Sebastian Silverstone and the Thea Sisters-The Mountain of Fire
Seba and Nicky were in her dorm room, trading notes they took from class. However, it was more like the human giving the mouselet additional help since he already studied his own and was currently reading a metal music magazine.
"I'm still really skeptical about how you managed to memorize every single one of these notes," Nicky said. "I mean, these are a pawful to read."
He shrugged. "Well, they don't call me the "All-Knowing" Seba for nothing."
Nicky rolled her eyes. "We never call you that."
Suddenly, the phone rang and Nicky went to pick it up. "Hello?"
"Nicky, I'm so sorry to bother you," the voice said. "But your parents are traveling and I can't get in touch with them."
The mouselet's whiskers quivered with worry. "What's wrong, Naya?"
Seba's closed his magazine and walked next to her to get a slight hearing in. Naya was Nicky's Australian Aborigine grandmother. He knew since she mentioned her once.
"Strange things are happening at the ranch," Naya answered. "The sheep in the middle pen are sick."
'Sheep?' the human wondered.
"Have you called the vet?" Nicky asked.
"Yes, but he can't figure out what's wrong," was the reply. "I just don't know what to do."
"I'm coming home to help you, Naya!" Nicky exclaimed.
"Oh, you shouldn't have to do so. I don't want to interrupt your studies."
The mouselet shook her head. "Family comes first. I'll be there ASAP!"
She hung up the phone and immediately started packing.
"Your grandmother's in trouble?" Seba asked.
She looked at him and nodded. "Something's happening at the ranch and I need to find out."
"Maybe I can come with you." he offered.
She shook her head. "I shouldn't get you involved in this. This is something I need to do."
He gave a soft smile. "Don't worry about it. I'm gonna help whether you like it or not."
She returned with a smile of her own before hugging him. "Thanks. That's pretty awesome of you to do something like this for me."
He reluctantly returned the hug and gave a gentle pat on the back. "You better keep on packing. We need to get to the outback soon."
She nodded and continued while Seba left to his room. Two minutes later, he returned with a duffel bag in his arm and a backpack in another.
She looked surprised. "That was quick."
He shrugged. "I didn't really pack that much. Only to last me for 2 weeks because of laundry." he went back to reading his magazine.
The rest of the Thea Sisters had came in to see Nicky packing.
"What's going on, Nic?" Paulina asked. She was Nicky's roommate and closest friend in the entire academy.
"She's got a family emergency." Seba answered for her. "Something's happening to her ranch and her grandmother's in trouble."
"Not only that, the sheep are sick." the Aussie added.
Colette, Violet and Pamela had gathered around Nicky with the French mouselet placing a paw on her shoulder. "You are such a kindhearted mouse. I am sure your sheep will be okay."
Nicky gave a soft smile. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up, Colette. But the sheep are not our pets. They're out business. We shear their wool and sell it. We depend on them to keep the ranch going."
"Your family produces the materials, right?" Seba asked, his question answered with a nod.
"But Nicky, we're right in the middle of the school term," Violet reminded her. "Can you really just pick up and leave right now?"
"I don't have a choice," Nicky said. "My grandmother needs me. I've got to go!"
"What about Seba? Why's he packed up?" Paulina asked, wondering why he had his duffel bag next to him.
"I'm going with her since she needs a friend to support her." Seba answered. "Besides, I could use this as my personal vacation time from all that studying.
The four mouselets exchanged looks. It seemed that Nicky had made up her mind.
"How about you add four more friends to that?" Pamela asked.
Violet nodded. "We're coming with you too."
Nicky was full of gratitude. First Seba and now the rest of the Thea Sisters. She threw her paws around her friends. "Thanks so much! You're the best friends a mouseling could ever want!"
"Well, come on then," said Violet. She wasn't a mushy type of mouse along with Seba. "Let's go talk to Professor de Mousus."
Octavius de Mousus, the headmaster of Mouseford, is the kind of rodent who seems really stern at first glance. But underneath that stiff fur beats a heart of gold. So he decided to take the time to listen to Seba and the Thea Sisters's situation in his private study.
"My dear students, you know no student is allowed to leave the academy during the semester. Especially during exams," he said kindly. "But since this is an emergency, I will grant you permission to leave Whale Island," The girls smiled at that. "However, when you return, you will still need to take your exams. So don't neglect your studies!"
They nodded. "Thank you, Professor!" said Nicky. "We won't forget."
The headmaster looked at Seba. "Mr. Silverstone, from what I've seen from the results of your entrance exams, I would like you to help them keep their studies up to date."
"I'll try my best, old mouse." the human lazily saluted.
When they left the room, they all looked at Seba with a concerned look. He never told them that he had taken the entrance exams.
"Are you really going make us study when we get to Australia?" Pamela asked.
Seba rolled his eyes. "Pfft. I said I'll try to make you study. I never said that I was gonna make you." They sighed in relief when they heard that. "Emergency overseas travel is translation for unsanctioned vacation time."
They rolled their eyes, but chuckled softly.
Early the following morning, the six students headed down to the port to catch a boat back to New Mouse City. Quite a few rodents came to see them off, hugging and waving goodbye. As the ship began moving slowly away from the dock, Mercury Whale and his brothers broke into a farewell tune.
The Hymn For A Happy Return
May your journey be a breeze,
Rich with smiles and rich with cheese!
May your return be filled with delight.
We'll await your arrival day and night,
When you return, we'll all eat cheesecake.
But don't forget to bring us a keepsake!
In New Mouse City, the six friends caught a plane to Australia, which was practically on the other side of the world. Pamela was really excited. She kept asking her friends, "Are we there yet? How much longer?"
The next thing they knew, Pam had went around the plane. She had been asking the pilot and other passengers the same question. "Are we there yet? How much longer?"
Colette leaned over to Paulina. "If Pam had to parachute down, she would probably ask a passing seagull, 'Are we there yet? Will it take much longer?'"
Both of them giggled behind their paws at the image. Seba had an idea and began sketching Pam just doing that.
Their plane had landed in Sydney, the largest city in Australia.
"Holey cheese, that was a long trip!" Paulina exclaimed, rubbing her sore tail.
"You tell me. I never thought that Pam would keep on asking that." Seba muttered.
Nicky smiled at her friends. "Sisters, Seba, I have good news and bad news."
"Bad news first." Seba insisted.
"The bad news is that our trip's not over yet."
Her friends squeaked in protest.
"And the good news?" Colette asked.
"My cousin Billy is here waiting for us!" Nicky exclaimed. She waved her hat at a good-looking rodent who was leaning against a pink, flowered camper. He had curly dirt blond hair and wore a orange T-shirt, blue trousers and a dark blue jacket.
"Your cousin's a hippy?" Seba questioned, gazing towards the colorful camper.
"G'day, everyone!" said Billy. "Climb in!"
The Thea Sisters, Seba and Billy piled into the camper. After an hour on the road, it was Violet and Paulina who were asking "Are we there yet? How much longer?"
"Geez, they're really excited." Pamela commented, prompting Colette and Seba to facepalm (in Colette's case, facepaw).
Billy just smiled. "Easy on, friends! Only another 250 miles to go!"
Colette's fur turned white. "What do you mean, only another 250 miles?!"
Billy pointed to the horizon. "Australia is an enormouse continent, so everything is relative!"
Seba looked out and groaned, resorting to landing his face on the seat in front of him.
Billy looked at his rearview mirror. "I never seen a critter like you before. What are you?"
Seba looked up at him. "I'm a human. An American one at that."
"A human?" Billy pondered. "Now that's a first."
The trip had even went on even to the entire night. The camper drove over mountains and valleys. The road had so many twists and turns that Violet turned a little green.
"I can't take it anymore! I'm going to lose my cheese!" she exclaimed.
Quickly, Seba dug into his backpack and took out a paper airbag he snagged from the plane and handed it to Violet. "Use this."
"Just hold on, Vi! This ride's about to get a lot less bumpy." Nicky assured her.
She was right. A moment later, the camper came to a wide-open prairie. The moon was high in the sky. It glinted off the grass, which was sparkling with new dew.
