Wings of Fire Winglets: Betrayal

== Winglets: Betrayal ==
This is a short story about two of my OCs, Ash and Wasp. Warning, their pages contain spoilers!
=== WARNING ===
This page contains blood, violence, abuse, death, and other themes that may make some viewers uncomfortable. Please read with some amount of caution. This page belongs to Starscatter-The-AbyssWing! Any theft or vandalism will NOT be tolerated! You will be reported to a mod immediately. Thanks for reading!
== Part One: Fire Rising ==
=== Chapter 1, Wasp ===
Wasp sighed. Her tail stinger flicked back and forth as she waited for her father and mother to be finished. Finished signing the divorce papers. She looked down at her copper scales that faded to tan at the tips. Her iridescent wings buzzed impatiently. Wasp was promised a fun day with her father, not an impromptu stop to the Hive’s center. Wasp’s blue eyes shone sadly as her father, Mimic shoved open the door, his brow furrowed. His golden and black scales seemed to absorb the smells around him and make everything smell like dust or mud when you stood next to him. Wasp’s mother, Cerifly, had copper and tan scales almost exactly like Wasp’s but without the black. Her brown eyes shot angry bullets at Mimic as they parted ways.
”Come on, my honey-bee,” Mimic sighed. “Let’s go.” Wasp said nothing and stared at the ground as she stood from her chair and followed her father away from her mom. Wasp inwardly resented the two of them for forcing her through such a hard period of angry shouts and cowering under her bedsheets as the two of them screamed at eachother.
”Where are we going?” Wasp asked sadly. “Momma owns the house in Bloodworm hive now . . .” And you own me, she added inwardly. “So what are we going to do?” Her wings glistened as they walked out into the sunlight. Mimic smiled at her as the two of them jumped into the air, Mimic clutching Wasp’s claw affectionately.
”We’re going to Jewel Hive.” He replied. “It’ll be much better for us there! You can continue your home schooling, and I have already gotten a job at the Silk Spinner’s.” Mimic nudged her. “It’ll be okay, Wasp. We have a great Queen. Even if something bad were to happen, she’d make sure that we’d be taken care of.”
A great queen that you HAD to name me after, Wasp retorted in her head. “Okay,” she said simply. The dragonet suddenly yelped as a SilkWing plowed into her. Mimic snarled angrily and caught the SilkWing’s arm.
”You there!” He snapped at the blue and white SilkWing. “Stop where you are and face me, SilkWing.” Wasp started to say something to her father, but stopped as the SilkWing turned, his eyes burning with hatred for the two HiveWings. “You could have hurt my daughter,” Mimic snapped.
”And your tribe ENSLAVED my daughter!” The SilkWing retorted. This outburst attracted the attention of nearby HiveWing guards who started moving towards them. The SilkWing wrenched away from Mimic with a hiss. “You’ll pay for this, HiveWing,” He hissed as the guards dragged him away.
Wasp’s mind had a conflict going on. On one side, she was raised being taught that SilkWings were just mindless creatures that were good and pretty workers. On the other side—her side—she thought SilkWings were cool-looking and intelligent, with feelings and hearts just like HiveWings. “Dad?” Wasp said suddenly. “That wasn’t very nice of you to yell at him. He’s obviously gone through a lot—“
Mimic gave her the look that she had seen many times. It was a scrutinizing stare, not a glare, but close to one. He did that whenever she stood up for or vouched for a SilkWing. “Wasp, the SilkWings are inferior. Obviously he was trying to cause you harm.”
Wasp looked away. “Fine. Let’s just go.” She clenched her talons as they sped off over the boring brown dusty plains.
~~~
Wasp scribbled an answer in her workbook and looked up with a smile as Mimic entered their home. She jumped up with an exited; “Can we go now?” The young HiveWing bounced excitedly as he laughed.
”Yes, yes!” He exclaimed. “We’re going to the Jewelbazar! Come on, grab your necklace and we’ll be off.” Mimic slipped on his only piece of jewelry, a gold bracelet with a strip of glowing flamesilk in it, and tossed a silver and sapphire necklace to Wasp. It was tradition to look their best whenever they went out places.
Wasp followed him out the door with a grin. She held herself high, feeling big and confident in herself. She walked through Jewel Hive with her father until they reached the bazar. “Lady Jewel has really outdone herself with this place,” Wasp noted, smiling. She gasped and stared at a SilkWing who was posing for a picture. He had bright emerald and red scales, with flecks of yellow dotted around him. Wasp waved pleasantly at him, and he looked down at her. A HiveWing snapped his talons to gain his attention, and the SilkWing looked back at him and away from Wasp.
”Look at this silk pattern!” Mimic exclaimed, examining a throw blanket with a starry galaxy pattern on it. Wasp felt the soft fabric between her talons and grinned at her father, who chuckled and smiled back. “Come on, Wasp,” He said, leading her away. “The jeweler’s is this way!”
Wasp followed him through the stalls, grateful that it wasn’t as crowded as normal. She ducked around a huddled group of SilkWings who were murmuring something, and followed Mimic into a store. Since it was almost night, it was practically empty except for the SilkWing models who were standing still in a trained position. She squeaked in pleasant surprise as she saw a moonstone earring.
“I’m gonna go look around, you can wander if you’d like! Just don’t go outside the store,” Mimic instructed, and received an exited “okay!” From Wasp.
Wasp stopped and gasped as she saw a SilkWing with leafy green scales and brown accents modling a veil-heavy outfit. She had a wooden bracelet on, and a sleeve on her left arm made entirely of leaves. “You are very pretty,” Wasp whispered. “Are you alright?” She asked after the SilkWing sighed.
”I’m . . . Fine,” She hissed bitterly. “I’m fine. Just ‘smile and pose’, they say, ‘ignore the customers’, they say,” She snapped under her breath. “‘Be a good little servant and do whatever we say’!”
Wasp frowned. “I’m sorry,” She mumbled. “I wish I could help you.” She looked up. “Can I help?”
”Unless you can create a distraction so I can leave, no,” The SilkWing sighed. “Thanks for asking, I suppose.”
Wasp smiled. “Okay!” She walked past the SilkWing and “accidentally” knocked over a rack of rings and earrings.
