Reign of Terror

== Disclaimer & Trigger Warning ==
Before we begin, I'd like to quickly note and go into more detail the kinds of things you will experience, especially once this fanfiction is complete. The original name for this fanfiction was "Bloodshed War", which was modified so that we don't have to include blood in the title, since I know that's a touchy topic for some people who are disgusted to read or see about it.
Well, as you could see from the mature content warning, this is not for the faint of heart. It is, truthfully, about death, blood, gore, and war, so I don't recommend reading if you don't like any of those topics. This also discusses heavy topics, not in political ways, but things such as shipping. Moonbli is included, as well as various other canon ships. That does not make this fanfiction canon or even semi-canon, however.
Currently, there won't be anything very severe, since it's PG-13. However, continue at your own risk: you might find some things you don't like in here, but it's important to show your support for everyone. And credits to Peregrinecella for the bases, which I used to create some refs featured here. And a quick warning: I am still rather new to writing, though I've been doing it for years, since I don't normally share my work anywhere. Please be thoughtful and kind.
Settle down, grab some popcorn, and let's begin.
== Chapter One: War Arising ==
"Y-Your Majesty, are you sure this is a good idea?" Hypo trembled. "I mean, I'm pretty sure- I think-"
"Yes, it's an excellent idea," Frostin interrupted icily, her gaze cold and intimidating as she stared at Hypo. "Isn't it, Mother?" She then turned her chilling glance to Queen Thermos, who sat with her shoulders back and head held high.
"Of course, darling." Queen Thermos smiled slyly down at her daughter, Frostin, who smiled back.
"All right." Hypo dipped his head once more, then gathered himself and folded his wings around himself as if hugging his body. A shudder ran through his scales as he spoke softly, "Shall I get ten guards for you, then?"
"That won't be necessary," Queen Thermos said sweetly, but there was a hidden message underneath that only the IceWing subjects could understand. Hypo's eyes widened as he understood. She planned to bring an entire army, and he wasn't apart of the devious plan. He was simply a pawn on the sidelines, and if he needed moving on the queen's giant chess board, he'd be moved.
"Return," She continued, "To your room. Oh, and attend to the wall, why don't you? Oh, don't have that look on your face. Yes, I know it's tradition for the queen to do it at night, but why not you?"
Hypo was too afraid to argue, so he blandly nodded and stepped out of the room. His talonsteps faded as he walked along the marble floors, delicately carved in with ice blocks on the layer underneath, and entered the frosty courtyard.
It was cool, and as Hypo deepened the brisk pace, crisp, chilly air hit his scales and wings. A breeze floated amongst him, and dewdrops glittered on the trees overhead. He had an intimidating feeling he was being watched by menacing yellow eyes, just waiting to pounce.
He'd gotten that feeling every night, and every time he left the palace or his special sleeping quarters since the HiveWings had arrived and swallowed half of the SandWing territory. It was almost impossible to stop, like there was nothing he could do about it.
"Well then," He mumbled cautiously to himself, gingerly stepping forward. He reached the wall and looked up at it.
He rearranged blindly some names, not caring who he adjusted. But there was one, in the First Circle, who he dropped down all the way to the Seventh. That was Aquilon. He couldn't stand her, and as far as he was concerned, neither could the queen. She sure wouldn't be complaining after that decision.
He began walking back to the palace, looking forward to explaining to Queen Thermos his decision. When he reached her room, he peered inside before entering.
Frostin's same unmoving gaze was set on her mother, and they seemed to be arguing about something. Queen Thermos was in the middle of screaming, "I DON'T-"
Soon, she stopped. "It seems we have a visitor, don't we? Eavesdropping? Oh, how thrilling our conversation is, right?" She let out a heartbreaking cackle.
Hypo nodded numbly, looking around frantically for an escape route. The only possible way was behind him, and Thermos would have him in her talons within minutes if he even attempted to go that way.
So if he couldn't run, he could hide. His eyes moved across the room, but there was nowhere he could go. Not without being spotted, since right now, he was the center of attention.
Queen Thermos' cold claws gripped his neck, which he'd turned slightly sideways to examine the outer wall and see if it was worth breaking through. His eyes slowly returned to the queen's as her lethal grasp on him deepened.
Her sharp talons dug into his neck, and she hissed, "What did you do with the rankings, Hypo?"
"I-I..." Hypo struggled for breath as he writhed against the IceWing queen's heavy grip on him. When she released him, he gasped for breath. Jewels glittered on Queen Thermos' neck, as well as Frostin's, and he looked to either of them desperately for help, crying out.
Frostin didn't blink.
Queen Thermos seized him again and growled deeply, "You will speak, or you will die. Pick your poison."
There was a certain twinkle in her eye that said she wasn't just saying 'pick your poison' as a metaphor. Hypo cleared his throat and, as his voice broke, he managed, "I just moved Aquilon down a bit, Your Majesty. I thought you might get pleasure from that."
"Hm." Queen Thermos tilted her head. "You know, you would've survived because of that, since I honestly don't care for her. But you know, you're quite worthless nowadays, and I want some excitement. Frostin." She turned to the princess with a sickening smile.
Hypo didn't dare speak as his fate- Frostin- moved towards him. She whispered lightly under her breath, soft enough that her mother couldn't hear, "I'm sorry, Hypo. Mother always hated you."
And with that, she stabbed her claws into his wing and neck, pushing him down. And everything went completely...
black.
== Chapter Two: The Gift of Defense ==
Icar slowly got up. She blinked once, saw Qibli, and grinned immediately. "Qibli!"
Qibli's eyes turned, and he smiled at her, looking friendly. But he also looked busy, so she backed away for a moment.
"Have you seen Carrion?" Icar asked. Qibli fiddled with his earring. "Nope, not today. She might be on the border exchanging messages with that HiveWing again."
Icar frowned. Of course she was. Icar thanked Qibli, then headed north towards the HiveWing kingdom. Ever since they'd took half of the Sand Kingdom and claimed it as their own, they'd had trouble settling in.
And, of course, Queen Thorn wanted to make them feel welcome. She'd given them pointers, tips, and warnings. That didn't make it any better, though, especially given the fact that the entire SandWing tribe had to relocate Queen Thorn's stronghold.
It didn't make it easy for Possibility, either, since three more tribes meant at least three hundred more dragons. And that couldn't help them, could it?
Icar forced herself to shake out her wings, letting sand fly across the plains. She couldn't think that. It was under Thorn's orders to take care of the new, strange dragons, and she'd welcome them with open talons as long as she was in charge. Everyone trusted the former Outclaw, and that went for Icar, too.
Carrion, on the other hand? She was so negative that Icar's mood dropped the second she stepped claw within five feet of her. She seemed to radiate depressed, anxious, irritated feelings.
