A Butterfly's Flight

A Butterfly's Flight is a short story by Fierro. It features Queen Monarch and her difficult decison to give up her kingdom and subjects to Queen Wasp. This fanfiction was written for the Canon Character Fanfiction Contest, hosted by Mezepheles. It won first place.
== Chapter One ==
Waves pile over my talons as I look out to the sea. Smooth, slippery pebbles roll underneath my claws as I shift them. Seagulls' cries echo overhead as they dip their mouths into the clean, fresh seawater, and one even has the daring to land right on my nose.
I don't think it realizes its mistake, as it looks around, confused at this strange new cliffledge it's on, and then shrieks with alarm as its gaze falls upon the pair of large orange eyes blinking right at it. The seagull flies away, its frantic wingbeats making it disappear into the light fog hovering above the almost glasslike surface of the water. 
But it needn't worry, as I would never eat a seagull or any other form of meat, and neither would my tribe. We're SilkWings, so we eat fruits, plants, and flowers, and that's it. Sometimes my tribe finds new species of herb growing along the edges of trees, and (with the LeafWings' permisson, of course), we take it home to see what new virtues it can offer us. And I lead the explorations, of course. I'm just like any other SilkWing, peaceful, never looking for a fight, always calm and unbothered by life's problems. 
Well, actually...that's not entirely true. I'm not exactly like all of the SilkWings living around Pantala. 
I flex my talons, and summon up a burst of warmth waiting, yearning to be freed in my right wrist. A thread of blazing, fiery silk snakes out, landing with a sharp hiss in the water and washing away with the tides. 
And there's also that... 
I reach my talons upward to my forehead. They brush sleek metal, and I bring the object down and gaze at it. It's pointed and edged with sharp angles, and rubies catch the light as I turn it to the setting sun. Large golden butterflies are stuck all over the intricate spirally surface. The artist was talented; the butterflies appear almost as if they are about to take to the air and flutter away with the breeze. 
It's a crown. 
''Queen Monarch?'' Someone calls from behind me. I hurriedly lower the crown back onto my head and turn to face the speaker; my partner, Peacock. 
What are you doing? Their face is creased with lines of tension, their four wings held stiffly at their sides. We need to talk. 
My breath catches in my throat. I know instantly, somehow, that this is kingdom business, not about our relationship. It has been three years since Peacock first told me they loved me, and two since we got married. If one is close to someone for so long, they will know the dragon like the back of their talons. And I know this: Peacock is smooth, sleek, giggly, unconcerned with the worries of life. 
What could possibly have happened to make them so tense? 
Peacock stops at the middle of a large circle of trees, turning to face me. I stop too, my heart pounding. What is it you want to tell me? I press gently. Speak.
It's the HiveWings, they begin, and I groan inwardly. The hornetlike tribe has proved to be more of an annoyance than I could have imagined, with their demands of the other tribes and their blatant refusal to grow a sense of gratitude when the aid they want comes.
''They're gathering along the edge of SilkWing territory.'' Peacock continues. ''Lashing their tails, ripping up grass, even hurling stones at innocent SilkWing passerby, the works. Luckily they haven't picked up a rock heavy enough to hurt one of our subjects --- I doubt if they even can, with those skinny muscles --- but it doesn't bode well for a peaceful Pantala.''
''But I just made a truce with their queen!'' I protest. (Queen Cochineal hadn't exactly made a truce with me --- she'd sent hundreds of HiveWings to attack the SilkWings, but we beat her and she decided that it wasn't worth the trouble being our enemies anymore. Still, I didn't think she'd try it again so soon.) 
Peacock shakes their head. I don't know why it's happening again either. All I know is that this time she's brought the whole tribe with her, by the looks of it.
The...whole tribe? I stiffen. This sounds serious. I need to see this for myself. 
Peacock shrugs. Sure, just don't say I didn't warn you. They slip off into the bushes. Follow me. 
== Chapter Two ==
We reach the border between SilkWing and HiveWing territory at early evening. I hear the HiveWings before I smell them. Snapping teeth, claws raking along the ground, weapons clanging against each other...
Weapons?
Something tells me they're not here to have a friendly chat.
I stride up to them, trying to appear confident, regal, menacing. What do you want? I demand. There's a distinct squeaky edge to my voice, but thankfully it isn't too obvious. One of the HiveWings speaks up, lifting her head high. We have come in place of our queen to ask a favor of you.
''I knew it,'' Peacock mutters at my ear. ''Quiet!'' I hiss, and address the HiveWing. ''We will not be doing any favors for Queen Cochineal, not after her subjects killed so many of mine. So I suggest you turn around and go back to your own home.''
A second orange and black dragon steps up beside the first one. Queen Cochineal is no longer our queen, he snarls. ''We serve Queen Wasp now.''
Wasp? I blink. I would have expected the hotheaded Bloodworm to make an attempt for the throne first.
