The Adventures In The Land Of Fae The Time Line Prolog A few days had gone by and Ivy had her front yard just the way she wanted it for Viridian. She went over to see Ktara and asked if she could have a coconut off one of the trees so she could grow it at her place to make some shade. So you know how to grow a palm tree? asked Ktara. Nope, not yet but I will ask the tree, said Ivy. Well those trees are not really on my property so help yourself but can I watch how you find out from the tree? asked Ktara. Yep, if you like, said Ivy. They walked over to one of the trees then Ivy put a hand on each side of the tree trunk and said something to it that Ktara couldn't understand. Then she pushed herself against the tree and put her ear to the trunk. Okay, said Ivy. Okay what? asked Ktara. I need that coconut up there. One that is the oldest and is ready to be planted, said Ivy. She flew up and gently removed the coconut then came back down. So now what do you do, asked Ktara. Well I have to plant it in some very fertile soil with these three holes faced down and sink it a little over half way into the ground then cover that part under ground firmly then give it lots of water. So that is all that is to it? asked Ktara. No, said Ivy. Then I have to talk to it everyday and keep the ground moist until I see the first leaf appear, said Ivy. So the tree told you all of that, asked Ktara. Well sort of, I just felt it and the tree was very happy to know I was making a new tree for her. So how long before it starts to grow? asked Ktara. Not too long, said Ivy. In Eden stuff grows fast and with my help it will be even faster, said Ivy. This is going to be cool, said Ktara. I love watching things grow. I am not that good at growing things. Well hopefully we will see the first leaf in two days then after that we get to see how long it takes to get big enough to give off some shade, said Ivy. Ktara smiled and said "You're one of a kind Ivy". No there are other forest sprites but I am in charge of Fae Land's plants, she said proudly. Well Fae Land is in good hands then, said Ktara. Ivy went back home and asked Viridian where she thought the best place would be to plant the coconut. How about in the center of the yard, That way it will not shade any of the flowers and the shade will move around as the day progresses, said Viridian. Good idea, said Ivy and she went to work. 01 illustration goes here Chapter 1 Apollonia's New Friends Apollonia flew down while flying over the grassy plains and looked around to see if there was somewhere near here she could explore. There must be something else to do around here. She called for Gabriel and she popped up in a few seconds. Yes Apollonia, how can I help you? I am bored and want to do something good but everything seems to be fine right now around here, said Apollonia. Well you know you have the entire world that you can do things in, this is a big planet, said Gabriel. So I just have to fly around all over the place and look for bad stuff, said Apollonia. That sounds kinda boring too, can I bring Ivy with me? asked Apollonia. No you may not. putting Ivy in danger would be a very bad thing, said Gabriel. I do know some interesting angels that are bored too, said Gabriel. Really who are they? asked Apollonia. They are known as the five angels of the apocalypse but not the same ones I tried to teach you about. I remember, a bunch of archangels led by Michael that ended all the bad on the planet that sounded like cleaning up after a big mistake that God made a long time ago, said Apollonia. Well, that is kind of correct but it wasn't a mistake, it was an experiment back when the planet was first created and he allowed evolution to do it's thing. Unfortunately letting evolution progress on it's own resulted in dangerous and poisonous plant life and huge creatures that hated and hunted each other plus ate more than what the planet could supply for them to survive. God got Michael to lead the other four archangels to completely destroy everything on the planet bringing it back to the way it started so God could start over and do things under his control this time. Okay so who are these other angels and what did they do? asked Apollonia. They were sent down to end the dark ages many centuries ago. God has this rule that he will not interfere with free will and events on the planet. Humans back then were barbaric for the most part and started to worship fake Gods and wars broke out all over the the eastern continent. The demons began to escape from the underworld and make people worship and fight for them. Things just got out of hand and very messy so he created these five angels led by Kenzie. They do a similar thing as you but they are not allowed to interfere with events on the planet with exception to demons, they can kill them when they all work together, said Gabriel. Oh I have never heard about them before, said Apollonia. How come? Because God sent you down here before I could teach you about them and many other things, said Gabriel. Now these five angels are powerful but not even close to the power God gave you. They are very arrogant meaning they think they are better than all other angels. Inside they are very good, just bored because there is nothing for them to do right now and have not been allowed in Fae Lands reality where there is plenty for them to do on this western continent. You stay here and I will pass them through then drop the five of them off here. Just don't get mad with them, remember they did save the world a long time ago. Just be smart with them. If things get out of hand I will send them away. Then Gabriel vanished. Hmm, I would rather go see what Ivy and the twins are doing than meet five angels that think they are better than anyone else, thought Apollonia. 02 illustration goes here In around ten minutes Gabriel came back with the five angels. Okay this is Apollonia. Watch what you say because she is quite young and be careful, do not make her mad at you, said Gabriel then she vanished. Hello, said Apollonia. Yes hello, where the heck are we? asked Kenzie. Didn't Gabriel tell you? asked Apollonia. No she just appeared and said she was taking us to meet someone then poof we appeared here. Apollonia giggled. Your funny, you are in Fae Land silly. What, we are on the west continent in a reality we were never allowed to be in, said Kenzie. This is very sudden and confusing. Normally there are rules to be followed and we need to be let known ahead of time what is going on. Well I don't care about any rules and what makes you so special that you need to be told things in advance? asked Apollonia. Well we have killed lots of creatures and demons and deserve some respect. No other angels can do what we do, said Kenzie. One of the other angels whispered in Kenzie's ear. What did she just say? asked Apollonia with a firm voice. Oh she just said you are only a kid. What is with the black wings anyways? Are you some kind of fallen angel? asked Kenzie. I don't know