Neojutsu, Secret of the Stones

           On a tranquil afternoon at the Mystery Island Training School, about a dozen students were outside lined up like neggs. The Techo Master peaked through the door to deliver disappointing news. "All courses will be delayed until further notice," said the wise Techo. He shut the door and applied its intricate locks. The Techo Master had been meditating for hours before the start of his annual meeting with the four guardians. However, only Ryshu and Ghi Pharun were present. The wise Techo became increasingly concerned about the security of the dojo. He was left with no choice but to accept their resignation. "Two empty seats must be filled with urgency," he said. The master ordered Ryshu to receive a word from the Island Mystic.

           The red Nimmo set course to Umbuku Island as the Techo Master requested. He travelled with nothing but a sedge hat slung around his back. They say ninjas can walk on water. Ryshu was eager to put the myth to the test. He made a few hand gestures and spoke the names of two Codestones in the required order, "Tai-Kai, Zei," he said. "Air Faerie ability, Haste!" The red Nimmo began to sprint across the waters with remarkable speed. He reached the shores of Umbuku Island in half the expected commute time. Ryshu raised his sedge hat and focused on the small straw hut just ahead. He entered the humble abode, careful not to disturb any enchanted juju, but his efforts failed the moment his head smashed against the hanging coconut bells. The Island Mystic heard the scuffle and closed his book of fortunes. Ryshu navigated through the hoard of foreign talismans and totems. The red Nimmo did not question a thing as he was beckoned to a round table. The Island Mystic sat at the opposite end, shuffling through a deck of cryptic cards. Very few words were exchanged during the visit. After nearly ten minutes of awkward silence, the Island Mystic placed a single card facedown on the table and slid it forward. Ryshu flipped the card over and spoke aloud. "The Joker," he read, pondering over its meaning. He stared at the artwork on the card, hoping it would reveal a clue, but the image of a court jester was hardly telling. "Could one of our guardians really be replaced by a literal fool?" Ryshu doubted the possibility, but the cards never lied. The old fortuneteller assured that his predictions were certain. "A new guardian has been chosen. The fool is who you seek." The Island Mystic had spoken.

           Ryshu departed from Umbuku Island with even more uncertainty than before. While crossing through Fruity Path, he passed by an abandoned campsite. A burnt woodland Mynci was left strapped to a dead bonfire, pleading for his release. He claimed a gang of ruthless pirates had used him for firewood. Without hesitation, Ryshu quickly unravelled the knots while looking over his shoulder for the returning crew. Once set free, the woodland Mynci extended a creaking arm. "You can just call me Leigume, the bonfire dummy," he said jokingly. Ryshu was pleased to return the handshake, but their formal greeting was cut short by a screeching pirate scout. "Oh no, it's those thugs again," Leigume feared. "We must get away before I'm reduced to a pile of sludge!"

          "Fear not," said Ryshu. "I may not be much of a trickster, but I still keep a few tricks up my sleeve. Fire Faerie ability, Smokescreen!" A puff of gloomy smog spewed from Ryshu's mouth. Shadows covered the vicinity, making way for a clean getaway. Ryshu felt obligated to drag the injured Mynci to a place of tranquillity. Leigume may have been thin, but his muscles were condensed as a tree trunk. The red Nimmo collapsed under his woodland weight. Luckily, the two had safely reached the doors of the Mystery Island Training School. Ghi Pharun alerted the Techo Master of their arrival. "Ryshu has returned as expected, Master. He seems to be accompanied by a wounded Neopet." The Techo Master agreed to shelter the woodland Mynci for the night. "Have a room prepared for our guest," he said. "The stranger could be a spy for the pirates, Master! His breath wreaks of Bomberry Grog and he dresses like a fool," said the stealthy Grundo. "Even if he were a pirate, we do not discriminate based on affiliation here at the Training School. Neopets from all backgrounds are welcome to study the way of the ninja." Ghi Pharun bowed to the master's will and carried out his duty.

