The Discovery

It's been a breathtaking adventure story – but all good things must come to an end.

On March 31 last year we started a rolling story in The News called The Discovery, where every week local schoolchildren wrote a new chapter.

Hundreds of children have let their imaginations run wild to write what happens next to twins Tom and Katie after they discovered a time capsule on Southsea beach.

The twins were taken to a faraway land where they met pirates, skregs, an army of battle-scarred squirrels and tried to escape from the evil Princess Tozarah with the help of their Nan.

They also made friends with Joald Buttersnuff, the purveyor of silly outfits, Olivia, the daughter of the Ice King and an ant called Arty.

Now the story is complete, with the final chapter writtien by children's author Ali Sparkes. Click on Next page to read the whole story. PEOPLE were always astonished when they met the twins. Some even said 'You're nothing alike'– as if they didn't know that already. Katie was slim, dark and tall for her 10 years. Tom was short, chunky and blond. But they were really very alike. They both had great curiosity and a talent for 'discovering'.

They'd inherited this 'nosiness', as Grandpa said, from their Nan – an unlikely private investigator, it's true, but quite a successful one. If Mum ever found out what Nan really let them get involved with there'd be no end to trouble.

As their feet crunched on the shiny pebbles and broken shells, Katie and Tom watched their terrier's tail wagging and darting about – with the rest of his body attached, of course.

Tom sighed as he skimmed stones into the sea, bouncing them on ripples that glittered like diamonds in the sun. 'We need an adventure, Katie,' he said.

'Buried treasure,' Katie mused.

'A case' they said together and laughed into the breeze.

Some frantic barking disturbed their laughter.

Tom breathed in the salty air. 'Minty. Come on, Minty. Minty! . . . Minty? What have you got there?'

Chapter 2: written by pupils at Stamshaw Junior School in Portsmouth including Lauren Bradbury and Bethany Stevenson from Year 6, Emily Elliott and Sam Breeze from Year 5, Emily Kimber and Grace Hilliar from Year 4, and Ashraf Uddin and Lewis Newton from Year 3.

Katie and Tom ran wildly over to the place where Minty was barking loudly. Panting very hard, they finally reached him. They gasped. When Minty stopped digging, Tom and Katie noticed a dusty box. 'Do you think it is a treasure chest?' Tom asked Katie.

'There's only one way to find out!' she squealed.

They heaved the strange old box onto the stones, while Minty ran around in circles, chasing his tail and barking frantically as Tom pressed the lid. A large mist of dust rose up like clouds. It wasn't a treasure chest at all. It was a time capsule.

'When do you think it was buried?' Katie asked Tom.

'I don't know, but I know someone who will!' Tom replied.

'NAN!' both of them exclaimed.

Holding the time capsule between them, Tom and Katie managed to pick it up. Little did they know they were being followed.

Carefully placing the box on the table, Nan stared thoughtfully at their find.

'Wow! Well, I'm guessing that this time capsule was buried about 4,000 years ago!' she exclaimed

'Nan, what are these weird signs around the edges?' Tom asked.

'I think it is hieroglyphics,' replied Nan, 'I'll ring the archaeology department at Portsmouth University to check.'

As Nan was on the phone, Katie and Tom looked out of the window. Katie asked: 'Do bushes have eyes?'

'No,' replied Tom puzzled, 'Why?'

'Because that one has,' said Katie.

Chapter 3: Written by Efe Gere, 15,

a Year 10 pupil at Staunton Community Sports College in Leigh Park.

Tom looked towards where Katie was pointing and shook his head scornfully. 'There's nothing there!' he exclaimed. 'You're imagining things.'

'I'm not!' Katie protested indignantly. 'I really did see something!'

Tom leapt to his feet. 'Forget about that now,' he said, 'let's open the box!'

The twins carefully placed the box on the floor and tried to prise it open.

To their dismay, it would not open!

Katie and Tom pulled with all their strength but the lid wouldn't budge.

'We'll never get to see what's inside now,' said Katie, disappointed. 'We might as well give up.'

Tom began to read some strange lettering that was engraved in the lid of the capsule.

'Koliaskallooon,' he read aloud.

From that moment, chaos descended.

The box began to glow a vibrant red, green lightning bolts shot viciously around it, and finally, a rose scented pink smoke billowed out. The twins were rendered speechless. They stood, rooted to the spot, unable to react.

'YOU HAVE AWAKENED THE SPRIT OF PRINCESS TOZARAH,' a booming voice declared suddenly. 'SHE WILL NOW BE RELEASED FROM HER IMMORTAL WORLD, SO PLEASE STAND BY FOR HER ARRIVAL.'

Chapter 4: Written by Nicole Veck, a 14-year-old pupil at Springfield School in Drayton.

Katie and Tom had been waiting for something like this all of their lives, and when the moment had finally come – all they could do was stare. Their raised eyebrows frozen in shock displayed exactly how they were feeling on the inside.

The lid on the mysterious box seemed to quiver, but yet stayed firmly shut, and eventually ceased to move at all. Just as the silence was beginning to comfort the twins back into straight thinking, the lid on the box suddenly thrashed open so wildly that it sent the ancient hinge clattering along the table.

At the same moment the carved lid skimmed across the carpet.

Seizing the opportunity, the twins jumped next to each other, and keeping their eyes firmly on the now lidless box, they began to frantically discuss what had just happened.

'Does this ... normally happen when people discover stuff?' muttered Katie, subconsciously keeping her voice low and longing for Tom to have a reassuring answer.

'Something tells me not,' replied Tom, 'and something also tells me that if we stay alive, we are not going to forget this in a very long time.'

'What d'you mean IF we stay alive?' squealed Katie, losing all of her original calmness. 'We are going to live, aren't we, Tom? Please tell me we are!'

'I THINK I WILL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT,' rang an unfamiliar female voice which echoed around the room.

Chapter 5: This week's chapter has been written by Ben Barker, 10, and Abigail McConnell, 10, pupils at Newtown CofE Primary School in Gosport.

Terrified, the twins turned and faced a beautiful glowing figure in flowing robes. Suddenly the door beside them burst open.

A tall, dark, broad figure stood in the doorway blocking the light. Tom and Katie squinted as they looked to see what was standing in the doorway.

Tom grabbed Katie's hand and dragged her to the back door. Together, the two mysterious characters shouted 'STOP!'

But they ignored the command and sprinted as if their lives depended on it. They tried to open the back door but it was locked. The glowing figure exclaimed: 'YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!'

Suddenly – and mysteriously – Katie and Tom moved towards the box without moving a muscle. The glowing figure looked on with a smug grin on her face.

The figure in the doorway walked over to the twins and whispered: 'Don't touch the box or do anything she says. She is the spirit of Princess Tozarah!'

Her power was too strong though … they found themselves touching the box, rushing through time and space towards the mystical, immortal land of Princess Tozarah.

Katie screamed, 'AHHHHH! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!!!!!'

'OH NO WE'RE NOT… LOOK – WE'RE GOING TO LAND!' Tom shouted.

Chapter 6: Written by Seren Early, 7, Luke Dancey, 7, Beth Dare, 6, and Sarah Noble, 7, all year two pupils at Padnell Infant School in Cowplain.

They landed with a big bump like an elephant jumping off a cliff. 'Tom! Tom! Are we dead yet?' cried Katie.

'Don't be silly, you're talking to me aren't you?' protested Tom as he pinched her on the arm. 'AHHHH – what did you do that for, Tom?' moaned Katie.

'Well Katie, you can't be dead if you felt that can you?' stropped Tom.

As they both looked up together, as if by magic, they saw a huge magnificent castle.

The castle was glittering like a diamond in the sun, with giant turrets and flags that almost touched the blue clear sky.

'WOW,' said Tom as he stood up, staring with his mouth open wide.

'I've never seen a castle so beautiful Tom. What shall we do?' whispered Katie in amazement. 'Let's go and investigate,' Tom replied excitedly.

Tom grabbed Katie's hand and led Katie up the hill towards the castle. Tom dragged Katie harder as she tried to pull away.

'I'm scared,' cried Katie.

'Come on Katie, we must investigate,' exclaimed Tom excitedly.

Suddenly, without any warning, two giant robots magically appeared. Katie screamed as Tom pulled her towards him trying to protect her just like her father would do if he was there.

The robots were as tall as a giraffe with long slim legs covered in gold. They were holding shields with rubies all around them, and they were so sparkly the twins had to close their eyes.

'PRINCESS TOZARAH HAS ORDERED YOU TO HER THRONE. YOU MUST COME NOW,' boomed the robots.

Chapter 7: Written by Elizabeth Rose, eight, from Portsmouth High School junior department.

Katie and Tom were terrified.

'What are we to do?' gasped Katie.

They had no choice for at that moment the robots began to march them across the courtyard.

'WE HAVE BROUGHT YOU THE CAPTIVES!' chorused the robots.

'AH HELLO CHILDREN, TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?' enquired Princess Tozarah.

Tom took a step forward and froze. He was suddenly speechless.

'M.. my name is T,T,Tom,' he stammered but gaining in confidence his speech continued, 'and this is my sister Katie.'

'WELL THEN, HELLO TOM AND KATIE,' Princess Tozarah's voice echoed around the cavernous hall.