"Who cut up your wings?" Icar asked skeptically, hesitantly walking towards her friend, Carrion. If she could even consider her a friend, since every time she went to visit her, they ended up snarling and getting into an argument.
"Nobody," Carrion snapped, but she seemed more excited than usual. So either Carrion's mother had died, Icar had died- which she knew hadn't happened- Possibility was gone, or mangoes were completely wiped off the face of the planet.
But judging by the fact that it didn't seem like any of those had taken place, she asked, a little afraid, "So what happened? You're in a better mood than you sometimes are, so I'm wondering. Meet a new, thrilling HiveWing? Something close to that?"
"You sound like-" Carrion stopped, then frowned deeply. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Icar had never been very observant, but she knew she could rely on her (friend?) to use her ears.
"Loud noises, coming from the palace."
Icar turned towards Queen Thorn's stronghold, spotting a blizzard coming towards it at an alarming pace. But wait, there couldn't be blizzards in the middle of the desert. So what in the world was that?
She looked closer, seeing the same large group of blue, white, and pale teal swooping down from the sky to meet the stronghold. And she didn't realize what- or who- it was until it was too late.
The IceWings.
She gritted her teeth and charged forward, leaping into the sky. Even though she'd grown up in the Sand Kingdom, she almost felt comfort as she got closer to the chilly scales. It had taken even her a while to adjust to the heat of the desert, after her IceWing egg was stolen from the hatchery.
"ICAR!" Sandstorm called, clearly spotting her. She slowed down a little, but just a bit, to catch up with the other SandWing-IceWing.
"There's an attack on Queen Thorn's stronghold," Icar called back, even though they were only a couple wingbeats away from each other now.
"You don't say?" Sandstorm flew in close to Icar, successfully hiding the sarcastic tone in her voice.
"We can't do anything," Icar pointed out, "Without proper weapons or defenses. I know you have frostbreath, and serrated claws, and a venomous tail barb-"
"All good things," Sandstorm interrupted, a little impatiently.
"-but," Icar continued, "That doesn't mean you're ready to attack an army of IceWings." She flicked her tail towards the approaching dragons, who were entering the stronghold. She couldn't risk flying down to meet them; it would be a suicide mission. She stretched. "Besides, there's some jewelry in there. Maybe one animus-touched necklace, and it's worthless. Just lets you remember the answers to tests at Jade Mountain Academy. Queen Thorn is away for the entire week negotiating with Queen Moorhen, Queen Fly and Queen Glory, so there's nothing to worry about."
"She got back yesterday, Icar," Sandstorm said in a low hiss. "You don't remember? I woke you up at midnight to tell you."
Icar couldn't remember, come to think of it. She looked down at her little sister. "Sandy," She breathed. "You don't think-?"
"Come on. Let's find out." Sandstorm dove into the stronghold, ignoring the haughty looks the IceWings gave her, clearly wanting to kill her. What looked like the top general flicked his wing, and everyone gave up on capturing Sandy.
Icar was close behind her sister as they tore through the palace, struggling to find Queen Thorn's sleeping quarters. When they got there, she was placidly having a meeting with Bolt, a SandWing who kept pestering her with questions.
"I'm sure," Queen Thorn said, "In time, you'll receive wonderful training. But for now, she'll have to do. Is that alright?"
Then she noticed Icar and Sandstorm, and turned around. "Oh! My two favorite hybrids, in one place." She smiled calmly, then mouthed with her wings turned away from Bolt, thank you for saving me.
"There's an IceWing invasion!" Icar said breathlessly, alarmed at how serene the look on Queen Thorn's face was. Her expression didn't even flicker as she tilted her head. "I'm sure they come in peace, and we can negotiate a solution to whatever they're looking for." She waved her talon in dismissal towards Bolt, who bowed his head and scurried out of the room, tripping over his own talons.
A moment later, there was a bloodcurdling scream, and then... silence. Eerie, cold silence.
And then thundering sounds of clawsteps getting closer and closer. Soon, Queen Thermos burst into the room.
Sandstorm ducked behind whatever shelter she could find, followed by Icar. Her heart was beating so fast she thought the IceWing queen must be able to hear it. For a second, nobody moved.
"Hello, Queen Thermos! What can I do for you today?"
Icar could just imagine Thorn's pleasant, helpful look. Poor queen. She was always trying to do what was best for her tribe. Flashes of Qibli returned to Icar's mind- he'd be so broken if anything happened to her.
But it won't, she thought quickly. Thorn can do anything. Right?
"Nothing," Thermos growled.
"I'm sure that's not true. Oh, I've been meaning to talk to someone about-"
"Your dragons are your own," Thermos replied with a tint of impatience in her voice. "Not mine. You will deal with their little... troubles."
Sadly, Thorn's voice replied, "I guess that's true. Thank you for your insight. Now, if you're not here to help, and if you don't want anything, what do you need?"
"Your heart," Queen Thermos said, and for a heartbeat there was complete, utter shock and tension hanging in the air. But just as Icar poked her head out from Sandstorm and her hiding place, Thermos lunged.
She couldn't scream, although she wanted to. Thermos and Thorn rolled around for a few wingbeats before Thermos' cold frostbreath hit Thorn's face and her claws reached for the SandWing queen's neck. Within moments, she was dead.
Queen Thermos whirled around, leaving Thorn's body across the floor. She turned around, breathed chilly, frosty air on it one more time for good measure, and regally exited the room as if nothing had happened.
Icar felt as if cold, metal talons had gripped her heart and refused to let go. Sandy appeared behind her and let out a whimper. "Sis? What happened to Queen Thorn?"
"I'm afraid- I'm afraid there's nothing we can do." Icar managed, her voice breaking. She felt her wings drooping, her body collapsing as if the weight on her shoulders was too much to bear. She should've listened to Sandy when she woke her up that night. She should've... cared more about what she had to say.
Maybe if she had, she would've reached Queen Thorn in time. Maybe if she had, everything would've worked out.
But Thermos' evil scheme had ruined everything, for the entirety of the Sand Kingdom, and they'd have to start all over again with no queen.
After the war they'd just had? Another one? She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to.
The look on Sunny's face... the look on Qibli's face, for that matter. Icar had let them all down. She'd failed them all. And she was determined to get revenge. To avenge her queen, and fight for what was left of her kingdom.
"We can make it into IceWing territory," Icar reminded Sandstorm, gaining her strength again. "Thorn won't have died for nothing. The second we launch that attack on the IceWings, they'll never have seen it coming. We're brilliant. I'm brilliant!"
"So you're suggesting we... sneak into the Ice Kingdom and kill Queen Thermos?"
"No. Kill whoever we can. Since we can make it past their little animus enchantments, we can defeat them. I'll tell Carrion, and then Qibli, and we'll be set to go."
Icar didn't hesitate. She was done hesitating. Right now, all she could think about was fighting for her queen. For her kingdom.
She was determined to win, no matter the cost.
