Prologue

A Sandwing wearing a torn tan cloak is in a dimly lit room. She's rummaging through some of her supplies. As she does, another Sandwing flies in and lands at the entrance.

"Octopus tentacle, shell of snail, talon of dragon, thistle. Hhhhmmm, could use some more eye of newt."

"Ahem," the Sandwing by the entrance said.

The cloaked Sandwing slightly turned her head towards him. "What updates do you have for me?"

"He has just arrived at a settlement called Bogwater in the Mudwing Kingdom," the Sandwing stated.

"Horrible name for a town," the dragon responded in a raspy voice. "Take three other dragons and wait for him outside of the town. Ambush him and bring him to me."

"It will be done." The Sandwing bowed and backed out. The cloaked Sandwing started looking through her supplies again.

"Soon Pyrrhia will be ours and all Kingdoms will bow to you my King." The cloaked Sandwing started to cackle.

Four dragons flew into a Mudwing town: One Skywing, one Nightwing, one Sandwing, and a slightly strange looking Seawing. They landed outside the town and walked towards it.

"I hate the Mudwing Kingdom. It's disgusting and muddy," the Sandwing spat. "Why are we here?"

"It's part of our adventure of course!" the Nightwing said excitedly. "Exploring Pyrrhia. Seeing places our tribes have only heard of. It's so exciting!"

"And food. Don't forget food," the Seawing smiled. "I'm starved."

"Tide, you're always hungry," the Skywing responded.

"Your point?" Tide smirked. "Anyways, these trading posts always have great food."

"Why not just catch our own food?" the Sandwing asked. "I don't see the point in buying prey from another dragon."

"Some of these dragons have worked on different food combinations to make some truly amazing meals," Tide responded. "Have you ever ate chicken with a mango sauce before? Doubt it."

"Whatever. Just grab something so we can go. All I can smell is the bog," the Sandwing said with a frown.

"Well, if you would stop dwelling on it, grouch," Tide responded while shaking her head. The group entered the small town where dragons of all tribes were here selling wares, foods, and talking with each other. Bogwater was established after the Sandwing Succession in an attempt to rekindle some civility among the tribes. Due to its location, it was a common place for Sandwings and Skywings to visit, and periodically Seawings would venture here.

"I think it's cool seeing all these dragons from different tribes socializing with each other. Makes the war seem so long ago," the Nightwing said as she smiled.

"It is a nice change of pace to see dragons at peace," the Skywing agreed. He noticed Tide eyeing a stall with some food before stopping. "What you looking at?"

"Fresh salmon with a cranberry sauce. Sounds good," Tide responded as she pulled a pouch off of her belt.

"Put that back, Tide. I got it." the Skywing told her. He took a pouch from around his neck and started checking how much treasure he had.

"Inferno, it's my food. I'm going to pay for it," Tide said in an amused tone.

"It's the least I can do," Inferno stated. "Besides, you need to save your coin. Make it last as long as you can."

"What are you talking about? I have plenty." Then it dawned on Tide. "Inferno, don't pay just to keep me from that. I told you it's different."

"But what's wrong with me helping?" Inferno questioned. "Besides, it's not expensive and I have plenty as well."

"I don't need to be babied and protected Inferno," Tide said slightly irritated.

Inferno sighed. "Tide, this is a stupid argument. Just let me pay for the food. There's no sense in making a big deal about this."

"Yes please! Just let him pay! You love birds are giving me a head ache!" the Sandwing said while rubbing his temples.

"We aren't love birds!" Inferno said uncomfortably as he blushed. Tide angrily looked at the Sandwing for a second.

The Sandwing snorted. "If you say so."

"I think it's sweet." The Nightwing smiled.

"Of course you would," the Sandwing retorted.

"We aren't done with this conversation. I know what this is about," Tide told Inferno with a frown.

"As long as I win once today," Inferno said as he left to get the food.

"Why are you so against him buying you food? It seems like a nice gesture to me," the Nightwing asked as she and Tide started to explore a little more. The Sandwing had left to find a nice place to sit.

"There's more to it than that," Tide sighed.

"What is it then?" the Nightwing pushed.

"Don't worry about it," Tide said dismissively. They walked for a little longer before Inferno returned with a seaweed wrapped fish and two hogs.

"Here you go, Tide," Inferno said as he handed her the fish. "I heard you say something about liking hog on the way over here Amethyst. Figured I'd grab one for the each of us."

"Thanks! That's very kind of you. It's my favorite food besides kiwi and maybe bananas," Amethyst responded as Inferno gave her the hog. "You ever try either of those?"

"No. I'm not even really sure what those are. Never been to the rainforest," Inferno informed her.

"Well, you really should. The fruits are great! I'm sure there is some around here." Amethyst started looking at the tables nearby.

"Where did grump go?" Inferno asked Tide and Amethyst.

"I'm not sure." Tide looked around. She hadn't even noticed he left. "Should've known it was too quiet."

