Nebula’s Portal BY
AMELIA ROSSIGNOLI
AMELIA ROSSIGNOLI
PROLOGUE 10 YEARS AGO
Grasshopper stared out the window of his hut. Humans, supposedly angry ones, were swarming the city of Nebula. And there was nothing he could do about it - his wife, Anaconda, was dragging him back.
“We’re griffins, not rats,” he protested. “And I have magic. I can cast one spell and destroy them all.” He shivered. One spell was a gentle way to put it - but he had no idea what would happen. Anaconda stomped on Grasshopper’s talon and he yelped in pain.
“Look, I know you’re tempted. But you absolutely CANNOT use your magic.” Anaconda was right.
“Alright,” he lied. Then he put on a burst of speed, ran outside, and growled, “Enchant this city with a forcefield that will keep all humans out.” The last thing he heard was a yell from Anaconda, as Grasshopper fell through the ground, into another world…
PART 1
The city of Nebula had been at peace for as long as Raveen could remember. Dragon to wolf, the citizens were fed and happy. But there was still one enemy.
The humans.
Raveen had read a book about the incident with their ancestor Grasshopper. Another reason why he was glad he didn't have magic - the books said you could use only three spells and no more, or else… Well, nobody knew. Anyone he asked about magic either immediately changed the subject or walked away. They feared magic, too.
“Finally,” he said loudly, his voice echoing through the mountains.
He had been flying (thank goodness he was a dragon - it would take the cougars a while to get here, hehehe) to some mountains near Nebula. He was fond of exploring the caves. Yesterday he’d seen one with a peculiar glow but had decided he would explore it the next day. And today was the day.
Excitedly, Raveen shoved some vines aside and poked his head inside.
My book is called Bridge of Starlight. It’s a book about a normal girl, Charlie, a bit paranoid, whose whole world is thrown into a frenzy in one afternoon. As if the people she loves being abducted isn’t enough already, she finds herself in a secret magical organization that reveals hidden information to her. And her whole life changes. Just like that. Soon, she finds herself thrown into a conflict that she didn’t know about until that one fateful afternoon. And the question is: Will she succeed alongside her friends? Or will she suffer the consequences? My book is called Bridge of Starlight. It’s a book about a normal girl, Charlie, a bit paranoid, whose whole world is thrown into a frenzy in one afternoon. As if the people she loves being abducted isn’t enough already, she finds herself in a secret magical organization that reveals hidden information to her. And her whole life changes. Just like that. Soon, she finds herself thrown into a conflict that she didn’t know about until that one fateful afternoon. And the question is: Will she succeed alongside her friends? Or will she suffer the consequences?
“Whoa.” I knew it, he thought. Mushrooms, but the glowing type. He had only seen them once or twice, but now he was standing in a cave full of them (plus, they were surprisingly tasty). He plucked a blue one off the ceiling. It gave him a surprisingly tingly sensation.
Have I felt this before…?
Yes! When he was reading an enchanted book, it had the exact feeling. He was positive. He yelped with surprise and tossed the mushroom to the other side of the cave. Was the entire cave enchanted? As he stepped forward, something sank under his claw. As he raised his talons, the thing popped back up. A mushroom, it turned out, was the thing below him. Thank the great mountains it isn't enchan-
A small explosion filled the room with a bright light. Raveen felt himself being pulled toward the light. A purple-and-blue circle, radiating a soft glow to the cave, grew.
“Noo-” he muttered, and the portal sucked him closer and then inside.
PART 2
Raveen had heard the rumors. Why did Grasshopper disappear after only two spells? He must have used an extra, secret spell. Because of his rivalry with humans.
“What an odd griffin…” Raveen said to himself.
Raveen knew he was in the human world because he could hear those loud contraptions — cars. He was close to a town, too. Raveen sat on a rock, suddenly tired. After assessing his surroundings, he launched himself skyward, deeper into the woods. He grabbed a berry bush and laid in the moist dirt.
And then yards away, he saw the tree where he had appeared.
That ought to be worth looking at, he thought. But before he could go there, he heard a faint voice near him somewhere.
“A little help...?” a creature wheezed in... Nebulan! Startled by another Nebulan nearby, he pricked his ears and prowled toward the voice. His nose sensed a familiar scent. The smell that reminded him of home, of Nebula, burnt berries and… feathers?
As he looked in between boulders, he saw what had talked to him.
A griffin!
Raveen pulled him out of the crevice and saw his face for the first time. His face looked aged and weathered - Raveen wondered how long he had been here. He was tall and had small scars on one of his legs. What was he doing here?
“What’s your name?” he blurted.
Slowly, a crack of a smile appeared on the griffin’s face. “Oh, you may have heard of me. I am Grasshopper.”
“WHAT?!” he said shakily, but fierce enough to make Grasshopper stagger back. “But-Iyou…no…”
“Enough,” Grasshopper said. “I’ll explain later. For now, intros.”
Raveen stared at him, awestruck.
