Chapter 1

Abyss

"Abyss? Ooooo. That's a mysterious name! Pretty cool!" Amethyst said.

"Yeah. Or dark and creepy," Sandstone retorted.

Abyss gave him a strange look and thought, What's this dragon's problem?

"Don't mind him," Tide said as she sat down next to him and grabbed a pineapple. "He's a grump." She sliced it and started eating it. "Fruit?"

"No thank you. I wouldn't want to impose. I should probably go get my food," Abyss looked back at his measly stash of fruit.

"No. It's fine." Amethyst said. "I don't mind. It needs to be eaten. Waste not want not."

I'm not sure about this. These dragons seem ok, but so did all the others. What are they planning? Abyss wondered. Well, I guess eating fruit won't hurt. It doesn't seem any of it is separated and if there is something off, I will know. "Alright. I guess a few won't hurt anything." Abyss grabbed a banana, peeled it, and started to eat.

"So, where are you from Abyss?" Inferno asked.

"Anywhere and everywhere. I move about," he answered.

"That must be fun," Inferno said with a smile.

"Less than you might think," Abyss muttered before speaking up and asking, "What are you dragons doing? Why the big group?"

"We are going on an adventure! We're traveling around Pyrrhia to see all it has to offer," Amethyst said excitedly. "I've already seen the Sandwing Kingdom. Now THAT'S a hot place!"

"Probably full of hot heads, too," Abyss heard Tide whisper to Inferno. Inferno snorted and then coughed when Sandstone looked at him to try to cover it up.

"And why the big group?" Abyss asked again.

"Why not? Meet new dragons. Make friends. The more the merrier! You can never have enough friends! Plus it's more fun to travel in a group," Amethyst explained. "There are so many interesting dragons each with their own stories."

Sandstone looked at Abyss. "She defines anything as an interesting story. If you see a butterfly, it's interesting to her. Even better is a bee!" He did a small chuckle.

"That's not entirely true!" Amethyst said. "You saw that swarm of butterflies. You SAW it. Tell me, have you EVER seen anything like that before?" Sandstone grunted. "I thought so," Amethyst said in satisfaction.

Abyss reached down to get some more fruit when he saw a fish covered in a red sauce. I haven't eaten fish in so long! I should take at least a nimble. Abyss thought. No. Eating and hurting living things is something I don't want to do. But then again…. It's already dead, so it would go to waste and would've been killed for no reason if no one eats it. Abyss thought for a moment longer and then reached for the fish. Tide saw him grab it.

"Uh, Abyss. Trust me, you don't want that. It tastes awful. The sauce doesn't go with the fish," Tide warned.

"That's simple enough to fix," Abyss said as he sliced off the part she bite off of. He then removed the skin from the fish and the sauce with it before taking a bite. I haven't had Salmon in so long! I almost forgot what it tasted like… Almost.

"So Tide, you eat fruit and fish due to her heritage, right?" Amethyst asked.

Tide shrugged. "I guess. Good food is good food and that's really all I have to say."

"What about you Abyss?" Amethyst continued.

"Uh. Well. I'm kind-of a vegetarian," Abyss answered.

"You are eating a fish," Inferno said with a confused look.

"That's where the 'kind-of' part pops up. I don't want to hurt or kill animals, but I don't want them to go to waste. The only one I have a hard time not hunting is seafood," Abyss explained.

Sandstone snorted. "You would die in the desert."

"Alright, so why don't you want to eat meat," Amethyst pushed on.

"No real reason," Abyss evasively stated as he finished the fish.

"Well, if everyone is done eating, I think it's time to head back out," Tide said as she stretched.

"Good. The faster we get out of this mud hole the better," Sandstone stood up as well, followed by both Amethyst and Inferno.

Abyss got up. "Well, have fun on your adventure. I recommend running the coastline. Good meeting you all," Abyss turned and started heading back for his spot. That's a first. Those dragons invited me and weren't trying to trick me. Abyss thought.

