A Pale Moon Rises

Content Warning

This page contains profanity, violence, mild gore, or other forms of content that you may find upsetting.

*lineart by peregrinecella from the wof official colouring book, colouring and edits done by DuskRose42*

An albino NightWing, a hidden RainWing. Can they stay united, safe from the hatred on the NightWing Island, or will they both fall at the talons of the volcano? A prequel to Blood Ties.

On the trending page, Nov 11 2022---> nov 16 2022 /// Started: August 9, 2022----Ended: March 30, 2023

Don't edit without permission. Constructive criticism is welcome! Character pages: Palemoon, Violet/Venomspitter, Vulcan, Rose

Introduction

A pale moon rises

A bright sun falls

The magma burns my scales

But my heart still beats for you

Always you...

Prologue: Light and Beauty

(5,007 AS)

Trueheart sat in Mastermind’s lab. A variety of experiments cluttered the walls, but Trueheart’s eyes were only on one thing: a RainWing egg.

It was a light purple colour, and glossy like a polished gemstone.

Trueheart had never seen an egg before, not since he was born and emerged from his own. Even then, he knew NightWing eggs were different. They held all the glorious darkness of the night.

RainWing eggs held something else. The light and beauty of a world Trueheart had never truly known, but only glimpsed the times that he was permitted to leave the NightWing island.

The egg shook, and began to hatch. Both Mastermind and Trueheart watched it with great curiosity, but Trueheart noticed a glimpse of something else in Mastermind’s dark eyes. It was not only curiosity, but a thirst for knowledge so strong that he would do anything to satiate it.

Trueheart watched the dark blue and purple nose crack open the top of the egg, he watched the little dragonet stumble out and flop onto the ground, gazing up at him with large green eyes, he knew that he had to do whatever he could to free this dragonet from Mastermind’s experiments. He would not let Mastermind hurt her, no matter what.

***

(5,008 AS)

Wrathful exited the tunnel, taking a long inhale of the fresh rainforest air. Much better.

Wrathful hated being cooped up on the island: anyone would. She hated going hungry, she hated the awful air, and she loved the rainforest.

Mostly, she loved not having to be around her annoying dragonets. Her and her partner, Bloodspiller, had been lucky. Most NightWings on the island struggled with infertility, due to the terrible conditions they had to spend time in, but the two of them did not. Wrathful loved the extra hunting days her family got, and the other benefits for a family with five dragonets. Only three of them were really Bloodspiller’s, though all of them were hers, with different mates. He always helped take care of them, though. He was the most useful partner she had ever had.

Wrathful explored the area of the rainforest near the tunnels, looking for prey. It was dark, and the three moons were out, all in different stages of their moon cycle. Pale moonlight reflected off of the dewy leaves of the large rainforest trees, creating an effect like walking through a world of illuminated, shattered glass.

Something shone brighter than the leaves, and it caught Wrathful’s eye.

A glistening oval shape: an egg.

When she approached, she could see the colour.

It was silver.

Is this a RainWing egg? She wondered. She had never seen eggs of other tribes, but she knew NightWing eggs were black, perhaps with some tiny silver flecks. Nothing like this.

It was in a clearing, where there was a gap in the canopy. Rain fell through the gap, as well as the unfiltered light of the three moons. Two were full, and one was a crescent.

She looked up at the moons and felt something overtake her. She was not a sentimental dragon, but feeling the light of the moons on her scales felt right. This is what a NightWing’s life should be. Wrathful thought angrily to herself.

A cracking noise erupted, drawing her attention back to the egg. Out of the silver egg, a white nose peeked out. White? She thought, Aren’t RainWings supposed to be colourful? Maybe they start out like this…

She noted to herself that the one year old dragonet that escaped from Mastermind’s lab was purple, not white.

Maybe this one’s defective.

Then, the dragonet started using his talons, toppling the egg over from his weight. He struggled and wriggled out of the egg, and to Wrathful’s horror, it was a NightWing.

She widened her eyes, A NightWing? White scales and pink eyes, this thing is a monstrosity…

She leaned forward and poked him on the tip of his nose. He giggled, and grabbed her talon. “Mama!” He yelled. “Hrgbllfff Mama!”

“Hmmm…” Wrathful considered, last year she swore she would never have eggs again, but she would appreciate more hunting days and more grants from the queen. “One more dragonet couldn’t hurt…”

Wrathful scooped up the dragonet, placing him between her neck and her wings, where he held on tightly. She made her way back to the tunnel that led to the island.

At least this creature won’t be totally useless. Maybe I can make him into a real NightWing.

Part One: Imprisoned

Chapter one: Field trip

(5010 AS)

“-and here is the laboratory of Mastermind, our head scientist.” The tour guide, a teacher’s assistant by the name of Whiptail, talked loudly to the group, gesturing with her wings. She walked into the room, and the horde of tiny black dragonets followed after her; a buzzing hive of black scales.

All, except for Palemoon, who, like his namesake, was a dusty white colour which almost seemed to glow. Although his scales were beautiful, he always felt like an outcast among a tribe that prided themselves on their resemblance to the darkness of the night, and their ability to blend into shadows. He could never pull off the shadowy air of mystery that other NightWings gloated about.

Palemoon was clumsy, anxious, awkward, and brightly coloured. He couldn’t blend in, no matter how hard he tried. It was like his own scales were against him from the beginning.

Not to mention, Palemoon had terrible eyesight, which didn’t help his clumsiness. The lack of melanin in his pink eyes seemed to have caused vision issues, and things tended to blend into vague blurry shapes, so walking around a world where most of the environment was dark greys and blacks was quite difficult. He could read and see decently when he wore his glasses, but somehow the other dragonets thought they made him look even more ridiculous, even though Mastermind also wore glasses and he was the genius scientist who was meant to bring glory to the tribe. Anything on Palemoon was a reason to ridicule him further, so he avoided wearing his glasses whenever possible. He only wore them now because he was on an ‘official school field trip’, and apparently there were ‘important things to see’ (as his mother informed him, who was constantly disappointed at her mess of an adopted son).

He was tired that day because he was plagued by nightmares of the volcano erupting, and of a strange dragon in a cauldron of lava stepping out and becoming frozen from the inside out. He had other dreams as well, but they were harder to make sense of. He often had dreams of the Dragonets of Destiny doing heroic feats, but he didn’t really believe they were real… The twenty years of war have almost ended, and where are they?

“Palemoon!” Whiptail hissed.

“Coming…” He said, hurrying quickly after the others and following them into Mastermind’s lab.

The lab was filled with an array of experiments, shelves and tables filled with strange tools and glass bottles of bubbling liquids in a variety of colours, some smoking strange gases.

Palemoon entered nervously, wondering if all these chemicals were safe.

“Greetings students! You all know me, as I regularly impart my knowledge upon you in your schooling facilities every week. There is much to be learned from my lab that in-school sessions would simply not convey to you.” Mastermind said as they entered, his voice having an empty, strained quality to it that was off-putting to Palemoon.

Mastermind was a thin, tall NightWing, probably in his twenties or thirties. He had a strong jawline and jutting cheekbones, his scales jet black and his eyes a dark, almost black, shade of evergreen. He wore spectacles on his snout, and a large grin.

Despite Mastermind’s enthusiasm, most students hated him because he made no effort in explaining scientific concepts in a way that anyone could understand. He would use the most complex language, and then leave with a self-satisfied look on his face when the dragonets had no idea what he had been talking about the entire time.

Mastermind continued droning on, as he led them through the lab and introduced them to his variety of current experiments. Palemoon couldn’t focus on Mastermind’s words, though, and it wasn’t just because of his unnecessarily complex lingo. Palemoon’s eyes were focused on the dragon standing next to Mastermind. He had jet black overscales, slightly lighter underscales, and deep purple eyes. He was tall and muscular, with a strong jaw and a kind face, despite the frown he wore. He looked younger than Mastermind, maybe around ten to twelve. The star scales under his wings were in a spiral pattern, and he had a peculiar cluster of scales on the left side of his chest in the vague shape of a stylized heart.

He didn’t seem to be paying much attention to Mastermind’s babbling either, and his eyes darted back and forth frantically, like he had somewhere else to be, or something to hide.

This dragon is a lot more interesting than Mastermind. Palemoon thought, I wonder how he ended up becoming his assistant.

The tour was over surprisingly quickly for how long Mastermind seemed to drone on about his experiments, most of which focused on chemicals that neither him nor the other dragonets understood anything about. He’s the worst science teacher. Palemoon thought, as he followed the other students out into the hallway, where they dispersed back to their dorms. Maybe this other dragon could be our teacher, he probably learned a lot from Mastermind, and maybe he’s less stuffy than him… but I can’t help but feel there’s something familiar about this dragon. I feel like I’ve seen him before. Maybe I’ve just seen him around the island and forgot about it. Either way… there’s something different about him, I don’t know what…

As Palemoon was heading towards his dorm, he stopped when he noticed the fidgety assistant of Mastermind’s heading somewhere. I know he’s hiding something, I can feel it somehow. Palemoon thought, watching the dragon walk away.

Palemoon began to trail the dragon from far behind, refraining from approaching too closely because of his conspicuous scales. He frequently hid behind rock outcroppings, staying close enough to see where the dragon was going, but far enough that he wouldn’t be caught.

He noticed the dragon was heading into the residential areas of the tunnels, and he wondered bleakly if the dragon was just heading home. Fear shot through his body. Why did I do this? On a stupid whim? I’m going to get in so much trouble, I’m not usually impulsive… Why did I think this was a good idea?

Palemoon began to panic, but he continued following the dragon anyway. His curiosity, and something else-- a sense of deja vu, drove him towards his goal.

The dragon stopped in front of a wooden door. Palemoon was slightly shocked, there wasn’t much wood on the island since most of the trees were dead or dying, and the wood was often of poor quality. Most entrances into NightWing homes were just doorways, good wood was too much of a hassle to import onto the island.

