Charlie and the Amazonian Curse

Prologue: Harmless Beginnings

It was an early Sunday morning, and the chocolate factory was bustling as usual. The Oompa Loompa's were working on various tasks around the factory, keeping the chocolate river working and tasting good, working on new inventions, making sure the golden gooses eggs are rotten or not.

And then there was Charlie and his peers. They were all sitting on the steps facing the chocolate river. Augustus Gloop was chowing on the multitude of chocolate balls that he had grabbed from one of the trees, chewing with his mouth open as the smack of his lips was the only noise around besides the chocolate river.

Veruca Salt was pacing back and forth, with her arms crossed in an impatient motion, waiting for something to happen. She was also licking a giant lollipop that she had in her hands, which was making her anger boil.

"Violet Beauregarde was on her back and, as usual, chewing her gum to no end. But this time around, she looked relaxed at most of the silence that was happening in the room…besides the smacking of Augustus lips being the only exception. She was passing the time using one of the hard candies that she had to use as a ball that she was playing with.

"Mike Teevee was in his cowboy outfit, with two toy guns and a holster. He was leaning against the railing of the stairs, with his cowboy hat covering his eyes, almost as if he was asleep. He had also mellowed out like Violet, and he was more used to not doing anything for a bit.

Charlie Buckets was sitting, with a hand on his cheek, him looking longingly at the chocolate river. It had only been one year ago that he had won the chocolate factory when he was only 10 years old. He couldn't believe it when it had actually happened, he was so excited. He was glad that he was able to bring his family to live in the factory. He was also glad that Violet, Mike, Augustus and Veruca were still alive and well.

Charlie knew he still had a ways to go before he was able to run a factory, and he was still learning about all the different places in the factory. Wonka even told him that there are some area's that even he doesn't know exist that could be around the factory. So, he and the others decided to start exploring the factory to see what games they could play. But soon, they had gotten tired of playing the same old games again and again. Which is what Charlie and Co's predicament was right now…they didn't know what to do.

Come off it, there must be something we can do besides just standing around doing nothing!" Veruca said.

"Veruc, we've done all that we can do in this factory. We've played hopscotch, jumped roped, heck, we even tried dodgeball for a bit…before you took it too seriously." Violet said.

"That was one time! And don't call me Veruc. You know I don't like that nickname."

"I think it is a very catching name." Augustus said.

"Yeah, well I don't!"

Mike yawned as he moved his hat and stood straight up at the conversation that was going on.

"Then maybe you should stop yelling and just relax for a bit." Mike said.

Veruca huffed at this statement.

"Well I'll be relaxed once we actually do something fun today."

"Hey look, why don't we just eat all the candy in here. I'm sure that would be relaxing." Augustus said.

"Nah, I'm good. Don't really want chocolate right now." Mike said.

"I'll pass on that as well. I want to eat an actual meal." Violet said.

There was a few seconds of silence between the group again.

"So anyways…what other games haven't we played yet?" Mike asked.

"I've always wanted to play cops and robbers." Violet said.

"No way. We don't have enough people to play it." Augustus said.

"You're just making that excuse, so you don't have to run around like a mad dog." Veruca said.

"Then why don't we play Truth or Dare. That sounds like a game idea."

"I don't want to." Mike said.

"Why? Because you don't feel like giving away all your personal secrets about who you are." Veruca said.

Mike had his fist tighten up but felt a hand on his shoulder. Charlie had gotten up from his seated position and stopped things from escalating further.

"Mike…it's okay. You don't have to share anything if you don't want to." Charlie said.

"Thanks Charlie." Mike said.

Charlie moved over to look at the group. He hadn't really been paying attention previously, but when the group was talking about games, something popped into his head. Something that he felt stupid for not thinking of sooner. And he slightly smiled as he looked at the group.

"So…I've got a new game we could play."