The FutureVenturers

“Portal to the Future” Chapter Three “No way!” Strider whispers in shock. Sitting before them on a throne of pine boughs is a huge long haired chocolate brown cat whose head looks like a full moon of bright light. “Oh My”, Zoe gasps. She is totally unprepared for the powerful presence that is radiating from this Cat Wizard. His emerald green eyes flecked with gold, settle on each of them for a long moment, setting off a wild cascade of shivers mixed with feelings of daring excitement. “Now we’re talking.” says Rainbow under his breath to Strider. “Here’s a great big seriously wise cat that can get us out of this mess!” But before Rainbow can say anything else, Zen cautions them saying, “You’re the ones who will get you out of this mess. The future is where all things are possible. Solutions grow wild, and here even nightmares can find a happy ending. I am just going to give you a few tools to help you know what’s possible. You are the ones who have asked for help, and when you ask here, help is given.” Zen sighs shaking his massive head already knowing why they have come. As if speaking to himself, he says. “Those lawmakers have forgotten that they were supposed to make laws that benefit the whole town not just themselves.” Then suddenly intuiting new dangers lurking to threaten his visitors, Zen warns them, “Never ever, ever give up hope. You are the leader of your dreams all the way right up to the end! No matter who or what tries to stop you, never give up! Now… let’s see what we have to help you on your way...” Zen reaches into a pouch hanging by his side and takes out two small vials. One is the color of a beautiful pink rose. As Zen moves the little bottle, the shades of rose darken and then lighten to the palest pink. “Made from the petals of wild roses, free to grow without borders,” he remarks pointing to the glistening potion. Then he holds up a shimmering lavender blue bottle. “In this tiny bottle is the power to change a selfish mind into a mind that remembers we are all part of one big family. It comes from rare lavender myrrh added to pure water and stirred by the crown feather of a Raven. When you mix these two potions together, you’ll have the power to bring back to your town a wonderful future.” Zen pauses for a moment enjoying the puzzled expressions of his guest’s rapt attention. He puts down the vials, reaches into the pine boughs, and pulls out a large silver ring attached to a long thin handle. “When you dip the silver ring into this potion and add the important ingredient of your breath to blow the bubbles, you will add the extraordinary power of joy that is necessary to accomplish your goal. You must concentrate on each breath you blow. Without your breath giving life to the potion, the magic will not happen.” Instinctively, Strider, Zoe and Rainbow practice blowing long breaths with as much force as they can muster. Zen smiles in approval, continuing, “When you return to your home, begin by filling the air with these magical bubbles and allow the wind to help them fly. Now, it is most important to remember the whole time you are blowing, you are sending a new future to everyone, a future, which holds the promise of living together in joy. The mayor himself will not be able to escape this spell.” “We can change the mayor’s mind?” Strider asks, shocked and hopeful at the same time. “He will forget his selfishness the moment he experiences real joy!” Zen reassures them with a certainty that quiets their doubt. Strider, Zoe, and Rainbow are blown away! They’re so excited to get home and try out their new potion they almost leave the forest without the pouch. “You’ll need this.” Zen reminds them smiling, slipping the pouch over Rainbow’s head for safekeeping. After a few high fives and another deep bow of appreciation to the Wizard Zen, Celisse and Poalo lead the party back through the forest to the magic Portal. When they arrive, Celisse leans back on her little legs and looks way up into Strider’s eyes and says with the utmost sincerity and hope, “Please come back again. There is so much more I would like to show you.” “This future Rocks!” Strider replies laughing. “We’ll definitely be back!” he says grasping her little paw affectionately. They both smile as the blue sparks fly! Strider, Zoe and Rainbow wave their paws good- bye to their new friends, as they leap through their Gateway for home.