Every morning the Radiant Palace woke with a gentle glow. Its tall towers sparkled in the sunlight. Golden spires touched the clouds. Colorful banners waved in the breeze. Inside the halls bright tiles shimmered. Birds sang in the courtyard. A soft wind carried the sound of laughter. But today the palace looked quiet. A faint hush filled the air. Something felt different. The colors seemed less bright.
In the throne room a large tapestry hung on the wall. It showed gardens full of red and pink flowers and green grass. Now the tapestry looked dull. Roses and lilies had lost their shine. Tiles on the floor looked pale. Even the sunlight seemed softer. The magic of the palace had faded. The colors were slipping away. The walls had begun to look gray. A gentle sadness hovered.
High above the towers stood a small window on a round turret. Behind it peered Ruthie the superhero. She wore a bright red cape and shiny boots. She was kind and clever. She felt shy about her powers, but she cared deeply for her friends. Her heart beat with hope. She saw the fading world below. She frowned with concern. Today she would be brave.
Ruthie jumped down the spiral stair at super speed. She landed softly on the marble floor. Tucking her cape behind her, she walked through quiet corridors. She saw pictures on the walls. Every frame once shone with color. Now they looked muted. Statues seemed to frown. The palace needed help. Ruthie closed her eyes tight. She whispered, “I will find the lost color gems.” She believed she could.
Ruthie clapped her hands. A soft glow shone at her fingertips. A gentle pop filled the air. On the floor in front of her stood her friends. First came Ninja. He wore a small mask and soft slippers. He was quiet but fast. He was loyal and brave. Next came Flower. She was a little talking bloom with bright petals. She danced on a thin stem. She giggled with delight. Last came Fox. He had shiny orange fur and clever eyes. He could slip through narrow halls and find clues.
The four of them formed a circle. Ruthie held out her hand. They joined in. “Let us find the gems of color,” said Ruthie. “We will bring back the shine,” agreed Ninja with a small nod. “We will dance and laugh,” sang Flower. “We will be very clever,” said Fox with a grin. Together they felt strong.
Outside the palace they reached the Color Garden. It was once full of bright flowers and humming bugs. Now the garden was pale. Even the pond looked clear and still. A path made of colored stones ran through the middle. Some stones were missing. They had been taken. Ruthie spotted a small red gem on the ground. She picked it up. It glowed softly. “Aha,” she said. “This is one of the color gems.” She put it in her pocket. The color in her cheek glowed red.
They followed tiny footprints towards the Moonlit Tower. It stood tall and slender. The moon shone on its windows. A cold breeze blew. The palace shadows grew long. The friends held hands. They tiptoed inside the tower. The halls were dark. They saw a ghost floating above the steps. The ghost looked sad and lonely. He had silver hair and round eyes. He wore a transparent robe. He drifted slowly.
“Nobody sees me here,” said the ghost in a trembling voice. “I took the gems because I felt alone. I thought if I held them, I would have friends. I did not mean to hurt anyone.” Ruthie knelt beside him. “You do not need to stay alone,” she said softly. “You can be our friend too.” Ninja nodded. Flower moved her petals gently. Fox wagged his tail kindly. The ghost’s tears fell like small stars.
Ruthie reached into her pocket. She held out the red gem. “Let us share the colors,” she said. “Together we can spread joy.” The ghost sniffled. He hovered closer. With a soft sigh he touched the gem. Suddenly his form glowed with a warm light. He smiled. The gem floated up and burst into bright red sparkles. The wall behind them turned red. The ghost clapped his hands in delight.
The friends moved through the tower. At each step the ghost shared more color gems. Blue, yellow, green, purple, orange. Each color burst into shining rings of light. The halls of Radiant Palace filled with bright rainbow paths. Tapestries regained their patterns. Statues looked happy. Banners waved once more. The Color Garden shimmered again with red and pink blooms. Birds returned to sing from the spires.
At the end of their quest Ruthie looked at the ghost. His sad look had turned to a joyful grin. “Would you like to live here with us?” she asked. “Yes,” said the ghost. “I will be your friend.” He swirled around them in a happy dance. Ninja bowed, Flower giggled, Fox gave a joyful bark. They all laughed.
That evening the palace shone brighter than ever. Lanterns glowed in every window. A feast waited in the grand hall. A new friend joined at the table. Ruthie felt proud and happy. She learned that kindness and courage can bring back the brightest colors. She knew that sharing can melt any lonely heart. With her friends by her side, she felt ready for any new adventure in Radiant Palace.