"I will do that most willingly. And now let us consult together how best to take the Blue City and capture the Boolooroo. As I know my country much better than you or the Pinkies do, I think I can find a way to accomplish our purpose."
Inside the Blue Palace, Tara helps Sgt. Rik climb out of the window in the room from which Ghip-Ghisizzle escaped. She has removed the ring so she could be visible as she helps him. Sgt. Rik rappels from the window on a line made of blue sheets tied together. When the veteran reaches the low wall below, he waves up to Tara. She pulls up the line of sheets.
Tara watches Sgt. Rik run along the low wall to where it joins the City wall. Suddenly, she turns her head. She sees two Blue Guards spotting Sgt. Rik, and they begin shouting and running in his direction. Sgt. Rik moves quickly, but the Guards are quicker with their longer legs. More Guards, responding to the shouts, appear, and they all descend on Sgt. Rik, recapturing him before he can reach the City wall.
Tara's eyes fill with tears.
Chapter Sixteen
Billy Goat
The Boolooroo, woken from his sleep by distant shouting, rises up in bed to check the cord tied to his toe. He gives it a hard pull, and the cord goes taut. The Boolooroo smiles with a smirk, but his eyes roll questioningly at the continuing distant shouts. The Boolooroo pulls the cord again, and it becomes taut. He yanks the cord hard, and again it becomes taut, but the Boolooroo is unsettled. The Boolooroo slowly gets out of bed in his night shirt and, cautiously following the cord, goes out of view into the adjacent room.
"Nooooo!" he shouts.
In the corridor, the Boolooroo bursts out of his room door and turns toward the Blue Guard sleeping on his watch. The Boolooroo clobbers the Blue Guard and runs down the corridor pulling on clothes over his night shirt.
"Find the Earth man! Find the Earth man, or you'll all be patched!"
The Boolooroo runs down a corridor pulling on his clothes, when he suddenly stops. Captain Ultramarine and the Blue Guards drag Sgt. Rik forward down the corridor and stop before the Boolooroo.
"So-ho! You thought you could defy me, Earth Clod, did you? But you were mistaken. No one can resist the Mighty Boolooroo of the Blues, so it is folly for you to rebel against my commands. Hold him fast, my men, and take him to the room of the Great Knife and patch him."
The Boolooroo bursts into the Room of the Great Knife followed by Captain Ultramarine and Blue Guards holding Sgt. Rik. The Boolooroo looks from side-to-side searching for Tiggle but all he finds on the floor of the chamber are the untied cords.
"Where's Tiggle? Who has released Tiggle?" demands the despot.
The Blue Guards holding Sgt. Rik look forward in terror, as the Boolooroo stamps across the room shouting. "Find Tiggle! Find Tiggle or all of you will be patched!"
Captain Ultramarine and several Blue Guards run out of the chamber, while the remaining Guards hold Sgt. Rik. At that moment, drapery hanging on a wall moves as if an unseen person has brushed it with their shoulder.
Suddenly, the Six Snubnosed Princesses prance into the room and pass the Guards holding Sgt. Rik.
"Morning, girls," says Sgt. Rik.
"Papa, can you not prevent this vile Earth being from addressing us?" complains Turquoise. "It is an insult to be spoken to by one about to be patched."
"Control yourselves, my dears," says the Boolooroo. "The worst punishment I know how to inflict on anyone this prisoner is about to suffer. You'll see a very pretty patching, my royal daughters."
"When?" asks Cobalt.
"When? As soon as the guards return with Tiggle."
Captain Ultramarine enters the chamber.
"Your Majesty, Tiggle is nowhere to be found."
"Villains!" shouts the Boolooroo. "Go out and arrest the first living thing you meet, and whoever it proves to be will be instantly patched to the Earth clod."
"Suppose it is a friend?" asks Captain Ultramarine.
"Friend! I haven't a friend in the country. Tell me, sir, do you know anyone who is my friend?"
"I can't think of any just now, your Spry and Flighty High and Mighty Majesty," answers the Captain.
"Of course not. Everyone hates me, and I don't object to that because I hate everybody. But I'm the Ruler here, and I'll do as I please. Go and capture the first living creature you see and bring him here to be patched."
Captain Ultramarine leaves the room.
As the Boolooroo stamps about, the Six Snubnosed Princesses prance up to six chairs near the throne chair and sit. What can only be invisible Tara pulls one of the cords that had been holding Tiggle toward the wall.