what that is but black is a much stronger looking colour than white don't you think, plus my friends say I look sexy with black wings, said Apollonia. Maybe but the colour of one's wings have nothing to do with strength, said Kenzie. What kind of skills can you do? Umm lots of stuff, said Apollonia and made her sword appear. A sword, what are you doing with that, angels are not allowed to kill things and interfere with the land people and creatures, just we are, said one of the angels. I do whatever I want and if it is bad or evil I just kill it, said Apollonia. With a sword? You could never kill a demon or an army of creatures with just a sword, said Kenzie. I know but I can do this, said Apollonia. She pointed the sword up to the sky then a bright white bean shot up high in the sky making it very dark above her then a big bolt of lighting came down just in front of her making the five angel fall backwards onto their butts. Oh my God what are you, only God himself can bring lighting down from the sky. I am God's warrior, he gave me the power of the heavens. Pretty cool don't you think, said Apollonia with a smile. All five angels got up and started to talk among themselves. Apollonia called out, what are your names, you know mine and you must be Kenzie because you talk a lot so who are the rest of you so I don't have to point at you. The five angel's looked up a bit stunned. Please don't point incase you slip and fry one of us, said Kenzie. This is Zena, this is Candice, this is Jazmen and this is Tezz and yes I am Kenzie. Nice names, so what do you five do for fun? asked Apollonia. They all smiled. 03 illustration goes here Well we fly around and look for people in trouble usually but we are limited to what we can do though. The thing is in the east continent we killed most of the evil creatures and beings and there is just some devils left there but they are not doing much plus can't be killed, said Kenzie. So how do you know when something evil is around? asked Apollonia. We can sense it as we fly around, said Jazmen. If it is a demon or some creatures we fly down and take care of them but if it is humans fighting then we can only try to reason with them but that usually don't work when there is a power hungry king involved. So how about we go fly out to the west where I went with some of Fae Lands heros to kill a bunch of creatures and a demon, said Apollonia. Maybe there is more bad stuff happening to the west. Sure why not, it's not like we have a long list of things to do, said Kenzie. So which way is west? Follow me, said Apollonia. Gabriel appeared after they left. Okay Apollonia show them what you can do, said Gabriel to herself. That will put these five back in their place. Then she vanished. They flew west for about an hour with no sight of anything out of the usual so they turned south for a while. Kenzie told Apollonia that as it gets hotter closer to the equator, that is where most of the evil beings are. In about ten minutes Kenzie spotted something suspicious. Look down there, a large gathering and it does not look like a party, said Kenzie. They all went down for a closer look. It was a large number of soldiers all in lines listening to what looked like their leader. They landed on the ground close to the army. Kenzie flew over and asked the leader what their intentions were. None of your business angel and he put up his hand and sent her flying backwards. Well that wasn't fun, said Kenzie. That is a wizard, they are really hard to kill because they put up shields and shoot out fireballs. Is he evil? asked Apollonia. Well good wizards don't send an angel flying backwards, said Kenzie. Let me try then, said Apollonia and she flew out to where that wizard was giving instructions to his troops. What is she going to do, that is a wizard. They are too powerful for an angel, said Tezz. I don't know, lets watch and see, said Kenzie. Apollonia was getting close and the wizard saw her coming and threw a fireball at her. Apollonia put out her hand and sent it back at him and he had to jump out of the way. What the heck, he said with anger. He then told her that you are not allowed to touch me so you best leave the matters of the surface to me. What! yelled Apollonia, leave the matters of the world to a stupid wizard and she began to laugh. He got even madder and began to grow very big saying, "I am not a wizard". 04 illustration goes here Look at you, what a ugly demon you are, said Apollonia. She put out her hand and started making him small. How are you doing this, angels can not do that either. What is that some kind of rule? asked Apollonia. Ya it is or was, said the demon that was now the size of a mouse. I am a dark angel idiot and I don't like rules, said Apolonia. The demon tried to get big again but couldn't so he threw more fire balls at her that had no effect. She then just stepped on him and crushed him into the ground until he was just a smear then fried the remains with an energy charge. She then flew back to the other angels that were standing there in awe. So that takes care of him said, Apollonia. Well what about them all running towards us waving their swords, asked Candice. Apollonia turned and saw that the army took it on themselves to attack them. Apollonia grew a bit then started to flap her wings and blew them all backwards quite a bit. The men all got up and dropped their weapons then ran away into the woods behind them. Okay that takes care of them too, said Apollonia. They all laughed and Kenzie said "You took on a demon by yourself before we could come and help. You can get big and make things small like Gabriel, you repelled a fireball, and the other fire balls just went through you with no effect, those wings can create the winds of a hurricane too. You stepped on that demon like he was an insect". I am sure she was smiling all the time too, said Candice. Ya, it's fun killing evil things, don't you think, said Apollonia. It is when it can be done as easily as you can do it, said Kenzie. You girl have talents! 