The Ninja Quest Read online

  “This tea is delicious,” you say. “My friend Sensei would really like this.”

  “I get the tea leaves from a special plant in the mountains,” Jim says, handing you a small, cloth pouch. “Here, bring some to your friend.”

  “Thanks,” you say. You stand up. “Amy and I need to get back to that path that goes around the mountain.”

  Jim shakes his head. “I hate to tell you this, but that path has been blocked by snow for months now. There’s no way to get around.”

  “So what do we do now?” Amy asks.

  “Let’s bring the tea to Sensei and figure out what to do next,” you suggest.

  Go to page 11.

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 68.

  The black puffle seems unsure of the idea, but it agrees to hop in your backpack once more.

  “Woo-hoo!” With a happy cry, you push off the riverbank and glide down the frozen ice. You’re speeding along, glad you made this decision, when the ice underneath you suddenly gives way. Before you can jump to safety, you plunge into the icy water.

  Luckily, you’re a good swimmer. You swim back to shore, dodging floating sheets of ice, with the black puffle safely in your backpack. As you climb back onto the ground you see a penguin coming toward you—it’s Sensei!

  He hands you a cup of steaming hot tea, which you accept gratefully.

  “You have tried very hard to help me,” he says. “But I fear this mission is too dangerous. My search for the Dojo will just have to wait.”

  You’re disappointed, but you suspect Sensei is right. You’re very lucky that you and the puffle got out of the ice safely!

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29.

  “Um, I’m not sure,” you say. You glance at Amy, and she shrugs. “If the penguin isn’t my brother, maybe he’s my cousin?”

  Sensei shakes his head. “You cannot be a brother to your cousin. But you can be a brother to your sister.”

  You slap your flipper on your forehead. “Grub! Of course!”

  “You have both done so well,” Sensei tells you. “Go and enjoy the many things to do on Club Penguin. When the Dojo is built, you will be ready.”

  “Thank you, Sensei,” you and Amy say. Then you leave Sensei and head into Town.

  It’s too bad you got the riddle wrong, but you’re not all that sad. At least you have a great story to tell your friends!

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30, 72.

  You decide to take the path to the right. Pia’s flashlight lights the way as you move through the dark tunnel. Cobwebs hang from the ceiling, and you give a little shiver. Even though the ghost isn’t real, the tunnel is still kind of spooky.

  After you’ve traveled for a while, you realize you’re feeling warm. The air feels hotter with each step you take. Then you hear a bubbling sound.

  The path turns a corner, and you see a bubbling hot spring right in front of you! Steam rises from the water, filling the cavern. The water from the stream hangs from the ceiling in droplets and then slowly drips to the cavern floor. It’s like an indoor rain forest.

  “It’s a place where water and fire meet!” you cry. That’s two of the three elements you need for the Dojo location. All you need now is snow—but there isn’t a flake to be seen inside this tunnel.

  “Grub!” you say as a drop of water splashes on your forehead. You look up at the ceiling and then realize something. Above the tunnel, outside, is plenty of snow! That’s a point where snow, water, and fire meet—but you have to get to the snow somehow.

  You look at the map, thinking. You could go aboveground, but it would be hard to find this spot again without following the tunnels. You need some kind of marker. Maybe you can poke a hole in the ceiling.

  The ceiling is made of solid rock. You’d need to blast a hole through it somehow. You remember those cream soda barrels you saw back in the other part of the tunnel. They might be just what you need to make this happen.

  If you blast a hole in the ceiling with cream soda barrels, go to page 33.

  If you search aboveground instead, go to page 45.

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22.

  You close your eyes and open the book to a random page. Then you read the verse aloud.

  “Look one time and see.

  But one time is not enough.

  Look twice to see truth.”

  “I guess it’s saying I need to give things a second look to see the truth,” you say. “I might as well give it a try.”

  You look at the waterfall again and the mountain peaks around it. But you don’t see smoke or flames or anything that looks like fire.

  “Look twice to see the truth.”

  What are you missing? You look again. Snowy peak, waterfall, another peak, but this one has melting snow . . .

  “That’s it!” you cry, jumping up. The mountains around the waterfall are covered in snow. But one peak in front of the waterfall has no snow from the top to about halfway down. There has to be a reason the snow is melting. That mountain must be a dormant volcano!

  What you thought were white clouds above it are actually plumes of smoke. That’s got to be a volcano for sure. You’ve found snow, water, and fire in one spot. It’s the perfect place for Sensei’s Dojo!

  You can’t wait to bring the news to Sensei. You carefully mark the spot on the map. Then you and the black puffle go back to Sensei and show him where the volcano is on the map.

  “You have done well,” Sensei says. “Please let me reward you.”

  He hands you a beautiful, handheld lantern made from gleaming copper.

  “Thank you,” you say. “Now I can light my way if I end up in the dark again.”

  The black puffle looks at you. Does this mean you won’t need it anymore?

