The Six Gems of the Rainbow

In a distant galaxy, much like our own. Then again on second thought much more peculiar than ours. The majestic Great Sir Rom, an enormous asteroid shaped object, floats through the vastness of space. There are many mysteries to Great Sir Rom. Some of these would be: Where did it come from? Where is it floating too? There are many theories out there that try to answer these and many more questions that may come up. Unfortunately there is not enough time in the day to go into any of them.

Now we come to the magical land of Sac Ul. It is full of witches, wizards, giants, dragons, goblins, and many other interesting...and weird creatures and beings. Things are known to change there, also. If there's something there one day, it could easily be gone or different in a day, week, or month. So, if there were something to be learned from this, it would be never to take anything in Sac Ul seriously or for granted, because it is one weird and wacky world. When you read or hear anything about Sac Ul, remember to keep and open an imaginative mind.

Let us begin . . .

It was the beginning of another "normal" Sac Ul day. The morning rays lit the dorm room of the young, pretty, and aspiring witch, Silia Burswax. Silia has blue-silver hair, and green eyes. She belongs to the witchery school called The House Association of Gaudy Sorceresses (otherwise known as HAGS). This is her second year attending HAGS. When she was young, Silia always watched her grandma as she performed spells and brewed up potions. Now Silia is trying to follow her grandmother in the ways of witchery.

Today is an important day at HAGS for Silia. She will get her assignment from HAGS to earn her first wart.

Now you're probably thinking, "What woman in her right mind would want to get warts on her face?" In HAGS and many other witch schools, warts are much like rankings in the army. The more numerous and more ugly the warts, the more respect you'll get. This information doesn't apply to all witches, though. There are many witches out there who worry about hygiene and appearance.

DONG! DONG! "Blasted morning bell," groaned Silia as she opened her droopy eyes. DONG! DONG! "Shut up, you stupid bell, and let me sleep! . . . Wait a minute. Today is my first warts assignment!" Silia rolled out of bed and gathered herself as quickly as possible.

After some last minute primping, Silia was running down the corridors. In front of the head witch's office, she stopped, took a deep breath, and opened the door. She stepped into the office. The walls were covered with antique paintings of great witches from the past. There were also many old rickety shelves that contained books and magical trinkets, and there was a golden cauldron sitting in the middle of the room. In the back of the room was a huge window and a desk. Sitting at the desk was the head witch, Granny Turtletoe. Granny was one of the highest regarded witches on Sac Ul. She is also quite a sight to look at. One of her eyes is light blue while the other is violet. She has warts that'd make you hurl at the sight of them. She's also a well-built woman for being in her mid-fifties. You can't really tell her age, though, because I'm sure teaching has taken a few years off her life.

"Come on in, dearie. Don't be shy," cackled Granny. Silia slowly stepped towards Granny's desk. "Now, dearie you do know why you’re here?"

"Yes, Ma'am. It's my warts assignment." politely answered Silia. "I also want to assure you that nothing will go wrong like last time, Ma'am."

"I sure hope so. Seeing as how you blew up our bubbling brews classroom with your last assignment, the school council and I have decided to give you an "out-in-the-world" assignment this time. This is mainly due to the fact that we believed it to be safer for our sake, and HAGS doesn't have enough rooms to spare to go around blowing any of them up."

"Umm, Ma'am, if my test doesn't require knowledge, then what exactly is it?"

"Dearie, this will be a more practical way to show what you've learned. As far as the actual task goes, we have decided for you to find and bring back the mystical stone of the Six Gems of the Rainbow. It's a single stone that contains sapphire, ruby, emerald, amethyst, amber, and diamond. Now, Silia, are there any questions?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Are the whereabouts of this stone known? Is there anything special about the stone?"

"No. The actual location of the stone is not known, even though many people have their theories. Who knows? One of them might actually know something. It is said that the stone possesses some sort of magical power, and that the six stones should not be separated in any way. That means be extra careful with it! So, if there isn't anything else, you'd better gather your things and head off."

