Chapter 2
Tide
The cloaked Sandwing looked into a pot. Inside is an orange liquid which she periodically adds a talon full of a powder to.
"Just a little more," she muttered. She dropped the last talonful in and a large puff of orange smoke came out of the pot. As the liquid smoked, it slowly turned from orange to clear. She smiled. "Just one last ingredient." The dragon walked over to a small tube with a wispy substance in it. She picked it up as a dragon flew in. She put down the vial as she turned towards the dragon. "Venom, was it successful?"
"No." Venom replied. "He left with bodyguards so I called off the ambush. The other three are following them. I think he suspects us. Should we wait until he separates from his guards?"
"No. He suspects nothing. Even if he did, that" the Sandwing pointed to the pot. "has a limited life span on it. Loses its potency after about a week. We need him immediately. Attack the group and bring him to me."
"What should we do with the other dragons?" Venom asked.
"Kill them. I have no need for them," the Sandwing responded.
"As you wish." Venom bowed then flew out of the room.
The cloaked Sandwing grabbed the vial and walked over to the pot. "Everything is going as planned," she said as she poured in the substance. "After waiting centuries, soon you will have everything that is rightfully yours. Just a little more time."
There was a piercing scream that cut through the night air. A dragon heard it and rushed towards it. That came from the town, it thought. As it flew quickly through the trees, the dragon could hear the screams getting louder and louder, but each time it sounded like a different dragon. The dragon landed in the town where bodies littered the street and the stretch of death was heavy in the air as the dragon walked up to one of the corpses. There were slash wounds all over her body. What kind of monster could've done this? the dragon thought as it looked at the body lined streets. There were dragons of almost all tribes here– Skywings, Sandwing, Seawings, Icewings, and Mudwings. None of these dragons deserve a fate like this. The dragon knew these victims. They were war veterans and Talons of Peace members. All these dragons ever wanted was peace. Some found fit to fight for their Tribe and others thought peace would be obtained through other methods. None of them wanted this war. The dragon continued to explore the town looking for survivors, but to no avail. Then it heard a scream from out of town causing the dragon to rush out of the town and into the woods. Maybe I can save this one! The dragon was getting closer to the screams.
"Leave me alone! No, no. Please no!"
The dragon burst through the bushes and into a clearing. The dragon saw a body of a Seawing lying on the ground. The dragon rushed over to him, but was too late to do anything. He was dead. The dragon saw that the wounds were just like the others in town. How many innocent dragons must die?
"Have you come to join the fun?" a female dragon's voice said. The voice rang through the night. The dragon looked around the clearing. No one was there.
"Show yourself Monster!" the dragon yelled with a slight quiver in its voice.
"But that ruins the suspense," the voice said from behind the dragon. It turn around, but again saw nothing. "And I love the suspense." The dragon's fear was starting to rise as it started to back away. "I can see the fear in your eyes. You want to run. Please do. I ever do enjoy the chase before the kill." There was then a cruel laughter.
"I'm not afraid of you! You don't scare me!" the dragon yelled with its voice shaking as he spun around, looking for anything.
"Aaaww. How brave. It's a shame you aren't afraid of me," the voice said as the dragon back towards a bush. "You should be," the voice whispered in the dragon's ear. The dragon heard this directly behind him and quickly turned around to a glowing red bush. Immediately after, the Monster lunged at the dragon from the bush. The Monster was a black figure with two daggers and a bright red glow. The dragon shrieked and stumbled backwards, falling on its back; the Monster was immediately on the dragon and sliced the dragon's throat with its daggers.
Tide woke with a start. She was breathing heavily. It was just a dream. She thought. Just a dream. She took a couple more deep breaths and then sighed before looking at the others. Sandstone, Inferno, Abyss, and Amethyst still look like they are asleep. Tide stood up and stretched. She walked through the wood line and over to the ocean where she waded into the calm water. She looked out to sea as she let the waves calm her. After a little bit, she thought, I wonder how things are going back home. I hope mother's ok. Tide felt a small twinge of guilt. She really should see her mother, but she was afraid of what her mother would see in her. Tide heard a bush move behind her. She quickly turned around and saw Inferno walking to her.
