Land of Imagination

Land Of Imagination
By Ciaran Pinnell

Having Bill round for a week was excellent news for John and Julie. Usually, the two siblings were either bored all half term or having an argument or fight. But now, their best friend Bill was round to excite them. Bill was usually thinking crazy games or ideas, so there was, basically, never a dull moment around with Bill. So, once he came and knocked on the door of Jack and Julie’s house, they rushed to open it immediately. And, in a matter of minute, the three were rushing about having a big pretend pirate battle. It was Bill and Julie against John and, as you might have guessed, Bill and Julie were winning. John retreated into the living room and the other two followed him. And then Bill hit John’s sword out of his hands, so John was unarmed. So he dived for the sofa and picked up a pillow to hit Bill round the face with…when he spotted a giant hole under the pillow. “This is your destiny. Good luck.” A voice whispered to John, and the three got sucked into the hole…

The three scrabbled around the place, trying to get up, but
Sea-sickness went all overwhelmed them. Eventually they scrabbled up to their feet, and saw they were riding on a pirate ship! The salty sea air tingled on their taste buds.
“Where are we?” John heard Julie shout.
“I don’t know…” Bill replied, serious for one of the first times in his life. “Last time I knew, we were in the lounge…and we were playing a game…and…I can’t remember…” John said. Suddenly, he started feeling sleepy…he glimpsed two figures walking up to him…and he fell asleep.

“He has arrived.” John heard a voice say, the same voice that he heard before he got sucked into the hole. And he saw nothingness around him. It was just whiteness all around.

And John woke up. He was down in a little cabin. In front of him were three people…no wait…two people and a…monkey. “He has awoken.” One of them announced. “My name is Carinus.” He said.
“My name is Zak.” Another one said.
“My name is Lonkie.” The monkey one said.
“Aaah! The monkey can talk! Who are you guys?” John asked.
“We already said! My name is Lon…” Lonkie was saying.
“He doesn’t mean it that way.” Zak interrupted.
“We are sailors, well, really I’m not a sailor, but those two are.” Carinus said, pointing at Zak and Lonkie.
“You are our captain.” Zak said.
“I’m your what!?” John asked disbelievingly.
“It’s true. We were told by a mysterious man once that there was going to be three people who would appear out of nowhere and save us. One of them would be called John, and he will save the Land of Imagination.” Carinus explained.
“The Land of Imagination?” John asked.
“Yes, the place we are in now, the place that allows you to play, and do things at your free will. It is a place that you think up, and every child of the Earth, in your dreams. They can be bad, they can be good, but it is up to you to save it.” Carinus said.
“What?” John asked.
“The Land of Imagination.” Zak replied solemnly.
“There is a threat.” Lonkie said.
“A threat?” John asked again, bewildered.
“It is said once the three heroes are summoned, so will be the dragon, the dragon that no one dares name. This dragon will destroy the whole of Imagination, and children’s hearts. The only way is to…to…to get one of the heroes to stab it in the heart and kill it. One of those heroes is you.” Carinus explained.
“Me…so this is what the voice meant by destiny.” John said.
“Yes, maybe.” Zak said. There was silence until John blurted out: “Julie and Bill!”
“Who?” Lonkie asked.
“Oh, he means by the other three.” Zak said. “They are outside on the deck. They are waiting for you, I think.”
So John got up and walked up on to the deck to join Julie and Bill. They were looking out to sea, wondering how they got into the Land of Imagination, and why. John decided not to tell them, but instead greeted them and looked like he had no idea what was going on. “What were you talking about in there?” Bill asked.
“Oh…nothing.” John said. “But they did say something about me…you, Julie and I becoming the captains of this ship.”
“Wow, really! Cool! Maybe, if we find out where we are, we could sail back home.” Julie said, hope in her voice.
“Yeah, maybe we could.” John just said.
Then Carinus, Zak and Lonkie went onto the deck and Zak asked: “So where we off to, captain?”
“Don’t you mean captains?” Bill asked, and John nodded at Zak to say ‘captains’ “Oh right…captains. Okey dokey” Lonkie said, and Zak asked: “Oh right, where are we of to, captains?”
“We want to get home, don’t we.” Bill said.
“Er…wait a minute: John! I need a talk!” Carinus ordered, and John ran up to Carinus. Carinus whispered:
“I thought you told them about the adventure!”
“I thought you were going to tell them!” John whispered back.
After a discussion, John and Carinus finally told Julie and Bill about their quest. First Bill and Julie were amazed by this but then they both said at the same time: “Cool!” A few minutes later, in the cabin, Zak got out a map. “Right, first we have to sail to this town here.” Carinus said, pointing at a picture of a market on the map. It was a coastal town so they could easily sail there.
“And why do we need to get there?” John asked.
“To get some provisions, durh!” Lonkie blurted out.
“Lonkie! Be nice to the bountiful heroes!” Zak exclaimed.
“Right then!” Julie shouted. “Zak! You drive the boat! Lonkie! Hoist the rigging! Bill, John! Check that everything is secure! Carinus! Check altitudey and longitudey…you know…map stuff! Go! Go! Go!”
“I think she’s good at being a pirate.” Bill whispered to John.

