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The great Fenghuang tucked her wings closed and stood as tall and proud as possible for a bird. She closed her eyes and nodded her head as Chesi began to talk. Up until a certain point. Frankly, on top of being indisputably the wisest sorceress in the land, Fenghuang also considered herself the most beautiful and most powerful and smartest. And most famous. And the most humble, of course. Not to mention the most gracious, as she had the tact not to call Chesi out in the middle of her explanation. 

As for the others, she didn't interfere in their connecting with the summoned boys. Why would she? Although she [i]was[/i] a little miffed that Denali had declined her want to swap charges. Then again, she couldn't deny that she already felt the draw of her element towards the reddish haired boy. Not her first choice for sure, but she supposed it could have been worse. With a sigh, she hopped towards him.

As for Eli, he had scrambled to his feet as soon as the bear appeared. His queasiness was long forgotten now in the face of talking animals, magical transformations, and imminent danger. If things had been normal, if they'd still be on [i]Earth[/i], he would have told everyone to jump around and shout and scare the thing off (and hoped it wasn't the 'play dead' kind of bear). It was way too late for that now though. Besides, his pals were actively [i]fighting[/i] it. With elemental powers!

So long story short, everything was happening so much. 

And Eli couldn't just stand around and do nothing! Conner and Gray were casting magic, David and Milo were pretty much flying and cutting, and even Noah was chucking shit. Eli wanted to help out too.

He looked down at Fenghuang as the colorful little bird approached him. Their eyes met, and Eli held his hand out towards her.

[color=F7630C]"We're partners, right? Everyone else teamed up with a little animal and we're the only ones left,"[/color] he said. Fenghuang's eye twitched. [color=F7630C]"You guys are magic, or something? Give me some of your power so I can help my friends!"[/color]

The bird jumped up, hovering the air in front of Eli. Her feathers began to shimmer until they heated up, flames licking the edges of her wings. Eli looked on with wide eyes and braced himself, but with a small flash Fenghuang dismissed her fire and flew up to land on Eli's head. She made his hair even more of a mess, bending down to peck his forehead. [color=F7630C]"Ow!"[/color]

[color=orange]"How dare you speak to me so casually? And you demand things? Of [i]me?[/i]"[/color] She scoffed, incredulous. [color=orange]"It is true we are connected, but I will have you prove yourself before lending you my power!"[/color]

[color=F7630C]"H-huh?"[/color] Eli lifted a hand and rubbed the spot she'd pecked. Could she just do that? Didn't the other animals say stuff about saving this world? Although Eli was glad to be here with his friends to support them in this weird abduction, he had to wonder why he'd even been taken along if his "partner" wasn't going to help him out. [color=F7630C]"How do you want me to do that? Do you expect me to throw hands with a bear...?!"[/color]

[color=orange]"...'throw hands?'"[/color]

[color=F7630C]"Like, punch it? Fight it bare-handed? Pun not in-"[/color]

[color=orange]"Yes yes. That sounds amusing~!"[/color] Fenghuang lifted a wing to cover her mouth, muffling a pretty and petty laugh.

Fortunately, Eli was not actually dumb enough to try that. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the other boys as they fought. Offering encouragement and suggestions was apparently the only thing he could do at the moment. [color=F7630C]"This bird's not cooperating! But you got this, guys! Just get it in the snout! The snout!"[/color]