcautiously. She spied a sign nearly hidden behind a bush that, at first glance,lookeddelicate.Butbeneath its flowers laypoisonousneedles.Meowlenknewwhatherfatewouldbeifshepickedabud,andherhairstoodonend.

“This iswhereI takecharge,whenoneofmylivesareatstakeofbeing

poisoned,” she said. The moss began to spread fast over the words on thewarningsign.Meowlenpickeduparockinherhindclawandthrewitforcefully,almostshatteringthesign.Themossretreatedintotheunderbrushandrevealedthesign.

PRIVATE PROPERTY. ESTATE OF MASTER MCFEE.UNAUTHORIZED TRESPASSERS WELCOME. NO TURNING BACKNOW.FEROCIOUSDOGONPATROL.

Meowlenshrugged,examininghernailsforcasualties.

“Perfectback-clawpitch,”Woofstersaid.“Icantakeitfromthispointon.”

Heraisedoneear.“Iknowtheroutinenowstepasideeveryone.”

Amazed,WhinnistonsnortedandturnedtoMeowlen,impressedwithherprecision.“Goodthrow,Meowlen!”andthought,“Thatcatsureisafastmoverandshaker,butit’shertravelwearthatstumpsme.Allshereallyneedsisagoodpairofshoes,likemine.”

“I can show you a few goodmoves,Whinny.Now steady yourself likethis, then raiseyourback legsup inoneswoop.”Meowlendidahandstand inherstylishsportswear.Whinnistonattemptedtoimitateher,archedhisbackinacatpose,flunghisbackhoovesup,andalmostpulledanessentialmuscle.“Er…

maybeanothertimewhenwearenotsobusy.”

“Ahem!Standaside.I’mcomingthrough,”Woofstersaid.“Letmehandlethis.Stayclear,itmightbedangerous.I’mtopguarddogandIhearanoise.”Hepushedtheothersasideandstruttedtothefence,whichbeganshakingviolentlybefore he even touched it. “Barbed wire. Good choice. Nice metal-weavingwork.”Thenhetoucheditandjumped.“It’scharged,”hesaid,puttinghispawinhismouthtoeasethesting.Hecrouchedlow,stretchingouthisneckandslowlycreptalongthefence.Then,withtheconfidenceofsomeonewhoknewexactlywhathewasdoing,heletoutalengthyhowlandwaitedforareply.Thesilencewasbrokenwithasharpyodel.

Apatrol dog appeared on the other side of the fence. “Well, you finallymade.Whattookyousolong?Alittlelatearewe?”

“Youshouldhavesniffedusoutatthesignpost,”Woofstersaid.“It’syourterritory.Notontopofthings?”

Theotherdogsnorted,snifferup.“Justdoingmyjob.Doingmyjob.Yo!Iheard you had a run inwith the authorities in theKingdom, if I got the storyright.Createdacommotion.”

“Yourtimingmustbeoff,”Woofstersaid.“Justinandoutofthecitytotheoutskirts.andweweren’t troubleatall.Nothingiswrittenacrossmyforehead.See?”

“We should have stayed and shopped,” Meowlen exclaimed, feelingunappreciatedfor thesacrificeshehadmadeinorder toreachtheirdestinationonschedule.

“Let’sstartfromthetop.I’mchiefpatroldog.Manford–that’sme.You

can call me Mannie – Double ‘N’. Remember that. Two N’s. Don’t forget.”Manniewas a sleek-legged canine frompedigree ancestry.Hehadbig eyes, alongnose,droopingjowlsandearsthatcametoapoint.Itwasclearhewasnotanordinaryspottedshort-hairedpurebred.Hespokesmartlyandswunghistailtothesoundofhisvoice.

“MyMaster and the others have anxiously been awaiting your team. Itappears you are a little late. Understandable.” He looked atWhinniston whoside-kickedthefence.“Isupposeyouranintolotsofobstacles,trafficoutofthecity.”Whinnistonassuredhimthathadbeenthecaseandnothingelse.

Let me introduce everyone,” Woofster said. “Maximojo, Meowlen and

Whinniston,whomyou justmet.Maximojo is a cosmic canine, andmy hero.Meowlenisacceptingofusdogs–shehasn’thissedatmeonce.Whinnistonisalittleirritablelately,butdon’tbeconcerned.Oh,andthat’sGlitta,alightwand.Sheenjoys flitteringabout.You’llgetused toher justas longasyoukeep thesparkles out of your eyes. Just to keep the record straight,Maximojo and thewandarefromouterspace–outthere.”WoofsterlookeduptobesureManniegotit.“AndIamWoofster.”Hewrinkledhisbrowtoinspecttheground.“Andbythelooksofitweareprobablyrelatedsomehowinagalaxyonceremoved.Similarpawprints.”

Mannie’s rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen everything on duty,Woofster. Let’sget amoveon.”Hedecided tokeepa close eyeon that cat, asheknew fromexperience,theyweretemperamental.Especiallyonethatlookedlikeher.

Glitta scattered glitter over the know-it-all guard to inspire a little

playfulness.Mannierubbedhiseyes,turnedoffthealarmandunlatchedthegate.Itcreakedopen,usheringtheguestsinoverthesponge-likeundergrowth.

“This way. Now hurry up before we wake anything that is better notdisturbed!”Manniestumbledandquicklyregainedhisstrut.

“Loose-footed?Sliponsomething?”Woofstersaid.

Manniepaidnoattention, and thought, “I’vebeenexposed tovisitorsof

everyshapeandsize.Evenourothervisitors,theStarrings,thesupposedsocietyofsolarflarespositionedintheskiestokeepgravityintactarequiteodd-looking.I hear they are not tough enough for the ‘change’. The Master doesn’t likevisitors. They’ll find out soon enough what’s in store for them. NothingsurprisedMannieanymoreexceptperhapsthatcat.”Hewasguarded,buttakenbyhermystique.

They followed Mannie along a path peppered with jagged rocks that

pulsated as they passed. Maximojo took the lead with Glitta, who blastedanything that looked suspicious. “It’s best not to disturb anything!” Manniewarned. The rocks were interspersed with wild-looking plants whose thornspointedineverydirectionandwerefestoonedwithfurry-berriesthatburstattheseams,spurtingjuiceeverywhere.

“Suchasmellyodor,”Meowlensaid,pinchinghernoseandwipingoffthe

splatter.“Itstained!”shesaid,aghast,andquicklychangedintoanotheroutfit.

As they walked along, spiked shrubs broke through the ground beside

them,openingtheirblossoms.Snakyvinesgrewupallaroundthem.“Becarefulof those sliders,”Manniewarned. “They’ll trip you up if they had a chance.”Everyonequickenedtheirpacetoavoidthegrabbingvineslashingoutatthem.

“Iknewtheycouldn’tkeepupwithMannie,especiallythatdog,”Manniethought.Hebattedawayadensecloudofheavy-weightedstingers toclear theway for the newcomers. The lethalWaspstens’meshwings could hardly keeptheir scratchy fur-jacketbodies in theair, andbouncedawaycrazilywitheachwhack.

“Wouldn’twantourguests togetstung,”Mannie thought.“Theyarefair

game,Isuppose,whenwe’reinthestingers’territory,butnotwhileMannieisonduty.MyMasterwouldbefuriousifIdidnottakepreciouscareoftheguests.”HeknewbetterthantorisklosingthoseinvitedtohisMaster’sestate,althoughsomeneverleftanywayforreasonsotherthantheWaspstens’vileattacks.

“Thisinclinechallengesmystrideinthissuddenblisteringheatatnight,”Whinniston said.The rocks lining thewalkwaybegan toglowa fieryhot andsoonturnedintocoalandcrackled.Mannielookedatthemoonandledeveryoneonto an alternate path. “Thisway. It’s a shortcut.MyMastermust be gettingimpatient.”Manniewasnotsurprised.

Thescenerychangedwitheverystep,andWhinniston,laggingfarbehind,

kept comparing it tohis farmland.Glitta sentout solar flares to light theway,whichawakenedunseencreaturesthatmadenoises.EvenManniepickeduphispace.

“Keepthelightslowaroundthegardens,”Manniesaid.HewasbeginningtogetconcernedinthedarkofawakeningthenamelessOthers.

“Mypasture athomenevergrewaroundme like this,”Whinniston said,

shakingoffsomethingticklinghislegs.

“Now don’t nicker, Whinn,” Meowlen said. “Think of it as a quest!

Expedition!Ajourneytobehold!Amemorytobesharedwithyourancestors!”Shejumpedontohisbacktobringhisattentionbackintofocus.Plusshewantedto get off the ground, as one never knowswhat unfashionable thing could belurkingthere.

“Lookoutforthathole,don’ttriponthosestumpsandwatchyourhoofs

on those newly forming cracks,” she said. “It would be quite a fall if youslipped.” She adjusted her helmet and brushed her crop againstWhinniston’sflank.Herearedandmovedon.

MaximojoflippedopenthePolyMatrixor.“Thisplacedoesnotappear toexiston themapany longer. Itmusthavevanishedduringourhike.Somehowourcoordinateshadchangedalso.”

Glitta dimmed. “I have been trying to tell you, Mojo. We are not onZalturn. We must have entered into another dimension when we crossed thefence,”shesaid.

MaximojosentanalerttotheCouncil.“Weappeartobeonanunmarkedareawithinthegroundsoftheestate.Hasourmissionbeenupdated?”Therewasnoresponseonthedevice,onlystaticfillingthescreen.

Glittablinkedonandoff,unsurehowtoproceed.

Chapter5

“It’sontheotherside.”Manniesaid.

Heleapedoverthesteepridgeandbrushedaparttheovergrowth.Meowlenvaulted off the horse, and was first to step past. She covered her mouth insurprise. “Simply spectacular! If it would only remain still long enough so Icouldgetabetterlook.”

Woofstermade itup the inclinewitha littlehelpfromWhinniston’s tail.“Lookslikewemadeit,alright.”

“Nothing special if you ask me,” Glitta sparked. Her instincts told hersomethingwasn’tright,andshezoomedofftoexplore.

Everyone stood on the hilltop, astounded by the sight that wowed

Meowlen as she rolled the bug net up into her visor. It was as if the colorschangedtoluminescentshadesofanotherlandunfamiliareventoher.Thestonecastlewasmagnificent,withanairofeeriness,almostasifitwereamonument.Guardingthefrontdoorwerehugestatue-liketreeswithspikedbranches.Oneofthemloomedoverthevisitors,andcontinuedtogrow.“Whodarestowanderonprivateproperty?”itsaid.

“Yo!”Mannie said. “It’s onlyme,Creeper.Mannie –Double ‘N’.Holdyourfire!Thesearetheexpectedgueststhatyouweretoldtoleavealone.Theyarealittlelate.”HelookedatWoofster.

“These are the Creepers,”Mannie said to theMojo Team. “They spewpoisonouspelletsfromthetipsoftheirbranches.”

Thestatuesdrew in theirbranchesand retractedunderground.Thecastlesensed the rise of astonishment its presence instilled. Contented with thereaction, it lit up an upper floor window behind a moving curtain. OnlyMaximojo noticed. He aimed the sensor at the window. The sensor did notrespond,asifnothingwasthere.

“Let’sheadfortheKingdom,thismustbesomemistake.Wearenotreally

welcomehere,”Glittasaid.

“It’srighthereonthemissionreport,althoughnotonthemap,“Maximojosaid.“OurfirstvisitistheMcFeeestate."Seeingthelookonfaceasshewavedawingathim,Maximojoadded,"It'sourdutyGlitta.C'monit’srighthere!Whoelse is primed for such an adventure if not us?NowonderMcFee sent out adistresscallrequestingourpresence.TheMojoEffectiskickinginfast."

Everyone piled up behindMannie. “Easy does it,” he said. “No need torushme.This is theplace.Youareexactlywhereyouare supposed tobe,butlate.By the look on your faces it seems you have never seen a castle before,perhaps not onequite like this.Noonehas, andmaybeyouwill be given theopportunitysometimetotellsomeoneaboutit.Maybenot.Ithasapersonalityofitsown.Itcanspeakitsmind.”

“I never sawanything like it in anyofmy lives,”Meowlen said. “Well,here’s to not having seen everything!”She lifted a paw, pretending tomake atoast.

“Youcancelebrateyouradventureallyouwantinside,”Manniesaid.“MyMaster has steeped a berry-blend brew to twist your whiskers into a frenzy.Berryjuicetastebetterinyourteathanonyourcoat.”

“Don’tdrinkanythinguntilIinspectitfirst,”Woofstersaid.

“Nexttimeeaseuponyourgrip,Meowlen,”Whinnistonsaid.“Yournailssunkinalittletoodeepwhenyouwerewavingatthosetalkingtrees.”Hetriedtostretchoutacramp.“Woofstermayberightonthisone,”he thought.“ThatManniethinksheknowseverything.”

“I’veheard it all before,”Manniemutteredunderhis jowls. “Looks likethathorseisunsureofitsfooting.Betterthanactingout,stampingaround,likethelastvisitors,whoremainedinthedungeonuntiltheirlastpeep.Lifeisneverboringpatrollingthesegrounds.”Hecalculatedtheoddsofthemescaping.“Nothappening whenMannie is on patrol! This is something they’ll never forget.McFeealwaysmakesdoublysureofit.”Hesilentlyapprovedofthecat.“Sheisdressed like a polished, city-class dweller. That cat couldn’t possibly be fromcommoners,”hethought.“Stillgoingtokeepaneyeonher,though.NoonecanfoolMannie.One thingshehas incommonwithotherscatsare thoseclaws–neverdull.Shecankeepanyoneonhistoes.Andlookatthathorsesquat,asif

heisinacircus.”

Mannieranhispawoverhisbattlescarsonhisbackside.Theyremindedhimof the time in his prime yearswhen he had challenged a rat over a strayskunklenwhowas lost inabackalleyoutside thecity.Theanimalhad lookedsimilartoacatinsizealthoughithadastripe.Hehadtriedtorescuetheorphan,butsheusedherclawstoproveshewasn’tahelplessstray.Shemadeherchoice,andwentintothesewerwiththerat.

“AsIsaidbeforeandIwillsayitagain,”hesaid,“I’veseeneverything.Yo!Lookatthemoon.Getamoveon.”

Meowlen looked up and attuned her moonstone hairpiece to reflect theambienceoftheeveninglight.Shetriedonheranimal-printcoat,butdecidedonsomething more elegant for the guests awaiting them inside. She never waspartial to stripes. They gave her the feeling of being trapped. A kittihoodnightmareatitsworst.

Thegroundcrackedopen,makingroomfortheCreepersthatsprouteduptoguardthecastle.Thewallsvanishedandreappeared,andwindowsslidoutofviewaroundtheside.Twistedvinesdrapedaroundtheedgesofthecastlewallsand tucked under the window ledges. Illuminated by Glitta’s night light,countlesseyesshonefrombetweenthethorns.

“Quickly!”Mannie said, leading them across a bridge to the front door.

Belowthebridge,theswamplookedhungry.Manniethrewarockdownintothedarkwaterstodistractwhatwasunderitssurface.

Finallyacross,Maximojosteppedontothestairs that ledtothedoor.Hissensorflashedanalert.Anupperfloorwindowappeared.Curtainsrustledasashadow theremovedout of focus. Squinting for a closer look,Maximojowasbrieflydistractedbyarodentscurryingacrosshisfeet.Whenhelookedupatthedooragain,hewassquarelyfacingasilhouette,awillowyshadowbeforeablackvelvetwalldecoratingtheentranceway.Achillingcurrentflowedout thedoor,blowingMaximojo’searsintoafullsalute.

“Youmust beMasterMcFee,”Maximojo said.Glittawas thrown into a

spinbythegust.

She powdered herwingswith shimmer, zoomed pastMcFee and zipped

inside.“Haveityourway.Seeyouontheotherside.”Therestfollowedsinglefile.

MannieclosedthedoorbehindWoofster,whoenteredlasttokeepaneye

onMannie.“Nofunnybusiness.Youcan’tpullafastoneonthisdog!”Woofsterwarned.

“ThecosmicduohasarrivedatlastandwithsomefriendsIsee,”McFeesaid.“Everyoneiswelcomethistime.JustasktheStarringsupstairs.”

“Howpolite,”thoughtMeowlencattily.“Whatafriendlyhello.Whoneedsnicetiesanyhowaftersuchalongtraitoroushike?”SheunzippedhertrenchcoatthatshepickedupatafashionboutiqueonaplanetbeyondtheMilkyWay.

“Hechooseswordswithcare,”Meowlenthought.McFee’shairsweptoverhis eyes, which gave her a strange feeling when she caught his stare. Wiredcageshungon thewalls. “McFeeyouhave suchan interestingart collection.”Shelookedcloser.Insideeachcagewereancientcoinswithfaces.Sheturnedtohim.“Family?Friends?Deceasedguests,perhaps?”

McFeewas impressedby the inquisitive cat. “They aremuchmore thanfamily,mypreciousfeline,muchmorethanyoucaneverimagine.Theyareoutof this world to me, coined remains, or should I say ‘memories’ of businessassociatesininternationaltrade.Theirfacesbringtolifetherichnessofourpastconnections.You’llhavemanylivestomakeupforthisone,Meowlen,”hesaid.“Perhapswewillcrosspathsagain.”

“Now don’t just drop-in. Be sure to check with myAlliance first,” shesaid,andexcusedherselftofreshenup.

“Whatisheplanning?”shethought.“He’dbetternotappearuninvitedinmyother lives.My social calendar is already full, balancingwork andplay atanygivenmomentinmysimultaneousexistences.”

McFeemotionedMannieoutthedoor,whoobeyed,knowinghisdutywasdone.“Besides,whowouldwanttohangaround?Beenthereplenty.”Hisjowlsflappedasheranout.

Glittawasbuildingupastaticchargeofuncertainty,leavingcrystalflakeseverywhere.“Thereisgoingtobetroubleifnoonelistenstome.”ShehoveredaboveherMojoandgavehisheadabop.“Areyoulistening?Maybeweweresentthewrongreport.”

McFeeinterrupted,drumminghisfingertipsimpatientlyonthewall,which

begantocrumblefromtheimpact.“Weneedtokeeponschedule.Theothersarewaiting.”Heguidedeveryonetowardshisstudyontheupperfloor.

Itturnedcold.Glittashoneoverthemarblefoyer,lightingupthelayerof

crystalflecksthatturnedintoathinveilofice.Meowlenchangedintoaheavyparkaandflatboots,andshuffledaroundthestaircase.Maximojoglancedatthespiralstairwellinthegrandentryway,andwonderedwhowasontheupperfloor,besidetheStarrings.

Woofster tried to prance up next toMaximojo, but began sliding on theslipperyfloorthathadglazedover.“Comingthrough.Movetotheside.Ineedspace.Ooops!Almostlostmyselfthere.”Hegrabbedtherailandswungaround.“Woohoo!”

Glittacaughthisfallbyinflatinganorbintoaluminouspillow.Woofsterbouncedoff it before it exploded into awhirlwindof sparkles and turnedhimright-sideup.Heregainedhisbalance,alittledizzy,andleanedagainstthewallforsupporttryingtoactlikenothinghadhappened.

“ThanksGlitta.Thatcame inhandy.”Hebrushedoff theglitter.Beingasmartthinker,heslowedhispacetoacrawl.

“Perhaps I’ll explore a little on my own, being a risk-taker and all,”

Whinnistonthought.“Ihaveareputationtoupholdinthisadventure.Nowjustalittlesqueezesidewaysdownthiscorridorwhilenooneislooking.”Hechoseaside-stepthathehadperfectedindressagecompetitions.“Imaybealittlehoof-shy on shiny floors, but not to worry. I’m a pro.” To avoid crashing into hispolished reflection, hemaneuvered one hoof over the other, front and rear inunison,andwasabletopickupthepace.Hehadtokeephisneckbent in thisnarrowingpassageway.

HeheldhisstomachinandlookedaroundtomakesureMeowlenwasn’twatchingbeforeheexhaled.“Phew!Shedidn’tfollowme.”Hepushedpastthehangingcages,whichwereannoyed.Armssprangoutof thecoins imprisonedinside,rattlingthebars.Theyshoutedandshookthecageshardinanger.

“Youcouldhavesaidexcuseee…meee!”onebellowed.Therestechoed

concernoverthestranger’srudebehavior.Whinniston’sheadwassotwistedhe

couldnotseewhowasmakingallthenoise.Hislegsbegantocramp.

“Foreigner!Displacedspacematter!Flatteruswithnicewords,”onecoininsisted as hair appeared around its edges. “Weareworthyof respect hangingaroundhere.Getwiththelanguagerulesinourhalloffame.”

“Wewereallvictorioussmugglersanddeserverespect,”saidanothercoin.“Where are your manners and what do you have hidden in your mane? Aweapon?”Anarmpiercedbetweenthebars.“Letmehaveit!”

“Wecan’tgoanywhere!”anotherroared.“Sowhynotjoinusonthewall.There’sanemptycageattheendofthecorridor.”

“Just moving through. Didn’t notice you. Er … Sorry. Pardon me.”Whinnistonsqueezedpast,swishinghistailintheirfaces.Onethingheknewforsurewasthathewouldnotgethungalongsidethetalkingcages.Theirpiercingvoicesspookedhim.

“Pardonme.Excuseme.Myfelinefriendwouldbe impressedwithyourfancyhairdos.SorrytohaveinterruptedbutImustgonow,onamissiontosavetheworld,youknow.It’sasecret.”Hestrodequicklyoutofthecorridor.

“They have no class like you,Whinny!”Meowlen said, surprising him

frombehindhiswithers.Herpawswereoverherears.Shedidn’tlikethecagedcoins’whiningeither.

“I knew you would sneak up on me,” he said. “This is a challengingmaneuver.Watchthoseboots.Thosespursaresharp.”Hemadeafastrightandcaughtuptohisfriends.

Maximojodidhismojo strut onhind legs, his forepawsheldwide apart

across thefloorwhileGlitta illuminated theglazedcoatingon thefloor,whichbegantomelt.Theycreptsinglefileupthenarrowstaircase to theupperfloorandturnedthecorner,finallyreachingthedoubledoorsofthestudy,whichwereframedbycarved friezeswith fiery eyes.McFeeushered them in.Whinnistontrottedpasttheothers,Meowlenstoodproudbetweenhisears,andwaved.

“She insisted on a grand entrance,”Whinny said, and pushed everyoneaside.Theyhaltedinthecenterofthestudybeneathacrystaldomedceiling.

McFee closed the doors. Sitting upside-down on the ceiling, someinterestingbeingswereexaminingthenewcomers.Theyworelongcloaks,andwhentheygottoclosetoeachother,theyblendedintoone.Whentheymovedapartagain,theybecameindividuals.Thestar-likebeingschangedshapeastheymingled.

“Maximojo,thesearetheStarrings,”McFeesaid.“Theirpresencebuildsaforcefieldaroundtheplanettokeepthegravitystable,enablingeverythingonittoexistandnotspinoff intospace,andtheyareatmyservice.Irescuedthemwhen theywere little solar flareswandering aimlessly in space after their sunexplodedandtheybecamehomeless.

Unfortunately, the incoming timepiece,Kalapsis,will change thegravityfield.TheStarringswouldno longerbeable toserve in theirpresent function.Theywillcombustfromthepressure.Weknowyouhavetheabilitytotransformthem,sotheycanworkintheminesfortheKingdom.”

Woofstercouldn’ttakehiseyesoffthefiguresontheceiling.“Theyblendinto the wall like putty in a hole,” he said. “I’m sure they would be usefulsomehow to repair used parts in the junk yard.” Their illuminated faceswereexpressiveas theyamusedeachother andmirroredMeowlen’s tripleback-flipoff the horse, then gracefully landing on one paw.Whinniston, impressed bytheiragility,raisedanear.“Meowlen,youandtheotherswouldbefantasticinashowring!”TheStarringsdriftedtothefloor.

Meowlentippedhertailjustsoandsnuckupclosetoexploretheircloaks.

“Whydoyouwearsuchdrearyrobes?Alittledrabifyouaskme.Whynotdresswithalittlecosmicflair!Youmusthavebeenaroundinothergalaxiestoseethelatest celestial styles,” she said, disappointed when they didn’t respond. TheStarringsappearednottoknowwhattomakeofthecat’saristocraticdemeanor.Theydid,however,seemtobeinintriguedbyhertasteinfashion.

Chapter6

Allatonce,theroomturnedonitsside,flatteningeveryoneagainstthefarendof thestudy.Anodd lookingfellowappeared in theroom,accompaniedbyanorange-tail parrot. He straightened his jacket, introduced himself as Lou, andwhenthefloor leveledagain,plunkedhimself intoawinged-backchair,apipehangingfromhismouth.Theparrotperchedonthebackofhischair.

“WhenIsenttheCouncilmydistresscall,”McFeesaid,“Irequestedtheskillofitsfinesttomakethingsrunsmoothly.Forsomereasonthisfellow,Lou,slippedinbehindyou,too.Noweveryoneiswelcomehere,butonlyonce.”

Lou’sface,setatopalankystature,lookedlikeaballoon,contrastingwithMcFee’schiseledfaceandleatheryneck.Bothhadwild-lookinghairandwide-set eyes thatmissednothing.While therewas somemysteryaboutwhereLoucamefrom,therewasnodoubtthatheownedaparrotwithanorange-tailandaboldpersonality.Thepeculiarbirdflewuptothecagesthat linedthehallwaysandstruckaposeimitatingtheexpressionofthefacesthere.

“Itseemsmyparrotisexploringyourpast,McFee,”Lousaid.“Weheardofyourrequestanddecidedtovisitforourselves,theparrotandI–tosupportthemission.I’msureyouunderstand.TheCouncilhasconcernsthateverythingmaynotgoaccordingtoplansoMaximojowasassignedabackupteam.Well,curiositygotthebetterofme,sowe’realsojoiningtheteam.Itseemseveryoneiswelcomehere.Ireadthesignoutfront.”Loulookedaround.Hispipebobbedupanddownashespoke.Itdidn’tseemtomattertohimthatitwasnotlit.

“Meet theMojo Team, Lou, my comrades for this mission piled in the

corner.Woofster,Meowlen andWhinniston,” saidMaximojo. They scrambleduprightaftertopplingovereachotherwhentheroomshifted.

Glittaflickeredaroundthestudytoinspectthetapestriesofconstellationsfloatingalongthewalls.Shelitupthestarsonthewallhangings,andtheybegantoglowtoidentifytheirgalaxyoforigin.Butthesewerenotstarcoordinatesof

thegalaxytheywerein.

“These stars bear a remarkable resemblance to our neighboring stars athome,”shesparked.“Butwhywoulddistantconstellationsbedisplayedinthissolarsystem?MaybeitisthehomeoftheStarrings.”

Maximojo was beginning to suspect something by the look inMcFee’seyesasheapproachedhim, and said, “TheRulerofKavalon,CaptainDaltoidSwaggelot,isunawareofthechangethatwillhappenwhentheshiftoccurs.Hedoesnotrealizethatweareatriskofslippingthroughthecracksinspacewhentheincomingtimekeepersettlesin.Now,wedonotneedtoworrytheCaptain.Wecanandwilltakecareofthisonourown.

“Wehaveknownofyourmastermindtechnologyforquitesometime.Infact,itfeelslikelifetimesagowhenwefirstlearnedofyouradventures.Ibelievewehaveabookaboutyouonourlibraryshelf,Maximojo.”

Glittathrewacoupleofglowballsmidairtochangethesubject,buttheyaccidently bonked a group of Starringswho exploded into flames. They drewthemselves back into their desired forms, and straightened their cloaks. Nowtheyhadanextralongflarethatservedasanarmtoreachfortheircups,whichhadbeenthrownafarwhenGlitta’sglowballhitthem.

“Theymusthavetakenshooting-starclasseswhentheywerelittlesparks,”

Meowlensaid.

“We need you expertise for our darling Starrings, so that they can betransformed to work underground since they will no longer be able to existabove ground. Iwill escort them to ensure they find theirway back,”McFeesaid.

“As you can see, these celestials are quite explosive.Wewouldn’twantthemtogetlostamongstthestars,weneedthemtolightthemines.Youwouldneverbeabletotellthemapartiftheyweresetfree.”

McFee raiseda finger. “Please,enjoyaberry-blend tea that I formulatedespecially for you.” A cup appeared in his hand and Meowlen graciouslyacceptedit.

“A little tart.Somethinga little sweeter, perhaps?”Meowlen said after a

sip.Shenoticedanunclaimeddelicacy sittingonaplatter in frontofher.She

took the savory-swirl crumplet and sandwiched herself betweenWoofster andthepiano,whichbegan thunderouslyplayingher favoritemusic, keeping timewitheachbiteshetook.

“Oh,it’sastormynightofrockingtunes,”Meowlensaid.Thekeysfrozeasshelookedoverandcaughttheminaction.“Itmemorizedmyfavoritetunesfortheoccasion.Sothoughtful.Iwonderifitcomesintravelsize?”

OneStarringcaughtGlitta’seyeandsentheralovingspark.Glittaknewitwasasignalforhelp.“DoIknowyou?”Glittasparkedsilently.

“Please help us!” the sparky one glittered and quickly dimmed whenMcFeenoticed the two interacting. “Prepare theothers,”Glitta flashedonandoff quietly. “Now I understand why we are here,” she thought. “It may be atrickysituationwhenweleave.”GlittasilentlygaveMojothesecretemergencysignal that they had been tricked. Maximojo nodded acknowledging that heunderstoodhersilentmessage.Thesneakystrategyplanwasnowunderway.

Whinnistontrottedovertothebookshelvesthatextendedallthewaytotheceiling.Hestretchedtoreachthetopshelf,andglancedaroundtoseeifanyonenoticedhisfind,thenopenedalargestone-boundbook.Itspageswerescorchedonthecorners.Hewascarefulturningthepageswithhisshoes.SuddenlyabookdislodgeditselfandfellontopofWhinniston’shead.Surprised,heopenedittodiscoveranadventurestoryofheroicwingedancestorsfromouterspace."Thisisawonderfullibrary.Ithaseverythinganyonecouldeverwishfor.”

McFee clapped and another cup and pot appeared, pouring steamy teafromitsspout,andturnedtoLou,whohadbeensittingatthebackofthestudyobservingeveryone.

“Ever since I contacted the Council, Lou appears right under my nose

wherever I turn,”McFee thought.“I lookforward to themoment I’llbe ridofhimwith theothers.”Hewasgrowing concernedwithLou’sunblinking stare.McFeewonderedwhathisrealmotivewasforvisitingtheestate.

“IhavewaitedforthischancesinceIarrivedonZalturn,”McFeethought.“Certainencountersaredifficulttoarrangeunlessyouchangethecourseoftimetoyouradvantage.Onlythemastermindsofstellartechnologywouldhavebeenassignedtothismission.Thewandwillbeuseful,I’llputhertogooduse,likethe Starrings have been since their capture.Glitta is a fast thinking flare. Shemaycatchon,butitwillbetoolatebecausetheyhavealreadylandedinmytrap,

andasforMaximojoandhisfriends,theirfateawaits.It’sonlytimenow.”

***

GlittaflitteredoverandwhisperedsomethinginherMojo’sear.Theplan

hadchanged,althoughMaximojogavenoindicationtotheothersandcarriedon.“Itistimefortheteleportationtobegin,”Maximojoannounced,flippedopenthedevice,andprogrammedtheTeleMirrortoappearinthestudywithafewextrakeystrokestochangethetimesequenceslightlyonthereturnlocation.Todrawin the radiation necessary for the Starrings’ transformation, Glitta replicatedconstellationmapsontheceilingtoserveasspacecoordinates.

TheStarringsflashedabout,intriguedbyherartistry,asMeowlen,everan

opportunist, captured the moment parading around in a tangerine ruffledcardiganandpearlnecklace.

“Moveaside,”Glittasaid.Sparksfleweverywhere.

Anincomingshaftoflightenteredthewindow.Itnarrowedintoaprecise

beam and painted futuristic impressions of another galaxy, and transposed theimageryontothewall.TheStarringsshimmiedintowatchthemovingpictures.It looked familiar to them, as streams of color began to swirl and twistedthemselvesintoafunnelthatcapturedgravityparticlesinitspath.Gravitytookholdof the fallen light,andaspherepoppedoutof the funnel’s top.Everyonetook cover again underneath the tables from the luminescent orbs that werebouncingarounderratically,splatteringcoloreverywhereinthedarkenedroom.Glittaburstintoactiontwirlingoutiridescentstreamsthatweavedintoform.

“Takecover!Thatwandmightexplode,”Meowlensaid.Theothersdovebehindthebenches.Theluminousglobeelongatedintoamirror,andshimmiedinthecenterofthestudy.Theceilinggavewaytoglisteningstars.Liquidcrystalpoured into the reflective spacegate, theTeleMirror.TheStarrings sparkedoutfrom theirhiding spots.Glitta swoopedaround the sparkyoneand flashed thenewplanandtolettheothersknow.

The spacegate shimmered. Maximojo stood beside it and motioned to

McFee,whohadrisen.McFeegesturedfortheStarringstofollowhim,movedto

theTeleMirrorand touched it.Hewasenvelopedanddrawn into theworldontheothersideofthemirror.OnebyonetheStarringsdidthesame.Thesparkyonewaslast,andshotGlittaatinyflareofgratitude.“Iremembernowandwillseeyouagain,”itsaid,thenvanished.

The rest of the Starrings began to remember things as they crossed theboundarymarkedbythemirror.Memoriesof theirhomestar,of livesforgottenuntiltheysawGlitta.Theyhadknownher,butfromwheretheycouldnotrecall,andas themirrorbuckled, theedgesbegantofrostoveruntil theentiremirrorfrozeintoasheetofice.Glittaknockeditwithaglowball,anditbouncedoff.Theirentrancewassealed.

“Isitsafetocomeout?”Woofstersaid.Theothersslowlyappearedbehindhim.“TheKingdomofKavalonawaits,”hesaid.“ButIguesswehavetowaituntileveryonereturns.”

Meowlen swung her embroidered pink shawl over her shoulder, andloweredherrhinestoneshades.“Theyareprobablytryingoncelestialdesignerscloaks.Ittakestimetotryeverythingoninthecosmos.”

Whinnistonclosed thebook,shakinghishead.“Maximojo,doyou thinkyouwent a little too far?What if they get lost somewhere out there in outerspace,thatwindingholethatGlittatalkedabout,oraretakenbyastrangerthatevenyoumayneverhaveencountered?What if theygotcaughtup in thepastwiththistimechangecomingin?Whatiftheytookadetourandgetdrawnintoanotherworldandareneverabletomakeitbackintimetohelpthisplanet?Youknowyourwayaroundoutthere,butmaybetheydon’t.Thenwewouldreallybeintroublewithyourboss.”

“Whinniston,youhavereadtoomanybooks,”Meowlensaid.“Nowdon’tspook yourself. The Starrings are probably enjoying themselves surfing thespaceways.Besides,MasterMcFeewouldlookafterthem.Letthemhavealittlefun, they’ve been cooped up in the gravity field for so long.” She took a lastdelicatebiteofhercrumplet.

Lou fiddled with his pipe as he glanced up at the clock above the

mantelpiece,which had begun to act strangely, its dial flying around the facebehind the numbers. It rearranged itself, then stopped, as if to show that timealsohad itsmomentsand thiswasone inwhich itchose tostandstilland tickbackwards–justtogetintothegrooveofreversetiming.

“An ultimate cosmic calculation,” Lou said, “although this might be a

random phenomenon that has occurred before.” He began to gauge theprobability of time reversal and howhe could put it to good use during otherstellarmaneuversinothergalaxies.HenoticedGlittaactingstrangezippingbackandforthandknewsomethingwentwrong.

Maximojocheck thescreen tosee if therewasanotherupdate.“Glittols!

WehaveanupdatefromtheCouncil!”Glittaflickeredoverhisshouldertoreadit.

“There appears to have been a time warp during teleportation, and noteverybodymaymake itback,”Maximojosaid.Hesmiled tohimself,knowingthebackupplanwouldwork,andwatched thedialon theclockbegin toclickintothepropertimesequence.Themirrormadealoudcrackingsound,andtheicemelted.Thespacegatewasopen.

Ahandappeared,graspingthecoolairofthestudy,thenanarm,followed

byasuckingsoundandasnap.McFeewasblownintothestudy.Hewasaloneandhadaglazedlook.TheTeleMirrorvanished.

“They’re not coming back!” Glitta sparked excitedly, and gaveMojo asmile,“Theyescapedbackintotheskieswheretheybelongtoroamfreelyandclusterintoconstellations.”

Whinnistonrearedanddidnotknowwhichwaytobolt.Meowlenjumpedaboardtocalmhim.“Doyoumeanwemessedupandwe’veonlyjustbegun?”Meowlensaid.“IwouldliketohaveafewwordswithmyAlliance.Thiscan’tbehappeningduringanyofmylives.”

“Somehow they escaped. But it doesn’tmatter now. I’ve gotMaximojoright where I want him, and you to light upmymines!”McFee thought. HelookedaroundandlockedeyeswithGlitta.

Chapter7

The castle loomed in the distance beyondwhere Rutty’s gang had stopped toprepare.

“IndestructibleRutty,that’sme,doublysure!I’mnoordinaryrat.IhaveanuncontrollableurgetodestroythosewretchesfromPlaxo.Takethis…andthat,youbutton-nosedspaceface.”HestrucktheairwhereheimaginedMaximojo’sfacewas,andspunaround.“Yah-Hah!Ratisico!Justwarmingupforthecomingbattle.Neverenough time topracticebut I,Rutty,havemastered theprecisionswing.”

Theothergangmemberscrouchedlowinthethickets,dodginghisflyingclaws.

“Nothingremainsthesamewhenthisratisdonewiththosewhothinktheyareinvincible!Oncecaptiveunderground,they’llneverbeabletolookupatthestars,”hesaid,battingawaythestenchdriftingbeneathhisnose.“Sewerlifeissimplysteamy.Ohsomuchtorelishbelowthegrate.”

