Lava Attacks Groot's Forest

Lucas caught Groot's arm and pulled him towards himself. Once Groot was close, Lucas whispered into his ear, "Playtime is over, Groot."

Lucas punched Groot's wooden body, sending him sliding across the ground.

"Wow, now I sense the same energy I possess in you. How did you get it? Did you steal it from Marl?" Groot asked, his body swarming with vines.

"No, I didn't!" Lucas replied. "He gave it to me of his own will."

"And how should I believe you? Oh, my dear friend Marl, I'll avenge you, I promise!" Groot said, his eyes barely open and his voice low.

Groot raised his head, his eyes growing fiercer as his wooden brows furrowed. "You think you can defeat me because you have the same energy as me? That's not going to happen!" Groot said, lifting his hand.

"Attack!" Groot screamed.

"Wait, what! I thought he was going to take some time to mourn his friend before launching another attack. We're doomed!" Sam cried.

"Snap out of it, Sam! Now's not the time!" Steven said, maintaining a fighting stance. "Okay, I'm ready."

As Groot gave the order, his armies sprang into action. They swung their hands, and the vines from their arms extended towards Lucas, Sam, and Steven at incredible speed.

But Steven was quick. He dashed out in an instant and slashed the vines aiming at Sam. "I'll cover you," Steven said as he continued to cut the vines one after another.

Meanwhile, Lucas and Groot faced off. They stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds before Lucas leaped forward, hands above his head, letting out a battle cry. "Arrgh!" Lucas screamed, ready to slam his arm down on Groot's head. But Groot anticipated this. His hand transformed into a giant log, slamming into Lucas's ribs and sending him crashing into an enormous tree, creating a hole in it.

"Wow, I didn't see that coming," Lucas said, pulling himself off the tree. "You know I wasn't fully ready," Lucas said, stretching and cracking his body.

Groot saw Lucas smiling as he spoke. "What, you think this is a joke? I'll show you I know how to joke too!" Groot said angrily. But as he spoke, Lucas was already right in front of him.

"That's impossible! How did he do that? I know he's fast, but I never imagined he was that fast," Groot thought. He tried to brace himself for impact, but before he could, Lucas delivered a heavy punch to his face, sending him skidding across the ground.

Lucas dashed forward, punched Groot in the face again, and followed the punch with an uppercut.

"That's it! I've had enough of this," Groot's voice boomed across the forest. He stomped his feet into the ground, raised both hands above his head, bent his knees, and slammed his hands into the ground.

Immediately, his armies followed suit. The vines from their bodies and the trees around them grew and started moving from underground, creating cracks all over the forest. The vines shot out from the ground and tied Lucas, Steven, and Sam.

Lucas tried to break free, but there was something different about these vines. They were stronger, bigger, and seemed to drain his strength by strangling him.

"What's happening? The air around seems more tense than before. Hey, why is fog coming from the trees?" Sam asked.

"Now you're in my grasp. I can kill you all if I wish," Groot said, stepping forward with his fists clenched. "Now tell me your true intentions. Why are you here?" Groot asked.

"I've told you we mean no harm..." Lucas hadn't finished speaking when they all heard a loud thud from a distance.

"What's that!?" Groot asked.

"I guess you have company," Steven said, smiling with his head tilted.

"My king, it's just the volcano at the other edge of the forest," a soldier answered.

"Oh, I see. I guess you were wrong. Now let's get back to business," Groot said, turning to Steven, smiling and revealing a set of dark, sharp teeth.

"Are we going to kill them?" one of Groot's soldiers asked.

"Keep them tied up for now. I haven't really decided about that," Groot answered as he turned and started walking away.

"He's not taking us seriously. He even turned his back on us. Something's not right. What kind of boldness is this? Or was he hiding his true strength all this time? I'll have to get his attention," Lucas thought.

"You're Marl's friend, right? Which means you're one of those my father gave Alpha energy," Lucas said.

Groot's steps came to a halt. "What did you say? Who is your father?" Groot asked.

"My father is King Elvis of Kron, and I am King Lucas, his son," Lucas replied.

"What!" Groot's eyes widened. "And you said nothing about this?" Groot signaled his armies to lower their guard.

Groot immediately went down on one knee. "I'm sorry. I never thought that Kronians would visit us again, much less royalty," Groot said, pleading.

"Quick, let's get inside," Groot said.

"Quick, let's get inside," Groot said, leading them deeper into his wooden domain. The interior of Groot's home was vast, with walls made from intertwined branches and leaves, giving off a gentle, green glow. As they settled into a central chamber, Groot signaled for his soldiers to disperse, leaving only a few trusted guards behind.

"Now, King Lucas, tell me everything," Groot urged, his eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

Lucas took a deep breath and began, "After my father, King Elvis of Kron, went into slumber, the kingdom was left vulnerable. My brother, Trivia, seized the opportunity to challenge me for the throne. Despite my training, I was unprepared for his power and cunning. He defeated me in a duel and escaped from his imprisonment. Now, he rules with an iron fist, and our people suffer under his tyranny."

Groot nodded, his expression grave. "And you seek Alpha energy to reclaim your throne and restore peace to your kingdom?"

"Yes," Lucas affirmed. "Marl helped me with some, but he said you might have more that could aid me. I need all the strength I can gather to face Trivia and his forces."

Groot stood silent for a moment, contemplating Lucas's words. "I see. I will give you what you need. But know this, Lucas: Alpha energy alone will not be enough. You must be prepared in mind and spirit as well."

Suddenly, a guard rushed into the chamber, breathless. "My king, King Lava of the Lava Kingdom approaches with his armies. They are at our border."

Groot's expression hardened. "So, the time has come. Lucas, your quest for Alpha energy might have to wait. We must defend our home."

Lucas stood, determination in his eyes. "I will fight with you, Groot. This battle might give me the experience I need to reclaim my throne."

Groot nodded. "Very well. To battle, then."

They rushed out of Groot's home to find the forest alive with activity. Groot's soldiers were mobilizing, preparing for the imminent clash. Lucas, Steven, and Sam joined the front lines, readying themselves for the confrontation.

From the distance, the ground began to tremble, and the air grew hotter. The Lava Kingdom's army emerged, led by King Lava himself, a towering figure with molten skin and fiery eyes. He bellowed a challenge that echoed through the forest.

"King Lava!" Groot called out, stepping forward. "Why have you brought war to our peaceful land?"

King Lava sneered, his voice a rumble of earthquakes. "Peaceful? You harbor those who possess the Alpha energy. That power rightfully belongs to the Lava Kingdom. Surrender it, and we might spare your lives."

Groot's eyes narrowed. "We will not bow to your greed and aggression. This forest will stand against you."