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm on my way." Silia headed back to her room. She opened a chest and pulled out a maroon purse. This purse was made by and given to her from her grandmother. Now, this purse is the size of any other purse, but the thing that makes it special is that it's magical. The weirdest thing, though, is that it seems that the purse has a mind of its own, and it also has eight legs! This purse is more faithful than any dog and would follow you off of the edge of the world. "Come on now pursey-wursey." She said. "Hmm, I wonder if my good friend Alan would know anything about the whereabouts of the stone, or has maybe heard of it?" She thought. So off they headed to Alan's Place.

Alan's Place is the most popular bar in all of Sac Ul, but, then again, it’s the only one. It didn't take them to long to arrive there. By outward appearance, you'd think that the bar is probably a nice place, but boy, would you be wrong! Alan's Place is full of the most ruthless, drunken, cutthroat adventurers around. Silia and the purse walked in and headed for the bar. Silia had made her way past a table of pirates when she heard, "Arrgh, me thinks dat there be gold in dat there purse. Arrgh, c'mere you blasted thing, so's I can take me a peek."

Silia turned to face the pirate and said, "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave that purse alone, because if you don't, you'll be sorry."

"Yer just a stupid woman." The purse opened and bared teeth towards the pirate. "Ahaha, that’s a nice trick there." The pirate reached for the purse and…GULP! The purse had swallowed the pirate whole!

"Serves you right, you stupid galoot." Silia walked over and took a seat next to one of the local drunks at the bar. Tending to the bar as usual was Alan. "Hey, Alan! How are things going?"

"Hey, Silia! Oh, as good as can be seeing as how I deal with drunks all day," said Alan. "So what brings you here today?"

"Well, Alan, I'm looking for the Six Gems of the Rainbow stone, and I was wondering if you've ever heard anything about it," said Silia.

Alan gave Silia a smile and said, "Of course I've heard of it. When you see as many adventurers as I do, you hear just as many stories. I've heard of the stone as being located…"

"Just *hic at *hic theee end of the *hic rainbow," interrupted the drunk beside Silia. "It's the bloomin *hic leprechauns that have it *hic. Look at me, *hic I'm a little leprechaun *hic." With a dazed look in his eyes, he dropped his beer and passed out.

"Stupid drunk," sighed Silia. "So, as you were saying Alan?"

"Oh, yeah, well, I heard that it's protected by a ten story-high, fire-breathing dragon," said Alan.

"Do you know where this dragon is located?" asked Silia.

Alan answered, "Oh, I heard that it's about a quarter mile down Haunted Hallows Road, and then there is a hill to the right. At the top of the hill is a cave, and it's in that cave that they say you can find the dragon."

"Well, Haunted Hallows isn't that far from here, so I think that I'll go and check it out. Thanks for the tip Alan! I'll see you later! Bye!"

"No problem! Anything I can do to help. Well I hope it goes well. Later Silia."

With the purse following at Silia's heels, she headed for Haunted Hallows. She was walking along, thinking about the cave and dragon, when her stomach growled. "Hmm maybe I ought to eat something?" She thought. She sat on a rock and started rummaging through the purse. "Let me see. I know there's food in here somewhere. Mirror, nope that’s not it. Anti-Anti-Wrinkle cream, toad liver, hmm, what's this? Oh, it's my Potion Brewing For Boneheads book! Too bad I didn't have it for my first wart assignment. Hey there's my broomstick. Yay! I finally found it!" Out she pulled a small wicker basket full of apples. She grabbed an apple and sat the basket behind the rock.

After taking a big bite, she started to talk to the purse. "Hmm, I won'er if wha' Al'wan to'wed me, GULP, was true. In a way I hope he's wrong. I don't want to take a gem from a ten-story high dragon!"

She was just about to take another bite, when there was a rustling noise behind her. She quickly jumped up and spun around. At her heels the purse was once again baring its teeth. All she could see was a little white fur peeking over the rock. Crunch, crunch! "Hey! That bugger's eating one of my apples!!!" She thought. Crunch, crunch! "Get away from my apples! If you don't drop them now, I'll turn you into a toad!"