HesankhisfeetintoLetcho’shead,poundedhischestandbowed,hiseyesbulging. “I am the most despicable schemer that cosmic canine will everencounter,andthemosthandsome.”

Smelkasilentlyagreed.

“Rememberthat,allofyou!RuttyisRulerofthisgang.Now,watchthese

musclesflex,”hesaid,demonstratingafewmoreclaw-curls.Hisnosetwitched,andhelookedaroundforSmelka,wholaysprawledoutwithherrearpointedathim. She was so fully loaded with extra gas that she looked lopsided. RuttyswungaroundLetcho’shornandjumpedinfrontofher.

“You’ve relaxed enough skunklen, sweet.Upoff the ground.You are inpossessionofourweaponry!”Shehaddoubled insizeandcouldhardlymove,letalonecontainherselffromoverflowing.Shewobbledtoherfeetandwaddled

away,hertailtuckedupunderherbacklegstoholdherweaponin.

“Never trust a skunklen to hold tight when themost sinister of plots is

nearing a climax,”Rutty said, clicking his nails onLetcho’s horn. “Victory isalways at my whisker tips. Right?” He rapped on the lizzardo’s face. “Letnothingescape,Smelka.Keepyourtankfilledtothebrim.Wewillneedeverydrop later. Easy does it, watch your moves.” Her eyes were glazed over andsorrowful. Thesewere trying times. A lot weighed on her performance at thefrontlineofattack.

“Here’salittlesomethingtoaddmorefueltoyourfire,sweet.”Hepickedupanoldstickbar–alocaltreat–thatpokedoutofthesludge,andtossedittoher.Shenibbledawayatitwithacrunch-crunch.Itwasrockhard,andbrokeyetanother of her teeth.Rutty liked them chipped.He said it gave her a crookedlook.Shechasedthesnackdownwithaslugofthemurkywaterdrippingfromthe sewervalve, inadvertently liftingher rear endas shedid.Letchogave it agentlepushtowardsScrapsie.

“Relisheverycrumb,”Rutty said. “You’llbeneeding it.Youneverknowwhenyou’llgetthenextone.”

“Rutty isalways right,andhandsome.A true rat,”she repeatedquietly toherself.

Rutty sprang back ontoLetcho’s horn and spun around. “All right, gang.Areweready?”

Scrapsie scrambled up onto Letcho’s shoulder for a better view of the

castle.Letchosuctionedhiswayalongtheground,hisruthlessleadernowhighabovehishead.Smelkawascoiledupsecurelyinthelizzardo’stail.

Ruttyclenchedhisfistsandpointedwithhistailtowardtheirtarget,who

was at thatmoment patrolling the estate. “Anyonewhowanders around alonelateatnightisaskingfortroublefromRutty,”hechallenged.

***

Mannietooklong,proudstridesalongsidethefence.Thepedigreethathe

was, his coat was brushed, as always, and glistened in the moonlight. Alert,

Mannie’searspointedforwardsharplyashesurveilled thegrounds,except thedark forest, which made even his skin crawl. “No one would dare trespassthere,”hethought.“Theywouldnevermakeitout.”

Hestoodonhishindlegsandlookedoverthetangledvines,yankingloosea fewcrawlingclimbers thathadwoundaroundhis legs.Thiseveninghewasbeing particularly thorough, as he suspected thatWoofstermight bewatchingfrombehinda tree,or from thewindowwhen it chose toappearon thecastlewall.Even so,hewasa littlebored, andhismindwanderedabit.He thoughtabout the visiting dogs, one supposedly from space and the other local. Acommoner.

“Woofster puts on a tough act, but it doesn’t fool me,” he mused. “He

thinksheknowseverythingbecauseherubsshoulderswithanouterspacemoverandshakerwithaflashingwand.Heneedstoberemindedofhisancestry.Patroldogswithmyreputationguardprivatepropertiesonly,anddeserverespectandadmiration.Thereisnosuchthingasacosmiccaninethatwalksandlookslikeoneofus–sortof–andparadesaroundwithatalkingwandwithlongsparklyhair.Outerspaceisonlyupandout,notbetweenourfences!

“HehasreadtoomanyFa-HairyTailStories.They’vemadehimactuallybelieveMaximojoistherealthing.Andasforthatflickerstick,she’sprobablyjust an overgrown spark-flywith a big smile.Anyway,That dogdoesn’t evenknowhis lineage.PoorWoofster.Arealmixed-breed if Ieversniffedoneout.Fromwhathesaidaboutbeingbeholdentostrangers,hedidn’thaveachance.Sad but true, an outcast. ThisMannie is a purebred with a top position. Yo!Life’sprettygoodonthissideofthefence.”

Helookedupatthemoontogaugehowmuchtimewasleftbeforedawnandtheendofhisshift.“It’s justyouandme,”hesighed.“Ourroutinesneverseemtochange.Iknowwhattoexpect,anyway.Nothingsurprisesmeanymorebeingaroundthisplace.Iwishthatsomethingexcitingwouldhappen.”

Just then he heard rustling sounds on the other side of the hedge. “Anintruder?Hasmywishcometrue,andsomeonereadthesign?”Manniecrinkledhis nose. “Could it possibility be?” He bared his teeth. “At last! I knew if Iwishedlongenoughsomethingwouldhappen!“Dutycalls!”

Heleapedovertheshrubberyandrightintotheambush.

Letcho leapedon topofhim,beltinghimwithhis leathery tail.Scrapsie

latchedontoMannie’s neck and firmlyplantedpincerson either side, stinginghimagainandagain.Mannie’syelpsrippledacrosstheswampsurroundingthecastle,butnooneinsideheardthem.Hislegsswungeverywhichwayuntilhewas pinned against a thorn bush and splattered with berries that stained hisimpeccablygroomedcoat.Smelkascurriedaroundincircles,anxioustoreleaseherweapon.Ruttywhisperedinherear,“Patiencemypotentsweet.Itwillsoonbeyourturn.”

A silhouette slowly disappeared from the drawn curtains, and the upperfloorwindowvanishedamongsttheCreepers’branches.

“Master McFee!” Mannie’s last yelp reverberated all the way into thedistant woods. He slipped into delirium and forgot about his duty. His legsbecamerigidandhistailslowlyquiveredtoahaltandthumpedontheground,ashefadedintounconsciousness.

“That’s should keep him still for awhile,” Scrapsie clacked,wiping his

stingerclean.

“Raticulous, Scraps! Raticulous! I can rely on you,” Rutty screeched,pumpingaclenchedfistathim.“That’sthedarksidethatrunsdeepunderyourcrust!You are a true scorpiola of our underworld, the deadliest stinger in theland!”

Letcho, frustrated at not getting in on the action, started biting his tail,accidently ripping it off. “Not again, Letcho,” Rutty said, calming him bysharpening his nails on the lizzardo’s razor-edged teeth. “Bored arewe?HowmanytimesdoIhavetoremindyounottoplaywithyourtail?Stopworrying.You’rearuthlessgangmember,too,theslimiestlizzardodescendentthateveryslithered.”ThatmadeLetchofeelappreciated.

ScrapsiestitchedLetcho’stailbackon,butLetchowhippedthescorpiolaintotheair–allpartoftheirroutine.Lizzardosalwaysseemtoloseitonewayoranother.

“Werule,”Ruttysaid.“Rememberthat.Youcanhaveitall,butyouneed

yourweaponryintact,”Scrapsiesaid.Letchoswattedathimafewmoretimes,becausehecould.

“Nice stitchwork, Scraps, as usual,” Smelka thought. She hid behind a

bushandstayedoutofit.Shehadotherperformance-relatedworries.

“Fullrangeofmotion,backinswing,”Letchohissed,andkickedbackinto

his lizzardryways. “Get on!”His spiteful instinctswere ingrained in him thewayRuttylikedit.

“Faster, Letcho! Slither on my lethal lizzardo,” Rutty shrieked, his tailslicingthedampnesslikeasword.

Swish,swash!Sludgesplatteredwitheachstepthroughthemuck.Letcho

dippedunderthemud’ssurface.SmelkaandScrapsieracedupandjoinedRutty,whowassquealingfromthetopofLetcho’shorn,“Keepabovethesludge,youletch!”Thelizzardodrewinhissuctioncuppedfeetandresurfaced,glidingonhisbelly.

Camouflagedbythethickets,theywatchedthespotwheretheupperfloorwindowwassupposed toappear. Itwas trickybecause itcameintofocusonlywhen the moon appeared between the clouds, and stayed in place for only amoment.Ruttyfeltthemomentapproaching.

“Ratisico!Thereitis.Let’sgo!”

Thewindowwaveredoverintoitsspotandsnappedintothewall.Soonitwassurroundedbytwistingvineswrappedinpricklythorns.“Thingsaregoingtogethotinside,”Letchosaid.Inleapsandboundshecrossedthegarden,whichhadanunfamiliarstrongodor.

“Pungent!” Smelka said, savoring each whiff. Letcho stopped and they

began feasting on bitter-leafed plants, furry-berry bundles and flower-blossommold.“It’ssoputrideventastierthanstalestickbars,”Smelkasaid.

“Enough!Wedon’thavetimeforthisextravagance,”Ruttyordered.“Stickto the rubbish and leftovers from the garbage cans in the city at night.” Thethoughtmadehimsalivate.“SuchaharvestwehavewhenthelightsaredimmedinKavalon,”hethought.

He spat to show the way, his spittle freezing into pellets in the icy air.Smelkapuckeredandtriedtospit,swayingalittlewiththeeffort.Herstomachrumbled,andshefeltreadytoexplodefromovereating.Sheslippedandreleasedaminorstinkbomb.“Ooops!Pardon!”

“Easydoesit,sweet!”Ruttysaid.Sweatbeadsfrozeonhernose.Smelka

tried to catch up to the others, who had already romped up to the trenchalongsidethecastle.

“Waitup!We’reagang.Itwasonlyan itsy-bitsyone,”Smelkasaid,butherwordsweremutedbythecloudofherstench.“Iamraringtoleteverydropgo.Ipromisetobereallybad.I’mtheweaponryyou’releavingbehind.You’reimmunefrommybombsanyhow.IthinkIsmellprettynice.Ruttysaidgetusetoit!”

Thegangcreptuptothespotbeneaththenow-visiblewindow.“Nowstayrightwhereyouare!”Rutty said.The crescentmoon reflected the intensityofRutty’sfieryeyes.Smelkawassmokinghotinherwhitestripedcoat,readyforaction.SheclampedallfoursaroundLetcho’stail.RuttyclimbedintohisusualspotonLetcho’shorn.Scrapsielatchedontoascale,hisstingerstillquiveringfromsubduingMannie.

Letcho zig-zagged across the barbed coverings, turned andwent straight

up the side of the castle, his feetmaking squashing noises against the pricklythorns.EveryonehungonasLetchoslidunderthewindowledge.

“We all agree, do we not, on how nasty we must be?” Rutty said. Helooked around to see if he might be challenged by the Creepers around thecastle.“Carefulnottogetentangledinthosesnakyslidersthatfollowedusoutof the garden.” The vines were slithering up fast around their heels. Ruttyclaspedtheledge,hoistedhimselfup,andpeeredoverthewindowframe.

Letcho’s tail whipped reflexively, slinging Smelka smack into the glass,

flatteningher.Assheslowlysliddown,Scrapsiegrippedherear,danglingherbyhispincer.OneofLetcho’sfeetmaintainedgoodsuctionontheundersideoftheledge,buthe losthisgripwhena slidergrabbedhis tail.Letcho,ScrapsieandSmelkaalltumbled,throughthetangledvines.Itwasalongwaytothesludgeatthesideoftheswamp.EveryoneendedupthereexcepttheratandLetcho’stail.Itwaslefthangingonabranch.

***

Insidethecastle,Louturnedtolookatthewindowfromwherethenoise

hadcome,seeingonlyhisownreflectionthere.Heplasteredhisfaceagainsttheglass, nearly dropping the pipe in hismouth. For a brief instantRutty, lockedeyeswithhimandhastilyretreatedbackintothevines,hopinghehadnotbeenseen.Hegrabbedtheslidersthathadtriedtothrowhimoffandshookthemhard.“Thisismydespicableplot,notyours!”

Louwalkedawayfromthewindow,perplexedbythesensethatsomethingwasawry,andtriedtodismissthethought.“Preposterouspossibility!”Evenso,for a moment he questioned whether he was mistaken. Everything else wasunfoldingsmoothly.Heturnedbacktothewindow,bangedhispipeonitandheyelled,“Whoisit?”

No one replied. “Something going wrong would be disastrous, like anunfulfilleddream,”Louthought.HetookafinalglanceoutthewindowbetweentheCreepers,lookingupatthestars.“TheStarringsescaped,butrandomeventsoccur every moment in the universe. Kalapsis is making its way from itsprevious location far away,” he reassured himself. “It must be on schedule.Everythinghasallbeenarranged.”

A breeze blew thewindowwide open.With a clap of his handsMcFeewilled the window shut and the curtains closed. “I don’t need the Starringsanyhow,” McFee thought to himself. “They served their purpose and helpedbringMaximojorightintomytrap.”

Another crash came from outside. “Perhaps it’s another unexpectedvisitor,” Lou said, silently questioning his decision to be hands-on for thismission.Nothingwaswhathehadexpected.Suddenlyhe felta tingling inhisstomachandfeltapremonitionthatsomethingwasgoingtogowrongrightnow.

***

Ruttyfinallyletgo.Luckily,helandedonSmelka,whobrokethefall.The

windowvanished.“That’sthat,”saidRutty.Hegotupandangledhisbeltbuckleonhiship.“Andhere’syourtail,Letcho.Don’tleaveitbehindagain.”

Scrapsie readied his pincers to stitch Letcho’s tail on again. “I’ve gotanotherchancetojabaway.Iknewit.Myluckyday!”hethought.

“Everyone get up!” Rutty said. “We’ve got them cornered. There is noescapingnow!”

Thegangcreptaroundtoaplaceontheothersideof thecastle theyhad

pinpointed as an alternate staging spot. “Just tomake it clear,” Rutty said, “Ijumped tomake sure youwere not left alone near the swamp. Terrible scarythingslurkunderitssurface.”HeturnedtoSmelka.“Grateful,skunklensweet?”

Shewas,ofcourse.

Chapter8

Now to theKingdomofKavalon tomeetwith itsRuler,Captain Swaggelot.”Maximojo’s nose wouldn’t stop twitching. He knew they must leave fast. Itseemed themotive for the ‘urgent’visitwasn’t theStarrings.Thiswasnot theMcFeeinhisreport.

Woofsterpacedbackandforth.Anxioustoleaveherubbedhiship.“Thisside never steersmewrong, when it hurts there’s trouble,” he thought. Glittaflickered furiously, building up her strength. Recharged, she looked out thewindowandlitupthefrontstep.“Sparkafras!”SheflashedMojothatlook.Hetwistedthesensoronhiscollar,preparedforanything.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” A loud pounding was heard at the door. “More

visitors?”Woofster said, his tail drooping.Everyonehustleddownstairs to seewhoitwas,eagertoleavethemselves.

“ItmightbeMannie,”McFeesaid.Hestrode to thedoor,andopened it.Airrushedinwiththedarkness.“Hmm.Mannieisnothere,”hesaid,andpokedhisheadoutthedoor.“Mannie!Mannie!”hecalled.

“Maybehe’svisitinganeighbor?”Meowlensaid.“Surelyhehasafriendortwo.”

“Ifwehadaneighbor,”McFeesaid.“Thepropertyextendsfarbeyondtheshadowsoftheforestallthewaytothedocks.”

McFee heard scratching noises at his feet. He kneeled, and crooked afinger under the chin of Smelka Skunklen, who was now wrapped in treepeelings. “Nowwhat havewe here? Such a sweet little thingmaking all thatnoise.Howdisruptiveyouaretocauseallthattrouble!

“Look,someonedroppedoffalittleskunklenthatlookslikeitmightneedsome tender care. It must be an orphan, judging by the sorrowful look in itseyes.” He started to lift her up, but when Smelka locked eyes with him she

panicked,shedthebarkaroundher,squirmedoutofMcFee’sgraspandheadedtowardsthepipefromwheretheganghademergedashorttimebefore.

“Safetyliesbelowthesewergratefororphans.”Shesaidrepeatingoneof

Rutty’ssayings.

Scrapsie took advantage of the distraction and scurried around thedoorframe,stoppinginsidethefoyer,pincersheldhigh.

Letcho caught Smelka before she reached the pipe, spun her over, and

shook some sense back into her, his forked tongue swirling. “Remember ourpact? It’sme, the lethal letch!”Hewrapped her in his tail and lunged passedMcFee.Rutty slammed thedoor shutandwhirledaround the staircase.McFeeslidthebolt.

Letcho flipped Smelka into position while Rutty prepared her for theassaultbyrattlinghernose.Smelkakeptherlegscrosseduntilsheheardhercue,whichshehadrehearsedoverandover.

“Letitrip,sweet!”Ruttyclawedhisbelt,andwatched.

Andshedid.Horriblestinkbombsexplodedintotheroom,funnelinginto

thicksmokeandscatteringeveryone.Itspreadthroughoutthestudy,blackeningeverythinginsight.Glitta’slaserbeamcouldbarelycutthroughthedensecloud.Smelkahadonlyjustbeguntoemptyhertank.

LetchosideswipedMaximojo,whospunaroundinsurprise.Steamyclouds

fumedtowardhim.Glittacametohisdefensethrowingnuclearprojectiles,shecranked it up a notch to counter-blast the noxious fumes, but the sticky gunkdrippedalloverhimanyway.Hecouldbarelyseethroughit.Letchomovedin,givinghimamightyswat.Airborne,Maximojoslammedintotheportraitabovethefireplace.Hegrabbedholdofthemantelforsupport,butitcrumbled.

“Leave my tail to me! I can do it!” Smelka squealed. “Just watch askunkleninherprime!”Shepulledoutacoupleofberriesshehadstashedinherearandpoppedthemintohermouth.Fullychargedagain,shefired,unloadingoneroundafteranotherfromherseeminglybottomlessreservoir.

Thegunk thatcoveredMaximojohardened,encasinghim.Glittaemittedgamma rays and the entire shell dissolved into vapors and drifted away. SheencircledLetchowithbeams.ScrapsiehungtightontoLetcho’stail,asLetcho,frustrated,chased itoutofcontrol. “Youcan’t lose itnow,”Scrapsie said, andpinchedittighttoholditinplace.

Whinniston found a hiding place thatwould finally stay still – a pile ofshreddedbooks–butstillcouldnotescapethesmellynet thatwasdescendingonthem.

“That’s theMaximojo I know from bedtime stories!”Woofster said.He

crouchedbehindanunstabletable.“Lookatmyheroandhisflamingwandgoafterthosetyrants,Meowlen.I’lljustwaithereuntilIcanjumpthebigonefrombehind.Itlookslikethey’reontopofthings.”Whinnistonhadneverseensuchsmoke,andnervouslyagreedwithWoofster.

“Woofster!Distract the bomber.Whinniston, corner it while I find theirrutty leader. I smell a rat,” Maximojo hollered as he sliced through themushrooming cloud in the study, his paws flying. Smoke hovered above thefloor.

Meowlen seemed unconcerned under the stench. She knew all about

skunklens, and would knowwhat to do when the time was right. “Nowwhycan’t the room stay still in situations like this?” She said, as ideas on how toredecoratedominatedherthoughts.

Smelka was woozy. For a moment she dreamed she had drifted onto acloudthatwouldtakehertonewbeginnings,farawayfromthegangandsmoke-outs. She climbedup on thewinged-back chair, imagining she hadwings likeGlitta,andattemptedtosoarintotheskies.Shelandedonherface.

Standinginthefarcorner,McFeerelishedthesightoffighting.Henoticed

the chairwhereLouandhispipehadbeenwasnowempty. “Rutty that spacedogmustbedestroyedandcapturetherest!”Hesignaledtheratwithaclapofhishands.Ruttystoppedandthoughtheheardsomeonecallinghisnamegivinghiminstructions.“Impossible!I’mhearingthings.NooneeverdarestotellthisRuttyrodentwhattodo.Butitisagoodidea.Ratisico!”Hespat.

“Enough!”Ruttyordered, andgrabbedSmelkaby theear and shookher

untilshegotagrip.Sherealizedhergangwasdependinguponher,andwobbledbehindRuttyasheadvancedonMaximojo.

“Iamareliableskunklen,aloadedshooter,”shesaid.“Waitforme.Ihaveafewmoreroundstogo!”

Ruttyquickenedhissteps,closingin.“Nowyouaremine,Maximojo!”Heslickedbackhisears,pulledhimselfuptohisfullheight,andgrabbedhissword-liketailtuckedintohisbelt.“Doyourfriendsreallybelievetheycanhideinthisstudy?Noonecanhidefromus.Wehavebeenwaitingforyou.”Ruttywarned.

“Waiting?Howdidyouknowwewerehere?”Maximojohollered.“Your

gang will regret every stink bomb. No one tricks the cosmic duo. You can’tescapetheMojoEffect.Itwillsneakuponyouwhenyouleastexpectit.You’llseeyou rat!”Maximojo swungatRutty,who screeched,darting around in thefumes.

Letcho, having slapped himself out of frustration, grabbed Smelka andflippedherontoherhead.“Bottomsup!”hecommanded.Morefumesexplodedintotheroom.Pawsflew.

“Watchout,Mojo,”Glittawarned fromabove.Sheaimedherbeamer at

theskunklentodisarmit,asMaximojowasthrowntotheground.

Glittaspreadherwingsandflashedsomelightningtodispersethesmoke.Thensheaimedatthecrystal-domeceiling,shatteringitanddrawinginthenightairtodiffusethesmell.Thestarslookedoninwonderalongsidethemoon,buttheceilingpromptlyrepaireditself.Withnooutlet, thecloudsofsmokesettledagainovertheteam.

“Give it to that ratandhisgang.Wham!”Woofsterwatchedcloselyand

started edging closer to the rat. “I think Maximojo needs help, and it’s mychancetobeahero!”he thought,andlookedaroundtosee ifanyoneelsewasgoing to jump into battle. Meowlen caught his stare, and she rolled up hersleeves,asLetchogotagriponMaximojo’sleg.“Lookslikethisismycue,”shesaid.

Meowlen jumped up to the windowsill, and raised her sword, ready topounceonthelizzardo.Thinkingthatsheneededhelp,Whinnistonbegantotrotover,butspunoutonslime,knockingheroffthesillandlandingrightontopof

her.“Whinnygetoffme!You’vefoiledmyplanofattack,”shesaid.

“Er ... thought you needed some help holding that sword,” he said,embarrassed,andskiddedonslimepuddles.“It’sthesefancyshoes!”Herolledoff,muzzledherhelmetup,andlookedinhereyes.“Wecantrythatmaneuveragainoverthereonmyshoulders.Whatdoyousay?”

Meowlenputonherwardecorations.Shehadplentyofthem,havingbeenagalacticwarrior in another lifetime.Sheknewwhere this scufflewasgoing.Thiswasnoparty.Standingtallinshiningarmorandspikedheels,shebeganhermarch towards Smelka. “That’s one tough skunklen … come to Meowlen!”When she reached Smelka, she kicked her over the chair. Smelka exploded ahugegaseousblastmidair.Shewasnowempty.

“Victory! One Down!” Meowlen stated matter-of-factly, as wooziness

begandescendingontheMojoTeam.

The scorpiola scrambled ontoMaximojo, latching onto his fancy collar.Maximojo’s sensor threw him back with a shock. “That hurt!” Scrapsie said,scrambling back up, pincers flying. Smelka saw the cat coming closer andcrawledbehindapileofbooks.

“Iwill not seeZalturn collapse into oblivion. Iwill never be defeated,”

Maximojogurgled.“IamMaximojoandIhavebackup…”HiswordsfrozeasScrapsie’spoisonsettledin,paralyzinghim.

“VictoryfortheScraps!”Scrapsieclacked,anddeliveredanotherpunishingsting.

Inhislastwakingmoment,WoofstersawMcFeerisefromhischair.“Nowwhereisthatwand?”HeheardMcFeesay.

Andthenhecouldholdhiseyesopennomore.

***

“Maximojoareyouawake?”Meowlengentlypriedopenoneofhiseyes,

makingsureshedidn’tbreakanothernail.Noluck.Hiseyeslammedshutagainwhensheletitgo.Shefloppedhisearsovertotheside,facedhimsquarelyandgentlyshookthedreamer.“Wakeupcurly-top!It’sme,Meowlen.I’monyourside,haveyouforgotten?”Shebonkedhisheadwithhers.Stillnoresponse.She

grabbed his collar in one claw and twisted the sensor in the other. It flashed,desensitizing the remainsof thepoison.Maximojoopenedan eye and tried tomovehishead,butrealizedhewasentangledinawebofspidernests.Thenhesaw countless eyes peering out of the cracks between the rock walls. Theywatchedhimstruggleoutoftheweb,andbegantoswarmin.

“Creepyspiders!Meowlensaid,jumpingaside.“Theyareeverywhere,ineverygalaxyI’veeverbeenin,andI’veheardabouttheirmischievousbehavior.Theygetintosmallspacesunnoticed.”Shebackedup.“Ibelieveinequalityforeverymover and shaker that treads their threadseven in space,but I prefer towearthesilkyarntheyspinafterit’swovenintoscarfs.”

Along-leggedspider,cloakedinblack,appearedonMaximojo’snose.Hestaredoverafewofhiscurlsather.“Wedon’tlikevisitors.Thecapturedkind.Heardyouhadquitethescuffle.Keepitquietaroundhere,”shesaid.“Can’tyouseethelittleonesaresleeping?Ihaveabusyschedule.Very-very.Itlookslikeyoumaybeinatangledknot.Butnottoworryyourcurlsaboutit,thereisnotmuch time left in this shrinking dungeon anyhow. You and your other furry-faces, and that loner in the corner, must have been a serious concern to bedisposed of, within these walls, deep beneath the surface of the planet. Now,hush-hush. It’s too late to escape. Must not be disturbed. Can’t you see I’mbusy?Very-very.”

“Shrinking dungeon?”Meowlen’s ears flattened. “Did I hear you right?ThatisnotthemissionIsignedupfor,myAlliancewillnotbeimpressed.”Theblackwidowignored thecat,and threwasilken threadoverherandswung toMeowlen’sothersidetocollectherpreciousbabiesinthedanglingnests.

“I’m taking my webs elsewhere,” she said. “I have other caves withcrevices to choose from, much quieter. Plenty of hiding places in theunderworld. She worked quickly to unravel her webs. Other spiders beganwinding up their threads andmarched away in clusters, scrambling over eachotherastheywent.

Maximojopickedsomestickystrandsfromhiscoat.“Iseveryoneokay?”

He stood up and almost tripped over Woofster and Whinniston, who weresprawledacrossthefloor.

“Maximojo crouched low under the ceiling, and began feeling thecondition of thewalls around them.Dampnesswas seeping through the rock.

“Wemustbebeneathsealevel,andthiscaveappearstobeslowlycollapsinginon us. Woofster watched with one eye barely open. He just couldn’t look.Spiderslikecritters,madehisfurcrawlandheneverreadanystoryaboutbeingcrushedwithnowayout.“Ahem,sorrytointerrupt,butweneedtohaveadog-to-dogmojotalk.It’sadungeonisn’tit,”hesaidtwistinghispaws.

“Looks like it,but I’ll findawayoutWoofster. Ialwaysdo,”Maximojo

saidwithsurety.

Meowlenmeticulously untangled the webs inWhinny’s forelocks whileshe listened. “Now just stay still,Whinn ... Iwill haveyou combedout in notime.Youwillbethemostmajesticwhinnyofthedungeon!”

Whinniston lipsquivered. “Easeupwith thoseknots.Gentle!”Hehad abriefmemoryofMillicentandboltedupright.Butthespacewastoosmall,andhisheadcrackedloosealayersediment.Itcrumbled,almostruiningMeowlen’sfancyhairdo.Shebrusheditout,andcontinuedtogroomhim.“You’reWhinnytheWarriornow!”

“Tightspacesmakemeskittish.Er…pardonme.Didyousaywarrior?”henickered,flinginghismanetotheotherside.

“Well,Isawmostofwhathappened,andyouputupquiteastruggle.”Hereyeswidenedandturnedblue.“Acatofmycaliberhasseenalmosteverything.Iwasinfallibleuntilourclashwiththatsmellygang.Theywereprobablyaftermytravelsack,butIwascleverandhidit.”Meowlenpulleditoutfromunderhersweatshirt.“Youmadeadashingefforttosaveme,butWhinn,Iwasdoingjustfineuntilyouslippedintoyourheroicmood.Itwasgoodthatoneofyourshoesflewoff into thebig leatheryone’s face, though.Hewas furiousandwhackedyouwithhistail.Youwereoutcold,butIwastrooperandfoughtback.”

Woofsterpanted.“Iwouldhavecoveredyou,Meowlen.TheMojoTeamprotectsoneother.ButIwasattheotherendoftheroomslayingsmokecloudswithMaximojo.Ahem,whatIreallymeanwasIwatchedtheduogiveittothosestinkbombsbutgood.Wham!Maximojoslicedthoseoffensiveoutbursts,whileGlittablastedfromoppositeangles.Butthatonewiththestripehadanendlesssupply.Whatascenewiththatberry-popper!Thensomethingjumpedmefrombehind.Iwasalittleoffguard,hardtoadmitbeingWoofsterandall,butIputupafight.”

Then,quietly tohimself,hesaid,“Woofsie-woof,wait till theotherdogs

readaboutme.‘Woofster.Exguarddog.Trappedanddoomed.’”Icanseetheheadlineshow.

Louwascurleduplikeastalecrumplet.Hestaredwithoutblinkinginafarcornerof theirprison,hispipehangingoutofhismouth.Hehadnotmissedamoveofthatnastygang,andhadkeptacloseeyeonMcFeeattheoppositeendof the study.Heuncrossedhis arms andbegan to fiddlewithhispipe.Murkywaterdrippedontohishead.

“Maximojo,” Lou said, “Your mission did not entail getting us trappedbeneaththesewergrate.Whatwentwrong?”

“Maybeifitweren’tforyouwewouldn’thavebeencapturedandtakentothis horrid place,”Meowlen said. “Do you realize one of my lives might beover? Without victory? Without a sense of joy? Happiness? I’ve neverexperiencedadefeat.Thismustbeamistake.Akittihoodnightmareof sorts.”Anditwas.“Where’stheparrot?”

“Heescaped,”Lousaidquietly.

MaximojoreassuredMeowlen.“Thisisjustaslightdetouronourmission.Ithappenseverytime.”

“WhereisGlitta?”Meowlensaid.“She’llfindawayoutwiththosewingsofhers.”

Woofster looked disappointed. “No treats, spacecakes or cosmic cuisine

aroundthisplace,”hesniffed.“Iamsuretheauthorities,somewhere,havebeenalertedandweshouldberescuedsoon,rightMaximojo?”

“Rescued by whom? Meowlen said. “No one knows we’ve been takenprisoner except those stinkers!You read toomany stories.”But shewonderedwhethersheshouldchangeheroutfit,justincase.

“Not even a patch of grass,”Whinniston hoofed through a pile of rocksjust to be sure. “Would the Ruler of Kavalon know we were captured eventhoughwehaven’tmethimyet?”

“Where I’m from,” Lou said, “I can do almost anything, but I ampowerlessinthisdungeon.SoIguessit’suptoyou,Maximojo.Iknewyouandthatwandweregoingtostirupalotofchaos,butIcouldn’tresistcominginforacloserlook.”Helapsedintothought.“SothisisaFa-HairyTailStory.”

“Noworries,” saidMeowlen,“I travelwithacustom-designedwardrobefor extended adventures.” Regally, she regained composure and donned adignified pin-stripe jumpsuit andmatching headband. She pinned on an onyxbrooch to the ensemble. “Best to be prepared for anything,” she said. “Wouldanyonelikeacrumplet?Istashedafewfromtheparty.”

Woofstercaughtaglimpseofaglowing lightcomingfromWhinniston’smane.Frombehindabraid,Glittaflittedout,flashyasever.

“Wherehaveyoubeen?”everyoneaskedatonce.

“WhenIsawthegangknockyouout,andthelookinMcFee’seyesashestartedtomoveinonme,Ihid.”

Whinnistonstruckapose,proudthatshehadchosenhimasarefuge.TheAlliancewouldpraisehimintheirreport.

Maximojo’s ears flopped over in relief, and he pulled out the

PolyMatrixor.“Glitta,we’velostallcommunicationtothesatellite.Thescreenisblank.TheremustbestraycurrentstohookintosowecantransmitalinkuptotheCouncil,asmysensorisflashingnon-stop.It’saroundheresomewhere.”

“Stariola!There'sone!”Glittaflared,lightingupthedungeon.Sheemitteda surge of radiation and captured a pocket of static electricity. She twisted it,then angled the current at the PolyMatrixor.We are now hooked up to radiowaves!”

Maximojoturnedonthedevice.Itself-wired,transmittinginstantlytothesatellite.Hedetectedafaintsignal.“Councilcanyouread?”

TheincomingresponsefromtheCouncilread,“Itappearsyouhavebeentaken captive by a smuggler we’ve been looking for. Youwere off the radar.Clarification is requested of your current coordinates. A recent intelligencereportindicatesthatthesewerganghasplanstotakeovertheKingdomduringthephase-inofKalapsis. Itappears theyunknowinglyworkforMcFee. Is thatLouwithyou,andwhereistheparrot?Adviseandupdate.Councilout.”

Just then, a static charge swept across the dungeon and threw everyoneagainstthefloor.TheCouncil’ssignaldisappeared.

Chapter9

Captain Daltoid Swaggelot stepped out onto the balcony and took in thecrispnessofdawn. Inside, thepalacewasadornedwithcelestialceilingsandastaircaseinthecentralfoyerthatseemedtowinduptotheheavens.Eachroomwas uniquely furnished with a cosmic design. The balcony overlookedmanicuredgardensblossomingindifferentcolorsforeveryseason.

Thepalaceglistenedfromtheeveningfrostthathadbeguntomeltbeneaththe sunshine. The light reflected on distant waters. He was transfixed by therivetingmoodofthemorningsun.Itpassedfleetinglyovertheskiesasarollingcloudblanketedtheland.

Thebirdsflutteringaroundhimweresweptawayinagustofwind.“Your

behaviorisbecomingunpredictable,”hechidedthewind.“Isthereanyreasontobrushourfeatheredonesawaysoabruptly?”Lately,hehadobservedchangingweather patterns, and he vaguely remembered something similar taking placeduring a certain triple eclipse. But weather records were not a priority in theland,sotherewasnowaytoknowforsure.

“Clarenettewouldnever approveofhavingconversationswith thewind,or perhaps she would, secretively,” he said to the birds. Pacing across themarble-tiledbalcony,heenjoyedapanoramicviewoftheKingdom.Heleanedontotherailtolookoverhisland.“Kavalonisspectacularwhenitscolorscomealive,”hesaid.Hebreatheddeeply,drawingintheexquisiterichness.

The meteorite railing was radioactive, giving the Captain’s vision

heightenedacuity.Ashegrippedtherail,hefeltasurgeallthewaytohisfeet.The floor shook as his sight soared over mountaintops. Fog descended anddraped the countryside as the sunmade its way over to the other side of theplanet.Incomingmoonlightslicedthroughacloud.“Itappearsmorninghasspedpastanddisappearedintonightwithoutwarning.Timeisoff,”hesaid.

Hisvisiongrewevenkeener.Tidesinthedistantseascollidedandcrashedagainsteachother,andrisingintoacolumnofwater.

Being a captain at heart, he knew the seawas a force that could not be

controlled. “It’s coming thisway,” he said.He leanedout farther, tracking thecrest of a wave as it rushed toward him and crashed against the base of thetower.Whitefoamsweptuptheitssides.

“It’s tryingtoovertakeme!Itwillneverhappenduringmyreign.AstheRulerofKavalon,mayIaskwhatbringstheangerwithinyourdeepestwaterstosuchapeakon sucha fineday? Is it a sign that I ammissedat sea?Areyoubeckoningmeintoyourarms?”Theseagentlycalmedinreply.

Themoonlitfogbegantoformintoacreature.TheCaptainsquintedatit

as shockwaves continued to reverberate along the balcony.The picture slowlycameintofocus.Itlookedtohimlikeaparrot,withalongtailanddanglinglegs.

“Itlookssoreal,”theCaptainsaid,andshookhisheadtoclearawaythevision.Butitremainedfloatingabovethebalcony.Hereachedouttoit,butfeltnothing.Onlyanillusion,hedecided.Thefogfiguredispersed,revealingagainthebluemorningskyandbrightsun.

“So I see we are back into the order of the day,” he mused. “Myimagination got the best of me. Now I am talking to fog. Perhaps Clarenettesprinkledextraspiceonmybreakfastcrumplets.Shewasalwayssurprisingme.”

Hewinkedatthebirdsthathadreturned.“Wehavebeenvisitedbymanyspeciesofbirdslately,”hesaid.“Thesepeculiar-lookingbirdsmusthaveflownintoKavalonfromforeignlands.”

Clarenette stood silently in the doorway that led onto the balcony fromtheirprivatequartersinthepalace.Sheturnedandwalkedinside,adjustingherhairpin.Sheleftbehindnoshadow.

***

Captain Daltoid Swaggelot was distinguished and strong. He had a

presencethatreignedovertheland,andaheadofvelvetyblackhairthatkepthiseyepatchinplaceoverhisrighteye.Thepatchtoldthefinalstoryofhislifeat

sea,whereonejourneyhadendedandanotherbegan.

He had a vague recollection about his final day at sea, an encounterperhapshechose to forget.He rememberedowninga fleetof ships that sailedtheworldover.Duringhislastvoyage,theCaptainandcrewencounteredpiratesouttostealthetreasureshisshipcarried.Whenthecrewwaspreparingtoswitchcourse to catch the opposing winds, the pirates hoisted themselves over theship’ssternandfloppedaboard.Thescalycreaturesgrewtoanincrediblesize.TheCaptainwasheroicandfoughtthem,buttheirweightbegantocapsizetheship.SomethingstrucktheCaptainwithamightyblowastheshipwentunder.

