Inklings Book finalist: Annabelle Lee

Today we are featuring Inklings Book Contest 2017 finalist, Annabelle Lee! Annabelle finished 3rd grade this past school year. The story she submitted is called “The Quest For The Emerald Stone” We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did!
Leave a comment below on what you thought!

 

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THE QUEST FOR THE EMERALD STONE

by Annabelle Lee
 

+++++Hi. My name is Konnobale. They say that Konnobale means “blessed phoenix.” That’s why I usually wear a red shirt with a phoenix on it. My grandma knitted it for me, and it’s pleasantly warm and cozy. We’ll talk more about it later. I slipped into the dark shadows. My floppy brown hair and dark eyes helped me blend in. Today I wore a black T-shirt and pants. I was barefoot, but I didn’t care. I snuck out around the dark, because I worked for Master Nigu, to protect the Emerald Stone. Master Nigu’s great-great-great-great grandfather, Consonio, made it. The stone protects the Emerald Kingdom. Without it, the land would lose its beauty and be dark forever. Larbada was Consonio’s brother, and he was an evil sorcerer. For some reason Larbada tried to steal the Emerald Stone. Consonio’s magic was too powerful, though. Larbada failed to steal the stone and disappeared into the darkness forever. Or so it seemed…

CHAPTER 1

+++++I reached Hidula Street, and prowled around the dark alley. Then Jarco and Jasmine appeared out of nowhere. Jasmine had long black hair and pale skin. She wore a serious expression and had dark brown eyes. Jarco had black hair, hazel eyes, tanned skin, and wore a red stone hanging from a bronze chain. Jasmine wore the same thing, except hers was purple and a silver chain. These stones allowed them to turn into animals.

+++++Jasmine could turn into a black panther while Jarco could transform into a fox. I did not find my stone yet. How I envied them! Just then, Jasmine stopped walking and crouched down low. She was the smartest of our trio, but nobody cared. Suddenly, Jasmine yelled, “TAKE COVER!!!” A gigantic cannonball landed right where Jarco, Jasmine, and I had been standing a few seconds ago. We raced to Emeraldo Palace, where we found Master Nigu.

+++++Master Nigu looked wild, his sleek silver hair astray. His glasses were dangling from his right ear; he was staring into space, his face a ghostly white. I stepped forward. “Master Nigu?” I said. Master Nigu looked at me for a split second and passed out before I could even say “phoenix.” Jasmine said “Master Nigu, DO YOU HEAR ME?!!” Jasmine said “Konnobale, Jarco, stand guard over Master Nigu. I’ll go get the nurse.” Panting, Jasmine transformed into a black panther and slunk away.

+++++I stared up into the sky. Somewhere, in one of those stars, my grandma would be watching. I fixed my stare at the castle. The castle was more beautiful than I remembered. The castle was marble white with golden trims. Sapphires and rubies glinted in the moonlight. Jasmine came back as a human. “Master Nigu will be alright, but I’m not so sure about the world!” We ran. Jasmine led us to a small ballroom. The whole small ballroom was gray. Not much of a sight. “The Emerald Stone!” gasped Jarco. “It’s gone!” I stared. The midnight blue platter was empty and the glass was shattered – Jarco was right. THE STONE WAS GONE.

CHAPTER 2

+++++All at once, Emerald Kingdom turned gray and cold. About 10 million red eyes appeared in the darkness. “Dark hornets.” Jasmine said, who has read EVERY single book in the whooole kingdom. Citizens were screaming, running, and tripping over each other’s feet. “Dark hornets?! Dark hornets – they are Larbada’s army, aren’t they?!” I shouted. “WHAT!” Jarco yelled. “That’s impossible! Larbada hasn’t been in the kingdom for centuries!” “I’m afraid it’s true.” said a voice. And that voice belonged to Master Nigu. “Larbada has surely returned.” And then he turned to me. “Konnobale, take your friends with you and bring back the Emerald Stone.” “Why can’t you come with us, Master Nigu?” I asked. “Because I have to stay behind and protect the kingdom.” Master Nigu said. “Now go, and good luck.” And with that, he turned and walked away.

+++++I watched him until I couldn’t see Master Nigu anymore. I ran. Jarco and Jasmine ran after me. I skidded to a stop in front of my house. The golden straw roof was welcoming. I clambered up the red brick wall and to the roof. The chimney was how I could get inside the house, so my family didn’t need a door. My room is on the roof. My bed is the straw. I lay down and gradually my heart rate went back to normal.

