Been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for that. I'll be trying to get updates out asap.
Blue realized he was dreaming when he found himself back in Sanctuary, reading his books. He had always been a lucid dreamer, but this was tame even for him. That could only be one thing:
Someone was contacting him via Dreamvisitor.
He turned to said visitor, expecting to see Cricket or even Sundew again to add more information as to what happened on her end. That was a nightmarish scenario to learn about.
Instead, he found himself looking at a petite golden scaled dragon that he recognized to be Sunny. Her shimmering green eyes were bright, yet there was a sadness in them. Her stance, perky, but there was guilt in it. He had a good idea as to what this visit was about.
"Hi Blue." Sunny greeted warmly. "Sorry to invade, but I couldn't contact Luna directly."
"It's no trouble." Blue smiled back. "How are things over there?"
"Um… well, that's why I'm visiting, really." Sunny shuffled uncomfortably. "I… can't make it over there. The Rain Kingdom burned."
Blue dropped his book, his jaw ajar. "What?"
"Vulture burned half of it to the ground. He's in league with an animus named Chameleon." Sunny averted her gaze. "There's no way I can leave here when this is happening. I'm not even sure if it's a good idea to reopen Jade Mountain with this threat. Last time we tried when there was an obvious threat, we lost two students."
"That's… heavy." Blue didn't know how to reply. "Completely makes sense, too. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea for you to come here, either."
Sunny's eyes widened with worry. "Oh no, what's happening."
"Civil war broke out between the LeafWings. Half of them took off and are doubtlessly planning an assault on Wasp Hive. Political tensions are high. Luna is stressed beyond belief, and I think one push will send her over the edge." Blue admitted. "We were hoping you could show up and offer some advice. But if the Rain Kingdom burned, then we can't ask that of you."
Sunny let out a deep sigh. "We were actually hoping you'd be able to send support. But if things are that bad…"
"Yeah… it's not good. I'll do what I can to help, but our claws are tied." Blue looked away guiltily.
"Same." She paused. "Actually, weird question… but do your tribes have anything about the dead coming back to life?"
"Excuse me?" Blue stared incredulously. "You have zombies over there, too?"
"Not quite. They're dragons from our past, but they're flesh and blood." Sunny shook her head. "Animus brought them back, I think. But animus cannot bring back the dead, and if they do, it's never quite the same. Yet, they look and act it. I'm wondering if there's a ritual that Chameleon could've exploited. Even if it is just myth."
"No, nothing like that. No zombies on our side that I know of, either." Blue chuckled nervously. "I was actually considering sending Bumblebee back to Pyrrhia, but if that stuff is happening…"
"Yeah, I don't know where they'll strike next. Be careful over there. They may strike there, but I doubt it."
"You too. Contact us if things get worse and we'll do what we can."
Sunny gave an astute nod. "Till we meet again, Blue."
"Till we meet again, Sunny."
And like that, the visit ended. Blue woke himself up afterward, finding it to be still nighttime. He hated to wake his sister, but he didn't really have a choice in this matter. He just hoped that it wasn't an… inconvenient time. He'd have to suck it up even if it was.
It wasn't a long journey to Luna's chambers. There was a guard in front of it, but he recognized Blue immediately and allowed his approach. Blue gently knocked on the door, hearing a shuffling sound. From the heavier steps, it was Swordtail who approached.
"Hey dude," Swordtail spoke in a whisper as he opened the door. He looked tired, but had a smile on his face. "What's up?"
"Can you get Luna? I just got visited by Sunny." Blue asked. "She's not coming."
Swordtail's antennae raised with alarm as he nodded, moving behind a sheet that hid their bedding. Blue spied many tapestries in here, some made of flamesilk that gave it a warm illumination. Blue felt sleepy again just looking at them!
"What?" Luna's voice cut through his voice. "But.. did he say why?"
"He's at the door," Swordtail answered.
A second later, Luna leaped out of bed, a frazzled look on her face. "Come in." Luna ushered him in and shut the door. "Okay, what happened?"
