The mountains are like this kingdom. Only they have many rulers not just one. The clans live side by side in this unspoken harmony. A crime in one is a crime in all and they would run the offenders off the mountain. Such an occurrence was so rare I had never seen it happen in the thirteen years I was there. However I did see how the clans and flocks of the mountain ran so smoothly. It was in my eighth year....

Theos looked around at the busy birds. They squawked and chirped at one another as they straightened up the plateau. They dusted off stray rocks and mended their nests making them prim and proper and adorning them with feathers. They traded their feathers creating beautiful arrays personalized to their tastes. There was a lot of work going into this Festival of Flocks. Apparently it was their turn to host this year and it was a huge event for the flock. It only came around once every fifty years due to the shear number of flocks living in the mountains. It rotated between them all.

Theos went around offering his help but got nothing but shooed away. He didn't know how to weave feathers and while he could kick small stones off it was the large ones they were removing mostly to open the place up. Theos sighed and sat off to one side on the plateau watching them prepare everything. Even the children were helping with the nests and the chicks inside. Another hatching season gone by. Before long ceresmon would pass overhead again and take the chicks away to be reared into flight on her back.

Despite the happy atmosphere Theos felt a bit lonely sitting off to himself. Until he saw something small and blue watching the flock curiously. He walked over to the small round ball with a feathered tail and wings. Its tail wagged happily back and forth as it noticed him looking at it. He had never seen a bird type like this.

"Hello," Theos said cocking his head as he took in her small form.

"Hiya," she happily quipped. "What's going on? Is it a party? Will there be lots of food?"

"Yes and yes," Theos chuckled at her bombardment. "It's the Festival of Flocks."

"What's that," she asked.

"Every year a group of five digimon are selected from each clan and flock on the mountain to represent them. One cln is chosen as a host and they all gather there to talk about happenings on the mountain. Exchanging stories and going over any issues that may have arose over the past year," Theos explained as it had been explained to him. "What is your name?"

"It's Shika," she responded brightly with her big eyes gleaming.

"I'm Theos," he responded smiling a bit.

"Nice to meet'cha," Shika said her tail continuing to wag. Theos also started to wag in response. At least he had someone to talk to now.

Suddenly one of the birds let out a giant horn like sound and silence befell the plateau. All the birds took to their nests and all heads were to the sky. It was nearly blacked out with the number of birds and flying beasts from each of the clans. Fifty clans total and five representatives from each clan. The sheer number was far more than Theos could have possibly even imagined. They swooped into the plateau slowly but surely in groups of five. Each clan name being called off to be marked for attendance.

A large white yatagaramon glided in from his mountain. Many heads bowing respectfully to him as he landed. He smiled and took a perch on the sidelines listening to the role call. Theos motioned to Shika with his head and started over to sit beside the large white bird.

"There is nothing quite like the Festival of Flocks," the yatagaramon said smiling. "Back when I had my sight I loved watching this parade of color."

"It is quite the sight. I have never seen so many different kinds before," Theos said watching in wonderment. He cocked his head slightly as he recognized Muninmon from that day of the storm. With it was another bird exactly the same but red instead of blue.

"Ramon and Muninmon; or Stark and Rogue," the yatagaramon said as they passed with their small envoy. "I have watched and heard many of these young digimon grow up. I know the sounds of their steps and the feeling of their auras."

"That is really cool," Shika piped up.

"Thank you young one. I may be old but i am far from senile," he said chuckling.

Theos suddenly got a chill down his spine and he looked to the digimon that were coming next. It walked on two taloned legs. Its body upright and nothing like a birds besides two leathery wings. On its chest sat armor shaped to have a beak in the center and eyes on each breast. Even its shoulder guards had beaks and eyes. Behind it walked to women both with four feathered wings. Staffs and swords at their hips. Behind them walked a pair of digimon with bottom halves not unlike an aquilamons. Their eyes hidden behind metal visors.

"Murdoc," yatagaramon said soberly. "He runs one of the few warring clans that actively seek turmoil. Murmukusmon, Darcmon, Silphymon they are all half bird half man like beasts. Because of this they are ruled by both savage instinct and wicked cunning."

No wonder they had given Theos the chill. They were full on a clan of murderers. Why would such a clan be invited to this? Surely it wasn't just for the sake of being fair. He took a step closer to yatagaramon just to be safe. He was going to avoid them entirely.

Next came the Unimon, Pegasusmon, and hippogriffomon their clan being the four legged flyers. This continued for what seemed like forever. Yatagaramon all the time commenting and naming the species. It was fun and Theos was learning quite a bit. Even Shika seemed happy to place in her two cents from time to time earning chuckles from the yatagaramon.

Eventually the parade ended and the festivities and drinking began. Many of the visiting digimon seemed loud and boisterous and the food was delicious. Shika stayed by Theos side as they enjoyed the food and water. All the children were scattered around listening to stories or playing with the visiting children what few were brought along.

That night seemed to last forever. Shika was a curious and sweet little in-training. At the time she was only three and still learning a lot. She had a little feisty that many of the digimon seemed to enjoy teasing out of her. I heard so many stories and I played so many games. Now it is just one big blur but the feeling is still there. A warmth one could only have from being surrounded by laughter and happiness.

Theos woke the next morning in his small cleft alone. Shika had disappeared from his side. He crawled out and stood up stretching. He looked up at the noon sky then back down to the hundreds of birds sprawled all over the plateau. The smell of alcohol still in the air from last night. There was no sign of many of the adults stirring from their slumber. Many of the children were already up playing in the sky their laughter filling the air. A few adults watched them keeping them within sight.

Theos began cleaning himself as he normally did when a particularly loud snore startled him for its closeness. He looked up a bit to see yatagaramon in all his white wonder sleeping soundly his belly bloated. Theos laughed at the sight and shook his head.

That day was a day of rest for the adults. They slept well past noon and even then they complained about getting up. They laughed and continued the party again that night. Three days and nights of story sharing and news spreading. It was some of the happiest three days of my life. Someday I will have to take you there young one. When i know it is Chi's flocks turn to host it again and let you experience the wonder of it all. For now though go play and be happy.