VISHALI is questing! Episode 1/25

VISHALI took shelter in the local bookshop from a prolonged thunderstorm that was raging. After wandering round glancing at a book here and a map there, she found herself a few floors up in the attic, where he met Flurry and Fleur.

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VISHALI, Fleur and Flurry were joined by Zak, who was also taking shelter from the bad weather.
There was a sudden flash of lightning and they spotted an ancient book on the shelf beside Fleur.
"That looks an interesting old volume," commented Fleur, and she pulled it towards her and unfastened the metal clasp. It was a centuries old tome on local flora and fauna of this area of PnF Land.

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VISHALI, Fleur, Flurry and Zak were engrossed in reading an ancient scroll found inside the old book when they were joined by Hoot the Owl.
"Hoot, just listen to this!" said Fleur. "This scroll describes the plight of the Mystic Beetles at the far side of the Scary Forest. This beetle can only produce offspring if willing volunteers follow these directions to its Magical Tree Stump, collecting on the way crystals that are essential to this beetle breed. It says you'll need stout footwear and a stouter heart."
"Hmm! How scary can a forest be?" commented Hoot. "I say we do it—what about you chaps?"
VISHALI, Zak and Flurry thought it sounded quite exciting!

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Fleur rapidly thought of a few practicalities. "We'll need a bag for these crystals and perhaps a few provisions to keep us going. I'm not sure how long this will take. I'll be back in a few minutes." Shortly thereafter, VISHALI accompanied Fleur, Flurry, Zak and Hoot to a special part of wall panelling in the bookshop where they were to twist an ornamental pineapple in an anti-clockwise direction. They followed the instructions carefully. Nothing happened at first then there was another flash of lightning and they found themselves falling, twisting and turning, through a portal into the Scary Forest!

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The team warily advanced further into the Scary Forest, collecting the trail of crystals they found from the start.
"We'd better put down a track to be able to find our way out," said the Hoot. "I've read plenty of adventure stories in my time and we don't want to get lost, do we? In Owl School we learnt how to make tracking signs with leaves and twigs and things. Just watch."
They grouped round Hoot and observed, with varying degrees of interest or scepticism, as he bound twigs with reeds and folded leaves into patterns. "There!" he announced. "I'll put these down along the path as we—owwww! That leaf just bit me!"
They all jumped back in alarm. "You can't get bitten by a leaf," said Zak. "Perhaps it was an insect on it." But Hoot, clearly shaken, abandoned his tracking-sign construction, and as they were getting cold, they moved briskly on.

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The little team proceeded warily along the path, wishing it were daylight. They could hear scuffling noises in the undergrowth and were startled when a black and white creature suddenly emerged beside them. However, they very quickly saw it was a badger who was as startled to see them as they were to have seen him!

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The little band of pets took heart and proceeded on their way, picking up crystals from the path as they did so. A friendly hedgehog on the hunt for slugs trotted out to speak to them.
"Are you on the Mystical Quest?" he asked. "My goodness, I haven't seen anypet try to follow that for years now! You should have heard the last lot that attempted it—they didn't get very much further than this, it would have been, and the whole lot came galloping back as fast as their paws and wings would carry them, shrieking and gibbering! But never mind—I'm sure you'll be fine!"

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The team, their nerves on edge, ventured further. It had become foggy and there was an eerie atmosphere. Fleur jumped suddenly and clutched hold of Zak. "W-what's that in the m-mist a-a-head?" she whispered.
"No, it's a h-h-and," Zak quavered back. "Oh, F-Fleur, I w-want to go h-home!"
"Courage!" murmured Fleur, patting his paw.
"You h-haven't s-seen what's a-above you!" cried Zak and bolted, fortunately in the right direction and running to catch him up calmed them all down a little.

VISHALI is questing! Episode 9/25

"It's become awfully misty, hasn't it?" said Flurry nervously. At that point they all jumped out of their skins when they heard Whoooo! Whooo!
"I'm going to try breathing fire," quavered Zak, "only I've not had many lessons on it in dragon school yet."
Zak took a few shaky deep breaths and exhaled gustily. A few puffs of smoke arose from his snout. Just then a ghost flitted into vision and they all shrieked!
The ghost was doubled up, shaking with laughter. "Oh dear!" it said, "is that the best you can do? I'm laughing so much I can't go Whooo! any more! Go on, you're all right. Just follow the path. Watch out for heffalump traps!"

VISHALI is questing! Episode 10/25

On the next stretch of the path, the team saw a bush covered with lots of beautiful, tempting berries!
"That's lucky!" said Flurry. "I'm starving! These will keep me going nicely." He reached out an eager paw towards the berries, but Fleur shouted: "Don't! Don't touch them! Stop him, someone. It's a trap!"

