-Cursed Waters: A Dragon RP, The Story-

[Blue Raptor]

[Part 7]
Tide, Whisp, and Starshine flew over the sandy ground. A cool, almost damp breeze blew in from the ocean as they made their way towards the amassed mountains.
Tide couldn’t stop her eyes from widening as Mt. Ascension grew larger and larger before her.
She’d never seen anything like it.
Underwater, it was so much easier to fly down a deep chasm or up and over a coral reef, but up here gravity weighed to much heavier! It seemed impossible to fly to the top of this mountain.
Slowly but surely, with Tide slowing them down, the Aquation and her adopted Aerattl family made it to the base of the great Mt. Ascension. The three landed and Starshine led them towards an odd contraption. Tide looked up and immediately grew light-headed.
“Ohh, boy..” She groaned, looking back down at the ground, her head spinning. Whisp nudged her shoulder. “Hey, it’ll be okay. Just wait till we get to the top.” He grinned, and Tide couldn’t help but smile back.
“Okay. But how am I supposed to get up there? It’s SO high..” “Over here.” Star said, finishing her inspection of a nest-shaped basket. “Climb in.” She told Tide, who looked at it with a judging expression while she did as told.
“Wh- what now?” She said, but Star just reached over and pulled the rope hard three time.
At first, nothing.
Then, suddenly, the basket jerked and began rising steadily upwards. Tide yelped as Whisp and Star flew upwards alongside the basket. “Don’t look down!” Whisp called, after about ten minutes of gradual ascension.
But of course, she had to look down.
Which was a HUGE mistake on her part.
Whisp rolled his eyes as the wyrm, now young pupa, pressed herself against the bottom of the basket with a sick groan. “I told you not to look down!” He said, not unkindly, as he floated past. Tide just groaned. “I ca- can’t even see the ground. Just- uhhh.” The young Imago winced slightly, shaking his head.

With one last crank of the massive rope-and-pulley tower system, the basket reached the top of the mountain, and Tide spilled queasily out and walked herself shakily over to Star. A guard approached the trio upon seeing the Aquation, and offered her a round, purple glowing bracelet which Tide put on.
“It’s to help with altitude sickness.” Star said as her curious look. “Come on. The clinic’s on the north side of town.”
They soon made their way there, and Starshine began bustling comfortably about, putting new supplies away and cleaning up. A nurse noticed her return, and with a smile and nod, let Star take over her role again.

Not much time had passed before Advisor Zephyr and a couple of Royal guards, apparently notified of Star’s return, entered the roomy clinic. “Advisor Zephyr!” Star said, surprised, and put down the supplies she was carrying.
“What do I owe this visit?”
Zephyr inclined her head respectively. “I was here to inform you that you are officially allowed to bring your pupa and wyrm to the beachside clinic.” Star winced. “Oh yes. I’m sorry you weren’t informed earlier.”
Zephyr blinked. “Yes. My last visit wasn’t very.. pleasant. Considering you had your young ones near the cursed waters.”
Star began to speak, but Zephyr drew in a breath, holding up a claw. “Yes. I know that you’ve taken much precaution with Whisp. That’s why your allowed. However..” she said, glancing over at Tide with a slight frown. “It was very difficult for Monarche Storm to hear that you had adopted an- an Aquation. Of all dragons.” Clearly the Aerattl advisor disapproved, and wasn’t afraid to make her thoughts clear.
Starshine’s breath caught in her throat.
“However, Whisp’s safety was enough to convince her that this little wyrm was safe enough in your talons.” Star blew out a breath just as Whisp floated into the room.
“Oh- ah! Advisor Zephyr!” He said, and bowed his head slightly. The turquoise dragon smiled slightly, nodding back. “Whisp. I see that you’re an Imago now. Congratulations. Now that you are an adult, you may follow your own path, take up a different trade if you wish.” The green and gold Imago smiled politely, but shook his head. “No thank you. I wish to stay with my mother.” “Very well.” Zephyr said, and began to leave.
“Do you plan on staying here long?” She asked the healer. “Not long.” Star said, gathering her supplies again. “Just show Tide around before heading back. I still have a patient at the beachside clinic.” The advisor frowned. “Ah yes, the centipede victims. Well good luck!” The advisor said, before leaving the clinic.


A door opened with barely a creak.

Moonlight poured brightly in from a nearby unshaded window, casting a silvery glow over the carpet.
A shadow flickered across the floor.
There was a nighttime coolness to the room, but other than that, silence.
And other that THAT-
And odd presence..

The darkness seemed to shift as a dark form moved up next to the sleeping dragons.
It crept up to the smallest of them, who was breathing softly in sleep.
The shadowy form seemed to fumble for something, before an object near the little dragon.

Tide was in the ocean. The black waters were pressing around her, threatening to suffocate her.
The little pupa whimpered, barely audible, as a parrotfish swam up to her, glaring unrealistically.
She could hear her mother’s voice- her REAL mother’s voice- in the background, telling her it was going to be okay.
“But it’s NOT, mother! The parrotfish wants to eat me!” Tide whispered.
And yet her mother’s voice kept droning on in false comfort.
Even when the fish darted forward and bit her neck.
She yelped in pain, sounding louder than what her dream made it feel.
That- actually hurt. Like- really HURT?!

Tide startled awake, seeing an unnaturally black shadow standing over her. “Ow!” She yelped. “What’re- wha- uhm..” her mind fogged over and her head grew too heavy to hold up as she flopped back down into her bed. “You weren’t supposed to wake up!” A voice hissed in a whisper to the not-hearing form.
The larger of the three dragons rolled over, but the other sat up. “T- Tide?” A voice said, and the black dragon winced at the alarmed loudness to it.
Quickly, the mysterious dragon glanced at Tide, torn, before leaving the room without a sound.

“Tide? Are you okay?” Whisp said, his voice lowered now as he floated over to his sister’s side. She was laying unnaturally still, which frightened him. “Tide-“ his eyes widened.
Starshine sat up in bed. “Wha- what Whisp? What is it?” “Mom, get up!” The young Imago hissed quickly.
Star was immediately awake as she sensed the urgency in her son’s voice.
“What’s wrong?” She said, jumping out of the bed. “It’s Tide.” Whisp said anxiously. “Something’s wrong.”
Star was at Tide’s side in a heartbeat, inspecting her adopted daughter. Carefully, she held something up to the moonlight. “A dart.” She hissed. “Who would DO such a thing?”
Whisp wiggled nervously. “I don’t know.. her mom?” Star stared at the unconscious pupa. “I don’t know. That’s seems.. unreasonable. She’s just a pupa.”
Star shook her head. “We can’t do anything about it now.” She told Whisp after inspecting the hallway. “I’ll go down and ask the hotel keeper to post a guard, but unless this mysterious dragon tries to strike again, there’s nothing we can do.”

The two Aerattl fell into an uneasy sleep.

