A Brighter Future Ahead

AN: Another chapter here for you, so I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire. My OCs Copperhead and Cobra belong to me.

Copperhead:

Copperhead was positively glowing with excitement. Swirls of bright colors flashed across his scales so everyone could see just how excited he was. As Anaconda's favorite, the Queen didn't let Copperhead out of the village much, so when she agreed to let him observe the four dragons who decided to make camp on an island south of their rainforest, he had been ecstatic.

He had heard stories and descriptions of the other tribes but never had he seen any dragon other than other Rainwings. His mother didn't want him to interact with the prisoners she brought in and 'questioned,' either. He knew she tortured them for whatever reason she felt they deserved, and he knew that was why she was feared by the other tribes—for the messages she left in the form of disposed, mutilated corpses. That's why she was so loved by her own tribe, though. They knew she wasn't afraid to get her talons dirty in order to protect her own.

Yet, despite never leaving the rainforest or meeting dragons from other tribes, Copperhead knew a lot about the goings-on of the outside world. He knew about the rising tensions between the Seawings and Skywings after the massacre. He knew about the war between the Icewings and Nightwings. He knew about the alliance between the Mudwings and Seawings—against the Rainwings.

He knew all of this because he spent as much time as possible with his mother. It had gotten to the point where she didn't even care if he heard her discussing classified information with her spies. In fact, if he happened to not be there when something particularly interesting was discussed, she would usually just tell him later. She trusted him without reservation.

That's why he was the favorite.

It had been in one of these meetings between his mother and her perimeter scouts that he had heard of the aforementioned group of dragons and he had volunteered—especially when the lead scout told the Queen the names he had heard while spying on the two Seawings—they stayed away from the two Nightwings once they arrived in case they could read minds.

He remembered the troubling expression that crossed his mother's face as soon as the name Darkstalker was mentioned. His sister Cobra had been there during that meeting, too, and despite her persuasive protests, Anaconda had agreed to let him observe their new neighbors.

Now—with some unwanted help from his sister—he was leading the small group back to the village to speak with the Queen. He had completed his first mission. He smiled to himself, I hope I made Mother proud.

"You've been awfully quiet on this trip so far," a voice spoke up and shook him out of his thoughts. He looked over to see Indigo walking next to him with Fathom on her other side.

His smile grew yet remained genuine, "I was just thinking." Apparently his reply drew some curiosity.

"About what?" Clearsight asked.

He was quiet for a moment—a rarity for him—as he thought about how to reply. After a noticeable pause, he answered. "I was thinking about my mother and how proud she will be when I come back from my first mission with you four with me."

"Your first mission?" Indigo asked, skeptically. He nodded enthusiastically. "She sent you to spy on Darkstalker for your first mission?" The mentioned Nightwing grunted in annoyance but didn't say anything to contradict her insinuation.

A cheeky smile spread across his face, "Aww…we just met and you already care about me! Thanks, Indigo!" She rolled her eyes as she struggled to fight back a smile. "To alleviate you concerns…I knew he wouldn't kill me."

Darkstalker barked with laughter. "Really!? And how did you come to that conclusion?"

Copperhead responded immediately, "Because despite how much you dislike Indigo, you never once tried to hurt her." Indigo and Darkstalker glanced at each other before Copperhead continued. "Besides, I have such a winning personality! Why would anyone want to hurt me?"

He noticed Clearsight smiling at Darkstalker out of the corner of his eye. He smiled to himself at the sight. "Do you know how much longer it'll be? I think my talons are about to fall off," Fathom complained.

Copperhead turned to look at him with a smirk, "We've been walking through the village for the past ten minutes."

"What do you—" Fathom's question died in his throat as his gaze followed Copperhead's talon that was pointed up. Rainwings of all colors stood upon platforms and bridges and pavilions watching them as yet more uncamouflaged.

"How did we not notice that?" Indigo asked, stunned.

Copperhead smiled at her but didn't respond to her question. Instead, he spread his wings. "Follow me!" he beckoned.

They flew slowly threw the less dense areas between the trees. He didn't think they would be very good at tree-gliding—especially the Seawings. They landed outside of an empty pavilion, and Clearsight looked around the empty building in confusion, "Where's the Queen?"

"She'll meet with you tomorrow. It's getting late and you've had a long journey. Get some rest; I'll take you to her in the morning," he answered. He heard Fathom sigh in relief as he plopped down on a bed. Though, hesitant, Darkstalker eventually relented as well and laid down next to Clearsight. Indigo was the last to bed down, and when they were all settled, he gave them one last reassuring smile before making his way to the Queen's pavilion.

When he landed outside his mother's home, his excited smile was replaced by an annoyed frown as he heard an unwelcome voice coming from inside. He decided to listen for a moment to hear what Cobra was telling their mother. "…Yes, he knew, yet he brought them here! What does that say about his values? All he's ever cared about is his foolish fantasy of adventure! He wouldn't care if our rainforest was burning down around us!"

Copperhead's scales began turning red in sheer outrage, yet he held himself back when he heard his mother reply. "ENOUGH! I will not sit here and listen to you slander your brother! I told him to bring them here and that is what he did! Now, leave…"

There was a heavy silence before claw-steps started in his direction. Cobra exited the doorway right next to him and her attention immediately snapped to him. They glared at each other for several moments before turned away with a growl and disappeared into the forest.

He sighed in relief before entering the doorway into the Queen's room. He respectfully stopped just inside the threshold and waited for her to notice him. Anaconda sat with her back to him and gazed out into the fading light of the forest. "I am faced with a dilemma, my son," she spoke softly. "On one claw, having both Darkstalker and Prince Fathom in my debt would be a huge advantage…" She finally turned to look at him as she finished, "Yet on the other…the punishment for outsiders cutting down trees in my Kingdom is death."

Copperhead winced as he let out a long exhale, and he couldn't help but curse to himself, "Shit…"

What did you think about this chapter being in Copperhead's perspective? Should I do more from his view or not?

Until Next Time

AdmiralCole22