"You startled me," Tide said as he approached.
"Sorry. Didn't think you would be jumpy out here," Inferno said as he walked to the edge of the water. He wasn't very fond of getting wet.
"I thought you were asleep," Tide said as she turned back around and looked back out to sea.
"I was just lying there. I didn't sleep well last night. Being out in the open felt strange," Inferno said.
"More like vulnerable," Tide said. "It felt too exposed to me."
Inferno sighed. "Tide, we don't have any enemies out here. You should relax a little."
Tide did a disbelieving snort. "Really Inferno? With the business we are in, you think we don't have enemies and that no one is watching?" She turned and splashed water at him, causing him to yip and jump back. "I think you're being naïve."
"And I think you are being paranoid and overacting," Inferno said back. Tide smiled and shook her head as she turned back towards the ocean. She could smell nothing but the sea. She took a deep breath. Oh how I miss the open ocean, she thought.
"Speaking of overacting, why are you being so childish about Abyss not trusting Skywings? Seriously, you are acting like a one year old," Tide responded.
"I can't stand dragons that hate other tribes for no reason. Sure, no tribe is perfect, but you shouldn't judge all dragons for one's decision," Inferno said with a little bit of anger in his voice.
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe he hasn't had good experiences with Skwings? I'm pretty sure he's not telling us the truth with his father and he avoided mentioning his mother," Tide reasoned.
"You didn't mention your father," Inferno pointed out.
"That's because I didn't have one," Tide countered.
"I just don't understand. I doubt a Skywing had anything to do with his father leaving him. It makes no sense to hate an entire tribe for it. We aren't perfect, but we aren't evil!" Inferno exclaimed.
"Inferno. You have to face the fact that your tribe has had its claw in some terrible things. I'm not saying it's the tribe's fault, but Queen Scarlet tortured, manipulated, and killed countless dragons. From what I heard, she even enchanted her own daughter! That's not even mentioning the arena."
"What's wrong with the arena? It's a place of justice and redemption," Inferno said defensively.
Tide chuckled and turned back towards Inferno. "Are you serious? It's a place of death and torment. It's cruel. There is no justice there, just suffering."
Inferno's voice took more of a heated tone. "The arena is a place of honor and strength! It's where dragons can go and fight for redemption! You wouldn't understand Tide. You've never–" Inferno stopped. He just realized what he said. Tide had perked up when he said the arena was a place of "honor". Tide looked like she was about to punch Inferno.
"Honor?" Tide said in an eerily calm voice. "Is that what you call it?" Tide walked out of the water and started looking around for something to release some of her anger on. Inferno shrunk a little as she walked by him. Her voice started to become louder and more rage filled as she spoke. "Is that what you call killing a dragon who doesn't want to fight? Is that what you call fighting dragons to the death because they were born in a different tribe or because they disagreed with those two wicked Queens?!" Tide had picked up a branched and snapped it when she said "wicked Queens". "But since I've only been in the arena five times, I guess I know nothing about it!" She threw the two branch halves on the ground before quickly approached Inferno. Tide's voice was starting to quiver. "So please Inferno! Please tell me that I know nothing about the death and sorrow that arena has caused!" She was right in front of him now. "Please finish your sentence and educate me on how the arena I've never been in is! I want to hear it!" Inferno stood there, frozen in place. There was nothing but fear in his eyes. Tide saw this. Is he actually afraid I'll kill him? Most of Tide's rage vanished with this thought. She turned and took a few steps away from Inferno. Her voice was mostly sad now, partially due to her regret for acting the way she did and partially because she was hurt that Inferno would defend something that caused her so much pain and anguish. "You know what I went through in there. You know what I had to do to survive and yet you defend it. Inferno, sometimes we have to let go of our pride in our tribe and look at how it affects others."
Inferno sighed. "I'm sorry Tide. I know what you went through and your right that I shouldn't be so close-minded. I shouldn't be so petty about others not trusting the Skywings. We haven't done very great things lately."
"As you said, no tribe is perfect," Tide said. She took a deep breath and they sat there in silence for a little. "Let's see if the others are up yet." Tide started back towards the camp.
