The Code of Cruelty

== Wings of Fire: The Code of Cruelty ==
== Prologue ==
Starfish trudged towards her kingdom, the glistening deep blue ocean in sight. After traveling for days with the heavy egg pouch around her bioluminescent neck, she almost believed that she'd never see home again. Now, with her worn out wings and legs, she felt hope. Then, Starfish saw a familier pale blue head thrust itself out of the water.
"Stingray!" she called to her sister, her face lighting up.
To Starfish's surprise, Stingray didn't return the smile. In fact she looked ready to lunge at her.
"Why have you come back?!" her sister screeched, "We don't let traitors who run off to be with a Rainwing just waltz into our territory!"
Starfish felt as if she'd been stung by an actual stingray, "B-but I came back! I brought your future neice or nethew with me! They have to grow up in the Sea Kingdom!" She pleaded, her voice drowning in desire.
"We don't want your traitor dragonet too!" Stingray growled, raising her tail threateningly "Now get off before you regret it!"
It felt as if the flame of hope inside her went out. Starfish couldn't believe how foolish she'd been to think she'd be let back in after leaving. But she couldn't give up. Not with her dragonet at risk of being born outside a kingdom. She lifted her head defiantly.
"Ok, I'll leave, just take the egg" She continued before Stingray could let out a no "Just think, maybe they'll be born with Rainwing venom or camoflauge? Wouldn't you want that in your army?" 
Stingray stayed quiet for what seemed like years, her eyes focused in deep concentration. "...I guess we could use and extra advantage in fighting, but you must swear to never come back again!" She finally answered in a spiteful tone.
Starfish swallowed. This was what she asked for... right? Still, the thought of never meeting her future dragonet left a hole in her heart. All that matters is they grows up safe. She told herself, though still not sure if she believed. Finally, she built up courage to respond.
"I swear- I swear to never return" Starfish choked out, her voice breaking with heavy emotion.
Shakily, Starfish lifted the glittering pale pink egg out of her pouch and gave it a final squeeze. As she handed it off to her newly spiteful sister, she couldn't help but think of how fragile and breakable the tiny dragonet egg was. But her sister raised her, and she could raise her dragonet too. And who knows, maybe fate will unite them again one day.
As she turned and stared at mountains ahead of her, Starfish questioned her decision yet again. Though, she couldn't go back now. This was the future she chose for herself, and her unborn dragonet. All Starfish could do was hope with all her heart that it was the best future for the both of them.
== Chapter One: Topaz's Pov ==
Topaz fidgeted with her talons as the enemy Mudwings approached as if they were a dust storm. While the land around her looked unfairly peaceful,the flowers bouncing serenely in the breeze, beams of light brushing the grass, the situation certainly wasn't. Why do I have to be a part of this? Topaz thought exasperatedly. Usually, she would be bandaging her fellow Skywings in the medic den, but now that Skywing numbers all low, she'd be chosen to fight. She despised the idea of fighting, especially after years of treating dragons after battles. They just didn't seem practical, why couldn't everyone just get along?
"Cheer up!" Her sister, Amber, encouraged, prodding her with her sandy orange wing.
Topaz forced a smile for her. She'd always loved he sister, despite her different beliefs. She was just so... confident, in a way Topaz could never be. But, there was something that made Amber different from any other Skywing, her spiked tail. For as long as Topaz could remember, Amber had a strange silvery spiked ball on her tail. She assumed it was for fighting, but then why didn't any other soldiers have one? Still, Topaz hadn't ever thought much of it.
Topaz suddenly felt a sharp pain in her side, turning just in time to see a glaring Mudwing, only for them to charge at her again. How didn't I realize the battle already started?! She summoned all her strength to push herself into the air, only to be dragged back down by fierce claws. She swung her talons out blindly, and thankfully felt collide with something solid. She opened her eyes to see what she'd been able to do, only to find her wrists yanked and being pinned down. Why can't I do anything to help?! she thought fighting to free her wrists. 
Silence.
Why is it so quiet?
Topaz felt the Mudwing's grip loosen, and threw herself away. Everyone was looking at something, no, someone. That was when Topaz spotted those familier sandy orange scales. Amber. And beside her, to her horror, was the spike she'd worn for her whole life. Her sister flicked her tail...Topaz gasped, in pure shock.
Her tail had something only a Sandwing would have, a venomous barb.
This is impossible! Topaz's thoughts were whirring. Our mother despises Sandwings! Wait- am I a Sandwing too? No... I'm definitely a Skywing... Topaz stole a glance at her sister again, just to be sure she hadn't imagined it, but sure enough her venomous barb continued to graze the grass menacingly. 