You'd better be ready for me, IceWings, she thought strongly. Because now, it's personal.
== Chapter Three: Heartbreaks and Alliances ==
Alligator stood up hesitantly, stretching. She turned and saw her sibs, Abel, Amber, Axel, Barro, Boar, and Bramble all asleep. Except for Amber, who was doing the creepy thing she usually did that involved looking like she was asleep by closing her eyes, but really paying attention to every sound.
Alligator looked around for a moment before scrambling to her feet. She did a quick count: Amber. She was probably pretending to be asleep, but wasn't actually. Barro. She looked pretty sleepy, so there was no doubt she hadn't dozed off. And Bramble, who looked very satisfied curling up, snoring.
Those were the girls. She turned. Abel, Axel and Boar still looked intact. As intact as they could be, that was.
They were all shaken up about their narrow escape from battle yesterday. Alligator had totally destroyed some passing SilkWings on their border, but it turned out they just wanted peace. Luckily, they fled before Alligator and her sibs could do any real damage they'd regret later.
"Amber," Alligator whispered. "Amber, wake up."
Her eyes flew open and she sat up. "What? What is it? Is anyone in danger?"
"Shh. No." Alligator said reassuringly, putting a claw to her snout. Why couldn't Amber just be quiet, for once? Instead of waking up every SilkWing and RainWing in sight?
Suddenly, through the swamp nearby, covered in mud, Wry appeared, gasping. She looked friendly enough. Alligator's eyes widened and she raced over, wrapping her wings comfortably around Wry.
"Ooh, lovebirds," Axel teased, now awake and watching them with a mysterious twinkle in her eyes. "What is it, Wry?"
Alligator broke away from Wry's touch, feeling embarrassed. "We're not lovebirds." Still, she turned to her best friend and tilted her head, as if to ask, are we?
Wry's horrified countenance suddenly returned. "Oh! Right! We have to watch out for HiveWings."
"Why? What did they do? Are you okay?" Alligator twined her tail around Wry's, worried.
"Queen Fly sent out an army to attack the SandWings, since they were vulnerable after the death of Queen Thorn. Beats me why they'd do that, but they did. I guess they wanted to be suspenseful, or something."
"But that starts a war, like, officially," Boar said. Almost all of Alligator's sibs were awake at this point, listening to the conversation eagerly, each with the same confused expressions plastered on their faces.
"We've all been treating it like a war, haven't we?" Amber replied, staring at her feet. "It makes no sense to stop now, when it's finally getting interesting, right?"
"Anyways, I think there's going to be some sort of evil plans arising, and I don't want to be there when they do," Wry said softly, gently placing her wing around Alligator, as if to shield her from invisible oncoming attacks.
"I don't either," Alligator whispered. "Anything to keep you safe."
Out of the corner of her eye, Alligator caught Bramble looking at her incredulously. She shrugged it off and nustled in closer underneath the comfort of Wry's wing. The two sat there in silence for a moment more before Abel spoke up, "So, what can we do about it? Anything? Are we going to do anything?"
"We have to," Barro said calmly. "Don't we? We have to start taking this war seriously, if already SandWings have died from it. We could be next."
The thought of charging into another battle, even just with harmless SilkWings, made Alligator shudder. But she had to admit that Barro was right. They couldn't just sit around and do nothing if there were RainWings around the corner, waiting to attack them.
"What are every tribes' weapons, and how can we use them against them?" Wry asked thoughtfully, musing more to herself than the group of MudWings now gathered around her, debating what to say.
"Let's start with the ones closest to us," Axel suggested.
"Okay, like who?"
Alligator brightened. "RainWings. No natural weapons, except venom in their fangs, if that counts. And we can avoid that by..." She stopped for a moment, then continued, "They have to bare their fangs before spitting venom. Plus, they don't like using it on other dragons. So they're not as much of a threat as we think. All they have is their fangs and their claws. Their tails are basically useless in battle, too. We can defeat them easily."
"How about SilkWings?" Boar inquired warmly. "I mean, they have to have something useful about them."
"They have their flamesilk," Amber said, wading into the swamp water. Barro followed her, adding, "And they can sense vibrations, right? With their antennae?"
Alligator nodded and Wry pulled her closer in. "So what you're saying is that every single one of them can sense vibrations, but it's super rare for them to have flamesilk?"
"Flamesilk isn't even useful," Abel added. "I mean, think about it. We can breathe fire, which is basically the same."
"Not really," Amber argued. "How is that the same? Theirs comes out in little strands, and is therefore, more useful."
"Do we even know how long it stretches?" Bramble interrupted, making Alligator jump. She hadn't heard her talk yet. "I mean, what if it's like throwing a flaming knife?"
"Seriously, the worst it could do is burn you. It won't cut into your scales like a knife will," Amber announced. "So, practically useless. But that doesn't make it the same as breathing fire." She shot a nasty look Abel's way.
"Everyone, stop arguing," Wry said in her soft, sweet voice- the thing Alligator loved about her.
No.
I don't love Wry. I can't.
She cleared her throat. "Yeah, um, guys, stop arguing. It's really pointless. What can we do to defend our tribe, anyway? We're just some random MudWings who can't stop growling at each other like a hungry pack of wolves. But maybe," She said snarkily, "If you stopped arguing, for once, we'd have a chance at beating whoever attacked us."
"Or we wouldn't, and how would that work out for you?" Bramble agreed. "It's best to be polite, patient, and mature about this."
"Right." Axel sighed, and Amber turned to Abel reluctantly. "Sorry for glaring at you. But you've got to understand that breathing fire versus literally making fire come out of your wrists is very different."
"Sounds the same to me," Abel said, but he still looked friendly enough that Alligator let it go.
"Let's visit Queen Moorhen, see what her plans are." Wry suggested.
"Like she'll listen to any of us," Boar said, frowning. "We have no business in her royalty, or whatever. Plus, she's probably to busy to speak with us, and we'll fly across the kingdom for no reason."
"There's a chance," Alligator said, looking at Boar hopefully. Please, Boar, just agree with me and we can get this over with. It's important to know what our queen is thinking, if she's willing to tell us.
"Fine," Boar said finally. "Let's go visit the queen, or whatever."
"Yay!" Alligator beamed with pride, and Wry gently touched her talon. "Calm down, ba- um, calm down."
Alligator's eyes were kind as she nodded.
Even though her sibs and her were only nine, they'd still grown up together, and they were adults now. Besides Axel, who was still younger than everyone else. But most of them were adults, ready to start a family. Although Alligator couldn't imagine breaking away from her sibs and creating a new life for herself. They'd all grown up together, hadn't they?
So why did she feel the urge to run away with Wry and never look back?
She shook out her wings, as if trying to erase the memory from her mind, but it was staying firm and not going anywhere. Eventually she gave up, slipped her claw in Wry's, and they took off, soaring through the sky in the direction of Queen Moorhen's palace in the distance.
