A lone dragon was winging his way across the dark night, his black scales helping to conceal him as he flew across one of the hostile kingdoms of Pyrrhia. He shifted his wings, revealing the star-like underside, in order to bank around a rock formation he nearly missed. As he swerved past it, the light of the three full moons illuminated the ornate silver armor he wore, and his Nightwing frame.
Metalhide was carrying a bag of pottery that was ordered by a regular customer, the sister of Queen Glacier. He was flying low, within sight of the Skywing palace. Knowing the cruel queen that ruled there, he wanted to avoid any unnecessary attention or trouble. About halfway through the danger zone, he saw an Icewing flying away from the palace, a large crimson egg in the dragon's talons. With a shiver, he recognized the Icewing. It was Hvitur, one of the many friends he had made, as well a Talons of Peace member. What he was seeing made him pause.
"Hvitur stole a Skywing egg...why?" In only a split second, he knew. "That prophecy…'-Largest egg in mountain high, will give you wings of sky-'..." As he wondered for his friend's sanity, it was switched to Hvitur's safety when he saw three Sandwings; the lead one's size and bulk he knew as Burn; give chase after the fleeing thief. Without any hesitation, Metalhide flew towards his friend, with the chance to save Hvitur or the egg itself. Ducking into a ravine to hide himself as he approached the Icewing. But he was too late. As he hovered, the faint voices of Hvitur and Burn above were talking.
"Damnation! I hoped that-!" He swerved as a falling object came towards him, then grabbed it when he gained his wits. As he did, he staggered in mid-turn, for the egg was heavier than he thought possible for one. Metalhide slammed into the ravine wall, the bag colliding with the stone and caused a shattering noise. After correcting himself, his talons went into the bag and pulled out the broken pieces, which were nearly the same shade of crimson as the egg in his grip. He thought quickly, then dropped the shards to throw off anyone who could've seen what happened, as the falling, limp body of Hvitur fell past the hovering Metalhide.
"Even in death, may you be triumphant, my friend. I'll watch after this one in your place." Metalhide promised to the deceased Icewing, flinching at the spreading black venom on the icy scales, then turned and took off quickly towards the Icewing Kingdom, with more than a simple delivery in his mind as the egg shook in his talons.
The Icewing he was to met was awaiting him on the outskirts of the Ice Kingdom. He looked upwards from the conversation he was having with another as Metalhide landed next to the two.
"I assume you're the courier?" Metalhide nodded, took off the bag of pottery, and handed it to him. He took out the pottery and examined to make sure. At the last one, he raised his brow questioningly, then turned it around, revealing the missing shards. "Can you explain this please? Mother won't be happy if-"
"This." Metalhide put the egg into view. "I saved this egg from falling down and smashing apart, and accidentally hit a wall, then which that got slightly broken…" Both the Icewing and the other stared at the egg, as cracks and starbursts appeared in the shell.
"Then you should get it to a warmer place. Thank you, Metalhide."
"Of course. Give my regards to your family, and Blaze, if necessary, Hailstorm." With that, Hailstorm strapped the bag onto himself and flew off back towards the Palace in the distance through the snow and fog.
"Care to come along, Phantomtide?"
"Nah. I've got places to be, things to do, people to see. Take care of yourself, and that little one." The Nightwing-Seawing hybrid took off into the air and bolted in the direction of the Kingdom of Sea. As he departed, Metalhide made way to a safe place he knew he could raise the Skywing dragonet away from all possible harm. Heading back to the Sky Kingdom, he located and entered the hidden cave, heading to the room where the hot springs pools were to heat up after the chilly border of the Ice Kingdom. As soon as he did, three additional starbursts appeared in the egg, making a total of five starbursts and eight cracks. Metalhide set the egg down in a stone bowl-like object next to a small fire, then crawled into one of the heated pools, keeping his head on the edge, eyes switching constantly from the fire, egg,and the window. As time went by, he closed his eyes and begun to sleep…
"AWRKKK!" The sudden screech woke him up. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a rosy red head, with bronze horns of miniscule proportions and strangely entrancing turquoise blue eyes. As it noticed he was awake, it's eyes widened nearly involuntarily, but made no further noises. He raised his head and front legs rose out of the pool, and noticed the eggshells all around the bowl, then the dragonet jumped forward, pouncing onto his front talons.
"Awp!"
"Goodness, aren't you energetic!?" He laid down, watching the little skywing fumble in between his talons, attempting to grasp one of his in between it's own. After a few seconds, the dragonet Sat up, and spoke it's first word.
"D-daddy?" The voice was clearly female, as her eyes stared into Metalhide's.
"Not exactly, little one. Welcome into this world." He whispered gently, then she squawked with joy at those words. "I'm not your real father, and I don't know who your real parents are, but I'll take care of you as if I really am your dad. As for names, I'm Metalhide, and I guess you can be called Opal." He smiled at her, and she smiled back with utmost vigor, nodding twice. He thought about what this young one was to accomplish, saving the land of Pyrrhia. But he had to keep her safe from all eyes, as Burn would be dealt a blow to her pride, then most likely hunt him and Opal down. It was better to stay secret, hidden and safe, raising her to survive, with the war raging around them. Then, hopefully explain it all to her one day…..