by Ellis Byrd
CHAPTER TEN
“Found the last copper coil!”
Cosmo burst out of the bushes near Alphas Hollow, waving the coil over his head. Near the entrance, Graham beamed.
“Excellent, perfect, thank you!” he exclaimed, taking the coil from Cosmo. “I think we managed to salvage all the parts.”
The two Alphas shook paws, then entered the Hollow together.
Inside, the other Alphas chatted animatedly while they worked. Sir Gilbert and Liza were adding notes to each other’s maps, deep in conversation about which areas of Jamaa had been most damaged by the Phantoms. Greely examined the books on the shelf near the fireplace, while Peck packed all the art supplies she could carry, rambling about the millions of new projects she had in mind.
“Oh!” she squeaked, dropping a tube of paint. Greely looked down at his gray fur, now sprayed with specks of yellow. “I’m so sorry!” Peck handed him a towel, her cheeks a deep purple.
Greely sniffed. “It’s nothing,” he murmured, taking the towel. But Peck could have sworn she caught the hint of a smile on his face. Grinning, she went back to bundling her paintbrushes.
Nearly an hour later, the Alphas had finished their packing. Liza tossed a pail of water on the fireplace, putting the flames out with a final hiss. Silence fell as the Alphas gathered around the table.
Sir Gilbert cleared his throat. “The Phantoms may be gone, but there is much cleaning to do to restore Jamaa—and missing Heartstones to find.”
“There will be fences that need mending with each species we bring back,” Liza mused. “I’ll be focusing on helping those animals acclimate to Jamaa, and to one another.”
“So much of the land is still too polluted for habitation,” Peck said. “Many animals will have to leave until it’s clean. When they come to Jamaa Township, I’d like to be there to welcome them and help them settle in until their homes are safe to return to.”
Graham clutched a stack of papers to his chest. “I’ve drawn out designs for my super smog vacuum,” he told the Alphas. “So others can build their own. I’m also working on a gadget that can purify water, something I can bring to Crystal Sands when it’s ready.”
“Speaking of water,” Cosmo said, smiling at his friend, “I’m returning to Kimbara Outback to check on the reservoir and continue my medical work.” He held up a satchel stuffed with herbs and leaves he’d collected from the forest. “Lots of new ingredients to work with!” He turned to Sir Gilbert, who was holding a rolled-up map. “And where will you go?”
“To search for the missing Heartstones,” Sir Gilbert said. “Liza and I have marked the areas where some Heartstones are rumored to be hidden—I’ll start there, and I have a team of tigers and pandas who have offered to join me.” He raised an eyebrow at Greely. “The wolves are welcome to come along as well.”
Greely tilted his head slightly. “I, too, plan on tracking down the Heartstones. But while I appreciate your invitation, I work better alone.”
“As you wish,” Sir Gilbert replied. “Perhaps it would be more effective this way. We’ll cover more ground.”
“Well then.” Liza smiled, though her eyes were shining with tears. “I suppose this is goodbye, for now.”
“We’ll see each other again,” Peck said firmly. “I’m sure of it.”
“Absolutely!” Cosmo agreed, and Graham nodded. After a moment, Greely dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment.
“I suppose that wouldn’t be the worst thing,” he said drily, causing Peck to giggle.
Sir Gilbert’s eyes softened as he looked around the group. “It’s been an honor working with all of you,” he said. “Best of luck on your missions.”
Handshakes and hugs followed, then the Alphas left their Hollow together. The massive trunk trembled slightly, the roots twisting and shifting until the entrance was concealed. And then the magnificent tree was dormant once more, waiting for the day the Alphas would return.
EPILOGUE
MANY YEARS LATER . . .
As the first stars appeared in the vast sky over Appondale, Sir Gilbert rose from his spot beside a crackling campfire. Bidding his cheetah friends good night, he withdrew to the makeshift den he’d arranged. Curling up on a soft mat, Sir Gilbert soon fell fast asleep.
But hours later, the tiger Alpha awoke suddenly. His ears twitched as he slowly sat up, listening intently. He’d heard something, he was sure of it. And then:
“Sir Gilbert?”
The ethereal voice was barely audible, but Sir Gilbert would recognize it anywhere.
“Mira,” he breathed, straining to hear more.
“Sir Gilbert, we need your help . . .”
A light breeze ruffled Sir Gilbert’s fur, and he stood. For years, he’d worked hard to retrieve dozens of missing Heartstones and to restore peace to this land. Now, it seemed, the time had come for his next mission.
He had to find the lost guardian spirits and bring them back to Jamaa.
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