Why would this particular dragon go to the trouble of getting a door? Palemoon wondered, and decided to continue watching this dragon. Maybe my instinct was right. I don’t know if I’m crazy… but I feel like he has something to do with the RainWing dragonet that escaped from Mastermind’s lab three years ago.

He waited behind an outcropping until the dragon exited the room. Palemoon approached the door, grabbing the handle and slowly pulling it open. He heard a tiny voice on the other side, like that of a dragonet around his age.

“Are you back already dad?” The voice asked.

When Palemoon fully opened the door, he laid eyes on a RainWing dragonet looking up at him with huge green eyes. She made a tiny screeching, squeaking, noise, then disappeared into thin air.

Chapter two: The Pact

Palemoon’s eyes widened, staring at the spot where the dragonet had vanished.

“How did you disappear?” He asked, “I’m not here to hurt you, whoever you are.”

“Close the door, and maybe I’ll reveal myself again.”

“Okay,” Palemoon said, shutting the door behind him. The room had an outcropping for an adult dragon to sleep on, and a makeshift bed on the floor (the size of a dragonet) made of pillows and blankets. “Are you gonna show yourself now?” He asked.

“I said maybe.” The voice said grumpily.

“Okay, well we can just talk then. Are you the escaped RainWing?”

“Yes.” She hissed. “My turn to ask a question. Why are you here?”

“I just had a hunch your dad was hiding something, and I was curious. I won’t hurt you or tell on you or anything, I promise. But now that I met you… maybe we could be friends? The NightWings don’t like me either, so you can trust me.”

“Maybe.” The dragonet replied, “Are you an IceWing?”

Palemoon laughed. “I don’t think you know what IceWings look like. They’re all spiky and scary, and really cold. I’m warm, see?” Palemoon said, holding his talons out, palms up, towards where he thought the dragonet might be. He felt another pair of talons briefly touch his talons, soft scales brushing across his.

“Then what are you?”

“I’m a NightWing… I was just born with albinism. It’s really rare, it makes my scales white, and my eyesight’s pretty bad but my glasses help a bit. Most NightWings don’t really like me.”

“That’s stupid.” Violet said, “Just beat them up.”

Palemoon frowned, “It’s not that easy. Most of them are bigger and tougher than me.”

“Why don’t you stay here with me, then? My dad took me in, maybe he can help you too.”

“I don’t think so, people would notice, and I could get you and your dad in trouble.”

“I guess so,” The dragonet said, her scales finally shifting to reveal herself. Her scales were dark blue and purple, with hints here and there of green.

“My name is Venomspitter.” She looked a bit older than Palemoon, but not much.

“I’m Palemoon. Is Venomspitter a RainWing name?” Palemoon asked.

“How should I know?” Venomspitter said, shrugging. “Dad just named me like a NightWing because he didn’t know either.”

“So… what does it mean?” Palemoon asked.

Venomspitter smiled. She turned away from him, and opened her mouth wide. It looked like her jaw dislocated. Large fangs loomed out of her mouth, pointing forward and secreting a spray of black venom. It sizzled, hissing and spitting, against the cave wall, but left no mark against it.

She closed her mouth. “Dad says I have really good aim compared to most of the RainWings that are still in Mastermind’s lab. That's why he named me Venomspitter. I think it’s a pretty cool name. The venom only damages living things, though, so I have to be careful just to practise on rocks and things like that, and not touch any plants or dragons.”

“Makes sense,” Palemoon said, “I didn’t know RainWings had powers like that, or camouflage either. It’s really neat that you can do that with your scales.”

“Thank you,” Venomspitter said, smiling.

“So… why did he help you escape and rescue the others, and why didn’t he bring you to the rainforest?”

“Well, he wanted to help the others, but I was the first one, and after that they made the rules a lot stricter. The others are harder to help, especially with Mastermind looking over his shoulder all the time, but he tries to make them as comfortable as possible.” Venomspitter frowned, “It’s a tough situation. He can’t bring me to the rainforest because he’s not old enough yet. He’s nine, and he doesn’t trust anyone else to bring me there because he thinks they’ll hand me in. So I have to live here for a little while and wait. Sometimes I explore the island while camouflaged, but most of the time I just stay here and read the scrolls that dad brings me.”

“Oooh.” Palemoon clapped his hands, “I love scrolls, what did he bring you?”

Venomspitter sidled over to her little bed area, where several half-open scrolls lay. “Umm, The Missing Princess, The Star Dragons, The Tale of Fire and Ice… There were some he returned to the library already, but I don’t remember their names.”

“Do you only read fiction… I mean, fiction’s fun. Those are great scrolls… but is your dad teaching you anything?”

Venomspitter raised an eye ridge. “Like what?”

“Like, about the world. About Pyrrhia.”

Venomspitter shrugged. “He brings me what he can, but he’s busy most of the time helping Mastermind, and he doesn’t want to act too suspicious by, like, sneaking out educational scrolls from a school or something.”

Palemoon nodded, then stared at the stone floor for a moment, enrapt in thought. “Venomspitter, do you want to make a pact with me?”

She gave him a sour face. “Depends what it is.”

Palemoon let out a laugh, “OK, well…” His voice became hushed, “I have to admit to you, I don’t have any friends, but I love learning. So… if you’ll be my friend, I’ll bring you scrolls from school and teach you things!”

Venomspitter’s frown gradually grew into a grin. She jutted out her right talon, shaking Palemoon’s left. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Part Two: Escape

Chapter three: The Ballad of Darkest Night

(5,011, one year later)

Once upon a time, the NightWings lived in a grand city. There were spiralling towers reaching up and out into the night sky, grasping towards the moons. Schools of thought and complex education.

Art, music, festivals.

A glory and power, lost to the ages.

This is the tale of how that power was lost.

There was a war between light and darkness. The darkness being goodness and wisdom, the light being pain and fear. These forces fought and raged, but two amongst them saw one another, and fell in love. Their forces merged… to create grey. An in-between colour, belonging nowhere.

The grey tried to join the darkness, but could never fully meld into the glory of the shadows. The grey grew spiteful, and jealous. It boiled and raged, until it became a storm cloud so huge that it covered the world.

It covered the moons.

Without the moons the darkness was lost. The shadows could not exist without the beams of the moons. The shadows fled, to another land where the grey could not reach them.

But they never felt the strength of the moons again. It was gone from them.

No more mindmelders. No more fateweavers. The darkest night erased them, forever and always.

“What? It can’t end like that!” Venomspitter complained.

Palemoon rolled his eyes jokingly, “Well that’s what happened. The Darkstalker chased us all away from the mainland and took our powers away. Everything that was great about the NightWings faded away because of him.”

“I thought it was bad luck to say his name…” Venomspitter joked, “You sure he’s not going to come back and bite your toes off?”

“Well, if you’re superstitious. Besides, most dragons think he’s going to climb out of his tomb one day and kill all of us anyway, if he can find us, that is. That’s why we’re not supposed to go to the mainland very often.” Palemoon explained.

“And to keep up your mysterrrious reputation.” Venomspitter said, putting on a spooky voice and wiggling her talons.

Palemoon snorted, “I have to admit, NightWings do like to be mysterious.”

“One thing I have to ask though… If being white or light-coloured is bad, then why are the moons good?”

“Well… I think it’s because white is associated with our enemies, the IceWings, who we’re all supposed to hate because of the Darkstalker, but the moons are good because… well, they’re the moons I guess. Most dragon tribes kind of worship them, so I guess they’re the exception.”

“Sounds like more NightWing hypocrisy to me.” Venomspitter said pointedly. “I don’t get why they can’t accept you. You’re named after the moons after all, logically they should think you’re holy or something.”

Palemoon shrugged. “Anything unusual is considered bad to NightWings, especially anything that even vaguely reminds them of IceWings, or odd dragons like the Darkstalker, who was a hybrid.”

Venomspitter growled. “That sucks.”

“I know…” Palemoon said. “Well, hey: both our hatching days are coming up, would you… I don’t know… Wanna have a party together? I mean it can only really be me, you, and Trueheart but-”

“Yes!” Venomspitter exclaimed, jumping forward and wrapping her wings tightly around Palemoon. “Palemoon, I know you’re my first friend, but I couldn’t imagine a better one than you.”

“Me neither… I mean- a better friend than you, not than me.” Palemoon chuckled awkwardly, and returned the hug. “And maybe Trueheart can ask one of his friends to bring him fruit from the rainforest. Wouldn’t it be great to try fruit?”

“Hmm… I wonder what it would taste like. I can’t imagine it, actually.”

“Well soon, you won’t have to.” Palemoon said with a grin. “I’ll be three, and you’ll be four, and everything will be awesome, I promise.”

Venomspitter looked like she was enrapt in thought for a moment, her lime green eyes gazing off into the distance.

“Something wrong?” Palemoon asked. “We don’t have to have a hatching day party if you don’t want one.”

“No, no! I do want one!” Venomspitter protested, “Just… talking about hatching days made me think about Trueheart’s hatching day. I know it’s still a few months away, but by then he’ll be able to go into the rainforest more often, not just when he’s accompanied by Strongwings, or worse: Mastermind. And… when that happens, that means he’ll finally have an opportunity to smuggle me out into the rainforest, and we can run away and live a proper life.”

There was a silence where Palemoon and Venomspitter just looked at one another, a sadness in their eyes.

“I know you said you had to think about it, I just want to remind you that the offer is still open for you to come with us. It’s not like the other NightWings have ever been kind to you.”

“I know…” Palemoon said, “I just… Wrathful is so awful. She’s the worst to me, and the second worst is Justice. She’s still so young, if I leave then she’s going to get the worst treatment, and I don’t know if Vulcan can protect her, even though he always tries.”

“You can’t be a shield forever, Palemoon.” Venomspitter said quietly.

