I'm a Faerie in a Bottle:Part Four

    Part 4:

Our heroes escaped a herd of angry Tapira, survived a haunted and booby-trapped Temple and returned the Fire Rod to Tura-Kepek.

    Leroy and Simone bolted out of their tent with the shield in hand. Off in the distance, they could see a bright light in the distance. Suddenly the ground under them began to shake.

    “Eaaaarrtthhquaaakkeee!” Leroy yelled.

    “But an earthquake can’t be the third task… how are we supposed to stop a natural disaster?” Simone pondered aloud.

    The pair gathered their supplies and set off towards the light. Leroy’s eyes grew as big as saucers as they got closer and realized it was a volcano.. An obviously active volcano. Without warning, a bright yellow column of light shot up from the rim of the volcano and split the clouds. Two small hooded shapes could be seen at the base of the beam. The smaller one was drumming and swaying while the larger was waving their hands around. A mysterious chanting began in the distance. Leroy and Simone broke into a run.

    “We have to disrupt their chanting.. We have no idea what they are trying to do... But it doesn’t look good” Simone shouted at her brother as they started climbing the side of the volcano.

    The siblings crept up the side of the mountain cautiously and eventually came to a landing just below where the figures were standing.

    “That’s the creepy Techo from the hut with Tura-Kepek! And he’s got the Fire Rod!? What have we unleashed!?” Leroy whispered anxiously.

    The chanting began to slow and Simone stepped forward.

    “Just what do you think you’re doing with that Fire Rod Tura-Kepek?” Simone announced loudly.

    “Yarok medona artubex Moltenus….” he finished and clapped his hands together.

    “Why beginning the revolution my dear” the Kyrii answered as a deafening crack caused a fissure down the side of the volcano.

    A vociferous roar resounded from the base of the volcano and the eastern side of the volcano crumbled to dust as a large flaming hand erupted from the hole.

    “What in the bloody Jhudora is that!?” Leroy stammered.

    The fiery demon rose from his earthly prison and breathed fire into the air. He swooped down and landed a few paces away, towering over everyone.

    “Welcome back my ancient friend! I have freed you so you can begin your reign over Neopia!” Tura-Kepek boomed to the monstrous figure.

    Simone lunged at the Kyrii but the Techo got in her way and they began to circle each other.

    “Get the Rod Leroy!” she shouted at her brother who was still staring in awe at the flaming dragon.

    Leroy snapped out of his haze and went to race after Tura-Kepek but had to roll behind a boulder because Moltenus had spewed a stream of fire at him.

    “What do we do?!” Leroy shouted as he held up the shield shakily to deflect the fireballs aimed as his head.

    Simone decked the Techo with a giant stick, knocked him out and ran for the backpack.

    “I have an idea..” she yelled at her brother before beginning to climb the toppled volcano.

    Leroy was left dodging streams of white-hot fire and car-sized fireballs while he watched his sister carefully make her way up the steaming volcano. She reached the top of the mountain and cleared her throat.

    “Namba kapudra ridom balikso yawek ….poquiak ey totam der arbuto zevey luhda ..” Simone was interrupted by a fireball aimed directly for her and before she could dodge out of the way, she disappeared and reappeared beside Leroy.

    “The announcer voice said ‘You have been incinerated. You now have two lives left. Goodluck’... but woah.. you didn’t mention the feeling of being on a tilt-a-whirl” Simone said while doubled over breathing deeply.

    The siblings jumped apart to avoid a giant fireball. A figure slowly came into view wearing coconuts and a telltale flowy pink skirt. As they came into focus Leroy and Simone were able to discern that it was Jhuidah who ran the Cooking pot from Mystery Island.

    “At least some things never change…” Leroy mumbled.

    “Why is she here?” Simone questioned aloud as Jhuidah approached.

    “I have come to be of assistance. Finishing this level is no easy feat. Imprison him in this my child” Jhuidah spoke softly as she handed Simone a blank card. “I can distract Moltenus long enough for you to climb up the mountain and read the incantation.”

    “Umm... sure. I’ll just do that..” Simone replied sarcastically. As Simone went to turn and leave another fireball whizzed by her side.

    “Sooner than later would be best though” she yelled back at Jhuidah. A flash of light emanated from Jhuidah’s hands. Moltenus turned his head as if completely fixated on her and they bright light. Simone scrambled to the top of the solid half of the volcano and planted her feet firmly.

    “Namba kapudra ridom balikso yawek ….poquiak ey totam der arbuto zevey luhda ...xugidalio varmlak har luno juyteh ...rafiku fughis Moltenus..” Simone read powerfully and held up the blank card.

    “You wicked child… how dare you try to silence the mighty Moltenus!” Tura-Kepek spat at her as he stepped out from behind a grouping of rocks.

    He leaped at Simone but Leroy swung the shield up and sent him flying down the side of the volcano.

