On the main page you will find the thirteen chapters of our collaborative story presented in two different ways. On the twinboard pictures of students working either on their text or on their partners' 

Mary was so happy she was at one of the top eco schools in Greece. The Principal and the teacher’s board was into environmental issues and Mary and her team were committed to finding a way to eliminate pollution. That is what she was thinking about as she was walking along the beach that sunny autumn morning.

“There must be a way! There must be a magical solution that will help save the planet!” she was thinking.

 “What is that on the sand? A bottle? More pollution? Wait a minute! There is something inside it!” She picked up the bottle and read the message.

“This cannot be a coincidence”, Mary thought. “This is a message from the universe”.

She knew exactly what she had to do.

The very next day she woke up really early in the morning. She couldn’t wait to meet her eco team. As she had found the bottle with the message in the sea, she had understood that the most important problem in Greece was pollution.

Mary informed her team about Greek seas getting polluted and fish dying from the plastic bags which are thrown in the sea. Mary was so enthusiastic and persuasive, so all members of her team, agreed to put water pollution as their first priority. 

Without thinking, Mary and her friends grabbed their bikes and headed for the beach. When they arrived, they were shocked from what they saw. Bottles, tins, plastic, straws, cigarettes … everywhere.  They started collecting them in huge recyclable bags. Some of them even dived in the sea and collected 500 pounds of plastic.

After an exhausting day at the beach , they sat on the beach and starting talking to each other enthusiastically about how they have enjoyed themselves doing something actually helpful for the planet.

“Why don’t we organize a clean-up beach campaign with all our classmates?” Mary thought.

“Why don’t we tell all the world to clean up the beaches and stop water pollution?” shouted Tom.

The next day at school, they placed banners at the entrance of their school presenting pollution problems. 

They formed small groups of students to inform the school community about water pollution.

They organized fund-raising events and donations.

 They made posters and they spread them in the neighbourhood.

Mary also gave a speech in a public place. She said “Young people like me make plans for the future. We will not have time to live our life because of POLLUTION”. Her speech touched everyone. After a couple of months they had raised awareness and they finally spread the message to the whole country. Everyone wanted to help protect the environment.

The message in the bottle had inspired not only Mary and her team but the whole Greek community. After a while, they met at the same beach where it had all started.

Mary and the eco team put the message in the bottle again and sealed it. They threw it in the sea hoping that other people from other countries would take over and help make the difference.  

10 years later...

..After that strong thunder and lightning night the sun rises behind the huge green mountains surrounding this small town along the river and away from big cities.

Just a few years ago river was full of fish and people went fishing there. Everybody lived happily together but now no one helps each other they just want to save their harvest for winter. Because the weather drastically changes day by day.

John was only 14 and his family died from epidemic ten years ago. Many people suffered and died from cholera from water. He lived with his aunt Amy and the dog named Lucky.

After death of his whole family he was deeply sorry and wanted to challenge all the problems that townspeople face in the future.

Near the town there was a rundown factory which was operating 10 years ago but nobody was dared to enter anymore. Still pouring some chemicals into the river polluting the water killing water animals also the townspeople. Townspeople always says for that factory ‘Witch-nosed factory.’ John was wondering what was inside all the time but Amy the beautiful auntie always warned him not to go around that abondoned factory.  

She was a young beautiful lady also a good tailor who cuts and sews dresses for townspeople. She was loved by everyone. From the beginning Amy was the one who cared John and helped townspeople when they needed. She was also fond of reading and painting and had many books  reading stories to John before bedtime when he was child.

Everyday John goes to the riverside playing there with his dog and goes for a walk in the forest returns home by the evening.

On that day Lucky was treating different than usual . It was playing in the yard waiting John. All of a sudden Lucky started to run behind the shadow of another dog running to the riverside. John followed Lucky to the riverside and surprised seeing a bottle that he never expected.He was so excited to learn what is in. Immediately took it in his hand and opened the bottle cap.

FLASH BURST    

Suddenly Scene changed!

He is in that factory now. Witch-nosed factory. The most frightening place in the town.

Where am I now? What happened? Just opened the bottle cap! What is going to happen now? How can I go back?

He did not know what to think.

Wait! Is that John’s father there? John is stunned he is speechless. He is just dithering when his father comes to him and tells ‘ John, Why did you follow me? I said you must stay at home with your siblings. You know my boss is not a kind person.’

John was shocked did not know what to say. Just shook his head up and down to affirm his father . At the same time he was gazing around his eyes full of fear and saw the calendar on the wall which shows the date 10 years ago. Lucky was so scared too and was trying to hide itself behind John.  After a while John felt very happy to see his dad and reminded his mom and siblings were alive so he can do something for his family before it was too late.

He just tried to suppress his fear and excitement and ………….

