Aurora

Where was she? She didn't know who she was. It all started the day she woke up on a beach surrounded by silver dragons. They had a malevolent look in their eyes. She remembered she was a silkwing. She was a flame silk who was kept prisoner in Queen Wasp's prison. If she could remember all that, how come she couldn't remember her name?

She had the burn marks of her parents initials on the palm of one of her talons and metal cuffs around her wrists. That's how the strange silver dragons kept her enclosed while they flew somewhere. She didn't know where she was going until she saw it. A huge looming castle carved in the side of a mountain. It had three big towers that were massive. She had never seen anything like this before. The hives on Pantala were big but there were seven of them spread out over the continent.

She glanced at the dragons surrounding her. They were all full of scars. One had a scar running from his jaw down to his belly. Another was missing a few claws and the tip of her tail. They all looked grim and angry. She looked down at the ground and saw others. The same silvery dragons but with slight differences. One was a silvery blue color while another was a dark silver purple. She squinted and saw how most of them were scar ridden too. The ones who had no scars cowered in fear as the others passed them.

What is this place? She thought to herself. They flew on to the palace and landed on a terrace. She had seen these before in Cicada Hive. The silver dragons led the way through the palace passing dragons who slightly nodded in their direction then went back to whatever they were doing. They finally stopped at a big wooden door the height of four dragons and the length of three. One of the silver dragons rasped on the door.

"Who is it?' a voice called from the other side.

"East patrol sir." the silver dragon said.

"Oh of course. Come in." the voice sounded happy.

The doors opened and inside was a huge room filled with columns and in the middle of the room sat a great big white silver dragon on a throne. The others walked forward. She stood there watching as the dragon on the throne gazed at her with unreadable eyes. The others pulled on her cuffs and she reluctantly went forward.

The dragon on the throne strode majestically off and came up to her. "Well, what do we have here?"

"We found her on the beach sir. She was all alone."

He waved a talon. "Yes yes. Thank you Arrow. Please go and send the west patrol out now. And have your troup go and rest."

"But sir-" the dragon named arrow began.

"Buh Buh. I am your king. I will be fine."

Arrow nodded and walked off with the rest of his patrol. She shifted her wings uncomfortably. He seemed to have noticed because he had let out a small laugh.

"Not to worry. I'm not going to harm you." he said.

"How do I know that?" she snapped.

"Ooh feisty." he replied. "You're a Silkwing. What are you doing so far from your home?"

She searched her brain. How had she gotten here? This obviously wasn't Pantala so where was she? "I don't have to answer you." she let out finally.

"Hmf." he smirked. "Darling yes you do." She took a small step back before he spoke again, his eyes nailed to hers like sharp thorns. "I am King Alistar."

She let out a gasp. King? Weren't all tribes ruled by Queens?

"All tribes were ruled by Queens. Except this one. I rule it. No one else." he hissed.

'How did you-" she said.

"What? Oh yes." his eyes glinted. "I can read minds."

She let out a stifled laugh. "Read minds. Ha. Might as well be related to Clearsight herself."

"You know of Clearsight?" he asked, surprised. "Oh that's right after she trapped Darkstalker she left. She must have found her way into the distant kingdoms."

"Yes she did. The Hivewings are related to her."

"An entire tribe? Related to her? Queen Melifer should have taken her when she had the chance." he growled. He shook his head. "Anyway. I want to know more about you. Who are you and why are you here?"

She sighed knowing he could get the answer out of her without her speaking. "I don't remember my name or how I got here. The last thing I remember is walking the halls with my little brother. He hadn't gotten a good grade in school and he wanted to talk with me. He's extremely excited to get his wings. He's only two. Four more years to go." She longed for her brother, her mothers and her sister. She remembered their names. Blue, her sweet little brother, her mothers, Burnet and Silverspot, and of course her sister who was in metamorphosis at the moment. Or at least when she was there.

A dragon burst through the doors panting heavily. "Your Majesty, she's back."

"What?" he yelled. "Get the full guard ready. Where is Atlas?" he started to walk out then stopped and turned to her. "You come with me."

She looked into the throne room and then followed him throughout the palace. He was yelling orders to any dragon he could see. "You go alert the far north guard. You find me someone who can prepare for smelting."

She paused then ran up beside him. "What's going on?"

He snorted. "My sister is attacking, that's what's happening."

Her mind raced. "Your sister?"

"Yes. Our father chose me and she can't get over it. After all this time she's still trying to steal my throne." he hissed as he walked towards an opening.

