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Chapter One:Burn’s Fortress(night)[five years earlier]
BURN, BLAZE, and BLISTER are gathered with a few of their allies in the throne room, while The Dragonets of Destiny stand nearby.
BURN:So…here we are. Why don’t we begin this, and end this war for good.
SMOLDER and FENNEC watch from behind a few guards, as one of the dragonets, SUNNY, steps forward.
SUNNY:We didn’t come here to end this in violence.
BURN hisses, and the dragonet winces.
BURN:We have no choice. This is how it should’ve been, from the very beginning.
BLISTER steps forward, with a small bag.
BLISTER:Maybe the child is right, we don’t have to end this in violence.
She opens the bag, revealing a small black orb on a gold chain, resembling an eye.
BURN:The Eye of Onyx. Where did you find this?
BLISTER:Where I hid the rest of Oasis’s treasure. I stole it, not those Scavengers. I started all of this, and I’m going to end it.
BLAZE slinks back to hide under QUEEN GLACIER’s wing, and BLISTER takes a few steps towards BURN.
BLISTER:I’ll prove my power over you all, with this single artifact.
Her older sister narrows her eyes.
BURN:Fine, then. Prove it .
BLISTER swiftly grabs The Eye of Onyx, only to realize she can’t let go as black veins appear across her arm.
BLISTER:No, NO, THIS WASN’T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!
The black veins spread as her scales begin to wither and burn, as if she’s holding her arm over an open fire.
BLAZE:No, it is . The eye has made its choice. You aren't supposed to be queen.
BLISTER glares at her as the black veins spread up to her neck, more scales burning and turning black.
BLISTER:NO, I AM THE RIGHTFUL QUEEN! I STARTED ALL OF THIS! I WAS GOING TO KILL OASIS THAT NIGHT!
Black blood begins to pour out of her mouth, and BLAZE buries her face in GLACIER’s neck, not wanting to watch her sister die.
BURN:Give up, you’re going to die.
BLISTER looks at her with pure rage, her tail lashing in pain as it slowly turns black.
BLISTER:THEN I’LL COME BACK! I’LL COME BACK SOMEDAY, I’LL REVIVE MYSELF, AND I’LL KILL YOU ALL! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! NO ONE WILL BE SPARED FROM MY FURY!
One dragonet, a RainWing named GLORY, speaks up.
GLORY:You’re insane!
A twisted grin appears on the SandWing’s face, as her neck begins to burn.
BLISTER:Aren’t we all?
With one final scream of agony, her body turns to nothing but charred bone in a split second.
BURN:Alright. Who else is feeling brave?
Everyone looks at BLAZE, who GLACIER is trying to comfort.
GLACIER:Blaze forfeits.
BURN grins menacingly, and walks towards the rest of the group, her tail smacking the charred bones in one last attempt to disrespect BLISTER.
BURN:Then that settles it. I am the ruler of the SandWings.
A few dragons seem relieved that the war is finally over, while others are silently outraged.
FENNEC:Oh s***.
She and SMOLDER move back until they’re against the wall.
SMOLDER:Yeah, we’re f***ed.
BURN looks back down at the charred bones, then whispers, as if hoping BLISTER can hear her in the afterlife.
BURN:Have fun in hell, you conniving little s***.
Chapter Two:The Scorpion Den(day)
FLIPSIDE and DREAMCATCHER land at the entrance of the town, the SkyWing shaking sand off his wings.
FLIPSIDE:The others will be here soon. We just need to figure out how many members of that weird SandWing gang are nearby.
The RainWing coughs up some sand, his scales turning dark-green for a few seconds.
FLIPSIDE:I told you not to eat that s***.
DREAMCATCHER:I didn’t have breakfast, a**hole! I needed something !
The SkyWing rolls his eyes and they both continue walking, passing by the marketplace towards a large motel.
FLIPSIDE:This is the place Jackal wanted us to stay.
DREAMCATCHER looks the building up and down, hearing noises coming from inside.
DREAMCATCHER:Why this place?
FLIPSIDE:A few people he knows work here.
They both go inside, the main floor being a bar with a dance floor and small stage at the back of the room.
FLIPSIDE:This place has alcohol? Damn, I think I actually like this place.
DREAMCATCHER:You don’t have to get wasted everywhere you go, Flip.
The SkyWing flicks his tail with irritation.
FLIPSIDE:Cut me some slack, I’ve been flying for hours.
DREAMCATCHER:At least you got to eat before we left!
FLIPSIDE:Well, you should’ve thought of that before you slept in.