[Part 8]
The early morning sun turned the east side of the great Mt. Nassir a warm shade of fiery red as the small amounts of foilage around the base of the mountain shuddered slowly at the cool morning breeze that blew down from the peak. The sun slowly came into view, a bright, burning fireball rising over the expansive rocky plains of Solosis.

Not that Apollyon was there to see any of it.
No.
Instead, he sat upon his throne. Preparing his army.
Today they would move out.
Take their kingdom.
Free Enfernae.


A guard burst through the door, three heads turning in unison.
“Your highness!” The guard breathed. “An army has approached from the east! There is a red dragon demanding surrender at the gates.” “What?” Rowan cried. “Surrender? Why?” “I’m not sure.” The guard said. “He demands to speak with Monarche Vixen.”
“Get ready for a fight.” Vixen said. “Because apparently that’s what this guy’s going to get.”
She began leading Rowan and Mao towards the armory. Mao began to put on his armor, while Rowan and Vixen found spears.
Suddenly, something odd sounded behind them. Vixen whirled around.

“Hello Vixen.” Apollyon said in a slightly less threatening voice than normal as he stepped through a whirling portal. The red dragon grinned as Rowan and Mao jumped in surprise.
Vixen snarled. “You’re the one attacking aren’t you? What do you want?” The large Enfernae shook his head sadly.
[To quote]
“You speak of your guards attacking my ambassadors as MY assault on your kingdom?” The huge dragon observed.
“I want your help.”
Vixen glared. “Why would I help a traitor?”
[End]
“Why do you call me a traitor?” “You’re an Enfernae invading your own Tribe!” Vixen said, and Apollyon leaned closer, his teeth barred. “I hold no allegiance to ANY Tribe. Even what you call my own.” Vixen growled. “Then why have you brought these troops? WHY are you attacking us?”
[To quote]
“I do not remember ever being the attacker in this situation.” He reminded her. “You ask why I brought the troops, for it is a good question. I brought them because I expected that Enfernae, like usual, would overreact to every slightest change so to keep my ambassadors safe from these hot-headed palace guards that never seem to think anything through before they do it, I brought a preparatory ‘safety net’, if you will. I do not know why you wish for this to be violent when it could be resolved in peace.” He said.
[End]
“Why do they all look the same.” Mao hissed. “That is not relevant.” Apollyon sighed. “But since you cannot simply understand, and evidently must know, they are clones.” Vixen frowned. “You came at me with terms of surrender, thats sounds like attacking to me. But I haven’t met a dragon yet who likes war. State your terms, I will hear them out.”
Apollyon nodded. “Very well,” He said, walking over to a large balcony with no railing. “But shall we cease the fighting first?”
Vixen nodded to Mao, who went to relay the unspoken orders to the generals, while Apollyon called out to Azira to halt the battle.

“I long for a united world. Draconat, together. No more conflict, no more war, nor more tribes or different dialects or separation of territories!
And it all starts here.” Apollyon went on. Everyone would keep their rightful role here, and you may be dictator of some sort, but I will lead us to our glorious victory.”
[To quote]
“We are united, we're just apart!” [ Vixen exclaimed] “We're not divided, we're unique. That's what makes Draconat beautiful! And what about the more primitive sub-tribes. They'll never agree to your plan.”
Vixen thought about the sub-tribes who had rejected the cities and chose to stay without advanced technologies. They still respected the Monarche but preferred to have their own societies and less rule.
“You are young and inexperienced.” [Apollyon said.] “The continent is in chaos with the threat of the water virus. Thousands are suffering. You have been trying to cope but it is next to impossible. The situation is getting worse by the day. Draconat does not know what to do because their tribal leaders cannot come to an agreement. Progress is hindered and lives are in danger. The issue will never be solved unless something quick, decisive, and permanent is done. The Aquation leader is slowly dying. Who next? Storm? Basalt? You? Rowan?
I am ready to do what I must to restore the continent. How you respond is your decision alone. I am ready to heal these cursed waters once and for all, but the more I am hindered the more lives will be lost.”
[End]
The Enfernae Monarche closed her eyes, turning back to Rowan. The fiery-tempered dragon seemed lost for words.
“I- I don’t think I have a choice Rowan.” Vixen said quietly. “You- you do!” Rowan said incredulously. “You can’t just hand over your kingdom like this!”
“I have to stop the fighting Rowan.” Vixen said, putting a talon on his arm. “I can’t bear to see anyone else get hurt and know it’s my fault.”

Apollyon grinned. “Very well. I’m going to ask you to gather the Monarches to that I may speak to them. Hopefully they will follow the path that you have taken.
A wise decision.”
He turned his back to them, prepared to leave.
“Three days. On the west beach of Aerattl.” His voice grew slightly more dangerous. “I expect all of your fellow.. ‘leaders’ to be there.”

 

[Blue Raptor]

View attachment 3318384

Yep. As large as dragons, venomous.
One attacked two scouts in Aerattl, one attacked Moss, and one attacked Marrow.
They’re very far and few between, considering that dragons have been hunting them extinct because they’re so dangerous. The Volcano Subtribe hunts down them as part of their tradition.
Also- AAAAAAAAAaHHGGGGGGGHHH IT TOOK ME sO LONG TO FIND ALL THE CaNON ENFERNAE sURRENDER POSTs A a aA a AAA

 

[Bakbuk]

Also- AAAAAAAAAaHHGGGGGGGHHH IT TOOK ME sO LONG TO FIND ALL THE CaNON ENFERNAE sURRENDER POSTs A a aA a AAA

But thank you for doing it. Part 8 is awesome.

 

[Bakbuk]

[Part 8]
The early morning sun turned the east side of the great Mt. Nassir a warm shade of fiery red as the small amounts of foilage around the base of the mountain shuddered slowly at the cool morning breeze that blew down from the peak. The sun slowly came into view, a bright, burning fireball rising over the expansive rocky plains of Solosis.

Not that Apollyon was there to see any of it.
No.
Instead, he sat upon his throne. Preparing his army.
Today they would move out.
Take their kingdom.
Free Enfernae.


A guard burst through the door, three heads turning in unison.
“Your highness!” The guard breathed. “An army has approached from the east! There is a red dragon demanding surrender at the gates.” “What?” Rowan cried. “Surrender? Why?” “I’m not sure.” The guard said. “He demands to speak with Monarche Vixen.”
“Get ready for a fight.” Vixen said. “Because apparently that’s what this guy’s going to get.”
She began leading Rowan and Mao towards the armory. Mao began to put on his armor, while Rowan and Vixen found spears.
Suddenly, something odd sounded behind them. Vixen whirled around.