"Let me help. I'm a flame silk. I can be useful." she said as he opened his wing, ready to take off.

He looked at her then up at the sky. "Fine."

She opened her wings after him ready to fight. She had been in the chrysalis so she had known what battling looked like. She had secretly trained by herself in hopes that the chrysalis would overthrow Wasp. As she followed Alistar she rubbed her wrists where her flame silk was. She was ready for this.

A dragon came up to Alistar. "Are you ready my love?"

Alistar instantly looked much more happy around this dragon. "Of course. I'm always ready."

A roar suddenly erupted from the tree line and dragons spilled out of it. The dragons who came through were silver like the ones that rescued her but less scar ridden. In Fact the ones attacking almost had no scars. As they came through the trees Alistar let out a battle cry and dragons pummeled onto another. She flew in between claws and wings and tails.

Something grabbed her tail and she flung around. It was a massive silver dragon. He had his teeth bared ready for a killing strike. She released some of her flame silk onto the dragon's snout and he screamed in terror. He flung his wings around and raced for the tree line. She watched him go with a smile on her face. She turned to see a dragon, one who had found her. She recalled his name to be Arrow. He was struggling with a lighter red silvery dragon who was smaller than him. She shot towards him with out reached claws and grabbed ahold of the opposing dragon. The smaller dragon let out a growl and went for her wings. She folded them in and she and the dragon plummeted down to the ground.

Arrow had a surprised look and was about to go after them but another dragon had its talons on him. With her wings folded in she fell to the ground with the dragon still clasped in her talons. They tried to break free but her grip was stronger. As they fell closer to the ground she let go and opened her wings, catching herself before she hit the ground. The other dragon didn't move fast enough and hit the ground hard. It got up and breathed heavily looking up at her.

She turned around and flew back up towards the battle. She grabbed onto another dragon who was aiming for Alistar and tore at her wings. A roar sounded from the trees and the fighting dragons stopped. The opposing ones fled into the forest after the roar. She let go of the dragon she held as Alistar let out a roar of triumph.

"We did it!" he roared. Others let out roars of victory as well.

Arrow came towards her. "Thank you." She nodded.

She flew towards Alistar who was talking to the dragon she assumed was his mate. "Alistar."

"I thank you for fighting with us." he turned to her. "Follow me."

She followed him and so did the other dragons. As they came closer dragons landed and greeted the ones who stayed. They didn't look very scared anymore. A few squadrents came with Alistar up to the palace. She landed and followed him to a terrace overlooking the entire palace quartyard.

"Silverwings," his voice boomed. "We have won again, but Lily will retaliate. I give thanks to all who fought, including an outsider. A dragon from another tribe." silverwings, as Alistar put it, looked around at each other. "She is a Silkwing from Pantala." he beckoned for her to step up beside him. Dragons below them gasped. "From now on she will be known as Aurora. I hope she decides to stay here and help us fight against my sister."

She looked at him. Stay here? She didn't think of that. She nodded to him. "I would be honored to stay and help."

He raised his wings above him and they turned into a rainbow of colors. Others did the same below them and bowed. He lowered his wings and walked away. She followed him as he walked towards the throne room. She thought about how kind he had been. He gave her a name. Aurora. She almost couldn't believe it. She didn't even realize it until a dragon pointed out the scratches on her shoulders. She didn't feel pain anymore because of Wasp. She had burned her palm and used her for unforgivable things.

They entered the throne room and Alistar sent most of the others away. It was only her Alistar and his mate. "I thank you for fighting with us, Aurora."

She smiled. "I thank you for giving me a name. I don't think I'll ever remember it."

He put a wing around the other dragon. "This is Atlas. She is one of my main generals and my love."

Aurora slightly inclined her head in a small bow of courtesy. "It is an honor to meet you all." Her talons were aching now from the metal cuffs but she didn't say anything.

Alistar looked around the throne room and walked over to a wall. "Atlas, can you give us a minute?"

"Of course. I need to check on everyone anyway. It was nice meeting you." she said to Aurora before she left.

Alistar waited for the doors to close. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

"There is nothing for me back on Pantala. My family is better off without me. I am a flame silk. I'm valuable to Wasp." she said sadly. She knew she was never gonna go back but it hurt to say it.

Alistar walked back over to her. "Let me get that for you." he said pointing to the metal cuffs. While he worked on the lock he spoke to her. "You are a good fighter. I'm surprised Wasp let you train."

"She didn't. I trained myself alone." The cuff gave a clicking noise and it fell off her talon.

