The Phyrrian Games

= The Pyrrhian Games =
The Games were a time of peace. And until the murderer was caught, they were all in danger.
Every four years, contests are held. Every four years, competitors are chosen.
This year, Asbestos is competing in the archery tournament, and has never been more nervous in his life.
But danger lurks beneath the seemingly innocent surface of the Games. One of the contestants is found dead, and anyone could be the murderer.
Asbestos has to find out who it is, before they strike again. But what happens if he’s too late?
(Author’s note: This is a murder-mystery set in the Phyrrian Games, which are inspired by the real-life Olympics. This is very different from The Pyrrhia Games (A WoF:HG AU by Silverdonna), which I did not know existed until after I had already started this.)
== Competitors ==
=== Archery Competitors ===
Asbestos — Muted yellow SkyWing (He/him)
Herring — Green SeaWing with red accents (She/her)
Glitter — Shiny silver IceWing with purple flecks (He/him)
Tumbleweed — Snappy pale brown SandWing (Former gold medalist) (She/her)
=== Running Competitors ===
Beryl — Glimmering orange SkyWing (She/her)
Thoth — Dark gray-purple SandWing-NightWing hybrid (He/him)
Squish — Green-brown MudWing (He/him)
Flipper — Slippery green SeaWing (He/him)
=== Fencing Competitors ===
Celestine — Sparkling white IceWing with gray accents (Former gold medalist) (She/her)
Fishhook — Blue and black SeaWing-NightWing hybrid (He/him)
Asp — Light amber elegant SandWing (She/her)
Celestial — NightWing with smoky black scales (He/him)
=== Gymnastics Competitors ===
Yuzu — Yellow and white RainWing (He/him)
Jewelwing — Amber-colored HiveWing (She/her)
Alabaster — Light orange IceWing (He/him)
Cranberry — Dark red RainWing-SkyWing hybrid (She/her)
=== Flying Competitors ===
Vulcan — Iron-gray SkyWing (He/him)
Forge — Dark red SkyWing with orange accents (He/him)
Cypress — Dark gray-green LeafWing with brown accents (She/her)
Arota — Purple-pink SilkWing (He/him)
=== Swimming Competitors ===
Prismarine — Pale turquoise SeaWing with cobblestone-like scale patterns (She/her)
Amphibian — Dark gray-brown MudWing (She/her)
Monocle — Brown RainWing with black and white eye patterns on his wings (He/him)
Barnacle — Gray-green SeaWing (She/her)
=== Queens ===
SkyWings: Queen Morganite
MudWings: Queen Gourd
SandWings: Queen Prickly Pear
SeaWings: Queen Gull
IceWings: Queen Sleet
RainWings/NightWings: Queen Excellence
HiveWings: Queen Weevil
LeafSilk representatives: Acacia, Gorgon
== Chapter One ==
Asbestos stood, his quiver and bow slung across his back. He looked up at the arena where the Games were held, just outside of Possibility.
Asbestos was terrified.
Queen Morganite signaled to him and the other SkyWings to follow her, and they took off, flying forward.
Beryl, Vulcan, Forge, and him, Asbestos.
He shuffled his talons as he flew, the wind currents flew around him, supporting his wings as he glided towards the massive structure.
Morganite flicked her tail, diving towards the heavy mahogany door. The door was flanked by two guards, both hybrids. Asbestos couldn’t tell exactly what tribes they were, but he could see they were a mix of features. Since the Games were a time of peace and unity, there weren’t too many guards, just enough to keep the queen’s safe.
After all, nothing would happen to put anyone in danger
…Right?
“Names?” The guard on the right grunted.
”Queen Morganite and SkyWing competitors,” the queen said regally. “Beryl, running competitor; Forge and Vulcan, both flying competitors; and Asbestos, archery competitor.”
The guard on the left checked the list he was holding, then nodded.
”Proceed.” The guards opened the door, and the SkyWings entered. When the Games officially started, everyone would be let in, provided they bought a ticket. But for now, when the Competitors and Queens were first arriving, they watched closely to make sure no assassins or dragons with ill intent broke in.
Asbestos gasped as they entered a large hall, hung with woven banners representing each tribe.
The talonsteps of each dragon echoed throughout the roof, ringing in Asbestos’s ears. 
“Well, this is it.” Beryl, Asbestos’s friend said, dropping her leather bag and nudging Asbestos with her wing. “We’ve made it.”
Asbestos nodded, swallowing, as his attention was caught by the largest banner hanging across the wall.
”WELCOME TO THE PYRRHIAN GAMES!”