While the owner of the store rushed over and picked up the wares, Wasp saw the SilkWing slap a poster on the wall before leaving. It read:
Down with Wasp! Freedom for all SilkWings! HiveWings are just evil snakes in disguise. Freedom for all SilkWings!
=== Chapter 2, Ash ===
Ash was woken early in the morning. She groaned as her master shook her awake with a stern glare. Ash flinched away from him. He had dark red scales with blood colored eyes and yellow accents. He had gold eye glasses and a single gold fang.
”First day of work, SilkWing,” He snarled. “Now get up.” His tail stinger lashed dangerously behind him.
Ash glared at him and stood. “What do you want with me?” She hissed. Her breath was smacked out of her lungs as the HiveWing slapped her. 
“Stand still while I fit your outfit,” He hissed menacingly. “Or else.” 
Ash froze in place. The five year old dragonet knew what was good for her, and being smacked sure wasn’t. Her outfit was a lava rock necklace and matching anklet, both laced with gold. A ruby coil was fitted on her snout like a muzzle, and blue horn bands that matched her eyes were slipped on. Sunset colored veils were draped over her wing stumps. Tears welled in Ash’s eyes as a gold hoop earring with a sapphire on it was jabbed into her ear. She was led into the new jewelry and outfit shop that she assumed belonged to her master, and posed in a window.
Ash had a stunning, lava-like underbelly and wing stumps that looked like fire. Her antennae glowed yellow at the tips, and she had sky blue eyes. The rest of her was all light and dark grey flecked with black. She had a defiant posture and held herself up easily. She was scarily thin, yet her eyes shone with a kind of fire.
She looked out at the HiveWings who gazed in at her with indifference. Ash knew all she had to do was be good and not get noticed. The SilkWing eventually was let out of the shop for a while, with a measly two coins and a harsh glare.
Ash took a deep breath and started wandering the Glitterbazar. She yelped and dodged all HiveWings at every turn. She already hated them. Ash gasped as she turned into an alley and was met by a kind looking SilkWing with sky blue and white scales.
”Hello there,” She said quietly. “How old are you?” She looked stunned. “You should not be working! You’re far too young—“
”I’m five,” Ash hissed. “My name is Ash. Who are you?” Her fire inside blazed into her eyes, giving the SilkWing in front of her a smile.
”My name is Cloud,” She replied. “And I’m part of . . . The Crysalis,” She added in a whisper. “I’m busy recruiting SilkWings.” Cloud smiled. “Interested?”
”Depends,” Ash replied. “If this ‘Chrysalis’ can get me back to my family, then I’m for sure interested.” The young dragonet smiled at Cloud. She seems nice, Her thoughts whispered. I wonder if she knows my mother. Ash shuddered as she vaugely recalled being torn from the arms of her mother as her father lay bleeding on the ground of a smoldering house.
Cloud’s eyes darkened. “You came in with the new wave of SilkWings in Jewel Hive, didn’t you?” She asked quietly. Ash nodded and Cloud sighed. “I’m sorry to say that your parents are . . . Gone then. Killed by the HiveWings. That is what the Chrysalis fights for—freedom for all SilkWings.”
Ash was speechless. “My momma? And—and daddy?” She was quivering. “But . . . I HATE the HiveWings!” She shouted. “I wish all of them would DIE!”
Cloud bit her lip. “I know, Ash. Just keep it down, okay? You’re going to alert the HiveWings!”
”Fine,” Ash mumbled, silently crying. “How do I be part of t-t-the Crysalis?” Her wing stumps were quivering and her talons were shaking. The dragonet looked up at Cloud, hopeful through her tears.
Cloud handed her a super thin rope bracelet with a cocoon symbol burned into a coin hanging from it. “All you need to do is find one of us—we’ll be wearing one of these—and ask what you can do to help.” She smiled. “Just don’t take on too much, okay? You’re still a dragonet.”
Ash clenched her talon around the bracelet. “T-thanks, Cloud,” She mumbled.
The SilkWing nodded with a smile. “Any time. Now go, and don’t be caught.” As Ash turned, she added, “Freedom for all SilkWings!”
Ash nodded and darted out of the alleyway. She flexed her wing stumps, itching to fly and be free of the hive. All of a sudden she felt like her veins were burning with a firey feeling. Ash looked down at her wrists, and as she turned her claws, a glowing silk coiled out of her wrists and into her claws. It was . . . Warm. I’M A FLAMESILK! Her brain screamed. THIS IS PERFECT! I can help the Chrysalis SilkWings with this! She proudly dumped the silk witch was growing hotter onto a pile of Queen Wasp posters and scurried off. The dragonet grinned. She had officially resisted the HiveWings, and it felt great.
~~~
Ash woke, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she put on her outfit. Shrugging her shoulders to adjust her veils, she tucked some Chrysalis posters under her arm. It’s been a few weeks since I met Cloud, Ash remembered. But the other SilkWings are really good at putting up posters. She smirked as she saw her master tearing a poster angrily off of his wall. She silently took her place in the window and waited. The plan she had put together was finally coming into focus.
Ash waited until there were many customers in the store, then discreetly made some hot flamesilk. She grinned as she tossed it onto a banner on the wall and shouted. “MASTER! Someone’s trying to burn down the store!” She faked horror and pointed at a HiveWing to was muttering nasty things about the shop. “It was him! I saw him!”
Her master roared in anger and pinned the HiveWing to the wall, shouting angry insults at him and yelling mean things. The other customers rushed from the store in fear and surprise.
”Good job, Ash,” Her master growled. “That’s a good SilkWing.” He gestured at the smoldering banner. “Take that outside and throw it out, will you?”
Ash nodded obediently and carefully held the banner away from her as she walked out and tossed it in the dumpster outside. She slapped a poster on the dumpster with a grin. She had drawn that one herself. It was a SilkWing and HiveWing holding hands and it said: Peace, not violence. Freedom, not oppression. Free the SilkWings! Ash proudly grinned. ‘Oppression’, She thought. I sure am glad Moss helped me with that one. I’m not good at words. Moss was a friendly SilkWing with a firey attitude. She had grown attached to him in the different Chrysalis meetings she’d been to.
