Tomorrow morning Dad was still sick in bed when I noticed something. Lots of Ice-claws were missing from the usual hustle-bustle of the morning. In fact, It was like the population dropped by 40%. I pushed it to the back of my mind. I had bigger worries right now, Zara and I had to meet Rusty. As we walked through the tunnels I noticed I hadn't seen Jay all morning, again I had bigger problems at the moment.

We were to meet him in his strategies den, where battle plans were thought out. Inside was a round stone with scrolls laid out on it. Four Ice-claws including Rusty were lined up. The first was a fluffy jet black she-claw, with the wings of a raven and eyes like sapphires. The second was a heather-colored Tabby tom, with owl wings and faded green eyes. The last was an American curl, he was huge and was a sleek fluffy orange color, with golden eagle wings, his eyes were a deep topaz.

"Zach, Zara, I'd like you to meet Aurora, Lexicon, and Khan, Khan is their teacher."

"Hi, I'm Zara, this is my brother Zach." Announced Zara, somewhat proudly, I noticed smugly.

"Hi," I said nervously.

Aurora, the black on, marched right up to me.

"Wow, so you're Zach! You guys look almost the same, like twins!" She squealed.

"It's probably because they are." Said Lexicon

"Oh rack off Lex!" She said playfully.

Khan let out a deep laugh, it was a cheery, hearty laugh that filled the whole room.

"So....." I said.

"You gonna get going?" finished Zara.

"Oh, they finish each others sentences! How adorable!" Aurora squealed again.

Lex walked up and whispered into our ears, "don't mind her, I pretty sure she found some catnip before were came here."

"Yes, if you will follow me, we will head to the tree takeoff point." Said Rusty.

A couple of minutes and a plenty off twisty turns we followed the glowmoss-lit path to the tree take off point. This time it was covered in snow, but I could see the ring of mountains clearly enough. Dark clouds drifted on the horizon, it looked like a storm was brewing. The three prepared for takeoff.

"Ok, you are heading into Ghost Mountain, the most dangerous place on earth, there is no saying whether or not you'll come out alive, got it?" Said Rusty.

We watched from the entrance of the log, a plan was forming in my mind.

"Now go, to find the Fyreflower and save all Ice-claws!" He said, cheerfully.

They nodded and hurled themselves off with such force that I had never seen before. It was graceful yet strong, like an owl, kinda. I could hear their wing flaps as they flew into the air. Rusty stayed for a few moments then leaped into the air as well, probably to see them off. I walked out onto the edge on the limb, a cold breeze ruffled my fur and I shivered.

"Zach, what do we do now?"

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, the wintery air stung my lungs and I exhaled. For a few moments I felt the Magyk coursing through the tree, the very life energy off it. Then I slowly opened my tawny wings all the way to their five-foot wingspan.

"We, are going to follow them."

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