The Star Trail

Part Two
Part One: The Dawn of the Tribes
Part Three: Bring the Fire
==Prologue==
The snowy night in the mountains was still and silent, not a creature in sight. The snowflakes fluttered softly to the ground below, covering the once green grass with a curtain of icy cold sparkles.
Two ice-blue eyes lit up in the branches of a barren tree, watching as two scavengers made their way through the valley. A snarl sounded in the night and, with the light flutter of wings, the pair of eyes were gone.
The two scavengers mumbled something to each other that the dragon in the bush beside them couldn't hear or make out. They then turned into a cave and were gone.
The dragon heaved itself out of the bush, shaking the snow from its color changing scales. Its flame-orange eyes continued to watch the cave the scavengers had disappeared into, waiting for something to come out, but nothing did.
The blue-eyed dragon fluttered down next to the first. It was lean Mudwing, with sparkling white freckles marking her scales, she looked to be just out of her dragonet years, barely old enough to join the army. She snarled. "Ugh, these things never stay in one place long enough for me to kill them!" she hissed.
The taller dragon looked over at the young Mudwing. "Patience, Swan. You can't just strike at them at any time. You need to wait and watch for a weak spot." This dragon was a bizarre looking one. She had the scales of a Rainwing, but the body of a Seawing. She swished her tail, making a trench in the snow.
The Mudwing rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Kuishi. You're so pathetic in battle."
Kuishi's scales turned into a mix of blue and green. She gave a half smile at Swan. "I may be pathetic, but I've been a soldier way longer than you have." she joked.
The Mudwing grunted, showing the hybrid dragon her teeth. "Don't talk to me like that. I'm the daughter of General Waterlily and Deputy Earthquake! I should be in charge of you!"
Kuishi gave a low, rumbling laugh. "I'll be sure to take note of that." she said, beginning to make her way back to the Skywing camp in the mountains.
Swan ran after her. "Hey, wait for me! You can't leave me out here! I'm practically a princess!"
Kuishi's ears shot into the air. She sniffed heavily, swiveling her head around to look behind her. She sniffed again, drawing in a scent, the scent of scavenger. She swung her head around to face Swan. "Run!"
The Mudwing's eyes widened as she ran towards the mountain fortress.
Kuishi followed behind her, a look of determination on her face.
The walls of the mountain slopes seemed to be narrowing as the two came to a tiny crevice through the rocky wall.
"Go through it!" Kuishi yelled. "Now!"
Swan rushed forward, clawing at the sides of the tunnel to make sure she fit through it. "But what about you? This crevice is too narrow!"
"We'll figure something out!" Kuishi yelled, facing the oncoming scavenger forces. "Just go!"
Swan scrambled through the tunnel, squeezing herself out the other side.
Kuishi soon dove through the tunnel, wedging a large rock in the way for good measure. "That should hold them for a while." she said, panting heavily.
The two then continued their trek back to the Skywing fortress to report their findings to General Garnet.
==Chapter One==
Two marked up maps fell to the floor of the floor of the Outclaw's Den.
Scorpion slammed his tail on the scorched stone. He roared in frustration. "Ugh! This is hopeless!"
Spearmint coiled her tail against herself. "Scorpion, love. Calm down."
Scorpion sat down, lashing his tail. He grabbed another map and began to scan along the edges of the Sand Kingdom.
Spearmint grabbed the map from his talons and threw it onto the table. "The Outclaws need you. You're their leader."
"Spearmint, that's it!" he said, jumping to his feet. "Call the Outclaws to the center of the city! I have an announcement!" he called, running out to the apparatus of bells.
The sounds of the huge bells echoed through the city as dragons flooded to the town square where the old fortress used to be.
Scorpion pulled himself to the top on the balcony's overlook, the desert breeze whistling in his ears. "Dragons of the Outclaw Den!" Scorpion announced. "I have made a decision that will change all of our fates."
Mumbling swept through the crowd of dragons. They began to look at each other, confused.
"I've decided to ally with the camp leaders." Scorpion declared.
An outcry responded to Scorpion's declaration.
"I don't want to ally with them!" a large gruff Icewing growled. "Just look at what they did to me!" he said, pointing to four long claw marks on his face.
"Yeah! Me neither!" a Sandwing yelled in agreement. "They cost me my wing!" He held out the mangled stub of where his right wing once was.
Scorpion took a step back as the mob began to get more violent.
Spearmint jumped up next to him, her black claws scraping on the stone. She roared over the balcony, silencing the crowd. "Enough!" she snarled. "This isn't your choice to make!"
The crowd began to murmur again. A few snarls of irritation echoing in the air around them.
Scorpion turned to Spearmint. "Spearmint, gather a party of diplomats. We're going to the Sky Camp. That's where all the leaders are."
Spearmint nodded, her green eyes shining. She then fluttered off.
==Chapter Two==
Snow fell softly to the ground, not a single sound breaking the monotone silence.
A deep red talon crunched into the snow, its claws flexing. Another followed it. General Garnet stepped out into the snow-caked courtyard of her base, walking toward a small frozen fountain at the very center. Her amber eyes glinted as she stared at the ice covered marble.
With a soft flutter of pale wings, General Vanilla made her presence known. "Something wrong, Garnet?"
Garnet's ears twitched as she turned to face the albino Rainwing. "Hmm? Oh, no. Just thinking."
"About what?" she asked as she drew her sinewy body closer to the muscly Skywing. "The war?"
Garnet sighed, her breath visible in the cold air. "No, it's-" She paused, her ears flicking upward. Her head whisked back and forth very quickly. "Something's coming." she said, her eyes wide. "Coming up from the south, at about 70 miles per hour. And whatever it is, it's flying."
"Flying?" Vanilla asked as Garnet sprang up onto the top of a wall.
She began to growl slightly.
Vanilla clambered up next to her. She glanced at her. Her eyes were narrowed and she was drawn into a battle position, her teeth bared.
"Garnet, what's-" She stopped, gasping at what was appearing over the horizon.
A flock of about 15 dragons in a V-formation was rapidly approaching the Sky Camp base.
Garnet threw herself from the wall, catapulting herself back toward the stone building. Vanilla followed. Garnet's talons clattered on the ground as she ran, leaving a torrent of snow in her wake. She skidded to a stop, nearly slammed into General Waterlily.
The Mudwing turned to face her. "Garnet, what's wrong with you? You're all-"
"Attacking dragons from the south!" she managed to spit out in between pants.
Waterlily's face filled with realization. She and Garnet ran into the soldier's quarters, Vanilla trailing a ways behind them.
Sapphire, Angelfish, Galaxywatcher, and Tiye emerged from a tunnel, meeting with the other generals in the courtyard.
Sapphire jumped onto the wall with Garnet, frost puffing from her nose as she bared her dagger-sharp fangs at the quickly approaching formation of dragons.
The dark red Skywing pushed her back with a shove of her wing, flicking her tail anxiously. "Sapphire, return to the fortress, now!" she shouted over thundering wingbeats as the Skywing army assembled beneath the wall.
Sapphire's piercing blue eyes stared right through Garnet, a scowl crimping her face. "No! No one has sympathy for someone who will not fight! Whatever this threat is will die at my claws!" she snarled, her claws unsheathing and digging into the stone of the wall, little piles of dust forming along them.
Garnet gave an aggressive shove to the Icewing, pushing her behind her. "You're with eggs! We won't let you fight! Your dragonets will be in too much danger!"
As Sapphire inhaled to offer a rebuttal, Angelfish jumped up next to her. "Sapphire, listen to her!" she yelled as her voice faded into the crashing wingbeats as the Sandwing formation drew closer. "Don't risk the lives of your dragonets! We can handle this!"
Sapphire looked back at the v-formation as they began to slope toward the ground. She paused for a moment. "Fine." she growled as she jumped down from the wall, Frost helping her to the fortress.
