Been a bit, huh? I promise Edge of Dawn is being worked on, too. It's just I can't update it until after these next few chapters are done. You'll see why. Anywho, let's dive in.
Peril was anxious again.
She hadn't felt this way in forever. Being with Clay and all her friends helped her grow so much as a dragon. She wasn't afraid of who she was anymore. She wasn't afraid to be around others thanks to the firescale necklace. Even before that, she feared no dragon.
Until today.
The closer she flew to the Sky Kingdom, the more she found herself fidgeting. Either with her talons stimming, or fiddling with her necklace. She hated it. She hated feeling this way.
But… this was her mother. Someone that she knew nothing about outside of a few interactions. Someone who raised Clay. Peril knew she was mean and wicked. But how much of that was true? Did she really try to kill Sky?
She vowed to protect her twin, no matter what. Even if it was from their mother. She was supposed to be dead, anyway.
"How are you doing?" Clay drifted over to her as the Sky Palace came into view. It was beautiful, even after all this time. The golden spires, circular shape… her home for eight years was a much grander place than ever before. It still drew a sense of dread and anxiety, but Peril had gotten over it for the most part. Ruby was nice. Cliff was nice.
"How do you think?" Peril tried to joke. She failed. Clay gave her a sympathetic look, and she let it all out.
"I'm feeling the same." Clay admitted. Peril blinked with surprise. "She's… well, she's my mother, too. She wasn't perfect. Downright mean a lot of the time. But at least she didn't sell me for two cows."
That got a laugh out of Peril. "Yeah… yeah, that's true."
"I mean, I know it was out of duty, but we're all affected by her." He nodded to Glory before drifting closer. "Notice the shade she turns when she's angry."
Peril, admittedly, had limited experience with that. She'd seen it, of course. Especially when she and Clay visited during a break. Glancing to Glory, Peril recalled the shade of red she turned. Then, she remembered her mother's appearance.
"Wow," Peril said as it dawned upon her. "How did you notice that?"
"I always did." Clay shrugged. "I just never said anything. You know how Glory gets when someone points out an unconscious action."
"Sometimes I forget how observant you are." Peril patted his head. He gave her a confused expression. "Everyone paints you off as the big goofy eater."
"Well, they're not wrong…"
"I know, but there's so much more." Peril took his claw in hers, squeezing tightly. "You saw me as who I was, not what I was perceived as. Don't think I'll ever forget that."
They landed in the Sky Palace, where some honor guards stood straighter and bowed. They shifted their eyes to her and the others but made no hostile movements. Peril learned to recognize when they were. The guards were simply doing their due diligence.
"My queen." one of the honor guards approached. He was the captain, as evidenced with his fancier armor. "The… visitor demanded your presence as soon as you arrived. She has made things… difficult."
"Oh, has she now?" Queen Ruby remarked dryly. "I cannot say I am surprised."
"Indeed." The head guard responded dutifully. "I take it that our guests are here to see her?" He indicated to Peril and the others.
"Yes."
"Shall I escort her here? The guest chambers are quite small for the crowd you bring."
"That is fine," Queen Ruby said. The guard bowed his head and left. Once he did, Queen Ruby reclined upon her throne, momentarily holding her claw over her face. "What happens will not leave this chamber. Am I understood?" She asked the guards, who responded with a 'Yes, my queen'. "Good, good."
"I'm scared," Sky whispered to Peril.
"It's alright." She smiled comfortingly. "I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."
"I know, I know…" Sky's tail swished anxiously. "I wish Wren was here."
"I'll escort you to see her myself after this." Peril promised. Sky smiled gratefully.
The clicking of talons announced the presence of Kestrel and the guards. Peril tensed, making her face as neutral as possible. Her heart thumped. Blood pumped in her ears. The jitters got her good.
Seeing the door open and reveal her mother… so much emotion flowed through Peril. There was no mistaking her rusty red and gold scales, the grumpy expression. Especially the little claw mark scar on her cheek that Peril herself had given her. She walked with a notable hunch, doubtlessly a result of her imprisonment.
Yet, upon the sight of Peril, that grumpy exterior fell slightly. It was subtle, but there was genuine surprise.
And then her eyes drifted to Sky.
