The Mixed Scales

= Wings Of Fire =
== The Mixed Scales ==
==== by big brain#0631 ====
Please note!This is a fanbook! It's not official or made by the creator of Wings Of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland. 
CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST ARC: THE DRAGONET PROPHECY - THE BRIGHTEST NIGHT!!!
== Prologue ==
The couple was furious. Yes, they made a happy family but one of their eggs was missing. They both knew someone stole it, as they lived in a cave, far away from any other tribes. When they first saw the missing spot in the nest, at first they hoped it accidentally rolled somewhere, but soon the nightmare of getting their dragonet stolen became very real.
“Oh, this clearly isn’t real.” Snowstorm said, staring at the mountain tips from a cave seated at the bottom. Magma didn’t answer him but only turned around to the nest with only 5 eggs remaining. She did feel pain, possibly Snowstorm going through it even more as he left his own queen to raise his children.
“Let’s just pray to the moons that it will live. Maybe it will someday wonder about it’s parents and come back. Someday.” The Skywing said and twinned her tail with his, close to the nest calming those painful feelings.
Meanwhile, in the Sky Kingdom, a Skywing guard was fastly flapping his wings through the sky. The Skywing Queen gave an order to prepare for stealing Skywing eggs that are supposed to hatch on the brightest night. He was carrying a pale red egg back to the castle in his front talons. Queen Scarlet was sitting on her throne; wings spread open and was tiredly hearing some news from another guard.
"Your Majesty!" The guard suddenly bursted into the room, holding the egg in his claws. Both dragons looked at him, Queen Scarlet having an unamused expression.
"What's this now?" She asked, pointing to the "weird" egg the guard was holding. And by weird it was it's pale look, because Skywing eggs are red or orange, not a mix of pink and red.
"It's the Skywing egg you requested. I found it in a cave under the Jade Mountain." He explained, making both Scarlet and the guard in front of her sigh in disappointment.
"The brightest night is one year away, you idiot. Besides, it's a completely different colour from Skywing eggs, go drop it somewhere." Queen declared uninterested, she could just crush it herself but she was already tired from the boresome talking she received.
And so, the guard flew out of the castle, over the arena and to the nearest ground he could find. He truly didn't want to leave it here, but he forgot where exactly was the cave he found the egg in and possibly would die, since he saw a Skywing fly into the cave right after he snatched it - possibly the mother of the hatchling he was abandoning now.
"I'm sorry." The guard said to the pale red shell and placed it in a bush, quickly flying back to the castle.
But it started to crack.
== Chapter 1 ==
Eight years later...
Aurora wasn’t really a good-described dragon. She was usually called “weird” by other dragonets. It’s only because she was a hybrid, unlike dragons from their signed tribe. At first glance, Aurora looked like a typical Skywing, yet the longer you look at the way her body is built, you’ll realize she’s also an Icewing. Because of her looks, she isn’t quite welcome in the Sky Kingdom, currently ruled by Queen Scarlet. Some Skywings even dare to say that Queen Burn would like her in her palace.
Her scales are bright red and pink, unlike other Skywings that she had to live with. Even though Aurora had to deal with a lot of trouble in the Sky Kingdom, she also owned a few special weapons as a hybrid to her advance. The Icewing blood gave her spikes at the back of her neck and spikes as well on her tail. Aurora really doesn’t like the way Queen Scarlet or one of the guards sometimes look at her during arena battles, as she's a few centimeters taller than other Skywings and grows sharp Icewing talons.
Now that she’s on the way back to her cave, one of the Skywing guards flew to her mid-air.
“Queen Scarlet orders a private session with you.” The guard said and grabbed Aurora with one of his talons, pulling her in the air. They flew through the giant construction, finally getting in front of a large opened entrance.
“Is it really necessary?” She said with a little fear in her voice, already thinking of the answer as to why she was called. Aurora was getting killed, wasn't she?
“An order is an order.” The guard replied - not really giving an answer - and quickly moved Aurora to the ground in front of Queen Scarlet’s throne.
“Oh, you finally decided to visit us, little weird creature.” The Queen said, spreading her wings on her throne. Yet Aurora only bowed to her majesty and listened in silence.
“Are you scared? Oh, don’t worry, I’m not here to send you anywhere. At least not yet” Queen Scarlet continued. “I only would like to see you in action at my arena. Everyone looks at you differently for your body, you odd-looking Skywing. I wonder if you shoot a mix of frostbreath and fire, that would be thrilling to see!”
Aurora stayed silent, since she wasn’t given the right to speak and only looked at the queen in front of her.
“Speak!” Queen Scarlet roared and breathed a big cloud of smoke around her horns.
“I’m sorry to inform you, your majesty, but I barely can breath any fire. It mostly comes out as smoke and nothing else.” Aurora replied, slightly surprising Queen Scarlet, as Aurora’s voice sounded really smooth and kind, even though she looked menacing & terrifying.
“That’s sad, I hoped you would put up a show for others. But at least you have other things that you can use.” Queen Scarlet answered and made a claw movement, showing Aurora to come closer to her as she stepped down from her throne.
