The Missing Usuki Mystery

     Ruby, a cheerful Red Usul, looked forward to the festival every year. She had a passion for collecting. Her home was on the edge of Neopia Central and was famous throughout the land. Each wall held crafted shelves and displayed the sparkly glass cabinets. Every room contained Usukis from all over Neopia. They consisted of classic Usukis and seasonal Usukis. Some were holiday editions and magical Usukis. She even had mini Usukis and a few that many collectors believed didn’t exist any longer.

     Visitors joked that her house was more of a museum than a home, but Ruby didn’t mind. She loved every single one. Each Usuki reminded her of a memory. One had been her very first purchase after months of saving Neopoints. Another had been found at the Deserted Fairground during a lucky afternoon. One had even been rescued from an attic that was collecting dust during the annual Roo Island flea market. She could tell the story behind every doll.

     Usukicon was exciting this year because Ruby had been invited to display her entire collection during the opening ceremony.

     “It will be the largest Usuki exhibit in Usukicon history,” the organisers announced.

     Ruby could hardly sleep that night. For an entire week, she carefully dusted her displays and polished the cabinets. She arranged each Usuki according to their theme and which rarity they were.

     “Everything is perfect.” Ruby smiled as she was satisfied with her work.

     The next morning, the sunlight beamed through her windows. Ruby hurried to the display room with a cup of borovan in her paw. She noticed that a space on one of her shelves was empty.

     “No!” She shouted as she set down her mug.

     The velvet stand was still there, and the name card remained straight. But the doll itself was gone.

     “The Magical Hair Usuki!” Ruby gasped.

     She searched every cabinet. She lurked every shelf, trying to find the missing Magical Hair Usuki. She checked every drawer and crawled under tables to find it. Her most rare Usuki had simply vanished.

     Ruby sat on the floor and stared at the empty stand.

     “Someone has to help me find it.” She said.

     She went outside carrying a sketch she had drawn of the missing doll. The streets of Neopia Central were already filling with visitors heading toward Usukicon. Her first stop was the Marketplace.

     A Blue Bruce, who was arranging fresh fruit, noticed a worried look on her face.

     “You don’t look ready for a festival.” The Bruce said.

     “My Magical Hair Usuki has randomly disappeared.” Ruby sighed.

     “I haven’t seen one today, but maybe someone at the Toy Shop has. You might want to take a look over there.” The Bruce said.

     Ruby thanked him and headed to the Toy Shop. Inside the Toy Shop, colourful toys lined each wall. She saw a Yellow JubJub stocking plushies.

     “You are missing a Magical Hair Usuki?” The JubJub asked.

     “Yes! Have you seen one?” Ruby asked.

     “I haven’t seen one, but there were several collectors who stopped by this morning asking unusual questions.” The JubJub said.

     “What kind of questions?” Ruby asked.

     “They wanted to know who owned the biggest Usuki collection.” He said.

     “That sounds suspicious.” Ruby said.

     “I thought so too. You should ask around Usukicon.” The JubJub muttered.

     The festival grounds were surrounded by activity. Collectors compared their dolls with each other. Children admired the elaborate displays all around, and artists painted custom Usukis to take home. Ruby showed her drawing to everyone she met.

     A Green Kau approached her.

     “I saw someone carrying a fancy doll toward the Bazaar earlier.” The Kau said.

     “Really?” Ruby said delightfully.

     “I’m not certain it was yours, though.” The Kau said.

     “Well, it gives me a starting point so thank you very much.” Ruby said.

     She travelled through the crowded streets until she reached the Bazaar. A Purple Techo selling antiques adjusted his spectacles.

     “Have you seen anyone with a Magical Hair Usuki?” Ruby asked.

     “I did see someone carrying a Magical Hair Usuki.” The Techo said.

     “Where did they go?” Ruby questioned.

     “I saw them boarding the ferry to Mystery Island.” The Techo said.

     “Mystery Island? Why would they go there?” Ruby asked.

     “I am not sure. That’s all I know.” The Techo said.

