Agent Rookie's Secret Mission 8 (9781101610398) Read online

  PICK YOUR PATH 8

  by Tracey West

  Grosset & Dunlap

  An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  GROSSET & DUNLAP

  Published by the Penguin Group

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  © 2013 Disney. All rights reserved. Used under license by Penguin Young Readers Group. Published by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc..

  ISBN 978-1-101-61039-8

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Agent Rookie's Secret Mission 8

  “Perfect!” you say, smoothing out the snow on top of the pirate’s hat. “Now all I have to do is get his beard just right.”

  You’re in the Snow Forts making a sculpture of Captain Rockhopper out of snow. It’s life-size, and you think it’s your best snow creation yet. You’ve been working on it for hours and can’t wait to show your friends. Taking a step back, you admire what you’ve done so far.

  Bonk! Bonk! Bonk! Bonk! A barrage of snowballs appears out of nowhere, slamming into your sculpture. You watch in disbelief as they knock off Captain Rockhopper’s pirate hat, turning it into a spray of snow.

  You turn in the direction of the snowballs, shaking your head.

  “I don’t mind a good snowball fight, but you seem to have knocked over my sculpture,” you say politely.

  But the snowball thrower isn’t listening. The excited green penguin keeps chucking snowballs at your Captain Rockhopper. He’s wearing red sunglasses and a red-and-white propeller beanie.

  “I’ve got you, Herbert!” he cries, tackling the snow sculpture. It crumbles, covering the green penguin with snow.

  “What’s going on?” you wonder, confused, when a red penguin calmly approaches you. He’s wearing a black suit and a crisp white shirt, and a cool pair of black wraparound shades covers his eyes.

  “Rookie, I told you that’s not Herbert,” he tells the green penguin.

  “But he’s big and white and—oh,” Rookie replies, his voice falling. You can tell that he’s realized he just made a big mistake. He stands up, sheepishly brushing the snow off him. Then he turns to you.

  “Sorry,” he says, “but your snow sculpture sure looked like Herbert from a distance.”

  “Herbert?” you ask.

  The red penguin is shaking his head. “You’ve got a lot of enthusiasm, Rookie, but you need to think before you act. Try counting to ten next time. For now, clean up this penguin’s sculpture and then report to HQ right away. I’ve got some gear that needs polishing.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rookie agrees with a sigh.

  The red penguin turns and walks away, and you see that he’s got a jet pack strapped to his back. Suddenly, you realize who these two penguins are.

  “Hey, you’re Rookie, from the EPF, and that was Jet Pack Guy!” you say excitedly. “I’ve read a lot about you. Wow, it’s really cool to meet you in person. I’m a member of the Elite Penguin Force, too, you know, but I’m not famous like you guys.”

  “Jet Pack Guy is the real superstar,” Rookie says a little sadly. “I’m always messing things up.”

  You seem to remember reading that Rookie is responsible for letting the bots loose in System Defender, so he might have a point.

  “Maybe, but you have some pretty cool adventures,” you point out. “I’ve read all about them in The Club Penguin Times. You’re the Communications Lead, right?”

  Rookie brightens up. “That’s me. Rookie’s my name, communications is my game!”

  “Well, that’s an important job,” you say.

  “I know,” Rookie says, nodding his head. “It’s just—I wish that once, just once, I could impress Jet Pack Guy! He’s so smooth! He’s so cool! But I’m pretty sure that I annoy him sometimes.”

  “I bet there’s a way you can impress him,” you say. “Like, maybe you could solve a big case for the EPF or something.”

  “Maybe I could!” he says, his voice rising with excitement. “That would be super! You know, I’ve always wanted to find a real golden puffle. If I did that, Jet Pack Guy would have to be impressed.”

  “I thought the golden puffle was just a play,” you say, confused.

  “It is a play,” Rookie replies. “But there are lots of rumors on the island that it’s based on a real puffle that’s gold. Some penguins say they’ve seen it. Wouldn’t it be great if the rumors were true and we’re the ones who find it?”

  “We?” you ask. “You mean, you and me?”

  “Sure!” Rookie says. “If I’m going to go searching for the golden puffle, I’ll need some help. Can I count on you?”

  “You bet!” you reply, and now you’re the one who’s excited. Searching for the golden puffle sounds like an exciting mission. “So, what do we do?”

  “I think we should check on the latest rumors,” Rookie says. “And the best place to hear rumors on Club Penguin is in the Town Center.”

  “Then let’s go!” you say.

  You and Rookie waddle into the Town Center. Dozens of penguins are gathered on the street in front of the Night Club. Just like Rookie said, the rumors are flying fast.

