Zios's Necklace

Even before the phantoms were created, there was one form of them. Zios's necklace. He always wore a beaded necklace around his neck, with a phantom in the center. This necklace contained a tiny spirit of it's own. Zios was never seen without it.
When Mira lost her beloved companion, one detail was not told. When she cried her tears, she was holding Zios's necklace, the only thing she had left of him. Her tears did mix with the elements of Jamaa, but they also ran down the side of Zios's phantom neckaace. The tiny spirit inside broke out, and that mixed with the elements of Jamaa and her tears. Only a little bit of the spirit was left inside. Mira took the necklace and laid around the Zios's broken statue's neck. This necklace protected Zios's leftover spirit. And even though the necklace has worn away from the statue's neck, the spirit of the necklace still clings onto Zios. And so look around Jamaa for hints of Zios's spirit. It is thanks to this necklace that we can even see these little signs.

Liza's Luck

The stars twinkled, and the moonlight shone down on a cavern surrounded by crystals, glittering in the starlight. Chiseled out of rock was a rough,uneven staircase. 
Suddenly, a harsh, unnatural light shone at the bottom of the stairs, and a younger Liza clambered up the staircase. Arriving at the top, she gazed in awe at the crystals sprouting around the cavern. "So this is what they are after," she murmured softly. "And this is where a battle will be fought."
A couple of days ago, Greely had called a meeting of all the alphas. When they had all arrived, he had wasted no time in getting down to business. "I have called you all here today to deliver to you what I have seen in our future. The phantoms have discovered a new source of power so great that they would easily defeat us in battle. I believe that I know where they are, and I am asking Liza to go scout the area. Liza, do you accept?"
Liza nodded. "Yes," she replied.
"Liza, I have seen that this source of power is found near this hut, immediately north. They are found in an ancient cavern, with stone steps chiseled in the rock." Turning back to the waiting alphas, Greely announced," I believe though, that we will have to fight to keep this power source." Then, he shouted," Meeting dismissed!", and headed for the exit.
"Wait, Greely!" called Liza, frantically trying to follow Greely through the crowd.
Halting, Greely turned to face Liza. "What is it?"
"What is this power source? How will I know when I find it?"
Greely just looked at her. "Oh, you'll know," he muttered grimly, before turning around and plunging back into the crowd.
"But-" Liza shook herself. She had a mission!
Now, Liza turned her back on the beautiful crystals, and silently stepped down the staircase.

***

The next day, all of Jamaa was preparing for battle. The phantoms had somehow found out that the alphas were planning to take the crystals, and they had sent a messenger declaring war on them that day. Sir Gilbert prepared a special bow and arrow for every jammer that would vaporize a phantom once they were hit.
Greely had permitted Liza to take a break and not participate, because she had been the one who had found the crystals. After seeing the battle group off, she returned to her hut. Lighting some candles, she sat down... and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing a bow and arrow, she started to sprint out of the door before thinking twice. Snatching a small vial full of black liquid, she dashed out of the door.
When Liza arrived at the cavern, she stared in horror at what she saw there. The Phantom King stood, towering over all the jammers and alphas, shocking animals all over and causing them to faint. Though arrows soared through the air, they merely bounced off of him, and Liza breathed a sigh of relief that she had thought to bring the vial. Dipping an arrow in the vial, she aimed and fired. Time seemed to slow down as the arrow flew through the air, and the everyone, wherever they were in the battle, seemed to stop and stare at the arrow as it progressed through the air. He himself gazed in horror as he seemed to recognize the black liquid dripping from the arrow. He tried to dodge, but it was too late. He vaporized into nothingness, but she knew that he wasn't gone; he would have reappeared somewhere else. 
Looking around, Liza spotted Greely padding up to her with a rare look of approval in his eyes. "You did well," he admitted. "But how did you know that the liquid in that vial could destroy the Phantom King? I knew, of course, but I didn't think to bring any."
"Well, I didn't know," admitted Liza. "I just had a feeling."

***

After the battle, the crystals were taken from their original spot and preserved in a secret room.

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. 

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. 

The Phantom Princess

Hi!  I see you've stumbled upon my new story blog, The Mythology of Jamaa!  This will be full of Jamaasian stories, written by me, tallstar107!  This blog is inspired by Amy's blog, Jamaa's Lore Club, which sadly just ended :(  Well, here's my first story!

Mist smiled happily to herself, gazing around at all the ruins and artifacts from the phantoms.  The Phantom Museum was the place she loved to go, a place that made her feel curious, and gave her an eerie feeling of belonging inside.

              

                As Mist strolled through the building, she glanced at things such as the ancient maps of the previous phantom headquarters and ragged books full of phantom secrets.  None caught her interest, and she quickened her pace, her heart beating faster, as she neared the exhibit that she loved the most.  Well, she couldn’t say that she loved it.  But it gave her a rather strange, unfamiliar feeling, one that she had never felt outside of the museum. 

                Approaching the exhibit, Mist noticed the place seemed deserted.  That strange feeling seemed to seep inside of her again, as she slowly walked up to the exhibit.  The Phantom King’s most treasured prize.  The Phantom King’s Crown Jewel. 

                Just as the feeling seemed to settle inside of her, Mist felt something seem to tremor and she sighed.  She pulled out of her purse a golden paintbrush, one with a glowing blue tip.  Frustrated, Mist turned around and headed for home.

                When Mist entered the front yard, a beautiful pink rabbit with an ear patch was waiting for her.  “Mist, where have you been?  It’s been at least twenty minutes since I paintbrushed you.”

                Mist gritted her teeth.  “I was really tired today,” Mist lied.  Really, she had been thinking about The Phantom King’s Crown Jewel. 

                The rabbit narrowed her eyes before saying, “Well come inside, dear, you must be freezing!”  As she was turning away, Mist muttered under her breath,” I’m an arctic wolf with long fur, in case you hadn’t noticed, not a silly bunny that gets cold in the summer!” 

                The rabbit turned around and gave Mist a sharp look.  “What was that you just said?”

                Mist sighed and rolled her eyes.  “Nothing, Auntie Peck.”

                Peck narrowed her eyes.  “Remember, Mist, just because you have an alpha as an adopted aunt, doesn’t mean you get to misbehave when you like to!”  With a nod, as if that settled the matter, she added,” Now why don’t you go work in your art studio for a bit?”

                Mist growled.  “I told you, I hate working in my studio!  I don’t want to be an artist!  I want to be myself!”  As she was about to leave, Mist whirled around again.  “Why didn’t you save my parents from the phantoms?  They wouldn’t force me to be an artist!  Grr… I hate being an orphan!” 

                With a lash of her tail, Mist spun around and raced off into the growing darkness.  Behind her, Peck’s eyes darkened with sadness and knowledge.

To be continued…