Art and Stories

Hello Jammers!  This page is for stories or art by me or another Jammer.  If you want your story or art featured here, please comment it or send your entries to twinklepeachyflower@gmail.com.  Enjoy!

Amazing art by wolfez.

Here's some art by jjjim!

And if you want some awesome drawings by him, email him at jjjim.drawings@hotmail.co.uk

The Defeat of the Phantoms (By RockyTop2)

Part 1- The beginning of Phantom

     Many, many years ago, when Jamaa was just a small village, a creature named Phantom was young.  Phantom went to a school for all the animals of the village.  Phantom was always one of the best in his class, along with a koala named Cosmo and a monkey named Graham.  Yes, Phantom was always very smart, but he was also always teased.
     "What animal are you suppose to be?"  asked Peck, a bunny at the school.
     "Hey, leave him alone."  ordered Liza, the only one who could keep the other animals under control.
     "I--I-I don't know," replied Phantom, depressed and alone
     As the months of teasing turned to years, something inside of Phantom started to change.  He was no longer the shy, but kind creature he used to be.
    Phantom left rude notes on student's desks.  He destroyed little animal's toys.  He stole lunch money.
     One day, Phantom set the school building on fire.  All the animals fled out of the building in terror.  Peck's little brother couldn't make it out in time.
     Everyone wondered who was responsible for such a horrible deed.  But Liza, the wisest of them all, knew.
     "How can you live with yourself, knowing you are responsible for a life?"  she questioned Phantom that afternoon.
     But Phantom could feel no remorse.  His heart had turned to stone.  He was evil.
     The truth came out, and Phantom was expelled.  But Phantom did not care, for he had dreams for the future.  Dreams of power and glory, where he would be the only ruler of Jamaa.
     Phantom sought out Mira, the most magical animal alive.  When he found her on the top of Jamaa Peak, he asked for power.
     "Why is it power you seek?" wondered Mira.
     "I want to be the leader of Jamaa.  The town will go far if I am in charge.  I can make great things happen, but I need powers."
     Mira was not fooled.  She saw right past Phantom's lies, but she also saw the future.  She knew that this is what would bring the animals together.  They would fight, and win.  They would indeed lead Jamaa to great things.  So she gave him powers.
     After bestowing him with her gifts, Mira turned to leave.  Before disappearing, she gave Phantom a warning.
     "Those who walk alone will always be alone.  Those who walk together are the ones who defeat."  And with that, she was gone.
     It doesn't matter, thought Phantom.  I have powers now.  I am invincible!

 To be continued...

The Defeat of the Phantoms

Part 2- The Alpha's Decision

     After Mira gave Phantom his powers, Phantom disappeared.  No one really knows where he went.  Some say he hid in a cave at the top of an icy mountain.  Others say he stayed around Jamaa, lurking in the shadows.  But it is for certain the day Phantom decided to return.

     It was a bright and sunny afternoon, with a cool breeze, a sure sign that springtime was just around the corner.  Kids played in the town square, and the adults chatted amongst themselves.  There was no warning of what soon would be coming.

     Peck, Cosmo, and Greely the wolf were hanging out in the ol' hollow tree.  They -and a few other animals- had turned it into a wonderful club house with tables, chairs, and shelves full of things to experiment with.  The students would soon be graduating from Jamaa Academy and had become quite close.  All were filled with the anxious feeling.  They wanted to know what to do next with their lives.  

     Cosmo was discussing plant species with Greely (who was trying his best to look interested) when Peck saw the first phantom.  It was a black spider-like creature that was descending from a crack in the tree.  

   "Guys, look!"  Peck said pointing to the phantom.

    Cosmo gasped.  "It looks like...like.."

     "Phantom!"  Greely finished.

      "I thought he was gone for good."  Peck whispered in a terrified voice.  She would never forget that it was Phantom who killed her dear little brother.

     "Another one!"  Greely pointed to another black shape that was seeping in from the walls.

     His voice seemed to trigger more phantoms.  They started entering the tree by the dozens, coming from every little crook and cranny.  They almost floated down, getting closer and closer to the friends.

     Peck was the first one to snap out of her daze.  She took a giant leap over the phantoms (she was quite an accomplished hopper) and ran out of the tree.  She grabbed the first thing she came to, which happened to be a gardening hose.

     "Take this!"  she shouted dozing the phantoms with wet, cold water.

     And take it they did.  In fact, the water had zero effect on the phantoms.  They kept floating nearer to her two friends.