Monarch... Peacock gestures at the thousands of HiveWings that haven't yet spoken. They're advancing slowly but steadily, growing dangerously close to our borders. I wonder why they don't just rush forward, ignore me and Peacock, kill all the SilkWings.
That's clearly what they want to do.
And I'm sure and certain Queen Wasp is heartless enough to finish what her mother started.
So why haven't they done it already? Why are they tiptoeing forwards quietly, carefully?
Are they taunting me?
I feel the hot orange glands in my wrists twitch as anger surges down my spine, and I ready myself for an attack. But the leading dragon speaks before I can strike.
Queen Wasp has sent us here because we have a proposition for you and for all the SilkWings.
I frown, my claws curling back in and my silk retreating back into its firey home --- for the moment. ''Go on.''
''She, um...'' The dragon hesitates, glances back at her companions as if she's unsure if she's responsible enough to inform the SilkWing queen, and then blurts out: ''Queen Wasp has requested to take your place as queen of the SilkWings.''
''What?! Peacock screeches, and for once I don't hush them. I'm just as shocked. I would have expected a massacre, maybe a battle between us. Not this. What Queen Wasp is asking is a insult to my honor, implying that I'm not strong enough to take care of my own civilains.
Or she's just a new queen, greedily testing her newfound power over an entire tribe.
''No.'' I say blankly. The HiveWings aren't surprised --- why would they be?
''No, I repeat, louder, stronger than before. Go. Home. Tell your queen that this is wrong. There have always been three queens since the time of Clearsight, and there always will be.''
A golden HiveWing, considerably larger than the others, steps forward. Leave her, she growls. There will be another time, another chance to make her see sense. For now, let's see if Sequoia will agree to help improve Pantala.
They're going to ask Queen Sequoia too.
She'll never agree. She's a free spirit, able to think for herself. She's young, and quick-thinking --- I saw her once before, and she looked so happy to finally be queen, to take control and make her tribe the best it could be.
She doesn't deserve this.
As the HiveWings turn and follow the older one, the one that just spoke, back into the depths of their own kingdom, planning to enter the LeafWing border the way they entered ours, I turn back to Peacock. They catch my eye, guess my thoughts. Their eyes widen, and they shake their head vigorously. Monarch...you can't be thinking that...
''I think so,'' I whisper. ''I'm going to warn the LeafWings. Come on, let's go home --- I'll arrange a group of SilkWings to travel around to their border.''
== Chapter Three ==
The SilkWings gape at me as I annouce my decision. Peacock is nestled in the perfect middle of the multicolored crowd, wings tucked up neatly, head tilting towards me. Their expression is skeptical, but they've already stopped complaining. They trust me entirely, like all the others.
I hope I'm not messing this up, sending my own dragons on a sucicidal mission instead of a rescue one. I thought this out on the way back, and I'm still failing to find any flaws that might allow the HiveWings to attack us, when we can't afford to lose any more dragons.
But yet...
One of my subjects, a middle-aged male SilkWing with yellowish-white scales, voices my own doubts in a voice dark with worry: ''No offense, Your Majesty, but are you sure judging on your own is a good idea? Shouldn't we allow the subjects to play a part in this decision, since they'll be playing out the results, and not just you, me, and Peacock? The possibilty of three dragons all agreeing on the wrong choice is small, but not nonexistent.''
It would be the right thing to do. For all of us.
Yet I'm not going to do it. I'd like to say it's because I have a better plan, a way to get through this with all of us safe and sound. But I don't. I'm avoiding letting the SilkWings themselves choose because I'm afraid that most of them will vote on leaving the poor LeafWings to deal with the impending disaster themselves, and if I try to attempt it after that I'll seem like a cold, callous ruler that doesn't care about her subjects.
But if that is what they would choose, shouldn't you listen instead of plotting otherwise? a small voice reasons at the back of my mind. Do you care about Queen Sequoia's dragons more than you do your own?
I don't. I don't.
Do I?
I shake off my doubts. Even if I decided that I'm wrong, it's now much too late to swallow my words. Besides, it would be much more reassuring to the SilkWings if they thought I had even the faintest idea of what I was doing. I can do better next time, but for now I'd better get the show started and hope for the best.
I'm sure, I tell the SilkWing, and turn to the crowd. Any volunteers for this mission?
* * *
An hour later, we're nearing LeafWing territory, our wingbeats the only sound in the quiet air. I feel lucky, as we've unfortunately given the HiveWings enough time to arrive before us. Maybe something held them back, like it held us. Even so, our time may still be limited, so I quicken my speed as I lead the troop in a large V shape.
I wasn't able to summon a large crowd of SilkWings for this, as I expected, but it's still decent enough to be called a troop, mainly made up of steadfast, young dragons with a desprate lust for drama and battle.
This is one of the few times I wish to let someone down.
And then there's Peacock, the co-leader of this mission along with the SilkWing who spoke up earlier. The two of them are flying at my left and right, as a sort of bodyguard as well as lookout force. 