“If not me, then who? Only Vulcan would be left, and even though we don’t always get along… I can’t leave him either. Not with Ghostseer, or Cruelty, or Painbringer. They know that if they act like Wrathful she’ll treat them better, and it works… but it’s not fair to Vulcan or Justice.”

“But is it fair to you?” Venomspitter asked, “I’m not asking you to leave them, but you can’t be a punching bag forever.”

Palemoon growled, his bared yellow teeth contrasting against his white scales. “You don’t know what it’s like, Venom, and you never will. You’re stuck in here, but at least Trueheart loves you. At least he’s kind. By the three moons, how would you even sneak me out? I’m the odd one, remember? The one who can’t hide!” Palemoon turned around and stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

Behind the closed door, tears began sliding down Palemoon’s face, but he stifled his crying so Venomspitter wouldn’t hear. He stayed for a moment in the hallway, taking a deep breath. Then, he turned back and reentered the room.

He sat down in front of Venomspitter, composing himself.

It looked like she had been crying too. “I’m sorry,” She said, “You’re right, I was just mad because I don’t want you to stay here and get hurt. It was selfish of me, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright, Venom, I understand. I’m sorry too, I don’t usually snap like that. Ever.” Palemoon said, but there was a sad hitch in his voice. “If you and Trueheart are able to bring anyone, you have to bring Justice. She’s small enough that you can bring her with you easily, and she has properly dark scales, unlike mine.”

“What? I can’t leave you behind, Moonie!” Venomspitter pleaded.

“You won’t. You’re going to bring her when Trueheart turns ten. He can bring you to the rainforest and you can all stay away from here forever.

When I turn ten, I promise I’ll run away and I’ll find you.”

“But Moonie, you’re only turning three.” Venomspitter said through sobs, “That’s so long.”

“I know.” Palemoon said, “But I have to. There’s no other way.”

Venomspitter hugged Palemoon tightly, “Alright. I’ll take your sister with me.”

“She has to meet you first, she’s scared of new dragons. Talk to Trueheart about it, make sure he’s ok with me bringing her sometime. I swear I won’t let her tell anyone about you.”

“OK, I’ll talk to him.” Venomspitter said. She grasped his talon and squeezed tightly. “Tomorrow bring us a story that isn’t so depressing,” Venomspitter said, laughing. “I don’t know if I want to hear about the Darkstalker again.”

“I promise,” Palemoon said, smiling.

Chapter four: Vulcan

Inhale…

Exhale…

Inhale…

Exhale…

Vulcan took slow, measured breaths.

He wasn’t here, not mentally. He was in a room, deep inside his mind where no one could touch him. No one could yell at him, berate him, demean him. He was safe here, gone from the world, hiding. Watching the world, sitting in a theatre watching the play. A dark theatre, all alone, quietly witnessing.

Then, he blinked, and he was back in his body. Wrathful was gone, finally gone. He didn’t have to listen to her anymore. At least, not until today was over, and she came back, and it happened all over again.

His muscles relaxed slightly as he returned to the bedroom he shared with his siblings. Withdrawing into himself made him safe, but when he came back he was…different. Empty, like he returned into a body that was not quite his, all his senses numbed and his mind dulled.

Like a ghost, trailing a few feet behind his body.

Vulcan heard the door opening, and flinched, but it was only Palemoon. Then, Vulcan’s anger raged. “Where have you been, Palemoon..” He said in a dark tone.

“I was-”

“You’ve been wandering off more and more lately, and Wrathful doesn’t like it. You know how important it is to make sure she isn’t angry at us.”

“I know, I just-”

“You know, of course you know. She hates you and I the most, which means I have to deal with her while you’re gone, and you’re going to have to deal with her being mad at you when she comes back from work.”

Palemoon sighed, “I guess I just wanted a break… I made a friend, for once. She’s weird, like me. That’s why I’ve been gone so much lately. I met her about a year ago but we’ve been getting really close lately and I guess I was just so distracted that I didn’t think about the consequences.”

Vulcan’s features softened slightly, “Just take Justice with you next time. I’m fine with taking the brunt of it. I’m used to it, and I’m tougher and older than you. I just don’t want to have to look out for her all the time, shield her from seeing anything. It’s not easy. Maybe she can be friends with your friend.”

“Well, actually I was thinking of bringing her with me tomorrow after school.” Palemoon said.

Vulcan turned around and moved slowly toward the rock outcropping that was his bed.

“Are you ok?” Palemoon asked,

Vulcan glanced down at his forearm, which was bent strangely. “Oh…”

Vulcan said, “That… It’s fine, I’m-”

The world was tilting at an odd angle. Palemoon split into three, and seemed to glow.

His vision began to blur, and his eyes rolled back into his head. He felt his body falling against the stone floor as he fainted, and he could hear Palemoon calling out to him, as though he was calling from miles away muffled by walls of rock.

***

Vulcan regained consciousness in an unfamiliar cave, his forearm straightened and in a splint. A dragon reading a scroll sat across from him in the room, with dark purple scales and a silver scattering of scales on his breast vaguely resembling the shape of a stylized heart.

The dragon looked up, deep violet eyes searching him. “You’re awake.”

“Who are you?” Vulcan asked, his tone unfriendly.

“I’m Trueheart, Mastermind’s assistant. I mean, aside from the other one.”

“Right, you and Strongwings work for that sicko.” Vulcan hissed.

“Correct. I was chosen for my familiarity with scientific subjects, including, but not limited to, medicine and dragon anatomy. As for Strongwings… I’m not sure why he was chosen. I guess because he’s big enough to lift the heavy equipment, and carry things around for Mastermind all the time.”

“So, why help me if you’re willing to experiment on RainWings? As if they and their home are nothing but a conquest?”

“I’m not,” Trueheart said, “Willing to experiment on RainWings I mean. I try my best to help all of them, but I can only do so much before I’m found out and executed. And then who will help them? Strongwings? I doubt that.”

Vulcan glared at the ground. “How did I get here?”

“Palemoon brought you. He was worried about you, but he knows you and your family are uh… private, so to speak. He didn’t want to bring you to the medics because he knew you wouldn’t want dragons to spread any rumors.”

“Well he was right about that.” Vulcan commented, “How does he even know you?”

“Well, I guess it’s time you were let in on our secret. But mark my words, if you ever tell anyone about this I will personally see to it that you never-” He stopped before he let himself go too far, “You get the idea.”

Vulcan nodded, “I’m not a snitch.”

“Good.” Trueheart said, “You can come out now Venomspitter.”

Behind Trueheart, a dragon materialised, her scales shades of dark blue, purple, and green, and her eyes a vibrant lime green. Frills twitched beside her horns.

“A RainWing?” Vulcan whispered in surprise.

“Keep it down,” Trueheart said in a hushed voice, “I don’t want anyone overhearing anything through the door.”

“How?” Vulcan asked in astonishment.

“She was the first kidnapped RainWing, stolen away as an egg in the middle of the night. No one was guarding her, no one came looking for her. If her own tribe wouldn’t protect her, I knew I had to.” Trueheart said, “So I staged a fake escape, knowing that there was no way I could get her all the way back to the RainWing village. In reality, I took her back here, and brought her everything she would need to survive.”

“She can’t stay here forever,” Vulcan said, “No one deserves to live on this island. Except maybe Wrathful.

“I’m almost ten,” Trueheart said, “And by then I can use the tunnels as I please, for the most part. She will camouflage, and I’ll bring her to the rainforest. We’ll run away and live with the RainWings, and warn them of our tribe’s plans.”

“Do you really think they’ll be able to do anything about it?” Vulcan asked.

“They do seem to be extreme pacifists, never resorting to their venom… but they can camouflage and melt dragon flesh. With a bit of encouragement, and the threat of losing their home, I think they can do anything they set their minds to. If we still had our tribe's powers, maybe we would stand a fighting chance, but we don’t. And we deserve to lose, at this point. I want to be on the right side of history.”

Vulcan nodded, “That makes sense, but what does this have to do with Palemoon?”

“He’s my best friend,” Venomspitter piped up, “We met by accident about a year ago, and he always visits me and brings me books. He made me promise to help your little sister escape the island, so please don’t be too mad at him for not being around lately. He wants to help her too.”

Vulcan teared up slightly, but blinked away the tears forming in his eyes. “I always just thought he was a coward… and I still think he is… but he definitely cares.”

“So, we don’t tell anyone about what your mom did, and you don’t tell anyone about this. Deal?” Venomspitter said.

“Deal.” Vulcan replied. “I’ll help cover for Palemoon if anyone starts asking questions. Just promise me- tell the RainWings about me? Tell them that I helped you. When the war between the tribes breaks out, and I can finally get out of here… I don’t want to be with the NightWings anymore. I’m sick of them, our whole tribe. There’s a rot infesting this whole island, and it’s not the volcano. It’s something horrible growing like a fungus in our souls, spreading its spores wherever it can, devouring us…”

Trueheart nodded, “I promise you, Vulcan. I’ll vouch for you, whatever story you want to tell about the source of your injury.”

Vulcan glanced down at his broken arm, “Thank you. Where’s Palemoon?”

“He’s at school.”

“School? But he just came back from school!”

“You were here overnight, Vulcan.”

Vulcan’s eyes widened, “Three moons, I’ve missed a whole night at home, and a school day? Wrathful will be livid.”

“I’ll take the blame,” Trueheart said, “I’ll talk to her-- tell her that I took you out for training to be another assistant to Mastermind.”

Vulcan winced, “That’s the last thing I would want to be.”

“Well, I know you’re smart enough for it, and it just needs to be a good enough excuse that hopefully, Wrathful won’t take it out on you again.”

Vulcan nodded, “Yeah, I hope it works.” Vulcan got up, wincing when he walked on his leg and trying to put his weight on his other three, as well as using his wings and tail for balance.

