https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh Made with Magic en-us 2021-02-05 16:12:13 UTC 2021-11-18 20:28:28 UTC hello@padlet.com https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1485824119360-27e61739eac7?ixid=MXw3ODI2fDB8MXxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8RGlzbmV5JTIwRXBjb3R8ZW58MHx8fA&ixlib=rb-1.2.1 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1168968630 Chapter 1
The Tree of Flames
James Henry daydreamed in his Science class. His teacher, Mrs. Foster, was talking in a way that James couldn't understand. Daydreaming had been a new habit of his, ever since he was there. It was a place of wonder, magic, and even happiness. Ever since James' father disappeared, he had been depressed. He thought back to the moment he discovered it, the Flaming Forest.

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                                                      6 Weeks Earlier...

James was playing soccer with his best friends. His friend Eli had the ball. The goalkeeper, Sam, went out to kick the ball. Unfortunately, Sam's plan backfired, Eli, kicked the ball to James, James scored! Sam was super mad. He kicked the ball with anger. The ball flew into the woods.
"I'll get it!" James called. He always went in the woods behind his house. He ran to look for the ball. CRASH!!! He ran in the direction of the sound. James found the ball in a thicket of thorns and leaves. He reached down to grab the ball. Right when he was about to touch it, he thought he heard a voice.
"Is someone there?" the voice yelled. He thought he was hallucinating.
"Come out of the shadows!" He heard the voice again. James was terrified.
"Don't hurt me!" James yelled.
"Calm down," the voice said. "I am peaceful."
James felt that he was about to faint. "Uh, who are you?" James asked the voice.
"My name is Flame," the voice answered. A huge lion stepped out of the shadows.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" James screamed. The lion was standing over James.
"It is okay," Flame said.
"I have been here plenty of times," James replied. " But I have never seen a lion in this forest. I have seen squirrels, birds, mice, snakes, and deer. I haven't seen a lion, I also haven't been this deep in the forest." James could tell that Flame was a loyal, kind, and brave lion. James still didn't fully trust him.
"Follow me," the lion said. James and Flame traveled through the forest, but little did James know that this would be a journey of a lifetime.

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"James? James? It is time to come back and start playing!" Sam yelled.
"Where do you think he is?" Eli asked.
"Is he dead?" John asked. John always asked random questions. There was a flash of lightning. Sam, Eli, John, David, and Ben's world went black.

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James and Flame came across a tree with a deep door in the middle. He pointed me toward the opening in the tree.
"I'm sure you'll be pleased. It's surprisingly large on the inside." Flame told James. In the tree, it was a black space with nothing in sight. A flame sparked in the middle of the room. The flames sparked other flames, soon the whole room was covered in sparks. Flame roared, and the sparks formed a square in the middle of the room. It was something like a portal!
"Wow," James said to himself. "What does it lead to?"
"You will have to find out," Flame replied. Flames ran through the portal. James hesitated before going in. The two were off to the Flaming Forest.]]> 2021-02-05 16:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1168968630 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1188480941 Chapter 2
The Boulder of Lightning
"That is it," he said. A man stood in front of a huge boulder. A huge crack was in the middle of the rock.
"Rook, do you think that it will work?" the man said.
"I do," a voice said. "Rook, Scriber, get out of the way, I, Viper, will inspect it." Viper looked horrifying. He had slits for his eyes. He was pale as snow. He had long black hair. He was the replica of a villain. His eyes were bloodred, with midnight-colored pupils, and thin small eyebrows. He looked at the rock, and then he smiled. "It will work, it is perfect." Viper said. He tapped the rock three times, and a huge bolt of lightning flashed into the sky. He had done it; he had transported lightning to the Second World.

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                                                         1 hour later...

Kate Henry was cooking chocolate chip cookies for her husband Josh, and her son James, and his friends. She hadn't heard much commotion outside where James was playing soccer, so she assumed the boys were in the basement. She looked out the window, there was a terrible storm outside. Lightning and thunder could be seen and heard in all directions. She was worried the kids were still outside.
"Josh," she yelled. "Can you check on the boys in the basement?"
"Sure," Josh replied. Josh walked down the stairs to the basement. "Boys? Are you there?" There was no answer. "The cookies are ready," Josh called. There was still no answer. Where were they? Had they disappeared? Were they DEAD? He couldn't find them anywhere! He walked up the stairs to tell Kate. "They aren't down there," Josh said to Kate.
"Oh no," Kate said worriedly. "Should we call the police? I am scared." Kate was about to cry. "Let's call the other boys parents, or should we look outside?"
"I'll go look outside," Josh replied. He walked out in the rain and looked everywhere. "James? Sam? Eli? Anyone?" Josh said frantically. He was looking super hard.
"Hello?" a voice yelled. " I am kind, don't worry!"
Josh recognized the voice, "Fred? Is that you?"
"Josh, yes it is me!" Fredrick Smith called back smiling.
"FRED! I missed you so much! Where were you?" Josh asked. He knew that his best friend Fred has been gone for some time. Josh really wanted to know where he was.
"Oh, that, I was in Ontario, uh, Canada," Fred replied. Josh was one of Fred's best friends.
"Have you seen James or any of his friends?" Josh asked. He was still worried about James.
"Unfortunately, I haven't," Fred replied.
Josh's mind fogged up. Where were they?

