Hunt for Cadima: Part Two

Jiri reached for it, but Koro made a frantic dive for the paper and flew high in the sky so he could read it to himself. He had a hunch that it was about Cadima, and he was right as he read the note. His heart skipped a beat and he almost fell to the ground however when he was done reading.

      It was a ransom note. As Koro read the words sweat dripped from his face.

      I have your precious satiki-isledi. If you want her back, then you must find me before the sacrificial full moon. To have her back, you must bring me the Sacred Tiki Amulet, NOT a normal Tiki Amulet, at least 90,000 NP in pure cash, and your soul.

      If you do not give me all of that by the full moon, then your future tamuru-tiki-isledi (Island Queen) will be the one sacrificed.

* * * * * * *

     "What does it say?" Jiri asked as Koro flew down into the middle of the Tiki Forest. Jiri could tell there was something definitely wrong. Koro's face was very pale, almost deadshot white. He was holding his breath as the note fluttered out of his hands. He quickly stepped on it before Jiri could make a dive for it.

      "What does it say, Koro?" Jiri impatiently snapped. Terakee began to squawk madly as Juk stepped in.

      "What if I told you she's out for lunch?" Koro cracked nervously. Juk sighed and stepped in front of the Island Shoyru, so that both Island Shoyru and Coconut JubJub's eyes met.

      Juk cleared his throat. "Now, Koro, I may not know where the satiki-isledi is, but I know that you know. Now, please, tell us what is wrong, dear skarco of Cadima. You're her apprentice; by circumstances you should know what did happen to her."

      I have to tell the truth, Koro thought grimly. "You know when I said 'Cadima is'?" Koro hastily explained. "Well, let me finish that off when I tell you that CADIMA IS KIDNAPPED!" he finished.

* * * * * * * *

     No one spoke. Everyone stared. Even nearby Catamara listened from the waters with shock in their violet eyes.

      There was deep silence in the Tiki Forest for minutes. Only the bird-like Petpets made small noises, and the Catamaras that jumped in the water. Then Coconut Jubjub Juk broke the silence by asking, "She was kidnapped. Are you sure about this, young Koro?"

      "I chased after her all the way here when she called for help," Koro explained to the baffled, shocked islanders. "Terakee, you know, right?"

      Terakee squawked and hopped on Jiri's shoulder nervously. Jiri glared at the Island Pawkeet. "Why didn't you tell us?" she asked suspiciously, cocking an eyebrow.

      "Because Terakee was afraid, dear Jiri," Juk explained. The wise Coconut Jubjub continued. "If she did tell us, we might have been running around Mystery Island, screaming 'Our Cadima was kidnapped! Everyone panic now!' which would release endless chaos before our beautiful island."

      "Exactly!" Koro cried impatiently. "So now WE have to find HER before SHE gets SACRIFICED!"

      "Why is this such a big, oh, never mind," Jiri retorted as Terakee, Juk and Koro glowered at her.

      "The kidnapper wants the Sacred Tiki Amulet, 90,000 NP and one of our souls," Koro exclaimed, showing them the note.

      The trio carefully read it. "Okay, that's all impossible," Jiri said as she read the note. "He want's the Sacred Tiki Amulet, estimated cost priceless, 90,000 NP and our souls. I don't even have 35k! And I don't wanna give up my healthy young life YET!" she complained as Terakee pecked on a cracker she was holding.

      "But if we get help from some of the villagers," Koro replied, "we could complete that!"

      "Uh, what about everyone breaking into pandemonium and screaming like mad?" Jiri pointed out matter-of-factly. "And you do remember that the Sacred Tiki Amulet is part of our great ancestors, and that it is heavily guarded?"

* * * * * * *

     Several Neopians heard some strange chanting from far away. This chanting was an honorary sacrifice to the great Mumbo-Pango. Placed in a bamboo sacrificial stone was the islander's offering. Above the altar hung the Sacred Tiki Amulet. Just looking at the sacrificial altar made Jiri shudder nervously, thinking about the Island Uni that was in peril.

