Amelia Fang and the Rainbow Rangers Read online

  “We do appreciate you saving our lives, Nurse Bubble. But we really need to go now.” Amelia tried to get up and swim, but Nurse Bubble put a hand gently on her shoulder and guided her back into the shell bed.

  “I think you should rest up a bit before you go anywhere,” said Nurse Bubble with concern. “You have a few bumps and bruises. And it’s the middle of the night, so you’ll need your sleep. Myself and Mr. Grubs here will make you feel right at home.”

  “It’s okay, we’re not tired,” said Amelia, easing herself out of the shell bed.

  “Well, that’s the perfect excuse for some painting, then! A nice bit of art is one of the best ways to relax! I’ll go fetch my paints and some paper!” said Mr. Grubs, swimming off and humming to himself.

  Amelia gasped. “It’s that tune again!”

  Florence, Tangine and Grimaldi piled onto Amelia’s shell bed with Squashy and Pumpy pa-doinging and PA-DOOFing behind them. “THIS PLACE IS CRAZY,” Florence said. “I KNOW WE NEED TO GET HOME SOON, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY WHEN I’D GET TURNED INTO A MER-YETI!”

  “I bet nobody’s seen mer-death before!” Grimaldi giggled.

  But Amelia was too distracted by what she’d just heard to think of anything else. “Guys! I heard that tune again! I heard it when I was being pushed along in the boat and won the race, and it’s the same tune Gretta Grubbikins was humming in the cave.”

  “Maybe it’s just a popular song that creatures sing around here,” Grimaldi said.

  “Maybe…,” said Amelia. “I don’t know. But I can’t help feeling like it means something more.”

  “WHADDYA MEAN?” Florence asked, looking doubtful.

  “I’ve just been wondering how someone who lives under the sea would be humming the exact same tune as someone who hides away in a cave.”

  Nurse Bubble swam merrily into the room to refill their flasks of Coral Juice.

  “Nurse Bubble,” Amelia started. “Who exactly is Mr. Grubs?”

  “Why, he’s the loveliest merma-chaun in the Kingdom of Aquatica!” she said, beaming.

  “He did admire my brand-new tentacles,” Tangine agreed, waving one around grandly.

  Grimaldi giggled.

  “But was he born here?” Amelia asked, as Squashy snuggled into the shell next to her.

  “No…,” said Nurse Bubble, smiling at Amelia curiously. “He’s from the Land Above. My mother was working here at the Oyster Infirmary many years ago when they found him. He was unconscious and had a massive bump on his head, and when he eventually woke up, he couldn’t remember anything about, well, anything! Since he couldn’t even remember his name, he decided to call himself Mr. Grubs! It was the first thing that popped into his head.”

  Nurse Bubble sat Amelia up gently and straightened her covers. “He’s such a lovely man—when I was a little mer-pire, I used to visit Mr. Grubs while my mother worked long shifts, and he’d tell me jokes and paint me wonderful pictures, always humming his little song.”

  Amelia could feel Nurse Bubble’s fondness for Mr. Grubs as if it were a big warm blanket of love.

  “Do you know,” Nurse Bubbles continued, “that whenever he’s not helping around the hospital, he’s at the water’s surface helping anyone crossing the water from here to Sugarplum Island.”

  Suddenly Amelia remembered how her little boat seemingly sailed itself across the Sea of Sparkles. It must have been Mr. Grubs! That was when she’d first heard him humming that tune. But what kept him going back and forth from here to Sugarplum Island?

  “Is there something on your mind, little vampire?” Nurse Bubble asked Amelia, tipping her head to one side.

  But before Amelia could ask anything, she was stopped by the sound of Tangine calling urgently.

  “Ameeeeeeeelia!”

  Where was he? Amelia hadn’t even realized he’d left the room.

  “Tangine?” she called. “Are you okay?”

  A few tentacles poked out from the open doorway, gesturing for Amelia to follow.

  “He must be in the Tiddlypips Wing,” said Nurse Bubble, looking slightly confused. “That’s where the baby sea creatures sleep, so best keep it hush-hush!”

  “GET OUT OF THE BABY ROOM, YOU BIG NUT,” Florence said, swimming over to collect Tangine by the tentacle. Then she stopped. “OH, BUT SPEAKING OF NUTS…”

  Amelia swam toward the Tiddlypips Wing.