Her master was muttering angry things and insults as he guzzled a bottle of liquor behind his desk. Ash hung her head and slipped unnoticed back into her position. Her talons were sore. I just want to fly, She wished. Fly away from here and take all the SilkWings with me.
=== Chapter 3, Wasp ===
Wasp blinked rapidly. The poster in front of her was from a SilkWing, she was sure. What does oppression even mean? She wondered. She looked back to make sure Mimic was still bartering with a merchant and felt the poster. Peace, not violence. Freedom, not oh-press-on—? Free the SilkWings! Wasp grinned. I wonder who put this up. I sure would like to meet them!
“Wasp!” Her father beckoned. She trotted over and looked up at him. He smiled and handed her a package. “Your hatching day present.”
Wasp grinned. “Thanks, dad!” Her talons felt the soft package excitedly. “Where are we going now?” She asked when he led her away. Dodging a HiveWing she appeared at his side per usual.
”There’s a new shop open,” He explained. “I wanted to check it out—apparently the SilkWing model there has black in her scales. Very unusual, I must say.” Mimic pushed open the store door.
Wasp squeaked as she saw the glittery jewels and gold. She turned however and saw a strange SilkWing posing perfectly still. She’s so young! Her mind shouted angrily. She’s only MY age! How could someone force a SilkWing to do THAT all day? “H-hello?” Wasp asked carefully.
The SilkWing stared straight ahead, unmoving.
Wasp frowned. “Are you okay? Are you hungry? Can I help?” After another bout of silence, she decided that the mysterious SilkWing didn’t want to talk. I have to help her somehow, She thought. “I’ll bring you some food if I can,” She whispered before walking away. Wasp could’ve sworn that the SilkWing rolled her eyes like she didn’t believe her.
”Wasp!”
Wasp sped over to her father, who was holding a small ivory ring that looked like a twist of leaves. “Isn’t this pretty?” He asked, oblivious to the SilkWing in the window.
”Yeah,” Wasp said absently. “Very pretty.” She walked over to the store merchant and looked up at him. “Sir?” She asked. “How much would it cost to hire your SilkWing?”
The HiveWing scoffed. “PAH, she’s not for sale. If you want a SilkWing servant find one elsewhere. She’s the only thing bringing me business. Once they actually come inside then—“
”Thank you sir,” Wasp interrupted with a nod. She walked over to her father, “Dad, that SilkWing is so skinny. She must not be healthy, and she’s barely older than me—“
The stare came her way again. “Honey-bee, that SilkWing will be fine. SilkWings are meant to be pretty. She’s probably payed well also. Now come on,” He grabbed her talon and led her out of the shop. The SilkWing stared after her longingly as she headed out of the bazar.
~~~
Wasp lay in her bed, thinking. She wished she had a SilkWing friend. Or any friend, Her brain scolded her. Since you homeschool nobody wants to talk to you. Wasp sighed. I wish that mean merchant would let that poor SilkWing go. What should I call her? I can’t just call her ‘SilkWing’, they have names. She thought for a moment. Maybe Fire? Flame? Ember? Yeah, Ember. Perfect! I’ll call her Ember until I find out her name.
Wasp silently slipped out of her bed and got out her sketchbook. In the moonlight she sketched a drawing of the SilkWing—Ember. She smiled and drew a heart with the word “friend” in it next to Ember. “I’ll rescue you,” She whispered to the paper. “It’ll be my epic adventure that proves to dad that SilkWings are awesome and smart.” She smiled determinedly and put the sketchbook on her nightstand. With a yawn she lay back down, thinking about the day ahead.
~~~
It had been a week or two since Wasp met Ember, and she was determined to make good on her promise and bring her some food. Wasp knew Mimic would be gone the whole day until late at night since he was visiting Wasp Hive. Wasp finished her schoolwork early and got ready to leave. She didn’t grab her necklace as she didn’t want to grab attention. Wasp snatched a honey roll from the pantry and put it in a box. She flapped out the door with a smile and made a bee-line for the Jewelbazar.
She landed in a sea of HiveWings, but easily wound around them because of her small size. Wasp silently ducked into the store. The owner was asleep on his table, a bottle of liquor in his talon. Wasp gagged and turned away, scampering over to “Ember”. “Hello,” She whispered. “I’m back! And . . . I’m gonna call you Ember because I don’t know your name. I brought you a treat!” She pushed the box over to the SilkWing.
She blinked rapidly, astonished. “Ember” glanced back at the owner to make sure he was asleep and scarfed down the honey roll. “Thank you,” She whispered to Wasp. “That was really good.”
”Great!” Wasp exclaimed. “I’m sorry you have to work here, your employer seems awful.”
“Ember” nodded sadly and pulled out a stack of papers with a determined smile. “Can you put a few of these around the bazar?” “Ember” asked. “Oh, and my name is Ash.”
Wasp nodded, smiling. “I saw one of your posters a few weeks ago! It was really good.” She bounced up and down. “I’ll go put these around. See you later!” She sped from the shop just as Ash smacked a poster onto the wall.
Wasp stopped in her tracks as she heard an angry roar from inside and Ash’s scared yelp. She was too scared to move. Wasp was shoved along by the sea of dragons, her eyes wide. After she got over herself, Wasp started putting up the posters. There’s nothing a dragonet like me could do to help Ash, She thought. It’s better to not get directly involved. After she posted the whole stack of posters, Wasp headed back to the house with a smile on her face. One day Ash, you’ll be free. You’ll be free and we can go flying together off into the sunset forever and ever!
== Part 2: Fire Burning ==
=== Chapter 4, Ash ===
Ash was hurting badly. She groaned as she woke in the morning. Her master had whipped her horribly, and she officially despised him from the bottom of her heart. The poster she had put up had cost her two days of food—witch was minimal already. Luckily she had a day off today. Ash really wanted to see that HiveWing from before—What was her name? She thought. Her mind was foggy from lack of food. Ash stood, her wing stumps quivered as she walked out into the bazar. 
HiveWings shoot glances at her suspiciously, but let her by nonetheless. Ash weaved between the dragons, looking for something in particular. She ducked into an alleyway, and discreetly removed a manhole cover. She looked both ways then used her silk to lower herself down. She lands in the darkness. Ash flicked her tail and cleared her throat. “I’m part of the Chrysalis,” She called. “Hello?”