Suddenly, the Boolooroo turns his head to the sound of scuffling in the corridor outside of the room. At the doorway, Captain Ultramarine strides in followed by Blue Guards dragging a blue billy goat trying to get loose.
The Boolooroo marches up to Captain Ultramarine. "Villains! What does this mean?"
"Why, you said to fetch the first living creature we saw, and that was this billy goat," says the Captain.
The Boolooroo stares hard then bursts out laughing. The Blue Guards, though at first uncertain, begin to laugh with the Boolooroo.
"They look something alike, you know," add the Captain. "And they're nearly the same size if you stand the goat on his hind legs. They've both got the same style of whiskers, and both of them are obstinate and dangerous, so they ought to make a good patch."
"Splendid! Fine! Glorious," shouts the Boolooroo. "We will proceed with the Ceremony of Patching at once. First, bind the Earth Man in the frame. We'll slice him in two before we do the same to the billy goat."
The Blue Guards with Sgt. Rik drag him to the holding framework and strap him to it so that he cannot move. The Blue Guards roll the framework with Sgt. Rik under the larger framework that holds the Great Knife. Captain Ultramarine hands a cord to the Boolooroo seated in the throne chair. The cord from the Boolooroo's hand leads to a pin holding the Great Knife in place.
Unseen to anyone in the chamber, invisible Tara ties the cord that held Tiggle to the framework that now holds Sgt. Rik.
The Boolooroo turns to his daughters. "Princesses! This is how we maintain Law and Order." The Boolooroo pulls his cord.
At the same moment, invisible Tara pulls her cord, and the Great Knife falls hard and fast narrowly missing Sgt. Rik.
The Boolooroo leans forward in the throne chair. "Huh? That's queer. Roll him up again!"
The Great Knife rises to the top of the framework. Blue Guards push the framework with Sgt. Rik directly under. The Boolooroo pulls his cord a second time. Invisible Tara pulls her cord and framework away. And the Great Knife falls and narrowly misses Sgt. Rik. The Boolooroo rises from the throne chair and stamps toward the framework.
"Raise it again!" he shouts.
As several Blue Guards rush to the framework and struggle to raise up the Great Knife, the billy goat pulls on the cords held by other Guards.
The Boolooroo closely inspects the framework that holds the Great Knife and the framework that holds Sgt. Rik. The billy goat pulls hard on the cords. The Boolooroo bends over, as he inspects the frameworks. The billy goat charges hard at this inviting target, and it pulls free from the Guards. The billy goat charges forward and rams the Boolooroo in the butt. The Boolooroo tumbles forward in a heap behind the frameworks. The billy goat then looks from side-to-side for another victim.
The faces of the surprised Guards all show terror. The billy goat charges forward and rams one Guard after the next till they run in a panic from the room. The warlike billy goat whirls around.
The terrified Six Snubnosed Princesses now stand on their chairs. The billy goat charges the six chairs and knocks each of the Princesses to the floor in a screaming heap. The charging billy goat, butting each one, drives the Princesses from the room.
Once again, the billy goat turns its head from side-to-side looking for more victims. All that remain are the Boolooroo in a dazed heap and Sgt. Rik strapped into the framework. The billy goat turns
back to the doorway and challenges the terrified Guards in the corridor to stay out.
At that moment, invisible Tara slips a cord around the goat's neck and ties the other end to a pillar at the doorway. The billy goat fights against the cord but cannot break it. Sgt. Rik turns from the billy goat to immediately in front of himself, as Tara becomes visible with removing the ring.
"I thought it was you, but it was a pretty close call, and I hope it won't happen again," says Sgt Rik.
"Oh, it won't," says Tara. "I guarantee it." Tara starts to unleash Sgt. Rik from the framework.
"Aren't you worried about being seen?" he asks.
"I want them to see me now. I want them to know who's running this kingdom from this day forward. I'm Queen of the Pinkies, and in a minute I'll be boss of the Blues!" She turns to the Boolooroo. "Let's get him in here."
Tara and Sgt. Rik grab the dazed Boolooroo, haul him to the holding framework, and lash him to it securely.
"Hey, there!" shouts the Boolooroo. "Where are my guards? What do you mean by laying hands upon me? Let me go this instant or I'll--I'll have you patched TWICE!"
"Patched, you say?" says Tara. "Coming right up."
