PLOP

Luna entered Oliver's space and heard a loud noise. It was Drippy and Yadi falling from an absurd height. Luna ran toward them as fast as she could. She got to them and saw Drippy sprawled out on the floor and Yadi clinging on to her for dear life.

“You two okay?” Luna said as she leaned over to check on them. Drippy seemed to be knocked out and Yadi was the same. “Oliver!” Luna said as she headed toward his home.

“What? What is it? Are we under attack?” Olivers said as he got into an attack position.

“No, we aren't under attack. These two are hurt. Is there some place we can take these two so they can rest?” Luna asked.

“I think there is some soft vegetation over there where they can lay. The vegetation also has a relaxing odor.” Oliver said as he hoisted up the girls. He slithered over to a patch and gingerly laid them down. Luna looked like she was on the edge of tears. “There, there.” Oliver said, trying his best to comfort Luna. It didn’t seem to work. “When I was little I would get hurt and my dad would use these plants to heal me.”

Luna collapsed to her knees. She feverishly started to gather the vegetation, being sure to extract them gently and place them into a container.

“What are you doing?” Oliver asked. 

“I’m going to do what your father did and heal them. Did your father leave any of his things behind? Preferably something written or with pictures.” Luna responded with a smile.

Oliver showed Luna to an area in his home. “This is my father’s study. We haven’t been here since he gave his life.” Oliver seemed anxious.

“It’s okay. We don’t both have to go in. I would just feel wrong going through your father’s belongings without you.” Luna held Oliver's hand. “Plus you know him better than I do so you can point me in the right direction.” Luna gave a reassuring smile and Oliver felt his anxiety settle down a bit.

“Let’s do it.” Oliver said, and steeled himself. They entered the room and Oliver was hit with a flood of memories. His fathers scent still lingered here.

“You okay big guy?” Luna asked, squeezing his hand.

“I’m okay. I’m just remembering my father explaining things to me when I was little. He would sit at his desk and would talk for hours. I was too small to grasp what he was saying but I do remember him keeping records of his research.” Oliver looked at the walls loaded with scrolls. “He wrote every one of these.” Oliver grabbed one and unfurled it. He was feeling nostalgic. “Lucky us. I believe this one actually has the recipe for the healing liquid.” Oliver smiled triumphantly. He handed it to Luna.

Luna pored over its contents. “Fascinating.” Luna took her collection of herbs and studied them. They were unfamiliar to her but she couldn’t wait to learn more about them. “ So I will need some fresh water as well as a source of heat. Did your father have a lab by any chance?”

Oliver twisted his face trying to remember. “Yes. It wasn’t far from here. I remember my dad not sharing it with me. I got bored one day and followed him. I think I still remember the path.” Oliver excitedly slithered out of his home and down a mysterious path. After some time they arrived at their destination. The entrance was to a cave blocked by a door. It looked to be some kind of hardened metal. Luna touched its cool surface.

“How do we open it?” Luna asked

“I just remember my father doing this.” Oliver mimicked the motion. He placed his hand in the center and a red light began to emanate from the door. Once Oliver moved his hand it revealed the same mark that was on his father’s tree. Luna and Oliver were both a bit rattled from seeing the symbol again. The door had slid into the ground so they could enter the cave.

Inside the cave the walls were covered with all sorts of formulas and recipes. Luna let out an excited squeal. Oliver put up his defense. “What? What is it?”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Luna said as she looked down embaressed. “I just got excited. I haven’t seen so much knowledge in one place before. It’s a little overwhelming but I’m excited.” Luna unfurled the scroll and started looking for the tools she would need for the healing liquid.

***

Oliver watched her work diligently. He wished to help but he feared he would only get in her way. For a moment he saw his father overlay Luna. He smiled as she wiped her sweat and said “Finished!” She proclaimed proudly. She held the healing liquid in her hand raised with enthusiasm. 

“Um… Luna, not to rain on your parade but the color is wrong. It’s supposed to be green.” Oliver said in a small voice.

“The original was green. The collaboration between me and your father is red.In the past, I have constructed my own healing paste using herbs I have found on my travels. These herbs however are new to me and using your fathers recipes and tools. I believe I have created an elixir that is exponentially stronger.” Luna puffed out her chest. “Now to test it on our friends.”

Oliver smiled. “My dad would have loved to work with you.” 

“He was brilliant. I would have loved to have worked with him as well.” Luna smiled, eyeing the elixirs. ”Now let’s honor his work by testing it on our friends.”