Mandy's Quest

Chapter One: Capitol Island

ONCE UPON A TIME there was a kingdom that stretched all over the world. The kingdom was made up of many different lands...and Sims.

All the Sims and all the lands were ruled by a king--and a wise one. King Ronald. To help protect the people of his kingdom, King Ronald ordered his wizard to make a collection of magic scepters. He gave the wands to the loyalist and bravest Sims in the kingdom; and thus was born, the Order of the Wandoliers!

With the wands, the Wandoliers could do amazing things! They used their wands to protect the kingdoms, and keep the people happy.

It's so hard to believe so many years have passed...

All of the Wandoliers have long since retired, or moved away. Parts of the kingdom have long since fallen into disrepair.

But today is splendid! Today, King Ronald will find a new Wandolier! Who will it be? where will they come from?

•••••

"HEY PiG HEARDER!" I snap out of my trance. I have been day dreaming about the Wandolier contest all day long! I'm finishing up the work (rustic, corrupt, vexataious) Elmira gave me. Elmira is Capitol Islands loudest resident. She even knows I want to be Wandolier. She just has to crust anyone's dreams.

"Well? Quit daydreaming and lead my pigs back to the farm!" Elmira yells.

So I escort her unwieldy pigs, Porkz and Pigglez into Elmira's unkempt pig pens.

"You are free to go," Elmira says, indisposed. I jump up, and brush the dirt off my dress, which is really ragged, and go to look for Buddy or Lyndsay, my two best friends.

"Hiya, Mandy! Hey pal! MANDY! PAAAL!" I turn to find Buddy charging straight for me.

Buddy is wearing his royal red messenger outfit. It is a red jacket with, much to Bud's delight, shiny yellow buttons, and yellow trim. Most of his shaggy blonde hair was hidden under a red hat

with a yellow Royal Messenger emblem sewn onto it. He also wears denim jeans.

"Hey, Buddy!" I say in high sprits to see my friend.

He trips on an exposed root on the dusty road that lead to the castle. I giggle at his antics.

"Oof! Hey, did you finish your chores for today?" Buddy asks.

I roll my blue eyes to show how tired I am. "Yes! Finally! Elmira was being so annoying!"

My words are drowned out after I say yes, because Buddy is clapping loudly, and excitedly. "Oh, yay! Remember we promised Lyndsay we'd play with her. She's probably thinking up another one of her--"

"Oh, actually, I forgot to tell you, I want to try out or Wandolier," I tell Buddy. He's not listening.

"--adventures. Oh wait!" Buddy's usual happy-go-lucky expression turns into one of shock and sadness, "I completely forgot to deliver these messages to the people of Capitol Island! This is a big deal, Mandy! Today, King Ronald is having a contest to find the next Wandolier!"

Finally, I manage to put in my two cents. "I know, Buddy, I wanted to tell you that. I want to win!"

I hear a snort behind us. I think it's Elmira's pig still following me, but I'm wrong, although it is a pig--I mean, Princess Butter. She is smiling like she just won the lotto.

"Hello?! Buddy?! I think we all know I'm going to win!" says Butter, flipping her pink hair over her shoulder.

"How?" Buddy asks, obtusely.

"Well," Princess Butter gushes, "since you asked, I'll tell you! I'm going to win, because I am just going to simply beg and cry to daddy! AKA the KiNG!"

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Wow, you are so lucky!" Buddy says, practically drooling on Butters floral dress. Suddenly, Lyndsay is at my side, squealing like Elmira's pigs. "Omigosh, Mandy! I can't wait for the Wandolier contest!" She's been planning for me to try out since we head about the contest.

"We should go now, the contest starts soon," I say grabbing my best friend's arm and tugging her towards the castle in the distance.

"So," Lyndsay says, in her voice reserved for gossiping. "is Butter trying out?"

"Princess Butter," Buddy amends.

Lyndsay and I roll our eyes. "Kiss-up," Lyndsay mouths.