”Ash!” A voice called. A torch rounds a corner, and a familiar dragon is holding it. “Ash!” The SilkWing exclaimed again. It was Cloud!
Ash grinned and rushed into her arms. “Cloud!” She winced as the SilkWing patted her back.
Cloud looked shocked as she withdrew her claw and found blood. “What happened to you!?”
Ash sighed sadly. “M-my master is r-r-really mean.” She whimpered. “He hurt me.” 
Cloud’s eyes blazed in anger. “How dare he . . .” She snarled. “Are you alright?”
“I’ll be alright,” She said with a sigh again. “I was caught putting up a Chrysalis poster after a friend of mind visited me.” Ash regretted mentioning Wasp in case Cloud had any grievances about her being a HiveWing.
”A friend?” Cloud asked, leading her down the sewer hall. “Who? Moss?”
”No . . ?” Ash peeped. “Will you get mad if I say something unexpected?” She turned a corner, standing close to Cloud wanting to be protected from the darkness.
”I would never be mad at you,” Cloud said kindly. “What friend?” She repeated. 
Ash took a deep breath of the stifling, damp air and said, “She’s a HiveWing dragonet about my age and her name is Wasp. She brought me food and put up a bunch of my posters.” She stiffened, waiting for a blow or retort of some kind. Cloud just stared at her, astonished.
”Ash, HiveWings cannot be trusted!” She exclaimed, shocked. “She’s just using you! I can promise you she’ll turn you in once she has sufficient evidence against you.” Cloud frowned as they entered a small chamber with different dragons working on posters and speeches.
Ash nodded to those she recognized and turned to Cloud. “She’s my friend and that’s that.”
”If you say so, Ash,” Cloud hissed. “Just be careful who you tell, they might call you a HiveWing sympathizer.”
Ash nodded. “I only told you because I trust you. It’s confidential.”
Cloud sighed. “If you say so.”
~~~
Ash’s back stung as she stood in the store, watching and waiting. Just waiting. Soon, Wasp arrived. Ash’s heart warmed and she smiled at her friend.
”Ash, what happened to you?” Wasp whispered, horrified. She handed Ash a bag of roasted and dried meat.
The SilkWing looked at her gratefully. “My master saw me putting up a poster, and . . .” She sighed. “Ow.”
Wasp frowned. “That awful—“
”NO TALKING TO THE SILKWING!” The owner of the shop thundered. “Get out you little dragonet!” He snarled at her as Wasp cowered away from him.
”Don’t talk to her like that!” Ash snapped, whirling around to face him. She bared her teeth dangerously, and she risked revealing her flamesilk. “Get away from her. NOW.”
Ash crumpled to the ground as the HiveWing slammed his tail into her face. The last thing she saw was Wasp running terrified from the shop, and the HiveWing above her glaring at her.
=== Chapter 5, Wasp ===
Wasp couldn’t get Ash out of her mind. She felt like a coward for running away, and hated herself for it. Mimic arched his eyebrow at her from across the dinner table.
”What’s wrong?” He inquired, munching on a carrot. “You look like you’re thinking about something. Something important to you. Is it about your hatching day?”
”No,” Wasp mumbled. “Something else.” She silently ate her food while trying to avoid Mimic’s curious stare. She eventually sighed. “Do you ever wish you could help someone, but can’t figure out how?”
Mimic blinked. “I . . . Suppose so? Why?”
”Well, I want to help someone!” She exclaimed, her words pouring out like a waterfall. “She’s a SilkWing only a little older than me, forced to stand in a shop and be stared at for hours a day! She’s super kind and I wish I could get her out of there, but I just . . . Can’t!”
Mimic was giving her the stare again. “Wasp, I think we need to have a talk,” He said in a warning tone. Without waiting for an answer, he continued. “SilkWings are just like smart-ish animals that demand pay. They are helped by serving us HiveWings! They are far better off here than they would be in the wild. Their tribe would die out without us!”
Wasp looked away. I refuse to believe that, She thought. The SilkWings are just as if not SMARTER than us! “May I be excused?” She asked after a long, long moment of silence.
Mimic sighed. “Go ahead.”
~~~
Wasp was sitting at her table, writing a short story when Mimic pushed open the schoolroom door and smiled sheepishly. “Hey Wasp?”
”Yes dad?” Wasp replied, shutting her writing book and quickly placing her claw over a drawing of Ash she did. “What’s up?”
Mimic sighed, fiddling with his claws. “I’m heading to Wasp hive for a while, and I’m not allowed to take you with me.” He smiled at her. “Sooo you’re going to be staying here alone for a while!” He said this as if she was supposed to be super exited.
Wasp blinked. “What?” She was incredulous. “Are you SERIOUS?!”
Mimic laughed fakely. “Yeeesss?” He tried. With a sigh he smiled sadly. “It’ll only be . . . For a few weeks?”
Wasp was even MORE shocked. “A FEW WEEKS?!” Wasp was scowling now. “Me? Alone? For a FEW WEEKS?!’
”Hon, I would send you to your mother, but she refuses to have anything to do with me.” Mimics said sadly. “I love you, and I know you’ll be fine. I stocked the pantry with everything you’d need! You can even go out to the stalls if you want!” He paused. “Just not the Jewelbazar.”
Seriously? Wasp thought. I’m stuck here and can’t even see Ash? “W-what? Is this some joke? It’s my hatching day in two weeks!” She sputtered hopelessly.
Mimic placed his talon atop hers. “I know. You’ll be six! It’s crazy! But . . . It’s important.” His eyes darkened. “The queen called me to make something specifically for her. I don’t really have a choice.”
Wasp suddenly felt guilty. “I’m sorry . . . I didn’t mean to be rude.” She bowed her head. “I’ll just be . . . Waiting here for you.”
“Thanks honey-bee, I knew you’d understand.” He regained his posture and smiled. “I’m leaving tomorrow at dawn.”
”Okay.”
~~~
Wasp was ALL alone and it was BORING and SAD. She couldn’t even go FLYING for the Hive’s sake! The dragonet scowled as she sketched Ash’s possible wing colors for the fifteenth time. Her notebook was filled with drawings of Ash, herself, her father, and a few SilkWings she had seen around. She also spent about five pages redesigning the Chrysalis’ logo.