"You are self trained?" he said moving to the other. "Would you like to learn more?"

"Yes. I would love that." she said enthusiastically.

"Hmm." he let out a laugh. The other cuff clicked and fell to the ground. "There. You're free."

She rubbed her wrists. Free. Free is what she wanted from the start. She was finally free from Wasp. She had a new life here in the Silverwing Kingdom.

About two years later

"Aurora." a voice echoed in her head. "Aurora. Are you ok?"

"Hm." she said looking over her shoulder. "Oh yes sorry."

"Ha," the dragon smiled. "Just like you to get lost in a scroll."

"Sorry about that." she said. "Did Alistar send you? Is it time?"

"Yeah it is," he said. "But I also wanted to come see you."

"Oh, is that true?" she said effectionaly.

"Yes it is." he said back.

"Well I can tell you I'm ok and I need to head out if I'm to make this battle." she said truthfully.

"What would happen if you missed it, hm?" he said to her.

"I would be in a great amount of trouble. You know this Arrow."

Arrow let out a sigh. "But aren't you like one of the greatest generals Alistar has? Couldn't you miss just this one battle?"

"I'm afraid not." Aurora sighed. "I would much rather keep reading this scroll."

"Oh just the scroll?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

She got up and walked over to him. "Hey I'll be fine."

"How do you know you'll be fine?" he said unconvinced.

"Because I'm one of the greatest fighters to have ever lived." she smiled. She took another step towards the door.

He moved in front of her. "Please don't go."

She looked into his eyes and whispered. "I have to." She stepped closer to him and gave him a kiss. He flinched as she did it. He obviously didn't think that was going to happen. He kissed back and hugged her.

She stepped back away from him. "I have to go." she repeated herself. "I'll be back." Before he could say anything she raced out of her room walking fast through the halls.

She leaped out one of the passages toward the courtyard where everyone was, getting ready for battle. She saw Alistar and Atlas at the lead of the group. She landed next to the. "Ok so the plan is to capture Blade right?"

"Yes. Capturing Blade will get Lily to stop." he said to her. "Are we all ready?" he asked Aurora and Atlas.

"Yes." they both said.

"Good." he nodded toward the flying guards. He flew up next to them and hovered in front of the army. "We will win this," he yelled. "No matter what."

Aurora thought of that last part as weird but before she could say anything a dragon came racing out of the trees. "They're here. They're here." he yelped.

Alistar yelled again. "For the Kingdom." and dragons began to race towards the cliff top.

She took off after all the others. She was ready. At first it seemed like everyone had it handled. Then one dragon came after her. She twisted midair causing the dragon to miss. She then launched herself at the dragon digging her claws into its shoulder. She tossed it below her and flew on. Where was Alistar? She could see Atlas with a bigger dragon. The big dragon wore a Silver crown twisted with emeralds and sapphires.

She started to launch herself towards Atlas but another dragon grabbed her. This dragon was a small sleek silverwing who was tinted a darker green and had perfect silver claws. She clawed at Aurora's underbelly but Aurora moved faster. Aurora tried slamming her tail into the dragon but she moved just inches away before her tail could collide with her. The other dragon took the opportunity and grabbed onto her shoulders. Aurora folded her wings in making her drop with the dragon attached to her. The other dragon opened her wings to full length and glided down fast but slower than Aurora would have liked. Once she hit the ground she threw the dragon away from her to regain her balance.

The silver dragon came barreling towards her. They inhaled, getting ready to, either, breath fire of frost at her. She got closer and ducked as soon as they opened their jaws. She slammed into the dragon's side causing them to lose their breath. She was about to claw at the dragon's side but the dragon swung its tail around and collided with Aurora's head. She took a staggering step back and held her head.

"Why are you fighting for him?" The dragon hissed.

"I don't need to answer to you." Aurora lunged forward at the dragon, grabbing hold of the wings and neck. The dragon slashed at Aurora's underbelly but she had already moved on top of the dragon. Aurora pinned the dragon down in the mud, as rain poured down.

A shrill scream came over the cliff top that made Aurora's spine freeze. She glanced over to where it was coming from. The dragon who wore the silver crown sat with a dragon dead in her talons. Alistar only a few feet away was smiling wickedly. The dragon beneath her talons was looking over toward the dead body.

"No." she whispered. "NO." she yelled. She was moving more under Aurora's talons.