"You're alive," Kestrel spoke with shock. Sky quivered when she addressed him.
"After you tossed him off a cliff." Peril wanted to get this out of the way right now. "Did you try to kill him?"
"No." Kestrel approached them. She was much larger than Peril remembered, easily dwarfing most of the dragons in the room. "Scarlet forced me to throw him over the cliff. But, there was a ravine. I had hoped that he'd survive. I searched for him after and thought him dead."
Peril noted Sky's demeanor change. He was still standing behind Peril, but there was a hint of trust in her words. He kept glancing to Peril, as if asking for her approval or if she believed Kestrel.
"Well, good." Peril relaxed a tiny bit.
"Yeah, yeah, that's all nice and dandy, but lest we forget that she did attempt to kill me." Glory interjected. Her scales were, as Clay pointed out, a rusty red in some places.
"Hmph, I did what I did because it was necessary. Tell me you haven't done the same thing." Kestrel snorted, her grumpy demeanor coming roaring back. "If it meant peace for the world, one dead RainWing was more than a fair price to pay."
"The prophecy was a lie. So, you would've killed me for nothing." Glory snipped back. "Jokes on you, though, I rule both the RainWings and NightWings. So much for a 'useless RainWing', hm?"
Kestrel flicked her eyes over to Glory's guards. "It appears I have missed much." She turned to Queen Ruby. "Are you ready to finally tell me what is going on, or shall I simply start guessing?"
"We have nothing but guesses at this point." Queen Ruby responded calmly. "All we know is that you are likely not the first or the last that has returned."
"Do we know who these other dragons are?"
"Yes. A SeaWing named Turtle contacted Peril during one of her naps." Queen Ruby nodded at Peril. "There is Orca, a former SeaWing princess with animus powers. Prince Arctic of the IceWings, also an animus. Finally, there is his daughter, Whiteout. She is not an animus. And then we have you, who is neither royalty or animus."
"I have no idea who they are." Kestrel snorted, tail lashing out with frustration. "I'm still not convinced that everything here isn't a scheme by Scarlet."
"Do you truly believe that Scarlet would give up her throne even for a second?" Queen Ruby asked.
"And that is what makes me believe your words, for now," Kestrel admitted grumpily. "I have no information for you. All I know is that the dragonets made a blunder and I had to go clean up. And then you tell me I was killed by both Morrowseer and Blister. Now it's four years later."
"Which makes you the most peculiar of the four." Queen Ruby nodded slowly. "I believe that you are the key."
"Really?" Glory interjected again. Peril was about to do the same. "Why would anyone want to bring her back other than to torment us?"
"I have a suspicion." Queen Glory glanced between Kestrel, Peril, and Sky. Immediately, Peril's heart sank. She knew what was coming. "Chameleon is involved. Or, as you know him, Soar." She added to Kestrel.
"What?" Kestrel barked out a laugh. "He was a good lay, but not anything special! You're telling me he can bring back the dead!?"
"Chameleon used animus to change his form. He was originally a RainWing." Queen Ruby explained. Kestrel raised a brow. "I know not how he managed to get into the breeding program, but he and Scarlet did work together."
"What, did she offer him tail? That wouldn't surprise me at all." Kestrel scoffed. "Fine. Not like I have any choice but to believe you. We did meet each other outside the program quite a few times, I'll admit, but then he vanished before the eggs hatched. I assumed he was killed."
"Hardly." Peril snorted. "He nearly killed a few of my friends and enchanted me to serve Scarlet at the cost of my firescales. Jokes on him, his enchantment caused me to lose them again. Cut off the loyalty parts."
"Didn't think he had it in him." Kestrel didn't sound impressed, but she wasn't condemning it either.
"A lot of things are surprising, really." The head guard suddenly spoke. "Especially after you get your head bonked."
All heads turned to the guard as he strode into the center of the room. There was a slow forming crazed smile on his face, and Peril felt a chill go down her spine. That's impossible. They burned his scrolls. Sure, he may have had an extra laying around, but that would've been for a SeaWing or SandWing. And besides, Soar did not look this way.
"You." Queen Ruby stood right up. "Where is Sparrow?"
"About three miles thataway in a river. I'm sure, if you hurry, you can get to him before a predator does." The head guard – Chameleon – chuckled.
