8 Tales Of The Neworld - Written By Stephanie Poppins

Tales of the New World by S.

D.

Hudson This audiobook is read by the author.

The Black Army Chapter 1 It was cold in the Grand Orb.

Much colder than in recent times.

The midday sun had lit up every pane of its glass-stoned roof,

But the masters were still feeling frosty.

It was time to discuss their fiercest enemy,

And no one was in the mood for that.

But it had to be done.

Threats didn't go away just because you ignored them.

They've been very quiet lately,

Said Jeremiah.

I could get used to this.

But Fortenua wasn't having any of it.

The most dangerous time follows the safest,

Jeremiah,

You know that.

Now you have given it to the kiss of death.

Jeremiah sighed.

There'd be no reasoning with her since Ascension Day.

Never mind.

The wise one would soon be there.

That'd take his mind off it.

He looked up.

Everything was silent in the meadow.

Good,

This was a day of rest after all.

He could do with a little peace.

But he would stay alert regardless.

There was time enough for him to rest when he was dead.

It is nice knowing we don't have any fires to put out,

Added Jasper,

Keen to ease the tension.

Yes,

It certainly is,

Said Delilah.

Very nice indeed.

Quiet doesn't necessarily equate to peace,

Fortenua insisted.

As long as there is nutritional compensation,

I'm okay either way,

Joked Jasper,

As Daisy shuffled in with her sweet crackling carrots.

Jutting out his protruding lower jaw,

He popped in two of Daisy's finest.

Do you have to do that?

Sniped Fortenua.

Waste not,

Want not.

You finished.

Jeremiah laughed.

It was funny seeing Fortenua's words dismissed in such a way.

To Jasper they were like water off a duck's back.

We'd better get cleaned up.

The center of the table is beginning to spin,

He said.

Daisy will be needing a little extra help in here if you'll be so kind.

And at that moment the grand hall became filled with the most brilliant white light.

It was tough listening to the news the wise one brought.

Knowing the Feridor were up to their tricks again left the masters more unsettled than ever before.

But this was no time to shy away from the truth.

Contemplation day or not,

They had work to do.

They is working together to realize their plan.

And they is visiting the Feridor as soon as they can.

You were right,

Fortenua,

Said Jeremiah when the wise one left.

I did speak too soon.

I'm always right,

Jeremiah,

Fortenua snapped back.

So what exactly are we supposed to do with this?

Well,

We'll have to be quick,

That's for sure.

I'm surprised those farlanders took the bait.

They have been deceived.

I know how they feel.

Jeremiah glared at the cockatrice.

This was the third dig that day and now he's had enough.

Are you ever going to let up?

I made a mistake on ascension and I'm sorry.

I said I was sorry.

How many more times?

Well,

It is just not good enough.

You had a job to do and you failed to do it.

I really cannot see how to accept that under any circumstances.

Jeremiah said nothing more.

This was neither the time nor the place.

The farlanders must be mad to even think about going to see the black army.

Said Jasper.

They know what happened to the meadow folk in the great battle.

They're just being used so the farador can get to us again.

He was right.

This was all part of the black army's plan.

The message they sent on an easterly wind told of a secret way into the old world.

They knew their cousins would take the bait and the masters would come to their rescue.

That was what meadow masters did.

Those farland pickpurses are trouble enough without the black army sticking their oar in.

Jasper continued.

Yes,

They're greedy and they're lazy.

That's what they are.

Said Delilah.

All they care about is the old world stuff they'll bring back to trade.

They haven't even thought about the danger they'll put us all in.

They know the meadow pickers never bring anything back without cleaning it.

Added Fortenua.

If by some miracle they do get into the old world,

They will bring back so much poison we will all be doomed.

As if we are not working hard enough to protect those farland fools.

Which fools?

Asked Jasper.

Who are they anyway?

The cousins of the farador.

Said Jeremiah.

You've heard of the bogatry,

Have you not?

Said Fortenua.

From the land of winter.

And the baldnecks from the land of summer.

Said Jeremiah.

The one-holed derringtons from the land of spring.

Delilah added.

And the bog-eyed malaculous from your land,

Jasper.

Said Jeremiah.

You know of him?

Oh yeah.

Jasper sighed.

He tells everyone he's got memories of the farador imprinted on his eyes.