A griffin known as dead for 10 years was looking him in the eye. Looking at him expectantly.
“I’m Raveen,” he said slowly. “And can we go home now?”
Grasshopper chuckled. “You don’t even want to see the city?” he said, “Just a short flight from here to the buildings.”
Raveen couldn't squish his urge - the books weren’t enough. “Yes!” he exclaimed, and soon they were trotting down the hill. Midway through the forest, Raveen asked the question that had been on his mind since he met Grasshopper.
“Hey. Do three spells make you come to this dimension?”
Grasshopper looked impressed. “You are a smart dragon. Yes, sadly it does,” he said, as they landed on a cliff, hidden. Raveen then noticed something that made his heart stop.
He did not see a single human.
My book is called Bridge of Starlight. It’s a book about a normal girl, Charlie, a bit paranoid, whose whole world is thrown into a frenzy in one afternoon. As if the people she loves being abducted isn’t enough already, she finds herself in a secret magical organization that reveals hidden information to her. And her whole life changes. Just like that. Soon, she finds herself thrown into a conflict that she didn’t know about until that one fateful afternoon. And the question is: Will she succeed alongside her friends? Or will she suffer the consequences? My book is called Bridge of Starlight. It’s a book about a normal girl, Charlie, a bit paranoid, whose whole world is thrown into a frenzy in one afternoon. As if the people she loves being abducted isn’t enough already, she finds herself in a secret magical organization that reveals hidden information to her. And her whole life changes. Just like that. Soon, she finds herself thrown into a conflict that she didn’t know about until that one fateful afternoon. And the question is: Will she succeed alongside her friends? Or will she suffer the consequences?
PART 3
“How could I be so stupid, going into some random cave. Let’s go to the top of the mountain for a better look.” And after more flying, (“Raveen, this is exhausting.” Compliments of Grasshopper) they looked over Nebula together.
Humans and the animals were in a battle. Grasshopper ROARED and threw himself off the edge to join the battle.
Raveen was on his own again. He went back to the mushroom cave and went to the portal.
Humans were quickly pouring out of it. Raveen ran to a tight tunnel in the side of the cave before any of them could spot him. It hurt his wings to be crouched in that small area, but he soon came to the other side of the tunnel. It was another room in the cave, mushrooms and all. But there was a faint smell of smoke here…and he could hear someone muttering in Nebulan. It was coming from a small ledge that only a horse could fit through. And horses were pretty small, compared to dragons. Raveen held his claws onto the ledge and peeked through.
There was a human with a small fire and a book!
But… how was she speaking Nebulan?
“How are you speaking Nebulan? Who are you? How long have you been here?” he asked fiercely.
The human yelped and looked afraid. She drew out a sword and pointed it at him. “DO NOT EAT ME,” she yelped. The human took a breath, sat down, and drew her legs into her chest.
Like I felt when the humans came. Raveen thought.
“It’s alright,” he said, opening his claws to show he was harmless (though he didn’t like to think of himself as that). “I am Raveen.’’
The human looked surprised. “I am Amber,” she said shakily.
Raveen heard some mutters as the human questioned herself why she wanted to trust him.
“I’ve been here…for a long time,” she said quietly. “I got thrown into Nebula one day, but I don’t know how. l learned the language by listening. Ugh, why am I telling you this?”
“Because…WELL, I don’t know. I think you need to talk. So please, continue.”
Amber went on about her life in Nebula, switching hiding spots every few days, and eating things she could find in the woods.
“Life is…” Amber sighed.
“Lonely,” they said simultaneously.
Raveen grinned, but his smile faded when he remembered what he needed from this human.
“Climb in here,” he said, gesturing to his talons. “I know it’s short notice, but I need your help with something. I opened a portal to the human dimension. Humans got in and started a battle with my people. If you help, I’m sure I can help get you home.”
“Wow, okay, yes,” she said as she climbed on his back. And they soon were flying in the midst of the fight.
PART 4
Amber looked around her at the chaos. Never did she think her fellow humans would do something like this. But I guess hiding alone can change things, she thought sadly. But then she remembered Raveen.
I don’t want to admit it, but he’s my only friend.
“Raveen.”
He cocked his head at her, so she continued. “What’s your plan?”
“The bell tower;” he began. “We need to get everyone’s attention.”
“And then?”
He gave her a nervous chuckle. “I have… no idea. Let’s go.” Raveen slid her onto his back and lifted off. He avoided the battle when he flew in between buildings.
“Wow,” she breathed. The bell tower was a beautiful building, with chiseled designs on the walls and copper lining. “You all built this?”
“Yup,” Raveen said, as they went up the spiral staircase. “I’ve never rang the bell, though.”
Amber climbed off his back when they got to the top of the tower.
She went to the balcony and gestured Raveen over.
She winced as she saw below. This has to stop. “So, we ring the bell?” she asked as she ran her fingers across it.
“We have to.” Raveen clutched the rope.