“Hello Vixen.” Apollyon said in a slightly less threatening voice than normal as he stepped through a whirling portal. The red dragon grinned as Rowan and Mao jumped in surprise.
Vixen snarled. “You’re the one attacking aren’t you? What do you want?” The large Enfernae shook his head sadly.
[To quote]
“You speak of your guards attacking my ambassadors as MY assault on your kingdom?” The huge dragon observed.
“I want your help.”
Vixen glared. “Why would I help a traitor?”
[End]
“Why do you call me a traitor?” “You’re an Enfernae invading your own Tribe!” Vixen said, and Apollyon leaned closer, his teeth barred. “I hold no allegiance to ANY Tribe. Even what you call my own.” Vixen growled. “Then why have you brought these troops? WHY are you attacking us?”
[To quote]
“I do not remember ever being the attacker in this situation.” He reminded her. “You ask why I brought the troops, for it is a good question. I brought them because I expected that Enfernae, like usual, would overreact to every slightest change so to keep my ambassadors safe from these hot-headed palace guards that never seem to think anything through before they do it, I brought a preparatory ‘safety net’, if you will. I do not know why you wish for this to be violent when it could be resolved in peace.” He said.
[End]
“Why do they all look the same.” Mao hissed. “That is not relevant.” Apollyon sighed. “But since you cannot simply understand, and evidently must know, they are clones.” Vixen frowned. “You came at me with terms of surrender, thats sounds like attacking to me. But I haven’t met a dragon yet who likes war. State your terms, I will hear them out.”
Apollyon nodded. “Very well,” He said, walking over to a large balcony with no railing. “But shall we cease the fighting first?”
Vixen nodded to Mao, who went to relay the unspoken orders to the generals, while Apollyon called out to Azira to halt the battle.

“I long for a united world. Draconat, together. No more conflict, no more war, nor more tribes or different dialects or separation of territories!
And it all starts here.” Apollyon went on. Everyone would keep their rightful role here, and you may be dictator of some sort, but I will lead us to our glorious victory.”
[To quote]
“We are united, we're just apart!” [ Vixen exclaimed] “We're not divided, we're unique. That's what makes Draconat beautiful! And what about the more primitive sub-tribes. They'll never agree to your plan.”
Vixen thought about the sub-tribes who had rejected the cities and chose to stay without advanced technologies. They still respected the Monarche but preferred to have their own societies and less rule.
“You are young and inexperienced.” [Apollyon said.] “The continent is in chaos with the threat of the water virus. Thousands are suffering. You have been trying to cope but it is next to impossible. The situation is getting worse by the day. Draconat does not know what to do because their tribal leaders cannot come to an agreement. Progress is hindered and lives are in danger. The issue will never be solved unless something quick, decisive, and permanent is done. The Aquation leader is slowly dying. Who next? Storm? Basalt? You? Rowan?
I am ready to do what I must to restore the continent. How you respond is your decision alone. I am ready to heal these cursed waters once and for all, but the more I am hindered the more lives will be lost.”
[End]
The Enfernae Monarche closed her eyes, turning back to Rowan. The fiery-tempered dragon seemed lost for words.
“I- I don’t think I have a choice Rowan.” Vixen said quietly. “You- you do!” Rowan said incredulously. “You can’t just hand over your kingdom like this!”
“I have to stop the fighting Rowan.” Vixen said, putting a talon on his arm. “I can’t bear to see anyone else get hurt and know it’s my fault.”

Apollyon grinned. “Very well. I’m going to ask you to gather the Monarches to that I may speak to them. Hopefully they will follow the path that you have taken.
A wise decision.”
He turned his back to them, prepared to leave.
“Three days. On the south beach of Aerattl.” His voice grew slightly more dangerous. “I expect all of your fellow.. ‘leaders’ to be there.”

You actually made Apollyon NOT sound stupid! Great job!!

 

[Blue Raptor]

You actually made Apollyon NOT sound stupid! Great job!!

He never does! I was afraid, YOU’D think MY writing of him is!

 

[Blue Raptor]

[Part 8]
The early morning sun turned the east side of the great Mt. Nassir a warm shade of fiery red as the small amounts of foilage around the base of the mountain shuddered slowly at the cool morning breeze that blew down from the peak. The sun slowly came into view, a bright, burning fireball rising over the expansive rocky plains of Solosis.

Not that Apollyon was there to see any of it.
No.
Instead, he sat upon his throne. Preparing his army.
Today they would move out.
Take their kingdom.
Free Enfernae.


A guard burst through the door, three heads turning in unison.
“Your highness!” The guard breathed. “An army has approached from the east! There is a red dragon demanding surrender at the gates.” “What?” Rowan cried. “Surrender? Why?” “I’m not sure.” The guard said. “He demands to speak with Monarche Vixen.”
“Get ready for a fight.” Vixen said. “Because apparently that’s what this guy’s going to get.”
She began leading Rowan and Mao towards the armory. Mao began to put on his armor, while Rowan and Vixen found spears.
Suddenly, something odd sounded behind them. Vixen whirled around.

“Hello Vixen.” Apollyon said in a slightly less threatening voice than normal as he stepped through a whirling portal. The red dragon grinned as Rowan and Mao jumped in surprise.
Vixen snarled. “You’re the one attacking aren’t you? What do you want?” The large Enfernae shook his head sadly.
[To quote]
“You speak of your guards attacking my ambassadors as MY assault on your kingdom?” The huge dragon observed.
“I want your help.”
Vixen glared. “Why would I help a traitor?”
[End]
“Why do you call me a traitor?” “You’re an Enfernae invading your own Tribe!” Vixen said, and Apollyon leaned closer, his teeth barred. “I hold no allegiance to ANY Tribe. Even what you call my own.” Vixen growled. “Then why have you brought these troops? WHY are you attacking us?”
[To quote]
“I do not remember ever being the attacker in this situation.” He reminded her. “You ask why I brought the troops, for it is a good question. I brought them because I expected that Enfernae, like usual, would overreact to every slightest change so to keep my ambassadors safe from these hot-headed palace guards that never seem to think anything through before they do it, I brought a preparatory ‘safety net’, if you will. I do not know why you wish for this to be violent when it could be resolved in peace.” He said.
[End]
“Why do they all look the same.” Mao hissed. “That is not relevant.” Apollyon sighed. “But since you cannot simply understand, and evidently must know, they are clones.” Vixen frowned. “You came at me with terms of surrender, thats sounds like attacking to me. But I haven’t met a dragon yet who likes war. State your terms, I will hear them out.”
Apollyon nodded. “Very well,” He said, walking over to a large balcony with no railing. “But shall we cease the fighting first?”
Vixen nodded to Mao, who went to relay the unspoken orders to the generals, while Apollyon called out to Azira to halt the battle.

