The Phantoms' Secret

by Christa Roberts

  When the Alphas arrived at Bunny Burrow, a group of bunnies hurried out from their dens to greet them. “We’re so glad you’re here. We’re really worried,” a bunny with tiny front teeth said anxiously. “Please, follow us.” The group went straight to the fields. There were hundreds of rows of plants . . . and all of them were dying. The carrot leaves were covered with spots. Rows of lettuce were wilted and yellow. And the cucumber vines were withered.

  “I’ve been planting vegetables for years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said a tall bunny named Joe. He snapped a sad-looking cucumber off the vine and held it up. “We didn’t want to jump to any conclusions . . . but there’s been some talk if, maybe, the Phantoms are behind this?”

  Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Joe had said exactly what Peck had been thinking. It had taken years to restore all of the destruction the Phantoms had caused when they first came to Jamaa. If they were behind the dying crops, that could mean they were trying to once again claim Jamaa as their own.

  “It could be many things. Let me see what I can find out,” Cosmo said, reassuringly. Then he walked down a narrow dirt path filled with tomato plants and crouched down to their level.

  “What’s he doing?” a bunny named Maria asked, trying to get a better look.

  “Plants tell him things,” Peck explained, feeling a rush of hope that maybe Cosmo would be able to solve the problem. She hopped down the row to join him, the worried bunnies following her. The tomato plants were drooping, and rotten tomatoes covered the ground.

  Cosmo carefully lifted a sick-looking branch and held it up to his ear, whispering softly. The bunnies looked from Cosmo to the plants and then back at Cosmo again. “What is he—”

  “Shhh!” Peck said, putting her paw to her mouth. “Wait.”

  A few seconds later, Cosmo gently put the plant back down on the ground and stood up, looking concerned. “The tomatoes are so weak that it’s hard to hear them, but from what I gathered, there seems to be something wrong with their water.”

  “Are they not getting enough?” Liza wondered.

  The bunnies all shook their heads. “We’ve had a lot of rain and we make sure to water the plants, too,” Maria said as the other bunnies nodded.

  Cosmo tapped his chin. “No . . . they’re getting enough . . . but there’s something wrong with it.” He bent down to listen again. “Something, erm, dangerous.”

  “Like poison?” Peck wondered aloud. The bunnies covered their mouths in alarm.

  “Tough to say. Could be some type of virus or bacteria,” Cosmo answered. “Whatever it is, it’s hurting the plants.”

  “Does that mean they’re going to die?” Liza asked, her eyes wide with concern.

  Cosmo looked grim. “If we don’t figure out what it is, yes. And if the water’s polluted, it’s not just bad for the plants, it’s devastating for all of Jamaa. The streams flow into the waters of Crystal Sands—”

  “And that’s the water that flows into the ocean,” Peck finished, the urgency of the situation clear.

  “So if there’s a problem here, there could be a much bigger problem for all of us,” Liza said solemnly. The bunnies looked at one another, frightened.

  Peck’s mind was spinning. “But before we jump to conclusions, we need to be absolutely sure the water is polluted.”

  Cosmo nodded. “We should test it.”

  “But how are you going to do that?” Joe the bunny asked, pulling worriedly on his whiskers.

  Peck’s face brightened. “Meet me at the stream. I’m going to find Graham,” she exclaimed. The monkey Alpha had zillions of inventions.

  “Great idea, Peck,” Liza said. “If anyone has a gizmo to find out if our water is polluted or not, it’s Graham!”

  CHAPTER THREE

  The sun was high overhead when Sir Gilbert and Greely reached Coral Canyons. The temperature was sweltering, but Greely barely noticed. His eyes were busy scanning the surrounding desert for Phantoms. He stared up at the massive red sandstone cliffs that towered over them, but other than the sound of a small creature scampering under a rock, there was nothing but silence.

  “This is the place?” he called to Ivan. The giant eagle hovered in the air above the Alphas.

  “Almost. Just past these boulders,” Ivan said, flying several yards ahead.

