The SeaWing nodded and rushed away, coming back a minute later with a NightWing in tow, a NightWing Apricot recognized. The new dragon was Blackheart. Did he come looking for me? Love for Blackheart's worried mind mixed with growing panic for his safety caused Apricot to nearly cry out and blow her cover.
Blackheart glanced in the direction of Apricot, seemingly right at her, as he wiped off the blue IceWing blood on his claws onto the ground. Of course, of course, Blackheart knows where I am. We've played hide and seek enough times when we got bored in the cave for him to recognize a camouflaged RainWing better than any of the dragons here.
"Well, this is a surprise! I did not expect to see a NightWing today but I will not say I am ungrateful." Everest beamed down at Blackheart with a wicked smile. Neptune squirmed uncomfortably, as if she knew what was coming and didn't like it.
"You have a friend of mine. I want her back. Now." Blackheart demanded, looking Everest right in the eye.
Everest's eyes narrowed and he turned to look at Neptune. "Do you know this dragon?"
Neptune shook her head and gave Blackheart a look of pleading like, Don't drag me into this. Don't get on his bad side.
Blackheart didn't seem to notice. "Not the hybrid, another NightWing. She's about three years old, with green eyes, a pet sloth, purple bracelet. Ringing any bells?" Blackheart wouldn't stop angrily glancing at the purple SeaWing.
Everest remained confused. Neptune jumped up. "I saw a dragon like that earlier! Just down the road! We didn't take her, I saw her run off!" She sounded desperate, no doubt trying to appease Everest.
Blackheart took an angry step forward. "Then explain why she is without her sloth and bracelet?" He dropped Apricot's purple flower bead bracelet on the ground and Giggy appeared on Blackheart's head.
Everest seemed to glow with rage. He turned towards Neptune again. "Did. You. Kidnap. An. Innocent. Dragon. Without. My. Permission."
Neptune tried to make herself smaller by tucking in her wings and head, avoiding Everest's eyes. "No, I would never, Official. Not without your approval." Her face surprisingly didn't show any fear.
Everest nodded and turned back to Blackheart. "As you heard, we do not have your missing dragon friend. Please be on your way."
A lot happened after that.
Blackheart roared and jumped forward at Everest, stomping on his head to propel himself forward. The poor SeaWing was so confused, he didn't have enough time to charge Blackheart before Everest crashed down into him. Neptune tried to stop him from getting any further but by then the SeaWing had recovered and had powered up a sort of glowing orb in his talons and flicked it towards Blackheart. Luckily, Blackheart somehow expected this and dodged, causing the glowing orb to smack Neptune instead, knocking her out cold. Blackheart ran straight at Apricot, scooped her up, and took off.
Apricot's disguise disappeared as they flew off back home, leaving Everest and the animus SeaWing roaring with fury behind them.