Nervousness filled Asbestos like a cup as he took deep breaths. The thought of competing, of all those other dragons watching him- It was terrifying to the normally shy SkyWing.
But also exhilarating.
Asbestos remembered the first time he had held a bow, he remembered stringing it, shooting it. Barely missing the target. He remembered practicing, every day, for years.
And now he was finally here.
Asbestos felt Beryl brush his wing with her own.
”Nervous?” She asked quietly. Asbestos blinked.
”Kinda… Maybe, okay, yes.” He replied, shifting nervously. “What about you?”
Beryl shrugged. “A bit, but mostly excited. It’s not everyone who qualifies for the Games.”
Asbestos nodded. He knew this meant a lot to Beryl. Beryl had tried to qualify a few years ago, but had failed. Although Beryl was skilled, Asbestos knew she had been young, almost too young to compete. But her failure had crushed her, which Asbestos knew all too well. Asbestos and Beryl told each other almost everything.
Beryl was one of Asbestos’s few close friends. As a dragonet, he had been pulled out of school and homeschooled for a while, when he met Beryl. The two had been friends ever since.
He took a deep breath. Now him and Beryl were both here. 
“This way!” The queen led the SkyWings to a door on the side of the entrance hall, which she pushed open.
Asbestos’s talons clacked against the stone floor as they followed the hallway to the SkyWing’s quarters. The group stopped at a large door with a red banner hanging from it, emblazoned with a golden flame. 
“This is your quarters,” Queen Morganite turned to them. “There is spaces for sleeping and storage. There are maps and pamphlets in there, about any other information about the Games. I will leave you to get settled in.”
Morganite turned with a sweep of her wings, walking off.
Asbestos felt a chill along his tail, and turned to see the door across from them was slightly open. Cold air drifted out, and a white flag with a blue snowflake hung from it.
The IceWing quarters, Asbestos thought, catching a glimpse of gleaming talons inside.
Vulcan opened the door to the room, with high windows at one end. The room was painted a muted orange which complemented Beryl’s gleaming scales nicely, and had rock shelves jutting from the walls, with piles of blankets on each. Off the side of the room was a smaller space, for storage, most likely.
“The Welcome Dinner’s tonight,” Beryl remarked, flipping through a pamphlet. A thrill rushed through Asbestos as he looked out the window. He would meet his fellow archery competitors. Asbestos had never really been an…extrovert. However, he knew that this dinner was important.
He could hear murmuring voices outside their barely open door, and glanced around. He could see a troop of SandWings heading down the hall, hissing at the chill drafts from the IceWing quarters.
Asbestos set his bag down on one of the ledges. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and felt it. Nice weight, well crafted. The pale SkyWing slipped the arrow back into his quiver, then froze. He gazed at his outstretched talon, comparing it to the wall color. It was horrendous, a beastly combination. He quickly set his talon down, beginning to unpack his stuff.
== Chapter Two ==
The Dining Hall was full of loud dragons.
SeaWings, SandWings, Hybrids, name a tribe and they were there. Competitors, Queens and their guards. So. Many. Dragons.
Asbestos was overwhelmed.
He stood at the edge of the room, clutching a glass of some juice mixture. He closed his eyes and tried to breath.
When he opened them, Beryl was at his side. She cocked her head, looking concerned for the yellow SkyWing.
”You okay?” She asked. Asbestos grimaced.
”Too many dragons, too many sounds, too many smells.” He replied, his eyes darting around as if looking for an escape route.
Beryl patted his shoulder reassuringly. “The dinner will soon be over, and then the opening ceremony, and then-“
Beryl was cut off by a jeering call.
”What’s the matter, smoke-breather? Can’t stomach the glory of being in the Games?” A group of sparkling IceWings sauntered up to them, the speaker was a gray and white IceWing. Celestine, if Asbestos knew the history of the Games correct. He swallowed hard, Celestine had been the Gold Medalist for fencing last time the Games were held.
Celestine’s piercing gaze raked across Asbestos’s scales, her mouth curled into a sneer. “Not that you could’ve experienced much glory, eh, carrion-breath?”
Asbestos’s heart pounded as he tightened his grip on his goblet.
”What’s the matter, rock-eater? Cat got your tongue?” The IceWing hissed, taking a step closer. 
Beryl shouldered her way in front of Asbestos, smoke pouring from her nostrils.
”Leave him alone, igloo-face.” She hissed dangerously.
Celestine let out a cold laugh. “Who’s making me?” She sneered, leaning forward.
”I see you’re just as much as a bully now as you were four years ago, Celestine.” A new voice called out.
