Judge’s Comments: Great characters, fun details, clever story! Some spots cram in too many plot points due to word count limits. Generally, though, this was a hoot to read!

Chapter One: Introduced

Thomas Cadding lived in the huge city of Port Floger. He was 24 years old and without any family. Thomas lived in a small apartment on the outskirts of the city and found odd jobs around town. He had dirty blond hair, tanned skin, and most always wore an old tee shirt and a pair of jeans for his jobs.

One night, when Thomas was dumping rotten cabbage in an alley dumpster, a portal opened out of nowhere. A very small, hairy man fell out of the strange portal headfirst just before it closed.

“Where am I?” he asked, rubbing the bump on his head. “I was walking in the field behind my house watching some blue fairies, and then all of a sudden I’m here in this cold, dark place!” he complained gruffly.

The little man had a long, black beard, yellowed teeth, and old, dirty overalls over a once-white shirt. Thomas soon realized that this short man meant no harm, and persuaded him to follow Thomas to his apartment. Once inside the tiny room, Thomas asked the stranger about himself.

“I am a dwarf named Smidge,” he explained.

He told Thomas about his home, the blue fairies, the little glass men and women, the silver dragons, and the brownie girls.

“I’d sure like to go there,” Thomas said.

“Yes, it is nice, but it’s not without its dangers,” Smidge warned. “Balarga and his evil army have been trying to take over our home for years. Luckily, the ancient wizard who founded our land created a force field protecting us from him.” Smidge smiled.

“Is there any way to get back to, umm…”

Smidge finished his sentence, “Tropical Treasure Island. And yes, but there is only one way. With this.” He pulled out a handful of glittering coins and jewels.

Chapter Two: Getting Ready

Smidge tried to catch up with Thomas. “Where are we going?”

“We’re going to get a map, so we don’t get lost,” Thomas said.

Smidge suddenly remembered something, “I already got a map! I got it when I was about your age from my grandfather. He said I would need it some day, but only now do I understand. We’re s’posed to use this one.”

Thomas was thrilled, and he let Smidge continue.

“When we get to the island, I’ll deposit some of this treasure into a special rock that lets us pass into the world of magic,” continued Smidge. “I know all this because my grandfather used to tell me stories.”

He waited a few moments to catch his breath. “So, where are we going next?” Smidge asked.

Thomas replied, “We are going to get a boat.”

“A boat?” exclaimed Smidge.

“I’m going with you. I’ll be better off there anyway.”

The dwarf hesitated. “Alright, but you’ll have to listen to me,” he warned. So the two friends bought a small boat, just right for them.

“What should we name it?” Smidge asked. Just then, a bumblebee tried to land on a flower painted on the side of the boat.

“The Bumblebee!” they chorused.

Smidge gathered supplies such as tools, plenty of food and water, and clothes for both of them. Thomas gathered up his most treasured possessions, not that he had much.

In just two days, they set sail for the island.

After three more days, Smidge’s eagle-sharp eyes spotted an island.

As they neared the island, Thomas prepared to set port. They jumped off the boat and headed up to the very middle of the island.

“I can’t believe I’m going to a magical island!” exclaimed Thomas, with a huge grin on his face.

“Shhh!” shushed Smidge. “Someone’s coming.”

Thomas’s smile disappeared when he heard a twig snap. Someone was coming.

Chapter Three: New Friends

A giant’s figure with two smaller ones on his shoulder appeared out of the jungle. As the strangers came forward, Thomas backed up with Smidge.

“We mean no harm!” the giant bellowed. He stepped toward them. He had ragged clothes, and he looked tired. The two figures on his shoulders were a small fairy and a monkey with matted fur. They looked tired too.

“We were shipwrecked on this island and have been trapped here for weeks. We were the only survivors. Please, help us!”

The eyes of the giant and his companions looked sad. Thomas and the dwarf held a whispered conversation and agreed to take them back to Tropical Treasure Island.

“My name,” said the giant, “is Dumbledeer.”

“Mine is Dot,” fluttered the fairy. “And this is Monk,” she finished, gesturing to the monkey.

“We must hurry,” said Dumbledeer, “before the snake herd comes!”

“Snake herd?” questioned Thomas. “Snakes don’t come in herds.”

“Here they do,” argued Smidge. “I’ve seen them with their prey. It’s not pretty.”

