The Spore Trap

I slipped through the propped-open front door and marched straight down the porch steps, determined to expand my domain into the great outdoors! Right beside the lowest stone riser, an enormous dandelion puffball swayed on a green stalk, practically begging for a hero's inspection. Convinced this fluffy globe was an alien communication node, I strutted forward and gave it an authoritative poke with my gloved wingtip. Big mistake! The sphere detonated into a swirling cloud of tiny parachute seeds! I sprang backward onto the concrete, sputtering in shock as a dozen white tufts clung to my cape. An obvious planetary defense mechanism, but I held my ground!