  When Sir Gilbert and Greely rounded the curve, they came to a stop. It was just as Ivan had told them. There, in the middle of the desert, stood a pool of the most brilliant blue water. The surface was as smooth and flat as a mirror. And in the middle of the pool was a blue-gray marble statue of Mira. Her broad round wings were spread wide and her long, elegant neck was curved downward. She was standing on her right foot, her left foot raised slightly. The statue had captured her poise and elegance perfectly.

  “The statue. The pool. It is real,” Sir Gilbert whispered, the fur on his neck bristling. He and Greely walked to the edge of the water.

  “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be off,” Ivan said with a slight bow. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” The eagle glided up into the sky. In seconds, he was out of sight.

  A warm wind blew through the canyon, ruffling Greely’s and Sir Gilbert’s fur. They stared at the statue of Mira. Suddenly, the marble began to glow, and the still water of the pool shimmered. Ripples fluttered across the surface. Water began to jet out of a spout in her neck in a high, graceful arc. It appeared that the statue was actually a fountain.

  “Look,” Sir Gilbert said as a rainbow burst across the brilliant blue sky.

  Now Greely was the one who looked like a statue. He stood motionless. Waiting. Watching. Ready.

  And then, out of nowhere, came a sound the Alphas had waited forever to hear once more. “Greely. Sir Gilbert. It is so good to see you.” Mira’s ethereal voice surrounded them. It seemed to come from around them, bouncing off the cliffs and rocks.

  “Mira!” Sir Gilbert exclaimed, gazing at the rainbow. “Is it really you? It’s been so long!” He straightened his posture and bowed his head. “We have missed you so very much.”

  “Know that I am always with you,” Mira said kindly. “But now, I need your help.”

  A feeling of calmness settled over Greely at the sound of Mira’s voice. He focused intently on the glowing statue. “What do you need us to do?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow is the summer solstice. The sun will be at its highest point,” Mira said. “And this year, unlike in years past, the planets have perfectly aligned. Because of that, there may be a way for me to come back to Jamaa.”

  Sir Gilbert couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He gazed over at Greely in disbelief but the wolf’s full attention was on the statue. “How?” Sir Gilbert asked.

  Mira’s voice was clear and calm. “There are three things that represent the land of Jamaa, the land of rivers and forests and oceans that you have served and protected so well all these years. If you can collect these three things and bring them back to this fountain, I may be able to create a portal to come back to Jamaa.”

  “Wait, are you safe? Where are you? Is Zios with you?” Sir Gilbert asked. No one had seen Mira or Zios since the day the guardian spirits had disappeared into the Phantoms’ portal.

  “We are in a place of dark power,” Mira answered. Sir Gilbert could feel the sadness in her voice. “It is a place where the Phantoms run wild, acting out their horrible vision for the world. And while we have battled great evil and witnessed terrible crimes, please know that we are as safe as we can be, considering the circumstances. Zios and I have battled hard against the Phantoms and their wickedness. Knowing that we had left you in Jamaa to carry on the battle there is what has kept us going.”

  “So Zios is still alive?” Greely asked, his body taut.

  “Yes,” Mira said. “But we decided to separate to try and find a way back to Jamaa. Only one of us can attem
pt to make the journey, and we have agreed it will be me.”

  “Tell us what we need to find, Mira,” Greely said, and for once Sir Gilbert was glad to get right to the point.

  “We will start collecting right away and have you back in Jamaa before night falls,” Sir Gilbert promised Mira, willing it to be true.

  The rainbow’s colors faded and then began to deepen in color again. “I’m afraid it won’t be that easy,” Mira said, her tone cautionary. “The dark power here works like a curtain of deception. It prevents me from being able to tell you what the objects are.”

  “Then how will we know what they are?” Sir Gilbert said, dismayed.

  Greely’s face darkened. “What can you tell us?”

