“The friends of Anipal Land accept your surrender and suit for peace,” Zack said, standing on the dias with Jeff Musk on his left and the recently knighted Ser Jinx on his right. “You are welcome to live where you please in our lands so long as you hold to our mission to live in joy, harmony and peace. You will identify and hone your specialty skills under our tutelage and care and use them for the advancement, comfort, and support of our community.”

“As recompense for the damage done in the crops and subsequent battle, you will assist us in harvesting these crops and planting new ones for future growing seasons,” Jeff Musk said. “You will also help to clean up the fields and castle.”

“Additionally, you will be trained in proper battle technique, just in case we need it in the future,” Ser Jinx said. “You fought well, and with honor.” He turned to Benny. “And now, I ask that Benny read the casualty list.”

Benny stepped forward. “There were no causalities, Ser Jinx. The nurse birds have already healed the members of the invading army that suffered frostbite and burns from the cans of whoop up. There were minor scratches and scrapes from the battle and a few got tangled up when they tried to attack yarn birds on the perimeter. And then, um,” he gulped, glancing at Chloe, “other various bruises from the castle breech and ensuing melee.”

Chloe cackled. “They needed a bath, too, after sneaking in through the sewer pipes!”

Jinx joined in the cackling. “Maybe Chloe should help with your training. The ladies held up just as well as we did in the field!”

“We live in an open community that welcomes and defends all anipals,” Zack said. “I was wondering, why did you attack us? All you had to do was ask and we would have been glad to help you.”

Queen Beak stepped forward. “Our aviary closed and they were going to sell us to a zoo. We didn’t know what to do or how to survive. All we knew is that we were scared that we’d go extinct if we were mixed in a strange place with all of those big animals. We’re sorry.”

“All is forgiven,” Chloe said, putting a wing around Queen Beak, “and we welcome you to your new home.”

“And now the celebration feast!” Jeff Musk announced. “Everybody outside to begin the festivities!”

All of the anipals stepped outside in the sun to see tables set up with fruits and vegetables. The farmer birds had managed to salvage most of the crops so far, despite the weeds. Lola shyly pulled on Zack’s feathers as he took his place at the table. “Sir Zack? I heard you were worried about me and the other babies.”

“It turned out to be a fruitless worry. You did an excellent job defending us and the castle. Thank you, Lola. I didn’t mean to underestimate you just because you’re young.”

“No sir, that’s not it. Actually, I’m flattered by your concern.” She turned motioned to Seamus and Rain, who rolled a wheelbarrow of peanuts forward. “This is a gesture from me and the young birds to thank you for your protection and care.”

Zack’s eyes widened. “Oh boy!”

“We have another gift, too,” Sassy and Morty said, rolling up four barrels of popcorn with Nena and Mesha. “Jiffy Pop for your gallant capture of Queen Beak and bringing the peace.”

“Wow!” Zack said.

“We helped too, you know,” Chloe said. “And thanks for helping to heal the ones I taught you to whoop up on in the castle, too.”

“Oh, you’re so brave, Zack!” the girls gushed, crowding around and snuggling him. Zack’s cheeks flushed a deeper orange.

“I had an army out there too, you know,” Jinx said.

“You saved us all with your clever planning and ingenuity!” the girls said, surrounding Zack in a massive snuggle.

“But Chloe and Jeff and Killer worked with him, too,” Jinx said.

“You’re the best, Zack!” the girls cheered as Zack turned brighter orange.

“You know, we all worked together,” Chloe said. “Even you ladies helped too.”

“And he’s so handsome!”

“Aw, shucks. Anything for my friends!” Zack said, his voice muffled in the snuggle.

“Oh, forget it,” Benny said.

“Hey, where did Jeff go?” Chloe asked, looking around.

They heard a horn honk from the road nearby. “Hey guys!” Jeff Musk shouted from the driver’s seat of the bus. “Guess what day it is?”

“It’s hump day!” the camel shouted, jumping in front of the bus. Unfortunately, Jeff didn’t see the camel’s sudden appearance and hit him, knocking Camel into a nearby field. Jeff stopped the bus.

“No, it’s French Fry Friday!”

The camel looked up from where he landed, unharmed and smiling. “Oh yea, I guess it is Friday.”

All of the birds cheered and rushed to line up as Jeff handed out prizes from the French Fry express. Chatter broke out as the animals mingled to enjoy the fruits of the land and the treats they created from them.

