Snowfox was a mix of jumbled emotions as she spread her wings and leaped into the air. On one talon, going to jade mountain would shut that obnoxious queen up, giving her a break from all the arguments she was forced to refrain from. On the other talon, she couldn't sneer behind her back, feel the satisfactory crack when she flexed her claws in front of the dragon she was expected to call 'her majesty'. Easy fox, she thought to herself. Being in the queen's favor has its benefits, after all, she's not exactly hard to manipulate. Appeasing Queen Glasier was easy enough if you knew what to say and how to act. Make her feel like she's pulling the strings. Act easy. Meek. Controllable. Snowfox sighed, glancing over at her cousins. Icicle. Not the brightest claw, but she knows how to get things done, and that's useful enough. Plans to take the throne eventually. Probably soon. It was pretty obvious the queen only sent her here to get her out of the way.
"How much longer" Winter, her other cousin complained, dragging Snowfox out of her thoughts. She was tempted to give a snarky reply, but no, that wasn't smart. "A few more hours, I suppose" she said nonchalantly, shifting her wings as though to seem uncomfortable speaking with him. It worked. Winter held his head up higher, strained his wings as much as he could mid flight. Ahh. I see right through you. And…it's working, she admitted, if only to herself. Fox was, at that moment, painfully aware of the silver wound tightly around her neck. Two ice circles were woven intricately into the necklace, marking her social status. The necklace clanked against another, a simple ice chain, a tiny, rare rock she had named skyfire molded to fit around in a spiraling fashion.
Fox stole another glance at her cousin, whose claws grazed the tip of the first circle encrusted into his ice band. Fox felt a shiver go down her spine. As much as you pretend, dear cousin. I always see right through you. You hide cowardly behind those iced walls of yours yet I read you like an open book. Fox knew he needed that though. Giving him that moment of self importance. She had seen first hand what his family thought of him.
Her own family thought very little of her. She had seen it in the way her father's eyes would gaze over her head to look pridefully at her brothers. She was always the pretty, empty headed dragonet who seemed to be more trouble than her worth. Fox had grown to use it to her advantage. She would sneak out at night, learn more about her kingdom then perhaps even the queen herself. She had used her wits and her charm to worm her way up the dragonet rankings, leaving her family in the dust. By the time she was two, Fox had managed to secure all different kinds of connections across the kingdom. Of course, being distantly related with the royal family didn't hurt. And then, then all of her fool proof plans had been ruined by something she hadn't even accounted for. A school where the queen sent all her threats to, hoping they would wallow in the chance to connect with other tribes. Threats that were competent enough to keep up an intimidating self image, all the while staying out of her way. It was kind of brilliant, Fox had to admit. Take Icicle. Send her off to Jade Mountain Academy, and temporarily eliminate the threat to her throne. At the same time, the tribe wouldn't see it as a weakness, but a way to build connections with the six other tribes after the war ended. There would be—
"Ahem" Winter and the others moved up ahead, and Snowfox looked up to see the clearing between trees. . A large mountain rose out of the ground, piercing the clouds with its jagged edges. It looked imposing, massive.
Fox landed gracefully on the cave floor, sweeping her white wings around her body. She crafted an indifferent expression on her face, trying to look hostile to those around her. It must have worked, because a startled dragonet, maybe a year or so older, backed away.
"So many Ice wings! I'm Fate speaker by the way! The dragon was an ebony black, but little bits of green scales flanked her underbelly. Tiny teardrop silver scales fit on either side of her eyes. Fox glared. Fatespeaker didn't seem to notice, however, and reached an arm towards Fox's face."Ohhh, you're really pretty, can I touch your scales?" Snowfox flinched away from her, drawing her talons back. She couldn't control the disgusted expression that came over her face. No one touches me! How dare she— Fox composed her features, then stepped back. "We'd like to know where to go '' Icicle demanded, looking just as horrified as the other icewings that a nightwing was in charge of the supposed 'winglets'. This nightwing…fatespeaker. She's that dragon who lives in the rainforest with Queen Glory. Pitiful, letting another tribe control you like that. She seems rather oblivious to the rest of the world. The kind of dragonet to drop on bended knee when encountered with threat she wasn't sheltered from behind her friends. "Let me just—" Fatespeak faltered for a moment, looking past the icewings. Before Fox could turn around to investigate, the nightwing spoke, grabbing their attention. "I forgot the scroll, I'll be right back". With that, she took off through one of the back caves. "What was that about", said Ermine, a lofty looking icewing scoffed. "Does that little brat really expect us to wait around in this stuffy little cave", Icicle added, looking around. In all fairness, the cave wasn't exactly stuffy, and it was definitely not small.