Herememberedlyingontheshoreofastrangeland.But thenthingsgot

fuzzy in his mind. He could only recall waking up in a hospital and seeingClarenette’ssmile.Herbeautylituptheroom.HelearnedthatherfullnamewasClarenette Clare, and that she was the day nurse. He was captured by herwarmth. She cleaned and bandaged his wound, and secretly brought himmouthwateringberrytartsthatshebakeddaily.Theybecamehisfavoritedessert.Clarenetteseemedtoknowmoreabouthimthanevenhedid.

Therewassomethingmesmerizinginthetwinkleofhersmile,andwhenshepulledoutthehairpinthatheldherbeehivebun,heknewtheyweremeanttobetogetherforever.Everyeveningshesanghersweetgoodnighttohim.Takenbyhercharm,heknewhisdreamhadcometrue.Shewonhisheart,forever.

When he fully recovered, the people of Kavalon, being without a

legitimate Ruler at the time, bestowed upon the Captain the “Scepter of theKingdom”forhisbraveryontraitorousseas.ThecoronationandhisunionwithClarenettewasthegrandestaffairthathadevergracedtheland.

“Ifitwasn’tforClarenette,”heoftenthought,“mylifewouldhaveneverbeensorich.”

Clarenette acquired a passion for needlepoint, using iridescent silksweaved from precious gems. The glistening threads were harvested inundergroundcavesinthefarreachesofKavalon.ClarenettewouldsurprisetheCaptain with crafted eye patches in every color imaginable. She had a grandimagination,especiallywhenitcametohishappiness.

The Captain’s presence empowered all the citizens to create beautyeverywhere, in structures and gardens, and in everything they touched. The

Captainhad appointedAdvisors to overseematters of hisKingdom.Everyoneheldhiminhighesteemforhisaccomplishments.

Hismost respected authority forMiningExplorations andLandProjects

wasnoneotherthanRutlandRatkin.

***

Rutty reveled in his triumph. His diabolical scheme had exceeded his

expectations.Thegangscurriedthroughthewaterlinesonthereturntriptotheirunderground castle. They banged victoriously on the pipes. The noise wentunnoticed in the bustling world above the sewer grate. Rutty was still notsatisfiedwiththecapture.Somethingwasmissing.

“Where’smywand,Letcho?”

“I don’t know,” the lizzardo said. “She must’ve vanished somehow,becauseshewasn’tanywherewhenwewerestuffingthesackswiththeothers.”

“Itwasn’thisfaultRutty,he’stired,”saidSmelka.Shefeltsorryforhim.He looked exhausted from carrying the sacks of prisoners into the secretentrancetothedungeon.

“I’mnottired,”Letchohissed,“andIalsohadtocarryyouback,Smelka!”

Smelka sighed. “But it wasmy last blast that knocked the rest out,” shesaid.

“Lookwho’stryingtotakeallthecredit,”Letchosaid.

“You’re just stinky weaponry with limited storage,” Scrapsie said, “not

likemypincersthatneverceasetopinch!Whodoyouthinkgotthatnoseyspacedog?” He disappeared with a sharp smack into a cracked pipeline andplummetedintothetunnel.

Ruttyfollowed,slidingintheshoot.“Maximojoisfinished,”hesaid,andthethoughtmadeeveryhaironhisheadstandup.“Hewillregretthemomenthecrossedthespacegateintoourworld.He’llneverescape.Ihavecalculatedeverymovewiththeselittleclaws,welltheymaybesmall,butstrong!”Heswunghisarm,thenslickedbackafewstrandsofhair.“Iwonderifthecaptivesareawakeyet?Theyhavenoideathattheirdoomiscoming!”

He reached for his spyscreen just as Letcho bumped into him. Rutty

slappedatthelizzardo.“Youareslimingmyskinwithdrool,andyouknockedthespyscreendownintothepipeline.Grabit,Scraps.”

“Did you seeMaximojo’s curly-top flatten when he became delirious?”Letcho said. “He didn’t see it coming. That was the best, catching him bysurprise.Simplynasty,Rutty.Hewasstill tryingtoslaythosecloudswhenhiseyesshut.”

“I gave the prize-winning sting!” the scorpiola insisted, pinching thespyscreenandskitteringbackup.

“You may be right,” Letcho said. “That was a good sting Scraps, but itdidn’tcomparetomywhacks.”

Scrapsie slid the device behind Rutty’s ear and jumped on the lizzardotryingtostinghiminsidehisear.

“Giveitup,”Letchosaid.

“Never,youletch.AslongasIhaveitinme,Ihaveitinforyou.”Heraisedhisstingeranddartedaway.

“Holdbackonyournastiness,”Ruttysnapped,“althoughit’ssoraticulous

towatch.Letcho,don’tyouhaveajobinthemines?Beatit.”

Rutty snarled once more over his victory. “The prisoners will soondisintegrateinthedungeon,”hesaid.“Maximojoandhisaccomplicesareinfora treat and it’s not spacecakes!” His laughter reverberated throughout thepipelines.

***

Unbeknownst to the Captain, during the last phase-in of the present

timekeeper, Zalturn’s poles switched their positions. The civilization that hadexistedon theplanet’ssurface,knownasTreptalon,collapsed inwardandnowlay below the ancient water system that flowed below the ground. Kavalonappearedinitsplace.

Another civilization, known as Mammolia, already existed beneath the

planet’s surface, but the Treptalonians andMammoliaswere unaware of eachother.Duringthecatastrophicphase-in,bothcivilizationsbecamefrozen.WhentheythawedoutbothwereenslavedandruledbyRuttyandhisgang.ButRuttymadesurethetwoculturesnevermetforfearofthemgettingtogether,revoltingandreclaimingtheirhomeland.

Unbeknownst to Rutty, his Master controlled him and his gang using‘plasmic-putty.’Thismaterial allowedMcFee to createmolds of the gang andthereby control them to do his dirty work. They are powerless to resist hisorders. The putty enabled him to suppress the two civilizations’ memoriesthroughthegang’storment.

In this underworld, every mountain and rock glowed softly.

Bioluminescent spark-flieswith largewingsdimly lit themountainous regionsandvalleys.Turbulentundergroundriverscarvedoutcavernsandtunnels,whichwerelinedwithgemstones.Sweepingfieldsofvegetationgrewalongthevalleysandhillsides, flourishing in thedarkness andproviding food for the lost racesthatlivedthere.

The Treptalonians were well suited to mining. Coarse hair kept theirmetallic,wrinkledskininsulatedfromthedampness.Aniridescentglowradiatedfrom the callusedpads of their feet.Their long toenails curled easily over thesteepcliffsofthemines,allowingthemexcellentmobilityinthecomplextunnelsystems.

Thoughtheywerethedescendantsofacourageousrace,noneremembered

their glorious past or its freedom. Theyweren’t even allowed to have names.Nowtheyweresimplyslaves,forcedtomineZalturn’spreciousgemsunderthefistoftheiroverseer,theonecalledRutty.

TheMammolias, too,wereenslaved in adeeperpartof theplanet.Withtheirmassive bodies and great strength, theywere perfect for breaking up therockwallstofreethejewelsthatlaywithinthem.

Letcho was the slaves’ overseer, tormenting them and keeping them in

theirplace.Scrapsiewas fast toact ifanyonestrayed, stinging themback intoorderwhenLetchohissedatthem.

Treptalon’s castle, which once stood proud and beautiful on the surface

above,nowstoodupside-downbesideLetcho’sguardpost,a towersurroundedbyaswampswarmingwithvicioussnapheads.Meteoriteplanksreinforcedthecastle’sdrawbridge.Smelka,forgotten,justwatchedfromawindowinthetowerforRutty’sreturn.

Every turn of the moon cycle, Rutty secretly delivered gems from the

mines to his secret contact. They met at the deserted docks after curfew,implemented by the Captain on the advice of his trusted Advisor, RutlandRatkin.Thepilferedtreasureswerethendeliveredtoanother location.Itwasaplanet beyond theouter limits of their galaxy, indefianceof the cosmic code,thatforbadetherelocationofgoodsfromonegalaxytoanother.

AmongtheformerTreptalonians,oneyoungsterstoodout.Whilemostofthecreatureswereconvincedthattheunderworldwastheonlyplacetobe,thisonewascurious,andsomethingofarebel.Althoughnoonewasallowedtohaveaname,hesecretlycalledhimselfKelcius-Kol,anamehesawinadream.Hesomehowknew that hewas not nothing, but someonewith a name.While heworked,heremindedhimselfoverandover,“IamKelcius-Kol.”Notonlyhadhe takenon this forbiddenname,hehad evenbegun to forma secretworkersmovementamonghisfellowslaves.

Theotherswerestunnedathisboldness,andmanyadmiredhim.Whilethe

slavesandeveryoneacceptedthehardships,Kelciusthoughtdifferently.“Heisgoingtobesomeoneimportantsomeday,”theslavesagreed.

***

Inside thedungeon, theMojoTeamslowlygathered themselvesafter the

big static shock. Glitta flittered about and nearly singed a wing from a straycurrent that snuck up behind her. Shewas full of ideas, and began elongatingherselfintoanantenna.Shestretchedtocatchalocalsignal,wrappingherwingsaroundit.

“I’vegotit!”sheglittered.“Thiswaveishardtocontain.It’soverflowingwithdata,Mojo!”

Standingonhistoes,hescannedtheceilingandhookeduptothesignal.“It’scominginon thePolyMatrixornow,”Hebusilypushedbuttons.“It looks

liketherearemanyspacegatesseparatingmultiplecivilizationsonthisplanet,”hereported.“FromwhatIcansee,ourpresentlocationandthatofTreptalonisoneandthesame,anditappearswearewellbelowthesurface,”hesaid.“I’vealsodetectedsomethingthatcouldbecausingtheplanettowobble,”Maximojosaid,“anditissomethinginsidethismountain.Takealook,Glitta.”

“We’velocatedthetroubleandit’snotfarfromhere,”Maximojosaid.ButwhenGlitta lookedat the screen, thepicture turned to staticand themountainvanished.

Woofsterbegantowalkalongtheinnerwallofthedungeon.Discoveringa

slight protrusion in the floor, he stopped and pawed at it. It made a clickingsound. Meowlen’s ears perked up. Woofster began to bounce on it, and thesedimentatopitclearedaway.

“It’sadoor!”Meowlenexclaimed.“Youaremyhero!Iftherewasawayin,thenthereisawayout.”

Glittarattledthetrapdoor’shingewithanenergysurge.

“Yougo,girl,butletmeassist.Myreputationisatstake,”Meowlensaid.Shehookedaclawunderit.Althoughshedidnotbreakanailthistime,neitherdidthedoorbudge.

“Look!There’sakeyhole,”shesaid.

“Whinniston,showussomefancymoves,”Maximojosaid.

Whinnistontookcharge.“Moveaside,Moveaside.Whinnycomingtothe

rescue,”hesaid.Hekickedthedoor.Nothinghappened.Thenherearedupinthedarkness, stomping again and again on the door. It rattled furiously under theblows,butdidn’topen.

Woofsterputhiseartotheground.“Listen!”hesaid.AllhuddledaroundandheardthefaintechoofWhinniston’shoofbeats.

“Theremustbeatunnelbeyondthedoor.Whinniston,giveitallyougot!”

Maximojostoodback.

“Whinny’shere.Youcanrelax.Thisisourexit.Nowmoveaside,”hesaid

again.“Iamthebiggest.Takecover!”Withnostrils flaring,heslammeddownagainwithallhismight.Thebedrockcracked,buttheplankremainedunmoved.“Onefinalblow.Hereitcomes,watchout,standback.”

At that moment, the black widow, obviously in a huff, poked her headthrough the keyhole in the door. “Wait!Wait!Not another pounce.Hold yourblows,bigfellow!Fast-fast.”

Whinniston lookedaround,having thoughtheheard something,but thengavethedooranotherkick,barelymissingthespider.

“You clumsy thing!” she yelled. “I have a busy-busy schedule. I wentthroughthiswithcurly-top.Youno-goodcaptivesarecreatingachaotichoop-la-la.Suchcommotionisnottolerated.Canyounotkeepquietinthedungeonandrespectothers?Youdon’thavemuchtimeleftanyhow.Relishyourlastbreathsin peace and in silence, and don’t disturb the others.You’re not alone in thisshrinkingcreviceofadungeon!”

Sheclimbedthroughthekeyholeandbegancheckingcornersfornestsshemay havemissed before. “I am sorry I forgot you precious ones!” the spidercooed, and snatched the remainingnests,which she fastened toher sides.Sheranupthehorse’slegandontohisforelock.Pointingathim,shesaid.“HaveImadeitclear?Keepitquiet.Hush-hush.”

Whinniston spooked and reared, nearly hitting his head again on theceiling.Meowlen,angrythatthespiderscaredherfriend,wentafterherbutbythetimeshescratchedatthekeyhole,WidowWynderthespider,hadvanished.

Chapter10

Bang!Bang!

Kelcius-Kolheardthedistantnoise.

Bang!Thereitwasagain.

Always the inquisitive one, he slipped out of the rest cave without

disturbingtheothers,andhoistedhimselfontoasmoothstoneledge.Hecrackedhisneckside-to-side, thenpulled itupasfaras itwouldgo,straining to listenharder.

Kelciuscouldn’tcontainhisnewfoundthirstforadventure.Hescrambled

around and tried to enlist someof the others, slipping into one rest cave afteranother,butnoonewaswillingtocomewithhim.

“Pretend you never heard anything!” said one. “You’ll get us all introuble,”asecondwarned.“Letusrest,”saidathird.

Despitethefactthatheknewhewasbreakingtherules,hebegancrawlingtoward the sound, driven by an urge that called to him, and lately had beenspeakinglouderinsidehishead.Thistimeitwassaying,“Go!”

“Forbiddenadventure,hereIcome!”Ifnooneelsewouldcomewithhim,atleasthehadthebuttonbugwholivedonhishead.

“I amKelcius-Kol and I’mdifferent. Independent andproud to standon

my own legs,” he announced. He kicked a leg high in salute to himself andnearlyfellofftheledge.

Thebuttonbug,whomKelciuscalled“IT,”agreed,andputtied-inhisear,ready for the adventure. Since the bug had taken up residencewith the slave,thingshadbecomefarmoreinteresting.ITwasprotectiveofKelcius,andsince

itcouldmoldorbemoldedintoanyshapeimaginable.ITbelieveditcouldhelp.

“IfRuttyhappenstofindout…”Kelciusshiveredatthethought.“Buthe

won’tunlessSmelkatellshim.Ihopeshekeepasecret.”Kelciushadbeensecretfriendswith Smelka since the time theymet by chance at thewaterhole. Shesometimesgavehimtoastedcrawlercrispstoeat.

He shook off his doubts and began to ascend the steep, twisting pathbetweenthemountains.Thepathnarrowedasheclimbed.Toavoidslippinghedidnotlookintothedarkpitsoneithersideofhim.

Kelcius rememberedwhatoneof theothershadoncesaid tohimbeforeresttime,“Neverlookintothebottomlesscavernwherenothinggrowsalongitsstonewalls.You’llknowifyoucomeacrossitbythevaporsrisingupfromthepit.Itmustbeboilinghotasitawaitsitsnextvictim.”

Was this thebottomlesscavern?Wassomethingwaitingbelowhimrightnow?Kelcius’steethrattledatthethought.Hedugaclawintotherock,curledout a chunk, dropped it over the side and waited. Finally he heard the rocksplash, followedbyasizzleandapuffof steam.“Iguess ithasabottom,”heshuddered.

Hescurriedonandcameuponahole.Heputhisearuptoit.“Thenoiseison the other side of this hole,” he said. IT, who was hanging out in his ear,popped out and nodded in agreement. Spark-flies swarmed overhead. “Looksliketheyaretryingtowarnme,butthereisnoturningbacknow!”

Heenteredtheholeastheflyers’glowcasteerieshadowsontheentrance.He contracted into his smallest size to avoid scraping against the narrowentrance.Duringthefinalstretch,heslitheredonhisbelly,scuffinghiselbowswitheachstepandleavingtuftsofhairwedgedbetweentherocks.Emptyinganyremainingbreath,hesqueezedthroughthelasttightspaceandoutofthehole.

Hefoundhimselfhighuponaledgewithjustenoughroomtocrouchlow

rightbeneaththetrapdoorthatwaskeepingMaximojoandhisfriendsfromtheirfreedom.

Bang!

ThenoiseshookIToutofKelcius’sear.“Wemadeit,myfriend!Farfrom

home,butworthit!Theothersaregoingtobedisappointedtheydidn’tcome.”Kelciuswasexcited,butalsoscared.Thebuttonbugswungaroundtohisback,turneditselfintoaclaw,andgavehisfriendapatofencouragement.

“I’ve never been in a forbidden area,” Kelcius said. “Nothing hashappenedtous,andLetchoisnowhereinsight.Nowwhatshallwedo?”

IThadanidea.Thebugleapedontothedoor,itsstickybottomadheringtothesurface.Kelciusflattenedanearagainstthedoor.Minershadextraordinaryabilities to detect vibration as a potential warning of the onset of a cave-in.“We’resafe.”KelciusassuredIT.

ITstretched,moldingintotheshapeofakey,andglidedintotheopeningtoseewhatwasontheotherside.

“I’veneverseenanythinglikeitbefore,butthenIhaven’tseenmuchfrom

the insideofyour ear,” IT said. I can’t really tell youwhat it is.Looks like abunchoflegstome.”ITturnedaroundinthekeyholetogetbacktoawarmear,and inadvertently unlocked the door’s bolt. The door flew open, whackingKelcius and sending him into tumble toward the cliff’s edge. Being an agileminer, though, he hooked the edge with a claw and kept himself fromplummetingintothedepths.Ashehungthereswinging,Lou’spipebouncedofftheledgeandfellawaybeneathhim.

“Kazeees!”Kelciuswatcheditdisappearintothecavern.

***

In Kavalon, the Captain diligently organized the agenda for the general

meetingwiththeAdvisorsoftheKingdom.Meetingstookplaceduringthethirdphaseofeachmooncycle,buttheyhadbecomeunpredictablelately.HedecidedtolaterdiscussitwiththeKingdom’sstargazers.

Itwashighnoon.Outsidethecitycenterbustledwithactivity.Theclockin

thecity square chimed, signalinghim tocommence themeeting in thepalace.Heturnedawayfromtheupperfloorwindow,shutthecurtainsandwalkedoutof his study toward themeeting roomwhere everyone awaited him around alargetable.

“We’re on time, at least for now,” he began. He looked upon theassembled. Rutland stood out in his mustard skin-clad suit. His clay-likecomplexion,coarsehairandwirymoustachewereinharshcontrasttotheothersseated around the table.Rutland liked it thatway.Beinghis own rat providedhimwithdiscretionarygroomingoptions.

“He is typically impeccable,” said one of the Advisors, “but there issomethingoddabouthisbehaviorlately.”TheAdvisorscribbledafewnumberson royal parchment, but wondered, “Why should I bother? Rutland Ratkinalwayshasthefinalsayonfundingexpenditures.TheCaptainholdshiminthehighestregard.”

TheCaptainreviewedeachofhisAdvisors’reports.TheKingdomwasinthe final stages of allocating funding for upcoming projects and he voiced agrowingconcernaboutacertainproject.

Meanwhile,Ruttythought,“I’vehadahecticschedulerecently.Littlerest.Dutifuldaysfilledwithresearchandsuccessfulexecutionofmasterplans.Nowheisquibblingaboutfundallocations?Ibringmorewealthtothisplanetthanheknows,andyetheisstillnotsatisfied?”

Rutty was becoming restless. He hadmatters to attend to in the mines.Rutty brushed dirt off his jacket and looked around tomake sure no onewaswatching.“Arguingaboutnonsensicalmatters thathavenothingtodowithmewastesmytime,”hegrumbledtohimself.

The Captain waved a map. “Master McFee has not arrived yet, but itappearsRutlandhasanunusualrequest.Whydoyouseekmyapprovalfortheexpansionofminingexplorationsoffshore?Wehavepricelessresourcesinthemountainregionsaroundus.Thereisnoneedtomineothercontinents.Areyoutrying to send us to sea to conquer other lands, Rutland? The waters aretraitorous,asIwouldknowfirsthand.”

Butatthatmoment,McFeearrivedatthemeetingwithMannie,whowasno longer the dog he had been. His fur was matted and dull from scorpiolapoison,andhehadaswollennosecourtesyofLetcho’s tail.NormallyManniewould wait in the parlor and entertain Clarenette, but when they entered thepalace’smain entranceway,Mannie’s sniffer wentwild. He stood on his hindlegs and scanned the room for the sourceof the scent.He spiedRutland fromacrosstheroom.Bothfrozewhentheymadeeyecontact.Althoughtherathadshape-shifted into hisRutland persona, therewas no foolingMannie’s sniffer.

Rutlandputhishandsonthetableandbegantoslowlylifthimselfsoasnottostartlethedog.

Too late. Mannie was out for revenge. His head reared back and he

preparedtolungeathisenemy.Everyonesawwhatwascomingandscrambledtogetoutoftheway.

HecaughtRutlandinmidair,threwhimbythescruffofhisjacketontothefloor,andsankhisteethintohisshoulder.Rutland,though,wasnotwithouthisdefenses.WithatwisthedislocatedhisjointsandslidoutofMannie’sclutches.Forgettingwherehewas,hescrammedoutoftheroomonallfours,Mannieinhotpursuit.TheCaptainstoodspeechlessatthestrangebehaviorofbothdogandKavalonian.

“Mannie,Stop!”McFeecommanded,and ranout thedoorafterhim,hissilk-weave scarf flapping behind him. It caught on the doorwhen it slammedbehindhim.TheCaptainpickeditupandexaminedtheinsigniawovenintoit.“Aspider?”hesaid.“Neverseenanythinglikethatbefore.”

Mannie chasedRutland out of themain door, over the garden beds andpast the guardhouse. McFee ran fast after him, but Mannie was faster,disappearing in the darkened streets in pursuit of the nasty rat, whosefashionable suit was now in shreds and whose skin was beginning to changebackintorodent’shair.

Ruttydropped the tattered remainderofhisclothes inagarbagecanand

picked up speed.He scurried acrossMain Street and took a sharp turn into anarrowalley,andanotherquickleftintoabackstreet.Hetookalastglanceoverhisshoulder,thenremovedhisbootsandshrunkintoafull-fledgedrat.

“Notjustarat,butadistinguishedratandstrongliketheCaptain.Rutland‘Rutty’Ratkin,thehandsomeone.Rulerquality.”Heassuredhimself.

He groomed his tail and noticed a nearby pack of rats chattering away.

“Alleyway commoners. How could they not be impressed with Rutty?” Heflashed them a chipped-tooth smile. They sniffed, encouraging him to comeover. Rutty was a hero to rodents of the land. Rutty winked, gave them hisnotorioussneerandslidbetweenthegratebars.Mannieslidaroundthecorner,histongueflapping,andtheotherratsscattered.

McFee finally caught up with Mannie, who growled relentlessly at the

sewer grate, trying to pry the bars apart and hurting his legs in the process.McFeeleashedhimanddraggedhimaway.

“I’mnotfinishedwiththatratyet,”Manniegrowledtohimself.

“You need a break from patrol duty,”McFee said. Later he advised the

Captain thatManniecollapsedduringa recentbreakinathisestate,andnot toworry,hewon’tbeaccompanyinghimagain.“Thatdogwasneverthesameafterthatnight.”

McFeewasconvincedthatMannieknewtoomuch.

Chapter11

TheMojoTeamdovehead first for the trapdoor’s small opening, desperatelytrying to escape the shrinking dungeon. Legs, arms and assorted travel sacksfleweverywhichway.

Buttherewasnotenoughroomforalltogetthroughatonce,sotheretheyhung,packedsnuglytogetherupside-downabovetheledge,andallwavingtheirarms. Maximojo was jammed between Meowlen and Woofster. Lou wassquashedinthecenter,managingtojustbarelypokeouthisnowpipelesshead.Whinniston’sheadandonehoofstuckout.

Glitta, who of course was much smaller than the others, beamed out

betweenthemandflitteredaboveMaximojo’sshoulder.

Kelcius,whomanagedtopullhimselfuponto the ledge, thoughthewaslooking at a multiple-headed monster. Frightened, he placed a claw over hiseyes,spreadinghisnailsslightlytopeek.

The button bug had never known his friend to be in such a state of

surprise. “It has somany arms, and it appears enraged at us for disturbing itsrest,”ITsaid.

GlittasparkledexcitedlywhenshenoticedKelcius,butKelciuspanickedatthesightofher.“Thatbrightnessmustbeitsweaponry,likeLetcho’stail.It’sglaringatme.Ican’tbeartolook.”ITranforcoverinanearandpluggedtheopeningwithsomeknottedstrandsofhairfromhisfriend’sface.

“Thismonstermustbefromtheotherside,”Kelciussaid,“theforbidden

worldwhereSmelkatoldusthereissunshinethatmighttemptustoescape.Butshe said itwas a trap andwe’d never return!She said never to leave our restcaves. The others listened, but not Kelcius-Kol. The monster must havediscoveredthatIwasmissingandcomeheretotakemeaway.”Hetrembledat

thethought.

“IwaswarnedI’dbedoomedifIbroketherules,nowit’stoolate!Thisterrifyingmonsterwillsoonbreakfreefromtheconstraintsanddropmeinthatcavernwithoneofitsmanyarms!Thenitwillgoaftertheothers.

“Wait!Maybe itwon’t throwme in to the boilingpit, but haveme as asnackinsteadlikeasnapheadfeast.Youareintrouble,too!”KelciustoldIT.“Itmayfindyoutasteliketoastedcrawlercrisps.We’redoomed!”

Thebugbegantoswellupwithanxiety,poppingoutofKelcius’sotherear.“Life in themines isn’tsobad,afterall,”Kelciussaid, feelingremorse.“Howarewegoingtowarntheothers?Iamalreadytrappedinitsclutches.Gatheringhiscourage,hevowedtodefendtheothersrestingunawareintheircaves.

Buthewassofrightenedhecouldn’tliftaclaw.ITdideverythingitcould

to help, but his friend,who had plastered himself against thewall,would notbudge.ITstretchedintoanelasticbandandsnappeditselfacrossKelcius’sfacetoslapsomesenseintohim.

He flung his arms up, startled. “Am I not Kelcius-Kol?” he said.“Courageous?Whycan’tIjustleavethewayIcame?Noonewilleverknow.”Somerockscrumbledoffthesideoftheledge,andhewatchedthemfallaway.Finallyanechoreturned.“Atleastit’snotbottomless.Wecouldjumptoalowerplateau then another.”He struggled to let gowith each foot, but trembled. ITpuffeditselfouttocushionhisfall,incaseKelciusdecidedtojump.

“Icouldwaitforyoubelow!”ITsaid,pointingtowardthebottom.Glittawaveredovertheedgeandflashedthemanother“hello.”

“Kazeees! It’s real!”Kelcius cried.Glitta’swings shone in his eyes.Heswattedcrazilyatherwithhisdanglingbackclaws.“Itmustbeanovergrownspark-fly,”hesaid.“Takethatandthat!”

Glitta vanished fromviewandwaited for theothers todescend.Kelciusbacked into a crevice, exhaling to shrink. “Jump in,” he said to IT. “At leastyou’llbesafefornow.”Hestretchedhisearintoalandingpad,butthebugsaid,“Let’s just go thewaywe came!Wecanbacktrack through thehole just overthere.Nowthatweknowwhocausedthebangingnoisewecango.”

ITstretcheditselfoutintoawheeledboardforafastexit.“Jumpon!”

“Whatifthemonstertacklesusbeforewemakeittothehole?”

“Haveityourway,”ITsaid.“Butwhatwillhappentotheotherswhenyoudon’tshowupforourshift?”

“We’llmakeitbackbeforetheywakeup!”Kelciussaid.

Lou and the otherswatched the creature and the bug, unsure ofwhat to

expect.“Whydon’ttheyjusthelpusontotheledge?”Meowlensaid.“Weneedthedooryankedoffat itshinges togiveusa littlemoreroomtosqueezepast.Thebigonehasstrong-lookingclaws.”

“This may be a trick,” Lou said. “Meowlen, Woofster, squeeze over.Whinnistondon’tmove.”Hepushedhisheadandanotherarmoutpastthem,butthenITcrawledacrosshisnose.“Acuriousbugatatimelikethis!”Loubrushedthebugoff,sendingitairborne.Kelciuscaughthisfriend.

“Whatwere you doing up there?”Kelcius said. “Thatwas dangerous toaggravateoneofitsheads.”

“Youwantedalittleadventure,”ITpuffed.“Nothingcansquashme.”

KelciusmoldedITintoashapeandpluggeditwhere itbelonged.“KeepquietwhileIfigurethisout.It’smyjourney,andyou’realongfortheride.”

“I’mcourageous,too,”ITsnapped.“I’velearnedfromthebest,andwe’vebeentogetheralongtime.”

Meanwhile,Maximojofinallymanagedtopushhiswayout,landingwithathudalongsidewhereKelciushidinthecrevice.Hetoweredoverthecreature.GlittaflickeredoutfromaroundthecornerandemittedblacklighttoletKelciusknowshewasapproaching.Shedidn’twanttofrightenhimwithahighbeam.

Kelciuswasconfused.“Notonlyisthereaninquisitivespark-fly,butnow

there’s a curly-haired face with long ear flaps and a flashing light around itsneck. The monster seems to have separated into different faces. They reallyshould go if they know what’s best for them,” he said, wondering if Letchowouldappearfrombehindarock.Thelizzardohadawayoffindinghim.

Thatremindedhimofsomethingthathadhappenedoncewhilewheelingacartfullofgemstothefarsideofthecastlegates.Hewasforbiddentogotooclosetothecastleortheswamparoundit.Hewastoldthatthefluorescent-eyedsnapheadswouldshownorestraintiftheylockedhimintheirhold.Oncehewas

caught,eitherhisheadwouldbesnappedofforhe’dbedraggedunder,hiscriesturningintobubblesfloatingaboveitsslimysurface.

His curiosity had gotten the best of him, and he found a rock to hide

behind.Letchowouldn’tbeable to seehimfrom theguardpost there.He feltsafe.Thentohissurprise,hesawRuttyarrangevariouscontainersandpickupsomestones.Herubbedtwotogethertomakethemspark,andplacedthemoveracontainerintowhichhehadshoveledsomecoal.Thelittlesparksturnedintoaflameandthenburstintoahugetorch.Itwasthefirsttimehehadseenreallight.FromthatmomentKelciusbegantofeelhehadabiggerpurpose.Thebrightnessof the fire stirred every part of him. He seemed to remember being in amagnificentcastle,hisveryown,thoughhedidn’tknowhowthatwaspossible.

“Imissthecomfortsofmycave,”hetoldIT.“Imisstheotherslaves,butatleastIhaveyoutocounton.”HelookedagainatGlitta’slight.“Maybesheisnotsoscarylookingafterall,eventhoughtheonlyhairshehashangsawayfromherfaceandspillsontothosewingsthatneverseemtostopmoving.”Itlookedliketherestofthemonsterwasalsoplanninganescape.

“It’sagoodtimetowhistlesoyoucanmakeadecision,”ITsaid.Kelciusnodded,andcrawledoutofthecrevice.Hebeganwhistlingtheminer’smarch,the tune all theminerswhistled through the hole in their foreheadwhile theyworked. Itwasa tunepasseddownby theeldestofall theminers,andalwaysbrought them feelings of hope and encouragement. A little braver now, heshouteduptothemonsteranditsmanyparts,“Whatareyoudoingupthere!”

All they heard was a whistling noise. Maximojo reached for hisPolyMatrixor to confirm the whistle’s origin, and discovered he spoke thelanguageofthelostcivilizationofTreptalon.Hecrouchedtoeyeleveltostareinto the stranger’s face, touched his head gently, then began speaking to thecreature.Kelciussqueezedthebutton-nosetenderly.“Friends?”

The 'Mojo Effect' had instantly kicked in,Kelcius finally heard familiarwords,andeveryonecouldspeakwitheachother.Kelciuswasthrilledtobeabletocommunicatewiththemonsterhoveringabove.

“AreyouaTreptalonian?”Glittaaskedhim.

Treptalonian?What’sthat?Naturallynot!IamKelcius-Kol,onceaslave-miner,nowthevoiceof theunderworldminersmovementforequalrightsandindependence. I named myself after the temperature of our world.” Then his

voice dropped to a whisper. “Actually it is a secret name. Having a name isforbiddenhere.”

“Well it is anhonor tomeet youKelcius-Kol,”Maximojo replied. ”AndyouareaTreptalonian,even ifyoudon’tknow it. IamMaximojo,and this isGlitta, thewandof light.You live in this innerspaceofyourplanet,and Iamfromtheouterspacebeyonditssurface.Nowwebotharestandingoncommonground.WearefromastarcalledPlaxoinanothergalaxy.We’reonamission.Wetraveledagreatdistancetohelpyourplanet.”

Kelcius was no longer afraid. “In your world, is a mission like anadventure?”Maximojonodded.“Kazeees!I’mreallypartofanadventure!”ITinspectedMaximojo’sears,andapproved.“Itwouldbesafeinthere!”Thebugtoldhisfriend.

Glittafeltasignalripplethroughherbody.“Isensetrouble,”shevibrated,andwhiskedawaytoexplorethesourceofherunease.Maximojopeeredupathisfriendswhowerestillhangingintheopening.

“Justhangonnow.Don’t jumpyet,”hesaid.“Iammakingpreparationsforyoutodescend.Theledgeistoonarrowforallofus.It’srisky.Iwillneedtoadjustyoutoasmallersize.Prepareforablast.”

MaximojopointedhissensoratWhinniston.“Nowkeepyourhoovesstill.Thiswon’t hurt a bit.”The sensor beamed an electric current andWhinnistonshrankintoamini-whinny,slippedoutofthecrowdandlandedmajesticallyontheledgenexttoMaximojo.

Thebugsawanopportunitytobehelpful,andinflateditselfintoalanding

padsotherestoftheteamcouldfallincomfort.

Woofster howled when he felt himself shrinking not wanting to be toosmall. Guard dogs had a height requirement to see over fences. “Move asideWhinny,we’recominginforalanding!”Meowlensaid.Theylandedinajumbleoflegsandpawsonthebutton-bug-cushioninfrontofKelcius.Loumanagedtoshowuplast.

Maximojoadjustedhissizeinordertobeeyelevelwithhiscomrades.

***

Glitta soared along the still airwhirling around themountainous region.

Shenarrowed into abolt to squeeze into a small opening that led to theothersideofthecliffs,andthenreachedlightningspeedasshepickedupatailwindrisingfromavalleybelow.Radiantsteamsofcolortrailedbehindher,paintingabeautifulpictureonthesunlessworld.

Shespedalongtheintertwiningrouteandtransmitteddata,inalightbeam,to thePolyMatrixor. “It appears thisworldwasnotbuiltunderground.There’seven an upside-down castle that has stabilized on a rock foundation belowpipelines.Itmustbealostcivilizationthatgotsubmerged.I’monmywayover.”

Sheshimmiedtoanuprightstance,herwingsbackstrokingsteadilysoasto not to disturb anything. She glided between the cliffs, focusing in on anopeninginthecastlewall.“It’sawindow,”shenoted,somewhatsurprised,andnearlyhitapillarthatappearedoutofnowhereinfrontofher,tryingtoblockherview. Another emerged, followed by another. “I am being cornered!” shesparked.Shemovedsidewaysandstilledherself.

“Confirmed,Mojo,”shetransmitted.“It isawholeotherexistenceinsideZalturn.”

Shespun,spiralingbacktowardthecastle.Thewaveringpillarswatched.“There is a strong forceemanating fromsomewhere in theplanet’s core that’smakingmewobbly,”shetransmitted.“Maybeitisinthatmountainthatvanishedoffyourscreen.”

Shefoundherwaytothecastle,determinedtoseekoutthenastyculpritswhohadtamperedwiththeirmissionandimprisonedtheminthedungeon.Herradianceawakenedthedrowsysnapheads.Theirpiercingeyesglowedabovethewater’ssurface,andasGlittacameneartheyleaptoutofthewaterandsnappedferociously at her. She veered, cutting through thick mist. Ever playful, sheenjoyedagoodgameof“Catchme,evenifyoucan’t.”

The snapheads, empty-mouthed and confused as to how their prey hadslippedbythem,smackedtheirjawsintothesludgetoawaitareturnvisit.

ThemovingshadowsinthecastlewindowdidnotnoticeGlittaflitteringaboutasshetookmoviesofthemandsentthemtothePolyMatrixor.Thensheencircled thecastlewithropesmadeofradiant fibersbeforesoaringbackoverthedrawbridge.

“Thecoordinatesareregistered,”shetransmittedtothedevice.“Thegang

is located in the castle. I’ve encased it with radiation. It should contain themuntilwefindawayout,butwemusthurrybeforetheropesdissipate.Glittaout.”

She zoomed back over the swamp onemore time for fun. “There’s thatovergrownspark-fly!”saidonesnaphead.Helashedout,butGlitta’slightfadedinthedistance.“Howdidyouletitescapeagain?”

Maximojo’sPolyMatrixorprojectedtheimagesofRutty,Letcho,Scrapsieand Smelka behind the castlewindow, sitting around a table, armswaving astheybusilydiscussedsomething.Rutty’svoicegraduallybecameclear.“Let’sgoovertheplanoncemore.TheSwaggelotaffairwillbeonethathe’llneverforget.ThehandsomeRutlandRatkinwillescortthecharmingClarenettetothepalacegardens during the new-moon celebration. I will give her the speciallyformulatedpotion,and thenshewillbecomeputty in theseclaws.Youwillbehiding in the bushes, andwhen I call for you, you’ll come out and carry heraway.Thenitwillfinallybejustthetwoofus,andtherestofyou,aswell,ofcourse! Soon, she will rule together with me. It will be the demise of theCaptain.Theunderworldwillrise,theKingdomofKavalonwillbenomore,andourgangwillreignonland–supremeatlast!”