Asbestos turned, his heart jumping into his throat as he saw Tumbleweed leaning against a marble column behind them, her thin wings flicking. Tumbleweed, the Gold Medalist for archery last time. The Tumbleweed.
Celestine narrowed her eyes, her blue forked tongue flicking between her teeth as she let out a quiet hiss.
”Tumbleweed, I see you have returned for the Games, too.” She said, her tail flicking behind her.
Tumbleweed dipped her head, her onyx eyes never leaving Celestine’s face. Asbestos watched, holding his breath, as Tumbleweed stepped forward.
”Celestine. I would say it’s a pleasure, but-“ Tumbleweed didn’t finish her sentence. “Now, I suggest you go and enjoy the feast.” She gestured with one wing.
The IceWing didn’t move, her eyes glittering dangerously. “I think I’ll stay here.” She hissed, baring her teeth.
Tumbleweed’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. “Be careful, Celestine,” she said quietly. “Your words are going to attract trouble, someday.”
Tumbleweed turned, vanishing into the crowd. Celestine blinked, and Asbestos watched, ridged.
”I’ll see you around,” she finally snarled, pushing past Asbestos and bumping his shoulder. Asbestos stumbled to the side, his eyes wide.
”C’mon, let’s sit down.” Beryl gestured to two seats at the long table. Asbestos took a shaky sip of his juice and nodded.
The pair sat down. Asbestos glanced to his side and saw one of the judges was sitting there. On Beryl’s side there was another competitor, a green SeaWing, with red underscales. Asbestos sat in silence, not registering or caring what he was eating. Finally, finally the dinner ended, and everyone began to prepare for the opening ceremony.
His heart beat faster. He would have to parade into the center of the arena, watched by thousands of dragons, carrying the SkyWing flag alongside his other competitors.
In the opening ceremony, dragons living in Possibility from each tribe would do a performance, then the competitors would come in, carrying the flags of their tribes.
”Attention, competitors!” One of the judged called, standing up and clinking a glass.
”Please make your way to the arena, and collect your flags.”
Asbestos stood up, then froze in place. He gazed around, looking helpless and confused, his heart hammering.
”Asbestos!”
He blinked, his breath shallow and quick. He watched Celestine bickering with a NightWing across the room, jostling to get out of the Dining Hall.
”Asbestos!” He felt a cold talon on his, pulling him back to consciousness. He turned, seeing Beryl’s worried face next to him.
Asbestos let out a quiet sort of whimper.
”It’s okay, c’mon, let’s go.” Beryl took her talon off of his, and put a wing around him, leading him to the entrance chamber.
There were several flags propped against the wall, and the performers from the tribes were practicing.
Asbestos took a SkyWing flag, crimson with a golden flame.
”Alright, flag bearers, form up!”
He stood in a row of other SkyWings, lifting the flag high, his heart hammering. He could hear the noise of several hundred dragons outside of the massive doors.
”Ready, and… march!”
Asbestos and his fellow competitors marched forward, and the huge doors burst open.
== Chapter Three ==
Huge rows of seats rose up around them, and the marching dragons were greeted by a roar of noise. Cheers rumbled through the arena as dragons from all tribes clapped as the competitors marched out, holding their flags high. 
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the green SeaWing, Herring, trip on Celestine’s tail. Celestine laughed, twirling the IceWing’s flag. 
Finally, the competitors came to a halt in front of a huge brass fire pit. Logs were piled high up in it, and Asbestos knew it would soon be lit. Asbestos turned with the rest of the competitors and sat down. 
“WELCOME!” A voice boomed through the arena, startling Asbestos. 
”WELCOME, TO THE TWENTY-SEVENTH PHYRRIAN GAMES! MY NAME IS GULF, AND I WILL BE ONE OF YOUR ANNOUNCERS!” 
He looked up at a raised platform, towering over the stands, where a SeaWing-SandWing hybrid was sitting, next to a RainWing-IceWing. He was speaking into a silver disc, which Asbestos knew to be Animus-touched to project the speaker’s voice. 
”AND NOW, PLEASE WELCOME THE TRIBE PERFORMANCE TEAMS, HAILING FROM OUR VERY OWN POSSIBILITY!” 
Cheers filled the stands once more, then silence. 
Deep, booming drums began to play, and from the opening that Asbestos and his fellows had just emerged, came shooting three IceWings, wearing long fur cloaks. They shot across the open space, thundering straight for the competitors. 
Asbestos flinched, covering his face with his talons, when the IceWings took off, flying into the sky, and shooting frostbreath, a shower of blue sparkles falling from them. 
