Hey guys! This is my entry into the final round of the 2011 Interguild Olympics. I included the links to the levels so that you can play them, and feel as though you are actually a part of the story, so with that, I recommend you play them as they appear in the story, (play them again if you already have in the past) and enjoy!



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     Hannah? She was once a charming animal. Hannah was more charismatic than most, but was also gentle and kind. Furthermore, as a member of Sciurius usulus, Hannah always stood out amongst her peers for her beauty as well. She had many friends, and while she had no family, she was in love. Her love was returned, and she was just making arrangements for her and her love's eternal bonding. On top of this, Hannah was smart, always looked to the future. Put simply, Hannah led the most perfect of lives.

     And then they came.

     Man--ruthless with its tools--invaded Hannah's hometown. They began to take it by force. Homes fell, animals died, and while many fought back, man was strong. Too strong. The animals went into hiding, and as they continued to watch man destroy their once-fruitful forest, they realized it was time to find a new home. The animals of the forest packed what little they had remaining, and left for a new home. Hannah was sad, but she still had her love, and that was all that mattered to her.

     Hannah and her friends marched for many weeks. When an animal fell behind, the rest waited. When someone got injured, everyone stood by to help. They all knew that teamwork was of the utmost importance. They were correct; without their teamwork, it would be impossible to find a new home. They traveled through praerie and swamp, mountain and wood. Nothing could stop them... and then they found the ravine.

     "Well, great. There's no way we can get across that!" shouted one grouchy frog. "We might as well go back."

     Hannah's partner would not hear of it. "What? Are you crazy? We got this far, there's no way we can just give up now!"

     "Well, what do you propose we do, Mr. Squirrel?" nagged the frog. "That ravine is over a hundred feet across!"

     "I--I don't know," he admitted.

     A little mole cut in. "Hey guys! We moles can feel the earth very well. I think there's something on the other side that could help. It's some sort of mechanical bridge, I think, but I can't see that far. I also sense a cave running right underneath us, so maybe someone can go down, head directly under the ravine, and climb up and operate the bridge."

     Hannah peered across the canyon. "I think you're right! That's brilliant, little mole! I'll do it. I can go across. It's too risky to bring the young into a cave."

     "Too risky is right!" cried Hannah's fiancé. "I can't let you go in that cave alone!"

     "I'll come along too," announced the mole. "I can help you find your way, for I do not need the light to travel underground."

     "Well, it's settled then!" said Hannah. "The three of us will get across the ravine, and lower the bridge for the rest of you!"

     The other animals cheered, and with a newfound morale, they went into the cave.

     It was a good thing they brought the little mole along. It was very dark inside the cave, and his help proved invaluable. They walked deeper and deeper underground, and Hannah noticed something shining in the distance.

     "Hey guys! Look what I found!" Hannah turned around, and realized she was alone, and concluded that they must have gotten separated along the way. However, rather than being nervous, Hannah was exhilerated. Hannah looked ahead again, and walked towards the shining green light.

     When she got to it, Hannah could not help but release a gasp of surprise. In front of her lied the most beautiful stone she has ever seen. She picked it up, stared for a moment, and stuffed it in the breast of her shirt. She walked a little ways longer, and felt fresh air on her face. She walked towards it, and before long, was reunited with her fiancé and the little mole. After exchanging worries about the other party, and with the help of the little mole, they escaped the cave without any problems.


     Can you navigate the cave alone, find the lost treasure, and safely escape the cave?


     When they surfaced the cave, the trio found themselves in a forest haven consisting of a network of traps and puzzles. Hannah looked around, and realized that to operate the bridge, a series of keys had to be obtained to unlock the control room. Hannah's fiancé offered to find them, and managed to collect three of the four keys without any difficulty.

     He found the fourth key as well, but realized it would be impossible for him to reach. He shared his concerns with Hannah and the little mole, and they sat and tried to find a solution in silence. To make matters worse, the area underneath the key was littered with jagged stones that would be impossible to walk across. They all had an idea, but realized it would be terrible to even consider attempting. When no other solution presented itself, however, it was the little mole who spoke first.

     "I'll do it," he announced. "I'll jump onto the spikes, and then one of you can crawl on top of me, grab the key, and get the rest of the animals to their new home."