"Seize him!" Ruby roared, and the guards sprung into action… only to have an invisible force repel them. "What!?"
"Really think I'd make it so easy?" Chameleon tutted. "Really, all it took was one edit of my spare form and poof, I'm an animus. Just as you did it, you think I couldn't?" He addressed Peril with a wink.
"You brought them back, didn't you?" Clay spoke. Kestrel slid an eye to him. "Why?"
"Spoilers." Chameleon made a 'shhh' sound. "But, yes, I did. I brought Kestrel back because I missed her so. I'm so glad you thought so fondly of my performance. Scarlet gave me access to her maidens, but you were the best." He gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. "It broke my little heart when you died, so I just had to find a way to bring you back."
"We didn't have that serious of a relationship, idiot." Kestrel snorted, unimpressed.
"Then why did you meet me again after our one night?" Chameleon asked, face fallen. Yet, Peril knew it was an act. "So ungrateful, you are, after I went through the trouble of resurrecting you." He shook his head disappointedly. "Oh well, back to business. Say, Queen Ruby, where's your son? You'd think he'd be here to greet you."
Ruby immediately stiffened. "What did you do?"
"He's safe, just about two hours directly north from here in a mountain. Can't miss it," Chameleon said. "Like I said, he's fine now. But, I do think the walls will start to close in on him soon. Crushing loneliness may be his doom. Now, if you want to free him, all you have to do is take Queen Glory with you to the entrance."
"What's the catch?" Glory hissed out.
"No catch! He'll be safe and sound once the three of you get there. Promise." Chameleon pledged, wing on his chest. "But… well, you got a small choice to make before you just take off. You see, my associate… he's a lot more direct than me. Right now, the Rain Kingdom is burning."
"WHAT!?" Glory roared, her colors once again turning red.
"Yep. And the only way for the fires to stop is if you decide to go there. There's no time limit, but… well, the forest is quite flammable." Chameleon shrugged. "I'd make your choice quickly."
"Why Glory?" Clay demanded. "She never did anything to you!"
"She's a RainWing. That tribe kicked me out because of my deformity. That's reason enough." Chameleon scowled back before grinning. "Oh and… one last thing. I brought back five dragons, not four. It's either one of the Jade Winglet, or your Dragon of Destiny crew. Or, maybe, it's one of the ones associated with both! I can't wait to see your reactions once you figure it out."
With that, Chameleon disappeared into thin air, as if he was never there at all.
"That bastard." Glory spat. Her body trembled from both rage and fear. Both queens locked eyes.
One of them would have to sacrifice something dear.
"We must save my son." Ruby stood up. "I can't let him die when there's a chance to save him."
"My kingdom is burning!" Glory snapped back. "If we save him, it'll be gone!"
The two began to argue back and forth. Peril knew what side she'd be on; Ruby's. But, one look at Clay, and she knew she couldn't just make that decision. Glory was a sister to him.
She stared down at her own claws, fiddling with the necklace. She recalled something Starflight said, and what she herself had said to Clay. Apparently, she should be able to melt stone. She did leave scorch marks on them.
Maybe with an added bit of fire…
Peril spread her wings, taking to the skies.
"Where are you going?" Ruby demanded, turning away from Glory.
"I have to try something." Peril explained. "I'll be right back, I promise."
Before anyone could object, Peril flew out of the palace and down the cliffs. She noted that Sky was behind her, as expected. What she didn't was Kestrel also following them. She was cold and indifferent, but maybe Clay was right.
Maybe she would start to change, knowing that both her and Sky are alive.
"What are you doing?" Kestrel landed next to them. Sky instinctively reached out and touched Peril.
Unfortunately, he did that right as Peril took off her firescales amulet. Heat radiated from her scales and filled her entire being with fire. She was warm, warmer than the hottest flame. The very air around her turned hazy.
And Sky was still touching her. A yelp came from her twin, and Peril leaped away to break the hold. As she did, her eyes widened.
Sky was no longer pale. Well, he was, but color had flooded back into his scales. His eyes were brighter. Heat radiated from him just like Peril. However, it was quickly fading.
"Impossible." Peril gasped.
