"Help! Djim!" Plucky shouted as he struggled to keep his head and pack above the water.
"Plucky, I've got you!" Djim hugged Plucky with one arm and swam them both to shore. Then Plucky looked back and saw a few piranhas leaping from the top of the waterfall. He shuddered in relief.
"I wonder why I didn't see a waterfall on that map of yours," said Djim.
"The map!" Plucky cried out. He opened his pack and found the map was dry.
"It's gotta be the magic," Djim commented. "And another thing... Those wolves are still out there – still looking for their next meal. We should get a move on."
Plucky nodded, and after consulting the map, he followed Djim as they headed toward the beginning of the mountain range. The trees were gnarly and twisted in this part of the forest. At first, Plucky had a difficult time keeping up with Djim. He stopped from time to time for Plucky to catch up. Djim ultimately decided to slow down. It wouldn't do to have anything terrible happen to Plucky if he was too far ahead to do anything about it. They reached a small clearing, which, aside from a pair of jungle-fowl, was barren. To their left was the base of a cliff. Then Plucky noticed his pendant glowing faintly.
"That's interesting," Djim said, noticing the pendant as well.
Plucky soon realized his ruby was guiding them along. He quietly thanked his father as they walked alongside the mountain. In the distance, they heard the faint howl of a wolf. After a few uncertain moments, they listened to the distant reply. It seemed the wolves were heading in the opposite direction. Djim cocked his head and sniffed his armpit.
"Must be the smell," Djim said as he winked at Plucky. Plucky could not help but laugh.
"You've taken our magic away. Let us go," the Great Lion pleaded.
"I would, but I sense Plucky is somewhere in the forest, and I cannot have you interfering with my plans," Olive replied.
"We have not eaten since you imprisoned us. Let us hunt!"
Olive waved her stick, and in front of the Lions appeared roasted chicken, turkey, and fish. The Lions' eyes lit up when the aroma reached their nostrils. They devoured their meal and plaintively looked up to the Witch.
"I have decided it isn't worth keeping the rest of you prisoner for much longer. You've become... How shall I say? Annoying."
"We vow not to chase after Plucky."
"I never said I would let you leave alive."
"What do you mean?"
"You will find out soon enough!"
Olive waved her stick in a circular motion three times. Suddenly, the Lion of Earth collapsed. The Great Lion spun around, terror in his eyes. He padded toward the fallen Lion and sensed he was no longer breathing.
"How could you have done this?"
The Great Lion rounded the Witch once more.
"I know I declared another death with every sunset. I merely said that to worry you all. This time I have cast the spell to carry it out. Farewell! Hahaha!" With that, she vanished into a plume of red smoke.
Try as she might, she could not break free from her magic cage. Suddenly, a plume of red smoke appeared in front of her. Out of it stepped the Witch. "I know Plucky better than you do. You underestimate him, and that will be your downfall."
"Empty threats, empty promises. We shall see who has the last laugh!" "Don't you dare harm my son!"
"I won't... Unless he fails. I give you my word, even though you don't deserve to have it." the Witch laughed. "It's no use struggling. You shall remain there until I see fit to release you."
Plucky's mother stopped rattling the cage. A tear trickled out of her eye. Olive walked across the meadow and gazed upon the plains.
"Those cougars have proven to be quite the thorn in my side. Let's see how they handle this next onslaught," she muttered.
Plucky led Djim alongside the mountains until daybreak. "Djim, I'm sleepy. Can we stop?"
In response, Djim sniffed the air. He trained his ear towards the forest, listening for any possible danger.
"I do not detect any Lions coming. I think we can stop for a bit."
With that said, Djim suddenly fell to the ground. Plucky cried out and ran over to him.
"Djim! Are you okay?"
Djim began snoring.
"I'll take that as a yes," Plucky said, furrowing his brow. He laid down and fell asleep. His pendant continued to glow its warm red light.
"Plucky! Wake up!"
"What? Why? Djim, I was sleeping!"
In a softer voice, Djim answered.
"I think we are being followed. Now get up and come with me."