'TAKE THEM TO THE DUNGEONS!' she roared.

'YOUR WISH IS OUR COMMAND!' chanted the robots in a monotonous tone.

Katie gave a small squeak of shock.

'I told you we were going to die!' she whimpered.

'Nonsense!' Tom reassured her.

Even though inside he was very scared he was determined not to show it.

After passing down many corridors and turning many corners they reached a large, dark room. As they entered they saw it was full of skeletons dangling in chains from the wall.

Katie felt a shiver run through her. Tom could only mutter… 'Oh'.

'IN YOU GO!' the two robots ordered.

The twins were forced inside, the door slammed shut and in the half-light they could just make out the silhouette of what looked like a young girl, sitting motionless.

She turned to face them and whispered: 'Hi. My name is Olivia.'

Chapter 8: Written by Rachel Charles, 7, Madison Wood, 5, Cerys Kovaniemi-Brickwood, 5, Lewis Hill, 7, Lewis Singleton, 6, and Bradley Mizen, 6, from Charles Dickens Infant School in Portsmouth.

Tom and Katie weren't sure how to answer, it wasn't a tea party! The twins needed answers! Where were they?

Who was the crazy Princess Tozarah and the mysterious figure? But having been brought up as polite Portsmouth children, Katie replied, 'Katie and this is my brother Tom,' before asking, 'What are you doing here?'

Olivia proceeded to tell the twins about how the evil Princess Tozarah wasn't a princess at all, but an evil woman who had savagely killed her father, the king, and taken control of the country.

'We need to escape and save Princess Olivia's people!' shouted Tom.

Katie rolled her eyes and reminded him that he wasn't Iron Man and that they needed a plan, not just any plan, but a cunning plan!

'In Scooby Doo, Scrappy always finds a trap door, by leaning back on a stone, everyone start pushing rocks, let's see if it works!' suggested Katie. The captive trio worked silently, pushing, pulling, and twisting anything that looked remotely like a stone or rock.

But the twins' luck was changing. Down in the furthest, darkest corner, Olivia stumbled on a small, smooth stone that had funny symbols carved into it.

'That's like the hieroglyphics on the time capsule!' exclaimed Tom.

Chapter 9: Written by Heather Eggleton, 12, a Year 6 pupil from Copnor Junior School in Portsmouth.

While Tom, Katie and Olivia studied the mysterious writing on the ancient rock, like a bird and its prey, a sudden thud echoed around the rotten, prison-like dungeon.

The thudding grew louder and louder then suddenly stopped. Silence. Tom, who was holding the polished ruby stone, read out the emerald engraved writing.

'Cyraha,' he mumbled as if he was in a dream. Slowly at first, the ancient rocks began to shake, as if there was an earthquake. Stones fell; meanwhile the walls began to groan and move, creating a doorway.

Olivia and the twins edged towards the newly-formed passage. They stepped inside. Darkness enveloped them. A shocking rush of ice-cold blood shot through the children's bodies, as they saw lights in the distance. The three of them sprinted towards the pearl-white glow, away from the cell.

They reached the lights, however they were surrounded by gleaming, metal robots, which were reflecting the light from further up the passage. 'D…do y…you th…think they're alive?' stuttered Tom.

'I don't know,' Katie whispered, 'but I feel like someone is following us.'

They carried on walking up the narrow passage led by the sweet, gentle breeze, which must be coming from the surface. Little did they know they were being watched by someone evil. But who?

Chapter 10: By Tom Kelsey, 14, from Purbrook Park School.

The shards of light that illuminated the damp, musty tunnel intoxicated the children, seized their senses and drew them nearer. The tower in which they found themselves was one of beautiful, almost hypnotic aesthetics.

Delicate, ancient objects decorated the walls along with canvases depicting portraits of past monarchs – all of whom were unknown to the twins and their companion.

'Look,' breathed Olivia. A beautiful fountain sat elegantly in the centre of the hexagonal room and crystal blue water flowed therapeutically from tier to tier. Glistening glass statues stood regimentally around the fountain in quiet salute.

Tom urged the others forward. Looking around he noticed six doorways: the one through which they had entered, two solid oak doors, bolted, padlocked and armed with horrific blades, and three stained-glass doors that hung lazily on their hinges.

They found themselves momentarily staring at one another, drowning in a growing tension. Katie signalled them behind the fountain.

'There's a woman crouching in the shadows over there.'

The others turned to where Katie had indicated and felt their hearts dive.

'I noticed her back by the robots. I dunno how long she's been behind us. She's waiting for something.'

'If we each go separate ways she can't follow us all,' whispered Olivia.

'Right then,' said Tom, rather forcefully, the excitement of the adventure getting the better of him. 'Three, two, one. Run!' The trio bolted towards different doors.

The woman in the shadows didn't hesitate. She swept forward.

Chapter 11: By Robert Cox, 10, and George Rolls, 11, from Redlands Primary School in Fareham.

STOP! a familiar voice commanded but only Katie and Tom heard it. They froze.

Tom immediately knew who she was. He had heard that cold, cruel voice before. Katie also recognised it and they both leapt through their chosen doors.

'HA! I ONLY NEED ONE OF YOU ANYWAY!' Tozarah shrieked. It was then that Tom and Katie realised that Olivia had not reacted to the evil princess's words.

Tozarah grabbed Olivia's arm and dragged her through the black portal. The darkness invaded Olivia's mind and she lost consciousness.

Tom was mortified by what he'd witnessed. He tried to scramble back through the door but his foot was trapped. Slipping, he fell and slammed his head on one of the many pipes leading into the portal.

As he woke, his eyes struggled to focus on a gold tendril hanging over his face. It was a harp! Appearing from nowhere a face loomed over him and a softly-spoken voice muttered: 'Hello, I is Dobby. My master Harry Potter lives beneath us.'

Tom was bit confused, surely Harry Potter wasn't real. 'What... where are we?'

Dobby's eyes widened and then he laughed, 'Why you is in heaven of course. But you is not dead. The portal took you.'

Tom couldn't believe it. Now he would know what heaven was like without dying! There was just one question he needed answering. Where was Katie?

Chapter 12, written by Cearon Bridgewater, seven, and Emily Hunter, seven, from Copnor Infant School in Portsmouth.

Slowly he struggled to open his eyes – and leaning over him looking very blurry and very worried was Katie.

'Where is Harry and Dobby?' murmured Tom.

'Where's who?' said Katie sounding confused. 'I think you have been dreaming while you were unconscious. Come on Tom get up, we have to find Olivia and fast!'

They searched the dungeon high and low, top to bottom to find the black portal where Olivia had disappeared through.

In the spooky darkness Tom spotted something familiar. 'Hieroglyphics,' he shouted.

Katie stumbled over. 'Try pushing the rock' she cried excitedly.

Tom bashed the rock as hard as he could. It fell to the ground with a loud crash! The rock spilt in two and revealed an ancient map shiny and beautifully decorated. The twins held the map up and examined it closely.

'This is a map to Princess Tozarah's secret chamber', gasped Katie, 'I bet that's where she has taken Olivia. Come on, let's follow it.'

They set off confidently now they had the map to help them, but deep down they still felt a bit nervous. They followed the path of the tunnel hearing the cold, black water running down the walls.

Eventually, after many long hours, there in the distance was a small ray of light and a girl's voice shouting and weeping. Could they have found Olivia?

Chapter 13 has been written by Ruth O'Sullivan, 10, and Grace Watkins, 11, of Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School in Portsmouth.

Katie stumbled into the dark and dismal chamber, closely followed by Tom, who was still weak from his painful injury. As they gazed around the flaming-torch lit chamber, their eyes fell in unison on a shivering girl at the other end of the vast expansive lair.

Whoever it was, it certainly wasn't Olivia.

'Who are you?' Tom asked hesitantly.

'I am Tozarah. The evil God Set locked me here many years ago,' she replied. A hopeful smile danced across her young face. 'Have you come to rescue me? I've never been rescued before!'

Tom and Katie began to untie the thick bonds that attached Tozarah to the damp walls that lay behind her. As they worked Tom asked: 'Who is the God Set anyway?'

Before Tozarah could even open her mouth, Katie burst out: 'Set is one of the oldest Gods in Egypt. He was one of the sacred Nineth and took the throne of the underworld by killing his brother Osiris.'

After a while Tozarah gave out a laugh. 'You'll never get me out of here. I don't need you to, I am only a soul,' she explained, gesturing to the tight ropes that bound her.

'Only I can do that, but Set learnt that hundreds of years ago. No, I need help getting out of the door.'

As she spoke she slithered snake-like onto the floor out of her vine-like bonds.

'Wow!' Tom whispered in awe. 'Katie, look. Katie?' Tom stared at her.

'Tom,' Katie mumbled fearfully. 'Where's the door gone?' Silence.

Chapter 14: Written by Jamie Christie, 11, Tom Edwards, 11 and Tom Winter, 11, all from Alverstoke CofE Junior School in Gosport.

Tom shrieked in horror. 'The door was there a minute ago!'

'HA HA HA!' laughed Tozarah. 'FOOLISH CHILDREN! YOU REALLY THOUGHT YOU COULD SAVE ME AND YOU HAVE! NOW MY POWER IS UNLEASHED!'