Her pencil snapped in her talons as the lead flew from the paper to an unknown location. Wasp sighed and placed her head on the table. “I’m BOREEEEDDD!” She called. Nobody answered, of course. Wasp’s head rose and she got her money that Mimic had left her. She put on her necklace and strutted out the door. I’M going to get a new sketchbook and pencil, She told herself. A hatching day gift to myself. She made sure to only use her allowance however. She snatched her sketchbook from the desk right before she left—just in case.
Wasp smiled at a SilkWing, and he gave her a confused look as if he was supposed to be invisible. The HiveWing dragonet bounced along to a stand selling chocolate and caramel honey drops. Wasp examined their wares with a curious gaze.
”Hello there,” A familiar SilkWing voice said.
She looked up and saw a SilkWing who she had seen multiple times before. The dragon had pale baby blue and white dapples. “Oh, hello!” Wasp’s voice wavered as she saw a Chrysalis bracelet on the SilkWing’s wrist.
The dragon smiled knowingly. “I . . . Ahem, does anything strike your fancy?”
”Could I get a bag of the three mix?” Wasp asked, plopping a few coins of her allowance onto the table. “What’s your name?” She added in a hushed tone.
The SilkWing nodded. “Will do.” She smirked. “It’s Cloud.”
Wasp beamed. “I . . . I’ve heard of SilkWing—ahem—metamorphosis, and I thought . . . It would be cool if they could design their cocoons. Can they?” She hoped the message got across.
Cloud was trying to not smile as she bagged the sweets. “Let’s see . . . If you have any ideas or questions, why don’t you come behind the counter and we can talk?”
Wasp walked behind the counted and discreetly placed her notebook on the floor. She opened it and pointed at her new Chrysalis designs.
Cloud’s eyebrows raised. “Wow,” She whispered. “Very nice.” She examined Wasp for a long moment. “Do you know a SilkWing named Ash?”
Wasp nodded very quickly. “Yeah.”
“I see,” Cloud murmured. “Interesting.” She smiled. “Well, welcome to the Chrysalis.”
“Thanks,” Wasp said with a grin. “Here, take this.” She ripped out the page and placed it in Cloud’s claw. “If you want to, you can use it.” She grabbed her sweets with a smile. “Thanks!”
With a sweeping motion, she exited the stall. She kept a cool and calm exterior, while her mind yelled, WOOOOOOOO I’M PART OF THE CHRYSALIS!!!! YAAAAAY!
Wasp took a deep breath and smiled to herself. Her tail stinger flicked behind her as she walked through the stalls, eventually arriving at a HiveWing workshop. She quickly examined the wares and picked out a leather bound notebook, with a waterfall painted on the front and a silk strap to bind it shut. Wasp quickly paid and scampered away. She weaved through dragons, arriving back at her home.
With a long satisfied sigh, Wasp closed and locked her door. She walked through the empty home, and suddenly stopped. A scream tried to escape her mouth, but she was shocked into silence. A HiveWing smirked down at her, a limp SilkWing in his arm.
”Hello there, Wasp.”
=== Chapter 6, Ash ===
Ash bit her lip and stiffened. She inhaled sharply and flicked her tail. 
AAAAAAUGGHHHH! Her brain screamed angrily. Why the HECK do I have to be trapped in here until my metamorphosis? She pounded the dark room’s walls. It’s like a punishment for something I can’t control.
”Might as well weave something,” She murmured to herself. She made some glow silk and just started playing around, braiding it and such. What’s the hottest silk I can make? She wondered. Ash looked down at her wrists and focused on heating the silk as much as she could. Her wrists were stinging, but eventually she made some silk.
She winced as the silk coiled on the ground. It was as hot as a concentrated sunbeam. She flinched backwards, curling up in the corner. I wish Wasp were here, She thought sadly. She would cheer me up. 
After a long, long while of laying in the stifling darkness, Ash’s antennae twitched. An instinct overcame her, and Ash sat up. She just . . . Started weaving. She weaved and weaved her silk into a cocoon around her. It must be my metamorphosis, Ash thought vaugely, her instincts taking over as she sealed the cocoon and folded into a ball. She smiled as she closed her eyes, dreaming of flight.
~~~
Ash was loving the darkness. In her slumber she was vaguely aware of the stifling dark. She smiled to herself.
Ash frowned as she moved her claws. Eventually, she clawed her way out of her cocoon and tumbled onto the ground. “Ow.” She shook her head like a dog and sat up. She blinked rapidly, feeling something strange on her back. Ash’s eyes widened as she looked back and saw four beautiful wings protruding from her shoulders.
They looked like they were on fire, with brilliant yellow and orange blended together like a tornado of flame. Her blue eyes glinted exitedly. Ash flapped her wings, feeling the power pump through her shoulders. Ash jumped, hovering an inch above the ground before landing. That’ll take some getting used to, She thought.
”Oh, look at you,” A cold voice said from behind her. She whirled around and glared at her master. He sneered at her. “Perfect. Come along now!”
Ash hissed at him and stood her ground.
The HiveWing glared at her. “I said come.”
”No.” Ash retorted. “You can’t make me. I’m SICK and TIRED of you bossing me around! I’m a SilkWing, not a pet!”
Her master snarled at her. “Say one more thing and you’ll regret it.”
Ash fell silent. She ducked her head as he shoved her out of the room, and she took her position at the front of the store. I swear . . . He’ll regret this. She smirked as he left the room. Time to show him a peice of my mind. Ash burned the new banners he had gotten and flung a jewelers stand into the wall. She found her hidden stash of posters underneath a rolling cart and grinned. Ash flung the posters around, practically dousing the shop. With a defiant smirk, she made her way to the door.
SNAP!
Blazing pain smashed into her back and she whirled around, claws out in front of her. The HiveWing who “owned” her ducked under her talons and wrapped his whip around her neck. Ash struggled as she inhaled smoke. “Let . . . Me go!” She snarled.
The HiveWing grabbed her by the neck and tossed her to the ground. “Try that again and I promise, SILKWING, you’ll WISH I had killed you.” He grabbed her horn and dragged her along the ground.
