07 Tiger Bat Attack!

CHAPTER 7 TIGER BAT ATTACK! The Owls of Valor flew overhead in their shining armor. "Come on!" Skyla said, pulling at Tag's wing. "We have to hide the firehawk."

Tag and Skyla tried to lift the baby bird. Tag groaned. "She's... too... heavy!" Hundreds of tiger bats circled above. Their orange eyes glowed in the darkness. Skyla loaded her slingshot. "Thorn's army is coming for the firehawk!" "We can't let them find her!" Tag said, grabbing a heavy stick. Tag leaned in to speak to the trembling baby bird. "Can you fly?" he asked. The firehawk gave a small peep.

Tag moved his wings up and down slowly so as not to scare her. "Can you do this?" Tag wasn't sure firehawks could fly. The baby bird ruffled her feathers, but stayed on the ground. "I guess not," said Skyla. Tag sighed. "Let's hide in the grove—it's close by. The thick bushes should help hide her bright feathers." Tag and Skyla hurried through the trees. The firehawk wobbled on unsteady legs as they led her into the grove.

The baby bird peeped, flapping her wings. "Stay quiet," Tag whispered. Suddenly—SQUAWK! A tiger bat dived down. Skyla fired a pinecone at its head. "Stay back!" she shouted, hitting it between the eyes. The tiger bat flew dizzily away. Tag held the stick tightly. A tiger bat crashed through the trees, then another. Their sharp beaks snapped at Tag and Skyla. CLACK, CLACK, CLACK. Skyla darted up a tree to shoot acorns. She moved so fast she was a blur.

I have to lead them away from the firehawk! Tag thought. He rushed to the other side of the grove. The larger tiger bat followed. Tag lifted the stick and jabbed it at the tiger bat. SQUAWK! SQUAWK! "He's calling the others, Skyla!" Tag yelled. "Get ready!" Skyla shot acorns from her branch. But each time she hit one bat, another landed nearby. Tag swung the heavy stick with trembling wings. He couldn't hold it much longer. "There are too many!" Skyla cried. Thorn's army moved in.

Tag was surrounded. He took a step backward. Then— SKRAAA! The tiger bats spun around. They watched as the firehawk ran out from the bushes. "SKRAAA!" she called, her glowing wings held high. There was a flash of light and heat. Tag covered his eyes. He heard the whoosh of many wings, then all was quiet. When he looked again, the tiger bats were gone. And so was the dark cloud.