15 Heading Home

CHAPTER 15 HEADING HOME The next morning, sunlight shone through the window of their bedroom in the Nixie Palace. "Time to go," Tag said. "We need to hurry in case Thorn or his spies are waiting for us." Skyla held up her slingshot. "We'll be ready for them if they are."

Blaze's feathers flashed brightly. "I'm ready," she said. Nova met the friends outside the palace. "Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?" Nova asked. "You would be safe here." Tag shook his head. "We have to find the last piece of the Ember Stone," he said. "It's the only way to save Perodia." "I understand," Nova said. She took a deep breath. "Ready?" she asked. Tag nodded.

Nova's wings glowed a soft pink color. She held out her hands and glitter filled the air, turning into three large bubbles. Tag, Skyla, and Blaze stepped into their bubbles with a loud BLOOP, BLOOP, BLOOP! They waved to Nova as the shiny bubbles floated gently upward.

"Good luck!" Nova called. "If you need help, just call into the shell." She pointed at a large shell that magically appeared at Tag's feet. He picked it up. Tag put the magic shell inside his sack. Hundreds of tiny, golden lights floated around the three friends, pushing them all the way to the surface. POP! Their bubbles burst on the shore, sprinkling glitter all around.

Tag glanced at the sky. It was clear. There was no sign of Thorn or his spies. "Where to next?" Skyla asked. Tag pulled out the map and set the stone on top of it. A small, shining dot appeared on the map. Blaze gasped as she peered over Tag's shoulder. "Valor Wood!" Skyla cried. "The next piece is back where we started," Tag said. He looked at his friends. "We're going home. It is time to stop Thorn once and for all."