Badger the Mystical Mutt and Daydream Drivers (5 page)

It dazzled and sparkled.

Lennie fainted.

When Lennie opened his eyes, he saw a huge horn and two big eyes peering down at him.

“Hello, Lennie,” winked Baby Unicorn. “Welcome to the Crystal Cave.”

“This is the best dream ever!” yelled Lennie.

“Except it’s not a dream,” said Badger helping him to his feet.

Lennie looked around, wide-eyed. He was surrounded by thousands of glittering luminous crystals.

“I’m in the Crystal Cave,” he whispered. “I’m actually
in
the Crystal Cave.”

“You’d better believe it,” smiled Badger. “Come on. Baby Unicorn has something to show us.”

Lennie and Badger followed the unicorn through the cave, stepping over crystal rocks pulsating with light, through shimmering archways and walls of sparkle, until they reached an open nook at the back.

“Now, let’s see what we can discover about what’s been giving you these dreadful nightmares Lennie,” said Badger comfortingly.

Baby Unicorn pointed his horn towards the cave wall. Suddenly, it lit up and flickered into action, like a movie screen. There, Badger and Lennie saw two young dogs in a boxing ring. Lots of Big Folk were jeering and cheering around the edges. One of the dogs had his snout taped up, and was pestering and annoying the other. The other dog was baring its teeth and snarling viciously.

Lennie pointed at the smaller dog on the screen: “That looks like me, Badger.”

“I think it
is
you, Lennie. That tape must have really hurt your nose,” he said.

Lennie rubbed his nose and winced. He was starting to remember the awful time before he arrived in the lane. He looked up at the screen again. It showed the two dogs being led away from the boxing ring. Lennie was taken to a big cage where his brother, Louie, was kept.

“How did it go, Lennie?” asked his brother.

“It was a nightmare, but I did my job. The other dog is really angry now, and ready for a fight. He’s the most feared street fighter in the world, Louie. I wish you didn’t have to fight him, and I wish I could help you escape,” said Lennie, whimpering.

“There’s nothing I can do, Lennie. I’ve just got to get in there and hope for the best,” sighed his brother.

Lennie watched as the Big Folk opened the cage and led his brother out into the pit. He closed his eyes and covered his head, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not shut out the sound of the growls, the yowls, the howls, the screeches and the snarls coming from the vicious brawl.

Back in the cave, Lennie sobbed.

“It was the last time I ever saw him. I couldn’t bear to see him all battered. I ran away when the Big Folk weren’t looking, and that’s how I ended up on the lane. I remember it all now.”

“Do you know whether your brother made it?” asked Badger gently.

“I don’t see how he could have. That other dog was a prizefighter, and they fight until the end… until there is only one dog standing. I was lucky. I was just a bait dog.” Lennie shook his head sadly.

“Is that why you don’t want to lead the gang? Because of the fighting?” asked Badger.

“Yes. The Big Folk handlers forced me to rankle my brother’s opponents, so that they would fight harder. And now, Pogo Paws and Pickle are always on at me to be nastier, and to act like their leader. But it’s just not who I am!” Lennie whispered.

Badger looked kindly at his friend, and said: “No, I don’t think that’s who you are either. Okay, I think we need to help you relax and then maybe the nightmares will go. Fancy a trip to the Zen Den?”

Lennie brightened. “It can’t be any worse than the Back of Beyond, can it?”

Badger smiled “No, it’s a completely different place. Anyway, you bumped those fears away good and proper, didn’t you?”

As Lennie and Badger turned to go, the light flickered again on the screen.

“Ahem, not just yet, boys. There’s more to see,” said Baby Unicorn, tapping his horn on the ground.

They looked back at the screen to see The Earl of Doodlepoppington as a pup looking up to an older dog. He was being lectured sternly by his father, the Duke.

“Now listen here, boy. In order to succeed like I have, you must throw out all these notions of compassion and care, and step over anyone who gets in your way.”

“But it makes me feel good to share my toys with the local dogs” pleaded the Earl.

“Nonsense! You’re so much better than those mangy mutts. You should do as I do, and boot them out of the way. Like this!” The older dog kicked his son squarely on the chin. The Earl yelped and rolled over.

Badger and Lennie watched as the Earl got to his feet, hung his head, and said, “Yes, of course, father, I will do as you say.”

As the screen faded, Badger turned to Lennie wisely, and said, “Now, at last, we know why the Earl acts the way he does.”

Badger bowed towards the unicorn and said:” As ever, thank you, Baby Unicorn. This has let us understand everything so much better.”

“Enjoy the Zen Den. I’ve left you a little surprise,” winked Baby Unicorn.

Badger and Lennie left the cave and set off on the golden-leaved path once more.
Badger sniffed the air and caught the gentle aroma of geranium.

“I think it’s this way, Lennie,” he shouted, as he veered off to the left.

“What’s that?” yelled Lennie, pointing over at a signpost, which said, ‘Fill with the Chill’.

“Looks like we’re getting closer,” said Badger, spotting another sign further along, which said, ‘Go with the Flow’.

Lennie heard a faint tinkle in the trees. He looked up to see silver wind chimes fluttering in the breeze.

Badger sniffed the scent of patchouli and breathed in deeply. Lennie took a deep breath too. Up ahead, they saw fairy lights twinkling.

“There it is,” said Badger, passing yet a nother sign saying, ‘Relax to the Max’.