Garnet's dark amber eyes glittered menacingly at the Sandwings appearing over the mountain peaks. "You are not welcome here!" she barked with authority. "You need to leave now!"
Galaxywatcher's massive wings flared behind Garnet as she lifted her gargantuan body onto the wall, the bricks cracking beneath her immense weight. Fire flickered from her nostrils as she glared down at the dragons.
Several Skywing guards snarled, moving forward a bit. They stopped at a low grunt from Garnet's throat.
Galaxywatcher's green eyes landed on Scorpion, three long scars streaking his face. She gave a half-grin, showing yellowed teeth. "So, you came back for more, didn't you Squirt?" She was staring directly at Scorpion.
The young Sandwing wheeled back a few steps, wings quivering slightly. He put on a brave expression, puffing out his chest and folding his ears back. "We do not come here to fight."
Tiye lifted over the wall, her claws parting the thin grass on the other side of the wall. She gave a look of empathy to her nephew. She turned back to Garnet, the Skywing general not noticing her.
Angelfish gave a small glare to the Sandwing, memories of him returning to her.
She remembered her claws snagging on hot sandstone as she swerved to the entrance of the stone fortress, jumping through a wall of flames to get inside. Inside, she was met with Scorpion, a sinister grin on his fire lit face. Just like Damu.
"My name is Scorpion, son of Damu. And you are trespassing! Prepare to die!"
"We are not here to start a battle!" Scorpion called, snapping Angelfish out of her trance. "Please, allow me to right my father's wrongs!"
There was a moment of stunned silence, dragons staring in shock and distrusting hate.
Garnet's snarl broke the silence like glass. "How do we know you speak the truth?"
"Yeah!" Angelfish barked, her eyes still locked on him. "How do we know?"
Galaxywatcher's massive forearms flexed, sending the hook-like claws of her right talon into the wall, protruding from the other side of the stone brick. "You little liar..." she growled, not looking at him.
"I come here to propose an alliance, miss. We didn't come here to-"
The dark Nightwing roared, sending Garnet scrambling for her footing. "You can act naïve, but I know you're not stupid, Scorpion. Damu's blood courses through your veins. Evil never changes, even if it wants to. You'll realize that, but not before it's too late."
A dark tan, nearly brown, Sandwing with a jet black frill shoved Scorpion aside, his sinewy, serpentine body looking near identical to Damu's.
Scorpion looked up at the larger dragon. "Baya, what-"
A deep snarl from Baya silenced him. "Shut your trap, Scorpion. Father may have picked you to succeed him, but I don't think he ever expected me to do what I'm doing now. My name may mean immoral, but I'm a killer, like father. Not a pathetic mewling dragonet like you."
Scorpion looked away, the breeze ruffling his red frill.
Baya turned his eyes to the wall where Garnet, Angelfish, and Galaxywatcher were perched, staring in stunned shock. He smiled, his eyes glittering like obsidian spheres. "My brother may have not come here for a fight, but I did. Now do you accept, or hand over your authority to me?"
Galaxywatcher bared the full length of her teeth. "Make us you little newt!" she growled.
Baya didn't flinch. His closed-lip smile grew wider as his eyes narrowed at her. He gave a small chuckle. "I remember you, Galaxywatcher. Do you remember me?"
The Nightwing leader gasped, nearly slipping. Her anger returned, so much so, Garnet could swear her eyes flashed red. "You! You did this to me!" she snapped as she held out where her left talon once was.
Baya's grin began to flash with sparkling white teeth. "Oh, yes. You do remember me."
"I'd never forget."
Tiye's eyes focused on Scorpion, hunched over on the outcrop, hanging his head.
Spearmint forced her way through the crowd of dragons, pushing her way up to Scorpion. "Scorpion, are you-"
She was cut off as Baya stepped in front of her, tail curling dangerously. "Well hello there, you pretty little thing." he drawled. "You look like a fine mate for the leader of the Outclaw Den. Why don't we go somewhere more private."
Scorpion's eyes flew open and his face wrinkled as a look of madness appeared, teeth glittering like diamonds and eyes as wild as storms. He lashed at Baya, he claws raking the scales from his face. A roar echoed from the rock peak as the two fought.
Baya's lithe body dodged nearly every hit thrown at him, his thin, lean talons jabbing at Scorpion until his attacks slowed to near nothing.
He was panting heavily, vision flickering, and blood trickling from several gashes across his body. He stumbled forward a few steps, catching himself as he collapsed. "Don't... Don't touch her..." he mumbled.
Baya's long tail snapped forward, cracking across Scorpion's snout, sending him fumbling to the edge of the peak.
Tiye gasped as she saw him faltering as he tried to stay on his feet.
Scorpion groaned, his eyes blurred with blood. The rock began to crumble under his talons, sending him free-falling into the ravine below.
Tiye surged forward, adrenaline overpowering her sense of caution. She dove into the gorge after him as Garnet's voice boomed overhead.
"Attack!" she roared as the yells of approval from the Skywing soldiers followed.
Tiye beat her wings hard, feeling the tips sting as they grazed against the sharp stones of the ravine. I have to catch him! If he hits the ground, it's all over!
She pushed herself to go faster, the muscles in her wings burning. Her talons shot out pulling the young Sandwing to her chest. Her silver wings shot out, allowing her to gently land on the rocky bottom. She carefully rested Scorpion on the ground, looking at his blood-smeared scales.
He looked up at her faintly before drifting into unconsciousness.
Tiye listened to the battle above, the shadows of dragons blocking the sunlight from the gorge.
A chill shot through her as the grisly voice of Baya growled, "Retreat!"
She panted, grabbing her nephew and returning to the surface. As she landed on the blood-soaked grass, she stood over top of Scorpion as she met the black eyes of Baya.
He was panting, blood bubbling from the neck of a dead Skywing soldier he had in his jaws. A black scorch mark seared across his right shoulder.
The pale Sandwing bared her teeth at him, her claws slipping out of their sheaths.
He dropped the Skywing, growling at her as his burnt eye stayed partially closed. "Don't think I'm done. I'll never be finished until I rule Pyrrhia. You will all bend to my will. Just you wait!" he roared back as he flew over the horizon after the rest of the Outclaws.
== Chapter Three ==
Scorpion lay on a makeshift stretcher in the Skywing Fortress, the generals looking down at him.
"Well, we can't just let him die." Waterlily said. "He might be worth something. He has very valuable information."
Spphire growled at the unconscious dragon, her eyes narrowing at the blood caking his tan scales. "I don't care what info he might have. I say we kill him now and get it over with."
Tiye's tail flexed as her lip twitched at the Icewing leader. She took a deep breath, calming herself down. "You won't touch him, Sapphire."
Scorpion groaned, rolling over as his eyes began to flicker open. He gasped as his vision came into focus. He pulled himself to his feet and attempted to leap from the circle of dragons, but he tumbled to the floor from exhaustion. He looked at Tiye with pleading eyes as he crawled toward her.
Tiye gave him a reassuring smile, opening her wings a bit.
Scorpion scrambled into her wings, hiding underneath them like a scared dragonet. His talons shook slightly. "W-Where's Spearmint? Is she safe? I have to find her."
"She's fine, Scorpion." Angelfish said unsurely. "She left with the rest of the Outclaws."
Scorpion's eyes were flooded with despair. "No, I have to get to her!"
The aqua Seawing looked at him with frustration. "She's fine. She-"
"No, she's not!" Scorpion wailed. "Baya's wanted her for years. If she doesn't go along willingly, he'll take her by force."
Sapphire gasped, her eyes draining of all their anger. "Okay. I'll help you."
The other generals stared in shock, gasping at Sapphire's offer.
Scorpion pulled himself out from underneath Tiye's wing. "Why would you help me?"
Sapphire didn't answer. "Do you want my help or not?"