"What a gorgeous place!" exclaimed Paulina. "It looks like a fairyland!"
"If it were really a fairyland, I would be high right now." Seba muttered under his breath.
They could see spots that looked like snowy bushes. As the camper drew nearer, they realized that the spots were, in fact, huge herds of sheep. Nicky and Billy took turns driving while the others took turns napping and keeping the drivers company. As the van sped across the prairie, Nicky's thoughts turned to the reason they were there.
"I'm almost afraid to ask, Billy. But is there any news from the ranch?" she asked.
Billy's cheerful expression darkened. "Let's not worry about that now. We'll be there soon."
Seba had noticed it. The situation must really be serious.
In the wee hours of the morning, Nicky let out a shout. "There it is!" She pointed to a big, ramshackle farmhouse in the distance. She smiled a little sadly. "It's always good to be home, no matter what the reason."
Seba nodded. With his parents missing, he could feel what she's feeling.
A few moments later, they had finally reached he ranch.
BONG BONG BONG!
Nicky's grandmother, Naya, was standing at the farmhouse door. She was beating a pot with a metal ladle. "Let's go, mouselings! Move your tails! I've made you a delicious breakfast of eggs and cheese grits. You don't want to eat them cold, do you?"
"Naya!" Nicky cried as she exited the camper and up to the elder. "It's so good to see you!"
"Come here and give me a hug, my little cheese dumpling!" Naya cried, throwing her paws around Nicky.
"Are you okay?" the young Aussie mouselet asked, returning the hug as she tried to hold back tears.
"Of course, I am," replied Naya, hugging her granddaughter tighter. "Now enough of this! Scamper off and eat with your friends. We'll have plenty of time to talk about our troubles later."
Billy and Seba were unloading the trunk as they took in the luggage right inside the ranch. Naya had walked up Seba. "You must be the human Nicky mentioned."
"Yes I am, ma'am." Seba replied, nodding dumbly.
The old mouse gave a soft chuckle. "Please, just call me Naya."
"Will do."
She placed a paw on his face. "Still, I've never seen someone like you in all my years."
He shrugged. "I'm somewhat one of a kind in the academy."
"I hope you're taking good care of my granddaughter."
He nodded. "As one of her friends, I'll support her to the fullest."
She smiled. "It's nice to see that the young folk can be loyal now these days. How about you scurry off and join the mouselings for breakfast?"
Seba gave a nod as he went into the kitchen. He noticed that Billy and the Thea Sisters threw themselves at the big, hearty breakfast that Naya made.
"Seba! We saved you some some eggs!" Paulina called out.
The human nodded in gratitude as he joined them. The food was whisker-licking good.
After everyone was done with breakfast, Naya had led Nicky, Paulina and Seba to the middle pen. All the sick sheep were there. They were eating, but they looked tired. Wool was falling from their backs, dotting the prairie with white tufts.
"Moldy mozzarella!" cried Nicky. "The great shearing will take place in less than a month and we won't have any wool to sell!"
"What's the great shearing?" Paulina asked. She pulled on a pair of plastic gloves and carefully picked up samples of soil and grass to analyze.
"These are wool sheep," explained Nicky, reaching down to hug one. "Every year at the end of the cold season, we shear them. That is, we cut off their wool. Once all the sheep are sheared, we sell the wool to factories that use it to make yarn for sweaters and cloth for dresses and blankets."
"Poor things!" Paulina exclaimed. "Does the shearing hurt them?"
"Yeah, it sounds a bit brutal." Seba muttered, wincing at his own imagination of the process while carrying a baby lamb in his arms like it was his own child.
"Oh no, of course not!" Nicky replied. "As long as it's done well and gently. It's kind of like getting a furcut."
Paulina wanted to pet the sheep, but the closer she got, the more nervous the sheep became. They stomped their hooves and pressed against one another.
She tried to reassure them. "It's okay, little ones! I just want to see if you're alright." She turned to Nicky. "Are they acting like this because they don't know me?"
Nicky shook her snout. "No, there's something wrong. They're usually very friendly. Even towards strangers. If they get frightened, they just run away. I've been around sheep my whole life and I've never seen one stomp its hooves before."
"It's as if they don't know who to trust in this situation." Seba theorized, gently placing the lamb down to the ground.
Nicky was worried. The sheep were obviously sick and The Great Shearing was coming up soon. There was no way her parents would be back in time. It was up to her to take care of things. The realization made her shiver. She was just a mouseling. How could she take on so much responsibility? But on the other paw, how could she not? If she did nothing, the sheep would just get sicker. They might even die!
She had to do something! But what?
"What do I do?" wailed Nicky.
Paulina put her paws around her friend. "Don't worry! We're here to help. Let's think. What would Thea do?"
Seba pounded his fist to his palm. "Definitely something."
Nicky wiped her eyes. "Thanks, you two. You're right. Let's not lose our snouts." She took a deep breath. "Okay if Thea were here, she'd review the situation, make a list and figure out her next move."
They began to write the list down.
The list:
-Something must be making the sheep sick.
-Only the sheep in the middle pen are sick. So the sickness isn't contagious.
-All the sheep on the ranch drink from the same stream. Therefore, the water is not the cause of the sickness.
Conclusion: If something is making the sheep sick, it had to be in the grass of the middle pen.
Paulina went inside to take a closer look at her soil samples. Pamela, Colette and Violet went along to help her as she explained the situation to them.
Nicky, Billy and Seba worked with the ranch hands to move all the sheep to another pasture. Once they were done, Seba decided to accompany Nicky to visit her favorite horse, Stella. She was a mare with white fur and a grey mane. The happy neighing that greeted her quickly made her forget all her worries.
"Stella!" she whispered. "I missed you so much!"
She offered the horse an apple as a snack.
"She's been around ever since she was a foal, I presume?" Seba deducted.
She nodded and smiled. "She's been my beautiful steed for who knows how long."
She threw a saddle over Stella's back and jumped on. "Coming along?"
He shrugged. "Sure. Looks like fun."
Nicky pulled him up and he was right behind her. "Hold on, this is gonna be one heck of a ride."
Together, they galloped out onto the open prairie.
"Woah!" Seba exclaimed. "The horsepower is there. I think it can outrun a convertible!"
Nicky laughed at that statement before she sighed with happiness. Studying at Mouseford was wonderful and Whale Island was a fantastic place, but there really was no place like home. It felt so good to be back on the ranch with the wind rushing through her fur. For the human, he could feel his hair being blown by the breeze as he slightly leaned back and closed his eyes to feel the wind's sensation.
Suddenly, Stella neighed loudly and bucked. Fortunately, Nicky was an experienced rider and she managed to keep her seat. A less experienced rider would have been thrown from the saddle for sure.
Seba was one of those inexperienced.
"WARGH!" he exclaimed as he landed on the ground. "I'll be feeling that in the morning."
"Seba! Are you alright?" Nicky asked, worried.
"Yeah, I'm good." he replied as he slowly stood up. "But what about the gal here?"
"Stella? What's wrong?" she asked the horse as she helped him back up behind her.
Stella whinnied and pointed her nose towards the sky. A small plane was circling overhead. This was nothing unusual since all the ranches owned small planes. They were used to visit friends, fertilize the fields and travel long distances. Yet Stella seemed bothered by it.
Nicky frowned. She realized she'd been gone longer than she thought.
Seba noticed her expression. "What is it, Nic?"
She looked at him. "I think it's time to return to the ranch."
He nodded without hesitation, considering that she was serious. He also noticed the plane right above them. He felt trouble brewing in as they rode back.
Nicky had led Stella back to the stables as Seba rubbed his butt from the pain he took from that fall. Paulina had scurried towards them.
"There's lead in the soil! All the tests are clear. And Violet went online to do a little research. The sheep's symptoms agree with my diagnosis. Tiredness, loss of fur and irritability are all signs of lead poisoning!"
Nicky was stunned. "But how did lead into the pen?"
Seba growled. "Definitely not naturally."