So there we have it.

Said Jeremiah.

A right motley crew.

We certainly got our work cut out for us.

There's no mistaking that.

But they'll bring back such poison.

Lamented Delilah.

Such poison that will destroy us all.

It'll be on their clothes and their fur and they won't even know it.

I knew the silence was too good to be true.

Moaned Fortenua.

But how is it possible?

Questioned Delilah.

Just how?

They can't get to the cops without passing us in the meadow.

And we'd surely see them if they passed through here,

Wouldn't we?

We'd surely see them.

Jeremiah stared at the afterglow where the wise one had been.

It was changing from blue to green to red to violet.

And then it came to him.

Not if they use the crystal amulets.

Amulets?

Burped Jasper.

He was beginning to regret his last crackling carrot.

But they're protected,

Aren't they?

Yes,

Fortenua agreed.

Pleased the Pog had picked up something from his lessons.

To remove the amulets would eliminate all protection from within the crystal sancta.

And that would mean no place of refuge in any of the Far Lands.

But the amulets are part of the rose windows.

They can't be.

Jasper stopped mid-sentence to rub his stomach.

Removed?

Fortenua had neither the patience nor the time to wait for the Pog's indigestion to pass.

Good point.

They have been placed in each window to channel the veil of protection within.

But clearly some value sanctity less than others.

She snatched another look at Jeremiah.

Then she checked herself.

She would have to control her anger if she was to approach this with a clear head.

The only way the amulets can be removed is if they're all removed at the same time,

Said Jeremiah,

Ignoring her.

When the sun's midday beams cut through,

That's the only time it can happen.

He paused in disbelief.

It ain't never been heard of before,

Folk from different lands working together like this.

But there's a first time for everything,

I suppose.

The grass is always greener for some folks.

They never be learning.

I just can't believe the lengths they go to to get to the Old World.

But the Pilgrims can defend the amulets,

Can't they?

Said Jasper.

They're fierce enough.

Good point,

Said Jeremiah.

But there be no armoury in the Crystal Sancta.

The Pilgrims be a peace-loving folk.

They only be using weapons for protection when they travelling.

Those farlanders have no idea what they are letting themselves in for,

Said Fortenua.

They are not as hardy as the Feredor,

And they possess none of the meadow's magic.

I do not know how they think they are going to survive the Old World.

Jeremiah looked up.

The sun was on the move again,

And midday had now passed.

The amulets were already removed.

He was sure of it.

There was nothing for it but to stop the farlanders before they did something really stupid.

To the great beyond,

He said,

Standing up.

And the medicine wheel.

When the winter sun's at its hottest,

They'll get passage through if they use the amulets.

Then there'll be hardly any time to save them before the Black Army come.

I can't quite believe they're all in it together,

But there you are.

It's a good thing it's Contemplation Day,

Isn't it?

Said Delilah with her usual positive tone.

The meadow won't be needing us as much today,

Will it?

True,

Fortenua agreed,

And it will take all of us to prevent this disaster.

They thought about the mission ahead.

The great beyond was an unforgiving place and difficult to get to.

It would take time.

Maybe more time than they had.

There were mountains,

Rivers and valleys between them.

They must leave immediately.

But little did they realize,

The meadow was about to need them more than ever before.

The journey to the medicine wheel was long and tiring,

But neither Jasper nor Delilah uttered a word of complaint,

Even though their clues ached and their backs creaked.

This was further than they had ever been before.

As far as they knew,

The great beyond was where the Feredal used to live,

And that was just the side they knew about.

They didn't think about the other side.

Folks only thought about the other side when their heart was broken.

They arrived at last,

And looking upon the circle of stone set into the rock beneath,

They realized there was beauty to be found in even the most lifeless of places.

With a central core of crystalline chips and spokes of flame stone splaying out to the perimeter ring,

The medicine wheel lit up the barren land around it.

Not that the great beyond is all barren,

But to board the train and see the other side,

Your time in the new world must have come to an end.

They're in place already,

Said Fortenua,

Her eyes stinging at the vivid beams shooting out from the amulets.

And sure enough,

The four colored crystals had been slotted into the north,

South,

East and west perimeter stones.

The masters rushed over to look.

There was blue for Jeremiah,

Red for Fortenua,

Green for Jasper and purple for Delilah.

