The Dragonet Trials

by Elahana

What if the old Nightwing tribe was just as devious as their later heirs? Rainstalker is a smart Nightwing dragonet one of five to be chosen to take part in the Dragonet Trials for the entertainment of the cruel Queen Blackbird. It is said only one dragonet will survive, but can him and his best friend Swiftstorm escape, and do what has never been done before? Find out in this AU.

Swiftstorm burst through the rocky halls of the palace, breathing heavily as her long black tail lashed to give her speed. A monster was chasing her, and the walls of the Nightwing palace seemed to be closing in on her as she screamed for help. She tripped on a stone gouged in the rock and a tear rolled down her face as she heard a loud crack. Her ankle was broken, and she huddled into a ball on the hard stone floor, petrified with fear.

"You can't escape me!" The monster cackled, reaching out his snake tail to sink it's teeth into her neck. Swifstorm's scream echoed off the halls of the palace.

5 Days Earlier

Rainstalker sulked as he heard a knock on his door. He was annoyed he was awakened from his slumber, but he peeled his eyes open, stood up, and opened the creaky door.

"Yes?" He asked as he glared at his visitor. Rainstalker was the smartest dragonet in his class, and needed sleep. The guard handed him a small pamphlet and Rainstalker opened it eagerly. He wondered if Quickbrain had already accepted his request to be his assistant. His wings perked as the guard spoke.

"I'm sorry," Is the only thing he said as he flew away, leaving the card in Rainstalker's hand. The dragonet sighed. He must have gotten rejected. He peeled open the scroll, revealing the writing inside its crisp paper.

As Rainstalker read the scroll anger rose in his stomach. No, this can't be happening. The dragonet sulked to the ground, wings over his head. He cried. The letter was no rejection.

"Hey, what's wrong?" A rounded head poked around the corner. It was Swiftstorm, Rainstalker's best friend. Rainstalker handed her the letter, and her eyes teared up. "Oh, Rainstalker, I'm so sorry."

He rubbed his nostrils with his talons. Her soft voice calmed him slightly and the cooling sensation of Swiftstorms wings wrapping around him restored his breath. He glanced back down at the letter once more to check e read it correctly, but there was the writing, clear as day.

You, Rainstalker, have been selected to be one of the 5 dragonets to participate in The Dragonet Trials. Meet at the Great Diamond Square at 4 PM tomorrow. Signed, Queen Blackbird

"Well," Swiftstorm smiled. "At least we can do this together." She pulled away, giving him an awkward smile. "Even if only one of us can survive."