One Skywing egg wasn't destroyed before the Talons of Peace rescued it. That was Pyrite, daughter of Queen Scarlet and the Skywing Dragonet of Destiny. Her existence in the group changes everything- but for better, or for worse? (Glory is still in the group since Webs had already retrieved her and didn't want to sneak her back. Also, I am not explaining the prophecy or anything that is explained in the books, so if you haven't read them you'll probably be confused.)

(Prologue)

Rain beat down on Smoke's aching wings, relentlessly pushing him closer to the ground. Of course, the heavy crimson egg he held clutched between his talons didn't help. Smoke looked down at the egg, to make sure it wasn't getting too wet. It was then he noticed the words engraved onto the shell.

Boom!

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the sky. Smoke looked around, deliberating, then flew into the slight shelter of a shallow hollow in the mountains, not even deep enough to be called a hole. Knowing he'd have plenty of time before he felt it was safe to fly again, he examined the letters, running his claws gently over them.

They read, "Pyrite, property of Queen Scarlet of the Skywings."

Smoke frowned. The queen thought of her own daughter as her property?

"Poor little dragonet," he whispered. He held the egg in his front talons, watching it sway back and forth, shuddering. Wait… it was hatching!

Smoke leapt into the storm, extending his wings and flapping as hard and fast as he could. Finally, he saw the cave entrance, and tucked his wings in, diving down. He stumbled in, shaking water off his scales.

"I'm here," he gasped. Smoke raised his head to look at Kestrel and- "Webs? What are you doing here? And what's that egg?" A feeling of dread crept over him.

Webs stared in disdain at the egg Smoke cradled possessively. "It's a Rainwing egg. The replacement for the Skywing."

Smoke gaped. "But… I have a Skywing egg!" He held out the egg. "This is Pyrite!"

Kestrel reached out towards the egg. "Good…" she mused. "A Skywing. But why have you already named it?"

Smoke looked away uncomfortably. Finally, he spoke. "Queen Scarlet likes to mark her daughters… make sure they won't ever dare to challenge her." Smoke gazed at the egg he still clutched. "I just hope little Pyrite doesn't get it into her head to try."


Hey! So, if you remember reading any of my previous works, and are wondering why I deleted my previous works, it's basically because I wasn't happy with them or my work. It felt like it was getting kind of forced, but to those of you who were reading either of my pieces and following the stories, I'm sorry. I really regret it, but unfortunately I deleted all my drafts, everything. Hopefully this piece makes up for it!