Plucky stood up as quickly as he could. The sunlight nearly blinded him, and he rubbed his eyes. Djim urged Plucky to keep moving.
"Who is following us?"
"Shhh. Not now. Keep quiet!"
Then Plucky heard it: the ostentatious rustling of several of something approaching. Plucky's eyes wildly darted about until he noticed Djim beckoning him to hide behind a nearby boulder.
Not a moment passed before the first pack of jackals whined and barked as they passed by. They were followed by a second, much larger swarm of a mixture of hyenas and jackals. Each one was clad with a rope belt upon which hung two short daggers whose tips reached their knees. But even more frightening was the sight of hyenas and jackals riding on giant black bears. At length, the procession ended. Plucky and Djim waited for the last stragglers to disappear into the forest before breathing a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe they passed us without sniffing us out," Plucky commented. "I believe they are under an enchantment. What worries me is that if they continue on their current path, they will reach my tribe and valley by nightfall, if not later. My tribe may not spot this new danger until it's too late. I fear the worst."
"That settles it, then. I have to figure out a way to defeat Olive. I don't know how. Maybe it will help me find my mom, wherever she is," Plucky said with a newfound determination in his voice.
"Look, Djim! My pendant!"
Djim looked at the ruby. It was still glowing. Plucky took a few steps to the right, and the glow faded. When he returned to his original position, the light increased in intensity.
"I don't feel safe following the ruby, what with the jackals and bears ahead of us," Plucky said in a discouraging tone.
"I agree with that thought," replied Djim. "I think I see some steps ahead. Come with me."
Plucky followed Djim about a furlong alongside the cliff. The steps rose steeply and cut into the mountain, winding up and then down the hill at an acute angle.
"Once we reach the top, I think we will be able to see where the Witch's army is in relationship to my home. Up you go, Plucky."
Plucky stood at the foot of the staircase and looked up. The stairs were daunting. Plucky remembered Djim's word: even the largest fish must be eaten one bite at a time. They began their ascent. Plucky hesitated once they climbed above the canopy -- there was no more protection from the relentless sunlight. Djim reached the top first, with Plucky not far behind. Djim studied the distant cloud of dust denoting the army they had narrowly avoided that morning. It seemed they had stopped to congregate on the plains. By this time, Plucky had caught up. He gazed out at the forest, then looked to the plains and the clustered silhouette of the Witch's army.
"What do you think the Witch's ultimate goal is, Djim?"
"Don't worry about that now. Let's find out where this staircase leads to, okay?"
Plucky nodded. Turning around, he saw their path would take them into a dark tunnel. At length, Plucky and Djim found themselves in a large cave, dimly lit by sunlight peeking through scattered holes in the ceiling. In the center of the cavern was a solitary pedestal made of stone, upon which rested a scroll and a black iridescent orb. Plucky seemed drawn to the scroll by instinct, though he could not say why. Djim assured Plucky they were no longer in danger. Plucky anxiously unrolled the scroll and began to read:
Dearest Plucky, I am sorry I have not been there for you. I could not watch you grow into the bear you are today because I was taken prisoner after the war. Suffice it to say I long to see you for the first time in both of our lives. Whatever you do, do not let yourself be deceived by the witch. Most importantly, she must not know about the orb. Take it with you – it may come in handy. I love you, Plucky. May the ruby light your way!"
– Your Father
Plucky couldn't stop himself from crying. Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake, knocking Plucky over.
"Where could he possibly be?" Olive asked herself, searching for Plucky. As if in reply, the dreadful realization dawned on her.
"It seems Plucky has discovered the true fate of his father. My, my... This is quite the wrinkle."
"Your Highness! We bring terrible tidings!"
A trio of guards urgently and respectfully gained the King's attention.
"A new army of hyenas, jackals, and bears have united with the ants!"
The King remained silent; his head bowed in deep concentration. In a weary tone, the King gave the following reply:
"Gather everyone in the valley who can and is willing to fight."
"Yes, your Majesty," a cougar spoke before they turned and left the tent.
