Disclaimer: I don't own any Tamora Pierce characters… – u get the idea.

A/N: Ok, srry the last chapter was so confusing – a lot of implification.

Lady Black Widow – I'm sorry I threatened to hold my story hostage (I only got 3 reveiws thank u very much) The last voice was some unknown dragon. This chapter reveals the identity of that speaker

Dark Red Devil – Daine and Numair are both dead. They've been made lesser gods. Flamewing is Kit's mother. Like I said – the voice at the end was supposed to be suspenseful, this chapter will reveal the speaker. Also, I hope the italics aren't confusing for u, but it makes it easier to tell whether a dragon is speaking or not. (i.e. humans come in later in the fic.)

I-LOVE-Aragorn- I'm sooooo glad u like it! 

Hope this 1 is better. If it isn't, it won't improve w/o u're help! RR !

A New Ruler

Kitten squirmed and struggled with all her might, her small wings flapping madly. She squealed when she felt a sharp claw dig into her back. She was running out of air – fast. Flamewing's massive body was crushing her – and Kitten didn't know how much longer she would last…

-Flamewing, be gentle- Kitten saw another dragon had come to her captor's side. This dragon was a light shade of violet. Her great yellow eyes looked at Kitten curiously.

-She's so frisky- He whined. Kitten snorted, and kicked and squirmed violently.

-I see.- said the other dragon dryly. Flamewing's claw dug deeper. Kitten squealed in pain.

-You're choking her- the other dragon cried in alarm. NOW she notices Kitten thought bitterly. Flamewing grabbed her roughly around the neck andheldher out in front of him.

-Try to get away, and I'll slit your throat-he warned, squeezing her neck a little.

-C'mon Flamewing! Jewelclaw is waiting-

-Whatever you say, Lavender.- Kitten snorted when she saw the glazed look that had entered her captor's eyes as he watched the she-dragon. Kitten was tempted to attempt another escape, but knew that the Lavender and Flamewing would catch her all to fast.

She let out a small squeak when she saw a multitude of dragons flying towards them. Flamewing quieted her with a sharp jostle.

-ANNOUNCING, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, KING JEWELCLAW- Boomed deafening a voice. Kitten's head spun. Jewelclaw flew out of the center of the cluster of dragons.

-Ahhh. Skysong has come to join us.- She recognized his as the voice she had heard before she had been captured. I WANT HER HERE NOW echoed through her mind. Why did he want her?

-Not willingly- She clicked, annoyed.

-No matter. You're here, whether or not you like it. Emberstone- The beautiful dragon flew to Jewelclaw's side.

-Yes-

-Show Skysong where she will be staying.- Kitten eyed Jewelclaw suspiciously. Who exactly appointed him "king"? Before she could get her question answered, she found herself being thrust towards her quarters.

-Ouch! Hey, watch it-

-Quiet. You are to obey all orders from- she paused, -Jewelclaw.- She said the name dreamily. –If you know what's good for you anyway. He runs things here now, and in my opinion he's doing a VERY good job. Don't you agree- She asked in an icy tone.

-If you really want my opinion…-

-Ah! Here we are! Your quarters.- Kitten looked down the long tunnel. Emberstone flipped her up in the air with a flick of her tail, and sent the young dragon rolling down the stairs. She hit the bottom with a THUD.

-Ow- she moaned, -my head-

-Shh-

-Who's that-

-Quiet- Kitten frowned at the new, unfamiliar voices.

-Who's there- She listened for an answer. Nothing.

-Emberstone, who…- Kitten's voice trailed off as she looked around her. Her quarters were the dungeons. She gasped when she saw how many dragons were being kept here.

-Why are they…-

-HUSH! You would be wise to do as you're told- Kitten squealed as she was shoved into a vacant cell.

-WAIT! Why am I here? I didn't do anything! I want to…-

-Save your breath, kid.- Kitten turned to see two green eyes peering at her through the bars.

-W-who are you- she asked.

-The name's Firesnout.- Firesnout had red and orange scales all over his massive figure. His wings were crinkled and had injuries that looked like they would take decades to recover fully. Questions flooded out of Kitten's mouth.

-Slow down Big Blue- On the other side of her cell, another dragon with great yellow eyes looked her over. Kitten smiled at the nick-name.

-Actually my name's Kitten.-

-I think I like Big Blue better. My name's Strongtail, by the way.-

-We just call him Nuts- guffawed another dragon, who's name was Whitetooth.

-Why are you guys here- she asked, urgent to get her numerous questions answered.

-Well, ol' Jewelclaw didn't want any rebellion. So, he locked us up down here.- Growled a she-dragon named Silverclaw.

-Is your name really Kitten- Asked Whitetooth, who seemed to have been thinking about that name.

-No, that's what they call me in the mortal realms. My real name is Skysong.-

-Hey!I've heard that name before! Are you Diamondflame's granddaughter-

-May Mithros rest his soul- chorused the dragons.

-H-he's, dead-

-Yes.- Came a curt reply. A dragon appeared behind her. He had misty gray eyes and sickly yellow scales. His wings were in shreds and his left eye twitched at odd intervals. He looked diseased. Kitten resisted an urge to shriek.

-I know. I'm ugly.-

-It's not that it's just…-

-Don't try to be polite. I wasn't always this way. I'm Goldstreak…or "Brokenwing" now.- He said Brokenwing as if it were the most disgusting thing he'd heard of. –I used to be gold, and my eyes a beautiful shade of blue…- he went on, his voice filled with mounting longing, -Until I betrayed Jewelclaw's secret to Diamondflame. Then, Jewelclaw paid a wizard to make me like – this. His one mercy was to let me hide myself, to become invisible. He plans to take over the Realms of the Gods if we don't do something soon-

-But what can we do- Kitten heard a familiar voice ask.

-Grettle-

-Kitten! I'm sorry, I've been sleeping and…-

-It's fine. How are you? I haven't seen you since…-

-Are you done- Goldstreak asked impatiently. The two dragons nodded.

-Wait. How come I haven't met any of you before-

-Well, you see, Jewelclaw had already begun to take dragons down here. We were some of the first…- Silverclaw sighed. Kitten looked for another friend of hers – Icefall.

-Where's, Icefall- She asked Grettle tentatively.

-Dead.- Goldstreak said in disgust. –Killed because he found out Jewelclaw had the stone.-

-What stone- A murmur passed through the dragons.

-The stone of the forgotten.- Said Firesnout mysteriously.

-It is said, that it can bring untold riches, and power, if the user has enough strength, emotionally and physically, to handle it.- Whitefang said with awe.

-I think you'd better tell her now.- Goldstreak interrupted, clearly not liking the subject.

-Tell me what-

-Why Jewelclaw put you here.-

-Why-

-Because…- began Firesnout.

-You're…- continued Whitefang

-You're his daughter.-

Oooohhh! Cliffie. Ok. A couple questions for u reviewers (hopefully the majority of the people who read this hint hint. Do u think it's a good idea that Jewelclaw is Skysong's father? Should I refer to Skysong as Kitten or Skysong? Was it good? Do u want more? RR