"What are you lazy sloths doing!? Capture her!" she heard a deep-voiced Mudwing called
The Mudwings closest to Amber sprang, kicking up dirt and spreading their bulky wings. With a shriek, Amber launched herself into the air, whipping her tail barb toward the Mudwings faces. Without thinking, Topaz flapped her aching wings and dived towards the attackers. Grabbing onto an ochre Mudwing she slashed talons across his face,scaring herself at the scratch marks she left. The Mudwing howled with fury, yanked themselves free and pounded her out of the sky with their massive tail. 
Topaz landed hard on her front right leg, it digging into the dirt. It seared with pain, but she had to see if her siste was ok. She struggled upright, holding her leg up to avoid further injury and turned to the scene in front of her. Amber was in chains flailing around uselessly, as the Mudwings started to rise and fly her away. As the Mudwings filed out, realization hit Topaz like a boulder. My sister is gone. Topaz grabbed her face with anxiety. No, no, no, no, this can't be happening! Her talons were shaking, and her breathing came in gasps. Being a hybrid isn't illegal! Why isn't anyone trying to get her back?! 
"I-I should've tried harder! I could have saved her!" Topaz was barely aware she was speaking out loud.
Her fellow medic, Sparrow, wrapped a wing around her silently. Her best friends dusty red scales brushed hers comfortingly. She usually did this to keep Topaz calm when there were too many patients. Still, Topaz was anything but calm. Her sister was gone, and she was too weak to save her. Forcing herself to lift her neck, she trudged back to the Sky Kingdom.
== Chapter 2: Blobfish's Pov ==
Blobfish watched serenely as the colors flowed across her canvas, forming shapes, patterns, and a story nobody else would understand. Brightly colored fish swam gracefully around her, and then out her window into the huge ocean. Blobfish imagined that maybe one of those fish would make it all the way to Pantala. Across from her, her friend Crystal was working on his own painting. His unique both dark and pale blue scales reminded her of beams of light stretching across the ocean floor. Blobfish's scales on the other talon, were very different. Pale pink was definitely not a natural Seawing color.
"Blobfish! Stop lazing about and get up! It's time for training." Her caretaker, Stingray, snapped with her bioluminescent scales.
With a heavy sigh, Blobfish pushed herself up and swam over to the decorated sea green door, beckoning Crystal to follow. Stingray always acted like it was a chore to take care of her. Sometimes Blobfish thinks she's right. Most of the time Stingray is away, trying to worm herself into the royal family through Prince Reef, who Blobfish knew next to nothing about. But despite Stingray's overambitious and feisty personality, she was the closest thing to a parent Blobfish had. The only thing she'd ever known about her biological mom, Starfish, was that Stingray despised her.
"What are you waiting around for? Let's go!" Stingray lashed her tail in annoyance, disappearing out the door.
Crystal swam closer to Blobfish, tail twitching with excitement. Blobfish smiled, she knew he loved training. Just as her attention started to drift to painting ideas, Stingray flashed her bioluminescent scales at her.
"I heard that the royal family is working on making a device for disabled dragons, Blobfish." Stingray said. 
Blobfish snapped back to reality. She always forgot she couldn't move her hind legs, as she never had anything to do with them anyway. Most of the time she was either underwater where they'd float like all her other limbs, or painting, unaware of anything beside the canvas. And citizens of the Sea Kingdom are very accepting of others disabilities. One of the most famous queens, Queen Lionfish, hadn't been able to fly, and she's still a legend among Seawings. Still, a device to make swimming easier would be great. 
"Of course you're all up in the royal families business, you practically live in the palace!" Crystal joked teasingly.
Stingray growled but didn't say anything. The three dragons leaped out of the water onto one of the Sea Kingdom islands. Just then, the training arena came into view. Coral lined the edges of the inside, shimmering in a rainbow of shades and hues. Loose sand drifted aimlessly through the breeze. Many other dragonets practiced fighting moves in separate corners, giggling enthusiastically. It's so weird to think that next year I'll be in the adult training arena. Blobfish thought. She hated change.
"Let's go practice over there!" Crystal exclaimed, pointing with his tail to a dip in the sand.
As the two bounded over, Crystal tripped and faceplanted in the searing sand. With a chorus of giggles from the both of them, Blobfish helped him back up. Then, a booming voice came from the speakers in the arena. 