"Well, back to your question; yes. And she's pretty confident," I say. then I tell Lyndsay what Butter had just told Buddy and me.

"Oh, puh-lease," Lyndsay laughs, making her light brown hair bounce. It's in a pony-tail, and she has her bangs peaking out of her maroon colored hat. Her eye's are sparkly brown. She always wears

a denim miniskirt that's a bit frayed at the bottom, and a crisp white blouse with a big brown belt. The ends of the blouse are tied together above the belly button.

"I know. She doesn't have a chance agesnt me!" I say, laughing along with Lyndsay.

"That's the spirit!" Buddy says, thumping me on the back.

We arrive at the castle a few minutes later.

King Ronald is standing on the royal throne. "I think the chocolate one is better, Van." He is saying when we enter. In his hand is a chocolate cupcake. "Ah, ha! Are you all trying out for the position of

royal Wandolier?"

Just as I open my mouth to reply, Butter bursts in, ruining the moment.

"FATHER!" she shrieks. "I'm HERE!"

"Ah, Butter!" King Ronald acts like we aren't there. Hum, such actions can get you booted from the royal throne, sir. "Are these you're friends?"

Princess Butter's sky blue eye's practically jump out of her skull. "Heavens no, father!" She looks us up and down. "I've never seen them in my life!"

My jaw fly's open. We were just talking! Am I right, or am I right?

Right, right? Right.

"Mandy," says Lyndsay loudly, gesturing to me. I feel my face turn red with embarrassment that she had interrupted the king about me, and that he was looking at me. "my friend, is trying out, sir."

"Well, that makes two of us," Butter mutters, obviously angry I had stole the spot light.

"That's no way for us to talk to our guests, But," King Ronald murmurs.

I, as well as Lyndsay and Buddy turn red from refusing to laugh out loud. Who would call the princess 'But'? (Other than my trio, of course.)

Butter turns pink and narrows her eyes.

"Hey, hey! I'm here for the Wandolier contest!" says Barney the fisherman. I easily recollect him because he's always at Elmira's house, and he's all she ever talks about. Call me crazy, but I think they are in love.

King Ronald is delighted. He claps his hands together. "Yay! Now we can start! Prizes are as follows. First place obviously get's a wand, and the title as the Royal Wandolier. And second place get's a toaster oven!"

"Awesome!" Barney cheers.

"Marlon should be here by now … " King Ronald muses.

Suddenly, there is a big bang, causing everyone to jump. Then there is a puff of smoke. "Sorry I was late, sire," said a man. He was dressed in blue robes covered in stars, and he has a matching pointy hat. He has a long white mustache, and a long white beard.

"Marlon! It's great to see you!" King Ronald says, beaming ear to ear.

"As I am to see you." Marlon says, kneeling to the king.

"I've already told these three the prizes, so you may take them away now." King Ronald says, taking a bite out of his cupcake.

"Great! I shall take you three to the … " Marlon pauses for a dramatic effect. "ISLE OF MAGIC!"

We all just stand there, not getting what's so great about the 'Isle of Magic'.

"Good luck, pal!" Buddy says, patting my shoulder.

"Thanks, I need all the luck I can get," I say.

Lyndsay rolls her green eyes. "Listen, Mandy, if you don't come back crowned Wandolier, I don't know what I'll do!" She squeezes my shoulders one more time, and then I turn to look at Marlon.

He smiled. "Let's go!" He snaps his fingers together, making a loud bang. One by one, we disappear. Well, not Barney. He takes a while, but come's through when I'm standing on the Isle of Magic.

"Okay, now, I'm giving you your very first task!" Marlon said, rubbing his hands together. "The task is to find Mana. Mana is the energy that powers your wands. You can get Mana by virtually doing anything. But for now, please find the three chests I've hidden around the island."

I, unlike Princess Butter, got to work right away. I find the three walnut chests before she has time to remember why she's there. Barney could only find two.

