13 Going Home

CHAPTER 13 GOING HOME Tag watched Blaze and the other firehawks celebrating on the beach. Blaze looked so happy. He didn't want to think about leaving her behind. The six baby firehawks flew in the air, then tumbled into the water as they learned how to fly.

"Perodia is safe since we defeated Thorn. So maybe the firehawks could come home with us?" Skyla said. Tag looked around at the beautiful island. "They have everything they need here," he said. "This is their home. And it is Blaze's home now, too." "I think now it is time we went home to Perodia," Claw said, sitting down beside them. Tag nodded. Claw was right. They had finished their journey. They had found the firehawks. He just didn't want to say goodbye to Blaze.

"Talia," Tag said. "Are you able to open a portal back to Perodia?" "Yes," Talia said. "As long as you still have the golden feathers and the Ember Stone." Tag froze. He looked at his friends and saw the same realization on Blaze's and Skyla's faces. "Where are our magical objects?" Skyla cried. "We placed them on the stones in the Cloud Kingdom," Blaze replied. "I remember seeing them swirl around us as we fell through the portal." "I grabbed the Ember Stone as we fell," Tag said. He pulled it out of his sack. "But I wasn't able to catch the feathers, too."

Blaze looked to her mom. "Can we open the portal with just the stone?" Talia shook her head. "You need the golden feathers, too," she said. "Or another magical object." "There must be a way," Claw said. "Do you have any more golden feathers?" Tag asked Talia. Talia shook her head. "Each firehawk leader only has three golden feathers. You found all three of mine, and they helped to bring you home. But I'm afraid I don't have any more."

"What about Blaze's new silver feather?" Skyla asked. "Could that open a portal?" Talia thought for a moment. "Maybe," she said. "But not until it gains its magic, and that won't happen until Blaze is fully grown." Claw frowned. "There has to be another way back to Perodia." Tag sat on the sand. "I was hoping to become an Owl of Valor when we went home," he said. "To protect Valor Wood and Perodia." "I know," Skyla said. Her tail drooped. "I miss home, too."

"I will help you!" Blaze said. "You helped me find my family and my home. I will help you find a way back to Perodia." Blaze's mother shook her head. "There is no other way, Blaze," she said. Blaze stood tall. "We have to find a way," she said. "Tag and Skyla and Claw are my friends. We will find a way back to Perodia. Together."