The Toxintree (Part 1)

“Mike!” yelled Olivia. “Are you ready to go? We’ll be late!” Mike groaned. “No! I need my special popcorn cup!” he moaned. Olivia rolled her eyes. She slipped her lucky charm, a sapphire, into her pocket. “I hope the popcorn is on sale!” she whispered. “MIKE!!!!” she yelled again. This time, Mike came rushing into the room, like his feet were on fire. “Whatever. I didn’t find it. Now let’s go!” he said.  

They got into the car and drove. After 10 minutes, they arrived. Olivia rushed to the popcorn stand. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “It’s on sale!” they each grabbed a bag and went inside the theater. They were watching A Quest for Greatness: The Endless Duel. At about halfway through the movie, the projector want blank. 

“Turn it on!” a man shouted. “Now!” The man stepped forward. He was carrying a device which looked like a gun. “So, audience,” he bellowed. “This device will turn the Toxintree monster in the movie to life!” And with that, he aimed the gun at the screen and a bullet came shooting out. The next second, they heard a loud “ROAR!” Everyone gasped, “The Toxintree! It’s here!” People rushed out the doors and saw a big, red monster crushing the movie theater.  

“AAAHH!” yelled Mike. “Everybody, exit the theater now!” added Olivia. Everyone was running around screaming, “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! WE’RE GOING TO DIE!” Olivia shook her head. “Just… just follow me! I know where to be safe!” Everyone followed her. They went to a basement underneath a building. Everyone was very nervous. “What now?” asked Mike. “Well,” started Olivia. “You know Jackson? The guy who saved a billion people from a dragon?” Mike nodded. “So,” Olivia continued. “He can help us! I know exactly where he is.” 

They told everyone to stay in the basement. They headed out of town to Jackson’s lab. They finally got there. It was a large building made entirely out of marble. “Uh,” mumbled Mike. “Let’s go in.” They walked in and noticed many potions sitting on tables. “Jackson!” yelled Olivia. “You here?” Mike glared at her. “Shut up!” he hissed. “He’ll kill us if he finds out that we are here. So stay quiet!” But then they heard a voice. The person sang, “Oh, such a beautiful day! No dangers! All potions!” Olivia rolled her eyes. “No dangers?” she whispered. “Yeah right!” Jackson immediately turned. “WHO’S THERE?!” he shouted. Olivia rose from her hiding spot. She pulled Mike up, too. “I’m Olivia,” she began, “and this is my best friend Mike! We need your help.” Jackson chuckled. “Oh, what now? I’m kind of busy, you know.” Olivia shook her head. “But it’s important!” Jackson sighed. “Give me the details.” 

“So,” started Olivia. “There’s a big monster named Toxintree out there.” Mike joined in. “And it’s eating everything!!” he added. “Well then,” said Jackson. “I suppose there is only one way. There is a destructive potion in the Enchantaries. I suggest you go there.” Olivia and Mike exchanged confused looks. “Where is that?” they asked. “I’m not sure, but my friend Mira knows. Follow this map to her fort.” He handed them a very detailed map. “Then, bring the potion to me, and I shall activate it.” 

“This is going to be a long journey,” said Mike. “Indeed,” agreed Olivia. Finally, they got to the Mira’s. They saw the Toxintree in the distance, swallowing people alive. “We better hurry. Come on, let’s go in!” exclaimed Mike. They walked through a long hallway. It was very nice in there. They saw a woman reading a book and writing on a piece of paper. “Ma’am?” said Olivia. “Are you Mira?” The woman turned around. “Well, yes, I am! How can I help you?” Olivia grinned. “Do you know where the Enchantaries are? We need to grab a potion.” Mira frowned. “The Enchantaries? Well, which potion do you want?” Mike thought back to when they were talking to Jackson three hours ago. “The destructive potion!” 

“Children!” yelled Mira. “The Enchantaries are dangerous—filled with monsters! But I know how to make a destructive potion myself. Please, collect these items for me.” She gave them a list of items. “So, we need slime, swamp water, and… a creating potion? Mira, where do we get that?” said Olivia. “Well,” continued Mira. “Get that last. First, get the items I told you. Then I will tell you about the creating potion. Bye now!” She showed them to the door and slammed it shut. 

“Let’s go… hey!” exclaimed Olivia. “There’s a swamp there!” They gathered some water and went to find the next ingredient. “Oh! I know where to get slime. Come,” said Mike. They went to a tree. “Ah!” he said, scooping up some slime. “Slug slime should work.” Now, they headed back to Mira’s fortress. “Mira!” exclaimed Olivia when they went in. “We have all your ingredients. And that creating potion, now?” Mira sighed. “Yes. There is a woman named Elise who will tell you where it is. Take this map to her house.”  

They went and arrived at Elise’s house an hour later. The Toxintree was still following them. “Well, it’s visitors!” exclaimed Elise. “Please, come in. How can I help you?” “We need a creating potion,” said Mike. “Do you know where to get one?” Elise nodded. “Yes. It is in the Deep Lands. Come with me.”  

They started their trip to the deep lands. “OH MY GOSH!” shouted Olivia. “THE TOXINTREE IS ATTACKING! RUN!” 

                            TO BE CONTINUED….