05 illustration goes here Gabriel appeared and said, "So how do you like God's little warrior?". She is freaking amazing, said Kenzie. She is a one angel wrecking machine. Gabriel smiled. I thought you would like her. Now remember she is very young and needs guidance even though she can do all that stuff that you all just witnessed. Now she hasn't fully developed yet so she will be able to do other things as time goes by but for now teach her what you have learned over the centuries and don't let her always do all the work. Use your wings like her. They may not be as strong but with the five of you together you can do the same as her. So Gods warrior, you said. He is always up to something new, said Zena. Yep he is and always for the best of his world, said Gabriel. Gabriel went to talk to Apollonia but she was nowhere to be seen. Hey where did she go? asked Tezz. She was here a second ago. She did it again, said Gabriel. She did what again, asked Kenzie. Apollonia has made a few very special friends back in Fae Land that are about her age physically and mentally. Apollonia seems to be all about having fun that somehow got wired into her soul when God created her. She had some fun with you five and showed you some of the things she can do and now she is more than likely at Ivy's place eating some ice cream or out with Repellia and Phonixa doing something fun. Those three people are her best friends so get used to being her second choice to hang with. Can't you tell her to stay with us and to go hunting for more evil? asked Jazmen. Gabriel smiled. I couldn't control her in heaven and I still can't control what she does down here, just call for her when you need her help. She will come and do what she is told until the job is done. Anyways head back to Fae Land at the south end where the palace is. I want you to meet Alieta, the Queen of Fae Land. I will meet you there, then Gabriel vanished. Okay you heard her girls let's get moving, said Kenzie. Now which way is south? No landmarks around here to go by. Check the sun, said Clarice. Kenzie looked up. That's no help, it is noon, said Kenzie. Well at least we know what time it is, said Tezz. Kenzie laughed. Come on lets just fly around until we see that palace, said Kenzie. Wait that looks like an ocean over there, said Jazmen. So we went west so that is the Pacific Ocean and that means south is that way. Your right, boy we got to get used to where everything is over here, said Kenzie. 06 illustration goes here Chapter 2 At The Palace Apollonia appeared not far from the palace and saw Repellia and Phonixa coming out so she called them over. Hi. where are you two going? asked Apollonia. Hi Apollonia, we are thinking about going to town and see what is going on there and maybe get a milkshake, said Repellia. Do you want to come with us? Okay, so what is a milkshake? asked Apollonia. You will like it, said Phonixa. It is made with ice cream and milk plus there are lots of flavors to pick from. You drink it through a straw also. Okay what about Ivy, should we go get her too? asked Apollonia. We can go to her place after, said Repellia. She said something about wanting to go to the park at the human village. We have never been there yet. Neither has Ivy I think but Alieta said we should go out more and let people see us and get to know us. Okay but maybe I shouldn't go to the human village. They might not like that I have black wings, said Apollonia. Don't be silly, everyone loves angels no matter what colour of wings they have, said Phonixa. Okay where is the town? asked Apollonia. Just past the elf village and the Sandy Lake mountains, said Phonixa. Ok I think I saw it earlier today when I was flying over that grassy area., said Apollonia. You ready to go now? Yep, lets do it, said Repellia. Then the three of them vanished. Alieta saw them talking together then just vanish. I wonder where they are going, thought Alieta. Last I heard Apollonia was supposed to spend the day with Gabriel and some other angels. Looks like Apollonia had other plans again. 07 illustration goes here Alieta was still outside when the five angels landed in front on the palace grounds. Kenzie walked up to Alieta and introduced herself to her. Gabriel told us that she wanted you to meet us and said she would meet us here, said Kenzie. Have you seen her? No, Gabriel has not shown up here while I have been outside, said Alieta. I did see Apollonia for a minute, talking to Repellia and Phonixa but they all vanished about twenty minutes ago. So if Gabriel wanted me to meet you all, then there must of been a reason for it, said Alieta. Just then Gabriel appeared. Sorry I am late, I just had to locate Apollonia to try and get her to come to the palace but that didn't go over well, said Gabriel. What does that mean, asked Kenzie. It means that Apollonia is very independent from all of us angels and has picked her own friends to be with, said Gabriel that seemed upset and frustrated. How do you know that, asked Alieta. Simple, when I appeared in town where I found her with the twins and told her I needed her to come with me to the palace., she gave me the dirtiest look that told me it was not going to happen, said Gabriel. So I just left. Good move, you wouldn't want her to step on you like she did to that demon, earlier on today, said Tezz. Apollonia killed another demon today? asked Alieta. Yep all by herself too, said Kenzie. Then used her wings to blow the human army he had, back into the woods. So she didn't kill any of the humans then? asked Alieta. Nope, just scared them mostly, said Kenzie. Well I would say she has had a very good day so far and deserves to be left alone to be with her friends, said Alieta. So you are on her side then, said Gabriel. I am on nobody's side, said Alieta. I do know if you keep on telling her to do things like she is your soldier then she is going to start to dislike you. She did say she was God's warrior, not yours. Gabriel looked straight at Alieta. You have already adopted her as one of your own, haven't you? asked Gabriel. Nope but I think she adopted me though, said Alieta. When she needs to talk to someone older I will be here for her just like I am for Ivy, Phonixa and Repellia and all the other elves that work in the palace that want some advice. Gabriel just smiled. Hey Jazmen, what are you doing over there? asked Kenzie that saw her listening to something close to the palace. Something doesn't sound and feel right over here, said Jazmen. Some kind of humming sound coming from under the palace. They all walked over to see what she was talking about. 08 illustration goes here Do you hear it? asked Jazmen. It seems to be loudest here. Alieta got closer and could hear a slight buzzing sound. I think it is coming from under the palace, said Jazmen. That is very odd, said Alieta. The only basement for the palace is where the treasury is and the wine cellar and it is at the other end of the palace. There is no basement that I know of over hear and I know every inch of this palace. Jazmen used her hand to dig a bit into the ground beside the wall. Ouch, it is really hot there, said Jazmen. Like there is a fire underneath? asked Tess. Maybe but I don't feel so good, said Jazmen and tried to get up off her knees but couldn't. Tess grabbed her arm and pulled Jazmen away from the palace. Okay, that was weird, I feel fine now, said Jazmen. Okay everyone back away, said Alieta. Whatever is happening it is radiating something that can be harmful to angels and probably people to, said Alieta. Let me call Merlin and see if he might know what could do that. I will get Ginger to get everyone out of the palace too just to be safe, said Gabriel then she ran into the palace. Alieta called out for Merlin and in a couple of minutes he appeared. Yes Alieta, what can I do for you? asked Merlin. Do you know of anything that could create heat and radiate something that would make an angel feel sick? asked Alieta. Something