4 Chapter 4

4 "Azmina, pluck the apple from my branch," said the Tree Queen. Azmina did as she was told. At

the top of the apple was a single leaf. "Twist the leaf," the Tree Queen instructed. It was tricky to do this with claws, but Azmina managed it in the end. Instantly, the apple opened into two perfect halves. The inside was hollow and shiny like a golden bowl. "There is an ancient potion that will stop the Shadow Sprites from stealing the sunshine," explained the Tree Queen. "As you collect the ingredients, place them into this magic apple. But take heed, Dragon Girls! The ingredients are powerful, and very difficult to find." "Umm, has anyone noticed that it's getting darker and colder?" said Naomi suddenly. "You're right!" said Azmina, looking around. The sky was definitely grayer. "Is night falling already?" "No. It's the work of the Shadow Sprites. Look at the apple," said the Tree Queen.

Azmina joined the two halves of the apple and an image reappeared. This time it was of the Magic Forest's golden sun. But something was wrong! A sliver of the sun was not shining. "That can't be good," muttered Naomi. "Unfortunately, you're correct," said the Tree Queen. "If you don't find the ingredients for the potion in time, I am afraid the sun may never shine again."

The Dragon Girls stared at her in horror. "We won't let that happen!" said Azmina fiercely. She'd only just discovered the Magic Forest. There was no way she was going to let it be taken away from her so soon! "You'll have to be careful," warned the Tree Queen. "The Shadow Sprites are tricky. They will do anything they can to stop you." Just then, Azmina thought she saw something move on the other side of the force field. Was it a shape, slipping through the trees? But when she looked again, there was nothing there. A breeze had started to blow in the forest. Trees brushed against the force field like branches on a window. "There is not a moment to lose, Dragon Girls!" urged the Tree Queen. "The sooner you get the ingredients, the sooner the potion can be made." The queen's leaves rustled and Azmina saw something lift, whirl through the air, and land at her feet. Azmina bent to pick it up. It was a kind

of bag, made of a strange material that felt both soft and sturdy. "This is for you to carry the apple in, Azmina," explained the Tree Queen. Willa and Naomi helped her strap the bag over one shoulder and around her body. The bag sat flat against her chest, blending in perfectly with the golden tones of her glittery skin. And when she put the apple in, it barely made a bulge. Clearly, this was a very special bag! Azmina flapped her wings, sending glitter dancing through the air. She couldn't wait to head off. Sure, it was a bit scary, especially with the Shadow Sprites lurking around. But it was exciting, too. "What are the ingredients?" Azmina asked eagerly. "You need to collect three things, so listen closely," replied the Tree Queen. The Dragon Girls leaned in to better hear the Tree Queen's whispery voice. "First, you need golden sunflower

seeds from the Secret Valley. You must grind them into a powder." Azmina nodded. Sunflower seeds didn't sound difficult to collect. This potion would be a cinch! "The second ingredient is honey from the glow bees of Orb City," continued the queen. Azmina felt a little less confident about this ingredient. Glow bees? Orb City? She had no idea what those things even meant! But she figured Willa and Naomi would know. Outside the glade, the breeze had turned into a strong wind. "The final and most difficult ingredient," said the Tree Queen above the noise of the wind, "is a —" But the wind whipped against the glade's force field, drowning out the rest of the queen's sentence. Azmina thought she heard the word spark but she wasn't completely sure. "Excuse me, did you say …"