They had only ever seen them in the rose windows and were drawn to their healing energy.

We're too late,

Far too late,

Screeched Delilah as a fierce rumble emerged from underneath.

Then suddenly,

At the heart of the wheel,

A gaping chasm opened to reveal a winding slope so wide and steep,

It could only be used for one thing.

It's a slide,

A slide,

I say,

Screeched Delilah,

Her tiny wings flicking back and forth.

Those fools must have gone already,

Said Jasper.

They'll be in the Old World by now,

Fortenua agreed.

We're too late.

Come,

Jeremiah,

The sun sinks fast at this time of year.

We must not be in the Old World cops after dark.

And diving headlong into the hole,

She added,

You two make your way back to the meadow and keep an eye out.

Chapter 3 Back in the meadow,

All was as quiet as they had left it.

That was a relief.

As males,

Jasper and Delilah weren't like the other two.

Their betchy would become as strong in time,

But their bodies wouldn't.

If they got trapped in the Old World cops,

It would be harder for them to escape as quickly,

And the other masters would stop at nothing,

Not even their own safety to rescue them.

It was just too dangerous.

It looks like all's well,

Said Jasper,

As they approached the circle of meadow folk.

We should join them,

Said Delilah.

So that is what they did.

In Mother Bee cops,

However,

Things were very different.

Just what were those firelanders thinking?

Jeremiah asked,

Painfully aware of the impending sunset.

They got sharp memories,

That's for sure.

How could they forget what we meadow folk went through in the Great Battle?

I certainly can't.

Cousins or no cousins,

Those feridors hate them just as much as they hate us.

Once again,

Their greed's got the better of them.

Even if they don't believe the poison'll kill them,

They must know the Black Army wants to kill us.

This is no time for repeating what we already know,

Answered Fortenua shortly.

They went this way.

She forged ahead through the cops without looking back.

Ah,

Jeremiah snapped as he followed her through the sharp thorns.

And there,

Waiting for them on the other side,

Was the Dog Deer,

The keeper of the Old World cops.

Pleasant to be seeing you again,

Exclaimed Jeremiah.

Nice to meet you,

Fortenua said formally.

You too,

Said the Dog Deer.

Then he went on to complain about the fireland folk and what they had done.

Not only did they crash into the heart of the cops without any warning whatsoever,

They upset all the little ones who looked to this place as their only safe haven.

Jeremiah was very embarrassed.

But shaking his gnarled antlers,

The Dog Deer smiled.

He knew the bunyip would do his best to make things right.

He always did.

Never you mind now,

Jeremiah.

It's been lovely to see you,

He said through tired eyes.

Don't leave it so long next time.

I surely won't,

Said Jeremiah gratefully.

He knew his humble friend would understand.

Fortenua,

However,

Couldn't believe what she was seeing.

How is it that one under such compromise is so at peace with what little he has?

She asked as they walked away.

It just does not make sense.

This old world is an unforgiving place,

And the Dog Deer's life will be cut short a lot sooner than ours.

Yet he seems as happy as any happy person I've ever met.

Jeremiah smiled.

For an intelligent being,

You don't have to say some funny things.

What do you mean,

Funny?

Fortenua replied indignantly.

She was in no mood for Jeremiah's sarcasm.

There is nothing funny about that.

So what exactly is it you're suggesting?

Asked Jeremiah.

That he lives the one life he's blessed to have in misery?

Jeremiah had a point.

As far as the old world animals were concerned,

They were safe in Mother Becobbs.

Much safer than they would be anywhere else.

After all,

The meadow pickers did the best they could to keep it clean.

And okay,

So the water wasn't always as clear as it should be,

And at times disease was rife,

It was so much worse elsewhere.

Never mind,

Let us get back to the job in hand,

Said Fortenua,

Brushing Jeremiah's comments aside.

She stopped and scanned the area.

Over there,

She whispered,

And she led the way to where the Malaculus,

The Derridin and the Boggertree were huddled together,

Thick as thieves behind an old blueberry bush.

I might have known,

She shouted,

Making them jump out of their skins.

Do you have any idea of the danger you're putting us in?

Jeremiah added,

Fury dancing in his eyes.

They can't,

Can they?

Said Fortenua.