    Almost like magic, vines popped out from under the earth.  They entwined the phantoms, trapping the creatures in the green stems.  Shocked, Greely grabbed some net from a nearby shelf and tossed it over the struggling phantoms.

     "How did--but how---wait WHAT?"  Peck stuttered.

     "I think that was me."  Cosmo said quietly.

     "You TOLD the vines to capture the things?" asked Greely.

     "Well, I'm not sure..It was like a feeling just came over me.  I didn't think.  I just did."

     "We need to get back to town right away," stated Peck.  There, we can send some JPAs  (Jamaa Protectant Agents) to get rid of these...things."

     

     After arriving back at the town, Greely explained what had happened to some worried townspeople.  Peck and Cosmo met up with Graham, Liza, and Gilbert.  Cosmo described the feeling he had when he summoned the vines.  Liza came to a conclusion right away.

     "It was Mira."

     "What?"  Peck asked surprised.

     "Only Mira could have given Cosmo that power.  Mira is the most magical creature on earth.  She also must have caused the creatures...somehow."

     "Why would Mira want to do something like that?" asked Gilbert, confused.

     "Mira didn't do it directly of course.  She GAVE someone the power to do it.  If my hypothesis is correct...it was Phantom."

     "NO!  Not him!  Why did Mira give powers to that evil thing?  Has Mira lost her MIND?"  exclaimed Peck.

     Liza shrugged.  "Mira knows things we don't.  She has reasons for everything."

     Greely ran over.  "They're sending some people to investigate the umm..."

     "The phantoms."  Liza answered.  "If they were sent by Phantom, those are their name."

     "How did the...phantoms know we were in the tree?"

     As usual, Liza answered.  "Well, duh, Phantom sent them to follow you.  It's his revenge.  In fact, he's probably going to target all of us."

     "What did we ever do to HIM?"  questioned Peck.

     "Well....erm he was teased.  A LOT."  answered the usually quiet Graham.

     "Now he's going to send little phantoms after us and possibly take over Jamaa."  said Peck.  "This day keeps on getting better and better!"

     As if to prove her point, a phantom started drifting toward them from the forest.

     "So what do we do?" asked Gilbert.

     "Capturing the phantoms is going to do no good.  The only way to stop them from coming is to find Phantom himself." 

To be continued.....

The Defeat of the Phantoms

Part 3- Into the Darkness

     It was dead quiet.  You could almost hear a pen drop.
     Gilbert broke the silence.  "You want us to find Phantom."  It wasn't a question.
     "It's the only way," Liza said simply.
     "You want us to go out searching for Phantom completely alone?!  He could be anywhere!" cried Peck.
     "Mira will guide us."
     Peck snorted.  "Oh right, the same Mira who gave Phantom his powers in the first place."
     "She knows what she's doing!"  Liza argued.
     "Guys, please."  said Graham the peace maker.  "We have more pressing matters at the moment."  He pointed to some phantoms who were advancing on the townspeople.
     Greely and Graham looked at each other.  "Charge!" they yelled, barreling towards the phantoms.
     Liza shook her head.  "Such dummies.  Only Mira's powers can stop Phantoms.  I wonder if...Peck, take out your paint brush!"
     Peck dutifully took out her paint brush that she carried everywhere.
     "Paint a cage for the phantoms."
     "What?"
     "Just do it," Liza ordered.
     And so she did.  Just after Peck finished the last stroke, light started shining through the paper.  In a matter of seconds, the painted cage turned into a real one.  The cage acted like a vacuum cleaner, sucking in the phantoms.  As soon as the phantoms were inside, Gilbert closed the lid. The phantoms were trapped.
     "Cool!" exclaimed Peck.
     Greely and Graham, looking embarrassed, returned from their unsuccessful rampage.
     "We have to leave NOW."
     "Why now?" Peck complained.
     "Our ride is here," pointed out Liza.
     A ginormous, eagle-like bird landed on the ground in front of them.  It's wingspan was at least 20 feet, and it's sharp beak could easily crush an unsuspecting animal.  Fortunately, the Ziotain was tame.  It shook its back impatiently, indicating the animals should get on.
     "Told you Mira would help," said Liza smugly.
     Peck stuck her tongue out.  Then, using the Ziotain's legs as a rope, she pushed herself onto its back.  Once she was seated on the bird-mobile, she leaned over and shouted.  "Well, what are you waiting for?  Come on guys!"
     As Liza, Graham, Cosmo, Greely, and Gilbert loaded single file onto Mira's gift, Gilbert shook his head and mumbled to himself, "What have I gotten myself into?"
 
