Episode Thirtyone: Into the Light

Paco threw a potion bottle down on the ground, and a puff of smoke and light came out. "And then," they all heard him shout as he stepped into the garden, "all of you are invited to the Great Race, where one of you will run against me. Winner takes all!" Paco laughed loudly. Blanne grabbed his mother's and father's hand. Together, they caused a storm to start and lightning flashed around them. However, the quick Paco threw down another potion bottle. After the smoke cleared, both him and Lakia were gone.

The worried villagers began to pace back and forth across the center of the garden. Finally, King Ipo and Queen Iso spoke up and assured them that they needed to rest. The Great Race happens the same time every year, which happened to be the next day. They planned it so that everyone that they needed would be there with them. King Ipo turned to Piku.
"Young man, you are the fastest runner I've ever seen. I am putting my trust in you. My kingdom is in your hands. Isola herself will be grateful for your service to her. You were brought here for this moment."
Piku paused a moment and then replied. "I have spent many years trying to slow down. You're Highness, it will be an honor and a pleasure to run in the Great Race, and run my fastest."

A great feast had been prepared. After everyone ate, Dodo found Jem at the edge of the garden where Paco had stood. "Something about Paco is very familiar to me," she told him. "In fact, the king and queen seem familiar too." Dodo was a little puzzled.
"Of course, aren't you a princess also?" he asked her.
"No. I'm not even related to Lakia. I was 4 years old when arrived in a crate and was found by Lakia's parents. She had just been named."
"Well, you have been a great sister. Lakia has never treated you like you were different." Dodo commented.
"Lakia doesn't know." Jem replied.

Then King and Queen gathered everyone together to say good night. The royal attendants showed the ladies and gentlemen where to sleep. If they hadn't been so worn out from their long day, none of them would have slept at all. Blanne couldn't sleep at all, and decided to go for a swim.


As soon as the sun came up, Leia and Weeko were awoken by children standing in the entryway of the cave. Among them was a little boy in golden clothing, who woke up Kali. "I see that you received help." Kali tried to wipe the sleep out of her eyes. "When I found out from my brother Blanne that you were all alone, I quickly opened up the boulder and asked for volunteers. While we were still deciding who to send, Leia and Weeko went into the cave," he continued. "Only, I didn't have a chance to warn them about the water."
"It was my fault they fell!" Shuka cried out! "I was playing in the stream, looking for the pearl, and had splashed the stones." Shuka let out a deep breath as if it had been a heavy weight sitting on her chest.

"Shuka!" cried out the little boy. "I didn't recognize you!"
"Do I know you?" Shuka looked over the golden child's royal clothing and bald little head.
"We used to play tag together when I was little." Everyone around them laughed. This seemed like a funny statement to everyone since he seemed to only be 5 years old for over 40 years. "Shuka, it's me, Moki! The King's son!" Shuka screamed in delight. "Mother finally found me. The pearl had changed me. I promised her that I would stay here and protect her people, the Mountain People. And so I feed them and heal them every day." Shuka was speechless. She simply hugged him really tight, as if he were her own child. "I have one more thing I must do." Then he pulled Kali by the hand and rushed through the village.

As the light of dawn peeked over the mountain, Kali found a man, about her age, harvesting crops. He had dark hair, but a soft sweet smile. "Tofo!" She cried! The man turned around, and as if a dream had ended, he suddenly realized who he was. Flashes of his past came pouring into his memory. Kali spoke to him again, this time a little softer. "Tofo?"
"Kali?" he asked unsure.
"Tofo!! Yes, it's me, Kali!" She hugged him. She was very excited about finding him healthy and strong. They talked as Moki gathered the everyone together near the village center.

"We need the pearl and some branches of the Longevity Plant." Shuka replied when Moki asked why they had come. The five of them told the others about their adventure. In return Moki told the Waterfallers about Queen Iso.
"King Ipo is from Isola, and Queen Iso, is from The Mountain Island. Many years ago, they brought along their firstborn, Keiki, while visiting there. Her daughter became separated from them when the volcano erupted and everyone fled. Keiki ended up here on the southern shore, but was still a child. Queen Iso discovered she was here while looking through the crack in the boulder one day. Back then she didn't have a way to move the boulder since it was so large. She came here often to look through the crack." Moki stopped and pointed at the cave.

"But how did you get here?" Kali asked the golden child.
"One day, I was playing in the stream nearby while she wished on the medallion that someone would take care of her little girl and her people. It took a long time for us to figure it out, that I was lost into the stream. When she used her pearl to find me, it only made me more and more young. When the faith of the Mountain People grew strong, the Guiding Hand chose a mother for me. I was so happy to free from being a spirit in the water, I promised that I would take care of the Mountain People! Now I am a spirit of Peace and Happiness!" He waved his arms in the air and butterflies gathered around him like little sparkles.

"Anyway, Keiki grew up, got married, and Leia is her only daughter." Moki finished.
Leia was quite surprised. "I'm the granddaughter of the Queen?!" she fainted for a moment. Someone brought over a bunch of Longevity Plant leaves, and Leia felt better than ever.

Then Moki went into one of the huts and came out with the pearl. "You are welcome to stay, but if you must leave, you will also be welcomed back." Leia and Weeko decided to stay for awhile. Shuka told Moki about the Great Race, and how she suspects that Paco is up to something. She would take Akio and Kali to the palace and see if the Queen shows up there. There wasn't much time left, since it was a long journey and the Great Race would start before the sun set again.

Just then, there was a splash at the beach. The villagers backed away as a pair of eyes were seen in the waves...

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