Wings Of Fire: Spotlight

Prologue - Legacy

"Hey!" Drizzle warned mockingly. "No theatrics, young dragoness."

"But mmmooommm-" Mako drooped her wings, pouting, playing along. "I wanna have funnnn-"

"No fun allowed in this house!" Drizzle roared dramatically, throwing her head up and booping Mako's nose with a claw. "Only study! Only training! Only perfection! We are royalty! We must act as such!"

"No we're nottt!" Mako argued mischievously. "That was ages ago! Those dragons are crusty now! Like Grandma Babble!"

"How dare you disrespect Grandma Babble!" Drizzle gasped, putting a hand against her chest, 'offended'. "She wouldn't tolerate this behavior! She would have you locked in the CHOKEY!"

Mako rolled over laughing. "Not the chokey, Ms. Trunchbull!"

That scroll, Matilda, had been one of Mako's favorite scrolls for a long time, of course, introduced to her by yours truly.

"SHE WILL MAKE SURE YOU NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN!" Drizzle roared. She began to chase her sister. "COME HERE, YOU!"

The two laughed uproariously, speeding around the room like a dog chasing a tail. Drizzle finally caught up to her and tackled her, the two rolling on the ground, chuckling lovingly.

They didn't hear the door fly open.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?"

The two froze, rolling away from each other and staring at the doorway. Vaquita loomed over them, sapphire scales seeming to spark like the calm fury in her eyes.

Drizzle blinked. "Mom, I-"

"YOU ARE DISTRACTING MAKO! AND YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE STUDYING!" Vaquita growled, motioning furiously at Mako.

Drizzle lifted her wing to cover Mako, who was behind her now, cowering. "Leave my sister alone, mom."

"She needs to learn how to act respectable!" Vaquita was stalking closer.

"Go away mother!" Drizzle shouted. "We Don't want to be part of this! The "royalty" you're so obsessed with is gone! Those dragons died years ago! So back off!"

"Watch your tone, young dragoness."

"No!" Drizzle yelled impulsively. "You're just mad that you'll never be queen, so now you're forcing us into a destiny we don't have!"

Vaquita slashed Drizzle's face, slicing through scales and skin. Blood was mildly dripping from Drizzle's face now.

Vaquita stared down at her claws, flashes of regret in her eyes. "No... I'm becoming Babble..." She looked up and glared. "Go to sleep. Both of you." With that, she strode away.

Mako's eyes were clouded with regret. "Drizzle! Are you okay? I'm so sorry! If you hadn't had to protect me-"

Drizzle twisted to look down at Mako. "Don't be sorry, sis. I would protect you no matter what, it's not your fault. Really it's mine, I'm reckless." Drizzle scratched her neck, forcing a smile. She stepped over to a dresser and dug through, finding a cloth, and pressing it to her face to slow the slow the crimson ooze dripping through her emerald green scales.

It was nearly 20 minutes later and the bleeding had stopped. Drizzle slid into her bed, Mako pressed against her side. They curled up, wings wrapped in a sleepy hug.

Drizzle's mind filled with love, and she gazed up at the jellyfish tanks ahead. Moonlight white and neon blue danced together against black water, their tentacles waving like ivy tendrils. They seemed like glowing ribbon dancers.

Speaking of dancers.

Drizzle glanced down at her sister, who was asleep, cuddling against her side. She was softly snoring, her chest rising and falling.

It won't stay like that for long... Drizzle thought; Mako usually woke her up with her deafening snores.

She wished her sister could have the life she wanted. Where she could sing, dance, and make friends. But none of that was socially acceptable, and could never happen as long as their mother could help it.

Wait... Drizzle realized. There is one place she can.

But there's only one open SeaWing slot in Jade Mountain. She would have to make a decision. Drizzle glanced down at her sister, who shifted slightly. Could I ever leave her?

But she knew that Mako would be happier there. She knew Vaquita would accept her daughter going to Jade Mountain because it was the best school known to dragonkind. And she knew Mako would be safe. And so would Drizzle. I can handle any hardships mother throws at me.

So, with that being said, she slid out of bed. She sat at her desk with paper and a quill, and, taking one last glance at Mako, began to write, the words illuminated solely by the light of jellyfish:

Dear Jade Mountain Founders,

Hello, this is Drizzle the SeaWing. I'm writing to you about my younger sister, Mako. I would like to enroll her in your academy. I believe she would excel and have an amazing time, and I truly believe she would make a great addition to your academy. Please, consider this letter.

Sincerely, Drizzle

She slammed her quill down and gazed upon her letter as if it were a masterpiece. With a soft smile, she rolled the scroll and tied it in a bow. Well, if they accept this letter, welcome to Jade Mountain Academy, Mako.