that can make an angel feel sick? I didn't think anything could affect an angel, said Merlin. He looked behind him and saw the five angels. My you have lots here today, what is the occasion? asked Merlin. Never mind that, Jazmen dug a small hole over there beside the palace with her hand then couldn't stand up, said Alieta. My my, that is bad then, said Merlin. Yes there is a couple of natural substances that when combined will create heat that can be used to make energy but it is not used anywhere because it is a very difficult procedure and gives off a deadly radiation that will kill anyone exposed to it for a length of time, said Merlin. Plus if not combined properly it can make a huge explosion. Which angel is Jazmen? Over there said Alieta. Merlin walked over to her and asked how she was feeling now. Much better, just a bit dizzy, said Jazmen. Merlin put his hand on her forehead. Yes you have a bit of a fever, said Merilin. I want all of you to get way back from the palace now. Somehow we need to dig down and see where this radiation is coming from. Maybe Apollonia can help, said Kenzie. Nothing seems to be able hurt her. Even fireballs just pass right through her. Interesting, she must be able to go translucent like myself and Alexa. Gabriel came back out of the palace. Okay Ginger is telling everyone to get out, said Gabriel. So do you know what is going on Merlin? I think so but I need Alexa here and this Apollonia person to come and help me, said Merlin. Well she won't come here for me, she will think I am just tricking here to come to the palace, said Gabriel. Really, why is that? asked Merlin. It is a bit of a long story but I will go get her, said Alieta. So where in town did you see her? Close to the Pancake House but if she is not there she will be at Ivy's place, said Gabriel. Okay Ivy's place is closer I will check there first, said Alieta then she flew off. 09 illustration goes here After Apollonia and the twins left the Pancake House they figured they should go see if Ivy was ready to check out the park in the human's colony. Apollonia teleported them there but found no one outside. Maybe she is inside, said Phonixa. She knocked on the door and Viridian answered. Hello, is Ivy home? asked Phonixa. Yes she is, said Viridian. She is in her room taking a nap, I will tell her you are here. You can let her sleep that is okay, said Phonixa. One hour is all she needs and it is past that now, said Viridian. I will send her out. Viridian is really nice to Ivy and lets her sleep in the day sometimes and makes treats for everyone, said Apollonia. She doesn't boss Ivy around like Gabriel tries to do to me. Gabriel is nice too, said Repellia. She is just a different kind of angel than you. She helps out lots of people all the time. Ivy came out rubbing her eyes. Okay I am all rested now. What are we doing today? asked Ivy. You mentioned something about going to the park at the human village yesterday, said Repellia. Oh ya, we are supposed to make ourselves more visible to everyone Alieta told me. I have never been there yet but she told me it is a bit north of here, said Ivy. There are children there too so that will be fun. Just then Alieta flew down. Good you are here, said Alieta. I need you to come to the palace Apollonia. There is a situation there that we hope you can help us with. But we were just getting ready to go visit the park at the human village, said Apollonia. Ivy looked at Apollonia and said, that can wait. When Alieta comes here herself to get you then it must be very important. You never question anything she says because she never lies to us and she is the queen of Fae Land plus loves everyone here. Oh okay, said Apollonia. What is going on? asked Apollonia. Merlin is there and said there is something very dangerous under the palace that is emitting something that even makes angels sick if they get close to it, said Alieta. He figures you can go translucent like he can and so can Alexa, hopefully it won't affect you three. Okay I don't know what translucent is but I will help, said Apollonia. Good I need to tell Alexa to come to the palace now also. Let's go together then I can teleport us back to the palace, said Apollonia. Good thinking, said Alieta. You three stay here, it is safer. Whatever it is it might explode soon destroying part of the palace. See I told you it would be important, said Ivy. Yes your right. Lets go Alieta, said Apollonia then they both flew off fast. Wow, I hope it doesn't explode, said Repellia, especially after we just finish organizing the wardrobe room. Don't worry, Merlin is there and he will fix it, he always fixes everything, said Ivy. 10 illustration goes here Chapter 3 The Secret Room When Alieta and Apollonia reached Alexa's house Alieta knocked on the door and Diego answered the door. Hello Alieta, nice to see you here, said Diego. Is that Apollonia the dark angel Alexa told me about? Yes, is Alexa here? asked Alieta. Yep she is in the living room, said Diego. Can you get her for us, we have a problem at the palace and need her help, said Alieta. Tell her to bring the magic ring with her. Okay I will, said Diego and went to get Alexa. He is handsome, said Apollonia. Alieta smiled. Yes he is a very handsome young man, said Alieta. Alexa came in the hall and asked what's up? There is something very dangerous under the palace that emits something that is poisonous and Merlin figures if you are wearing that ring, it won't affect you, said Alieta. Okay do I need to change? asked Alexa. No Merlin figures it is some kind of power source thing that is causing the problem. None of the angels can get close enough to it to even dig under the palace. Angels? There are more than one angel there? asked Alexa. Yes but we are in a hurry, said Alieta. You will see when you get there. Alexa slipped on her shoes then Apollonia teleported them to the palace. 11 illustration goes here When they reached the palace everyone was sitting way back from the palace including all the angels. Gabriel walked up to Alieta. Well at least she will listen to you, said Gabriel. Now she does, it was Ivy that explained to her that when I asked for something it is always important and never say no to me because I am the queen and I love and care about everyone in Fae Land. Well I love everyone in Fae Land too, said Gabriel. Ya but you are bossy, I don't like bossy people, said Apollonia. Yes, so I have been told, said Gabriel. I will let Alieta take care of you from now on. She has a lot more experience with the needs of people in Fae Land than me. Apollonia smiled then walked over to where Alexa and Merlin were standing. So you are the new angel that Kenzie told me about, said Merlin. They are very impressed with you especially the one called Tezz. She is constantly saying how great you are. Really, that is nice of her, said Apollonia. Now can you go translucent then get a close look at that hole beside the wall? asked Merlin. I don't know what translucent is, said