And it's the other SilkWing who spots the first LeafWing as we pull over a darker patch of forest. He's asleep, legs tucked under his belly, tail resting on his nose, the leafy tip fluttering gently as he snores. I hate to wake him, but as it has to be done, I might as well be brief.
Hello. The dragon starts as I call from overhead. He jumps to his feet, and scans the sky, eyes widening in alarm as he spots us, a streak of bright rainbow shades in the creamy blue sky.
''Queen Monarch! I---'' He stops, glances at the bare patch of ground around him, and frowns slightly. ''Can I be of assistance? Take you to Queen Sequoia, perhaps?''
I think he knows more than he's letting on.
Very well, I say. But first, tell me your name.
The LeafWing raises an eyebrow, probably wondering why a formidable SilkWing queen wants to know such a small thing. But he answers me anyway. It's Hawthorn, your majesty.
In truth, I asked for Hawthorn's name because he's going to be our only guide through this dark and dense woods. If he misleads my subjects into a bad situation, I want to know who to report to Sequoia the next time we see her. Better not to trust any dragons from foreign tribes too much.
''Lead me to her,'' I order, and the LeafWing shoots off into the forest. ''Slower!''
He freezes and turns around ruefully. Not everyone can fly as fast as you, I say.
Although I wish we could. Every second is precious right now. What if we're too late?
 Hawthorn resumes his flight, only slow enough to allow us to follow. ''Perfect,'' I call, and lead my dragons after the mysterious LeafWing to Queen Sequoia's castle.
== Chapter Four ==
The dragon queen's castle barely fits its name. The vine walls are rotten, as if the kingdom's leafspeakers aren't tending to their roots anymore. When I look up, young, flightless dragonets are climbing the vines, causing them to shake badly, and the guards at first appear unconcerned about their safety, but I see their tails twitch and their claws tighten on their thorny spears. For some reason, Queen Sequoia is keeping the guards from saving the dragonets.
That does not bode well for her common sense.
I inhale deeply and push through the front door after Hawthorn anyway.
* * *
Have you brought visitors?
I hear Queen Sequoia before I see her. She has a voice that's still quite immature, as if it might belong to a young dragonet. Indeed, that would have been what you'd call Sequoia only a mere three years before. She looks...unintimidating, frankly, as she sits atop the traditional LeafWing throne, carved from the roots of an enormous tree, gently teased bit by bit by the leafspeakers to curl that way.
I really hope Sequoia isn't going to be as submissive to the HiveWings as her throne was to dragon influence.
Queen Sequoia, I say flatly, trying to get to the point quickly. Word from the HiveWings. They want control of my territory.
''I don't see what the problem is?'' Sequoia frowns, then hisses. ''Don't tell me you want help fighting them!''
I sigh. Bad start.
Firstly, no. There's not going to be a fight. And second, there might be a problem for you, at least, because they want your territory too.''
The queen of the LeafWings freezes. Her tail-tip stops twitching.
''Your Majesty?'' Hawthorn asks, concerned. He prods his queen in the left arm, in a non-too-gentle fashion that suggests he's had to rescue her many times before. ''Are you alright?''
Yes. Sequoia says quietly. I take that as a sign to continue.
''But you shouldn't give it up, you see? There's a new HiveWing queen --- Queen Wasp --- and she doesn't seem like such a good dragon---''
I cringe at my bumbling self, but this is important.
And only Clearsight knows what she'd do with our homes once she's got control of them. I finish. Where would our civilians live?
Exactly. I whirl around, and Queen Sequoia's eyes fix on a spot beyond my head as a new voice sounds at the entrance to the LeafWing Royal Palace. A tall, female, regal-looking HiveWing is standing there. Darkish yellow scales, with vivid black stripes like a sort of poisonous murder hornet.
Or a---
''Wasp!'' Hawthorn hisses in Sequoia's ear.
I can recogonize her, I have eyes, thank you very much, Queen Sequoia snaps, then addresses the HiveWing queen. ''What brings you here? She asks, though I'm sure she already knows from what I managed to tell her just now.
Queen Wasp does not choose to answer this, but instead responds with a question of her own: ''Do you wish to make Pantala a better place?''
That depends, Sequoia growls. Do you mean actually doing something to help us here, or handing over yet another thing to satisfy your appetite for power?
The HiveWing appears unbothered by the insult. But I see her tail flick slightly, perhaps calling more dragons with deadly weapons to where she stands. I want to tell Sequoia to be more careful, but I don't want to risk drawing attention to myself.
I see I made a mistake by letting Monarch here come and share her prejudiced opinions, Wasp hisses. She's always been jealous of us HiveWings, just like every SilkWing queen before her, purely because we have powers that her tribe doesn't.
So much for that plan.
I see Sequoia's gaze dart briefly to me, then hurriedly back to Wasp again when she notices I'm looking back. She can't be considering what Wasp is saying, right? Surely not...
It suddenly occurs to me that all three of the Pantalian queens are right here, in this room, basically unprotected. If someone decided to pull a fast one on someone else, then an entire royal bloodline would end right here. That train of thought doesn't exactly help my already heighted blood pressure.
