Shattering Crystal

Note: So This takes place years and years after the books do. New Queens reign over their tribes, and there is a war again, no allies. Every tribe for their own. 
== Chapter One: Secrets Buried in Ice and Snow == 
Crystalline sighed, she always disliked having to sit through one of these boring dinners. 
“Crystalline, darling, I hear you’re engaged to Prince Subzero?” One of the IceWing nobles said, sipping a cup of tea. Crystalline shifted uncomfortably. 
“Yes, I can’t wait for the wedding.” Crystalline said, putting on her best fake-smile. Crystalline didn’t want to marry Subzero.. At all. She feared this arranged marriage. There’s no love, so how could they get married? 
“How lucky you are,” The nobles laughed. Crystalline just sat there, her expression blank. Prince Subzero was the most brutal IceWing there ever was, in Crystalline’s opinion. He killed without mercy, putting on an emotionless mask on the battlefield. Blue and red blood stained his claws. 
The dinner ended, and Crystalline slowly made her way back to her room. She wasn’t even married to Subzero yet, and yet Queen Snowfield insisted she moved into the palace. Her room was large — and empty. The room seemed unbearably cold — even though IceWings don’t feel the cold. She stretched her wings, and pulled out an empty scroll. She marked the date, and wrote down the events of the day. 
Today was another boring day. I woke up, ate breakfast, read a scroll until lunch, and then had a meeting with the Queen, then had dinner with the IceWing nobles.
Her handwriting was neat and straight. She rolled the scroll back up, and put it in her desk, one of the only furnitures in the room. It was soon. In three days, she would meet the prince. She only knew him by reputation, she had no idea what he was actually like. Crystalline dreaded and looked forward to this day at the same time. She badly wanted to get it over with — but she didn’t want to find out how horrible he was. 
Everyone thought Crystalline was beyond escatic for this marriage. That she couldn’t wait. It was honestly the opposite — she dreaded the marriage, and wished she could put it off. This had to remain secret, if the rest of the tribe knew, they’d be disappointed, they’d be upset. 
Three Years Later..
== Chapter Two: A Shattering War == 
The war was worsening. The SkyWings were rising up, and were starting to win the war. There was no more talk of marriages — which didn’t bother Crystalline. Things were getting more interesting in the Ice Kingdom, it was no longer the same thing every day. 
The rankings were somewhat forgotten. There wasn’t much time for tests or anything — they needed all availabe frostbreath and claws for battle. And so, the rankings haven’t been updated for two years. Crystalline was still in the first circle, and her little sister, Frost, was in the second circle. 
Crystalline walked around the courtyard, just enjoying the beautiful weather. There was a tap on her shoulder. 
“Crystalline?” A small voice called. “I’m bored..” 
“Oh, really? Hmm. Let’s see, what do you want to do then, Frost?” Crystalline answered kindly. Frost was only three years old, five years younger than Crystalline. 
“Wanna go spy on the prince?” Frost asked, tapping her claws on the ice thoughtfully.
“Oh, but we might get in trouble if we do that,” Crystalline said, “How about Hide n’ Seek?” 
“Sure! Sure! You be “It” first!” Frost cheerily said, then ran off as Crystalline covered her eyes with her talons. After about a minute, Crystalline uncovered her eyes, and ran off in search of Frost. She wandered around the courtyard and palace, looking for Frost. She found her hiding behind a curtain. 
“Found ya!” Crystalline said. “Clever hiding spot.” 
“I know, right? It took you FOREVER to find me!” Frost giggled. Crystalline and Frost laughed, and then went to eat lunch. 
“Wow! Look at all of this!” Frost said, in awe. There was a long elegant table, with all sorts of food choices. Seagul, polar bear, seal, fish. “Are you going to eat anything?”
“No, I’m not hungry right now, go ahead and get your food and we’ll find a place to sit.” Crystalline said. Then there was a crash, that seemed to rock the whole Ice Kingdom.
== Chapter Three: Melted Ice and Snow ==
Crystalline put one wing around Frost, who was wide-eyed and shaking.
“The SkyWings! They’ve come to attack!” Several IceWings shrieked, as they fled the palace. Crystalline seemed to be frozen — in fear and confusion. How could they have gotten past the Great Ice Cliff? Crystalline thought worringly. Frost tapped Crystalline several times with her claw.