  A curious Grimaldi followed. As they swam around the corner, they passed tiny mer-pires, octo-wolves, uni-fish, vampire-squid and other bizarre baby underwater creatures fast asleep in teeny-weeny shells. But then they looked up. There in front of them was a huge mural that covered the entire wall on one side of the room. And it showed something they had seen before.

  “It’s the Sugarplum Tree,” Amelia said quietly. “The only thing the gnome, Gretta Grubbikins, had left of her beloved leprechaun, McJiggle, before he went missing, sailing plums to the mainland.”

  “MR. GRUBS!” Nurse Bubble cried. “I think you might have something there, little vampire!”

  Amelia nodded excitedly.

  “What?! I demand to know what everyone is wondering. And why haven’t they told me, when I am the prince and clearly the most important person here?” Tangine huffed, waving his many tentacles around indignantly.

  Grimaldi’s eyes widened as it dawned on him too. “Grubbikins…Grubs…Mr. Grubs…”

  “McJIGGLE!” Florence bellowed, then quickly put her hands over her mouth as a baby mer-pire stirred in the corner.

  “Creeping corals!” Nurse Bubble whispered in excitement. “Can it be we finally know where Mr. Grubs came from?”

  Amelia grinned, feeling like a light inside her had pinged on.

  “Hold on,” said Tangine as the penny finally dropped. “Now, let’s say Mr. Grubs is McJiggle, Gretta’s one true love. Well, if it’s anything like all the Kingdom of the Light fairy-tale books I’ve read, then maybe, just maybe—”

  “OH MY FLIPPERS, GET ON WITH IT!” Florence groaned.

  Tangine shot her a glare, then flourished his tentacles. “What I was saying before I was rudely interrupted was MAYBE True Love’s Kiss could break the curse! Our curse!”

  “I AIN’T KISSING NO ONE,” Florence said folding her arms.

  “Ummm…I don’t think he meant you,” Grimaldi added.

  “Yes, Tangine!” Amelia cried. For the first time since they’d been at the Oyster Infirmary, she felt much, much better. She twirled around in the water. “If we reunite Gretta with McJiggle, then surely she’ll lift the curse and we can be big again!”

  That familiar tune filled the Oyster Infirmary, and Mr. Grubs came swimming into the main room with his arms full to the brim with art materials.

  Amelia poked her head out from the entrance of the Tiddlypips Wing.

  “Whatchy’all doing in there?” said Mr. Grubs as he laid out some paper. “I’ve got some arty treats here for you!”

  “That tune you were humming…,” said Amelia, approaching Mr. Grubs as her friends swam in behind her. She felt oddly nervous and was glad they were all there together. “I think I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

  Mr. Grubs looked at Amelia and lowered his glasses. “Really?” he asked, furrowing his brows. “How does a wee girl like you know a funny tune like that, then? It’s always in my head. Not sure where it came from.”

  “That’s just it,” said Amelia. “I think I may know where it comes from. I’m not one hundred percent sure, but it’s possible…well, if my feeling is right…”

  “We might have figured out who you really are!” Nurse Bubble said, rushing over.

  Mr. Grubs took his glasses off. “Bubble dear, you’ve been working a long shift. Perhaps it’s break time?”

  Nurse Bubble took his hands gently. “No, Mr. Grubs. The tree you painted in the Tiddlypips Wing…well
, Amelia and her friends say they’ve seen that tree before. On Sugarplum Island—in the Land Above.”

  “Sugarplum Island?” Mr. Grubs repeated, raising an eyebrow.

  “There’s a gnome that lives there,” Amelia said. “Years ago, a leprechaun she loved very much disappeared. His name was McJiggle, and her name is Gretta Grubbikins.”

  Mr. Grubs stared at Amelia for a second, then plopped down on the edge of one of the shell beds.

  “Gretta Grubbikins…,” he muttered under his breath, as if he was searching in the depths of his mind. “I feel like I know that name.” Mr. Grubs put a hand to his chest. “But I’m afraid I can’t remember. I’m sorry.” He bowed his head in sadness.

  The friends floated in silence.

  “Maybe he’s not McJiggle after all,” Grimaldi said quietly.

  But then Amelia started humming a tune. The same tune she’d heard when her little boat was pushed along the water. The same tune Gretta had hummed in the cave. The same tune Mr. Grubs had been humming earlier.