"Well, we made it," Amber said at last as they landed in front. The guards that were usually there must've gone inside, because there was nobody watching the palace. Amber frowned. "I'll keep watch out here. Abel, Axel, and Bramble can stay with me. Boar, you can, too. Wry, Alligator, and Barro can go inside and talk to Queen Moorhen. It'll be easier that way."
Alligator dipped her head. "Sounds like a plan."
But really, she just wanted to have an excuse to stay closer to Wry. She blinked twice, confused as they walked through. Nobody seemed to be anywhere near Queen Moorhen's palace. Had she not guards? Did she think that now, during a war, of all times, she could just get out of having guards? Not on Alligator's watch. It didn't feel safe to her.
She stepped gingerly into Moorhen's meeting room, and for a wingbeat, she didn't see anyone. But then she spotted Moorhen, looking comfortable picking through scrolls. Some were ruined and wet, others scorched and burned, but the ones that were completely unharmed, looking new, she set aside in a separate pile directly in front of her. Her wings were folded around her, as if she'd been sitting for a while there, and her expression was placid. Her claws curled around her, as if supporting all of her weight.
She glanced up when they entered, but didn't say anything. Hesitantly, Alligator asked, "Are you busy, Your Majesty?"
Queen Moorhen flinched, but didn't say anything more. "Of course not, Alligator. Wry. Barro." She nodded to each of them as she spoke their names. "How can I assist you today?"
"What- what are you planning?"
"What?" Queen Moorhen looked startled. She suddenly got to her feet and unfolded her wings. "What do you mean, what am I planning?" She lashed her tail, narrowly missing the large stack of scrolls behind her that she was choosing new ones from.
"There's a war going on. You haven't heard?" Wry put in, tilting her head. She twined her tail around Alligator's again. "The SandWings are being attacked, but it's only a matter of time before someone seizes the chance to steal our resources while everyone else is distracted."
"There's nothing to worry about, I'm sure," Queen Moorhen replied. "Every tribe has their own conflicts and worries, but we'll be fine. Who would possibly want to attack-"
With impeccable timing, there was a giant crash outside. Before Alligator could even speak, Queen Moorhen raced past her and soared through the air, diving towards the exit of her palace. There was nothing Alligator, Barro, and Wry could do but follow her reluctantly.
They gathered their sibs at the entrance to the palace, deciding to split up.
"Barro, me, and Wry will fight them," Alligator said decidedly. "The rest of you, go seek shelter. If we're under attack, it wouldn't make sense for you guys to sacrifice yourself. I got this, and we three can protect the queen just fine."
"Are you sure?" Amber's expression was sympathetic.
"Of course I'm sure," Alligator snapped accidentally. She sighed. "Sorry, I'm just worried. We've got to go, but make sure Axel is safe, alright?"
"Wait!" Wry said nervously. "Do I have to fight with you guys?"
"You can come with us," Amber offered, but Alligator shook her head. "You got this, Wry. I promise you'll be fine."
"Promise?" Wry's expression was wistful.
"Promise." Alligator gave Wry the best, most convincing hug she could, and apparently that was enough for her. After one worried glance at Alligator, Barro, and Wry, Amber set off into the sky with her sibs close behind her.
"Come on!" Barro exclaimed, gaining speed to launch into the air. "Queen Moorhen is waiting!"
Alligator gave Wry one last kind look, and they were soon flying together, carried by the air currents. Occasionally, one of them sped up a little, but it wasn't long before they reached Queen Moorhen in perfect sync.
Hundreds and hundreds of SilkWings were lined up, waiting for Queen Moorhen to approach them. Alligator could estimate around two hundred, but she wasn't exactly sure. Either way, there were a lot. How could she fight that many?
The guards started appearing. They'd been hiding in the palace, since they all came out, probably hoping to catch people in the act instead of them straight-forward finding ways to dance around the guards. Intelligent, if you asked Alligator.
There were about fifty dragons lined up against the two hundred SilkWings, and by the way there were flamesilks Alligator recognized in the front, she knew this wasn't to negotiate peace or a truce. It was to strike fear on the MudWings, and probably a battle, too.
The thought made her want to cry. Who would get hurt, just for their satisfaction?
She pushed the thought away from her as far as it would go. She couldn't focus on loving Wry with all her heart. She couldn't focus on protecting Barro. She couldn't focus on diving into the mud. Right now, she had to focus on battle.
They hovered in the air for moments more, the tension and expectations high. It was simply a matter of who would be the first to attack.
And then they did.
One of the flamesilks lunged for Queen Moorhen, who dove towards the ground to fight them there. Tons of dragons followed, including Wry and Alligator. Barro wrestled with two SilkWings up in the air, and she saw Barro knock one of them out. They fell towards the ground and fell limp as soon as they hit the mud.
She felt a shudder go through her body. What if-
Suddenly, a jolt struck her out of her thoughts. Wry screamed, "WATCH OUT! ALLIGATOR!"
She dove in front of her, and only then did Alligator notice the flamesilk charging out of a SilkWing's wrists, headed straight for, now, Wry.
Before Alligator could even yell back, the flamesilk hit Wry straight in the chest, knocking her back. The force took Alligator with her, and within moments, Alligator was out cold.
When she woke up again, she turned over restlessly. Where was the warmth of her sibs? The touch of Wry against her warm scales?
She remembered vaguely... fighting. Wry. Wry?
She stood up and scrambled to her feet. There were SilkWings still all around her, fighting with the MudWings. She couldn't locate Barro in the crowd.
"Wry!" Her chest heaved and she let out a strangled breath. She knocked a SilkWing aside with her tail, feeling chills run all throughout her wings. She gasped and collapsed next to Wry. Her underbelly was completely burned and scorched, as well as part of her eye. Even if she did live, she'd never be able to see again. It'd be miserable for her.
She knelt down close to Wry and put her head over her underbelly.
And then she felt a heartbeat.
A heartbeat.
There was still hope.
She raced over the crowd of fighting dragons, flying until she spotted Barro, bloody and bruised. There wasn't time to ask him if he was okay. She desperately explained about Wry, and within moments, they were flying together, trying to hold Wry as they directed themselves towards the healing center.
When she was safely inside, they waited outside. Multiple times, they tried to get Barro to come in too, for bandages for his wounds, but he insisted on staying with Alligator.
"Queen Moorhen said the RainWings wanted to form an alliance with us," Barro breathed at last, breaking some of the tension. "They're probably already there, fighting alongside us."
Alligator nodded. "Nice." She stared into the distance, remembering the feel of Wry's wing against her scales, and a chill ran through her.
"What if she doesn't survive?" Alligator managed at last. The words came out slow and heavy, each so painful to utter she felt like a piece of her was torn off by the end of the sentence.
Barro looked at the floor.
"Then you'll find someone new."