  “You must use your extraordinary skills to solve the mystery of three riddles,” Mira said, not directly answering their questions. “The answer to each riddle will tell you the name of one of the objects. And there is one more thing,” Mira continued. “This is of the utmost importance. Once the sun is highest in the sky, signifying the solstice, you will need to activate the objects by focusing and harnessing your natural powers.”

  Sir Gilbert looked up at the golden sun above and back to the shimmering fountain. “Of course, Mira. What are the riddles?” Sir Gilbert asked. His ears swiveled upward as he focused on Mira’s words.

  “The first riddle is this,” Mira said.

  “I am admired for my beauty.

  No one else is like me.

  Only some can make me.

  And everyone wants to take me.”

  The water in the fountain rippled and then smoothed. The guardian spirit continued. “The second riddle is this:

  I hang from the sky

  and lie on the ground.

  I am closed or open,

  long or small.”

  The two Alphas listened carefully to Mira’s words, committing the riddles to memory. “And the last riddle for you is this.” Mira’s voice rang out loud and clear.

  “Sometimes I’m fast,

  and sometimes I’m slow.

  I always fall but won’t stand up,

  I’m free for all but can’t be bought.”

  “The solstice will be here in less than twenty-four hours,” Greely said. “If the riddles are solved before then, is your return guaranteed?”

  “I wish for that to be so, but unfortunately, there are no guarantees,” Mira said. Her voice was thick with emotion. “But if there ever is a moment where I might be able to return to you and to Jamaa, this is it. I wish you the best of luck in your search.” Suddenly the marble statue was emblazoned with light. And then, just as quickly, the light was sucked away. The water in the pool shimmered and then returned to complete stillness. The warm wind that had blown through the canyon was replaced with a quick, cool breeze.

  And in the silence, it was as if Mira had never been there at all.

  The enormity of the moment hung in the air between the Alphas. If they could solve the riddles, Mira might be able to be with them once again! The significance of the guardian spirits was hard to put into words. It was the guardian spirits who had given each species a Heartstone. And when Jamaa was on the verge of destruction, it was the guardian spirits who had found the six animal leaders. Having Mira and Zios back in Jamaa, living among them, protecting them, and teaching them had been the Alphas’ biggest wish.

  “This is the best chance we’ve had since the great battle to get Mira back,” Sir Gilbert said. “Everyone is counting on us . . . we cannot let Mira down.” It felt like he had been waiting his entire life for this singular moment. He lifted his head proudly.

  “You give yourself too much credit, Sir Gilbert,” Greely said in a scornful voice. “No one even knows about this. But it doesn’t matter,” he continued, seeing Sir Gilbert’s hurt look. “We will not let her down.” His steely eyes glinted with determination.

  The wolf Alpha lifted his face toward the sky, and Sir Gilbert joined him. Together, the two Alphas looked up at the sun. “The clock is ticking,” Sir Gilbert said as they turned and raced back in the direction they had come. “There is no time to waste. It is time to solve the riddles!”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Back at Bunny Burrow, Peck left Cosmo, Liza, and the bunnies and flew through the woods back to Alphas Hollow. She knew it was a safe bet that Graham could be found at his workshop: a large shed with a table pushed against the wall that contained all the bits and pieces of the monkey’s latest projects. A smoothie machine that picked, washed, and blended fruit. A contraption that washed your face and dried your paws all at once. A mechanical hand that could reach the highest bunches of bananas in the trees. Graham had a lot of projects.

  Sure enough, he was at his table now with what looked like a salad spinner: a clear bowl, a strainer that fit inside, and a lid with little tabs.

  “Now, if I snap the lid on like this,” Graham muttered to himself, putting the lid on top of the bowl, “these tabs should lock into place like this.” He peered through his goggles and pushed down on the tabs and they locked into place. “And then the top should rotate, but it’s not working.” He unsnapped the tabs, then snapped them again.

  “Graham!” Peck cried, waving her paws to grab his attention. “We need your help!”

  “You need me to make a salad for you?” Graham asked, trying unsuccessfully to get the spinner to turn. “Or wash your socks? My spin-sock-salader does it all.”