Otherwise why would they do such a stupid thing?

It's just picking,

Insisted the Boggertree.

You meadow folk do it all the time.

Only we're getting sick of the meagre offerings traded down to us from those who ascend.

It's about time things moved on.

Moved on?

There'll be only one thing moving on if you persist,

Said Jeremiah,

Placing his middle digits and thumbs together.

Okay,

Okay,

The Boggertree sniped,

Thinking back to the last time the Bunyip did that.

Jeremiah looked at the ground before them.

Everything they'd picked had been piled into a large heap.

The glass chips,

The brightly coloured plastics,

Everything.

And what about the bullnecks?

Asked Fortenua.

Jeremiah looked up.

There's nothing that can be done to the bullnecks now,

It's too late.

They're hardier than most and they made their choice the moment they flew out of Motherbee Cops.

We'll not be seeing them again.

Come with us,

Fortenua ordered.

You will not be able to return to your homes now.

Do you understand what this means for you?

The Farlanders thought about it.

As much as they hated the Masters,

They valued their lives.

Even though their cousin's invitation seemed genuine,

There was a nagging fear in the back of their minds.

What if it was only the meadowfolk who could survive here?

And what if the Feredor only told them what they wanted to hear to trap the Masters?

Sensing their confusion,

Fortenua pounced.

All those highly polished things you consider so pretty are about to kill you.

You are not meadowfolk and you have no protection from any of it.

You barely even belong in the Farlands.

I have a good mind to leave you here.

It will be dark within moments,

Let us see if your cousins will help you then.

Come,

Jeremiah,

Let us leave these idiots to it.

Good luck,

Fools,

You are going to need it.

And do not think the Kop's folk will help you either.

They have themselves and their young to think of,

Not selfish,

Greedy twits like you.

Fortenua was sick and tired of such Farland arrogance.

And her heartless words did the trick.

For the bogatry,

Milagulis,

And the one-horned Derredin got up to go.

But it was too little too late.

A strange weakness came over them,

And they swayed this way and that,

Before collapsing at the Masters' clues.

Fortenua jumped back,

Disgusted.

We will never get them back if they cannot make it on their own,

She said.

Their skin is lifeless and their determination is gone.

They are as good as useless.

Their poison's taken hold,

That's for sure,

Jeremiah agreed.

But it's our duty,

Fortenua.

Their one true word,

Remember?

We'll have to hurry.

The last thing we want is them Feridor getting something out of this.

He looked at the task at hand.

The Milagulis was slight,

No bigger than an old world lynx,

But added to the bulk of the spiny Derredin and the stocky bogatry.

They would be very awkward for Jeremiah and Fortenua to carry,

Especially as flying in the old world was out of the question.

We'll need help,

He said.

So,

With the help of the old world animals,

They managed to get the Farlanders back to the Crystal Waters.

You take them back first,

Said Jeremiah.

There'll be no room for me on that thing.

So Fortenua floated away on the rickety raft with the Farlanders in tow.

Are you sure you want to send it back for me?

Jeremiah mocked as she reached the other side.

But Fortenua ignored him.

She was too busy focusing on the blue haze that protected the meadow bank.

With the power of Betji,

She cried,

Spreading her wings.

And Jeremiah watched as she manifested a huge cradle from the blue haze.

Take hold,

She ordered.

Take hold and do not let go.

Following her instructions,

The blue forcefield scooped up the unconscious bogatry,

Malagalus and Derredin and held them in midair so they wouldn't come into contact with the new world.

Now go back to Jeremiah,

Fortenua ordered.

And the raft floated back.

She checked the horizon.

At this time of day,

The sun usually melted like a golden coin.

Fortenua was always the first to see it.

But now,

To her horror,

There was no sun to speak of.

The night had crept in silently with its fine black fingers.

And with it,

A swarm of the deadliest,

Most poisonous creatures known to both new world and old.

Get out of there,

Jeremiah,

She screamed.

Move!

But Jeremiah had no intention of doing any such thing.

He had let the meadow down once.

He wasn't about to do it again.

Just get those idiots back to the great beyond,

He shouted back.

The sooner you do that,

The sooner the forcefield will heal.

Fortenua couldn't believe what he was saying.

How dare the bunyip have the nerve to tell her what to do after the fool he had made of himself at ascension.

