Yet another chapter of the trial run.
Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire.
NOTE: In a few places the wording will be similar if not the same as the Sutherland books. This is done because a re-word would sound silly and the setting, plot, universe, and characters are distinctly different enough to not constitute an infraction of the "no posting the original work with thoughts thrown into the flow of the work" rule.
Cyclone had never felt more ready to sink his teeth into something.
As his claws touched the sand, he took in his surroundings. The sun was high in the sky, and it was much warmer in the arena than up on their prison spires. Cyclone saw the queen smirking up on the balcony.
This was the first battle.
Prince Condor strutted to the center of the arena and bellowed at the crowd. "After last month's battle with Blaze's army, our queen's dungeons were stuffed with Coldwing prisoners of war. Only nine have survived. After two wins, I give you – Cavern of the Coldwings!"
Cavern lashed his tail and snarled at him, Cyclone didn't flinch away; instead, he smirked and growled a little.
"And on this side, an unusual case – a Skywing, but not one of our own. No, this dragonet was found along with nine others, all of different tribes, hiding under our mountains, protected by the Talons of Peace. Is he one of the Dragonets of Fate? The only way to find out is if he uses some sort of wonderful power to win this battle!"
A murmur of laughter rippled across the seats.
The announcer went on. "If these prophesied dragons are as wonderful and legendary as they're supposed to be, this should be a showdown to remember. I hope you're prepared to impress us, "Wings of Sky". I present to you, Cyclone of the Skywings! Claws up, breath ready, fight!"
The Skywing leapt out of the arena. This was it: Kill or be killed.
Why was he so okay with this?
Cavern's pale blue scales were tinted green, like moss. His eyes were a muted light blue and full of malice. Extra horns like a ruff of icicles stood out around his head. A long claw scratch down his neck had barely begun to heal, with dried blood still sticking to the scales around it. He hissed, darting a grey, pointed tongue between his icicle-sharp teeth.
He stopped in front of Cavern, and opened his mouth, revealing his extra-sharp teeth and forked tongue - signalling his royal blood. Cyclone inhaled, electricity building in his mouth, creating that hissing sound. The Coldwing panicked, and opened his mouth to blast frost onto Cyclone, but before Cavern could do it, Cyclone let loose a stream of lightning straight into Cavern's throat.
The ice dragon jerked back and scrambled across the sand, batting at his neck with clamped wings. The yellow flames scorched his inside, hopefully rendering it hard to breathe.
Cavern raced at him with his front talons outstretched. Cyclone darted out of the way, barely dodging the sharp claws. Cavern's long, whip-thin tail snaked around and whacked him across the face but the spikes on the Coldwing's tail failed to pierce Cyclone's scales. In response, Cyclone drew his wings over his head and lashed out with his back talons. He felt one connect and heard his opponent roar with pain. He turned around, and saw that he'd hit the scratch on the Coldwing's neck.
Cyclone roared at the Coldwing. A strange, buzzing feeling streamed through his scales, and he darted underneath Cavern and raked his claws across his opponent's underbelly, emerging on the other side of him. He heard the ice dragon roar louder. But he also heard a sizzling sound interrupted with oscillating pops. Cyclone craned his neck to look back, and realized why the crowd had went silent.
Cavern was doubling over in pain and frantically clutching his belly, which seemed to be disintegrating away. Dark gold scorch marks were left near the edges and clouds emerged from the cut. Electricity visibly surged through it, tearing through tissue, just as Tempest had done. The Coldwing's frigid scales were being torn apart by the lightning, letting his organs fall to the sand. Cyclone saw that his own were emitting yellow cloud.
And then Cavern screamed.
The dragon Tempest had killed screamed in this kind of agony, but to be right by the dying dragon, his screams piercing Cyclone's ears, was so much worse.
He looked at the balcony, noticing the dragons' expressions.
Queen Vulture, who looked pleased.
Prince Condor, who looked surprised.
Princess Kite, who looked uneasy.
And Tempest, who looked . . . frightened.
Discovery of their first power - elemental scales! (They will have a total of ten, one gained per book.) Of course, they have absolutely no control over it yet and are only completely immune to their element when their scales are actually "charged".
Thanks for reading!