#phoenixler

Phoenix sighed as he made his way through the forest with his husband, Greedy, as they did their daily survey of the forest. The day was drearier than usual. Dark storm clouds loomed ominously overhead making them eye the skies every so often praying that the rain didn’t come until they were back at home.He cursed softly to himself when he felt a tiny rain drop land on his nose. “Looks like we should find some shelter before the storm hits.” He sighed and grabbed Greedy’s hand and started pulling him quickly in the direction he hoped there would be shelter.

Greedy allowed himself to be pulled along by his husband. “You sure there’s shelter this way birdie? Last time I remember being this way there wasn’t so much as a thick grouping of trees down this way let alone a place to wait out the storm.” And he was right on that point. They were on the very outskirts of the forest and trees were very far and few between. The chances of them being able to find shelter were very slim.

"Then what would be your plan then?" Phoenix shot back at him grumpily. Being part fire bird, he hated being wet for any reason. He barely tolerated it long enough to shower. The thought of spending a prolonged period of time out in the rain sent shudders down his spine. "If we don’t find shelter soon we will have to spend who knows how long running back home in the rain."

"I’m just stating the facts here. If you haven’t noticed, the thought of being cold and wet isn’t very appealing to me either." Greedy huffed at Phoenix, not appreciating his scathing tone. He hated being out in the cold and rain as much as Phoenix did due to being part reptile.

Phoenix opened his mouth to continue on what would likely spur a long day of arguments when he felt a noticeable shift in the air around them. But it had nothing to do with the impending storm. The trees around them looked sickly and twisted. The grass was black and crunched underneath their feet despite the light drizzle that was coming from the sky.

Phoenix looked around curiously at this seemingly new section of the forest, his worry over the rain vanishing instantly. He had been to every far off corner of this forest but he had never seen trees that looked like these before. He shot a worried look back at Greedy. “What is this place? This can’t be our forest.”

"Your guess is as good as mine bird brain." He replied as he walked to stand next to Phoenix. "There is definitely something of about this place though." Just as he said that a large crack of lightning lit up the sky and the slight drizzle turned into a torrential downpour.

"FUCK!" Phoenix shouted angrily and started moving deeper into the tainted woods with Greedy following close behind. "Right now I don’t care where these trees came from! Let’s just find a place to get out of this rain!" He borderline whined while taking off his coat to use a makeshift umbrella.

Greedy followed suit with his own jacket and squinted through the rain praying to seeing some form of shelter. He grinned when he began to make out the outline of a building in the distance. Finally a way out of this rain! “I think I see someplace! Come on birdie!!” He shouted over the downpour of rain and grabbed Phoenix’s hand and dragged him in the direction of the building.

The closer they got the more it took shape. It looked to be some large twisting mansion with spindly towers that took an ominous look of horns in the flashes of lightning. Any hesitation they might of had was dashed as the rain began to pour down even harder and lightning crashed down dangerously close by. They rushed to take cover under the small overhang over the front door.

Phoenix looked at Greedy questioningly. “Do you think there is anyone is home?” He asked him worriedly. Half of him hoped that there was no one in this mansion. There was something about this place that gave him the creeps. He knew regardless that he and Greedy could take on any threat. But he hated using his powers as against someone unless it was 100% necessary.

Before Greedy could open his mouth to respond, the large front doors swung in ominously on their own accord. “… Guess that answers that question.” He shrugged off and stepped into the mansion. “Now come on, I’m freezing my ass off out here!”

Phoenix took one final look at the raging typhoon outside before decided that he’d much rather face whatever was in this creepy house than go back out in the storm. Once he had stepped through the doors, they slammed shut behind him with a loud bang making them both jump. “What the hell was that!!”

"Relax birdie! I’m sure it was just the wind, ya big scaredy cat!" He laughed patting him on the back. "But if you’re too scared of this spoooky house, you’re more than welcome to cuddle close to me. Ill protect you from the big bad ghosties!”

Phoenix punched him lightly on the arm while blushing in embarrassment. “You’re terrible. Just for that, I’m not gonna use my powers to dry you off.” To emphasize this fact, he called forth his flames to give himself quick blow dry.

Greedy opened his mouth to complain about how unfair that was, when a ground shaking roar shook the windows of the mansion and caused the lights to go out. "Get Out!" A Voice boomed through the house.

They both screamed and hugged each other close for comfort. The only source of light for the two was Phoenix’s brightly glowing wings.”I repeat: What the hell was that?!” Phoenix shrieked as he clutched Greedy like a lifeline.

"I-It’s probably just l-lightning that struck the house and took out the power lines." He said shakily not wanting to admit to even himself that he was scared.

"Get out!!!” The voice boomed again making them scream once more.

Phoenix shrieked when he felt some form of rope wrap around his ankle and forcibly tore him from Greedy. “Get off me!!” He screamed as he shot a fireball at whatever was pulling him. The fireball hit its mark and made whatever was holding him to retreat with a pained squeal. Phoenix jumped to his feet and shot a large fireball into the air to illuminate the room to see what had attacked him. The bright light revealed his attacker to be a large mass of vines that were beginning to make a second round of attacks at them. Phoenix immediately ran  towards the font door while grabbing the frozen Greedy's arm along the way. They both tugged on the door with all their strength but it didn't budge an inch. It was as of the door had become a part of the wall.

As they desperately tried to get the door open escape this house of horrors the strange tentacles came back with a vengeance. Greedy growled angrily as he felt something try to wrap around his arms and legs. He clawed and pulled at the tentacle- like vines, but whenever he managed to pull of one it seemed like two more took its place."What the hell are these things?!" Greedy roared angrily in frustration. He was soon completely wrapped in vines and was being dragged off into the darkness.

"Greedy!!" Phoenix yelled out in a panic and flew after him trying to pull him out of the vines grasp. However before he could reach him, his wings were grabbed from the same unknown source. "Let me go!! Greedy!!!!"

"Run Phoenix!!" Greedy screamed to him as he was dragged off to some unknown dark corner of the mansion.

"Gree-" Phoenix was cut off from screaming after him once more when another vine wrapped around his mouth and silenced his screams of protest. But something felt off about these vines. They felt more like a hand.

~In his dreams~

Raven stood tall on the balcony of his office overlooking his business empire. He had come to this one horse town with nothing but a covered wagon containing his only possessions and a dream. A dream of making a product that everyone would need. A dream where people would come from all over the world to see him. A dream that he would never have to worry about going hungry ever again. And he had done it! His thneeds were loved by everyone. They sold out before they had even reached the shelves. So what if the forest was looking a little thinner than it once was? His team of lawyers helped on quieting the more vocal environmentalists.

