Beetle stretched her neck. She sat at the entrance of the Scorpion Den with Sunny, who was jumping around in joy. Python was busy and had to come later.
"Where is Python?" Sunny asked, annoyed and finally settling down.
"I really don't know," Beetle admitted grumpily. She had agreed to do this, and he wasn't even coming?
Maybe he doesn't like me anymore… Beetle thoroughly ruefully, before almost slapping herself in the face. Beetle needed to have faith in her friend.
"Beetle?" A voice called from the darkness. Beetle stood taller and covered Sunlight with her wings.
"Who's there?" Beetle growled.
"Me!" A shadow laughed. Sunny giggled and Beetle tackled Python to the ground.
"Python!" Beetle scolded as they both fell over laughing, "Don't scare me when we are in the central square of criminal land!" Python brushed her wing.
"Sorry Beetle," He said, putting on a serious face.
"Let's go then!" Sunny suggested joyfully, taking flight. Beetle and Python followed.
"This is it, right?" Python asked, pointing at a tree patch.
"Yes," Beetle answered. She landed and stretched her wings. They quietly walked towards the oasis and heard grumbling.
"Clay, stop laying on my tail," Glory sighed. Beetle tiptoed behind a tree and peaked out. Glory was eying Clay, her scales deep blue with red peeking out the edges. The moon reflected off their scales, making the dragonets easy to see.
Beetle gestured to Python and Sunny to come, quietly. Sunny looked as if she was about to burst, but kept her mouth shut. Python gave Beetle an excited look, his eyes sparkling.
"Glory, shut your snout. I'm trying to sleep," Tsunami grumbled, swatting at Glory.
"So am I," Glory replied, smiling and ducking underneath Tsunami claws again.
"Guys stop!" Clay said tiredly, "Sorry Glory." Glory nodded, satisfied and laid back down. Starflight tensed, as if he could sense Tsunami swelling with anger.
"Clay, come on! You always defend Glory! The lazy Rainwing?" Tsunami shouted, spreading her wings. Beetle felt Sunny flinched by her side and understood why. The lazy Rainwing? Seriously?
"Excuse me?" Glory hissed, standing up and glaring at Tsunami, "What just came out of that mouth?" Starflight crawled towards the trees, looking extra worried. Clay narrowed his eyes.
"Tsunami, that was uncalled for, to say the least. You are acting like our guardians," Clay said with disappointment, "I don't just defend Glory." Tsunami lowered her head.
"Okay, I went too far," She admitted. Glory looked at her expectedly.
"What?" Tsunami asked.
"This is time for an apology," Glory said.
"Argh, fine, sorry," Tsunami growled. Glory shook her head and laid down. Clay curled up, away from Tsunami, who looked guilty. Starflight stayed where he was.
"They are mean," Sunny whispered tearfully, "I thought they were nice." She sniffed and snuggled into Beetle.
"They are… just not to each other…sometimes," Beetle said unconvincingly.
"Uh huh," Python said, giving Beetle a sceptical look. Sunny blinked at Python, confused and stepped towards the direction of the Scorpion Den.
"Let's go," Sunny said softly, lifting into the sky. Beetle and Python followed her back to the den. They landed and Beetle spotted a dragon waiting at the entrance. Beetle realised the dragon was Thorn, looking very disappointed and angry, with worry sneaking into her face.
"Where were you guys?" Thorn asked suspiciously. Python glanced at Beetle with fear in his eyes. Sunny stiffened, her eyes looking down.
"Um," Beetle stuttered, but then gave Thorn a confused look, "How do you know we were gone?" Thorn blinked, looking uncomfortable.
"Um, I just checked your tents," Thorn said slowly and frowned, "And you weren't there! Explain yourselves." Sunny sniffed, her eyes wet. Beetle placed a wing around Sunny and lifted her head.
"I saw the dragonets of destiny on the scouting trip, so we decided to check later," Beetle explained calmly, used to Thorn's anxiety.
"The dragonets of destiny?" Thorn questioned, raising her eyebrows.
"I know," Beetle sighed, moving her claws around, "It sounds stupid, but they are real." She finished, glancing at Sunlight. Thorn made a face Beetle couldn't interpret.
"Just, be safe hon. Remember Dune?" Thorn asked worriedly, moving her tail around the sand, "This world is dangerous." Beetle nodded obediently
"Thank you for warning us," Beetle yawned, stretching her neck. Thorn turned around and started to walk towards her tent, satisfied. Sunny snored and Beetle saw her tired face and looked at Python, smiling.
"Want me to pick her up?" Python offered, lifting a talon towards Sunlight.
"Nah, she'll sleep with me anyways," Beetle said, pushing Python's talon back down.
"Good night," She dismissed and took a step towards her tent.
"Okay, night," Python called and went to bed. Beetle walked into her tent and placed Sunny onto the pillows and fell into them herself. She fell asleep, hoping Thorn wouldn't do a proper scolding into the morning.