Chapter 26
As we stood there in the desert the night in which the war would end, I was surprised by just how many dragons had shown up already. There were dragons present from all seven tribes, though the Rainwings that Glory brought with her were in disguise, hiding amongst the other tribes. Singularity wasn't that far from us, currently disguising herself as a Skywing and helping to keep an eye on things.
As for our group, the dragonets themselves were standing together, though Glory herself was disguised herself, making herself look like a Skywing out of irony. We were certainly getting a lot of attention though, with several of the dragons around us looking and staring at our group, seeing the prophecy dragonets end the war at long last.
I wasn't getting as much attention as they were, thankfully, as I watched around for anything and everything out of the ordinary, making sure that no one would try to harm my friends. Sara was doing the same thing, though she was on the other side of the large circle that had formed, that way all angles could be covered.
Sunny had definitely thought well when planning the date for this to occur. At the moment, the night sky had two full moons, with a comet filling the night sky in the appearance of a third full moon as well. It was a beautiful sight, and I knew that Singularity would be more than likely distracted by it several times during that night, since I couldn't help but look up at it as well.
Honestly, I was a little bit nervous. Sure, I wasn't the one ending a war between every dragon tribe, but I was still responsible for guarding the ones doing so. However, as the night went on, the nervousness passed as I realized that no one there had any intention of harming the dragonets, almost everyone there wanting to see the war end once and for all.
The dragonets had been speaking to each other this whole time, showing off their amazement of the sight before them, of the dragons filling the bright night sky, with it being difficult to tell who was from what tribe in the silver moonlight. Finally, Sunny grouped all of us together, telling us that no matter what happened, she was glad she was friends with all of us. We all agreed, though Glory jokingly said that probably meant we were probably all about to die. I told them they weren't allowed to die while I was here, and they thanked me for helping them along the way as we embraced in a large group hug.
I couldn't help but remember the decision I had made a week ago as we embraced each other, feeling as if I was actually a part of something for once, and knew that my friends would be with me every step of the way. At that moment, I was thankful I had been brought here, and I knew now that the reason I kept them safe was to pay them back for being such great friends (even if that sounded very cheesy).
As we let go, there was a low rumbling in the ground, and after being surprised for a moment, we paid it no matter as we let go of each other. It had been common lately for the ground to shake, and according to Starflight it was probably due to how close the comet was. I was semi worried about that, especially with Fatespeaker screaming that we were going to be crushed by it, but since there was no sign of the comet hitting us, I decided to pay it no mind.
However, once the ground stopped shaking, everyone went silent, and I could see why. The first of the Sandwing sisters had arrived, walking up from the castle grounds that she used as a fortress. As she did so, she addressed the dragonets, asking them why she shouldn't kill them for disturbing her battle plans.
As Sunny explained that the war was over, Burn scoffed, and said that she saw problems with that, both of which were flying this way. As we looked, we could see to the east what appeared to be Blister's forces, meanwhile from the north was a large gathering of Icewings coming this way. As Burn said she might not kill the dragonets for bringing her sisters here (though was only considering it since the dragonets were annoying her), and Sunny explained that this is about peace, not killing, the second sister arrived, with Blister landing next to a statue of the former Sandwing queen.
Blaze landed with a large Icewing that I could only guess was her ally, the Icewing queen, Blister walked up and began circling Blaze, saying she was disappointed that the other two weren't already dead. I glared at her as an argument began, with the three sisters each saying that the dragonets had chosen them to be queen. Sunny firmly told them that none of them had been chosen, and that this was a peaceful end to the war, saying they could either decide who was to be queen, or everyone else would.
Burn laughed, saying she was going to stuff all of us and tell us about peaceful solutions, Blister injected, saying she was already trying to make a gesture of peace, saying that she had sent a present to Burn. As Blister explained she wanted to reunite the family and end the war, Burn snarled and told Smolder, who I had noticed moving along the palace wall, to bring her a box.
Smolder returned a second ago, I couldn't help but wonder what was in the box, and what kind of devious trap Blister had come up with this time. As Burn grabbed the box, Sunny warned her it was probably a trick. Burn scoffed, knowing it was, saying she easily recognized the sound of a dragonbite viper.
While Blister explained how it wasn't a trick, and knew that Burn had always wanted one for her collection, Starflight explained the frightening details of the dragonbite viper. It was a snake that had a venom so powerful that it could kill a full grown dragon with one bite. I paled at this, knowing that a snake that dangerous could be harmful to everyone here.