Thomas and Smidge started up to deposit the treasure. “Where are you going?” Monk hooted. “It’s too dangerous to go up there!”

Thomas answered, “We have to do this to be able to go to the island. You can wait on the ship. The snakes can’t hurt you there.”

“I’m coming with you,” stated Dot defiantly. “I know all about these snakes and their leader, Roja.”

“Alright,” decided Smidge uncertainly, “stay close.”

The trio ventured to the middle of the island where there was a small basin carved into a rock with strange writing engraved all over it. Smidge carefully dropped the treasure into the basin. It disappeared as if it had melted through the rock without a trace.

“Good,” Smidge sighed, “now we can go home.”

“Not quite yet,” Dot whispered,” don’t make any sudden movements or speak. Follow me slowly.”

The boy and the dwarf followed silently behind. They had only just discovered who was slithering behind them.

Chapter Four: Close Encounters

The pack of snakes came nearer and nearer to the small party. Suddenly, Roja, their leader, slithered in front of Thomas. He froze, not knowing what to do.

“Ssso, you are new to talking sssnakes, aren’t you?” he questioned slyly.

“Don’t answer!” warned Dot.

Actually, I’m new to talking snakes and monkeys, dwarfs, giants and fairies, he thought. But he didn’t say a word.

Again, Dot whispered in his ear, “Slowly walk toward the boat. Do not panic!”

Thomas took a step backward, and then another and another. He was doing fine until he stepped on Smidge’s toe.

“Ouch!” he shrieked.

Dot’s eyes were wide. Roja was about to strike Thomas with his poisonous fangs! She pulled on his arm and this time yelled as loud as she possibly could.

“Thomas! We have to go!”

Thomas came out of his daze and ran as fast as he could toward the ship and safety. Roja’s needle-sharp fangs bit into empty air. The party of three had escaped, and since snakes never left the jungle, Thomas, Smidge, and Dot all made it safely back to the ship. With Thomas’s fine sailing skills, the group of five sailed away from the dangerous island.

One week later, everyone set eyes on a huge island. They had reached Tropical Treasure Island. Four of them joyously jumped from the ship to their former home. Thomas stared in wonder at the vast landscape of the island. He had never before seen such a picturesque piece of land, even in pictures or movies. This was truly a beautiful place; no one could deny that.

Even though all of them were yelling, “We’re back! We’ve come back!” everything was silent except for the chirping of birds and fluttering of a few fairies and elves, which quickly subsided as little doors and shutters banged shut.

“Where is everyone?” puzzled Monk and Dumbledeer. Dot was fluttering all around the closed doors and shutters. Suddenly, Smidge knew. It dawned on him like an early sunrise. He was enveloped with dread.

Seeing his frightened expression, Thomas asked, “What’s the matter? You’re home now, even if no one recognizes you.”

Smidge slowly shook his head. “No, it’s not that at all. They recognize me alright. They’re afraid.”

“What would they be afraid of?” Thomas asked quizzically.

“See that flag over there?” Smidge began.

“Yes,” answered Thomas. “They’re all over the place. Kinda hard to miss.”

“I know,” continued Smidge. “And that’s exactly what he wants.”

“Who’s he?”

“He,” Smidge said, his face pale, “is Balarga.”

Chapter Five: The Plan

Thomas realized what Smidge was trying to say. “What’s up with the flags though?” he asked. Smidge answered, “The figure on the flag is Balarga’s sign. When it shows up one morning in some poor village, the inhabitants know they had better hurry up and leave. Apparently, the ancient wizard’s spell has been broken. When Balarga realized he could come, he took over trying to get our map and…”

“Whoa whoa whoa. Why does he want our map?” Thomas interrupted.

Smidge hadn’t told him that important fact.

Smidge sighed. “Sorry I didn’t tell you. The map that we used to get here is also a map to the treasure of Tropical Treasure Island. I got it from my grandfather. But, like I was saying, Balarga took over and tried to get the map, and just as he was coming and I was in the field, I was magically transported to Port Floger where I met you. The map must have a spell on it that protected me.”

“That means,” bellowed Dumbledeer, “that we have two tasks. To protect the map to the treasure, and to defeat Balarga, once and for all.”

Hearing this plan, a dwarf slightly smaller than Smidge opened a door and rushed them all inside, just like what Thomas had done on that day almost two weeks ago.

