animal jam - the first fox (book one) under editing

;Chapter Twenty-One; (UNDER EDITING)

I opened my eyes. Soft blossom leaves were brushing my arm, slowly drifting behind me. I looked down and I was standing on nothing. Everything was white. I turned around and saw the same cherry blossom tree as before. As I began to walk toward the tree, grass started to appear at my feet and soon I was walking on it. The cherry blossom seemed to welcome me as I sat down on to the dewy grass. Its leaves circled around me and I smiled. Soon the cherry blossom's leaves formed into wings on my back and flew me into the air. I laughed. The leaves rested me onto a think branch of the tree and they strangely crinkled into dust and spread out through the air.

My eyes flickered open. The sun shone down onto my body as I quickly sat up. Percy was still asleep so I was fixed on not disturbing him. The sand was gold and the water was sparkling so I decided to take a swim. I dived into the water contentedly and swam through the currents. I swam under the waterfall a few times and doubled back again. I was going to do another round when I heard a disgruntled groan. I swam back over to the shore as fast as I could and bent down beside Percy. His big green eye flashed open and he swiftly noticed me.

"Amelia...?" he sighed. I nodded sympathetically. "Where are we? Where's Barrett? Why am I wet?"

"First of all, it seems we're on a beach. Second of all, Barrett left. Third, we fell down a waterfall," I replied.

"Wait, what?!" Percy exclaimed, sitting up. He looked around. "Something feels different..." I bit my lip. The phantom continued to look around until he glanced at all his tentacles. I clenched my teeth. "Amelia, why in Zios's name am I missing a tentacle?"

I knew it would come to this. "You lost it in the explosion..." I explained. Percy's eye filled with tears. "I'm so sorry, Percy."

Percy shook his head. "It's not your fault. I guess I'll just have to get used to seven tentacles instead of eight." He smiled weakly at me and stood up. "I'm going to make a fire to roast some food over. You go look for the grub."

I nodded and headed into the woods surrounding the beach. If I was Percy, I'd be sobbing. I guess he's braver than me. I sighed as I pushed back branches and leaves from my path as I searched for any type of food. Dirt began to gather up on my paws and every once in a while I blew it off. I was about ready to go back to the beach but then a bird swooped down from a tree and landed on the ground. It pecked at the ground, probably trying to find food too. I smirked and crouched down, trying not to be seen. The bird hopped again and I pounced at it. The bird chirped in surprise and flew into the sky. I flattened my ears and unfolded my wings, the fiery presence scaring many other birds in various trees. I flapped my wings and shot into the sky, following the bird. When it noticed me it started to fly faster. The bird chirped and flapped its tiny wings. I laughed and continued to follow. Suddenly, hundreds of birds swooped into the sky, pecking at me. The bird chirped loudly. Ugh... distress calls... I groaned and flapped my wings once more, receiving a boost, and clasped the bird in my paws. I circled around and flew back to the clearing where I saw the bird. I smiled proudly and sniffed the air, searching for any other food in the forest. Instead, I smelt smoke. When I reached the clearing from above, fire was burning the grass and trees. I yelped and swooped down. My wings made of FIRE must've touched the ground when I took off for that damn bird! I folded my wings, secured the bird in my mouth, and ran.

"PERCY!" I screeched. "PERCY!" I dashed back to the beach and huffed, catching my breath. "Percy... FIRE!"

Percy glanced down at the fire he had created. "Yeah, you like it? Made it all by myself."

"No!" I shouted. "FIRE!" I pointed towards the woods just as the fire crept onto the sand.

"Oh my Zios!" Percy shrieked. Suddenly I had an idea. Maybe I can fly us out of here! I grabbed Percy's tentacle as the fire slowly inched towards us. I dashed into the woods, dodging flames. My paws burned as I stepped on small sparks hidden in the grass. Fire whipped at my fur, burning it. I continued to run when I noticed that the fire had enclosed us in a death circle. I groaned and spun around, searching for an exit. When I found a split, I realized it was only big enough for one of us to squeeze through. I closed my eyes.

"As an Alpha, it is my duty to protect my people..." I said aloud. Percy glanced at me. "Including you Percy."

"What are you talking about Amelia?" Percy questioned.

"My people come first," I smiled sadly. And just like that I shoved Percy through the split just as it began to close.

"Amelia!" Percy yelled.

"Go!" I called out to him. I could hear Percy sob a little as he ran the opposite direction. I might as well die than have a friend die... because that's just who I am... and I know now that I am special. Damn, everybody is! But I know one thing for certain... I am The First Fox and I am brave. I won't die... Instead I will live because my name is Amelia Fox and I am not scared. I unfolded my wings and shot into the sky. I looked down at the burning forest from above and sighed, then I took off into the sky. I blinked and thought about Percy. Will he make it back to the battlefield? I pushed it to the back of my brain and zoomed through the sky. I wondered if I could go to the Alpha Headquarters to see Juno so I could slap his fur off. I grit my teeth and decided: First Stop, The Alpha Headquarters, Second Stop, The Temple of Zios, and the Third Stop... The War Battlefield.