     The trip took several days.  The Ziotain weaved its way through mountains and plateaus, over oceans and rivers.  Occasionally, the bird landed for a food break, but other than that, it was constant flying.  The animals were becoming restless.  It didn't help that they had no idea where they were going and when they were going to get there.  They had to put complete trust in the bird.  And even worse, was imagining what would happen when they finally got there.  Even Liza couldn't see how Mira could help them capture Phantom.
    On the 5th day of the journey, they arrived at the place.  And, of course, you're wondering what WAS the place.  The animals were wondering that too.
     "Err, what is this place suppose to be?" wondered Peck.
     "Phantom sure doesn't go big," snorted Greely.
     The bird had landed them right in the middle of a deserted field.  All that you could see for miles was dirt, with a few stray weeds poking up from the ground.  Clouds covered the sky, threatening to spill at any moment.
     The bird scurried off into the distance.  The animals were now completely alone.
     "How do we even know this is where Phantom is?" asked Cosmo.
     At that moment, some phantoms materialized from the ground and drifted up towards the sky.
     "Umm, just a good guess?" answered Graham.
     "They must be underground." said Liza.  "The only question is, where is the entrance?"
     "Do we have to go right now?  Maybe we can plan this out first..." suggested Gilbert.
     "Don't be such a scaredy tiger!" teased Peck, "Besides, I'm sure we're looking right at the entrance right now!"
     Almost like the earth was answering her thoughts, it opened up.  A huge crack ran through the middle of the dirt.  With a huge rumbling, it seperated the animals on either side.
     "What now?" shouted Cosmo to Liza, Peck, and Gilbert across the crack.
     "We go in!" shouted Peck.
     "It's probably a trap!" warned Gilbert.
     "We have no choice!" yelled Greely.  With that, they slowly descended into the canyon.
     Step by step, they came closer to Phantom.  For better or for worse was still to be found out.

To Be Continued....

