My name is Suns of Dawn.
Like many of the dragons in the area, I was hatched an raised in Acinacem Clan. I'm not a purebred Sunsong Amphiptere. My blood was always mixed, no matter how far I looked back. And, no matter how far I look back, the only one that never judged me for it was Clouds of Dusk, a cave-born Sunsong Amphiptere.
I remember, when I first hatched, I was scared. At the time, there was only about sixteen dragons in the cave, and maybe three of them were like me, born to owned dragons and abandoned. Dragon-Hopeful and Guard my Memories were kind to me, but they couldn't stop all of the remarks that the other dragons, like Acidic of Skin, said to me.
Dusk and I promised we'd be friends forever, promised we'd find our mates together, promised we'd never leave the other behind.
Clouds of Dusk was my only real friend. We were friends until the very end...
I tested out my wings, giving them a quick flap. Unlike most of the other hatchlings, my breed was born with wings already. I still wasn't so good with them yet, but I was better than the other hatchlings who were only just gaining their wings. My wings had almost entirely grown in, and I already had plan for what to do after they did. I had made up my mind even when I was little. When I got my wings, I was going to fly away. Clouds of Dusk didn't know about it yet, but I was going to tell her as soon as I was ready. I half-hoped that Clouds of Dusk would leave the Cave with me, but I couldn't ask her to do that.
I quickly flew out of the way as Horse at Heart came thundering past, closely followed by Faded of Heart. I guessed they were on their way to a hunt. I was sure Stars of Stone would've gone with them, but it was day, so the Nocturne was still frozen like a statue.
I let out a high pitched squeal as a shock went up my spine. Already knowing who had done it, I turned, growling, Spark. She was the only Electric Dragon we had at the time, and she annoyed me to no end. Ever so slightly older than me, Spark of Dawnfire was the talk of the clan. Everyone was always talking about how she was going to be a better hunter than Horse at Heart. (Which, no doubt, annoyed the Horse Dragon to no end as well.) Spark had thought of leaving too, as she had heard, but it was mostly because of her love for adventure. I sincerely hoped she stayed with the clan. I didn't want to have to run into her after I left.
What's up, Suns? Spark asked, though it was obvious that she had no interest in my troubles. Wondering why your owner abandoned you? Or trying to figure out why your weren't pureblood?
I let out a sigh, turning back around. You know, you aren't supposed to use your electricity on other dragons.
I'm practicing. She replied innocently. Faded of Heart told me I should practice, so I'm practicing.
Guard my Memories' voice suddenly sounded as she approached, You should at least practice on something smaller, say a rabbit. Not something that'll bite you back. Using her tail to point outside of the cave, she said, If Spine of Bruise will go with you, you may practice your hunting with him.
The Electric paused, but then agreed, moving away to find the purple dorsal dragon. I gave a slight nod to the leader, who seemed about to speak when the human walked into the cave. As she passed me, she gave me a stroke on the head, greeting me kindly.
From there, she looked up to the Guardian Dragon, who leaned her head down, so that she was eye level with Dragon-Hopeful. I watched as they looked into each other's eyes, and Hopeful placed her hand on the gray armor just above her dragon's eyes. While they shared this obviously tender moment, I slipped away, to where I saw Clouds of Dusk.
Sorry, I would've come sooner, but Float on Away was holding me up with some requests. Something about talking to Horse at Heart about the amount of food we need to start bringing in?
It's alright. I paused, Horse at Heart and Faded of Heart just went out to get some food, so you might have to put that request off.
We hovered there for a few minutes, watching Dragon-Hopeful and Guard my Memories. For many reasons, the human was closer with the leader than the rest of us, even if she did enjoy the rest of us as well. I never really minded it. I was sure I could see tears in Hopeful's eyes, but I knew the reason wasn't any of my business.
It was a few days later that I realized my wings had come in completely. I had woken up, and I was bigger. My wingspan was twice as big as it had been the day before. At sunset that day, I found Clouds of Dusk.
She was hovering outside the cave, nearly as big as I was. Our scales shone brilliant golds and purples with the light hitting us. For a few seconds, I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I held back the hot dragon tears from spilling out of my blue eyes as I whispered, I'm leaving, Dusk.
She looked at me, her eyes full of surprise. Leaving? She hesitated only a second or so before she said, I'm coming with you then.
I can't ask you to do something like that, Dusk. You have a future here. I don't.
Her reply came immediately, I don't have a future if you're not here, Dawn. You're my best friend. I can't live without you.
Sniffing back a few tears, I could only think to say, Thank you.
There was a moment of grave silence, but then Dusk asked me, When are we leaving? I hadn't thought much about what time. I looked at her without a word. Why not now? She suggested. No one is watching us. We can leave, and no one will notice.
So, we left. We flew into the setting sun, until we were flying over the ocean, sure that there was a place far enough away that we wouldn't have to worry about the clan's dragons. We stayed clear of the water, for fear of water dragons. Still though, I could see the water becoming choppy as the winds slowly but surely picked up. A cloud bank moved ominously towards us. The clouds showed no signs of carrying water though, which made it easier to decide to go through them rather than around them.
We had been under a cloudy sky for a while when everything changed.
Hey Dusk, I think I can see an island in the distance. She looked at me. There. I thought to her, changing course towards it. A light rain began to fall, one drop. Then another. Then another.
We had no troubles with a light rain; That wasn't our problem. Our problem was a roar in the distance, for as soon as it sounded, the rain began to fall in torrents, crashing down on us. The wind thrashed us, catching in our wings and thrashing us about. Dusk and I struggled to keep close to each other.
Dawn, we need to turn around! Dusk called, her voice just audible over the storm. We can't make it through this!
Keep beating your wings, Dusk! We can make it to the island if we just keep flying! I called to her, but I didn't know if she could hear me. I shut my eyes tight, fighting against the wind and the rain as it tore at my wings.
A wind more harsh than any of the ones before threw me aside. I opened my eyes just in time to see the look on Clouds of Dusk's face as she screamed, Dawn!
And then, there was nothing. She was torn from my sight, and though I screamed for her, no answer came. The raging storm drowned out my cries. Crying, panicking, I couldn't get my wings to work properly. I tried to make it above the clouds, but every wing beat threw me more. I flew forward, trying to reach the island. At first there was nothing, but then the sand was suddenly right in front of me. I landed hard, everything going black.
The next morning, I awoke to find that I had landed on the mainland, however that had happened. I searched feverishly for my friend, but there was no sign of her. Devastated, I removed myself from society. I've met a few dragons that once lived in the clan, all with their own reason for leaving. I've asked, but no one has seen her since that fateful night.
Clouds of Dusk, if you ever find this, or if you, reader, have seen my friend, please, I beg of you, find the clan's cave.
I'll wait for you Dusk. I'll be searching for you.
I promise you, Dusk, every sunset, I'll be searching for you.
I promise you, someday we'll find each other again.