     Ruby thanked him and rushed over to the docks. When she arrived, a ferry was preparing to leave. She climbed aboard just before it departed. During the trip, she met a friendly Yellow Kacheek named Sally.

     “You look worried,” Sally said.

     Ruby explained everything to Sally.

     “Then you won’t be searching alone.” Sally said, smiling.

     “You will help me?” Ruby asked.

     “Of course.” Sally said.

     By the time they reached Mystery Island, they had formed a plan. First they searched market stalls. Then they tried the souvenir shops and trading tents, but no Magical Hair Usuki was found. At last, an Island Lutari waved for them to come over.

     “I overheard your conversation, and I saw someone carrying a wrapped package toward the training grounds.” The Island Lutari said.

     Ruby and Sally darted for the training grounds, and when they got there, only a Blue Mynci sat beneath a tree polishing something wrapped in cloth. Ruby’s heart started beating faster as she approached the Mynci.

     “Excuse me. Hello!” Ruby spoke kindly.

     The Mynci looked up at Ruby.

     “Oh! Hello.” The Blue Mynci said.

     “I was wondering…” Ruby stopped when the Mynci started to unwrap the bundle. Inside was a Magical Hair Usuki.

     “My Usuki!” Ruby exclaimed.

     “Your Usuki?” The Mynci asked with confusion.

     “Yes! It is mine.” Ruby muttered.

     “I found it, though!” The Mynci said.

     “Where did you find it?” Ruby asked.

     “This morning near the ferry dock.” The Mynci muttered.

     He pointed to a note that was folded beneath the doll.

     “It was lying on the ground.” The Mynci said.

     Ruby unfolded the note and it read:

      Property of Ruby’s Usukicon Collection. If found, please return.

     Ruby suddenly remembered that she had attached identification cards to every display piece the night before. The string holding the card must have come loose while she transported the collection.

     “I planned to return it at Usukicon after my training session.” The Mynci smiled.

     “I thought someone had stolen it.” Ruby laughed.

     “I suppose adventures begin with misunderstandings.” The Mynci chuckled.

     “I’ve certainly learned that today.” Sally said as she observed the whole thing.

     Ruby thanked the Mynci and exchanged a big hug.

     “You’ve saved my exhibit.” Ruby said proudly.

     “I’m just happy the doll found its way home.” The Mynci said.

     The three returned together aboard the next ferry. News of the missing Usuki had already travelled across Usukicon. When Ruby walked through the entrance carrying the Magical Hair Usuki in her paws, the crowd started clapping.

     “There it is!” A bystander shouted.

     “They found it! What a relief! Another said.

     The organisers placed the doll back into its proper display. Once again, Ruby’s collection was complete. Visitors spent hours admiring every shelf. Neopians pointed at their favourite Usukis. Collectors told their stories about treasured finds.

     The judges awarded Ruby a golden ribbon that sparkled just for creating the festival’s most impressive exhibit. But when Ruby accepted the ribbon, she smiled at Sally and the Blue Mynci standing in the audience.

     “This collection may belong to me, but today’s adventure reminded me that collections aren’t what make Usukicon special. It’s the friends who help us along the way.” Ruby told the crowd.

     After the ceremony, Sally went to chat with Ruby.

     “So, no more missing Usukis?” Sally asked.

     “I have already thought of that.” Ruby grinned.

     The next day she made sure she secured every identification tag with bright red ribbon and placed each doll into a locked display case.

     “No more accidental adventures,” she said. “Well, unless another mystery decides to find me.”

     “In Neopia?” Sally laughed.

     “I suppose that’s always possible.” Ruby chuckled.

     The two friends wandered through the festival together. They were surrounded by music and Neopians laughing together as they admired the Usukis. Everyone was celebrating the wonderful world of Usukis.

     As the sun set below Neopia Central, Ruby looked back at her sparkling display one last time. Her collection was still the largest at Usukicon, but it was no longer the thing she treasured most.

     Somewhere between a missing doll, a ferry ride, and the kindness of complete strangers, she had discovered that the greatest treasures in Neopia could never fit on a shelf. They were the friendships made along the journey, and those memories would remain part of her collection forever.

     The End.