As she spoke, a torrent of fire surrounded them.

Katie started panicking. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out.

Tom jumped through the fire and flames, into a dark corner.

The inferno was drawing in. Katie was trapped. The heat was making her sweat.

Tozarah screamed in laughter, letting the fire get tighter.

Tom was trapped in the corner.

Suddenly, a skeletal black arm came from the wall and pulled him back through it. Katie ran forward and, with power, knocked Tozarah to the ground.

She fell into the flames and cried out: 'YOU MAY HAVE DEFEATED ME BUT YOU SHALL NOT OVERCOME THE GREATNESS OF THE DARK SUPREME KING!'

The flames consumed her.

While being pulled through the wall, Tom felt sick and uneasy. He felt an unusual presence. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

Then blackness.

As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could make out a dark outline coming towards him. He felt the outline reaching out.

Chapter 15: Written by Katie Hawkins, 10, from Paulsgrove Primary School in Portsmouth.

Tom felt the initial urge to panic and move away from the approaching outline. With only his sense of touch and smell he could not make any judgment about who was there.

However, a sudden sensation of calming hit Tom, like many he had experienced throughout his life. Without being able to see clearly who was next to him he knew it was Katie.

The darkness was not getting any better, but Tom took Katie's hand. 'We are ok now,' he reassured her, 'we have each other.'

Katie's hand gripped Tom's in a way to confirm what he was saying; yet no reply was given.

Tom was more scared than ever with not being able to see, but he knew he would have to be strong for them both.

They moved forward, stepping carefully and slowly. Suddenly, Tom felt a wall.

'All we have to do is follow the wall,' Tom reassured his twin. They moved along the wall with one of his hands feeling and the other refusing to let go of his sister.

The roughness and coldness of the wall changed to a smoother, warming feeling. As his hand explored the area a handle could be felt. With no hesitation he pulled at the handle and light filled the room.

A voice from a person he knew remarked: 'Tom, I knew you would find me,' said Katie who was stood in front of him.

But who was holding his hand?

Chapter 16: Written by Evie Cawte, 7, Oliver Halliday, 7, Oliver Lapworth-Upshall, 7, and Jack Hargrave, 7, all from Leesland Infant School in Gosport.

Tom looked at the end of his arm. A purple, wrinkled hand was gripping his fingers.

Tom's hand was beginning to turn purple as well. Tom screamed and looked up at the strangest creature he'd ever seen.

Although there were hands on the end of his hairy arms his body was more like a cat. His fur was smooth, silky and glossy. His head was half human and half cat.

The odd creature spoke in a high, whiny voice and asked: 'What's the problem?'

The twins shouted together: 'We're stuck in this dungeon! How do we get out?'

'Well I can get you out of that hole up there,' it replied.

Surprised, everyone looked up at the hole that was at the top of the wall.

'We're not cats,' said Tom.

'Oh, yes you are,' replied the creature. Tom looked at himself. By now he was also half cat, half human.

'Your sister can hold my other hand and she will be like us.'

'But how will we turn back to ourselves?' asked Katie.

'Let's sort that out after you get out of here,' said the creature

They all joined hands. The three cathumans began to climb the wall. Their sharp claws dug into the dungeon's bumpy rock walls.

Chapter 17: Written by Connie Seamer, 7, Jacob Singh, 7, Josie Lacey, 7, and Oren Banhan, 7, from Devonshire Infant School in Portsmouth.

As they neared the opening, the beams of sunlight from above warmed the pale cold skin on their faces.

Using their newly-formed cat-like claws, the children managed to scramble up towards the jagged entrance to the next destination in their desperate attempt to return home.

Using their last ounces of energy, Tom, Katie and the odd creature struggled through the hole into the heat.

As their eyes started to adjust to the light, the children watched in amazement as their hands returned to their normal appearance. Strangely, they observed their furry acquaintance slip back down the walls to the dungeon below and as he disappeared from sight the hole sealed itself shut.

'Why has he left us Tom?' Katie asked in a puzzled voice.

'I have a feeling that may be the least of our problems! Take a look around you,' Tom hesitantly replied.

With one hand, Tom gripped his sister's arm nervously while he used his other hand to gesture above them.

The children found themselves encased in a tall, narrow structure.

The light they had been so excited to head towards was actually shining into the top of the tower maybe a mile above them! Their bodies began to feel increasingly and unbearably hot.

Chapter 18:By Bonnie Grist, 13, a pupil at Miltoncross School in Portsmouth.

The sweat was constantly dripping down their heads. The salty sweat would touch their dry lips. Katie was very nervous about this in case they would not be able to get out of the tower.

Tom kept telling his sister that everything was going to be all right whatever happens. Katie smiled and carried on trying to get out. Tom said, sadly: 'Listen sis, if I did get back here in one piece remember I will always love you, don't forget that!'

'Awww back at you,' Katie said happily.

Tom found an abandoned piece of long rope on the dirty floor. He picked it up and tried to attach it to an old rusty nail. He tied it round three times just to make sure it wouldn't fall off.

They started climbing up the wall as the light was one mile away from them. They kept getting closer and closer and closer but, weirdly, they weren't getting anywhere.

Their hands were getting more and more sweaty. They kept slipping down but trying to climb up with all their strength. At this point their faces were turning a bright red colour.

They couldn't breath properly. Would they survive or would this be the end?

Chapter 19: by Zo Demetriou, 15, a pupil at Brune Park Community College in Gosport.

The twins were gasping for breath, and the muscles in their arms were beginning to burn. Suddenly, as Tom reached up, his hand slipped, he lost his grip on the rope and tumbled down. 'TOM!' yelled Katie. She made a wild grab at him, but missed. Her arms could no longer take the strain, and she found herself falling after him.

Katie braced herself for the impact on the unforgiving floor but, to her astonishment, it never came. Instead, she found herself plummeting through the air. She twisted round and looked up to see the light becoming smaller and smaller, until it vanished, and the twins were left descending through the darkness.

'Tom,' she called 'what's happening to us?'

'I don't know,' he shouted. 'But I bet it's not going to be good.'

They lost count of how long they fell for. It could have been minutes or hours, but they finally noticed they were slowing down. They fell slower and slower, until they landed as gently as if they'd stepped off a bus.

Katie reached for Tom's hand and grasped it tightly. 'Where are we?' she murmured.

Tom shook his head. He was hungry and tired. This wasn't the sort of adventure he'd wanted. He started to reply but at that instant there was a flash of blinding white light and a searing wave of heat that knocked them off their feet.

The last thing Tom heard as he lost consciousness was the all-too familiar laugh of Princess Tozarah.

Chapter 20 by Kieran Wateridge, 13, of Bridgemary Community Sports College in Gosport.

Tom was the first to awaken. He awoke to the peering face of some... cybernetic creature. It was similar to the android beings they had encountered earlier. But... it was as if the technology had been implanted within the skin.

Each one of them had a symbol consistent with hieroglyphics upon their body, and each was clad in a thick suit of armour. Two wore helmets shaped like a cobra's head. The one that stood over Tom withdrew to a position near the wall.

'It's like something from Stargate. The Goa'uld or something,' he said softly, noticing the resemblance as Katie emerged from her slumber.

'Ah, you're awake then. Good. Now I have something other than mindless drones to converse with,' Tozarah said, lazing in her chair.

'Why are you doing this?' Katie asked dozily.

'Because I like it!' Tozarah replied with an evil grin. 'The chance to revel in being thoroughly evil is rather enjoyable, I must say. I have these creatures under my dominion so I'm quite content playing evil dominator of this realm, and yours...'

She continued to rant on about evil conquest.

All the while, Tom noticed a small notch in the wall. He heaved it out, but it flicked free of his hand, ceremoniously striking Tozarah in the forehead. She went into a fit of rage as a small doorway appeared.

'Hurry, in here!' he said, motioning Katie through the gap. He followed, stepping clear of the threshold. The door disappeared.

'FIND THEM MY MINIONS!' Tozarah screeched.

Chapter 21 by Naomi Fitzpatrick, 14, of Neville Lovett Community School in Fareham.

As the door melted back into the roughly hewn stone wall behind them, Tom and Katie were relieved to hear the sounds of Tozarah's rage fading. By the time all evidence of the wall's momentary lapse into doordom was hidden, they could hear nothing except... except, what was it?

The twins huddled closely together, trying to work out what the strange, whuffling, snorting, wet sounding noise was.

Around them they could see nothing. Darkness pressed in on their eyes, seeming like a menacing blanket. Or shroud, Tom thought.

Suddenly, the air filled with a whirring mechanical noise, making Tom and Katie jump.

They stared, incredulous, as from high above them descended a flashing green neon sign which proclaimed in 10 foot high letters:

Joald Buttersnuff

Purveyor of Silly Outfits for all Shapes, Sizes and Nose Colours

The twins exchanged glances, and just had time to register that the expression on the other's face reflected their thoughts entirely, before they were hailed from under the now-eye-level sign by a small purple reindeer.

'Welcome to my emporium, oh, head appendagely challenged ones. Apologies to you for my, er, somniatic state when you arrived.

'I see you are unaware of my business here. I provide costumes. Costumes for characters such as yourselves who are in need of story-appropriate clothing. If you'll just follow me to the Adventure/Fantasy aisle I will see you are kitted out in a most suitable fashion.'

