The Rising Storm

Prologue: Part 2

Deep below the sea stood the magnificent sea castle of the SeaWings, the Harmony Palace. The palace was named after a previous queen, who had brought together the tribes in hopes of solving the bitter rivalries. Unfortunately, not everything went to plan and she was brought into the war that she tried to prevent. Throughout the years, the SeaWings tried to stay out of the war, even through constant attacks. Even so, their palace was unknown to the rest of Pyrrhia.
"What do you mean, Reef?" asked Starfish.
"She's gone now Starfish, you are the next Queen. You must take the throne, mother is unable to rule, leaving you for the crown," replied Reef, handing Starfish the crown.
Starfish didn't think she was ready to rule, Oceanic was supposed to live forever, her power was known throughout the tribe. How could she ever be like her grandmother? Thinking of her grandmother made taking the crown even more unsettling.
"I know this is no time to say everything is hopeful, but even through death, grandmother wanted you to know that you are worth something," Reef looked into his sister's eyes, "There's a ceremony tomorrow for your coronation," said Reef.
Queen Oceanic was the best thing to happen to the SeaWing tribe after Harmony died many decades ago. Oceanic cared for her subjects, not just the royal family like many Queens before had. Even after her grandmother's last words of support, Starfish felt that not everything was going to go well for her. Walking out of her grandmother's throne room, Princess Starfish looked out into the sea. There was a group of dragonets playing by the bubble vents. Starfish swore she saw Reef down by them, but he was standing beside her. Looking at her brother, she gave a confident smile. He smiled back, ready to support his sister through her first few months as Queen.

Starfish was sworn in as Queen the day after her grandmother's death, which brought upon tears of joy and despair. After the event, Prince Reef walked up to Starfish.
"Don't tell me, there's already a problem on my first day?" grumply asked Starfish.
Reef sighed, nodding his head. "Another SeaWing has gone missing," whispered Reef.
"Who?" asked Starfish.
"A commoner, Tide," replied Reef. Starfish wanted to think more of the lower classes, but with all the royal business to deal with, her time was limited.
How did grandmother ever give time to help me prepare for her intimate death?

Even with her limited time, she knew that Tide was an important dragon in the palace. He didn't live in the palace, but his parents were known guards to her grandmother. Looking through her brain for more information on this dragon, she remembered that he didn't want to be in the army. Tide didn't want to be a part of this war. Hmm, I wonder why that is? Starfish asked herself. "When did this SeaWing go missing?" asked Starfish. "Last night, his family saw him leaving the Harmony Palace late at night," stated Reef. "He never returned home, his family has been worried for him. His family has never seen him this agile in so long, it looked like he had been in a rush to leave, but that's what his mother said anyway" On her first day as Queen, a SeaWing goes missing. Great, thought Starfish sarcastically. "Tide's parents had said that he was leaving more often and coming back late at night, but never said exactly why he was leaving," Reef grabbed a coconut off of the coral table, "The bigger issue on the table is that my spies have reported seeing more IceWings out on the bay." "ICEWINGS?" roared Starfish. Well, this day couldn't have gone any better, bitterly thought Starfish. Looking out towards the hoard of dragons that attended her coronation, she noticed that only the royal family was left at the palace. Her mind moved back towards the bigger issue on the table; what were IceWings doing by the Talon Sea? Starfish fiddled with her tail nervously. Looking down at her talons, Starfish noticed a lime-green dragon walking up towards Reef. This small dragonet looked like a bright green algae and stood out in the crowd of blue SeaWings. The dragonet tugged on Reef's legs, his eyes looking up at Reef. Reef was about to speak to the dragonet, but Starfish needed to tell her brother something before her mind lost it. "If your spies reports are true, we need to keep our guard at its highest," spoke Starfish with her Queen voice. "Can you come back in three days' time with more information of Tide's sudden disappearance?" asked Starfish. Reef bowed respectfully, "Of course, Your Majesty." Reef picked up the green dragonet with his talons. "I'm very sorry about this intrusion, my son Kelp enjoys exploring." The dragonet looked at Starfish, his lime-green eyes wide in awe. Reef set down his son and Kelp made a giggling noise as Reef pushed him towards the other dragonets. Kelp looked back at his father with an anxious expression, but continued to the other dragonets. "He's very different," noted Starfish. "Kelp isn't the most social in the pack, but he seems to like listening in on my diplomatic talks I have with my court," answered Reef. "Maybe he could be a part of the Council of Diplomacy when he's old enough," said Starfish, "We do need more dragons to help aid our peace talks," Reef took Starfish's talons and told her happily, "We have another egg in the royal hatchery which is due to hatch in a few weeks. My wife and I were thinking about naming the dragonet River." Starfish thought that that was a funny name to call a SeaWing, but agreed with her brother anyway. "River sounds like a perfect name, we'll welcome her to the palace as the next princess," ordered Starfish. Starfish wasn't ready to be queen, she didn't have the best voice, nor did she want to command an army to war. Fiddingling with her tail, she knew that she had to be ready anyway. The SeaWings were counting on her. "Keep our guards at the ready, we do not need a conflict within our midst," said Starfish. "If you do find an IceWing with our missing SeaWing," began Starfish, "Kill the IceWing."