“Palemoon is going to bring Justice here after school. I’ll make sure Wrathful is occupied at home so she won’t notice.”

Trueheart smiled kindly, “You’re a brave dragonet Vulcan. I’m going to find a way to help you get out of here someday.”

“I really hope so.” Vulcan replied, and left Trueheart’s cave.

Chapter five: Justice

Justice trailed behind Palemoon meekly. He was her devoted older brother.

Adopted older brother. Wrathful said Justice should never forget that he wasn’t her real flesh and blood.

That was made obvious by the disease which affected his scales and made them pale. The only scale colour that ran in Justice’s ‘real’ family was a slight orangish tinge to their black scales, rumoured to be from distant SkyWing blood (though her mother was quick to dispel that rumour: according to her, pure NightWings were superior).

Wrathful considered herself a true NightWing. Loyal to the tribe. Everyone knew she took advantage of her good health to have as many dragonets as possible, in order to have more allocated hunting days and other benefits, but that wasn’t to say she didn’t care how the dragonets turned out. She definitely cared.

She did not care about their emotional or physical wellbeing, but she cared if they turned out right. If Wrathful was going to raise dragonets, she would raise them to be loyal members of the tribe, devoted to the tribe’s cause, devoted to its survival and its glory.

Justice was not a good NightWing because she was meek and shy. Palemoon was not a good NightWing because he was a pushover, and because he was a freak (in Wrathful’s opinion). Vulcan was not a good NightWing either. He was mostly black (despite the orange tinges here and there) and he was brave and strong for a dragonet of his age, but he was stubborn. He did not follow the decrees of the tribe blindly. He would use himself as a shield for his other siblings, protecting them from Wrathful’s ‘teaching’ moments.

That made him empathetic to the point of rebelliousness. That made him a bad NightWing.

Justice had heard Wrathful’s rhetoric the moment she was hatched, and was trained to fear the sting of pain were she to go against it.

Bloodspiller, Justice’s biological father, had died before she was even hatched. All her older siblings who had met him said he was weak. A pushover who let their mother do whatever she wanted, a victim to her will. When he was struck with illness and died a sudden death, it hardly made a difference to the dragonets that he was gone.

The only siblings who knew him were Cruelty, Painbringer, and Ghostseer. They were good NightWings. They had the responsibility of being the eldest, of upholding Wrathful’s morals. Of representing their family through demonstration to the rest of the tribe.

Cruelty was the eldest, a fierce warrior-in-training who was soon to reach ten years of age and leave the island as an agent on the mainland to achieve the tribe’s goals through physical strength, bending others to her will with brawn. Painbringer was the second eldest, a highly intelligent dragon who studied intertribal politics, and was on her way to going to the mainland with her elder sister, not as a warrior but as a political advisor who could get close to tribal leaders, and whisper things in their ear which would break them into becoming a pawn for the tribe.

Ghostseer specialised in reading dragon’s emotions and body language in order to appear like they are reading another dragon’s thoughts. She became so adept at this that she began to teach this to younger dragonets at school. She would help the tribe keep their mysterious and all-powerful reputation, a vital tool in controlling the other tribes with half-truths and trickery.

All three of the eldest sisters ‘cared’ for the younger three in their own way. They believed that they were the perfect example of model NightWings, and they believed they got that way from being berated and bruised by their mother whenever they slipped up. They did their part whenever they could to inform the youngest three whenever they did something ‘traitorous’ to the tribe, in as cruel a fashion as they could muster. They didn’t know any other way of being dragons. They thought it would straighten them out into ‘proper NightWings’, and that in the end it was really for their own good.

Justice always felt that perhaps being a dragon didn’t have to be that way, and so did Palemoon. So when he suggested she come with him to meet a friend of his after school, she trusted him. Any friend of his, was a friend of hers.

Palemoon stopped in front of a wooden door, and knocked three times. Justice heard some shuffling from inside the cave, and once Palemoon had waited for about ten seconds, he opened the door and entered.

Inside the cave was empty, save for a makeshift sleeping space on the ground, and a few rock outcroppings for sleeping and for keeping books and other belongings.

After a few moments, a dragon materialised out of thin air.

Justice jumped backwards in surprise. “What is that?” She squeaked.

“I think you mean who is that,” Palemoon corrected, “And the answer is: my friend, Venomspitter.”

“What is she?” Justice asked, “I’ve never seen a dragon like that before!”

“She’s a RainWing,” Palemoon answered, “A dragon from outside the island, in Pyrrhia.”

“From the rainforest?” Justice asked, “I heard some of my friends talking about it in school. They always overhear the adults talking about the rainforest.”

Palemoon nodded, “Yes. And she needs to go back.” Palemoon crouched to be eye-level with Justice, “Justice, do you want to go to the rainforest with Venomspitter?”

Justice felt a chill go through her body. Leave the island? “Aren’t there all sorts of monsters out there who will try to kill me?” Justice asked.

Palemoon shook his head, “All the monsters are here. The rainforest is safe. The RainWings are a good tribe, they don’t believe they are superior, like NightWings do.”

“You mean we’re not?” Justice squeaked, “Then why are we so mean to everybody else?”

“So we can control everything to make ourselves more powerful. NightWings believe power and control means safety, but they’re wrong. I don’t want you to have to grow up around dragons who think that stifling you is good for you.”

Justice thought for a moment, The rainforest won’t be too scary… I hope…

“And besides,” Palemoon continued, “The rainforest is bright and beautiful. You will be able to see the stars and the sun and the moons. You will see bright colours and delicious fruits, animals and plants everywhere. It will be nothing like this dead island. It will be so much better.”

“OK…” Justice said, “I trust you. You’re a good brother.”

Palemoon smiled at her.

“You’re coming too, right Palemoon?” Justice asked, worry creasing her brow ridge.

Palemoon glanced anxiously up at Venomspitter, then back at Justice. “I am, I promise. I’m just going to come a little later than you and Venomspitter. The rules on the island are a little complicated, but you have to be patient, and brave. Do you promise me?”

Justice nodded, “I promise.” Then why do I feel like he’s hiding something? Justice thought, Like when Vulcan says he’s fine but I know he isn’t.

“Thank you Justice,” Palemoon said, “Now you and Venomspitter could get to know each other a bit better. She can show you some of her favourite scrolls.”

Justice noticed Venomspitter shot Palemoon an uncomfortable expression. Does she not like me? Justice wondered.

Palemoon sent Venom a pleading expression, and her face softened.

“So, uh, what do you like to read?” Venom asked the small NightWing.

“Uh…” Justice thought for a moment, “I like adventure stories, about heroes who kill all the bad guys. Everything’s happy at the end.”

“Those are my favourite too,” Venomspitter said, smiling slightly, and started pulling out scrolls.

Justice was so engrossed as Venomspitter began reading a story, that she barely noticed the noise of Palemoon stepping out the door behind them.

Palemoon was met with a strikingly familiar face.

***

“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at school,” Ghostseer raised an eye ridge, “Visiting someone, aren’t you… someone you aren’t supposed to…” Her eyes were a pale grey, almost white, and her voice had a lilting pattern that sent a chill through Palemoon’s bones. It always felt like Ghostseer knew what he was thinking, even though like the rest of the tribe she was powerless.

Palemoon had known somehow that he had to exit the cave into the hallway at this moment. He knew Ghostseer would be here. She had followed him and would’ve entered the door and seen Venomspitter if he hadn’t left at this moment. It felt like when there’s a word that comes to you but you can’t quite recall its meaning. A vague shape of something in the distance. He supposed it was intuition of some sort.

Palemoon tried to be brave, but he could barely keep the trembling out of his voice. “I do have a friend. She’s a private person.”

“A ‘she’ is it?” Ghostseer’s voice slithered, “I was wondering when you’d get a girlfriend. Is she a NightWing, or a defect like you?”

Palemoon’s eye twitched ever so slightly, but he knew Ghostseer caught it. She caught every moment of apprehension, every minute reaction.

“Ah, the freak boy has a freak girl. That adds up. Yet why would she need to meet Justice? That’s an interesting question…”

“Justice gets lonely. She’s too shy for the other dragonets at school. You know that.” Palemoon replied.

“And I know that isn’t the reason.” Ghostseer said, stalking closer while eyeing Palemoon, like a panther sizing up its prey.

“What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone?” Palemoon asked, his tone pleading now.

“You. Can’t. Do. Anything.” Ghostseer replied. “Mother made us, the eldest, great servants of the tribe. Upholding our glory for future generations. We will make the tribe great. To honour my mother, I’ve tried to make you better. She always thought she could make something out of you when she found your abandoned egg, but it was a failure. Maybe whoever left you already knew you’d be pathetic. Not only a pale worm, but a pathetic coward. I could take you apart with a whisper.” Ghostseer said, her menacing jaws now close enough to Palemoon for him to feel her hot breath on his scales.

“If I can’t improve you, I’ll kill you.” Ghostseer said, “Cruelty and Painbringer might have some pity left for you, believing they can build you up into a real dragon, like mother, but they don’t have my skills. They can’t open up a dragon and read them like a book, the way I can. Cruelty can kill, Painbringer can manipulate, but I can see what. you. are. I know you will never change. You will never be able to serve the tribe like I can. You will only bring shame to our family, not only for your deformities but for that dead fish you call a spine.”

“Please…” Palemoon pleaded, scrunching his eyes tight and turning away from Ghostseer.

“I know you’re hiding something, some plan to betray us. I will never let pale scum like you destroy our tribe, I will never-”

Instead of the pain of death, which Palemoon expected, all he experienced was a bloodcurdling scream which echoed throughout the hall.

It was not his own.

When Palemoon reopened his eyes, he was met with the sight of two black, bubbling holes of burning flesh where Ghostseer’s eyes were moments ago.

Chapter six: The Desperate Attempt

Ghostseer thrashed and screamed, the pain seeming to absorb all her senses. She slashed out with her claws and tail blindly at anything around her, screaming and roaring curses.

