Young Writers Society

Note from the Author: This is a fanfiction for Wings of Fire that I've been wanting to make for a VERY long time. I started on the prologue, but I'll tell you, the reader, a little bit about it. This fanfic will be about the backstory of Queen Scarlet. I thought that her history wasn't explored enough, so I wanted to create what I thought what it would be. Hope you enjoy!

Prologue

Condor reached for the skies. She flapped as hard as she could and twirled around next to Scarlet. The sandy beach below almost seemed like it was shining in the sunlight, and the beams of light were bouncing back and forth between them.

“Isn’t it great!” cried Condor, beating her wings.

“I cannot describe my passion for this simply in words,” said Scarlet, glancing around suspiciously while flying, which sounded pretty hard to Condor.

“Well, that’s awesome!” said Condor. Maybe Scarlet finally took a liking to flying and dancing like a SkyWing and not running around the arena all day, practicing hunting scavengers.

“But I can with numbers,” replied Scarlet drily. After Condor gave her confused face for a long moment, Scarlet finally answered, “Negative nine out of ten.”

Condor gave an exasperated sigh, “Scarlet. Please. The cave is not healthy for you! You need to fly! Like a SKYWING for the moons’ sake.”

“I just practice my hunting!” pouted Scarlet, diving for the shore, sticking her tongue out at Condor. She landed, gave Condor an irritated face, and suddenly, three SeaWings leaped out of the water and reached for Scarlet.

Condor widened her eyes in surprise as Scarlet did a half-somersault and raked her claws into one of the SeaWing’s underbelly, and the ocean dragon screamed in pain. The scream lasted for approximately ten seconds, which was a bit horrifying. Condor had never seen Scarlet look like that before. Scarlet looked happy, manic even. Condor should have been elated that her drab sister was finally having fun, but the screaming SeaWings did not make her feel very good.

“Please! Scarlet! Stop this!” she cried. However, both warriors did not take any notice of her and continued fighting, brawling in the sand, scratching at clawing at each other.

The second SeaWing suddenly leaped back into defensive position and growled at Scarlet, “General Cormorant will love a SkyWing princess in his collection.”

And to Condor’s surprise, Scarlet smiled and taunted the large SeaWing playfully, “Not if you can catch me.” Condor’s sister lunged forward, smoke rising from her snout, suddenly not looking very playful. The SeaWing, who apparently did hear some of Scarlet’s taunt, also jumped forward, and Scarlet ducked at the last second, grabbing the SeaWing’s front arm, sending him lurching forward into the sand with a loud ploof.

The SeaWing started to get up, but Scarlet didn’t waste any time, she slammed herself onto the SeaWing and slit both sides of his throat, sending blood spewing everywhere in a very gross fashion, which at that point, Condor just turned away, cringing.

Condor then heard a bashing noise behind her. Probably Scarlet bashing the SeaWing’s head on the sand. Or Scarlet bashing her arms on the SeaWing’s head. Or the SeaWing thrashing around ending with Scarlet bashing something on the SeaWing’s head. Or Scarlet spewing fire at the SeaWing, making him bang his head on the sand.Condor then mentally scolded herself for thinking of such violent things.

After a while of silence, Scarlet dragged herself back up to Condor, smiling ruefully.

“You didn’t have to do that, Scarlet,” said Condor, a bit angry.

“I was protecting you,” she said, which made Condor even angrier.

She suddenly exploded at Scarlet, “I don’t need protecting! I can fight perfectly fine!” Which was a lie. Scarlet was much better at fighting than Condor, but she was really mad right now and that didn’t matter.

Scarlet looked a bit surprised and a bit taken aback, “Well then-” Condor wrapped her talons around Scarlet’s snout and gestured for Scarlet to be quiet. The two of them stood in silence for a moment. It was comforting to see Scarlet silenced, but that wasn't want Condor wanted to silence her sister for. 

She thought she heard something. Like . . . something rising out of the water. She swiveled her head at the ocean right in time for a third SeaWing to leap out of the water, with his claws outstretched.

Since Scarlet was about to argue, and was about to protest indignantly, Condor knew she wasn't going to or able to defend against the SeaWing. With a split second thought, Condor jumped in front of Scarlet, protecting her, and the SeaWing slashed his claws straight across Condor’s underbelly, sending blood everywhere like the ocean waves itself.