Poisoned Youth. -a short story

=== Poisoned Youth - a short story - Completed ===
Written by: Darkmindofmountain4
Note: The Poison Jungle in this story is not the traditional Poison Jungle, but a futuristic, evolved version where no dragon can live. (:
“The trees swayed in a gentle breeze, their leaves rippling innocently. Not many dragons ventured into this forest, and even fewer left it. That was the way in the Poison Jungle. And though dragons were never known to reach it, in the heart of the jungle lay and egg. A single, harmless egg.
“Times have changed for the dragons, new peace and harmony has reigned, and even the most hostile tribes are now friendly. There are, as always, a few who wish to return to the turbulent sea that used to be life. But their number is few, and those who take action even fewer.
“Life as a dragon has never been better. But as we all know, nothing truly beautiful lasts for very long. The peace that has fallen across the lands is a fragile thing. One small crack is all it will take to shatter.” -Ladybug
Chapter One - Explorers
Lady shook out her red wings. She hated the forest, and everything in it. “Why are we even here?”
Hornet sighed, “Were exploring Ladybug. For science.” He skirted around a large flower. “Careful, that one‘s poison.”
Lady rolled her eyes, “Everything here is poison Hornet. And don’t call me Ladybug.” She tucked her wings in and skulked along behind Hornet. “We’ve been walking for hours.”
The two Hivewings continued on, carefully dodging poison, and carnivores plants. The sun sank below the trees, casting long orange shadows across their path. Still Hornet led them onward. It is said that this determination is what led them to the egg. What doomed us all.
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As the moon cast its silvery rays down through the leaves, Hornet stopped. Half asleep, Ladt ran into him. “What is it now?” She peeked past him. ”Oh.”
They stood in front of a huge mass of thorny brambles, the dangerous spines dripping with blood red liquid. Hornet pulled out a long Stick and pushed them to the side.
Lady recoiled, “We are not going in there.” Hornet stepped forward, “Fine, you go. I’m staying here.” She huffed.
Hornet ignored her and stepped through the brambles. He tripped over a rock and went tumbling forward into a grassy clearing. Rubbing his head grumpily, Hornet looked up. A shining, silver egg sat in from of him, it’s surface dotted with purple and white spots.
It was like nothing he had ever seen, glistening, and shimmering in the moon light. He carefully picked it up, rubbing the slick shell. “What are you?”
He carefully brought the egg out, tucking under his arm. “Lady! I found an egg.”
Lady jumped up, “What? An egg? Here?” She stared distrustingly at the egg. “Well, then. Let’s bring it back.“ She motioned for Hornet to lead, and he started moving, shifting the egg to his other arm. Neither of them noticed the Purple and white speckles on his arm where the egg had been.
Chapter Two - Poison
The Hivewings traveled into the next day, energized by their discovery. Lady strolled behind Hornet, “I wonder what type it is.”
”I don’t know” Said Hornets, sneezing. “Can you carry it for a bit? I’m getting tired.” He handed the egg to Lady, who placed it in her bag.
“Maybe because you haven’t slept for a long time.” She teased. There was no response from Hornet. “Hornet?”
Hornet staggered, the collapsed. Lady was about to shake his shoulder when she stopped. His face was rotting, as well as his arms and chest. She recoiled. “Crap!”
Lady stared at him for a moment. It was clear he was dead. She glanced at the egg “Hornet must have touched a plant. it’s just you and me now.” She sighed and moved onward, forcing herself not to look back.
The sun was setting as she neared their camp at the edge of the Poison Jungle. She set down the sack by the sleeping place and started a fire. The sack wobbled behind her and she turned to see the egg crack. I small silver snout poked out, followed by the blindingly bright body of the dragonet. 
The dragonet squeaked and crawled over to Lady. Lady picked it up, "Well aren't you er, cute." The dragonet squeaked happily then promptly bit Lady. 
Lady nearly dropped her. "Ouch! What was that for?" The dragonet did nothing but curl up and fall asleep on Lady's palm. She sighed, "Sleep tight little monster." She nestled the dragon in her sack and went to hunt.
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By the next morning, the dragonet’s scales had dulled out and were now flecked with purple and white. “You look just like your egg.” Remarked Lady as she fed the tiny dragonet. Had Lady undone the bandage that she had wrapped around the bite mark the night before, she would have found the wound completely healed, leaving only a patch of shiny purple to show it ever existed.
“I think I’ll name you Moon.” Declared Lady, rubbing the dragonet’s smooth scales. She placed Moon on her shoulder and set off for the nearest city.
Since tha beginning of the age of peace, the dragons lived in multi-tribe cities, living under whichever queen ruled the area.
As soon as lady stepped into the bustling streets, Moon hopped off her and ran into the crowd. “Moon!” Lady called, pushing through the crowd after her.
Lady spend hours searching, and was leaning against a tree, panting, when she was approached by a pretty Leafwing. “Is this your dragonet?” She asked, holding out Moon.
Lady picked Moon up. “Yes. Thank you so much.” She felt that she owed it to Hornet to protect Moon. The Leafwing smiled and nodded, walking away.
The Leafwing, Oak, never noticed the purple and white speckles on her hands. At least, not until it was too late.
Chapter There - The End
Lady sat in the grass playing with Moon. She heard the buzz of voices behind her and tuned into the conversation.
”Whole family dead...... Rotted........ Infectious......... never seen anything like it.”
it took a full minute for the meaning of the words to click. Lady gasped. It was oddly similar to how Hornet had died. She looked down at Moon. “What are you?” The dragonet squeaked and flopped on her back, rolling across the grass.
Lady scooped her up. “Come on. We’re going home.“ Moon reached out an arm and Her claws brushed against another dragon’s wing. The dragon turned around and smiled. “That’s a very cute dragonet you have there.”
Lady could only nod, watching little speckles of white and purple appear on his wing. “T-thank you.” She hurried away.
Lady didnt stop running until she reached her house. She set Moon down on the table, and bolted the door. “We can’t have you touching any more dragons.” She knew she should report Moon, but she couldn’t let them take her away.
So she waited. She and Moon stayed inside, away from other dragons for days. Every time Lady went out for food, it was worse. Dragons were dieting left and right, and authorities were clueless. The continent had been sealed off to prevent spread to Pyrrhia.
Lady watched her world crumble, but still did nothing to stop it. She stayed with Moon when she first spoke, “I love you. I protect you” Lady hugged Moon then. The little dragonet had become her life. Her whole life. She would soon be alone with Moon. No one would ever touch the poisoned child again.
End
”It’s been years since then. Since Moon learned to talk, since her powers grew. No one knows what she is. How she came to be. But she did. And the two Hivewings that brought her to the rest of the world are long gone. That‘s what everyone says.
“Pantala has reverted back to a time before dragons before everything. Everything is deadly or dead. The rift caused by the outbreak has torn apart the peace. Bodies pile higher and higher as dragons battle. There is no more happiness now. There is no more.
“And now? The rumors are coming true. I am on my deathbed. Moon will be without guidance. I am afraid she will lose herself, kill the rest of them. The rest of the dragons. I only wish for her to stay here. To live her life with her kin. But knowing how the fates work, I fear she will end us all.“ -Ladybug
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Completed)
Category:Genre (Short Story)