Chapter 22, written by Thomas Matthews, 15, of City of Portsmouth Boys' School.

Tom glanced over his shoulder at Katie and decided to ask the question on both their minds.

'Who are you?' said Tom, 'and what are we doing here?'

Joald looked shocked, as shocked as a purple reindeer could look, and leant forward to whisper in the twins' ears.

'Oh my, you haven't been told have you. Oh dear, this isn't good.' Seeing the confusion in the twins' eyes he went on.

'Why do you think you were sent here? Coincidence? No. You have to fight Tozarah and her army of Skrergs, but we can't have you saving the universe looking like that now, can we?' He concluded broadly with a loud chuckle.

The twins still looked shocked, and now they looked terrified. They had barely escaped the grips of Tozarah, only to learn they had to return to her evil dominion.

Katie overcame her anxiety and queried Joald. 'Why us?' she said, 'and who are the Skrergs?'

Tom nudged Katie and said: 'I think the Skregs are those beings that look like the Goa'uld from Stargate.'

'What is Stargate?' Joald interrupted, puzzled. 'Oh it matters not, there will be time for questions later. For now, let's go inside.'

As he uttered those last words, the darkness around them seemed to dissolve and patches of bright, colourful light shone through.

The twins shielded their eyes as the world around them came into focus. They were in a shop, full to the brim with rolls of material and cratefuls of every item of clothing imaginable.

Joald gave time for his new customers to gawk at the endless rows of apparel around them before speaking.

'Welcome to my haven!' he said, broadly. 'Now, if you would like to follow me, we will get you kitted out for the battle ahead. This way!'

Chapter 23, by Natasha Crichton, 14, of Mayfield School in Portsmouth.

Tom couldn't help but think as he walked through the room that it all seemed too good to be true.

After all the time of running away could they finally have found a safe place where they could not be trapped by the evil Tozarah?

And then what about the battle, was there truly anything good enough to protect them from her magic?

Tom sighed, and turned around to listen to what Joald was saying.

'This armour is made of the finest silk woven from cobwebs,' he said, pointing to a white shirt.

Kate sniggered: 'Well that's pointless, how can that protect anyone from anything?'

Joald sighed, handed Tom a gun and told him to shoot at the armour. When the bullet made contact with the armour it just seemed to bounce off, as if it was made of rubber.

Both Tom and Kate stood open-mouthed staring at the armour, not believing their eyes. They both stepped forward and slipped on a cobweb silk shirt. Just as they did so, they heard an evil laugh they recognised all too well!

They all looked around desperately for an exit, while hearing her footsteps grow closer and closer.

Kate turned to Tom, and he could see the look of pure terror in her eyes. Just then, the door began to open . . .

Chapter 24, by David Richards, 15, from Park Community School in Leigh Park.

As if Tom's thoughts had somehow been read; Tozarah burst through the door shortly followed by two huge robotic figures. Joald immediately cowered inside a large metal storage crate which sat, otherwise empty, in one corner of the shop floor. Tom and Katie stood, rooted to the spot; their fear growing by the second.

Tozarah's voice boomed out: 'Here is where it ends…MINIONS, GET THEM!'

The two figures which stood beside Tozarah burst into life and lunged at the twins; who quickly ran, diving behind a crate for cover.

'We have to stop the minions before we can get to Tozarah,' Katie explained to a quivering Tom.

Heavy footsteps began to draw nearer to their hiding place.

One of the mechanical guards had begun to make its way towards the twins; travelling along every inch of the shelf where the crate lay. Suddenly an ear-splitting crash rang out through the shop.

The guard had dislodged a crate from the highest of the shelves, sending it crashing to the ground. Tom and Katie dared not move or speak. But strangely, the heavy footsteps began to move away. They could hear the guards retreating, as if they had found something. And then they realised. It was not what the guards could see, but what they could hear.

Tom leaned close to his sister's ear, 'I have a plan…'

Chapter 25 has been written by Ruby Smith and April Tait, both 10, from Medina Primary School in Portsmouth.

Katie's blood boiled. 'What is it Tom?' she mumbled. 'Listen carefully, we're both stuck in a cage, right?

'Well there's a control button just over there. My hand is small enough to fit through the barrier, so if I press the upwards arrow, the cage will rise – that's when we'll make a run for it.'

'BRILLIANT,' yelled Katie.

'Get ready, I'm about to press the button. Remember – this is the one and only chance,' whispered Tom.

As the cage lifted up, they both ran for their lives. The guards, who were built like wrestlers, chased after Tom and Katie like the wind. Tom's heart beat like never ending drums. Sweat was pouring off Katie's head as they shot out of the castle. On the route home, the twins met an old man, named John. Little did they know John was a spy who had been sent by Princess Tozarah.

'Excuse me, we are looking to find Grassland Town, but we are lost. Would you be able to help us get back home?' asked Katie.

The man looked very old. He had a hunchback and a walking stick. Then he pulled out a map from his pocket.

Chapter 26 has been written by Year 2 pupils at Orchard Lea Infant School in Fareham.

Katie and Tom took the map and said thank you. However, they didn't know the map was an evil map that would only lead them to one place. A place they didn't want to go. It was the enchanted forest that was far, far away.

'It's such a long way,' said Katie.

The old man whispered: 'It's a magic map. All you have to do is sit on it and it will take you there.'

'Brilliant,' said Thomas. 'Let's go'.

So off they went with a whoosh. They were cold and scared but very happy to be getting away from the castle. When they landed they soon realised that the map was a wicked map that had taken them to a horrible place full of danger.

Suddenly they heard a squeaky voice coming from behind a tree. They slowly tiptoed towards the tree. Out jumped a squirrel so quickly that he made Katie and Thomas jump.

'What are you doing here?' said the squirrel. 'Get out as quick as you can. Something terrible is about to happen.'

Thomas turned round to pick up the map, but it was gone. 'Oh dear,' cried Katie.

'Quick, follow me,' said the squirrel. 'It's started'.

Chapter 27 has been written by Kitty Chan, Walaa Ellabib, Jack Yeoman and Nusrat Zahan, all aged 10, of Fernhurst Junior School in Southsea.

The squirrel ran, Katie grasped Tom's arm and chased after him. Before long they found a safe place and their eyes adjusted to the gloomy cavern where they were able to make out the battle-scarred squirrel who spoke: 'You're safe now, but maybe not for long.'

'What's going on?' enquired Tom.

'Yes and what's started?' Katie added.

The squirrel's head sunk as he began to tell the twins the unbelievable truth. Long ago Princess Tozarah turned Solomon, a mighty warrior, and his powerful army into squirrels. They were the last people to stand against her. Her plan had been to dominate the universe and every planet in it.

Now was the time; with the final ceremony – all was within her grasp. However, Princess Tozarah never had the Stone of Doom needed to complete the final slaughter of innocence.

Katie and Tom sat wide-eyed, fascinated and terrified as Solomon, the man-squirrel, explained the danger.

'It is said that the time is upon us for the final battle. Our only hope is that Princess Tozarah never finds the stone.'

Tom interrupted: 'What does it look like, this Stone of Doom?' Solomon described an ordinary grey stone with a carved circle on it.

Tom felt a growing familiarity as he reached inside his pocket and withdrew a stone he and his dog Minty had found on the beach next to the time capsule that very first morning.

'Like this?' Tom said opening his fingers to reveal a perfectly smooth, carved stone in his palm.

Katie felt an uncomfortable presence; she looked around, were those eyes looking at them from the distant bush?

Chapter 28 has been written by Alfie McGrath, Danielle Simpson, Maisie Henderson and Emily McKinney, all aged 10, of Elson Junior School in Gosport.

'Let's get out of here, I'm getting an eerie feeling we're being watched. Let's go!' exclaimed Katie.

At that very moment, the children felt a shiver down their spines. Tom, Katie and Solomon felt the presence of Princess Tozarah, therefore ran further into the cavern. Whilst running in the cavern, Tom stumbled and the stone fell from his pocket. Hearing a clatter, Katie picked up the stone. Holding it up to the dim light, she noticed a faint circle in the middle. Could this be the Stone of Doom?

Solomon nodded, whilst revealing a scroll from his pocket. The children peered over to see what it read. It read:

Dear children of the mortal world, I have written to ask if you and your companion would face the haunted wood to meet me at the tree with orange leaves. Do not tell anyone about this, so they can't intercept you. Come safely and keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour.

From Joald Buttersnuff.

Purveyor of silly costumes for all shapes, sizes and nose colours.

They rolled up the scroll and put it firmly in Tom's pocket. As quick as a flash, they were travelling through the wood.

A cold wind ran down their necks as they parted the overgrown bushes and leaves. Spider webs sprung back into their faces. They finally got through the haunted wood, after having passed skeletons that made them scream with fear.

They could see a tree with orange leaves and there, on the horizon, stood Joald Buttersnuff.

Chapter 29 has been written by Harry Ralls, Brandon Elliott, Simone Proudley, and Lauryn Keller, all aged 10, from Isambard Brunel Junior School in Portsmouth.

They charged up the stony path towards Joald's silhouette. 'Joald we're here!' they shouted in unison.