From behind the rock appeared a small, furry, white creature called a Koogle. Koogles are very mysterious creatures. The only things that people know about them are that they are cute, very ornery, inquisitive, and mischievous.

"Moogy sorry. Please don't hurt Moogy. Moogy was only hungry." Moogy said, while groveling at Silia's feet.

"Oh, get on up, Moogy. Maybe you could help me," said Silia.

"Oh, yes, Master! Moogy do anything to help kind Master."

"Hey, I'm not your master, and my name is Silia. I was thinking that you might know where a cave is around here?"

"Oh, yes, Master. Moogy thinks he might know where one is. Just follow Moogy!"

Moogy started guiding Silia and the purse down a small path. Silia filled Moogy in on her assignment, and the reason for going to the cave. They didn't go very far before Moogy noticed the purse and how peculiar it was. This got his curiosity going, and he started examining the purse.

"Hmm, Moogy like to see magical goodies from the magical bag," said Moogy.

"Messing with it might not be a good idea," stated Silia.

"Oh, Moogy sees more apples! Umm, Moogy's still hungry, so Moogy gonna grab one."

"Umm, don't do …"

The purse bared its white teeth. Moogy without using his better judgment decided to try and get an apple anyways.

"YOOWWW! It bit my fingers! Mmm, it hurts! It hurts!"

"See I told you to let it be. Now how about you finish showing me where the cave is."

"Yes, Master. It's only about 20 yards up ahead." Said Moogy while sucking on his fingers.

It wasn't to long before they finally arrived at the cave. It was a nice sized cave but nothing fancy or different compared to other caves. There, sat the dragon. It's scales were a dark, blood red, it had bright, emerald eyes, sharp teeth and …

"Its only about a foot long!" Said Silia with bewilderment.

"Hahaha!" laughed Moogy as he walked up to the dragon. "Is this your oh so big and vicious monster? PUUPTT!" he said sticking his tongue out at the dragon. Just then a flaming sphere shot from the dragon towards Moogy. "YOWW!! OW OW! Moogy's tush is on fire! OH, OW, HOT!" Screamed Moogy.

"Here Moogy, let me help. I'll put your tush out with a water spell. H-2-ONIO!" Just then clouds covered the darkening sky. Lightning flashed and thunder roared. "Umm, That’s not right. I got a bad feeling about this."

It was as though the clouds parted and let a waterfall through, for a torrential downpour started. Silia, the purse, and Moogy made a run for the shelter of the cave. That was, until fire started streaming out of it.

“Ahh! Run away! Run away!” Shouted Moogy as he scampered in the opposite direction. Silia and the purse quickly followed suit.

Having been defeated by her task, Silia hung down her head and treaded on through the rain, with the purse and Moogy following close behind. All she could think about was how much of a failure she was, and what was going to happen when she returned back to HAGS.

They had been walking for about ten minutes, when the rain stopped and the sun shone. About fifteen feet in front of her appeared a rainbow. At the base of it was a black pot, and a leprechaun carrying a sack. It was quite obvious that he was a leprechaun because of his stature and his green clothing.

"Hmm," Silia thought. “Something about this just strikes me odd.”

The leprechaun caught sight of Silia. From the looks of his face you could tell he was thinking of something.

“Hey there missy,” spoke the leprechaun. ”How would you like to help someone in need? I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Really? What is it you need help with? And just what might I get if I would help?” asked Silia.

“I need help burying my pot of gold. If you were to help me, I’d give you whatever is in my sack.”

“Sure why not? I don’t have anything better to do. Let me get something first.” Silia began to rummage through the purse until she found some shovels. She passed the leprechaun and Moogy one, and they all began to dig.

Together it took them about ten minutes to bury the pot of gold completely. Silia grabbed the shovels and put them back in the purse. The leprechaun threw Silia the sack and said, "Here you go, little missy. Now I have enough time to go home and tend to my potato patch." Having said that he disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

"Hmm, I wonder what's in the sack?" asked Silia as she was opening it. "Well by the blowhole of the Great Sir Rom himself!" She exclaimed with excitement.

