The Battle for the Forest: Part 1

            The sound of marching feet drowned out the screams of those trampled underfoot. Serpent’s army of peacekeepers had mobilized. Turtles and tortoises, frogs and toads, salamanders and lizards; Serpent’s army consisted of all manners of amphibians and reptiles.

            Not all of them came from the local forest. A battalion of crocodiles, promised wealth and glory, marched at the head of the legion. Those who strayed to protest the army’s advances were swiftly dealt deathblows and shoved out of the way. There would be no stopping Serpent’s ambitions, not without a considerable toll.

            Serpent lay coiled on the back of the largest of crocodiles, a massive beast stretching as long as a fallen tree. A golden coin tied to the tip of his tail, Serpent’s favorite trinket, caught the rays of the sun beating through the forest quite nicely.

            Regarding the animals watching the army’s march, Serpent lifted his head. “Denizens of the forest, the time for fear is not now. Rather, now is a time for rejoicing. We are at the cusp of a new age, an age waiting to be seized and dragged into reality. An age where humanity holds not power, and the forest is free from their taint. Stand out of our way, and no harm will come to you, for you are not our prey.”

            “And how do you plan on opposing the humans?”

            Serpent gazed towards the source of the voice: an eagle, smaller than average, but certainly an eagle. He motioned for the crocodile he rested on to stop. “And who are you?”

            “I am Chickadee. While your goals seem noble, isn’t there another way? Look at what you’re doing. Obliterating all who stand before you, even fellow forest dwellers. And if you do succeed, what then? With such an army under your control, and a clear lust for power, I fail to see how you won’t take advantage of the situation.”

            Clever bird. If he posed a threat, he’d have to be eliminated. But for now, Serpent would wait. Not all threats bloomed into problems. “I assure you, I have no intention of using this force to repress the forest. Rather, I intend on liberating it from humanity.”

            Chickadee tilted his head. “Your words are meaningless. For the good of the forest, you will be stopped. Attacking the humans will only draw their resentment. We wouldn’t survive the massacre.”

             Serpent intended on just that. But he kept the thought to himself. “Then wage war against us. I know of your battle against the hawks. And despite your victory, I am unimpressed. So come, fight against us. We’ll be patiently waiting on the edge of the forest.”