“Stop. Right. There," said a voice.
Amber whirled around and stared at the griffin in the doorway. “Raveen, do you know who this is?” she asked. Raveen was growling and walking toward him.
“Hello, Grasshopper,” he said, spreading his wings to protect her. I have a bad feeling about this one.
Grasshopper looked betrayed. “I see you have a human. I thought you were smarter, Raveen. Don’t you know that they are the enemy?”
“Well,” Grasshopper started, “We can fix this… misplacement.” Suddenly, Grasshopper lunged forward with his talons pointed at Amber.
Raveen launched himself at Grasshopper and shoved him into a nearby column. “Ring the bell, Amber,” he said quietly. Smoke began rising in between his teeth.
This thing is huge. She thought as she wrapped her arms around the rope. I might not be able to ring it. There has to be another way…
She glanced at Raveen, who was attempting to pin Grasshopper. Amber was frantically looking for something to ring the bell with. Or… someone. Obviously, Raveen was too busy with other things to pull the rope, but she had a plan. But it was risky. She stepped next to Grasshopper and put on a terrified look. When he slashed a claw at her, she backed away near the bell. Now someone just needed to pull the rope.
“I will pull this if you make me,” she snapped, knowing that was not a choice.
“Two steps closer, man…”
Raveen seemed to be catching on. He lunged forward and pulled the rope.
PART 4
Nebula was quiet, listening to the bells.
Amber was surprised that it had worked. Most of the humans looked eager to continue shooting arrows, but the Nebulan creatures were shocked and all staring at Raveen.
“Wow,” he whispered.
“What’s wrong?” Amber asked, putting a hand on his talon.
“A long time ago, Nebula had a one-spell rule. One spell for each animus. One spell created a bell that could be rung by anyone with magic. But no one has had magic since Grasshopper. Sorry, I had forgotten that we couldn’t ring it. Except that I just did!”
Raveen realized he had magic in his talons. A single spell could destroy her kind. But he looked afraid.
So I’m the only one who can help, Amber thought.
Raveen turned to Grasshopper, who was looking slightly envious but still far from him. “Say something.”
“I cannot. Raveen, they know you. Come on.” Raveen didn’t move.
So I guess this is both of our battles Amber thought.
Amber ran to the balcony.
Talking to the humans is worth a try.
In English, she started to tell them the ways of this dimension and getting to her point at how they were alike. Then she told them how they had their own land and more and should go home.
“We need this!” a human yelled.
“No, no you don’t,” Amber snapped. “After my years on earth, and now a few here, I know you both have more than you need. Have peace together.” She had been so focused on convincing them, she hadn’t noticed Raveen on the other side of her perch, roaring to the Nebulan creatures about things similar to what she had been saying.
When they stopped talking for a moment, they heard playful yips coming from the alley near them. It seemed the people in the front of the crowd had heard them too.
Raveen and Amber exchanged glances. Those sounds sounded like they were coming from both of their kind. Amber hopped on his back once more and they flew, with citizens of Nebula and Earth talking behind them.
Why is Grasshopper coming with us? She thought. Maybe to prove them wrong. A smug face on him was easy to picture. Raveen started to dive. He skidded to a stop in front of the group making the noises.
A lion and a human. Just playing a game…This is how life should be. Then another lion and human came up. Amber thought they were most likely the family of the children they carried.
“You are right,” the lion said to them both. She stood next to Raveen. And then so did the human woman. “This is the side I want,” the human said.
Everyone in the crowd muttered together, confused.
“This cannot seriously be happening,” another person in the crowd said.
“I want peace. I’m on their side," said another.
“Hmmm…” said another.
More people now stood together. Humans, tigers, and a Pegasus, just to name a few. Soon everyone was there. Except for one crabby griffin.
“Nebulans, you're betraying your tribe,” said Grasshopper.
“I think,” Raveen started. “That we are pretty much one tribe now…..Enchant Grasshopper to teleport to a dungeon cell,” he said slyly.
“What? No! That’s not fair, I used up my magic…” he stuttered, and then vanished into thin air.
“Don’t worry, everyone, he probably won’t be there forever,” he said, and Amber translated to the humans.
“Well,” she said to Raveen. “I think our work here is done.”
EPILOGUE
Raveen twisted his head to look at Amber. She smiled and pointed down at the plaza, so he dove. Construction crews dotted the landscape with a mix of Nebulans and humans fixing buildings that were destroyed during the fight. The portal where Raveen had gone to the human world was part of the city now. Humans could go in and out freely, and so could everyone else.
Grasshopper was in his cell - “Hopefully reflecting,” Raveen had said skeptically.
Amber had decided to live in Nebula.
“So, this is goodbye,” Raveen had asked.
“Nah, I want to stay,”she answered, and Raveen had probably smiled too hard. So Amber smiled back.
“So….” he said suddenly. “Want to see the caves in the northern mountains? There’s this weird sound coming from them….” And off they flew, into the clouds.