"Hey wait!" Abyss turned around to the group. Most the group was in the air a couple of yards away except Tide, who was still on the ground. "Amethyst was wanting to know if you would like to come with us."

Abyss looked at the ground and started to think. Aha! This is the trap! They get me out of town and team up on me! The thought flashed through his mind immediately, but then he thought some more. But what if it's not. What if this is an actual invitation? What if they want me to join? No. Don't be ridiculous. It's a trap like always. No dragons have tried to be my friend without trying to kill me. He looked at Tide again who had a warm smile on her snout. Her smile seems so sincere though. Maybe….

"Look. You obviously don't feel comfortable with this," Tide said. "It's no big deal. We understand sometimes one just wants to be alone. Sorry. Just forget about the offer." She turned around to join the group.

"Wait. No, I'll go," Abyss responded as Tide took to the air.

"Are you sure? It took you a while to answer," Tide said skeptically.

"No. It's fine. I just…. spaced out," Abyss reassured her. "Never been invited to a group before." Who doesn't have an alternate motive. Abyss added internally. And I still might not have been.

"Oh. Great! Come on then." Tide gestured for him to follow.

"So happy you decided to join us Abyss!" Amethyst said happily almost as soon as they joined. "This is going to be thrilling." For some reason, Tide tensed up and shook like someone had just threw her into the snow at the sound of the word "thrilling".

"Yeah. Great. Another one," Sandstone said with a sigh.

"You said to follow the shore right?" Inferno asked.

"Yeah," Abyss responded. "The ocean is beautiful. Especially at sunset."

"Sounds great!" Amethyst exclaimed. "Is everyone ok with that?"

"I love the ocean, so fine by me!"

"It's your trip."

"Anywhere but this bog wasteland."

Amethyst smiled. "Awesome. Then it's decided. We'll follow the shoreline and travel inland to explore. That sunset better be killer Abyss!"

"It will be," Abyss responded with a small smile. "So where are we heading?"

"To the Kingdom of the Sky! I hear the mountains are gorgeous and that you can see for miles on them!" Amethyst said excitedly.

Abyss's heart sank. Oh no. Not there again. I'm probably still wanted and will be killed by Queen Scarlet! Abyss looked at Inferno. I actually thought the Skywing was coming over to capture me at first. He still might be, actually. I wonder if there's a bounty on me. Abyss gulped at the thought. "Uh. I'm not sure if that's the best idea," he said nervously as the group started to head out.

"Why not?" Amethyst asked in surprise. Everyone turned back around.

Sandstone sighed and muttered, "Great. Another complainer."

"I don't really trust Skywings. They are ruthless and cruel and not to be trusted," Abyss said and then awkwardly added. "No offense Inferno. I'm sure you're different."

"Saying 'No offense' doesn't stop me from being offended," Inferno said as he frowned.

"That's ridiculous. I've known Inferno for years– I mean weeks. Weeks," Tide said beforing laughing nervously. "What do you have against Skywings?"

Abyss sat there for a second. "I just – I just don't trust them. I'd just rather be safe than sorry." Tide didn't seem to like this answer. She knows I'm hiding something. Abyss fretted.

"Uuuhh. Alright. Well, if it makes you feel better, we won't stop in any towns," Amethyst offered.

"Yeah. That'll help. I guess," Abyss muttered. I shouldn't have said anything.

"No towns. Fly by shore. Are you sure this is your trip Amethyst?" Sandstone questioned. Abyss looked a little more uncomfortable after this remark.

"Hush Sandstone!" Amethyst said with a little temper to her voice. She turned back towards the others. "Well, let's go! We are burning daylight!"

