Chapter 9:  Addison, Chase, and Cole

Olivia and Peyton dragged Luke, Rosi, and Vince down through the tunnels to the base of the huge cave.  A troll with bright purple hair and a royal red robe was down at the bottom giving orders to troll workers busy pushing carts filled to the brim with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.  Peyton and Olivia tossed Luke, Rosi, and Vince to the ground, still knotted up in the net.  

“Your royal Queen,” said Olivia, “here are the prisoners.  They came to take a diamond.”

“I am Addison, Queen of the trolls,” said the leader.  “How dare you enter my kingdom with the intent of stealing a gem.”

“I don’t want to steal a gem!” cried Rosi.

“Well, actually you do,” said Vince.  When Rosi scowled at him he added, “It’s true.  Did you bring anything to bargain with?”

Rosi didn’t know what to say.  She kind of was just thinking about taking a diamond from the trolls, so it was pretty much like stealing.

“Lock the two fairies up,” said Addison.  “Keep the firefly here.  I must talk to him.”

Peyton and Olivia lifted the net off of the trio and grabbed Vince and Rosi by the wings.  They pushed them across the huge cavern toward another tunnel, this one with the sign “JAIL.”  “Wait!” shouted Rosi, “we mean you no harm!”

“Save your breath,” said Vince.  “There’s nothing we can do.  Troll are notoriously stubborn.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the earth began to shake.  Olivia and Peyton both fell to their knees, letting go of their prisoners.  “Earthquake!” shouted Peyton.

“Quick!  Now’s our chance to escape!” said Vince.  “Follow me!”

The leaped into the air and began to fly upward in the enormous cave.  Trolls everywhere were clinging to their platforms or to the walls as the shaking got worse and worse.  “Watch out!” yelled Vince.  Rosi looked up.  The ceiling to the cave was beginning to crumble.  Chunks of rock were falling down.  Vince led Rosi over to a crevice along the side of the cave wall, out of the way of the falling rock.  

Chaos was happening below them along the cave floor.  Rosi looked down and saw Queen Addison in the middle of the room.  A crack had formed in the floor, and her leg was trapped inside of it.  “Help!” she cried. 

Rosi only had a split second to think.  She rocketed down towards the cave floor and the trapped Addison, dodging the falling rocks.  She slammed into Addison and held up her arm.  Beams of light shot all around them, surrounding both her and the Queen.  The falling rocks hit the magic force field and bounced off harmlessly onto the walls and the floor.  

Just as quickly as the shaking had begun, everything became as still as could be.  Rosi still had her hand up, the bright blue force field still glowing brightly.  “You can stop now,” said Vince from the other side of the shield.

Rosi put her hand down, and the globe of protection disappeared.  She helped Addison from out of the crack.  “You saved my life,” said Addison.  “I am forever grateful.  What can I do to help you?”

“If it’s ok to have one of your diamonds, I’d like that,” said Rosi.  “Oh, and not to be locked up in jail.”

“If that is your wish, I will grant it,” said Addison.  “Plus I will allow Olivia and Peyton to lead you to the cave entrance with the diamond.  And remember, you are now always welcome in the troll mines.”

“Thank you,” said Rosi.  

Meanwhile…

Baylor had been hard at work making preparations for destroying the Evergreen star while Mr. Byers walked around very evil-like.  “Muhahaha!” he cried aloud.  

They were along the edge of a creek that ran alongside the forest.  Two beavers were with them, Chase and Cole.  

“So you want us to cut down a pine tree that’s far away from our beaver home,” said Cole.

“And you want it cut down in a way that it hits another tree,” added Chase.

“And then you want that tree to fall over?”  Cole picked at his beaver teeth.  “Sounds like a pretty tough job.”

“Actually, the other tree doesn’t have to fall over.  We just need the star at the top of the tree to fall over and shatter,” said Baylor.  

“MUHAHAHAHA!” shouted Mr. Byers.  “Evilness is awesomeness!”

“What’s with that guy?” asked Chase.  

“I am Mr. Byers,” said Mr. Byers.  “Soon, when the Evergreen star is destroyed the fairies will have no magic, and I will rule the world!”

Baylor rolled his eyes.  “What about it, guys?  Will you help us out?”

“What’s in it for us?” asked Cole.  

“As a reward,” said Baylor, “We will supply you with two iPads with free wifi.  That way you can play Fast ForWord and Puffin Academy all you want.

“Yes!” shouted Chase.  “I love those lessons!  You’ve got yourself a deal.”