Prince Michael Meets Big Lily: Prince Michael Meets Big Lily, #1

By Arnoux Goran

Go on an adventure with Prince Michael and his best friend Big Lily, a talking purple dragon.  Get lost in magical worlds and amazing adventures that will open your heart and blow your mind.  Fun and laughter will be your guide as you explore Magicwood and other lands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arnoux Goran
• Release date: Sep 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502259325

Book preview

Prince Michael Meets Big Lily

Book 1 of the Prince Michael and Big Lily series.

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Once upon a time in a land far, far, far, away, very, VERY, long ago there was a young prince named Michael.

He was a happy young prince with wonderful parents.  He lived in a big castle in the land of Magicwood.

One day he decided to go outside for a walk.  He walked along the cobblestone streets of the little town of his kingdom that was at the base of his castle.  People shouted out, Hi Prince Michael as he walked by and waved to him.  He waved back as he strolled along on the beautiful and sunny day.

He walked to the edge of town and saw the vast forest ahead.  He decided to explore the forest and walked on.  It was a beautiful place full of green grass, lush bushes and trees.  There was plenty of shade as he walked past boulders, huge tree trunks with squirrels peeking at him from behind roots and birds singing amongst the branches.

As he trod along breathing in the fresh air he saw a small pond surrounded by beautiful flowers.  The pond was very still and he could see his reflection in the water like it was a mirror.  Prince Michael then noticed a sparkling large purple crystal. 

He reached into the water and pulled it out.  As he held it up and examined it while the water dripped off, it seemed like there was a swirl of energy in the center.  As he looked closer the swirling purple and white energy grew larger and larger and suddenly he felt himself being sucked inside!

He landed with a thud in a very similar but definitely different forest.  Where was he?  What had happened?  Is this a dream?  Is this a parallel universe?  As these thoughts passed through his mind, he stood up and looked around.  It didn’t seem scary at all.  In fact, it didn’t really seem any different than home.

So he started walking.  As he walked along he began to get a creepy feeling.  Like someone...or something was watching him!  He stopped and looked around but he couldn’t see anything, so he kept walking.  Even though the forest was similar, he noticed that it didn’t seem as happy.  There were no birds singing and the sun didn’t seem as bright for some reason.

Then it happened.  Two large completely white statue-looking creatures grabbed him.  Their hands were cold like stone and they didn’t make any noise.  They were really tall and thin and looked like humans.  Michael struggled to break free of their grip but he couldn’t move.  He is only 10!  And these guys were huge even for adults. 

They walked along in silence for a while and then the stone men turned a corner and there was a much shorter stone man sitting on a throne with two other stone men standing on either side of him.

What’s this!?  The stone king asked.

Found him walking in the forest. Replied one of the stone men.

Feed him to the dogs. The king commanded.

WHAT!?  Screamed out Prince Michael.  You can’t do that!  I’m a prince!

All of the stone men and the king started laughing loudly.

Finally the king said, A prince?!  A little boy like you?  You’re dog food!  This is my realm and I don’t take kindly to strangers.  Take him away!

What?!  NOoooooo!  Prince Michael screamed but no one noticed as he was carried off.

After a long while he was thrown in a little hut with only 1 window with bars on it.  He was scared, tired, hungry, and wanted to go home to see his parents.

BANG!

Out of no where the front door of the hut was ripped off.  Then came a kind but loud voice, Quick run!

Little Michael didn’t need to be told twice as he booked it out of that little hut.  When he got outside he saw it.

A dragon bigger than a horse, totally purple with wings.  It had big ears, a big long nose, and big teeth.  The dragon said, My name is Lily.  We have got to go quick before they come and get us!  Jump on my back!

Michael jumped up really high as Lily kneeled down and he landed square on her back.  She started flapping her wings as she ran and they took off into the sky.  Just as they did Michael looked back and saw two of the stone men staring up at them.