Blue explained everything. Luna was not happy to hear about it. Her wings covered her mouth in shock when he described what happened to the Rain Kingdom. The moment he got to the resurrections, however, that's when he felt like he lost them. Truthfully, that's where Blue himself was lost. But there was no reason for Sunny to lie, especially since she was so excited to come here.
"Alright… alright, alright, we can still do this." Luna shuddered before righting herself. "We can fix this, and then we can help them."
"I'll be there with you." Blue covered her claws with his. "Just take some deep breaths and try to get some sleep."
"I will try." Luna offered a strained smile. Blue quickly exchanged a look with Swordtail. He noticed it too.
A prickling in his antennae came a second later. It was like he had a sixth sense in that moment. Something was coming, and he didn't know what.
He just hoped they were ready for it.
"You're smug today." Wasp hissed out, bemused. "I wonder what news you have for me."
Lady Jewel merely smiled. "Sometimes I look at you and wonder where it all went wrong."
"Pardon?"
"I remember us playing together, you know," Jewel said. "I remember you being vain and arrogant, but never cruel in our younger years. You were the only cousin to ever really spend the time on me. Insisted I be allowed in on our playtime sessions. Especially Scales and Squares." Her head tilted as her smile turned sad. "Where did it all go wrong?"
"Still you look back through the eyes of a dragonet." Wasp tsked. "No wonder why your brain is full of air."
"That's really not answering my question." Jewel pressed. She knew she struck a nerve there. "You weren't born this way. Just one last time, I want to ask you why."
Wasp glared at her with slanted eyes. She moved up to the cage door, her horrifying visage seemingly glaring Jewel down. Jewel couldn't read Wasp's emotions other than knowing she was getting increasingly irritated.
"Why?" Wasp's voice was quieter than normal. "Because I could."
"I believe that is part of it." Jewel nodded slowly.
"Do you hope to find the dragonet I once was deep inside me?" Wasp let out a wicked laugh. "I smothered it with a pillow like I should've done with you and Scarab a long time ago."
"No, I am well aware that dragonet is dead. I'm not a fool." Jewel frowned slightly. "I just want to know when you did it. What was the catalyst?"
"Why?"
"I'm bored, and you have nothing better to do than to answer me. Especially if you know it'll cause me pain." Jewel shrugged. It was the truth, really. She knew this would only cause her pain, but she had to know before the end. Before Wasp was gone for good.
"Mmmm… that is true." Wasp chuckled. "I suppose the final moments were before I killed my mother."
Jewel stared. "Excuse me?"
"She died of illness from age. That's the official story, yes?" Wasp examined her talons nonchalantly. "Well… I may have sped things along. I wanted the throne, and I was not going to wait any longer for the old wyrm to die. Part of me did hesitate in poisoning her drink, but in the end, I went through with it."
Jewel didn't react. She knew that's what Wasp wanted. Truthfully, both she and her mother had suspicions about the death of the previous queen. To hear Wasp just outright say it… well, it's not like things could get any worse for her.
"You're going to execute me, aren't you?"
Jewel raised a brow, somehow keeping a poker face. "What makes you say that?"
"One more time… really, how can I not think such a thing?" Wasp paced around her cell. "Are my sisters to be executed, too? Or is it just me?"
"You're not going to be executed." Jewel lied.
"Don't lie to me." Wasp glowered. Her eyes seemed to glow a bright white, but it was a trick of the light. "I am partial to zebras, by the way."
"Excuse me?"
"My last meal. Zebra with, oh what did those LeafWings use as spice… ah yes, 'Honeyspice'. I could never get tired of such a dinner."
"Well, if we decide to do that, I'll be sure to keep it in mind." Jewel stood up with a small sigh. "It's the least I could do to honor the Wasp that was my friend."
Wasp didn't say anything, instead smirking. Jewel knew that she was planning something. Cricket had confirmed that the Breath of Evil was still active in her. Even if she had no control, there was no guaranteeing that she didn't have a way to wiggle into the minds of other dragons.