Paulina frowned. "I don't know. Maybe the field was watered with contaminated water."
"I smell foul play." the human said as he took a small whiff of the air.
Naya came and joined them. "The plane!" she exclaimed. "One night, I heard a plane flying very low over our ranch."
"At night?" asked Nicky in surprise. "That's dangerous!"
"Yes, it's very dangerous," the elder agreed. "But darkness is the best cover for rodents who wish to stay hidden!" Her snout was creased with worry. "I didn't realize the connection until just now. Soon after I heard that plane, our sheep began losing their wool!"
"There are only two planes around here," Nicky's whiskers began quivering with anger. "One is ours and the other belongs to that good-for-nothing sewer rat Mortimer MacCardigan!"
Nicky had already left the ranch to confront Mortimer while Seba and Pamela were helping Naya and Billy prepare dinner. Tonight was cheese stew. Seba was curious as to how cheese can be made into stew, but another question burned into his mind.
"So who is Mortimer MacCardigan?" he asked as he nonchalantly slapped Pam's paw away from the stew.
Naya sighed with a soft frown. "He's our neighbor who also breeds sheep. But-"
"His methods are ruthless." Billy finished with a growl, walking in to set up the plates. "He's a self-made rat with no consideration for other rodents."
"Geez, how bad is he?" Pam asked, flinching at the blunt description while rubbing her own paw.
"Place him in a competition and just imagine how far to heights he is willing to go all just to be the best." Billy answered, feeling a bit angry at Mortimer's previous actions.
Both pairs of eyes widened.
Naya sighed sadly. "This was what caused a strain in Nicky's friendship with Nate."
"Nate?" Seba repeated.
"He's a really bright, young mouse who really is also passionate about sheep shearing. Very sweet as well." she explained.
"The only problem is that he's Mortimer's son." Billy added. "It's not like I don't like him because they're related. It's just that he doesn't have the backbone to stand up to his old mouse."
Seba pondered as he looked out to the window, watching the sun set as to how things will happen. What he didn't know was that Pam was about to sneak a taste of the stew.
Suddenly, they heard the front door slam, causing both of them to jump. They peeked over to the other room to see Nicky storming to the couch and landing on a couch.
"I guess things didn't go well." Seba said.
"You think?" Pamela snarked.
Dinner was by the fire as they all sat to warm themselves. Seba had to admit, cheese stew was pretty good.
Nicky told them what had happened with Mortimer MacCardigan. "After squeaking with that greedy sewer rat, I'm even more convinced he's behind what happened to our sheep!" she exclaimed, growling. "I think he has a guilty conscience."
"Or probably none at all." Seba remarked.
Nicky turned to Paulina. "Did you find a cure in your research?"
Her friend shook her head sadly. "Nothing!"
Naya was in deep thought until she thought of something. "I think I might have an idea."
Nicky brightened instantly. "Really, Naya? What is it?"
"Perhaps it's time to turn to the wisdom of our elders." She got a faraway look on her snout. "You see, thousands and thousands of years ago, our ancestors used flowers, leaves and roots to heal all living things. When I was just a tiny mouseling, my grandmother's grandfather told me of a powerful root that could cure every disease."
"A root that could cure every disease? Is that possible?" Seba asked, looking slightly bewildered.
Naya smiled and nodded as she slipped a necklace of seeds from her neck. In the center was a medallion engraved with a desert mouse. She gave it to Nicky. "This medallion is the symbol of our clan. Take the necklace. It will be of help to you in the land of our ancestors."
Nicky looked bemused. "What do you mean, Naya?
The old mouse pointed northwest. "Take the necklace with your journey. You must go to the Flinders Ranges and look for Nepabunna. There you will find out clan's elders. They'll know how to help save our sheep."
Naya got up and pulled a smooth, flat, oval piece of wood from a pouch at her waist. A long string was connected to it. She grabbed the end of the rope and began spinning it over her head. It went faster as the wood twisted and turned in the air. It began to make a strange buzzing sound that got louder every second. It seemed to fill the sky for miles and miles around them.
Violet, Paulina, Pamela, Colette and Seba were mesmerized.
"What is it?" Violet asked Billy.
'It's called a bull-roarer," he answered. "We use it as a kind of telephone. Whoever hears the sound spins his or her bull-roarer and sends the message until it reaches its destination."
Naya stopped spinning her instrument and smiled. "Everything's fine," she said. "Thanks to the bull-roarer, news of your trip is already on its way to Nepabunna!"
Nicky, Violet and Pamela spent the rest of the night studying maps, Paulina did research on the Internet, Colette calculated the distance from the farm to the Flinders Ranges and Seba had set up and packed the equipment and supplies provided by Naya.
Before curling up for a good night's sleep, they had started packing for the trip.
"Be sure to bring only what's absolutely necessary!" Nicky warned them before looking at Colette. "Just one small suitcase each."
"Why are you looking at me?" Colette cried, looking indignant. "I will be good, I promise!"
Seba merely snorted before turning his head to sleep.
"And what is that suppose to mean, Seba?!" the French mouselet exclaimed.
Her reply was a series of soft snores.
The next morning, the six friends were still asleep when a droning noise woke them.
"What's that sound?" Violet mumbled sleepily, feeling a bit grouchy.
"It's a plane!" shouted Nicky, she and Seba suddenly leaping up. She was afraid it might be Mortimer MacCardigan coming back to poison her sheep.
"Time to punch someone!" Seba exclaimed as they scampered out to the porch.
However when they got there, they saw a white plane with an odd crest painted on the fuselage. It was the logo of the Royal Flying Doctor Service!
The plane landed on the ranch's lawn. Billy ran toward the friendly-looking pilot, a rat wearing a flashy, flowered shirt.
Billy introduced him to Nicky's friends. "This is Doctor Oodgeroo Yunupingu of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. But you can call him Ted. He's my brother!"
Billy? Ted? Bill and Ted?
Seba blinked.
"G'day, everyone!" Ted greeted as he hugged Nicky. "It's been too long, cousin."
Billy and Ted helped Seba and the Thea Sisters load their baggage onto the plane.
"So, Ted. Have you and Billy had any excellent adventures before?" the human asked.
The pilot smiled and look at him. "Oh, plenty. You should hear about how we tried to use the farm's plane to drop a stinkbomb on our principal's car."
Seba gave a huge grin. He was going to like them a lot.
Looking at the sisters, he had an observation towards what they were carrying. Pam had her backpack and her wrench. Paulina had a duffel bag and her laptop. Violet had a shoulder bag and the teeny-weeny pumpkin house that held Frilly. Nicky had a small knapsack and a pair of binoculars.
Seba himself carried a backpack and sketchpad. Inside his bag was a map, bug spray, a hat and sunscreen, a canteen of water, light clothes for daytime, a hoodie jacket for cool nighttime, raingear during the rainy season and a tiny health kit.
It seemed that they had taken Nicky's words to heart and packed light. Everyone, that is, except Colette. She was carrying a tiny pink purse, yet was also carrying an enormous suitcase that looked like it was about to burst open.
Nicky, Paulina, Pamela, Violet and Seba had all stared at her, the human's stare giving a deadpan one.
"Colette." Seba said, dull tone in his voice.
"What is it?" Colette asked. "What is wrong? I packed one suitcase, just like you said and it is not even completely full!"
They just kept staring at her.
"Colette." Seba repeated, though there was firmness in his voice this time.
The French mouse merely sighed. "Fine." With that, she went back into the farmhouse, dragging the enormous suitcase behind her.
A few minutes later, she emerged again. This time, she was carrying only the little purse and a small backpack.
"I do not know what I will do if we get invited to a dance," Colette said, worried as she climbed onto the plane. "I will have nothing to wear!"
Nicky gently placed her paw on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Colette! If somebody asks you to a dance, I'll get you a dress. I promise."
Seba pointed towards her as he got comfy in his seat. "I'll hold your word to it."
She scowled at him.
A few moments later, the plane took off.