"Hm, so the rumors were true." Kestrel mused. Both dragons turned their heads to her. "Scarlet was a fool. I purposely kept this hidden to save Ember, but there are legends of firescales being able to transfer their heat back to their twin temporarily."
"Ember?" Sky questioned, finding his voice.
"That was my name for you," Kestrel said as if it were obvious.
"Well, I'm Sky now," Sky answered with a trembling voice.
"Sky? Sky the SkyWing?" Kestrel raised a brow.
"A human named Wren named him." Peril jumped in to protect him. She then began to work on a rock, pressing her scalding claws to the surface and breathing flame. It turned bright red, but it wasn't melting.
"A human? What's a human?" Kestrel questioned.
"You called them scavengers," Peril said between breaths. "They're intelligent, and all the queens said you can't eat them anymore."
"What." Kestrel stared with disbelief. "I have missed much indeed. Explains the name, I suppose."
Sky's claw wrapped around Peril's, and before her very eyes, all the color he'd been missing came flowing back. Within seconds, he looked almost exactly like her. The only differences – outside the gender – were his shorter stature and thinner frame.
His other claw pressed against the rock and his jaw unhinged. A beautiful flare of flame burned in his gullet before surging out. His eyes widened, and the sides of his mouth turned upward as pure happiness radiated from him.
With the both of them, the rock underneath began to melt.
"I looked for you," Kestrel said to Sky. His eye focused on her. "I kept coming back when I could."
"To kill me?" Sky spoke with a tad more confidence, although his claw tightened around Peril's.
"No." Kestrel shook her head. For the first time since Peril met her – both times – there was an emotion other than indifference and hatred. No, there was… relief. Her face was still angry and curled into a permanent scowl, but there wasn't a tightness to her jaw anymore. Kestrel's posture was lax, too.
"I… I see…" Sky averted his gaze. "Wren kept me hidden. We thought you were going to kill me."
"No. I did what I did to save you." Kestrel stood up straighter. Her eyes darted all around before focusing on Peril. "Are you going to share to the class what you're hoping to accomplish?" Her familiar snippy and grumpy attitude came roaring back. Peril didn't feel as offended this time.
Reminded her a lot of Winter.
"Chameleon said that he was in a mountain. Well, I don't think he counted on there being a third option." Peril indicated to the sizable hole in the rock. She could fully step inside, and it only took a few moments to liquify. "With Sky able to channel my firescales, we can literally burn a hole to where Cliff is."
"… Clever." Kestrel let out a 'hmph'. "But how do you know this will work? I don't know much about animus, but I know it is unpredictable."
"I love Cliff as if he were my little brother. Not replacing you, Sky, don't worry." She added as an aside. "But… Clay taught me empathy. I can't let a forest burn if I can help it."
"Hard to hear from someone who was Scarlet's monster," Kestrel said in a way that Peril wasn't sure if it was supposed to be an insult or not. "Fine. Now convince the others."
"We will." Sky spoke up, still holding his claw with Peril's. "But does this mean I can't generate flame on my own now? I kinda like being so warm inside."
"No. You will burn out the more you use your flame. You may be able to retain the amount you have, but according to the legends, you must be in contact with your sibling to produce it." Kestrel shook her head.
"Be careful touching anything." Peril warned Sky. "You're literally on fire. You'll burn anyone and anything that touches you. Except for Clay. Clay has fire resistant scales."
"Oh, okay." Sky nodded before jolting. "Oh no! What if Wren tries to ride me again! This is bad. I can't be all warm if I hurt her…"
"Yeah. Like I said, be careful." Peril patted his shoulder. "Let's go."
The three of them raced back up to the palace where, as expected, Glory and Ruby were going at it. Both looked ready to cry as pure devastation crossed their faces. With a look to Sky, they landed between the two with enough force to create a clap that silenced the two arguing queens.
"What?" Clay exclaimed. "Wait… which one… how did Sky get firescales?"
"So long as he's in contact with me, he can breathe fire and get firescales." Peril quickly explained before turning to Ruby, who wore a similarly shocked expression. "We can melt rock easily with our combined heat. Meaning, whatever rock prison Cliff is in, we can get him out."
Ruby sat up straighter at that. "Are you certain?"
"We just tested it." Sky affirmed. "It works! It's like puddy in my claws, though. Very weird. I wish you could touch it."