Alligator shook her head.
"You won't?" Barro looked confused, but slowly he realized. Even if Wry didn't survive, Alligator would love her. No matter what.
"No," Alligator said, her voice shaking. "No, Barro, I won't."
== Chapter Four: Leaves and Hidden Lies ==
"ACONITE! ASPEN!" Cypress shrieked, tearing through the trees of what had once been the Sky Kingdom. Her heart raced, threatening to beat right out of her chest. She felt her snout go dry, her heartbeat stop, her wings fail her.
And she fell.
Aconite is dying, and you can't save her. Aspen is crouched over her, sobbing, wiping her snout. Aconite wants to see you, but you're nowhere to be found. Aspen is yelling for you desperately, but you cannot snap out of this vision. You asked for this. It is yours.
You try to gasp or breathe, but you cannot. Aconite is buried in the undergrowth as leaves flutter around her. She is dead now, and Aspen can't bear the grief. She spins in a circle, looking for you.
"Where are you, sister?" She asks. But you've let her down. 
"No!" Cypress fell out of her vision, of her view of the present, and whirled around. She felt an urge pulling her towards the right, deeper and deeper into the forest. But she couldn't go there. She hadn't recognized Aconite's surroundings, and she knew everything deeper in the forest.
She closed her eyes and reached into the roots, struggling to find her sister's body, struggling to make it let her go. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find the undergrowth that was seizing Aconite.
She took off towards the edge of the forest, brushing through the branches. She growled at squirrels darting across her feet, desperately picked out the stems stabbing her, and batted at the leaves that flew in her line of vision.
And then she got to the clearing, to the edge of the forest, and her sisters were nowhere to be seen.
Give me another vision, she pleaded, gingerly touching the three stones embedded into the top of her wing. Please, just this once.
She could almost see Mine staring back at her with her smug eyes, the same that had trapped Cypress all those years ago, in her curse. It hurt to think about, but she had to.
She fell into her memories. The first time she'd met Mine, she was a LeafWing dragonet. They were in some sort of hut, she remembered, with an antique vase on the shelf and some fruit nearby.
Cy had watched her come in and pretended not to notice. She just worked at the shop, so whatever trouble the LeafWing wanted to get into, she didn't care for.
But then the dragonet did something outstanding; she'd moved a necklace to her with her mind.
With her mind.
Cy realized at that moment that the LeafWing was an animus dragon, although of course she could wait for the right moment to get her in her clutches.
So, every single day, the dragonet would come into the shop and steal something. Cy had patience for her. After a couple weeks of her stealing worthless necklaces and bracelets, she finally grabbed her.
Now, Cy used to be an animus dragon, too. She'd made herself immune to her spells a long, long time ago. So she created herself a different universe, one where they could live peacefully outside of the hut. Everyone else around was dead.
And so, Cy used the LeafWing as an experiment. She named her "Mine", because for a long time, she was hers. Another animus dragon, she'd thought, was so thrilling. She'd experiment with the powers, and every time she looked close to losing her soul, Cy would just create a new Mine, one who was fresh. And an animus dragon.
Often, Cy would use Mine for her own pleasure. And she'd always wipe her memories and start fresh, every single day. Unfortunately for her, she forgot once. Mine remembered perfectly for about a week.
There was a slight complication, however. Cypress had to make herself vulnerable to Mine's spells, which wasn't good for her in the end.
And at the end of that week, of constant torture for Mine, since Cy only reset her once her soul was almost gone, she asked for something valuable. "I want these-" She'd pointed to her diamonds- "To each give me one gift. The first can be a gift of endless riches, the second a gift of immortality, and the third a gift of perfection. Craft these enchantments flawlessly, okay? The first will give me whatever currency I want, the second will make me immortal, and the third will make every enchantment I make perfect."
But apparently, Mine had realized what was going on, and she accepted. But her enchantments were something different than what Cy asked for.
The first was a gift of visions, but with Mine's twist. Mine could live even after she was dead, conjuring up visions for Cy. They were all true, but mostly they consisted of things she didn't want to hear. It wore out after she became a better dragon, if that ever occured. She chose when they happened and what the content in them was.
The second was a gift of torture, which meant that every time she did something cruel, she was transferred into Mine to understand her pain and what she'd gone through. That hadn't happened to Cy yet, but she was sure it would eventually. The torture happened when she was cruel, so it never wore off.
The third was a gift of experience. She was given two sisters, who she had to grow up with, from just being a dragonet. The triplets would experience loss, eventually, and true heartbreak. Mine knew this would build Cy's compassion and make her more empathetic for everyone around her.
And then, Mine enchanted Cy to start anew as a dragonet, with all her memories, and an explanation of what the gifts did. Then she smiled down at the dragonet and whisked away.
Cy breathed heavily, tears streaming onto her snout. There was nothing she could do to save Aconite. If Aconite went down, Aspen did, too. And if Aspen went down...
Cypress stopped. No. She couldn't let it take control of her.
"Cypress! Are you alright?"
Queen Stem rushed over. She was only seven, but she was the kindest queen there'd ever been. Cy could explain her situation to her, and she'd listen like a best friend. She'd already forgave her for the mistakes she made in the past, and they were friends before she became queen, too.
"I'm fine," Cy said, staggering to her feet, realizing sometime during her visions, she'd fallen down on the ground. "Just a little dizzy. I just remembered Mine, and, um, all that."
Queen Stem looked sympathetic. "I understand. But you look like there's something on your mind."
"A-Aconite died, I think. Mine showed me a vision of her slowly slipping into darkness, and Aspen on the verge of following her. I had to find them, but I'm too late. It was by the Glorious Tree, I remember."
Ever since the LeafWings had taken their small bit of territory in the forest, which they shared with the NightWings and SkyWings, they'd named five special trees. The Glorious Tree, known for its beauty. The Tall Tree, known for its tallness. The Wish Tree, known for making your wishes come true. The Luck Tree, known for giving you luck- if you were lucky enough to find it. And finally, The Forgiveness Tree, where you could forgive people who had done you wrong.
Mind needs that, Cy thought bitterly, then stopped herself. Maybe I do, too.
Queen Stem nodded. "Aconite and Aspen were beautiful additions to the tribe. I truly am sorry." She met Cy's eyes and held her talons for a moment before breaking away. "I, um..."
Cy felt a pang of something when Queen Stem let go, deep in her heart. Something like longing. But I can't be with her. We had this discussion a few moons ago, that it's better to stay as friends. That there can't be... can't be this. Can't be us together, Cy reassured herself. But it wasn't very convincing.
"I was planning on allying with the SkyWings," She admitted. "Will- will you come with me, if I do?"
"Anything for you," Cypress nodded.
Queen Stem smiled, and Cy felt just a tiny bit more broken.
After days of creeping along the giant NightWing border, they were finally on the edge. So close to SkyWing territory. Cy's talons tingled with excitement.