At the same moment, the music changed, and a troop of SandWings came out, beginning an intricate dance to the beat of drums. 
Next came SeaWings, swimming through the air and making dazzling patterns of light with their glowy scales. 
Then came the RainWings, beautiful displays of colors dancing across their scales. 
NightWings, their beautiful singing voices ringing through the arena. SilkWings, their silk weaving into one big web as they circled slowly, LeafWings, causing flowers to grow throughout the stadium, HiveWings marching with tactical precision. 
A MudWing sibling group, working together to create a masterpiece of dance. 
Then came the SkyWings. 
The SkyWing performance was marvelous. They soared, high overhead, bursts of fire coming from them. Then they dived, taking their place among the stands. 
Then two dragons, a SkyWing and an IceWing, came forward, leading a little dragonet. She looked like an IceWing, but her wings were shades of pink and red. 
When they reached the fire pit they paused. 
”AND NOW, THE CEREMONIAL LIGHTING OF THE FIRE PIT, TO SYMBOLIZE PEACE AND HARMONY BETWEEN ALL TRIBES!” The announcer, Gulf shouted. 
Asbestos watched as the young dragonet opened her mouth, a bolt of fire shooting from it. 
The crowd cheered as the logs caught fire. 
Asbestos watched, feeling trapped by the sound. But the fire was mesmerizing to him. 
He watched as the fire crackled and danced across the logs. Asbestos didn’t notice the talking of the announcer, or the music, or the murmur of the crowd. 
Asbestos could watch the fire forever. 
It was soothing to him, calming. He took deep breaths. 
”Hey, Asbestos, time to go.” He felt Beryl’s cold talon on his shoulder once more, and stood up. 
”Now what?” 
”The competitors are having a post-ceremony party.” Beryl hoisted her flag over her shoulder. 
Asbestos nodded, standing up and shaking out his wings. He was reluctant to leave the fire, but it would be warmer inside. His talons thumped in the sand coating the ground, and the large door opened again as the competitors filed in. The door slammed shut after them. The crowd headed through the halls, and Asbestos realized he had no idea where they were going. 
Suddenly he heard a commotion at the front of the crowd. Through the field of dragons he could see two at the front arguing. He wasn’t surprised to see Celestine was one of them. She was arguing with Herring, the green SeaWing. 
”No, you idiot! It’s room B2!” Herring shouted. 
”What do you know, sea-slug? Nothing! That’s what. It’s in B4!” 
”EVERYONE SHUT UP!” That was a new dragon, a funny-looking RainWing. 
”Why don’t you shut up, hybrid scum? Save your voice for when you run screaming from the arena before competing?” Celestine sneered. 
The RainWing bristled, smoke coming from her nostrils. The bickering continued. 
”Nobody invited you to this discussion, Cranberry!” Herring snarled. 
“Nobody invited you to the Games this year, Herring!” Cranberry hissed. A tall dragon began pushing her way through the crowd. 
”Stop, all of you!” It was Tumbleweed. “We’re here because we’re the best competitors in all of Pyrrhia and Pantala, and you three are fighting like dragonets! You’re both wrong, it’s room B6. Everyone be quiet and follow me.” 
Silence fell across the crowd, and they continued, Tumbleweed in the lead. 
== Chapter Four ==
Asbestos drowsily sipped his drink. Competitors walked around, and were chatting, but Asbestos stayed in the corner. He was tired, he wanted to sleep.
”Would you look who it is?”
He closed his eyes and counted to ten when he heard that voice. When he opened them, Celestine was standing in front of him.
”Hey, ugly. Where’s your friend?” Celestine looked around. “Ah, not here to protect you now, neither is Tumbleweed, pathetic sack of bones.” She stepped forward. “Listen closely, ugly. IceWings must win medals in all contests we compete in, so, why don’t you drop out now, before you are forced to leave due to injury?”
Asbestos could feel the faint hiss of frostbreath coming from Celestine’s nostrils now. He straightened up.
”No.” Blood pounded in his ears. He couldn’t let this IceWing walk all over him.
”What’d ya say to me, SkyWing filth?” Celestine’s teeth flashed as she spoke.
”NO!” A large amount of smoke was expelled from Asbestos’ mouth as he shouted. Celestine’s wings flared in surprise and she stepped back.
Rage flooded Asbestos. He was being bullied, again, just like in school, when he was a dragonet.
”GET AWAY FROM ME!” He shoved Celestine with both talons, and she stumbled.
”Freak!” She snarled, regaining her balance. “Come on, let’s go.” She and her cronies hurried away.