"Attention dragonets! I repeat, attention dragonets. Due to Queen Alligator of the Mudwings newly proposed code, all hybrid dragons must be turned in immediately. Known hybrids dragonets include a pale pink and dark and pale blue Seawing. Those who turn the hybrids in will receive a great reward."
As the speakers screeched off, Blobfish felt her stomach drop. Looking at Crystal, she could see he had the same reaction. But Crystal isn't a hybrid! At least, I thought he wasn't. But she had no time to question her friends family, as she could feel the burning glances cast at them across the arena. Spreading her wings wide, she pushed off into the sky with her front talons, a skill she'd learned over the years, kicking up sand. As Crystal followed, she could barely hear his normally loud and clumsy wingbeats over the scrambling talons of their hunters. 
Blobfish signaled for Crystal to turn towards the Sky Kingdom, where they would hopefully loose the dragons they once thought were their friends. Where will we even go once we get there? What if we get attacked by Skywings too!? Picking up the pace, Blobfish could feel her wings straining to continue onward, but she forced them to keep beating. The Sky Kingdom was in sight now, and Blobfish felt a flicker of hope that maybe she and Crystal would escape.
Her thoughts were swiftly cut off by a loud screech. Whipping around, to her horror, Blobfish saw Stingray dragging Crystal's wing toward her. I knew she disliked us, but I didn't know she'd turn us into the royal family in a heartbeat! Crystal tried to wriggle free, but Stingray grabbed his other fragile wing. Stung with betrayal, she swooped towards her caretaker and slashed her claws along her snout.
"Let him go!" Blobfish's talons shook with fury "I thought you cared about me!"
"Cared about you? I only took care of you because I thought you would be useful and inherit Rainwing abilities! Turns out all you and this scrawny one are good for is holding me back! And the funny part is I didn't even ask to have to watch this one all day!" She snapped, shaking Crystal violently.
Blobfish felt something build up inside of her. Opening her jaw, to her surprise, venom shot out, splattering onto Stingray's pale blue snout. Stingray let out an earsplitting screech, falling almost blindly onto Crystal, dragging him down. I didn't mean that! Blobfish thought all too late, as Stingray and Crystal plummed towards the ocean. Turning around, Blobfish saw about a hundred dragonets charging after her. Without thinking, she whipped around and dashed to the Sky Kingdom. 
Guilt tore through her, almost making her slow down multiple times. I left them... I left Crystal to be captured and Stingray to... to.... Blobfish felt as if maybe she should stop and let herself be punished, but she forced herself to keep going. What will they do to Crystal? Blobfish winced at the thought of the various punishments they could inflict on Crystal. I should be there with him, if I were a good dragon I would've went after him. Maybe...Maybe I'm not a good dragon. As new thoughts of guilt and upset flowed through Blobfish, she stared out at the Sky Kingdom, wondering if she deserved the possibility of safety it provided.
== Chapter 3: Puffin's Pov ==
Standing at her post, Puffin dug her hooked Icewing talons into the soft and powdery snow. She watched as the glistening flakes tumbled into the small whole she made. Puffin knew she should be watching for possible invaders, but that got incredibly boring really fast. She barely took notice to Stoat leaving the cabin plopping down next to her, her pale pink and blue wings rustling with clear annoyance.
"I had to stay in there to argue with three dragons that you had the right to live here!" Stoat exclaimed with irritation.
"Uh-huh" Puffin responded, going back to shifting the snow.
"Don't you care that they want you gone!? Once Queen Permafrost gets back from the queen meeting Queen Alligator called, everyone will be back to begging her to kick you out!" Stoat insisted, grabbing Puffin's talons to get her attention.
"She probably won't, though. Being a hybrid isn't illegal." Puffin answered, trying to free herself from Stoat's grip. She didn't really mind that her half Rainwing heritage upset anyone, that was there problem. Also, she enjoyed having a select few of her scales change colors, it made her different, and unlike Stoat, she was ok with that.
"I know, but you're my friend, and I care about you. I don't like seeing you get bullied." Stoat pleaded, concern filling her powder blue eyes. "Anyways, it's time for my shift, so you can go back inside. Just... be careful."
Puffin nodded, standing up to shake off the tiny snowflakes stuck to her prismatic scales. She walked up to the large log cabin in which she and the other Icewings at her post stayed, taking in the smoothly cut wood and the light snow that floated down onto it. As she push the door open, Puffin's ear twitched at the loud conversations throughout the hall.
"Permafrost has been gone too long, what if she's dead?!" A scrawny shockingly ice white Icewing exclaimed.
"She's not dead! She and the other queens are probably discussing boring politics!" A gray specked Icewing scoffed.