"The Finders Ranges aren't too far away and I'll take you there from go to whoa," Doctor Ted told the six friends. "It's a short flight. Just three hundred miles. So sit back and get comfy! You're flying the friendly skies."
Nicky smiled. She loved flying. And she felt better now that they had a plan.
It was supposed to be a relaxing flight, but it wasn't at all. Seba couldn't help but feel like something's happening in their adventure.
Suddenly, Doctor Ted had received the order to change his route. "I'm sorry, Nicky! Dispatch just told me there's an emergency in Buckleboo. There's a rodent desperately in need of medical attention and I can't you with me. It's against the rules. I'll have to drop you off in Port Augusta."
The mouselings look dismayed but Seba frowned. This was too coincidental.
Doctor Ted was a rodent of his word. He dropped Nicky and her friends off at the Port Augusta train station. An hour later, they were on board a train headed north to the city of Hawker. At Hawker, they scurried to the bus for Wilpena. There they went to a car rental shop to rent an SUV.
The mouse who rented them the SUV was cheerful. "This baby's got everything you need for an absolutely fabumouse adventure!" he promised.
They piled into the SUV and set off. The scenery was breathtaking! They passed rolling green valleys and meadows and giant trees. Pamela, Colette, Violet, Paulina and Seba bounced from one side of the SUV to the other, peering out the windows. Soon, they started a contest to see who could spot the most animals.
"What's that cute little critter? Is it a baby kangaroo?"
"That's not a kangaroo, that's a wallaby." Nicky answered.
The SUV sped along. They were getting closer to their destination. Nicky smiled. Finally, their mission seemed to be on track.
But just then, drizzle began to fall.
Then it turned into driving rain.
Which turned into a storm.
Paulina, Colette, Pam, Violet and Seba had never seen rain like this! The falling drops were as big as cheese slices!
"They say that raining cats and dogs was an expression," Seba muttered. "They've never seen hailing taxis like these before."
"I'm pulling over," Nicky declared. "I can't see past the tip of my snout. Plus, it's getting dark."
They decided to wait, but the rain just wouldn't let up.
Paulina brought out some Cheesy Chews and apple juice.
"Thank goodness you packed snacks!" exclaimed Pam. "I'm hungrier than a rodent on a MouseFast diet!"
Seba rolled his eyes. Only Pam would be extremely delighted at snacks.
After eating, sleep overtook the exhausted mouselings. One after the other, the five friends slipped into a peaceful slumber. Seba, the only one awake, had decided to take watch. To keep himself occupied, he decided to draw the scenery of the great outback.
A few hours later, Seba began to notice a colourful flock of birds gathering around the car.
"Shoo!" he whispered. "Go away!"
Unfortunately, his request was not met as the birds began to create a tremendous amount of racket later on. The Thea Sisters began to wake up.
"Ugh!" Violet moaned. She kept her eyes closed tight.
"What time is it?" Paulina mumbled.
Pamela rubbed her stomach. "My tummy tells me it's breakfast time!"
Colette looked at Seba. "You are still awake? I can see the bags under your eyes!"
The human motioned to the windows. "I think we have more important matters to discuss other than my sleeping conditions."
Nicky rolled over, stretched and yawned. Then, she shouted:
"BE QUIEEEEET!"
Instantly, the birds fluttered and rose in flight to reveal the sunlight.
"What was that?" Violet cried, wincing at the sun.
Seba explained what happened as they watched the birds fly away.
"I have got to get a picture of this!" said Colette. She reached for the door handle and hopped out.
SPLASH!
"Eeeeek!" shrieked Colette as she fell out of the car. There was water everywhere!
Nicky reached over and helped her back in. "Are you okay, Colette?"
"Do I look okay?!" the French mouselet screeched. "I just took a bath in a swamp!"
Violet grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her friend while Paulina offered her a sip of juice. After a few minutes, Colette was calm again.
Pam tuned to Nicky. "What happened? How did we end up in a lake?"
"It's not a lake," the native mouselet explained. "It's a billabong. Billabongs are big puddles that form after rainstorms. They're not very deep, but they're enormouse!"
"Well if the water's shallow, then we can keep on driving." said Pam.
Both Seba and Nicky shook their heads.
"This isn't like the concrete road. We're on rough soil." Seba replied.
Nicky nodded in agreement. "It's too risky. We could drive into a huge pothole and the SUV could sink or there could be crocodiles."
"CROCODILES?!" Colette exclaimed in fear.
Nicky nodded. "This is terrible! We're stuck here until help comes along. And the sheep are probably getting sicker by the minute. What do we do?"
Seba raised his hand up slowly.
"You are not going to wrestle the crocodiles." Violet said firmly, shooting him a stern look.
The hand was slowly lowered down.
Paulina put a paw around Nicky. She looked at the others for help, but no one knew what to do.
Then suddenly, Pamela leaped up. "Hey, Sisters!" she exclaimed. "What did that rodent from the car rental shop say?"
Colette frowned. "I think he said, 'This baby has got everything you need for an absolutely fabumouse adventure!'"
"Well then, it's time to put it to the test!" Pamela declared.
And with that, she pushed open the ceiling hatch and climbed out onto the SUV's roof. Seba's eyes widened in realization as he joined her.
"What are you doing out there?" Colette asked, sticking her snout through the hatch.
"There's a lot of gear in this roof rack!" Pam exclaimed as she and the human dug through the bundle strapped to the SUV's roof. There was a first aid kid, a compass and helmets.
"Everything we need on an adventure." Seba muttered.
"Holey cheese!" Pamela cried. "There's a raft! A real blow-up raft with oars!"
"You mean...you want us to row all the way to Nepabunna?" Violet asked anxiously. "Through the crocodiles?"
"Not all the way to Nepabunna," Pam reassured her. "Just to that mountain."
Her friends looked at where Pam was pointing. It was not very far from the SUV.
"Great idea, Pam!" Nicky exclaimed. "That's Saint Mary's Peak, the highest mountain in the Flinders Ranges. We can climb it since the billabong can't extend all the way to the other side. And there's a road over there. We can get a ride to the nearest town."
Paulina, Violet and Seba were nodding but Colette looked worried. "Are we going to have to climb with our bare paws?"
Pam just grinned. "No worries, Colette! Look what I found." She pulled out ropes, nails and crampons. The roof rack had everything they'd need for a mountain climb.
Seba and the Thea Sisters clambered into the raft as Pam steered it toward the mountain. She was brimming with excitement. "Admit it, mouselings and human. We're paddling in a raft in the outback and we're about to climb a famouse mountain. This has got to be our greatest adventure ever!"
Seba shrugged. "Who knows? There might be more excellent adventures we can have in the future."
The enthusiasm was contagious. The sky was clear after the storm and the cool air gave the youngsters a burst of energy.
"It feels good to move my paws after so many hours sitting in planes, trains and SUVs," said Paulina.
"Speaking of which, I better get back to training soon." Seba reminded himself.
Everyone agreed. Well, almost everyone.
"I cannot wait to get back to civilization," moaned Colette with a large pout. "Just look at my fur! It's all matted and muddy."
"Colette, even on a bad fur day, you look zillion times better than I do," said Violet.
"It's true. We've been on a date before so I should know." Seba added.
The Chinese mouselet pulled something out of the bottom of the raft. "Look! This pink helmet looks as if it was made just for you."
That statement made Seba briefly unnerved. Did the salesmouse from the car rental have psychic powers?
However, Colette put it on and smiled. "Pink is my favorite color!" She turned to hug her friend. "Thanks, Violet. You are the best!"
Pamela looked at Seba. "But you mentioned a date with her. Care to tell me?"
Seba shot her a look. "You tell me, considering that you all planned for me a date with her just so you can get rid of my cigarettes."
Nicky gave him a playful glare. "It was for your own good and we all know it."
"Yes, I am grateful for that. But you should've told me the truth rather than lying about a Green Mice meeting." The human shot back.
This argument went on while Pamela tried to keep the peace between them.
An hour later, they reached the mountain. Pam had been mountain climbing a few times before, so she was in charge of checking everyone's equipment. As Nicky began to lead the others up the mountain, Pam made them dizzy with her advice.
