Journey to Sunny Meadows

Sir Zandar had known there where no other options except to give the boy the powerful crystal rod.  He knew that if Nefarious suspected a fake rod the boy would be doomed and that Sunny Meadows would never be the same again.  His choice was clear.

He went to his cupboard that was filled with all sorts of magical things and pulled out a wooden box.  Engraved on the box were words of a strange language, which Jonathan could not understand.

Then the old magician pulled a key out of what seemed to be thin air.  He recited the strange words off the box then turned the key in the lock to open it.  He lifted up the lid and inside was the powerful crystal.

Sir Zandar removed the rod from the box and held it out to the boy.  Then, giving him a final warning, he handed it over.

“You must be cautious boy,” said the magician, “for its powers control all of Sunny Meadows.  Beware that all of the mysteries of good and evil are contained in it,” he added with a most urgent look on his face.

“Bronzlebert,” commanded Sir Zandar.

“Yes, your Ma-Majesty,” replied the clumsy apprentice.

“See to it that the boy returns safely with the rod.”

“I wi-will your exc-excellency,” stuttered Bert.

Doubtfully, Sir Zandar shook his head then sent them on their way.

“If they fail all hope is lost forever,” the old magician said to himself as he hung his head down.

Jonathan, Robin, Rupic, and Mr. Frizzle, along with Bronzlebert, set off to the dark land of Nefarious.  As they approached the riverbank they pondered how they would best make it past Sinora, the evil vine.  Just then the vine began to sing her hypnotic tune from across the river.

“Plug your ears!” yelled Frizzle.

“And don’t look at her,” added Robin.

It was all too much for Rupic.

“I ain’t the brave type boss,” said the rat, “I’ll wait for you here on the safe side of the river.”

“Understandable,” said Frizzle.

“Yeah it’s okay,” added Jonathan, “you don’t have to come if you don’t want to; besides we need someone to be the lookout from this side.”

Rupic suddenly felt like a coward; however, his fear of Nefarious would not allow him to change his mind.

“Yeah somebody has gotta be the lookout,” he said as he tried to convince himself as well.

Rupic watched as the others crossed the river without him.

Sinora’s power seemed to increase the closer they got to her.  Jonathan’s hands began to move away from his ears and his eyes gazed towards the evil vine’s enticement.

“No,” said Robin, “You must cover your ears!”

Frizzle also began to fall under the spell of the sinister vine and Bert had shown signs of hypnotic enchantment long before the other two, and was inching even closer to her now.

As the three walked towards the vine in a zombie like trance, Robin fluttered frantically between them, trying to catch their attention.  All at once, out of nowhere, came a massive deluge that surrounded the friends.  It knocked them off their feet and washed them ashore, bypassing the wicked vine all together.

Robin was astonished; the rush of water seemed to have saved them from Sinora, but how was that possible, she thought.  Just then the bird saw the largest fish with shimmering colors of brilliant orange.  It seemed to wink at her then dipped back into the river.

“Wait,” called Robin, “we must thank you for your help.  Who are you?” she asked.

The fish reappeared.

“I am Umgoppa, the watcher of the waters, and I was sent here by Sir Zandar to help.  I know of the trouble in the la