Burn suddenly ripped her hand into the box, pulling her arm out quickly with a snake writhing in her grasp. She explained to Blister she knew her mind, and was going to enjoy using the snake on her instead. Blister then mentioned that she got her two snakes, aksing if she forgot to mention that detail.
As she said that, chaos began as the second viper lunged out of the box, sinking it's fangs into Burn. Dragons flew in all directions, everyone trying to get away as the first snake was dropped, no one wanting to take the chance to get bitten. However, as black veins crawled their way up Burn's leg, she stamped down her foot, killing the second snake. We all stood there and watched as Blister stood there, watching with sick glee as her sister began to perish from the poison of the venom.
My hatred for Blister had to wait though as Burn continued to die, more black spreading through her scales. I could only watch in horror as she died, but I shook out of it quickly as the dragonets began to get off of the ground, to get away from the viper. I noticed as the first viper noticed our group, and began making it's way towards us, and quickly.
I noticed Starflight's blind confusion, and I went over to help him get into the air, along with Sunny who was on his other side. However, even with our help, the viper was fast approaching us, so I turned around, putting myself in the way of Starflight and Sunny, knowing they was more important than me, and if the viper got to us first, I would be in it's way.
However, that thought was knocked out of the way as something slammed into us, flinging us out of the way. As we were flung, I corrected myself, seeing what had knocked us away, and my eyes widened in surprise and horror, as standing where we were a moment ago, with the viper just behind him and heading straight for his leg, was Clay.
I tried to fix my flight path, I tried to propel myself forward, to get there before the viper did, to put myself in the way of danger once more, knowing that we were so close, and that the dragonets, no, my friends, my family, had to live. I flew forward, getting there as quickly as possible.
But I was too late.
I watched as the viper bit into Clay's back leg, sinking its fangs into his flesh, and thus depositing its deadly venom into him. As Clay screamed in pain, I reached him, grabbing the snake out from his leg and pulling it out. The snake hissed at me, but I lost myself, and just like with the eels months ago, I lost my temper out of the need to protect my friends, and I tore the snake in half, killing it.
I quickly turned to Clay, who was reeling on the ground in pain. I went to him, unsure what to do as the others came to us as well. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, with the screams of panicked dragons no longer in my ears, only the complaints of Clay as he told us how much it hurt.
Not knowing what to do, remembering what I had heard Starflight say, saying that once bitten, there was nothing you could do for a dragon, I did the same thing I had done when I had first arrived here. I looked towards the sky, and I screamed, I screamed and let out a torrent of lightning deep into the night sky, with the anger towards Blister in bringing this snake, to the possibility of losing one of my friends, to the fact that I didn't know what to do.
As I finished releasing my lightning, I opened my eyes, and I saw something coming towards us. I saw a burning ball of orange blazing scales headed in our direction, and instantly recognized Peril as she headed for our group. We got out of the way as Peril landed, quickly getting to Clay's side. As she did so, she shouted at Clay, saying he couldn't die, in which she looked at where he had been bitten, and sank her talons into the holes.
Clay shouted in pain and tried to fly away, but I quickly jumped onto him as Peril explained she was burning the poison out. I thought about it, and realized it was our only hope for Clay, and shouted for help as Clay began to throw me off of him. We were all there with him, as we held Clay down and let Peril save his life. As we did so, he began thrashing more, the blind pain making him want to find any way to make it stop, but more dragons joined us, helping to hold him down from every side to ensure he lived.
When it was all done, Clay had a massive burn on his leg, and had fallen unconscious. He would live, in which we were all relieved, but it was suspected he would have a limp. As the dragonets thanked Peril, I could see the others who had arrived, including Sunny's mother, Riptide, Fatespeaker, Singularity and Sara. I thanked Singularity and Sara, in which they said that it was no problem, and that they weren't about to let my friend die.
As everyone did a quick hugging session, and Clay mumbled from a slip of consciousness that Peril might be the "wings of fire" from the prophecy, Blister approached us. I glared at her, with Sara and Singularity joining my side as we glared at her. She glared back at us as we kept her away from the dragonets, her glare shared between me and Sara for the most part.
As she realized she wasn't going to get past us, she said that she would deal with us later, in which she turned around and placed her glare on her only remaining sister, the only thing keeping her from the Sandwing throne, which was Blaze, who was currently trying to hide beside the large Icewing queen.