''You know that's not true!'' I cry.
Actually, Queen Sequoia says, I don't. As I gape at her and Wasp smirks triumphantly, she adds, But that doesn't mean I'm going to take you up on your offer, Wasp. Guards, escort both of them from the premises.
''No!'' Wasp and I snarl at the same time. I hoped to make sure Sequoia wouldn't succumb to pressure and give up her land, as the HiveWings were sure to pressure her.
And it looks like I haven't exactly made her a friend. If I set foot in her kingdom again, I'm sure to be chased away with no further questions. I have to stay!
Out of the corner of my eye I see a troop of LeafWings edging in towards Peacock, who is hissing furiously.
''Queen Sequoia, just listen!'' I plead. But the queen just narrows her eyes at me. ''I've listened enough.''
''You don't understand! Queen Wasp will certainly use force to make you give up your land, and kill as many of your dragons as possible to get it. Mine, too! We have to stick together, make sure that we won't be destroyed. We must---''
It suddenly occurs to me that just maybe we shouldn't be discussing this in front of said HiveWing queen. I turn to figure out how much she heard, but she's already gone. No trace of her anywhere.
I got rid of her, Sequoia waves dismissively. You would be wise to take after her and flee.
== Chapter Five ==
Queen Monarch? Are you here?
I raise my head with a sigh. Five weeks have passed since that unsavory confrontation. Since then there's been no news from either the HiveWing or LeafWing kingdoms.
It just seems...off. I thought that as soon as we came back, panicked scouts would be rushing to us saying that the line of HiveWings were back at the border. Instead we're faced with...this. Not even a black and yellow scale anywhere near us. It isn't right.
It's also strange that Queen Sequoia wouldn't listen. I knew that I was pretty annoying that day, but surely not enough to be completely ignored. But yet, she seemed so cold and distant then, when she was so friendly the last time I saw her, three months ago.
Not just that. She seemed...troubled, too. Like there was something she was hiding. Something important.
What could it be?
Yes, come in, I sigh. My subjects would only worry if I turned every dragon who came to my bedroom doors away, and so far I've already dismissed a general, a chef who was a bit too nosy for my taste, and Peacock, who wanted my opinion on the new necklace that their jeweler made for them.
But I'm hardly in the mood to talk about official business, much less chat mindlessly about fancy things, even though my partner loves them.
The dragon slowly pushes open the door, and I see that it's Mormon, my advisor. He's come to see me every day so far, and I let him come --- I could really use some advising right now --- but so far he's only told me things like follow your heart, you'll always do the best for all of us. I'm tempted to tell him that if I could follow my heart, I wouldn't have hired him.
Plus, his constant reminding that I'm responsible for the fate of an entire tribe isn't exactly helping my nerves.
''Here to talk to me about how I should be doing your job?'' I ask with a wry smile. Mormon shakes his head, unpreturbed by my comment. He frowns at the large window in my wall, the one that looks out to the ocean. ''I'm here with some news. General Tetra was patrolling near the HiveWing border---''
The H word gets me. I jump off my canopy bed, and practically grab my advisor by the throat. Not a very queenly gesture, I'm willing to admit. ''What in the name of Clearsight happened?!''
Mormon chokes, and I realize I may be more powerful than I previously thought. I back off with an apologetic shrug, then request that he tell me everything.
Everything isn't pretty.
Apparently General Tetra was just about to return from a patrol at the HiveWing border, when suddenly a group of Wasp's dragons sprang out of an underground trapdoor where they were clearly waiting in, pinned my best general down into the earth headfirst, and told that if any SilkWings tried to stop them they'd crack his skull open. (I wince at that.)
And when I ask Mormon if Tetra didn't bring enough dragons, he shakes his head and says that the general brought around fifty, but none of them were flamesilks, and most were either too young, too old, or too cowardly to take action.
Then, when they had thoroughly terrified my subjects, they still refused to let Tetra go. In fact, they dragged him kicking and screaming back inland and out of sight.
Wait, I hiss. ''Back up. They took Tetra?''
Mormon nodded regretfully. One of them also allegedly yelled something about not letting him go until you agreed to give up your place on the throne to Queen Wasp.
For a few moments the only sound is the rushing stream flowing through the floor of my room. The water is rushing fast, but my thoughts surpass it by a long way. This move is a new low, even for Wasp. To hold our best general for ransom...to leave our kingdom practically unguarded without his calm orders...perhaps this is also the HiveWings' method of trying to provoke us, to make me, the SilkWing queen, so angry that I send my entire fighting force to save General Tetra.
Right into the waiting talons and teeth and stingers of Queen Wasp's soldiers.
I spot a large yellowish dragonfly zipping above the stream. It dips across the surface of the water, sending tiny ripples across the fragile surface. As I watch, a purple butterfly flutters towards the water, perhaps drawn by the small movements. The dragonfly doesn't hesitate. It dives towards the butterfly, its cruel jaws opening and shutting right on the creature's minuscule neck.