He spun round and trotted up to his burrow in the cavernous hill nearby. The children followed him inside. Even before the door was shut, Joald started explaining his plan to the children.

'Because I am such a fantastic fashion designer, I think we should have a fashion show with a twist. We'll invite Princess Tozarah and her minions to watch and while you are modelling my brilliant outfits, we'll attack them with memory-loss bombs!'

As he spoke Joald walked over to a dusty old cupboard and opened it to reveal 12,000 memory-loss bombs.

Tom and Katie thought for a moment before Tom spoke: 'But what about Olivia?'

'Ah well, I have a map of Princess Tozarah's secret chamber, I think Olivia may be being held hostage there. If only we had the Stone of Doom, we could easily get in there and rescue her,' replied Joald.

At this point Katie jumped up in excitement. 'We have it! Tom found a stone at the beach that matches the exact description of it!' she shouted, while burrowing into her pocket and brandishing a cloudy-coloured stone with a faint circle.

'Fantastic!' exclaimed Joald, picking up a green and purple suit.

'Let's put our plan into action. Tom this is yours and Katie this one's for you,' Joald continued as he passed out the suits.

Tom and Katie stared at each other momentarily, then started laughing.

Chapter 30 has been written by Natalie Benham, Alexander Burr, Sarah Fanner and Nyah Graham, all aged six, from Hart Plain Infant School in Cowplain.

As Katie and Tom slipped on the special suits they disappeared! They didn't realise that they were invisibility suits. 'We've disappeared! Wow, these suits are cool, we are invisible but can still see each other.'

Joald called to the army of squirrels. 'Quick,' he shouted, 'we need to send these invitations to the evil Tozarah and her minions as the fashion show is tomorrow morning!' The squirrels sprung into action and sped off with the invitations gripped in their bushy tails.

'Right, said Joald, 'we need to get to the castle in time to make preparations for the fashion show.'

'Yes we do,' said Tom and Katie, 'we need to decorate the Throne Room before tomorrow morning.'

'Well,' said Joald, 'not only are you wearing invisibility suits but they also have rocket boosters sewn into the lining, which can go 55,000 knots per hour.

'Oh my goodness,' said Katie, 'I will need my sick bowl!'

Five, four three two one BLAST OFF!!! With a loud whoosh they shot up into the atmosphere. Suddenly, there was a spluttering noise.

'Oh no, help, we are dropping like the Stone of Doom, the rocket boosters have run out of power.'

Chapter 31, by Imogen O'Neil, nine, from Craneswater Junior School in Portsmouth.

The twins fell faster and faster, but just as they neared the ground Tom saw one of his suit buttons had the letters CHUTE on it. Katie saw her suit had one too.

They both pressed their buttons and out came parachutes from the back of the suits, slowing them to a nice and gentle glide back to the entrance of the cavernous hills where they had shot out from.

Joald Buttersnuff was waiting for them there with two new outfits. One was a clown outfit and the other a short-sleeved T-shirt , a short skirt and ankle-length tights. 'How come you get a nice outfit and I don't?!' asked Tom.

'Because Princess Tozarah has to want mine for the plan to work!' answered Katie happily.

As soon as the clothes had been delivered to the fashion stage, they set off to Princess Tozarah's secret chamber.

But when they got there they got a huge surprise. OLIVIA WASN'T THERE! 'Nooo!' shouted Katie.

'Don't over-react' Joald practically whispered. 'Some Skregs might be about.'

So they all started the journey back to the fashion stage. They put on their costumes and got ready to go on stage. Tom went first. Katie heard roars of laughter from the crowd.

When it was her turn she stepped out into the bright light and saw Princess Tozarah surrounded by all her Skregs. She noticed Olivia crouched down by the stage. All of a sudden Tozarah shrieked 'I want one!' Katie shouted back 'Our tailor's over there! and pointed to the curtains. Joald then hurled memory-loss bombs at them. Then there was silence.

Chapter 32 has been written by Daisy Cooper, 15, of Bedales School near Petersfield.

As the cloud of dense green smoke dispersed, Katie saw that Princess Tozarah and her Skregs were still sitting in the seats.

For the first time since she had met Princess Tozarah, Katie thought she looked strangely peaceful.

Her face was totally passive, eyes staring straight ahead. Katie quickly realised that the room was eerily silent, and she daren't make a single noise. As she looked around the room, she noticed that all the people that had been affected by the bombs were starting to blink.

'Katie, Katie?' A feeling of great relief flooded through her body as she heard Tom's voice echoing throughout the room.

'Tom!' Katie said excitedly as his face appeared from the back of the stage.

'OK Katie, you grab Olivia, I'll find Joald and let's get out of here!'

When they were ready to go, they realised that they didn't know how to get out without going back the way they had come. Tom heard muffled footsteps coming from behind where Tozarah was sitting. 'Wait,' he said to the others, 'I hear something.'

'I don't hear anything, Tom, you're going mad,' said Katie

'Just listen, there, can you hear it?' Tom exclaimed urgently.

'Yes, yes! I can!' replied Olivia

At that moment a little head with orange hair popped up from behind Princess Tozarah. It was holding up a piece of cardboard with a black arrow on it.

'Is that the way to an exit?' queried Tom. The little orange head nodded vigorously and disappeared.

'Right then, let's go that way!' said Tom, and all four of them ran towards where the creature had pointed.

Chapter 33 has been written by the pupils of 10U class at Portsmouth Grammar School.

Are you crazy?' exclaimed Katie, stopping in her tracks. 'Every time we go anywhere you end up unconscious and I have to miraculously find my own way out. It's time you listened to me, I think!'

Tom's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe his sister was being so forceful, but he had to admit she did have a point.

'Fair enough. What's your idea, then?'

Katie shrugged her shoulders and looked around her at the scene. Princess Tozarah was looking faintly bored and staring at her fingernails, waiting for something exciting to happen.

The little man with orange hair reappeared and was now jumping up and down, winking and frantically pointing at his sign, motioning with his head towards the side of the room.

'Oh for goodness sake,' Katie exclaimed. 'Have it your way.'

So far they had survived time capsules, aggressive robots, Dobby hallucinations and a permanently hormonal princess. What possible threat could a small, tangerine-haired man pose?

Reluctantly, Katie, along with Olivia and Tom (who clearly wouldn't be happy leaving Olivia behind), dashed towards a potential escape.

Katie sighed under her breath, 'you know, sometimes I wish we'd never picked up that rotten box'.

Chapter 34 has been written by Jessie Robbins, aged 13 from Crookhorn College of Technology.

As they approached the wall where the creature had pointed, a smooth stone handle slid out of it.

It was inscribed with the same hieroglyphics that had caused them so much trouble. Tom glared at it with his eyes screwed up trying to decipher it. It was impossible, because the lettering seemed always to change. The wall folded back as a doorway appeared.

They stood there, glued to the ground unable to utter a sound with their mouths hanging open, as the wall slid back allowing the door to unfold. Katie was the one to break the silence: 'Come on, let's get out of here.'

But as they stepped forward, about to pull open the door, the unmistakeable rhythm of the heavy footsteps sounded as the few Skregs who were unaffected by the memory-loss bombs came towards them.

'Come on, we don't want to be here when they find out what has happened,' Joald muttered in urgency, pulling open the door. They leapt into the next room. Barely a second after they had got in, the door swung shut, folding back into the inconspicuous wall. They sighed, in unison, with relief.

Tom was staring at Katie whose eyes refused to move from the palm of her hand. Olivia was the first by her side and she too went into the trance-like-state which was possessing Katie. Tom and Joald walked over to the two girls and saw what was supposedly the stone of doom in Katie's hand.

The circle on it was glowing a light, murky green. Tom realised something was happening right where they were standing. There were hieroglyphics like the handle on the door except this time the were on the floor. The spindly lettering was glowing the same gloomy colour of the suspected Stone Of Doom.

Chapter 35 has been written by Charlotte Jones, 11, and Anna Thompson, 10, from St Jude's Catholic Primary School in Fareham.

It was strange to think that the petite lettering was the same glowing colours as the murky Stone of Doom.

Before their very shocked eyes the aggressive Stone of Doom was suddenly changing. It looked like it was morphing into some kind of Egyptian insect.

'Look, don't you remember we did all about the Egyptians in Year 3?' shouted Tom.

'Yeah I do, but that's not important now. Isn't this bug called an Ishma?' questioned Katie.

Suddenly the large insect scuttled under a rickety rock. Astonishingly, everything was moving into different places. It was like they had stumbled into a trap door.

'Where the heck are we?' yelled Joald.

'I haven't a clue,' shrieked Tom.

They found themselves buried underground in a dark, eerie tunnel. In one corner a ghostly light flickered from a huge candle on the floor. There was no sign of Olivia.

Katie had suddenly spotted something. It seemed to her that there were small engraved letters and diagrams on the ancient walls. She slowly crept forward to the wall. Katie wanted to have a better look to see if there was anything important she had to take a note of. She read the hieroglyphics aloud:

YOU WERE TOO LATE. PRINCESS TOZARAH HAS THE CHILD – OLIVIA'S LIFE IS IN HER HANDS, HER HANDS ALONE!

