DISCLAIMER: I do not own, fully or partially, the Elena of Avalor series. Also, I am not affiliated with its creation in any way. Additional disclaimer information is provided where needed.
Author's note: Please visit my profile and read the Fiesta del Sol y las Estrellas – fun facts section to learn some interesting things about this story. I am thankful to all who will review my story; I will read and reply to them, since reviews may improve my writing skills, a good thing both for your pleasure and mine! :)
Skylar and Nico spend time in Vallestrella and are to undertake something together, of which Luna thinks otherwise.
The sun stands high in the orange sky. It has just reached its zenith and through its full visibility radiates light down on the many open plains forcefully. The few clouds that are drifting by peaceful aren't close to it. This complements the sun's brightness which would be overwhelming to the untrained eye. However, this brightness doesn't make today feel hot. It rather feels warm, cosy even. A likeable temperature to which one could easily decide to do some sunbathing.
Down on the ground, the rays gently touch the surface of different lifeless things and lick the heads and backs of creatures living in one particular semi-open plain, one that is surrounded by jungles of loosely grouped trees. Across this plain loose trees are found also that endorse both space and the sun's rays. Around them, shrubs have formed in what seems like random patches. In between these patches, different species can be observed, each minding its own business.
Here and there butterfrogs hover close to shrubs trying to find themselves food and shelter. They tend to remain close to bodies of water. They enter these, using their amphibian features, and remain there for the required duration to escape harm. Butterfrogs share their territory for the most part with peabunnies which are found socialising in pairs or clump together in groups of six, in turn looking around attentively to spot any threats. This species stays close to overgrown areas they can quickly hide under in case of threats, although they are capable of facial expressions that can certainly scare off a predator or two. Close to the peabunnies a group of five flaringos is foraging in a riverbed. This species looks like a flamingo but has four giraffe-like legs and seems to live life carefreely. A little further away a herd of up to eight veloz ciervos roams the plain at incredible speeds, never seeming to lose the slightest of stamina that keeps them going. It's an antelope herbivore and supreme sprinter on open and semi-open plains, able to outrun any other species in mere seconds. They run past some rocky formations where a novel species lives that's capable of flight. It's the opocrane, a cross between the woolly opossum and the crested crane. This species seldom encounters jaquins as they are not only nocturnal but also utilise existing underground burrows for shelter as well as nesting purposes. Further down, in the lower canopy of a group of packed trees beside the rocky formations, live seven spinkeys. This is a black-headed spider monkey with eight eyes in its head granting it an all-around vision. This species lives reclusive with up to 10 individuals in a group, away from most other species they seldom come in contact with. All seven of them observe each of the passing veloz ciervos in great detail. The last species seen on the plains is the zebrog, a cross between a zebra and a warthog. It's a small white hog with black stripes across its body and two forward-pointing tusks alongside its cheeks. It has a huge appetite for roots and grass and is generally known to be bad-tempered.
However, Vallestrella doesn't have many flying species that dare seek high altitudes. At least not during the day, that is. This area belongs to the jaquin, the apex predator of the skies which they use to cover large distances. Even so, jaquins are omnivorous and have a diet that ranges from meat to berries, sometimes a mixture of both simultaneously. Thus there are some species that share the skies with them, albeit at different altitudes and at different times of day…
On the open plain, one of the butterfrogs close to a shrub suddenly becomes startled. A flash of something dark just moved past it quickly. It glances at some terrain features around itself at first and then looks up into the sky. There it finds two slender silhouettes bearing wings shooting across it at an astonishing pace. Their wings are flapping quickly to keep building momentum. "I am gaining on you, bro!" the silhouette in pursuit of the other yells across the plains.
"Haha, not a chance!" the other yells in return.
The voices, as well as the silhouettes, belong to two jaquins. Both keep trying to increase their speed even further. "I am going to win it this time, Nico!" the first yells confidently.
"We will see about that!" Nico replies thrilled.
Both jaquins are rushing towards a loosely standing tree, a tall one that easily catches one's eyes from up in the sky. Just as the two boys are turning around the lower canopy of this tall tree to head back the way they came, the jaquin in the lead suddenly makes an odd manoeuvre. He quickly makes a sharp left turn away from the tree and pitches upward, gaining altitude. His face shows anxiety that's quickly replaced with amazement. Nico startles by his brother's action and slows down. It now comes to his attention his brother was avoiding something. "Whoa! Take it easy, Skylar! Rushing like that makes you bump into something one day." a female voice says startled.
"Or someone. Hi, Luna!" Nico says filled with joy.
"Luna!' Skylar says excitedly and flies around the tree once to bleed off speed, 'Haha, that was fun, bro!"
Skylar goes to hover next to Nico and they give each other a high five using their wing followed by boxing paws. "Almost flown into you there, Luna! Where did you come from all so sudden?" Skylar asks enthusiastically.
"Like I said. If you fly that fast you miss out on the details… which makes me think you two are preparing for the speed race." Luna says and smirks.
"Right you are!" Nico yells in excitement.
Skylar says right after Nico: "Yeah, we are! This time Nico and I will be winning it."
Luna frowns while turning her head away a little and replies: "You better not keep thinking that."
Nico looks confused and asks: "Why?"
Skylar immediately changes from being confused to becoming excited: "Wait. Are you racing, too?"
Luna winks at them: "Sure I am!"
"Awesome, haha!' Skylar responds enthusiastically and performs a backward volley, 'Yes! This is going to be an epic race!"
Nico has a grand smile on his face hearing Skylar and Luna speak so excitedly, and says while becoming filled with excitement now as well: "The others will be no match for us! Right, big bro?"
"Right." Skylar says and laughs and starts fluttering due to the build-up excitement within.
"Skylar…' Luna starts with a more serious tone of voice and both Skylar and Nico start looking questioningly, 'I came here not to talk about the race. I – came to say king Verago wants a word with you."
"Dad?' Skylar asks surprised and looks appalled now, 'Aww, Luna. You just spoiled the fun…"
"I know. Sorry, Skylar." Luna says comfortingly.
Nico then steps in and asks curiously: "So, what does dad want from Skylar?"
"He better tell you in person." Luna says looking Skylar straight into his eyes.
"Oh, this is something serious…" Skylar says slow and uncertainty starts radiating from his face.