Peace At Last

Jamaa…

Cosmo breathed in the scents of his home. The tall bamboo, the rich plants. The bustling streets, and busy shops. Jamaa was, to him, the perfect balance of civilization and the wild.

Cosmo smiled as he strolled down the street, humming a happy tune.

“Hello, Cosmo!” Peck shouted to Cosmo as he passed her.

“Hello, Peck!” Cosmo replied. He passed the bamboo hut and reached the center of Jamaa Township. He paused for a moment, relishing the hustle and bustle.

“Cosmo!” A shrill voice startled him out of his reverie and he turned, startled. There, making her way toward him, was a fox, whose name he could not quite recall.

“Cosmo!” she shrieked again. “I gave you a beautiful, prized lily, uh, herb.” Cosmo had to stop himself from snickering. Lily herb? “It was dying. I asked you to fix it. I said it had to be ready by this morning. Where is it?”

Cosmo abruptly stopped snickering. Flustered, he replied,”Tending to plants takes time. I’ll have it, uh, tomorrow.” He slipped away into the crowd, berating himself fiercely. How could he have forgotten? He was angry, too, at the fox. Why did she have to make such a scene?

Cosmo passed the Sol Arcade, but, before he could slip in to see how things were getting on in there, he found himself surrounded by jammers. They all seemed to be begging him.

“My bamboo. How could you have forgotten?”

“I gave you my rose. Can I have it back now?”

“My oak tree. Weren’t you taking care of it?”

“Enough!”

Everyone flinched, including Cosmo. Had that really been him?

Trying to keep his voice level, he said, “I just need some time. Please. Leave me alone.” Cosmo fought his way out of the crowd, feeling desperately lonely. He headed for his den, but, seeing it was filled with visitors bringing their plants for him to care for, he decided otherwise. He went to Sarepia Forest and miserably lay under the bushes, camouflaged. It seemed this was the most peace he would get.

“Cosmo, come in.”

Cosmo entered, gazing in awe at the grand room. The floor was beautiful, shimmering with glass, and the walls were covered with iridescent tiles. In the center of the room sat Mira, on a radiant silver throne.

“Hello, Cosmo. What brings you here today?”

“Mira,” Cosmo greeted Mira politely. “I was thinking. A few days ago, I was feeling... frustrated.”

“I heard,” said Mira, not unkindly.

“I needed somewhere to go, somewhere peaceful. But my den was filled with visitors, as usual, and everywhere else was crowded. I was thinking we could build, maybe, a pillow room… You know, calm, peaceful, pillows…”

Mira was nodding her head. “I think it could replace the Medical Center- it is rarely used anymore.”

“Oh, and one more thing. I know that our new technology has been used to add shortcuts to the maps, but… I was wondering if perhaps we could keep this room without a shortcut. It would attract too many visitors, and it wouldn’t be peaceful.”

“Of course, Cosmo.”

And so the Pillow Room was built, as a peaceful place to think, and it has remained free of shortcut ever since.

Falling Phantoms

This isn't so much a story as an explanation.

Falling Phantoms

This mysterious volcano has been where it is now ever since Jamaa's birth. No one, not even Zios himself dared approach it for fear of the lava that flew out of it. It was far enough away from where the animals lived that they were in no danger. Now, when Mira cried and created the phantoms, she happened to be flying right over the volcano. The phantoms fell down into the lava pit. However, they could withstand the fiery flame. The phantoms named the volcano Phannonala. After they became situated, scouts discovered the land that was to be Phantom Land. Most of the phantoms moved there. However, some phantoms stayed. 

One day, these phantoms saw animals in the Temple of Zios, mourning the loss of the Sky Father. The phantoms, always thinking mischief, launched themselves out if the volcano, throwing themselves at the animals. And so the game Falling Phantoms was born. 

Willow's Compass

I apologize for the missing post yesterday!  I will post two stories today, to make up for it.  The first one:

Willow's Compass 

Willow stood and gaped at Liza.  “You want me to do it?”  The tiny fox was just an ordinary jammer.  No rares, no fame, nothing.  “Why not you, or another alpha?” 

“I’m asking myself the same question,” muttered Liza.   She raised her voice. “But if Greely says it has to be you, it must be so.”

Willow had been called to Liza’s bamboo hut and Liza had explained the whole situation.  Greely thought there was a new land somewhere east of Jamaa Township.  He had used his magic to see who should go and look and, to his own surprise, discovered it had to be Willow.  She had to go alone to find this mysterious land.  She was to start out right after her meeting with Liza. 

Liza took Willow to Coral Canyons to visit Cosmo.  He had brought all her supplies.  “Here’s a big supply of food.  Oh, and some herbs.  I included a handbook on how to use them.   And here’s a…” He kept listing items until Willow felt herself nodding off.  Was all this really necessary?