They bowed their heads in dismay. Was Olivia dead or lying mutilated somewhere all alone? It was such a shock to all of them, but they knew that above everything they had to carry on their delayed journey.

Chapter 36 has been written collectively by the five and six-year-olds in Robin class at Grange Infant School, Gosport (with a little help from head Jan Taylor).

But it wasn't the Stone of Doom. In fact it wasn't a stone at all! It was a…tiny wicked witch with a tiny wicked wand, which was pointing at the girls. The witch had cast a spell and had hypnotised Katie and Olivia.

Joald reached out and snatched the wand.

'Oi! Give me that back,' screeched the witch.

'No,' said Joald, as he wagged his finger at her. 'Not until you are good.'

'Excuse me,' said Tom. 'But can you use that wand to bring back the Stone of Doom?'

'Ha! Ha! Ha!' laughed the witch. 'Your precious stone is on the other side of that door – where Princess Tozarah and her Skregs are. And I'm not going to help you get it.'

'Right,' said Joald. 'That's enough from you!' He put her inside his trouser pocket and said: 'You can stay in there until you help us out.'

'Oh no!' said Olivia. 'What are we going to do now?' and she started to cry. 'Don't cry Olivia,' said Tom. 'Remember when we were trapped in the dungeon? We looked for a trap door and we managed to escape. Let's look again.'

'Brilliant idea!' said Joald.

You'll never believe it…they found a smooth stone on the wall with more hieroglyphics. When Katie pressed it, a hole opened up and behind it was a dark tunnel.

Luckily Joald had a torch, and the children gathered behind him and off they went through the tunnel. It was dark. It was scary. It was full of spiders.

At last Joald said: 'I can see a door up ahead.'

As quietly as they could, they crept up to the door and Joald opened it to find…

Chapter 37 has been written by Elephants Class, Year 3, at Oak Meadow Church of England Controlled Primary School, Fareham, with special input from Mark Houghton, Aiden and Owen Monckton and Kera Smart.

It was an enormous room full of hieroglyphic symbols. They were absolutely everywhere, all over the walls, the ceiling and even the floor.

'Oh my, it looks like a gigantic tomb,' exclaimed Katie.

'Yeah, it looks like Tutankhamen's tomb,' suggested Tom.

As their eyes adjusted to the light, Joald noticed that there were bright blue, sparkling gemstones in between the hieroglyphic symbols.

Without thinking, Tom touched one of the gems. As he did so, all of the gems glowed and transformed into sharp metal spikes.

Just as Katie was telling him off, they all heard a loud noise. The walls were moving. Closer… and closer… to them.

Suddenly, just as they were all fearing the worst, Joald's pocket grew bigger and bigger. Obviously it wasn't his pocket that was growing but the wicked witch who wasn't so wicked after all.

With a zap and a tap of her magic wand, all the spikes changed back into little gems. The witch had saved the day!

Everyone was starting to relax and look for a way out of the tomb.

They all wanted to find the stone of Doom before Princess Tozarah remembered where she was and found it first.

THUMP, BUZZ, TWANG, BOING.

'What's that noise?' shouted Olivia. 'It's getting louder and LOUDER.'

'Oh help, it's the robots, they must be coming after us,' said Joald. 'Let's get out of here NOW!'

'This is a job for me,' announced the witch bravely. 'Quick, grab on to me.'

Then suddenly there was a flash of light. They couldn't feel the ground any more…

Chapter 38 has been written by Martha Noble, 11, and Azzurra Moores, 10, with a little help from Emma Beecher from St Swithun's Catholic Primary School, Southsea.

Magic is usually reliable but in this case something had gone unbearably wrong. 'Where are we?' asked Tom looking very confused.

'I may have made a slight mistake,' admitted the witch,

'When you say mistake,' muttered Tom, 'what do you mean?'

The witch had made a mistake, well a gargantuan mistake, she was meant to take them to a heavenly land far away from the robots, but instead, they arrived at a pirate ship. 'Wow, look at it, it's amazing, don't you think?' asked Olivia.

'I love its tender blue sails and bright orange decking. It seems to glisten like gold if you look carefully,' explained Joald.

'Well, that's because it is gold. Welcome to the Tina Daffodil. The ship that works wonders. And I am Captain Lancelot, but you can call me Lancy for short,' explained Lancy.

The four children seemed quite baffled as this peculiar-looking character was being ever so kind!

'I've heard from the prin... I mean I've just heard your tummies rumbling so would you like some soup? It's home made shanty delight, I'm sure you children must be hungry.'

And with that delicious meal in their thoughts, they made their way to the galley.

As they made their way to the galley, the captain winked to other members of the crew, obviously he had something in store for them.

...to be continued

Chapter 39 has been written by Sarah Rynn and Sidney Channer, both 10, from Gomer Junior School, Gosport.

Children, tell me about you,' ordered Captain Lancelot.

'Well our mother, Lorraine Liffe is…', Tom spluttered because he was rudely interrupted.

'Lorraine Liffe!' he bawled. The twins looked at each other blankly.

Before they knew it, they were being shifted into a tiny inflatable dingy and being pushed viciously out to sea. Then they drifted into sea mist!

Olivia and Joald were nowhere to be seen. Like a magician's trick they had disappeared… they had got away before the captain had time to grab them!

Hours passed. Katie and Tom were starving and cold as ice surrounded by the freezing ocean.

Eventually, they hit the sandy edge of an island. Both children got out and gazed at the beautiful surroundings, full of tropical flowers and pine trees.

Katie discovered a derelict, rotten shed on the golden beach nearby: she scuttled over to it. She was the first of the two to wander in.

To her great surprise, when she opened the door, she felt herself being grabbed by a frosty, pale blue hand covered in ice. Katie screamed like a banshee!

When Tom heard this he rushed over to the shed, but it was too late.

'Katie, Katie, are you all right!' he yelled.

She wasn't in sight.

'WHERE ARE YOU …?'

Chapter 40 is written by Felicity Gille, seven, and her brother Harry, five, of Elson Infant School in Gosport

Panicking, Tom dashed back outside scanning the landscape in haste. He could see a strange cloud of ice as a frosty white figure whisked Katie away.

As he ran over the sandy island, he came across Olivia and Joald who had arrived there earlier and were sitting beside a crackling camp fire. He grabbed a burning branch from the fire and went in pursuit of the frosty fiend with intentions of melting it, to free his sister. It was no good they were gone.

Strangely, Katie felt calm as she was delivered to an Ice King seated in his glistening palace. He went on to explain that he was in fact the King – Olivia's father – who had not been killed but turned to ice and banished from his kingdom by the evil Princess Tozarah. He said he was eagerly searching for his daughter who had long believed that her father was dead.

If only Katie knew that his daughter was already on this very island. Katie began to gabble out her story but suddenly stopped, worried that this was yet another of Princess Tozarah's people. However the King could see Kate's concern and went on to reassure her by describing the castle in detail and telling of his daughter's kindness and beauty which resembled Olivia to a tee.

He told her about how the castle was built over 4,000 years ago (which was exactly how old her Nan said the box was.)

Slowly Katie began to gain the King's trust and agreed to tell him what she knew about Tozarah's people, but only if he agreed to finding Tom first.

Chapter 41 has been written by Louisa Harris, nine, of Mengham Junior School, Hayling Island.

Right,' said the King. 'I'll send out my ice army at once. Meanwhile you and I can sit here and you can tell me what you know.'

'No, the deal is you have to find Tom first, and then I'll tell you,' said Katie.

'You strike a hard bargain, but OK then.'

The Ice King sent his ice army off around the island looking for Tom. On the other side of the island Tom, Olivia and Joald were keeping warm around the fire. They were talking about Katie and wondering where she could be. Suddenly an ice soldier approached Tom from behind, but he soon retreated from the warmth of the fire.

'What was that?' asked Joald.

Tom answered: 'I think it was an ice soldier. Perhaps they know where Katie is. Let's follow them. Grab a burning stick from the fire and let's go!'

They grabbed the sticks from the fire and followed the ice army, who were concentrating on running away from the fire and not realising they were being chased.

The ice soldiers led them around the island, past the rotten shed on the beach where they had last seen Katie, and over to a side of the island they hadn't seen before.

The children followed them into a strange glistening palace and they found themselves at the foot of a giant ice throne.

'Katie!' shouted Tom.

'Olivia, is that you?' said the King, sounding surprised.

Olivia looked up at the throne.

'Father! Is that you...?'

Chapter 42 has been written by Emily Anderson, 11, Daniella Cobb, 10, Joanne Jeacock, 11, Eleanor Mills, 11, and Blythe Scoates, 10, all from Purbrook Junior School

Olivia gaped. 'Father! Is that you? I thought – I mean, I was told – that you were dead!'

Olivia ran to her father in excitement and hugged him as if she would never let him go. The warmth of her hug and the tears of joy running down the king's icy cheeks began to melt the ice that encased him.

Katie suddenly remembered the witch. They might need her help. Where was she? Lost in the mist? Or somewhere else?

The king ordered his ice army to seek out Princess Tozarah and her evil Skregs, capture them and bring them back to the palace. In the meantime, the king, the children and Joald set off in search of the pocket-sized witch.

They travelled in a chariot across the island, heading for the thick, magical mist.