The butterfly never had a chance. The dragonfly was just too big, too powerful, too sly for it to resist.
Mormon is looking at the two insects as well. And as I lift my gaze to him, he returns it. He knows very well what I'm thinking --- that if I send any SilkWings after General Tetra, they'll befall the same fate as that unfortunate butterfly.
''No,'' my advisor whispers. ''You can't do--- you have to save---''
I'm sorry, I say quietly. But I can't send help for General Tetra. That's what Queen Wasp wants. And I certainly won't back down and give her my kingdom, either. If I do either, the only thing that will happen is that more dragons, more innocent SilkWings, will die.
Isn't Tetra worth it? Yes, of course. Tetra is worth more than every risk you could think of put together. But Tetra won't be spared from any dreadful results of my sacrifice either. He'll be demoted at best, killed at worst, if Queen Wasp becomes the ruler. We can't save him. We can only stop others from perishing needlessly.
Mormon opens his mouth in protest, then realizes that he has no arguements anymore. Wings drooping, he leaves. He's halfway out the door when he turns and asks: ''Should I let Your Majesty's partner Peacock break the news?''
Yes, I say. I know this is my responsibilty, but I'm just...too tired to be a queen to my subjects right now. Perhaps a couple hours of rest will clear my head and help me see a solution that isn't obvious right now. Hopeful thinking, but if I only think logically I won't be able to come up with anything.
Mormon shuts the door with a last backward glance. I stare at the polished silver for a few moments, then collapse back onto my bed and slowly, steadily, regally, cry myself to sleep.
== Chapter Six ==
I can feel the stares of all the other SilkWings fixed on me as I walk out of the palace gates. They're waiting there, as if they want me to say something. What is it?
Peacock rushes up to me. Didn't you talk to them? I hiss.
I did. Peacock mutters.
Then why are they looking at me like that?
They need their queen for a formal converstation with the vistors, Peacock says simply.
And that's all that they need to say. I clutch my head with my talons. A profound headache is setting in now. Vistors AGAIN?! So soon?! It's as if there's a great Clearsight-ish force writing out our story, but they're out of ideas and is instead repeating the dramatic scenes over and over again. Why can't the other tribes leave us alone?
Very well, I sigh through my teeth. Take me to them.
* * *
The vistor is Sequoia, not Wasp. She's brought a decent grouping of dragons with her, including, I note with surprise, Hawthorn --- the LeafWing I first met when I went to the Leaf Kingdom. Sequoia herself doesn't appear nearly as grumpy as she was the last time we met --- in fact, she looks as joyful as a dragonet sitting on a mountain of sweets.
''Great news!'' She says, smirking happily. ''Tell them, Hawthorn.''
Well, I wouldn't call it great news,'' Hawthorn mutters. ''This strain is still fairly weak, and we can't be sure it will cooperate, and---''
Please. Tell. Them. Sequoia hisses, through gritted teeth.
''Okay.'' Hawthorn inhales deeply, and I feel sorry for him --- it certainly isn't easy living with such a capricious queen --- but what he says next takes my mind off that completely. ''We've found a new strain of plant, that seems to have magical powers.''
Magic? Peacock gapes at the LeafWing, unable to comprehend what he is saying. Isn't magic a dragonet's tale?
I thought so too, SilkWing, Hawthorn murmurs. But apparently what the plant has been telling me speaks otherwise.
What the plant has been...telling you? I say. You're a leafspeak?
''One of the best in the kingdom,'' Queen Sequoia boasts, then adds, ''What info this mystery plant has been telling Hawthorn here is that it has a special power --- to allow whoever eats the leaves to gain control the minds of living beings.''
For an instant, nobody speaks. The incredulous feeling in the air is so thick I could slice it with one of my claws.
Then, Peacock splutters: ''Do you...have any proof?''
''Not quite,'' Hawthorn admits. ''But the plant would have no reason to lie about it. And guess what we could use this thing for?'' He pulls a fairly ordinary-looking root out of a pouch slung over his shoulder. However, what he says next surprises me more than any appearance of a supposed magical root ever could. ''We could use it to control Wasp, make her call off her soldiers, stop possible attacks on both our kingdoms. What do you think of this plan, Queen Monarch?''
Peacock is already hissing frantically at my ear before Hawthorn finishes his sentence. ''Monarch, you just can't agree. I--''
I cut them off with a gentle but firm push in the opposite direction and a reply their way: ''I know, Peacock. I won't.'' Then I turn to Sequoia and her leafspeaker: ''Suppose Hawthorn is right about this plant. That it genuinely wants to help us, that there's enough of it to have a lasting effect on an adult dragon such as Queen Wasp, and if it --- and this is fairly unlikely --- can actually control minds. Even if all three of these things are true, this is just...wrong. Simple as that. Nobody should control another dragon, shut off their own thoughts, take their body away from them. Even to someone as evil as Wasp, doing something like this is never justified.''