At that, I went to stop her, but I stopped as I felt a clawed hand on my shoulder. I looked over to see Sunny standing next to me, shaking her head, before looking towards Blister. She tried to tell her that she didn't have to kill Blaze, but Blister said even if she didn't have to kill her, she certainly wanted to.
Blaze looked up at the Icewing queen, wondering if she could fight for her, in which the queen looked conflicted, and I knew why. It was against tradition for another to fight for the throne for someone else, and thus she couldn't fight Blister for Blaze, but if she stood back, she was sure to lose as Blaze would be certainly killed. It was a difficult decision, but she ended up shaking her head, saying that this was Blaze's fight.
Sunny tried to say they could still try for peace, Blister snarled, saying it was too late for that as she darted forward and bit Blaze on the wing, before darting back. We could only stand there and watch as Blaze was attacked by Blister, Starflight explaining that this was official business now, and we weren't allowed to interfere.
As the dragonets talked about what would happen, with Blaze most likely dieing and Blister taking the throne and probably having some heinous plan for afterwards, I could only glare and sink my talons into the sand. I couldn't allow Blister to win, not with her hatred to the dragonets. She would surely kill them afterwards, and with the Sandwing army behind her, it wouldn't be that difficult.
I looked over at Sara, and could tell she wanted to end this here and now, to pounce on Blister for tricking her like she did. However, we both knew there would be consequences if we did anything, so we turned away, walking over to Sunny and her mother Thorn, who were approaching Smolder, who had a human female on his shoulder. Sunny had told me about Flower, who was one of the original humans that started the war by killing Queen Oasis.
A thought crossed my mind as we approached, meanwhile Smolder was wondering if there would be anywhere he'd be able to hide from Blister, since she was probably not going to let him live since he sided with Burn. As Smolder and Thorn talked about his chances of survival, Sunny broke in, asking if there were any other relatives, anyone else who would be able to be queen.
Smolder shook his head, saying his mother was very strict and careful, and that none of her decedents had any children either. As the rest of the dragonets approached, none of them wanting to watch as Blister toyed with Blaze, Fatespeaker broke in, asking why someone else couldn't be queen, such as how Glory was queen of the Nightwings. Starflight shook his head, saying that if any dragon could take the throne, it would be anarchy, and that it isn't as simple as just passing the mark of queen to any random dragon.
As Sunny looked saddened, with the realization that there wasn't anything any of us could possibly do, Flower slid off of Smolder's shoulder, walking over to Sunny and patting her talons in a comforting way. As Tsunami looked at Flower in curiosity, asking about way Flower didn't have any sense of survival instinct, Flower tugged on Sunny's ankle. "I need to show you something!" Flower said, though the only ones that understood her were me and Sara.
As Sunny looked in confusion, she turned towards me. "She says she wants you to follow her." I said. As Smolder looked at me in confusion, Sunny obliged, following Flower to a pile of sand. Once there, Flower started to dig in the sand, making a small hole, before looking up and asking Sunny to dig here. I translated once more, in which Sunny nodded, and walked up to Flower and began to dig beside her.
It didn't take too long to get everyone to start digging with Sunny, though the dragonets were confused why they were listening to a scavenger to dig a hole in the middle of the desert. As we kept digging, we were surprised by what we found, which was the gleam of white dragon bones in the sand. I only took a second to realize we were digging up the old queen, which was disrespectful, before we continued digging.
More and more of the skeleton was uncovered, but once the skull was fully dug out, Flower told us to stop as she slid down, and pointed at the skull, saying that there was something important in the queen's mouth. I translated once more, though I didn't need to as Sunny was already reaching for the skull, putting her arm through the dragon's open mouth.
When Sunny pulled her arm back, we saw she was holding several sacks. Sunny lifted the sacks out of the sand, before carefully pouring them out onto the sand. Gems and gold spilled onto the ground. However, after opening the final sack, a single piece of treasure fell out, and I could only guess what it was by its appearance.
The Eye of Onyx.
As Sunny carefully lifted it up and off of the ground, I could make out more of it in detail. It was a necklace with gold links, with the actual eye looking like a black sphere which looked like a dragon's eye, with golden wings on either side of it that had the appearance of being on fire when in the light.
The dragonets surrounded Sunny, realizing that now that they had the Eye of Onyx, they could actually choose anyone to be the new queen. As Tsunami and Glory suggested it to be Sunny, I couldn't help but wonder what Sunny would do next. It was true, she could choose anyone to be queen, even herself, but it made me wonder what her decision would be. I decided to put my hand on Sunny's shoulder, and as she looked up at me, I smiled. "Just remember, whatever your decision is, we're your friends, and we'll support your decision."