"Good job, you two!" Marlon says when we return. "Now, wands can move almost anything. But, power has it's limits. You can only use it within special regions--if you've collected enough Mana." He hands us dummy wands. "Here. The next task is simple. Use your wands to move this block onto that platform."

I use my wand and mind to move the wooden block onto the platform. Barney and I placed the block on the platform at the same time.

Marlon claps. "Superlative, you guys!" Then his vivacious character turned into one of fatigue. "Uh, Miss Butter, are you going to participate in task one? Barney and Mandy are already done with the second task."

Princess Butter rolls her eyes. "Why are you telling me what to do?"

"Well your father put me in charge of you…so, you do the math with that." says Marlon sternly.

Princess Butter's jaw drops, but Marlon ignores her.

"Barney, Mandy, task three is to put my collective Kingdom Kuddlies on top of the shelve you just made. And don't just make them face the way they are, I want you to turn them around. I don't care what way, as long as you turn them."

"But sir," I inquire timidly, raising my hand. "you haven't told us how to turn them."

"Use your imagination."

"Uh, OK." I say.

OK, so I just picked up a stuffed animal and imagined it upside down. It worked! I put the monkey down on the shelf.

After we finished, Marlon took us over to a windmill with a gear attached.

"A switch needs an axle to work. A windmill turns cold gusts of air into wonderful, rotational energy. That power is making the gears turn. Gears can be used to connect rotational power to distant objects that need it. But the gears will not turn on their own; they have to be connected to a power source. Or another spinning gear.

"OK, students, give it a try. Place the gears to connect that spinning gear to the axle on the switch. Good luck!"

Whipping out my dummy wand, I quickly execute what Marlon just predestined.

"Elevated, Mandy!" Marlon claps, then says, "To the final task we go!"

We come up to a white picket fenced in area overgrown with trees, bushes, weeds, ect.

"Let's learn how to user the power of the want to create an entire house! But sadly, a house will not fit here, the yard is too overgrown! You must first clear those dastardly bushes. Then go ahead and create some blocks to make a basic house."

After dreaming up a magnificent house, it comes out looking rundown, and more like a shanty.

"Well done, Mandy!" Marlon notices my look of dismay. "It's fine. Your wand doesn't know how to make thing like that yet, but that's another matter.

"But it's missing something. Ah, yes! Windows!"

I started to add windows.

"There are certain items that satisfy residents. When you place one down, you add interest to the area. And when you meet the requirements, your task is complete!" Marlon sees that I'm done and says, "Aha! That's a nice house … but I can't put my finger on it … something is still missing!"

"Paint?" I suggest.

"Ah, yes, paint! Lucky for us, the septor can paint as well as make things! Have fun and be creative!" Marlon says.

I point my wand at the house imagining the walls with nice red bricks. The wall shimmers and turns into the red bricks I was imagining! The roof, which is all straw stays the same shape, but turns into black shingles.

"Mandy wins again! I must say, I'm not surprised at this point. Ah, Mandy, you've exceeded my expectations. You've proven yourself a most promising Sim! So now it's time to head back to the castle," Marlon says.

"I think I did soo good!" Butter says, dreamily.

"Yeah, good at just standing there and staring at your reflection in the ocean!" Barney snaps.

"Well, if that's all, we'll go back now. Follow meee!" Marlon snaps his fingers. Sparks fly around us and pop as we disappear and reappear in the castle.

••••

"And now for my mad juggling skills!" Buddy is saying as we get into the castle. The pops startle him, causing him to drop the three cupcakes he's holding.

"Hey, look, Lyndsay, it's Mandy!" he exclaims.

The king was contently chewing on a chocolate cupcake. His expression brightens when he sees us back. Lowering the cupcake, he says, "Hello, Marlon! Do you have the results for me?"

Marlon climbs the steps to the throne, and whispers into the kings ear.

"How do you think you did? Tough competition?" Lyndsay asks.

"Well, Barney was really good. Butter didn't do anything!" I say.

"That's good! So now we know you'll win!" Buddy says.

I blush.

