Chapter 9

9 The Fire Queen smiled evilly. "I am so glad you are smart enough to recognize me. I must admit, I suspected you three weren't very bright. Do you truly believe you can stop me from carrying out my plan?" "Do you mean your plan to keep this Sea Keeper prisoner and destroy the ocean?" Zoe retorted fiercely. "Because yes, we are definitely going to stop that!" The Fire Queen's expression changed. "Then you are even more foolish than I thought," she

snarled. "You will regret your meddling." "Watch out!" Splashi squeaked, flapping her flippers in alarm. The Fire Queen whirled in a circle. Fire Sparks rose from her hair and dress, buzzing and crackling as they flashed around. The air, which was already hot, became hotter still. Then suddenly, the sparks zoomed toward the Sea Dragons. Their glow was so bright that Zoe had to close her eyes. But she could still hear them, sizzling as they flashed past. She could also feel them, stinging her dragon scales.

Zoe felt like she was lost in the middle of the ocean, uncertain which way to swim to reach the shore. That horrible dizziness and confusion was starting to overwhelm her. "Roar power is the only way to deal with the sparks," Splashi said urgently. Zoe knew that Splashi was right. But this was easier said than done. When Zoe opened her eyes, the Fire Sparks were everywhere. It was like the air was on fire. Through the blinding haze, Zoe

could just make out Grace and Sofia. They batted at the sparks with their wings and talons. But the sparks just wouldn't give up. Even worse, the Fire Queen whirled around them all, making more and more new sparks. Zoe gritted her teeth. She was not going to let the Fire Queen win. "We need to roar," she called to Grace and Sofia. Zoe could tell her friends were as dizzy and confused as she was. But they nodded all the same. Together, the Sea Dragons opened their mouths and roared. They tried their best, but the roars could barely be heard over the crackling of Fire Sparks. The Fire Queen threw back her head and laughed, sending sparks spewing into the air. "Pathetic Sea Dragons! Why would anyone think water is more powerful than fire? It is clear: Water is no match for fire at all. Soon all this water will be gone and fire will rule!" The Fire Queen pushed both hands toward the Sea Dragons, sending a wave of hot, magical air at them. The blast threw Zoe, Grace, and Sofia

tumbling back. They somersaulted through the air and landed with an enormous splash in the water. Zoe opened her eyes underwater. As a Sea Dragon, she could see just as clearly under the water as she could above it. The first thing she spotted was Splashi, swimming beside her. "Don't give up, Zoe," she urged. But there was no need for her little friend to say this. Zoe had no intention of giving up! In fact, the Fire Queen had made a big mistake sending them flying into the ocean. After all, this was where a Sea Dragon got her strength from! With the salt water all around her, Zoe felt her energy returning. Her mind was sharp again. Grace and Sofia swam up next to Zoe. "It was kind of the Fire Queen to give us a chance to recharge our roars, wasn't it?" Grace said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Just what I was thinking!" Sofia agreed. "Should we go and say thanks?" Zoe laughed, filling the water with bubbles as Splashi did encouraging loops nearby. Zoe grabbed hold of her friends' paws. They would

show the Fire Queen that Sea Dragons never gave up. "Let's go!" Zoe cried. Together they burst out of the ocean, sending sprays of water flying. Energy pulsed through Zoe as she and her friends zoomed back to the Fire Queen. The fiery ring around the turtle burned even more brightly than before. The Fire Queen hovered nearby, keeping guard. When she spotted the Sea Dragons, she cried out in anger and charged at them. Zoe looked at her friends and nodded. No words were needed. Zoe felt the roar building inside her. She held it in as the Fire Queen drew closer. "Haven't given up yet?" the Fire Queen growled. Her flaming hair whipped around her frowning face. "How would you like another blast of firepower?" But the Sea Dragons were ready. Just as the Fire Queen launched another heat wave at them, Zoe, Grace, and Sofia roared. A shimmering seawater mist filled the air. It crashed into the