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It was a busy day in the peaceful village of Stella. Autumn had come and it was time for the Harvest Festival. The otters of the village followed the farmers with baskets which were brimming with ripe vegetables. One of those otters happened to be Dusk. I don't understand why we have to make such a big deal over this stupid festival. And I don't see why my brother doesn't have to carry all these stupid vegetables to the kitchens.' The young otter grumbled unhappily. Oh cheer up ya big fat fraud, yer just grumpy cause yer brother asked ole pretty Ruby to the Harvesting Dance tonight. Ya got a crush on er, admit it!' piped up Sarina the ottermaid, Dusk's best friend. Dusk's face turned bright red. I do not have a crush on Ruby, besides, Crono is in love with her,' He said trying to hide his blushing face from Sarina. I just don't see why we should go through all this trouble for this stupid feast.' Sarina saw through her friends act. She just knew him all to well, but didn't mention anything about the topic again.

Dusk had a secret crush on the beautiful Ruby ever since he was just a cub but kept telling himself she would never share the same feelings for him. Besides, Crono loved her and she loved him back so how could she feel the same way about Dusk? Crono was better than him in everything and Dusk had a hard time living up to his parents expectations. At least when they were still alive... Dusk's father, Torrent Parabola, had left to some great war and never returned so the two brothers took him for dead. The mother died giving birth to Dusk which only made him feel worse about himself. Sarina was the only person that understood him. Now there was an awkward silence between the two, and before either had a chance to say anything to one another, Friar Barnacle the old mouse came bustling to the scene elbowing anyone who got in his way. Are you two otters gonna stand there with those full baskets or are you gonna to bring them to the kitchens, huh?' He exclaimed and ran off again but not before calling out. Hurry you clumsy fishwallopers! There's apple pies, n' mushroom flans, n' strawberry pasties n' all sorts of meals to bake and we don't have all day. The festival is tonight!'

Later that night, delicious aromas filled the air. Families were all outside sitting around the bonfire feasting on all the dishes that had been assembled from the ripe fruits and vegetables that were picked. Otters satisfied themselves with their very favorite meal, the famous otter hotroot soup. The soup was much too hot for the moles so they scoffed their personal favorite, deeper than ever pie. All the other creatures ate mushroom and leek flans, pies and many different cheeses and breads. The Dibbuns sat on the grass with sticks in their tiny paws over the fire melting marshmallows and drinking their favorite strawberry fizz. The little Dibbuns fell about giggling as the drink fizzled around in their tummies. Finally it was time for the dance. Dusk found himself staring gloomily at Crono as he danced with the pretty ottermaid Ruby. Sarina approached her friend. Care to dance?' She asked grinning. Dusk hung his head. Sorry Sarina, I'm just not in the mood.' He mumbled and walked away wiping a tear from his eye, hoping his friend hadn't noticed, but she had. Dusk sat around for the entire dance watching Ruby's sweet smile as she promenaded with Crono. Finally it came to the grand finally. A young otter named Brookfin approached the bonfire with a harmonica. May I ask young Sarina from the crowd to assist me on this ole otter ditty?' He asked. Sarina approached him with a smile on her face. And this little ditty happens to be called Tails in the Stream!' She exclaimed amidst wild cheering.


Brookfin put his harmonica to his lips and the two broke into song with Sarina singing wonderfully.

Tails in the stream mates, tails in the stream,
No time t'sit around the bank an' dream,
Is it a pike perch roach or a bream?
No, tis an otter with his tail in the stream!
Whupperyhoo mates, whupperyhoo,
Clouds are white an' the sky is blue,
Rap with y'tails an' stamp that paw,
Bow to y'partner an' around once more!
Bread n' honey n' cakes n' cream,
Supper's in the oven an' tails in the stream!'