  Mr. Grubs looked at her. He began to hum along. Then he closed his eyes and stopped humming and whispered gently. “Gretta. My beloved Gretta Grubbikins.” His eyes began to well up. “It’s all coming back to me!”

  “IT’S ALL COMING BACK TO HIM!” said Florence, waving her tail around and slapping Grimaldi smack in the middle of the eyes. A baby bat-fish began to cry.

  “And I am McJiggle Grubbikins!” the merm-achaun declared delightedly. He rose and danced a little jig, surrounding himself in small bubbles. “I remember who I am! I am McJiggle, and I live on Sugarplum Island with my beloved Gretta!”

  “Oh, thank the grave,” Tangine said, adjusting his knotted tentacles. “Maybe you can tell her to stop cursing everyone.”

  “What do you mean?” McJiggle asked, looking a little confused.

  Amelia blushed. “Hmmm…well, the thing is, Gretta was so upset about losing you that she cursed the tree so anyone who eats from it shrinks to the size of a sugarplum. The tree is her only reminder of you, and she didn’t want anyone touching it after you’d gone.”

  McJiggle looked a little embarrassed. “Oh, well, that’s no good at all!”

  “Oh, honey! Isn’t that lovely?” Bubble said, spinning on the spot. “To have someone love you so much, they’re willing to CURSE others to keep the memory of you alive!”

  McJiggle sighed and took Bubble’s hands in his. “My dear, dear Bubble. You have shown me nothing but love and kindness all the years I’ve lived here. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  Nurse Bubble hugged him tight. “Mr. Gr— I mean, McJiggle. Actually, you’ll always be Mr. Grubs to me.” She smiled. “I truly am delighted that you remember who you really are. You don’t need to thank me at all. You have been a dear friend to me since I was a tiny mer-pire, and even though I’m going to miss you more than you’ll ever know, you will never, ever be forgotten here.”

  McJiggle chuckled. “Just don’t miss me so much that you put a crazy curse on anyone, eh?”

  Amelia and her friends looked at each other, unsure how to react. Then they all burst out laughing.

  “GROUP HUUUUG!” yelled Florence, and dragged everyone into her furry embrace.

  “Well, I guess you should head to the shore,” said Nurse Bubble once she’d reluctantly stepped back from the wonderful yeti hug. “You need to get back to your Gretta!”

  * * *

  “Well, this is goodbye,” said Nurse Bubble a few minutes later. “Once you set foot—or should I say, fin—on land, the Coral Juice will wear off. You’ll soon have your normal bodies and return to the tiny size you were before.”

  Amelia sighed. She’d gotten used to being big again—even if she did have a tail!

  “It’s okay.” McJiggle grinned. “You’ll be in good hands,” he said, holding out his own. “I’m sure there’ll be enough room on my ol’ wrinkly palms to carry you lot when we’re back on shore.”

  “Oh, definitely,” Nurse Bubble chuckled. “They were teeny-weeny and super cute when I found them.”

  “Well, that goes without saying,” said Tangine, fluttering his eyelids.

  Nurse Bubble smiled. Amelia, Florence, Grimaldi and Tangine all gave her one last hug goodbye, then she gave Squashy and Pumpy some extra Kelp Krispies to munch on.

  McJiggle was last to say farewell.

  “At least I know I’ll be in good hands if I ever have a boating mishap again.” He winked. “I will never forget what you have done for me.”

  Nurse Bubble took a deep breath. “Well, I’ve decided to rename the Oyster Infirmary,” she said with a grin. “If you ever find yourself toppling into the sea again, you might well end up in the Jigglygrubs Infirmary.”

  The friends burst out laughing.

  Nurse Bubble gave a little twirl and waved. “Goodbye my friends from the Land Above!” And she disappeared into the depths of the Sea of Sparkles.

  The sun shone brightly on the horizon as Amelia opened her eyes. Her clothes were wet, and a now GIANT McJiggle was sprawled out on the sand next to her. She’d almost forgotten how small the curse had made them. Squashy and Pumpy were rolling around in a pile of crispy purple seaweed nearby.

  “My hair is an utter MESS!” Tangine said, sitting a little farther away and trying to pat down the glittery frizz. “Whoever said sea salt was good for texture was SO WRONG.”