He had no right.

As masters,

They were instructed to protect the meadow above all else.

And he had neglected his duty that day by deceiving her.

Get back here,

She screamed.

You cannot do this alone,

Jeremiah.

Do you understand?

And that was what upset her more than anything.

That she herself was misunderstood.

She did not act irrationally and wave her emotion like a flag in the faces of those around her.

She did not veer from her chosen path,

Be she lonely or not.

And yet,

It was Jeremiah who was master at arms and not she.

Why was that?

Just do what I say,

Jeremiah insisted.

And hearing the screams from up in the meadow,

Fortenua left without looking back.

Oh,

Thank goodness you're here,

Fortenua,

Thank goodness you're here,

Screeched Delilah.

The cockatrice couldn't believe what she was seeing.

The meadow was dying in front of her very eyes.

We were sitting with the other meadow folk,

Keeping an eye and waiting for your return,

Like you said,

Fortenua,

Like you said,

Continued Delilah,

When the tiniest,

Shiniest plastic chip fell from the sky and landed in the middle of us.

The moment it touched the ground,

The grass turned black and now the poison seeping further and further in.

It is the baldnecks,

Fortenua replied.

They must have dropped it.

They are trying to get back in.

But nothing can get through the blue haze,

Can it?

Delilah asked.

Not usually,

Fortenua agreed,

But I have compromised it.

She thought back to the farlanders trapped in the cradle at the edge of the meadow.

Should I have done something else?

This was humbling.

Perhaps she did not have all the answers after all.

And all at once Fortenua understood how unfair she had been when judging Jeremiah.

He always had the meadow at the heart of everything he did.

She should have been kinder,

Like she promised the wise one she would be.

So what should we do,

Fortenua?

What can we do?

Fortenua thought hard.

She was not a master at arms,

But she was a seasoned veteran and she had survived the invasion of the old world before.

She inhaled deeply.

With the power of Bek-Chi!

And following her lead,

Delilah and Jasper did the same.

A thunderous roar rang across the meadow,

Shaking every tree and vibrating every leaf.

Every branch bowed to its force and every soul sang with its energy.

And to everyone's surprise,

A beam of rainbow-coloured light wrapped itself around them and lifted them up into the giant.

Come everybody,

Fortenua said kindly.

Do not be afraid.

Hold on and you will be safe.

This was a voice they had never heard before.

It was as though each letter had been filtered through fine silk.

Connecting with others had never been easy for the cockatrice,

But she was trying and they were grateful for that.

Our saviour,

They cheered.

And all at once,

Fortenua's anger faded away.

Now hold on tight,

She reassured them,

So they clung to the giant's branches.

He started to shake wildly.

The harder he shook,

The tighter they held.

Then,

When they could hold on no more,

Every one of the giant's leaves dropped to the ground and disintegrated into fine-coloured dust.

No one could quite believe it.

The giant had made the ultimate sacrifice.

His leaves were gone and his veins had lost all colour.

And as the blackness faded away and the tiny plastic chip exploded,

The folk of the meadow sat motionless in his dying arms.

Now stay there until I return,

Fortenua cried,

And she shot off to the great beyond as fast as she could.

There she would dump the Malagalus,

The Bogatry,

And the One-Horned Deredin onto the bleakest,

Darkest island she could find,

And there they would remain in purgatory until the wise one decided what to do with them.

Only then would the blue haze be restored,

And only then could she help Jeremiah.

Meanwhile,

Back at the Crystal Waters,

Things had taken a turn for the worse.

Desperate to protect the forcefield until the cradle returned,

Jeremiah prepared himself for what was to come.

There was nothing for it but to face the enemy alone.

With any luck,

The Sana'i would do their job,

And things wouldn't be as bad as they were in the great battle.

But either way,

He would go down fighting.

Come and get some of this,

He screamed as the first wave approached.

Right on cue,

A thousand black bodies shot through the copse,

Their shiny beaks cutting through the night like slick arrows.

With the power of Bhechi,

Jeremiah screamed as he joined his middle digits with his thumbs.

His fur stood on end and he braced himself.

He lived for moments like these.

This was why he was a master at arms.

He would save the meadow even if it meant giving his life for it.

He spread his arms wide,

And a blue thunderbolt shot through the darkness.

