The Truth About The NightWings

A Decision

I felt like my world had been turned upside down.

I had always been loyal to Queen Battlewinner...always believed that she was doing the best she could for our tribe.

And all along she was a fraud--an imposter.

I realized that the only reason the NightWings were still living on this hellscape was because of her...because without the lava's heat, the frostbreath would finish its work and she would die.

What kind of queen did that?

What kind of ruler risked their own tribe for the sake of staying alive?

A good queen had to be willing to sacrifice everything for her tribe--even her life.

Sure, Battlewinner was trying to take over the rainforest to get the NightWings a new land. But was that any different? All it would cause was more bloodshed--more suffering. Innocent dragons would be killed.

We could easily live somewhere else--I'd heard whisperings of an island, near the Kingdom of the Sea, that was completely deserted and not part of the SeaWings's territory.

I picked up the scroll and studied it curiously.

How did no one know about this?

Why did everyone, even the oldest dragons, believe that Battlewinner was truly their queen.

Whatever it was, I would find out.

I would bring her tyranny to an end.

And, in that moment, a flame of hatred was born.

***

Later, at dinner, my dad asked, "Star, why are you being so quiet today? Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine," I lied. I had always been good at it."I'm just tired. Homework wore me out."

Comet nodded."I get it. We really have to talk to Fortuneteller about the amount of homework she gives these dragonets."

I nodded, but in reality I wasn't paying much attention to the conversation. My mind was still whirling with my discovery from earlier.

Back then, I had been so determined to bring justice and end Battlewinner's reign once and for all.

Now, though, I realized that this was easier said than done. Who would believe a five year old dragonet over a queen? Mastermind and the other dragon knew about this, too, but would they really support me?

I knew Mastermind wouldn't. As a scientist, he technically worked for the queen. If he suddenly went around claiming that Battlewinner wasn't their actual ruler, then he would definitely lose his job.

But the other one...I didn't know his name, but maybe he would be willing to help me make my case against the queen.

I immediately ruled this idea out. If he was friends with Mastermind, then he was probably too loyal to the queen to go against her. All NightWings were, actually.

Which meant that my best bet was going to someone from a different tribe...

It hit me like lightning.

Queen Glory.

I had heard about the recently crowned RainWing. The NightWings hated her because they feared she would find out about the secret plan.

I had valuable information to give her. Maybe she could help me overthrow Battlewinner.

Maybe she could give the NightWings a new home.

At about midnight, I snuck out of my cave, silently flying towards the beach.

I knew that there would be a guard at the tunnel, but they would most likely be asleep.

As I came in sight of the animus-touched tunnel--forbidden to dragonets--excitement shot through my body.

I was finally going to see the world beyond the NightWing Island.