The enormous entrance cave looked as though it could fit hundreds of dragons quite comfortably, with room for more to soar overhead. Sunlight poured in through large window-like gaps, illuminating the walls. Cascades of golden-brown stalactites hang down from the ceiling, most reaching all the way down to form twisted columns where streamers were carefully placed. Hanging against the back wall was a huge bronze gong with three flying dragons carved into it. A banner woven of green vines and delicate flowers had been strung from one massive stalactite to another in the center of the cave, With letters spelled out in giant purple and white flowers that read: Welcome Students!
Two tunnel openings yawned along the left wall of the cave; two more on the right. Next to each one, a map was posted showing where the tunnels went. Different piles of moss, reeds, and ledges were strategically placed around the cave for the students' comfort. The whole cave was busy with bustling dragons: families giving their goodbyes, old friends meeting up.
"I'm back!" Fatespeaker walked back in, a few scrolls neatly tucked under her wing. "Let's see…Icicle, you're in the gold winglet, so you'll want to head up that tunnel to the right, sixth cave on the left" Fatespeaker thrust a scroll into Icicle's talons, and Fox watched as her cousin walked quickly into the tunnels. "Alright, um…" Fatespeaker told Ermine, Winter, and Changbai where to go before turning on Fox, who took careful note of who went where. "Ok, your in the Jade winglet, your going to absolutely love your clawmates!" She squealed, shoving the welcome scroll into Snowfox's waiting talons. "Second tunnel on the left, fifth cave on the right. Have fun!" Oh joy. Fox folded her wings, then set off in the direction the nightwing had pointed her in.
The tunnel was brighter than she had expected. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, different colored leaves making the fire inside appear to be shades of blue, green or a vibrant yellow. Vegetation lined the walls, flowers of all colors. Quotes were framed on the walls, the ink somewhat faded. It was crowded, and Fox was pushed around, much to her dislike, until she found herself face to face with an unpleasant looking skywing. "Outta my way, frost breath" The dragonet sneered, blocking the way to Fox's cave. "That's a bit rich, coming from you, don't you think?" Fox replied, her voice dripping with fake honey as she flicked her tail towards the smoke rising out of the skywing's snout. The skywing glowered, clearly Furious. "What did you just say to me? I've been through fourteen battles, fourteen" she snarled, flaring her wings. The stupid smoke breathing idiot was attracting a lot of attention. Dragons began to crowd up around us. "I'm surprised you can count that high. Now, let me make this as simple as I can to your incompetent little brain. Get. out. of. My. Way." Fox snarled the last bit for good measure. She narrowed her eyes at the Skywing, who growled under her breath. "I was sent here by queen Ruby of—"
"Because she didn't need you?" Fox cut in. The skywing hissed and back down. Ah ha. I figured, with her mentioning her battles, and all her scars. I must have hit a nerve, I—oh moon vomit" Fox watched in horror as the skywing whirled around and slipped into her cave. Which, incidentally, was also Fox's cave. Great. This'll be an interesting few years.
The cave wasn't exactly remarkable. There were four beds, each made specifically for a different tribe. That nasty skywing was sitting on one of two rock ledges jutting out of the cave wall, large red wings caved around her. Fox immediately sat on the other one, taking comfort in the cool temperature. She twined her tail neatly around her flank, relaxing her wings gracefully at her sides, keeping her face expressionless, just as her mother had taught her. Then, resting her head to the side, she allowed herself to drift asleep…
Fire was everywhere. Scorching everything around her. White and blue dragons lay crinkled up on the ground, either limp with pain or…no. No, this isn't real. It can't be, no, please I— Snowfox's words were whipped away, gone with the gentle breeze. The fire was fading, and there, on the ground lay….
