The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to a lush, green expanse filled with towering trees, sparkling streams, and vibrant wildflowers. The air smelled of fresh pine and sweet blossoms, and the distant chirping of birds was oddly soothing.
Greg stepped out, immediately slipping on a patch of moss. "Why is it so slippery?"
"It's called nature," Alex said, rolling his eyes. "You should try it sometime."
Mallory remained in the elevator, her legs stretched across her makeshift couch. "Are we sure this isn't another dimension where we have to fight something? Because this looks like prime napping territory."
Before anyone could answer, a voice boomed from the forest.
"Who dares trespass in the realm of Queen Glimmera?"
Greg jumped, clutching his sword. Alex instinctively reached for his bow. Mallory, however, lazily propped herself up on one elbow.
"Queen who-now?" she asked.
---
The trees seemed to part on their own as a tiny figure fluttered into view. She was barely a foot tall, with shimmering wings and a crown made of golden leaves. Her gown sparkled like the morning dew, and her expression was a mix of suspicion and annoyance.
"I am Queen Glimmera, ruler of the Magical Forest," the fairy declared, her voice much louder than her size suggested. "State your purpose here, or face the wrath of my pixie warriors!"
Mallory yawned. "Listen, Tinkerbell, we're just passing through. No need to make it a whole thing."
The queen's jaw dropped. "Tinkerbell? How dare you! I am a queen! You will address me with the respect I deserve!"
"Respect is earned," Mallory said, stretching. "And right now, you're kind of giving off middle-management vibes."
Greg and Alex exchanged panicked glances, both mouthing, What are you doing?!
---
Queen Glimmera snapped her fingers, and a swarm of pixies armed with tiny bows and arrows appeared, circling the group menacingly.
"You dare insult me in my own realm?" Glimmera screeched. "I'll have you know, I've banished creatures ten times your size for less!"
Mallory raised an eyebrow. "Banish me? Go ahead. Send me back to my couch. Honestly, you'd be doing me a favor."
The pixies hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond to Mallory's complete lack of fear—or interest.
Glimmera's face turned bright red. "Enough! I challenge you to a duel!"
Mallory sighed. "A duel? Seriously? Can't we just settle this with a snack break?"
"No!" Glimmera shouted. "Choose your weapon!"
---
The forest floor transformed into a sparkling arena, complete with glowing mushrooms as an audience. Glimmera brandished a wand that shot glittery sparks, while Mallory… picked up a stick.
Greg facepalmed. "We're doomed."
Alex crossed his arms. "Let's see how this plays out. She's survived worse."
Glimmera launched the first attack, sending a flurry of glowing butterflies toward Mallory. Instead of dodging, Mallory flicked her stick—err, Staff of Lazula—and the butterflies turned into drowsy moths, flapping lazily to the ground.
The audience of glowing mushrooms gasped dramatically.
Glimmera narrowed her eyes. "You think you're clever? Try this!" She unleashed a whirlwind of petals, which swirled toward Mallory like a floral tornado.
Mallory waved her staff again, and the petals fell harmlessly to the ground, forming a cozy-looking bed.
"Ooh, this looks comfy," she said, lying down in the middle of the arena.
The mushrooms gasped again, this time in awe.
---
"You insolent creature!" Glimmera screeched, her wings fluttering furiously. "You're not even trying!"
"Exactly," Mallory said, propping her head up on her hand. "That's kind of my thing."
The mushrooms started to murmur among themselves, clearly impressed by Mallory's nonchalant approach.
"She's so calm under pressure," one whispered.
"Truly a warrior unlike any other," another replied.
Glimmera, meanwhile, was spiraling. "This isn't fair! You're not taking this seriously!"
Mallory closed her eyes. "Listen, your majesty, if you want to keep flinging glitter and petals at me, go ahead. But I'm not getting up unless there's pizza involved."
---
Before Glimmera could launch another attack, one of the mushrooms hopped forward and bowed deeply.
"Lady Mallory, you are clearly a master of effortless victory," it said. "We pledge our loyalty to you!"
More mushrooms followed suit, chanting, "All hail Lady Mallory, the Lazy Queen!"
Glimmera's jaw dropped. "You traitorous fungi! I'm your queen!"
"But she's so chill," one mushroom argued. "You're kind of… intense."
Glimmera let out a high-pitched scream and disappeared in a puff of glitter, leaving the arena and her kingdom behind.
Greg and Alex approached Mallory, who was still lying on her petal bed.
"Well, that was… something," Alex said.
Greg shook his head. "I can't believe she won by doing nothing. Again."
---
The mushrooms, now Mallory's devoted subjects, insisted on throwing a feast in her honor. They presented her with bowls of glowing berries, steaming soups made from enchanted herbs, and a mug of sparkling liquid that tasted like liquid sunshine.
"This is amazing," Greg said, stuffing his face.
Alex nodded, sipping cautiously from his mug. "Definitely better than the Resistance's snacks."
Mallory leaned back on a mushroom-shaped chair, sipping her drink. "You see? This is what I'm talking about. Minimal effort, maximum reward."
"Do you even feel bad about dethroning Glimmera?" Alex asked.
"Not really," Mallory replied. "She needed a vacation. Maybe now she'll chill out a bit."
---
As the feast wound down, the glowing mushrooms led the group back to the elevator, bowing deeply as they departed.
"Farewell, Lady Mallory! May your reign of relaxation inspire us all!"
Mallory waved lazily. "Catch you later, fun guys."
Greg groaned. "Did you just make a mushroom pun?"
"Couldn't resist," Mallory said, stepping into the elevator.
The doors closed, and the display changed to: Next Stop: Underwater Kingdom.
Greg paled. "Please tell me we're not about to drown."
Mallory shrugged. "As long as there's snacks, I'm good."
The elevator hummed softly as it descended, ready to deliver them into yet another ridiculous adventure.
---
To Be Continued...