"Stop it! How dare you? I'll have my revenge! I'll--I'll--"
"You'll have Law and Order," says Tara and then turns to Sgt. Rik. "Help me push him under the knife."
"What?" asks a surprised Sgt. Rik.
"He's gonna get sliced!"
"What? No. NO!" says the Boolooroo.
"You can't do that, Tara," says the veteran.
"The hell I can't. Now, help me!"
"No. I won't."
"Fine! I'll do it myself."
Tara pushes the framework holding the Boolooroo under the framework holding the suspended Great Knife.
"Stop this, Tara. You can't do it."
"Yes, listen to him!" pleads the Boolooroo. "You can't do this!"
"Shut up!" shouts Tara to the tyrant. "You're a horrible creature, and you're going to suffer."
"Tara, stop!"
"No!"
Tara grabs the cord that controls the Great Knife. Sgt. Rik suddenly steps under the Great Knife with the Boolooroo.
"Then you'll have to do me, too."
"Get away!" screams Tara. "I'm going to get rid of him!"
"No," says Sgt. Rik. "You will become him. And I don't want to be around to see that."
Tara pulls the cord, and the Great Knife drops fast. Sgt. Rik pushes backwards moving himself and the Boolooroo out of the way and narrowly being missed by the Great Knife, as it lands with a BANG hitting the floor.
Sgt. Rik turns toward Tara, and she throws him a fierce look. She suddenly turns to the doorway. Captain Ultramarine and several of the Princesses look into the room from the corridor, but they do not venture inside for the violent billy goat at the doorway.
"Release his Majesty at once!" demands Indigo. "You shall be severely punished for this rebellion."
"His Majesty isn't his Majesty any longer," says Tara defiantly. "He's just a common Blueskin. I'm running the island after this. You've got to obey ME, and I have a notion to run things my way."
"You can't," protests Turquoise. "The Law says--"
"To hell with the Law. I'll make the Laws myself from now on, and I'll unmake every Law you ever had before I conquered you."
"Oh, have you conquered us, then?" asks Captain Ultramarine.
"Of course, I have!" replies Tara. "And Sgt. Rik is going to be my General of the Army and the Royal Manager of the Blue Country."
"Nonsense!" mocks Indigo. "March in and capture them, Captain! Never mind if they slice the Boolooroo. I'm his daughter, and I'll rule the kingdom."
"No, you won't," disputes Cobalt. "I'll rule it!"
"I'll rule it myself," snaps Cerulia.
"No, no!" taunts Turquoise. "I'll be the Ruler."
"That shall be MY privilege," demands Sapphire.
"Shut up! All of you!" shouts Tara.
"Well, what do you think of that, Mr. Boolooroo?" asks Sgt. Rik.
"They're undutiful daughters. Don't pay any attention to them," says the tryant.
"I'm not going to," answers Tara. "Captain, who are you and your Guards going to obey, me or the snubnosed ones?"
"You!" Captain Ultramarine promptly responds.
"Then escort those girls to their rooms, lock them in, and put a guard before each door."
Through the doorway, Captain Ultramarine directs his Guards to move away the Snubnosed Princesses.
Tara turns to Sgt. Rik. "Why did you stop me?"
"As if you have to ask."
"He was going to kill you!"
"It's not me that I'm trying to protect," answers the veteran.
Tara throws him a questioning look. At that moment, Captain Ultramarine suddenly reappears at the doorway.
"Your Majesty!"
"Huh!" responds Tara. "Oh, right! That's me! What is it?"
"The Pink Army is attacking."
"Oh, my gosh! The Pinkies! I forgot about them."
Tara rushes to the doorway followed by Sgt. Rik, and they manage to evade the butting head of the violent billy goat.
Still strapped to the framework, the Boolooroo pleads, "What about me? You can't leave me like this!"
"You're right," observes Tara. She unleashes the billy goat and closes the door behind her.
Chapter Seventeen
Metal Bands
A door opens to the top of the City wall, and Tara, Sgt. Rik, and Captain Ultramarine step forward and look out over the Blue Country. In early morning light outside the City wall, the Pink Army advances in an attack. Led by Bobo with Rosalie and Ghip-Ghisizzle at his side, the Pink Army marches steadily forward.
Tara from the top of the City wall turns to Captain Ultramarine. "Tell me, Captain. Do you have such a thing as a brass band in the City?"
"We have two fine bands, but they are not made of brass. Their instruments are made of a blue metal."