Why not? Sequoia demands. She wouldn't think twice to allowing this if she was in our scales.
''The importance,'' Peacock cuts in, ''is not what she would do in our scales, but that we should keep out of hers. If we mind-control her, we'll be just as bad as she is.''
I blink gratefully at my partner. Much as I normally hate it when they poke their nose into official business, I'm glad they did now. I couldn't have found a better response.
''The importance, Sequoia hisses, is the survival of our tribe. If we just decide to sit around twitching our tails doing nothing, we won't live to complain about keeping ourselves heroes. And neither will the tribes we rule over. We'll be buried in some wet dirt somewhere, while tiny beasts feast on our remains. Even if we banded ourselves together, we're still no match for thousands, pushing tens of thousands, of HiveWings.''
Alright. So the moral arguement isn't appealing to her. Time to try a different approach.
Exactly, I say. What if this plant turns on you once it's successfully helped you defeat Wasp? Perhaps it only wants to see mayhem spread all over Pantala, without caring whose side wins.
That can't be possible, Hawthorn argues.
And what makes you say that you can trust a thing you essentially found lying around? Peacock and I challenge at the same time.
''Well, there's---'' The LeafWing's indignant reply breaks off as he realizes he has no reasons ready.
Very well. Sequoia sniffs. I came here in the hope that you'd help me with this, despite the obnoxious way you behaved before. But if you're just going to pick out problems, then maybe coming here wasn't worth the effort. Come on, Hawthorn. We are leaving.
''Wait!'' I yell. Hawthorn looks back and smiles at me. ''Don't waste your time, Your Majesty. She can't be persuaded.''
They disappear behind the trees of LeafWing territory.
== Chapter Seven ==
Your Majesty, you've got to stop.
I look up. How did I not notice Mormon entering my bedroom?
I can pace if I like, I tell him. Now that Sequoia has supposedly taken action to try to stop Wasp, but it's likely failing and I haven't heard a peep from either queen since, I have good reason to.
Yes, but how will that help? Mormon asks. You've been walking in endless circles in your bedroom since midnight last night, but I bet that Sequoia isn't any wiser about the dangers that might lie in wait if she messes with foreign living beings, and that Wasp isn't any more concerned about the welfare of anyone other than herself.
I know you're right, I sigh. I guess I've just needed to keep myself busy, so I can focus on the speed, length, and sound of my talonsteps and avoid thinking about all the ways Sequoia could make this already difficult situation a thousand times worse.
''At least it can get worse, he offers. That's good, at least.''
I peer at him. Sometimes I have no idea if he's serious or sarcastic or just trying to lighten the mood with a tasteless joke.
Sometimes I just want to be able to take a break from being queen, I say. I know thoughts like these are wrong, that I chose to challenge my sister and I need to live with the concequences. But I didn't picture it...quite like this. I'm not sure I'm talking to Mormon anymore now. My subjects have it easy. They have a queen, a guide, someone they can turn to if they don't know what to do. But what about me? If I'm confused and lost, who can I turn to?
Well, you have me and Peacock, Mormon offers.
It's just not the same. You and Peacock can't rule the kingdom for me.
We can help, though. Mormon smiles, but it quickly fades. What are you going to do when the HiveWings come to us and try to take away everything we've ever known? Fight?
Impossible, I sigh. Many of our soldiers are already pushing a retiring age, and we don't have nearly enough trainees. And how could I ask more young dragons to join the army, when it means potentially dying in the following battles?
The flamesilk won't be of much help, either, I continue. Even though sun silk is hot enough to cause severe burns, it's all still just silk. The time that a SilkWing would take to produce a single thread of flamesilk is by far enough for a HiveWing to stab or bite them multiple times. We could store it in jars before the battle, yes, but in the confusion of all the fighting dragons, many jars would fall into the talons of our enemies. And the last thing we need is to give the HiveWings yet another advantage over us. The flames in the silk would quickly chill well pre-battle anyway in the cold savanna air.''
Wow, Mormon says. You thought all this out before?
''I've thought everything out before.'' I clench my teeth together tightly --- my stupid herbivore teeth, that couldn't bite through tough HiveWing scales even if I clamped them together like this a billon times. ''But I need to believe that I haven't. There just has to be a way to win this war. I just need time to find it.''
Yes, well... Mormon's speech trails off, and I narrow my eyes at him. You're hiding something.
''I am not!'' Mormon protests, a little too loudly for it to be true.
I won't judge you, I say calmly. ''Say it, whatever it is.''
Okay, then. He inhales deeply. Have you considered just giving up your kingdom to Wasp, instead of fighting?
''What?!'' I'm caught off guard, and nearly topple into the stream in my shock. When I recover, I demand, trying to keep my voice steady: ''Why would you think I'd give up my subjects and my kingdom to a cruel queen that has already by far proved that she couldn't care less about the dragons she already rules over?''
I don't know, he shrugs. I'm just thinking about what you said, about wishing to pass the queenship to someone else.
''Not this way!'' I hiss. ''Won't she destroy me and my subjects as soon as she gets the power?''