  “I heard Gary the Gadget Guy is a time traveler,” you hear a green penguin say.

  A yellow penguin is spreading another rumor. “I heard there’s a ghost at the top of the Lighthouse.”

  “I heard that a penguin slid down the Bunny Hill and was never seen again,” a purple penguin is saying.

  Rookie looks at you and shakes his head. Nothing! Then a red penguin gets your attention.

  “I heard a real golden puffle was seen in the Forest,” he tells his friend.


  Rookie rushes up to the red penguin. “A gold puffle? In the Forest?”

  The red penguin nods. “Yeah. My friend’s brother’s cousin saw it.”

  Rookie looks at you. “Now we know where to start!”

  “I don’t know,” you say. “These rumors are kind of ridiculous. This all started with the play at the Stage, right? Maybe that would be a better place to start.”

  Rookie looks thoughtful. “Hmm. You may have a point there.”

  If you and Rookie go to the Stage, go here.

  If you and Rookie go to the Forest, go here.

  CONTINUED . . .

  “Full speed ahead!” Rookie cries, and he sends the Aqua Grabber zooming forward. Once you reach the air vent, a huge air bubble envelops you.

  Klepto is catching up, but Rookie is one determined penguin. He steers up to the surface, leaving Klepto in his wake. Once you break through the water, Rookie can retract the claw. He exits the Aqua Grabber, triumphantly waving the ruby.

  “We did it! We rescued the missing ruby!”

  You climb out and congratulate him. “Great job, Rookie!”

  “Yes. Nice work, Rookie.”

  You and Rookie turn to see Jet Pack Guy standing there.

  “Jet Pack Guy! What are you doing here?” Rookie asks.

  “G put me on the case of the missing ruby, and I saw the crab tracks and figured that Klepto was our culprit,” Jet Pack Guy says. “But I see you beat me to it. Good job.”

  Jet Pack Guy high-fives Rookie.

  “Woo-hoo!” Rookie cheers. “Did you see that? Jet Pack Guy just high-fived me. Me! Rookie! This guy right here!”

  “Looks like your wish came true,” you say.

  Rookie grins. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks!”

  THE END

  CONTINUED . . .

  “Pizza is the heart and soul of Club Penguin!” Rookie argues. “Penguins love to eat it, they love to make it, and they love to serve it. I’m sure that Protobot is planning on stealing all the pizza. We’ve got to hurry!”

  Rookie rushes off before you can say anything, and you hurry to keep up with him. When you arrive at the Pizza Parlor, things look normal. Penguins are seated at the small, round tables, eating slices of pizza in the flickering candlelight. Servers in aprons are busily scurrying around the tables, and a cashier is ringing up orders on the cash register.

  “Everything looks good,” you say.

  “That’s because Protobot hasn’t struck yet!” Rookie says. He clears his throat. “Excuse me, everybody! Sorry to disturb you, but we’re in the middle of an EPF emergency here. This Pizza Parlor is closed!”

  There’s a groan from the penguins as they reluctantly leave their tables. Rookie runs into the kitchen and bursts back through the door balancing a huge stack of pizzas.

  “Whoa!” you cry. “What’s all that for?”

  “It’s evidence!” Rookie says. “Come on, let’s get these to HQ, stat.”

  “Um, maybe we should transport there,” you say as the tall stack of pizza boxes dangerously sways back and forth. “You know, with our spy phones.”

  “Good idea,” Rookie agrees. “My phone’s right in my pocket.”

  Rookie takes one flipper out from under the pile of boxes, and they start to sway even more wildly.

  “I got it!” you say quickly, holding up your spy phone, and you breathe a sigh of relief when Rookie puts his flipper back under the pile.

  You call up HQ on your phone and press a button. Instantly, you and Rookie are transported from the Pizza Parlor into EPF Headquarters.

  You arrive in the middle of an incredible scene. On one side of you are three penguins: Jet Pack Guy, Dot, and G, the EPF Agent who is also known as Gary the Gadget Guy. On the other side of you is a giant robot. His body is made from an old ticket booth and a wheeled mine cart. His arms are made from other spare parts, and his metal head and yellow, glowing eyes resemble an evil penguin.

  “Protobot!” Rookie yells.

  “I am Protobot. Surrender or be destroyed,” the robot says in a monotone voice. Then he charges forward.

  “Ahhhh!”

  Startled, Rookie stumbles, and the tower of pizza boxes comes crashing down. Box lids fly open, and the floor is quickly covered with slippery cheese and tomato sauce.

  Protobot wheels right over the pizza—and slips. The giant villain topples over, and Jet Pack Guy and Dot spring into action, quickly opening up Protobot’s control panel and shutting him down.