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Flurry ignored the warning and went to grab a fistful of the delicious-looking berries. Zak plunged forward, grabbed him by the neck and dragged him firmly back. Flurry howled with annoyance!
"What do you think you're playing at?" he demanded. "I'm hungry!"
"There's some potato crisps in the trick or treat bag," said Fleur a little shakily. "Thank goodness you didn't eat any of those berries! I don't know what they'd have done to you, but I really don't like the way that berry bush has a bright green glow."

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They proceeded in silence for a while, hoping their journey would soon be over. The trees thinned out for a stage and the ground became very grassy.
Zak spotted a beautiful green kite lying on the ground. Excited, he went over to grab it.
"What a fabulous find! Someone must have lost it. We're quite clear of trees here; I'm going to give it a go!"
"No, Zak, don't touch it!" cried out Hoot. "It'll be another trap! It's too clean and new-looking!"
Too late! Zak had already reached out and grasped the string of the kite in both paws. There was a sudden rattle as the kite was pulled very rapidly through the grass, then it shot upwards several feet into the air, with poor Zak clutching the string!

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There was pandemonium! Fleur and Flurry ran in circles shouting alternately "Hang on!" and "Let go!" up at Zak, who was yelling so much he would have been hard put to hear them anyway.
Hoot kept his head and flew up to the kite with the idea of biting through the string to release Zak, or failing that, to get in its way and impede its progress so that it couldn't whisk their friend up and away. It didn't bear thinking about!

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Partly through fear and partly through difficulty in keeping a grip, Zak released the kite string and landed on terra firma with a thump, partly cushioned by the long grass and partly by Flurry, who yelled his displeasure.
"You clumsy beast! You've all but squashed me flat!"
Hoot swooped down and landed beside them. "Judging by how loudly you're howling, there's not much damage done. Come on, let's collect these crystals and get going. And let's all be extra careful, chaps—and chapess."

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The little band found their way blocked by a tumultuous river! They looked in vain for a bridge or stepping stones.
Hoot said, "Wait a minute! There was something on the scroll about this. We have to summon assistance at this point. Let me check."
He read through the writing on the scroll again and nodded. "I suppose you'd call this a sort of incantation. Right, here goes."
He cleared his throat and declaimed:
"Ancient Forest, dark and scary, we have learnt to be so wary
On our journey through your pathways as our Quest doth run its course;
As delay would be abhorrent, and our way’s blocked by this torrent
We entreat that this doth warrant help from an external source.
This will aid in matters foetal, and the magic Mystic Beetle
Will be grateful evermore."
The little band of pets didn't know what to expect, but shortly afterwards, a huge raven landed on the stone slabs next to them!

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The raven shook his feathers into order. "I have been summoned to provide assistance to you in crossing the river."
"That's brilliant, thank you! However, Zak and I will fly across with VISHALI—and I'll take the trick or treat bag! See you over the other side!"
"Ready to go?" croaked the raven, addressing the remaining two. Feeling a little nervous, Fleur and Flurry scrambled onto the raven's back and clung onto its feathers as best they could.
"Ouf!" commented the raven. "You're a chunky little monster, aren't you? Why did I have to be the one to be sent?"
It ran a few steps then launched itself in flight. Fleur and Flurry shrieked in fright as the sharp change in angle threw them forward and they hung on with all their strength. It was a short flight and after the initial take-off the raven's passengers found it exciting!
When they landed, Hoot and Zak and VISHALI were already there waiting. Fleur and Flurry slid off the raven and thanked it for its help. It gave two short croaks that sounded suspiciously like "Nevermore!" and flew off.

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A trail of crystals was visible from where they were at the start of the bridge. Zak confidently led the way forward, only to be repelled backwards by a force field. They each tried, but none of them could pass.
Zak tried running up to it to try to break through, but was thrown back very vigorously!
"Is it a test?" asked Flurry.
"I can see something approaching," said Fleur apprehensively. "I really don't like the look of what's coming."
They all gazed up into the dark sky at the thing coming nearer and nearer. A few seconds later, the Guardian of the Bridge arrived and swooped down onto the bridge rail.

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The Guardian of the Bridge greeted them in a benign fashion. "My dear friends! I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. I was just sorting out something for, er, supper." He beamed round at the small group clustering together to bolster their nerves. "Dear me! You do look a very worried lot! Relax! I'm not going to eat you." He chuckled, and the little group of pets smiled nervously.
"You just need to pass a little test—a very simple little test," continued the eagle, "and you can be on your way."
"I'm very worried now," whispered Hoot to Fleur.
"Shh!" she said. "He's just going to tell us what we have to do. Oh Hoot, I do hope it's nothing too unpleasant! I hope it doesn't involve that—poor mouse."
"If it does, I'll do it!" volunteered Hoot, cheering up.
The Guardian of the Bridge drew himself upright, gazed up into the night sky, then started speaking very rapidly.
"My first is in coffin and also in freak
My second’s in grave and it’s also in shriek
My third is in nightmare—a terrible dream!
My fourth is in ghost but it’s never in scream.
My fifth is in ghoul and it’s also in howl
My sixth is in spectre but never in cowl.
The seventh’s in spooky and also possessed
The whole makes a word you’ve received on this quest!"
The eagle amiably regarded the small band of pets before him. "Take your time," he said, lifting a foot to examine his supper.
"I've got it!" burst out Fleur. "The answer's—"