Shards of fire streamed up from his cloves,

And daggers of brilliance lit up the night sky.

There was no way he would let the black army through.

The Sana'i might well defend the New World from below,

But the Feredor would still try to get in from above.

He must offer himself up as bait.

That was the only way.

The strongest of the beasts were upon him now,

Their beaks and claws tearing at his flesh.

The younger ones dropped like flies,

But those hardened vermin who had spent years immersing themselves in Old World poison shut their eyes and kept on.

All Jeremiah had to do was survive this first wave.

Then the force field would be restored,

And Fortenua would return to help him.

His sharp teeth were bared.

He swiped wildly,

But the Feredor was swarming around him like wasps,

Desperate for even an ounce of the magic they craved.

With meadow magic they could dominate all others in the Old World.

Get off,

You scum!

Jeremiah screamed as elixir poured from his wounds.

He must hold on,

Just for a moment.

It would be over soon and Fortenua would be back.

Take that!

But this time,

The Hopsi heard him.

She knew she should remain in the giant.

But this was Jeremiah,

And he was alone.

Jumping down,

She ran to the bank as fast as she could.

She was still weak,

But she would have to take the consequences.

And there he was,

On the other side of the crystal waters,

Slumped over and surrounded by dead Feredor.

She summoned the raft.

If she could just get him back before the next legion arrived,

He would stand a chance.

Then all at once,

The blue haze burst back into life behind her.

Good,

Fortenua had succeeded.

It's me,

My dear.

I'm here with you now,

She whispered as she reached Jeremiah's side.

No,

No,

Not you,

Jeremiah muttered.

Go back,

Go back before it's too late.

His eyelids were stuck fast,

But there was no mistaking the Hopsi's voice.

Not until you are on the raft,

Jeremiah.

Come,

You can make it.

Jeremiah winced at her touch.

Please,

Jeremiah,

Do this for me.

The force field is repaired.

All is not lost.

Please,

The next legion will be back any moment,

Stronger than ever.

You must get up.

Jeremiah crawled towards the raft,

A trail of elixir left in his wake.

That's it,

You can do it,

Said the Hopsi,

Holding his battered face in her cloves.

I'm with you now,

Jeremiah smiled through his pain.

He had never felt a love like this.

That one so small should seek him out and risk her life just to be with him.

It was more than he could ever have hoped for.

When they got back,

He would leave the Masterhood and they would live together.

He could bear being alone no longer.

The Hopsi was everything he had ever wanted,

And it was time to make her his.

Move,

Jeremiah ordered through his blood-stained teeth,

And the raft took off with the next legion of Feridur hot on its tail.

But the Black Army were not prepared for what the crystal waters had in store for them.

With a hysterical scream,

The Sana'i shot up and out,

Saturating the air with their fine black dust.

The Black Army dropped one by one into their poisonous embrace.

Yes,

Muttered Jeremiah through his pain.

It's going to be okay,

My dear.

We'll be okay.

He reached for the Hopsi,

But to his horror,

The Hopsi was not with him.

She had been dragged back to the bank.

He was alone on the raft.

Where are you?

Jeremiah cried.

What with the blood clots in his eyes and the black mist all around,

He could see nothing.

Go back,

He barked at the raft.

Go back now.

And as the last of the Feridur withdrew,

Coughing and spluttering from the Sana'i's poisonous mist,

The raft returned to Mother B.

Copse.

Jeremiah grappled wildly and dragged the lifeless Hopsi close to him.

He dared not open his eyes.

He dared not see.

It was all too much to bear,

And he wouldn't be bearing it.

This was a lie.

It was a bad dream,

And he refused to accept it.

Get back to the metal bank,

He barked,

And the raft dashed back as fast as it could.

It'll be okay,

My love,

Jeremiah whispered.

Everything will be okay now.

Fortenua looked on from the metal bank.

The Bunyip was clutching the Hopsi as if somehow he could bring her back to life.

It was a pitiful sight.

Jeremiah,

It's me.

Fortenua,

I'm here now.

She spoke more kindly than she had ever spoken to anyone.

Her closest ally was broken,

And it was her job to put him back together again.

I know this is beyond what you can accept,

But I will try my hardest to be strong when you cannot,

And from this day forwards,

I will never leave your side.