John decided to investigate  the reasons why the factory had been closed and so many people in the town had died. “ Dad, please don’t go away , don’t  leave me alone again, I want you to stay with me!” cried John. His dad tried to reassure him, saying that he would have waited for him there, in the factory, during the working hours, he had an important mission for his little boy. Frightened but happy to have met his father again he went back home. He wondered if he could tell everything to his auntie. Would she believed his words?He ran to the house because it was late, he wanted to reveal to his aunt that strange and incredible meeting! She had prepared a delicious meal but John wasn’t hungry. He was too excited and confused. When the aunt asked him about his day as usual, John became serious and prayed her to sit because he had an important secret to reveal. She was curious to listen to that revelation, trying to guess what she was going to hear from his lovely nephew. When John started to tell his story she thought it was a funny story or a joke but when he continued and got angrier and angrier because she seemed not to believe him, she began worrying about his state of mind and his mental health. Maybe it was time for them to move to another town to change their life, away  from that sorrowful place...a place of death polluted by that horrible factory!

The following day John went to the factory to meet his father. He knew how to enter...his dad was waiting there, standing in front of a bright circular  door. “What a strange door...What is hidden behind it?” asked John.  His father told him that he was going to leave for a journey back in time...He would have seen something never shown before...he would have discovered the truth! Before entering the door he had to put on a mask because of the poisonous gases all around... the ones that had killed lots of people in town. He went back in time...he met many other people who he had known when he was a child and were died. The factory....was the origin of all the problems. Carbon dioxide, soots, were released everywhere. He walked along a narrow corridor full of smog...at the end his father and all the other workers told him that he had an important mission. That was the last time he would have seen him, so he gave him a bottle with a message inside. His mission was to bring it to a foreign country because there was a town to save from another poisonous factory.” Where is that town?How can I go there”? Asked John. It’s in another country, it’s a town in the centre of Italy, near a wonderful waterfall where the nymph Nerina was changed into a river by his jealous father who opposed to her love for Velino, a sheperd who loved her at first sight. John understood the importance of his task and fearless promised his father that he was ready to go. “John, said his dad, I’m sure you and the new friends you are going to meet will succeed in this campaign. John tried to hug him but he couldn’t...it was a ghost. “ Dad, he said, I promise you’ll be proud of me”. “It’s time to go now, follow me” said the father. John entered a time door, a blinding light wrapped him and...

And he found himself on the banks of the river Nera. The river was whispering something to him. “My name is Nera. I was born from Monti Sibilini, flow through Umbria, and connect to the river Tiber. Tiber disembogues into Tyrrhenian Sea and embraces the great Mediterranean. “John, The Mediterranean is not happy - save it – please save the Mediterranean! ”

John was confused. Without realizing what was going on, he found himself back in the present with the voice echoing in his head. It was a beautiful summer’s day. Holding the bottle in his hand, he was trying to understand his mission. All of a sudden, his aunt Amy came in and informed him that her best friend Lily would come and visit them with her daughter Mary. John wasn’t happy with the news. The house was already boring enough. And he didn't want any guests. Soon, the expected visitors arrived. Contrary to what he had anticipated, John got on well with Mary and they became close friends. A few weeks later, John and Mary were watching television when they heard strange fighting sounds coming downstairs. Mary's mother and John's aunt were arguing. The kids got surprised when they found out the problem; Lily wanted to donate food to a charity, but Amy was against this idea. This is why Lily made up her mind to leave. After learning that, John decided to tell Mary what he had been living through. What a big surprise!!! Mary knew everything! She also knew the bottle! John and Mary made a decision that evening: They would continue their missions no matter where they were. The next day, Lily and Mary returned to Greece.

John took the bottle and lied down his bed in sorrow. He was thinking and trying to make plans. How was he going to find the right place? He began to examine the bottle. First, he uncorked it, then he flipped it over.  A small drop fell to the floor. There was a magic potion in the bottle! Suddenly a cloud of mist faded and John found himself in the streets of Muğla.  Two sisters were looking at him in surprise and fear. John met the girls and learned their names: they were Nil and Tomris. John and the sisters became good friends. Towards the evening, Nil invited John to stay with them. “I'd love to, but I don't think your family will want me” answered John.  “We lost our parents due to the air pollution” said Tomris. Then, they went to where Nil and Tomris lived. The girls didn't have a house to stay. They were living in the ancient city of Knidos. As he gazed at the junction of the Mediterranean and the Aegean through the cape of Tekir, John was struck by this magnificent view. He suddenly remembered the words of the river Nera; The Mediterranean was in danger. The black factory polluted the earth and the seas. All living creatures in the Mediterranean were in danger. John learned that the coast of Muğla was a home to Caretta Carettas and the Mediterranean Monk Seals. These creatures were in danger of extinction as their home got polluted.  He told Nil and Tomris what had happened and asked for their help. That night the kids made a plan.