They started towards the Mudwing shoreline. Amethyst lead the group and Abyss hung more towards the back where he started to think about everyone. Inferno and Tide are whispering. Probably something about what I said. Tide seems outgoing. She's also smart and armed. I don't trust her with those daggers. Inferno seems nice. Seems to stick close to Tide; he hasn't left her side since he led me to the group. Does he like her or is he just protective? Or am I overthinking this? Sandstone definitely doesn't like me, but does he like anyone? Doesn't seem so at this moment. Just seems like a grouchy Sandwing. Heh. Must run the Sandwing heritage. Amethyst doesn't seem to mind me. She's nice, but she is WAY too bubbly. She's overly excited about everything and is way too hyper. Might get annoying after a while. Abyss sighed. This feels like traveling alone again. No one but me and my thoughts. Maybe I should socialize. Even if this is a trap, it's nice to be with other dragons. If they try to hurt me, my power will warn me.

Abyss flew up to Inferno and Tide. They grew quiet as he approached.

"Oh look. If it isn't the Skywing hater. Come to talk about how we eat our young too?" Inferno asked with a hint of anger in his tone.

"Inferno!" Tide exclaimed. "Come on now. You are overacting."

Inferno turned to her. "No I'm not! He bad-mouthed my tribe and by extension my home and my family! You would be responding the same way or worse if he trashed the Seawings!" Inferno returned in a heated voice. Tide went quiet. "I thought so." He looked back at Abyss. "I really don't feel like talking to you, so why don't you leave and insult someone else?"

Tide looked at Abyss. "I'm sorry. I recommend going elsewhere until he cools down."

Now Abyss felt horrible. He flew a little further up towards Sandstone. "Hey," Abyss said. Sandstone didn't respond. "Hey!" he said a little louder. Sandstone let out a sigh.

"What do you want?" Sandstone asked.

"I was just wanting to chat," Abyss said hopefully.

"And what makes you think I want to?" Sandstone responded coldly. Abyss said nothing.

He returned to the back of the pack. This is miserable. I'm already getting shunned and hated. Maybe I should just give up on finding a friend group. Never seems to work out. Abyss did a sad sigh. I wish father was here…. He shook his head. No. Don't think about that…. I could always go talk to Amethyst… No. I think she might kill me with energy. I'll just… quietly fly back here for now.

The dragons had started up the coastline towards the Sky Kingdom as the sun started to set.

Amethyst stopped in mid-air causing the others to halt behind her. "It's getting dark," she said. "I think we should find a place to camp out for tonight. I say we build a spot right there." She pointed towards a spot out of the mud, but still near the coast. "Let's find some food and wood so we can eat and have a fire."

"Yeah. Not all of us have night vision, so I agree with stopping," Inferno reasoned. They split up the look for supplies. Abyss swooped towards the ground and started to search for berries for himself. After obtaining some, he grabbed a little bit of wood before heading to the meeting spot. He was the last one to show up.

"Ah. There you are. We were wondering what was taking you," Tide said. She looked at the measly amount of berries he had. "Is that all you're going to eat?"

"Probably." Abyss shrugged. "Not that hungry."

"Well, we mainly just got meat. Not much fruit around here, so I hope that's enough unless you are going to break your 'vegetarian policy' again." Tide laughed.

Abyss sat down by Amethyst who he felt would be the least hostile to him. "Now that we are all here, I think we should learn more about each other. How about we start with names and hobbies or something?" Amethyst suggested.

"We already know each other's names," Sandstone said. "Why would we do that?"

"No silly! I mean history or origin of the name! To show you what I mean, I'll go first." Amethyst cleared her throat. "I got my name from the color of my scales. The dark purple reminded my mother of amethyst. Also, she did it since she thinks I'm her precious gem." Amethyst blushed at the last part. "I love exploring, reading, and making friends."

Sandstone opened his mouth and pointed inside with his talon while making a gagging noise.

"Sandstone!" Tide frowned at him.

"Sorry, but sweetness overload," Sandstone replied.

"What about yours Tide? I've been curious since you told me it." Amethyst continued, ignoring Sandstone.