… Except for one. He sighed as he saw the pesky Lorax came storming up to him. “Listen here you annoying green bean!” He shouted waving a finger in the air. “This is your last chance to stop what you’re doing and leave this forest!”

Raven huffed in annoyance. This had to have been the hundredth time they’d had this conversation. “And why would I want to do that? I OWN this forest now. I am making progress and progress requires sacrifice.”

The Lorax scowled at him. “Take a look out there, you dunderhead! This forest is almost dead and what ever is still left is burning!” He growled angrily at him.

"You’re being over dramatic!" Raven shouted back at him. "We’re not burning trees to the ground! We are simply utilizing every part of the tree to maximize efficiency. It just so happens the sap of truffula trees makes a great oil for my factories. You should be proud we’re not being wasteful about things!"

The Lorax looked at him with a mix of disgust and pity. “You really have deluded yourself into thinking you are doing a good thing, haven’t you bean pole.” He said shaking his head morosely. “And now you are forcing my hand here. There is still time to reverse this. But even these old eyes can see you aren’t going to stop until there are no more trees left… You’ve let me no further choice.” And with that the Lorax started chanting in an ancient dialect long forgotten through the ages. His eyes glowed white as Raven stepped back in slight fear. The chanting grew louder and louder as the winds began to pick up around them.

"You think your little light show will-" Raven started but was cutoff mid sentence as a ball of light shot from the Lorax’s fingers and hit him square in the chest causing him to fall to the ground panting heavily. "What…. What did you do to me?!" He yelled at him in a mixture of pain, fear, and anger.

"I made it so you will feel exactly what you have done to this forest." The Lorax said solemnly. "If I were you, I’d start making some big changes in how you run this company of yours." After that was said, the Lorax jumped off the balcony and disappeared into the smog filled forest.

Raven grips the railing of the balcony tightly and stands on shaky legs. He felt an unnatural warmth flow through him and looked down at his hands to see his hands burning bright with flames. He yelped and scrambled to put out the flames quickly. He could see now what the Lorax meant. He glared out into the foggy distance trying to find where the guardian had disappeared to but couldn’t. “Lorax!! Get back here and fix this!!”

He turned around when the doors leading out to the balcony opened and a woman came running to his side. She wore a simple yet elegant purple dress. Her dark curls were covering her face as she panted slightly from her run. “Are you alright Oncie, sweetheart? I saw a terrible storm outside just a moment ago and heard you screaming so I came as soon as I could.” She was looking at him with worried brown eyes hidden behind large red frames.

She reached out to touch him but he took a step back instantly worried the flames would come pushing back through his skin an harm her. “I’m fine Norma, darling.” He said trying to ignore the hurt look Norma gave him at moving from her touch like she carried some fowl disease. “That retched Lorax came by and we got into our usual spat. Nothing to concern yourself with.” He said giving her a smile to dissuade her worry.

Norma sighed sadly and pushed away her hurt to smile back at him. “If you say so sweetie. Come back inside. It’s getting late and you need to rest. It looks like you’ve had a stressful day.” She said and kissed him on the cheek before going back inside.

He nodded and silently followed her back into the house and back to their bed. The days after went by in a blur. Raven slowly tried to gain control of this newfound power the Lorax had given him to little success. He began to distance himself from his family and wife in an attempt to keep them from finding out his secret. He knew his distance was hurting Norma especially hard but he couldn’t risk hurting her.

That was until the accident. He was alone in his office trying to call out his fire then snuff it out on command wit little success. He had ordered that no one was to disturb him unless the world was about to end. It had gotten some odd looks but everyone had shrugged it off as one of is eccentricities and left him be. And up until this point he had been left in solitude trying to gain control of his curse. His meals were left outside the door where he would quickly grab what he wanted and left the rest for the help to clean up. But even after almost two weeks of practice he was no closer to mastering his curse than before. He growled angrily as he once again had to dowse his hand in water to stop the flames from spreading.  “It’s just no use.” He said slamming his head to the desk in frustration.

This one act done in frustration would be his down fall. Because of his weary emotions he was unable to keep a tab on the flow of fire allowing it to flow freely. The papers on his desk soon turned the desk into a raging inferno. Raven jumped back in shock as his desk burst into flames. He tried to control the burn but it only resulted in the flames growing greater and greater until the entire room was on fire. Moments later the fire alarm sounded throughout the building making Raven curse.

The doors to his office burst open as Norma barged through covering her mouth with her arm to shield herself from the smoke. “Oncie!!” She yelled trying to get to him through the fire.

"Stay back!" Raven yelled backing away from her in fear that he would hurt her. "It’s too dangerous. Just get out of here!!"

"Are you nuts?!" She yelled as she ventured onwards towards him not caring about the edges of her dress starting to burn in the flames. "I’m not leaving you here!"

She had almost reached him when Raven threw his arms out in defense as he back himself against his desk. “I said stay back!” He yelled as flames shot from his hands to the ceiling above them.

Norma stared at him in shock and fear. “Oncie… what-” Before she could say another word a smouldering section of the ceiling came crashing down.

"NORMA!!" Raven shouted and ran towards her and desperately tried to lift the beam from her. "Hang in there Norma!" He shouted to her straining to lift the rubble off her. "I’m gonna get you out of here!"

Norma coughed and looked up at Raven with silent resignation. “O-Oncie…” She said softly to get his attention.

Raven looked down at her with tears streaming down his face. “You shouldn’t speak. You need your strength.” He said and went back to trying to clear away the rubble enough to pull her out.

"I-It’s too late for me Oncie…." She coughed out as she reached a shaky hand on his leg. "Y-you need to get out of here… before this place colla—" She was cut off mid sentence by a coughing fit from the smoke.

"No… No!! He shouted as he knelt down to clasp her hand tightly. "I’m not gonna leave you here!… God this is all my fault! I should have done better to protect you!" He choked back tears as he looked at her weary face.

"Shhhh Oncie…. It was an accident…." She said softly, cupping his cheek to wipe away his tears. "You couldn’t have known this would happen…" She looked at him with pain filled eyes. "Please… my darling… Leave me.. I… I couldn’t stand it if you d-died here with me…

"No! You’re not gonna die here! I’m going to get you out of here and we’ll leave together!" He shouted with tears falling down his cheeks openly now.

"We both know you can’t lift the rubble off me Oncie…" She said looking up at him with resignation and tears. "Even if you did… My legs and spine are crushed… I can feel it now… I don’t have much time left.. so please… please Oncie, my darling.. Leave me here…. You have to live for the both of us." She said her voice getting weaker and weaker with each breath. "Remember…. I will always love you…" Her eyes slipped closed of their own accord and she went still.

"Norma." Raven called out cupping her cheek with his hand. "No… Nononononononono!" He sobbed, clutching her body close. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry." Darkness began to cloud his vision and soon he drifted into oblivion.

