09 The Ember Stone

CHAPTER 9 THE EMBER STONE Blazed gently moved her wings up and down. Her feathers began to glow. Coralie stared at Blaze. "Is Blaze magical, too?" Tag nodded. "Blaze and the Ember Stone are linked somehow. And, yes, her feathers can turn to fire."

"Fire?" Coralie trembled. "The ice cave will melt!" "Not if Blaze is careful," Tag said. He turned to Blaze. "Do you think you can control your fire power this time?" "Peep!" Blaze said loudly. Skyla frowned. "Blaze's fire power is very strong, Tag. She's young. She's still getting used to her powers." "She can do it," Tag said. "We have to trust her." "Just keep your flames focused on that wall, Blaze," Skyla said.

"Everyone, stand back!" Tag ordered. Tag, Skyla, and Coralie stepped away from Blaze and the ice wall. Blaze flapped her wings. Slowly at first, then faster. Feather by feather, her wings lit up. They glowed red and orange and yellow. Blaze touched the wall of ice with her flaming wings.

"It's working!" Tag cried. The ice began melting into a watery puddle. Blaze pushed her shaky wings into the ice. Closer and closer to the next piece of the Ember Stone. "You're almost there!" Skyla said, jumping up and down. "You can do it, Blaze!" Tag shouted. The flames rose higher and higher. The tip of Blaze's wing almost touched the stone... Suddenly, she pulled away. "Peep!" Blaze cried. Her feathers exploded with bright light. "She's losing control!" Tag shouted. "The cave is melting!" Skyla hurried closer to Blaze. "Stay calm," she whispered.

Blaze flapped her fiery wings, trying to put out the flames, but they burned even stronger. "Oh no! The ceiling!" Coralie cried. Water dripped onto Tag's head. The walls were shifting. Cracks shot across the floor.

"Blaze, quick! Jump into the water!" Tag cried. Blaze turned and dove into the cold water. Her feathers sizzled. Then she dove deeper, to return to the main cavern. Skyla jumped onto Coralie's back. "Come on, Tag!" she shouted. "We have to get out of here! We have to follow Blaze!" "I can't leave without the stone!" Tag yelled, racing toward it. Just then, the floor split open.