"Probably are. We weren't exactly quiet," Inferno said as he followed her. Tide walked back to the camp site with Inferno following closely behind. When they got back to the clearing, Amethyst was trying to wake Sandstone and Abyss was missing. Tide started to walk over to Amethyst and Sandstone.
"Come on Sandstone! Wake up!" Amethyst saw Tide walking to her. "Oh. Hey Tide. Having a good morning?"
"Could be better," Tide responded while she shrugged. "Trying to wake him up?"
"Yes and it's impossible! I would think he's dead if he wasn't breathing," Amethyst said before shaking Sandstone. "Wake up for crying out loud!"
"Hhmm. I see you've tried asking nicely. Want me to try?" Tide offered.
"Have at it. I don't want to sit here all day," Amethyst responded. "Uh. You aren't going to stab him are you?"
"No, no. Of course not!" Tide said as she chuckled. "But there's a thought…"
"Please don't," Amethyst requested.
"I'm kidding." Tide smiled at her. Tide leaned down to Sandstone and grabbed his ear. She took a deep breath. "WAKE UP YOU USELESS EXCUSE OF A DRAGON!"
"Aaahhh!" Sandstone yelled and jumped. He covered his left ear. "Are you mad? What was that for?!"
"Next time, wake up," Tide said with a smile as Sandstone stared at her with a mixture of anger and dismay in his purple eyes.
"My ear is ringing. My ear better stop ringing Tide! If you made me deaf—"
"Oh please. Don't be so dramatic." Tide waved the idea off. "It'll be temporary."
Sandstone frown at her and wandered towards the wood line. "I'm going to catch food."
"Really? With only one working ear?" Tide said with a mocking tone. Sandstone ignored her. "There you go, Amethyst. Sandstone is up and about!"
"Thanks I guess?" Amethyst said looking a little worried. "You think his hearing will be fine."
"Trust me, he's fine. Next time if he doesn't get up, get some water and dump it on him. That should work too," Tide suggested.
"Why didn't you do that then?" Amethyst asked.
I wanted to mess with the big grouch, Tide thought. "Uh, just didn't really come to mind," Tide said while shrugging. Amethyst didn't look very convinced by this excuse. "Where's Abyss? Did he leave?"
"No. He's trying to find more berries," Amethyst said. After a small pause she asked, "What do you think of him?"
"Abyss? He seems nice and a little timid. Shy. It's strange though; if he is timid and shy, why would he come with us?" Tide wondered.
"Maybe you're wrong about him. Besides the being nice part," Amethyst added.
Tide nodded. "Maybe." I don't think I'm wrong, but it's always a possibility, Tide thought.
"Ssooo. Do you think he's… cute?" Amethyst asked slowly. She was rotating two claws over each other.
"What?" Tide asked in shocked. "No! I mean I have nothing against him, but I haven't really thought that way about him."
"Ah. Alright," Amethyst responded. There was a small silence.
"Why do you want to know? Do you?" Tide asked back.
"No no no." She chuckled. "I was just curious that's all."
"Oh. Ok. Just small talk." Tide responded.
"Yeah." Amethyst chuckled again. "I was just… making conversation. That's all… I do think Inferno has a thing for you, however."
Tide sat there for a second before slowly asking, "Why do you think that?"
"Well, he's always sitting by you, talking with you, he's always near you honestly. I also noticed he usually always tries to keep an eye on you. I think that's the reason he wanted to pay for your food," Amethyst explained.
Tide blushed. She doesn't know. That's not how he sees me… right? I'm like a sister to him, not a date, Tide thought. "Uh, I mean, I don't think that's it. I thinks he just likes hanging out with me is all."
"You blushed!" Amethyst giggled. "You've got a crush for him don't you? You've got someone crushing on you and you're crushing on him!" Amethyst sang.
"Ssshhh." Tide looked at Inferno in alarm. He wasn't paying much attention. He was looking at the remains of the fire. He had thrown some wood back over it and lit it. "Keep it down Amethyst. Please."
"Oh don't worry Tide," Amethyst whispered. "Your secret is safe with me." Amethyst giggled causing Tide to roll her eyes.
"I'm going to go try to find Abyss," Tide said. "We should eat quickly." Tide looked at the sun. "It's already mid-day."
