'Swordtail' is a male SilkWing who was introduced in The Lost Continent. Before the
events of The Flames of Hope, Swordtail was employed as a construction
worker under Grasshopper until he became a fugitive with Blue and
Cricket. He was simultaneously a member of the Cicada Hive Chrysalis. He
currently resides in the LeafSilk Kingdom and is in a long-standing
relationship with Luna. He was formerly under the control of the
othermind.

## Description

Swordtail is burly and handsome, with iridescent dark blue scales and a
small pattern of white triangles along his spine and snout. He has
beautiful dark blue eyes, deep blue wings, long blue antennae, and a
long orange-and-blue tail. He is dotted all over with orange splotches,
as though someone melted a sunset in a cauldron and flung it over his
wings. He normally wears a grim expression and is slightly bigger than
Sundew.

## Personality

Swordtail is known for causing trouble, as he is a Dragons|dragon with
wild ideas who speaks a little too freely. Blue considers his ideas as
unpopular opinions. He was placed in Misbehaver's Way several times
before being assigned to a construction crew, a profession that is not
highly regarded in Pantalan culture. Before becoming a fugitive, Blue
often worried that Swordtail's rebellious ideas, such as believing that
the SilkWings should have a queen of their own, or that the collapse of
a Hive tower being caused by shoddy construction rather than LeafWing
sabotage, were a bad influence on Luna. Blue described Swordtail to have
"impulsive courage," and considers him one of the bravest dragons he
knows. Other dragons often think Swordtail's ideas and plans to be
long-winded and too optimistic. Swordtail does not care about what other
dragons thought of him. Under the noisy, loud, mischievous dragon most
dragons see Swordtail as, is what Luna describes as the "true
Swordtail". He is quick to understand the things Luna saw wrong in the
world, unlike most dragons in Luna's life who were quick to accept how
things were. While he was still at school, Swordtail often created noise
and and mischief to deflect the HiveWings' attentions from others to
himself, in order to help the other students avoid getting into trouble.

## Biography

### The Lost Continent Prophecy

left The Lost Continent (book)| The Lost Continent

Swordtail was mentioned as someone known for being a
troublemaker. He attended his girlfriend Luna's Metamorphosis,
displaying his trouble-making skills. When Luna had woven her cocoon,
and the HiveWing guards began to get closer, Swordtail jumped down from
the balcony to attack the guards and protect Luna. He was put in
Misbehaver's Way for this, where Cricket later freed him with a
stimulant that inadvertently gave him super strength, extra energy,
green eyes, green silk, and extremely hyper behavior. He and Cricket
flew away to the safety of a sinkhole in the savanna not far from one of
the Hives, while he carried a wingless Blue using his super strength.
The symptoms wore off a little while later, so to get Blue out, he had
to shoot silk webs under him.

They then traveled towards Wasp Hive, where Swordtail suggested his
"plan," in which he would storm in, knock over the guards, and demand to
know where Luna is. They eventually agreed to hide in a greenhouse near
Wasp Hive, which had a sign saying no one but the queen was allowed in.
However, the three were captured by a trio of LeafWings, Belladonna,
Hemlock, and Sundew, and to not be killed. They were forced to help
steal the Book of Clearsight. They discussed whether or not to abide by
their captors' wishes. Swordtail did not know of Cricket and Blue's idea
to pretend to agree and escape later, so he voiced his own opinions.
Cricket and Blue left him behind with the two older LeafWings while they
traveled with Sundew to steal the book. Later, he teamed up with Cricket
and Sundew to rescue Blue and Luna from the flamesilk cavern. The two
were able to escape, and Swordtail reunited with his lover. They fled
the Hives and ended up on a beach, where he flew with Luna to test out
her new wings. Suddenly, a patrol group of HiveWings arrived and fought
him, Luna, and Sundew. Luna tried to protect herself with her flamesilk
but accidentally created a sail which allowed her to be blown out to
sea. Swordtail flew after Luna, trying to rescue her, but was unable to
find her.

left
The Hive Queen
Swordtail was
mentioned briefly by Luna in the prologue, who stated that he must be
losing his mind without her.

Later, he was dragged into the cave unconscious by Sundew, who had
Cricket crush reddish plants under his snout to wake him up. After he
woke up, he flew all around the bay, stopping only for sleep in short
bursts. He talked with Cricket and Sundew about the Chrysalis and
shutting down mind control and gathers fruit and water for Blue once he
breaks out of his cocoon. Swordtail watched as Blue came out and admired
his wings, although scrutinizing them for being "not as handsome as
mine, of course, but pretty cool."