As Sunny smiled back, she began to look around. I realized that everyone was staring at us, with Blister and Blaze having even stopped their fight, though Blaze was looking very bloody and not so good. That's when Sunny made her decision, as she gave the eye to her mother, Thorn.
I nodded in understanding as a tiny jolt of purple lightning passed from Sunny to Thorn through the black stone. Thorn was probably the best candidate, as she was already a natural leader, was also a Sandwing, and would actually be able to lead the Sandwings without being self centered or wanting to take over or kill anyone.
Sunny announced that Thorn was the new Sandwing queen, through her choice and the choice of the dragonets. As Thorn looked awestruck and murmurs began filling the night sky, Blister hissed at us, saying that she was not going to allow this, saying that she was the smartest dragon in Pyrrhia and that she deserved the throne.
As she approached us, Sara and I stood in her way once more, in which she actually growled at us. She tried to use the prophecy against Sunny, bringing up the quote of how of the three sisters, two would die. Sunny finished it for her though, reminding her that one will learn, and that if she bowed to a fate that is stronger and higher, she'd have the power of wings of fire, which said that Blister had to accept her new queen.
Blister had pure hatred in her eyes now, raising her tail barb at us threateningly, but Sara and I didn't budge as we glared back at her. As Blister asked if we actually thought that was going to happen, Thorn stepped up, asking if Blister wanted to fight for it. As Blister stared at her, with a calculating look in her eyes as she said that she had no right to the throne, she lunged out at Thorn, ripping the eye from her talons.
I stepped forward to stop her, to get the eye back, but I didn't have to. The eye began immitting orange sparks, shooting lightning out and into Blister. Blister fell to the ground, still clutching the sphere as lightning continued to crackle, and as she began thrashing wildly around on the ground, she exploded in a cloud of black dust, leaving only the eye left on the ground.
Everyone there was silent, all of us unsure what to do now, especially at what we just saw happen. As Blaze asked about how she was the one that actually survived, Thorn walked up and grabbed the eye once more. Putting the necklace over her neck, Thorn wore the Eye of Onyx, signifying that she was the new queen of the Sandwings. As she did so, Sandwings began walking up to her, with Blaze arriving first to bow to the new queen.
I looked over to see the dragonets all standing together, even Clay who was sitting up and rubbing his head as he looked around in confusion. "I did it." I thought to myself. "I kept my friends safe. The war is over and now they'll have no one else trying to kill them...hopefully, that is. The only question left is…" I thought as I looked to Sara, who was grinning at me and looking around.
"What do I do now?"
One month later, at the peak of Jade Mountain…
I stood on top of the mountain inside of a small cave with the dragonets. It had been a long month for all of us, with ending a war in such a way not being as easy as we had thought. After Thorn had become queen, the next and hardest part of ending a war came into play: politics. With the dragonets, we traveled and met with every tribe's queen, to establish a peace treaty and to discuss what would happen next, since all three of the sisters had promised something to the tribes that were their allies.
With that done, we went and began helping Thorn establish how to run a kingdom, with Glory getting lessons from the other queens as well. Overall, the last month had gone by just fine, with no one trying to harm the dragonets since. If anything, the last month had been semi boring, with not much to do, though it was nice since Sara and Singularity had been with me, both of which were glad to see more of the world.
I sighed as I kicked a rock off of the cliff face. There was still one dragon out there that wanted to harm the dragonets, and that was Scarlet, who had left Peril the night after she had been freed, since Peril refused to help her harm anyone anymore. I knew she would be back, and even with the new Skywing queen, queen Ruby, having sent out search parties, I knew the dragonets might still be in trouble due to her.
However, after talking about it with the dragonets for a long time, they said that it was time that I go and start my adventure. They would help me get started of course, and would help me whenever I needed it, but for now I was to stop playing bodyguard. I agreed, but told them I would still stick around for a month, to see what their plans were and to make certain that everything was all right, and they were all too happy to spend some more time with me.
Now that it had been a month, I wasn't sure what to do next. I had only been able to contact Fathom once in my dreams, and that was for him to explain to me two things. One, that the reason he didn't talk to me before was because there would be too many uncertain futures if I talked to him and he revealed anything on accident. Secondly, that I wouldn't be able to talk to him for a while, since something had happened, that grave danger was coming, and that if he talked to me, he would find out. Before I could ask who he was, the dream ended, and I haven't heard from him since.
