Chapter Four - The Crystal and the Cloud

CHAPTER FOUR

The Crystal and the Cloud

THE FOREST OF Big Things began to thin, and Bumble’s giant paws soon crunched onto soft, sparkling grass.
The sky shimmered strangely above them.
The air tingled like soda bubbles.

Pip gasped.
Ahead stood The Crystal, a towering, glowing spire that looked like frozen lightning shooting into the clouds.

But that wasn’t the strangest part.
Hovering just above The Crystal was The Cloud.
Not a normal cloud.
This cloud wore tiny sunglasses.
And a scarf.
It looked… cool. Literally.

Bumble whispered, “That’s Cumulus. The chillest cloud in the whole sky.”

As they approached, the cloud floated down sloooowly.
“Sup?” said Cumulus in a breezy voice.
“I’m Cumulus. I drift where the wind takes me.”

Pip, still amazed, rolled forward.
“We’re looking for the Legendary Sleepy Spot!”

Cumulus spun gently.
“Word. You’re close. But first…”
The crystal pulsed bright blue.
“…you gotta answer The Question of Light.”

Bumble froze.
“The what?”

Cumulus floated in a circle dramatically.
“The Question of Light! Every traveler must answer before they pass into the Skystone Path.”

Pip felt nervous.
Cumulus swirled and asked:
“What shines brightest in the dark?”

Bumble scratched his furry head.
The stars? The moon? A flashlight?
No…

Pip thought hard.
And then… the answer rolled right out of him.

“Hope,” Pip said.
“Hope shines brightest when everything feels dark.”

The crystal lit up like a thousand suns.
Cumulus grinned.
“Respect. You may pass.”

A staircase of floating blue stones appeared, rising into the clouds.
Pip and Bumble stared up in awe.

“Ready?” Bumble asked.
Pip gave a tiny roll forward.
“Let’s do it.”

And together, they climbed toward the clouds…
and whatever awaited above.