by Sophie Torro
“No!” Aurora screamed. She limped forward, terrified.
At the last moment, Sandstorm managed to catch herself. She desperately wrapped her paws around the railing, perilously dangling above her doom. A fall from this height would be devastating.
Sandstorm’s grip started slipping. She lurched dangerously.
Queen Tempest slowly prowled forward. “Oh, that was certainly amusing,” she told Sandstorm. “I applaud each of you for a good effort.” Queen Tempest’s eyes narrowed into slits. “But no wolf gets away with stealing from me.”
She lifted up the White Elemental Heart crown and placed it on her head.
The sky immediately darkened. A dangerous cyclone began to swirl around the castle. Thunder rattled the sky and lightning slashed through the darkness.
Queen Tempest let out a wicked, vile laugh. “This. Ends. Now!” she screamed.
CHAPTER 17
The armada of Sky Wolves in the courtyard began to flee for their lives. Screams of panic sliced through the shrieking wind. How could Queen Tempest do this to her own pack? Was this some kind of trap? Had she lost her mind?
Queen Tempest screamed out a laugh. Her eyes were wild with power as she watched the cyclone annihilate the Sky Pack Kingdom. What in Elementa was she doing?!
The castle began to disintegrate, one piece at a time. Stones were ripped from the walls and flung into the storm, swirling violently. Aurora nearly toppled over as the floor dangerously rumbled underneath her paws. She let out a terrified yelp.
Sandstorm clung onto the railing with all her might. One of her paws suddenly slipped. Sandstorm’s other paw began to slide.
“No!” Aurora cried. Without thinking, she unfolded her wings and leapt off the balcony. Just before Sandstorm was tossed into the deadly storm, Aurora bit her scruff. With her wings flapping desperately, Aurora helped Sandstorm heave herself over the railing and onto the balcony.
Sandstorm was safe—but there was no time to relax. A gigantic heap of rubble from the castle sailed toward them. Sandstorm pushed Aurora and herself out of the way, without a moment to spare.
Queen Tempest stared at the chaos unfolding around her with sickening delight. She barely even noticed Aurora and Sandstorm at her side. The cyclone was growing stronger by the moment. The crown glowed with frightening power.
“We need to get out of here,” Sandstorm shouted, struggling to throw her voice above the shrieking wind. “This is crazy!”
Queen Tempest’s room began to cave in. The roof crumbled, sending a shower of dirt, rocks, and boulders to the ground. Nautilus let out a fearful cry. Ember pressed himself against the wall, his eyes wide.
“Get Nautilus and Ember out of here,” Aurora told Sandstorm. “The three of you need to leave right now. Escape while you still can.” Fear thundered through Aurora’s veins.
Sandstorm let out a growl. “What about you?” she demanded. “You’re acting like you aren’t coming with us. Have you gotten some crazy idea in your head?”
“I’m going to try talking Queen Tempest out of this,” Aurora responded impatiently. Time was running out. “Now go!”
Sandstorm gave Aurora one last reluctant look, then turned tail and bolted. She rushed into Queen Tempest’s crumbling room. Sandstorm skidded to a halt in front of Nautilus, shouting something at him that Aurora could not hear. Ember stayed still, his gaze flickering from Sandstorm, and then to Aurora.
Aurora met his gaze briefly, then moved her head to look at Queen Tempest. “You need to stop this madness!” Aurora shouted at her. “Don’t you see that you’re destroying the Sky Pack? You’re hurting your own wolves!”
Queen Tempest whipped around to face Aurora, like a snake about to strike. “And so what if I am?” Queen Tempest sneered venomously. “Perhaps I should destroy all of Elementa and rebuild it to my liking! I’ll start this world over. I’ll make it perfect!”
Aurora felt sick. “You aren’t thinking straight!” she cried. “Your crown—all that power is messing with your mind!” Aurora gazed at the crown nervously. She briefly spotted something moving closer to Queen Tempest, but looked away quickly.
Queen Tempest tossed back her head and let out a cold laugh. Her grey pelt lashed in the deadly wind. “Oh, Aurora,” she cooed. “Don’t you see? This crown is bringing out the real me. It’s granting me power that I never even dreamed of possessing.” Queen Tempest’s pale eyes glowed ghoulishly in the storm. “The other elementals deserve what I have in store for them. They took my own daughter from me! By destroying them, I’ll be getting justice that’s long overdue.”
