Scales of Color

Prologue

   Eucalyptus dashed through the forest and past thick trees. He held the note in his leather satchel. The note from Queen Hourglass. The ransom note that could change everything. She had kidnapped Queen Okapis' partner. He knew that if he delayed getting the note to Queen Okapi on time, half the forest would die along with the dragons in it and he'd be punished.

Eucalyptus quickly checked his satchel for the note, it was safe and sound in the leather pouch. He might just be able to escape punishment. He could return to Mango and his egg, Jade. His mind reeled, would Rose ever speak to him again? But he didn't love her..he never had. He still felt bad about Flower but was sure she'd be fine. Right? He could go home to Mango.

He could pretend everything with Rose never happened in the first place. He could pretend that he was a good person though he wasn't. He sighed in relief and turned his head again, but to his surprise an enormous tree was standing In his way. He crashed right into it and plummeted to the ground. To his own luck, he landed in a bush, but soon fell unconscious. He opened his eyes, the forest was fine. The note was tucked in his blue bag. I have to return home to Jade! He's so old now! One? I can't- he sat on the forest floor. His whole body numb. It wasn't real. This wasn't real. The reality he hoped for would never come true.

Eucalyptus woke up to the feeling of acid on his wrist and dread in his stomach. He turned his head only to see the black streams of venom in the ground. The sandwings are Poisoning the forest! I might not have time to get the note to Okapi! She'll kill me! He flew into the air, avoiding the spreading venom. I might still have time....Eucalyptus looked down at his talons as silver tears streamed onto the pale green scales, he didn't want to get hurt.

He then realized that his satchel had disappeared. He swooped down to the bush to check for it but it wasn't there. "NO!" He yowled. He darted toward the village as the venom spread. He flung himself to the ground on Okapis' platform. "Your- Your majesty! I- I- Hourglass kidnapped Capybara! The note- The ransom note! I- She told me to give it to you or half the forest would die along with the dragons! I- I lost the note! I'm so sorry! I caused our end! I-"

"No." Okapis' voice was cold and bitter. She bit back tears as she spoke. "You failed to deliver the note to me. Half the forest died. My partner died. All because of you." She began to circle him slowly like a vulture around her prey. Her scales slowly turned bright carnelian red. "You have disappointed me. However, I will not kill you. What I will do is far more civilized and far worse. You are banned from the rainforest. You have cursed your family and your dragonet's dragonets for generations. I do not want to see or hear any mention of you from now on. I bid you farewell"

She trailed back to her hammock. Completely covered from head to toe in crimson. Eucalyptus stood up. His scales shifted into a deep grayish blue as he glided toward the desert, never to be seen again.