Rutty pushed away from the table. “I’ve got business to take care of.Letcho!Beatit!Toyourpost!I’llbebacklater.”

Maximojo pondered what he was hearing. Celebration? Clarenette? TheCaptain?Demise?”He realized thismissionwasbigger than just thephase-in.Andthatthemoon,evennow,wasnearingthefinalphase-initscycle.Timewasrunningout.

“You’re right, Glitta. This dungeon isn’t going to hold up much longereither and we’re under it. We need to get to the palace. Fast!” MaximojostumbledoverWoofster, and thehorsebrokehis fallwith thecatonhishead.TheyweretheMojoTeamatlast.

Glitta continued on to search for an exit. She rounded a corner and

shimmeredtoasuddenstop.Therestoodahugemountain,smoothascrystal.Assheapproachedit,shesawaboarded-upentranceinthemountainside.Itbegantowaver.

“It’sthevanishingmountain,”sheflickered.“I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.Thiscouldbeourwayout.”Sheemittedsomex-raystoseewhatwashiddenbehindthemeteoriteplanks.Seeingitwassafe,shereleasedaroundofgamma

rays that sizzled through them. Puffs of smoke lifted away, revealing abreathtakinginteriorthatevensurprisedGlitta.

The smolderingmetal cooledwhile she soared straight up the center.A

maze of passageways led off the main tunnel, lined with glistening clustersprotrudingfromthewalls.Aboveshecaughtaglimpseoflightpouringinfromacrater-like opening. “I can see the sun and blue skies. I am at the top of themountain,”shesparked.

Arriving at the peak, she captured a picture of manicured gardens withbirds chirping, recharged in the sunshine, and happily turned back to get theothers.The“escapeexit”flashedonthePolyMatrixor’sscreen.

When she sped past the castle to return, in her elation, bymistake, she

releasedabunchof luminescentorbs thatbouncedeverywhere.Someof themstrayedover to thecastle.OnehadsmackedLetchoon thehornandexploded.Hejumped.

“Anintruder?”Letchosizzled.“Howrude!”

***

Kelciusbeganbitinghisnails,abadhabithepickedupwhilespyingon

Smelka,whodiditwhenshethoughtnobodywaswatching.ITmorphedintoamittandcoveredhisclaw.

“Kazeees!Iwasalittleexcited,that’sall,”Kelciussaid,squashingthebugintoputtyandplayingwithittokeephisclawsbusy.“You’reright.Ineedeveryoneofthesenailstocutgemsoutoftherock.”

Glitta sped around the corner and landed onMojo. She spottedKelciusstandinginthecenterofherteamandloweredherlightlevels,butthencouldn’tresist and exploded into fireworkswhen she told everyone she had found theexit.Kelciusdidnotknowwheretolooktoescapeherglare.Herubbedhiseyes,but still couldnot seepast her shining face.Hebegan to losehis grip, but ITsprungaroundbehindandsteadiedhim.

“Whatarefriendsfor?”ITsighed.

Chapter12

Elsewhere underground, the slaves huddled over planks of insect stew andswampvegetablesatmealtime,asscruffy-wingedscavengershungonsidecliffsawaitingleftovers.

Theminershadbeguntotalkamongthemselvesaboutthemissingone.InthedistancewasRutty’sprivategardenwherenooneelsewasallowed.Oneofthe slaves pointed toward it. “Maybe he is somewhere among those twistingvinescoveredinberries,althoughIamsurehewouldn’tdareangerRutty.”

Thetalkspreadfast.Wherewashe?Whathadhappenedtohim?Hewasalwayssucharebel.Whycouldn’thejustbelikeeveryoneelse?

Later, theminershuddledtogether.“Hesnuckoutofhiscavetofindoutwhatwascausingthestrangebangingnoisesintheforbiddenarea,”oneslave-minersaid.“Atleast,that’swhathesaid.WhenIwouldn’tgowithhimheleftalone. Ididn’thearanything,buthesaid itwasechoingallaroundandcallinghisname.”

“Hisname?”theeldestBendersaid.“Nooneissupposedtohaveanamearound these caves,” even though he knew Kelcius had named himself.Everyoneelseknew,too.

“He wanted an adventure,” another miner piped. “Maybe the noise weheardwasfromtheotherside!”

“Youmeantheforbiddenland?”Everyonegulped.

“That’sonlyastory,”ayoungBackerreassuredthem.“Nooneevercouldsurvivetheicestormsandwildmonsters.”

They all looked up into the darkness of the only world they couldremember.

“Hewouldhave takenhisbest friend,”anotherminer said.Theycheckedundereverystone.Thebugwasnowheretobefound.

“Kelciuswasseriousaboutleaving,”oneofthemsaid.“ITisgone!”

“MaybeLetchosnatchedhim forbreaking the rulesand threwhim to thesnapheads,”saidanother.

“WhatifKelciuscrossedintotheforbiddenzoneandcan’treturnthentherestofuswillbepunished!”

One of the Backers spoke. “Wemust take action! Scrapsie does a head

countbeforewegotothemines.Amissingminerisseriousforallofus.Thistimehehasgonetoofar.”

Letchohaddivided theslaves into twogroupsofminers.The“Benders”were skilled at breaking open the geodes, and the “Backers”were strong, andcarried theheavysacks.Together they formedasearch team.Theyall setout,eventhoughitwasagainsttherulestowanderintorestrictedareas.Theyarmedthemselveswith crystal shards, not knowingwhat theymight encounter in thepassageways.Thiscouldbe thefirst timetheywouldreallyneed theweapons.FollowingKelcius’sscent,theyveeredontoanarrowpath.Thespark-flieswerenowhereinsight,sotheyturnedontheirdarkvision.

“WemustfindhimbeforeLetchodoes,”oneBackersaid.

***

“Weneed to findawayout.Weurgentlyneed togo to theKingdomof

Kavalon,Right here.”Maximojopointed to themapprojected in front of himfromthePolyMatrixor.Kelciusknewofnootherplacethanhisown.“Thisplacelooksstrangetome,”Kelciussaid.

HehadasuspiciousthoughtandconfidedinIT.“Maybethis‘Maximojo’isreallyRuttyindisguise.IsawRuttychangeintoaslaveoncetocatchLetchooffguard.Ifhecoulddothat,thenhecouldturnintoacurly-hairedcreature.”

The bug, darting intoKelcius’s ear, knewwhat his friendwas thinking.“Butwhatifthecreatureistellingthetruth?”ITsaidtoKelcius.

“Why not join the team and see what this strange place is like for

yourself,”invitedMaximojo.

“Simply exhilarating tohave anewappointedmember.Oh, do joinus!”Meowlensaid.

With that, all of Kelcius’s suspicions dissolved. He whooped with joy.“Yes!ThisisabiggeradventurethanIeverdreamedof.Followme!”

It was a tight squeeze, but one by one they slipped into the hole fromwhichKelciushadoriginallyarrived.Onceontheotherside,MeowlentoldhimtoscaleupontoWhinniston’sback,whileshehoppedontothehorse’sforelockand examined this new addition to their team.Woofster took the lead besideMaximojo.Glittalittheway.Loufollowedbehind.

“Kelcius,”Meowlenpurred,“youarequiteapeppyfellow.ShouldIcallyouSirKol?Orperhaps,YourHighness?OrmaybeyoupreferKolMineroftheunderworld?Orsuperiorcreaturetotheratanditsaccomplices?WhichAlliancerequestedyourpresenceonourunderworldexpedition?Thereisaworldoutsidethe mines you know. Trust me, I’ve had my own Queendom in many lives,withoutslavery.IwasakindRulerinaworldthathassunlight,rollinghillsides,flowers,andIdressedinthelatestfashiontrends.”

“Ibelongtotheunderworldminersmovement.I’mtheleader,andtheonlymember.Everyoneelseisscaredtojoin,”hesaid.

“YouareSirKol, indeed.”Alwaysprepared,Meowlen tiltedherminer’s

hatjustsotoavoidfallingdirt.Shestraightenedherdesignerbelt,whichheldahammerandchiseljustincase.

“Whinny,pickup thepace,”shesaid.“Anythingyouneed toknow,KolMiner, you can askme. I knoweverything.Youdon’t need to listen toGlitta.JustaskMeowlens.”

Kelcius was glad, at least, that she shared his taste for adventure. IT,disturbedbyKelcius’sadmirationofthissmartlydressedsmoothtalker,crawledinonesideofhissnoutandouthiseartodistracthim.

“Nowdon’tget jealous,”Kelciussaid.“Wearea team,youandme,andwewillalwaysstickbyeachother.”Hecomfortedthebugbyflatteningitintoaheartshapeonhischest.

Loulaggedbehindmakingnotesaboutthissubterraneanworld.Itwasan

extraordinary discovery in this galaxy. “I must inform the others when I get

back,"hemumbledtohimself.Sotakenbytherockformation,andforgettingtolookwherehestepped,Loustumbled,almostlosinghisbalanceastherockshekickedlooseplummetedovertheside.Afteralongsilenceitmadealoudsplash.

“Ihopenooneheard!”Lousaid,lookingarounduncertainly.

Theyhikedalonganinclinethatnarrowedandbecamesteeperwitheach

step.Thegroupstayedclosetogetherastheywoundaroundeachbend.“Thisisit!”Glittasparked.Theystoppedattheentrancewayshehadblastedopenearlier,butithadrepaireditself.

MaximojoturnedtoKelcius.“Giveitallyougot!”

Heknewwhattodo.Withjustafewswipesofhisclaw,Kelciusratchetedtheboardsintoslivers.

“SuchastrongKolMiner!”Meowlenflutteredherlashes.

Woofsterwas impressed.“Haveyoueverconsideredaposition ina junk

yard?Iknowjusttheplace.Theyarealwayslookingforprecisioncutters.Andwatch out for sneaky critters.”Kelcius, of course, had no ideawhatWoofsterwastalkingabout.

Butforafewremainingplanks,theentrancetothecavenowstoodwideopen.KelciuswinkedatMeowlenwithoneofhis rearwardeyes,whichmadethecatwonderifhesawoutofallhiseyesatthesametime.Whinnistonsawthewink,andkickedintheremainingplanks.“Er…Istillhaveoomphinme,eveninabodythissize,”hesaid,hopingthatMeowlenmightalsocomplimenthim.Nopraisecame,however.

“Watchoutforfallingrocksinside,”Maximojosaid.“Thismountainisnotstable. It might not really be here at all. It kept on vanishing off the screen.Everyonemovefastandsticktogether.”

Glitta lit up the entrance as they stepped inside. The team all gasped atonce. Theywere in an exquisite diamond geode.Meowlen, in particular, wasdazzled.Shetwirledaboutlookingatthethousandsofdiamondsuntilshenearlypassedoutimaginingwashowmanynecklacesshecouldhavecustom-designedifleftaloneinhereforawhile.Buttherewasnotimetowaste.Sheregainedhercomposureandcaughtupwith theothersas theyhikedupasteepincline.Shekickedoffhershoestokeepup.

“Strenuousactivity isnot an ideal exploit for someone likemyself,” she

toldKelciuswhocarriedhersack.

Crystal stalactites hung all around them from the roof of the tunnel,making for a tight squeeze in some places. “Keep your breath as shallow aspossibleandyourvoice low toavoidshattering them. Itcouldcauseacave-inandachainreactioninthepassageways,”Kelciussaid.“Theyarefragile.”Highabovethemtheycaughtaglimpseofaholewithlightcomingin.

IT felt itwas safe to come out and seewhatwas happening. It took an

uneasy peek around, but having never experienced such enthusiasm, it justwantedtogobacktotheircave.

***

Far away at his guard post, Letcho ran in circles when another of the

explodingorbsthatGlittaaccidentallyleftbehindlandedonhishorn,settinghisscales ablaze. He vaulted off the rock pile, and tried to control himself fromchasinghistail.

“That does it!” he thought. “There is somethinggoingonhere.”SmelkaandScrapsie,whohadalsobeenbonked,watchedfrombetweenwindowbarsinthecastle.Thesnapheadswereagitated,snappingat the lingering tracesof theglitteringtrespasser.Untilnow,nothinghadeverescapedthem.

Letcho tried to reachRutty,whowasat thedockson“business,”but the

signalwasn’tgoingthroughtoRutty’sspyscreen.Hereturnedtothecastleandstomped around, hissing. He didn’t know who could be creating trouble, butsinceRuttywasn’taround,hefelttheurgetotakecharge.Heslitheredofftofindtheothers,andwithScrapsieandSmelkahangingontohistail,hestormedoverthedrawbridge.

Notfarfromthecastle,hepickedupunfamiliartracks,headingtowardtheforbiddenplace.

***

Rutty,havinggrowntoanenormoussizedrat,facedthedarkfigureonthe

docks.Theyweretheretotakecareof“business.”

“Such a damp night. How dreadfully eerie!” the smuggler whispered.“Now,whatsurprisesdoyouhaveforme?”

Ruttypeered into thedarkness,butcouldnotsee thesmuggler’s face. In

fact, he had never seen that face, despite all the “business” they had donetogether.

“Plentyofourfinestgems,”Ruttysaid.“Onlytherarestfinds,indeed.And

personally selected for you.” The dark figure rubbed his hands together, andopenedthesacksRuttyheldunderhisnose.

Rutty’s spyscreen rattled behind his ear. Letcho’s message had finallycomethroughtheclutteredairways.Hedroppedthesacksatthesmuggler’sfeet,whipped out the device and read the screen, “Return to the castle and enterthrough the secret entrance. Urgent matter. We’re on it, but need backup!Letcho.”

Backup needed in the vanishing mountain? Urgent matter? Rutty felt achillrunuphisspinebeneathhishoodedjacket.Somethinghashappenedinmydomain!”“Ihavetotakecareofsomething.Untilnexttime,”henodded.

Heturnedandspedoff.

Chapter13

The eldestBenderdetected a familiar scent, and found someofKelcius’shairwedged between rocks. “Kelcius knew to leave a trail. Looks like hebacktracked,”hesaid.“Thisway!”

Theirstridesquickenedtoleapsandbounds.Thesearchteamturnedontoanincline,andastheyroundedacorner,ahugemountaintoweredabovethem.Theystoppedtostareatitinwonder.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the eldest of the group, a Bender,gasped. He pointed to a small opening in the mountainside with strangemarkingscarvedaroundit.Theyscrambleduptoit,andtheeldestreachedouttotouchthesmoothsideofthemountain.“Thisrockhasanelectriccurrentrunningthroughit,”hesaid.“Maybeitisn’tamountainafterall.”

TheeldestBackerpointedtothemetalshavingsandslicedplanksattheirfeet.“OnlyKelciushastheskilltobethisprecise,”hesaid.Someinthegrouphesitated,unsurewhetheritwassafetoproceedfurther.Thentheshavingsbegantomagnetize,formbackintoplanksandputthemselvesbackinplaceovertheentrance.

“Quick! Lets go in before anyone discovers we are missing,” a Bendersaid.“Letchodoesrandomspot-checksinourrestcaves.Letthisnotbeoneofthosetimes!”

The search team slipped under the last board before it nailed itself intoplace, sealing up the entrance. They took small steps, single file, so as to notdisturbanythinguntilitwasdeterminedsafetocarryon.Narrowstreamsoflightbounced off the brilliant clusters that lined the walls. The team soon becamesensitized to thebrightness, somethingTreptaloniansdidwithease.TheeldestBacker snapped off a cluster, andwith another sharp twist, split it open. “It’sexquisite! Not like anything we’ve ever mined,” he said, and squeezed it,pulverizingthegemsintodust.

From a hole in his forehead, he sent out a piercing sound, the echo of

whichwould help determinewhichway they should go. “Wemust be on therightpath,”hesaid.“Thereisamaintunnelaheadthatcurvesupward.”

OneBacker,anexperttracker,pointedtothedirtbeneaththeirfeet.“Look,fresh tracks.One thembelongs toKelcius, butwhat theseothers?Theyaren’tLetcho’s.”TheeldestBackerscoopedaclawfulofdirtandsniffed.“Thesearen’tfrom the others in his gang, either.Kelcius has been taken.Keep your shardsclose.”

Knowingthattherewereothersroaminginsidethismountainmadethemfeelbothuneasyandexhilarated. “Thismustbe thevanishingmountain Iwastoldabout,”theeldestBendersaid.Theotherslookedathim–aquestionintheireyes.

“There was a secret story passed down from my ancestors. Eachgenerationtoldthenextaswecameofage.IwastoldIneededtohearthestoryso that Iwouldnever forget the truthofwhoweare. Inever reallybelieved ituntilnow.Iwassworntosecrecyuntil thelastmomentsoftime.ButIbelievethosemomentshavenowcome,soIwilltellyouwhatIwastold.”

Allgatheredaroundhim,eagertohear.

“Wewerenotalwaysslaves,but thedescendantsofapowerful race, theTreptalonians,whowere freecreaturesandroamedup there,”hesaidpointingupward.“Theysaidadreamoffreedomlivesdeepinsideus,aswellasathirstforadventure.ThisiswhatmusthaveawakenedinKelcius.Inowbelievethathemayhold theanswer toourpastandwhoweare. Just lookatwherewe’restanding!

“The storyteller beforeme said there was a hidden chamber within this

mountainwheresomeonefromanotherracedoesunspeakablethings.Heneversaidwhat happened there, only that creatures likeuswouldnevermake it outalive,andherewearetrespassingwhereweshouldn’tbe!”Thiscausedawaveofnervousnessamongthem.

“And,” the eldest Bender continued, “it was rumored that there wasanother race somewherewithin thevanishingmountain.Noonehadever seenthem,butonoccasionourancestorsheardrumblingbeneaththerestcaves,andwonderedwhocouldhavemadesuchgreatnoises.Thevanishingmountainwassaidtohavemanycavesandhiddenpassageways.”Hehadathought,andturnedtoknockonthewallnexttohim.“Itsoundshollow,doesn’tit?I’mgoingtotry

something.Bepreparedtoscrambleoutofhere.”

Thenheemittedasonicboom,somethingaskilledminerwouldnormallydoonlyinextremedanger,asitcouldcauseacave-in.Thesoundblewopenapassagewaythatappearedtorunperpendiculartothecentraltunnel.

“Let’ssplitintotwogroups,”hesaid.“YouBackerswillgointothisnewentrance.WeBenderswill go straight up.Everyone keep your shards close athand.Makeonlyshallowleapssoyoudon’tsliponshakyground.Itmayvanishunder your feet and reappear before you. If you don’t find Kelcius within athousandbounds,returnhereandwewillleave.Wehavetheotherstoprotect.IfRuttyfoundoutwearegone,wewillallbepunished,orevenworse,throwntothesnapheads.”

Theyallcarriedon,curling themselves into tightballsandstretchingouttheir arms,which theyused likepaddles to propel themupward.TheBendersstoppedtoadmirethesapphirepillarsplacedalongthesides,andthefragilityofthecrystalthatlinedthewallsofthecentraltunnel.

On the alternate path, the Backers came to the end and found a door.“Standback,”onesaid.Withasweepofhisshardclearedtheentranceofrubble.Thedoorcreakedopenbyitself.CautiouslytheBackerspokedtheirheadsinsideandfoundthemselvesattheheadofastaircase.Theycreptforward,scanningforatraceofKelcius,whenagaseousmistengulfedthem,itsfumesmakingthemdizzy.

“Kazeees! Where are we?” one said. “Everything is moving around myhead.”

Onebyonetheirlegscrumpledbeneaththem,andtheytumbleddownthestairs.

***

Letcho was not far behind. The rocky surfaces here made for quicker

travelthanelsewhere.Hewasalmostbreathlesswhenhearrivedattheentrance.

Hegasped,realizinghehadcometothevanishingmountain.“Whowoulddaretoenterthisforbiddenplace?”

“Escapedslaves,maybe?”Scrapsiesaid,snappinghispincersatSmelka.

“Well,whoeverwentinherewillneverhavethechancetocrawloutwhen

I’mdonewiththem!”Letchosaid.“Howdaretheybreaktherules!EvenRuttyisforbiddentoseewhathappensbehindcertainwallsinsidethismountain,”hesnapped,“ButLetchotheLizzardoshouldbeallowedtoforbeingatoughanddangerousguard.ButIwillsomeday.Ihope.Ruttypromised.”

“Hepromisedme,too,”Smelkasaidpolitely.

Letcho looked at the tracks beneath him. “There must be many inside

here,” he said.He shot a disgusted look at Scrapsie. “How could you let thishappen?Wewillstireachoneintostewandfeedthemtothesnapheads.Betteryet, Iwillmince each intruder intomortar for bricks for the special towerwewillsoonbuild.”Heslappedhistailagainsttheground,flingingSmelkaoff.

Letchogavetheplanksahardwhackwithhistail.Theyfleweverywhere,andLetchostormedintotheentrance.Scrapsiefollowed,leavingSmelkabehind.

“I’mgettingawfullytiredofbeingmistreated,”shethoughtsadly.“IwishIhadsomewheretogo.”

ScrapsieclimbedupontoLetcho’shornandscoutedwithhislongdistancevision,relayedtheinteriorofthemountaintoLetcho.WhenSmelkarealizedthatshewas alone, she panicked, and caught up to the others. “Wait forme!” shesaid,andgrabbedLetcho’stail.Heflickedheraboard.

“Iknewyouwouldn’tmissoutontheaction,”Letchosaid.”Bythedepthof themarkings, I’d say theyaremovingat a fast clip, but theyaren’t too farahead.”

Again, he wondered who the trespassers in the tunnel might be. “Theslaves certainly are not courageous enough,” he said. “Traitors in the mines?Impossible!ImadesureofitbywhippingeachoneofthemintolinewheneverIcould. Could they have changed?” Letcho remembered now, that there was astrongone,quiterebellious,buthehadrepeatedlyshowedhimwhowasboss.

“Ruttysaidanythingispossibleforaslickrat,”Smelkasaid,“maybeit’sslick.”

“Couldsomeonefromourgangbeinvolved?”Letchothought.Helookedat Smelka, who quickly looked away, and hissed, “Tempted with the rightsnacks,shecouldbeatraitor.”Letchohadbeeninthisplaceonlyoncebefore,whenhecarried thesackcontainingMaximojoandhisfriends to thedungeon.“Coulditbe theminthis tunnel?”hewondered.“Impossible!Noonehasever

brokeoutfromthedungeon.Maybeitisstrangersfromabovethesewergrate.”

All this uncertainty made Letcho so frustrated that he changed color tomustard-purple.Onethoughtkeptcomingbacktohim,andheburstout,“ItmusthavebeenthatMojoTeamlurkingaroundthecastle.Theytriedtoattackmeandevenescapedthesnapheads.Isitpossibletheyaremoredeviousthanus?”

Smelkatimidlysqueaked,“Yes,quitepossiblyso.”

Letcho’stonguedartedoutather.Sheduckedanditmissedher,butitdidmakehimstopand think.“Crusty-pod,we’llwaitherewhileyougocheckonthedungeon.Go!Whatareyouwaitingfor?”

Scrapsierevveduphisstingertail,andbouncedonit.“I’llmakesurethetrapdoorisstillsealedshut,”andskitteredawayattopspeed.“Crusty-pod?”hethought. “I’m a quality crustacean!” He knew the trap door was locked. Helockedithimself.“RuttywouldbefuriousifImessedupandtheyfoundawayout.”Hecringedwiththethought.“Surelytheprisonersarealreadysquishedbutgood.”

“Faster, crusty-face. No time to waste!” Letcho’s voice echoed in thetunnelbehindhim.

Scrapsie scaled along the side of the ledge, backtracking every step thatnightaftertheylefttheMcFeeestate.Whenhearrivedatthedungeon,thetrapdoorhungopen.“Theyaregone!”Hebeganspringingabouterraticallyonhistail.“Thiscan’tbehappening!Thisisn’thowRuttyplannedit.”Hesanktotheground,hispincersdrooping.

HedraggedhimselfupandhurriedbacktoLetcho.“Thedoorwasbarelyhangingonbyahinge,”hereported.“Iknewtheyshouldhavebeendestroyedatthe estate. Smelkamust have something to do with it. That orphan is alwayslookingtohelpothers!Icertainlyhadnothingtodowithit.”

“Iaminnocent,”Smelkapleaded.

Letcho flared in the deadliest of colors with ghastly fluorescentundertones. “She couldn’t have done it on her own. It’s that troublemaking,curly-topdogandhisflickeringstick,”hesteamed.ScrapsieandSmelkaheldontightasLetchostormedupthetunnel.“We’vegottogetthemandfast.Maybeoneofthesesidepassagewaysisashortcut.Scrapsie,halfpanickedaboutwhatRuttywoulddotothemwhenhefoundouttheprisonershadescaped,chargedintothenearestentrance.“They’llregretevervisitingourworld!”

Letchoskiddedtoastop,“Hey,wait!”ButScrapsiewasalreadyfarahead.

Letcho,tryingtoactasthoughthenewroutehadbeenhisideaallalong,turnedtoSmelka.“Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?Grabon!Westillmayneedyou.”

TheytoreoffinpursuitofScrapsie.

***

Ruttyhurriedoffofthedocksleavingthesmuggler,behind.Asheheaded

toward thesecretentrance to thevanishingmountain,heshape-shiftedback tohiscompactrattysize.HeranthroughtheguttersofMainStreet,panting.

“What could possibly be happening beneath the city?” Rutty wondered.“LetchomustbeattendingtomattersI’munawareof.Whatisthisindependenceanyhow?”Hegrumbledabouttheinefficiencyofhisspyscreen,notbeingabletorelyonthelinesofcommunicationthesedays.LetchohadsenthismessagelongbeforeRuttyhadarrivedatthedocks,butitcamelate.“What’sarattodo?”

A local storekeeper spotted him and swatted the ratwith an old broom.Ruddy was flipped head over heels, but quickly regained composure. Heclenchedhisfistandsquealedatthestorekeeper,“Don’tyouknowwhoyou’redealingwith?Thestorekeeperdidn’t seemtobe impressedwith thesqueakingrat.

“Iammovingas fastas Ican?”Ruttysaid.“Ihavea full lifeoutsideofgarbagecans.Infact,Ievenhavemyowncastleandaruthlessgangtodomydirtywork. You’ll be sorry you ever touched that broom. I warn you! Loweryourweapon!”

But the storekeeper chasedhim through the streets, hisbroomswinging.Ruttymadeaquickturnintoanalley.

“Ratisico!Ifinallylosthim.Iwillhavethatstoreshutdownforimproperpestcontrolatthenextgeneralmeeting.He’llbesorryheevertriedtomesswithme.”

Hehustledstraightoutofthecitycenterandswungoverthewirefenceattheoutskirts,landinginamanicuredgardenframedwithfloweringbushes.

“Iamtheslickestrodentandthemosthandsomeonethateverruled.”Heremindedhimself.Ruttylookedaroundtomakesurenoonewaswatching,then

plunged through a hatch door under a pile of dirt, and into the vanishingmountain.

Chapter14

The eldestBenderdetected a familiar scent, and found someofKelcius’shairwedged between rocks. “Kelcius knew to leave a trail. Looks like hebacktracked,”hesaid.“Thisway!”

Theirstridesquickenedtoleapsandbounds.Thesearchteamturnedontoanincline,andastheyroundedacorner,ahugemountaintoweredabovethem.Theystoppedtostareatitinwonder.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the eldest of the group, a Bender,gasped. He pointed to a small opening in the mountainside with strangemarkingscarvedaroundit.Theyscrambleduptoit,andtheeldestreachedouttotouchthesmoothsideofthemountain.“Thisrockhasanelectriccurrentrunningthroughit,”hesaid.“Maybeitisn’tamountainafterall.”

TheeldestBackerpointedtothemetalshavingsandslicedplanksattheirfeet.“OnlyKelciushastheskilltobethisprecise,”hesaid.Someinthegrouphesitated,unsurewhetheritwassafetoproceedfurther.Thentheshavingsbegantomagnetize,formbackintoplanksandputthemselvesbackinplaceovertheentrance.

“Quick! Lets go in before anyone discovers we are missing,” a Bendersaid.“Letchodoesrandomspot-checksinourrestcaves.Letthisnotbeoneofthosetimes!”

The search team slipped under the last board before it nailed itself intoplace, sealing up the entrance. They took small steps, single file, so as to notdisturbanythinguntilitwasdeterminedsafetocarryon.Narrowstreamsoflightbounced off the brilliant clusters that lined the walls. The team soon becamesensitized to thebrightness, somethingTreptaloniansdidwithease.TheeldestBacker snapped off a cluster, andwith another sharp twist, split it open. “It’sexquisite! Not like anything we’ve ever mined,” he said, and squeezed it,pulverizingthegemsintodust.

From a hole in his forehead, he sent out a piercing sound, the echo of

whichwould help determinewhichway they should go. “Wemust be on therightpath,”hesaid.“Thereisamaintunnelaheadthatcurvesupward.”

OneBacker,anexperttracker,pointedtothedirtbeneaththeirfeet.“Look,fresh tracks.One thembelongs toKelcius, butwhat theseothers?Theyaren’tLetcho’s.”TheeldestBackerscoopedaclawfulofdirtandsniffed.“Thesearen’tfrom the others in his gang, either.Kelcius has been taken.Keep your shardsclose.”

Knowingthattherewereothersroaminginsidethismountainmadethemfeelbothuneasyandexhilarated. “Thismustbe thevanishingmountain Iwastoldabout,”theeldestBendersaid.Theotherslookedathim–aquestionintheireyes.

“There was a secret story passed down from my ancestors. Eachgenerationtoldthenextaswecameofage.IwastoldIneededtohearthestoryso that Iwouldnever forget the truthofwhoweare. Inever reallybelieved ituntilnow.Iwassworntosecrecyuntil thelastmomentsoftime.ButIbelievethosemomentshavenowcome,soIwilltellyouwhatIwastold.”

Allgatheredaroundhim,eagertohear.

“Wewerenotalwaysslaves,but thedescendantsofapowerful race, theTreptalonians,whowere freecreaturesandroamedup there,”hesaidpointingupward.“Theysaidadreamoffreedomlivesdeepinsideus,aswellasathirstforadventure.ThisiswhatmusthaveawakenedinKelcius.Inowbelievethathemayhold theanswer toourpastandwhoweare. Just lookatwherewe’restanding!

“The storyteller beforeme said there was a hidden chamber within this

mountainwheresomeonefromanotherracedoesunspeakablethings.Heneversaidwhat happened there, only that creatures likeuswouldnevermake it outalive,andherewearetrespassingwhereweshouldn’tbe!”Thiscausedawaveofnervousnessamongthem.

“And,” the eldest Bender continued, “it was rumored that there wasanother race somewherewithin thevanishingmountain.Noonehadever seenthem,butonoccasionourancestorsheardrumblingbeneaththerestcaves,andwonderedwhocouldhavemadesuchgreatnoises.Thevanishingmountainwassaidtohavemanycavesandhiddenpassageways.”Hehadathought,andturnedtoknockonthewallnexttohim.“Itsoundshollow,doesn’tit?I’mgoingtotry

something.Bepreparedtoscrambleoutofhere.”

Thenheemittedasonicboom,somethingaskilledminerwouldnormallydoonlyinextremedanger,asitcouldcauseacave-in.Thesoundblewopenapassagewaythatappearedtorunperpendiculartothecentraltunnel.

“Let’ssplitintotwogroups,”hesaid.“YouBackerswillgointothisnewentrance.WeBenderswill go straight up.Everyone keep your shards close athand.Makeonlyshallowleapssoyoudon’tsliponshakyground.Itmayvanishunder your feet and reappear before you. If you don’t find Kelcius within athousandbounds,returnhereandwewillleave.Wehavetheotherstoprotect.IfRuttyfoundoutwearegone,wewillallbepunished,orevenworse,throwntothesnapheads.”

Theyallcarriedon,curling themselves into tightballsandstretchingouttheir arms,which theyused likepaddles to propel themupward.TheBendersstoppedtoadmirethesapphirepillarsplacedalongthesides,andthefragilityofthecrystalthatlinedthewallsofthecentraltunnel.

On the alternate path, the Backers came to the end and found a door.“Standback,”onesaid.Withasweepofhisshardclearedtheentranceofrubble.Thedoorcreakedopenbyitself.CautiouslytheBackerspokedtheirheadsinsideandfoundthemselvesattheheadofastaircase.Theycreptforward,scanningforatraceofKelcius,whenagaseousmistengulfedthem,itsfumesmakingthemdizzy.

“Kazeees! Where are we?” one said. “Everything is moving around myhead.”

Onebyonetheirlegscrumpledbeneaththem,andtheytumbleddownthestairs.

***

Letcho was not far behind. The rocky surfaces here made for quicker

travelthanelsewhere.Hewasalmostbreathlesswhenhearrivedattheentrance.

Hegasped,realizinghehadcometothevanishingmountain.“Whowoulddaretoenterthisforbiddenplace?”

“Escapedslaves,maybe?”Scrapsiesaid,snappinghispincersatSmelka.

“Well,whoeverwentinherewillneverhavethechancetocrawloutwhen

I’mdonewiththem!”Letchosaid.“Howdaretheybreaktherules!EvenRuttyisforbiddentoseewhathappensbehindcertainwallsinsidethismountain,”hesnapped,“ButLetchotheLizzardoshouldbeallowedtoforbeingatoughanddangerousguard.ButIwillsomeday.Ihope.Ruttypromised.”

“Hepromisedme,too,”Smelkasaidpolitely.

Letcho looked at the tracks beneath him. “There must be many inside

here,” he said.He shot a disgusted look at Scrapsie. “How could you let thishappen?Wewillstireachoneintostewandfeedthemtothesnapheads.Betteryet, Iwillmince each intruder intomortar for bricks for the special towerwewillsoonbuild.”Heslappedhistailagainsttheground,flingingSmelkaoff.

Letchogavetheplanksahardwhackwithhistail.Theyfleweverywhere,andLetchostormedintotheentrance.Scrapsiefollowed,leavingSmelkabehind.

“I’mgettingawfullytiredofbeingmistreated,”shethoughtsadly.“IwishIhadsomewheretogo.”

ScrapsieclimbedupontoLetcho’shornandscoutedwithhislongdistancevision,relayedtheinteriorofthemountaintoLetcho.WhenSmelkarealizedthatshewas alone, she panicked, and caught up to the others. “Wait forme!” shesaid,andgrabbedLetcho’stail.Heflickedheraboard.

“Iknewyouwouldn’tmissoutontheaction,”Letchosaid.”Bythedepthof themarkings, I’d say theyaremovingat a fast clip, but theyaren’t too farahead.”

Again, he wondered who the trespassers in the tunnel might be. “Theslaves certainly are not courageous enough,” he said. “Traitors in the mines?Impossible!ImadesureofitbywhippingeachoneofthemintolinewheneverIcould. Could they have changed?” Letcho remembered now, that there was astrongone,quiterebellious,buthehadrepeatedlyshowedhimwhowasboss.

“Ruttysaidanythingispossibleforaslickrat,”Smelkasaid,“maybeit’sslick.”

“Couldsomeonefromourgangbeinvolved?”Letchothought.Helookedat Smelka, who quickly looked away, and hissed, “Tempted with the rightsnacks,shecouldbeatraitor.”Letchohadbeeninthisplaceonlyoncebefore,whenhecarried thesackcontainingMaximojoandhisfriends to thedungeon.“Coulditbe theminthis tunnel?”hewondered.“Impossible!Noonehasever

brokeoutfromthedungeon.Maybeitisstrangersfromabovethesewergrate.”

All this uncertainty made Letcho so frustrated that he changed color tomustard-purple.Onethoughtkeptcomingbacktohim,andheburstout,“ItmusthavebeenthatMojoTeamlurkingaroundthecastle.Theytriedtoattackmeandevenescapedthesnapheads.Isitpossibletheyaremoredeviousthanus?”

Smelkatimidlysqueaked,“Yes,quitepossiblyso.”

Letcho’stonguedartedoutather.Sheduckedanditmissedher,butitdidmakehimstopand think.“Crusty-pod,we’llwaitherewhileyougocheckonthedungeon.Go!Whatareyouwaitingfor?”

Scrapsierevveduphisstingertail,andbouncedonit.“I’llmakesurethetrapdoorisstillsealedshut,”andskitteredawayattopspeed.“Crusty-pod?”hethought. “I’m a quality crustacean!” He knew the trap door was locked. Helockedithimself.“RuttywouldbefuriousifImessedupandtheyfoundawayout.”Hecringedwiththethought.“Surelytheprisonersarealreadysquishedbutgood.”

“Faster, crusty-face. No time to waste!” Letcho’s voice echoed in thetunnelbehindhim.

Scrapsie scaled along the side of the ledge, backtracking every step thatnightaftertheylefttheMcFeeestate.Whenhearrivedatthedungeon,thetrapdoorhungopen.“Theyaregone!”Hebeganspringingabouterraticallyonhistail.“Thiscan’tbehappening!Thisisn’thowRuttyplannedit.”Hesanktotheground,hispincersdrooping.

HedraggedhimselfupandhurriedbacktoLetcho.“Thedoorwasbarelyhangingonbyahinge,”hereported.“Iknewtheyshouldhavebeendestroyedatthe estate. Smelkamust have something to do with it. That orphan is alwayslookingtohelpothers!Icertainlyhadnothingtodowithit.”

“Iaminnocent,”Smelkapleaded.

Letcho flared in the deadliest of colors with ghastly fluorescentundertones. “She couldn’t have done it on her own. It’s that troublemaking,curly-topdogandhisflickeringstick,”hesteamed.ScrapsieandSmelkaheldontightasLetchostormedupthetunnel.“We’vegottogetthemandfast.Maybeoneofthesesidepassagewaysisashortcut.Scrapsie,halfpanickedaboutwhatRuttywoulddotothemwhenhefoundouttheprisonershadescaped,chargedintothenearestentrance.“They’llregretevervisitingourworld!”

Letchoskiddedtoastop,“Hey,wait!”ButScrapsiewasalreadyfarahead.

Letcho,tryingtoactasthoughthenewroutehadbeenhisideaallalong,turnedtoSmelka.“Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?Grabon!Westillmayneedyou.”

