10 The croco-Dragon

CHAPTER 10 THE CROCO- DRAGON The enormous croco-dragon's bright eyes glared at the friends as it crept closer to them. It snapped its sharp teeth at the friends.

Skyla leaped through the air, shooting acorns at the croco-dragon's head. Tag followed, flying at the creature with his dagger held high.

The croco-dragon roared and opened its huge jaws. A blast of green fire shot out of its mouth. Tag was knocked to the ground. Skyla shot more acorns at the creature, but it sent out another blast of green fire and burned the nuts to ash.

"My tail!" Skyla cried as burning green fire caught the tip of her tail. Tag quickly scooped up some mud and covered his friend's tail. The fire went out. Blaze's feathers glowed brighter. She shot a huge fireball at the croco-dragon, but the flames bounced off its tough skin.

"The creature is too strong!" Skyla cried. "Fly away!" Tag shouted. Blaze's feathers returned to normal and Skyla jumped on her back. They followed Tag into the sky, but— The croco-dragon followed! It chased after them, flapping its small wings. Whichever way they turned, the creature followed, blasting green fire. "My wings are so tired!" Tag called to his friends. "I need to land!" He landed in a muddy puddle. Blaze and Skyla landed beside him.

They watched as the croco-dragon landed a little way ahead. It roared, then crept toward them, preparing to attack. "We have to do something!" Skyla said. "Try your firehawk cry, Blaze!" Blaze opened her beak. But before she could make a sound, a dark shadow fell over them. The croco-dragon's eyes went wide. It walked backward, looking frightened. Before Tag knew what had happened, the creature dived into the Silver Swamp and disappeared beneath the water.