"Never take off your helmet! Never take climbing lightly! Never climb during bad weather! Never underestimate a mountain! Never forget your first aid kit!"
Pam felt responsible for taking care of her friends and her friends felt responsible for rolling their eyes at all of her advice that they already know!
"One last try, Pam! You can do it! Come on, you're almost there!"
Violet was the first to make it to the top, with Paulina and Seba right behind her. Pamela couldn't believe those three had passed her. She gritted her teeth, curled her tail and pulled herself to the top.
"How *huff* did you do it?" she panted as she bent over to catch her breath.
"I've trained in Tibet." Seba answered. "Climb up the mountain and practiced with the monks."
Everyone was looking at him with surprised, but he merely shrugged. When Pam stood up, she gaped at the breathtaking panorama before her.
"Incredible!" she exclaimed.
"Stupendous!" whispered Paulina.
"Magnificent!" Violet said, sighing.
"Fabumouse!" gasped Nicky.
"Excelsior!" yelled Seba.
Colette looked down from the top before giving a horrified expression.
"Boules de Brie moisis, more water?!" she cried.
She was right. The billabong extended all the way to the other side of Saint Mary's Peak. It was immense. A forest of trees and rocky peaks peeped up from below the water's surface.
The mouselings and human were silent for a moment. They were awestruck by the sight before them. Then in the distance, they noticed a hydroplane approaching them. The boat was powered by a propeller that looked like an enormous fan.
Nicky jumped for joy when she saw it. "Kissing kangaroos! It's Mitch!"
Seba looked at her. "Another one of your cousins?"
She nodded. Mitch was a tall, friendly mouse with a furdo of tightly knitted braids.
"I'm sure Doctor Ted put him on our trail," said Nicky. "Hooray! We're rescued!" She started waving frantically, trying to signal her cousin.
She was right. Doctor Ted had radioed Mitch and asked him to look out for Nicky and her friends.
An hour later, the six of them were continuing their journey on Mitch's hydroplane. The flooded landscape was surreal as they passed by their surroundings.
"I feel like I'm in a dream," Paulina said with a sigh.
Violet nodded. "And I don't ever want to wake up!"
Seba shuddered. "Better than a fever dream."
As the sun began to set, the little group finally reached the end of the billabong just right on the edge of a highway.
"This is a good place to find a ride," Mitch said.
Pamela, Violet, Paulina, Colette and Seba looked at one another in confusion. But they decided to wait to see what would happen.
After a few minutes, a dot appeared on the horizon.
"A camper!" Paulina called out.
"It's covered with flowers!" noted Colette.
"It's Billy!" exclaimed Nicky.
Billy helped the six friends into the camper. Then he told them some bad news.
"All the streets are blocked," he announced. "We have to spend the night in Curdimurka. Tonight is the night of the Outback Ball. Sick sheep or no sick sheep, you shouldn't miss it!"
"The Outback Ball?" Colette asked. "What's that?"
"Every two years, the Outback Ball takes place in Curdimurka," explained Nicky. "It's a traditional celebration that's very popular in Australia."
As they approached Curdimurka, they saw tons of rodents crowding the streets.
"You're right. There's like a ton of them all over here." Seba commented.
Everyone wanted to be part of the Outback Ball. Everyone expect Nicky. She was thinking of her sick sheep and how she had to find a cure in a hurry. She didn't want to lose another second. Violet could tell her friend was distressed.
So she leaned in close. "There's an old Chinese proverb that goes like this: If you can't go where you want, stay where you are."
Nicky looked at her, puzzled.
"You're here now and you can't do anything about it," Violet explained. "So try to enjoy it!"
The Aussie mouselet nodded slowly. Violet was right. The only thing to do was to enjoy today and continue on their journey tomorrow.
"Okay, let's have a good time!" declared Nicky as they all hopped out of the camper and she began showing her friends around.
What an incredible place it was. There was music, contests, carousels, toys and games. And to Pamela's delight, there were hundreds of different delicious things to eat.
The six friends were quickly drawn into the excitement. The Thea Sisters were all squeaking at once, pointing at booths they wanted to visit. Only Colette was quiet.
"Are you okay, Colette?" asked Nicky. "You look a little down in the snout."
Seba had noticed. Ever since they began their journey, the French mouselet looked less excited than she originally was.
His concerns were confirmed as Colette finally broke down in tears. "No, I am not okay! I cannot go to a ball like this! I look like I went swimming in a swamp!"
"That's because you did." muttered Violet. Paulina giggled, but Seba gave both of them light smacks on their heads.
"Listen, Colette," Nicky said seriously, comforting the crying mouseling. "I gave you my word that if there was a dance, I'd worry about your clothes. So snout up! I'm a rodent of my word."
She smiled as she jumped on a van that was parked nearby and yelled at the top of her lungs.
"Hey, rodents!" Nicky had quite a voice that made everyone stop talking to turn to look at her. "My friend is here from a faraway place. She comes from France!"
A murmur passed through the crowd. "From France?"
Nicky had to shout again. "Yes, France! The fashion capital of the world! So you can understand how upset this lovely mouseling is since she doesn't have anything to wear to the ball. Let's show her true Australian hospitality! She needs pink clothes! Understand? PINK!"
There was a moment of silence as that sank in. Then, the competition began.
"I have a pink jacket!" shouted a young rodent.
"Is a rhinestone belt okay?" asked a tiny mouseling.
"I've got a shawl!" cried an older mouse.
A kind rat hawking cheese sticks offered his camper as a dressing room. Colette gladly accepted. She knew just what she needed to do first: wash her fur! Then her friends helped her pick out the perfect look.
When she came out, she looked really stunning and elegant.
"Darling, you look absolutely fabumouse!" cried Nicky.
"I'm sure any ratlings our age would ask you to dance with them." added Seba.
Colette beamed at the compliments. "Thanks, you two!"
The ball began and it was a blast! Seba and the Thea Sisters danced the night away, moving to the rhythm of a thousand different beats. Around midnight, Violet and Seba looked around them. In all the confusion, they had lost their friends!
"Pam? Nicky?" Violet called out.
"Polly? Coco!" Seba was louder, but had no avail.
The crowd was too noisy!
Both of them felt lost than in their first days at Mouseford. They had to stick together so they don't lose each other. As they frantically searched through the sea of mice, the crowd began to move like a wave. Then everyone burst into applause. Both of them had no idea what was happening until she heard a booming squeak over the loudspeaker.
"Come one, come all! It's time to award the prize for the best-dressed rodent at the ball!"
"Who do you think it will be?" someone near Violet asked.
"It's got to be that cute blond mouseling from France!" answered another. "She's the most stylish rodent I've ever seen!"
"Oh, that's right. The one dressed all in pink," the first mouse said.
"You mean Colette!" exclaimed Violet.
"But where is she?" Seba wondered.
The question was answered a moment later. Colette was scurrying onstage to collect her prize!
"That's her!" cried Violet as she dragged Seba to make way through the crowd. Rodents moved aside to let them through.
They were relieved to find Nicky, Paulina, Pamela and Billy standing right in front of the stage. Everyone was clapping wildly. Colette was as beautiful as a movie star!
Other prizes were given out too. Pam was voted the most popular rodent at the ball. Nicky got the prize for the sportiest. And Paulina took lots of photos. It was a night to remember!
In front of Curdimurka's train station, you could hear music of a sort:
Zzzzz...
It was a concert of snores. Pamela, Violet, Colette, Paulina and Billy were sound asleep. So were dozens of other rodents. Everyone was counting sheep. But Nicky was wide-awake. Her head was filled with thoughts of her sheep, her parents, and the ranch that was in danger of being lost forever. She looked at Seba, who looked back at her from his sketchbook. They shared a nod.
In the station's lobby, Billy was snoozing away. Nicky shook him gently by the tail. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. But Billy didn't move.
Colette slowly woke up and tried to help her. She shouted in Billy's ear. "Yoohoo! Billy!"