TheytoreoffinpursuitofScrapsie.

***

Ruttyhurriedoffofthedocksleavingthesmuggler,behind.Asheheaded

toward thesecretentrance to thevanishingmountain,heshape-shiftedback tohiscompactrattysize.HeranthroughtheguttersofMainStreet,panting.

“What could possibly be happening beneath the city?” Rutty wondered.“LetchomustbeattendingtomattersI’munawareof.Whatisthisindependenceanyhow?”Hegrumbledabouttheinefficiencyofhisspyscreen,notbeingabletorelyonthelinesofcommunicationthesedays.LetchohadsenthismessagelongbeforeRuttyhadarrivedatthedocks,butitcamelate.“What’sarattodo?”

A local storekeeper spotted him and swatted the ratwith an old broom.Ruddy was flipped head over heels, but quickly regained composure. Heclenchedhisfistandsquealedatthestorekeeper,“Don’tyouknowwhoyou’redealingwith?Thestorekeeperdidn’t seemtobe impressedwith thesqueakingrat.

“Iammovingas fastas Ican?”Ruttysaid.“Ihavea full lifeoutsideofgarbagecans.Infact,Ievenhavemyowncastleandaruthlessgangtodomydirtywork. You’ll be sorry you ever touched that broom. I warn you! Loweryourweapon!”

But the storekeeper chasedhim through the streets, hisbroomswinging.Ruttymadeaquickturnintoanalley.

“Ratisico!Ifinallylosthim.Iwillhavethatstoreshutdownforimproperpestcontrolatthenextgeneralmeeting.He’llbesorryheevertriedtomesswithme.”

Hehustledstraightoutofthecitycenterandswungoverthewirefenceattheoutskirts,landinginamanicuredgardenframedwithfloweringbushes.

“Iamtheslickestrodentandthemosthandsomeonethateverruled.”Heremindedhimself.Ruttylookedaroundtomakesurenoonewaswatching,then

plunged through a hatch door under a pile of dirt, and into the vanishingmountain.

Chapter15

“Nowwhatdowehavehere?”Clarenetteaskedgently.

“Stateyourpurposeinourgardensir,”theCaptainordered,lookingatthepathetic figure covered in berry paste. From a distance, Maximojo observedwhileblendingintothehedge.

“Sir, I am asking you for the last time. What is your purpose in ourgardens?Youareonprivateproperty,andyou,sir,aretrespassingonmyland.”

Barelyaudible,Louuttered,“Reallynotsure.Iappreciateyourhospitalityforlettingmerestforamoment,butawarmdrinkwouldsetmeonmyway.”

Outragedatthisflippantresponse,theCaptainshouted,

“IamCaptainDaltoidSwaggelot,theRulerofKavalon.

Guards.Guards!”

Butjustthen,adog,acatandahorse–allofthemcoveredinvolcanicashandlookingabitbewilderedapproached,staringatLou.

“It looks like they are communicating somehow with this wanderer,”Clarenettesaid.“Theyseemtobeconcerned.”Shescoopedupthecat.“Youareshivering,andyoudon’tevenhaveacollar.Areyoufrightened?Areyoulost?Wouldyoulikeawarmbowlofdeliciousmilk,cutelittleone?”TurningtotheperplexedCaptain,sheasked,“CanIkeepher?”

Meowlen was insulted. “Cute? Little one? Milk? Champagne perhaps.That does it!” She had her dignity. “Meowsee, meow-meow! It means ‘Laterlady!’”ShesprangoutofClarenette'sarmsasfastasanygypsyfelinewithself-respectwould.

“Acollar?Imightwearanecklace,orperhapsearrings,butneveracollar!

Howcontrolling!Possessmenot!Oh,freedom,hereIcome.”Shesprangonto

Whinny’sneck and affixed every remainingnail into a stragglingbraidonhismane.

Lourealizingthathewasinterferinginthemission,gotaburstofenergyfromtheCouncil’ssatelliteandpromptlyvanished.

“MakeitanunforgettabledepartureWhinny.Irevelindramaticescapes!”shecommanded.“Nowthepalaceawaits!”

Whinnistongallopedawayonlongstrides,Woofsterrightbehind.Thetriovanishedintothenearbyforest.BythetimetheCaptainregainedhiscomposure,thedisheveledstrangerwhohadbeenlyingathisfeetwasgone,too.Clarenettelockedeyeswithhimandhiscuriosityfaded.

“Strange thingsoccurbeforeanewmoon,mycharmingClarenette,” theCaptainsaid,tryingasmuchtoconvincehimselfthatallwaswellandnormalinhisKingdom.Tochangethesubject,heclearedhis throatandsaid,“Haveyoufinalizedallthedetailsfortomorrowevening’saffair?”

***

“Weescaped,”Woofsterhowled.“Thatwasclose.IwonderwhoLouwas

talkingto?”

“Itsurewasn’tme,andI,Whinniston,savedtheday,”hesnortedkickingupsomedirt.“ButwhereareMaximojoandGlitta?AndLou?”

“We’retheMojoTeam,they’llfindus.SomethingisnotrightaboutLou,”Meowlen said, “especially in the way he behaved in the gardens, and thendeserted uswhenwewent to get him.”Now that hermood had changed shedonnedsomethingdressierandcombedthedustoutofherhair.ShewaitedonarockwithWoofster,holdingatallcooldrinksheretrievedfromhertravelsack.

“I going to do a little investigation around here,” Whinniston said.“Groundseemsstablesofar.”

They heard a familiar woof. “Anyone around?” Mannie appeared frombehind some trees. “Yo!There you are. I’ve been searching for you. I shouldhave chased you away from the estate. Look at the trouble it causedme, andwhat a challenge to even find your tracks!But I beingMannie –Double ‘N’knewIwouldeventuallyfindyou.”Hepuffedouthischest.

“Ibrokelooseat thefirstchanceandhavecometowarnyou,butbythe

looksofityoumayhavefoundoutthatgangwasplanningyourdemise.Iwasalsoattackedoutside,but Iputupagoodfightonyourbehalf,asanyMannieshouldwhenonpatrol,”hesaid,eyeingWoofster.

“I’vebeenthinkinghardaboutthis,andthinkthatMasterMcFeeandtherat may be in on this together. Rutty and the gang are known to have a badreputation in the alleyways outside the city, and do McFee’s dirty work indisguise.Strangelyenough,itwastheStarringswhorescuedmethatnight.Aftertheywent through theTeleMirror, theonewhocalledherself ‘Sparky'came torescueme,andhelpedreducetheeffectof thescorpiolapoisonwithaflashoflight.AfterthatIregainedmystrength.I’llneversayabadthingaboutasolarflareagain.OncewesawMcFeewanderingthegrounds,Ijumpedthefenceandplannedmyescape.TheStarringsdisappearedbackintotheskies.”

***

AstheSwaggelotscontinuedontheirgardenstroll,theybrushedrightby

Kelcius, nearly knocking him over. The couple didn’t even see him. Startled,Kelciusraisedhisclaws,butheonlycametotheirankles.

“Whodotheythinktheyare!IamKelcius-Kol,”hesaid.

At the sound of his voice, other heads began to appear from between

blades of grass. “We finally found you!” The Benders piped, and gatheredaround the adventurous one, crystal shards still held at their sides. An eagerminersaid,“TheBackersarestillinthemountain,maybetrappedbythecave-in.”Hebegansearchingfor thehole in the tallgrassfromwhich theyhad justexited.

“Kazeees!”Kelciusemittedaboomtolethisnewfoundfriend,Maximojo,know of theirwhereabouts. The signalwas intercepted by a cloud of buzzinginsects,whodescendeduponthegroup.

“Hey,whoareyoutoemitsonicblastsinourairspace?It’sdisruptive,and

youdon’teven look likeyoubelong in theseparts.”More insects joined inastheyformedadarkcloud.

“Please understand,” Kelcius said. “I am trying to find my friends,Maximojoandhisspark-fly.Glittaishername.Youwouldrememberifyousawher.She’llglareatyou.Haveyouseenthem?”

WhenITsawtheinsects, thebugpanicked.IThadheardstoriesofotherbuttonbugsbeingswoopedupbyflyingthingsandcarriedaway,nevertoreturntothecomfortsofawarmear.

“Ihaveanidea,”ITinterjected,pokingoutKelcius’sear.ThebugputtieduparoundKelcius’sfaceandstretchedintoablindfoldacrosshiseyes,andtiedintoaknotbehindhishead.

“There we are,” IT said. “Now we don’t have to pay attention to theirnonsense.”

ButKelciusdidn’t seembotheredandpulled thebloboff.“Rollbackupandrelax,butkeepincloseearrange,”hesaid.“Don’tworry.I’ll takecareofthings.”

“We spotted your friends not far from here. That swift-talking spark-flyasked about you.We swarmed over herewhenwe heard your ‘Boom!’ ”Theinsects buzzed off, clearing the airspace so that Kelcius could callMaximojoagain.

Maximojowas outside the palace groundswhen he picked upKelcius’ssignal.HeflippedopenhisPolyMatrixor.“Thereyouare,”hesaid,butbeforehecouldutteranotherword,

Kelcius said, “TheBackers are trapped inside themountain. Please helpthem.”

Glitta lit up. “They followed us into the tunnel looking forKelcius.Wemustrescuethem,Mojo.Westillhavetimetomakeittothepalaceafterward.”

Maximojo located Meowlen and the others in the nearby forest on thedevice’s screen. “Wait hidden amongst the trees until I come for you,” hetransmitted, “and under no circumstances leave the dark forest. It could affectthe outcome of our mission. I must find Kelcius’s friends, the missingTreptalonians.Theyaretrappedsomewhereinthemountain.”

“I am sure the Council is going to have a few things to say about thisdetour,”Glittasaid.Maximojoliftedthehatchdooratthemountain’speak.

“Meowlen is sending images of spacecakes over the PolyMatrixor. Wemusthurry!Sheheardaboutthepartyatthepalace.Knowingher,shemaynotwaitforlong,”hesaid,alittleworried.

Glitta hooked onto the backpack and revved up. They blasted down thechutewithMaximojoleadingtheway,hispawsstretchedoutinfront.

***

At the palace, a generalmeetingwas about to commence.TheAdvisors

were entering through a private door, taking their appointed seats around apolished tabletop, its shiny surface illuminating the portraits on the corridorwalls. Clarenette, who occasionally joined these meetings, whispered in theCaptain’sear,“ItisanhonortoholdtheScepterofaKingdom,isn’titDaltoid?Youalwayswantedto,remember,evenbeforeyouwereaCaptain.”

The Captain puzzled for amoment over themeaning of her words, butthen was distracted when McFee entered, unaccompanied by Mannie. TheCouncilhadagreedthatMcFeeshouldnotbeallowedtobringMannietosuchmeetings,forreasonsthatRutlandRatkindidnotwanttodiscuss.TheencounterhadbeenagreatembarrassmentforbothRutlandandMcFee.TheycouldhavelosttheirfavoredpositionwiththeCaptain.Fortunately,theCaptainstillseemedtowantthemaround.

SinceManniechasedRutlandinto thestreets,heescapedandabandonedhispatrolpostandallhisdutiesattheestate.“HeisnotthedogIgroomedhimtobe,”McFeethought.“Heusedtobesoobedient,andhehelpedbyescortingthe Mojo Team into my trap. I suppose he is upset after being stung by thescorpiola,butIdidn’texpecthimtodisappearafterward.

“Heseemstobeexhibiting traitsof independence likeSmelka.Thatwillneverdo.IneedtofindMannieanddisposeofhimbeforehemessesthingsupfurther.I’lldealwithSmelka,too,butnotrightnow.”

Justthen,Rutlandhustledintotheroomclearlyirritated.Hismustachewastangledandthepapershewascarryingalmostflewoutofhishand.Hehurledhimselfintohischair,andbeganscrapingthedirtfromunderhisnailswithhisteeth.TheCaptainnoticed.

“Rutland is usually impeccably dressed,” he thought, " His hands are

covered indirt. I'venevernoticed suchachange inhimbefore.”He turned toClarenette. “I’ve alwayswondered about Ratkin,” he said quietly, “so illusiveandfascinating.Andlatelytherearesomeoddthingsgoingon,likethatscruffywandereronourpropertythismorning.Whowashe?Washeanaccountedguestfor the new-moon celebrations in the city? Stranger things have happened inKavalonduringfestivetimes,”hesaid.

Afterthemeeting,SwaggelottookRutlandaside.

“Clarenettewouldlikeyoutojoinusattheaffairwehostincelebrationofthe moon,” he began. “You would be our honored guest. You are respectedthroughouttheland,andweappreciatethecontributionyouhavemade…,”hepaused,and raisedhiseye.“And ...” In thatmomenthe realized thathedidn’tactually remember appointingRutland. It seemed tohim likeRutlandhad justappeared.Puttingthisstrangethoughtaside,hecontinued.“Iknowyouhaveabusypersonal life but you reallymust joinus,Rutland.Youwouldn’twant todisappointClarenette,now,wouldyou?Shehasbakedagushberrypiewithyournameonit.”

“Raticulous! How can I refuse?” Rutland said, twisting the tip of hismoustache and bowing. “It will be an honor. I would never disappoint thegraciousClarenette.Iwillbringaspecialblendofwineconcoctedfromberriesandblossomspersonallyselectedfrommysecretgarden,andbrewedundertheshadowofaneclipse.Itwasamomenttoremember,andIsavedonebottleforthisspecialoccasion.Iwillbetherewhentheskiesdarken.”

Chapter16

TheBackers awoke piled up at the bottom of the staircase surrounded by theshattered remains of their crystal shards. They began to stir, but realized thattheyhadlandedonaslick,smooth,roundfloor,andhadtoproceedwithcautionastheirclawsweremadeformuchroughersurfaces.Theynotedthatthefloor’ssurfaceendedbeforereachingthewallsoftheshaft,leavingalargegap.Alargetelescopepointeddownwardovertheedgeofthefloorintotheshaftbelowtheplatform.

They were cautious untangling their limbs from one another, and gavethema stretch so that theywould snapback intoplace.They scootedon theirtummiesacrossthesymbolsthatwerecarvedintothefloor’ssurface,overtotheedgeandpeeredover. “Their eyes readjusted to thegloom.“Kazeees!”oneoftheBackerssaid.Theechocarriedfarintothepit.

Anotherof thegroupcaughtawhiffof somethingunfamiliar, and raised

hissnout.Ashedidhespiedalargechestsharingtheplatformwiththem.“Lookoverthere,”hesaid.Alleyesshiftedtotheobject.Astheystared, thelatchonthechestbegantoglow,anditbegantoshakeandshuffleabout.Then,totheirsurprise,itstoodupononeofitscorners.

“It’smoving towards us,” a suspiciousminer said, alarmed. “Somethingmustbealiveinside.”

The chest stopped and crashed over onto its side.At the samemoment,highabove them, thedoor throughwhich theyhadentered slammedshut, andthestairstheyhadfallendownretracted.

“Kazeees!Nowhowwillwegetoutofhere?”onesaid.

The chest began to rattle again. “I think something inside is trying toescape,”anotheronesaid.

A curious miner who had remained looking over the edge said, “Quiet!

Listen,canyouhearthathummingnoise?”

They became still. An eerie noise floated up to them from deep below.Again,theyallpeeredovertheside.“Icandefinitelyseesomething,”onesaid.

TheeldestBackerlookedatthetelescope.“I’veseenLetchousingonelikethisfromthewatchpostabovethemines,”hesaid.“IfLetchocandoit,thensocanI.”Hefeltdeterminednowandscootedovertothetelescopeandputhiseyeuptoit.“Thereareawholelotofstrangecreaturesbeneathus,”hesaid

He narrowed in on a small gray one who stood out from the massivespotted black ones surrounding it. The big ones had huge curved tusks. Theireyesweresetwideapartsurroundedbysparsehairthatcoveredwrinkledfacesthathadneverseenthelightofthesun.

“Their legsareallchainedtogether,”hesaid.“Maybetheyareslaves likeus.”

“Doyouthinktheyareminers,too?”oneasked.

“Theylookratherlargeforminers,”Theeldestlookedathisownclaws.

“IfKelciuswereherehewouldgoandask,”anothersaid.

“Therehastobeanotherexitoutofhere,”theeldestsaid.Severalof the

groupbeganemittingfriendlybooms trying toget theattentionof theworkersbelow.Therewasnoresponse.

They all watched, fascinated by every move the creatures made. The

workerswerechainedtogetherinsmallteams,soclosetooneanotherthattherewasnearlynospacebetweenthem.Theypushedheavycarts loadedwithwhatappearedtoberock,movingfromoneplateautoanotheralongsteeppathsthatjuttedoutfromthewalls,andthenintovariouscaves.

“With those chains on them, onewrongmove and the entire linewouldfall,”theeldestnoted.“Theymayneedustoshowthemabetterwaytomine.”

The largeworkers trudged along the shaft floor, while the smaller onesbalancedonthenarrowledges,andplateauswherecaveslinedthewalls.Whentheycameoutofthecaves,thecartswereempty.Everystepappearedplannedandprecise,forindeedifoneofthemlosthisfooting,therestwouldfalltotheshaftfloorbeneaththem.

“Thecartsareunloadedoverthere,soitmightbeourwayout,”theeldestobserved.“Letchomustbeontheotherside.Thismustbewherehecomeswhenhe leaves the guard post.” Then a thought occurred to him. “If thosemassivemoverstellLetchowearehere,he’llgiveusawhackingorworse,throwustothesnapheads.It’sbetterwestayput,Ithink,whilewewaitfortheotherstofindus.”

Everyoneagreed,butoneofthegroupcaughtsightofacaveontheothersideof theshaft.Asoft lightemanatedfromit.“Kazeees!Ifwecanget insidethatholeoverthereitmightleadustoourcaves.”

“Butwecan’tleapthatfar,”anothersaid.“We’dfallrightintotheshaft.”

The eldestwent back to looking through the telescope. The cave’s lightilluminatedasegregatedareabelowwhereworkerswerestompingoncrystals,pulverizing them into finegranules.The shimmeringpileswere then shoveledinto sacks, leaving clouds of sparkling dust behind that caught the light andprojected little rainbows on the shaft walls. He also noticed that the smallestworkers were separated from the others to avoid being trampled, althougheveryone,nomatteritssize,hadheavyliftingduties.

Heloweredthetelescope.“Wait!”heexclaimed.“ThismustbetheotherracethattheeldestBenderwastellingusabout.”

“They’reawfullybig,”saidanother.

Justthen,thecheststoodstill.Someoftheminers,includingtheeldestatthe telescope, left their observations and approached the chest.As they did, ittriedtoshrinkawayfromthem.Theeldestcouldnolongerresisthiscuriosity.Hereachedupandwithatwistofhisclaw,flungthechest’slidopen.Theothersscrambledupthesidesforalookinside.

They all stared in amazement at four vessels, each containing a figurine

floating in liquid. Upon closer inspection of the figurines, one miner said,“These lookkindof familiar!”He reached in andhooked eachof the vessels,and tossed them out onto the platform floor. All gathered around. The eldestpickedupthevesselsandexaminedthem.Eachhadadiamondpluginthetop.With his claw, he popped the plug out of one, blew away the foam, turned itover,andshookit.

“Seemstobestuck,”hesaid,peeringintotheopenend.“Thisonehasa

bigearlessheadandalongtail!”Hepickedupanother.“Lookatthehugeclawsonthislittleone,”hesaid.WaittillKelciusseesthesethings.”Theliquidpouredontothefloor.Thefigurineswerestilljammedinthevessels.

“Shake them harder,” the others encouraged. The eldest did, and the

figuresinsideploppedoutontothefloor.Theothersroughlypassedaroundthelittle statuettes. They were made of a tacky clay that softened and becameslipperywhentheywerehandled.Onefigurine,whichhadawhitestripealongitsback,squirtedoutofoneminer’sgripandrolledaway,stoppingjustbeforeitplungedovertheedgeoftheplatform.Itletoutafaintcry.

“I tried to warn you!” the statuette said politely, but no one heard.Meanwhile,alltheothersbecameintriguedwiththewhiskeredonethatworeabelt.Itsquirmedundertheirtouch.“Thisone’saslipperycharacter.”Allagreed.

Adeterminedmineryankedonthefigurine’stail,whileanothertriedtore-

sculptthepointynose,butitwouldn’tflattennomatterhowhardtheytried.

“Letmetry!”onesaid,eagertojoinin.

“Like this, twist it the other way!” Another took over, but after every

attempt,everythingsnappedbackintoplace.

The builder Backer, known for his skill in carving rock into buildingblocks,twistedthepointy-earedfigurine’sheadineverydirection.“Itispliablewithalittleeffort.Butwatch, itdoesn’tbreakoffwhetherI turnit thiswayorpullitallthewayback.Itjustsnapsbackintoshape.”

“Durable!”Theyallwereimpressed.Theminerscouldpulverizeastoneinonecrunch,butthismaterialcouldnotbecrushed.“Kelciusmustseethis!”theeldestsaid.

Theminerswerestartledwhenaneeriesoundechoedupthroughtheshaft.

“Yawoooop!Yawoooop!”

“They’ve seen us,” said an observerwho had remained peering over theedge,“andtheydon’tsoundhappy.”

***

Onlythemostextravagantaffairstookplaceinthepalace.AllnobilityandtheelitethroughouttheKingdomwereinvited.Wind,woodandstringedmusicalinstruments set a fine ambience for the guests. Only the finest chefs werebroughtintocreatethemosttantalizingdelicacies.

Asthesunset,everyonebeganarriving,breathtakinglyattired.Theladies

woregownswithbeadedlacetrimthatdrapedalongthepolishedmarblefoyer,andthemenworeclassicweavejackets,pleatedpantsandmetallic-rimcapsthatfitsnugly.

This occasion called for Clarenette towear a pink gown, accentedwithpearldropsthatranalongitsfringes.Statuesque,shecreatedanangelicpresenceas she gathered her train and elegantly descended the winding staircase. SheflashedasmileattheCaptain,whowaswearinghispinkdiamond-studdedeyepatch.Hewinkedback,knowingshehadmadeitfromaswatchoffabricfromherdress.

Clarenettestoppedandarrangedherhairpin,whichheldtheformaldisplay

ofbraidsandcurlsatopherhead.Thehairpinwasagiftfromherchildhood,andshewasneverwithoutit.Itwasmadeofcrystallizedmeteoriteandnotonlysetthefashiontrend,butitalsohadothersecretpurposes.

As she floated to the Captain’s side, she passed the hallway mirror.Everyonewas so takenbyher charm that noonenoticedher reflectiondidn’tappear in themirror.Clarenette,however, caughtRutland’sbeady stare in thatverymirror.Whensheturnedaroundtogreethim,noonewasthere.Infact,hewasinfarcornerof theroomdeepinconversation.Inthenext instant,hewasstandingdirectlybehindher.Sheturnedandthetwolockedeyes.Bothbegantolaughatthenoveltyofit.

Rutty smiled tohimself. “She ismine at last and theKingdom too.”He

straightenedhisjacketinthemirror.

“Dinnerisserved.”Itwasannounced.Theguestsfiledintothedininghall.Golden-gloved servers stood by. The tables were filled with platters of tastycreations tosatisfyeverypallet,andallwereservedwithavarietyofseasonalgushberrywines.TheguestsawaitedthesignalfromtheCaptain,whoraisedatorchandlitthecandlestousherinthenew-moonaffair.

“Everyoneenjoyinthefestivitiesofthisspecialevening,”heannounced.“Thefirstofmanymoretocome.”

“AndthiswillbeyourlastinthisKingdom!”Rutlandthought.Heclinkedaforkagainsthisgoblet.“IwouldliketomakethefirsttoasttotheCaptainandthe charming Clarenette.” As he lifted his glass, he flipped on his head andbeganbouncingonthefloor.Ruttywasoutofcontrol.

“Something has got a grip on me!” he gulped, bumping into the table,

nearlytippingitover.Ahushedsilencefellovertheroom.Everyoneheldtheirgoblets and watched every move. Rutland toppled over onto his back andquickly stood up. But then his nose flattened against his face, and an unseenforceflippedhimontohisbottom.Heduckedhisheadintohisjacketsothattheother guests couldn’t see, and pulled on his nose until it stretched back intoshape.Hestruggledagaintohisfeet,butslippedonthespilledwine,andlandedonhisback.

Bynoweveryonewasconvincedhewasputtingonashowforthem,andapplaudedloudly,cheeringhimon.“Dance,Rutland!Dance!”

Rutland was somehow thrown onto the dinner table, sprang up to thefireplacemantel, then dove headfirst onto a chair and stood up.With a hugeeffort,herippedopenhislapel,gaspingforbreath.Thenhefeltsomethinggrabhimby thebackside, pulling at his pants.His face contorted inpainwhenhisheadtwistedsofararoundthathecouldlookateveryonebehindhim.

“Ohmy,”exclaimedoneguest,puttingahandoverhermouth.“Howdoeshedothat?”

ThenRutland’sheadtwistedtheotherway.Heputhishandsoneithersideofhishead to try tostop it. Insidehis jacket,he feltheat rising.Outragedandembarrassed, he thought, “Rats don’t sweat! Rats are tough and cool!”Nonetheless,beadsofsweatrolledoffhisface.Hewasbeingmadeaspectacleof,butbywhom?“Itmustbe thoseintruders thatescaped,”hethought.“Theywillnotgetawaywithit,oreverleavethisworld.”

Hesteadiedthechair,thenvaultedoffthewallandfloppedontothefloor.He lay there for amoment, panting. Then stood up and bowed, not knowingwhatelsetodo.

“Thank you, thank you,” he said as everyone applauded. “I havemanynew-moon talents. Theremay bemore to come,” he said, hoping that wasn’ttrue.

“Here’s toabrilliantperformance!”oneguest said,holdinghisgoblet intheair.Thecrowdcheered,asmorebottleswereopened.

“He looked almost like a puppet whose handler was out of control!”anotherguestsaid,laughing.“Rutlandcan’thandlehiswine.”

Unsureifanotherattackwasimminent,Rutlandmanagedacautioussmilefor the crowd, and struck a casual pose against a pillar. Some of his featuresremaineddistorted,buthehopeditwasn’ttoonoticeable.

***

Outsideinthepalacegardens,darkcloudshadrolledin,dimmingthelight

fromthestarsthathadaccentedthebush-linedlawn.Thedeepshadowshelpedconceal Letcho and the other gang members waiting for further orders fromRutty.

Letchowasthefirsttonoticesomethingstrange.Hisscalesbecamesohot

that hedrooledon them to cool himself, but it didn’t help.Scrapsie,whohadbeenrestingonthelizzardo’shorn,wasnearlyburnedbeforeheleaptoff.

Theybothflippedoverandrolledaroundonthelawn,untilexhausted,andsprawledoutstaringatthesky.

Smelkawasoccupiedbehindabushtestingoutsomeimprovedstinkbomb

weaponry. She sensed something sneaking up from behind. “Leaveme alone,Letcho!” she cried. “You’re asking for trouble from Rutty!” But when shelooked, the lizzardowasnowherearound.“Who’s there?Showyourselfor I’llblastyou!”Nooneanswered.Shebegantofeeldizzyandfeverish.“Everythingisinawhirl!”wereherlastwordsasshespun,rollingoverandoveracrossthelawn.Shefeltasifsheweretumblingintoanabyss,andfellintoadeeptrance.

Letcho, struggling against an overwhelming drowsiness to keep one eyeopen,watchedherspinacrossthegroundsandcometoastop.“ThatSkunklen,”hethought.“Ifitwasn'tforherweaponry,she'dbeworthless.Don'tknowwhy

Ruttykeepsheraround.”Thenhisscalescurledandhiscolorsdrainedaway.Hecouldnolongerfocusorevenholduphishead.

Scrapsie, also overcome with fatigue, stumbled over and crawled onto

Letcho’shorn.Theybothfellintoadeepslumber.

Chapter17

McFee was relaxing in his favorite chair in the study, when he heard acommotioncomingfromthebasement.Inaninstant,herecognizedtheshrillsofhis Mammolias. “That’s coming from the tunnel that leads to the secretmineshaft,”he said.Heclutchedarmsofhis chair and rose, as ahoodedcapedescendeduponhim.Heraceddownthestairstofindoutwhytheyhadraisedanalarm.

TheBackersheardadoorslam.TheyturnedtodiscoverMcFee,hishandson his hips, standing in the entrance to the dimly lit cave that they had beenunabletoreach.

“Do notmove or youwill be destroyed,” he said. “How dare you enterhere.WhoareyoutodisturbtheMammolias?”Hesquintedatthem.“Wellnow,howdoes a slave slip pastLetcho?”He looked at the floorwhere they stood.“Andwhathaveyoudonetomypreciousvessels!”

“Kazeees!Heisalsobigandscary!”Theminerspanickedandcrawledtotheedge.Onetuckedthenearestfigurine,atinyskunklenthathadcurledintoatightball,underanarmtolatershowKelcius.Theylinkedclawsandformedachain.Theeldestgrippedtheedgeoftheplatformwhiletheothersskitteredoverhim,eachhangingontothelegsoftheoneabovehim.Theyswunglikearopeover to thepillar thatsupported theplatform.Luckily, itwasnotslick like theplatformhadbeen,andtheywereabletosettheirclawsintoit.Whentheydid,theeldestletgooftheplatformandtheyallbegantodescendthepillar.

McFee’s hood flew off, propelled by his rage. “Trying to escape?

Impossible,butIwillrelishwatchingyoutry.Ineverimaginedthatyoumeaslyminerswouldbecomeungrateful,breaktherulesandroamwhereyoushouldn’tbe wandering. I saved your ancestors from destruction, and now you dare totrespassinmysecretmountain?Thatwasnotwise.Youwillneveragainseethecomfortofyourcaves.”Heswoopedacrosstheshaft,capeflying,andlandedontheobservatorydeck.

Theminerslistenedastheyspiraleddownthepillar,pickingupspeedwith

every turn onwhat seemed to be an endless journey.Their claws stirred up acloudofcrystaldustthatpartedwhenMcFeetrainedthetelescopeonthem.

“Yawoooop! Yawoooop!” The Mammolias were sending out alarms as

theywatched thewiry-hairedminers descending. Instinctually they readied todefendtheminingshaft,theonlyplacetheytrulyremembered.

“We should havewaited untilKelcius returned to his cave,” one said astheynearedthebottom.“Weshouldhavestayedawayfromtrouble.”Theyletgoofthepillaranddroppedtheshortdistancetotheground.

McFee’s mouth twisted into a sneer as he reveled in the chaos he was

about tocreate.Hecrossed twofingers,andsomeof theMammoliasreared infright, and began yanking at the chains around their legs attempting to breakfree.

“Tremendousdisplayofterror,”McFeesaid,pleased.

Hesmackedhislips,andwatchedtheMammoliasmimickedhim.“Yes,all

ofasuddenyou’rehungry,aren’tyou?”Heclappedhishandshard,knowingthathecouldinfluencetheirappetite.

“How about a little Treptalonian snack?” He pointed at the chain thatjoinedthelegsofoneoftheMammoliateams,andthechaindisappeared.TheybeganclosinginontheBackers,whowerenowhuddledaroundthepillar,eyeswidewithfright.

AgroupofspottedMammolias,drivenbypanic,wrenchedcrazilyagainst

theirchains,breakingthem.Exhaustedbytheeffort,theycollapsed,butfeltthetiniestsensationoffreedom,somethingtheyhadlongforgotten.

Theminersquicklybacktrackedupthepillar,butcouldnotgetagripofitsslipperysurface.Theyscurriedtothefarcorneroftheshaft,andquicklyscaledstraightuptheshaftwalloutofreachofthehungrycreatures.

McFeerelishedwatchingthemflee.Heknewtherewasanelectriccurrent

linedin theshaft’swall,andthat if theyclimbedanyhigher, itwouldactivate,

throwingthemtotheirfatebelow.

“I told you escape was impossible,” he bellowed. Satisfied that he hadsealedtheirfate,heturnedtootherbusiness.HewavedhishandandthefigurineofRuttyfloatedintoit.HenotedthelocationsofScrapsieandLetcho’sfigurineselsewhere on the floor. Letcho, of course, would have to be retrained forallowingtheslavestoescape,hedetermined.

“AndwhereismyinnocentSmelkaSkunklen!”Hepeeredangrilyintotheshaft.“Well,well.Theresheis,snuglywrappedinaTreptalonianarmpit.Well,Icoulddowithoutaskunklen ifneedbe.Wemaynotbe inneedofanyfurtherstink bomb weaponry. She was beginning to show too much independenceanyway,” he thought. “Does Smelka really believe she can make her ownchoices,when itwas Iwhogaveher avoice andapurpose aspart of anastygang? Did she not know I would find out she gave the slaves treats? I candestroyherjustasquicklyasIhadherthinksheappearedinthealley,orbetteryet,stripthatskunklenofherstripe.It’sheridentity,anditgivesheraplaceinthisworld.”

HeheldupRutty’sstatuette.“AsforyouRatkin,youdespicablerat,wherewere you when the slaves escaped from the mines on the other side of themountain?Whywas Letcho not on guard, andwherewas Scrapsiewhen thiswashappening?Youhaven’tbeendoingyourjob.”

In his anger, he squeezed the figurine. “A little uncomfortable are we,Rutty?You think of yourself as the ‘leader of nastiness.’ Foolish puppet!Youwill never be a substitute for me! You may be helping me with my gem-smuggling operation, but you can never be me. You don’t even know that Icontrolyouthroughthislittlefigurine!I’veputyoutogooduseandyoushouldbeappreciative.”

McFee realized the ratwas not to be disposed of yet and controlled histemper.Hebegansmoothingout the indentson thedisfiguredstatuette.“IstillneedyoutolookrespectableandhandsomeforClarenette,”hesaid.

“Afterwards you’ll awaken and discover you and your nasty little gangwereundermycontrol.AndthentheKingdomwillbemine!NexttimeI’llmakesure my puppets’ have no feelings. That was an oversight on my part. ImisjudgedtheinfluenceofMaximojo’smojo.”

Withanotherwaveofhishand,thefigurinesofLetchoandScrapsieroseup off the floor, and he grabbed them inmidair. “I believe you need a slight

touchupandremolding,too,afterthoseslavesmangledyouso!”Hesmoothedthefrayedlizzardo’sscalesandsharpenedthescorpiola’spincerstoafinetip.

“You won’t remember a thing now, will you?” he said, moving the

figurines’headsupanddownasiftheyagreed.“Timeforeveryonetogetbacktotheirduty.Obeynow!”TheLetchoandScrapsiefigurinessquirmedasMcFeestuffedthembackintothevessels,pluggedtheseal,andcarefullyreplacedtheminthechest.

As theyblinkedathimfrombehind theglass,McFeesmashedSmelka’svesselintopieces.“Smelkawillbeeliminated,buttheprocessmaytakealittlewhile. Such a pity the erraticmoon and that interfering space dog spoiledmyweaponry.”

LetchoandScrapsiewonderediftheirvesselswouldbethenexttargetofMcFee’swrath,butfelttheirmemoryslippingaway.McFeeclappedhishands.“Istillneedyoumypreciousgang!”Theireyesclosed.

Hetookonemorelookthroughthetelescopeattheminers,whostillclungto the rocks as theMammolias patientlywaited for them to tumble into theirmidst.Assured thateverythingwasgoingasexpected,he turned togoback tohisstudy.Then,abrilliantflashoflightfrombehindhimsplashedhisenlargedshadowonthewalloftheshaft.Startled,hewhippedaroundtoseeathunderingdogheadedrightforhim,andthatannoyingwandsittingatophim.

Maximojo plopped onto the floor of the platform.Glitta rocketed aroundhim,andcametoastop.

“Howdidyougetoutofthedungeon!”McFeesaid.

MaximojolookedatGlitta,andthensaidtoMcFee,“Didyoureallythinkyoucouldkeepuslockedinthedungeon?”

Glittathrewaglowballathim.“Thisisgoingtobetrouble,Mojo!Andourbackupteamisnowhereinsight.”

McFee slowly removed his hood, and Maximojo stared into his eyes,

whichwere filledwith anger. “I knew itwas you behind all this!”Maximojosaid.“ButhowdidyougettheCounciltodivertustoyourestate?”Thinkingforamoment,Maximojo’seyeslitup.“ItwastheStarrings!Youusedthemtolureus.WeshouldhavestayedinKavalon.”

“Youarea troublesomepooch,Maximojo.Whydidyoubotherbreakingoutof thedungeon?”McFeesaid.“It tooka lotofwork toarrange foryou tocomehere,andyou’renotgoingtoescapefrommenoworever.”

“NoonetalkstomyMojolikethat!”Glittasaid,andsheshotalightningboltatMcFee,butitpassedrightthroughhimandhittheshaftwallbehindhim.Thewallbrokeintoflames.McFeecuppedhishand,andthefirerushedintoit.Hereshapedtheflameintoballs,whichshotoutofhishandsandencircledtheduoinacircleoffire.

“Takecover,Mojo!”Glittasaid, turningintoaflamingsword.SheslicedthefireballsintofieryropeandlassoedMcFeewithintenseradiation.“I’vegothiminatighthold!”

“Enoughnonsense!”McFeebrokefree.Theropesturnedtostaticenergy.“Your powers are useless againstme in the vanishingmountain. This will beyourlastmission.You’redoomed.”

McFee reached out, and the chest that had been quivering on the floorleapt into his hand. He wrapped the chest in his cape, spun like a top, anddisappearedinapuffofsmoke.Whenthesmokeclearedaone-sidedcoinspuntoastopwhereMcFeehadstood.Maximojopickeditupandexaminedit.Thecoin flipped out of his paw and landed face up withMcFee’s face. “It’s thatcosmicpiratethatattackeduswhenwelanded,”hesaid.

“Stariola!Iwonderwhatthatmeans?”Glittasaid.

Hetossedthecoinintohispack.“I’lldisposeofitinadiscontinuedblack

holeonourwaybacktooursolarsystem.Hopefullyitwillburnoutforgood.NowtorescuethoseTreptalonians.”