Scorpion nodded. "Yes ma'am. I do."
Kuishi trotted into the room, limping on a back leg. "Miss, the prisoner is very restless. She wont-"
"Wait." Scorpion interrupted. "Prisoner? Did you get her name?"
She shook her head.
"We have to go see her! If she's who I think she is, she may be able to help."
Garnet gave him a somewhat irritated look. "I don't think it's a good idea to have an enemy Sandwing waltzing around my fortress."
Sapphire pushed past her. "Let him see her." she said, no emotion in her voice.
Kuishi led Scorpion, followed by the generals, underground into the dungeon.
The banging of metal bars could be heard as they entered. The shrieks of a dragon echoed in the dark tunnels.
Scorpion stepped in front of a cell holding a small grey Sandwing, a long scar running along her side. The look of hope faded as he saw her. "Oh. It's just you, Ghibli."
The small Sandwing lashed out at him, her claws only missing by a few inches. "I hate you! Get away!" she yelled. Her solid black eyes didn't look away from the floor.
Sapphire bared her teeth at her. "Who is she?" she said, looking at Scorpion.
"I'm Baya's mate, lizard-breath!" she snarled. "I'll kill Spearmint if she takes him from me!"
"That's why we need your help." Scorpion said.
Ghibli bared her teeth. "I'll never help you!"
Scorpion's eyes narrowed to slits. "Fine. Rot away here. I know Baya won't come to save you." he hissed, flicking his black tongue at her.
"Wait." she growled. "I'll do it, but only to keep your girlfriend away from my mate."
Scorpion nodded at her as Kuishi fumbled with the key to her cell.
"Now wait." Garnet interjected. "She's a prisoner, not a messenger."
Scorpion walked up to the tall Skywing. He bowed in front of her. "Garnet, I ask that you allow her out. I promise that if anything happens with her, it'll be on my head."
Garnet furrowed her brow for a moment. She sighed. "Alright, but if she steps out of line, she'll be executed." She drew herself close to the cell bars. "Is that clear, Ghibli?"
The grey Sandwing gave a puff of smoke from her nostrils. "Fine."
== Chapter Four ==
Ghibli sat in a chamber, large maps of Pyrrhia painted on the walls. Metal shackles bound her talons together. Her claws splashed into a pot of red-brown ink, sending sloshing waves of color onto the wooden table, staining it. She placed her talon on her chin, looking at the map and thinking. She then drew a circle around a place on the border of the Sand Kingdom and Sky Kingdom. "There."
"That's where Baya is?" Scorpion asked, walking up next to her.
Ghibli gave him an impatient look. "Did I stutter? Now let's go."
"Wait!" Scorpion called after her. "You can't just walk in there. You don't know what Baya's planning."
"Oh, you don't." she said, her grey eyes trailing along the walls. "But I do. I'm going after my mate. It'll be... like an undercover mission. I'll go in, get some information, and then get out. How hard could it be?" she said, her voice a sinister whisper.
The way she spoke the last sentence made Scorpion's scales crawl like scarab beetles. She has to be lying. Or she wouldn't say it in such a strange way.
Garnet nodded. "That could work. Baya trusts her."
Waterlily looked at her. "She could convince him to give her information."
Scorpion inhaled to make a counterargument, but Galaxywatcher did that for him.
"You can't possibly be that foolish." she hissed. "It's obvious she isn't trustworthy. How do we know you won't run?"
Ghibli's eyes studied the massive Nightwing.
She's sizing her up. Scorpion thought. She wouldn't stand a chance if she were to attack her.
The dull Sandwing puffed a cloud of ash from her nose. "You can trust me, Nightwing. I won't betray you." Her voice was cold and near emotionless, with a stillness about it that was like a snake, coiled and ready to strike. "I'll be very careful."
Galaxywatcher seemed unfazed, but she backed off from the small dragon, limping back to her place next to the others. Her eyes never left her.
Angelfish curled her tail in anxiety. She shot a gaze at Scorpion and gestured for him to go in between the bookshelves as the others began to file out of the small room.
The tan dragon stepped toward Angelfish, his black diamond markings covered in the dust of the room. He shook himself out, sending dust through the air. "What did you want?"
Angelfish gave him a desperate look. "We can't trust her, Scorpion. You have to tell me what you know about her."
Scorpion looked at his claws. "I know she isn't trustworthy. She's very likely a sociopath. She's a very convincing liar. And a killer."
Angelfish gasped.
"She killed a clutch of dragonets, just because they were a nuisance. And Baya let her."
The two looked at each other for a moment in silence before darting after the others.
Angelfish skidded around a corner, her claws sending tiny pieces of stone flying as Scorpion stumbled after her. She flared her wings open, slowing her run as she stopped in front of the others. "Don't let Ghibli go!"
Garnet looked down at her, her large amber eyes focused on Angelfish's stunned expression. "She just left. She said she'll be back by sundown tomorrow."
Scorpion gasped. "No... She won't be back. She's too possessive of Baya. She won't betray him. But she will betray us."
Galaxywatcher snarled, her eyes scanning along the horizon. "I knew she wasn't on our side! But none of you listened!"
Sapphire stepped forward, her ears folded back. She had been silent the entire time. "I'll go after her. If it means Spearmint might be saved."
Scorpion gave her an open mouthed stare. "Miss, you don't-"
"Yes I do." she said, mildly sympathetically. "Now let's go."
The other generals leaped to block them from the sky.
"No, let us come with you." Tiye said, looking nervously at Scorpion.
"Yeah." Angelfish said, backing up the tall Sandwing. "Don't go alone. We can help you."
Scorpion shook his head. "Garnet and Galaxywatcher are too large to be stealthy and Tiye and Waterlily's flight patterns are too loud. They'd hear us."
"Well take me then!" Angelfish cried. "I'll go. I'm small enough."
Scorpion gave her an uncertain look. He looked over his shoulder at Sapphire.
She nodded slowly, not saying a word.
Angelfish walked up next to Sapphire, her dark blue eyes looking up at her.
"Come on." Sapphire called. "We'll have to move fast if we're going to catch Ghibli."
"We'll need to camouflage ourselves so they don't recognize us." Scorpion said.
Rain had begun to trickled from the clouds, lightly sprinkling down on them.
The three dragons took of into the sky, the grey sky bordering them as they disappeared over the mountains.
Garnet, Waterlily, and Tiye watched nervously.
"I hope they're safe." Tiye said softly as rain dripped from her horns.
Garnet sighed. "Me too."
== Chapter Five ==
Featherwing's silver scales were turned pale orange by the firelight of the Nightwing camp. A blazing fire lit in the center of town reflected in her deep blue eyes.
"Well?" Galaxywatcher asked. "Are they alive?"
Featherwing didn't respond, studying the fire further.
"Featherwing, are they alive?" the Nightwing leader asked, more impatiently. "They've been gone for two months. Frost has been worked to the bone running the camp in Sapphire's absence. And Algae hasn't been faring well either. The Seawings refuse to accept a male leader."
Blue flame flickered from the silver dragon's nose. Her sapphire necklace glittered in the light.
The fire suddenly was reduced to nothing but embers, startling Galaxywatcher.
Featherwing sighed. "They are alive." She paused. "But likely not for long."
A growl filled the quiet night air. "And?"
"Baya is preparing an execution." She pulled a small black disk from under her wing, puffing smoke onto it. "Look."
Three swirls of smoke appeared on the disk, one brown, one grey, and one a sandy gold.
A voice spoke from the obsidian disk.
"Are the executioners ready?" Baya's voice asked. "I'm ready for a show."
The grey shape moved closer to the brown swirl. "Yes, my love. And that will be three obstacles out of our way. And you soon will rule Pyrrhia." It was Ghibli's voice speaking.
Baya pushed her back. "What is this we?" He turned to the sandy shape. "Spearmint will be mine, won't you? And that's why you're my girl."
