The Radio Revival - Chapter 1 - The Mysterious Music

The grand clock in the main hall of The Curious Lounge struck midnight, its deep chimes echoing through the empty building. As the final note faded into silence, something quite extraordinary happened. On the glass walls of the meeting rooms, where colourful illustrations had been drawn by the staff, the pictures began to move.

First came Vinnie the Zebra, his black and white stripes rippling as he stretched and popped out of the glass. He shook his mane and looked around with satisfaction.

"Another night begins," he said cheerfully, trotting forward on the meeting room table.

Next came Ursula the Octopus, her eight tentacles unfurling as she eased herself from the glass wall and onto the table beside Vinnie.

"Good evening," she said, stretching her tentacles one by one. "What adventure shall we have tonight?"

Beatrix the Bee buzzed out of the glass, her tiny wings a blur as she flew happy circles around her friends' heads. "Let's explore the plant jungle again! I found a new flower yesterday that smells divine!"

Last of the Lounge Crew to emerge was Trevor the Dog, who strolled out with a swagger, his patched jacket flapping slightly as he adjusted his spiky collar.

"Or we could break into that locked cupboard near the stairs," he suggested with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I've got a feeling it's hiding something good."

Vinnie was about to reply when they heard sounds from across the building—the Academy Crew was waking up too. The four friends jumped down from the table and made their way across The Curious Lounge to greet their companions.

In the Academy space, Columbus the Dog was already bouncing around excitedly, his tail wagging at full speed. Beside him, Milo was sniffing the floor with purpose while Moira Rose the Llama adjusted her top hat at a jaunty angle.

Sarah Jessica Llama trotted out elegantly from her section of glass, with Steeeve the Python slithering behind, his laptop balanced expertly on his coils. Fred the Girl Chick followed shortly after, her tiny feet pattering determinedly as she fluttered up onto the nearest chair.

"Present and operational," Steeeve said smoothly. "Tonight's diagnostics show an unusually high ambient charge in the building. Curious."

"Evening, everyone!" called Vinnie. "We're debating tonight's adventure. Suggestions welcome!"

"We could play hide and seek in the plant jungle!" Milo suggested with a wag of his tail.

"Or investigate the old storeroom on Level 2," said Trevor. "I spotted a curious draft near the bookcase."

Before anyone could agree, a strange sound floated through the air—faint, crackly music, distant and unfamiliar.

"Does anyone hear that?" asked Columbus, ears pricking up.

They fell silent. The sound was soft but distinct—a jazzy tune with warm brass instruments and the voice of a woman singing about dreams and starlight.

"It's coming from the vintage corner," said Vinnie, already trotting toward the sound. The others followed, curiosity rising.

The vintage corner held typewriters, framed photographs, and a beautifully preserved wooden radio with brass dials and a fabric speaker.

"That's odd," murmured Ursula. "That radio isn't even plugged in."

Trevor examined the back. "Confirmed. The cord's neatly coiled and not connected to anything."

Steeeve began tapping on his laptop. "This model dates between 1939 and 1945. It was used for music and entertainment broadcasts."

The music playing was gentle and full of emotion. "Dancing Under the Stars," said Fred softly, recognizing the melody. "My human played it once during a dinner party."

"But how is it playing?" asked Beatrix, hovering over the speaker.

"The tuning dial is glowing," said Sarah Jessica Llama. "Do radios normally do that?"

"Not this kind," replied Steeeve. "It's emitting a faint, unexplained luminescence."

"Should we turn it off?" asked Columbus.

"No one touch it," said Vinnie cautiously. "We don't know what we're dealing with."

But Fred, ever curious, hopped closer. "Maybe just a little peek at the station—"

She tapped the dial lightly with her wing.

In an instant, a burst of blue light shot from the radio and wrapped around her. Her outline shimmered.

"Fred!" Beatrix cried.

"I'm fading!" chirped Fred.

Trevor leapt forward to help, and the light jumped to him, then to Ursula, then Vinnie. The crew rushed in—a tangle of paws, wings, tentacles, and tails.

The light spread to every one of them until all eleven creatures glowed like spirits.

A final brilliant flash—and they were gone.

The vintage corner was still. The radio was quiet.

The guardians had vanished into time.