(discontinued, only here for documentation purposes) Echoes of Fire

CHAPTER 6

"Hellfire," Firestorm said quietly as she gasped at the sight of her sister who she thought was lost. Her voice was almost a whisper and even Leopard perked her ears up to hear what Firestorm had said. "I- I thought you were dead."

She figured she would have cried had the tears not just evaporated because of her firescales.

Leopard's face told Firestorm that she had just realized what was happening. Who the new dragon in front of them was.

"I assume you are the prophecy dragonets he has told me about?"

"Yes, these are them," Emberblazed hissed, "Throw them in the dungeon with the others."

Firestorm knew that even her firescales couldn't beat her sister. No one on either of the continents could. There was no point in trying to fight her.

"Firestorm!", Leopard exclaimed, surprised at how easily she gave up, "Where are you going? We can fight them!"

Hellfire grinned evilly and Firestorm looked back in horror. Leopard leapt at Hellfire with her talons outstretched before she was frozen in midair, just floating there unable to move.

"Leopard!", Firestorm cried.

Hellfire's laugh echoed throughout the palace and even a few of the guards shivered.

"Rainwing fool, you thought you could beat an animus. How pitiful."

Hellfire released Leopard, raking her talons across the rainwing's underbelly as Leopard cried out in agony.

"And you," Hellfire turned to Firestorm, "Don't cause trouble. I don't feel like killing someone else today."

Firestorm's eyes narrowed and she hesitated to walk away.

"Who," she growled.

Hellfire laughed, "You'll find out soon enough, dear sister."

Two guards carried Leopard and three more carried Seabreeze's limp body as they walked towards the dungeon. There they saw the others. Dusk, Gila, Aloe, Mist, Snowstar, and Destiny all huddled near each other. Mist looked shaken and Destiny curled up silently next to Snowstar. The guards threw Leopard into the cell, not even thinking about the pain that the rainwing must be in.

It didn't take Firestorm long to notice it. Ace wasn't there.

"Where is Ace?", she questioned, even though she already knew the answer.

"He didn't make it," Snowstar said quietly, sorrow in her voice as she tightened her grip on Destiny's talon.

"Aloe, you- you can bring him back, right?"

There had to be a way. She wouldn't be able to bear seeing Leopard broken like that.

"One of the only rules of animus magic," she muttered, "Can't bring dragons back from the dead."

"Can-," Firestorm hesitated, "Can you take away my firescales? I get it if you don't it's fine, I shouldn't have asked..", she trailed off.

"I don't really use my magic often. If I wanted to, I mean, I probably could. Why?"

"Leopard," she said quietly.

Aloe looked at her talons and then back at Firestorm. She sighed.

"Only if you let me bake LeopardStorm cookies," she winked, "Yeah, but just this once."

"I enchant this dragon," she whispered, "So that her scales of fire will be taken away, she will have normal, not-going-to-burn-anyone scales, and will be able to touch other dragons. BUT, if it is ever needed, she will be able to turn her firescales on and off."

A bright blue light flashed before them and Firestorm felt.. different. And cold, very cold. She had never been cold before. She rushed to Leopard.

"Hey," she nudged her wing.

Leopard lifted her head.

"Where's Ace?", she muttered.

"Oh Leopard," Firestorm looked down, "I'm so sorry."

A/N: Oh Clearsight. I am going to shatter into pieces writing the next chapter. Leopard we love you. <3

Oh, and theories, about Hellfire or not, are encouraged and appreciated! I'd love to hear what you think!