So with no leads as to what to do next, I could only focus on what Storm had told me the time we talked. I needed to find one dragon of every tribe to reach her. I already had a Rainwing, with Singularity liking to spend time with me often. I figured I could ask if Sahara wanted to go as my Sandwing, and then I could try to visit Tempest for a Seawing. That still left me with having to find a Nightwing, an Icewing, a Mudwing, and a Skywing.
While I pondered where I was going to find each of these companions, and wonder why I would even need a representative of every tribe to reach Storm, I was broken out of my thoughts as Sunny spoke up, asking her friends about their opinions on making a school out of Jade mountain. As they broke in, I smiled as I walked up to them, knowing they would need some help.
It turned out that Sunny had taken what I had told her about the education system back in my world to heart, and wanted to start a school in Pyrrhia open to all of the tribes, in a way that would allow peace for all of the tribes. It was a nice thought, and I had helped her out with the outline of how the system would work, though there were some things that she added personally, to ensure that the students would still be interested and would want to learn.
Honestly, even though I kind of didn't like school back home, I liked the idea of one here, and even volunteered to help whenever they needed it. Sunny had agreed, in which I was to join them whenever they did start the school, and if they needed help with anything. Heck, it would even give me a chance to learn more about this world myself, which I was semi excited about.
At that point of time, I still hadn't told anyone besides Singularity about my plan to stay, not even the dragonets. I knew they would try to get me to leave, even if they'd be sad to say goodbye, and I figured it best to get Sara home first before telling them.
Speaking of Sara, she was ready to get started on our adventure as well. She was currently back in the rainforest, making sure we had plenty of supplies before we left, and was excited at going on an adventure with me. I wondered what dangers we would face though, and how I would be able to get her home safe when I was still required to kill a dragon before I could get her there, even though we both knew how wrong it was to kill.
The dragonets departed from each other, with Sunny taking Starflight away to talk about something, meanwhile I stared off over the continent. From the top of the mountain, almost everything could be seen, from the rainforest to the desert, to the mountains and the marshes. It was a grand sight, and looking over it, I was filled with a new burst of energy.
Going over to the dragonets, who were talking about a Nightwing that had been raised secretly in the rainforest, I quickly hugged them, saying it was time for me to go. They looked slightly saddened at this, but we quickly embraced in one last hug. "Thank you all for your help with...well, everything. I'll be sure to visit when I can, and, if the time does come, to say goodbye."
We embraced each other, none of us wanting to let go, until I eventually parted, looking and smiling at my friends. I then turned around and jumped off of the mountain, feeling the wind in my face as I turned towards the rainforest, promising myself that I'd see them again. But for now, I had a mission, and that was to end Storm's suffering. I could only wonder while I flew if I would actually be able to do it?
With the future uncertain, I flew forwards, not looking back, certain I'd see my friends again.
Meanwhile, above, hidden in the clouds…
I watched, amused, as the young human turned dragon flew through the sky. Try as he might, I wasn't going to let him stop me. He was just one pawn, but of course, one pawn is all that is need to win a game of chess, so I couldn't let my guard down yet. I wouldn't let my other half win, not when I was so close to finally having complete control.
And then, once I did, I'd have all the fun to myself, and the real fun could actually begin. "Oh, you just watch, young little imposter." I whispered out, watching him do a flip in the air. "I'll deal with you soon, and when I'm done, you're going to be the one wishing that I ended your life, not the other way around. Of course, that'll have to wait. I have other business to attend to."
With that done, and with the young one starting his journey, I opened a gate, stepping through to start putting my own plans into motion.
Author's Note: END OF ARC ONE, WOOT! And with that done, we begin my personal arc, which is still scheduled to begin at its normal time of next Wednesday, though this chapter I plan to be a few pages extra long, since I'm going to start it with a bang and add a prologue! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the story as a whole so far. With 26 chapters, we have completed 5 whole books! With this done, I'd like to hear in the comments your opinions on the story good or bad, that way I can improve the story for the next arc. And also, wow, you guys really seem to like Static x Singularity, don't ya? Well don't worry, I have a plan now, and you'll probably like the way I actually get them together. It isn't technically cannon yet, but I still plan to do it unless something changes my mind (that does not include Sunny ships though. I already explained I won't mess with cannon characters, since I don't want to mess with the actual author's work.) Anyway, thank you all so, so much for reading and sticking with me this far, and the next chapter/arc will be up next week.