He awoke hours later in the rubble of his home and factory. All that was left was a smouldering husk of a building as fire fighters fought to snuff out the remains of the fire. Raven stood up on shaky legs and stumbled from the wreckage of his life’s work. Only one thought stood in his mind. He would make the Lorax pay for what he had done to him. He slipped through the shadows past the authorities and ran deep into the forest leaving a trail of fire in his wake.

"Lorax!!!" He roared when he spotted him by a sludge filled river. "You and your stupid curse have destroyed my life!!"

The Lorax stared at him impassively. “I warned you bean pole. I told you that the curse would cause you to feel the same pain the forest does.”

"My wife is dead because of you!!" He yelled grabbing the Lorax up by his pelt and slamming him against a nearby tree. "And that’s all you have to say about it!! I’ll kill you!!!" He roared as he called his flames forth to his hands and hurtled a fireball at the Lorax.

However much to his shock, the fireball dissipated inches away from the Lorax. “You can’t kill me here bean pole.” The Lorax laughed haughtily. “This is my forest. And as long as I’m still in it, you can’t touch me!”

Raven glared at him in fury and helpless despair until a thought occurred to him. He broke out into a sadistic grin as he moved away from the Lorax. “Then I guess I’ll have to make sure there’s no forest for you to be in!” He shouted and through his arms out as he summoned his flames. He began hurling fireballs left and right at the trees. Soon enough the forest was ablaze with his fire. “Let’s see how you like to see your life’s work burning to the ground!” He laughed manically.

The Lorax looked at Raven with righteous anger as he stormed up to him. “HAve you gone mad!!!” He shouted at him pulling Raven’s gaze from the inferno he created. “You don’t realize what you’ve done!! You’ve not only destroyed the forest, but you’ve signed your own death certificate! If this forest dies, you’ll die with it!!”

"Good!" Raven shouted back and looked at the Lorax in anger and deep depression. "I can be with Norma again.." He said and smiled a bittersweet smile. He felt a searing pain course through his heart and gasp and collapse to his knees. He looked down at his hands and saw flames licking up his arms. However unlike the times before he could feel them searing away at his flesh. The flames spread quickly until they completely engulfed him. In his last moments of consciousness he let out a happy sigh of content as if the flames weren’t there at all. "I’m coming home Norma." He muttered to himself and surrendered himself to the sweet bliss of death.

Note: "Hello"- Oncie talking

"Hello" - Greedy talking

"Hello" -Phoenix talking

---------------------------------

"Good evening Thneedville! I'm Oncie..." 

"...And I'm Greedy and tonight we will be your hosts for tonight!"

"I would like to start the night off by greeting the stations newest intern Phoenix!"

"Pffft! Not like it will matter! We go through like five interns in a month."

"Greedy!"

"Yeah yeah I already know you're gonna go on about how it's policy to greet all new workers yada yada... But listen, I want it on record of me saying that I've seen may flies last longer than our interns! In fact they have; Rob Steinberg, y'know the man who mutated into a giant fly after falling into O'hare Industries toxic waste dump, is still living strong now living happily with the love of his life Denise! All I'm saying is that we need to find more durable people for the job."

"Well you never know Greedy! You sometimes have to give people the benefit of the doubt!"

"Uh-huh... Well that doesn't mean I have to like him! I mean have you seen the kid! He's as skinny as a tooth pick and looks so sickly with that grey skin of his! I give the kid less than a week before something bad happens to him!"

"Greedy!! Do you need to have another re-education course with station management about proper radio etiquette!" 

Low grumbling could be heard. "....No."

"Good. Now on to the news. Thneedville's city council has recently announced that there is no such thing as trees. All trees are imaginary and should not be approached at any time. If you or a loved one have seen a tree should report to the secret police for questioning and detainment."

"...." The sound of a chair jostling on the background could be heard. "Oof! Jeez Oncie why'd you have to elbow me so hard? Anyway, Thneedville citizens are reporting seeing strange creature hanging around the imaginary trees spouting strange omens of doom. People say it is odd considering how 'cute' the creature was claiming it to be very short and chubby and covered in bright orange fur and a giant mustache.... Did I really have to just call an overgrown orange furball 'cute"?"

Oncie ignored that last comment. "We have sent Intern Phoenix to the last sighting place of this strange creature. We will report more on this story as it develops. In other news, the mayoral election campaigns are still running strong. Current Mayor Aloysius O'Hare stated in a recent press conference that he is the obvious choice to be re-elected. As I quote 'Who else would be qualified enough to handle the important job of maintaining stock of the towns sellable air supply? Where would we be without someone well versed in the knowledge of the dangers of imaginary trees? Certainly not Sai the O'hAir Delivery Guy!' He then proceeded to laugh maniacally for the rest of the press conference."

"Now a word from our sponsors." Greedy said as ominous music began to play in the background. "You hear a loud noise in the room upstairs, but you are alone in your house. You go upstairs and hear a faint moaning and your heart fills with dread yet you can't stop moving. A pool of blood seeps out of the door. There is only one thing you are sure of: you exist. YOU exist. You cry and open the door to the inky blackness of the void.... This has been a message from Empty-Os, the only breakfast cereal."

"Listeners... we have just received word from intern Phoenix about the mysterious creature via camera phone recordings... The creature, now known as the Lorax claims to speak for the trees and that "You will all pay for what you have done to me and my trees. We will make you suffer!" He then proceeded to begin chanting in some archaic language. And... oh god!... Listeners, Intern Phoenix has been ensnared by the roots of the trees and the Lorax, still chanting, placed a hand upon his head and Phoenix... burst into flames... He is gone dear listeners." Oncie's voice breaks at the end.

"Reports from other citizens have confirmed that the trees, which are of course imaginary, are attacking Thneedvile. The secret police advise all citizens to report to the nearest safety bunker and pray they don't find you." A loud banging noise could be heard. "Listeners... thick roots are currently trying to bust down the door of the recording booth... sit tight listeners as we try and barricade the door. For now we give you the weather." And with that, music began to play. 

After the song ended static buzzed over the airway then cut off abruptly. ".. Listeners I have some wonderful news! Intern Phoenix is alive and well! Just as the roots of an imaginary tree outside the station burst down the door to the sound booth Phoenix arrived like an angel, which we remind you do not exist, with wings of fire and shot a fireball at the roots burning them the tree down in seconds! It seems that there is more to his name than we thought, for now he is a real phoenix in human form! After he valiantly rescued us from almost certain doom he proceeded to go and burn down every imaginary tree in the city. After the last tree was burned to the ground the fearsome creature known as the Lorax let out an unworldly screech of pain and disappeared into the sky. The crisis is over Thneedvile. And it is all thanks to the braveness of our dear Phoenix.... Don't you have something to say on the matter Greedy?"