“You little, little weird Skywing” Scarlet said, putting her claw in Aurora’s claw and gripping it hard. 
“I suppose you will be heading into your cave and I’ll see you tomorrow in the arena. I will actually wish you to not pass away, weird thing.” Queen Scarlet growled and pointed her talon to the opening of her giant castle “Out!”
== Chapter 2 ==
Aurora didn’t really get any sleep last night, as she was thinking about what will happen today.  She even felt more uncomfortable as Queen Scarlet greeted her personally and explained how the fight would go. Apparently Aurora had to have her wings locked so her enemy won’t be left out. Now she was currently in the arena that she used to watch herself, hearing all the other Skywings cheer at her or at her upcoming enemy. Looking up at the pillars on the arena, she saw a Mudwing, Seawing and a Nightwing currently sitting on them. All she really hoped for right now is not fighting someone clearly stronger than her.
“Welcome to today’s battle!” Queen Scarlet said, finally showing up on her balcony. “A very special dragon is standing in the arena! Aurora the Skywing and Icewing hybrid!” The queen said, getting a large amount of applause from the Skywings in the arena.
“And challenging her will be Masterclaw of the Nightwings!” The queen said, getting yet another applause but having Aurora feel weaker on her legs, knowing Nightwings are capable of reading minds. There, in front of her, a quite massive black-scaled dragon appeared from the entrance under the Queen’s podium. Even as a hybrid I’m shorter than a Nightwing, and this one is clearly the darkest one I ever saw. Aurora thought to herself. Same as her, he had his wings secured so as to not fly away. “Claws up! Teeth Ready!” Scarlet suddenly said, making both of the dragons suddenly take their positions. 
“Fight!” As soon as the Queen gave the signal, Masterclaw jumped at Aurora with his talons, leaving a deep scratch on the bottom left side of her neck. “Listen here, night dragon. You either die from me or you burn alive from the Queen’s champion tomorrow.” Aurora said, slashing Masterclaw with her Icewing-like tail. That also made the Nightwing think for a second and lifted up his neck for dodging another blow from Aurora’s tail. Yet instead of a tail whip, Aurora used her sharp Icewing claws instead, ripping a lot of Masterclaw’s scales. A large wound appeared, Skywings all around shouting comments to end him. Masterclaw was already covered in scars, maybe from previous opponents or from something before he was imprisoned. Well, now there was a bleeding gush in his neck, already backing away from Aurora. At last, she launched again, using her talons on the opened wound.
After that, he didn’t move anymore.
“You did amazing, weird Skywing.” Scarlet said while Peril was standing next to her, giving her some black rocks. “Watching you defeat a mind-reading dragon was a thrilling show.” The queen said, turning to Aurora and gave her an earring with a ruby on it. “Keep it on yourself so you’ll be recognizable to other Skywings. A reminder that you are strong enough to kill a Nightwing.” Queen Scarlet answered Aurora’s confusion and pointed her talon to the entrance. “Now leave. We'll see eachother soon.”
== Chapter 3 ==
Aurora was really grateful for a monster like Scarlet for not giving her another fight, as she was taking care of the big scratch that the Nightwing left her. Because of that she didn’t come to today’s arena, but apparently a Mudwing shot venom at an Icewing? At least it’s what Aurora heard from gossiping Skywing neighbours.
Now that she had a full free day, she started thinking about a couple of things. First, Scarlet said "We'll see eachother soon.", possibly meaning that she wanted Aurora to fight in the arena again. Second, she was planning to move to another Kingdom. Why? Simple. She didn’t feel fine in the Sky Kingdom.  The Queen wouldn’t ask for her name and refer to her as ‘weird Skywing’ or ‘odd Icewing’ by annoying Skywing dragonets. She really didn’t like those comments, so Aurora finally decided to move somewhere. Somewhere she would feel safe. The only thing she hoped for is finding a place like that and nothing else.
She peered out of her cave, hearing the distant roars from the arena. The wound still stung, but it wouldn't stop her from quietly leaving. Nobody would miss her anyways. Aurora held few a scrolls with her, just to sometimes remind herself about history or other tribes.
The first stop could be the Mud Kingdom, as they were allied with Skywings in the current war. But at the same, she was an Icewing. She had to find out by coming there if she was welcome or not. Possibly not, but she wanted to at least try. Living here would be worse, Aurora said in her head over and over, trying to boost her spirit.
Too late for staying, she had enough of those worst 8 years of her life. Aurora flapped her wings, locating mountain's cliffs already in the air. She swiftly flew over them, locating the Diamond Spray River. She saw some Skywing dragonets by there, looking up from whatever they were doing and right at her. Aurora breathed a cloud of smoke at them as a warning to not fly to her, continuing her journey to the Diamond Spray Delta.
The fly was a really peaceful one, yet it was really tiring. She rarely flew somewhere far - only to the arena and back to her cave. Small waves hitting beneath her were a really nice sight. Remembering there was a bloody war, not so much anymore. Scavengers. Who else could have started it? They only went for the treasure without realizing the consequences. Same as Sandwings seem to not be able to decide the new queen as well. Everyone is thirsty for power or gold these days.