Asbestos swallowed the rest of his drink, setting his cup down and walking over to where a crowd of dragons were gathered around Tumbleweed, listening to her tell a story about the last games.
Asbestos didn’t listen. He stood idly, lost in thought. Why had he come to the games in the first place? This had been a terrible idea. He would just embarrass himself in front of all of Pyrrhia. He twisted his talons together. This was a bad idea…bad..bad…bad…..
“Hey, you okay?”
Asbestos jumped a foot in the air. He looked wildly around, before finding the speaker. A white RainWing stood there, his head cocked in concern, pointed brown horns twisting towards the celling.
”Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He flicked one yellow wing.
”I- yeah, you’re okay- that’s- I’m fine.” Asbestos stuttered, his wings flapping at his sides. He forced them to be still.
”I saw Celestine talking to you earlier, she’s…a real piece of work.” The RainWing offered, a friendly smile flickering across his snout.
”Yeah…” Asbestos flicked an ear uncomfortably.
The RainWing smiled more broadly. “Cool of you to stand up to her, few dragons have the guts to do that. I’m Yuzu, gymnastics competitor.” Yuzu offered a talon.
The pale SkyWing took it. “Asbestos, archery competitor.”
”Pleased to meet you.” Yuzu gave Asbestos a toothy grin. Asbestos frowned slightly. This dragon smiled a lot. There wasn’t that much to be happy about, was there?
”Asbestos! There you are!” Beryl came running over to them. “I’ve been looking for you!”
”Well, I’ll be going now. See you around.” Yuzu bumped Asbestos’ side with his wing. “I hope I’ll have the courage to stand up to Celestine, someday.” The smiling RainWing turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Asbestos yawned. He was tired, and his head hurt. “I’m going to bed.” He muttered to Beryl, his wings flopping at his sides.
Beryl nodded. “Get some sleep. The games start tomorrow.”
Asbestos left the room, and somehow found his way back to the SkyWing chambers. He collapsed on his chosen bed, his eyes snapping closed. His breathing slowed.
The door creaked open, and he recognized Beryl’s light steps as she closed the door, and crossed the room to her own ledge.
Asbestos turned over, and fell asleep.
***
Asbestos was woken very suddenly the next morning by a scream.
”Washappening?” He blurted out, rubbing sleep from his eyes and falling off of his ledge. “What-?”
The SkyWings flocked to the door, Forge wrenched it open.
Asbestos’s jaw fell open, and his stomach turned over.
Glitter, the IceWing archery competitor, was standing over the body of an IceWing, his talons pressed to his snout, staring down at the navy blood flowing steadily from the IceWing’s slashed throat.
Celestine was dead.
== Chapter Five ==
Asbestos was pretty sure he was going to throw up.
He stumbled backward, knocking into Beryl. Dead. A dragon was DEAD. And the murderer could still be out there…
It figured it was Celestine, she seemed to have enemies everywhere.
”I’ll get the guards!” Vulcan’s deep voice brought Asbestos crashing back to reality, where he was standing in a crowd of SkyWings at the Pyrrhian Games, looking at a dead body.
”What…why? How?!” Glitter looked like he was going to cry. He reached out a talon to touch Celestine’s wing, but Beryl stopped him.
”Stop! We can’t disturb the crime scene.”
Glitter looked at her like she had grown an extra head.
At that moment the guards, as well as the IceWing queen, came hurrying down the hallway. Their talonsteps echoed through the stone hall, until they came to a stop. Queen Sleet gasped, clapping a talon over her mouth.
”Celestine-? But- this is a time of peace-!” If possible, the white IceWing looked even paler. Asbestos couldn’t really understand why the queen was so upset over the death of the saltiest competitor- but then he remembered. The Games were a time of peace. And until the murderer was caught, they were all in danger.
”Your majesty,” Beryl stepped forward, her orange scales glittered in the light like gemstones, and though her talons shook, her voice was shockingly calm. “I fear for all of our safety, until who did this is caught—as there can be no doubt that it was murder. I humbly request to be put in charge of the investigation. I am training as a junior investigator currently in the Sky Kingdom. I understand if you would wish to bring in someone more professional, but the longer we wait, the more time the murderer has to strike again.” She dipped her head respectfully.
It was excellently worded, socially awkward Asbestos knew he could never do it. He wasn’t calm in the face of danger like Beryl, and he didn’t have her persuasive skills.
Queen Sleet dipped her head to Beryl.
”Very- very well. The quicker this case is solved, the better.”
Beryl bowed deeply, then turned to Asbestos.
Category:Fanfictions
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