The sky was a churning sea of black clouds, pressing down heavily on the mountain peaks. The sun's light was completely swallowed, leaving the world in a dim, eerie twilight. The forest below seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the storm to break. David stood at the edge of the clearing, his eyes fixed on the sky. The tension in the air was palpable.
"It's going to start," David thought, his heart pounding. "Where is Grandpa? It's been three days. Did he not get my message? Or did he not recognize the location?"
Since the afternoon of the second day, the man in the swallowtail dog mask had ordered the group to set up expelling and defensive spells around the area. Their plan was clear: to create a safe escape route for those who would steal the Thunderbird eggs. David had been forced to retrieve the two-way mirror he'd hidden, fearing it might be discovered. Now, he could only hope that Newt had received his message and was on his way.
A blinding flash of lightning split the sky, illuminating the mountain peak for a brief moment before darkness swallowed everything again. The thunder that followed was deafening, shaking the ground beneath David's feet. He winced, his ears ringing.
Tariq, standing a few feet away, turned to him and shouted something, but David couldn't make out the words over the roaring storm. "What?" David yelled back, his voice barely audible.
Tariq stepped closer, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Ion told us to assemble! We're about to move!"
David nodded, his mind racing. He followed Tariq to where the rest of the group had gathered around Ion. Their leader stood tall, his eyes scanning the sky. The rain began to fall in heavy sheets, drenching everyone in seconds. David's mask automatically adjusted, a thin film rising to keep the rain from obscuring his vision.
Ion's voice boomed over the storm. "Fifteen of you will distract the male Thunderbird. Ten will lure the female away. Two will retrieve the eggs. The rest will guard the perimeter."
David stepped forward immediately. "I'll fetch the eggs."
Tariq hesitated, then added, "I'll go too."
David shot him a look. "Are you sure? Guard duty might be safer."
Tariq shrugged, his voice barely audible over the rain. "We're friends, aren't we?"
David sighed. "This is going to complicate things."
The man in the swallowtail dog mask approached them, his expression grim. "Your job is to fly in and grab the eggs once the Thunderbirds are distracted. It sounds simple, but it's the most dangerous part. If the Thunderbirds break free, you'll be the first targets. You can still back out."
Tariq shook his head. "I'm in."
David nodded. "Me too."
The man sighed. "Be careful. If you're attacked, throw the eggs down. We'll catch them. Just make sure to keep one, or the Thunderbirds will chase you."
As the man walked away, David exchanged a glance with Tariq. "This is it."
---
High above, Frank, the male Thunderbird, circled the cave, his sharp eyes scanning the forest below. His mate had just laid their eggs, and he was on high alert. When the wizards emerged from the trees, Frank let out a piercing cry, warning his mate. He dove toward the cave, but a barrage of spells forced him back. The wizards were relentless, their curses driving him further away.
Meanwhile, another group of wizards approached the cave, their spells forcing the female Thunderbird out. She was slower, weakened from laying her eggs, but still formidable. The wizards managed to lure her away, leaving the cave unguarded.
Ion turned to David and Tariq. "Go. Now."
The two mounted their brooms and shot toward the cave. The rain made the flight treacherous, but they pressed on. As they neared the cave, a sudden commotion broke out below. Wizards shouted in panic, their voices barely audible over the storm.
Tariq glanced back, his eyes widening in horror. "Ron! Look!"
David turned just in time to see a third Thunderbird—larger and more powerful than the others—emerging from the cave. Its eyes burned with fury as it lunged at them.
"Tariq, move!" David shouted, casting a spell that sent Tariq flying out of harm's way. The Thunderbird's claws slashed through the air where Tariq had been moments before.
David landed in the cave, his wand raised. The Thunderbird turned its attention to him, its massive wings beating against the rock walls. David ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding its attacks. Behind him, the eggs sat in a nest, still warm.
"Ron!" Tariq's voice echoed from outside. "Get out of there!"
David hesitated. He couldn't leave the eggs, but the Thunderbird was too powerful. As he prepared to make a run for it, a familiar voice rang out over the storm.
"David! Hold on!"
Newt Scamander had arrived.
---
Newt and his team burst onto the scene, their wands blazing. The Thunderbirds, sensing the new threat, turned their attention to the newcomers. Ion, realizing the tide had turned, barked an order. "Retreat!"
The masked wizards began to fall back, their spells faltering. The man in the swallowtail dog mask hesitated, but Ion's cold glare sent him scrambling.
David seized the moment. He grabbed one of the eggs and flew out of the cave, Tariq close behind. The Thunderbird gave chase, but Newt's team intercepted it, their spells driving it back.
As David and Tariq landed safely on the ground, Newt rushed to his grandson's side. "Are you hurt?"
David shook his head, holding up the egg. "We got one."
Newt's eyes softened with relief. "Good work, David. But next time, don't wait so long to call for help."
David grinned. "I'll keep that in mind."
The storm raged on, but the battle was over. The Thunderbirds circled above, their cries echoing through the mountains. Newt looked up, his expression thoughtful. "They'll be alright. They're strong creatures."
David nodded, his heart still racing. "Yeah. They are."
As the rain continued to fall, David felt a sense of accomplishment. They'd faced the storm—and come out on the other side.