When Hudson, Em, Vinka, Noodles and Lali find themselves trapped in a strange schoolhouse presided over by an ancient Principal it falls on Samara and Keile to try and rescue them. With the Cloud bearing down and time running out they manage to do just that - and find one of the special stones and perform an act of kindness to the Principal along the way.

When the Kids encounter legendary outlaw stockman Random Dan and his sidekick Big Joey bogged in the middle of a salt flat, he offers them something special if they help dig them out. When Vinka  turns up with one of the special stones, Random Dan reveals that he has something even more precious for them - water! Free at last Random Dan and Big Joey ride towards the Cloud to take on the Takers, their latest sidekick Noodles riding alongside them.

When the Kids find themselves at a pass blocked by the Shadow Boxer, they have no choice but to find another way around. However, an encounter with a shadow boxing troupe and a pair of special gloves leads Vinka to take on the Shadow Boxer at his own game, winning them not just the right to pass, but one of the eight special stones.

The Kids make camp for the night at the base of a spooky hill, and are surprised to find their food missing. Keile blames it on a Nhuka, a cheeky little humbugger that lives in places just like that - but Vinka follows Keile and discovers that he is taking the food. A Trapper arrives and gives the Kids plans for a Nhuka trap, but the only thing it traps is him! Keile confesses to taking the food, and as the Kids leave the camp site, Keile is shocked to see Vinka wave to her friend on the hill - the Nhuka!

The Kids meet an old Aunty who just can't stop making damper and talking! When Keile gets stuck with her because he is too polite to leave while she is still talking, the Kids have to come up with a plan. Lali gets the others to collect bush lollies which she puts in a jar and shakes, turning them into powder. They then sneak the powder into the Aunty's damper mix, making the damper sticky, gluing her mouth shut and allowing Keile and the Kids to make a polite escape.

While Hudson and Em are picking bush lollies, their friends are captured by some bigger kids who take their cart and compass. Hudson and Em try to rescue them but the Others keep returning, brought back by the compass. Hudson confronts the Others, offering them the bush lollies, and they eat too many, making themselves sick. When the Kids discover the Others are trying to get back to the school they give them directions. Then, as the Kids leave, they encounter an old friend - Noodles!