KNIGHTS ARMY OF THE KOALAS (DAY 20, LETTER K)

 

                          CHAPTER 19

        KNIGHTS ARMY OF THE KOALAS 

Mama Bear's eyes widened as Goldwynn, Chipper, Dapper, and Hopper gathered around her. “Coco," Goldwynn said gently. "We need to find Baby Tasha, pronto. It's a race against time.The pigs haven't solved the clues yet, and Tasha is leveraged to pry it out of us."

Mama Bear's face crumbled. "Those pigs! I warned Papa Bear they were trouble.”

Papa Bear stared into space. “What's the plan, Goldwynn?"

Goldwynn's eyes sparkled. "We need to find Tasha. Chipper, can you sniff her out?"

Chipper's nose twitched. "I can try. But I'll need something with Tasha's scent."

Mama Bear handed Chipper Tasha's favorite milk cup. Chipper took a deep sniff and set off, the group following close behind.

As they navigated the forest, the trees clumped closer, casting dark shadows.

"Why!This is the Gloom Sprout Trail that leads to the treacherous cave," Papa Koala said. Dapper's voice trembled. "Ughhh! What if we don't find her in time?"

Papa Bear's growl ruffled the leaves. "We'll find her !! Those pigs won't harm a single hair on her head."

Chipper stopped suddenly, his ears perked up. "I think I smell something nasty... hog slop."

The group crept forward, senses on high alert. They came upon a small clearing, a ramshackle sty carved out in a yawning cave hidden behind a thicket. 

Hopper's eyes gleamed. "Seems like the pigs' hideout in these notorious parts of the woods. Baby Tasha must be inside."

Goldwynn flexed her fist. "Let's go get her.”

Hopper led the way nerves wired in a knot. Chipper sniffed moss-scented air laced with mildew. 

The wind was a roar inside their ears.

Through slick tunnels, the echoes of dripping water from the stalactites distorted their senses. Suddenly, lanterns flared ablaze and the three massive frames of the Three Pigs loomed like a fiery silhouette in their paths.

"You’re persistent. The bait walks into the snare! Now hand over the map and all the clues... or Tasha Bear becomes your worst nightmare." 

Hopper tensed on seeing a dim silhouette of a tiny bear bound to a Willow with twines behind the pigs. 

A pitiful wail erupted from the cub into the dim light upon hearing them– Tasha? Goldwynn lunges. "TASHA!".

The Pigs crowded in maliciously.

Papa Koala bellowed. The stalactites shattered and rained on the pigs. The Stalactites speared the cave floor, dust choking the air. The pigs howled, pinned and thrashing, but the biggest one’s arm was already clawing free.

“Watch out, ” Hopper hissed. He didn’t waste a minute. He darted agilely past the thrashing pigs. “TASHA!” He vaulted over the rubble, soft paws skidding on slimy stones. 

Tasha hung limp against the willow, the jagged twine cutting into her wrists. Her eyes were wide and glassy. “We’re here, baby girl.”

Her wail cracked into a sob when she saw them. Goldwynn and Dapper were already at the knot, the dormouse's teeth gnawing away fast. Papa Koala and Coco stood guard, ears flat, growling low as one pig heaved under the rubble.

“Hurry,” Dapper urged Goldwynn, his teeth yanking at the vines. “They’re not done.”

The twine gave. Goldwynn caught Tasha as she slumped forward, her frail, tiny body shaking. “Got you, baby girl.” 

Papa Bear tore a strip from his vest, wrapping Tasha’s raw wrists. “Can you run, little one?” She shook her head, tears streaking mud from her muzzle. 

A stalactite shifted. The biggest pig bellowed, shouldering the stalactite bars.

“NOW!” Papa Koala barked. "RUN !"

Goldwynn scooped Tasha up, settling her against her embrace where the cub could hear her heart hammer away. “Chipper, lead us out. Same way, but faster.” She gathered the scattered clues from Mama Bear’s pouch into her own pocket before it snagged — “They don’t get the map, nor the clues..Not today.”

Chipper’s nose hit the fresh draft again and he bolted like his tail was on fire. The group followed him and plunged into the slick tunnels, the lantern light dying behind them as the pig roars echoed off the cold stone walls. Ahead, the dimness flung them all out of the Gloom Sprout Trail into the moonlight. 

The trees of Mistwood closed around them like loving arms.

Mama Bear finally breathed. “My baby."  

Tasha clung to Mama Bear, whimpering, “You came. You all came...!

To Be Continued....

This post is part of the Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.

https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/knights-army-of-the-koalas-day-20-letter-k