Alistar looked toward Aurora. His face lit up with an evil look. He walked over to her. "Princess Emerald," he hissed. "Nicely done Aurora." He flicked his tail and two guards replaced Aurora on top of Emerald.

"I thought the plan was to capture him, not kill him." she said to Alistar.

"Plans change," he shrugged.

"Alistar." a voice boomed. "You will pay for this."

Alistar whipped around to see the silver dragon in the crown stalking towards him. "You can't do anything to me sister." he hissed.

"Yes I can. And I will." she cried. "I have an heir. One who will kill you and take the throne back."

"Do you mean your daughter Asha?" he smiled. "I will take care of her as well as your other daughters." he flicked his tail towards Emerald.

"Emerald." she gasped. She looked at Alistar. "Why are you doing this? Father chose me to rule. He knew you were a loose cannon that couldn't be controlled. He should have kept a closer eye on you."

"Yes he should have." he snapped. "Then maybe he wouldn't be dead now. Or have you forgotten how weak he was? He was never fit to be a King. Queen Melifer should have chosen our aunt, not him."

Aurora took a step back. Her head was spinning. Lily was chosen? But Alistar said he was chosen and Lily was trying to take his throne. "I.. I thought You were chosen to be King." she said through gritted teeth.

He turned his head to Aurora. "I told you anything I needed to keep you here. I couldn't have you running back to Pantala. You were a valuable resource."

"You lied." she yelled. Anger filled up in her head. "Lily is the rightful ruler, not you." she lashed her tail. "Everything you told me was a lie wasn't it?" She didn't even hear his answer because she took off as fast as she could back to the palace.

Wind lashed at her face as tears fell. All this was a lie. Did Arrow really love her or was it all a play? She sort of crash landed onto one of the terraces and ran towards her room. She opened her door and closed it behind her. She grabbed a satchel hanging on the wall next to her bed which was covered in blankets and pillows. She put it over her neck and paced over to the table. She placed as many scrolls she could fit in it making sure one or two were maps. A knock at the door made her pause. She shook her head and checked the drawers for anything useful. A couple of knives and a silver bracelet. She put all of it in the bag.

"Aurora? Are you there?" a voice called from the door.

"What do you want?" she called.

"Can I come in?"

She wanted to say no but she couldn't. She placed the satchel under a blanket and went to open the door. It was Arrow. "What do you want?" She resisted crying.

"I saw you flying back. Is everything ok?" he asked worriedly.

She wanted to say "yes everythings fine" but she had to tell him the truth. "I'm leaving."

His jaw dropped. "What?"

She turned around and grabbed the satchel. "I'm leaving."

"No you can't." he said. "What would I do without you?"

She snapped. "Is what we had real? I mean really real?"

"Of course it was," he said. "I love you, Aurora."

He had never said that before. "I can't stay here." she said instead.

"Why? Is it because of me?" he asked sadly.

"No it's not. It's because of all the lies." she cried.

"What lies?" he asked.

"Alistar isn't the rightful ruler, Lily is." she yelled. "He has been manipulating me this entire time."

Arrow stopped and looked her in the eyes. "Don't go. I need you."

"I have to." she cried. "Come with me. We can live peacefully together."

He took a step back. "I can't leave my tribe."

She shook her head. "I'm going and that's final." She looked at him and realized he wasn't going to let her leave. She turned around. "Goodbye Arrow." Before he could do or say anything she leapt out of the window and flew west over the ocean.

About a year later

Aurora had heard rumors about a dragon who could read minds and see the future. She thought for sure it was Alistar but was surprised to find out it was only a dragonet. A little black dragonet with a silver teardrop scale by her eyes. She had followed this dragonet with ease being careful about her surroundings. She was probably the stealthiest dragon ever. It wasn't until she saw someone she knew, where she became visible.

She was watching the black dragonet, Moon was her name. Moon had gotten a scroll saying she was needed. It led Moon and her friend, Qibli, to a hut on the western beach of the sand kingdom. When they entered the hut Aurora snuck up close to the hut and listened closely.

"Hello Jerboa." she heard Moon say. Moon let out a gasp. "You're from the other continent, aren't you?"

"Yes I am." a voice familiar but unfamiliar said.

"This is Luna." another voice said. Aurora froze in place. Luna? As in her sister Luna? She couldn't possibly be here, could she? Aurora maneuvered herself to where she could peek inside the hut just enough to see inside, and sure enough her pale green sister was inside. She took a step back away from the hut.

How was she here? Her brain buzzed. How had her sister found her way here? She took another step back and her tail knocked over some of the jars beside the tent.