Palemoon ducked away from her and approached the door to Trueheart’s cave. The door was ajar, and neither Justice nor Venomspitter remained inside. He ran down the hall, fueled by fear. Venomspitter re-materialized running beside him with Justice clinging to her back.

“What happened?!” Palemoon asked. He felt his entire body absorbed by a sense of fear and revulsion that he had never known. He had never seen a dragon in that much pain before, much less his own sister. He felt the hot sting of tears dripping down his face, though he hadn’t yet realised he was crying.

“I didn’t know, I didn’t know.” Venomspitter repeated, “Trueheart tried to describe it to me… but I didn’t know… I didn’t understand.” Her green eyes were wide with horror, “I’m so sorry Palemoon. I was trying to protect you.”

“We need to get out of here!” Palemoon exclaimed, “Right now! Before all the guards come running to the sound of… of her screaming!” Palemoon couldn’t bring himself to say her name. He couldn’t think of that image anymore, he couldn’t, or he would collapse on the spot and be absorbed into the rocks of the volcano, swallowed into the depths of the monstrous heat, like the acid in the belly of a beast.

And so he ran, and ran, Venomspitter beside him, until they were outside the cave system and out on the beach, speeding towards the enchanted tunnel which led to the rainforest. As they ran, Venomspitter put Justice on Palemoon’s back and camouflaged again. He heard wingbeats, and in a few moments he could see a large rock beginning to float next to the two guards who stood in front of the tunnel.

They seemed to notice the white dragon dashing towards them and began to take up their spears in apprehension, but they didn’t have the chance to attack Palemoon. The floating rock hit each of them over the head, and they fell unconscious in a crumpled pile in front of the tunnel.

The rock fell to the ground with an ungracious thump, and Venomspitter reappeared beside the tunnel. “Quick!” She hissed, as she moved the piled guards away from the tunnel’s entryway.

“I’m trying!” Palemoon yelled, cursing his weakness and his burning lungs.

Palemoon was now beside Venomspitter, and they entered the tunnel together, going as fast as they could on the smooth, damp stones. As they continued, Palemoon felt a wave of a strange tingling feeling, like he was travelling through outer space, or totally alone in a dark void. The world was strange, and wrong, and totally different all of a sudden.

It made him want to rip off his scales and scream with frustration.

But he kept running, one talon in front of the other.

A sharp pain sprouted in his back leg.

His jaw slammed against the ground, teeth clamping shut and biting off a part of his tongue. Hot, metallic liquid rushed through his mouth, the salty tangy taste was all too familiar from years of coughing blood.

Justice rolled off of his back forward onto the tunnel floor.

Palemoon was dragged backward, a sharp, dull pain hit his skull, slamming his jaw against the ground again. His chin bled into the stone, and the last thing he saw was Venomspitter and Justice running through the tunnel and into the rainforest.

Running to freedom: freedom without him.

Chapter seven: Strange Old World

Venomspitter blinked back tears, flying as fast as she could, a small black dragonet clutched in her talons.

She whipped past trees, absorbing scents and sounds which were new and old, fresh and faint.

She didn’t know how long she flew before she finally stopped, collapsing onto the moist mud of the forest floor, sobbing and clawing the ground.

Eventually, Venomspitter collected herself, sniffling.

Justice sat near her, wide eyes staring with apprehension, “What about Palemoon, we have to go back for him, right?”

Venomspitter wiped her eyes. “Not alone. We need help.” Her tone was dark and determined, “Let’s find the RainWing village.”

***

After searching the rainforest for hours, they arrived in a sunlit canopy. Platforms and huts were wound with vine ropes and decorated with flowers. Colourful dragons lazily moved from place to place. No one seemed to notice or acknowledge either of them.

Venom landed in front of the first RainWing she saw.

“I just escaped with this dragonet from the NightWing Island, we need your help, we escaped but my b-... my friend, got left behind, we need help to find him and bring him back!”

The dragon looked curiously from Venom to Justice. Orange and yellow bubbled through his scales. “Alright.”

“May we meet with your Queen?” She asked desperately, trying to hold onto hope of a welcome reception despite the dragon’s nonchalant reaction.

The RainWing shrugged his wings, “Sure,” he gestured vaguely with a talon to a large, flower decorated hut near the centre of the gathering of structures and walkways. “You have to wait in line though. What’s your name?”

“Venomspitter, and this is Justice.”

“Weird names, I’m Rambutan. What kind of dragon is she?” He asked, cocking his head while casting his peach-coloured eyes down at Justice.

She just stared, fiddling with her claws nervously. Justice had never been good at talking to new dragons, but the whole gravity of their situation just worsened her shyness.

“A NightWing.” Venomspitter replied.

“I think I’ve heard of those. Do they stay that colour?”

“Usually, yes.” Venom replied, and, to demonstrate that she was a RainWing, not a NightWing, she shifted a barrage of colours through the underside of her wings.

“Wow.” Rambutan said, “Your scales are so dull!”

Venom’s scales flashed a hot red.

“No need to get so mad!” Rambutan said, chuckling. “You just need a little extra sun time, that’s all.”

“How did you-”

“If you don’t want people to know how you’re feeling, you should keep your scales under control.” Rambutan advised, and demonstrated, turning himself into a strict colour palette of orange, white, and brown.

Venomspitter returned to her typical colour scheme of dark greens, purples, and blues. A sense of invasiveness wafted through her as she realised that all RainWings would be able to tell what she was feeling if she stopped focusing on her scales for even a moment.

“Well, you should get going to talk to the queen. There’s usually a line.”

“I think discussing missing RainWings with her would probably let me skip the line.”

“Missing RainWings?” Rambutan asked, “Who?”

“I don’t know specifically, don’t you all keep track? I know you don’t track your eggs, clearly, but wouldn’t you notice if adults and dragonets went missing?”

Rambutan shrugged, “I haven’t.”

“Wouldn’t the Queen have noticed?”

Rambutan shrugged his wings again, “I don’t know, probably depends whose turn it is.”

“Turn?”

Rambutan laughed, “You really don’t know anything, huh?”

Venomspitter felt red bubbling up through her scales, but shoved it down, “If the Queen won’t help me, who will?”

Rambutan thought for a moment, “Maybe Capuchin? He probably knows the most about foreign dragons like you and your friend. Maybe he can explain to you how the rainforest works in a way you’ll understand.”

“Great. Thanks. Where is he.” Venomspitter said, barely restraining herself from biting Rambutan’s head off.

“I can show you, he lives a little way outside of the main village. Him and his family like being nearby, but not too in the centre of everything.”

Rambutan flapped his great orange wings, and took off. Venom gripped Justice to her chest and went after him, weaving between close knit trees until the huts grew thinner and thinner, and the dragons came to the entrance of a large house-like structure made of several orbs of woven grass connected by walkways. With a flash of orange scales, Rambutan had flown off, leaving Venomspitter and Justice standing alone at the entrance of the hut.

Venom peered curiously inside. “Hello?” She called, “Anyone home? I’m looking for Capuchin!”

A dragonet like Venomspitter had never seen before stuck his head through the entrance. He had the frills and tail of a RainWing, but the body type, wings, and face of a SkyWing. His scales were a shifting mess of reds, oranges, and pinks. He stared blankly at Venomspitter for a long moment, before he screeched back into the house, “Dad! It’s for you!”

Is that… a hybrid? Venom wondered, I didn’t think they really existed…

An older dragon, perhaps middle aged, came to the doorway. Spectacles sat on his snout. He looked entirely RainWing, unlike the dragonet. His scales were a bright array of greens, yellows, blues, and reds. “I’m Capuchin. What do you need?”

Against her will, Venom’s scales flushed a barrage of colours, expressing every emotion she’d felt since leaving the volcano, and she began to sob.

Before she knew it, she was inside the hut, with a middle aged female SkyWing by her side giving her and Justice hot cocoa.

“Tell us everything,” She said, her and her husband looking at the pair with concern in their large brown eyes.

Venom opened her mouth and the whole story poured out of her, like a waterfall rushing, unstoppable with the weight held behind it.

***

Venomspitter was introduced to Rose, the young hybrid she had met earlier, and led into his room, where he had set up a sleeping area for her.

“I heard bits and pieces of my parent’s conversation, but I didn’t catch your name.” He said.

“Venomspitter,” Venom replied, “Or Venom for short.”

Rose raised an eye-ridge, “Would you like to keep your NightWing name, or have a new one? Either way is fine, just Venomspitter isn’t a very typical RainWing name, so you will stand out.”

“I don’t mind standing out,” Venomspitter stated, “And I know my dad was well-meaning when naming me. He wanted to show me I was strong, and powerful. That I wasn’t weak or lazy like all the NightWings thought of our tribe. But… After using my venom on someone… I don’t think I need that reminder. I’ll do it again if I need to but…” Venom shivered in her scales, “I hope I’ll never have to again.”

“That makes sense,” Rose said, “What about… Violet?”

Venom considered it for a moment, yellow and pink blossoming through her scales, “I like it,” She said, not bothering to hide her excitement, “I like it a lot.”

***

Palemoon’s head felt fuzzy, his ears ringing. He felt like his skull held a hive of bees, crawling and buzzing through the crevices of his brain. He let out a groan, but couldn’t quite move his body.

He was lying on cold, hard stone. He could vaguely hear voices talking over him.

“Punish me instead,” He heard a voice saying, “It was my fault, I filled his head full of stories about the Rainforest.”

“Fine. Maybe he’s still too young to be properly punished. But you, Trueheart,” the second voice said with derision, “You are old enough to be brought before the Queen. Just don’t mention the RainWing venom found on Ghostseer, or I’ll be roped into this mess with you. Do you think that young RainWing who escaped has been hanging around the island all these years?”

