The Lost Hygro
The morning sun had just begun to stretch its rays across the snow-covered landscape of Glacia, casting a soft glow over the forest. The air was crisp, the snow glistening like diamonds, and the sky was a perfect shade of pale blue. Frosty stood at the edge of the Frostbark Woods, watching as Nova dashed excitedly through the trees, her paws kicking up sprays of snow as she leaped and bounded with joy.
“Looks like you’re having the time of your life,” Frosty chuckled, his voice carried by the gentle breeze. His breath created a misty cloud in the cold air, and he tucked his scarf a little tighter around his neck. Nova, oblivious to the chill, continued her carefree romp, occasionally glancing back at him, her tongue lolling happily.
There was something magical about this time of day—the quiet peace that settled over Glacia before the day’s hustle began. Frosty always cherished these moments with Nova, watching her bound about with uncontainable energy, her tail wagging furiously as if she were chasing the wind itself.
Suddenly, Nova froze. Her playful demeanor shifted in an instant, her body becoming still as a statue. Her ears perked up, and her nose twitched as she sniffed the air. She stood poised, eyes locked on something deep within the forest.
“What is it, girl?” Frosty asked, his voice dropping to a softer tone. He trusted Nova’s instincts—she could sense things long before he did. He moved cautiously toward her, his gaze following hers into the dense trees ahead.
Nova let out a soft growl, barely audible, and then barked, a sharp, urgent sound that echoed through the silent forest. She began moving forward, slowly and deliberately, her nose to the ground.
“Wait up, Nova!” Frosty called, quickening his pace to catch up with her. His feet crunched softly in the snow as he followed her through the forest, weaving between the tall, frost-covered trees.
As they ventured deeper, Frosty spotted something moving ahead—a shadow amidst the white expanse of snow. It was small, lumbering, and alone. The figure became clearer as they approached, and Frosty’s heart sank at the sight.
A baby Hygro.
The young creature wandered aimlessly, its large, round eyes filled with confusion and fear. Its thick rubbery skin with patches of of fur, designed to withstand the cold, now seemed to weigh it down as it trudged through the snow. The Hygro’s long, graceful neck drooped as it glanced around, clearly lost. It looked so sad and fragile compared to the towering trees and vast, frozen landscape.
“Oh no,” Frosty muttered under his breath. “It’s all alone.” His heart ached for the creature, knowing the danger it could face in the wilds without the protection of its herd.
Nova let out a softer bark, her demeanor gentle, as she approached the baby Hygro. Frosty followed close behind, making sure to move slowly so as not to startle the young creature. The baby Hygro raised its head, blinking slowly as it noticed them, but it made no move to flee. Instead, it stood still, its legs trembling as it peered at Frosty and Nova with wide, innocent eyes.
“Hey there, little one,” Frosty said softly, kneeling down. “It’s okay, you’re safe now. We’re going to help you find your family.”
Nova moved closer, her tail wagging gently, a sign of reassurance. She nuzzled the baby Hygro’s fur, and the creature let out a low, mournful sound, almost like a soft whimper. It seemed to sense that Frosty and Nova were there to help.
Frosty stood and looked around, scanning the horizon for any sign of the herd, but the forest was still and silent. “I don’t see them anywhere. We’ll have to take you with us, little one.”
He reached out and gently placed a hand on the Hygro’s rubbery skin. It was thick and warm, almost comforting in the cold. “You’re coming with us,” he said, smiling as the baby Hygro blinked at him. “Nova, let’s get the speeder ready.”
Nova bounded off toward the edge of the clearing where Frosty had parked his snow-adapted speeder. The vehicle was sleek and swift, designed for traversing Glacia’s icy terrain with ease. Frosty quickly mounted the speeder and helped the baby Hygro onto a sled, securing it onto the speeder behind himself and Nova. The creature settled in, still trembling slightly but calmer now that it wasn’t alone.
“Alright, let’s go find your family,” Frosty said, giving the speeder’s controls a gentle nudge.
The speeder hummed to life, gliding smoothly across the snowy landscape. Nova sat alert beside Frosty, her eyes scanning the forest for any signs of the Hygro’s herd. Frosty drove carefully, making sure to keep the ride as smooth as possible for their young passenger.
As they sped through the forest, the trees began to thin, and the landscape opened up into a vast snow-covered plain. Frosty slowed the speeder, squinting into the distance. His heart leapt when he saw it—a herd of Hygros, their massive, fur-covered bodies moving gracefully across the snowy expanse.
“There they are!” Frosty said, relief flooding his voice. “We found them, Nova!”
The baby Hygro perked up, its ears twitching as it caught sight of its family. It let out a soft, joyful cry, a sound filled with hope. Frosty smiled, guiding the speeder closer to the herd.
As they approached, the adult Hygros turned toward them, their deep, wise eyes glimmering with recognition. They let out low, rumbling sounds, greeting the baby Hygro as it eagerly jumped off the speeder and ran toward them. The reunion was heartwarming—each member of the herd nuzzled the baby gently, welcoming it back into the fold.
Frosty and Nova watched from a distance, both smiling at the sight. There was something so pure and beautiful about the moment—the joy of the baby Hygro reuniting with its family, the peacefulness of the snow-covered landscape, the soft glow of the morning sun casting long shadows over the plain.
“We did good today, Nova,” Frosty said, giving his companion a fond pat. Nova wagged her tail, her eyes bright with satisfaction.
The herd began to move again, slowly making their way across the plains, the baby Hygro safely nestled in their midst. Frosty watched them go, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over him.
As the herd disappeared into the distance, Frosty turned the speeder around, heading back toward Nivalis. The day was still young, and there would be more adventures ahead. But for now, Frosty was content knowing they had helped the little Hygro find its way home.