Apollonia. You know when you make it so fireballs just pass through you with no effect, said Merlin. I don't do anything for that to happen, said Apollonia. No weapon of any type can hurt me. Really, you are one very special angel then, said Merlin. So where that little hole is? asked Apollonia. Yes please, try to make it bigger and deeper please, said Merlin. Apollonia smiled at him then got down on her knees and placed her hand over the hole the her hand began to glow. She moved it around some and pushed down about a foot. I got something said Apollonia. What does it feel like? asked Merlin. I don't know, have a look, said Apollonia then pulled hard and stood up holding a old wooden trap door in her hand. My you have some strength there, don't you, said Merlin. Did I do good or wasn't I suppose to take the whole door out? asked Apollonia. You did perfect, more than perfect, said Merlin. Okay that was easy enough. Now Alexa go see if that hole is very deep. That will also put your ring to the test. 12 illustration goes here Alexa walked over and looked down the big hole. It is pretty dark down there but it looks like there is a tunnel leading under the palace, said Alexa. I don't feel bad so my ring must be working. Can you fit down the hole? asked Merlin. I think so. let me try, said Alexa. She crawled down the hole then jumped down to the ground then looked through the tunnel. What do you see Alexa. Too dark but the ceiling is pretty high so maybe Apollonia can come down, said Alexa. She may be able to light it up some. Okay move out of the way, I am coming down, said Apollonia. This is turning into a real exciting mystery adventure. Alexa smiled the moved over and Apollonia Teleported into the tunnel. Kind of musky smelling down here, said Apollonia. Well we are under a palace that has been here for who knows how long, said Alexa. Have you got a way of making it brighter in here without using fire? Yep, how is this? asked Apollonia. She made her left hand glow bright white. Perfect you have all kinds of tricks up your sleeves, said Alexa. But I am not wearing sleeves, said Apollonia. It's just a figure of speech, said Alexa. It means you have lots of talents I don't know about. Oh I get it, said Apollonia. Okay we are moving in Merlin, looks like a big door up ahead, said Alexa. They walked slowly in the tunnel until they came to a big wooden door with no handle or lock. Just a big old flat wooden door. That's odd, who makes a door that has no door knob? asked Alexa. I would say someone magical and can teleport or someone that wasn't planning on coming out, said Apollonia. So there may be a dead body in there? asked Alexa. Maybe, pretty cool don't you think, said Apollonia. You are really enjoying this, aren't you? asked Alexa. You bet solving mysteries is fun, said Apollonia. Okay then how do you figure we open this door then? asked Alexa. Push realy realy hard, said Apollonia. Alexa giggled, your a genius, said Alexa. Let's push then. They both gave the door a big push but it only opened a small amount and some smelly gas leaked out of the room. Ok let's try again but harder this time, said Alexa. They both pushed again and the door swung open wide. It was very bright in the room and took a few seconds for Alexa's eyes to adjust. What is this place? I have never seen anything like this before, said ALexa. Me either though I haven't seen a lot of things yet, said Apollonia. Hey Merlin you have to come down here. Maybe you will know what this place is used for, said Alexa. Okay I will be right there, said Merlin. Merlin came along the tunnel and entered the room. So what do you think Merlin. Well looks like some kind of a secret lab, maybe for a wizard is my best guess, said Merlin. I wonder what those three balls on the wall are for? asked Alexa. She took a couple steps forward then suddenly one of the balls began to glow and some type of screen appeared on the far wall. What is that? Looks like some kind of portal. You might be right, said Merlin. Stay away from it incase it sucks you in and who knows where it will take you. Merlin saw a big open book on the table so he walked over to it. Interesting, this book is in elven language. It may have some clues in it as to what this room was used for, said Merlin. I'll take this then let's go back outside before we accidently activate something else. 13 illustration goes here Merlin picked up the old book very carefully then Apollonia teleported them all out back to the palace grounds. What is that? asked Alieta. I think it is the key to whatever it was that we just saw under the palace, said Merlin. Let me make a table and some chairs then we can have a look though it. After he set up the table Merlin gently put the big book on the table. It was very dirty and old looking and they could not make out anything on the front cover of the book. Merlin wiped the dirt and dust off and saw that there was nothing written on it or even a picture. Okay this must just be a journal What is on the back of the book? asked Alexa. Lets see, said Merlin. He turned it over and wiped it off but this time there was some writing on it. It is in a language I have never seen before said Alieta. Here clean off the bottom part of the book, said Alexa. When it was clean enough to see, a tree and two flowers were drawn there. Well let see if the language changes inside, said Alieta. Yes the book was open when we first saw it on a table and it was in elven language that I can read, said Merlin. The pages may be brittle so I will have to be very careful not to rip any. 14 illustration goes here Chapter 4 Secret Room's Secret Reveiled Just then Ivy showed up. Hi Alieta we are out of ice cream, is it okay if I borrow some from you ice box. I promise to replace it, said Ivy. Sorry but no one is allowed to go in the palace until we figure out what the room they found under the palace is all about, said Alieta. Oh I thought Merlin would of fixed that by now, said Ivy. What is taking you so long Merlin. Well it is complicated, said Merlin. I have to read this book that we found down there and I am hoping it will give me some answers. Then Merlin slowly opened the book to the first page that just had a drawing of a tree and two flowers. Ivy watched Merlin that then slowly turned the page. Just more drawing, said Merlin. I am not getting anywhere fast so far. That is tree language, said Ivy, simplest of all languages. Really I never heard of that language before, said Merlin. You can understand these drawings? Yep, pixies invented a very long time ago before there were humans. Back then only pixies could understand the trees and used drawings to describe what they sensed from the trees. It is a very simple language and pretty. They taught it to me when I was younger. Merlin turned the page back with the one drawing on it. Do you know what this drawing means? asked Merlin. Yep, it says From The Beginning. That tree and two flowers show how it all started, said Ivy. Can you stay a bit and read