The Rise of a Queen

Ice Kingdom

Shimmer flew over the Desert Kingdom in the dead of night. Beside her was Blackstar, and behind them, were his siblings. 

"Um Shimmer, you do know we can't last in the Ice Kingdom? The palace where the records are kept is too far north for us." Sunkiller grumbled. Shimmer ignored him, smiling to herself as the sun began to rise. On the horizon the Ice Kingdom glowed like fire. She sped up, and dove into the first snow back they came to. Blackstar and his siblings landed on a bare patch of rock and huddled together. When Shimmer stepped out of the snow, she felt more confident. She felt like all the soot and ash had been washed away. Walking through the snow and ice didn't hurt her talons either. This is where I should have grown up. It's so beautiful, nothing like our island.

"Shimmer, we're freezing here." The youngest complained. Shimmer nodded and looked northward towards the great wall. It was dormant, but they all knew that if her companions tried to cross, they would be speared.

"You five will wait for me at the border between the Sand Kingdom and the Ice Kingdom, and stay out of sight. I'm going to fly in and see what I can get." She instructed.

"But Shimmer, you're black, you'll stand out." Sunkiller murmured. Shimmer nodded. 

"I'll go at night." They nodded and one by one took off till Blackstar remained, watching her. 

"Remember, Shimmer, you are a NightWing and nothing will change that." Shimmer hugged him. 

"Thank you." He smiled slightly and flew after his siblings. Shimmer turned away from them and flew deeper into the Ice Kingdom. She passed over the wall without getting speared, and continued past the small town at it's base. There were two things that surprised her about the Ice Kingdom. The first being how cold it was. She liked the cold but it was frigid in the arctic air. You're just not used to it, because you've been living by fire your entire life. She comforted herself. The second was how week she felt in the snow. She had watched IceWings before, just plowing through the snow as if it wasn't there, but whenever she tried to walk in it, she stumbled, or got worn out really easily. Just another weakness you'll have to get used to. She sighed, staying in the air. 

By dusk, she had reached Queen Tundra's palace in the far north. The gathering dark would hide her. Shimmer descended and landed on a hill covered in deep snow. The IceWings obviously feared no attack this far north. Shimmer couldn't spot a single guard anywhere. The night came swiftly, as if sensing her wishes, and Shimmer abandoned her hiding place. Lights glowed in all the houses and dragons walked the streets greeting each other one last time before they retired for the night. None of them noticed the black assassin flying silently to their Queen's palace. Shimmer landed in the courtyard and looked up at the rankings for the royal family. Idiots. She growled and went to the entrance, using the shadows to hide her from any eyes that might be watching. One thing made her pause, however. It was a tree, covered in glowing orbs, obviously a animus gift. Two dragons, maybe her age each picked one and set it in their spines to light their way. When they left, Shimmer approached it curiously. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She reared on her hind legs and touched an orb cautiously. They were beautiful and alluring.

"Hey, NightWing, what are you doing here?" A gruff voice barked behind her. The voice stirred a vague memory. It's one of the guards who were ordered to abandon me on the NightWing island. She realized, anger filling her chest as she turned. Two large IceWings stood behind her at the edge of the light, spears pointed at her. Shimmer narrowed her eyes at the tips. They were full of magic, and she was suspicious of the spell that lurked below the diamond surface.

"I'm here to take my revenge." She snarled, ice gathering in the back of her throat. It was easier to summon ice here than anywhere else.

"It's a ghost!" One of them gasped, recognizing her. The other's eyes flew wide open. 

"Not if we kill her, she's not." Shimmer hissed at them as they lowered their spears and charged at her. At the last second she threw herself flat on the ground and rolled between their legs. The one on the left jerked around to avoid hitting the tree, and accidentally scrapped his companion. Shimmer watched in shock as the other dragon screamed and turned into an ice statue. The other IceWing looked horrified, as he stared at his friend. Shimmer forced herself out of her trance and leapt forward, ripping the other spear out of the frozen dragon's talons. The other IceWing brought himself back to reality and lunged at her. Ok, let's hope the spell works. Shimmer thought as she leapt back. 

"Spear come to me." She commanded. The IceWing guard was ripped off his feet as his spear flew into Shimmer's other talon. 

"You're an animus." He whispered backing away. Knowing she had the upper talon, Shimmer advanced and put the spear to his throat.

"You should have killed me when you had the chance." She hissed, and ran him through with the spear.