Spearmint snarled. "I'm not your girl. Scorpion is my love, not you. Now where is he?"
Ghibli growled at Baya. "She isn't your mate. I am. Now act like it." It sounded like she was speaking through gritted teeth.
Baya ignored her. "Get the executioners ready. We might have our little festival a bit early."
The curls of smoke disappeared, absorbing into the stone.
Featherwing tucked the plate away, turning to her leader. "I'm going after her. You will stay here."
"Are you insane?" she snapped. "You aren't going alone. I'm going with you."
"No." the young Nightwing said, her voice smoothly mixing with the crackling of the fire. "You would be killed. I'm going alone." she said, using her magic to cloak herself in darkness to hide her silver scales, turning completely black except for her eyes, which were solid blue. "Protect the camp. I'll be back soon." She then vanished into the night.
The mountains outlined the night sky like large stone walls, blocking portions of the star-filled background.
Featherwing landed quietly against a vertical mountain peak, her claws gripping the stone as she watched the torch lit base.e
"Trying to get them back, huh?" a voice said.
Featherwing gasped, giving up her veil of darkness. Her blue eyes turned up to the top of the peak, widening as Kuishi's bizarre scales flashed into view, turning a silvery grey color, mimicking Featherwing's scale color.
"Don't go down there, Nightwing." the hybrid dragon said, her green eyes looking down at her. "I've tried. It's too dangerous." A grisly scar ripped across her color-changing scales, shredding across her muzzle.
Featherwing rolled her eyes at her, turning back to the base.
Baya and Ghibli walked out of a shack, a chain dangling from Baya's jaws.
He looked back and yanked the chain hard. "Come on!" he called after something.
Spearmint was dragged out of the hut, the chain gripped in her teeth.
With another tug, she gave up and followed Baya onto a wooden platform.
Featherwing focused, her silver scales fading into nothing. Her claws scraped on the rocks as she drifted down to the small town.
Kuishi followed her.
Featherwing's light form landed on the platforms with a faint thump. She sniffed the air, opening her mouth slightly to allow more of the scent into her nostrils.
"This is really stupid, Nightwing." Kuishi's invisible form whispered. "I told you it wasn't safe."
"You didn't have to follow me." Featherwing hissed, turning her attention back to the scent. Her nose suddenly filled with the metallic scent of blood, making her recoil in disgust. She darted after it.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Kuishi said, her somewhat heavy footsteps following Featherwing's near silent ones.
Featherwiing pulled herself up onto a wall made of logs, her claws sinking easily into the soft wood as she climbed. She gazed down into a makeshift arena, a woven net made of dead grass and vines lined the bottom.
Blood spattered the plants as dead scavengers littered the arena. Sparks flickered from the mouth of a heavily muscled Sandwing, his black diamond markings stained with blood. Blood pooled in his jaws as he heaved an exhausted sigh.
Baya snorted. "Congratulations, Scorpion. You've proven you deserve to live a while longer." He grinned.
Scorpion didn't look at him, a faint growl emitting from his bloodstained face, as a large cut dripped blood from his forehead.
Featherwing's eyes studied the arena for any way she could get him out. There were none.
"Come to watch the arena battle, Nightwing?" Kuishi asked, bringing herself into view as she turned a dark grey, her scales dappled with black and navy blue.
Featherwing ignored her, slowly creeping into the arena as two Sandwings, armed with spears began to pull Scorpion away.
"Bring out the Seawing and the Icewing." Baya commanded. "I have no further use for them than to watch them die."
Featherwing froze, her scales growing cold. "Sapphire, Angelfish..."
The guards led the pale blue Seawing into the arena first. She thrashed violently, swinging her powerful tail and slashing at any dragon who came close. Her tongue was a faint purple color and her eyes were wild.
Featherwing felt a tremble run through her. She can't carry on much longer. She'll be dead soon.
Sapphire was heard before she was seen, the ear-piercing snap of her tail rattling through the air. She tore out into the arena, dragging the guards holding her back along with her. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Angelfish hunched over in the arena, blue eyes locked onto her.
Sapphire stepped forward carefully, allowing her bound wings to droop and her tail go limp. She held her head low as she slowly stepped toward the Seawing leader. She then muttered something Featherwing could not hear.
"Get on with it!" Baya barked. "Kill her!"
Featherwing turned to Baya's balcony, meeting Ghibli's cold grin. She turned away, shuddering.
A small growl from Kuishi startled Featherwing as she watched the hybrid dragon allow her camouflage to take over, removing her from vision. She stepped into the arena, slightly rattling the plants underneath her.
Featherwing dove after her. "What are you doing?" she hissed.
Ghibli's head snapped toward Featherwing, her grey eyes squinting, nostrils flaring. A small growl rumbled in her throat. "We have intruders." she snarled. Her dull wings lifted her into the air and she began to hover over Featherwing and Kuishi. "Show yourself!" she snarled.
Featherwing's scales flashed into view as she blasted a plume of blue-violet flame into Ghibli's face.
She fell to the ground, shrieking and holding her face as the smoke drifted into the night air.
Angelfish and Sapphire darted toward the downed Sandwing.
Angelfish gave a ferocious roar as she sank her teeth into Ghibli's neck.
Featherwing turned her attention to Sapphire, who was staring her down intently with untrusting eyes. A powerful force slammed into her back, forcing her to the ground. She looked up, dazed, to meet Baya's eyes.
He grinned at her, a wide, toothy grin. His eyes met hers. They were wide and crazy, just like his father's.
Fatherwing turned her head to Kuishi, who had her wing over Angelfish's back as she attempted to help her away from the arena. "Go get help!" she yelled.
Kuishi's eyes widened at the silver Nightwing's words, bolting into the air and toward the Skywing Camp.
A sharp pain in the back of Featherwing's head made itself know with a loud thud. Featherwing dropped into blackness.
== Chapter Six ==
A splitting headache woke Featherwing from her unconsciousness. Her eyes darted around wildly, her vision still blurry. Her eyes settled on a dark shape, defined with sharp angles along its face and wings. She jumped back, clutching her head in pain.
"You're very lucky to be alive." the shape said. It's voice was calm and warm, like a gentle summer's breeze. "Baya was going to kill you."
As Featherwing's vision returned to normal, she gazed up at the figure. It was strange to say the least.
It was a large yet lanky dragon with a strikingly white underbelly and midnight black scales. Large silver freckles dotted his face and neck, resembling water droplets. He looked at her with shimmering purple eyes.
He swished his narrow, whip-thin tail along his huge talons, black claws lining them. "Oh, I'm sorry miss." he said with his low, rumbling voice. "Did I scare you?"
Featherwing looked up at him with wide eyes. She straightened herself up, forcing her shoulders down. "Yes. Just a bit."
"Well, my apologies." he said, stepping into a moonbeam, revealing his face. He was a handsome Nightwing, his dark scales turned grey by the moonlight. His bright purple eyes looked her up and down. "I assure you, scaring such a pretty Nightwing was not my intention."
Featherwing felt her heart flutter. She suppressed it. "I accept your apology, I suppose."
He flashed her a smile, the moonlight illuminating his perfectly aligned teeth, sparkling like tiny diamonds. "What's your name, little bird?"
"Featherwing."
He inhaled deeply. "A gorgeous name. Fitting for someone a beautiful as you." He stood up, showing his full height. "My name is Rainstep."
"Hello, Rainstep." she said, the shackles around her feet limiting how close she could get to him. She laid back down, her tail coiling around Sapphire's as she slept. She sighed, closing her eyes. She waited patiently until she heard Rainstep leave. She then pulled the obsidian disk from under her wing.
She puffed smoke on it, watching anxiously as it absorbed it. "Galaxywatcher." she whispered to the disk, the smoke curling into a black-and-grey shape.