“It’s possible,” Trueheart said, “They do have incredible camouflage skills. Palemoon must have trusted it because I told him how beautiful the rainforest was, how great it would be to live there one day. I should have taught him to have more pride in his own tribe, than to admire another.”

The second voice sighed, “What am I supposed to do with you? You’d think Strongwings was the only idiotic assistant I’d have to deal with… I really thought you were smarter than this Trueheart. I don’t know how merciful the Queen is going to be.”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as you promise me the dragonet is safe.”

“Fine, I promise. You’ll take the heat off my back as well. I can’t afford for all the progress we’ve made here to be wiped away because of one stupid mistake.”

Palemoon tried to open his eyes, but all he saw was two blurry dragons dimly lit by a reddish light. He groaned again, and tried to move, to no avail.

“I think he’s waking up,” The snide voice said, who must’ve been Mastermind.

“He might be. Please treat his concussion, and don’t tell his mother. You know what kind of a monster she is.”

Mastermind sighed, “I did have to grow up with her… Now get going, the Queen doesn’t appreciate tardiness. Hopefully she won’t hurl you in lava. It would be… unfortunate… for you to die prematurely.”

“Thank you Mastermind, I’m indebted to you.” There was a slight growl in Trueheart’s voice. He could not hide his hatred for the scientist so easily, but Mastermind seemed not to notice. He was chronically oblivious.

Any energy Palemoon had left he wasted trying to keep his eyes open.

They soon sank closed, as though they had heavy weights pulling them down, and his head relaxed onto the floor. He was dragged back into his shadowy dreams, his mind a whirlpool of fear and fire.

Part Two: Eruption

Chapter eight: Magma and Monarchy

(several weeks later)

Heat burned Palemoon’s scales, fire spewed from the mountain and the sky was blacker than ever with soot. Dragons screamed all around him, fleeing, but Palemoon was silent and still.

He watched, as the NightWings ran for the tunnel to the rainforest, trampling over each other to gain entrance to freedom and survival.

Palemoon stayed frozen.

He could feel the fear of every dragon around him coursing through his veins, burning with primal terror, but he could not move. He had to watch as the dragons fled, each swearing their loyalty to a new Queen to pass to safety. He saw two dragons who did not.

The first was somewhat familiar, large and terrifying, who stood at the mouth of the tunnel, his last breaths spent once again to hurt and dishearten the dragonets of destiny who he despised, and created.

The second was a familiar female dragon, who stood farther away from the tunnel, on the beach. She faced the volcano, her jaw set in place. She would rather die than swear loyalty to a RainWing Queen.

And so, she would die like an arrogant fool.

She looked so familiar, but Palemoon could not quite make out her face through the ash that drifted through the toxic air. It almost looked like… Mother?

Her face became larger and larger, her reddish eyes burning through Palemoon’s soul. “Palemoon!” she yelled, “Palemoon!”

“Palemoon!”

He gasped, rolling off his bed and pouncing onto his feet. “The volcano’s erupting!”

The orange-red eyes which stared him down were not Wrathful’s, but Vulcan’s.

“Right,” Vulcan said, rolling his eyes, “You were gonna be late for school but you were trapped in some dream, muttering about Wrathful and the volcano or something. It was just a nightmare, we gotta get going, okay?”

“Huh?” Palemoon said, the dream still not shaken from his mind.

“You’re such a doofus, grab your bag and let’s go,” Vulcan insisted.

“Why? We never walk to school together.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Vulcan said sternly, “And… I should’ve been a nicer brother to you. So, I’m trying. Now let’s go.”

Palemoon nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He grabbed a satchel from beside his bed-outcropping and slung it across his chest, trailing Vulcan.

Palemoon had felt so hopeless the last months without Venom or Justice, and with Trueheart serving time. He knew he should be glad his friends were safe (other than Trueheart), and he was glad, it was just hard to stay optimistic when his closest friend was now Vulcan. But maybe, just maybe, Vulcan wasn’t so terrible after all. Maybe they really could become friends, or real brothers.

***

“Violet!” Rose called from across the tree-house.

“Coming!” She called in return, rolling out of her hammock and tromping towards the sound of Rose’s voice.

“So, you know how the dragonets of destiny have been staying in the Rainforest the last few days?” Fae asked.

“Yes?” Violet replied.

“And do you know how the RainWing one, Glory, has been super mad about the missing dragons and about how the Queens are handling things?”

“Where is this going Rose?”

“She just challenged the Queens!”

“What? Like a proper challenge for the throne?” Violet asked, thinking of how the NightWings and most other tribes did it.

“Uhhh… not quite,” Fae replied, “C’mon, you’ll see. It's almost over!”

Rose spread faer large wings, lifting off through the trees. Violet followed very awkwardly. Flying, especially in the Rainforest, was a lot to get used to for a dragonet who used to spend most of her time in one room.

Soon enough, they made it to the centre of the RainWing village. They were late, and had missed the entire thing, but were just in time to see Glory crowned as Queen of the RainWings, at only seven years old.

“I can’t believe it.” Rose whispered, “This is the first time we’ve had a proper Queen. Like, one who actually cared. I hope she knows how to handle all this.”

Queen Glory, Violet mused, rolling the words around in her head. She’s an outsider, like me. Maybe… Maybe I can belong here. Maybe Palemoon and Trueheart can too, and Justice. If an outsider is our Queen, she’ll understand. This can be our home…

Violet’s chest swelled with hope, her scales turned a golden colour streaked with pale purple. We can rescue everyone, finally!

Chapter nine: Fate, friendship, fear

Justice could still see the glow of the lava when she closed her eyes. She didn’t know if it would ever fade.

She had explored some of the Rainforest, but stayed away from the RainWing village. It would be frustrating to explain who she was and what she was doing there, so she just wandered. Not too far, but it was exhilarating just to see how many colours there were in the world. She had never seen this many before. Her world had been black and red, and now it was a glorious rainbow. She hunted all sorts of animals around the forest, but Heather, Rose’s mom, warned her which were poisonous. She also warned her to stay away from sloths, because the RainWings had them as pets and would get offended if you ate them.

Justice had never really heard of ‘pets’ before, but she liked the idea of it. She liked to hunt animals but she also liked to watch them. Just to sit and watch a frog going about its day. She imagined having a pet was kind of like that. Maybe she would have a pet of her own one day.

She thought it might be nice to have a frog.

She looked all day for the perfect one. There had been a bright pink one she had her eye on, but Rose told her those were poisonous, as were most neon coloured animals. So instead she chose a nice green tree frog.

I’m going to name you… Froggy. Justice decided.

She cupped the small slimy creature in her talons, and flew with her small black wings up to Rose’s tree house.

Justice walked into the room, and saw Rose, faer parents and brother, and Violet sitting around a table in some sort of intense discussion.

“I found a frog.” Justice announced to the table.

“Nice job.” Violet added, trying not to let the stress in her voice through.

“What’s going on? What are you guys talking about?” Justice asked.

They eyed each other, gauging whether or not they should explain.

“Well,” Capuchin began, “Glory, the dragonet of destiny, was crowned Queen about a week ago, you remember?”

“Yes,” Justice said, nodding her head, half her focus still on holding the frog.

“Since then, she’s been training and planning to prepare to fight against the NightWings. Non-lethal, of course. The RainWings are too pacifistic for any true violence. Blow-guns and camouflage is all. Perhaps some traps. And, we were discussing where we all fit in this situation,” Capuchin said, gesturing around the table.

“Right.” Said Justice, “Do you want to see my frog?”

“Yes.” Rose said definitively, “I don’t wanna touch it, too slimy, but I wanna look at it.”

“His name is Froggy.” Justice informed them.

Rose snorted, “Perfect name.”

***

Palemoon sat in class, but he couldn’t focus. His head ached. Visions of the volcano erupting, destroying his home, flashed inside his mind.

He groaned and rubbed his forehead with his talons.

“Bored, Palemoon?” The teacher asked. She was an incredibly shrill, frustrating dragon by the name of Highhorns.

He glanced up at her. He could hear the other students chuckling, but they were muffled… underwater…

He felt as though the world was rumbling, and some force was pushing him down into the earth.

Palemoon fainted.

He woke up at home. He could hear Wrathful yelling at Vulcan in the other room. Because of me. Because I am a disgrace.

Palemoon rolled over and clutched his stomach. He felt like he was on the verge of vomiting. I can feel it, the volcano’s going to erupt. It’s going to. It’s going. What do I do?

Palemoon shakily stood, taking a deep breath to stabilise himself.

Before he knew it, a tremor ran through the volcano, and a great cracking noise like rock rupturing.

Trueheart. Palemoon thought, I have to find Trueheart.

Wrathful and Vulcan stopped arguing. Wrathful left, to save herself, as did Palemoon’s eldest siblings, but Vulcan came back for him.

“Vulcan,” Palemoon said desperately, “We have to get Trueheart, he’s in the dungeons, he won’t be able to get out by himself.”

Vulcan looked concerned, “If we don’t go now, we’ll die too!”

“Please, Vulcan. Trueheart has to live.” Palemoon pleaded.

Vulcan sighed, “Fine. Let’s be quick. You’ve been visiting him, right? You know where his cell is?”

Palemoon nodded.

“Then lead the way, brother.”

Chapter ten: WARNING - hot -

Every few minutes a tremor ran through the mountain. Palemoon and Vulcan could barely stay on their feet as they ran through tunnels and passages to make it to the dungeons.

Palemoon felt like the world was shifting on its axis, ready to fling all dragons in Pyrrhia into the empty vastness of space.

Palemoon had lived with heat his whole life, but not to this extent… this was torturous. It was a heat so scalding it felt freezing. His nerves were so overwhelmed he could not tell hot from cold, only pain which

overwhelmed him completely.

“We’re here, we’re here!” Palemoon yelled. Vulcan and Palemoon scraped to a stop in front of a barred cell.

