At the center of the Dark Forest stood a huge apple tree.
Its trunk was thick, and it was capricious. Its many branches were like nimble hands, each one hung with golden apples.
"Hey... you old monster, come catch me!"
Molly stood where its branches could not reach and shouted loudly to draw its attention.
Then, a nimble figure sneaked up to the trunk and gently scratched at a huge knot in the wood.
Creak! Creak!
The tree let out a laugh like that of an old man, and all its branches froze still.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ed rushed forward, snapped off a branch laden with golden apples, and shouted, "Lodi... run!"
Lodi immediately turned and ran.
The trio ran a long way before finally stopping.
"Excellent... you got the golden apple!"
At that moment, the white owl Sulu had transformed into landed before them.
"Yes, but please tell us how to catch the little fairy..." Ed said worriedly.
"I need a branch from the golden apple tree..." Sulu made his request.
"Fine!"
Lodi picked the golden apple and handed the branch to the owl's talons.
"The Lake Fairy can pass through many nets, but she alone cannot pass through a net woven from a maiden's hair..."
The white owl spread its wings and soared into the sky, leaving those words lingering behind.
"A net woven from a maiden's hair..." Molly looked at her long hair. "Mine... should work."
"Yes, but let's complete the deal first. In fairy tales, honest children never lose out."
After thinking for a moment, Lodi led the other two to the little lake. "Lake Fairy, we have obtained the golden apple..."
Ripples spread across the lake, and the elderly fairy flew out. She said in surprise, "You really completed the task? Give it