"Alright. Sounds good," Amethyst said with a large grin on her face. Tide turned around and took flight. She sighed and shook her head. "Really Amethyst," she muttered. Abyss probably wouldn't go too far from the campsite. Tide was flying for a little before she heard a voice. She started flying towards it. She landed in a tree and saw Sandstone with a dead wild hog. He was snapping by his left ear.
"Lucky Seawing. I would've buried her in a bog if I lost my hearing. She needs to learn some manners," he loudly muttered. He looked up at the sun. "I should probably get back." He spread his wings and took flight.
Grouch, Tide thought as she took flight again and continued to fly through the forest. After a while, she started to hear a small commotion and flew towards it.
"Look. I don't want any trouble ok?"
She recognized the voice this time. That is definitely Abyss. What's going on?
"You should've thought of that before pouring that muck in our pond."
Tide landed on a tree branch where she saw Abyss talking with a Mudwing.
"You can't blame that on me. I didn't even know you lived by a pond, Earth. Anyways, it doesn't seem nearly as bad as what you tried to do to me. You wanted to kill me!" Abyss laughed nervously.
These two know each other and this mystery dragon tried to kill Abyss. This might not go too well, Tide thought. She started watching more intently to see if she needed to intervene.
"Do you realize what you did to us? No one at the town wanted to be near us. We were kicked out of shops because of you!" Earth growled.
"Now you know how I feel," Abyss simply said.
"We're going to make you pay," Earth hissed.
"Look, I don't want to fight. Besides we know how this went down last time. Do we really want to do this again?" Abyss stopped for a second. "Oh. I see you still haven't recovered from your bog experience. Sorry about that."
Earth roared and lunged at Abyss. Abyss ducked and dodged. Tide stood up and started to jump out of the tree when Earth turned around and Abyss clawed his snout. Abyss then leaped into the air and took flight.
Earth touched his snout and felt the blood. "You're not getting away again!" He started to pursue Abyss, and Tide chased after them as well. They were flying to the beach. Tide saw Abyss dive into the ocean while Earth landed on the edge of the water. "You can't stay down there forever you Hybrid scum!" he yelled.
Tide landed a few yards behind him. "Actually, I'm pretty sure he can. I think he has gills." Earth turned around. "Not very bright are you?"
"This doesn't concern you Seawing. I suggest you leave," Earth threatened.
"Or what? You'll hurt me? I'd like to see you try. Besides let's just say we have something in common." Tide shifted the colors of her scales.
"Ocean can't do that…" Earth muttered.
"Really? Wow, you're slow. I'm a hybrid," Tide said in annoyance. "Any beef you have with that dragon, you have with me."
"Oh. You think you're tough? This should be fun." Earth laughed. "Once I'm done with you, I'll bury Abyss too."
They square off. Tide went up on her two back legs while Earth stayed on four. Tide decided to keep her daggers holstered. I'm going to have some fun with this dragon. Earth started clawing at her, but Tide evaded the slices before punching Earth in the snout. He grabbed it and stumbled backwards before roaring and attacking again. Tide kept back stepping his attacks. When he lunged Tide went under him and pushed herself up into his underbelly. He flipped and landed on his back. "I hope you plan on doing better than that," Tide said. "This is pathetic."
Earth rolled back onto his feet. "Stay still!" he spat. He then threw sand at Tide. Tide spun causing the sand to hit the side of her head, barely missing her eyes. As she spun she kicked sand into Earth's face who had charged at Tide before side stepping Earth as he fell into the sand. He started rubbing his eyes.
Tide yawned. "Are we almost done here? I got things to do." The Mudwing got the sand out of his eyes and stood back up. He took a deep breath and started breathing fire at her, making Tide jumped back. Earth used this temporary obstruction of Tide's view to charge her, but Tide barely saw the swing. She grabbed Earth wrist, stopping the attack, and yank him towards her as she punched him in the chest at the same time. Earth gasped from the impact while Tide started hitting his snout. Blow after blow she staggered Earth back then she hit him in his throat and then his stomach. Earth fell back onto the ground, clutching his stomach. "Give up?" Tide asked as she moved his head so she was looking in his eyes.