Queen Stem had brought an army of a hundred LeafWings, including Cy and the queen herself. They were all planning on allying with the SkyWings, but if something went wrong...
Cy shuddered. Nothing would go wrong. It couldn't. It just couldn't. Still, she crept up to the queen's side and whispered, "What if they attack us?"
"Then I respect their decision." Cy kept her chin up and her shoulders back, looking more queenly than usual.
"Even if it means more LeafWings dying than they should?" Cy was incredulous. How could she be the only one worried enough about her tribe? Queen Stem didn't seem to care at all, and if she did, she had a pretty funny way of showing it.
"Cy, drop it," Queen Stem said, but her voice was gentle. Neither of them liked talking about the future, especially the future of the war. Cy always told herself it was because one of them might not live, but clearly that wasn't the reason anymore.
With an annoyed huff, she fell back into the army.
How could she be so unfair? And so careless, too? It was almost like she didn't even care if they died. This was practically a suicide mission. What were they thinking?
"Hey, stop worrying," A soldier named Castor said, nudging her.
"How did you know I was worrying?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Uh, because of the look on your face?" Castor made a twisted expression, then grinned. "Hey, I've been watching you for a while."
Creepy, Cypress thought, but she didn't say it out loud. In fact, she knew exactly where this conversation was headed. She'd been through it a million times before, her rejecting males with no real reason. How could she possibly explain to them that she loved Queen Stem? A girl, not only, but also the queen? That probably wouldn't go over well with them.
She sighed as he continued, "And I really, really think I like you. So? What do you say?"
"I say," She snapped, "We're marching towards the Sky Kingdom, probably about to die, and you're telling me this now? Really? You think it's that important? Give me some time to think about it when I'm not totally FRUSTRATED!"
Exasperated with him, the war, everything, and Queen Ruby, Cy went to the very back. Nobody would complain to her there. Nobody would use their gentle voice to totally disregard her opinion.
She looked at her feet. They'd entered the Sky Kingdom a while ago, but it was mostly dirt with some grass. Boring, if you asked her, but whoever wanted to live there could live there. Not her business whatsoever.
Then she jolted to a stop. Nobody noticed, since she was at the back. No, no! She thought. Mine couldn't be doing this to her! She'd be left behind! She couldn't even protect the person she loved, marching straight into nothing but danger!
But then it started, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Queen Ruby is waiting expectantly, with at least a thousand dragons to back her up. The entire LeafWing army doesn't know what's coming for them. Forty of your tribe will die, and there's nothing you can do to stop them. Your girlfriend will be safe, of course, but you're not out of the woods yet.
Blood will be spilled, on their own territory. There's betrayal lurking in wait for them, and it all starts with Queen Ruby. What will she choose? To spare you? To surrender? Yes, you know Queen Stem well, don't you? What if she doesn't back down?
What if she refuses to surrender?
Because if that happens, there's nothing I can do.
If that happens, she'll die.
Just like everyone else you love.
== Chapter Five: Buried In The Dunes ==
"I know. And it's fine, Father."
Hesitantly, Carrion rested her claws on Qibli's. Surprisingly, he, of all dragons, was shaking. She smiled sympathetically. "Are you alright?"
"Your mother-" He started.
"I know. She disappeared. I don't know where she went." Carrion gazed into the distance for a moment before dipping her head. "You know her, though. She'll be fine."
Qibli cast his daughter a sad look, and Carrion knew he was thinking about Queen Thorn. Carrion had never liked the former Outclaw, but she'd accepted her, mainly because her father seemed to trust her with his life. Otherwise, she'd hate her.
"We think Sunny is going to be queen," Qibli said after a few wingbeats of heavy, peaceful silence in memory of Thorn. "Although she's said she doesn't really want to be. But we don't have any other choice."
"Couldn't Sunset take the throne?" Carrion asked. Sunset was Sunny's daughter, but she was only four now. Definitely not old enough to take the throne, although she shared her mother's compassion and her father's undying love for scrolls.
"Yes," Qibli said slowly. "But she's not fit to be a queen."
"I suppose it's possible, then," Carrion said impatiently, "That someone who wasn't royalty could become queen. Like Queen Thorn, right? We could randomly choose a SandWing."
"It doesn't work like that," Qibli interrupted. "What if they have hidden intentions? You saw what happened with the HiveWings. Beetle almost began an entire war over the throne; that can't happen to us."
Carrion sighed, looking at her feet. It was so exasperating. She gave a suggestion, and seconds after she said it, her father just had to challenge it. She didn't understand. But he studied every possible outcome, studied every dragon. He didn't even have to read minds, like Carrion could.
That was a secret she couldn't keep.
Moon, her mother, had tried to convince her multiple times to tell other people. But Carrion always insisted, You kept it from your friends. They found out on their own, and look how you turned out!
There were only a couple people who she'd given skyfire to, since her supply was limited. Her mother and father, Icar, Thorn- which she'd have to give to someone else- and Winter, her godfather.
Those people were safe from her, but nobody else was. It was more of a burden, a curse, than a gift, but she dealt with it anyway. Some people said they could barely recognize she was a NightWing, but she had a teardrop scale and stars on her wings, so she didn't exactly know where they were coming from with that.
"-attempting to, surprise surprise, infiltrate the rainforest and- Carrion, are you listening?" Carrion looked up with a start to realize her father had been talking the entire time she'd been thinking about her abilities. Powers, some people called them. Huh. Yeah, right, she thought bitterly.
"Of course I'm listening... but why don't you repeat your sentence anyways?" She tried to make her smile as genuine as she could, but she was a terrible liar.
Qibli rolled his eyes. "We're thinking about infiltrating the rainforest, under Sunny- Queen Sunny's orders." He hesitated. "Although she really doesn't like taking the role, like we just talked about." He launched into more reasons why they should make her queen, or make Sunset queen, or why they shouldn't make some random SandWing off the street queen.
When he was finally done- that, or, for the first time in six minutes, he was taking a pause- Carrion jumped in. "Why would we try to hurt RainWings? They just got involved in the war, and they've done nothing to us. Shouldn't we direct our attention towards the IceWings?"
"Maybe," Qibli said thoughtfully, actually considering her sentence. But then he shook his head. "If we win, they might let some SandWings go there. Moon loves it, so it would only be fair, right?"
"It's not just about Moon." Carrion sighed. "But okay, I agree with that enough. So, what are we waiting for?"
"Whoa, slow down there," Qibli said with a tiny, nervous laugh. "We have to gather everyone, and-"
Suddenly, a dragon taking flight and hovering in the air yelled to Qibli. "We're bringing our army now! It's a surprise attack!"
"Won't be if you keep screaming like that," Qibli mumbled under his breath, but he spread his wings and launched into the air to join her. Hundreds of dragons followed them, and Carrion felt an odd feeling in her stomach.