+++++I was scared. I didn’t WANT to go and find the Stone. But I had to, for the sake of the kingdom, the people, and my family. So I snapped my fingers for Plumcake. Plumcake is a kiwi bird, which means he is VERY fat. But his name is Plumcake because he eats plumcake. A LOT. “Okay, Plumcake. Time for adventure!” I exclaimed. “Wait for us!” Jarco yelled. Jasmine clambered aboard, and then Jarco. The Emerald Stone was probably at Larbada’s fortress, which was a long way from here. I sighed, stroking Plumcake’s indigo feathers. It was going to be a loooong journey.

CHAPTER 3

+++++“Snork. AAAAHHH!” I screamed. “A Dark Hornet!!!” The Dark Hornet had only two colors on its body: red eyes, black body. It’s really scary. Jasmine immediately pulled out her stone and started chanting a spell. Jarco started helping her, too. It was all I could do to bury my face into Plumcake’s feathers.
Plumcake squawked and flew across the sky. The Dark Hornet flew over and pointed its stinger toward Plumcake. If Plumcake got stung now, we would all drop 155 feet and surely die. “NO!!!” I shouted. I reached out, trying to swat away the Hornet. As Jarco and Jasmine finished their spells, their stones flashed. BOOOOM!!!!!!!!! The force of their combined spells blasted the Hornet away, and then we were falling.

* * * *

+++++“Uuurgh.” I stretched and wiggled my arms and legs. Good. Nothing broken. “Hungry.” I moaned. Then I saw it. PLUMCAKES! I eagerly grabbed a chunk of cake and stuffed it into my mouth. Mmmm. I grabbed another chunk. Pretty soon, the cake was gone. “Ahhhh.” I suddenly heard a soft rumble. The sound was coming from my head. “Buzzz.” My head pushed away all my thoughts, bright circles appeared in front of my eyes, and I… passed out.

CHAPTER 4

+++++Plumcake woke me up by pecking on me on the face. I tried to yell “PLUMCAKE! STOP IT!” But when I opened my mouth, only a “Squeak!” came out. Then I realized it. I WAS A MOUSE!!! So were Jarco and Jasmine. Panic was rising inside me, and fast. If Jarco, Jasmine, and I were mice, of course we couldn’t search for the Emerald Stone! And… dawning terror bubbled furiously inside me. Why? Because other than plum cakes, Plumcake also likes mice. I tried to run away, but I was stuck in mud.
+++++I shivered as Plumcake opened his sharp beak… “SQUAWK!” Plumcake started snapping at something else I could not see. Then I realized it was Jarco! Plumcake now had Jarco dangling in the air by his tail. Jasmine tried to get out of the mud but couldn’t. The only reason Jarco has escaped the mud was because he was stronger than the rest of us. Plumcake’s feet came closer to me… close enough for me to bite! Desperate to save Jarco, I bit Plumcake’s hard leg… and chewed. The taste was more horrible than a burnt hot dog my dad had once made. “Plah!” I squeaked and choked out a piece of Plumcake’s leg.

+++++Plumcake dropped Jarco, and he lay facedown onto the mud for a moment, and then changed back into a human! “Eat mud!” Jarco bellowed. Apparently he thought Jasmine and I couldn’t understand him, because Jarco looked a little uncertain. Then *POP* – Jasmine was a human. I gulped down some mud. “Ewwwwwwwww!!!” The mud was warm, icky, and bounced around my stomach. Poof. I was a human again! Plumcake looked very surprised.

+++++“Oi, Jarco! Thanks for NOT saving my life.” Jasmine grumbled, not able to keep out the note of sarcasm in her words. “You didn’t NEED saving! Besides, you’re the smartest! You could have told us not to eat the cakes!” Jarco said, his voice level growing louder. “Oh yeah? It’s not my fault you didn’t read the book I gave you that was about dangerous places! I was too hungry to realize that! Jarco, quit acting like a 2 year-old and stop hurling all the books I gave you into the fireplace!” Jasmine screamed, her voice growing dangerously higher and shriller with every word she spoke. “Jasmine, don’t -” I started. Too late. The next thing I knew, a fox and a black panther went tumbling down a slope, claws scratching at each other’s shoulders as they went. “Wait up!” I hollered, and ran after the pair.

CHAPTER 5

+++++Plumcake found me. He picked me up, threw me onto his back, and we went after Jarco and Jasmine. Just then, I felt two stones fly into my hand. Plumcake slowed down and landed. Still holding Jasmine and Jarco’s stones, I slipped off Plumcake’s back and found Jarco in a stream, washing off blood.

