Tainted Halos || Chapter 2

Instructions

Back on Earth, the elementals were taking care of the planet. Woodpaw, who was married to Firepaw, nurtured the forests and plants on Earth. Woodpaw was covered in plants and sometimes small critters. His pelt was an oak-brown with darker swirls like bark. Breezepaw monitored the atmosphere and controlled wind. He was small and nimble, with an almost transparent white coat. Aquapaw spent most of her time in the ocean or bodies of water, small or large. She was able to go on land. Aquapaw had short, pacific blue fur and was almost always wet. When she came on land, Breezepaw dried her out. Firepaw was called when anyone needed a fire, like campers. She probably had anger issues, and when it got really bad a wildfire occurred. Many times, the anger was caused by humans. Firepaw was a mix of red, orange and yellow. She had small flames of fire all over her body. It was a normal, fine day on Earth. Humans were doing human things, and the elementals were protecting the planet. Breezepaw monitored the atmosphere, Woodpaw nurtured the plants, Aquapaw controlled the precipitation and water, and Firepaw made fires appear when they’re needed. Firepaw was angry at the amount of fires the humans neglected to put out this month. She lost control and a large fire struck again. Woodpaw was thankfully in the area, cutting down wood for their fireplace. Winter was coming soon and they wanted to prepare. “Aquapaw, fire in Western North America! We need some rain!” Woodpaw called out. Of course, they were continents apart, Breezepaw being in Europe and Aquapaw being in Africa to help the drought. Yet, the elementals sent a signal to each other when someone was needed. It helped a lot. “Yeah, just a second!” Aquapaw replied, flying her way into North America after finishing a daily shower in Nigeria. Using evaporated liquid, she created makeshift wings and channeled water into her veins, sending her far off across the world. Firepaw paced around the flames, attempting to keep it in one place. “Oh I’m sorry honey-I didn’t mean it-it was an accident- '' The fire grew wilder, her emotions swirling all over the place. “Honey, it’s alright. Aquapaw’s rain will be here soon.” Woodpaw comforted Firepaw. “You guys need my help?” Breezepaw asked. “No thank you, even if you blow out the fire, the flames will go elsewhere and another problem arises.” Woodpaw replied. Breezepaw shrugged. Although he knew Woodpaw meant no harm, it still kinda hurt. After all, he only blows things you don't want to blow away and causes natural disasters. What good was he for in the first place? Woodpaw and the others felt rain pouring down on them. “Thank you, Aquapaw!” Firepaw yelled to the clouds. The fire was extinguished in a matter of seconds as the wispy smoke floated through the air. Aquapaw drew water from the ground, making herself a staircase to step on, landing softly on the burnt grass. “Sorry for the sudden call…it’s just I was stressed and-” Firepaw’s eyes travel to where Aquapaw’s wings were supposed to be. Memories of guilt came flashing back. Tears welled up in her eyes and she could feel the ground getting hot. “Uhm…don’t worry! I’m not very busy anyways. Humans have advanced technology now…I just provide a water source.” Aquapaw laughed, trying to shake it off. Woodpaw came to the rescue, but Firepaw quickly shooed him off, walking away. She left a trail of fire in her path. Woodpaw sighed, smoke burning through the air. “I’m worried about her. She’s dangerous and uncontrollable, she started a fire in a whole state!” “She was looking at where my wings used to be. I know she still feels guilty.” Aquapaw explained. She ignored the instinct to flap her wings where they were supposed to be. She was still mad about it, though. Breezepaw stayed silent, playing with the wind and blowing dust away from the ground. Such topics did not interest him. The trio glanced back as they heard a noise, which turned out to be Firepaw inflating a tree with her paw. “Uh oh.”