    “That felt really good..” Leroy said with a grin as he looked at his sister.

    The flaming form of Moltenus suddenly began to shrink. The siblings watched as he shrunk to the size of their palms and pressed him into the card. The fiery dragon turned and glared at them while breathing a stream of fire from inside the card.

    “It is no use now Moltenus.. You cannot hurt anyone anymore” Jhuidah said triumphantly.

    A ping sound came from the sky and a Faded Bottled Fire Faerie appeared before them.

    “Congratulations on finishing the third challenge. Here is your prize but a greater one will be awarded to you once the final key has been unlocked”.

    “WAIT.. what key.. The game said nothing about a key! Just the three challenges…” Leroy shouted angrily.

    “Maybe we missed something?” Simone said with exasperation.

    “Come and rest at my hut children, you look starved.” Jhuidah said gently.

    The pair followed the faerie slowly as the weight of their last day sunk in. They wandered for a short time through a path that neither of them could see… but soon arrived at a small hut and the infamous Cooking Pot.

    “Wow. It’s much bigger than I imagined it would be” Simone said in shock.

    “It feeds most of the island my child. It has to be.” Jhuidah chuckled.

    The siblings curled up inside the hut under some woven blankets with full bellies and nodded off.

    Leroy awoke to a stirring outside and bolted out of the hut. He saw Simone sitting on a log looking at the stars.

    “What if we never get out of here Leroy?” Simone asked quietly without turning around

    “We will. We’ll find a way” he answered delicately.

    “If it wasn’t for you and your stupid potion mixing.. We would never have gotten in this mess.. We would be happily curled up in bed and mom wouldn’t.. Oh my Fyora! She is probably worried sick about us by now!” Simone spoke louder as she spiraled.

    “SIMONE THAT’S IT!” he shouted.

    “Wait. What’s it?” she replied but Leroy had already disappeared back into the hut.

    He returned breathless and walked up to the large bubbling pot.

    “If we got here by mixing three Fading Bottled Faeries, then maybe we can get home the same way!” he said excitedly as he pulled out their three prizes.

    “Or it could send us into another crazy, dangerous alternate universe!” Simone snapped.

    “Do you have another bright idea or can we at least try this?” Leroy answered calmly.

    “Fine but at least let me say the incantation this time… “ Simone groaned as she pulled something fluffy out of the backpack.

    “Where did you get that?” Leroy asked.

    “You never know when something might come in handy” she winked at her brother.

    “Faerie magic burning bright, in the fire of the night. Sister, sister come together and break from your mortal tether. Hear my voice calling you, as you finally join the brew.” Simone enunciated as she waved the feather over the pot. A dark grey smoke began to pour from the pot and crawl across the ground.

    ---------------------------------------------------------

    Leroy and Simone opened their eyes and as their vision focused they noticed a similar, much smaller looking pot. A swirl of leaves re-settled to the ground, and all was quiet.

    “Did we do it?” Leroy said afraid to move too suddenly.

    She turned around and saw the dark outline of the house.

    “I think we made it. I think we’re back home!” Simone said excitedly.

    “Oh thank goodness… I’m definitely ready for bed” Leroy let out a humongous sigh.

    “Wait what about all this stuff out here?” Simone pointed towards his pot.

    “I’ll clean this up tomorrow. I just want to go hug mom, pet my Puppyblew, and curl up for sleep.”

    Leroy awoke the next morning feeling like he had barely slept, but grateful he was in his own time period now. He stumbled downstairs for breakfast and saw Simone sitting at the table with her bowl of Space Faerie cereal.

    “How did you sleep?” Leroy questioned Simone.

    “Fairly well all things considered. I feel like it was all a bad dream. Not like anyone will ever believe me if I told them about it. It would make quite the story though.. Maybe even a book.” she answered with a slow grin.

    “I’m really glad you were there with me sis.. I couldn’t have made it out of there without you” he said awkwardly.

    “No need to get all sappy with me. I would say anytime... but let’s not do that again okay?” Simone laughed.

    They finished up eating breakfast and it was time for Leroy to make his way back to Kauvaras.

    He practically skipped to work and when he opened the shop door, the familiar tinkle of the bell was comforting.

    “Why you look like you’ve had a busy night!” Kauvara said with a twinkle in her eye.

    “What...who me? No…” Leroy said with hesitation in his voice.

    “You ready then to brew some potions? You could take a break from all the hard work you did yesterday.” Kauvara prodded with a smirk.

    “Honestly.. I think I’ll stick with the storage room for now.. I’ve had enough adventure for a lifetime“ he replied sheepishly.

    Kauvara gathered her ingredients to start brewing her potions, getting ready for the busy day ahead. She looked over at her desk and saw a Whoot’s feather perched on the edge. She chuckled to herself and continued to slowly stir her pot.

    The End.