“Hey, big sister? What are we going to do?” Frost said, poking her again with her claw. 
“I’ll tell you what. How about you go with the other IceWings, they’ll lead you to safety. And afterwards, I’ll come find you, okay? I need to go discuss something with the Queen.” Crystalline said gently. 
“But — what if something bad happens?” Frost asked, her voice high and shaky. 
“Nothing bad will happen. Trust your tribe, and me, that they’ll keep you safe. Just follow the other IceWings, they’ll be going somewhere safe.” Crystalline said softly, carefully guiding Frost to the group of IceWings. She nodded, and quickly hurried off with the rest of the group. 
Crystalline watched, and made sure that Frost was safely with the other IceWings before she headed off to the throne room. She wasn’t sure if the Queen would even be there at the moment, but she knew this was usually where her and the war generals discussed in case of emergency. 
Crystalline knocked twice, then carefully pushed open the icy large doors. She was right — Snowfield and the war generals were all urgently talking. Crystalline bowed low to the ground, not meeting the Queen’s eyes. 
“What is it, Crystalline?” Snowfield asked, sounding impatient. 
“I‘m confused — and would like some clarification. How did the SkyWings get in? The Great Ice Cliff should’ve protected us, so how?” Crystalline asked, still bowing. 
“Well, long ago, in case of emergency, we made underground tunnels that went around the Great Ice Cliff. But they were filled with snow and ice, which continued to freeze over. We suspect, that the SkyWings have been secretly working to melt that ice, and break into our kingdom,” Snowfield sighed, tapping her claws on her throne. 
“Your Majesty, our soldiers are shocked and unprepared for this attack, we’re barely holding them off.” A war general said, “I’m not sure how much longer we will last. They’ve been coming in waves, that don’t seem to end.”
“Send in Subzero, and the elite. That will give us a small advantage.” Snowfield said, rubbing her forehead. 
“Your Majest — we have safety chamber, right? It’d be foolish not to, right?” Crystalline asked, thinking of all of those fleeing IceWings. 
“Well, I know, we should have some, but because of the Great Ice Cliff, we usually don’t have attacks like these where we need to evacuate the kingdom.” Snowfield said, looking down at her talons. 
“Then what about all of those fleeing IceWings?! They’re trying to escape — but they have nowhere to go!” Crystalline‘s voice began to rise, anger and frustration radiating off every scale. 
“Trust in your tribe! Trust that the soldiers will protect us. Have faith, that is the strongest weapon we have right now.” Snowfield said, standing up, regally spreading her wings. “You are dismissed.” 
Crystalline left, irritated. But she didn’t have time to sulk — she needed to find Frost, and make sure she was okay. As far as Crystalline was concerned, she had sent her younger sister off to her death. The IceWings she went with had nowhere to go.
As she stepped out of the palace, she gasped. The destruction was devastating. SkyWing fire had melted down several shops and buildings, and red and blue blood stained the once pure snowy floors. She recognized one of the IceWings as one from the group she sent her sister off with.
“Excuse me, excuse me! Have you seen my sister? She’s a three-year-old dragonet, and she was last with your group?” Crystalline frantically asked. 
“Our group — it w-was destroyed. W-We walked r-right into a t-trap. Only a c-couple of IceWings s-survived, and I d-didn’t see any dr-dragonets.” The IceWing stammered. Crystalline felt like an iceberg had just rammed right into her. Her talons twitched, and her wings lowered. Is Frost really dead? Because of me? She thought, twitching. Frost was her only other family, or at least it seemed like it. Her parents were killed in the war, sent right into the front lines because of their ‘treachery’. 
She suddenly felt dizzy, and then everything went dark. 
== Chapter Four: A Devastating Discovery ==
 Crystalline woke up on a recovery bed, with bandages around her wings. The IceWing healer saw that she had woken up, and gasped. 
“Finally, you‘re awake!” She said, clapping her talons together. Crystalline looked outside the window. The damage the SkyWings had done already seemed to be mostly repaired. How could that have happened, in such little time? Beside her, there were several other injured IceWings who hadn’t woken yet. 