Aurora was struggling to prevent being blown away by the cyclone. Her wings lashed wildly at her sides. “That’s not justice!” Aurora shouted. “That’s revenge.” Anger began to surge through her veins. “Listen to me, Tempest,” Aurora spat. “I was just like you once. I despised the other packs and I feared them. But I learned that they don’t have to be our enemies. They’re wolves just like any other—wolves just like you and me!”
Aurora bravely took a step forward. “Wolves make mistakes sometimes,” she pressed. “It doesn’t matter what pack they’re from, or what they look like. I’m sorry about what King Inferno did to your daughter. But destroying the Fire Pack and all the other elementals isn’t right. Most of those wolves are innocent. Taking your anger out on them isn’t right!”
Queen Tempest remained silent, her eyes as hard as diamonds.
“We can end this peacefully,” Aurora told her. “We can work things out together—figure out a better way. It isn’t too late to stop this. Please. Choose the right path.”
Queen Tempest was silent for a long, long time. She suddenly tossed back her head and laughed. Lightning sliced through the darkness behind her, and thunder shook the crumbling castle.
Queen Tempest suddenly lashed out at Aurora. She knocked her to the ground with one fierce blow, then pinned her with one paw pressed firmly on the side of her face. “You fool! We’re wolves, not mice,” Queen Tempest snarled. “What did you honestly think? That I would feel the power of friendship after one heartfelt, sappy speech? That I would just give up my crown, because you asked me nicely?”
Queen Tempest released a low, dangerous growl. “It’s time you woke up and started living in the real world,” she hissed at Aurora. “Wolves have fangs and claws and deadly elemental powers because we’re meant to fight. There are four different elements because we’re supposed to stay separated. Forcing us together will only end in chaos. Elementa will be destroyed by your foolish ideas.”
Aurora glared at Queen Tempest, struggling to breathe under her weight. “Choose the right path,” she repeated. “Please. It isn’t too late.”
Queen Tempest pulled back her lips and bared her razor-like fangs. “I will never give up my power!” she roared. “Especially not because some starry-eyed traitor asked me to! Did you honestly think this would work?”
Aurora smiled bitterly. “No,” she responded. “I knew that it wouldn’t. I just needed to distract you.”
Queen Tempest’s eyes widened. She whirled around—at the same time, Ember, Sandstorm, and Nautilus pounced.
Sandstorm and Nautilus wrestled Queen Tempest to the ground, while Ember reached out a paw to swipe the crown. He wasn’t quick enough. With an enraged roar, Queen Tempest managed to throw Sandstorm and Nautilus aside. They tumbled backward.
Queen Tempest let out a snarl of defiance. As quick as a snake, she leapt at Ember. Ember dodged her outstretched claws, then threw himself at her. The two wolves immediately became locked in a swirling mass of snapping fangs and slashing claws. One was trying to take the crown, while the other was ready to kill to keep it all to herself.
With one swift, perfectly timed blow, Ember managed to knock the crown right off of Queen Tempest’s head. The cyclone immediately weakened, becoming no more than a strong wind. Dazzling sunlight sliced through the darkness as the heavy clouds dispersed. A peaceful, bright blue sky emerged.
&nb
sp; “NO!” Queen Tempest shrieked.
The fleeing Sky Pack in the distance gradually became still. They slowly turned around to face the castle. Some of the braver Sky Wolves began to curiously creep closer, wondering what had abruptly ended Queen Tempest’s terrible storm.
With a heavy thud, the White Elemental Heart crown landed right in front of Aurora’s paws. Power immediately began to surge through her, filling her with strength.
Queen Tempest threw Ember aside with a monstrous scream. She wildly thrashed toward Aurora, her eyes filled with greed. “That’s my crown!” she hissed. “Mine! It’s all mine!” Queen Tempest let out a furious yell as she lunged at Aurora.
Aurora swiftly lifted the crown and placed it on her head. A sudden blast of white energy exploded away from the winged wolf. It knocked Queen Tempest backward, and whipped the fur of her three friends. Aurora let out a surprised yelp. Power flooded through her like a tsunami, filling her with unimaginable strength.