"Stop giving me that look Oncie! I know what you want me to say! ... Thank you Phoenix you have proven to us all that looks can be deceiving and that a hero can come in any shape or form." Greedy said in a bland mechanical voice.

"Aaaaand?"

"And what? What more could you possibly want me to say?"

"Shouldn't you apologize for certain words said earlier on air?"

"Ugh... fine! I was wrong about what I said about you Phoenix. You aren't some sick weakling... There happy?"

"Thank you Greedy. And apology accepted."

"What the hell are you doing in here?! We are still on air!"

"Language Greedy!... But I too am curious as well about what you are doing here Phoenix?"

"I just received a message from station management. Apparently they decided as a form of thanks for saving the radio station from being torn apart from imaginary trees, I'll be going on the air with you two."

"Great. Another goody two- shoes to deal with... Wipe that smirk off your face bird boy before I take it off!"

"Hush Greedy! Well this has certainly been a very eventful day listeners! Welcome to the show Phoenix! We hope that we will have a great time working together."

"Thank you Oncie. I look forward with working with you both. Before entering I was handed a notice from the city council through one of their messenger robot cats. In light of recent happenings, next week will be life-long curse awareness week. For all citizens should be know the saying: once you are cursed, it's for life!" 

"Who said you'd be the one to read it bird boy!"

"Who said I needed your approval to?!"

"There you have it folks! It has been a long, eventful day listeners. But life goes on. And for however long we have left, we must face the challenges life throws at us. The main challenge for me will be making sure these two children don't kill each other."

"Hey!" "Hey!"

Phoenix sighed sadly as he snuggled close to Oncie and Greedy in his large bed. Over the course of the next week and a half the three of them had made a lot of progress in re-establishing the bond they once had. It had honestly been the best week of his life. However it was dawning on him that his vacation was going to end soon, He would have to leave Oncie and Greedy again to return to his duties as a fire god. He didn’t like that idea one bit. Especially after Oncie and Greedy explained that it wasn’t so simple to end employment at the bath house. Apparently after signing a contract with Sami, the owner of the bath house, they had given up what little powers they had left to her. The only way to end the contract was for them to buy “train tickets” from her that were so expensive that even after their almost 100 years of service they had only come up with half the amount it would cost them for a single ticket. 

There was no way he was going to let them suffer any longer under her tyrannical reign. He had proposed to them once that they should just run away with him and never look back. He was rich and powerful enough that there would be no way she would dare try to get them back after they were with the safe haven of his estate. But he was quickly shot down when they explained they had tried to run after about twenty years of service at the bath house. Apparently it didn’t end very well.

—Flashback—

"I don’t get it! Why can’t we just run away?" Phoenix demanded frustrated at not being able to come to any decision on what to do after his vacation ended. He knew that they were just as hesitant about being apart from each other as he was, so why were they shutting down all his ideas?

Oncie shook his head. “It’s not as easy as you think it is.” He sighed. “We tried that before a long time ago… The results weren’t pretty.”

Phoenix looked at them worriedly. “What happened?”

Greedy huffed angrily as he remembered that day very clearly in his mind. “It was about twenty years after we started to work at the bath house. Oncie and I were serving a particularly demanding client. The old broad decided to dump an entire bowl of noodles on my head because the sauce wasn’t the right color.” He snorted and shook his head. “I snapped and just stormed off in a rage knocking over anything and anyone in my path. Oncie took off after me but at that point I didn’t care. We barely made it past the market when we were both overcome with the worst pain I had ever felt. It was almost as bad as when we lost the connection to our forest… Then SHE showed up,” He growled angrily and clenched his fist tightly. “And informed us that we were bound to the bath house by our contracts and couldn’t leave unless She permitted it. I tried to use what was left of our powers to attack her but couldn’t. It was then we realized just what we had signed away when we signed that contract. We gave up our powers and everything that made us who we once were. We are now nothing more than her slaves.” He spat out the last part and looked as if the very word left a bad taste in his mouth.

Oncie nodded looking just as disgusted as Greedy did. “The only way to end the contract is to buy a train ticket. The only way to get one is to purchase them from her and they are very expensive. With the two of us working as hard as we can for the past hundred years, we’ve only raised half the price of just ONE ticket.” He sighed and looked at his lap sadly. “But it’s the only way she will allow us to leave the bath house long enough to recover our powers and break free of the contract… but something tells me that won’t happen for another thousand years.”

Phoenix looked at them in a mix of shock and worry for what would happen to his lovers. “That’s horrible! Isn’t there a way I could buy the tickets for you?” He asked not caring about the cost if it mean their freedom.

They shook their heads. “She would never allow you to do anything of the sort. She would probably deny the existence of the tickets and then force you to leave the bath house.” Greedy said in a spiteful tone. “It’s an unspoken rule of the bath house that we don’t mention it to the customers. Her greatness doesn’t like the idea of people knowing that we are slaves and lose business over it. The last time someone tried they were made an example of and the results were less than pretty to look at.” 

Phoenix looked at them sadly seeing what they meant. He had to think of some other way to free them! 

—flashback end—-

Phoenix sighed again at the memory. He knew what he had to do but knew that Oncie and Greedy would never allow it. He looked over at the still sleeping Oncie and Greedy and felt his heart clench sadly at what he was about to do. He slowly got out of bed being careful not to wake them and walked over to the small table in the corner of the room and started writing.

Dear Oncie and Greedy,

I am sorry I had to leave this way with only a letter but I knew if I left in any other way you would try to stop me from what I am about to do. I just can’t stand by and watch you both suffer under the tyrannical rule of Mistress Sami. You both deserve to live your lives the way you were meant to as noble guardians of the forest. Not slaving away for little pay. I swear I will return to your sides as soon as I can with the source of your powers restored! I know you will worry about me… but please realize that just like you, I have changed since we last met. I am no longer as weak human and can take protect myself from any dangers that will most likely come on this journey. I will miss you both until I am back in your arms.

Forever yours, 

Phoenix

Phoenix reread the letter and nodded in satisfaction. He set the letter back down next to a sack of money to pay for his expenses and with one sad glance back at his lovers, he silently walked out onto the balcony of the and flew off in the direction of Oncie and Greedy’s old forest. Little did he know, this action caused Oncie and Greedy to awaken. 

"…Phoenix?" Greedy called to him sleepily and his eyes widened in shock when Phoenix took off. "Phoenix!!" He yelled as he rushed out onto the balcony.

Oncie walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are gonna want to read this.” He muttered and handed him the letter. Greedy grabbed it and read it quickly. 

"That idiot bird brain! Doesn’t he know how dangerous it will be to go back to that forest!" Greedy growled as he crumbled the letter. 