“What happened?” Crystalline asked, trying to get up. She winced, her head throbbing painfully. The IceWing healer beckoned her to lay back down 
“Well, as you probably know, the SkyWings had attacked our kingdom. They destroyed a lot in the process — buildings, shops, and even a small section of the palace, which is all being rebuilt.” She said quickly, seeing the look of terror on Crystalline’s face. “You fainted out in the midst of the battle, which didn’t end well. The SkyWings started to drop the Dragonflame cacti down on us, and several explosions went off around you. You‘re fortunate to even be alive.” 
Crystallite rubbed her forehead, thinking of all of this. 
“How long was I unconscious?” She asked. 
“Four weeks. You were unconscious for four weeks.” The IceWing healer said, looking down at her talons. Crystalline’s talons twitched — She couldn’t believe she had been out for four weeks. 
“What about my sister? Frost? Is she okay?” Crystalline asked, growing frantic. She saw the IceWing healer’s reaction, and looked down. “She’s not — is she?” 
The healer shook her head. “You’re going to have to ask the Queen that, sweetie. A lot of IceWings were found with severe injuries.” 
“I see. Okay then,” Crystalline inhaled, and exhaled deeply. “Am I free to go?” 
“Yes, just be sure to take it easy. Your wings were badly burned, but you’ll be able to fly again.” The healer said. Crystalline nodded thankfully, then slowly made her way out of the hospital. She was still a little wobbly, but mostly fine. Crystalline looked up at her bandaged wings and thought it’d be a good idea to let them rest for a while. 
She was shocked how quickly the tribe had rebuilt. It looked like nothing had happened at all, and that workers were just fixing things up a little. Crystalline could guess there were a lot of wounded soldiers from the attack. It was really unexpected — most had forgotten about the underground tunnels that went around the Great Ice Cliff, which made the question even more curious — How did the SkyWings even know about them? 
Crystalline shook that thought off quickly. Her top priority right now should be to make sure her sister was safe, then she could worry about all of this other questionable stuff. 
She walked up to the palace. You could hardly tell what part of it had collapsed — most of it was already rebuilt. She stepped inside. Crystalline used to resent the cold, barren halls, but now they made her glad — that things were back to normal. Murmurs and whispers were coming from the throne room. Crystalline could guess that the Queen and her council were discussing the attack, and how to prevent future, similar attacks from happening. 
She knocked on the door twice, and entered. The room grew silent as soon as she stepped in. 
“Crystalline? You finally woke up! Glad to see you, dear.” Snowfield said, the only one who seemed interested in her well-being. 
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I know I just woke up and all, but I have a question that I just need answering.” Crystalline said. 
“Well, do go on, dear,” Snowfield beckoned, sounding amused. 
“My sister — Frost, did she survive the battle?” Crystalline asked, her eyes wide. The Queen seemed to shrink a little bit, only a tad, barely noticeable. 
“Afraid not.. Once they started dropping the Dragonflame cacti, we found no trace of her afterward.” The Queen said, sadly. 
“O-Oh. I s-see.” Crystalline said, swallowing tears. “Thank you, for infroming me.” She bowed, and left the room quickly. She couldn’t believe her sister was dead. She ran down the halls, heading to the royal chambers, where her room oddly was. Tears flooded her eyes, which caused her vision to be blurry. She bumped into a large, imposing IceWing. 
“S-Sorry, I was in a hurry.” Crystalline bowed politely, without looking up. She didn’t want anyone to know she had been crying. 
“No need for apologizing, it’s fine. What’s your name?” The IceWing asked, his tone more curious then mad or demanding. 
“Crystalline.” She choked out. Then she looked up. 
“Nice to meet you. I believe I’ve heard of you — my name’s Subzero.” He said, his eyes white and amused. 
== Chapter Five: An Escape. An Unexpected Meeting. ==
Crystalline staggered back. Subzero? I ran into him, now? Of all times? Her mind raced. She was not prepared to see him, especially when she had learned that her sister had just died. Quickly, she bowed. 
“No need to bow.” Subzero said, raising his talons. Crystalline was uncomfortable, and she wanted to leave very badly. A weird energy radiated off of him, something wrong and twisted. Crystalline quickly shook that thought off, and looked him in the eye. 
“I apologize, and I‘m in rather a hurry, and need to move along, quickly.” Crystalline said, and she moved swiftly around Subzero, and quickly headed off. It’s strange, just a moment ago Crystalline felt thankful when she walked through the icy halls of the kingdom, but all of that changed after hearing some devestating news. 