“Cosmo!”  Liza’s sharp retort jerked Willow back to awareness.  “We don’t have all day you know.  Willow’s supposed to be leaving soon!”

“Alright, alright,” muttered Cosmo, distracted as he searched through the basket.  “Let me just check that… Oh no!” The anxious koala broke off. 

“What’s wrong?” Willow shouted, frightened that the koala was hurt, or something.

“I forgot the compass,” cried Cosmo, acting like the whole world revolved around "the compass".  “I have to go get it!” 

Willow rolled her eyes as Cosmo dashed back to get the compass.  Why do I need a compass anyway? She thought.  If I’m going east, I only need to go over the bridge, right?

Just then, Cosmo came back holding a strange compass that Willow had never seen anything like. 

It looked like it was pure gold.  On the back, a phantom was engraved in it.  Its eyes seemed to follow her, and Willow shuddered, deciding that she would never use the compass, whatever Cosmo said.

Last of all, Liza explained to Willow what to do at the new land.  “Other jammers will be able to enter as soon as the first jammer who arrives, which is you, claims it from whatever other beings are living there and-“

“Beings?”  Willow said, confused.

Liza and Cosmo exchanged a quick glance.  “I meant, um, until it is ensured that it is safe for everyone.”

Willow narrowed her eyes, but didn’t say anything.

                “Why don’t we just start you on your way right now?  All you have to do is close your eyes and imagine yourself in the new land.”

Willow closed her eyes and imagined herself in a jungle.  She waited and waited, but she didn’t feel anything.  She opened her eyes.  “Liza, it’s not work-“  She broke off in astonishment.

She was in the jungle that she had imagined.  She was underneath a huge leaf.  Everything looked just how she had imagined.  There was only one difference.

The whole place was invaded by phantoms.

Willow started panicking, wondering if they had seen her, when she realized that she was under a bush.  She sighed with relief.

Then Willow remembered that this was the new land.  What was it that Liza had said?  “Other jammers will be able to enter as soon as the first jammer to enter, which is you, claims the land from whatever other beings are living there.”

Willow thought back to the quick glance that Liza had exchanged with Cosmo.  Have they known about them all along?  Willow thought.  Then she shuddered.  What other dangers lay in store for me that the alphas know about, yet failed to prepare me for?

Willow searched through her bag for something that would help her.  She pulled out a huge book.  It was entitled Handbook for Journeys to New Lands.  Willow snorted with amusement.  Boy, that Cosmo sure was paranoid!

                Willow flipped through the book.  Sure enough, she found a page all about phantoms.  She scanned it eagerly for something useful. 

               “Phantom lore… How to train a phantom… Ah, here it is.  Defeating phantoms.”  Willow intently scanned the paragraph.   It read:

                To kill a phantom, you must take a weapon and cover it with purified water.  If you hit your target, the water will smother the phantom’s shocks and, because the water is purified, will melt the phantom’s evilness and he will either die or become tame.

                Willow closed the book.  That’s what she had to do.  She rummaged through her basket and managed to find a bow and arrow and some purified water. 

                Willow was ready.  Then she froze.  If she shot one phantom, wouldn’t they all come and investigate?  If she just had a teleporter, she could change spots before they had time to get her.  She figured there was probably one in the bag, and was proved correct.

                Willow dipped an arrow in the purified water, took aim, and fired at a nearby phantom.  It hit her target square on, and he melted into ashes.  All the phantoms started coming towards her, so she used the teleporter to get to another side of the clearing.  Then she took aim and fired again, moving a second after. 

                Willow repeated that countless times, until all the phantoms were gone.  Ashes covered the clearing.  She decided that the ashes might have medicinal uses and collected them. 

                Afterwards, Willow decided to explore one of the buildings.  Inside one building, ancient scrolls and books filled the shelves. 

                “You have gone far, Willow, but I won’t let you go farther.”

                Willow jumped and turned around.  Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the dim light, stood a phantom, taller than the rest.  His one eye sparkled like a diamond.  The sparks coming from his tentacles seemed stronger and sharper.  It was the Phantom King.

                Willow instinctively dipped an arrow in the purified water and fired.  It hit him, and bounced right off.  Willow was confused.  Hadn’t she done what the book said? 

                Quickly, she opened the book and flipped to the page she had been on.  Underneath the section she had read, the book said this:

               Warning:  This does not work on the Phantom King.  All it does is make him stronger.  To defeat the Phantom King, you must sacrifice yourself.

                Feeling sick, Willow closed the book.  Did she really care enough about Jamaa that she would sacrifice herself to save them?  

               Willow thought of her den, the innocent jammers in the lands, the fun parties, everything that made Jamaa unique.  Then she re-imagined it being infiltrated by the Phantom King, the most powerful one of all.  She flinched.  She couldn’t let that happen.