The RainWing’s snout turns orange as she growls.
DREAMCATCHER:Let’s just get this s*** over with.
FLIPSIDE: Then we get wasted.
The other dragon calms down, thinking about that idea.
DREAMCATCHER:Actually, that doesn’t sound half-bad.
FLIPSIDE puts an arm around him.
FLIPSIDE:See, I knew you liked getting drunk with me.
The RainWing’s wings turn yellow, then FLIPSIDE lets go and they walk over to a tall NightFury in a light-blue t-shirt and jeans.
FLIPSIDE:Hey, are you in charge of this place?
The NightFury looks down with blue eyes, which match the small blue planets tattooed around their eyes.
NIGHTFURY:Yes, I’m Starkiller, the owner and manager of this motel. Do you need something?
FLIPSIDE:Yeah, so…we got some friends coming soon and they already booked a bunch of rooms for us, and we were just wondering exactly what rooms they are.
STARKILLER nods, fully understanding, and pulls out their phone to look at some notes.
STARKILLER:Of course, you must be with Jackal, correct?
FLIPSIDE:Yeah, that’s us. It’s just me and my sibling right now, but there’s going to be more of us.
The NightFury looks up from their phone, smiling.
STARKILLER:You all have suites on the highest floor, and if you want to go swimming there’s an oasis out back.
The other two dragons look intrigued, and more of DREAMCATCHER’s scales turn yellow, with hints of blue curiosity.
STARKILLER:My partner Sunburn will be arriving with your keys, she’s just getting the rooms ready. You’re welcome to stay and hang around until then.
The two Demi-Gods look at each other with grins, then look back at STARKILLER, talking at the same time.
FLIPSIDE and DREAMCATCHER:We’ll be at the bar.
Chapter Three:Burn’s Stronghold(day)
FENNEC and SMOLDER stand on the top of the fortress, looking at the vast, sandy kingdom around them.
FENNEC:Do you remember the night Blister died?
Her cousin sighs, placing his hands on the short sandstone wall.
SMOLDER:Yes, I do. I keep having nightmares, and frankly, I think Blaze is the same.
FENNEC glances at him for a moment.
FENNEC:I feel bad for Blaze. She…she shouldn’t be all the way in The Ice Kingdom. She should be here, with us, but…but Glacier is doing a better job at keeping her safe. We both know that if she was here, Burn would’ve snapped her in half.
SMOLDER: Blaze should’ve been queen. Not Burn. Burn…it’s only been five years, but it feels like twenty . I just…I know I shouldn’t say this but…I want someone to challenge her. I want her to die .
FENNEC:Trust me, you aren’t alone on that.
They stand there in silence for a little bit, the cool desert breeze being the only sound.
FENNEC:Do you know where Blister was buried?
SMOLDER sighs again, his tail curling with discomfort.
SMOLDER:She was buried somewhere outside The Scorpion Den. Burn wanted her somewhere where no one would try to look for her. I was the one who buried her, I know exactly where her body is.
His cousin’s eyes widen slightly.
FENNEC: You buried her?
SMOLDER:With The Eye of Onyx. Burn didn’t want anyone to find it. But yes, I know where both of them are.
FENNEC wants to ask something, but BURN is heard from downstairs, her voice startling them both.
BURN:FENNEC! SMOLDER! WHERE IS MY BOX OF VIPERS? I WANT TO SEND IT TO RATTLESNAKE!
SMOLDER growls, but talks in his best neutral tone.
SMOLDER:I’ll handle this.
He walks back downstairs, heading towards the throne room.
SMOLDER:I KEPT THEM IN THE TOWER!
FENNEC tries not to think about the loud yelling, and just stares at the sand below.
FENNEC:Ugh…someone really does need to shut her up.
Something below catches her eye, and she sees what looks like a purple wing sticking out of the sand.
FENNEC:Uh, Smolder?
There’s no response, so she goes to investigate herself, flying down to land next to the mysterious object.
FENNEC:What…is that?
She pulls it out of the sand, then screams once she realizes it’s a dead Skrill, their body gutted and several scales skinned off.
Chapter Four:Starkiller’s Desert Motel(night)
JACKAL, WINTER, and DOWNSIDE are in the main room, with various other dragons nearby, either drinking, talking, or just watching the other visitors.
JACKAL:So, it looks like everyone else is already in their rooms. Wanna go see ours?
He puts an arm around DOWNSIDE, who clears zir throat nervously and moves his arm away, a hint of disappointment on his face.
DOWNSIDE:Maybe later.