She packed a bag, which had all of her possessions (which wasn’t a lot). She made sure there were no guards patrolling the halls, and slipped out. The kingdom was quiet, most IceWings had gone to sleep. Crystalline walked the halls, and quietly opened the kingdom’s doors. Closing them behind her, she shook out her wings, and launched into the sky. 
It was dangerous outside your tribe’s own kingdom. Crystalline knew this, but flew over the Great Ice Cliff anyway. She had heard tales, of an underground peace movement called the Talons of Peace, who existed a long long time ago, during the SandWing Sucession. Maybe they still exist? Or formed again, because of this war? Crystalline thought hopefully. It was a big risk, but Crystalline more than anything wanted the war to end. She had already lost her sister because of the war, and several other dragons lost family because of the war as well. 
Underground peace movement.. I probably should head to the mountains. Crystalline thought uncomfortably. Eventually, Crystalline had to stop and start walking instead of flying, since she had been flying all night. She was on the outskirts of the Ice Kingdom. 
Her talons crunched on the occasional patch of snow, which was becoming rarer and rarer, the farther out she traveled. The wind was still cool — but began to get warmer and warmer. She knew she was nearing the Kingdom of Sand, which would be a very hard journey from there. Crystalline after all — was an IceWing, who very much so disliked the heat, and there were few oasises on the outskirts of the kingdom. 
Luckily, Crystalline had prepared for this, bringing two flasks of pure water from the Ice Kingdom. It would be too risky to get any closer to SandWing civilization, just for a drink of water. Before the SkyWings rose up in the war, the Ice Kingdom had been receiving constant attacks from the SandWings, because the kingdoms were so close. The IceWings fought back, damaging the SandWing palace badly, which did not sit well with the SandWings. 
Crystalline seemed to glow like moonstones in the blazing sun. At this rate, someone’s bound to find me.. Crystalline thought, but kept on walking. She took out her flask of water, and took a tiny sip. Drops of sweat slid coolly down her scales as she continued to make her way across the dessert, a trail of talonprints behind her. A lizard skidded across the sand, and Crystalline quickly stabbed it with her claw. She idiotically did not pack any food with her, so this would be her first meal, and possibly only meal, in a while. 
Crystalline ate bits of it, but put the rest in her bag. Her legs were getting tired, but she was too afraid to fly. Someone might see her — this big icy shape, rising in the air in enemy territory. 
“Maybe this was a bad idea..” Crystalline muttered to herself, but she knew she had no regrets. Yes, the Kingdom of Sand was terrifying, and you didn’t know when SandWings would strike, but she needed to try and help stop the war. The war was the most terrifying thing so far. With grim determination, she set her jaw and began to walk again, even though her legs shook and ached. 
The sun was beginning to set, and Crystalline was still in wide open dessert. Where am I supposed to make camp? There’s literally no shelter here.. She thought, scanning the dunes. After a long while of looking, her eyes finally met upon a stone ruin. It looked like a pyramid, built by Scavengers. But it was big enough to hide an IceWing. It was cracked in the middle, and it was wide enough for Crystalline to slip in, and stay there for the night. 
It was pitch black, and since Crystalline didn’t have any fire, she’d just have to deal with it. She used her frostbreath to create a layer of frost, and curled up on it. It felt cool, and refreshing, especially after traveling for so long in the blazing dessert. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she bolted up. 
My tracks.. Someone could see my tracks! Argh, stupid Crystalline. She thought, peeking outside the pyramid. Sure enough, there was a trail of talonprints. It was easy to tell that they were an IceWing’s tracks, because of the long serrated claws they had. Great, someone could see those tracks and follow them to here. Crystalline thought, sighing. This was most likely the only shelter for miles, and Crystalline was too exhausted to travel any further. 
I’ll move first thing in the morning.. Crystalline thought, yawning as she laid down. Her eyes closed, and everything was dark. 
The clanking of armor and spears awoke Crystalline. The sun was dazzling and she had to blink a few times to make out what she was seeing. Rows of SandWing soldiers stood before her, their spears pointed at her. She hissed, and felt the icy coldness rising in her throat. Frostbreath sprayed out, hitting the first row of guards. They all fell, frozen solid as the other guards blinked in surprise and fear. 
