This story is rated G for general viewing.
Fen ruffle feathers and crouch down in ditch. In front of Fen, a big fire blazes, but Fen not afraid. Any other phoenix might be, but not Fen! Birds fear fire, for fire mean death to Fen’s people, and even death which bring rebirth make pain and fear. Fen’s mother died, and her ashes gave Fen life. That what always happen. That what should happen.
But Fen have no fear of fire, not when Fen control it. Fen use mind to tug it, mold it in Fen’s form. Fen see model of Fen in fire. Firebird mimic Fen. Fen laugh. "Fire, fire, fire!" Fen sings to self. "Fen like fire." Fen make flames bend into shapes. Fen hear something behind Fen, crunch of foot in grass. Fen fly a little ways off. Good, not another phoenix to see Fen move fire and laugh. A two-leg creature. That new. Never seen one in Li. But new things could come, or else Hra make. Hra make everything, why not make more things?
"Two leg. Walk straight," Fen say. Fen never seen creature that balance on hind legs, and have no wings. Nobird look pale and slender, with light green feathers on head, skin blue. Fen flutter red-orange wings and cock head to side. "You talk?"
"Yes, little one, I talk." Even talk strange. Talk slow, not fast like phoenix.
"What two-leg want?"
Two-leg curve flatbeak up. "Fen, I want to speak with you. You are very powerful and I need your help." Fen narrow eyes. How this two-leg know about Fen power? And Fen name?
"How you know Fen’s name?"
Two-leg move shoulders up, then down. "I know the names of all Earth’s creatures."
"What Earth?"
"This is Earth."
"Is not Earth! This earth," Fen say, claw dirt with talons. "This Li!"
"This particular version of Earth may be called Li, but Earth is Earth, and it is mine. All creatures upon it are mine."
Fen stare. "You are Hra?"
Two-leg jump. "You could say that. My name is Terra."
"Terra,"Fen chirp. It give Fen warm feeling, not know why. Who is two-leg, Terra, and what she want with Fen?
"Earth is in danger. I need five elementals to rule the elements and help me defeat the enemy." This strange! Fen rustle wings and make quickflight closer to Terra.
"Want Fen be one of five? Why Fen?"
"You are pyrokinetic." Terra wave at fire with five fat talons. "You can control the fire. I want you to be my fire elemental."
"Fire?" Fen ask, hop closer.
"Yes," Terra say. "You must find a crystal. The fire will tell you the way. And then...you will have more powers. You will control the fire totally." Fen like this; it sound good. Fen want control all fire... "And then, you must find the other four with the other crystals. Together, you must replace the five crystals in an artifact called the FiveHolder in my fortress."
Fen not happy. "Then lose power?"
"No, no," Terra say. "You will keep the power." Fen glad.
"What happen if Fen not go?"
"If I cannot find the five people I need, Earth will likely be destroyed by the enemy." Fen think about this. Fen not sure if Fen believe this two-leg, but it not sound like liar. And want power to make fire move. Forever! It very good. How I not take?
"Fen go. What Fen do first?"
Two-leg move mouth again. "I am glad, Fen. Let the fire guide you to the crystal. It will tell you the way." Then, move mouth at Fen, go. Fen blink. Two-leg just been there. Two-legs strange.