== Chapter 4 ==
After a tiring, exhausting flight, Aurora fell right on sand, feeling the smooth sand go between her scales.
She listened to the few birds chirping around her in the nearby trees, as well as some snapping noises from right behind her. Aurora put the scary thoughts of a dragon observing her aside, enjoying the calmness she never felt before.
"Oh- Are- Are you alright?" A stutter right behind her started, making Aurora look back in fear. She jumped up, tackling someone - who she didn't even see properly - to the ground.
"Wah! I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!" The stranger added, the hybrid now seeing that it was a... Nightwing? What in the three moons was a Nightwing doing so close to the Sky Kingdom? But, she got even more terrified instead of relieved. Oh dear queen, he looked like a mini Masterclaw.
"Are you a guard? I'll leave if it's an order, no worries!" He said with large fear in his voice, trying to slither away from Aurora somewhere into the trees. She stomped right on his tail, keeping the strange Nightwing in place.
"Who are you? Why are you here and not with your tribe?" She really demanded answers right now, hoping this wasn't some sort of a Nightwing spy that she had to just now bump in.
"I-I'm Fateseeker? I just live here, away from war, you know? Nightwings aren't in the war but there were troubles in my Kingdom..." Fateseeker introduced himself, Aurora letting his tail go - he didn't run now though, just seemed to inspect her body.
"Woah! Are you a hybrid!? I have met only one in my life before, but it's my first time seeing one like you!" He cheerfully said, confusing Aurora with his enthusiasm. Nightwings were supposed to be scary and mysterious, but this one sounded like he wanted to be friends. Maybe that's why he lived here? She didn't want to judge. Calm your scales, Aurora.
"Pretty sure you're just a spy. Nightwings don't leave their 'secret' Kingdom so casually." She hissed at him, Fateseeker stumbling back so Aurora wouldn't bite him. Nightwings had fire, which could easily beat Aurora's smoke clouds. Also, he sounded like a 7 year old dragonet and looked like one. Why was he so scared?
"No! Of course not! I just think living peacefully near a river is better than near a volcano!" Fateseeker kept explaining, Aurora letting out a puff of cold smoke from her nose in suspicion. A volcano?
"Let's act like I believe you. Don't interrupt me." She growled out, turning back to the water. Her spiked tail almost touched Fateseeker's front talons, making him jump in fear.
She took a small pouch off her back, getting a ruby earring out from it. It sent fear through her scales, remembering the Nightwing she just talked to and Masterclaw she killed. Despite that, Aurora put it through her right ear's small hole - that got left by her own talon by accident - and checked if her scrolls were alright. Luckily, they were. Maybe somewhere was a scroll dedicated to hybrids? It really didn't seem like it. Every dragon had a tribe and nobody wanted weird mixes. But this Nightwing he met an Icewing hybrid before.
"You." Aurora suddenly roared, turning around to Fateseeker who was quietly laying down under a treetop. "You said you met one Icewing hybrid before. Who she or he was? Could they be related to me?" She asked with a bit of hope.
Maybe her parents didn't actually abandon her? Even if not, maybe there were other hybrids like her?
"Oh... Yes, DarkIce... He got killed when we were both 1 year old. He lived with my tribe, but they suspected him of being an overpowered animus." The Nightwing spoke with lower enthusiasm, Aurora dropping the little of hope she had before. Icewings passed their animus genes to Nightwings, so why did they kill his friend?
And of course. 
Dragons and their suspicions.
She wondered if she was an animus before. That could've been the reason why she was dropped off in the Sky Kingdom. But why there? Dropping her egg off a mountain or just getting rid of it would end their problems. There was a chance of her surviving and she actually did used that chance. Plus there were no other eggshells near her hatching place. Dragons usually don't give birth to only one egg, right?
"What's your name, though?" Fateseeker's voice said right next to her, making her jump up to her legs. He also jumped away, not understanding the sudden move.
"It's... Aurora." She said, flicking her tongue in and out. The Nightwing looked at the earring closely, her scales shivering in fear about the stare. The Nightwing tribe was known for their intelligence after all, so Fateseeker could know who gave it to her and why.
"Are you really rich enough to afford a golden earring with a ruby? Wow, are you some sort of a special Skywing hybrid?" He said with excitement, Aurora feeling relief.
This Nightwing really is breaking every word mentioned in the scrolls. 'Scary and mysterious'? More like 'Scared and friendly'. She thought to herself. Fateseeker suddenly turned to the sky with a worried expression, Aurora following his movements. There were Skywing guards flying right over them.
== Chapter 5 ==
"Quick! Under the trees!" He raised his tone, the hybrid hurriedly grabbing her scrolls and pouch and ducked under the trees' shadows. The Nightwing didn't asked if she was hiding from them but guessing he really was. Fateseeker twined his tail with Aurora's. She quickly noticed it, but the dragon next to her was only looking up at the sky.
He looks scared. Well, naturally, he's close to Skywing and Mudwing territory. Why did he left the mysterious Night Kingdom anyways? Aurora thought to herself. The Nightwings weren't involved in the war, so why hide or run away? Maybe there's something going on that made Fateseeker escape?
wip
Category:Work in Progress
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)