A guard then reared up, jerked her head back, and blasted Crystalline with fire, that went right in her face. She roared, and sprayed that guard with frostbreath as well. Honestly, this is what I deserve for my idiocy. Crystalline thought grumpily. With her long, sharp serrated claws, she lashed out and slashed the nearest guard’s underbelly. Blood dripped from her claws, and she slapped the other guard back with her whip thin tail. 
She rammed into the other guard with her horns, which didn’t seem to do much. Then she let out a plume of frostbreath, right in her face. Several other rows of guards came from behind, and clamped a metal muzzle around her snout. She reared up, and slashed them with her claws. She dropped to the ground, hissing, her wings and tail curved around her like a shield, her tail ready to slap anyone who came near. 
The guards all struck at one — pinning her down, as they clamped cuffs around her front talons. She hissed at them through the muzzle, and they threw her down to her ground. Two guards positions their spears at her throat, as the other slowly unclamped the muzzle. 
“Now, why would an IceWing dare enter SandWing territory?” He asked, amused and taunting. 
“Now, why would that IceWing tell a foolish SandWing?” Crystalline spat, raising her chin defiantly. 
“Foolish? Now I’m hurt. But really, it’s you, who’s foolish, dear. I‘M not all chained up, and at the mercy of the enemy, am I?” He said, waving a claw in her face. “Now tell me. What were you trying to achieve? Were you sent here as a spy? Were you plotting to kill our Queen?” 
“No, I simply wanted to get to the mountains.” She snarled. 
“The mountains? That’s SkyWing territory, little one. They’re more violent than we are, whatever madness is driving you there?” The guard rubbed his chin with his claw, looking amused. 
“None of your business.” Crystalline growled, rearing up to look the guard in the eye. 
“Well, technically it IS our business. You’re trespassing in enemy territory.” The guard said, in a ‘matter-of-fact’ tone. He looked to the other guards. “We need to take her in, she’s not cooperating here, so maybe our Queen can claw it out of her.” 
Crystalline’s eyes widened and she roared, struggling to try and free herself. 
“Don’t bother, once we find out what your business is here, it’s possible you’ll still live.” The guard said, giving her a wicked smile. 
== Chapter Six: Danger in The Dunes ==
Crystalline was thrown into a dark cell, underground. She hissed and her tail clanked against the walls.
“Don’t bother.” A sly, smooth voice said. “They put you down here, then forget about you for years and years.” 
“Who are you?” Crystalline hissed, whirling around. The dungeons were too dark to even see the cell next to her. 
“Someone who was forgotten, erased from history.” The voice said, becoming violent. “It’s all because of him, it’s his fault — I should’ve killed him the moment he hatched.” 
“Who’s fault?“ Crystalline asked, forgetting to be weary around this unfamiliar dragon‘s voice.
“My son — Qibli.” The voice said, laughing a rotting, bitter laugh. “I know it’s not good to hold grudges, but yet here I am.”
“Qibli..?” Crystalline said, checking her brain for references to that name. “OH! He was one of the Grand Heroes who took down Darkstalker and saved Pantala?” 
“I’m not up-to-date on what he’s recently been doing — I’ve been in a prison cell, but yes, I assume that’s him.” The voice said, growling. “How long ago did he do all of this?” 
“Well, he defeated Darkstalker about.. eight-hindered-twenty-two years ago. Wait a moment, how in the world are you still alive — if he was your son?” Crystalline asked, coming to a sudden realization. Does this dragon have an animus-touched object of immortality? Crystalline thought. 
“I might as well tell someone my secret. It’s not like I’m going to be able to leave this rotting cell any time soon.” The dragon said, her voice getting deeper. “I have an animus-touched earring of immortality. But it’s so old it will soon fall apart, and turn to dust, killing me in the process.” Aha, I knew it. I wonder who enchanted it for her, though. Crystalline thought, scraping her long claw down a metal bar of her prison. 
“I see, well your son is long dead, I’m afraid.” Crystalline put her tail through the bars, searching for a key or something to pick the lock. 
“I know that, but that doesn’t relenquish my anger, or thirst for vengeance.” The dragon said, rattling the bars. “I wish I could’ve killed him with my own talons.” 