Almost certainly not, Mormon points out. She's mainly doing this because she got a slight taste of power and is hungry for more. She wouldn't reduce this power by killing dragons needlessly, unless she needs to let off steam. And although she wouldn't have any problem about killing you on merit alone, doing so puts her at risk, as everyone in Pantala knows how skilled of a fighter Your Majesty is.'' 
Yeah, but... I trail off, suddenly shocked speechless as I realize that I can't find another reason. 
Silence. 
Then I burst out, ''Get out, Mormon! GO AWAY! And never come back! I don't want to hear any more of your stupid ideas!'' 
What breaks my heart most is that he doesn't even try to defend himself. He simply dips his head and leaves the room, obviously trying and failing to hide the hurt trudge in his step. But almost as soon as my former advisor's talonsteps fade away, a light springy one replaces it. It's Peacock, of course. I should have known. 
Migrator? Peacock's nickname for me sounds strange in the serious air. They poke their head in, their antennae curling forward in surprise as they see my expression. Why the long face?
I just sort of fired Mormon. I say quietly.
Wow. Why?
I don't know. I just...
Will they understand this?
He said something I didn't like. But now I'm more angry with myself than I ever was with him. Do you think I did the right thing?
Depends. Peacock's eyes narrow. What did he say?
He said...that maybe I should make actually giving up my kingdom to Wasp an option to consider.
You were right, then. Peacock twines their tail around mine. Giving up hope isn't possible.
It could happen.
I mean it isn't morally possible. Not physically. Just handing this magnificent place we all live in to Wasp is like giving a spoiled dragonet candy. She's already gotten enough, and she shouldn't be wanting more.''
I shake my head. All this time everyone has been telling me that I am right and Wasp is wrong. But what if it's actually the other way around? Who's to say she wouldn't be a better queen than me? I murmur. She'd be able to protect us from whatever nasty thing Sequoia and Hawthorn are planning to release...
And pit all of us into the danger over and over again to make sure it's perfectly safe before she sets one tiny pinky claw on the grounds? No thank you. Peacock's tail is so tightly curled around mine it's starting to ache a little now. Listen, Monarch. I know you're the best queen of the SilkWings. You wouldn't let us get hurt.
And yet, I let Tetra get hurt, by refusing to send out a rescue party for him. 
You've got to learn to gain confidence in yourself, Monarch, Peacock says. 
I think all my confidence in myself vanished the moment this thing was placed on my head, I reply, tapping my crown. 
''Well, if you don't realize how amazing you are, then too bad,'' Peacock smiles. ''Because I think --- no, I know this --- even if you're not a perfect queen, you're the best queen. For me and for every other SilkWing, you're our only hope.'' 
== Chapter Eight ==
You're the best queen.
You wouldn't let us get hurt.
You're our only hope.
How are Peacock's words still echoing softly in my head, so long after they said them? You'd think that they'd lose their impact a couple months after. But no. If anything, these expectations are ringing louder and louder now that I grow less and less sure I can live up to them. I'd like to say Queen Wasp kept up the silence she was holding, but since I fired Mormon, I have an uncanny suspicion she picked up on my insecurities without my trusted advisor by my side, as ever since she's been setting her kingdom borders further and further inland, using cruel methods to punish any SilkWings that try to stop them. I know she's been killing or kidnapping dragons, too, as many of my subjects have simply disappeared without a trace there. But I have no further proof except countless grieving or worrying familes that are terrified for the fate that may have befallen their partners, dragonets, siblings.
A scream pierces my thoughts. I jump off my throne and race out the castle door. The gates swing open and then shut quickly as two dragons carry a third, bloody and lifeless, into my royal garden. My stomach flips as I recognize him.
''Mormon!'' I howl, then turn, furious, to the pair of SilkWings that brought his body here. ''Why did he die?''
Part of me is hopeful that he's just unconcious, but that hope fizzles out as one of the dragons looks at me sadly and says, He was checking the borders. Alone. He thought it was his fault that he was fired, so he wanted to make up for it by helping to keep the kingdom safe.
My fault. Mormon's death was my fault. If I hadn't exploded because he'd touched a sensitive area that day, I could've talked to him. Told him how much he meant to me. Then he would've known he didn't need to 'prove' anything to be 'worthy', when his firing had been unjust.
How could I have been so selfish? To think about my own worth when my fomer advisor was suffering right in front of me?
There is something else, Your Majesty, the other SilkWing says after a few minutes' pause. We saw the HiveWings that killed him. Their eyes...
What? I say halfheartedly.
''Well, their eyes...they were white. Pure white. No pupils, no iris. And they were all so...aligned together. Like there was a force controlling them all, a force that wasn't themselves at all.''
A force that wasn't themselves at all.
Suddenly, I know what is happening to the HiveWings. And I know how it happened --- because of a fatal mistake on someone's part.