+++++“Hey, Konnobale. Mind getting some berries?” he said. “I’m starving.” Jasmine came over with about 47 berries. “Jarco, I’m sorry, but please don’t burn the books.” “OK.” Jarco said. I grabbed some berries and ate them. I sighed happily.

+++++The berries popped and exploded inside my mouth, leaving a sticky mess of juice the taste of sweet tarts. “These berries are SO good!” I declared, stuffing a fistful of berries into my face. The berries looked like blackberries, except they were colored violet with a tinge of pink. Indigo juice dripped off my chin and onto my shirt. “Maybe when us three grow up, we can move here and feast on berries. After all, the grass is very soft and green, and the sky is bright blue. It’s beautiful here!” I exclaimed. Jasmine nodded, and pointed out that maybe I should change my clothes. So I shrugged off my black T-shirt and shorts, and put on the shirt my grandmother’s very own hands had knitted. After tugging on brown pants and slipping on leather shoes, Jarco said, “Come on! It’s time to move on.”

* * * *

+++++“Konnobale, are you sure the stone is at Larbada’s fortress?” Jasmine inquired. I nodded. For some reason, I felt a kind of feeling, like even if the stone wasn’t at the fortress, I felt like I HAD to go there. It was like there was an invisible magnet between me and the fortress, and the magnet was pulling me closer… I hastily told Jasmine how I felt. “You see, I feel like I HAVE to go there… See what I mean?” Jasmine nodded. Then Jarco said, “Relax, Konnobale. I had the same feeling when I was finding my stone. Who knows? Maybe your stone is at Larbada’s fortress.” I smiled, hoping this was true.

CHAPTER 6

+++++“Squawk!” Plumcake chirped, pecking at my head. “I know, Plumcake. Aren’t you thirsty?” I cooed, stroking Plumcake’s soft, indigo feathers. Jarco tapped his stone two times, and a shimmering map appeared on his stone. He studied it for a moment. After what seemed like over two-thousand-billion-jillion-trillion-fifty-six-hundred years later, Jarco looked up, the map faded away, and said, “Guess what, Konnobale? The nearest lake is only 5 mi-” He never got to finish his sentence, because Plumcake and I were already racing toward water.

* * * *

+++++“We’re here!” I panted. We had finally reached water. “Whoa.” I exclaimed. The lake had crystal clear blue water, with willow trees surrounding the banks, and little plants circled each base of the trees. “WOW.” Jarco said. I hitched up my pants and waded into the water. “Ahhh.” I said. I ate a few berries that Jasmine had packed, and then washed them down with the cool, refreshing water. “I am sooo thirsty.” Jarco mumbled.

+++++Jasmine called, “Jarco! Konnobale!” I turned toward her. She was as white as chalk, and she was backing away from the lake. “Get out of there. NOW.” Jasmine said. “Why?” Jarco and I chorused. “Because that’s Deadly Squid – AHHHHH!!!” Jasmine screamed, as a long tentacle, long and slimy, wrapped around her waist… and she was dragged under the water.

+++++“NO!!!!!” Jarco and I yelled, our voices echoing. Plumcake, who had been eating some plants, let out a fearful squawk before he too, was dragged under the water. Before I knew it, 2 tentacles, cold at touch, wrapped itself around our legs, and then, Jarco and I were dragged down into the cold water.

CHAPTER 7

+++++The underwater was full of black, jagged rocks, and the squid had tied its tentacles around our arms, so Jarco and Jasmine couldn’t activate their stones. A tentacle was wrapped around Plumcake’s dagger like beak, in other words, my friends and I were ABOUT TO DIE.

+++++Luckily, Jarco has done a breathing spell on all of us before we went under water, but the spell was wearing off quickly.
I thrashed about, trying to free my arms. “HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Jarco, Jasmine, and I all shrieked, or at least we tried too. Because we were underwater, the result was swallowing a gallon of water, which, very suddenly did not taste so fresh anymore.

+++++The squid’s pink skin looked bright against the black rocks. Just then “*POP!*” the breathing spells wore off. I looked around desperately. Jasmine needed air, Jarco was thrashing like a drowning human, which actually was pretty close to what was happening right now, and Plumcake was trying to fly away. The squid started speaking. “YOU HAVE TRESPASSED ON MY HOME!” it boomed. “BECAUSE OF THAT,” it continued. “YOU WILL BE EATEN ALIVE!!!” I didn’t pay attention. I just concentrated on… air. Oh. My. GOD! I NEEDED AIR! Just as my vision started turning white with blood like red circles, I heard somebody splashing toward us. “Oh please, please, please come toward me!” I thought. The last thing I heard was a triumphant cry and a screech of agony before my vision went blank.