So the boat set sail across the seas, to the town. “Look, do you see that whale, over there?” Lonkie asked Bill.
“No…where?”
“There!”
“I don’t see it!”
“Right over there, it’s easy to spot, it’s blue!”
“Oh that helps, because the rest of the sea is blue!”
“But it’s easy to spot!”
“No it’s not!”
“Stop arguing you two.” John said. He was too worried how he was going to back to his normal planet, where everything was…normal. “But he said there was a whale and…”
“Just be quiet, or I’ll have to…” John was saying, but interrupted.
“Land Ho!” Zak shouted. And there it was, a large island filled with mystery and imagination. “Wow!” John, Julie and Bill said at the same time. The ship stopped at a port. The five people and a monkey jumped off the boat. “Here it is, it’s called Port Tarum. The best place for any traveller to go.” Zak said.
“Of course, there is the village on the other side…” Lonkie said.
“Shut up, Lonkie!” Zak exclaimed. The walked into the town, which was bustling with people and lots of shop sellers.
“Right, you can explore the town, here is some money.” Carinus said, and gave John, Julie and Bill some money.

So the three explored the streets of Tarum, as people bustled and shouted around them. There were so many new sights to see, and the different world was a very new and excitable place for the trio.
“So…this money…the bronze must mean…about 1p…and silver…10p…ah, doesn’t matter, let’s just spend, spend, spend!” John exclaimed, and the three went to different market stalls around town. John bought lots of things and put them in his back pack. Put then everything and everyone around him started fading and he fell onto the floor, suddenly asleep.

When the dark shadowy creatures attacked the town, everyone screamed and tried to run. In the midst of all the chaos, Julie, Bill, Carinus, Zak and Lonkie tried to find John, but soon the creatures started grabbing all the townspeople and made them vanish. The five ducked for shelter, waiting for the creatures to go. “They’re not leaving. I’ll have to distract them while you run out of town. I’m not sure what happened to John, but we’ll find out.” Carinus said. “But Carinus…” Zak said, but Carinus shushed him.
“Go on the count of three, one…two…three! Go!” Carinus ordered, and he ran in front of the creatures and they flew after him. Meanwhile, the other four crept outside of the city then ran, ran like they never ran before.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” John asked. Darkness surrounded him; there was no noise except the sound of his voice. He tried again. “Er…hello! Where am I?” No answer. He walked across the dark path, trying to make out where he was. Suddenly a voice echoed the room: “Ah he’s awake!” A man appeared out of the darkness. He looked like an army man, with a blue hat on his head. He was followed by two other people, one with a pink hat on his head and one with an orange hat on her head.
“I’m Captain Blue; you must be John, right?” Captain Blue asked.
“Yeah…but…but how do you know me?” John asked back.
“Well, orders from the boss. The Shadows were coming, so we had to save you, the legend, by putting you to sleep and capturing you before they came to attack you.” Blue explained.
“Who are the shadows?” John asked.
“Creatures who are attacking this Land by destroying imagination, led by the evil dragon, who no one dares name.”
“I’ve heard about him.” John said.
Blue then said: “Ok, we’d better get you to the boss. Trooper Pink, Trooper Orange, we’re moving out.” And the four went up some stairs into a big war camp, and every single person had a different coloured hat, some with just one colour and some with more than one. “It’s a big war camp! Underground!” John said to himself. They kept travelling through the camp until they got to the main tent – the bosses’ tent. The boss stepped out; he had a red hat on. “Ah, John, I presume.” He said.
“Yes…and you are?” John asked.
“Commander Red of the Shadow Resistance.” Red replied.
“Shadow Resistance, eh? I like the name.” John exclaimed.
Suddenly a soldier came up to them and reported:
“The Shadows! They’re coming!”
“Quickly! Code Red! Shadows are coming! Everyone to their stations!” Red shouted, and then turned to John. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to take this gun and fight!” and gave John a gun.
“Oh…dear…” John said, handling the gun with caution.
Then ran behind cover with some other troopers. He found Captain Blue, Trooper Pink and Trooper Orange next to him. “Good luck, kiddo.” Blue said, and then the Shadows came.