                Suddenly, Willow noticed she was shaking.  She remembered the compass Cosmo had given her.  She had a feeling she was supposed to use it. 

                Willow took it out of her bag and looked up at the Phantom King.  As calmly as possible, she spoke to him.  “You want to stop me.  But I won’t let you, because I am going to stop myself first.”  Raising her voice, she went on.  “I, Willow, sacrifice myself to save Jamaa and defeat the Phantom King. 

                At first, nothing happened.  Then, Willow yelped with pain.  It felt like phantoms were stinging her from all sides.  She looked at the Phantom King, who was writhing on the ground, seemingly going through the sane ordeal.  She held the compass tightly.  Even though I won’t come back, they can still remember me.           

                And Willow cracked open the compass.  From inside, a magical powder seemed to spill out over the floor.  It formed in the shape of a compass.   Satisfied at last, she closed her eyes, stopped struggling, and let whatever lay in store for her take her. 

                Willow’s body was never discovered, and it is the alpha’s theory that the Phantom King captured her and took her to Phantom Land.   But, of course, that doesn’t explain the phantom ashes, or the mysterious compass engraved in the floor. 

                Others have their own story.  They believe that Willow’s body dissolved into the ground, but her spirit remains, floating around what is now known as the Chamber.  They think that when you see a flicker of candlelight, or feel wind when the windows aren’t open, it’s just Willow’s way of saying hi. 

                One thing is for sure.  Willow, and the Phantom King, were never seen again.

               

The Temple of Mira

I fear that this story is rather lame.  It's one of my oldest, and it doesn't really have a plot.  I hope you enjoy, nevertheless.

The Temple of Mira

Long ago, before Jamaa as we know it, Zios decided to create a temple.  But who for?  He sat many days, thinking, and then finally realized who in all of Jamaa deserved a temple.  It was his beautiful Sky Mother, Mira.  He called Peck to his palace and gave her his instructions.  She was to draw a design for the temple, decide where to put it, and then craft the most magnificent statue of Mira that was possible.

Peck went to work at once, sketching and erasing and throwing out bad copies, until she finally had the perfect temple for Mira.  She then went to the forest and found the finest and smoothest wood and sparkling crystals.  She painted the wood a pretty bluish-green and carved it in the shape of a bird holding her wing up.  She then took her two best crystals and fit them on her head for eyes.  She stepped back and sighed.  It was almost as if the beautiful bird was in the room herself.  

All of a sudden the statue turned its head to her.  “Hello Peck.  That’s a wonderful statue you built of me.”  Peck started, then turned around and realized she was looking at the wrong thing.  It was Mira!  Well, the statue still wasn’t too bad.

Mira flew Peck back to Zios, the wind blowing in her face.  Peck bowed and presented her sketch to him.  He looked at it thoughtfully.  “And where would it go?”  Peck dipped her head respectfully.  

“In that empty clearing in the Township, sir.”  

Zios smiled.  “Peck, you are one good little rabbit.”  He snapped his fingers.  “Now the Temple of Mira is complete.  Go visit your wonderful creation, Peck.”

Once again Mira flew Peck across Jamaa, landing lightly in the Township.  Peck felt nervous, but she raised her voice to the animals surrounding her.  “Everyone, a special thing is happening today.”  She paused, trying to find the right words.  “Sky Father Zios has opened a temple for our Sky Mother, Mira, and now if you’ll follow me, we can visit.”

Peck quietly led the animals up the path to the empty clearing.  A curtain of lichen hung in front of it.  She took a deep breath before pulling the curtain to the side.

When she looked up, she gasped at her creation.  They were in a large temple made of white cement with large arches over them.  Feathers hung from the ceiling, creating an awesome feeling of mystical things in the room.   Feather curtains surrounded the walls for privacy. A swirled pattern lay beneath their feet, leading to the same spot the dozens of crystals were reflecting their light on.  The Mira statue was in the center of the room, shining with the light of the beautiful crystals.  It was on a magnificent gold pedestal and the twinkling of its eyes made it seem almost alive.

The animals gathered around in awe, silent for once.  Then one animal called out from the back.  “Whose creation is this?”  

Peck felt like she would sink into the ground.  “Mine…” she said weakly.  

Everyone fell silent.  “Three cheers for Peck!”  A shout came from the back.  Animals around her started cheering, waving their paws in the air.  Peck smiled.

Then the crowd parted and Mira appeared beside Peck.  “I think Peck deserves a round of applause!  Or appaws, should I say.”  While the animals clapped for Peck, Mira bent down to whisper in Peck’s ear.  “I am very proud of you, my dear.  You are one of my finest children.”

 And with that, Mira gave a gigantic flap of her wings and flew up into the sky, soaring higher and higher until she was gone.  

Peck stared after her with a smile in her eyes.  “I love you, Mira,” she murmured.  Then she turned back to the watching animals.  “I think this calls for celebration!”