The IceWing puts his hands in his pockets, and WINTER looks around.
WINTER:If anyone wants, we can stay for the show.
JACKAL’s expression lightens up a bit.
JACKAL:Yeah, we can stay for that. Starkiller’s got a great voice, trust me.
Almost as if on cue, STARKILLER steps on stage, while a yellow-ish orange Sand/SkyWing Hybrid follows, her sail looking like it’s made of flames.
DOWNSIDE:That’s Sunburn! I haven’t seen her in so long!
Ze waves, the hybrid noticing and waves back, then moves the electric guitar slung around her back.
STARKILLER:Hello? Everyone here?
Several people look up from what they’re doing, even some of the bartenders.
STARKILLER:My partner and I are here to do a little song for you all, since the desert is pretty restless and you’re probably a bit bored.
A few people in the crowd laugh, the NightFury smiling.
STARKILLER:I’ll make sure I don’t bore you any further, so Sunburn, if you will…
The hybrid plugs in the guitar, then starts playing “Brain Stew” by Greenday.
DOWNSIDE:Oh, this takes me back to university.
Ze gets excited hearing the familiar song, which makes JACKAL smile.
STARKILLER's voice is almost monotone, sounding tired for a moment before glancing at SUNBURN with a grin.
Several members of the crowd stomp their feet to the rhythm of the song, and the two dragons on stage glance at each other lovingly.
STARKILLER continues with that tone, his ears moving with the sounds of the music.
SUNBURN goes into a guitar solo, which makes parts of the crowd cheer, mostly the dragons who aren’t too drunk to misunderstand what’s happening.
The Night Fury's voice gets slightly louder, and many others whistle and clap.
As the song continues, people in the crowd join, including DOWNSIDE, JACKAL, and WINTER.
They all fill the room with the the sound of their voices, dragons singing in unison like a pack of wolves.
People cheer even louder as SUNBURN plays the end of the song, and a few SandWings sitting at a table nearby start eyeing JACKAL.
STARKILLER:Thank you, for all your support!
The two dragons on stage bow, and several people in the crowd clap and cheer as they walk off stage together.
JACKAL:Well, that was nice.
DOWNSIDE:I knew you’d like it.
Ze looks over at the bar.
DOWNSIDE:I’m getting a drink. Winter, you want one?
WINTER shrugs.
WINTER:Sure, I’m down.
They both walk towards the bar, and one of the SandWings that was watching JACKAL walks over to him.
SANDWING: Hey , where are you from?
The IceWing glances down, slightly startled.
JACKAL:The Ice Kingdom, like most IceWings.
SANDWING:Did you go to Jade Mountain?
She touches his arm, and his tail sways with discomfort.
JACKAL:Yes…I did.
His eyes narrow.
JACKAL:What are you doing?
The SandWing looks up at him with a grin, her tail wagging slightly.
SANDWING:Just…talking.
She glances at the door for a moment, her grip on his arm tightening.
SANDWING:If you’re interested, I can take you back to my place. I got some tiger orchids there.
Her tail moves to touch his ankles, the stinger slowly sliding up his leg.
SANDWING:And if you’re lucky, I might show you how hot the desert really gets.
She opens her mouth with a hiss, the IceWing growling before ripping his arm out of her grasp.
JACKAL:Touch me again, and I’ll kill you.
The other dragon just laughs.
SANDWING:I thought SkyWings were feisty. What, are you frostbreathers really as cold hearted as they say?
JACKAL’s tone darkens as he steps closer to her, towering above her with a growl.
JACKAL:I’m serious. Come near me again, and I’ll gut you with my own claws, and hang you on a f***ing lamp post for all your disgusting friends to see.
The SandWing looks up at him with a bit of fear, then hisses and walks away, trying to maintain her normal, confident exterior.
DOWNSIDE:Is everything okay?
JACKAL turns to see the HiveWing and IceWing return with their drinks.
JACKAL:Just some jacka**es, that’s all.
The HiveWing moves closer, taking a sip of a Pina Colada, and JACKAL puts his arms around zir.
DOWNSIDE:They’re probably just drunk or something. Just ignore them.
The other dragon glances back at the SandWing, who’s glaring at him.
JACKAL:Yeah, I know. I should just leave it be.
DOWNSIDE:We can talk about it when we get back to our room.
The IceWing smiles at the thought of that, his hand gently rubbing DOWNSIDE’s back.
JACKAL:I like that idea. It’ll just be us, away from all this… noise .
He looks around the room at the other guests, then kisses the top of zir head.