"Sssshhhhh!" said Paulina, covering her eyes with her paws. "We're very sleepy!"
The French mouselet tried to be quiet, but it wasn't easy. "Hey, Billy!" she whispered. "Wake up!"
Nicky kept trying to rouse her friends, but Paulina, Violet and Pamela complained. "We're too sleepy!"
She was starting to get impatient. Before she could shout, a hand was placed on her shoulder. Nicky turned to see Seba with an air horn in his other hand. He motioned them to plug their ears in. Nicky and Colette did so.
3...
2...
1...
HOOOOONK!
The three Thea Sisters had immediately woken up and jumped off the bench. Raising their heads, they glared at Seba. He raised his arm and pointed to the camper, as if telling them to get in now. They sighed as they gathered their bags.
As for Billy, nothing seemed to work. So Seba picked him up and threw him in the back in the camper. He was still asleep even after he landed.
"Okay, let's go!" Nicky said. "Colette, you're in charge of the road map. We're off to Nepabunna!"
She carefully turned on the engine since she didn't want to disturb anyone.
VROOOOM!
All around the station, sleepers woke up.
"Shh!" one shouted.
"We're very sleepy!" cried another.
"Oops!" squeaked Nicky. "Sorry about that!"
"Smooth, Nicky. Smooth." Seba muttered.
But almost before she finished squeaking, they were all asleep again. At least, for a moment. There was another loud sound of the engine and the sleepers picked up their snouts again.
"Shhhhh!" one shouted.
"We are very sleepy!" cried another.
"It wasn't me this time! I swear!" Nicky cried.
"I think it came from up there." Seba said, pointing up to the sky. Nicky looked up and recognized the plane that was taking off.
It was Mortimer MacCardigan!
Nicky became even more determined to get to Nepabunna. She raced out of Curdimurka at top speed until...
PUTT!
PUTT!
PUTT!
PUMPF!
The camper came to a dead stop. It had run out of gas! Nicky was so anxious to get to Nepabunna, she had forgotten to check the tank.
"Argh! What a drongo!" she cried.
"What is she talking about?" Violet whispered to Paulina.
"I think it's Australian for 'idiot,'" Paulina whispered back.
"Of all the stupid things I've ever done, this is the stupidest!" Nicky yelled, banging her paws on the wheel.
"Don't blame yourself." Seba said. "We all didn't know about the empty tank."
Billy chose that moment to wake up at last. "Huh? Where are we?"
"We're halfway to Nepabunna and we ran out of gas!" cried a frustrated Nicky.
"There must be a gas station along the way," volunteered Pamela. "I'll scamper off, get a gallon and come right back."
"I'll go too." Seba suggested. "We might need extra fuel in case stuff happens."
"Good idea," Billy said, yawning. "I think there may be one about fifteen miles away."
"Fifteen miles?" said Pam, frowning. "That's a long way. Are you sure there isn't one any closer?"
Nicky was in despair. Her friends tried to comfort her.
"It's going to be okay, Nic," Paulina assured her. "We'll think of something."
The human looked at Billy. "Is there any way to get help?"
Billy thought about it and smiled. "The radio!" he exclaimed as he grabbed onto it. "Mitch! We need you!"
Half an hour later, Mitch arrived in his jeep to rescue them.
"Thanks for the help, Mitch." Seba said as he bumped his fist with Mitch's paw.
"No problem. Anything to help my cousin's ranch." he replied as he looked at a happier Nicky.
Billy filled the tank with extra gas Mitch kept in his backseat. Then he said goodbye to Nicky and her friends and headed back to the ranch. Mitch would drive the mouselings and human to Nepabunna.
Nicky sighed with relief. Her mission was almost over! In a little while, she'd meet Naya's clan elders. She was sure they'd know a cure for the sheep. Soon, the paved road turned into a path. They were getting closer!
The six friends had to proceed on paw and foot, along with a thick cloud of flies, horseflies, gadflies, tiger mosquitoes, gnats, wasps, bees, gigantic hornets and other kinds of insects. Seba felt someone watching them.
However, his thoughts were broken as some Aborigine mouselings appeared. Their hair and bodies were covered with dried mud.
"Hmm..." pondered Colette. "I wonder if it is a fashion statement?"
"I swear you and Pamela are almost alike." Seba muttered. Pam was all about food while Colette was the fashion fanatic.
Mitch laughed. "The mud actually serves a purpose. It protects these little mice from insect bites and sunburns."
Together the mouselings greeted the park ranger. "Hi, Uncle Mitch!"
"They're Naya's great-great-grandchildren," Mitch explained to Seba and the Thea Sisters.
"Are all Australians related to you?" asked Pamela incredulously.
Mitch just laughed. "No, but it seems that way sometimes!"
The kids greeted the Thea Sisters in chorus: "Hello, strangers with odd-looking snouts! You look really far out!"
Their gaze turned towards Seba before they crowded around.
"Woah, take it easy little ones." Seba said, trying to calm the excited mouselings down.
"What are you?" one of the mouselings asked, poking him.
"Me?" he said before giving an exaggerated pose, with flexing. "I'm a human!"
The little mouselings were in awe while Mitch and the Thea Sisters giggled at his antics. Soon, the little ones scampered off, laughing as something caught their eyes.
Pamela shivered. She'd realized the Aborigine mice were running after enormous hairy spiders.
Violet knew Pamela was afraid of insects.
"Don't worry," whispered Violet, taking Pam's paw. "I'll protect you!"
Pam calmed down and smiled at her. "Thanks, Vi."
Soon, Mitch and the Thea Sisters followed the Aborigine mouselings' path. Seba had bug spray all over them. Twenty minutes later, they reached the Aborigines' camp. Naya's message had already reached the camp, so the six of them were expected. It was dinnertime and the delicious smell of cheese stew made their mouths water.
"Hurrah!" cried Pam. "We're eating!"
They fell on the stew like a pack of hungry field mice.
A young Aborigine mouse came and greeted Seba and the Thea Sisters. She was short and slender and wore a beautiful flowered dress.
"This is my fiancee, Lily." Mitch introduced.
"You sure had quite a catch." Seba complimented. Both soon to be weds had blushed at that comment.
"It's great to meet you, Lily!" greeted Nicky. "But where are the clan's elders?"
"They are away on an important journey," Lily answered, shaking off the blush on her snout. "I'm not sure when they'll be back."
Nicky was crushed. "But I have to talk with them! I came hundreds of miles to meet them!" It was all she could do not to start sobbing like a tiny mouseling.
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you where they are." Lily said sympathetically.
"Why not?" Seba questioned.
"It's a secret place that only members of the clan can visit." she answered.
"But my grandmother is a member of the clan!" Nicky protested.
"I'm very sorry, Nicky," said Lily. "But it's not for me to decide. You'll need more to proof to show it."
A tear trickled down Nicky's snout as she was on the verge to tears. Suddenly, an idea popped into Violet's head as she quickly pulled Nicky aside.
"The necklace! Show her the necklace Naya gave you!" she told her.
With everything that had happened, Nicky had forgotten all about the necklace as she pulled it out.
"Look!" she exclaimed. "My grandmother gave this to me!"
Lily gazed at the necklace in surprise as she took it to get a better look. "I'm so glad you showed this to me, Nicky! This medallion means that you are a trusted member of our clan. It changes everything."
"Hooray!" cried Paulina.
"So you can tell us where they are, right?" Seba inquired.
Lily nodded. "The elders have gone to Uluru, the Great Red Rock."
"I know Uluru!" exclaimed Nicky. "It's a famouse Australian landmark."
"To see the elders, you have to find the mountain inside the mountain." Lily explained.
"A mountain inside a mountain?" Seba repeated, scratching his bemused head. Was that even remotely possible?
She pointed to the desert mouse carved in Naya's necklace. "This is show you the way."
"I don't get it," Nicky said. "How?"
"Don't worry," Lily reassured her as she handed back the necklace. "When the time comes, you'll understand."
"But why not trust us with this information though?" Seba asked.
She shook her head. "It's not that I trust you all. It's a safety precaution we need to take since there have been outsiders that have tried to steal from our clans."