He flew with Sundew, Cricket and Blue to Jewel Hive, and spent the night
in the Glitterbazaar with his friends. They stole capes and jewelry in
the market, but Blue left behind some of his flamesilk to pay for it,
much to Swordtail's disapproval. Later, at the Statue of Salvation,
Sundew found a message inscribed with "Midnight. Library. 5.", and
Cricket suggested for them to hide in a water tank to wait until
midnight. Swordtail and the others remain put in the water tank until
Sundew declared that it was time to go.

When they go to the library, Swordtail introduced himself first to the
Jewel Hive Chrysalis members, and later hide with Morpho in a book
return compartment when HiveWings spoted them. Later on, he helped
Cricket write out copies of Book of Clearsight, then went into hiding
with Blue and Sundew, while Cricket had gone to vandalize messages all
over Jewel Hive.

After Cricket reunited with Blue, Swordtail gruffly told her that he was
glad that she was alright. When the egg that Cricket saved hatched,
Swordtail commented that she was cute and suggested to name the dragonet
Bumblebee. He was present when Blue burned down Wasp's supply of the
breath of evil, and he later flew with his friends to the Poison Jungle.

left The Poison Jungle

Swordtail flew to the Poison Jungle alongside Sundew, Blue,
Cricket, and Bumblebee, and shortly after arrival, was trapped and
almost eaten by a dragon-trap. Blue attempted saving him by shooting
flamesilk at the plant, but this only resulted in an immediate fire.
Sundew had to use her leafspeak to put it out, which resulted in the
freeing of Swordtail. Sundew had previously predicted Swordtail would be
eaten first, as she had said to him: "Yeah, you will probably get
eaten."

After Sundew secretly helped Mandrake, with defeating a panther,
Swordtail was introduced to him and his father, Wolfsbane, and
Mandrake's sister, Nettle. He was described by Wolfsbane as
"unnecessary" and retorted with the fact he was with the Chrysalis and
was good company.

When they had arrived at the PoisonWing village, he shared a nest with
Blue for sleeping. Later on, when Swordtail, who went as a 'guest,'
visited the SapWing village in the presence of Queen Sequoia, he sees
the two dragons from Pyrrhia, previously revealed to be Tsunami, Turtle
and a strange purple SilkWing that Swordtail identified as Io, his
sister. They were reunited for a brief moment before the Queen told
everyone about the mind-control plant, the breath of evil.

Swordtail was also present to hear about the Legend of the Hive, the
legend Queen Sequoia told Sundew, Cricket, Hazel, and everyone else
present, including Swordtail, about the breath of evil.

Swordtail was later seen arguing with Blue, and when the othermind spoke
through Hawthorn, he was mentioned to have been taken over by the
othermind.

left
The Dangerous Gift
Swordtail woke up
in a haze of smoke, surrounded by many dragons. He was confused at
first, the last thing that he remembered being him falling asleep in the
jungle next to his friends. He then remembered how Blue was going to
burn the "heart of salvation" to free the HiveWings, and looked around
to try to find out what had happened. The smoke in the air suggested to
him that there had been a large fire, larger than the pile of roots
could have produced. He was still confused and stood up, but was in
pain. His muscles and claws were bruised and sore. He then noticed that
many of the dragons that surrounded him were HiveWings. He looked
around, trying to find out where he was. He looked where the Poison
Jungle was supposed to be and then began to remember being controlled by
the othermind and burning the jungle. He then noticed Blue lying near
him and attempted to walk over, but he was controlled and forced to
stop.

Later, when the LeafWings and SilkWings arrived at Jerboa III's beach,
Luna asked Snowfall if Swordtail and Blue were with them, then realized
that Snowfall was not a SilkWing and asked Sundew the same. Sundew told
her that they were not, but promised that that they would get them back,
even "that slugs-for-brains Swordtail." Blue later mentioned Swordtail
in the vision of him, remembering how they escaped Cicada Hive not long
ago.

left
The Flames of Hope
Swordtail first
appeared in Luna's dream when she uses a dreamvisitor to communicate
with him. He told her what was going on in Pantala and the two talked
for a while before he was forced to wake up by Wasp. Swordtail later
appeared in the end when he was freed from the breath of evil and
reunited with Luna again. Swordtail was seen in the epilogue in the
LeafSilk Kingdom alongside Luna and their friends.

-----

### Field Guides

left
A Guide to the Dragon World

Swordtail was depicted flying with Luna in the SilkWing chapter of the
guide.

## Relationships

### Blue

Blue is one of Swordtail's closest friends, and they have known each
other for a long time. They care for each other, despite having
radically different views. Swordtail seems to be defensive of Blue,
getting in trouble for the sake of him. Swordtail seems to have known
Blue throughout his childhood, after meeting him at a club meeting.

