For nearly seven years, the mystery of the secret items had been held. The eggs and key had banded together since the tragic demolition of Klunty's old Lair, once their home. Several of the eggs were destroyed in the act, but there was one. One who had been mercilessly concealed and lost deep in the trundle of boulder that had been packed in. It wasn't a few rocks keeping Purple from escaping, it was years of decay and neglect and horrible destruction that kept the item truly away from its friends. Two of the eggs and a key had begun a quest that would bring them ease and peace of mind, knowing that there was one. One who survived.
"Inca Pink, a Bottle of Ink, Quart Fell Out and You SHRINK."
It worked immediately. The weight glowed brightly, and it began to grow, and then shrank abruptly to a small size.
"Here we go," said Key, pushing the tiny weight aside and grabbing the final book, "one spellbook. That was quite nice," he added with a smile.
"Yay!" cried the eggs. "We can finally go back to Grunty's old lair and save Purple!"
Yes, they could indeed.
Well, they could if Mingella wasn't right there.
The secret items jumped back as the thin figure slowly rose from the space where the 1-ton weight once stood. The bony witch – bony now both literally and figuratively – reached her hand out though tattered and torn robes.
"Thankful Mingella is," she spoke. "Spellbook witch wants back!"
"She's just skin and bones!" retorted Ice Key. "Well, except for the skin part."
"Been squished for years I have!" said the witch. "Still kick butt I can!"
The eggs yelped. "Oh no! We're doomed!"
Key asserted his leadership once again. "Listen, you pencil-thin skank! You may not know this, but we item can kick butt any day of the week!"
"Yeah!" added Yellow.
No match for witch Easter Egg power is!" Mingella stated, and twirled her bony hand around, a glowing energy emanating from within it. The sparkling sphere grew larger as the items took refuge from behind a curtain.
Key huddled with the others. "Is there any spell in that book that can protect us?" he asked.
"No! It's her book! She can't be harmed by her own spells!" said Blue. "In fact, the only reason Grunty accidentally destroyed herself five years ago was because of the shamanistic nature of the spell used. Mumbo taught it to her."
"What about Wumba's book?" Yellow asked. "There must be something in there we can use!"
"I don't think so," said blue. "Most of the spells require the construction of an enchanted pool."
"Forget the books!" said Key suddenly. "They won't help us now! We have to do this ourselves, unassisted."
The eggs nodded their heads and uncovered themselves. They stood together, with key in front, and leaned toward Mingella, staring daggers into her.
"Say night-night eggs and key should!" said the witch menacingly, and she tossed the spell at them at them.
Time seemed to slow to a standstill as the next events took place. The shimmering dark power had thrust itself toward them, impacting at the items as beams of light flew everywhere. The force shook the entire castle.
All was quiet.
The two eggs opened their eyes, and looked around themselves. The room was now covered in soot from the resulting attack, and chunks of rock were lining the floor.
"Mingella's gone!" said Blue with in a confused tone. "W-what happened?"
His question was answered when he looked down. A puddle of water and bits of ice were spread out in front of them.
"No... Ice Key!"
"He absorbed the brunt of the attack," Yellow muttered slowly. "He saved us. He saved our lives."
"The eggs stared at each other for quite some time before they spoke again. "We still have the book," said Blue. "We owe it to him to continue with the plan."
"You're right," said Yellow. "It's what he would want us to do. Come on, let's go."
"NO... Wait," spoke Blue. "We can't just leave him here. It wouldn't be right. Let me see... Hey, let's use that over there." He pointed out a bucket partially covered by the curtain. They quickly scooped up the water and ice into it.
Carefully, the eggs walked out, returning to Grunty's old Lair to complete their mission.