"I can confirm this." Kestrel added on. Peril slid an eye back to her. Once again, that less grumpy expression crossed her face.
"But we don't know where he is." Glory protested. "Don't get me wrong, I'm on board, but I just…"
"We'll burn a hole right through the mountain if we have to." Peril pledged. "Trust me." She turned to Queen Ruby. "He means so much to me, too. I won't let him die."
"I trust her." Clay stepped forward, his head turning between the two queens. "She'll never let anything happen to those she cares about."
"… No, she wouldn't." Ruby eyed Peril. "I have no desire to see the Rain Kingdom burn, either. If this is true, and you can do this… this is the best way to stop both threats."
"Agreed." Glory immediately said before averting her gaze. "Look, I'm sorry for this, but my kingdom…"
"I understand. This is a difficult choice. Had you not fought me, I would have been disappointed." Ruby spread her wings, shaking the distress off her face. Hope flooded in, and she gave Peril a determined look. "I place my trust in you."
"Go with her, Clay." Peril urged the MudWing, who reacted with surprise. "She needs you more than me."
"Are you sure?" Clay questioned, worry in his big round eyes. Eyes that Peril could fall into forever.
"Absolutely." Peril gave him a steely look. "Go. I'll be fine."
Clay didn't fight back. She knew he wanted to, but he just as much wanted to go with Glory. The latter shot Peril a thankful expression, and the two took off almost immediately. Once they did, Peril turned back to Queen Ruby, nodding.
"I'm coming," Kestrel said flatly. "I refuse to be confined in that room again."
"Fine with me," Peril said, looking to Sky. "Are you okay with it?"
"Y-yeah, I'll be okay." Sky nodded his affirmation.
"Then let's go."
They flew across the kingdom, and Peril wished she could take in the sights. But, Cliff needed her. There was no time. Everyone was silent along the way, beating their wings to near breaking point to reach the mountain Chameleon spoke of.
The fact that her father was behind this had just begun to dawn. She was so determined to fix the problem that she had no time to process it. Why was he doing this? He was always cowardly and conniving, but this was insane! It was like a switch was flipped.
Or a rock was dropped on his head…
Did Kinkajou do this? Truthfully, Peril thought the RainWing had killed him. But, instead it seems to have caused massive brain damage and loosened a few screws. That was the only explanation.
The weirder part was that he didn't seem to have a motivation. Why Cliff? How did he know they were coming back? Was it all to punish Glory for being a RainWing? They never even met! It'd make way more sense to go after Kinkajou, or even Peril herself.
There was no rhyme or reason, either. Especially with him somehow being a necromancer?
And what did he mean by the fifth dragon? There was no way someone was replaced. They would've noticed!
Eventually, they came across the mountain in question. It was hard to miss, namely because there was a gigantic arrow pointing into a cave. The twins shot in, their very scales illuminating the dark cavern.
"I'd trail a distance behind." Peril warned the queen and Kestrel. "We're turning the rock red just from standing here."
"Bring my son back alive." Ruby looked down at the two of them.
"We will, ma'am!" Sky stood straighter.
Kestrel said nothing, but did give a quick nod. Peril took that as 'get on with it', but much nicer. The two ran side by side into the darkness, finding a winding pathway. Peril was sure to mark the walls whenever there was a corner, and sure enough, that proved to be a good idea five minutes later. They were running in circles.
"Cliff!" Peril roared as loud as she could. "If you can hear us, shout as loud as you can!"
There was a faint sound from below. She couldn't tell if it was Cliff or not, but they didn't have any other place to check. The twins breathed flame downward, melting the rock and shifting through it with their talons. It was so weird to be able to touch what was essentially lava – it had to be lava, right? – without having anything bad happen to her. Could Clay withstand this? She didn't want to find out.
Down and down they went. It felt like miles! But, soon, there was a cavern underneath that they could drop down into.
"That was fun!" Sky exclaimed as they touched the bottom. "Oooh, I can't wait to tell Wren about this! It's like finding a new snail type. But I think she'll be more interested in this than a snail."
Peril went to reply, only to see a familiar red dragonet looking back at them. He was dirty and disoriented, but otherwise fine. There were no markings on him. It was like he was just thrown in here without any lights. Nothing to light, either.