When they were all seated, the dwarf exclaimed, “Are you crazy? You can’t just defeat Balarga! He is very powerful and has troops positioned all over the place! You’re lucky they haven’t already seen you!”

“Don’t worry,” Smidge reassured him. “We’ve got this under control. I know how Balarga works, and we have a fortified plan.”

“Before we go any further into this conversation,” Monk joined in, “I’d like to know who you are.”

“Oh, my apologies. My name is Al,” the dwarf explained. “Pleased to meet you. And if you know how to get rid of Balarga,” the dwarf hesitated, “then count me in!”

Chapter Six: Justice

Since Smidge and Al were the least noticeable, the group decided that they would gather as many villagers, dwarfs, giants, pixies, fairies, elves, dragons, and brownies as possible to help fight. After this task was completed, the civilians outnumbered the soldiers that were on the island. Thomas, Tink, Dumbledeer, Smidge, Monk, and Al were chosen to take on Balarga in his bedroom, while the others started taking out the soldiers one by one. As soon as they were close enough, the group of six rushed into Balarga’s bedroom to ambush him.

Thomas, Smidge and Al took swords. As they barged in, Balarga was taken by surprise and sat straight up in his bed, his sleeping cap hanging off his left ear.

“What is this outrage?” he screamed. “I shall not be disturbed in my chamber!” He stopped short, noticing that they had swords and were advancing toward him. Balarga yelled for assistance, and two sentries banged on the locked doors that lead to the rest of the castle. When they managed to get the door open, Dumbledeer banged them on their heads and knocked them both out. The king drew a sword from his bedroom wall and slashed it at anyone who came near. Thomas, Smidge, and Al prepared themselves for what they would have to do. Thomas gathered up his courage and approached his enemy. When Balarga slashed at him, Thomas blocked and fought on. This went on for eight anxious minutes.

In the end, Thomas disarmed Balarga. Monk quickly scrambled over to Balarga and up his back hooting, while Think whizzed around his head, making the evil king furious. Amidst the confusion, Dumbledeer grabbed Balarga and ran as fast as he could to the deepest, darkest dungeons that only those who were loyal to the true king knew about. The evil fraud screamed about justice all the way.

When Dumbledeer was assured that Balarga would not be causing trouble any time soon, he rushed back to the palace. Dumbledeer had locked up Balarga in such a slimy cave that, not too long after, all the hinges and locks (and there were many locks) rusted up so it was impossible to open unless you broke down the walls, which would bring down the whole dungeon space. The villagers anxiously waited outside to see if the six had pulled through. They waited for ten long minutes. Everything was quiet, save a few birds chirping.

Then, a sharp-sighted girl yelled, “I see them! I see them!”

And there they were. The crowd cheered happily. Thomas was happy too.

They had defeated Balarga and his evil army, ensuring safety throughout the kingdom once more.

Chapter Seven: A Rich Ending

Before anyone could get to it, the six friends took the map and followed the clues to the treasure. Pushing their way through cobwebs, they found themselves in an old hall beside a suit of armor.

“We followed the clues,” said Dot impatiently, “and look where we are now.” She landed on the thumb of the suit. “Now what do we d—Whoa!” she yelled as the thumb pressed down and the floor in the middle of the hall dropped down into the form of a ramp.

“Dot!” exclaimed Thomas. “Sit on the other thumb!”

She grumbled something about fairies always doing the work, but did as she was told. As soon as she had, a light flickered on underneath the floor.

The six friends rushed down the ramp and found glittering jewels, coins, crowns, swords, suits of armor, pearls and precious stones.

“The treasure of Tropical Treasure Island!” said Smidge his eyes wide, “We’ve found it! This is what the snakes and Balarga wanted! This is what my grandfather told me about when I was a little young’n!

His eye welled up in tears but he quickly brushed them away.

They took a few coins for the poor creatures and villagers, and some for Thomas to live on. Then they pressed up the thumbs and hid the map in a place that only they knew. The secret was safe with those six.

Epilogue

Thomas Cadding settled on Tropical Treasure Island. He spent the rest of his life there, living off the treasure and using it to help the villagers. Even though that was the only real adventure he had, living on the island was always exciting. He finally felt like he had a family and that he belonged somewhere.

And, of course, he lived happily ever after!