She really shouldn't have come. But, as Jewel said, she had to know what killed that dragonet. Wasp herself was the obvious culprit, but the actual incident… learning that hurt. It wasn't surprising at all. Yet it was just the nail in the coffin, metaphorically.
There was absolutely nothing left of the Wasp she grew up with. And now she could go through with what she planned with a clearer consciousness.
Luna's consciousness was a mess.
She didn't get a lot of sleep after Blue's warning, but nevertheless found herself awake and alert through the day. She spent most of it trying to gather everything together for the council meeting, which was due to be later this evening. They, surprisingly, were quite ready to listen to her so quickly. They never doubted her ability as queen, but some were old. Yet, even they were springing into action.
"I'm ready whenever you need me." Dusky stood prouder, pressing his notepad to his chest in a salute.
"Thanks, Dusky." Luna patted his head affectionately. "I know I can count on you."
He beamed right back, pride in his eyes.
She couldn't tell him that Sunny wasn't coming. That the academy may have to be closed. Sure, he'd be okay with it on the surface, but deep down she knew he'd love it. Luna wondered if Bumblebee felt the same.
"My queen." A guard came into her throne room, bowing respectfully. "We have an injured LeafWing in our infirmary. She says she knows you."
"Injured…" Luna narrowed her gaze. "Is her name Sundew by any chance?"
"Yes, my queen."
"Take me to her."
Luna hurried after the guard, Dusky following suit. With Swordtail on patrol, he had taken the role as her 'protector'. It was very cute, but she worried that he may have developed a crush on her. He needed someone his age. Maybe it was her frazzling mind that made her think that, though. They've always had a sibling relationship.
Sure enough, Blue had already beaten her here. Probably knew she was coming. Luna's mouth thinned when she saw the extent of the damage. It was bandaged, but she recognized from the stain that it was a chest wound. Her breathing was labored, indicating a lung injury. Despite that, Sundew was still the same LeafWing as she was before, scowl and all.
"I heard a bit from Blue about what happened." Luna addressed Sundew. She noted that three other LeafWings were here, too. Willow, which was to be expected. The other two… she didn't know. One was male and had a resemblance to both Sundew and the dragonet by his side. Her father? Made sense. Which meant this dragonet was a sibling.
"Yeah, it's fantastic, isn't it?" Sundew grunted.
"Don't mind her grumpiness, she's upset her father had to carry her here." Willow smiled teasingly. Sundew gave her such a look that suggested she may just kill Willow. It was the look Luna gave Swordtail whenever he said something stupid.
"Cricket knows what's happening, and I know she told Queen Jewel," Blue said to Luna.
"Yeah, that's why I was brought here." Sundew adjusted herself. "Belladonna made it quite clear that she'd kill me the next time we met in battle."
"How's Queen Sequoia handling this?" Luna asked her.
"About as well as she could," The older LeafWing said. "I have to return in the morning to help her…" a sigh escaped him. "Prepare for war."
Luna slanted her gaze at that. She expected it, but hearing it aloud… well, she thought that time was over. It was like they were so close to the edge of dawn, only to be yanked back into the night.
"She won't listen to any reason?" Luna questioned.
"She stabbed me when I tried." Sundew spat, hatred in her voice. "Disowned me, too. Father and Butterwort both tried. The only way you're going to stop her is by killing her."
The older LeafWing visibly flinched when Sundew said that. The smaller one, Butterwort, held a look of sadness.
"I can give you a place to rest." Luna turned to the other two LeafWings. "Dusky, can you show them the guest rooms?"
"I'm staying here," Butterwort replied astutely. Luna blinked. He has the posture of a soldier or guard, and yet appeared no older than three.
"Butterwort, go," Sundew said with exasperation. "I'm safe here."
"Are you sure?" He asked her.
"Yes, yes. You need to rest. It was a long flight for someone your age."
Butterwort looked to Sundew, and then his father, who nodded in agreement. He relented afterward, following Dusky out with his father.
"You too, Willow." Sundew gave her an annoyed look.
"Oh, no, I figured we'd just share a bed together." Willow gave her a wink and nestled closer, mindful of the wound. Sundew let out a loud sigh but otherwise didn't object.
