Chapter 5

5 "What do we do?" Quinn whispered, looking worried. "We are stronger than the bunnies," said Aisha. "We could grab the book and fly away. But that's too mean! We'd be no better than the Shadow Sprites."

Mei had an idea. "Let's create a replacement roof! We're good at making things. We could create something the bunnies will really treasure." The others agreed that this was a great plan. Nearby, long golden-green reeds grew along a stream. Mei picked a handful and then wrapped another reed around the bunch to hold them together. Perfect! She picked more reeds and tied these to the first bunch. Aisha held up a long purple feather she'd found. "How about we weave this in?" she suggested. "Yes!" agreed Mei. "Let's make this roof as gorgeous as possible."

Aisha and Quinn ran around, collecting reeds and feathers and flowers for Mei to weave into the roof. The bunnies paid them no attention. They were too busy working their way through the carrots. Finally, Mei took a step back. "It's done! What do you think?" Quinn tilted her head. "It's good," she said. "But I feel like it's missing something."

Aisha nodded. "This roof has to be amazing if those bunnies are going to give up the book." What could they add? They had woven in the prettiest flowers and feathers they could find. "We could add some carrots," Aisha suggested. Quinn laughed. "Then the bunnies will eat their roof! We need to make it something they'll treasure, not snack on." Quinn's words made Mei think. They were Treasure Dragons, so they were good at finding treasure—and they were good at protecting it. But could it mean something else as well? She thought about when she'd first arrived in the forest. The red flame from her roar had made the unripe apple juicy and gorgeous. "I have an idea," she said. "Let's try roaring together over the roof." Aisha's eyes sparkled. "Let's do it." The three Treasure Dragons gathered around the thatched roof they'd made. "One, two, three, ROAR!" cried Mei.

Mei's red flame mingled in the air with Quinn's jade-green flame and Aisha's sapphire one. The swirling colors floated down toward the roof. Mei held her breath as the flames touched the reeds. She really hoped all their hard work wasn't about to go up in smoke! Quinn gasped. "It's changing!" The reeds now glowed a gorgeous bright gold. The flowers glittered like jewels. The purple feathers looked the same, but when Mei touched one, she found it had turned hard, like metal. The whole roof had transformed into a bejeweled masterpiece.

"What have you got there?" called a bunny, hopping over. His eyes lit up when he saw the roof. "That's beautiful. Is it for us?" "We were going to give it to you in exchange for the book. But you don't want another roof, do you?" Mei said sweetly. "Yes, we do! We do!" cried the bunnies, hopping closer and leaping up and down excitedly. "You can have that ugly brown roof. We never liked it anyway. This one is MUCH nicer."