The Defeat of the Phantoms

Part 4- Those who Defeat

     The hole seemed to never end.  As the animals stepped lower and lower into the pit, they were starting to wonder if this was such a good idea.  But it was far too late to turn back.
     Peck hit solid ground first.  The rest soon followed.
     "Where are we?" Cosmo whispered.
     It was literally pitch black.  All the animals could do was stand there, hoping an idea would come to them.
     "I got it!" Graham announced.  He quickly found some parts in his backpack and started assembling a flashlight.
     "How can you see what you're doing?" asked Greely.
     "No idea," replied Graham absentmindedly.
     "It's Graham's gift from Mira," contributed Liza.
     "Finished!"  Graham clicked on the light and illuminated the room.  Or what used to be a room.  The expanse was probably once grand but now was left in ruins.  Stone pillars stood in the corners, and a cracked marble table held clay pots and bowls.
     "Oh, come on!  Where's phantom already?" inquired Peck.
     "Maybe we should follow THEM," suggested Cosmo.  He pointed to some phantoms who were drifting out of the room and down a long tunnel.
     "I kind of have a bad feeling about this..." mentioned Gilbert.
     But the animals were already venturing down the tunnel, leaving his comment hanging in the air.
     As the animal trudged along, the phantoms started to become thicker and thicker until the animals had to squint to see past them.  Finally, the animals arrived at a cedar door with detailed carvings of knights and princes.
     "Guys," Gilbert whispered,"I'm going to come in later.  Pretend that I didn't come."
     Peck looked like she wanted to say something along the lines of "Are you SCARED?" but she kept her mouth shut.
     "Let's go."  And with that, Liza pushed the door open.  The place they had been dreading loomed before them.  They had officially entered Phantom's layer.
     The room was obviously once a throne room.  The ceiling rose at least 20 feet tall, and the walls were covered with vibrant paintings.  Smells of mildew and dampness lingered in the air.  The room held a chill, like it had been centuries since the fireplace had been lit.  The only thing that looked out of place was Phantom.  He was seated upon an ornate throne, raised above the animals.
     The best way to describe him would be to say he was a phantom.  An exact copy of the little creatures.  Alas, he was much bigger and much more terrifying.
     He had his arms (six of them in all) crossed like he was expecting someone who was several minutes late.
     "Oh hello, hello dear friends.  How good it is to see you again."  Who knew someone could say those words and sound like they were threatening to chop your head off.
     Phantom scanned the group.  "Wait, my phantoms told me there were six of you.  Where's that dumb tiger?"
     Graham spoke up.  "Gilbert decided not to come once we got close."
     Phantom narrowed his eye.  Then, he nodded his head like he was remembering something.  "The tiger was always scared of everything.  He'd run away every time he saw a mouse!"
     Peck stepped forward to defend her friend.  Only SHE was allowed to make fun of Gilbert.  Liza held her back.
     Phantom chuckled. "Ah, yes, Peck.  I remember you.  You have not changed a bit.  You still don't think before you act.  Such sorrows happen that way."
     "I'm sorry Phantom," Peck said meaningfully.  "I'm sorry I said mean things about you."
     "Oh, that's nice.  But, you're about seven years too late!" boomed Phantom.
     Getting the group back on track Liza said,"Phantom, We've come to request that you stop sending your phantoms to ruin Jamaa.  And we WILL stop you.  The easy way or the hard way."
     Phantom pretended to ponder.  "Hmm, sorry no can do.  But, since you are here, you can have the pleasure of me destroying you!  It was on my To Do List anyway.  Thanks for saving me some time!"
     Liza glowered.  A flicker of movement caught Greely's eye.  It was Gilbert!  He was slinking along the shadows, preparing to scare Phantom from behind.  When he saw Greely watching him, he put his finger to his lip and waved his paw, indicating that they should keep Phantom talking.
     "It was Mira wasn't it?" Greely spoke up.
     "Yes.  I see you were clever enough to figure that out.  I guess your so called "leader" wasn't so smart after all!"
     This time it was Peck who held Liza back.
     "Tisk, tisk," continued Phantom,"You animals need to learn to control yourselves.  Now, who will go first?  How about you, Cosmo?  Nobody but the plants will miss you anyway."
     "That's more than who is going to miss you, Phantom!"  As soon as Cosmo shouted, Gilbert pounced on Phantom from behind.  Although he did not harm Phantom, he was stunned momentarily.
     Liza, using her new found powers, hit her stick on the ground.  This caused a huge wave to go through the air.  Phantom fell of his perch and hit the ground.
     "No, phantoms, get them!!"
     But the phantoms were trapped in green vines, courtesy of Cosmo.
     Peck painted some rope, which she then handed to Graham.  He fastened the fastest and strongest rope ever.  He then tossed it to Greely.  Using HIS gift from Mira, Greely flashed at lightning speed over to Phantom.
     "This is the last time you'll ever miss with my friends again!" he growled throwing the net over a struggling Phantom.
     "NO!!!  Why aren't my powers working?" Phantom cursed.
     "Look!" Liza pointed to the Ziotain who had crashed into the ceiling.
     Thinking quickly, Gilbert ran head-first into the pillar which was supporting the room.  All the animals mounted the Ziotain as the whole castle fell in big chunks onto Phantom.  The force was enough to sink the floor into the ground even further.
     Phantom's last glimpse of sunlight showed him the six animals flying off into the distance, laughing and relieved.  And a warning from so long ago came back to him.
     Those who walk alone will always be alone.  Those who walk together are the ones who defeat.
     And then Phantom sunk into the earth.

     The heroes were standing in the middle of the towns square with hundreds of townspeople applauding them and cheering.  Mira awarded all six of them a shiny, silver medal, which could take the shape of any object they liked.
     "Liza." "Peck." "Graham." "Cosmo." "Greely."  "And last, but certainly not least, Sir Gilbert."    
     "To all of you, a thank you for saving Jamaa and creating peace once again.  Now, I have a request to make."
     The townspeople were all quiet now.
     "If you accept, I would like to award you with the chance to protect Jamaa for as long as you can.  You will protect Jamaa from anything that tries to harm the people.  You will put their lives in front of your own.  YOU will be the leaders."
     Liza looked at the other animals.  And answering for all she said, "We accept!"
     "Then I give you, people of Jamaa, the Alphas!"

     Later on, after the celebration, Sir Gilbert asked Mira a question that had been on his mind.
     "What was the power that you gave me?"
     "GAVE you?  I never GAVE any of you powers.  This was all inside of you the whole time.  You just needed a chance to let it out.  Sir Gilbert, you have always been a courageous fighter.  You just didn't know it until now."
     "Oh."  Then Sir Gilbert started laughing.
     "What's so funny?" asked Mira.
     "Liza was WRONG for once!"

     And so, the Alphas to this day protect Jamaa from anything that threatens to harm the growing town.  They expanded Jamaa into the wonderful place it is today.  One of the lands was named Zios, after the brave bird that helped them win.
     Many phantoms still linger in Jamaa, a reminder of what had happened so many years ago.  Phantom is found to be more awake on the Night of the Phantoms.  But it is nothing to worry about.  The Alphas know what to do.

                                                         **The End**