Ignoring them, Puffin walked over to the food pile provided to them for their border service. The dim, almost extinguished, flamesilk lamps provided just enough light for her to see the wide assortment of meals. Taking a small seal, she sat down at one of the cabin halls many long pine tables. Puffin wrinkled up her snout, forcing herself to take a measly bite out of the meaty prey. I hate the taste of meat. Puffin thought, grimacing. Taking her eyes off the disgusting food, she carved various designs into the pine logs that made of the table. Anything to distract herself from the terrible smell. 
"Stop wasting food! Do you know how many starving dragons would devourer what you won't even look at" She heard a stern voice call.
It took Puffin a few seconds to realize they were talking to her. "Sorry, I guess, I'm just not hungry." Puffin responded calmly, swiveling her head around to watch the glaring dragon.
"If you won't even accept Icewing prey, why don't you just go back to the rainforest where you belong!" The opposing Icewing spat, sharpening her glare.
I wish I could live in the rainforest. There's so much fruit there, and so many new dragons, and... Puffin almost forgot she was talking to someone. "I'd love to visit there! And the Sand Kingdom, and the Sky Kingdom and the.." Puffin trailed off, realizing the Icewing had turned away from her.
Puffin leaned down to take another painful bite, but shot her head up at the startling sound of loud wingbeats and the opening and closing of the cabin entrance doors. What's happening?! Quickly tossing her prey aside, Puffin flung open her glimmering reflective white wings and swooped towards the commotion. Realizing all too late that the doors were right in front of her, Puffin barreled full speed into the entrance, thrusting the doors open. Embarrassment heated her scales as she crashed into the frigid snow. She pushed herself upright, unaware of the blisters trapped between her scales, and peered over to crowd. 
With a jolt of mingled surprise and excitement, Puffin noticed Queen Permafrost was back from the queens meeting, standing confidently in the center of the fizzing conversations. Her pure white scales seemed to glow radiantly in the evenings light snowfall. A pale blue crown sat upon her head, jewels glittering in every corner of the perfectly sculpted diadem. Royal blues mixed with snow colored diamonds and crystal clear topaz. The barely visible sunlight through the thick clouds glinted on the shining, priceless peice of jewelry. Puffin couldn't help but be in awe of the carefully crafted crown.
"Silence!" Queen Permafrost announced, lashing her tail in annoyance. "As you all know, I recently attended a meeting called by Queen Alligator. She proposed the preposterous idea of a law code banning cross-tribal relationships and hybrids. Since we have many useful hybrids among our ranks," she cast Puffin a quick glance before continuing, "I objected to the idea, alongside Queen Fennec of the Sandwings, Queen Peacock of the Silkwings, Queen Sycamore of the Leafwings, and Queen Cacoa of the Rainwings," Puffing out her chest, Permafrost scanned the large crowd for any objections.
Puffin pricked her ears at the sound of soft whispers, followed by the anxious shuffling of talons. Her scales shifted to a curious blue, wondering what her tribemates thought of this. Peering over the bustling crowd, she spotted Stoat beaming with pride at their Queens decision. I wonder why the other queens chose to ban hybrids. Puffin questioned, rustling her wings. It's not like we did anything to them. We're basically the same as everyone else, well, at least I think that. 
"Umm, Q-Queen Permafrost? Is there going to be a battle?" Squeaked the shockingly white Icewing, Polar, she'd seen earlier, lashing his scrawny tail anxiously next to her. His wide cerulean and gray sectoral heterochromatic eyes flashed with fear. 
"No. I don't want to have anything to do with the other queens." Queen Permafrost scoffed with a disdainful look.
Polar sighed with relief, almost bumping into Puffin as he stood up. His face turning blue with embarrassment, he quickly sat back down and threw his wing over his face. Puffin held in a chuckle, not wanting to sound rude. She watched as Queen Permafrost thrust her way through the crowd. 
"I'm off to the royal palace to report this to the rest of the kingdom, good day," Without another word, she spread her milky white wings and swooped into the cloud-filled sky. Within seconds, her scales were lost in the snowy haze.
As the crowd started to break apart, Puffin bounded quickly towards the cabin doors. Questions swam around her already busy mind. What will happen in the other kingdoms? Will Permafrost change her mind? What if the other tribes invade?! Forcing herself to focus on one thought at a time, Puffin pushed open the doors to her dorm, barely noticing Stoat was somehow already in her bed, snoring peacefully. Climbing into her own frigid bed, her mind still wouldn't give up it's search for answers. After hours of rolling over and asking herself the same questions, Puffin found an uneasy sleep.