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Viper touched the rock, he felt young boys screaming. "Our victims are five young boys. They should be arriving here soon." Viper had a plan. He would capture young children from the Second World, and attract more children until he got a kid capable of finding the thing he wanted. He needed to find the thing he had been looking for his whole life, The Lost Medalion of the Flaming Forest. It could give him enough power to rule the Second World and the Nature Realm. He needed the objects to open the Temple of Fire. It would be much easier to collect the items with help from young humans. He knew what he needed to do. Viper would turn the kids into snakes.]]> 2021-02-10 16:59:38 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1188480941 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1215147271 Chapter 3
The Nature Realm
Frost was everywhere. Snow blanketed the ground. There was a silent snowfall. A big flash lit up the woods. A square of light hovered in mid-air. Two figures stepped out of the light. One was big and majestic, and one was short and brave.
"Where are we?" The short figure asked.
"We are in the Winter Woods, James." The big one said.
"How far is the Flaming Forest from here?" James asked. "Flame, have you been in here before?"
"Yes, I have," Flame said. "The Winter Woods is one of the six parts of the Nature Realms. There are The Winter Woods,  The Flaming Forest, The Water Kingdom, The Stone Hills, The Lightning Caverns, and the Cloud Meadows. Each kingdom has an object that powers its kingdom. Sadly, the only people who knew where the objects were are the old kings and queens that passed away. Here is a map of the Nature Realm." Flame handed James a map. It was very detailed. In the middle of the map was the Cloud Meadows. To the north of the Meadows was the Winter Woods. The Lightning Caverns were to the west of the Cloud Meadows. The Lightning Caverns took up most of the west side of the map. The Stone Hills were like huge mountains in the northern part of the Lightning Caverns and the Winter Woods. Finally, the Flaming Forest was southeast of the Cloud Meadows. In each kingdom, there was a structure that resembled a palace or castle. The Cloud Meadows had a fluffy castle right in the middle of it. The Flaming Forest had a castle covered in flames from top to bottom. The Winter Woods had a frost-covered palace with a giant snowflake courtyard. The Stone Hills had one big mountain that was covered in boulders. The Water Kingdom had a liquified castle that looked transparent. Finally, the Lightning Caverns had a cave that was covered in sparkly gemstones. "The kingdoms have had conflicts and a so-called war has somewhat broken out. Each kingdom has a barrier that surrounds the kingdom. Since this map is very old, it does not reflect what the kingdoms are now." Flame explained. "In each kingdom, you have to show that you mean no harm to the kingdom you are entering. If you look harmful, you may not pass."
"That is really strict ruling!" James commented. They walked for a while until they came across a wall of ice.
"Are you good at riddles?" Flame asked James.
"Uh, not really," James told him. There was a guard with an ice sword.
"Are you ready for a riddle?" The guard asked. "If you answer incorrectly you will be trapped in an ice cave, filled with freezing water. If you answer correctly you will be able to pass."
"I am ready," James told the guard.
"Alright," the guard started. "If you look you cannot see me. And if you see me you cannot see anything else. I can make anything you want to happen, but later everything goes back to normal. I have no limits. What am I?"
"Ok," James said. "You cannot see a dream when you look, but that can't make anything happen. It could be uh, this is going to sound weird, but a mirage? No that doesn't make sense."
"Let's work together, James." Flame requested.
"Ok," James replied. James had a worried look on his face. He thought hard for a long time, he had no idea what the answer to the riddle was. Then he had an idea, Mrs. Foster had a poster in her classroom that James sat under, but what did it say? James thought really hard. He remembered, imagination! When you look you cannot see it. When you see it you see nothing else. Mrs. Foster's sign said, 'imagination has no limits.' It had to be the answer!
"I know what the answer is, imagination" James answered triumphantly.
"Correct," the guard said. "You may pass."
James was so relieved. The two entered the Cloud Meadows.]]> 2021-02-18 13:30:14 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1215147271 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1228694536 Chapter 4
Questions
It was a long walk to the Cloud Meadows. James soon became tired. The day was almost over.
"Can I ask you something?" James asked.
"Sure," Flame replied. "What is it?"
"What are we trying to do in the Nature Realm?" James asked.
"Well," Flame started. "I got you to come here for help. The Lightning Caverns are being led by a person that is trying to change the Cavens to be the central powers of the Nature Realm. They put the barriers up around the kingdoms to protect the kingdoms safe. The Lightning Caverns is trying to take over the whole world. We need you to help us. I don't know why, but my parents, rulers of the Flaming Forest, told me to find help. So, I found you."
"Why did I come with you here?" James wondered. 
"I don't know," Flame replied.
"I felt like I needed to follow you, but I don't know why I felt that way," James told Flame.
"Maybe this world needed you?" Flame told him. It was getting late, it was time to go to bed. The moon rose high in the sky. They settled under a huge tree.
"Good night James," Flame said.
"Good night Flame," James replied.

