The Twin Islands-Wings of Fire

Potent

All eyes went to the figure standing in front of their bars as they stepped into the light. Instantly shocked by glittering green scales, it took Potent a moment to assess the issue, disoriented from the shock of blinding color.

The dragon was a bigger than Snowfall, and his horns nearly scraped the top of the cave. Speaking of his horns, they looked transparent. They were covered in gold wire with small drops of some sort. Kind of like an emerald or something.

Green glittering spikes and clusters in his scales matched the horns atop his head. A gold necklace matched the wires on his horns. He grinned down at them, swinging keys in his left talons.

"Glad to see you're all awake." He said in a breezy voice and smirked, unlocking something to his left. Suddenly, four bars lifted from the ground and were taken up into the ceiling. "Come along, then. The Queen requests your presence." He stepped inside.

Potent bared his teeth at the new dragon, glancing over at Snowfall to see if he'd do anything. The Icewing was examining his talons with a look of boredom, but his eyes glinted with hints of ferocity. A bit jealous he wasn't the one to break his chains, Potent watched as the new dragon approached Snowfall.

The green dragon stalled, eyeing Snowfall with suspicious interest. "Where are your-"

Snowfall suddenly lunged at the dragon, digging his talons into his neck and slamming him to the ground, frostbreath gathering in the back of his throat as the dragon looked on in numb horror.

"Snowfall!" Seaglass shrieked, trying to jump forwards and restrain the Icewing with no avail. "Don't kill him!"

The Icewing looked up immediately, then back down at the dragon with a snarl. Tossing his head to the side, frostbreath shot from his mouth across the floor instead. Hissing, he turned his attention back to Seaglass.

"Why not?" he rumbled, loosening the grip he had on the green dragon's throat.

"You don't just lunge and attack random dragons." The Seawing said, pulling at his chains. "He was here to unlock." he tossed the glittering silver restraints over his shoulder again. " Way to go, barnacle brain."

"You should listen to your friend." The dragon rasped, smiling. Confused, Potent looked up just as the dragon held down by Snowfall reared back, and punched him in the snout. Mamba shouted and Mudpuddle concealed a laugh, concern taking over again.

Holding his now bleeding snout, Snowfall glared at the other dragon in a fizzing anger.

"Well done." The green dragon purred, gingerly touching the claw marks on his neck. "You just earned yourself an extra long stay in your cell."

Hissing, Snowfall opened his mouth again.

"Peridot." A sudden feminine voice snapped, making Potent whirl around in surprise. This dragon's scales were a dark purple that faded to lavender, streaks of white running through them and nearly transparent wings. Small drops of gold were around her eyes. Her crown of horns matched her wings, as well as the single teardrop hanging from a gold string on her forehead. "What's taking so long?"

The one called Peridot shrugged hopelessly at Snowfall, and the purple dragon's eyes glimmered in amusement.

She simply walked past Peridot, brushing his wing with hers and advancing towards Snowfall, who had now quieted down to peer at the dragoness. Taking clear lavender talons, she reached out to Snowfall's face, smiling as he snarled at her.

Quickly, her talons shot out and lightly touched the top of his forehead, then his eyes slowly rolled into the back of his head, and he slumped to the ground. Staring, no dragon said a word until Potent cleared his throat, and Seaglass gave a hiss of fury.

"What did you do to him?" He thrashed in his bindings, talon's groping toward Snowfall's own. But he was too far away to be able to reach him.

"Settle down, green dragon who smells of the sea." The purple dragon raised her head. "I simply put him to sleep, no worries."

"Like that'll calm him down." Potent snorted, earning a sharp grey eyed glance from the scarily beautiful dragoness. He shivered. She reminded him of Blister.

"Who are you?" Artemis said softly.

Peridot spoke this time, puffing out his chest. "I am Prince Peridot of the Crystalwings." He suddenly flicked his tail towards his companion. " This, is my sister Amethyst. "

Potent narrowed his eyes at the strangers, sparing a glance at Mamba. Or, what was supposed to be Mamba. All he saw were floating chains.

"Are you willing to come with us now?" Amethyst raised a decorated brow, spreading a wing to the open cell. "Mother will be mad enough that all of you didn't cooperate."

A few heads nodded in slow agreement, even Mamba materialized back to shake her head. But Seaglass fiercely refused the offer.

"I'm not leaving him." He said loyally. Amethyst sighed, waving a paw dissmissively.

"Very well." she flicked her head towards the others. "Unlock them, brother."

Potent watched as Peridot came around, unlocking the bands around their ankles and necks. But when he got to Potent, he didn't touch his tail.

"Later." He said breezily, giving a curt nod.

"Um.." the others glanced at Seaglass. He held up his shaking wrists, bearing the lock for the chains with a hopeful expression. Seeing Amethyst's emotionless face he added: "Please, I just want to make sure my friend is okay."

Amethyst nodded, and Peridot walked over grudgingly, unlocking the shackles and band around his neck. Leaping up instantly, Seaglass charged to Snowfall and picked up his talons in his own, concerned as he curled around his pale blue body.

Peridot sniffed at the two in disapproval, and Potent made sure to snap his teeth at him.

"Come along, then." Amethyst waved them out, casting an appraising glance at Potent as he walked past. "Time for you foreigners to meet the queen." She ruffles her wings. "I'm sure she'd like to know why you're here and how you found our kingdom.."