02 Storm Bugs!

CHAPTER 2 STORM BUGS! "Storm bugs!" Claw cried. "We must leave, now!" Skyla jumped onto Blaze's back, and the friends flew away from the bugs. Tag glanced behind him. The bugs were as big as he was, with large, round bubble-bottoms that sparked with flashes of lightning.

"They are following us!" Blaze cried. "Fly faster," Claw shouted. "We don't want them to catch up to us." "What will happen if they do?" Skyla asked. A flash of lightning hit a tree behind them. The tree exploded into flames. "That's what!" Claw said.

Tag gulped. He flew faster, as lightning flashed and raindrops began falling on his feathers. A deafening crack of thunder echoed around them. Why are these bugs chasing us? he wondered. The storm bugs seemed very angry at them. The friends flew over the thick jungle. All Tag could see below were the green treetops, which spread in all directions. As he flew, his wings felt more and more tired. "The storm bugs aren't slowing down!" Tag called. "We need to hide." He pointed to the trees below.

Blaze led the way, swooping lower until she disappeared into the trees. Claw and Tag followed. "Hurry," Claw said, racing into the jungle. The storm bugs buzzed above the treetops. They sounded close. Tag tried to keep up with the others, but Skyla was leaping from branch to branch. Blaze and Claw were moving just as fast. "Wait up!" Tag puffed. But his friends were too far away to hear! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Tag tripped over a twisty vine. His foot was caught! He pulled and pulled, but it wouldn't come free.

The buzzing came closer. Flashes of lightning moved through the trees until the storm bugs were hovering right above him. They formed an enormous dark cloud. Tag grabbed his dagger and cut at the vine, trying to get free. But he was stuck. Then suddenly SKRAAAAAAAAA! Blaze soared through the trees, letting out her powerful flrehawk cry.

The storm bugs flew around in circles, bumping into one another. Skyla and Claw ran to Tag. The storm bugs stopped and glared at Claw. One of the bugs began flying around so quickly that it was a yellow blur. "I think that bug is writing a message in the air," Tag said. Skyla narrowed her eyes. "What does it say?" she asked. The storm bug finished writing. Blaze slowly read the word. "BEWARE!"