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"—FRIGHTS! We've had so many frights!"
The Guardian of the Bridge bent his gaze onto Fleur, seeming to be a little surprised and possibly a little put out. "My dear, that was very quick! You are perfectly correct, of course! As well as being permitted to pass, you also win this delicious mouse—only kidding! I have plans for that. On you go, my dear pets, and take care!"
He waved his wing at the bridge and motioned for the pets to proceed. The bridge turned into a beautiful glittering path. To their credit, they all managed to thank him before, stumbling a little, they continued on the quest.

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The team continued until they came to a fork in the road. They were uncertain which route to choose, but decided to take the left-hand path, as they could see a lovely blue glow emanating from far down the route.

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Finally, they found the source of the glowing light. Beneath an ancient tree, VISHALI gasped to see an enormous cerulean crystal. They all flopped down to rest, lost in admiration of the gleaming gem.
Flurry tugged at one of Fleur's leaves to gain her attention. "It's not a thingamajig trap, is it?" he whispered.
Fleur smiled reassuringly down at him. "No, I'm sure it isn't, Flurry. I can feel its integrity and goodness radiating from it. But you're quite right not to take everything at face value. That's a lesson none of us can learn too soon."

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They saw it long before they reached it—a beautiful blue tree stump glowing brightly in the dark. It had glorious huge white flowers and heavily scented purple spikes growing on it, and colourful mists were emerging to meld and rise into the air above. As they approached closer, VISHALI and the team heard a curious mystical singing.

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VISHALI and his friends walked around the Magical Tree Stump and found the Mystical Beetle sitting on the edge, singing in a harmonious, other-worldly kind of chant. On seeing the visitors, it fell silent. Then it addressed them.
"Welcome, one and all. We are grateful to you for following the magic path to come to our aid. It's often not appreciated that many kinds of beetle need tree stumps to breed. Humans often dig up stumps—they should leave them alone! They are all part of the cycle of nature. Our home is protected to a certain extent but humans tend to find ways round our charms. Not many pets in recent years have shown the fortitude and wisdom you five have displayed in coming through the Scary Forest unscathed."
Flurry rubbed the worst of his bruises and glared at the Zak, but said nothing.
The Mystical Beetle continued. "Did you bring crystals?"

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To make up for him being half-squashed by Zak earlier, Fleur invited Flurry to be the one to throw their crystals into the bubbling pink goo inside the Magical Tree Stump. Somewhat mollified, Flurry did so. Then they all watched in awe as small rainbow beetle larvae emerged, paused on the edge of the trunk, gradually metamorphosing into young Mystical Beetles, and then flew off to make their way in the world until such time as they would hear the call to fly back to the Magical Tree Stump to repeat the cycle.
"Friends," said the Beetle, "I can provide you safe passage back home. Fare ye well. Stand on that rock over there and link paws."
They did so. Flurry had just time to say to the Hoot, "Well, at least we don't have to follow your bits of twig and stuff," when there was a whooshing sound and they saw the Magical Tree Stump and the scene around them spinning very rapidly and they themselves went whirring upwards, before landing with a bump!

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VISHALI and her friends found themselves back in the old bookshop.
They looked around, disoriented by their rapid transition back to their starting point. They had been through so much, it felt like a huge amount of time had passed, although in actual fact, it hadn't been too long at all! Then they brushed themselves down and looked at each other, not quite knowing what to say now they were back in their usual safe, familiar environment. VISHALI and the younger members of the band started sentences with, "Well, what about that, then?" and "That was quite something, wasn't it?" and "I'll need a bath to get this mud out of my fur," but then fell silent, each wondering how soon they could take their leave without it looking impolite.
Fleur and Hoot had been having a brief discussion, however. Fleur stepped forward. "VISHALI, we are so glad you came along with us on our adventure," she said. "We hope you will accept these golden moles as a gift from us for taking part."
VISHALI picked up one of the shiny golden moles. "This is so kind," she said. "It's been amazing—and I only came by to get out of the rain and shake paws, really, and I ended up having a huge adventure! Tell you what—it's stopped raining and the sun's out. Why don't we each take an hour to have a bath or whatever? Then I'd like to treat you to something at the ice cream shop and we can talk over our adventure!"
They all enthusiastically agreed!

VISHALI has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also take part!