While Lily, Nicky and Seba were talking, Pamela was rummaging through her backpack.
"SQUEEEEAAK!"
She had touched an enormous hairy spider! She turned her backpack inside out and the spider ran away. It quickly scurried into the woods.
A moment later, they heard another shriek.
"SQUEEEAK! GET IT OFF ME!"
It was Mortimer MacCardigan!
He'd been busy spying on Nicky when the enormous hairy spider jumped right on his snout. The Thea Sisters watched as Mortimer scamper away with his tail between his legs.
The human was laughing at the misfortune.
"Haha! You better run, you sewer rat! Serves you right for sneaking right behind us!" Seba exclaimed in glee.
Night was falling as the six friends settled in to spend the night. But try as she might, Nicky and Seba could not fall asleep. She checked and rechecked her map. The distance from Nepabunna to Uluru looked immense.
"Something is worrying her." Lily pondered, worried about her future relative.
Paulina quickly explained about Nicky's sheep. "She's afraid she won't be in time! Her sheep need medicine right now!"
"With the perpetrator right on our trail, the difficulty had just increased for our journey." Seba added, still looking out to see if Mortimer was around.
As soon as she heard this, Lily pointed to a long, hollow eucalyptus branch. It was decorated with a thousand dots.
"Oh, I know what that is!" Pamela said. "It's a giggiridu!"
"Actually, it's a didgeridoo." Mitch corrected as he grabbed the instrument and blew forcefully into it. It vibrated, emitting a low and powerful sound.
A few moments later, another didgeridoo answered like a distant echo
He turned to Nicky. "I found you a ride! You'll leave tomorrow morning on Doctor Ted's plane."
Nicky threw her paws around her cousin. "Thank you, Mitch! Thank you so much!"
With her heart at peace at last, Nicky quickly fell into a sound sleep. So did her friends. They were all exhausted from their long day of traveling.
The next morning, the entire clan showed up to wish Seba and the Thea Sisters well. The little Aborigine mouselings sang to them once more.
"Hello strangers with odd-looking snouts, you look really far out!"
Mitch and Lily took the six visitors to the nearest landing strip. Doctor Ted was already waiting for them.
"Ted! How was your adventure?" Seba greeted.
He shook his head. "Totally bogus. That was a false call."
Seba scowled. He knew who was responsible for that.
Nicky gave Mitch and Lily each a big hug. All six of them thanked their new friends.
"You really make a great couple!" Pam told the pair.
"Thank you so much for all your help and for your friendship," Violet said sincerely.
"True friends are truly precious!" said Lily, smiling.
"Send us some postcards from your honeymoon!" Seba exclaimed, causing the young couple to blush even more.
They took a group picture for the memories.
As their plane zoomed towards Uluru, Nicky peered out of the window. She knew that Mortimer MacCardigan was following them. He knew where they were headed, and she was sure that they hadn't seen the last of him.
Seba looked at her and placed a hand on her paw. "Don't worry. We'll reach there before he can."
Nicky looked back at him and smiled with a nod. They needed to focus on the mission.
Seba and the Thea Sisters reached Uluru when the sun was still high in the sky. Doctor Ted had received another urgent call. So he said goodbye and quickly took off again.
Nicky wiped the sweat from her snout. "It's too hot!" she exclaimed. "We'd better wait until the sun goes down. Let's rest a little."
Everyone dropped their packs in the shade and sat down.
"Look at this rock!" Colette gushed. "It is amazing!"
"It's a rock." Seba deadpanned. "How can you be excited over a rock? I swear, the heat must be going to your head."
As the rest of the girls squeaked away, Seba noticed Nicky thinking of something. She remembered Lily's mysterious words, but couldn't make snouts and tails of them.
"Look for the mountain inside the mountain. It will show you the way." she recited.
Taking out Naya's necklace, she gazed at the desert mouse on the medallion. How could it show her the way? Try as she might, she just couldn't figure it out.
She hadn't even notice the human approach her. "Penny for your thoughts?"
She broke out and looked at him before shaking her head. "It's nothing. Just thinking about Lily's words."
Seba looked at the necklace. "Don't overthink it. You'll strain yourself too much."
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You mean become as laidback as you?"
The human scoffed. "Better than having your brain fried."
Nicky gave a soft smile. "I'll try."
Finally, the sun dipped low over the horizon. Uluru looked more imposing and mysterious than ever. In the light of dusk, it looked like a mountain of fire!
Nicky pulled out a pair of binoculars and began examining the many grooves and gorges on Uluru. She was hoping to find a passageway into the mountain. On one side of the mountain, Nicky found a crack big enough for a small rodent to fit through.
She handed the binoculars to Paulina. "Take a look. Maybe the passage into the mountain is through that crack."
Paulina studied the crack with the binoculars for a long time. "It could be. But how do we know which is the right crack?"
"Lily said the mouse on the necklace would show you the way." Pamela said.
Violet was taking a turn with the binoculars. She focused them on one crack after another, noticing some odd-looking markings. She focused again.
"Cheese dumplings with soy sauce!" Violet cried, passing the binoculars back to Nicky. "Do you see what I see?"
Nicky looked. A moment later, she widened her eyes in surprise. The place Violet had indicated was covered with ancient Aborigine painting! There were wavy lines, spirals, turtles, lizards, eagles and snakes.
But above all, there were lots of desert mice just like the one carved on Naya's necklace!
"I noticed that some of the desert mice have different tails." Seba observed.
"Let's go check it out," Paulina suggested. "If we see those desert mice up close, maybe we'll find a clue to the way in."
Nicky and her friends began hiking toward the sacred mountain, heading in the direction of the rodent paintings. Soon the side covered with painting was just above them.
Paulina was right. There were lots of little mice!
They examined them closely.
"This one has a curved tail." Pamela said.
"This one has a straight tail." Violet pointed out.
"This one has an arrow tail," observed Colette. "Just like the one on the medallion!"
Nicky and Paulina came closer to take a better look.
"You're absolutely right!" exclaimed Paulina. "Good for you, Colette!"
"Maybe we should try following the direction the arrow-tailed mice are pointing," Nicky said slowly. "Perhaps they'll be the ones to show us the way!"
Seba's eyes lit up in realization. "Lily's words!"
Violet clapped her paws together. "What a fabumouse idea!"
"That's it, Nic," Paulina squeaked, squeezing her friend's paw. "I'm sure of it. You figured it out!" She looked down. There was a rough-looking path on the ground right in front of them. "Look!"
"A passage between the rocks!" cried Nicky.
The setting sun lit a tiny crack that opened into the rocks right where the desert mice were pointing. Seba and the Thea Sisters felt their ears quiver with anticipation.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Pamela asked. "Let's go!"
One by one, the six friends squeezed into the crack and scurried along the path. After turning a corner, they found themselves in front of another crack in the rock. It led to a very narrow and dark passageway.
"Uluru is a sacred mountain." Violet said uncertainly. "Maybe it's not right to go any further."
"But we're not being disrespectful!" Pamela protested.
Seba nodded in agreement. "Besides, we've made it this far. It's too soon to turn back."
"We're on a mission and this medallion is proof of our good faith," Nicky said, touching the necklace. "Naya told us it would protect us. Let's go in and find the elders!"
The six friends held paws (hand in Seba's case) for a moment.
"Friends together! Mice forever!" the mouselings exclaimed.
Seba raised his eyebrow a bit. "Personally, I prefer 'Friendship is magic'. But that works too."
The others rolled their eyes as Nicky took a deep breath with a flashlight in paw. One by one, each of them had slid into the dark passageway.
The passageway sloped deep underground into the heart of the mountain. As the human and mouselings crept carefully along, the ground beneath their paws became steeper and more slippery.
Suddenly, something moved in the shadows.
"What's that?!" cried Pamela as fear began to grow inside her.
Nicky pointed her flashlight toward one wall of the passage. Seba sighed as he plugged his ears with his fingers. The wall was covered with enormous, gigantic millipedes.
"SQUEEEEEAK!"