Everyone fell about laughing because they couldn't keep up with the breakneck speed of the dance. Sarina and Brookfin were requested to play the song three more times before everyone was satisfied. As other beasts approached the bonfire to sing their own songs and ditties, Sarina walked over to Dusk who did not participate in her dance and was sitting by himself, still unhappy. Ya want to prove to everyone that yer not just a shadow o' yer brother? Ya wanna prove to Ruby that yer just as great as Crono?' She asked her friend. Dusk turned to her finally, his face mystified. Yes. How?' Sarina grinned. Just watch.'
When the next song was done Sarina walked over to the fire once more. I have a special treat for you all tonight.' A hush silence fell over the crowd. Would Dusk and Crono please come up here?' She asked. Mystified, the two otters got up and walked over to where Sarina stood. C'mon everyone! Let's hear a great big round of applause for our two contestants!' She exclaimed and the crowd broke into applause and cheers. When the noise died down Sarina cleared her throat and continued.

Exactly one sunset ago, I, along with others, had gone deep into Mossflower Country and hid my favorite reed flute.' Crono and Dusk exchanged glances. Where was this all going? Now this is the competition.' Sarina interrupted Dusk's thoughts. Which ever one brings back the reed flute back to me will become the new Autumn Festival Champion!' Everyone cheered on the bewildered contestants. Crono still looked surprised but Dusk was grinning. Good old Sarina. She had never let him down, and now if he brought back the reed flute before his brother did, he might have a chance at Ruby. But what if he lost? He'd be humiliated in front of the entire village! All these thoughts raced through the young otters mind as he stood side-by-side with his brother. Sarina pulled out an old whistle made of beech tree which she always carried with her. On yer marks!' She called. The two otters buried all four paws into the ground, stretching their sinewy muscles. Get set!' there was no mistaking the look of determination on Dusk's face. He had to win. There was a moment of silence. GO!!' The beech tree whistle sounded throughout the village and the otter duo was off leaving a path of dust behind them. Sarina held her sides as she coughed. Boy o' boy, those two are sumthin' else. But it will take some wits to find that reed flute.' She turned and winked at Brookfin.

As the brothers entered Mossflower they split up and shot through the greenery in opposite directions. As he lost sight of his contender, Dusk swung through the trees and ducked on low hanging branches, keeping his eyes peeled. This was it. If he brought back the flute to Sarina he would be Champion of the Autumn Festival. But the prize he wanted would be much greater than that. Finally he would be able to win Ruby's heart. But in order to do that he'd have to beat his brother to the flute. The determined otter sprinted faster and faster until he was in the very heart of Mossflower. The clearing where he and his brother trained together. He suddenly stopped as fond memories came back to him. Did he really want to take his brother's love away from him? Dusk shook this thought from his head. No. If he won fair and square than he'd have no regrets about winning Ruby's love. Besides, it wasn't his fault if he loved her. Dusk continued to race through the forest until he came upon an old oak. He was getting really tired from his chase so he sat down and rested his back against the oak. Suddenly he got a strange feeling. Something wasn't right.

He tapped the tree with his paw. That was it! The oak was hollow! If Sarina found a good hiding place for the flute then this was it. Dusk pulled his twin axes from their sheaths at his sides and hacked away. The oak was no match for the steel blades, and soon the otter had smashed his way into the huge oak. As the moonlight poured into the hole, Dusk made out a shape in the hollow oak. He reached in and his paw felt a familiar object. The reed flute! Dusk eagerly pulled it out. Finally, he proved he wasn't just a little brother of the popular Crono. He was Dusk Parabola. He had truly lived up to his name. Before he made another move, he noticed a black silhouette in the distance. Curious, the otter ran over to the object through the dark night and gasped as he halted. The otter let out a shriek of dismay as he stared at the still form of Prowler, his body decomposing, an arrow in his heart. Dusk scrambled up and ran off towards the village, terrified. Where was Crono? He'd know what to do. He had been in situations like these. But even Dusk knew what this meant. Vermin were in Mossflower! Dusk knew what to do. He shot off through the still night to warn the others