"What do you mean Featherwing is gone?!" the general's voice roared in her ears. "Where is she?"
A vividly colored shape emerged alongside her. "They got her. I saw Baya-"
"That's impossible, Kuishi!" Galaxywatcher snarled. "She's more powerful than any other dragon in Pyrrhia!"
Featherwing waved the smoke away, causing the disk to be deactivate. She tucked it away, looking at Sapphire and Angelfish.
Angelfish shuddered, snarling and extending her claws.
Featherwing looked down at the golden necklace, the sapphire gemstones shining in the faint light. She began to desperately pull at the two smallest ones on each end, removing them from their gold cuffs. She laid them in front of her, her eyes becoming a solid glowing blue. "Haec auguriis et gemmas ad me ut ambuletis in somniis de aliis." she muttered quickly, crossing her talons in desperation.
The gemstones' sides began to fold in on each other, turning into two small stars.
With a sigh of relief, Featherwing's eyes returned to normal. She grabbed the sapphires and pressed them back into their casings. She lowered her head and focused on Angelfish. She felt herself lurch forward, as if she was flying through the air.
Her eyes flickered open, a terrifying scene opening up before her.
A sky blue dragon towered over a dragonet Angelfish, scowling down at her. "You failed, Angelfish. You are hereby exiled from Halfmoon Island."
Angelfish scowled back. "Mother, how could you?"
The sky blue dragon growled, pulling her claws back and slashing them across Angelfish's right eye, sending her flying backwards. "Leave now!"
Angelfish wiped the blood from her face, shooting one last dirty look at her mother. She then lifted into the storm clouds and disappeared from sight.
== Chapter Seven ==
Featherwing pulled out of the dream, returning to the thatch hut.
Sapphire's eyes were locked on her, causing her to jump back.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. Her blue eyes were dull and cloudy.
"Galaxywatcher sent me after you." she responded.
The Icewing scoffed. "She's worried about me? Are you sure you have the story right, Featherface?"
Featherwing ignored her. "Yes, I know I have the story right, General."
Sapphire growled, rolling her eyes. She pulled herself to her feet, the tight shackles around her ankles pushing into her scales. "It's taken them long enough. You're just lucky you don't have it as bad as the rest of us."
Featherwing looked around. "Where's Scorpion?"
A flurry of snowflakes puffed from Sapphire's nose. "Who knows. He's probably dead by now."
"What?"
"We haven't seen him in weeks. The last we did, he had lost his will to live." she said somberly. "He knows it's likely too late for him. He's ready to die."
Featherwing pulled herself to her feet, the shackles holding her back. "No, he can't. I read Spearmint's mind. She still loves him. She won't let Baya kill him."
"It doesn't matter." Sapphire snorted. "If Baya wants to kill, he will. She won't be able to stop him." she said as she laid back down, resting her head on her talons. "Besides, you're just lucky that Rainstep guy likes you."
Featherwing's eyes widened.
Sapphire smirked. "It's obvious, Featherwing. He's been eyeing you for the entire time you've been here." she sighed, closing her eyes. "He's not like the others."
Featherwing stared at the moon as Sapphire drifted into sleep. Sudden yelling surprised her. She laid down, squeezing her eyes shut as she listened.
"I don't care, Ghibli!" Baya roared.
"You should!" she snapped. "They're your dragonets too!"
"The girls aren't! Females are worthless in combat!" he snarled. "I will take the male."
Ghibli growled. Featherwing could hear her claws grating at the wood. "They're your daughters! Heliotrope isn't your only dragonet!"
With a snarl, the whisking of Baya's claws sent a chill through Featherwing that was only enhanced by a shriek from Ghibli.
Featherwing's eyes snapped open at the horrible sound.
Angelfish and Sapphire were staring too.
Featherwing turned to see Ghibli clutching her throat as blood pooled on the ground beneath her.
Baya grinned. "Isali, Mufa, get over here."
Two massive dark Sandwings stepped up next to him, their black eyes looking menacingly down at Ghibli.
"Take care of the girls." Baya ordered.
"No..." Ghibli rasped. "Don't..."
The two Sandwings shoved past her, pushing her to the ground.
Featherwing's ears pricked as she heard the squealing of the dragonets, followed by a heart-wrenching crack.
Rainstep appeared in the doorway of the hut, holding a tiny dragonet in his jaws. His eyes were fearful and darting around wildly. "Featherwing." he whispered.
Angelfish growled as he walked closer.
Rainstep pushed the young Sandwing into Featherwing's arms. "Hide it."
Featherwing looked down at the young Sandwing. He looked ta her with wide eyes, swatting at her snout. "Rainstep, what is this?"
"It's Baya's son. He can't get a hold of him and turn him into another killer." he whispered. "Just hide him. Don't let Baya find him at any cost."
Featherwing nodded as Rainstep darted from the hut, disappearing into the night.
Sapphire snorted. "Where are you supposed to hide that thing? If Baya finds him, that little termite will be the death of us all." she growled. "I say will kill it."
Featherwing pulled the dragonet closer. "No, don't do that."
Angelfish crawled toward Featherwing, dragging her chains behind her. She looked at the tiny tan dragonet, flicking her tongue at it.
The dragonet burst into a fit of giggles and happy chirps. He put a talon on Angelfish's snout.
"I can hide him." she rasped. "We can keep him where Sapphire's been hiding her eggs."
"Shut your mouth!" Sapphire hissed. "That little monster won't come anywhere near my eggs."
Angelfish gave her a pleading look. "We can't just let him die."
"He can get eaten by polar bears for all I care." Sapphire retorted.
Featherwing looked down at the dragonet. "I can do something about him. My magic can-"
"Well do it then!" Sapphire snarled. "He's too loud!"
Featherwing's eyes flashed solid blue as she muttered something to herself. "Ego autem in te carmine somnos."
Heliotrope's eyes slowly closed as he fell asleep.
Featherwing picked him up and rested him in Angelfish's lap. "Hide him."
Angelfish pushed a small pile of hay aside, revealing a small divot. She rested the small Sandwing in with the two pale blue eggs, replacing the straw on top, covering it.
Just the, Baya's thundering footsteps entered the hut, shaking it as Isali and Mufa entered with him. His dark eyes scanned the straw hut. With a threatening growled, he turned around and left.
As Isali and Mufa disappeared after him, Rainstep slipped in, carrying several wooden buckets. He set two down in front of each of them.
Featherwing looked down into the buckets. One was full of food and the other filled with water.
Angelfish plunged her snout into the water, downing it in mere seconds.
"You'll need this." he said dismally. "Baya's planning on entering you into the arena tomorrow."
Featherwing sighed.
"But, I made a deal with Baya to move Scorpion from his prison to here." Rainstep grabbed Featherwing's talon. "I'll get you out of here. I promise."
== Chapter Eight ==
The bashing of a gong woke Featherwing the next morning.
Baya trotted into the hut, Isali and Mufa at his side yet again. "Her." he said, pointing his venomous tail at her.
The two Sandwings began to undo her chains, pulling her roughly to her feet.
Featherwing growled, snapping her teeth at Isali and snagging his ear, ripping a chunk from it.
He snarled back at her, blood dripping from the wound. He did nothing, however.
They pulled Featherwing into the grass arena, shoving her in.
The grass sagged under her weight as the suspended arena bounced slightly. She gasped as she saw her opponent. Rainstep was standing on the other side of the arena, mouth agape.
Baya laughed. "That pretty silver Nightwing got you caught in a daze, Rainstep? Don't think I didn't see you last night. You know helping enemies is punishable by death. Now you have to either be killed by your lover, or watch as you kill her." he sneered.
The gong bashed again, signalling the fight to start.
Rainstep and Featherwing met in the middle of the arena, circling each other.
"I've got a plan." Rainstep whispered. "I'm going to get you out of here. Just trust me."
