Tiff hurriedly stowed her hairbrush in her suitcase and closed it, snapping the clasps shut. She picked it up and ran out of her room, feeling excitement surge through her. Today was the first day of Camp Harmony, an annual summer camp that her dad, Sir Ebrum, and several other men of Cappy Town hosted just for children. Tiff has always attended in the past, as well as her younger brother, Tuff. But this year was different. This year, Tiff was going to be one of the counselors, as well as Tuff. Bella and Lemu Indiel were serving as counselors as well.

“Ready, Tiff?” Tuff yelled from downstairs.

“Here I am!” Tiff answered, darting down the stairs and almost tripping in her frenzied haste. She set her suitcase down beside the others. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Oh, there you guys are!” Bella said, skipping through the front door with her brother and mother, Diana. “I was wondering if you would show up. Well, here we are, ready to start!”

“Be good, children,” Diana said, hugging Bella and Lemu. “Listen to your elders and be gentle with the kids.”

“We will,” Lemu promised.

After Diana left, Bella turned to Tuff and smiled. “Hi, Tuff. I’m glad we’ll be together for two whole weeks!”

“Me too,” Tuff said with a smile.

Lemu grinned at the two lovers and then slipped his hand into Tiff’s. “Are you happy we’re gonna be together?” he asked in a tone so quiet Tiff barely heard him.

“I am,” she said, blushing.

“Hey! Are y’all gonna hurry up and go or just stand there all day?” came a booming voice to Tiff’s right. All four kids turned their heads and saw King Dedede, their ruler. His snail sidekick, Escargoon, was beside him. “You don’t wanna miss yo ride to Camp Harmonica!”

“Dude,” Tuff said shortly. “It’s Camp Harmony.”

“I don’t really care. Get movin’!” Dedede ordered.

“Dedede, Dad’s not here yet. He had to pick up Mom from the store,” Tiff said. “It’ll be just a few more minutes and then we’ll be on our way.”

“Fine, but hurry it along!” Escargoon snapped. As he and the king moved down the hall, Tiff heard Dedede mutter about “goofing off” and “all play and no work.”

“Man! Who does that obese idiot think he is?” Tuff muttered.

“He thinks he’s the greatest king ever and everyone has to worship the ground he walks on,” Bella giggled.

Just then, Sir Ebrum walked in the door, holding his wife, Lady Like, by the hand. Mayor Len was beside them. “Okay, children, get in the mayor’s car. I’ll be there in a moment. Len, can you walk out there with them?”

“Sure,” Mayer Len said agreeably. He walked behind the children as they carried the luggage out and stowed it in the car. As they climbed in, he said with a grin, “Is this all of you counselors?”

“It should be,” said Bella. “Are we missing someone?”

“Oh, not exactly,” Mayor Len said. He continued to grin, making Tiff suspicious. “What are you up to?” she demanded.

“You’ll see,” he said, climbing into the driver’s seat. He buckled up and yelled out, “Come on, Ebrum! Any day now!”

“Don’t be so impatient, I’m coming,” Sir Ebrum said, hurrying outside and jumping into the passenger’s seat. As soon as all were settled, Mayor Len started the car and drove off. Tiff turned around to take a last look back at the castle that had been her home for over fourteen years.

_ _ _

“Are we there yet?” Tuff asked for the fourth time as Bella smothered a yawn.

“Nearly,” said Mayor Len. He pointed to a shimmering expanse of turquoise blue. “There’s Cappy Ocean. That’s near where we’ll be camping.”

“I can’t see the camp from here,” said Lemu.

“You’ll get a clear view of it in a moment,” said Sir Ebrum.

The children remained silent as they kept peering over the line of trees. After a few more minutes of smooth driving, the car slowed and turned onto a narrow dirt road. For a few seconds there was relentless ruts and jars. Then as suddenly as it had begun, the jouncing stopped and the engine cut off.

Tiff took in the sight. Several tents had been set up in a large clearing. Pine needles littered the ground, permeating the air with a sweet, piney fragrance. A fire ringed with smooth, round stones was crackling in the middle of the clearing. Beyond the campsite was a small opening in the midst of the trees, and Tiff could see the ocean.

“I wonder if your boyfriend’s gonna want to scuba with you, Tiff,” Tuff teased, referring to Kine the fish. For some unknown reason, Kine had always liked Tiff.

Tiff scowled. “Don’t even start.”

“Okay, everyone out!” Mayor Len called. They were only too happy to oblige. Tiff was so excited she barely heard her father’s request to help with the luggage. She wandered away from the group, looking up to the blue sky and down to the grass carpet. She had never felt so alive.

“Hello, Tiff.”

Startled by the sudden voice, she looked up. . .and found herself looking right in the sunshine-colored eyes of her mentor, Meta Knight.

To be continued. . .