“It’s such a beautiful day, and wonderful to welcome so many new anipals,” Chloe said, looking at the Queen of Bavaria’s, raccoons, and squirrels shyly mixing with the anipals that kept handing them food and treats.

“It certainly is. It’s always wonderful to welcome new friends, don’t you think?” Zack asked, coming out of the snuggle with mussed feathers.

“Muuuh,” said Un Buey.

Everybody laughed, peeling open French Fries in the sun and enjoying a perfect day filled with friends, food, fun, peace, joy and happiness.

THE END.

Zack, Killer, and Jinx were marching the prisoners into the castle when they were stopped by Frankie, Seamus, and Goofus. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” Goofus said.

“Why not?” Killer asked. They paused when they heard glass break inside the social room. “Aren’t the girls in there? What’s happening?”

“A squadron of Queen of Bavaria’s broke through the ranks and got in the castle.”

“What happened?” Jinx asked.

“We don’t know,” Seamus said. “We think they snuck in through some pipe or something. We heard a rucus in there and, well, here you have it.”

“It’s actually for your own protection that I suggest you let them, um,” Goofus said.

“Work it out,” Frankie finished.

“Work what out?” Zack asked, opening the door. He ducked as a Queen of Bavaria flipped over his head.

“Whoops!” Sweet Pea said. “Sorry, Zack. I didn’t expect the door to open,” she turned to grab another Queen of Bavaria and flipped it expertly through the air.

“What is this?” Killer asked, watching as Chloe, Sweet Pea, Lola, Sassy, Morty, and all the hens grabbed Queen of Bavaria’s splattered in muck, flipping them over and throwing them against walls. One Queen of Bavaria whined from where they hung in the chandelier, stuck in the fancy crystal beads. Killer’s feathers drooped. “And what’s that foul smell?”

“Everybody is Kung-Fu fighting!” Jinx said.

“Wait,” the Queen of Bavaria chained to Zack said, pointing to Chloe. “Is that who I think it is?”

Zack bobbed his head. “It is.”

“Oh no,” the Queen of Bavaria hung her head. “If I knew she was here, we would have never attacked. No wonder we were defeated so quickly!”

“What do you mean?” Goofus asked.

“Certainly, you can see. Chloe Conure is legendary in the conure community. She holds multiple black belts and was the most deadly bird in the aviary. Nobody wanted to be in a cage match with her!”

“I can see why nobody would want to be in a cage with her,” Killer said, watching wide eyed as Chloe grabbed a Queen of Bavaria by the tail and put her in a whirling spin before releasing her into the chandelier with her friend. Stinky muck dripped off both birds stuck in the chandelier, leaving splotches on the floor.

Zack cackled. “Chloe wanted to keep it a secret. She’s a mixed martial arts master and world champion.  She trained all of the girls here. She believes it’s good for self discipline and building confidence. She says beauty starts from within and a confident bird is a beautiful bird.”

“Is that what they really do in her beauty parlor all morning?” Jinx ducking as Sassy and Morty flung a Queen of Bavaria over his head .

“Sorry, Jinx!” Sassy said, blushing.

Jinx fluffed. “It’s alright. Carry on, ladies!”

“No, don’t!” the Queen of Bavaria chained to Zack shouted. “Stop! We surrendered! No more fighting.” She hung her head. “Goodness knows, we can’t afford to get beat up anymore.”

Chloe pecking the Queen of Bavaria she had pinned under her foot, looking up at the voice. “Queen Beak, is that you?”

“It’s me, Chloe. We surrender. We ask for your mercy.”

The girls cheered as the boys released a sigh of relief. 

“They’re coming,” General Jeff Musk said, peering into his high power binoculars. “I see their heads bobbing through the outskirts. Queen of Bavaria’s, raccoons, and squirrels.”

“At least the opossums didn’t respond,” Zack said.

“That we know of,” Jinx said. “They may be in the back lines where we can’t see them now.”

Kato Q , Rain, and Goofus flew to the rooftop, joining Jeff, Zack, and Jinx. “They’ve broken the yarn bird perimeter, sirs,” Kato Q said. “There are reports of squirrel and raccoon skirmishes on the outskirts, just beyond the fields. The Keets defenses are holding.”

“The girls and baby birds are secure in the castle too, sirs,” Goofus said.