"I'm actually debating on sending Bumblebee here." Blue spoke up. Luna raised a brow. "Belladonna is going to go right for the Hives. She'll be safer here."
"And Cricket?"
"She won't leave." Blue looked to the ground, defeated. "Once we do the council meeting, I may have to fly over there and bring her back, too."
Luna had the mental image of Blue trying to bring back Cricket, only for her to remain in place in the royal lab as he yanks on her futilely. It made her laugh, which she covered up with a cough.
"We should probably bring this up to the council, too." Blue continued. "Make it clear that half the tribe didn't agree with what happened at Bloodworm Hive."
"Oh, you're bringing that up?" Sundew groaned. "Good luck. I mean it. Let me know if I need to kick anyone's tail."
"Probably have to." Luna chuckled. "It's tonight."
Not much happened in the meantime. Swordtail returned and was filled in, and he had about the same opinion as everyone else; that it was a disaster. He also agreed with bringing Bumblebee here. Or, as he called her, 'Bumbles'. That got a laugh out of Blue, who promised to call her that as a nickname.
"Blue, you peaked in there, wouldn't some soft lighting go well with the tapestries?" Swordtail changed the conversation as it drew closer to the meeting. Luna knew it was to calm her nerves, but appreciated the gesture regardless.
Even if it was a take she disagreed with.
"Uh…" Blue shifted his eyes to Luna. "No comment."
"Swordtail, if you don't want to sleep outside my bedroom, you will keep your mouth shut." Luna propped herself up, turning away as if he were an uncouth commoner. It made her giggle inside to act like a snobby queen around those who knew she was messing around.
And now it was time.
The council area was below the royal palace, if it could be called that. Ground level, with an open audience so the SilkWings as a whole could watch. Luna wanted there to be no shady business, no lying to her tribe.
"Remember what we rehearsed?" Blue asked her as she made her way to the throne at the end of the room. It was made so all the council members looked at her, and she back at them.
"Start with an announcement about Bloodworm Hive. Then if anyone protests, hit them with the SilkWing deaths." Luna responded in whispers. Blue nodded curtly. "Gauge the reaction and go from there."
"Yeah. I'll be in the crowd." Blue gestured to the gathering SilkWings. "Sundew and Willow are around, too."
"And I'll be right beside you, as always." Swordtail pledged with a claw on his breastplate. He looked so heroic in that moment. Luna hated it, mostly because of how distracted she got whenever he posed.
Her heart thumped in her chest. This was one of the most serious subjects she'd ever have to raise. Luna felt dizzy, sick even. Her mind flashed back to Queen Jewel's words. She knew what she had to do… but now that she was taking her seat and the council was convening, it just now hit her what she was going to do.
Luna wasn't alive as long as, say, Morpho. She didn't have the hatred he had. She spied him in the front row, looking grumpy as usual. He was the one to worry about. Luna knew he only had the SilkWing's best interest at heart, but again… well, no use worrying about it.
She had to be queen. And she had the perfect warmup to lead right into the Bloodworm Hive burning.
"Thank you all for gathering on such short notice." Luna raised her voice. All the SilkWings turned to her. "I appreciate the time, and I will not waste words and get right into the subject matter."
She took a moment to catch her breath.
"The LeafWings have separated once more." Luna apprised her subjects. There were already some rumblings. "They mean to go to war with the HiveWings once more. Queen Sequoia has condemned the separation, but there is a sizable number calling for vengeance. I understand many of the SilkWings still cry out for such an act, but I must remind everyone that there is no healing once we head down that path."
Another pause. Luna caught some of the council whispering to each other.
"The HiveWings have paid enough." Luna declared. Many antennae raised in shock at her words. Morpho in particular looked like he was about to explode. "Any more reparations and their society will collapse. I know many of you may wish for that, but just as there were many complicit HiveWings, there are just as many who had no choice in the matter. I will not allow starvation to happen to any citizen, no matter the tribe. And it is time for us to answer for a crime of our own."
"What possible crime could the SilkWings have committed?" Morpho asked respectfully. She could see the anger in his eyes, however.
