01 The Unusual Flowers

CHAPTER 1 THE UNUSUAL FLOWERS Tag and Skyla stood in a dusty clearing and examined the magical map. The ground felt like sand beneath their feet. It twinkled in the sunlight.

Skyla pointed to a group of tall trees on the map. The trees stood in the middle of an island, surrounded by dark water. She read the label, "Silver Swamp." "It looks like that's where the giant birds' nests are!" Tag said. Skyla nodded. "I wonder why they call it the Silver Swamp?" "I guess we're going to find out," Tag said. "Let's go." He tucked the map into his sack. The sun shined bright as they walked along a dusty path. "I hope Blaze is okay," Skyla said.

"I hope so too," Tag replied. "But she is strong and brave. And she has her special firehawk powers." A little way ahead, Tag could see a clearing. The ground was covered in brightly colored, unusual-looking flowers. Tag gasped. The flowers were like nothing he had ever seen before. Some grew taller than him. Others shone pink and green and yellow neon colors. They glowed like fireflies.

"Look at that!" Skyla exclaimed. She ran over and stood beneath a huge mushroom. It towered over her like a giant umbrella. Skyla sniffed a bell-shaped flower, then reached out to touch its petals when— PUFFFF! A spray of sparkly purple glitter shot out of the flower. It covered Skyla's face and fur. "Skyla!" Tag called, rushing over to her. "Are you okay?" "Achooo!" Skyla sneezed. "I'm okay. This stuff is just so sticky!" She brushed at the glitter, but it stuck to her fur.

Tag laughed. "You look super sparkly!" Skyla rolled her eyes as she kept brushing her fur. Tag pulled out the map to check they were going the right way. The magical golden feathers had drawn this map of the Cloud Kingdom. Now, each time Tag and Skyla looked at it, it changed to show them where they were. Two small figures stood on the map in the middle of the colorful clearing. They looked just like Skyla and Tag. "That's us," Skyla said, pointing at the tiny figures. "Don't touch the paper with your sticky paw!" Tag warned. "You'll make the map all glittery!"

Skyla huffed and continued walking. Tag was about to follow her, but something caught his eye on the map. He frowned as he took a closer look. The dark smudge was back. And this time it was even darker. "Skyla," Tag said. "What do you think this is?" But then— A rustling sound came from the trees behind him. Tag pulled out his dagger.