JustthenKelciusarrivedatthetopofthestaircase.Therestofthesearchteam,theBenders,crowdedinbehindhim.

“We’reheretohelp,Maximojo!”Kelciushollered.

Maximojo looked up at them, impressed at their fearless instincts andnewfound independence. “We located your friends,” he said, “They are downbelowandappear tobesafe.Glittaand Iwillbring themup.Don’tmove, it’sdangerousaroundhere!”

Theduolaunchedthemselvesovertheedgeoftheplatform.

“I’mgoing tobe just likeMaximojowhen Igrowup,”Kelcius said.He

caughtsightofaglitteringobjectdartingoutofMaximojo’spack.Itfloatedforamoment, turned into a flameanddisappeared into the entranceof theglowingcaveontheothersideoftheshaft.

Kelcius shook his head. “There are a lot of funny-looking spark-fliesaroundlately,”hesaid.

***

“To thecharmingClarenette!”TheCaptain raisedagobletandeveryone

stoodup.Rutland interruptedbymakinganother toast.“Andalso for themosttasty gushberry pie ever baked in my honor.” Rutland clinked the Captain’sglass, and bowed to the others. Everyone took a sip, and Rutland excusedhimself, dodged behind a pillar and straightened his jacket. He was still notfeelinglikehimself.Hedabbedthecornersofhismouthwithanapkin,andwasalarmedtofeelwhiskersbeginningtosproutthere.Unnerved,heslippedoutthesidedoor.

“Thisshouldn’tbehappening!”hethought.“Shape-shiftingonlyhappens

whenIwillittohappen.”Thewhiskersretracted.

Hepeeredacross thegrounds,andwhistledsoftly tosummon the restofhis gang. Nothing happened. “Where is Smelka?” His eyes darted around inpanic.“Sheisalwaysthefirsttorespondtomycall.”Hewhistledagain,butstillnoSmelka.

“Now that’s odd, not at all like her. Could something have happened?

Maybeitwasthatcat,Meowlen,whogaveherquiteakickduringthebattleatthe castle.” He snickered, remembering the look on Smelka’s face as the cathigh-heeleditacrossthestudy.

It was not like his gang to disappear. Rutland stepped behind a row ofbushesandtrippedoveramound,landinginthedirt.Curledupunderhischin,LetchoandScrapsiestirred.

Rutlandstoodup,andbrushedhimselfoff.“Whydidn’tyourespondtomysignal?”

Letcho, trying to look innocent, said, “Um… I didn’t recognize you all

dressedup.”Thewordscameoutsoundingoddbecauseonlyonecornerofhismouthwasmovingproperly,andoneeyewasstillstuckshutfromthemeltdownofhisstatuetteontheobservatorydeck.

“You’resupposedtobeonduty!Getupnow,youlazylizzardo.WhereisSmelka?”

“Sheshouldstillbeoverthere,”Letchosaid,pointingtothebushwherehehadseenherrollover.

“Ihaven’tseenher,”Scrapsiesaid.ThescorpiolaeyedRutlandinthedim

light.Hethoughthesawpricklypatchesonhischeeks.“AreyouOK?”Scrapsieaskednervously.

“Never ask anything when I’m thinking,” Rutland said icily. “What areyoulookingat?”

Scrapsielookedaway.“Nothing,”hesaid.

“Raticulous!”Rutlandsaid,wipingsomemudfromhishand.“ThecaptureofClarenettewill succeed,but I, themightyRutlandRatkinwilldo itmyself.Find that skunklen and wait for me under the sewer grate. We are about toexperiencethedarkestmomentinhistory.”

Hegazedupat themoonless sky, as thewhiskers thathadbeen trying tocomeoutblendedbackintohismustache.

Rutlandturnedandwithlongstrides,madeagrandentranceintothefoyer.

Outside, his gang fell back into a slumber as their bodies continued toregaintheirstrength.

“My, what a performance you gave!” Clarenette said as Rutlandapproached.

“Itwasmypleasuretoentertainyou,mylady,”hesaidcoyly.

“Thank you for all the tremendouswork you’ve done in theKingdom,”

shesaidsmiling.“TheCaptainhaskeptmeapprisedofyourefforts.”

“Wehaven’thadamoment tobecomeacquainted ina less formalway.”He kneeled before her. “Would you care to joinme for awalk?”He held his

breath.

Shecoveredhermouth.“Rutland!Youareactingstrangetonight.Istheresomethingonyourmind?”

Hestoodagain,brushedahandoverhisfaceandwasrelievedthatitwassmooth.Hetwistedhismustacheintoacurlwithasuavegrin,tiltedhisheadandwinkedather.

Hedrewafingeruptohischinandtapped.“Yes,Clarenette.Asamatteroffact,thereis.Someoftheworkersdidnotshowupatthesite,andIhadtodigatrenchwithmyownhands.”Heturnedhishandovertoshowherthatitwascoveredindirt.“MayItellyoualittlesecret?”Heknewshelovedsurprises.Shenoddedeagerly.

“We are constructing the tallestwatchtower ever built, and guesswhosenamewillbeonaplaqueatthebaseofthetower?”

She smiled. “Mine? Surely there are others more deserving in theKingdom?”Clarenetteloweredhereyeshumbly.

“Ratisico!Youguessed it!Noonehasdonemore for theKingdom than

yourlovelyself.NaturallytheCaptainhaschosenRutlandRatkintobeinchargeof construction.” He tugged at his lapels and leaned in. “I know the finestbuildersintheland,andhadthebrickbuilderscrafteachonewithskillfulclaws...Imeanskillfulhands.

“IamsureyouunderstandthatithasalsobeenachallengetokeepwithintheCaptain’sbudget.Webothknowheisfamousforrunningatightship.”Hesmiled conspiratorially. “Now this watchtower is a little secret we can keepbetween us? I would not want to ruin his surprise, but looking at the lightdancinginyoureyes,Isuspectyouratherenjoyedhearingaboutit.”

“Allright,”shesaidcautiously.“Idon’tsupposeIneedtotellhimaboutit.”

Rutlandpulledasapphirebottleoutfromunderhisjacket.“Thisisablendbrewedforoccasionssuchasthis,”hewinked.“Let’shaveonemoretoast,butletitbeoutsideinthegardens.Pleasejoinmeforastroll.”Heextendedanarm.

“Well, since you are our guest of honor, it would bemy pleasure,” she

said.ClarenetteslippedherhandsintolaceglovesandwavedtotheCaptainattheotherendoftheroomassheandRutlanddriftedtowardthesidedoor.Inthefoyer,theypassedportraitsoftheCaptain’spredecessorshangingthere,arrangedinorder from the timewhen the first brickwas laid in theKingdom.The lastportraitwasofCaptainDaltoidSwaggelot. Itwasundated.Hewasdressed inarmordecoratedwithmedals,andworeagushberrycoloredpatchoveraneye.“Helookssoproudinfrontoftheshipyard,”Clarenettesighed.

Rutland licking his lips, imagined his handsome portrait hanging in theempty space at the other side of the corridor, bigger andmore grand than theothers. He scooped up two goblets and escorted her to the far corner of thegardenstoaprivatecourtyardhiddenamongsttallfloweringvines.

TheCaptainwent to thesecondfloorwindowfeelingsomethingwasnot

quite right. He moved the curtain aside and watched Clarenette and Rutlanddisappear on the pebble pathway. Normally he never took an interest in thepersonalaffairsofanyofhisAdvisors, includingRutlandRatkin,but it struckhimthathedidn’tevenknowwhereRutlandlived.

TheCaptainfeltashivergouphisspine.Athoughtcametohim,“Howisit that I really don’t knowwho thatRatkin is, even after all this time.Wherehave I been?At sea?”Thenhe shuddered as an evenmoredisturbing thoughtcame,“IsmyKingdomindanger?Never!”hevowed.

Alarmedhereachedforhissword.

“Guards!Guards!”heyelled.

Thecelebrationwasover.

Chapter18

Meowlenwasgetting impatient, although shewouldn’t admit it.Woofsterwasrestless, too, after hiding for so long in the forest waiting for Maximojo’sinstructions.Meowlen concentrated hard, sending the aroma of spacecakes toMaximojotolurehimtotheforestsotheycouldcarryonwiththeiradventure,likeshedidwhenhefirstarrivedonZalturn.

Whinnistonchewedona tree.“Let’sgetonwith it!”Hewasalsobored.“Wewerechosenforthismission.Weoughttotakeresponsibilityandact.Ijustcan’t wait any longer. Hop on! Maximojo can catch up with us later at thepalace.Aren’tyoucuriousaboutwhat’sgoingonthere?There’stroublebrewing.Icanfeelitinmymuzzle.Justlookatmynostrilsexpandandcontract.Idon’tknowexactlywhatitis,butI’llbetithassomethingtodowiththeCaptain.”

Woofsterwasbecomingskillfulatrollinghiseyes.“I’mnotsureleavingthewoodsisagoodmove.”

“A change of scenerywithout rocksmight be nice,”Meowlen said. Sheinspected her claws, now polishedwith the color Lunar Licorice to honor thenew moon. “The dungeon experience had been pretty traumatic for me, andbeingblownoutof themountainwasnotwhat Iwouldhavecalledagracefulexit.Ievensnaggedoneofmyfavoriteshawlsonajaggedrockonthewayup.

“Andbesides,wedidn’texactlypromisetostayhiddenintheforestuntilhereturned.”Sherelaxedintoacatstretch.“Theeveningisstillyoung,Woofie.Perhaps we should go to the gala at the palace,” she said, “OurMojowouldunderstand,andI’msureGlittawouldn’tmisssuchafancyaffaireither.”

“Yo!Patroldutybeginsatthetop.”Manniejumpeduponahugerockandwaitedfortheotherstorealizewhowasreallyinchargearoundhere.

“Theonlyplaceforheroesisuphereonmyback!”Whinnistonsaid.“Youshouldknowthatahorsewithmybloodlineshasakeenearfortrouble.”

Woofster spokeup. “Iwonderwhat is taking themso long to find those

missingfriendsofKelcius?We’resafebehindthesetrees.Ithinkweshouldstayright where Maximojo can find us. Mannie is on alert over there. If anyoneknowsthesegrounds,it’sMannie.”

Silently hewondered ifMannie reallywas as sure as he said? “Manniethinks he knows everything, andMeowlen knows everyone who’s somebody,and Whinniston hears everything. And I know… what do I know? QualityBiscuits?C’monWoofstersnapoutofit!”Thethoughtplayedoverinhismind.Woofster believed they were safe in their fortress of trees, but he, too, feltsomethingwaswrong.“Myhipwouldn’tsteermewronganditneverlies,”hethought,rubbingit.

Mannieheardarustlinginthethicketsandcalledouttohisfellowcanine,“It’s time to shine Woofster.” Woofster moved closer to the noise, his heartthumpinginhischest.Hewatchedthecrittersscurrypasttherock.

“Woofster,” “Mannie said. “Got the scent? Lift your nose higher, dog.That’saboutright.Nowyou’relearningthetrickstobeingatoppatroldog.Nowsniff.Tellme,doyousmelldanger?”

Woofsterwentonwatchduty,tiltedhisearsforwardandlistenedwithhisnoseup.“I’monit,you’respeakingtoapro.”

“WhyareyousosureMaximojoiscomingbackforyou?”Mannieaskedhim.

“He would never dream of abandoning us. We’re the Mojo Team,everyoneofusincludingyounow!HewouldhavealotofexplainingtodowithourAlliancesifhedidn’tshow.BesidesGlittawouldn’tallowit.She’dprobablybonksomesenseintohimifheforgotus.”

Whinniston listened to the muffled voices of the palace guests in thedistance,anditmadehimevenmoreanxious.“Iamsureitissafetolookinonthecelebration,rightMeowlen?Youalwaysenjoyagoodparty.”

“Youconvincedme!Thestarsareout.It’saromanticevening,”Meowlensaid,“andastrollwouldbesimplydreamy.Whinny,shallwe?”Shejumpedonthehorse’sback.“Coming?Thecoastisclear,”Whinnistonsaid.Hesteppedoutoftheprotectionoftheforest.Theothersshruggedandfollowed.

***

McFeesatinhisstudy,staringimpatientlyatthemisttakingshapeinthe

middle of the room. In it, he could see everything that was going on in thegardens.“It’stimetospeedthingsup,”hethought.“Thatratistakingtoolongdancinginthecourtyard.”Hesnappedtwofingers.

Inthecourtyard,RutlandRatkinalmostdroppedhisgoblet.“Heylady!It’stimetomoveitandgetonwiththeplan!”Rutlandrepeatedinvoluntarilylikeapuppet. He looked around, confused by the words that came out of him. Hethoughthefeltthepresenceofhissmugglerfromthedocks.“Isanyonethere?”

Clarenettewas surprised at his outburst. “You’re right.We really shouldgo.IreallymustgetbacktotheCaptain.HedoesworryaboutmeifI’mgonetoolong.”Ahugebirdswoopedoverhead.“It’sonlyaKaversen.Theyfeedontheripeberriesofourgushberrybushesinseason.”shesaid.

AsClarenetteturnedtoleave,sheheardwhatsoundedlikeahorsetrotting

outoftheforbiddenforest,nearby.

***

TheMojoTeamsnuckquietlyup toapalacewindow thatopened to the

mainfoyer.Inhiseagerness,Whinnistonbreathedheavily,fogginguptheglass.Meowlen carefully eased the window open and peered in at the crowd thatseemedsohappyminglingwithoneanotheranddancingtothemusic.

“My Alliance should have requested a formal invitation. I should havebeenanhonoredguest,”shesaid.“Doyoulikemydress,Whinny-Whinn?”Shewasnowwearingabeautifulmidnight-blue silkgownandagloriousdiamondtiara. She inserted a decorative hairpin to secure the noble hairstyle she hadduringanEgyptianera.

Whinnistonnodded,buthewasn’treallylistening.Instead,hiseyeswerelockedon theCaptain.“He lookssofamiliar.WherehaveIseenhimbefore?”Hethoughtandthought,andthenremembered.Hesnorted,“HewastalkingtoLou in the gardens earlier … and he looks somewhat like Madame Kindelaroundtheeyes.Iwonderifheisthelostrelativethatsheusedtospeakabout.”

“Interestingguests.Deliciousfood.AnditistheCaptain!”Meowlensaid.“He is sodistinguished looking, isn’t he?And the ladywhoofferedmewarm

milkmusthavebeenClarenette,butIdon’tseeherinside.”Sheheardgigglinginthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome,andturnedtoseeashadowofalady.

“Canyouliftmealittlehigher,Whinny?Everyoneinsideissobeautifullyadorned,butnonecomparestotheladystandinginthegarden’scourtyardbackthere.Icanbarelytakemyeyesoffhergown.Suchanexquisiteshadeofpink.Andthoselaceglovesaretofaintfor.Ican’tseeherface.Ijustwishsheweren’twiththatcharacter.He’sruiningmydreamromance.”

Shepointedhersensitiveearsintheirdirection.“Sheisgigglingthename,‘Rutland!Rutland!ItmustbeClarenette!Iwouldneverforgetahairpinlikethat.Ispotteditbeforeshepickedmeup.”

“DidyousayRutland?RutlandRatkin?Manniesaid,nowonalert.“Youmean that rotten rodent?” He began to growl, finally picking up the rodent’sfamiliarscent.Hisjowlsquakedashebaredhisteeth.

“My twinkling starlets,Mannie,”Meowlen said, aghast. “I didn’t knowyouhadsuchatemper.”

“Heisalsoashapeshifting,two-timingrat!”Manniesnapped.“HowdidImisshisstenchwhenwewentbybefore?Hereeksofnastiness.I’drememberhimanywhereinanydisguise!”Manniewasclosetolosingcontrol.Hemarchedofftocheckontherat.Whenhegottothesecludedcourtyard,helookedoverthehedgewithoneeyeonRutlandandtheotherwatchingforstrayscorpiolas.

***

“Yourfaceandhairpinareradiantunderthesestars,”Rutlandwassaying.

“Justonemoredancebeneaththeseeveninglightsbeforewereturn.”

The two twirled around under the stars, and Clarenette’s hairpin almostflew off. Rutland whispered in her ear, “Ratisico! Ratisico! My sweet. I amtouched by the way you sing so cheerfully in the mornings amongst theblossoms.”

Shestoppeddancingandlookedathim.“Howisitpossibleyouareabletohearmesinginourprivategardens,Rutland?”

Hechangedthesubject.“AnothertoastforthecharmingClarenette.”Forsomestrangereason,hefelttheurgetoreachoutandtouchherhairpin.Itgave

himashock,buthestillwantedit.Rutlandtriedtolookasthoughnothinghadhappenedwhilehepouredthepotionintohergoblet.

“Toyou,Clarenette,”he said, holdinghisglasshigh.Rutlandwhisperedunderhisbreath,“Andtoourfuturetogether.”

Clarenettetookasipofthetoxiclibation,andcollapsedintoaflowerbed,as the guardsmounted their horses at the palace stables, and awaited a signalfromtheirRuler.

Rutlandheardthecommotioninthedistance,andliftedClarenetteintohis

arms tocarryher to thesecretentrance that led tohisundergroundcastle.Butbefore he could take another step, Mannie leaped into the air, growling, andlockedeyeswithhim.

***

Highabove them, thecloudspartedeversoslightly toallowthesatellite

abovetowatchthenextmove.“Itappearsthateverythingisfallingintoplace,”theCommandersaid.“Let’scheckonDaltoid.”TherestoftheCouncilagreed.

***

Backinthemineshaft,Maximojodescendedontoaprotrudingledge,and

Glittaflitteredabovehisshoulder.

TheBackersclungtotheshaftwallbesideMaximojo,completelystartledbythishugecreatureandthebrightspark-flynexttohishead.Heextendedhishandtothemandgesturedforthemtocrawlontoit,buttheyrefused.

“Glitta, dim your beam. They are not used to such a bright smile,”

Maximojosaid.Shefrowned.

But they weren’t about to become captives of this curly-top creature.NeitherdidtheywanttobecomesnacksfortheMammolias,whoweresohuge,theycouldn’tdecidewhattodo.

Glittahadanidea.ShestreamedlightuptowhereKelciusandtheotherswerewaiting,andsaid,“Makeyourselfknowntoyourfriends.”Kelciusjumpedandnearlyslippedknowingthathecouldparticipateintherescue.Hepuffeduphisfaceasbigashecould,andsentoutaboom.Thewholeshaftshook.

“ThatwasKelcius!”theBackersexclaimed.Glittareturned,dimmernow,toMaximojo’s shoulder. “I think it is safe to go with the one with the furryclaw,” the eldest said. They loosened their grip, crawled up Maximojo’sextendedarm,andsprangintohispack,snugglingintoasafetyball.Rainbowssplashed on the interior walls in shimmering colors, as Glitta andMaximojosoaredupward.

Kelcius hoppedonto the steps to greet his arriving comrades, andboom

againwithjoycausingthedoortoslam,separatinghimfromtheBendersontheotherside.

Maximojowasthrownintotheothersideof theshaft,andmadearoughlanding on a ledge. Rocks loosened from the boom, fell from above, nearlyburyinghim.

Kelciusdangled fromastepbyoneclaw,andclimbedbackup toattach

himselftothedoor.

Maximojopushedsomerocksaside,andwatchedthemdropintotheshaft.TheBackersinhispackwereshaken,butsafe.Thebuttonbug,groggyfromtheblast,poppedoutofhisfriend’sear.

Maximojocouldbarelysee through the fallen rocks thathadpinnedhim

on the narrow ledge. Glitta blasted them, but they would not shatter. Sheswitchedtomicrowavemeltdown.Finallytherocksexplodedfromtheheat,butthe explosion blasted the Treptalonians out ofMaximojo’s pack and onto theledge.

ThePolyMatrixor’s screen sprang to life. “Maximojo,why aren’t you atthepalacewiththeothers?YouweretohavemetupwithCaptainSwaggelotbynow,”itread.

“The palace?” he replied. “The others? My Team? Good for them, mymojoisworking!”

Butbeforehe could celebrate their independence, thePolyMatrixor flewoutofhispaw,spiraledupthroughtheshaft,pastthestaircaseanddisappeared.

It was gone, and with it, all means of communicating with the outside

world.

Chapter19

TheloudcrashingnoisesintheshaftdisturbedWidowWynder.Noisetranslatedinto undesirables that must-must be dealt with. “Whatever it is must bedestroyed.Fast-fast.Nests toattend to.Weavingclasses.Spin-spin.Thiscouldbe that button-nosed misfit who has no place here. Could he and his friendsescapedthedungeon?Mustgoinvestigate.Fast-fast.”

She stepped out of a dirt heap that scattered to make way for her, andraisedaleg,signalingherotherlegstofollow.Oneofthemgotstuckamongstfallenrocks,andshetrippedandfell,nearlycrushingherarmoredshell.

“This ground has been disturbed,” she said. “Intruders itmust be!”Herfangs appeared, and she squeezed between crevices, gliding along on hermotorized legs. “Very suspicious! Itbetternotbewho I think it is.Busy-busyschedule.Itneverstops.Ever-ever.”

Every legwas in full gear. Even a few she had been holding in reservesproutedfromunderhershell.Shewouldneverrevealhowmanylegsshehadaccumulated in her life, and she always kept somehidden as theymight haverevealed her age. If any spiderette ever dared to ask, she would simply say,“Howdareyouask.Lostcount.Very-verytimeless!”

She signaled her troops. “Girls, get a leg on. Fast-fast,” she said in herraspyvoicewhilesuckingbackdropsofvenom.“Safety inclusters.Bigblackclusters.Verysafety-safety.Makesureyournestsarewellburied,andthengototheuppershaftbelowthestaircase.Wewillfindtheculpritthere.Shakeitloose.Very-veryquick.Busy-busyschedule!”

Hearingsoundsthroughadarkhole,sheveeredofffromthepathmovingquickly towards the new direction. When she emerged into the shaft whereMaximojowasbusydigginghiswayoutfromthefallenrocks,shefrozeintoastatue-likestance.“Bestill.Very-verystill!”shetoldtheothers.

Her many eyes took in the scene. That curly-top outsider was crashing

aroundonaledge,andabunchofminershuddledbehindarock.“Howdidalltheseintrudersgetinhere?”sheclankedquietly.Withoneofhereyes,shealsospottedoneofherMaster’sfigurines,astripedstatuettethatWynderrecognizedasoneofRutty’sgang.

“A trophy of your soon-forgotten journey?” she clanked. “I think not!Never-Never!Stealing from theMaster isnot sensible.Thatwassneaky.Onlywe can be sneaky around these digs.Very-very. Looks like you all are in forsome trouble. Itwill be the first and last outing youwill ever have, escapees.Adventurists! Bad move from dungeon. Trouble big-big.” She focused onMaximojo.“IwarnedtheMastertoberidofthemattheestate.ButWynderwillmakethingsright.Iwillbringthatcosmicduotohiminhischamber.”

Maximojo unwedged himself from the rock pile.Wynder inched closer.TheBackers, however began to see the crawlerswatching them, and huddledtogether.

She expanded her body to appear big, and boldly sauntered over toMaximojo’sfootandthought.“You’rewhereyoushouldn’tbe,fluff-face!Niceescape.Thinkyou’resmartfurball?”

“SorryIwasnotabletoassistonourfirstencounter.Itwasawkward,asmylittleoneswerearound,”shesaidtactfully.

Maximojowasbusymovingboulders against thewall, anddidn’t noticeher. Glitta had warned him about leaving a mess when they landed.Wynderscaleduphisback,tryingnottogetcaughtinhiscurls.Shejumpeduptocheckouthisfloppyears,andclanked.

“We’veheardofyourgallivantinginKavalon.Ihavegoodspies.Needtoknow. Where are the others in your team? Friends? Where are they? Well,where-where?Fast-fast.Spititout.Spit-spit!”

Maximojoturnedtostackthelastboulder.

“Clankity-clank.Justatwo-eyedwilly-wannabe-heroyouare.DoIneedtoholdupyoureyelidssoyoucanlookatme?”shejabbered,demonstratinghowshecouldmakehereyesbulgeout.“Youaremakinghavocherewhereitisofflimitstoyourunwelcomekind.Youshouldhavestayedinthedungeon.Itwouldhavebeenoverforyoubynow.Youhadyourchance.Iknewallthatbanginginthe dungeon would lead to no good. Bad-bad.What are we to do with you?Speakup.Jabber-Jab.Sayit!Spit-spit.”

Wynder jumped onto his nose and stared right into his eyes. “Everyone

listenstomewhenIclank!”

Maximojowasalittlesurprisedatthemany-leggedspiderwildlywavingherlegsathim.Heswattedather,butshescrambledintohisearsothathemightbetterhearher.“Therearerumorsuptherethataladyhadgonemissingfromthepalace.Perhapsshewastakenbyabigbadrat.Nasty-nasty.

You are in a bit of a mess, and you might need that lady to ensureeverything goes smoothly in the Kingdom. The Captain is roaming aboutlookingforher.Shemaybeinatightcorner…andIknowjusttheplace.Nowmovethatfurrybottom!”

Maximojofinallyheardherclanking,andasked,“Whatlady?”Buthestillwasfocusedonreturningtheminersbacktotheircavesandmeetingupwithhisteamatthepalace.Wyndercrawledbackoutofhisearandontohisface.

Then Glitta flashed her, sending the spider airborne. “We’re busy!” shesparked.Wyndersmackedagainstthewallbacksideandlandedonaminer.Shethreatenedhimwithafist.“I’llbebackforyoulater,stealer,”sheclanked.ShethrewastickylineandsprungagainontoMaximojo’scoatandbegantheclimb,allthewhilerasping,“Youingrate.It’salongwayup.Makingmeworktoprovehow tricky I am. Is that gratitude? Steep.Very-very! I am at your disposal toshowyouaround.Yes, I amWidowWynder, akeeperofdark secrets. Iknoweverycrackinthismountain,aboveandbelowanymineshaft.Ihavesomenewsthat may be of interest to your mission. Someone slipped into the vanishingmountainsomehowandistrapped.Guesswhoisinthechamber?Whydon’tyoulisten!Furrybottom.Followme.Fast-fast.”

Meanwhile,thespiderettescackled.Theyhungoffthewallandswungbyathread,pickedupthefigurineofSmelkaandhiditintheirweb.Allofthiswasnot overlooked by the button bug, who warily watched these mischievouscrawlersfromtheothersideoftheshaft.Hehadseentheirgruesomeconductinthe caves before.He once saw them strip the feathers off of a scruffy-wingedscavenger,whoneveragainflew.

Now that Maximojo was paying attention to Wynder, he exchanged awordless glance with Glitta. She lit up and spiraled into the shaft, her voiceechoingbacktoMaximojo.“I’llgoseewhothisladyis,Mojo.”

“Hey, I thought you and your other half were inseparable,” Wynder

taunted,“andsheisleavingyou?Aloyalspark-flywouldn’tdesertyouinatimelikethis.Whosemissionisitanyway?”Shestoppedabruptly,andthought.“Shemust know something. Something must be up. Look at her go. Zoom-zoom!Followher.Must-mustpronto.”

Maximojowatchedherdisappeardowntheshaftanddecidedheneededtofollow.“Glittawait!”hehollered.“TheTreptalonianswouldbesafeforthetimebeing.”Kelciusheardandwinked.“Glitta’son to something,”he thought, andjumpedintotheshaftandfollowedhersparklingtrail.Itwasalongdescent.Hiscoatcaughtabreezethatswiftlycarriedhimtotherocksbelow.

“Get a move on, girls. Shake it loose. Every leg counts. Now-now.”

Wyndersaid,wavingtothespiderettes.“Followthatsparklerandhertumblingfluff-face who thinks he’s a flying dog. Get your motors revving. Leg-it fullspeed.Fast-fast.”Theygatheredtheirwebsandthelittlestatue,casttheirthreadsovertheledgeanddescendedbehindher.

Kelcius still hung by a claw from the door. In a brave mood, IT tookaction,regurgitatingaglue-likeblobandelongatingintoarope.ThebuglassoedKelcius and loweredhim to a stair. “What are friends for?” ITcalledout, andsecureditselftooneside,thensprangacrosstheshaft,latchingontotheoppositeledgeandformingatightrope.Seeingtheiropportunity,theBackersinterlockedtheir arms and walked across the chasm, balancing carefully atop the bug’sinvention.When they reached Kelcius on the staircase, IT snapped back intoshapeandpluggeditselfagainintoKelcius’sear.

Kelciusyankedon thedoorhandlewithoneofhisclaws.Thedoorflewopen, revealing a startled bunch of Benders on the other side. “We haveeveryone!”Kelciussaid.“Let’sgetbacktoourcavesbeforeLetchofindsout!”

Theyfoundtheirwaybackintothetunnel,retracedtheirstepsandexitedthemountainbeforetheentrancedisappeared.

***

Glittaflickeredonasteepslopeofrockandsparked.Whensheheardthe

spidersaythataladyfromthepalacewasintrouble,shefiguredithadtobetheCaptain’swife.Andthis“sealedroom”thatthespiderwastalkingabouthadtobe someplace that few others larger than a spider could get to, some sort of

hiddenchamber.Shebeganlookingforanentrance.

Below she saw the Mammolias, and couldn’t resist playing a bit with

them.Glittaslicedthroughahoveringcloudofcrystaldustandspiraledaroundthehugepillar thatsupported theobservatorydeck, throwingrainboworbs.Atfirst her luminescence startled them, and they rattled their chains in surprise.“Maybe it came to take us away like the little creatures,” a small spotted onesaid.

Glitta teased them playfully, glittering above their heads. She alwaysenjoyedagameof“catchme,evenifyoucan’t!”

“Seeyouagain!”sheglittered,andcontinuedonherquest.

“Waitforme,Glitta!”Maximojohollered,ashefollowedherlighttrailintotheshaft.

“IthinkIfoundwhatweshouldbelookingfor.Landsomewhereandwait

forme.”Glitta’svoicedechoeduptheshaft.Shenarrowedintoabeam,andslidintoacrackshehadspottedinthelowershaftwall.

“Wheredoeseveryonethinktheyaregoingwithoutme?”Wynderfanged.“That nosey spark-fly better not go where I think she’s headed! Never-never.You’renotallowedinthechamberalone.Waitforme,”shehuffed.“Ihaveitallplannedout.Comeon,girls,let’sseesomeswinginyourspin.Descend.Quick-quick.”Theyunraveledtheirthreadsfaster.

Maximojolandedonaplateaunexttoawaterfallthatemptiedintoapool

of flowstone blossoms, far above the Mammolias. Wynder and her troopstoucheddownsoftlyrightbehindhim.Oneofthemjumpedinsidethemouthofthe Smelka figurine they had carriedwith them, and the figurine immediatelyshranktospidersize.

“Itwasawisechoicetofallintomytrap.You’llneverescapeagain.”Thespiderfanged,andsavoredthevenominhermouth.“Tasty-tasty.”

Shethrewastickythreadontothewallnexttohim,climbedupandswungacrosstohisface.

Andcrawledinsidethebutton-nose.

Chapter20

Glittapoppedoutontheothersideofthecrack,andfoundherselfinagloomyroom.Itwas thechamber.She turnedonher lowbeam,andsawa tableandachest. She felt a little dizzy. “Something about this room affects me, and theorbitalspinoftheplanet,I’llbet!Thismustwhatwedetectedwhenwelanded.Wemustdestroythisplacebeforethetimepiecelocksintoregistration.”

Sheheardafaintnoisecomingfromthefarsideofthechamber,andshoneherlightinthatdirection.“Iknewshewashere,”Glittasparkled.“WaittillMojofindsoutthatI’mrightagain.”

***

MaximojosneezedandwhackedthesideofhisfacetotrytoevictWynder.

Shelatchedontotheinside.“I’mnotleavingsosoon,”thespiderechoedinsidehishead.“Iamheretohelpyou.DoIhavetoremindyou!Over-over.”

Maximojostartedtohowl,butwhatcameoutinsteadwasaclankity-clanknoise that sounded likeWynder.Heshrank tospider-size.His furpeeledawayrevealing a hard spider shell. Fangs popped out of his mouth. Many eyesappearedonhishead,andfeelersreplacedhisfloppyears.

“You should have listened to me in the dungeon. Kept quiet untilsquashed.Squish-squish.Troublemaker!Makingmecomebackforyou.I’monovertime.Late-late.The spider’s voice echoed insideof him.Wynder pumpedouthischest just to furtherdemonstratehercontrol.Maximojo lookedbold inshinyblackarmor.

“A littlewider around thegirth!” she said. “Havea little respect.Better.Roomier.Much-much.”

Maximojo felt panic rising. “How is Glitta going to get me out of thisspider outfit?” hewondered. “She always getsme out of trouble.” This time,

though,hewasalittleworried.Shemightnotfindhimintime.

Wynderdirectedhimacrossthedirtandintoacrevicearoundthecorner.

“Onward many-many eyed willy-want! Up-up and away. Fast-fast.” Thespiderettesfollowedcloselybehind.

Maximojo looked out of his many eyes, and spied a crack in the rockabovehim.Hefeltaneedtothrowastickylineuptothewallandhoisthisbodyup.Wyndercalculated theangle to theopening,andwithabigheavehadhimlandintheopening.Hedrewhispricklylegsinandpushedthrough,andlandedonhishead,nearlycrushinghisshell.Hesawthattheywerenowinacave-likechamber.“OneofMcFee’sdoings,nodoubt,”hethought.HesawGlitta’slightandwasgreatlyrelieved.

“Youareclumsierthanexpected,”Wyndersaid.Shesuspiciouslycrawledout between his fangs to see how much damage had been done. The spiderlooked around before backing up into his mouth. “No legs missing. Tightsqueeze through my private entranceway into the chamber.Wouldn’t want toloseanylegs.Ittooklifetimestogrowthese.”

Unsuspectingly, she felt something grab her, and the spider went flyingacross the chamber. “You usedmy leg as weapon againstme! Tricky. Nasty-nasty,”sheclanked,andflippedherselfoverontoherlegs.

Maximojobegantotransformbackintohisnormalshape.

“I’vebeenwaitingforyou!”Glittasparked.“Whathappenedtoyourears,

Mojo?”Sheflickeredaboutpriminghiscoatwithlittlesparkletsuntil thecurlstookhold.Wynder,whowasalreadyonherwayout, turnedandsaid,“Wheredidyougetthoseglitterywings?Theylookridiculousinthedark!”

Glittastartedafterher.

“Easy glitters! No need to get upset. Slow-slow. I brought fluff-face toyou,didInot?”Andwiththatshedashedbackintothecrackinthecavewall.ShepreferrednottobearoundwhentheMasterperformedhiswork.

Hertroopshadfollowedherin,anddroppedtheshrunkenskunklenbeside

thechestandskitteredafterher.TheSmelkafigurinegrewonceagaintoitsfullsize.

“Nobodymakesfunofmywings,”Sheshotboltsoffireattheexitwhere

theyallhaddisappeared.MaximojohadneverseenGlittasosparked-up.

Mufflednoisesagaincamefrombehindthechest.Glittashoneaspotlight

inthatdirection,revealingaladyinatorngown.“LookwhoIfound,”shesaid.

Maximojoapproached.“YoumustbeClarenette.Weheardaboutyouandthe Captain. We were on our way to see you, but we’ve run into a fewobstacles,”hesaid,statingtheobvious.

“Whattookyousolongtofindme?”Clarenettesaid.Maximojowondered

howsheknewtheywerecomingforher,asitwasn’tpartofhisoriginalmission.Justthentheyheardpatteringsoundsinthedark.

Glittalitupthefloor.“It’sthatblackrat!”

Ruttyblinkedat them.Hedidn’tknowhowanyof themhadgotten intothis chamber, including himself. The last thing he remembered was carryingClarenette towardhisundergroundcastle.Confused,hewasunsurewhat todonext.“Thingshavebeenalittleroughformygang,lately,”hethought.Insidethechest,somethingbeganrollingaround.Ruttyclimbedupitssideandpeeredin.He became wide-eyed as he saw the statuettes of Letcho, Scrapsie … andhimself.“Itlookslikemygang,”heexclaimed,“andme!Whatisthis?”hesaid,reachingforhisownfigurine,thenhespottedSmelka’sfigurineontheground.

Asharpcrackcamefromtheceiling.Astheyalllookedup,acoindroppedthroughasmallholeandclinkedonthefloor.Theywatcheditroll,standonitsedge.Thecoinspuntoarest,face-sideup,andbegantomove.

Maximojo’snosetwitched.“Hekepthispromise,Glitta.”

Fingersappearedfromtheedgesofthecoin.Thecoinexpanded,crackedin themiddle,andgrewintoa toweringfigurewearingaspider-weavehoodedcape.Itcoveredhisheadandmostofhisface.

ThefigureturnedtoMaximojoandbegantospeak.“Thiswillbeyourlastadventure,Maximojo.I’vewaitedforeverforthismoment,andnowyouletmyspiderleadyourightintomytrap.Howdoesitfeel?”

Ruttystaredhardat that face,but it tookamomentforhimtorecognizethevoice.“Itsounds like thesmuggler,”hesaid,growinga little flusteredand

unsureofwhattodo.“heseemsfamiliar.”

Glittablinkedonandoffnotknowingwhattodo.

“Youreallydon’trememberme,doyoumylittleStarring?”McFeesaid.“Itwasalongtimeago.Youwereonlyalittlesparkthen.”

Glittafeltatinytugathermemory,butthepicturewouldn’tcomeclear.

“Itwasasolarflareraid.IwasknownthenasEmperorMcFee,andIledthatraid.Wegotanumberofsparksonthatraidandputthemintoplasma-podsforstoragetousetocontrolothersolarsystems.Butoneofthemslippedthroughourfingers.Canyouguesswhothatmightbe?”

Suddenly itallcameback toher.Theraid, theescape,wanderinguntilaspacedogfoundherandhelpedherbecomeafinelytunedwandoflight.Eversince,theyhadbeeninseparable,andGlittawasdeeplyloyaltoherMojo.