Oncie just sighs sadly and looks where Phoenix disappeared on the horizon. “Please be safe.” He mutters and sighs again feeling his heart ache for Phoenix to return to them once more.

————-

After hours of flying Phoenix finally saw the first few scattering of Truffula tufts on the horizon. He sped up and soon the full forest had come into view. He landed in a small clearing and collapsed, panting heavily. He had finally made it!

He slowly got back up and looked around. This place was just like how he could remember it. But it felt… off somehow. Like something was missing. He knew that it was because this forest had gone so long without a guardian to maintain the balance. The sooner he could restore Oncue and Greedy as guardians the better.

He started walking through the forest knowing that after such a long flight it would be a good idea to conserve his energy for more pressing matters. It was almost creepy how for such an expansive forest to be so eerily quite. There were no barbaloots running around or humming fish practicing a new song or swamee swans flying about like they did in his memory. It was like everything in the forest was frozen in time.

He journeyed deep into the forest to where he knew the heart of the forest resided. In the very center of the forest was a large lake with an island in the center where a large truffula tree grew. However the lake was dried up as if something had taken all the water and the tree looked withered and dying. He felt his heart drop at the state of it. It was far worse than he could ever have imagined. This was why everything seemed so off. The forest had lost it’s magic and was unable to sustain and protect any of the life within the forest. 

He slowly walked up to the tree on the island and placed both his hands on the trunk and focused all his energy into summoning one of the elder spirits of the forest. In a bright flash of light there before him stood the spirit of the forest the Lorax. Admittedly he didn’t look anything like how he expected an elder spirit to look. He barely came up to his knee and was chubby and covered in bright orange fur with a large mustache. If he didn’t know any better he would have thought he was some human childs plush toy. But he kept that to himself knowing now would not be a good time to anger the one he was about to plead to help his lovers.

"Who are you and why have you summoned me here in such a manner fire spirit?" The Lorax huffed angrily and crossed his arms over his chest. 

Phoenix bowed deeply to him out of respect. “I am here to speak with you on the matter of the two old guardians of the forest-“

The Lorax scoffed. “Those two deserve any torment that has been brought upon them. I trusted them to care for this forest and what do they do? They abandon it to go hunt down a human boy they became attached to while leaving this place to rot! They were gone for so long that other demons came into the forest and stole almost all of the magical energy of this place! All the life and magic made this forest a sanctuary to all those who entered it and they threw it all away as if it was nothing!” He spat angrily making Phoenix wince. “So I used the last of my energy to punish them the way they deserved and stripped them of their titles as guardians and banish them from the forest forever!”

Phoenix gulped and looked the Lorax in the eye. “Please Lorax I have come here today to beg you to return Oncie and Greedy as guardians to the forest. You see they are not the one’s to blame for what they did. I am.” He paused when the Lorax snorted incredulously but continued. “You see I was the human that caused them to leave the forest and abandon their duties as guardians to the forest. I was caught in a house fire that lead them to believe I was dead when in actuality I was reborn as the fire spirit before you today. If it wasn’t for me they would never have abandoned their duties. So, I beg of you, restore Oncie and Greedy as the guardians of the forest. They have suffered over the past 100 years they have been gone from this place and would see to it that the forest would be restored to it’s rightful place.”

The Lorax looked at him as if he was staring straight into his soul. “You think that just because you came here with some heartfelt sob story that I’ll just forgive those two traitors? And even if your story was true and you were that human that started it all that still give’s me no reason to want to forgive them!” He yelled making Phoenix wince.

"Please Lorax! I’ll do anything for you!" He begged getting down on his knees before him. 

The Lorax paused at that. “Anything you say?”

Phoenix nodded vigorously. “Yes please I’ll do anything if it means you’ll restore Oncie and Greedy’s status as guardians! They deserve to hve their freedom again!”

The Lorax hummed in thought then smirked. “If what you say is true and you are truly in love with them after all these years… Then I’m sure you would have no trouble going through a little test of mine to prove it.”

Phoenix nodded again. “I”ll do it!” He yelled passionately making the Lorax smirk.

"I was hoping you’d say that." He smirked as he made a large container appear out of thin air. "Your test is to take this water jug to the edge of the forest where the water still flows and fill this container. Then bring it back here until this lake is full again."

Phoenix inwardly gaped. It would take ages to fill up a lake of even this size! “I-I’ll do it.” He said as he grabbed the container and spread his wings to take off into the air.

"Ah ah ah!" The Lorax yelled making Phoenix freeze. "There’s a catch!"

"W-what catch?" Phoenix asked getting a sinking feeling in his stomach. 

"You have to do it the human way!" He yelled and with a snap of his fingers Phoenix’s wings were gone.

Phoenix gasped and fell to his knees feeling like a part of himself was cut off. “What the hell did you just do?!” He yelled looking up at the Lorax with wide eyes.

The Lorax chuckled and smirked at him. “I made you mortal again. And you won’t get your godhood back again until the task is finished or you give up!” Phoenix looked like he was about to say something but the Lorax held up his hand making him freeze. “You said you would do anything to make me restore Oncie and Greedy as guardians and I decided this will be the only way to do it! So if you want this done sometime this century I would start walking!” He yelled and with a snap of his fingers he was gone.

Phoenix sighed and grabbed the container and started walking. He had to do this for Oncie and Greedy! He wasn’t about to let them suffer for longer than necessary. He trudged through the forest while dragging the container behind him for hours until he came across the river. He grinned and instantly ran over to it with the jug in his arms.

He knelt beside the river and filled the jug. He groaned as he lifted the jug out of the water. He was not used to heavy lifting in this lifetime! He never liked having anything that could weigh him down too much while flying. He lugged the jug up onto the river bank panting heavily. This was going to be a loooong journey.He groaned as he hefted the jug up and started his trek back to the tree.

After what felt like an eternity he finally made it back to the tree. He was sweating profusely and his arms felt like they were going to fall off! When the tree was finally insight he grinned and ran the last few feet. He quickly poured out the water and groaned when there was barely a puddle made from it. There had to be a better way of doing this! In this mortal body of his he would die from old age before the lake was even halfway full! He rested for a moment more then picked the jug back up and started walking back to the river.

This went on for almost a week with him barely eating or drinking and sleeping only when he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. He was running himself ragged. But there were some highlights. Whenever he sat by the river for a moment to regain his strength he would see some remnants of the forest slowly come out to look at him. They would bring him fruit and beg him to play with them. But he would always refuse telling them a small summary of how he was doing it to save his two boyfriends. And that made them all the more determined to help him. One barbaloot that he had taken to calling Pipsqueak started “helping” him by walking with him while carrying water between his paws. It was usually gone by the time they reached the lake but he couldn’t help but be touched by it. 