She decided she wasn't coming. It wasn't worth the risk of dying.
She frowned, though. What if her father died? Then she'd practically be an orphan, and she knew Sunny wouldn't let that stand for very long. So she'd be put in some weird place, with new people, and new parents. And that would suck.
Still, she wanted to take it to her advantage. There were still guards crowding the palace, but she could sneak by while they waved to the army and sent Sunny on her way. Besides, most of them were temporarily off their post.
It made her a little worried as she snuck in through the entrance, looking around. There weren't any guards on the inside, and it was just too easy to make it inside. She might have to talk to the new queen about adding traps, and possibly increasing their security level. It was concerning how little protection she'd have once she settled into the palace.
She looked around a moment more before spotting a yellow and brown door. It seemed almost gold because of the way it glinted, but if it were really gold, she'd have learned about it in her classes. Qibli would've told her about it. Or, she thought, she would've noticed it before this moment.
So why was it there?
Hesitantly, she crept towards it. She wondered if it was a noisy door. Noisy doors were the worst, especially when, if the army was gone by now, the guards were right outside. She'd never be forgiven by her father if she got caught stealing from the palace.
But I'm not! She thought convincingly, practicing her excuses if something happened to her. I'm a curious, harmless dragon. Is that so wrong?
She kept her chin up confidently and her shoulders back as she walked towards the door. After all, what was the worst that could happen?
She grabbed the handle tightly with her claw and drew the door open, slowly and slowly. The door opened without much noise, making it easy for Carrion to look inside.
She let out a terrified scream.
And everything was quiet.
Deathly quiet.
== Chapter Six: Spy on The Inside ==
Desire looked sadly into Comet's eyes. "Must you go?" She whispered.
"I must, for reasons beyond your understanding."
Comet spoke gently, but there was a layer of meaning; of betrayal, underneath that Desire could simply not understand. She still didn't. She wanted to help the SkyWings. Comet wanted to murder all of them.
Desire was normally a kind dragon, who wouldn't dream of hurting anyone. But that, she wouldn't comprehend. Not that she couldn't, or she wasn't intelligent enough to. But she wouldn't. She refused to think the dragon she'd grown up with all her life, mocked Scarlet with all her life, shared so many memories, fallen in love with, could possibly consider breaking her tribe.
And why? For revenge.
"I do understand!" Desire cried. "I understand more than you think!" Her eyes became wet. "You think I'm some dumb dragon, a toy for you to play with, but that's not true!"
"I don't-"
"Save it." Desire glared into Comet's eyes. "You did this to yourself, and now you're going to pay for it. Mark my words, Comet. You will pay for it."
"Everyone ready to go?" Queen Ruby asked sharply, gathering as many soldiers as she'd need. The wounded, the ones who needed to be cared for, and dragonets were off to the side, watching their mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, and close friends prepare for departure.
Everest, Comet's friend, touched snouts with Kaito, her lover. All around him, people waved goodbye with bruised, broken talons and smiled with sweet, melancholy snouts. Nobody was happy they were leaving, but they had to seek out NightWings before any of the other tribes for help. They had to create an alliance.
Some still believed the rumors going around that there were no NightWings, but Queen Ruby had shut that down pretty quickly after she told everyone that they'd just conquer and take over their territory if the NightWings truly were gone, and they were leaving their homes for nothing.
"It's most important," Everest said, returning to the line of soldiers and strongest warriors, "That we are not spotted."
She kneeled down and began etching a route in the dirt with her stick. "We will travel along the SandWing border, since we're closer to it than anywhere else. It's less efficient, but not many people can make the trip up without a few stops. Once we get to Possibility, if we make it there alive, it should be relatively easy to go to the rainforest and form an alliance, or truce, or something, with Queen Glory."
"And then what?" A soldier challenged. "Then we make the giant trip on the SkyWing border until we reach the Night Kingdom? That makes no sense!"
"Our tribe's population," Queen Ruby said, stepping forward, "Is slowly decreasing. Many are still healing from the battle with the LeafWings. And therefore, it would ultimately be safer if we make sure everyone on the mission stays alive."
"Then let it begin," They replied. "And if any of us die... that's on you. My queen."
They were at least an hour away from Possibility.
Comet considered flying ahead of the group, to scout, and maybe alerting the SandWings. But what if they took the information, thanked him, and murdered him along with all the rest?
They'd had to stop on the ground, and a couple were sleeping. More commonly, they were talking with their backs to Comet, acting distracted. He gazed towards the kingdom. It would be the perfect opportunity...
He glanced around once more, making sure nobody would follow him, and set off towards the Sand Kingdom. He was searching for Possibility.
But when he got there, there was nothing.
It was basically a big pile of ruins, from the cracked wood to the unfiltered water trickling along broken sand. The talonsteps were still fresh and new, as if it had been recently evacuated. He looked around, but everything useful had probably been burnt to the ground or torn down, along with all the buildings.
Who had done this? Who didn't want peace among the tribes? So much that they'd tear down an entire city?
But as he examined the crime scene further, he knew nobody had the strength to single-handedly ruin the place. Not even ten dragons, and it would be risky for any queen to send that many into the Sand Kingdom to destroy something necessary.
Finally, the truth became evident.
It wasn't just any group of irritated soldiers. It had been bombs. Something like that- dragonflame cacti? But didn't only SandWings have access to that?
So it must've been a SandWing. It would be easier for them to get around the kingdom unharmed. So the question was... why.
He looked back and nervously realized the group was flying towards him at an alarming pace. Nobody paused in the air, so they clearly hadn't spotted him yet, which meant he had time to tell anyone nearby.
He desperately flew towards a group, but they seemed to be leaving. One of them flew over in confusion. "SkyWing!" She hissed. "What are you doing here?"
"My name is Comet," He said drily, "But 'SkyWing' works too."
"I'm Icar." She stopped for a second. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to warn you." He pointed with a claw towards the approaching army. He had to come up with a believable excuse, but he didn't know what. He didn't want this to become apart of a battle, something they documented.
Nobody would remember this day.
He'd die, if he died, a hero. Not the one who betrayed his entire tribe and made Desire, Everest, and Queen Ruby hate him.
"The SkyWings are coming," He continued. "Place them in your dungeons, and everything will be okay. But don't tell anyone. This is our secret."
Icar looked suspicious, but she didn't question him further. She simply got her army and collected them, prepared to fight.
But as the tribe dove closer, and Comet sank in to fly with them unnoticed, they didn't even put up a fight. They all willingly flew into the dungeon and stayed there.
Icar gave Comet a choice of whether or not to stay in the dungeons, but he agreed to, as long as they spared his life during his tribe's execution. That, he could live with. But for now, he wanted to keep Everest company.
Surprisingly, his cell was quite far from Everest. He was next to a grouchy SandWing who looked like she'd only been in there a day at most.