Fox woke up with a start. A black dragon sat by one of the windows. A nightwing. Fox hissed. Great, five seconds in, and my day is already ruined. The nightwing just stood there, looking into space. What is she doing? Never mind, curiosity can wait. I need to get out of this place.
Fox took several steps towards the cave opening when— "ouch!" Snowfox growled, jumping back and baring her teeth. "Oh my gosh, sorry, sorry!" A voice called out. It took about three seconds for the realization to hit her, and as Fox glared around the cave, bright pink scales appeared in thin air. Eventually, the random scales formed the shape of a dragonet around her age. The rainwing was smiling from ear to ear, her grin getting wider when it caught Fox's expression. Fox immediately tried her best to look unimpressed. Without letting the dragonet make a sound, she ran out of the room. Calm down, fox, just try. Snowfox didn't even know why her dream had riled her up so effectively, but it had certainly hit a nerve. She just needed to calm down. Keep your eyes down. Get away. Fox didn't stop running until she reached the entrance hall, where she took off, her wings spread wide.
She practically threw herself out of the air and into the cold lake, spreading her wings to keep herself afloat. And that's where the nightmare continued, not in the form of a bad dream, but a normal memory this time. Her memory.
Fire was everywhere. Scorching everything around her. White and blue dragons lay crinkled up on the ground, either limp with pain or…no. No, this isn't real. It can't be, no, please I— Snowfox's words were whipped away, gone with the gentle breeze. The fire was fading, and there, on the ground lay….her family. Her two brothers, who had always been considered better than her, were burning. The flesh melted off their skin, their wings turning to a crisp. Her parents, who were already motionless on the ground. Fox, despairing, tried to help, spraying as much frost onto their wounds as she could. All the while, deep inside her, a horrible little voice whispered in her ear. You could save them. It would be so easy….
As Fox snuck back into the school, she heard a commotion. As she followed the noise, she came to a wide break in the rock. A board hung overhead, the words 'prey center' carved messily into the wood. Fox could smell all different kinds of food beyond the entrance. She glanced out and saw a group of dragons crowded near the centre of a large mountain-like terrain, all the prey seemingly forgotten. High walls barricaded the prey inside, and stray chickens wandered aimlessly around. She was about to turn around when— "you have ten seconds to give me back my scavenger, before I slice your face off". Fox froze. What was her stupid cousin going on about now? Carefully avoiding dead carcasses, Fox made her way over. "Five seconds' ' she heard Winter snarl. "No" the Nightwing said, clutching the scavenger close. "That is my scavenger," Winter growled. "My idiot clawmate let it out, but it is mine and I did not bring it all the way here to see it eaten by a lying, smoke breathing nightwing". Fox pushed her way through the crowd, until she was standing behind Winter. "I could freeze you—one limb at a time". Fox thought it was all pretty gruesome, but at the same time she was somewhat relieved. Maybe her cousin had some royal blood in him after all. "Just give me. The scavenger. Now." The nightwing looked into winter's eyes, and something seemed to crumble. Wordlessly, she handed over Winter's pet. Fox had to admit, she was a little disappointed with the nightwing. If anything, she thought to herself as she and Winter started to turn around. She could have—"w-wait". Fox tilted her head to the side. Interesting. The nightwing stepped forwards, looking them each in the eye. "He, he's hungry" she muttered, flicking her tail towards the little thing in Winter's claws. "He needs food, here" Winter snatched his claws out of her reach. Fox, amused, glanced at each dragon like she might in a snowball match, waiting for things to unfold. "Please— just trust me?" She asked, gathering some fruit. Before Winter could snap at her, his scavenger's nimble fingers reached for the night wings' outstretched talons, grabbing a blueberry. By this point most of the crowd had lost Interest, leaving a clear view to the scavenger as he munched on the berry. Before the nightwing could get away, he grabbed her forearm. Fox hissed in disapproval, and he dropped it immediately. But not her gaze. The nightwing looked terrified. "What's your name?" Winter demanded, in a tone that stirred Fox's blood with an unreachable familiarity. The nightwing stared at him, then— "Moonwatcher, but just moon really."