“Well done,” Jinx said, surveying the land. The Parakeet Commandos stood ready, most in the field below them. Some mounted on turtle and bearded dragon backs, others ready to march on foot. Along the wall of the castle, squadrons of Keets stood at the ready next to the catapults, awaiting launch orders from Jeff. “Is the ammunition ready?”

Killer flew up carrying a cloth wrapped around silver soup cans and laying them at Jinx’s feet. “That’s the last of the cans of whoop up, Commander Jinx.”

Zack tapped on his tablet to open his communication app. “Perimeter report.”

“Front line ready,” Beaker reported from his bearded dragon mount on the front line.

“Firing squad ready,” Benny reported from the center catapult command.

“Outer perimeter guard ready,” Georgie Boy reported from the castle entrance. 

“Inner perimeter guard ready,” Chloe reported from inside the castle.

“Aerial defenses ready,” Killer said, taking position next to Jinx and Jeff.

“They’re here,” Jeff said. Zack and Jinx saw the front lines of the enemy army approach the front lines of the Keet Commandos. A raccoon stepped forward, and Beaker rode to meet him. Jeff watched as they spoke a minute. The raccoon snarled, foam escaping the corners of his mouth. Beaker charged the raccoon, knocking him over. He turned to the Keet Commandos. “For Anipal Land!” he shouted, his voice ringing through the clear air. The front lines met the enemy army head on. Squirrels and raccoons flew aside and flipped through the air as the Keet Commandos charged through their ranks. Small but mighty, the Keets were a force to be reckoned with. Their turtle and bearded dragon mounts, tripping and throwing enemy troops around the field.

“Goodness, they are well trained!” Zack said. “Look at how strong those parakeets are!”

“I only have the best in my army,” Jinx said.

“They’re holding the line,” Jeff said, “but there’s another line coming after. Let’s lend them a hand. Catapult!” he shouted.

Keets immediately loaded in the catapults. Goofus, Rain and Kato Q ran up the line, releasing each catapult. The parakeets flew through the air gracefully before picking just the right moment to spread their wings and drop the can of whoop up from their feet. The cans exploded as they hit the ground, blasting confetti in the faces of the squirrels and raccoons with forces of pressurized air. Some released hot air that singed hands, while others blasted cold air that froze muzzles. The second line scattered in confusion as the first line continued to flip and fly through the air at the strength of the Keet charge. 

“They’re still holding!” Jeff said.

Then a horn blew through the air. Everything went still and silent as troops on both sides turned to see the Queen of Bavaria’s rising on raccoon mounts. They were surrounded by a vast opossum guard, equipped with hard hides and sunglasses to protect their nocturnal eyes from the bright sunshine of Anipal Land. “Behold, darkness rises!” the lead Queen of Bavaria shouted.

“I don’t think so,” Zack said, grabbing a cloth sack in his foot and lining up to perch with Jinx and Killer, who also held cloth sacks in foot. “Jeff, give us the mark.”

Jeff waited until the Queen of Bavaria’s started their march. “Launch aerial attack!” he shouted.

Zack, Jinx, and Killer jumped from the roof, spreading their graceful wings and gliding over the battle resuming before them. Keets sailed past them from the catapaults, clearing a path to the Queen of Bavaria mounts. The ground Keets marched on the opossums, throwing unblown cans of whoop up in their faces and breaking their sunglasses. Turtles and bearded dragons ganged up on the opossums, throwing them aside as the Keets continued their relentless march through the outer ranks. Zack, Jinx, and Killer released their sacks as they lined up over the Queen of Bavaria mounts. Potato cakes and cans of whoop up exploded on them, splattering the Queen’s with potato muck and throwing them off their mounts.

“That’s for throwing our good will offering at Marlin and Sweet Pea!” Zack shouted.

The Queen of Bavaria’s raised balled up feet toward Zack, shouting as bits of potato matted dirt in their feathers.

“Reverse course!” Killer shouted. “Take prisoners!”

Zack, Jinx, and Killer gracefully wheeled around to pass over the Queen of Bavarias, swooping down to scoop up their three leaders in their feet.

“Put me down!” the one in Jinx’s feet shouted, nipping at his toes.

“Ok,” Jinx said, swooping high and then releasing the Queen of Bavaria from his grip. She tried to fly, but her potato splattered wings stuck shut. She screamed. Jinx swooped down and caught her. “Need a lift?”

“Smart alec,” she grumbled.

Jinx laughed as they landed on the castle roof next to Jeff Musk. “We got their leaders.”