Where to look first? In the icy caves around the island's shores? Or dare they risk going further into the misty depths of the menacing ocean?

They decided to begin with the caves. There were many to choose from, large and small – they didn't dare think what might be lurking. The king chose the seventh cave. Inside, there were twists and turns and menacing stalagmites and stalactites which had been hidden away for hundreds of years.

They were about to give up and make the treacherous journey back when they heard a faint noise – was it barking? Could it be..?

They started to run.

Chapter 43 of our rolling story called The Discovery has been written by Harry Cowdrey, 14, and Charlie Farmer, 12, of Bay House School's creative writing group in Gosport.

They started to run, and the force of the echo of booming footsteps made the stalactites start to vibrate. As the running became heavier the stalactites loosened their cold icy forms.

Olivia tripped over the uneven ground on to the cold stone floor just as a stalactite fell and landed inches from her desperate, bloodshot eyes.

Rapidly she scrambled up, her legs aching with pain, with fear. She, her friends and comrades reached the cave opening and the Ice King saw with shock that his daughter Olivia was on the floor with a wound on her leg. He then realised that the barking had stopped.

Olivia gathered the final amount of strength in her exhausted body and started to crawl towards her father the Ice King. A moment later he ran to her as out of the shadows of the cave Princess Tozarah appeared with her evil minions next to her.

'Get out of here!' bellowed the Ice King

Tozarah replied: 'No, I came for that girl – Olivia!'

With hatred in his eyes, the Ice King picked up the stalactite and threw it at Tozarah with all his might. As it soared through the air it hit two more icy swords and the roof of the cave started to crumble.

The King looked into his comrades' eyes and he trembled with trepidation – picking Olivia up, he ran for the cave's opening, hoping the children and Joald could get out in time.

Chapter 44 has been written by Joanna Stacey, 15, from Cowplain Community School.

Certain the barking they heard earlier belonged to their beloved Minty, the twins sprinted further into the cave.

Engulfed by the darkness, they soon found themselves cut off from Joald, the injured Olivia and their icy comrades. Led only by the distant barking, their eyes were rendered useless, cradled by the black air.

Climbing the cave walls, fruitlessly feeling for footholds while the salty rocks bitterly kissed their rope burns. With pain-flecked arms and legs, desperate to leave the living nightmare behind, branding themselves cowards with every step, silently the twins urged themselves upwards, onwards, into the murkiness.

Tom, ahead of Katie, breathed in the familiar smell of the salty sea air filling his senses.

Euphoria causing his groaning muscles to relax, reclining away from the searing pain... Tom fell. Tumbling through the darkness, panic flared within every cell of his body, exploding with a spine-tingling scream. Impossible to tell how long before his body would come into contact with the advancing cave floor.

Hearing her brother's cry, Katie shot out an arm, brushing with Tom's flapping hand and instantly clamped down. Luck was definitely on their side.

'Don't let me fall Katie, please!' trembled Tom, tears streaming down his cheek.

'I won't… I promise!' cried Katie.

Yet her promise was tainted with a moment's hesitation.

Katie knew she couldn't hold her brother's weight for much longer. As his fingernails pierced her skin like knives, adrenaline kicked in.

Chapter 45 has been written by class 7P from Brookfield Community School in Sarisbury Green, with special mention for Abbie Pottinger, Polly Boyce, James Bradding, Lee Diaper and Alex Matthews.

'Don't let go! I'm begging you!' Tom wailed, as he looked up at her with bulging red eyes.

Her heart stopped. Her grip slipping. No way out.

'I'm s-sorry, I…'

Below, jagged black rocks and sharp robotic faces grinned up at their struggle. The ice soldiers were waiting. Death seemed inevitable.

Katie's grip loosened; Tom plunged to the icy floor, waving his arms like an old rag doll. The floor was getting closer and closer…

'Tom! I'm sorry!'

Closer and closer. Closer and… darkness.

Slowly, the ice soldiers encircled Tom's lifeless body. Was this really the end? No! Katie was convinced that she saw a slight flicker of life in his left hand. Fearfully, she held her breath, hoping she was not mistaken.

One of the ice soldiers, clearly the leader of this evil gang, raised a jewel- encrusted sword above his head. He took a step towards Tom's body. He was ready to strike.

Tom quivered beneath him, sobs echoed through the cave. Katie's face drained of colour.

The sword was inches away from Tom's face. The ice soldier, laughing with murderous delight. Just one more second and Tom's heart would stop. Forever.

Suddenly, a voice from the depths of the cave: 'Step away from my grandson.'

Chapter 46 has been written by Candis Scutt and Sophie Crowther, from Trosnant Junior School in Leigh Park.

Where that noise coming from?' Tom asked Katie in a scared voice.

They saw out of nowhere a dark figure flying by. It was Nan, lights flashing around her. The soldiers were surprised to see a woman of such age carrying such a huge sword.

The soldiers charged at Nan in mighty force; Nan struck a soldier on the arm.

'Ow!' the soldier cried out in pain while the other soldiers ran at Nan. Katie was so thrilled that her nan was coming to the rescue.

Then Katie spotted another door at the other end of the cave, before Nan threw a large key to Katie.

Nan carried on fighting her way out of the soldiers' grasp. Katie had unlocked the door and as the door creaked open Nan pulled Tom on to her back and spirited them both out of the soldiers' circle. She headed Katie's way, but suddenly Nan tripped on a rock and Tom and Nan fell down to the ground. Tom still wasn't moving.

Katie screamed 'Tom!' in a croaky voice. Nan picked up Tom and sprinted to the door, grabbing Katie and they ran through it, the soldiers hot on their trail.

Chapter 47 has been written by Harry Keylock, a Year 6 pupil at Mayville High School in Southsea.

Nan, with Tom on her back and Katie at her heels, went pelting towards the exit. The ice soldiers were hot in pursuit, smashing and bashing their solid feet against the cold stony floor. The ice soldiers were gaining on them as they ran down the long dark passage.

'We're not going to make it!' screamed Katie. 'In here!' roared Nan, and smashed through a side door. As soon as Katie stepped in, Nan closed the door and then she was falling… into absolute darkness.

She could hear Nan's screams, but could see nothing.

Thump! She had landed somewhere. It was a cold damp floor. She realised she had been here before. She was on top of the Spinnaker Tower. 'What!' whimpered Katie in astonishment? She was scared of heights and was petrified. 'Calm down, child,' she heard Nan's voice. 'Everything is going to be okay.'

Tom stirred and then awoke. He was jolted upright. His teeth were chattering, and he felt extremely cold. He had broken a few ribs and twisted his ankle, but otherwise he was okay.

'Where am I?' he murmured. 'Calm down. You are safe,' whispered Nan.

Suddenly without warning ice soldiers dropped out of the black sky. They carried axes and surrounded Nan, Tom and Katie.

Nan was exhausted, too tired to fight. 'Die!' shouted the ice soldiers.

Chapter 48 has been written by Sol Hollingsworth, seven, from St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School in Bedhampton.

Tom grabbed Katie and Nan's hand.

'KOLIASKALLOOON'.

'What...?', shouted Katie. Then she looked around. 'Where are we, what was that word?'

Tom had shouted the word written on the chest they had found on the beach. Suddenly they heard a high, long roar. They looked around. Had the ice soldiers managed to follow them?

'Dinosaurs!' they cried in unison.

Katie looked at Tom, eyebrows raised. 'Got a plan?', she queried.

'I have,' he replied. 'We build a catapult,' Tom explained.

'The dinosaur has to sit on the catapult and they get flung and land on top of a cliff.'

They were exhausted after building that, but they have to keep going, some more Dinosaurs are coming.

Tom shot an arrow from a bow and it got stuck in the Dinosaur's throat and Katie used her karate to kick the little Dinosaurs that came near.

Nan had seen enough, she grabbed Tom and Katie. 'KOLIASKALLOOON!'

They hardly dared open their eyes. Where would they be now? Tom jumped.

Before he even saw what was coming he heard horses neighing and charging towards them really fast.

'Quick, behind this rock!', yelled Nan. They dashed to safety. Katie started to sob.

Nan put her arm around her. 'Evil queens, Skegs, dinosaurs and now the Romans,' Katie wailed. 'Will we ever go home again?'

Chapter 49 has been written by Tamara Beech, 9, from Rowner Junior School, Gosport.

The ground shook as legions of Roman soldiers breached the horizon; transforming it with each thunderous step into a dazzling blend of shiny armour and lethal weapon.

'Quick,' Katie yelled pulling at Tom trying to drag him towards a clump of trees. 'We have to hide.'

But Tom was rooted to the spot. The sight of the legions of Rome had captivated him. And they were heading towards them.

'Tom!' Nan's tone of voice cut through his fascination. 'Come on,' she indicated to where Katie was now crouching behind a tree.

Tom reluctantly joined his sister; his thoughts though were on his homework. He had to write a story about the Romans and this was a brilliant opportunity. The Romans were close and although many of them appeared to be staring directly at his head, which poked out from behind the tree, no alarm was raised.

Suddenly, a loud piercing call split the air, followed immediately by a deep whirring sound like something being spun very fast. The legions were still turning when the first stone whacked off an armoured breast plate.

'What the...?' Tom instinctively ducked down.