  “Of course, nobody lights the way better than you,” you tell your new friend. “How’d you like to be my pet?”

  The puffle nods happily, and you feel great. Not only did you help Sensei, but you have a new puffle, too!

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52.

  Amy puts her camera strap over her neck and quickly climbs a tree so she can get a better look at the ridge. A few minutes later she climbs down.

  “I got it!” she says excitedly. “I saw a big, white, furry creature! I’m sure it was the Yeti. And now I’ve got proof!”

  “This is amazing,” you say. “We need to get this to Aunt Arctic right away.”

  You head back to Town as quickly as you can. You find Aunt Arctic in the Coffee Shop. She is wearing a pink cap and glasses. She’s busy typing on a laptop.

  “Aunt Arctic, have we got a photo for you!” Amy says. “We spotted a real Yeti in the mountains!”

  “How exciting,” Aunt Arctic says. “Let’s take a look.”

  Amy hooks up her camera to the laptop and downloads the photo. You lean in to see it, holding your breath.

  It’s a photo of a big, white something—but it’s very blurry.

  “Oh no,” Amy says sadly. “He must have moved when I took the photo. Sorry, Aunt Arctic.”

  “No need to apologize,” Aunt Arctic says. “This photo is very intriguing, even if it is blurry. I’ll be happy to publish it in the next issue of The Club Penguin Times. I hope you’ll write a story to go along with it.”

  “Of course we will,” Amy says.

  Then you remember. “But what about Sensei?” you say. “We’ve got to get back on the path.”

  “That’s right!” Amy says. “You should show Aunt Arctic the map.”

  You take the map out of your backpack—and the image has faded! In its place is a haiku.

  “To start is easy.

  But you must stick to your goal,

  Or you won’t finish.”

  You sigh. “I guess we won’t be able to find the Dojo location now,” you say.

  “Yeah,” Amy says. “But at least we’re going to be in The Club Penguin Times.”

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37.

/>   The stalactites hanging from the ceiling don’t look strong enough to support the weight of you and your backpack. You decide that the rope is the best way to get across.

  You take the rope from your pack and tie the end into a lasso using a special knot. You twirl the rope over your head three times and then throw it over the whirlpool.

  The end of the rope loops over the stalagmite growing up from the ground. Perfect! You pull the rope to tighten the loop. Then you tie the rope to a rock on your side of the whirlpool.

  You unzip your backpack. “Hop in and I’ll take you across,” you tell the black puffle.

  Your new friend eagerly jumps inside. You grab the rope and pull yourself across the whirlpool, flipper over flipper. When you reach the other side, you gratefully flop onto the rocky floor of the cavern.

  “Whew! I’m glad we didn’t fall in,” you say. The black puffle jumps out of your backpack and nods in agreement. You pull the rope off the rocks and put it back in your pack. Then you and the puffle continue to head through the mountain.

  You follow the river for another hour before you come to the other side of the mountain—and the exit. But there’s one problem: It’s blocked with a wall of snow. The river seems to be flowing underneath the frozen exit.

  “I guess we could swim underneath it,” you say with a frown, but the black puffle has it covered. The puffle flames up again and melts a hole in the snow that’s big enough for both of you to crawl through.

  You emerge into the bright sunlight. It feels much colder out here and as you walk you notice that the river seems to be frozen solid.

  “Hmm,” you say. “We could probably save time if we slide on the ice.”

  If you stay on the riverbank, go to page 21.

  If you slide on the ice, go to page 59.

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41, 44.

  “Sensei, I’ve made my decision,” you call out.

  Sensei walks toward you. “What is your choice?”

  “I’m going to the mountains,” you reply. “I noticed something that I missed before.”

  Sensei nods. “I believe you have made a wise choice. Keep your eyes open, and remember what you have learned.”

  It’s a long trek to the mountains, so you check your gear to make sure you have everything you need. Some mountain climbing gear might be useful. You head to the Gift Shop to stock up before you go.

  The Gift Shop is filled with everything from hats to fancy clothes to adventure gear. You’re checking out a grappling hook and a pair of climbing boots when you hear a voice behind you.

  “Are you going climbing without me?”

  You turn and see your friend Amy, a blue penguin wearing boots, a warm coat, and a winter hat. You and Amy have spent many hours exploring Club Penguin together. She’s been following the ninja rumors, too.

  You decide to tell her what’s been going on.

  “You won’t believe this, but I met a ninja master in the wilderness!” you say.

  Amy’s eyes get wide. “No way! What does he look like? Where is he? Can I meet him?”

  You quickly tell Amy your story. “So now I’m headed to the mountains,” you finish. “I think what I’m searching for might be there.”

  “I am so coming with you,” Amy says. “I’ll help. And you know that mountain climbing is safest when you’re with a buddy.”

  “You’re right,” you say. “But Sensei selected me for this quest personally. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to let anyone help me.”

