Thunderbird Frank, The Hunt Begins

Thunderbird Sanctuary.

Lucien Apparition with Newt and Stanley to the foot of a high mountain.

"Boom--"

A muffled rumble of thunder fell from the sky, and dark, heavy clouds pressed closer to the mountain peaks.

Newt looked up at the thunderclouds, his nose twitching slightly as he carefully discerned the scents in the air.

"The frequency of thunder and lightning has dropped to once every five seconds, and there's more moisture in the air. It's about time; the Thunderbird should have finished courtship and mating."

Stanley nodded in agreement.

"Yes, the period between mating and egg-laying is the easiest time to approach Thunderbird."

Lucien listened and took notes quietly from the back; this was a rare learning opportunity.

Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.

Meeting more people while traveling is also a way to learn.

"Bah!"

Just as the three were about to take action, they suddenly heard a sharp, loud cry piercing through the thunder, rapidly descending from the mountaintop.

Newt and Stanley reacted instantly, grabbing their wands. It was the cry of Thunderbird, a sign that it was approaching at high speed.

Lucien also took out his wand, but he didn't seem nervous at all; instead, he waited with great interest.

Because the Unicorn's blessing allowed him to understand the meaning of that cry:

"Old friend, you've come!"

Then, a second cry rang out, this time softer, but closer still.

Newt then looked enlightened and put away his wand.

As the shadow swept by, illuminated by the lightning, a massive figure descended from a distance of several meters from the three.

Even at this distance, a strong wind still whipped up, nearly causing them to lose their footing.

This is a giant bird with three pairs of wings, a wide wingspan, golden feathers on its back, pure white feathers on its belly, and a tail feather that shimmers with a metallic sheen.

Its most distinctive feature is the golden feather Diadem that surrounds its head, resembling a sun corona.

Its eyes were sharp and bright, as if they were flashing with lightning.

"Frank, it's been a long time."

Newt walked forward with a smile and greeted the Thunderbird.

The Thunderbird named Frank also moved forward a few steps, and when Newt got close, it even lowered its proud head and touched Newt's outstretched palm.

Lucien also remembered, oh, this is the Thunderbird that rained down the rain of oblivion upon New York City back then.

Thunderbird do indeed have very long lifespans, often ranging from one hundred to two hundred years, so this age should be their peak condition.

And judging by the Diadem- like feathers on its head, it's quite powerful.

The Thunderbird King of this area?

Thunderbird Frank called softly, nuzzling Newt's chest with its head.

Newt listened to Frank's shouts, he pondered for a moment and then asked softly:

"Okay, where do you want to take me?"

The Thunderbird continued to sing, Newt intended to continue interpreting it, but then he suddenly remembered that Lucien was right next to him.

Newt then turned to look at Lucien, Lucien understood Newt's meaning and said:

"Mr. Scamander, Frank said he wants you to help him check on his wife; she's on this mountain."

"Okay, thank you, Lucien."

"You're welcome."

Hearing their conversation, Stanley raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing surprise.

No, Newt was just asking Lucien? About Magical Creatures?

And did this boy, who looks only twelve or thirteen years old, really understand what Thunderbird was trying to convey?

Stanley's research on the Thunderbird allowed him to understand some of the meaning behind Frank's behavior and calls.

It does roughly match what Lucien said, but it can't be that accurate.

Stanley began to truly value Lucien, recalling Newt's assessment of him before their departure: he was quite talented in Magical Creatures!

Lucien's behavior made Stanley begin to suspect that the child might be one of Newt's grandsons. But he had seen Newt's grandson before, and he wasn't this one either, plus he didn't look like him...

"Bah!"

Thunderbird Frank let out a loud cry, clearly filled with surprise.

"Child, can you understand what I mean?"

I didn't pay much attention to the "name" of this Thunderbird, since it was an old bird that was several decades old anyway.

Lucien nodded and said softly:

"Sure, is there anything else you'd like to say, or how can we help you?"

The Thunderbird flapped its wings excitedly, carefully flew past Newt, and came to Lucien.

"My wife is laying eggs, but this time it's taking much longer than before. Luckily, Newt and you are here, could you please take a look?"

"No problem, just a moment."

Lucien relayed Thunderbird's request to Newt and Stanley.

Newt was alright; he had witnessed Lucien receiving the Unicorn's blessing in the Forbidden Forest and knew about his ability to communicate with animals.

But Stanley had no idea; he just saw the Thunderbird chirping for a while, and Lucien translated it all.

Can it really be that fast?

"Stanley, let's go."

Stanley only snapped out of his daze when he heard Newt's shout.

"Oh, let's go straight to the top of the mountain. I brought plenty of medicinal herbs; that'll be enough."

To save time, Thunderbird Frank didn't pay much attention and simply let Lucien and the other two sit on his back.

The next moment, it spread its wings and took flight.

The wind howled, and in just a few breaths, the three people and the bird arrived at their nest on the mountaintop.

Thunderbird are so large that they can only build their homes in caves high in the mountains.

A faint cry, tinged with pain, drifted from the cave.

Thunderbird Frank responded anxiously and then landed at the cave entrance.

Lucien and the others also jumped to the ground at the same time.

Deep inside the cave, there was a large expanse of soft, dry branches and grass.

A Thunderbird was perched on top of it. This Thunderbird was about twice the size of Frank, but its feathers were much whiter.

"Don't worry, we're here to help."

Lucien spoke first, trying to calm the female Thunderbird.

At the same time, the Thunderbird Frank chirped in unison.

In a dense forest somewhere.

A group of poachers, led by a brown-haired man, were packing up their gear and discussing their final plans.

"Shirley, aim for a fatal blow."

The brown-haired man spoke to a beautiful woman with black hair and red lips, his tone very serious.

Shirley stretched, outlining her alluring curves.

"I understand, Alistair. Don't you trust my abilities?"

Shirley reached out and tapped the brown-haired man's chest, chuckling.

Seeing that Shirley was still so relaxed, Alistair's gaze turned cold.

"Your results determine our victory or defeat, and I don't like the consequences of failure."

But Shirley seemed oblivious to the threat; she simply twisted her waist and walked into the jungle.

"Okay, okay, the hunt begins!"

After saying this, the woman disappeared.

A black widow spider silently crawls among the blades of grass.