Nugavi's Hatred

                “But I love you Mira.”

                A strong, muscular lion with a mane that shone as brightly as gold stood in front of a gate outside a long winding road that led up to a tall, gray castle, silhouetted in the darkness of the morning fog.  Opposite him stood a grey heron, her feathers a sky-blue and forest-green color, her beak glinting in the morning sun.

                “You are a fool, Nugavi,”replied the heron in a cold, hard voice, fixing him with a glare that pierced his heart.  “Did you really think that I would forgive you so easily?  And Zios offered me more than you could ever.  You are not worthy of me.”

                Nugavi tried to meet her gaze steadily. How could she be so cruel?  Suddenly he wilted under her gaze.  “But Mira-“

                “You’ve had my word, Nugavi.  Goodbye, and hopefully for good.” She turned around and marched through the gate, up the winding path, and into the castle.  She was so far away now.  Nugavi crumbled to the ground.

“Noooooooo!”

Nugavi awoke with a start.  His mane was tangled and knotted with leaves and twigs.  His fur was no longer golden but a dirty brown.  His coat smelled slightly of the damp leaves he was lying upon.

Nugavi growled softly.  Mira would pay for what she had done!  Every night, he was forced to relieve the memory of his most painful moment.  She has to be stopped, he thought.  I can’t go on like this. 

Nugavi paused.  How could he be so stupid?  Mira was gone!  Only her statue was left, and her spirit. 

Nugavi pondered this.  There must be some way for him to detach himself from Mira, to show he was not a supporter.  He couldn’t do it openly, he knew, but he would make Mira suffer as much as she made him.  A plan formed in his mind.  It would have to be done at night.

Nugavi crept soundlessly out of his “nest”, which was really a pile of dirty leaves and twigs.   He hadn’t enough gems for a den.  Silently thanking himself that his coat was so dark, he crept into the Township and up the path to Mira’s Temple.

Stepping inside it, Nugavi felt awe creep up his spine.  He had never been into the Temple, forcing himself to cut off all connections with Mira.  Anger replaced his awe.  Why would someone waste something so beautiful, on someone so cruel? 

Squaring up his hindquarters, Nugavi pounced up towards the ceiling and ripped the feathers off.  He was weak with grief, but his anger brought back his old strength.  He had been astonishingly strong before he had let himself fall apart, able to rip buildings down if he wanted to.

First, Nugavi unsheathed his claws and tore at the curtains until the fell into the river just west of the Township.  Then he picked all the crystals out and tossed them into the bushes (these bushes later bred and became the bushes you see in the Diamond Shop).  Finally, he summoned all his strength and slammed himself into the walls. 

He knew that was a mistake a fraction of a second after. 

The wall started to crumble and soon, it fell, an avalanche of cement.  Nugavi felt himself being thrown to the ground and weighed down by the stone.  He looked up and found himself at the foot of Mira’s statue. This was his chance.  He raised his paws to strike and...stopped.  Looking at the statue, he knew he could never destroy it.  This was his chance, but not to make Mira pay.  It was his final chance to make peace.  He lowered his paw back to the ground and let go, let go of that branch he was clinging to for life, stopped struggling against what was meant to be.  Sighing he closed his eyes, and could have sworn he heard a whisper.  Thank you, it seemed to say.  And an instant later, Nugavi was gone.  For days, his body lay there, undiscovered in the ruin that covered him, until it finally melded into the earth, lost forever.

               

Mira's Sacrifice

Hey jammers!  Here's another one of my older stories.  Looking back, there are so many things I'd like to change in all these stories (the entire plot, for instance) but I will try my best to keep them.  

Mira’s Sacrifice

One day long ago in Jamaa, Greely was in his cave.  His cave was located in Coral Canyons, out of sight to all animals that passed by, though they weren’t out of sight to him.  Looking around, all seemed well in his homeland.  Animals were chatting, going off to the Art Studio to take art lessons from Peck or going to Epic Wonders to buy the newest items.  Greely decided there was no point in hanging around and went farther back in his cave. 

Making a quick decision, Greely swerved into an almost hidden opening in the side of his small-looking cave.   The corridor darkened as he walked farther on, making it almost impossible to see, but his night vision let him see where he was going.  He passed many more hallways before turning sharply to the left.  As he kept going, he felt the dirt floor slanting under his paws and knew he was going farther underground.  Making another turn to the right, he pushed onward.  After making several more turns, an eerie red light was visible in the distance.  Walking closer, he stepped forward into the room.

The sight was breath-taking.  The underground cave was almost dark, dimly lit by candles on the wall.  Black wooden tables lined the sides with all sorts of strange things that Greely used for his magic.  In the center of the room, a gray stone fire pit was glowing with the strange red light.