"Okay." Featherwing muttered. "I trust you."
"Good." Rainstep said. He then lashed at her, grabbing the chains binding her wings in his teeth. He gave a mighty pull, ripping them off and allowing Featherwing to take off into the sky.
Rainstep followed her, his wings beating hard to keep up with her.
A roar from Baya signaled them to fly faster.
Featherwing reached out her talon, grabbing Rainstep's shoulder. She allowed her magic to flow through her, her and Rainstep's scales fading into invisibility. "Follow the sound of my wingbeats!" she yelled as she ducked into the mountains below.
Rainstep followed, listening closely to the direction of Feathering's flapping wings.
As Featherwing relinquished the spell, Rainstep landed next to her in the grass.
"In here." she called, running into a cave.
Rainstep slipped inside the cave just as Baya's claws slammed into the ground, rattling the crystal stalagmites. "Where are you? I can smell you." Rainstep winced as he could feel Baya's hot breathe right next to him.
"Baya, I think they're over here!" Isali's gruff voice called.
Baya's wings sent a wave of hot air into the cave as he vanished.
Rainstep heaved a sigh of relief. He looked at Featherwing as she walked deeper into the cave. "Where are you going?"
Her ears pricked as she looked around. "Follow me."
He walked over to her, taking care to avoid the crystal points.
Featherwing's eyes were firmly fixed ahead of her. She placed a talon on the wet moss lining the ground, puffing a few sparks from her nostrils.
A quiet rumbling filled the cave, water droplets dripping from the cave roof.
Featherwing turned her head toward the ceiling, leaping to a higher rock platform. She looked back at Rainstep. "Come on. It's this way." she said as she pulled through a hole leading back outside.
Rainstep scratched the hole wider so he could fit, forcing himself through it. He gasped as he gazed upon what Featherwing had wanted him to see.
A tall mountain rose before him, the top flat and sunlit rocks lining the steep sides. Trees ringed around the bottom, like a leafy nest. And from the top, a flowing waterfall poured, feeding into a winding river, turned into gold by the sunlight.
Rainstep's eyes teared up at the sight of it.
Featherwing smiled at him. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes." Rainstep breathed. "It is."
Featherwing pressed herself against him. "Welcome to Angel Falls."
Rainstep leaned his head against Featherwing's. "But what about the others? We have to go back for them."
"I know." Featherwing said. "But I wanted to show you this place. If I never get to see you again, then I wanted to have a place to go to remember you." She turned to face him. "Rainstep, if either of us dies in the fight against Baya, then I wanted to have a place for us. Somewhere that only we know..."
A few tears streaked along Rainstep's face. "Don't say that, Featherwing." he said as he wrapped his wings around her. "I won't let anything keep us apart. I love you Featherwing. And I want to be by your side forever."
A single silver tear rolled along Featherwing's cheek. "I love you too Rainstep. But we have to go back. I can't abandon my allies."
Rainstep leaned forward, kissing Featherwing. "Then I'll go with you."
Featherwing smiled at him as the two lifted into the air. She felt her heart speed up as they drew closer to their destination. Nothing will happen to you, Rainstep. I will protect you, my love.
Featherwing landed on the platform, Rainstep next to her. Blue flame licked at her nostrils, curling above her head.
Rainstep lifted his head to the sky, sniffing deeply. "Baya's still gone. No fresh scents."
Featherwing nodded. "Good. Now let's move." She looked down at her claws, her eyes glowing blue. "Ego ambulavit in carmine ignis." she said as blue fire engulfed her feet. She looked at Rainstep. "I'll break their chains, you get them to Angel Falls. We're burning this place to the ground."
Rainstep nuzzled her. "Be safe my love. I'll be waiting for you at the falls." he said, lifting into the air as the fire began to catch around him.
Featherwing roared as she ran toward where Sapphire and Angelfish were imprisoned. The blue flames began to engulf her entire body, leaving flaming footprints as she ran. She skidded to a stop outside the hut, her eyes searching for the two generals. "No!" she yelled, seeing the hut was empty. "Rainstep!"
Rainstep swooped in, his purple eyes wide.
Featherwing ripped away the straw hiding Heliotrope and Sapphire's eggs. "Take the eggs and Heliotrope to the falls first! Then come back for the others!"
Rainstep dove through the flames, grabbing the two eggs and the Sandwing dragonet. He looked back one last time before he left, disappearing into the trees.
Featherwing watched for a moment. "Goodbye, my love."
== Chapter Nine ==
Featherwing walked through the small town, watching in sadness as dragons saw the flames encroaching on them. They screamed in fear, taking to the skies and scattering in every direction. She set her sights on the tallest building, its wooden roof with dragons bustling at the top.
Her fiery wings opened as she shot into the sky, a trail of fire following behind her. A chorus of drums reached her ears, growing louder as she drew closer to the building. She allowed herself to drop, closing her wings and falling to the bottom of the building. She flared her wings open, setting the building ablaze as she lifted to the top, a stream of flames following her up. Her claws bashed against the wood, the fire veil disappearing. She snarled at the dragons, several of which flew away.
Baya glared at her, an ax held in the air above Sapphire's neck. "You!" he roared.
"Featherwing!" Angelfish cried. "You came back!"
"This ends now, Baya!" Featherwing snarled, her tail held tense and straight.
Baya let loose a cackle. "I thought you'd abandoned your friends here!" he said, pointing the ax at Scorpion, Spearmint, and Angelfish. "But now, you'll join them in execution!" he shouted, throwing the ax at her.
Featherwing didn't move as the ax hurtled toward her. At the last second, she engulfed herself in flames again, the ax turning to ash as it came in contact with her.
Isali and Mufa vanished into the sky, shouting profanities at each other to go faster.
Featherwing leaped over Baya, swinging her tail at the chains binding the others, severing them. "Get him!" she shouted.
Angelfish lashed at him, her powerful tail crashing down on his, a crack echoing from it.
Baya screamed in pain as Spearmint's claws raked against his chest.
Featherwing grabbed the chains holding Sapphire down and ripped them into pieces.
The large Icewing looked down at her. "Thank you, Featherwing. Now let's finish this." she snarled.
Scorpion's barb pierced through Baya's wing as he put all his weight on his back, forcing him to the ground.
"Brother, why?" Baya asked, looking up at him.
Scorpion bared his teeth at him. "You're not my brother! You never were!" he roared as he swung his talon at Baya's head, breaking off a horn.
Baya screamed in pain as Sapphire knocked Scorpion off him, burying her claws into his neck.
The fire reached the top of the building, spurting from the walls.
Rainstep hovered over the roof. "Follow me! I'll get you out of here!"
Sapphire released Baya as she flew after the others.
Featherwing spread her wings, ready to lift into the air, as Baya crashed into her side, snarling.
Rainstep's head whirled around. "Featherwing!" he flew toward her, the blaze blocking him.
"Go!" Featherwing yelled. "Save the others! I'll be fine!"
Rainstep hesitated before leading the others back toward Angel Falls.
"I'm going to rip your throat out!" Baya growled, the smoke making his voice coarse and grating. "I'll never let you leave this place alive!" He swiped his claws at Featherwing's neck, missing.
Featherwing threw him backward, sending him crashing against the ground.
His claws dug into the wood as he flung himself back toward her, mouth agape in a vicious snarl.
Featherwing pulled her talon back into a fist, driving it into Baya's jaw.
The dark Sandwing fell back, blood spurting from his wounds. He lifted himself up, spitting blood from his now crooked jaw. He growled at her, baring his stained teeth.
Featherwing roared. "Give up Baya! I've won!"
Baya's wings trembled as the smoke inhalation began to get to him. "Never!" he snarled as he ran at Featherwing, the fire now burning the wood under his feet. He squinted as the sparks flew up into his eyes.
