Stepping out of the darkness, what had looked like a mere shadow stood tall. It was skull-crusher, the drotch’s main leader. His muscular body was fused with steel and some say the metal reached his brain and heart. He had fox skulls in his belt and was clutching a diamond tipped broadsword dripping in blood fresh from one of the wolf’s chests. His mask was made of pure titanium and completely concealed his face. He took a warhorn from his pocket and blew it so loudly the trees shook. Bears, wolves and lions were now crowding the street.

When the battle had finally ceased, blood covered the streets and was abundant. Cautiously, Helter crept back to the bins in the alleyway. Suddenly, a pang of fear spread through him. Skull-crusher was probably here for Skelter and Pop.

By dawn, the three fox cubs had left the town of terror and were now trekking across the anthill plains, heading for the rocky range. The journey took at least 8 hours and so, when the brightness of the sun drew to a close, they found themselves building a hut to withstand the cold night air. Glowing, the air was filled with fireflies which hummed gently, unsettling Pop. They could hear a faint rumbling coming from the volcano. Helter checked the map to see if they were on the right path but skelter told him not to worry

Outside the shelter, the wind started getting more violent and cold. Inside, the fire Skelter had started was nicely baking the apple and toasting the bread. Scared it would get lost, Helter unpacked the only gift he got from his grandfather before he passed away. It was a small, serrated blade encrusted with a glowing, white gemstone. Some say, when you hold it, you get telekinetic, invisibility and clairvoyant powers if you were worthy. Helter grasped the handle and felt warmth spreading through him like a flame travelling through his veins. Suddenly, he saw a repeating video on his head of bears and wolves pouring out of a cave.

There was a thunderous noise coming from the mountain and the rocks seemed to creak and bulge until it sounded like a bomb being blown apart and many different beasts poured out of a newly created cave entrance. Within moments, the cubs were bound up with sticky, red ropes. Pop nestled closely to her older sister and Skelter gave the beasts withering looks but Helter was busy hiding the blade.

Too late. A shadow strided out of the cave and the beast crouched down, either in fear or respect. “Thinking about making a run for it?” Skull-crusher taunted. ”I’ll do what I’m known for if you do manage, not that you can go anywhere.” They were carried into a spacey cavern and layed down. They realized this was the motherload of drotch, waiting to be deployed. Petrified, Helter glanced at Skull-crusher. It looked as if the drotch were preparing to raid Handen’s hideout, the one place they thought they would be safe.

The sun had hardly shown its head when Helter woke with blurry vision, clearing away the crystallized sleep in the crooks of his eyes. Something was tapping on the log and it didn’t sound pleasant. Helter decided to be brave and so he took the lantern outside. However, it was just Clive, telling them the drotch had burnt Frenzy Forest and were heading their way. Helter woke the others and they packed up their things, following him out.

As they set off, the woods were covered in morning frost and the still, lifeless trees dropped a few crinkled autumn leaves. There was the occasional rat bone or fur covered skin but they tried to keep their heads high, despite the fact their tracks would be seen by the drotch and they would no doubt follow them. Just then, Helter spotted what looked like civilization. He checked the map and his blood froze. It was the town of terror.

Several hours later, the group found themselves pacing around the outskirts of the buildings, finding a safe place to enter when at last, they found a deserted alley. They slipped into it and ducked down low, so as not to be seen. They found a group of bins and decided to make camp there.

The smell of the garbage would be obnoxious but, being foxes, they didn’t mind at all. They eventually got hungry so climbed into the bins and fished around until they found some mackerel leftovers, remains of water and a spider or two.

As night crept up on them, they set up a few old blankets to rest on and laid their jackets on them as duvets. They came closer together to preserve body heat and stayed incredibly quiet and still. 

Helter crept in between the bins. They needed food. He stayed low and skirted the wall. Terrified, his eyes darted around, looking for bears, wolves or lions. He could see a lamp-lit tavern and could smell salmon and sea bass cooking over a spit. Helter spotted a deserted market and picked up an old backpack that was on the street. He managed to nab 5 cod, 2 loaves of bread, a box of salad and a flask of soup. Not very fresh but hey, it was still food.

Suddenly, a drunken voice from the tavern called out “Hey, what’re ya doin?” A scar covered face with a bloody nose and shards of glass in his cheek leered out the window. A bear picked up a sharp battleaxe from a stand and padded outside. Helter crouched down, so as not to be seen. A brown foot pounded the road.

3 wolves finished sharpening their fangs and raced towards the bear to assist him. Helter waited in the shadow, hoping that he would not be seen…

Finally, they were ready to leave.

That lunchtime, a message had arrived from Clive, the crazy, andventurous fox to say the Drotch were coming. Frenzy Forest would not be safe anymore. The place was as open as a book and the Drotch could walk right in. They would surely use their chainsaws and machetes to mercilessly cut down the trees.