           Conspiring whispers hovered over Leigume's bedside. The Techo Master prepared to perform his special healing technique. "Main, Main, Eo," he uttered. "Light Faerie style, Restore!" With a touch of his glowing palm, the woodland Mynci awakened. The crisp leaves on his body regained their vibrant colour as he made a speedy recovery. "Yippy, Leigume the buffoon is back," the woodland Mynci shouted. "Now, tell me, stranger, why are you dressed like a court jester," the Techo Master asked while observing what was left of his singed attire. "I happen to be the son of Trickster Llugh," the woodland Mynci replied. "It's only fitting that I look the part." Everyone gasped in disbelief. "You mean the same legendary Mynci who laid the first seeds of Gadgadsbogen?" Ryshu asked. "Yup, that's him," Leigume replied. "Interesting, very interesting," repeated the wise Techo. "You have the potential to become a great warrior if you will accept me as your master." Leigume was honoured to receive the Techo Master's teachings. "I am at your debt, for you have healed my wounds," he said. "Very well then. Your series of courses shall begin shortly."

           When the time came, Leigume was escorted to a flat arena where he was given the Scroll of the Earth. "Open the scroll and tell me what you see," the wise Techo requested. Leigume did as he was told, but what he saw could only be described as scribbles on a piece of parchment paper. "What you see, is the art of Neojutsu," the wise Techo explained. "You must learn to position your fingers to reflect the symbols shown below." Leigume studied the various hand gestures displayed on the ancient document. Written underneath each drawing was its corresponding title. For hours, Leigume reviewed spells such as "Magic Berries" and "Magic Pebbles", all of which were recorded in detail. "Your first defensive course will begin now." The Techo Master confiscated the scroll and called Ryshu to the platform. The red Nimmo backflipped into the fray with style. He immediately formed a battle stance and braced for the duel. Leigume stood firm as a stick, trying his best to appear confident. Ryshu bowed to his opponent and quickly went in for the knockout. "Qanfire Kick!" The fiery blow put Leigume on his back, gasping for air. The Techo Master encouraged Leigume to use the techniques shown in the scroll. "You must choose one that will best serve you in this situation," he added. Ryshu warmed up for another attack, occasionally stretching his nimble legs. Leigume recalled one of the more rudimentary spells, only because its mark resembled two simple loops, making the hand gesture easier to execute. Leigume formed an open circle with both hands and locked them together. He spoke the name "Vo" and completed the spell with a shout. "Earth Faerie ability, Tough Skin!" Suddenly he could feel fragments of the earth lather his skin like lotion. Ryshu saw an opening for his second strike. "Qanfire kick!" The red Nimmo launched himself at the woodland Mynci. The hit was direct, yet completely ineffective. Leigume appeared normal as before, but his body was now harder than Kreludite. "Well done Grasshopper. You have successfully passed your Defense course," said the Techo Master.

           Leigume was told the next course would test his offensive abilities, so he kept a mental note of the spell he felt would give him the edge. Only this time, he was literally taken to "the edge" of a sleeping volcano. The Techo Master watched from the sideline as Leigume and Ghi Pharun circled around its crater. The possibility of someone falling inside seemed imminent. Ghi Pharun spun a lengthy rope over his head and hurled the opposite end towards Leigume. "Catch," he said. Leigume latched onto the rope and regained balance. "Why have you brought us here," he questioned in panic. Ghi Pharun smiled in the face of danger. "What better way to test your strength, than a game of Tug o War?" The stealthy Grundo made a slight initial pull. Leigume took no chances and yanked harder. His retaliation only instigated more of the same. The woodland Mynci tried to keep one hand free to perform Neojutsu. "Earth Faerie ability, Twisting Vines!" Creeping green stems emerged from his sleeves and wrapped around the thick rope. The extension reached Ghi Pharun's wrist. Leigume could feel the grip as if the vines were his own hand. "Gotcha," he said. The stealthy Grundo was pulled over the boiling cauldron of lava. Just before his demise, Ghi activated a spell of his own. "Dark Faerie ability, Temporal Leak!" A bubble of time & space cloaked his entire body. All objects caught inside instantly decreased in acceleration. The experienced ninja managed to slow his downfall. The Techo Master bolted across the scalding pit to catch his pupil in mid-air. "That was a close one. I underestimated him," said Ghi. The master congratulated Leigume on his swift victory. "You have successfully passed your Strength course, but I must warn you, the final three will not be as easy. For your Agility course, you will be taught to dodge Dunkydoos."

          "I'm ready for anything you throw at me." The woodland trickster bowed to his new master.

          To be continued…