Chapter Twelve: "BATTLE TIME IS UPON US"

Flower flew with GoldenRose, the small Ani hanging on to her shoulders. The wind whipped past them, making them sweat. The Ani was used to being very hot, but Flower wasn’t used to this hot. The Redwoods were beginning to rise on the horizon, the leaves bustling as creature flew and climbed by. The next day, Flower had reached her first destination. The Ura glided towards a tree, seeing a small hollow.

A timid Rorolo stuck his head out. “H-hello?” It stammered. “Uh…hi. I’m Flower and I’d like to ask a question.” He nodded. “O-ok…” She frowned. This wasn’t exactly a fighting spirit. “Could you perhaps help us win a battle? We have much to do, healers, attackers, others…we just need any help we can get.” He sighed. “U-um…I g-guess I can lend a p-paw…by the way I’m Ivystrings.” She nodded. “Ivystrings, do

you know where the Salt Flats are? If you do, please go there. That is where our army is gathering.” Ivystrings nodded. “Ook…bye!” He scuttled away to another branch, hopping to one and then another. Flower flew onwards, finding a strange mound. She peered inside. She saw a Hikorshi sitting down, its tail flicking in boredom and its paws tapping in waiting. “Uh hello sir!” Flower said. He turned his eyes to her. “Um…would you like to help me destroy an evil creature?” Flower asked.

He squinted his eyes at her. After thinking for a while, he slyly said in a charming voice, “Of course, madam. So, you know, I am Firater.” He smirked and went off, hearing news of the army. He knew to go to Salt Flats, smelling a trace on the sandy Ura. He ran away.

Flower sniffed the air, lifting off in the direction of the Volcano or Redwoods Plains. Taking in a big snuff of air, she caught the scent of an Aereis. Following the trail, she began to sense the heat of something alive. She hopped out in front of him. He screeched and leapt into the air, opening his mouth as it started to light up with flames. She immediately cowered and showing her teeth, making a submissive grimace. He landed. “Who are you?” He said suspiciously. “My name is Flower. And you?” He hesitated. “Yharon. Now what do you want?” He added. “I want to ask you something. Will you join my army in order to destroy an evil being?”

He blinked. “Now why should I help you? Unless you offer food, gems or maybe even Mush, I cannot accept.” She sighed. “I can gather you a couple mush, yes. Go to Salt Flats now, where our army is gathering.” He swung his tail and flew away. In Hot Springs now, Flower was unpleasantly misted by the boiling water, making her scales hot and moist. The heat was quite unbearable, but at least the Ani could help her. GoldenRose put her cold, healing pads on her neck, soothing the irritated scales and feather molecules.

She sighed. Would anyone even be here willing to help? However, it appears someone was here. Two Jotunhel padded out. The mother Jotunhel had minty blue fur, with a white belly and brown back fur and spots. Her nose plate and back spots were dark teal, her eyes amber.

“Hello. I am Amez and this is my son, Cetlan.” Cetlan had a light brown fur color, having his nose plate and bello be lighter brown, almost cream. His back fur was deep teal with dark brown spots.

“Hi…” He whispered, hiding behind his mum’s leg. “Don’t be afraid, sweetie.” She said softly. “Hello Amez and Cetlan. Would you like to join us in a battle? A vicious, evil creatures lurks in the dark, and we need all the help we can get to defeat it.” Flower said.

“Oh Cetlan, but you are so young! But I know if anything happened to me, you’d fight till the bitter end. Well my son, let us go.” Flower whispered to them the map to where Salt Flats was, smiled and flew off with the two.

They sang songs in the sky, great sky songs.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirteen: "ARMY"

Previous Chapter: Chapter Eleven: "GLIDING TO ASK"