Jeff offered the Queen of Bavaria’s his binoculars. “It’s your call. Do you really want to continue this pointless battle?”

The Queen of Bavaria’s looked over their troops, still struggling to stay on their feet against the relentless charge of the Keets, turtles, and bearded dragons. They hung their heads. “No need for binoculars, sir. I can see just fine. We surrender.”

“They surrender!” Jeff Musk shouted from the rooftop. “Peace!”

The Keets cheered. 

“That should do it,” Bluto said, pecking at the computer in the castle’s solar. A screen popped up showing several views of the fields. “Excellent, the cameras in the yarn birds are working.”

“That’s ingenious!” Zack said. “You’re a real computer whiz, Bluto.”

“It’s my specialty. I love working with these networks and machines. The only bad thing is the hunting and pecking on these keyboards. Humans have a real advantage with thumbs and fingers and all.”

“Yes, human fingers are yummy. I love wrestling with mommy’s fingers.”

Bluto looked at Zack. “I meant typing. But yes, it is fun to bite human fingers. Especially when they poke at you.” He turned to study the cameras again. “I just hope we don’t have to turn that fun natured biting on the Queen of Bavaria’s.”

“Me too, but if they’re coming then we’ll see them now,” Zack said. “Thanks, Bluto!”

“How’s the surveillance coming along?” Chloe said, rolling a can in front of her.

“Very good. Bluto has us all set up.”

“Coco helped me get the yarn birds wired. She’s checking to make sure the cameras are hidden, but can still get a clear view of the fields around us.”

Chloe looked at the computer. “You’ve both done an excellent job.”

“Thanks, Miss Chloe. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to help Coco finish checking out the outer perimeter yarn birds. I’d like to work on their range.”

“Let us know if we can help,” Zack said as Bluto bowed and left the room.

“What do you have there, Chloe?” Zack asked, peering at the silver can.

“Ah yes, Sassy and Morty taught the ladies how to load these munitions cans. If the Queen of Bavaria’s attack, we can drop these cans on them.” Chloe’s cheek feathers stood up. “We call them cans of whoop up.”

“Did you test them?” Zack asked.

“We sure did. We dropped one next to some rabbits digging around our carrots. I never saw a bunny hop so fast in my life.”

“Excellent. Tell Sassy, Morty, and the ladies that they’re doing great.” Zack rubbed his chin with his foot. “How’s Lola? I understand she was shaken up over getting tangled in those weeds.”

“Lola’s fine. We got her all cleaned up. In fact, she helped us pack a lot of these cans,” Chloe said.

“But she’s just a baby!”

“Don’t count her out, big brother. She’s a smart cookie!”

“No, I didn’t mean that,” Zack said. “I just meant it’s a shame this is happening in her young days. She should be playing and having fun, not packing cans of whoop up.”

“All of the young birds are helping. They want to. They’ve learned a good work ethic here and enjoy doing their part. Don’t worry, Zack. They’ll be fine. We all will, if we work together. We’ll be enjoying days of fun and honing our specialty areas soon.”

“I know you’ll be glad to have your beauty studio open full time again. You must miss your yoga and meditation sessions with the girls.”

“Beauty and self maintenance isn’t my only specialty. You know that. I learned a lot in the aviary, and it looks like I’ll be using more of that skill set soon.”

“The Queen of Bavaria’s may regret that.”

Chloe’s cheeks seemed to flush a brighter orange. “They might.”

“Zack! Chloe! I’m glad you’re both here,” Killer parrot said, flying in the solar and landing gracefully next to the large map on the table.

“What did you see on your scouting mission, Killer?” Chloe asked.

“You were right. They’re building an army.” Killer pointed to several spots on the outer perimeter. “Here, here and here they’re establishing camps.”

“How?” Zack asked. “I thought the Queen of Bavaria’s were a small, isolated group. Have they joined forces with others in the outer regions?”

Killer gave a vigorous head bob. “They have squirrels and raccoons joining them, and my scouts say they’ve put out calls for a opossum garrison.”

“How many?” Chloe asked.

“I did several flyovers and only saw the three camps so far. The squirrels are on the west flank, the raccoons are on the east, and the Queen of Bavaria’s are in the center camp. Marlin has a group of ambassadors meeting the Queen of Bavaria’s. She took some of those yummy potato cakes that the ladies prepared for them. Hopefully, that will work.”

“I hope so,” Chloe said. “We hoped that they would be willing to join us peacefully if they saw that we’re willing to share food and space with them.”

