Mistica Chronicles


Welcome to Issue 47

Lugia Winning Entry

Come, young ones, gather around. For it is a celebratory time of year! The 6th birthday of Mistica, to be exact. And because of this momentous occasion, I have decided to tell a story. One from a few years ago, mind you. Back when Mistica was young, before the Tarinooki had such a beautiful tail. Yes, good times. But -- it is up to you to ponder whether the story told to you is fact -- or fiction...

So, like many stories, this one starts at the beginning. A young Tarinooki named Safara had just set up her house for Mistmas -- it was a very pretty house indeed, and with the adorning lights shining red and green, it was even more so.

But, what she didn't realize was that she had forgotten the most important detail -- a Mistmas Tree! My, my, how worried she must have been, I can't imagine, as Mistmas was the very next day! She wouldn't be able to get one this late in the season! No, no. So, Safara decided to take the matter into her own paws.

A few hours later, she returned with a nicely proportioned tree. After a few more hours of decorating, the tree was perfect. It added just the right touch to her house. Safara went to sleep that night a happy Tarinooki.

When she next woke, she scampered out of bed to see what gifts had been placed underneath the tree. But she was shocked to see none. Zip, nada, zero.

You could probably imagine her shock when she saw a Furry Znake beneath the tree instead. Although, it had a rainbow pattern running along it's back. It hissed politely and slithered towards Safara. She instinctively hopped back, and the Znake stopped and tilted it's head towards her as she did so.

As she recovered from the initial shock, Safara stepped towards the Znake, ever so slowly. It slithered a step closer as she tiptoed a step closer finally the two met in the middle of the room. Safara reached out her arm hesitantly, worried the Znake would bite her. But instead, it hissed happily and slithered up onto her arm.

Safara smiled. This was better than any of the other Mistmas gifts she would've gotten. The Znake slithered around Safara, finally ending up at her tail. It was a dull grey color, and Safara could've sworn she saw the Znake frown at the sight of it.

It hissed once as a light enveloped it. Safara gasped at the colors radiating off of the Znake. They eventually became so bright she had to shield her eyes. When she uncovered them, the Znake was gone, and in it's place was a beautiful rainbow-colored tail.

And to this day, thanks to the generosity and selflessness of that Znake, all Tarinookis have beautiful rainbow-colored tails.

Like I said before, young one, it is up to you to decide whether this tale is fact -- or fiction.