First of all, they left early in the morning to identify the Caretta Caretta regions, met at noon and went to the places they identified. But there was a problem; how would the potion be enough for all these animals? The next day they set off. They found the caretta carettas and gave the potion to each and every one of them. The “magic potion” helped them multiply. Tomris tried to touch a young caretta caretta but she could not. At that moment, they realized that the potion protected these animals. Moreover, even though they used too much of it, it didn’t diminish. When they returned to the ancient city, they were still under the influence of this event. All of a sudden, they heard a thundering. When they looked around, they saw a sign in the sky. “You saved caretta carettas. Your next mission is to save the Mediterranean monk seals. The next day, while scouting along the seashore, they found a severely wounded Mediterranean monk seal.

The children got panicked and carried the seal to a nearby cave called İncirliin. They filled a cavity with water and placed the monk seal there. Tomris went to the forest to pick up herbs to make an ointment. Nil left to bring some seaweed so that the seal could feel more comfortable. John stayed in the cave with the seal. While Tomris was picking up herbs in the forest, she found a note hanging from a tree. “What you need the most is the thing that you’ll never run out of.” Tomris ran to the cave. She showed the note to Nil and John. At that moment, Nil saw a caretta caretta and shouted: “Of course, what we need most is to heal the Mediterranean monk seal!”. John added: “And the thing that we’ll never run out is the magic potion.” The kids immediately carried the seal into the sea and John gave the magic potion to her. The wounded seal got recovered and set off to help other seals. As a reward of accomplishing the mission, John's father appeared. They heard the strange sound of thunder, again. 

John and the girls knew that it was time to go to other countries.

There was a moment after they heard the thunder. John is in a different place now. He is in top of a mountain.  From there he could see the Mediteranean sea. It is so vast and has such  a beautiful blue color. John just stood there admiring that magnificent sight. He wondered how many creatures lived in that sea and how much did pollution affected the life in it. He remembered the caretta caretta turtles and the Mediterranean monk seal, and  how they almost died but fortunately they had the majic potion to save them. In the middle of these thoughts, John  heard some noise behind him, he turnd around and there was this young boy looking strangely at him.  John introduced himself to the boy, as did the boy. He then started telling him about him and how he got to the top  of the mountain. The boy whose name was Ahmed was amazed to hear the story. He asked if John still had the  majic potion. John reached for his pocket to search for the potion and showed it to him. ``so with this, we can save all life in the Mediterranean``. ``yes,  we can`` replied John. Ahmed sighed `` this is great news indeed, now I can save the fin whale``. John inquired about the whale.  Ahmed proceded to  tell him the story`` the whale got stuck in the banks of the sea, he can`t leave the shore and he  is very sick, this morning when I went to see him, I found that he got tired. He could barely move. I am afraid he  will die soon if we don`t do anything. Before you came I did not know what to do, and I lost all hope that he can survive.`` John replied with a conforting tone`` we are going to save him too`` The boys were talking and did not realize it was getting dark. Ahmed asked his new friend to come to his house to  rest for the night as they couldn`t see much in the dark. When they got there , Ahmed`s parents welcomed him.  After supper, the grandfather told the boys stories about the sea and the creatures living there. The boys were  pleased to hear about the past, but got sad as the grand father told them about how it all changed in recent  years because of pollution. John was very angry since it is people who have done all these bad things and they  are still doing them. When the morning came, the boy set off for the shore. When they arrived they found the whale in agony, this incredible creature was struggling to stay alive. John said that he had to get close

enough to give him the  potion. Ahmed suggested:`` follow me, we will use my uncle`s boat``The boys procceded towards the whale, and after some attempts they were able to give him the potion. After a while the whale could move much more easily and he swum away. John and Ahmed shouted with great excitement ``live good friend, farwell``. John had a satisfied look on his face as he watched the whale get farther. He has yet saved an other creature…   

Suddenly, the whale returned that Marry and John had saved. The whale sprayed the water and the map showed. The water got cleaned where whales went. John and Marry junmped up to the whale and it began to talk. “Please help me, our country is in danger because of humans" John said "What ?? because of us? But how could you find me? Did you use GPS? “ Whale said, “Anyway you have to go with me. Then the whale swam. Ten minutes later they arrived in Sinked Isalnd because of global warming. The whale said, “If you don't want to regret, you have to listen to me.” They said "What should we do know?"

“You guys have to clean the ocean altogether. First John, you have to collect the plastics and then Marry you have to collect the cans. Please bring them to me!! I will handle them.” They began to do what the whale told them to do. Suddenly , Marry shouted  “Hey hey come here! There is something strange. It is hard, green, rough and it moves!!” It was a turtle.  On the turtle’s neck there was a plastic bag. Marry took out the magical potion and cure the turtle. Turtle was so thankful to Marry. Turtle asked “ Can I ask you something else ?” Marry answered, “Of course.”