Jeremiah slumped forwards on the metal bank and her red eyes filled with bitter tears,

But she made no attempt to stop them from falling.

Please,

Fortenua,

Say no more.

Have mercy.

So Fortenua said nothing more,

And they sat together in silence until the clouds passed and the moon beamed down upon them.

It took everyone to lift Jeremiah and the Hopsi back to the meadow that night.

No one said a word,

But eventually a circle was formed to prepare for what was to come.

Be still now and breathe,

My son,

Said the wise one when Jeremiah was taken to the Grand Orb.

I don't want to breathe.

I don't want to live.

The Hopsi can be spared.

I know you can spare her,

Please,

For me.

You could have stopped it.

Haven't I devoted my life to you?

Ain't that enough?

What use are you if you cannot help me now when I need you most?

Jeremiah knew it was wrong to say what he did,

But his pain had no apology to give.

The wise one understood,

Though.

The wise one always understood.

This dilemma is one most grave.

Although the Hopsi's life I can save,

Yet if life I give in the meadow,

I must take to maintain the balance for the new world's sake.

Then take it.

Take mine,

Said Jeremiah.

But do not let the Hopsi go.

I beg you.

She has only ever served others.

She don't deserve to die.

He broke down into desperate sobs.

Disturbed by his grief,

The Oosamagoos floated over to where he sat,

Slumped in a chair.

If that is what you wish,

Then that is what must be.

But first we must be certain the Hopsi does agree.

Jeremiah looked at him through blood-filled eyes.

How can we know that?

He asked.

How can she speak?

The Oosamagoos floated up to the glass-domed roof,

And as each pain beamed his brilliant light back to him,

There was the Hopsi,

Reflected in the shiny glass.

You're alive!

Jeremiah exclaimed.

You're alive?

But the Oosamagoos was quick to correct him.

The Hopsi between here and the great beyond,

She is still.

She floats in limbo,

But speak she will.

The Hopsi spoke as if through a dream,

Her soft voice floating through the glass like notes in a bedtime lullaby.

I will not allow you,

Jeremiah,

To take my place.

You are a master at arms,

And defend the new world you must.

Please,

My dear,

Allow my death to give you all the more reason to live.

And before Jeremiah had time to accept the Hopsi's words,

She faded away,

Leaving nothing more than a memory of her soft pink eyes and a warm smile.

Later that night,

The new world train arrived through the back of the meadow.

Jeremiah looked on unblinking.

The headlamps sliced through his heart like frozen blades,

Catching the Hopsi's soft fur in its beams.

No longer would this be a safe place to bury his head and hide.

But he stood tall,

Just the same.

He must be Jeremiah the strong,

The fierce,

And the heroic.

He must be Jeremiah,

Master at arms.

He lifted the Hopsi from where she lay and carried her to the last carriage.

She was still warm.

She was always warm.

He must try just one last time.

I understand your wishes,

My love,

But I don't want to live in this world without you.

He waited for a sign,

Anything to tell him he could join her.

But no sign came.

And as the train sailed away into the dark night,

Jeremiah stood bold and resolute,

Even though his heart had left with it.

Meanwhile,

Back at the Grand Orb,

The wise one was taking the time to rest.

Having injected much of his brilliant light energy into the roots of the giant,

He was exhausted.

Many of his feathers had fallen,

But the health of the meadow was at stake,

So he had little choice.

Every one of the meadow folk had suffered that day.

But through such trials came the biggest lessons,

And the masters learned more than most.

They now knew not to judge each other for the decisions they made.

They understood they must always trust each other in times of crisis.

And most of all,

They knew they must act out of love,

For with true love comes selflessness and self-sacrifice.

And these are the best things to beat your enemies with.

And so,

In the days to come,

Jeremiah sought comfort in the gift he received from the wise one.

Whenever he felt sad or lonely,

He would gaze into the polished reflection of his pocket watch and see the hopsy dancing with his father in the great beyond.

In time,

He would come to understand they were by his side every day.

Every time the leaves danced in the breeze,

Every time the sun caressed his thick brown fur,

And every time his body sighed with the weight of it all,

He had been loved.

And Jeremiah will continue to be loved.

For it is Jeremiah who risks everything,

Time and time again,

To protect the new world and all those who live in it.

The end.