YAY!!!  You saved me!!  Thanks Lily!!  But, you’re so big, compared to a little flower.  Can I call you Big Lily?

Sure!  And You’re welcome.  Said Big Lily.  That was a close call. Those Shiftarians looked like they were going to feed you to the dogs.  And since you’re so little compared to me, can I call you Little Michael?

Yeah, said Michael, But just between us, since everyone where I’m from calls me ‘Prince Michael’.  And they were going to feed me to the dogs!  What is a Shiftarian?

Big Lily replied, "A Shiftarian are those stone men.  They came from a distant land and their king is in a very bad mood because his wife died of cancer and the doctors didn’t do anything but give her a toxic poison that killed her.  He was so broken hearted that he became angry.  Then the doctors took all of his money away because they said their treatment was very expensive.  When he lost his lands he came and took my familys.  When my parents tried to fight back he used dark magic fueled by his anger and rage...

Sob... (Big Lily started crying)

And my parents didn’t make it...and I have no where to go."

What!?  Your parents are dead?  Blurted out Little Michael.

Big Lily looked back at him as she flew along over the forest and giant dragon tears rolled down her cheeks.  She looked at Michael like it was a bit insensitive for him to say her parents were dead and he realized it and said, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to say it like that.  I’m sorry your parents aren’t around anymore and that you are alone.  I’m sorry that the Shiftarians did that to you and your family.

Big Lily sniffled.  More tears came out.

Then Little Michael said, You can come live with me and my family in my castle!  That is, if I ever figure out how to get back home.

Really!  Cried Big Lily.

Well sure!  Said Little Michael.  There is plenty of room in my bedroom for you to have your own bed.  I know my parents won’t mind. You saved my life!  Plus, no one as nice as you should have to be alone for the rest of your life.

Now Big Lily’s tears got even bigger!  But these were tears of joy.

I think you’re my new best friend forever!  Big Lily said it so loudly that Little Michael’s hair flew back on his head and stood up as if he was struck by lightening.

Yeah and you can be my best friend too!  Said Little Michael.

They flew on in silence for a minute.  Just feeling the warm breeze as Big Lily flapped along and coasted over hills and trees.  Big Lily spotted a spring bubbling up from the ground and landed.  She took a big huge drink.  Little Michael did the same.  Back in the past, not so long ago, the water in nature was clean and you could drink it.  The water tasted delicious.  It contained the healing powers of the Earth.

Both Big Lily and Little Michael felt much better after drinking the spring water.  They sat down and Little Michael pulled out the giant purple crystal from his pocket.

Wow, that’s a big pocket!  Said Big Lily.

Thanks.  This is the crystal that brought me here.  I found it in a pond and there was a swirl of light inside of it and suddenly I was brought to your world.  Little Michael explained.  I just don’t know how to go back, and how to take you with me.

They both sat in silence for a few seconds before it happened.  The swirl of light came back to life inside of the crystal.  Almost instantly both Little Michael and Big Lily were swallowed up into the light and appeared back in Little Michael’s home forest of Magicwood.

Maybe it responds to commands.  Said Big Lily. 

Yes, or maybe intentions.  Said Little Michael.  Either way we are back!  YES!  I can’t wait to introduce you to my parents and all of the kingdom!

Do you think they’ll like me?  I mean, I am a big purple dragon with big teeth and I can breathe fire if someone isn’t nice to me.  Asked Big Lily, concerned.

Like you?  They’re going to LOVE you!  Little Michael said beaming at Big Lily with a huge smile.  Let’s go!

With that Little Michael jumped on the back of Big Lily and off they were, soaring through the air, over the forest.  Little Michael could easily see the castle and town in the distance and they were on their way.  As they passed over the forest Little Michael could see that it looked brighter somehow, lighter maybe.  It felt that way and even sounded lighter, the birds sang and it just was a happier place.  Maybe the anger of the Shiftarian king