“Your friends are in danger too.” The big shadow came in front of Marry. Marry called John and the whale to bring some magical potion. John rode the whale and spread the magical potion. All the sea animals were cured. The animals helped to clean the sea. At that moment, animals began to lift the land. The ground was shaken and was lifted.  The people came out to the coast and told them they were thankful to the animals. There was a person who can communion with animals. It was Jane Goodall. She began to talk. “The animals have been cleaning the sea because of us. I think we have to help them.” They all joined the sea cleaning. 1 hour later, the Island got cleaned. Everyone clapped and John and Marry jumped up to the land and said to Jane Goodall. “We don’t belong here, so we would like to go home. Can you help me?”

Jane Goodall said, “I have a super power that I can take everywhere you want. So where's your home?” Marry answered “Our home is in Seoul.” Suddenly Jane Goodall sprinkled the fairy dust. Next morning John and Marry were in their home.

John said, “I feel like as if I saw something that would happen in the future in my dream. Hey Marry, let's go to the volunteer work together. We have to tell people that we need to protect our nature.”

Ten years later, Marry and John became adults. They went to the trip to that ocean. They walked along the coast and far away there were turtles, whales, different kinds of fish and a lot of sea animals that looked familiar. John and Marry shouted together "It was not a dream after all !!"

 
Part 7 written by Ukrainian team

Having looked at the burning firmament, Maria held the handrail of a small pleasure boat and breathed in the warm air, admiring the Arctic Ocean. Suddenly John shouted, “Maria, I see a child who’s floating on the great waves made from a pile of garbage!”. At this time her heart was overcome by worry, fear and it caused her to go into a panic. Maria hurried up to John. “John, save that poor child, please!”, Maria said tremulously. And that minute John jumped into the cold ocean because no one’s life is more valuable and important than that boy’s life. When John came out of the water, he carried the little boy in his hands, then put him onto the boat’s depth, and covered him with a fuzzy blanket.

Maria behold a glowing horizon, thinking about parents who weren’t found, and she saw the floating mountain of trash. Since John noticed that about half an hour had passed, the child woke up unexpectedly. John asked with curiosity, “What happened to you?”. Coughing boy replied, “I was resting along with my family. It was a sunny day. I was sailing far away to find an island of my dreams. The dark clouds covered the heavens and at the same time a great storm blew up around. As soon as lightning had struck abruptly in our boat, the stormy waves rolled over and crashed it. Eh… I forgot what was further”.

Maria was looking into more information about the lost family of that child when she was driving to an urban hospital. Maria and John took away the boy’s backpack in the hospital. They found an old bottle there. When he opened  a bottle cork they noticed a battered letter.

Hello, I am Ahmed.

Who’s reading this letter must save the Earth from contamination. The potion which can destroy all the litter on the whole world... But this potion is hidden on someplace in Alaska. If you want to find out more about its information, you must come to my house. Hurry up...!

Address:

Street Address: 1265 Jerry Toth Drive      Zipcode: 99801

City: Juneau

State Full: Alaska

Ahmed

House 54

65B Jerry Toth Drive Street

Alaska

00-000

I believe in you. Goodbye for now.

Maria and John looked up the location of Ahmed’s house in Alaska. At that time they were in San Francisco. Maria brought tickets on launch in the port Fisherman's Wharf. Through a long time night had come, looking across the sea John saw the fin of an enormous shark that was surrounded by a trash network. The big shark dived underneath the launch and almost flipped up. Maria and John had arrived in Alaska. They looked around a place where was located Ahmed’s house. John came to the door but the handle of this door was locked. “Maria, come in the attic! I see a light’’, John said. “John! Here is the case in the attic !”. Maria looked back and remembered 65 and 12. “ Yeah! It’s open !” This safe has got a potion where a small bacterium was.    

Suddenly someone shot in John by gun. “ A-a... Lookout ”

That human was a garbage creator who wanted to create the world from trash and destroy mankind, to change them into robots. Maria went to saw what happened from the attic and she beheld ..................  

….a man who had robotic limbs instead of real arms and legs.

All of a sudden, the floor collapsed and the entire attic fell down. Mary was stunned but  she quickly regained consciousness. The creature had disappeared but John was there, between life and death. He was screaming, bleeding out. Mary was shocked and did not know what to do. Suddenly she remembered the magic potion which had helped them to save so many lives before.  It was her last hope to save John. She gave the magic liquid to her friend but quickly noticed  that there was only one drop left..  The bottle wasn’t refilling as usual !. Fortunately John came back to life. He was saved. Mary told him what had happened. The creature was frightening, half man half robot built out of garbage . The young people knew they had to destroy it or it would wipe out all wildlife in Alaska ….. all the people. They had to find Ahmed. He would probably know what to do. It was time to go and look for him.