      "So what is your master plan to get the Sacred Tiki Amulet, Koro?" asked Jiri as she carefully watched the sacrifice through the bushes of the Tiki Forest. Terakee squawked, but Jiri calmed her down. "I mean, we just can't wait until the end of the sacrifice to-"

      "Jiri, I'm sorry," Koro told her suddenly.

      The Island Kacheek cocked her head in confusion. "Why are you sor-" But at that moment the Island Shoyru placed his foot on Jiri, making her screech loud enough to make the native islanders attention turn towards the Tiki Forest.

      Jiri rubbed her foot, finally realizing the plan of the skarco. It took a few minutes for the plan to be clear: Koro stepped on Jiri's foot so she can distract the villagers, grabbing their attention long enough for Koro to snatch the Tiki Amulet. Jiri grabbed Terakee, who squawked loudly and ran into the woods, signaling Koro that it was time for him to go and get the amulet.

      Koro sighed and carefully crept towards the ritual sacrifice, avoiding making any sound as much as possible. He was very cautious about this; he avoided even a rock smaller than a Mootix.

      At long last he finally reached the Sacred Tiki Amulet, which emitted a soft glow. He took a deep breath. This was it, no more funny business.

      With that he reached for the Tiki Amulet, but at that moment did he make a mistake: he stepped on a certain snare. Koro cried in surprise as the snare flew up; he was lucky his foot wasn't with it.

      He held his breath and timidly snatched the Amulet, then turned around and instantly regretted why he squealed. There, almost every local in the whole village of Mystery Island was gathered there, staring at Koro.

      Believe me, their faces showed no sign of happiness whatsoever.

* * * * * * * *

     Cadima groggily opened her eyes. Feeling faint and hungry at the time, she gasped as she saw molten lava everywhere, a whole river flowing where she was currently now. Cadima screamed, but she was so weak instead she choked trying.

      Just then she saw a certain black figure heading for her. The Island Uni Princess panicked and tried to brake free, but it was no use with the heavily secured shackles that were attached on her bronze hooves. However, when Cadima saw who the dark figure was, she was not happy.

      "Cadima!" the figure hissed. Cadima glowered. A Yellow Peophin stood before her, draped in a dark cloak. Her hair was tied in a certain Unitail; her eyes gazing at angry Cadima pleadingly. Unfortunately Melissa was Cadima's sister.

      "Melissa!" Cadima snarled. "It was YOU who kidnapped me and brought me here, you traitor!"

      "No!" Melissa said. "That wasn't me who did that! I swear!"

      "It was you!" Cadima cried, shaking the chains that were attached to her hooves. "How could you? After all the things you did to me, this is the lowest!"

      "I had no choice!" Melissa snapped. "I was sent to do that to you, even as much as I didn't wanna kidnap you-"

      "Oh, NOW you admit that you did!" Cadima harshly replied to her sister. "Why oh why in the name of Lord Darigan did you-"

      But just then Cadima noticed something weird. Her sister's eyes; they seemed to turn blank and hypnotic. Slowly Melissa stood up and turned to the entrance of the cave. What looked like a mere shadow was actually a dark figure with glowing red eyes stared back.

      "Have you brought her back?" the figure asked in the native tongue. Cadima held her breath.

      "She is hear, my Master," Melissa replied in a monotone. Cadima gasped. Melissa was being hypnotized so that it was Melissa who really kidnapped her, but she was under the control of this traitor all the time!

      "Perfect!" the figure replied, then the shifty eyes turned to Cadima. Cadima screamed as the figure walked up to her. As the figure finally stepped out of the shadows, Cadima gasped.

      "The full sacrificial moon is tonight," a Kyrii Shaman told her. "You will be pleased to know that you are in this sacrifice." He laughed. "Long live the satiki-isledi."

      There was nothing she could do; the Yellow Peophin just stared and watched as the shaman advanced on her poor sister.

To be continued...