He had just finished filling the jug into the lake in the river while humming a random tune that the humming fish copied making him laugh. Over the course of the last few days the water level slowly began to rise and now there was roughly an inch of water in the lake. It made him hopeful that maybe there was a chance of him succeeding in his task. He stood up when a wave of dizziness suddenly came over him. He collapsed back to the ground and dropped the jug back into the river. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was the jug floating down the river. 'No! I need that to save Oncie and Greedy…'

When he awoke he was staring up at a star filled sky. That’s odd… It was day time the last he remembered. Then it all came back to him: his suddenly feeling dizzy, collapsing to the ground…. THE JUG! He sprang up looking around frantically only to groan in pain and sit back down when his the dizziness hit him like a brick wall. 

"That was a stupid move on your part you stupid bird brain." He heard a familiar voice say. He looked over and saw the Lorax sitting against a nearby tree with Pipsqueak asleep next to him. "Your body is still recovering from the strain you’ve been putting it through for the last week. What were you even thinking putting your body through so much stress without eating, drinking, or sleeping? You of all people should know how fragile humans can be." He said gruffly. "If it wasn’t for Pipsqueak here dragging me to you, you would have died from dehydration and heat stroke."

Phoenix could barely wrap his mind around what had happened. The Lorax saved him? He didn’t even think he liked him! “…Thank you for saving me.” He said after a moment of hesitation. “You’re right that I should have known better than to push myself like I did. But I was trying to complete your task as soon as possible. The longer it takes for me to finish filling the lake, the longer Oncie and Greedy are left to suffer in that bath house!” He said passionately only to deflate a moment later when he remembered that the jug was now gone. He had no way of finishing the task. “But I guess it doesn’t matter in the end. The jug you gave me is probably long gone by now.” He said sadly feeling like a fool for not taking care of himself properly and in turn dooming Oncie and Greedy to a lifetime of servitude.

The Lorax huffed again. “Don’t give me that kicked puppy look!” He groaned making Phoenix look down with a wince. “…You know you really impressed me over the course of the last week. I’ve been watching you and I never expected you to have lasted as long as you did. Heck I was betting you would quit after the first time you carried the jug back to the tree!” He laughed and shake his head. “Yet you kept at it almost nonstop. And on top of that you made friends with the other animals of this forest. After the darkness fell over this forest they have become very reserved to strangers and rarely come out of their homes and nests when their is one around. You must truly be of pure heart and intentions to not only gain their trust, but for them to try and help you with the impossible task I gave you. You truly exceeded in any and all my expectations of you.” He smiled at Phoenix who could only listen to his speech in a state of never ending shock. “And for all those reasons you proved to me that there is still hope for this forest. So for I have decided to reinstate Oncie and Greedy as the guardians of the forest.”

Phoenix screamed like a little girl and hugged the Lorax tightly. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!”

The Lorax squirmed and pushed him away. “Hey hey hey hey! Don’t get all mushy on me bird brain!” He said and dusted himself off. “But there is a slight catch.” He said putting a damper on Phoenix’s celebration.

"What is it?" He asked cautiously hoping that it wasn’t something too extreme. 

"There was a reason that lake needed to be filled with water." He said solemnly. "The forest is dying. The very magic that keeps it alive if fading at a drastic rate. If the lake was to be filled once more then infused with someone’s magic the forest would have the hope of being restored to its former glory." He looked up at Phoenix. "Without it the forest will be gone withing the next decade."

"So you need me to fill that lake and give it my magic." He said putting the pieces together without the Lorax needing to say it.

He nodded. “Of course this time you won’t do it alone.” He said making Phoenix perk up a bit. He waved his hand and a jug slightly smaller than the first appeared along with several buckets.

The other forest animals that had been watching them curiously came out of the brush and picked up the buckets. Then in a single file line they filled them and marched towards the tree. Phoenix smiled at them then looked back to the Lorax. "Thank you Lorax." He said as he stood up and grabbed the jug and filled it in the river. He just smiled back and grabbed a bucket to follow his lead.

With the help if the Lorax and the other forest creatures they were able to fill the lake in two days with the Lorax making sure Phoenix took breaks to eat and sleep. When the last bucket of water was dumped into the lake, courtesy of Pipsqueak carrying a tiny bucket, the Lorax looked up at Phoenix and with a snap of his fingers he was back to normal. "Alright you know what to do."

He took a moment to relish in the feel of his magic returning to him then nodded to the Lorax. "Here goes everything." He said as he knelt on the bank of the lake and placed his hands into the water. He started to channel his magic through the water and felt the magic of the forest respond back and start to pull on his for more. He struggled to keep a grasp on his magic but it slipped through his grip like water. When the drain finally stopped he laid back onto the grass and sighed feeling thoroughly exhausted. Soon darkness overtook him and he fell into a deep sleep.

------------------------

Oncie and Greedy were at the lower floors of the bath house scrubbing away at the bath tubs. After Phoenix had taken off they had been called to Mistress Sami's office who informed them she knew that Phoenix had left and believed it was due to their negligence that she lost such a valued customer. They didn't dare tell her the true reason he had left. So they were now demoted once again to scrubbing the bathtubs and floors as they were threatened she do to them.

"What is taking bird boy so long to get back here?" Greedy huffed as he scrubbed at a stubborn stain. "He should realize by now that that foolish mission of his is hopeless."

"I just hope that he is safe wherever he is." Oncie sighed sadly. Ever since Phoenix left he had been in a constant state of depression and worry. Not even Greedy could pull him out of his stupor for more than a few moments.

Before Greedy could say anything both of them were overcome by a severe wave of nausea. They both simultaneously puked up black, tar-like slugs. They jumped back in disgust until Greedy managed to step on them. He did a quick prayer to rid himself of the lingering bad spirits then looked over at Oncie and gasped. "Oncie! Your horns!"

Oncie felt his head in shock. His horns had miraculously grown back! And that could mean only one thing.... "Yours too! Phoenix did it!" He yelled excitedly and hugged Greedy tightly whom returned it in a rare show of public affection. "We're free! We can go back home!"

Greedy grinned excitedly as he hugged Oncie back just as tightly. "For once I agree with ya! Let's go right now! Our crazy bird boy is waiting for us!"

"Not so fast." A voice called making them spun around to face Mistress Sami herself. "You are still under my roof! I make the rules here."

"You don't control us anymore." Greedy growled stepping protectively in front of Oncie.

"Oh don't I?" She said with a condescending smirk. She held her arm out to them making both Oncie and Greedy flinch out if instinct. But nothing happened. "What?!" She shrieked and tried again and failed.

Greedy smirked at her. "Like I said: you don't control us anymore." He grabbed Oncie's hand and walked out of the bathhouse leaving behind the still dumbstruck Sami behind.