Outside they were benumbed by the freezing cold. They only met a few people hurrying , bundled up in their fur clothes and boots .The landscape was beautiful but despite a temperature of -40 they could  well see the impact of global warming and pollution in this remote place. The mountain glaciers were melting and even here, in Alaska, there were plastic bags and waste on the ground. After a long search they finally found Ahmed . He had taken refuge in a barn outside the village ! They ran to him. Ahmed explained ‘The destroyer has already begun his evil work, To stop him we must prevent him from finding the magic potions hidden in different places all over the world!!’

Mary was extremely worried because the bottle was still empty and had not refilled but Ahmed reassured her ‘It is because of the cold, but if you leave the bottle by the fire it will reactivate again.’ They decided to go back to the village .They had to eat and regain strength. As they walked forward, they spotted  a polar bear family on the icy lake. They were near the bank … the layer of ice had broken and a young bear, was struggling to reach its mother. The bear was weak and exhausted. It was in danger. The three friends were looking for a solution when suddenly a huge shadow appeared in the distance!  On the frozen lake, a horde of threatening robots was moving in their direction. John, Mary and Ahmed were paralyzed with fear. How could they fight against such an army of living waste? Suddenly they heard a dreadful crack….

            ...and then, the bottle started shaking and it became heating hot. Mary threw it away because it was too hot to hold it in the hand. It was shaking so hard that it started to make a hole in the ground and it suddenly opened. The water from the lake started pouring into the hole. The water became rock solid. A small sapling emerged from the ground. The robots came gathering around it, laughing at the sapling. One of them even said ironically: ‘Hahaha, what are you gonna do? Stab us?’  The sapling grew and grew until it reached an enormous size. Ahmed, Mary and John had to lift up their heads very high to see it. It looked almost like a tree from mythology called The World Tree. Its branches were so sharp that they stabbed the robots, lifted them up and turned them into small fruits of different shapes and sizes: small, round, big, heavy, triangular, rectangular… The small fruits fell onto the ground. John, Mary and Ahmed were amazed and could not believe what they were seeing. ‘Was it possible that the robots are gone?’, they thought. 

            But the magic did not end with fruits. The tree became greener because it began to grow leaves. And they were not just ordinary leaves… They were falling down slowly and when they touched the ground, they started changed shapes. They turned into the shapes of all the animals John and Mary had saved before: whales, turtles, polar bears… until they became the real animals. But that was not all. Many extinct animals and animals in danger also appeared. It was an astonishing sight, almost like a dream or a fairy tale. The animals started picking up the fruits and putting them all around. More trees grew, even bigger and greener. John and Mary could not understand what was happening, but Ahmed knew it was all because of the magic potion that was inside the fruits, the tree and the animals. The nature was so bright and beautiful that you had to put on sunglasses to see all of its glory. They thought the world was finally saved.

            The sight was not the only thing they enjoyed, but the sounds the animals made as well: chirping, growling, meowing, barking, buzzing, hissing… It sounded amazing. Some of the sounds sounded almost human, like languages from all over the world.

            As they were sitting under the tree, one branch got closer to them and they saw a piece of wood on it. They looked at it and saw that something was written there, but they could not understand it since it was written in Croatian language. It looked like a secret message.  As they read it, a black dog, a Croatian sheep dog, came barking at them. He looked worried. He stared at them with his piercing brown eyes and it looked as if though he was about to say someting. At that moment the sky started turning red and the sound animals were making started getting scarier and more violent, as if animals felt some kind of danger. They did not know why. Ahmed said: ‘I knew this would happen. We have to get the potion before it’s too late’. They saw that the dog was trying to lead them somewhere and so they followed him…

While the kids were following the dog through a shadowy path with tall thick trees on both sides they were shocked by the sight of the dangerous robots that started surrounding  them and calling for surrender. That moment the Croatian dog stopped running. Before their eyes and to the spot the dog had halted, the bottle appeared in its initial size and shape. “There’s a note in it!” John shouted. ‘Let’s read it!” he added urgently. “As long as you save yourselves, you can save the world!”Once again Ahmed knew what they had to do but no sooner had he uttered his thought than the robots encircled them. “Give up and give us the bottle!” they threatened. The children were so much frightened. Ahmed rapidly knelt to the ground and placed his arms above his head as if he was calling for some divine intervention. He gathered all his courage and divided his palm into his left pocket. While whispering some incomprehensible words he sprinkled some golden powder all around them. Suddenly, some long thorny branches sprang up and formed an enormous castle. Animals of all kinds made their appearance. They were protected at last! But this was not all. In the middle of the castle, they saw the tree of Life where exotic and odd fruits had grown. To their amazement, a gigantic shadow emerged. A female figure with long chestnut hair decorated with a wreath of the same exotic fruits of the tree’s, grew larger and larger above their size. They were confused. “I’m the goddess of Life, Zoe” she said in Greek. Mary, who understood her, cried out desperately, “We’re in danger! We want to save the planet from the pollution! Help us!”Zoe with her divine voice echoed back “I’ve been trying to protect earth from contamination for as long as I can remember. I inherited this mission from my mother Rhea, when she felt weak to carry out her plans. I’m more than happy to have supporters in this. Yes, we can unite our powers!”