  “Sounds cool, but not now,” Peck said, catching her breath. “I raced all the way here to get you.”

  But Graham was distracted. “I left this thingamajig out in the sun to dry and it hasn’t worked right ever since,” he said, scratching his head. “There was also that pair of socks that got stuck. Maybe I should just stick to lettuce.”

  Peck blew out her breath. “Graham, if you don’t help me, there won’t be any lettuce for you to put in that thing.” Now she had his attention. After she explained the problem at Bunny Burrow, Graham quickly tossed a backpack together filled with his tools and gadgets. Balls of twine, a tiny hammer, paper clips, a wrench, sandpaper—Graham had it all. He handed Peck a small white cooler, and together, the two Alphas zipped back to meet Cosmo and Liza at the stream.

  The bunnies’ water source was at the top of a high mountain. Trees dotted the cliffs, and grass as high as Peck’s waist waved in the soft breeze as they hiked up. When they got to the top, they quickly spotted Liza and Cosmo waiting for them in a small clearing. A thick canopy of leaves kept the sunlight out. The air was cool.

  “We tried to get back here as fast as possible,” Peck told them, blowing back the fur that covered her eye.

  Graham tapped his bearded white chin and grinned. “Well, technically, if we were trying to get here as fast as possible, we would have used vines to swing from tree to tree,” he pointed out. “If only the jet packs I made last month actually worked.”

  Peck would have giggled if it hadn’t been such a serious situation. She bit her tongue and watched as Graham shook out the contents of his backpack onto the ground. Everything landed in a jumbled heap. That was probably what Graham’s brain was like—a lot of cool stuff all mixed together.

  “Liza and I thought this would be the best location to test the water,” Cosmo told them, gesturing around the clearing. His moss skirt rustled. “Not many animals come here. Our findings will be uncontaminated.”

  “While we waited for you I took photos of some of the rapids and waterfalls,” Liza told them, holding up her camera. “In case we want to look at them later.”

  “That’s smart,” Peck said, nodding as Graham rifled through his pack. He was mumbling something about “sterile technique” and “bad counts.”

  “Ideally we’d have a more controlled setting, but we’re just going to have to improvise,” Graham said, sounding resigned. “I tried to bring as many tools as I could.”

/>   “And we even brought a cooler,” Peck said, putting a small white chest filled with ice on the ground. She was hopping around with nervous energy. “I’m not sure why!”

  Graham held up a small black kit that was on the ground and unzipped it. Inside were four test tubes held in place by elastic bands. “I need you each to go to a different spot along the water’s edge,” he said. He carefully took the test tubes out and handed one to each of the Alphas. Next, he passed out small cork stoppers. “Fill your tube almost to the top with water and then put the stopper inside it and bring it back.” He shook his head, mumbling to himself. “If we had more time, I’d run more tests, but this will have to do.”

  The Alphas found different spots in the stream and swiftly did as Graham asked. Then they regrouped next to Graham. He had set up an informal lab in the middle of the clearing with a small red blanket spread out on the ground and the cooler on top, its lid removed.

  “Now what?” Peck asked excitedly. She pushed the stopper onto her tube with her paw. “It’s weird to think that this water might be polluted. It’s so clear!”

  “That’s why we have to test it,” Graham said, squinting through his goggles. “Looks can be deceiving.” The monkey Alpha stood the tubes up in a small rack fashioned out of twigs and put the rack into the cooler. “The ice is going to prevent bacteria from growing in the tube. Bacteria reproduces very quickly,” he pointed out. “Now we need to label the tubes with the date and time. Who has the neatest handwriting?”

  “Liza,” Cosmo said, passing her a pen. Liza carefully wrote the date and time on each tube.

  Graham reached in his backpack and pulled out a bunch of long, thin green leaves. “I’ve created a special pollution test,” he said. “Each of these leaves has a cluster of water-safe chemicals on the tip. If the water is polluted, the leaves will turn bright magenta.”

  “And what if the water isn’t polluted?” Peck asked.