''Go spread the word!'' I snarl. ''Tell all the soldiers to meet at the castle gates within an hour. The trainees too. Tell them to say their goodbyes to their families like it's the last time they'll be together, because it might be.''
The SilkWings' eyes stretch wide in horrified excitement. Are you going to avenge Mormon?
Yes, I am. But first, we're going to make a stop by Queen Sequoia's home. And I need to bury him. I look down at the dark golden body smeared with mud, grief again spiking my anger and worry. My tail flicks, enough of a sign to let the two SilkWings leave and carry out my orders.
Never would I have thought that when Queen Wasp had already set the stakes high enough, Queen Sequoia would come to, accidentally or not, push them into the clouds.
* * *
I've already explained everything to my subjects.
We're trudging in silence through the trees of the foresty part of Pyrrhia. We lost the mood to fly a while ago. For some reason, nobody is here to greet us this time.
And what is that faint thudding and crashing sound in the distance?
Only my imagination, I hope.
* * *
The thudding and crashing was not my imagination. The HiveWings are cutting down the forests that have sheltered the LeafWings and been their pride and joy for so, so, long. All the offending dragons are white-eyed, just like in the description of Mormon's murderers earlier.
I would be shocked, but I can no longer feel any emotion other than rage and sadness.
Your home. I say flatly to Queen Sequoia, who is being forced into a tightly bound group along with all the other LeafWings by the HiveWings that aren't cutting down the trees. They are in shock. Most are crying, not only tears of sorrow, but also of helplessness and a deep, dark, anger.
Oh. You care about us after all. Sequoia says, not turning her gaze from the awful spectacle. Surprise of the year.
I'm sorry, I say quietly. I can't imagine what you're going through. A pause. Can we just be allies, for now?
Sure, if you want. There's a touch of bitter sarcasam to her voice. ''And because friends tell each other everything, yes, I did try to mind-control Wasp. I put the root in her food.'' She gestures to the pale-eyed crowd of black, red, and yellow dragons. ''Obviously, I now regret that decison. I sent Hawthorn away too, until he finds a cure to this thing.''
''No, please, don't!'' I say frantically. ''Do you know what happened when I fired my advisor because he accidentally upset me? He was killed by Queen Wasp.''
Sequoia quickly changes the subject. So. Are we fighting?
I'm about to say Of course, when I suddenly decide to go with the truth. I don't know. Are you?
''What do you mean, you aren't sure?!'' The LeafWing queen's eyes blaze, and she rears herself up, suddenly looking as regal as anyone could look. ''I am fighting. To the end.''
== Chapter Nine ==
You're here.
Queen Wasp is circling us. She seems to be inspecting the dragons I've brought with me. For some reason, I can't bring myself to meet her blazing golden gaze. 
You've finished destroying everything my subjects have ever known. Sequoia's voice is tight. 
Yes, the HiveWing hisses. Thank you for so helpfully giving me the Othermind. 
So that's what it is called. Sequoia raises her voice. Just a bit. So, Wasp, do you have any defence for trying to take over Pantala? 
''Yes, I do.'' She smirks. ''A two-thousand year old defence, in fact.'' 
My stomach twists uneasily. What do you mean? 
Did you know, Queen Wasp murmurs, that it is written in the Book of Clearsight that our dear godly ancestor forsaw the HiveWings ruling our continent, and wished it to be so? 
What? 
Yes, she muses calmly as Sequoia and I are shocked stiff, Clearsight always preferred us HiveWings to you two.
Sequoia is saying something about Wasp being a stupid liar.
Wasp is angrily defending herself, her wings flaring and buzzing like fury.
I am deaf and blind to the world. Mormon was right.
Peacock was wrong.
I was always the wrong choice for SilkWing queen. I thought that when I challenged my sister, she let me win because she thought I deserved it, that she finally loved me as much as she should have, as family. But no. She did it because she hated me more than I could ever have imagined. She knew that I'd lead my own tribe to its demise. 
But I don't have to. What if I just...give up? What if I leave a chance for the SilkWings to live? They'll be prisoners, yes, but they'll be alive. 
And with life, hopefully, comes hope that at a point in the future, a dragon actually fit for greatness will lead them out of this dark place. But if I stand stubborn, we'll be wiped out. Gone. With no hope that sometime, greater times will come for us. 
I can't be a queen anymore. I can't pretend I'm a great leader any longer. 
I'm sorry, Peacock, Mormon, Sequoia, Hawthorn, and all the SilkWings and LeafWings. Even the HiveWings --- I know not all of you want bloodshed. I know that some of you are still good at heart. 
But I have to do this.
I return to reality. Somehow, during the time I was realizing this, Sequoia and Wasp were coming to blows. One of Sequoia's horns is snapped in two, and Wasp's snout has a long bloody slash.
''Wait!'' I call.
They turn their heads torward me.
I take a deep breath, and prepare to raise the white flag.
T H E E N D 
Thank you for reading :) 
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Semi-Canon)
Category:Genre (Short Story)
Category:Content (~warmbluevanilla~)
Category:Fanfictions (Completed)