The spaceship approaching Rainbowland would have looked rather familiar to Rainbow Brite, had she seen it. It was identical to the ship the Princess had tried to fly to Spectra. Near the end of its trip, it had exploded, nearly killing her.
Aboard was Count Blogg, a general, and a number of Glitterbots.
"Ah, Rainbowland," said Blogg to the General, "I haven't been here in several years. Quite beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir," said the General, taking a disinterested glance out the viewport.
"It will look much better when we've strip-mined the Color Crystal, and taken back the empire," said Blogg.
The General grinned.
"Does the pilot have his orders?"
"Yes, sir. Land in the Pits, near an old castle."
"Quite right. Then we shall see."
The rainbow deposited Rainbow Brite and Violet outside the door to the Color Castle. It was just after dawn, and the light of the sun was slowly growing in the eastern sky.
They turned toward the door, when a sudden tinkling sound made them turn back toward the bridge.
The outline of Moonglo and Nite Sprite appeared and filled in. Moonglo stretched and yawned.
"Morning!" said Rainbow, "Long night?"
"Oh! Rainbow! Violet! You're home!" she said, "Did you find out anything?"
"Yes, I did," said Violet, "I'll give a complete report to everyone later."
"Okay. I'm really bushed. I'm going to bed."
"Good night, then, Moonglo," said Violet.
"Good night," said Moonglo. She headed for the door to the Castle. Nite Sprite had already left for his own home.
"Well, I don't feel like sleeping," said Rainbow, as they stepped into the Castle. "What shall we do?"
"Come to the lab with me. You haven't seen that Crystal the Sprites mined."
"You're right. I did want to see that."
"Let me put my things away, and we'll go. Be right back," said Violet, turning towards the door to her Keep.
Going back out, they crossed the moat and turned toward the laboratory. A couple of Sprites passed by, greeting them as they did.
"Rainbow!" called a familiar voice.
"Hi, Starlite! You're looking good today," said Rainbow, as he approached.
"Well, of course! I may be getting old, but I'm still the most magnificent horse in the Universe!"
"Of course you are," said Rainbow, "Always have been, always will be."
"How is Brian? It's been a long time since he came for a visit."
"He's fine. He couldn't visit because he ran out of Starsprinkles for the Key."
"Oh, dear, that's too bad," said Starlite.
"I'm expecting a visit from his son any time," she said.
"His SON! Has it been that long?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. His son Brian is the same age he was when he first visited, and looks so much like his father, it's scary."
"I'm looking forward to meeting him, then!"
"He seems to be nice," said Rainbow.
"Well, I'm going to get some breakfast in the open field by the rail line. See you later!"
"Okay," said Rainbow. A pause, then "I miss having you on trips, Starlite."
"I miss you, too. But I just can't run the way I used to. You're better off on the rainbow."
They looked at each other, sadly, then Starlite turned and ambled away toward the field.
In the lab, Rainbow found a cannister labled "Crystal X" sitting open on a workbench. She reached in and took out the Crystal. It was the size of a softball, and seemed to be a fusing of all nine types of Color Crystal. If you turned your head, or the light changed, the hues and tones changed as well. It bewildered the eye, because no color stayed long enough to be more than a fleeting flash.
It was quite beautiful, but probably useless for the Console. Violet didn't want to take a chance of messing up the signal. It was also the first time she'd ever seen a Crystal like it.
Rainbow stayed and helped Violet as well as she could with tests for the Crystal. They had to be careful; too much energy would trigger the Crystal's color properties, doing who knew what to the room, and them.
They put the Crystal away, and went back to the Color Castle for lunch.
Just as they were approaching the door, a rainbow came down from the same direction as the color signal, over the Sunrise Mountains, and ended just in front of them. Brian Jr. was deposited safely on the ground, and the rainbow disappeared. He looked for it, then at Rainbow.
"Hi!" he said, grinning, "I'm here!" He was wearing what she had seen him in, and had a backpack on.
"Hi! Welcome to Rainbowland, Brian!" she answered. "This is Shy Violet. We're just going for lunch. Would you like to join us?"
"Sure! Thanks!" he answered, looking around with wide eyes.
After lunch, she introduced him to the other Color Kids, and took him on a tour of the village. He was fascinated, and asked lots of questions, and compared what he saw with the cartoons. She cautioned him that the cartoon wasn't entirely accurate, and not to take it too seriously.
He met many of the Sprites, and even the new Twink, who was toddling around. He couldn't make any sense of the Sprite language. It just sounded like jabbering to him. He listened closely, but could find no pattern in it.
The Color Castle had several guest rooms, and Rainbow showed Brian to the one his father had always used. He had left his backpack in the dining hall, and it had already been brought to the room.
"This is neat! Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Brian. Would you like to rest now, or is there something else you want to see?"
"I wanna see the Color Cave!"
"Certainly! But it's at the top of a steep hill, and a long walk. I'll take you by Rainbow Falls first."
"Let's go!"
At the foot of the mountain containing the Color Cave, a waterfall fell into a large pool that fed the river that ran to the Castle and filled the moat, then ambled away between the Sprite's fields.