John, Mary and Ahmed were thrilled with excitement at the hearing of this. “The robots want to possess the magic potion that will destroy the pollution all over the world as much as we do. It’s in Ahmed’s attic  ...” John explained breathlessly. “How can we fight all this army back?”Mary wondered in agony. Zoe turned her crystal blue eyes to the animals and uttered,

“You, my dearest companions will fight against this evil! Get together! The battle starts!”

The lions roared and gave the signal. One by one all the animals took their positions before the castle gate.Zoe threw her long flowery cloak upon them and as soon as she drew it back all living creatures had turned into…

Part 11 written by the Romanian team, Colegiul National Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Galati

…strong men, or rather knights covered in shiny armours, running to their probably not in vain deaths against all of those robots. Ahmed seemed exhausted, especially after his summoning of Zoe’s. This deity was not only gorgeous on the outside, but on the inside as well, for she had a wonderful ability, that being of settling down whatever or whoever had the honour of her soft touch, her skin being unusually pale and her white dress seeming to be made out of shiny silk, which was contrasting her light gray yet matte shoes. Even if she was the one to hold such a power, the magical force within her actually belonged to the tree.

            In order to make the children’s burning wish come true, Ahmed had to fulfil a mission which was not exactly easy. He was given a puzzle to solve out of a handful of puzzle pieces. In order to gain the pieces, he had to go through some riddles and certain games, which, if solved correctly, would reward him with a puzzle piece. The fact that he was told that not many were able to take the mission to the end, kind of lowered his hopes, but with the help of his friends, after countless attempts and sometimes fails, they managed at last to get the last puzzle piece and assemble the puzzle, which illustrated the planet earth, held by two cupped hands as if it were only a sphere made of glass. As a result of their success, Zoe kept her promise and agreed to help them get to the end of their mission: saving the planet from pollution. Unfortunately, though, as things seemed to have had somewhat of an end, out of a sudden, while the army created by Zoe kept on fighting against the trash robots, the spare parts that were left behind gathered into one single entity, forming a giant monster. At the sight of that new enemy, even Zoe looked frightened, but fortunately…

Chapter 12 : team from Slovakia

A soon as she pulled her cloack back, all of the creatures had turned into GIANTS. Yes, all of the animals were slowly, but surely expanding! They became so enormous, that John, Mary and Ahmed were even not able to see the sun up on the sky. As they stopped growing, they stood in a circle around Zoe, John, Mary, and Ahmed, facing the robots.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge eagle which habitat is in the National Park of High Tatras in Slovakia appeared. “This is Lola,”said Zoe. She told me that although she and her other friends have been one of the national symbols of their country for ages, now they have become endangered species, too. “ You’ve said, that the potion that is necessary to save the world from pollution is in Ahmed's attic, Lola is here to help you, she is really brave! She will take you there. Me and my dear animal companions will take care of the robots while you are away. Now go!“

John and Mary got up on Lola's back, but Ahmed remained on the ground. “ I'm not going with you,“ he said, “I will stay here and help Zoe and the animals. You never know, what is going to happen...“ He didn't even finish the sentence, when the robots started acting very weirdly. They stood around the circle, their legs started stretching, and brought them up in the air. In a moment, they were so high up, that even the giant animals were lower compared to them. As soon as they reached the height twice as high as the animals, they stepped over the circle and started coming towards everyone. “Quick! Try to stop them!“ – shouted Mary, and ran to one of the robots. John flew on Lola's back, and also started attacking the robots, while Zoe surrounded them with branches from her dress. “Come on! I need your help!“ she shouted. The animals stood on their back legs and started tramping on the ground, and the ground shook under their feet. Suddenly, a huge crack appeared. Oddly, it was shaped like a perfect circle, and it formed just where the robots were. “That's not possible!“ – John was very confused. As he finished the sentence, the animals rushed towards the robots and pushed them into the gap. “Now we must work together,“ said Zoe, and held her arms up in the air. Huge roots started peaking through the ground, bringing a ton of mud to the surface. “We need to push all the mud onto the robots, so they won't escape, but we must do it quickly!“ Ahmed sprinkled the golden fairydust once again, huge magic shovels appeared and they started shovelling the mud back to the gap. Soon, the robots were completely covered, and they couldn't get out. “Now, we must get to the attic,“ said John, “So come on!“ Mary and John got up on Lola's back, and headed over to...