 "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE?" yelped Snowstorm. Snowstorm slammed her spiky tail on the icy ground while furiously eyeing Sleet. Of course it's Snowflake who would disappear right before her wedding thought Snowstorm bitterly. Snowflake is her daughter, however Snowstorm despised her rebellious nature. Frost was standing outside the door, knocking lightly. Frost cannot know that Snowflake has gone missing. Frost's family would dishonor them, they cannot have that happen. Snowstorm put confidence in her voice and opened the door to Frost. "Good evening, Ma'am," Frost spoke gently. "What is it that I can do for you at this hour?" asked Snowstorm. Frost placed his talons behind his back and whipped out a bouquet of flowers. "I wish to give these to your daughter, may our wedding go smoothly," said Frost. Snowstorm thought she would burst, tell him the truth, but she didn't. All she said was a simple, "thank you." Snowstorm closed the door behind her and walked up to Sleet, her husband. Snowstorm sighed in defeat, her daughter just ruined their prestigious honor in the IceWing kingdom. "We'll find her, don't you worry," whispered Sleet. Snowstorm looked up at her mate, she didn't think that was true. She will be punished and she was already imagining all the ways to keep Snowflake in the borders of the IceWing Kingdom. We'll be ready, you cannot hide from us Snowflake. Sleet grabbed Snowstorm's talons and they headed out of the room into the winter tundra of the IceWing Kingdom. All we need now is a little royal assistance

1 year later...

 Gold, pink, and red auras glowed off of the soft clouds as the sun set on the Talon Sea. Tide and Snowflake were living happily with each other, no need to worry about their families. Tide wanted to know what was happening in the Kingdom of the Sea, but he knew that it was too risky. Tide was filled with joy the day Snowflake laid their egg, their dragonet. The egg was a light blue with white on the top, like a snow-capped mountain. The egg was perfect. Tide twined his tail around Snowflake's and they watched the sunset together. "I was actually supposed to get married the day we left," Snowflake said unexpectedly. Tide knew about Frost, but never asked about him. Tide didn't want to compare himself to someone he never knew, but always wondered about what he was like. "What was he like?" asked Tide. "He was snobby, annoying, and nothing like you," stated Snowflake bluntly. Tide snickered as Snowflake described Frost. Tide always thought that he could be better than him. I guess he was right afterall. "So basically nothing like me. I guess I'm more handsome than him," beamed Tide, while grinning at Snowflake. Snowflake giggled and placed her talons over her face, covering her blush. "You big sap," said Snowflake. Tide shifted his eyes out towards the sea. I miss the days of swimming in the sea, bubbles swaying around my horns, my brother and sister playing by the steam vents, thought Tide sadly. He looked back at Snowflake. She was looking down at her talons, most likely worrying endlessly about their egg. "Our egg will be fine, it's in a very safe place," confidently said Tide. Tide noticed Snowflake's hesitation and wrapped his wings around her. Snowflake started to sob into Tide's shoulder. He let her get her tears out. "Oh Tide, what if we aren't going to be able to give our dragonet a wonderful life" sobbed Snowflake. "Not everything will go perfectly Snowflake," started Tide. "We will do this together, just as I promised." Snowflake sniffled and Tide took the opportunity to splash her with a wave of water. She laughed and revolted by splashing him with water. Tide dove into the sea and when he surfaced Snowflake was staring down at him, excitement in her eyes. "The egg, it's hatching!" yelped Snowflake excitedly. Tide immediately got out of the water and ran towards their hut. The hut was made with palm tree leaves, oak wood, and had a small scent of fresh bananas. The sea-blue egg laid gently on its palm tree leaf nest. Snowflake took Tide's talons in hers, eager to see their dragonet. Tide wasn't prepared to be a father, what if he messed it all up? Snowflake noticed Tide's intense thinking and tightened her grip. As if she was reading his mind, she told Tide to not worry, he will be a wonderful father to their dragonet. The egg gave another cracking noise as a piece of the shell broke off. Tide could see a gray-blue eye looking through the hole. The dragonet inside gave another forceful push and the top of the egg came off. Tide's anticipation grew dramatically. Snowflake stepped forward and peered into the egg. The young hybrid dragonet was curled at the bottom of the egg, scared. "Awrk," chirped the dragonet. Tide looked down at his dragonet. The dragonet has a body of an IceWing with serrated claws, icicle-like horns, spiky tail, and spikes on the top of its head. Tide looked more intently and noticed webbed talons, gills, and biolumensent scales on his dragonet. The dragonet took a step out of the egg onto the wooden floor. Tide placed his talons out to his dragonet, but the hybrid shifted back, clearly scared. Snowflake placed her talon on Tide's shoulder and whispered, "Let me try." Snowflake placed her talons out to their dragonet, slowly inching forward. "Hrmph," said the hybrid. The dragonet started to slowly walk to their mother. "Welcome to the world, Blizzard," spoke Snowflake. "Blizzard?" said Tide. "I like it, they're a fierce one." Blizzard was picked up by Snowflake, their dragonet started to giggle. Snowflake wrapped her wings around Blizzard and pulled Tide towards her. "I love you, Tide." "I love you too, Snowflake." Tide was ready for what the future would bring. Blizzard will be safe and sound with him and Snowflake. Snowflake handed Blizzard to Tide and he looked at his dragonet. I'll always love you, Blizzard. I will fight for you, until the day I die Tide flashed passionately. Snowflake, Tide, and Blizzard were all covered in each other's wings. Tide was finally able to find peace, but he knew that wouldn't last long. Even with the world against them, Tide took the time to forget about what could happen and lived in the moment. "Welcome to the world, my rising storm."