"What is it Master?" asked Moogy with great curiosity. "Moogy wants to see! Moogy wants to see!"

"I-It's the S-Six G-G-Gems of the R-Rain-B-Bow," stammered Silia in amazement.

"Moogy wants to see the purty stone. Let Moogy see."

"Yay! Now I can get my first wart! Hehehehe!" giddily said Silia, ignoring Moogy completely. "I got to get back to HAGS right away!" Off went Silia in a mad dash. She was in such a hurry that she didn't even notice the trouble the purse was having keeping up, or Moogy practically begging to see the stone.

Z Z Z

Once she returned to HAGS, the purse was still trailing behind and Moogy was with it still whining about seeing the stone. Silia headed straight for Granny's office. She rushed in and went straight up to the desk.

"Ma'am! I did it! I found it! I can't believe in Alan's, there was a stupid drunk. And like I can't believe the drunken idiot was right! Blah blah blah." Said the overly excited Silia.

"Settle down Silia! I can't understand a single word of your gibberish." Said Granny.

"Sorry Ma'am," said Silia taking a deep breath. "I found the Six Gems of the Rainbow!"

"Well let's see it child."

Silia pulled out the sack. Just as she pulled the stone out, the door flung open and in came the purse and Moogy. Moogy caught sight of the stone, and his eyes lit up with curiosity. Moogy jumped up and grabbed the stone from Silia quicker than you could say 'Great Sir Rom'.

"What in the bloody heck is this all about? Silia control the furry little devil."

"Oooo, Moogy like purty stone. Nice and shiny, Moogy like bright colors." Said Moogy.

"No, Moogy! Give that back." Pleaded Silia.

Silia tried to grab the stone back from Moogy. This got the chaos started. Silia and Granny were desperately trying to get the stone back. Moogy, however, was jumping and bouncing off things like a madman. The racket could be heard down the corridors of Silia and Granny yelling at Moogy to give the stone back, not to mention Moogy going on about how purty the stone is. They had finally cornered Moogy on top of one of the old bookshelves.

"Moogy will you please give back the stone?" Politely asked Silia.

"Nope, nope, Moogy not give up purty stone. Moogy not let go even if you pull out Moogy's hairs." Said Moogy clutching the stone to his chest

"That can be arranged." Said Silia as she started to climb up the bookshelf. She must have not been thinking, because the bookshelf was really creaking. She kept on climbing up it, even though it can barely even support the books on them.

"All right I got you now you little fur ball." Said Silia as she reached for Moogy. CRACK! The bookshelf gave way and everything started to fall. In all of the excitement Moogy threw up the stone before toppling to the ground. Silia and Granny were underneath a huge pile of books. They watched with dread as the stone sparkled as it spun around in the air falling to its doom. CRACK! The stone broke into many shards, after hitting the hard floor.

"All bloody heck." Granny moaned with dread.

"Oh it can't be that bad. I mean what bad thing could possibly happ …" Trailed off Silia as the room began to shake. SPLAT! The pieces of the stone exploded sending many colors of paint flying over everything. The whole room looked as though a preschooler decided that he was going to paint his room how he wanted to.

"SILIA!!!!" Granny screamed about to explode.

"Does this mean I didn't earn my first wart?" Asked Silia, even though the answer was quite obvious.

"OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T EARN IT! AND LOOK AT THE MESS YOU'VE MADE OF MY OFFICE!"

"Umm, well, I thought it needed a touch up anyways."

"GRRR! GET OUT OF HERE NOW. AND TAKE YOUR LITTLE FURBALL WITH YOU!"

Silia hurried up and ran out of there as fast as she could. She was content with getting out of Granny's office with her head still attached to her shoulders. Now it is going to be tough for her to follow in her grandmother's footsteps. This is largely due to the fact that she probably won't get another warts assignment in five years. But hey, patience is a virtue.