A song was on the air...


"Kindly son, little king, envy of others,
Lover of goodness and cherished of mothers,
Shining sun, novel star, follow the moon
Into the forest, peace found purely soon.

"Quickly run, little king, tender of heart,
Forget your solace and quickly depart.
Gentle one, rarest jewel, expected boon,
Wake up and leave, au son de la lune."

Terrence woke from a vivid dream of a crystal pond with two swans dancing on the water in the blue twilight. He wished he hadn't awakened since he admired the fanciful scene.

As Terrence sat up from his bed, he noticed a strange figure on his dresser across the room. The creature seemed to be illuminated like a pink-tinted candle.
It smiled at him as he stared curiously.

He got off his bed and shuffled cautiously towards the thing and found it to be a long rat with pink armor on its back. It was seen checking a small wristwatch on its front leg, shaking it then putting it against its ear to hear if it was still working. Terrence silently lipped 'What in the world...', because he forgot he lived in a magical place.

"Hello, Terrence!", the rat spoke candidly in a young female voice. Terrence was taken aback quite literally as he stepped back too quickly and went heels over head after tripping over the foot-board of his bed. His eyes widened as he couldn't believe a rat was talking to him, not to mention also knowing his name, in quite a magical world where almost anything could be possible.

"What are you?!" demanded Terrence.
After clearing her throat, she answered,
"I am a pink fairy." She again smiled and before she could continue, Terence argued,
"No, you're a talking rat..." he pointed at her in suspicion, "Fairies are like small humans with wings and pointy ears!"
"Wrong!", countered she, "Have you ever seen a fairy first-hand before now?"
Terrence shook his head.
"That's right!" She discussed, "What you read in your books is lacking truth. This is what a fairy looks like..."
At this pause, Terence raised his eyebrow.
"They look like me!" She bitterly concluded.

"Now that that is out of the way, my name is Ala." She bowed and continued,
"I come from the Shadow Dance forest with a message for you, Terrence. So, listen well." Still figuratively beside himself, Terrence sat up again from his bed to give heed.

"Take these instructions seriously:
Follow the moon in a straight line, going over or under every obstacle, but never around, no matter how small or large. You must do this tonight as soon as you can or you will be in much trouble. You will know when you're at your destination."

After Ala gave instructions, Terrence stood there waiting until he asked,
"Is that it?"
Ala responded "Yes. Go tonight. You should leave right now."
"But I have some questions!" Terrence whined.
"Make it quick." Said the rat, looking to her side anxiously.
"How did you know who I am?" he quizzed.
"My master sees everything. Anything else?"
"How is that an answer? It just makes me have more questions!"
"Listen, leave and all will be answered."
"Fine! I will. This better not be a trick."
"It isn't. Remember to follow all of my directions."

Terrence turned to look at the moon from his window. When he went to look toward his dresser, Ala was gone. He was going to ask another question, but we all know how that would go.

Anxiety followed the sight of the moon's soft glow and he wondered what trouble he might get into if he didn't keep to Ala's rules. What fate awaited him at the end of his lunar walk? What... was this pull he felt? It seemed an unseen hand tugged at him to do as Ala said. Was it instinct or magic?

Terrence decisively packed a small backpack and started on his...