Chapter 3: Surprise Encounter

"That was the last delivery!" Hydro cheered as he began to race back to the Delivery Services.

"HURRY! THE SUN IS GOING DOWN! HURRY!" Cairo squawked in anticipation.

Artty squeak in agreement as he gripped on to Hydro's shoulder. "You too? I guess everyone wants to see the festival, can't wait to tell Auntie Terra and Uncle Sora all about it!"

"No..." the old man sternly spoke.

"But... Grandpa," Hydro whined as his ears started drooping.

"Sorry Hydro, but it's too dangerous to go to the Anagénnisi Festival," said Terra with a polite voice.

"She's right Hydro, the Anagénnisi Festival is insane every year. It's definitely not a place for children," said Sora, frowning at Hydro.

"But... I really wanted to go!" Hydro yelled.

The old man wacked Hydro's head with his rickety cane, before repeating himself. "No... you can't go to the festival, that is final,"

Hydro rubbed the lump swelling on his head, before asking. "But why?"

"Again Hydro, it's just too dangerous," said Sora.

"I'm so sorry Hydro..." Terra said as she gently petted Hydro's head.

Grandpa did not answer, as he began to walk away. Hydro gripped on to Grandpa's clothes as he begged desperately. However, even Hydro's puppy eyes couldn't faze the old dog. Grandpa kept walking away, until he shook Hydro's paws off himself and entered his bedroom and slammed the door behind him.

Hydro slouched his head, while he climbed upstairs to his bedroom.

"Poor Hydro..." Terra said as she felt her husband hand resting on her shoulder.

"He'll understand when get goes older," Sora with a reassuring smile.

"I hope you're right..." Terra lends into Sora's arms as she felt her guilt eating her.

"It's not fair..." Hydro sighed while laying on his bed.

"Agree!" Cairo caws while eating some roaches crawling around the floor.

Artty sat upon the bedroom's windowsill, he gazes up into the sky while been bathed underneath the moon's light.

Hydro lay on his bed in silence. Before he could drifted into slumber, he suddenly hit by a series of olives.

"Artty... stop annoying me and let me sleep. Isn't still nighttime?" Hydro growled.

Hydro covered his head with his pillow and once again drifting to sleep. Hydro inhale deeply, feeling to have moment of peace. Until when Hydro realizes the scent of smoke floating within the air. Hydro immediately jolted up from his bed to see, sitting on his windowsill was a large bird... completely made out of flames.

"Cairo... Wake up!" Hydro scream before slapping Cairo out of his nest on the shelf.

"OW!" Cairo squawked but before he could continue, he went silent as his eyes lay upon the flaming bird.

"Cairo... what is this thing?" Hydro squeal.

Cairo remained in silence as stare the bird in fire with amusement. Until he was slapped by Hydro.

"OW! Sorry... this "thing" is a..." Cairo gulped.

"What is it?!" Hydro said eagerly.

"This bird is a Phoenix," Cairo caws, this couldn't believe what's happening to him.

The Phoenix cried as it picking it's flame like feathers. Hydro and Cairo stayed completely frozen, to avoid of angering the Phoenix. The Phoenix soon pulled out a piece of paper, covered by purple glow. The Phoenix took the paper and gave it to Hydro.

"For me?" Hydro reassured, the Phoenix gave light nod before took the paper.

"It looks like a envelope," Cairo commented.

"But... from who?" Hydro questioned before opening the letter.