"Cliff!" Peril exclaimed.
"… Peril?" Cliff's bright eyes opened wider. He slowly stood, wincing. "Wait… where's mom and Glory?"
"Glory's not here. You're mom's outside." Peril immediately grew suspicious.
"Oh no…" Cliff visibly paled. "Get out! It's – "
The room exploded into flame from behind Peril.
Glory raced back to the Rain Kingdom.
She could see the smoke and flames from miles away. It only spurred her to fly to near breaking point. Any faster and her wings would snap right off. If she hit anything in the air, her neck would snap and it'd be over. Poor Clay was left in the dust; she could see his outline a small distance back.
Her RainGuard were even lagging behind. They were the top fliers and fighters, and just as determined as her to get back home. They must hate her for not flying off immediately.
Glory hated herself for not doing that. But if it was the reverse, if it was her dragonet… she'd put up way more of a battle. That empathy caused her to stay, and she was glad she did. She didn't expect the salvation to be Peril, though.
Whatever happened, she hoped it worked in their favor.
The flames only grew the closer Glory got to the kingdom. The air itself grew heavier, and thermals lifted her high into the sky. She wished they hadn't.
The Rain Village itself was half gone. The fires, it seemed, started from outside the kingdom and moved inward. Snapping her wings to her side, Glory dove downward at speeds that would break normal dragons. Her eyes blurred. The ground rapidly approached. It felt like her tail was going to fly right off from how it whipped in the wind.
Just as she would've smashed into the ground, her wings flew wide. They almost snapped from the force. A gale erupted from her and knocked over nearby objects. As she touched the ground, though, the flames disappeared. Chameleon wasn't lying.
"Interesting," A cold, snake-like voice hissed from the smoke. "You would sacrifice a dragonet to save your kingdom. You're stronger than I thought."
"Vulture, I assume." Glory snapped back, fangs bared.
"Indeed," Vulture answered from the smoke. "I'd reveal myself, but I think we both know you'd simply attack."
"Damn straight I would!" Glory spat. She'd charge right in there herself, but the smoke was so dense she couldn't see her own snout. Not to mention choking to death on it. "Get out here and fight me!"
"Afraid I can't. I have… other plans." Vulture tutted from the smoke. "Tell me, though, was it hard to leave a mother like that?"
"You forgot about Peril, idiot." Glory grinned deviously. "She can melt through rock."
"Oh, can she?" Vulture sounded interested. "I thought Chameleon was lying. Well, it's a good thing we both thought of that."
Glory didn't let her anxiety show at that. "And what does that mean?"
"You're down a player."
Glory heard what sounded like whooshing air, and she knew Vulture had gone. She broiled with anger and frustration, but tried not to let it show. Her Rainguard and Clay had landed behind her, pure shock and horror upon their faces.
Glory took the time to soak in the devastation now that she wasn't talking to Vulture. The Queen's pavilion was gone, as was half the village. Smoldering embers remained, some breaking out into isolated flames. Rain and NightWings flew about with water buckets, doing their best.
"Grandeur!" Glory shouted, flying up to where the queen's pavilion once was. It was a smoldering wreck! She couldn't even see her throne, let alone anything identifiable. But, there were scorched and burned bodies inside. "Grandeur! Jambu!"
Glory, with the assistance of Clay, moved the debris to uncover bodies. Some were in good condition, killed by choking smoke. The others… Glory was never averse to gore, but seeing a half skeletal corpse with a vacant eye socket spooked her. The vacant eyes all seemed to look at her, asking why she wasn't there. Why wasn't she there to lead them through the fire?
But what could she have done!? This was animus flame, she was certain! With or without her, the rain kingdom would have burned. But maybe she could've organized the chaos.
Moving another piece of rubble, Glory let out a gasp.
There, immobile, was a large dragon that only age would have granted. Her pink and ivory scales still remained after death; it must've been quick. It didn't make it any easier to see Grandeur's corpse. The only consolation was that in death, she seemed to have relaxed, as her face was no longer bunched together in a frown.
Glory felt cold despite the embers that wafted around her. The old RainWing was her most trusted advisor, the only one she could count on to lead the tribe in her absence outside Deathbringer.
Now she had no one to lead the tribe outside herself.