Carinus was running for his life when the Shadows took him by their claws. He screamed and disappeared into thin air, and all the time, Julie, Bill, Zak and Lonkie were watching. But now the Shadows were going after them…

Gun fire spread across the whole campsite. The Resistance were losing men second by second. John couldn’t fight anymore. His arm was too heavy from holding a weapon, and all around him was destruction. He aimed at one of the Shadows and hit it right in the head. “Good one, kiddo!” Blue exclaimed, and then suddenly a Shadow charged into their shelter, grabbed Blue and turned him into dust. “No!” John exclaimed, and fired at the Shadow with all his strength. The Shadow took the hit and fell to the floor. “Retreat!” John heard Red say, before the commander was grabbed by a Shadow and turned into dust. The rest of the Shadow Resistance scattered across the battlefield. “Where are we to go?” John asked Trooper Orange. She replied: “Out, into the open, and…I’m not sure where next.” And they ran, up the many flights of stairs, Shadows grabbing one person after the next. Finally they got out into the open, but only four were left: John, Orange, Pink and a person with a yellow-crème colour, called Trooper Yellow.
“Their worst attack ever!” Pink exclaimed, wiping the sweat of his forehead. “It’s not over yet!” Orange replied, as a Shadow rose from the hole in the ground. It swooped for John, but John shot it right before it was going to catch him. “Phew!” John sighed with relief, and then asked Orange: “Where next?”
“There’s another Resistance base, up north. We’ll try and get there.” Yellow said. Everyone nodded in agreement, but John hesitated for a bit; he was not sure he liked being a soldier…

Julie was running for her life. They had been running for days, here, Bill, Zak and Lonkie. Away from darkness, away from the Shadows. They had taken Carinus, and the four were not sure what became of John. “I…I think we lost them.” Zak said.
“Well that lost a lot of weight!” Lonkie exclaimed.
“But we saw Carinus…taken by that…creature…and turned into…dust!” Julie stuttered over her words. “And how about John? What became of John!?” She asked.
“I don’t know. I think he might have…been taken by those creatures.” Zak replied solemnly.
“But…where do we go?” Bill asked.
“Back to the ship, I suppose.” Zak replied.
“No. We must find out about those creatures.” Julie said firmly.
“Ok, if you really have to know, they are the army of a big Dragon, the dragon no one dares name–” Zak was explaining.
“Who’s he then, Voldermort?” Bill jokily asked, but Zak still replied “Er no…he’s from the series Harry Potter. I’ve met him. Horrible person. Anyway, this dragon, he is trying to take imagination away from children in your world, and then destroy this one. It’s up to you to stop him.”
“Us!?” Julie and Bill exclaimed.
“Yes. And ok, we shall find the dragon, and we’ll stop him, but first…do you think John is still alive? If so, do you wanna find him?”

