~+Thorns And Asters+~

_-Chapter 12: Fight, Flight or Fire-_

Aster stretched his wings to their full extent, wincing slightly from the cramps. Tonight he was going to fly back to the Sky village to say goodbye to Avery and pack his things. Thorn and Aster had made blueprints for a house they were going to make in the forest. They were very excited, but Thorn was a little sad Aster had to leave for a while, and nervous because of Vivian. But it was sunset now, and time to say goodbye.

"Are you sure you'll come back?" Thorn asked, holding Aster's hand tightly. "Yes, I promise. Here, have my jumper. Now I'll have to come back." Aster smiled reassuringly and handed Thorn his hoodie, kissing her on the cheek and squeezing her hands. "I'll miss you." "I'll be gone for two hours." "Still, Aster. Be safe. I love you." "... I love you too."

2 Hours Later...

Aster took one more longing look around the sky village. I'll miss this place, but I could never call it home, he thought, picking up his backpack and slinging it over his shoulders. Finally, after staring at the bustling sky village, Aster looked over to his new home, the forest, with it's beautiful trees and fire covering the branches- wait...

"FIRE!" Aster screeched as he flew above the avians. "We HAVE to help!!" The avians looked at Aster, then over at the fire, then back at Aster... then they flew away. Aster sighed, but went back to his focus. Saving Thorn. Aster grabbed a bucket and filled it with water, flying as fast as he could to where Thorn was. Aster threw the water from the bucket onto the flaming trees, then swooped down near to the flames for Thorn. She was in his hoodie, frozen with terror. As soon as Thorn saw Aster, her eyes shone with tears and relief. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his torso. "I'm never letting go of you again I'm so scared I love you LET'S GET OUT OF HERE."

"..And they didn't help! They just flew away. Can you believe it," said Aster, holding two buckets with Thorn on his back holding two more. "Who does that? Even if Vivian was- wait. Vivian did this! I knew it. I have to find her once this is all over," yelled Thorn, over the wind and flames. They were containing it pretty well, but the fire was still spreading rapidly. "We need to- wait. Aster, look!!"

And there came the whole sky region with water buckets. All avians of different shapes, sizes and colours rose over the flames and poured a gushing tsunami of water over the fire, fizzling it out. "Thank you!!" Aster yelled to them, raising his fist in the air. The whole crowd cheered, raising their fists as well, before flying back to the village. 

Aster landed gracefully at the place he saw Vivian. There she was, her body charred and burnt. Thorn rushed towards her as she gave a cough. "Please," she whispered as they leant over her. "Save my sister." She handed them a slightly burnt photo, then her hand went limp. She was gone.

"Her sister.. this is why she did this..?" Said Thorn, looking at the charred section of the forest. "I guess so," Aster said, putting the photo in the hole in the ground. There lay Vivian's body, curled peacefully with flowers around her. Thorn sighed, then stood up and put her hands by her side. Aster curled his arm around her waist, squeezing her gently as the grave was filled with soil.