"How did you know" winter demanded. Another stab of recognition, but still… "I-I," the nightwing, Moon, glanced around nervously. "How did you do that?". Winter is glaring now. How did you do…How did you know… her name…and then it hit her.
Young snowfox was playing in the snow. Endless mounds of fresh snow, which she'd piled up into a shapeless clump. The sun had been setting, and the last rays of sunshine played along her face, casting brilliant shades of gold, purple, red, and orange across the Ice Kingdom. The village was just around the winding road, which snowfox had to use since she couldn't yet fly. She felt safe, protected in her own little world. She was a young dragonet with great potential, who could grow up to be a great hero or great villain. Right now though, she was just a dragonet, small for age, exceptionally smart, but still, a dragonet who had a right to remain innocent. All she had longed for that day was for her pile of snow to turn into a magnificent castle, as vibrant and beautiful as the real one, where the royal family sat atop their thrones. It was as Fox went to look for something she could use as a flag that she noticed dark shadows in the snow. Looking up, she found massive wings on top of her and an arm coming for her neck. Fox shrieked as a large claw pinned her to the snow. "What's your name?" the voice growled. "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" She whispered, scared beyond anything. The large dragon flicked his tail over to her pile of snow, but it wasn't a pile any longer. A small castle stood where her snow was just a moment ago. "I did that?" She wondered aloud. "An animus" the other dragon sneered. "How did you know…"
"Obvious, isn't it…". An animus. She was an..? Glorious claws of opportunity gripped her heart, and she thought with all her might. Get me out of here, away from them, let them forget forever.
Fox was ripped out of the memory as soon as it had come, and In a moment of pure insanity, she stepped between Winter and Moon. This dragon had a secret. She didn't know what, not yet, but she knew how it felt. Because Fox had a secret too. And only she knew about it. For the past four years of her life she had been hiding a secret. And that secret still lay hidden deep inside her, a blockade of memories shoved inside a vault of solid ice, impenetrable, even to her own magic. Because her magic was chained. Ever since that night, seeing her family get swallowed up in the flames, she knew she could do something. She knew how to save them. The hidden instinct was always there at her disposal. No matter how many times she lied to herself, she knew they could still be alive, if she had done something. Fox had always been afraid to admit what was right there, so obviously true. She didn't save them…because she was unsure.
Fox knew it was a mistake when she caught Winter's startled look, which quickly morphed into a scowl. You choose to stand between me and the nightwing? His glare seemed to be saying. All those precious years of training to be an Icewing told her to back down. Those years wouldn't back out of her mind with a simple memory. So Fox merely shook her head and said: "Cousin, is it wise to start a conversation with the dragons around here? A nightwing though, the queen would be furious with us." Fox cast a pointed stare at Moon, who looked dejected. Winter stared at her. "That, that's n-not what I… of course, you're right, I suppose". And with that, he whirled around and stalked out of the prey center. Fox turned around to look for Moon, but another dragon was standing there. It was a sandwing, a light brown, with freckles around his snout. He looked older than her, but she knew nothing could best her battle training. And yet, there was something unsettling about him. With those deep obsidian eyes, she felt like he was seeing right through her.
"Hello!" The sandwing said brightly, catching her off guard. She had to refrain from narrowing her eyes, keeping her face neutral. "That was rather rude, don't you think?" His smile didn't drop for a moment, but Fox caught the slightest trace of anger. Ah. Trying to put me on the spot. Won't happen. "Depends," she said slowly. "From Winter's point of view, it was what was expected of me. I'm sure you know something about that?" The sandwing tensed, then studied her head to tail. Fox didn't actually know what he did or didn't know, but apparently, she had scored a point. "It almost seemed as though…you were going to say something else?" Ok. This time, Fox really wanted to narrow her eyes, or even roll them. "I was considering my options,—"
"And helping Moon clearly wasn't one" He said, his voice completely neutral again. "I'm not usually one to jump to conclusions," Fox started, "but from where I'm standing, it seems as though you just watched and observed the whole thing. I mean, since you're practically writing my Monologue and everything". And the point goes toooooo—"I guess you're smarter than you look" he concluded. "At least I don't look smarter than I am" Fox hissed into his ear as she stalked past him.