Chapter 13 Yarmouk University Model School/Jordan

Lola's chestnut wings raised the trio higher and higher into the sky . The plains of emerald rolled beneath them dotted by a few buildings,  the only sign of civilization here . They had just escaped the attack of the robots with the help of Zoe .
    Mary wished Zoe was with her upon the arched back of the eagle. She and her had become friends despite having spent just a  short period of time together . Nevertheless Mary welcomed the wind zipping past her , the scenery , the warmth of the sun that seemed to seep through her clothes, warming her skin , sinking into her bones . Mary loved flight the thrill was incomparable .
     When Mary pulled on the soft feathers on Lola's neck, silently commanding her to pass the clouds . The eagle having understood her request flapped her wings a few times soaring higher. Lola's muscles rippled beneath the trio.  As much as Mary would’ve loved to stay in the sky, she couldn’t, as they had to get to the potion , and fast .  
     Ahmed's ears popped when Lola soared even higher in the azure sky, they had surpassed the clouds by now . Ahmed could barely breathe, as his lungs refused to accept the deep breaths he was taking. When they had left Zoe, after defeating the robots, the rush of adrenaline had shielded him from his fear of heights . But now the excitement had faded from his blood and all that was left was raw fear .
     "So how much longer are we going to stay up here "shouted Mary, trying to make her voice be heard over the thundering rush of the wind as they flew." I mean the view is great,  but we had better get that potion fast don’t you think?"
      "I agree," said John    
        An expectant silence stretched as John waited for Ahmed's answer . When it didn’t come, he flipped his face over his shoulder and saw the boy's brown skin turning pale , while his eyes were wide with fear . John acknowledged Ahmed's heaving chest with concern shining in his teal eyes .  
     " Ummm Mary I think we have a big problem here " called John, his voice laced with worry.           
      "What do you-" Mary's words died on her lips before she could utter them, face suddenly drained of blood as it became as pale as a sheet" oh my god Ahmed.  Are you okay? "
      John didn’t know what to do, how to react, how to help. Ahmed was clearly having a panic attack and there was nothing he could do. A wave of helplessness swept over him, but he refused to succumb to the emotion.
     " Ahmed " called John , when Ahmed didn’t answer he called his name again, louder this time " AHMED "   
     That snagged the frightened boy's attention.   
     " Look at me " ordered John in a calm but assertive voice.    
      Ahmed raised his drooping head to his friend, his gaze locking with his .    
     "It's okay " said John " it's fine , all I want from you is to breathe. Okay. Can you do that for me? "  
      Ahmed tilted his head, barely a nod but that was all he could muster. He tried to take a breath but it got stuck in his throat . Fear seized him as he imagined plummeting  off Lola's back into the hard unforgiving ground . A new emotion sprouted in Ahmed .
     Frustration .  
     It's taste was bitter on his tongue , here both his friends were fine while he was shaking from fright .
    "Inhale. Exhale "soothed Mary interrupting his spiral of thoughts" we'll be there soon ".    
        Ahmed forced himself to breathe. Inhale. Exhale . John held his hand and breathed deeply with him. Ahmed no longer fell ashamed. Soon the fear faded away as the breaths lulled him into a sense of peace and tranquility.
     "Good job " said Mary .     
      John's answering beam filled Ahmed with a sense of pride. Before the trio knew it, Lola landed on Ahmed's roughly arched roof . The hawk quickly flew away,  leaving Ahmed, Mary and John on the roof .
      After all this time and effort John could barely believe they were finally here . The journey was enjoyable as it was exhausting . While he met people,  and saw things he would never forget , he couldn’t help reminiscing .  But still John carried an unwavering desire to see the earth free of pollution , that’s what drove him forward , what drove them all forward .  
      Mary's eyes ignited with determination. " We barely have time to waste. Let's get that potion and save the world".
     Ahmed nodded and joined John and Mary on their careful stride along the roof.  Then john came to an abrupt stop , Ahmed nearly smacked into his back " why did you stop? " he asked.
     John's eyes swept the sunbaked concrete streets that were void of human use , so were the cars, and the many small shops that surrounded Ahmed's house . They were all empty .  A puzzled frown twisted John's features, "don’t you realize the place is empty? " he proclaimed, gesturing to the ground below  "I mean there are no cars, no people walking, no animals. It's practically a ghost town ".
      A shudder rocked through Ahmed as he realized the truth of his friends words. The streets  truly were bare.  Ahmed rubbed his hands against the sudden chill that overcame him , they were alone . What happened to everyone? Where were they?
     Mary stopped and surveyed the place but still her determination didn’t waver , " we'll find out where they went later. But now we need to get to the potion ".
