Mind of Stars (Wings of Fire Fanfiction)

Prologue

Dugout flipped his tail. In a circle around him sat four dragons, also silver like him. 

It was his destiny from the day he was born. He was meant to lead in the StoneWing army, meet with Queen Limestone, and marry one of her daughters.

After all, that was the customary life of a diamondscale. Most were born as complete douchebags, flirting with palace maids and princesses. 

But not Dugout.

He was born a lowlife in the town of Moltenrock. The farthest he had ever encroached out of his home territory was Applecrest Mountain. Until now.

Many diamondscales are male. Only a few were ever born female, but those became personal bodyguards of the royal family, and married off to, well, whoever they really wanted.

There was only one female in Dugout's group, Hardrock. She was actually the only female diamondscale dragonet. Dugout admired her. She was dazzling and brave. 

He wished he could marry Hardrock instead of one of the stuck-up princesses like Marble or Lavadrip. Or Obsidian. She prowled the passageways of the fortress, hissing at anyone who dared near her. 

The group's teacher cleared his throat. 

"Today, we will be visited by the princesses for pick-and-choose. I hope to see you all up to perfect expectations." He rasped.

Everyone nodded sharply, except for Hardrock. A clear laugh split the air.

"Yes, Hardrock? Is there something you find amusing?" The group leader hissed.

She blinked her dark eyes, smirking.

"Indeed. I mean, it's just funny. What would be to happen if a princess chose me?"  she asked innocently.

The teacher coughed.

"Well-I, I don't think that would be to happen." 

Another dragon chuckled. 

Hardrock feigned offence. 

A blaring of horns and a large scraping of talons announced the arrival of the royal family. 

All the diamondscales stood up stiffly in the stance practiced for ages. Well, all except Hardrock, who leaned with her wings slightly more open and shoulders apart, like a standoffish but slightly relaxed gangster.

Queen Limestone and King Pumice swept in, accompanied by their daughters and two diamondscale escorts. 

Queen Limestone bent down to examine every one of them. 

When in the face of Hardrock, her face contorted into a mix of disgust, confusion, and minute respect. Hardrock didn't even flinch.

Limestone hissed.

"Very well. I allow you to go and pick." She told her daughters. 

Curiously, the three dragonesses swept around the cave. 

Marble was immediately attracted to the big, burly diamondscale of the group. 

Lavadrip looked at Hardrock. Hardrock shook her head with a sad smile.

Lavadrip nodded and continued on with her sister, Obsidian. 

As per usual, none of the three daughters even cast a glance towards Dugout. 

Queen Limestone swept up her daughters in her wings. Obsidian seemed to protest.

Sighing, the queen let Obsidian go. A glint like steel flashed in Obsidian's gaze.

The rest of the family left, escorted by one of the two diamondscales.

The other addressed the group. 

"Princess  Obsidian wishes to stay here and observe the class for the rest of the session."

The dragonets nodded. The glossy princess didn't do anything but watch with intent and fiddle with something in her claws. 

The escort had a weird pussy-yellow tinge to her eyes.

[[A/N: *ahem* If there's ever the word 'pussy' in this book then it means full of pus. Therefore, pussy. Pus-e. Thank you.]]

There was a scraping of talons outside the lesson room. 

A stony dragon the color of basalt entered the room unannounced. Neither the escort or the princess seemed to care.

"Obsidian, leave." Dugout heard him whisper. The princess bowed her head and swept out of the cave. The escort didn't follow her.

The stony dragon pitched a stone in the middle of the room and ran out. 

It seemed like it was slow motion. Everyone watched the rock fly through the air. Dugout leaped up, sensing danger. He sprinted towards the exit, where Hardrock was emitting a piercing shriek and backing out of the cave.

The rock thudded on the ground. For a second, all was quiet.

Then an explosion blasted Dugout and Hardrock out of the cave. 

A huge ball of fire enveloped in the middle of the cave, consuming the teacher  and bellowing outward.

Screams pierced the air.

Dugout was pushed out of the cave by the stampede of StoneWings. He threw his wings over his head and let the fire blow over him, searing impossible pain.

At least the last thing he'd saw was Hardrock.