"Never." Earth coughed. "Never to a disgraceful half-breed like you." He weakly sliced at her and fell back into the sand.
"Well, you got heart. I'll give you that," Tide said. She then muttered, "Even though it's misplaced." Tide walked behind Earth. She put one talon on the back of his neck. She then grabbed his wing and slowly started to twist it. Earth gasped in pain. "You feel that? That's the bone connecting your wing to your body coming out of socket… one" she twisted more "…twist…" she twisted a little more "at a time." she twisted a little more again causing Earth to scream in pain. "Here's what's going to happen, Earth. I'm going to let you keep your wing, but you are going to let me, Abyss, and any other hybrid you run across live in peace. If I hear of you breaking this deal, I will find you and things will be much, much worse. Next time there will be blood. I promise you."
"What… you'll… kill me?" Earth asked while gasping. "You don't…. have it in you."
"Oh, I don't now do I?" Tide let go of Earth's wing. He let out a breath of relief, but then Tide stepped hard on his shoulders, yanked his head up by his horns and put a dagger to his throat. "I don't have the guts you say?" Tide growled in his ear. "These daggers aren't for show. I've killed far less deserving dragons than you over the years. You really think one more will bother me?" She pressed the blade closer to his throat. "All I have to do is move my blade slightly. Your life is mine right now."
"O-Ok. Ok. Pl-Please. Just let me go," Earth said stuttering slightly as terror filled his voice.
"Now you see how dire this situation is. Good." Tide removed the dagger, but kept ahold of the dragon's horn. "Remember this day next time you try to mess with a dragon you think is weak or different. The mistake might prove to be… fatal next time," Earth gulped. Tide released him, and Earth immediately stood up and started running for the woods before taking flight. "And try to have a good day!" Tide yelled after him. She looked out over the ocean. I guess now I'll wait for Abyss. Tide walked back to the tree line and sat down. There wasn't much left of the day now. The others must be worried sick by now. Or well, at least Inferno and Amethyst are. Tide waited until she saw a head pop up out of the water. That must be Abyss checking to see if it's safe or not. Not too long later Abyss cautiously walked onto the beach. Tide waited a little then she walked out of the forest line. "Abyss!" Tide said excitedly. Abyss jumped and looked at Tide. He gave a sigh of relief once he realized who it was.
"Oh. Hey Tide," Abyss responded.
"We've been looking everywhere for you! Where did you go? You take a swim or something?" Tide questioned. It's probably best that I play dumb, she thought.
"Oh. Uh. Yeah. Just a swim. Didn't realize it was so late. Wow time really flies when you're having fun!" Abyss laughed nervously.
"Yeah. Let's go back to the camp. I was sent out to find you a while ago. They are probably worried about the both of us," Tide said.
"Yeah. Probably," Abyss agreed before walking into the woods. Tide followed him. How often does this happen to him? Tide wondered. Abyss was barely showing how troubled he was.
"Are you ok? You look like something's bothering you," Tide said as they walked.
"No. I'm just…" Abyss trailed off. "Distracted."
"Well, I know we just meet. Like literally just the other day, but if there is ever something you want or need to tell, feel free to. You can trust me." Tide tried to do a reassuring smile.
Abyss looked at her for a second. "Will do." There was a small pause as they walked in silence. "Do you think Inferno will ever forgive me?"
Tide was confused for a second. "Oh. About the tribe thing?"
"Yeah," Abyss responded. "I probably should've kept my mouth shut, but the Skywings and I haven't had the best history and that's putting it lightly."
"Oh really? What happened?" Tide questioned. This might be my chance to find out the truth of why he doesn't like Skywings.
"I'd rather not talk about it," Abyss said while looking down. He then looked up. "We should almost be at the camp."
He's changing the subject. Tide did an internal sigh. Well, I tried. They walked for a little longer before arriving at the camp. Sandstone was talking to Amethyst and Inferno was gone.
"I'm telling you Amethyst, they are in trouble! We need to go look for them!" Sandstone said.
"You're being ridiculous. I'm sure they are fine," Amethyst argued back. "Besides, Inferno left looking for them."
"Yes and he's been gone for a while too. I'm telling you they're in trouble!" Sandstone exclaimed.