     Ahmed treaded to the right side of the roof till his sight zeroed on the small window in the roof . It would be a tight fit , but they would manage . The soles of his feet were barely able to keep him from slipping , but he had scaled this roof a million times . He knew every crevice and gap the red turned copper colored tiles had between them .  Ahmed fiddled with the lock of the window , but to no avail.  It wouldn’t budge . Mary slid beside him ,followed by John and slid a small golden key into the lock .
     John raised an eyebrow " how did you get that ? ".
      Mary barely spared him a glance and opened the window " I have my ways "     
     The female opened the hatch, and lifted it up wide enough so she and both her friends could squeeze through .
     They landed on the ground of Ahmed's attic with a thump . Dust swirled around them, making John cough loudly, the air carried a musty scent . Box after box were stacked on top of each other , filled with everything from family pictures to old clothes .  As  John rubbed his back,  Mary ran to the screens imbedded into the wall , she peered at the bright rectangles . They showed a camera feed of Ahmed's neighborhood and the ones after it  The streets in Ahmed neighborhood were empty as were the streets beyond .  Looks like whole town fled.
     Lastly Mary went to the big screen in the middle  , the one that showed the globe and how polluted it had become . She had expected it to be hazardous , but to her astonishment it was the contrary . The meter had lowered from red to yellow nearing the green section .  Mary's mouth was open as she gaped at the meter, sure pollution wasn’t gone but it had decreased rapidly . " Hey John, Ahmed . Take a look at this " she said ushering them over.
     They both came to her and soon their features twisted from neutral to confusion and shock, mirroring her own  expression.
     " I'm getting a little freaked out here " exclaimed John " I mean first everyone is gone, now pollution has gone down . Have people finally seen the error of their ways? ".
   " Doubtful " muttered Ahmed, eyes narrowed in disbelief.    
    Mary quickly shuffled to the tower of boxes . After digging around for a bit, she found the crimson box that contained the potion . Mary removed it and went back to her friends.
    The female twirled the vial of bubbling emerald liquid in her hands . "Guess there is no use for this anymore ".
" Wait ! " exclaimed John , as he opened the internet to one of the screens on the far right.
     Before he could type anything in the search bar, he saw dozens of articles in the recommended section, all talking about some virus called corona.
     Mary and John, already behind him ,asked John to scroll down . The headlines got worse and worse  as they did .
Economy paralyzed because of the corona epidemic.
Worry spreads through the citizens of the world as countries declare quarantine.
     A few minutes later of searching , the trio came to the conclusion of there being a quarantine because of a virus called corona , the plague's deadly talons sunk into all the countries of the world. Effecting every aspect of life.
    "So because of this so called virus, people are staying at home " declared Mary.
    "Which means no cars , no factories , no cutting down trees " cried Ahmed " this is amazing ".    
     "Not really " retorted John " this is still a virus, and thousands are dying ". 
     " True , It is bad. But you can't deny the positive impact it has on the environment " Ahmed replied.   
    " You have to admit, Ahmed has a point " added Mary " I wonder what will happen after this is over ".    
One year later
    It had been two months since the government had deemed it safe for people to return to the streets. But life was never the same afterwards.
     Mary John and Ahmed had all decided to meet in his backyard to see each other again. After having video chats as the only way of communication, for more than three months.
      Sweat gleamed on John's forehead as he took a breath of the dry summer air . Thankfully the large swaying chair he and Ahmed sat on was cold. Meanwhile , Mary was perched on the wooden railing of the balcony in front of them . It had been way too long since they had last met and it was a relief to see each other again even as the sun radiated scorching waves of heat.
    Mary sighed as she drank from the chilled lemonade glass in her hand. "Turns out the potion wasn’t that important "  she mumbled,  while glancing at Ahmed's siblings as they played football behind them in the backyard.
    "True" agreed John " but after all we went through to get. It’s a shame ".    
    "Actually I may have to disagree with you " replied Ahmed " I mean people, after the corona epidemic ended , saw how the earth had improved when they finally realized how much they stopped had been polluting it ".  
    "In my opinion it was both a curse and a blessing " added Mary.   
     "I'm still shocked though , I still can't believe the heads of the countries declared the renewable energy project finally being done " exclaimed John, with a smile gracing his lips " this is such an improvement ".
     "I noticed the air is cleaner and doesn’t smell so bad , so are the plants, they are growing much better ". Added Mary with a grin.  
     "I'm just happy humans discovered the error of their ways, before it was truly too late " said Ahmed.    

THE END

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