"How'd you get in here?" Comet asked. He received a hiss in return.
She mumbled something to herself. He could make out something like 'none of your business'. Which it wasn't, but he was just trying to be friendly.
"I tried to steal Queen Thorn's treasure," The angry SandWing responded. "And the stupid guards found me!"
"Why would you do that?"
She shrugged. "I was curious, and my dad was away from here momentarily, flying somewhere. I can't remember where, but I know it was important. I can't seem to remember much. They knocked me on my head so hard."
"What's your name? I'm Comet."
She sighed. "Comet is a nice name." Then she growled and bared her teeth, probably thinking of the guards.
"So, what's yours?" He pressed.
She glared at him.
"Carrion. Why?"
== Chapter Seven: Skulls and Frost ==
"We need to move quickly," Sleet insisted, rushing around the table grabbing maps and scrolls. He laid out two maps: one with an X over the Sea Kingdom, and one marking the voyage to even reach the rainforest.
"It must've been a day trip," King, Sleet's sister, added curtly. "If not more."
"Meaning..." Sleet glanced over, and in unison, they both shouted, "They started yesterday!"
"Yes, we hold all the information I'll need!" Sleet rolled out more and more scrolls until they were practically rolling over the edge. King leaned back and read all of them upside down, her eyes flying across the page.
"WAIT!"
"What?" Sleet looked over, startled and a little scared by the sudden yell. But it wasn't King- since she looked quite frail and petite in that second, upside down and confused.
"Quartz? Again?"
Quartz laughed, coming out from behind a flying kit. Sleet frowned, but she found it funny. "The look on your faces! And anyway, how'd you get all this information? Three moons, did you steal it? if you stole it, I'll claw your face off-"
"That's not the point," King interrupted.
King was just a dragonet, about three, but she was wildly intelligent for her age. Sleet was six and her brother, and also wildly intelligent. Quartz was five and a half, but that didn't stop making her feel like she was the oldest and had to take care of everyone.
"What is the point, then?" Quartz challenged. "Here, do this equation." She rummaged around in a random bin on the floor, pulled out a piece of scroll, and set it gently in front of King. That should keep her busy.
For a few seconds, part of Quartz retorted.
She looked at Sleet, and he glanced back innocently. But a bit apologetic, too, she could tell. She shook her head and looked at the marble floor, with shades of gray-black winding through it like bits of spilled ink or water on the sidewalk that keeps travelling through cracks.
"Trouble will find those dumb enough to look," Quartz said finally. "That much is true. So, what are you waiting for?"
Sleet grinned, then flew over to his scrolls. King was focused still, and Quartz felt a little guilty. If she'd given her the hardest one, there was no way she could solve it today, with nothing but her memories and brain. She was smart, but she wasn't smart enough to do the hardest equation in the bin. Now, it took Sleet just a couple minutes to figure it out, but King would surely take much longer.
"Let's start at the top, because I have all the undercover information I think you'll need." He spun around the table unnecessarily, but it made him look cool and mystical, so Quartz let it slip.
"Do you now?"
"I do." Sleet looked so proud it was hard to question him. "So, Queen Thermos kills Queen Thorn, which means she's out of the equation. Because of this and the Great Ice Cliff, two SandWing and IceWing hybrids fly over it, only to reach where they feel comfortable inside the palace and kill more than they're worth. So Queen Fly seizes a chance for more territory, and she's right next to the SandWings, and ATTACKS!" His sudden yell makes Quartz jump.
"But that makes no sense," Quartz pressed, catching King looking at her, interested. "Queen Fly had no reason to attack her."
"There's been a rivalry between SandWings and HiveWings ever since they split the gigantic territory amongst themselves," Sleet explained. "Imagine how SkyWings feel, getting completely devoured by NightWings. But it's not fair; none of it is. Nothing is fair in war. Everyone is watching you, waiting for you to make a move."
"So what happened next?" It was King this time wondering, and Quartz couldn't blame her.
"The SilkWings are right next to the MudWings, too, and they're looking for an easy trip and a way to wipe out the tribe and force them out of the SilkWings' territory. Two hundred soldiers, can you imagine that? Yeah, well, that may not seem like much for IceWings, but it's an incredible amount for SilkWings- almost half of their whole tribe."
Quartz nodded, as if asking him politely to continue. She was getting frustrated.
"Okay, okay. Well, the MudWings know they can't handle any more attacks on their own, and seek out Queen Glory for help. She agrees that, temporarily, she'll ally with the MudWings. She swears an oath to protect them, no matter what, unless it's necessary she or her tribe surrender from a battle, whether it's because the fight is unreasonable, there are too many losses, or otherwise."
"You can recite that from heart?" King asked, awed. Quartz just blinked twice.
"Yes," Sleet said, then continued, "Every single trace of NightWing disappears off the grid. This part confuses me, but I understand it enough- they didn't want to participate in the war and risk losing anything. One NightWing remained, and her name was Carrion. Well, NightWing and SandWing. She was a hybrid, her mother being Moonwatcher and her father being Qibli. You both know those two, known for saving the entire world from Darkstalker. But that's not the point. The point is, they were just... gone when the entirety of Pyrrhia woke up that morning. And nobody knew where they'd gone. But then Queen Stem seizes a chance to devour more of the NightWing territory, by flying across and allying with the SkyWings. Unfortunately, Queen Ruby isn't pleased with that statement- so she struck a battle on the LeafWings instead, probably guessing they had nothing valuable."
"Wait, stop for a minute. I have to process that. Can you just randomly attack them if you're not allies? But what if they came in peace..."
"It doesn't matter," King piped up. "As long as you're in their territory, they have every right to attack. Nobody's playing nice now, Quartz. It's war."
"Yes," Sleet replied. "Now, may I continue?"
Quartz nodded.
"After the attack, the SandWings found it necessary to try to conquer the rainforest. They took a bunch of dragons prisoner, and then just took off, flying towards there as if it could give them what they wanted. But it was sort of close, so they cut some corners and wound up in the middle of crossfire. Queen Glory honored her promise and oath, but MudWings and RainWings suffered bigger losses than the SandWings did. The numbers were somewhere between three hundred and four hundred. So the SkyWings, still wounded from their earlier battle, begin creeping along the borders." He mimicked them doing that with his claws, pretending they were dragons. "And that's it, as far as I know. I'm not sure who's planning what, or why."
"You need to give this information to the queen," Quartz said softly. "I'm sure she'll want to hear it, and maybe move you up in the rankings?" She added hopefully.
"We'll see." Sleet smiled. "But now, you're all caught up!"
"Can you tell it again?" King asked, rubbing her eyes. "I fell asleep."
Sleet laughed, and he began to speak.
== Chapter Eight: The Deciding Vote ==
Uh-oh! It looks like you reached a dead end... how about rereading, and coming back for more later!
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