Ash blacked out as a swift strike to her head knocked her out.
== Part 3: Fire Dying ==
=== Chapter 7, Wasp ===
”CLOUD!” Wasp shreiked. “What . . .”
The HiveWing glared at her. “So you do recognize her.” He tossed Cloud’s limp body onto the ground. “This little traitor was caught smuggling SilkWing eggs out of the Hive.”
”When was that?” Wasp demanded. “She’s been in Jewel Hive the whole time!”
The HiveWing snarled at her. “Sure, dragonet. Did you know she was in the hive even during the night?”
”HOW did you get into MY HOUSE?!” Wasp shouted, stabbing at him with her tail stinger.
He smacked it away with a chuckle, and held up the page of Chrysalis designs. “You’ll be sure the queen will hear about this little SilkWing rebellion you have going on.”
”No!” Wasp lunged at him, tackling the HiveWing and shoving him against the window. She yelped as a crack appeared in the window. Wasp snatched the page from his talons as the black and red HiveWing fell backwards…
Through 
the
window.
Wasp fell backwards, clutching the torn paper in her claws as the HiveWing let out a bloodcurdling scream that stopped abruptly. Wasp looked out the window. The HiveWing was splayed out on the ground below her . . . Dead. She cried out and retreated from the window. 
She looked down at the floor. Cloud’s neck was twisted at an unnatural angle, and her eyes were opened with a sort of pleading look.
Wasp shuddered and fell to her knees. The paper drifted out of her talons, and flipped over. On the other side of it was a drawing of Ash, and a hole was stabbed through the paper write where her friend’s heart would be.
Tears flowed down Wasp’s face as she knelt next to Cloud, sobbing uncontrollably.
I’m sorry, She thought helplessly. I’m so, so sorry.
~~~
Wasp was still shaking, even after the Chrysalis had taken Cloud’s body away and helped with the window. She shivered. She was all alone in her home with nobody around to help her.
I wish Ash was here, She sighed to herself. Then an idea struck Wasp. Why can’t I go to the Jewelbazar? It’s not like Mimic is here to stop me. He said not to, but it’s not like I’m gonna BUY anything! I’ll even leave my money here. Wasp smiled. Seeing Ash will make me feel better. I can tell her about everything that’s happened.
But . . . Will she even want to see me? I’ve been gone for a whole week… Wasp put on a brave face and exited with nothing but her scales on her. She darted around, knowing curfew would be in a few hours, so she wouldn’t stay long. Wasp bolted down the halls, soon reaching the bazar. She frowned in frustration as she attempted to weave through the crowd.
Dragons were lined up to go in the shop that Ash was at. A new “fashion style” was apparently being displayed, and only a few dragons were allowed in at a time. Wasp scowled. Perfect, she thought. I break the rules and still don’t get to see my friend.
Wasp soon hatched a plan, and walked up to the doorway when nobody was looking. She slipped in with a crowd of three HiveWings, her small stature masking herself in their busyness.
She slipped away from them once inside and let out a silent gasp. Ash was sitting in a hanging basket-like chair, her wings out to either side of her as she displayed flamesilk jewelery.
Wait.
WINGS?! Wasp was shocked into complete silence. And flamesilk—she must be a flamesilk! How is that horrid HiveWing keeping that a secret from the HiveWing flamesilk factory owners? She sidled up to her friend when they all weren’t looking. “Ash?”
The SilkWing had a glassy look in her eyes, and she didn’t seem to hear Wasp. She had scars all over her back, hidden by her wings. Ash was completely silent and still.
”Ash?” Wasp tried again. “It’s Wasp! Your friend?”
Ash blinked rapidly and looked at her. “Wasp?” She breathed. Tears threatened to cascade like a waterfall. “Wasp, you need to get me out of here. I’m begging you!”
”I know,” Wasp consoled her. “I’m trying. I’m wearing down on my father. Once he sees your condition he’s sure to let you come with me.” She placed her talon on her friends’. “I’m sorry.”
”Me too,” Ash sighed. “Please, Wasp. I can’t stand much more of this. I’m afraid I’m going to die here.”
Wasp was shocked. “I won’t let that happen!” She said with resolve. “I’ll get you out, I promise.”
~~~
Wasp was ready with a whole speech as soon as Mimic walked in the door. He looked exited and refreshed.
”Wasp?” He asked. “How’s my girl?”
”Fine, but I need you to listen to me.” Wasp insisted. “Actually listen.”
Mimic arched an eyebrow but nodded and fell silent. “Go ahead.”
Wasp took a deep breath and started from the beginning, explaining everything that had happened. She confessed sneaking out, what had happened with the HiveWing and even Cloud—though she was careful to not mention the Chrysalis. Wasp spilled out everything about Ash, and how she looked to her like a sister.
Mimic listened to her intently, and sighed when she was done. It was a long, contemplative sigh that held weight behind it. “Okay Wasp, I’m going to make you a deal.”
”Anything!” Wasp exclaimed. “What?”
”Okay,” Mimic said slowly. “The deal is, I hire the SilkWing, but you pay her with your allowance.” He said that as if it was supposed to talk her out of it. Wasp blinked.
”Sure!” She exclaimed, kind of surprised how it was that easy. “I’d do anything for her. Come on! Let’s go save her!”
Mimic caught her with a laugh before she rushed away. “Wasp, curfew is in ten minutes.”
Wasp’s eyes blazed with passion. “Ten minutes is all it’ll take! Come ON!”
”No, Wasp,” Mimic replied. “We’ll wait. Tomorrow, I promise.”
Wasp sighed. “Okay. In the morning though!”
”Yes, yes, in the morning.”
=== Chapter 8, Ash ===
Ash looked up as a HiveWing grinned at her. She was brilliant yellow and void black, with bright green eyes. Ash blinked. Her yellow scales were almost blinding.
”Hello!” The HiveWing exclaimed. “I’m Butterfly. I think you look very beautiful.” She complimented.
Ash was even more shocked that a HiveWing was complimenting her. “Um . . . Thank you?” She replied quietly, then added. “Any ideas on how to burn down a hive and leave death and destruction in your wake?”
