Peril's Choice (Wings of Fire AU)

Chapter 1

Peril landed at the location they agreed upon. The lake and waterfall took her breath away. She looked down at her talons, soon realising that she was burning the grass. She pulled her tail closer to her body. Peril was still in a state of shock. She was supposed to kill her friend today and yet, here she was, escaping with him!

"Kestrel!" she heard Sunny call. The small Sandwing was rather nice, Peril would admit to that. She also was basically the only one of Clay's friends that didn't outright hate her guts so that helped their relationship. She was a bit too sweet for her liking though. "You're alright!"

"No thanks to you five" Kestrel, her mother growled. Another thing she couldn't quite believe was her mother being alive. She didn't exactly show it well but she was glad she was. She did seem quite mean-tempered though. Especially with Clay, something she didn't appreciate.

"You wanted so badly to be free. Now you see why we had to protect you?" she said as she got her wing stuck in a tree branch. "You're welcome." Tsunami growled. She was the most hostile one of the dragonets. She hated Peril and so did Peril.

If only Peril could burn Tsunami just a tiny bit. Clay probably wouldn't like that though. Tsunami scowled, "We could have left you in the Sky Kingdom Kestrel. I would have."

Peril's attention swayed elsewhere. She wasn't exactly interested in that squabble. Clay was rolling in the mud. Getting it everywhere. She thought it was cute. The RainWing, Glory, who thought otherwise, jumped back in disgust. That sparked another argument about cover and moods and blah blah blah. Peril didn't care so she tuned it out. She just sat and watched awhile. She watched them bicker for a bit but they eventually were laughing and smiling (except her mother who was still glaring in distaste).

Peril knew her heart longed for that, especially with Clay. But apparently, they don't want her within poking distance of a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. And to be honest who could blame them? She betrayed them and was supposed to kill them. And she was naturally a killer. That's what everyone knows. She dropped her wings and wallowed in self-pity for a while. The dragonets were now arguing with Kestrel now. This time about the prophecy. She paid attention to this one to see what her mother had to say. There was a back and forth between Tsunami and Kestrel for a while before Kestrel gave up. "Fine." she snorted. "What do I care? I'm done with you. I've done everything that was asked of me and all I have to show for it is a pack of ungrateful lizards. Go find your precious families. I don't care what happens to you."

"Wow. That was cold." Peril thought. She didn't like most of the dragonets, besides Clay, but if she spent the last 7 years of her life taking care of them, she wouldn't just abandon them. Well, not like that anyway. "She wouldn't abandon me like that, would she?" she pondered. She believed that that wouldn't happen but her concern was there "You're on your own now." her mother finished "And good riddance, Peril, are you coming?" Peril started to move but stopped. She couldn't just go. She hadn't even said goodbye to Clay yet. Besides, where would she get her black rocks? "I thought you were coming with us?" Clay said. She looked at him hopefully. She really wanted to go with him. With his permission, the others won't kick her out. "Over my charred dead body." Tsunami muttered. Peril glared at her. Just because she hated her didn't immediately override Clay's opinion, right? She really wished she could singe that fish breath's tail right now.

"Why not?" said Glory. Peril didn't expect her support, she seemed to hate her almost as much as Tsunami. She appreciated the backup nonetheless. "Maybe Peril's the missing dragonet you all need for the prophecy... your 'wings of sky?'" "Could I be?" Peril thought. She never considered the possibility. She barely even knew the prophecy ("Boring superstitious nonsense. Don't bother with it. If you find anyone claiming to be related to that you kill them yourself." Scarlet said when she asked about it.) But when she thought about it, it started to make sense. All the dragonets were special in some way; Sunny's compassion, her lack of a tail Barb and unusual colour, Starflight's smarts, Clay's fireproof scales, Glory's acid spit and Tsunami's fighting skill and...enthusiasm. Why not throw a Firescale SkyWing in there as well?