“I long for a united world. Draconat, together. No more conflict, no more war, nor more tribes or different dialects or separation of territories!
And it all starts here.” Apollyon went on. Everyone would keep their rightful role here, and you may be dictator of some sort, but I will lead us to our glorious victory.”
[To quote]
“We are united, we're just apart!” [ Vixen exclaimed] “We're not divided, we're unique. That's what makes Draconat beautiful! And what about the more primitive sub-tribes. They'll never agree to your plan.”
Vixen thought about the sub-tribes who had rejected the cities and chose to stay without advanced technologies. They still respected the Monarche but preferred to have their own societies and less rule.
“You are young and inexperienced.” [Apollyon said.] “The continent is in chaos with the threat of the water virus. Thousands are suffering. You have been trying to cope but it is next to impossible. The situation is getting worse by the day. Draconat does not know what to do because their tribal leaders cannot come to an agreement. Progress is hindered and lives are in danger. The issue will never be solved unless something quick, decisive, and permanent is done. The Aquation leader is slowly dying. Who next? Storm? Basalt? You? Rowan?
I am ready to do what I must to restore the continent. How you respond is your decision alone. I am ready to heal these cursed waters once and for all, but the more I am hindered the more lives will be lost.”
[End]
The Enfernae Monarche closed her eyes, turning back to Rowan. The fiery-tempered dragon seemed lost for words.
“I- I don’t think I have a choice Rowan.” Vixen said quietly. “You- you do!” Rowan said incredulously. “You can’t just hand over your kingdom like this!”
“I have to stop the fighting Rowan.” Vixen said, putting a talon on his arm. “I can’t bear to see anyone else get hurt and know it’s my fault.”

Apollyon grinned. “Very well. I’m going to ask you to gather the Monarches to that I may speak to them. Hopefully they will follow the path that you have taken.
A wise decision.”
He turned his back to them, prepared to leave.
“Three days. On the west beach of Aerattl.” His voice grew slightly more dangerous. “I expect all of your fellow.. ‘leaders’ to be there.”

[Part 9]
Vixen leaned over and picked up the bloodred communion stone and pressed it tightly into the palm of her talons, squeezing her eyes shut.
She shuddered deeply, not moving for a moment as she contemplated what she had done- what she would say?
Finally, she focused, and the stone began to glow.
“Vixen? Our reinforcements are almost there.” Solosis Monarche Basalt’s voice came clearly out of the stone, though no one but Vixen could hear it.
“Ours as well.” Storm, the Aerattl Monarche said.
“Turn back.” Vixen said quietly. “The battle has been resolved. Basalt’s voice interrupted abruptly; “Did you lose the battle? Or is this a trick that they are making you tell us?”
“No.” Vixen said quickly. “Not a trick. But we did lose the battle.. of sorts.”
There was quiet for a moment, and Vixen could just faintly hear the two halting their armies. Storm’s voice can in a moment after. “Vixen? What? What happened?” Vixen swallowed hard. It was a battle to speak without letting her tears take over, and her voice had a note to it when she eventually spoke again.
“I- I. Oh.. I surrendered. I surrendered Enfernae. Yup.” She opened her eyes, blinking away tears with a sniff before concentrating again.
Basalt sounded upset. “Vixen! You cannot let this unknown army just storm in and take your kingdom from you! Why- did you fight back?” “No!” Vixen sobbed. “I couldn’t stand and fight, risking so many lives! Monarche Basalt, there were THOUSANDS of them! All the same! Clones. I- I- it-“ “It would’ve been suicide.” Storm said softly, and Vixen just sniffed.
Basalt just sighed. “Monarche Basalt!” Storm said. “You’re further away, you couldn’t possibly know just how many of these- these clones there are. We’ve just barely passed the Aerattl border, and I can already see the army. Swarming like flies around the Tallcanyon House.” She hissed. “Vixen, I believe you’ve done the right thing. For now. Perhaps later we can come up with a better solution.”
“Who is this dragon who just barged in and took everything from you?” Basalt growled.
“His name is Apollyon.” Vixen said, finally regaining control of her emotions. “He’s a large, red dragon. He has an army of black clones, and he’s told me that he wants to unite the tribes. All four of them together.”
“That’s stupid.” Basalt hissed. “And makes no sense whatsoever. We might be divided, but we’re certainly already united.”
“That’s what I said!” Vixen laughed, wiping her nose. “He doesn’t care though. He thinks separation of tribes is weak. Oh- one more thing. He wants to talk to you two.”
There was silence, so Vixen went on. “Three days, on the west beach of Aerattl. Noon I assume? He said he’s going to convince you to surrender too.”
Vixen hear Basalt growl something inaudible from far away through the stone. “And he expects us to just show up?” Storm said, a note of irritation in her voice.
“Not surrender, I don’t expect you two to do that.” Vixen said with a shudder. “But at least hear him out?” The two other Monarches were clearly unconvinced, and Vixen thought she heard a strange-sounding hiss.
“I’ll go. And don’t expect me not to take guards.” Basalt said sullenly, and Vixen could almost hear Storm nodding. “If he’s going to be on the shores of MY tribe- I’d better be there too.”
It was quiet for a second, with just one odd scraping sound, then the stone stopped glowing and Vixen raised her head,
the room once again silent as she left the quiet, abandoned corridor.
Back into the chaotic world again..

 

[Blue Raptor]

@NC_Quail
@the_peanut_coop
@Anime2lover
If you wish to read.. there is more now.

 

[Blue Raptor]

[Part 9]
Vixen leaned over and picked up the bloodred communion stone and pressed it tightly into the palm of her talons, squeezing her eyes shut.
She shuddered deeply, not moving for a moment as she contemplated what she had done- what she would say?
Finally, she focused, and the stone began to glow.
“Vixen? Our reinforcements are almost there.” Solosis Monarche Basalt’s voice came clearly out of the stone, though no one but Vixen could hear it.
“Ours as well.” Storm, the Aerattl Monarche said.
“Turn back.” Vixen said quietly. “The battle has been resolved. Basalt’s voice interrupted abruptly; “Did you lose the battle? Or is this a trick that they are making you tell us?”
“No.” Vixen said quickly. “Not a trick. But we did lose the battle.. of sorts.”
There was quiet for a moment, and Vixen could just faintly hear the two halting their armies. Storm’s voice can in a moment after. “Vixen? What? What happened?” Vixen swallowed hard. It was a battle to speak without letting her tears take over, and her voice had a note to it when she eventually spoke again.
“I- I. Oh.. I surrendered. I surrendered Enfernae. Yup.” She opened her eyes, blinking away tears with a sniff before concentrating again.
Basalt sounded upset. “Vixen! You cannot let this unknown army just storm in and take your kingdom from you! Why- did you fight back?” “No!” Vixen sobbed. “I couldn’t stand and fight, risking so many lives! Monarche Basalt, there were THOUSANDS of them! All the same! Clones. I- I- it-“ “It would’ve been suicide.” Storm said softly, and Vixen just sniffed.
Basalt just sighed. “Monarche Basalt!” Storm said. “You’re further away, you couldn’t possibly know just how many of these- these clones there are. We’ve just barely passed the Aerattl border, and I can already see the army. Swarming like flies around the Tallcanyon House.” She hissed. “Vixen, I believe you’ve done the right thing. For now. Perhaps later we can come up with a better solution.”
“Who is this dragon who just barged in and took everything from you?” Basalt growled.
“His name is Apollyon.” Vixen said, finally regaining control of her emotions. “He’s a large, red dragon. He has an army of black clones, and he’s told me that he wants to unite the tribes. All four of them together.”
“That’s stupid.” Basalt hissed. “And makes no sense whatsoever. We might be divided, but we’re certainly already united.”
“That’s what I said!” Vixen laughed, wiping her nose. “He doesn’t care though. He thinks separation of tribes is weak. Oh- one more thing. He wants to talk to you two.”
There was silence, so Vixen went on. “Three days, on the west beach of Aerattl. Noon I assume? He said he’s going to convince you to surrender too.”
Vixen hear Basalt growl something inaudible from far away through the stone. “And he expects us to just show up?” Storm said, a note of irritation in her voice.
“Not surrender, I don’t expect you two to do that.” Vixen said with a shudder. “But at least hear him out?” The two other Monarches were clearly unconvinced, and Vixen thought she heard a strange-sounding hiss.
“I’ll go. And don’t expect me not to take guards.” Basalt said sullenly, and Vixen could almost hear Storm nodding. “If he’s going to be on the shores of MY tribe- I’d better be there too.”
It was quiet for a second, with just one odd scraping sound, then the stone stopped glowing and Vixen raised her head,
the room once again silent as she left the quiet, abandoned corridor.
Back into the chaotic world again..

