Quest for Zhu 2011

Pipsqueak, a hamster, is scolded by her owner Katie after trying to make a card for her, with Katie believing that Pipsqueak is making a mess. Katie startles Pipsqueak, and she ends up making a real mess. After an angered Katie leaves the room, a shooting star appears above her house, which sucks Pipsqueak in and transports her to the Zhuniverse.

Pipsqueak meets a brown hamster named Mr. Squiggles, a grey hamster named Num Nums, and a white hamster named Chunk, whom she tells about her problem. A skunk named Stinker introduces himself and tells them about the wizard Zhu Fu, who can help Pipsqueak return home. As the four travel to Zhu Fu’s palace, Pipsqueak learns the backgrounds of the other hamsters. Chunk and Num Nums were left behind after being separated from their owners: Chunk after going surfing on his own, and Num Nums after his owner moved to an apartment that did not allow pets. Mr. Squiggles previously lived in a pet store until he managed to escape.

Upon reaching the palace, the hamsters, still annoyed with Stinker, ask him where the “happy hams” he promised are. Though the yard around the palace is empty, Stinker, saying that the happy hams are inside, promises a guided tour. However, the palace’s doors, which are covered with carved birthmark symbols, do not open until the symbols suddenly begin to glow and blink. The four symbols belonging to Pipsqueak, Num Nums, Chunk, and Mr. Squiggles remain lit, and the doors open on their own.

Inside the palace, the hamsters meet with Zhu Fu. However, he transforms into a lizard-like creature called Mazhula. She has disguised herself as Zhu Fu, after capturing him and many other hamsters and forcing them to work as slaves to create magical energy for her. Stinker is revealed to have been working for Mazhula, luring the hamsters to the palace to be new slaves.

After escaping from Mazhula, the hamsters meet with the real Zhu Fu, who explains that Mazhula draws her power from a large urn empowered by her captives. The hamsters get the idea to fill the urn with a sticky substance so that Mazhula cannot draw power from it. Mazhula corners the hamsters and tries to destroy them, but runs out of power. Furious, she goes back to her throne and tries to recharge, but finds the urn full of carrot paste. At Mr. Squiggles’ insistence, Zhu Fu sends Mazhula to the same pet store where Squiggles was once kept.

Pipsqueak, realizing that she misses Katie, asks to go home, and Zhu Fu explains that she could have returned home by calling on the star that brought her to the Zhuniverse. After saying goodbye to Num Nums, Mr. Squiggles, and Chunk, Pipsqueak returns home.

Back at home, Katie, who had been searching for Pipsqueak, reunites with her. Amidst their reunion, Num Nums, Mr. Squiggles, and Chunk show up on the windowsill, having been sent after Pipsqueak by Zhu Fu. Katie, delighted to have three new pets, goes to the kitchen to make them a snack.