"We're back," Tide said. Both Sandstone and Amethyst turned.
"See? They're fine," Amethyst said looking back at Sandstone.
"Where have you two been?" Sandstone demanded while walking up to them.
"I was looking for Abyss and found him at the beach. I didn't know he went swimming," Tide responded.
"If you didn't know he was swimming, why bother going to the beach?" Sandstone asked with an aggressive tone.
"What is this? An interrogation? What does it matter?" Tide defensively responded. She was slightly annoyed by Sandstone's tone. "I decided to explore by the coast and saw him."
Sandstone turned to Abyss. "And where are your berries?"
"I already ate them," Abyss said shocked. "Why are you being so aggressive? We didn't do anything wrong."
"I just want to understand why you two decided to waste the entire day goofing off. We hardly have any time to travel now!" Sandstone hissed in frustration.
"Why do you care? You don't care about this trip," Tide asked Sandstone in a hostile tone.
"I might not, but others might!" Sandstone loudly responded. He then hissed in frustration. "Let's just find Inferno so we can go."
"No need. I'm here," Inferno said as he landed. He smiled when he saw Tide. He then looked at Abyss with a smile, but Abyss avoided eye contact. "Happy to see you're both ok. Knew you were back once I heard yelling from a good bit away."
"Good. We're all here. Let's go," Sandstone said decisively.
"Amethyst is the leader here," Tide responded. "Are we going to travel today Amethyst?"
"Yeah. We'll go further. Any progress is better than no progress," Amethyst decided.
"Then let's go." Sandstone took to the sky.
"Concerned then angry then back to grump." Inferno did a short chuckle followed by a sigh. "Guess everything came full circle."
Tide smirked as the group took back towards the sky. Sandstone was with Amethyst and Inferno flew up beside Tide.
"What took you so long?" Inferno asked. "Sandstone and I were getting worried."
"I'm surprised about Sandstone being worried," Tide said. "I couldn't find Abyss and when I finally did, he was with another dragon – a Mudwing who he didn't have the best past with. The Mudwing had tried to kill Abyss for being a hybrid."
"What happened?" Inferno asked. "Did you—"
"No I didn't kill him," Tide interrupted slightly annoyed. "He attacked Abyss. Abyss defended himself and fled to the ocean. I followed and confronted the Mudwing. Scared him pretty good. Hopefully, he won't mess with Abyss anymore."
"Oh… You think he may have been bullied by a Skywing before?" Inferno asked with an edge of guilt in his voice.
"Possibly," Tide bluntly said. "That might explain why he doesn't trust them." Tide turned around and looked at Abyss, who was still staying away from the group, before turning back to Inferno. "You really need to go apologize to him. He feels awful."
Inferno looked at him too. "Yeah… He hasn't looked me in the eye since. I kind of feel terrible too," Inferno admitted. "I don't know his past and I don't know his reasons."
"Go tell him then. Just don't mention the Mudwing thing," Tide requested. "He doesn't know I intervened or saw them together." Inferno nodded and slowed down his flight speed. He stopped beside Abyss and started talking to him. Good. Tide thought. That might help Abyss a little. He needs friends not enemies. They flew for a little while until Tide started to recognize the area. She sped up to Amethyst and Sandstone.
"We are being followed. I can feel it Amethyst," Sandstone said.
"Yeah. I think so, too," Amethyst said with a worried face. "Those three dragons have been following us all day." Amethyst laughed. Followed? Tide thought. Could it be the Mudwing? Tide slowed down and stayed behind them. She was curious about this conversation.
"I'm serious," Sandstone said. "Ever since we left that Mudwing town, Bugwater–"
"Bogwater," Amethyst corrected.
"Whatever!" Sandstone said. "I've felt like we've been followed."
"I think you are being ridiculous again." Amethyst chuckled. "Remember when you thought Tide and Abyss were in trouble?" Sandstone was quiet for a bit.
"I'm telling you. Something isn't right," Sandstone finished with an annoyed tone.
This is the end of the conversation, Tide thought. I've been feeling the same way…. Well, if you are always paranoid, you have to be right eventually. She caught up to them. "Hey. I recognize this place. Can we land?"