some of this book to us before you leave? asked Merlin. Well Phonixa and Repellia are waiting for me so I really don't want to keep them waiting, said Ivy. Ivy this is very important, I will go in and get you an entire tub of ice cream if you stay and read this book to Merlin and Alexa. Ivy smiled, you got deal, said Ivy then Merlin stood up and Ivy sat down and turned the page. Now this set of pictures say dust to paradise. Do you get it yet? asked Ivy. No, said Merlin. Maybe it is about the beginning of earth, said Alexa. Nope but you are getting close, said Ivy. She turned the page. Okay this is in old elvish language. Do you know how to read that? asked Ivy. No that goes back even before I was born, said Merlin. Okay I will read it for you, It is not that hard to read. Lots of different word that say the same thing mostly. Elves must of been really strange back then, said Ivy. This page says says, next came the great rains that lasted for an entire year. This page tells when the rain stopped and the land began to dry leaving rivers and lakes. Ivy turned the page again. Cool this is when it starts getting really interesting, said Ivy. This entire page tells about the plants and flowers beginning to grow and how insects came from the shores of the lakes and rivers. Viridian would like this part where it tells how grass lands began to form. Okay this page will give it away about what this story is all about said Ivy with a smile. 15 illustration goes here Now this page talks about how the sun broke through the clouds and lots of the rivers dried up and most of the small lakes leaving one big one and a few smaller ones. Trees began to grow trying to touch the sun but we all know that to be impossible. This is exciting isn't it, said Ivy. She turned the page again and said this reads in a elven language too, not quite as old. The wind blew or something like that and then the trees seeded the ground with their children. Okay that makes sense, said Ivy. Lets see, she looked quickly at a few pages then stopped at one that she said was magical. It reads that the first life emerged from the lakes and God blessed the land. Alexa looked up then looked at Ivy. Ivy looked back at her and said, I knew you would figure it out first, said Ivy. Don't say anything yet though Alexa. She flipped through a few more pages and stopped. She said this part is a bit scary but it is how it was back then. Some of the life turned into big bad creatures that were destroying the land and eating smaller creatures. God was sad and came down and destroyed all the bad creatures just leaving the good small animals that lived under the trees that formed large woods and forests. She turned to the next page slowly. Oh good, I was scared it was going to be bad again. Ivy started to read to herself some. Ivy? what does it say? asked Alexa. Oh sorry, It gets really interesting now, said Ivy. This whole page tell as about how God created the sprites made of pure white energy that were to keep the animals in the woods and forests safe. Then it says elves began to come and first lived in the forest but over time they learned to build homes outside of the woods. Okay, so I think I got it now, said, Merlin, It is a history of how Fae Land was created, said Merlin. Yep you got it said Ivy. She turned the page again but this time there was just a full page of drawings of what Fae Land may of looked like centuries ago but there was a big dome covering it with some words underneath the drawings that said in regular elvish language "The Protected Land". She turned to the next page and now she told Merlin this is all about some room and has lots of numbers and arithmetic going on. I can't read that stuff, said Ivy. Well I can and that is what I need to read, said Merlin. What does those words say at the top of the page? asked Merlin. Umm, Time Line Device or machine or maybe record, something like that, last word is too hard to read, said Ivy. So can I go now? asked Ivy. Yes dear, here is the ice cream and thank you for your help, said Alieta. Ivy took the tub of ice cream and flew off back home fast. Remarkable girl that Ivy is, said Merlin. Such a young girl and knows four languages already. Okay let me figure all this out then we are going back into that secret room. 16 illustration goes here After about ten minutes of Merlin scanning through the book he closed it and said okay I am pretty sure I know what we need to do. That room was built by not one wizard or even several because these math mathematical equations are too advance even for me in present day. So who built that room then? asked Alexa. Probably scientists from another world would be my best guess, said Merlin. Wow aliens! That is so cool, said Apollonia. Yes it is, said Merlin. Now they sensed that this area had a higher level of natural energy than anywhere else on the planet so they wanted to record how much faster this barren land would evolve. It was kept underground so that no one could find it and it was originally meant to keep track of climate changes and natural disasters plus land movements. Stuff like that. Now when they finished creating the orbs that they made out of crushed ruby crystals and uranium they energize them somehow, that part I couldn't understand, but to their surprise the orbs began to absorb the natural energy underground. As for the rest of what this book tells I had to make educated guesses to what happened next because there are references to war and God and other events I have no knowledge of but looks like these orbs are recording devices and that portal on the wall is actually a view screen. For some reason the journal ends abruptly so looks like they stopped coming back to check the data stored in these orbs. So how long ago would of that been, asked Alexa. Well before the palace was built anyways, said Merlin. Wow that is a very long time ago, said Alieta. Yes and those orbs have been recording data ever since and my understanding of uranium is that if some of the energy is not drained out from time to time those orbs will begin to over heat and eventually explode. So how do we drain the orbs? asked Alexa. Easy, we have to activate each orb and watch that screen, said Merlin. You already activated one orb when you walked close to it. Now you have to hold your hand on it. That is all the instructions the book said. Basically it is mostly automated. Okay let's get down there and see if it is still in working condition so Alieta doesn't have to build a new palace. I sure hope not, I know she really likes this one, said Alexa. 