Tales From The Lost World

Shadow

The silent killer: Shadow's story

Shadow had been a quiet dragon ever since he hatched. Many wondered where he came from, or if he even knee how to speak. His egg seemed to suddenly... appear, only a few hours before it hatched. But it wasn't magic. Someone was just really good at hiding it.
The Wraithwing grew up knowing nothing but the palace. He got a throat injury not long after hatching, presumably after someone tried to assassinate the tiny dragons by strangulation. For the next few months, Shadow had trouble breathing and speaking, but after he had completely healed, he still didn't speak, which made many believe that the damage was permanent.
Shadow learned many things, but never officially taught. He found his own killing techniques and learned how to make his own poisons and other drugs by watching medical staff from the shadows. He had been named according to his ability to hide amongst the shadows and blend right in. He could see heat signatures, even with his eyes closed. Using this ability to his advantage, he often stalked dragons around the palace by staying in the shadows and closing his eyes to make himself completely invisible. He could crawl on the ceiling and drop down onto the floor silently, allowing him to follow anyone anywhere.
It was never clear what his intent was, but he almost never left the palace. It soon became clear that he was loyal to Ghost, although many questioned why. The king hadn't done anything for the dragon, often kicking him out of the palace if he was caught. Many dragons also theorized that Ghost himself had tried to kill the dragon while he was young. Only Shadow knows who tried to kill him and why. And their theories aren't too far off.
Whenever Ghost needed him, Shadow was there. He would always complete his tasks without a word, and never failed. Ghost admired thus dragon, but often didn't need him, for the king was capable of doing these tasks himself.
Shadow felt useless, but still stuck around. Then came the day. Once Assassin became the new queen of the Wraithwings, Shadow saw his chance. Somehow, the new queen knew of his presence, even though Ghost had never told her about it.
Shadow listened to the queen well, and actually felt wanted for the next few weeks. After kidnapping a dragonet for Assassin to use as a hostage, however, shit went down.
Long story short, Shadow was told that he was an heir to Ghost's throne, and that Assassin had taken it from him. Assassin had betrayed her father, and had saved the Stormwings in doing so. Shadow came up with a plan that ended in him faking his own death, leaving the kingdom, and then sneaking back in thr assassinate her. This attempt on her life failed, of course, and he got captured and sentenced to death. Assassin herself planned on doing the deed, but she wanted to do it privately as to not make her subjects think that she was a bad queen. Shadow was able to defend himself come the execution, and broke free once more.
After escaping, he decided that he needed more power. He snuck back into the palace and stole some parts from the lab, then started his work.
The finished product was a very portable mechanical weapon that doubled as badass armor. Shadow tested it by storming the Storm palace (pun intended). It failed in every way imaginable, as always.
After getting beaten down by Sonic, Shadow found himself getting thrown off of a cliff, his wings only barely flaring out fast enough to save him. He took quite a lot of damage from that fall, and he passed out afterwards.
He woke up in pain, but he tried to stand up regardless. He was stopped by someone else's talon, who pushed him back down.
"Stay down, vou have been injured bad." Shadow recognized the voice as Lifedrainer, the medic from the palace. He lay back down and let her continue her work.
His throat felt burnt and scratchy, he couldn't feel his left foretalon whatsoever, and his whole body was aching from the fall.
When Lifedrainer finished, he looked worse than before. But, at least, he was alive. She had to replace his left talon, because it had been burned and broken too much. She had used parts from his mechanical weapon to piece together a strong bionic arm. However, she needed materials from the palace in order to finish her work, and Shadow had been kicked out of the kingdom. So they had to sneak back in, and Lifedrainer had to head inside to grab her supplies. She still wasn't suspected of anything, although the queen was keeping an eye on her. Lifedrainer, feeling unsettled, offered the queen her services in order to seem innocent of anything. Assassin brought in her dragonet. Lifedrainer took one look at the dragonet and could tell that she wasn't at all related to Assassin. Why would a queen adopt? Why raise a dragonet who can't even be queen?
Regardless, Lifedrainer did a checkup on little Glorytaker and got on her way. She finished up on Shadow's repairs and they both went off to come up with a plan.
Shadow was tired of being the quiet dragon. He was done hiding in the shadows. Now, he would put his skills to use. He would take that throne back, and perhaps, finally make himself useful.
However, he didn't expect his chance to take so damn long.
It wasn't until after he had sworn and oath to a new king that he realized. If Lord Shadowseeker won... Shadow wouldn't become king. So, maybe, he could add another name to the list... a priority for after the Noctem Freedom Fighters acquire their victory.
A few extra dead bodies wouldn't hurt.