[Part 10]
Marrow spotted a large, odd shape on the rocky beach.
She stopped, hovering for a moment in the air before landing on the rough sand with a thump, grinning. Now would be the perfect time for a little prank.
She sucked in a breath, and let it out, her flames slowly nearing the bulky form.
A splashing sound distracted her, and she accidentally singed the dragon’s spiky tail.
“OW!! Hey what’s the big idea?” An upset-looking Enfernae yelled to the other one as she turned around to peer at the murky black water behind her.
“You could’ve actually hurt me you know.” The dragon frowned, lumbering over. “And, like, does that concern you? Or..” “Look.” Marrow whispered, looking at the water.
“What? Cause I’m not falling for such an obvious tr- oh.”
A little blue and yellow Aquation with tiny wings lay right beneath the surface of the cursed waters, barely visible as she sat with a frightened face, looking at the two Enfernae with wide eyes.

“Oh, hey, are you okay?” The large orange-red said carefully, taking a step forward.
The little Aquation shrunk back quickly, staring fearfully at him. Marrow put her talon up, holding him back. “I think she might be scared- oh hey I never asked your name.”
“Probably cause you were too busy shooting fire at me. But my name’s Ocavo.”
“Oh, Avocado?” Marrow said, smirking in his face. Ocavo pulled back, glaring. “OCAVO.” He said in an offended voice. “O-c-a-” “A-v-o-c-a-d-o. Yes, yes. We can spell. Very good.” Marrow said, rolling her eyes back and forth.


During the conversation between the two fire dragons, Afina kept looking back and forth as they took turns- kind of- talking. The first one was scary enough with the fire-breathing, which she’d never seen before, but the second dragon was huge and scary. He yelled loudly, even though it was muffled, and Afina was afraid that he would try to hurt her somehow.
Off to her right, she heard a faint splash, and she jerked her head to look over and spotted a small blue and sandy-colored pupa swimming right towards her!
Frantically, she began swimming away from the other sea dragon, but the former seemed to be healthier and faster, and soon Afina felt curved claws grabbed her shoulders and stop her with a yank.
The young wyrm couldn’t help herself and yelped, yelling for the dragon to let go with a tearful voice.
“Stop! Stop! I’m trying to help you!” A voice called, and Afina whirled around, seeing her attacker clearly for the first time. The Aquation, who didn’t seem to be much older than her, smiled toothily. “I’m Tide!” The pupa said, and Afina quietly responded with her own name.
Tide looked around for a second, and Afina could see a sadness is her eyes. “It’s actually really dangerous down here.” Tide said, glancing back at the shore and letting go of Afina. “The water is cursed. That’s why it’s black. We need to go on land.”
The little wyrm shivered, her voice wavering. “B- but- I’ve never gone on the land before. Can I even DO that? Will the fire dragons eat me?” Tide smiled comfortingly. “Of course not! Here, watch. Follow me!” Tide scrambled up the shore, and Afina hovered under the surface of the water nervously.
Finally, she closed her eyes..
And burst through the surface with a splash.


Afina slowly opened her eyes..
Everything was clear!
And bright! She gawked for a moment before spotting Tide standing off next to her, looking much more comfortable. She looked up- and froze.
The two Enfernae stood just a few feet away for them, looking at the two with surprised expressions.
Tide noticed Afina’s fear, and ran over to Ocavo, attacking his front leg and gnawing on it harmlessly with her small pupa teeth. “Rrraaar! I’ma fight you!” She yelped, playfully encouraging Afina to join in.
The little Aquation giggled and jumped on Ocavo’s other arm, biting his claws. The large Enfernae rolled over, mock-yelling in distress; “Hey, hey, ow! Ow! AAHHHHH!!”
Afina jumped back, slightly startled. “Sorry..” she said softly, looking up at him. “I was just playing.” Ocavo told her. “Don’t worry, you can’t really hurt me.” He smiled, and Afina couldn’t help grinning back.

Tide finally jumped off Ocavo and shook herself. “Brrrr..” she said, and Marrow took a step back. “Where did you even come from?” She said curiously. “Are you two sisters or something?” “Nope!” Tide said happily. “I live with Starshine and Whisp at the clinic. I decided to fly by the Solosis beach today when I saw you guys and Afina!” “Oh, so you live with the Aerattl!” Marrow said. “And you’re Afina?” She asked the nervous wyrm. “Y- yes..” she responded quietly. “I’m all by myself. My mom.. she.. she left.” Marrow grew quiet, while Tide gasped. “My mom did too! It’s like we’re Aquation sisters!” Afina smiled at that.
“Well you know you can’t go back in the water.” Marrow said slowly. “It’s really bad for you, it could make you go crazy. I- I think that’s why your mother.. left.”
Afina was silent. “Really?” She said tearfully. “She doesn’t want me? Why can’t I go back in the water?” Marrow pulled her close. “It’s okay, I’m- I'm sure she’ll be back one day. But you won’t be able to find her if you get the virus too.” “So I never go in water again?” Afina said breathlessly. “I don’t-“ Marrow started, but her eyes lit up.

“Whoah, hey, more dragons.” Ocavo said suddenly as a green and gold dragon flew swiftly over. “An Aerattl apparently.”
“Tide!” Whisp called when he spotted her. “Why did you go so far? Mom thought you got lost! I’ve been looking for you for half an hour!” Tide winced, grinning. “Oops. Sorry Whisp. I just met some new dragons and was saying hi.” The green dragon glanced around the group before turning to fly away. “Well c’mon then. Before mom flies out to find me.”
Tide flew up next to her brother. “Bye guys. Bye Afina!”

Ocavo looked at the sun, sinking in the sky. “Well, I meant only to take a quick nap and keep flying for another hour or so, but it looks to late for that.” He said, giving Marrow a significant look.
Marrow grinned guiltily. “You can stay at my place for the night.” She told the large dragon. “And Afina? If you come home with me, I might be able to help you.”
The little wyrm looked back at the dark waters, staring for a moment, before looking back up at Marrow. “I can’t go back.. so I’ll go with you!” Marrow smiled, and led the two to her house.