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Josh Henry awoke in the middle of the night. His wife Kate was muttering in the dimly light bathroom. She was crying. Josh knew the reason she was so sad, their son, James had gone missing along with five other kids. She and Josh felt sad that they had let James go missing but even sadder that she let the other kids disappear. She felt like the world was a prison.
"Are you okay?" Josh asked.
"Yes," Kate sadly replied. "I am worried about James and his friends. What if they died? That would be horrible."
"I know," Josh said. "I will get Fred to help me look for them tomorrow. Don't worry Kate. We'll find them."
"I believe in you," Kate told Josh.

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Sam, Eli, John, David, and Ben were playing tag while James went to go get the soccer ball. The sky turned black. Flashes of lightning crashed down to the Earth. Sam, Eli, John, David, and Ben fainted. James screamed. What was happening? James flew into the sky. There was a flash of light. Something yelled. A figure that looked like a snake moved close to James. A body fell down a balcony. The body was dead. James' dad walked toward him. He was crying.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" James yelled.

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The frigid air drifted over James' face. James awoke with a start. He was face to face with a fire! Looking closer James discovered it was only Flame. How could Flame do that? Was this world magical? 
"Flame," James said. "Do you know what time it is?"
Flame awoke from his sleep. "I don't know, but get back to sleep." Flame told James.
"I just had the weirdest dream," James said. "It was about my friends, then my dad, and a weird snake thing. I saw a dead body. It was so scary."
"That is strange," Flame replied. "Did you recognize anything?"
"I didn't," James answered. "Most of it was flashes and short pieces of action."
"Let's get back to sleep." Flame suggested.
"I agree," James told him.

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Something stirred in the darkness. What was it? James had just gotten back to sleep, or at least he thought he had. 
"Flame?" James called into the darkness. "Flame?" There was no answer. There was no fire either. Where was Flame? The moon was James' only source of light. Should James go into the woods, or would Flame come back. Surely he would, James thought. A loud howling noise echoed through the woods. Was it close? James saw a shadow and started to run as fast as he could in the opposite direction. Away from the tree where they had slept that night. A noise was following him. The thing was chasing him.]]> 2021-02-22 20:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1228694536 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1290608918 Chapter 5
The Jungle
A young boy in a South African village stared out into the distance. The sun was setting along the horizon. Another day passed. Amari Naka had work to do. His brother, Jafari, was in desperate need of water. A month had passed since Amari's father was sent to the South African Army base to work as a doctor to help injured soldiers. Their mother, Zulu, was working full time at the South Rand hospital in South Africa. Both of his parents were full-time doctors. Jafari and Amari had needed water for two weeks now. The little water that they had was split among them each day. Amari would get 1/4 of the water and Jafari would get 3/4 of the water each day. Jafari was Amari's only relative that lived with him. He needed to have him at all times.

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Early the next day Amari awoke to Jafari shaking his back. 
"What is it?" Amari said tiredly.
"There is no water," Jafari answered. Jafari looked sick, really sick.
"I'll go down to the stream and get some," Amari told him. "Stay here, and don't go outside. Okay?"
"Okay," Jafari answered.
Amari walked out the door and locked it. The stream was only about half a mile away if he took the dirt road. He would be back in no time to Jafari. From the house, he took a huge clay basin. It was so heavy. It could store plenty of water for the next three weeks. What was the date? Amari looked at a calendar on the village news board. Today was Friday, June 26. His mom would be home for a week! This made Amari more desperate for water. He could give some to Jafari and also surprise his mom with the water. Today was going great! Amari was about to reach the dirt road. Caution tape and a huge sign stood in the street. the sign said:

                                                           WARNING
                                                        ROAD CLOSED

NO! Amari couldn't go the short way. He would have to go through the Jungle. The Jungle was filled with creatures, birds, and humans waiting to attack. It was a dangerous place to go. The only way to get water was to go through the Jungle. Amari knew without water Jafari would die. He wouldn't get home in time to surprise his mom with the water. He had to do it though. It was a two-mile trek to get from the village to the Jungle and back.  It would take about three hours, so Amari had to go right now. He started to walk into the jungle. He was very afraid. He had to get back to Jafari. He heard birds screeching through the rainforest. He started to run. He tripped over a root. He got up and started running again. Something was chasing him. He ran faster. What was chasing him? He fell into a hole. Amari Naka was left unconscious in the most dangerous jungle in all of South Africa.

