Chapter 2

2 Aisha was so excited to be back in the forest that it took her a moment to notice that something strange was going on. The last time she had been here, it had been warm and summery. But now the air was frosty, and thick snow blanketed the

ground, just like at home. Maybe she wasn't in the Magic Forest after all? As she looked down, Aisha caught sight of her reflection in a frozen puddle at her feet. Normally when she looked in the mirror, Aisha saw a girl with short dark hair, deep brown eyes, and a friendly smile. But now instead she saw something very different!

She looked down to see the strong, blue-scaled dragon body that was her incredible form in this magical place. I must be in the Magic Forest after all, thought Aisha. She turned her long neck to admire the huge and powerful wings on her back. They were sapphire blue, like the rest of her, and were decorated with silver and gold. Aisha thought her wings were the very best thing about being a Dragon Girl. And just because it was so fun, Aisha gave a loud roar. Bright blue flames flared from her mouth. Aisha ginned in satisfaction. There was no doubt her roar was working! "But why it is so cold and snowy?" Aisha wondered out loud. "You're here! You're here!" cried an excited voice from nearby. Aisha turned to see a fluffy puppy leaping joyfully through the snow. He had gold markings around his face and his fur was a rich, dark blue. But that wasn't the strangest thing about this

happy, talking canine. He also had wings! The puppy skidded to a stop at Aisha's feet, flipped over, and fell with a gleeful splat into the snow. "Here, little guy. Let me help you up." Aisha laughed. She gently lifted the tiny creature from the snow and set him down on his paws. "Thanks!" he said, shaking himself and sending snow flying. "I'm PlushyPup. I'm here to take you to the Tree Queen. We must hurry! The Shadow Sprites are getting stronger and stronger." A thought struck Aisha. "Is that why it's snowing?" she asked. PlushyPup nodded. "In the Magic Forest, it normally only snows high in the mountains, where I live with my family. But ever since the Shadow Sprites stole the treasure from the forest's vaults, the snow has been spreading. Now it's almost everywhere!" "Why would the Shadow Sprites want to make the forest all snowy?" Aisha asked.

"The Shadow Queen and her sprites are most powerful in winter. And winter is when the forest is at its weakest. Also, it's easier for the Shadow Sprites to sneak around," explained PlushyPup. "They love the cold and can move really quickly over snow." Aisha shivered. If the snow is everywhere, then the Shadow Sprites are everywhere, too. Aisha had noticed that when the sprites were nearby, she felt unsure of herself. That was how she felt right now. Nervously, Aisha glanced around. All she could see were the long shadows of the trees. But as she watched, the shadows started growing. They slipped across the ground toward her and PlushyPup. "Quick, let's go!" Aisha called. She gave her broad and powerful wings a mighty flap and rose into the air. PlushyPup shot up beside her, his stumpy little wings fluttering so fast they were just blue blurs.

The Shadow Sprites leapt at Aisha and PlushyPup. "You won't get away!" they whispered. "You may as well give up now." But there was no way Aisha was going to give up. She hadn't even gotten started! She kicked away the grasping sprites with her strong legs. "Leave us alone," she roared fiercely. Her roar glowed blue in the air, creating a bubble of warmth around her and PlushyPup. Aisha felt very determined. Those sprites will not beat us, she promised herself.