When the glow faded away, Aurora dizzily touched her forehead with a paw. “What was that all about?” she groaned. “That was… really strange.”
Ember, who was the first to cautiously approach Aurora, let out a gasp. “Your wings,” he whispered in awe. “They look different.” Nautilus looked shocked, while Sandstorm appeared nervous of Aurora.
My wings? Aurora thought. She unfolded them, then gasped.
Her wings were gigantic! They were three times bigger than before, and more beautiful than ever.
White, gorgeous plumage shone magnificently in the sunlight. A few golden feathers had appeared as well. In addition to her wings, the tops of Aurora’s paws were now laced with fluffy tufts of fur, and she had grown a bit taller than before.
“This is incredible,” Aurora whispered. She felt like she could fly all the way to the moon and back without breaking a sweat.
“Uh, guys?” Nautilus suddenly asked. “I hate to ruin the moment, but Queen Tempest is getting away.”
Aurora, Ember, and Sandstorm whirled around. Queen Tempest was nervously backing away, her eyes bright with fear. She let out a snarl, trying to show bravery when she had clearly been defeated. Queen Tempest’s paws trembled.
“It’s over,” Aurora told her former queen. More gently she added, “You don’t need to be afraid. My friends and I won’t hurt you. Like I said earlier, the other elementals aren’t our enemies.”
Aurora’s voice echoed through the silent Sky Pack Kingdom. She was unaware that her fellow Sky Wolves were closely watching from the courtyard, and were listening to her every word.
Queen Tempest let out a furious snarl. “The other elementals will always be enemies to the Sky Pack,” she snapped. “You may have been blinded by your own foolishness, Aurora, but my pack will not make the same mistake. Right?!” Queen Tempest’s gaze latched onto the spectating wolves.
They were silent, motionless. Aurora could see the thoughtfulness in their eyes, even from up here on the balcony. Aurora found herself holding her breath. Would the Sky Pack accept the other elementals and put aside their differences? Or, was peace across Elementa already a lost cause?
There was silence for what felt like an eternity. Then, suddenly—
“All hail Queen Aurora!” someone in the crowd cheered. “All hail our new queen!”
“Queen Aurora!” someone else joined in.
“Unity across Elementa!” added another.
“Peace for all packs!”
“Peace! Peace! Peace!” The crowd began to chant that word, over and over again, filling the entire kingdom with their cheer. “Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace!”
Queen Tempest’s eyes grew wide with disbelief.
Aurora was just as shocked. She hadn’t expected the Sky Pack to give up their grudges so easily. Perhaps seeing the bond Aurora, Ember, Nautilus, and Sandstorm shared was enough to change their hearts. After all, the four wolves had shown Queen Tempest mercy when she deserved none. If it hadn’t been for the teamwork of the four elemental wolves, Queen Tempest would have destroyed the entire Sky Pack.
Aurora lifted a paw in a call for silence. She paused for a moment, wondering what she should say. “I’m honoured that you want me to be your queen,” Aurora began. “But I’m afraid that my paws must walk a different path.”
Ember, Nautilus, and Sandstorm, who stood at Aurora’s sides, gave her a curious look. A soft breeze ruffled their fur.
“I’ve decided, with the help of my friends, that I will travel across Elementa to unite the four packs,” Aurora continued. “Although I’m proud of the Sky Pack for choosing a life of peace, I’m afraid that unity across the continent is still a long time coming. There is much work to do, and I cannot do it here.”
“Who will be our leader now?” someone in the crowd protested.
Aurora nervously rubbed the back of her neck with a paw. “I wish I had an answer to that question,” she joked. “The truth is, I don’t know. But now that you’re free of Queen Tempest’s—I mean, Tempest’s rule—you can choose whoever you want. Decide together as a pack.”
A wave of thoughtful murmuring filled the Sky Pack Kingdom. Aurora could feel their excitement in the air. This was truly the dawn of a new era in the Sky Pack. Although every wolf seemed happy about the change, there was one wolf who would never release her grip on the old way of life.
“No,” Tempest snarled lividly. The rage in her eyes was nightmarish. “No. No. No! I am the leader of this pack! I choose war! I choose to crush our enemies!” Without warning, Tempest leapt at Aurora, ready to snatch the crown.