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t. Otherwise Darkstalker would still be here, and Pyrrhia and Pantala wouldn’t be at peace.” Crystalline didn’t understand this dragon, who wanted to kill her own son. Even after hearing all the good he did, she still wanted him dead. It was odd. 
“I don’t necessarily care, at this point.” The dragon hissed. 
“What’s your name?” Crystalline asked. 
“I guess it doesn’t matter if anyone knows. I’m Cobra.” She said. “Who in the world are you?” 
“Well, I know you gave me your name, and it’s only fair I tell you mine, but unlike you I’m getting out, so yeah.” Crystalline pointed out “And I don‘t trust dragons on a vengeance path, who also wish they would’ve killed their own dragonet.” 
“Ah, your smart I see. If only I was smart, I would’ve —” Cobra started, but Crystalline cut her off.
“Killed him the moment he hatched? I don’t think you understand. The world would be doomed without him.” Crystalline hissed. 
“So what? What do I care if...” Cobra started to say, but Crystalline covered her ears. The last thing she needed right now was a vengeful murderer dragon. She needed to escape, but how in the world was she supposed to? She had checked, and there was no key in reach. The guards would probably be coming soon, and she wanted to avoid a conversation with Queen Isis as much as possible. 
Queen Isis was an animus as well as Queen of the SandWings, so she had a lot of power. She’s also rather brutal, she tends to use her claws instead of her magic, because of the whole lose-your-soul thing. Either way, Crystalline did NOT want to face her. She checked the bars of her cage — they looked weak, and worn. Maybe she could..
“Ah-ha!” Crystalline said, an idea striking her brain. 
“‘Ah-ha’ what? Did you find out how to get out? Tell me!” Cobra hissed. Crystalline ignored her, knowing that if she helped this dragon escape, she’d go on a killing spree the moment she could. Carefully, Crystalline let out her frostbreath onto the bars of the cell, until each once was covered in thick layers of ice. She then rammed into the bars with her horns, which felt weird, but no damage was done to her. The bars on the other hand had shattered. 
She looked around. It wouldn’t be long until guards came swarming the prison — the crash was rather loud. She fled out of the cell, leaving Cobra behind shouting. 
“Don’t leave me! Let me out! You have to!” She roared. Crystalline kept going, and found the dungeon exit. She quickly pushed the doors open, and launched herself into the air, flying as fast as her wings could take her. She looked back behind her, and was shocked. It didn’t look like any guards were coming after her. Maybe they haven’t noticed yet? Crystalline thought hopefully. Luckily, the Kingdom was close to the underground area she was looking for — she just needed to get safely OUT of the kingdom. 
“That dragon was crazy..” Crystalline muttered. She looked down at the dunes of sand below her. No sign of SandWings. “I guess luck’s on my side today.” Crystalline said cheerily, as she kept winging her way to the distant mountains. She looked down at the sand again, but it seemed to be moving. Am I hallucinating? I know I haven’t had water in a long time.. Crystalline thought, rubbing her forehead. 
The dunes below her suddenly whirled up, blocking her way. They twisted like tornadoes, then formed together into one big tornado. Crystalline stared up at it in fear and awe. Then it settled, into the form of a SandWing. Not just any SandWing, it looked exactly like Queen Isis. 
“Who dares try and escape my dungeon?” It said. “Answer me now.”
“Uh-Uhm no one, your Majesty.” Crystalline stuttered. 
“Are you positive? This enchantment only goes off when someone dares to try and escape.” The SandWing Queen said. “Now, answer three riddles, and maybe I’ll let you go — or call the guards on you.” 
“O-Okay.” Crystalline said, nodding. 
“First riddle. What has roots that nobody sees, climbs taller than trees, how high it goes, but yet, never grows?” She asked.
“A mountain.” Crystalline said, having heard this riddle from her sister a long time ago.
“I don't have eyes, but once I did see. Once I had thoughts, but now I'm white and empty.” She said. Crystalline thought hard. She digged her claw down deep in the sand as she thought. Her tail slid across the sand like a snake. After what felt like an eternity of thinking, Crystalline gave up.
“I really don’t know, tell me.” She said, sounding unbothered. She didn’t want this ‘sand’ SandWing Queen to rattle her. 
“The answer was a skull.” Queen Isis said. Crystalline scowled. Why hadn’t I thought of that? She thought angrily. There was only one riddle left — and she wasn’t sure what might happen to her afterwards. 