JACKAL:We can go now, if that’s okay with you.
The HiveWing’s tail wags as ze looks up at him.
DOWNSIDE:Sure, let's go. Winter, do you want to go too?
The other IceWing glances around the room for a few seconds.
WINTER:I’ll stay a bit longer.
DOWNSIDE nods and leaves with JACKAL, the SandWing looking down at the silver snake ring on her finger.
SANDWING:Hold on, guys. I gotta call the boss.
She pulls her phone out her pocket and dials a number, a dark grin appearing on her face as she watches JACKAL leave.
SANDWING:Hey, boss…we found him.
Chapter Five:Thorn’s Compound(day)
In a large building made of sandstone, near a large oasis in The Scorpion Den, a SandWing dressed in a dark-brown hood is writing at a desk.
SANDWING:Dear Sunny, this is your mother Thorn. I’m writing to ask you about how Stonemover is doing. I heard he’s at the mountain where you’re staying, and I just wanted to say-
The sound of the door opening gets her attention, and she gets out of her seat to dust off some pencil shavings from her brown pants.
THORN:Hello?
Another SandWing walks in, this one wearing a black hood and dark-purple pants.
SANDWING:I’ve come to speak with you, about an alliance.
THORN is intrigued by the stranger, but a part of her is still wary.
THORN:Who are you? How do I know I can trust you?
The stranger steps closer, removing her hood to reveal the sandy-yellow scales, and spreads her wings to make the triangle patterns across them more visible.
SANDWING:If you’ve been to The Diamond Caves Casino, you’ll recognize the other part of me.
The other dragon looks her up and down, the colour scheme of her clothes being familiar.
THORN:I’ve never been, but my friend Qibli has said something about someone named Muse. I’ve seen a few photos.
The SandWing nods.
SANDWING:Muse is nearly a vessel, another soul, used to carry mine. You may know me as Muse, but history…
She summons a scroll into her hand, which unravels to show what looks like blueprints for The Eye of Onyx.
SANDWING:Knows me as Jerboa.
Chapter Six:Downside’s Room(day)
Standing on the metal walkway outside the motel room, DOWNSIDE is dressed in zir usual outfit, but with a black rhinestone-studded belt and zir shirt is light-blue.
DOWNSIDE:Jackal, I think I see Wolf nearby!
Ze calls from the open doorway, and the IceWing walks over in a purple t-shirt and black pants, fixing his glasses as he peeks his head out.
JACKAL:Really? Where are they?
DOWNSIDE points to a Night/IceWing Hybrid flying nearby, who notices them and lands about ten feet away.
WOLF:Downside! Jackal! How have you been?
They approach them, wearing a wolf skull on their head, a black tank-top, and matching shorts.
JACKAL:Great.
He looks down at their long, fluffy black tail.
JACKAL:I see you still have the tail.
They look down at the tail, which is that of a wolf.
WOLF:Yeah, still no NightWings willing to give me a new tail. I mean, I can still fly with this one, but my steering is a bit…off.
Other than the tail, their body is mainly NightWing-like, although their eyes are an icy-blue, along with their underbelly.
DOWNSIDE:Well, at least you’re happy.
The hybrid laughs.
WOLF: Everything about me makes me happy. The tail stuff, the whole…identity stuff, hell, even the fact that I was made with magic makes me happy!
They hug DOWNSIDE, smiling as they think of all their similarities.
WOLF:We definitely have a lot in common.
DOWNSIDE:Yeah, I guess we do.
The hybrid grins, their tail swaying.
WOLF:We both have the same view of ourselves.
DOWNSIDE knows exactly what they’re referring to, and laughs as well.
DOWNSIDE:Yeah…we aren’t exactly…“girls”.
WOLF:Gender is overrated anyway.
They let go of zir and walk towards JACKAL.
WOLF:And I assume you two are still together?
The IceWing leans against the doorframe.
JACKAL:Yeah, we’re still together. What, you think after all this time we’d break up?
WOLF:Well, it’s nice to know my hard work paid off. It took a lot of money to pay for that trip, you know.
The IceWing laughs, then puts an arm around them.
JACKAL:That reminds me, I wanted to thank you for that. I don’t think we’d all be here today if it wasn’t for you.
WOLF’s tail starts wagging with happiness, and the HiveWing thinks it’s adorable.
DOWNSIDE:Why don’t we head to the oasis?
The other two dragons look over with excitement.
JACKAL:Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Come on, Wolf, let's go.
The three of them walk towards the stairs, unaware of being watched by the same group of SandWings from the night before.
To Be Continued...