"Uh. Sure Tide." Amethyst said. "How do you recognize here?"
"I think this is where I grew up," Tide answered.
"I didn't think you were part Mudwing too," Sandstone remarked.
"I'm not," Tide responded. "I'll explain if I'm right." Amethyst started to fly towards the ground with the others in pursuit. They landed and Tide started walking towards the shore. This is the place, Tide realized. I haven't been here in years!
"Is the right place Tide?" Sandstone asked. "If so, why are we stopping here?"
"This is where I was hatched," Tide said as she explore her memories. She remembered playing on this beach. She remembered her mother coming to visit, the fun they had together... Everything was so care-free back then. Tide internally sighed. I miss those days, she thought. "I grew up here for about a year before my mother took me to an island that was closer to the Summer Palace."
"So let me get this right. You are a Seawing/Rainwing hybrid who grew up in Mudwing territory?" Sandstone asked. "This is getting ridiculous."
"I think it's cool!" Amethyst said.
"My mother thought it would be really strange if she returned home with an egg," Tide explained. "So she left me here in between the Rainwing Kingdom and Seawing Kingdom once she realized this. She knew the warm waters of the Mudwing Kingdom would be perfect for me. She still checked up on me as much as she could."
"Well, it's getting dark. I vote we stay here for the night," Amethyst said.
"I'll try to find some dry wood." Sandstone sighed. "Can't wait until we are out of here," he muttered as he walked away.
"Staying here is fine by me," Abyss said. "I think Inferno already figured out what we are doing. He said something about getting food."
"Cool. I'll help Sandstone look for some fire wood then," Amethyst said as she left in the same direction that Sandstone did.
"Abyss, there is a spot where I used to pick berries. Want me to show you where it's at?" Tide offered.
Abyss smiled. "Lead the way," he responded.
Tide started walking away from the ocean, and Abyss walked beside her.
"Thanks," Abyss said.
"For the berries? It's not a big deal," Tide replied.
"Not that. I know you told Inferno to apologize to me," Abyss informed her.
"He wanted to. He felt bad about his actions. He was just unsure," Tide explained. "He's actually really nice. He just has a lot of pride in his tribe."
"Wish I could say the same," Abyss said slightly amused.
Tide stopped and pointed at a bush. "There's the berries over there." Abyss walked over to them and started picking a few. "What do you mean about not having any tribe pride? I mean, the Seawings aren't flawless, but I'm still proud of my tribe."
Abyss stopped for a second. "What tribe would want me?"
Tide was surprised with this answer. "What do you mean? Your look shouldn't matter." There was a small thing of silence. "You're a hybrid right? What tribes are you from?"
"My father was a Seawing and mother was a Nightwing," Abyss answered. "But it's more complicated than that."
"Well, what is it?" Tide asked. There was more silence. "Come on Abyss. What do I need to do to make see that you can trust me? You said something about it. You obviously want it off your chest."
"I just…. I just don't know. I don't like talking about my past," Abyss answered with sorrow creeping into his voice. "I hate almost everything about it. Nothing has gone right and I've only been hurt. Everyone I ever cared about is gone."
"Nobody's life is perfect. We all have pain. You just have to focus on the good," Tide said trying to be helpful.
Abyss just shook his head. "You just don't understand." Abyss cleared his throat and tried to return to his normal voice. "I got my berries. You can have any that are left. I'm going back to the camp," Abyss said as he started to leave. Tide hesitated before following. They were silent as they returned to the camp and were the last ones back.
Amethyst saw them. "Ah. Now that everyone is here, let's resume our game." The dragons looked at her with confused faces. "The one where we pick a topic to talk about."
"Oh greeaaat," Sandstone said sarcastically.
"I know right!" Amethyst exclaimed happily. "I think it's so cool to hear these stories. Alright. Abyss. You go tonight."
"So what? I just ask any question?" Abyss asked Amethyst.
"Yep! Well, I guess not ANY. Let's try to not ask strange questions like 'Has anyone snorted a fish before?' or possibly embarrassing questions like 'Who's your crush?'" Amethyst told him.
"Alright. Hhhhmm." Abyss thought for a second. "Why did everyone join?"