“I can fly but have no wings. I can cry but I have no eyes. Wherever I go, darkness follows me. What am I?” The queen said. Crystalline thought hard again. She looked to the sky, which was darkening with clouds. Then, an idea struck her.
“Clouds!” Crystalline cried out, clasping her talons together. The queen craned her neck, and looked down at her.
“Very impressive, IceWing. Usually nobody answers that riddle correctly.” The queen said, flicking her sandy forked tongue. “Now, do I let you go, or kill you?” 
Crystalline’s eyes went wide. She’d forgotten about this part — the part where the Queen decided wether or not Crystalline should survive or not. The Queen worried a claw in front of her. 
“Recently I’ve been rather generous with my prisoners — never killing them, but either releasing them or calling the guards.” She paused, and gave Crystalline a murderous smile “Should I switch it up, for a change?” 
Crystalline froze. If the Queen, well, sand version of the Queen decided to kill her, Crystalline would have a hard time fighting her off. Considering the sand version of the queen was literally ten times taller than Crystalline. No, fighting wouldn’t do, she needed to convince her using her words. 
“But, I did get the majority correct, did I not, Your Majesty?” Crystalline said in a compelling tone.
“That’s true, very impressive, on your part. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter how many you get right or wrong.” The queen said, tilting her wings. 
“How about this, Your Majesty, what if I give YOU three riddles, and if you answer the majority correct, you may kill me or call the guards,” Crystalline said “But if you get the majority wrong, you let me go free.” 
“Oo, that sounds like a challenge. I love a good challenge.” Queen Isis said, clasping her front talons together. “Okay, you’ve convinced me, go ahead, on with the first riddle, IceWing.” 
Crystalline took a deep breath. 
“If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven't got me. What am I?” Crystalline asked, giving the queen a smirk. Surely she couldn’t get this right. Crystalline thought confidently. The queen sat there, thinking hard. 
“A secret? Perhaps?” Queen Isis said, squinting at Crystalline. Crystalline looked down at her talons, and nodded. “Oo, wonderful! Now, what is your next riddle?” 
Crystalline thought hard, scratching her forehead with her claw. 
“What gets wet when drying?” Crystalline tried. It was very simple, but she hoped it was too simple that it would easily puzzle the queen. The queen thought for a very long time. 
“A sponge, perhaps?” She answered, a hint of uncertainty in her tone. Crystalline smiled slyly, and shook her head. “Oh, of course it isn’t a sponge.” Isis said, sighing irritably. 
“Would you like a hint, Your Majesty?” Crystalline asked politely, but mockingly at the same time. She knew that it probably was not wise to mock the queen of the SandWings, but she just felt so confident and certain that she wouldn’t be able to answer her riddle. The queen seemed to be too busy thinking to hear her anyhow. 
“Oh, just tell me. I really do not know.” Isis said with a little growl. 
“The answer was a towel.” Crystalline smirked. 
“A towel? How was the answer — oh, wait a moment. That was such a simple riddle I guess I was overthinking it..” Isis looked flustered, but she didn’t show it. “You have some good riddles. Shall we get on with the next riddle, then?” 
“Certainly, Your Majesty.” Crystalline answered politely. She thought again, and after a moment she came up with something. “What gets bigger the more you take away?” 
“What gets bigger the more you take away.. Hmm.” Isis said repeating the riddle. She swayed her sandy tail thoughtfully. 
Crystalline started to get tired of waiting, the queen had been sitting there for quite a while puzzling over her riddle. 
“Do you give up or need a hint, Your Majesty?” Crystalline asked. 
“No, I’m quite fine.” Isis replied politely. 
An hour seemed to pass by, although Crystalline knew it hadn’t really been an hour, it sure felt like it to her. 
“Ah, fine, tell me.” The queen said. 
“A hole.” 
“What?” 
“I said a hole.” 
The queen growled irritably under her breath. 
“Now, your majesty, may I please go free?” Crystalline asked politely. 
“Fine fine. Nobody’s ever bested me with riddles, you’ve done something quite admirable.” Isis said. Crystalline nodded graciously at the queen, then hurried across the pale sand. She could see the outline of the mountains a little further up ahead. 
Category:Wings of Fire
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Unfinished)
Category:Literature
Category:Stories