Greely walked toward one of the tables.  It’s been a while since I looked into Jamaa’s future, he thought.  He scanned the table, looking for one particular object- Ah ha!  There it was!  He reached out a paw and scooped up a blood-red stone that looked like a ruby.  He then walked over to the fire pit.  He dropped the stone into the center of the fire pit and started chanting an ancient incantation.  Then he stopped and sat down, waiting.  

            At first, nothing seemed to happen.  The stone remained in the center and the fire pit just kept glowing.  But Greely knew it would happen, and after a couple of seconds, he was proved right.

All of a sudden, a great fire flew up from the stone, spreading over the fire pit.  It blazed with a red-orange color with the stone just visible in the center.  He stood up.

            “Oh, ancient spirits of the past,” Greely declared.  “Show me our future and guide our paw steps.”  At once the fire reacted, stretching higher and higher until it almost touched the cave ceiling.  Greely stared into the fire intensely, looking for a picture. All of a sudden, black figures started to come into focus in the fire.  Spidery legs appeared and one eye was in the middle of their heads.  They were marching in troops and slowly the Township appeared through the mist.  Phantoms heading for the Township!  He had to warn everyone.  He leaped into the fire and was on his way.

            Greely was being transported to Mira’s castle.  It felt like time was rushing past him and all around him fire blazed and wind blew in his fur.  Once, he made the mistake of stepping forward and the fire singed his paw; he leaped back and stayed in his small circle.

            Eventually, the fire seemed to get smaller and smaller and finally, it seemed to disappear.  Greely looked around.  He seemed to be in the courtyard.  He leaped to his paws and raced inside.  Wandering around the castle, he managed to find the throne room.  Without waiting to be called, he burst in.

            “Mira!” called Greely.  Mira was sitting on her royal throne (very much alike the paradise throne we have today) and talking with a maid.  She turned around, alarm on her face.  “What is it Greely?” 

            “Forgive me for bursting out like that, but I have terrible news,” Greely replied, running up to her and giving a quick bow.  “The phantoms are on the attack again.  They’re marching towards Jamaa right now!”

            “Not again,” said Mira.  She sighed.  “Can’t they take a break from attacking for once?”

            “Apparently not,” grumbled Greely.  “I’ll get the alphas.”  He turned around and raised his paw in the air and a red light shot out, spreading in all directions.  Then the light seemed to pull back towards him and on the end of each beam was one of the alphas.

            “What a great way to wake up,” moaned Sir Gilbert, shaking himself from the beam.

            “Yes, Greely, couldn’t it wait?” Peck groaned with the thought of her lost sleep.

            “No!” growled Greely.  “There’s no time waste.  The phantoms are coming now!” 

            Before the words had left his mouth, phantoms crashed into the room from all directions.  The alphas started fighting as hard as they could.  Right away, Greely could see it was no use.  He fought his way over to Mira.

            “Use your powers!”  Greely called to Mira.  She tilted her head as if she hadn’t heard, then nodded.  All of a sudden, a phantom lunged at him.  He fell backwards.  He felt shocks from the phantom.  He knew he was about to die. 

All of a sudden, a flash of golden light beamed through the throne room.  The phantom turned around in surprise, and then faded into nothing.  Greely stood up.  All around him, the other phantoms were fading too.

Greely saw a life-sized, golden, glowing statue in the exact same place that Mira had stood moments before.  It was the statue that had saved him.  He looked around the room for the real Mira.  She was nowhere in sight.  He tilted his head to the side, confused.

Right then, he noticed that all the alphas were kneeling (well, as close to kneeling as animals can) around the golden Mira statue.  Hundreds of feathers lay at their feet.  Greely tensed.  What had become of Mira?  In a rush, Greely realized the truth.  Mira had sacrificed herself to defeat the phantoms.  Her spirit would remain forever inside the golden statue.

All of a sudden, a phantom appeared.  “You will not destroy my brothers!”  With a blast of lighting from his tentacles, the statue started fading away.  Quickly, Greely used his magic to grasp Mira’s spirit from the statue.  When he looked up again, the phantom and the statue were gone.

Greely used his powers and quickly created a sack of statues.  He took a bit of Mira’s spirit and put some in each statue.  “These are the only ones,” Greely rumbled.  “They deserve a special spot.”

Greely waved his paw and they disappeared.  “Their new home is Jam Mart Furniture.”

And to this day, only one statue remains there, gleaming and golden. 

Mira's Choice

Well, it's been a while.  I've lost my train of though for The Phantom Princess, so for now I will be posting some of my older stories.  Looking back on it, it's very similar to Greek mythology, with Persephone and Hades.  Here it is:

Mira's Choice

Chapter 1

It was a cold, chilly day in Jamaa.  Snow lay on the ground and the path was frozen with slippery ice.  The cold wind blew throughout the land, causing chilliness to all.  Zios looked out the palace window with a sad look on his face.  For however many powers he had, for a strange reason, he could not change this unlikely phenomenon from happening in Jamaa.