So the three young fox cubs, Helter, Skelter and Pop set off. Their journey would take at least a week and would consist of crossing Furriver to get to the lighthouse, turn on the light and guide the cargo ship aiming for the island to get to the coast. They would then gather the cargo and head to Handen’s Hideout, housed in Magenta Mountains. Their cousins had given them a map & compass to find their way.

Clipping the pouch shut, Helter led the small squad of fox cubs along the grassy plains of Fonnerland. They were soon at the rocky outcrops of the coastline so they headed the other way to Furriver. Picking up Pop with both paws, Skelter sped up to a jog, gently humming an old tune for pop. They finally reached the marsh and could see the gushing river ahead. Skelter couldn’t stop thinking about the Drotches pulling them under.

Trudging behind Helter, Skelter tugged on Pop’s paw and did up the last button on his jacket. The snow, which was getting heavier, was relentless and showing no sign of stopping. Then, Skelter pleaded Helter to stop for a rest. They spotted a fallen down, hollow tree and they got to work. Frozen, Pop stayed behind, thawing his tiny paws and taking out an ancient flute, playing a tune from their hometown, soothing his brother and sister and making them shed a lone tear of happiness. When both ends were covered with twigs and moss, Helter lit his lantern and set it down. Hungrily, Skelter took the food out of his knapsack and set it down.

That night, they had a nice little snack of leftover mice meat curry, banoffee pie and some baked aubergine and spinach pizza juice smoothie. Pop munched and glugged his share down and was asleep quicker than you could say Helter Skelter Pop.

As Helter got pulled under by sleep, he couldn’t stop imagining the Drotches clanking along with their chainmail armour and buzzing chainsaws. Would they ever reach Handen’s hideout?

How to care for a Doregon (A small, vegetarian dragon)

Have you ever dreamed of raising a dragon? Well, today’s your lucky day! Just follow these simple steps and that dream will become a reality.

You will need: A large underground/fireproof area, stockpiled broccoli, oven gloves, a safe and honey mixed with mud and gelatine.

What you do

1. First, set up the safe with broccoli and lock it.

2. Next, set up the honey mixture in a bucket for if they are sick/ill, put the oven gloves outside the enclosure and make a nest out of twigs and feathers

3. Then, when it and you are up in the morning, see if it has cracked the safe so that you can change the code again (puzzles will develop its mind).

4. After that, check for any poos because they have a chance to singe the floor.

5. Finally, check the nest for any eggs and tickle your dragon on its chin, its face pointing the wall, to see if it will breathe fire.

A final warning

Despite them looking cute and being vegetarian, they have carnivorous cousins who come over so when they are about 2 years old get five pounds of beef and some pork crackling. Be warned that if your dragon is underfed, they will give a shrill whistle that has been known to deafen people so invest in some ear guards.

The Volcana Horned Horse

The unicorn is a wide species which has many breeds, ranging from the strong rock pegasus to the amazing moon unicorn but one of the most fascinating breeds ever recorded is the Volcana horned horse. Many unicorns are beautiful and passive but this one is quite the opposite.

This wild stallion, which lives at the base of volcanoes, builds and lives in caves of ash and rock, hiding it’s young in tiny pods and feeding them milk. Intelligently, they only chose volcanoes on islands as less creatures try to hunt their young. They help the sea unicorn by scaring off land predators that might prey on them and the sea unicorn returns the favour by watching over their young while they are gone.

If you tried to spot one, you wouldn’t be very successful because they would hear you coming and would camouflage themselves to look like their surroundings. However, a few lucky people have managed to spot them. They have a blackish red battle horn, a flowing, lava like mane and 3 blood red eyes like strawberries of death. It also has a magma shooting fang, strong hooves and a spiky, bristly tail like a wrecking ball that cuts as well as whacks.

The Volcana horned horse only has a few things it eats, which are only there every decade! It must therefore store the food and only use it when most needed. Almost all of these wonderful beasts eat the island phoenices and their eggs which come to roost in palm trees. However, the minority are a strange cross-breed between the Volcana horned horse and the rock pegasus which hunts zebras, deers and the like.

Many people believe that it’s blood is lava. However, this is yet to be proven. They can be seen bathing in volcanoes to attract the attention of females. They sometimes drink from the volcanoes as well. This is why volcanoes seem dormant. They are also seen as buddies with the rock pegasus so as a duo they are unkillable.

If you ever spot one that is not anywhere near a volcano then call the MCCC* immediately and do not move. Keep your eyes on it otherwise it might disappear. Then wait until they safely secure, contain and protect this animal. It’s current conservation status is near threatened so try to protect it. If you are interested then please contact the MCCC.

*Magical Creature Control Centre