"Woah..." the group gasped as they entered a huge arena made of silver.
"Welcome to the Lunar Arena!" the guard announced. "Here, you will be tested of your strength,"
"So, what do we have to do?" AJ asked.
Before the guard could answer, there were roars, and they all turned to see Moonbeam leading three large moon leopards towards them.
"Quite simple, actually," she replied to the boy's question. "All you need to do is put these cranky leopards to sleep without getting scratched. Simple as that,"
"Ohhhh brother..." Zeg muttered.
"Oh, and also don't hurt them, and don't get bitten," Moonbeam added. "Their bites could be a little sharp and deadly, do you all understand?"
"Yes, your majesty." they all nodded.
"Excellent!" Moonbeam grinned and turned to leave. "Now, I will be watching everything from my throne up at the terrace, so don't try any dirty tricks, alright?"
"Yes, your majesty." they nodded again.
With that, she left with her guard, shutting the doors, so that they couldn't escape. As soon as she did, the moon leopards growled at them and slowly approached them grumpily.
"Easy..." Blaze soothed. "No reason to get upset."
The moon leopards yawned and didn't bother to listen to them as they snarled. One of them tried to pounce on Darington, it's sharp claws out and ready to grab him.
"WHOA!" the stunt truck backed up to avoid getting hit. "I think we need another plan!"
"Wait, we had a plan?" Starla questioned.
"We do now," Blaze nodded. "We can't hurt them, but maybe we can make them a place to rest, so that they could FEEL sleepy,"
"Good idea!" AJ agreed.
"Yeah!" Stripes grinned. "And we can use these large pillows lying around the arena,"
"You go get them," Blaze said. "I'll try and distract the leopards."
The group nodded and ran over to get the pillows. Blaze drove forward and tried to keep the leopards at bay, even when they tried to reach over and scratch him with a growl.
"Woah, easy, easy," he told them, tires out to keep the distance. "It's okay. Calm..."
Meanwhile, the group were rushing behind him, gathering the large and surprisingly heavy pillows and making them into beds.
"There!" Stripes sighed in relief. "All done!"
"Blaze, you can call them over here now!" AJ cried out.
"Got it!" Blaze nodded and turned back to the moon leopards. "Come on, moon leopards, this way!"
He drove over to the pile of pillows, with the moon leopards chasing after him. He jumped over the pillow pile and landed with a skid. The leopards tried to do the same, but ended up tumbling onto the pillows instead. They tried to get up, but the makeshift bed made them yawn before they decided to curl up on the soft pillows.
"It's working!" Gabby whispered.
"Aww... they're so cute when they're sleeping..." Darington cooed.
"Excellent job!" the group turned to see Moonbeam suddenly appear by their side. "I'm impressed that you all actually got them to sleep without knocking them out,"
"That wouldn't be right," AJ shrugged. "We know the best way to help animals is to treat them kindly."
"Indeed," Moonbeam nodded. "Only one with great strength could withdraw themselves from using easier, more violent methods when it comes to leopards. I am happy to announce that you have all passed your first test,"
"Booyah!" Darington whooped.
"Now, now, don't celebrate too early," Moonbeam smirked. "The next test is the test of trust, and it's more difficult that it sounds, are you all ready?"
"Ready." the group nodded.
"Good," Moonbeam then turned. "Time to take you to the Hall of Mirrors,"