CHAPTER 8

+++++“Is Plumcake OK? What about Jasmine and Konnobale?” a voice said. “Konnobale is coming round,” said another voice. “Jasmine just might be a little worse off because she was dragged under the water first.” “Look! I think I saw Konnobale’s eyelids flicker!” said voice 1. I groggily shook my head and opened my eyes. Jarco’s face was inches from my face and so was… Master Nigu? “MASTER NIGU!!!” I shouted. “Calm down, Konnobale. My great great great great grandfather, Consonio, is also here. And yes, he has lived for an extraordinary limit of time.” Master Nigu said, chuckling.

+++++That’s when Consonio appeared. His face was as crinkly as some crumpled up paper, and his hair was pure white. What was really cool about Consonio’s hair was that it was as long as his own body. He wore velvety indigo robes that sparkled like the night sky, and a pair of glasses finished Consonio’s outfit. “Hello, sir. Thank you for saving my life… “ I said. Consonio smiled and said, “No worries, boy -” “My name is Konnobale.” I said. Consonio declared, “Yes, indeed. Saving you was nothing, boy.” I rolled my eyes. I stood up and observed that my friends and I were all in a small clearing of bushes. “How is Jasmine?” I asked. “I’m FINE,” Jasmine said, tweaking my nose. “Youch!” I said. Consonio said, “Let’s get going! My powers tell me that the Emerald Stone is at Larbada’s fortress.” I smiled and said, “C’mon! This adventure is getting exciting!”

CHAPTER 9

+++++I was… in a little clearing, identical to the clearing Jasmine, Jarco, Plumcake, and I had been resting in. There was a sudden rippling noise in the air. “Who’s there?” I called. “Tis I,” said a voice. “Grandmother!” I yelled. “Yes, it’s me,” she said wearily. “As a spirit.”

+++++Grandma wore a pea green sweater with a white shirt. A blue skirt swished about her ankles. But Grandma was kinda hazy, almost see-through. Creepy. “I have a message.” she said. “You are destined to fight Larbada, and once you get to Larbada’s fortress, you shall find your st-” Grandma suddenly flickered and disappeared. I pondered about what Grandma just said. “You are destined to fight Larbada, and once you get to Larbada’s fortress, you shall find your st-” I thought. I was pretty sure that the rest of the “st-” word would spell out “stone!”

+++++Excited, I quickly started to walk out of the clearing… “Wake up! KONNOBALE!!!” Somebody hollered. “What!” I scrambled to my feet and launched off whatever I was standing on – RRRIP. “OMG!!!” Jasmine screamed. “What in the name of Consonio’s Underpants are you doing?!” I froze in mid-jump. “What does it LOOK like I’m doing?” I sarcastically replied. And then I fell.

+++++“Ahhh!” I yelled. I screamed and thrashed like a dying lizard, until I realized that I was lying on a soft surface. I was on Plumcake. *”Siiiigh,”* My shoulders slumped. “Hey dude!” Jarco sang. “Your underpants look kinda weird! Better buy new ones!” “Whaddaya mean?” I inquired. “Your pants ripped, boy.” Consonio exclaimed. “Your pants were tangled up in my staff.” My face burned. “Uh, anyone got some pants?”