The waterfall was rainbowed within it, not just in the mist. It was from picking up particles of Color Crystal as the water did its slow work of wearing down the mountain. The brightly-colored vegetation surrounding it, the star-shaped trees and flowers all contributed to a beautiful place. The Falls were noisy, but not so noisy you couldn't talk or think.
Rainbow stood and watched the colors play on the water.
"I like to come here and think, sometimes," she said.
"It's pretty," said Brian.
A yellow Sprite ran up and told Rainbow something.
"Thank you, Spritzie," said Rainbow.
The Sprite, one of Canary's companions, acknowledged the thanks, then ran off in another direction. Brian had listened carefully, but could still make nothing at all of the Sprite language.
"What did she say?" asked Brian.
"That Violet was about to report on something she was investigating."
"Oh, she was trying to solve that murder, wasn't she?"
"Yes," said Rainbow, surprised, "Your father told you?"
"Uh huh. He wanted me to come here knowing as much as possible. That's why it took so long, we watched the cartoons again. He pointed out where what really happened was different."
"Glad to hear it, Brian. Come on," she answered, turning back toward the Castle.
About halfway there, a roaring sound became audible, and slowly grew louder. They stopped and looked at each other. For a moment, they thought Rainbow Falls had gotten louder, then realized it was coming from above. They looked up, and saw a small black speck leaving a contrail as it entered the atmosphere. It seemed to be on a course for the Castle.
"That's Krys and On-X!" said Rainbow, excitedly.
"Wow! I didn't think I'd get to meet them!" he said.
"Come on! It must be important if he's here!" said Rainbow. She took off running for the Castle, Brian right behind her. His longer legs would have quickly outdistanced her, but he sensed it wasn't the right thing to do, so he ran with her. They got to the moat just as the robot horse landed.
The other Color Kids had heard the sound as well, and had come out to meet them.
Krys took off his helmet, and looked at Rainbow.
"Rainbow! You've got to come quick! The Princess is attacking Spectra again!"
There were gasps of horror, and murmurs of outrage.
"Tell us what happened!" said Rainbow.
Yesterday morning, Glitterbots appeared and started hypnotizing Sprites. They all went off to the Color Crystal mines, and got to work. The 'bots are roaming around, catching every Sprite they can, and many of the Sprites, even the children, are working in the mines!"
"That sounds like something the Princess would do!" said Rainbow.
"How awful!" said Canary.
"Orin sent me to get you," said Krys.
"Came Here At Max-i-mum Vel-o-city," said On-X.
"We'll help, of course."
"I knew you would," said Krys.
"We all will help," said Red, "Give us some time to get ready."
"Okay, we'll all go," said Rainbow, "Everyone, you know what to do. Be back here as quick as you can."
"Right," said Red, "You can count on us."
"I'll awaken Moonglo," said Indigo, "Anyone know where Stormy is?"
"She said something about stirring up some rain on the other side of Rainbowland," said Lala.
"I'll send her an alarm signal," said Patty.
The Kids ran back into the Castle.
Brian had stood and watched as all this went on, with a dazed look on his face.
Rainbow turned to him, "Brian, I want you to meet Krys and On-X" she said.
"Uh, hi," said Brian.
"You're Brian's son?" asked Krys.
"Yeah," was the reply.
"You look just like him at that age," said Krys.
"So everyone keeps telling me," said Brian, "And you look just like in the movie."
Krys laughed. "What, that silly "Star Stealer" cartoon? They didn't get half of it right!"
"Krys, remember who it was made for," said Rainbow.
"I know, I know," he said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Brian" They shook hands.
"Yeah, me too. They got On-X right, anyway."
"True."
"And he's really a robot?"
"Yes, he is."
"We don't have any that advanced on Earth."
"You know, one of these days, I'm going to have to visit that planet."
"You know that until they develop star travel, it's supposed to be off-limits for anyone without business there," said Rainbow, "But since we've stretched a point for Brian and his son, I guess we can stretch it the other way for you."
"Thanks, Rainbow," said Krys.
"En-er-gy Lev-els Get-ting Low," said On-X.
"We'll get you some Starsprinkles, On-X," said Rainbow.
On-X's eyes flashed.
"Krys, go into the Castle. You know how to operate the dispenser," she said.
"Yes, thanks," he said, and left.
A few minutes later, several Sprites ran up. They were Color Kid companions, and were going as well. No Rainbowland Sprite, with the exception of the last Twink, had ever been to Spectra. It loomed large in their bedtime stories, and the idea of actually going there was almost terrifying.
Krys came back just then, and recharged On-X. He also took some water from the moat, and refilled his fuel tanks. The machinery inside On-X broke down the water, and used it for propulsion.
Brian was watching this operation with interest, and Krys was explaining how it all worked.
Rainbow came up behind them.
"Excuse me, Krys, I need to talk to Brian," she said.
"Sure," said Brian, turning to her.
"Brian, would you please go with us to Spectra?" asked Rainbow.