"Well, order them out!" says Tara. "And get all the guards together and tell all the people there's going to be a party in Blue City tonight. We'll have music and dancing. We'll have all the fun there is, for we are going to entertain the Army of the Pinkies."
"The Pinkies!" exclaims the Captain. "Why, they're our enemy, your Highness."
"Not anymore. I'm Queen of the Pinkies, and I'm Queen of the Blues, so I won't have my people quarreling. Tell the Blue people we are to throw open the gate and welcome the Pinkies to the City, where everybody will join in a grand celebration."
"Your Majesty shall be obeyed," answers Captain Ultramarine.
Out in the blue meadow, the Pink Army steadily marches toward Blue City. Bobo, Rosalie, and Ghip-Ghisizzle lead the Army. Bobo, with Parrot on his shoulder, looks ahead, sees something in the distance, and holds up his arm.
"Pink Army! Halt!"
The lengthy line of the Pink Army halts its advance.
The gate through the wall of Blue City opens. Tara, with Sgt. Rik and Captain Ultramarine at her side, leads a procession of two blue metal bands playing music followed by Blue Guards and Blue citizens waving flags and banners out through the gate and toward the Pink Army.
Bobo turns to Ghip-Ghisizzle. "Do you think it's a trick?"
"If it is," observes Ghip Ghisizzle, "it's the most welcome one I could imagine."
The music playing procession from Blue City marches steadily toward the halted Pink Army. Tara waves and shouts. "Welcome, friends!"
Bobo waves back. "Tara? Sgt. Rik?"
Sgt. Rik waves, "It's okay, Bobo! War is over!"
Bobo smiles broadly. "That's great!"
"Hooray! Welcome to our happy home / From which no longer will we roam!" squawks Parrot.
The Blueskins' procession meets the Pink Army. Tara embraces Bobo and turns to the Pink Army.
"Pinkies, your Queen has conquered the Boolooroo and is now the Queen of the Blues. All of Sky Island except the Fog Bank is now my kingdom, so I welcome my faithful Pinkies t
o my Blue City, where you are to be royally entertained and have a good time. The war is over and everybody must be sociable and happy, or they will answer to me!"
The Pinkies as one give a great shout of jubilation. The Blueskins respond with another joyful shout.
Rosalie kisses Tara. "You have worked wonders beyond my imagination."
The long lines of Pinkies and Blueskins happily shake hands in peace. Captain Ultramarine greets Ghip-Ghisizzle and raises his arm into the air. "Hooray for Ghip-Ghisizzle!"
The Blueskins shout, "Hooray!"
Ghip-Ghisizzle raises his downcast head and speaks, "I escaped from the City because the Boolooroo tried to patch me as you all know, and the Six Snubnosed Princesses tried to marry me, which would have been a far greater misfortune. But I have recovered the Book of Royal Records, which has long been hidden in the Treasure Chamber, and by reading it I find that the Boolooroo is not your lawful Boolooroo at all, having reigned more than his three hundred years. Since last Thursday, I, Ghip-Ghisizzle, have been the lawful Boolooroo of the Blue Country, but now that you are conquered by Queen Tara, I suppose that I am conquered, too, and you have no Boolooroo at all."
"Here's a pretty howdy-do-- / You haven't any Boolooroo." notes Parrot.
"Don't worry, Sizzle dear, it'll all come right pretty soon," says Tara, who then turns to the armies. "Now then, let's enter the City and enjoy the grand feast that's being cooked. For this conquering kingdoms is hard work, and I'm nearly starved."
Chapter Eighteen
Justice Served
The courtyard before the palace entrance is filled with tables overflowing with food and drink, and both Pinkies and Blueskins are feasting vigorously. At a head table with Bobo, Sgt. Rik, Rosalie, Ghip-Ghisizzle, Coralie, Tintint, and Captain Ultramarine, Tara rises.
"Pinkies! Blueskins! Thank you for feasting rather than fighting."
All in attendance shout approval.
"I want to give credit to Rosalie, for without her and her magic ring this may not have been possible." Tara turns to Rosalie and returns the ring. "And now I want to say to Ghip-Ghisizzle that just as soon as we can find our umbrella we're going to fly home again. I'll always be Queen of Sky Island, but the Pink and Blue Countries must each have a Ruler. I think I'll make Ghip-Ghisizzle the Boolooroo of the Blues. But I want you to promise me, Ghip, that you'll destroy the Great Knife and its framework and never patch anyone as long as you rule the Blueskins."