“Space?” Zack asked.

“I told Marlin and Sweet Pea to offer them some of our outer perimeter territory,” Chloe said.

“Why? We don’t have deeds out here,” Zack said. “We live where we will and take shelter in the castle when we want or need to come indoors. Why did you offer them outer perimeter territory? What’s out there?”

“They’re a shy breed, and very secluded,” Chloe said. “Remember, I’ve dealt with them in the aviary. They want privacy. They wouldn’t be comfortable in the middle of everything here with the rest of us.”

Zack grunted. “I hope they aren’t offended by being offered territory on the outskirts. They might see it as an insult.”

“I understand that point of view,” Killer said, “but they don’t see things the same way we do. It’s going to take time for them to understand and adapt to our super-friendly culture. A step at a time is probably the best way to approach it.”

“When can we expect to hear back from Marlin?”

“Now,” Marlin said, stepping into the solar with Sweet Pea. Their feathers were mussed up and potato cake was splattered across their bellies and backs. .

“Oh no!” Chloe said, rushing to comfort her friend. “Marlin, what happened?”

“They never heard of potato cakes and didn’t want them, or the territory. They said they mean to root us all out so we won’t drive them to extinction.” Marlin’s feathers drooped.

“We tried, Chloe,” Sweet Pea said. “We tried to tell them that we wanted to help and share with them, but they’re convinced that we’re responsible for the decline in their numbers.”

“Why?” Zack asked.

“I don’t know,” Marlin said. “They wouldn’t tell us. They just said that too many of their kind had been drawn out and lost, and they’re going to do whatever it takes to protect the ones left. They turned the squirrels loose on us. We barely flew out of there ahead of them.”

“I’m sorry, Marlin and Sweet Pea,” Chloe said.

“You did your best,” Killer said. “You’re an excellent ambassadors. Don’t let this get you down.”

“Yes, you’re responsible for keeping all of us organized here. You both take good care of us, making sure everybody has enough space and food and all of the resources they need. We couldn’t ask for better birds.” Chloe hugged Marlin and Sweet Pea. “Come on. We saved you some potato cakes. Let’s get you both cleaned up and fed.” Chloe led the girls down the hallway to the preening and cleaning room.

“Well, that went badly,” Zack said. “What will we do now?”

“It looks like war is upon us,” Killer said. “We’d better organize.”

“Organize what? We’re a peaceful group. How can we stand against squirrels and raccoons? They’re bigger than us, and many of them have rabies.”

“Nothing is impossible, Zack. We can do it. We just need to mine our resources. This is a big land. Who do we know with a specialty in protection? Surely, some bird must be up to the challenge.”

“Yes, but who?” Zack asked.

Just then, the doors burst open. Zack and Killer turned to see a majestic green bird enter.

“I can do it,” Jinx said. He stepped inside, and behind him they saw the courtyard filled with parakeets, turtles, and bearded dragons as far as the eye could see. “I will be your champion.”

Coming up late week: Installment 3, the Battle Scene!

I got something started. 

Mommy felt bad about her poor attempt at telling me a bedtime story in flash fiction format last week, so she started work on a better, more expansive tale. Well, it took off, and now she's got quite a story going. It has high adventure and includes many of our Twitter anipals. Daddy loved it and asked her to write it and post it through the blog, because he thought you'd enjoy it too. So here it is. The title is Invasion on Anipal Land, and this is the first installment. Bear in mind that this work will not be published for sale - it's purely for enjoyment through our blog, and to honor our anipals that brighten our lives. We hope you enjoy it!

And now, without further ado, here is Installment 1 of "Invasion on Anipal Land" by @sherrithewriter and @chloeconure.

Luv,

Zack

Invasion on Anipal Land, Installment 1


Once upon a time, there were two sun conures named Zack and Chloe. They lived in Anipal Land with all of their Twitter pals. Every day was filled with fun and joy in the sun, and all the anipals lived in harmony with one another. They feasted on the best crops, honed their speciality skills, and snoozed in safety under the protection of the rainbow bridge guards that watched over them. Rare disputes were settled with good natured beak wrestling matches, where both winner and loser feasted on peanuts and snuggled their problems away.

Until one day, when trouble came to their door.

Chloe was finishing her meditation and yoga session with Sassy and Morty when little Lola came running in the studio. Her feathers were mussed up where small green strands had wrapped through them.