"Sandstone is sitting over there." Amethyst pointed to an opening away from the venders. There was a small clear pond in the opening. Some Seawings were playing in the clear water which was probably the cleanest water for miles. Almost all the dragons were in groups, so it was easy to spot the Sandwing sitting by himself slightly away from the crowd.

"Ah. I see him," Tide said. She and Inferno started to walk away. "You coming Amethyst?"

"I'll be there soon. Looking for something," she said as she continued to scan the venders.

"What is it?" Tide asked as she stopped. Inferno noticed and stopped as well. "I might be able to help."

"It's a surprise!" Amethyst giggled before spotting it. "Aha! You guys go ahead. I'll meet up in a few." She then started snaking her way through the crowd.

Tide and Inferno resumed walking to Sandstone. Tide did a small laugh then shook her head. "Now you've done it."

Inferno looked at her. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything."

"I'm calling it now. The 'surprise' is going to be fruit. I'll almost guarantee you that's what it is," Tide said with a smirk.

"Oh. Maybe I should've mentioned that I hate fruit. That melon you gave me last week was disgusting," Inferno said.

"Just try a bite and say it isn't really your thing," Tide reasoned.

They walked over to where Sandstone was and sat down. He looked up from the plant he was studying as they did and noticed amethyst was missing. "Where's Amethyst?"

"She's getting a surprise," Inferno said.

"Probably fruit," Tide added.

"Great. Now she's going to lecture us about plants. Can't wait," Sandstone grumbled.

Tide rolled her eyes and opened the seaweed wrap revealing a fish covered with a dark red sauce. She took a bite and immediately spit it out. "Oh gross!" She started spitting a little. "Alright fish and cranberries do NOT mix." Inferno started laughing.

"Nothing goes well with fish. Lizards on the other hand are a different story," Sandstone declared.

Soon after, Amethyst showed up with an arm full of fruit and dumped the colorful bounty between everyone. "Surprise! The best food ever!" Amethyst announced. "I got enough for everyone! Here try this Inferno." She threw him a banana which he caught and looked at hesitantly. "Go on. Try it! It's not poisonous or anything. You learn what to eat and what not to eat pretty fast in the rainforest. For instance, I don't recommend the frogs. Had some crazy hallucinations after that experience."

Inferno looked at the banana again and took a hesitant bite. He tried to stop his face from going askew as he chewed, but in doing so, he made a very strange expression causing Tide to snicker as she tried to restrain her laughter. Even Sandstone cracked a short-lived grin. "Well, what do you think?" Amethyst asked innocently.

"I–" Inferno started in a strained voice. He then did a small cough and continued. "I wasn't the biggest fan of it."

"Eh. That's fine. Everyone has different tastes." Amethyst shrugged. "Even if yours is wrong."

"How can your taste be wrong?" Inferno chuckled.

"I don't know, but yours obviously is. Tide is eating them," Amethyst pointed out.

"I don't count," Tide said with a mouthful of starfruit. "My food was awful."

"How about you try it, Sandstone?" Amethyst offered.

"No," Sandstone simply replied.

"Aw come on! You might like it!" Amethyst insisted.

"No."

"Why not? Why not at least try it?" Amethyst pushed. "It's not like it would hurt anything if you did."

"Two reasons: One. Sandwings can go weeks on the slightest morsel of food, so I'm not hungry. Two. I don't care. Three. I don't like fruit. It's too juicy and messy. Oh wait, that was three reasons," Sandstone said. "Any questions, comments, or concerns?"

"Alright. Fine. More for Tide and I," Amethyst concluded.

She sat down and started eating. They ate for a little before Amethyst noticed another dragon sitting by himself. "Poor guy," Amethyst said.

"Who are you talking about?" Tide asked as she looked at Amethyst.

"That dragon over there. He's all alone," Amethyst pointed to him. "Everyone else here is socializing."

"Maybe he just wants to be alone," Sandstone offered.

"No. I agree with Amethyst. He looks sad," Tide noticed. "He's looking straight down at his fruit. He's not even eating very much of it."

"Where?" Inferno turned and started looking.

"He's the Nightwing away from everyone else. By the weeping willow," Amethyst said. "Aaaww. Even the tree is sad."

"I don't think he's a Nightwing. He might have black scales, but he looks more like a Seawing. He looks to even have luminescent scales," Tide said.

"We should invite him over here!" Amethyst suggested.

"I already have to deal with you three. I don't want a fourth," Sandstone stated.

"Oh come on! Sandstone just look at him!" Amethyst pleaded. Sandstone looked at the dragon for a little. It looked like he felt something for the dragon, but whatever it was, it was quickly covered up.

"I hold firm to 'no'."

Amethyst thought for a second. "You know what? This is my trip and if I say he can join, then he can join. It's three against one anyways."

Sandstone frowned. "Fine. Whatever you want. Just more dragons to look after."

"Alright. Inferno, you go invite him," Tide said as Amethyst smiled.

"What? Why me?" Inferno asked as he swallowed a bite of his food.