All her friends gathered around to protect her.
"Do not worry, Pam!" Colette said.
"Remember, friends together, mice forever!" Violet added.
"Just close your eyes and recite the food groups." Seba advised.
Pamela did so and began to calm down.
Once that was over with, the six friends continued on their way. The tunnel became narrower. It was giving Nicky the chills since she was claustrophobic. She couldn't stand tight spaces.
Paulina held her friend's paw. "Just a little further, Nicky!"
The six friends continued to scurry along the narrow underground tunnel. They had no clue where it would take them.
"I feel like a rat in a maze." Pam remarked.
"Me too," said Violet. "I'm exhausted. I can't go on much farther."
"It's just a little farther," said Paulina encouragingly. "Come on! We can do it!"
Just then, the tunnel ended. The six of them found themselves in a huge, dark cave lit only by a few small fires. Some Aborigines were gathered around each one. Their snouts were decorated with white and yellow paint.
The young explorers were speechless. So this was the mountain inside the mountain! They stood as still as stones, taking it all in.
Then they heard a voice behind them.
"Hello, strangers! Are you looking for something?"
They turned to see three elder Aborigines. All three had long white fur tied in knots on top of their heads.
"I'm Boba," said the skinny one.
"I'm Louisa," said the female.
"I'm Napa," said the stout one.
"It's an honor to meet all three of you," said Nicky. "My friends and I came all this way to talk to the wise elders of my grandmother Naya's clan. Can you point them out to us?"
Boba laughed. "No need to point."
Napa nodded. "We're the elders!"
Louisa gestured to the closest fire. "Come tell us why you have come."
Boba offered the six visitors some delicious soup. As they ate, Nicky showed the elders her necklace and told them all about her quest.
"Naya told me there is a root that heals all illnesses, even lead poisoning. And she you could help me find it."
The three wise ones looked at one another and started to laugh, leaving her confused.
"I'm sorry, my dear," said Boba. "We don't mean to laugh at you. It's just that the root has been with you all the time." He pointed to Nicky's necklace.
Nicky couldn't believe her ears. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"The necklace is made with the root you are seeking." Napa explained.
This news left the youngsters speechless.
"So we were on a quest that's already been fulfilled?!" Seba roared.
"I cannot believe we came all this way for something we have had all along!" Colette exclaimed.
Pam nodded. "But wasn't it a fabumouse adventure?"
Seba sighed as he slumped onto the wall of the cave. "I guess so. We've met a lot of friends here."
Louisa told Nicky what to do to help her sheep. "Take some seeds from the necklace and cook them. A few should be enough for twenty-ive gallons of water. Let the mixture boil very slowly for three hours. If you want, you can add a pinch of cheese. Your sheep will love it."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Nicky as she turned back to her friends. "Okay, let's go back! The sheep are waiting for us."
But at that very second, a frantic shriek echoed through the cavern.
"HELP!"
A mouse their age ran into the elders' cave.
"Nicky!" he gasped. "What my father did to you was wrong and I am so sorry! But please, in the name of our old friendship, please help me! My father's stuck in a gorge. Will you help me pull him out?"
'So this is Nate MacCardigan, Nicky's childhood friend.' Seba thought.
Nicky didn't think twice as she grabbed a rope and looked at the three wise ones, silently asking their permission. They gave a smile and nodded.
Nate, Nicky and Seba rushed through the passageways, heading toward Mortimer MacCardigan. Getting Mortimer turned out to be easy. The hard part was convincing him to let Nicky help!
"I don't trust that busymouse!" Mortimer shrieked. "She'll help pull me up and then she'll drop me flat on my snout!"
"She won't, dad," Nate assured her. "She only wants to help you. I swear!"
Nicky nodded. "Nate's right, Mr. MacCardigan."
Seba, however, was more brutally honest. "Listen, you insignificant buffoon. You've caused a lot of trouble for me and my friends by almost killing Nicky's sheep. You can go ahead and stay down there for the rest of your life but I know that Nicky won't forgive me for that. So you better grab onto the rope or I will come down there and beat you senseless! GOT IT?!"
Mortimer MacCardigan had immediately gave in, out of the fear that he might live up to what he said. The three rescuers tossed the rope down to him and he grabbed it. With all their strength, they pulled him up and Mortimer was safe.
Nate and his father hugged before they all went back to the cave, where the elders and Nicky's friends were waiting anxiously. When they saw Nicky and Seba safe, they let out a cheer.
Now it really was time for goodbyes. The wise ones gave Seba and the Thea Sisters six special necklaces: symbols of eternal friendship.
Colette fastened hers around her neck right away. "I am never going to take it off," she declared. "Something like this never goes out of style!"
Louisa squeezed Nicky's paw and said, "Go now, little one. Your sheep need you."
Seba and the Thea Sisters hurried back to the ranch. No sooner had they arrived than Nicky and Naya whipped up a batch of seed soup. The sheep loved it! Within a few days, their wool began to grow in thick and luxurious. The sheep could enter the Grand Shearing contest and Naya could sell the wool.
The ranch was saved!
The six friends took turns telling Naya the tale of their fabulous adventure to Nepabunna. Nicky's parents called and she filled them in. Her father and mother couldn't wait to see Nicky and to meet her extraordinary friends.
Naya hugged Nicky. "I'm proud of you!"
"It was all because of your necklace, Naya!" answered Nicky as she gave it back to her grandmother.
Naya shook her snout, smiling. "You mean your necklace, my little cheese dumpling. This belongs to you now! You've earned it!"
Nicky's eyes filled with tears of joy.
Naya threw a huge party to celebrate the sheep's recovery. She cooked all day to prepare the feasst. She even asked a band called 'The Desert Mice' to come play.
Practically everyone Seba and the Thea Sisters had met during their adventure were invited: Doctor Ted, Lily, Mitch and even Billy in his flowered camper.
Violet played the violin, while Pamela accompanied her on clapsticks and Seba on the didgeridoo. Paulina and Colette sang alongside each other. For the grand finale, Nicky performed some acrobatic tricks on horseback.
It was truly fabulous!
At midnight, the partygoers heard a plane flying over the farm. It came closer and closer.
It was Mortimer MacCardigan! And he was lowering a big barrel over the side.
"Not again!" Nicky gasped.
The barrel touched the ground gently and rolled in front of the band.
The Desert Mice stopped playing. For a moment, no one moved. Everyone just stared at the barrel.
Seba sighed at such an overdramatic scene as he went to read the note. As he read the note, a soft smile graced his lips.
Nicky had noticed. "What's it say?"
The human looked at her. "No worries. I think Mortimer's learned his lesson."
Nicky went to read the note as Seba showed it to her.
Dear Nicky,
I'm sorry I tried to hurt your ranch. The truth is, I was jealous of your sheep. Now I understand I was in the wrong. Please accept this gift for your party. I hope one day you can forgive me.
Mortimer MacCardigan
Nicky smiled as she and her friends peered inside the barrel. It was full of cheese.
Everyone laughed.
Seba noticed something beside the barrel. "What's that?"
Attached to the barrel was a red rose with a note: To Nicky from Nate
As she smelled it, Nicky turned red from the tip of her snout to the tip of her tail. her friends winked at one another.
"What a heartbreaker you are, Nic!" Colette exclaimed as the rest of the Thea Sisters giggled at Nicky's flustered reaction.
A moment later, the band was playing again. Seba and the Thea Sisters all scampered onto the dance floor and started shaking their tails. They danced until the moon was low in the sky as the sun began to peek over the horizon.
As the sun rose, the fabulous Australian exploits of the six friends came to an end. It was an adventure none of them would ever forget.
The next day, they had left for Mouseford Academy. They had said their goodbyes to everyone in Australia with many hugs and waves.
"Take good care of my granddaughter, Seba." Naya said as she hugged the human.
"I won't let you down." he replied, a determined smile on his face.
It was time to get back to their school life. They had to study and take finals. But even their exams didn't scare them because they were together and because they were friends.
That's why Seba was going to make sure they study real good for the exams.