17 illustration goes here They all went to where the tunnel entrance was and climbed down then followed the tunnel to the secret room. Okay now, that orb closest to the wall is still activated so go over to it and just gently place the palm of your hand on it, said Merlin. Okay, that is all I have to do? asked Alexa. Yep I think so, said Merlin. Ya I hope I don't loose my hand, I really like it. Apollonia giggled. Don't worry your ring will protect you, said Merlin. Alexa went to the orb and place her hand on it. Suddenly the screen that they thought was a portal went bright with no more static. Well something is happening, said Alexa but I don't see anything yet. Try moving your hand around on it and see if that does anything, said Merlin. Alexa started to move her hand closer to the top of the orb then a faint picture appeared of barren desert land. Interesting, try moving your hand to the center of the orb, said Merlin. Alexa moved her hand dead center then pushed a bit. The screen went all fuzzy for a second then a nice clear image could be seen of the desert but it wasn't a still image there was sand blowing around, then it switch to rain falling with violent thunderstorms with the lightning hitting the ground making large holes. The rain continued until it looked like there was nothing but water visible in the screen. Once again it changed to sunshine and now land was poking up through the water forming rivers and a big lake in the distance. Then the screen went blank and the orb Alexa was touching stopped glowing and the one beside it began to glow. Okay looks like we just witnessed the forming of the land in Fae Land close to the palace, said Merlin. Now do the same with the next orb. It's my turn I want to play with the button too, said Apollonia. Alexa laughed, sure go ahead, it was kinda fun, said Alexa. 18 illustration goes here Apollonia went over to the wall and put her hand on the middle orb that was glowing. Once again the screen went clear and bright again then it showed grass growing at a very fast rate plus bushes and even flowers sprouted out of the ground. Then it switched to what looked like a huge earthquake was happening and big rock formations shot out of the ground surrounding the lake in the distance. Hey we just saw how the mountains formed around Sandy Lake, said Alexa. Yes I believe you are correct, said Merlin. The screen went dark for a moment then it showed elves moving around very fast with very bright flashes of white light passing past the screen followed by what looked like humans and elves cutting the tall grass with sickles and using shovels to remove bushes. Next wagon loads of wood and stones were seen coming into view and being unloaded then leaving and coming back again. Then the screen went off again and the middle orb stopped glowing. Wow were they building the palace? asked Alexa. Sure looked like it, said Merlin. Ya and I am pretty sure one of those elves looked like Ginger, a very young looking Ginger but there is no mistaking her face and red hair and she wasn't working just pointing everywhere. Merlin giggled. Looks like she was in charge way back then too, said Merlin. Ya and what were those bright flashes going past the screen really fast earlier. Probably sprites when they were energy balls. The book did mention them along with the elves, said Merlin. Wow this is amazing, said Alexa. Okay there is one more orb that is only glowing slightly, said Merlin. It seems that we are seeing things in very fast motion. Thousands of years have past in just the short time we have been watching. There is probably a way of slowing it down but that is not what we are in here for. Why not, I like watching all the moving pictures, it is really cool, said Apollonia. Yes it is but first we need to save the palace, said Merlin. Now Alexa, activate the last orb and let's finish the job. 19 illustration goes here Apollonia moved out of the way and let Alexa move beside the last orb. She put her hand on it and the screen lit up again. There was a lot of commotion going on with elves running around with bow and arrows, Then the screen went dark showing a big crowd of people, mostly elves holding up candles looking very sad. Then a closed casket was seen being carried across the screen. Oh my God, this must be when the first queen of Fae Land died, said Alexa. Yes and the scenes are moving much slower now, said Merlin. Yep, there is Ginger again crying, said Alexa. Then the screen changed showing lots of people standing looking towards the palace then suddenly they all put up their arms and began cheering. I bet that was when Alieta was crowned queen. She told me that story, said Alexa. Then the screen showed many people all dancing and eating having a great time. Hey there I am dancing with Diego, That was the harvest festival, said Alexa. Then the screen flickered a bit and went blank for a few moments. It came back on again but this time it was very close to the present. There is Ivy after we trapped her, telling Gabriel her sad story that made us all cry. The screen changed one more time showing Apollonia being talked to by Gabriel and Cindy then the screen vanished and the entire room went dark also. Merlin lit up the room with a ball of fire on his hand. Looks like we did it, said Merlin, now for the final test. Rub your ring Alexa and turn off the translucent magic. Alexa rubbed her ring. How do you feel? asked Merlin. Just fine, said Alexa. Merlin went to the orbs and touched each one and found they no longer activated the screen and were quite cool now. Okay that is it, we did it, said Merlin. The orbs are empty and there is no longer a threat of an explosion. Yea! yelled Apollonia. Wait, that means no more moving picture shows to watch. Boo... Alexa laughed. You are a nut Apollonia. You can go see Ivy and the twins now. Oh ya, Yea! Apollonia yelled again then she vanished. That has to be the most unusual angel I have ever seen, said Merlin. Yep but she is our angel, said Alexa. Okay let's get out of here and tell Alieta the good news, said Merlin. He took Alexa's hand and teleported out of the secret room. 20 illustration goes here Chapter 5 Conclusion When they appeared outside of the palace everyone was standing there waiting to hear what happened. So is the power level okay now? asked Alieta. Yes, we drained and reset the three orbs that were causing the problem, said Merlin. So how did you fix it? asked Alieta. Well we just finished watching the entire history of Fae Land from when it was just a desert to almost present time, said Alexa. It was fascinating to say the least. It showed how the land was shaped and sprites as energy balls plus elves showing up. We saw Ginger too instructing people with the building of the palace too, at least I am pretty sure it was Ginger. Aliata turned to Ginger. Were you involved way back then before the palace was built? asked Alieta. Maybe, said Ginger. What do you mean maybe? were you or not? asked Alieta. Okay I was but I prefer not to tell people that so they don't know how old I really am. They might think I am am too old to be in charge of the palace and everything else I do, said Ginger. So you designed and was incharge of the construction of this palace then, said Alieta. Yep, but I had to because no one had ever built a building so big before, said Ginger. The biggest thing that was built back then was a barn. How did you know how to build it then? asked Alieta. I didn't, I just winged it as we went along, said Ginger. Turned out pretty good though don't you think. Good it is amazing, said Alieta. You and me have some things to talk about now, said Alieta. Well we even saw all the people voting you as the the new queen, said Alexa. And you throwing the harvest festival plus Gabriel talking to Ivy after we captured her and even Apollonia for a moment with Gabriel and Cindy. That is where it stopped. I see, speaking of Apollonia, where is she? asked Alieta. She went to Ivy's place seeing there were no more moving pictures to watch, said Alexa. Yes a very unusual angel that Apollonia is, said Merlin. So that time line device has been reset and will start recording again so best you go down there and check on it from time to time. So it is safe for everyone to go back into the palace then, said Alieta. Yes very safe, said Merlin. I must go now and I am glad I could help. Then Merlin vanished. 