"We are ready to announce the winners!" the King says waving his hand.

"Oh, boy!" Buddy bounces beside me.

"In second place, we have Barney, with a score of nine!" King Ronald says. "Barney, please come up to get your toaster oven and medal!"

"Woo-hoo!" Barney cheers for himself as he gets his prize.

"And, now for the moment you've all been waiting for! Out new Wandolier is … "

"Mandy!" says Marlon.

I turn to Butter. "Well, you earned it, Princess Butter. Congrats."

She looks at me, with greed, anger, and hate in her eyes. "Leave me alone, Wand-o-liar!"

"W-what?" I ask. She flips her bubble gum colored hair and stomps away.

"Go get the wand, Mandy!" Buddy yells.

"Me?" I ask in disbelief.

"Uh, yes you, silly!" Lyndsay pushes me toward the steps.

All this time I could've gotten up there, I thought BUTTER had actually WON!?

"Here you are, Mandy." Marlon handed me the wand. It was golden, and had two ribbons that looked like orange and yellow liquid twisted up the side. "You earned it fair and square."

"Thanks for teaching me, Marlon," I say.

"It was nothing!" He waved his hand.

"Now every Sim shall take their troubles to Mandy. She's here for you!" King Ronald told the crowd.

Everyone was clapping and cheering.

For ME.

•••••

As I walk out of the castle, people from Capitol Island cheer for me. I was like a celebrity! I blushed deep red and wanted to talk to people, but Lyndsay pushed me forward.

"Let's get some rest, then we'll help everyone tomorrow." she says.

We are outside my house. "Okay, see you tomorrow then." I yawn.

••••

In the morning, I had about a million voice mails. The first one was from Barney. "Hey, Mandy! I really need your help! I can't get home, because the bridge is out! Can you come and help me? I'm at the bridge located by the stream near the royal palace. Hopefully I'll see you later!"

I pick up the phone and called Lyndsay and Buddy, explaining about Barney needing our help.

"So we'll meet there?" Lyndsay asks.

"Yeah." I reply before hanging up.

•••••

We found Barney at the bridge he mentioned in his call.

"Hey, Barney! You called?" Buddy asks.

"Yeah! Some rascal put the bridge pieces over there!" Barney pointed angrily to a pile of wooden planks.

"No problem! I can fix that." I say. I take out my want and point it at the large gap in between the two grounds. Suddenly a bridge appears.

"Nice! Thanks Mandy!" Barney says. We followed him across the bridge. "Ah! We keep running into problems, don't we?"

"What's the problem now?" I ask.

"I need to get up there-" Barney pointed to a flat wall the lead to the gates. "-but there are no stairs!"

"I think I can help," I say, raising my wand.

"Nah, don't bother, I'll just tell the king we failed." Buddy says.

"Are you CRAZY?" Lyndsay and I yell.

"Okay, okay! Geez! You are always so sensitive!" says Buddy.

"It's not even like there are any parts we could use!" Lyndsay fumes.

Bang! Everyone screams and jumps around.

"WIZARD ATTACK!" Buddy screams.

"Some needs staaairs?" Marlon asks.

"Um, yeah. We do!" I say.

"Here, Lyndsay," Marlon says, handing Lyndsay a red velvet pouch.

"Um … what am I supposed to do with this?" Lyndsay asks.

"This is a magical bag. Mandy will gather special materials called Essences from the world--things like wood, apples, gold … If the right Essences go into Lyndsay's new bag, it will magically add new power to Mandy's wand!" Marlon explains.

"But how will we know what Essences we'll need?" I ask.

"Just look at one of these!" Marlon handed Lyndsay a scroll. "Magic scrolls are like recipes to unlock new wand powers! In this case, the 'recipe' is for stairs! That's all! Ta ta!" Marlon waved. And then he was gone with another bang.

"Okay so it says we need thirty pieces of wood," Lyndsay reads.

"Easy! We can get the wood from trees!" Buddy says.

"Great, but how will we get an axe?" I ask.

