The Eagle

It's story time! Are you ready for an adventure? Well so am I.

            Once upon a time there was a great wilderness. It's thickets rose blocking the sky above, and covering the ground below. The times were dark as the sun barely broke the canopy, save for the gaps of fallen trees. Green brush filled the area between the wall like build of the trunks. Few ventured the lush land for thousands of years.
           One day this all changed. An inquisitive Bald Eagle wishing to find what was hidden in the forest bellow devised a plan. To the east of the mighty wilderness lay a patch of bone dry trees, the Bald Eagle planned to drop a piece of burning tinder upon the dry earth beneath, hoping the flames would erupt, removing much of the foliage. The trick would be finding such tinder.
That night while the Bald Eagle rested the sound of a mighty roar echoed from the edge of the wilderness, rocking the bird into a frenzy as he peered down. The source of the sound seemed to be emanating from the forests edge. The Bald Eagle jumped from his perch sliding through the air like a dolphin through water. The stars shown brightly above as he landed.
          The brush began to rustle, as something moved within. About five feet from the tree emerged a lion, it's thick mane reflected the moonlight as he shook his head. Staring intently up at The Bald Eagle, the lion asked "What brings you to my domain?"
         A pause fell over the Eagle as he processed what to say, "I require your assistance, if you will. I wish to acquire some tinder and flame in order to burn down the forest so that we may know what is within."
        The Lion cogitated for some time before replying "I can acquire tinder, but fire is beyond my capabilities. However, I have heard rumors of a dragon in the land capable of such a feat. I can take you to the one who told me of such things, if you wish. But we must wait till dawn to depart."
        The Bald Eagle nodded, hoping that this quest would pan out as well as he hoped. He returned to sleep until the early hours of the sun as it rose in the east. A deafening scream rang out, confusing the Bald Eagle, but the lion seemed not to mind.
       "That is the one we seek, the rooster calls, and now we can find him." said the Lion "follow me."
       The Bald Eagle and the lion traveled west along the line of the forest crossing rivers and valleys. The sun was at it's zenith when they came upon the roosted who sat upon a stump.
       "Good day Lion, who is it that follows behind?"
       "This is the Bald Eagle, he seeks the dragon of which you spoke. Do you know where it dwells?"
       The Rooster appeared puzzled, "Why do you seek the dragon?"
       "We seek the dragon to acquire fire in order to burn the forest down, so as to find what is inside." replied the Bald Eagle.
      The Rooster pulled a map from under a moss covered stone, pointing to the mountain at the edge of the land, "This is where the Dragon resides. I will take you there."
      "Much thanks." replied the Bald Eagle as the three moved westward through the fields and plains.
      As the curve of the world began to swallow the sun, the field around the lion and rooster became of gold. It flowed like silk as soft winds swept gracefully over the tops of the grass. The crickets arose from the depths to sing songs to the stars as the danced in the twilight. The Bald Eagle looked about, wondering how much farther they would go for the day when a screech rippled through it's skin as it found itself in a downward spiral. Disoriented the Bald Eagle twisted it's body upwards as it struck the now red grass below. Above it was a Black Eagle.
      It's mouth opened as it began to speak "Why have you, Great Bald Eagle crossed into my lands? We were separated by the mighty winding river, a boundary in place by the world itself. But here you are on my side of the line, what brings you to my home, my territory?"
    The Bald Eagle defiantly struck back, knocking the Black Eagle backwards. The Bald Eagle rose, flying straight upwards, the Black Eagle right behind. The two locked talons and spiraled towards the ground, as the clouds above glowed of blood red. They both began to twist in hopes of crashing the other into the ground. The Bald Eagle waited for the final moment before releasing all force. Causing the Black Eagle to slip underneath, slamming into the ground. It flopped around as it slipped in and out of consciousness.
    As the Black Eagle came to, the Bald Eagle responded "we have come in order to gain fire from the dragon in the mountain at the end of the world. With that fire we plan on burning the forest down so that we may find riches, or things of great excellence inside."
    The Black Eagle thoughtfully looked to the sky. "With my assistance the journey may be faster, if you will have me!"
     The Bald Eagle, Rooster, and Lion spoke for some time before concluding that the Black Eagle would be welcomed on their quest. All four rested until the dew was aglow as the sun overtook the horizon. Through the fields they traveled, from morning to evening. Ahead lay a patch of trees extending a mile to the foot of the mountain. As the four entered a low growl echoed in their skin, as the became afraid. From the right, where the trees were red and tall stood a great Bear. It's claws extend, and teeth flashed as it approached.
  It's thick brown fur shook as it's muscle tensed, "I am the guardian of the mountain and of the worlds edge. For what purpose have you come?"
     "We seek fire from the dragon, in order to burn the forest down, so as to find riches and unite the land as never before seen" replied the Lion.
      "Riches, and unity. I shall let you pass, but I must accompany you in this land."
      "Fair enough" replied the Eagle, as the five began the climb.
      The sun now fell behind the lion casting a shadow upon them. The land was barren and beaten from a time long gone. Together the group worked their way to each natural terrace, until the Lion grew tired, and ran ahead with the Bald Eagle.
     By morning the group had arrived at the mouth of the cave. Darkness poured out, evaporating in the sun. Bones of fallen creatures lay scattered on the ground, burned and near ash.
     The Bald Eagle, with great boldness and no feared called out into the darkness "Dragon who dwells in the deep, I call upon you for a favor, where riches and gold may find you."
     A grumbling erupted as out of the cave came a dragon. "And how, do you suggest we find gold and riches?" asked the dragon in a daze.
      "We ask for your fire, and with our tinder we can burn the mighty wilderness down to reveal what it hold within."
      Without hesitation the dragon responded "I shall assist you, let us make haste."
       The six powers moved swiftly east to the untamed forest, where with the help of all a fire was started and burned from end to end of the wilderness.
      Great and mighty riches fell upon them all as the controlled the world around them. A group, they did make of mighty power. Lesser animals of far away kingdoms ask to join their United Nations, and many were accepted, but at a lesser voice than the Six. The Great Bald Eagle, being the brainchild of the Unity, and the most powerful of the land began to centralize his power, taking from the other five.
     The Bald Eagles arrogance made him believe that they others would bow before his decision, regardless of how pointless and unintelligent it was. With the reasoning that without his pursuit into the unknown none would have any power, he took control. The five let it be, thinking the Bald Eagle had the interest of all in its mind. And for some time the Bald Eagle appeared to keep its course, keeping the main goals of the six in line. But as time passed and greed filled the heart of the mighty bird, it became apparent that the only interest of the Bald Eagle was the Bald Eagle.
       The Great Bald Eagle with a cape around its neck flew high above looking down upon all as they worked in their fields. It swept and took whatever it chose, leaving the others hungry. Many of the smaller nations tried to grow so that they too could be one of the six, making it seven, but the Bald Eagle refused, limiting what little they already had. Many smaller nations fell into revolt leading to great disarray in the unity.
        Soon the Great Five grew tired of the Bald Eagle and plotted in secret behind his back. The Great Bald Eagle soared above watching all, recording all but failed to catch these secret summits. Soon a darkness once again fell over the land as the Five waited for the Eagle to rest. As it slipped into sleep, the Five surrounded it, making sure that it would never wake again.

The Bald Eagle failed to realize it's own arrogance, it's own pride. Finding itself invincible only led to demise. It was blind to the world for it cared for itself alone. There is only so much that you can push before the world retaliates, and soon the world shall respond.