Dangers of The Migrating Lands

Disaster

The day after the news of becoming the Alpha, Stephanie couldn't sleep. Not because she was excited. Her brothers constantly argued, day and night, 24/7. It was getting annoying. And one night, she decided to put a stop to the bickering.

When they were bickering one night, Stephanie leaped up from her cot and screamed, "GUYS!"

The brothers stopped flashing remarks at each other and looked at their enraged sister.

"Would you two just SHUT UP!" Stephanie roared, "We are a year away from becoming dragonets! Do you think you can wait to argue with each other until AFTER one of you becomes the Alpha?"

The two brothers looked at each other. They looked back at Stephanie and shrugged. Stephanie grumbled and went back to sleep.

A little while later, the sound of wingbeats echoed throughout the den. Stephanie looked up and saw the muscular shape of Cloudjumper the Stormcutter. He landed in front of the dragonets, his face grim.

"What's wrong, Uncle?" Eclipse asked. He also noticed Cloudjumper's worried expression.

"You need to leave," Cloudjumper growled, "All of you. You are being hunted."

"What?" Shadow stammered, "W-what do you mean, 'we're being hunted?'"

"The Migrating Lands has been attacked," Cloudjumper explained in a rushed voice, "By hateful dragons from across the Great Caverns. They are destroying the landscape and they say that they are going after one thing: the heirs to the throne."

Stephanie and Eclipse gasped, horrified. Shadow just stared blankly at Cloudjumper, as if he was carefully considering what Cloudjumper was saying.

Cloudjumper met Shadow's gaze and said, "That's you, Shadow."

"Oh," Shadow responded, snapping out of his everlasting gaze, "I knew that. Let's get them!"

Shadow dashed for the end of the den, but Cloudjumper stepped in front of him, roaring, "NO! It is much too dangerous!"

"Come on!" Shadow said, pushing against Cloudjumper's wing, "I crave justice!"

"I'm aware," Cloudjumper grumbled, "But you are not an Alpha yet. And you must be aware that these people want to hurt you. You are to stay here or find a safer spot. But absolutely NO FIGHTING!"

"What if you are attacked?" Eclipse asked, "Surely you should be able to fight back."

Cloudjumper sighed, "Okay, I can't argue with that. If you are attacked, you may fight, but you must run once you are freed. And that is an order!"

Suddenly, the ground started to rumble. The den rattled as the sound of gnashing teeth filled the air.

"They're here..." Cloudjumper whispered. He looked to the dragonets and roared, "RUN!"

Stephanie and Eclipse jumped up and flashed their wings as a giant Screaming Death crashed through the ground, its teeth dull from moving through the ground. As the screeched, it was met with one of Cloudjumper's fireballs to the face.

As Stephanie, Eclipse, and Shadow flew through a secret exit, the Screaming Death turned to Cloudjumper and lunged at him. Cloudjumper breathed a stream of fire at the Screaming Death, which repelled the behemoth.

As Stephanie and Eclipse flew through the Migrating Lands, away from their den, they heard the shriek of a Skrill above them. Suddenly, Stephanie was met with the sharp talons of the dragon. As it tried to grip Stephanie's wings to reduce mobility, a plasma blast hit the Skrill. Shrieking, it let go of Stephanie, and Stephanie flew away, diving behind a bioluminescent pillar. 

Stephanie watched behind the pillar as Shadow wrestled with the Skrill. Eclipse was about to fly away when he realized what was going on.

"Shadow!" Eclipse yelled, "Back off, you can't fight a Skrill!"

Shadow didn't listen. He continued to claw at the Skrill until the Skrill's back filled with lightning. Shadow was quickly electrocuted, and he started to fall, unconscious.

"Shadow!" Eclipse screamed. He dove for his brother, followed by the Skrill. Stephanie started to dive for the Skrill when something grabbed her tail.

Stephanie whirled around and found a large, purple Rumblehorn holding down her tail. Stephanie was about to blast the Rumblehorn when it roared, "Stop, Your Majesty! I am protecting you!"

Stephanie ceased her plasma blast and stared at the Rumblehorn in dismay.

The Rumblehorn stepped off of Stephanie's tail and explained, "It's no use going after your brothers. They can handle themselves, I'm sure."

Stephanie faced the Rumblehorn. She sat down and faced the Rumblehorn as the Rumblehorn explained, "My name is Bellow. I was flying towards the Alpha to grant him a message I prefer to remain personal until I saw him cornered by Deathgrippers. Then, I saw you and your brothers getting chased by that Skrill. I knew I had to help in some way, so when I saw you dive behind the pillar, I saw the perfect opportunity. Now, until this can be secured by your father, I recommend you stay with me."

Stephanie looked behind the pillar. Her brothers and the Skrill were gone. She then turned to Bellow.

"So?" Bellow asked, "Are you staying with me, Your Majesty? Or do you want to risk your life to save your father and your brothers? You will die if you do so."

Stephanie took a moment to think about this. Her brothers and her father possibly needed her, but the fact that these dragons who attacked possibly wanted to hurt her made this situation hard. If she stayed with Bellow, it would either save her or make her a coward.

Then, she made the logical choice. She looked Bellow dead in his small, yellow eyes and said, "I'll come with you. My father is strong and powerful. He can handle this on his own. He doesn't need me, or my brothers. I'll stay with you for the time being."