The Temple of Mira had been opened many years ago, and the statue still stood as beautiful as ever.  Since that legendary moment, animals had come to pray to Mira for guidance.  And Mira helped them, one after another. 

Now these cold days happened week after week, with no chance of warmth.  But one day, Zios received a strange letter.  It read,

King Zios,

It is I, the phantom king, out for revenge.  It is my doing that your animals freeze to death every day, that spring is impossible for your world.  I give you the opportunity of giving your animals back their daily lives again in exchange for your queen, the Sky Mother Mira.  You have until the week of the Phantomalidays (or I suppose the “Jamaalidays”) to make your decision,

Yours Sincere Evilness,

The Phantom King

Zios stared at the letter in disbelief.  Of course he wouldn’t give up his love.  Then he thought of his poor hungry animals and sighed.  He went to Mira to ask her advice.

“Mira, my love,” Zios said.  “We have received a letter from the phantom king.”  Mira sighed.  “What impossible task does he want now?” 

Zios sighed.  “I think you’d better read it for yourself.”  He handed her the letter.

 As Mira read the letter, her eyes widened in shock.   When she finished, she folded the letter up and closed her eyes.  When she opened them, a fire of love burned deep and strong in them.  “I must do as he requests.”

“But-“

“Our animals are freezing to death out there!  They starve, and how do you think they would feel if they knew their queen could save them and would not?”

“Mira, it’s not like that.  I’m sure we can find some other way-“

“I’m leaving!”  Mira marched out of the throne room and went to her bedroom.  Quickly Zios ran after her.  He found her in her room, packing all her belongings into her bag.  “Mira, our animals depend on you.  How do you think they’d feel if they knew their queen deserted them to go to the Phantom King?”

Mira looked up and glared up at him.  “It’s not like that-“

“But it is.”  Mira looked down again, and Zios sat down next to her.  “I’m sure we can find a way to do this.  Together.” 

Mira looked up, tears in her eyes.  “You really think so?”  

Zios smiled, relieved.  “I do.   Now why don’t you go to bed?  We have a lot of work tomorrow, getting ready for the Jamaalidays.”  He stepped outside the room, closing the door quietly.

Mira sat silently in thought.  Then finally making up her mind, she stashed her last few belongings in the bag, tucked it under her feather bed, and sat down, waiting for midnight.

Chapter 2

When at last the tower struck midnight, Mira cautiously stood up.  She took her bag from under the bed and set it on her nightstand.  She walked over to her elegant wooden closet and found an old cloak, black as night, and wrapped it around her.  She pulled the hood over her head so her face was in shadow, not visible to others.  Then she looked over at a picture on her nightstand and stroked it with her talon.  “Oh Zios,” she murmured, tearing up.  “How I shall miss you.  You were and still are a great king of Jamaa.  I don’t believe I will ever see you again.”

 Then with a great cry from her beak and a flash of wings, Mira snatched up her bag and flew out her window into the open night sky, cherishing her last sight of Jamaa.  She flew past the oceans until she saw another land, this one dark and dreary, with a tall black gate rising in front of a black marble palace.  Zooming towards the earth, she landed silently on a black stone path, where silhouetted in the night sky, the Phantom Castle lay on top of a steep hill. She slowly and carefully crept up the path. 

When Mira reached the top, a tall black gate with pointed tips towered over her.  In front, two phantoms stood guard.  Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and walked towards them.  Pulling down her hood, she pronounced,” I am Mira, Queen of Jamaa, and I have come to fulfill the Phantom King’s wishes in hopes that he brings my animals peace.”

The phantoms looked at one another and, nodding and as if they’d practiced, grabbed Mira with their arms, stinging her badly, and dragged her inside the castle. 

When they were inside, they seemed to be in some kind of throne room.  The room was built of black marble with portraits of phantom kings hanging on the walls.  A platform was raised above the ground with a black throne on top.  And who else would be sitting there but the Phantom King himself.

The Phantom King gave a great laugh.  “Ah, Mira,” he boomed.  “I wasn’t expecting you to fall for my trick.”

Mira, shaking, stepped forward. “I have come,” she replied.  “Now give my animals their warmth.”

“Not in the slightest chance,” rumbled the King.  “Guards!  You know what to do!”

The guards looked at one another and nodded, then one grabbed Mira and held her tight and the other grabbed an ancient scepter from behind the throne.  Handing it to the Phantom King, he also held Mira in place. 