"BloodWorm Hive," Luna answered simply. Some SilkWings flinched at the name. "Together with the LeafWings, SilkWings burned an entire Hive to the ground. Countless innocents were condemned to a slow, agonizing death that was undeserved. Especially since BloodWorm herself still lives."
"How can you condemn the attack when it was crucial to our freedom!" Morpho's talons curled with barely restrained rage.
"Indeed, it was. I do not deny that." Luna adjusted herself. "However, it was not just HiveWings that perished that night. I ask you, how many SilkWings – SilkWings who were not a part of the rebellion – died that night?"
Silence. Morpho didn't reply. Nobody did. There were mutterings and talking amongst themselves, but nobody came out and addressed it.
Luna felt both happy and crushing sadness at this. Happy that her point resonated. Sad that nobody had a justification. War was never pretty, and freedom was almost always bought with blood, but…
"We won our freedom in the end. But rather than being rageful and asking more than another can give, we must look at ourselves." Luna spoke once more. "How many of our tribe were we willing to sacrifice to achieve our goal? As queen, I will not allow any more of that. We must rebuild. We must be better than our slavers. They've done enough. I know for a fact Queen Jewel has given her all to making things as right as they can. Realistically, we can't ask for more."
Another breath. Come on Luna, you can do this.
"The anger and hatred in our hearts from our enslavement will never heal. Many of us will never get along with HiveWings. And that's okay. I will not take away what you feel. All I request is that you acknowledge the blood of our fallen tribe and ask yourself if you are willing to execute much more of our tribe."
Another silence. She noted even Morpho looked uncomfortable. Oh, he was going to double down once he gathered his thoughts, but she made him pause. Good. She didn't expect this to go over well on a first meeting. This was something to be done over time.
As she went to open the forum up, however, the area around her exploded into flame.
Fire consumed Swordtail's vision. He saw an explosion right before it happened. It was a small, circular object and he recognized it to be a bomb. Not just any bomb, either. A Dragonflame cactus bomb; he'd heard Blue and Cricket talk about those when discussing Possibility.
Unfortunately, he didn't see it in time. Explosion after explosion rocked the platform. Fire spread along silk and other furnishings. Swordtail looked to the skies, and what he saw made his scales go pale.
HiveWings, clad in dark armor, swarmed like a nest of angry wasps. His eyes slanted, and his training took over.
"Luna, we have to go!" Swordtail grabbed his queen, who was so shell shocked by what was happening that she didn't react. Upon his touch, she snapped back into action.
"Seize the attackers!" Luna ordered before being led away. Fire consumes the area she once lay, spreading wildly along the silk. Her honor guard was already in action, but civilians also leaped into the fray upon her orders. Swordtail couldn't stop them.
He had a queen to protect.
Leading her away from the chaos, he noticed that some HiveWings chased after her. Where did they come from? Their armor was not that of the honor guard that followed Queen Jewel around. Nor was it the same design as the army.
No… these HiveWings were wearing the armor they wore under Wasp. His eyes slanted. Swordtail should've known that Wasp was still in control of a good number of HiveWings.
"That idiot!" Luna snapped when Swordtail pointed it out. "I knew keeping Wasp alive was a disaster waiting to happen!"
"Something must have happened to accelerate her plan." Swordtail agreed, leading her down to the lower levels. There were hidden exits to a tunnel system to escape in the event of a siege. One of the first things they did once the Chrysalis was constructed. Luna took no chances, and now it was starting to pay off.
The HiveWings caught up to them before they had a chance to escape, however. Swordtail weaved a net that captured one and used the momentum to swing the dragon around. They flew into another HiveWing, but there were still more. They were dead set on taking out Luna.
Unfortunately for them, she was a flamesilk. Meaning that when she sprayed her silk in a whip-like formation, they suffered not only a brutal lashing, but raw flame on their scales. The flamesilk turned into a barrier that cocooned the two of them whilst leaving an opening in the back. The HiveWings would have to go around it, which bought enough time for them to escape.
BOOM!
