Chapter 4: The Un-Poxing

 As the castle began to appear in the clouds ahead, Captain Von-Squidlips noticed that it was looking a little too colorful. The pox and spots speckled everything in sight. It seemed the polka pox had spread to the outer reaches of the island. Fearful of what may lie ahead the team scurried up the long windy stairs to reach the inner courts and deliver the cure to Moxy Muddlefoot. 

Entering into the castle chamber, they noticed the gardens had grown into something unrecognizable. The leaves that once showed brilliant greens and blues were now just a medley of  splotchy poxy pigments. Upon closer examination, Beignet noticed that the flowers appeared to have transformed as well!  Little teeth seemed to be protruding from the center of the peculiar plants. As Beignet leaned in for a closer look, he was taken aback when a one such blossom opened its mouth snapped at his snoot, just missing it by a hair.  

Wide eyed, the friends looked around in horror. What has happened in Cobbleweb Castle?

Desperately searching for Moxy, they found her huddled in a corner just out of reach of those snippy snappy plants.  She was as bewildered as they were as to what caused this curse to commandeer her castle.

The captain excitedly pulled out the bottle of green goo, and explained that it should cure the polka pox, and hopefully return all of her beloved garden creatures back to their original happy (and un-snappy) form.

Moxy grabbed the goo and rushed to the fountain that provided water for gardens. They watched as the muddled waters transformed into crystal clear perfection as the goo spread throughout streams that flowed through the castle. As they watched, mesmerized by the scene, the plants began to uncurl, unfurl and unwind their crooked stalks and stems. The teeth seemed to shrink right before their eyes, until the garden was once more glistening with glorious grandeur.

Moxy gazed around in wonder. Not a smudge, blot, speck or pox was spotted within site. Finally, with a deep sign of relief, Moxy could return to work, inventing her cute and curious commodities. The travelers bid her adieu and began their trek home. Now Beignet could give the Polka Pox potion to the cloud dragons who have been desperately waiting for this remedy.

As they began their decent down the long windy stairs, the captain heard an odd noise in the rocks beside him. Carefully moving the stones he found a little plant, complete with a little toothy bloom. It looked as if this little sprout didn't transform with the rest of the garden. And this one showed no sign of the pox! Its foliage was full of colorful complexion. What happened to this little fellow to keep him snippy yet healthy and green? 

Remembering an old fable that Beignet heard as a pup, he thought he may have an idea of where this little one came from. It was said that deep down in the center of Grubliewood there is a place full of overgrown and monstrous creatures. If dragon were to fall from the heights of Cloud Dragon Isle, they would plummet into a vortex far below that would swirl them into this terrifying place. With no hope of escape, the dragons would be doomed to live their days in the ghastly gardens that grew below. All dragons were told these fables as little pups, and Beignet never thought these stories could be true. 

Looking down at the un-speckled sprout before them, he realized that the legends were true. This guy must have somehow slipped away from its home. 

Beignet and the captain shared a look. They new they must find a way to return small shoot safely.

Taking a deep breath, they carefully scooped up the little plant and made their way back to the Sand Flea Shanty.

It would seem that this adventure wasn't quite over yet.

How would the ever get to the center of Grubliewood, and what will they find when they get there?