The Phantom King raised the scepter and pointed it straight at Mira, with the glowing ruby on the end twinkling cruelly.  Waving it around, harsh red light burst from it and went straight towards her.  Momentarily stunning her, she fell to the ground.  The light twisted around her and she felt herself getting weaker and weaker.  Finally, the light stopped and she collapsed, all her powers gone.  The Phantom King opened a golden jeweled box and pointed the scepter once again. This time, a soft bluish light came from it and in it Mira could see all her lost powers reflected.  Then the Phantom King closed the box and locked it, her powers prisoner inside.

“Take her away.”  The Phantom King dismissed Mira and the guards dragged her out of the room.  They pulled her down flights of stairs until they reached the dungeon.  It was dusty and colder than Jamaa.  The phantoms opened the door and pushed her inside.  The door closed, and she could hear the door click as they locked it with the key.  She sat down in the cold darkness, thinking of the life she’d left behind. 

“Oh Zios, what have I done?”

Chapter 3

Zios awoke to slanted sunlight pouring into his room.  He smiled.  He had been so relieved when he stopped Mira’s crazy idea.  And now he could look forward to a day of Jamaaliday preparations with his queen. 

All of a sudden, Zios heard a knock on his door.  “Come in,” he said gruffly.  One of Mira’s maids walked in.  She curtsied and then stood, looking nervous.  “Y-y-you’re majesty, Mira isn’t in her room,” she stammered.

“What?!”shouted Zios.

The maid trembled.  “I went to wake her and she was gone!  H-h-her bed was cold. It felt like she hadn’t slept there all night!”

Zios leaped to his feet.  “Well don’t just stand there!  Get search parties!”

“Y-yes, your majesty,” stuttered the maid, and she turned around and fled from the room.

Zios sighed, wondering where Mira could be.  Then it hit him.  But she wouldn’t have… Or would she?

Zios raced out of his bedroom, running down the hall to his queen’s room.  Inside, all was quiet and the room was empty.  He looked around.  Without Mira’s face to lighten up the room, it seemed dull.  As his eyes passed the nightstand, he again saw the letter that started it all.  He walked over and picked it up.  Now there was a stamp in the upper right corner, as if the task had been fulfilled.

 Zios walked over to the window and saw a long feather resting on the windowsill.  Picking it up, it changed into a letter in his hand.  He opened it up and read,

My Dear king Zios,

I don’t think I am mistaken when I say that we will never see each other again.  But please know that I love you with all my heart.  I did this for you, for our animals, in hopes that they will see spring again.  So please think of me in love and joy, and a queen who cared about her people.  Please think of me kindly, in spite of what I have done.

Your love and former queen,

Mira

Zios stared at the letter.  It seemed he had been right.  Tears welled up in his eyes.  How could Mira do this to him?  As he re-read the letter over and over again, sparkling tears trickled down his face beneath is mask.  Now all he could do was hope, that wherever his queen was, she was safe.

Chapter 4

Mira had been on her prison for one night, and in the morning she awoke to a phantom shaking her harshly.  “The phantom king wishes to see you.” 

Mira stood up and followed him reluctantly into the throne room.  “Ah, yes, there you are.  And how might you be doing today?” The phantom king’s voice was sarcastically sweet.

Mira glared at him.  “Get to the point!”

“Touchy now, are we?”  The phantom king laughed.  “Well anyways, here goes.  I know you thought I was going to take away the winter right away but I, uh, may have forgotten a few lines.”  He paused thoughtfully.  “Perhaps a few errands?”

“Stop wasting your fancy words on me,” grumbled Mira.

“Fine, if you will be like that!” yelled the Phantom King.  “Today, you shall set the trap in Jamaa Township that shall capture animals.”

Before Mira could open her mouth, the phantom king pointed his scepter at her and a gag covered it up.  “Do it now or Jamaa has no chance of spring again,” he growled menacingly.

Mira knew she had no choice.  She took the trap in her talons and flew out of the castle.

“And remember, my guards are watching you!”  The dying voice of the phantom king faded away.

Finally getting to Jamaa Township, Mira waited until no animals were looking and then swooped down, setting the trap in the center of the Township.  It changed color to blend in to its surroundings.  Mira flew back into the sky before she was spotted.  As she soared over the Township, she heard shrieks of pain and shock but couldn’t bring herself to look.  Feeling terribly guilty, she flew back to the Phantom King.

Over the next couple days, the phantom king had Mira run many “errands” such as stealing things from the castle and basically causing complete chaos.  Every time she had no choice, for the phantom king would make her.  Somehow, she had gone so far from the Mira her animals knew and loved.  And one thought rang through her head, day after day.  What’s happening to me?

Chapter 5

Mira looked around her prison.  Shadows loomed around every corner.  All of a sudden, a voice called out.  “Who’s there?”  Mira turned around slowly. “Who is it?”  The voice called out again.  Mira saw a small shadow trembling in the corner of the room.  “It’s okay,” she whispered.  “It’s Mira, your queen.” 