‘Butterfly’ the HiveWing blinked. “That’s a joke, right?” She giggled, then froze as Ash stared her down. “You’re serious—you’re serious.”
”Yep.” Ash smirked. “So? Ideas?”
Butterfly just stared at her. “Y’know, that is extremely violent for a SilkWing.”
Ash bristled. “Well, you don’t seem to know very many SilkWings then.” She stiffened as her master walked over. He glared down at Butterfly. 
“How many times do I need to tell on you to your mother for talking to my SilkWings?! In my different stores it’s the same story! What do you have to say for yourself?” He snapped.
Butterfly looked him up and down with a scowl. “I may be young but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to you.”
”JUST GET OUT!”
”A-hem?” A SilkWing scowled at the HiveWing. She had four large wings, and Ash couldn’t tell if she was a HiveWing or SilkWing. “Are you yelling at her?”
Butterfly winced and scampered away.
”Swallowtail,” Her master snarled. “You’re back. How delightful. Come to take my servant away again?”
The dragon—Swallowtail—smirked. “Perhaps.”
”This is getting out of hand, you dirty hybrid!” The HiveWing snapped. “First you hire my other SilkWings, now this one? She’s my best seller!” Ash gave the “hybrid” a pleading look, as if to say ‘PLEASSEEE RESCUE ME!’
Swallowtail hissed at the HiveWing. “Don’t mistreat her or you’ll have another thing coming. I’ll see you around, Mosquito. And by that, I’ll see you, you won’t see me.” The Hybrid cast a glance back at Ash and gave her a knowing nod. Ash’s eye caught on the bracelet around her wrist. She’s part of the Chrysalis! Ash cheered mentally. She made a note that her master’s name was Mosquito.
”Now, you idiot SilkWing,” Mosquito hissed at Ash. “I expect you to not mingle with any of them. I’ll be back.”
~~~
Ash watched with wide, exited, happy eyes as Wasp heated down on Mosquito.
”No, that’s my final price,” Mosquito hissed nervously. “Okay?”
Wasp gave him a serious glare. “Cut it in half.”
”Fine, half,” He gave in.
”One third?”
“NO! Half. That’s it.”
Wasp nodded and plunked her allowance down on the table. “Here.” Mosquito looked extremely shocked. He stammered for a moment, and mumbled under his breath.
Mimic nudged Wasp affectionately. “Well done, honey-bee,” She heard him murmur.
Ash’s heart leapt as she took of the last of her jewelry and threw herself at Wasp. The two collided in a hug, and Ash started crying happy tears. She folded her friend in her wings and tucked her snout under Wasp’s.
”Wasp!” She squeaked, “I knew you did it!”
Mimic smiled down at them. “Come along girls, we need to get Ash settled!”
Ash’s eyes were wide. “I get to stay with you? I thought . . .”
”YEAH!” Wasp exclaimed. “You get to share a room with me! It’ll be great!”
”Take it outside,” Mosquito snapped angrily.
Wasp grabbed Ash’ talon and they bounced outside. Ash’s wings were fluttering happily, “This is great!” Ash exclaimed. “I can’t belive this! I’m… free!”
Wasp hugged Ash again. “I can’t wait to go flying with you for the first time!”
Mimic laughed. “You girls,” He said affectionately. “Come on!”
Ash and Wasp were muttering and laughing as they tailed Mimic. They weaved through stalls and vendors, and suddenly Wasp stopped. “That must be who replaced Cloud,” She thought aloud.
The SilkWing had clover-green scales with yellow accents and a pure white left forearm. She smiled at them from the sweets stall. “Hello!” She called. “Care for a treat?”
”What’s your name?” Ash asked curiously. Mimic waited a few paces away for them.
”Clover,” The SilkWing replied with a quiet smile. “And you’re . . . Ash and Wasp, yes? My friends have told me all about you, about the posters and such.”
Ash grinned. “Yep, that’s us! And Wasp just let me be free!”
Clover laughed. “All right, enjoy your freedom. Go have fun.” She nodded with a knowing smile to Mimic, who smiled back.
Ash was to happy to think anything of it. This is the best day of my life!! She thought. And it’s all thanks to Wasp.
~~~
Ash bit her lip. Her heart was tired. She felt like all the emotions were tumbling around in her head like an angry hornet’s nest. An egg. From a dragonet. And it was Mosquito’s fault. Tears rolled down her snout as she stared at the ashen-colored egg about the size of a medium rock. 
“Don’t be sad,” Wasp said quietly. “Please? We’re going on our first fly today!”
Ash wiped the tears from her face. “Okay. I’ll try.” She looked over at Wasp. “Mimic said he’d drop it at the orphanage for me. Do you think . . ?”
”Whatever you think,” Wasp said lovingly. “You’re like my sister after all, you know what’s best for you.”
Ash tried to smile. “Thanks, Wasp.” She sighed. “I’ve tried to put the past behind me for the past few days, but . . . It seems like he’s a shadow over me where ever I go.” She looked at her palm, witch had the letters “RS” on it. Rebellious SilkWing, Her mind hissed. That’s all he saw me as, and treated me as such.
”Ready?” Wasp whispered.
Ash put on a brave face and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Wasp led her outside, through the hive and onto a platform. “This is it! Are you ready to fly?”
”I dunno . . .” Ash murmured. She had been putting off for the last week, and was incredibly nervous.
”Come on!” Wasp squeaked exitedly. She grabbed Ash’s talon and jumped off the platform—without letting go.
Ash was dragged off after her, and her wings spread instinctively. Her heart felt like it was running in circles, but she felt . . . At peace. “This is . . . Incredible!” She exclaimed.
Wasp grinned, steadying her as they soared over the savannah. “Right? Here, I’m gonna let go.”
”Okay!” Ash’s talons slipped from Wasp’s, and she glided on her own. Her face lit up. The firey wings on her back pumped against the air, and she rocketed into the air. Wasp giggled and shot after her playfully.
”WEEEEEEEEEeeeee!” Ash laughed and screamed at the same time as she folded in her wings and plummeted, catching herself after a second. “Aha! This is awesome!”
Wasp high-fived and they circled around.
”Hey there!” A voice called. A familiar HiveWing stood on the platform. It was Butterfly. “Looks like you’re having fun!”