  McJiggle stretched his legs out. “Shuddering sugarplums,” he said. “I haven’t used these in years!” He wiggled his toes. “Amelia? Amelia’s friends, whose names escape me? I know there was a fluffy one and one with wings…and a small deathly one. Where are you?”

  “McJiggle!” Amelia called as loudly as possible in her tiny voice.

  The old leprechaun looked around, confused.

  “Down here!” Amelia yelled, waving her arms. “Guys, I need your help getting his attention. He can’t hear us!”

  “Wooooooooooooo, McJiggle! Over here!” cried Grimaldi.

  “Helloooooooo!” Tangine called.

  Florence climbed up to McJiggle’s ear. “YO! JOLLYJIGGLES!” she bellowed. This seemed to do the trick.

  “Oh, my!” said McJiggle, turning his head from where he lay and spotting a tiny Amelia, Florence, Grimaldi and Tangine. “You mentioned the curse made you small, but I didn’t realize how small!”

  “YEAH, YOU CAN THANK GRETTA FOR THAT,” said Florence.

  “Ah my apologies, dark creatures of Nocturnia.” McJiggle scooped the little friends up in his wrinkly hands.

  “COME ON THEN, McDOOGLE,” Florence said. “LET’S GET YOU HOME SO WE CAN BREAK THIS CURSE!”

  Amelia looked up at McJiggle. “Are you ready?” she said softly.

  He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Then he opened his eyes and looked toward the top of the mountain. “I’m coming home, Gretta.”

  * * *

  The Sugarplum Tree was still glowing, even in the morning sunlight.

  McJiggle stood at the edge of the garden holding Amelia, Florence, Grimaldi, Tangine and the pumpkins safely in his hands.

  “I…,” he began, then gulped. “I don’t know what to say. It’s been so long. What if Gretta doesn’t recognize me or thinks I’m too old and wrinkly now?”

  “DON’T WORRY, McJIGGUMS. I’M SURE GRETTA’S GOT A FEW WRINKLES HERSELF,” Florence said.

  “I can recommend a great eyelid cream,” Tangine suggested.

  Florence elbowed him. “NO ONE’S INTERESTED IN YOUR SILLY EYELID CREAM,” she said.

  Amelia stood up and looked McJiggle in the eyes. “Of course Gretta will recognize you! She loves you!”

  “Enough to curse an island,” Grimaldi said with a nod.

  “If you’re not sure what to say, why don’t you hum?” Amelia suggested.

  McJiggle smiled. “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” h
e said, placing Amelia and her friends down carefully on a low branch of the Sugarplum Tree. “Wish me luck,” he said, and then sat down beneath the tree, closed his eyes and began to hum his and Gretta’s tune. Squashy waggled his stem in time with the tune, and a light breeze caused a few sugarplums to fall to the ground.

  But there was no sign of Gretta. Amelia held on to Grimaldi’s hand tightly.

  “Why isn’t she coming?” Grimaldi asked.

  McJiggle looked over at Amelia. He looked heartbroken. Amelia began to feel hopeless.

  But then McJiggle hummed again, this time louder and with passion. He stood up and started to walk toward the cave as the tune resonated through the leaves. Even the sugarplums seemed to glow a bit brighter.

  And that was when Amelia felt Florence bump her shoulder. “HEADS UP!” she said.

  Amelia looked up and saw movement in the cave entrance at the end of the garden. McJiggle walked toward the cave, humming all the time—and soon, instead of one voice, there were two, as Gretta Grubbikins emerged from the darkness of her cave for the first time in years.

  She walked across the garden slowly, using a wooden stick to support her. She stopped in front of McJiggle.

  “It can’t be…,” Gretta breathed.

  “My Gretta,” McJiggle whispered as he took her hand in his.

  Tangine sniffed.

  “AWW, YOU ALL EMOTIONAL, TANGINE?” Florence said, putting a big hairy arm around Tangine’s shoulders.

  “No!” said Tangine defensively, wiping his eyes. “YOU’RE emotional.”

  “Does anyone feel a bit tingly?” Grimaldi asked, scratching his arms.

  “I waited for you every day and every night,” Gretta said to McJiggle. “I didn’t want to believe you were gone. But after years of waiting, I’d lost hope. I never thought I’d ever see you again!”