Molly spungle : The Secret of Red Stone

Molly knew it was now up to her alone to find and somehow rescue her friends who had been in terrible danger when she left. There was just no one else who could help. She hoped with all her heart that Ran-Da was safe and would somehow find his way back.

Making her way closer to the hill, the Spungle fairy carefully surveyed the area. She did not want to be surprised by Jar-Ed and his men. Molly pulled a thick branch away from the hill, gasping from the pungent aroma which sprang from the leaves the moment she touched them.

Immediately she began to feel drowsy, falling to her knees. Eyelids closing, Molly fought in vain against the blackness that threatened to engulf her. She sprawled on the ground, unable to move. Sometime later she awoke to find her arms and legs numb and immovable. Her mind as frozen as her body, the young fairy could not think what to do next. Through a haze she heard a voice.

“Well, well! Look who’s here! I thought you would return, my dear. We have been waiting for you.” There was no mistaking the cold cruel voice that belonged to Jar-Ed.

“Oh no,” whispered Molly. She knew her biggest fear had come true as the dreaded Jar-Ed knelt beside her. Grabbing her roughly, he turned her over, peering into her frightened face.

“Oh yes!” he snarled, his lips twisting into a nasty grin. “Oh yes, dear Molly. It’s me!”

“My friends!” she gasped. “What have you done with them?”

“Don’t worry, my little Spungle,” answered the wicked sorcerer. “They are still alive, although a little under the weather at the moment. Just as you are I see. What luck! Those leaves have certainly come in handy.”

He leaned over her, and Molly tried in vain to move away, only able to turn her head. There was nothing she could do but try to control the feeling of terror that filled her from the moment she heard his voice. How she was ever going to escape, she could not imagine. Fear paralyzed her mind. Suddenly her sensitive ears heard a creaking noise in the distance. Jar-Ed took hold of her, dragging her toward it.

“You shall join your friends and see for yourself,” he said, pulling her through the entrance to the cave, its iron door wide open. When he finally let go of her, she saw her friends lying on the floor of the cave. They appeared to be asleep.

“What’s wrong with them?” she cried out, her voice hoarse with fear.

“Nothing yet,” smirked the sorcerer, his long black cloak emphasizing the paleness of his face. He was holding a bunch of the purple leaves in his gloved hands. “As I said, you can join them.”

Molly cringed inside as he approached and wrapped the leaves around her unmoving hands. She felt the effects immediately as the weight of a heavy darkness settled upon her. With her eyes now closed, Molly felt herself slipping into a deep, dark sleep.