Featherwing rushed forward, extending her claws to full extent. She lifted onto her hind legs as Baya did the same, swatting at her face. She pulled back her talon, slashing across Baya's left eye, scratching away a large patch of scales.
The roof began to shift beneath her feet, the wood becoming unstable as it burned.
Baya lifted into the air, darting away as the roof began to cave in.
Featherwing didn't follow, her eyes following him as he disappeared over the rocky peak. The fire swirled around her, roaring in her ears.
"Featherwing!" Rainstep roared. "Come on!"
Featherwing turned her head to look at him, her vision blocked by the flames licking at her face. She reached onto her hind legs again, letting out a roar as the fire became more intense, blocking Rainstep's view of her as he fumbled backwards. He pulled back, preparing to go after her, as he felt a talon on his shoulder.
"Don't do it, kid!" Sapphire warned. "It'd be suicide!"
"But she promised me she'd be okay!" he shouted over the sound of snapping wood. "She promised!"
Sapphire gave him a look of pity. "Come on, kid! Don't do this! She'll be alright! I know she will!"
Rainstep allowed a few tears to fall, sizzling against the flames below.
"Come on! Let's go!" Sapphire urged.
Rainstep looked back at the wooden building, Featherwing still out of view. He then followed after Sapphire.
He crashed down in the river below Angel Falls, looking up at the waterfall. "Featherwing..."
Sapphire landed next to him.
He turned to her. "She promised me she'd meet me back here! She's gone!"
Sapphire pulled him into a hug. "I know, kid. I know."
Angelfish splashed through the water. "Where is she?" she asked urgently.
Sapphire looked at Scorpion and Spearmint embracing on the bank of the river, then back at Angelfish. "She's dead. She died in the fire."
Angelfish's jaw fell open as tears began to form in her eyes, trickling down into the river. She hung her head, sobbing softly.
Sapphire put her wing on her shoulder, a few small tears dripping from her chin.
== Chapter Ten ==
Sapphire swooped through the trees, arriving at Garnet's fortress. "Come on!" she called.
Angelfish, Spearmint, Scorpion, and Rainstep followed behind her, landing in the landing field.
Rainstep handed Sapphire her two eggs, letting Heliotrope down from his back.
Garnet hurried out of the fortress, having heard their wingbeats. She stopped in her tracks, gasping in shock as she saw them. "Sapphire! Angelfish!"
Angelfish rushed forward, embracing the large Skywing.
Garnet looked at Sapphire, scanning the small crowd. Her smile dropped. "Where's Featherwing?"
They hung their heads, Rainstep's eyes tearing up again.
Sapphire sighed. "She's dead, burned to death."
"No..." Garnet muttered. She straightened herself out, turning to the fortress, where several Skywings were watching. "Crimson, round up the messenger team and deliver the news to each of the generals."
"Yes, Garnet." he said with a salute.
"Come inside. You're probably exhausted." she said, gesturing for them to follow her to the fortress.
Garnet puffed a plume of flame into a large fireplace, the pot of tea above it beginning to boil. She took it off, pouring it into several small cups. "The other generals have been alerted. They're on their way. Are you alright? You don't seem to have many external wounds."
Scorpion pulled the wool blanked tighter around himself. "It's not the external wounds you should be worried about." he whispered. "The mental wounds are enough."
Spearmint pressed against him. "We'll heal from them together, then."
A deep orange Skywing ran into the room, trotting to a stop in front of Garnet. "The others have arrived."
"Oh, good." Garnet said as she walked out of the library with the Skywing.
Angelfish slowly took a gulp of her tea. "I have to tell Algae something. Something big." she muttered to herself.
Sapphire pulled her eggs closer, looking back at Rainstep and Heliotrope. "Hey kid."
Rainstep looked up at her, Heliotrope hopping out of his lap. "Yes, Ma'am?"
"You want to go after her, don't you?"
"Of course I do." he sighed. "I need to know if she's alive. I wish it had been me in that fire."
Tiye was the first to enter the room, swooping in next to Scorpion and throwing her wings around him. "I'm so glad you're safe!"
Spearmint smothered a giggle.
Algae was next, stumbling and falling as he entered. "General! You're okay!" he said happily.
Angelfish smiled at him, her eyes tearing up. "I'm glad to see you Algae. after what I went through at the talons of Baya, there's something I need to tell you."
The green dragon stopped. "What do you mean?"
"Algae, when I selected you as deputy, I knew you were different than the other Seawings. I knew you were brave and kind, putting others before yourself. And its those traits that make me love you as much as I do." She paused, looking at him. "Algae, I ask that you be my mate."
Alage gasped. "Angelfish, I-I don't know what to say. I'd be honored."
Angelfish embraced him, throwing her wings around him.
Frost trotted in, his deep blue eyes streaming tears along his face. He gave Sapphire a wide smile. "I'm glad you're safe, my love." He looked down at the eggs in her lap. "How are they?"
Sapphire nuzzled the pale blue eggs. "They're fine. And due to hatch in only a few months."
Garnet led Galaxywatcher in.
The large Nightwing's eyes went directly to Rainstep. "Never thought I'd see you again."
Rainstep staggered to his feet, shoving Heliotrope behind him. "Galaxywatcher, I-"
"Silence." she barked. "I remember what you did. You ran away like a scared dragonet with your tail in between your legs in the middle of a battle. You were pathetic."
"I've changed, Galaxywatcher." he said, raising his haunches. "Allow me to show you I have."
Galaxywatcher's nose flickered with a curl of red flame. "I don't trust you. But my justice system will prevail. You better hope to the three moons that you can earn my trust back, Rainstep."
Rainstep dropped into a bow. "Thank you, general. You won't regret this."
"I'd better not." the Nightwing leader huffed.
== Chapter Eleven ==
"Rainstep, wait!" Heliotrope called in his squeaky voice. He was now four months old. "Wait for me!"
Rainstep's black scales blended in with the night sky, his deep blue wings spreading as the star markings on them glittering. "Stay here, Heliotrope. Baya was spotted in the area. Don't follow me." He crouched, preparing to launch himself into the sky. "I'm going to tear him to shreds and feed him to the vultures."
"Hey! Wait up Rainy!" Kuishi called, rounding the corner in a fast trot. "I'm coming too."
Rainstep ignored her, shooting into the sky. It's been three months and that lizard-face has finally returned. I'm going to kill him for what he did to Featherwing.
Wingbeats pounded behind him, but he ignored it. He knew it was Kuishi.
The rain dripped along his face, blurring his vision. "I'll lose her at Angel Falls." he mumbled. "She won't be able to follow me there."
He suddenly swerved right, feeling a wave of pelting rain hit him in the face. With a hard flap from his wings, he lifted higher into the air and plunged back down, diving into the cold water of the river. He curled himself into a ball, holding his breath and squeezing his eyes shut.
A hard splash sounded above him, a swish of a powerful tail stirring the water around him.
Talons grabbed Rainstep's shoulders, causing him to gasp and take in a large gulp of air.
The talons jerked upward, bringing him to the surface and dragging him to shore.
Rainstep wiped his face with his talon, wheezing heavily as he coughed up water. "What did you do that for?" he hissed.
"Did you forget I'm half Seawing, Rainy?" Kuishi sneered. "I can see in the dark."
The large Nightwing huffed a cloud of damp ashes from his nose as his purple eyes glared at the hybrid dragon. "Why did you follow me?"
"I told you I wanted to help." she growled. "Don't you want to find Baya?"
Rainstep gasped. "Of course I do. But why are you here?"
"Because Featherwing was my friend. And Baya nearly killed me too." she said, shaking the rain from her wings as she shifted her scales into dark green patches with black swirling through them. "Face it. You need my night vision. I'll help you."
Rainstep sighed. "Fine. Now let's hurry before he leaves the area."
Kuishi nodded as she followed him into the air, the rain pouring even harder.
Rainstep stopped, sniffing the air. "Go left!" he yelled.