Aurora immediately slammed the crown against the ground with all her might. It shattered into a million tiny fragments, right before their eyes.
Aurora stared at the remains, breathing heavily. She had been the one to create this crown. It was only fitting that she was the one to destroy it. Nobody would use it to harm Elementa again. Aurora had made sure of that.
“No!” Tempest howled. She scrambled to collect all the shards with her paws, as if hoping to rebuild the crown with desperation alone.
Aurora immediately lost her powerful new form. She shrunk back to normal… and Aurora wouldn’t have it any other way. “Guards!” she called. “Please make sure that Tempest won’t be causing any more trouble.”
Four winged guards appeared at once, ushering Tempest into the castle. Tempest screamed and shouted and spat curses at them.
“Please treat her kinder than she treated her prisoners,” Aurora called to the guards, just as they disappeared around the corner. Blizzard and the wolves from The Hidden Howl would have been proud of that decision.
The Sky Pack began to slowly scatter around the kingdom, eagerly discussing plans of peace, and of a prosperous future.
Aurora released a heavy breath, smiling. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders at long last. Now, she was free to touch the sky.
CHAPTER 18
Waves rolled onto the pale shore, rhythmic and peaceful. A warm breeze flowed through the air, bringing with it the scent of salt. Seagulls squawked as they glided in the bright, cloudless blue sky overhead. This was truly a perfect day.
Aurora turned her face toward the sun, sighing contently. It felt great to no longer worry about Tempest, or what she might do to Elementa.
Blizzard was safe and back home in the Sky Pack Kingdom, after returning the other prisoners to their packs. No battles between the elementals had occurred in the last few days, as far as Aurora knew. And the Sky Pack had found a new leader, who was said to be wise and thoughtful.
Aurora smiled. It finally seemed as if life would turn out okay.
However, there was still much to do before Elementa was unified. There was a long way to go before the four packs were officially at peace. And, Aurora felt it was time to resume their adventure once again.
Aurora turned her head to look at her friends. They were all resting outside of Nautilus’ den, silently soaking up the sun. T
his is how they’ve been in the days since defeating Tempest—quiet, calm, and most certainly sleepy. Relaxing without a care in the world.
Except for Ember. He always appeared on edge, as if expecting someone to suddenly creep out of the shadows to attack him.
Ember was the first to notice Aurora. He met her gaze and smiled warmly. “You have something on your mind,” he stated. “I can tell. Do you have anything you’d like to share with us?” At Ember’s words, Nautilus woke up from his nap in a daze, while Sandstorm lifted her head attentively. Everyone was staring at Aurora now, waiting for her to speak.
Aurora dug her claws in and out of the sand. “I think it’s time we continue our mission,” she began cautiously. “We’ve been resting long enough, and we can rest again once all of Elementa is united.” Aurora silently read the expressions on her friends’ faces.
Sandstorm’s expression was the most noticeable. As always, she looked grumpy. “I have no interest in being dragged along on your heroic, starry-eyed missions,” she grunted. “I kept my end of the bargain and helped you defeat Tempest. You kept yours, and told everyone I’m some big shot hero. Now I’m done with you all.”
Nautilus nervously fiddled with the fins on his tail. “Then why have you stuck around all this time?” he asked in a small voice. “Um, no offense, of course. You can go wherever you like. Please don’t claw me.”
Sandstorm gave him a fang-filled smirk. “Because your den rocks,” she barked. “I wanted to enjoy my little tropical getaway before going back home. I have no intention of sticking around with you wimps.” Sandstorm abruptly rose to her paws.
“You’re leaving now?” Aurora asked.
“Obviously,” Sandstorm snorted.
“What will you be doing in the Earth Pack?” Aurora questioned. “Maybe you can convince your pack leader to join forces with the Sky Pack, to help us unite Elementa.” Hopefulness made Aurora’s heart swell.
Sandstorm rolled her eyes. “You and your obsession with peace,” she sneered. “Some wolves don’t care about friendship and rainbows, Aurora. I have better use of my time.” Sandstorm’s yellow-eyed gaze locked fiercely with Aurora’s. “I’m going to get stronger,” she continued. “I’m going to train harder than ever before. I’m going to become the most powerful wolf in all of Elementa.”