"Well, since you know I'm part Rainwing now there's no sense in hiding it," Tide said as she stood up. She spread her wings and started flashing her luminescent scales all kinds of different vibrant colors.

"Wow, Tide. That's amazing! So many different colors!" Amethyst said in awe.

Lucky her. She can hide her oddity. Abyss thought. It is beautiful, though. All the colors are overwhelming.

Tide stopped and sat back down. "I like swimming, exploring, and uuuhhh… I guess that's it."

"Eating. Eating is the third one," Inferno answered. Tide smiled and slightly shoved him.

"Hush," Tide said. "My mother named me 'Tide' since my scales were constantly changing while I was younger. It's in reference to how the tide is always changing, never staying the same."

"That's so cool!" Amethyst exclaimed. "What about you Inferno?"

"My mother named me 'Inferno' since I was very destructive as a young dragonet. I would burn everything I could, and watched the object slowly change into ash. So my hobby was burning things, but I don't really have any now."

"Alright. Abyss?" Amethyst nodded towards him.

"I don't really have any hobbies. Well, exploring I guess. I'm not sure why my father chose the name he did. Never asked. Never can now," Abyss answered. He said that last part quietly as his voice picked up a hint of sadness, but he didn't hide it well enough.

"Oh. Did he leave you?" Amethyst asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah. Something like that," Abyss answered in a slightly more depressed voice.

"Well, maybe we'll see him or something," Amethyst tried to sooth. "What was his name?"

"Kelp," Abyss shook his head. She doesn't get what I mean, but I really don't want to say it. They don't need to know anyways.

"Probably blames the Skywings for that too," Inferno said in a whisper to Tide. It was slightly loud in the silence, so the entire group heard it. Abyss flinched and Tide punched Inferno's arm in response.

"Shut up Inferno," Tide quietly growled back as Inferno started rubbing where she hit him.

"Well, you're the last one Sandstone," Amethyst quickly said in an attempt to change topic. "Share like everyone else did."

"I'm not sure what you're expecting. I was named Sandstone for reasons. I never asked because I don't care. I like fighting. End of story. Nothing special," Sandstone said.

"Oh. Well, uh… that's nice," Amethyst said awkwardly before she looked at the sky and studied the bright, shining moons. "Looks like it's getting late. Probably best to get some rest. More flying tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me," Sandstone said as he lied down. "Just wake me when it's morning."

"Yeah. It's been a long day." Tide stretched and walked to the ocean where she got a mouthful of water and spit it on the fire. "Sorry Inferno but we're not going to let a fire burn through the night while we sleep. Might wake up in a fire."

"Fair enough." He moved a little more in land. "But that breeze is a little too cold for my liking."

Tide shrugged. "Whatever." She walked around for a little then lied down.

Abyss stood up and walked over to a nice spot where he lied down as well. After getting comfortable, he looked at Amethyst who hadn't moved. "Hey Amethyst. You going to get some rest?"

"Probably. Nightwings usually stay up at night, but that hasn't always been the case with me." Amethyst sat there for a little before adding, "I'm just thinking at the moment."

Abyss lied his head down. What a day. Abyss thought. Adventured to a town, joined a group, probably made an enemy. Very eventful and exhausting. I still don't really trust these dragons. Sandstone is rude and grouchy. Just ticked off Inferno. Strangely, he seems protective over Tide. I can see him sneak a peek at her even now to make sure she is ok. I still wonder if that's protectiveness or a crush. I don't like armed dragons, so I'm not sure about Tide. Amethyst is way too energetic. I don't see any reason to distrust her, but she's just always too excited. Abyss closed his eyes as he sighed internally. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Then he opened them slightly. Actually, I think I'll wait until Tide is asleep first.

Author's Note:

The three deaths I hinted at in my summary before eliminating it happens in a later Chapter. I removed that part of the summary since there is techniclly deaths in Chapter 2, which I had forgot about.