Ash grinned. “Yeah! Wanna join?” 
The HiveWing bounced up and down. “Yeah!” She jumped out into the air and followed the two of them. Soon, Clover and Mimic were watching from the platform and they were doing loop-de-loops.
”Thanks for keeping an eye on Ash and Wasp,” Mimic said to Clover. 
The SilkWing smiled and nodded. “Of course. I know how important dragonets are.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “They’re our future.”
=== Chapter 9, Wasp ===
”Aster,” Ash whispered. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
The purple, green and yellow SilkWing grinned. “Come on. They won’t even know what hit em’!”
Wasp nodded and passed out the flyers and posters. “Ready?”
”Let’s go!” Aster exclaimed. The three of them ran out from behind the stall and started posting posters everywhere. 
“Here you go!” Wasp exclaimed, slapping a poster on the desk in front of a HiveWing. She turned tail and continued her work. This is awesome! She cheered in her head. They won’t be able to take ALL of these down! 
“STOP!” An icy, commanding voice snapped. A HiveWing with a bumble-bee pattern and void white eyes ordered. Wasp’s veins seemed to freeze as a commanding presence washed over her. Her body moved without her consent, and she faced Aster and Ash. “I command you to stop,” She said in unison with the other HiveWing.
Wasp’s heart filled with dread. What’s going on!? “Disperse immediately or face the consequences,” She hissed.
Ash was shocked. “What—Wasp? What happened to you?!”
”LEAVE. Or I’ll make you.” Tears welled in Wasp’s eyes as she raised her tail stinger.
Aster grabbed Ash’s arm. She scowled at them and whispered something to Ash. “Fine. Come on, let’s go.”
Wasp cried out as she was released, and she fell to the ground. Her eyes were wide and scared, and tears were running down her face. “Ash?” She stammered as her best friend knelt by her side. “What—what happened t-t-to me?!”
Aster had a dark look on her face. “Come on. Let’s go.” Her wings drooped as the HiveWings started taking down the posters.
Wasp struggled to her feet and slowly, shamefully tromped after Ash and Aster. What happened? She wondered. That wasn’t me! How . . . Why?
~~~
Wasp was sitting in the savanna, thinking. She stared off into space, thinking and rolling the possibilities around in her mind. Wasp sighed. Ash had been hesitant to talk to her after the incident. Ash was sure that it was some kind of mind-control, and that Wasp was in horrible danger by being part of the Chrysalis. They hadn’t talked much.
Wasp looked behind her as she heard talon-steps in the grass. Ash was waiting a few paces away, looking at her friend.
”Ash?” Wasp mumbled. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.” Her wings slumped to her sides.
Ash sat next to Wasp and placed her wing around her. “I’m sorry, I was just scared. Nothing is going to get better by me avoiding you.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “What happened back there?”
”I—I don’t know,” Wasp said fearfully. “It felt like my veins turned to ice, and I couldn’t move. Then I couldn’t control myself, and I spoke like someone else was talking through me.” She shivered and huddled closer to Ash. “I’m scared, Ash. I’m scared that it’ll happen again, and . . .” She looked away. “I’m scared that I’ll hurt you or Mimic, or even Aster or Butterfly.”
Ash sighed. “I’m sorry. That must be hard.”
Wasp nodded.
They sat in silence for a while, just watching the sun as it dipped down into a sunset of streaks of blue and gold.
Wasp sighed longingly. “I wish that we could just to faaar away from here, to somewhere where dragons are all equally treated.”
”Me too,” Ash sighed. “Me too.”
Wasp closed her eyes, and suddenly the chilling presence came over her. The icy claw came down on her consciousness, and she instantly succumbed to it. Wasp turned to Ash with a growl. “Hello there, SilkWing.” The Hive Queen hissed. “Time to die.”
Ash screamed and jumped away. “Wasp! Snap out of it!” She flared her wings and retreated as Wasp advanced on her. “Wasp!”
Wasp was vaguely aware Of her screams as she was seemingly crushed under the icy presence. Wasp struggled and fought at the darkness, but all she succeeded in doing was seeing as she launched at Ash.
NO! Wasp screamed mentally. NO!!! ASH!
Ash rolled to the side and headbutted Wasp. The HiveWing rolled away and quickly jumped to her talons, rushing at Ash again. The two struggled for a moment, but Ash grabbed Wasp’s horns and yelled, “WASP! SNAP OUT OF IT!” Tears fell from her eyes as Wasp scratched her face. “It’s me!” 
Wasp roared and bit into her wing, pulling at the scales as hard as a dragonet could. Blood sprayed onto her face as Ash’s smaller wing was ripped to shreds. The SilkWing smacked Wasp away, and muddled up some dirt with blood to clot the wound. Her face was contorted in pain and betrayal as she quickly tied Wasp up with flamesilk.
Wasp growled at her. “You are such a nuisance!” The Hive Queen snapped. She ripped apart the silk and pinned Ash with a sneer. “Say goodbye, SilkWing.”
Wasp’s tail flew towards Ash’s face just as Ash shoved Wasp away. The stinger missed her throat and went straight into her eye. Ash let out a bloodcurdling scream and collapsed to the ground in a pool of her own blood.
Wasp stood over her and smiled. “Goodbye.” 
Slash!
Wasp was released just as her talons sliced through Ash’s neck. “NO!” She screamed. “NOOOOO ASH! NO NO NO!”
Ash smiled weakly. “I’m . . . Sorry, Wasp. I tried.”
”What . . . NO! You can’t die! I’m so so so so sorry! I’m sorry Ash please . . .” She held Ash’s head in her talons as her freind looked up at her.
”I love you, Wasp. And I forgive you for everything the HiveWings did to me.” She weakly reached up and brushed Wasp’s face. “Goodbye. I love you.” 
Wasp clutched Ash’s talon as her eyes closed and she let out her final breath. Wasp was shocked into silence. Her best friend. Dead.
”No . . .” Wasp screamed and sobbed for her to wake up as the sun dissipated below the horizon.
The savanna was cast into darkness, swallowing up Wasp and the body of her best friend.
== The End. ==
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Mature Content
Category:Fanfictions (Completed)
Category:Content (Starscatter-the-AbyssWing!)