John stumbled across the rocky hill, ahead of him Trooper Yellow – who elected himself as the leader – and behind him Trooper Orange and Trooper Pink. “How much further?” John asked.
“A lot further!” Yellow replied, and reached the top of the hill.
Suddenly a surprised look came over his face. “What is it?” Orange asked. “I think I’ve spotted some more people!” Yellow replied. Everyone was astounded. They were in the wastelands; the forgotten place. Nobody else ever came to the wastelands. John stumbled up to the top of the hill and gasped. Down at the bottom was Julie, Bill, Zak and Lonkie! He rushed down the hill and greeted them. “Julie! Bill! Zak! Lonkie! I’ve missed you all!”
“Oh John, you’re safe!” Julie exclaimed.
“Eww! Mushy stuff!” Lonkie said, and John laughed.
“Good to see you too, Lonkie.” Orange, Pink and Yellow came up to them. “John…you know these people?” Pink asked.
“Yeah! Oh right, introductions! Julie, Bill, Zak, Lonkie, these people are called: Trooper Orange, Trooper Yellow and Trooper Pink!” When John said the ‘Pink’ bit, the four suddenly burst out laughing. “What?” Pink exclaimed.
“Pink! Ha, ha! What an army name!” Bill laughed.
“What a minute!” John said, realising something.
“What is it?” Zak asked.
“Where’s Carinus?”
“Ah…the Shadows…they attacked the town…and Carinus got caught by one…and…” Julie explained.
“Oh…right…” John said. There was a moment of silence, until Yellow interrupted it and said: “So, John, are you still coming with us…your friends as well?”
“Yes. Ok, guys I’ll explain what’s been happening along the way.”
John replied, and the team of seven set off.

So, along the way, John explained about what happened to him after the last time he saw the others, and Julie, Bill, Zak and Lonkie told their story. Soon they eventually travelled out of the wastelands and into the grassy hills. “We made it!” John exclaimed, and they all celebrated. “There’s a village up ahead. We’ll stay there for the night.” Yellow declared, and they walked on to the village.

The village of Vanrok was definitely smaller than Tarum, but seemed more homely and hospitable. Many people were surprised to see army men marching through the town, so when the travellers stopped at a motel, Orange, Yellow and Pink put down their guns and changed into something more casual. After that, they wondered around town. ‘Much, much quieter than Tarum.’ John thought, as he walked up a rocky path. They were few people around, but they all seemed to have creatures with them. One of them came up to John. “So where’s your pet?” He asked.
“Er…I’m a tourist…so I don’t think I have to have one.” John replied. “Oh? Didn’t you read the rules? Everyone has to have a pet here, even tourists!” He said, in a voice which quite annoyed John. “Look, I’ll show you to the pet shop.” And John followed the man to a big shop, which definitely looked like it was in business.
“Here.” He said, and John entered.

“Ah! More customers!” The shopkeeper said. “What can I do fer ya?” he asked.
“Um…I’d like a pet please.” John replied.
“Ah! Thought so! New to the town are ya? Heh, heh. Well, come round the back.” So John followed the shopkeeper round through a door, and into an amazing world of creatures and animals. They were a few normal animals, like frogs and lizards and stuff, but loads of new, exciting creatures. John wondered around for a bit, amazed at all the wonderful creatures. Suddenly he spotted something that he really liked. It was a cute little half ferret, half lemur creature that was running about in his cage. John made out that it was actually chasing its tale, round and round in circles, until it got dizzy and fell in a heap. John laughed out loud and decided to take it. “I’d like this, please.” John said to the man.
“Ah, a Bush-Tailed Lingling. Ok then. That’ll be five silvers, two bronzes, please.” So John paid and walked out the shop.
“Now what to call you?” John said to the Lingling. The Lingling jumped about in his cage. “Jumpy! Yeah! That’s what I’ll call you! Jumpy!”

At the motel, it turned out everybody now had a pet, except Lonkie and Zak, because Zak said that Lonkie was his pet now. Lonkie wasn’t very happy about that. “John! I got a cute little furry thing! I called it Pinkie!” Pinkie was like a big pink ball of fluff with eyes. “Er…the name…I’m sure I’ve read it in a book somewhere…” John thought, then looked at Bill’s, Orange’s, Pink’s and Yellow’s pets. “This is Bill. I named him after myself, y’see.” Bill explained to John.
“Oh right. Hi Bill!” John exclaimed.
“Hi!” Human Bill said.
“No, not you, pet Bill.”
Pet Bill was as big as a cat, and very furry.
Orange had a very smart looking pet. “Not sure what to call him yet…” Orange said to John.
“Captain Tom?” John suggested, and it put a smile on Orange’s face. “Brilliant idea!”
Pink had a fluffy thing, the same species as Julie’s. “They’re cute. I couldn’t help copying!” Pink confessed.
Yellow had a bird like creature perched on his shoulder. “Hawkeye, I call him. Very strong creatures.” Yellow said, and John nodded. After all the pets had been introduced, everyone decided to call it a day and to go to sleep.