"Oh, she's right … " Buddy says, hanging his head.

I look around and spot Elmira chopping away at an apple tree. "Hey! Elmira has an axe! Maybe we can borrow hers! I'll ask,"

"Hey, Elmira?" I ask. "Can I borrow your axe?"

"Hey, Mandy?" Elmira mimics. "NO!"

I slump my shoulders and walk back over to my friends. "Well? What did she say?" Barney asks.

"No," I mutter.

"Okay, then we'll just go to the king and tell him to make her give us the axe!" Lyndsay says eagerly.

"Or, we could ask nicely," Buddy suggests.

"Wow. You really think that'll work, Buddy?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

"Sure! You could go over there and strike up a conversation! Say nice things … I'm sure she'll give you the axe!" Buddy says.

"Well, it couldn't hurt," I muse.

I walk over to Elmira. "Hey Elmira,"

"Don't try and get my axe, it's not going to work!" Elmira mutters angrily.

"Well, I was just looking at your skin, and I found this awesome simple skin treatment that you can probably use," I say. "You just clean a strawberry and cut it in half, then rub it on your face! And you would look so pretty with blonde highlights!"

Sure, I have no idea what I was saying, but now that I think about it, she would look pretty nice with blonde highlights. Her hair was always a crows nest. It was brown and up to her shoulders. She had a scowl on her face most of the time, brown eyes, pale skin, and half moon glasses.

"Really?" Elmira grabs a piece of her hair and studies it. "Maybe you are right!"

"And you can get contacts instead of those glasses," I say.

"I'm going shopping! Here, take my axe. No, take anything you want!" Elmira shoves the axe at me. I take it carefully.

"Have fun, Elmira!" I call after her. I turn to my friends. "I got it!"

"Good quick thinking, Buddy!" Lyndsay says, thumping Buddy on his back.

"Are we talking about the time I ate the cupcake you made for the king?" Buddy asks.

"Buddy!" Lyndsay cries hitting her forehead.

"Hey, look at me!" I try to keep them from fighting. "I finished the first scroll!"

Lyndsay opened the little red bag. The Essences from my hand into the bag magically. My wand vibrates. Then the bag shut.

"What now?"

"Try building stairs." Buddy says.

I pick up my wand, and point it at the cliff. I imagine stairs from the bottom to the top. They appear shortly after.

"You did it!" Barney says, high fiving me.

"Let's follow Barney," Lyndsay suggests.

"Sure."

••••

When we get to the top there was more trouble, of course. The gears that keep the gate open in the morning were missing. And worst of all, Butter was standing there, grinning.

"I stole the gears!" Butter says jovially.

"Well, that was easy," Lyndsay mutters.

Butter glares at her. "You'll never find them, Wand-o-liar!"

"Mandy's not a liar!" Lyndsay snaps.

"I love your hair, and you are totally right," I lie.

"W-what?" Buddy stammers.

"You do? I've been using color enhancing shampoo! I got it after I hid the gears by my mushroom garden," Butter is going on and on, but I run down the stairs, across the bridge and over to the castle to get the gears. By a red mushroom with flower shaped dots I found a treasure chest. I fling open the top and found the gears.

••••

When I get back, I reassemble the gears. "Here we are at last! Home sweet home!" Barney sighs.

"You live in a boat? Cool!" Buddy cheers.

"Sure, its cool, Buddy. Its great if you want to live alone. But it's a nightmare to entertain guests! No plugs! How will I plug in my new toaster oven?" Barney asks.

"Ouch." Buddy frowns at the thought of no frozen delicacies.

"Mandy, I'm going to be having friends over to celebrate the Wandolier contest. I promised them I'd make them something with my new toaster oven! Here, Lyndsay," He hands Lyndsay a scroll.

"Wow! We can make a house with this!" Lyndsay muses.

I look over her shoulder. We need twenty five pieces of wood, and five pieces of bronze. "But, Barney, this house will take up a lot of Mana," I say.

