Wings of Fire: A Broken Prophecy

Part One: Death In An Arena

                                                              Chapter One:

                                                    ~~~~~SCALDING~~~~~

Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Scalding sighed as he continued to walk through musty stone hallways. The torches on the walls reflected in his bright yellow eyes. Scalding felt his horns skim the top of the tunnel. I absolutely HATE being tall, Scalding thought grumpily. He looked up at the roof of the tunnel, to see it was to close for comfort.

"Grrrrrrr," the young SkyWing growled. I need to get into the flying cave NOW. He looked around to see he was in the farthest area of the east wing hallways. Oh come on! West wing, here I come. Scalding turned around to head to the opposite end of the passages.

"ACK!" Scalding fell back, forced down by whatever shoved into him. He blinked rapidly, trying to place the feminine voice. "Watch where you're going!"

"Oh. Hi Polar," Scalding mumbled.

"Scalding, honestly! I swear your vision is impaired," Polar grumbled. She blinked at him, a scowl decorating her face.

"Now's not the time Polar," Scalding said, trying to end the conversation before it started. His father and Polar never stopped chastising him about his "poor eyesight". The IceWing gave Scalding a condescending look and motioned to move around him. She finally squeezed by and continued to walk. For a second Polar paused and looked back at him.

"You should really have your father check your eyes," Polar said, then continued on her way. Scalding frowned. I don't need to have my father check my eyes. He continued west down the numerous hallways, which induced lots of awkward situations. Squeezing by dragons and intercepting other dragons paths was not the funniest thing. The Talons really needed to make bigger tunnels. Scalding was about to cross into the west wing when a voice called out to him.

"Scalding, son!" Oh why now? Scalding grimaced. "Scalding, Scalding, Scalding!" He turned to see his father Merlin approaching him. The old SkyWing adjusted his spectacles on his washed red scales with gold edging. His metallic dark royal blue horns glittered slightly. Merlin looked exactly like Scalding, except Scalding's red scales gleamed like blood. "A certain Polar has been telling me your eyesight is even worse."

"DAD, I'm fine, my eyesight is fine, now please I'm busy!" Scalding said.

"Are you sure?" Merlin asked, tipping his glasses to look over at his son.

"YES, YES, YES," Scalding exclaimed. Merlin sighed and shook his head.

"I'll head of then," Merlin said. Scalding swore he heard him mutter, My boy sometimes, he's ridiculous, as Merlin walked away. Scalding continued to the flying cave. After more moments, he finally got to the entrance. Scalding ran through the archway and immediately leaped into the cavernous space. His wings caught the air and the wind blew on his face. Scalding sighed, feeling at peace flying.

"Eep!" Scalding swiveled to see a little MudWing make a sudden dive towards the ground. She stumbled as she landed, giving a "what-the-heck-was-that-for" look at Scalding. Then, another MudWing landed next to the first one. Then another one, than another, another, and finally another. The last MudWing was huge and built heavily and he clunked down by the other five MudWings.

"Oh, sorry," Scalding apologized to the little scowling MudWing, an embarrassed blush spreading over the SkyWing's already bright red snout.

The biggest MudWing grumbled deeply, "Didn't my daughter Cricket tell you the flying cave schedule?" The schedule suddenly jumped into Scalding's head. My time is after supper and after breakfast. It's been over an hour since lunch and dinner doesn't start until 6:00 pm. Oops.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot. I'm just...very claustrophobic," Scalding stuttered.

"Mmm, I understand but a family needs family time," the large MudWing mumbled deeply.

"Of course Granite," Scalding replied. Granite nodded.

"Dad, does he haaavvve to go?" one of the small MudWings yelped, "Playing flying games with SkyWings is fuuuuun!"

"YA! I love air tag!" another small one shouted. Granite scrunched his forehead.

"Ok, he can stay for a round of air tag," Granite sighed. The little MudWings screamed in success, jumping up and down. Granite went to a far side of the cave to rest, with a big female following. That's Moss, Granite's wife.

"Calm down guys, calm down!" a male voice giggled. Scalding craned his head to see the largest of the four MudWing dragonets trying to grab the little ones. Four dragonets, that's crazy. I would never have that many dragonets. If I ever have dragonets. Was it him, or was the room suddenly a bit chillier?

"Tag, your it!" Scalding whipped around to see a female MudWing poke him on the shoulder. Cricket! She's the second oldest of the dragonets and my age. Scalding blinked and she was already flying off to join her group of flapping and giggling siblings.

"I'm coming to get you!" Scalding warned, somewhat sarcastically. The little dragonets laughed hysterically and flew out of the way as Scalding barreled toward them. The two older MudWing's soared into a dive below him. Scalding couldn't help laughing himself. He dived and soared, trying to tag the MudWings.

"Gotcha!" Scalding exclaimed as he tapped the biggest MudWing on the tail.

"Oooooh, Grasshopper's it!" the little boy MudWing teased.

"And I'm going to get you Stone!" Grasshopper replied. Stone screeched and tore out of the way as Grasshopper shot after him. After some flying around, Grasshopper yelped in victory, "Ha! Got you Creek!" The little female named Creek yelled at her brother, punching him.

"Not fair, not fair!" she cried, "You got my heel! That doesn't count, it doesn't!"

"I think tag is over," a sweet voice said. Scalding looked to see Moss standing below them.

"Ok mom," all the dragonets said in unison. They landed softly beside her as Scalding landed of to the side. He swept his tail across the floor, kicking up dust.

"Hey Scalding." The SkyWing looked up to see Cricket approaching.

"Hey," he answered.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" Cricket asked. She looked up at Scalding with her soft hazel eyes.

"Ya, it was," Scalding admitted, awkwardly laughing. Cricket smiled at him. She's so nice, Scalding thought, she's probably one of my best friends.

"I think it's time for you to take your leave." Scalding saw Granite staring right at him. Scalding nodded.

"You look bored," Cricket said suddenly, grabbing Scalding's shoulder.

"Uh-I, I do?" Scalding asked.

"You look like your waiting for something to happen," she whispered. Scalding blinked at her now serious face. What is she getting to?

"Scalding!" Granite called.

"You want something to happen, don't you?" Cricket whispered frantically.

Scalding felt scared now, "I gue-"

"Tomorrow, north wing, meeting cave number seven," Cricket said rapidly. She stared at Scalding intensely. "See you there."

It wasn't even a question.