21 illustration goes here So what do you think Kenzie, should we go for another flight around the continent? asked Tezz. Nah, lets hang out here until tomorrow, said Kenzie. Maybe Alieta will let us sleep in the palace tonight, said Kenzie. But angels don't sleep, said Jazmen. That doesn't mean we can't lay down, close our eyes and dream, said Kenzie. So what do we do now seeing Apollonia decided to take off on us again? asked Candice. Why don't you five go to Sandy Lake, said Alieta. It is just on the other side of those mountains. The water is always at a perfect temperature and there is a beach there were you can relax also. Okay we can do that, said Kenzie. Not much happening here anymore anyways. Okay girl let's head out and leave these people to get back to whatever they do here. Then they all flew off towards Sandy Lake. I need to get back home too but my horse is at home still, said Alexa. Just borrow one from the stable, said Alieta. It will come back here when you get home, said Ginger. Okay thanks, said Alexa and headed towards the stable. Now Ginger you are coming with me to the dining room. I want to hear more about some of the things you have done around here that I don't know about. What kind of things? asked Ginger. Things like when you first got here and what was going on before I came to Fae Land, said Alieta. Okay but I am really not that interesting, said Ginger. I will be the judge of that, said Alieta. 22 illustration goes here They both went in the palace to the dining room then sat down. Okay so what do you want to know? asked Ginger. Like I said I have not done anything that exciting. Not exciting maybe to you but maybe to me and very interesting, said Alieta. So first Alexa saw you here before the palace was built, when did you first come to Fae Land or were you born here? I wasn't born here and it wasn't Fae Land when we first got here, said Ginger. I was born and raised in a big forest south west of here. I had some friends that I grew up with and when we came of age we decided to find a better place to live because that forest was full of wild animals and had no pixies in it either. We did meet Pippa and another pixie soon after we started heading out west to the great ocean. Pippa! You knew Pippa also before she reached here too. Yep plus a very cool fairy that was very nice to us all, said Ginger. A fairy, there is not such thing as fairies? said Alieta. Well she sure looked and acted like a fairy and made food for us and kept our water bottles full. Pippa told us that we were going the wrong way and needed to go north where her pixie friends lived. The woods there had no wild animals except for squirrels and rabbit, stuff like that. So we traveled north for a few days and readed the woods Pippa told us about. Not sure what happened to the fairy though. She must of gone back to fairy land or where ever she came from. How many elves came here with you? asked Alieta. Just six of us came here, said Ginger. Are they still here like you? asked Alieta. Yep, you know them, said Ginger. They all work in the palace. There is Sally, Penny, Candy, Carling and Faylinn. Sally the cook here and Penny that takes care of the rooms? asked Alieta. Yep, Carling is in charge of the stable seeing she is the best with horses, she caught and trained the ones we used back then to get around. Candy does her own thing but comes to the palace lots to work with the seamstresses and Faylinn is the librarian. She just loves to read and has a very organized mind. So you six started to build Fae Land then, said Alieta. No, how could six elves build houses that they never seen before. Okay so how did things get started. Well if you really want to know, humans helped us, just by accident we were exploring and saw smoke in the sky north from us so we rode as fast as we could to see what was burning and that is when we first met and seen humans in a very huge forest they called Cumberland. Some trees caught on fire and we helped cut down the trees round them so it wouldn't spread. That was my idea by the way. There were a bunch of elves living there also but they were in houses. I asked if they could teach us how to make our own houses but instead they said they would show us and that is when people started coming to this new land. Scarlet was a lot of help and showed me tons of stuff about how to govern a land but that wasn't for me. Okay so hold it right there, said Alieta. Are you talking about Scarlet the first queen of Fae Land. Well she was no queen, more like the mayor. She really liked it here and everyone liked her so I wanted her to stay so I got everyone to begin building this palace for her. It wasn't supposed to be this big at first but I just kept adding areas to it until eventually what was first supposed to be a small town hall turned into a big palace. So you helped Scarlet govern Fae Land also? asked Alieta. Ya sort of, lots of people were moving here and she was really good at making trade with other lands, she kind of drafted me into helping out. She was good at making money through trade and being nice to everyone but she was no ruler like you. She was a human woman with a talent but you I saw a leader and a real queen in you when I first saw how you commanded your winged army. No one even questioned one word you said. That Alieta is power and love working together. Alieta smiled. Your just saying that because we are best friends, said Alieta. Nope, I said it because it was true and it still is true, said Ginger. Well that is enough of the history lesson for now. Good because I have to get that door put back on that tunnel. Why didn't Apollonia just open it and not rip it right off the hinges. It wasn't locked or anything. Well by the looks of things she is going to be around here a lot so expect the unexpected with her. Gabriel already handed her over to my care. So now we have a super powerful angel in Fae Land. What next? asked Ginger. Time will tell, time will tell, said Alieta with a smile. The End 23 illustration goes here