The next day, John woke up to Jumpy squeaking very loudly.
“What is it?” John asked, but Jumpy kept squeaking.
He seemed to be looking out the window. John looked out the window too and saw hundreds of shadows attacking the village!
He shouted too everyone in the hotel: “Get out! Get out of here and out of the village.” Everybody drowsily went out of their rooms, and the manager said: “How rude! You are banned from these premises!” Suddenly a crash came from downstairs, and the manager peered down to see a shadow. He screamed and exclaimed: “There’s a thing! Downstairs!” Yellow, Orange and Pink got out there guns. “We’ll take care of ‘em!” Orange said, and waited for the Shadow to come. One flew up the stairs and the soldiers shot at it. It fell to the ground, dead. Suddenly more came up! Hordes and hordes. “Try and find an exit upstairs!” Yellow said. “Ok, yes I know one. It’s my motel after all and of course if…” The manager was explaining. “Ok, just lead us to it.” Bill said. “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” So the manager led them to a fire exit.
“Ok, all of you get down. I’ll hold the Shadows off.” Yellow said.
“But you won’t make it!” Pink exclaimed.
“Just go!” Yellow ordered. Lonkie was the first to jump out of the fire exit. “Woah! The whole village is deserted!” He exclaimed.
Zak clambered after him. “The Shadows attack again.” He said sadly. The Manager came next, then Julie, then Bill, then John, then Pink and Orange. They waited for Orange to come out, but he didn’t come. Suddenly there was a scream from inside the building. Yellow had been caught. “What now!?” Julie asked.
“We run!” John replied and they ran out of the village, before the Shadows noticed them. “Where now? Yellow’s been caught and I don’t where the other base is, I’m not a really a high rank…and…and…” Pink exclaimed, stumbling over his words.
“It’s ok, Pink. I guess…I’m not sure…the only city left is…” Orange was saying, but suddenly Zak interrupted: “Is the capital, Malangdale, and I think they’re attacking each town, city or village one by one. They’ve take Tarum, they’ve taken Vanrok. All that is left is Malangdale! And they’re going there next!”
“Only three town or cities in this land?” Bill asked.
“So?” Lonkie said.
“Er…don’t worry…”
“We gotta go there, and fast!” John exclaimed.
“Wait a minute…who are you people?” The Manager asked.
“Just come with us, and you’ll be safe.” Julie said.
“Umm…ok then…as long as I’m safe.” The Manager replied, and John then said: “Off we go then!” And they set off, led by Zak, who knew the way off by heart.

They arrived at Malangdale the next day. Though it didn’t look like a normal city. It had barricades, wired netting and soldiers all around it. “Ok…is it normally like this?” Bill asked.
“No…” Zak replied. He was as confused as the rest of them.
“Excuse me, what’s happening here?” John asked a civilian.
“Oh, ‘aven’t you heard? The other town and village ‘ave been taken, we’re the only ones left; the capital city. We need to defend this city, or that’s nearly the whole Land of Imagination’s population gone!” The civilian replied.
“Well, looks like they’re ready to defend the city.” Orange said.
“Yes…but it’s going to be hard for them.” John replied, grimacing.
Suddenly the manager went up to John and the others, grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you. For saving me. I’ve got a present for you lot for protecting me!” And gave each one of them a bag of money. “Oh really, we couldn’t accept these…” John said.
“Yes we could!” Lonkie said quickly. The manager laughed, and said: “Yup, the monkey said it, you keep the money, but don’t spend it all on sweets!” and he hopped merrily down the street.
“Well, at least we made someone happy.” Pink said.
Suddenly there was a roar coming from outside the city.
“It’s them!” Julie said. Jumpy, who was in John’s pocket, started squeaking loudly. Orange and Pink went up to the army men and said something about them helping, and then John, Julie, Bill, Zak and Lonkie lost sight of the two in a crowd of people running to every shelter in the town. “What do we do?” Julie asked John.
“We need to go, out of this city, and to the volcano lands. Maybe if we stop the dragon, we stop the Shadows.” Zak said.
“Ok then. I need to fulfil my destiny. To the volcano lands!” John exclaimed. They ran through the crowds of people and finally out of the city. Suddenly, two of the Shadows spotted them and went after them. “RUN!” John shouted, and they ran. They ran for their life. Through the rocky paths and into some woods, but the Shadows still followed them. One of them dived for Julie, and just missed her and then hit into a tree, but they still had to get rid of the other one. They ran out of the woods and John had enough time to get out his gun from his backpack, and shoot it down. “Phew!” Bill said, “I really need to lose weight!”
“John! You carry a gun with you!?” Zak asked, amazed.
“Er…yes…the Shadow Resistance – where Orange and Pink came from – gave it to me. Don’t worry, I only use it on Shadows.” John replied. “Wow. My brother. Holding a gun.” Julie said.
“Look, its ok, it’s only in emergencies!” John said, annoyed.
“Ok…don’t bring it to near me!” Lonkie said.
John changed the subject hurriedly. “So, where now?” he asked.
“We keep travelling onwards.” Zak replied, and they journeyed on.

