BOOM! New story! This is the idea I was working on. Welcome to Frost Thawing. The prologue explains what happens to Princess Leopard of the IceWings. If you really want to get why the prologue is even there, you'll have to read the next chapter (I'm sorry). Please don't post any negative comments, just suggestions and constructive criticism, please. Positive comments are also highly appreciated. Enjoy!
Prologue:
Leopard hurried through the palace halls. She stumbled occasionally, breathing heavily. Quick! I need to get to the arena! Queen Ghostcatcher was visiting her mother, and she wasn't about to miss the dramatic entrance. Why did she really care about the queen of NightWings? Leopard sighed and flung herself around a corner, still sprinting. I am just worried about my queen, Queen Fox, also known as Mother. Leopard still found it hard to believe that she was a possible heir to the throne. How can some little pipsqueak like her ever challenge Queen Fox? Then again, she does have a sister. Frost seemed worthy of the throne. Strong, brave, smart; almost everything Leopard was not. Immersed in her thoughts, she narrowly dodged a block of ice. Suddenly, two voices floated into earshot. Leopard quickly ducked behind the door, afraid of guards spotting her. Peering around the hall, she saw her mother and Queen Ghostcatcher on two iced thrones, eating and casually chatting away like old friends. That wasn't the strange part. On Queen Fox's other side, the dragonet stiffly sitting there made Leopard push down a gasp of horror.
Frost, her sister, was perched upon the throne, glaring defiantly at the queen of NightWings. Thank goodness Queen Ghostcatcher was busy chatting to notice. Abruptly, Frost's gaze flickered towards Leopard's general direction. Leopard ducked her head, hoping with all her might that nobody saw her. Peeking out carefully, she saw that Frost had her focus on food now. Leopard still couldn't catch a word being said. She needed to be a bit closer. Eyes glancing around for any good hiding spots, she spotted a box a few meters away from the queens. If she was fast enough, she could dart behind it just in time. On the other claw, that would be a bad idea because she was probably going to get noticed. Nope, her curiosity took over and Leopard expertly bounded as fast as she could towards the box, and then carefully crouching as low as she could, making sure she tucked in her tail and all. Although there was already a high possibility that someone had spotted her – one of the NightWing guards, perhaps – it was worth it. Leopard could now make out almost everything they were saying.
"Why would I ever want to do that? It is completely against the law, and seeing that there are currently no heirs to the throne, I must maintain my reputation as queen." Queen Ghostcatcher sniffed daintily, offhandedly reaching forward for another share of rabbit. Leopard quickly blinked herself into reality. What does Mother think that the other queen could do?
"Of course, that is fairly reasonable. How is the prey running in the rainforest? Do the RainWings give you enough privacy? Oh, those lazy creatures still disgust me." Leopard gasped. How could Mother speak of RainWings like that? She lashed her tail angrily. I thought we were at peace nowadays!
"Ha, that tribe is probably too lazy to even move a claw into our territory!" Queen Ghostcatcher snorted at her own joke, and both of them cracked up. Frost stayed silent, now glaring at both of the leaders. Leopard knew exactly how she felt. Frost probably wanted to tear Mother's scales off by that point.
Leopard would do the same, except she was too scared of what her queen would look like without scales. The very thought gave her shivers. Caught in her thoughts, she didn't notice that Queen Ghostcatcher had already started to get off her throne. The scraping of claws against ice brought her back to reality. Seeing that Mother and Frost were about to turn her way, Leopard shot into the air as fast as she could and flew right over Queen Ghostcatcher's head. As she did, she felt her heart stop cold as ice.
"Tomorrow, I say we start the execution of the princess."
Leopard dies, by the way. Not Frost. The plot is not very well explained, so read on to find out more!