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Amari woke up and felt two cold hands run down his neck. He jumped up quickly and then ran in the opposite direction. He couldn't run. A rope was tied around his legs.
"Hello, Amari," a voice said. "I know why you are here. You need water for your family. I can help. My name is Viper. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."
"Uh," Amari started. "I need to go get water."
"Imagine a place where water was always there. This place is called the United States. You can have as much water as you need. You will need to go there and guard a place for me. I will pay for your trip there. There will be an invasion in your village. A huge invasion. You need to evacuate the country with your family."
"Uh, ok," Amari replied. Viper untied the ropes on Amari. Amari ran to the creek to get water. The creek was flowing very fast. It was clean because it was moving very fast. Amari scooped up the water in the creek then held it above his head so it wouldn't spill. It was super heavy. Amari walked carefully not to spill the water. He walked through the jungle. He was almost back in the village. He thought about his talk with Viper, should he listen to him? He decided to go to America with his family. Would his dad be able to come too? His mom? He would ask his mom to contact his dad and Amari could tell both of them at the same time. He hoped they would listen. He walked up to his house. He saw his mom out in the garden! She was home! 
"Amari!" Zulu said. 
"You are back!" Amari yelled.
"There is another surprise inside," Zulu told Amari. Amari ran inside excitedly. He placed the water on the counter. 
"Surprise Amari!" A voice called into the house.
"Look who it is Amari," Jafari told Amari. Amari turned around to see the surprise. He saw a miracle. He was here!]]> 2021-03-10 01:13:07 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1290608918 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1298084558 Chapter 6
The Wolf and The Cloud
James ran through the forest. The thing was still chasing him. He gained speed. There was a huge rock in James' way. The thing jumped up onto the rock. It was a wolf.
"I know you are scared of me," the wolf assumed.
"No I am not," James replied. "I have a friend that is a lion."
"I can talk." The wolf said.
"I know," James told the wolf. "My lion friend talks too."
He looked at me and growled, "A talking wolf is the least of your concerns." The wolf jumped at James. Flame jumped out and tackled the wolf. They were in a fight. The wolf slashed at Flame. Flame knocked the wolf into a hole that was so deep that the wolf couldn't get out.
"My name is Frigid," the wolf said.
"You won't get out of this hole, Frigid." Flame called into the hole. James and Flame walked out of the woods. James was surprised that Flame knew where to find James. Where had he been in the night?
"Where were you last night when I woke up?" James asked him.
"I was..." Flame started, "nowhere."
"What do you mean nowhere?" James asked frustratedly. 
"It is nothing you need to know about." Flame told James.
"Why can't I know?"
"You are too young."
"So are you!"
"I had to go to my house."
"You are lying!" James accused.
"No, I am not! Flame said angrily.
"Yes, you are!"
"No, I am NOT!" Flame yelled as loud as he could. Flame roared so loud it could be heard across the Cloud Kingdom. Flame turned into a fireball. He was moving toward James.
James heard a noise in the distance. People were coming. James retreated slowly from Flame. What was Flame doing to him? The people showed up. They were soldiers! From the Cloud Kingdom.
"Stop where you are!" A soldier yelled at Flame and James. James was terrified. He had never seen Flame like this. The soldier carried James to a truck.
"Let me out!" James yelled.
"We'll see about that young man," the soldier said sternly.]]> 2021-03-11 14:09:44 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1298084558 blairca526 https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1548094052 Chapter 7
The Cloud Kingdom
James awoke in a dark cell.
"Where am I?" James asked loudly into the dark.
"Come with me," a tall man told James. James and the man walked down a dark, humid, corridor. James ran out into the light. The scene was life-changing, there was a huge castle in the middle of the sky. The castle was made of the fluffiest clouds James had ever seen. He was in the incredible place he had ever seen in his whole life. James was super worried about Flame. He had never felt this alone in his life. James was taken to a big white courtroom. ]]> 2021-05-21 15:23:02 UTC https://padlet.com/blairca526/ml51tqnt250x22fh/wish/1548094052