A few days later, after travelling through many paths and dangers, the five got up to a cave. “So, where is this?” John asked Zak.
“I…I don’t know…” Zak said.
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I’ve never travelled this far before. No-one has. We only know that the Volcano Lands are up ahead.” Zak said.
“A dark creepy cave that no one has ever entered before. I like that.” Julie said, and wondered into the cave.
“Wait! No don’t go!” Zak warned. But it was too late. She had already gone in. The three (Lonkie decided to stay behind) went after her, and into the cave.
It was empty. No one was there. “Julie?” John shouted. The others started shouting for her too. No answer. Suddenly a scream came from up ahead. The three ran to where it came from, and saw Julie being attacked by a Shadow! “Julie! No!” John shouted. But it was too late. It grabbed her and she disappeared. “NO!” John shouted. The Shadow were after them now. Suddenly, a rock tumbled down on top of its head and it lay on the ground, dead. Lonkie had pushed the rock! “Lonkie! Well done!” Zak shouted, but John was too busy crying. He had just lost his sister. Soon, he got up and wiped the tears of his face.

“What’s through here?” Bill asked, and opened a door. In there, there were loads of chambers high up, filled with what looked like cages, and Shadows flying around the place. “Wow!” Bill said.
“What are in those cages?” John asked.
“I’ll find out, using my super monkey climbing powers!” Lonkie said and clambered up a wall. “Try not to get seen!” Zak warned Lonkie. “Will do!” Lonkie replied, and carried on climbing.
Jumpy was clambering about in John’s pocket, fidgeting and scratching. He did not like the Shadows. But he tried to stay quiet, because even he knew if he made a slight squeak, they would all be in trouble. Lonkie clambered up and up, the roaring of the Shadow’s getting louder and louder. He finally reached a cage, and saw Carinus. Lonkie blinked. Carinus was still there. “Carinus?” Lonkie whispered quietly. Carinus just stared into space, as if he was in some trance. But he was still alive. Lonkie clambered down again and said to the others:
“You’ll never guess who I’ve just seen!” he said.
“Who?”
“Carinus!” Lonkie said triumphantly. John couldn’t believe his ears. “Carinus? But how?” he asked.
“He’s just there, in a cage, in some sort of trance.” Lonkie said.
“I’ve got an idea.” Bill said. “I’ll distract the Shadows, and Lonkie, free them up there. All of them.”
“But…”
“Just do it!” Bill said, “On the count of three…one…two… three…now!” And he ran out, made a taunt to the Shadows, and they swooped after him. Lonkie clambered up the wall quickly and swiftly. “He’s never gonna outrun them!” Zak said, and he got out John’s gun, and shot at the Shadows which confused them. Lonkie get climbing up, until he got to Carinus’ cage, and opened it. Suddenly one of the Shadows disappeared. “Huh? Where am I?” Carinus asked. “Carinus!” Lonkie exclaimed, and hugged him.
“Wait a minute…one of those Shadows disappeared when Lonkie opened that cage…” John said. “Maybe, the people the Shadows consume are what are keeping the Shadows alive…and maybe the Shadows we do kill with a gun or something…don’t die…and just knocked out…but that means…we can save the population by opening those doors! Lonkie! Keep opening those cages!” He shouted, and Lonkie kept opening each cage – including Yellow’s, Red’s and Blue’s – and the Shadows kept disappearing. And Lonkie got to the last cage, and inside was Julie, Lonkie opened it and everyone was saved! All the Shadows, across the Land, disappeared. “Everyone lives!” Zak shouted “Everyone lives.” The people climbed down and John shouted to them: “You are free! Get out of these caves and into sunlight!” And everyone, including Blue and Red, went out of the caves and into the sunlight.
After everyone was out, Julie, Carinus and Yellow went up to John, Bill, Zak and Lonkie. Julie hugged John. “That was sooooo scary!” she said. “It was for me, too.” John replied. Carinus went up to Zak. “Well done, Zak. You travelled here without the aid of me. You are a true leader.” He said.
“Um…I’m gonna go and find my fellow army – I mean…my friends.” Yellow said.
“Quite right too. Goodbye, Yellow.” Zak said.
“And now to the Volcano Lands to defeat that dragon!” John exclaimed. “Ah…John…we have something to tell you…” Carinus said, sadly.

