The Second Task, Part Four
Sweet poured off Nekozawa underneath his cloak.
He had been walking for hours, and dawn had nearly arrived. He had to take several breaks throughout. But finally he made it. At the very centre of the forest lay the World Tree, the tallest known tree, thought to originate from the Dark Continent. A sign instructed him that the finish line was the top of the tree. Nekowzawa wanted to cry in frustration. He was already exhausted, and climbing this tree would take him over a day.
He turned to Belzenoff. “What do you think I should do?” he asked his puppet. There was no reply of course.
Nekozawa considered giving up. 'With my late start the other contestants would surely already be near the top', he thought sadly. Little did he know that he was actually the first to arrive.
Then, an idea formed in his mind. Rising his staff, he spoke the magic words he had made up. “Minions of dark magic and creatures of the night, help me with my task and bring the end in sight.”
At that moment, Buckbeak the Hippogriff spawned into the forest.
Grinning madly at his own genius, Nekozawa bowed to the beast, the Hippogriff bowing back. He leapt onto the beast, which took off and glided into the air, reaching the top of the world tree in only 20 minutes.
At the top sat 3 objects, a cheap flip phone, a flip knife, and a cat puppet. Curiously, Nekozawa reached out to the puppet, and on contact was teleported back to edge of the forest where he had started. It was a port key!
A crowd still surrounded the forest, huddled in blankets and all drinking merrily, which erupted in cheers at the moment Nekozawa appeared, still sitting aloft the hippogriff.
A cannon went off, and Sebastian’s voice came was heard for the announcement. “And in first place is Nekozawa of Oxbridge!”
Nekozawa was shocked. He hadn’t expected at all to come first! He hopped off Buckbeak and was immediately embraced by Soma and Atsushi, who were cheering his name.
After they stepped back, Nekozawa was further surprised at the sight of the rest of the Oxbridge students who stood there waiting for him.
Sanji patted him on the back, Naruto cheered for him, and Kyoya gave him a nod of acknowledgement.
Nekozawa had never felt more accepted in his lyfe.