▩ ▩ CHAPTER 8 ▩ ▩
THE GAME BEGINS

ZAP! FLAP! BOOM!

The mutant frogs in the Jungle didn’t know what hit them. Thunder Owl flew between the trees and over the weedy walkways. She made quick work of the different mutant minion camps.

“Ha ha!” Antonia laughed to herself. She was making great time cleaning up her side of the Jungle. Next, she went to the fountain right as the oversized squirrel spawned.

“You’re all mine,” she said.

DASH! SPIN! ZZZAAP!

Thunder Owl landed devastating damage on the squirrel. The squirrel tried to leap at her with its pointy buck teeth. But she blasted it with another jolt of electricity, and the squirrel was literal toast.

Taking out the squirrel let Thunder Owl level up again—and just in time. Across the plaza, the orange team’s Jungler appeared. It was a hero called Wishing Star. She floated on a star-shaped glider and blasted enemies with cosmic rays.

Antonia brought up the stats screen. Thanks to her beating the mutant squirrel, she was a whole level above Wishing Star.

Bring it on, Antonia thought.

The two heroes battled it out over the fountain. Thunder Owl led with a shocking spin. Wishing Star countered with a pointy star shower attack. Thunder Owl used her Quick Dash to escape the stars and landed behind Wishing Star. Antonia clicked her mouse and sent a flurry of elemental attacks.

After a few seconds, both heroes were low on health. But then both of Thunder Owl’s moves were recharged.

DASH! SPIN! ZZAAP!

Wishing Star was sent back to spawn, and Thunder Owl was the queen of the Jungle.

With no one to challenge her, Thunder Owl made her way to the opponent’s side of the Jungle and took out a few of the minions. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to level up. Still, without any minions, it would be harder for Wishing Star to gain more experience.

Antonia checked her map. She was near Amanda’s and Paul’s heroes, who were fighting the other team on the bottom lane. Antonia moved Thunder Owl in that direction. From the Jungle, she watched her teammates battle it out as she waited for her abilities to recharge.

When Thunder Owl was ready, she dashed in and struck both enemies. Then she activated her Shocking Spin move. It landed but wasn’t lethal. The opposing heroes focused their attacks on Thunder Owl, and she soon grew low on health.

Antonia decided to retreat and quickly dashed away to the comfort of the Jungle.

“Hope that helps,” Antonia said over the mic to Amanda and Paul.

“It’s perfect!” Paul said. “You’ve given us a huge opportunity.”

Antonia watched from the Jungle’s edge as her teammates KO’d the distracted and weakened enemies. Antonia thought about helping to fight the pillar. But she first had to retreat and heal.

Thunder Owl returned to heal up at the home pillar. Antonia could feel the smile growing on her face. There was still more to learn and a game to win. But she had learned to help her team in a whole new way.