CHAPTER 10

+++++“And your Grandma said you are destined to defeat Larbada?” Jasmine said. “Yeah.” I said. I had been telling my traveling companions about my dream. “What if you were just dreaming, boy?” Consonio asked. “STOP CALLING ME BOY!!!” I yelled. Consonio sat down and looked at me for a moment. Then he said, “Why are you staring at me like that-” I crossed my fingers, hoping that he wouldn’t say… “-boy.” Consonio declared. I slapped my forehead. “Never mind.” I said. “Be quiet.” Jarco snapped. “Be thankful that Konnobale’s grandmother didn’t tell this in a weird riddle.” “Larbada’s fortress right ahead!” Master Nigu noted. “Come ON.” Jasmine said. “We will reach the fortress faster in animal form.” “Good thinking, my lady.” Consonio said approvingly. He grabbed his stone. The sandy colored stone glinted in the sunlight, and brown stripes streaked across it. In a flash, Consonio was a huge, gigantic bear. Master Nigu was a heron, holding his white stone in his beak. Jasmine was already racing toward the fortress, her four paws churning on the ground. Jarco dashed after her, his red fox tail waving in the air. Plumcake soared into the sky, with me riding on his back. I hopped off Plumcake’s back as he landed and entered the cold, dark, and spooky castle. “Larbada. Come out and fight!” I roared, then grimaced. Larbada stepped out of a doorway and glared at me. His black hair matched his cold gray eyes and hawk-like nose. Larbada smiled, swished his black robes, and said, “Who wants to go first?” There was a long silence. Then – “I do.” I quietly replied. “No! You don’t even have a stone!” Jarco said. He and Jasmine turned back into humans. “I’ll go then, instead of the boy.” Consonio exclaimed. He stepped forward. He and Larbada started firing spells at each other. Master Nigu joined in. Suddenly there was a loud BOOM and Master Nigu was on the floor. I didn’t even have to look. I knew he was dead. Jasmine gasped, her eyes watering and then screamed, “STINKING FILTHY CREATURE!” She held her stone high and started chanting mysterious words. Jarco helped her. Tears rushed to my eyes. I needed to find the Emerald Stone and fast! It would make Consonio stronger. I followed some guards talking about the Emerald Stone. I slowly crept up behind them. They pushed open a huge door. I punched both of them in the head, ran inside the room, and grabbed the Emerald Stone. The glittering green stone grew warm in my hand. My stone was the Emerald Stone! I ran back to my friends, yelling. And then I wasn’t running anymore. I was GLIDING. I was a phoenix! I raised my stone and squawked “Squaaaaa!” I sang. My friends all raised our stones and yelled, “BEGONE!” There was a blinding ray of light and Larbada disappeared. There was a stunned silence. Then Jarco cried, “AAAHH!!!” Larbada was back.

CHAPTER 11

+++++Larbada smiled cruelly at us. “Yes, me.” he said softly. “The real me.” Larbada snapped his fingers and 20 guards rushed into the room. The guards grabbed everyone’s arms except mine. “Hey!” I snapped. Actually, I said squaa because I was still a phoenix. Larbada said, “The others will not matter. We can just kill them and get it over with. You, however, are the master of the Emerald Stone. You are the one that I seek.” I stiffened as I watched my friends struggle. I turned back into a human and said, “Well, what are you going to do?” Larbada smiled. “The Emerald Stone will give me power beyond the universe. Give me that stone you’re holding and I’ll spare your friends. Refuse, and they will die a painful death. Well?” he stretched out his hand. I could tell he was lying, though. “No.” I said. Larbada’s face twisted into an awful scowl. “Do you want me to kill you like I killed your grandma?” he asked. My throat tightened. Larbada killed Grandma. Hatred boiled in my stomach. “Of course not.” I whispered. Then I attacked. Larbada turned into a horrible bat/snake. The snake had bat wings and bat fangs. I turned into a phoenix.

+++++Larbada’s black, glittering stone shot rays at mine. I barely had time to protect myself. I didn’t know any spells, but I had heard Jasmine or Jarco mutter spells before. Just then, I noticed the guards drawing out swords. “No you don’t!” I cried. I blasted all the guards out of the way. “Larbada.” I said. “I’m not going to fight anymore.” I didn’t want to become a murderer like Larbada. “Why are you like this?” I said. Larbada paused. “I was like you once.” he said. “I was happy to become an Emerald Kingdom citizen. Until I noticed that my brother was always better at combat than me. I trained hard day and night, wishing to become as strong as my brother so one day we could fight side by side. One day, Emerald Kingdom was fighting against the Dark Enemy. Consonio was picked for the strongest team. I showed off my talent and skills, hoping I could fight with my brother. But Consonio grew even stronger than me and blasted me into the sky. I was very embarrassed. I started hating my brother for what he did. He never even apologized.” Larbada clenched his fists. “I trained away from my brother and became the man I am now. I tried to steal the stone for revenge. I failed.” Larbada stopped talking. I felt sorry for him. “Come join us.” I said. Consonio stirred. Then he said, “I’m sorry brother. I was very proud when I was young.” Larbada’s bottom lip trembled. Then he started to cry.

CHAPTER 12

+++++“Larbada, everyone loved you when you were young. Come join us. Please. Everyone’s sorry. I’m sorry. You’ll be loved again.” I said. I held my stone out and gently pushed it against Larbada’s chest. He smiled, looking peaceful. “Yes. I’ll come.” Larbada said. Then he said, “I’m sorry, and I love you all too.” The guards released my friends. And we all hugged.

EPILOGUE

+++++I rested my body on Master Nigu’s grave. Grinning, I looked at Jarco and Jasmine. Consonio and Larbada were practicing magic. My mom and dad were STILL praising me. Plumcake nuzzled the side of my face. I looked up into the sky and watched the sun slowly sink into the ocean. I smiled, knowing that life would be peaceful now. Emerald Kingdom was safe once more.

The End.