A bomb went off next to Swordtail, flinging him right into Luna. They tumbled in a heap onto a silk platform, which cushioned their fall. His side flared right up as something warm ran down it. Putting his claw to the wound, it came away red.
He felt a wrongness in his body from the attack, like fire itself crawled through his veins. Swordtail knew what it was, swearing up and down before pulling Luna to her claws.
"You're injured…" Luna whispered with horror.
"We'll both be dead if we don't lose them." Swordtail pulled her away and glided down to the entrance of the tunnel.
It was long and dark, but that was fine. Other SilkWings found it, too. They looked to Luna for guidance while a few stronger willed SilkWings and guards attempted to create order. HiveWings swooped into the entrance, throwing bombs. One landed next to Swordtail, who pinched the fuse before it detonated. An idea formed in his mind, and he grabbed the now defused weapon.
"This way." Swordtail led her down a separate passage. The tunnels had winding paths that were meant to confuse foes. Swordtail was forced to memorize them, a challenge in itself. As such, he knew where to go to get his queen to safety. Just follow the topaz gems in the wall, and they'd be safe.
"Swordtail, stop. You're bleeding badly." Luna raised her wing once they had a sizable distance between them and the HiveWings.
"It's alright, I'll live." Swordtail shot her a cheery smile. It wavered slightly, though, as the burning sensation crawled closer to his heart.
"No, look. You have shrapnel in your side." Luna cut off anything else he'd say, looking at his side. Sure enough, multiple spines poked out of his hide. Looking at it for the first time, his side was shredded. "Swordtail…"
Swordtail heard the flap of wings from where they came. HiveWings. They'd be here in a moment. Mustering his strength, he grabbed her once more and began running further ahead.
He did not get far before he tripped and fell over his own failing claws. Luna stopped to help him up, where he leaned on the wall.
"Luna, listen to me." Swordtail grunted as he stood straighter. Seeing his wound sapped at his strength, and now he found it a battle to stand. "You have to run. Run as far away as you can. Look for the topaz gems in the wall; they'll guide you out."
"I'm not leaving you here!" Luna snapped aggressively. Fear and anger lit up her eyes as they sparkled with tears. "Never!"
With a grunt, Swordtail grabbed her and forced her against the wall so she had no choice but to look at him. She stared with wide-eyed surprise and horror.
"Luna, you have to survive." He snarled. Blood leaked from his mouth now as his side burned more and more. "You're queen. I'm your bodyguard. It's my job to keep you safe, and there's only one way I can do that now."
"You're not going to die. Not on my watch!" Luna bit back.
"Luna, for once, please listen to me without any remarks!" Swordtail snapped, his grip tightening. "I'm already dead!"
She stared. "What?"
"Those spines shredded my insides. I'm too stupid to know which organ was fatal, but I can feel myself fading away." His body began to tremor with each word now that his adrenaline started to wear out. "I won't make it out of this cave. But, you will. Please, let me save you this time."
"This time? What do you mean, this time?"
"I couldn't save you from flying away in that storm." Swordtail smiled weakly. "I can save you here. Run, Luna, and lead our tribe out of this."
Luna went to protest once again, but Swordtail beat her to the punch by pressing his lips against hers. The surprise is all he needed to spin a thick wall of silk between her and himself. He waited until the last moment to break the kiss, sealing himself off.
He heard her muffled protests from the other side of the silk. Once he'd spun as much as he could, Swordtail turned around and stumbled to the ground. Blood started to pool underneath him.
Holding the bomb in his claw, he looked at it. According to Cricket, all he'd need to do was apply enough force to it and it'd explode. Slamming it on the ground would work.
He hoped. Swordtail was never good at risks like this.
"Huh… maybe you were right, Luna." Swordtail murmured as a swarm of HiveWings flew around the corner. They held torches to illuminate the darkness, and his mind for some reason went back to their earlier tapestry argument. "Maybe brighter doesn't mean better…"
With the last of his strength, Swordtail raised the bomb to detonate it on the ground.
No ETA on next chapter, but it will likely be before end of the year.