“So my destiny was to die.” John said. Julie shivered, his voice didn’t even raise.
“Yes.” Zak said.
“But…you never told me this, and now you have, it’s too late.” John said sadly.
“I didn’t know what to say – and nor did Zak – to you on our journey.” Carinus replied.
“So, I’m meant to sacrifice myself to save the lives of others.” John asked, his eyes tearful. “…Yes.” Carinus replied, trying to hold back his own tears.
“You know, lots of people have sacrificed their lives for me, but now it’s my turn.” He said, quietly, tears trickling down his face. He then turned angry. “So you were bringing me to my death!” He shouted at Carinus, and Carinus looked down. John then sat back down again. “I – I can’t do it. I can’t kill myself with the dragon. It’s too hard.” John looked up at the sky. “You have to. For the lives of everybody. It’s either that, or children’s imaginations get torn to shreds.” Carinus said. Julie, Zak, Bill and Lonkie watched the two, and started silently crying. John then looked straight at Zak. “Ok, if it’s for everyone else…” John said. “Then show me where the dragon is.” And he put on a half smile, and the five set off for the dragon’s mountain.

The Volcano rumblings got louder. John clambered up the rocky sides. Behind him, the others clambered after him. Soon they reached the dragon’s lair. “This is it.” John said.
“Good luck.” Carinus said.
“Yeah, good luck.” Zak said.
“See ya, friend.” Lonkie said.
“Goodbye, John.” Bill said.
“Goodbye, brother.” Julie said, hugging him.
“Look after Jumpy for me.” John said, and gave Julie his pet. “Goodbye.” His eyes full of tears.
And John entered the caves, and felt hotter than he had ever before. He was walking across a bridge, lava right below him. He got across and sighed with relief. Suddenly he heard a roar, a roar of a dragon. And there it was. The Dragon. The Dragon that caused all the chaos. “You are the chosen one.” It roared, and it sounded like it was laughing. “A child, the chosen one? Ha! Easy kill!”
Suddenly something John’s mind struck. How was he mean to kill the Dragon? The others told him he had to die with the dragon but nothing else. The dragon stepped forwards, and John stepped backwards…and then John thought again. Why was he the chosen one? Why, in the Land of Imagination, he was the hero? He thought back to, in his world, where he, Bill and Julie used to play, and John always made up games and ideas. Then he thought again: I must be the person with the biggest imagination. Not Julie or Bill had as big as imagination as him. Not anyone at school, around town or anyone he met, has had as big as imagination as him. John was chosen because his imagination was strong. And John then imagined that there was no evil at all in the Land of Imagination, and the dragon started melting. “What are you doing!?” It exclaimed. John smiled, but then the dragon – with the last of its strength – knocked with John of the edge into the lava pit. John kept falling and falling the lava getting closer, when suddenly, the same voice that John heard when he entered Imagination Land, said: “You have fulfilled your destiny, and now…”

John was on the sofa, in the living room. Next to him were Julie and Bill. “You’re alive!” Julie shouted. Their mother came into the room. “You children have the biggest imaginations!” she laughed.
John smiled.

In Imagination Land, Zak, Carinus and Lonkie looked upon the land, in Zak’s hands was Jumpy. The Land of Imagination was free from evilness. And as the years passed down, it was still an evil-ridden place, and John, Julie and Bill were legends.