== Chapter 4: Topaz's Pov ==
Topaz felt numb. It had only been 2 hours since the battle, and the sun was starting to dip in the sky. As much as she tried to distract herself, all she could think about was her sister being dragged away. But, she had to keep working, many dragons were injured in the battle, and she couldn't let her worry stop her from helping them.
"Topaz, you look stressed. Maybe you should go outside and get some fresh air," Her fellow medic, Sparrow said calmly, looking at her with sympathy in her amber gaze.
"No! There are still so many dragons that need to be treated!" She exclaimed, spreading her wings out, and accidentally knocking over some medication vials.
"You're not helping anyone by pacing around worried, please, take a break for a few minutes. I can handle the patients." Sparrow insisted, ushering Topaz towards the door.
"Fine, but bring me back in as soon as there's a problem!" By the time she finished, Sparrow had already closed the door.
Topaz sighed, looking out to the horizon, watching the sun set further beneath the rippling waves. She spread her wings out, letting the breeze rustle them slightly, and the smell of ocean air filled her snout as she stared from the top of the Skywing mountains. Just then, she noticed a faint shape approaching the mountainside. Is that a bird? As the shape flew closer, she recognized the familiar shape of dragon wings, and soon saw the rest of the figure become clear. A Seawing.
Topaz backed up, was it coming to attack her?! The Seawing attemted to swoop down towards the bottom of the mountain, but misjudged the angle and ended up barreling into the patch of grass near Topaz, their wings flapping wildly as they landed upside down. Grunting, the Seawing awkwardly twisted upright, but not picking up their hind legs. 
"W-Who are you?!" Topaz asked, trying to sound intimidating but ultimitely letting out a starled squeak.
"A criminal according to Queen Oarfish!" The mysterious Seawing stated, looking behind her as if searching for an enemy.
Topaz backed up, "Are you here to hurt us?" 
"What? No, no, I need somewhere to hide, they could be here at any moment!" The Seawing screeched, looking around frantically.
"Who is they?" Topaz asked, worried. Are the Mudwings attacking Seawings now?!
"Literally every Seawing. Apparently I'm a wanted criminal for being born! It's the Mudwing queen's new rule or something." She looked away, "Listen, I have to leave," 
"Wait!" Topaz called without thinking as the Seawing spread their pale wings to leave. She couldn't believe she barely acknowledged the obvious pale pink scales of the Seawing This Seawing must be a hybrid! she thought. "My sister got taken by the Mudwings, she's a hybrid, like you! What's going on?! Are hybrids illegal now?" Topaz asked frantically, searching the dragons gaze for answers.
"I don't know...." The Seawing avoided her gaze. "An announcement came on, saying that me and my friend have a bounty over all heads, and then everyone turned on us and chased me all the way here. It all happened so fast, I still don't know all the details." She looked out to the horizon, almost as if looking for someone.
"What are we going to do? It's not like we can just storm into the Mudwing palace!" Topaz stated, watching as the Seawing's face changed.
"Umm, well, that was kind of what I was planning to do. And what do you mean by we?" The pale Seawing asked, scratching her talons on the dirt.
"Oh, I mean, it's not like you can do any of this alone. I also want to help someone." She responded
As Topaz waited for a response, she suddenly realized she hadn't thought about what would happen to her patients if she left. Why am I being so thoughtless today?! She wondered, hoping the Seawing couldn't see her frustration. She opened and closed her talons, trying to calm herself.
After a few awkward seconds of silence, the Seawing finally answered. "Fine, if you want, you can come with me, but I'm not promising I'll be able to protect you if anything happens." A memory flashed in the dragonets light eyes, which quickly faded.
"Oh! Uh, ok, when are we leaving?" Topaz asked frantically, surprised and flustered by the thought that she might really be doing this.
"How about when the moon is highest in the sky? No dragons are outside at that time, so you can easily slip out of the Skywing Kingdom."
I didn't know I was supposed to be secretive about this! Still, Topaz didn't express her worries to the dragon, "Ok, I'll get my stuff, and I'll meet you out here." Maybe I'm being too trusting of this dragon! They're a Seawing, after all. Oh, but it's to late to say no now anyway. Why am I doing this?!
The Seawing nodded, and as Topaz scurried away towards the infirmary, she called out, "By the way, my name is Blobfish." And before Topaz could answer, Blobfish dove down the side of the mountain, lost in the shadows of the silky orange and pink sunset.
== Chapter 5: Blobfish's POV ==
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Semi-Canon)