Once outside they both shifted into their god forms Greedy was a large dragon with bright green scales that shined like emeralds. Oncie took the appearance of a chimera with large branch-like horns and large eagle wings. They took to the skies as soon as they finished transforming and flew towards the Truffula forest without ever looking back. They soon landed at the sacred tree of the forest and transformed back instantly when the saw Phoenix lying on the ground near the bank of the river with the Lorax sitting next to him.

"What the hell did you do to him?!" Greedy demanded angrily.

"Calm down hot head. He's just resting from some magical exhaustion." The Lorax said calmly not at all affected by Greedy's anger. "He did what he had to do to save this forest and in turn save you."

Oncie knelt beside Phoenix and stroked his cheek. "Phoenix? Please wake up." He said as he kissed his cheek. "Please be alright..."

Phoenix began to stir underneath is hand and slowly blinked open his eyes. "Mmmmm..." He looked up at Oncie and Greedy and smiled at them. "... Oncie?... Greedy?... Did it work? Or am I still dreaming?" He muttered groggily.

Greedy laughed s he knelt down beside Oncie. "This isn't a dream Bird Boy. You actually did it. You saved the forest and broke the curse that witch Sami put on us." He said with a grin then frowned and smacked Phoenix upside of the head making him cry out in pain. "But if you ever do something as stupid as running off on your own with some hair brain scheme again, I'll rip out every feather on those pretty little wings of yours!"

Phoenix just laughed and hugged them both tightly. "I promise to never do something like that again." He said as he rubbed his head between their shoulders. "I'm just glad you two are out of that witch's control."

They smiled and hugged him back. "And it's all thanks to you, Phoenix." Oncie said with a smile. 

Over the course of that week Phoenix began to have dreams of himself running and playing in this strange forest with trees with colorful tufts. However the strangest of all Oncie and Greedy were there with him looking more happy and lively then he had ever seen them at the bath house. But this dream in particular was much different from the others… He was in the forest once again sitting in between Oncie and Greedy telling them how his family was planning to move away. Greedy was absolutely outraged and demanded he go and convince his family to stay. Phoenix sighed sadly and told them how he had already tried but to no avail. He took a deep breath and told them that he didn’t want to go because he loved them and couldn’t bare to be away from them making Greedy freeze mid- sentence of his angry rant. Oncie also looked at him with shock and asked him if it was true and he had nodded sheepishly. The most infuriating thing was right before he could hear their response he was woken up.

Phoenix looked at Oncie who was beside him holding a towel and a change of clothes. “Good morning Master Phoenix! Are you ready for your morning bath?” Oncie asked with a smile.

Phoenix looked over at Greedy who was grumbling in the corner of the room. He had learned over the course of the week that Greedy was not a morning person and hated having to wake up early to attend to his bath and meal.It was always best to keep conversations with him to a minimum during that time. Oncie was the exact opposite. He always woke him up with a kind smile and was great to talk to as he took his morning bath and had breakfast. Phoenix smiled to himself as he thought of how they were the exact opposite of each other but complimented each other beautifully.

Shaking himself of those thoughts he turned to Oncie again. “Good morning Oncie. Yes I am ready for my bath.” He said as he got out of bed.

Oncie nodded with a smile. “Your usual sulfur bath?” He asked walking to the door giving Greedy a pointed look while telling him to get breakfast. Greedy was always the one with the more sensitive sense of smell making him even more unbearable to be around when the tub was being filled with Phoenix’s requested bath.

"Yes." Phoenix replied as he followed Oncie to the bath. The tub was soon filled with water infused with volcanic rock and sulfur. It wasn’t the best smelling bath but it made him feel wonderful and replenished his powers. He sighed happily and sunk deeper into the water. "I don’t know how they do it but this bath is absolutely wonderful!"

Oncie smiled at him and nodded. “That is why so many spirits from all over the world come here. Our baths are designed for all forms of spirits to make them feel relaxed and replenished!”

Phoenix was about to say something back when he suddenly gasped in pain. No! It couldn’t be! It was too soon! He quickly scrambled out of the bath as if he was electrocuted only to collapse to his knees after taking only a few steps.

"Master Phoenix! What’s wrong?!" Oncie asked worriedly wondering what was causing him to react this way. He gasped as Phoenix was slowly beginning to be covered in flames. The flames were beginning to spread to other surfaces as well making him panic. In his panic he grabbed the bucket usually used to hold supplies and filled it with tub water and tossed it at Phoenix making him shriek loudly in pain sounding more like a dying bird than a yell. The flames began to shrink to almost nonexistence like that of a campfire about to go out.

"Fool!" He heard someone yell and looked up to one of the upper levels to see his boss, Madame Sami, glaring at him. She always wore a large deep blue coat with the hood up making it impossible to see her face and could appear at any time and any place she so chose. "Do you have any idea what you have done?!" She yelled and in an instant teleported herself in front of him. "You just threw water on a fire spirit! A Royal Phoenix at that!"

Oncie stuttered fearfully not knowing what to say. He had hurt Phoenix?! He looked at the unconscious form of Phoenix. Oh gods! Please don’t let him be dead! “I-I-I… Th-th-the flames!… A-a-and h-h-he…!”

"Enough with you blathering!" Madame Sami yelled. "He was going through a burning stage and you threw water on him! If you don’t fix this immediately and get his flames going again he will die! And if he does……" She trailed off with the threat still lingering in the air making Oncie gulp. Not just for fear of what would happen to him but for Phoenix as well.

He quickly picked Phoenix up and ran back to his room passing a stunned Greedy carrying a tray of milk and pancakes. “Hey! Oncie! Where are you going?!” He yelled running after him and growled when he was ignored. He quickly followed after him still unaware f the danger Phoenix was in.

Oncie barged into Phoenix’s suite and set him down near the hearth. “Ohgodsohgodsohgodsohgods!” He yelled trying to think of what to do to help Phoenix.

In his panic he didn’t even hear Greedy enter the room. “Yo Oncie what the hell is going on?! You were running down the halls as if Madame Sami was on your tail!” He yelled pissed at being ignored. He gasped slightly when he finally spotted Phoenix. “What the hell?! What happened to Bird Boy?!”

Oncie looked at him with fear and worry in his eyes. “Phoenix was going through a burning phase, whateverthehellthatis, and in my panic I threw water on him! And now If I can’t his flames going again Madame Sami said he would die!” He moaned sadly placing his head in his hands. “And it would all be my fault!”

Greedy walked over to him. “Oncie you need to calm down! You having a pity party isn’t going to make Birdie here any better! So pull yourself together!” He yelled and kneeled beside Phoenix.