"Are you alone?" one dragon asked from the inside.

"We should be." Moon said.

"I'll check it out," Qibli said.

She didn't move. She couldn't move. Her sister was here. Here with her. Where was Blue?

A sandwing head poked out of the tent. He looked at her with wide obsidian eyes. "Uh, you might wanna see this for yourself." he said.

"What is it Qibli?" Moon asked.

Moon stepped out beside Qibli and gasped. "Two?"

"Two what?" the dragon inside the tent asked. She followed Moon out. She was a pale yellow sandwing who looked as if everything was boring and bland. "Another dragon? Great."

"What do you mean by another dragon? Do you mean someone else made it here?" Luna asked. It sounded like she had gotten up and was starting to walk over here.

"Come see." Moon said.

Out poked her sister's head and Aurora felt like crying. Luna took a couple of steps towards her. "Do I know you? You look so familiar but…" she trailed off. Aurora's heart ached for her sister even more now. "Oh my." Luna gasped. "Nova? Is it really you?"

"Yes. It's me." Aurora said. She had no idea who Nova was. She was presuming that was her name before she washed up here.

A tear slid down Luna's cheek. "We all thought Wasp killed you."

Aurora held her sister's talon. "I ran away. I couldn't deal with how we were being treated. I was flying over the ocean when I got swept up by a storm. Then I washed up on a beach. Some dragons found me and helped me." She decided to leave the Silverwings out of her conversation.

"I thought you were gone. So did Blue. I think he took it the hardest though. He always loved talking with you." Luna sniffed.

"I'm so sorry I didn't come back." She hugged her little sister.

"Uhm, sorry to intrude but you are?" Qibli asked.

Luna turned towards them. "This is my sister."

"Yeah we got that part, but how did she get here?" Qibli pressed.

"Three years ago I ran away from our hive. I couldn't deal with how we were all treated. I thought to myself where I would go. I knew of the continent Clearsight grew up on so I decided to fly here. On my way here I was caught in a storm. I washed up here and a tribe helped me. In return I helped them fight a war." she explained. She looked at her sister. "I remember everyone and everything I left behind on Pantala. Except my name."

"What?" Luna gasped.

"The tribe that had rescued me gave me a new name. Aurora." she stroked her sister's cheek. "I'm not the same dragon you remember. I have killed others. The tribe that had helped me manipulated me into it all."

"What tribe?" Moon asked.

"Silverwings and their wretched king." she hissed. "He was the one who gave me my freedom from Wasp."

"You mean Alistar?" Moon asked.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"At Jade Mountain Academy there's two silverwings. Also in the rainforest there's a couple of them. One of the ones at Jade mountain dreamed about an Alistar. Maybe you know her. Her name is Asha." Moon said.

"No I don't know her, but Alistar wants her. He's trying to kill all the heirs that might be of a threat to him." she growled. "He captured her sister a year ago."

"We should let her know about that." Luna said.

"Yeah probably. Where's Blue?" She looked at her sister.

Luna looked down at her talons. "There was an incident. I was supposed to follow Blue into hiding with a… friend of his." she said after a little pause. "I tried to fly away from the hive wings but my wing was hurt. I used my silk to get here."

"Who is this friend?" Aurora thought she knew all of Blue's friends.

"She's a hive wing." Luna said quietly.

"A Hive wing? Is he trying to get himself locked up?" she exploded.

"She's not like the others." Luna quickly explained. "Wasp can't control her."

"That has to be a trick and you know it."

"No it's really not. Sundew even made sure, which in hindsight hurt for Cricket." Luna tried to explain.

"Who is Sundew?" she said loudly.

"Oh, another friend." Luna said, looking off into the distance.

"What another Hive wing?"

"Umm," Luna struggled for words. "Not exactly."

"How 'not exactly'?" Aurora asked.

"She's not a Hive wing." Luna gulped. "She's a Leaf wing."

"A Leaf wing?" Aurora made Luna flinch. "I'm gonna explode." She sat down.

"No offense, but you already have." Qibli said.

"Qibli shush." Moon hushed him.

"No he's kind of right," Aurora sighed. "This is all very…" she struggled.

"Strange?"

"Weird?"

"Both of those." she finished. "I missed so much. I'm so sorry I left you there."

"It wasn't your fault." Luna said. "Wasp is the one to blame for this."

"She is. But she can't hurt you anymore. You're free here with me." Aurora twinned her tail with Luna's.

Authors Note: I will be adding more to this story as time moves on.