Slowly and hesitantly, a small rabbit, pure white as snow, stepped out of the shadows, her eyes a deep blue.  She gasped when she saw Mira, and then raced away.

“Don’t go,” Mira called, stretching out her wing towards the direction where the rabbit had gone.  Then she let it fall down to her body again.  It was hopeless.

All of a sudden the room blazed with light.  For a moment all Mira could see was fire, and then she could pick out the shapes of animals surrounding her, holding torches for light.  It gave Mira the sense of great power, even greater than her lost ones.  But strangely, she felt no fear, but the feeling of warmth and protection as she met the gazes of the animals around her.  “Who are you?” She asked this question with no dread.

Slowly, the fire died down and Mira could make out the shape of one animal of each kind in Jamaa.  A tiger stepped forward, his eyes glowing like rubies.  “We are the Sky Mother and Fathers before you and your king,” he rumbled.  “We, like you, have been tricked by the phantom king into getting our powers.  We, like you, feel lost.  But now that you have come, the darkest corners of the world hold the faintest flicker of light.”

A pretty fox took his place.  “The phantom king aims to become the most powerful being in Jamaa.  So far, he has succeeded, tricking all of the past kings and queens of Jamaa into giving him their powers.  We have failed the animals.”  The fox shook her head sadly. 

A snow leopard walked up to her and touched her shoulder with her tail.  “But now there is hope, now you have come.  You are special, one of a kind, and our only hope of destroying the Phantom King.  If he is to capture your husband, Zios, he shall take over Jamaa.  We need to stop him!  I’m Calia, this”-she nodded towards the fox- “is Emali, and the tiger is Granel.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Calia, Emali, and Granel.”  Mira nodded to each one in turn.  “Shall we go now?”

The others glanced at each other, and then nodded.  “There’s no time to lose,” Calia explained. 

“Alright,” Mira said.  “Let’s go.”  Mira silently walked towards the prison door.  She held out her talon and poked around in the lock, hearing a satisfying click before the door creaked open.  Beckoning to the others with her talon, she crept up the stairs. 

When they reached the top of the stairs, they were in the empty throne room.  The others raced past Mira, eager to leave.  Mira hesitated for a second, and then grabbed the jeweled box next to the throne.  Thrusting it open, she watched with delight as the bluish light floating around her, swirling around until she felt strong again.  Then more rainbow-colored light swirled out of the box, surrounding the others in a rainbow mist, and when it cleared, they looked more awesome than ever. 

 “Our powers!” exclaimed Emali, now a stunningly beautiful fox glowing with radiance.  “They’ve come back!” 

As if at a silent command, they all started running towards the exit, running faster and faster until they were faster than a cheetah, with Mira soaring over them.  Just as they burst out of the gates, the Phantom King appeared in the throne room.  “No!  Get them!”

When the animals got to Jamaa, they flew down to the palace.  They raced through the halls until they came to the throne room.  Mira burst in first with the other animals following. 

Zios looked up in surprise.  “Mira!”

Mira dipped her head.  “I’ve come back.” Speaking before Zios could get a word in, she went on.  “There’s no time to talk now.  The Phantoms are coming!”

Chapter 6

No sooner had the words left her mouth than an evil laugh filled the room.  “You’re too late, you stupid bird.”

Mira turned around and there, in the entrance, was the Phantom King himself.  “All the animals I need to fulfill my plan, right in the same room.  Perfect.”

Mira stepped forward.  “No.  I won’t let you harm my animals again.”

The Phantom King smiled slyly.  “And how exactly do you think you can stop me?”

Mira looked at Zios, who nodded sadly.  Mira turned back.  “By negotiating.”  She went on, taking a deep breath.  “Every time the ground freezes and snow falls to the ground, I will go to your kingdom, and there I will stay.”  She stepped forward.  “But when the weather is fine, and the cold is gone, I return to my land, to provide guidance and wisdom.  However, at no time whatsoever are you permitted to our land.” She paused.  “Which you are trespassing on right now,” she pointed out.  “So I have permission to drive you out.”

She flapped her wings and magical wind blew through the windows and swept around the Phantom King.  When they stopped swirling, he had gone.

Chapter 7

Mira turned to Zios.  “I’m so sorry.   It was I who set the traps, I who stole.  Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“Of course I can,” replied Zios. 

Mira turned to her friends, the Sky Mothers and Fathers.  “Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” they whispered.  The wind once more swept through the window and the Sky Rulers started becoming fainter.   “May we meet again some other day…”  And then they were gone. 

“Well.”  Zios was the first to break the silence.  “I think we have Jamaaliday celebrations to attend to!”

So Mira came and went for many years.  Eventually, her temple crumbled, but her statue remains.  When there is coldness in the air, we know Mira has left us, and her statue freezes over with despair.  When spring returns, her statues comes alive again, and glory fills the air.