Chapter 9

9 The badgers scattered, tripping over Mina and Zora in their haste. The Thunder Drum was now lying unprotected on the ground. Quickly, Hana swooped down to grab it. She was just in time! Chaos Critters scuttled all over the ground where the drum had just been.

"Nice work, Hana!" cheered Mina, grabbing the Thunder Maker as she and Zora whooshed into the air after Hana. The Chaos Critters let out high-pitched screeches of anger. They surged up the trees, trying to reach Hana as she flew back into the air. Some leapt off the trees and landed on her. Hana shivered as she felt the critters' tiny sharp claws on her scales. But she kept calm. She did a quick somersault in the air, and the critters squawked as they streamed off her back. The Storm Dragons whipped their way through the treetops. Hana thought they'd escape quickly, but the Chaos Critters were surprisingly fast. They streaked along just behind the Dragon Girls, surging up trees and jumping easily from one to the next. With their gleaming claws and high-pitched squeaking, they were truly horrible. "We've got to get away from them!" Hana called. "Top speed, everyone."

The Dragon Girls shot ahead, trying to lose the critters. But they stayed close behind—no matter how fast the girls flew or how many turns they made. Hana's heart pounded with the effort. The Thunder Maker was still not complete. They needed to get away from these pesky critters so they could put the new drum into the machine and get it working again. A worry circled Hana's mind. Would they be able do it? She pushed the thought aside. They had to! The fierce wind picked up leaves and dust, flinging them into the dragons' eyes. Even worse, the wind seemed to be pushing along the Chaos Critters, making them go faster. Hana gritted her teeth. They had to get away from the chaos. As she ducked beneath a low-hanging branch, she felt something land on her back. It was too

heavy to be a Chaos Critter. Looking over her shoulder, Hana was relieved to see Beebi! "Go above the tree line," the little bear urged. "The critters can't reach you up there." "Higher!" Hana called quickly to her twin and cousin. Flapping hard, she headed upward. She could hear Mina and Zora right behind her—but she could also hear the Chaos Critters scuttling up the trees. She really hoped that these beasties hadn't learned how to fly! Hana surged through the leafy canopy and into the forest air. The Chaos Critters clustered on the topmost branches, waving their claws in fury. They shrieked with frustration. They could go no farther. But it was not time to celebrate yet. The Storm Dragons had flown directly into the middle of a storm cloud! Thunder crashed all around. It was so loud that Hana felt a wave of sound slam against her, pushing her sideways.

"Hold on tight, Beebi," she called. She began to spin, tail over snout, through the dark clouds. The thunder rolled again. This time it sounded like it was sneering at her! "Hana, you've dropped the Thunder Drum!" cried Mina, still clutching the Thunder Maker. Through the swirling gray cloud, Hana saw the Thunder Drum tumbling down. "I'll get it!" yelled Zora, diving after the precious object. But the thunder exploded again, sending Zora spinning off in the wrong direction. Hana gasped. If the drum fell to earth, it would surely break or be destroyed by critters. And it would be all her fault! Hana flapped her wings with all her might, but the wind and thunder forced her back. Determination rumbled in her belly. Nothing was going to stop them completing this important mission!

A roar exploded from her, far louder than any roar she'd done before. All her life Hana had been told to keep her voice down. To use her indoor voice. Finally, Hana's outdoor voice was needed. And it felt great! The next time there was a clap of thunder, Hana felt it bounce right off her.