“Afina!” Marrow whispered after Ocavo had crashed on a cot. She mentioned with her head for the wyrm to follow. “This way.”
She led the Aquation to a back room in the dirt-walled burrow and unlocked a door.
Afina sniffed the air in the dark room. “Water?” She said with a surprised voice. “Yes.” Marrow said with a smile. “Kind of like a little well I dug. Being part Solosis and all.” Afina noticed her large claws for the first time. “Oh, you’re a part Slowsis? Is that a digging dragon?”
Marrow laughed. “Yes. And it’s SOLOsis.” “Ohh..” Afina said, not really paying attention. “So- can I.. go in the water?” She asked, pointing. “Yup!” Marrow said, jumping in with a splash, and Afina joyfully followed.
Marrow lit a torch on the wall before breathing fire into the surface of the water, and soon it warmed up, bubbling.
“This is nice!” Afina said, and Marrow sighed contentedly. “It is!” She said, and her voice lowered. “It’s so hard to find clean water these days. Sometimes I like to feel the heated water up against my scales. I’m pretty sure my fire has kept it clean as long as it has.”

The two fell asleep, Afina happily lying under the water, and Marrow with her head draped over a rock, the rest of her body submerged.

 

[Blue Raptor]

[Part 10]
Marrow spotted a large, odd shape on the rocky beach.
She stopped, hovering for a moment in the air before landing on the rough sand with a thump, grinning. Now would be the perfect time for a little prank.
She sucked in a breath, and let it out, her flames slowly nearing the bulky form.
A splashing sound distracted her, and she accidentally singed the dragon’s spiky tail.
“OW!! Hey what’s the big idea?” An upset-looking Enfernae yelled to the other one as she turned around to peer at the murky black water behind her.
“You could’ve actually hurt me you know.” The dragon frowned, lumbering over. “And, like, does that concern you? Or..” “Look.” Marrow whispered, looking at the water.
“What? Cause I’m not falling for such an obvious tr- oh.”
A little blue and yellow Aquation with tiny wings lay right beneath the surface of the cursed waters, barely visible as she sat with a frightened face, looking at the two Enfernae with wide eyes.

“Oh, hey, are you okay?” The large orange-red said carefully, taking a step forward.
The little Aquation shrunk back quickly, staring fearfully at him. Marrow put her talon up, holding him back. “I think she might be scared- oh hey I never asked your name.”
“Probably cause you were too busy shooting fire at me. But my name’s Ocavo.”
“Oh, Avocado?” Marrow said, smirking in his face. Ocavo pulled back, glaring. “OCAVO.” He said in an offended voice. “O-c-a-” “A-v-o-c-a-d-o. Yes, yes. We can spell. Very good.” Marrow said, rolling her eyes back and forth.


During the conversation between the two fire dragons, Afina kept looking back and forth as they took turns- kind of- talking. The first one was scary enough with the fire-breathing, which she’d never seen before, but the second dragon was huge and scary. He yelled loudly, even though it was muffled, and Afina was afraid that he would try to hurt her somehow.
Off to her right, she heard a faint splash, and she jerked her head to look over and spotted a small blue and sandy-colored pupa swimming right towards her!
Frantically, she began swimming away from the other sea dragon, but the former seemed to be healthier and faster, and soon Afina felt curved claws grabbed her shoulders and stop her with a yank.
The young wyrm couldn’t help herself and yelped, yelling for the dragon to let go with a tearful voice.
“Stop! Stop! I’m trying to help you!” A voice called, and Afina whirled around, seeing her attacker clearly for the first time. The Aquation, who didn’t seem to be much older than her, smiled toothily. “I’m Tide!” The pupa said, and Afina quietly responded with her own name.
Tide looked around for a second, and Afina could see a sadness is her eyes. “It’s actually really dangerous down here.” Tide said, glancing back at the shore and letting go of Afina. “The water is cursed. That’s why it’s black. We need to go on land.”
The little wyrm shivered, her voice wavering. “B- but- I’ve never gone on the land before. Can I even DO that? Will the fire dragons eat me?” Tide smiled comfortingly. “Of course not! Here, watch. Follow me!” Tide scrambled up the shore, and Afina hovered under the surface of the water nervously.
Finally, she closed her eyes..
And burst through the surface with a splash.


Afina slowly opened her eyes..
Everything was clear!
And bright! She gawked for a moment before spotting Tide standing off next to her, looking much more comfortable. She looked up- and froze.
The two Enfernae stood just a few feet away for them, looking at the two with surprised expressions.
Tide noticed Afina’s fear, and ran over to Ocavo, attacking his front leg and gnawing on it harmlessly with her small pupa teeth. “Rrraaar! I’ma fight you!” She yelped, playfully encouraging Afina to join in.
The little Aquation giggled and jumped on Ocavo’s other arm, biting his claws. The large Enfernae rolled over, mock-yelling in distress; “Hey, hey, ow! Ow! AAHHHHH!!”
Afina jumped back, slightly startled. “Sorry..” she said softly, looking up at him. “I was just playing.” Ocavo told her. “Don’t worry, you can’t really hurt me.” He smiled, and Afina couldn’t help grinning back.

Tide finally jumped off Ocavo and shook herself. “Brrrr..” she said, and Marrow took a step back. “Where did you even come from?” She said curiously. “Are you two sisters or something?” “Nope!” Tide said happily. “I live with Starshine and Whisp at the clinic. I decided to fly by the Solosis beach today when I saw you guys and Afina!” “Oh, so you live with the Aerattl!” Marrow said. “And you’re Afina?” She asked the nervous wyrm. “Y- yes..” she responded quietly. “I’m all by myself. My mom.. she.. she left.” Marrow grew quiet, while Tide gasped. “My mom did too! It’s like we’re Aquation sisters!” Afina smiled at that.
“Well you know you can’t go back in the water.” Marrow said slowly. “It’s really bad for you, it could make you go crazy. I- I think that’s why your mother.. left.”
Afina was silent. “Really?” She said tearfully. “She doesn’t want me? Why can’t I go back in the water?” Marrow pulled her close. “It’s okay, I’m- I'm sure she’ll be back one day. But you won’t be able to find her if you get the virus too.” “So I never go in water again?” Afina said breathlessly. “I don’t-“ Marrow started, but her eyes lit up.

“Whoah, hey, more dragons.” Ocavo said suddenly as a green and gold dragon flew swiftly over. “An Aerattl apparently.”
“Tide!” Whisp called when he spotted her. “Why did you go so far? Mom thought you got lost! I’ve been looking for you for half an hour!” Tide winced, grinning. “Oops. Sorry Whisp. I just met some new dragons and was saying hi.” The green dragon glanced around the group before turning to fly away. “Well c’mon then. Before mom flies out to find me.”
Tide flew up next to her brother. “Bye guys. Bye Afina!”