  G walks up to you and Rookie. “Excellent work, Rookie,” G praises your new friend. “Your timing was perfect. Protobot is defeated once more, and I know just the way to celebrate.”

  “How?” you ask.

  G grins. “With a pizza party, of course!”

  THE END

  CONTINUED . . .

  The catapult seems a little scary to you, so you decide to go with the Jet Pack for Two, even though it’s experimental.

  “Good choice!” Rookie says. “We can just zip up to the top of the tree and grab the golden puffle. Jet Pack Guy will have to be impressed.”

  The two of you transport back to the tree.

  “All righty,” Rookie says brightly. “Let’s strap in!”

  You stand next to Rookie, and each of you pulls a set of straps over your shoulders, fastening them tightly. Rookie touches the big red button on the controls.

  “Ready for liftoff?” he asks.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” you reply.

  “One . . . two . . . three . . . let’s go!” Rookie shouts.

  The motor of the Jet Pack for Two roars to life. Your stomach lurches as it lifts you and Rookie off the ground and up, up, up into the air.

  “Whee! It works!” Rookie cheers.

  “We’ve got to get closer to the tree,” you point out.

  “I think we can steer by leaning our bodies, like this,” Rookie says.

  He leans forward and to the right, and you do the same. You soar right up to the top of the tree, closer and closer to the bright flash of gold.

  “It’s the golden puffle!” Rookie cries.

  But when you get closer, you see it’s just some leftover tinsel from a holiday tree.

  “Rats!” Rookie says. “But I’m not giving up. Let’s fly around. Maybe we can spot the golden puffle from up here.”

  He leans to the right, and you do the same—but the Jet Pack for Two swerves to the left.

  Put-put-put-put-put. The motor starts making strange noises. The Jet Pack for Two spins and whirls wildly in the air. It’s out of control!

  “We’re going to crash!” you yell as you begin to plummet to the Forest floor. You close your eyes, bracing for the worst, and then . . .

  Splash! You land in the deep, cold water of a creek.

  As the shock from your fall registers, you realize that you and Rookie are quickly sinking underwater. The weight of the heavy Jet Pack for Two is dragging you under.

  “We’ve got to take off the jet pack!” Rookie yells, and you quickly unhook your straps. You’re free and able to paddle and keep your head above water, but Rookie is still sinking.

  “The buckle on the straps is jammed!” he says, trying to get it open. “I can’t get it off.”

  You think fast. Your old EPF phone has special tools built in. You flip it open and choose a slim screwdriver. Then you quickly use the tool to undo the buckle. It isn’t easy because Rookie is splashing a lot as he struggles to stay above water.

  Then . . . pop! The buckle opens.

  “Rookie, slide out!” you yell.

  Rookie slips free of the jet pack. He’s exhausted, so you half pull him as he paddles back to shore. The two of you climb onto the snowy bank and flop down on your backs.
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  “Thank you!” Rookie says. “You’re a great agent. Jet Pack Guy would be proud of you.” He sighs. “I can’t believe how bad I messed up with that Jet Pack for Two! We didn’t even see the golden puffle. I’m a failure!”

  Rookie is feeling really down, so you try to cheer him up. “No, you’re not! You’re great! Let’s get up and get back to town and find some other way to impress Jet Pack Guy.”

  Rookie jumps up. He’s got his confidence back. “You’re right!” he says, and then he looks at the creek. “But I’m not sure where we are. Should we head upstream or downstream?”

  If you and Rookie swim upstream, go here.

  If you and Rookie swim downstream, go here.

  CONTINUED . . .

  “You just need more confidence,” you tell Rookie. “This is your perfect chance to impress Jet Pack Guy.”

  “Then let’s do it!” Rookie cries.

  He darts down the hall back to the EPF Control Room and activates the System Defender program. He stares at the screen for a moment.

  “I’m not sure what to do,” he admits. “Protobot has already reached the mainframe. Which cannons should I use?”

  “Um, try some red ones,” you say.

  “Okay,” Rookie says. He presses some buttons.

  Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

  “All right!” you cheer.

  But then you hear the sound of whirring wheels, and Protobot rolls into the Control Room. He’s dented a little bit, but not damaged.

  “The red cannons weren’t strong enough!” Rookie wails. He starts frantically pressing buttons, but it’s too late.

  “New directive activated. Take over the EPF,” Protobot says, his yellow eyes flashing.

  Rookie bravely runs in front of the robot. “You’ve got to get past me first, you bucket of bolts!”

  “Victory is mine,” Protobot says. He shoots a net out of his body, instantly trapping you and Rookie.