"I'm so sorry." Glory whispered, stroking her grandmother's face. "I should've been here."
"Glory…" Clay approached her. "You couldn't have stopped Vulture."
"Maybe not. But I could've stopped the panic." Glory's claws curled angrily as shades of crimson crawled along her scales. "I'll kill him myself. I'll burn a hole through his eyes!"
"Glory." Clay repeated, his voice firmer. "You'll get your chance. Right now, we need to help those we can."
"Yeah… yeah, you're right." Glory shook herself. "I'm a queen. I have to be strong. I can't…" She stopped herself. She couldn't break down. Not here, not now. "Clay… I think Peril's in trouble."
"I heard him." Clay's face hardened. "But her very name is trouble. I believe she'll be alright, because she always finds a way out."
"How can you be so hopeful after all this time? After all of this?" Glory used her wing to emphasize the destruction. "I thought losing Silver was bad. I was ready for Grandeur to die, too, but not like this… not like this."
"I don't know how I can be. I just am." Clay shrugged. "It's who I am, because if I wasn't… well, who would take my place?"
Glory didn't say anything, watching dragons soar through the sky to douse the embers and clear smoke. More and more of the wreckage came into view. It would take years to rebuild and regrow what was lost. Her eyes narrowed.
That was the plan. Vulture didn't attack the Rain Kingdom directly. He started the fires outside of it… where the gardens were. Where their food was.
This wasn't an attack to wipe out the kingdom. The fires simply spread. No, this was to cripple them and make them unable to help with whatever the main attack will be.
"Glory!" A familiar pink RainWing dove down to meet them. Glory visibly relaxed, tears almost brimming her eyes as Jambu swooped down and gave her a gigantic hug. "You're okay!"
"So are you." Glory returned the embrace, shaking. "I thought I lost you."
"No, Pineapple and I are okay." Jambu shook his head. "We managed to move the eggs before the hatchery was lost."
Jambu had a serious look on his face, which was so unbecoming of her half brother. He was always so aloof and spacey. But, he had a haunted look on his face that only war could bring. He was never a fighter, so this must have been a nasty wake up call. One that Glory never wanted for him.
"Thank the stars…" Glory murmured. "What happened? How did this start? How many made it out?"
"I don't know." Jambu shook his head. "Sunny and Turtle are helping survivors in the Night town. We had to flee there."
"Sunny and Turtle are here?" Glory perked up. "Take me to them. We need to get a plan together."
Jambu obliged, and together they flew to the night town. A breath of relief exhaled from Glory when she saw most NightWings were assisting their RainWing neighbors. Glory spotted Moon's mother, Secretkeeper, helping with medical equipment.
The flames had taken out a fair share of the Night village, but compared to the Rain, it was negligible. Not that it was any less abhorrent, but they could rebuild with fewer resources.
She wished Deathbringer was here. He always knew what to say, how to calm. He was insufferable almost every other time, but she needed him here now. But he was far away, unable to lend any form of assistance.
No, she had to do this herself. She had to lead. Both tribes were looking to her for guidance.
"Glory!" Sunny exclaimed once Glory landed near the center of the commotion. "Thank the moons you're here! Are you okay?"
"No," Glory answered truthfully. "My kingdom just burned."
Sunny grimaced and nodded slowly. "Turtle and I were on our way to the Sand Kingdom and saw the fires. We couldn't douse it no matter how hard we tried. It's like the flames themselves were enchanted!"
"They were." Glory growled before explaining what happened at the Sky Kingdom. Sunny's face visibly fell when the sadistic choice was brought up.
"That monster…" Sunny murmured. "Good news is that most of your tribe made it. We got who we could, but the fires spread so quickly to the Queen's pavilion."
"Grandeur's dead," Glory said bluntly. Sunny flinched. "There are others dead, too."
"What are we going to do?" Jambu questioned.
"Now?" Glory sighed. "Now, we save who we can and count the dead. Once we get a full damage report, and we can start picking ourselves up… we're going to war against Vulture."
Cliffhangers, dun dun dun. Is Peril okay, or did I actually kill the three of them? Honestly, I wouldn't put it outside the realm of possibility...
Also the Sky and Peril firescales thing is actually a popular headcanon. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