BAM! Marlon pops out of no where. "Ha ha, did you say MAAAANA, Mandy?" he asks.

"Pal, you gotta stop doing that! My heart can't take it any more!" Buddy cries. He dramatically clutches his heart. I'm almost done with the house.

"Mandy, you can get Mana from doing anything, remember? Even by putting extra Essences in Lyndsay's bag! Its called transmuting." Marlon sighs. "Ah, Kinds Ronald wants me. I shall be off! Ta-ta!" There was a bang, and then he was gone.

I turn around to get back to work, but then there is another loud pop and Marlon is back. "Sorry I scared you, Buddy," he says.

••••

Finally, I am done. "Yes, its good, but I need some interior! Here, Lyndsay." Barney hands Lyndsay a scroll and then throws his rod back into the ocean while we work.

"This one makes basic furniture. And it required stone and amber." She pauses. "Barney, where are we going to get this stuff?"

"The ground. I'm giving you my old treasure finder, along with all my old tools. You can use it for digging up all sorts of things. I loved it." Barney rummages around in his boat and then comes out with a metal dector, a fishing rod, and shovel.

"Wow! Think of all the fun treasure we can dig up with this!" I say. "Stone … Mana … Precious gems … Mana …"

" … And bacon … " Buddy raves.

"Buddy, that's ridiculous!" cries Lyndsay between laughs. "Who digs up bacon?!"

"Bacon is nummy," Buddy drools.

"ANYhow, here's the treasure finder," Barney says, handing me the dector.

••••

A few minutes later, I am done/ I start inside, giving Barney three comfy couches, a kitchen, a big bed, a dresser, book cases, a bathroom … The essentials.

"Sorry it's not great. I'm kind of out of Mana." I say, frowning.

"No, its perfect!" Barney's expression tells me he is telling the truth.

Bang!

Out of nowhere, King Ronald and Marlon pop up, scaring the pudding out of me.

"Indeed, you've performed remarkably! It is clear that you are now ready. You see, Mandy, this island was your final test. You have proven your skill with compassion. You're a clever sim, Mandy." King Ronald says.

"Wait … I don't understand; is Mandy going somewhere?" Lyndsay asks.

"Ho-ho! Indeed! You see, today wasn't about naming a new Wandolier, Mandy. I'm sending you on a quest!"

"WAA-HOO!" Buddy cries.

I nudge Buddy in the ribs. "A QUEST FOR KING RONALD?" Lyndsay asks.

"As you should know, my kingdom stretches all over the world. That's a lot for me! I need someone to go out into the kingdoms for me and set things right. Rebuild the broken parts, and make all Sims happy. That's your quest, Mandy." King Ronald finishes. "And of course, Buddy and Lyndsay will be accompanying you." He answers their pleading looks.

"For REAL?" Lyndsay asks.

"Yes Lyndsay. I need you to continue to support Mandy with Marlon's magic bag. And Buddy, you will continue to be my messenger."

"Awesome! Here Guillermo! Here boy!" Buddy calls his pigeon - I mean, bird.

"Guillermo? You're bringing that old pigeon? On a royal quest?" Lyndsay smacks her forehead.

"Hey, Guillermo is my best friend! He's really smart!" Buddy says defensively.

"Chitter! Chitter!" Guillermo chirps … or whatever it is weird pigeon's do.

"What's that, Guillermo? … Uh-huh? I think that you're right pal!" Buddy laughs.

"Hey! Is your pigeon talking about me?" Lyndsay stammers.

"But King Ronald, when will we be finished?" I ask, changing the subject.

"As you help, the other Sims will tell me stories, and I'll be sure to send Guillermo with a thank-you note, and some rewards. The quest has officially begun! Barney, please show them to their royal ship!"

As our ship (which is Barney's old house boat) left the dock, the King and Marlon waved until we couldn't see them anymore.

"According to this map, Mandy, it look's like we are heading to Renee's Reservation." Lyndsay says, pointing to a small island on the map.