“YouwerethebrightestsupernovasparkIhadeverseen,”McFeesaid.“Iloathednot havingyou then.Thepossibilities of puttingyou tomyuseswereendless.Wegottheothers,butyouweretheoneIreallywanted.AndIgrewtoregret it even more when much later Maximojo began reporting our galacticsmugglingoperationstotheCosmicFederation.

“Wewerecaughtandimprisonedintospacecoins,andsentouttowanderaimlesslyamongthestoneheads.Itwasdangerousbeingknockedaround,andittook amillennium forme to develop the skills to become theMaster you seebeforeyounow,butIcan’tstaylikethisforlong.Youdidthistome,Maximojo,andnowI’mcoinedfordestruction,soI devisedaplantodestroyyou.”

“Don’ttakeanotherstep!”Glittaflaredinthreateninghues.

“Have you begun to understand,my little sparkler,why you always hadsuchcompassionfortheStarrings,andIcouldusethemtolureyoutome!”

“Glittols!” Maximojo had a sudden realization. “You are one of theStarrings!”

“They are my siblings!” Glitta glittered remembering she had a twin.“Sparkafras!ItmustbeSparky!Iknewshelookfamiliar!”

“Ofcourse,youfools,”McFeesaid.“AndIconvincedtheCounciltosendyou two to Zalturn, knowing that Glittawould be unconsciously drawn to bewith the Starrings. And you, Maximojo, wouldn’t be able to resist such an

importantmissionaspreparingthewayforKalapsistobeinstalled.NowIhaveyouwhereIwantyou,andonmyschedule.”

Withthat,McFeeslippedoffthecape,revealingscorched,scaledskinandsidefins.

“He’s turning into a snaphead!” Rutty squealed, peering out fromunderneaththechest’slid,hiseyesbogglingindisbelief.

McFeepointedat the table anda stonepot appearedon it.Thechamber

shook,awakeningwingedcreaturesthatswarmedoutofthewalls,andencircledMaximojo.

“Watch out, Mojo!” Glitta targeted the creatures with a round ofradioactivedaggerstodefusethem,buttheyonlyricochetedoffthewalls.

“Yourmakingtheroomspin,”hesaid.Butitwasnottheroomspinning,

justherMojo,asthemagneticforceinthecenteroftheroomgotstronger.

“Holdon to thewalls,Mojo,” she flared.But itwas too late.Maximojocouldn’tstabilizehimselfandcrashedonthefloor.

BeforeGlittacouldstrikeagain,shefeltherhairstandonendfromstatic

electricity. She tried to look up, and got tangled in a web above her head. Itbegan to short-circuit her energy.Wynder hadwoven it especially forGlitta’scapture.

“Myenergy source isweakening,”Glitta said.Collecting the remainsofhersolarsupply,shesentoutadistresssignal toher friendfromthecornfield,the whale. “I feel so depleted.” She barely had enough strength to flicker insilence.

Thefliers’wingsenvelopedMaximojo,diggingtheir talonsintohiscoat.

They lifted him up and dropped him into the pot, which oozedwith a stickyliquid thatbubbledandpouredoutover thesides.Glitta,unableeven tomoveherwings,watched helplessly as herMojo bobbed and sank beneath the goo.McFeegrinned,asthepotsealeditselfandturnedintoaviewer-box.

***

Inthepalacegardens,Smelkaregainedconsciousness,herfaintdreamsof

tumblingintoanabyssdriftingaway.Itwasstilldark.LetchoandScrapsiealsoawokeandclimbedoutof thedirt.Theyheard a rumble at thepalace. “Is theparty already over?” Letcho said. “We must have lost track of time. I don’trememberwhathappened.HasRuttycomeback?”

HelookedagaintothepalaceandsawtheCaptain,sittingatophishorse,leadinghisguardsinacharge.Andtheywerecomingrightatthem.TheCaptainshoutedabovethethunderinghoofbeats,“Findher,guards!Shecan’tbetoofar.Clarenette,Clarenette!”Daltoidwasfrantic.

“Ruttymust have already capturedClarenettewithout our help,”Letchosaid.Smelkalookedupathimwithsorrowfuleyes.“HewouldneverabandonusforClarenette,wouldhe?”

“Let’s get out here, orwe’re going to get trampled.Back to the castle,”Letchohissed.“Ruttymustbewaiting forus there.”Theyspedoff justoutofsightoftheguards,Smelkatrailingabitbehind.Butthefurtherbehindshegot,themoredoubtscameupinhermind.“I’msotiredofbeingleftout.Sotired.”Sheslowedtoawalk,stopped,turnedaroundandheadedbacktothegardens.

Thesunset,rose,andsetagainwithastrangewobble,andstilltheCaptain

and the guards searched all of Kavalon to no avail. Dejected, the Captainreturnedtothepalace,backtrackingthroughthegardens.Ashelookedaround,hesawsomethingshinyontheground.Hestopped,dismountedanddiscoveredClarenette’shairpin.

“She never went anywhere without it,” he said. “She has been takenagainstherwill!”Heinsertedthehairpinintohisovercoat’slapelandwept.Theguardsstoodbysilently.Everyonewassad.Asheroseagain, theCaptainsawtwogoblets lyingsidebyside, theveryoneshehadseenRatkincarryingwithClarenetteduringthenew-moonfestivities.Helaidhisswordnexttothemandcrushedthegobletsunderhisboot.

As they trudged back in the direction of the palace, the horses tramped

unknowinglyoverthehiddenhatchdoorleadingintothevanishingmountain.

Chapter21

ThemoretheCaptainfocusedoneachstepClarenettehadtakenthatnight,themorevagueeverythingbecame,almostas ifnoneof ithadeverhappened.Hetouched her hairpin and relived the experience, wondering if he could havechangedanything.

“Rutlandwasactingquitestrangedancingaroundwiththatoddexpressionon his face,” he thought. “I should have suspected something. Itwas as if hewereamerepuppet.”WithoutClarenette,defeattoreattheCaptain,openingupabottomlesspitofsorrowinsidehim,asicebegantoformaroundhisheart.Inthatmomenthelosthisneedtoreignovertheland.“KavalondeservesabetterRuler,”hedecided.

Standingonhisbalconywatchingthesunrise,hefelttheseabeckonhim.

A flockof silver-tippedKaversen flewby.He took this as a sign, andmadeadecision.TheScepterof theKingdomwillbegiven toMasterMcFee.Hewillrulebyland,andIwillgobacktothesea.”HesentguardstobringMcFeetothepalace,andorderedamagnificentshipbebuiltforhisjourney.

***

The night Clarenette disappeared was the moment that the retiring

timekeeper stepped down making room for its successor, Kalapsis, the newtimekeeper of the universe who snapped into gear, and began to recordeverythinginitscalendar.Theplanetsandthestarsadaptedtoitsrhythm.Atthesamemoment,thesundoubled,thentripledinsizeasiftoexplode,andnearlysplitintwoduringthetripleeclipse.Zalturntrembledbutsoonsteadieditself.

The intense heat of the sun had flared across the land, forcing theKingdom’s residents to take cover. Zalturn’s poles switched and locked intoplace, then the planet easily adjusted its orbit around the sun.Deep inside theplanet McFee’s chamber, which had always made Zalturn’s orbit wobble,

stabilizedduetoMaximojoandGlitta’spresencethere.

“Thephase-inofKalapsiswasasuccess.”TheCouncil transmitted to its

superiors.ThechangewasnowregisteredwiththeCosmicFederation,andinter-galactictravelclearancewasagainapproved.Thenewmillenniumofathousandyears,hadbegun.UndergroundmountainsbrokethroughthesurfaceandroseinthevalleysandwaterssurroundingtheKingdom.TheancientTreptaloniancastleappearedinacornfieldright-sideup.Onitsnorthsidestoodawatchtowerthathelda shiningplaquewith thename“Clarenette” inscribedon it inanancientscript. It was the tower that Rutland told Clarenette he was building on thatfatefulevening,undertheinfluenceofhisMaster.Sincetimewasnowdifferentthanbefore,memoriesfromtheoldmillenniumweregrowingdimmer.

***

On the afternoon following the next full moon, the Captain crossed his

balconyandpickedup theemptywaterdish.Therewerenovisitingbirds.Hegrabbedtherailing,whichnolongerlituptohistouch.Hestrainedtocastafinalgazeover thecountryside.HisstaredpassedoverClarenette’sonceflourishinggardens,nowburnttoacrispfromtheintensityofthesun.Clarenette’sfavoritegushberrybusheswerewilted.BlackdespairfellacrosstheCaptain’sface.

The Captain focused on a remarkablemountaintop that had risen in thedistance.“Mystargazerswereaccurateabouttheshiftingtidesandshufflingofland masses with this particular new moon,” he thought, “but a peak sospectacular was unexpected, and many glistening stars also appeared in ourskies.”

Once again he pondered Clarenette’s whereabouts, longing for her. Heturnedtoenterthepalacewhenunexpectedlyheheard“Daltoid!Daltoid!”OnlyClarenette ever called himby that name.His heart leapt, andhe spun around.But instead of Clarenette, a huge parrot stilled its wings as it landed on therailing.Itseyeswereframedwithorange-tippedfeathers.Thesunreflectedoffofitssmoothbeak,whichcurvedatthetip.

“Aaawk!Daltoid!Aaawk!”itcried.

“Well,whoisthisthatgracesmybalcony?IthoughtIheardyousaymy

name!”Intriguedbythisunannouncedvisitor,hesaid,“IamDaltoid,andclearlyyouarenotmyClarenette.Ifyouwere,youwouldbebringingmemybreakfastcrumplets. I like them sprinkledwith extra spice, youknow.Clarenettewouldhaven taken you under herwing to care for.” Feeling a strong connection, hepointed out to sea. “Join me, parrot, and discover a life beyond your regularroutine.”Helaughedathimselffortalkingtoabird.Hisship’screw,thefinestpossible,hadbeenchosen,andawaitedhisorderstosailtounchartedlands.

TheCaptaindidn’tknowit,but theparrot rememberedall toowellwhathadhappenedthenighthislifechangedforever.

***

TheCaptainstrodethroughthepalacehallonhiswaytomeetwithMcFee.

HedidnotnoticeMcFee’sportrait,whichnowhungbesidehisown.Unliketheothers,itwasinacage.

McFeewaitedonastone-studdedbenchinthefoyer.Hiseyebrowslifted

ashe saw theCaptain approachingwith aparrotonhis shoulder.TheCaptaingestured forMcFee to follow.Theypassed throughanarchway intohis study,with guards standing at attention on each side. The Captain sat, motioningMcFeetositoppositehim.Asheeasedintoachair,McFeelockedeyeswiththebird.Theparrotflewofftoperchonabookcase.

TheCaptainclearedhisthroat.

“Master McFee. You have been a reliable and dedicated servant to the

Kingdom.Iamsureyouunderstandthecommitmentnecessarytoreign.Ihaveseenthatyoupossesstheleadershipskillsnecessarytobeastrongruler.

“NotonlyKavalon,butourentireplanethasundergoneincrediblechange.Theglobalgeographyhasbeenaltered,newcontinentshaveprobablyemerged,creatinghugeunchartedwaterwaysthatmayhaveanimpactonthesecurityofthe land.”A thought crossed hismind, “We have never really known if othercontinentswerecolonized,andsuddenlyrealizednodeliveryshipevermadeitback, or sailed. How were our exports delivered?” He realized he did notremember,andquicklychangedthesubject.

“Yourfirstmeetinghasbeenarranged,”hesaid,handingMcFeetherecord

book.“Youwillmeetwiththemapmakerstomakethenecessarychangesforourofficialrecords.Ourcitizenshavebeguntoacclimatizeafteroursunsettleditsflares. See to it that proper funds are allocated to develop new farmlands.AdvisorshavealreadybeenappointedtoreplaceyouandRutlandRatkin.”

Utteringthis traitor’sname, theCaptainmomentarilybecamesilent, thencontinued.“Thedecisionhasbeenmade.MasterMcFee,pleasestand.”

TheCaptainpickedupthegushberrycoloredScepterthatlaynexttohim,andextended it. “I appointyouRulerofKavalon,”heannounced,andhandedMcFee the Scepter. He stepped aside and removed his eye patch, replacing itwitha tatteredonehehadbought inasecond-handshop,whichnowoccupiedthe space thathadbeencondemned forpest control issuesafteracertain shopownerhadchasedRuttythroughthestreets.

***

The time came for theCaptain to takehis leave.Citizensgathered from

everycorneroftheKingdomtowatchthelaunchofthemostmajesticshipeverbuilt. Its planks were sheets of finely pounded meteorite held together bydiamond nails. The ship shone in the sunlight and hummed with an electriccurrent that would allow it to glide through water by moonlight. Largegemstones were set into the bow, complementing a figurehead of ClarenetteClare that faced out to sea.A replica of her crystal hairpin glistened from itshead.

“Allaboard.Pulluptheanchors!Wearesettingsail,”theCaptainshoutedfromthecrow’snest.Hecrumpledup theoutdatednavigationmapsand threwthem to the wind. “The emerging waterways will take us on a dangerousexpeditionintounchartedwaters.Wewillonlybeabletorelyonourcompass,the sun and directions from the prevailing winds. Prepare yourselves foranything.”

The crew pushed themassive ship away from the docks and raised thesails, which filled with the morning breeze. “Farewell! Farewell!” Echoedthroughouttheland.Daltoidturnedandwavedgoodbyetothecrowd,feelinginhis heart that hewould not return.The shipmoved swiftly out to sea and theshoreline soon disappeared in the distance. With the parrot clinging to hisshoulder,hepeeredoverthesideatthesurfaceoftheripplingwater.

Tenderly,hetouchedClarenette’shairpinthatwasinsertedonthefrontofhis jacket. “I will not be defeated ever again, anywhere, on land or sea,” hevowed.Theparrotsquawkedandtookflight,circlingtheship.Itswingscastashadowoverthecrew.

Daltoidpeered throughhis telescopeat themountain loomingahead.He

turnedaround,andanidenticalmountainstoodinKavaloninthedistance.Ashestoodatthehelm,confused,theparrotflewontothewheelandtriedtochangethe ship’s course. “So, you would like to sail the other way, far from thatmountain?AndwhoareyoutogiveanordertotheCaptain?”Daltoidsaid.

“Aaawk!Aaawk! Zelzo!Aaawk!” the parrot squawked, its beak openingwide.

“So,yournamewillbeZelzo,”hesaid.“Everyoneneedsaname.Youareanunusualbird.”

***

The next morning Daltoid held the compass steady, but it would not

magnetize in theseunchartedwaters.Withhissleevehewiped itscrystal face,whichhadsaltedoverfromthestrongwindsthatskimmedacrossthewaterandsprayed onto the deck.He turned to the crew. “Yesterday evening amountainthat I havenever seenbefore appearednot far in thedistance.We shouldhavereacheditbynow.”Heloweredhiscaptothesunrise.

“How is it possible for such a peak to have simply vanished?Wemusthaveshiftedcoursewiththemooninthenight.Steertheshiprightaround.Wewill have to navigate by instinct.” He touched the hairpin for comfort andsquinted into the distance. “From the position of the sun I’d say we areproceedingstraighttowardsthenorthernhemisphere,andthatmountainshouldsooncomebackinview.”

He hollered to Kerten, one of hismost trusted crewmembers. “Keep agoodwatchup there. Itmightemergeagainwith theshiftingof the tides.”Heturned around. For some strange reason theKingdom ofKavalonwas still inview.

“Thewindsaregettingstrong,Captain,”Kertenanswered.Heswayedandheldontightwhilebeingwhippedaroundinthewatchpost.“Lookslikeastormisfastapproaching.”

Daltoid shook his head watching the compass needle spin around and

around. He was overcome by a feeling that the ship was not moving. Heaccidentlydroppedthecompass,shatteringitintopieces.

At thatmoment, he recalled something. “The compasswas a new-moongift fromClarenette. How did I forget? It was Clarenette who sentme away,backtosea.ShegavemethecompassbeforeshewentwithRutland.Shemusthaveknownthiswasallgoingtohappen,andshewantsmetofindher.”Asparkofhopekindledinhisheart.

The sun slid over to the other side of the horizon. Daltoid leaned over

lookingforhisreflectioninthesea,buttheskieshaddarkenedsomuchthatnoteven a shadow appeared. “These are not the waters that I remember sailingbefore I reigned in Kavalon.” He gazed hard into the distance and saw thebeginningsofaswirlingvortexofwater.

“Secure themast!”hecalled to thecrewbelow.Thesewindsarecomingfromalldirections.Theyareforcingthebowtodive.Kerten,straightenthesternandlockitin.Steady.”

Theskiesopenedwitharushofhailthatbeatagainstthedeck.Lightningboltsstruck therisingwaters.“Lower thecentersailandfasten iton thedeck,and ...” Before he could finish his sentence, ice stones shredded the sail andcarrieditawayintheupdraft.“Securethehatchesandtakecover!”hehollered.Thunder clapped repeatedly, as though applauding the courage of those whodaredtofindthemselvesatsea.

Ballsoffirebouncedoffthedeckandthehull.Lightningstruckthewatersallaroundthem,sendinganelectricalchargeintotheplanks.Thediamondnailsglowed.Thepropellersbegantoturnfromthecharge,thenjustasabruptly,theyjammed.Astrongundercurrentgrabbedthestern.“It’sshakingtheshipapart,”acrewmembershouted.

“Keeplow!”Daltoidordered.“Keeplow!”

“Keep low! Aaawk! Zelzo! Aaawk!” the parrot mimicked from its postunderthespokesoftheship’swheel.

“I’ve never seen a storm quite so ferocious,” he confided in the parrot.“Youknow,Zelzo,Ihaveonlyavaguememoryofsailingacrossthegreatwatersthat separate ourworld fromothers. Imagine that!Andhere I am talking to a

parrot.It’sourlittlesecret,myfriend.”

“Imustgettheshipmovingandsteeritawayfromtheeyeofthestorm,andawayfromthatwhirlpoolahead.”Hetuggedonthewheelbutitwouldnotbudge. “Nothing will sink my ship. I will not be defeated again,” he vowed,shaking a fist at the skies. But then the light of the striking lightning boltsbecamesoharshthathehadtoshadehisface.

The frightened crew turned their eyes upward, as the Starrings streaked

across the skies. The bright points of light formed themselves into patterns,creatingconstellationstohelpnavigatetheshipoutofdanger.

Chapter22

Deepbeneath thedisturbedwaters’surface,McFee’shiddenchamber trembledfrom a banging noise coming from somewhere outside.Maximojo rubbed hiseyes, and tried toget his bearings.Hewas spinning roundand round in somesort ofgoo.Everyonce in awhile something came intoview that looked likeglass.Hestretchedouthispawsandfeltwalls.Hepressedagainstthemtostopspinning.Maximojowastrappedintheviewer-box.

He rubbed the sticky glass and peered through the small clear space hispaw hadmade.He could barelymake anything out, but it appeared to be thechamberwhereonlymomentsagohehadbeenstandinglisteningtoMcFee.Hetriedtowoof,butonlyagurglingsoundcameout,asgoofilledhismouth.

“Cosmolicious!” he bubbled. “That tasted almost as good as the lava-creamfillinginspacecakes.”

HesquintedagainandwasabletomakeoutthedimoutlinesofClarenetteandtherat.Hecouldn’tseeGlitta.

MeanwhileGlitta,twistedandturneduntilshefinallyfreedherhairfrom

the spider’s chargedweb. She puttered around the room, circling the box thathadappearedon the table in thecenterof thechamber.She flitteredup to theclearsideoftheboxandsawMaximojo’sfacepeeringbackatherfrominside.Hisnosewasflattenedagainsttheinsideoftheglass.

“Canyouhearme?”shesparked.

Maximojo nodded, signaling her to do her stellar beamer moves. She

flittedbackalittlewayandaimedattheglass.Thebeamjustbouncedoff.Sherevvedupagainandtriedtoemitagammaray,butnothinghappened.

“Mojo,Iamdepleted ... Ineedsunshine!”Shefloatedtothefloorof thechamberandfoldedherwings.Shegatheredherlastchargeandsentoutanother

signalforhelp.

Clarenette stepped over to the box and looked inside, but Maximojo’s

imagebegantodistort.Hisfacebecameconcave,thenelongated,thenmorphedintoamosthideoussight.McFee’sface.Hisgrinstretchedfromonesideofthescreentotheother.Hisvoicepermeatedthechamber.

“Clarenette,IamsogladyouaregoingtowitnessthedemiseofthegreatMaximojo!”Clarenettestaredatthedistortingimage.

“Surely you recognize me!” McFee’s voice said. “We’ve crossedspacewaysmany light years ago. I’ve seen thepowers your hairpinbeholds. Iwantthatactivatordisguisedasahairpin!Whereisit?”

Clarenettecontinuedtostareblankly.

“Ahwell,travelingbetweengalaxiescancausememorylapsesduringthe

time change,” the figure said. “I knewwewould cross spaceways again.Youmusthave lostyourmemorywhenyouslipped in thegardens.Rutlandshouldhavebeenmorecarefulwithyou.Suchacarelessrat.Heusedtocarryoutmyorderswithoutquestion,butsince thisheroicpairarrived, thatappears tohavechanged.

“I have heard of this ‘Mojo Effect’ in which everybody begins to feelthingslikecompassion,andbeginmakingtheirowndecisions.Themembersofmy little gang have been acting independent of their statuettes. Someone isinterfering, and I have a good idea who!” McFee’s hideous image leered atClarenette.YourtowerwilllookgrandinmyKingdomunderthesun,”hesaid.

She stepped back from the box as the glass became blurredwith static.McFeeswirledhiscapeoverhisfaceandexplodedoutthebox.HehoveredoverClarenette.Heraisedhisvoice,holdingouthishand.“Givemethathairpin. Itwillbemineforeternity.Ihavewaitedalongtimeforthismomenttogether.”

Clarenette began to pull at a lock of loose hair, and realized that herhairpinwasgone. “I’veneverbeenwithout it.Daltoidgave it tomewhenwefirstmet,”she thought,alarmed.“Itmusthavefallenout in thegardens.”Thatwasthelastplaceshehadremembered.

“You would never lose the crystal activator!” McFee demanded. “Nowwhereisit!”

All at once the banging sounds grew louder.All eyes scanned the room

anddiscoveredalargegapingholethathadappearedinthechamberwall.

***

Inthepalacegardens,Meowlenheardasoftwhistlingnoisecomingfrom

thebushes.“Iknewweshouldneverhavelefttheforest,”shesaid,shiveringinher faux-fur wrap, “It sounds like swarms of flies performing their cleansingrituals.”Sherolleddownthebugnetinhervisor,andhandedWhinnyaswatter.

“Not to worry,” Whinniston said, as he began batting the air with theswatter.“Itseemstobebug-freenow.Thosepestsmusthaveseenmecoming!”

“Doyouhearthat?”Woofster’ssnifferwentwild.

Mannie covered his headwith his paws.Hewas still in shock from his

run-in with Rutland. When he had ambushed Rutland with the unconsciousClarenette, he attacked him from behind, but that ruthless rat grew to anenormous size and with one kick, sent Mannie flying through the air overWhinniston’s head and into some bushes. Afterward, he was almost tooembarrassedtospeakwiththeothers,especiallyWoofster.

Thewhistlesgrewlouder.Then,“Hey,it’sme.Downhere,”avoicesaid.Mannietiltedhisheadtoonesideandpeeredintothegrassunderhisnose.

“It’sme,Kelcius.Idon’tbelievewe’vemet.Kelcius-Kol,that’smyname,

theleaderoftheunderworldminersmovement,andproudofit.Whomightyoube?”HepartedthegrassandthensawhisfriendMeowlen.

“Kelcius!Whatareyoudoinghere?”Shewassurprised.

“Glad I foundyou.Everythingwasdifferentwhen I returned toour restcaves with the search team.When Rutty and his gangweren’t aroundwe allbecame fearless.We went out and gathered coal from behind the castle, andstrucktworockstogetheruntiltheysparkedandthenlitthecoalslikeIhadseenRutty do,” he sighed, “Imagine, our own fire. Our rest caves lit up withincrediblecolors.Theyjustkindofcametolife.That’sthewayweallfeelnow.WenowrememberweareTreptalonians,andevenhadanamingceremonyforall of us. Our world of slavery is over,” he said. “Kol is back, and at your

service!”

“Nowlisten.Youallhavetofollowme.Ineedeveryoneofyou.Wedon’thavemuchtime.MaximojoandGlittaareinrealtrouble.Bigtrouble!Wemustsavethem.Ishouldn’thaveleftthembackinthatshaftalonewiththatspider.”

The button bug popped out of Kelcius’s snout and swung ontoWhinniston’smuzzle.“IThastherightidea.Whinnistoncangetustowherewehavetogothefastest,”Kelciussaid.

Whinnistonarchedtoappearbigger.“Rescueismymiddlename.Er...itwouldbe‘Rescue.’ifIhadone.”

“SirKol,countmein,”Meowlenpurred.“Playingtheheroineisoneofmyfavoriteroles.”

“CanIcome,too?”alittlevoicewhisperedoutfromthebushes.TheyallturnedandsawSmelkacomeoutfrombeneaththeleaves.Everyonebackedup.

“Well, lookwho’shere,”Mannie said. “So, smelly, youwant to join theMojoTeam,doyou?Showusyourcredentials.”

Woofsterjumpedin.“DoskunklensnowhaveanofficialAlliance?You’restripedweaponrymaybeusefulinajunkyard.”

“Actually, I don’t know if I do,” she said, wringing her tail. “I was anorphan.Ruttysavedmefromaferociousdoginthealleyway.Idon’tlikebeingalone…it’sscary.”

“Aferociousdog,yousay?”Mannie’seyeslitup.“Thatwasnoferociousdog, thatwasme!Maybea littleferocious,Isuppose.I triedtosaveyoufromthat rat before you were taken under the sewer grate.” Smelka fluttered hereyelashes, remembering the fight between the two. “I still have the marks,”Manniesaid,andshowedherhisbattlescars.

“Give the girl a break,” Meowlen said. “Someone gave me a second

chanceinoneofmyearlierlives.I’llneverforgetthatslickcatinabowtie.Oh,washethecharmer,butnotsmoothenoughforMeowlen.ItwasalifeI’dratherforget,”shesighed.

“Apurebredskunklenornot,you’rewithusnow,sister.Weneedall theammunition we can steam up, and besides you’re loaded. I’ve personallyexperiencedyou inbattle.Apologizesacceptedfor thesmotheringstinkygunk

allovermynewcoat...ifyouwerejustabouttosayyouweresorry.Oh,andbytheway,sorryaboutthehigh-heeledkickIgaveyouinthestudy.”

“Comeon,then,”Kelciussaid.“Wehavetohurry.”

Meowlen leapt ontoWhinniston, straightened her velvet cape andmask,anddeclared,“Everyoneaboard.Prepareforbattle!”ShesignaledSmelkatositupfrontwithher.“Whatalovelystrippedcoat,but,”Meowlensaidlookingherover.“Wemustchataboutthosenailsofyours.”

ITstretchedintoaropeandlowereditselftotheground,Kelciusgrabbedholdandswunghimselfupontothehorse’smuzzle,andbegantheclimbtohisforehead.

“Sharpclaws for sucha little fellowwithabigpersonality.”Whinnistonshudderedandquicklyregainedcomposure.“Everyoneiscountingonmetogetonwiththerescue.Perhapsyou’dliketositbesidethegirls.”

The dogs jumped aboard next, Mannie on one side of the rump, andWoofster on the other. Whinniston broke into a gallop, and jumped over thehedgeunderMeowlen’stightrein.Kelciuswavedhiscrystalshard,andletoutaboom.

“Onward,” Meowlen commanded, and they bounded off to rescue theirheroes.

***

“Whoah!Woohoo!”Kelciussaid,mimickingWoofster.

“Alittlelouder,SirKol.Hecan’thearyou,”Meowlensaid.“Trythis.”She

puttwoclawsinhermouthandletoutasharpwhistle.Whinnistoncametoanabrupt standstill, one hoof hovering over the hatch door entrance to thevanishingmountain.Itwassurroundedbyfadedflowers.

Kelciusgrabbedontothehorse’searandswungaroundit,ashehadseenoftenRuttydoonLetcho’shornwhentheratwasoutforvictory.“Therewasacave-inafterwewererocketedoutofthemountain,”hesaid.

“What about Rutty and the gang, especially the onewith the fast tail?”

Woofsterasked.

“YoumustmeanLetcho.The restofRutty’sgangdon’tknowityet,but

Ruttyisalsotrappedinthechamber,”Kolsaid.“Oneofthespiderettestoldus.Our insider. Seems like changing sides is becoming commonplace,” he said,giving Smelka a quick glance.He pointed at the hatch door. “This is still theaccesstoourworld.Theentrancewasjustfilledinwithdirtandrocks,whichIcan easily remove with these claws,” he said, raising his other arm. “Noteverything was disturbed, but Rutty’s castle and the watchtower we built forClarenettevanished.”

Whinnistonstompedonthehatch,splittingitopen.Kelciushookedaclawunder the planks and began prying them up. “Easy does it.We’re not alone.Skilledminersareclearingawideenoughpathforusnow.”Whenalltheplankswere removed, theypeered into thedark tunnel and saw the countless eyesofTreptalonianspeeringoutatthem.

“My,therearesomanyofthem,”Meowlensaid,herhairstandingonend.“It appears they’ve cleared a path for us. How appropriate, and my ownentourage.”Shetiedherhairback,putonmininggoggles,andtossedskunklenadenimjacket.“Throwthison,girlfriend.Itwillcomeinhandy–thingscangetprettydirtyinthetunnels,asyouknow.Andtrythesegogglesonforstyle.”

Smelkacaught thecoatandeyewearandquietlywipedawaya tear.“Noonehasevergivenmeanythingbutstickbars,”shesniveled,zippingthejacketuptoherchin.

“What an adventure! Feeling great!” Woofster howled. “I can hardlycontainmyself.ThatMojoEffectiskickingin.”

Mannie lookedaround.“Yo!Kol,byanychancedidyouseeascorpiolahidingaroundtheseparts?”

The eldest Bender, now known as Miltonia, popped out of the hatch.“Keepitquiet.Voicestravelfarunderground.Wedon’twanttodisturbLetcho.Heiswanderingaroundlostnowthathiswatchpostisgone.”

The eldest Backer, Sutrina, jumped out, too. “Hey Kol, we’ve begunbreaking through theoutsidewall of the chamber.We’dbetterget amoveon.Timeisrunningoutforyourfriends.

Thechamberisunstable.Somethingterriblemustbegoingoninthere.”

“Areyousurethecaptivesareyouknowwho?”Woofstercouldn’tfathomthepossibilities.“ThatneverhappenedinanyofthestoriesIread.”

“WidowWynder and the spiderettes tricked them,” Smelka said. “Thatwaspartof thebackupplanRutty toldus in thecastle thenightheplanned totakeClarenette.LetchoandScrapsiemustbeunderthesewergratenow,waitingforRutty’s orders, but this time I don’t thinkhe is comingback for them.Hestartedactingweird.”

Sutrina signaled a swarm of spark-flies to illuminate the tunnel for theMojoTeam,andwavedeveryoneinside.Kelciussecuredthebuginhisearandjumpedinsnoutfirst.

“I’llberightbehindyou,Kol-Boy.Keepupthegoodwork!”WoofsterdidnotwanttobebehindSmelka.

“Yo!Brother,wait!”Mannieyelped,andjumpedinafterWoofster,sniffer

up.Whinnistonfollowed,stretchinghisneckandcrawlingonhiskneesuntilthetunnelwidenedawaysin.MeowlenandSmelkaenteredlast,havingagirltalkaboutRutty.Astheydescendedintothesteeppath,theminersinfrontshoveledatremarkablespeed,wideningthesidesandreinstallingthesapphirepillarsforsupport. They expertly passed clawfuls of stone and dirt to theminers belowthem.

Deeper and deeper they went, the dirt and stones flying. Meowlen andSmelkacouldn’tgossipoverthenoiseofcrashingrocks,sotheyjustinterlockedtheirnailsand followed theTreptaloniansdeeper into theplanet. In thedistantshaft,theMammoliasheardtheruckusandbegantoshrillandrattletheirchains.

“Hey,howmanyofyouguyshavebeenhiddenundermysniffer?”Manniesaid,“Ipatrolledtheestateeveningnightandneverheardanythingbeneathme.”

“Our whole race resides here,” Kelcius said. “Or at least we did untileverythingbegantochangeintheunderworld.Butwearenotstayinghereanylonger than we need to in order to get your friends out.We are cracking anentranceopenintothechamberwheretheyarerightnow.”

“Zoooooooo!” The tunnel diggers happily began whistling the miner’ssong,whichmade theMammolias deep below shrill even louder. “Thisway,”Kelciussignaled,andtheyenteredafreshlydugroutethatledthemaroundtheshafttotheothersideofthechamber.

Kelcius tapped Sutrina on the shoulder. “When we are done rescuingMaximojo,wemustcomebackheretofreethoseotherbigonesintheshaft,”he

said.

“Kazeees! So they can freely roam once again,” Sutrina agreed

wholeheartedly.Inamoment,theycameintoaclearingwhereonlyagiantrockdomestood.

“Ineversawanyjunkthatbiginmyyard,”Woofstersaid.

“There is a secret chamber under this dome. Your friends are trapped

inside,”Kelciussaid.

Justthen,aminerscrambleduptothemfromaroundtheothersideofthedome. “Follow me. We’re almost broken through. Kelcius pointed atWhinniston.“Youleadbigguy,”hesaid.

“Excuseme,”Woofstersaid,“Iamaseasonedguarddogandknowhowto

ambush. I should go with the horse. Sometimes he spooks.” He turned toSmelka.“Ithinkyouaregoingtocomeinhandy,”hesaid,pointingathertail.

Smelka couldn’t help but smile, showingoff her chipped teeth.They allmovedtotheothersideofthedome,andwatchedastheminershammeredandchiseled, their claws and jawsworking at top speed.The crashing noises theymade rose through the underground tunnels to where Letcho and ScrapsieawaitedRuttybeneaththesewergrate.

“That’s the last bang I can tolerate,” Letcho said. “We’ve waited longenoughforRutty,thattraitorrat.Weknowwhomustbemakingallthisracket.It’s that floppy-eared intruder. Let’s take care of this ourselves.” Letchoscrammed along the pipes with Scrapsie affixed to his horn. “We don’t needRutty anymore, that betrayer, with his Clarenette. And as for that orphan ...She’llregretthedaysheleftus!”

Scrapsie jammed his pincers inside the lizzardo’s ear. “Themoment hascomeatlast!”hesaid.

Letchostormedthroughthedarknesstowardsthenoise,Scrapsiehanging

ontohisearyelling,"victory"ashesnappedonepincheropenandclosed.

Chapter23

McFee continued towatch theopening that had appeared in the chamberwallwiden,asbitsofrockanddustblewintothechamber.Meanwhile, theviewer-box on the table began tomove. Clarenette turned back to peer inside at thefloatingMaximojo.

“Ineed to findDaltoid,” shewhispered.As if theboxknewherwish, apanoramic picture of waves crashing against Daltoid’s ship appeared behindMaximojo.The imagezoomedinonDaltoid,andshecouldseeherhairpinonthefrontofhisjacket.Shesighedabreathofrelief,knowingthatitwasn’tlost.“Withoutthatpin,wecouldneverleavehere,”shethought.

Maximojofeltsomethingbrushhisbackside.Heturnedandwassurprised

toseethehornedwhaleandthepodofdolphins–theverysameonesthathadappearedinthecornfieldwhenthecosmicduofirstarrivedonZalturn.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you inside here,” Maximojo said. “And Ididn’tknowyoucouldgetthissmall!”

“Wearealsocosmicwonders,whethersurfing thespacewaysandatsea.We’vebeenwaitingalongtimeoutsidetheGoldenGatesforGlitta’ssignal,”thewhalesaid,histailsmashingagainsttheinnerwalls.

“Glittols!shealwaysknowswhotocallon.I’mgladtoseeyou,buthowarewegoingtogetoutofhere?”

“Braceyourself!Thiswon’thurtabit,” thewhalebubbled,andbegantoexpand.

Meanwhile,McFee rushed over to the growing crevice, and Rutty, whohadbeencowering in thecorner,grewwide-eyedashewatched thechest andeach of the statuettes, including his own, begin to dissolve into a puddle. Hetuggedhardonawhiskertomakesurehewasstillthere.“Ouch!Nowthathurt.Itwasn’tpleasantlikeitusedtobe.”Heyankedonhisnose.“I’marealsensitive

guy-rat!” He checked his reflection in the puddle the statuettes left. “Stillsomewhatrespectable,andaccomplished.Andhandsome!”

***

“Breakthrough!” Kelcius piped as he ripped the hole wide open.

“Whinniston,charge!Distracttheoneinthecape.He’sthesameoneIsawintheshaft.Trample about,makenoise.Take off as fast as you canwhenyouhavefreed your friends. Smelka, you stand guard here.”He turned to Sutrina. “Gobackwiththeotherstoourcavesandgetyourfamilies.Bringthemupintotheworldofsunshinethroughthetunnel.Staywellhidden.I’llcatchupwithyou.”

Kazeees!Victoryandanewlifeawaitsus.”Theycheered.

Smelkabeamed.“Imagine.Whatanhonor,askunklenassignedtowatchduty.”Stillloadedfromwaitinginthegardens,shereleasedatinybomb.“Iwillguardwell,”shesaid.

You can rely on me. Call me ‘Rescue’ anytime,”Whinniston said, and

everyoneelsejumpedonhisback.Atophishead,Meowlensaid,“MyAlliancecouldn’timaginethisrescuewithoutmeinthefrontline.”Sheraisedhersword.

Whinnistonpokedhisheadintothechamberandlookedaround.“Anyonehome?”

He locked eyes with McFee, spooked and began to rear. His upper lipextended and quivered. “Er… excuseme. I seem to have entered the wrongcave,sorrytointerrupt.Er…Iwasjustlookingformyspacefriendwithashinybutton-nose.He’swearingaflashycollarandhasawandwithasnappyvoice.Bychancehaveyouseenthemaround?”