“Miss Chloe! Miss Sassy! Miss Morty! Somebody sowed weeds in the crops! They’re tangled around all of our good wheat!”

“What?” Chloe said, falling out of her lotus position. “How can this be?”

“I don’t know. I was outside playing and munching on a mango when I thought I yellow heads in the fields. I ran to check it out and got tangled up in the weeds.”

“Oh dear,” Sassy said. “Are you alright, Lola?”

“I’m fine, just a little messy,” Lola said, still breathing hard from her startled flight back to the home castle.

Sassy and Morty helped Lola preen the weeds out of her feathers as Chloe went to find her brother, Zack. Sure enough, she found him in the fields with the gentlemen of the flock. They had seen Lola’s frantic flight and wondered what startled the newest member of the flock.

“I wonder who did this?” Zack asked. “Not only are the fields messed up, but they scared Lola, and now there’s chatter of an incursion. How can this be?”

“Somebody sowed these weeds out here. The question is, who?”

“Sir Zack! Madam Chloe!” Tuscon rushed from the fields, dropping yellow feathers at their feet. “We found these in the fields.”

Chloe growled at the feathers. “Lola said she saw what looked like yellow heads out there. I know who did this. It was the Queen of Bavaria’s.”

“Who?” Tuscon asked.

“The Queen of Bavaria conures. They live on the outskirts of Anipal land.”

“Why the outskirts?” Zack asked. “We welcome everybody here.”

“Yes we do, but the Queen of Bavaria’s are different,” Chloe said. “They’re rare, nearing extinction. They spend most of their time in their nesting boxes trying to protect the few young they have and don’t let mix with the rest of us. They’re afraid we’d ruin the ‘purity of their race.’ I had dealings with them in the aviary.” Chloe growled again. “Long have they envied our joy and peace. They’re jealous of us because we don’t live in fear, but embrace the happiness that is life. Still, I never thought they’d be bold enough to attack.”

“Well, there’s not much we can do about it now,” Zack said. “If we pull the weeds, we risk losing the good crops we have. We’ll have to separate them at harvest time.” He rubbed his chin. “We need to make sure they don’t sow anymore weeds out here, though. From the looks of it, they’ve done quite enough. If they plant any more out here, we could use everything.”

“Maybe something like scarecrows would help,” Chloe said.

“I think I know where we can get something that will work,” Tuscon said. “Strategy and communications are my specialty. Let me tap my network and get on it. We’ll have a perimeter set around the fields soon.”

“We’ll need extra help keeping an eye on the crops as well,” Zack said, “but everybody around here works as hard as they play, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Over the next few weeks, the friends in Anipal Land worked together to tend the fields and set a perimeter around the land. Within a month, Coco Parrot had a find yarn bird army surrounding the land. “That way, we won’t have to post guards and we can keep tending our own land without worry,” she said.

“Thanks, Coco,” Morty said as they anchored the last yarn decoy in place. “This is perfect. You did a fine job.”

“We’ve worked together well to salvage our food supply,” Coco said. “We won’t let those Queen of Bavaria’s starve us out.”

Meanwhile, Zack and Chloe sat at castle window, peering over the land bordered by yarn bird decoys. “I hate it came to this,” Zack said, “but maybe this will let them know that we won’t put up with their shenanagins. It’s a shame. All they had to do was ask for our help if they needed it. The Anipals never turn out those in need and welcome all!”

“That’s true, Zack, but they have too much pride to ask for help,” Chloe said. “Remember, they’re scared. They’re acting out of fear. I just wonder what made them do this. Don’t they realize that a threat to us is a threat to everybody? Sabatoging the food supply could hurt anipals much further than just our land. It could have hurt them too!” Her feathers drooped. “I’m afraid they won’t stop at this. I’m afraid they might do something more to hurt us.”

“I don’t know,” Zack said. “If they’re that scared, won’t they just tuck tail and run back to their nest boxes? There’s a lot more of us than there are of them.”

“Oh no, that isn’t necessarily so,” Sammy the Beta, the chief advisor of Anipal Land, said from his aquarium. “Remember there are lots of lands outside of Anipal land, filled with unsavory kinds. If they join forces with others, they could be a terrible threat to our security.” Sammy bubbled. “I believe this was the first step in a bigger plan. It’s good you set up defenses. You might need them. Once they find out that starving us didn’t work, they’ll get bolder.”

“What do you mean?” Zack asked.

“I mean your sister is right. I believe they plan to attack.”