Beetle woke, surprisingly not having much sand in her scales. She was lying by the pool, the cool water gently washing onto Beetle's wings and tail.
"Huh?" She wondered, lifting her head up. The pool looked just like Thorn's pool, but Beetle remembered she smashed and knocked herself out, flying away into the sandstorm. Beetle went to sit up, but her muscles hurt so much she couldn't get up.
"You need to rest," A voice said softly. Beetle turned her head to see Kindle smiling.
"What happened?" Beetle asked quietly, touching her head.
"You hit the pole with your head. Then Qibli flew up and helped Six-Claws down and I got you down," Kindle explained.
"Oh," Beetle said, "How long have I been asleep for?" Kindle winced at that.
"Um, around a week," She said.
"What?!" Beetle yelled. She jumped up and fell into the pool from the pain.
"Relax!" Kindle shouted, picking Beetle up and lying her down.
"It's okay, you haven't missed much," Kindle said kindly.
"O-okay," Beetle whispered, closing her eyes and waking up at night to Sunny dancing around her.
"Bee,eee,eeetle ok-ayyy! She's alright! She can stand a fight! Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Sunny sang and hugged Beetle as she sat up.
"Hey Sun Sun," Beetle smiled.
"Beetle?" Python said excitedly, popping out of the shadows. He hugged her and almost cried from joy, "You're okay!"
"Hey," Beetle welcomed him.
"Hi there," Python smiled back.
"Beetle!" A voice shouted.
"Mother?" Beetle said as Thorn speed-walked to her and hugged her tightly.
"You both need to rest," Kindle called, but Beetle could hear the smile in her voice.
"Beetle!" Two voices cried. Qibli ran to Beetle and snuggled into her, then Six-Claws came and brushed Beetle's wing.
"It's good to see you okay," Six-Claws said in his controlled, calm voice.
"Yeah, okay everyone, get off Beetle and Thorn," Kindle said seriously. Everyone stood up and walked off, except Kindle, who helped her get to bed.
"Beetle! Beetle! Wake up!" Beetle woke to Sunny shaking her.
"Sunlight, what is it?" Beetle asked her with annoyance in her voice.
"There is great weather outside!" Sunny cried excitedly, pulling Beetle up and running outside. Beetle stepped outside to the warm sun everywhere.
"We haven't had weather like this in weeks!" Beetle cried happily, running towards the pool, Sunny just behind her. They splashed and played in the water with other dragonets.
"Hey Beetle, want to go scouting?" Six-Claws asked. Beetle nodded excitedly and shook herself. She, Six-Claws and older Outclaws flew through the desert.
"Okay, split up!" Six-Claws ordered. Beetle quietly flew down to an oasis and hid behind a tree. To her surprise, she heard chatter coming from the pool. Beetle peered her head to see other tribes just chilling at the pool! Then she realised who they were…
The dragonets of destiny?