MeowlengrabbedWhinniston’searwithhernails.“Tramplehim,Whinn!Look,” she said,pointingwithher tail. “Maximojo is in thatboxon the table.Quick!Igrabitandyoukeeprunning!”

Woofster,Mannie,KelciusandITpiledontopofhim,shoutedinunison,“Charge!”

“On it my fellow warriors!” Whinniston said, reassured by everyone’ssupport,andfeelinghismojosurging,heboundedforward,tripped,andknocked

over the table.Everyoneand theboxwere throwninto theair,bulgingnowasthewhaleballoonedwithallitsstrength.

“Catch that boxWoofster!”Mannie said. “Maximojo is trapped inside.”

JustthenhecaughtaglimpseofRutty,andtookoffafterhim.

Outside, Smelka heard the sound of Letcho’s distinctive hissing as heapproached.Sheturnedandreadiedherweaponryintoposition.JustasLetchoandScrapsiebarreledintotheopenspacearoundthedome,shegavethemeverylastdrop.Nolongerimmune,theyneverknewwhathitthem.Shepoppedafewmoreberriesshehadstashed.

Smelkaturnedandstuckherheadintothechamber.“Heygirlfriend,”she

saidwhenshesawMeowlen,“IgottheLetchandScraps.Knockedthemout!”McFee,whohadmovedtotheothersideofthechamberwhenWhinnistoncamecharging in, spottedherand startedcomingherway.Withconfidence,Smelkaunzippedhercoatandslippeditoff,revealingherwellearnedstripeandturnedherbottomup.

“Takecover,Meows!Noonewilleverstripmeofmywell-earnedstripe.”

SheletoneflyrightatMcFee.Coveredinsmellygunkthen,McFeecriedout, “This can’t be happening.That can’t bemy timidSmelkaSkunklen.”Helookedathishands,whichhadbeguntomelt.“Whathappenedtomypowers?Herbombsneveraffectedmebefore.I’velostallcontrol.Howisthispossible?”HelookedatRuttyonelasttime.“IamnotjustasmugglerbutalsoyourMaster,you irresponsible rat!”He said in disgustwatching the chase.He covered hisfacewithhiscape,buthewasalreadymeltingontothechamberfloor.

Rutty,withMannieinhotpursuit,wasrunningawayasfastashecould.“Iamachangedrat,honest,”heinsisted,pantinganddodgingManniewithsharpturns.“Justlookatthatskunklengeteven.IhopeI’mnotnext!”Finallytiredofthechase,hestoppedabruptlyanddidanaboutface.Mannieskiddedtoastopandcamenose-to-nosewithRutty.

“Okay, okay. Steady those jowls. Like that. Ratisico!” Rutty said. “I’m

surewe canwork this out.Let’s talk.After all,” he said, pointing toMcFee’sliquid remains, “weren’t we being controlled by one and the same? And hedoesn’tseemtobedoingtoowellrightnow,doeshe?SoIhaveanidea.What

do you say we start over. Two handsome fellows who now have anunderstanding.”Hestrokedhiswhiskerwithwaitedforananswer.

Meanwhile,Woofsterhadricochetedoffawallandtriedtocatchtheboxthatwasstillinmid-airafterWhinniston’sstumble.Toolate.Itcrashedontothefloorandsplitopen.Maximojoandtherestofthebox’scontentsgushedoutlikeafountain.Waterpouredintothechamber,quicklyrisingandformingwaves.

Glitta, whose strength had been so depleted, awoke floating in the

electrically-charged water. She bobbed quietly as the water's energy slowlybegan to restore her. Soon, she shook her wings and soared over the water’ssurface.

Themammothwhale,whowas still growing, roaredanddoveunder thewater’s surface.When it emerged, it had a contented smileon its face. “Ah, Ineededagoodstretchafterbeingboxed-in,”itsaid.

McFee’s remains, curled into a ball, swirled beneath the rising water.

Smelka,hisownweapon,usedagainsthimin theend,haddilutedhispowers.Neveragainwouldhemanipulate theothers.Thewaxyball thatwasonce themanipulatorofsomanynowwascaughtinawhirlpooldragginghimunder.

GlittaexplodedwithenergywhenshesawMojowithherfriends,andsentsolarflaresintotheshadowsofthewaves.“Icanalwayscountonfindingastraycurrenttochargemeup!”Maximojo,nowbacktohisregularsize,wasbouncingabout,whileClarenettesecuredherselfontohisback.

Everyone swam towards her signal. The dolphins helped guide them.

Woofsterdog-paddledandletoutaninconspicuousyelp,asKelciusclawedontohis ear. Whinniston imitated Woofster’s stroke to keep afloat, while Manniebackstrokedbehindthem,MaximojoandClarenettefollowing.Meowlen,nowinawet suit atopWhinny’s head, said, “Keep your head above the risingwaterlevel,Whinn.YoushouldknowIdislikegettingwet.”Smelka,exhausted,tookoffherbathingcapandlaysprawledoutonthehorse’smaneclosetoherfriend.

The whale grew at an incredible rate, crowding everybody else in thefloodedchamber.Justwhentheythoughttheywouldallbecrushedagainstthewalls,thewhaleturnedandopeneditsmouth.“Timetojumpin,”itsaid.

Theotherslookedateachotherandthendoubtfullyatthegapingmouth.

“It’sokay,”Maximojosaid.“Ithinkwecantrustthatthisfellowisonourside.”

Onebyonetheyallpaddledintothewhale’smouth.“Waitforme!”Ruttysqueaked,paddlingbehindthem,hisskinnylegspumpingasfastastheycould.Heslippedinjustbeforethewhale’sgiganticjawclosed.“Raticulous!Madeit!”Thewhalegentlyswallowedthemall,andbeganfanningitstailfasterandfaster.Pressuremounted in the chamber until it couldno longer contain them.Then,withamightycrash,theceilingsplitopen,propellingthewhaleanditsdolphinescortsupthroughthelayersofrockandoutintoanopensea.

Down below, the chamber repaired itself and drained as if nothing hadever disturbed it. In the center, all that remainedwas one rickety table and afaceless coin rolling and rolling until it became embedded into the rockwall.WidowWynder peered in through a tiny crack. “Where did everyone go? Atleasttheydidn’tleaveamess.Verynoisy-noisy.Mustgo.Busyschedule.Fast-fast.”

***

Ontheirwaytorescuetheirfamilies,theTreptalonianshaltedonasignal

fromSutrina.“Wait,”Sutrinasaid.“WhatabouttheMammolias?”Asmallgroupquickly formed and followed the elder into the shaft. Approaching the giantcreaturescautiously,theycuttheirchainswithaswipeoftheirclaws.

“Go now,” Sutrina announced, not knowing if the Mammolias couldunderstand. “You are free to roam in your homeland.”TheMammolias beganclimbinguptohighergroundaswaterbeganpouringoutoftheholeabovethem.

“Theirracealwaysexistedinsidetheplanet,”Sutrinasaid.“Theirinstinct

willguidethem,andtheywillescapethisflood.Thereisnowaytosealupthatescapehole in the chambernow.”TheTreptalonianshurried to joinwith theirown,andpreparetoleavetheirrestcavesforever.Justbeforetheydisappearedintoatunnel,theyturnedandwavedgoodbye.Theyknewtheywouldencounterthegiantsagaininthefuture.

Chapter24

Gustsofwindwhippedthewavesintoafrenzy.HailpeltedDaltoid’sshipanditscrew. Unable to control the ship any longer, Daltoid watched as they weresuckedtowardtheswirlingvortexahead.Hisvoicerangout.“Holdontight,thestormwillpass.Italwaysdoes.”

Astrongundertowgrabbedthebowoftheship,rockingitsidetoside.

“Kerten,Ican’tstraightentherudder,”Daltoidshouted.

“Somethingiscaughtinit,Captain.”Kertenshoutedback.

“Throw out the anchor and climb over and see what got trapped.” HethrewaswordthatKertencaughtinmidair.“Clearitawayquickly.We’rebeingdrawnintoawhirlpool.”

“We’retakingonwater,”acrewmemberyelleduptohim.“Theremustbealeak.”

“Make sure all the cabins are sealed tight,”he said. “Use thebuckets tobailfrombelowdeck.”

Daltoid strained to seepast thehail. “Are thosedolphins? Impossible. Itmust be a hazy reflection.” The parrot jumped from a spoke of the steeringwheelontohisshoulder.“Shoo!Shoo!”hesaid,wavinghisarmsattheorange-tail.Theparrotflewtothedeckbehindhimandbegansingingafamiliartune.

“Remember me? Zelzo, your friend at sea? You brought me along anddon’tforgetit…oryourwish.Aaawk!”

For a moment, Daltoid thought he heard the voice of his belovedClarenette.HeturnedtofaceZelzo,wholeveledinatshoulderheightflappingitswingsagainsttherainstorm.

“Daltoid!Daltoid!”thebirdsang.“Iamoverontheothersideofthedeck.IknowyoucanseemeandIknowwhoyouare.”

Noone butClarenette had ever called himDaltoid.He looked atZelzo,

thenallaroundhim,forthesourceofthismystery.“Itmustonlybethewhistleofthewind,”hesaidaloud.Memoriesofthehospitalcamebacktohimnow.HerecalledwithapanghowClarenettesangsosweetlytohimthere.Hebegantowonderwhyhehadevenbroughttheparrotalong.

Stungbythememory,Daltoidflailedhisarmsattheparrot.“Justflyaway

anywhere. Go! I have the safety of my crew to worry about.” The bird tookflightandperchedonthetopofthewatchpost.Itstretchedoutitswingsinordertohelpstabilizetheship.

“Captain!”Kertenshouted.“Itappearsthereisamonsterofawhaleunderus.Itmightbetrappedorcaughtsomehowintherudder.It’senormousandslowtomove.I’veneverseenthelikesofitbefore.”

“Unheardof,”Daltoidrepliedasthehailstoppedandtheraintrickleditslastdrop.“Iwillseeformyself!”Hemadehiswaytothelowerdeck.Hepeeredoverthebow,makingsurethatClarenette’shairpinwassecurelyfastenedbeforehebentovertherailing.“Itisahornedwhale!”Hetookoffhiscap.“Well,I’llbe! It doesn’t even appear to be injured. It must have been disturbed by theshiftingofcontinents.Perhapsanewly-openedwaterwayawakenedamystery.”

Helookedintothewhale’seye.“Sowhodowehavebelow,astowawaywho cannot hide from us? Someone your sizemust have been roaming thesewatersforever.Awhalethathashistoryunderitsfinsiscertainlyofinterest,butyoumustbeoff.”Thewhaleslappeditstail,almostcapsizingtheship.Daltoidwasdrawnintothewhale’sstareandheldontotherail,loweringhimselfforacloserlook.“Howdowegetyoutogoonyourway?”

“I’vemade it as fast as I could,” thewhale said. “Itwas a longwayupfrom the chamber.” All Daltoid heard, however, was a series of clicks andwhistles.

Daltoidestimatedthesizeofthewhale’sjaw,whichalmostexceededthewidth of the ship.Without warning, the whale disappeared below thewater’ssurface. With a mighty thrust, the whale rocketed out of the now-calm sea,flippedover,anddovebackin.Theresultingwaverockedtheshipsohardthatthecrewnearlywentoverboard.

“No whale acts like that!” Kerten exclaimed. “Whatever it is, we must

havedisturbeditssleep,Captain!”

Daltoidandthecrewwarilywatchedthesurfaceofthewater.Then,justassuddenlyasbefore,thewhalelauncheditselfoutofthewaterononesideoftheship,archedovertheship’sbow,andsplasheddownontheotherside.Criesofamazementarosefromthecrew.

Itsurfacedagain,thistimenearlystandingonitstailasitbalancednexttothe ship. “What is thatmumbling noise?”Daltoid said. “It sounds like voicescomingoutofit’sblowhole.”

The parrot hopped onto his shoulder. It picked at his hair and beganlooseningDaltoid’seyepatch.Headjustedhissilver-tippedcap.

“Losingit.Aaawk.Timetogohome!”theparrotsaid.

The sun broke through the clouds, drying off the hull and warming thecrew.

“Howcanitpossiblystillbemorning?”Daltoidsaid,bewilderedthattimeseemedtohavestoodstill.

***

TheCouncilwasmonitoring the situation from the satellite stationed justbeyondtheclouds.

“Thecrystalhairpin thatwasgivenDaltoidwhenhewasborn iswaking

himup,” theCommander said. “He is beginning to remember.Themission isalmost over. We just need a little more time for Clarenette to complete hisawakening.”

***

Asthewhaleplayfullytorpedoedbackintothesea,theMojoTeamandthe

othersheldontoeachother,oranythingtheycouldfind.MeowlenandSmelkawerethrownintoapileoffishinsideitsstomach.

“Eeww,”Smelkasaid,holdinghernoseforthefirsttime.“Thesweetsmellof thetastiestdelicacies,”Meowlensaid.“Savoreachwhiffof luxury,Smelka.Thisisatasteofheaven.You’rewithmenow,sis.”

Mannieyelpedwhenhediscoveredabunchofseacrabshadlatchedonto

histail.“Yo!Mynightmaresaboutscorpiolasarecomingtrue.”

“I’llhelpyou,Manford,”Woofstersaidformally,pickingthecrabsoffonebyone.Ruttysatacrossfromthetwodogs,upagainstthewhale’sribs.“Areyoureally going to keepme captive? Can’t we just be buddies?” he said. “I’m achangedrat!Honest.Ifyoucan’ttrustaratwhocanyoutrust?”

“Whatarewegoingtodowiththatshapeshiftingrat?”Manniesaid.

“Let’s just throwhimtothatstorekeeperwhenwegetbacktoKavalon,”Woofstersaid.“Iheartheyhavesomeunfinishedbusiness.”

“Youcancountonmetodrophimoff!”Whinnistonflaredhisnostrilsandtriedtostandheroicandtall,butwhackedhisheadonthewhale’sbackbone.

“Youmightwant to sit,”Maximojo said.ButClarenette just pacedbackandforthinthewhale’sstomach.Nestledinherhair,Kelciussaid,“I’mgladI’muphereratherthandodgingherfeet.”

GlittaflitterednearMaximojo.Maximojowhisperedtoher,“ClarenetteisnolongertheClarenettedescribedinmymissionreport.Sheisfarfrommeek,but charmingnevertheless.TheCouncil doesn’t disclose everypossibility.Butsheisactingstrangeforalocalresident.”

“I don’t think she is from this Galaxy,” Glitta said. “Look at her hair.”Clarenette’shairwasslowlychanging intoglowingringlets.“Ifshe’snot fromZalturn, neither isDaltoid.Maybe they are planetary visitors that theCouncilslippedintoourmission.TheCouncilsometimesdoesthat.”

Clarenetteoverheardthem.“Youareright,”shesighed,“andIhavewaitedsolongtogohome.Idon’tthinkitwillbelongnow.Daltoidisnearlyready.”Shegavethewhale’sribsagratefulrub.Abeamofsunlightshonethroughtheblowholeintohereyes,whichbegantoglowbrightly.Sheraisedherarmsandsoaked in the rays,basking in theirwarmth.Shewrapped the frayedpiecesofherclothingaroundher,andtheybegantotransformintoametallicjumpsuit,asshegrewtaller.

“Nowthat’s trendyspacewear,Meowlen,”Glittasaid,andsentout some

sparksinordertoseeherbetter.

“You’reticklingme,”thewhalesaid.“IsthisthethanksIgetforrescuingthelotofyou?”

RuttywasastonishedatClarenette’schange indemeanorandstature.He

beganbackingaway fromher,wringinghis claws. “I’msure itwas the lady Icarriedher out of thepalacegardensovermy shoulder,” he thought, “butmy,howshehasgrownintoquitea…?”Notsurewhat,butthoseeyesareshininglikethesun.”Hehadtoshieldhisowneyesfromtheglare.“Youmaywanttodimthelightalittlelady,”hesaid.“Ourhostmaybegettingalittledizzy.Icanseethatyouwon’tbeneedinganymorerescuing.Ithinkyou’llbefineonyourown,orthatmojodogwilltakecareofyou.”

He continued backing away toward the whale’s mouth. “Meowlen takecareofSmelka.Shewasneverreallyanorphan,Imean,ItrickedherbecauseIneededher.”HewavedatMannieandWoofster.“Weboyswillcatchuplateronthe next new moon or some festivity.” He turned and scrammed through themazeofwhaleteeth,andclimbedontothewhale’shorn.

“Raticulous!Ihavenoonetotakeordersfromanymore.Iammyownbig

cheesenow.”Hewavedupatthecrewbuttheydidn’tseehim.Thewhalewaslaughing,hishead rocking fromside to side. “Easydoes it,big fellow,”Ruttysaid,pattinghim.“IamgettingoffassoonasI’mnoticed.Can’taratbetreatedwith respect in thesewaters?”Ruttywasovercomewith emotion. “Howcan Ipossibly bemissing the gang?” he thought. “Howun-rat like.”He slicked hishairbehindhis ear and felt the spyscreen there.Heplucked itupand threw itintothesea.

“Idon’tneedthisanymore,”hesaid,andsmoothedhishairtohisbuckle.

Hesawaladderabovehimonthesideoftheship.Heflickedouthiswirytail and caught one of its rungs.With a mighty heave he leapt, but smackedagainsttheladderandlosthis

grip.Hecaughtholdofthelastrungjustbeforehewouldhaveplummetedintothesea,hisfeetdanglingabovethecrestofthewaves.

“Heyyou!”hesqueakedupatthecrewwhowerestaringoverthesideof

the ship, but not at him. “I need a hoist up!Can’t you see I’m a fine rodent,whiskeredandall? I’mruthlessnomore.CallmeRutland…”Butevenashesaid this he knew he had lost his ability to transform himself into RutlandRatkin.

Zelzo, the parrot, looked up, cocked his head as if he were hearingsomething, and took to the sky. “Aaawk!Got themessage, Commander,” thebirdsquawked.“Gotthemessage.Aaawk!Aaawk!”

Heswooped lowandpluckedRuttyupby the tailandsoaredupwardasRuttythrashedaboutbeneathhim.Highabovethem,theStarringslookedonandfreelylitupintheirconstellations.

***

Insidethesatellite,ascreenpulsatedwithlight,reflectingonthefacesof

theCouncilmemberswhowatchedtheactiononZalturnfromaroundthetable.The second-in-command spoke, “Zelzo is dropping the rat back on land nearLetchoandScrapsie,whoarewanderingaimlesslyinthecitystreets,coveredingunk.Theywillbehappy to reunitewithhimsince theyareno longerable toreturntotheirsewergrate.Wehavepermanentlyremovedit.

“Andasyoucansee,thevanishingmountainMcFeeusedtosmugglethegems,thatRuttydeliveredtohim,hasnowdisappearedfromZalturncompletely,andthetunnelisfillinginnicely.”

Hereadfromareport,“Itappears thatat theendof the lastmillennium,MadameKindelknewthatherlostrelativewouldonedayreturntoZalturn.Hercrystalmeteoritecastingsticksmusthaveservedwellforhertoseethefuturesoclearly.”

One of the otherCouncilmembers spoke up. “Butwhat happened to thecrystalstickthatDaltoidreceivedatbirth?”

TheCommandersmiled.“Haven’tyoufigureditoutyet?TakeacloserlookatClarenette’shairpin.”

Anothermembersquintedatthescreen.“It’snotahairpinatall,”hesaid.“That’sthemissingcastingstick!”

The second-in-command said, “It’s also an activator, and in the wronghandsitcandestroyanentiregalaxy.”

“Correct,” said theCommander. “Now you are beginning to see the big

picture.AndnowyouknowoneofthereasonsthatwehadtogetMaximojoforthismission.TheMojoEffectmagnifiesthesenseofindependenceineveryone

the duo comes in contact with. The Treptalonians andMammolias needed toremember a time frombeforeMcFee turned them into slaves, and the cosmicduo’spresencemadethatpossible.”

“So everything seems to now be falling into place,” another Councilmembersaid.“Kalapsisisinstalled,thememoriesthatwerelostduringthelastphase-inarecomingbacktotheonceslavedraceswhoarenowfree.Zalturnisstablenowthatthechamberisdeactivated,andthegangmembersarefreetobewhotheyare.NowitisjustuptoClarenettetofullyawakenDaltoid.”

Theyallturnedbacktothescreenandwatchedwithinterest.

***

Thepressureinsidethewhalewasbuildingtoacrescendo.

“Everyoneheadtothemouth,”Maximojosaid.“Ithinkwe’reabouttobeblown out.” Maximojo held Clarenette’s hand, and they all made their wayforward.ITaffixeditselfontoMaximojo’scollar,asKelciussnuggledinthefurbehindhisear.AlltheothersgrabbedontoWhinniston.

“Hangonlikethis,girlfriend,”MeowlensaidtoSmelkenasshewrappedher claws into hismane.Woofster andMannie hung on tight toWhinniston’stail.

Thewhaletookafinalbigbreathandblewthemalloutofhisblowhole.

As they soared through the air, thebugelongated into a rope, and lassoed thesternoftheship,squashingitselfintoagoodfirmhold.Maximojograbbedtheend of the bug rope and swung onto the deck. Clarenette, barely hanging on,whirledaroundand landedbesidehim. IT letgoandballooned intoa tugboat,andalmostburstattheseamsasthehorseandtheothersclimbedin.

“I’ll be back for you soon,”Maximojo hollered overboard at his friendsfloatingontheinflatablebug.

Daltoid stoodon thedeckwithhismouthopen. “Clarenette! I thought I

wouldneverseeyouagain.”Herushedtoherandpickedherupinhisarms.Ashe did, Clarenette took the hairpin attached to his jacket, shook the seashellsfrom herwet hair, rolled it into a bun, and inserted the hairpin. She began toglow.

“DaltoidKindel,”shesaidsweetly,”doyourememberwhenyougavemethishairpin?Italwaysremindedyouofhome,andyouwantedmetobepartofthememoryforever.Sohereweare.”

“Kindel?” he said. “Youmean I’m notCaptainDaltoid Swaggelot?”Helookedaround,confused.“ButI rememberwakingupon theshoreline toyourtouchIwasaCaptain,wasn’tI?”

“Try toremember,mysweet.Wejourneyedtogether inyourdream.Youalwaysfeltthatyourlifewasmissingsomethingimportant.Youwantedsomuchto experience your birthright on your home planet, Zalturn,where youwouldhave grown into a great sea captain and ruled a kingdom. But when the lasttimekeeper was set into motion it didn’t adjust properly, and everything wasthrownintodisarray.Anythinghasbeenknowntohappenonatripleeclipse.

TheTreptalonianshadruledonthissideoftheplanetwherewearenow,

buttheirKingdomsankbelowthesurfaceandflippedupside-downandthentheMammoliasbecametrappedinashaftintheirownworld,underground,chainedtoone-anotherforgenerations.Bothcivilizationswereenslaved,untiltoday.Shetouchedherhairpin.

“The continent onwhich youwere born shifted to the other side of theplanet, and the Kindel clan carried on, although their youngest son – you,Daltoid–weresweptoff tomyplanet,Datzonia.Wemetaschildren,grewuptogether,fellinloveandmarried.Butyoualwaysdreamedofyourlostplanet.

Tomakeupforthepoorinstallmentofthelasttimekeeperthatcausedalltheseproblems,theCouncilarrangedforyoutoliveoutyourwish.”

As she spoke,Daltoid closedhis eyes asmemoriesbegan floodingbackintohismind.

Clarenette removedhiseyepatch.“LookatmeDaltoid.Youwerenever

injuredatsea,noreversailedthetraitorouswaters,”shesaid.Helookeddeeplyintohereyesandthelastpiecesofhispastcameback.“Youtrulyareeverythingyoudreamedof,andmore.Ourwholeworldresideswithinourhearts.Wecanexploreanygalaxyforadventurewithoureyesclosed.Youwishedtoexperienceallyourunfulfilleddreams,andithappened.

“Nowitistimetogohome.Wearenotroyaltythereeither,Daltoid,justa

happy couple living off the land. Everyone at home is looking forward to theannual harvest of our gushberry bushes and bake-offs on the upcoming newmoononourwonderfulplanetfaraway.”

AlookofpeacecameoverDaltoid’sface.“Iremembereverythingnow.Idon’t need tobe a captainor a ruler anymore. I just need tobewithyou,mylove.”

Clarenettesmiledandtookhishand.Sheturnedherheadsothathecouldseethehairpininherbun.“Yougavethistomewhenwewerejustchildren,andthenagaininthisdreaminKavalon.Doyourememberwhatitis?”

Daltoid reached up and touched the shining hairpin. “It’s my crystalcastingstick,theoneIhadeversinceIcanremember.”

“Yes,”Clarenettesaid.“Yourmotherplaceditinyourtinyhandwhenyouwereborn.Anditisalsoanactivatorthatisgoingtotakeushome.”Shetouchedit,hereyesshining.

“Look,” Glitta said, “their legs and arms are beginning to vanish.” The

crewwatchedasDaltoidandClarenetteslowlydisappeared,leavingbehindonlyafaintmist.Just thenGlittasawsomethingfloatinginthewaterneartheship.“It’sthePolyMatrixor,”shesparked,andskimmedthesurfacetosnatchitfromthewaves. “Catch,Mojo!” she said, tossing it tohim. “Youmight beneedingthis.”Maximojocaughtit,satontheship’srailandflippedopenthedevice.

The Council came online. “Well, Maximojo, your mission has been asuccess,eventhepartsofitthatyoudidn’tknowabout.WehadtofindawaytorestoretheTreptaloniansbacktotheirformergloryandfreetheMammolias.NottomentionfulfillingDaltoid’swishatthefirstopportunemomentwhenKalapsisarrived.Tripleeclipsesdon’tcomearound thatoften.Weowedhim thatmuchafterthemistakewiththeinstallationofthelasttimekeeper,don’tyouagree?”

Maximojo turned toGlitta. “TheCouncil snuck in another romance,”hesaid.“Theyalwaysdo.”

“Glitta sent off some solar flares that burst into rainbows. “It is soexciting!” she sparked. “Daltoid realized how much he had, and Clarenetteshowed us how incredible she truly is, not to mention how much she lovedDaltoid.”

“Asforyourfriendspiledin thetugboat,” theCommandersaidfromthe

satellite. “We have signaled Zelzo to pick them up after he drops off the rat.Councilout.”

“Wait,”Maximojosaid.“WhataboutMcFee?”

“Sorry about all that,” theCommander said. “I couldn’twarnyou abouthim.Hewas smugglinggems against the ‘CosmicCodeofConductivity,’ andweneededtotraphim.Hewascoinedfordestruction.Ifwehadtoldyouaboutall of this, you might have done something that changed the stability of thefuture.”

“SowehaveanothergreatFa-HairyTailStoryending,”Glittasaid.

“That’sright,”theCommandersaid.“Anothersuccessfulmission.”

SoonZelzoappeared, soared to theedgeof the tugboat, IThadbecome,andcarriedit to theshore.EveryoneunloadedandthebuttonbugimmediatelyputtiedintoalittleballandrolledintoKelcius’sear.

“Howdoes it feel to be a hero, SirKol?”Meowlen said, Smelka at her

side.

“It’s toughbeingahero,butworth it,”hegavea littlesmile,and lookedup.

“Yes, it is. And in honor of your courage for rescuing Maximojo and

Glitta,onbehalfofallofus,Iwanttopresentyouwiththis.”MeowlenreachedintoherpocketofthematchingrainslickersthathadappearedonbothherandSmelkaafter theyhadcrawled into thebugboat,andpulledouta shiny,gem-studdedmedalonatinychain.

“SirKol,pleasestepforward,”shesaid.Kelciuscameforward,lookingassheepishasaTreptaloniancould,andMeowlenpickedhimupinherpaw.

“For courage in battle, and for the splendid curiosity that led you to

exploretheforbiddenworldbeyondyourcaves,andforleadingyourownraceoutofslavery,Inowpresentyouwiththismedal.”Shehungitaroundhisneck,andeveryonecheered.

“NotsureifIwoulddothatagain,heroornohero.Thatbirdhadasharpbeak!”ITthought,andwentinsidehissnout.

Kelciusleaptontothehighestrock,brimmingwithjoy.“Ihavealongway

to travel to get back to the others.We will cross paths again, I’m sure.” HewinkedatMeowlenandwavedtotheothers,anddisappearedintothethickets.

“Kazeeestoyou,SirKol,”Meowlensaid.

“EveryonecomesandgoessoquicklyaroundKavalon,”Woofstersighed.

***

Insidethesatellite,theCouncilmembersgatheredaroundthescreen.“It’stimetodismantlethelingeringpropsinDaltoid’sdream,”theCommandersaid.Hebeganturningdialsonacontrolpanel.

Theship’screwbeganmeltingintothedeck,andtheshipbegantoslowlyevaporateintomist.Thewhaleandthedolphinsdoveundertheshiningsurfaceofthesea.“Let’sgetbacktoourouterspacewaterways,”thewhalesaid.“IhopetheCouncilwill call onus again for oneofMaximojo’s futuremissions.Thisadventurewasjustsplashinglysplendid!”

***

Maximojo’s sensor flashed. “The Council wants tomeet us,” he said, a

little worried. “This will be a first. They’ve never requested to meet with usbefore.Iwonderifsomethingelseiswrong.”

“Doyouthinkweareintrouble?”Glittasparked.“Iwonderiftheythinkyouputthatgeminyourpackwhenwefirstlandedhere.Itoldyouitwasabadidea.”

“ButIreturnedit,”hesaiddefensively.

Shelatchedontohispack,andhesoaredtowardthesatellite.Onceaboard,theywalkedtotheCouncilroomontheupperfloorandknockedonthedoor.Totheirsurprise,theparrotopenedit.“Aaawk!Maximojo!Comein!Wehavebeenwaitingforyou!”

Maximojosteppedin,wheretheygottheirsecondsurprise.Glittacouldn’tstopflickering.

“Lou?”hesaid.TheoddfellowsatattheheadoftheCouncil’stable.

“Yes,myfriends.Welcome.”

MaximojoandGlittagaveeachotheraquizzicallook.Loupulledthepipe

outofhismouthandsetitonthetable.Itturnedintoacrystalstick.

“You’retheCommander?”Maximojoasked.

“Yes,”Lousaid.“I justwanted towatch inaction,andnot just fromthesatellite.You see, I’ve read all the stories about you. I sincerely hope thatwedidn’tcauseyoutoomuchdiscomfort.”

Maximojo shrugged. “I could have passed on the scorpiola poison,” hesaid,straighteninghiscollar.

“Well,at leastyoudidn’thave todealwithScrapsie invadingyourbodylike Idid.Thatwasn’tpleasant,nor losingmypowers. Idon’t thinkyou’llbeseeingmeonanyofyourfuturemissions.YouwillbehappytoknowthatsoonKelciuswilltakehisrightfulplaceastheRulerofTreptalon.”

“WhatwillhappentotheKavalonanditscitizens?”Maximojoasked.

“Theyneverreallyexisted.Allofthatisdissolvednow,liketheshipandthe crew. They were only part of the dreamwe created for Daltoid. And theKingdomofTreptalonnowstandsinthecornfieldwhereall theanimalsoftheplanetcametogreetyou,”Lousaid,“nexttothenewwatchtower.Kelciusmayneeditinthefuture.Ibelievehehasaplan.”

Okay,”Maximojosaid,“butwhathappenedtoMcFee?”

“He has been sealed into a faceless coin, along with his estate, anddisposed of in an empty universe that had been wiped out during a cosmiccatastrophe.Wewereconcerned thathemay try tocapture theStarringsagainforhisownpurposes,sowescatteredthemthroughouttheuniverseforsafety.”

“They came in handy to keep gravity intact during Daltoid’s dream,”Maximojosaid.“Atleastthephase-inwentsmooth.”

Glitta looked up through the skylight at the glowing constellations. Louturnedtoher.“TheStarringsaregratefulyoufreedthemfromMcFee.Theyarewaitingforyoutovisitsomeday.Afterall,likethem,youbeganasasolarflare,andtheyareyoursiblings,”hesaid.

GlittaflickeredovertoMaximojo’sside.Sheshadedherface,andblushed.

“Maximojo ismyfamilynow,wearean inseparablepair,butmaybesomedaywewillhaveamissionintheirgalaxy.”

“What about my friends, Woofster, Meowlen, Whinniston, Mannie,Smelka and the rest of her old gang?”Maximojo asked. “I promised that wewouldreturn.”

“AndmyMojoalwayskeepsapromise,”Glittasparked.

“Sobeit,mymasterminds.You’reright.Itiscosmicallycorrect,basedonthe‘CosmicCodeofPromises.’Yourwishhasalreadybeengranted,Maximojo.Itbeginsrightnow.You’dbettergetgoingandcatchuptoyourfuture.”

Where is it?” he shook the PolyMatrixor. “Can you give us a hint thistime?”

“Youwillreceiveyourmissionreportsometimeinthefuture.Rightnow,you had better catch with Zalturn. It is speeding along in its new orbit. RestassuredthatthelegacyfromthisadventurewillbeinscribedinthehistoryofthecosmosformanymillenniumstocomeinFa-HairyTailStories.”

“Dreams reallydocome truewitha little imagination, just askSmelka,”Lousaid.

Glittasparkled.“Andtheothers!”

Theparrotopenedthedoorforthem.“Offtoyourfuture,”Lousaid.Theyleftandstoodonthelaunchpadofthesatellite.Glittahookedontohisbackpack,andrevvedupintoarocket.Theyblastedoff.

***

“Watch outMojo!We are going to crash into nothingness!” she flared,

hopingonceagainthathewasnotsteeringthemwrong.

“Thespacegateshouldopenjustaboutnow!”Theentranceglistenedinto

view.Adoorswungopen.“Rightonschedule,”Maximojohollered.Hemadeasharp turn, barely missing the stoneheads who had been waiting behind themoonallthistimefortheirreturn.Butonceagain,thecosmicduospedbythemtoofasttobecaught.Thespacegateslammedshutinthedarknessbehindthem.

“Historysuregoesoutwithabang!”Maximojosaid,veeringontoanotherspacetrack.

“Catchus,evenifyoucan’t!”Glittateasedthestoneheads.

“Howcouldyouletthemescape!”thebiggeststoneheadgrumbled,almostimplodingwithdisappointment.

Themoonlitup.“Thereisalwaystomorrow,”itthought,andnolongerfeltalone.

“Somedaywe’llgrowupintoplanetsandorbitinourownsolarsystem,”

oneofthestoneheadssaid,shruggingofftheirdefeat.Inthecosmicschemeofthings,therewasalwaysanothersunrise.

“MOJO…MOJO-O-O-O!” the planets and stars called out when they

recognizedtheinseparableduo,speedingthroughtheuniverseasKalapsistookanotherbreath,thankfuleverythingwasrunninglikeclockwork.

Chapter0Theadventurecontinues…

“Thatwassomeadventure,butthingswillneverbethesameforanyofus.Ifeeldifferentsomehowliketheundefeatable,reliable,loveableWoofster!"hesaid,asthe troop found itself back in the cornfieldwhere they started.“IwonderwhyMaximojohasn’tcomebackyet,hepromised,andI’vereadeverybookandhealwayskeepshispromise.”

“Yo!Don'tgetcarriedaway,rememberhowtobehaveonduty,you'restillonwatch,”Manniesaid.HelookedtowardsthehorizonandplacedhispawonWoofster's shoulder saying, "Ihavebigplans foruspartner!"Woofster letoutthebreathhewasholdingandsaidoutloud,"Sothereismoreexcitementforanoldjunkyarddog!"

“MeowsandIhaveother ideas,”Smelkasaid,checkinghernails,whichwerefreshlypaintedinVenusVelvet,assheandMeowlenstruttedalonginhighheelsandfashionablesunhats.

Ascratchyvoicecamefrombehindthem.“Heywhatareyoudoinghere?Thetroopturnedinunisontolook.Rutty,LetchoandScrapsiewererunninguptothem.RuttypointedatSmelka,whomhebarelyrecognizedinherfancyoutfit.“Ifshecangowithyou,whycan’twe?Strengthinnumbers,remember?Whatdoyousay,buddies?”

“Hey, guys, look at Smelka, all dolled up!” Letcho teased. “She doesn’tlooklikeanorphananymore.”

Scrapsie pinched the lizzardo’s mouth shut. “No more teasing. We’restartinganewbeginning.”Scrapsiefeltontopoftheworld.

“Yes,fromnowonwatchit,”Meowlensaid,displayingherclawsofmanycolors.“Besupernice tomysister,Smelka.Shemayruleaplanetsomeday.”Letchosmiledforthefirsttimeinhislife.

Just then, the skies lit up.Everyone looked up in awe asMaximojo andGlitta arrived, shattering the sound barrier and sliding into the cornfield,stoppingatWhinniston’sfronthoof.

“I knew it! They show up just like in the Fa-Hairy Tails.” Woofsterexclaimed,andexcitedlylassoedhistailaroundLetcho.

“We'regladyoufinallymadeit,”Whinnistonsaid.“Maybenexttimeyou

should accept a ride from somebody, namely me.” He regally threw back hisheadproudly,hismaneflowingbehindhim.

***

RulerKelcius-Kolstrolledoutofthecastleandontohisbalcony.“Whata

glorious day in Treptalon!” The Ruler filled the water dish and admired thewatchtowerbuilttowardoffpotentialinvaders.Flutterersgatheredaround.Heheardacommotion in thecornfieldsurroundingtheKingdom.“Whoare thosestrangers?”he thoughtpeeringover therailing.Kelciussquinted,hiseyesnotyetaccustomed todaylight.He recognized the shapeofahorse,and it lookedlikeotherswereonitsback.“Coulditbe?”Kelciussaid,hisheartbeatingfast.

“Yes,itis!”andletoutaloudwhistle.

WidowWynder ran across his foot. “Noisy-noisy! Keep it quiet aroundhere.My little ones were sleeping in the castle. Now you’ve done it. They’reawake.Mustattend.Fast-fast.”

ExcerptfromaFa-HairyTailStoryATimekeeperKalapsisRecording

***