Wings of Fire; The Assassin

Chapter 19

"So we should investigate them?" Diamondback asked. He was carefully studying Alpine as they continued on toward the food without a second thought about the MudWing.

Clay looked over, and only noticed the MudWing crying in pain on the floor, and not the SkyWing who was walking away. The large Bigwings walked over to the smaller MudWing. Bubble tried to listen in on their conversation.

Clay asked what the MudWing's name was, and he answered something like Copperface... COPPERHEAD! The MudWing that was smacked in the face was his own MudWing clawmate! Now Bubble felt extra guilty about not going to help. Clawmates should have each other's backs, and Bubble was failing horribly.

Boris nodded, "Yes, he has been acting violently recently, as you guys saw, and has threatened multiple dragons. If I'm correct, I have even overheard him talking to himself about killing someone. I didn't put much thought into it, because I assumed it was just another threat."

Alpine was walking slowly through the Prey Center, now holding a few fish, with his tail slithering behind him. He stopped momentarily and looked around, checking if anyone was watching, then dashed down a different tunnel through the mountain. Diamondback immediately followed and Bubble after him, with no hesitation. Boris followed them as they ran down the cave, but before they could get to the tunnel, they were stopped by the air.

Bubble knew it wasn't the air, but everyone else didn't, so they were super surprised. Diamondback yelped, rubbing his now hurt snout, and Boris skid to a stop, almost brushing the hidden RainWing with the sharp spiked on his tail.

"Starburst!" Bubble whispered slightly loudly. He knew that the RainWing NightWing had something to do with this, but he didn't know what it was. Why were they always hidden? Why did they always seem to be where the suspect is? Why am I always RUNNING INTO THEM?

"Follow me," Starburst whispered into his ear, and then tugged on his arm. Her warm breath tickled his scales, which caused an annoying tingling sensation underneath the surface of his scales, so he scratched it lightly. Bubble didn't know how to follow something invisible, but then Starburst made her tail tip dark red so it slightly blended in with the stone.

"Guys, follow me really quickly," Bubble said, as he started to follow the fast-moving red tail tip. Bubble noticed Diamondback look over at Boris then shrugged. The others followed quickly behind.

Starburst led them to a small cave that was hidden deep in the mountain and came back into view. She shimmered in oranges and greens and sat half lazily and half regally. The dim light still seemed to shimmer off of her polished scales. It was not as beautiful as Artemis, but RainWings still had their tribe's natural beauty.

"Starburst! What are you doing!? Are you in cahoots with Alpine!?" Boris hissed. He set himself in a defensive stance. He had his long pointed head low down to the ground, twisting his body so his tail and head both faced Starburst. His tail lashed around, making both Diamondback and Bubble jump out of the way in order not to get stabbed or cut.

"First of all, IceWing," Starburst said harshly, "no one says 'cahoots' anymore," making air quotes with her talons, "and second of all, am I not allowed to be anywhere? I'm trying to help you!"

Bubble looked over at the group of tense dragons and nodded in a way to say for them to stand down. Diamondback muttered something under his breath, and Boris just sat down and puffed out his chest. He looked back over at Starburst and waited for her to continue. She rolled her eyes at his clawmates and muttered something like, "Wow, they are so annoying."

"It started when I was following you," she pointed at Bubble and then continued, "When I saw you stop, I made sure not to run into you, or to give you any suspicions that you were being followed."

Before she could continue, Bubble stopped her. "Why were you following me?" Bubble asked nervously. He was not expecting to be followed by someone, let alone Starburst. He felt kind of flattered.

"Doesn't matter. Anyway, I overheard everything the dragon said, so I was going to follow them to find out who they were... when I ran into you. Afterward, I was going to find them, but they just disappeared."

Starburst growled, and pound her fist against the stone. It shattered and pebbles bounced around like an earthquake.

"I don't know if they are the one, but I do know that Alpine has been acting violent and paranoid ever since that day we overheard the assassination plot."

Diamondback took a quick glance around at everyone and then spoke, "So it's settled. We all try to find stuff out about him. I'll try to find out as much as I can find out about his past."

Everyone nodded in agreement, except Starburst. All Starburst did was growl and look away.

Why is she always angry? All she ever does is growl and grumble. What did anyone ever do to her?

"Ok, everyone start trying to get information when you can," Boris said.

"Have fun getting yourselves killed," Starbust said as she left, and returned to being invisible. Diamondback just sighed and left the room also. The only dragons left in the room were Bubble and Boris.

Bubble closed his eyes. Maybe Starburst was right. Maybe they will get killed, and Bubble will be leading them to their doom.

A quiet tear slid down his face. It felt like hours of sitting there. He felt something cold on his shoulder, but to his own surprise, he didn't jump or scream. He just sat there with his eyes still closed.

"It will be okay Bubble," Boris said in an attempt of a reassuring and sympathetic voice, "Everything will be fine..."

Bubble opened his eyes, holding back the tears the best he could. He desperately didn't want his friends to get killed, but he needed to stop this before anyone does get killed.

It was kind of a conundrum. He had to risk his life in order to save others' lives. Is that what being a hero means? He wasn't one. His parents were. The Dragonets of Destiny were heroes. Moons! His clawmates would be better heroes! He is just a cowered SeaWing. He was useless.

Except I have something to do. I have a purpose. I have friends, and I have a mission.

Bubble stood up, "You may be right. Let's just be careful. We must make sure that we DONT DIE!"

Borris nodded in agreement, "of course. I'm not dumb."

They stood there in silence for a moment, still pondering whether this was a good idea or not. At least, Bubble was.

He didn't want to leave behind everything he loved. His family, his home, his friends, and most strongly, Artemis. He may have ruined his chance of ever being something to her though.

You still have Spray, though, something in the back of his mind seemed to whisper.

He felt a tornado of mixed emotions flood up inside him. Confusion fizzed around like foam in the ocean. It mixed in with the emotions of love and pain. It was overwhelming.

Bubble took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves. He was still feeling a little jittery, but he managed to gain some control over his emotions.

"We should get going. Diamondback will be waiting for us," Boris stated sounding slightly impatient. The IceWing always confused Bubble. Boris always seemed so passionate about things, but he never showed it on his face. He always looked like a grumpy igloo face.

Bubble looked over at Boris, and stood up, "You're right. Let's go."