     "Come on man, that's ridiculous," Hannah's fiancé interjected. "There's no way we'll let you do that."

     "I've already made up my mind. Tell my family that..." he stifled a sob. "I love them..."

     "Little mole, no!" Hannah cried. The mole looked back at Hannah and her fiancé, gave a thoughtful smile, and jumped to his death.

     "No!" Hannah was in hysterics. She grabbed her fiancé tightly, and cried on his shoulder. Several minutes passed.

     Hannah's fiancé announced that he would get the key, and Hannah sobbed a nod. She looked over the edge of the cliff to where the little mole landed.

     "It's still kind of far..." she whispered.

     "I think I can make it."

     "Come on, we'll find another way."

     "I think I can make it! I just have to jump right there, and..."

     "No! Not you too! It's too dangerous! We're going to get married! I can't just let you die like this!"

     "And I can't bear to see you live like this! We can start a home, Hannah! A new, better home!"

     "Please, no! NO!" Hannah screamed, but it was too late. Her fiancé jumped, and landed directly on the mole. He screamed out in pain.

     "I think I broke my leg! I can't reach the key!" he cried.

     "Hold on! I--I'll find a rope or something," Hannah stuttered.

     "No. There's only one way to get this key, Hannah! You need to jump down on top of me, grab the key, and jump to safety! With the little mole's height combined with mine, you'll be able to jump and reach it!"

     Hannah shook her head. "No way! If I were to jump on you from this height, I would kill you!"

     "Hannah, it's the only way!" he picked up a particularly sharp stone from the ground. "You need to save the other animals! Please!"

     "Please, no!" Hannah was beginning to cry again, realizing what was about to happen. "Don't do this! We can start a family!"

     "Hannah," her fiancé replied. "I love you."

     "NO!!!" Hannah screamed. But she couldn't stop him. Her fiancé took the stone, hesistated, and shoved it through his heart.


     Can you make the sacrifices necessary, and retrieve the four keys to unlock the bridge control room?


     It took Hannah several hours to compose herself. She had just lost a good friend, and her husband-to-be. Everything she once had was being taken away from her. All she had left was the stone she found in the cave. Can I buy happiness? Hannah wondered.

     Hannah peered back over to where her husband and the little mole died. Was this really what had to be done? Hannah sighed, and clutched the gem close. Without a thought, she jumped to where her husband was, and landed on his corpse. She looked up, jumped to the key, and dove over the remaining stretch of spikes to the door. She began to unlock them one by one with the keys her husband had gathered prior. When she opened the final door, she found herself in front of a giant golden acorn.

     This must be the master control system, she thought.

     Hannah approached the acorn, and realized that there was one last stretch of security blocking her from the bridge's controls. On the acorn itself was an interesting puzzle. She moved some pieces around, and realized that she had to feed a channel of energy from the main power source to the acorn's target reactor to get the bridge down. She sat and thought about it, and realized it was impossible. And then an idea occurred to her.

     If I start the power feed, and then destroy part of the pathway, perhaps I can feed the rest of the energy to the end of the puzzle! she thought. Hannah sat and continued to operate the puzzle's machinery, and before the day was spent, successfully returned power to the bridge, and brought the rest of the animals across the ravine, and into safety.


     Can you feed the power source to the target, and operate the bridge?


     Just days later, the animals found a new safe haven to settle and began to rebuild their community. It was hard work, but with time and determination, the animals rebuilt what they once had, and started their lives anew. Everything appeared well, and the community was at peace once again. Except for Hannah.

     Hannah thought back to what had happened over the course of the past few months. She had lost her home, the love of her life, a dear friend, and perhaps most importantly of all--her innocence. Hannah had witness the worst the world had to offer, and realized that nothing could ever fill the gap that was now a part of her heart. Hannah stayed with the community for several months, but when things never got better for her, announced that she was leaving. The animals all regretted the announcement deeply, but realized it was Hannah's decision to make, and not theirs. Hannah left, and with the gem she found held tightly in her hand, left the forest, and dedicated her life to finding the other treasures of the world.

     Hannah clutched the gem in her hand, and thought about her now long-lost love. "I will do this in remembrance of you. You were brave, and so shall I be. I love you."