Tom's last vision of the battle was a female warrior painted in lime bursting through the trees with her sword brandished.

'BOADICA,' the war cry alerting all as to her identity.

They landed in a heap. Katie was still crying. Nan was trying to comfort her, but Tom was still excited. 'I just saw Boadica... I just saw Boadica...' He kept saying the words over and over again.

Chapter 50 has been written by Hannah Souhaid, 7, Amy Perryman, 7, Megan Woolley, 7, and Myles Ellis, 6, from Moorings Way Infant School in Portsmouth.

Tom could hear the horses getting closer and closer. Katie turned to Tom and said: 'Do something – and fast!'

Suddenly, Tom heard a quiet whisper saying: 'Follow my voice… It will lead you to a safe place.'

Should they follow the voice?

Katie looked at Nan, then at Tom. She looked back to where Nan had been sitting, but Nan was no longer there!

Katie whispered: 'Where's Nan? She must have followed the voice!'

Time was running out.

In the distance a glimmer of light was shining…

'It must be Nan,' said Tom. 'We must follow the voice before it is too late! Come on.'

They raced towards the light; it was getting nearer and nearer.

'Look, there is an archway…' exclaimed Tom '…let's see where it goes.'

Katie replied: 'I don't want to go there. Everything you lead me to causes trouble.'

Then Katie thought that maybe this was their only chance, so reluctantly she followed Tom. As they went through the archway a tiny white stone lit up the darkness. The voice was calling again: 'Touch the stone to see your Nan'.

Tom said: 'If we want to find Nan we must touch the stone.'

As they both touched the stone, a flash of lightning hit them, turning Tom and Katie into tiny people.

Tom cried out: 'What's happened?'

Katie laughed and replied: 'You are really small!'

Tom shouted: 'Let's find Nan. Where is she?'

Chapter 51 has been written by Owl class from Locks Heath Infant School.

Tom and Katie were shocked, surprised and scared to find themselves so tiny.

They heard giant clip-clop sounds – the horses were galloping towards them. Katie and Tom were so small that the horses trampled them flat as a pancake. They popped up and dusted themselves down.

They heard the voice again. It was saying 'come this way'.

Although they were scared and nervous they followed the voice because they wanted to find Nan.

They walked for a long time. Then they saw a tiny red ant appear from a dark tunnel. It was the owner of the voice.

'Hello, my name is Arty the Ant. What are your names?' said the ant.

'I am Katie and this is Tom. Why did you say "come this way"?' said Katie. Tom asked the ant: 'Do you know where our Nan is?'

'Yes I do, follow me,' said Arty.

They walked quickly along a long path. They were very hungry and thirsty but they kept going. They reached a very big castle.

The ant took them to the door, where there was a stone with GROW written on it, Katie and Tom closed their eyes and touched the stone. All of a sudden they were back to normal size. They said thank you to Arty and quickly ran into the castle.

They were shocked to find Nan tied to a chair. They untied her and ran out of the room. They reached a door. They were very confused because there were two flights of stairs.

They were sure one was the way out, but which one should they choose?

Chapter 52 has been written by Hannah Porteous and Amber Gould, aged 12, of Portsmouth High School.

We should go left,' said Tom. 'No, I can hear voices from there. We should go right,' Katie protested.

'Fine. Right,' said Tom.

And with that, they headed up the right-hand staircase. As they were climbing they heard a distant rumbling, which was getting louder…

'Quick, landslide!' Tom realised in terror. 'Run!'

As they turned around, the rumbling stopped suddenly.

'What?' Tom exclaimed. They turned back around and saw that the huge rocks had somehow become jammed in the passageway and come to a complete halt.

'Woah! Is that stone glowing?' Tom said looking closer: 'Yes! It's the Stone of Doom!'

Tom picked it up and peered at it. They could hear whispers coming from behind them. It was Tozarah! She was coming for them….again!

'Hahahahahahahahahaaaa! I have you now, foolish mortals! There is no escape!' she screeched.

'Wait,' she said: 'You boy! Is that the Stone of Doom?! Give it to me now!'

Tom tossed it to her. Suddenly, he yelled: 'Go!' to Arty who then jumped forward and bit Tozarah in the neck.

As she fell into an enchanted sleep, Nan attacked soldiers who fell like dominoes.

'What do we do now?' Katie asked.

'We run,' replied Tom.

And they ran off back the way Tozarah had come, taking the stone as they went. Meanwhile, an army of squirrels stumbled across a very angry and confused tiny witch with a tiny wand…

Chapter 53 –

The Final Chapter, written by renowned children's author Ali Sparkes.

As Tom and Kate raced after Nan, the landscape flying past them began to blur.

'Come on! Come back to me,' called back Nan. 'Stop being so brilliant! Be dull! Be dull! Don't think of anything. Just cardboard. Tom! Katie! Please! Think of plain, flat, grey, cardboard.'

Tom glanced back over his shoulder at Kate. 'What is Nan going on about?'

'Cardboard,' puffed Kate. 'She's losing her marbles.'

'I am not losing my marbles!' huffed Nan, who seemed to be sitting crossed legged on the floor now. 'Do as I say. Think of plain, grey cardboard.'

Tom stopped running. He closed his eyes and thought of cardboard. Plain and grey. Kate stopped next to him and closed her eyes too. Tom felt his racing heart begin to slow down. He couldn't hear anyone chasing them any more – only Kate's breathing, and something which sounded like the sea. He sank down on to what felt like wooden boarding. He sensed Kate do the same.

'Cardboard, remember…' said Nan, very close to them. 'Now… open your eyes.'

Tom did. He stared around, amazed. He was sitting on a pier. In the gap between the boards beneath him, he could make out the moving sea, twinkling in the soft light of dawn. Kate opened her eyes too, and looked around her in wonder.

'Oh thank goodness!' sighed Nan. She was holding a familiar box.

'Where are we?' asked Tom. 'Where did everyone go?'

'Tom – Katie – you're on South Parade Pier,' said Nan. 'And you're safe.'

'But… what about Princess Tozarah? And Joald? And Olivia?' gasped Kate. 'The squirrels and the ice army and the pirates…'

Nan grabbed her hand. 'Calm down and I will explain.'

She held out the very box which had started their incredible adventure. 'I should have known what it was – but I just didn't think,' she said. 'It's not a relic from earth at all. It's from far beyond our galaxy – and it's known as an IRD.'

'What's that?' asked Tom.

Nan smiled. 'An Imagination Realisation Device.'

They stared at her.

'What… you mean it's something which makes our imagination… real?' asked Kate.

'Exactly.'

'Oh you have got to be joking!' exploded Tom, getting to his feet. 'You can't tell me that we went through all of that… only to have it all end like…''I woke up and it was all a dream!'' That is the lamest ending ever.'

'No, Tom. Not a dream,' said Nan. 'Everything that happened poured from your imaginations – everything! But it was real. You were in terrible danger. I had to stop your brilliant imaginations rolling on with this adventure forever. That's why I had to make you think of something boring – to stop you! I have been chasing you all over Portsmouth! You were up the Spinnaker Tower – on the HMS Victory (that was the pirate bit!) and even hanging out in the clothes shops at Gunwharf at one point (that was the fashion show bit). It's been exhausting. And it has to end. Now.'

And Nan walked to the end of the pier and held the box out over the railing.

'But what about Olivia and the Princess and the Ice King?' yelled Tom, as he and Katie ran after her.

'It doesn't matter – it's all over now,' said Nan, dangling the box above the sea.

'But we made it real!' cried Kate. 'We can't leave her stranded there! We have to sort it out. And now that we know we can – we'll just imagine a really good ending!'

Nan paused, and pulled the box back towards her. 'Well…' she said. 'Every brilliant story needs a proper ending.'

She looked at them both and then grinned. 'OK. End it properly.'

Tom and Kate ran and hugged her.

'But this time,' said Nan, as the box began to glow. 'I'm imagining too…'

THE ENDoChapter 19: This week's chapter has been written by Zo Demetriou, 15, a pupil at Brune Park Community College in Gosport.

The twins were gasping for breath, and the muscles in their arms were beginning to burn. Suddenly, as Tom reached up, his hand slipped, he lost his grip on the rope and tumbled down. 'TOM!' yelled Katie. She made a wild grab at him, but missed. Her arms could no longer take the strain, and she found herself falling after him.

Katie braced herself for the impact on the unforgiving floor but, to her astonishment, it never came. Instead, she found herself plummeting through the air. She twisted round and looked up to see the light becoming smaller and smaller, until it vanished, and the twins were left descending through the darkness.

'Tom,' she called 'what's happening to us?'

'I don't know,' he shouted. 'But I bet it's not going to be good.'

They lost count of how long they fell for. It could have been minutes or hours, but they finally noticed they were slowing down. They fell slower and slower, until they landed as gently as if they'd stepped off a bus.

Katie reached for Tom's hand and grasped it tightly. 'Where are we?' she murmured.

Tom shook his head. He was hungry and tired. This wasn't the sort of adventure he'd wanted. He started to reply but at that instant there was a flash of blinding white light and a searing wave of heat that knocked them off their feet.

The last thing Tom heard as he lost consciousness was the all-too familiar laugh of Princess Tozarah.

...to be continued

• Email to a friend
• Print this page