Beetle froze, shocked. It's not that she didn't believe they existed, it was that Beetle never thought she would meet, or even see the dragonets of destiny. That isn't something that would cross her mind, at least, not until recently.
"Okay, now what?" The Seawing grumbled, Tsunami. She dove into the water, looking very annoyed.
"Well, I guess we go look for Blaze," The Mudwing shrugged, Clay. He was rolling around in the wet sand.
"The dumb princess? Urgh, fine," The Rainwing sighed elegantly, Glory. She was up in the tree, looking bored, but enjoying the sun, if Beetle was reading her right.
"Hm," The Nightwing mumbled, Starflight. He was standing up, and looked disgusted by the sand on his talons.
Where's the Sandwing? Beetle wondered, squinting at the group. She had to duck behind the tree because of Tsunami eying the area.
"This isn't safe," Tsunami said suspiciously. Glory rolled her eyes. Starflight looked terrified. Clay gave Tsunami a 'seriously' look. Beetle smothered a giggle.
"Oh Tsunami, look who's being a scaredy Starflight now," Glory mused, grinning at Tsunami. Starflight gave Glory an injured look.
"Come on guys," Clay said. He rubbed his head, looking tired. Beetle felt bored of hiding. It was pretty obvious they weren't fighters, but Beetle was.
"Hello, famous dragonets," Beetle said, stepping from the tree and giving them her sweetest smile. The look on their faces was so funny Beetle had to use all her energy to not laugh.
"Who are you?" Clay asked slowly. Tsunami looked as if she was about to pounce. Glory just blinked, seeming unfazed, but Beetle could see the slightest amount of fear creeping into her facial expression. Starflight looked so scared that Beetle felt bad.
"I'm Beetle. Let's not start this on the wrong talon," Beetle said, looking at Tsunami.
"Let me guess. You know our names too," Glory said, her face more relaxed.
"Funnily enough, we all do," Beetle laughed. Glory and Tsunami exchanged amused looks before Glory and Starflight's eyes widened.
"We?" Glory asked. She squinted around her.
"Oh, don't worry, they are far away," Beetle said, "I'm just saying, you guys are famous."
"You look, um- unlike other Sandwings," Clay noticed, stepping towards Beetle, looking more chilled out.
"Green-grey eyes like Nightwings," Starflight thought out loud. Beetle blinked at him and he smiled nervously.
"Yeah, well I'll leave you to whatever you all are doing," Beetle waved, taking flight back to the Scorpion Den.
—
"You won't believe me," Beetle said, skipping into Python's tent.
"You sure? I've heard some weird things," Python smiled. He was making a toy, a moving dragon for Sunny's birthday.
"Yeah, because I just met the dragonets of destiny!" Beetle cried dramatically. Python fell over in surprise.
"What?! How?!" Python shouted, looking amazed.
"Scouting trip," Beetle said smugly.
"Imagine Sunny's reaction," Python both started laughing.
"She'd be so jealous!" Beetle laughed.
"I know," Python agreed.
"Huh?" Sunlight called, running into the tent, looking confused.
"You'll never believe this. On my scouting trip, I met the dragonets of destiny!" Beetle announced.
"What?! Wow! Are they nice?" Sunny asked excitedly, hopping from foot to foot.
"Yeah, but kinda, you know, scared of dragons," Beetle shrugged.
"Of course! They were captured twice!" Sunny said, and gave Beetle a knowing look.
"Oh," Beetle sighed, glancing at Python, amused.
"That must have been hard," Python commented. Sunny nodded in agreement. Beetle paced around in the tent, thinking.
I've never met anyone like them. Beetle thought, letting sand fall through her claws.
"Where were they?" Python asked curiously.
"The closest oasis, that is where I saw them," Beetle answered, drumming her claws on the camel carpet.
"Ooo," Sunny tilted her head, "Do you think they are still there?"
"I don't know, maybe," Beetle shrugged.
"We should check it out tonight," Sunny suggested. Beetle gave her a horrified look.
"That's dangerous!" Python disagreed, noticing Beetle's look.
"But fun. I'll just go myself," Sunny offered.
"Sunlight!" Beetle growled.
"Beetle!" Sunny mimicked, "Come on, it'll be fun!" Beetle glanced at Python.
"Maybe we should," Python said nervously. Beetle gave him a murderous glare.
"Please?" Sunny wheedled.
"Fine," Beetle gave up, "But we need to be safe."
"Urgh," Sunny groaned. Python kept his face neutral.
"Hey," Beetle said kindly, bending down and gently taking Sunny's chin, "I care about you and your safety. But hey, let's go crazy, okay? This will be fun!" Sunny bounced around in excitement.
"You're basically my mother!" Sunny cried happily. Beetle bursted into tears of joy and hugged Sunny. Python hugged the two of them.
"Let's go!" He smiled.