### Bumblebee

Bumblebee seems to think that Swordtail is funny. When he told her to be
quiet, she fell over giggling. More of this relationship is seen in The
Poison Jungle. When she said "Snabble poof," she was likely referring to
Swordtail disappearing in the Plants#Carnivorous plants|Venus
dragon-trap.

### Cricket

At first, Swordtail does not trust Cricket due to her being a HiveWing.
However, once she proves to be on their side (and once he discovers she
and Blue have feelings for each other), he begins to see her in a more
positive light, complimenting her several times and listening to her
points.

### Io

Io appears to love and support her brother, as she attended his
girlfriend Luna's Metamorphosis on her own accord and helped his friend
escape the HiveWings at her own risk. When they saw each other in the
Poison Jungle, Swordtail bounded across the room to hug her and was
overjoyed. When Tsunami mentioned that Luna was alive and well on
Pyrrhia, Io put her wing around him as he cried. She then told him that
they would be reuntied soon.

### Luna

Swordtail and Luna have been in a long-time relationship. He looks to
her for guidance and seems indecisive and anxious when she is not
around, fretting about every decision and continuously saying that he
wished she would help him. He cares deeply about her, fighting off
multiple HiveWings on several occasions to protect her and her brother.
He also refused to eat or sleep during his search for her. Swordtail
believes that he will always find his way back to Luna. Swordtail had
even asked Luna if she wanted to be his girlfriend while sitting on a
box of her favorite candy, honeydrops. Swordtail was never impatient
with Luna. The three times Swordtail got sent to Misbehaver's Way, Luna
would sit next to him for as long as she could, and read or sing to him.
Swordtail has always been on Luna's side about everything since the
moment they met.

### Sundew

Although initially distrustful of her, Swordtail grew to find that he
and Sundew shared many ideals, including the destruction of the HiveWing
tribe. Swordtail agreed to follow Sundew once she revealed her plan to
burn the Hives, sometimes referring to her as "the boss." Even when he
has not entirely thought it out yet, he is quick to take her side, such
as agreeing to destroy the Hives before Cricket reminds him of all the
SilkWings that would perish. Sundew thinks he is slightly slow.

## Quotes

He didn't. I finished all my work and asked — yes, very
politely, Blue, I promise — and he still said no. So I snuck off when he
wasn't looking.
to Luna and Blue, about Grasshopper

The Lost Continent
39

-----

Hey, GRASSHOPPER! Look how hard I'm working! Are you happy
NOW?
to Grasshopper (who was not present)
The Lost Continent
123-124

-----

TO THE MOONS! […] Get it? […] Because Luna is like lunar,
which means moons, so 'to the moons' is like 'to Luna' but in code, so,
awesome. I thought that was clever.
to Blue and Cricket,
about Luna The Lost Continent

125-126

-----

I just want to hurt them. […] I want them to feel what it's
like to be powerless. I want them to be stabbed with nerve toxins and
have their loved ones ripped away.
about the HiveWings
The Hive Queen
37

-----

Oooooo. […] That sounds super dangerous! Touch me not — or
you will DIE!
to Sundew and Cricket, about Touch-me-nots

The Poison Jungle
10

-----

You're like a monkey. I mean — in a good way — like a — very
fast — jumps — good jumps — not foodishly — I mean, not in a dinner way
— just, so fast.
to Sundew, about how she climbs

The Poison Jungle
11

-----

I wouldn't say you have a flamesilk. […] I mean, he is a
flamesilk and he's here, but he has himself. No one else has him, I
mean. He is not for having. He's his own dragon!
to Nettle,
Mandrake and Wolfsbane about Blue The Poison Jungle (book)|The
Poison Jungle
33

-----

I am useful. […] I have many uses. I am smart and I know
things and I can fight HiveWings and I am in the Chrysalis, hello, which
everyone seems to forget, secret revolutionary over here, and I am also,
by the way, extremely good company.
to Sundew, about himself

The Poison Jungle
34

-----

No. […] You guys burned down Bloodworm Hive, and good
riddance. Good riddance to all of them.
to the LeafWings

The Poison Jungle
41

-----

This is where I'm supposed to be. [...] I'm always here.
Remember? You come and sit with me. You should weave a hammock and live
here because I'll probably be here more and more as we get older

to Luna during their talk with the dreamvisitor
The
Flames of Hope
13

-----

I was all right. [...] And then YOUUUUUUUU squished the honey
drops!
to Luna
The Flames of Hope
314

-----

I still think they're the worst, and if it were up to me, I'd
take every HiveWing soldier and merchant and teacher and snob who was
mean to us and put them on Misbehaver's Way for a year. But after having
someone in my own head like that... I mean, it was pretty terrible.

Swordtail, about HiveWings
The Flames of Hope

315

## Trivia

  - Swordtail is weirdly great at charades.
  - Swordtail is horrible at weaving but he does not notice.