Ocavo looked at the sun, sinking in the sky. “Well, I meant only to take a quick nap and keep flying for another hour or so, but it looks to late for that.” He said, giving Marrow a significant look.
Marrow grinned guiltily. “You can stay at my place for the night.” She told the large dragon. “And Afina? If you come home with me, I might be able to help you.”
The little wyrm looked back at the dark waters, staring for a moment, before looking back up at Marrow. “I can’t go back.. so I’ll go with you!” Marrow smiled, and led the two to her house.

“Afina!” Marrow whispered after Ocavo had crashed on a cot. She mentioned with her head for the wyrm to follow. “This way.”
She led the Aquation to a back room in the dirt-walled burrow and unlocked a door.
Afina sniffed the air in the dark room. “Water?” She said with a surprised voice. “Yes.” Marrow said with a smile. “Kind of like a little well I dug. Being part Solosis and all.” Afina noticed her large claws for the first time. “Oh, you’re a part Slowsis? Is that a digging dragon?”
Marrow laughed. “Yes. And it’s SOLOsis.” “Ohh..” Afina said, not really paying attention. “So- can I.. go in the water?” She asked, pointing. “Yup!” Marrow said, jumping in with a splash, and Afina joyfully followed.
Marrow lit a torch on the wall before breathing fire into the surface of the water, and soon it warmed up, bubbling.
“This is nice!” Afina said, and Marrow sighed contentedly. “It is!” She said, and her voice lowered. “It’s so hard to find clean water these days. Sometimes I like to feel the heated water up against my scales. I’m pretty sure my fire has kept it clean as long as it has.”

The two fell asleep, Afina happily lying under the water, and Marrow with her head draped over a rock, the rest of her body submerged.

@Little Baby Bean

 

[Blue Raptor]

[Part 10]
Marrow spotted a large, odd shape on the rocky beach.
She stopped, hovering for a moment in the air before landing on the rough sand with a thump, grinning. Now would be the perfect time for a little prank.
She sucked in a breath, and let it out, her flames slowly nearing the bulky form.
A splashing sound distracted her, and she accidentally singed the dragon’s spiky tail.
“OW!! Hey what’s the big idea?” An upset-looking Enfernae yelled to the other one as she turned around to peer at the murky black water behind her.
“You could’ve actually hurt me you know.” The dragon frowned, lumbering over. “And, like, does that concern you? Or..” “Look.” Marrow whispered, looking at the water.
“What? Cause I’m not falling for such an obvious tr- oh.”
A little blue and yellow Aquation with tiny wings lay right beneath the surface of the cursed waters, barely visible as she sat with a frightened face, looking at the two Enfernae with wide eyes.

“Oh, hey, are you okay?” The large orange-red said carefully, taking a step forward.
The little Aquation shrunk back quickly, staring fearfully at him. Marrow put her talon up, holding him back. “I think she might be scared- oh hey I never asked your name.”
“Probably cause you were too busy shooting fire at me. But my name’s Ocavo.”
“Oh, Avocado?” Marrow said, smirking in his face. Ocavo pulled back, glaring. “OCAVO.” He said in an offended voice. “O-c-a-” “A-v-o-c-a-d-o. Yes, yes. We can spell. Very good.” Marrow said, rolling her eyes back and forth.


During the conversation between the two fire dragons, Afina kept looking back and forth as they took turns- kind of- talking. The first one was scary enough with the fire-breathing, which she’d never seen before, but the second dragon was huge and scary. He yelled loudly, even though it was muffled, and Afina was afraid that he would try to hurt her somehow.
Off to her right, she heard a faint splash, and she jerked her head to look over and spotted a small blue and sandy-colored pupa swimming right towards her!
Frantically, she began swimming away from the other sea dragon, but the former seemed to be healthier and faster, and soon Afina felt curved claws grabbed her shoulders and stop her with a yank.
The young wyrm couldn’t help herself and yelped, yelling for the dragon to let go with a tearful voice.
“Stop! Stop! I’m trying to help you!” A voice called, and Afina whirled around, seeing her attacker clearly for the first time. The Aquation, who didn’t seem to be much older than her, smiled toothily. “I’m Tide!” The pupa said, and Afina quietly responded with her own name.
Tide looked around for a second, and Afina could see a sadness is her eyes. “It’s actually really dangerous down here.” Tide said, glancing back at the shore and letting go of Afina. “The water is cursed. That’s why it’s black. We need to go on land.”
The little wyrm shivered, her voice wavering. “B- but- I’ve never gone on the land before. Can I even DO that? Will the fire dragons eat me?” Tide smiled comfortingly. “Of course not! Here, watch. Follow me!” Tide scrambled up the shore, and Afina hovered under the surface of the water nervously.
Finally, she closed her eyes..
And burst through the surface with a splash.


Afina slowly opened her eyes..
Everything was clear!
And bright! She gawked for a moment before spotting Tide standing off next to her, looking much more comfortable. She looked up- and froze.
The two Enfernae stood just a few feet away for them, looking at the two with surprised expressions.
Tide noticed Afina’s fear, and ran over to Ocavo, attacking his front leg and gnawing on it harmlessly with her small pupa teeth. “Rrraaar! I’ma fight you!” She yelped, playfully encouraging Afina to join in.
The little Aquation giggled and jumped on Ocavo’s other arm, biting his claws. The large Enfernae rolled over, mock-yelling in distress; “Hey, hey, ow! Ow! AAHHHHH!!”
Afina jumped back, slightly startled. “Sorry..” she said softly, looking up at him. “I was just playing.” Ocavo told her. “Don’t worry, you can’t really hurt me.” He smiled, and Afina couldn’t help grinning back.

Tide finally jumped off Ocavo and shook herself. “Brrrr..” she said, and Marrow took a step back. “Where did you even come from?” She said curiously. “Are you two sisters or something?” “Nope!” Tide said happily. “I live with Starshine and Whisp at the clinic. I decided to fly by the Solosis beach today when I saw you guys and Afina!” “Oh, so you live with the Aerattl!” Marrow said. “And you’re Afina?” She asked the nervous wyrm. “Y- yes..” she responded quietly. “I’m all by myself. My mom.. she.. she left.” Marrow grew quiet, while Tide gasped. “My mom did too! It’s like we’re Aquation sisters!” Afina smiled at that.
“Well you know you can’t go back in the water.” Marrow said slowly. “It’s really bad for you, it could make you go crazy. I- I think that’s why your mother.. left.”
Afina was silent. “Really?” She said tearfully. “She doesn’t want me? Why can’t I go back in the water?” Marrow pulled her close. “It’s okay, I’m- I'm sure she’ll be back one day. But you won’t be able to find her if you get the virus too.” “So I never go in water again?” Afina said breathlessly. “I don’t-“ Marrow started, but her eyes lit up.

