Purple Dragon [REPUBLISHED]

Chapter 1: Day in the Woods

"Elias!" Amasya called. "The best ones are over here!"

Her brother trotted over and inspected the cluster of leaves she was pointing to. The leaves had a jagged edge and a fuzzy coat. As he plucked them, their succulent smell wafted through the air. It was a smell of sunshine and warm feelings. "Good job Amasya, you've found them!" He plucked a branch off, piled it into his basket, and gave her a grin.

Elias was training to be a Medic just like Mother, and Amasya wanted to help him. Technically, they shouldn't be doing this. Gatherers had the job to gather medicinal properties, and Floressa would be furious if she found them scampering around deep into the woods.

Floressa seemed to hate Amasya with relentless energy, but Elias swore that it was just her imagination. She knew the truth, of course. Her aunt couldn't stand her.

Amasya absentmindedly hummed as she perused the plants growing randomly from the ground. She could hear Elias moving in the undergrowth behind her. They needed to be quick, in and out.

"What are you doing?" a small voice asked. Elias and Amasya groaned inwardly and turned to see a small, dark green dragon with large brown eyes that gazed at them reproachfully.

Busted.

"Sonia!" Elias cried, frustrated. "Go back to the nursery!"

Amasya tapped her paw impatiently on her ground. At any time, she would have to go soon, and they weren't done! Why couldn't her little sister just stay out of her way?

"No, I'd rather play with you guys. You're always going off and having fun without me. What are you doing?" She craned her tiny neck to see the basket hidden behind Elias's back. Her eyes grew wide. "Elias! You know you aren't supposed to gather your own supplies or touch anything without Mother! Won't Aunt Floressa be mad! I'm telling! I'm telling!" Her voice rose at the end, echoing through the forest.

Amasya hissed, leapt forward, and covered the young hatchling's mouth. Sonia mumbled, slapping at her paw.

"Leth mef tho!" Sonia mumbled. Her eyes were haughty and pouting. Amasya groaned. Mother would hear about everything tonight, and she would be punished. Everyone worshipped the ground her little sister walked on, giving her an air of pretentiousness.

She remembered the day that Sonia was born. Everybody had been nervous. Floressa had been especially cruel for weeks. Father had been angry at everyone, even Cade. When Sonia crawled out of her egg, everyone sighed with relief. There was no doubt she was an Androsythian. And every day since, everyone treated her like she was the sun and Amasya was the planet.

"If you don't leave, Sonia," Elias said. "The Rogue Army will get you! RAWWW!" He leapt and mock growled at his little sister, who shrieked and fell to her knees.

Elias laughed.

"You're mean, Elias!" Sonia cried. "You know I've been having nightmares about the Rogue Army!"

Amasya smirked and rolled her eyes. What a baby! The "Rogue Army" allegedly came back to kill and kidnap little dragonets every full moon. She remembered that she had been terrified of them when she was little, until Cade filled her in. It was just a stupid story for parents to get their dragonets to do what they wanted.

"I'm telling Mother! Won't she be mad!" Sonia insisted while Elias mock growled and roared. Her brown eyes quickly filled with tears. Mother would be angry at them for making her cry.

"Sonia, if you don't tell, I'll-I'll-" Amasya searched frantically in her mind for something to bribe Sonia with."I'll let you watch my next training lesson!" she cried triumphantly. Her little sister squealed with delight.