  If you continue on your quest without Amy, go to page 19.

  If you let Amy come with you, go to page 76.

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48.

  You slowly make your way toward the noise, step by step. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you make out a shape in front of you. It’s all white . . . could it be the ghost?

  Your heart pounds as you get closer to the mysterious figure.

  “Who’s there?” the ghost asks. But it sounds more like a penguin than a ghost.

  “Why don’t you tell me?” you reply. You’re close to the ghost now, and you see the truth—it’s not a ghost at all. “Hey, wait. Are you wearing a sheet?”

  “You got me,” she says, removing her sheet. “My name’s Pia. I decided to play a prank on my friends, so I started a rumor about a ghost in the Mine and then put on this disguise.”

  “You’re doing a good job,” you say. “Everyone is talking about the ghost.”

  Pia’s face brightens. “Really? That’s cool. Maybe I’ll leave now. It’s kind of spooky in here.”

  “No kidding,” you agree. “I’m looking for something down here, but it’s hard without a flashlight.”

  “No problem,” Pia says. “You can have mine.”

  “Thanks!” you say happily. You shine the flashlight around the tunnel.

  “I’m supposed to go that way, but it looks like a dead end,” you remark.

  Curious, Pia follows you to the end of the tunnel. It’s a wall of rock, but there’s a penguin-sized hole just above your head that must lead to the other side of the tunnel.

  “Can you please give me a boost?” you ask Pia.

  “Sure!” she replies, and soon you’re tumbling through the hole. You land with a thump on the Mine floor. You’ve landed in some kind of old storage room. Cream soda barrels are piled up against the walls.

  You thank Pia and shine the flashlight ahead of you. The tunnel forks in two directions. You look at the map, but the fork isn’t there. You’re not sure which way to go.

  If you go left, go to page 30.

  If you go right, go to page 61.

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26.

  “I’m in,” you tell Pia. “What are we going to do?”

  Minutes later, you start your prank.

  “Whoooo . . . whoooo . . . whoooo!”

  The penguins turn toward the Mine entrance and see a ghost floating out of the Mine. It’s white and sways back and forth spookily.

  “It’s the ghost!” someone yells.

  The frightened penguins run away. You and Pia emerge from the Mine, laughing. You draped the sheet over a rope and you and Pia moved it back and forth. Then you made ghost noises. It worked great!

  “That was fun,” you say. “But now I’ve got to get back to my quest.”

  You look for the map in your backpack, but it’s gone! Pia helps you search the Mine, but you can’t find it anywhere.

  You’re bummed that you can’t finish your quest, but at least you made a friend. You and Pia head off to play a game of Mancala.

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16.

  If you make friends with the black puffle, it might take time away from your quest. You decide to keep going.

  Up ahead, the river flows underneath a pass that cuts right through a mountain. You check the map and realize that you have no choice but to follow the river inside.

  It’s dark inside the mountain, and the farther you go, the darker it gets.

  “I should have brought a flashlight,” you mutter. It’s difficult to see more than a few feet in front of you.

  Then you take a step and, instead of touching down on rock, your flipper hits water. Startled, you plunge into the icy cold river. You can feel the strong pull of the water as it swirls and swirls around you. You’ve accidentally stepped into a whirlpool!

  “Heeeeelp!” you cry, but there’s no one around to hear you. You’re a good swimmer, but you can’t resist the pull of the whirlpool. The strong, swirling water pulls you under . . .

  The next thing you know, you can feel that you’re on dry land. You open your eyes and see Sensei looking down at you.

  “Where am I?” you ask, sitting up.

  “In the wilderness,” Sensei says, and you can see that you’re back at the reflective pond.

  “How did I get here?” you ask.

  “That is not important,” Sensei says. “You have done well. But you need to strengthen your fire skills. I cannot allow you to continue.”
r />   You frown. “Grub! I’m sorry I let you down. I really want to learn how to be a ninja.”

  “There is another way you can help,” Sensei says. “The Dojo will need gongs. I can teach you how to smelt metal and make them. You will strengthen your fire skills that way.”

  “Yes!” you say without hesitating.

  Sensei waddles over to a wood chest and comes back with a dark, leather apron. “You will need this Goldsmith Apron.”

  “Thanks, Sensei,” you say. You’re sorry you didn’t find the Dojo location, but making gongs out of metal sounds like a lot of fun—and you still get to help Sensei.

  THE END

  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 70.

  Before you make your decision, you think about what Sensei told you: to remember what you had learned so far. The very first haiku you read sticks in your head:

  “Alone you travel.

  But when a friend offers help,

  Do not refuse her.”

  The choice seems clear. “Of course you can come, Amy. I don’t think I’m supposed to do this alone.”

  Amy grins. “Hooray!”

  You nod to the mountain climbing gear on the wall. “We’d better stock up before we go.”

  “Right,” Amy agrees. “Where exactly are we going, anyway?”