“Whoah, hey, more dragons.” Ocavo said suddenly as a green and gold dragon flew swiftly over. “An Aerattl apparently.”
“Tide!” Whisp called when he spotted her. “Why did you go so far? Mom thought you got lost! I’ve been looking for you for half an hour!” Tide winced, grinning. “Oops. Sorry Whisp. I just met some new dragons and was saying hi.” The green dragon glanced around the group before turning to fly away. “Well c’mon then. Before mom flies out to find me.”
Tide flew up next to her brother. “Bye guys. Bye Afina!”

Ocavo looked at the sun, sinking in the sky. “Well, I meant only to take a quick nap and keep flying for another hour or so, but it looks to late for that.” He said, giving Marrow a significant look.
Marrow grinned guiltily. “You can stay at my place for the night.” She told the large dragon. “And Afina? If you come home with me, I might be able to help you.”
The little wyrm looked back at the dark waters, staring for a moment, before looking back up at Marrow. “I can’t go back.. so I’ll go with you!” Marrow smiled, and led the two to her house.

“Afina!” Marrow whispered after Ocavo had crashed on a cot. She mentioned with her head for the wyrm to follow. “This way.”
She led the Aquation to a back room in the dirt-walled burrow and unlocked a door.
Afina sniffed the air in the dark room. “Water?” She said with a surprised voice. “Yes.” Marrow said with a smile. “Kind of like a little well I dug. Being part Solosis and all.” Afina noticed her large claws for the first time. “Oh, you’re a part Slowsis? Is that a digging dragon?”
Marrow laughed. “Yes. And it’s SOLOsis.” “Ohh..” Afina said, not really paying attention. “So- can I.. go in the water?” She asked, pointing. “Yup!” Marrow said, jumping in with a splash, and Afina joyfully followed.
Marrow lit a torch on the wall before breathing fire into the surface of the water, and soon it warmed up, bubbling.
“This is nice!” Afina said, and Marrow sighed contentedly. “It is!” She said, and her voice lowered. “It’s so hard to find clean water these days. Sometimes I like to feel the heated water up against my scales. I’m pretty sure my fire has kept it clean as long as it has.”

The two fell asleep, Afina happily lying under the water, and Marrow with her head draped over a rock, the rest of her body submerged.

[Part 11]
Three days later..

[Most is to quote]
Quiet.
This was just how Tide liked it. Quiet.
Above the waters of the ocean, there was just far too much noise and dryness to take in all at once for too long. Here underwater, silence was what Aquations were used to. Tide swam with the fish around in the deep blue waters of the ocean, enjoying the saltiness and colors until..
she woke up.
Tide’s eye slowly opened. She sat under the water, face to face stone with the wall of the tank. Sighing, she popped her head up out of the water and shook the water out of her eyes. Her scales felt a little better- but they were alway so hard and tight now, and was too painful to fly. Grudgingly, she stepped out of the water- and her scales seemed to spit down her shoulder as she did so. She gasped, looking at them lifting up down her spine. Suddenly, in an a vapor of steam, the scales seemed to fall off and vanish. Tide closed her eyes, trembling and..
Nothing.

She opened her eyes, then looked around in surprise. Her line of vision was higher than it used to be! She gawked at her scales in shock. They were blue, with a darker turquoise color splashed down her back and arms. Her belly and wings were the pale color of sand. Her horns and claws were grey, and she had dark blue stripes on her arms, legs, and wings that could light up, she soon learned as she flashed them. A sail ran down her back, ending at a flat, muscular tail for powerful swimming. Her claws were webbed and still dripping from the tank.
With a light cry of joy, in a deeper Imago voice, she flapped her gracefully curved wings. She could fly again!
Tide’s expression dropped. Her transformation should’ve happened in Aquation, with her real mom. She was upset that her mother couldn’t be here to see her. Or even be in the right mind for that matter. Still, she was glad that now her and Whisp were on the same level- even if Whisp was older than her.


Onyx gathered herself before daring to approach her great leader.
“Master.” She said, bowing respectfully. “May I accompany you to meet the Monarches? I will be silent if that it what you wish. I want to show them that I work for no one but you, as I have met some of them in- peace. Before.”
“You're coming whether you wished to or not.” Apollyon said flatly, not bothering to give her the respect of turning to look at her. “Everyone in the Inner Ring will accompany me.
Go get them. ALL. Flint, Azira, and Tank.”
Storm is already there and Basalt and Vixen will be along shortly.”
“Tank?” Onyx said, upset. “Master, he hasn’t done anything special pertaining to your mission. Why do you want him to-“
“And you care to think that YOU are anything special??” Apollyon cut her off furiously, whipping around with shining red eyes.
“HOW DARE you think that I favor you WHATSOEVER?!”
GET OUT!! You'd better be at the BACK of the line behind me when we depart.”
Don't pride yourself. You are a worthless piece of scum.” He said chillingly.

Onyx clenched her jaw and kept silent. The spines down her back were lifted in anger.
Her and Flint were the ones who had made the virus!
She was the one who got him the underwater-breathing capsules!
She had actually completed his orders- even though some dragon had failed!
She wasn’t priding herself! In a rage, she whisked out of the throne room, scratching the floor rocks in anger.

Apollyon hissed malevolently.
Why, Flint had even dared to confront him earlier as well!
What was his Inner Ring coming to? They were his elite, and now they were acting like jealous little BRATS!
He growled, recalling Flint’s manipulative words after he’d dared to show his face after his failure..

“Give me ONE reason why I shouldn't kill you THIS INSTANT.” He’d hissed furiously.
Because, Master,” Flint had dared say, attempting to keep a cool composure.
“If I die, the clones die.
And if the clones die, you have no army.
No army, no conquest.
No conquest, no united Draconat.
No united Draconat..
and your entire life’s mission becomes one big failure.”

He’d watched Flint wince.
And he certainly was right to doubt his bold statement.
“You DARE to speak of my life when I hold yours in the palm of my talon?!!” Apollyon had roared, his voice shaking with pure fury.
“GET OUT!!” He had used the invisible force he possessed to slam Flint forcefully against the wall on the other side of the throne room. “Now GET OUT OF HERE before I TWIST YOUR STUPID LITTLE HEAD OFF and FEED IT to that little BAT-CREEP!! GO!!”

He had known that Azira was listening in. It was probably why she’d been smart enough to obey Apollyon without question so far.
And Tank.. Tank was the only Solosis wise enough to follow him. He was the brunt, submissive, obedient, and cruel too.
Apollyon liked that.
He collected his four dragons and two hundred troops who followed him at a considerable distance, carrying twenty barrels between themselves.
Flint, Onyx, Azira, and Tank each carried a barrel as well as they flew directly towards the southern Aquation border.

Onyx flattened her ears at the bloodred-scaled dragon’s back as she toted a huge, heavy barrel through the sky. She made sure to keep out of his eyesight the whole flight. Still, she was glaring daggers at his back the whole trip. She didn’t deserve to be treated like that- she didn’t care if she was favored or not.
She only wanted acceptance.
Or even just the slightest sign or confirmation that what she was doing was good.

Yet all they ever received was hate.