"Not bad, but I'm worried you might get similar responses," Amethyst said. "You want to stick with that?"
"Yep," Abyss answered.
"Alright. Well, I didn't join. I started this journey. I wanted to see the world outside of the rainforest. I mean, the rainforest is beautiful, but it's all I've ever known. I wanted to widen my perspective," Amethyst answered.
"Wait, weren't Nightwings on a volcanic island? Weren't you there most your life?" Tide asked in confusion.
Amethyst shook a claw at Tide. "No no Tide. That's not the question." She laughed a little. "Since you said something though, you're next."
"Ok, but Inferno and I have the same reason so is it fine that I speak for the both of us?" Tide asked Amethyst who looked at Abyss.
Abyss realized why Amethyst was looking at him. This was a question she wanted him to answer. "Oh! Yeah. That's fine," he said.
"Alright. Well, Inferno and I had already decided to explore Pyrrhia. I was visiting the Skywing Kingdom from my home when we meet. We had decided to explore near the Sandwing border when we ran into Amethyst and Sandstone. After that, we decided to explore together," Tide finished. She looked quickly at Inferno who looked confused. Just go with it dunderhead, Tide thought.
"Speaking of Sandstone, why don't you share now?" Amethyst requested.
"Fine. I was hanging around a Sandwing town when a chatty, noisy Nightwing arrived. She, for some reason, decided to keep bugging me and inviting me to a trip. I came along because I knew she wouldn't leave me alone," Sandstone explained.
"Amethyst, how did that really go down?" Inferno asked.
"No that's basically it." Amethyst giggled. "He looked big and strong and, most importantly, I was feeling lonely. If he said, 'no' enough I probably would've tried someone else."
"Viper fangs! Knew sixth time would've been the charm," Sandstone muttered. Amethyst laughed.
"Alright, your turn Abyss," Amethyst said. "Why did you join?"
"Wait, I have to answer too?" Abyss asked.
"Of course! It's only fair. Besides I bet it's thrilling," Amethyst responded. Tide shivered causing Abyss to give her a weird look.
"Alright. Well, I just thought it would be fun," Abyss answered. There was a small thing of silence. "Uh. That's all."
"No other reason?" Tide asked.
Abyss shrugged. "Just why not? I know it's not very interesting, but that's it."
Tide wasn't sure if she believed this. I think he's trying to expand his comfort zone. He's anti-social and is trying to be social… Is that what happened with the last dragons? He chose whom to be with poorly?
"Not going to lie, that was pretty…. anticlimactic," Amethyst said.
"I don't know. I liked it. Simple and short," Sandstone said.
"Well, let's get some rest and not get lost in the morning so we can make some progress," Amethyst said. Everyone lied down and started to go to sleep. Tide waited for everyone to fall asleep before getting up. She walked through some trees and over to the shore where she sat to watch the moonlight shimmer off the ocean's waves. This place is just how I remember. So calm and peaceful. I would sit right here all morning and wait for mother, and she'd come with fish and calms. We'd then talk and swim together. Everything was so much simpler. She sat in silence as she reminisced.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
Tide jumped and whipped around with her talons on her daggers.
"Woah woah! Calm down Tide." Amethyst was standing there with her talons out. "Didn't think I'd scare you that bad."
Oh. It's just Amethyst, Tide thought. She let out a breath of air. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was trying to, but I'm a Nightwing so that's not usually the easiest task," Amethyst said. She looked at the moons. Two bright full moons were in the sky. "I love the night sky. It's amazing."
Tide looked at it. "Yeah. It's a very pretty night."
"That's not why you were up though is it?" Amethyst asked.
"No," Tide admitted. "I was just reminiscing."
"You miss your home?" Amethyst inquired.
"Yeah. More than anything," Tide said. I'll be brave enough to return one day, Tide thought. I'll go to my island and see mother…. Oh. What is she going to think of me? I left her as an innocent dragon. I come back a killer. They both sat in silence for a while.
"Well, I'll leave you to think," Amethyst said. "I'm going to lie back down."
"No. I should go to bed, too. Long day tomorrow." Tide followed Amethyst back. She lied down and closed her eyes. Hey brain! No nightmares tonight alright?