Oncie looked at Greedy in shock at how tender Greedy was being as he cradled Phoenix in his harms. He had never seen Greedy be these gently with anyone besides… Oncie sighed sadly. He needed to figure out how to help Phoenix get better! He would NOT lose him again!

Meanwhile in Phoenix’s mind Phoenix found himself floating in this white space. He looked around curiously wondering where he was. “Hello?!” He called out but only received and echo back. He squinted when a dark form seemed to be coming close to him. “Hey you there! Do you know where I am?!” The dark figure got closer to him and he gasped in shock. It was a human! And strangely enough, besides his skin color he looked exactly like him. “Who are you?” He asked him curiously.

The human smiled at him. “I am you.” He said simply making Phoenix gasp.

"How can that be! I am a Royal Phoenix and you’re just a human!" Phoenix demanded in shock.

The man laughed lightly. “Let me explain!” He said and waved his hand making a large screen appear in front of them. “You see before you became the spirit you are today you were me. I was named Once-ler.” Making Phoenix gasp once more. It couldn’t be the same man Oncie and Greedy were always going on about! Once-ler nodded as if reading his thoughts. “Yes the same Once-ler Oncie and Greedy told you about. You see..” He started and with a wave of his hand his past life played out in front of him. From his birth to when he met Oncie and Greedy after being chased by shadow demons to him spending almost everyday after that hanging out with them and becoming close friends. Phoenix gaped in shock when his dream from last night came into view.

Once-ler looked down at his lap waiting for Oncie and Greedy to yell at him and tell him to that it was impossible for them to be together.

"Y-you what?" He heard Oncie stutter after a long pause.

"I-I-I love you two okay!" He yelled looking up at them. "Our time together has been some of the best years of my life! I can’t begin to imagine what my life would be like without you and I don’t want to!"

Oncie and Greedy’s eyes were as large as saucers at that confession. “Once-ler…”Greedy began and looked to Oncie for help since he was better at this emotional stuff than he was.

"Once-ler… We don’t know what to say…" Oncie began as he began to realize the feelings he had been suppressing all these years. One look at Greedy and he could tell he was going trough the exact same thing.

Greedy sat back down beside Once-ler without another word making Once-ler nervous that he had blown it. He was going to lose his two best friends in the world because he couldn’t keep his big mouth shut! Greedy suddenly reached his hand out and tilted his head and looked deep into his eyes. Just as he was about to say something Greedy was kissing him passionately making his entire world freeze. This could not be happening right now!

After a few seconds Greedy pulled away with a smirk. “I have never been much for words. I prefer to let my actions do the talking!”

After that day he began a relationship with Oncie and Greedy. Unfortunately it could not last forever. Phoenix watched as Once-ler was forced to move away with his family. He watched the heart wrenching goodbyes with Oncie and Greedy who gave him a necklace with a piece of Oncie’s horn and one of Greedy’s scales to remember them by along with the promise to come back to them as soon as he could. From there Once-ler sank into a depression with his only lifeline being the necklace he kept hidden beneath his shirt at all times. Then tragedy struck when in the middle of the night a fire overtook his house from some sort of gas leak catching spark. He was trapped in his room after a beam collapsed blocking off his only exit. Then somehow the gods took pity on him. They decided that his fate was to be intertwined with Oncie and Greedy and had him reborn from the ashes as the Phoenix he was today.

Phoenix looked at the now blank screen in shock. “I… I…” He didn’t know what to say. Oncie and Greedy had been right all along! And what had he done? He had laughed in their face! Yelled at them for being ridiculous and threatened them if they were to bring to the idea up to him again. Phoenix placed his head in his hands. “They must hat me now!” He moaned sadly and curled up into a ball.

Once-ler shook his head and placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. “No they don’t. They care about you greatly! Just look!” He said and with another wave of his hand the screen showed Oncie and Greedy cradling him closely near the hearth in his room.

"W-what is going on? I-i-is that me?" Phoenix asked looking at the screen in shock.

"Yes. You see that is the reason we are able to converse." Once-ler explained solemnly. "Your high emotions caused you to have an early burning day. Oncie, in his panic, tossed a bucket of water on you to stop the flames. Right now we are in the plain in between life and death…"

"Oh Phoenix! Please come back to us! We don’t want to lose you again!" Oncie cried sadly while stroking his hair.

Phoenix watching sadly and reached out a hand towards the screen wanting to comfort him that he was alright.

Oncie-ler watched him and smiled slightly. “I assume that you wish to return to them?”

"Of course! I have to let them know they were right along along!" Phoenix said determinedly. "We need to set things right again!"

Once-ler smiled brightly. “Then go to them. Oh! And please tell them this message: They need to stop blaming themselves for what happened. It is time to start anew and move on with our lives.”

Phoenix nodded and disappeared in a flash. When he opened his eyes he realized he was being cradled in a pair of strong arms. He looked up an saw they belonged to none other than Greedy. “G-Greedy?” He asked in a scratchy voice.

Oncie and Greedy gasped when Phoenix’s eyes opened and even spoke. “Thank god you’re alright!” Oncie cried and pulled him into a tight hug. “We thought we lost you forever!”

Phoenix hugged him back just as tightly. “It’s alright Oncie… I’m alright.” He muttered as he pulled away. “I don’t plan on leaving you for a long time.” He said with a smile. “If anything I should thank you for what you did! While I was unconscious I was able to realize something that I have denied for a long time now.”

Oncie and Greedy looked at him as if he had gone insane. What the hell was he talking about and worried he was hurt more than they had thought from the water accident.

Phoenix just kept smiling as he explained his meeting with his past self. How he remembered now who he used to be. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you guys. I should have listened to you instead of brushing you two aside. I don know how you could ever forgive me for the things I've done to you." He said sullenly feeling his heart clench painfully at the thought of them hating him.

Oncie and Greedy sat there dumbfounded. This couldn't be happening. Their precious Once-ler has finally returned to them! Greedy was the first to break out of his trance and pulled Phoenix into a tight hug. "It's about damn time!" He said with a grin.

Phoenix froze for a moment expecting pain to follow the hug. But when he realizes what was happening he relaxed and hugged him back. "I'm sorry." He muttered into his chest.

Oncie smiled at him. "It's not your fault Phoenix. You just needed time to remember." He said as he joined in on their hug.

Phoenix looked up at them and smiled back at them feeling more content and safe in his arms than he ever felt in his entire life. "Once-ler told me to that you both need to stop blaming yourself for what happened and that it is time for us to move on." He said remembering the message he had told him. "What happened was never your fault and he never blamed you for it."

Oncie and Greedy looked at Phoenix in shock then smiled. Finally they could move on and start a new life with their returned beloved! Greedy pulled Phoenix closer and kisses him passionately. Phoenix kisses him back just as passionately. He then pulled away and kissed a frozen Oncie.