"Because Sandstone will probably just anger him, Amethyst will probably scare him off with her energy, and I want to mess around with him," Tide reasoned.

"Those are stupid reasons," Inferno stated. "Well, besides the one for Sandstone." Sandstone looked up and opened his mouth, but he then thought for a second and immediately closed it. "Amethyst should be the one to go. She's the one who wants him over here in the first place!"

"Alright then. Look at it this way. I did you a favor by letting you buy my food, so now you should do me a favor by talking to the dragon," Tide said with a smile.

"Again horrible reasons!" Inferno exclaimed. "I can literally say you should do it for that same reason."

"I think you should too," Amethyst said.

"It's two against one. You go," Tide quickly declared. Inferno looked back and forth at the both of them before frowning.

"Of course you two females would team up against me. Back me up here, Sandstone," Inferno said.

"Just go see if the dragon wants to join," Sandstone said in an irritated voice as he used his talon to cover his face in annoyance. "I think this just overthrew the last argument for being the dumbest debate ever."

"Thanks for the support there, Sandstone," Inferno muttered. "Alright fine. I'm going." Inferno stood up and started walking over to the dragon. The dragon looked up as Inferno approached. Inferno didn't like the way the dragon was watching him; he felt vulnerable, almost like he was being analyzed. Inferno could definitely tell this wasn't a normal dragon as he approached. The dragon had black scales, very dark purple under-scales, blue webs and wings, and bluish-green luminescent scales. Along with the strange colors, his physical characteristics didn't seem to be dominant of one type. The dragon seemed to stiffen as Inferno stopped in front of him. "Hello," Inferno said awkwardly.

"Hi…. Can I help you?" the dragon responded. His voice was calm, but his body was tense. This dragon was ready to run or fight.

"Um. Well, my group wanted me to invite you to come sit with us," Inferno said.

"Ok… Why?" the dragon asked.

Inferno sat down and started uncomfortably looking around. "Well, you just look lonely over here and we figured we'd offer you some company."

"And if I don't want it?" the dragon pushed.

"It's up to you. Just figured we'd offer," Inferno said. The dragon hadn't took his eyes of Inferno since he arrived. "Look I'm not going to hurt you. Can you please stop looking at me like that?"

"Where's your group?" the dragon asked. He looked in the general direction that Inferno arrived from. Dragons had started to leave the area as mid-day turned more into the afternoon, so there weren't many to choose from. "Is it the group of dragons over there?" the dragon pointed. "The Sandwing, Nightwing, and….."

"Seawing," Inferno answered. "And yes. How did you know?"

"Two of them where looking intently over here until I made eye contact," the dragon answered.

"Well, would you like to join us or should I leave you alone?" Inferno questioned. The dragon looked at him a bit longer and then the group.

"Worst case scenario is I leave if I feel uncomfortable," the dragon responded. "Lead the way." Inferno got up and started over to the group with the dragon following. Before they fully got over there. Tide looked at the dragon, gasped, and ran to him. The dragon looked alarm and tensed back up. He held his talons out. "Hey! Stay back!"

"Oh my! It's been so long! I can't believe I'm seeing you again!" Tide said as she stopped right in from of him.

"Uh. Do I know you?" the dragon said awkwardly as he lowered his talons.

"Come on don't be silly!" Tide exclaimed. "You remember me don't you?"

"I think you have me mistaken for someone else," the dragon responded.

"We used to play in around the Seawing's Palace all the time! Remember?" Tide said while she smiled at him. The other dragons just looked confused. Then the dragon smiled.

"Ah. Yes. I do remember you. You're Squidbrain, right? It's definitely been a while. Still getting lost in seaweed?" the dragon said with a chuckle.

Tide laughed. "Alright. Fine. We weren't friends. Sorry, I just like messing with dragons."

"That explains a lot," Inferno muttered.

"Anyways, what gave it away?" Tide wondered.

"A few things. One. I never set talon in the Seawing Palace. Two. I never really interacted with another Seawing. Three. No offense, but you don't look like a normal Seawing. Too many frills, tail is too skinny almost like a Rainwing's, physique looks off, and no gills," the dragon explained. Tide started to look uncomfortable. No one had ever analyzed her and placed her that fast. He didn't say "Hybrid", but he practically did. She also noticed the dragon kept looking at her daggers. Was he planning an attack?

"Wow! Tide, is that true?" Amethyst asked excitedly.

"Yes," Tide said. "I'm a Rainwing/Seawing hybrid. My mother was a Seawing and my father was a Rainwing."

"Amazing!" Amethyst said in awe. She looked back at the dragon. "What can you tell about me?"

The dragon laughed. "I'm not a psychic."

"Oh." Amethyst sounded slightly disappointed. "Well anyways, welcome to our group!" Amethyst bowed. She then started pointing to each dragon while giving their name. "This is Sandstone, that's Inferno, I believe you have already met, that's Tide, and I'm Amethyst. What's your name?"

"Nice to meet you all," the dragon responded. "I'm Abyss."