The Forest of New Life

New Life

Groggily, Mint sat up. The sun hurt his eyes, burning them. Mint patted his snout, his chest, his legs. All in one piece. It was a bad idea to sleep out in the open. He was lucky to have woken up unharmed. 

Mint got up, shaking the dust off his tail and brushing his fur off. He stretched out his wings and yawned, shutting his eyes. Mint let his arms drop, and opened his eyes. 

Dark brown pools stared back at him. 

Mint screamed, jumping back. 

The...thing stared back at him. It tilted its head, large ears flopping to the side. Antlers with bright green leaves and delicate pink blossoms obscured half of the top ear, seeming to be made of wood. Mint dropped his eyes. A blue mane ran from the top of the thing's head to around its should, down its chest, and ended at its stomach; the long, shaggy fur standing out from the rest of the shorter, green fur. The long, blue fur could be found at the end of the animal's long green tail, which waved gently. 

Mint, keeping his eyes on the animal, circled around it. The animal stayed still, letting the dragon examine it. 

The animal had an extremely long, noodle-like body, the only thing longer than it was its tail. Mint reached its head, and noticed how similar it was to his own. 

The animal shifted, and brought its back legs up to its front. It settled down, and yawned, revealing a row of glittering sharp teeth. 

"What are you?" Mint asked it, certain he wouldn't get an answer. 

The creature tipped its head to the other side, and looked down. It peered intently at something. Mint followed its gaze, tilting his head. 

Letters. There were letters written in the dirt. 

"Bosque De Menta," Mint read aloud, "That's what you are?" 

The Bosque De Menta straightened up, and nodded. Then, it approached Mint, suddenly, and laid its head on Mint's shoulder. Mint stiffened. The 'Menta began to purr, rubbing its cheek against Mint's own cheek. Mint smiled, and patted the 'Menta's head. After a couple moments, the Bosque De Menta backed away. A growl started in its chest. Mint took a step back. The 'Menta threw back its head and howled. 

The howl was like no howl Mint had ever heard. It was different from a wolf's howl, a coyote's howl, any animal's howl. This howl rose and fell as fast as the wind, and echoed minutes after it finished. The howl was deep, but became higher than the clouds in a moment. The howl reverberated in one's heart and chest, and was left in one's brain. It could never be forgotten. 

After the howl was finished and the echos faded out, the 'Menta settled down. Mint waited. 

Behind the 'Menta, leaves rustled. And another Bosque de Menta stepped out. This one had more vibrant greens and blues than the last one, but had a shorter body and legs. The second 'Menta stood next to the first. 

Mint assumed that was all. It was not. The bushes surrounding them quaked as more 'Mentas stepped out. Soon, what appeared to be a group of thirty was standing in the clearing. Mint's eyes flickered around. Puzzle pieces began to connect. The noodle-like bodies, the mane, the antlers. 

The Bosque de Mentas circled around Mint, and bowed, their snouts close to touching the floor. These were his... Mint looked over the new species. 

"Urm, could I ask a favor of everyone here?" The Bosque de Mentas raised their heads. "Uh, I'm here to map this forest, and I was wondering if everyone could help me? All we need to do is spread out and cover this area. Mapping isn't too hard. Everyone could do it. So, can we do it? Work together?"

The 'Mentas glanced at each other. And they reared up, beginning to make noises. Happy noises. Accepting noises. 

Mint grinned. Now, his job would be a whole lot easier. And a tad more interesting. 

Together, dragon and 'Menta pushed their way back into the forest, and began their mapping.