“Trueheart!” Palemoon yelled, barely audible over the thundering of the volcano, “Stand back!”

The bars would normally be strong enough to withstand firebreath, but with the sweltering heat inside the tunnels and Vulcan’s unusually hot fire, they stood a chance of melting them.

Vulcan inhaled a massive gulp of rancid air, breathing a great plume of white fire. The flames attacked the bars, heating them to a glowing orange colour.

Is it gonna work? Palemoon thought anxiously, watching the fissures forming in the tunnel walls around them. It's taking too long!

Just as Palemoon was about to give up, Vulcan grabbed the softened bars, screaming in pain as the flaming hot metal burned his talons. He bent the bars away from the cell, creating a narrow opening where Trueheart could fly out.

Vulcan hissed, cradling his talons. Trueheart flew out of the cell, and the three of them ran as fast as they could down the tunnel. Vulcan leaned one wing on Palemoon, as he attempted to run with injured front talons, his face contorted in pain.

Left. Left. Right. Left. Right. Right. Left. Palemoon thought, keeping track of their path. In a few moments their talons, scorched by the heat of the tunnels, fell upon the cool wet sand of the beach by the side of the volcano. They kept running and running, not daring to look behind them.

One figure stood not far off from the tunnel, but it was clear she wasn’t going in. She simply watched the mountain exploding.

They were nearly by the tunnel, by a huge NightWing. The three of them slipped past him and rushed into the tunnel. Morrowseer? Palemoon wondered vaguely, And Wrathful? They really both stayed, just like my dream…

The tunnel felt miles long, but the cold rocks of the animus tunnel were a relief. They burst onto the other side, collapsing. RainWings surrounded them, blow darts in their talons.

“Do you swear loyalty to Queen Glory?” One of them yelled, their voice squeaking slightly at the last syllable.

“Yes! We swear!” Palemoon said.

“Each of you, say it.” Another demanded.

“I swear loyalty to Queen Glory.” Vulcan and Trueheart echoed in unison.

They some of the last off the island. Palemoon’s scales were almost black with soot. He nearly laughed, this is what it took for me to look like a NightWing?

Palemoon shakily got to his feet, as did Trueheart. They helped Vulcan stand. He wrapped his wings around the two of them so he could walk mostly with his back legs, and not his burnt front talons.

“Excuse me,” Trueheart asked one of the nearby RainWings, “He needs a medic.”

The RainWing turned, and her entire face lit up with happiness. Pink and yellow flashed through her scales, which were much brighter than they had once been.

“Venomspitter!” Trueheart and Palemoon exclaimed in unison. They each embraced Venomspitter in turn.

Venom broke into tears, “I never thought I’d see you again, I’m so glad you’re all safe!”

She wiped her eyes, then pointed to a nearby stream, “Get his burns under cold water and keep them there. I have some bandages and salve as well, while we bring him to the medic tent.”

Vulcan limped over to the river, and let out a sigh of relief as he put his talons in the ice cold water.

No longer supporting Vulcan, Palemoon’s wings were free to embrace Venom.

“Violet!” another voice called, causing Venom to turn her head at the approaching dragon. A pink hybrid touched down on the grass.

“Oh, this is Rose by the way.” Venomspitter said, gesturing towards her friend.

“Are these the last ones?” Rose asked.

“I think so,” Venomspitter said, glancing back at the tunnel, “A few stayed…”

“That was their choice to make.” Rose said, “I can lead these two to the village while you take care of the other one.”

Venomspitter nodded, “Sure.”

“So… you’re called Violet now?” Palemoon asked.

“Yeah…” Violet said, “I wasn’t comfortable thinking about my venom since…”

Palemoon nodded, “I understand.”

“Besides, this is more of a RainWing name anyway,” Violet said, “Probably the type of name I would have had if I was never stolen. Not that I would ever want a dad other than you, Trueheart.” Violet said, smiling towards him.

“I love you so much, Violet.” Trueheart said, “I’m so glad you made it home.”

“Me too,” Violet said quietly, “Me too,” She sighed, “Now you two get going. I need to take care of Vulcan. Rose can give you some food and show you where to stay. We’ll see you soon.”

Palemoon nodded. He flew up into the air after Rose and Trueheart, and couldn’t help smiling the entire flight. Rainforest flying was a lot to get used to, as Palemoon was used to the open air on the island. Rose was relatively patient, and they were able to make it to the village.

“You guys are probably going to be staying in a little spot on the forest floor, where they’re already setting up makeshift shelters, but we have somewhere else to stop first.” Rose informed them, as they flew past the main part of the village. They landed on the outer platform of a treehouse-like structure made of many connected orbs of woven grass.

They entered, and a tiny black form screeched, running from the back of the room and wrapping little wings around Palemoon.

“Justice!” Palemoon exclaimed.

“ImsogladyourehereIatesomuchfruitandIhaveapetfrognowInamedhimfroggyandhessocute!”

“Whoah, whoah, slow down!” Palemoon laughed, “Tell me everything.” He was pleasantly surprised that Justice was being so talkative. She had usually been a very quiet dragonet.

“Yes! And you have to meet Froggy!”

“Of course I’ll meet Froggy.” Palemoon said with a smile.

After a few moments, Vulcan and Violet joined them. His hands were wrapped. He looks a lot better, Palemoon thought.

Rose’s parents and brother brought out a feast of roasted and spiced rainforest mammals, and all sorts of fruit sauces and chutneys. They all sat around a polished wooden table, talking and chatting.

Palemoon felt his heart expanding. The rainforest was better than he could ever have imagined.

Chapter eleven: Day and Night

Palemoon sat in the dark. The air was fresh, and the night was ebony. Rain clouds covered the stars.

He took a shaky breath. I’m finally here, he thought to himself, Like Veno- Violet, and I, always dreamed. Still, I can’t help but wonder if my sisters are out there, in the NightWing village, pretending to be loyal to Queen Glory. I haven’t crossed paths with them yet, but I have to warn somebody, don’t I?

Palemoon’s night vision was good enough that he thought he might be able to recognize them in the dark, but his general vision issues would still cause a problem. Am I brave enough to leave this treehouse and search the NightWing village for my deadly sisters?

No. He decided, I may be cowardly, but I’m not an idiot. They won’t cause trouble just yet, I’m sure. I’ll tell Queen Glory about them first thing tomorrow. Violet said she always has that assassin, Deathbringer, trailing her. Maybe he can take care of them.

Palemoon dispelled the worries from his mind. None of this is important right now, all that matters is that I’m here, with Violet and with Justice.

Violet and Justice lay on a dragon pile on a large cushion at the edge of the room, which Rose had set up for them. Palemoon gently curled himself around them, lending his warmth. He could smell the scales of his friends, and hear their slow and calm breathing, which told him everything was right in the world. They were safe. They were together.

***

Palemoon woke up to someone shaking him by the shoulder.

“Wake up Moonie!” Violet exclaimed, “The sun is high in the sky. You’ve slept in quite enough mister.”

“Uhrrghh…” Palemoon groaned in protest, “Haven’t I earned some sleep?”

“Trust me,” Violet said in an excited tone, “You’ll want to see everything in the RainWing village. Besides, Queen Glory swore to keep all citizens registered. We just have to go, give our names and hatching dates, and get a sketch of us taken! Isn’t that awesome? Apparently they do that in lots of other tribes too, the RainWings just kind of fell out of keeping track of their dragons. We all saw how that turned out.”

“I already had my sketch taken!” Palemoon said, turning snout down into his pillow.

“Yeah, but it all burned up…” Violet reminded him, “You’re in a new kingdom now.”

“Right…” Palemoon said, “Fine. Let’s go.” He sat up groggily. The sun streamed golden through the window. It looked like he had almost slept until noon, suntime for the RainWings. I wonder if NightWings can join in on suntime, Palemoon thought, his mind still clouded with sleep, his body still sore with exhaustion.

He picked up his glasses from a bedside table, cleaned them from the bits of soot still remaining, and put them on. The world came into a sharper vision, yet still blurred slightly around the edges.

Violet twined her tail with his, and led him out of the treehouse, where they burst into flight, their tails still knotted together.

“What about breakfast?” Palemoon complained.

Violet rolled her eyes, “I told you, when we get to the village I’ll show you all the fruit you could possibly want!”

They awkwardly looped and swirled between the tight knit branches.

Violet had a few weeks of practice, so she guided Palemoon, but it took much longer than it would have for a local RainWing.

Eventually they made it to the village set in the canopy, interconnecting huts and walkways bright with sunshine and flowers.

They passed an orange and brown Rainwing as they made their way to the new Records Centre (a leafy hut nearly identical to all the others). Violet bared her gleaming white teeth at the dragon and hissed. The stranger flinched and raised his wings in a defensive manner, “Still feisty I see?” He asked. He wore a perpetually bored expression, and his tone was flat.

“Still a dead sloth, Rambutan?” Violet asked. As they walked past Violet muttered, “Useless dragon.”

“Who’s that?” Palemoon asked, a slight chuckle in his voice at the strange interaction.

“Rambutan. He was the first RainWing I met here and thoroughly unhelpful, just like the rest of them. As much as I hate NightWings, the RainWings all act like paralyzed slugs. It took way too much convincing for them to even start to plan a rescue. Only when Glory was discovered to have royal blood and crowned Queen did they even do anything.” Violet complained, “Anyway, that’s not the point. You’re here now and that’s all that matters.”

“By the way, where’s Justice?”

“She’s off playing with Froggy and making new friends with some RainWing dragonets. She already had her records done this morning.”

“Oh, good.” Palemoon replied, “Um, we should warn Glory about my sisters, right? They’re too loyal to the tribe, I have a feeling they’ll cause trouble.”

“Don’t worry about that right now, Palemoon. I’ll tell Trueheart to speak with her. He can handle it.”

