Gnomeo and Juliet by Disney Book Group Page A

Gnomeo slipped from his head. Luckily, Gnomeo managed to grab hold of the writing quill in Bill’s hand.
    â€œThey both die?” Gnomeo asked as he dangled from the tip of the quill. He shot Bill a determined look. “There’s got to be a better ending than that!”
    That’s just what they said, Bill thought, gesturing with the quill in his hand as he remembered the two characters from his play. The sudden movement made Gnomeo lose his grip.
    Bill gasped as Gnomeo fell toward the ground and certain doom.

    Gnomeo held his breath as he fell, waiting to shatter on the concrete below. But instead of hitting the hard ground, Gnomeo landed on Featherstone!
    â€œFeatherstone!” Gnomeo shouted with joy as he looked down at his friend. Gnomeo hoped he hadn’t hurt Featherstone!
    â€œOne word,” Featherstone said, taking a deep breath and popping himself back into shape. “Plastic!”
    â€œHow did you find me?” Gnomeo asked.
    Shroom leaped into Gnomeo’s arms, squirming like an excited puppy.
    â€œHe sniffed you out,” Featherstone said.
    â€œI knew I could count on you,” Gnomeo told Shroom as the little mushroom continued to gesture as wildly as he could. “What’s that? Juliet is in danger? I’ve got to get back!”
    Gnomeo and his friends didn’t waste any time heading back to the gardens. The statue of William Shakespeare watched the three would-be heroes exit the park on their mission to save Juliet.
    â€œIt will end in tragedy,” Bill said, shaking his head.

O n the other side of town, Benny heard a delivery truck pull into Miss Montague’s driveway. He rubbed his hands together gleefully.
    He ran to the driveway and gazed up at the machine. “Ohhhh,” he breathed. What a beauty!
    Benny climbed aboard the mower as a crowd of Blues came to admire it. Benny sat in the seat and raised his arms in a V for victory. The crowd cheered.
    Lady Bluebury stepped through the crowd. “Benny?” she asked.
    â€œWhat do you think, Lady B? This baby is fully equipped,” Benny said.
    Lady Bluebury looked worried. “Equipped for what?” she asked.
    â€œIt has settings for edging, trimming, mulching, and revenge !” Benny replied, his eyes wild.
    Lady Bluebury looked toward the fence. She wanted those Reds to pay for what they had done to her Gnomeo. “Do it, Benny,” she growled. “Do anything it takes. Make them rue the day they destroyed my son.”
    The gnomes cheered again. Lady Bluebury looked up at Benny proudly and declared, “Unleash the dogs of war!”
    Benny pressed the Terrafirminator’s start button. The engine roared to life like a tiger and then settled into a deadly purr. The computerized weapon of destruction counted down to one, then lurched into action. A camera popped out of the dashboard and scanned the yard. It locked on to its target: the fence separating the gardens.
    Benny switched gears and barreled toward the fence.
    The Terrafirminator ripped through the fence. As it entered the Red garden, Benny let out a mighty battle cry. “Raaaaah!”
    The goons and dozens of Reds leaped out of the Terrafirminator’s path.
    The mower fixed its sights on the red boat planter and demolished it. Reds ran screaming around the garden.
    Lord Redbrick winced.
    Juliet, Nanette, and Paris watched in horror as Benny’s mechanical beast destroyed their home. And after that, it headed right for the wishing well!
    â€œYes!” Benny hooted. He was getting revenge for Gnomeo—and it felt good ! He was so wrapped up in the moment that he lost control of the machine.
    The Terrafirminator switched directions and took aim at the Blue garden. It smashed into the prized toilet planter and got stuck. The impact sent Benny flying.
    With the pause in the action, Lord Redbrick came to his senses. “Attack!” he commanded the Reds.
    â€œCounterattack!” shouted Lady