Kuishi jerked left, landing in a narrow cave. She looked down the long passage, pointing her nose to the floor. "He's here. I know it."
Kuishi took a step forward, making sure to keep herself as low to the ground as possible. "Stay out here, Rainy. I'm better at slipping into small spaces."
The hybrid dragon rounded a turn, dipping lower into the ground as the cave floor sloped. She sniffed again. "Getting closer." she whispered.
The long scraping of claws on stone rattled through the dark cave, the dark grey stone giving off an eerie feeling.
Kuishi swept a few pebbles from her path with her tail, sending them over a large ridge as the cave opened up into a wide chamber. She allowed her eyes to drift along the dark rocks, eventually landing on a small niche, smoke puffing from the hole in the wall.
"Ah ha!" Kuishi muttered to herself as she slowly slipped down to the cave floor. Her silver claws felt along the smooth stone as she drew closer.
Two dark yellow eyes flashed open, narrowing in fury.
With a snarl, Kuishi flung herself at the unknown dragon, feeling claws grate at her shoulder as she tackled into the huge figure.
A blast of orange flame puffed from the dragon's mouth, revealing it to be an old red Skywing. "What is this? Who are you, intruder?" she growled in her deep, booming voice.
Kuishi slid from the Skywing's side, noticing she'd left three claw marks in the red dragon's leg. "S-Sorry. I thought you were someone else."
The Skywing's eyes were still fixed on her, perplexed. "Why in the mother of the three moons are you doing attacking dragons in their caves, Skywing? What, you think it's just okay to waltz your way into my cave and-"
"I thought you were Baya."
The dragon turned her head. "Who?"
"Baya." Kuishi said as she pulled her claws back into their sheathes.
Another puff of smoke came from the dragon's nostrils. "Well, I'm not him. What, is he your mate or something?" she sneered.
Kuishi gave a yelp of disgust, wheeling backwards.
The old Skywing barked a deep, rumbling laugh. "Oh relax. I'd hope he wasn't your mate with the way you reacted." she said with a chuckle.
Kuishi said nothing, eyeing the large dragon. She noticed she had several long scars lining her scales and the ends of her ears were frayed and ripped.
"Who are you?" Kuishi asked, giving the scarred dragon a suspicious glare.
"Call me Almandine." she said, giving her yellow claws a lick.
"Well, I'll be going now. Goodbye." Kuishi mumbled as her scales flushed pale green. She could hear Almandine flop back down to the cave floor.
"Well?" Rainstep asked with enthusiasm as Kuishi pulled herself from the tunnel.
"False alarm."
Rainstep sighed, falling back on his tail. "Guess we have to go back to the fortress and break the news to the others."
Kuishi nodded, making her way back in silence.
== Chapter Twelve ==
As their claws touched down on the landing pad outside the Skywing Fortress, both dragons stopped in their tracks, the wind taken out of them.
A large, dark red Skywing was standing in front of the generals, a mob of scavengers behind him, all in decorated battle armor. He waved a golden scepter with a Sandwing carved in it, its coiling barb snaking down the shaft. It was giving off pulses of energy, powerful enough to keep all seven generals entranced as the golden Sandwing's ruby eyes glowed vividly.
The dragon barked a booming laugh, sending chills down Kuishi's spine. "You will bow before me! And all the scavengers in Pyrrhia! I am your leader now! You will bow to Brokentail!"
"No!" Kuishi yelled at the dark dragon, her color-changing scales shifting to match his tone of red. "You are not their leader!"
The dragon lifted his tail into the air, revealing a large kink, like it had broken long ago and never healed correctly. He turned his dark amber eyes on Kuishi, glinting like tiny gemstones. He began to wave the staff at her, energy waves pouring from the eyes of the golden scepter. He suddenly thrust it forward, hitting Kuishi with a bright lightning bolt, sending her flying backwards.
Rainstep looked at Kuishi's body, a small trail of smoke lifting from her chest, likely from a wound he couldn't see. He looked back at Brokentail, horrified.
The serpentine dragon slithered closer to the Nightwing, who was frozen in place. He turned his large, fear-inducing eyes to Rainstep's purple ones. A smile slowly curled across his face.
He could now see the ragged scars lining the dark dragon's body, scales splintering where the skin was cut. He held his breath as the sinister figure coiled its tail dangerously, allowing it to brush along his face. He held back a yelp of terror as he shot another glance at Kuishi's body. She was definitely dead.
A roar echoed from Galaxywatcher, who had broken her trance. She flung herself at Brokentail, slamming down in front of him and raising onto her hind legs. She pulled back a talon, snarling.
Brokentail smiled at her, narrowing his eyes. He held out the scepter, its eyes glowing again.
Galaxywatcher instantly stopped, dropping back to the ground. Her pupils were incredibly dilated, nearly covering the entire iris. Her face was emotionless, like he'd hit a switch and turned her off.
Brokentail shook his head slowly. "No, no. You won't be doing that, my little plaything." he said in his deep, oozing voice. "Attack the Icewing. I don't want her."
Galaxywatcher's eyes suddenly lit up and she began to move in an almost mechanical way towards Sapphire. She stopped in front of her, staring with her blank eyes.
Sapphire stared up at her in mild shock and fear, unable to move. The other generals stared as well.
Galaxywatcher suddenly pulled a talon back and slashed her long claws across Sapphire's throat, sending droplets of blue blood across the stone.
The blue dragon slumped over, a trickle of blood leaving her mouth. She gave a sigh as she fell to the ground, unmoving.
Galaxywatcher's heaving breathing was all that could be heard in the stunned silence. "S-Stop it..." she muttered softly, the letters slurring together.
Brokentail gave a grin, the staff no longer glowing.
Galaxywatcher returned to normal gazing down at the body of the Icewing leader. Her eyes were wide with shock. "No..."
Brokentail smirked, walking up to Garnet.
The red Skywing gave him a snarl, showing her teeth.
He gave the golden scepter a twirl in his claws, quickly spinning it and making an audible swish each time. He stopped for a brief moment before slamming the rod against Garnet's head, knocking her out.
== Epilogue ==
Several scavengers crossed a dirt path winding through the trees, each carrying spears.
"Hurry up!" Brokentail's voice roared, sending birds scattering from the trees.
The scavengers ran into a clearing in the forest, the oaks beginning to turn into cypress trees.
Brokentail gave a large iron chain a heavy pull, pinning it to a mountainside. He released a puff of fire, welding the chain to the cave wall. "Where are those useless things?" he hissed, his eyes searching for a scavenger. He walked out of the cave, grumbling to himself.
Garnet glared at him over the metal cuff binding her mouth. She gave the chain a pull, but it stayed put.
"Oh, relax." a small orange Skywing said.
"Yeah." a yellow one chimed. "We'll be here for a while, so why not relax a bit while we're here."
A scoff came from the shadow of the back of the cave. A large deep red Skywing heaved her old body from the darkness, revealing several scars and shredded ears as her yellow eyes glared at the other dragons. "Is relaxing all you think about?" she said, stamping her foot.
The cave fell silent.
She looked at Garnet, who was in a battle crouch, her eyes firmly planted on the old Skywing.
"The poor thing is obviously scared sick." she said, bringing herself closer, her chains holding her back. "Give her some space."
Garnet looked up at the old Skywing. "What's you're name?"
"Almandine." she said in her coarse voice as she reached down and ripped the mouth brace off Garnet's muzzle.
"Where am I?" Garnet snarled, her eyes flicking from side to side rapidly.
"The Shadow Clan prison." Almandine said softly, like she was remembering a different time.
Garnet gasped, fear overpowering her.
"But it's okay." Almandine said. "I'll teach you what you need to know to get out of here alive."
The End
Part Three: Bring the Fire
Category:Content (Queen Seaglass of the Seawings)
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Completed)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)