They entered the hut, greeted by the bespectacled Capuchin. “Good morning dragonets!” He called out, “Obviously this job was relegated to me since I’m the only one who can read and write…” He said with a sigh.

Next to him was a female dragon. She seemed to be another Rain-Sky hybrid. She was taller than Rose but shorter than Flamingo, with slender limbs and a gently curved snout. She had warm brown eyes, and long polished claws. Her scales were lilac and periwinkle.

“This is my daughter, Macaw,” Capuchin said, “She’s a realist artist. She’ll be taking your portraits.”

Palemoon and Violet nodded their heads, “Nice to meet you,” they said in turn.

They both sat on low circular wooden stumps which served as stools at a desk across from Capuchin and Macaw.

They each gave Capuchin their names, hatching days, tribes, and parents. The files were basic, holding a space in the top right corner for a portrait, and illustrating the most essential facts about a citizen.

“Palemoon, 6th month, 11th day, 5008 After Scorching.”

“Parents?” Capuchin asked.

“Uh, unknown. Adopted parents are dead.”

“You have to choose someone as your guardian. Is there anyone you could live with?”

Palemoon glanced at Violet, communicating a silent question, and she nodded, “Trueheart of the NightWings.”

Capuchin nodded, scribbling it down, “And you’re going to stay in the newly established NightWing village, I’m assuming.”

“Yes.”

Violet went next.

“Violet, 2nd month, 14th day, 5007 After Scorching. Trueheart is my adoptive father.”

“And what village will you be staying in?”

Palemoon could see the hesitation on Violet's face. She held a fear and hatred for many of the NightWings that would be there with her in the village, but she had nothing in common with the RainWings.

“NightWing village,” she decided.

Palemoon reached over and squeezed Violet’s talons in his: an attempt at reassurance.

The sketching process was much shorter than Palemoon expected. Soon enough he saw his own face looking back at him on a parchment scroll, his features captured in charcoal. A kind of white chalk was used in between the lines to show Palemoon’s scale colour. For most of the RainWings they didn’t bother, as they wore new scales each day.

Violet’s portrait was beautiful. Her normal mischievous grin had softened into a gentle smile. She looked serene.

It occurred to Palemoon now how much he and Violet had grown in a little over a year. She almost looked as strong and graceful as a grown dragon. Palemoon felt a strange catch in his heart, the skip of a beat, that he had never felt so fully before. He looked back at Violet as if seeing her for the first time, examining her every feature. The downward slant of her lime green eyes, the slope of her horns.

She turned her head and their eyes met. Palemoon looked away shyly. There had been a strange shine in her eyes. Was she thinking the same thing? Palemoon wondered, Would she ever? He could almost sense the emotion sublimating from her scales, but he reprimanded himself mentally, not the time. Be mature, Palemoon. Your friendship matters more.

They both exited the hut, the sun shining high over the rainforest. Whatever they would face here, they would face it together. As friends or maybe--- hopefully---something more.

Chapter twelve: Dark and Light

Palemoon let out a satisfied sigh as he lay next to Violet on a large hammock, their scales growing warm in the sun. After leaving the records hut they had eaten almost every fruit species in the rainforest. At least, that’s what it felt like to Palemoon. It was probably the biggest meal he had eaten in his life.

Apparently, it was allowed for NightWings to join in on suntime, it just wasn’t a frequent request. As Palemoon turned over, he felt a sharp burning pain in his back. He turned his head and glanced at his once white scales, now tinged with a worrying red colour. Palemoon let out a squeak.

“Huh? Whatsit- What’s wrong…?” Violet asked sleepily, wiping her eyes.

“I’ve turned pink!” Palemoon nearly shrieked.

Violet’s eyes widened, she lifted her long graceful neck and looked over Palemoon’s scales. “You’re burned! How?”

A RainWing from a few hammocks over lifted their head grumpily after being rudely awakened from their sun time slumber, “It’s sunburn.” They stated, “It’s very rare for RainWings, but I’m not sure what it’s like for whatever tribe he is. There’s aloe in the healer’s hut. Will you let me sleep now? I have things to do and I need my sun time.” The RainWing said, with the harshest tone Palemoon had heard from a RainWing other than Glory or Violet.

“Uh, thanks.” Violet said, then turned to Palemoon and said in a whisper, “The sun can burn you? I feel betrayed.”

Palemoon laughed, “You’ll probably be fine, but I probably shouldn’t do suntime again.”

“Trueheart better know the scientific reason for this otherwise I’m going to develop a crippling sun-phobia,” Violet said, only half-joking.

****

After a brief explanation from Trueheart on the properties of melanin and how the lack of it prevents sun-protection that’s normally natural in dragons, Palemoon and Violet sat together as she applied Aloe gel to his burned scales.

They were in the newly constructed hut which was to be theirs to live in, Palemoon lying with his stomach against the cool earthen floor.

The aloe gel spread a cold sensation on Palemoon’s back, and he felt a skip in his heart every time Violet's talons brushed against his scales.

“You think they would’ve taught you about this in school.” Violet said.

“I guess… I just don’t think they were ever planning on letting us leave the island. I mean, I know some adults would leave, but not many, and not often, and the ones who did were already prepared somewhat, being well fed to keep up the illusion of a strong and mysterious tribe. The dragonets and the rest of us… I don’t think we’d be very convincing.”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true…” Violet murmured.

“I just…” Palemoon’s voice hitched, “I’m just disappointed, that after all this, getting off the island, everything… I still have to stay in the dark because of these moons-blasted scales.”

“Palemoon…” Violet said somewhat sternly.

He turned to meet her eyes, pink against green, “You have to admit it’s true. I don’t have a place anywhere.”

“No.” Violet said, “Don’t you dare say that about yourself. We’ll figure it out like we always do. You belong anywhere, Palemoon, because you belong with me, and as long as we’re together we can handle anything.”

Palemoon stared at her for a long moment. Before he knew what he was saying, three words slipped out of his mouth: “I love you,” he said, as if in a trance.

Violet smiled, “I know.”

“No, like, I love you.”

She laughed, “I know!”

“How did you know if I didn’t!?” Palemoon protested, his face flushing as red as his burnt scales.

Now Violet was laughing hysterically, and before Palemoon knew it their snouts touched. He drew his head back, startled, then returned the snout-touch.

Palemoon twined his tail around hers. The dark blues and purples of her scales contrasted sharply with the white of his. Day and night, dark and light. Opposites bound together by fate.

Fate, and love.

Epilogue: A Drop of Blood

She towered over the corpse of her sister, blood staining her talons. Palemoon saw her eyes, they were red. Red like the MudWing blood she was coated with.

Then he saw flashes of action, dragons fighting, he saw himself, Violet, Rose, and some unfamiliar dragons in a cave complex. He saw everyone dying at the hands of this same dragon.

Then, everything slowed, and stopped, all the blood and violence ceased. All he saw now was a miserable looking MudWing in a prison cell. A small male, with a greenish tinge to the brown of his scales. When he looked up, as though he was looking right at Palemoon, one of his eyes was black as pitch, an eerie orb of corrupted magic.

His eyes shot open, but the words of the dream stayed with him. The words sprawled through his mind like a dangerous infection, until he spoke the words uncontrollably:

“Claws of Sky, Rain, Mud, Sea, and Night

Five will join the righteous fight

Blessed and cursed with terrible power

In Jade Mountain’s final hour.

From the Kingdom of soil and sleet

A dragon of cruelty and deceit

Dragonets she will slaughter and kill,

Forcing others to do her will.

If brother kills sister,

Her heart will blister,

And Jade Mountain is saved.”

After it was over, Palemoon sat in shock in the darkness of his room.

“What was that?” Violet asked, from her bed across the room.

Palemoon caught his breath, “A nightmare, I suppose. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Violet asked.

“Nevermind, it’s impossible. It’s just a fairy tale.”

“Do you need a hug?” Violet asked.

“No, it’s alright.”

“Okay,” Violet said, and Palemoon could hear her turning over and settling into sleep.

Palemoon stared at the dark ceiling, visions of violence dancing in the shadows like they were burned onto his eyes.

****

Rose flitted from branch to branch. Rose hated getting lost, especially on her own. She had been exploring, searching for what looked like tiny bits and pieces of ancient architecture. There was, perhaps, a time when RainWings had palaces and Queens the same way other tribes did, when they were ferocious and powerful… perhaps, one of the most powerful tribes in Pyrrhia.

At least, that’s what Rose liked to imagine. Her imagination often got away with her. Now, she was trying to find her way back home. I grew up here! I should know how not to get lost! She thought angrily, Stupid brain, she reprimanded herself.

That is, until a glint of something shiny caught the corner of her eye. Rose had received some treasure from her mother: golden earrings, a pink pearl necklace, and some other bits and pieces, but no dragon could resist the chance of a new shiny thing.

Rose’s head darted around as she looked for the source of the spark of light. She turned her head from side to side, trying to get the right angle. There! She thought, as whatever it was glistened again. She shot towards the shiny thing.

There was a patch of ground where the grass parted, and there were stone tiles in the ground. Wedged between the tiles looked like some sort of necklace with a large jewel as its pendant.

Rose wanted to pull it out, but without scratching or damaging the shining blue jewel. Using her claws, she wedged the tiles apart, and carefully wiggled the amulet out of its spot.

She held it up to the sun. One half of the jewel was light blue, the other dark, and they each swirled into each other, like a yin yang. The cord was a thick, flat gold chain. Something about it feels wrong, like it should be here. In our world, in our dimension. Like when you’re super anxious and know there’s something you have to do, but you don’t know what… an apprehension just beyond remembering.

Curiosity and paranoia fought for dominance in her mind.

The curiosity won (aided by a little bit of a dragon's natural greed).

Rose pocketed the amulet into a pouch around her neck, and as she flew away, something, somewhere, was watching her.

The story continues...

-This story is a prequel! The epilogue eludes to the main story! Read it here:

Blood Ties