13 Family

CHAPTER 13 FAMILY The Ember Stone glowed brighter than ever. The light filled Valor Wood. Everyone— even Grey, Maximus, and Thorn—stopped fighting to look. Thorn's dark eyes glittered as he stared at the stone. Blaze dropped it in front of him. Thorn reached out to touch the hot stone, but he drew back his wing.

Skyla gasped. "Thorn can't touch the Ember Stone! Blaze is the only one powerful enough to hold it and control its magic." Thorn narrowed his eyes. "I might not be able to use the stone," he said. "But Blaze is a friend of mine now." "She's not your friend!" Skyla shouted. Before Tag could stop her, Skyla shot an acorn, hitting Thorn's head. Thorn hissed. But he turned his attention back to Blaze. "Blaze," he said, "we can do anything together with the Ember Stone and my Shadow! Perodia will be ours!" Just then, Grey stepped forward. "Blaze does not want to destroy Perodia."

Grey turned to Blaze. "Remember where you came from," he told her. "You don't need Thorn. You have the power to save Perodia." "Fight against the spell, Blaze!" Skyla shouted. "You are stronger than you think," Tag added. Blaze ignored her friends and looked to Thorn. Thorn tapped his claws on the ground. "Blaze is mine," he said. "The whole of Perodia will soon be shadowland, and you will all work for me!"

Grey narrowed his eyes, then looked around at his tired army. "Creatures of Perodia. We cannot defeat Thorn now that he has Blaze and the Ember Stone on his side. RUN!" Some animals scattered. But the nixies, Owls of Valor, seals, grumblebees, and bears stayed where they were. "We're not going anywhere!" Tag said. "Owls of Valor! Get ready!" Thorn laughed a horrible laugh that echoed around the forest. "Blaze!" he ordered. "Destroy Valor Wood!"

Blaze's feathers lit up. She picked up the Ember Stone and spread her flaming wings, preparing to shoot giant fire bolts at Valor Wood. The light from the stone grew even brighter. She opened her beak... "No!" Tag shouted. He leaped onto Blaze's back as she took to the air! Blaze swooped up and down, trying to throw Tag off. Tag held on tightly, even though Blaze's feathers burned hotter and hotter. "Blaze!" Tag shouted. "Please! Remember who you are!"

Blaze's feathers were so hot now that Tag could not hold on any longer. "We're more than friends!" Tag called out as he finally let go. "We're family!" Tag landed beside Skyla. Together, they watched Blaze circle Valor Wood, getting closer and closer, until ZOOM! Blaze shot a fire bolt at Thorn, knocking him to the ground. She turned and smiled at Tag. Her eyes were blue again! "This is for my family!" Blaze called as she headed up into the dark heart of The Shadow.