Life For A Life

A Fading Life

Back in Axle City, the Blaze Family were having a picnic by the park. Blaze, Sparkle and AJ were playing tag by the trees, laughing as they ran around.

"Can't catch me!" The little girl giggled as she turned to avoid getting tagged.

"We'll see about that, Sparkle!" Blaze laughed and zipped after her.

"Kids, it's time to eat!" Phoenix called out.

"Coming, Mom!"

Blaze helped AJ onto him before they zoomed towards their parents. Just as she was about to, Sparkle began to cough uncontrollably, falling on her tires as she began to wheeze.

"Sparkle, honey?" Phoenix darted to her. "W-What's wrong?"

"I… I don't know, I…"

Sparkle began to cough again. After a while, her coughing stopped but as she glanced up, she screamed.

"AAAH!! I can't see!"

"Oh my gosh! We need to take her to Roarian!" Blaze screamed. "He'll know what to do!"

"Good idea, Blaze!" AJ nodded. "Come on!"

Carrying Sparkle in his tires, Flame dashed off after his sons, with Phoenix following after cleaning up their picnic stuff. They soon found Swoops nearby.

"SWOOPS!!!"

"Hey, whoa! Blaze, what's goin' on?" the helicopter asked, concerned.

"Something's wrong with Sparkle, something unnatural!" Blaze cried. "We need a ride to the Great Forest! Fast!"

"Hop in, buddies!"

The Blaze Family jumped into him before Swoops took off. He flew across the sky, finding the island.

"You know, you guys aren't the first to ask me to take you to the Great Forest," Swoops said.

"Who else has asked you?" Phoenix asked.

"Well, Crusher. He told me there was something he needed to do there."

"Do you think... Crusher had something to do with this?" AJ asked with a fearful expression.

"No," Blaze said sternly, shaking his head. "Crusher is a good person. He may cheat and steal, but he wouldn't stoop that low."

"Blaze is right," Flame nodded. "We can't jump to conclusions. We need to find Roarian and heal your sister... soon."

At last, Swoops found the island. He landed on the ground with a thud and a smile.

"Here we are! You guys know the cave from here! Good luck!"

"Thanks, Swoops! Blaze Family, let's move!"

They zoomed through the island and towards a cave nearby. Blaze drove in first, followed by the rest of the family as they ventured into the dark.

"Hurry! Follow me!"

They all quickly darted after him through the tunnel and into the forest. Once there, Blaze let out a scream.

"ROARIAN!!!!! HEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!!!"

A roar echoed through the forest and out came Roarian, flying over the trees and making his way towards the family.

"Blaze, what's wrong?" He asked before turning to the others. "And who are they?"

"Roarian, this is my family," Blaze introduced before motioning to his sister, who was catching for breath. "And something's wrong with my little sister Sparkle!"

"Here. Let me look at her." Roarian instructed.

Blaze nodded before motioning his father to set Sparkle down. Flame set his daughter down on the ground, and Roarian closed his eyes, Sunstone glowing brightly to examine her.

"Hmm…" he hummed. "Oh dear…"

"W-What? Is it really serious?" Blaze gulped.

"It seems that something is draining her life force," Roarian replied. "In terms of seriousness, very severe. If we don't save her, she will not make it by the end of the day,"

"N-No!!" Blaze panted, tears pouring. "We can't let her die! I... I'm so afraid for her...!!"

Roarian wrapped a gentle wing around the sobbing truck and pulled him close. "I have a friend who lives in the mountains who might be able to help us. Don't worry, my friend, we will save her."

"T-Thank you..." Blaze managed to flash a small smile.

"Come. We must not waste anymore time."

Just as they were about to go, a familiar voice called out to Blaze.

"Hey, Blaze! Hey, AJ!"

"Pickle?" the red truck turned to see the green truck driving from the bushes. "What are you doing here?"

"A) I was bored," Pickle replied. "B) I saw Sparkle looking unwell, so I wanted to see how she was doing, and C) I haven't seen Crusher since he overheard Stripes talk about some almighty genie, so I also wanted to see if he's alright,"

"Almighty genie?" Blaze looked confused, turning to Roarian. "You know who's that, Roarian?"

"He's the friend I was speaking of." Roarian replied. "but if he went there to ask for his three wishes... I fear what the wishes might be and fear that whatever it is might have affected Sparkle,"

"No... no, Crusher would never. There has to be some explanation. Come on."

Roarian sighed and nodded before leading the group off. As they drove through the forest, the flying lion noticed the red truck looking worried and concerned and unsure as he drove.

"Blaze, are you... alright?"

"No..." Blaze hissed.

Roarian stared at him before sighing. "My friend... I know that you believe Crusher well... but sometimes it is difficult to trust people..."

"Crusher would never do this, Roarian. He would never do it on purpose..." Blaze hissed.

"As you say, my friend," Roarian gave a nod.